are in college, and have been always. You are in the
school of experience, and it has taught you to think, and given you
a heart. God knows I envy the man who wins it! You have been in the
college of the Limberlost all your life, and I never met a graduate from
any other institution who could begin to compare with you in sanity,
clarity, and interesting knowledge. I wouldn't even advise you to read
too many books on your lines. You acquire your material first hand, and
you know that you are right. What you should do is to begin early to
practise self-expression. Don't wait too long to tell us about the woods
as you know them."

"Follow the course of the Bird Woman, you mean?" asked Elnora.

"In your own way; with your own light. She won't live forever. You are
younger, and you will be ready to begin where she ends. The swamp has
given you all you need so far; now you give it to the world in payment.
College be confounded! Go to work and show people what there is in you!"

Not until then did he remember Mrs. Comstock.

"Should we go out to the trail and see if your mother is coming?" he
asked.

"Here she is now," said Elnora. "Gracious, it's a mercy I got that
violin put away in time! I didn't expect her so soon," whispered
the girl as she turned and went toward her mother. Mrs. Comstock's
expression was peculiar as she looked at Elnora.

"I forgot that you were making sun-preserves and they didn't require
much cooking," she said. "We should have waited for you."

"Not at all!" answered Mrs. Comstock. "Have you found anything yet?"

"Nothing that I can show you," said Elnora. "I am almost sure I have
found an idea that will revolutionize the whole course of my work,
thought, and ambitions."

"'Ambitions!' My, what a hefty word!" laughed Mrs. Comstock. "Now who
would suspect a little red-haired country girl of harbouring such a
deadly germ in her body? Can you tell mother about it?"

"Not if you talk to me that way, I can't," said Elnora.

"Well, I guess we better let ambition lie. I've always heard it was
safest asleep. If you ever get a bona fide attack, it will be time to
attend it. Let's hunt specimens. It is June. Philip and I are in the
grades. You have an hour to put an idea into our heads that will stick
for a lifetime, and grow for good. That's the way I look at your job.
Now, what are you going to give us? We don't want any old silly stuff
that has been hashed over and over, we want a big new idea t