MOTHS OF THE LIMBERLOST 



enamel set to form patterns; my wildest extravagance, 

 and of never ending interest, because In alternating 

 shields of palest green and salmon, were reproductions 

 of the Dragon and the Sacred Bird of Japan. Every 

 time I fully made up my mind that the figure on the 

 green ground was the Bird, and the other the Dragon, 

 along came some discriminating soul whose judgment 

 I respected, and brought forth strong points to prove that 

 the figure on the salmon ground was the Bird, and that 

 of the green the Dragon. I spent so much time trying to 

 decide, that at last that vase became a personal posses- 

 sion and I carried it to my room and set it on the mantel 

 where I could study it when no weightier matter was on 

 my mind. It was not worth a cent for the purpose I 

 used other vases. I learned that by putting one big pink 

 Killarney rose, from the Deacon's choicest bush, in it 

 and having the water run out and ruin my best table top. 

 This may have helped to relegate it to my room where 

 I seldom had time to decorate with flowers. Anything 

 that would not hold water seemed to drift there and 

 become the obvious receptacle for cocoon bearing twigs. 

 It was the best place in the Cabin for cocoons, on 

 account of its fireplace, outside door, and two big win- 

 dows, all of which stood wide the year around, so outdoor 

 conditions reigned as nearly as possible. Throughout the 

 winter I watched the cocoons and occasionally studied 

 the Bird and the Dragon. I may as well confess that 



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