To-day she had decent clothing, books, friends, and her
mind was at ease to work on her studies.
As she approached home that night the girl paused in amazement. Her
mother had company, and she was laughing. Elnora entered the kitchen
softly and peeped into the sitting-room. Mrs. Comstock sat in her chair
holding a book and every few seconds a soft chuckle broke into a real
laugh. Mark Twain was doing his work; while Mrs. Comstock was not
lacking in a sense of humour. Elnora entered the room before her mother
saw her. Mrs. Comstock looked up with flushed face.
"Where did you get this?" she demanded.
"I bought it," said Elnora.
"Bought it! With all the taxes due!"
"I paid for it out of my Indian money, mother," said Elnora. "I couldn't
bear to spend so much on myself and nothing at all on you. I was afraid
to buy the dress I should have liked to, and I thought the book would be
company, while I was gone. I haven't read it, but I do hope it's good."
"Good! It's the biggest piece of foolishness I have read in all my life.
I've laughed all day, ever since I found it. I had a notion to go out
and read some of it to the cows and see if they wouldn't laugh."
"If it made you laugh, it's a wise book," said Elnora.
"Wise!" cried Mrs. Comstock. "You can stake your life it's a wise book.
It takes the smartest man there is to do this kind of fooling," and she
began laughing again.
Elnora, highly satisfied with her purchase, went to her room and put on
her working clothes.
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