Ineverheardmusiclikethat。Nowondershelovedhim。
Everyonewhoknewhimdid，andtheydoyet。Trythatlog，itmakesafairlygoodseat。Thisoldstoreboxwashistreasurehouse，justasit\'snowmine。Iwillshowyoumydearestpossession。Idonotdaretakeithomebecausemothercan\'tovercomeherdislikeforit。
Itwasmyfather\'s，andinsomewaysIamlikehim。
Thisisthestrongest。\"
Elnoraliftedtheviolinandbegantoplay。Sheworeaschooldressofgreengingham，withthesleevesrolledtotheelbows。Sheseemedapartofthesettingallaroundher。
Herheadshonelikeasmalldarksun，andherfaceneverhadseemedsorose-flushedandfair。Fromtheinstantshedrewthebow，herlipspartedandhereyesturnedtowardsomethingfarawayintheswamp，andneverdidshegivemoreofthatimpressionoffeelingforhernotesandrepeatingsomethingaudibleonlytoher。Philipwastooclosetogetthebesteffect。Hearoseandsteppedbackseveralyards，leaningagainstalargetree，lookingandlisteningintently。
AshechangedpositionshesawthatMrs。Comstockhadfollowedthem，andwasstandingonthetrail，whereshecouldnothavehelpedhearingeverythingElnorahadsaid。
SotoPhilipbeforeherandthemotherwatchingonthetrail，ElnoraplayedtheSongoftheLimberlost。Itseemedasiftheswamphushedallitsothervoicesandspokeonlythroughherdancingbow。Themotheroutonthetrailhadhearditall，oncebeforefromthegirl，manytimesfromherfather。Tothemanitwasarevelation。
HestoodsostunnedheforgotMrs。Comstock。Hetriedtorealizewhatacityaudiencewouldsaytothatmusic，fromsuchaplayer，withasimilarbackground，andhecouldnotimagine。
Hewaswonderingwhathedaredsay，howmuchhemightexpress，whenthelastnotefellandthegirllaidtheviolininthecase，closedthedoor，lockeditandhidthekeyintherottingwoodattheendofalog。Thenshecametohim。Philipstoodlookingathercuriously。
\"Iwonder，\"hesaid，\"whatpeoplewouldsaytothat?\"
\"Iplayedthatinpubliconce，\"saidElnora。\"Ithinktheylikedit，fairlywell。IhadanoteyesterdayofferingmetheleadershipofthehighschoolorchestrainOnabasha。
Icantakeitaswellasnot。Noneofmytalkstothegradescomethefirstthinginthemorning。Icanplayafewminutesintheorchestraandreachtheroomsinplentyoftime。ItwillbemoreworkthatIlove，andlikefindingthemoney。Iwouldgladlyplayfornothing，merelytobeabletoexpressmyself。\"
\"Withsomepeopleitmakesaregularbattlefieldofthehumanheart——thisstruggleforself-expression，\"saidPhilip。
\"Youaregoingtodobeautifulworkintheworld，anddoitwell。WhenIrealizethatyourviolinbelongedtoyourfather，thatheplayeditbeforeyouwereborn，anditnodoubtaffectedyourmotherstrongly，andthencouplewiththattheyearsyouhaveroamedthesefieldsandswampsfindinginnatureallyouhadtolavishyourheartupon，Icanseehowyouevolved。Iunderstandwhatyoumeanbyself-expression。Iknowsomethingofwhatyouhavetoexpress。Theworldneversowantedyourmessageasitdoesnow。Itishungryforthethingsyouknow。
Icanseeeasilyhowyourpositioncametoyou。Whatyouhavetogiveistaughtinnocollege，andIamnotsurebutyouwouldspoilyourselfifyoutriedtorunyourmindthroughasetgroovewithhundredsofothers。IneverthoughtIshouldsaysuchathingtoanyone，butIdosaytoyou，andIhonestlybelieveit；giveupthecollegeidea。
Yourminddoesnotneedthatsortofdevelopment。Stickclosetoyourworkinthewoods。Youarebecomingsoinfinitelygreateronit，thanthebestcollegegirlIeverknew，thatthereisnocomparison。Whenyouhavemoneytospend，takethatviolinandgotooneoftheworld\'sgreatmastersandlettheLimberlostsingtohim；ifhethinkshecanimproveit，verywell。Ihavemydoubts。\"
\"Doyoureallymeanthatyouwouldgiveupallideaofgoingtocollege，inmyplace?\"
\"Ireallymeanit，\"saidPhilip。\"IfInowheldthemoneyinmyhandstosendyou，andcouldgiveittoyouinsomewayyouwouldacceptIwouldnot。Idonotknowwhyitisthefateoftheworldalwaystowantsomethingdifferentfromwhatlifegivesthem。Ifyouonlycouldrealizeit，mygirl，youareincollege，andhavebeenalways。Youareintheschoolofexperience，andithastaughtyoutothink，andgivenyouaheart。
GodknowsIenvythemanwhowinsit!YouhavebeeninthecollegeoftheLimberlostallyourlife，andInevermetagraduatefromanyotherinstitutionwhocouldbegintocomparewithyouinsanity，clarity，andinterestingknowledge。
Iwouldn\'tevenadviseyoutoreadtoomanybooksonyourlines。
Youacquireyourmaterialfirsthand，andyouknowthatyouareright。Whatyoushoulddoistobeginearlytopractiseself-expression。Don\'twaittoolongtotellusaboutthewoodsasyouknowthem。\"
\"FollowthecourseoftheBirdWoman，youmean?\"
askedElnora。
\"Inyourownway；withyourownlight。Shewon\'tliveforever。Youareyounger，andyouwillbereadytobeginwheresheends。Theswamphasgivenyouallyouneedsofar；nowyougiveittotheworldinpayment。
Collegebeconfounded!Gotoworkandshowpeoplewhatthereisinyou!\"
NotuntilthendidherememberMrs。Comstock。
\"Shouldwegoouttothetrailandseeifyourmotheriscoming?\"heasked。
\"Heresheisnow，\"saidElnora。\"Gracious，it\'samercyIgotthatviolinputawayintime!Ididn\'texpecthersosoon，\"whisperedthegirlassheturnedandwenttowardhermother。Mrs。Comstock\'sexpressionwaspeculiarasshelookedatElnora。
\"Iforgotthatyouweremakingsun-preservesandtheydidn\'trequiremuchcooking，\"shesaid。\"Weshouldhavewaitedforyou。\"
\"Notatall!\"answeredMrs。Comstock。\"Haveyoufoundanythingyet?\"
\"NothingthatIcanshowyou，\"saidElnora。\"IamalmostsureIhavefoundanideathatwillrevolutionizethewholecourseofmywork，thought，andambitions。\"
\"`Ambitions!\'My，whataheftyword!\"laughedMrs。Comstock。
\"Nowwhowouldsuspectalittlered-hairedcountrygirlofharbouringsuchadeadlygerminherbody?Canyoutellmotheraboutit?\"
\"Notifyoutalktomethatway，Ican\'t，\"saidElnora。
\"Well，Iguesswebetterletambitionlie。I\'vealwayshearditwassafestasleep。Ifyouevergetabonafideattack，itwillbetimetoattendit。Let\'shuntspecimens。
ItisJune。PhilipandIareinthegrades。Youhaveanhourtoputanideaintoourheadsthatwillstickforalifetime，andgrowforgood。That\'sthewayIlookatyourjob。Now，whatareyougoingtogiveus?Wedon\'twantanyoldsillystuffthathasbeenhashedoverandover，wewantabignewideatoplantinourhearts。Comeon，MissTeacher，whatistheboiled-down，double-distilledessenceofJune?Giveittousstrong。Wearelargeenoughtofurnishitdevelopingground。
Hurryup!Timeisshortandwearewaiting。WhatisthemiracleofJune?Whatonethingepitomizesthewholemonth，andmakesitjustalittledifferentfromanyother?\"
\"Thebirthofthesebignightmoths，\"saidElnorapromptly。
Philipclappedhishands。ThetearsstartedtoMrs。
Comstock\'seyes。ShetookElnorainherarms，andkissedherforehead。
\"You\'lldo!\"shesaid。\"JuneisJune，notbecauseithasbloom，bird，fruit，orflower，exclusivetoitalone。
It\'shalfMayandhalfJulyinallofthem。Buttome，it\'sjustJune，whenitcomestothesegreat，velvet-wingednightmothswhichsweepitsmoonlitskies，consummatingtheirschemeofcreation，anddroppinglikeabloomed-
outflower。GivethemmothsforJune。Thenmakethatthebasisofyouryear\'swork。Findthedistinctivefeatureofeachmonth，theonethingwhichmarksitatimeapart，andhitthemsquarelybetweentheeyeswithit。Eventhebabiesofthelowestgradescancomprehendmothswhentheyseeafewemerge，andlearntheirhistory，asitcanbelivedbeforethem。Youshouldshowyourspecimensinpairs，thentheireggs，thegrowingcaterpillars，andthenthecocoons。Youwanttodigouttheredheartofeverymonthintheyear，andholditpulsingbeforethem。
\"Ican\'tnameallofthemoff-hand，butIthinkofonemorerightnow。Februarybelongstoourwinterbirds。
Itisthenthegreathornedowloftheswampcourtshismate，thebighawkspair，andeventhecrowsbegintotakenotice。Thesearetrulyourbirds。Likethepoorwehavethemalwayswithus。YoushouldhearthemusiciansofthisswampinFebruary，Philip，onamellownight。
Oh，buttheyareinearnest!Fortwenty-oneyearsI\'velistenedbynighttothegreatowls，allthesmallersizes，thefoxes，coons，andeveryresidentleftinthesewoods，andbydaytothehawks，yellow-hammers，sap-suckers，titmice，crows，andotherwinterbirds。Onlyjustnowit\'scometomethatthedistinctivefeatureofFebruaryisnotlinenbleaching，norsugarmaking；it\'sthelovemonthofourveryownbirds。GivethemhawksandowlsforFebruary，Elnora。\"
WithflashingeyesthegirllookedatPhilip。\"How\'sthat?\"
shesaid。\"Don\'tyouthinkIwillsucceed，withsuchhelp?
Youshouldheartheconcertsheistalkingabout!Itissimplyindescribablewhenthegroundiscoveredwithsnow，andthemoonlightwhite。\"
\"It\'saboutthebestmusicwehave，\"saidMrs。Comstock。
\"Iwonderifyoucouldn\'tcopythatandmakeastrong，originalpieceoutofitforyourviolin，Elnora?\"
Therewasonetensebreath，then——\"Icouldtry，\"saidElnorasimply。
Philiprushedtotherescue。\"Wemustgotowork，\"hesaid，andbeganexaminingawalnutbranchforLunamotheggs。
ElnorajoinedhimwhileMrs。Comstockdrewherembroideryfromherpocketandsatonalog。Shesaidshewastired，theycouldcomeforherwhentheywerereadytogo。
Shecouldheartheirvoicesaroundheruntilshecalledthematsuppertime。Whentheycametohershestoodwaitingonthetrail，thesewinginonehand，theviolinintheother。Elnorabecameverywhite，butfollowedthetrailwithoutaword。Philip，unabletoseeawomancarryaheavierloadthanhe，reachedfortheinstrument。Mrs。Comstockshookherhead。Shecarriedtheviolinhome，tookitintoherroomandclosedthedoor。
ElnoraturnedtoPhilip。
\"Ifshedestroysthat，Ishalldie!\"criedthegirl。
\"Shewon\'t!\"saidPhilip。\"Youmisunderstandher。
Shewouldn\'thavesaidwhatshedidabouttheowls，ifshehadmeantto。Sheisyourmother。Noonelovesyouasshedoes。Trusther!Myself——Ithinkshe\'ssimplygreat!\"
Mrs。Comstockreturnedwithsereneface，andallofthemhelpedwiththesupper。WhenitwasoverPhilipandElnorasortedandclassifiedtheafternoon\'sspecimens，andmadeatriptothewoodstopaintandlightseveraltreesformoths。WhentheycamebackMrs。Comstocksatinthearbour，andtheyjoinedher。Themoonlightwassointense，printcouldhavebeenreadbyit。
Thedampnightairheldodoursneartoearth，makingflowerandtreeperfumestrong。Athousandinsectswereserenading，andinthemaplethegrosbeakoccasionallysaidareassuringwordtohiswife，whilesheansweredthatallwaswell。Awhip-poor-willwailedintheswampandbesidetheblue-borderedpoolachatcomplaineddisconsolately。
Mrs。Comstockwentintothecabin，butshereturnedimmediately，layingtheviolinandbowacrossElnora\'slap。\"Iwishyouwouldgiveusalittlemusic，\"shesaid。
CHAPTERXVII
WHEREINMRS。COMSTOCKDANCESINTHEMOONLIGHT，ANDELNORAMAKESACONFESSION
Billywasswinginginthehammock，atpeacewithhimselfandalltheworld，whenhethoughtheheardsomething。
Hesatboltupright，hiseyesstaring。Onceheopenedhislips，thenthoughtagainandclosedthem。
Thesoundpersisted。Billyvaultedthefence，andrandowntheroadwithhisqueersidewisehop。
WhenhenearedtheComstockcabin，heleftthewarmdustofthehighwayandsteppedsoftlyatslowerpaceovertherankgrassesoftheroadside。Hehadheardaright。Theviolinwasinthegrapearbour，singingaperfectjumbleofeverything，pouredoutinanexultanttumult。Thestringswerevoicingthejoyofahappygirlheart。
Billyclimbedthefenceenclosingthewestwoodsandcrepttowardthearbour。Hewasnotaspyandnotasneak。
Hemerelywantedtosatisfyhischild-heartastowhetherMrs。Comstockwasathome，andElnoraatlastplayingherlovedviolinwithhermother\'sconsent。
Onepeepsufficed。Mrs。Comstocksatinthemoonlight，herheadleaningagainstthearbour；onherfacewasalookofperfectpeaceandcontentment。AshestaredatherthebowhesitatedasecondandMrs。Comstockspoke:
\"That\'sallverymelodiousandsweet，\"shesaid，\"butI
dowishyoucouldplayMoneyMuskandsomeofthetunesIdancedasagirl。\"
Elnorahadbeencarefullyavoidingeverynotethatmightbereminiscentofherfather。Atthewordsshelaughedsoftlyandbegan\"TurkeyintheStraw。\"
AninstantlaterMrs。Comstockwasdancinginthemoonlight。Ammonsprangtoherside，caughtherinhisarms，whiletoElnora\'slaughterandtheviolin\'simpetustheydanceduntiltheydroppedpantingonthearbourbench。
Billyscarcelyknewwhenhereachedtheroad。Hislightfeetbarelytouchedthesoftway，soswiftlyheflew。
Hevaultedthefenceandburstintothehouse。
\"AuntMargaret!UncleWesley!\"hescreamed。\"Listen!
Listen!She\'splayingit!Elnora\'splayingherviolinathome!AndAuntKateisdancinglikeanythingbeforethearbour!Isawherinthemoonlight!Irandown!
Oh，AuntMargaret!\"
BillyfledsobbingtoMargaret\'sbreast。
\"WhyBilly!\"shechided。\"Don\'tcry，youlittledunce!
That\'swhatwe\'veallprayedforthesemanyyears；butyoumustbemistakenaboutKate。Ican\'tbelieveit。\"
Billyliftedhishead。\"Well，youjusthaveto!\"hesaid。
\"WhenIsayIsawanything，UncleWesleyknowsIdid。
Thecitymanwasdancingwithher。TheydancedtogetherandElnoralaughed。Butitdidn\'tlookfunnytome；
Iwasscared。\"
\"Whowasitsaid`wondersnevercease，\'\"askedWesley。
\"Youmarkmyword，onceyougetKateComstockstarted，youcan\'tstopher。There\'sawagonloadofpenned-upforceinher。Dancinginthemoonlight!Well，I\'llbehanged!\"
Billywasathissideinstantly。\"Whoeverdoesitwillhavetohangme，too，\"hecried。
SintonthrewhisarmaroundBillyanddrewhimclosely。
\"Tellusallaboutit，son，\"hesaid。Billytold。\"AndwhenElnorajuststoppedabreath，`Can\'tyouplaysomeoftheoldthingsIknewwhenIwasagirl?\'saidherma。
ThenElnorabegantodoathingthatmadeyouwanttowhirlroundandround，andquicker\'anscattherewashermaa-whirling。Thecityman，heupsandgrabsherandwhirls，too，andbackinthewoodsIwasgoingjustliketheydid。Elnorabeginstolaugh，andIrantotellyou，cosIknewyou\'dliketoknow。Now，alltheworldisright，ain\'tit?\"endedBillyinsupremesatisfaction。
\"Youjustbetitis!\"saidWesley。
BillylookedsteadilyatMargaret。\"Isit，AuntMargaret?\"
MargaretSintonsmiledathimbravely。
AnhourlaterwhenBillywasreadytoclimbthestairstohisroom，hewenttoMargarettosaygoodnight。
Heleanedagainstheraninstant，thenbroughthislipstoherear。\"WishIcouldgetyourlittlegirlsbackforyou!\"hewhisperedanddashedtowardthestairs。
DownattheComstockcabintheviolinplayedonuntilElnorawassotiredshescarcelycouldliftthebow。
ThenPhilipwenthome。Thewomenwalkedtothegatewithhim，andstoodwatchinghimfromsight。
\"That\'swhatIcallonedecentyoungman!\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"Toseehimfitinwithus，you\'dthinkhe\'dbeenbroughtupinacabin；butit\'slikelyhe\'salwayshadtheverycreamo\'thepot。\"
\"Yes，Ithinkso，\"laughedElnora，\"butithasn\'thurthim。I\'veneverseenanythingIcouldcriticise。
He\'steachingmesomuch，unconsciously。YouknowhegraduatedfromHarvard，andhasseveraldegreesinlaw。
He\'scominginthemorning，andwearegoingtoputinabigdayonCatocalae。\"
\"Whichis——?\"
\"Thosegraymothswithwingsthatfoldbacklikebigflies，andtheyappearasiftheyhadbeencarvedfromoldwood。Then，whentheyfly，thelowerwingsflashoutandtheyareredandblack，orgoldandblack，orpinkandblack，ordozensofbright，beautifulcolourscombinedwithblack。Nooneeverhasclassifiedallofthemandwrittentheircompletehistory，unlesstheBirdWomanisdoingitnow。Shewantseverythingshecangetaboutthem。\"
\"Iremember，\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"Theyaremightyprettythings。I\'vestartedupslewsofthemfromthevinescoveringthelogs，allmylife。Imustbecautiousandcatchthemafterthis，buttheyseempowerfulspry。
Imightgetholdofsomethingrare。\"Shethoughtintentlyandadded，\"Andwouldn\'tknowitifIdid。
Itwouldjustbemyluck。I\'vehadtherarestthingonearthinreachthismanyadayandonlyhadthewittocinchitjustasitwasgoing。I\'llbetIdon\'tletanythingelseescapeme。\"
NextmorningPhilipcameearly，andheandElnorawentatoncetothefieldsandwoods。Mrs。Comstockhadcometobelievesoimplicitlyinhimthatshenowstayedathometocompletetheworkbeforeshejoinedthem，andwhenshedidsheoftensatsewing，leavingthemwanderinghoursatatime。Itwasnoonbeforeshefinished，andthenshepackedabasketoflunch。
ShefoundElnoraandPhilipnearthevioletpatch，whichwasstillinitsprime。Theyalllunchedtogetherintheshadeofawildcrabthicket，withflowersspreadattheirfeet，andthegoldoriolesstreakingtheairwithflashesoflightandtrailingecstasybehindthem，whilethered-
wings，asalways，askedthemostimpertinentquestions。
ThenMrs。Comstockcarriedthebasketbacktothecabin，andPhilipandElnorasatonalog，restingafewminutes。
Theyhadunexpectedluck，andbothwereeagertocontinuethesearch。
\"Doyourememberyourpromiseabouttheseviolets?\"
askedhe。\"To-morrowisEdith\'sbirthday，andifI\'dputthemspecialdeliveryonthemorningtrain，she\'dgettheminthelateafternoon。Theyoughttokeepthatlong。SheleavesfortheNorthnextday。\"
\"Ofcourse，youmayhavethem，\"saidElnora。\"Wewillquitlongenoughbeforesuppertogatheralargebunch。
Theycanbepackedsotheywillcarryallright。
Theyshouldbeperfectlyfresh，especiallyifwegatherthemthiseveningandletthemdrinkallnight。\"
ThentheywentbacktohuntCatocalae。Itwasalongandahappysearch。Itledthemintonew，unexplorednooksofthewoods，pastared-pollnest，andwheregoldfinchesprospectedforthistledownforthecradlestheywouldlinealittlelater。Itledthemintorealforest，wheredeep，darkpoolslay，wherethehermitthrushandthewoodrobinextractedtheessencefromallotherbirdmelody，andpoureditoutintheirpurebell-tonenotes。Itseemedasifeveryoldgraytree-trunk，slabofloosebark，andprostratelogyieldedtheflashinggraytreasures；
whileofallotherstheyseemedtotakealarmmosteasily，andbemostdifficulttocapture。
PhilipcametoElnoraatdusk，daintilyholdingonebythebody，itsdarkwingsshowinganditslongslenderlegstryingtoclasphisfingersandcreepfromhishold。
\"Ohformercy\'ssake!\"criedElnora，staringathim。
\"Ihalfbelieveit!\"exultedAmmon。
\"Didyoueverseeone?\"
\"Onlyincollections，andveryseldomthere。\"
Elnorastudiedtheblackwingsintently。\"Isurelybelievethat\'sSappho，\"shemarvelled。\"TheBirdWomanwillbeoverjoyed。\"
\"Wemustgetthecyanidejarquickly，\"saidPhilip。
\"Iwouldn\'tloseherforanything。Suchachaseassheledme!\"
Elnorabroughtthejarandbegangatheringupparaphernalia。
\"Whenyoumakeafindlikethat，\"shesaid，\"it\'stherighttimetoquitandfeelgloriousalltherestofthatday。ItellyouI\'mproud!Wewillgonow。Wehavebarelytimetocarryoutourplansbeforesupper。
Won\'tmotherbepleasedtoseethatwehavearareone?\"
\"I\'dliketoseeanyonemorepleasedthanIam!\"saidPhilipAmmon。\"IfeelasifI\'dearnedmysupperto-night。
Let\'sgo。\"
HetookthegreaterpartoftheloadandsteppedasideforElnoratoprecedehim。Shefollowedthepath，brokenbythegrazingcattle，towardthecabinandnearestthevioletpatchshestopped，laiddownhernet，andthethingsshecarried。Philippassedherandhurriedstraighttowardthebackgate。
\"Aren\'tyougoingto——?\"beganElnora。
\"I\'mgoingtogetthismothhomeinahurry，\"hesaid。
\"Thiscyanidehaslostitsstrength，andit\'snotworkingwell。Weneedsomefreshinthejar。\"
Hehadforgottentheviolets!Elnorastoodlookingafterhim，acuriousexpressiononherface。Onesecondso——thenshepickedupthenetandfollowed。Attheblue-borderedpoolshepausedandhalfturnedback，thensheclosedherlipsfirmlyandwenton。Itwasnineo\'clockwhenPhilipsaidgood-bye，andstartedtotown。HisgaywhistlefloatedtothemfromthefarthestcorneroftheLimberlost。Elnoracomplainedofbeingtired，soshewenttoherroomandtobed。Butsleepwouldnotcome。
Thoughtwasracinginherbrainandthelongershelaythewiderawakeshegrew。Atlastshesoftlyslippedfrombed，lightedherlampandbeganopeningboxes。Thenshewenttowork。Twohourslaterabeautifulbirchbarkbasket，stronglyandartisticallymade，stoodonhertable。
Shesetatinyalarmclockatthree，returnedtobedandfellasleepinstantlywithasmileonherlips。
Shewasonthefloorwiththefirsttinkleofthealarm，andhastilydressing，shepickedupthebasketandaboxtofitit，creptdownthestairs，andouttothevioletpatch。
Shewasunafraidasitwasgrowinglight，andliningthebasketwithdampmossessheswiftlybeganpicking，withpractisedhands，thebestoftheflowers。Shescarcelycouldtellwhichwerefreshestattimes，butdaysooncamecreepingovertheLimberlostandpeepedather。Therobinsawokealltheirneighbours，andababelofbirdnotesfilledtheair。Thedewwasdripping，whilethefirststrongraysoflightfellonaworldinwhichElnoraworshipped。
Whenthebasketwasfilledtooverflowing，shesetitinthestoutpasteboardbox，packeditsolidwithmosses，tieditfirmlyandslippedunderthecordanoteshehadwrittenthepreviousnight。
ThenshetookashortcutacrossthewoodsandwalkedswiftlytoOnabasha。Itwasaftersixo\'clock，butallofthecityshewishedtoavoidwereasleep。Shehadnotroubleinfindingasmallboyout，andshestoodatadistancewaitingwhileherangDr。Ammon\'sbellanddeliveredthepackageforPhiliptoamaid，withthenotewhichwastobegivenhimatonce。
Onthewayhomethroughthewoodspassingsomebaitedtreesshecollectedthecaptivemoths。SheenteredthekitchenwiththemsonaturallythatMrs。Comstockmadenocomment。AfterbreakfastElnorawenttoherroom，clearedawayalltraceofthenight\'sworkandwasoutinthearbourmountingmothswhenPhilipcamedowntheroad。\"Iamtiredsitting，\"shesaidtohermother。
\"IthinkIwillwalkafewrodsandmeethim。\"
\"Who\'satrump?\"hecalledfromafar。
\"Notyou!\"retortedElnora。\"Confessthatyouforgot!\"
\"Completely!\"saidPhilip。\"Butluckilyitwouldnothavebeenfatal。IwrotePollylastweektosendEdithsomethingappropriateto-day，withmycard。Butthattouchfromthewoodswillbeveryeffective。ThankyoumorethanIcansay。AuntAnnaandIunpackedittoseethebasket，anditwasabeauty。Shesaysyouarealwaysdoingsuchthings。\"
\"Well，Ihopenot!\"laughedElnora。\"Ifyou\'dseenmesneakingoutbeforedawn，nottoawakenmotherandcominginwithmothstomakeherthinkI\'dbeentothetrees，you\'dknowitwasamostespecialoccasion。\"
\"ThenPhilipunderstoodtwothings:Elnora\'smotherdidnotknowoftheearlymorningtriptothecity，andthegirlhadcometomeethimtotellhimso。
\"Youwereabricktodoit!\"hewhisperedasheclosedthegatebehindthem。\"I\'llneverforgetyouforit。
Thankyoueversomuch。\"
\"Ididnotdothatforyou，\"saidElnoratersely。\"Ididitmostlytopreservemyownself-respect。Isawyouwereforgetting。IfIdiditforanythingbesidesthat，Ididitforher。\"
\"JustlookwhatI\'vebrought!\"saidPhilip，enteringthearbourandgreetingMrs。Comstock。\"BorroweditoftheBirdWoman。Anditisn\'thers。ArareeditionofCatocalaewithcolouredplates。ItoldherthebestI
could，andshesaidtotryforSapphohere。IsuspecttheBirdWomanwillbeoutpresently。Shewasallexcitement。\"
Thentheybentoverthebooktogetherandwiththemountedmothbeforethemdeterminedherfamily。TheBirdWomandidcomelater，andcarriedthemothaway，toputintoabookandElnoraandPhilipwerefreshlyfilledwithenthusiasm。
Sothesedayswerethebeginningoftheweeksthatfollowed。
SixofthemflyingonTime\'swings，eachfilledtothebrimwithinterest。AfterJune，themothhuntsgrewlessfrequent；thefieldsandwoodsweresearchedformaterialforElnora\'sgradework。ThemostabsorbingoccupationtheyfoundwasincarryingoutMrs。Comstock\'ssuggestiontolearnthevitalthingforwhicheachmonthwasdistinctive，andmakethatthekeytothenaturework。Theywroteoutalistofthemonths，oppositeeachthethingsallofthemcouldsuggestwhichseemedtopertaintothatmonthalone，andthentriedtosiftuntiltheyfoundsomethingtypical。Mrs。Comstockwasagreathelp。HermotherhadbeenDutchandhadbroughtfromHollandnumerousquaintsayingsandsuperstitionseasilytraceabletoPliny\'sNaturalHistory；andinMrs。
Comstock\'searlyyearsinOhioshehadheardmuchIndiantalkamongherelders，sosheknewthesignsofeachseason，andsometimestheyhelped。Alwaysherpracticalthoughtandsterlingcommonsensewereuseful。Whentheywereafielduntilexhaustedtheycamebacktothecabinforfood，topreparespecimensandclassifythem，andtotalkovertheday。SometimesPhilipbroughtbooksandreadwhileElnoraandhermotherworked，andeverynightMrs。Comstockaskedfortheviolin。
Herperfecthungerformusicwassufficientevidenceofhowshehadsufferedwithoutit。Sothedayscreptby，golden，filledwithusefulworkandpurepleasure。
Thegrosbeakhadledthefamilyinthemapleabroadandasecondbrood，inawildgrapevineclamberingoverthewell，wasalmostreadyforflight。Thedustlaythickonthecountryroads，thedaysgrewwarmer；summerwasjustpoisingtoslipintofall，andPhilipremained，comingeachdayasifhehadbelongedtherealways。
OnewarmAugustafternoonMrs。Comstocklookedupfromtheruffleonwhichshewasengagedtoseeablue-coatedmessengerenterthegate。
\"IsPhilipAmmonhere?\"askedtheboy。
\"Heis，\"saidMrs。Comstock。
\"Ihaveamessageforhim。\"
\"Heisinthewoodsbackofthecabin。Iwillringthebell。
Doyouknowifitisimportant?\"
\"Urgent，\"saidtheboy；\"Irodehard。\"
Mrs。Comstocksteppedtothebackdoorandclangedthedinnerbellsharply，pausedasecond，andrangagain。
InashorttimePhilipandElnorarandownthepath。
\"Areyouill，mother?\"criedElnora。
Mrs。Comstockindicatedtheboy。\"ThereisanimportantmessageforPhilip，\"shesaid。
Hemutteredanexcuseandtoreopenthetelegram。
Hiscolourfadedslightly。\"Ihavetotakethefirsttrain，\"
hesaid。\"MyfatherisillandIamneeded。\"
HehandedthesheettoElnora。\"Ihaveabouttwohours，asIrememberthetrainsnorth，butmythingsarealloverUncleDoc\'shouse，soImustgoatonce。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidElnora，givingbackthemessage。
\"IsthereanythingIcandotohelp?Mother，bringPhilipaglassofbuttermilktostarton。Iwillgatherwhatyouhavehere。\"
\"Nevermind。Thereisnothingofimportance。Idon\'twanttobehampered。I\'llsendforitifImissanythingIneed。\"
Philipdrankthemilk，saidgood-byetoMrs。Comstock；
thankedherforallherkindness，andturnedtoElnora。
\"WillyouwalktotheedgeoftheLimberlostwithme?\"
heasked。Elnoraassented。Mrs。Comstockfollowedtothegate，urgedhimtocomeagainsoon，andrepeatedhergood-bye。ThenshewentbacktothearbourtoawaitElnora\'sreturn。Asshewatcheddowntheroadshesmiledsoftly。
\"Ihadanideahewouldspeaktomefirst，\"shethought，\"butthismaychangethingssome。Hehasn\'ttime。
Elnorawillcomebackahappygirl，andshehasgoodreason。Heisamodelyoungman。Herlotwillbeverydifferentfrommine。\"
Shepickedupherembroideryandbegansettingdaintypreciselittlestitches，possibleonlytocertainwomen。
OntheroadElnoraspokefirst。\"Idohopeitisnothingserious，\"shesaid。\"Isheusuallystrong?\"
\"Quitestrong，\"saidPhilip。\"IamnotatallalarmedbutIamverymuchashamed。Ihavebeenwellenoughforthepastmonthtohavegonehomeandhelpedhimwithsomecriticalcasesthatwerekeepinghimatworkinthisheat。IwasenjoyingmyselfsoIwouldn\'toffertogo，andhewouldnotaskmetocome，solongashecouldhelpit。Ihaveallowedhimtoovertaxhimselfuntilheisdown，andmotherandPollyarenorthatourcottage。
He\'sneverbeensickbefore，andit\'sprobableIamtoblamethatheisnow。\"
\"Heintendedyoutostaythislongwhenyoucame，\"
urgedElnora。
\"Yes，butit\'shotinChicago。Ishouldhaverememberedhim。Heisalwaysthinkingofme。Possiblyhehasneededmefordays。IamashamedtogotohiminsplendidconditionandadmitthatIwashavingsuchafinetimeIforgottocomehome。\"
\"Youhavehadafinetime，then?\"askedElnora。
Theyhadreachedthefence。Philipvaultedovertotakeashortcutacrossthefields。Heturnedandlookedather。
\"Thebest，thesweetest，andmostwholesometimeanymaneverhadinthisworld，\"hesaid。\"Elnora，ifItalkedhoursIcouldn\'tmakeyouunderstandwhatagirlIthinkyouare。IneverinallmylifehatedanythingasIhateleavingyou。ItseemstomethatIhavenotstrengthtodoit。\"
\"Ifyouhavelearnedanythingworthwhilefromme，\"
saidElnora，\"thatshouldbeit。Justtohavestrengthtogotoyourduty，andtogoquickly。\"
Hecaughtthehandsheheldouttohiminbothhis。
\"Elnora，thesedayswehavehadtogether，havetheybeensweettoyou?\"
\"Beautifuldays!\"saidElnora。\"Eachlikeaperfectdreamtobethoughtoverandoverallmylife。Oh，theyhavebeentheonlyreallyhappydaysI\'veeverknown；
thesedaysrichwithmother\'slove，anddoingusefulworkwithyourhelp。Good-bye!Youmusthurry!\"
Philipgazedather。Hetriedtodropherhand，onlyclutcheditcloser。Suddenlyhedrewhertowardhim。
\"Elnora，\"hewhispered，\"willyoukissmegood-bye?\"
Elnoradrewbackandstaredathimwithwideeyes。
\"I\'dstrikeyousooner!\"shesaid。\"HaveIeversaidordoneanythinginyourpresencethatmadeyoufeelfreetoaskthat，PhilipAmmon?\"
\"No!\"pantedPhilip。\"No!IthinksomuchofyouIwantedtotouchyourlipsoncebeforeIleftyou。
Youknow，Elnora——\"
\"Don\'tdistressyourself，\"saidElnoracalmly。\"Iambroadenoughtojudgeyousanely。Iknowwhatyoumean。
Itwouldbenoharmtoyou。Itwouldnotmattertome，butherewewillthinkofsomeoneelse。EdithCarrwouldnotwantyourlipsto-morrowifsheknewtheyhadtouchedmineto-day。Iwaswisetosay:`Goquickly!\'\"
Philipstillclungtoher。\"Willyouwriteme?\"hebegged。
\"No，\"saidElnora。\"Thereisnothingtosay，savegood-bye。
Wecandothatnow。\"
Heheldon。\"Promisethatyouwillwritemeonlyoneletter，\"heurged。\"Iwantjustonemessagefromyoutolockinmydesk，andkeepalways。Promiseyouwillwriteonce，Elnora。\"
Shelookedintohiseyes，andsmiledserenely。\"Ifthetalkingtreestellmethiswinter，thesecretofhowamanmaygrowperfect，Iwillwriteyouwhatitis，Philip。
InallthetimeIhaveknownyou，Ineverhavelikedyousolittle。Good-bye。\"
