He\'ssostrong，heisn\'tafraidofanything，andhe\'sperfectlysplendidtolocatecocoons!He\'sfoundhalfofthese。Comeon，Pete，it\'sgettingdarknow，andwemustgo。\"
Theystartedtowardthetrail，Petecarryingthecocoons。
Heleftthematthecase，whileElnoraandWesleywentontothecarriagetogether。
\"ElnoraComstock，whatdoesthismean?\"demandedhermother。
\"It\'sallright，oneoftheneighbourswaswithher，andshegotseveraldollars\'worthofstuff，\"interposedWesley。
\"Yououghterseenmypa，\"shoutedBilly。\"Hewasistallwhitedout，andhelaidasstillasanything。
Theyputhimawaydeepintheground。\"
\"Billy!\"breathedMargaretinaprolongedgroan。
\"JimmyandBellearegoingtobetogetherinaniceplace。
Theyarecomingtoseeme，andSnapisrightdownherebythewheel。Here，Snap!My，buthe\'llbetickledtogetsomethingtoeat!He\'s\'mosttwistedasme。
Theygetnewclothes，andalltheywanttoeat，too，butthey\'llmissme。Theycouldn\'thavegotalongwithoutme。Itookcareofthem。Ihadalotofthingsgivetome\'causeIwasthelittlest，andIalwaysdividedwiththem。Buttheywon\'tneedmenow。\"
WhensheleftthecarriageMrs。ComstockgravelyshookhandswithBilly。\"Remember，\"shesaidtohim，\"Iloveboys，andIlovedogs。Wheneveryoudon\'thaveagoodtimeupthere，takeyourdogandcomerightdownandbemylittleboy。Wewilljusthaveloadsoffun。
YoushouldhearthewhistlesIcanmake。Ifyouaren\'ttreatedrightyoucomestraighttome。\"
Billywaggedhisheadsagely。\"YouistbetIwill!\"
hesaid。
\"Mother，howcouldyou?\"askedElnoraastheywalkedupthepath。
\"HowcouldI，missy?Youbetteraskhowcouldn\'tI?
Ijustcouldn\'t!Notforenoughtopay，myroadtax!
Notforenoughtopaytheroadtax，andthedredgetax，too!\"
\"AuntMargaretalwayshasbeenlovelytome，andI
don\'tthinkit\'sfairtoworryher。\"
\"IchoosetobelovelytoBilly，andlethersweatoutherownworriesjustasshehasme，thesesixteenyears。
Thereisnothinginallthisworldsogoodforpeopleastakingadoseoftheirownmedicine。ThedifferenceisthatIamhonest。IjustsayinplainEnglish，`iftheydon\'ttreatyouright，cometome。\'Theyhaveonlysaiditinactionsandinferences。IwanttoteachMagSintonhowherowndosestaste，butshebeginstosputterbeforeIfairlygetthespoontoherlips。Justyouwait!\"
\"WhenIthinkwhatIoweher——\"beganElnora。
\"Well，thankgoodness，Idon\'toweheranything，andsoI\'mperfectlyfreetodowhatIchoose。Comeon，andhelpmegetsupper。I\'mhungryasBilly!\"
MargaretSintonrockedslowlybackandforthinherchair。
OnherbreastlayBilly\'sredhead，onehandclutchedherdressfrontwithspasmodicgrip，evenafterhewasunconscious。
\"Youmustn\'tbeginthat，Margaret，\"saidSinton。
\"He\'stooheavy。Andit\'sbadforhim。He\'sbetterofftoliedownandgotosleepalone。\"
\"He\'sverylight，Wesley。Hejumpsandquiversso。
Hehastobestrongerthanheisnow，beforehewillsleepsoundly。\"
CHAPTERIX
WHEREINELNORADISCOVERSAVIOLIN，ANDBILLYDISCIPLINESMARGARET
Elnoramissedthelittlefigureatthebridgethefollowingmorning。Sheslowlywalkedupthestreetandturnedinatthewideentrancetotheschoolgrounds。Shescarcelycouldcomprehendthatonlyaweekagoshehadgonetherefriendless，alone，andsosickatheartthatshewasphysicallyill。To-dayshehaddecentclothing，books，friends，andhermindwasateasetoworkonherstudies。
Assheapproachedhomethatnightthegirlpausedinamazement。Hermotherhadcompany，andshewaslaughing。
Elnoraenteredthekitchensoftlyandpeepedintothesitting-room。Mrs。Comstocksatinherchairholdingabookandeveryfewsecondsasoftchucklebrokeintoareallaugh。MarkTwainwasdoinghiswork；whileMrs。Comstockwasnotlackinginasenseofhumour。
Elnoraenteredtheroombeforehermothersawher。
Mrs。Comstocklookedupwithflushedface。
\"Wheredidyougetthis?\"shedemanded。
\"Iboughtit，\"saidElnora。
\"Boughtit!Withallthetaxesdue!\"
\"IpaidforitoutofmyIndianmoney，mother，\"saidElnora。
\"Icouldn\'tbeartospendsomuchonmyselfandnothingatallonyou。IwasafraidtobuythedressIshouldhavelikedto，andIthoughtthebookwouldbecompany，whileIwasgone。Ihaven\'treadit，butIdohopeit\'sgood。\"
\"Good!It\'sthebiggestpieceoffoolishnessIhavereadinallmylife。I\'velaughedallday，eversinceI
foundit。Ihadanotiontogooutandreadsomeofittothecowsandseeiftheywouldn\'tlaugh。\"
\"Ifitmadeyoulaugh，it\'sawisebook，\"saidElnora。
\"Wise!\"criedMrs。Comstock。\"Youcanstakeyourlifeit\'sawisebook。Ittakesthesmartestmanthereistodothiskindoffooling，\"andshebeganlaughingagain。
Elnora，highlysatisfiedwithherpurchase，wenttoherroomandputonherworkingclothes。Thereaftershemadeapointofbringingabookthatshethoughtwouldinteresthermother，fromthelibraryeveryweek，andleavingitonthesitting-roomtable。Eachnightshecarriedhomeatleasttwoschoolbooksandstudieduntilshehadmasteredthepointsofherlessons。Shedidhershareoftheworkfaithfully，andeveryavailableminuteshewasinthefieldssearchingforcocoons，forthemothspromisedtobecomeherlargestsourceofincome。
Shegatheredbasketsofnests，flowers，mosses，insects，andallsortsofnaturalhistoryspecimensandsoldthemtothegradeteachers。Atfirstshetriedtotelltheseinstructorswhattoteachtheirpupilsaboutthespecimens；
butrecognizinghowmuchmoresheknewthanthey，oneafteranotherbeggedhertostudyathome，andusehersparehoursinschooltoexhibitandexplainnaturesubjectstotheirpupils。Elnoralovedthework，andsheneededthemoney，foreveryfewdayssomematterofexpensearosethatshehadnotexpected。
Fromthefirstweekshehadbeenreceivedandinvitedwiththecrowdofgirlsinherclass，anditwastheircustominpassingthroughthebusinesspartofthecitytostopattheconfectioners\'andtaketurnsintreatingtoexpensivecandies，icecreamsodas，hotchocolate，orwhatevertheyfancied。WhenfirstElnorawasaskedsheacceptedwithoutunderstanding。Thesecondtimeshewentbecausesheseldomhadtastedthesethings，andtheyweresodeliciousshecouldnotresist。Afterthatshewentbecausesheknewallaboutit，andhaddecidedtogo。
Shehadspenthalfanhouronthelogbesidethetrailindeepthoughtandhadarrivedatherconclusions。
Sheworkedharderthanusualforthenextweek，butsheseemedtothriveonwork。ItwasOctoberandtheredleaveswerefallingwhenherfirsttimecametotreat。
AsthecrowdflockeddownthebroadwalkthatnightElnoracalled，\"Girls，it\'smytreatto-night!Comeon!\"
Sheledthewaythroughthecitytothegrocerytheypatronizedwhentheyhadasmallspread，andenteringcameoutwithabasket，whichshecarriedtothebridgeonherhomeroad。Thereshearrangedthegirlsintworowsonthecementabutmentsandopeningherbasketshegravelyofferedeachgirlanexquisitelittlebasketofbark，linedwithredleaves，inoneendofwhichnestledajuicybigredappleandintheotheraspicydoughnutnotanhourfromMargaretSinton\'sfryingbasket。
Anothertimesheofferedbigballsofpoppedcornstucktogetherwithmaplesugar，andliberallysprinkledwithbeechnutkernels。Againitwashickory-nutkernelsglazedwithsugar，anothertimemaplecandy，andonceabasketofwarmpumpkinpies。Shenevermadeanyapology，orofferedanyexcuse。Shesimplygavewhatshecouldafford，andthechangewasaswelcometothosecitygirlsaccustomedtosodasandFrenchcandy，aswerethesesamethingstoElnorasurfeitedonpopcornandpie。
Inherroomwasalittleslipcontainingarecordofthenumberofweeksintheschoolyear，thetimesitwouldbeherturntotreatandthedatesonwhichsuchoccasionswouldfall，withanumberofsuggestionsbesideeach。
Oncethegirlsalmostfoughtoverabasketlinedwithyellowleaves，andfilledwithfat，veryriperedhaws。
InlateOctobertherewasariotoveronewhichwaslinedwithredleavesandcontainedbigfragrantpawpawsfrost-bittentoaperfectdegree。Thenhazelnutswereripe，andoncetheyserved。OnedayElnoraatherwits\'
end，explainedtohermotherthatthegirlshadgivenherthingsandshewantedtotreatthem。Mrs。Comstock，withcharacteristicstubbornness，hadsaidshewouldleaveabasketatthegroceryforher，butfirmlydeclinedtosaywhatwouldbeinit。AlldayElnorastruggledtokeephermindonherbooks。Forhoursshewaveredintenseuncertainty。Whatwouldhermotherdo?Shouldshetakethegirlstotheconfectioner\'sthatnightorriskthebasket?Mrs。Comstockcouldmakedeliciousthingstoeat，butwouldshe?
AstheyleftthebuildingElnoramadeafinalrapidmentalcalculation。Shecouldnotseeherwaycleartoadecenttreatfortenpeopleforlessthantwodollarsandifthebasketprovedtobenice，thenthemoneywouldbewasted。Shedecidedtoriskit。Astheywenttothebridgethegirlswerebettingonwhatthetreatwouldbe，andcrowdingnearElnoralikespoiledsmallchildren。
Elnorasetdownthebasket。
\"Girls，\"shesaid，\"Idon\'tknowwhatthisismyself，soallofusaregoingtobesurprised。Heregoes!\"
Sheliftedthecoverandperfumesfromthelandofspicesrolledup。Inoneendofthebasketlaytenenormoussugarcakesthetopsofwhichhadbeenliberallydottedwithcirclescutfromstickcandy。Thecandyhadmeltedinbakingandmadesmalltransparentwellsofwaxysweetnessandinthecentreofeachcakewasafatturtlemadefromaraisinwithclovesforheadandfeet。Theremainderofthebasketwasfilledwithbigspicedpearsthatcouldbeheldbytheirstemswhiletheywereeaten。Thegirlsshriekedandattackedthecookies，andofallthetreatsElnoraofferedperhapsnonewasquitesolongrememberedasthat。
WhenElnoratookherbasket，placedherbooksinit，andstartedhome，allthegirlswentwithherasfarasthefencewhereshecrossedthefieldtotheswamp。Atpartingtheykissedhergood-bye。Elnorawasahappygirlasshehurriedhometothankhermother。Shewashappyoverherbooksthatnight，andhappyallthewaytoschoolthefollowingmorning。
Whenthemusicswelledfromtheorchestraherheartalmostbrokewiththrobbingjoy。Formusicalwayshadaffectedherstrangely，andsinceshehadbeencomfortableenoughinhersurroundingstonoticethings，shehadlistenedtoeverynotetofindwhatitwasthatliterallyhurtherheart，andatlastsheknew。Itwasthetalkingoftheviolins。Theywerehumanvoices，andtheyspokealanguageElnoraunderstood。Itseemedtoherthatshemustclimbuponthestage，taketheinstrumentsfromthefingersoftheplayersandmakethemspeakwhatwasinherheart。
Thatnightshesaidtohermother，\"Iamperfectlycrazyforaviolin。IamsureIcouldplayone，sureasIlive。
Didanyone——\"Elnoranevercompletedthatsentence。
\"Hush!\"thunderedMrs。Comstock。\"Bequiet!
Nevermentionthosethingsbeforemeagain——neveraslongasyoulive!Iloathethem!Theyareasnareoftheverydevilhimself!Theyweremadetoluremenandwomenfromtheirhomesandtheirhonour。IfeverIseeyouwithoneinyourfingersIwillsmashitinpieces。\"
NaturallyElnorahushed，butshethoughtofnothingelseaftershehadfinishedherlessons。Atlasttherecameadaywhenforsomereasontheleaderoftheorchestralefthisviolinonthegrandpiano。ThatmorningElnoramadeherfirstmistakeinalgebra。Atnoon，assoonasthebuildingwasempty，sheslippedintotheauditorium，foundthesidedoorwhichledtothestage，andgoingthroughthemusicians\'entranceshetooktheviolin。Shecarrieditbackintothelittlesideroomwheretheorchestraassembled，closedallthedoors，openedthecaseandliftedouttheinstrument。
Shelaiditonherbreast，droppedherchinonitanddrewthebowsoftlyacrossthestrings。Oneafteranothershetestedtheopennotes。Graduallyherstrokeceasedtotrembleandshedrewthebowfirmly。Thenherfingersbegantofallandsoftly，slowlyshesearchedupanddownthosestringsforsoundssheknew。Standinginthemiddleofthefloor，shetriedoverandover。Itseemedscarcelyaminutebeforethehallwasfilledwiththesoundofhurryingfeet，andshewasforcedtoputawaytheviolinandgotoherclasses。Thenextdaysheprayedthattheviolinwouldbeleftagain，butherpetitionwasnotanswered。
ThatnightwhenshereturnedfromtheschoolshemadeanexcusetogodowntoseeBilly。Hewasengagedinhullingwalnutsbydrivingthemthroughholesinaboard。HishandswereprotectedbyapairofMargaret\'soldgloves，buthehadspeckledhisfacegenerously。Heappearedwell，andgreetedElnorahilariously。
\"Mean\'thesquirrelsarelayingupourwinterstores，\"
heshouted。\"Costhecoldiscoming，an\'thesnowan\'
ifwehaveanynutswehavetofix\'emnow。ButI\'mahead，cosUncleWesleymademethisboard，andIcanhullabigpilewhiletheoldsquirreldoesonlyistonewithhisteeth。\"
Elnorapickedhimupandkissedhim。\"Billy，areyouhappy?\"sheasked。
\"Yes，andso\'sSnap，\"answeredBilly。\"Yououghttoseehimmakethedirtflywhenhegetsafterachipmunk。
Ibetyouhecoulddiguppa，ifanybodywantedhimto。\"
\"Billy!\"gaspedMargaretasshecameouttothem。
\"Well，meandSnapdon\'twanthimup，andIbetyouJimmyandBelledon\'t，either。Iain\'tbeentwistyinsideoncesinceIbeenhere，andIdon\'twanttogoaway，andSnapdon\'t，either。Hetoldmeso。\"
\"Billy!Thatisnottrue。Dogscan\'ttalk，\"
cautionedMargaret。
\"Thenwhatmakesyouopenthedoorwhenheasksyouto?\"
demandedBilly。
\"Scratchingandwhiningisn\'ttalking。\"
\"Anyway，it\'sthebestSnapcantalk，andyougetupanddothingshewantsdone。Chipmunkscantalktoo。
YououghttohearthemdamnthingshollerwhenSnapgetsthem!\"
\"Billy!WhenyouwantacookyforsupperandIdon\'tgiveittoyouitisbecauseyousaidawrongword。\"
\"Well，for——\"Billyclappedhishandoverhismouthandstainedhisfaceinswipes。\"Well，for——anything!
DidIgoan\'forgetagain!Thecookieswillgetallhard，won\'tthey?IbetyoutendollarsIdon\'tsaythatanymore。\"
HeespiedWesleyandrantoshowhimawalnuttoobigtogothroughtheholes，andElnoraandMargaretenteredthehouse。
TheytalkedofmanythingsforatimeandthenElnorasaidsuddenly:\"AuntMargaret，Ilikemusic。\"
\"I\'venoticedthatinyouallyourlife，\"answeredMargaret。
\"Ifdogscan\'ttalk，Icanmakeaviolintalk，\"announcedElnora，andtheninamazementwatchedthefaceofMargaretSintongrowpale。
\"Aviolin!\"shewavered。\"Wheredidyougetaviolin?\"
\"Theyfairlyseemedtospeaktomeintheorchestra。
Onedaytheconductorlefthisintheauditorium，andI
tookit，andAuntMargaret，Icanmakeitdothewindintheswamp，thebirds，andtheanimals。IcanmakeanysoundIeverheardonit。IfIhadachancetopractisealittle，Icouldmakeitdotheorchestramusic，too。
Idon\'tknowhowIknow，butIdo。\"
\"Did——didyouevermentionittoyourmother?\"
falteredMargaret。
\"Yes，andsheseemsprejudicedagainstthem。Butoh，AuntMargaret，Ineverfeltsoaboutanything，notevengoingtoschool。IjustfeelasifI\'ddieifIdidn\'thaveone。Icouldkeepitatschool，andpractiseatnoonawholehour。Soonthey\'daskmetoplayintheorchestra。
Icouldkeepitinthecaseandpractiseinthewoodsinsummer。You\'dletmeplayoverhereSunday。
Oh，AuntMargaret，whatdoesonecost?Woulditbewickedformetotakeofmymoney，andbuyaverycheapone?
Icouldplayontheleastexpensiveonemade。\"
That\'swhyIcan!Whereisit!Isitinourhouse?
Isitinmother\'sroom?\"
\"Elnora!\"pantedMargaret。\"Yourmotherwillkillme!
Shealwayshatedit。\"
\"Motherdearlylovesmusic，\"saidElnora。
\"Notwhenittookthemanshelovedawayfromhertomakeit!\"
\"Whereismyfather\'sviolin?\"
\"Elnora!\"
\"I\'veneverseenapictureofmyfather。I\'veneverheardhisnamementioned。I\'veneverhadascrapthatbelongedtohim。Washemyfather，oramIacharitychildlikeBilly，andsoshehatesme?\"
\"Shehasgoodpicturesofhim。Seemsshejustcan\'tbeartohearhimtalkedabout。Ofcourse，hewasyourfather。
Theylivedrighttherewhenyouwereborn。Shedoesn\'tdislikeyou；shemerelytriestomakeherselfthinkshedoes。There\'snosenseintheworldinyounothavinghisviolin。I\'veagreatnotion——\"
\"Hasmothergotit?\"
\"No。I\'veneverheardhermentionit。Itwasnotathomewhenhe——whenhedied。\"
\"Doyouknowwhereitis?\"
\"Yes。I\'mtheonlypersononearthwhodoes，excepttheonewhohasit。\"
\"Whoisthat?\"
\"Ican\'ttellyou，butIwillseeiftheyhaveityet，andgetitifIcan。Butifyourmotherfindsitoutshewillneverforgiveme。\"
\"Ican\'thelpit，\"saidElnora。Iwantthatviolin。\"
\"I\'llgoto-morrow，andseeifithasbeendestroyed。\"
\"Destroyed!Oh，AuntMargaret!Wouldanyonedare?\"
\"Ihardlythinkso。Itwasagoodinstrument。Heplayeditlikeamaster。\"
\"Tellme!\"breathedElnora。
\"Hishairwasredandcurledmorethanyours，andhiseyeswereblue。Hewastall，slim，andtheveryimpofmischief。Hejokedandteasedalldayuntilhepickedupthatviolin。Thenhisheadbentoverit，andhiseyesgotbigandearnest。Heseemedtolistenasifhefirstheardthenotes，andthencopiedthem。Sometimeshedrewthebowtrembly，likehewasn\'tsureitwasright，andhemighthavetotryagain。Hecouldalmostdriveyoucrazywhenhewantedto，andnomanthateverlivedcouldmakeyoudanceashecould。Hemadeitallupashewent。
Heseemedtolistenforhisdancingmusic，too。Itappearedtocometohim；he\'dbegintoplayandyouhadtokeeptime。
Youcouldn\'tbestill；helovedtosweepacrowdaroundwiththatbowofhis。Ithinkitwasthethingyoucallinspiration。
Icanseehimnow，hishandsomeheadbent，hischeeksred，hiseyessnapping，andthatbowgoingacrossthestrings，anddrivinguslikesheep。Healwayskepthisbodyswinging，andhelovedtoplay。Heoftenslightedhisworkshamefully，andsometimesheralittle；thatiswhyshehatedit——Elnora，whatareyoumakingmedo?\"
ThetearswererollingdownElnora\'scheeks。\"Oh，AuntMargaret，\"shesobbed。\"Whyhaven\'tyoutoldmeabouthimsooner?Ifeelasifyouhadgivenmyfathertomeliving，sothatIcouldtouchhim。Icanseehim，too!
Whydidn\'tyouevertellmebefore?Goon!Goon!\"
\"Ican\'t，Elnora!I\'mscaredsilly。Inevermeanttosayanything。IfIhadn\'tpromisedhernottotalkofhimtoyoushewouldn\'thaveletyoucomehere。
Shemademeswearit。\"
\"Butwhy?Why?Washeashame?Washedisgraced?\"
\"Maybeitwasthatunjustfeelingthattookpossessionofherwhenshecouldn\'thelphimfromtheswamp。Shehadtoblamesomeone，orgocrazy，soshetookitoutonyou。
Attimes，thosefirsttenyears，ifIhadtalkedtoyou，andyouhadrepeatedanythingtoher，shemighthavestruckyoutoohard。Shewasnotmasterofherself。
Youmustbepatientwithher，Elnora。Godonlyknowswhatshehasgonethrough，butIthinksheisalittlebetter，lately。\"
\"SodoI，\"saidElnora。\"Sheseemsmoreinterestedinmyclothes，andshefixesmesuchdeliciouslunchesthatthegirlsbringfinecandiesandcakeandbegtotrade。Igavehalfmylunchforaboxofcandyoneday，broughtithometoher，andtoldher。Since，shehaswantedmetocarryamarketbasketandtreatthecrowdeveryday，shewassopleased。Lifehasbeentoomonotonousforher。
Ithinksheenjoyseventhelittlechangemadebymygoingandcoming。ShesitsuphalfthenighttoreadthelibrarybooksIbring，butsheissostubbornshewon\'tevenadmitthatshetouchesthem。Tellmemoreaboutmyfather。\"
\"WaituntilIseeifIcanfindtheviolin。\"
SoElnorawenthomeinsuspense，andthatnightsheaddedtoherprayers:\"DearLord，bemercifultomyfather，andoh，dohelpAuntMargarettogethisviolin。\"
WesleyandBillycameintosuppertiredandhungry。
Billyateheartily，buthiseyesoftenrestedonaplateoftemptingcookies，andwhenWesleyofferedthemtotheboyhereachedforone。Margaretwascompelledtoexplainthatcookieswereforbiddenthatnight。
\"What!\"saidWesley。\"Wrongwordsbeencomingagain。
OhBilly，Idowishyoucouldremember!Ican\'tsitandeatcookiesbeforealittleboywhohasnone。
I\'llhavetoputmineback，too。\"Billy\'sfacetwistedindespair。
\"Awgoon!\"hesaidgruffly，buthischinwasjumping，forWesleywashisidol。
\"Can\'tdoit，\"saidWesley。\"Itwouldchokeme。\"
BillyturnedtoMargaret。\"Youmakehim，\"heappealed。
\"Hecan\'t，Billy，\"saidMargaret。\"Iknowhowhefeels。
Yousee，Ican\'tmyself。\"
ThenBillyslidfromhischair，rantothecouch，buriedhisfaceinthepillowandcriedheart-brokenly。Wesleyhurriedtothebarn，andMargarettothekitchen。WhenthedisheswerewashedBillyslippedfromthebackdoor。
Wesleypilinghayintothemangersheardasoundbehindhimandinquired，\"Thatyou，Billy?\"
\"Yes，\"answeredBilly，\"andit\'sallsodarkyoucan\'tseemenow，isn\'tit?\"
\"Well，mightynear，\"answeredWesley。
\"Thenyoustoopdownandopenyourmouth。\"
Sintonhadsharedbitesofappleandnutsforweeks，forBillyhadnotlearnedhowtoeatanythingwithoutdividingwithJimmyandBelle。Sincehehadbeenseparatedfromthem，hesharedwithWesleyandMargaret。Sohebentovertheboyandreceivedaninstalmentofcookythatalmostchokedhim。
\"Nowyoucaneatit!\"shoutedBillyindelight。
\"It\'salldark!Ican\'tseewhatyou\'redoingatall!\"
Wesleypickedupthesmallfigureandsettheboyonthebackofahorsetobringhisfacelevelsothattheycouldtalkasmen。HenevertoweredfromhisheightaboveBilly，butalwaysliftedthelittlesoulwhenimportantmattersweretobediscussed。
\"Nowwhatadandyscheme，\"hecommented。\"DidyouandAuntMargaretfixitup?\"
\"No。Sheain\'thadhersyet。ButIgotoneforher。
Istassoonasyoueatyours，Iamgoingtotakehers，andfeedherfirsttimeIfindherinthedark。\"
\"ButBilly，wheredidyougetthecookies?YouknowAuntMargaretsaidyouwerenottohaveany。\"
\"Iisttookthem，\"saidBilly，\"Ididn\'ttakethemforme。
Iisttookthemforyouandher。\"
Wesleythoughtfast。Inthewarmdarknessofthebarnthehorsescrunchedtheircorn，aratgnawedatacornerofthegranary，andamongtheraftersthewhitepigeoncooedasoftsleepynotetohisduskymate。
\"Did——did——Isteal?\"waveredBilly。
Wesley\'sbighandscloseduntilhealmosthurttheboy。
\"No!\"hesaidvehemently。\"Thatistoobigaword。
Youmadeamistake。Youweretryingtobeafinelittleman，butyouwentatitthewrongway。Youonlymadeamistake。Allofusdothat，Billy。Theworldgrowsthatway。Whenwemakemistakeswecanseethem；
thatteachesustobemorecarefulthenexttime，andsowelearn。\"
\"Howwouldn\'titbeamistake?\"
\"IfyouhadtoldAuntMargaretwhatyouwantedtodo，andaskedherforthecookiesshewouldhavegiventhemtoyou。\"
\"ButIwas\'fraidshewouldn\'t，andyouisthadtohaveit。\"
\"Notifitwaswrongformetohaveit，Billy。Idon\'twantitthatmuch。\"
\"MustItakeitback?\"
\"Youthinkhard，anddecideyourself。\"
\"Liftmedown，\"saidBilly，afterasilence，\"Igottoputthisinthejar，andtellher。\"
Wesleysettheboyonthefloor，butashedidsohepausedonesecondandstrainedhimclosetohisbreast。
Margaretsatinherchairsewing；Billyslippedinandcreptbesideher。Thelittlefacewaslinedwithtragedy。
\"WhyBilly，whateveristhematter?\"shecriedasshedroppedhersewingandheldoutherarms。Billystoodback。
Hegrippedhislittlefiststightandsquaredhisshoulders。
\"Igottobeshutupinthecloset，\"hesaid。
\"OhBilly!Whatanunluckyday!Whathaveyoudonenow?\"
\"Istold!\"gulpedBilly。\"Hesaiditwasistamistake，butitwasworser\'anthat。ItooksomethingyoutoldmeIwasn\'ttohave。\"
\"Stole!\"Margaretwasindespair。\"What，Billy?\"
\"Cookies!\"answeredBillyinequaltrouble。
\"Billy!\"wailedMargaret。\"Howcouldyou?\"
\"Itwasforhimandyou，\"sobbedBilly。\"Hesaidhecouldn\'teatit\'foreme，butoutinthebarnit\'salldarkandIcouldn\'tsee。Ithoughtmaybehecouldthere。
Thenwemightputoutthelightandyoucouldhaveyours。
HesaidIonlymadeitworse，cosImustn\'ttakethings，soIgottogointhecloset。Willyouholdmetightalittlebitfirst?Hedid。\"
MargaretopenedherarmsandBillyrushedinandclungtoherafewseconds，withalltheforceofhisbeing，thenheslippedtothefloorandmarchedtothecloset。
Margaretopenedthedoor。Billygaveoneglanceatthelight，clinchedhisfistsand，walkinginside，climbedonabox。Margaretclosedthedoor。
Thenshesatandlistened。Wastheairpureenough?
Possiblyhemightsmother。Shehadreadsomethingonce。
Wasitverydark?Whatifthereshouldbeamouseintheclosetanditshouldrunacrosshisfootandfrightenhimintospasms。Somewhereshehadheard——
Margaretleanedforwardwithtensefaceandlistened。
Somethingdreadfulmighthappen。Shecouldbearitnolonger。Shearosehurriedlyandopenedthedoor。
Billywasdrawnupontheboxinalittleheap，andheliftedadisapprovingfacetoher。
\"Shutthatdoor!\"hesaid。\"Iain\'tbeeninherenearlongenoughyet!\"
CHAPTERX
WHEREINELNORAHASMOREFINANCIALTROUBLES，ANDMRS。COMSTOCKAGAINHEARSTHESONGOFTHELIMBERLOST
ThefollowingnightElnorahurriedtoSintons\'。
ShethrewopenthebackdoorandwithanxiouseyessearchedMargaret\'sface。
\"Yougotit!\"pantedElnora。\"Yougotit!Icanseebyyourfacethatyoudid。Oh，giveittome!\"
\"Yes，Igotit，honey，Igotitallright，butdon\'tbesofast。Ithadbeenkeptinsuchadampplaceitneededglueing，ithadtohavestrings，andakeywasgone。
Iknewhowmuchyouwantedit，soIsentWesleyrighttotownwithit。Theysaidtheycouldfixitgoodasnew，butitshouldbevarnished，andthatitwouldtakeseveraldaysforthegluetoset。YoucanhaveitSaturday。\"
\"Youfounditwhereyouthoughtitwas?Youknowit\'shis?\"
\"Yes，itwasjustwhereIthought，andit\'sthesameviolinI\'veseenhimplayhundredsoftimes。It\'sallright，onlylayingsolongitneedsfixing。\"
\"OhAuntMargaret!CanIeverwait?\"
\"Itdoesseemalongtime，buthowcouldIhelpit?
Youcouldn\'tdoanythingwithitasitwas。Yousee，ithadbeenhiddenawayinagarret，anditneededcleaninganddryingtomakeitfittoplayagain。YoucanhaveitSaturdaysure。ButElnora，you\'vegottopromisemethatyouwillleaveithere，orintown，andnotletyourmothergetahintofit。Idon\'tknowwhatshe\'ddo。\"
\"UncleWesleycanbringithereuntilMonday。ThenIwilltakeittoschoolsothatIcanpractiseatnoon。Oh，I
don\'tknowhowtothankyou。Andthere\'smorethantheviolinforwhichtobethankful。You\'vegivenmemyfather。
LastnightIsawhimplainlyaslife。\"
\"Elnorayouweredreaming!\"
\"IknowIwasdreaming，butIsawhim。Isawhimsocloselythatatinywhitescaratthecornerofhiseyebrowshowed。Iwasjustreachingouttotouchhimwhenhedisappeared。\"
\"Whotoldyoutherewasascaronhisforehead?\"
\"Nooneeverdidinallmylife。Isawitlastnightashewentdown。Andoh，AuntMargaret!Isawwhatshedid，andIheardhiscries!Nomatterwhatshedoes，Idon\'tbelieveIevercanbeangrywithheragain。Herheartisbroken，andshecan\'thelpit。Oh，itwasterrible，butIamgladIsawit。Now，Iwillalwaysunderstand。\"
\"Idon\'tknowwhattomakeofthat，\"saidMargaret。
Idon\'tbelieveinsuchstuffatall，butyoucouldn\'tmakeitup，foryoudidn\'tknow。\"
\"IonlyknowthatIplayedtheviolinlastnight，asheplayedit，andwhileIplayedhecamethroughthewoodsfromthedirectionofCarneys\'。Itwassummerandalltheflowerswereinbloom。Heworegraytrousersandablueshirt，hisheadwasbare，andhisfacewasbeautiful。Icouldalmosttouchhimwhenhesank。\"
Margaretstoodperplexed。\"Idon\'tknowwhattothinkofthat!\"sheejaculated。\"Iwasnexttothelastpersonwhosawhimbeforehewasdrowned。ItwaslateonaJuneafternoon，andhewasdressedasyoudescribe。
Hewasbareheadedbecausehehadfoundaquail\'snestbeforethebirdbegantobrood，andhegatheredtheeggsinhishatandleftitinafencecornertogetonhiswayhome；theyfounditafterward。\"
\"WashecomingfromCarneys\'?\"
\"Hewasonthatsideofthequagmire。Whyheeverskirteditsocloseastogetcaughtisamysteryyouwillhavetodreamout。Inevercouldunderstandit。\"
\"Washedoingsomethinghedidn\'twantmymothertoknow?\"
\"Why?\"
\"Becauseifhehadbeen，hemighthavecutclosetheswampsohecouldn\'tbeseenfromthegarden。Youknow，thewholepathstraighttothepoolwherehesankcanbeseenfromourbackdoor。It\'sfirmonourside。
Thedangerisonthenorthandeast。Ifhedidn\'twantmothertoknow，hemighthavetriedtopassoneitherofthosesidesandgonetooclose。Washeinahurry?\"
\"Yes，hewas，\"saidMargaret。\"Hehadbeenawaylongerthanheexpected，andhealmostranwhenhestartedhome。\"
\"Andhe\'dlefthisviolinsomewherethatyouknew，andyouwentandgotit。I\'llwagerhewasgoingtoplay，anddidn\'twantmothertofinditout!\"
\"Itwouldn\'tmakeanydifferencetoyouifyoukneweverylittlething，soquitthinkingaboutit，andjustbegladyouaretohavewhathelovedbestofanything。\"
\"That\'strue。NowImusthurryhome。Iamdreadfullylate。\"