Elnora never mentioned Philip Ammon, neither did Mrs. Comstock.  Early in December came a note and a big box from him.  It contained several books on nature subjects which would be of much help in school work, a number of conveniences Elnora could not afford, and a pair of glass-covered plaster casts, for each large moth she had.  In these the upper and underwings of male and female showed.  He explained that she would break her specimens easily, carrying them around in boxes.  He had seen these and thought they would be of use.  Elnora was delighted with them, and at once began the tedious process of softening the mounted moths and fitting them to the casts moulded to receive them.  Her time was so taken in school, she progressed slowly, so her mother undertook this work.  After trying one or two very common ones she learned to handle the most delicate with ease.  She took keen pride in relaxing the tense moths, fitting them to the cases, polishing the glass covers to the last degree and sealing them.  The results were beautiful to behold.

Soon after Elnora wrote to Philip: 

Dear friend: 

I am writing to thank you for the books, and the box of conveniences sent me for my work.  I can use everything with fine results.  Hope I am giving good satisfaction in my position.  You will be interested to learn that when the summer’s work was classified and pinned, I again had my complete collection for the man of India, save a Yellow Emperor.  I have tried everywhere I know, so has the Bird Woman.  We cannot find a pair for sale.  Fate is against me, at least this season.  I shall have to wait until next year and try again.

Thank you very much for helping me with my collection and for the books and cases.

Sincerely yours,

Elnora Comstock.

Philip was disappointed over that note and instead of keeping it he tore it into bits and dropped them into the waste basket.

That was precisely what Elnora had intended he should do.  Christmas brought beautiful cards of greeting to Mrs. Comstock and Elnora, Easter others, and the year ran rapidly toward spring.  Elnora’s position had been intensely absorbing, while she had worked with all her power.  She had made a wonderful success and won new friends.  Mrs. Comstock had helped in every way she could, so she was very popular also.

Throughout the winter they had enjoyed the city thoroughly, and the change of life it afforded, but signs of spring did wonderful things to the hearts of the country-bred women.  A restlessness began on bright February days, calmed during March storms and attacked full force in April.  When neither could bear it any longer they were forced to discuss the matter and admit they were growing ill with pure homesickness.  They decided to keep the city house during the summer, but to return to the farm to live as soon as school closed.

So Mrs. Comstock would prepare breakfast and lunch and then slip away to the farm to make up beds in her ploughed garden, plant seeds, trim and tend her flowers, and prepare the cabin for occupancy.  Then she would go home and make the evening as cheerful as possible for Elnora; in these days she lived only for the girl.