“May I come?” asked Billy.

“Of course you may come!” answered Elnora.

“Is this nephew of Dr. Ammon a young man?” inquired Margaret.

“About twenty-six, I should think,” said Elnora.  “He said he had been out of college and at work in his father’s law office three years.”

“Does he seem nice?” asked Margaret, and Wesley smiled.

“Finest kind of a person,” said Elnora.  “He can teach me so much.  It is very interesting to hear him talk.  He knows considerable about moths that will be a help to me.  He had a fever and he has to stay outdoors until he grows strong again.”

“Billy, I guess you better help me this afternoon,” said Margaret.  “Maybe Elnora had rather not bother with you.”

“There’s no reason on earth why Billy should not come!” cried Elnora, and Wesley smiled again.

“I must hurry home or I won’t be ready,” she added.

Hastening down the road she entered the cabin, her face glowing.

“I thought you never would come,” said Mrs. Comstock.  “If you don’t hurry Mr. Ammon will be here before you are dressed.”

“I forgot about him until just now,” said Elnora.  “I am not going to dress.  He’s not coming to visit.  We are only going to the woods for more specimens.  I can’t wear anything that requires care.  The limbs take the most dreadful liberties with hair and clothing.”

Mrs. Comstock opened her lips, looked at Elnora and closed them.  In her heart she was pleased that the girl was so interested in her work that she had forgotten Philip Ammon’s coming.  But it did seem to her that such a pleasant young man should have been greeted by a girl in a fresh dress.  “If she isn’t disposed to primp at the coming of a man, heaven forbid that I should be the one to start her,” thought Mrs. Comstock.

Philip came whistling down the walk between the cinnamon pinks, pansies, and strawberries.  He carried several packages, while his face flushed with more colour than on the previous day.

“Only see what has happened to me!” cried Elnora, offering her letter.

“I’ll wager I know!” answered Philip.  “Isn’t it great!  Every one in Onabasha is talking about it.  At last there is something new under the sun.  All of them are pleased.  They think you’ll make a big success.  This will give an incentive to work.  In a few days more I’ll be myself again, and we’ll overturn the fields and woods around here.”

He went on to congratulate Mrs. Comstock.

“Aren’t you proud of her, though?” he asked.  “You should hear what folks are saying!  They say she created the necessity for the position, and every one seems to feel that it is a necessity.  Now, if she succeeds, and she will, all of the other city schools will have such departments, and first thing you know she will have made the whole world a little better.  Let me rest a few seconds; my feet are acting up again.  Then we will cook the moth compound and put it to cool.”