MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



As we neared the city I heard the farmer's wife tell him 

 that he must take me to my home. He said he would 

 not do any such a thing, but she said he must. She 

 explained that she knew me, and it would not be decent 

 to put me down where they were going, and leave me to 

 walk home and carry that heavy jar. So the farmer took 

 me to our gate. I thanked him as politely as I knew 

 how, and kissed his wife and the fat baby in payment 

 for their kindness, for I was very grateful. I was so tired 

 I scarcely could set down the jar and straighten my 

 cramped arms when I had the opportunity. 



I had expected my family to be delighted over my 

 treasure, but they exhibited an astonishing indifference, 

 and were far more concerned over the state of my blis- 

 tered face. I would not hear of putting my Half-luna 

 on the basement screen as they suggested, but enthroned 

 it in state on the best lace curtains at a parlour window, 

 covered the sill with leaves and flow^ers, and went to bed 

 happy. The following morning my sisters said a curtain 

 was ruined, and when they removed it to attempt restor- 

 ation, the general concensus of opinion seemed to be that 

 something was a nuisance, I could not tell whether it was 

 I, or the Half-luna. On coming to the parlour a little 

 later, ladened with leaves and flowers, my treasure was 

 gone. The cook was sure it had flown from the door 

 over some one's head, and she said very tersely that it 

 was a burning shame, and if such carelessness as that 



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