Hesnatchedthemup，shutoffthelight，relockedthecasebytouch，andswiftlywentdownthetrail。Everyfewsecondshepausedandlistenedintently。Justashereachedtheroad，asecondfigureapproachedhim。
\"Isityou，Pete?\"camethewhisperedquestion。
\"Yes，\"saidthefirstman。
\"Iwascomingdowntotakeapeep，whenIsawyourflash，\"hesaid。\"IheardtheBirdWomanhadbeenatthecaseto-day。Anythingdoing?\"
\"Notathing，\"saidPete。\"Shejusttookawayaboutafourthofthemoths。ProbablyhadtheComstockgirlgettingthemforher。Heardtheyweretogether。
Likelyshe\'llgettherestto-morrow。Ain\'tpickinggettin\'barethesedays?\"
\"Well，Ishouldsayso，\"saidthesecondman，turningbackindisgust。\"Cominghome，now?\"
\"No，Iamgoingdownthisway，\"answeredPete，forhiseyescaughtthegleamfromthewindowoftheComstockcabin，andhehadadesiretolearnwhyElnora\'satticwaslightedatthathour。
Hesloucheddowntheroad，occasionallyfeelingthesizeoftherollhehadnottakentimetocount。
Theatticwastoolong，thelighttooneartheotherend，andthecabinstoodmuchtoofarbackfromtheroad。
Hecouldseenothingalthoughheclimbedthefenceandwalkedbackoppositethewindow。HeknewMrs。Comstockwasprobablyawake，andthatshesometimeswenttotheswampbehindherhomeatnight。
Attimesacrywentupfromthatlocalitythatparalyzedanyonenear，orsentthemfleeingasifforlife。Hedidnotcaretocrossbehindthecabin。Hereturnedtotheroad，passed，andagainclimbedthefence。OppositethewestwindowhecouldseeElnora。Shesatbeforeasmalltablereadingfromabookbetweentwocandles。
Herhairfellinabrightsheenaroundher，andwithonehandshelightlyshook，andtosseditasshestudied。
Themanstoodoutinthenightandwatched。
Foralongtimealeafturnedatintervalsandthehair-dryingwenton。Themandrewnearer。Thepicturegrewmorebeautifulasheapproached。Hecouldnotseesowellashedesired，forthescreenwasofwhitemosquitonetting，anditangeredhim。Hecautiouslycreptcloser。Theelevationshutoffhisview。Thenherememberedthelargewillowtreeshadingthewellandbranchingacrossthewindowfitthewestendofthecabin。
FromchildhoodElnorahadsteppedfromthesilltoalimbandsliddowntheslantingtrunkofthetree。Hereacheditandnoiselesslyswunghimselfup。Threestepsoutonthebiglimbthemanshuddered。Hewaswithinafewfeetofthegirl。
Hecouldseethethrobofherbreastunderitsthincoveringandsmellthefragranceofthetossinghair。
Hecouldseethenarrowbedwithitspiecedcalicocover，thewhitewashedwallswithgaylithographs，andeverycrevicestuckfulloftwigswithdanglingcocoons。
Therewerepegsforthefewclothes，theoldchest，thelittletable，thetwochairs，theunevenfloorcoveredwithragrugsandbraidedcornhusk。Butnothingwasworthaglanceexcepttheperfectfaceandformwithinreachbyonespringthroughtherottenmosquitobar。Hegrippedthelimbabovethatonwhichhestood，lickedhislips，andbreathedthroughhisthroattobesurehewasmakingnosound。Elnoraclosedthebookandlaiditaside。
Shepickedupatowel，andturningthegatheredendsofherhairrubbedthemacrossit，anddroppingthetowelonherlap，tossedthehairagain。Thenshesatindeepthought。
Byandbywordsbegantocomesoftly。Nearashewasthemancouldnothearatfirst。Hebentcloserandlistenedintently。
\"——evercouldbesohappy，\"murmuredthesoftvoice。
\"Thedressissopretty，suchshoes，thecoat，andeverything。
Iwon\'thavetobeashamedagain，noteveragain，fortheLimberlostisfullofpreciousmoths，andIalwayscancollectthem。TheBirdWomanwillbuymoreto-morrow，andthenextday，andthenext。Whentheyareallgone，Icanspendeveryminutegatheringcocoons，andhuntingotherthingsIcansell。Oh，thankGod，formyprecious，preciousmoney。Why，Ididn\'tprayinvainafterall!IthoughtwhenIaskedtheLordtohideme，thereinthatbighall，thatHewasn\'tdoingit，becauseIwasn\'tcoveredfromsightthatinstant。
ButI\'mhiddennow，Ifeelthat。\"Elnoraliftedhereyestothebeamsaboveher。\"Idon\'tknowmuchaboutprayingproperly，\"shemuttered，\"butIdothankyou，Lord，forhidingmeinyourowntimeandway。\"
Herfacewassobrightthatitshonewithawhiteradiance。
Twobigtearswelledfromhereyes，androlleddownhersmilingcheeks。\"Oh，Idofeelthatyouhavehiddenme，\"
shebreathed。Thensheblewoutthelights，andthelittlewoodenbedcreakedunderherweight。
PeteCorsondroppedfromthelimbandfoundhiswaytotheroad。Hestoodstillalongtime，thenstartedbacktotheLimberlost。Atinypointoflightflashedintheregionofthecase。Hestoppedwithanoath。
\"Anotherhoundtryingtostealfromagirl，\"heexclaimed。
\"Butit\'slikelyhethinksifhegetsanythingitwillbefromawomanwhocanaffordit，asIdid。\"
Hewenton，butbesidethefences，andverycautiously。
\"Swampseemstobealiveto-night，\"hemuttered。
\"That\'sthreeofusout。\"
Heenteredadeepplaceatthenorthwestcorner，satonthegroundandtakingapencilfromhispocket，hetorealeaffromalittlenotebook，andlaboriouslywroteafewlinesbythelighthecarried。Thenhewentbacktotheregionofthecaseandwaited。Beforehiseyessweptthevisionoftheslenderwhitecreaturewithtossinghair。Hesmiled，andworshippedit，untiladistantroosterfaintlyannounceddawn。
Thenheunlockedthecaseagain，andreplacedthemoney，laidthenoteuponit，andwentbacktoconcealment，whereheremaineduntilElnoracamedownthetrailinthemorning，appearingverylovelyinhernewdressandhat。
CHAPTERV
WHEREINELNORARECEIVESAWARNING，ANDBILLYAPPEARSONTHESCENE
ItwouldbedifficulttodescribehowhappyElnorawasthatmorningasshehurriedthroughherwork，bathedandputontheneat，daintyginghamdress，andthetanshoes。Shehadastrugglewithherhair。
Itcrinkled，billowed，andshone，andshecouldnotavoidseeingthebecomingframeitmadearoundherface。Butindeferencetohermother\'sfeelingsthegirlsetherteeth，andboundherhaircloselytoherheadwithashoe-string。\"Nottobechangedatthecase，\"
shetoldherself。
Thathermotherwaswatchingshewasunaware。JustasshepickedupthebeautifulbrownribbonMrs。Comstockspoke。
\"Youhadbetterletmetiethat。Youcan\'treachbehindyourselfanddoitright。\"
Elnoragavealittlegasp。Hermotherneverbeforehadproposedtodoanythingforthegirlthatbyanypossibilityshecoulddoherself。Herheartquakedatthethoughtofhowhermotherwouldarrangethatbow，butElnoradarednotrefuse。Theofferwastooprecious。
Itmightneverbemadeagain。
\"Ohthankyou!\"saidthegirl，andsittingdownsheheldouttheribbon。
Hermotherstoodbackandlookedathercritically。
\"Youhaven\'tgotthatlikeMagSintonhaditlastnight，\"sheannounced。\"Youlittleidiot!You\'vetriedtoplasteritdowntosuitme，andyoumissedit。IlikeditawaybetterasMagfixedit，afterIsawit。Youdidn\'tlooksopeeled。\"
\"Ohmother，mother!\"laughedElnora，withahalfsobinhervoice。
\"Holdstill，willyou?\"criedMrs。Comstock。\"You\'llbelate，andIhaven\'tpackedyourdinneryet。\"
Sheuntiedthestringandshookoutthehair。Itrosewithelectricityandclungtoherfingersandhands。Mrs。
Comstockjumpedbackasifbitten。Sheknewthattouch。
Herfacegrewwhite，andhereyesangry。
\"Tieityourself，\"shesaidshortly，\"andthenI\'llputontheribbon。ButrollitbacklooselikeMagdid。
Itlookedsoprettythatway。\"
AlmostfaintingElnorastoodbeforetheglass，dividedoffthefrontpartsofherhair，androlledthemasMrs。
Sintonhaddone；tieditatthenapeofherneck，thensatwhilehermotherarrangedtheribbon。
\"IfIpullitdowntillitcomestightinthesecreaseswhereshehadit，itwillbejustright，won\'tit?\"queriedMrs。Comstock，andtheamazedElnorastammered\"Yes。\"
Whenshelookedintheglassthebowwasperfectlytied，andhowthegoldtoneofthebrowndidmatchthelustreoftheshininghair!\"That\'spretty，\"commentedMrs。Comstock\'ssoul，butherstifflipshadsaidallthatcouldbeforcedfromthemforonce。JustthenWesleySintoncametothedoor。
\"Goodmorning，\"hecriedheartily。\"Elnora，youlookapicture!My，butyou\'resweet!IfanyofthecityboysgetsassyyoutellyourUncleWesley，andhe\'llhorsewhipthem。Here\'syourChristmaspresentfromme。\"HehandedElnoratheleatherlunchbox，withhernamecarvedacrossthestrapinartisticlettering。
\"OhUncleWesley!\"wasallElnoracouldsay。
\"YourAuntMaggiefilleditformeforastarter，\"hesaid。
\"Now，ifyouareready，I\'mgoingtodrivepastyourwayandyoucanridealmosttoOnabashawithme，andsavethenewshoesthatmuch。\"
Elnorawasstaringatthebox。\"OhIhopeitisn\'timpolitetoopenitbeforeyou，\"shesaid。\"IjustfeelasifImustseeinside。\"
\"Don\'tyoustandonformalitywiththeneighbours，\"
laughedSinton。\"Lookinyourboxifyouwantto!\"
Elnoraslippedthestrapandturnedbackthelid。
Thisdisclosedtheknife，fork，napkin，andspoon，themilkflask，andtheinteriorpackedwithdaintysandwicheswrappedintissuepaper，andthelittlecompartmentsformeat，salad，andthecustardcup。
\"Ohmother!\"criedElnora。\"Ohmother，isn\'titfine?
Whatmadeyouthinkofit，UncleWesley?HowwillIeverthankyou?NoonewillhaveafinerlunchboxthanI。
OhIdothankyou!That\'sthenicestgiftIeverhad。
HowIloveChristmasinSeptember!\"
\"It\'samightyhandything，\"assentedMrs。Comstock，takingineverydetailwithsharpeyes。\"IguessyouaregladnowyouwentandhelpedMagandWesleywhenyoucould，Elnora?\"
\"Deedy，yes，\"laughedElnora，\"andI\'mgoingagainfirsttimetheyhaveabigdayifIstayfromschooltodoit。\"
\"You\'lldonosuchthing!\"saidthedelightedSinton。
\"Comenow，ifyou\'regoing!\"
\"IfIride，canyousparemetimetorunintotheswamptomyboxaminute?\"askedElnora。
Thelightshehadseenthepreviousnighttroubledher。
\"Sure，\"saidWesleylargely。Sotheydroveawayandleftawhite-facedwomanwatchingthemfromthedoor，herheartalittlesorerthanusual。
\"I\'dgiveaprettytohearwhathe\'llsaytoher!\"shecommentedbitterly。\"Alwaysstickingin，alwaysdoingthingsIcan\'teverafford。Whereonearthdidhegetthatthingandwhatdiditcost?\"
Thensheenteredthecabinandbegantheday\'swork，butmingledwiththebroodingbitternessofhersoulwasthevisionofasweetyoungface，gladwithagladnessneverbeforeseenonit，andoverandoversherepeated:
\"Iwonderwhathe\'llsaytoher!\"
Whathesaidwasthatshelookedasfreshandsweetasaposy，andtobecarefulnottostepinthemudorscratchhershoeswhenshewenttothecase。
Elnorafoundherkeyandopenedthedoor。Notwhereshehadplacedit，butconspicuouslyinfrontlayherlittleheapofbills，andacrudescrawlofwritingbesideit。
Elnorapickedupthenoteinastonishment。
DEREELNORY，thelordamightyishidingyouallrightdoneyoueverdoutitthismoneyofyournwastookforsometimelasnitebutitisreturnedwithintresforgodsakedoneevercometotheswampatniteorlateevninormorninorfarinanytimesompinworseanyouknowcouldgityouAFREND。
Elnorabegantotremble。Shehastilyglancedaround。
Thedampearthbeforethecasehadbeentroddenbylarge，roughlyshodfeet。Shecaughtupthemoneyandthenote，thrustthemintoherguimpe，lockedthecase，andrantotheroad。
ShewassobreathlessandherfacesowhiteSintonnoticedit。
\"Whatintheworld\'sthematter，Elnora?\"heasked。
\"Iamhalfafraid!\"shepanted。
\"Tut，tut，child!\"saidWesleySinton。\"Nothingintheworldtobeafraidof。Whathappened?\"
\"UncleWesley，\"saidElnora，\"IhadmoremoneythanI
broughthomelastnight，andIputitinmycase。Someonehasbeenthere。Thegroundisalltrampled，andtheyleftthisnote。\"
\"Andtookyourmoney，I\'llwager，\"saidSintonangrily。
\"No，\"answeredElnora。\"Readthenote，andohUncleWesley，tellmewhatitmeans!\"
Sinton\'sfacewasastudy。\"Idon\'tknowwhatitmeans，\"hesaid。\"Onlyonethingisclear。Itmeanssomebeastwhodoesn\'treallywanttoharmyouhasgothiseyeonyou，andheistellingyouplainashecan，nottogivehimachance。Yougottokeepalongtheroads，intheopen，andnotletthebiggestmoththateverflewtollyououtofhearingofus，oryourmother。Itmeansthat，plainanddistinct。\"
\"JustwhenIcansellthem!Justwheneverythingissolovelyonaccountofthem!Ican\'t!Ican\'tstayawayfromtheswamp。TheLimberlostisgoingtobuythebooks，theclothes，paythetuition，andevenstartacollegefund。
Ijustcan\'t!\"
\"You\'vegotto，\"saidSinton。\"Thisisplainenough。
Yougofarintheswampatyourownrisk，evenindaytime。\"
\"UncleWesley，\"saidthegirl，\"lastnightbeforeIwenttobed，IwassohappyItriedtopray，andIthankedGodforhidingme`undertheshadowofHiswing。\'Buthowintheworldcouldanyoneknowit?\"
WesleySinton\'sheartleapedinhisbreast。Hisfacewaswhiterthanthegirl\'snow。
\"Wereyouprayingoutloud，honey?\"healmostwhispered。
\"Imighthavesaidwords，\"answeredElnora。\"IknowIdosometimes。I\'veneverhadanyonetotalkwith，andI\'veplayedwithandtalkedtomyselfallmylife。
You\'vecaughtmeatitoften，butitalwaysmakesmotherangrywhenshedoes。Shesaysit\'ssilly。Iforgetanddoit，whenI\'malone。ButUncleWesley，ifIsaidanythinglastnight，youknowitwasthemerestwhisper，becauseI\'dhavebeensoafraidofwakingmother。
Don\'tyousee?Isatuplate，andstudiedtwolessons。\"
Sintonwassteadyinghimself\"I\'llstopandexaminethecaseasIcomeback，\"hesaid。\"MaybeIcanfindsomeclue。Thatother——thatwasjustaccidental。It\'sacommonexpression。Allthepreachersuseit。IfItriedtopray，thatwouldbetheveryfirstthingI\'dsay。\"
ThecolourreturnedtoElnora\'sface。
\"Didyoutellyourmotheraboutthismoney，Elnora?\"
heasked。
\"No，Ididn\'t，\"saidElnora。\"It\'sdreadfulnotto，butIwasafraid。Youseetheyareclearingtheswampsofast。
Everyyearitgrowsmoredifficulttofindthings，andIndianstuffbecomesscarcer。Iwanttograduate，andthat\'sfouryearsunlessIcandoubleonthecourse。
Thatmeanstwentydollarstuitioneachyear，andnewbooks，andclothes。Therewon\'teverbesomuchatonetimeagain，thatIknow。Ijustgottohangtomymoney。Iwasafraidtotellher，forfearshewouldwantitfortaxes，andshereallymustsellatreeorsomecattleforthat，mustn\'tshe，UncleWesley?\"
\"Onyourlife，shemust!\"saidWesley。\"Youputyourlittlewadinthebankallsafe，andnevermentionittoalivingsoul。Itdoesn\'tseemright，butyourcaseispeculiar。Everywordyousayisatrueword。Eachyearyouwillfindlessintheswamp，andthingseverywherewillbescarcer。Ifyouevergetafewdollarsahead，thatcanstartyourcollegefund。Youknowyouaregoingtocollege，Elnora!\"
\"OfcourseIam，\"saidElnora。\"IsettledthatassoonasIknewwhatacollegewas。Iwillputallmymoneyinthebank，exceptwhatIoweyou。I\'llpaythatnow。\"
\"Ifyourarrowsareheavy，\"saidWesley，\"I\'lldriveontoOnabashawithyou。\"
\"Buttheyarenot。Halfofthemwerenicked，andthislittleboxheldallthegoodones。It\'ssosurprisinghowmanyarespoiledwhenyouwashthem。\"
\"Whatdoeshepay?\"
\"Tencentsforanycommonperfectone，fiftyforrevolvers，adollarforobsidian，andwhateverisrightforenormousbigones。\"
\"Well，thatsoundsfair，\"saidSinton。\"YoucancomedownSaturdayandwashthestuffatourhouse，andI\'lltakeitinwhenwegomarketingintheafternoon。\"
Elnorajumpedfromthecarriage。Shesoonfoundthatwithherbooks，herlunchbox，andthepointsshehadaheavyload。Shehadalmostreachedthebridgecrossingtheculvertwhenshehearddistressedscreamsofachild。
Acrossanorchardofthesuburbscameasmallboy，afterhimabigdog，urgedbyamaninthebackground。
Elnora\'sheartwaswiththesmallfleeingfigureinanyeventwhatever。Shedroppedherloadonthebridge，andwithpractisedhandflungastoneatthedog。
Thebeastcurleddoublewithahowl。Theboyreachedthefence，andElnorawastheretohelphimover。Ashetouchedthetopsheswunghimtotheground，butheclungtoher，claspinghertightly，sobbingwithfear。
Elnorahelpedhimtothebridge，andsatwithhiminherarms。
Foratimehisrepliestoherquestionswereindistinct，butatlasthebecamequieterandshecouldunderstand。
Hewasamiteofaboy，nothingbutskin-coveredbones，hisburned，freckledfaceinamortaroftearsanddust，hisclothingunspeakablydirty，onegreattoeinafesteringmassfromabrokennail，andsoresalloverthevisibleportionsofthesmallbody。
\"Youwon\'tletthemeanoldthingmakehisdoggetme!\"hewailed。
\"Indeedno，\"saidElnora，holdinghimclosely。
\"Youwouldn\'tsetadogonaboyforjusttakingafewoldappleswhenyoufed\'emtopigswithashoveleveryday，wouldyou?\"
\"No，Iwouldnot，\"saidElnorahotly。
\"You\'dgiveaboyalltheappleshewanted，ifhehadn\'tanybreakfast，andwassohungryhewasalltwistyinside，wouldn\'tyou?\"
\"Yes，Iwould，\"saidElnora。
\"Ifyouhadanythingtoeatyouwouldgivemesomethingrightnow，wouldn\'tyou?\"
\"Yes，\"saidElnora。\"There\'snothingbutjuststonesinthepackage。Butmydinnerisinthatcase。I\'llgladlydivide。\"
Sheopenedthebox。Thefamishedchildgavealittlecryandreachedbothhands。Elnoracaughtthemback。
\"Didyouhaveanysupper?\"
\"No。\"
\"Anydinneryesterday?\"
\"AnappleandsomegrapesIstole。\"
\"Whoseboyareyou?\"
\"OldTomBillings\'s。\"
\"Whydoesn\'tyourfathergetyousomethingtoeat?\"
\"Hedoesmostdays，buthe\'sdrunknow。\"
\"Hush，youmustnot!\"saidElnora。\"He\'syourfather!\"
\"He\'sspentallthemoneytogetdrunk，too，\"saidtheboy，\"andJimmyandBellearebothcryingforbreakfast。
I\'dagotoutallrightwithanappleformyself，butItriedtogetsomeforthemandthedoggottooclose。Say，youcanthrow，can\'tyou?\"
\"Yes，\"admittedElnora。Shepouredhalfthemilkintothecup。\"Drinkthis，\"shesaid，holdingittohim。
Theboygulpedthemilkandsworejoyously，grippingthecupwithshakingfingers。
\"Hush!\"criedElnora。\"That\'sdreadful!\"
\"What\'sdreadful?\"
\"Tosaysuchawfulwords。\"
\"Huh!pasaysworser\'anthateverybreathhedraws。\"
Elnorasawthatthechildwasolderthanshehadthought。
Hemighthavebeenfortyjudgingbyhishard，unchildishexpression。
\"Doyouwanttobelikeyourfather?\"
\"No，Iwanttobelikeyou。Couldn\'taangelbeprettier\'anyou。CanIhavemoremilk?\"
Elnoraemptiedtheflask。Theboydrainedthecup。
Hedrewabreathofsatisfactionashegazedintoherface。
\"Youwouldn\'tgooffandleaveyourlittleboy，wouldyou?\"heasked。
\"Didsomeonegoawayandleaveyou?\"
\"Yes，mymotherwentoffandleftme，andleftJimmyandBelle，too，\"saidtheboy。\"Youwouldn\'tleaveyourlittleboy，wouldyou?\"
\"No。\"
Theboylookedeagerlyatthebox。Elnoraliftedasandwichanduncoveredthefriedchicken。Theboygaspedwithdelight。
\"Say，IcouldeatthestuffintheglassandtheotherboxandcarrythebreadandthechickentoJimmyandBelle，\"heoffered。
Elnorasilentlyuncoveredthecustardwithpreservedcherriesontopandhandeditandthespoontothechild。
Neverdidfooddisappearfaster。Thesaladwentnext，andasandwichandhalfachickenbreastfollowed。
\"IbetterleavetherestforJimmyandBelle，\"hesaid，\"they\'re\'istfightin\'hungry。\"
Elnoragavehimtheremainderofthecarefullypreparedlunch。
Theboyclutcheditandranwithasidewisehoplikeawildthing。Shecoveredthedishesandcup，polishedthespoon，replacedit，andclosedthecase。Shecaughtherbreathinatremulouslaugh。
\"IfAuntMargaretknewthat，she\'dneverforgiveme，\"
shesaid。\"Itseemsasifsecrecyisliterallyforceduponme，andIhateit。WhatshallIdoforlunch?I\'llhavetosellmyarrowsandkeepenoughmoneyforarestaurantsandwich。\"
Soshewalkedhurriedlyintotown，soldherpointsatagoodprice，depositedherfunds，andwentawaywithaneatlittlebankbookandthenotefromtheLimberlostcarefullyfoldedinside。Elnorapasseddownthehallthatmorning，andnoonepaidtheslightestattentiontoher。
Thetruthwasshelookedsolikeeveryoneelsethatshewasperfectlyinconspicuous。Butinthecoatroomthereweremembersofherclass。Surelynooneintendedit，butthewhisperwastooloud。
\"LookatthegirlfromtheLimberlostintheclothesthatwomangaveher!\"
Elnoraturnedonthem。\"Ibegyourpardon，\"shesaidunsteadily，\"Icouldn\'thelphearingthat!Noonegavemetheseclothes。Ipaidforthemmyself。\"
Someonemuttered，\"Pardonme，\"butincredulousfacesgreetedher。
Elnorafeltdriven。\"AuntMargaretselectedthem，andshemeanttogivethemtome，\"sheexplained，\"butIwouldn\'ttakethem。Ipaidforthemmyself。\"Therewassilence。
\"Don\'tyoubelieveme?\"pantedElnora。
\"Really，itisnoneofouraffair，\"saidanothergirl。
\"Comeon，let\'sgo。\"
Elnorasteppedbeforethegirlwhohadspoken。\"Youhavemadethisyouraffair，\"shesaid，\"becauseyoutoldathingwhichwasnottrue。NoonegavemewhatIamwearing。
IpaidformyclothesmyselfwithmoneyIearnedsellingmothstotheBirdWoman。IjustcamefromthebankwhereIdepositedwhatIdidnotuse。Hereismycredit。\"
Elnoradrewoutandofferedthelittleredbook。
\"Surelyyouwillbelievethat，\"shesaid。
\"Whyofcourse，\"saidthegirlwhofirsthadspoken。
\"WemetsuchalovelywomaninBrownlee\'sstore，andshesaidshewantedourhelptobuysomethingsforagirl，andthat\'showwecametoknow。\"
\"DearAuntMargaret，\"saidElnora，\"itwaslikehertoaskyou。Isn\'tshesplendid?\"
\"Sheisindeed，\"chorusedthegirls。Elnorasetdownherlunchboxandbooks，unpinnedherhat，hangingitbesidetheothers，andtakingupthebooksshereachedtosettheboxinitsplaceanddroppedit。Withalittlecryshesnatchedatitandcaughtthestrapontop。Thatpulledfromthefastening，thecoverunrolled，theboxfellawayasfarasitcould，twoporcelainlidsrattledonthefloor，andtheonesandwichrolledlikeacartwheelacrosstheroom。
Elnoraliftedaghastlyface。Foroncenoonelaughed。
Shestoodaninstantstaring。
\"Itseemstobemylucktobecrucifiedateverypointofthecompass，\"shesaidatlast。\"FirsttwodaysyouthoughtIwasapauper，nowyouwillthinkI\'mafraud。
AllofyouwillbelieveIboughtanexpensivebox，andthenwastoopoortoputanythingbutarestaurantsandwichinit。
YoumuststoptillIprovetoyouthatI\'mnot。\"
Elnoragatheredupthelids，andkickedthesandwichintoacorner。
\"Ihadmilkinthatbottle，see!Andcustardinthecup。
Therewassaladinthelittlebox，friedchickeninthelargeone，andnutsandwichesinthetray。Youcanseethecrumbsofallofthem。Amansetadogonachildwhowassostarvedhewasstealingapples。Italkedwithhim，andIthoughtIcouldbearhungerbetter，hewassuchalittleboy，soIgavehimmylunch，andgotthesandwichattherestaurant。\"
Elnoraheldoutthebox。Thegirlswerelaughingbythattime。\"Yougoose，\"saidone，\"whydidn\'tyougivehimthemoney，andsaveyourlunch?\"
\"Hewassuchalittlefellow，andhereallywashungry，\"
saidElnora。\"Ioftengowithoutanythingtoeatatnooninthefieldsandwoods，andneverthinkofit。\"
