As he worked he kept asking questions. What
kind of logs were best to look beside, what trees were pupae cases
most likely to be under; on what bushes did caterpillars spin most
frequently? Time passed, as it always does when one's occupation is
absorbing.
When the Sintons took Mrs. Comstock home, they stopped to see Elnora.
She was not there. Mrs. Comstock called at the edge of her woods and
received no reply. Then Wesley turned and drove back to the Limberlost.
He left Margaret and Mrs. Comstock holding the team and entertaining
Billy, while he entered the swamp.
Elnora and Pete had made a wide trail behind them. Before Sinton had
thought of calling, he heard voices and approached with some caution.
Soon he saw Elnora, her flushed face beaming as she bent with an armload
of twigs and branches and talked to a kneeling man.
"Now go cautiously!" she was saying. "I am just sure we will find an
Imperialis here. It's their very kind of a place. There! What did I tell
you! Isn't that splendid? Oh, I am so glad you came with me!"
Wesley stood staring in speechless astonishment, for the man had arisen,
brushed the dirt from his hands, and held out to Elnora a small shining
dark pupa case. As his face came into view Sinton almost cried out, for
he was the one man of all others Wesley knew with whom he most feared
for Elnora's safety. She had him on his knees digging pupae cases for
her from the swamp.
"Elnora!" called Sinton.
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