Chilled with fright she hurried back to the
cabin. She did not know what to do. She understood what the lights in
the Limberlost meant. Where was her mother? She was afraid to enter,
while she was growing very cold and still more fearful about remaining
outside. At last she went to her mother's room, picked up the gun,
carried it into the kitchen, and crowding in a little corner behind the
stove, she waited in trembling anxiety. The time was dreadfully long
before she heard her mother's voice. Then she decided some one had been
ill and sent for her, so she took courage, and stepping swiftly across
the kitchen she unbarred the door and drew back from sight beside the
table.
Mrs. Comstock entered dragging her heavy feet. Her dress skirt was gone,
her petticoat wet and drabbled, and the waist of her dress was almost
torn from her body. Her hair hung in damp strings; her eyes were red
with crying. In one hand she held the lantern, and in the other stiffly
extended before her, on a wad of calico reposed a magnificent pair of
Yellow Emperors. Elnora stared, her lips parted.
"Shall I put these others in the kitchen?" inquired a man's voice.
The girl shrank back to the shadows.
"Yes, anywhere inside the door," replied Mrs. Comstock as she moved a
few steps to make way for him. Pete's head appeared. He set down the
moths and was gone.
"Thank you, Pete, more than ever woman thanked you before!" said Mrs.
Comstock.
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