第14章
"Billy，Iseeyourfuture，"saidElnora。"WewilleducateyouandsendyouuptoMr。Ammontomakeagreatlawyer。You"dbeattheworldasaspecialpleader。
YouactuallymakemefeelthatIamdoingthemothsakindnesstotakethem。"
"Andsoyouare!"criedBilly。"Why，justfromwhatyouhavetaughtthemUncleWesleyandAuntMargaretneverthinkofkillingacaterpillaruntiltheylookwhetherit"sthebeautifulJunemothkind，orthehorridtentones。
That"swhatyoucando。Yougostraightahead!"
"Billy，youareajewel!"criedElnora，throwingherarmacrosshisshouldersastheycamedownthepath。
"My，Iwasscared!"saidBillywithadeepbreath。
"Scared?"questionedElnora。
"Yessir-ee!AuntMargaretscaredme。MayIaskyouaquestion?"
"Ofcourse，youmay!"
"Isthatmangoingtobeyourbeau?"
"Billy!No!Whatmadeyouthinksuchathing?"
"AuntMargaretsaidlikelyhewouldfallinlovewithyou，andyouwouldn"twantmearoundanymore。Oh，butIwasscared!Itisn"tso，isit?"
"Indeed，no!"
"Iamyourbeau，ain"tI?"
"Surelyyouare!"saidElnora，tighteningherarm。
"IdohopeAuntKatehasgingercookies，"saidBillywithalittleskipofdelight。
CHAPTERXV
WHEREINMRS。COMSTOCKFACESTHEALMIGHTY，ANDPHILIPAMMONWRITESALETTER
Mrs。ComstockandElnorawerefinishingbreakfastthefollowingmorningwhentheyheardacheerywhistledowntheroad。Elnorawithsurprisedeyeslookedathermother。
"CouldthatbeMr。Ammon?"shequestioned。
"Ididnotexpecthimsosoon，"commentedMrs。Comstock。
Itwassunrise，butthemusicianwasPhilipAmmon。
Heappearedstrongerthanonyesterday。
"IhopeIamnottooearly，"hesaid。"Iamconsumedwithanxietytolearnifwehavemadeacatch。Ifwehave，weshouldbeatthebirdstoit。IpromisedUncleDoctoputonmywadersandkeepdryforafewdaysyet，whenIgotothewoods。Let"shurry!Iamafraidofcrows。
Theremightbeararemoth。"
ThesunwastoppingtheLimberlostwhentheystarted。
AstheynearedtheplacePhilipstopped。
"Nowwemustusegreatcaution，"hesaid。"Thelightsandtheodoursalwaysattractnumbersthatdon"tsettleonthebaitedtrees。Everybush，shrub，andlimbmayhideaspecimenwewant。"
Sotheyapproachedwithmuchcare。
"Thereissomething，anyway!"criedPhilip。
"Therearemoths!Icanseethem!"exultedElnora。
"Thoseyouseearefastenough。It"stheonesforwhichyoumustsearchthatwillescape。Thegrassesaredripping，andIhaveboots，soyoulookbesidethepathwhileItaketheoutside，"suggestedAmmon。
Mrs。Comstockwantedtohuntmoths，butshewastimidaboutmakingawrongmovement，soshewiselysatonalogandwatchedPhilipandElnoratolearnhowtheyproceeded。Backinthedeepwoodsahermitthrushwassinginghischanttotherisingsun。Oriolesweresowingthepure，sweetairwithnotesofgold，pouredoutwhileonwing。Therobinswereonlychirpingnow，fortheirmorningsongshadawakenedalltheotherbirdsanhourago。Scoldingred-wingstiltedonhalfthebushes。
Exceptinglatespeciesofhaws，treebloomwasalmostgone，butwildflowersmadethepathborderandallthewoodfloorariotofcolour。Elnora，bornamongsuchscenes，workedeagerly，buttothecityman，recentlyfromahospital，theyseemedtoogoodtomiss。Hefrequentlystoopedtoexamineaflowerface，pausedtolistenintentlytothethrushorliftedhisheadtoseethegoldflashwhichaccompaniedtheoriole"strailingnotes。
SoElnorautteredthefirstcry，asshesoftlyliftedbranchesandpeeredamongthegrasses。
"Myfind!"shecalled。"Bringthebox，mother!"
Philipcamehurryingalso。Whentheyreachedhershestoodonthepathholdingapairofmoths。Hereyeswerewidewithexcitement，hercheekspink，herredlipsparted，andonthehandsheheldouttothemclungapairofdelicateblue-greenmoths，withwhitebodies，andtouchesoflavenderandstrawcolour。
Allaroundherlayflower-brocadedgrasses，behindthedeepgreenbackgroundoftheforest，whilethesunslowlysiftedgoldfromheaventoburnishherhair。Mrs。Comstockheardasharpbreathbehindher。
"Oh，whatapicture!"exultedPhilipathershoulder。
"Sheisabsolutelyandaltogetherlovely!I"dgiveasmallfortuneforthatfaithfullysetoncanvas!"
HepickedtheboxfromMrs。Comstock"sfingersandslowlyadvancedwithit。Elnorahelddownherhandandtransferredthemoths。Philipclosedtheboxcarefully，butthewatchingmothersawthathiseyeswerefollowingthegirl"sface。Hewasnotmakingtheslightestattempttoconcealhisadmiration。
"IwonderifawomaneverdidanythinglovelierthantofindapairofLunamothsonaforestpath，earlyonaperfectJunemorning，"hesaidtoMrs。Comstock，whenhereturnedthebox。
SheglancedatElnorawhowasintentlysearchingthebushes。
"Lookhere，youngman，"saidMrs。Comstock。"Youseemtofindthatgirlofmineaboutright。"
"Icouldsuggestnoimprovement，"saidPhilip。"Ineversawamoreattractivegirlanywhere。Sheseemsabsolutelyperfecttome。"
"Thensupposeyoudon"tstartanyschemecalculatedtospoilher!"proposedMrs。Comstockdryly。"Idon"tthinkyoucan，orthatanymancould，butI"mnottakinganyrisks。Youaskedtocomeheretohelpinthiswork。
Wearebothgladtohaveyou，ifyouconfineyourselftowork；
butit"stheleastyoucandotoleaveusasyoufindus。"
"Ibegyourpardon!"saidPhilip。"Iintendednooffence。
IadmireherasIadmireanyperfectcreation。"
"Andnothinginallthisworldspoilstheaveragegirlsoquicklyandsosurely，"saidMrs。Comstock。Sheraisedhervoice。"Elnora，fastenupthattagofhairoveryourleftear。Thesebushesmussyousoyouremindmeofasheeppokingitsnosethroughahedgefence。"
Mrs。Comstockstarteddownthepathtowardthelogagain，whenshereacheditshecalledsharply:"Elnora，comehere!IbelieveIhavefoundsomethingmyself。"
The"something"wasaCitheroniaRegaliswhichhademergedfromitscaseonthesoftearthunderthelog。
Itclimbedupthewood，itsstoutlegsdraggingabigpursybody，whileitwildlyflappedtinywingsthesizeofaman"sthumb-nail。ElnoragaveonelookandacrywhichbroughtPhilip。
"That"stherarestmothinAmerica!"heannounced。
"Mrs。Comstock，you"vegoneuphead。Youcanputthatinaboxwithascreencoverto-night，andattracthalfadozen，possibly。"
"Isitrare，Elnora?"inquiredMrs。Comstock，asifnooneelseknew。
"Itsurelyis，"answeredElnora。"Ifwecanfinditamateto-night，itwilllayfromtwohundredandfiftytothreehundredeggsto-morrow。WithanyluckatallIcanraisetwohundredcaterpillarsfromthem。
Ididoncebefore。Andtheyareworthadollarapiece。"
"WastheoneIkilledlikethat?"
"No。Thatwasadifferentmoth，butitslifeprocesseswerethesameasthis。TheBirdWomancallsthistheKingofthePoets。"
"Whydoesshe?"
"BecauseitisnamedforCitheronwhowasapoet，andregalisreferstoaking。Youmustn"ttouchitoryoumaystuntwingdevelopment。Youwatchanddon"tletthatmothoutofsight，oranythingtouchit。Whenthewingsareexpandedandhardenedwewillputitinabox。"
"Iamafraiditwillraceitselftodeath，"objectedMrs。Comstock。
"That"sapartofthegame，"saidPhilip。"Itisstartingcirculationnow。Whentherightmomentcomes，itwillstopandexpanditswings。Ifyouwatchcloselyyoucanseethemexpand。"
Presentlythemothfoundaroughprojectionofbarkandclungwithitsfeet，backdown，itswingshanging。
Thebodywasanunusualorangered，thetinywingsweregray，stripedwiththeredandsplotchedhereandtherewithmarkingsofcanaryyellow。Mrs。Comstockwatchedbreathlessly。Presentlysheslippedfromthelogandknelttosecureabetterview。
"Areitswingsdeveloping?"calledElnora。
"Theyaregrowinglargerandthemarkingscomingstrongereveryminute。"
"Let"swatch，too，"saidElnoratoPhilip。
TheycameandlookedoverMrs。Comstock"sshoulder。
Lowerdroopedthegaywings，widertheyspread，brightergrewthemarkingsasiflaidoffingeometricalpatterns。
TheycouldhearMrs。Comstock"stensebreathandseeherabsorbedexpression。
"Youngpeople，"shesaidsolemnly，"ifyourstudyingscienceandtheelementshaseverledyoutofeelthatthingsjusthappen，kindofevolvebychance，asitwere，thissightwillbegoodforyou。Maybeearthandairaccumulate，butittakesthewisdomoftheAlmightyGodtodevisethewingofamoth。Ifthereeverwasamiracle，thiswholeprocessisone。Now，asIunderstandit，thiscreatureisgoingtokeeponspreadingthosewings，untiltheygrowtosizeandhardentostrengthsufficienttobearitsbody。Thenitfliesaway，mateswithitskind，laysitseggsontheleavesofacertaintree，andtheeggshatchtinycaterpillarswhicheatjustthatkindofleaves，andthewormsgrowandgrow，andtakeondifferentformsandcoloursuntilatlasttheyarebigcaterpillarssixincheslong，withlargehorns。Thentheyburrowintotheearth，buildawater-proofhousearoundthemselvesfrommaterialwhichisinsidethem，andliethroughrainandfreezingcoldformonths。Ayearfromegglayingtheycomeoutlikethis，andbegintheprocessalloveragain。
Theydon"teat，theydon"tseedistinctly，theylivebutafewdays，andflyonlyatnight；thentheydropoffeasy，buttheprocessgoeson。"
Ashiveringmovementwentoverthemoth。Thewingsdroopedandspreadwider。Mrs。Comstocksankintosoftawedtones。
"Thereneverwasamomentinmylife，"shesaid，"whenIfeltsointhePresence，asIdonow。IfeelasiftheAlmightyweresoreal，andsonear，thatIcouldreachoutandtouchHim，asIcouldthiswonderfulworkofHis，ifIdared。IfeellikesayingtoHim:`TotheextentofmybrainpowerIrealizeYourpresence，andallitisinmetocomprehendofYourpower。Helpmetolearn，eventhislate，thelessonsofYourwonderfulcreations。
HelpmetounshackleandexpandmysoultothefullestrealizationofYourwonders。AlmightyGod，makemebigger，makemebroader!""
Themothclimbedtotheendoftheprojection，upitalittleway，thensuddenlyreverseditswings，turnedthehiddensidesoutanddroppedthembesideitsabdomen，likealargefly。Theuppersideofthewings，thusexposed，wasfarrichercolour，moreexquisitetexturethantheunder，andtheyslowlyhalfliftedanddroopedagain。
Mrs。ComstockturnedherfacetoPhilip。
"AmIanoldfool，ordoyoufeelit，too?"shehalfwhispered。
"Youarewiserthanyoueverhavebeenbefore，"
answeredhe。"Ifeelit，also。"
"AndI，"breathedElnora。
Themothspreaditswings，shiveredthemtremulously，openingandclosingthemrapidly。PhiliphandedtheboxtoElnora。
Sheshookherhead。
"Ican"ttakethatone，"shesaid。"Giveherfreedom。"
"But，Elnora，"protestedMrs。Comstock，"Idon"twanttolethergo。She"smine。She"sthefirstoneIeverfoundthisway。Can"tyouputherinabigbox，andletherlive，withouthurtingher?Ican"tbeartolethergo。Iwanttolearnallabouther。"
"Thenwatchwhilewegathertheseonthetrees，"saidElnora。
"Wewilltakeherhomeuntilnightandthendecidewhattodo。
Shewon"tflyforalongtimeyet。"
Mrs。Comstocksettledontheground，gazingatthemoth。
ElnoraandPhilipwenttothebaitedtrees，placingseverallargemothsandanumberofsmalleronesinthecyanidejar，andsearchingthebushesbeyondwheretheyfoundseveralpairedspecimensofdifferingfamilies。
WhentheyreturnedElnorashowedhermotherhowtoholdherhandbeforethemothsothatitwouldclimbuponherfingers。Thentheystartedbacktothecabin，ElnoraandPhilipleadingtheway；Mrs。Comstockfollowedslowly，steppingwithgreatcarelestshestumbleandinjurethemoth。Herfaceworealookofcomprehension，inhereyeswasanexaltedlight。Onshecametotheblue-
borderedpoollyingbesideherpath。
Aturtlescrambledfromalogandsplashedintothewater，whileared-wingshouted，"O-ka-lee!"toher。
Mrs。Comstockpausedandlookedintentlyattheslime-
coveredquagmire，framedinaflowerriotandhomedoverbysweet-voicedbirds。Thenshegazedatthethingofincomparablebeautyclingingtoherfingersandsaidsoftly:
"Ifyouhadknownaboutwondersliketheseinthedaysofyouryouth，RobertComstock，couldyoueverhavedonewhatyoudid?"
Elnoramissedhermother，andturningtolookforher，sawherstandingbesidethepool。Wouldtheoldfascinationreturn?Apanicoffearseizedthegirl。
Shewentbackswiftly。
"Areyouafraidsheisgoing?"Elnoraasked。"Ifyouare，cupyourotherhandoverherforshelter。Carryingherthroughthisairandinthehotsunshinewilldryherwingsandmakethemreadyforflightveryquickly。Youcan"ttrustherinsuchairandlightasyoucaninthecooldarkwoods。"
Whileshetalkedshetookholdofhermother"ssleeve，anxiouslysmilingapitifullittlesmilethatMrs。
Comstockunderstood。Philipsethisloadatthebackdoor，returningtoholdopenthegardengateforElnoraandMrs。Comstock。Hereacheditintimetoseethemstandingtogetherbesidethepool。Themotherbentswiftlyandkissedthegirlonthelips。Philipturnedandwasbusilyhuntingmothsontheraspberrybusheswhentheyreachedthegate。Andsoexcellentaretherewardsofattendingyourownbusiness，thathefoundaPrometheaonalilacinacorner；amothofsuchrarewine-coloured，velvetyshadesthatitalmostsentMrs。Comstocktoherkneesagain。
Butthisonewasfullydeveloped，abletofly，andhadtobetakenintothecabinhurriedly。Mrs。ComstockstoodinthemiddleoftheroomholdingupherRegalis。
"NowwhatmustIdo?"sheasked。
ElnoraglancedatPhilipAmmon。Theireyesmetandbothofthemsmiled；hewithamusementatthetall，sparefigure，withdarkeyesandwhitecrown，askingthechildishquestionsoconfidingly；andElnorawithpride。Shewasbeginningtoappreciatethecharacterofhermother。
"Howwouldyouliketositandseeherfinishdevelopment?
I"llgetdinner，"proposedthegirl。
Aftertheyhaddined，PhilipandElnoracarriedthedishestothekitchen，broughtoutboxes，sheetsofcork，pins，ink，paperslipsandeverythingnecessaryformountingandclassifyingthemothstheyhadtaken。WhenthehouseworkwasfinishedMrs。Comstockwithherrufflesatnear，watchingandlistening。Sherememberedalltheysaidthatsheunderstood，andwhenuncertainsheaskedquestions。
Occasionallyshelaiddownherworktostraightensomeflowerwhichneededattentionortosearchthegardenforabugforthegrosbeak。InoneoftheseabsencesElnorasaidtoPhilip:"ThesereplacequiteanumberofthemothsI
lostforthemanofIndia。Withaweekofsuchluck，Icouldalmostbegintotalkcollegeagain。"
"Thereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldnothavetheweekandtheluck，"saidhe。"IhavetakenmothsuntilthemiddleofAugust，thoughIsuspectoneismorelikelytofindlateonesinthenorthwhereitiscolderthanhere。
Thenextweekishay-time，butwecancountonafewdouble-broodersandstrays，andbyworkingtheexchangemethodforallitisworth，Ithinkwecancompletethecollectionagain。"
"Youalmostmakemehope，"saidElnora，"butImustnotallowmyself。Idon"ttrulythinkIcanreplaceallI
lost，notevenwithyourhelp。IfIcould，Iscarcelyseemywaycleartoleavemotherthiswinter。Ihavefoundhersorecently，andsheissoprecious，Ican"trisklosingheragain。IamgoingtotakethenaturepositionintheOnabashaschools，andIshallbemosthappydoingthework。
Only，theseareatemptation。"
"Iwishyoumightgotocollegethisfallwiththeothergirls，"saidPhilip。"Ifeelthatifyoudon"tyouneverwill。
Isn"ttheresomeway?"
"Ican"tseeitifthereis，andIreallydon"twanttoleavemother。"
"Well，motherismightygladtohearit，"saidMrs。
Comstock，enteringthearbour。
Philipnoticedthatherfacewaspale，herlipsquivering，hervoicecold。
"Iwastellingyourdaughterthatsheshouldgotocollegethiswinter，"heexplained，"butshesaysshedoesn"twanttoleaveyou。"
"Ifshewantstogo，Iwishshecould，"saidMrs。Comstock，alookofreliefspreadingoverherface。
"Oh，allgirlswanttogotocollege，"saidPhilip。"It"stheonlyproperplacetolearnbridgeandembroidery；nottomentionmidnightlunchesofmixedpicklesandfruitcake，andallthedelightsofthesororities。"
"Ihavethoughtforyearsofgoingtocollege，"saidElnora，"butIneverthoughtofanyofthosethings。"
"Thatisbecauseyoureducationinfudgeandbridgehasbeensadlyneglected，"saidPhilip。"YoushouldhearmysisterPolly!Thiswasherfinalyear!LunchesandsororitieswereallIheardhermention，untilTomLeveringcameondeck；nowheistheleadingsubject。Ican"tseefromherdailyconversationthatsheknowshalfasmuchreallyworthknowingasyoudo，butshe"saheadofyoumilesonfun。"
"Oh，wehadsomegoodtimesinthehighschool，"saidElnora。
"Lifehasn"tbeenallworkandstudy。IsEdithCarracollegegirl?"
"No。Sheistheveryselectestkindofaprivateboarding-
schoolgirl。"
"Whoisshe?"askedMrs。Comstock。
Philipopenedhislips。
"SheisagirlinChicago，thatMr。Ammonknowsverywell，"saidElnora。"Sheisbeautifulandrich，andafriendofhissister"s。Or，didn"tyousaythat?"
"Idon"tremember，butsheis，"saidPhilip。"Thismothneedsanalcoholbathtoremovethedope。"
"Won"tthedowncome，too?"askedElnoraanxiously。
"No。Youwatchandyouwillseeitcomeout，asPollywouldsay，`aperfectlygood"moth。"
"Isyoursisteryoungerthanyou?"inquiredElnora。
"Yes，"saidPhilip，"butsheisthreeyearsolderthanyou。
Sheisthedearestsisterinalltheworld。I"dlovetoseehernow。"
"Whydon"tyousendforher，"suggestedElnora。
"Perhapsshe"dliketohelpuscatchmoths。"
"Yes，IthinkPollyinaVirothat，Picotembroideredfrockandthree-inchheelswouldtakemoremothsthananyonewhoevertriedtheLimberlost，"laughedPhilip。
"Well，youfindmanyofthem，andyouareherbrother。"
"Yes，butthatisdifferent。FatherwasrearedinOnabasha，andhelovedthecountry。HetrainedmehiswayandmothertookchargeofPolly。Idon"tquiteunderstandit。Motherisagreathomebodyherself，butshedidsucceedinmakingPollystrictlyornamental。"
"DoesTomLeveringneeda`strictlyornamental"girl?"
"Youaretoomatteroffact!Too`strictly"material。
Heneedsadarlinggirlwhowilllovehimplenty，andPollyisthat。"
"Well，then，doestheLimberlostneeda`strictlyornamental"girl?"
"No!"criedPhilip。"YouareornamentenoughfortheLimberlost。Ihavechangedmymind。Idon"twantPollyhere。Shewouldnotenjoycatchingmoths，oranythingwedo。"
"Shemight，"persistedElnora。"Youareherbrother，andsurelyyoucareforthesethings。"
"Theargumentdoesnothold，"saidPhilip。"PollyandIdonotlikethesamethingswhenweareathome，butweareveryfondofeachother。Thememberofmyfamilywhowouldgocrazyaboutthisismyfather。Iwishhecouldcome，ifonlyforaweek。I"dsendforhim，butheistiedupinpreparingsomepapersforagreatcorporationcasethissummer。Helikesthecountry。Itwashisvotethatbroughtmehere。"
Philipleanedbackagainstthearbour，watchingthegrosbeakasithuntedfoodbetweenatomatovineandadaylily。Elnorasethimtomakinglabels，andwhenhefinishedthemheaskedpermissiontowritealetter。
Hetooknopainstoconcealhispage，andfromwhereshesatoppositehim，Elnoracouldnotlookhiswaywithoutreading:"MydearestEdith。"Hewrotebusilyforatimeandthensatstaringacrossthegarden。
"Haveyourunoutofmaterialsoquickly?"askedElnora。
"That"saboutit，"saidPhilip。"IhavesaidthatIamgettingwellasrapidlyaspossible，thattheairisfine，thefolksatUncleDoc"sallwell，andentirelytoogoodtome；
thatIamspendingmostofmytimeinthecountryhelpingcatchmothsforacollection，whichissplendidexercise；
nowIcan"tthinkofanotherthingthatwillbeinteresting。"
Therewasaburstofexquisitenotesinthemaple。
"Putinthegrosbeak，"suggestedElnora。"Tellheryouaresofriendlywithhimyoufeedhimpotatobugs。"
Philiploweredthepentothesheet，bentforward，thenhesitated。
"BlestifIdo!"hecried。"She"dthinkagrosbeakwasadepravedpersonwithalargenose。She"dneverdreamthatitwasablack-robedlover，withabreastofsnowandacrimsonheart。Shedoesn"tcareforhungrybabiesandpotatobugs。Ishallwritethattofather。Hewillfinditdelightful。"
Elnoradeftlypickedupamoth，pinneditandplaceditswings。
Shestraightenedtheantennae，dreweachlegintopositionandsetitinperfectlylifelikemanner。Assheliftedherworktoseeifshehaditright，sheglancedatPhilip。
Hewasstillfrowningandhesitatingoverthepaper。
"Idareyoutoletmedictateacoupleofparagraphs。"
"Done!"criedPhilip。"GoslowlyenoughthatIcanwriteit。"
Elnoralaughedgleefully。
"Iamwritingthis，"shebegan，"inanoldgrapearbourinthecountry，nearalogcabinwhereIhadmydinner。
FromwhereIsitIcanseedirectlyintothehomeofthenext-doorneighbouronthewest。HisnameisR。B。Grosbeak。
FromallIhaveseenofhim，heisagentlemanoftheoldschool；theoldestschoolthereis，nodoubt。Healwayswearsablacksuitandcapandawhitevest，decoratedwithonelargeredheart，whichIthinkmustbetheemblemofsomeancientorder。Ihavebeenhereanumberoftimes，andIneverhaveseenhimwearanythingelse，orhiswifeappearinotherthanabrowndresswithtouchesofwhite。
"Ithasappealedtomeattimesthatshewasashadeneglectfulofherhomeduties，buthedoesnotseemtofeelthatway。Hecheerfullystaysinthesitting-room，whilesheisawayhavingagoodtime，andsingswhilehecaresforthefoursmallchildren。Imusttellyouabouthismusic。Iamsureheneversawinsideaconservatory。
Ithinkhemerelypickedupwhatheknowsbyearandwithoutvocaltraining，butthereisatendernessinhistones，adepthofpuremelody，thatIneverhaveheardsurpassed。
ItmaybethatIthinkmoreofhismusicthanthatofsomeothergoodvocalistshereabout，becauseIseemoreofhimandappreciatehisdevotiontohishomelife。
"Ijusthadanencounterwithhimatthewestfence，andinducedhimtocarryasmallgifttohischildren。
WhenIseetheperfectharmonyinwhichhelives，andthedepthofcontentheandthebrownladyfindinlife，Iamalmostpersuadedto——Nowthisisgoingtobepoetry，"saidElnora。"Moveyourpenoverhereandbeginwithaquoteandacap。"
Philip"sfacehadbeenaninterestingstudywhilehewrotehersentences。Nowhegravelysetthepenwheresheindicated，andElnoradictated——
"Buyanicelittlehomeinthecountry，Andsettledownthereforlife。"
"That"sthetruth!"criedPhilip。"It"sasbigatemptationasIeverhad。Goon!"
"That"sall，"saidElnora。"Youcanfinish。Themothsaredone。IamgoinghuntingforwhateverIcanfindforthegrades。"
"Waitaminute，"beggedPhilip。"Iamgoing，too。"
"No。Youstaywithmotherandfinishyourletter。"
"Itisdone。Icouldn"taddanythingtothat。"
"Verywell!Signyournameandcomeon。ButI
forgottotellyouallthebargain。Maybeyouwon"tsendtheletterwhenyouhearthat。Theremainderisthatyoushowmethereplytomypartofit。"
"Oh，that"seasy!Iwouldn"thavetheslightestobjectiontoshowingyouthewholeletter。"
Hesignedhisname，foldedthesheetsandslippedthemintohispocket。
"Wherearewegoingandwhatdowetake?"
"Willyougo，mother?"askedElnora。
"Ihavealittleworkthatshouldbedone，"saidMrs。Comstock。"Couldyouspareme?Wheredoyouwanttogo?"
"WewillgodowntoAuntMargaret"sandseeherafewminutesandgetBilly。Wewillbebackintimeforsupper。"
Mrs。Comstocksmiledasshewatchedthemdowntheroad。
Whatasplendid-lookingpairofyoungcreaturestheywere!
Howfinelyproportioned，howfullofvitality!Thenherfacegrewtroubledasshesawtheminearnestconversation。
Justasshewaswishingshehadnottrustedherpreciousgirlwithsomuchofastranger，shesawElnorastooptoliftabranchandpeerunder。Themothergrewcontent。
Elnorawasthinkingonlyofherwork。Shewastobetrustedutterly。
CHAPTERXVI
WHEREINTHELIMBERLOSTSINGSFORPHILIP，ANDTHETALKINGTREESTELLGREATSECRETS
AfewdayslaterPhiliphandedElnoraasheetofpaperandsheread:"InyourconditionI
shouldthinkthemothhuntingandlifeatthatcabinwouldbeverygoodforyou，butforanysakekeepawayfromthatGrosbeakperson，anddon"tcomehomewithyourheadfullofgrangerideas。Nodoubthehasaremarkablevoice，butIcan"tbearuntrainedsingers，anddon"tyougettheideathataJunesongisperennial。
Youarenothearingthemusichewillmakewhenthefourbabieshavethescarletfeverandthemeasles，andthegaddingwifeleaveshimathometocareforthemthen。
Poorsoul，Ipityher!Howsheexistswhererampantcowsbellowatyou，frogscroak，mosquitoesconsumeyou，thebuttergoestooilinsummerandbricksinwinter，whilethepumpfreezeseveryday，andthereisnoearthlyamusement，andnosociety!Poorthings!
Can"tyouinfluencehimtomove?Nowondershegadswhenshehasachance!Ishoulddie。Ifyouarethinkingofsettlinginthecountry，thinkalsoofawomanwhoissatisfiedwithwhiteandbrowntoaccompanyyou!
Brown!Ofalldeadlycolours!Ishouldgomadinbrown。"
Elnoralaughedwhilesheread。Herfacewasdimpling，asshereturnedthesheet。"Who"sahead?"sheasked。
"Whodoyouthink?"heparried。
"Sheis，"saidElnora。"AreyougoingtotellherinyournextthatR。B。Grosbeakisabird，andthatheprobablywillspendthewinterinawildplumthicketinTennessee?"
"No，"saidPhilip。"IshalltellherthatIunderstandherideasoflifeperfectly，and，ofcourse，Inevershallaskhertodealwithoilybutterandfrozenpumps——"
"——andmeasleybabies，"interpolatedElnora。
"Exactly!"saidPhilip。"AtthesametimeIfindsomuchtocounterbalancethosethings，thatIshouldnotobjecttobearingthemmyself，inviewoftherecompense。
Wheredowegoandwhatdowedoto-day?"
"WewillhavetohuntbesidetheroadsandaroundtheedgeoftheLimberlostto-day，"saidElnora。"Motherismakingstrawberrypreserves，andshecan"tcomeuntilshefinishes。SupposewegodowntotheswampandI"llshowyouwhatisleftoftheflower-roomthatTerenceO"More，thebiglumbermanofGreatRapids，madewhenhewasahomelessboyhere。Ofcourse，youhaveheardthestory?"
"Yes，andI"vemettheO"MoreswhoarefrequentlyinChicagosociety。Theyhavefriendsthere。Ithinkthemoneidealcouple。"
"Thatsoundsasiftheymightbetheonlyone，"saidElnora，"and，indeed，theyarenot。Iknowdozens。
AuntMargaretandUncleWesleyareanother，theBrownleesanother，andmymathematicsprofessorandhiswife。
Theworldisfullofhappypeople，butnooneeverhearsofthem。Youmustfightandmakeascandaltogetintothepapers。Nooneknowsaboutallthehappypeople。
Iamhappymyself，andlookhowperfectlyinconspicuousIam。"
"Youonlyneedgowhereyouwillbeseen，"beganPhilip，whenherememberedandfinished。"Whatdowetaketo-day?"
"Ourselves，"saidElnora。"Ihaveavagabondstreakinmybloodandit"sinevidence。Iamgoingtoshowyouwhererealflowersgrow，realbirdssing，andifIfeelquiterightaboutit，perhapsIshallraiseanoteortwomyself。"
"Oh，doyousing?"askedPhilippolitely。
"Attimes，"answeredElnora。"`Asdothebirds；
becauseImust，"butdon"tbescared。Themooddoesnotpossessmeoften。PerhapsIshan"traiseanote。"
Theywentdowntheroadtotheswamp，climbedthesnakefence，followedthepathtotheoldtrailandthenturnedsouthuponit。ElnoraindicatedtoPhilipthetrailwithremnantsofsaggingbarbedwire。
"Itwastenyearsago，"shesaid。"Iwasalittleschoolgirl，butIwanderedwidelyeventhen，andnoonecared。
Isawhimoften。Hehadbeeninacityinstitutionallhislife，whenhetookthejobofkeepingtimberthievesoutofthisswamp，beforemanytreeshadbeencut。Itwasastrongman"swork，andhewasafrailboy，buthegrewhardierashelivedoutofdoors。Thistrailweareonisthepathhisfeetfirstwore，inthosedayswhenhewasinsanewithfearandeatenupwithloneliness，buthestucktohisworkandwonout。IusedtocomedowntotheroadandcreepamongthebushesasfarasIdared，towatchhimpass。Hewalkedmostly，attimesherodeawheel。
"Somedayshisfacewasdreadfullysad，othersitwassodeterminedalittlechildcouldseetheforceinit，andoncehewasradiant。ThatdaytheSwampAngelwaswithhim。Ican"ttellyouwhatshewaslike。Ineversawanyonewhoresembledher。Hestoppedcloseheretoshowherabird"snest。Thentheywentontoasortofflower-roomhehadmade，andhesangforher。Bythetimeheleft，Ihadgottenboldenoughtocomeoutonthetrail，andImetthebigScotchmanFreckleslivedwith。
Hesawmecatchingmothsandbutterflies，sohetookmetotheflower-roomandgavemeeverythingthere。
Idon"tdarecomealoneoften，soIcan"tkeepitupashedid，butyoucanseesomethingofhowitwas。"
ElnoraledthewayandPhilipfollowed。Theoutlinesoftheroomwerenotdistinct，becausemanyofthetreesweregone，butElnorashowedhowithadbeenasnearlyasshecould。
"Theswampisalmostruinednow，"shesaid。"Themaples，walnuts，andcherriesareallgone。Thetalkingtreesaretheonlythingsleftworthwhile。"
"The`talkingtrees!"Idon"tunderstand，"commentedPhilip。
"Nowonder!"laughedElnora。"Theyaremydiscovery。
Youknowalltreeswhisperandtalkduringthesummer，buttherearetwothathavesomuchtosaytheykeeponthewholewinter，whentheothersaresilent。Thebeechesandoakssolovetotalk，theyclingtotheirdead，dryleaves。Inthewinterthewindsarestiffestandblowmost，sothesetreeswhisper，chatter，sob，laugh，andattimesroaruntilthesoundisdeafening。
Theyneverceaseuntilnewleavescomeoutinthespringtopushofftheoldones。Ilovetostandbeneaththemwithmyeartothetrunks，interpretingwhattheysaytofitmymoods。Thebeechesbranchlow，andtheirleavesaresmallsotheyonlyknowcommonearthlythings；
buttheoaksrunstraightabovealmostallothertreesbeforetheybranch，theirarmsaremighty，theirleaveslarge。
Theymeetthewindsthattravelaroundtheglobe，andfromthemlearnthebigthings。"
Philipstudiedthegirlsface。"Whatdothebeechestellyou，Elnora?"heaskedgently。
"Tobepatient，tobeunselfish，todountoothersasIwouldhavethemdotome。"
"Andtheoaks?"
"Theysay`betrue，"`liveacleanlife，"`sendyoursouluphereandthewindsoftheworldwillteachitwhathonourachieves。""
"Wonderfulsecrets，those!"marvelledPhilip。"Aretheytellingthemnow?CouldIhear?"
"No。Theyareonlygossipingnow。Thisisplay-time。
Theytellthebigsecretstoawhiteworld，whenthemusicinspiresthem。"
"Themusic?"
"Allothertreesareharpsinthewinter。Theirtrunksaretheframes，theirbranchesthestrings，thewindsthemusicians。
Whentheairiscoldandclear，theworldverywhite，andtheharpmusicswelling，thenthetalkingtreestellthestrengthening，upliftingthings。"
"Youwonderfulgirl!"criedPhilip。"Whatawomanyouwillbe!"
"IfIamawomanatallworthwhile，itwillbebecauseIhavehadsuchwonderfulopportunities，"saidElnora。
"NoteverygirlisdriventotheforesttolearnwhatGodhastosaythere。HerearetheremainsofFreckles"sroom。
ThetimetheAngelcameherehesangtoher，andIlistened。