“Edith I can't bear it! That's not demanded! Let me take it!”
“You may go with me. I know where the O'More cottage is. I have been there often.”
“I'll say you sent it!”
“You may watch me deliver it!”
“Phil may be there by now.”
“I hope he is! I should like him to see me do one decent thing by which to remember me.”
“I tell you that is not necessary!”
“'Not necessary!'” cried the girl, her big eyes shining. “Not necessary? Then what on earth is the thing doing here? I just have boasted that I would change, that I would be like her, that I would grow bigger and broader. As the words are spoken God gives me the opportunity to prove whether I am sincere. This is my test, Hart! Don't you see it? If I am big enough to carry that to her, you will believe that there is some good in me. You will not be loving me in vain. This is an especial Providence, man! Be my strength! Help me, as you always have done!”
Henderson arose and shook the leaves from his clothing. He drew Edith Carr to her feet and carefully picked the mosses from her skirts. He went to the water and moistened his handkerchief to bathe her face.
“Now a dust of powder,” he said when the tears were washed away.
From a tiny book Edith tore leaves that she passed over her face.
“All gone!” cried Henderson, critically studying her. “You look almost half as lovely as you really are!”
Edith Carr drew a wavering breath. She stretched one hand to him.
“Hold tight, Hart!” she said. “I know they handle these things, but I would quite as soon touch a snake.”
Henderson clenched his teeth and held steadily. The moth had emerged too recently to be troublesome. It climbed on her fingers quietly and obligingly clung there without moving. So hand in hand they went down the dark forest path. When they came to the avenue, the first person they met paused with an ejaculation of wonder. The next stopped also, and every one following. They could make little progress on account of marvelling, interested people. A strange excitement took possession of Edith. She began to feel proud of the moth.
“Do you know,” she said to Henderson, “this is growing easier every step. Its clinging is not disagreeable as I thought it would be. I feel as if I were saving it, protecting it. I am proud that we are taking it to be put into a collection or a book. It seems like doing a thing worth while. Oh, Hart, I wish we could work together at something for which people would care as they seem to for this. Hear what they say! See them lift their little children to look at it!”
“Edith, if you don't stop,” said Henderson, “I will take you in my arms here on the avenue. You are adorable!”
“Don't you dare!” laughed Edith Carr. The colour rushed to her cheeks and a new light leaped in her eyes.
“Oh, Hart!” she cried. “Let's work! Let's do something! That's the way she makes people love her so. There's the place, and thank goodness, there is a crowd.”
“You darling!” whispered Henderson as they passed up the walk. Her face was rose-flushed with excitement and her eyes shone.
“Hello, everyone!” she cried as she came on the wide veranda. “Only see what we found up in the forest! We thought you might like to have it for some of your collections.”
She held out the moth as she walked straight to Elnora, who arose to meet her, crying: “How perfectly splendid! I don't even know how to begin to thank you.”
Elnora took the moth. Edith shook hands with all of them and asked Philip if he were improving. She said a few polite words to Freckles and the Angel, declined to remain on account of an engagement, and went away, gracefully.
“Well bully for her!” said Mrs. Comstock. “She's a little thoroughbred after all!”
“That was a mighty big thing for her to be doing,” said Freckles in a hushed voice.
“If you knew her as well as I do,” said Philip Ammon, “you would have a better conception of what that cost.”
“It was a terror!” cried the Angel. “I never could have done it.”
“'Never could have done it!'” echoed Freckles. “Why, Angel, dear, that is the one thing of all the world you would have done!”
“I have to take care of this,” faltered Elnora, hurrying toward the door to hide the tears which were rolling down her cheeks.
“I must help,” said Philip, disappearing also. “Elnora,” he called, catching up with her, “take me where I may cry, too. Wasn't she great?”
“Superb!” exclaimed Elnora. “I have no words. I feel so humbled!”
“So do I,” said Philip. “I think a brave deed like that always makes one feel so. Now are you happy?”
“Unspeakably happy!” answered Elnora.
Laddie
CHAPTER IV The Last Day in Eden
CHAPTER V The First Day of School
CHAPTER VII When Sally Married Peter
CHAPTER VIII The Shropshire and the Crusader
CHAPTER X Laddie Takes the Plunge
CHAPTER XI Keeping Christmas Our Way
CHAPTER XII The Horn of the Hunter
CHAPTER XIII The Garden of the Lord
CHAPTER XIV The Crest of Eastbrooke
CHAPTER XV Laddie, the Princess, and the Pie