Sheclosedtheboxandsetitbesidethelunchesofothercountrypupils。Whileherbackwasturned，intotheroomcamethegirlofherencounteronthefirstday，walkedtotherack，andwithanexclamationofapprovaltookdownElnora\'shat。
\"JustthethingIhavebeenwanting!\"shesaid。\"Ineversawsuchbeautifulquillsinallmylife。Theymatchmynewbroadclothtoperfection。I\'vegottohavethatkindofquillsformyhat。Ineversawthelike!Whoseisit，andwherediditcomefrom?\"
Noonesaidaword，forElnora\'squestion，thereply，andheranswer，hadbeenrepeated。EveryoneknewthattheLimberlostgirlhadcomeoutaheadandSadieReedhadnotbeenamiable，whenthelittleflourishhadbeenaddedtoElnora\'snameinthealgebraclass。Elnora\'sswiftglancewaspathetic，butnoonehelpedher。SadieReedglancedfromthehattothefacesaroundherandwondered。
\"Why，thisistheFreshmansection，whosehatisit?\"
sheaskedagain，thistimeimpatiently。
\"That\'sthetasselofthecornstock，\"saidElnorawithaforcedlaugh。
Theresponsewasgenuine。Everyoneshouted。SadieReedblushed，butshelaughedalso。
\"Well，it\'sbeautiful，\"shesaid，\"especiallythequills。
TheyareexactlywhatIwant。IknowIdon\'tdeserveanykindnessfromyou，butIdowishyouwouldtellmeatwhosestoreyoufoundthosequills。\"
\"Gladly!\"saidElnora。Youcan\'tbuyquillslikethoseatastore。Theyarefromalivingbird。PhoebeSimmsgatherstheminherorchardasherpeacocksshedthem。
Theyarewingquillsfromthemales。\"
Thentherewasperfectsilence。HowwasElnoratoknowthatnotagirltherewouldhavetoldthat?
\"Ihaven\'tadoubtbutIcangetyousome，\"sheoffered。
\"ShegaveAuntMargaretalargebunch，andthosearepartofthem。Iamquitesureshehasmore，andwouldsparesome。\"
SadieReedlaughedshortly。\"Youneedn\'ttrouble，\"
shesaid，\"Iwasfooled。Ithoughttheywereexpensivequills。
Iwantedthemforatwenty-dollarvelvettoquetomatchmynewsuit。Iftheyaregatheredfromtheground，really，Icouldn\'tusethem。\"
\"Onlyinspots!\"saidElnora。\"Theydon\'tjustcovertheearth。PhoebeSimms\'speacocksaretheonlyoneswithinmilesofOnabasha，andtheymoultbutonceayear。
Ifyourhatcostonlytwentydollars，it\'sscarcelygoodenoughforthosequills。Yousee，theAlmightymadeandcolouredthoseHimself；andHeputsthesamekindonPhoebeSimms\'speacocksthatHeputontheheadofthefamilyintheforestsofCeylon，awaybackinthebeginning。
AnyoldmanufacturedquillfromNewYorkorChicagowilldoforyourlittletwenty-dollarhat。YoushouldhavesomethinginfinitelybetterthanthattobeworthyofquillsthataremadebytheCreator。\"
Howthosegirlsdidlaugh!OneofthemwalkedwithElnoratotheauditorium，satbesideherduringexercises，andtriedtotalkwhenevershedared，tokeepElnorafromseeingthecuriousandadmiringlooksbentuponher。
Forthebrown-eyedboywhistled，andtherewaspantomimeofallsortsgoingonbehindElnora\'sbackthatday。
Happywithherbooks，nooneknewhowmuchshesaw，andfromherabsorptioninherstudiesitwasevidentshecaredtoolittletonotice。
AfterschoolshewentagaintothehomeoftheBirdWoman，andtogethertheyvisitedtheswampandcarriedawaymorespecimens。ThistimeElnoraaskedtheBirdWomantokeepthemoneyuntilnoonofthenextday，whenshewouldcallforitandhaveitaddedtoherbankaccount。Sheslowlywalkedhome，forthevisittotheswamphadbroughtbackfullforcetheexperienceofthemorning。Againandagainsheexaminedthecrudelittlenote，forshedidnotknowwhatitmeant，yetitbredvaguefear。TheonlythingofwhichElnoraknewherselfafraidwashermother；whenwithwildeyesandearsdeaftochildishpleading，shesometimeslostcontrolofherselfinthenightandvisitedthepoolwhereherhusbandhadsunkbeforeher，callinghisnameinunearthlytonesandbeggingoftheswamptogivebackitsdead。
CHAPTERVI
WHEREINMRS。COMSTOCKINDULGESIN\"FRILLS，\"
ANDBILLYREAPPEARS
ItwasWesleySintonwhoreallywrestledwithElnora\'sproblemwhilehedroveabouthisbusiness。
Hewasnotforcedtoaskhimselfwhatitmeant；heknew。
TheoldCorsongangwasstillholdingtogether。
EldermemberswhohadescapedthelawhadbeenjoinedbyayoungerbrotherofJack\'s，andtheymetinthethickestofthefewremainingfastplacesoftheswamptodrink，gamble，andloaf。Thensuddenly，therewouldbearobberyinsomecountryhousewhereafarmerthatdayhadsoldhiswheatorcornandnotpaidavisittothebank；
orinsomeneighbouringvillage。
ThehomeofMrs。ComstockandElnoraadjoinedtheswamp。
Sinton\'slandlaynext，andnotanotherresidenceormaneasytoreachincaseoftrouble。Whoeverwrotethatnotehadsomehumankindnessinhisbreast，butthefactstoodrevealedthathefearedhisstrengthifElnoraweredeliveredintohishands。Wherehadhebeenthepreviousnightwhenheheardthatprayer?Wasthatthefirsttimehehadbeeninsuchproximity?Sintondrovefast，forhewishedtoreachtheswampbeforeElnoraandtheBirdWomanwouldgothere。
Atalmostfourhecametothecase，anddroppingonhiskneesstudiedtheground，everysensealert。Hefoundtwoorthreelittleheelprints。ThoseweremadebyElnoraortheBirdWoman。WhatSintonwantedtolearnwaswhetheralltheremainderwerethefootprintsofoneman。Itwaseasilyseen，theywerenot。Thereweredeep，eventracksmadebyfairlynewshoes，andotherswhereawell-wornheelcutdeeperontheinsideoftheprintthanattheouteredge。UndoubtedlysomeofCorson\'soldgangwerewatchingthecase，andthevisitsofthewomentoit。TherewasnodangerthatanyonewouldattacktheBirdWoman。Sheneverwenttotheswampatnight，andonhertripsinthedaytime，everyoneknewthatshecarriedarevolver，understoodhowtouseit，andpursuedherworkinafearlessmanner。
Elnora，prowlingaroundtheswampandluredintotheinteriorbytheflightofmothsandbutterflies；Elnora，withoutfather，money，orfriendssavehimself，todefendher——Elnorawasadifferentproposition。ForthistohappenjustwhentheLimberlostwasbringingtheverydesireofherhearttothegirl，itwastoobad。
Sintonwasafraidforher，yethedidnotwanttoaddtheburdenoffeartoKatharineComstock\'strouble，ortodisturbthejoyofElnorainherwork。Hestoppedatthecabinandslowlywentupthewalk。Mrs。Comstockwassittingonthefrontstepswithsomesewing。TheworkseemedtoSintonasifshemightbeengagedinputtingatuckinapetticoat。HethoughtofhowMargarethadshortenedElnora\'sdresstotheacceptedlengthforgirlsofherage，andmadeamentalnoteofMrs。Comstock\'soccupation。
Shedroppedherworkonherlap，laidherhandsonitandlookedintohisfacewithasneer。
\"Youdidn\'tletanygrassgrowunderyourfeet，\"shesaid。
Sintonsawherwhite，drawnfaceandcomprehended。
\"Iwenttopayadebtandseeaboutthisopeningoftheditch，Kate。\"
\"Yousaidyouweregoingtoprosecuteme。\"
\"Goodgracious，Kate!\"criedSinton。\"Isthatwhatyouhavebeenthinkingallday?ItoldyoubeforeIleftyesterdaythatIwouldnotneeddothat。AndIwon\'t!
Wecan\'taffordtoquarreloverElnora。She\'sallwe\'vegot。
Nowthatshehasprovedthatifyoudon\'tdojustwhatIthinkyououghtbywayofclothesandschooling，shecantakecareofherself，Iputthatoutofmyhead。
WhatIcametoseeyouaboutisakindofscareI\'vehadto-day。IwanttoaskyouifyoueverseeanythingabouttheswampthatmakesyouthinktheoldCorsongangisstillatwork?\"
\"Can\'tsaythatIdo，\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"There\'skindofdancinglightstheresometimes，butIsupposeditwasjustpeoplepassingalongtheroadwithlanterns。
Folkshereaboutarenonetoofondoftheswamp。Ihateitlikedeath。I\'veneverstayedhereanightinmylifewithoutRobert\'srevolver，cleanandloaded，undermypillow，andtheshotgun，samecondition，bythebed。
Ican\'tsaythatI\'mafraidhereathome。I\'mnot。Icantakecareofmyself。Butnoneoftheswampforme!\"
\"Well，I\'mgladyouarenotafraid，Kate，becauseI
musttellyousomething。Elnorastoppedatthecasethismorning，andsomebodyhadbeenintoitinthenight。\"
\"Brokethelock?\"
\"No。Usedaduplicatekey。To-dayIheardtherewasamanherelastnight。Iwanttonosearoundalittle。\"
Sintonwenttotheeastendofthecabinandlookedupatthewindow。Therewasnowayanyonecouldhavereacheditwithoutaladder，forthelogswerehewedandmortarfilledthecrackseven。Thenhewenttothewestend，thewillowfacedhimasheturnedthecorner。
Heexaminedthetrunkcarefully。Therewasnomistakeaboutsmallparticlesofblackswampmuckadheringtothesidesofthetree。Hereachedthelowbranchesandclimbedthewillow。TherewasearthonthelargelimbcrossingElnora\'swindow。Hestoodonit，holdingthebranchashadbeendonethenightbefore，andlookedintotheroom。Hecouldseeverylittle，butheknewthatifithadbeendarkoutsideandsufficientlylightforElnoratostudyinsidehecouldhaveseenvividly。Hebroughthisfaceclosetothenetting，andhecouldseethebedwithitsheadtotheeast，atitsfootthetablewiththecandlesandthechairbeforeit，andthenheknewwherethemanhadbeenwhohadheardElnora\'sprayer。
Mrs。Comstockhadfollowedaroundthecornerandstoodwatchinghim。\"Doyouthinksomeslinkinghulkwasuptherepeekin\'inatElnora?\"shedemandedindignantly。
\"Thereismuckonthetrunk，andplentyonthelimb，\"
saidSinton。\"Hadn\'tyoubettergetasawandletmetakethisbranchoff?\"
\"No，Ihadn\'t，\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"Firstplace，Elnora\'sclimbedfromthatwindowonthatlimballherlife，andit\'shers。Secondplace，noonegetsaheadofmeafterI\'vehadwarning。Anycrowthatperchesonthatroostagainwillgetitsfeatherssomewhatscattered。
Lookalongthefence，there，andseeifyoucanfindwherehecamein。\"
Theplacewaseasytofindaswasatrailleadingforsomedistancewestofthecabin。
\"Youjustgohome，anddon\'tfretyourself，\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"I\'lltakecareofthis。Ifyoushouldhearthedinnerbellatanytimeinthenightyoucomedown。
ButIwouldn\'tsayanythingtoElnora。Shebetterkeephermindonherstudies，ifshe\'sgoingtoschool。\"
WhentheworkwasfinishedthatnightElnoratookherbooksandwenttoherroomtopreparesomelessons，buteveryfewminutesshelookedtowardtheswamptoseeiftherewerelightsnearthecase。Mrs。Comstockrakedtogetherthecoalsinthecookingstove，gotoutthelunchbox，andsittingdownshestudieditgrimly。
Atlastshearose。
\"WonderhowitwoulddotoshowMagSintonafrillortwo，\"shemurmured。
Shewenttoherroom，kneltbeforeabigblack-walnutchestandhuntedthroughitscontentsuntilshefoundanold-fashionedcookbook。Shetendedthefireasshereadandpresentlywasinaction。Shefirstsawedanendfromafragrant，juicy，sugar-curedhamandputittocook。Thenshesetacoupleofeggsboiling，andafterlonghesitationbegancreamingbutterandsugarinacrock。Anhourlatertheodouroftheham，mingledwithsomeoftherichestspicesof\"happyAraby，\"inacombinationthatcouldmeannothingsavespicecake，creptuptoElnorasostronglythatsheliftedherheadandsniffedamazedly。Shewouldhavegivenallherpreciousmoneytohavegonedownandthrownherarmsaroundhermother\'sneck，butshedidnotdaremove。
Mrs。Comstockwasupearly，andwithoutawordhandedElnorathecaseassheleftthenextmorning。
\"Thankyou，mother，\"saidElnora，andwentonherway。
Shewalkeddowntheroadlookingstraightaheaduntilshecametothecorner，wheresheusuallyenteredtheswamp。Shepaused，glancedthatwayandsmiled。
Thensheturnedandlookedback。Therewasnoonecominginanydirection。Shefollowedtheroaduntilwellaroundthecorner，thenshestoppedandsatonagrassyspot，laidherbooksbesideherandopenedthelunchbox。Lastnight\'sodourshadinameasurepreparedherforwhatshewouldsee，butnotquite。Shescarcelycouldbelievehersenses。Halfthebreadcompartmentwasfilledwithdaintysandwichesofbreadandbuttersprinkledwiththeyolkofeggandtheremainderwiththreelargeslicesofthemostfragrantspicecakeimaginable。
Themeatdishcontainedshavedcoldham，ofwhichsheknewthequality，thesaladwastomatoesandcelery，andthecupheldpreservedpear，clearasamber。
Therewasmilkinthebottle，twotissue-wrappedcucumberpicklesinthefoldingdrinking-cup，andafreshnapkininthering。Nolunchwaseverdaintierormorepalatable；
ofthatElnorawasperfectlysure。Andhermotherhadprepareditforher!\"Shedoesloveme!\"criedthehappygirl。
\"Sureasyou\'rebornshelovesme；onlyshehasn\'tfounditoutyet!\"
Shetouchedthepapersdaintily，andsmiledattheboxasifitwerealivingthing。Asshebeganclosingitabreathofairsweptby，liftingthecoveringofthecake。Itwaslikeaninvitation，andbreakfastwasseveralhoursaway。Elnorapickedupapieceandateit。
Thatcaketastedevenbetterthanitlooked。Thenshetriedasandwich。Howdidhermothercometothinkofmakingthemthatway。Theyneverhadanyathome。
Sheslippedoutthefork，sampledthesalad，andone-quarterofpear。Thensheclosedtheboxandstarteddowntheroadnibblingoneofthepicklesandtryingtodecideexactlyhowhappyshewas，butshecouldfindnostandardhighenoughforameasure。
ShewastogototheBirdWoman\'safterschoolforthelastloadfromthecase。Saturdayshewouldtakethearrowpointsandspecimenstothebank。Thatwouldexhaustherpresentsuppliesandgiveherenoughmoneyaheadtopayforbooks，tuition，andclothesforatleasttwoyears。Shewouldworkearlyandlategatheringnuts。InOctobershewouldsellallthefernsshecouldfind。Shemustcollectspecimensofalltreeleavesbeforetheyfell，gathernestsandcocoonslater，andkeephereyeswideopenforanythingthegradescoulduse。
Shewouldseethesuperintendentthatnightaboutsellingspecimenstothewardbuildings。Shemustbeaheadofanyoneelseifshewantedtofurnishthesethings。Sosheapproachedthebridge。
Thatitwasoccupiedcouldbeseenfromadistance。
Asshecameupshefoundthesmallboyofyesterdayawaitingherwithaconfidentsmile。
\"Webroughtyousomething!\"heannouncedwithoutgreeting。
\"ThisisJimmyandBelle——andwebroughtyouapresent。\"
Heofferedaparcelwrappedinbrownpaper。
\"Why，howlovelyofyou!\"saidElnora。\"Isupposedyouhadforgottenmewhenyouranawaysofastyesterday。\"
\"Naw，Ididn\'tforgetyou，\"saidtheboy。\"Iwouldn\'tforgetyou，notever!Why，Iwasista-hurryingtotakethemthingstoJimmyandBelle。Mytheywasglad!\"
Elnoraglancedatthechildren。Theysatontheedgeofthebridge，obviouslycladinagarmenteach，verydirtyandunkept，alittleboyandagirlofaboutsevenandnine。
Elnora\'sheartbegantoache。
\"Say，\"saidtheboy。\"Ain\'tyougoingtolookwhatwehavegaveyou?\"
\"Ithoughtitwasn\'tpolitetolookbeforepeople，\"
answeredElnora。\"Ofcourse，Iwill，ifyouwouldliketohaveme。\"
Elnoraopenedthepackage。Shehadbeenpresentedwithaquarterofastaleloafofbaker\'sbread，andabigpieceofancientbologna。
\"Butdon\'tyouwantthisyourselves?\"sheaskedinsurprise。
\"Gosh，no!Imeanistno，\"saidtheboy。\"Wealwayshaveit。Wegotstacksthismorning。Pa\'scomeoutofitnow，andhe\'ssosorryhegotmore\'aneverwecaneat。Haveyouhadanybefore?\"
\"No，\"saidElnora，\"Ineverdid!\"
Theboy\'seyesbrightenedandthegirlmovedrestlessly。
\"Wethoughtmaybeyouhadn\'t，\"saidtheboy。\"Firstyoueverhave，youlikeitrealwell；butwhenyoudon\'thaveanythingelseforalongtime，yearsan\'years，yougitsotired。\"HehitchedatthestringwhichheldhistrousersandwatchedElnoraspeculatively。
\"Idon\'ts\'poseyou\'dtradewhatyougotinthatboxforistoldbreadandbolognanow，wouldyou?Mebbyyou\'dlikeit!AndIknow，Iistknow，whatyougotwouldtastelikeheaventoJimmyandBelle。Theyneverhadnothinglikethat!NotevenBelle，andshe\'smostten!
No，sir-ee，theynevertastedthingslikeyougot!\"
ItwasinElnora\'shearttobethankfulforevenatasteintime，asshekneltonthebridge，openedtheboxanddividedherlunchintothreeequalparts，thesmallerboygettingmostofthemilk。Thenshetoldthemitwasschooltimeandshemustgo。
\"Whydon\'tyouputyourbreadandbolognainthenicebox?\"
askedtheboy。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidElnora。\"Ididn\'tthink。\"
Whentheboxwasarrangedtothechildren\'ssatisfactionallofthemaccompaniedElnoratothecornerwheresheturnedtowardthehighschool。
\"Billy，\"saidElnora，\"Iwouldlikeyoumuchbetterifyouwerecleaner。Surely，youhavewater!Can\'tyouchildrengetsomesoapandwashyourselves?Gentlemenareneverdirty。Youwanttobeagentleman，don\'tyou?\"
\"Isbeingcleanallyouhavetodotobeagentleman?\"
\"No，\"saidElnora。\"Youmustnotsaybadwords，andyoumustbekindandpolitetoyoursister。\"
\"MustBellebekindandpolitetome，elsesheain\'talady?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"ThenBelle\'snolady!\"saidBillysuccinctly。
Elnoracouldsaynothingmorejustthen，andshebadethemgood-byeandstartedthemhome。
\"Thepoorlittlesouls!\"shemused。\"IthinktheAlmightyputtheminmywaytoshowmerealtrouble。Iwon\'tbelikelytospendmuchtimepityingmyselfwhileIcanseethem。\"Sheglancedatthelunchbox。\"WhatonearthdoIcarrythisfor?Ineverhadanythingthatwassostrictlyornamental!Onesurething!Ican\'ttakethisstufftothehighschool。Youneverseemtoknowexactlywhatisgoingtohappentoyouwhileyouarethere。\"
Asiftoprovideawayoutofherdifficultyabigdogarosefromalawn，andcametowardthegatewagginghistail。
\"Ifthosechildrenatethestuff，itcan\'tpossiblykillhim!\"
thoughtElnora，sosheofferedthebologna。Thedogaccepteditgraciously，andbeingabeastofpedigreehetrottedaroundtoasideporchandlaidthebolognabeforehismistress。Thewomansnatchedit，screaming:
\"Come，quick!SomeoneistryingtopoisonPedro!\"
Herdaughtercamerunningfromthehouse。\"Goseewhoisonthestreet。Hurry!\"criedtheexcitedmother。
EllenBrownleeranandlooked。Elnorawashalfablockaway，andnoonenearer。Ellencalledloudly，andElnorastopped。Ellencamerunningtowardher。
\"Didyouseeanyonegiveourdogsomething?\"shecriedassheapproached。
Elnorasawnoescape。
\"Igaveitapieceofbolognamyself，\"shesaid。\"Itwasfittoeat。Itwouldn\'thurtthedog。\"
Ellenstoodandlookedather。\"Ofcourse，Ididn\'tknowitwasyourdog，\"explainedElnora。\"IhadsomethingIwantedtothrowtosomedog，andthatonelookedbigenoughtomanageit。\"
Ellenhadarrivedatherconclusions。\"Passoverthatlunchbox，\"shedemanded。
\"Iwillnot!\"saidElnora。
\"ThenIwillhaveyouarrestedfortryingtopoisonourdog，\"laughedthegirlasshetookthebox。
\"Onechunkofstalebread，onehalfmileofantiquebolognacontributedfordogfeed；theremainsofcake，saladandpreservesinanotherwiseemptylunchbox。Onehamsandwichyesterday。Ithinkit\'slovelyyouhavethebox。
Whoateyourlunchto-day?\"
\"Same，\"confessedElnora，\"buttherewerethreeofthemthistime。\"
\"Wait，untilIrunbackandtellmotheraboutthedog，andgetmybooks。\"
Elnorawaited。ThatmorningshewalkeddownthehallandintotheauditoriumbesideoneoftheverynicestgirlsinOnabasha，anditwasthefourthday。ButthesurprisecameatnoonwhenElleninsisteduponElnoralunchingattheBrownleehome，andconvulsedherparentsandfamily，andoverwhelmedElnorawithagreatlymagnified，butmoderatelyaccuratehistoryofherlunchbox。
\"Gee!butit\'sabox，daddy!\"criedthelaughinggirl。
\"It\'scarvedleatherandfastenswithastrapthathashernameonit。Insidearetraysforthingsallcomplete，anditbearsevidenceofhavingencloseddeliciousfood，butElnoranevergetsany。She\'scarriedittwodaysnow，andbothtimesithasbeenemptybeforeshereachedschool。
Isn\'tthatkilling?\"
\"Itis，Ellen，inmorewaysthanone。Nogirlisgoingtoeatbreakfastatsixo\'clock，walkthreemiles，anddogoodworkwithoutherlunch。Youcan\'ttellmeanythingaboutthatbox。IsolditlastMondaynighttoWesleySinton，oneofmygoodcountrycustomers。Hetoldmeitwasapresentforagirlwhowasworthyofit，andIseehewasright。\"
\"He\'ssogoodtome，\"saidElnora。\"SometimesIlookathimandwonderifaneighbourcanbesokindtoone，whatarealfatherwouldbelike。Ienvyagirlwithafatherunspeakably。\"
\"Youhavecause，\"saidEllenBrownlee。\"Afatheristheverydearestpersoninthewholeroundworld，exceptamother，whoisjustadear。\"Thegirl，startingtopaytributetoherfather，sawthatshemustincludehermother，andsaidthethingbeforesherememberedwhatMrs。Sintonhadtoldthegirlsinthestore。Shestoppedindismay。
Elnora\'sfacepaledatrifle，butshesmiledbravely。
\"ThenI\'mfortunateinhavingamother，\"shesaid。
Mr。Brownleelingeredatthetableafterthegirlshadexcusedthemselvesandreturnedtoschool。
\"There\'sagirlEllencan\'tseetoomuchof，inmyopinion，\"hesaid。\"Sheiseveryinchalady，andnotafoolishnotionoractionabouther。Ican\'tunderstandjustwhatcombinationofcircumstancesproducedherinthisday。\"
\"Ithasbeenanunusualcaseofrepression，foronething。
Shewaitsonhereldersandthinksbeforeshespeaks，\"
saidMrs。Brownlee。
\"She\'smightypretty。Shelookssosoundandwholesome，andshe\'sneatlydressed。\"
\"Ellensaysshewasafrightthefirsttwodays。Longbrowncalicodressalmosttouchingthefloor，andbig，lumberingshoes。ThoseSintonpeopleboughtherclothes。
Ellenwasinthestore，andthewomanstoppedhercrowdandaskedthemabouttheirdresses。Shesaidthegirlwasnotpoor，buthermotherwasselfishanddidn\'tcareforher。ButElnorashowedabankbookthenextday，anddeclaredthatshepaidforthethingsherself，sotheSintonpeoplemustjusthaveselectedthem。
There\'ssomethingpeculiaraboutit，butnothingwrongIamsure。I\'llencourageEllentoaskheragain。\"
\"Ishouldsayso，especiallyifsheisgoingtokeepongivingawayherlunch。\"
\"ShelunchedwiththeBirdWomanonedaythisweek。\"
\"Shedid!\"
\"Yes，shelivesoutbytheLimberlost。YouknowtheBirdWomanworksthereagreatdeal，andprobablyknowsherthatway。Ithinkthegirlgathersspecimensforher。Ellensayssheknowsmorethantheteachersaboutanynaturequestionthatcomesup，andsheisgoingtoleadalloftheminmathematics，andmakethemworkinanybranch。\"
WhenElnoraenteredthecoatroomafterhavinghadluncheonwithEllenBrownleetherewassuchadifferenceintheatmospherethatshecouldfeelit。
\"IamalmostsorryIhavetheseclothes，\"shesaidtoEllen。
\"Inthenameofsense，why?\"criedtheastonishedgirl。
\"Everyoneissonicetomeinthem，itsetsmetowonderingifintimeIcouldhavemadethembeequallyfriendlyintheothers。\"
Ellenlookedatherintrospectively。\"Ibelieveyoucould，\"sheannouncedatlast。\"Butitwouldhavetakentimeandheartache，andyourmindwouldhavebeenlessfreetoworkonyourstudies。Nooneishappywithoutfriends，andIjustsimplycan\'tstudywhenIamunhappy。\"
ThatnighttheBirdWomanmadethelasttriptotheswamp。
Everyspecimenshepossiblycouldusehadbeenpurchasedatafairprice，andthreeadditionshadbeenmadetothebankbook，carryingthetotalalittlepasttwohundreddollars。
ThereremainedtheIndianrelicstosellonSaturday，andElnorahadsecuredtheordertofurnishmaterialfornatureworkforthegrades。Lifesuddenlygrewveryfull。
Therewasthemostexcitinglyinterestingworkforeveryhour，andthatworkwastopayhighschoolexpensesandstartthecollegefund。Therewasonelittleriftinherjoy。
Allofitwouldhavebeensomuchbetterifshecouldhavetoldhermother，andgiventhemoneyintoherkeeping；
butthestruggletogetastarthadbeensoterrible，Elnorawasafraidtotaketherisk。Whenshereachedhome，sheonlytoldhermotherthatthelastofthethingshadbeensoldthatevening。
\"Ithink，\"saidMrs。Comstock，\"thatwewillaskWesleytomovethatboxoverherebackofthegardenforyou。
Thereyouareapttogettolledfartherintotheswampthanyouintendtogo，andyoumightmireorsomething。
Thereoughttobejustthesamethingsinourwoods，andalongourswampyplaces，asthereareintheLimberlost。
Can\'tyouhuntyourstuffhere?\"
\"Icantry，\"saidElnora。\"Idon\'tknowwhatIcanfinduntilIdo。Ourwoodsareundisturbed，andthereisapossibilitytheymightbeevenbetterhuntingthantheswamp。ButIwouldn\'thaveFreckles\'scasemovedfortheworld。Hemightcomebacksomeday，andnotlikeit。
I\'vetriedtokeephisroomthebestIcould，andtakingouttheboxwouldmakeabigholeinonesideofit。Storeboxesdon\'tcostmuch。IwillhaveUncleWesleybuymeone，andsetitupwhereverhuntinglooksthebest，earlyinthespring。Iwouldfeelsaferathome。\"
\"Shallwedotheworkorhavesupperfirst?\"
\"Let\'sdothework，\"saidElnora。\"Ican\'tsaythatI\'mhungrynow。Doesn\'tseemasifIevercouldbehungryagainwithsuchalunch。IamquitesurenoonecarriedmoredeliciousthingstoeatthanI。\"
Mrs。Comstockwaspleased。\"Iputinaprettygoodhunkofcake。Didyoudivideitwithanyone?\"
\"Why，yes，Idid，\"admittedElnora。
\"Who?\"
Thiswasbecominguncomfortable。\"Iatethebiggestpiecemyself，\"saidElnora，\"andgavetheresttoacoupleofboysnamedJimmyandBillyandagirlnamedBelle。
Theysaiditwastheverybestcaketheyevertastedinalltheirlives。\"
Mrs。Comstocksatstraight。\"Iusedtobeamasterhandatspicecake，\"sheboasted。\"ButI\'malittleoutofpractice。Imustgettoworkagain。Withtheveryweedsgrowinghigherthanourheads，weshouldraiseplentyofgoodstufftoeatonthisland，ifwecan\'taffordanythingelsebuttaxes。\"
Elnoralaughedandhurriedupstairstochangeherdress。
MargaretSintoncamethatnightbringingabeautifulblueoneinitsplace，andcarriedawaytheothertolaunder。
\"Doyoumeantosaythosedressesaretobewashedeverytwodays?\"questionedMrs。Comstock。
\"Theyhavetobe，tolookfresh，\"repliedMargaret。
\"Wewantourgirlsweetasarose。\"
\"Well，ofallthings!\"criedMrs。Comstock。\"Everytwodays!
Anygirlwhocan\'tkeepadresscleanlongerthanthatisadirtygirl。You\'llwearthegoodsoutandfadethecolourswithsomuchwashing。\"
\"We\'llhaveacleangirl，anyway。\"
\"Well，ifyoulikethejobyoucanhaveit，\"saidMrs。Comstock。
\"Idon\'tmindthewashing，butI\'msoinconvenientwithaniron。\"
Elnorasatlatethatnightworkingoverherlessons。
Thenextmorningsheputonherbluedressandribbonandinthoseshewasapicture。Mrs。Comstockcaughtherbreathwithaqueerstirringaroundherheart，andlookedtwicetobesureofwhatshesaw。AsElnoragatheredherbookshermothersilentlygaveherthelunchbox。
\"Feelsheavy，\"saidElnoragaily。\"Andsmelly!LikeasnotI\'llbecalledupontodivideagain。\"
\"Thenyoudivide!\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"Eatingistheonethingwedon\'thavetoeconomizeon，Elnora。
SpiteofallIcandofoodgoestowasteinthissoileveryday。Ifyoucangivesomeofthosecitychildrenatasteoftherealthing，why，don\'tbeselfish。\"
Elnorawentdowntheroadthinkingofthecitychildrenwithwhomsheprobablywoulddivide。Ofcourse，thebridgewouldbeoccupiedagain。Soshestoppedandopenedthebox。
\"Idon\'twanttobeselfish，\"murmuredElnora，\"butitreallyseemsasifIcan\'tgiveawaythislunch。
Ifmotherdidnotputloveintoit，she\'ssubstitutedsomethingthat\'slikelytofoolme。\"
Shealmostfeltherstepslaggingassheapproachedthebridge。Averyhungrydoghadbeenaddedtothetrioofchildren。Elnoralovedalldogs，andasusual，thisonecametoherinfriendliness。Thechildrensaid\"Goodmorning!\"
withalacrity，andanotherpaperparcellayconspicuous。
\"Howareyouthismorning?\"inquiredElnora。
\"Allright!\"criedthethree，whilethedogsniffedravenouslyatthelunchbox，andbeataperfecttattoowithhistail。
\"Howdidyoulikethebologna?\"questionedBillyeagerly。
\"Oneofthegirlstookmetolunchatherhomeyesterday，\"
answeredElnora。
DawnbrokebeautifullyoverBilly\'sstreakedface。
HecaughtthepackageandthrustittowardElnora。
\"Thenmaybeyou\'dliketotrythebolognato-day!\"
Thedogleapedingladapprehensionofsomething，andBellescrambledtoherfeetandtookastepforward。
ThelookoffamishedgreedinhereyeswasmorethanElnoracouldendure。Itwasnotthatshecaredforthefoodsomuch。Goodthingstoeathadbeeninabundanceallherlife。Shewantedwiththislunchtotrytoabsorbwhatshefeltmustbeanexpressionofsomesortfromhermother，andifitwerenotamanifestationoflove，shedidnotknowwhattothinkit。Butitwashermotherwhohadsaid\"begenerous。\"Shekneltonthebridge。
\"Keepbackthedog!\"shewarnedtheelderboy。
SheopenedtheboxanddividedthemilkbetweenBillyandthegirl。Shegaveeachapieceofcakeleavingoneandasandwich。Billypressedforwardeagerly，bitterdisappointmentonhisface，andtheelderboyforgothischarge。
\"Aw，Ithoughtthey\'dbemeat!\"lamentedBilly。
Elnoracouldnotendurethat。
\"Thereis!\"shesaidgladly。\"Thereisalittlepigeonbird。
Iwantateenypieceofthebreast，forasortofkeepsake，justonebite，andyoucanhavetherestamongyou\"。
Elnoradrewtheknifefromitsholderandcutoffthewishbone。Thensheheldthebirdtowardthegirl。
\"Youcandivideit，\"shesaid。Thedogmadeaboundandseizingthesquabsprangfromthebridgeandranforlife。Thegirlandboyhurriedafterhim。WithawfuleyesBillystaredandsworetempestuously。Elnoracaughthimandclappedherhandoverthelittlemouth。
Adeliverywagoncametearingdownthestreet，thehorserunningfullspeed，passedthefleeingdogwiththegirlandboyinpursuit，andstoppedatthebridge。Highschoolgirlsbegantorollfromallsidesofit。
\"Arescue!Arescue!\"theyshouted。
ItwasEllenBrownleeandhercrowd，andeverygirlofthemcarriedabigparcel。Theytookinthesceneastheyapproached。Thefleeingdogwithsomethinginitsmouth，thehalf-nakedgirlandboychasingittoldthestory。Thosegirlsscreamedwithlaughterastheywatchedthepursuit。
\"Thankgoodness，Isavedthewishbone!\"saidElnora。
\"Asusual，Icanprovethattherewasabird。\"
Sheturnedtowardthebox。Billyhadimprovedthetime。