\"Youseeifshedoesn\'t!\"saidWesley。\"Yougetupandcutitout，andsoonasElnoraisgoneI\'llgoafterKatemyself。She\'lltakewhatI\'llsaybetteralone。
Butshe\'llcome，andshe\'llhelpmakethedress。TheseotherthingsareourChristmasgiftstoElnora。She\'llnodoubtneedthemmorenowthanshewillthen，andwecangivethemjustaswell。That\'syours，andthisismine，orwhicheverwayyouchoose。\"
Wesleyuntiedagoodbrownumbrellaandshookoutthefoldsofalong，brownraincoat。Margaretdroppedthehat，aroseandtookthecoat。Shetriediton，feltit，cooedoveritandmatcheditwiththeumbrella。
\"Diditlookanythinglikerainto-night?\"sheinquiredsoanxiouslythatWesleylaughed。
\"Andthislastbundle?\"shesaid，droppingbackinherchair，thecoatstilloverhershoulders。
\"Icouldn\'tbuythismuchstuffforanyotherwomanandnothingformyown，\"saidWesley。\"It\'sChristmasforyou，too，Margaret!\"HeshookoutfoldafterfoldofsoftgraysatinygoodsthatwouldlooklovelyagainstMargaret\'spinkcheeksandwhiteninghair。
\"Oh，youolddarling!\"sheexclaimed，andfledsobbingintohisarms。
Butshesoondriedhereyes，rakedtogetherthecoalsinthecookingstoveandboiledoneofthedresspatternsinsaltwaterforhalfanhour。Wesleyheldthelampwhileshehungthegoodsonthelinetodry。Thenshesettheironsonthestovesotheywouldbehotthefirstthinginthemorning。
CHAPTERIII
WHEREINELNORAVISITSTHEBIRDWOMAN，ANDOPENSABANKACCOUNT
Fouro\'clockthefollowingmorningElnorawasshellingbeans。Atsixshefedthechickensandpigs，swepttwooftheroomsofthecabin，builtafire，andputonthekettleforbreakfast。Thensheclimbedthenarrowstairstotheatticshehadoccupiedsinceaverysmallchild，anddressedinthehatedshoesandbrowncalico，plastereddownhercrispcurls，atewhatbreakfastshecould，andpinningonherhatstartedfortown。
\"Thereisnosenseinyourgoingforanhouryet，\"
saidhermother。
\"Imusttrytodiscoversomewaytoearnthosebooks，\"
repliedElnora。\"IamperfectlypositiveIshallnotfindthemlyingbesidetheroadwrappedintissuepaper，andtaggedwithmyname。\"
Shewenttowardthecityasonyesterday。Herperplexityastowheretuitionandbooksweretocomefromwasworsebutshedidnotfeelquitesobadly。Sheneveragainwouldhavetofaceallofitforthefirsttime。
Therehadbeentimesyesterdaywhenshehadprayedtobehidden，ortodropdead，andneitherhadhappened。
\"Ibelievethebestwaytogetananswertoprayeristoworkforit，\"mutteredElnoragrimly。
Againshefollowedthetrailtotheswamp，rearrangedherhairandleftthetinpail。Thistimeshefoldedacoupleofsandwichesinthenapkin，andtiedtheminaneatlightpaperparcelwhichshecarriedinherhand。ThenshehurriedalongtheroadtoOnabashaandfoundabook-store。
Theresheaskedthepricesofthelistofbooksthatsheneeded，andlearnedthatsixdollarswouldnotquitesupplythem。Sheanxiouslyinquiredforsecond-handbooks，butwastoldthattheonlywaytosecurethemwasfromthelastyear\'sFreshmen。JustthenElnorafeltthatshepositivelycouldnotapproachanyofthoseshesupposedtobeSophomoresandasktobuytheiroldbooks。
Theonlybalmthegirlcouldseeforthehumiliationofyesterdaywastoappearthatdaywithasetofnewbooks。
\"Doyouwishthese?\"askedtheclerkhurriedly，forthestorewasrapidlyfillingwithschoolchildrenwantinganythingfromadictionarytoapen。
\"Yes，\"gaspedElnora，\"Oh，yes!ButIcannotpayforthemjustnow。Pleaseletmetakethem，andIwillpayforthemonFriday，orreturnthemasperfectastheyare。
Pleasetrustmeforthemafewdays。\"
\"I\'llasktheproprietor，\"hesaid。WhenhecamebackElnoraknewtheanswerbeforehespoke。
\"I\'msorry，\"hesaid，\"butMr。Hanndoesn\'trecognizeyourname。Youarenotacustomerofours，andhefeelsthathecan\'ttaketherisk。\"
Elnoraclumpedoutofthestore，thethumpofherheavy，shoesbeatingasahammeronherbrain。Shetriedtwootherdealerswiththesameresult，andtheninsickdespaircameintothestreet。Whatcouldshedo?Shewastoofrightenedtothink。Shouldshestayfromschoolthatdayandcanvassthehomesappearingtobelongtothewealthy，andtrytosellbedsofwildferns，asshehadsuggestedtoWesleySinton?Whatwouldshedareaskforbringinginandplantingaclumpofferns?Howcouldshecarrythem?Wouldpeoplebuythem?Sheslowlymovedpastthehotelandthenglancedaroundtoseeiftherewereaclockanywhere，forshefeltsuretheyoungpeoplepassingherconstantlywereontheirwaytoschool。
Thereitstoodinabankwindowinbigblacklettersstaringstraightather:
WANTED:CATERPILLARS，COCOONS，CHRYSALIDES，PUPAECASES，BUTTERFLIES，MOTHS，INDIANRELICS
OFALLKINDS。HIGHESTSCALEOFPRICESPAIDINCASH
Elnoracaughtthewicketatthecashier\'sdeskwithbothhandstobraceherselfagainstdisappointment。
\"Whoisitwantstobuycocoons，butterflies，andmoths?\"shepanted。
\"TheBirdWoman，\"answeredthecashier。\"Haveyousomeforsale?\"
\"Ihavesome，Idonotknowiftheyarewhatshewouldwant。\"
\"Well，youhadbetterseeher，\"saidthecashier。\"Doyouknowwhereshelives?\"
\"Yes，\"saidElnora。\"Wouldyoutellmethetime?\"
\"Twenty-oneaftereight，\"wastheanswer。
Shehadnineminutestoreachtheauditoriumorbelate。
Shouldshegotoschool，ortotheBirdWoman?Severalgirlspassedherwalkingswiftlyandsherememberedtheirfaces。
Theywerehurryingtoschool。Elnoracaughttheinfection。
ShewouldseetheBirdWomanatnoon。Algebracamefirst，andthatprofessorwaskind。Perhapsshecouldsliptothesuperintendentandaskhimforabookforthenextlesson，andatnoon——\"Oh，dearLordmakeitcometrue，\"prayedElnora，atnoonpossiblyshecouldsellsomeofthosewonderfulshining-wingedthingsshehadbeencollectingallherlifearoundtheoutskirtsoftheLimberlost。
Asshewentdownthelonghallshenoticedtheprofessorofmathematicsstandinginthedoorofhisrecitationroom。
Whenshepassedhimhesmiledandspoketoher。
\"Ihavebeenwatchingforyou，\"hesaid，andElnorastoppedbewildered。
\"Forme?\"shequestioned。
\"Yes，\"saidProfessorHenley。\"Stepinside。\"
Elnorafollowedhimintotheroomandclosedthedoorbehindthem。
\"Atteachers\'meetinglastevening，oneoftheprofessorsmentionedthatapupilhadbetrayedinclassthatshehadexpectedherbookstobefurnishedbythecity。Ithoughtpossiblyitwasyou。Wasit?\"
\"Yes，\"breathedElnora。
\"Thatbeingthecase，\"saidProfessorHenley，\"itjustoccurredtomeasyouhadexpectedthat，youmightrequirealittletimetosecurethem，andyouaretoofineamathematiciantofallbehindforwantofsupplies。SoI
telephonedoneofourSophomorestobringherlastyear\'sbooksthismorning。Iamsorrytosaytheyaresomewhatabused，butthetextisallhere。Youcanhavethemfortwodollars，andpaywhenyouareready。Wouldyoucaretotakethem?\"
Elnorasatsuddenly，becauseshecouldnotstandanotherinstant。
Shereachedbothhandsforthebooks，andsaidneveraword。
Theprofessorwassilentalso。AtlastEleanorarose，huggingthosebookstoherheartasamotherclaspsababy。
\"Onethingmore，\"saidtheprofessor。\"Youmaypayyourtuitionquarterly。Youneednotbotheraboutthefirstinstalmentthismonth。AnytimeinOctoberwilldo。\"
ItseemedasifElnora\'sgaspofreliefmusthavereachedthesolesofherbrogans。
\"Didanyoneevertellyouhowbeautifulyouare!\"shecried。
Astheprofessorwaslank，tow-hairedandsonear-
sighted，thathepeeredathispupilsthroughspectacles，nooneeverhad。
\"No，\"saidProfessorHenley，\"I\'vewaitedsometimeforthat；forwhichreasonIshallappreciateitallthemore。
Comenow，orweshallbelateforopeningexercises。\"
SoElnoraenteredtheauditoriumasecondtime。HerfacewaslikethebrightestdawnthateverbrokeovertheLimberlost。
Nomatteraboutthelumberingshoesandskimpydress。
Nomatteraboutanything，shehadthebooks。Shecouldtakethemhome。Inhergarretshecouldcommitthemtomemory，ifneedbe。Shecouldprovethatclotheswerenotall。IftheBirdWomandidnotwantanyofthemanydifferentkindsofspecimensshehadcollected，shewasquitesurenowshecouldsellferns，nuts，andagreatmanythings。Then，too，agirlmadeaplaceforherthatmorning，andseveralsmiledandbowed。Elnoraforgoteverythingsaveherbooks，andthatshewaswhereshecouldusethemintelligently——everythingexceptonelittlethingawaybackinherhead。Hermotherhadknownaboutthebooksandthetuition，andhadnottoldherwhensheagreedtohercoming。
AtnoonElnoratookherlittleparceloflunchandstartedtothehomeoftheBirdWoman。Shemustknowaboutthespecimensfirstandthenshewouldwalktothesuburbssomewhereandeatafewbites。Shedroppedtheheavyironknockeronthedoorofabigredlogcabin，andherheartthumpedattheresoundingstroke。
\"IstheBirdWomanathome?\"sheaskedofthemaid。
\"Sheisatlunch，\"wastheanswer。
\"PleaseaskherifshewillseeagirlfromtheLimberlostaboutsomemoths?\"inquiredElnora。
\"Ineverneedask，ifit\'smoths，\"laughedthegirl。
\"Ordersaretobringanyonewithspecimensrightin。
Comethisway。\"
Elnorafolloweddownthehallandenteredalongroomwithhighpanelledwainscoting，oldEnglishfireplacewithanovermantelandclosetsofpeculiarchinafillingthecorners。
Atabaretableofoak，yellowasgold，satawomanElnoraoftenhadwatchedandfollowedcovertlyaroundtheLimberlost。
TheBirdWomanwasholdingoutahandofwelcome。
Iheard!\"shelaughed。\"Alittlepasteboardbox，orjustthemereword`specimen，\'passesyouatmydoor。
IfitismothsIhopeyouhavehundreds。I\'vebeenverybusyallsummerandunabletocollect，andIneedsomany。
Sitdownandlunchwithme，whilewetalkitover。
FromtheLimberlost，didyousay?\"
\"Iliveneartheswamp，\"repliedElnora。\"Sinceit\'ssoclearedIdaregoaroundtheedgeindaytime，thoughweareallafraidatnight。\"
\"Whathaveyoucollected?\"askedtheBirdWoman，asshehelpedElnoratosandwichesunlikeanysheeverbeforehadtasted，saladthatseemedtobemadeofmanyfamiliarthings，andacupofhotchocolatethatwouldhavedelightedanyhungryschoolgirl。
\"IamafraidIambotheringyoufornothing，andimposingonyou，\"shesaid。\"That\'collected\'frightensme。
I\'veonlygathered。Ialwayslovedeverythingoutdoors，soImadefriendsandplaymatesofthem。WhenIlearnedthatthemothsdiesosoon，Isavedthemespecially，becausethereseemednowickednessinit。\"
\"Ihavethoughtthesamething，\"saidtheBirdWomanencouragingly。Thenbecausethegirlcouldnoteatuntilshelearnedaboutthemoths，theBirdWomanaskedElnoraifsheknewwhatkindsshehad。
\"Notallofthem，\"answeredElnora。\"BeforeMr。
DuncanmovedawayheoftensawmeneartheedgeoftheswampandheshowedmetheboxhehadfixedforFreckles，andgavemethekey。Thereweresomebooksandthings，sofromthattimeonIstudiedandtriedtotakemothsright，butIamafraidtheyarenotwhatyouwant。\"
\"AretheythebigonesthatflymostlyinJunenights?\"
askedtheBirdWoman。
\"Yes，\"saidElnora。\"Biggrayoneswithreddishmarkings，paleblue-green，yellowwithlavender，andredandyellow。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanby`redandyellow?\'\"askedtheBirdWomansoquicklythatthegirlalmostjumped\"Notexactlyred，\"explainedElnora，withtremulousvoice。
\"Areddish，yellowishbrown，withcanary-colouredspotsandgraylinesontheirwings。\"
\"Howmanyofthem?\"Itwasthesamequickquestion。
\"Ihadovertwohundredeggs，\"saidElnora，\"butsomeofthemdidn\'thatch，andsomeofthecaterpillarsdied，buttheremustbeatleastahundredperfectones。\"
\"Perfect!Howperfect?\"criedtheBirdWoman。
\"Imeanwholewings，nodowngone，andalltheirlegsandantennae，\"falteredElnora。
\"Youngwoman，that\'stherarestmothinAmerica，\"
saidtheBirdWomansolemnly。\"Ifyouhaveahundredofthem，theyareworthahundreddollarsaccordingtomylist。Icanuseallthatarenotdamaged。\"
\"Whatiftheyarenotpinnedright，\"quaveredElnora。
\"Iftheyareperfect，thatdoesnotmaketheslightestdifference。IknowhowtosoftenthemsothatIcanputthemintoanyshapeIchoose。
Wherearethey?WhenmayIseethem?\"
\"TheyareinFreckles\'soldcaseintheLimberlost，\"
saidElnora。\"Icouldn\'tcarrymanyforfearofbreakingthem，butIcouldbringafewafterschool。\"
\"Youcomehereatfour，\"saidtheBirdWoman，\"andwewilldriveoutwithsomespecimenboxes，andapricelist，andseewhatyouhavetosell。Aretheyyourveryown?
Areyoufreetopartwiththem?\"
\"Theyaremine，\"saidElnora。\"NoonebutGodknowsIhavethem。Mr。Duncangavemethebooksandthebox。HetoldFrecklesaboutme，andFrecklestoldhimtogivemeallheleft。Hesaidformetosticktotheswampandbebrave，andmyhourwouldcome，andithas!Iknowmostofthemareallright，andoh，I
doneedthemoney!\"
\"Couldyoutellme?\"askedtheBirdWomansoftly。
\"Youseetheswampandallthefieldsarounditaresofull，\"explainedElnora。\"EverydayIfeltsmallerandsmaller，andIwantedtoknowmoreandmore，andprettysoonIgrewdesperate，justasFrecklesdid。ButIambetteroffthanhewas，forIhavehisbooks，andIhaveamother；evenifshedoesn\'tcareformeasothergirls\'
mothersdoforthem，it\'sbetterthannoone。\"
TheBirdWoman\'sglancefell，forthegirlwasnotconsciousofhowmuchshewasrevealing。Hereyeswerefixedonablackpitcherfilledwithgoldenrodinthecentreofthetableandshewassayingwhatshethought。
\"AslongasIcouldgototheBrushwoodschoolIwashappy，butIcouldn\'tgofurtherjustwhenthingswerethemostinteresting，soIwasdeterminedI\'dcometohighschoolandmotherwouldn\'tconsent。Youseethere\'splentyofland，butfatherwasdrownedwhenI
wasababy，andmotherandIcan\'tmakemoneyasmendo。
Thetaxesarehighereveryyear，andshesaiditwastooexpensive。Iwouldn\'tgiveheranyrest，untilatlastsheboughtmethisdress，andtheseshoesandIcame。
Itwasawful!\"
\"Doyouliveinthatbeautifulcabinatthenorthwestendoftheswamp?\"askedtheBirdWoman。
\"Yes，\"saidElnora。
\"Iremembertheplaceandastoryaboutit，now。
Youenteredthehighschoolyesterday?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Itwasratherbad?\"
\"Ratherbad!\"echoedElnora。
TheBirdWomanlaughed。
\"Youcan\'ttellmeanythingaboutthat，\"shesaid。
\"Ionceenteredacityschoolstraightfromthecountry。
Mydresswasbrowncalico，andmyshoeswereheavy。\"
ThetearsbegantorolldownElnora\'scheeks。
\"Didthey——?\"shefaltered。
\"Theydid!\"saidtheBirdWoman。\"Allofit。Iamsuretheydidnotmissoneleastlittlething。\"
Thenshewipedawaysometearsthatbegancoursinghercheeks，andlaughedatthesametime。
\"Wherearetheynow?\"askedElnorasuddenly。
\"Theyarewidelyscattered，butnoneofthemhaveattainedheightsoutofrange。Someofthericharepoor，andsomeofthepoorarerich。Someofthebrightestdiedinsane，andsomeofthedullestworkedouthighpositions；someoftheveryworsttobearhavegoneout，andIfrequentlyhearfromothers。NowIamhere，abletorememberit，andminglelaughterwithwhatusedtobealltears；foreverydayIhavemybeautifulwork，andalmosteverydayGodsendssomeonelikeyoutohelpme。Whatisyourname，mygirl?\"
\"ElnoraComstock，\"answeredElnora。\"YesterdayontheboarditchangedtoCornstock，andforaminuteI
thoughtI\'ddie，butIcanlaughoverthatalready。\"
TheBirdWomanaroseandkissedher。\"Finishyourlunch，\"shesaid，\"andIwillbringmypricelists，andmakeamemorandumofwhatyouthinkyouhave，soI
willknowhowmanyboxestoprepare。Andrememberthis:
Whatyouarelieswithyou。Ifyouarelazy，andacceptyourlot，youmayliveinit。Ifyouarewillingtowork，youcanwriteyournameanywhereyouchoose，amongtheonlyoneswholivebeyondthegraveinthisworld，thepeoplewhowritebooksthathelp，makeexquisitemusic，carvestatues，paintpictures，andworkforothers。
Nevermindthecalicodress，andthecoarseshoes。
Workatyourbooks，andbeforelongyouwillhearyesterday\'stormentorsboastingthattheywereonceclassmatesofyours。`Icouldataleunfold\'——!\"
ShelaughinglylefttheroomandElnorasatthinking，untilsherememberedhowhungryshewas，sosheatethefood，drankthehotchocolateandbegantofeelbetter。
ThentheBirdWomancamebackandshowedElnoraalongprintedslipgivingalistofgraduatedpricesformoths，butterflies，anddragonflies。
\"Oh，doyouwantthem!\"exultedElnora。\"IhaveafewandIcangetmorebythethousand，witheverycolourintheworldontheirwings。\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheBirdWoman，\"Iwillbuythem，alsothebigmothcaterpillarsthatarecreepingeverywherenow，andthecocoonsthattheywillspinjustaboutthistime。
Ihaveasneakingimpressionthatthemystery，wonder，andtheurgeoftheirpurebeauty，aregoingtoforcemetopictureandpaintourmothsandputthemintoabookforalltheworldtoseeandknow。WeLimberlostpeoplemustnotbeselfishwiththewondersGodhasgiventous。
Wemustsharewiththosepoorcooped-upcitypeoplethebestwecan。Tosendthemabeautifulbook，thatistheway，isitnot，littlenewfriendofmine?\"
\"Yes，ohyes!\"criedElnora。\"AndpleaseGodtheyfindawaytoearnthemoneytobuythebooks，asIhavethoseIneedsobadly。\"
\"Iwillpaygoodpricesforallthemothsyoucanfind，\"
saidtheBirdWoman，\"becauseyouseeIexchangethemwithforeigncollectors。IwantacompleteseriesofthemothsofAmericatotradewithaGermanscientist，anotherwithamaninIndia，andanotherinBrazil。
OthersIcanexchangewithhomecollectorsforthoseofCaliforniaandCanada，soyouseeIcanuseallyoucanraise，orfind。Thebankerwillbuystoneaxes，arrowpoints，andIndianpipes。Therewasateacherfromthecitygradeschoolshereto-dayforspecimens。Thereisafundtosupplythewardbuildings。I\'llhelpyougetintouchwiththat。Theywantleavesofdifferenttrees，flowers，grasses，moths，insects，birds\'nestsandanythingaboutbirds。\"
Elnora\'seyeswereblazing。\"HadIbettergobacktoschooloropenabankaccountandbeginbeingamillionaire?
UncleWesleyandIhaveabushelofarrowpointsgathered，astackofaxes，pipes，skin-dressingtools，tubesandmortars。
Idon\'tknowhowIevershallwaitthreehours。\"
\"Youmustgo，oryouwillbelate，\"saidtheBirdWoman。
\"Iwillbereadyatfour。\"
AfterschoolclosedElnora，seatedbesidetheBirdWoman，drovetoFreckles\'sroomintheLimberlost。Oneatatimethebeautifulbigmothsweretakenfromtheinterioroftheoldblackcase。Notafourthofthemcouldbemovedthatnightanditwasalmostdarkwhenthelastboxwasclosed，thelistfigured，andintoElnora\'stremblingfingerswerepaidfifty-ninedollarsandsixteencents。
Elnoraclaspedthemoneyclosely。
\"Ohyoubeautifulstuff!\"shecried。\"Youaregoingtobuythebooks，paythetuition，andtakemetohighschool。\"
Thenbecauseshewasawoman，shesatonalogandlookedathershoes。LongaftertheBirdWomandroveawayElnoraremained。Shehadherproblem，anditwasabigone。Ifshetoldhermother，wouldshetakethemoneytopaythetaxes?Ifshedidnottellher，howcouldsheaccountforthebooks，andthingsforwhichshewouldspendit。Atlastshecountedoutwhatsheneededforthenextday，placedtheremainderinthefarthestcornerofthecase，andlockedthedoor。Shethenfilledthefrontofherskirtfromaheapofarrowpointsbeneaththecaseandstartedhome。
CHAPTERIV
WHEREINTHESINTONSAREDISAPPOINTED，ANDMRS。COMSTOCKLEARNSTHATSHECANLAUGH
WiththefirststreakofredabovetheLimberlostMargaretSintonwasbusywiththeginghamandtheintricatepaperpatternshehadpurchased。
WesleycookedthebreakfastandworkeduntilhethoughtElnorawouldbegone，thenhestartedtobringhermother。
\"Nowyoubemightycareful，\"cautionedMargaret。
\"Idon\'tknowhowshewilltakeit。\"
\"Idon\'teither，\"saidWesleyphilosophically，\"butshe\'sgottotakeitsomeway。Thatdresshastobefinishedbyschooltimeinthemorning。\"
Wesleyhadnotsleptwellthatnight。HehadbeensobusyframingdiplomaticspeechestomaketoMrs。Comstockthatsleephadlittlechancewithhim。Everystepnearertoherheapproachedhispositionseemedlessenviable。
Bythetimehereachedthefrontgateandstarteddownthewalkbetweentherowsofastersandladyslippershewasperspiring，andeveryplausibleandconvincingspeechhadfledhisbrain。Mrs。Comstockhelpedhim。
Shemethimatthedoor。
\"Goodmorning，\"shesaid。\"DidMargaretsendyouforsomething?\"
\"Yes，\"saidWesley。\"She\'sgotajobthat\'stoobigforher，andshewantsyoutohelp。\"
\"OfcourseIwill，\"saidMrs。Comstock。Itwasnoone\'saffairhowlonelythepreviousdayhadbeen，orhowtheendlesshoursofthepresentwoulddrag。
\"Whatisshedoinginsucharush?\"
Nowwashischance。
\"She\'smakingadressforElnora，\"answered，Wesley。
HesawMrs。Comstock\'sformstraighten，andherfaceharden，sohecontinuedhastily。\"YouseeElnorahasbeenhelpingusatharvesttime，butchering，andwithunexpectedvisitorsforyears。We\'vemadeoutthatshe\'ssavedusaconsiderablesum，andasshewouldn\'tevertouchanypayforanything，wejustwenttotownandgotafewclotheswethoughtwouldfixherupalittleforthehighschool。Wewanttogetadressdoneto-daymightybad，butMargaretisslowaboutsewing，andshenevercanfinishalone，soIcameafteryou。\"
\"Andit\'ssuchasimplelittlematter，sodeadeasy；
andallsobetweenoldfriendslike，thatyoucan\'tlookaboveyourbootswhileyouexplainit，\"sneeredMrs。Comstock。
\"WesleySinton，whatputtheideaintoyourheadthatElnorawouldtakethingsboughtwithmoney，whenshewouldn\'ttakethemoney?
ThenSinton\'seyescameupstraightly。
\"FindingheronthetraillastnightsobbingashardasIeversawanyoneatafuneral。Shewasn\'tcomplainingatall，butshe\'scometomeallherlifewithherlittlehurts，andshecouldn\'thidehowshe\'dbeenlaughedat，twitted，andrunfacetofaceagainstthefactthattherewerebooksandtuition，unexpected，andnothingwillevermakemebelieveyoudidn\'tknowthat，KateComstock。\"
\"Ifanydoubtsaretroublingyouonthatsubject，sureIknewit!Shewassoanxioustotrytheworld，IthoughtI\'djustlethertakeafewknocksandseehowshelikedthem。\"
\"Asifshe\'devertakenanythingbutknocksallherlife!\"
criedWesleySinton。\"KateComstock，youareaheartless，selfishwoman。You\'venevershownElnoraanyrealloveinherlife。Ifevershefindsoutthatthingyou\'llloseher，anditwillserveyouright。\"
\"Sheknowsitnow，\"saidMrs。Comstockicily，\"andshe\'llbehometo-nightjustasusual。\"
\"Well，youareabravewomanifyoudaredputagirlofElnora\'smakethroughwhatshesufferedyesterday，andwillsufferagainto-day，andletherknowyoudiditonpurpose。
Iadmireyournerve。ButI\'vewatchedthissinceElnorawasborn，andIgotenough。Thingshavecometoapasswheretheygobetterforher，orIinterfere。\"
\"Asifyou\'deverdoneanythingbutinterfereallherlife!
ThinkIhaven\'twatchedyou?ThinkI，withmyheartrawinmybreast，andtoonumbtoresentitopenly，haven\'tseenyouandMagSintontryingtoturnElnoraagainstmedayafterday?Whendidyouevertellherwhatherfathermeanttome?Whendidyouevertrytomakeherseethewreckofmylife，andwhatI\'vesuffered?
Noindeed!Alwaysit\'sbeenpoorlittleabusedElnora，andcakes，kissing，extraclothes，andencouraginghertoruntoyouwithapitifulmoutheverytimeItriedtomakeawomanofher。\"
\"KateComstock，that\'sunjust，\"criedSinton。\"OnlylastnightItriedtoshowherthepictureIsawthedayshewasborn。Ibeggedhertocometoyouandtellyoupleasantwhatsheneeded，andaskyouforwhatIhappentoknowyoucanwellaffordtogiveher。\"
\"Ican\'t!\"criedMrs。Comstock。\"YouknowIcan\'t!\"
\"Thengetsoyoucan!\"saidWesleySinton。\"Anydayyousaythewordyoucansellsixthousandworthofraretimberoffthisplaceeasy。I\'llseetoclearingandworkingthefieldscheapasdirt，forElnora\'ssake。
I\'llbuyyoumorecattletofatten。Allyou\'vegottodoissignalease，topullthousandsfromthegroundinoil，astherestofusaredoingallaroundyou!\"
\"CutdownRobert\'strees!\"shriekedMrs。Comstock。
\"Tearuphisland!Covereverythingwithhorrid，greasyoil!I\'lldiefirst。\"
\"Youmeanyou\'llletElnoragolikeabeggar，andhurtandmortifyherpastbearing。I\'vegottotheplacewhereItellyouplainwhatIamgoingtodo。MaggieandI
wenttotownlastnight，andweboughtwhatthingsElnoraneedsmosturgenttomakeherlookalittleliketherestofthehighschoolgirls。NowhereitisinplainEnglish。
Youcanhelpgetthesethingsready，andletusgivethemtoheraswewant——\"
\"Shewon\'ttouchthem!\"criedMrs。Comstock。
\"Thenyoucanpayus，andshecantakethemasherright——\"
\"Iwon\'t!\"
\"ThenIwilltellElnorajustwhatyouareworth，whatyoucanafford，andhowmuchofthissheowns。I\'llloanherthemoneytobuybooksanddecentclothes，andwhensheisofageshecansellhershareandpayme。\"
Mrs。Comstockgrippedachair-backandopenedherlips，butnowordscame。
\"And，\"Sintoncontinued，\"ifsheissomuchlikeyouthatshewon\'tdothat，I\'llgotothecountyseatandlaycomplaintagainstyouasherguardianbeforethejudge。
I\'llsweartowhatyouareworth，andhowyouareraisingher，andhaveyoudischarged，orhavethejudgeappointsomemanwhowillseethatsheiscomfortable，educated，anddecentlooking!\"
\"You——youwouldn\'t!\"gaspedKateComstock。
\"Iwon\'tneedto，Kate!\"saidSinton，hisheartsofteningtheinstantthehardwordsweresaid。\"Youwon\'tshowit，butyoudoloveElnora!Youcan\'thelpit!
Youmustseehowsheneedsthings；comehelpusfixthem，andbefriends。MaggieandIcouldn\'tlivewithouther，andyoucouldn\'teither。You\'vegottolovesuchafinegirlassheis；letitshowalittle!\"
\"Youcanhardlyexpectmetoloveher，\"saidMrs。
Comstockcoldly。\"Butforheramanwouldstandbackofmenow，whowouldbeatthebreathoutofyoursneakingbodyforthecowardlythingwithwhichyouthreatenme。
AfterallI\'vesufferedyou\'ddragmetocourtandcompelmetotearupRobert\'sproperty。IfIevergotheycarryme。Iftheytouchonetree，orputdownonegreasyoldoilwell，itwillbeoverallIcanshoot，beforetheybegin。Now，seehowquickyoucanclearoutofhere!\"
\"Youwon\'tcomeandhelpMaggiewiththedress?\"
ForanswerMrs。Comstocklookedaroundswiftlyforsomeobjectonwhichtolayherhands。Knowinghertemper，WesleySintonleftwithallthehasteconsistentwithdignity。Buthedidnotgohome。Hecrossedafield，andinanhourbroughtanotherneighbourwhowasskilfulwithherneedle。WithsinkingheartMargaretsawthemcoming。
\"Kateistoobusytohelpto-day，shecan\'tsewbeforeto-morrow，\"saidWesleycheerfullyastheyentered。
ThatquietedMargaret\'sapprehensionalittle，thoughshehadsomedoubts。Wesleypreparedthelunch，andbyfouro\'clockthedresswasfinishedasfarasitpossiblycouldbeuntilitwasfittedonElnora。Ifthatdidnotentailtoomuchwork，itcouldbecompletedintwohours。
ThenMargaretpackedtheirpurchasesintothebigmarketbasket。Wesleytookthehat，umbrella，andraincoat，andtheywenttoMrs。Comstock\'s。Astheyreachedthestep，MargaretspokepleasantlytoMrs。Comstock，whosatreadingjustinsidethedoor，butshedidnotansweranddeliberatelyturnedaleafwithoutlookingup。
WesleySintonopenedthedoorandwentinfollowedbyMargaret。
\"Kate，\"hesaid，\"youneedn\'ttakeoutyourmadoverourlittleracketonMaggie。Iain\'ttoldherawordIsaidtoyou，oryousaidtome。She\'snotsoverystrong，andshe\'ssewedsincefouro\'clockthismorningtogetthisdressreadyforto-morrow。It\'sdoneandwecamedowntotryitonElnora。\"
