\"Yes。IpaidmywaythroughthehighschoolinOnabashawiththem。NowIamstartingacollectionwhichmeanscollege。\"
\"Onabasha!\"saidtheman。\"ThatiswhereIamvisiting。
Possiblyyouknowmypeople——Dr。Ammon\'s?Thedoctorismyuncle。MyhomeisinChicago。I\'vebeenhavingtyphoidfever，somethingfierce。Inthehospitalsixweeks。
Didn\'tgainstrengthright，soUncleDocsentforme。
Iamtoliveoutofdoorsallsummer，andexerciseuntilIgetinconditionagain。Doyouknowmyuncle?\"
\"Yes。HeisAuntMargaret\'sdoctor，andhewouldbeours，onlyweareneverill。\"
\"Well，youlookit!\"saidtheman，appraisingElnoraataglance。
\"Strangersalwaysmentionit，\"sighedElnora。\"Iwonderhowitwouldseemtobeapale，languidladyandrideinacarriage。\"
\"Askme!\"laughedtheman。\"Itfeelslikethe——dickens!
I\'msoproudofmyfeet。It\'squiteatricktostandonthemnow。IhavetokeepoutofthewaterallIcanandstoptobabyeveryhalf-mile。ButwithinterestingoutdoorworkI\'llbemyselfinaweek。\"
\"Doyoucallthatwork?\"Elnoraindicatedthecreek。
\"Ido，indeed!Nearlythreemiles，bankstoosofttobragonandneverastrike。Wouldn\'tyoucallthathardlabour?\"
\"Yes，\"laughedElnora。\"Workatwhichyoumightkillyourselfandnevergetafish。DidanyonetellyouthereweretroutinSleepySnakeCreek?\"
\"UnclesaidIcouldtry。\"
\"Oh，youcan，\"saidElnora。\"Youcantrynoend，butyou\'llnevergetatrout。Thisistoofarsouthandtoowarmforthem。Ifyousitonthebankandusewormsyoumightcatchsomeperchorcatfish。\"
\"Butthatisn\'texercise。\"
\"Well，ifyouonlywantexercise，gorightonfishing。
Youwillhaveacreelfullofinvisibleresultseverynight。\"
\"Iobject，\"saidthemanemphatically。HestoppedworkagainandstudiedElnora。Eventhewatchingmothercouldnotblamehim。IntheshadeofthebridgeElnora\'sbrightheadandherlavenderdressmadeapictureworthyofmuchcontemplation。
\"Iobject!\"repeatedtheman。\"WhenIworkIwanttoseeresults。I\'dratherexercisesawingwood，makingonepilegrowlittleandtheotherbigthantocastalldayandcatchnothingbecausethereisnotafishtotake。
Workforwork\'ssakedoesn\'tappealtome。\"
Hediggedthegroovearoundthecocoonwithskilledhand。
\"Nowthereissomefuninthis!\"hesaid。It\'sgoingtobeafairjobtocutitout，butwhenitcomes，itisnotonlybeautiful，butworthaprice；itwillhelpyouonyourway。IthinkI\'llputupmyrodandhuntmoths。
Thatwouldbesomethinglike!Don\'tyouwanthelp?\"
Elnoraparriedthequestion。\"Haveyoueverhuntedmoths，Mr。Ammon?
\"Enoughtoknowtheropesintakingthemandtodistinguishthecommonestones。IgowildonCatocalae。
There\'stoomanyofthem，alltoomuchalikeforPhilip，butIknowallthesefellows。OneflewintomyroomwhenIwasabouttenyearsold，andwethoughtitamiracle。
NoneofuseverhadseenonesowetookitovertothemuseumtoDr。Dorsey。Hesaidtheywerecommonenough，butwedidn\'tseethembecausetheyflewatnight。
Heshowedmethemuseumcollection，andIwassointerestedItookminebackhomeandstartedtohuntthem。
Everyyearafterthatwewenttoourcottageamonthearlier，soIcouldfindthem，andallmyfamilyhelped。
IstucktoituntilIwenttocollege。Then，keepingthelittlemothsoutofthebigoneswastoomuchforthemater，sofatheradvisedthatIdonateminetothemuseum。
Heboughtafinecaseforthemwithmynameonit，whichconstitutesmysolecontributiontoscience。Iknowenoughtohelpyouallright。\"
\"Aren\'tyougoingnorththisyear?\"
\"Alldependsonhowthisfeverleavesme。Unclesaysthenightsaretoocoldandthedaystoohotthereforme。HethinksIhadbetterstayinaneventemperatureuntilIamstrongagain。IamgoingtostickprettyclosetohimuntilIknowIam。Iwouldn\'tadmitittoanyoneathome，butIwasalmostgone。Idon\'tbelieveanythingcaneatupnervemuchfasterthantheburningofaslowfever。No，thanks，Ihaveenough。
IstaywithUncleDoc，soifIfeelitcomingagainhecandosomethingquickly。\"
\"Idon\'tblameyou，\"saidElnora。\"Ineverhavebeensick，butitmustbedreadful。Iamafraidyouaretiringyourselfoverthat。Letmetaketheknifeawhile。\"
\"Oh，itisn\'tsobadasthat!Iwouldn\'tbewadingcreeksifitwere。Ionlyneedafewmoredaystogetsteadyonmyfeetagain。I\'llsoonhavethisout。\"
\"Itiskindofyoutogetit，\"saidElnora。\"Ishouldhavehadtopeelit，whichwouldspoilthecocoonfora\'
specimenandruinthemoth。\"
\"Youhaven\'tsaidyetwhetherImayhelpyouwhileIamhere。\"
Elnorahesitated。
\"Youbettersay`yes，\'\"hepersisted。\"Itwouldbearealkindness。Itwouldkeepmeoutdoorsalldayandgiveanincentivetowork。I\'mgoodatit。I\'llshowyouifIamnotinaweekorso。Ican`sugar，\'manipulatelights，andmirrors，andalltheexpertmethods。I\'llwager，mothsarenumerousintheoldswampoverthere。\"
\"Theyare，\"saidElnora。\"MostIhaveItookthere。
Afewnightsagomymothercaughtanumber，butwedon\'tdaregoalone。\"
\"Allthemorereasonwhyyouneedme。Wheredoyoulive?Ican\'tgetananswerfromyou，I\'llgotellyourmotherwhoIamandaskherifImayhelpyou。
Iwarnyou，younglady，Ihaveaveryeffectivewaywithmothers。Theyalmostneverturnmedown。\"
\"Thenit\'sprobableyouwillhaveanewexperiencewhenyoumeetmine，\"saidElnora。\"Sheneverwasknowntodowhatanyoneexpectedshesurelywould。\"
Thecocooncameloose。PhilipAmmonsteppeddowntheembankmentturningtoofferhishandtoElnora。
Sherandownasshewouldhavedonealone，andtakingthecocoonturneditendforendtolearniftheimagoitcontainedwerealive。ThenAmmontookbackthecocoontosmooththeedges。Mrs。Comstockgavethemonelonglookastheystoodthere，andreturnedtoherdandelions。Whilesheworkedshepausedoccasionally，listeningintently。Presentlytheycamedownthecreek，themancarryingthecocoonasifitwereajewel，whileElnoramadeherwayalongthebank，takingalessonincasting。
Herfacewasflushedwithexcitement，hereyesshining，thebushestakinglibertieswithherhair。Forapictureofperfectlovelinessshescarcelycouldhavebeensurpassed，andtheeyesofPhilipAmmonseemedtobeinworkingorder。
\"Moth-er!\"calledElnora。
Therewasanundulant，caressingsweetnessinthegirl\'svoice，asshesungoutthecallinperfectconfidencethatitwouldbringalovinganswer，thatstruckdeepinMrs。Comstock\'sheart。Sheneverhadheardthatwordsopronouncedbeforeandalumparoseinherthroat。
\"Here!\"sheanswered，stillcleaningdandelions。
\"Mother，thisisMr。PhilipAmmon，ofChicago，\"
saidElnora。\"HehasbeenillandheisstayingwithDr。AmmoninOnabasha。Hecamedownthecreekfishingandcutthiscocoonfromunderthebridgeforme。
Hefeelsthatitwouldbebettertohuntmothsthantofish，untilheiswell。Whatdoyouthinkaboutit?\"
PhilipAmmonextendedhishand。\"Iamgladtoknowyou，\"hesaid。
\"Youmaytakethehand-shakingforgranted，\"repliedMrs。Comstock。\"Dandelionshaveawayofmakingfingerssticky，andIliketoknowamanbeforeI
takehishand，anyway。Thatintroductionseemsmightycomprehensiveonyourpart，butitstillleavesmeunclassified。MynameisComstock。\"
PhilipAmmonbowed。
\"Iamsorrytohearyouhavebeensick，\"saidMrs。Comstock。
\"ButifpeoplewilllivewheretheyhavesuchvilewaterastheydoinChicago，Idon\'tseewhatelsetheyaretoexpect。\"
Philipstudiedherintently。
\"IamsureIdidn\'thaveafeveronpurpose，\"hesaid。
\"Youdoseemalittlewobblyonyourlegs，\"sheobserved。
\"MaybeyouhadbettersitandrestwhileIfinishthesegreens。It\'slateforthegenuinearticle，butintheshade，amonglonggrasstheyarestilltender。\"
\"MayIhavealeaf?\"heasked，reachingforoneashesatonthebank，lookingfromthelittlecreekathisfeet，awaythroughthedimcoolspacesoftheJuneforestontheoppositeside。Hedrewadeepbreath。\"Glory，butthisisgoodafteralmosttwomonthsinsidehospitalwalls!\"
Hestretchedonthegrassandlaygazingupattheleaves，occasionallyaskingtheinterpretationofabirdnoteortheoriginofanunfamiliarforestvoice。Elnorabeganhelpingwiththedandelions。
\"Another，please，\"saidtheyoungman，holdingouthishand。
\"DoyousupposethisisthekindofgrassNebuchadnezzarate?\"Elnoraasked，givingtheleaf。
\"Heknewagoodthingifitis。\"
\"Oh，youshouldtastedandelionsboiledwithbaconandservedwithmother\'scornbread。\"
\"Don\'t!Myappetiteistwicemysizenow。Whileitis——howfarisittoOnabasha，shortestcut?\"
\"Threemiles。\"
Themanlayinperfectcontent，nibblingleaves。
\"Thissurelyisatreat，\"hesaid。\"Nowonderyoufindgoodhuntinghere。Thereseemstobefoliageforalmosteverykindofcaterpillar。ButIsupposeyouhavetoexchangefornorthernspeciesandPacificCoastkinds?\"
\"Yes。AndeveryonewantsRegalisintrade。Ineversawthelike。TheyconsideraCecropiaoraPolyphemusaninsult，andaLunaisbarelyacceptable。\"
\"Whatauthoritieshaveyou?\"
Elnorabegantonametext-bookswhichstartedadiscussion。
Mrs。Comstocklistened。Shecleaneddandelionswithgreaterdeliberationthantheyeverbeforewereexamined。
Inrealityshewastakingstockoftheyoungman\'slong，well-proportionedframe，hisstronghands，hissmooth，fine-texturedskin，histhickshockofdarkhair，andmakingmentalnotesofhissimplemanlyspeechandthefactthatheevidentlydidknowmuchaboutmoths。
Itpleasedhertothinkthatifhehadbeenaneighbourboywhohadlainbesidehereverydayofhislifewhilesheworked，hecouldhavebeennomoreathome。Shelikedthethingshesaid，butshewasproudthatElnorahadareadyanswerwhichalwaysseemedappropriate。
AtlastMrs。Comstockfinishedthegreens。
\"Youarethreemilesfromthecityandlessthanamilefromwherewelive，\"shesaid。\"Ifyouwilltellmewhatyoudareeat，Isuspectyouhadbestgohomewithusandrestuntilthecoolofthedaybeforeyoustartback。
Probablysomeonethatyoucanrideinwithwillbepassingbeforeevening。\"
\"Thatismightykindofyou，\"saidPhilip。\"IthinkIwill。
Itdoesn\'tmattersomuchwhatIeat，thepointisthatImustbemoderate。Iamhungryallthetime。\"
\"Thenwewillgo，\"saidMrs。Comstock，\"andwewillnotallowyoutomakeyourselfsickwithus。\"
PhilipAmmonarose:pickingupthepailofgreensandhisfishingrod，hestoodwaiting。Elnoraledtheway。
Mrs。ComstockmotionedPhiliptofollowandshewalkedintherear。Thegirlcarriedthecocoonandtheboxofmothsshehadtaken，searchingeverystepformore。
Theyoungmanfrequentlysetdownhisloadtojoininthepursuitofadragonflyormoth，whileMrs。Comstockwatchedtheproceedingswithsharpeyes。EverytimePhilippickedupthepailofgreensshestruggledtosuppressasmile。
Elnoraproceededslowly，chatteringabouteverythingbesidethetrail。Philipwasinterestedinalltheobjectsshepointedout，noticingseveralthingswhichescapedher。
Hecarriedthegreensascasuallywhentheytookashortcutdowntheroadwayasonthetrail。WhenElnoraturnedtowardthegateofherhomePhilipAmmonstopped，tookalonglookatthebighewedlogcabin，thevineswhichclamberedoverit，theflowergardenablazewithbedsofbrightbloominterspersedwithstrawberriesandtomatoes，thetreesoftheforestrisingnorthandwestlikeagreenwallandexclaimed:\"Howbeautiful!\"
Mrs。Comstockwaspleased。\"Ifyouthinkthat，\"shesaid，\"perhapsyouwillunderstandhow，inallthispresent-
dayrushtobemodern，IhavepreferredtoremainasIbegan。
MyhusbandandItookupthisland，andenoughtreestobuildthecabin，stable，andoutbuildingsarenearlyallweevercut。Ofcourse，ifhehadlived，Isupposeweshouldhavekeptupwithourneighbours。Ihearconsiderableaboutthevalueoftheland，thetreeswhichareonit，andtheoilwhichissupposedtobeunderit，butasyetIhaven\'tbroughtmyselftochangeanything。
Sowestandforoneofthefewremaininghomesoffirstsettlersinthisregion。Comein。Youareverywelcometowhatwehave。\"
Mrs。Comstocksteppedforwardandtookthelead。
Shehadabowlofsoftwaterandapairofbootstoofferfortheheavywaders，foroutercomfort，aglassofcoldbuttermilkandabenchonwhichtorest，inthecirculararbouruntildinnerwasready。PhilipAmmonsplashedinthewater。Hefollowedtothestableandexchangedbootsthere。Hewasravenousforthebuttermilk，andwhenhestretchedonthebenchinthearbourtheflickeringpatchesofsunlightsotantalizedhistiredeyes，whilethebeesmadesuchsplendidmusic，hewassoonsoundasleep。WhenElnoraandhermothercameoutwithatabletheystoodashorttimelookingathim。ItisprobableMrs。Comstockvoicedaunitedthoughtwhenshesaid:\"Whatarefined，decentlookingyoungman!Howproudhismothermustbeofhim!Wemustbecarefulwhatwelethimeat。\"
ThentheyreturnedtothekitchenwhereMrs。Comstockproceededtobecareful。Shebroiledhamofherownsugar-curing，creamedpotatoes，servedasparagusontoast，andmadeadeliciousstrawberryshortcake。Asshecookeddandelionswithbacon，shefearedtoservethemtohim，soshemadeanexcusethatittooktoolongtopreparethem，blanchedsomeandmadeasalad。WheneverythingwasreadyshetouchedPhilip\'ssleeve。
\"Besthavesomethingtoeat，lad，beforeyougettoohungry，\"shesaid。
\"Pleasehurry!\"hebeggedlaughinglyasheheldaplatetowardhertobefilled。\"IthoughtIhadenoughself-
restrainttostartoutalone，butIseeIwasmistaken。
Ifyouwouldallowme，justnow，IamafraidIshouldstartafeveragain。Ineverdidsmellfoodsogoodasthis。
It\'smightykindofyoutotakemein。IhopeIwillbemanenoughinafewdaystodosomethingworthwhileinreturn。\"
Spotsofsunshinefellonthewhiteclothandbluechina，thebeesandanoccasionalstraybutterflycamesearchingforfood。Arose-breastedgrosbeak，releasedfromathreehours\'siegeofbrooding，whilehisindependentmatetookherbathandrecreation，mountedthetopbranchofamapleinthewestwoodsfromwhichheserenadedthedinnerpartywithajoyfulchorusincelebrationofhisfreedom。
Philip\'seyesstrayedtothebeautifulcabin，tothemixtureofflowersandvegetablesstretchingdowntotheroad，andtothesingingbirdwithhisred-splotchedbreastofwhiteandhesaid:\"Ican\'trealizenowthatIeverlayinicepacksinahospital。HowIwishallthesickfolkscouldcomeheretogrowstrong!\"
Thegrosbeaksangon，abigTurnusbutterflysailedthroughthearbourandpoisedoverthetable。Elnoraheldupalumpofsugarandthebutterfly，clingingtoherfingers，tasteddaintily。Witheagereyesandpartedlips，thegirlheldsteadily。Whenatlastitwaveredaway，\"Thatmadeapicture!\"saidPhilip。\"AskmesomeothertimehowIlostmyillusionsconcerningbutterflies。
Ialwaysthoughtoftheminconnectionwithsunshine，flowerpollen，andfruitnectar，untilonesadday。\"
\"Iknow!\"laughedElnora。\"I\'veseenthat，too，butitdidn\'tdestroyanyillusionforme。Ithinkquiteasmuchofthebutterfliesasever。\"
Thentheytalkedofflowers，moths，dragonflies，Indianrelics，andallthenaturalwonderstheswampafforded，strayingfromthosesubjectstobooksandschoolwork。
WhentheyclearedthetablePhilipassisted，carryingseveraltrayloadstothekitchen。HeandElnoramountedspecimenswhileMrsComstockwashedthedishes。Thenshecameoutwitharuffleshewasembroidering。
\"IwonderifIdidnotseeapictureofyouinOnabashalastnight，\"PhilipsaidtoElnora。\"AuntAnnatookmetocallonMissBrownlee。Shewasshowingmehercrowd——ofcourse，itwasyou!Butitdidn\'thalfdoyoujustice，althoughitwasthenearesthumanofanyofthem。
MissBrownleeisveryfondofyou。Shesaidthefinestthings。\"
ThentheytalkedofCommencement，andatlastPhilipsaidhemustgoorhisfriendswouldbecomeanxiousabouthim。
Mrs。Comstockbroughthimabluebowlofcreamymilkandaplateofbread。Shestoppedapassingteamandsecuredaridetothecityforhim，ashisexerciseofthemorninghadbeentooviolent，andhewasforcedtoadmithewastired。
\"MayIcometo-morrowafternoonandhuntmothsawhile?\"
heaskedMrs。Comstockashearose。\"Wewill`sugar\'atreeandputalightbesideit，ifIcangetstufftomakethepreparation。Possiblywecantakesomethatway。
Ialwaysenjoymothhunting，I\'dliketohelpMissElnora，anditwouldbeacharitytome。I\'vegottoremainoutdoorssomeplace，andI\'mquitesureI\'dgetwellfasterherethananywhereelse。PleasesayImaycome。\"
\"Ihavenoobjections，ifElnorareallywouldlikehelp，\"
saidMrs。Comstock。
Inherheartshewishedhewouldnotcome。Shewantedhernewlyfoundtreasurealltoherself，foratime，atleast。ButElnora\'swereeager，shiningeyes。
Shethoughtitwouldbesplendidtohavehelp，andgreatfuntotrybookmethodsfortakingmoths，soitwasarranged。AsPhiliprodeaway，Mrs。Comstock\'seyesfollowedhim。\"Whataniceyoungman!\"shesaid。
\"Heseemsfine，\"agreedElnora。
\"Hecomesofagoodfamily，too。I\'veoftenheardofhisfather。Heisagreatlawyer。\"
\"Iamgladhelikesithere。Ineedhelp。Possibly——\"
\"Possiblywhat?\"
\"Wecanfindmanymoths。\"
\"Whatdidhemeanaboutthebutterflies?\"
\"Thathealwayshadconnectedthemwithsunshine，flowers，andfruits，andthoughtofthemasthemostexquisiteofcreations；thenonedayhefoundsomeclusteringthicklyovercarrion。\"
\"Cometothinkofit，Ihaveseenbutterflies——\"
\"Sohadhe，\"laughedElnora。\"Andthatiswhathemeant。\"
CHAPTERXIV
WHEREINANEWPOSITIONISTENDEREDELNORA，ANDPHILIPAMMONISSHOWNLIMBERLOSTVIOLETS
ThenextmorningMrs。ComstockcalledtoElnora，\"Themailcarrierstoppedatourbox。\"
Elnorarandownthewalkandcamebackcarryinganofficialletter。Shetoreitopenandread:
MYDEARMISSCOMSTOCK:
AttheweeklymeetingoftheOnabashaSchoolBoardlastnight，itwasdecidedtoaddthepositionofLectureronNaturalHistorytoourcorpsofcityteachers。Itwillbethedutyofthispersontospendtwohoursaweekineachofthegradeschoolsexhibitingandexplainingspecimensofthemostprominentobjectsinnature:
animals，birds，insects，flowers，vines，shrubs，bushes，andtrees。
Thesespecimensandlecturesshouldbeappropriatetotheseasonsandthecomprehensionofthegrades。Thispositionwasunanimouslyvotedtoyou。Ithinkyouwillfindtheworkdelightfulandmucheasierthantheroutinegrindoftheotherteachers。Itismyadvicethatyouacceptandbegintoprepareyourselfatonce。Yoursalarywillbe$750ayear，andyouwillbeallowed$200forexpensesinprocuringspecimensandbooks。Letusknowatonceifyouwanttheposition，asitisgoingtobedifficulttofillsatisfactorilyifyoudonot。
Verytrulyyours，DAVIDTHOMPSON，President，OnabashaSchools。
\"Ihardlyunderstand，\"marvelledMrs。Comstock。
\"Itisanewposition。Theyneverhavehadanythinglikeitbefore。IsuspectitarosefromthehelpI\'vebeengivingthegradeteachersintheirnaturework。Theyaretryingtoteachthechildrensomething，andhalftheinstructorsdon\'tknowabluejayfromaking-fisher，abeechleaffromanelm，orawaspfromahornet。\"
\"Well，doyou?\"anxiouslyinquiredMrs。Comstock。
\"Indeed，Ido!\"laughedElnora，\"andseveralotherthingsbeside。WhenFrecklesbequeathedmetheswamp，hegavemeabiggerinheritancethanheknew。
WhileyouhavethoughtIwaswanderingaimlessly，I
havebeenfollowingadefiniteplan，studyinghard，andstoringupthestuffthatwillearnthesesevenhundredandfiftydollars。Motherdear，Iamgoingtoacceptthis，ofcourse。Theworkwillbeadelight。I\'dloveitmostofanythinginteaching。Youmusthelpme。
Wemustfindnests，eggs，leaves，queerformationsinplantsandrareflowers。Imusthaveflowerboxesmadeforeachoftheroomsandfilledwithwildthings。
Ishouldbegintogatherspecimensthisveryday。\"
Elnora\'sfacewasflushedandhereyesbright。
\"Oh，whatgreatworkthatwillbe!\"shecried。\"YoumustgowithmesoyoucanseethelittlefaceswhenItellthemhowthegoldfinchbuildsitsnest，andhowthebeesmakehoney。\"
SoElnoraandhermotherwentintothewoodsbehindthecabintostudynature。
\"Ithink，\"saidElnora，\"theideaistobeginwithfallthingsinthefall，keepingtotheseasonsthroughouttheyear。\"
\"Whatarefallthings?\"inquiredMrs。Comstock。
\"Oh，fringedgentians，asters，ironwort，everyfallflower，leavesfromeverytreeandvine，whatmakesthemchangecolour，abandonedbirdnests，winterquartersofcaterpillarsandinsects，whatbecomesofthebutterfliesandgrasshoppers——myriadsofstuff。Ishallhavetobeverywisetoselectthethingsitwillbemostbeneficialforthechildrentolearn。\"
\"CanIreallyhelpyou?\"Mrs。Comstock\'sstrongfacewaspathetic。
\"Indeed，yes!\"criedElnora。\"Inevercangetthroughitalone。Therewillbeanimmenseamountofworkconnectedwithsecuringandpreparingspecimens。\"
Mrs。Comstockliftedherheadproudlyandbegandoingbusinessatonce。Hersharpeyesrangedfromearthtoheaven。Sheinvestigatedeverything，askinginnumerablequestions。AtnoonMrs。Comstocktookthespecimenstheyhadcollected，andwenttopreparedinner，whileElnorafollowedthewoodsdowntotheSintons\'toshowherletter。
Shehadtoexplainwhatbecameofhermoths，andwhycollegewouldhavetobeabandonedforthatyear，butMargaretandWesleyvowednottotell。Wesleywavedtheletterexcitedly，explainingittoMargaretasifitwereapersonalpossession。Margaretwasdeeplyimpressed，whileBillyvolunteeredfirstaidingatheringmaterial。
\"Nowanythingyouwantintheground，Snapcandigitout，\"hesaid。\"UncleWesleyandIfoundaholethreetimesasbigasSnap，thathedugattherootsofatree。\"
\"Wewilltrainhimtohuntpupaecases，\"saidElnora。
\"Areyougoingtothewoodsthisafternoon?\"askedBilly。
\"Yes，\"answeredElnora。\"Dr。Ammon\'snephewfromChicagoisvisitinginOnabasha。Heisgoingtoshowmehowmenputsomesortofcompoundonatree，hangalightbesideit，andtakemothsthatway。Itwillbeinterestingtowatchandlearn。\"
\"MayIcome?\"askedBilly。
\"Ofcourseyoumaycome!\"answeredElnora。
\"IsthisnephewofDr。Ammonayoungman?\"inquiredMargaret。
\"Abouttwenty-six，Ishouldthink，\"saidElnora。
\"Hesaidhehadbeenoutofcollegeandatworkinhisfather\'slawofficethreeyears。\"
\"Doesheseemnice?\"askedMargaret，andWesleysmiled。
\"Finestkindofaperson，\"saidElnora。\"Hecanteachmesomuch。Itisveryinterestingtohearhimtalk。Heknowsconsiderableaboutmothsthatwillbeahelptome。Hehadafeverandhehastostayoutdoorsuntilhegrowsstrongagain。\"
\"Billy，Iguessyoubetterhelpmethisafternoon，\"
saidMargaret。\"MaybeElnorahadrathernotbotherwithyou。\"
\"There\'snoreasononearthwhyBillyshouldnotcome!\"criedElnora，andWesleysmiledagain。
\"ImusthurryhomeorIwon\'tbeready，\"sheadded。
Hasteningdowntheroadsheenteredthecabin，herfaceglowing。
\"Ithoughtyouneverwouldcome，\"saidMrs。Comstock。
\"Ifyoudon\'thurryMr。Ammonwillbeherebeforeyouaredressed。\"
\"Iforgotabouthimuntiljustnow，\"saidElnora。
\"Iamnotgoingtodress。He\'snotcomingtovisit。
Weareonlygoingtothewoodsformorespecimens。
Ican\'twearanythingthatrequirescare。Thelimbstakethemostdreadfullibertieswithhairandclothing。\"
Mrs。Comstockopenedherlips，lookedatElnoraandclosedthem。InherheartshewaspleasedthatthegirlwassointerestedinherworkthatshehadforgottenPhilipAmmon\'scoming。Butitdidseemtoherthatsuchapleasantyoungmanshouldhavebeengreetedbyagirlinafreshdress。\"Ifsheisn\'tdisposedtoprimpatthecomingofaman，heavenforbidthatIshouldbetheonetostarther，\"thoughtMrs。Comstock。
Philipcamewhistlingdownthewalkbetweenthecinnamonpinks，pansies，andstrawberries。Hecarriedseveralpackages，whilehisfaceflushedwithmorecolourthanonthepreviousday。
\"Onlyseewhathashappenedtome!\"criedElnora，offeringherletter。
\"I\'llwagerIknow!\"answeredPhilip。\"Isn\'titgreat!
EveryoneinOnabashaistalkingaboutit。Atlastthereissomethingnewunderthesun。Allofthemarepleased。
Theythinkyou\'llmakeabigsuccess。Thiswillgiveanincentivetowork。InafewdaysmoreI\'llbemyselfagain，andwe\'lloverturnthefieldsandwoodsaroundhere。\"
HewentontocongratulateMrs。Comstock。
\"Aren\'tyouproudofher，though?\"heasked。\"Youshouldhearwhatfolksaresaying!Theysayshecreatedthenecessityfortheposition，andeveryoneseemstofeelthatitisanecessity。Now，ifshesucceeds，andshewill，alloftheothercityschoolswillhavesuchdepartments，andfirstthingyouknowshewillhavemadethewholeworldalittlebetter。Letmerestafewseconds；myfeetareactingupagain。Thenwewillcookthemothcompoundandputittocool。\"
Helaughedashesatbreathingshortly。
\"Itdoesn\'tseempossiblethatafellowcouldlosehisstrengthlikethis。Mykneesareactuallytrembling，butI\'llbeallrightinaminute。UncleDocsaidI
couldcome。Itoldhimhowyoutookcareofme，andhesaidIwouldbesafehere。\"
ThenhebeganunwrappingpackagesandexplainingtoMrs。Comstockhowtocookthecompoundtoattractthemoths。Hefollowedherintothekitchen，kindledthefire，andstirredthepreparationashetalked。
Whilethemixturecooled，heandElnorawalkedthroughthevegetablegardenbehindthecabinandstrayedfromthereintothewoods。
\"Whataboutcollege?\"heasked。\"MissBrownleesaidyouweregoing。\"
\"Ihadhopedto，\"repliedElnora，\"butIhadastreakofdreadfulluck，soI\'llhavetowaituntilnextyear。
Ifyouwon\'tspeakofit，I\'lltellyou。\"
Philippromised，soElnorarecitedthehistoryoftheYellowEmperor。ShewassointerestedindoingtheEmperorjusticeshedidnotnoticehowmanypersonalitieswentintothestory。Afewpertinentquestionstoldhimtheremainder。Helookedatthegirlinwonder。
Infaceandformshewasaslovelyasanyoneofherageandtypeheeverhadseen。Herschoolworkfarsurpassedthatofmostgirlsofherageheknew。Shedifferedinotherways。Thisvaststoreoflearningshehadgatheredfromfieldandforestwasawealthofattractionnoothergirlpossessed。Herfrank，matter-of-factmannerwasaninheritancefromhermother，buttherewassomethingmore。
Once，astheytalkedhethought\"sympathy\"wasthewordtodescribeitandagain\"comprehension。\"Sheseemedtopossessalargesenseofbrotherhoodforallhumanandanimatecreatures。Shespoketohimasifshehadknownhimallherlife。Shetalkedtothegrosbeakinexactlythesamemanner，asshelaidstrawberriesandpotatobugsonthefenceforhisfamily。Shedidnotswerveaninchfromherwaywhenasnakeslidpasther，whilethesquirrelscamedownfromthetreesandtookcornfromherfingers。
Shemightaswellhavebeenaboy，solackingwassheinanytouchoffemininecoquetrytowardhim。Hestudiedherwonderingly。Astheywentalongthepaththeyreachedalargeslime-coveredpoolsurroundedbydecayingstumpsandlogsthicklycoveredwithwaterhyacinthsandblueflags。
Philipstopped。
\"Isthattheplace?\"heasked。
Elnoraassented。\"Thedoctortoldyou?\"
\"Yes。Itwastragic。Isthatpoolreallybottomless?\"
\"Sofarasweeverhavebeenabletodiscover。\"
Philipstoodlookingatthewater，whilethelong，sweetgrasses，thicklysprinkledwithblueflagbloom，overwhichwildbeesclambered，swayedaroundhisfeet。Thenheturnedtothegirl。Shehadworkedhard。Thesamelavenderdressshehadwornthepreviousdayclungtoherinlimpcondition。Butshewasasevenlycolouredandofasfinegrainasawildrosepetal，herhairwasreallybrown，butneverwassuchhairtouchedwitharedderglory，whileherheavyarchingbrowsaddedalookofstrengthtoherbiggray-blueeyes。
\"Andyouwerebornhere?\"
Hehadnotintendedtovoicethatthought。
\"Yes，\"shesaid，lookingintohiseyes。\"Justintimetopreventmymotherfromsavingthelifeofmyfather。
Shecamenearneverforgivingme。\"
\"Ah，cruel!\"criedPhilip。
\"Ifindmuchinlifethatiscruel，fromourstandpoints，\"
saidElnora。\"IttakesthelargewisdomoftheUnfathomable，thephilosophyoftheAlmighty，toenduresomeofit。
Butthereisalwaysrightsomewhere，andatlastitseemstocome。\"
\"Willitcometoyou?\"askedPhilip，whofoundhimselfdeeplyaffected。
\"Ithascome，\"saidthegirlserenely。\"Itcameaweekago。
ItcameinfullestmeasurewhenmymotherceasedtoregretthatIhadbeenborn。Now，workthatIlovehascome——thatshouldconstitutehappiness。Alittlefartheralongismyvioletbed。Iwantyoutoseeit。\"
AsPhilipAmmonfollowedhedefinitelysettleduponthenameoftheunusualfeatureofElnora\'sface。Itshouldbecalled\"experience。\"Shehadknownbitterexperiencesearlyinlife。Sufferinghadbeenherfamiliarmorethanjoy。
Hewatchedherearnestly，hisheartdeeplymoved。Sheledhimintoaswampyhalf-openspaceinthewoods，stoppedandsteppedaside。Heutteredacryofsurpriseddelight。
Afewdecayinglogswerescatteredaround，thegrassgrewintuftslongandfine。Blueflagswaved，clustersofcowslipsnoddedgoldheads，butthewholeearthwaspurplewithathickblanketofvioletsnoddingfromstemsafootinlength。Elnorakneltandslippingherfingersbetweentheleavesandgrassestotheroots，gatheredafewvioletsandgavethemtoPhilip。
\"Canyourcitygreenhousessurpassthem?\"sheasked。
Hesatonalogtoexaminetheblooms。
\"Theyaresuperb!\"hesaid。\"Ineversawsuchlengthofstemorsuchrankleaves，whiletheflowersarethedeepestblue，thetruestvioletIeversawgrowingwild。
TheyarecolouredexactlyliketheeyesofthegirlIamgoingtomarry。\"
Elnorahandedhimseveralotherstoaddtothoseheheld。
\"Shemusthavewonderfuleyes，\"shecommented。
\"Nootherblueeyesarequitesobeautiful，\"hesaid。
\"Infact，sheisaltogetherlovely。\"
\"Isitcustomaryforamantothinkthegirlheisgoingtomarrylovely?IwonderifIshouldfindherso。\"
\"Youwould，\"saidPhilip。\"Nooneeverfailsto。Sheistallasyou，veryslender，butperfectlyrounded；youknowabouthereyes；herhairisblackandwavy——whilehercomplexionisclearandflushedwithred。\"
\"Why，shemustbethemostbeautifulgirlinthewholeworld!\"shecried。
\"No，indeed!\"hesaid。\"Sheisnotaparticlebetterlookinginherwaythanyouareinyours。Sheisatypeofdarkbeauty，butyouareequallyasperfect。Sheisunusualinhercombinationofblackhairandvioleteyes，althougheveryonethinksthemblackatalittledistance。
Youarequiteasunusualwithyourfairface，blackbrows，andbrownhair；indeed，Iknowmanypeoplewhowouldpreferyourbrightheadtoherdarkone。It\'sallaquestionoftaste——andbeingengagedtothegirl，\"headded。
\"Thatwouldbelikelytoprejudiceone，\"laughedElnora。
\"Edithhasabirthdaysoon；iftheselastwillyouletmehaveaboxofthemtosendher?\"
\"Iwillhelpgatherandpackthemforyou，sotheywillcarrynicely。Doesshehuntmothswithyou?\"
BackwentPhilipAmmon\'sheadinagaleoflaughter。
\"No!\"hecried。\"Shesaystheyare`creepy。\'ShewouldgointoaspasmifshewerecompelledtotouchthosecaterpillarsIsawyouhandlingyesterday。\"
\"Whywouldshe?\"marvelledElnora。\"Haven\'tyoutoldherthattheyareperfectlyclean，helpless，andharmlessassomuchanimatevelvet?\"
\"No，Ihavenottoldher。Shewouldn\'tcareenoughaboutcaterpillarstolisten。\"
\"Inwhatissheinterested?\"
\"WhatinterestsEdithCarr?Letmethink!First，I
believeshetakesprideinbeingalittlehandsomerandbetterdressedthananygirlofherset。Sheisinterestedinhavingabeautifulhome，fineappointments，inbeingpetted，praised，andtheacknowledgedleaderofsociety。
\"Shelikestofindnewthingswhichamuseher，andtoalwaysandinallcircumstanceshaveherownwayabouteverything。\"
\"Goodgracious!\"criedElnora，staringathim。\"Butwhatdoesshedo?Howdoesshespendhertime?\"
\"Spendhertime!\"repeatedPhilip。\"Well，shewouldcallthatajoke。Herdaysareneverlongenough。Thereisendlessshopping，tofindtheprettythings；regularvisitstothedressmakers，calls，parties，theatres，entertainments。
Sheisalwaysrushed。IneveramabletobewithherhalfasmuchasIwouldlike。\"
\"ButImeanwork，\"persistedElnora。\"Inwhatissheinterestedthatisusefultotheworld?\"
\"Me!\"criedPhilippromptly。
\"Icanunderstandthat，\"laughedElnora。\"WhatI
can\'tunderstandishowyoucanbein——\"Shestoppedinconfusion，butshesawthathehadfinishedthesentenceasshehadintended。\"Ibegyourpardon!\"shecried。\"Ididn\'tintendtosaythat。ButIcannotunderstandthesepeopleIhearaboutwholiveonlyfortheirownamusement。
Perhapsitisverygreat；I\'llneverhaveachancetoknow。
Tome，itseemstheonlypleasureinthisworldworthhavingisthejoywederivefromlivingforthosewelove，andthosewecanhelp。Ihopeyouarenotangrywithme。\"
Philipsatsilentlylookingfaraway，withdeepthoughtinhiseyes。
\"Youareangry，\"falteredElnora。
Hislookcamebacktoherasshekneltbeforehimamongtheflowersandhegazedathersteadily。
\"NodoubtIshouldbe，\"hesaid，\"butthefactisI
amnot。Icannotunderstandalifepurelyforpersonalpleasuremyself。Butsheisonlyagirl，andthisisherplaytime。Whensheisawomaninherownhome，thenshewillbedifferent，willshenot?\"
Elnoraneverresembledhermothersocloselyaswhensheansweredthatquestion。
\"Iwouldhavetobewellacquaintedwithhertoknow，butIshouldhopeso。Tomakearealhomeforatiredbusinessmanisaverydifferentkindofworkfromthatrequiredtobealeaderofsociety。Itdemandsdifferenttalentandeducation。Ofcourse，shemeanstochange，orshewouldnothavepromisedtomakeahomeforyou。Isuspectourdopeiscoolnow，let\'sgotryforsomebutterflies。\"
AstheywentalongthepathtogetherElnoratalkedofmanythingsbutPhilipansweredabsently。Evidentlyhewasthinkingofsomethingelse。Butthemothbaitrecalledhimandhewasreadyforworkastheymadetheirwaybacktothewoods。HewantedtotrytheLimberlost，butElnorawasfirmaboutremainingonhomeground。
Shedidnottellhimthatlightshungintheswampwouldbeasignaltocallupabandofmenwhosepresenceshedreaded。Sotheystarted，Ammoncarryingthedope，Elnorathenet，BillyandMrs。Comstockfollowingwithcyanideboxesandlanterns。
Firsttheytriedforbutterfliesandcapturedseveralfineoneswithouttrouble。Theyalsocalledswarmsofants，bees，beetles，andflies。Whenitgrewdusk，Mrs。ComstockandPhilipwenttopreparesupper。ElnoraandBillyremaineduntilthebutterfliesdisappeared。Thentheylightedthelanterns，repaintedthetreesandfollowedthehometrail。
\"Doyou\'specyou\'llgetjustalotofmoths?\"askedBilly，ashewalkedbesideElnora。
\"IamsureIhardlyknow，\"saidthegirl。\"Thisisanewwayforme。Perhapstheywillcometothelights，butfewmothseat；andIhavesomedoubtaboutthosewhichthelightsattractsettlingontherighttrees。Maybethesmellofthatdopewilldrawthem。Betweenus，Billy，I
thinkIlikemyoldwaybest。IfIcanfindahiddenmoth，slipupandcatchitunawares，ortakeitinfullflight，it\'smycaptive，andIcankeepituntilitdiesnaturally。
Butthiswayyouseemtogetitunderfalsepretences，ithasnochance，anditwillprobablyruinitswingsstrugglingforfreedombeforemorning。\"
\"Well，anymothoughttobeproudtobetakenanyway，byyou，\"saidBilly。\"Justlookwhatyoudo!Youcanmakeeverybodylovethem。Peopleevenquithatingcaterpillarswhentheyseeyouhandlethemandhearyoutellallaboutthem。Youmusthavesometoshowpeoplehowtheyare。It\'snotlikekillingthingstoseeifyoucan，orbecauseyouwanttoeatthem，thewaymostmenkillbirds。Ithinkitisrightforyoutotakeenoughforcollections，toshowcitypeople，andtoillustratetheBirdWoman\'sbooks。Yougoonandtakethem!Themothsdon\'tcare。They\'regladtohaveyou。Theylikeit!\"
