They watched breathlessly.By lavender feet clung a big,pursy,lavender-splotched,yellow body.Yellow and lavender wings began to expand and take on colour.Every instant great beauty became more apparent.It was one of those double-brooded freaks,which do occur on rare occasions,or merely an Eacles Imperialis moth that in the cool damp northern forest had failed to emerge in June.Edith Carr drew back with a long,shivering breath.Henderson caught her hands and gripped them firmly.Steadily she looked the thought of her heart into his eyes.
"By all the powers,you shall not!"swore the man.
"You have done enough.I will smash that thing!""Oh no you won't!"cried the girl,clinging to his hands.
"I am not big enough yet,Hart,but before I leave this forest I shall have grown to breadth and strength to carry that to her.She needs two of each kind.Phil only sent her one!""Edith I can't bear it!That's not demanded!Let me take it!""You may go with me.I know where the O'More cottage is.
I have been there often."
"I'll say you sent it!"
"You may watch me deliver it!"
"Phil may be there by now."
"I hope he is!I should like him to see me do one decent thing by which to remember me.""I tell you that is not necessary!"
"`Not necessary!'"cried the girl,her big eyes shining.
"Not necessary?Then what on earth is the thing doing here?I just have boasted that I would change,that Iwould be like her,that I would grow bigger and broader.
As the words are spoken God gives me the opportunity to prove whether I am sincere.This is my test,Hart!Don't you see it?If I am big enough to carry that to her,you will believe that there is some good in me.You will not be loving me in vain.This is an especial Providence,man!
Be my strength!Help me,as you always have done!"Henderson arose and shook the leaves from his clothing.