the cause of all my troubles, one of the wobbles in my
wobbly character. But now that I know what's the matter--that it isn't
just malaria--and that the curse or whatever it is will pass in time, I
suppose it isn't a weakness any longer, because I know just what to do
for it. How's that, Phil, for philosophy!"

"Oh, you're so dear, so wonderfully dear!" cried Phil, touching her
mother's cheeks lightly with her hands: "and we have had such good
times; and I thought we should go on forever, just chumming; and you
have stirred me all up about doing things, working--how am I ever to go
on trying without you?"

"Nothing could keep you from going on and doing things; you will do
great things. It's in you. I think maybe it's the wildness in me that
has taken this turn in you. You have more brains in a little minute than
I ever had: you are amazingly clever and wise. I'm glad it was left for
me to discover it; that's one credit I've got on the Good Book."

There was a new sweetness and a wistfulness in her gravity that did not
escape Phil. Phil knew that she could not change her mother's decision.
Lois was already preening her wings for flight. Like a migratory bird
she was moved by an irresistible call to other lands and other summers.
Phil felt the strong columns of her young life totter; but they did not
fall, and she knew they would not. It was a sad business, viewed in any
light, but life, Phil had realized since Christmas brought her mother
back to her, was not a holiday affair.

"I'm only a foolish butterfly down there in the garden," Lois was
saying. "I can't stop long anywhere. If I did I'd make mischief.
Trouble!" She threw up her hand and snapped her fingers. "What a lot of
trouble I've caused in this world! I'm causing some right now; I know
it: and it has worried me a lot. And before I flit I've got to
straighten things out a little. Don't worry: I'm not going to do
anything foolish."

She presented her back for Phil to unhook her gown; and proceeded to
array herself in the Paris frock, which she had never worn before.

"By the way, Phil, I subscribed to a clipping bureau so you could see
how far your dog piece traveled, and it's being quoted all over
creation. Some paper calls it inimitably droll, which I think rather
nice. You'll find a bunch of clippings in my second drawer there. Be
sure and show them to your father, and don't fail to keep him in touch
with your work: he can help you once he's aroused to