"It was a fool mistake I made yesterday in thinking books were just handed out to one.There was a teachers'meeting last night and the history teacher told about that.
Professor Henley thought of me.You know I told you what he said about my algebra,mother.Ain't I glad I studied out some of it myself this summer!So he telephoned and a girl brought the books.Because they are marked and abused some I get the whole outfit for two dollars.
I can erase most of the marks,paste down the covers,and fix them so they look better.But I must hurry to the joy part.I didn't stop to eat,at noon,I just ran to the Bird Woman's,and I had lunch with her.It was salad,hot chocolate,and lovely things,and she wants to buy most every old scrap I ever gathered.She wants dragonflies,moths,butterflies,and he--the banker,Imean--wants everything Indian.This very night she came to the swamp with me and took away enough stuff to pay for the books and tuition,and to-morrow she is going to buy some more."Elnora laid the last arrow point in the pail and arose,shaking leaves and bits of baked earth from her dress.
She reached into her pocket,produced her money and waved it before their wondering eyes.
"And that's the joy part!"she exulted."Put it up in the clock till morning,mother.That pays for the books and tuition and--"Elnora hesitated,for she saw the nervous grasp with which her mother's fingers closed on the bills.Then she continued,but more slowly and thinking before she spoke.
"What I get to-morrow pays for more books and tuition,and maybe a few,just a few,things to wear.These shoes are so dreadfully heavy and hot,and they make such a noise on the floor.There isn't another calico dress in the whole building,not among hundreds of us.Why,what is that?Aunt Margaret,what are you hiding in your lap?"She snatched the waist and shook it out,and her face was beaming."Have you taken to waists all fancy and buttoned in the back?I bet you this is mine!""I bet you so too,"said Margaret Sinton."You undress right away and try it on,and if it fits,it will be done for morning.There are some low shoes,too!"Elnora began to dance."Oh,you dear people!"she cried."I can pay for them to-morrow night!
Isn't it too splendid!I was just thinking on the way home that I certainly would be compelled to have cooler shoes until later,and I was wondering what I'd do when the fall rains begin.""I meant to get you some heavy dress skirts and a coat then,"said Mrs.Comstock.
"I know you said so!"cried Elnora."But you needn't,now!
I can buy every single stitch I need myself.Next summer I can gather up a lot more stuff,and all winter on the way to school.I am sure I can sell ferns,I know I can nuts,and the Bird Woman says the grade rooms want leaves,grasses,birds'nests,and cocoons.Oh,isn't this world lovely!I'll be helping with the tax,next,mother!"Elnora waved the waist and started for the bedroom.
When she opened the door she gave a little cry.
"What have you people been doing?"she demanded.
"I never saw so many interesting bundles in all my life.
I'm `skeered'to death for fear I can't pay for them,and will have to give up something.""Wouldn't you take them,if you could not pay for them,Elnora?"asked her mother instantly.
"Why,not unless you did,"answered Elnora."People have no right to wear things they can't afford,have they?""But from such old friends as Maggie and Wesley!"Mrs.Comstock's voice was oily with triumph.
"From them least of all,"cried Elnora stoutly."From a stranger sooner than from them,to whom I owe so much more than I ever can pay now.""Well,you don't have to,"said Mrs.Comstock.
"Maggie just selected these things,because she is more in touch with the world,and has got such good taste.
You can pay as long as your money holds out,and if there's more necessary,maybe I can sell the butcher a calf,or if things are too costly for us,of course,they can take them back.Put on the waist now,and then you can look over the rest and see if they are suitable,and what you want."Elnora stepped into the adjoining room and closed the door.
Mrs.Comstock picked up the bucket and started for the well with it.At the bedroom she paused.
"Elnora,were you going to wash these arrow points?""Yes.The Bird Woman says they sell better if they are clean,so it can be seen that there are no defects in them.""Of course,"said Mrs.Comstock."Some of them seem quite baked.Shall I put them to soak?Do you want to take them in the morning?""Yes,I do,"answered Elnora."If you would just fill the pail with water."Mrs.Comstock left the room.Wesley Sinton sat with his back to the window in the west end of the cabin which overlooked the well.A suppressed sound behind him caused him to turn quickly.Then he arose and leaned over Margaret.
"She's out there laughing like a blamed monkey!"he whispered indignantly.
"Well,she can't help it!"exclaimed Margaret.
"I'm going home!"said Wesley.
"Oh no,you are not!"retorted Margaret."You are missing the point.The point is not how you look,or feel.It is to get these things in Elnora's possession past dispute.You go now,and to-morrow Elnora will wear calico,and Kate Comstock will return these goods.
Right here I stay until everything we bought is Elnora's.""What are you going to do?"asked Wesley.
"I don't know yet,myself,"said Margaret.
Then she arose and peered from the window.At the well curb stood Katharine Comstock.The strain of the day was finding reaction.Her chin was in the air,she was heaving,shaking and strangling to suppress any sound.The word that slipped between Margaret Sinton's lips shocked Wesley until he dropped on his chair,and recalled her to her senses.She was fairly composed as she turned to Elnora,and began the fitting.
When she had pinched,pulled,and patted she called,"Come see if you think this fits,Kate."Mrs.Comstock had gone around to the back door and answered from the kitchen."You know more about it than I do.Go ahead!I'm getting supper.
