Hadn\'tyoubetterletherdecidethis?\"
\"Thefinaldecisionrestswithher，ofcourse，\"admittedMrs。Comstock。\"Butlookyouonething!She\'sallIhave。
AsSolomonsays，`sheistheonechild，theonlychildofhermother。\'I\'vesufferedenoughinthisworldthatIfightagainstanysufferingwhichthreatensher。
SofarasIknowyou\'vealwaysbeenaman，andyoumaystay。Butifyoubringtearsandheartachetoher，don\'thavetheassurancetothinkI\'llbearittamely。
I\'llgetrightupandfightlikeacatamount，ifthingsgowrongforElnora!\"
\"Ihavenodoubtbutyouwill，\"repliedPhilip，\"andI
don\'tblameyouintheleastifyoudo。IhavetheutmostdevotiontoofferElnora，agoodhome，fairsocialposition，andmyfamilywillloveherdearly。Thinkitover。Iknowitissudden，butmyfatheradvisedit。\"
\"Yes，Ireckonhedid!\"saidMrs。Comstockdryly。\"Iguessinsteadofmebeingthecatamount，youhadthegenuinearticleupinChicago，masqueradinginpeacockfeathers，andposingasafinelady，untilhertimecametoscratch。
Humannatureseemstobethesametheworldover。ButI\'dgiveaprettytoknowthatsecretthingyousayyoudon\'t，thatsetherravingoveryourjustcatchingamothforElnora。
Youmightgetthatcrockofstrawberriesinthespringhouse。\"
Theypreparedandatesupper。Afterwardtheysatinthearbourandtalked，orElnoraplayeduntiltimeforPhiliptogo。
\"Willyouwalktothegatewithme?\"heaskedElnoraashearose。
\"Notto-night，\"sheansweredlightly。\"Comeearlyinthemorningifyoulike，andwewillgoovertoSleepySnakeCreekandhuntmothsandgatherdandelionsfordinner。\"
Philipleanedtowardher。\"MayItellyouto-morrowwhyIcame?\"heasked。
\"Ithinknot，\"repliedElnora。\"Thefactis，Idon\'tcarewhyyoucame。Itisenoughformethatweareyourverygoodfriends，andthatintrouble，youhavefoundusarefuge。Ifancywehadbetterliveaweekortwobeforeyousayanything。Thereisapossibilitythatwhatyouhavetosaymaychangeinthatlengthoftime。
\"Itwillnotchangeoneiota!\"criedPhilip。
\"Thenitwillhavethegraceofthatmuchagetogiveitsomesmalltouchofflavour，\"saidthegirl。\"Comeearlyinthemorning。\"
Sheliftedtheviolinandbegantoplay。
\"Wellblessmysoul!\"ejaculatedtheastoundedMrs。Comstock。
\"TothinkIwasworryingforfearyoucouldn\'ttakecareofyourself!\"
Elnoralaughedwhilesheplayed。
\"ShallItellyouwhathesaid?\"
\"Nope!Idon\'twanttohearit!\"saidElnora。\"HeisonlysixhoursfromChicago。I\'llgiveheraweektofindhimandfixitup，ifhestaysthatlong。Ifshedoesn\'tputinanappearancethen，hecantellmewhathewantstosay，andI\'lltakemytimetothinkitover。Timeinplenty，too!Therearethreeofusinthis，andonemustbeleftwithasoreheartforlife。IfthedecisionrestswithmeIproposetobeverysurethatitistheonewhodeservessuchhardluck。\"
ThenextmorningPhilipcameearly，dressedintheoutingclothinghehadworntheprevioussummer，andasidefromaslightpalenessseemedverymuchthesameaswhenheleft。Elnoramethimontheoldfooting，andforaweeklifewentonexactlyasithadtheprevioussummer。
Mrs。Comstockmadementalnotesandwatchedinsilence。
ShecouldseethatElnorawasonastrain，thoughshehopedPhilipwouldnot。Thegirlgrewrestlessastheweekdrewtoaclose。Oncewhenthegateclickedshesuddenlylostcolourandmovednervously。Billycamedownthewalk。
PhilipleanedtowardMrs。Comstockandsaid:\"IamexpresslyforbiddentospeaktoElnoraasIwouldlike。
WouldyoumindtellingherformethatIhadaletterfrommyfatherthismorningsayingthatMissCarrisonherwaytoEuropeforthesummer?\"
\"Elnora，\"saidMrs。Comstockpromptly，\"IhavejustheardthatCarrwomanisonherwaytoEurope，andI
wishtomygraciousstarsshe\'dstaythere!\"
PhilipAmmonshouted，butElnoraarosehastilyandwenttomeetBilly。TheycameintothearbourtogetherandafterspeakingtoMrs。ComstockandPhilip，Billysaid:\"UncleWesleyandIfoundsomethingfunny，andwethoughtyou\'dliketosee。\"
\"Idon\'tknowwhatIshoulddowithoutyouandUncleWesleytohelpme，\"saidElnora。\"Whathaveyoufoundnow?\"
\"SomethingIcouldn\'tbring。Youhavetocometoit。
ItriedtogetoneandIkilledit。Theyareakindofinsectythings，andtheygotalongtailthatisthreefinehairs。Theystickthosehairsrightintothehardbarkoftrees，andifyoupull，thehairsstayfastanditkillsthebug。\"
\"Wewillcomeatonce，\"laughedElnora。\"Iknowwhattheyare，andIcanusesomeinmywork。\"
\"Billy，haveyoubeencrying?\"inquiredMrs。Comstock。
Billyliftedachastenedface。\"Yes，ma\'am，\"hereplied。
\"Thishasbeentheworstday。\"
\"What\'sthematterwiththeday?\"
\"Thedayisallright，\"admittedBilly。\"Imeaneverysinglethinghasgonewrongwithme。\"
\"Nowthatistoobad!\"sympathizedMrs。Comstock。
\"Beganearlythismorning，\"saidBilly。\"AllSnap\'sfault，too。\"
\"WhathaspoorSnapbeendoing?\"demandedMrs。
Comstock，hereyesbeginningtotwinkle。
\"Diggingforwoodchucks，likehealwaysdoes。Hegetsupattwoo\'clocktodigforthem。Hewascominginfromthewoodsalltiredandcoveredthickwithdirt。
IwasgoingtothebarnwiththepailofwaterforUncleWesleytouseinmilking。Ihadtosetdownthepailtoshutthegatesothechickenswouldn\'tgetintotheflowerbeds，andoldSnapstuckhisdirtynoseintothewaterandbegantolapitdown。IknewUncleWesleywouldn\'tusethat，soIhadtogo\'waybacktothecisternformore，anditpumpsawfulhard。Madememad，soIthrewthewateronSnap。\"
\"Well，whatofit?\"
\"Nothing，ifhe\'dstoodstill。Butitscaredhimawful，andwhenhe\'safraidhegoesa-humpingforAuntMargaret。
Whenhegotrightupagainstherhestiffenedoutandgaveabigshake。YououghterseenthenicebluedressshehadputontogotoOnabasha!\"
Mrs。ComstockandPhiliplaughed，butElnoraputherarmsaroundtheboy。\"OhBilly!\"shecried。
\"Thatwastoobad!\"
\"Shegotupearlyandironedthatdresstowearbecauseitwascool。Then，whenitwasalldirty，shewouldn\'tgo，andshewantedtorealbad。\"Billywipedhiseyes。\"Thatain\'tall，either，\"headded。
\"We\'dliketoknowaboutit，Billy，\"suggestedMrs。
Comstock，strugglingwithherface。
\"Cosshecouldn\'tgotothecity，she\'smostworkedherselftodeath。She\'sdoneallthedirty，hardjobsshecouldfind。She\'sfixinghergrapejuicenow。\"
\"Sure!\"criedMrs。Comstock。\"Whenawomanisdisappointedshealwaysworkslikeadogtogainsympathy!\"
\"Well，UncleWesleyandIaresympathizingallweknowhow，withoutherworkingso。I\'vesqueezeduntilIalmostbustedtogetthejuiceoutfromtheseedsandskins。That\'sthehardpart。Now，shehastostrainitthroughwhiteflannelandsealitinbottles，andit\'sgoodforsickfolks。MostwishI\'dgetsickmyself，soIcouldhaveaglass。It\'ssogood!\"
Elnoraglancedswiftlyathermother。
\"Iworkedsohard，\"continuedBilly，\"thatshesaidifIwouldthrowtheleavingsinthewoods，thenIcouldcomeafteryoutoseeaboutthebugs。Doyouwanttogo?\"
\"Wewillallgo，\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"Iammightilyinterestedinthosebugsmyself。\"
FromafarcommotioncouldbeseenattheSintonhome。
WesleyandMargaretwererunningaroundwildlyandpeculiarsoundsfilledtheair。
\"What\'sthetrouble?\"askedPhilip，hurryingtoWesley。
\"Cholera!\"groanedSinton。\"Myhogsaredyinglikeflies。\"
Margaretwassoftlycrying。\"Wesley，can\'tIfixsomethinghot?Can\'twedoanything?Itmeansseveralhundreddollarsandourwintermeat。\"
\"Ineversawstocktakensosuddenlyandsohard，\"
saidWesley。\"Ihave\'phonedfortheveterinarytocomeassoonashecangethere。\"
Allofthemhurriedtothefeedingpenintowhichthepigsseemedtobegatheringfromthewoods。AmongthecommonstockwerebigwhitebeastsofpedigreewhichwereWesley\'sprideatcountyfairs。Severaloftheserolledontheirbacks，pawingtheairfeeblyandemittinglittlesqueaks。AhugeBerkshiresatonhishaunches，slowlyshakinghishead，thewaterdroppingfromhiseyes，untilhe，too，rolledoverwithfaintgrunts。Apaircrossingtheyardonwaveringlegscollided，andattackedeachotherinanger，onlytofall，soweaktheyscarcelycouldsqueal。AfinesnowyPlymouthRockrooster，afterseveralattempts，flewtothefence，balancedwithgreateffort，wildlyflappedhiswingsandstartedagutturalcrow，butfellsprawlingamongthepigs，toohelplesstostand。
\"Didyoueverseesuchadreadfulsight?\"sobbedMargaret。
Billyclimbedonthefence，tookonelonglookandturnedanastoundedfacetoWesley。
\"Whythempigsisdrunk!\"hecried。\"Theyactjustlikemypa!\"
WesleyturnedtoMargaret。
\"Wheredidyouputtheleavingsfromthatgrapejuice?\"
hedemanded。
\"IsentBillytothrowitinthewoods。\"
\"Billy——\"beganWesley。
\"Threwitjustwhereshetoldmeto，\"criedBilly。
Butsomeofthepigscamebytherecomingintothepen，andsomewerecloseinthefencecorners。\"
\"Didtheyeatit?\"demandedWesley。
\"Theyjustchankedintoit，\"repliedBillygraphically。
\"Theypushed，andsquealed，andfoughtoverit。
Youcouldn\'tblame\'em!ItwasthebeststuffIevertasted!\"
\"Margaret，\"saidWesley，\"run\'phonethatdoctorhewon\'tbeneeded。Billy，takeElnoraandMr。Ammontoseethebugs。Katharine，supposeyouhelpmeaminute。\"
Wesleytooktheclothesbasketfromthebackporchandstartedinthedirectionofthecellar。Margaretreturnedfromthetelephone。
\"Ijustcaughthim，\"shesaid。\"There\'sthatmuchsaved。
WhyWesley，whatareyougoingtodo?\"
\"Yougositonthefrontporchalittlewhile，\"saidWesley。
\"Youwillfeelbetterifyoudon\'tseethis。\"
\"Wesley，\"criedMargaretaghast。\"Someofthatwineistenyearsold。Therearedaysanddaysofhardworkinit，andIcouldn\'tsayhowmuchsugar。Dr。Ammonkeepspeoplealivewithitwhennothingelsewillstayontheirstomachs。\"
\"Let\'emdie，then!\"saidWesley。\"Youheardtheboy，didn\'tyou?\"
\"It\'sacoldprocess。There\'snotaparticleoffermentationaboutit。\"
\"Notaparticleoffermentation!Greatday，Margaret!Lookatthosepigs!\"
Margarettookalonglook。\"Leavemeafewbottlesformince-meat，\"shewavered。
\"Notasmellforanyuseonthisearth!Youheardtheboy!Heshan\'tsay，whenhegrowstomanhood，thathelearnedtolikeithere!\"
Wesleythrewawaythewine，Mrs。Comstockcheerfullyassisting。
Thentheywalkedtothewoodstoseeandlearnaboutthewonderfulinsects。ThedayendedwithabigsupperatSintons\'，andthentheywenttotheComstockcabinforaconcert。Elnoraplayedbeautifullythatnight。WhentheSintonsleftshekissedBillywithparticulartenderness。
ShewassomovedthatshewaskindertoPhilipthanshehadintendedtobe，andElnoraasanantidotetoadisappointedloverwasadecidedsuccessinanymood。
HoweverstrongtheattractionsofEdithCarrhadbeen，oncethebondwasfinallybroken，PhilipAmmoncouldnothelprealizingthatElnorawasthesuperiorwoman，andthathewasfortunatetohaveescaped，whenheregardedhistiesstrongest。Everyday，whileworkingwithElnora，hesawmoretoadmire。Hegrewverythankfulthathewasfreetotrytowinher，andimpatienttojustifyhimselftoher。
Elnoradidnotevincetheslightesthastetohearwhathehadtosay，butwaitedtheweekshehadset，inspiteofPhilip\'shourlymanifestimpatience。Whenshedidconsenttolisten，Philipfeltbeforehehadtalkedfiveminutes，thatshewasputtingherselfinEdithCarr\'splace，andjudginghimfromwhattheothergirl\'sstandpointwouldbe。Thatwassodisconcerting，hedidnotpleadhiscausenearlysowellashehadhoped，forwhenheceasedElnorasatinsilence。
\"Youaremyjudge，\"hesaidatlast。\"Whatisyourverdict?\"
\"IfIcouldhearherspeakfromherheartasIjusthaveheardyou，thenIcoulddecide，\"answeredElnora。
\"Sheisontheocean，\"saidPhilip。\"Shewentbecausesheknewshewaswhollyinthewrong。Shehadnothingtosay，orshewouldhaveremained。\"
\"Thatsoundsplausible，\"reasonedElnora，\"butitisprettydifficulttofindawomaninanaffairthatinvolvesherheartwithnothingatalltosay。IfancyifIcouldmeether，shewouldsayseveralthings。Ishouldlovetohearthem。IfIcouldtalkwithherthreeminutes，I
couldtellwhatanswertomakeyou。\"
\"Don\'tyoubelieveme，Elnora?\"
\"Unquestioningly，\"answeredElnora。\"ButIwouldbelieveheralso。IfonlyIcouldmeetherIsoonwouldknow。\"
\"Idon\'tseehowthatistobeaccomplished，\"saidPhilip，\"butIamperfectlywilling。Thereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldnotmeether，exceptthatsheprobablywouldlosehertemperandinsultyou。\"
\"Nottoanyextent，\"saidElnoracalmly。\"Ihaveatongueofmyown，whileIamnotwithoutsomesmallsenseofpersonalvalues。\"
Philipglancedatherandbegantolaugh。Verydifferentoffacialformationandcolouring，Elnoraattimescloselyresembledhermother。Shejoinedinhislaughruefully。
\"Thepointisthis，\"shesaid。\"Someoneisgoingtobehurt，mostdreadfully。Ifthedecisionastowhomitshallberestswithme，Imustknowitistherightone。
Ofcourse，nooneeverhintedittoyou，butyouareaveryattractiveman，Philip。Youaremightygoodtolookat，andyouhaveatrained，refinedmind，thatmakesyoumostinteresting。ForyearsEdithCarrhasfeltthatyouwerehers。Now，howisshegoingtochange?Ihavebeenthinking——thinkingdeepandlong，Phil。IfIwereinherplace，Isimplycouldnotgiveyouup，unlessyouhadmadeyourselfunworthyoflove。Undoubtedly，youneverseemedsodesirabletoherasjustnow，whensheistoldshecan\'thaveyou。WhatIthinkisthatshewillcometoclaimyouyet。\"
\"Youoverlookthefactthatitisnotinawoman\'spowertothrowawayamanandpickhimupatpleasure，\"saidPhilipwithsomewarmth。\"Shepubliclyandrepeatedlycastmeoff。Iacceptedherdecisionaspubliclyasitwasmade。Youhavedoneallyourthinkingfromawrongviewpoint。YouseemtohaveanideathatitlieswithyoutodecidewhatIshalldo，thatifyousaytheword，IshallreturntoEdith。Putthatthoughtoutofyourhead!Now，andforalltimetocome，sheisamatterofindifferencetome。ShekilledallfeelinginmyheartforhersocompletelythatIdonotevendreadmeetingher。
\"IfIhatedher，orwasangrywithher，Icouldnotbesurethefeelingwouldnotdie。Asitis，shehasdeadenedmeintoacreatureofindifference。Soyoujustreviseyourviewpointalittle，Elnora。CeasethinkingitisforyoutodecidewhatIshalldo，andthatIwillobeyyou。
Imakemyowndecisionsinreferencetoanywoman，saveyou。
ThequestionyouaretodecideiswhetherImayremainhere，associatingwithyouasIdidlastsummer；butwiththedifferencethatitisunderstoodthatIamfree；thatitismyintentiontocareforyouallIplease，tomakeyoureturnmyfeelingforyouifIcan。Thereisjustonequestionforyoutodecide，anditisnottriangular。
Itisbetweenus。MayIremain?MayIloveyou?
WillyougivemethechancetoprovewhatIthinkofyou?\"
\"Youspeakveryplainly，\"saidElnora。
\"Thisisthetimetospeakplainly，\"saidPhilipAmmon。
\"Thereisnouseinallowingyoutogoonthreshingoutaproblemwhichdoesnotexist。Ifyoudonotwantmehere，saysoandIwillgo。Ofcourse，IwarnyoubeforeIstart，thatIwillcomeback。Iwon\'tyieldwithoutthestiffestfightitisinmetomake。ButdropthinkingitliesinyourpowertosendmebacktoEdithCarr。
Ifshewerethelastwomanintheworld，andIthelastman，I\'djumpofftheplanetbeforeIwouldgiveherfurtheropportunitytoexercisehertemperonme。Narrowthistous，Elnora。Willyoutaketheplaceshevacated?
Willyoutaketheheartshethrewaway?I\'dgivemyrighthandandnotflinch，ifIcouldofferyoumylife，freefromanycontactwithhers，butthatisnotpossible。Ican\'tundothingswhicharedone。
Icanonlyprofitbyexperienceandbuildbetterinthefuture。\"
\"Idon\'tseehowyoucanbesureofyourself，\"saidElnora。
\"Idon\'tseehowIcouldbesureofyou。Youlovedherfirst，younevercancareformeanythinglikethat。AlwaysI\'dhavetobeafraidyouwerethinkingofherandregretting。\"
\"Folly!\"criedPhilip。\"Regrettingwhat?ThatI
wasnotmarriedtoawomanwhowasliabletoraveatmeanytimeorplace，withoutmybeingconsciousofhavinggivenoffence?Amandoesrelishthat!Iamlikelytopineformore!\"
\"You\'dbethinkingshe\'dlearnedalesson。Youwouldthinkitwouldn\'thappenagain。\"
\"No，Iwouldn\'tbe`thinking，\'\"said，Philip。\"I\'dbeeverlastinglysure!Iwouldn\'triskwhatIwentthroughthatnightagain，nottosavemylife!Justyouandme，Elnora。Decideforus。\"
\"Ican\'t!\"criedElnora。\"Iamafraid!\"
\"Verywell，\"saidPhilip。\"Wewillwaituntilyoufeelthatyoucan。Waituntilfearvanishes。Justdecidenowwhetheryouwouldratherhavemegoforafewmonths，orremainwithyou。Whichshallitbe，Elnora?\"
\"Youcanneverlovemeasyoudidher，\"wailedElnora。
\"IamhappytosayIcannot，\"repliedhe。\"I\'vecutmymatrimonialteeth。I\'mcuredofwantingtoswellinsociety。I\'moverbeingproudofawomanforherlooksalone。Ihavenofurtheruseforlavishingmyselfonabeautiful，elegantlydressedcreature，whothinksonlyofself。IhavelearnedthatIamacommonman。IadmirebeautyandbeautifulclothingquiteasmuchasIeverdid；but，first，Iwantanunderstanding，deepasthelowestrecessofmysoul，withthewomanImarry。Iwanttoworkforyou，toplanforyou，tobuildyouahomewitheverycomfort，togiveyouallgoodthingsIcan，toshieldyoufromeveryevil。Iwanttointerposemybodybetweenyoursandfire，flood，orfamine。Iwanttogiveyoueverything；butIhatetheideaofgettingnothingatallonwhichIcandependinreturn。EdithCarrhadonlygoodlookstooffer，andwhenangerovertookher，beautywentoutlikeasnuffedcandle。
\"Iwantyoutoloveme。Iwantsomeconsideration。
Ievencraverespect。I\'vekeptmyselfclean。SofarasIknowhowtobe，Iamhonestandscrupulous。
Itwouldn\'thurtmetofeelthatyoutooksomeinterestinthesethings。Ratherfiercetemptationsstrikeaman，everyfewdays，inthisworld。Icankeepdecent，forawomanwhocaresfordecency，butwhenIdo，I\'dliketohavethefactrecognized，byjustenoughofashowofappreciationthatIcouldseeit。Iamtiredofthisone-
sidedbusiness。Afterthis，IwanttogetalittleinreturnforwhatIgive。Elnora，youhavelove，tenderness，andhonestappreciationofthefinestinlife。TakewhatIoffer，andgivewhatIask。\"
\"Youdonotaskmuch，\"saidElnora。
\"AsfornotlovingyouasIdidEdith，\"continuedPhilip，\"asIsaidbefore，Ihopenot!Ihaveanewerandabetterideaofloving。ThefeelingIofferyouwasinspiredbyyou。ItisaLimberlostproduct。Itisasmuchbigger，cleaner，andmorewholesomethananyfeelingIeverhadforEdithCarr，asyouarebiggerthanshe，whenyoustandbeforeyourclassesandincalmdignityexplainthemarvelsoftheAlmighty，whileshestandsonaballroomfloor，andgiveswaytouncontrolledtemper。
Yegods，Elnora，ifyoucouldlookintomysoul，youwouldseeitleapandrejoiceovermyescape!Perhapsitisn\'tdecent，butit\'shuman；andI\'monlyacommonhumanbeing。I\'mthegladdestmanalivethatI\'mfree!
IwouldturnsomersaultsandyellifIdared。Whatanescape!
StopstrainingafterEdithCarr\'sviewpointandtakealookfrommine。PutyourselfinmyplaceandtrytostudyouthowIfeel。
\"IamsohappyIgrowreligiousoverit。FiftytimesadayIcatchmyselfwhispering，`Mysoulisescaped!\'
Asforyou，takeallthetimeyouwant。Ifyouprefertobealone，I\'lltakethenexttrainandstayawayaslongasIcanbearit，butI\'llcomeback。Youcanbemostsureofthat。Straightasyourpigeonstotheirloft，I\'llcomebacktoyou，Elnora。ShallIgo?\"
\"Oh，what\'stheusetobeextravagant?\"murmuredElnora。
CHAPTERXXII
WHEREINPHILIPAMMONKNEELSTOELNORA，ANDSTRANGERSCOMETOTHELIMBERLOST
ThemonthwhichfollowedwasareproductionofthepreviousJune。Therewerelongmothhunts，daysofspecimengathering，wonderfulhourswithgreatbooks，bigdinnersallofthemhelpedtoprepare，andperfectnightsfilledwithmusic。Everythingwasasithadbeen，withthedifferencethatPhilipwasnowanavowedsuitor。HemissednoopportunitytoadvancehimselfinElnora\'sgraces。Attheendofthemonthhewasnoneareranysortofunderstandingwithherthanhehadbeenatthebeginning。Herevelledintheprivilegeoflovingher，buthegotnoresponse。
Elnorabelievedinhislove，yetshehesitatedtoaccepthim，becauseshecouldnotforgetEdithCarr。
OneafternoonearlyinJuly，Philipcameacrossthefields，throughtheComstockwoods，andenteredthegarden。
HeinquiredforElnoraatthebackdoorandwastoldthatshewasreadingunderthewillow。Hewentaroundthewestendofthecabintoher。Shesatonarusticbenchtheyhadmadeandplacedbeneathadroopingbranch。
Hehadnotseenherbeforeinthedressshewaswearing。
Itwasclingingmullofpalegreen，trimmedwithnarrowrufflesandtouchedwithknotsofblackvelvet；asimpledress，butvastlybecoming。Everytintofherbrighthair，herluminouseyes，herredlips，andherrose-flushedface，neck，andarmsgrewalittlemorevividwiththedelicategreensetting。
Hestoppedshort。Shewassonear，sotemptinglysweet，helostcontrol。Hewenttoherwithahalf-
smotheredcryafterthatfirstlonglook，droppedononekneebesideherandreachedanarmbehindhertothebenchback，sothathewasverynear。Hecaughtherhands。
\"Elnora!\"hecriedtensely，\"enditnow!Saythisstrainisover。Ipledgeyouthatyouwillbehappy。
Youdon\'tknow!Ifyouonlywouldsaytheword，youwouldawaketonewlifeandgreatjoy!Won\'tyoupromisemenow，Elnora?\"
Thegirlsatstaringintothewestwoods，whilestronginhereyeswasherfather\'slookofseeingsomethinginvisibletoothers。Philip\'sarmslippedfromthebencharoundher。Hisfingersclosedfirmlyoverhers。
Elnora，\"hepleaded，\"youknowmewellenough。
Youhavehadtimeinplenty。Enditnow。Sayyouwillbemine!\"Hegatheredhercloser，pressinghisfaceagainsthers，hisbreathonhercheek。\"Can\'tyouquitepromiseyet，mygirloftheLimberlost?\"
Elnorashookherhead。Instantlyhereleasedher。
\"Forgiveme，\"hebegged。\"Ihadnointentionofthrustingmyselfuponyou，but，Elnora，youaretheveriestQueenofLovethisafternoon。Fromthetipsofyourtoestoyourshiningcrown，Iworshipyou。Iwantnowomansaveyou。
Youaresowonderfulthisafternoon，Icouldn\'thelpurging。
Forgiveme。Perhapsitwassomethingthatcamethismorningforyou。IwrotePollytosendit。Maywetryifitfits?Willyoutellmeifyoulikeit?\"
Hedrewalittlewhitevelvetboxfromhispocketandshowedherasplendidemeraldring。
\"Itmaynotberight，\"hesaid。\"Theinsideofaglovefingerisnotveryaccurateforameasure，butitwasthebestIcoulddo。IwrotePollytogetit，becausesheandmotherarehomefromtheEastthisweek，butnexttheywillgoontoourcottageinthenorth，andnooneknowswhatisrightquitesowellasPolly。\"HelaidtheringinElnora\'shand。\"Dearest，\"hesaid，\"don\'tslipthatonyourfinger；putyourarmsaroundmyneckandpromiseme，allatonceandabruptly，orI\'llkeeloveranddieofsheerjoy。\"
Elnorasmiled。
\"Iwon\'t!Notallthoseventuresomethingsatonce；
but，Phil，I\'mashamedtoconfessthatringsimplyfascinatesme。ItisthemostbeautifuloneIeversaw，anddoyouknowthatIneverownedaringofanykindinmylife?WouldyouthinkmeunwomanlyifIslipitonforasecond，beforeIcansayforsure?Phil，youknowIcare!Icareverymuch!YouknowIwilltellyoutheinstantIfeelrightaboutit。\"
\"Certainlyyouwill，\"agreedPhilippromptly。\"Itisyourrighttotakeallthetimeyouchoose。Ican\'tputthatringonyouuntilitmeansabondbetweenus。
I\'llshutmyeyesandyoutryiton，sowecanseeifitfits。\"Philipturnedhisfacetowardthewestwoodsandtightlyclosedhiseyes。Itwasaboyishthingtodo，anditcaughtthehesitatinggirlinthedepthsofherheartastheboyelementinamaneverappealstoamotherlywoman。Beforeshequiterealizedwhatshewasdoing，theringslidonherfinger。WithbotharmsshecaughtPhilipanddrewhimtoherbreast，holdinghimclosely。Herheaddroopedoverhis，herlipswereonhishair。Soaninstant，thenherarmsdropped。
Heliftedaconvulsed，whiteface。
\"DearLord!\"hewhispered。\"You——youdidn\'tmeanthat，Elnora!You——Whatmadeyoudoit?\"
\"You——youlookedsoboyish!\"pantedElnora。\"Ididn\'tmeanit!I——IforgotthatyouwereolderthanBilly。
Look——lookatthering!\"
\"`TheQueencandonowrong，\'\"quotedPhilipbetweenhissetteeth。\"Butdon\'tyoudothatagain，Elnora，unlessyoudomeanit。Kingsarenotsogoodasqueens，andthereisalimitwithallmen。Asyousay，wewilllookatyourring。Itseemsverylovelytome。Supposeyouleaveitonuntiltimeformetogo。Pleasedo!Ihaveheardofmuteappeals；perhapsitwillpleadforme。
Iamwildforyourlipsthisafternoon。Iamgoingtotakeyourhands。\"
Hecaughtbothofthemandcoveredthemwithkisses。
\"Elnora，\"hesaid，\"Willyoubemywife?\"
\"Imusthavealittlemoretime，\"shewhispered。\"Imustbeabsolutelycertain，forwhenIsayyes，andgivemyselftoyou，onlydeathshallpartus。Iwouldnotgiveyouup。SoIwantalittlemoretime——but，IthinkIwill。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidPhilip。\"Ifatanytimeyoufeelthatyouhavereachedadecision，willyoutellme?Willyoupromisemetotellmeinstantly，orshallIkeepaskingyouuntilthetimecomes?\"
\"Youmakeitdifficult，\"saidElnora。\"ButIwillpromiseyouthat。Wheneverthelastdoubtvanishes，I
willletyouknowinstantly——ifIcan。\"
\"Woulditbedifficultforyou?\"whisperedAmmon。
\"I——Idon\'tknow，\"falteredElnora。
\"ItseemsasifIcan\'tbemanenoughtoputthisthoughtasideandgiveupthisafternoon，\"saidPhilip。
\"Iamashamedofmyself，butIcan\'thelpit。IamgoingtoaskGodtomakethatlastdoubtvanishbeforeIgothisnight。Iamgoingtobelievethatringwillpleadforme。Iamgoingtohopethatdoubtwilldisappearsuddenly。
Iwillbewatching。EverysecondIwillbewatching。
Ifithappensandyoucan\'tspeak，givemeyourhand。
Justtheleastmovementtowardme，Iwillunderstand。
Wouldithelpyoutotalkthisoverwithyourmother?
ShallIcallher?ShallI——?\"
Honk!Honk!Honk!HartHendersonsetthehornofthebigautomobilegoingasitshotfrombehindthetreesliningtheBrushwoodroad。Thepictureofavine-
coveredcabin，alargedroopingtree，agreen-cladgirlandamanbendingoverherverycloselyflashedintoview。
EdithCarrcaughtherbreathwithasnap。PollyAmmongaveTomLeveringaquicktouchandwickedlywinkedathim。
Severaldaysbefore，EdithhadreturnedfromEuropesuddenly。
SheandHendersonhadcalledattheAmmonresidencesayingthattheyweregoingtomotordowntotheLimberlosttoseePhilipafewhours，andurgedthatPollyandTomaccompanythem。
Mrs。Ammonknewthatherhusbandwoulddisapproveofthetrip，butitwaseasytoseethatEdithCarrhaddeterminedongoing。
SothemotherthoughtitbettertohavePollyalongtosupportPhilipthantoallowhimtoconfrontEdithunexpectedlyandalone。
Pollywasfullofspirit。ShedidnotrelishthethoughtofEdithasasister。Alwaystheyhadbeeninthesameset，alwaysEdith，becauseofgreaterbeautyandwealth，hadpatronizedPolly。Althoughithadrankled，shehadborneitsweetly。Buttwodaysbefore，herfatherhadextractedapromiseofsecrecy，givenherPhilip\'saddressandtoldhertosendhimthefinestemeraldringshecouldselect。
Pollyknewhowthatringwouldbeused。Whatshedidnotknowwasthatthegirlwhoaccompaniedherwentbacktothestoreafterward，madeanexcusetotheclerkthatshehadbeensenttobeabsolutelysurethattheaddresswasright，andsosecureditforEdithCarr。
TwodayslaterEdithhadinducedHartHendersontotakehertoOnabasha。BytheaidofmapstheylocatedtheComstocklandandpassedit，merelytoseetheplace。
Hendersonhatedthattrip，andimploredEdithnottotakeit，butshemadenoefforttoconcealfromhimwhatshesuffered，anditwasmorethanhecouldendure。HepointedoutthatPhiliphadgoneawaywithoutleavinganaddress，becausehedidnotwishtoseeher，oranyofthem。
ButEdithwassosureofherpower，shefeltcertainPhilipneededonlytoseehertosuccumbtoherbeautyashealwayshaddone，whilenowshewasreadytopleadforforgiveness。
SotheycamedowntheBrushwoodroad，andHendersonhadjustsaidtoEdithbesidehim:\"ThisshouldbetheComstocklandonourleft。\"
Aminutelaterthewoodended，whilethesunlight，asalwayspitiless，etchedwithdistinctnessthesceneatthewestendofthecabin。Instinctively，tosaveEdith，Hendersonsetthehornblowing。Hehadthoughttodrivetothecity，butPollyAmmonarosecrying:\"Phil!Phil!\"
TomLeveringwasonhisfeetshoutingandwaving，whileEdithinhermostimperialmannerorderedhimtoturnintothelaneleadingthroughthewoodsbesidethecabin。
\"Findsomewayformetohaveaminutealonewithher，\"
shecommandedashestoppedthecar。
\"ThatismysisterPolly，herfianceTomLevering，afriendofminenamedHenderson，and——\"beganPhilip，\"——andEdithCarr，\"volunteeredElnora。
\"AndEdithCarr，\"repeatedPhilipAmmon。\"Elnora，bebrave，formysake。Theircomingcanmakenodifferenceinanyway。Iwon\'tletthemstaybutafewminutes。
Comewithme!\"
\"DoIseemscared?\"inquiredElnoraserenely。\"Thisiswhyyouhaven\'thadyouranswer。Ihavebeenwaitingjustsixweeksforthatmotor。Youmaybringthemtomeatthearbour。\"
Philipglancedatherandbrokeintoalaugh。Shehadnotlostcolour。Herself-possessionwasperfect。
Shedeliberatelyturnedandwalkedtowardthegrapearbour，whilehesprangoverthewestfenceandrantothecar。
Elnorastandinginthearbourentrancemadeaperfectpicture，framedingreenleavesandtendrils。Nomatterhowherheartached，itwasgoodtoher，foritpumpedsteadily，andkepthercheeksandlipssuffusedwithcolour。
ShesawPhilipreachthecarandgatherhissisterintohisarms。PastherhereachedahandtoLevering，thentoEdithCarrandHenderson。Heliftedhissistertotheground，andassistedEdithtoalight。Instantly，shesteppedbesidehim，andElnora\'sheartplayeditsfirsttrick。
ShecouldseethatMissCarrwassplendidlybeautiful，whileshemovedwiththehauteurandgracesupposedtobetheprerogativesofroyalty。AndshehadinstantlytakenpossessionofPhilip。Buthealsohadabrainwhichwasworkingwithrapidity。HeknewElnorawaswatching，soheturnedtotheothers。
\"Giveherup，Tom!\"hecried。\"Ididn\'tknowIwantedtoseethelittlenuisancesobadly，butIdo。Howarefatherandmother?Polly，didn\'tthematersendmesomething?\"
\"Shedid!\"saidPollyAmmon，stoppingonthepathandliftingherchinasalittlechild，whileshedrewawayherveil。
Philipcaughtherinhisarmsandstoopedforhismother\'skiss。
\"BegoodtoElnora!\"hewhispered。
\"Umhu!\"assentedPolly。Andaloud——\"Lookatthatrippinggreenandgoldsymphony!Ineversawsuchabeauty!
ThomasAsquithLevering，youcomestraighthereandtakemyhand!\"
Edith\'smovetocompelPhiliptoapproachElnorabesideherhadbeeneasytosee；alsoitsfailure。HendersonsteppedintoPhilip\'splaceasheturnedtohissister。InsteadoftakingPolly\'shandLeveringrantoopenthegate。
Edithpassedthroughfirst，butPollydartedinfrontofherontherun，withPhilholdingherarm，andsweptuptoElnora。Pollylookedfortheringandsawit。Thatsettledmatterswithher。
\"Youlovely，lovely，darlinggirl!\"shecried，throwingherarmsaroundElnoraandkissingher。WithherlipscloseElnora\'sear，Pollywhispered，\"Sister!Dear，dearsister!\"
Elnoradrewback，staringatPollyinconfusedamazement。
Shewasabeautifulgirl，hereyesweresparklinganddancing，andassheturnedtomakewayfortheothers，shekeptoneofElnora\'shandsinhers。PollywouldhavedroppeddeadinthatinstantifEdithCarrcouldhavekilledwithalook，fornotuntilthendidsherealizethatPollywouldevenmanyaslight，andthatithadbeenagreatmistaketobringher。
Edithbowedlow，mutteredsomethingandtouchedElnora\'sfingers。TomtookhiscuefromPolly。
\"Ialwaysfollowagoodexample，\"hesaid，andbeforeanyonecoulddivinehisintentionhekissedElnoraashegrippedherhandandcried:\"Mightygladtomeetyou!
Liketomeetyouadozentimesaday，youknow!\"
Elnoralaughedandherheartpumpedsmoothly。Theyhadaccomplishedtheirpurpose。Theyhadletherknowtheyweretherethroughcompulsion，butonherside。InthatinstantonlypitywasinElnora\'sbreastfortheflashingdarkbeauty，standingwithsmilingfacewhileherheartmusthavebeenfilledwithexceedingbitterness。
Elnorasteppedbackfromtheentrance。
\"Comeintotheshade，\"sheurged。\"Youmusthavefounditwarmonthesecountryroads。Won\'tyoulayasideyourdust-coatsandhaveacooldrink?Philip，wouldyouaskmothertocome，andbringthatpitcherfromthespringhouse?\"
Theyenteredthearbourexclaimingatthedim，greencoolness。
Therewasplentyofroomandwideseatsaroundthesides，atableinthecentre，onwhichlayapieceofembroidery，magazines，books，themothapparatus，andthecyanidejarcontainingseveralspecimens。Pollyrejoicedinthecoolingshade，slippedoffherduster，removedherhat，rumpledherprettyhairandseatedherselftoindulgeinthedelightfuloccupationofpayingoffoldscores。
TomLeveringfollowedherexample。Edithtookaseatbutrefusedtoremoveherhatandcoat，whileHendersonstoodintheentrance。
\"Theregoessomethingwithwings!Shouldyouhavethat?\"criedLevering。
Heseizedanetfromthetableandracedacrossthegardenafterabutterfly。Hecaughtitandcamebackmightilypleasedwithhimself。Asthecreaturestruggledinthenet，ElnoranotedarepulsedlookonEdithCarr\'sface。
Leveringhelpedthesituationbeautifully。
\"NowwhathaveIgot?\"hedemanded。\"Isitjustacommononethateveryoneknowsandyoudon\'tkeep，orisittherarestbirdofftheperch?\"
\"Youmusthavehadpractice，youtookthatsoperfectly，\"
saidElnora。\"Iamsorry，butitisquitecommonandnotofakindIkeep。Supposeallofyouseehowbeautifulitisandthenitmaygonectarhuntingagain。\"
Sheheldthebutterflywhereallofthemcouldsee，showeditsupperandunderwingcolours，answeredPolly\'squestionsastowhatitate，howlongitlived，andhowitdied。ThensheputitintoPolly\'shandsaying:\"Standthereinthelightandloosenyourholdslowlyandeasily。\"
Elnoracaughtabrushfromthetableandbegansoftlystrokingthecreature\'ssidesandwings。Delightedwiththesensationthebutterflyopenedandcloseditswings，clingingtoPolly\'ssoftlittlefingers，whileeveryonecriedoutinsurprise。Elnoralaidasidethebrush，andthebutterflysailedaway。
\"Why，youareawizard!Youcharmthem!\"marvelledLevering。
\"IlearnedthatfromtheBirdWoman，\"saidElnora。
\"Shetakessoftbrushesandcoaxesbutterfliesandmothsintothepositionsshewantsfortheillustrationsofabooksheiswriting。Ihavehelpedheroften。MostoftherareonesIfindgotoher。\"
\"Thenyoudon\'tkeepallyoutake?\"questionedLevering。
\"Oh，dear，no!\"criedElnora。\"Notatenth!Formyself，apairofeachkindtouseinillustratingthelecturesI
giveinthecityschoolsinthewinter，andonepairforeachcollectionImake。OnemightaswellkeepthebignightmothsofJune，fortheyonlylivefourorfivedaysanyway。
FortheBirdWoman，Ionlysaverareonesshehasnotyetsecured。
SometimesIthinkitiscrueltotakesuchcreaturesfromfreedom，evenforanhour，butitistheonlywaytoteachthemassesofpeoplehowtodistinguishthepeststheyshoulddestroy，fromtheharmlessonesofgreatbeauty。
Herecomesmotherwithsomethingcooltodrink。\"
Mrs。Comstockcamedeliberately，talkingtoPhilipassheapproached。Elnoragaveheronesearchinglook，butcoulddiscoveronlyanextremebrightnessofeyetodenoteanyunusualfeeling。Sheworeoneofherlavenderdresses，whilehersnowyhairwashighpiled。Shehadtakencareofhercomplexion，andherfacehadgrownfullerduringthewinter。Shemighthavebeenanyone\'smotherwithpride，andshewasperfectlyatease。
Pollyinstantlywenttoherandheldupherfacetobekissed。
Mrs。Comstock\'seyestwinkledandshemadethegreetinghearty。
Thedrinkwascompoundedofthejuicesoforangesandberriesfromthegarden。Itwascoolenoughtofrostglassesandpitcheranddelicioustodustytiredtravellers。
Soonthepitcherwasempty，andElnorapickeditupandwenttorefillit。WhileshewasgoneHendersonaskedPhilipaboutsometroublehewashavingwithhiscar。
Theywenttothewoodsandbeganaminuteexaminationtofindadefectwhichdidnotexist。PollyandLeveringwerehavingananimatedconversationwithMrs。Comstock。
HendersonsawEditharise，followthegardenpathnextthewoodsandstandwaitingunderthewillowwhichElnorawouldpassonherreturn。Itwasforthatmeetinghehadmadethetrip。Hegotdownontheground，toreupthecar，worked，askedforhelp，andkeptPhilipbusyscrewingboltsandapplyingtheoilcan。AllthetimeHendersonkeptaneyeonEdithandElnoraunderthewillow。
ButhetookpainstolaytheworkheaskedPhiliptodowherethatscenewouldbeoutofhissight。WhenElnoracamearoundthecornerwiththepitcher，shefoundherselffacingEdithCarr。
\"Iwantaminutewithyou，\"saidMissCarr。
\"Verywell，\"repliedElnora，walkingon。
\"Setthepitcheronthebenchthere，\"commandedEdithCarr，asifspeakingtoaservant。
\"Iprefernottooffermyvisitorsawarmdrink，\"saidElnora。
\"I\'llcomebackifyoureallywishtospeakwithme。\"
\"Icamesolelyforthat，\"saidEdithCarr。
\"Itwouldbeapitytotravelsofarinthisdustandheatfornothing。I\'llonlybegoneasecond。\"
Elnoraplacedthepitcherbeforehermother。\"Pleaseservethis，\"shesaid。\"MissCarrwishestospeakwithme。\"
\"Don\'tyoupaytheleastattentiontoanythingshesays，\"criedPolly。\"TomandIdidn\'tcomeherebecausewewantedto。Weonlycametocheckmateher。IhopedI\'dgettheopportunitytosayawordtoyou，andnowshehasgivenittome。IjustwanttotellyouthatshethrewPhiloverinperfectlyhorridway。Shehasn\'tanyrighttolaytheghostofaclaimtohim，hasshe，Tom?\"
\"Naryaclaim，\"saidTomLeveringearnestly。\"Why，evenyou，Polly，couldn\'tservemeasshedidPhil，andevergetmebackagain。IfIwereyou，MissComstock，I\'dsendmymothertotalkwithherandI\'dstayhere。\"
TomhadgaugedMrs。Comstockrightly。PollyputherarmsaroundElnora。\"Letmegowithyou，dear，\"shebegged。
\"IpromisedIwouldspeakwithheralone，\"saidElnora，\"andshemustbeconsidered。Butthankyou，verymuch。\"
