Shedoesnot——\"
Elnorastopped。
\"Sheis——isdifferent，\"finishedthegirl。
Annacamewiththeroses。TheBirdWomansetoneonthefrontofthedrapedyoke，oneoneachshoulderandthelastamongthebrightmassesofbrownhair。Thensheturnedthegirlfacingthetallmirror。
\"Oh!\"pantedElnora。\"Youareagenius!Why，I
willlookaswellasanyofthem。\"
\"Thankgoodnessforthat!\"criedtheBirdWoman。
\"Ifitwouldn\'tdo，Ishouldhavebeenill。Youarelovely；
altogetherlovely!OrdinarilyIshouldn\'tsaythat；butwhenIthinkofhowyouarecarpentered，I\'madmiringtheresult。\"
Theorganbeganrollingoutthemarchastheycameinsight。
Elnoratookherplaceattheheadoftheprocession，whileeveryonewondered。Secretlytheyhadhopedthatshewouldbedressedwellenough，thatshewouldnotappearpoorandneglected。Whatthisradiantyoungcreature，gownedinthemostrecentstyle，hersmoothskinflushedwithexcitement，andarose-setcoronetofredgoldonherhead，hadtodowiththegirltheyknewwasdifficulttodecide。ThesignalwasgivenandElnorabegantheslowmarchacrossthevestryanddowntheaisle。Themusicwelledsoftly，andMargaretbegantosobwithoutknowingwhy。
Mrs。Comstockgrippedherhandstogetherandshuthereyes。ItseemedaneternitytothesufferingwomanbeforeMargaretcaughtherarmandwhispered，\"Oh，Kate!
Foranysakelookather!Here!Theaisleacross!\"
Mrs。Comstockopenedhereyesanddirectingthemwhereshewastold，gazedintently，andsliddowninherseatclosetocollapse。ShewassavedbyMargaret\'stenseclaspandhercommand:\"Here!Idiot!Stopthat!\"
IntheblazeoflightElnoraclimbedthestepstothepalm-emboweredplatform，crosseditandtookherplace。
Sixtyyoungmenandwomen，eachofthemdressedthebestpossible，followedher。Thereweremanly，fine-
lookingmeninthatclasswhichElnoraled。Thereweregirlsofbeautyandgrace，butnotoneofthemwashandsomerorclothedinbettertastethanshe。
BillythoughtthetimeneverwouldcomewhenElnorawouldseehim，butatlastshemethiseye，thenMargaretandWesleyhadfaintsignsofrecognitioninturn，buttherewasnosofteningofthegirl\'sfaceandnohintofasmilewhenshesawhermother。
Heartsick，KatharineComstocktriedtoprovetoherselfthatshewasjustifiedinwhatshehaddone，butshecouldnot。ShetriedtoblameElnorafornotsayingthatshewastoleadaprocessionandsitonaplatforminthesightofhundredsofpeople；butthatwasimpossible，forsherealizedthatshewouldhavescoffedandnotunderstoodifshehadbeentold。Herheartpaineduntilshesufferedwitheverybreath。
Whenatlasttheexerciseswereoversheclimbedintothecarriageandrodehomewithoutaword。ShedidnothearwhatMargaretandBillyweresaying。ShescarcelyheardWesley，whodrovebehind，whenhetoldherthatElnorawouldnotbehomeuntilWednesday。EarlythenextmorningMrs。ComstockwasonherwaytoOnabasha。
ShewaswaitingwhentheBrownleestoreopened。
Sheexaminedready-madewhitedresses，buttheyhadonlyoneoftherightsize，anditwasmarkedfortydollars。
Mrs。Comstockdidnothesitateovertheprice，butwhetherthedresswouldbesuitable。ShewouldhavetoaskElnora。
SheinquiredherwaytothehomeoftheBirdWomanandknocked。
\"IsElnoraComstockhere?\"sheaskedthemaid。
\"Yes，butsheisstillinbed。Iwastoldtolethersleepaslongasshewould。\"
\"MaybeIcouldsithereandwait，\"saidMrs。Comstock。
\"Iwanttoseeaboutgettingheradressforto-morrow。
Iamhermother。\"
\"Thenyoudon\'tneedwaitorworry，\"saidthegirlcheerfully。
\"Therearetwowomenupinthesewing-roomatworkonadressforherrightnow。Itwillbedoneintime，anditwillbeabeauty。\"
Mrs。ComstockturnedandtrudgedbacktotheLimberlost。
Thebitternessinhersoulbecameaphysicalactuality，whichwaterwouldnotwashfromherlips。Shewastoolate!Shewasnotneeded。Anotherwomanwasmotheringhergirl。AnotherwomanwouldprepareabeautifuldresssuchasElnorahadwornthepreviousnight。
Thegirl\'sloveandgratitudewouldgotoher。Mrs。Comstocktriedtheoldprocessofblamingsomeoneelse，butshefeltnobetter。Shenursedhergriefascloselyaseverinthelongdaysofthegirl\'sabsence。ShebroodedoverElnora\'spossessionoftheforbiddenviolinandherabilitytoplayituntiltheperformancecouldnothavebeentoldfromherfather\'s。Shetriedeveryrefugehermindcouldconjure，toquietherheartandremovethefearthatthegirlneverwouldcomehomeagain，butitpersisted。
Mrs。Comstockcouldneithereatnorsleep。Shewanderedaroundthecabinandgarden。ShekeptfarfromthepoolwhereRobertComstockhadsunkfromsightforshefeltthatitwouldentombheralsoifElnoradidnotcomehomeWednesdaymorning。Themothertoldherselfthatshewouldwait，butthewaitingwasasbitterasanythingsheeverhadknown。
WhenElnoraawokeMondayanotherdresswasinthehandsofaseamstressandwassoonfitted。IthadbelongedtotheAngel，andwasasoftwhitethingthatwithalittlealterationwouldserveadmirablyforCommencementandtheball。AllthatdayElnoraworked，helpingpreparetheauditoriumfortheexercises，rehearsingthemarchandthespeechshewastomakeinbehalfoftheclass。
Thefollowingdaywasevenbusier。Buthermindwasatrest，forthedresswasasoftdelicatelaceeasytochange，andthemarksofalterationimpossibletodetect。
TheBirdWomanhadtelephonedtoGrandRapids，explainedthesituationandaskedtheAngelifshemightuseit。
Thereplyhadbeentogivethegirlthecontentsofthechest。
WhentheBirdWomantoldElnora，tearsfilledhereyes。
\"Iwillwriteatonceandthankher，\"shesaid。\"Withallherbeautifulgownsshedoesnotneedthem，andIdo。
Theywillserveformeoften，andbemuchfinerthananythingIcouldafford。Itislovelyofhertogivemethedressandofyoutohaveitalteredforme，asInevercould。\"
TheBirdWomanlaughed。\"Ifeelreligiousto-day，\"
shesaid。\"Youknowthefirstandgreatestrockofmysalvationis`Dountoothers。\'I\'monlydoingtoyouwhattherewasnoonetodoformewhenIwasagirlverylikeyou。Annatellsmeyourmotherwashereearlythismorningandthatshecametoseeaboutgettingyouadress。\"
\"Sheistoolate!\"saidElnoracoldly。\"Shehadoveramonthtopreparemydresses，andIwastopayforthem，sothereisnoexcuse。\"
\"Nevertheless，sheisyourmother，\"saidtheBirdWoman，softly。\"Ithinkalmostanykindofamothermustbebetterthannoneatall，andyousayshehashadgreattrouble。\"
\"Shelovedmyfatherandhedied，\"saidElnora。\"Thesamething，inquiteastragicamanner，hashappenedtothousandsofotherwomen，andtheyhavegoneonwithcalmfacesandfoundhappinessinlifebylovingothers。
TherewassomethingelseIamafraidInevershallforget；
thisIknowIshallnot，buttalkingdoesnothelp。Imustdelivermypresentsandphotographstothecrowd。IhaveapictureandImadeapresentforyou，too，ifyouwouldcareforthem。\"
\"Ishallloveanythingyougiveme，\"saidtheBirdWoman。
\"Iknowyouwellenoughtoknowthatwhateveryoudowillbebeautiful。\"
Elnorawaspleasedoverthat，andasshetriedonherdressforthelastfittingshewasreallyhappy。Shewaslovelyinthedaintygown:itwouldservefinelyfortheballandmanyotherlikeoccasions，anditwasherveryown。
TheBirdWoman\'sdrivertookElnorainthecarriageandshecalledonallthegirlswithwhomshewasespeciallyintimate，andleftherpictureandthepackagecontaininghergifttothem。Bythetimeshereturnedparcelsforherwerearriving。Friendsseemedtospringfromeverywhere。
Almosteveryonesheknewhadsomegiftforher，whilebecausetheysolovedherthemembersofhercrowdhadmadeherbeautifulpresents。Therewerebooks，vases，silverpieces，handkerchiefs，fans，boxesofflowersandcandy。OnebigpackagesettledthetroubleatSinton\'s，foritcontainedadaintydressfromMargaret，afive-dollargoldpiece，conspicuouslylabelled，\"Iearnedthismyself，\"fromBilly，withwhichtobuymusic；andagorgeouscut-glassperfumebottle，itwouldhavecostfivedollarstofillwithevenamoderate-
pricedscent，fromWesley。
Inanexpressedcratewasafinecurly-mapledressingtable，sentbyFreckles。ThedrawerswerefilledwithwonderfultoiletarticlesfromtheAngel。TheBirdWomanaddedanembroideredlinencoverandasmallsilvervaseforafewflowers，sonogirloftheclasshadfinergifts。Elnoralaidherheadonthetablesobbinghappily，andtheBirdWomanwasalmostcryingherself。
ProfessorHenleysentabutterflybook，thegraderoomsinwhichElnorahadtaughtgaveherasetofvolumescoveringeveryphaseoflifeafield，inthewoods，andwater。
Elnorahadnotimetoreadsoshecarriedoneofthesebooksaroundwithherhuggingitasshewent。Aftershehadgonetodressaqueer-lookingpackagewasbroughtbyasmallboywhohoppedononefootashehandeditinandsaid:\"TellElnorathatisfromherma。\"
\"Whoareyou?\"askedtheBirdWomanasshetookthebundle。
\"I\'mBilly!\"announcedtheboy。\"Igaveherthefivedollars。
Iearneditmyselfdroppingcorn，stickingonions，andpullingweeds。My，butyougottodrop，andstick，andpullalotbeforeit\'sfivedollars\'worth。\"
\"WouldyouliketocomeinandseeElnora\'sgifts?\"
\"Yes，ma\'am!\"saidBilly，tryingtostandquietly。
\"Gee-mentley!\"hegasped。\"DoesElnoragetallthis?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"IbetyouathousanddollarsIbefirstinmyclasswhenIgraduate。Say，havetheothersgotalotmorethanElnora?\"
\"Ithinknot。\"
\"Well，UncleWesleysaidtofindoutifIcould，andifshedidn\'thaveasmuchastherest，he\'dbuytillshedid，ifittookahundreddollars。Say，yououghttoknowhim!
He\'sjustscrumptious!Thereain\'tanybodyanywherefiner\'anheis。My，he\'sgrand!\"
\"I\'mverysureofit!\"saidtheBirdWoman。\"I\'veoftenheardElnorasayso。\"
\"Ibetyounobodycanbeatthis!\"heboasted。Thenhestopped，thinkingdeeply。\"Idon\'tknow，though，\"
hebeganreflectively。\"Someofthemareawfulrich；
theygotbigfamiliestogivethemthingsandwagonloadsoffriends，andIhaven\'tseenwhattheyhave。Now，maybeElnoraisgettingleft，afterall!\"
\"Don\'tworry，Billy，\"shesaid。\"Iwillwatch，andifIfindElnorais`gettingleft\'I\'llbuyhersomemorethingsmyself。ButI\'msuresheisnot。Shehasmorebeautifulgiftsnowthanshewillknowwhattodowith，andotherswillcome。TellyourUncleWesleyhisgirlisbountifullyremembered，veryhappy，andshesendsherdearestlovetoallofyou。Nowyoumustgo，soIcanhelpherdress。Youwillbethereto-nightofcourse?\"
\"Yes，sir-ee!Shegotmeaseat，thirdrowfromthefront，middlesection，soIcansee，andshe\'sgoingtowinkatme，aftershegetsherspeechoffhermind。
Shekissedme，too!She\'saperfectlady，Elnorais。
I\'mgoingtomarryherwhenIambigenough。\"
\"Whyisn\'tthatsplendid!\"laughedtheBirdWomanasshehurriedupstairs。
\"Dear!\"shecalled。\"Hereisanothergiftforyou。\"
Elnorawashalfdisrobedasshetookthepackageand，sittingonacouch，openedit。TheBirdWomanbentoverherandtestedthefabricwithherfingers。
\"Why，blessmysoul!\"shecried。\"Hand-woven，hand-
embroideredlinen，fineassilk。It\'spriceless\'Ihaven\'tseensuchthingsinyears。MymotherhadgarmentslikethosewhenIwasachild，butmysistershadthemcutupforcollars，belts，andfancywaistswhileIwassmall。
Lookattheexquisitework!\"
\"Wherecouldithavecomefrom?\"criedElnora。
Sheshookoutapetticoat，withahand-wroughtruffleafootdeep，thenanold-fashionedchemisetheneckandsleeveworkofwhichwaselaborateandperfectlywrought。
Onthebreastwaspinnedanotethatshehastilyopened。
\"Iwasmarriedinthese，\"itread，\"andIhadintendedtobeburiedinthem，butperhapsitwouldbemoresensibleforyoutograduateandgetmarriedinthemyourself，ifyoulike。Yourmother。\"
\"Frommymother!\"Wide-eyed，ElnoralookedattheBirdWoman。\"Ineverinmylifesawthelike。
MotherdoesthingsIthinkInevercanforgive，andwhenIfeelhardest，sheturnsaroundanddoessomethingthatmakesmethinkshejustmustlovemealittlebit，afterall。
Anyofthegirlswouldgivealmostanythingtograduateinhand-embroideredlinenlikethat。Moneycan\'tbuysuchthings。AndtheycamewhenIwasthinkingshedidn\'tcarewhatbecameofme。Doyousupposeshecanbeinsane?\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheBirdWoman。\"Wildlyinsane，ifshedoesnotloveyouandcarewhatbecomesofyou。\"
Elnoraaroseandheldthepetticoattoher。\"Willyoulookatit?\"shecried。\"Onlyimaginehernotgettingmydressready，andthensendingmesuchapetticoatasthis!
Ellenwouldpayfiftydollarsforitandneverblink。
Isupposemotherhashaditallmylife，andIneversawitbefore。\"
\"Gotakeyourbathandputonthosethings，\"saidtheBirdWoman。\"Forgeteverythingandbehappy。Sheisnotinsane。Sheisembittered。Shedidnotunderstandhowthingswouldbe。Whenshesaw，shecameatoncetoprovideyouadress。Thisisherwayofsayingsheissorryshedidnotgettheother。Younoticeshehasnotspentanymoney，soperhapssheisquitehonestinsayingshehasnone。\"
\"Oh，sheishonest!\"saidElnora。\"Shewouldn\'tcareenoughtotellanuntruth。She\'dsayjusthowthingswere，nomatterwhathappened。\"
SoonElnorawasreadyforherdress。Sheneverhadlookedsowellaswhensheagainheadedtheprocessionalacrosstheflowerandpalmdeckedstageofthehighschoolauditorium。AsshesatthereshecouldhavereachedoveranddroppedaroseshecarriedintotheseatshehadoccupiedthatSeptembermorningwhensheenteredthehighschool。Shespokethefewwordsshehadtosayinbehalfoftheclassbeautifully，hadthetinywinkreadyforBilly，andthesmileandnodofrecognitionforWesleyandMargaret。Whenatlastshelookedintotheeyesofawhite-facedwomannextthem，sheslippedahandtohersideandraisedherskirtthefractionofaninch，justenoughtolettheembroiderededgeofapetticoatshowatrifle。Whenshesawthelookofreliefwhichfloodedhermother\'sface，Elnoraknewthatforgivenesswasinherheart，andthatshewouldgohomeinthemorning。
Itwaslateafternoonbeforeshearrived，andadrayfollowedwithaloadofpackages。Mrs。Comstockwasoverwhelmed。ShesathalfdazedandmadeElnorashowhereachcostlyandbeautifulorsimpleandusefulgift，tellhercarefullywhatitwasandfromwhereitcame。
ShestudiedthefacesofElnora\'sparticularfriends。
Thegiftsfromthemhadtobesetinagroup。Severaltimesshestartedtospeakandthenstopped。Atlast，betweenherdrylips，cameaharshwhisper。
\"Elnora，whatdidyougivebackforthesethings?\"
\"I\'llshowyou，\"saidElnoracheerfully。\"ImadethesamegiftsfortheBirdWoman，AuntMargaretandyouifyoucareforit。ButIhavetorunupstairstogetit。\"
Whenshereturnedshehandedhermotheranoblongframe，handcarved，enclosingElnora\'spicture，takenbyaschoolmate\'scamera。Sheworeherstorm-coatandcarriedadrippingumbrella。Fromunderitlookedherbrightface；
herbooksandlunchboxwereonherarm，andacrossthebottomoftheframewascarved，\"YourCountryClassmate。\"
Thensheofferedanotherframe。
\"Iamstrongonframes，\"shesaid。\"TheyseemedtobethebestIcoulddowithoutmoney。Ilocatedthemapleandtheblackwalnutmyself，inalittlecornerthathadbeenoverlookedbetweentheriverandtheditch。
Theydidn\'tseemtobelongtoanyonesoIjusttookthem。
UncleWesleysaiditwasallright，andhecutandhauledthemforme。Igavethemillhalfofeachtreeforsawingandcuringtheremainder。ThenIgavethewood-carverhalfofthatformakingmyframes。Aphotographergavemealotofspoiledplates，andIboiledofftheemulsion，andtookthespecimensIframedfrommystuff。Themansaidthewhiteframeswereworththreeandahalf，andtheblackonesfive。Iexchangedthoselittleframedpicturesforthephotographsoftheothers。Forpresents，Igaveeachoneofmycrowdonelikethis，onlyadifferentmoth。
TheBirdWomangavemethebirchbark。Shegotitupnorthlastsummer。\"
Elnorahandedhermotherahandsomeblack-walnutframeafootandahalfwidebytwolong。Itfinishedasmall，shallowglass-coveredboxofbirchbark，tothebottomofwhichclungabignightmothwithdelicatepalegreenwingsandlongexquisitetrailers。
\"SoyouseeIdidnothavetobeashamedofmygifts，\"
saidElnora。\"Imadethemmyselfandraisedandmountedthemoths。\"
\"Moth，youcallit，\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"I\'veseenafewofthethingsbefore。\"
\"TheyarenumerousarounduseveryJunenight，oratleasttheyusedtobe，\"saidElnora。\"I\'vesoldhundredsofthem，withbutterflies，dragonflies，andotherspecimens。
Now，Imustputawaytheseandgettowork，foritisalmostJuneandthereareafewmoreIwantdreadfully。
IfIfindthemIwillbepaidsomemoneyforwhichIhavebeenworking。\"
Shewasafraidtosaycollegeatthattime。Shethoughtitwouldbebettertowaitafewdaysandseeifanopportunitywouldnotcomewhenitwouldworkinmorenaturally。
Besides，unlessshecouldsecuretheYellowEmperorsheneededtocompletehercollection，shecouldnottalkcollegeuntilshewasofage，forshewouldhavenomoney。
CHAPTERXII
WHEREINMARGARETSINTONREVEALSASECRET，ANDMRS。COMSTOCKPOSSESSESTHELIMBERLOST
Elnora，bringmethetowel，quick!\"criedMrsComstock。
\"Inaminute，mother，\"mumbledElnora。
Shewasstandingbeforethekitchenmirror，tyingthebackpartofherhair，whilethefrontturnedoverherface。
\"Hurry!There\'savarmintofsomekind!\"
Elnoraranintothesitting-roomandthrusttheheavykitchentowelintohermother\'shand。Mrs。Comstockswungopenthescreendoorandstruckatsomeobject，Elnoratossedthehairfromherfacesothatshecouldseepasthermother。Thegirlscreamedwildly。
\"Don\'t!Mother，don\'t!\"
Mrs。Comstockstruckagain。Elnoracaughtherarm。
\"It\'stheoneIwant!It\'sworthalotofmoney!
Don\'t!Oh，youshallnot!\"
\"Shan\'t，missy?\"blazedMrs。Comstock。\"Whendidyougettobossingme?\"
Thehandthatheldthescreensweptahalf-circleandstoppedatElnora\'scheek。Shestaggeredwiththeblow，andacrossherface，paledwithexcitement，aredmarkaroserapidly。Thescreenslammedshut，throwingthecreatureonthefloorbeforethem。InstantlyMrs。
Comstockcrusheditwithherfoot。Elnorasteppedback。
Exceptingtheredmark，herfacewasverywhite。
\"ThatwasthelastmothIneeded，\"shesaid，\"tocompleteacollectionworththreehundreddollars。You\'veruineditbeforemyeyes!\"
\"Moth!\"criedMrs。Comstock。\"Yousaythatbecauseyouaremad。Mothshavebigwings。Iknowamoth!\"
\"I\'vekeptthingsfromyou，\"saidElnora，\"becauseI
didn\'tdareconfideinyou。Youhadnosympathywithme。
ButyouknowInevertoldyouuntruthsinallmylife。\"
\"It\'snomoth!\"reiteratedMrs。Comstock。
\"Itis!\"criedElnora。\"It\'sfromacaseintheground。
Itswingstaketwoorthreehourstoexpandandharden。\"
\"IfIhadknownitwasamoth——\"Mrs。Comstockwavered。
\"Youdidknow!Itoldyou!Ibeggedyoutostop!
Itmeantjustthreehundreddollarstome。\"
\"Bah!Threehundredfiddlesticks!\"
\"Theyarewhathavepaidforbooks，tuition，andclothesforthepastfouryears。TheyarewhatIcouldhavestartedontocollege。You\'veruinedtheveryoneIneeded。
Younevermadeanypretenceoflovingme。AtlastI\'llbeequallyfrankwithyou。Ihateyou!Youareaselfish，wickedwoman!Ihateyou!\"
Elnoraturned，wentthroughthekitchenandfromthebackdoor。Shefollowedthegardenpathtothegateandwalkedtowardtheswampashortdistancewhenreactionovertookher。Shedroppedonthegroundandleanedagainstabiglog。Whenalittlechild，desperateasnow，shehadtriedtodiebyholdingherbreath。Shehadthoughtinthatwaytomakehermothersorry，butshehadlearnedthatlifewasathingthrustuponherandshecouldnotleaveitatherwish。
Shewassostunnedoverthelossofthatmoth，whichshehadchildishlynamedtheYellowEmperor，thatshescarcelyrememberedtheblow。Shehadthoughtnoluckinalltheworldwouldbesorareastocompletehercollection；nowshehadbeenforcedtoseeasplendidImperialisdestroyedbeforeher。Therewasapossibilitythatshecouldfindanother，butshewasfacingthecertaintythattheoneshemighthavehadandwithwhichsheundoubtedlycouldhaveattractedothers，wasspoiledbyhermother。HowlongshesatthereElnoradidnotknoworcare。Shesimplysufferedindumb，abjectmisery，anoccasionaldrysobshakingher。AuntMargaretwasright。
Elnorafeltthatmorningthathermotherneverwouldbeanydifferent。Thegirlhadreachedtheplacewheresherealizedthatshecouldendureitnolonger。
AsElnoralefttheroom，Mrs。Comstocktookonestepafterher。
\"Youlittlehuzzy!\"shegasped。
ButElnorawasgone。Hermotherstoodstaring。
\"Sheneverdidlietome，\"shemuttered。\"Iguessitwasamoth。Andtheonlyonesheneededtogetthreehundreddollars，shesaid。IwishIhadn\'tbeensofast!
Ineversawanythinglikeit。Ithoughtitwassomedeadly，stinging，bitingthing。Abodydoeshavetobemightycarefulhere。ButlikelyI\'vespiltthemilknow。
Pshaw!Shecanfindanother!There\'snousetobefoolish。
Maybemothsarelikesnakes，wherethere\'sone，therearetwo。\"
Mrs。Comstocktookthebroomandsweptthemothoutofthedoor。Thenshegotdownonherkneesandcarefullyexaminedthesteps，logsandtheearthoftheflowerbedsateachside。Shefoundtheplacewherethecreaturehademergedfromtheground，andthehard，dark-browncasewhichhadenclosedit，stillwetinside。
ThensheknewElnorahadbeenright。Itwasamoth。
Itswingshadbeendampandnotexpanded。Mrs。Comstockneverbeforehadseenoneinthatstate，andshedidnotknowhowtheyoriginated。Shehadthoughtallofthemcamefromcasesspunontreesoragainstwallsorboards。Shehadseenonlyenoughtoknowthatthereweresuchthings；asaflashofwhitetoldherthatanerminewasonherpremises，orasharp\"buzzzzz\"warnedherofarattler。
SoitwasfromcreatureslikethatElnorahadsecuredherschoolmoney。Inonesickeningsweepthererushedintotheheartofthewomanafullrealizationofthewidthofthegulfthatseparatedherfromherchild。
Latelymanythingshadpointedtowardit，nonemoreplainlythanwhenElnora，likeareincarnationofherfather，hadstoodfearlesslybeforealargecityaudienceandplayedwithevengreaterskillthanhe，onwhatMrs。Comstockfeltverycertainwashisviolin。Butthatlittlecrawlingcreatureofearth，crushedbyherbeforeitssplendidyellowandlavenderwingscouldspreadandcarryitintothemysteryofnight，hadperformedamiracle。
\"Wearenearerstrangerstoeachotherthanwearewithanyoftheneighbours，\"shemuttered。
SooneoftheAlmighty\'smostdelicateandbeautifulcreationswassacrificedwithoutfulfillingthelaw，yetnoneofitsspecieseverservedsogloriousacause，foratlastMrs。Comstock\'sinnervisionhadcleared。Shewentthroughthecabinmechanically。EveryfewminutessheglancedtowardthebackwalktoseeifElnorawerecoming。SheknewarrangementshadbeenmadewithMargarettogotothecitysometimethatday，soshegrewmorenervousanduneasyeverymoment。ShewashauntedbythefearthattheblowmightdiscolourElnora\'scheek；thatshewouldtellMargaret。Shewentdownthebackwalk，lookingintentlyinalldirections，leftthegardenandfollowedtheswamppath。Herstepwasnoiselessonthesoft，blackearth，andsoonshecamecloseenoughtoseeElnora。Mrs。Comstockstoodlookingatthegirlintroubleduncertainty。Notknowingwhattosay，atlastsheturnedandwentbacktothecabin。
Nooncameandsheprepareddinner，calling，asshealwaysdid，whenElnorawasinthegarden，butshegotnoresponse，andthegirldidnotcome。Alittleafteroneo\'clockMargaretstoppedatthegate。
\"Elnorahaschangedhermind。Sheisnotgoing，\"
calledMrs。Comstock。
ShefeltthatshehatedMargaretasshehitchedherhorseandcameupthewalkinsteadofdrivingon。
\"Youmustbemistaken，\"saidMargaret。\"Iwasgoingonpurposeforher。Sheaskedmetotakeher。
Ihadnoerrand。Whereisshe?\"
\"Iwillcallher，\"saidMrs。Comstock。
Shefollowedthepathagain，andthistimefoundElnorasittingonthelog。Herfacewasswollenanddiscoloured，andhereyesredwithcrying。Shepaidnoattentiontohermother。
\"MagSintonishere，\"saidMrs。Comstockharshly。
\"Itoldheryouhadchangedyourmind，butshesaidyouaskedhertogowithyou，andshehadnothingtogoforherself。\"
Elnoraarose，recklesslywadedthroughthedeepswampgrassesandsoreachedthepathaheadofhermother。
Mrs。Comstockfollowedasfarasthegarden，butshecouldnotenterthecabin。Shebusiedherselfamongthevegetables，barelylookingupwhentheback-doorscreenslammednoisily。MargaretSintonapproachedcolourless，hereyessoangrythatMrs。Comstockshrankback。
\"What\'sthematterwithElnora\'sface?\"demandedMargaret。
Mrs。Comstockmadenoreply。
\"Youstruckher，didyou?\"
\"Ithoughtyouwasn\'tblind!\"
\"Ihavebeen，fortwentylongyearsnow，KateComstock，\"
saidMargaretSinton，\"butmyeyesareopenatlast。
WhatIseeisthatI\'vedoneyounogoodandElnoraabigwrong。Ihadanideathatitwouldkillyoutoknow，butIguessyouaretoughenoughtostandanything。
Killorcure，yougetitnow!\"
\"Whatareyoufrothingabout?\"coollyaskedMrs。Comstock。
\"You!\"criedMargaret。\"You!Thewomanwhodoesn\'tpretendtoloveheronlychild。Wholetshergrowtoawoman，asyouhaveletElnora，andcan\'tbesatisfiedwitheverysortofneglect，butmustaddabuseyet；
andallforafoolideaaboutamanwhowasn\'tworthhissalt!\"
Mrs。Comstockpickedupahoe。
\"Gorighton!\"shesaid。\"Emptyyourself。It\'sthelastthingyou\'lleverdo!\"
\"ThenI\'llmakeatidyjobofit，\"saidMargaret。
\"You\'llnottouchme。You\'llstandthereandhearthetruthatlast，andbecauseIdarefaceyouandtellit，youwillknowinyoursoulitistruth。WhenRobertComstockshavedthatquagmireouttheresoclosehewentin，hewantedtokeepyoufromknowingwherehewascomingfrom。He\'dbeentoseeElviraCarney。
Theyhadplanstogotoadancethatnight——\"
\"Closeyourlips!\"saidMrs。Comstockinavoiceofdeadlyquiet。
\"YouknowIwouldn\'tdareopenthemifIwasn\'ttellingyouthetruth。IcanprovewhatIsay。IwascomingfromReeds。ItwashotinthewoodsandI
stoppedatCarney\'sasIpassedforadrink。
Elvira\'sbedriddenoldmotherheardme，andshewassocrazyforsomeonetotalkwith，Isteppedinaminute。
IsawRobertcomedownthepath。Elvirasawhim，too，sosheranoutofthehousetoheadhimoff。Itlookedfunny，andIjustdeliberatelymovedwhereIcouldseeandhear。
Hebroughtherhisviolin，andtoldhertogetreadyandmeethiminthewoodswithitthatnight，andtheywouldgotoadance。Shetookitandhiditinthelofttothewell-houseandpromisedshe\'dgo。\"
\"Areyoudone?\"demandedMrs。Comstock。
\"No。Iamgoingtotellyouthewholestory。Youdon\'tspareElnoraanything。Ishan\'tspareyou。Ihadn\'tbeenherethatday，butIcantellyoujusthowhewasdressed，whichwayhewentandeverywordtheysaid，thoughtheythoughtIwasbusywithhermotherandwouldn\'tnoticethem。Putdownyourhoe，Kate。
IwenttoElvira，toldherwhatIknewandmadehergivemeComstock\'sviolinforElnoraoverthreeyearsago。
She\'sbeenplayingiteversince。Iwon\'tseeherslightedandabusedanotherdayonaccountofamanwhowouldhavebrokenyourheartifhehadlived。
Sixmonthsmorewouldhaveshowedyouwhateverybodyelseknew。Hewasoneofthosemenwhocouldn\'ttrusthimself，andsonowomanwassafewithhim。Now，willyoudropgrievingoverhim，anddoElnorajustice?\"
Mrs。Comstockgraspedthehoetighterandturningshewentdownthewalk，andstartedacrossthewoodstothehomeofElviraCarney。Withavertedheadshepassedthepool，steadilypursuingherway。ElviraCarney，hangingtowelsacrossthebackfence，sawhercomingandwenttowardthegatetomeether。Twentyyearsshehaddreadedthatvisit。SinceMargaretSintonhadcompelledhertoproducetheviolinshehadhiddensolong，becauseshewasafraidtodestroyit，shehadcomecloserexpectationthandread。Thewagesofsinarethehardestdebtsonearthtopay，andtheyarealwayscollectedatinconvenienttimesandunexpectedplaces。
Mrs。Comstock\'sfaceandhairweresowhite，thatherdarkeyesseemedburnedintotheirsetting。Silentlyshestaredatthewomanbeforeheralongtime。
\"Imighthavesavedmyselfthetroubleofcoming，\"
shesaidatlast，\"Iseeyouareguiltyassin!\"
\"WhathasMagSintonbeentellingyou?\"pantedthemiserablewoman，grippingthefence。
\"Thetruth!\"answeredMrs。Comstocksuccinctly。
\"Guiltisineverylineofyourface，inyoureyes，alloveryourwretchedbody。IfI\'dtakenagoodlookatyouanytimeinallthesepastyears，nodoubtIcouldhaveseenitjustasplainasIcannow。Nowomanormancandowhatyou\'vedone，andnotgetamarksetonthemforeveryonetoread。\"
\"Mercy!\"gaspedweaklittleElviraCarney。\"Havemercy!\"
\"Mercy?\"scoffedMrs。Comstock。\"Mercy!That\'sanicewordfromyou!Howmuchmercydidyouhaveonme?Where\'sthemercythatsentComstocktotheslimeofthebottomlessquagmire，andleftmetoseeit，andthenstruggleoninagonyalltheseyears?
Howaboutthemercyoflettingmeneglectmybabyallthedaysofherlife?Mercy!Doyoureallydareusethewordtome?\"
\"IfyouknewwhatI\'vesuffered!\"
\"Suffered?\"jeeredMrs。Comstock。\"That\'sinteresting。
Andpray，whathaveyousuffered?\"
\"Alltheneighbourshavesuspectedandbeendownonme。Iain\'thadafriend。I\'vealwaysfeltguiltyofhisdeath!I\'veseenhimgodownathousandtimes，plainaseveryoudid。Many\'sthenightI\'vestoodontheotherbankofthatpoolandlistenedtoyou，andItriedtothrowmyselfintokeepfromhearingyou，butI
didn\'tdare。IknewGodwouldsendmetoburnforever，butI\'dbetterdoneit；fornow，Hehassettheburningonmybody，andeveryhouritisslowlyeatingthelifeoutofme。Thedoctorsaysit\'sacancer——\"
Mrs。Comstockexhaledalongbreath。Hergriponthehoerelaxedandherstatureliftedtotoweringheight。
\"Ididn\'tknow，orcare，whenIcamehere，justwhatI
did，\"shesaid。\"Butmywayisbeginningtoclear。Iftheguiltofyoursoulhascometoahead，inacanceronyourbody，itlooksasiftheAlmightydidn\'tneedanyofmyhelpinmetingoutHispunishments。Ireallycouldn\'tfixupanythingtocomeanywherenearthat。Ifyouaregoingtoburnuntilyourlifegoesoutwiththatsortoffire，youdon\'towemeanything!\"
\"Oh，KatharineComstock!\"groanedElviraCarney，clingingtothefenceforsupport。
\"LooksasiftheBibleisrightwhenitsays，`Thewagesofsinisdeath，\'doesn\'tit?\"askedMrs。Comstock。
\"Insteadofdoingawoman\'sworkinlife，youchosethesmileofinvitation，andthedressofunearnedcloth。
Nowyoutellmeyouaremarkedtoburntodeathwiththeunquenchablefire。Andhim!Itwasshorterwithhim，butletmetellyouhegothisshare!Heleftmewithanuntruthonhislips，forhetoldmehewasgoingtotakehisviolintoOnabashaforanewkey，whenhecarriedittoyou。Everyvowofloveandconstancyheevermademewasalie，afterhetouchedyourlips，sowhenhetriedthewrongsideofthequagmire，tohidefrommethedirectioninwhichhewascoming，itreachedoutforhim，anditgothim。Itdidn\'thurry，either!Itsuckedhimdown，slowanddeliberate。\"
\"Mercy!\"groanedElviraCarney。\"Mercy!\"
\"Idon\'tknowtheword，\"saidMrs。Comstock。\"Youtookallthatoutofmelongago。Thepasttwentyyearshaven\'tbeenofthesortthattaughtmercy。I\'veneverhadanyonmyselfandnoneonmychild。Whyinthenameofjustice，shouldIhavemercyonyou，oronhim?
YouwerebotholderthanI，bothstrong，sanepeople，youdeliberatelychoseyourcoursewhenyouluredhim，andhe，whenhewasunfaithfultome。WhenaLooseManandaLightWomanfacetheendtheAlmightyordainedforthem，whyshouldtheyshoutatmeformercy?WhatdidIhavetodowithit?\"
ElviraCarneysobbedinpantinggasps。
\"You\'vegottears，haveyou?\"marvelledMrs。Comstock。