spoil yourself if you tried to run your mind through a set groove with hundreds of others.  I never thought I should say such a thing to any one, but I do say to you, and I honestly believe it; give up the college idea.  Your mind does not need that sort of development.  Stick close to your work in the woods.  You are becoming so infinitely greater on it, than the best college girl I ever knew, that there is no comparison.  When you have money to spend, take that violin and go to one of the world’s great masters and let the Limberlost sing to him; if he thinks he can improve it, very well.  I have my doubts.”

“Do you really mean that you would give up all idea of going to college, in my place?”

“I really mean it,” said Philip.  “If I now held the money in my hands to send you, and could give it to you in some way you would accept I would not.  I do not know why it is the fate of the world always to want something different from what life gives them.  If you only could realize it, my girl, you are in college, and have been always.  You are in the school of experience, and it has taught you to think, and given you a heart.  God knows I envy the man who wins it!  You have been in the college of the Limberlost all your life, and I never met a graduate from any other institution who could begin to compare with you in sanity, clarity, and interesting knowledge.  I wouldn’t even advise you to read too many books on your lines.  You acquire your material first hand, and you know that you are right.  What you should do is to begin early to practise self-expression.  Don’t wait too long to tell us about the woods as you know them.”

“Follow the course of the Bird Woman, you mean?” asked Elnora.

“In your own way; with your own light.  She won’t live forever.  You are younger, and you will be ready to begin where she ends.  The swamp has given you all you need so far; now you give it to the world in payment.  College be confounded!  Go to work and show people what there is in you!”

Not until then did he remember Mrs. Comstock.

“Should we go out to the trail and see if your mother is coming?” he asked.

“Here she is now,” said Elnora.  “Gracious, it’s a mercy I got that violin put away in time!  I didn’t expect her so soon,” whispered the girl as she turned and went toward her mother.  Mrs. Comstock’s expression was peculiar as she looked at Elnora.

“I forgot that you were making sun-preserves and they didn’t require much cooking,” she said.  “We should have waited for you.”

“Not at all!” answered Mrs. Comstock.  “Have you found anything yet?”

“Nothing that I can show you,” said Elnora.  “I am almost sure I have found an idea that will revolutionize the whole course of my work, thought, and ambitions.”

“‘Ambitions!’ My, what a hefty word!” laughed Mrs. Comstock.  “Now who would suspect a little red-haired country girl of harbouring such a deadly germ in her body?  Can you tell mother about it?”