\"Anounceofgasolene，quick!\"heordered。\"Acigarbox，acork，andthegluebottle。\"
Hepouredsomeglueintothebottomofthebox，setthecorkinitfirmly，dashedthegasoleneoverthemothrepeatedly，pinnedittothecork，pouredtheremainderoftheliquidoverit，closedthebox，andfastenedit。
Thenhelaidabillonthecounter。
\"Packthatboxwithcorkaroundit，inonetwiceitssize，tiesecurelyandexpresstothisaddressatonce。\"
Hescribbledonasheetofpaperandshoveditover。
\"Onyourhonour，willyoudothatfaithfullyasIsay?\"
heaskedtheclerk。
\"Certainly，\"wasthereply。
\"Thenkeepthechange，\"calledPhilipasheranbacktothepavilion。
EdithCarrstoodwherehelefther，thinkingrapidly。
SheheardthemurmurthatarosewhenPhilipstartedtocapturetheexquisitegoldencreatureshewasimpersonating。Shesawtheflashofsurprisethatwentoverunrestrainedfaceswhenheranfromtheroom，withoutevenshowingittoher。\"ThelastoneElnoraneeds，\"ranginherears。Hehadtoldherthathehelpedcollectmothstheprevioussummer，butshehadunderstoodthattheBirdWoman，withwhoseworkMissCarrwasfamiliar，wantedthemtoputinabook。
Hehadspokenofacountrygirlhehadmetwhoplayedtheviolinwonderfully，andattimes，hehadshownadispositiontoexaltherasastandardofwomanhood。
MissCarrhadignoredwhathesaid，andtalkedofsomethingelse。Butthatgirl\'snamehadbeenElnora。
Itwasshewhowascollectingmoths!NodoubtshewasthecompetentjudgewhowasresponsiblefortheyellowcostumePhiliphaddevised。HadEdithCarrbeeninherroom，shewouldhavetornoffthedressatthethought。
Beinginacircleofherbestfriends，whichtohermeantherkeenestrivalsandharshestcritics，shegrewrigidwithanger。Herbreathhurtherpainingchest。Noonethoughttospeaktothemusicians，andseeingthefloorfilled，theybeganthewaltz。Onlypartoftheguestscouldseewhathadhappened，andatoncetheothersformedandcommencedtodance。Gaycouplescamewhirlingpasther。
EdithCarrgrewverywhiteasshestoodalone。Herlipsturnedpale，whileherdarkeyesflamedwithanger。
ShestoodperfectlystillwherePhiliphadlefther，andtheapproachingmenguidedtheirpartnersaroundher，whilethegirls，lookingback，couldbeseenmakingexclamationsofsurprise。
TheidolizedonlydaughteroftheCarrfamilyhopedthatshewoulddropdeadfrommortification，butnothinghappened。
ShewastooperversetostepasideandsaythatshewaswaitingforPhilip。ThencameTomLeveringdancingwithPollyAmmon。BeinginthescaleswiththeAmmonfamily，Tomscentedtroublefromafar，sohewhisperedtoPolly:
\"Edithisstandinginthemiddleofthefloor，andshe\'sawfulmadaboutsomething。\"
\"Thatwon\'thurther，\"laughedPolly。\"It\'sanoldposeofhers。Sheknowsshelookssuperbwhensheisangry，soshekeepsherselffurioushalfthetimeonpurpose。\"
\"Shelookslikethemischief!\"answeredTom。\"Hadn\'twebettersteeroverandwaitwithher?She\'stheugliestsightIeversaw!\"
\"Why，Tom!\"criedPolly。\"Stop，quickly!\"
TheyhurriedtoEdith。
\"Comedear，\"saidPolly。\"WearegoingtowaitwithyouuntilPhilreturns。Let\'sgoafteradrink。
Iamsothirsty!\"
\"Yes，do!\"beggedTom，offeringhisarm。\"Let\'sgetoutofhereuntilPhilcomes。\"
Therewastheopportunitytolaughandwalkaway，butEdithCarrwouldnotacceptit。
\"Mybetrothedleftmehere，\"shesaid。\"HereIshallremainuntilhereturnsforme，andthen——hewillbemybetrothednolonger!\"
PollygraspedEdith\'sarm。
\"Oh，Edith!\"sheimplored。\"Don\'tmakeascenehere，andto-night。Edith，thishasbeentheloveliestdanceevergivenattheclubhouse。Everyoneissayingso。
Edith!Darling，docome!Philwillbebackinasecond。
Hecanexplain!It\'sonlyabreathsinceIsawhimgoout。
Ithoughthehadreturned。\"
AsPollypantedthesedisjointedejaculations，TomLeveringbegantogrowangryonheraccount。
\"Hehasbeengonejustlongenoughtoshoweveryoneofhisgueststhathewillleavemestandingalone，likeaneglectedfool，foranypassingwhimofhis。
Explain!Hisexplanationwouldsoundwell!Doyouknowforwhomhecaughtthatmoth?Itisbeingsenttoagirlheflirtedwithalllastsummer。IthasjustoccurredtomethatthedressIamwearingishersuggestion。Lethimtrytoexplain!\"
Speechunloosedthefountain。Shestrippedoffherglovestofreeherhands。AtthatinstantthedancerspartedtoadmitPhilip。InstinctivelytheystoppedastheyapproachedandwithwonderingfaceswalledinEdithandPhilip，PollyandTom。
\"Mightygoodofyoutowait!\"criedPhilip，hisfaceshowinghisdelightoverhissuccessincapturingtheYellowEmperor。\"IthoughtwhenIheardthemusicyouweregoingon。\"
\"HowdidyouthinkIwasgoingon?\"demandedEdithCarrinfrigidtones。
\"Ithoughtyouwouldstepasideandwaitafewsecondsforme，ordancewithHenderson。Itwasmostimportanttohavethatmoth。Itcompletesavaluablecollectionforapersonwhoneedsthemoney。Come!\"
Heheldouthisarms。
\"I`stepaside\'fornoone!\"stormedEdithCarr。
\"Iawaitnoothergirl\'spleasure!Youmay`completethecollection\'withthat!\"
ShedrewherengagementringfromherfingerandreachedtoplaceitononeofPhilip\'soutstretchedhands。
Hesawanddrewback。InstantlyEdithdroppedthering。
Asitfell，almostinstinctivelyPhilipcaughtitinair。
WithamazedfacehelookedcloselyatEdithCarr。
Herdistortedfeatureswerescarcelyrecognizable。
Heheldtheringtowardher。
\"Edith，fortheloveofmercy，waituntilIcanexplain，\"
hebegged。\"Putonyourringandletmetellyouhowitis。\"
\"Iknowperfectly`howitis，\'\"sheanswered。\"Inevershallwearthatringagain。\"
\"Youwon\'tevenhearwhatIhavetosay?Youwon\'ttakebackyourring?\"hecried。
\"Never!Yourconductisinfamous!\"
\"Cometothinkofit，\"saidPhilipdeliberately，\"itis`infamous\'tocutagirl，whohasdancedallherlife，outofafewmeasuresofawaltz。Asforaskingforgivenessforsoblackasinaspickingupamoth，andstartingittoafriendwholivesbycollectingthem，Idon\'tseehowIcould!
Ihavenotbeengonethreeminutesbytheclock，Edith。
Putonyourringandfinishthedancelikeadeargirl。\"
Hethrusttheglitteringrubyintoherfingersandagainheldouthisarms。Shedroppedthering，anditrolledsomedistancefromthem。HartHendersonfolloweditsshiningcourse，andcaughtitbeforeitwaslost。
\"Youreallymeanit?\"demandedPhilipinavoiceascoldasherseverhadbeen。
\"YouknowImeanit!\"criedEdithCarr。
\"Iacceptyourdecisioninthepresenceofthesewitnesses，\"saidPhilipAmmon。\"Whereismyfather?\"
TheelderAmmonwithadistressedfacehurriedtohim。
\"Father，takemyplace，\"saidPhilip。\"Excusemetomyguests。Askallmyfriendstoforgiveme。Iamgoingawayforawhile。\"
Heturnedandwalkedfromthepavilion。AshewentHartHendersonrushedtoEdithCarrandforcedtheringintoherfingers。\"Edith，quick。Come，quick!\"heimplored。
\"There\'sjusttimetocatchhim。Ifyoulethimgothatway，heneverwillreturninthisworld。RememberwhatItoldyou。\"
\"Greatprophet!aren\'tyou，Hart?\"shesneered。
\"Whowantshimtoreturn?IfthatringisthrustuponmeagainIshallflingitintothelake。Signalthemusicianstobegin，anddancewithme。\"
Hendersonputtheringintohispocket，andbeganthedance。
Hecouldfeelthemuscularspasmsofthegirlinhisarms，herfacewascoldandhard，butherbreathburnedwiththescorchoffever。Shefinishedthedanceandallothers，takingPhil\'snumberswithHenderson，whohadarrivedtoolatetoarrangeaprogramme。Sheleftwiththeothers，merelyincliningherheadasshepassedAmmon\'sfathertakinghisplace，andenteredthebigtouringcarforwhichHendersonhadtelephoned。Shesanklimplyintoaseatandmoanedsoftly。
\"ShallIdriveawhileinthenightair?\"askedHenderson。
Shenodded。Heinstructedthechauffeur。
Sheraisedherheadinafewseconds。\"Hart，I\'mgoingtopieces，\"shesaid。\"Won\'tyouputyourarmaroundmealittlewhile?\"
Hendersongatheredherintohisarmsandherheadfellonhisshoulder。\"Closer!\"shecried。
Hendersonheldheruntilhisarmswerenumb，buthedidnotknowit。Thetricksoffatearecruelenough，buttherescarcelycouldhavebeenaworseonethanthat:
TocareforawomanashelovedEdithCarrandhavehergivenintohisarmsbecauseshewassonumbwithmiseryoverhertroublewithanothermanthatshedidnotknoworcarewhatshedid。Dawnwasstreakingtheeastwhenhespoketoher。
\"Edith，itisgrowinglight。\"
\"Takemehome，\"shesaid。
Hendersonhelpedherupthestepsandrangthebell。
\"MissCarrisill，\"hesaidtothefootman。\"Arousehermaidinstantly，andhaveherpreparesomethinghotasquicklyaspossible。\"
\"Edith，\"hecried，\"justaword。Ihavebeenthinking。
Itisn\'ttoolateyet。Takeyourringandputiton。
IwillgofindPhilatonceandtellhimyouhave，thatyouareexpectinghim，andhewillcome。\"
\"Thinkwhathesaid!\"shecried。\"Heacceptedmydecisionasfinal，`inthepresenceofwitnesses，\'asifitwerecourt。
Hecanreturnittome，ifIeverwearitagain。\"
\"Youthinkthatnow，butinafewdaysyouwillfindthatyoufeelverydifferently。Livingalifeofheartacheisnojoke，andnojobforawoman。Putonyourringandsendmetotellhimtocome。\"
\"No。\"
\"Edith，therewasnotasoulwhosawthat，butsympathizedwithPhil。Itwasridiculousforyoutogetsoangryoverathingwhichwasneverintendedfortheslightestoffence，andbynologicalreasoningcouldhavebeensoconsidered。\"
\"Doyouthinkthat?\"shedemanded。
\"Ido!\"saidHenderson。\"Ifyouhadlaughedandsteppedasideaninstant，orlaughedandstayedwhereyouwere，Philwouldhavebeenback；or，ifheneededpunishmentinyoureyes，tohavefoundmehavingoneofhisdanceswouldhavebeenenough。Iwaswaiting。Youcouldhavecalledmewithonelook。Buttopubliclydoandsaywhatyoudid，mylady——IknowPhil，andIknowyouwenttoofar。Putonthatring，andsendhimwordyouaresorry，beforeitistoolate。\"
\"Iwillnot!Heshallcometome。\"
\"ThenGodhelpyou!\"saidHenderson，\"foryouareplungingintomiserywhosedepthyoudonotdream。
Edith，Ibegofyou——\"
Sheswayedwhereshestood。Hermaidopenedthedoorandcaughther。Hendersonwentdownthehallandouttohiscar。
CHAPTERXX
WHEREINTHEELDERAMMONOFFERSADVICE，ANDEDITHCARREXPERIENCESREGRETS
PhilipAmmonwalkedfromamonghisfriendsahumiliatedandawoundedman。NeverbeforehadEdithCarrappearedquitesobeautiful。Alleveningshehadtreatedhimwithunusualconsideration。
Neverhadhelovedhersodeeply。Theninafewsecondseverythingwasdifferent。Seeingthechangeinherface，andhearinghermeaninglessaccusations，killedsomethinginhisheart。Warmthwentoutandacoldweighttookitsplace。Butevenafterthat，hehadofferedtheringtoheragain，andaskedherbeforeotherstoreconsider。
Theanswerhadbeenfurtherinsult。
Hewalked，payingnoheedtowherehewent。Hehadtraversedmanymileswhenhebecameawarethathisfeethadchosenfamiliarstreets。Hewaspassinghishome。
Dawnwasnear，butthefirstfloorwaslighted。
Hestaggeredupthestepsandwasinstantlyadmitted。
Thelibrarydoorstoodopen，whilehisfathersatwithabookpretendingtoread。AtPhilip\'sentrancethefatherscarcelyglancedup。
\"Comeon!\"hecalled。\"IhavejusttoldBankstobringmeacupofcoffeebeforeIturnin。Haveonewithme!\"
Philipsatbesidethetableandleanedhisheadonhishands，buthedrankacupofsteamingcoffeeandfeltbetter。
\"Father，\"hesaid，\"father，mayItalkwithyoualittlewhile?\"
\"Ofcourse，\"answeredMr。Ammon。\"Iamnotatalltired。IthinkImusthavebeenwaitinginthehopethatyouwouldcome。Iwantnoone\'sversionofthisbutyours。Tellmethestraightofthething，Phil。\"
Philiptoldallheknew，whilehisfathersatindeepthought。
\"OnmylifeIcan\'tseeanyoccasionforsuchadisplayoftemper，Phil。Itpassedallboundsofreasonandbreeding。
Can\'tyouthinkofanythingmore?\"
\"Icannot!\"
\"PollysayseveryoneexpectedyoutocarrythemothyoucaughttoEdith。Whydidn\'tyou?\"
\"Shescreamsifathingofthatkindcomesnearher。
Sheneverhastakentheslightestinterestinthem。Iwasinabighurry。Ididn\'twanttomissoneminuteofmydancewithher。Themothwasnotsouncommon，butbyacombinationofbadluckithadbecometherarestinAmericaforafriendofmine，whoismakingacollectiontopaycollegeexpenses。ForaninstantlastJunetheserieswascompleted；whenawoman\'suncontrolledtemperruinedthisspecimenandthesearchforitbeganover。Afewdayslaterapairwassecured，andagainthemoneywasinsightforseveralhours。Thenanaccidentwreckedone-fourthofthecollection。IhelpedreplacethoselastJune，allbutthisYellowEmperorwhichwecouldnotsecure，andwehaven\'tbeenabletofind，buyortradeforonesince。Somyfriendwascompelledtoteachthispastwinterinsteadofgoingtocollege。Whenthatmothcameflyinginthereto-night，itseemedtomelikefate。
AllIthoughtofwas，thattosecureitwouldcompletethecollectionandsecurethemoney。SoIcaughttheEmperorandstartedittoElnora。IdeclaretoyouthatIwasnotoutofthepavilionoverthreeminutesataliberalestimate。IfI
onlyhadthoughttospeaktotheorchestra!IwassureI
wouldbebackbeforeenoughcouplesgatheredandformedforthedance。\"
Theeyesofthefatherwereverybright。
\"Thefriendforwhomyouwantedthemothisagirl?\"
heaskedindifferently，asheranthebookleavesthroughhisfingers。
\"ThegirlofwhomIwroteyoulastsummer，andtoldyouaboutinthefall。IhelpedherallthetimeIwasaway。\"
\"DidEdithknowofher?\"
\"Itriedmanytimestotellher，tointeresther，butshewassoindifferentthatitwasinsulting。Shewouldnothearme。\"
\"Weareneitheroneinanyconditiontosleep。Whydon\'tyoubeginatthefirstandtellmeaboutthisgirl?
Tothinkofothermattersforatimemayclearourvisionforasanesolutionofthis。Whoisshe，justwhatisshedoing，andwhatisshelike?YouknowIwasrearedamongthoseLimberlostpeople，Icanunderstandreadily。
Whatishernameandwheredoesshelive?\"
Philipgaveaman\'sversionoftheprevioussummer，whilehisfatherplayedwiththebookindustriously。
\"Youareverysureastoherrefinementandeducation?\"
\"Inalmosttwomonths\'dailyassociation，couldamanbemistaken?ShecanfarandawaysurpassPolly，Edith，oranygirlofoursetonanycommon，highschool，orsupplementarybranch，andyouknowhighschoolshaveFrench，German，andphysicsnow。Besides，sheisagraduateoftwootherinstitutions。AllherlifeshehasbeenintheschoolofHardKnocks。Shehasthebiggest，tenderest，mosthumanheartIeverknewinagirl。Shehasknownlifeinitsmostcruelphases，andinsteadofhardeningher，ithassethertryingtosaveotherpeoplesuffering。ThenthisnaturepositionofwhichItoldyou；shegraduatedintheSchooloftheWoods，beforeshesecuredthat。TheBirdWoman，whoseworkyouknow，helpedherthere。ElnoraknowsmoreinterestingthingsinaminutethananyothergirlIevermetknewinanhour，providedyouareapersonwhocarestounderstandplantandanimallife。\"
Thebookleavesslidrapidlythroughhisfingersasthefatherdrawled:\"Whatsortoflookinggirlisshe?\"
\"TallasEdith，alittleheavier，pink，evencomplexion，wideopenblue-grayeyeswithheavyblackbrows，andlashessolongtheytouchhercheeks。Shehasaropeofwaving，shininghairthatmakesarealcrownonherhead，anditappearsalmostredinthelight。SheisashandsomeasanyfairwomanIeversaw，butshedoesn\'tknowit。Everytimeanyonepaysheracompliment，hermother，whoisacaution，discoversthat，forsomereason，thegirlisafright，soshehasnoappreciationofherlooks。\"
\"Andyouwereindailyassociationtwomonthswithagirllikethat!Howaboutit，Phil?\"
\"Ifyoumean，didItriflewithher，no!\"criedPhiliphotly。
\"ItoldherthesecondtimeImetherallaboutEdith。
AlmosteverydayIwrotetoEdithinherpresence。
ElnoragatheredvioletsandmadeafancybaskettoputtheminforEdith\'sbirthday。IstartedtoerrintooopenadmirationforElnora，buthermotherbroughtmeupwithawhirlIneverforgot。FiftytimesadayintheswampsandforestsElnoramadeaperfectpicture，butIneitherlookednorsaidanything。Inevermetanygirlsodownrightnobleinbearingandactions。
IneverhatedanythingasIhatedleavingher，forweweredearfriends，liketwowhollycongenialmen。Hermotherwasalmostalwayswithus。SheknewhowmuchIadmiredElnora，butsolongasIconcealeditfromthegirl，themotherdidnotcare。\"
\"Yetyouleftsuchagirlandcamebackwhole-heartedtoEdithCarr!\"
\"Surely!YouknowhowithasbeenwithmeaboutEdithallmylife。\"
\"Yetthegirlyoupictureisfarhersuperiortoanunprejudicedperson，whenthinkingwhatamanwouldrequireinawifetobehappy。\"
\"IneverhavethoughtwhatIwould`require\'tobehappy!
IonlythoughtwhetherIcouldmakeEdithhappy。Ihavebeenanidiot!WhatI\'veborneyou\'llneverknow!
To-nightisonlyoneofmanyoutburstslikethat，invaryingandlesserdegrees。\"
\"Phil，Iloveyou，whenyousayyouhavethoughtonlyofEdith!Ihappentoknowthatitistrue。
Youaremyonlyson，andIhavehadarighttowatchyouclosely。Ibelieveyouutterly。AnyonewhocaresforyouasIdo，andhashadmyyearsofexperienceinthisworldoveryours，knowsthatinsomeways，to-nightwouldbeablessedrelease，ifyoucouldtakeit；butyoucannot!Gotobednow，andrest。To-morrow，gobacktoherandfixitup。\"
\"YouheardwhatIsaidwhenIlefther!Isaiditbecausesomethinginmyheartdiedaminutebeforethat，andIrealizedthatitwasmyloveforEdithCarr。NeveragainwillIvoluntarilyfacesuchascene。Ifshecanactlikethatataball，beforehundreds，overathingofwhichIthoughtnothingatall，shewouldgointoactualphysicalfitsandspasms，oversomeofthehouseholdcrisesI\'veseenthematermeetwithasmile。Sir，itistruththatIhavethoughtonlyofheruptothepresent。Now，I
willadmitIamthinkingaboutmyself。Father，didyouseeher?Lifeistooshort，anditcanbetoosweet，tothrowitawayinabattlewithanunrestrainedwoman。
Iamnofighter——whereagirlisconcerned，anyway。
IrespectandloveherorIdonothing。NeveragainiseitherrespectorlovepossiblebetweenmeandEdithCarr。
WheneverIthinkofherinthefuture，Iwillseeherasshewasto-night。ButIcan\'tfacethecrowdjustyet。
Couldyousparemeafewdays?\"
\"Itisonlytendaysuntilyouweretogonorthforthesummer，gonow。\"
\"Idon\'twanttogonorth。Idon\'twanttomeetpeopleIknow。There，thestorywouldprecedeme。Idonotneedpityingglancesorroughcondolences。IwonderifIcouldnothideatUncleEd\'sinWisconsinforawhile?\"
Thebookclosedsuddenly。Thefatherleanedacrossthetableandlookedintotheson\'seyes。
\"Phil，areyousureofwhatyoujusthavesaid?\"
\"Perfectlysure!\"
\"Doyouthinkyouareinanyconditiontodecideto-night?\"
\"Deathcannotreturntolife，father。MyloveforEdithCarrisdead。Ihopenevertoseeheragain。\"
\"IfIthoughtyoucouldbecertainsosoon!But，cometothinkofit，youareverylikemeinmanyways。Iamwithyouinthis。PublicscenesanddisgracesIwouldnotendure。Itwouldbeoverwithme，wereIinyourposition，thatIknow。\"
\"Itisdoneforalltime，\"saidPhilipAmmon。\"Letusnotspeakofitfurther。\"
\"Then，Phil，\"thefatherleanedcloserandlookedatthesontenderly，\"Phil，whydon\'tyougototheLimberlost?\"
\"Father!\"
\"Whynot?Noonecancomfortahurtheartlikeatenderwoman；and，Phil，haveyoueverstoppedtothinkthatyoumayhaveadutyintheLimberlost，ifyouarefree?Idon\'tknow!Ionlysuggestit。But，foracountryschoolgirl，unaccustomedtomen，twomonthswithamanlikeyoumightwellawakenfeelingsofwhichyoudonotthink。Becauseyouweresafe-guardedisnosignthegirlwas。Shemightcaretoseeyou。Youcansoontell。Withyou，shecomesnexttoEdith，andyouhavemadeitcleartomethatyouappreciateherinmanywaysabove。SoIrepeatit，whynotgototheLimberlost?\"
AlongtimePhilipAmmonsatindeepthought。Atlastheraisedhishead。
\"Well，whynot!\"hesaid。\"YearscouldmakemenosurerthanIamnow，andlifeisshort。PleaseaskBankstogetmesomecoffeeandtoast，andIwillbatheanddresssoIcantaketheearlytrain。\"
\"Gotoyourbath。Iwillattendtoyourpackingandeverything。AndPhil，ifIwereyou，Iwouldleavenoaddresses。\"
\"Notanaddress!\"saidPhilip。\"NotevenPolly。\"
Whenthetrainpulledout，theelderAmmonwenthometofindHartHendersonwaiting。
\"WhereisPhil?\"hedemanded。
\"Hedidnotfeellikefacinghisfriendsatpresent，andIamjustbackfromdrivinghimtothestation。HesaidhemightgotoSiam，orPatagonia。Hewouldleavenoaddress。\"
Hendersonalmoststaggered。\"He\'snotgone?Andleftnoaddress?Youdon\'tmeanit!He\'llneverforgiveher!\"
\"Neverisalongtime，Hart，\"saidMr。Ammon。\"AnditseemsevenlongertothoseofuswhoarewellacquaintedwithPhil。Lastnightwasnotthelaststraw。Itwasthewholestraw-stack。ItcrushedPhilsofarassheisconcerned。Hewillnotseeheragainvoluntarily，andhewillnotforgetifhedoes。Youcantakeitfromhim，andfromme，wehaveacceptedthelady\'sdecision。Willyouhaveacupofcoffee?\"
TwiceHendersonopenedhislipstospeakofEdithCarr\'sdespair。Twicehelookedintothestern，inflexiblefaceofMr。Ammonandcouldnotbetrayher。Heheldoutthering。
\"Ihavenoinstructionsastothat，\"saidtheelderAmmon，drawingback。\"PossiblyMissCarrwouldhaveitasakeepsake。\"
\"Iamsurenot，\"saidHendersoncurtly。
\"ThensupposeyoureturnittoPeacock。Iwillphonehim。
Hewillgiveyouthepriceofit，andyoumightaddittothechildren\'sFreshAirFund。Wewouldbeobligedifyouwoulddothat。Nooneherecarestohandletheobject。\"
\"Asyouchoose，\"saidHenderson。\"Goodmorning!\"
Thenhewenttohishome，buthecouldnotthinkofsleep。
Heorderedbreakfast，buthecouldnoteat。Hepacedthelibraryforatime，butitwastoosmall。Goingonthestreetshewalkeduntilexhausted，thenhecalledahansomandwasdriventohisclub。Hehadthoughthimselffamiliarwitheverydepthofsuffering；thatnighthadtaughthimthatwhathefeltforhimselfwasnottobecomparedwiththeanguishwhichwrunghisheartovertheagonyofEdithCarr。HetriedtoblamePhilipAmmon，butbeinganhonestman，Hendersonknewthatwasunjust。
Thefaultlaywhollywithher，butthatonlymadeitharderforhim，asherealizeditwouldintimeforher。
Ashesaunteredintotheroomanattendanthurriedtohim。
\"Youarewantedmosturgentlyatthe\'phone，Mr。
Henderson，\"hesaid。\"YouhavehadthreecallsfromMain5770。\"
Hendersonshiveredashepickeddownthereceiverandgavethecall。
\"Isthatyou，Hart?\"cameEdith\'svoice。
\"Yes。\"
\"DidyoufindPhil?\"
\"No。\"
\"Didyoutry?\"
\"Yes。AssoonasIleftyouIwentstraightthere。\"
\"Wasn\'thehomeyet?\"
\"Hehasbeenhomeandgoneagain。\"
\"Gone!\"
ThecrytoreHenderson\'sheart。
\"ShallIcomeandtellyou，Edith?\"
\"No!Tellmenow。\"
\"WhenIreachedthehouseBankssaidMr。AmmonandPhilwereoutinthemotor，soIwaited。Mr。Ammoncamebacksoon。Edith，areyoualone?\"
\"Yes。Goon!\"
\"Callyourmaid。Ican\'ttellyouuntilsomeoneiswithyou。\"
\"Tellmeinstantly!\"
\"Edith，hesaidhehadbeentothestation。HesaidPhilhadstartedtoSiamorPatagonia，hedidn\'tknowwhich，andleftnoaddress。Hesaid——\"
DistinctlyHendersonheardherfall。Hesetthebuzzerringing，andinafewsecondsheardvoices，soheknewshehadbeenfound。Thenhecreptintoaprivatedenandshookwithahard，nervouschill。
ThenextdayEdithCarrstartedonhertriptoEurope。
HendersonfeltcertainshehopedtomeetPhilipthere。
Hewassureshewouldbedisappointed，thoughhehadnoideawhereAmmoncouldhavegone。ButaftermuchthoughthedecidedhewouldseeEdithsoonestbyremainingathome，sohespentthesummerinChicago。
CHAPTERXXI
WHEREINPHILIPAMMONRETURNSTOTHELIMBERLOST，ANDELNORASTUDIESTHESITUATION
Wemustbethinkingaboutsupper，mother，\"saidElnora，whileshesetthewingsofaCecropiawithmuchcare。
\"ItseemsasifIcan\'tgetenoughtoeat，orenoughofbeingathome。Ienjoyedthatcityhouse。Idon\'tbelieveIcouldhavedonemyworkifIhadbeencompelledtowalkbackandforth。IthoughtatfirstIneverwantedtocomehereagain。Now，IfeelasifIcouldnotliveanywhereelse。\"
\"Elnora，\"saidMrs。Comstock，\"there\'ssomeonecomingdowntheroad。\"
\"Cominghere，doyouthink?\"
\"Yes，cominghere，Isuspect。\"
ElnoraglancedquicklyathermotherandthenturnedtotheroadasPhilipAmmonreachedthegate。
\"Careful，mother!\"thegirlinstantlywarned。\"Ifyouchangeyourtreatmentofhimahair\'sbreadth，hewillsuspect。Comewithmetomeethim。\"
Shedroppedherworkandsprangup。
\"Well，ofallthedelightfulsurprises!\"shecried。
Shewasatriflethinnerthanduringtheprevioussummer。
Onherfacetherewasamoremature，patientlook，butthesunstruckherbareheadwiththesamerayofredgold。
Sheworeoneoftheoldblueginghamdresses，openatthethroatandrolledtotheelbows。Mrs。Comstockdidnotappearatallthesamewoman，butPhilipsawonlyElnora；heardonlyhergreeting。Hecaughtbothhandswheresheofferedbutone。
\"Elnora，\"hecried，\"ifyouwereengagedtome，andwewereataball，amonghundreds，whereIoffendedyouverymuch，anddidn\'tevenknowIhaddoneanything，andifI
askedyoubeforeallofthemtoallowmetoexplain，toforgiveme，towait，wouldyourfacegrowdistortedandunfamiliarwithanger?Wouldyoudropmyringonthefloorandinsultmerepeatedly?OhElnora，wouldyou?\"
Elnora\'sbigeyesseemedtoleap，whileherfacegrewverywhite。Shedrewawayherhands。
\"Hush，Phil!Hush!\"sheprotested。\"Thatfeverhasyouagain!Youaredreadfullyill。Youdon\'tknowwhatyouaresaying。\"
\"Iamsleeplessandexhausted；I\'mheartsick；butIamwellasIeverwas。Answerme，Elnora，wouldyou?\"
\"Answernothing!\"criedMrs。Comstock。\"Answernothing!
Hangyourcoatthereonyournail，Phil，andcomesplitsomekindling。Elnora，cleanawaythatstuff，andsetthetable。Can\'tyouseetheboyisstarvedandtired?
He\'scomehometorestandeatadecentmeal。Comeon，Phil!\"
Mrs。Comstockmarchedaway，andPhiliphunghiscoatinitsoldplaceandfollowed。Outofsightandhearingsheturnedonhim。
\"Doyoucallyourselfamanorahound?\"sheflared。
\"Ibegyourpardon——\"stammeredPhilipAmmon。
\"Ishouldthinkyouwould!\"sheejaculated。\"I\'lladmityoudidthesquarethingandwasamanlastsummer，thoughI\'dlikeditbetterifyou\'dfacedupandtoldmeyouwerepromised；buttocomebackherebabying，andtakeholdofElnoralikethat，andtalkthatwaybecauseyouhavehadafusswithyourgirl，Idon\'ttolerate。
SplitthatkindlingandI\'llgetyoursupper，andthenyoubettergo。Iwon\'thaveyouworkingonElnora\'sbigheart，becauseyouhavequarrelledwithsomeoneelse。
You\'llhaveitpatchedupinaweekandbegoneagain，soyoucangorightaway。\"
\"Mrs。Comstock，IcametoaskElnoratomarryme。\"
\"Themorefoolyou，then!\"criedMrs。Comstock。
\"Thistimeyesterdayyouwereengagedtoanotherwoman，nodoubt。Now，forsomelittleflare-upyoucomeracingheretouseElnoraasatooltospitetheothergirl。
Aweekofsaneliving，andyouwillbesorryandreadytogobacktoChicago，or，ifyoureallyaremanenoughtobesureofyourself，shewillcometoclaimyou。Shehasherrights。Anengagementofyearsisaseriousmatter，andnotbrokenforawhim。Ifyoudon\'tgo，she\'llcome。
Then，whenyoupatchupyouraffairsandgosailingawaytogether，wheredoesmygirlcomein?\"
\"Iamalawyer，Mrs。Comstock，\"saidPhilip。\"Itappealstomeasbeneathyourordinarysenseofjusticetodecideacasewithouthearingtheevidence。Itisduemethatyouhearmefirst。\"
\"Hearyourside!\"flashedMrs。Comstock。\"I\'daheapsightratherhearthegirl!\"
\"Iwishtomysoulthatyouhadheardandseenherlastnight，Mrs。Comstock，\"saidAmmon。\"Then，mywaywouldbeclear。Inevereventhoughtofcominghereto-day。I\'lladmitIwouldhavecomeintime，butnotformanymonths。Myfathersentme。\"
\"Yourfathersentyou!Why?\"
\"Father，mother，andPollywerepresentlastnight。
They，andallmyfriends，sawmeinsultedanddisgracedintheworstexhibitionofuncontrolledtemperanyofuseverwitnessed。Allofthemknewitwastheend。
FatherlikedwhatIhadtoldhimofElnora，andheadvisedmetocomehere，soIcame。Ifshedoesnotwantme，Icanleaveinstantly，but，ohIhopedshewouldunderstand!\"
\"Youpeoplearenotsplittingwood，\"calledElnora。
\"Ohyesweare!\"answeredMrs。Comstock。\"Yousetoutthethingsforbiscuit，andlaythetable。\"SheturnedagaintoPhilip。\"Iknowconsiderableaboutyourfather，\"
shesaid。\"IhavemetyourUncle\'sfamilyfrequentlythiswinter。I\'veheardyourAuntAnnasaythatshedidn\'tatalllikeMissCarr，andthatsheandallyourfamilysecretlyhopedthatsomethingwouldhappentopreventyourmarryingher。Thatchimesrightinwithyoursayingthatyourfathersentyouhere。Iguessyoubetterspeakyourpiece。\"
Philipgavehisversionofthepreviousnight。
\"Doyoubelieveme?\"hefinished。
\"Yes，\"saidMrs。Comstock。
\"MayIstay?\"
\"Oh，itlooksallrightforyou，butwhatabouther?\"
\"Nothing，sofarasIamconcerned。HerplanswereallmadetostarttoEuropeto-day。Isuspectsheisonthewaybythistime。Elnoraisverysensible，Mrs。Comstock。