Elnora's face was flushed and her eyes bright.

"Oh, what great work that will be!" she cried. "You must go with me so
you can see the little faces when I tell them how the goldfinch builds
its nest, and how the bees make honey."

So Elnora and her mother went into the woods behind the cabin to study
nature.

"I think," said Elnora, "the idea is to begin with fall things in the
fall, keeping to the seasons throughout the year."

"What are fall things?" inquired Mrs. Comstock.

"Oh, fringed gentians, asters, ironwort, every fall flower, leaves
from every tree and vine, what makes them change colour, abandoned bird
nests, winter quarters of caterpillars and insects, what becomes of the
butterflies and grasshoppers--myriads of stuff. I shall have to be very
wise to select the things it will be most beneficial for the children to
learn."

"Can I really help you?" Mrs. Comstock's strong face was pathetic.

"Indeed, yes!" cried Elnora. "I never can get through it alone. There
will be an immense amount of work connected with securing and preparing
specimens."

Mrs. Comstock lifted her head proudly and began doing business at once.
Her sharp eyes ranged from earth to heaven. She investigated everything,