One might as well
keep the big night moths of June, for they only live four or five
days anyway. For the Bird Woman, I only save rare ones she has not
yet secured. Sometimes I think it is cruel to take such creatures from
freedom, even for an hour, but it is the only way to teach the masses
of people how to distinguish the pests they should destroy, from the
harmless ones of great beauty. Here comes mother with something cool to
drink."
Mrs. Comstock came deliberately, talking to Philip as she approached.
Elnora gave her one searching look, but could discover only an extreme
brightness of eye to denote any unusual feeling. She wore one of her
lavender dresses, while her snowy hair was high piled. She had taken
care of her complexion, and her face had grown fuller during the winter.
She might have been any one's mother with pride, and she was perfectly
at ease.
Polly instantly went to her and held up her face to be kissed. Mrs.
Comstock's eyes twinkled and she made the greeting hearty.
The drink was compounded of the juices of oranges and berries from the
garden. It was cool enough to frost glasses and pitcher and delicious to
dusty tired travellers. Soon the pitcher was empty, and Elnora picked
it up and went to refill it. While she was gone Henderson asked Philip
about some trouble he was having with his car. They went to the woods
and began a minute examination to find a defect which did not exist.
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