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！’’