\"Minealldriedlongago。I\'venonelefttoshedovermywastedlife，mydisfiguredfaceandhair，myyearsofstrugglewithaman\'swork，mywreckoflandamongthetilledfieldsofmyneighbours，orthefinalknowledgethatthemanIsogladlywouldhavediedtosave，wasn\'tworththesacrificeofarattlesnake。Ifanythingyetcouldwringatearfromme，itwouldbethethoughtoftheawfulinjusticeIalwayshavedonemygirl。IfI\'dlayhandonyouforanything，itwouldbeforthat。\"
\"Killmeifyouwantto，\"sobbedElviraCarney。\"IknowthatIdeserveit，andIdon\'tcare。\"
\"Youaregettingyourkillingfastenoughtosuitme，\"
saidMrs。Comstock。\"Iwouldn\'ttouchyou，anymorethanIwouldhim，ifIcould。Onceisallanymanorwomandeceivesmeabouttheholiestthingsoflife。
Iwouldn\'ttouchyouanymorethanIwouldtheblackplague。Iamgoingbacktomygirl。\"
Mrs。Comstockturnedandstartedswiftlythroughthewoods，butshehadgoneonlyafewrodswhenshestopped，andleaningonthehoe，shestoodthinkingdeeply。Thensheturnedback。Elvirastillclungtothefence，sobbingbitterly。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidMrs。Comstock，\"butIleftawrongimpressionwithyou。Idon\'twantyoutothinkthatIbelievetheAlmightysetacancertoburningyouasapunishmentforyoursins。Idon\'t!IthinkalotmoreoftheAlmighty。Withawholesky-fullofworldsonHishandstomanage，I\'mnotbelievingthatHehastimetolookdownonours，andpickyououtofallthemillionsofussinners，andsetaspecialkindoftorturetoeatingyou。
Itwouldn\'tbeagentlemanlythingtodo，andfirstofall，theAlmightyisboundtobeagentleman。Ithinklikelyabruiseandbadbloodiswhatcausedyourtrouble。
Anyway，I\'vegottotellyouthatthecleanesthousekeeperIeverknew，andoneofthenoblestChristianwomen，wasslowlyeatenupbyacancer。Shegothersfromthecarelessworkofapoordoctor。TheAlmightyistoforgivesinandhealdisease，nottoinventandspreadit。\"
Shehadgoneonlyafewstepswhensheagainturnedback。
\"Ifyouwillgatheralotofredcloverbloom，makeateastrongaslyeofit，anddrinkquarts，Ithinklikelyitwillhelpyou，ifyouarenottoofargone。Anyway，itwillcoolyourbloodandmaketheburningeasiertobear。\"
Thensheswiftlywenthome。Enterthelonelycabinshecouldnot，neithercouldshesitoutsideandthink。
Sheattackedabedofbeetsandhoeduntiltheperspirationranfromherfaceandbody，thenshebeganonthepotatoes。
Whenshewastootiredtotakeanotherstrokeshebathedandputondryclothing。Insecuringherdressshenoticedherhusband\'scarefullypreservedclothingliningonewall。Shegathereditinanarmloadandcarriedittotheswamp。Piecebypieceshepitchedintothegreenmawofthequagmireallthosearticlesshehaddustedcarefullyandfoughtmothsfromforyears，andstoodwatchingasitslowlysuckedthemdown。ShewentbacktoherroomandgatheredeveryscrapthathadinanywaybelongedtoRobertComstock，exceptinghisgunandrevolver，andthrewitintotheswamp。Thenforthefirsttimeshesetherdoorwideopen。
Shewastoowearynowtodomore，butanurgingunrestdroveher。ShewantedElnora。Itseemedtohershenevercouldwaituntilthegirlcameanddeliveredherjudgment。Atlastinanefforttogetnearertoher，Mrs。ComstockclimbedthestairsandstoodlookingaroundElnora\'sroom。Itwasveryunfamiliar。Thepictureswerestrangetoher。Commencementhadfilleditwithpackagesandbundles。Thewallswerecoveredwithcocoons；mothsanddragonflieswerepinnedeverywhere。
Underthebedshecouldseehalfadozenlargewhiteboxes。
Shepulledoutoneandliftedthelid。Thebottomwascoveredwithasheetofthincork，andonlongpinsstickinginitwerelarge，velvet-wingedmoths。Eachonewaslabelled，alwaysthereweretwoofakind，inmanycasesfour，showingunderandupperwingsofbothmaleandfemale。
Theywereofeverycolourandshape。
Mrs。Comstockcaughtherbreathsharply。WhenandwherehadElnorafoundthem?Theywerethemostexquisitesightthewomaneverhadseen，sosheopenedalltheboxestofeastontheirbeautifulcontents。Asshedidsotherecamemorefullyasenseofthedistancebetweenherandherchild。ShecouldnotunderstandhowElnorahadgonetoschool，andperformedsomuchworksecretly。
Whenitwasfinished，tothelastmoth，she，themotherwhoshouldhavebeenthefirstconfidantandhelper，hadbeentheonetobringdisappointment。SmallwonderElnorahadcometohateher。
Mrs。Comstockcarefullyclosedandreplacedtheboxes；
andagainstoodlookingaroundtheroom。Thistimehereyesrestedonsomebooksshedidnotrememberhavingseenbefore，soshepickeduponeandfoundthatitwasamothbook。Sheglancedoverthefirstpagesandwassooneagerlyreading。Whenthetextreachedtheclassificationofspecies，shelaiditdown，tookupanotherandreadtheintroductorychapters。Bythattimeherbrainwasinaconfusedjumbleofideasaboutcapturingmothswithdifferingbaitsandbrightlights。
Shewentdownstairsthinkingdeeply。Beingunabletositstillandhavingnothingelsetodosheglancedattheclockandbeganpreparingsupper。Theworkdragged。
Achickenwassnatchedupanddressedhurriedly。Aspicecakesprangintobeing。Strawberriesthathadbeenintendedforpreserveswentintoshortcake。Deliciousodourscreptfromthecabin。Sheputmanyextratouchesonthetableandthencommencedwatchingtheroad。
Everythingwasready，butElnoradidnotcome。Thenbegantheanxiousprocessoftryingtokeepcookedfoodwarmandnotspoilit。Thebirdswenttobedandduskcame。
Mrs。Comstockgaveupthefireandsetthesupperonthetable。Thenshewentoutandsatonthefront-doorstepwatchingnightcreeparoundher。Shestartedeagerlyasthegatecreaked，butitwasonlyWesleySintoncoming。
\"Katharine，MargaretandElnorapassedwhereIwasworkingthisafternoon，andMargaretgotoutofthecarriageandcalledmetothefence。Shetoldmewhatshehaddone。I\'vecometosaytoyouthatIamsorry。Shehasheardmethreatentodoitagoodmanytimes，butI
neverwouldhavegotitdone。I\'dgiveagooddealifI
couldundoit，butIcan\'t，soI\'vecometotellyouhowsorryIam。\"
\"You\'vegotsomethingtobesorryfor，\"saidMrs。Comstock，\"butlikelyweain\'tthinkingofthesamething。Ithurtsmelesstoknowthetruth，thantoliveinignorance。
IfMaghadthesenseofapewee，she\'dtoldmelongago。
That\'swhathurtsme，tothinkthatbothofyouknewRobertwasnotworthanhourofhonestgrief，yetyou\'dletmemournhimalltheseyearsandneglectElnorawhileI
didit。IfIhaveanythingtoforgiveyou，thatiswhatitis。\"
Wesleyremovedhishatandsatonabench。
\"Katharine，\"hesaidsolemnly，\"nobodyeverknowshowtotakeyou。\"
\"Woulditbeaskingtoomuchtotakemeforhavingafewgrainsofplaincommonsense?\"sheinquired。\"You\'veknownallthistimethatComstockgotwhathedeserved，whenheundertooktosneakinanunusedwayacrossaswamp，withwhichhewasnonetoofamiliar。NowI
shouldhavethoughtthatyou\'dfigurethatknowingthesamethingwouldbethebestmethodtocuremeofpiningforhim，andslightingmychild。\"
\"Heavenonlyknowswehavethoughtofthat，andtalkedofitoften，butwewerebothtoobigcowards。
Wedidn\'tdaretellyou。\"
\"Soyouhavegoneonyearafteryear，watchingmeshowindifferencetoElnora，andyetalittlehorse-sensewouldhavepointedouttoyouthatshewasmysalvation。
Whylookatit!Notmarriedquiteayear。AllhisvowsofloveandfidelitymadetomebeforetheAlmightyforgotteninafewmonths，andadanceandaLightWomansoalluringhehadtolieandsneakforthem。Whatkindofaprospectisthatforalife?Iknowmenandwomen。
Anhonourablemanisanhonourableman，andaliarisaliar；
botharebornandnotmade。Onecannotchangetotheotheranymorethanthatsameoldleopardcanchangeitsspots。Afteramantellsawomanthefirstuntruthofthatsort，theotherscomepilingthick，fast，andmountainhigh。ThedesolationtheybringintheirwakeovershadowsanythingIhavesufferedcompletely。IfhehadlivedsixmonthsmoreIshouldhaveknownhimforwhathewasborntobe。Itwasinthebloodofhim。Hisfatherandgrandfatherbeforehimwerefiddling，dancingpeople；butIwascertainofhim。IthoughtwecouldleaveOhioandcomeoutherealone，andIcouldsolovehimandinteresthiminhiswork，thathewouldbeaman。Ofallthefool，fruitlessjobs，makinganythingofacreaturethatbeginsbydeceivingher，isthefoolestasanewomaneverundertook。
IammorethansorryyouandMargaretdidn\'tseeyourwaycleartotellmelongago。I\'dhavefounditoutinafewmoremonthsifhehadlived，andIwouldn\'thaveborneitaday。Themanwhobreakshisvowstomeonce，doesn\'tgetthesecondchance。Igivetruthandhonour。
Ihavearighttoaskitinreturn。IamgladIunderstandatlast。Now，ifElnorawillforgiveme，wewilltakeanewstartandseewhatwecanmakeoutofwhatisleftoflife。
Ifshewon\'t，thenitwillbemytimetolearnwhatsufferingreallymeans。\"
\"Butshewill，\"saidWesley。\"Shemust!Shecan\'thelpitwhenthingsareexplained。\"
\"Inoticesheisn\'thurryinganyaboutcominghome。
Doyouknowwheresheisorwhatsheisdoing?\"
\"Idonot。Butlikelyshewillbealongsoon。ImustgohelpBillywiththenightwork。Good-bye，Katharine。
ThanktheLordyouhavecometoyourselfatlast!\"
TheyshookhandsandWesleywentdowntheroadwhileMrs。Comstockenteredthecabin。Shecouldnotswallowfood。
Shestoodinthebackdoorwatchingtheskyformoths，buttheydidnotseemtobeverynumerous。Herspiritssankandshebreathedunevenly。Thensheheardthefrontscreen。ShereachedthemiddledoorasElnoratouchedthefootofthestairs。
\"Hurry，andgetready，Elnora，\"shesaid。\"Yoursupperisalmostspoilednow。\"
Elnoraclosedthestairdoorbehindher，andforthefirsttimeinherlife，threwtheheavyleverwhichbarredoutanyonefromdownstairs。Mrs。Comstockheardthethud，andknewwhatitmeant。Shereeledslightlyandcaughtthedoorpostforsupport。Forafewminutessheclungthere，thensanktothenearestchair。Afteralongtimeshearoseandstumblinghalfblindly，sheputthefoodinthecupboardandcoveredthetable。Shetookthelampinonehand，thebutterintheother，andstartedtothespringhouse。Somethingbrushedclosebyherface，andshelookedjustintimetoseeawingedcreatureriseabovethecabinandsailaway。
\"Thatwasanightbird，\"shemuttered。Asshestoppedtosetthebutterinthewater，cameanotherthought。
\"Perhapsitwasamoth!\"Mrs。Comstockdroppedthebutterandhurriedoutwiththelamp；sheheldithighaboveherheadandwaiteduntilherarmsached。
Smallinsectsofnightgathered，andatlastalittledustymiller，butnothingcameofanysize。
\"Imustgowheretheyare，ifIgetthem，\"mutteredMrs。Comstock。
Shewenttothebarnafterthestoutpairofhighbootssheusedinfeedingstockindeepsnow。Throwingthesebesidethebackdoorsheclimbedtotheloftoverthespringhouse，andhuntedanoldlardoillanternandoneoffirstmanufactureforoil。Boththeseshecleanedandfilled。
Shelisteneduntileverythingupstairshadbeenstillforoverhalfanhour。Bythattimeitwaspasteleveno\'clock。
Thenshetookthelanternfromthekitchen，thetwooldones，ahandfulofmatches，aballoftwine，andwentfromthecabin，softlyclosingthedoor。
Sittingonthebacksteps，sheputontheboots，andthenstoodgazingintotheperfumedJunenight，firstinthedirectionofthewoodsonherland，thentowardtheLimberlost。
Itsoutlinewassodarkandforbiddingsheshudderedandwentdownthegarden，followingthepathtowardthewoods，butasshenearedthepoolherkneeswaveredandhercouragefled。TheknowledgethatinhersoulshewasnowgladRobertComstockwasatthebottomofitmadeacowardofher，whofearlesslyhadmournedhimthere，nightsuntold。Shecouldnotgoon。Sheskirtedthebackofthegarden，crossedafield，andcameoutontheroad。SoonshereachedtheLimberlost。Shehunteduntilshefoundtheoldtrail，thenfolloweditstumblingoverlogsandthroughclingingvinesandgrasses。
Theheavybootsclumpedonherfeet，overhangingbrancheswhippedherfaceandpulledherhair。Buthereyeswereontheskyasshewentstrainingintothenight，hopingtofindsignsofalivingcreatureonwing。
Byandbyshebegantoseethewaveringflightofsomethingshethoughtneartherightsize。Shehadnoideawhereshewas，butshestopped，lightedalanternandhungitashighasshecouldreach。Alittledistanceawaysheplacedthesecondandthenthethird。Theobjectscamenearerandsickwithdisappointmentshesawthattheywerebats。Crouchinginthedampswampgrasses，withoutathoughtofsnakesorvenomousinsects，shewaited，hereyesrovingfromlanterntolantern。Onceshethoughtacreatureofhighflightdroppednearthelardoillight，soshearosebreathlesslywaiting，buteitheritpassedoritwasanillusion。Sheglancedattheoldlantern，thenatthenew，andwasonherfeetinaninstantcreepingclose。
Somethinglargeasasmallbirdwasflutteringaround。
Mrs。Comstockbegantoperspire，whileherhandshookwildly。
Closershecreptandjustasshereachedforit，somethingsimilarsweptpastandbothflewawaytogether。
Mrs。Comstocksetherteethandstoodshivering。Foralongtimethelocustsrasped，thewhip-poor-willscriedandasteadyhumofnightlifethrobbedinherears。Awayintheskyshesawsomethingcomingwhenitwasnolargerthanafallingleaf。Straighttowardthelightitflew。
Mrs。Comstockbegantoprayaloud。
\"Thisway，OLord!Makeitcomethisway!Please!
OLord，senditlower!\"
Themothhesitatedatthefirstlight，thenslowly，easilyitcametowardthesecond，asiffollowingapathofair。Ittouchedaleafnearthelanternandsettled。
AsMrs。Comstockreachedforitathinyellowspraywetherhandandthesurroundingleaves。Whenitswingsraisedaboveitsback，herfingerscametogether。
Sheheldthemothtothelight。Itwasnearerbrownthanyellow，andsherememberedhavingseensomelikeitintheboxesthatafternoon。Itwasnottheoneneededtocompletethecollection，butElnoramightwantit，soMrs。Comstockheldon。ThentheAlmightywaskind，ornaturewassufficient，asyoulookatit，forfollowingthelawofitsbeingwhendisturbed，themothagainthrewthespraybywhichsomesupposeitattractsitskind，andliberallysprinkledMrs。Comstock\'sdressfrontandarms。Fromthatinstant，shebecamethebestmothbaiteverinvented。EveryPolyphemusinrangehastenedtoher，andotherflutteringcreaturesofnightfollowed。
Theinfluxcameherway。Shesnatchedwildlyhereandthereuntilshehadoneineachhandandnoplacetoputthem。Shecouldseemorecoming，andherachingheart，swollenwiththestrainoflongexcitement，hurtpitifully。Sheprayedinbrokenexclamationsthatdidnotalwayssoundreverent，butneverwashumansoulinmoreintenseearnest。
Mothswerecoming。Shehadoneineachhand。
Theywerenotyellow，andshedidnotknowwhattodo。
Sheglancedaroundtotrytodiscoversomewaytokeepwhatshehad，andherthrobbingheartstoppedandeverymusclestiffened。Therewasthedimoutlineofacrouchingfigurenottwoyardsaway，andapairofeyestheirownerthoughthidden，caughtthelightinacoldstream。Herfirstimpulsewastoscreamandflyforlife。Beforeherlipscouldopenabigmothalightedonherbreastwhileshefeltanotherwalkingoverherhair。
Allsenseofcautiondesertedher。Shedidnotcaretoliveifshecouldnotreplacetheyellowmothshehadkilled。
Sheturnedhereyestothoseamongtheleaves。
\"Here，you!\"shecriedhoarsely。\"Ineedyou!Getyourselfouthere，andhelpme。Thesecrittersaregoingtogetawayfromme。Hustle!\"
PeteCorsonpartedthebushesandsteppedintothelight。
\"Oh，it\'syou!\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"Imighthaveknown!
Butyougavemeastart。Here，holdtheseuntilImakesomesortofbagforthem。Goeasy!IfyoubreakthemIdon\'tguaranteewhatwillhappentoyou!\"
\"Prettyfierce，ain\'tyou!\"laughedPete，butheadvancedandheldouthishands。\"ForElnora，Is\'pose?\"
\"Yes，\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"Inamadfit，Itrampledonethismorning，andbytheluckoftheoldboyhimselfitwasthelastmothsheneededtocompleteacollection。
Igottogetanotheroneordie。\"
\"ThenIguessit\'syourfuneral，\"saidPete。\"Thereain\'tachanceinadozentherightonewillcome。Whatcolourwasit?\"
\"Yellow，andbigasabird。\"
\"TheEmperor，likely，\"saidPete。\"Youdigforthatkind，andtheyarenotnumerous，so\'s\'atyoucansmash\'emforfun。\"
\"Well，Icantrytogetone，anyway，\"saidMrs。Comstock。
\"Iforgotallaboutbringinganythingtoputthemin。
YoutakeapinchontheirwingsuntilImakeapoke。\"
Mrs。Comstockremovedherapron，tearingoffthestrings。
Sheunfastenedandsteppedfromtheskirtofhercalicodress。Withoneapronstringshetiedshutthebandandplacket。Shepulledawirepinfromherhair，stuckitthroughtheotherstring，andusingitasabodkinranitaroundthehemofherskirt，soshortlyshehadalargebag。Sheputseveralbranchesinsidetowhichthemothscouldcling，closedthemouthpartiallyandheldittowardPete。
\"Putyourhandwelldownandletthethingsgo!\"sheordered。
\"Butbecareful，man!Don\'trunintothetwigs!Easy!
That\'sone。Nowtheother。Istheoneonmyheadgone?
Therewasoneonmydress，butIguessitflew。Herecomesakindofagray-lookingone。\"
Peteslippedseveralmoremothsintothebag。
\"Now，that\'sfive，Mrs。Comstock，\"hesaid。\"I\'msorry，butyou\'llhavetomakethatdo。Youmustgetoutofherelively。Yourlightswillbetakenforhurrycalls，andinsidethenexthouracoupleofmenwillrideherelikefury。Theywon\'tbeniceSunday-schoolmen，andtheywon\'tholdbagsandcatchmothsforyou。
Youmustgoquick!\"
Mrs。Comstocklaiddownthebagandpulledoneofthelanternslower。
\"Iwon\'tbudgeastep，\"shesaid。\"Thislanddoesn\'tbelongtoyou。Youhavenorighttoordermeoffit。
HereIstayuntilIgetaYellowEmperor，andnolittlepeteringthievesofthisneighbourhoodcanscaremeaway。\"
\"Youdon\'tunderstand，\"saidPete。\"I\'mwillingtohelpElnora，andI\'dtakecareofyou，ifIcould，buttherewillbetoomanyforme，andtheywillbemadatbeingcalledoutfornothing。\"
\"Well，who\'scallingthemout?\"demandedMrs。Comstock。
\"I\'mcatchingmoths。Ifalotofgood-for-nothingsgetfooledintolosingsomesleep，whyletthem，theycan\'thurtme，orstopmywork。\"
\"Theycan，andthey\'lldoboth。\"
\"Well，I\'llseethemdoit!\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"I\'vegotRobert\'srevolverinmydress，andIcanshootasstraightasanyman，ifI\'mmadenough。Anyonewhointerfereswithmeto-nightwillfindmemada-plenty。Theregoesanother!\"
Shesteppedintothelightandwaiteduntilabigbrownmothsettledonherandwaseasilytaken。Theninlight，airyflightcameadelicatepalegreenthing，andMrs。
Comstockstartedinpursuit。Butthescentwasnotright。
Themothflutteredhigh，thendroppedlower，stilllower，andsailedaway。WithoutstretchedhandsMrs。Comstockpursuedit。Shehurriedonewayandanother，thenranoveranobjectwhichtrippedherandshefell。
Sheregainedherfeetinaninstant，butshehadlostsightofthemoth。Withlividfacesheturnedtothecrouchingman。
\"Younasty，sneakingsonofSatan!\"shecried。\"Whyareyouhidingthere?YoumademelosetheoneIwantedmostofanyI\'vehadachanceatyet。Getoutofhere!
Gothisminute，orI\'llfillyourworthlesscarcasssofullofholesyou\'lldotosiftcornmeal。Go，Isay!I\'musingtheLimberlostto-night，andIwon\'tbestoppedbythedevilhimself!Cutlikefury，andtelltherestofthemtheycanjustgohome。Peteisgoingtohelpme，andheisallofyouIneed。Nowgo!\"
Themanturnedandwent。Peteleanedagainstatree，heldhismouthshutandshookinwardly。Mrs。Comstockcamebackpanting。
\"Theoldscoundrelmademelosethat!\"shesaid。\"IfanyoneelsecomessnoopingaroundhereI\'lljustblowthemuptostartwith。Ihaven\'ttimetotalk。Supposethathadbeenyellow!I\'dhavekilledthatman，sure!
TheLimberlostisn\'tsafeto-night，andthesoonerthosewhelpsfinditout，thebetteritwillbeforthem。\"
Petestoppedlaughingtolookather。Hesawthatshewasspeakingthetruth。Shewasquitepastreason，sense，orfear。Thesoftnightairstirredthewethairaroundhertemples，theflickeringlanternsmadeherfaceaghastlygreen。Shewouldstopatnothing，thatwasevident。
Petesuddenlybegancatchingmothswithexemplaryindustry。
Inputtingoneintothebag，anotherescaped。
\"Wemustnottrythatagain，\"saidMrs。Comstock。
\"Now，whatwillwedo?\"
\"Weareclosetotheoldcase，\"saidPete。\"IthinkIcangetintoit。Maybewecouldsliptherestinthere。\"
\"That\'safineidea!\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"They\'llhavesomuchroomtheretheywon\'tbelikelytohurtthemselves，andthebookssaytheydon\'tflyindaytimeunlesstheyaredisturbed，sotheywillsettlewhenit\'slight，andIcancomewithElnoratogetthem。\"
Theycapturedtwomore，andthenPetecarriedthemtothecase。
\"Herecomesabigone!\"hecriedashereturned。
Mrs。Comstocklookedupandsteppedoutwithaprayeronherlips。Shecouldnottellthecolouratthatdistance，butthemothappeareddifferentfromtheothers。
Onitcame，droppingloweranddartingfromlighttolight。
Asitsweptnearher，\"OHeavenlyFather!\"exultedMrs。
Comstock，\"it\'syellow!CarefulPete!Yourhat，maybe!\"
Petemadealongsweep。Themothwaveredabovethehatandsailedaway。Mrs。Comstockleanedagainstatreeandcoveredherfacewithhershakinghands。
\"Thatismypunishment!\"shecried。\"Oh，Lord，ifyouwillgiveamothlikethatintomypossession，I\'llalwaysbeabetterwoman!\"
TheEmperoragaincameinsight。Petestoodtenseandready。Mrs。Comstocksteppedintothelightandwatchedthemoth\'scourse。Thenasecondappearedinpursuitofthefirst。Thelargeronewaveredintotheradiusoflightoncemore。Theperspirationrolleddowntheman\'sface。Hehalfliftedthehat。
\"Pray，woman!Praynow!\"hepanted。
\"IguessIbestgetoverbythatlardoillightandgotowork，\"breathedMrs。Comstock。\"TheLordknowsthisisallinprayer，butit\'snotimeforwordsjustnow。
Ready，Pete!Youaregoingtogetachancefirst!\"
Petemadeanotherlong，steadysweep，butthemothdartedbeneaththehat。InitsflightitcamestraighttowardMrs。Comstock。Shesnatchedofftheremnantofapronshehadtuckedintoherpetticoatbandandheldthecalicobeforeher。Themothstruckfullagainstitandclungtothegoods。Petecreptupstealthily。
Thesecondmothfollowedthefirst，andthesprayshoweredtheapron。
\"Wait!\"gaspedMrs。Comstock。\"Ithinktheyhavesettled。
Thebookssaytheywon\'tleavenow。\"
Thebigpaleyellowcreatureclungfirmly，loweringandraisingitswings。Theothercamenearer。Mrs。
Comstockheldtheclothwithrigidhands，whilePetecouldhearherbreathinginshortgusts。
\"ShallItrynow?\"heimplored。
\"Wait!\"whisperedthewoman。\"Somethingseemstosaywait!\"
Thenightbreezestiffenedandgentlywavedtheapron。
Locustsrasped，mosquitoeshummedandfrogssanguninterruptedly。
Amuskyodourslowlyfilledtheair。
\"NowshallI?\"questionedPete。
\"No。Leavethemalone。Theyaresafenow。Theyaremine。
Theyaremysalvation。GodandtheLimberlostgavethemtome!Theywon\'tmoveforhours。Thebooksallsayso。
OHeavenlyFather，IamthankfultoYou，andyou，too，PeteCorson!Youareagoodmantohelpme。Now，Icangohomeandfacemygirl。\"
Instead，Mrs。Comstockdroppedsuddenly。Shespreadtheapronacrossherknees。Themothsremainedundisturbed。
Thenhertiredwhiteheaddropped，thetearsshehadthoughtforeverdriedgushedforth，andshesobbedforpurejoy。
\"Oh，Iwouldn\'tdothatnow，youknow!\"comfortedPete。
\"Thinkofgettingtwo!That\'smorethanyouevercouldhaveexpected。Abodywouldthinkyouwouldcry，ifyouhadn\'tgotany。Comeon，now。It\'salmostmorning。
Letmehelpyouhome。\"
Petetookthebagandthetwooldlanterns。Mrs。Comstockcarriedhermothsandthebestlanternandwentaheadtolighttheway。
Elnorahadsatbesideherwindowfarintothenight。
Atlastsheundressedandwenttobed，butsleepwouldnotcome。ShehadgonetothecitytotalkwithmembersoftheSchoolBoardaboutaroominthegrades。Therewasapossibilitythatshemightsecurethemoth，andsobeabletostarttocollegethatfall，butifshedidnot，thenshewantedtheschool。Shehadbeengivensomeencouragement，butshewassounhappythatnothingmattered。Shecouldnotseethewayopentoanythinginlife，savealongseriesofdisappointments，whilesheremainedwithhermother。YetMargaretSintonhadadvisedhertogohomeandtryoncemore。Margarethadseemedsosuretherewouldbeachangeforthebetter，thatElnorahadconsented，althoughshehadnohopeherself。Sostrongisthebondofblood，shecouldnotmakeuphermindtoseekahomeelsewhere，evenafterthedaythathadpassed。
Unabletosleepshearoseatlast，andtheroombeingwarm，shesatonthefloorclosethewindow。Thelightsintheswampcaughthereye。Shewasveryuneasy，forquiteahundredofherbestmothswereinthecase。However，therewasnomoney，andnooneeverhadtouchedabookoranyofherapparatus。Watchingthelightssetherthinking，andbeforesherealizedit，shewasinapanicoffear。
Shehurrieddownthestairwaysoftlycallinghermother。
Therewasnoanswer。Shelightlysteppedacrossthesitting-roomandlookedinattheopendoor。Therewasnoone，andthebedhadnotbeenused。Herfirstthoughtwasthathermotherhadgonetothepool；andtheLimberlostwasalivewithsignals。Pityandfearmingledintheheartofthegirl。Sheopenedthekitchendoor，crossedthegardenandranbacktotheswamp。Assheneareditshelistened，butshecouldhearonlytheusualvoicesofnight。
\"Mother!\"shecalledsoftly。Thenlouder，\"Mother!\"
Therewasnotasound。Chilledwithfrightshehurriedbacktothecabin。Shedidnotknowwhattodo。
SheunderstoodwhatthelightsintheLimberlostmeant。
Wherewashermother?Shewasafraidtoenter，whileshewasgrowingverycoldandstillmorefearfulaboutremainingoutside。Atlastshewenttohermother\'sroom，pickedupthegun，carrieditintothekitchen，andcrowdinginalittlecornerbehindthestove，shewaitedintremblinganxiety。Thetimewasdreadfullylongbeforesheheardhermother\'svoice。Thenshedecidedsomeonehadbeenillandsentforher，soshetookcourage，andsteppingswiftlyacrossthekitchensheunbarredthedooranddrewbackfromsightbesidethetable。
Mrs。Comstockentereddraggingherheavyfeet。Herdressskirtwasgone，herpetticoatwetanddrabbled，andthewaistofherdresswasalmosttornfromherbody。
Herhairhungindampstrings；hereyeswereredwithcrying。
Inonehandsheheldthelantern，andintheotherstifflyextendedbeforeher，onawadofcalicoreposedamagnificentpairofYellowEmperors。Elnorastared，herlipsparted。
\"ShallIputtheseothersinthekitchen?\"inquiredaman\'svoice。
Thegirlshrankbacktotheshadows。
\"Yes，anywhereinsidethedoor，\"repliedMrs。Comstockasshemovedafewstepstomakewayforhim。
Pete\'sheadappeared。Hesetdownthemothsandwasgone。
\"Thankyou，Pete，morethaneverwomanthankedyoubefore!\"
saidMrs。Comstock。
Sheplacedthelanternonthetableandbarredthedoor。
AssheturnedElnoracameintoview。Mrs。Comstockleanedtowardher，andheldoutthemoths。Inavoicevibrantwithtonesneverbeforeheardshesaid:\"Elnora，mygirl，mother\'sfoundyouanothermoth!\"
CHAPTERXIII
WHEREINMOTHERLOVEISBESTOWEDONELNORA，ANDSHEFINDSANASSISTANTINMOTHHUNTING
Elnoraawokeatdawnandlaygazingaroundtheunfamiliarroom。Shenoticedthateveryvestigeofmasculineattireandbelongingswasgone，andknew，withoutanyexplanation，whatthatmeant。
Forsomereasoneverytangibleevidenceofherfatherwasbanished，andshewasatlasttobeallowedtotakehisplace。Sheturnedtolookathermother。
Mrs。Comstock\'sfacewaswhiteandhaggard，butonitrestedanexpressionofprofoundpeaceElnoraneverbeforehadseen。Asshestudiedthefeaturesonthepillowbesideher，theheartofthegirlthrobbedintenderness。
Sherealizedasfullyasanyoneelsecouldwhathermotherhadsuffered。Thoughtsofthenightbroughtshudderingfear。
Shesoftlyslippedfromthebed，wenttoherroom，dressedandenteredthekitchentoattendtheEmperorsandpreparebreakfast。
Thepairhadbeenleftclingingtothepieceofcalico。
Thecalicowasthereandafewpiecesofbeautifulwing。
Amousehadeatenthemoths!
\"Well，ofallthehorribleluck!\"gaspedElnora。
Withthefirstthoughtofhermother，shecaughtuptheremnantsofthemoths，buryingthemintheashesofthestove。
Shetookthebagtoherroom，hurriedlyreleasingitscontents，buttherewasnotanotheryellowone。HermotherhadsaidsomehadbeenconfinedinthecaseintheLimberlost。
TherewasstillahopethatanEmperormightbeamongthem。
Shepeepedathermother，whostillsleptsoundly。
Elnoratookalargepieceofmosquitonetting，andrantotheswamp。Throwingitoverthetopofthecase，sheunlockedthedoor。Shereeled，faintwithdistress。
Thelivingmothsthathadbeenconfinedthereintheirflutteringtoescapetonightandthematestheysoughtnotonlyhadwreckedtheotherspecimensofthecase，buttornthemselvestofringesonthepins。AthirdoftherarestmothsofthecollectionforthemanofIndiawereantennaless，legless，wingless，andoftenheadless。
Elnorasobbedaloud。
\"Thisisoverwhelming，\"shesaidatlast。\"Itismakingafatalistofme。Iambeginningtothinkthingshappenastheyareordainedfromthebeginning，thisplainlyindicatingthatthereistobenocollege，atleast，thisyear，forme。Mylifeisallmountain-toporcanon。
Iwishsomeonewouldleadmeintoafewdaysof`greenpastures。\'
LastnightIwenttosleeponmother\'sarm，themothsallsecured，loveandcollege，certainties。ThismorningIwaketofindallmyhopeswrecked。Isimplydon\'tdareletmotherknowthatinsteadofhelpingme，shehasruinedmycollection。
Everythingisgone——unlessthelovelasts。Thatactuallyseemedtrue。IbelieveIwillgosee。\"
Theloveremained。Indeed，intheoverflowofthelong-
hardened，pent-upheart，thegirlwasalmostsuffocatedwithtempestuouscaressesandgenerousofferings。Beforethedaywasover，Elnorarealizedthatsheneverhadknownhermother。Thewomanwhonowbusilywentthroughthecabin，hereyesbright，eager，alert，constantlyplanning，wasastranger。Herveryfacewasdifferent，whileitdidnotseempossiblethatduringonenighttheacidoftwentyyearscoulddisappearfromavoiceandleaveitsweetandpleasant。
ForthenextfewdaysElnoraworkedatmountingthemothshermotherhadtaken。ShehadtogototheBirdWomanandtellaboutthedisaster，butMrs。ComstockwasallowedtothinkthatElnoradeliveredthemothswhenshemadethetrip。Ifshehadtoldherwhatactuallyhappened，thechanceswerethatMrs。ComstockagainwouldhavetakenpossessionoftheLimberlost，huntingthereuntilshereplacedallthemothsthathadbeendestroyed。
ButElnoraknewfromexperiencewhatitmeanttocollectsuchalistinpairs。Itwouldrequiresteadyworkforatleasttwosummerstoreplacethelostmoths。WhenshelefttheBirdWomanshewenttothepresidentoftheOnabashaschoolsandaskedhimtodoallinhispowertosecureheraroominoneofthewardbuildings。
Thenextmorningthelastmothwasmounted，andthehouseworkfinished。Elnorasaidtohermother，\"Ifyoudon\'tmind，IbelieveIwillgointothewoodspasturebesideSleepySnakeCreekandseeifIcancatchsomedragonfliesormoths。\"
\"WaituntilIgetaknifeandapailandIwillgoalong，\"
answeredMrs。Comstock。\"Thedandelionsareplentytenderforgreensamongthedeepgrasses，andImightjusthappentoseesomethingmyself。Myeyesareprettysharp。\"
\"Iwishyoucouldrealizehowyoungyouare，\"saidElnora。
\"IknowwomeninOnabashawhoaretenyearsolderthanyou，yettheylooktwentyyearsyounger。Socouldyou，ifyouwoulddressyourhairbecomingly，andwearappropriateclothes。\"
\"Ithinkmyhairputsmeintheoldwomanclasspermanently，\"
saidMrs。Comstock。
\"Well，itdoesn\'t!\"criedElnora。\"Thereisawomanoftwenty-eightwhohashairaswhiteasyoursfromsickheadaches，butherfaceisyoungandbeautiful。Ifyourfacewouldgrowalittlefullerandthoselineswouldgoaway，you\'dbelovely!\"
\"Youlittlepig!\"laughedMrs。Comstock。\"Anyonewouldthinkyouwouldbesatisfiedwithhavingasplinternewmother，withoutsettingupakickonherlooks，firstthing。Greedy!\"
\"Thatisagoodword，\"saidElnora。\"Iadmitthecharge。
Iamgreedyovereverywastedyear。Iwantyouyoung，lovely，suitablydressedandenjoyinglifeliketheothergirls\'mothers。\"
Mrs。Comstocklaughedsoftlyasshepushedbackhersunbonnetsothatshrubsandbushesbesidethewaycouldbescannedclosely。Elnorawalkedaheadwithacaseoverhershoulder，anetinherhand。Herheadwasbare，therollingcollarofherlavenderginghamdresswascutinaV
atthethroat，thesleevesonlyreachedtheelbows。Everyfewstepsshepausedandexaminedtheshrubberycarefully，whileMrs。Comstockwaswatchinguntilhereyesached，buttherewerenodandelionsinthepailshecarried。
EarlyJunewasriotinginfreshgrasses，brightflowers，birdsongs，andgay-wingedcreaturesofair。Downthefootpaththetwowentthroughtheperfectmorning，theloveofGodandallnatureintheirhearts。Atlasttheyreachedthecreek，followingittowardthebridge。HereMrs。
Comstockfoundalargebedoftenderdandelionsandstoppedtofillherpail。Thenshesatonthebank，pickingoverthegreens，whileshelistenedtothecreeksoftlysingingitsJunesong。
Elnoraremainedwithincallingdistance，andwashavinggoodsuccess。Atlastshecrossedthecreek，followingituptoabridge。Thereshebeganacarefulexaminationoftheundersidesofthesleepersandflooringforcocoons。
Mrs。Comstockcouldseeherandthecreekforseveralrodsabove。Themothersatbeatingthelonggreenleavesacrossherhand，carefullypickingoutthewhitebuds，becauseElnoralikedthem，whenasplashupthecreekattractedherattention。
Aroundthebendcameaman。Hewasbareheaded，dressedinawhitesweater，andwaderswhichreachedhiswaist。Hewalkedonthebank，onlyenteringthewaterwhenforced。Hehadaqueerbasketstrappedonhiship，andwithasmallrodhesentalonglinespinningbeforehimdownthecreek，deftlymanipulatingwithitalittlefloatingobject。HewascloserElnorathanhermother，butMrs。Comstockthoughtpossiblybyhurryingshecouldremainunseenandyetwarnthegirlthatastrangerwascoming。Assheapproachedthebridge，shecaughtasaplingandleanedoverthewatertocallElnora。Withherlipspartedtospeakshehesitatedasecondtowatchasortofinsectthatflashedpastonthewater，whenasplashfromthemanattractedthegirl。
Shewasunderthebridge，onekneeplantedintheembankmentandafootbracedtosupporther。Herhairwastousledbywindandbushes，herfaceflushed，andsheliftedherarmsaboveherhead，workingtoloosenacocoonshehadfound。ThecallMrs。Comstockhadintendedtoutterneverfoundvoice，forasElnoralookeddownatthesound，\"PossiblyIcouldgetthatforyou，\"
suggestedtheman。
Mrs。Comstockdrewback。Hewasayoungmanwithawonderfullyattractiveface，althoughitwastoowhiteforrobusthealth，broadshoulders，andslender，uprightframe。
\"Oh，Idohopeyoucan!\"answeredElnora。\"It\'squiteafind!It\'soneofthoselovelypaleredcocoonsdescribedinthebooks。Isuspectitcomesfromhavingbeeninadarkplaceandscreenedfromtheweather。\"
\"Isthatso?\"criedtheman。\"Waitaminute。I\'veneverseenone。Isupposeit\'saCecropia，fromthelocation。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidElnora。\"It\'ssocoolherethemothhasn\'temerged。Thecocoonisabig，baggyone，anditisasredasfoxtail。\"
\"Whatluck!\"hecried。\"Areyoumakingacollection?\"
Hereeledinhisline，laidhisrodacrossabushandclimbedtheembankmenttoElnora\'sside，producedaknifeandbegantheworkofwhittlingadeepgroovearoundthecocoon。