In an expressed crate was a fine curly-maple dressing table,sent by Freckles.The drawers were filled with wonderful toilet articles from the Angel.The Bird Woman added an embroidered linen cover and a small silver vase for a few flowers,so no girl of the class had finer gifts.Elnora laid her head on the table sobbing happily,and the Bird Woman was almost crying herself.
Professor Henley sent a butterfly book,the grade rooms in which Elnora had taught gave her a set of volumes covering every phase of life afield,in the woods,and water.
Elnora had no time to read so she carried one of these books around with her hugging it as she went.After she had gone to dress a queer-looking package was brought by a small boy who hopped on one foot as he handed it in and said:"Tell Elnora that is from her ma.""Who are you?"asked the Bird Woman as she took the bundle.
"I'm Billy!"announced the boy."I gave her the five dollars.
I earned it myself dropping corn,sticking onions,and pulling weeds.My,but you got to drop,and stick,and pull a lot before it's five dollars'worth.""Would you like to come in and see Elnora's gifts?""Yes,ma'am!"said Billy,trying to stand quietly.
"Gee-mentley!"he gasped."Does Elnora get all this?""Yes."
"I bet you a thousand dollars I be first in my class when I graduate.Say,have the others got a lot more than Elnora?""I think not."
"Well,Uncle Wesley said to find out if I could,and if she didn't have as much as the rest,he'd buy till she did,if it took a hundred dollars.Say,you ought to know him!
He's just scrumptious!There ain't anybody any where finer 'an he is.My,he's grand!""I'm very sure of it!"said the Bird Woman."I've often heard Elnora say so.""I bet you nobody can beat this!"he boasted.Then he stopped,thinking deeply."I don't know,though,"he began reflectively."Some of them are awful rich;they got big families to give them things and wagon loads of friends,and I haven't seen what they have.Now,maybe Elnora is getting left,after all!""Don't worry,Billy,"she said."I will watch,and if I find Elnora is `getting left'I'll buy her some more things myself.But I'm sure she is not.She has more beautiful gifts now than she will know what to do with,and others will come.Tell your Uncle Wesley his girl is bountifully remembered,very happy,and she sends her dearest love to all of you.Now you must go,so I can help her dress.You will be there to-night of course?""Yes,sir-ee!She got me a seat,third row from the front,middle section,so I can see,and she's going to wink at me,after she gets her speech off her mind.
She kissed me,too!She's a perfect lady,Elnora is.
I'm going to marry her when I am big enough.""Why isn't that splendid!"laughed the Bird Woman as she hurried upstairs.
"Dear!"she called."Here is another gift for you."Elnora was half disrobed as she took the package and,sitting on a couch,opened it.The Bird Woman bent over her and tested the fabric with her fingers.
"Why,bless my soul!"she cried."Hand-woven,hand-embroidered linen,fine as silk.It's priceless'I haven't seen such things in years.My mother had garments like those when I was a child,but my sisters had them cut up for collars,belts,and fancy waists while I was small.
Look at the exquisite work!"
"Where could it have come from?"cried Elnora.
She shook out a petticoat,with a hand-wrought ruffle a foot deep,then an old-fashioned chemise the neck and sleeve work of which was elaborate and perfectly wrought.
On the breast was pinned a note that she hastily opened.
"I was married in these,"it read,"and I had intended to be buried in them,but perhaps it would be more sensible for you to graduate and get married in them yourself,if you like.Your mother.""From my mother!"Wide-eyed,Elnora looked at the Bird Woman."I never in my life saw the like.
Mother does things I think I never can forgive,and when I feel hardest,she turns around and does something that makes me think she just must love me a little bit,after all.
Any of the girls would give almost anything to graduate in hand-embroidered linen like that.Money can't buy such things.And they came when I was thinking she didn't care what became of me.Do you suppose she can be insane?""Yes,"said the Bird Woman."Wildly insane,if she does not love you and care what becomes of you."Elnora arose and held the petticoat to her."Will you look at it?"she cried."Only imagine her not getting my dress ready,and then sending me such a petticoat as this!
Ellen would pay fifty dollars for it and never blink.
