第49章 CHAPTER X(4)

But now it's gone,you come whining to me.What have I got?

Have you forgot that the ditch and the road completely strapped me?I haven't any money.There's nothing for you to do but get out of it.""I can't!"said Elnora desperately."I've gone on too long.

It would make a break in everything.They wouldn't let me have my diploma!""What's the difference?You've got the stuff in your head.

I wouldn't give a rap for a scrap of paper.That don't mean anything!""But I've worked four years for it,and I can't enter--I ought to have it to help me get a school,when I want to teach.If I don't have my grades to show,people will think I quit because I couldn't pass my examinations.

I must have my diploma!"

"Then get it!"said Mrs.Comstock.

"The only way is to graduate with the others.""Well,graduate if you are bound to!"

"But I can't,unless I have things enough like the class,that I don't look as I did that first day.""Well,please remember I didn't get you into this,and I can't get you out.You are set on having your own way.Go on,and have it,and see how you like it!"Elnora went upstairs and did not come down again that night,which her mother called pouting.

"I've thought all night,"said the girl at breakfast,"and I can't see any way but to borrow the money of Uncle Wesley and pay it back from some that the Bird Woman will owe me,when I get one more specimen.

But that means that I can't go to--that I will have to teach this winter,if I can get a city grade or a country school.""Just you dare go dinging after Wesley Sinton for money,"cried Mrs.Comstock."You won't do any such a thing!""I can't see any other way.I've got to have the money!""Quit,I tell you!"

"I can't quit!--I've gone too far!"

"Well then,let me get your clothes,and you can pay me back.""But you said you had no money!"

"Maybe I can borrow some at the bank.Then you can return it when the Bird Woman pays you.""All right,"said Elnora."I don't need expensive things.

Just some kind of a pretty cheap white dress for the sermon,and a white one a little better than I had last summer,for Commencement and the ball.I can use the white gloves and shoes I got myself for last year,and you can get my dress made at the same place you did that one.

They have my measurements,and do perfect work.

Don't get expensive things.It will be warm so I can go bareheaded."Then she started to school,but was so tired and discouraged she scarcely could walk.Four years'plans going in one day!For she felt that if she did not start to college that fall she never would.Instead of feeling relieved at her mother's offer,she was almost too ill to go on.For the thousandth time she groaned:"Oh,why didn't I keep account of my money?"After that the days passed so swiftly she scarcely had time to think,but several trips her mother made to town,and the assurance that everything was all right,satisfied Elnora.She worked very hard to pass good final examinations and perfect herself for the play.

For two days she had remained in town with the Bird Woman in order to spend more time practising and at her work.

Often Margaret had asked about her dresses for graduation,and Elnora had replied that they were with a woman in the city who had made her a white dress for last year's Commencement when she was a junior usher,and they would be all right.So Margaret,Wesley,and Billy concerned themselves over what they would give her for a present.

Margaret suggested a beautiful dress.Wesley said that would look to every one as if she needed dresses.

The thing was to get a handsome gift like all the others would have.Billy wanted to present her a five-dollar gold piece to buy music for her violin.He was positive Elnora would like that best of anything.

It was toward the close of the term when they drove to town one evening to try to settle this important question.

They knew Mrs.Comstock had been alone several days,so they asked her to accompany them.She had been more lonely than she would admit,filled with unusual unrest besides,and so she was glad to go.But before they had driven a mile Billy had told that they were going to buy Elnora a graduation present,and Mrs.Comstock devoutly wished that she had remained at home.She was prepared when Billy asked:"Aunt Kate,what are you going to give Elnora when she graduates?""Plenty to eat,a good bed to sleep in,and do all the work while she trollops,"answered Mrs.Comstock dryly.

Billy reflected."I guess all of them have that,"he said.

"I mean a present you buy at the store,like Christmas?""It is only rich folks who buy presents at stores,"replied Mrs.Comstock."I can't afford it.""Well,we ain't rich,"he said,"but we are going to buy Elnora something as fine as the rest of them have if we sell a corner of the farm.Uncle Wesley said so.""A fool and his land are soon parted,"said Mrs.

Comstock tersely.Wesley and Billy laughed,but Margaret did not enjoy the remark.

While they were searching the stores for something on which all of them could decide,and Margaret was holding Billy to keep him from saying anything before Mrs.Comstock about the music on which he was determined,Mr.Brownlee met Wesley and stopped to shake hands.

"I see your boy came out finely,"he said.

"I don't allow any boy anywhere to be finer than Billy,"said Wesley.

"I guess you don't allow any girl to surpass Elnora,"said Mr.Brownlee."She comes home with Ellen often,and my wife and I love her.Ellen says she is great in her part to-night.Best thing in the whole play!Of course,you are in to see it!If you haven't reserved seats,you'd better start pretty soon,for the high school auditorium only seats a thousand.It's always jammed at these home-talent plays.All of us want to see how our children perform.""Why yes,of course,"said the bewildered Wesley.

Then he hurried to Margaret."Say,"he said,"there is going to be a play at the high school to-night;and Elnora is in it.Why hasn't she told us?""I don't know,"said Margaret,"but I'm going.""So am I,"said Billy.