"She is absolutely
and altogether lovely! I'd give a small fortune for that faithfully set
on canvas!"
He picked the box from Mrs. Comstock's fingers and slowly advanced with
it. Elnora held down her hand and transferred the moths. Philip closed
the box carefully, but the watching mother saw that his eyes were
following the girl's face. He was not making the slightest attempt to
conceal his admiration.
"I wonder if a woman ever did anything lovelier than to find a pair of
Luna moths on a forest path, early on a perfect June morning," he said
to Mrs. Comstock, when he returned the box.
She glanced at Elnora who was intently searching the bushes.
"Look here, young man," said Mrs. Comstock. "You seem to find that girl
of mine about right."
"I could suggest no improvement," said Philip. "I never saw a more
attractive girl anywhere. She seems absolutely perfect to me."
"Then suppose you don't start any scheme calculated to spoil her!"
proposed Mrs. Comstock dryly. "I don't think you can, or that any man
could, but I'm not taking any risks. You asked to come here to help
in this work. We are both glad to have you, if you confine yourself to
work; but it's the least you can do to leave us as you find us."
"I beg your pardon!" said Philip. "I intended no offence. I admire her
as I admire any perfect creation."
"And nothing in all this world spoils the average girl so quickly and
so surely," said Mrs.
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