Then an accident wrecked one-fourth of the
collection. I helped replace those last June, all but this Yellow
Emperor which we could not secure, and we haven't been able to find, buy
or trade for one since. So my friend was compelled to teach this past
winter instead of going to college. When that moth came flying in there
to-night, it seemed to me like fate. All I thought of was, that to
secure it would complete the collection and secure the money. So I
caught the Emperor and started it to Elnora. I declare to you that I was
not out of the pavilion over three minutes at a liberal estimate. If I
only had thought to speak to the orchestra! I was sure I would be back
before enough couples gathered and formed for the dance."
The eyes of the father were very bright.
"The friend for whom you wanted the moth is a girl?" he asked
indifferently, as he ran the book leaves through his fingers.
"The girl of whom I wrote you last summer, and told you about in the
fall. I helped her all the time I was away."
"Did Edith know of her?"
"I tried many times to tell her, to interest her, but she was so
indifferent that it was insulting. She would not hear me."
"We are neither one in any condition to sleep. Why don't you begin at
the first and tell me about this girl? To think of other matters for a
time may clear our vision for a sane solution of this. Who is she, just
what is she doing, and what is she like? You know I was reared among
those Limberlost people, I can understand readily.
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