That's a long time.
I might collect them."
"Can every kind there is be found here?"
"No, not all of them, but when I get more than I need of one kind, I
can trade them with collectors farther north and west, so I can complete
sets. It's the only way I see to earn the money. Look what I have
already. Big gray Cecropias come from this kind; brown Polyphemus from
that, and green Lunas from these. You aren't working on Sunday. Go with
me only an hour, Pete!"
The man looked at her narrowly. She was young, wholesome, and beautiful.
She was innocent, intensely in earnest, and she needed the money, he
knew that.
"You didn't tell me what scared you," he said.
"Oh, I thought I did! Why you know I had Freckles's box packed full of
moths and specimens, and one evening I sold some to the Bird Woman. Next
morning I found a note telling me it wasn't safe to go inside the swamp.
That sort of scared me. I think I'll go alone, rather than miss the
chance, but I'd be so happy if you would take care of me. Then I could
go anywhere I chose, because if I mired you could pull me out. You will
take care of me, Pete?"
"Yes, I'll take care of you," promised Pete Corson.
"Goody!" said Elnora. "Let's start quick! And Pete, you look at these
closely, and when you are hunting or going along the road, if one
dangles under your nose, you cut off the little twig and save it for me,
will you?"
"Yes, I'll save you all I see," promised Pete.
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