Page:A Girl of the Limberlost.djvu/236

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
218
A GIRL OF THE LIMBERLOST

have cost five dollars to fill with even a moderate-priced scent, from Wesley.

In an expressed crate was a fine curly-maple dressing table, sent by Freckles. The drawers were filled with wonderful toilet articles from the Angel. The Bird Woman added an embroidered linen cover and a small silver vase for a few flowers, and no girl of the class had finer gifts. Elnora laid her head on the table sobbing happily, and the Bird Woman was almost crying herself. Professor Henley sent an elegantly printed and illustrated butterfly book; the grade rooms in which Elnora had taught gave her a set of volumes covering every phase of life afield, in the woods, and water. Elnora had no time to read, so she just carried one of these books around with her, hugging it as she went. After she had gone to dress a queer looking package was brought by a small boy who hopped on one foot as he handed it in and said, "Tell Elnora that is from her ma."

"Who are you?" asked the Bird Woman, as she took the bundle.

"I'm Billy!" announced the boy. "I gave her the five dollars. I earned it myself dropping corn, sticking onions, and pulling weeds. My, but you got to drop, and stick, and pull a lot before it's five dollars' worth."

"Would you like to come in and see Elnora's gifts?"

"Yes, ma'm!" said Billy, trying to stand quietly.

He followed into the room and gazed around.

"Gee-mentley!" he gasped. "Does Elnora get all this?"

"Yes."