What an
escape! Stop straining after Edith Carr's viewpoint and take a look from
mine. Put yourself in my place and try to study out how I feel.
"I am so happy I grow religious over it. Fifty times a day I catch
myself whispering, 'My soul is escaped!' As for you, take all the time
you want. If you prefer to be alone, I'll take the next train and stay
away as long as I can bear it, but I'll come back. You can be most sure
of that. Straight as your pigeons to their loft, I'll come back to you,
Elnora. Shall I go?"
"Oh, what's the use to be extravagant?" murmured Elnora.
CHAPTER XXII
WHEREIN PHILIP AMMON KNEELS TO ELNORA, AND STRANGERS COME TO THE
LIMBERLOST
The month which followed was a reproduction of the previous June. There
were long moth hunts, days of specimen gathering, wonderful hours with
great books, big dinners all of them helped to prepare, and perfect
nights filled with music. Everything was as it had been, with
the difference that Philip was now an avowed suitor. He missed no
opportunity to advance himself in Elnora's graces. At the end of the
month he was no nearer any sort of understanding with her than he had
been at the beginning. He revelled in the privilege of loving her, but
he got no response. Elnora believed in his love, yet she hesitated to
accept him, because she could not forget Edith Carr.
One afternoon early in July, Philip came across the fields, through the
Comstock woods, and entered the garden.
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