DIGGING FOR PUPJE. 15 



the path, they trespassed boldly in search of suitable trees for 

 their purpose. Frank had told them that the vicinity of houses 

 was the best, because moths, in all probability attracted by 

 the lights, laid their eggs on trees and shrubs near houses. 

 So the two girls went up as near the large house as they 

 thought they might venture without being seen, and commenced 

 their search. 



A tall youth strolling languidly down a path through the 

 woods saw two kneeling figures in red cloaks at the foot of a 

 large willow- tree, and their movements aroused his curiosity, 

 and while he stands looking at them let us say what manner 

 of boy Dick Carleton is. He is very tall and thin, but he 

 has a figure that only wants filling out to be handsome. He 

 has a very beautiful face and head, and curly brown hair. His 

 large dark eyes and pale complexion make him look more 

 delicate than he really is, but he is afflicted with a listless 

 melancholy that shows itself in every movement. It was 

 this melancholy which had aroused his father's fears, and it 

 was plain that if it were not checked in time grave results 

 might follow. He stood for some time looking at the two 

 girls, wishing to ask what they were doing, but too shy to do 

 so. At last Mary caught sight of him, and rising, she said 



" I hope we are not trespassing ? " 



" You are trespassing, but it does not -matter," replied Dick, 

 taking off his hat. " But may I ask what you are doing? " 



" We are digging for pupae," answered Mary, 



" And what are pupae ? " 



" Don't you know ? " asked Mary in surprise. 



" No." 



" Why they come into moths. The moth lays its egg, the 

 eggs turn into caterpillars, which feed on leaves and trees, and 

 then turn into these things," and she then showed him five or 

 six large red cylindrical objects which she had in her basket. 

 " When the spring comes these will turn into moths." 



" How wonderful," said Dick. " I did not know that before ; 

 but if the caterpillars feed on leaves, how is it that you dig 

 those from the ground ? " 



" The caterpillars of some moths go into the earth before 

 they change into the pupae state. I do not know why : I 

 suppose they think it safer." 



" Where did you learn all this ? " said Dick, his eyes lighting 



