"Just the thing I have been wanting!" she said. "I never saw such
beautiful quills in all my life. They match my new broadcloth to
perfection. I've got to have that kind of quills for my hat. I never saw
the like! Whose is it, and where did it come from?"
No one said a word, for Elnora's question, the reply, and her answer,
had been repeated. Every one knew that the Limberlost girl had come out
ahead and Sadie Reed had not been amiable, when the little flourish had
been added to Elnora's name in the algebra class. Elnora's swift glance
was pathetic, but no one helped her. Sadie Reed glanced from the hat to
the faces around her and wondered.
"Why, this is the Freshman section, whose hat is it?" she asked again,
this time impatiently.
"That's the tassel of the cornstock," said Elnora with a forced laugh.
The response was genuine. Every one shouted. Sadie Reed blushed, but she
laughed also.
"Well, it's beautiful," she said, "especially the quills. They are
exactly what I want. I know I don't deserve any kindness from you, but I
do wish you would tell me at whose store you found those quills."
"Gladly!" said Elnora. "You can't buy quills like those at a store. They
are from a living bird. Phoebe Simms gathers them in her orchard as her
peacocks shed them. They are wing quills from the males."
Then there was perfect silence. How was Elnora to know that not a girl
there would have told that?
"I haven't a doubt but I can get you some," she offered.
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