第12章

"Minealldriedlongago。I"venonelefttoshedovermywastedlife，mydisfiguredfaceandhair，myyearsofstrugglewithaman"swork，mywreckoflandamongthetilledfieldsofmyneighbours，orthefinalknowledgethatthemanIsogladlywouldhavediedtosave，wasn"tworththesacrificeofarattlesnake。Ifanythingyetcouldwringatearfromme，itwouldbethethoughtoftheawfulinjusticeIalwayshavedonemygirl。IfI"dlayhandonyouforanything，itwouldbeforthat。"

"Killmeifyouwantto，"sobbedElviraCarney。"IknowthatIdeserveit，andIdon"tcare。"

"Youaregettingyourkillingfastenoughtosuitme，"

saidMrs。Comstock。"Iwouldn"ttouchyou，anymorethanIwouldhim，ifIcould。Onceisallanymanorwomandeceivesmeabouttheholiestthingsoflife。

Iwouldn"ttouchyouanymorethanIwouldtheblackplague。Iamgoingbacktomygirl。"

Mrs。Comstockturnedandstartedswiftlythroughthewoods，butshehadgoneonlyafewrodswhenshestopped，andleaningonthehoe，shestoodthinkingdeeply。Thensheturnedback。Elvirastillclungtothefence，sobbingbitterly。

"Idon"tknow，"saidMrs。Comstock，"butIleftawrongimpressionwithyou。Idon"twantyoutothinkthatIbelievetheAlmightysetacancertoburningyouasapunishmentforyoursins。Idon"t!IthinkalotmoreoftheAlmighty。Withawholesky-fullofworldsonHishandstomanage，I"mnotbelievingthatHehastimetolookdownonours，andpickyououtofallthemillionsofussinners，andsetaspecialkindoftorturetoeatingyou。

Itwouldn"tbeagentlemanlythingtodo，andfirstofall，theAlmightyisboundtobeagentleman。Ithinklikelyabruiseandbadbloodiswhatcausedyourtrouble。

Anyway，I"vegottotellyouthatthecleanesthousekeeperIeverknew，andoneofthenoblestChristianwomen，wasslowlyeatenupbyacancer。Shegothersfromthecarelessworkofapoordoctor。TheAlmightyistoforgivesinandhealdisease，nottoinventandspreadit。"

Shehadgoneonlyafewstepswhensheagainturnedback。

"Ifyouwillgatheralotofredcloverbloom，makeateastrongaslyeofit，anddrinkquarts，Ithinklikelyitwillhelpyou，ifyouarenottoofargone。Anyway，itwillcoolyourbloodandmaketheburningeasiertobear。"

Thensheswiftlywenthome。Enterthelonelycabinshecouldnot，neithercouldshesitoutsideandthink。

Sheattackedabedofbeetsandhoeduntiltheperspirationranfromherfaceandbody，thenshebeganonthepotatoes。

Whenshewastootiredtotakeanotherstrokeshebathedandputondryclothing。Insecuringherdressshenoticedherhusband"scarefullypreservedclothingliningonewall。Shegathereditinanarmloadandcarriedittotheswamp。Piecebypieceshepitchedintothegreenmawofthequagmireallthosearticlesshehaddustedcarefullyandfoughtmothsfromforyears，andstoodwatchingasitslowlysuckedthemdown。ShewentbacktoherroomandgatheredeveryscrapthathadinanywaybelongedtoRobertComstock，exceptinghisgunandrevolver，andthrewitintotheswamp。Thenforthefirsttimeshesetherdoorwideopen。

Shewastoowearynowtodomore，butanurgingunrestdroveher。ShewantedElnora。Itseemedtohershenevercouldwaituntilthegirlcameanddeliveredherjudgment。Atlastinanefforttogetnearertoher，Mrs。ComstockclimbedthestairsandstoodlookingaroundElnora"sroom。Itwasveryunfamiliar。Thepictureswerestrangetoher。Commencementhadfilleditwithpackagesandbundles。Thewallswerecoveredwithcocoons；mothsanddragonflieswerepinnedeverywhere。

Underthebedshecouldseehalfadozenlargewhiteboxes。

Shepulledoutoneandliftedthelid。Thebottomwascoveredwithasheetofthincork，andonlongpinsstickinginitwerelarge，velvet-wingedmoths。Eachonewaslabelled，alwaysthereweretwoofakind，inmanycasesfour，showingunderandupperwingsofbothmaleandfemale。

Theywereofeverycolourandshape。

Mrs。Comstockcaughtherbreathsharply。WhenandwherehadElnorafoundthem?Theywerethemostexquisitesightthewomaneverhadseen，sosheopenedalltheboxestofeastontheirbeautifulcontents。Asshedidsotherecamemorefullyasenseofthedistancebetweenherandherchild。ShecouldnotunderstandhowElnorahadgonetoschool，andperformedsomuchworksecretly。

Whenitwasfinished，tothelastmoth，she，themotherwhoshouldhavebeenthefirstconfidantandhelper，hadbeentheonetobringdisappointment。SmallwonderElnorahadcometohateher。

Mrs。Comstockcarefullyclosedandreplacedtheboxes；

andagainstoodlookingaroundtheroom。Thistimehereyesrestedonsomebooksshedidnotrememberhavingseenbefore，soshepickeduponeandfoundthatitwasamothbook。Sheglancedoverthefirstpagesandwassooneagerlyreading。Whenthetextreachedtheclassificationofspecies，shelaiditdown，tookupanotherandreadtheintroductorychapters。Bythattimeherbrainwasinaconfusedjumbleofideasaboutcapturingmothswithdifferingbaitsandbrightlights。

Shewentdownstairsthinkingdeeply。Beingunabletositstillandhavingnothingelsetodosheglancedattheclockandbeganpreparingsupper。Theworkdragged。

Achickenwassnatchedupanddressedhurriedly。Aspicecakesprangintobeing。Strawberriesthathadbeenintendedforpreserveswentintoshortcake。Deliciousodourscreptfromthecabin。Sheputmanyextratouchesonthetableandthencommencedwatchingtheroad。

Everythingwasready，butElnoradidnotcome。Thenbegantheanxiousprocessoftryingtokeepcookedfoodwarmandnotspoilit。Thebirdswenttobedandduskcame。

Mrs。Comstockgaveupthefireandsetthesupperonthetable。Thenshewentoutandsatonthefront-doorstepwatchingnightcreeparoundher。Shestartedeagerlyasthegatecreaked，butitwasonlyWesleySintoncoming。

"Katharine，MargaretandElnorapassedwhereIwasworkingthisafternoon，andMargaretgotoutofthecarriageandcalledmetothefence。Shetoldmewhatshehaddone。I"vecometosaytoyouthatIamsorry。Shehasheardmethreatentodoitagoodmanytimes，butI

neverwouldhavegotitdone。I"dgiveagooddealifI

couldundoit，butIcan"t，soI"vecometotellyouhowsorryIam。"

"You"vegotsomethingtobesorryfor，"saidMrs。Comstock，"butlikelyweain"tthinkingofthesamething。Ithurtsmelesstoknowthetruth，thantoliveinignorance。

IfMaghadthesenseofapewee，she"dtoldmelongago。

That"swhathurtsme，tothinkthatbothofyouknewRobertwasnotworthanhourofhonestgrief，yetyou"dletmemournhimalltheseyearsandneglectElnorawhileI

didit。IfIhaveanythingtoforgiveyou，thatiswhatitis。"

Wesleyremovedhishatandsatonabench。

"Katharine，"hesaidsolemnly，"nobodyeverknowshowtotakeyou。"

"Woulditbeaskingtoomuchtotakemeforhavingafewgrainsofplaincommonsense?"sheinquired。"You"veknownallthistimethatComstockgotwhathedeserved，whenheundertooktosneakinanunusedwayacrossaswamp，withwhichhewasnonetoofamiliar。NowI

shouldhavethoughtthatyou"dfigurethatknowingthesamethingwouldbethebestmethodtocuremeofpiningforhim，andslightingmychild。"

"Heavenonlyknowswehavethoughtofthat，andtalkedofitoften，butwewerebothtoobigcowards。

Wedidn"tdaretellyou。"

"Soyouhavegoneonyearafteryear，watchingmeshowindifferencetoElnora，andyetalittlehorse-sensewouldhavepointedouttoyouthatshewasmysalvation。

Whylookatit!Notmarriedquiteayear。AllhisvowsofloveandfidelitymadetomebeforetheAlmightyforgotteninafewmonths，andadanceandaLightWomansoalluringhehadtolieandsneakforthem。Whatkindofaprospectisthatforalife?Iknowmenandwomen。

Anhonourablemanisanhonourableman，andaliarisaliar；

botharebornandnotmade。Onecannotchangetotheotheranymorethanthatsameoldleopardcanchangeitsspots。Afteramantellsawomanthefirstuntruthofthatsort，theotherscomepilingthick，fast，andmountainhigh。ThedesolationtheybringintheirwakeovershadowsanythingIhavesufferedcompletely。IfhehadlivedsixmonthsmoreIshouldhaveknownhimforwhathewasborntobe。Itwasinthebloodofhim。Hisfatherandgrandfatherbeforehimwerefiddling，dancingpeople；butIwascertainofhim。IthoughtwecouldleaveOhioandcomeoutherealone，andIcouldsolovehimandinteresthiminhiswork，thathewouldbeaman。Ofallthefool，fruitlessjobs，makinganythingofacreaturethatbeginsbydeceivingher，isthefoolestasanewomaneverundertook。

IammorethansorryyouandMargaretdidn"tseeyourwaycleartotellmelongago。I"dhavefounditoutinafewmoremonthsifhehadlived，andIwouldn"thaveborneitaday。Themanwhobreakshisvowstomeonce，doesn"tgetthesecondchance。Igivetruthandhonour。

Ihavearighttoaskitinreturn。IamgladIunderstandatlast。Now，ifElnorawillforgiveme，wewilltakeanewstartandseewhatwecanmakeoutofwhatisleftoflife。

Ifshewon"t，thenitwillbemytimetolearnwhatsufferingreallymeans。"

"Butshewill，"saidWesley。"Shemust!Shecan"thelpitwhenthingsareexplained。"

"Inoticesheisn"thurryinganyaboutcominghome。

Doyouknowwheresheisorwhatsheisdoing?"

"Idonot。Butlikelyshewillbealongsoon。ImustgohelpBillywiththenightwork。Good-bye，Katharine。

ThanktheLordyouhavecometoyourselfatlast!"

TheyshookhandsandWesleywentdowntheroadwhileMrs。Comstockenteredthecabin。Shecouldnotswallowfood。

Shestoodinthebackdoorwatchingtheskyformoths，buttheydidnotseemtobeverynumerous。Herspiritssankandshebreathedunevenly。Thensheheardthefrontscreen。ShereachedthemiddledoorasElnoratouchedthefootofthestairs。

"Hurry，andgetready，Elnora，"shesaid。"Yoursupperisalmostspoilednow。"

Elnoraclosedthestairdoorbehindher，andforthefirsttimeinherlife，threwtheheavyleverwhichbarredoutanyonefromdownstairs。Mrs。Comstockheardthethud，andknewwhatitmeant。Shereeledslightlyandcaughtthedoorpostforsupport。Forafewminutessheclungthere，thensanktothenearestchair。Afteralongtimeshearoseandstumblinghalfblindly，sheputthefoodinthecupboardandcoveredthetable。Shetookthelampinonehand，thebutterintheother，andstartedtothespringhouse。Somethingbrushedclosebyherface，andshelookedjustintimetoseeawingedcreatureriseabovethecabinandsailaway。

"Thatwasanightbird，"shemuttered。Asshestoppedtosetthebutterinthewater，cameanotherthought。

"Perhapsitwasamoth!"Mrs。Comstockdroppedthebutterandhurriedoutwiththelamp；sheheldithighaboveherheadandwaiteduntilherarmsached。

Smallinsectsofnightgathered，andatlastalittledustymiller，butnothingcameofanysize。

"Imustgowheretheyare，ifIgetthem，"mutteredMrs。Comstock。

Shewenttothebarnafterthestoutpairofhighbootssheusedinfeedingstockindeepsnow。Throwingthesebesidethebackdoorsheclimbedtotheloftoverthespringhouse，andhuntedanoldlardoillanternandoneoffirstmanufactureforoil。Boththeseshecleanedandfilled。

Shelisteneduntileverythingupstairshadbeenstillforoverhalfanhour。Bythattimeitwaspasteleveno"clock。

Thenshetookthelanternfromthekitchen，thetwooldones，ahandfulofmatches，aballoftwine，andwentfromthecabin，softlyclosingthedoor。

Sittingonthebacksteps，sheputontheboots，andthenstoodgazingintotheperfumedJunenight，firstinthedirectionofthewoodsonherland，thentowardtheLimberlost。

Itsoutlinewassodarkandforbiddingsheshudderedandwentdownthegarden，followingthepathtowardthewoods，butasshenearedthepoolherkneeswaveredandhercouragefled。TheknowledgethatinhersoulshewasnowgladRobertComstockwasatthebottomofitmadeacowardofher，whofearlesslyhadmournedhimthere，nightsuntold。Shecouldnotgoon。Sheskirtedthebackofthegarden，crossedafield，andcameoutontheroad。SoonshereachedtheLimberlost。Shehunteduntilshefoundtheoldtrail，thenfolloweditstumblingoverlogsandthroughclingingvinesandgrasses。

Theheavybootsclumpedonherfeet，overhangingbrancheswhippedherfaceandpulledherhair。Buthereyeswereontheskyasshewentstrainingintothenight，hopingtofindsignsofalivingcreatureonwing。

Byandbyshebegantoseethewaveringflightofsomethingshethoughtneartherightsize。Shehadnoideawhereshewas，butshestopped，lightedalanternandhungitashighasshecouldreach。Alittledistanceawaysheplacedthesecondandthenthethird。Theobjectscamenearerandsickwithdisappointmentshesawthattheywerebats。Crouchinginthedampswampgrasses，withoutathoughtofsnakesorvenomousinsects，shewaited，hereyesrovingfromlanterntolantern。Onceshethoughtacreatureofhighflightdroppednearthelardoillight，soshearosebreathlesslywaiting，buteitheritpassedoritwasanillusion。Sheglancedattheoldlantern，thenatthenew，andwasonherfeetinaninstantcreepingclose。

Somethinglargeasasmallbirdwasflutteringaround。

Mrs。Comstockbegantoperspire，whileherhandshookwildly。

Closershecreptandjustasshereachedforit，somethingsimilarsweptpastandbothflewawaytogether。

Mrs。Comstocksetherteethandstoodshivering。Foralongtimethelocustsrasped，thewhip-poor-willscriedandasteadyhumofnightlifethrobbedinherears。Awayintheskyshesawsomethingcomingwhenitwasnolargerthanafallingleaf。Straighttowardthelightitflew。

Mrs。Comstockbegantoprayaloud。

"Thisway，OLord!Makeitcomethisway!Please!

OLord，senditlower!"

Themothhesitatedatthefirstlight，thenslowly，easilyitcametowardthesecond，asiffollowingapathofair。Ittouchedaleafnearthelanternandsettled。

AsMrs。Comstockreachedforitathinyellowspraywetherhandandthesurroundingleaves。Whenitswingsraisedaboveitsback，herfingerscametogether。

Sheheldthemothtothelight。Itwasnearerbrownthanyellow，andsherememberedhavingseensomelikeitintheboxesthatafternoon。Itwasnottheoneneededtocompletethecollection，butElnoramightwantit，soMrs。Comstockheldon。ThentheAlmightywaskind，ornaturewassufficient，asyoulookatit，forfollowingthelawofitsbeingwhendisturbed，themothagainthrewthespraybywhichsomesupposeitattractsitskind，andliberallysprinkledMrs。Comstock"sdressfrontandarms。Fromthatinstant，shebecamethebestmothbaiteverinvented。EveryPolyphemusinrangehastenedtoher，andotherflutteringcreaturesofnightfollowed。

Theinfluxcameherway。Shesnatchedwildlyhereandthereuntilshehadoneineachhandandnoplacetoputthem。Shecouldseemorecoming，andherachingheart，swollenwiththestrainoflongexcitement，hurtpitifully。Sheprayedinbrokenexclamationsthatdidnotalwayssoundreverent，butneverwashumansoulinmoreintenseearnest。

Mothswerecoming。Shehadoneineachhand。

Theywerenotyellow，andshedidnotknowwhattodo。

Sheglancedaroundtotrytodiscoversomewaytokeepwhatshehad，andherthrobbingheartstoppedandeverymusclestiffened。Therewasthedimoutlineofacrouchingfigurenottwoyardsaway，andapairofeyestheirownerthoughthidden，caughtthelightinacoldstream。Herfirstimpulsewastoscreamandflyforlife。Beforeherlipscouldopenabigmothalightedonherbreastwhileshefeltanotherwalkingoverherhair。

Allsenseofcautiondesertedher。Shedidnotcaretoliveifshecouldnotreplacetheyellowmothshehadkilled。

Sheturnedhereyestothoseamongtheleaves。

"Here，you!"shecriedhoarsely。"Ineedyou!Getyourselfouthere，andhelpme。Thesecrittersaregoingtogetawayfromme。Hustle!"

PeteCorsonpartedthebushesandsteppedintothelight。

"Oh，it"syou!"saidMrs。Comstock。"Imighthaveknown!

Butyougavemeastart。Here，holdtheseuntilImakesomesortofbagforthem。Goeasy!IfyoubreakthemIdon"tguaranteewhatwillhappentoyou!"

"Prettyfierce，ain"tyou!"laughedPete，butheadvancedandheldouthishands。"ForElnora，Is"pose?"

"Yes，"saidMrs。Comstock。"Inamadfit，Itrampledonethismorning，andbytheluckoftheoldboyhimselfitwasthelastmothsheneededtocompleteacollection。

Igottogetanotheroneordie。"

"ThenIguessit"syourfuneral，"saidPete。"Thereain"tachanceinadozentherightonewillcome。Whatcolourwasit?"

"Yellow，andbigasabird。"

"TheEmperor，likely，"saidPete。"Youdigforthatkind，andtheyarenotnumerous，so"s"atyoucansmash"emforfun。"

"Well，Icantrytogetone，anyway，"saidMrs。Comstock。

"Iforgotallaboutbringinganythingtoputthemin。

YoutakeapinchontheirwingsuntilImakeapoke。"

Mrs。Comstockremovedherapron，tearingoffthestrings。

Sheunfastenedandsteppedfromtheskirtofhercalicodress。Withoneapronstringshetiedshutthebandandplacket。Shepulledawirepinfromherhair，stuckitthroughtheotherstring，andusingitasabodkinranitaroundthehemofherskirt，soshortlyshehadalargebag。Sheputseveralbranchesinsidetowhichthemothscouldcling，closedthemouthpartiallyandheldittowardPete。

"Putyourhandwelldownandletthethingsgo!"sheordered。

"Butbecareful，man!Don"trunintothetwigs!Easy!

That"sone。Nowtheother。Istheoneonmyheadgone?

Therewasoneonmydress，butIguessitflew。Herecomesakindofagray-lookingone。"

Peteslippedseveralmoremothsintothebag。

"Now，that"sfive，Mrs。Comstock，"hesaid。"I"msorry，butyou"llhavetomakethatdo。Youmustgetoutofherelively。Yourlightswillbetakenforhurrycalls，andinsidethenexthouracoupleofmenwillrideherelikefury。Theywon"tbeniceSunday-schoolmen，andtheywon"tholdbagsandcatchmothsforyou。

Youmustgoquick!"

Mrs。Comstocklaiddownthebagandpulledoneofthelanternslower。

"Iwon"tbudgeastep，"shesaid。"Thislanddoesn"tbelongtoyou。Youhavenorighttoordermeoffit。

HereIstayuntilIgetaYellowEmperor，andnolittlepeteringthievesofthisneighbourhoodcanscaremeaway。"

"Youdon"tunderstand，"saidPete。"I"mwillingtohelpElnora，andI"dtakecareofyou，ifIcould，buttherewillbetoomanyforme，andtheywillbemadatbeingcalledoutfornothing。"

"Well，who"scallingthemout?"demandedMrs。Comstock。

"I"mcatchingmoths。Ifalotofgood-for-nothingsgetfooledintolosingsomesleep，whyletthem，theycan"thurtme，orstopmywork。"

"Theycan，andthey"lldoboth。"

"Well，I"llseethemdoit!"saidMrs。Comstock。"I"vegotRobert"srevolverinmydress，andIcanshootasstraightasanyman，ifI"mmadenough。Anyonewhointerfereswithmeto-nightwillfindmemada-plenty。Theregoesanother!"

Shesteppedintothelightandwaiteduntilabigbrownmothsettledonherandwaseasilytaken。Theninlight，airyflightcameadelicatepalegreenthing，andMrs。

Comstockstartedinpursuit。Butthescentwasnotright。

Themothflutteredhigh，thendroppedlower，stilllower，andsailedaway。WithoutstretchedhandsMrs。Comstockpursuedit。Shehurriedonewayandanother，thenranoveranobjectwhichtrippedherandshefell。

Sheregainedherfeetinaninstant，butshehadlostsightofthemoth。Withlividfacesheturnedtothecrouchingman。

"Younasty，sneakingsonofSatan!"shecried。"Whyareyouhidingthere?YoumademelosetheoneIwantedmostofanyI"vehadachanceatyet。Getoutofhere!

Gothisminute，orI"llfillyourworthlesscarcasssofullofholesyou"lldotosiftcornmeal。Go，Isay!I"musingtheLimberlostto-night，andIwon"tbestoppedbythedevilhimself!Cutlikefury，andtelltherestofthemtheycanjustgohome。Peteisgoingtohelpme，andheisallofyouIneed。Nowgo!"

Themanturnedandwent。Peteleanedagainstatree，heldhismouthshutandshookinwardly。Mrs。Comstockcamebackpanting。

"Theoldscoundrelmademelosethat!"shesaid。"IfanyoneelsecomessnoopingaroundhereI"lljustblowthemuptostartwith。Ihaven"ttimetotalk。Supposethathadbeenyellow!I"dhavekilledthatman，sure!

TheLimberlostisn"tsafeto-night，andthesoonerthosewhelpsfinditout，thebetteritwillbeforthem。"

Petestoppedlaughingtolookather。Hesawthatshewasspeakingthetruth。Shewasquitepastreason，sense，orfear。Thesoftnightairstirredthewethairaroundhertemples，theflickeringlanternsmadeherfaceaghastlygreen。Shewouldstopatnothing，thatwasevident。

Petesuddenlybegancatchingmothswithexemplaryindustry。

Inputtingoneintothebag，anotherescaped。

"Wemustnottrythatagain，"saidMrs。Comstock。

"Now，whatwillwedo?"

"Weareclosetotheoldcase，"saidPete。"IthinkIcangetintoit。Maybewecouldsliptherestinthere。"

"That"safineidea!"saidMrs。Comstock。"They"llhavesomuchroomtheretheywon"tbelikelytohurtthemselves，andthebookssaytheydon"tflyindaytimeunlesstheyaredisturbed，sotheywillsettlewhenit"slight，andIcancomewithElnoratogetthem。"

Theycapturedtwomore，andthenPetecarriedthemtothecase。

"Herecomesabigone!"hecriedashereturned。

Mrs。Comstocklookedupandsteppedoutwithaprayeronherlips。Shecouldnottellthecolouratthatdistance，butthemothappeareddifferentfromtheothers。

Onitcame，droppingloweranddartingfromlighttolight。

Asitsweptnearher，"OHeavenlyFather!"exultedMrs。

Comstock，"it"syellow!CarefulPete!Yourhat，maybe!"

Petemadealongsweep。Themothwaveredabovethehatandsailedaway。Mrs。Comstockleanedagainstatreeandcoveredherfacewithhershakinghands。

"Thatismypunishment!"shecried。"Oh，Lord，ifyouwillgiveamothlikethatintomypossession，I"llalwaysbeabetterwoman!"

TheEmperoragaincameinsight。Petestoodtenseandready。Mrs。Comstocksteppedintothelightandwatchedthemoth"scourse。Thenasecondappearedinpursuitofthefirst。Thelargeronewaveredintotheradiusoflightoncemore。Theperspirationrolleddowntheman"sface。Hehalfliftedthehat。

"Pray，woman!Praynow!"hepanted。

"IguessIbestgetoverbythatlardoillightandgotowork，"breathedMrs。Comstock。"TheLordknowsthisisallinprayer，butit"snotimeforwordsjustnow。

Ready，Pete!Youaregoingtogetachancefirst!"

Petemadeanotherlong，steadysweep，butthemothdartedbeneaththehat。InitsflightitcamestraighttowardMrs。Comstock。Shesnatchedofftheremnantofapronshehadtuckedintoherpetticoatbandandheldthecalicobeforeher。Themothstruckfullagainstitandclungtothegoods。Petecreptupstealthily。

Thesecondmothfollowedthefirst，andthesprayshoweredtheapron。

"Wait!"gaspedMrs。Comstock。"Ithinktheyhavesettled。

Thebookssaytheywon"tleavenow。"

Thebigpaleyellowcreatureclungfirmly，loweringandraisingitswings。Theothercamenearer。Mrs。

Comstockheldtheclothwithrigidhands，whilePetecouldhearherbreathinginshortgusts。

"ShallItrynow?"heimplored。

"Wait!"whisperedthewoman。"Somethingseemstosaywait!"

Thenightbreezestiffenedandgentlywavedtheapron。

Locustsrasped，mosquitoeshummedandfrogssanguninterruptedly。

Amuskyodourslowlyfilledtheair。

"NowshallI?"questionedPete。

"No。Leavethemalone。Theyaresafenow。Theyaremine。

Theyaremysalvation。GodandtheLimberlostgavethemtome!Theywon"tmoveforhours。Thebooksallsayso。

OHeavenlyFather，IamthankfultoYou，andyou，too，PeteCorson!Youareagoodmantohelpme。Now，Icangohomeandfacemygirl。"

Instead，Mrs。Comstockdroppedsuddenly。Shespreadtheapronacrossherknees。Themothsremainedundisturbed。

Thenhertiredwhiteheaddropped，thetearsshehadthoughtforeverdriedgushedforth，andshesobbedforpurejoy。

"Oh，Iwouldn"tdothatnow，youknow!"comfortedPete。

"Thinkofgettingtwo!That"smorethanyouevercouldhaveexpected。Abodywouldthinkyouwouldcry，ifyouhadn"tgotany。Comeon，now。It"salmostmorning。

Letmehelpyouhome。"

Petetookthebagandthetwooldlanterns。Mrs。Comstockcarriedhermothsandthebestlanternandwentaheadtolighttheway。

Elnorahadsatbesideherwindowfarintothenight。

Atlastsheundressedandwenttobed，butsleepwouldnotcome。ShehadgonetothecitytotalkwithmembersoftheSchoolBoardaboutaroominthegrades。Therewasapossibilitythatshemightsecurethemoth，andsobeabletostarttocollegethatfall，butifshedidnot，thenshewantedtheschool。Shehadbeengivensomeencouragement，butshewassounhappythatnothingmattered。Shecouldnotseethewayopentoanythinginlife，savealongseriesofdisappointments，whilesheremainedwithhermother。YetMargaretSintonhadadvisedhertogohomeandtryoncemore。Margarethadseemedsosuretherewouldbeachangeforthebetter，thatElnorahadconsented，althoughshehadnohopeherself。Sostrongisthebondofblood，shecouldnotmakeuphermindtoseekahomeelsewhere，evenafterthedaythathadpassed。

Unabletosleepshearoseatlast，andtheroombeingwarm，shesatonthefloorclosethewindow。Thelightsintheswampcaughthereye。Shewasveryuneasy，forquiteahundredofherbestmothswereinthecase。However，therewasnomoney，andnooneeverhadtouchedabookoranyofherapparatus。Watchingthelightssetherthinking，andbeforesherealizedit，shewasinapanicoffear。

Shehurrieddownthestairwaysoftlycallinghermother。

Therewasnoanswer。Shelightlysteppedacrossthesitting-roomandlookedinattheopendoor。Therewasnoone，andthebedhadnotbeenused。Herfirstthoughtwasthathermotherhadgonetothepool；andtheLimberlostwasalivewithsignals。Pityandfearmingledintheheartofthegirl。Sheopenedthekitchendoor，crossedthegardenandranbacktotheswamp。Assheneareditshelistened，butshecouldhearonlytheusualvoicesofnight。

"Mother!"shecalledsoftly。Thenlouder，"Mother!"

Therewasnotasound。Chilledwithfrightshehurriedbacktothecabin。Shedidnotknowwhattodo。

SheunderstoodwhatthelightsintheLimberlostmeant。

Wherewashermother?Shewasafraidtoenter，whileshewasgrowingverycoldandstillmorefearfulaboutremainingoutside。Atlastshewenttohermother"sroom，pickedupthegun，carrieditintothekitchen，andcrowdinginalittlecornerbehindthestove，shewaitedintremblinganxiety。Thetimewasdreadfullylongbeforesheheardhermother"svoice。Thenshedecidedsomeonehadbeenillandsentforher，soshetookcourage，andsteppingswiftlyacrossthekitchensheunbarredthedooranddrewbackfromsightbesidethetable。

Mrs。Comstockentereddraggingherheavyfeet。Herdressskirtwasgone，herpetticoatwetanddrabbled，andthewaistofherdresswasalmosttornfromherbody。

Herhairhungindampstrings；hereyeswereredwithcrying。

Inonehandsheheldthelantern，andintheotherstifflyextendedbeforeher，onawadofcalicoreposedamagnificentpairofYellowEmperors。Elnorastared，herlipsparted。

"ShallIputtheseothersinthekitchen?"inquiredaman"svoice。

Thegirlshrankbacktotheshadows。

"Yes，anywhereinsidethedoor，"repliedMrs。Comstockasshemovedafewstepstomakewayforhim。

Pete"sheadappeared。Hesetdownthemothsandwasgone。

"Thankyou，Pete，morethaneverwomanthankedyoubefore!"

saidMrs。Comstock。

Sheplacedthelanternonthetableandbarredthedoor。

AssheturnedElnoracameintoview。Mrs。Comstockleanedtowardher，andheldoutthemoths。Inavoicevibrantwithtonesneverbeforeheardshesaid:"Elnora，mygirl，mother"sfoundyouanothermoth!"

CHAPTERXIII

WHEREINMOTHERLOVEISBESTOWEDONELNORA，ANDSHEFINDSANASSISTANTINMOTHHUNTING

Elnoraawokeatdawnandlaygazingaroundtheunfamiliarroom。Shenoticedthateveryvestigeofmasculineattireandbelongingswasgone，andknew，withoutanyexplanation，whatthatmeant。

Forsomereasoneverytangibleevidenceofherfatherwasbanished，andshewasatlasttobeallowedtotakehisplace。Sheturnedtolookathermother。

Mrs。Comstock"sfacewaswhiteandhaggard，butonitrestedanexpressionofprofoundpeaceElnoraneverbeforehadseen。Asshestudiedthefeaturesonthepillowbesideher，theheartofthegirlthrobbedintenderness。

Sherealizedasfullyasanyoneelsecouldwhathermotherhadsuffered。Thoughtsofthenightbroughtshudderingfear。

Shesoftlyslippedfromthebed，wenttoherroom，dressedandenteredthekitchentoattendtheEmperorsandpreparebreakfast。

Thepairhadbeenleftclingingtothepieceofcalico。

Thecalicowasthereandafewpiecesofbeautifulwing。

Amousehadeatenthemoths!

"Well，ofallthehorribleluck!"gaspedElnora。

Withthefirstthoughtofhermother，shecaughtuptheremnantsofthemoths，buryingthemintheashesofthestove。

Shetookthebagtoherroom，hurriedlyreleasingitscontents，buttherewasnotanotheryellowone。HermotherhadsaidsomehadbeenconfinedinthecaseintheLimberlost。

TherewasstillahopethatanEmperormightbeamongthem。

Shepeepedathermother，whostillsleptsoundly。

Elnoratookalargepieceofmosquitonetting，andrantotheswamp。Throwingitoverthetopofthecase，sheunlockedthedoor。Shereeled，faintwithdistress。

Thelivingmothsthathadbeenconfinedthereintheirflutteringtoescapetonightandthematestheysoughtnotonlyhadwreckedtheotherspecimensofthecase，buttornthemselvestofringesonthepins。AthirdoftherarestmothsofthecollectionforthemanofIndiawereantennaless，legless，wingless，andoftenheadless。

Elnorasobbedaloud。

"Thisisoverwhelming，"shesaidatlast。"Itismakingafatalistofme。Iambeginningtothinkthingshappenastheyareordainedfromthebeginning，thisplainlyindicatingthatthereistobenocollege，atleast，thisyear，forme。Mylifeisallmountain-toporcanon。

Iwishsomeonewouldleadmeintoafewdaysof`greenpastures。"

LastnightIwenttosleeponmother"sarm，themothsallsecured，loveandcollege，certainties。ThismorningIwaketofindallmyhopeswrecked。Isimplydon"tdareletmotherknowthatinsteadofhelpingme，shehasruinedmycollection。

Everythingisgone——unlessthelovelasts。Thatactuallyseemedtrue。IbelieveIwillgosee。"

Theloveremained。Indeed，intheoverflowofthelong-

hardened，pent-upheart，thegirlwasalmostsuffocatedwithtempestuouscaressesandgenerousofferings。Beforethedaywasover，Elnorarealizedthatsheneverhadknownhermother。Thewomanwhonowbusilywentthroughthecabin，hereyesbright，eager，alert，constantlyplanning，wasastranger。Herveryfacewasdifferent，whileitdidnotseempossiblethatduringonenighttheacidoftwentyyearscoulddisappearfromavoiceandleaveitsweetandpleasant。

ForthenextfewdaysElnoraworkedatmountingthemothshermotherhadtaken。ShehadtogototheBirdWomanandtellaboutthedisaster，butMrs。ComstockwasallowedtothinkthatElnoradeliveredthemothswhenshemadethetrip。Ifshehadtoldherwhatactuallyhappened，thechanceswerethatMrs。ComstockagainwouldhavetakenpossessionoftheLimberlost，huntingthereuntilshereplacedallthemothsthathadbeendestroyed。

ButElnoraknewfromexperiencewhatitmeanttocollectsuchalistinpairs。Itwouldrequiresteadyworkforatleasttwosummerstoreplacethelostmoths。WhenshelefttheBirdWomanshewenttothepresidentoftheOnabashaschoolsandaskedhimtodoallinhispowertosecureheraroominoneofthewardbuildings。

Thenextmorningthelastmothwasmounted，andthehouseworkfinished。Elnorasaidtohermother，"Ifyoudon"tmind，IbelieveIwillgointothewoodspasturebesideSleepySnakeCreekandseeifIcancatchsomedragonfliesormoths。"

"WaituntilIgetaknifeandapailandIwillgoalong，"

answeredMrs。Comstock。"Thedandelionsareplentytenderforgreensamongthedeepgrasses，andImightjusthappentoseesomethingmyself。Myeyesareprettysharp。"

"Iwishyoucouldrealizehowyoungyouare，"saidElnora。

"IknowwomeninOnabashawhoaretenyearsolderthanyou，yettheylooktwentyyearsyounger。Socouldyou，ifyouwoulddressyourhairbecomingly，andwearappropriateclothes。"

"Ithinkmyhairputsmeintheoldwomanclasspermanently，"

saidMrs。Comstock。

"Well，itdoesn"t!"criedElnora。"Thereisawomanoftwenty-eightwhohashairaswhiteasyoursfromsickheadaches，butherfaceisyoungandbeautiful。Ifyourfacewouldgrowalittlefullerandthoselineswouldgoaway，you"dbelovely!"

"Youlittlepig!"laughedMrs。Comstock。"Anyonewouldthinkyouwouldbesatisfiedwithhavingasplinternewmother，withoutsettingupakickonherlooks，firstthing。Greedy!"

"Thatisagoodword，"saidElnora。"Iadmitthecharge。

Iamgreedyovereverywastedyear。Iwantyouyoung，lovely，suitablydressedandenjoyinglifeliketheothergirls"mothers。"

Mrs。Comstocklaughedsoftlyasshepushedbackhersunbonnetsothatshrubsandbushesbesidethewaycouldbescannedclosely。Elnorawalkedaheadwithacaseoverhershoulder，anetinherhand。Herheadwasbare，therollingcollarofherlavenderginghamdresswascutinaV

atthethroat，thesleevesonlyreachedtheelbows。Everyfewstepsshepausedandexaminedtheshrubberycarefully，whileMrs。Comstockwaswatchinguntilhereyesached，buttherewerenodandelionsinthepailshecarried。

EarlyJunewasriotinginfreshgrasses，brightflowers，birdsongs，andgay-wingedcreaturesofair。Downthefootpaththetwowentthroughtheperfectmorning，theloveofGodandallnatureintheirhearts。Atlasttheyreachedthecreek，followingittowardthebridge。HereMrs。

Comstockfoundalargebedoftenderdandelionsandstoppedtofillherpail。Thenshesatonthebank，pickingoverthegreens，whileshelistenedtothecreeksoftlysingingitsJunesong。

Elnoraremainedwithincallingdistance，andwashavinggoodsuccess。Atlastshecrossedthecreek，followingituptoabridge。Thereshebeganacarefulexaminationoftheundersidesofthesleepersandflooringforcocoons。

Mrs。Comstockcouldseeherandthecreekforseveralrodsabove。Themothersatbeatingthelonggreenleavesacrossherhand，carefullypickingoutthewhitebuds，becauseElnoralikedthem，whenasplashupthecreekattractedherattention。

Aroundthebendcameaman。Hewasbareheaded，dressedinawhitesweater，andwaderswhichreachedhiswaist。Hewalkedonthebank，onlyenteringthewaterwhenforced。Hehadaqueerbasketstrappedonhiship，andwithasmallrodhesentalonglinespinningbeforehimdownthecreek，deftlymanipulatingwithitalittlefloatingobject。HewascloserElnorathanhermother，butMrs。Comstockthoughtpossiblybyhurryingshecouldremainunseenandyetwarnthegirlthatastrangerwascoming。Assheapproachedthebridge，shecaughtasaplingandleanedoverthewatertocallElnora。Withherlipspartedtospeakshehesitatedasecondtowatchasortofinsectthatflashedpastonthewater，whenasplashfromthemanattractedthegirl。

Shewasunderthebridge，onekneeplantedintheembankmentandafootbracedtosupporther。Herhairwastousledbywindandbushes，herfaceflushed，andsheliftedherarmsaboveherhead，workingtoloosenacocoonshehadfound。ThecallMrs。Comstockhadintendedtoutterneverfoundvoice，forasElnoralookeddownatthesound，"PossiblyIcouldgetthatforyou，"

suggestedtheman。

Mrs。Comstockdrewback。Hewasayoungmanwithawonderfullyattractiveface，althoughitwastoowhiteforrobusthealth，broadshoulders，andslender，uprightframe。

"Oh，Idohopeyoucan!"answeredElnora。"It"squiteafind!It"soneofthoselovelypaleredcocoonsdescribedinthebooks。Isuspectitcomesfromhavingbeeninadarkplaceandscreenedfromtheweather。"

"Isthatso?"criedtheman。"Waitaminute。I"veneverseenone。Isupposeit"saCecropia，fromthelocation。"

"Ofcourse，"saidElnora。"It"ssocoolherethemothhasn"temerged。Thecocoonisabig，baggyone，anditisasredasfoxtail。"

"Whatluck!"hecried。"Areyoumakingacollection?"

Hereeledinhisline，laidhisrodacrossabushandclimbedtheembankmenttoElnora"sside，producedaknifeandbegantheworkofwhittlingadeepgroovearoundthecocoon。