about! It is simply indescribable when the ground
is covered with snow, and the moonlight white."

"It's about the best music we have," said Mrs. Comstock. "I wonder if
you couldn't copy that and make a strong, original piece out of it for
your violin, Elnora?"

There was one tense breath, then---- "I could try," said Elnora simply.

Philip rushed to the rescue. "We must go to work," he said, and began
examining a walnut branch for Luna moth eggs. Elnora joined him while
Mrs. Comstock drew her embroidery from her pocket and sat on a log. She
said she was tired, they could come for her when they were ready to go.
She could hear their voices around her until she called them at supper
time. When they came to her she stood waiting on the trail, the sewing
in one hand, the violin in the other. Elnora became very white, but
followed the trail without a word. Philip, unable to see a woman carry
a heavier load than he, reached for the instrument. Mrs. Comstock shook
her head. She carried the violin home, took it into her room and closed
the door. Elnora turned to Philip.

"If she destroys that, I shall die!" cried the girl.

"She won't!" said Philip. "You misunderstand her. She wouldn't have said
what she did about the owls, if she had meant to. She is your mother.
No one loves you as she does. Trust her! Myself--I think she's simply
great!"

Mrs. Comstock returned with serene face, and all of them helped with
the supper. When it was over Philip and Elnora sorted and classified the
afternoon's specimens, and made a trip to the woods to paint and light
several trees for moths. When they came back Mrs. Comstock sat in the
arbour, and they joined her. The moonlight was so intense, print could
have been read by it. The damp night air held odours near to earth,
making flower and tree perfume strong. A thousand insects were
serenading, and in the maple the grosbeak occasionally said a reassuring
word to his wife, while she answered that all was well. A whip-poor-will
wailed in the swamp and beside the blue-bordered pool a chat complained
disconsolately. Mrs. Comstock went into the cabin, but she returned
immediately, laying the violin and bow across Elnora's lap. "I wish you
would give us a little music," she said.

CHAPTER XVII

WHEREIN MRS. COMSTOCK DANCES IN THE MOONLIGHT, AND ELNORA MAKES A
CONFESSION

Billy was swinging in the hammock, at peace with himself and all the
world, when he thought he heard somethi