AwaveofcrimsonsweptovertheHarvester。

``No，theyarenotforme，’’hesaidsimply。``Idon’twanttobeanymoredifferentfromothermenthanI

canhelp，althoughIknowthatlifeinthewoods，therigidtrainingofmymother，andthereadingofonlythebooksthatwouldaidinmyworkhavemademeindividualinmanyofmythoughtsandways。Isupposemostmen，justnow，wouldtellyouanythingyouwanttoknow。ThereisonlyonethingIcansay:Thebestofmysoulandbrain，thebestofmywoodsandstore-house，thebestIcanbuywithmoneyisnotgoodenoughforher。That’sall。Formyself，Iamgettingreadytomarry，ofcourse。Ithinkallnormalmendoandthatitisamatterofplaincommon-sensethattheyshould。Lifewiththerightwomanmustbeinfinitelybroaderandbetterthanalone。Areyoumarried？’’

``Yes。Gotawifeandfourchildren。’’

``Areyousorry？’’

``Sorry！’’thecarpentershrilledtheword。``Sorry！

Wellthat’sthebestIeverheard！AmIsorryImarriedNellandgotthekids？DoIlooksorry？’’

``Iamnotexpectingtobe，either，’’saidtheHarvestercalmly。``IthinkIhavedonefairlywelltosticktomyworkandlivealoneuntilIamtwenty-six。Ihavethoughtthethingalloverandmadeupmymind。AssoonasIgetthishousefarenoughalongthatIfeelIcanproceedaloneIamgoingtorushthemarryingbusinessjustasfastasIcan，andletherfinishtheremaindertoherliking。’’

``Wellthisoughttopleaseher。’’

``That’sbecauseyoufindyourownworkgood，’’

laughedtheHarvester。

``Notaltogether！’’Thecarpenterpolishedtheboardandstooditonendtoexaminethesurfaceashetalked。

``Notaltogether！Nothingbutgoodworkwouldsuityou。Iwasthinkingofthelittlecreeksplashingdownthehilltothelake；andthatoldloghewersaidthatinafewmoredaysthingsherewouldbeablazeofcolouruntilfall。’’

``Almostallthedrugplantsandbushesleafbeautifullyandflowerbrilliantly，’’explainedtheHarvester。

``IstudiedthelocationsuitabletoeachvarietybeforeI

setthebedsandplannedhowtogrowplantsforcontinuityofbloom，andasmuchharmonyofcolouraspossible。

Ofcoursealandscapegardenerwouldtearupsomeofit，butseenasawholeitisn’tsobad。Didyouevernoticethatintheopen，withGod’sblueoverheadandHisgreenforabackground，Hecanplacepurpleandyellow，pink，magenta，red，andblueinmassesoranycombinationyoucanmentionandthebrighterthecolourthemoreyoulikeit？Youdon’tseemtoseeorfeelthatanygroupingclashes；yourevelineachwonderfulgrowth，andluxuriateinthebrilliancyofthewhole。

Anyway，thissuitsme。’’

``Iguessitwillpleaseher，too，’’saidthecarpenter。

``Afterallthepainsyou’vetaken，sheisagoodoneifitdoesn’t。’’

``I’llalwayshavetheconsolationofhavingdonemybest，’’repliedtheHarvester。``Onecan’tdomore！

Whethershelikesitornotdependsgreatlyonthewayshehasbeenreared。’’

``Youtalkasifyoudidn’tknow，’’commentedthecarpenter。

``Yougoonwiththisnow，’’saidtheHarvesterhastily。

``I’vegottouncoversomebedsanddigmyyear’ssupplyofskunkcabbage，elsefolkwithasthmaanddropsywhodependonmewillbeshortonrelief。Ioughttotakemysweetflag，too，butI’msohurriednowIthinkI’llleaveituntilfall；IdowhenIcan，becausethebloomissoprettyaroundthelakeandthebeessimplygowildoverthepollen。SometimesIalmostthinkIcandetectitintheirhoney。DoyouknowI’vewonderedoftenifthehoneymybeesmakehasmedicinalpropertiesandshouldbekeptseparateindifferentseasons。Inearlyspringwhentheplantsandbushesthatfurnishtherootsandbarksofmostofthetonicsareinbloom，andthebeesgatherthepollen，thathoneyshouldpartakeinadegreeofthesamepropertiesandbegoodmedicine。

Inthesummeritshouldaiddigestion，andinthefallcurerheumatismandblooddisorders。’’

``Sayyoutryit！’’urgedthecarpenter。``Iwantalotofthefallkind。I’malwaysfullofrheumatismbyOctober。Exposure，nodoubt。’’

``Overeatingoftoomuchrichfood，youmean，’’

laughedtheHarvester。``I’dliketoseeanymanexposehisbodytomoredifferingextremesofweatherthanIdo，andI’mneversick。It’sbecauseIammyowncookandsoIlivemostlyonfruits，vegetables，bread，milk，andeggs，afewfishfromthelake，alittlegameonceinagreatwhileorachicken，andnohotdrinks；plentyoffreshwater，air，andcontinuousworkoutofdoors。That’stheprescription！I’dbeashamedtohaverheumatismatyourage。There’sfoodinthecupboardifyougrowhungry。IamgoingpastoneoftheneighboursonmywaytoseeaboutsomeworkIwanthertodo。’’

TheHarvesterstoppedforlunch，carriedfoodtoBelshazzar，andstartedstraightacrosscountry，hismattock，withabagrolledaroundthehandle，onhisshoulder。Hisfeetsankinthedampearthatthefootofthehill，andhelaughedasheleapedacrossSingingWater。

``Younoisychatterbox！’’criedtheman。``Theimpetusofcomingdownthecurvesofthehillkeepsyoutalkingallthewayacrossthismuckbedtothelake。

WithsmallworkIcanmakeyouathingofbeauty。

Afewbushesgrubbed，alittledeepeningwhereyouspreadtoomuch，andsomemoremallowsalongthebankswilldothetrick。Imustattendtoyousoon。’’

``Nowwhatdoestheboywant？’’laughedawhite-

hairedoldwoman，astheHarvesterenteredthedoor。

``MebbyyouthinkIdon’tknowwhatyou’reupto！

Ievencanhearthehammeringandthevoicesofthemenwhenthewindisinthesouth。I’vebeenwonderinghowsoonyou’dneedme。Outwithit！’’

``Iwantyoutogetawomanandcomeoverandspendadaywithme。I’llcomeafteryouandbringyouback。

Iwantyoutogoovermother’sbeddingandhavewhatneedsitwashed。AllIwantyoutodoistosuperintend，andtellmenowwhatIwillwantfromtownforyourwork。’’

``Iputawayallyourmother’sbeddingthatyouwerenotusing，cleanasaribbon。’’

``Butithasbeenpackedinmothpreventiveseversinceandoutonlyfourtimesayeartoair，asyoutoldme。Itmustsmellmustyandbeyellow。Iwantitfreshandclean。’’

``SowhatIbeenhearingistrue，David？’’

``Quitetrue！’’saidtheHarvester。

``Whosegirlisshe，andwhenareyougoingtojinehands？’’

TheHarvesterliftedhiscleareyesandhesitated。

``DocCareylaidyouinmyarmswhenyouwasborn，David。Itendedyou’foreeveryourmadid。Allyourlifeyou’vebeenmyboy，andIloveyousameasmyownblood；itwon’tgonofartherifyousayso。I’llnevertellalivingsoul。ButI’moldand’tilbetterweathercomes，housebound；andIgetmightylonely。

I’dliketothinkaboutyouandher，andplanforyou，andloveherasIalwaysdidyoufolks。Whoisshe，David？DoIknowthefamily？’’

``No。Sheisastrangertotheseparts，’’saidtheunhappyHarvester。

``David，issheanicegirl’atyourmawouldhaveliked？’’

``She’stheonlygirlintheworldthatI’dmarry，’’saidtheHarvesterpromptly，gladofaquestionhecouldanswerheartily。``Yes。Sheisgentle，verytenderand——andaffectionate，’’hewentonsorapidlythatGrannyMorelandcouldnotsayaword，``andassoonasIbringherhomeyoushallcometospendadayandgetacquainted。Iknowyouwillloveher！I’llcomeinthemorning，then。Imusthurrynow。IamworkingdoublethisspringandI’mofffortheskunkcabbagebedto-day。’’

``Youareworkingfittokill，theneighbourssay。

Slavin’likeahorseallday，andhalfthenightIseeyourlightsburning。’’

``DoIappearkilled？’’laughinglyinquiredtheHarvester。

``Youlookpeartasastruttin’turkeygobbler，’’saidtheoldwoman。``Goonwithyourwork！Workdon’thurta-body。Eata-plenty，sleepallyouort，andyouCAN’Tworkenoughtohurtyou。’’

``SotheneighbourssayI’mworkingnow？Newstory，isn’tit？UsuallyI’mtoolazytomakealiving，ifIremember。’’

``Onlytothosewhodon’tsenseyourpurceedings，David。Ialwaysknowedhowyougrubbedandslavedan’setoverthemfearfulbookso’yours。’’

``Moreinterestingthanthewildestfiction，’’saidtheman。``I’mmakingsomemedicineforyourrheumatism，Granny。Itisnotfullytestedyet，butyougetreadyforitbycuttingoutallthesaltyoucan。Ihaven’ttimetoexplainthismorning，butyourememberwhatI

say，leaveoutthesalt，andwhenDocthinksit’ssafeI’llbringyousomethingthatwillmakeanewwomanofyou。’’

Hewentswingingdowntheroad，andGrannyMorelandlookedafterhim。

``Whilehewastalkin’，’’shemuttered，``Ifeltfullofinformationasaflocko’almanacs，butnowsincehe’sgone，’pearstomeIdon’tknowathingmore’anIdidtostarton。’’

``Closecall，’’theHarvesterwasthinking。``WhythenationdidIadmitanythingtoher？Peoplemaytalkastheyplease，solongasIdon’tsanctionit，butI

havetwoorthreetimes。That’safooltrick。SupposeIcan’tfindher？Maybeshewon’tlookatmeifIcan。

ThenI’dhavestartedsomethingIcouldn’tfinish。

AndifanybodythinksI’llendthisbytakinganygirlI

canget，ifIcan’tfindHer，whytheythinkwrongly。

Justthegirlofmygoldendreamornowomanatallforme。I’velivedalonelongenoughtoknowhowtodoitincomfort。IfIcan’tfindandwinherIhavenointentionofstartingaboardinghouse。’’

TheHarvesterbegantolaugh。```I’dratherkeepbachelor’shallinHellthangotoboardinHeaven！’’’

hequotedgaily。``That’smysentimenttoo。Ifyoucan’thavewhatyouwant，don’thaveanything。ButthereisnousetobecomediscouragedbeforeIstart。

Ihaven’tbeguntohuntheryet。UntilIdo，ImightaswellbelievethatshewillwalkacrossthebridgeandtakepossessionjustassoonasIgetthelastchairlegpolished。

Shemight！Shecameinthedream，andtocomeactuallycouldn’tbeanymorereal。I’llmakeastiffhuntofitbeforeIgiveup，ifIeverdo。Ineveryethavemadeacompletefailureofanything。ButjustnowIamhuntingskunkcabbage。It’spreciselythetimetotakeit。’’

Acrossthelake，intheswampywoods，closewherethescreechowlsangandthegirlofthegoldendreamwalkedinthemoonlighttheHarvesterbeganoperations。Heunrolledthesack，wenttooneendofthebedandsystematicallystartedaswathacrossit，liftingeveryotherplantbytheroots。Floweringtimewasalmostpast，butthebeesknewwherepollenripened，andhummedincessantlyoverandinsidethequeercone-shapedgrowthswiththeirhookedbeaks。Italmostappearedasifthesoundmadeinsidemightbetogiveoutsiderswarningnottopoachonoccupiedterritory，fortheHarvesternoticedthatnobeeenteredapre-emptedplant。

Withskilfulhandeachstrokebroughtuparootandhetossedittooneside。Theplantswerevastlypeculiarthings。Firsttheyseemedtobeacurledleafwithnoflower。Incolourtheyshadedfromyellowtoalmostblackmahogany，andappearedasiftheywereaflowerwithnoleaf。Closerexaminationprovedtherewasastoutleafwithaheavyoutsidemid-rib，thetipofwhichcurledoverinabeakeffect，thatwrappedaroundapeculiarflowerofverydisagreeableodour。ThehandlingoftheseplantsbythehundredsointensifiedthissmelltheHarvestershookhishead。

``Ipresumeyouaremostlymine，’’hesaidtothebusylittleworkersaroundhim。``Ifthereisanythinginmytheoryofhoneyhavingvaryingmedicinalpropertiesatdifferentseasons，rightnowmineshouldbegoodforGranny’srheumatismandfornervousanddropsicalpeople。Ishouldn’tthinkhoneyflavouredwithskunkcabbagewouldbefittoeat。But，ofcourse，itisn’tallthis。Thereiscatkinpollenonthewind，hazelandsassafrasarebothinbloomnow，andsoareseveraloftheearliestlittleflowersofthewoods。Youcangatherenoughofthemcombinedtotemperthedisagreeableodourintoaracysweetness，andalltheshrubbloomsaregoodtonics，too，andsomeoftheearthyones。I’mgoingtotrygivingsomeofyouemptycasesnextspringandanalyzingthehoneytolearnifitisn’tgoodmedicine。’’

TheHarvesterstraightenedandleanedonthemattocktofillhislungswithfreshairandashedelightedlysniffedithecommented，``NothingelsehasmuchofachancesinceI’vestirredupthecabbagebed。Icanscentthecatkinsplainly，beingsoclose，andasIcamehereI

coulddetectthehazelandsassafrasallright。’’

Abovehimapeculiar，raucouschatteringforaninstanthushedotherwoodvoices。TheHarvesterlookedup，laughinggaily。

``Soyou’vedecidedtoannounceittoyourtribeatlast，haveyou？’’heinquired。``Youarewakingthesleepersintheirdensto-day？Well，there’snothinglikewaitinguntilyouhaveasurething。Thebluebirdsbrokethetrailforthefeatheredfolkthetwenty-fourthofFebruary。Thesapoozedfromthemaplesaboutthesametimeforthetrees。Theveryfirstskunkcabbagewasupquiteamonthagotosignalotherplantstocomeon，andnowyouarerousingthefurredfolk。I’llwritethisdowninmyrecords——`Whentheearliestbluebirdsings，whenthesapwetsthemaples，whentheskunkcabbageflowers，andthefirststripedsquirrelbarks，whythen，itisspring！’’’

Hebenttohistaskandasheworkedcloserthewaterhenoticedsweet-flagleaveswavingtwoinchestallbeneaththesurface。

``Greatday！’’hecried。``Thereyouaremakingsigns，too！Andright！Ofcourse！Natureisalwaysright。

Justtwoincheshighandit’sharvestforyou。Icanusearake，anddriedintheevaporatoryoubringmetencentsapound；tothefolksneedingatonicyouareworthasmallfortune。Nodoubtyoucostthatbythetimeyoureachthem；butIfearIcan’tgatheryoujustnow。

Myheadisalittlepreoccupiedthesedays。Whatwiththecabbage，andnowyou，andmanyofthebushesandtreesmakingsigns，withanewcabintobuildandfurnish，withagirltofindandwin，I’mwhatyoumightcallbusy。I’vecoveredmybookshelf。Ipositivelydon’tdarelookEmersonorMaeterlinckintheface。

Oneconsolation！I’vegotthebestofThoreauinmyhead，andifIreadStickeenafewtimesmoreI’llbeabletorecitethat。There’samanforyou，nottomentionthedog！Bel，whereareyou？Wouldyousticktomelikethat？Ithinkyouwould。Butyouareabig，strongfellow。Stickeenwasonlysuchamiteofadog。

Butwhatamanhefollowed！IfeelasifIshouldputonhigh-heeledslippersandcarryafanandalacehandkerchiefwhenIthinkofhim。Andyet，mostmenwouldn’tconsidermyjobsoeasy！’’

TheHarvesterrapidlypitchedtheevil-smellingplantsintobigheapsandasheworkedheimitatedthesoundsaroundhimascloselyashecould。Thesongsparrowlaughedathimandflewawayindisgustwhenhetrieditsnotes。Thejaytooktimetoconsider，butwasnotfooled。Thenut-hatchranheadfirstdowntrees，larvaehunting，andwasneveramitedeceived。Butthekilldeeroninvisiblelegs，circlingthelakeshore，repliedinstantly；sodidthelarksoaringabove，andthedoveoftheelmthicketclosebeside。Theglitteringblackbirdsflashingovereverytreetopansweredthe``T’check，t’chee！’’oftheHarvesterquiteasreadilyastheirmates。

Thelasttimehepausedtoresthehadstudiedscents。

Whenhestraightenedagainhewasoccupiedwitheveryvoiceofearthandairaroundandabovehim，andthenotesofsinginghens，exultantcocks，thescreamofgeese，thequackofducks，theraspingcrescendoofguineasrunningwildinthewoods，theimperialnoteofAjaxsunningontheridgepoleandechoesfromallofthemonadjoininganddistantfarms。

```NowIseethefullmeaningandbeautyofthatwordsound！’’’quotedtheHarvester。```IthankGodforsound。Italwaysmountsandmakesmemount！’’’

Hebreatheddeeplyandstoodlistening，asuperbfigureofaman，hisleanfaceglowingwithemotion。

``Ifshecouldseeandhearthis，shewouldcome，’’

hesaidsoftly。``ShewouldcomeandshewouldloveitasIdo。Anyonewhounderstands，andknowshowtotranslate，caresforthisaboveallelseearthhastooffer。

Theywhodonot，failtoreadastheyrun！’’

Heshiftedfeetmiredinswampmuck，andstoodasifloathtobendagaintohistask。Heliftedaweightedmattockandscrapedtheearthfromit，sniffingitdelightedlythewhile。Asoftsouthwindfreightedwitharomaticodoursswepthiswarmface。TheHarvesterremovedhishatandshookhisheadthatthebreezemightthreadhisthickhair。

``I’veacommissionforyou，SouthWind，’’hesaidwhimsically。``GofindmyDreamGirl。Gocarryherthismessagefromme。Freightyourbreathwithspicypollen，sunwarmth，andflowernectar。Fillallhersenseswithdelight，andthen，closetoherear，whisperitsoftly，`Yourloveriscoming！’Tellherthat，O

SouthWind！CarryArabytohernostrils，Heaventoherears，andthenwhisperandwhisperitoverandoveruntilyouarousethepassionofearthinherblood。Tellherwhatisriotinginmyheart，andbrain，andsoulthismorning。Repeatituntilshemustawaketoitsmeaning，`Yourloveriscoming。’’’

CHAPTERV

WHENTHEHARVESTERMADEGOOD

Thesassafrasandskunkcabbagewereharvested。

Thelastworkmanwasgone。TherewasnotasoundatMedicineWoodssavethebabelofbirdandanimalnotesandthenever-endingaccompanimentofSingingWater。Thegeesehadgoneover，someflockspausingtorestandfeedonLoonLake，andducksthathomedtherewerebusyamongthereedsandrushes。Inthedeepwoodsthestruggletomaintainandreproducelifewasatitsheight，andthecourtingsongsofgailycolouredbirdsweredrownedbyhawkscreamsandcrowcallsofdefiance。

EverynightbeforeheplungedintothelakeandwenttosleeptheHarvestermadeoutalistofthemostpressingworkthathewouldundertakeonthecomingday。Bysystematizingandplanningaheadhewasabletoaccomplishanunbelievableamount。Theearliestrushofspringdruggatheringwasover。Hecouldbemoredeliberateincollectingthebarkshewanted。Flowersthatweretobegatheredatbloomtimeandleaveswerenotyetready。Theheavyleafcoveringshehadhelpedthewindstoheaponhisbedsoflilyofthevalley，bloodroot，andsarsaparillawereremovedcarefully。

InsidethecabintheHarvestercleanedtheglass，sweptthefloorswithasoftclothpinnedoverthebroom，andhungpaleyellowblindsatthewindows。Everyspareminuteheworkedonmakingfurniture，andwitheachpiecehegrewinexperienceandventuredonmoredifficultundertakings。Hehadprogressedsofarthathenowallowedhimselfanhoureachdayonthecandlesticksforher。Everyeveningheopenedherdoorandwithsoftclothspolishedthefurniturehehadmade。Whenherroomwascompletedandthedining-roompartiallyfinished，theHarvestertooktimetostainthecabinandporchroofstheshadeofthewillowleaves，andonthelogsandpillarsheusedoilthatservedtointensifythelightyellowofthenaturalwood。Withthatmuchaccomplishedhefeltbetter。Ifshecamenow，inafewhourshewouldbeabletoofferacomfortableroom，enoughconveniencestoliveuntilmorecouldbeprovided，andoffoodtherewasalwaysplenty。

Hisdailyprogrammewastofeedandwaterhisanimalsandpoultry，preparebreakfastforhimselfandBelshazzar，andgotothewoods，dry-houseorstore-roomtodotheworkmostneedfulinhisharvesting。Intheafternoonhelabouredoverfurnitureandputfinishingtouchesonthenewcabin，andaftersupperhecarvedandfoundtimetoreadagain，asbeforehisdream。

Hewassohappyhewhistledandsangathisworkmuchofthetimeatfirst，butlatertherecamedayswhendoubtscreptinandallhiswillpowerwasrequiredtoproceedsteadily。Asthecabingrewinbettershapeforoccupancyeachday，morepressingbecamethethoughtofhowhewasgoingtofindandmeetthegirlofhisdream。Sometimesitseemedtohimthattheproperwaywastoremainathomeandgoonwithhiswork，trustinghertocometohim。Atsuchtimeshewashappyandgailywhistledandsang:

``Stayinyourchimneycorner，Don’troamtheworldabout，Stayinyourchimneycorner，Andyourowntruelovewillfindyouout。’’

Buttherewereotherdayswhilegrubbingintheforest，battlingwithrootsinthemuckandmireofthelakebank，staggeringunderaloadfortwomen，scarcelytakingtimetoeatandsleepenoughtokeephisconditionperfect，whenthatplanseemedtoohopelessandsenselesstocontemplate。Thenhewouldthinkoflockingthecabin，leavingthedrugstogrowundisturbedbycollecting，hiringaneighbourtocareforhislivingcreatures，andstartingasearchovertheworldtofindher。

Therecametimeswhentheimpulsetogowassostrongthatonlythedesiretotakeadaymoretodecidewhere，kepthim。Everytimehismindwasmadeuptostartthefollowingdaycamethecounterthought，whatifI

shouldgoandsheshouldcomeinmyabsence？Inthedreamshecame。Thataloneheldhim，eveninthefaceofthefactthatifhelefthomesomeonemightknowofandriflethepreciousginsengbed，carefullytendedthesesevenyearsfortheculminationthecomingfallwouldbring。Thatginsengwasworthmanythousandsandhehadlabouredoverit，fightingwormsandparasites，coveringanduncoveringitwiththechangingseasons，asiegeoflovinglabour。

Sometimesafewhoursofmisgivingtorturedhim，butasarulehewascheerfulandhappyinhispreparations。

Withoutintendingtodoithewasgraduallyfurnishingthecabin。Everyfewdayssawanewpiecefinishedintheworkshop。EachtriptoOnabashaendedinthepurchaseofsomearticlehecouldseewouldharmonizewithhiscolourplansforoneoftherooms。Hehadfilledtheflowerboxesfortheverandawithdelicateplantsthatweregrowingluxuriantly。

Thenhedesignedandbegansettingawild-flowergardenoutsideherdoorandstartedclimbingvinesoverthelogsandporches，butwhateverheplantedhefoundinthewoodsortookfrombedshecultivated。Manyofthemedicinalvineshadleaves，flowers，twiningtendrils，andberriesorfruitsofwonderfulbeauty。Everytriptotheforesthebroughtbackahalfdozenvines，plants，orbushestosetforher。Allofthemeitherborelovelyflowers，berries，quaintseedpods，ornuts，andbesidethedriveandbeforethecabinheusedespecialcaretoplantahedgeofbittersweetvines，burningbush，andtreesofmountainash，sothatthegloryoftheircolourwouldenliventhewinterwhendaysmightbegloomy。

Heplantedwildyamunderherwindowsthatitsqueerrattlesmightamuseher，andhoptreeswheretheircastanetswouldplaygaymusicwitheverypassingwindoffall。HestartedathicketalongtheoppositebankofSingingWaterwhereitbubbledpastherwindow，andinitheplacedingraduatedrowseveryshrubandsmalltreebearingbrightflower，berry，orfruit。Thoseremainingheusedasaborderforthedrivewayfromthelake，sothatfromearliestspringhereyeswouldfallonaprocessionofcolourbeginningwithcatkinsandpapawlilies，andrunningthroughalders，haws，wildcrabs，dogwood，plums，andcherryintermingledwithforestsaplingsandvinesbearingscarletberriesinfallandwinter。Inthedampsoilofthesamecharacterfromwhichtheywereremoved，intheshadeandundertheskilfulhandoftheHarvester，fewoftheseknewtheyhadbeentransplanted，andwhenMaybroughtthecatbirdsandoriolesmuchofthisgrowthwasfloweringquiteasluxuriantlyasthesamespeciesinthewoods。

TheHarvesterwasinthestore-housepackingboxesforshipment。Hisroomwassosmallandorderssonumerousthathecouldnotkeeplargequantitiesonhand。

Allcrudestuffthathesentstraightfromthedrying-housewasfreshandbrightlycoloured。HisstockalwayswasmarkedprimeA-No。1。TherewasastepbehindhimandtheHarvesterturned。Aboyheldoutatelegram。ThemanopenedittofindanorderforsomestufftobeshippedthatdaytoalargelaboratoryinToledo。

Hishandsdeftlytiedpackagesandhehastilypackedbottlesandnailedboxes。ThenherantoharnessBetsyandload。Ashedrovedownthehilltothebridgehelookedathiswatchandshookhishead。

``Whatareyougoodforatapinch，Betsy？’’heaskedashefleckedthesurprisedmare’sflankwithaswitch。

BelshazzarcockedhisearsandgazedattheHarvesterinastonishment。

``Thatwasn’tenoughtohurther，’’explainedtheman。

``Shemustspeedup。Thisisimportantbusiness。Theamountinvolvedisnotsomuch，butIdolovetomakegood。It’sapartofmyreligion，Bel。AndmyreligionhassopreciousfewpartsthatifIfailintheobservanceofanyofthemitmakesabigholeinmyperformances。

Nowwedon’twanttoendalifefullofholes，sowemustgettherewiththisstuff，notbecauseit’sworththeexertionindollarsandcents，butbecausethesemenpatronizeussteadilyandexpectustofillorders，evenbytelegraph。

Hustle，Betsy！’’

ThewhipfellagainandBelshazzarenteredindignantprotest。

``Itisn’tgoingtohurther，’’saidtheHarvesterimpatiently。``Shemaywalkallthewayback。ShecanrestwhileIgettheseboxesbilledandloadedifshecanbepersuadedtogetthemtotheexpressofficeontime。ThetroublewithBetsyisthatshewantstomeanderalongtheroadwithaloadedwagonashermotherandgrandmotherbeforeherwanderedthroughthewoodswearingabelltoattractthedeer。Fatherusedtosaythathermotherwasthesmartestbellmarethateverenteredtheforest。

She’dnotonlyfindthedeer，butshe’dmakefriendswiththemandleadthemstraightasabee-linetowherehewashiding。Betsy，youmusttravel！’’

TheHarvesterdrewthelinestaut，andthewhipfellsmartly。TheastonishedBetsysnortedandpranceddownthevalleyasfastasshecould，buteverystepindicatedthatshefeltoutragedandabused。Thiswastheloveliestdayoftheseason。Thesunwasshining，theairwasheavywiththeperfumeoffloweringshrubsandtrees，theorchardsofthevalleywerewhitewithbloom。Farmerswerehurryingbackandforthacrossfields，leavingupturnedlinesofblack，swampymouldbehindthem，andoneprogressiveindividualrodeawheeledplow，drovethreehorsesandenjoyedtheshelterofacanopy。

``Saintspreserveus，Belshazzar！’’criedtheHarvester。

``Doyouseethat？Heisoneofthemenwhomakesabusinessofcallingmeshiftless。Nowhethinksheisworking。Working！Forafull-grownman，didyoueverseetheequal？IfIweregoingthatfarI’dwearatuckedshirt，panamahat，haveapianolaattachment，andanautomaticfan。’’

TheHarvesterlaughedasheagaintouchedBetsyandhurriedtoOnabasha。Hescarcelysawthedelightsofferedoneitherhand，andwherehiseyescustomarilytookineverysight，andhisearsweretunedforthefaintestnoteofearthortreetop，todayhesawonlyBetsyandlistenedforawhistlehedreadedtohearatthewatertank。

Heclimbedtheembankmentoftherailwayataslowerpace，butmadeuptimegoingdownhilltothecity。

``Iamnotgettingablamethingoutofthis，’’hecomplainedtoBelshazzar。``Therearerichestostaggeranyscientistwastingto-day，andallI’vegottoshowisoneoriole。Ididhearhisfirstnoteandseehisflash，andsounlesswecantaketimetomakeupforthisonthehomeroadwewillhavetochristenitorioleday。It’saperfumedgoldenday，too；Icangetthatinpassing，buthowIloathehurrying。Idon’tmindplanningthingsandworkingsteadily，butit’snotconsistentwiththedignityofasanemantogorushingacrosscountrywithasmuchappreciationofthedelightsofferedrightnowasachickenwithitsheadoffwouldhave。Wewillloafgoingbacktopayforthis！Andwon’tweinviteoursouls？Wewillstopandgatherabigbouquetofcrabappleblossomstofillthegreenpitcherforher。Maybesomeoftheirwonderfulperfumewilllingerinherroom。Whenthepetalsfallwewillscattertheminthedrawersofherdresser，andtheymaydistilafaintflowerodourthere。Wecoulddothattoallherfurniture，butperhapsshedoesn’tlikeperfume。She’llbecompelledtoaftershereachesMedicineWoods。Betsy，youmusttravelfaster！’’

ThewhipfellagainandtheHarvesterstoppedatthedepotwithafewminutestospare。HethrewthehitchingstraptoBelshazzar，andranintotheexpressofficewithanarmloadofboxes。

``Billthem！’’hecried。``It’sarushorder。Iwantittogoonthenextexpress。AlmostdueIthink。I’llhelpyouandwecanbookthemafterward。’’

Theexpressmanranforatruckandtheyhastilyweighedandpiledonboxes。Whenthelastonewasloadedfromthewagon，aheapmorelyingintheofficewereadded，pitchedonindiscriminatelyasthetrainpulledundertheshedsoftheUnionStation。

``I’llpush，’’criedtheHarvester，``andhelpyougetthemon。’’

Hurryingasfastashecouldtheexpressmandrewtheheavytruckthroughtheirongatesandstartedtowardthetrainslowingtoastop，andtheHarvesterpushed。

Astheycamedowntheplatformtheypassedthediningandsleepingcarsofthelongtrainandwereseveraltimesdelayedbydescendingpassengers。Justoppositethedaycoachtheexpressmannarrowlymissedrunningintoseveralwomenleadingsmallchildrenandstoppedabruptly。AtopplingboxthreatenedtheheadoftheHarvester。Hepeeredaroundthetruckandsawtheymustwaitafewseconds。Heputinthetimewatchingthepeople。Agray-hairedoldman，travellinginasilkhat，waveredonthetopstepandwenthisway。Afatwomanloadedwithbundlespuffedassheclungtremblingasecondinfearshewouldmissthestepshecouldnotsee。

Atall，slendergirlwithafacecoldlywhitecamenext，andfromthebrokenshoesheadvanced，thebewilderedfrightofbig，darkeyesglancinghelplessly，theHarvestersawthatshewaspoor，alone，ill，andintrouble。Pityinglyheturnedtowatchher，andashegaugedherheight，sawherfigure，andadarkcoronetofhaircameintoview，aghastlypallorswepthisface。

``MercifulGod！’’hebreathed，``that’smyDreamGirl！’’

Thetruckstartedwithajerk。Thetopplingboxfell，struckapassingboy，andknockedhimdown。ThemotherscreamedandtheHarvestersprangtopickupthechildandseethathewasnotdangerouslyhurt。Thenheranafterthetruck，pitchedonthebox，andwhirling，spedbesidethetraintowardthegatesofexit。Therewastheusualcrush，buthecouldseethetallfigurepassingupthestepstothedepot。Hetriedtoforcehiswayandwascalledabrutebyacrowdedwoman。Herandowntheplatformtothegateshehadenteredwiththetruck。

Theywereautomaticandhadlocked。Thenhebecameaprimalcreaturebeingcheatedofalawfulmateandclimbedthehighironfenceandranforthewaitingroom。

Hesweptitataglance，notforgettingthewomen’sapartmentandthesideentrance。Thenhehurriedtothefrontexit。Upthestreetleadingfromthecitytherewerefewpeopleandhecouldseenosignoftheslight，white-

facedgirl。Hecrossedthesidewalkandrandownthegutterforablockandbreathlesslywaitedthepassingcrowdonthecorner。Shewasnotamongit。Hetriedonemoresquare。Stillhecouldnotseeher。Thenheranbacktothedepot。Hethoughtsurelyhemusthavemissedher。Heagainsearchedthewoman’sandgeneralwaitingroomandthenhethoughtoftheconductor。

Fromhimitcouldbelearnedwheresheenteredthecar。

Heranforthestation，boltedthegatewhiletheofficialcalledtohim，andreachedthetrackintimetoseethetrainpulloutwithinafewyardsofhim。

``Youbloomingidiot！’’criedtheangryexpressmanastheHarvesterranagainsthim，``wheredidyougo？

Whydidn’tyouhelpme？Youarewhiteasasheet！

Haveyoulostyoursenses？’’

``Worse！’’groanedtheHarvester。``Worse！I’velostwhatIprizemostonearth。HowcouldIreachtheconductorofthattrain？’’

``Telegraphhimatthenextstation。Youcanhaveananswerinahalfhour。’’

TheHarvesterrantotheoffice，andwithshakinghandwrotethismessage:

``Wheredidatallgirlwithbigblackeyesandwearingagraydresstakeyourtrain？Important。’’

Thenhewentoutandminutelysearchedthedepotandstreets。HehiredanautomobiletodrivehimoverthebusinesspartofOnabashaforthreequartersofanhour。

Uponestreetanddownanotherhewentslowlywheretherewerecrowds，fasterashecould，butneverasightofher。Thenhereturnedtothedepotandfoundhismessage。Itread，``TransferredtomeatFortWaynefromChicago。’’

``Chicagobaggage！’’hecried，andhurriedtothecheckroom。Hehadlostalmostanhour。Whenhereachedtheroomhefoundtheofficialsbusyandunwillingtobeinterrupted。FinallyhelearnedtherehadbeenahalfdozentrunksfromChicago。Allweretakensavetwo，andoneglanceatthemtoldtheHarvesterthattheydidnotbelongtothegirlingray。Theothershadbeenclaimedbymenhavingchecksforthem。Ifshehadbeenthere，theofficialshadnotnoticedatallgirlhavingawhitefaceanddarkeyes。Whenhecouldthinkofnofurtherefforttomakehedrovetothehospital。

DoctorCareywasnotinhisoffice，andtheHarvestersatintherevolvingchairbeforethedeskandgrippedhisheadbetweenhishandsashetriedtothink。Hecouldnotrememberanythingmorehecouldhavedone，butsincewhathehaddoneonlyendedinfailure，hewasreproachinghimselfwildlythathehadtakenhiseyesfromtheGirlaninstantafterrecognizingher。Yetitwasinhisbloodtobedecentandhecouldnothaverunawayandleftafrightenedwomanandahurtchild。

Trustingtohisfleetfeetandstrengthhehadtakentimetoreplacetheboxalso，andthenhadmetthecrowdanddelay。Justfortheinstantitappearedtohimasifhehaddoneallamancould，andhehadnotfoundher。IfheallowedhertoreturntoChicago，probablyheneverwould。Heleanedhisheadonhishandsandgroanedindiscouragement。

DoctorCareywhirledthechairsothatitfacedhimbeforetheHarvesterrealizedthathewasnotalone。

``What’sthetrouble，David？’’heaskedtersely。

TheHarvesterliftedastrainedface。

``Icameforhelp，’’hesaid。

``Wellyouwillgetit！Allyouhavetodoistostatewhatyouwant。’’

Thatseemedsimplicityitselftothedoctor。Butwhenitcametoputtinghiscaseintowords，itwasnoteasyfortheHarvester。

``Goon！’’saidthedoctor。

``You’llthinkmeafool。’’

Thedoctorlaughedheartily。

``Nodoubt！’’hesaidsoothingly。``Nodoubt，David！

Probablyyouare；sowhyshouldn’tIthinkso。Butrememberthis，whenwemakethebiggestfoolsofourselvesthatispreciselythetimewhenweneedfriends，andwhentheysticktousthetightest，iftheyareworthwhile。I’vebeenwaitingsincelatterFebruaryforyoutotellme。Wecanfixit，ofcourse；there’salwaysaway。

Goon！’’

``WellIwasn’tfoolingaboutthedreamandthevisionItoldyouofthen，Doc。Ididhaveadream——anditwasadreamoflove。Ididseeavision——anditwasabeautifulwoman。’’

``Ihopeyouarenotnursingthatexperienceassomethingexclusiveandpeculiartoyou，’’saidthedoctor。

``Thereisnotanormal，sanemanlivingwhohasnotdreamedofloveandthemostexquisitewomanwhocamefromthecloudsoranywhereandwasgracioustohim。

That’sapartofaman’sexperienceinthisworld，andithappenstomostofus，notonce，butrepeatedly。It’sacasewherethewishfathersthedream。’’

``Wellithasn’thappenedtome`onrepeatedoccasions，’butitdidonenight，andbydawnIwasconverted。

HowCANadreambesoreal，Doc？HowcouldIseeasclearlyasIeversawinthedaytimeinmymostalertmoment，heareverystepandgarmentrustle，scenttheperfumeofhair，andfeelwarmbreathstrikemyface？I

don’tunderstandit！’’

``Neitherdoesanyoneelse！Allyouneedsayisthatyourdreamwasrealaslife。Goon！’’

``IbuiltanewcabinandprettywelloverturnedtheplaceandI’vebeenmakingfurnitureIthoughtawomanwouldlike，andcarryingthingsfromtowneversince。’’

``Gee！Itwasrealitytoyou，lad！’’

``Nothingevermoreso，’’saidtheHarvester。

``Andofcourse，youhavebeenlookingforher？’’

``AndthismorningIsawher！’’

``David！’’

``Nottheghostofachanceforamistake。Herheight，hereyes，herhair，herwalk，herface；onlysomethingterriblehashappenedsinceshecametome。Itwasthesamegirl，butsheisillandintroublenow。’’

``Whereisshe？’’

``DoyousupposeI’dbehereifIknew？’’

``David，areyoudreamingindaytime？’’

``ShegotofftheChicagotrainthismorningwhileIwashelpingDanielsloadabigtruckofexpressmatter。

Someofitwasmine，anditwasimportant。JustatthewronginstantaboxfellandknockeddownachildandIgotinajam——’’

``Andasitwasyou，ofcourseyoustoppedtopickupthechildanddoeverythingdecentforotherfolks，beforeyouthoughtofyourself，andsoyoulosther。Youneedn’ttellmeanythingmore。David，ifIfindher，andprovetoyouthatshehasbeenmarriedtenyearsandhasaninterestingfamily，willyouthankme？’’

``Can’tbedone！’’saidtheHarvestercalmly。``ShehasbeenmarriedonlysinceshegaveherselftomeinFebruary，andsheisnotamother。Youneedn’tbankonthat。’’

``Youaremightysure！’’

``Whynot？Itoldyouthedreamwasreal，andnowthatIhaveseenher，andsheisinthisverytown，whyshouldn’tIbesure？’’

``Whathaveyoudone？’’

TheHarvestertoldhim。

``Whatareyougoingtodonext？’’

``Talkitoverwithyouanddecide。’’

Thedoctorlaughed。

``Wellhereareafewthingsthatoccurtomewithouttimeforthought。Talktotheticketagents，andleaveherdescriptionwiththem。Makeitworththeirwhiletobeonthelookout，andifshegoesanywheretofindoutalltheycan。Theycouldmakeanexcuseofputtingheraddressonherticketenvelope，andgetitthatway。

Seethebaggagemen。PostthedaypoliceonMainStreet。Thereisnochanceforhertoescapeyou。A

full-grownwomandoesn’tvanish。Howdidsheactwhenshegotoffthecar？Didsheappearfamiliar？’’

``No。Shewasastranger。Foraninstantshelookedaroundasifsheexpectedsomeone，thenshefollowedthecrowd。Theremusthavebeenanautomobilewaitingorshetookastreetcar。Somethingwhirledheroutofsightinafewseconds。’’

``Wellwewillgetherinrangeagain。Nowforthemostminutedescriptionyoucangive。’’

TheHarvesterhesitated。HedidnotcaretodescribetheDreamGirltoanyone，muchlesstheliving，sufferingfaceandpoorlycladformofthereality。

``Cutoutyourscruples，’’laughedthedoctor。``Youhaveaskedmetohelpyou；howcanIifIdon’tknowwhatkindofawomantolookfor？’’

``Verytallandslender，’’saidtheHarvester。``AlmostastallasIam。’’

``Unusuallytallyouthink？’’

``Iknow！’’

``That’sagoodpointforidentification。Howabouthercomplexion，hair，andeyes？’’

``Verylarge，darkeyes，andagreatmassofblackhair。’’

Thedoctorroared。

``Theeyesmayhelp，’’hesaid。``Allwomenhavemassesofhairthesedays。Ihope——’’

``Herhairisfasttoherhead，’’saidtheHarvesterindignantly。``Isawitatcloserange，andIknow。Itwentaroundlikeacrown。’’

Thedoctorchokeddownalaugh。Hewantedtosaythateverywoman’shairwaslikeacrownatpresent，buttherewerethingsnomanventuredwithDavidLangston；

thosewhoknewhimbest，leastofany。Sohesuggested，``Andhercolouring？’’

``Shewaswhiteandrosy，alovelythinginthedream，’’

saidtheHarvester，``butsomethingdreadfulhashappened。That’sallwipedoutnow。Shewasverypalewhensheleftthecar。’’

``Carsick，maybe。’’

``Soulsick！’’wasthegrimreply。

ThenDoctorCareyappearedsodisturbedtheHarvesternoticedit。

``Youneedn’tthinkI’dbeherepratingaboutherifI

wasn’tFORCED。Ifshehadbeenrosyandwellasshewasinthedream，I’dhavemademyhuntaloneandfoundher，too。ButwhenIsawshewassickandintrouble，ittookallthecourageoutofme，andIbrokeforhelp。Shemustbefoundatonce，andwhensheisyouareprobablythefirstmanI’llwant。Iamgoingtoputupaprettystiffsearchmyself，andifIfindherI’llsendorgethertoyouifIcan。Putherinthebestwardyouhaveandanythingmoneywilldo——’’

Thefaceofthedoctorwasgrowingtroubled。

``DaycoachorPullman？’’heasked。

``Day。’’

``Howwasshedressed？’’

``Smallblackhat，veryplain。Grayjacketandskirt，neatasaflower。’’

``Whatyou’dcallexpensivelydressed？’’

TheHarvesterhesitated。

``WhatI’dcallcarefullydressed，but——butpovertypoor，ifyouwillhaveit，Doc。’’

DoctorCarey’slipsclosedandthenopenedinsuddenresolution。

``David，Idon’tlikeit，’’hesaidtersely。

TheHarvestermethiseyeandpurposelymisunderstoodhim。

``NeitherdoI！’’heexclaimed。``Ihateit！Thereissomethingwrongwiththewholeworldwhenawomanhavingafacefullofpurity，intellect，andrefinementofextremetypeglancesaroundherlikeahuntedthing；

whenherappearanceseemstoindicatethatshehasstarvedherbodytoclotheit。Iknowwhatisinyourmind，Doc，butifIwereyouIwouldn’tputitintowords，andIwouldn’tevenTHINKit。Hasitbeenyourexperienceinthisworldthatwomennotfittoknowskimptheirbodiestocoverthem？Doesagirloflightcharacterandlittlebrainhavethehardihoodtoadvanceafootcoveredwithabrokenshoe？IfIcouldtellyouthatsherodeinaPullman，andworeexquisiteclothing，youwouldbedoingsomething。Theothersideofthepictureshutsyouuplikeaclam，andmakesyouappearshocked。Letmetellyouthis:NootherwomanIeversawanywhereonGod’sfootstoolhadafaceofmoredelicaterefinement，eyesofpurerintelligence。Iamofthewoods，andwhiletheydon’tteachmehowtoshineinsociety，theydoinstilalwaysandforeverthefinenessofnatureandherways。

Ihaveherlessonssowelllearnedtheyhelpmemorethananythingelsetodiscernthequalitiesofhumannature。

Ifyouaremyfriend，andhaveanyfaithatallinmycommonsense，getupanddosomething！’’

Thedoctorarosepromptly。

``David，I’manass，’’hesaid。``Unusuallylop-eared，andblindinthebargain。ButbeforeIaskyoutoforgiveme，Iwantyoutoremembertwothings:First，shedidnotvisitmeinmydreams；and，second，Ididnotseeherinreality。Ihadnothingtojudgefromexceptwhatyousaid:youseemedreluctanttotellme，andwhatyoudidsaywas——was——disturbingtoafriendofyours。

IhavenottheslightestdoubtifIhadseenherIwouldagreewithyou。Weseldomdisagree，David。Now，willyouforgiveme？’’

TheHarvestersuddenlyfacedawindow。Whenatlastheturned，``Theoffencelieswithme，’’hesaid。``lwashasty。Areyougoingtohelpme？’’

``Withallmyheart！Gohomeandworkuntilyourheadclears，thencomebackinthemorning。ShedidnotcomefromChicagoforaday。You’vedoneallIknowtodoatpresent。’’

``Thankyou，’’saidtheHarvester。

HewenttoBetsyandBelshazzar，andslowlydroveupanddownthestreetsuntilBetsyprotestedandcalmlyturnedhomeward。TheHarvestersmiledruefullyasheallowedhertoproceed。

``Goslowandtakeiteasy，’’hesaidastheyreachedthecountry。``Iwanttothink。’’

Betsystoppedatthebarn，thewhitedovestookwing，andAjaxscreamedshrillybeforetheHarvesterarousedintheslightesttoanythingaroundhim。ThenhelookedatBelshazzarandsaidemphatically:``Now，partner，don’teveragaininterferewhenIamcomplyingwiththeobservancesofmyreligion。JustlookwhatI’dhavemissedifIhadn’tmadegoodwiththatorder！’’

CHAPTERVI

TOLABOURANDTOWAIT

Wehavereachedthe`beginningoftheend，’

Ajax！’’saidtheHarvester，asthepeacockceasedscreamingandcametoseekfoodfromhishand。``WehaveseentheGirl。NowwemustlocateherandconvinceherthatMedicineWoodsisherhappyhome。Ifeelquiteequaltothelatterproposition，Ajax，buthowthenationtofindhersticksme。

Ican’tmakeasearchsoopenthatshewillknowandresentit。Shemusthavealltheconsiderationeverpaidthemostrefinedwoman，butshealsohasgottobefound，andthatspeedily。WhenIrememberthatlookonherface，asifhorrorsweresnatchingatherskirts，ittakesallthegritoutofme。Ifeelweakasasapling。Andsheneedsallmystrength。I’vesimplygottobraceup。I’llworkawhileandthenperhapsIcanthink。’’

SotheHarvesterbegantheeveningroutine。Hethoughthedidnotwantanythingtoeat，butwhenheopenedthecupboardandsmelledthefoodhelearnedthathewasahungrymanandhecookedandateagoodsupper。Heputawayeverythingcarefully，foreventhekitchenwasdaintyandfreshandhewantedtokeepitsoforher。Whenhefinishedhewentintotheliving-room，stoodbeforethefireplace，andstudiedthecollectionofhalf-finishedcandlesticksgroupeduponit。

Hepickedupseveralandexaminedthemclosely，butrealizedthathecouldnotbindhimselftotheexactionsofcarvingthatevening。Hetookakeyfromhispocketandunlockedherdoor。Everydayhehadbeengoingtheretoimproveuponhisworkforher，andhelovedtheroom，theoutlookfromitswindows；hewasveryproudofthefurniturehehadmade。Therewasnopaper-

thincoveringonherchairs，bed，anddressingtable。

Thetops，seats，andpostsweresolidwood，worthhundredsofdollarsforveneer。

To-nighthefoldedhisarmsandstoodonthesillhesitating。Whileshewasadream，hehadlovedtolingerinherroom。Nowthatshewasreality，hepaused。

InonegoldenMaydaytheplacehadbecomesacred。

SincehehadseentheGirlthatroomwassohersthathewashesitatingaboutenteringbecauseofthisfact。

Itwasasifthetall，slenderformstoodbeforethechestofdrawersorsatatthedressingtableandhedidnotdareenterunlesshewerewelcome。Softlyheclosedthedoorandwentaway。Hewanderedtothedry-

houseandturnedthebarkandrootsonthetrays，buttheairstifledhimandhehurriedout。Hetriedtoworkinthepackingroom，butwallssmotheredhimandagainhesoughttheopen。

Heespiedabundleofosier-bound，moss-coveredfernsthathehadfoundinthewoods，andbroughttheshoveltotransplantthem；buttheworkworriedhim，andhehurriedthroughwithit。Thenhelookedforsomethingelsetodoandsawanax。Hecaughtitupandwithlustystrokesbeganswingingit。Whenhehadchoppedwooduntilhewasverytiredhewenttobed。Sleepcametothestrong，youngframeandheawokeinthemorningrefreshedandhopeful。

HewonderedwhyhehadbotheredDoctorCarey。

TheHarvesterfeltablethatmorningtofindhisDreamGirlwithoutassistancebeforethedaywasover。Itwasmerelyamatterofgoingtothecityandlocatingawoman。Yesterday，ithadbeenaquestionofwhethershereallyexisted。To-day，heknew。Yesterday，ithadmeantasearchpossiblyaswideasearthtofindher。

To-day，itwasnarrowedtoonlyonelocationsosmall，comparedwithChicago，thattheHarvesterfelthecouldsiftitspopulationwithhisfingers，andpickherfromothersathisfirstattempt。Ifshewerevisitingthereprobablyshewouldrestduringthenight，andbeonthestreetsto-day。

Whenherememberedherfacehedoubtedit。Hedecidedtospendpartofthetimeonthebusinessstreetsandtheremainderintheresidenceportionsofthecity。

Becauseitwasuncertainwhenhewouldreturn，everythingwasfedadoubleportion，andBetsywasleftataliverystablewithinstructionstocareforheruntilhecame。Hedidnotknowwherethesearchwouldleadhim。Forseveralhoursheslowlywalkedthebusinessdistrictandthenrangedfarther，butnotasightofher。HeneverhadknownthatOnabashawassolarge。Onitscrowdedstreetshedidnotfeelthathecouldsiftthepopulationthroughhisfingers，norcouldheopendoorsandsearchhouseswithoutanexcuse。

Somesmallboyspassedhimeatingbananas，andtheHarvesterlookedathiswatchandwasamazedtofindthatthedayhadadvanceduntiltwoo’clockintheafternoon。Hewastiredandhungry。Hewentintoarestaurantandorderedlunch；ashewaitedagirlservingtablessmiledathim。AnyothertimetheHarvesterwouldhavereturnedatleastapleasantlook，andgonehisway。To-dayhescowledather，andateinhurrieddiscomfort。Onthestreetsagain，hehadnoideawheretogoandsohewenttothehospital。

``Iexpectedyouearlythismorning，’’wasthegreetingofDoctorCarey。``Wherehaveyoubeenandwhathaveyoudone？’’

``Nothing，’’saidtheHarvester。``IwassosureshewouldbeonthestreetsIjustwatched，butIdidn’tseeher。’’

``Wewillgotothedepot，’’saidthedoctor。``Thefirstthingistokeepherfromleavingtown。’’

Theyarrangedwiththeticketagents，expressmen，telegraphers，and，astheyleft，theHarvesterstoppedandtippedthetraincaller，offeringfurtherrewardworthwhileifhewouldfindtheGirl。

``Nowwewillgotothepolicestation，’’saidthedoctor。

``I’llseethechiefandhavehimissueageneralordertohismentowatchforher，butifIwereyouI’dselectahalfdozeninthedowntowndistrict，andgivethemalittletipwithabigpromise！’’

``GoodLord！HowIhatethis，’’groanedtheHarvester。

``Wanttofindherbyyourself？’’questionedhisfriend。

``Yes，’’saidtheHarvester，``Ido！AndIwould，ifithadn’tbeenforherghastlyface。Thatdrivesmetoresorttoanymeasures。Theprobabilitiesarethatsheislyingsicksomewhere，andifhercomfortdependsonthepursethatdressedher，shewillsuffer。Doc，doyouknowhowawfulthisis？’’

``Iknowthatyou’vegotagreatimagination。Ifthewoodsmakeallmenassensitiveasyouare，thosewhohavebusinesstotransactshouldstayoutofthem。

Takeacommon-senseview。LookatthisasIdo。IfshewasstrongenoughtotravelinadaycoachfromChicago；shecan’tbesoveryillto-day。Leavinglifebytheinchisn’tthateasy。Shewillbealivethistimenextyear，whetheryoufindherornot。Thechancesarethatherstresswasmentalanyway，andtroublealmostneverovercomesanyone。’’

``You，adoctorandsaythat！’’

``Oh，Imeaninstantaneously——inaday！Ofcourseifitgrindsawayforyears！Butyouthdoesn’tallowittodothat。Itthrowsitoff，andgrowshopefulandhappyagain。Shewon’tdie；putthatoutofyourmind。IfIwereyouIwouldgohomenowandgostraightonwithmywork，trustingto。themachineryyouhavesetinmotion。Iknowmostofthemenwithwhomwehavetalked。Theywilllocateherinaweekorless。It’stheirbusiness。Itisn’tyours。It’syourjobtobereadyforher，andhaveenoughaheadtosupportherwhentheyfindher。Trytorealizethattherearenowadozenmenonhuntforher，andtrustthem。Gobacktoyourwork，andIwillcomefullspeedinthemotorwhenthefirstmansightsher。Thatoughttosatisfyyou。I’vetoldallofthemtocallmeatthehospital，andIwilltellmyassistantwhattodoincaseacallcomeswhileI

amaway。Straightenyourface！GobacktoMedicineWoodsandharvestyourcrops，andbeforeyouknowitshewillbelocated。ThenyoucanputonyourSundayclothesandshowyourself，andseeifyoucanmakehertakenotice。’’

``Idiot！’’exclaimedtheHarvester，buthestartedhome。

Whenhearrivedheattendedtohisworkandthensatdowntothink。

``Docisright，’’washisultimateconclusion。``Shecan’tleavethecity，shecan’tmovearoundinit，shecan’tgoanywhere，withoutbeingseen。There’sonemorepoint:ImusttellCareytopostallthedoctorstoreportiftheyhavesuchacall。That’sallIcanthinkof。I’llgoto-night，andthenI’lllookovertheginsengforparasites，andto-morrowI’lldiveintothelatespringgrowthandworkuntilIhaven’ttimetothink。

I’veletcranesbillgetaweekpastmenow，anditcan’tbedispensedwith。’’

Sothefollowingmorning，whentheHarvesterhadcompletedhisworkatthecabinandbarnandbreakfasted，hetookamattockandabighempenbag，andfollowedthepathtothetopofthehill。Asitranalongthelakebankhedescendedontheothersidetoseveralacresofclearedland，whereheraisedcornforhisstock，potatoes，andcoarsergardentruck，forwhichtherewasnotspaceinthesmallerenclosureclosethecabin。Aroundtheedgesofthesefields，andwhereoneofthemslopedtowardthelake，hebegangrubbingavarietyofgrasshavingtallstemsalreadyoverafootinheightathalfgrowth。Fromeachstemwavedfourorfiveleavesofsixoreightincheslengthandthetopshowedformingclustersoftinyspikelets。

``Iamnonetooearlyforyou，’’hemutteredtohimselfasheranthemattockthroughtherichearth，liftingthelong，tough，jointedrootstalksofpaleyellow，fromeverysectionofwhichbrokespraysoffinerootlets。

``Nonetooearlyforyou，andasyouareworthonlysevencentsapound，youcouldn’tbeconsidereda`get-

rich-quick’expedient，soI’llonlystoplongenoughwithyoutogatherwhatIthinkmycustomerswillorder，andamassafortunealittlelaterpickingmulleinflowersatseventy-fivecentsapound。WhatacropI’vegotcoming！’’

TheHarvesterglancedahead，whereintheclearedsoilofthebankgrewlargeplantswithleaveslikeyellow-greenfeltandtallbloomstemsrising。Closethemflourishedotherspeciesrequiringdrysandysoil，thatgraduallychangedasitapproachedthewateruntilitbecamecoveredwithrankabundanceofshort，wirygrass，halfthebladesofwhichappearedred。Numerouseverywherehecouldseethegrayish-whiteleavesofParnassusgrass。Astheseasonadvanceditwouldliftheart-

shapedvelvethigher，andbeforefallthestretchofemeraldwouldbestarredwithwhite-faced，green-stripedflowers。

``Notaprettiersightonearth，’’commentedtheHarvester，``thanjustswalewiregrassinSeptembermakingafine，thickbackgroundtosetoffthosedelicatestarryflowersontheirslenderstems。Imustremembertobringhertoseethat。’’

Hiseyesfollowedthegrowthtothewater。Asthegrassdrewclosermoistureitchangedtotherank，sweet，swampvariety，thencamebulrushes，cat-tails，watersmartweed，docks，andinthewaterblueflagliftedfoldedbuds；atitsfeetaroseyellowlilyleavesandfartheroutspreadthewhite。AsthelightstruckthesurfacetheHarvesterimaginedhecouldseethelittlegreenbudsseveralinchesbelow。Aboveallarosewildricehehadplantedforthebirds。Theredwingsswayedonthewillowsandtiltedoneverystemthatwouldbeartheirweight，singingtheirmelodioushalf-chantednotes，``O-ka-lee！’’

Beneaththemtheducksgobbled，splashed，andchattered；

grebeandcootvoicescouldbedistinguished；

kingrailsattimesflashedintosightandoutagain；

marshwrensscoldedandchattered；occasionallyakingfisherdartedaroundthelakeshore，rollinghisrattlingcryandflashinghisazurecoatandgleamingwhitecollar。Onahollowtreeinthewoodsayellowhammerprovedwhyhewasnamed，becausehecarpenteredindustriouslytoenlargetheentrancetothehomehewasexcavatinginadeadtree；andsailingoverthelakeandabovethewoodsingracescarcelysurpassedbyany，alonesometurkeybuzzardawaitedhismate’sdecisionastowhichhollowlogwasmostsuitablefortheirhome。

TheHarvesterstuffedthegrassrootsinthebaguntilitwouldholdnomoreandstooderecttowipehisface，forthesunwasgrowingwarm。Ashedrewhishandkerchiefacrosshisbrow，thesouthwindstruckhimwithenoughintensitytoattractattention。InstantlytheHarvesterremovedhishat，rolleditup，andputitintohispocket。Hestoodaninstantdelightinginthewindandthenspoke。

``Allowmetoexpressmymostferventthanksforyourkindness，’’hesaid。``Ithoughtprobablyyouwouldtakethatmessage，sinceitcouldn’tmeanmuchtoyou，anditmeantalltheworldtome。Ithoughtyouwouldcarryit，but，Iconfess，Iscarcelyexpectedtheanswersosoon。Theonlythingthatcouldmakememoregratefultoyouwouldbetoknowexactlywheresheis:butyoumustunderstandthatit’slikeapeepintoHeaventohaveherexistencenarrowedtooneplace。I’mboundtobeabletosayinsideafewdays，shelivesatnumber——Idon’tknowyet，onstreet——

I’llfindoutsoon，intheclosestcity，Onabasha。AndIknowwhyyoubroughther，SouthWind。Ifeveragirl’scheeksneedfanningwithyourbreezes，andpaintingwithsunkisses，Iwouldn’tmind，sincethisisstrictlyprivate，addingafewofmine；ifeveranyoneneededflowers，birds，freshair，water，andrest！GoodLord，SouthWind，didyoueverreachherbeforeyoucarriedthatmessage？Ithinknot！ButOnabashaisn’tsolarge。Youandthesunshouldgetyourinningsthere。

Idohopesheisnottryingtowork！Icanattendtothat；andsotherewillbemoretimewhensheisfound，I’dbetterhustlenow。’’

Hepickedupthebagandreturnedtothedry-house，wherehecarefullywashedtherootsandspreadthemonthetrays。Thenhetookthesamebagandmattockandgoingthroughthewoodsintheoppositedirectionhecametoaheavygrowthinaclearedspaceofhighground。Thebloomheadswereformingandtheplantwashalfmatured。TheHarvesterdugacylindrical，taperingroot，wrinklinglengthwise，wipeditclean，brokeandtastedit。Hemadeawryface。Hestoodexaminingthewhitewoodwithitsbrown-redbarkand，decidingthatitwasinprimecondition，bebegandiggingtheplants。Itwascommonwayside``BouncingBet，’’

buttheHarvestercalledit``soapwort。’’Hetookeveryotherplantinhiswayacrossthebed，andwhenhediggedaheavyloadhecarriedithome，strippedtheleaves，andspreadthemontrays，whiletherootshetopped，washed，andputtodryalso。ThenhewhistledforBelshazzarandwenttolunch。

Ashepasseddowntheroadtothecabinhisfacewasastudyofconflictingemotions，andhiseyeshadafarawayappearanceofdeepthought。Everytreeofhisstretchofforestwasrustlingfreshleavestoshelterhim；

dogwood，wildcrab，andhawthornofferedtheirflowers；

earthhelduphertributeinpaintedtrilliumfaces，springbeauties，andviolets，blue，white，andyellow。Mosses，ferns，andlichendecoratedthepath；allthebirdsgreetedhiminfriendship，andsangtheirpurestmelodies。

Theskywasblue，thesunbright，theairperfumedforhim；Belshazzar，alwaystruetohisname，protectedeveryfootstep；Ajax，theshimmeringgreenandgoldwonder，cameupthehilltomeethim；thewhitedovescircledabovehishead。Stumblinghalfblindly，theHarvesterpassedunheedingamongthem，andwentintothecabin。Whenhecameouthestoodalongtimeindeepstudy，butatlasthereturnedtothewoods。

``Perhapstheywillhavefoundherbeforenight，’’hesaid。``I’llharvestthecranesbillyet，becauseit’sgrowinglateforit，andthenI’llseehowtheyarecomingon。

Maybethey’dknowheriftheymether，andmaybetheywouldn’t。Shemayweardifferentclothing，andfreshenupafterhertrip。Shemighthavebeencarsick，asDocsuggested，andappearverydifferentwhenshefeelsbetter。’’

Heskirtedthewoodsaroundthenortheastendandstoppedatabigbedofexquisitegrowth。Tall，wirystemssprangupwardalmosttwofeetinheight；leavessixinchesacrosswerecutinraggedlobesalmosttothebase，andhereandthere，enoughtocolourtheentirebedadelicateroseorsometimesavioletpurple，thefirstflowerswereunfolding。TheHarvesterliftedarootandtastedit。

``Nodoubtaboutyoubeingastringent，’’hemuttered。

``Youhaveenoughtannininyoutopuckeramushroom。

Bytheway，thosebig，corn-cobbyfellowsshouldspringupwiththenextwarmrain，andthehotelsandrestaurantsalwayspayhighprices。Imustgatherafewbushels。’’

Helookedoverthebedofbeautifulwildalumandhesitated。

``IvowIhatetotouchyou，’’hesaid。``Youareapicturerightnow，andinaweekyouwillbeamiracle。

Itseemsashametotearupaplantforitsroots，justatfloweringtime，andIcan’tavoidbreakingdownhalfI

don’ttake，gettingtheonesIdo。Iwishyouwerenotsopretty！YouareoneofthecoloursIlovemost。

Youremindmeofred-bud，blazingstar，andallthoseexquisitemagentashadesthatpoets，painters，andtheAlmightywhomadethemlovesomuchtheyhesitateaboutusingthemlavishly。Youaresodelicateandgracefulandsomodest。Iwishshecouldseeyou！

IgottostopthisorIwon’tbeabletoliftaroot。I

neverwouldifthetencentsapoundI’llgetoutofitweretheonlyconsideration。’’

TheHarvestergrippedthemattockandadvancedtothebed。``WhatImustbethinkingisthatyouareindispensabletothesickfolks。Thesteadydemandforyouprovesyourvalue，andofcourse，humanitycomesfirst，afterall。IfIremaininthewoodsalonemuchlongerI’llgettotheplacewhereI’mnotsosurethatitdoes。Seemsasifanimals，birds，flowers，trees，andinsectsaswell，havetheirrighttolifealso。Butit’sformetorememberthesickfolks！IfIthoughttheGirlwouldgetsomeofitnow，Icouldoverturnthebedwithastoutheart。Ifanyoneeverneededatonic，I

thinkshedoes。Maybesomeofthiswillreachher。Ifitdoes，Ihopeitwillmakehercheeksjustthelovelypinkofthebloom。OhLord！Ifonlyshehadn’tappearedsosickandfrightened！Whatisthereinallthisworldofsunshinetomakeagirlglancearoundherlikethat？IwishIknew！Maybetheywillhavefoundherbynight。’’

TheHarvesterbeganworkonthebed，buthekneltandamongthedampleavesfromthespongyblackearthheliftedtherootswithhisfingersandcarefullystraightenedandpresseddowntheplantshedidnottake。Thisrequiredmoretimethanusual，buthisheartwassosorehecouldnotberoughwithanything，mostofallaflower。Soheharvestedthewildalumbyhand，andheapedlargestacksofrootsaroundtheedgesofthebed。Oftenhepausedasheworkedandonhiskneesstaredthroughtheforestasifhehopedperhapsshewouldrealizehislongingforher，andcometohiminthewoodasshehadacrossthewater。

Overandoverherepeated，``Perhapstheywillfindherbynight！’’andthatsointensifiedthemeaningthatoncehesaiditaloud。Hisfacecloudedandgrewdark。

``Dealishnicebusiness！’’hesaid。``Iamhereinthewoodsdiggingflowerroots，andagangofmeninthecityaresearchingforthegirlIlove。Ifeverajobseemedpeculiarlyaman’sown，itappearsthiswouldbe。Whatbusinesshasanyothermanspyingaftermywoman？

WhyamInotdowntheredoingmyownwork，asI

alwayshavedoneit？Who’smorelikelytofindherthanIam？Itseemsasiftherewouldbeaninstinctthatwouldleadmestraighttoher，ifI’dgo。AndyoucanwagerI’llgofastenough。’’

TheHarvesterappearedasifhewouldstartthatinstant，butwithlipscloselyshuthefinallyforcedhimselftogoonwithhiswork。Whenhehadrifledthebed，anduprootedallhecaredtotakeduringoneseason，hecarriedtherootstothelakeshorebelowthecuringhouse，andspreadthemonaplatformhehadbuilt。

Hesteppedintohisboatandbegandashingpailsofwateroverthemandusingabrush。Asheworkedhewashedawaythewoodyscarsoflastyear’sgrowth，andthetinybudsappearingforthecomingseason。

Belshazzarsatontheoppositebankandwatchedtheoperation；andAjaxcamedownand，flyingtoadeadstump，erectedandslowlywavedhistraintoattractthesober-facedmanwhopaidnoheed。Helefttherootstodrainwhilehepreparedsupper，thenplacedthemonthetrays，nowfilledtooverflowing，andwasgladhehadfinished。Hecouldnotcureanythingelseatpresentifhewantedto。Hewasasfaradvancedashehadbeenatthesametimethepreviousyear。ThenhedressedneatlyandlockingtheGirl’sroom，andleavingBelshazzartoprotectit，hewenttoOnabasha。

``Bravo！’’criedDoctorCareyastheHarvesterenteredhisoffice。``Youareheroictowaitalldayfornews。Howmuchstuffhaveyougathered？’’

``Threecrops。Howmanymissingwomenhaveyoulocated？’’

Thedoctorlaughed。TherewasnosignofasmileonthefaceoftheHarvester。

``Youdidn’treallyexpecthertocometolightthefirstday？Thatwouldbetooeasy！Wecan’tfindherinaminute。’’

``Itwillbenosurprisetomeifyoucan’tfindheratall。IamnotexpectinganothermantodowhatIdon’tmyself。’’

``Youarenothuntingher。Youareharvestingthewoods。Themenyouemployaretofindher。’’

``MaybeIam，andmaybeIamnot，’’saidtheHarvesterslowly。``Tomeitappearstobeapoorstickofamanwhocoollyproceedswithmoneymaking，andtruststomenwhohaven’tevenseenhertosearchforthegirlheloves。Ithinkafewhoursofthisisaboutallmypatiencewillendure。’’

``Whatareyougoingtodo？’’

``Idon’tknow，’’saidtheHarvester。``Butyoucanbankononethingsure——I’mgoingtodosomething！

I’vehadmyfillofthis。Thankyouforallyou’vedone，andallyouaregoingtodo。Myheadisnotclearenoughyettodecideanythingwithanysense，butmaybeI’llhitonsomethingsoon。I’mforthestreetsforawhile。’’

``Bettergohomeandgotobed。Youseemverytired。’’

``Iam，’’saidtheHarvester。``Theonlywaytoendurethisistoworkmyselfdown。I’mallright，andI’llbecareful，butIratherthinkI’llfindhermyself。’’

``Bettergoonwithyourworkasweplanned。’’

``I’llthinkaboutit，’’saidtheHarvesterashewentout。

Untilhewastootiredtowalkfartherheslowlypacedthestreetsofthecity，andthenfollowedthehomeroadthroughthevalleyandupthehilltoMedicineWoods。

WhenhecametoSingingWater，Belshazzarheardhisstepsonthebridge，andcameboundingtomeethim。TheHarvesterstretchedhimselfonaseatandturnedhisfacetothesky。Itwasadeep，dark-bluebowl，closelysetwithstars，andabrightmoonshedasoftMayradianceontheyoungearth。Thelakewasfloodedwithlight，andthebigtreesoftheforestcrowningthehillweresilvercoroneted。Theunfoldingleaveshadhiddenthenewcabinfromthebridge，butthedrivewayshonewhite，andalreadytheupspringingbusheshedgeditin。Insectswerehumminglazilyintheperfumednightair，andacrossthelakeacourtingwhip-poor-willwasexplainingtohissweetheartjusthowmuchandwhyhelovedher。Afewbatswerewaveringinairhuntinginsects，andoccasionallyanowloranighthawkcrossedthelake。Killdeerweregloryinginthemoonlightandnightflight，andcriedinpure，clearnotesastheysailedoverthewater。TheHarvesterwastiredandfilledwithunrestashestretchedonthebridge，butthelongerhelaythemoretheenfoldingvoicescomfortedhim。

Allofthemwerewaitingandworkingouttheirlivestothelegitimateend；therewasnothingelseforhimtodo。Heneednotfollowinstinctorprofitbychance。

Hewasaman；hecouldplanandreason。

Theairgrewbalmyandsomebig，softcloudssweptacrossthemoon。TheHarvesterfeltthedampnessofrisingdew，andwenttothecabin。Helookedatitlonginthemoonlightandtoldhimselfthathecouldseehowmuchtheplants，vines，andfernshadgrownsincethepreviousnight。Withoutmakingalight，hethrewhimselfonthebedintheoutdoorroom，andlaylookingthroughthescreeningatthelakeandsky。HewasworkinghisbraintothinkofsomemannerinwhichtostartasearchfortheDreamGirlthatwouldhavesomeprobabilityofsuccesstorecommendit，buthecouldsettleonnofeasibleplan。Atlasthefellasleep，andinthenightsoftrainwethisface。Hepulledanoilclothsheetoverthebed，andlaybreathingdeeplyofthedamp，perfumedairasheagainslept。Inthemorningbrilliantsunshineawokehimandhearosetofindtheearthsteaming。

``Ifevertherewasaperfectmushroomday！’’hesaidtoBelshazzar。``Wemusthurryandfeedthestockandourselvesandgathersome。Theymeanrealmoney。’’

CHAPTERVII

THEQUESTOFTHEDREAMGIRL

TheHarvesterbreakfasted，fedthestock，hitchedBetsytothespringwagon，andwentintothedripping，steamywoods。IfanyonehadaskedhimthatmorningconcerninghisideaofHeaven，heneverwouldhavedreamedofdescribingaplaceofgold-

pavedstreets，crystalpillars，jewelledgates，andthronesofivory。Thesethingswerebeyondtheman’scomprehensionandhewouldnothaveadmiredorfeltathomeinsuchmagnificenceifithadbeenmaterializedforhim。

Hewouldhavetoldyouthataflooroflastyear’sbrownleaves，studdedwithmyriadflowerfaces，big，bark-

encasedpillarsofathousandyears，jewelsoneverybush，shrub，andtree，andtiltingthronesonwhichgaudybirdsalmostburstthemselvestovoicethejoyoflife，whiletheirbright-eyedlittlematespeeredquestioninglyathimovernestrims——hewouldhavetoldyouthatMedicineWoodsonadamp，sunnyMaymorningwasHeaven。Andhewouldhaveaddedthatonlyoneangel，tallandslender，withthepinkofhealthonhercheeksandthedewofhappinessinherdarkeyes，wasnecessarytoenterandestablishglory。

Everythingspoketohimthatmorning，buttheHarvesterwassilent。IthadbeenhishabittotalkconstantlytoBelshazzar，Ajax，hiswork，eventhewindsandperfumes；

ithadbeenhismethodofdissipatingsolitude，butto-dayhehadnowords，evenforthesedearfriends。

Heonlyopenedhissoultobeauty，andsteadilyclimbedthehilltothecrest，andthendowntheothersidetotherich，half-shaded，half-openspaces，wherebig，roughmushroomsspranginanightsimilartotheonejustpassed。

Hecouldseethemawaitinghimfromafar。Hebeganworkwithrapidfingers，beingcarefultobreakofftheheads，butnottopulluptheroots。Whenfourheapingbasketswerefilledhecutheavilyleavedbranchestospreadoverthem，andstartedtoOnabasha。Asusual，BelshazzarrodebesidehimandquestionedtheHarvesterwhenhepolitelysuggestedtoBetsythatshemakealittlehaste。

``Haveyouforgottenthatmushroomsareperishable？’’

heasked。``Ifwedon’tgetthesetothecityallwoodsyandfreshwecan’tsellthem。Wonderwherewecandothebest？Thehotelspaywell。Really，thebiggestpricescouldbehadby——’’

ThentheHarvesterthrewbackhisheadandbegantolaugh，andhelaughed，andhelaughed。AcrowonthefenceJoinedhim，andakingfisher，headingforLoonLake，andthenBelshazzarcaughttheinfection。

``Begorry！Theveryidea！’’criedtheHarvester。

```Heavenhelpsthemthathelpthemselves。’Nowyoujustwatchusmanoeuvreforassistance，Belshazzar，oldboy！Herewego！’’

Thenthelaughbeganagain。ItcontinuedallthewaytoOnabashaandevenintothecity。TheHarvesterdrovethroughthemostprosperousstreetuntilhereachedtheresidencedistrict。Atthefirsthomehestopped，gavethelinestoBelshazzar，and，takingabasketofmushrooms，wentupthewalkandrangthebell。

``Allgroceriesshouldbedeliveredatthebackdoor，’’

snappedapertmaid，beforehehadtimetosayaword。

TheHarvesterliftedhishat。

``WillyoukindlytelltheladyofthehousethatI

wishtospeakwithher？’’

``Whatname，please？’’

``Iwanttoshowhersomefinemushrooms，freshlygathered，’’heanswered。

HowshedidittheHarvesterneverknew。Thefirstthingherealizedwasthatthedoorhadclosedbeforehisface，andthebaskethadbeenpickeddeftlyfromhisfingersandwasontheotherside。Afterashorttimethemaidreturned。

``Whatdoyouwantforthem，please？’’

ThelastthingonearththeHarvesterwantedtodowastopartwiththosemushrooms，sohetookonelong，speculativelookdownthehallandnamedapricehethoughtwouldbeprohibitive。

``Onedollaradozen。’’

``Howmanyarethere？’’

``IcountthemasIsellthem。Idonotknow。’’

Thedoorclosedagain。Presentlyitopenedandthemaidkneltonthefloorbeforehimandcountedthemushroomsonebyoneintoadishpanandinafewminutesbroughtbacksevendollarsandfiftycents。ThechagrinedHarvester，feelinglikeathief，putthemoneyinhispocket，andturnedaway。

``Iwastotellyou，’’saidshe，``thatyouaretobringallyouhavetosellhere，andthenexttimepleasegotothekitchendoor。’’

``Mustbefondofmushrooms，’’saidthedisgruntledHarvester。

``Theyareagreatdelicacy，andtherearevisitors。’’

TheHarvesterachedtosetthegirltoonesideandwalkthroughthehouse，buthedidnotdare；sohereturnedtothestreet，whistledtoBetsytocome，andwenttothenextgate。Herehehesitated。Shouldheriskfurthersnubbingatthefrontdoororgobackatonce。

Ifhedid，heonlywouldseeamaid。Ashestoodaninstantdebating，thedoorofthehousehejusthadleftopenedandthegirlranafterhim。``Ifyouhavemore，wewilltakethem，’’shecalled。

TheHarvestergaspedforbreath。

``Theyhavetobeusedatonce，’’hesuggested。

``Sheknowsthat。Shewantstotreatherfriends。’’

``Wellshehasgotenoughforabanquet，’’hesaid。

``I——Idon’tusuallysellmorethanadozenortwoinoneplace。’’

``Idon’tseewhyyoucan’tletherhavethemifyouhavemore。’’

``PerhapsIhaveorderstofillforregularcustomers，’’

suggestedtheHarvester。

``Andperhapsyouhaven’t，’’saidthemaid。``Yououghttobeashamednottoletpeoplewhoarewillingtopayyouroutrageouspriceshavethem。It’sregularhighwayrobbery。’’

``Possiblythat’sthereasonIdeclinetoholduponepartytwice，’’saidtheHarvesterasheenteredthegateandwentupthewalktothefrontdoor。

``Youshouldbetaughtyourplace，’’calledthemaidafterhim。