第13章
"Yes。IpaidmywaythroughthehighschoolinOnabashawiththem。NowIamstartingacollectionwhichmeanscollege。"
"Onabasha!"saidtheman。"ThatiswhereIamvisiting。
Possiblyyouknowmypeople——Dr。Ammon"s?Thedoctorismyuncle。MyhomeisinChicago。I"vebeenhavingtyphoidfever，somethingfierce。Inthehospitalsixweeks。
Didn"tgainstrengthright，soUncleDocsentforme。
Iamtoliveoutofdoorsallsummer，andexerciseuntilIgetinconditionagain。Doyouknowmyuncle?"
"Yes。HeisAuntMargaret"sdoctor，andhewouldbeours，onlyweareneverill。"
"Well，youlookit!"saidtheman，appraisingElnoraataglance。
"Strangersalwaysmentionit，"sighedElnora。"Iwonderhowitwouldseemtobeapale，languidladyandrideinacarriage。"
"Askme!"laughedtheman。"Itfeelslikethe——dickens!
I"msoproudofmyfeet。It"squiteatricktostandonthemnow。IhavetokeepoutofthewaterallIcanandstoptobabyeveryhalf-mile。ButwithinterestingoutdoorworkI"llbemyselfinaweek。"
"Doyoucallthatwork?"Elnoraindicatedthecreek。
"Ido，indeed!Nearlythreemiles，bankstoosofttobragonandneverastrike。Wouldn"tyoucallthathardlabour?"
"Yes，"laughedElnora。"Workatwhichyoumightkillyourselfandnevergetafish。DidanyonetellyouthereweretroutinSleepySnakeCreek?"
"UnclesaidIcouldtry。"
"Oh，youcan，"saidElnora。"Youcantrynoend，butyou"llnevergetatrout。Thisistoofarsouthandtoowarmforthem。Ifyousitonthebankandusewormsyoumightcatchsomeperchorcatfish。"
"Butthatisn"texercise。"
"Well，ifyouonlywantexercise，gorightonfishing。
Youwillhaveacreelfullofinvisibleresultseverynight。"
"Iobject，"saidthemanemphatically。HestoppedworkagainandstudiedElnora。Eventhewatchingmothercouldnotblamehim。IntheshadeofthebridgeElnora"sbrightheadandherlavenderdressmadeapictureworthyofmuchcontemplation。
"Iobject!"repeatedtheman。"WhenIworkIwanttoseeresults。I"dratherexercisesawingwood，makingonepilegrowlittleandtheotherbigthantocastalldayandcatchnothingbecausethereisnotafishtotake。
Workforwork"ssakedoesn"tappealtome。"
Hediggedthegroovearoundthecocoonwithskilledhand。
"Nowthereissomefuninthis!"hesaid。It"sgoingtobeafairjobtocutitout，butwhenitcomes，itisnotonlybeautiful，butworthaprice；itwillhelpyouonyourway。IthinkI"llputupmyrodandhuntmoths。
Thatwouldbesomethinglike!Don"tyouwanthelp?"
Elnoraparriedthequestion。"Haveyoueverhuntedmoths，Mr。Ammon?
"Enoughtoknowtheropesintakingthemandtodistinguishthecommonestones。IgowildonCatocalae。
There"stoomanyofthem，alltoomuchalikeforPhilip，butIknowallthesefellows。OneflewintomyroomwhenIwasabouttenyearsold，andwethoughtitamiracle。
NoneofuseverhadseenonesowetookitovertothemuseumtoDr。Dorsey。Hesaidtheywerecommonenough，butwedidn"tseethembecausetheyflewatnight。
Heshowedmethemuseumcollection，andIwassointerestedItookminebackhomeandstartedtohuntthem。
Everyyearafterthatwewenttoourcottageamonthearlier，soIcouldfindthem，andallmyfamilyhelped。
IstucktoituntilIwenttocollege。Then，keepingthelittlemothsoutofthebigoneswastoomuchforthemater，sofatheradvisedthatIdonateminetothemuseum。
Heboughtafinecaseforthemwithmynameonit，whichconstitutesmysolecontributiontoscience。Iknowenoughtohelpyouallright。"
"Aren"tyougoingnorththisyear?"
"Alldependsonhowthisfeverleavesme。Unclesaysthenightsaretoocoldandthedaystoohotthereforme。HethinksIhadbetterstayinaneventemperatureuntilIamstrongagain。IamgoingtostickprettyclosetohimuntilIknowIam。Iwouldn"tadmitittoanyoneathome，butIwasalmostgone。Idon"tbelieveanythingcaneatupnervemuchfasterthantheburningofaslowfever。No，thanks，Ihaveenough。
IstaywithUncleDoc，soifIfeelitcomingagainhecandosomethingquickly。"
"Idon"tblameyou，"saidElnora。"Ineverhavebeensick，butitmustbedreadful。Iamafraidyouaretiringyourselfoverthat。Letmetaketheknifeawhile。"
"Oh，itisn"tsobadasthat!Iwouldn"tbewadingcreeksifitwere。Ionlyneedafewmoredaystogetsteadyonmyfeetagain。I"llsoonhavethisout。"
"Itiskindofyoutogetit，"saidElnora。"Ishouldhavehadtopeelit，whichwouldspoilthecocoonfora"
specimenandruinthemoth。"
"Youhaven"tsaidyetwhetherImayhelpyouwhileIamhere。"
Elnorahesitated。
"Youbettersay`yes，""hepersisted。"Itwouldbearealkindness。Itwouldkeepmeoutdoorsalldayandgiveanincentivetowork。I"mgoodatit。I"llshowyouifIamnotinaweekorso。Ican`sugar，"manipulatelights，andmirrors，andalltheexpertmethods。I"llwager，mothsarenumerousintheoldswampoverthere。"
"Theyare，"saidElnora。"MostIhaveItookthere。
Afewnightsagomymothercaughtanumber，butwedon"tdaregoalone。"
"Allthemorereasonwhyyouneedme。Wheredoyoulive?Ican"tgetananswerfromyou，I"llgotellyourmotherwhoIamandaskherifImayhelpyou。
Iwarnyou，younglady，Ihaveaveryeffectivewaywithmothers。Theyalmostneverturnmedown。"
"Thenit"sprobableyouwillhaveanewexperiencewhenyoumeetmine，"saidElnora。"Sheneverwasknowntodowhatanyoneexpectedshesurelywould。"
Thecocooncameloose。PhilipAmmonsteppeddowntheembankmentturningtoofferhishandtoElnora。
Sherandownasshewouldhavedonealone，andtakingthecocoonturneditendforendtolearniftheimagoitcontainedwerealive。ThenAmmontookbackthecocoontosmooththeedges。Mrs。Comstockgavethemonelonglookastheystoodthere，andreturnedtoherdandelions。Whilesheworkedshepausedoccasionally，listeningintently。Presentlytheycamedownthecreek，themancarryingthecocoonasifitwereajewel，whileElnoramadeherwayalongthebank，takingalessonincasting。
Herfacewasflushedwithexcitement，hereyesshining，thebushestakinglibertieswithherhair。Forapictureofperfectlovelinessshescarcelycouldhavebeensurpassed，andtheeyesofPhilipAmmonseemedtobeinworkingorder。
"Moth-er!"calledElnora。
Therewasanundulant，caressingsweetnessinthegirl"svoice，asshesungoutthecallinperfectconfidencethatitwouldbringalovinganswer，thatstruckdeepinMrs。Comstock"sheart。Sheneverhadheardthatwordsopronouncedbeforeandalumparoseinherthroat。
"Here!"sheanswered，stillcleaningdandelions。
"Mother，thisisMr。PhilipAmmon，ofChicago，"
saidElnora。"HehasbeenillandheisstayingwithDr。AmmoninOnabasha。Hecamedownthecreekfishingandcutthiscocoonfromunderthebridgeforme。
Hefeelsthatitwouldbebettertohuntmothsthantofish，untilheiswell。Whatdoyouthinkaboutit?"
PhilipAmmonextendedhishand。"Iamgladtoknowyou，"hesaid。
"Youmaytakethehand-shakingforgranted，"repliedMrs。Comstock。"Dandelionshaveawayofmakingfingerssticky，andIliketoknowamanbeforeI
takehishand，anyway。Thatintroductionseemsmightycomprehensiveonyourpart，butitstillleavesmeunclassified。MynameisComstock。"
PhilipAmmonbowed。
"Iamsorrytohearyouhavebeensick，"saidMrs。Comstock。
"ButifpeoplewilllivewheretheyhavesuchvilewaterastheydoinChicago，Idon"tseewhatelsetheyaretoexpect。"
Philipstudiedherintently。
"IamsureIdidn"thaveafeveronpurpose，"hesaid。
"Youdoseemalittlewobblyonyourlegs，"sheobserved。
"MaybeyouhadbettersitandrestwhileIfinishthesegreens。It"slateforthegenuinearticle，butintheshade，amonglonggrasstheyarestilltender。"
"MayIhavealeaf?"heasked，reachingforoneashesatonthebank，lookingfromthelittlecreekathisfeet，awaythroughthedimcoolspacesoftheJuneforestontheoppositeside。Hedrewadeepbreath。"Glory，butthisisgoodafteralmosttwomonthsinsidehospitalwalls!"
Hestretchedonthegrassandlaygazingupattheleaves，occasionallyaskingtheinterpretationofabirdnoteortheoriginofanunfamiliarforestvoice。Elnorabeganhelpingwiththedandelions。
"Another，please，"saidtheyoungman，holdingouthishand。
"DoyousupposethisisthekindofgrassNebuchadnezzarate?"Elnoraasked，givingtheleaf。
"Heknewagoodthingifitis。"
"Oh，youshouldtastedandelionsboiledwithbaconandservedwithmother"scornbread。"
"Don"t!Myappetiteistwicemysizenow。Whileitis——howfarisittoOnabasha，shortestcut?"
"Threemiles。"
Themanlayinperfectcontent，nibblingleaves。
"Thissurelyisatreat，"hesaid。"Nowonderyoufindgoodhuntinghere。Thereseemstobefoliageforalmosteverykindofcaterpillar。ButIsupposeyouhavetoexchangefornorthernspeciesandPacificCoastkinds?"
"Yes。AndeveryonewantsRegalisintrade。Ineversawthelike。TheyconsideraCecropiaoraPolyphemusaninsult，andaLunaisbarelyacceptable。"
"Whatauthoritieshaveyou?"
Elnorabegantonametext-bookswhichstartedadiscussion。
Mrs。Comstocklistened。Shecleaneddandelionswithgreaterdeliberationthantheyeverbeforewereexamined。
Inrealityshewastakingstockoftheyoungman"slong，well-proportionedframe，hisstronghands，hissmooth，fine-texturedskin，histhickshockofdarkhair，andmakingmentalnotesofhissimplemanlyspeechandthefactthatheevidentlydidknowmuchaboutmoths。
Itpleasedhertothinkthatifhehadbeenaneighbourboywhohadlainbesidehereverydayofhislifewhilesheworked，hecouldhavebeennomoreathome。Shelikedthethingshesaid，butshewasproudthatElnorahadareadyanswerwhichalwaysseemedappropriate。
AtlastMrs。Comstockfinishedthegreens。
"Youarethreemilesfromthecityandlessthanamilefromwherewelive，"shesaid。"Ifyouwilltellmewhatyoudareeat，Isuspectyouhadbestgohomewithusandrestuntilthecoolofthedaybeforeyoustartback。
Probablysomeonethatyoucanrideinwithwillbepassingbeforeevening。"
"Thatismightykindofyou，"saidPhilip。"IthinkIwill。
Itdoesn"tmattersomuchwhatIeat，thepointisthatImustbemoderate。Iamhungryallthetime。"
"Thenwewillgo，"saidMrs。Comstock，"andwewillnotallowyoutomakeyourselfsickwithus。"
PhilipAmmonarose:pickingupthepailofgreensandhisfishingrod，hestoodwaiting。Elnoraledtheway。
Mrs。ComstockmotionedPhiliptofollowandshewalkedintherear。Thegirlcarriedthecocoonandtheboxofmothsshehadtaken，searchingeverystepformore。
Theyoungmanfrequentlysetdownhisloadtojoininthepursuitofadragonflyormoth，whileMrs。Comstockwatchedtheproceedingswithsharpeyes。EverytimePhilippickedupthepailofgreensshestruggledtosuppressasmile。
Elnoraproceededslowly，chatteringabouteverythingbesidethetrail。Philipwasinterestedinalltheobjectsshepointedout，noticingseveralthingswhichescapedher。
Hecarriedthegreensascasuallywhentheytookashortcutdowntheroadwayasonthetrail。WhenElnoraturnedtowardthegateofherhomePhilipAmmonstopped，tookalonglookatthebighewedlogcabin，thevineswhichclamberedoverit，theflowergardenablazewithbedsofbrightbloominterspersedwithstrawberriesandtomatoes，thetreesoftheforestrisingnorthandwestlikeagreenwallandexclaimed:"Howbeautiful!"
Mrs。Comstockwaspleased。"Ifyouthinkthat，"shesaid，"perhapsyouwillunderstandhow，inallthispresent-
dayrushtobemodern，IhavepreferredtoremainasIbegan。
MyhusbandandItookupthisland，andenoughtreestobuildthecabin，stable，andoutbuildingsarenearlyallweevercut。Ofcourse，ifhehadlived，Isupposeweshouldhavekeptupwithourneighbours。Ihearconsiderableaboutthevalueoftheland，thetreeswhichareonit，andtheoilwhichissupposedtobeunderit，butasyetIhaven"tbroughtmyselftochangeanything。
Sowestandforoneofthefewremaininghomesoffirstsettlersinthisregion。Comein。Youareverywelcometowhatwehave。"
Mrs。Comstocksteppedforwardandtookthelead。
Shehadabowlofsoftwaterandapairofbootstoofferfortheheavywaders，foroutercomfort，aglassofcoldbuttermilkandabenchonwhichtorest，inthecirculararbouruntildinnerwasready。PhilipAmmonsplashedinthewater。Hefollowedtothestableandexchangedbootsthere。Hewasravenousforthebuttermilk，andwhenhestretchedonthebenchinthearbourtheflickeringpatchesofsunlightsotantalizedhistiredeyes，whilethebeesmadesuchsplendidmusic，hewassoonsoundasleep。WhenElnoraandhermothercameoutwithatabletheystoodashorttimelookingathim。ItisprobableMrs。Comstockvoicedaunitedthoughtwhenshesaid:"Whatarefined，decentlookingyoungman!Howproudhismothermustbeofhim!Wemustbecarefulwhatwelethimeat。"
ThentheyreturnedtothekitchenwhereMrs。Comstockproceededtobecareful。Shebroiledhamofherownsugar-curing，creamedpotatoes，servedasparagusontoast，andmadeadeliciousstrawberryshortcake。Asshecookeddandelionswithbacon，shefearedtoservethemtohim，soshemadeanexcusethatittooktoolongtopreparethem，blanchedsomeandmadeasalad。WheneverythingwasreadyshetouchedPhilip"ssleeve。
"Besthavesomethingtoeat，lad，beforeyougettoohungry，"shesaid。
"Pleasehurry!"hebeggedlaughinglyasheheldaplatetowardhertobefilled。"IthoughtIhadenoughself-
restrainttostartoutalone，butIseeIwasmistaken。
Ifyouwouldallowme，justnow，IamafraidIshouldstartafeveragain。Ineverdidsmellfoodsogoodasthis。
It"smightykindofyoutotakemein。IhopeIwillbemanenoughinafewdaystodosomethingworthwhileinreturn。"
Spotsofsunshinefellonthewhiteclothandbluechina，thebeesandanoccasionalstraybutterflycamesearchingforfood。Arose-breastedgrosbeak，releasedfromathreehours"siegeofbrooding，whilehisindependentmatetookherbathandrecreation，mountedthetopbranchofamapleinthewestwoodsfromwhichheserenadedthedinnerpartywithajoyfulchorusincelebrationofhisfreedom。
Philip"seyesstrayedtothebeautifulcabin，tothemixtureofflowersandvegetablesstretchingdowntotheroad，andtothesingingbirdwithhisred-splotchedbreastofwhiteandhesaid:"Ican"trealizenowthatIeverlayinicepacksinahospital。HowIwishallthesickfolkscouldcomeheretogrowstrong!"
Thegrosbeaksangon，abigTurnusbutterflysailedthroughthearbourandpoisedoverthetable。Elnoraheldupalumpofsugarandthebutterfly，clingingtoherfingers，tasteddaintily。Witheagereyesandpartedlips，thegirlheldsteadily。Whenatlastitwaveredaway，"Thatmadeapicture!"saidPhilip。"AskmesomeothertimehowIlostmyillusionsconcerningbutterflies。
Ialwaysthoughtoftheminconnectionwithsunshine，flowerpollen，andfruitnectar，untilonesadday。"
"Iknow!"laughedElnora。"I"veseenthat，too，butitdidn"tdestroyanyillusionforme。Ithinkquiteasmuchofthebutterfliesasever。"
Thentheytalkedofflowers，moths，dragonflies，Indianrelics，andallthenaturalwonderstheswampafforded，strayingfromthosesubjectstobooksandschoolwork。
WhentheyclearedthetablePhilipassisted，carryingseveraltrayloadstothekitchen。HeandElnoramountedspecimenswhileMrsComstockwashedthedishes。Thenshecameoutwitharuffleshewasembroidering。
"IwonderifIdidnotseeapictureofyouinOnabashalastnight，"PhilipsaidtoElnora。"AuntAnnatookmetocallonMissBrownlee。Shewasshowingmehercrowd——ofcourse，itwasyou!Butitdidn"thalfdoyoujustice，althoughitwasthenearesthumanofanyofthem。
MissBrownleeisveryfondofyou。Shesaidthefinestthings。"
ThentheytalkedofCommencement，andatlastPhilipsaidhemustgoorhisfriendswouldbecomeanxiousabouthim。
Mrs。Comstockbroughthimabluebowlofcreamymilkandaplateofbread。Shestoppedapassingteamandsecuredaridetothecityforhim，ashisexerciseofthemorninghadbeentooviolent，andhewasforcedtoadmithewastired。
"MayIcometo-morrowafternoonandhuntmothsawhile?"
heaskedMrs。Comstockashearose。"Wewill`sugar"atreeandputalightbesideit，ifIcangetstufftomakethepreparation。Possiblywecantakesomethatway。
Ialwaysenjoymothhunting，I"dliketohelpMissElnora，anditwouldbeacharitytome。I"vegottoremainoutdoorssomeplace，andI"mquitesureI"dgetwellfasterherethananywhereelse。PleasesayImaycome。"
"Ihavenoobjections，ifElnorareallywouldlikehelp，"
saidMrs。Comstock。
Inherheartshewishedhewouldnotcome。Shewantedhernewlyfoundtreasurealltoherself，foratime，atleast。ButElnora"swereeager，shiningeyes。
Shethoughtitwouldbesplendidtohavehelp，andgreatfuntotrybookmethodsfortakingmoths，soitwasarranged。AsPhiliprodeaway，Mrs。Comstock"seyesfollowedhim。"Whataniceyoungman!"shesaid。
"Heseemsfine，"agreedElnora。
"Hecomesofagoodfamily，too。I"veoftenheardofhisfather。Heisagreatlawyer。"
"Iamgladhelikesithere。Ineedhelp。Possibly——"
"Possiblywhat?"
"Wecanfindmanymoths。"
"Whatdidhemeanaboutthebutterflies?"
"Thathealwayshadconnectedthemwithsunshine，flowers，andfruits，andthoughtofthemasthemostexquisiteofcreations；thenonedayhefoundsomeclusteringthicklyovercarrion。"
"Cometothinkofit，Ihaveseenbutterflies——"
"Sohadhe，"laughedElnora。"Andthatiswhathemeant。"
CHAPTERXIV
WHEREINANEWPOSITIONISTENDEREDELNORA，ANDPHILIPAMMONISSHOWNLIMBERLOSTVIOLETS
ThenextmorningMrs。ComstockcalledtoElnora，"Themailcarrierstoppedatourbox。"
Elnorarandownthewalkandcamebackcarryinganofficialletter。Shetoreitopenandread:
MYDEARMISSCOMSTOCK:
AttheweeklymeetingoftheOnabashaSchoolBoardlastnight，itwasdecidedtoaddthepositionofLectureronNaturalHistorytoourcorpsofcityteachers。Itwillbethedutyofthispersontospendtwohoursaweekineachofthegradeschoolsexhibitingandexplainingspecimensofthemostprominentobjectsinnature:
animals，birds，insects，flowers，vines，shrubs，bushes，andtrees。
Thesespecimensandlecturesshouldbeappropriatetotheseasonsandthecomprehensionofthegrades。Thispositionwasunanimouslyvotedtoyou。Ithinkyouwillfindtheworkdelightfulandmucheasierthantheroutinegrindoftheotherteachers。Itismyadvicethatyouacceptandbegintoprepareyourselfatonce。Yoursalarywillbe$750ayear，andyouwillbeallowed$200forexpensesinprocuringspecimensandbooks。Letusknowatonceifyouwanttheposition，asitisgoingtobedifficulttofillsatisfactorilyifyoudonot。
Verytrulyyours，DAVIDTHOMPSON，President，OnabashaSchools。
"Ihardlyunderstand，"marvelledMrs。Comstock。
"Itisanewposition。Theyneverhavehadanythinglikeitbefore。IsuspectitarosefromthehelpI"vebeengivingthegradeteachersintheirnaturework。Theyaretryingtoteachthechildrensomething，andhalftheinstructorsdon"tknowabluejayfromaking-fisher，abeechleaffromanelm，orawaspfromahornet。"
"Well，doyou?"anxiouslyinquiredMrs。Comstock。
"Indeed，Ido!"laughedElnora，"andseveralotherthingsbeside。WhenFrecklesbequeathedmetheswamp，hegavemeabiggerinheritancethanheknew。
WhileyouhavethoughtIwaswanderingaimlessly，I
havebeenfollowingadefiniteplan，studyinghard，andstoringupthestuffthatwillearnthesesevenhundredandfiftydollars。Motherdear，Iamgoingtoacceptthis，ofcourse。Theworkwillbeadelight。I"dloveitmostofanythinginteaching。Youmusthelpme。
Wemustfindnests，eggs，leaves，queerformationsinplantsandrareflowers。Imusthaveflowerboxesmadeforeachoftheroomsandfilledwithwildthings。
Ishouldbegintogatherspecimensthisveryday。"
Elnora"sfacewasflushedandhereyesbright。
"Oh，whatgreatworkthatwillbe!"shecried。"YoumustgowithmesoyoucanseethelittlefaceswhenItellthemhowthegoldfinchbuildsitsnest，andhowthebeesmakehoney。"
SoElnoraandhermotherwentintothewoodsbehindthecabintostudynature。
"Ithink，"saidElnora，"theideaistobeginwithfallthingsinthefall，keepingtotheseasonsthroughouttheyear。"
"Whatarefallthings?"inquiredMrs。Comstock。
"Oh，fringedgentians，asters，ironwort，everyfallflower，leavesfromeverytreeandvine，whatmakesthemchangecolour，abandonedbirdnests，winterquartersofcaterpillarsandinsects，whatbecomesofthebutterfliesandgrasshoppers——myriadsofstuff。Ishallhavetobeverywisetoselectthethingsitwillbemostbeneficialforthechildrentolearn。"
"CanIreallyhelpyou?"Mrs。Comstock"sstrongfacewaspathetic。
"Indeed，yes!"criedElnora。"Inevercangetthroughitalone。Therewillbeanimmenseamountofworkconnectedwithsecuringandpreparingspecimens。"
Mrs。Comstockliftedherheadproudlyandbegandoingbusinessatonce。Hersharpeyesrangedfromearthtoheaven。Sheinvestigatedeverything，askinginnumerablequestions。AtnoonMrs。Comstocktookthespecimenstheyhadcollected，andwenttopreparedinner，whileElnorafollowedthewoodsdowntotheSintons"toshowherletter。
Shehadtoexplainwhatbecameofhermoths，andwhycollegewouldhavetobeabandonedforthatyear，butMargaretandWesleyvowednottotell。Wesleywavedtheletterexcitedly，explainingittoMargaretasifitwereapersonalpossession。Margaretwasdeeplyimpressed，whileBillyvolunteeredfirstaidingatheringmaterial。
"Nowanythingyouwantintheground，Snapcandigitout，"hesaid。"UncleWesleyandIfoundaholethreetimesasbigasSnap，thathedugattherootsofatree。"
"Wewilltrainhimtohuntpupaecases，"saidElnora。
"Areyougoingtothewoodsthisafternoon?"askedBilly。
"Yes，"answeredElnora。"Dr。Ammon"snephewfromChicagoisvisitinginOnabasha。Heisgoingtoshowmehowmenputsomesortofcompoundonatree，hangalightbesideit，andtakemothsthatway。Itwillbeinterestingtowatchandlearn。"
"MayIcome?"askedBilly。
"Ofcourseyoumaycome!"answeredElnora。
"IsthisnephewofDr。Ammonayoungman?"inquiredMargaret。
"Abouttwenty-six，Ishouldthink，"saidElnora。
"Hesaidhehadbeenoutofcollegeandatworkinhisfather"slawofficethreeyears。"
"Doesheseemnice?"askedMargaret，andWesleysmiled。
"Finestkindofaperson，"saidElnora。"Hecanteachmesomuch。Itisveryinterestingtohearhimtalk。Heknowsconsiderableaboutmothsthatwillbeahelptome。Hehadafeverandhehastostayoutdoorsuntilhegrowsstrongagain。"
"Billy，Iguessyoubetterhelpmethisafternoon，"
saidMargaret。"MaybeElnorahadrathernotbotherwithyou。"
"There"snoreasononearthwhyBillyshouldnotcome!"criedElnora，andWesleysmiledagain。
"ImusthurryhomeorIwon"tbeready，"sheadded。
Hasteningdowntheroadsheenteredthecabin，herfaceglowing。
"Ithoughtyouneverwouldcome，"saidMrs。Comstock。
"Ifyoudon"thurryMr。Ammonwillbeherebeforeyouaredressed。"
"Iforgotabouthimuntiljustnow，"saidElnora。
"Iamnotgoingtodress。He"snotcomingtovisit。
Weareonlygoingtothewoodsformorespecimens。
Ican"twearanythingthatrequirescare。Thelimbstakethemostdreadfullibertieswithhairandclothing。"
Mrs。Comstockopenedherlips，lookedatElnoraandclosedthem。InherheartshewaspleasedthatthegirlwassointerestedinherworkthatshehadforgottenPhilipAmmon"scoming。Butitdidseemtoherthatsuchapleasantyoungmanshouldhavebeengreetedbyagirlinafreshdress。"Ifsheisn"tdisposedtoprimpatthecomingofaman，heavenforbidthatIshouldbetheonetostarther，"thoughtMrs。Comstock。
Philipcamewhistlingdownthewalkbetweenthecinnamonpinks，pansies，andstrawberries。Hecarriedseveralpackages，whilehisfaceflushedwithmorecolourthanonthepreviousday。
"Onlyseewhathashappenedtome!"criedElnora，offeringherletter。
"I"llwagerIknow!"answeredPhilip。"Isn"titgreat!
EveryoneinOnabashaistalkingaboutit。Atlastthereissomethingnewunderthesun。Allofthemarepleased。
Theythinkyou"llmakeabigsuccess。Thiswillgiveanincentivetowork。InafewdaysmoreI"llbemyselfagain，andwe"lloverturnthefieldsandwoodsaroundhere。"
HewentontocongratulateMrs。Comstock。
"Aren"tyouproudofher，though?"heasked。"Youshouldhearwhatfolksaresaying!Theysayshecreatedthenecessityfortheposition，andeveryoneseemstofeelthatitisanecessity。Now，ifshesucceeds，andshewill，alloftheothercityschoolswillhavesuchdepartments，andfirstthingyouknowshewillhavemadethewholeworldalittlebetter。Letmerestafewseconds；myfeetareactingupagain。Thenwewillcookthemothcompoundandputittocool。"
Helaughedashesatbreathingshortly。
"Itdoesn"tseempossiblethatafellowcouldlosehisstrengthlikethis。Mykneesareactuallytrembling，butI"llbeallrightinaminute。UncleDocsaidI
couldcome。Itoldhimhowyoutookcareofme，andhesaidIwouldbesafehere。"
ThenhebeganunwrappingpackagesandexplainingtoMrs。Comstockhowtocookthecompoundtoattractthemoths。Hefollowedherintothekitchen，kindledthefire，andstirredthepreparationashetalked。
Whilethemixturecooled，heandElnorawalkedthroughthevegetablegardenbehindthecabinandstrayedfromthereintothewoods。
"Whataboutcollege?"heasked。"MissBrownleesaidyouweregoing。"
"Ihadhopedto，"repliedElnora，"butIhadastreakofdreadfulluck，soI"llhavetowaituntilnextyear。
Ifyouwon"tspeakofit，I"lltellyou。"
Philippromised，soElnorarecitedthehistoryoftheYellowEmperor。ShewassointerestedindoingtheEmperorjusticeshedidnotnoticehowmanypersonalitieswentintothestory。Afewpertinentquestionstoldhimtheremainder。Helookedatthegirlinwonder。
Infaceandformshewasaslovelyasanyoneofherageandtypeheeverhadseen。Herschoolworkfarsurpassedthatofmostgirlsofherageheknew。Shedifferedinotherways。Thisvaststoreoflearningshehadgatheredfromfieldandforestwasawealthofattractionnoothergirlpossessed。Herfrank，matter-of-factmannerwasaninheritancefromhermother，buttherewassomethingmore。
Once，astheytalkedhethought"sympathy"wasthewordtodescribeitandagain"comprehension。"Sheseemedtopossessalargesenseofbrotherhoodforallhumanandanimatecreatures。Shespoketohimasifshehadknownhimallherlife。Shetalkedtothegrosbeakinexactlythesamemanner，asshelaidstrawberriesandpotatobugsonthefenceforhisfamily。Shedidnotswerveaninchfromherwaywhenasnakeslidpasther，whilethesquirrelscamedownfromthetreesandtookcornfromherfingers。
Shemightaswellhavebeenaboy，solackingwassheinanytouchoffemininecoquetrytowardhim。Hestudiedherwonderingly。Astheywentalongthepaththeyreachedalargeslime-coveredpoolsurroundedbydecayingstumpsandlogsthicklycoveredwithwaterhyacinthsandblueflags。
Philipstopped。
"Isthattheplace?"heasked。
Elnoraassented。"Thedoctortoldyou?"
"Yes。Itwastragic。Isthatpoolreallybottomless?"
"Sofarasweeverhavebeenabletodiscover。"
Philipstoodlookingatthewater，whilethelong，sweetgrasses，thicklysprinkledwithblueflagbloom，overwhichwildbeesclambered，swayedaroundhisfeet。Thenheturnedtothegirl。Shehadworkedhard。Thesamelavenderdressshehadwornthepreviousdayclungtoherinlimpcondition。Butshewasasevenlycolouredandofasfinegrainasawildrosepetal，herhairwasreallybrown，butneverwassuchhairtouchedwitharedderglory，whileherheavyarchingbrowsaddedalookofstrengthtoherbiggray-blueeyes。
"Andyouwerebornhere?"
Hehadnotintendedtovoicethatthought。
"Yes，"shesaid，lookingintohiseyes。"Justintimetopreventmymotherfromsavingthelifeofmyfather。
Shecamenearneverforgivingme。"
"Ah，cruel!"criedPhilip。
"Ifindmuchinlifethatiscruel，fromourstandpoints，"
saidElnora。"IttakesthelargewisdomoftheUnfathomable，thephilosophyoftheAlmighty，toenduresomeofit。
Butthereisalwaysrightsomewhere，andatlastitseemstocome。"
"Willitcometoyou?"askedPhilip，whofoundhimselfdeeplyaffected。
"Ithascome，"saidthegirlserenely。"Itcameaweekago。
ItcameinfullestmeasurewhenmymotherceasedtoregretthatIhadbeenborn。Now，workthatIlovehascome——thatshouldconstitutehappiness。Alittlefartheralongismyvioletbed。Iwantyoutoseeit。"
AsPhilipAmmonfollowedhedefinitelysettleduponthenameoftheunusualfeatureofElnora"sface。Itshouldbecalled"experience。"Shehadknownbitterexperiencesearlyinlife。Sufferinghadbeenherfamiliarmorethanjoy。
Hewatchedherearnestly，hisheartdeeplymoved。Sheledhimintoaswampyhalf-openspaceinthewoods，stoppedandsteppedaside。Heutteredacryofsurpriseddelight。
Afewdecayinglogswerescatteredaround，thegrassgrewintuftslongandfine。Blueflagswaved，clustersofcowslipsnoddedgoldheads，butthewholeearthwaspurplewithathickblanketofvioletsnoddingfromstemsafootinlength。Elnorakneltandslippingherfingersbetweentheleavesandgrassestotheroots，gatheredafewvioletsandgavethemtoPhilip。
"Canyourcitygreenhousessurpassthem?"sheasked。
Hesatonalogtoexaminetheblooms。
"Theyaresuperb!"hesaid。"Ineversawsuchlengthofstemorsuchrankleaves，whiletheflowersarethedeepestblue，thetruestvioletIeversawgrowingwild。
TheyarecolouredexactlyliketheeyesofthegirlIamgoingtomarry。"
Elnorahandedhimseveralotherstoaddtothoseheheld。
"Shemusthavewonderfuleyes，"shecommented。
"Nootherblueeyesarequitesobeautiful，"hesaid。
"Infact，sheisaltogetherlovely。"
"Isitcustomaryforamantothinkthegirlheisgoingtomarrylovely?IwonderifIshouldfindherso。"
"Youwould，"saidPhilip。"Nooneeverfailsto。Sheistallasyou，veryslender，butperfectlyrounded；youknowabouthereyes；herhairisblackandwavy——whilehercomplexionisclearandflushedwithred。"
"Why，shemustbethemostbeautifulgirlinthewholeworld!"shecried。
"No，indeed!"hesaid。"Sheisnotaparticlebetterlookinginherwaythanyouareinyours。Sheisatypeofdarkbeauty，butyouareequallyasperfect。Sheisunusualinhercombinationofblackhairandvioleteyes，althougheveryonethinksthemblackatalittledistance。
Youarequiteasunusualwithyourfairface，blackbrows，andbrownhair；indeed，Iknowmanypeoplewhowouldpreferyourbrightheadtoherdarkone。It"sallaquestionoftaste——andbeingengagedtothegirl，"headded。
"Thatwouldbelikelytoprejudiceone，"laughedElnora。
"Edithhasabirthdaysoon；iftheselastwillyouletmehaveaboxofthemtosendher?"
"Iwillhelpgatherandpackthemforyou，sotheywillcarrynicely。Doesshehuntmothswithyou?"
BackwentPhilipAmmon"sheadinagaleoflaughter。
"No!"hecried。"Shesaystheyare`creepy。"ShewouldgointoaspasmifshewerecompelledtotouchthosecaterpillarsIsawyouhandlingyesterday。"
"Whywouldshe?"marvelledElnora。"Haven"tyoutoldherthattheyareperfectlyclean，helpless，andharmlessassomuchanimatevelvet?"
"No，Ihavenottoldher。Shewouldn"tcareenoughaboutcaterpillarstolisten。"
"Inwhatissheinterested?"
"WhatinterestsEdithCarr?Letmethink!First，I
believeshetakesprideinbeingalittlehandsomerandbetterdressedthananygirlofherset。Sheisinterestedinhavingabeautifulhome，fineappointments，inbeingpetted，praised，andtheacknowledgedleaderofsociety。
"Shelikestofindnewthingswhichamuseher，andtoalwaysandinallcircumstanceshaveherownwayabouteverything。"
"Goodgracious!"criedElnora，staringathim。"Butwhatdoesshedo?Howdoesshespendhertime?"
"Spendhertime!"repeatedPhilip。"Well，shewouldcallthatajoke。Herdaysareneverlongenough。Thereisendlessshopping，tofindtheprettythings；regularvisitstothedressmakers，calls，parties，theatres，entertainments。
Sheisalwaysrushed。IneveramabletobewithherhalfasmuchasIwouldlike。"
"ButImeanwork，"persistedElnora。"Inwhatissheinterestedthatisusefultotheworld?"
"Me!"criedPhilippromptly。
"Icanunderstandthat，"laughedElnora。"WhatI
can"tunderstandishowyoucanbein——"Shestoppedinconfusion，butshesawthathehadfinishedthesentenceasshehadintended。"Ibegyourpardon!"shecried。"Ididn"tintendtosaythat。ButIcannotunderstandthesepeopleIhearaboutwholiveonlyfortheirownamusement。
Perhapsitisverygreat；I"llneverhaveachancetoknow。
Tome，itseemstheonlypleasureinthisworldworthhavingisthejoywederivefromlivingforthosewelove，andthosewecanhelp。Ihopeyouarenotangrywithme。"
Philipsatsilentlylookingfaraway，withdeepthoughtinhiseyes。
"Youareangry，"falteredElnora。
Hislookcamebacktoherasshekneltbeforehimamongtheflowersandhegazedathersteadily。
"NodoubtIshouldbe，"hesaid，"butthefactisI
amnot。Icannotunderstandalifepurelyforpersonalpleasuremyself。Butsheisonlyagirl，andthisisherplaytime。Whensheisawomaninherownhome，thenshewillbedifferent，willshenot?"
Elnoraneverresembledhermothersocloselyaswhensheansweredthatquestion。
"Iwouldhavetobewellacquaintedwithhertoknow，butIshouldhopeso。Tomakearealhomeforatiredbusinessmanisaverydifferentkindofworkfromthatrequiredtobealeaderofsociety。Itdemandsdifferenttalentandeducation。Ofcourse，shemeanstochange，orshewouldnothavepromisedtomakeahomeforyou。Isuspectourdopeiscoolnow，let"sgotryforsomebutterflies。"
AstheywentalongthepathtogetherElnoratalkedofmanythingsbutPhilipansweredabsently。Evidentlyhewasthinkingofsomethingelse。Butthemothbaitrecalledhimandhewasreadyforworkastheymadetheirwaybacktothewoods。HewantedtotrytheLimberlost，butElnorawasfirmaboutremainingonhomeground。
Shedidnottellhimthatlightshungintheswampwouldbeasignaltocallupabandofmenwhosepresenceshedreaded。Sotheystarted，Ammoncarryingthedope，Elnorathenet，BillyandMrs。Comstockfollowingwithcyanideboxesandlanterns。
Firsttheytriedforbutterfliesandcapturedseveralfineoneswithouttrouble。Theyalsocalledswarmsofants，bees，beetles，andflies。Whenitgrewdusk，Mrs。ComstockandPhilipwenttopreparesupper。ElnoraandBillyremaineduntilthebutterfliesdisappeared。Thentheylightedthelanterns，repaintedthetreesandfollowedthehometrail。
"Doyou"specyou"llgetjustalotofmoths?"askedBilly，ashewalkedbesideElnora。
"IamsureIhardlyknow，"saidthegirl。"Thisisanewwayforme。Perhapstheywillcometothelights，butfewmothseat；andIhavesomedoubtaboutthosewhichthelightsattractsettlingontherighttrees。Maybethesmellofthatdopewilldrawthem。Betweenus，Billy，I
thinkIlikemyoldwaybest。IfIcanfindahiddenmoth，slipupandcatchitunawares，ortakeitinfullflight，it"smycaptive，andIcankeepituntilitdiesnaturally。
Butthiswayyouseemtogetitunderfalsepretences，ithasnochance，anditwillprobablyruinitswingsstrugglingforfreedombeforemorning。"
"Well，anymothoughttobeproudtobetakenanyway，byyou，"saidBilly。"Justlookwhatyoudo!Youcanmakeeverybodylovethem。Peopleevenquithatingcaterpillarswhentheyseeyouhandlethemandhearyoutellallaboutthem。Youmusthavesometoshowpeoplehowtheyare。It"snotlikekillingthingstoseeifyoucan，orbecauseyouwanttoeatthem，thewaymostmenkillbirds。Ithinkitisrightforyoutotakeenoughforcollections，toshowcitypeople，andtoillustratetheBirdWoman"sbooks。Yougoonandtakethem!Themothsdon"tcare。They"regladtohaveyou。Theylikeit!"