第18章
Hadn"tyoubetterletherdecidethis?"
"Thefinaldecisionrestswithher，ofcourse，"admittedMrs。Comstock。"Butlookyouonething!She"sallIhave。
AsSolomonsays，`sheistheonechild，theonlychildofhermother。"I"vesufferedenoughinthisworldthatIfightagainstanysufferingwhichthreatensher。
SofarasIknowyou"vealwaysbeenaman，andyoumaystay。Butifyoubringtearsandheartachetoher，don"thavetheassurancetothinkI"llbearittamely。
I"llgetrightupandfightlikeacatamount，ifthingsgowrongforElnora!"
"Ihavenodoubtbutyouwill，"repliedPhilip，"andI
don"tblameyouintheleastifyoudo。IhavetheutmostdevotiontoofferElnora，agoodhome，fairsocialposition，andmyfamilywillloveherdearly。Thinkitover。Iknowitissudden，butmyfatheradvisedit。"
"Yes，Ireckonhedid!"saidMrs。Comstockdryly。"Iguessinsteadofmebeingthecatamount，youhadthegenuinearticleupinChicago，masqueradinginpeacockfeathers，andposingasafinelady，untilhertimecametoscratch。
Humannatureseemstobethesametheworldover。ButI"dgiveaprettytoknowthatsecretthingyousayyoudon"t，thatsetherravingoveryourjustcatchingamothforElnora。
Youmightgetthatcrockofstrawberriesinthespringhouse。"
Theypreparedandatesupper。Afterwardtheysatinthearbourandtalked，orElnoraplayeduntiltimeforPhiliptogo。
"Willyouwalktothegatewithme?"heaskedElnoraashearose。
"Notto-night，"sheansweredlightly。"Comeearlyinthemorningifyoulike，andwewillgoovertoSleepySnakeCreekandhuntmothsandgatherdandelionsfordinner。"
Philipleanedtowardher。"MayItellyouto-morrowwhyIcame?"heasked。
"Ithinknot，"repliedElnora。"Thefactis，Idon"tcarewhyyoucame。Itisenoughformethatweareyourverygoodfriends，andthatintrouble，youhavefoundusarefuge。Ifancywehadbetterliveaweekortwobeforeyousayanything。Thereisapossibilitythatwhatyouhavetosaymaychangeinthatlengthoftime。
"Itwillnotchangeoneiota!"criedPhilip。
"Thenitwillhavethegraceofthatmuchagetogiveitsomesmalltouchofflavour，"saidthegirl。"Comeearlyinthemorning。"
Sheliftedtheviolinandbegantoplay。
"Wellblessmysoul!"ejaculatedtheastoundedMrs。Comstock。
"TothinkIwasworryingforfearyoucouldn"ttakecareofyourself!"
Elnoralaughedwhilesheplayed。
"ShallItellyouwhathesaid?"
"Nope!Idon"twanttohearit!"saidElnora。"HeisonlysixhoursfromChicago。I"llgiveheraweektofindhimandfixitup，ifhestaysthatlong。Ifshedoesn"tputinanappearancethen，hecantellmewhathewantstosay，andI"lltakemytimetothinkitover。Timeinplenty，too!Therearethreeofusinthis，andonemustbeleftwithasoreheartforlife。IfthedecisionrestswithmeIproposetobeverysurethatitistheonewhodeservessuchhardluck。"
ThenextmorningPhilipcameearly，dressedintheoutingclothinghehadworntheprevioussummer，andasidefromaslightpalenessseemedverymuchthesameaswhenheleft。Elnoramethimontheoldfooting，andforaweeklifewentonexactlyasithadtheprevioussummer。
Mrs。Comstockmadementalnotesandwatchedinsilence。
ShecouldseethatElnorawasonastrain，thoughshehopedPhilipwouldnot。Thegirlgrewrestlessastheweekdrewtoaclose。Oncewhenthegateclickedshesuddenlylostcolourandmovednervously。Billycamedownthewalk。
PhilipleanedtowardMrs。Comstockandsaid:"IamexpresslyforbiddentospeaktoElnoraasIwouldlike。
WouldyoumindtellingherformethatIhadaletterfrommyfatherthismorningsayingthatMissCarrisonherwaytoEuropeforthesummer?"
"Elnora，"saidMrs。Comstockpromptly，"IhavejustheardthatCarrwomanisonherwaytoEurope，andI
wishtomygraciousstarsshe"dstaythere!"
PhilipAmmonshouted，butElnoraarosehastilyandwenttomeetBilly。TheycameintothearbourtogetherandafterspeakingtoMrs。ComstockandPhilip，Billysaid:"UncleWesleyandIfoundsomethingfunny，andwethoughtyou"dliketosee。"
"Idon"tknowwhatIshoulddowithoutyouandUncleWesleytohelpme，"saidElnora。"Whathaveyoufoundnow?"
"SomethingIcouldn"tbring。Youhavetocometoit。
ItriedtogetoneandIkilledit。Theyareakindofinsectythings，andtheygotalongtailthatisthreefinehairs。Theystickthosehairsrightintothehardbarkoftrees，andifyoupull，thehairsstayfastanditkillsthebug。"
"Wewillcomeatonce，"laughedElnora。"Iknowwhattheyare，andIcanusesomeinmywork。"
"Billy，haveyoubeencrying?"inquiredMrs。Comstock。
Billyliftedachastenedface。"Yes，ma"am，"hereplied。
"Thishasbeentheworstday。"
"What"sthematterwiththeday?"
"Thedayisallright，"admittedBilly。"Imeaneverysinglethinghasgonewrongwithme。"
"Nowthatistoobad!"sympathizedMrs。Comstock。
"Beganearlythismorning，"saidBilly。"AllSnap"sfault，too。"
"WhathaspoorSnapbeendoing?"demandedMrs。
Comstock，hereyesbeginningtotwinkle。
"Diggingforwoodchucks，likehealwaysdoes。Hegetsupattwoo"clocktodigforthem。Hewascominginfromthewoodsalltiredandcoveredthickwithdirt。
IwasgoingtothebarnwiththepailofwaterforUncleWesleytouseinmilking。Ihadtosetdownthepailtoshutthegatesothechickenswouldn"tgetintotheflowerbeds，andoldSnapstuckhisdirtynoseintothewaterandbegantolapitdown。IknewUncleWesleywouldn"tusethat，soIhadtogo"waybacktothecisternformore，anditpumpsawfulhard。Madememad，soIthrewthewateronSnap。"
"Well，whatofit?"
"Nothing，ifhe"dstoodstill。Butitscaredhimawful，andwhenhe"safraidhegoesa-humpingforAuntMargaret。
Whenhegotrightupagainstherhestiffenedoutandgaveabigshake。YououghterseenthenicebluedressshehadputontogotoOnabasha!"
Mrs。ComstockandPhiliplaughed，butElnoraputherarmsaroundtheboy。"OhBilly!"shecried。
"Thatwastoobad!"
"Shegotupearlyandironedthatdresstowearbecauseitwascool。Then，whenitwasalldirty，shewouldn"tgo，andshewantedtorealbad。"Billywipedhiseyes。"Thatain"tall，either，"headded。
"We"dliketoknowaboutit，Billy，"suggestedMrs。
Comstock，strugglingwithherface。
"Cosshecouldn"tgotothecity，she"smostworkedherselftodeath。She"sdoneallthedirty，hardjobsshecouldfind。She"sfixinghergrapejuicenow。"
"Sure!"criedMrs。Comstock。"Whenawomanisdisappointedshealwaysworkslikeadogtogainsympathy!"
"Well，UncleWesleyandIaresympathizingallweknowhow，withoutherworkingso。I"vesqueezeduntilIalmostbustedtogetthejuiceoutfromtheseedsandskins。That"sthehardpart。Now，shehastostrainitthroughwhiteflannelandsealitinbottles，andit"sgoodforsickfolks。MostwishI"dgetsickmyself，soIcouldhaveaglass。It"ssogood!"
Elnoraglancedswiftlyathermother。
"Iworkedsohard，"continuedBilly，"thatshesaidifIwouldthrowtheleavingsinthewoods，thenIcouldcomeafteryoutoseeaboutthebugs。Doyouwanttogo?"
"Wewillallgo，"saidMrs。Comstock。"Iammightilyinterestedinthosebugsmyself。"
FromafarcommotioncouldbeseenattheSintonhome。
WesleyandMargaretwererunningaroundwildlyandpeculiarsoundsfilledtheair。
"What"sthetrouble?"askedPhilip，hurryingtoWesley。
"Cholera!"groanedSinton。"Myhogsaredyinglikeflies。"
Margaretwassoftlycrying。"Wesley，can"tIfixsomethinghot?Can"twedoanything?Itmeansseveralhundreddollarsandourwintermeat。"
"Ineversawstocktakensosuddenlyandsohard，"
saidWesley。"Ihave"phonedfortheveterinarytocomeassoonashecangethere。"
Allofthemhurriedtothefeedingpenintowhichthepigsseemedtobegatheringfromthewoods。AmongthecommonstockwerebigwhitebeastsofpedigreewhichwereWesley"sprideatcountyfairs。Severaloftheserolledontheirbacks，pawingtheairfeeblyandemittinglittlesqueaks。AhugeBerkshiresatonhishaunches，slowlyshakinghishead，thewaterdroppingfromhiseyes，untilhe，too，rolledoverwithfaintgrunts。Apaircrossingtheyardonwaveringlegscollided，andattackedeachotherinanger，onlytofall，soweaktheyscarcelycouldsqueal。AfinesnowyPlymouthRockrooster，afterseveralattempts，flewtothefence，balancedwithgreateffort，wildlyflappedhiswingsandstartedagutturalcrow，butfellsprawlingamongthepigs，toohelplesstostand。
"Didyoueverseesuchadreadfulsight?"sobbedMargaret。
Billyclimbedonthefence，tookonelonglookandturnedanastoundedfacetoWesley。
"Whythempigsisdrunk!"hecried。"Theyactjustlikemypa!"
WesleyturnedtoMargaret。
"Wheredidyouputtheleavingsfromthatgrapejuice?"
hedemanded。
"IsentBillytothrowitinthewoods。"
"Billy——"beganWesley。
"Threwitjustwhereshetoldmeto，"criedBilly。
Butsomeofthepigscamebytherecomingintothepen，andsomewerecloseinthefencecorners。"
"Didtheyeatit?"demandedWesley。
"Theyjustchankedintoit，"repliedBillygraphically。
"Theypushed，andsquealed，andfoughtoverit。
Youcouldn"tblame"em!ItwasthebeststuffIevertasted!"
"Margaret，"saidWesley，"run"phonethatdoctorhewon"tbeneeded。Billy，takeElnoraandMr。Ammontoseethebugs。Katharine，supposeyouhelpmeaminute。"
Wesleytooktheclothesbasketfromthebackporchandstartedinthedirectionofthecellar。Margaretreturnedfromthetelephone。
"Ijustcaughthim，"shesaid。"There"sthatmuchsaved。
WhyWesley，whatareyougoingtodo?"
"Yougositonthefrontporchalittlewhile，"saidWesley。
"Youwillfeelbetterifyoudon"tseethis。"
"Wesley，"criedMargaretaghast。"Someofthatwineistenyearsold。Therearedaysanddaysofhardworkinit，andIcouldn"tsayhowmuchsugar。Dr。Ammonkeepspeoplealivewithitwhennothingelsewillstayontheirstomachs。"
"Let"emdie，then!"saidWesley。"Youheardtheboy，didn"tyou?"
"It"sacoldprocess。There"snotaparticleoffermentationaboutit。"
"Notaparticleoffermentation!Greatday，Margaret!Lookatthosepigs!"
Margarettookalonglook。"Leavemeafewbottlesformince-meat，"shewavered。
"Notasmellforanyuseonthisearth!Youheardtheboy!Heshan"tsay，whenhegrowstomanhood，thathelearnedtolikeithere!"
Wesleythrewawaythewine，Mrs。Comstockcheerfullyassisting。
Thentheywalkedtothewoodstoseeandlearnaboutthewonderfulinsects。ThedayendedwithabigsupperatSintons"，andthentheywenttotheComstockcabinforaconcert。Elnoraplayedbeautifullythatnight。WhentheSintonsleftshekissedBillywithparticulartenderness。
ShewassomovedthatshewaskindertoPhilipthanshehadintendedtobe，andElnoraasanantidotetoadisappointedloverwasadecidedsuccessinanymood。
HoweverstrongtheattractionsofEdithCarrhadbeen，oncethebondwasfinallybroken，PhilipAmmoncouldnothelprealizingthatElnorawasthesuperiorwoman，andthathewasfortunatetohaveescaped，whenheregardedhistiesstrongest。Everyday，whileworkingwithElnora，hesawmoretoadmire。Hegrewverythankfulthathewasfreetotrytowinher，andimpatienttojustifyhimselftoher。
Elnoradidnotevincetheslightesthastetohearwhathehadtosay，butwaitedtheweekshehadset，inspiteofPhilip"shourlymanifestimpatience。Whenshedidconsenttolisten，Philipfeltbeforehehadtalkedfiveminutes，thatshewasputtingherselfinEdithCarr"splace，andjudginghimfromwhattheothergirl"sstandpointwouldbe。Thatwassodisconcerting，hedidnotpleadhiscausenearlysowellashehadhoped，forwhenheceasedElnorasatinsilence。
"Youaremyjudge，"hesaidatlast。"Whatisyourverdict?"
"IfIcouldhearherspeakfromherheartasIjusthaveheardyou，thenIcoulddecide，"answeredElnora。
"Sheisontheocean，"saidPhilip。"Shewentbecausesheknewshewaswhollyinthewrong。Shehadnothingtosay，orshewouldhaveremained。"
"Thatsoundsplausible，"reasonedElnora，"butitisprettydifficulttofindawomaninanaffairthatinvolvesherheartwithnothingatalltosay。IfancyifIcouldmeether，shewouldsayseveralthings。Ishouldlovetohearthem。IfIcouldtalkwithherthreeminutes，I
couldtellwhatanswertomakeyou。"
"Don"tyoubelieveme，Elnora?"
"Unquestioningly，"answeredElnora。"ButIwouldbelieveheralso。IfonlyIcouldmeetherIsoonwouldknow。"
"Idon"tseehowthatistobeaccomplished，"saidPhilip，"butIamperfectlywilling。Thereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldnotmeether，exceptthatsheprobablywouldlosehertemperandinsultyou。"
"Nottoanyextent，"saidElnoracalmly。"Ihaveatongueofmyown，whileIamnotwithoutsomesmallsenseofpersonalvalues。"
Philipglancedatherandbegantolaugh。Verydifferentoffacialformationandcolouring，Elnoraattimescloselyresembledhermother。Shejoinedinhislaughruefully。
"Thepointisthis，"shesaid。"Someoneisgoingtobehurt，mostdreadfully。Ifthedecisionastowhomitshallberestswithme，Imustknowitistherightone。
Ofcourse，nooneeverhintedittoyou，butyouareaveryattractiveman，Philip。Youaremightygoodtolookat，andyouhaveatrained，refinedmind，thatmakesyoumostinteresting。ForyearsEdithCarrhasfeltthatyouwerehers。Now，howisshegoingtochange?Ihavebeenthinking——thinkingdeepandlong，Phil。IfIwereinherplace，Isimplycouldnotgiveyouup，unlessyouhadmadeyourselfunworthyoflove。Undoubtedly，youneverseemedsodesirabletoherasjustnow，whensheistoldshecan"thaveyou。WhatIthinkisthatshewillcometoclaimyouyet。"
"Youoverlookthefactthatitisnotinawoman"spowertothrowawayamanandpickhimupatpleasure，"saidPhilipwithsomewarmth。"Shepubliclyandrepeatedlycastmeoff。Iacceptedherdecisionaspubliclyasitwasmade。Youhavedoneallyourthinkingfromawrongviewpoint。YouseemtohaveanideathatitlieswithyoutodecidewhatIshalldo，thatifyousaytheword，IshallreturntoEdith。Putthatthoughtoutofyourhead!Now，andforalltimetocome，sheisamatterofindifferencetome。ShekilledallfeelinginmyheartforhersocompletelythatIdonotevendreadmeetingher。
"IfIhatedher，orwasangrywithher，Icouldnotbesurethefeelingwouldnotdie。Asitis，shehasdeadenedmeintoacreatureofindifference。Soyoujustreviseyourviewpointalittle，Elnora。CeasethinkingitisforyoutodecidewhatIshalldo，andthatIwillobeyyou。
Imakemyowndecisionsinreferencetoanywoman，saveyou。
ThequestionyouaretodecideiswhetherImayremainhere，associatingwithyouasIdidlastsummer；butwiththedifferencethatitisunderstoodthatIamfree；thatitismyintentiontocareforyouallIplease，tomakeyoureturnmyfeelingforyouifIcan。Thereisjustonequestionforyoutodecide，anditisnottriangular。
Itisbetweenus。MayIremain?MayIloveyou?
WillyougivemethechancetoprovewhatIthinkofyou?"
"Youspeakveryplainly，"saidElnora。
"Thisisthetimetospeakplainly，"saidPhilipAmmon。
"Thereisnouseinallowingyoutogoonthreshingoutaproblemwhichdoesnotexist。Ifyoudonotwantmehere，saysoandIwillgo。Ofcourse，IwarnyoubeforeIstart，thatIwillcomeback。Iwon"tyieldwithoutthestiffestfightitisinmetomake。ButdropthinkingitliesinyourpowertosendmebacktoEdithCarr。
Ifshewerethelastwomanintheworld，andIthelastman，I"djumpofftheplanetbeforeIwouldgiveherfurtheropportunitytoexercisehertemperonme。Narrowthistous，Elnora。Willyoutaketheplaceshevacated?
Willyoutaketheheartshethrewaway?I"dgivemyrighthandandnotflinch，ifIcouldofferyoumylife，freefromanycontactwithhers，butthatisnotpossible。Ican"tundothingswhicharedone。
Icanonlyprofitbyexperienceandbuildbetterinthefuture。"
"Idon"tseehowyoucanbesureofyourself，"saidElnora。
"Idon"tseehowIcouldbesureofyou。Youlovedherfirst，younevercancareformeanythinglikethat。AlwaysI"dhavetobeafraidyouwerethinkingofherandregretting。"
"Folly!"criedPhilip。"Regrettingwhat?ThatI
wasnotmarriedtoawomanwhowasliabletoraveatmeanytimeorplace，withoutmybeingconsciousofhavinggivenoffence?Amandoesrelishthat!Iamlikelytopineformore!"
"You"dbethinkingshe"dlearnedalesson。Youwouldthinkitwouldn"thappenagain。"
"No，Iwouldn"tbe`thinking，""said，Philip。"I"dbeeverlastinglysure!Iwouldn"triskwhatIwentthroughthatnightagain，nottosavemylife!Justyouandme，Elnora。Decideforus。"
"Ican"t!"criedElnora。"Iamafraid!"
"Verywell，"saidPhilip。"Wewillwaituntilyoufeelthatyoucan。Waituntilfearvanishes。Justdecidenowwhetheryouwouldratherhavemegoforafewmonths，orremainwithyou。Whichshallitbe，Elnora?"
"Youcanneverlovemeasyoudidher，"wailedElnora。
"IamhappytosayIcannot，"repliedhe。"I"vecutmymatrimonialteeth。I"mcuredofwantingtoswellinsociety。I"moverbeingproudofawomanforherlooksalone。Ihavenofurtheruseforlavishingmyselfonabeautiful，elegantlydressedcreature，whothinksonlyofself。IhavelearnedthatIamacommonman。IadmirebeautyandbeautifulclothingquiteasmuchasIeverdid；but，first，Iwantanunderstanding，deepasthelowestrecessofmysoul，withthewomanImarry。Iwanttoworkforyou，toplanforyou，tobuildyouahomewitheverycomfort，togiveyouallgoodthingsIcan，toshieldyoufromeveryevil。Iwanttointerposemybodybetweenyoursandfire，flood，orfamine。Iwanttogiveyoueverything；butIhatetheideaofgettingnothingatallonwhichIcandependinreturn。EdithCarrhadonlygoodlookstooffer，andwhenangerovertookher，beautywentoutlikeasnuffedcandle。
"Iwantyoutoloveme。Iwantsomeconsideration。
Ievencraverespect。I"vekeptmyselfclean。SofarasIknowhowtobe，Iamhonestandscrupulous。
Itwouldn"thurtmetofeelthatyoutooksomeinterestinthesethings。Ratherfiercetemptationsstrikeaman，everyfewdays，inthisworld。Icankeepdecent，forawomanwhocaresfordecency，butwhenIdo，I"dliketohavethefactrecognized，byjustenoughofashowofappreciationthatIcouldseeit。Iamtiredofthisone-
sidedbusiness。Afterthis，IwanttogetalittleinreturnforwhatIgive。Elnora，youhavelove，tenderness，andhonestappreciationofthefinestinlife。TakewhatIoffer，andgivewhatIask。"
"Youdonotaskmuch，"saidElnora。
"AsfornotlovingyouasIdidEdith，"continuedPhilip，"asIsaidbefore，Ihopenot!Ihaveanewerandabetterideaofloving。ThefeelingIofferyouwasinspiredbyyou。ItisaLimberlostproduct。Itisasmuchbigger，cleaner，andmorewholesomethananyfeelingIeverhadforEdithCarr，asyouarebiggerthanshe，whenyoustandbeforeyourclassesandincalmdignityexplainthemarvelsoftheAlmighty，whileshestandsonaballroomfloor，andgiveswaytouncontrolledtemper。
Yegods，Elnora，ifyoucouldlookintomysoul，youwouldseeitleapandrejoiceovermyescape!Perhapsitisn"tdecent，butit"shuman；andI"monlyacommonhumanbeing。I"mthegladdestmanalivethatI"mfree!
IwouldturnsomersaultsandyellifIdared。Whatanescape!
StopstrainingafterEdithCarr"sviewpointandtakealookfrommine。PutyourselfinmyplaceandtrytostudyouthowIfeel。
"IamsohappyIgrowreligiousoverit。FiftytimesadayIcatchmyselfwhispering，`Mysoulisescaped!"
Asforyou，takeallthetimeyouwant。Ifyouprefertobealone，I"lltakethenexttrainandstayawayaslongasIcanbearit，butI"llcomeback。Youcanbemostsureofthat。Straightasyourpigeonstotheirloft，I"llcomebacktoyou，Elnora。ShallIgo?"
"Oh，what"stheusetobeextravagant?"murmuredElnora。
CHAPTERXXII
WHEREINPHILIPAMMONKNEELSTOELNORA，ANDSTRANGERSCOMETOTHELIMBERLOST
ThemonthwhichfollowedwasareproductionofthepreviousJune。Therewerelongmothhunts，daysofspecimengathering，wonderfulhourswithgreatbooks，bigdinnersallofthemhelpedtoprepare，andperfectnightsfilledwithmusic。Everythingwasasithadbeen，withthedifferencethatPhilipwasnowanavowedsuitor。HemissednoopportunitytoadvancehimselfinElnora"sgraces。Attheendofthemonthhewasnoneareranysortofunderstandingwithherthanhehadbeenatthebeginning。Herevelledintheprivilegeoflovingher，buthegotnoresponse。
Elnorabelievedinhislove，yetshehesitatedtoaccepthim，becauseshecouldnotforgetEdithCarr。
OneafternoonearlyinJuly，Philipcameacrossthefields，throughtheComstockwoods，andenteredthegarden。
HeinquiredforElnoraatthebackdoorandwastoldthatshewasreadingunderthewillow。Hewentaroundthewestendofthecabintoher。Shesatonarusticbenchtheyhadmadeandplacedbeneathadroopingbranch。
Hehadnotseenherbeforeinthedressshewaswearing。
Itwasclingingmullofpalegreen，trimmedwithnarrowrufflesandtouchedwithknotsofblackvelvet；asimpledress，butvastlybecoming。Everytintofherbrighthair，herluminouseyes，herredlips，andherrose-flushedface，neck，andarmsgrewalittlemorevividwiththedelicategreensetting。
Hestoppedshort。Shewassonear，sotemptinglysweet，helostcontrol。Hewenttoherwithahalf-
smotheredcryafterthatfirstlonglook，droppedononekneebesideherandreachedanarmbehindhertothebenchback，sothathewasverynear。Hecaughtherhands。
"Elnora!"hecriedtensely，"enditnow!Saythisstrainisover。Ipledgeyouthatyouwillbehappy。
Youdon"tknow!Ifyouonlywouldsaytheword，youwouldawaketonewlifeandgreatjoy!Won"tyoupromisemenow，Elnora?"
Thegirlsatstaringintothewestwoods，whilestronginhereyeswasherfather"slookofseeingsomethinginvisibletoothers。Philip"sarmslippedfromthebencharoundher。Hisfingersclosedfirmlyoverhers。
Elnora，"hepleaded，"youknowmewellenough。
Youhavehadtimeinplenty。Enditnow。Sayyouwillbemine!"Hegatheredhercloser，pressinghisfaceagainsthers，hisbreathonhercheek。"Can"tyouquitepromiseyet，mygirloftheLimberlost?"
Elnorashookherhead。Instantlyhereleasedher。
"Forgiveme，"hebegged。"Ihadnointentionofthrustingmyselfuponyou，but，Elnora，youaretheveriestQueenofLovethisafternoon。Fromthetipsofyourtoestoyourshiningcrown，Iworshipyou。Iwantnowomansaveyou。
Youaresowonderfulthisafternoon，Icouldn"thelpurging。
Forgiveme。Perhapsitwassomethingthatcamethismorningforyou。IwrotePollytosendit。Maywetryifitfits?Willyoutellmeifyoulikeit?"
Hedrewalittlewhitevelvetboxfromhispocketandshowedherasplendidemeraldring。
"Itmaynotberight，"hesaid。"Theinsideofaglovefingerisnotveryaccurateforameasure，butitwasthebestIcoulddo。IwrotePollytogetit，becausesheandmotherarehomefromtheEastthisweek，butnexttheywillgoontoourcottageinthenorth，andnooneknowswhatisrightquitesowellasPolly。"HelaidtheringinElnora"shand。"Dearest，"hesaid，"don"tslipthatonyourfinger；putyourarmsaroundmyneckandpromiseme，allatonceandabruptly，orI"llkeeloveranddieofsheerjoy。"
Elnorasmiled。
"Iwon"t!Notallthoseventuresomethingsatonce；
but，Phil，I"mashamedtoconfessthatringsimplyfascinatesme。ItisthemostbeautifuloneIeversaw，anddoyouknowthatIneverownedaringofanykindinmylife?WouldyouthinkmeunwomanlyifIslipitonforasecond，beforeIcansayforsure?Phil，youknowIcare!Icareverymuch!YouknowIwilltellyoutheinstantIfeelrightaboutit。"
"Certainlyyouwill，"agreedPhilippromptly。"Itisyourrighttotakeallthetimeyouchoose。Ican"tputthatringonyouuntilitmeansabondbetweenus。
I"llshutmyeyesandyoutryiton，sowecanseeifitfits。"Philipturnedhisfacetowardthewestwoodsandtightlyclosedhiseyes。Itwasaboyishthingtodo，anditcaughtthehesitatinggirlinthedepthsofherheartastheboyelementinamaneverappealstoamotherlywoman。Beforeshequiterealizedwhatshewasdoing，theringslidonherfinger。WithbotharmsshecaughtPhilipanddrewhimtoherbreast，holdinghimclosely。Herheaddroopedoverhis，herlipswereonhishair。Soaninstant，thenherarmsdropped。
Heliftedaconvulsed，whiteface。
"DearLord!"hewhispered。"You——youdidn"tmeanthat，Elnora!You——Whatmadeyoudoit?"
"You——youlookedsoboyish!"pantedElnora。"Ididn"tmeanit!I——IforgotthatyouwereolderthanBilly。
Look——lookatthering!"
"`TheQueencandonowrong，""quotedPhilipbetweenhissetteeth。"Butdon"tyoudothatagain，Elnora，unlessyoudomeanit。Kingsarenotsogoodasqueens，andthereisalimitwithallmen。Asyousay，wewilllookatyourring。Itseemsverylovelytome。Supposeyouleaveitonuntiltimeformetogo。Pleasedo!Ihaveheardofmuteappeals；perhapsitwillpleadforme。
Iamwildforyourlipsthisafternoon。Iamgoingtotakeyourhands。"
Hecaughtbothofthemandcoveredthemwithkisses。
"Elnora，"hesaid，"Willyoubemywife?"
"Imusthavealittlemoretime，"shewhispered。"Imustbeabsolutelycertain，forwhenIsayyes，andgivemyselftoyou，onlydeathshallpartus。Iwouldnotgiveyouup。SoIwantalittlemoretime——but，IthinkIwill。"
"Thankyou，"saidPhilip。"Ifatanytimeyoufeelthatyouhavereachedadecision，willyoutellme?Willyoupromisemetotellmeinstantly，orshallIkeepaskingyouuntilthetimecomes?"
"Youmakeitdifficult，"saidElnora。"ButIwillpromiseyouthat。Wheneverthelastdoubtvanishes，I
willletyouknowinstantly——ifIcan。"
"Woulditbedifficultforyou?"whisperedAmmon。
"I——Idon"tknow，"falteredElnora。
"ItseemsasifIcan"tbemanenoughtoputthisthoughtasideandgiveupthisafternoon，"saidPhilip。
"Iamashamedofmyself，butIcan"thelpit。IamgoingtoaskGodtomakethatlastdoubtvanishbeforeIgothisnight。Iamgoingtobelievethatringwillpleadforme。Iamgoingtohopethatdoubtwilldisappearsuddenly。
Iwillbewatching。EverysecondIwillbewatching。
Ifithappensandyoucan"tspeak，givemeyourhand。
Justtheleastmovementtowardme，Iwillunderstand。
Wouldithelpyoutotalkthisoverwithyourmother?
ShallIcallher?ShallI——?"
Honk!Honk!Honk!HartHendersonsetthehornofthebigautomobilegoingasitshotfrombehindthetreesliningtheBrushwoodroad。Thepictureofavine-
coveredcabin，alargedroopingtree，agreen-cladgirlandamanbendingoverherverycloselyflashedintoview。
EdithCarrcaughtherbreathwithasnap。PollyAmmongaveTomLeveringaquicktouchandwickedlywinkedathim。
Severaldaysbefore，EdithhadreturnedfromEuropesuddenly。
SheandHendersonhadcalledattheAmmonresidencesayingthattheyweregoingtomotordowntotheLimberlosttoseePhilipafewhours，andurgedthatPollyandTomaccompanythem。
Mrs。Ammonknewthatherhusbandwoulddisapproveofthetrip，butitwaseasytoseethatEdithCarrhaddeterminedongoing。
SothemotherthoughtitbettertohavePollyalongtosupportPhilipthantoallowhimtoconfrontEdithunexpectedlyandalone。
Pollywasfullofspirit。ShedidnotrelishthethoughtofEdithasasister。Alwaystheyhadbeeninthesameset，alwaysEdith，becauseofgreaterbeautyandwealth，hadpatronizedPolly。Althoughithadrankled，shehadborneitsweetly。Buttwodaysbefore，herfatherhadextractedapromiseofsecrecy，givenherPhilip"saddressandtoldhertosendhimthefinestemeraldringshecouldselect。
Pollyknewhowthatringwouldbeused。Whatshedidnotknowwasthatthegirlwhoaccompaniedherwentbacktothestoreafterward，madeanexcusetotheclerkthatshehadbeensenttobeabsolutelysurethattheaddresswasright，andsosecureditforEdithCarr。
TwodayslaterEdithhadinducedHartHendersontotakehertoOnabasha。BytheaidofmapstheylocatedtheComstocklandandpassedit，merelytoseetheplace。
Hendersonhatedthattrip，andimploredEdithnottotakeit，butshemadenoefforttoconcealfromhimwhatshesuffered，anditwasmorethanhecouldendure。HepointedoutthatPhiliphadgoneawaywithoutleavinganaddress，becausehedidnotwishtoseeher，oranyofthem。
ButEdithwassosureofherpower，shefeltcertainPhilipneededonlytoseehertosuccumbtoherbeautyashealwayshaddone，whilenowshewasreadytopleadforforgiveness。
SotheycamedowntheBrushwoodroad，andHendersonhadjustsaidtoEdithbesidehim:"ThisshouldbetheComstocklandonourleft。"
Aminutelaterthewoodended，whilethesunlight，asalwayspitiless，etchedwithdistinctnessthesceneatthewestendofthecabin。Instinctively，tosaveEdith，Hendersonsetthehornblowing。Hehadthoughttodrivetothecity，butPollyAmmonarosecrying:"Phil!Phil!"
TomLeveringwasonhisfeetshoutingandwaving，whileEdithinhermostimperialmannerorderedhimtoturnintothelaneleadingthroughthewoodsbesidethecabin。
"Findsomewayformetohaveaminutealonewithher，"
shecommandedashestoppedthecar。
"ThatismysisterPolly，herfianceTomLevering，afriendofminenamedHenderson，and——"beganPhilip，"——andEdithCarr，"volunteeredElnora。
"AndEdithCarr，"repeatedPhilipAmmon。"Elnora，bebrave，formysake。Theircomingcanmakenodifferenceinanyway。Iwon"tletthemstaybutafewminutes。
Comewithme!"
"DoIseemscared?"inquiredElnoraserenely。"Thisiswhyyouhaven"thadyouranswer。Ihavebeenwaitingjustsixweeksforthatmotor。Youmaybringthemtomeatthearbour。"
Philipglancedatherandbrokeintoalaugh。Shehadnotlostcolour。Herself-possessionwasperfect。
Shedeliberatelyturnedandwalkedtowardthegrapearbour，whilehesprangoverthewestfenceandrantothecar。
Elnorastandinginthearbourentrancemadeaperfectpicture，framedingreenleavesandtendrils。Nomatterhowherheartached，itwasgoodtoher，foritpumpedsteadily，andkepthercheeksandlipssuffusedwithcolour。
ShesawPhilipreachthecarandgatherhissisterintohisarms。PastherhereachedahandtoLevering，thentoEdithCarrandHenderson。Heliftedhissistertotheground，andassistedEdithtoalight。Instantly，shesteppedbesidehim，andElnora"sheartplayeditsfirsttrick。
ShecouldseethatMissCarrwassplendidlybeautiful，whileshemovedwiththehauteurandgracesupposedtobetheprerogativesofroyalty。AndshehadinstantlytakenpossessionofPhilip。Buthealsohadabrainwhichwasworkingwithrapidity。HeknewElnorawaswatching，soheturnedtotheothers。
"Giveherup，Tom!"hecried。"Ididn"tknowIwantedtoseethelittlenuisancesobadly，butIdo。Howarefatherandmother?Polly，didn"tthematersendmesomething?"
"Shedid!"saidPollyAmmon，stoppingonthepathandliftingherchinasalittlechild，whileshedrewawayherveil。
Philipcaughtherinhisarmsandstoopedforhismother"skiss。
"BegoodtoElnora!"hewhispered。
"Umhu!"assentedPolly。Andaloud——"Lookatthatrippinggreenandgoldsymphony!Ineversawsuchabeauty!
ThomasAsquithLevering，youcomestraighthereandtakemyhand!"
Edith"smovetocompelPhiliptoapproachElnorabesideherhadbeeneasytosee；alsoitsfailure。HendersonsteppedintoPhilip"splaceasheturnedtohissister。InsteadoftakingPolly"shandLeveringrantoopenthegate。
Edithpassedthroughfirst，butPollydartedinfrontofherontherun，withPhilholdingherarm，andsweptuptoElnora。Pollylookedfortheringandsawit。Thatsettledmatterswithher。
"Youlovely，lovely，darlinggirl!"shecried，throwingherarmsaroundElnoraandkissingher。WithherlipscloseElnora"sear，Pollywhispered，"Sister!Dear，dearsister!"
Elnoradrewback，staringatPollyinconfusedamazement。
Shewasabeautifulgirl，hereyesweresparklinganddancing，andassheturnedtomakewayfortheothers，shekeptoneofElnora"shandsinhers。PollywouldhavedroppeddeadinthatinstantifEdithCarrcouldhavekilledwithalook，fornotuntilthendidsherealizethatPollywouldevenmanyaslight，andthatithadbeenagreatmistaketobringher。
Edithbowedlow，mutteredsomethingandtouchedElnora"sfingers。TomtookhiscuefromPolly。
"Ialwaysfollowagoodexample，"hesaid，andbeforeanyonecoulddivinehisintentionhekissedElnoraashegrippedherhandandcried:"Mightygladtomeetyou!
Liketomeetyouadozentimesaday，youknow!"
Elnoralaughedandherheartpumpedsmoothly。Theyhadaccomplishedtheirpurpose。Theyhadletherknowtheyweretherethroughcompulsion，butonherside。InthatinstantonlypitywasinElnora"sbreastfortheflashingdarkbeauty，standingwithsmilingfacewhileherheartmusthavebeenfilledwithexceedingbitterness。
Elnorasteppedbackfromtheentrance。
"Comeintotheshade，"sheurged。"Youmusthavefounditwarmonthesecountryroads。Won"tyoulayasideyourdust-coatsandhaveacooldrink?Philip，wouldyouaskmothertocome，andbringthatpitcherfromthespringhouse?"
Theyenteredthearbourexclaimingatthedim，greencoolness。
Therewasplentyofroomandwideseatsaroundthesides，atableinthecentre，onwhichlayapieceofembroidery，magazines，books，themothapparatus，andthecyanidejarcontainingseveralspecimens。Pollyrejoicedinthecoolingshade，slippedoffherduster，removedherhat，rumpledherprettyhairandseatedherselftoindulgeinthedelightfuloccupationofpayingoffoldscores。
TomLeveringfollowedherexample。Edithtookaseatbutrefusedtoremoveherhatandcoat，whileHendersonstoodintheentrance。
"Theregoessomethingwithwings!Shouldyouhavethat?"criedLevering。
Heseizedanetfromthetableandracedacrossthegardenafterabutterfly。Hecaughtitandcamebackmightilypleasedwithhimself。Asthecreaturestruggledinthenet，ElnoranotedarepulsedlookonEdithCarr"sface。
Leveringhelpedthesituationbeautifully。
"NowwhathaveIgot?"hedemanded。"Isitjustacommononethateveryoneknowsandyoudon"tkeep，orisittherarestbirdofftheperch?"
"Youmusthavehadpractice，youtookthatsoperfectly，"
saidElnora。"Iamsorry，butitisquitecommonandnotofakindIkeep。Supposeallofyouseehowbeautifulitisandthenitmaygonectarhuntingagain。"
Sheheldthebutterflywhereallofthemcouldsee，showeditsupperandunderwingcolours，answeredPolly"squestionsastowhatitate，howlongitlived，andhowitdied。ThensheputitintoPolly"shandsaying:"Standthereinthelightandloosenyourholdslowlyandeasily。"
Elnoracaughtabrushfromthetableandbegansoftlystrokingthecreature"ssidesandwings。Delightedwiththesensationthebutterflyopenedandcloseditswings，clingingtoPolly"ssoftlittlefingers，whileeveryonecriedoutinsurprise。Elnoralaidasidethebrush，andthebutterflysailedaway。
"Why，youareawizard!Youcharmthem!"marvelledLevering。
"IlearnedthatfromtheBirdWoman，"saidElnora。
"Shetakessoftbrushesandcoaxesbutterfliesandmothsintothepositionsshewantsfortheillustrationsofabooksheiswriting。Ihavehelpedheroften。MostoftherareonesIfindgotoher。"
"Thenyoudon"tkeepallyoutake?"questionedLevering。
"Oh，dear，no!"criedElnora。"Notatenth!Formyself，apairofeachkindtouseinillustratingthelecturesI
giveinthecityschoolsinthewinter，andonepairforeachcollectionImake。OnemightaswellkeepthebignightmothsofJune，fortheyonlylivefourorfivedaysanyway。
FortheBirdWoman，Ionlysaverareonesshehasnotyetsecured。
SometimesIthinkitiscrueltotakesuchcreaturesfromfreedom，evenforanhour，butitistheonlywaytoteachthemassesofpeoplehowtodistinguishthepeststheyshoulddestroy，fromtheharmlessonesofgreatbeauty。
Herecomesmotherwithsomethingcooltodrink。"
Mrs。Comstockcamedeliberately，talkingtoPhilipassheapproached。Elnoragaveheronesearchinglook，butcoulddiscoveronlyanextremebrightnessofeyetodenoteanyunusualfeeling。Sheworeoneofherlavenderdresses，whilehersnowyhairwashighpiled。Shehadtakencareofhercomplexion，andherfacehadgrownfullerduringthewinter。Shemighthavebeenanyone"smotherwithpride，andshewasperfectlyatease。
Pollyinstantlywenttoherandheldupherfacetobekissed。
Mrs。Comstock"seyestwinkledandshemadethegreetinghearty。
Thedrinkwascompoundedofthejuicesoforangesandberriesfromthegarden。Itwascoolenoughtofrostglassesandpitcheranddelicioustodustytiredtravellers。
Soonthepitcherwasempty，andElnorapickeditupandwenttorefillit。WhileshewasgoneHendersonaskedPhilipaboutsometroublehewashavingwithhiscar。
Theywenttothewoodsandbeganaminuteexaminationtofindadefectwhichdidnotexist。PollyandLeveringwerehavingananimatedconversationwithMrs。Comstock。
HendersonsawEditharise，followthegardenpathnextthewoodsandstandwaitingunderthewillowwhichElnorawouldpassonherreturn。Itwasforthatmeetinghehadmadethetrip。Hegotdownontheground，toreupthecar，worked，askedforhelp，andkeptPhilipbusyscrewingboltsandapplyingtheoilcan。AllthetimeHendersonkeptaneyeonEdithandElnoraunderthewillow。
ButhetookpainstolaytheworkheaskedPhiliptodowherethatscenewouldbeoutofhissight。WhenElnoracamearoundthecornerwiththepitcher，shefoundherselffacingEdithCarr。
"Iwantaminutewithyou，"saidMissCarr。
"Verywell，"repliedElnora，walkingon。
"Setthepitcheronthebenchthere，"commandedEdithCarr，asifspeakingtoaservant。
"Iprefernottooffermyvisitorsawarmdrink，"saidElnora。
"I"llcomebackifyoureallywishtospeakwithme。"
"Icamesolelyforthat，"saidEdithCarr。
"Itwouldbeapitytotravelsofarinthisdustandheatfornothing。I"llonlybegoneasecond。"
Elnoraplacedthepitcherbeforehermother。"Pleaseservethis，"shesaid。"MissCarrwishestospeakwithme。"
"Don"tyoupaytheleastattentiontoanythingshesays，"criedPolly。"TomandIdidn"tcomeherebecausewewantedto。Weonlycametocheckmateher。IhopedI"dgettheopportunitytosayawordtoyou，andnowshehasgivenittome。IjustwanttotellyouthatshethrewPhiloverinperfectlyhorridway。Shehasn"tanyrighttolaytheghostofaclaimtohim，hasshe，Tom?"
"Naryaclaim，"saidTomLeveringearnestly。"Why，evenyou，Polly，couldn"tservemeasshedidPhil，andevergetmebackagain。IfIwereyou，MissComstock，I"dsendmymothertotalkwithherandI"dstayhere。"
TomhadgaugedMrs。Comstockrightly。PollyputherarmsaroundElnora。"Letmegowithyou，dear，"shebegged。
"IpromisedIwouldspeakwithheralone，"saidElnora，"andshemustbeconsidered。Butthankyou，verymuch。"