"I guess instead of me being the catamount, you had the genuine article up in Chicago, masquerading in peacock feathers, and posing as a fine lady, until her time came to scratch. Human nature seems to be pretty much the same the world over. But I'd give a pretty to know that secret thing you say you don't, that set her to raving over your just catching a moth for Elnora. You might get that crock of strawberries in the spring house."
They prepared and ate supper. Afterward they sat in the arbour and talked, or Elnora played until time for Ammon to go.
"Will you walk to the gate with me?" he asked Elnora as he arose.
"Not to-night," she answered lightly. "Come early in the morning if you like, and we will go over to Sleepy Snake Creek and hunt moths and gather dandelions for dinner."
Ammon leaned toward her. "May I tell you to-morrow why I came?" he asked.
"I think not," replied Elnora. "The fact is, I don't care why you came. It is enough for me that we are your very good friends, and that in trouble you have found us a refuge. I fancy we had better live a week or two before you say anything. There is a possibility what you have to say may change in that length of time."
"It will not change one iota!" cried Ammon.
"Then it will have the grace of that much age to give it some small touch of flavour," said the girl. "Come early In the morning."
