\"Theregoeshisfootthroughit!\"criedMargaret。
\"Wesley，heshallnotruinmyhammock。\"
\"Ofcourseheshan\'t!\"saidWesley。\"Wait，Billy，letmeshowyou。\"
ThereuponheexplainedtoBillythatladieswearingbeautifulwhitedressessatinhammocks，solittleboysmustnotputtheirdustyfeetinthem。Billyimmediatelysat，andallowedhisfeettoswing。
\"Margaret，\"saidWesleyafteralongsilenceontheporch，\"isn\'tittruethatifBillyhadbeenahalf-starvedsorecat，dog，oranimalofanysort，thatyouwouldhavepitied，andhelpedcareforit，andbeengladtoseemegetanypleasureoutofitIcould?\"
\"Yes，\"saidMargaretcoldly。
\"ButbecauseIbroughtachildwithanimmortalsoul，thereisnowelcome。\"
\"Thatisn\'tachild，it\'sananimal。\"
\"Youjustsaidyouwouldhavewelcomedananimal。\"
\"Notawildone。Imeantatamebeast。\"
\"Billyisnotabeast!\"saidWesleyhotly。\"Heisaverydearlittleboy。Margaret，you\'vealwaysdonethechurch-goingandBiblereadingforthisfamily。Howdoyoureconcilethat`SufferlittlechildrentocomeuntoMe\'
withthewayyouaretreatingBilly?\"
Margaretarose。\"Ihaven\'ttreatedthatchild。Ihaveonlylethimalone。Icanbarelyholdmyself。Heneedsthehidetannedaboutoffhim!\"
\"Ifyou\'dcaredtolookathisbody，you\'dknowthatyoucouldn\'tfindaplacetostrikewithoutcuttingintoarawspot，\"saidWesley。\"Besides，Billyhasnotdoneathingforwhichachildshouldbepunished。Heisonlyfulloflife，notraining，andwithaboy\'sloveofmischief。
Hedidabuseyourkittens，butanhourbeforeIsawhimriskhislifetosaveonefrombeingrunover。Hemindswhatyoutellhim，anddoesn\'tdoanythingheistoldnotto。
Hethinksofhisbrotherandsisterrightawaywhenanythingpleaseshim。Hetookthatstingingmedicinewiththegritofabulldog。Heisjustabullylittlechap，andIlovehim。\"
\"Ohgoodheavens!\"criedMargaret，goingintothehouseasshespoke。
Sintonsatstill。AtlastBillytiredoftheswing，cametohimandleanedhisslightbodyagainstthebigknee。
\"AmIgoingtosleephere?\"heasked。
\"Sureyouare!\"saidSinton。
BillyswunghisfeetashelaidacrossWesley\'sknee。
\"Comeon，\"saidWesley，\"Imustcleanyouupforbed。\"
\"Youhavetobejustawfulcleanhere，\"announcedBilly。
\"Iliketobeclean，youfeelsogood，afterthehurtisover。\"
Sintonregisteredthatremark，andworkedwithespecialtendernessasheredressedtheailingplacesandwashedthedustfromBilly\'sfeetandhands。
\"Wherecanhesleep?\"heaskedMargaret。
\"I\'msureIdon\'tknow，\"sheanswered。
\"Oh，Icansleepistanyplace，\"saidBilly。\"Onthefloororanywhere。Home，Isleeponpa\'scoatonastore-
box，andJimmyandBelletheysleeponthestorebox，too。
\"Isleepbetweenthem，so\'sIdon\'trolloffandcrackmyhead。Ain\'tyougotastoreboxandaoldcoat?\"
Wesleyaroseandopenedafoldinglounge。Thenhebroughtanarmloadofcleanhorseblanketsfromacloset。
\"Thesedon\'tlooklikethenicewhitebedalittleboyshouldhave，Billy，\"hesaid，\"butwe\'llmakethemdo。
Thiswillbeatastoreboxallhollow。\"
Billytookalongleapforthelounge。Whenhefounditbounced，heproceededtobounce，untilhewastired。
Bythattimetheblanketshadtoberefolded。WesleyhadBillytakeoneendandhelp，whilebothofthemseemedtoenjoythejob。ThenBillylaydownandcurledupinhisclotheslikeasmalldog。Butsleepwouldnotcome。
Finallyhesatup。Hestaredaroundrestlessly。Thenhearose，wenttoWesley，andleanedagainsthisknee。Hepickeduptheboyandfoldedhisarmsaroundhim。Billysighedinrapturouscontent。
\"Thatbedfeelssolostlike，\"hesaid。\"Jimmyalwaysjabbedmeononeside，andBelleontheother，andsoI
knewIwasthere。Doyouknowwheretheyare?\"
\"Theyarewithkindpeoplewhogavethemafinesupper，acleanbed，andwillalwaystakegoodcareofthem。\"
\"IwishtIwas——\"BillyhesitatedandlookedearnestlyatWesley。\"ImeanIwishtheywashere。\"
\"YouareaboutallIcanmanage，Billy，\"saidWesley。
Billysatup。\"Can\'tshemanageanything?\"heasked，wavingtowardMargaret。
\"Indeed，yes，\"saidWesley。\"Shehasmanagedmefortwentyyears。\"
\"My，butshemadeyounice!\"saidBilly。\"Ijustloveyou。
Iwishtshe\'dtakeJimmyandBelleandmakethemniceasyou。\"
\"Sheisn\'tstrongenoughtodothat，Billy。Theywillgrowintoagoodboyandgirlwheretheyare。\"
BillyslidfromWesley\'sarmsandwalkedtowardMargaretuntilhereachedthemiddleoftheroom。Thenhestopped，andatlastsatonthefloor。Finallyhelaydownandclosedhiseyes。\"Thisfeelsmorelikemybed；
ifonlyJimmyandBellewasheretocrowdupalittle，soitwasn\'tsoalonelike。\"
\"Won\'tIdo，Billy?\"askedWesleyinahuskyvoice。
Billymovedrestlessly。\"Seemslike——seemsliketowardnightasifabodygotkindo\'lonesomeforawomanperson——likeher。\"
BillyindicatedMargaretandthenclosedhiseyessotighthissmallfacewrinkled。
Soonhewasupagain。\"WishtIhadSnap，\"hesaid。
\"Oh，IistwishtIhadSnap!\"
\"IthoughtyoulaidaboardonSnapandjumpedonit，\"saidWesley。
\"Wedid!\"criedBilly——\"oh，yououghttoheardhimsqueal!\"Billylaughedloudly，thenhisfaceclouded。
\"ButIwantSnaptolaybesidemesobadnow——thatifhewashereI\'dgivehimapieceofmychicken，\'for，Iateany。
Doyoulikedogs?\"
\"Yes，Ido，\"saidWesley。
Billywasupinstantly。\"WouldyoulikeSnap?\"
\"IamsureIwould，\"saidWesley。
\"Wouldshe?\"BillyindicatedMargaret。Andthenheansweredhisownquestion。\"Butofcourse，shewouldn\'t，cosshelikescats，anddogschasescats。
Oh，dear，IthoughtforaminutemaybeSnapcouldcomehere。\"Billylaydownandclosedhiseyesresolutely。
Suddenlytheyflewopen。\"Doesithurttobedead?\"
hedemanded。
\"Nothinghurtsyouafteryouaredead，Billy，\"saidWesley。
\"Yes，butImeandoesithurtgettingtobedead?\"
\"Sometimesitdoes。Itdidnothurtyourfather，Billy。
Itcamesoftlywhilehewasasleep。\"
\"Itistcamesoftly?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Ikindo\'wishthewasn\'tdead!\"saidBilly。\"\'CourseI
liketostaywithyou，andthefriedchicken，andthenicesoftbed，and——andeverything，andIliketobeclean，buthetookustotheshow，andhegotusgum，andheneverhurtuswhenhewasn\'tdrunk。\"
Billydrewadeepbreath，andtightlyclosedhiseyes。
Butverysoontheyopened。Thenhesatup。HelookedatWesleypitifully，andthenheglancedatMargaret。
\"Youdon\'tlikeboys，doyou?\"hequestioned。
\"Ilikegoodboys，\"saidMargaret。
Billywasatherkneeinstantly。\"Wellsay，I\'magoodboy!\"heannouncedjoyously。
\"Idonotthinkboyswhohurthelplesskittensandpulloutturkeys\'tailsaregoodboys。\"
\"Yes，butIdidn\'thurtthekittens，\"explainedBilly。
\"Theygotmad\'boutistalittlefunandscratchedeachother。
Ididn\'ts\'posethey\'dactlikethat。AndIdidn\'tpulltheturkey\'stail。IistheldontothefirstthingI
grabbed，andtheturkeypulled。Honest，itwastheturkeypulled。\"HeturnedtoWesley。\"Youtellher!
Didn\'ttheturkeypull?Ididn\'tknowitstailwasloose，didI?\"
\"Idon\'tthinkyoudid，Billy，\"saidWesley。
BillystaredintoMargaret\'scoldface。\"Sometimesatnight，Bellesitsonthefloor，andIlaymyheadinherlap。
Icouldpullupachairandlaymyheadinyourlap。
Likethis，Imean。\"Billypulledupachair，climbedonitandlaidhisheadonMargaret\'slap。Thenheshuthiseyesagain。Margaretcouldhavelookedlittlemorerepulsedifhehadbeenasnake。Billywassoonup。
\"My，butyourlapishard，\"hesaid。\"Andyouareagooddealfatter\'anBelle，too!\"Heslidfromthechairandcamebacktothemiddleoftheroom。
\"OhbutIwishthewasn\'tdead!\"hecried。ThefloodbrokeandBillyscreamedindesperation。
Outofthenightasoft，warmyoungfigureflashedthroughthedoorandwithaswoopcaughthiminherarms。
Shedroppedintoachair，nestledhimclosely，droopedherfragrantbrownheadoverhislittlebullet-eyedredone，androckedsoftlywhileshecroonedoverhim——
\"Billy，boy，wherehaveyoubeen?
Oh，Ihavebeentoseekawife，She\'sthejoyofmylife，Butthenshe\'sayoungthingandshecan\'tleavehermammy!\"
Billyclungtoherfrantically。Elnorawipedhiseyes，kissedhisface，swayedandsang。
\"Whyaren\'tyouasleep?\"sheaskedatlast。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidBilly。\"Itried。ItriedawfulhardcosIthoughthewantedmeto，butitistwouldn\'tcome。
PleasetellherItried。\"HeappealedtoMargaret。
\"Hedidtrytogotosleep，\"admittedMargaret。
\"Maybehecan\'tsleepinhisclothes，\"suggestedElnora。
\"Haven\'tyouanolddressingsacque?Icouldrollthesleeves。\"
Margaretgotanoldsacque，andElnoraputitonBilly。
Thenshebroughtabasinofwaterandbathedhisfaceandhead。Shegatheredhimupandbegantorockagain。
\"Haveyougotapa?\"askedBilly。
\"No，\"saidElnora。
\"Ishedeadlikemine?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Didithurthimtodie?\"
\"Idon\'tknow。\"
Billywaswideawakeagain。\"Itdidn\'thurtmypa，\"
heboasted；\"heistdiedwhilehewasasleep。Hedidn\'tevenknowitwascoming。\"
\"Iamgladofthat，\"saidElnora，pressingthesmallheadagainstherbreastagain。
Billyescapedherhandandsatup。\"IguessIwon\'tgotosleep，\"hesaid。\"Itmight`comesoftly\'andgetme。\"
\"Itwon\'tgetyou，Billy，\"saidElnora，rockingandsingingbetweensentences。\"Itdoesn\'tgetlittleboys。
Itjusttakesbigpeoplewhoaresick。\"
\"Wasmypasick?\"
\"Yes，\"saidElnora。\"Hehadadreadfulsicknessinsidehimthatburned，andmadehimdrinkthings。
Thatwaswhyhewouldforgethislittleboysandgirl。
Ifhehadbeenwell，hewouldhavegottenyougoodthingstoeat，cleanclothes，andhadthemostfunwithyou。\"
Billyleanedagainstherandclosedhiseyes，andElnorarockedhopefully。
\"IfIwasdeadwouldyoucry?\"hewasupagain。
\"Yes，Iwould，\"saidElnora，grippinghimcloseruntilBillyalmostsquealedwiththeembrace。
\"Doyoulovemetightasthat?\"hequestionedblissfully。
\"Yes，bushelsandbushels，\"saidElnora。\"Betterthananylittleboyinthewholeworld。\"
BillylookedatMargaret。\"Shedon\'t!\"hesaid。
\"She\'dbegladifitwouldgetme`softly，\'rightnow。
Shedon\'twantmehere\'tall。\"
Elnorasmotheredhisfaceagainstherbreastandrocked。
\"Youloveme，don\'tyou?\"
\"Iwill，ifyouwillgotosleep。\"
\"Everysingledayyouwillgivemeyourdinnerforthebologna，won\'tyou，\"saidBilly。
\"Yes，Iwill，\"repliedElnora。\"ButyouwillhaveasgoodlunchasIdoafterthis。Youwillhavemilk，eggs，chicken，allkindsofgoodthings，littlepies，andcakes，maybe。\"
Billyshookhishead。\"Iamgoingbackhomesoonasitislight，\"hesaid，\"shedon\'twantme。ShethinksI\'mabadboy。She\'sgoingtowhipme——ifheletsher。
Shesaidso。Iheardher。Oh，Iwishhehadn\'tdied!
Iwanttogohome。\"Billyshriekedagain。
Mrs。ComstockhadstartedtowalkslowlytomeetElnora。
ThegirlhadbeensolatethathermotherreachedtheSintongateandfollowedthepathuntilthepictureinsidebecamevisible。ElnorahadtoldheraboutWesleytakingBillyhome。Mrs。ComstockhadsomecuriositytoseehowMargaretboretheunexpectedadditiontoherfamily。Billy\'svoice，raisedwithexcitement，wasplainlyaudible。ShecouldseeElnoraholdinghim，andhearhisexcitedwail。Wesley\'sfacewasdrawnandhaggard，andMargaret\'ssetanddefiant。AveryimpofperversityenteredthebreastofMrs。Comstock。
\"Hoity，toity!\"shesaidasshesuddenlyappearedinthedoor。\"BlestifIeverheardamanmakingsoundslikethatbefore!\"
Billyceasedsuddenly。Mrs。Comstockwastall，angular，andherhairwasprematurelywhite。Shewasonlythirty-six，althoughsheappearedfifty。Buttherewasanexpressiononherusuallycoldfacethatwasattractivejustthen，andBillywasinsearchofattractions。
\"HaveIstayedtoolate，mother?\"askedElnoraanxiously。
\"Itrulyintendedtocomestraightback，butIthoughtIcouldrockBillytosleepfirst。Everythingisstrange，andhe\'ssonervous。\"
\"Isthatyourma?\"demandedBilly。
\"Yes。\"
\"Doessheloveyou?\"
\"Ofcourse!\"
\"Mymotherdidn\'tloveme，\"saidBilly。\"Shewentawayandleftme，andnevercameback。Shedon\'tcarewhathappenstome。Youwouldn\'tgoawayandleaveyourlittlegirl，wouldyou?\"questionedBilly。
\"No，\"saidKatharineComstock，\"andIwouldn\'tleavealittleboy，either。\"
BillybeganslidingfromElnora\'sknees。
\"Doyoulikeboys?\"hequestioned。
\"IfthereisanythingIloveitisaboy，\"saidMrs。
Comstockassuringly。Billywasonthefloor。
\"Doyoulikedogs?\"
\"Yes。Almostaswellasboys。IamgoingtobuyadogassoonasIcanfindagoodone。\"
Billyswepttowardherwithawhoop。
\"Doyouwantaboy?\"heshouted。
KatharineComstockstretchedoutherarms，andgatheredhimin。
\"Ofcourse，Iwantaboy!\"sherejoiced。
\"Maybeyou\'dliketohaveme?\"offeredBilly。
\"SureIwould，\"triumphedMrs。Comstock。\"Anyonewouldliketohaveyou。Youarejustarealboy，Billy。\"
\"WillyoutakeSnap?\"
\"I\'dliketohaveSnapalmostaswellasyou。\"
\"Mother!\"breathedElnoraimploringly。\"Don\'t!Oh，don\'t!
Hethinksyoumeanit!\"
\"AndsoIdomeanit，\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"I\'lltakehiminajiffy。Ithrowawayenoughtofeedalittletykelikehimeveryday。Hischatterwouldbegreatcompanywhileyouaregone。Bloodsooncanbepurifiedwithrightfoodandbaths，andasforSnap，Imeanttobuyabulldog，butpossiblySnapwillservejustaswell。
AllIaskofadogistobarkattherighttime。I\'lldotherest。Wouldyouliketocomeandbemyboy，Billy?\"
BillyleanedagainstMrs。Comstock，reachedhisarmsaroundherneckandgrippedherwithallhispunymight。
\"Youcanwhipmeallyouwantto，\"hesaid。\"Iwon\'tmakeasound。\"
Mrs。Comstockheldhimcloselyandherhardfacewassoftening；ofthattherecouldbenodoubt。
\"Now，whywouldanyonewhipanicelittleboylikeyou?\"sheaskedwonderingly。
\"She\"——BillyfromhisrefugewavedtowardMargaret——\"shewasgoingtowhipme\'causehercatsfought，whenItiedtheirtailstogetherandhungthemoverthelinetodry。HowdidIknowheroldcatswouldfight?\"
Mrs。Comstockbegantolaughsuddenly，andtryasshewouldshecouldnotstopsosoonasshedesired。
Billystudiedher。
\"Haveyougotturkeys?\"hedemanded。
\"Yes，flocksofthem，\"saidMrs。Comstock，vainlystrugglingtosuppresshermirth，andsettleherfaceinitsaccustomedlines。
\"Aretheirtailsfast?\"demandedBilly。
\"Why，Ithinkso，\"marvelledMrs。Comstock。
\"Hersain\'t!\"saidBillywiththewavetowardMargaretthatwasbecomingfamiliar。\"Herturkeypulled，anditstailcomedrightoff。She\'sgoingtowhipmeifheletsher。Ididn\'tknowtheturkeywouldpull。Ididn\'tknowitstailwouldcomeoff。Iwon\'tevertouchoneagain，willI?\"
\"Ofcourse，youwon\'t，\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"Andwhat\'smore，Idon\'tcareifyoudo!I\'dratherhaveafinelittlemanlikeyouthanalltheturkeysinthecountry。
Letthemlosetheiroldtailsiftheywantto，andletthecatsfight。Catsandturkeysdon\'tcomparewithboys，whoaregoingtobefinebigmensomeofthesedays。\"
ThenBillyandMrs。Comstockhuggedeachotherrapturously，whiletheiraudiencestaredinsilentamazement。
\"Youlikeboys!\"exultedBilly，andhisheaddroppedagainstMrs。Comstockinunspeakablecontent。
\"Yes，andifIdon\'thavetocarryyouthewholewayhome，wemuststartrightnow，\"saidMrs。Comstock。
\"Youaregoingtobeasleepbeforeyouknowit。\"
Billyopenedhiseyesandbracedhimself。\"Icanwalk，\"hesaidproudly。
\"Allright，wemuststart。Come，Elnora!Good-night，folks!\"
Mrs。ComstocksetBillyonthefloor，andarosegrippinghishand。\"Youtaketheotherside，Elnora，andwewillhelphimasmuchaswecan，\"shesaid。
ElnorastaredpiteouslyatMargaret，thenatWesley，andaroseinwhite-facedbewilderment。
\"Billy，areyougoingtoleavewithoutevensayinggood-
byetome?\"askedWesley，withagulp。
BillyheldtighttoMrs。ComstockandElnora。
\"Good-bye!\"hesaidcasually。\"I\'llcomeandseeyousometime。\"
WesleySintongaveasmotheredsob，andstrodefromtheroom。
Mrs。Comstockstartedtowardthedoor，draggingatBillywhileElnorapulledback，butMrs。Sintonwasbeforethem，hereyesflashing。
\"KateComstock，youthinkyouaremightysmart，don\'tyou?\"shecried。
\"Iain\'tinthelunaticasylum，whereyoubelong，anyway，\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"IamsmartenoughtotelladandyboywhenIseehim，andI\'mgoodandgladtogethim。I\'lllovetohavehim!\"
\"Well，youwon\'thavehim!\"exclaimedMargaretSinton。
\"ThatboyisWesley\'s!Hefoundhim，andbroughthimhere。
Youcan\'tcomeinandtakehimlikethat!Letgoofhim!\"
\"Notmuch，Iwon\'t!\"criedMrs。Comstock。\"Leavethepoorsicklittlesoulhereforyoutobeat，becausehedidn\'tknowjusthowtohandlethings!Ofcourse，he\'llmakemistakes。Hemusthavealotofteaching，butnotthekindhe\'llgetfromyou!Clearoutofmyway!\"
\"Youletgoofourboy，\"orderedMargaret。
\"Why?Doyouwanttowhiphim，beforehecangotosleep?\"jeeredMrs。Comstock。
\"No，Idon\'t!\"saidMargaret。\"He\'sWesley\'s，andnobodyshalltouchhim。Wesley!\"
WesleySintonappearedbehindMargaretinthedoorway，andsheturnedtohim。\"MakeKateComstockletgoofourboy!\"shedemanded。
\"Billy，shewantsyounow，\"saidWesleySinton。\"Shewon\'twhipyou，andshewon\'tletanyoneelse。Youcanhavestacksofgoodthingstoeat，rideinthecarriage，andhaveagreattime。Won\'tyoustaywithus?\"
BillydrewawayfromMrs。ComstockandElnora。
HefacedMargaret，hiseyesshrewdwithunchildishwisdom。
Necessityhadtaughthimtostrikethehotiron，todrivethehardbargain。
\"CanIhaveSnaptoliveherealways?\"hedemanded。
\"Yes，youcanhaveallthedogsyouwant，\"saidMargaretSinton。
\"CanIsleepcloseenoughso\'sIcantouchyou?\"
\"Yes，youcanmoveyourloungeupsothatyoucanholdmyhand，\"saidMargaret。
\"Doyoulovemenow?\"questionedBilly。
\"I\'lltrytoloveyou，ifyouareagoodboy，\"saidMargaret。
\"ThenIguessI\'llstay，\"saidBilly，walkingovertoher。
OutinthenightElnoraandhermotherwentdowntheroadinthemoonlight；everyfewrodsMrs。Comstocklaughedaloud。
\"Mother，Idon\'tunderstandyou，\"sobbedElnora。
\"Well，maybewhenyouhavegonetohighschoollongeryouwill，\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"Anyway，yousawmebringMagSintontohersenses，didn\'tyou?\"
\"Yes，Idid，\"answeredElnora，\"butIthoughtyouwereinearnest。SodidBilly，andUncleWesley，andAuntMargaret。\"
\"Well，wasn\'tI?\"inquiredMrs。Comstock。
\"ButyoujustsaidyoubroughtAuntMargaretto!\"
\"Well，didn\'tI?\"
\"Idon\'tunderstandyou。\"
\"That\'sthereasonIamrecommendingmoreschooling!\"
Elnoratookhercandleandwenttobed。Mrs。Comstockwasfeelingtoogoodtosleep。Twiceoflateshereallyhadenjoyedherselfforthefirstinsixteenyears，andgreedinessformoreofthesamefeelingcreptintoherbloodlikeintoxication。Asshesatbroodingalonesheknewthetruth。ShewouldhavelovedtohavetakenBilly。
Shewouldnothavemindedhismischief，hischatter，orhisdog。
Hewouldhavemeantadistractionfromherselfthatshegreatlyneeded；shewasevensincereaboutthedog。
ShehadintendedtotellWesleytobuyheroneattheveryfirstopportunity。HerlastthoughtwasofBilly。
Shechuckledsoftly，forshewasnotsaintly，andnowsheknewhowshecouldevenalongscorewithMargaretandWesleyinamannerthatwouldfillhersoulwithgrimsatisfaction。
CHAPTERVIII
WHEREINTHELIMBERLOSTTEMPTSELNORA，ANDBILLY
BURIESHISFATHER
ImmediatelyafterdinneronSundayWesleySintonstoppedattheComstockgatetoaskifElnorawantedtogototownwiththem。Billysatbesidehimandhedidnotappearasifhewereonhiswaytoafuneral。
Elnorasaidshehadtostudyandcouldnotgo，butshesuggestedthathermothertakeherplace。Mrs。Comstockputonherhatandwentatonce，whichsurprisedElnora。
ShedidnotknowthathermotherwasanxiousforanopportunitytospeakwithSintonalone。Elnoraknewwhyshewasrepeatedlycautionednottoleavetheirland，ifshewentspecimenhunting。
Shestudiedtwohoursandwasseverallessonsaheadofherclasses。Therewasnousetogofurther。Shewouldtakeawalkandseeifshecouldgatheranycaterpillarsorfindanyfreshlyspuncocoons。Shesearchedthebushesandlowtreesbehindthegardenandallaroundtheedgeofthewoodsontheirland，andhavinglittlesuccess，atlastcametotheroad。AlmostthefirstthornbushsheexaminedyieldedaPolyphemuscocoon。Elnoraliftedherheadwiththeinstinctofahunteronthechase，andbeganwork。Shereachedtheswampbeforesheknewit，carryingfivefinecocoonsofdifferentspeciesasherreward。
Shepushedbackherhairandgazedaroundlongingly。Afewrodsinsideshethoughtshesawcocoonsonabush，towhichshewent，andfoundseveral。Senseofcautionwasrapidlyvanishing；shewasinafairwaytoforgeteverythingandplungeintotheswampwhenshethoughtsheheardfootstepscomingdownthetrail。Shewentback，andcameoutalmostfacingPeteCorson。
Thatendedherdifficulty。Shehadknownhimsincechildhood。
WhenshesatonthefrontbenchoftheBrushwoodschoolhouse，Petehadbeenoneofthebigboysatthebackoftheroom。
Hehadbeenroughandwild，butsheneverhadbeenafraidofhim，andoftenhehadgivenherprettythingsfromtheswamp。
\"Whatluck!\"shecried。\"IpromisedmotherIwouldnotgoinsidetheswampalone，andwillyoulookatthecocoonsI\'vefound!Therearemorejustscreamingformetocomegetthem，becausetheleaveswillfallwiththefirstfrost，andthenthejaysandcrowswillbegintotearthemopen。Ihaven\'tmuchtime，sinceI\'mgoingtoschool。
Youwillgowithme，Pete!Pleasesayyes!Justalittleway!\"
\"Whatarethosethings?\"askedtheman，hiskeenblackeyesstaringather。
\"Theyarethecasesthesebigcaterpillarsspinforwinter，andinthespringtheycomeoutgreatnightmoths，andIcansellthem。Oh，Pete，IcansellthemforenoughtotakemethroughhighschoolanddressmesoliketheothersthatIdon\'tlookdifferent，andifIhaveverygoodluckIcansavesomeforcollege。Pete，pleasegowithme?\"
\"Whydon\'tyougolikeyoualwayshave?\"
\"Well，thetruthis，Ihadalittlescare，\"saidElnora。
\"Ineverdidmeantogoalone；sometimesIsortofwanderedinsidefartherthanIintended，chasingthings。YouknowDuncangavemeFreckles\'sbooks，andIhavebeengatheringmothslikehedid。LatelyIfoundIcouldsellthem。
IfIcanmakeacompletecollection，Icangetthreehundreddollarsforit。Threesuchcollectionswouldtakemealmostthroughcollege，andI\'vefouryearsinthehighschoolyet。That\'salongtime。Imightcollectthem。\"
\"Caneverykindthereisbefoundhere?\"
\"No，notallofthem，butwhenIgetmorethanIneedofonekind，Icantradethemwithcollectorsfarthernorthandwest，soIcancompletesets。It\'stheonlywayIseetoearnthemoney。LookwhatIhavealready。BiggrayCecropiascomefromthiskind；brownPolyphemusfromthat，andgreenLunasfromthese。Youaren\'tworkingonSunday。
Gowithmeonlyanhour，Pete!\"
Themanlookedathernarrowly。Shewasyoung，wholesome，andbeautiful。Shewasinnocent，intenselyinearnest，andsheneededthemoney，heknewthat。
\"Youdidn\'ttellmewhatscaredyou，\"hesaid。
\"Oh，IthoughtIdid!WhyyouknowIhadFreckles\'sboxpackedfullofmothsandspecimens，andoneeveningIsoldsometotheBirdWoman。NextmorningIfoundanotetellingmeitwasn\'tsafetogoinsidetheswamp。
Thatsortofscaredme。IthinkI\'llgoalone，ratherthanmissthechance，butI\'dbesohappyifyouwouldtakecareofme。ThenIcouldgoanywhereIchose，becauseifImiredyoucouldpullmeout。Youwilltakecareofme，Pete?\"
\"Yes，I\'lltakecareofyou，\"promisedPeteCorson。
\"Goody!\"saidElnora。\"Let\'sstartquick!AndPete，youlookattheseclosely，andwhenyouarehuntingorgoingalongtheroad，ifonedanglesunderyournose，youcutoffthelittletwigandsaveitforme，willyou?\"
\"Yes，I\'llsaveyouallIsee，\"promisedPete。HepushedbackhishatandfollowedElnora。Sheplungedfearlesslyamongbushes，overunderbrush，andacrossdeadlogs。
Oneminuteshewascryingwildly，thatherewasabigone，thenextshewasreachingforalimbaboveherheadoronherkneesoverturningdeadleavesunderahickoryoroaktree，orworkingasideblackmuckwithherbarehandsasshesearchedforburiedpupaecases。ForthefirsthourPetebentbackbushesandfollowed，carryingwhatElnoradiscovered。Thenhefoundone。
\"Isthisthekindofthingyouarelookingfor?\"heaskedbashfully，ashepresentedawildcherrytwig。
\"OhPete，that\'saPromethea!Ididn\'tevenhopetofindone。\"
\"What\'sthebirdlike?\"askedPete。
\"Almostblackwings，\"saidElnora，\"withclay-colourededges，andthemostwonderfulwine-colouredflushovertheundersideifit\'samale，andstrongerwineaboveandbelowifit\'safemale。Oh，aren\'tIhappy!\"
\"Howwoulditdotomakewhatyouhaveintoabunchthatwecouldleavehere，andcomebackforthem?\"
\"Thatwouldbeallright。\"
RelievedofhisloadPetebeganwork。First，henarrowlyexaminedthecocoonsElnorahadfound。Hequestionedherastowhatotherkindswouldbelike。Hebegantousetheeyesofatrainedwoodmanandhunterinherbehalf。
Hesawseveralsoeasily，andmovedthroughtheforestsosoftly，thatElnoraforgotthemothsinwatchinghim。
Presentlyshewascarryingthespecimens，andhewasmakingthetripsofinvestigationtoseewhichwasacocoonandwhichacurledleaf，orhewasonhiskneesdiggingaroundstumps。Asheworkedhekeptaskingquestions。
Whatkindoflogswerebesttolookbeside，whattreeswerepupaecasesmostlikelytobeunder；onwhatbushesdidcaterpillarsspinmostfrequently?Timepassed，asitalwaysdoeswhenone\'soccupationisabsorbing。
WhentheSintonstookMrs。Comstockhome，theystoppedtoseeElnora。Shewasnotthere。Mrs。Comstockcalledattheedgeofherwoodsandreceivednoreply。
ThenWesleyturnedanddrovebacktotheLimberlost。
HeleftMargaretandMrs。ComstockholdingtheteamandentertainingBilly，whileheenteredtheswamp。
ElnoraandPetehadmadeawidetrailbehindthem。
BeforeSintonhadthoughtofcalling，heheardvoicesandapproachedwithsomecaution。SoonhesawElnora，herflushedfacebeamingasshebentwithanarmloadoftwigsandbranchesandtalkedtoakneelingman。
\"Nowgocautiously!\"shewassaying。\"IamjustsurewewillfindanImperialishere。It\'stheirverykindofaplace。There!WhatdidItellyou!Isn\'tthatsplendid?
Oh，Iamsogladyoucamewithme!\"
Wesleystoodstaringinspeechlessastonishment，forthemanhadarisen，brushedthedirtfromhishands，andheldouttoElnoraasmallshiningdarkpupacase。
AshisfacecameintoviewSintonalmostcriedout，forhewastheonemanofallothersWesleyknewwithwhomhemostfearedforElnora\'ssafety。Shehadhimonhiskneesdiggingpupaecasesforherfromtheswamp。
\"Elnora!\"calledSinton。\"Elnora!\"
\"Oh，UncleWesley!\"criedthegirl。\"Seewhatluckwe\'vehad!Iknowwehaveadozenandahalfcocoonsandwehavethreepupaecases。It\'smuchhardertogetthecasesbecauseyouhavetodigforthem，andyoucan\'tseewheretolook。ButPeteisfineatit!He\'sfoundthree，andhesayshewillkeepwatchbesidetheroads，andthroughthewoodswhilehehunts。Isn\'tthatsplendidofhim?UncleWesley，thereisacollegeoverthereonthewesternedgeoftheswamp。Lookclosely，andyoucanseethegreatdomeupamongtheclouds。\"
\"Ishouldsayyouhavehadluck，\"saidWesley，strivingtomakehisvoicenatural。\"ButIthoughtyouwerenotcomingtotheswamp?\"
\"Well，Iwasn\'t，\"saidElnora，\"butIcouldn\'tfindmanyanywhereelse，honest，Icouldn\'t，andjustassoonasIcametotheedgeIbegantoseethemhere。Ikeptmypromise。Ididn\'tcomeinalone。Petecamewithme。
