Elnorasprangupandrandowntheroad，butwhensheapproachedthecabinsheclimbedthefence，crossedtheopenwoodspasturediagonallyandenteredatthebackgardengate。Assheoftencamethatwaywhenshehadbeenlookingforcocoonshermotheraskednoquestions。
ElnoralivedbytheminuteuntilSaturday，when，contrarytohisusualcustom，Wesleywenttotownintheforenoon，takingheralongtobuysomegroceries。
Wesleydrovestraighttothemusicstore，andaskedfortheviolinhehadlefttobemended。
Initsnewcoatofvarnish，withnewkeysandstrings，itseemedmuchlikeanyotherviolintoSinton，buttoElnoraitwasthemostbeautifulinstrumentevermade，andapricelesstreasure。Shehelditinherarms，touchedthestringssoftlyandthenshedrewthebowacrosstheminwhisperingmeasure。Shehadnotimetothinkwhataremarkablygoodbowitwasforsixteenyears\'disuse。
Thetanleathercasemighthaveimpressedherasbeinginfineconditionalso，hadshebeeninastatetoquestionanything。Shedidremembertoaskforthebillandshewasgravelypresentedwithaslipcallingforfourstrings，onekey，andacoatofvarnish，total，onedollarfifty。ItseemedtoElnorashenevercouldputthepreciousinstrumentinthecaseandstarthome。Wesleyleftherinthemusicstorewheretheproprietorshowedherallhecouldabouttuning，andgaveherseveralbeginners\'
sheetsofnotesandscales。Shecarriedtheviolininherarmsasfarasthecrossroadsatthecorneroftheirland，thenreluctantlyputitunderthecarriageseat。
AssoonasherworkwasdonesherandowntoSintons\'
andbegantoplay，andonMondaytheviolinwenttoschoolwithher。Shemadearrangementswiththesuperintendenttoleaveitinhisofficeandscarcelytooktimeforherfoodatnoon，shewassoeagertopractise。Oftenoneofthegirlsaskedhertostayintownallnightforsomelectureorentertainment。Shecouldtaketheviolinwithher，practise，andsecurehelp。Herskillwassogreatthattheleaderoftheorchestraofferedtogiveherlessonsifshewouldplaytopayforthem，soherprogresswasrapidintechnicalwork。Butfromthefirstdaytheinstrumentbecamehers，withperfectfaiththatshecouldplayasherfatherdid，shespenthalfherpracticetimeinimitatingthesoundsofalloutdoorsandimprovisingthesongsherhappyheartsanginthosedays。
Sothefirstyearwent，andthesecondandthirdwerearepetition；butthefourthwasdifferent，forthatwasthecloseofthecourse，endingwithgraduationandallitsattendantceremoniesandexpenses。ToElnoratheseappearedmountainhigh。Shehadhoardedeverycent，thinkingtwicebeforeshepartedwithapenny，butteachingnaturalhistoryinthegradeshadtakentimefromherstudiesinschoolwhichmustbemadeupoutside。Shewasaconscientiousstudent，rankingfirstinmostofherclasses，andstandinghighinallbranches。Herinterestinherviolinhadgrownwiththeyears。Shewenttoschoolearlyandpractisedhalfanhourinthelittleroomadjoiningthestage，whiletheorchestragathered。Sheputinafullhouratnoon，andremainedanotherhalfhouratnight。
ShecarriedtheviolintoSintons\'onSaturdayandpractisedallthetimeshecouldthere，whileMargaretwatchedtheroadtoseethatMrs。Comstockwasnotcoming。Shehadbecomesoskilfulthatitwasadelighttohearherplaymusicofanycomposer，butwhensheplayedherown，thatwasjoyinexpressible，forthenthewindblew，thewaterrippled，theLimberlostsanghersongsofsunshine，shadow，blackstorm，andwhitenight。
SinceherdreamElnorahadregardedhermotherwithpeculiartenderness。Thegirlrealized，inameasure，whathadhappened。Sheavoidedanythingthatpossiblycouldstirbittermemoriesordrawdeeperalineonthehard，whiteface。Thiscostmanysacrifices，muchwork，andsometimesdelayedprogress，butthehorrorofthatawfuldreamremainedwithElnora。Sheworkedherwaycheerfully，doingallshecouldtointeresthermotherinthingsthathappenedinschool，inthecity，andbycarryingbooksthatwereentertainingfromthepubliclibrary。
ThreeyearshadchangedElnorafromthegirlofsixteentotheveryvergeofwomanhood。Shehadgrowntall，round，andherfacehadthelovelinessofperfectcomplexion，beautifuleyesandhairandanaddedtouchfromwithinthatmighthavebeencalledcomprehension。
Itwasacompoundofself-reliance，hardknocks，hearthunger，unceasingwork，andgenerosity。Therewasnoformofsufferingwithwhichthegirlcouldnotsympathize，noworkshewasafraidtoattempt，nosubjectshehadinvestigatedshedidnotunderstand。Thesethingscombinedtoproduceabreadthanddepthofcharacteraltogetherunusual。
Shewassoabsorbedinherclassesandhermusicthatshehadnotbeenabletogathermanyspecimens。Whensherealizedthisandhuntedassiduously，shesoonfoundthatchangingnaturalconditionshadaffectedsuchwork。
Menallaroundwereclearingavailableland。Thetreesfellwherevercornwouldgrow。Theswampwasbrokenbyseveralgravelroads，dottedinplacesaroundtheedgewithlittleframehouses，andthemachineryofoilwells；
oneespeciallylowplacearoundtheregionofFreckles\'sroomwasnearlyallthatremainedoftheoriginal。
Whereverthetreesfellthemoisturedried，thecreeksceasedtoflow，theriverranlow，andattimesthebedwasdry。Withunbrokensweepthewindsofthewestcame，gatheringforcewitheverymileandhowledandraved；threateningtoteartheshinglesfromtheroof，blowingthesurfacefromthesoilincloudsoffinedustandrapidlychangingeverything。Fromcominginwithtwoorthreedozenraremothsinaday，inthreeyears\'timeElnorahadgrowntobedelightedwithfindingtwoorthree。
Bigpursycaterpillarscouldnotbepickedfromtheirfavouritebushes，whentherewerenobushes。Dragonflieswouldnothoveroverdryplaces，andbutterfliesbecamescarceinproportiontotheflowers，whilenolandyieldsoverthreecropsofIndianrelics。
Allthetimetheexpenseofbooks，clothingandincidentalshadcontinued。Elnoraaddedtoherbankaccountwhenevershecould，anddrewoutwhenshewascompelled，butsheomittedtheimportantfeatureofcallingforabalance。So，oneearlyspringmorninginthelastquarterofthefourthyear，shealmostfaintedwhenshelearnedthatherfundsweregone。Commencementwithitsextraexpensewascoming，shehadnomoney，andveryfewcocoonstoopeninJune，whichwouldbetoolate。ShehadonecollectionfortheBirdWomancompletetoapairofImperialismoths，andthatwasheronlyasset。OnthedaysheaddedthesebigYellowEmperorsshehadbeenpromisedacheckforthreehundreddollars，butshewouldnotgetituntilthesespecimensweresecured。
SherememberedthatsheneverhadfoundanEmperorbeforeJune。
Moreover，thatsumwasforherfirstyearincollege。
Thenshewouldbeofage，andshemeanttosellenoughofhershareofherfather\'slandtofinish。Sheknewhermotherwouldopposeherbitterlyinthat，forMrs。
Comstockhadclungtoeveryacreandtreethatbelongedtoherhusband。Herlandwasalmostcompleteforestwhereherneighboursownedclearedfarms，dottedwithwellsthateveryhoursuckedoilfrombeneathherholdings，butshewastooabsorbedinthegriefshenursedtoknoworcare。
TheBrushwoodroadandtheredredgingofthebigLimberlostditchhadbeenmorethanshecouldpayfromherincome，andshehadtrembledbeforethewicketassheaskedthebankerifshehadfundstopayit，andwonderedwhyhelaughedwhenheassuredhershehad。ForMrs。Comstockhadspentnotimeoncompoundinginterest，andneveraddedthesumsshehadbeendepositingthroughnearlytwentyyears。Nowshethoughtherfundswerealmostgone，andeverydaysheworriedoverexpenses。
Shecouldseenoreasoningoingthroughtheformsofgraduationwhenpupilshadallintheirheadsthatwasrequiredtograduate。Elnoraknewshehadtohaveherdiplomainordertoenterthecollegeshewantedtoattend，butshedidnotdareuttertheword，untilhighschoolwasfinished，for，insteadofsofteningasshehopedhermotherhadbeguntodo，sheseemedtoremainverymuchthesame。
Whenthegirlreachedtheswampshesatonalogandthoughtovertheexpenseshewascompelledtomeet。
Everymemberofherparticularsetwashavingalargephotographtakentoexchangewiththeothers。Elnoralovedthesegirlsandboys，andtosayshecouldnothavetheirpicturestokeepwasmorethanshecouldendure。
Eachonewouldgivetoalltheothersahandsomegraduationpresent。Sheknewtheywouldpreparegiftsforherwhethershecouldmakeapresentinreturnornot。
Thenitwasthecustomforeachgraduatingclasstogiveagreatentertainmentandusethefundstopresenttheschoolwithastatuefortheentrancehall。Elnorahadbeencastforandwaspractisingapartinthatperformance。Shewasexpectedtofurnishherdressandpersonalnecessities。
Shehadbeentoldthatshemusthaveagreengauzedress，andwherewasittocomefrom?
EverygirloftheclasswouldhavethreebeautifulnewfrocksforCommencement:oneforthebaccalaureatesermon，another，whichcouldbeplain，forgraduationexercises，andahandsomeoneforthebanquetandball。
Elnorafacedthepastthreeyearsandwonderedhowshecouldhavespentsomuchmoneyandnotkeptaccountofit。
Shedidnotrealizewhereithadgone。Shedidnotknowwhatshecoulddonow。Shethoughtoverthephotographs，andatlastsettledthatquestiontohersatisfaction。Shestudiedlongeroverthegifts，tenhandsomeonestheremustbe，andatlastdecidedshecouldarrangeforthem。Thegreendresscamefirst。
Thelightswouldbediminthescene，andthesettingdeepwoods。Shecouldmanagethat。Shesimplycouldnothavethreedresses。Shewouldhavetogetaverysimpleoneforthesermonanddothebestshecouldforgraduation。
Whatevershegotforthatmustbemadewithaguimpethatcouldbetakenouttomakeitalittlemorefestivefortheball。Butwherecouldshegeteventwoprettydresses?
TheonlyhopeshecouldseewastobreakintothecollectionofthemanfromIndia，sellsomemoths，andtrytoreplacetheminJune。Butinhersoulsheknewthatneverwoulddo。NoJuneeverbroughtjustthethingsshehopeditwould。Ifshespentthecollegemoneysheknewshecouldnotreplaceit。Ifshedidnot，theonlywaywastosecurearoominthegradesandteachayear。HerworktherehadbeensoappreciatedthatElnorafeltwiththerecommendationsheknewshecouldgetfromthesuperintendentandteachersshecouldsecureaposition。
Shewassureshecouldpasstheexaminationseasily。
ShehadoncegoneonSaturday，takenthemandsecuredalicenseforayearbeforeshelefttheBrushwoodschool。
Shewantedtostarttocollegewhentheothergirlsweregoing。
Ifshecouldmakethefirstyearalone，shecouldmanagetheremainder。Butmakethatfirstyearherself，shemust。
Insteadofsellinganyofhercollection，shemusthuntassheneverbeforehadhuntedandfindaYellowEmperor。
Shehadtohaveit，thatwasall。Also，shehadtohavethosedresses。ShethoughtofWesleyanddismissedit。
ShethoughtoftheBirdWoman，andknewshecouldnottellher。Shethoughtofeverywayinwhichsheeverhadhopedtoearnmoneyandrealizedthatwiththeplay，committeemeetings，practising，andfinalexaminationsshescarcelyhadtimetolive，muchlesstodomorethantheworkrequiredforherpicturesandgifts。AgainElnorawasintrouble，andthistimeitseemedtheworstofall。
Itwasdarkwhenshearoseandwenthome。
\"Mother，\"shesaid，\"Ihaveapieceofnewsthatisdecidedlynotcheerful。\"
\"Thenkeepittoyourself!\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"IthinkIhaveenoughtobearwithoutagreatgirllikeyoupilingtroubleonme。\"
\"Mymoneyisallgone!\"saidElnora。
\"Well，didyouthinkitwouldlastforever?It\'sbeenamarveltomethatit\'sheldoutaswellasithas，thewayyou\'vedressedandgone。\"
\"Idon\'tthinkI\'vespentanythatIwasnotcompelledto，\"saidElnora。\"I\'vedressedonjustaslittleasI
possiblycouldtokeepgoing。Iamheartsick。IthoughtIhadoverfiftydollarstoputmethroughCommencement，buttheytellmeitisallgone。\"
\"Fiftydollars!ToputyouthroughCommencement!
Whatonearthareyouproposingtodo?\"
\"Thesameastherestofthem，intheverycheapestwaypossible。\"
\"Andwhatmightthatbe?\"
Elnoraomittedthephotographs，thegiftsandtheplay。
Shetoldonlyofthesermon，graduationexercises，andtheball。
\"Well，Iwouldn\'ttroublemyselfoverthat，\"sniffedMrs。Comstock。\"Ifyouwanttogotoasermon，putonthedressyoualwaysuseformeeting。Ifyouneedwhitefortheexerciseswearthenewdressyougotlastspring。
Asfortheball，thebestthingforyoutodoistostayamileawayfromsuchfolly。Inmyopinionyou\'dbestbringhomeyourbooks，andquitrightnow。Youcan\'tbefixedliketherestofthem，don\'tbesofoolishastorunintoit。Juststayhereandlettheselastfewdaysgo。Youcan\'tlearnenoughmoretobeofanyaccount。\"
\"But，mother，\"gaspedElnora。\"Youdon\'tunderstand!\"
\"Oh，yes，Ido!\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"Iunderstandperfectly。
Solongasthemoneylasted，youheldupyourhead，andwentsailingwithoutevenexplaininghowyougotitfromthestuffyougathered。GoodnessknowsIcouldn\'tsee。
Butnowit\'sgone，youcomewhiningtome。WhathaveIgot?
Haveyouforgotthattheditchandtheroadcompletelystrappedme?Ihaven\'tanymoney。There\'snothingforyoutodobutgetoutofit。\"
\"Ican\'t!\"saidElnoradesperately。\"I\'vegoneontoolong。
Itwouldmakeabreakineverything。Theywouldn\'tletmehavemydiploma!\"
\"What\'sthedifference?You\'vegotthestuffinyourhead。
Iwouldn\'tgivearapforascrapofpaper。Thatdon\'tmeananything!\"
\"ButI\'veworkedfouryearsforit，andIcan\'tenter——
Ioughttohaveittohelpmegetaschool，whenIwanttoteach。IfIdon\'thavemygradestoshow，peoplewillthinkIquitbecauseIcouldn\'tpassmyexaminations。
Imusthavemydiploma!\"
\"Thengetit!\"saidMrs。Comstock。
\"Theonlywayistograduatewiththeothers。\"
\"Well，graduateifyouareboundto!\"
\"ButIcan\'t，unlessIhavethingsenoughliketheclass，thatIdon\'tlookasIdidthatfirstday。\"
\"Well，pleaserememberIdidn\'tgetyouintothis，andIcan\'tgetyouout。Youaresetonhavingyourownway。Goon，andhaveit，andseehowyoulikeit!\"
Elnorawentupstairsanddidnotcomedownagainthatnight，whichhermothercalledpouting。
\"I\'vethoughtallnight，\"saidthegirlatbreakfast，\"andIcan\'tseeanywaybuttoborrowthemoneyofUncleWesleyandpayitbackfromsomethattheBirdWomanwilloweme，whenIgetonemorespecimen。
ButthatmeansthatIcan\'tgoto——thatIwillhavetoteachthiswinter，ifIcangetacitygradeoracountryschool。\"
\"JustyoudaregodingingafterWesleySintonformoney，\"
criedMrs。Comstock。\"Youwon\'tdoanysuchathing!\"
\"Ican\'tseeanyotherway。I\'vegottohavethemoney!\"
\"Quit，Itellyou!\"
\"Ican\'tquit!——I\'vegonetoofar!\"
\"Wellthen，letmegetyourclothes，andyoucanpaymeback。\"
\"Butyousaidyouhadnomoney!\"
\"MaybeIcanborrowsomeatthebank。ThenyoucanreturnitwhentheBirdWomanpaysyou。\"
\"Allright，\"saidElnora。\"Idon\'tneedexpensivethings。
Justsomekindofaprettycheapwhitedressforthesermon，andawhiteonealittlebetterthanIhadlastsummer，forCommencementandtheball。IcanusethewhiteglovesandshoesIgotmyselfforlastyear，andyoucangetmydressmadeatthesameplaceyoudidthatone。
Theyhavemymeasurements，anddoperfectwork。
Don\'tgetexpensivethings。ItwillbewarmsoIcangobareheaded。\"
Thenshestartedtoschool，butwassotiredanddiscouragedshescarcelycouldwalk。Fouryears\'plansgoinginoneday!Forshefeltthatifshedidnotstarttocollegethatfallsheneverwould。Insteadoffeelingrelievedathermother\'soffer，shewasalmosttooilltogoon。Forthethousandthtimeshegroaned:\"Oh，whydidn\'tIkeepaccountofmymoney?\"
Afterthatthedayspassedsoswiftlyshescarcelyhadtimetothink，butseveraltripshermothermadetotown，andtheassurancethateverythingwasallright，satisfiedElnora。Sheworkedveryhardtopassgoodfinalexaminationsandperfectherselffortheplay。
FortwodaysshehadremainedintownwiththeBirdWomaninordertospendmoretimepractisingandatherwork。
OftenMargarethadaskedaboutherdressesforgraduation，andElnorahadrepliedthattheywerewithawomaninthecitywhohadmadeherawhitedressforlastyear\'sCommencementwhenshewasajuniorusher，andtheywouldbeallright。SoMargaret，Wesley，andBillyconcernedthemselvesoverwhattheywouldgiveherforapresent。
Margaretsuggestedabeautifuldress。Wesleysaidthatwouldlooktoeveryoneasifsheneededdresses。
Thethingwastogetahandsomegiftlikealltheotherswouldhave。Billywantedtopresentherafive-dollargoldpiecetobuymusicforherviolin。HewaspositiveElnorawouldlikethatbestofanything。
Itwastowardthecloseofthetermwhentheydrovetotownoneeveningtotrytosettlethisimportantquestion。
TheyknewMrs。Comstockhadbeenaloneseveraldays，sotheyaskedhertoaccompanythem。Shehadbeenmorelonelythanshewouldadmit，filledwithunusualunrestbesides，andsoshewasgladtogo。ButbeforetheyhaddrivenamileBillyhadtoldthattheyweregoingtobuyElnoraagraduationpresent，andMrs。Comstockdevoutlywishedthatshehadremainedathome。ShewaspreparedwhenBillyasked:\"AuntKate，whatareyougoingtogiveElnorawhenshegraduates?\"
\"Plentytoeat，agoodbedtosleepin，anddoalltheworkwhileshetrollops，\"answeredMrs。Comstockdryly。
Billyreflected。\"Iguessallofthemhavethat，\"hesaid。
\"Imeanapresentyoubuyatthestore，likeChristmas?\"
\"Itisonlyrichfolkswhobuypresentsatstores，\"
repliedMrs。Comstock。\"Ican\'taffordit。\"
\"Well，weain\'trich，\"hesaid，\"butwearegoingtobuyElnorasomethingasfineastherestofthemhaveifwesellacornerofthefarm。UncleWesleysaidso。\"
\"Afoolandhislandaresoonparted，\"saidMrs。
Comstocktersely。WesleyandBillylaughed，butMargaretdidnotenjoytheremark。
Whiletheyweresearchingthestoresforsomethingonwhichallofthemcoulddecide，andMargaretwasholdingBillytokeephimfromsayinganythingbeforeMrs。Comstockaboutthemusiconwhichhewasdetermined，Mr。BrownleemetWesleyandstoppedtoshakehands。
\"Iseeyourboycameoutfinely，\"hesaid。
\"Idon\'tallowanyboyanywheretobefinerthanBilly，\"
saidWesley。
\"Iguessyoudon\'tallowanygirltosurpassElnora，\"
saidMr。Brownlee。\"ShecomeshomewithEllenoften，andmywifeandIloveher。Ellensayssheisgreatinherpartto-night。Bestthinginthewholeplay!Ofcourse，youareintoseeit!Ifyouhaven\'treservedseats，you\'dbetterstartprettysoon，forthehighschoolauditoriumonlyseatsathousand。It\'salwaysjammedatthesehome-
talentplays。Allofuswanttoseehowourchildrenperform。\"
\"Whyyes，ofcourse，\"saidthebewilderedWesley。
ThenhehurriedtoMargaret。\"Say，\"hesaid，\"thereisgoingtobeaplayatthehighschoolto-night；andElnoraisinit。Whyhasn\'tshetoldus?\"
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidMargaret，\"butI\'mgoing。\"
\"SoamI，\"saidBilly。
\"Metoo!\"saidWesley，\"unlessyouthinkforsomereasonshedoesn\'twantus。Lookslikeshewouldhavetoldusifshehad。I\'mgoingtoaskhermother。\"
\"Yes，that\'swhat\'sshe\'sbeenstayingintownfor，\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"It\'ssomesortofaswindletoraisemoneyforherclasstobuysomesillythingtostickupintheschoolhousehalltorememberthemby。Idon\'tknowwhetherit\'snowornextweek，butthere\'ssomethingofthekindtobedone。\"
\"Well，it\'sto-night，\"saidWesley，\"andwearegoing。
It\'smytreat，andwe\'vegottohurryorwewon\'tgetin。
Therearereservedseats，andwehavenone，soit\'sthegalleryforus，butIdon\'tcaresoIgettotakeonegoodpeepatElnora。\"
\"S\'posesheplays?\"whisperedMargaretinhisear。
\"Aw，tush!Shecouldn\'t!\"saidWesley。
\"Well，she\'sbeendoingitthreeyearsintheorchestra，andworkinglikeaslaveatit。\"
\"Oh，wellthat\'sdifferent。She\'sintheplayto-night。
Brownleetoldmeso。Comeon，quick!We\'lldriveandhitchclosestplacewecanfindtothebuilding。\"
Margaretwentintheexcitementofthemoment，butshewastroubled。
WhentheyreachedthebuildingWesleytiedtheteamtoarailingandBillysprangouttohelpMargaret。
Mrs。Comstocksatstill。
\"Comeon，Kate，\"saidWesley，reachinghishand。
\"I\'mnotgoinganywhere，\"saidMrs。Comstock，settlingcomfortablybackagainstthecushions。
Allofthembeggedandpleaded，butitwasnouse。NotaninchwouldMrs。Comstockbudge。Thenightwaswarmandthecarriagecomfortable，thehorsesweresecurelyhitched。
Shedidnotcaretoseewhatidioticthingapackofschoolchildrenweredoing，shewouldwaituntiltheSintonsreturned。
Wesleytoldheritmightbetwohours，andshesaidshedidnotcareifitwerefour，sotheylefther。
\"Didyoueverseesuch——?\"
\"Cookies!\"criedBilly。
\"Suchblamedstubbornnessinallyourlife?\"demandedWesley。
\"Won\'tcometoseeasfineagirlasElnorainastageperformance。Why，Iwouldn\'tmissitforfiftydollars!
\"Ithinkit\'sablessingshedidn\'t，\"saidMargaretplacidly。
\"Ibeggedunusuallyhardsoshewouldn\'t。I\'mscaredofmylifeforfearElnorawillplay。\"
Theyfoundseatsnearthedoorwheretheycouldseefairlywell。Billystoodatthebackofthehallandhadagoodview。Byandby，agreatvolumeofsoundwelledfromtheorchestra，butElnorawasnotplaying。
\"Toldyouso!\"saidSinton。\"GotanotiontogooutandseeifKatewon\'tcomenow。Shecantakemyseat，andI\'llstandwithBilly。\"
\"Yousitstill!\"saidMargaretemphatically。\"Thisisnotoveryet。\"
SoWesleyremainedinhisseat。Theplayopenedandprogressedverymuchasallhighschoolplayshavegoneforthepastfiftyyears。ButElnoradidnotappearinanyofthescenes。
Outinthewarmsummernightasour，grimwomannursedanachingheartandtriedtojustifyherself。
Theeffortirritatedherintensely。Shefeltthatshecouldnotaffordthethingsthatwerebeingdone。
TheoldfearoflosingthelandthatsheandRobertComstockhadpurchasedandstartedclearingwasstronguponher。Shewasthinkingofhim，howsheneededhim，whentheorchestramusicpouredfromtheopenwindowsnearher。Mrs。Comstockendureditaslongasshecould，andthenslippedfromthecarriageandfleddownthestreet。
Shedidnotknowhowfarshewentorhowlongshestayed，buteverythingwasstill，saveanoccasionalraisedvoicewhenshewanderedback。Shestoodlookingatthebuilding。Slowlysheenteredthewidegatesandfollowedupthewalk。Elnorahadbeencominghereforalmostfouryears。WhenMrs。Comstockreachedthedoorshelookedinside。Thewidehallwaslightedwithelectricity，andthestatuaryandthedecorationsofthewallsdidnotseemlikepiecesoffoolishness。Themarbleappearedpure，white，andthebigpicturesmostinteresting。
Shewalkedthelengthofthehallandslowlyreadthetitlesofthestatuesandthenamesofthepupilswhohaddonatedthem。
ShespeculatedonwherethepieceElnora\'sclasswouldbuycouldbeplacedtoadvantage。
Thenshewonderediftheywerehavingalargeenoughaudiencetobuymarble。Shelikeditbetterthanthebronze，butitlookedasifitcostmore。Howwhitethebroadstairwaywas!Elnorahadbeenclimbingthosestairsforyearsandnevertoldhertheyweremarble。
Ofcourse，shethoughttheywerewood。Probablytheupperhallwasevengranderthanthis。Shewentovertothefountain，tookadrink，climbedtothefirstlandingandlookedaroundher，andthenwithoutthoughttothesecond。
Thereshecameoppositethewide-opendoorsandtheentrancetotheauditoriumpackedwithpeopleandacrowdstandingoutside。Whentheynoticedatallwomanwithwhitefaceandhairandblackdress，onebyonetheysteppedalittleaside，sothatMrs。Comstockcouldseethestage。Itwascoveredwithcurtains，andnoonewasdoinganything。Justassheturnedtogoasoundsofaintthateveryoneleanedforwardandlistened，drifteddowntheauditorium。Itwasdifficulttotelljustwhatitwas；afteroneinstanthalftheaudiencelookedtowardthewindows，foritseemedonlyabreathofwindrustlingfreshlyopenedleaves；merelyahintofstirringair。
Thenthecurtainsweresweptasideswiftly。Thestagehadbeentransformedintoalovelylittlecornerofcreation，wheretreesandflowersgrewandmosscarpetedtheearth。
Asoftwindblewanditwasthegrayofdawn。Suddenlyarobinbegantosing，thenasongsparrowjoinedhim，andthenseveraloriolesbegantalkingatonce。Thelightgrewstronger，thedewdropstrembled，flowerperfumebegantocreepouttotheaudience；theairmovedthebranchesgentlyandaroostercrowed。Thenallthescenewasshakenwithababelofbirdnotesinwhichyoucouldhearacardinalwhistling，andabluefinchpiping。Backsomewhereamongthehighbranchesadovecooedandthenahorseneighedshrilly。Thatsetablackbirdcrying，\"T\'check，\"
andawholeflockansweredit。Thecrowsbegantocawandalambbleated。Thenthegrosbeaks，chats，andvireoshadsomethingtosay，andthesunrosehigher，thelightgrewstrongerandthebreezerustledthetreetopsloudly；acowbawledandthewholebarnyardanswered。
Theguineaswereclucking，theturkeygobblerstrutting，thehenscalling，thechickenscheeping，thelightstreameddownstraightoverheadandthebeesbegantohum。Theairstirredstrongly，andawayinanunseenfieldareaperclackedandrattledthroughripeningwheatwhilethedriverwhistled。Anuneasymarewhickeredtohercolt，thecoltanswered，andthelightbegantodecline。
Milesawayaroostercrowedfortwilight，andduskwascomingdown。Thenacatbirdandabrownthrushsangagainstagrosbeakandahermitthrush。Theairwastremulouswithheavenlynotes，thelightswentoutinthehall，dusksweptacrossthestage，acricketsangandakatydidanswered，andawoodpeweewrungtheheartwithitslonesomecry。Thenanighthawkscreamed，awhip-
poor-willcomplained，abelatedkilldeersweptthesky，andthenightwindsangaloudersong。Alittlescreechowltunedupinthedistance，abarnowlreplied，andagreathornedowldrownedboththeirvoices。Themoonshoneandthescenewaswarmwithmellowlight。Thebirdvoicesdiedandsoftexquisitemelodybegantoswellandroll。Inthecentreofthestage，piecebypiecethegrasses，mossesandleavesdroppedfromanembankment，thefoliagesoftlyblewaway，whileplainerandplainercametheoutlinesofalovelygirlfiguredrapedinsoftclinginggreen。Inhershowerofbrighthairafewgreenleavesandwhiteblossomsclung，andtheyfelloverherrobedowntoherfeet。Herwhitethroatandarmswerebare，sheleanedforwardalittleandswayedwiththemelody，hereyesfastonthecloudsaboveher，herlipsparted，apinktingeofexerciseinhercheeksasshedrewherbow。Sheplayedasonlyapeculiarchainofcircumstancesputsitinthepowerofaveryfewtoplay。
Allnaturehadgrownstill，theviolinsobbed，sang，dancedandquaveredonalone，novoiceinparticular；
thesoulofthemelodyofallnaturecombinedinonegreatoutpouring。
Atthedoorway，awhite-facedwomanendureditaslongasshecouldandthenfellsenseless。Themennearestcarriedherdownthehalltothefountain，revivedher，andthenplacedherinthecarriagetowhichshedirectedthem。
Thegirlplayedonandneverknew。Whenshefinished，theuproarofapplausesoundedablockdownthestreet，butthehalf-senselesswomanscarcelyrealizedwhatitmeant。
Thenthegirlcametothefrontofthestage，bowed，andliftingtheviolinsheplayedherconceptionofaninvitationtodance。Everylivingsoulwithinsoundofhernotesstrainedtheirnervestositstillandletonlytheirheartsdancewithher。Whenthatbeganthewomanrantowardthecountry。Sheneverstoppeduntilthecarriageovertookherhalf-waytohercabin。Shesaidshehadgrowntiredofsitting，andwalkedonahead。ThatnightsheaskedBillytoremainwithherandsleeponElnora\'sbed。
Thenshepitchedheadlonguponherown，andsufferedagonyofsoulsuchassheneverbeforehadknown。
Theswamphadsentbackthesoulofherloveddeadandputitintothebodyofthedaughtersheresented，anditwasalmostmorethanshecouldendureandlive。
CHAPTERXI
WHEREINELNORAGRADUATES，ANDFRECKLESANDTHEANGELSENDGIFTS
ThatwasFridaynight。ElnoracamehomeSaturdaymorningandbeganwork。Mrs。Comstockaskednoquestions，andthegirlonlytoldherthattheaudiencehadbeenlargeenoughtomorethanpayforthepieceofstatuarytheclasshadselectedforthehall。Thensheinquiredaboutherdressesandwastoldtheywouldbereadyforher。ShehadbeeninvitedtogototheBirdWoman\'stoprepareforboththesermonandCommencementexercises。Sincetherewassomuchpractisingtodo，ithadbeenarrangedthatsheshouldremaintherefromthenightofthesermonuntilaftershewasgraduated。IfMrs。ComstockdecidedtoattendshewastodriveinwiththeSintons。WhenElnorabeggedhertocomeshesaidshecarednothingaboutsuchsilliness。
ItwasalmosttimeforWesleytocometotakeElnoratothecity，whenfreshfromherbath，anddressedtoheroutergarment，shestoodwithexpectantfacebeforehermotherandcried:\"Nowmydress，mother!\"
Mrs。Comstockwaspaleasshereplied:\"It\'sonmybed。
Helpyourself。\"
Elnoraopenedthedoorandsteppedintohermother\'sroomwithneveramisgiving。SincethenightMargaretandWesleyhadbroughtherclothing，whenshefirststartedtoschool，hermotherhadselectedallofherdresses，withMrs。Sinton\'shelpmademostofthem，andElnorahadpaidthebills。Thewhitedressofthepreviousspringwasthefirstmadeatadressmaker\'s。ShehadwornthatasjuniorusheratCommencement；buthermotherhadselectedthematerial，haditmade，andithadfittedperfectlyandhadbeensuitableineveryway。Sowithherheartatrestonthatpoint，Elnorahurriedtothebedtofindonlyherlastsummer\'swhitedress，freshlywashedandironed。Foraninstantshestaredatit，thenshepickedupthegarment，lookedatthebedbeneathit，andhergazeslowlyswepttheroom。
Itwasunfamiliar。Perhapsthiswasthethirdtimeshehadbeeninitsinceshewasaverysmallchild。Hereyesrangedoverthebeautifulwalnutdresser，thetallbureau，thebigchest，insidewhichsheneverhadseen，andtherowofmasculineattirehangingaboveit。Somewhereadaintylawnormulldresssimplymustbehanging:butitwasnot。Elnoradroppedonthechestbecauseshefelttooweaktostand。Inlessthantwohoursshemustbeinthechurch，atOnabasha。Shecouldnotwearalastyear\'swasheddress。Shehadnothingelse。Sheleanedagainstthewallandherfather\'sovercoatbrushedherface。
Shecaughtthefoldsandclungtoitwithallhermight。
\"Ohfather!Father!\"shemoaned。\"Ineedyou!Idon\'tbelieveyouwouldhavedonethis!\"Atlastsheopenedthedoor。
\"Ican\'tfindmydress，\"shesaid。
\"Well，asit\'stheonlyonethereIshouldn\'tthinkitwouldbemuchtrouble。\"
\"Youmeanformetowearanoldwasheddressto-night?\"
\"It\'sagooddress。Thereisn\'taholeinit!There\'snoreasononearthwhyyoushouldn\'twearit。\"
\"ExceptthatIwillnot，\"saidElnora。\"Didn\'tyouprovideanydressforCommencement，either?\"
\"Ifyousoilthatto-night，I\'veplentyoftimetowashitagain。\"
Wesley\'svoicecalledfromthegate。
\"Inaminute，\"answeredElnora。
Sheranupstairsandinanincrediblyshorttimecamedownwearingoneofherginghamschooldresses。Herfacecoldandhard，shepassedhermotherandwentintothenight。HalfanhourlaterMargaretandBillystoppedforMrs。Comstockwiththecarriage。Shehaddeterminedfullythatshewouldnotgobeforetheycalled。Withthesoundoftheirvoicesasortofhorrorofbeingleftseizedher，sosheputonherhat，lockedthedoorandwentouttothem。
\"HowdidElnoralook?\"inquiredMargaretanxiously。
\"Likeshealwaysdoes，\"answeredMrs。Comstockcurtly。
\"Idohopeherdressesareasprettyastheothers，\"
saidMargaret。\"Noneofthemwillhaveprettierfacesornicerways。\"
Wesleywaswaitingbeforethebigchurchtotakecareoftheteam。Astheystoodwatchingthepeopleenterthebuilding，Mrs。Comstockfeltherselfgrowingill。Whentheywentinsideamongthelights，sawtheflower-deckedstage，andthemassesoffinelydressedpeople，shegrewnobetter。
ShecouldhearMargaretandBillysoftlycommentingonwhatwasbeingdone。
\"ThatfirstchairintheveryfrontrowisElnora\'s，\"
exultedBilly，\"cosshe\'sgotthehighestgrades，andsoshegetstoleadtheprocessiontotheplatform。\"
\"Thefirstchair!\"\"Leadtheprocession!\"Mrs。Comstockwasdumbfounded。Thenotesofthepipeorganbegantofillthebuildinginaslowrollingmarch。WouldElnoraleadtheprocessioninaginghamdress?Orwouldshebeabsentandherchairvacantonthisgreatoccasion?Fornow，Mrs。
Comstockcouldseethatitwasagreatoccasion。EveryonewouldrememberhowElnorahadplayedafewnightsbefore，andtheywouldmissherandpityher。Pity?Becauseshehadnoonetocareforher。Becauseshewasworseoffthanifshehadnomother。Forthefirsttimeinherlife，Mrs。Comstockbegantostudyherselfasshewouldappeartoothers。
Everytimeajuniorgirlcameflutteringdowntheaisle，leadingsomeonetoaseat，andMrs。Comstocksawabeautifulwhitedresspass，awaveofpositiveillnesssweptoverher。
Whathadshedone?WhatwouldbecomeofElnora?
AsElnorarodetothecity，sheansweredWesley\'squestionsinmonosyllablessothathethoughtshewasnervousorrehearsingherspeechanddidnotcaretotalk。
Severaltimesthegirltriedtotellhimandrealizedthatifshesaidthefirstworditwouldbringuncontrollabletears。
TheBirdWomanopenedthescreenandstaredunbelievingly。
\"Why，Ithoughtyouwouldbeready；youaresolate!\"
shesaid。\"Ifyouhavewaitedtodresshere，wemusthurry。\"
\"Ihavenothingtoputon，\"saidElnora。
InbewildermenttheBirdWomandrewherinside。
\"Did——did——\"shefaltered。\"Didyouthinkyouwouldwearthat?\"
\"No。IthoughtIwouldtelephoneEllenthattherehadbeenanaccidentandIcouldnotcome。Idon\'tknowyethowtoexplain。I\'mtoosicktothink。Oh，doyousupposeIcangetsomethingmadebyTuesday，sothatIcangraduate?\"
\"Yes；andyou\'llgetsomethingonyouto-night，sothatyoucanleadyourclass，asyouhavedoneforfouryears。
Gotomyroomandtakeoffthatgingham，quickly。Anna，dropeverything，andcomehelpme。\"
TheBirdWomanrantothetelephoneandcalledEllenBrownlee。
\"Elnorahashadanaccident。Shewillbealittlelate，\"
shesaid。\"Youhavegottomakethemwait。Havethemplayextramusicbeforethemarch。\"
Thensheturnedtothemaid。\"TellBensontohavethecarriageatthegate，justassoonashecangetitthere。
Thencometomyroom。Bringthethreadboxfromthesewing-room，thatrollofwidewhiteribbononthecuttingtable，andgatherallthewhitepinsfromeverydresserinthehouse。Butfirstcomewithmeaminute。\"
\"IwantthattrunkwiththeSwampAngel\'sstuffinit，fromthecedarcloset，\"shepantedastheyreachedthetopofthestairs。
TheyhurrieddownthehalltogetheranddraggedthebigtrunktotheBirdWoman\'sroom。Sheopeneditandbegantossingoutwhitestuff。
\"Howluckythatsheleftthesethings!\"shecried。
\"Herearewhiteshoes，gloves，stockings，fans，everything!\"
\"Iamallreadybutadress，\"saidElnora。
TheBirdWomanbeganopeningclosetsandpullingoutdrawersandboxes。
\"IthinkIcanmakeitthisway，\"shesaid。
Shesnatchedupacreamylaceyokewithlongsleevesthatrecentlyhadbeenmadeforherandhelditout。
Elnoraslippedintoit，andtheBirdWomanbegansmoothingoutwrinklesandsewinginpins。Itfittedverywellwithalittlelappingintheback。Next，fromamongtheAngel\'sclothingshecaughtupawhitesilkwaistwithlowneckandelbowsleeves，andElnoraputiton。Itwaslargeenough，butdistressinglyshortinthewaist，fortheAngelhadwornitatapartywhenshewassixteen。TheBirdWomanloosenedthesleevesandpushedthemtoapuffontheshoulders，catchingtheminplaceswithpins。
Shebeganonthewidedrapingoftheyoke，fasteningitfront，backandateachshoulder。Shepulleddownthewaistandpinnedit。Nextcameasoftwhitedressskirtofherown。BypinningherwaistbandquitefourinchesaboveElnora\'s，theBirdWomancouldsecureaperfectEmpiresweep，withtheclingingsilk。Thenshebeganwiththewidewhiteribbonthatwastotrimanewfrockforherself，bounditthreetimesaroundthehighwaisteffectshehadmanaged，tiedtheendsinaknotandletthemfalltothefloorinabeautifulsash。
\"Iwantfourwhiteroses，eachwithtwoorthreeleaves，\"shecried。
Annarantobringthem，whiletheBirdWomanaddedpins。
\"Elnora，\"shesaid，\"forgiveme，buttellmetruly。Isyourmothersopoorastomakethisnecessary?\"
\"No，\"answeredElnora。\"NextyearIamheirtomyshareofoverthreehundredacresoflandcoveredwithalmostasvaluabletimberaswasintheLimberlost。Weadjoinit。
Therecouldbethirtyoilwellsdrilledthatwouldyieldtousthethousandsourneighboursaredrainingfromunderus，andthebarelandisworthoveronehundreddollarsanacreforfarming。Sheisnotpoor，sheis——Idon\'tknowwhatsheis。Agreattroublesouredandwarpedher。
Itmadeherpeculiar。Shedoesnotintheleastunderstand，butitisbecauseshedoesn\'tcareto，insteadofignorance。