She first sawed an end from a fragrant, juicy, sugar-cured ham and put it to cook.
Then she set a couple of eggs boiling, and after long hesitation began creaming butter and sugar in a crock.

An hour later the odour of the ham, mingled with some of the richest spices of "happy Araby," in a combination that could mean nothing save spice cake, crept up to Elnora so strongly that she lifted her head and sniffed amazedly.

She would have given all her precious money to have gone down and thrown her arms around her mother's neck, but she did not dare move.
Mrs.Comstock was up early, and without a word handed Elnora the case as she left the next morning.
"Thank you, mother," said Elnora, and went on her way.
She walked down the road looking straight ahead until she came to the corner, where she usually entered the swamp.

She paused, glanced that way and smiled.

Then she turned and looked back.