OrIcanfindoutwhattheypayforsuchdesignsatpotteriesandceramicfactories。Youhavenotimetospendonherbs，whenyouareinthewoods，ifyoucandraw。’’

``Iamsurelyinthewoods，’’saidtheGirl，``andI

knowIcancopycorrectly。IoftenmadedesignsforembroideryandleatherfortheshopmotherandIworkedforinChicago。’’

``Won’ttheybuythemofyounow？’’

``Undoubtedly。’’

``Dotheypayanythingworthwhile？’’

``Idon’tknowhowtheirpricescomparewithothers。

OneplacewasallIworkedfor。Ithinktheypaywhatisfair。’’

``Wewillfindout，’’saidtheHarvesterpromptly。

``I——Idon’tthinkyouneedwastethetime，’’falteredtheGirl。``Ihadbettergathertheplantsforawhileatleast。’’

``Collectingcrudedrugmaterialisnoteasy，’’saidtheHarvester。``Drawingmaynotbeeither，butatleastyoucouldsitwhileyouwork，anditshouldbringyoumoremoney。Besides，IverymuchwantamothcopiedforacandlestickIamcarving。Won’tyoudrawthatforme？Ihavesomepupaecasesandthemothswillbeoutanydaynow。IfI’dbringyouone，wouldn’tyoujustmakeacopy？’’

TheGirlgrippedherhandstogetherandstaredstraightaheadofherforasecond，thensheturnedtohim。

``I’dliketo，’’shesaid，``butIhavenothingtoworkwith。InChicagotheyfurnishedmymaterialattheshopandIdrewthedesignandwaspaidforthepattern。

Ididn’tknowtherewouldbeachanceforanythinglikethathere。Ihaven’tevenproperpencils。’’

``Thenthewayforyoutodothisistostripthefirstmulleinplantsyouseeofthepetals。Iwillpayyouseventy-fivecentsapoundforthem。BythetimeyougetafewpoundsIcanhavematerialyouneedfordrawinghereandyoucangotoworkonwhateverflowers，vines，andthingsyoucanfindinthewoods，withnothankstoanyone。’’

``Ican’tseethat，’’saidtheGirl。``ItwouldappeartomethatIwouldbeundermoreobligationsthanI

couldrepay，andtoastranger。’’

``Ifigureitthisway，’’saidtheHarvester，watchingfromthecornerofhiseye。``IcansellatgoodpricesallthemulleinflowersIcansecure。Youcollectforme，Ibuythem。Youcanusedrawingtools；Igetthemforyou，andyoupaymewiththemulleinoroutoftheginsengmoneyIoweyou。Youalreadyhavethatcoming，andit’sjustasmuchyoursasitwillbetendaysfromnow。Youneedn’thesitateasecondaboutdrawingonit，becauseIaminahurryforthemothpattern。Ifindtimetocarveonlyatnight，yousee。

Asforbeingunderobligationstoastranger，inthefirstplaceallthedebtwouldbeonmyside。I’dgetthedrugsandthepatternIwant；and，inthesecondplace，I

positivelyandemphaticallyrefusetobeastranger。

Itwouldbesomuchbettertobemutualhelpersandfriendsofthekindworthhaving；andthesoonerwebegin，thesoonerwecanworktogethertogoodadvantage。

Getthatstrangerideaoutofyourheadrightnow，andreplaceitwiththoughtsofanewfriend，whoiswilling’’——theHarvesterdetectedpanicinhereyesandendedcasually——``toenterapartnershipthatwillbeofbenefittobothofus。Partnerscan’tbestrangers，youknow，’’hefinished。

``Idon’tknowwhattothink，’’saidtheGirl。

``Neverbotheryourheadwiththinking，’’advisedtheHarvesterwithanairoflargewisdom。``Itisunprofitableandverytiring。Anyonecanseethatyouaretoowearynow。Don’tdreamofsuchafoolishthingasthinking。Don’tworryovermotivesandobligations。

Saytoyourself，`I’llenterthispartnershipandifitbringsmeanythinggood，I’mthatmuchahead。Ifitfails，I

havelostnothing。’That’sthewaytolookatit。’’

Thenbeforeshecouldanswerhecontinued:``NowIwantallthemulleinbloomIcanget。You’llseetheyellowheadseverywhere。Stripthepetalsandbringthemhere，andI’llcomeforthemeveryday。Theymustgoonthetraysasfreshaspossible。Onyourpart，wewillmakeouttheordernow。’’

Hetookapencilandnotebookfromhispocket。

``Youwantdrawingpencilsandbrushes；howmany，whatmakeandsize？’’

TheGirlhesitatedforamomentasifstrugglingtodecidewhattodo；thenshenamedthearticles。

``Andpaper？’’

Hewrotethatdown，andaskediftherewasmore。

``Ithink，’’hesaid，``thatIcangetthisorderfilledinOnabasha。Theartstoresshouldkeepthesethings。

Andshouldn’tyouhavewater-colourpaperandsomepaint？’’

Thentherewasaflashacrossthewhiteface。

``OhifIonlycould！’’shecried。``AllmylifeIhavebeencrazyforaboxofcolour，butInevercouldaffordit，andofcourse，Ican’tnow。Butifthissplendidplanworks，andIcanearnwhatIowe，thenmaybeIcan。’’

``Wellthis`splendidplan’isgoingto`work，’don’tyoubotheraboutthat，’’saidtheHarvester。``Ithasbegunworkingrightnow。Don’tworryaminute。

Afterthingshavegonewrongforacertainlengthoftime，theyalwaysveerandgorightawhileascompensation。Don’tthinkofanythingsavethatyouareattheturning。Sinceitisallsettledthatwearetobepartners，wouldyounamemethefiguresofthedebtthatisworryingyou？Don’t，ifyoumind。IjustthoughtperhapswecouldgetalongbetterifIknew。

Isit——sayfivehundreddollars？’’

``Ohdearno！’’criedtheGirlinapanic。``Inevercouldfacethat！Itisnotquiteonehundred，andthatseemsbigasamountaintome。’’

``Forgetit！’’hecried。``Theginsengwillpaymorethanhalf；thatIknow。Icanbringyouthecashinalittleoveraweek。’’

Shestartedtospeak，hesitated，andatlastturnedtohim。

``Wouldyoumind，’’shesaid，``ifIaskedyoutokeepituntilIcanfindawaytogototown？It’stoofartowalkandIdon’tknowhowtosendit。WouldIdareputitinaletter？’’

``Never！’’saidtheHarvester。``Youwantadraft。

Thatmoneywillbetooprecioustorunanyrisks。I’llbringittoyouandyoucanwriteanoteandexplaintowhomyouwantitpaid，andI’lltakeittothebankforyouandgetyourdraft。Thenyoucanwritealetter，andhalfyourworrywillbeoversafely。’’

``Itmustbedoneinasureway，’’saidtheGirl。``IfIknewIhadthemoneytopaythatmuchonwhatI

owe，andthenlostit，Isimplycouldnotendureit。I

wouldliedownandgiveupasAuntMollyhas。’’

``Forgetthattoo！’’saidtheHarvester。``Wipeoutallthepastthathaspaininit。Thefutureisgoingtobebeautifullybright。Thatlittlebirdonthebushtherejusttoldmeso，andyouarealwayssafewhenyoutrustthefeatheredfolk。Ifyouaregoingtoliveinthecountryanylengthoftime，youmustknowthem，andtheywillbecomeagreatcomfort。Areyouplanningtobeherelong？’’

``Ihavenoplans。AfterwhatIsawChicagodotomymotherIwouldratherfinishlifeintheopenthanreturntothecity。Itishorriblehere，butatleastI’mnothungry，andnotafraid——allthetime。’’

``GraciousHeaven！’’criedtheHarvester。``Doyoumeantosaythatyouareafraidanypartofthetime？

Wouldyoukindlytellmeofwhom，andwhy？’’

``Youshouldknowwithoutbeingtoldthatwhenawomanbornandrearedinacity，andallherlifeconfinedthere，stepsintothewoodsforthefirsttime，she’sboundtobeafraid。Thelastfewweeksconstitutemyentireexperiencewiththecountry，andI’minmortalfearthatsnakeswilldropfromtreesandbushesorspringfromtheground。SomeplacesIthinkI’msinking，andwheneverabushcatchesmyskirtsitseemsasifsomethingdreadfulisreachingupforme；thereisapossibilityofhorrorlurkingbehindeverytreeand——’’

``Stop！’’criedtheHarvester。``Ican’tendureit！Doyoumeantotellmethatyouareafraidhereandnow？’’

Shemethiseyessquarely。

``Yes，’’shesaid。``Italmostmakesmeilltositonthislogwithouttakingastickandpokingallarounditfirst。EveryminuteIthinksomethingisgoingtostrikemeinthebackordroponmyhead。’’

TheHarvestergrewverywhitebeneaththetan，andthatdevelopedanice，sicklygreencomplexionforhim。

``AmIpartofyourtortures？’’heaskedtersely。

``Whyshouldn’tyoube？’’sheanswered。``WhatdoIknowofyouoryourmotivesorwhyyouarehere？’’

``Ihavehadnoexperiencewiththeatmospherethatbreedssuchanattitudeinagirl。’’

``ThatisathingforwhichtothankHeaven。Undoubtedlyitisgracioustoyou。Mylifehasbeendifferent。’’

``Yetinmortalterrorofthewoods，andprobablyequalfearofme，youarehereandaskingforworkthatwillkeepyouhere。’’

``IwouldgothroughfireandfloodforthemoneyI

owe。Afterthatdebtispaid——’’

Shethrewoutherhandsinahopelessgesture。TheHarvesterdrewfortharollofbillsandtossedthemintoherlap。

``Fortheloveofmercytakewhatyouneedandpayit，’’hesaid。``Thengetafloorunderyourfeet，andtry，Ibegofyou，trytoforceyourselftohaveconfidenceinme，untilIdosomethingthatgivesyoutheleastreasonfordistrustingme。’’

Shepickedupthemoneyandgaveitacontemptuouswhirlthatlandeditathisfeet。

``WhatgreatercauseofdistrustcouldIhavebyanypossibilitythanjustthat？’’sheasked。

TheHarvesterarosehastily，andtakingseveralsteps，hestoodwithfoldedarms，hisbackturned。TheGirlsatwatchinghimwithwideeyes，thedullblueplainintheirduskydepths。Whenhedidnotspeak，shegrewrestless。Atlastsheslowlyaroseandcirclinghimlookedintohisface。Itwasconvulsedwithastruggleinwhichloveandpatiencefoughtforsupremacyoverhonestanger。Ashesawhersoclose，hislipsdrewapart，andhisbreathcamedeeply，buthedidnotspeak。Hemerelystoodandlookedather，andlooked；andshegazedathimasiffascinated，butuncomprehending。

``Ruth！’’

Thecallcameroaringupthehill。TheGirlshiveredandbecamepaler。

``Isthatyouruncle？’’askedtheHarvester。

Shenodded。

``Willyoucometo-morrowforyourdrawingmaterials？’’

``Yes。’’

``Willyoutrytobelievethatthereisabsolutelynothing，eitherunderfootoroverhead，thatwillharmyou？’’

``Yes。’’

``WillyoutrytothinkthatIamnotamenacetopublicsafety，andthatIwoulddomuchtohelpyou，merelybecauseIwouldbegladtobeofservice？’’

``Yes。’’

``Willyoutrytocultivatetheideathatthereisnothinginallthisworldthatwouldhurtyoupurposely？’’

``Ruth！’’cameasplittingscreamingruffman-tones，keyedindeepanger。

``ThatSOUNDSlikeit！’’saidtheGirl，andcatchingupherskirtssheranthroughthewoods，takingadifferentroutetowardthehouse。

TheHarvestersatonthelogandtriedtothink；buttherearetimeswhenthenumbedbrainrefusestowork，sohereallysatandsuffered。Belshazzarwhimperedandlickedhishands，andatlastthemanaroseandwentwiththedogtothewagon。AstheycamethroughOnabasha，Betsyturnedatthehospitalcorner，buttheHarvesterpulledheraroundanddrovetowardthecountry。Notuntiltheycrossedtherailroaddidhelifthisheadandthenhedrewadeepbreathasifstarvedforpureairandspoke。``Notto-dayBetsy！Ican’tfacemyfriendsjustnow。SomewayIammakinganawfulfistofthings。EverythingIdoiswrong。Shenomoretrustsmethanyouwouldarattlesnake，Belshazzar；andfromallappearanceshetakesmetobealmostasdeadly。Whatmusthavebeenherexperiencesinlifetoingrainfearanddistrustinhersoulatthatrate？IalwaysknewIwasnothandsome，butIneverbeforeregardedmyappearanceasalarming。AndI

`fixedup，’too！’’

TheHarvestergrinnedaqueerlittletwistofagrinthatpulledanddistortedhisstrainedface。``Mightaswellhavegonewithaweek’sbeard，asoiledshirt，andaleer！AndI’vealwaysbeenasdecentasIknew！

What’stherewardforcleanlivinganyway，ifthegirlyoulovestrikesyoulikethat？’’

Belshazzarreachedacrossandkissedhim。TheHarvesterputhisarmaroundthedog。Intheman’sdisappointmentandhearthungerheleanedhisheadagainstthebeastandsaid，``I’vealwaysgotyoutoloveandprotectme，anyway，Belshazzar。Maybethemanwhosaidadogwasaman’sbestfriendwasright。Youalwaystrustedme，didn’tyouBel？Andyouneverregretteditbutonce，andthatwasn’tmyfault。I

neverdidit！IfIdid，I’mgettinggoodandwellpaidforit。I’dratherbekickeduntilalltheribsofonesidearebroken，Bel，thantoswallowthedoseshejusthandedme。Itellyouitwasbitter，lad！WhatamIgoingtodo？Can’tyouhelpme，Bel？’’

Belshazzarquiveredinanxietytoofferthecomforthecouldnotspeak。

``Ofcourseyouareright！Youalwaysare，Bel！’’

saidtheHarvester。``Iknowwhatyouaretryingtotellme。Sureenough，shedidn’thaveanydream。

Iamafraidshehadthebitterestreality。Shehasn’tbeenlovingavisionofme，workingandsearchingforme，andIdon’tmeantoherwhatshedoestome。OfcourseIseethatImustbepatientandbidemytime。

Ifthereisanythingin`likebegettinglike’sheisboundtocareformesomeday，forIloveherpastallexpression，andforallshefeelsImightaswellsavemybreath。

Butshehasgottoawakesomeday，Bel。Shecanmakeuphermindtothat。Shecan’tsee`why。’Overandover！IwonderwhatshewouldthinkifI’dupandtellher`why’withnofrills。Shewilldrivemetoitsomeday，thenprobablytheshockwillfinishher。IwonderifDocwasonlyfoolingorifhereallywoulddowhathesaid。Itmightwakeherup，anyway，butI’mdubiousastotheresult。HowUncleHenrycanroar！Hesoundedlikeafoghorn。I’dlovetotrymymuscleonamanlikethat。Nowondersheisafraidofhim，ifsheisofme。Afraid！WellofallthingsIeverdidexpect，Belshazzar，thatisthelimit。’’

CHAPTERX

THECHIMEOFTHEBLUEBELLS

TheHarvesterfinishedhiseveningworkandwenttoexaminethecocoons。Manyofthemothshademergedandflown，butthelunacasesremainedinthebottomofthebox。Ashestoodlookingatthemonemovedandhesmiled。

``I’dgivesomethingifyouwouldcomeoutandbereadytoworkonbyto-morrowafternoon，’’hesaid。

``Possiblyyouwouldsointerestherthatshewouldforgetherfearofme。I’dlikemightywelltotakeyoualong，becauseshemightcareforyou，andIdoneedthepatternformycandlestick。BelieveI’lllayyouinawarmerplace。’’

ThefirstthingthenextmorningtheHarvesterlookedandfoundtheopencocoonandthewetmothclingingbyitsfeettoatwighehadplacedforit。

``Luckiswithme！’’heexulted。``I’llcarryyoutoherandbemightycarefulwhatIsay，andmaybeshewillforgetaboutthefear。’’

Alltheforenoonhecutandspreadboneset，saffron，andhemlockonthetraystodry。Atnoonheputonafreshoutfit，ateahastylunch，anddrovetoOnabasha。

Hecarriedthemothinabox，andashestartedhepickeduparake。Hewenttoanartstoreandboughtthepencilsandpapershehadordered。Hewantedtopurchaseeverythinghesawforher，buthewasfastlearningalessonofdeepcaution。Ifhetookmorethansheordered，shewouldworryoverpaying，andifherefusedtoacceptmoney，shewouldputthateverlasting``why’’

athimagain。Thewater-colourpaperandpainthecouldnotforego。Hecouldmakeadesiretohavethemothcolouredexplainthose，hethought。

Thenhewenttoafurniturestoreandboughtseveralarticles，andforgettinghislawagainsthaste，hedroveBetsyfullspeedtotheriver。Hewasratherheavilyladenedashewentupthebank，anditwasonlyoneo’clock。Therewasanhour。Herolledawaythelog，rakedtogetherandremovedtheleavestotheground。

Hetrampedtheearthlevelandspreadalargecheapporchrug。Onthisheopenedandplacedalittlefoldingtableandchair。Onthetablehespreadthepencils，paper，colourboxandbrushes，andwenttotherivertofillthewatercup。Thenhesatontheloghehadrolledtoonesideandwaited。Aftertwohourshearoseandcreptasclosethehouseashecouldthroughthewoods，buthecouldnotsecureaglimpseoftheGirl。Hewentbackandwaitedanhourmore，andthenundidhisworkandremovedit。Whenhecametothemothhisfacewasverygrimasheliftedthetwigandhelpedthebeautifulcreaturetoclimbonalimb。``You’llbereadytoflyinafewhours，’’hesaid。``IfIkeepyouinaboxyouwillruinyourwingsandbenosuitablesubject，andputyouinacyanidejarIwillnot。Iamhurttoobadlymyself。IwonderifwhatDocsaidwastherightway！It’scertainlyatemptation。’’

Thenhewenthome；andagainBetsyveeredatthehospital，andoncemoretheHarvesterexplainedtoherthathedidnotwanttoseethedoctor。Thateveningandthefollowingforenoonweredifficult，buttheHarvesterlivedthroughthem，andintheafternoonwentbacktothewoods，spreadhisrug，andsetupthetable。Onlyonestreakofluckbrightenedthegloominhisheart。

Ayellowemperorhademergedinthenight，andnowoccupiedtheplaceofyesterday’sluna。Sheneverneedknowitwasnottheonehewanted，anditwouldmakeanexcuseforthecolourbox。

Hewaswatchingintentlyandsawhercomingalongwayoff。Henoticedthatshelookedneitherrightnorleft，butcamestraightasifwalkingabridge。Asshereachedtheplacesheglancedhastilyaroundandthenathim。TheHarvesterforgavehereverythingashesawthelookofreliefwithwhichshesteppeduponthecarpet。Thensheturnedtohim。

``Iwon’thavetoask`why’thistime，’’shesaid。``I

knowthatyoudiditbecauseIwasbabyenoughtotellwhatacowardIam。I’msureyoucan’taffordit，andIknowyoushouldn’thavedoneit，butoh，whatacomfort！Ifyouwillpromisenevertodoanysuchexpensive，foolish，kindthingagain，I’llsaythankyouthistime。Icouldn’tcomeyesterday，becauseAuntMollywasworseandUncleHenrywasathomeallday。’’

``Isupposeditwassomethinglikethat，’’saidtheHarvester。

Sheadvancedandhandedhimtherollofbills。

``Ihadafeelingyouwouldbereckless，’’shesaid。``I

sawitinyourface，soIcamebackassoonasIcouldstealaway，andsureenough，therelayyourmoneyandthebooksandeverything。Ihidtheminthethicket，sotheywillbeallright。I’vealmostprayeditwouldn’train。Ididn’tdarecarrythemtothehouse。Pleasetakethemoney。Ihaven’ttimetoargueaboutitorstrength，butofcourseIcan’tpossiblyuseitunlessIearnit。I’msoanxioustoseethepencilsandpaper。’’

TheHarvesterthrustthemoneyintohispocket。TheGirlwenttothetable，openedandspreadthepaper，andtookoutthepencils。

``Ismysubjectinhere？’’shetouchedthecolourbox。

``No，theother。’’

``Isitalive？MayIopenit？’’

``Wewillbeverycarefulatfirst，’’saidtheHarvester。

``Itonlyleftitscaseinthenightandmayfly。Whentheweatherissowarmthewingsdeveloprapidly。PerhapsifIremovethelid——’’

Hetookoffthecover，exposingabigmoth，itslovely，paleyellowwings，fleckedwithheliotrope，outspreadasitclungtoatwiginthebox。TheGirlleanedforward。

``Whatisit？’’sheasked。

``OneofthebignightmothsthatemergeandflyafewhoursinJune。’’

``Isthiswhatyouwantforyourcandlestick？’’

``IfIcan’tdobetter。ThereisoneotherIprefer，butitmaynotcomeatatimethatyoucangetitright。’’

``Whatdoyoumeanby`right’？’’

``Sothatyoucancopyitbeforeitwantstofly。’’

``Whydon’tyouchloroformandpinituntilIamready？’’

``Iamnotinthebusinessofkillingandimpalingexquisitecreatureslikethat。’’

``DoyoumeanthatifIcan’tdrawitwhenitisjustrightyouwillletitgo？’’

``Ido。’’

``Why？’’

``Itoldyouwhy。’’

``Iknowyousaidyouwerenotinthebusiness，butwhywouldn’tyoutakeonlyoneyoureallywantedtouse？’’

``Iwouldbeafraid，’’repliedtheHarvester。

``Afraid？You！’’

``ImusthaveamightygoodreasonbeforeIkill，’’

saidtheman。``Icannotgivelife；Ihavenorighttotakeitaway。Iwillletmystatementstand。Iamafraid。’’

``Ofwhatplease？’’

``AnindefinablesomethingthatfollowsmeandmakesmesufferifIamwantonlycruel。’’

``Isthereanyparticularposeinwhichyouwantthisbirdplaced？’’

``Allowmetopresentyoutotheyellowemperor，knowninthebooksaseaclesimperialis，’’hesaid。``I

wanthimasheclingsnaturallyandlifesize。’’

Shetookupapencil。

``Ifyoudon’tmind，’’saidtheHarvester，``wouldyoudrawonthisotherpaper？Iverymuchwantthecolour，also，andyoucanuseitonthis。Ibroughtaboxalong，andI’llgetyouwater。Ihaditallreadyyesterday。’’

``Didyouhavethissamemoth？’’

``No，Ihadanother。’’

``Didyouhavetheoneyouwantedmost？’’

``Yes——butit’snodifference。’’

``AndyouletitgobecauseIwasnothere？’’

``No。Itwentonaccountofexquisitebeauty。Ifkeptinconfinementitwouldstruggleandbreakitswings。Yousee，thatonewasadelicategreen，wherethisisyellow，plainpalebluegreen，withalavenderribhere，andlongcurledtrailersedgedwithpaleyellow，andeyespotsrimmedwithredandblack。’’

AstheHarvestertalkedheindicatedthepointsofdifferencewithapencilhehadpickedup；nowhelaiditdownandretreatedbeyondthelimitsoftherug。

``Isee，’’saidtheGirl。``Andthisiscolour？’’

Shetouchedthebox。

``Afewcolours，rather，’’saidtheHarvester。``I

selectedenoughtofillthebox，withthehelpoftheclerkwhosoldthemtome。Iftheyarenotright，Ihavepermissiontoreturnandexchangethemforanythingyouwant。’’

Witheagerfingerssheopenedthebox，andbentoveritafacefilledwithinterest。

``OhhowI’vealwayswantedthis！Iscarcelycanwaittotryit。IdohopeIcanhaveitformyveryown。

Wasitquiteexpensive？’’

``No。Verycheap！’’saidtheHarvester。``Thepaperisn’tworthmentioning。Thelittle，emptytinboxwasonlyafewcents，andthepaintsdifferaccordingtocolour。Someappeartobemorethanothers。Iwassurprisedthattheoutfitwassoinexpensive。’’

AskepticallittlesmilewaveredontheGirl’sfaceasshedrewherslenderfingersacrossthetraysofbrightcolour。

``Ifonedaredacceptyourword，youreallywouldbeacomfort，’’shesaid，assheresolutelyclosedthebox，pusheditaway，andpickedupapencil。

``Ifyouwilltakethetroubletoinquireatthebanks，postoffice，expressoffice，hospitalorofanydruggistinOnabasha，youwillfindthatmywordisexactlyasgoodasmymoney，andtakenquiteasreadily。’’

``Ididn’tsayIdoubtedyou。IhavenorighttodothatuntilIfeelyoudeceiveme。WhatIsaidwas`daredaccept，’whichmeansImustnot，becauseIhavenoright。Butyoumakeonewonderwhatyouwoulddoifyouwerecoaxedandaskedforthingsandledbyinsinuations。’’

``Icantellyouthat，’’saidtheHarvester。``Itwoulddependaltogetheronwhowantedanythingofmeandwhattheyasked。Ifyouwouldundertaketocoaxandinsinuate，youneverwouldgetitdone，becauseI’dseewhatyouneededandhaveitathandbeforeyouhadtime。’’

TheGirllookedathimwonderingly。

``Nowdon’tspringyourrecurrent`why’onme，’’

saidtheHarvester。``I’lltellyou`why’someofthesedays。Justnowanswermethisquestion:Doyouwantmetoremainhereorleaveuntilyoufinish？Whichwaywouldyoubeleastafraid？’’

``Iamnotatallafraidontherugandwithmywork，’’

shesaid。``Ifyouwanttohuntginsenggobyallmeans。’’

``Idon’twanttohuntanything，’’saidtheHarvester。

``Butifyouaremorecomfortablewithmeaway，I’llbegladtogo。I’llleavethedogwithyou。’’

HegaveashortwhistleandBelshazzarcameboundingtohim。TheHarvestersteppedtotheGirl’sside，anddroppingononeknee，hedrewhishandacrosstherugclosetoherskirts。

``Righthere，Belshazzar，’’hesaid。``Watch！Youareonguard，Bel。’’

``Wellofallnamesforadog！’’exclaimedtheGirl。

``Whydidyouselectthat？’’

``MymothernamedmyfirstdogBelshazzar，andtaughtmewhy；soeachofthethreeI’veownedsincehavebeenchristenedthesame。Itmeans`toprotect’andthatistheofficeallofthemperform；thisoneespeciallyhasfilleditadmirably。OnceIfailedhim，butheneverhasgonebackonme。Youseeheisnotaparticleafraidofme。EverystepItake，heisatmyheels。’’

``SowasBillSikes’dog，ifIremember。’’

TheHarvesterlaughed。

``Bel，’’hesaid，``ifyoucouldspeakyou’dsaythatwasanuglyone，wouldn’tyou？’’

Thedogsprangupandkissedthefaceofthemanandrubbedalovingheadagainsthisbreast。

``Thankyou！’’saidtheHarvester。``Nowliedownandprotectthiswomanascarefullyasyoueverwatchedinyourlife。Andincidentally，Bel，tellherthatshecan’texterminatememorethanonceaday，andtheperformanceisaccomplishedforthepresent。Irefusetobeawillingsacrifice。`SowasBillSikes’dog！’Whatdoyouthinkofthat，Bel？’’

TheHarvesteraroseandturnedtogo。

``Whatifthisthingattemptstofly？’’sheasked。

``Yourpardon，’’saidtheHarvester。``Iftheemperormoves，slidethelidovertheboxafewseconds，untilhesettlesandclingsquietlyagain，andthenslowlydrawitaway。Ifyouarecarefulnottojarthetableheavilyhewillnotgoforhoursyet。’’

Againheturned。

``Ifthereisnodanger，whydoyouleavethedog？’’

``Forcompany，’’saidtheHarvester。``Ithoughtyouwouldpreferananimalyouarenotafraidoftoamanyouare。Butletmetellyouthereisnonecessityforeither。Iknowawomanwhogoesaloneandunafraidthrougheveryfootofwoodsinthispartofthecountry。Shehasclimbed，crept，andwaded，andshetellsmesheneversawbuttwovenomoussnakesthissideofMichigan。Nothingeverdroppedonherorsprangather。Shefeelsassecureinthewoodsasshedoesathome。’’

``Isn’tsheafraidofsnakes？’’

``Shedislikessnakes，butsheisnotafraidorshewouldnotriskencounteringthemdaily。’’

``Doyoueverfindany？’’

``Harmlesslittleones，often。Thatis，Beldoes。Heisalwaysnosingforthem，becauseheunderstandsthatIworkintheearth。IthinkIhaveencounteredthreedangerousonesinmylife。Iwillguaranteeyouwillnotfindoneinthesewoods。Theyaretooopenandtoomuchcleared。’’

``Thenwhyleavethedog？’’

``Ithought，’’saidtheHarvesterpatiently，``thatyourunclemighthaveturnedinsomeofhiscattle，orifpigscameherethedogcouldchasethemaway。’’

Shelookedathimwithutterpanicinherface。

``Iamfarmoreafraidofacowthanasnake！’’shecried。``Itissomuchbigger！’’

``Howdidyouevercomeintothesewoodsalonefarenoughtofindtheginseng？’’askedtheHarvester。

``Answermethat！’’

``IworeUncleHenry’stopbootsandcarriedarake，andIsufferedtortures，’’shereplied。

``Butyouhunteduntilyoufoundwhatyouwanted，andcameagaintokeepwatchonit？’’

``Iwasdriven——simplyforced。There’snousetodiscussit！’’

``WellthanktheLordforonething，’’saidtheHarvester。``Youdidn’tappearhalfsoterrifiedatthesightofmeasyoudidatthemerementionofacow。Ihaveriseninestimablyinmyownself-respect。Belshazzar，youmaypursuetheelusivechipmunk。Iamgoingtoguardthiswomanmyself，andplease，kindfates，sendaferociouscowthisway，inorderthatImayprovemyvalour。’’

TheGirl’sfaceflushedslightly，andshecouldnotrestrainalaugh。ThatwasalltheHarvesterhopedforandmore。Hewentbeyondtheedgeoftherugandsatontheleavesunderatree。ShebentoverherworkandonlybirdandinsectnotesandoccasionallyBelshazzar’sexcitedbarkbrokethesilence。TheHarvesterstretchedontheground，hiseyesfeastingontheGirl。

Intenselyhewatchedeverymovement。Ifasquirrelbarkedshegaveanervousstart，soprecipitateitseemedasifitmusthurt。Ifawindfallcamerattlingdownsheappearedreadytoflyinheadlongterrorinanydirection。Atlastshedroppedherpencilandlookedathimhelplessly。

``Whatisit？’’heasked。

``Thesilenceandtheseawfulcrasheswhenonedoesn’tknowwhatiscoming，’’shesaid。

``WillitbotheryouifItalk？Perhapsthesoundofmyvoicewillhelp？’’

``Iamaccustomedtoworkingwhenpeopletalk，anditwillbeacomfort。Imaybeabletofollowyou，andthatwillpreventmefromthinking。Therearedreadfulthingsinmymindwhentheyarenotdrivenout。Pleasetalk！

Tellmeabouttheherbsyougatheredthismorning。’’

TheHarvestergavetheGirlonelonglookasshebentoverherwork。Hewasvividlyconsciousofthegracefulcurvesofherlittlefigure，thecoilofdark，silkyhair，softlywavingaroundhertemplesandneck，andwhenhereyesturnedinhisdirectionheknewthatitwasonlythewhite，drawnfacethatrestrainedhim。Hewasalmostforcedtotellherhowhelovedandlongedforher；aboutthehomehehadprepared；ofathousandpersonalinterests。Instead，hetookafirmgripandsaidcasually，``Foxgloveharvestisover。Thisplanthastobetakenwhentheleavesareinsecondyeargrowthandatbloomtime。Ihavestrippedmymulleinbedsofbothleavesandflowers。Ifinishedaweekago。BeyondliesastretchofParnassusgrassthatmademethinkofyou，itwassowhiteanddelicate。Iwantyoutoseeit。Itwillbelovelyinafewweeksmore。’’

``Youneverhadseenmeaweekago。’’

``Ohhadn’tI？’’saidtheHarvester。``WellmaybeIdreamedaboutyouthen。Iamagreatdreamer。

OnceIhadadreamthatmayinterestyousomeday，afteryou’veovercomeyourfearofme。NowthisbedofwhichIwasspeakingisapictureinSeptember。Youmustarrangetodrivehomewithmeandseeitthen。’’

``Forwhatdoyousellfoxgloveandmullein？’’

``Foxgloveforhearttrouble，andmulleinforcatarrh。

Igettencentsapoundforfoxgloveleavesandfiveformulleinandfromseventy-fivetoadollarforflowersofthelatter，dependingonhowwellIpreservethecolourindryingthem。Theymustbesealedinbottlesandhandledwithextremecare。’’

``ThenifIwasn’ttoochildishtobeoutpickingthem，Icouldbeearningseventy-fivecentsapoundformulleinblooms？’’

``Yes，’’saidtheHarvester，``butuntilyoulearnedthetrickofstrippingthemrapidlyyouscarcelycouldgatherwhatwouldweightwopoundsaday，whendried。Nottomentionthefactthatyouwouldhavetostandandworkmostlyinhotsunshine，becausemulleinlikesopenroadsandfieldsandsunnyhills。Nowyoucansitsecurelyintheshade，andintwohoursyoucanmakemeapatternofthatmoth，forwhichIwouldpayadesigneroftheartsandcraftsshopfivedollars，soofcourseyoushallhavethesame。’’

``Ohno！’’shecriedinswiftpanic。``Youwerechargedtoomuch！Itisn’tworthadollar，even！’’

``OnthecontrarythecandlestickonwhichIshalluseitwillbeinvaluablewhenIfinishit，andfiveisverylittleforthecreamofmydesign。Ipaidjustright。Youcanearnthesameforallyoucando。Ifyoucanembroiderlinen，theypaygoodpricesforthat，tooandwoodcarving，metalwork，orleatherthings。

MayIseehowyouarecomingon？’’

``Pleasedo，’’shesaid。

TheHarvestersprangupandlookedovertheGirl’sshoulder。Hecouldnotsuppressanexclamationofdelight。

``Perfect！’’hecried。``Youcansurpasstheirbestdraftingattheshop！Yourfortuneismade。AnytimeyouwanttogotoOnabashayoucanmakeenoughtopayyourboard，dressyouwell，andsavesomethingeveryweek。Youmustleavehereassoonasyoucanmanageit。Whencanyougo？’’

``Idon’tknow，’’shesaidwearily。``I’dhatetotellyouhowfullofachesIam。Icouldnotworkmuchjustnow，ifIhadthebestopportunitiesintheworld。I

mustgrowstronger。’’

``Youshouldnotworkatanythinguntilyouarewell，’’

hesaid。``Itisacrimeagainstnaturetodriveyourself。

Whywillyounotallow——’’

``Doyoureallythink，withalittlepractice，Icandrawdesignsthatwillsell？’’

TheHarvesterpickedupthesheet。Theworkwasdelicateandexact。Hecouldseenowaytoimproveit。

``Youknowitwillsell，’’hesaidgently，``becauseyoualreadyhavesoldsuchwork。’’

``Butnotforthepricesyouoffer。’’

``ThepricesInamearegoingtobeforNEW，ORIGINAL

DESIGNS。I’vegotathousandinmyhead，thatoldMotherNatureshowsmeinthewoodsandonthewatereveryday。’’

``Butthoseareyours；Ican’ttakethem。’’

``Youmust，’’saidtheHarvester。``Ionlyseeandrecognizestudies；Ican’tmaterializethem，anduntiltheyaredrawn，noonecanprofitbythem。Inthispartnershipwerevolutionizedecorativeart。Thereareactuallybirdsbesidesfatrobinsandnondescriptswallows。Thecraneandherondonotmonopolizethewater。

Wildroseandgolden-rodarenottheonlyflowers。TheotherdayIwasgatheringlobelia。Theseedsareusedintonicpreparations。Ithasanuprightstemwithflowersscatteredalongit。Initselfitisnotmuch，butclosebesideitalwaysgrowsitscousin，tallbell-flower。

Asthenameindicates，theflowersarebellshapeandIcan’tbegintodescribetheirgrace，beauty，anddelicatebluecolour。Theyringmystrongestcalltoworship。

MyworkkeepsmeinthewoodssomuchIremainthereformyreligionalso。WheneverIfindtheseflowersIalwayspauseforalittleserviceofmyownthatbeginsbyrecitingtheselines:

``’Neathcloisteredboughs，eachfloralbellthatswingethAndtollsitsperfumeonthepassingair，MakesSabbathinthefields，andeverringethAcalltoprayer。’’

``Beautiful！’’saidtheGirl。

``It’smightyconvenient，’’explainedtheHarvester。

``Bymymethod，yousee，youdon’thavetowaitforyourdayandhourofworship。AnywherethebluebellringsitscallitisSundayinthewoodsandinyourheart。

AfterIrecitethat，Ipraymyprayer。’’

``Goon！’’saidtheGirl。``Thisisnoplacetostop。’’

``Itisalwaysoneandthesameprayer，andthereareonlytwolinesofit，’’saidtheHarvester。``Itrunsthisway——LetmetakeyourpencilandIwillwriteitforyou。’’

Hebentoverhershoulder，andtracedtheselinesonascrapofthewrappingpaper:

``AlmightyEvolveroftheUniverse:

Helpmetokeepmysoulandbodyclean，AndatalltimestodountoothersasIwouldbedoneby。

Amen。’’

TheGirltooktheslipandsatstudyingit；thensheraisedhereyestohisfacecuriously，butwithatingeofaweinthem。

``Icanseeyoustandingoverablue，bell-shapedflowerrecitingthoseexquisitelinesandprayingthiswonderfulprayer，’’shesaid。``Yesterdayyouallowedthemothyouwerewillingtopayfivedollarsforadrawingof，togo，becauseyouwouldn’triskbreakingitswings。

Whyyouaremorelikeawoman！’’

AredstreamcrimsonedtheHarvester’sface。

``WellheretoforeIhavebeenconsideredstrictlymasculine，’’hesaid。``Toappreciatebeautyortotrytobejustcommonlydecentisnotexclusivelyfeminine。

Youmustremembertherearepainters，poets，musicians，workersinartalongalmostanylineyoucouldmention，andnoonecallsthemfeminine，butthereisonegoodthingifIam。Youneednolongerfearme。

Ifyoushouldseeme，muckcovered，grubbingintheearthoronaraftwashingrootsinthelake，youwouldnotconsidermelikeawoman。’’

``WoulditbeanydiscreditifIdid？Ithinknot。

Imerelymeantthatmostmenwouldnotseeorhearthebluebellatall——andasforthepoemandprayer！

Ifthewoodsmakeamanwithsuchfibreinhissoul，Imustlearnthemiftheyhalfkillme。’’

``Youharpondeath。Trytoforgettheword。’’

``Ihavefaceditformonths，andseenitdoitsgrindingworstveryrecentlytotheonlythingonearthIlovedorthatlovedme。Ihavenodesiretoforget！Tellmemoreabouttheplants。’’

``Forgiveme，’’saidtheHarvestergently。``JustnowIamcollectingcatnipfortheinfantandnervouspeople，hoarhoundforcoldsanddyspepsia，bonesetheadsandflowersforthesamepurpose。Thereisaheavyheadofwhitebloomwithwonderfullacyleaves，calledyarrow。

Itaketheentireplantforatonicandblessedthistleleavesandflowersforthesamepurpose。’’

``ThatmustbewhatIneed，’’interruptedtheGirl。

``HalfthetimeIbelieveIhavealittlefever，butI

couldn’thavedyspepsia，becauseIneverwantanythingtoeat；perhapsthetonicwouldmakemehungry。’’

``Promisemeyouwilltellthattothedoctorwhocomestoseeyouraunt，andtakewhathegivesyou。’’

``Nodoctorcomestoseemyaunt。Sheismerelyplayinglazytogetoutofwork。Thereisnothingthematterwithher。’’

``Thenwhy——’’

``Myunclesaysthat。Really，shecouldnotstandandwalkacrossaroomalone。Sheissimplywornout。’’

``Ishallreportthecase，’’saidtheHarvesterinstantly。

``Youbetternot！’’saidtheGirl。``Theremustbeamistakeaboutyouknowingmyuncle。Tellmemoreoftheflowers。’’

TheHarvesterdrewadeepbreathandcontinued:

``TheseIjusthavenamedItakeatbloomtime；

nextmonthcomepurplethornapple，jimsonweed，andhemlock。’’

``Isn’tthatpoison？’’

``HalfthestuffIhandleis。’’

``Aren’tyouafraid？’’

``Terribly，’’saidtheHarvesterinlaughingvoice。

``ButIwantthemoney，thesickfolkneedthemedicine，andIdrinkwater。’’

TheGirllaughedalso。

``Lookhere！’’saidtheHarvester。``Whynottellmejustascloselyasyoucanaboutyouraunt，andletmefixsomethingforher；orifyouareafraidtotrustme，letmehavemyfriendofwhomIspokeyesterday。’’

``PerhapsIamnotsomuchafraidasIwas，’’saidtheGirl。``IwishIcould！HowcouldIexplainwhereIgotitandIwonderifshewouldtakeit。’’

``Giveittoherwithoutanyexplanation，’’saidtheHarvester。``Tellheritwillmakeherstrongerandshemustuseit。Tellmeexactlyhowsheis，andIwillfixupsomeharmlessremediesthatmayhelp，andcandonoharm。’’

``Shesimplyhasbeenneglected，overworked，andabuseduntilshehaslaindown，turnedherfacetothewall，andgivenuphope。Ithinkitistoolate。I

thinktheendwillcomesoon。ButIwishyouwouldtry。I’llgladlypay——’’

``Don’t！’’saidtheHarvester。``NotforthingsthatgrowinthewoodsandthatIprepare。Don’tthinkofmoneyeveryminute。’’

``Imust，’’shesaidwithforcedrestraint。``Itisthepriceoflife。Withoutitonesuffers——horribly——

asIknow。Whatotherplantsdoyougather？’’

``Saffron，’’answeredtheHarvester。``Abeautifulthing！Youmustseeit。Tall，roundstems，lacy，delicateleaves，bigheadsofbrightyellowbloom，touchedwithcoloursodarkitappearsblack——oneoftheloveliestplantsthatgrows。Youshouldseemybigbedofitinaweekortwomore。Itmakesapicture。’’

ThewordsrecalledhimtotheGirl。Heturnedtostudyher。Heforgothiscommissionandchafedatconventionsthatpreventedhisdoingwhathesawwasrequiredsourgently。Fearingshewouldnotice，hegazedawaythroughtheforestandtriedtothink，toplan。

``Youarenotmakingnoiseenough，’’shesaid。

SoabsorbedwastheHarvesterhescarcelyheardher。

Inanattempttoobeyhebegantowhistlesoftly。A

tinygoldfinchinanestofthistledownandplantfibreinthebranchingofabushtenfeetabovehimstuckherheadoverthebrimandinquired，``P’tseet？’’``Pt’see！’’

answertheHarvester。Thatbegantheduet。Beforethequestionhadbeenaskedandansweredahalfdozentimesacatbirdintrudeditsvoiceandhearingareplycamethroughthebushestoinvestigate。Awrenfollowedandbecameverysaucy。From——onecouldnotseewhere，cameavireo，andalmostatthesametimeachewinkhadsomethingtosay。

InstantlytheHarvesteranswered。Thenabluejaycamechatteringtoascertainwhatallthefusswasabout，andtheHarvestercarriedonaconversationthatcalleduptheremainderofthefeatheredtribe。Abrilliantcardinalcametearingthroughthethicket，hisbeadyblackeyessnapping，anddemandedtoknowifanyonewereharminghismate，broodingunderawildgrapeleafinascrubelmontheriverembankment。

Abrownthrushsilentlyslippedlikeasnakebetweenshrubsandtrees，andcatchingtheuniversalexcitement，begantoflirthistailandutteraweird，whistlingcry。

Withoneeyeonthebird，andtheotherontheGirlsittinginamazedsilence，theHarvesterbeganworkingforeffect。Helayquietly，butinturnheansweredadozenbirdssoaccuratelytheythoughttheirmateswerecalling，andcloserandclosertheycame。Anorioleinorangeandblackheardhischallenge，andflewuptheriverbank，answeringatsteadyintervalsforquiteatimebeforeitwasvisible，andinresortingtothelastnoteshecouldthinkofaquailwhistled``BobWhite’’

andashitepoke，skulkingalongtheriverbank，stoppedandcried，``Cowk，cowk！’’

AthislimitofcallstheHarvesterchangedhisnotesandwhistledandcriedbitsofbirdtalkintonewitheverymellowaccentandinflectionhecouldmanage。

Graduallytheexcitementsubsided，thebirdsflewandtiltedcloser，turnedtheirsleekheads，peeredwithbrighteyes，andventuredonandonuntiltheverybravest，thewrenandthejay，werealmostintouch。Then，tiredofhunting，Belshazzarcameracingandthelittlefeatheredpeoplescatteredinprecipitateflight。

``Howdoyoulikethatkindofanoise？’’inquiredtheHarvester。

TheGirldrewadeepbreath。

``OfcourseyouknowthatwasthemostexquisitesightIeversaw，’’shesaid。``Inevershallforgetit。

Ididnotthinktherewerethatmanydifferentbirdsinthewholeworld。Ofallthegaudycolours！Andtheycamesocloseyoucouldhavereachedoutandtouchedthem。’’

``Yes，’’saidtheHarvestercalmly。``Birdsareneverafraidofme。AtMedicineWoods，whenIcallthemlikethat，many，mostofthem，infact，eatfrommyhand。Ifyoueverhavelookedatmeenoughtonoticebulgypockets，theyarefullofwheat。Thesebirdsarestrangers，butI’llwageryouthatinaweekIcanmakethemtakefoodfromme。Ofcourse，myownbirdsknowme，becausetheyarearoundeveryday。

Itismucheasiertotametheminwinter，whenthesnowhasfallenandfoodisscarce，butitonlytakesalittlewhiletowinabird’sconfidenceatanyseason。’’

``Birdsdon’tknowwhatthereistobeafraidof，’’

shesaid。

``Yourpardon，’’saidtheHarvester，``butIamfamiliarwiththem，andthatisnotcorrect。Theyhavemoretofearthanhumanbeings。Nooneisgoingtokillyoumerelytoseeifhecanshootstraightenoughtohit。

Yourlifeisnotindangerbecauseyouhavemagnificenthairthatsomewomanwouldlikeforanornament。

Youwillnotbestrickenoutinaflashbecausethereareafewbitsofmeatonyourframesomeonewantstoeat。

Noonewillsetaseductivetrapforyou，and，ifyouaretemptedtoenterit，shutyoufromfreedomandnaturaldiet，inacagesosmallyoucan’tturnaroundwithouttouchingbars。Youareinasecureandfreepositioncomparedwiththebirds。Ialsohaveobservedthattheyknowguns，manyformsoftraps，andallofthemdecidebythemeremannerofaman’spassingthroughthewoodswhetherheisafriendoranenemy。Birdsknowmorethanmanypeoplerealize。

Theydonotalwayscorrectlyestimategunrange，theyarefoolishlyventuresomeattimeswhentheywantfood，buttheyknowmanymorethingsthanmostpeoplegivethemcreditforunderstanding。Thegreatesttroublewiththebirdsistheyaretoowillingtotrustusandbefriendly，sotheyareoftendeceived。’’

``Thatsoundsasifyouwereright，’’saidtheGirl。

``Iamofthewoods，soIknowIam，’’answeredtheHarvester。

``Willyoulookatthisnow？’’

Heexaminedthedrawingclosely。

``Wheredidyoulearn？’’heinquired。

``Mymother。Shewaseducatedtoherfingertips。

Shedrew，painted，playedbeautifully，sangwell，andshehadreadalmostallthebestbooks。BesideswhatIlearnedathighschoolshetaughtmeallIknow。Herembroideryalwaysbroughthigherpricesthanmine，tryasI

might。Ineversawanyoneelsemakesuchadainty，accuratelittlestitchasshecould。’’

``Ifthisisnotperfect，Idon’tknowhowtocriticiseit。Icanandwilluseitinmywork。ButIhaveonelunacocoonremainingandIwouldgivetendollarsforsuchadrawingofthemothbeforeitflies。Itmayopento-nightornotforseveraldays。Ifyourauntshouldbeworseandyoucannotcometo-morrowandthemothemerges，isthereanywayinwhichIcouldsendittoyou？’’

``WhatcouldIdowithit？’’

``Ithoughtperhapsyoucouldtakeapieceofpaperandthepencilswithyou，andsecureanoutlineinyourroom。Itneednotbeworkedupwithallthedetailinthis。Merelyaskeletonsketchwoulddo。CouldIleaveitatthehouseorsenditwithsomeone？’’

``No！Ohno！’’shecried。``Leaveithere。PutitinaboxinthebusheswhereIhidthebooks。

Whatareyougoingtodowiththesethings？’’

``Hidetheminthethicketandscatterleavesoverthem。’’

``Whatifitrains？’’

``Ihavethoughtofthat。Ibroughtafewyardsofoilclothto-dayandtheywillbesafeanddryifitpours。’’

``Good！’’shesaid。``Thenifthemothcomesoutyoubringit，andifIamnothere，putitundertheclothandIwillrunupsometimeintheafternoon。ButifIwereyou，IwouldnotspreadtheruguntilyouknowifIcanremain。IhavetostealeveryminuteI

amaway，andanydayuncletakesanotiontostayathomeIdarenotcome。’’

``Trytocometo-morrow。Iamgoingtobringsomemedicineforyouraunt。’’

``PutitundertheclothifIamnothere；butIwillcomeifIcan。Imustgonow；Ihavebeenawayfartoolong。’’

TheHarvesterpickeduponeofthedrugpamphlets，laidthedrawinginsideit，andplaceditwithhisotherbooks。Thenhedrewouthispocketbookandlaidafive-dollarbillonthetableandbeganfoldingupthechairandputtingawaythethings。TheGirllookedatthemoneywitheagereyes。

``Isthathonestlywhatyouwouldpayattheartsandcraftsplace？’’

``Itisthecustomarypriceformypatterns。’’

``Andareyousurethisisasgood？’’

``IcanbringyousomeIhavepaidthatfor，andletyouseeforyourselfthatitisbetter。’’

``Iwishyouwould！’’shecriedeagerly。``Ineedthatmoney，andIwouldliketohaveitdearly，ifIreallyhaveearnedit，butIcan’ttouchitifIhavenot。’’

``Won’tyouacceptmyword？’’

``No。Iwillseetheotherdrawingsfirst，andifI

thinkmineareasgood，Iwillbegladtotakethemoneyto-morrow。’’

``Whatifyoucan’tcome？’’

``Putthemundertheoilcloth。IwatchallthetimeandIthinkUncleHenryhastrainedeventheboyssotheydon’tplayintheriveronhisland。Ineverseeasoulhere；thewoods，house，andeverythingisdesolateuntilhecomeshomeandthenitislike——’’shepaused。

``I’llsayitforyou，’’saidtheHarvesterpromptly。

``Thenitislikehell。’’

``Atitsworst，’’supplementedtheGirl。Takingpencilsandasheetofpapershewentswiftlythroughthewoods。

Beforeshelefttheshelterofthetrees，theHarvestersawherbusyherhandswiththefrontofherdress，andheknewthatshewasconcealingthedrawingmaterial。

Thecolourboxwasleft，andhesaidthingsasheputitwiththechairandtable，coveredthemwiththerugandoilcloth，andheapedonalayerofleaves。

ThenhedrovetothecityandBetsyturnedatthehospitalcornerwithnointerference。Hecouldfacehisfriendthatday。Despitealldiscouragementshefeltreassured。Hewasprogressing。Meansofcommunicationhadbeenestablished。Ifshedidnotcome，hecouldleaveanoteandtellherifthemothhadnotemergedandhowsorryhewastohavemissedseeingher。

``Hello，lover！’’criedDoctorCareyastheHarvesterenteredtheoffice。``Areyoumarriedyet？’’

``No。ButI’mgoingtobe，’’saidtheHarvesterwithconfidence。

``Haveyouaskedher？’’

``No。Wearegettingacquainted。Sheistooclosetotrouble，tooill，andtooworriedoverasickrelativeformetointrudemyself；itwouldbebrutal，butit’satemptation。Doc，isthereanywaytocompelamantoprovidemedicalcareforhiswife？’’

``Canheaffordit？’’

``Amply。Anything！Worththousandsinlandandnobodyknowswhatinmoney。It’sHenryJameson。’’

``ThemeanestmanIeverknew。Ifhehasawifeit’samarvelshehassurvivedthislong。Won’theprovideforher？’’

``Isupposehethinkshehaswhenshehasabedtolieonandarooftocoverher。Hewon’tsupplyfoodshecaneatandmedicine。Hesayssheislazy。’’

``Whatdoyouthink？’’

``IquoteMissJameson。Shesaysherauntisslowlydyingfromoverworkandneglect。’’

``David，doesn’titseemprettygood，whenyousay`MissJameson’？’’

``Loveliestsoundonearth，excepttheremainderofit。’’

``What’sthat？’’

``Ruth！’’

``Jove！Thatisabeautifulname。RuthLangston。

Itwillgowell，won’tit？’’

``Musicthatthebirds，insects，SingingWater，thetrees，andthebreezecan’teverequal。I’mholdingonwithallmymight，butit’stough，Doc。She’sinsuchadreadfulplaceandposition，andsheneedssomuch。

Sheissick。Can’tyougivemeaprescriptionforeachofthem？’’

``YoujustbetIcan，’’saidthedoctor，``ifyoucanengineertheirtakingthem。’’

``Isupposeyou’dholdtheirnosesandpourstuffdownthem。’’

``Iwouldifnecessary。’’

``Well，itis。’’

``Allright——I’llfixsomething，andyouseethattheyuseit。’’

``Icantry，’’saidtheHarvester。

``Try！Pah！Youaren’thalfaman！’’

``That’sahalfmorethanbeingawoman，anyway。’’

``Shecalledyoufeminine，didshe？’’criedthedoctor，dancingandlaughing。``Sheoughttoseeyouharvestingskunkcabbageandblueflagorwhenyouareangryenough。’’

Thedoctorlefttheroomanditwasahalfhourbeforehereturned。

``Trythatonthemaccordingtodirections，’’hesaid，handingoveracoupleofbottles。

``Thankyou！’’saidtheHarvester，``Iwill！’’

``Thatsoundsmanlyenough。’’

``Ohpother！It’snotthatI’mnotaman，oralaggardinlove；butI’dliketoknowwhatyou’ddotoagirldumbwithgriefovertherecentlossofhermother，whowasheronlyrelativeworthcounting，sickfromGodknowswhatexposureandprivation，andnowadyingrelativeonherhands。Whatcouldyoudo？’’

``I’dmarryherandpickheroutofit！’’

``Iwouldn’thaveher，ifshe’dleaveasickwomanforme！’’

``Iwouldn’teither。She’sgottostickitoutuntilherauntgrowsbetter，andthenI’llgooutthereandshowyouhowtocourtagirl。’’

``Iguessnot！Youkeepthegirlyoudidcourt，courted，andyou’llhaveyourhandsfull。Howdoesthatappeartoyou？’’

TheHarvesteropenedthepamphlethecarriedandheldupthedrawingofthemoth。

Thedoctorturnedtothelight。

``Goodwork！’’hecried。``Didshedothat？’’

``Shedid。Inalittleoveranhour。’’

``Fine！Sheshouldhaveachance。’’

``Sheisgoingto。Sheisgoingtohavealltheopportunitythatiscomingtoher。’’

``Goodforyou，David！AnytimeIcanhelp！’’

TheHarvesterreplacedthesketchandwenttothewagon；butheleftBelshazzarincharge，andvisitedthelargestdrygoodsstoreinOnabasha，whereheheldaconferencewiththefloorwalker。Whenhecameouthecarriedaheapingloadofboxesofeverysizeandshape，withalabeloneach。HedrovetoMedicineWoodssingingandwhistling。

``Shedidn’twantmetogo，Belshazzar！’’hechuckledtothedog。``Shewasmoreafraidofacowthanshewasofme。Imadesomeheadwayto-day，oldboy。

Shedoesn’tseemtohavearayofanideawhatIamtherefor，butsheisgoingtotrustmesoonnow；thatiswritteninthebooks。OhIhopeshewillbethereto-

morrow，andthelunawillbeout。GothalfanotiontotakethecaseandlayitinthewarmestplaceIcanfind。

Butifitcomesoutandsheisn’tthere，I’llbesorry。

Bettertrusttoluck。’’

TheHarvesterstabledBetsy，fedthestock，andvisitedwiththebirds。Aftersupperhetookhispurchasesandenteredherroom。Heopenedthedrawersofthechesthehadmade，andselectingthelabelledboxeshelaidthemin。Butnotapackagedidheopen。Thenhearoseandradiatedconceitofhimself。

``I’llwagershewilllikethose，’’hecommentedproudly，``becauseKanepromisedmefairlythathewouldhavetherightthingsputupforagirlthesizeoftheclerkIselectedforhim，andexactlywhatRuthshouldhave。Thatgirlwasslendererandnotquitesotall，buthesaideverythingwasmadelongonpurpose。NowwhatelseshouldIget？’’

Heturnedtothedressingtableandtakinganotebookfromhispocketmadethislist:

Rugsforbedandbathroom。

Mattresses，pillowsandbedding，Dressesforalloccasions。

Allkindsofshoesandovershoes。

``Therearegloves，too！’’exclaimedtheHarvester。

``Shehastohavesome，buthowamIgoingtoknowwhatisright？Oh，butsheneedsshoes！High，low，slippers，everything！Iwonderwhatthatclerkwears。Idon’tbelieveshoeswouldbecomfortablewithoutbeingfitted，oratleastthepropersize。Iwonderwhatkindofdressesshelikes。Ihopeshe’sfondofwhite。Awomanalwaysappearsloveliestinthat。MaybeI’dbetterbuywhatI’msureofandletherselectthedresses。ButI’dlovetohavethisroomcrammedwithgirl-fixingswhenshecomes。Doesn’tseemasifsheeverhashadanylittleluxuries。Ican’tmissitonanythingawomanuses。

Letmethink！’’

Slowlyhewroteagain:

Parasols。

Fans。

Veils。

Hats。

``Inevercangetthem！Ithinkthatwillkeepmebusyforafewdays，’’saidtheHarvesterasheclosedthedoorsoftly，andwenttolookatthepupaecases。Thenhecarvedonthevineofthecandlestickforherdressingtable；withonearmaroundBelshazzar，re-readthestoryofJohnMuir’sdog，wentintothelake，andtobed。

Justashewasbecomingunconsciousthebeastliftedaninquiringheadandgazedattheman。

``More’fraidofcow，’’theHarvesterwasmutteringinasleepychuckle。

CHAPTERXI

DEMONSTRATEDCOURTSHIP

WhentheHarvestersawtheGirlcomingtowardthewoods，hespreadtherug，openedandplacedthetableandchair，laidoutthecolourbox，andanothercontainingthelastluna。

``Didthegreenonecomeout？’’sheasked，touchingtheboxlightly。

``Itdid！’’saidtheHarvesterproudly，asifhewereresponsiblefortheperformance。``Itisanomen！ItmeansthatIamtohavemylong-covetedpatternformybestcandlestick。Italsoclearlyindicatesthatthegodsofluckarewithmefortheday，andI

getmywayabouteverything。Therewon’tbetheleastuseinyourasking`why’orinterposingobjections。

Thisismycleansweep。Ishallbefearfullydictatorialandyoumustsubmit，becausethefateshavepointedoutthattheyfavourmeto-day，andifyougocontrarytotheirdecreesyouwillhaveabadtime。’’

TheGirl’ssmilewasalittlewan。Shesankonachairandpickedupapencil。

``Laythatdown！’’criedtheHarvester。``Youhaven’thadpermissionfromtheDictatortobegindrawing。Youaretositandrestalongtime。’’

``PleasemayIspeak？’’askedtheGirl。

TheHarvestergrewfoolishlyhappy。Wasshereallygoingtoplaythegame？Ofcoursehehadhoped，butitwasahopewithoutanyfoundation。

``Youmay，’’hesaidsoberly。

``Iamafraidthatifyoudon’tallowmetodrawthemothatonce，I’llnevergetitdone。Idisliketomentionitonyourgoodday，butAuntMollyisveryrestless。I

gotaneighbour’slittlegirltowatchherandcallmeifI’mwanted。It’squitecertainthatImustgosoon，soifyouwouldlikethemoth——’’

``Whenluckiscomingyourway，neverhurryit！Youalwaysupsetthebowlifyougrowgreedyandcrowd。

IfitisagamblewhetherIgetthismoth，I’lltakethechance；butIwon’tchangemyforeordainedprogrammeforthisafternoon。First，youaretositstilltenminutes，shutyoureyes，andrest。Ican’tsing，butIcanwhistle，andI’mgoingtoentertainyousoyouwon’tfeelalone。

Readynow！’’

TheGirlleanedherelbowsonthetable，closedhereyes，andpressedherslenderwhitehandsoverthem。

``Pleasedon’tcallthebirds，’’shesaid。``Ican’trestifyoudo。Itwassoexcitingtryingtoseeallofthemandguesswhattheyweresaying。’’

``No，’’saidtheHarvestergently。``Thistenminutesisforrelaxation，youknow。Youeaseeverymuscle，sinklimplyonyourchair，leanonthetable，letgoallover，anddon’tthink。Justlistentome。Iassureyouit’sgoingtobeperfectlylovely。’’

Watchingintentlyhesawthestrainedmusclesrelaxingathissuggestionandcaughtthesmileoverthelastwordsasheslidintoasoftwhistle。Itwasaneasy，slow，old-fashionedtune，carryingalonggently，withneitherheightsnordepths，justmonotonous，sleepy，soothingnotes，thatwentonandonwithalittlerippleofchangeattimes，onlytoreturntothetheme，untilatlasttheGirlliftedherhead。

``It’sawaypasttenminutes，’’shesaid，``butthatwasarealrest。Truly，Iambetterpreparedforwork。’’

``Broketherule，too！’’saidtheHarvester。``Itwas，formetosaywhentimewasup。Can’tyouallowmetohavemywayfortenminutes？’’

``Iamsoanxioustoseeanddrawthismoth，’’sheanswered。``Andfirstofallyoupromisedtobringthedrawingsyouhavebeenusing。’’

``Nowwheredoesmyprogrammecomein？’’inquiredtheHarvester。``Youarespoilingeverything，andI

refusetohavemyluckydayinterferedwith；thereforewewillignorethesuggestionuntilwearriveattheplacewhereitisproper。Nextthingisrefreshments。’’

Hearoseandcomingoverclearedthetable。Thenhespreadonitapapertrayclothwithagayborder，andgoingintothethicketbroughtoutaboxandabigbucketcontainingajugpackedinice。TheGirl’seyeswidened。Shereacheddown，caughtupapiece，andholdingittodripasecondstartedtoputitinhermouth。

``Dropthat！’’commandedtheHarvester。``That’saveryunhealthfulproceeding。Waitaminute。’’

Fromoneendoftheboxheproducedatinofwafersandfromtheotheraplate。Thenhedugintotheiceandliftedseveraldifferentvarietiesofchilledfruit。Fromthejughepouredacombinationthathemadeofthejuicesoforanges，pineapples，andlemons。Hesettheglass，rapidlyfrostingintheheat，andthefruitbeforetheGirl。

``Now！’’hesaid。

Foroneinstantshestaredatthetable。Thenshelookedathimandinthedepthsofherdarkeyeswasanappealheneverforgot。

``Imadethatdrinkmyself，soit’sallright，’’heassuredher。``There’saprettystifftouchofpineappleinit，anditcutsthecobwebsonahotday。Pleasetryit！’’

``Ican’t！’’criedtheGirlwithahalf-sob。``ThinkofAuntMolly！’’

``Areyoufondofher？’’

``No。Ineversawheruntilafewweeksago。SincethenI’veseennothingsaveherpoor，tiredback。Sheliesinaheapfacingthewall。Butifshecouldhavethingslikethese，sheneedn’tsuffer。Andifmymothercouldhavehadthemshewouldbelivingto-day。OhMan，Ican’ttouchthis。’’

``Isee，’’saidtheHarvester。

Hereachedover，pickeduptheglass，andpoureditscontentsintothejug。Herepackedthefruitandclosedthewaferbox。Thenhemadeatriptothethicketandcameoutputtingsomethingintohispocket。

``Comeon！’’hesaid。``Wearegoingtothehouse。’’

Shestaredathim。

``Isimplydon’tdare。’’

``ThenIwillgoalone，’’saidtheHarvester，pickingupthebucketandstarting。

TheGirlfollowedhim。

``UncleHenrymaycomeanyminute，’’sheurged。

``Wellifhecomesandactsunpleasantly，hewillgetwhatherichlydeserves。’’

``Andhewillmakemepayforitafterward。’’

``Ohnohewon’t！’’saidtheHarvester，``becauseI’lllookoutforthat。Thisismyluckyday。Heisn’tgoingtocome。’’

Whenhereachedthebackdoorheopeneditandsteppedinside。Ofallthebarrenplacesofcrude，dishearteninguglinesstheHarvestereverhadseen，thatwastheworst。

``Iwantaglassandaspoon，’’hesaid。

TheGirlbroughtthem。

``Whereisshe？’’

``Inthenextroom。’’

Atthesoundoftheirvoicesasmallgirlcametothekitchendoor。

``Howdoyoudo？’’inquiredtheHarvester。``IsMrs。

Jamesonasleep？’’

``Idon’tknow，’’answeredthechild。``Shejustliesthere。’’

TheHarvestergavehertheglass。``Pleasefillthatwithwater，’’hesaid。Thenhepickedupthebucketandwentintothefrontroom。Whenthechildcamewiththewaterhetookabottlefromhispocket，filledthespoon，andhandedittoher。

``Holdthatsteadily，’’hesaid。

Thenheslidhisstronghandsunderthelightframeandturnedthefaceofthefadedlittlecreaturetowardhim。

``IamaMedicineMan，Mrs。Jameson，’’hesaidcasually。

``IheardyouweresickandIcametoseeifalittleofthisstuffwouldn’tbraceyouup。Openyourlips。’’

Heheldoutthespoonandtheamazedwomanswallowedthecontentsbeforesherealizedwhatshewasdoing。ThentheHarvesterranahandunderhershouldersandliftinghergentlyhetossedherpillowwiththeotherhand。

``Youarealightlittlebody，justlikemymother，’’

hecommented。``NowIhavesomethingelsesickpeoplesometimesenjoy。’’

Heheldthefruitjuicetoherlipsasheslightlyraisedheronthepillow。Hertremblingfingersliftedandclosedaroundthesparklingglass。

``Ohit’scool！’’shegasped。

``Itis，’’saidtheHarvester，``andsour！Ithinkyoucantasteit。Try！’’