Page:A Girl of the Limberlost.djvu/227

 care for her. Because she was worse off than if she had no mother. For the first time in her life, Mrs. Comstock began to study herself as she would appear to others. Every time a junior girl came fluttering down the aisle, leading some one to a seat, and Mrs. Comstock saw a beautiful white dress pass, a wave of positive illness swept over her. What had she done? What would become of Elnora?

As Elnora rode to the city, she answered Wesley's questions in monosyllables so that he thought she was nervous or rehearsing her speech and did not care to talk. Several times the girl tried to tell him and realized that if she said the first word it would bring a torrent of tears. The Bird Woman opened the screen and stared unbelievingly. "Why, I thought you would be ready; you are so late!" she said. "If you have waited to dress here, we will have to hurry." "I have nothing to put on," said Elnora. In bewilderment the Bird Woman drew her inside. "Did—did—" she faltered, "did you think you would wear that?" "No. I thought I would telephone Ellen that there had been an accident and I could not come. I don't know yet how to explain. I'm too sick to think. Oh, do you suppose I can get something made by Tuesday, so that I can graduate?" "Yes; and you'll get something on you to-night, so that you can lead your class, as you have done for four