They were too wet to be
safe, but to carry the moth in my fingers would spoil it for a
study, so I caught up and drained a big bag; carefully set my
treasure inside, and handed it to Molly-Cotton. If you consider
the word `treasure' too strong to fit the case, offer me your biggest
diamond, ruby, or emerald, in recompense for the privilege of
striking this chapter, with its accompanying illustration, from my
book, and learn what the answer will be.
When I entered the carriage and dried my face and hands, we
peeped, marvelled, and exclaimed in wonder, for this was the
most gorgeous moth of our collections. We hastened to Portland,
where we secured a large box at a store. In order that it might
not be dark and set the moth beating in flight, we copiously
punctured it with as large holes as we dared, and bound the lid
securely. On the way home we searched the lilies and roadside for
a mile, but could find no trace of another moth. Indeed, it seemed
a miracle that we had found this one late in August, for the time
of their emergence is supposed to be from middle May to the end of
June.
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