AwaveofcrimsonsweptovertheHarvester。
``No，theyarenotforme，’’hesaidsimply。``Idon’twanttobeanymoredifferentfromothermenthanI
canhelp，althoughIknowthatlifeinthewoods，therigidtrainingofmymother，andthereadingofonlythebooksthatwouldaidinmyworkhavemademeindividualinmanyofmythoughtsandways。Isupposemostmen，justnow，wouldtellyouanythingyouwanttoknow。ThereisonlyonethingIcansay:Thebestofmysoulandbrain，thebestofmywoodsandstore-house，thebestIcanbuywithmoneyisnotgoodenoughforher。That’sall。Formyself，Iamgettingreadytomarry，ofcourse。Ithinkallnormalmendoandthatitisamatterofplaincommon-sensethattheyshould。Lifewiththerightwomanmustbeinfinitelybroaderandbetterthanalone。Areyoumarried？’’
``Yes。Gotawifeandfourchildren。’’
``Areyousorry？’’
``Sorry！’’thecarpentershrilledtheword。``Sorry！
Wellthat’sthebestIeverheard！AmIsorryImarriedNellandgotthekids？DoIlooksorry？’’
``Iamnotexpectingtobe，either，’’saidtheHarvestercalmly。``IthinkIhavedonefairlywelltosticktomyworkandlivealoneuntilIamtwenty-six。Ihavethoughtthethingalloverandmadeupmymind。AssoonasIgetthishousefarenoughalongthatIfeelIcanproceedaloneIamgoingtorushthemarryingbusinessjustasfastasIcan，andletherfinishtheremaindertoherliking。’’
``Wellthisoughttopleaseher。’’
``That’sbecauseyoufindyourownworkgood，’’
laughedtheHarvester。
``Notaltogether！’’Thecarpenterpolishedtheboardandstooditonendtoexaminethesurfaceashetalked。
``Notaltogether！Nothingbutgoodworkwouldsuityou。Iwasthinkingofthelittlecreeksplashingdownthehilltothelake；andthatoldloghewersaidthatinafewmoredaysthingsherewouldbeablazeofcolouruntilfall。’’
``Almostallthedrugplantsandbushesleafbeautifullyandflowerbrilliantly，’’explainedtheHarvester。
``IstudiedthelocationsuitabletoeachvarietybeforeI
setthebedsandplannedhowtogrowplantsforcontinuityofbloom，andasmuchharmonyofcolouraspossible。
Ofcoursealandscapegardenerwouldtearupsomeofit，butseenasawholeitisn’tsobad。Didyouevernoticethatintheopen，withGod’sblueoverheadandHisgreenforabackground，Hecanplacepurpleandyellow，pink，magenta，red，andblueinmassesoranycombinationyoucanmentionandthebrighterthecolourthemoreyoulikeit？Youdon’tseemtoseeorfeelthatanygroupingclashes；yourevelineachwonderfulgrowth，andluxuriateinthebrilliancyofthewhole。
Anyway，thissuitsme。’’
``Iguessitwillpleaseher，too，’’saidthecarpenter。
``Afterallthepainsyou’vetaken，sheisagoodoneifitdoesn’t。’’
``I’llalwayshavetheconsolationofhavingdonemybest，’’repliedtheHarvester。``Onecan’tdomore！
Whethershelikesitornotdependsgreatlyonthewayshehasbeenreared。’’
``Youtalkasifyoudidn’tknow，’’commentedthecarpenter。
``Yougoonwiththisnow，’’saidtheHarvesterhastily。
``I’vegottouncoversomebedsanddigmyyear’ssupplyofskunkcabbage，elsefolkwithasthmaanddropsywhodependonmewillbeshortonrelief。Ioughttotakemysweetflag，too，butI’msohurriednowIthinkI’llleaveituntilfall；IdowhenIcan，becausethebloomissoprettyaroundthelakeandthebeessimplygowildoverthepollen。SometimesIalmostthinkIcandetectitintheirhoney。DoyouknowI’vewonderedoftenifthehoneymybeesmakehasmedicinalpropertiesandshouldbekeptseparateindifferentseasons。Inearlyspringwhentheplantsandbushesthatfurnishtherootsandbarksofmostofthetonicsareinbloom，andthebeesgatherthepollen，thathoneyshouldpartakeinadegreeofthesamepropertiesandbegoodmedicine。
Inthesummeritshouldaiddigestion，andinthefallcurerheumatismandblooddisorders。’’
``Sayyoutryit！’’urgedthecarpenter。``Iwantalotofthefallkind。I’malwaysfullofrheumatismbyOctober。Exposure，nodoubt。’’
``Overeatingoftoomuchrichfood，youmean，’’
laughedtheHarvester。``I’dliketoseeanymanexposehisbodytomoredifferingextremesofweatherthanIdo，andI’mneversick。It’sbecauseIammyowncookandsoIlivemostlyonfruits，vegetables，bread，milk，andeggs，afewfishfromthelake，alittlegameonceinagreatwhileorachicken，andnohotdrinks；plentyoffreshwater，air，andcontinuousworkoutofdoors。That’stheprescription！I’dbeashamedtohaverheumatismatyourage。There’sfoodinthecupboardifyougrowhungry。IamgoingpastoneoftheneighboursonmywaytoseeaboutsomeworkIwanthertodo。’’
TheHarvesterstoppedforlunch，carriedfoodtoBelshazzar，andstartedstraightacrosscountry，hismattock，withabagrolledaroundthehandle，onhisshoulder。Hisfeetsankinthedampearthatthefootofthehill，andhelaughedasheleapedacrossSingingWater。
``Younoisychatterbox！’’criedtheman。``Theimpetusofcomingdownthecurvesofthehillkeepsyoutalkingallthewayacrossthismuckbedtothelake。
WithsmallworkIcanmakeyouathingofbeauty。
Afewbushesgrubbed，alittledeepeningwhereyouspreadtoomuch，andsomemoremallowsalongthebankswilldothetrick。Imustattendtoyousoon。’’
``Nowwhatdoestheboywant？’’laughedawhite-
hairedoldwoman，astheHarvesterenteredthedoor。
``MebbyyouthinkIdon’tknowwhatyou’reupto！
Ievencanhearthehammeringandthevoicesofthemenwhenthewindisinthesouth。I’vebeenwonderinghowsoonyou’dneedme。Outwithit！’’
``Iwantyoutogetawomanandcomeoverandspendadaywithme。I’llcomeafteryouandbringyouback。
Iwantyoutogoovermother’sbeddingandhavewhatneedsitwashed。AllIwantyoutodoistosuperintend，andtellmenowwhatIwillwantfromtownforyourwork。’’
``Iputawayallyourmother’sbeddingthatyouwerenotusing，cleanasaribbon。’’
``Butithasbeenpackedinmothpreventiveseversinceandoutonlyfourtimesayeartoair，asyoutoldme。Itmustsmellmustyandbeyellow。Iwantitfreshandclean。’’
``SowhatIbeenhearingistrue，David？’’
``Quitetrue！’’saidtheHarvester。
``Whosegirlisshe，andwhenareyougoingtojinehands？’’
TheHarvesterliftedhiscleareyesandhesitated。
``DocCareylaidyouinmyarmswhenyouwasborn，David。Itendedyou’foreeveryourmadid。Allyourlifeyou’vebeenmyboy，andIloveyousameasmyownblood；itwon’tgonofartherifyousayso。I’llnevertellalivingsoul。ButI’moldand’tilbetterweathercomes，housebound；andIgetmightylonely。
I’dliketothinkaboutyouandher，andplanforyou，andloveherasIalwaysdidyoufolks。Whoisshe，David？DoIknowthefamily？’’
``No。Sheisastrangertotheseparts，’’saidtheunhappyHarvester。
``David，issheanicegirl’atyourmawouldhaveliked？’’
``She’stheonlygirlintheworldthatI’dmarry，’’saidtheHarvesterpromptly，gladofaquestionhecouldanswerheartily。``Yes。Sheisgentle，verytenderand——andaffectionate，’’hewentonsorapidlythatGrannyMorelandcouldnotsayaword，``andassoonasIbringherhomeyoushallcometospendadayandgetacquainted。Iknowyouwillloveher！I’llcomeinthemorning，then。Imusthurrynow。IamworkingdoublethisspringandI’mofffortheskunkcabbagebedto-day。’’
``Youareworkingfittokill，theneighbourssay。
Slavin’likeahorseallday，andhalfthenightIseeyourlightsburning。’’
``DoIappearkilled？’’laughinglyinquiredtheHarvester。
``Youlookpeartasastruttin’turkeygobbler，’’saidtheoldwoman。``Goonwithyourwork！Workdon’thurta-body。Eata-plenty，sleepallyouort，andyouCAN’Tworkenoughtohurtyou。’’
``SotheneighbourssayI’mworkingnow？Newstory，isn’tit？UsuallyI’mtoolazytomakealiving，ifIremember。’’
``Onlytothosewhodon’tsenseyourpurceedings，David。Ialwaysknowedhowyougrubbedandslavedan’setoverthemfearfulbookso’yours。’’
``Moreinterestingthanthewildestfiction，’’saidtheman。``I’mmakingsomemedicineforyourrheumatism，Granny。Itisnotfullytestedyet，butyougetreadyforitbycuttingoutallthesaltyoucan。Ihaven’ttimetoexplainthismorning，butyourememberwhatI
say，leaveoutthesalt，andwhenDocthinksit’ssafeI’llbringyousomethingthatwillmakeanewwomanofyou。’’
Hewentswingingdowntheroad，andGrannyMorelandlookedafterhim。
``Whilehewastalkin’，’’shemuttered，``Ifeltfullofinformationasaflocko’almanacs，butnowsincehe’sgone，’pearstomeIdon’tknowathingmore’anIdidtostarton。’’
``Closecall，’’theHarvesterwasthinking。``WhythenationdidIadmitanythingtoher？Peoplemaytalkastheyplease，solongasIdon’tsanctionit，butI
havetwoorthreetimes。That’safooltrick。SupposeIcan’tfindher？Maybeshewon’tlookatmeifIcan。
ThenI’dhavestartedsomethingIcouldn’tfinish。
AndifanybodythinksI’llendthisbytakinganygirlI
canget，ifIcan’tfindHer，whytheythinkwrongly。
Justthegirlofmygoldendreamornowomanatallforme。I’velivedalonelongenoughtoknowhowtodoitincomfort。IfIcan’tfindandwinherIhavenointentionofstartingaboardinghouse。’’
TheHarvesterbegantolaugh。```I’dratherkeepbachelor’shallinHellthangotoboardinHeaven！’’’
hequotedgaily。``That’smysentimenttoo。Ifyoucan’thavewhatyouwant，don’thaveanything。ButthereisnousetobecomediscouragedbeforeIstart。
Ihaven’tbeguntohuntheryet。UntilIdo，ImightaswellbelievethatshewillwalkacrossthebridgeandtakepossessionjustassoonasIgetthelastchairlegpolished。
Shemight！Shecameinthedream，andtocomeactuallycouldn’tbeanymorereal。I’llmakeastiffhuntofitbeforeIgiveup，ifIeverdo。Ineveryethavemadeacompletefailureofanything。ButjustnowIamhuntingskunkcabbage。It’spreciselythetimetotakeit。’’
Acrossthelake，intheswampywoods，closewherethescreechowlsangandthegirlofthegoldendreamwalkedinthemoonlighttheHarvesterbeganoperations。Heunrolledthesack，wenttooneendofthebedandsystematicallystartedaswathacrossit，liftingeveryotherplantbytheroots。Floweringtimewasalmostpast，butthebeesknewwherepollenripened，andhummedincessantlyoverandinsidethequeercone-shapedgrowthswiththeirhookedbeaks。Italmostappearedasifthesoundmadeinsidemightbetogiveoutsiderswarningnottopoachonoccupiedterritory，fortheHarvesternoticedthatnobeeenteredapre-emptedplant。
Withskilfulhandeachstrokebroughtuparootandhetossedittooneside。Theplantswerevastlypeculiarthings。Firsttheyseemedtobeacurledleafwithnoflower。Incolourtheyshadedfromyellowtoalmostblackmahogany，andappearedasiftheywereaflowerwithnoleaf。Closerexaminationprovedtherewasastoutleafwithaheavyoutsidemid-rib，thetipofwhichcurledoverinabeakeffect，thatwrappedaroundapeculiarflowerofverydisagreeableodour。ThehandlingoftheseplantsbythehundredsointensifiedthissmelltheHarvestershookhishead。
``Ipresumeyouaremostlymine，’’hesaidtothebusylittleworkersaroundhim。``Ifthereisanythinginmytheoryofhoneyhavingvaryingmedicinalpropertiesatdifferentseasons，rightnowmineshouldbegoodforGranny’srheumatismandfornervousanddropsicalpeople。Ishouldn’tthinkhoneyflavouredwithskunkcabbagewouldbefittoeat。But，ofcourse，itisn’tallthis。Thereiscatkinpollenonthewind，hazelandsassafrasarebothinbloomnow，andsoareseveraloftheearliestlittleflowersofthewoods。Youcangatherenoughofthemcombinedtotemperthedisagreeableodourintoaracysweetness，andalltheshrubbloomsaregoodtonics，too，andsomeoftheearthyones。I’mgoingtotrygivingsomeofyouemptycasesnextspringandanalyzingthehoneytolearnifitisn’tgoodmedicine。’’
TheHarvesterstraightenedandleanedonthemattocktofillhislungswithfreshairandashedelightedlysniffedithecommented，``NothingelsehasmuchofachancesinceI’vestirredupthecabbagebed。Icanscentthecatkinsplainly，beingsoclose，andasIcamehereI
coulddetectthehazelandsassafrasallright。’’
Abovehimapeculiar，raucouschatteringforaninstanthushedotherwoodvoices。TheHarvesterlookedup，laughinggaily。
``Soyou’vedecidedtoannounceittoyourtribeatlast，haveyou？’’heinquired。``Youarewakingthesleepersintheirdensto-day？Well，there’snothinglikewaitinguntilyouhaveasurething。Thebluebirdsbrokethetrailforthefeatheredfolkthetwenty-fourthofFebruary。Thesapoozedfromthemaplesaboutthesametimeforthetrees。Theveryfirstskunkcabbagewasupquiteamonthagotosignalotherplantstocomeon，andnowyouarerousingthefurredfolk。I’llwritethisdowninmyrecords——`Whentheearliestbluebirdsings，whenthesapwetsthemaples，whentheskunkcabbageflowers，andthefirststripedsquirrelbarks，whythen，itisspring！’’’
Hebenttohistaskandasheworkedcloserthewaterhenoticedsweet-flagleaveswavingtwoinchestallbeneaththesurface。
``Greatday！’’hecried。``Thereyouaremakingsigns，too！Andright！Ofcourse！Natureisalwaysright。
Justtwoincheshighandit’sharvestforyou。Icanusearake，anddriedintheevaporatoryoubringmetencentsapound；tothefolksneedingatonicyouareworthasmallfortune。Nodoubtyoucostthatbythetimeyoureachthem；butIfearIcan’tgatheryoujustnow。
Myheadisalittlepreoccupiedthesedays。Whatwiththecabbage，andnowyou，andmanyofthebushesandtreesmakingsigns，withanewcabintobuildandfurnish，withagirltofindandwin，I’mwhatyoumightcallbusy。I’vecoveredmybookshelf。Ipositivelydon’tdarelookEmersonorMaeterlinckintheface。
Oneconsolation！I’vegotthebestofThoreauinmyhead，andifIreadStickeenafewtimesmoreI’llbeabletorecitethat。There’samanforyou，nottomentionthedog！Bel，whereareyou？Wouldyousticktomelikethat？Ithinkyouwould。Butyouareabig，strongfellow。Stickeenwasonlysuchamiteofadog。
Butwhatamanhefollowed！IfeelasifIshouldputonhigh-heeledslippersandcarryafanandalacehandkerchiefwhenIthinkofhim。Andyet，mostmenwouldn’tconsidermyjobsoeasy！’’
TheHarvesterrapidlypitchedtheevil-smellingplantsintobigheapsandasheworkedheimitatedthesoundsaroundhimascloselyashecould。Thesongsparrowlaughedathimandflewawayindisgustwhenhetrieditsnotes。Thejaytooktimetoconsider，butwasnotfooled。Thenut-hatchranheadfirstdowntrees，larvaehunting，andwasneveramitedeceived。Butthekilldeeroninvisiblelegs，circlingthelakeshore，repliedinstantly；sodidthelarksoaringabove，andthedoveoftheelmthicketclosebeside。Theglitteringblackbirdsflashingovereverytreetopansweredthe``T’check，t’chee！’’oftheHarvesterquiteasreadilyastheirmates。
Thelasttimehepausedtoresthehadstudiedscents。
Whenhestraightenedagainhewasoccupiedwitheveryvoiceofearthandairaroundandabovehim，andthenotesofsinginghens，exultantcocks，thescreamofgeese，thequackofducks，theraspingcrescendoofguineasrunningwildinthewoods，theimperialnoteofAjaxsunningontheridgepoleandechoesfromallofthemonadjoininganddistantfarms。
```NowIseethefullmeaningandbeautyofthatwordsound！’’’quotedtheHarvester。```IthankGodforsound。Italwaysmountsandmakesmemount！’’’
Hebreatheddeeplyandstoodlistening，asuperbfigureofaman，hisleanfaceglowingwithemotion。
``Ifshecouldseeandhearthis，shewouldcome，’’
hesaidsoftly。``ShewouldcomeandshewouldloveitasIdo。Anyonewhounderstands，andknowshowtotranslate，caresforthisaboveallelseearthhastooffer。
Theywhodonot，failtoreadastheyrun！’’
Heshiftedfeetmiredinswampmuck，andstoodasifloathtobendagaintohistask。Heliftedaweightedmattockandscrapedtheearthfromit，sniffingitdelightedlythewhile。Asoftsouthwindfreightedwitharomaticodoursswepthiswarmface。TheHarvesterremovedhishatandshookhisheadthatthebreezemightthreadhisthickhair。
``I’veacommissionforyou，SouthWind，’’hesaidwhimsically。``GofindmyDreamGirl。Gocarryherthismessagefromme。Freightyourbreathwithspicypollen，sunwarmth，andflowernectar。Fillallhersenseswithdelight，andthen，closetoherear，whisperitsoftly，`Yourloveriscoming！’Tellherthat，O
SouthWind！CarryArabytohernostrils，Heaventoherears，andthenwhisperandwhisperitoverandoveruntilyouarousethepassionofearthinherblood。Tellherwhatisriotinginmyheart，andbrain，andsoulthismorning。Repeatituntilshemustawaketoitsmeaning，`Yourloveriscoming。’’’
CHAPTERV
WHENTHEHARVESTERMADEGOOD
Thesassafrasandskunkcabbagewereharvested。
Thelastworkmanwasgone。TherewasnotasoundatMedicineWoodssavethebabelofbirdandanimalnotesandthenever-endingaccompanimentofSingingWater。Thegeesehadgoneover，someflockspausingtorestandfeedonLoonLake，andducksthathomedtherewerebusyamongthereedsandrushes。Inthedeepwoodsthestruggletomaintainandreproducelifewasatitsheight，andthecourtingsongsofgailycolouredbirdsweredrownedbyhawkscreamsandcrowcallsofdefiance。
EverynightbeforeheplungedintothelakeandwenttosleeptheHarvestermadeoutalistofthemostpressingworkthathewouldundertakeonthecomingday。Bysystematizingandplanningaheadhewasabletoaccomplishanunbelievableamount。Theearliestrushofspringdruggatheringwasover。Hecouldbemoredeliberateincollectingthebarkshewanted。Flowersthatweretobegatheredatbloomtimeandleaveswerenotyetready。Theheavyleafcoveringshehadhelpedthewindstoheaponhisbedsoflilyofthevalley，bloodroot，andsarsaparillawereremovedcarefully。
InsidethecabintheHarvestercleanedtheglass，sweptthefloorswithasoftclothpinnedoverthebroom，andhungpaleyellowblindsatthewindows。Everyspareminuteheworkedonmakingfurniture，andwitheachpiecehegrewinexperienceandventuredonmoredifficultundertakings。Hehadprogressedsofarthathenowallowedhimselfanhoureachdayonthecandlesticksforher。Everyeveningheopenedherdoorandwithsoftclothspolishedthefurniturehehadmade。Whenherroomwascompletedandthedining-roompartiallyfinished，theHarvestertooktimetostainthecabinandporchroofstheshadeofthewillowleaves，andonthelogsandpillarsheusedoilthatservedtointensifythelightyellowofthenaturalwood。Withthatmuchaccomplishedhefeltbetter。Ifshecamenow，inafewhourshewouldbeabletoofferacomfortableroom，enoughconveniencestoliveuntilmorecouldbeprovided，andoffoodtherewasalwaysplenty。
Hisdailyprogrammewastofeedandwaterhisanimalsandpoultry，preparebreakfastforhimselfandBelshazzar，andgotothewoods，dry-houseorstore-roomtodotheworkmostneedfulinhisharvesting。Intheafternoonhelabouredoverfurnitureandputfinishingtouchesonthenewcabin，andaftersupperhecarvedandfoundtimetoreadagain，asbeforehisdream。
Hewassohappyhewhistledandsangathisworkmuchofthetimeatfirst，butlatertherecamedayswhendoubtscreptinandallhiswillpowerwasrequiredtoproceedsteadily。Asthecabingrewinbettershapeforoccupancyeachday，morepressingbecamethethoughtofhowhewasgoingtofindandmeetthegirlofhisdream。Sometimesitseemedtohimthattheproperwaywastoremainathomeandgoonwithhiswork，trustinghertocometohim。Atsuchtimeshewashappyandgailywhistledandsang:
``Stayinyourchimneycorner，Don’troamtheworldabout，Stayinyourchimneycorner，Andyourowntruelovewillfindyouout。’’
Buttherewereotherdayswhilegrubbingintheforest，battlingwithrootsinthemuckandmireofthelakebank，staggeringunderaloadfortwomen，scarcelytakingtimetoeatandsleepenoughtokeephisconditionperfect，whenthatplanseemedtoohopelessandsenselesstocontemplate。Thenhewouldthinkoflockingthecabin，leavingthedrugstogrowundisturbedbycollecting，hiringaneighbourtocareforhislivingcreatures，andstartingasearchovertheworldtofindher。
Therecametimeswhentheimpulsetogowassostrongthatonlythedesiretotakeadaymoretodecidewhere，kepthim。Everytimehismindwasmadeuptostartthefollowingdaycamethecounterthought，whatifI
shouldgoandsheshouldcomeinmyabsence？Inthedreamshecame。Thataloneheldhim，eveninthefaceofthefactthatifhelefthomesomeonemightknowofandriflethepreciousginsengbed，carefullytendedthesesevenyearsfortheculminationthecomingfallwouldbring。Thatginsengwasworthmanythousandsandhehadlabouredoverit，fightingwormsandparasites，coveringanduncoveringitwiththechangingseasons，asiegeoflovinglabour。
Sometimesafewhoursofmisgivingtorturedhim，butasarulehewascheerfulandhappyinhispreparations。
Withoutintendingtodoithewasgraduallyfurnishingthecabin。Everyfewdayssawanewpiecefinishedintheworkshop。EachtriptoOnabashaendedinthepurchaseofsomearticlehecouldseewouldharmonizewithhiscolourplansforoneoftherooms。Hehadfilledtheflowerboxesfortheverandawithdelicateplantsthatweregrowingluxuriantly。
Thenhedesignedandbegansettingawild-flowergardenoutsideherdoorandstartedclimbingvinesoverthelogsandporches，butwhateverheplantedhefoundinthewoodsortookfrombedshecultivated。Manyofthemedicinalvineshadleaves，flowers，twiningtendrils，andberriesorfruitsofwonderfulbeauty。Everytriptotheforesthebroughtbackahalfdozenvines，plants，orbushestosetforher。Allofthemeitherborelovelyflowers，berries，quaintseedpods，ornuts，andbesidethedriveandbeforethecabinheusedespecialcaretoplantahedgeofbittersweetvines，burningbush，andtreesofmountainash，sothatthegloryoftheircolourwouldenliventhewinterwhendaysmightbegloomy。
Heplantedwildyamunderherwindowsthatitsqueerrattlesmightamuseher，andhoptreeswheretheircastanetswouldplaygaymusicwitheverypassingwindoffall。HestartedathicketalongtheoppositebankofSingingWaterwhereitbubbledpastherwindow，andinitheplacedingraduatedrowseveryshrubandsmalltreebearingbrightflower，berry，orfruit。Thoseremainingheusedasaborderforthedrivewayfromthelake，sothatfromearliestspringhereyeswouldfallonaprocessionofcolourbeginningwithcatkinsandpapawlilies，andrunningthroughalders，haws，wildcrabs，dogwood，plums，andcherryintermingledwithforestsaplingsandvinesbearingscarletberriesinfallandwinter。Inthedampsoilofthesamecharacterfromwhichtheywereremoved，intheshadeandundertheskilfulhandoftheHarvester，fewoftheseknewtheyhadbeentransplanted，andwhenMaybroughtthecatbirdsandoriolesmuchofthisgrowthwasfloweringquiteasluxuriantlyasthesamespeciesinthewoods。
TheHarvesterwasinthestore-housepackingboxesforshipment。Hisroomwassosmallandorderssonumerousthathecouldnotkeeplargequantitiesonhand。
Allcrudestuffthathesentstraightfromthedrying-housewasfreshandbrightlycoloured。HisstockalwayswasmarkedprimeA-No。1。TherewasastepbehindhimandtheHarvesterturned。Aboyheldoutatelegram。ThemanopenedittofindanorderforsomestufftobeshippedthatdaytoalargelaboratoryinToledo。
Hishandsdeftlytiedpackagesandhehastilypackedbottlesandnailedboxes。ThenherantoharnessBetsyandload。Ashedrovedownthehilltothebridgehelookedathiswatchandshookhishead。
``Whatareyougoodforatapinch，Betsy？’’heaskedashefleckedthesurprisedmare’sflankwithaswitch。
BelshazzarcockedhisearsandgazedattheHarvesterinastonishment。
``Thatwasn’tenoughtohurther，’’explainedtheman。
``Shemustspeedup。Thisisimportantbusiness。Theamountinvolvedisnotsomuch，butIdolovetomakegood。It’sapartofmyreligion，Bel。AndmyreligionhassopreciousfewpartsthatifIfailintheobservanceofanyofthemitmakesabigholeinmyperformances。
Nowwedon’twanttoendalifefullofholes，sowemustgettherewiththisstuff，notbecauseit’sworththeexertionindollarsandcents，butbecausethesemenpatronizeussteadilyandexpectustofillorders，evenbytelegraph。
Hustle，Betsy！’’
ThewhipfellagainandBelshazzarenteredindignantprotest。
``Itisn’tgoingtohurther，’’saidtheHarvesterimpatiently。``Shemaywalkallthewayback。ShecanrestwhileIgettheseboxesbilledandloadedifshecanbepersuadedtogetthemtotheexpressofficeontime。ThetroublewithBetsyisthatshewantstomeanderalongtheroadwithaloadedwagonashermotherandgrandmotherbeforeherwanderedthroughthewoodswearingabelltoattractthedeer。Fatherusedtosaythathermotherwasthesmartestbellmarethateverenteredtheforest。
She’dnotonlyfindthedeer，butshe’dmakefriendswiththemandleadthemstraightasabee-linetowherehewashiding。Betsy，youmusttravel！’’
TheHarvesterdrewthelinestaut，andthewhipfellsmartly。TheastonishedBetsysnortedandpranceddownthevalleyasfastasshecould，buteverystepindicatedthatshefeltoutragedandabused。Thiswastheloveliestdayoftheseason。Thesunwasshining，theairwasheavywiththeperfumeoffloweringshrubsandtrees，theorchardsofthevalleywerewhitewithbloom。Farmerswerehurryingbackandforthacrossfields，leavingupturnedlinesofblack，swampymouldbehindthem，andoneprogressiveindividualrodeawheeledplow，drovethreehorsesandenjoyedtheshelterofacanopy。
``Saintspreserveus，Belshazzar！’’criedtheHarvester。
``Doyouseethat？Heisoneofthemenwhomakesabusinessofcallingmeshiftless。Nowhethinksheisworking。Working！Forafull-grownman，didyoueverseetheequal？IfIweregoingthatfarI’dwearatuckedshirt，panamahat，haveapianolaattachment，andanautomaticfan。’’
TheHarvesterlaughedasheagaintouchedBetsyandhurriedtoOnabasha。Hescarcelysawthedelightsofferedoneitherhand，andwherehiseyescustomarilytookineverysight，andhisearsweretunedforthefaintestnoteofearthortreetop，todayhesawonlyBetsyandlistenedforawhistlehedreadedtohearatthewatertank。
Heclimbedtheembankmentoftherailwayataslowerpace，butmadeuptimegoingdownhilltothecity。
``Iamnotgettingablamethingoutofthis，’’hecomplainedtoBelshazzar。``Therearerichestostaggeranyscientistwastingto-day，andallI’vegottoshowisoneoriole。Ididhearhisfirstnoteandseehisflash，andsounlesswecantaketimetomakeupforthisonthehomeroadwewillhavetochristenitorioleday。It’saperfumedgoldenday，too；Icangetthatinpassing，buthowIloathehurrying。Idon’tmindplanningthingsandworkingsteadily，butit’snotconsistentwiththedignityofasanemantogorushingacrosscountrywithasmuchappreciationofthedelightsofferedrightnowasachickenwithitsheadoffwouldhave。Wewillloafgoingbacktopayforthis！Andwon’tweinviteoursouls？Wewillstopandgatherabigbouquetofcrabappleblossomstofillthegreenpitcherforher。Maybesomeoftheirwonderfulperfumewilllingerinherroom。Whenthepetalsfallwewillscattertheminthedrawersofherdresser，andtheymaydistilafaintflowerodourthere。Wecoulddothattoallherfurniture，butperhapsshedoesn’tlikeperfume。She’llbecompelledtoaftershereachesMedicineWoods。Betsy，youmusttravelfaster！’’
ThewhipfellagainandtheHarvesterstoppedatthedepotwithafewminutestospare。HethrewthehitchingstraptoBelshazzar，andranintotheexpressofficewithanarmloadofboxes。
``Billthem！’’hecried。``It’sarushorder。Iwantittogoonthenextexpress。AlmostdueIthink。I’llhelpyouandwecanbookthemafterward。’’
Theexpressmanranforatruckandtheyhastilyweighedandpiledonboxes。Whenthelastonewasloadedfromthewagon，aheapmorelyingintheofficewereadded，pitchedonindiscriminatelyasthetrainpulledundertheshedsoftheUnionStation。
``I’llpush，’’criedtheHarvester，``andhelpyougetthemon。’’
Hurryingasfastashecouldtheexpressmandrewtheheavytruckthroughtheirongatesandstartedtowardthetrainslowingtoastop，andtheHarvesterpushed。
Astheycamedowntheplatformtheypassedthediningandsleepingcarsofthelongtrainandwereseveraltimesdelayedbydescendingpassengers。Justoppositethedaycoachtheexpressmannarrowlymissedrunningintoseveralwomenleadingsmallchildrenandstoppedabruptly。AtopplingboxthreatenedtheheadoftheHarvester。Hepeeredaroundthetruckandsawtheymustwaitafewseconds。Heputinthetimewatchingthepeople。Agray-hairedoldman，travellinginasilkhat，waveredonthetopstepandwenthisway。Afatwomanloadedwithbundlespuffedassheclungtremblingasecondinfearshewouldmissthestepshecouldnotsee。
Atall，slendergirlwithafacecoldlywhitecamenext，andfromthebrokenshoesheadvanced，thebewilderedfrightofbig，darkeyesglancinghelplessly，theHarvestersawthatshewaspoor，alone，ill，andintrouble。Pityinglyheturnedtowatchher，andashegaugedherheight，sawherfigure，andadarkcoronetofhaircameintoview，aghastlypallorswepthisface。
``MercifulGod！’’hebreathed，``that’smyDreamGirl！’’
Thetruckstartedwithajerk。Thetopplingboxfell，struckapassingboy，andknockedhimdown。ThemotherscreamedandtheHarvestersprangtopickupthechildandseethathewasnotdangerouslyhurt。Thenheranafterthetruck，pitchedonthebox，andwhirling，spedbesidethetraintowardthegatesofexit。Therewastheusualcrush，buthecouldseethetallfigurepassingupthestepstothedepot。Hetriedtoforcehiswayandwascalledabrutebyacrowdedwoman。Herandowntheplatformtothegateshehadenteredwiththetruck。
Theywereautomaticandhadlocked。Thenhebecameaprimalcreaturebeingcheatedofalawfulmateandclimbedthehighironfenceandranforthewaitingroom。
Hesweptitataglance，notforgettingthewomen’sapartmentandthesideentrance。Thenhehurriedtothefrontexit。Upthestreetleadingfromthecitytherewerefewpeopleandhecouldseenosignoftheslight，white-
facedgirl。Hecrossedthesidewalkandrandownthegutterforablockandbreathlesslywaitedthepassingcrowdonthecorner。Shewasnotamongit。Hetriedonemoresquare。Stillhecouldnotseeher。Thenheranbacktothedepot。Hethoughtsurelyhemusthavemissedher。Heagainsearchedthewoman’sandgeneralwaitingroomandthenhethoughtoftheconductor。
Fromhimitcouldbelearnedwheresheenteredthecar。
Heranforthestation，boltedthegatewhiletheofficialcalledtohim，andreachedthetrackintimetoseethetrainpulloutwithinafewyardsofhim。
``Youbloomingidiot！’’criedtheangryexpressmanastheHarvesterranagainsthim，``wheredidyougo？
Whydidn’tyouhelpme？Youarewhiteasasheet！
Haveyoulostyoursenses？’’
``Worse！’’groanedtheHarvester。``Worse！I’velostwhatIprizemostonearth。HowcouldIreachtheconductorofthattrain？’’
``Telegraphhimatthenextstation。Youcanhaveananswerinahalfhour。’’
TheHarvesterrantotheoffice，andwithshakinghandwrotethismessage:
``Wheredidatallgirlwithbigblackeyesandwearingagraydresstakeyourtrain？Important。’’
Thenhewentoutandminutelysearchedthedepotandstreets。HehiredanautomobiletodrivehimoverthebusinesspartofOnabashaforthreequartersofanhour。
Uponestreetanddownanotherhewentslowlywheretherewerecrowds，fasterashecould，butneverasightofher。Thenhereturnedtothedepotandfoundhismessage。Itread，``TransferredtomeatFortWaynefromChicago。’’
``Chicagobaggage！’’hecried，andhurriedtothecheckroom。Hehadlostalmostanhour。Whenhereachedtheroomhefoundtheofficialsbusyandunwillingtobeinterrupted。FinallyhelearnedtherehadbeenahalfdozentrunksfromChicago。Allweretakensavetwo，andoneglanceatthemtoldtheHarvesterthattheydidnotbelongtothegirlingray。Theothershadbeenclaimedbymenhavingchecksforthem。Ifshehadbeenthere，theofficialshadnotnoticedatallgirlhavingawhitefaceanddarkeyes。Whenhecouldthinkofnofurtherefforttomakehedrovetothehospital。
DoctorCareywasnotinhisoffice，andtheHarvestersatintherevolvingchairbeforethedeskandgrippedhisheadbetweenhishandsashetriedtothink。Hecouldnotrememberanythingmorehecouldhavedone，butsincewhathehaddoneonlyendedinfailure，hewasreproachinghimselfwildlythathehadtakenhiseyesfromtheGirlaninstantafterrecognizingher。Yetitwasinhisbloodtobedecentandhecouldnothaverunawayandleftafrightenedwomanandahurtchild。
Trustingtohisfleetfeetandstrengthhehadtakentimetoreplacetheboxalso，andthenhadmetthecrowdanddelay。Justfortheinstantitappearedtohimasifhehaddoneallamancould，andhehadnotfoundher。IfheallowedhertoreturntoChicago，probablyheneverwould。Heleanedhisheadonhishandsandgroanedindiscouragement。
DoctorCareywhirledthechairsothatitfacedhimbeforetheHarvesterrealizedthathewasnotalone。
``What’sthetrouble，David？’’heaskedtersely。
TheHarvesterliftedastrainedface。
``Icameforhelp，’’hesaid。
``Wellyouwillgetit！Allyouhavetodoistostatewhatyouwant。’’
Thatseemedsimplicityitselftothedoctor。Butwhenitcametoputtinghiscaseintowords，itwasnoteasyfortheHarvester。
``Goon！’’saidthedoctor。
``You’llthinkmeafool。’’
Thedoctorlaughedheartily。
``Nodoubt！’’hesaidsoothingly。``Nodoubt，David！
Probablyyouare；sowhyshouldn’tIthinkso。Butrememberthis，whenwemakethebiggestfoolsofourselvesthatispreciselythetimewhenweneedfriends，andwhentheysticktousthetightest，iftheyareworthwhile。I’vebeenwaitingsincelatterFebruaryforyoutotellme。Wecanfixit，ofcourse；there’salwaysaway。
Goon！’’
``WellIwasn’tfoolingaboutthedreamandthevisionItoldyouofthen，Doc。Ididhaveadream——anditwasadreamoflove。Ididseeavision——anditwasabeautifulwoman。’’
``Ihopeyouarenotnursingthatexperienceassomethingexclusiveandpeculiartoyou，’’saidthedoctor。
``Thereisnotanormal，sanemanlivingwhohasnotdreamedofloveandthemostexquisitewomanwhocamefromthecloudsoranywhereandwasgracioustohim。
That’sapartofaman’sexperienceinthisworld，andithappenstomostofus，notonce，butrepeatedly。It’sacasewherethewishfathersthedream。’’
``Wellithasn’thappenedtome`onrepeatedoccasions，’butitdidonenight，andbydawnIwasconverted。
HowCANadreambesoreal，Doc？HowcouldIseeasclearlyasIeversawinthedaytimeinmymostalertmoment，heareverystepandgarmentrustle，scenttheperfumeofhair，andfeelwarmbreathstrikemyface？I
don’tunderstandit！’’
``Neitherdoesanyoneelse！Allyouneedsayisthatyourdreamwasrealaslife。Goon！’’
``IbuiltanewcabinandprettywelloverturnedtheplaceandI’vebeenmakingfurnitureIthoughtawomanwouldlike，andcarryingthingsfromtowneversince。’’
``Gee！Itwasrealitytoyou，lad！’’
``Nothingevermoreso，’’saidtheHarvester。
``Andofcourse，youhavebeenlookingforher？’’
``AndthismorningIsawher！’’
``David！’’
``Nottheghostofachanceforamistake。Herheight，hereyes，herhair，herwalk，herface；onlysomethingterriblehashappenedsinceshecametome。Itwasthesamegirl，butsheisillandintroublenow。’’
``Whereisshe？’’
``DoyousupposeI’dbehereifIknew？’’
``David，areyoudreamingindaytime？’’
``ShegotofftheChicagotrainthismorningwhileIwashelpingDanielsloadabigtruckofexpressmatter。
Someofitwasmine，anditwasimportant。JustatthewronginstantaboxfellandknockeddownachildandIgotinajam——’’
``Andasitwasyou，ofcourseyoustoppedtopickupthechildanddoeverythingdecentforotherfolks，beforeyouthoughtofyourself，andsoyoulosther。Youneedn’ttellmeanythingmore。David，ifIfindher，andprovetoyouthatshehasbeenmarriedtenyearsandhasaninterestingfamily，willyouthankme？’’
``Can’tbedone！’’saidtheHarvestercalmly。``ShehasbeenmarriedonlysinceshegaveherselftomeinFebruary，andsheisnotamother。Youneedn’tbankonthat。’’
``Youaremightysure！’’
``Whynot？Itoldyouthedreamwasreal，andnowthatIhaveseenher，andsheisinthisverytown，whyshouldn’tIbesure？’’
``Whathaveyoudone？’’
TheHarvestertoldhim。
``Whatareyougoingtodonext？’’
``Talkitoverwithyouanddecide。’’
Thedoctorlaughed。
``Wellhereareafewthingsthatoccurtomewithouttimeforthought。Talktotheticketagents，andleaveherdescriptionwiththem。Makeitworththeirwhiletobeonthelookout，andifshegoesanywheretofindoutalltheycan。Theycouldmakeanexcuseofputtingheraddressonherticketenvelope，andgetitthatway。
Seethebaggagemen。PostthedaypoliceonMainStreet。Thereisnochanceforhertoescapeyou。A
full-grownwomandoesn’tvanish。Howdidsheactwhenshegotoffthecar？Didsheappearfamiliar？’’
``No。Shewasastranger。Foraninstantshelookedaroundasifsheexpectedsomeone，thenshefollowedthecrowd。Theremusthavebeenanautomobilewaitingorshetookastreetcar。Somethingwhirledheroutofsightinafewseconds。’’
``Wellwewillgetherinrangeagain。Nowforthemostminutedescriptionyoucangive。’’
TheHarvesterhesitated。HedidnotcaretodescribetheDreamGirltoanyone，muchlesstheliving，sufferingfaceandpoorlycladformofthereality。
``Cutoutyourscruples，’’laughedthedoctor。``Youhaveaskedmetohelpyou；howcanIifIdon’tknowwhatkindofawomantolookfor？’’
``Verytallandslender，’’saidtheHarvester。``AlmostastallasIam。’’
``Unusuallytallyouthink？’’
``Iknow！’’
``That’sagoodpointforidentification。Howabouthercomplexion，hair，andeyes？’’
``Verylarge，darkeyes，andagreatmassofblackhair。’’
Thedoctorroared。
``Theeyesmayhelp，’’hesaid。``Allwomenhavemassesofhairthesedays。Ihope——’’
``Herhairisfasttoherhead，’’saidtheHarvesterindignantly。``Isawitatcloserange，andIknow。Itwentaroundlikeacrown。’’
Thedoctorchokeddownalaugh。Hewantedtosaythateverywoman’shairwaslikeacrownatpresent，buttherewerethingsnomanventuredwithDavidLangston；
thosewhoknewhimbest，leastofany。Sohesuggested，``Andhercolouring？’’
``Shewaswhiteandrosy，alovelythinginthedream，’’
saidtheHarvester，``butsomethingdreadfulhashappened。That’sallwipedoutnow。Shewasverypalewhensheleftthecar。’’
``Carsick，maybe。’’
``Soulsick！’’wasthegrimreply。
ThenDoctorCareyappearedsodisturbedtheHarvesternoticedit。
``Youneedn’tthinkI’dbeherepratingaboutherifI
wasn’tFORCED。Ifshehadbeenrosyandwellasshewasinthedream，I’dhavemademyhuntaloneandfoundher，too。ButwhenIsawshewassickandintrouble，ittookallthecourageoutofme，andIbrokeforhelp。Shemustbefoundatonce，andwhensheisyouareprobablythefirstmanI’llwant。Iamgoingtoputupaprettystiffsearchmyself，andifIfindherI’llsendorgethertoyouifIcan。Putherinthebestwardyouhaveandanythingmoneywilldo——’’
Thefaceofthedoctorwasgrowingtroubled。
``DaycoachorPullman？’’heasked。
``Day。’’
``Howwasshedressed？’’
``Smallblackhat，veryplain。Grayjacketandskirt，neatasaflower。’’
``Whatyou’dcallexpensivelydressed？’’
TheHarvesterhesitated。
``WhatI’dcallcarefullydressed，but——butpovertypoor，ifyouwillhaveit，Doc。’’
DoctorCarey’slipsclosedandthenopenedinsuddenresolution。
``David，Idon’tlikeit，’’hesaidtersely。
TheHarvestermethiseyeandpurposelymisunderstoodhim。
``NeitherdoI！’’heexclaimed。``Ihateit！Thereissomethingwrongwiththewholeworldwhenawomanhavingafacefullofpurity，intellect，andrefinementofextremetypeglancesaroundherlikeahuntedthing；
whenherappearanceseemstoindicatethatshehasstarvedherbodytoclotheit。Iknowwhatisinyourmind，Doc，butifIwereyouIwouldn’tputitintowords，andIwouldn’tevenTHINKit。Hasitbeenyourexperienceinthisworldthatwomennotfittoknowskimptheirbodiestocoverthem？Doesagirloflightcharacterandlittlebrainhavethehardihoodtoadvanceafootcoveredwithabrokenshoe？IfIcouldtellyouthatsherodeinaPullman，andworeexquisiteclothing，youwouldbedoingsomething。Theothersideofthepictureshutsyouuplikeaclam，andmakesyouappearshocked。Letmetellyouthis:NootherwomanIeversawanywhereonGod’sfootstoolhadafaceofmoredelicaterefinement，eyesofpurerintelligence。Iamofthewoods，andwhiletheydon’tteachmehowtoshineinsociety，theydoinstilalwaysandforeverthefinenessofnatureandherways。
Ihaveherlessonssowelllearnedtheyhelpmemorethananythingelsetodiscernthequalitiesofhumannature。
Ifyouaremyfriend，andhaveanyfaithatallinmycommonsense，getupanddosomething！’’
Thedoctorarosepromptly。
``David，I’manass，’’hesaid。``Unusuallylop-eared，andblindinthebargain。ButbeforeIaskyoutoforgiveme，Iwantyoutoremembertwothings:First，shedidnotvisitmeinmydreams；and，second，Ididnotseeherinreality。Ihadnothingtojudgefromexceptwhatyousaid:youseemedreluctanttotellme，andwhatyoudidsaywas——was——disturbingtoafriendofyours。
IhavenottheslightestdoubtifIhadseenherIwouldagreewithyou。Weseldomdisagree，David。Now，willyouforgiveme？’’
TheHarvestersuddenlyfacedawindow。Whenatlastheturned，``Theoffencelieswithme，’’hesaid。``lwashasty。Areyougoingtohelpme？’’
``Withallmyheart！Gohomeandworkuntilyourheadclears，thencomebackinthemorning。ShedidnotcomefromChicagoforaday。You’vedoneallIknowtodoatpresent。’’
``Thankyou，’’saidtheHarvester。
HewenttoBetsyandBelshazzar，andslowlydroveupanddownthestreetsuntilBetsyprotestedandcalmlyturnedhomeward。TheHarvestersmiledruefullyasheallowedhertoproceed。
``Goslowandtakeiteasy，’’hesaidastheyreachedthecountry。``Iwanttothink。’’
Betsystoppedatthebarn，thewhitedovestookwing，andAjaxscreamedshrillybeforetheHarvesterarousedintheslightesttoanythingaroundhim。ThenhelookedatBelshazzarandsaidemphatically:``Now，partner，don’teveragaininterferewhenIamcomplyingwiththeobservancesofmyreligion。JustlookwhatI’dhavemissedifIhadn’tmadegoodwiththatorder！’’
CHAPTERVI
TOLABOURANDTOWAIT
Wehavereachedthe`beginningoftheend，’
Ajax！’’saidtheHarvester，asthepeacockceasedscreamingandcametoseekfoodfromhishand。``WehaveseentheGirl。NowwemustlocateherandconvinceherthatMedicineWoodsisherhappyhome。Ifeelquiteequaltothelatterproposition，Ajax，buthowthenationtofindhersticksme。
Ican’tmakeasearchsoopenthatshewillknowandresentit。Shemusthavealltheconsiderationeverpaidthemostrefinedwoman，butshealsohasgottobefound，andthatspeedily。WhenIrememberthatlookonherface，asifhorrorsweresnatchingatherskirts，ittakesallthegritoutofme。Ifeelweakasasapling。Andsheneedsallmystrength。I’vesimplygottobraceup。I’llworkawhileandthenperhapsIcanthink。’’
SotheHarvesterbegantheeveningroutine。Hethoughthedidnotwantanythingtoeat，butwhenheopenedthecupboardandsmelledthefoodhelearnedthathewasahungrymanandhecookedandateagoodsupper。Heputawayeverythingcarefully，foreventhekitchenwasdaintyandfreshandhewantedtokeepitsoforher。Whenhefinishedhewentintotheliving-room，stoodbeforethefireplace，andstudiedthecollectionofhalf-finishedcandlesticksgroupeduponit。
Hepickedupseveralandexaminedthemclosely，butrealizedthathecouldnotbindhimselftotheexactionsofcarvingthatevening。Hetookakeyfromhispocketandunlockedherdoor。Everydayhehadbeengoingtheretoimproveuponhisworkforher，andhelovedtheroom，theoutlookfromitswindows；hewasveryproudofthefurniturehehadmade。Therewasnopaper-
thincoveringonherchairs，bed，anddressingtable。
Thetops，seats，andpostsweresolidwood，worthhundredsofdollarsforveneer。
To-nighthefoldedhisarmsandstoodonthesillhesitating。Whileshewasadream，hehadlovedtolingerinherroom。Nowthatshewasreality，hepaused。
InonegoldenMaydaytheplacehadbecomesacred。
SincehehadseentheGirlthatroomwassohersthathewashesitatingaboutenteringbecauseofthisfact。
Itwasasifthetall，slenderformstoodbeforethechestofdrawersorsatatthedressingtableandhedidnotdareenterunlesshewerewelcome。Softlyheclosedthedoorandwentaway。Hewanderedtothedry-
houseandturnedthebarkandrootsonthetrays，buttheairstifledhimandhehurriedout。Hetriedtoworkinthepackingroom，butwallssmotheredhimandagainhesoughttheopen。
Heespiedabundleofosier-bound，moss-coveredfernsthathehadfoundinthewoods，andbroughttheshoveltotransplantthem；buttheworkworriedhim，andhehurriedthroughwithit。Thenhelookedforsomethingelsetodoandsawanax。Hecaughtitupandwithlustystrokesbeganswingingit。Whenhehadchoppedwooduntilhewasverytiredhewenttobed。Sleepcametothestrong，youngframeandheawokeinthemorningrefreshedandhopeful。
HewonderedwhyhehadbotheredDoctorCarey。
TheHarvesterfeltablethatmorningtofindhisDreamGirlwithoutassistancebeforethedaywasover。Itwasmerelyamatterofgoingtothecityandlocatingawoman。Yesterday，ithadbeenaquestionofwhethershereallyexisted。To-day，heknew。Yesterday，ithadmeantasearchpossiblyaswideasearthtofindher。
To-day，itwasnarrowedtoonlyonelocationsosmall，comparedwithChicago，thattheHarvesterfelthecouldsiftitspopulationwithhisfingers，andpickherfromothersathisfirstattempt。Ifshewerevisitingthereprobablyshewouldrestduringthenight，andbeonthestreetsto-day。
Whenherememberedherfacehedoubtedit。Hedecidedtospendpartofthetimeonthebusinessstreetsandtheremainderintheresidenceportionsofthecity。
Becauseitwasuncertainwhenhewouldreturn，everythingwasfedadoubleportion，andBetsywasleftataliverystablewithinstructionstocareforheruntilhecame。Hedidnotknowwherethesearchwouldleadhim。Forseveralhoursheslowlywalkedthebusinessdistrictandthenrangedfarther，butnotasightofher。HeneverhadknownthatOnabashawassolarge。Onitscrowdedstreetshedidnotfeelthathecouldsiftthepopulationthroughhisfingers，norcouldheopendoorsandsearchhouseswithoutanexcuse。
Somesmallboyspassedhimeatingbananas，andtheHarvesterlookedathiswatchandwasamazedtofindthatthedayhadadvanceduntiltwoo’clockintheafternoon。Hewastiredandhungry。Hewentintoarestaurantandorderedlunch；ashewaitedagirlservingtablessmiledathim。AnyothertimetheHarvesterwouldhavereturnedatleastapleasantlook，andgonehisway。To-dayhescowledather，andateinhurrieddiscomfort。Onthestreetsagain，hehadnoideawheretogoandsohewenttothehospital。
``Iexpectedyouearlythismorning，’’wasthegreetingofDoctorCarey。``Wherehaveyoubeenandwhathaveyoudone？’’
``Nothing，’’saidtheHarvester。``IwassosureshewouldbeonthestreetsIjustwatched，butIdidn’tseeher。’’
``Wewillgotothedepot，’’saidthedoctor。``Thefirstthingistokeepherfromleavingtown。’’
Theyarrangedwiththeticketagents，expressmen，telegraphers，and，astheyleft，theHarvesterstoppedandtippedthetraincaller，offeringfurtherrewardworthwhileifhewouldfindtheGirl。
``Nowwewillgotothepolicestation，’’saidthedoctor。
``I’llseethechiefandhavehimissueageneralordertohismentowatchforher，butifIwereyouI’dselectahalfdozeninthedowntowndistrict，andgivethemalittletipwithabigpromise！’’
``GoodLord！HowIhatethis，’’groanedtheHarvester。
``Wanttofindherbyyourself？’’questionedhisfriend。
``Yes，’’saidtheHarvester，``Ido！AndIwould，ifithadn’tbeenforherghastlyface。Thatdrivesmetoresorttoanymeasures。Theprobabilitiesarethatsheislyingsicksomewhere，andifhercomfortdependsonthepursethatdressedher，shewillsuffer。Doc，doyouknowhowawfulthisis？’’
``Iknowthatyou’vegotagreatimagination。Ifthewoodsmakeallmenassensitiveasyouare，thosewhohavebusinesstotransactshouldstayoutofthem。
Takeacommon-senseview。LookatthisasIdo。IfshewasstrongenoughtotravelinadaycoachfromChicago；shecan’tbesoveryillto-day。Leavinglifebytheinchisn’tthateasy。Shewillbealivethistimenextyear，whetheryoufindherornot。Thechancesarethatherstresswasmentalanyway，andtroublealmostneverovercomesanyone。’’
``You，adoctorandsaythat！’’
``Oh，Imeaninstantaneously——inaday！Ofcourseifitgrindsawayforyears！Butyouthdoesn’tallowittodothat。Itthrowsitoff，andgrowshopefulandhappyagain。Shewon’tdie；putthatoutofyourmind。IfIwereyouIwouldgohomenowandgostraightonwithmywork，trustingto。themachineryyouhavesetinmotion。Iknowmostofthemenwithwhomwehavetalked。Theywilllocateherinaweekorless。It’stheirbusiness。Itisn’tyours。It’syourjobtobereadyforher，andhaveenoughaheadtosupportherwhentheyfindher。Trytorealizethattherearenowadozenmenonhuntforher，andtrustthem。Gobacktoyourwork，andIwillcomefullspeedinthemotorwhenthefirstmansightsher。Thatoughttosatisfyyou。I’vetoldallofthemtocallmeatthehospital，andIwilltellmyassistantwhattodoincaseacallcomeswhileI
amaway。Straightenyourface！GobacktoMedicineWoodsandharvestyourcrops，andbeforeyouknowitshewillbelocated。ThenyoucanputonyourSundayclothesandshowyourself，andseeifyoucanmakehertakenotice。’’
``Idiot！’’exclaimedtheHarvester，buthestartedhome。
Whenhearrivedheattendedtohisworkandthensatdowntothink。
``Docisright，’’washisultimateconclusion。``Shecan’tleavethecity，shecan’tmovearoundinit，shecan’tgoanywhere，withoutbeingseen。There’sonemorepoint:ImusttellCareytopostallthedoctorstoreportiftheyhavesuchacall。That’sallIcanthinkof。I’llgoto-night，andthenI’lllookovertheginsengforparasites，andto-morrowI’lldiveintothelatespringgrowthandworkuntilIhaven’ttimetothink。
I’veletcranesbillgetaweekpastmenow，anditcan’tbedispensedwith。’’
Sothefollowingmorning，whentheHarvesterhadcompletedhisworkatthecabinandbarnandbreakfasted，hetookamattockandabighempenbag，andfollowedthepathtothetopofthehill。Asitranalongthelakebankhedescendedontheothersidetoseveralacresofclearedland，whereheraisedcornforhisstock，potatoes，andcoarsergardentruck，forwhichtherewasnotspaceinthesmallerenclosureclosethecabin。Aroundtheedgesofthesefields，andwhereoneofthemslopedtowardthelake，hebegangrubbingavarietyofgrasshavingtallstemsalreadyoverafootinheightathalfgrowth。Fromeachstemwavedfourorfiveleavesofsixoreightincheslengthandthetopshowedformingclustersoftinyspikelets。
``Iamnonetooearlyforyou，’’hemutteredtohimselfasheranthemattockthroughtherichearth，liftingthelong，tough，jointedrootstalksofpaleyellow，fromeverysectionofwhichbrokespraysoffinerootlets。
``Nonetooearlyforyou，andasyouareworthonlysevencentsapound，youcouldn’tbeconsidereda`get-
rich-quick’expedient，soI’llonlystoplongenoughwithyoutogatherwhatIthinkmycustomerswillorder，andamassafortunealittlelaterpickingmulleinflowersatseventy-fivecentsapound。WhatacropI’vegotcoming！’’
TheHarvesterglancedahead，whereintheclearedsoilofthebankgrewlargeplantswithleaveslikeyellow-greenfeltandtallbloomstemsrising。Closethemflourishedotherspeciesrequiringdrysandysoil，thatgraduallychangedasitapproachedthewateruntilitbecamecoveredwithrankabundanceofshort，wirygrass，halfthebladesofwhichappearedred。Numerouseverywherehecouldseethegrayish-whiteleavesofParnassusgrass。Astheseasonadvanceditwouldliftheart-
shapedvelvethigher，andbeforefallthestretchofemeraldwouldbestarredwithwhite-faced，green-stripedflowers。
``Notaprettiersightonearth，’’commentedtheHarvester，``thanjustswalewiregrassinSeptembermakingafine，thickbackgroundtosetoffthosedelicatestarryflowersontheirslenderstems。Imustremembertobringhertoseethat。’’
Hiseyesfollowedthegrowthtothewater。Asthegrassdrewclosermoistureitchangedtotherank，sweet，swampvariety，thencamebulrushes，cat-tails，watersmartweed，docks，andinthewaterblueflagliftedfoldedbuds；atitsfeetaroseyellowlilyleavesandfartheroutspreadthewhite。AsthelightstruckthesurfacetheHarvesterimaginedhecouldseethelittlegreenbudsseveralinchesbelow。Aboveallarosewildricehehadplantedforthebirds。Theredwingsswayedonthewillowsandtiltedoneverystemthatwouldbeartheirweight，singingtheirmelodioushalf-chantednotes，``O-ka-lee！’’
Beneaththemtheducksgobbled，splashed，andchattered；
grebeandcootvoicescouldbedistinguished；
kingrailsattimesflashedintosightandoutagain；
marshwrensscoldedandchattered；occasionallyakingfisherdartedaroundthelakeshore，rollinghisrattlingcryandflashinghisazurecoatandgleamingwhitecollar。Onahollowtreeinthewoodsayellowhammerprovedwhyhewasnamed，becausehecarpenteredindustriouslytoenlargetheentrancetothehomehewasexcavatinginadeadtree；andsailingoverthelakeandabovethewoodsingracescarcelysurpassedbyany，alonesometurkeybuzzardawaitedhismate’sdecisionastowhichhollowlogwasmostsuitablefortheirhome。
TheHarvesterstuffedthegrassrootsinthebaguntilitwouldholdnomoreandstooderecttowipehisface，forthesunwasgrowingwarm。Ashedrewhishandkerchiefacrosshisbrow，thesouthwindstruckhimwithenoughintensitytoattractattention。InstantlytheHarvesterremovedhishat，rolleditup，andputitintohispocket。Hestoodaninstantdelightinginthewindandthenspoke。
``Allowmetoexpressmymostferventthanksforyourkindness，’’hesaid。``Ithoughtprobablyyouwouldtakethatmessage，sinceitcouldn’tmeanmuchtoyou，anditmeantalltheworldtome。Ithoughtyouwouldcarryit，but，Iconfess，Iscarcelyexpectedtheanswersosoon。Theonlythingthatcouldmakememoregratefultoyouwouldbetoknowexactlywheresheis:butyoumustunderstandthatit’slikeapeepintoHeaventohaveherexistencenarrowedtooneplace。I’mboundtobeabletosayinsideafewdays，shelivesatnumber——Idon’tknowyet，onstreet——
I’llfindoutsoon，intheclosestcity，Onabasha。AndIknowwhyyoubroughther，SouthWind。Ifeveragirl’scheeksneedfanningwithyourbreezes，andpaintingwithsunkisses，Iwouldn’tmind，sincethisisstrictlyprivate，addingafewofmine；ifeveranyoneneededflowers，birds，freshair，water，andrest！GoodLord，SouthWind，didyoueverreachherbeforeyoucarriedthatmessage？Ithinknot！ButOnabashaisn’tsolarge。Youandthesunshouldgetyourinningsthere。
Idohopesheisnottryingtowork！Icanattendtothat；andsotherewillbemoretimewhensheisfound，I’dbetterhustlenow。’’
Hepickedupthebagandreturnedtothedry-house，wherehecarefullywashedtherootsandspreadthemonthetrays。Thenhetookthesamebagandmattockandgoingthroughthewoodsintheoppositedirectionhecametoaheavygrowthinaclearedspaceofhighground。Thebloomheadswereformingandtheplantwashalfmatured。TheHarvesterdugacylindrical，taperingroot，wrinklinglengthwise，wipeditclean，brokeandtastedit。Hemadeawryface。Hestoodexaminingthewhitewoodwithitsbrown-redbarkand，decidingthatitwasinprimecondition，bebegandiggingtheplants。Itwascommonwayside``BouncingBet，’’
buttheHarvestercalledit``soapwort。’’Hetookeveryotherplantinhiswayacrossthebed，andwhenhediggedaheavyloadhecarriedithome，strippedtheleaves，andspreadthemontrays，whiletherootshetopped，washed，andputtodryalso。ThenhewhistledforBelshazzarandwenttolunch。
Ashepasseddowntheroadtothecabinhisfacewasastudyofconflictingemotions，andhiseyeshadafarawayappearanceofdeepthought。Everytreeofhisstretchofforestwasrustlingfreshleavestoshelterhim；
dogwood，wildcrab，andhawthornofferedtheirflowers；
earthhelduphertributeinpaintedtrilliumfaces，springbeauties，andviolets，blue，white，andyellow。Mosses，ferns，andlichendecoratedthepath；allthebirdsgreetedhiminfriendship，andsangtheirpurestmelodies。
Theskywasblue，thesunbright，theairperfumedforhim；Belshazzar，alwaystruetohisname，protectedeveryfootstep；Ajax，theshimmeringgreenandgoldwonder，cameupthehilltomeethim；thewhitedovescircledabovehishead。Stumblinghalfblindly，theHarvesterpassedunheedingamongthem，andwentintothecabin。Whenhecameouthestoodalongtimeindeepstudy，butatlasthereturnedtothewoods。
``Perhapstheywillhavefoundherbeforenight，’’hesaid。``I’llharvestthecranesbillyet，becauseit’sgrowinglateforit，andthenI’llseehowtheyarecomingon。
Maybethey’dknowheriftheymether，andmaybetheywouldn’t。Shemayweardifferentclothing，andfreshenupafterhertrip。Shemighthavebeencarsick，asDocsuggested，andappearverydifferentwhenshefeelsbetter。’’
Heskirtedthewoodsaroundthenortheastendandstoppedatabigbedofexquisitegrowth。Tall，wirystemssprangupwardalmosttwofeetinheight；leavessixinchesacrosswerecutinraggedlobesalmosttothebase，andhereandthere，enoughtocolourtheentirebedadelicateroseorsometimesavioletpurple，thefirstflowerswereunfolding。TheHarvesterliftedarootandtastedit。
``Nodoubtaboutyoubeingastringent，’’hemuttered。
``Youhaveenoughtannininyoutopuckeramushroom。
Bytheway，thosebig，corn-cobbyfellowsshouldspringupwiththenextwarmrain，andthehotelsandrestaurantsalwayspayhighprices。Imustgatherafewbushels。’’
Helookedoverthebedofbeautifulwildalumandhesitated。
``IvowIhatetotouchyou，’’hesaid。``Youareapicturerightnow，andinaweekyouwillbeamiracle。
Itseemsashametotearupaplantforitsroots，justatfloweringtime，andIcan’tavoidbreakingdownhalfI
don’ttake，gettingtheonesIdo。Iwishyouwerenotsopretty！YouareoneofthecoloursIlovemost。
Youremindmeofred-bud，blazingstar，andallthoseexquisitemagentashadesthatpoets，painters，andtheAlmightywhomadethemlovesomuchtheyhesitateaboutusingthemlavishly。Youaresodelicateandgracefulandsomodest。Iwishshecouldseeyou！
IgottostopthisorIwon’tbeabletoliftaroot。I
neverwouldifthetencentsapoundI’llgetoutofitweretheonlyconsideration。’’
TheHarvestergrippedthemattockandadvancedtothebed。``WhatImustbethinkingisthatyouareindispensabletothesickfolks。Thesteadydemandforyouprovesyourvalue，andofcourse，humanitycomesfirst，afterall。IfIremaininthewoodsalonemuchlongerI’llgettotheplacewhereI’mnotsosurethatitdoes。Seemsasifanimals，birds，flowers，trees，andinsectsaswell，havetheirrighttolifealso。Butit’sformetorememberthesickfolks！IfIthoughttheGirlwouldgetsomeofitnow，Icouldoverturnthebedwithastoutheart。Ifanyoneeverneededatonic，I
thinkshedoes。Maybesomeofthiswillreachher。Ifitdoes，Ihopeitwillmakehercheeksjustthelovelypinkofthebloom。OhLord！Ifonlyshehadn’tappearedsosickandfrightened！Whatisthereinallthisworldofsunshinetomakeagirlglancearoundherlikethat？IwishIknew！Maybetheywillhavefoundherbynight。’’
TheHarvesterbeganworkonthebed，buthekneltandamongthedampleavesfromthespongyblackearthheliftedtherootswithhisfingersandcarefullystraightenedandpresseddowntheplantshedidnottake。Thisrequiredmoretimethanusual，buthisheartwassosorehecouldnotberoughwithanything，mostofallaflower。Soheharvestedthewildalumbyhand，andheapedlargestacksofrootsaroundtheedgesofthebed。Oftenhepausedasheworkedandonhiskneesstaredthroughtheforestasifhehopedperhapsshewouldrealizehislongingforher，andcometohiminthewoodasshehadacrossthewater。
Overandoverherepeated，``Perhapstheywillfindherbynight！’’andthatsointensifiedthemeaningthatoncehesaiditaloud。Hisfacecloudedandgrewdark。
``Dealishnicebusiness！’’hesaid。``Iamhereinthewoodsdiggingflowerroots，andagangofmeninthecityaresearchingforthegirlIlove。Ifeverajobseemedpeculiarlyaman’sown，itappearsthiswouldbe。Whatbusinesshasanyothermanspyingaftermywoman？
WhyamInotdowntheredoingmyownwork，asI
alwayshavedoneit？Who’smorelikelytofindherthanIam？Itseemsasiftherewouldbeaninstinctthatwouldleadmestraighttoher，ifI’dgo。AndyoucanwagerI’llgofastenough。’’
TheHarvesterappearedasifhewouldstartthatinstant，butwithlipscloselyshuthefinallyforcedhimselftogoonwithhiswork。Whenhehadrifledthebed，anduprootedallhecaredtotakeduringoneseason，hecarriedtherootstothelakeshorebelowthecuringhouse，andspreadthemonaplatformhehadbuilt。
Hesteppedintohisboatandbegandashingpailsofwateroverthemandusingabrush。Asheworkedhewashedawaythewoodyscarsoflastyear’sgrowth，andthetinybudsappearingforthecomingseason。
Belshazzarsatontheoppositebankandwatchedtheoperation；andAjaxcamedownand，flyingtoadeadstump，erectedandslowlywavedhistraintoattractthesober-facedmanwhopaidnoheed。Helefttherootstodrainwhilehepreparedsupper，thenplacedthemonthetrays，nowfilledtooverflowing，andwasgladhehadfinished。Hecouldnotcureanythingelseatpresentifhewantedto。Hewasasfaradvancedashehadbeenatthesametimethepreviousyear。ThenhedressedneatlyandlockingtheGirl’sroom，andleavingBelshazzartoprotectit，hewenttoOnabasha。
``Bravo！’’criedDoctorCareyastheHarvesterenteredhisoffice。``Youareheroictowaitalldayfornews。Howmuchstuffhaveyougathered？’’
``Threecrops。Howmanymissingwomenhaveyoulocated？’’
Thedoctorlaughed。TherewasnosignofasmileonthefaceoftheHarvester。
``Youdidn’treallyexpecthertocometolightthefirstday？Thatwouldbetooeasy！Wecan’tfindherinaminute。’’
``Itwillbenosurprisetomeifyoucan’tfindheratall。IamnotexpectinganothermantodowhatIdon’tmyself。’’
``Youarenothuntingher。Youareharvestingthewoods。Themenyouemployaretofindher。’’
``MaybeIam，andmaybeIamnot，’’saidtheHarvesterslowly。``Tomeitappearstobeapoorstickofamanwhocoollyproceedswithmoneymaking，andtruststomenwhohaven’tevenseenhertosearchforthegirlheloves。Ithinkafewhoursofthisisaboutallmypatiencewillendure。’’
``Whatareyougoingtodo？’’
``Idon’tknow，’’saidtheHarvester。``Butyoucanbankononethingsure——I’mgoingtodosomething！
I’vehadmyfillofthis。Thankyouforallyou’vedone，andallyouaregoingtodo。Myheadisnotclearenoughyettodecideanythingwithanysense，butmaybeI’llhitonsomethingsoon。I’mforthestreetsforawhile。’’
``Bettergohomeandgotobed。Youseemverytired。’’
``Iam，’’saidtheHarvester。``Theonlywaytoendurethisistoworkmyselfdown。I’mallright，andI’llbecareful，butIratherthinkI’llfindhermyself。’’
``Bettergoonwithyourworkasweplanned。’’
``I’llthinkaboutit，’’saidtheHarvesterashewentout。
Untilhewastootiredtowalkfartherheslowlypacedthestreetsofthecity，andthenfollowedthehomeroadthroughthevalleyandupthehilltoMedicineWoods。
WhenhecametoSingingWater，Belshazzarheardhisstepsonthebridge，andcameboundingtomeethim。TheHarvesterstretchedhimselfonaseatandturnedhisfacetothesky。Itwasadeep，dark-bluebowl，closelysetwithstars，andabrightmoonshedasoftMayradianceontheyoungearth。Thelakewasfloodedwithlight，andthebigtreesoftheforestcrowningthehillweresilvercoroneted。Theunfoldingleaveshadhiddenthenewcabinfromthebridge，butthedrivewayshonewhite，andalreadytheupspringingbusheshedgeditin。Insectswerehumminglazilyintheperfumednightair，andacrossthelakeacourtingwhip-poor-willwasexplainingtohissweetheartjusthowmuchandwhyhelovedher。Afewbatswerewaveringinairhuntinginsects，andoccasionallyanowloranighthawkcrossedthelake。Killdeerweregloryinginthemoonlightandnightflight，andcriedinpure，clearnotesastheysailedoverthewater。TheHarvesterwastiredandfilledwithunrestashestretchedonthebridge，butthelongerhelaythemoretheenfoldingvoicescomfortedhim。
Allofthemwerewaitingandworkingouttheirlivestothelegitimateend；therewasnothingelseforhimtodo。Heneednotfollowinstinctorprofitbychance。
Hewasaman；hecouldplanandreason。
Theairgrewbalmyandsomebig，softcloudssweptacrossthemoon。TheHarvesterfeltthedampnessofrisingdew，andwenttothecabin。Helookedatitlonginthemoonlightandtoldhimselfthathecouldseehowmuchtheplants，vines，andfernshadgrownsincethepreviousnight。Withoutmakingalight，hethrewhimselfonthebedintheoutdoorroom，andlaylookingthroughthescreeningatthelakeandsky。HewasworkinghisbraintothinkofsomemannerinwhichtostartasearchfortheDreamGirlthatwouldhavesomeprobabilityofsuccesstorecommendit，buthecouldsettleonnofeasibleplan。Atlasthefellasleep，andinthenightsoftrainwethisface。Hepulledanoilclothsheetoverthebed，andlaybreathingdeeplyofthedamp，perfumedairasheagainslept。Inthemorningbrilliantsunshineawokehimandhearosetofindtheearthsteaming。
``Ifevertherewasaperfectmushroomday！’’hesaidtoBelshazzar。``Wemusthurryandfeedthestockandourselvesandgathersome。Theymeanrealmoney。’’
CHAPTERVII
THEQUESTOFTHEDREAMGIRL
TheHarvesterbreakfasted，fedthestock，hitchedBetsytothespringwagon，andwentintothedripping，steamywoods。IfanyonehadaskedhimthatmorningconcerninghisideaofHeaven，heneverwouldhavedreamedofdescribingaplaceofgold-
pavedstreets，crystalpillars，jewelledgates，andthronesofivory。Thesethingswerebeyondtheman’scomprehensionandhewouldnothaveadmiredorfeltathomeinsuchmagnificenceifithadbeenmaterializedforhim。
Hewouldhavetoldyouthataflooroflastyear’sbrownleaves，studdedwithmyriadflowerfaces，big，bark-
encasedpillarsofathousandyears，jewelsoneverybush，shrub，andtree，andtiltingthronesonwhichgaudybirdsalmostburstthemselvestovoicethejoyoflife，whiletheirbright-eyedlittlematespeeredquestioninglyathimovernestrims——hewouldhavetoldyouthatMedicineWoodsonadamp，sunnyMaymorningwasHeaven。Andhewouldhaveaddedthatonlyoneangel，tallandslender，withthepinkofhealthonhercheeksandthedewofhappinessinherdarkeyes，wasnecessarytoenterandestablishglory。
Everythingspoketohimthatmorning，buttheHarvesterwassilent。IthadbeenhishabittotalkconstantlytoBelshazzar，Ajax，hiswork，eventhewindsandperfumes；
ithadbeenhismethodofdissipatingsolitude，butto-dayhehadnowords，evenforthesedearfriends。
Heonlyopenedhissoultobeauty，andsteadilyclimbedthehilltothecrest，andthendowntheothersidetotherich，half-shaded，half-openspaces，wherebig，roughmushroomsspranginanightsimilartotheonejustpassed。
Hecouldseethemawaitinghimfromafar。Hebeganworkwithrapidfingers，beingcarefultobreakofftheheads，butnottopulluptheroots。Whenfourheapingbasketswerefilledhecutheavilyleavedbranchestospreadoverthem，andstartedtoOnabasha。Asusual，BelshazzarrodebesidehimandquestionedtheHarvesterwhenhepolitelysuggestedtoBetsythatshemakealittlehaste。
``Haveyouforgottenthatmushroomsareperishable？’’
heasked。``Ifwedon’tgetthesetothecityallwoodsyandfreshwecan’tsellthem。Wonderwherewecandothebest？Thehotelspaywell。Really，thebiggestpricescouldbehadby——’’
ThentheHarvesterthrewbackhisheadandbegantolaugh，andhelaughed，andhelaughed。AcrowonthefenceJoinedhim，andakingfisher，headingforLoonLake，andthenBelshazzarcaughttheinfection。
``Begorry！Theveryidea！’’criedtheHarvester。
```Heavenhelpsthemthathelpthemselves。’Nowyoujustwatchusmanoeuvreforassistance，Belshazzar，oldboy！Herewego！’’
Thenthelaughbeganagain。ItcontinuedallthewaytoOnabashaandevenintothecity。TheHarvesterdrovethroughthemostprosperousstreetuntilhereachedtheresidencedistrict。Atthefirsthomehestopped，gavethelinestoBelshazzar，and，takingabasketofmushrooms，wentupthewalkandrangthebell。
``Allgroceriesshouldbedeliveredatthebackdoor，’’
snappedapertmaid，beforehehadtimetosayaword。
TheHarvesterliftedhishat。
``WillyoukindlytelltheladyofthehousethatI
wishtospeakwithher？’’
``Whatname，please？’’
``Iwanttoshowhersomefinemushrooms，freshlygathered，’’heanswered。
HowshedidittheHarvesterneverknew。Thefirstthingherealizedwasthatthedoorhadclosedbeforehisface，andthebaskethadbeenpickeddeftlyfromhisfingersandwasontheotherside。Afterashorttimethemaidreturned。
``Whatdoyouwantforthem，please？’’
ThelastthingonearththeHarvesterwantedtodowastopartwiththosemushrooms，sohetookonelong，speculativelookdownthehallandnamedapricehethoughtwouldbeprohibitive。
``Onedollaradozen。’’
``Howmanyarethere？’’
``IcountthemasIsellthem。Idonotknow。’’
Thedoorclosedagain。Presentlyitopenedandthemaidkneltonthefloorbeforehimandcountedthemushroomsonebyoneintoadishpanandinafewminutesbroughtbacksevendollarsandfiftycents。ThechagrinedHarvester，feelinglikeathief，putthemoneyinhispocket，andturnedaway。
``Iwastotellyou，’’saidshe，``thatyouaretobringallyouhavetosellhere，andthenexttimepleasegotothekitchendoor。’’
``Mustbefondofmushrooms，’’saidthedisgruntledHarvester。
``Theyareagreatdelicacy，andtherearevisitors。’’
TheHarvesterachedtosetthegirltoonesideandwalkthroughthehouse，buthedidnotdare；sohereturnedtothestreet，whistledtoBetsytocome，andwenttothenextgate。Herehehesitated。Shouldheriskfurthersnubbingatthefrontdoororgobackatonce。
Ifhedid，heonlywouldseeamaid。Ashestoodaninstantdebating，thedoorofthehousehejusthadleftopenedandthegirlranafterhim。``Ifyouhavemore，wewilltakethem，’’shecalled。
TheHarvestergaspedforbreath。
``Theyhavetobeusedatonce，’’hesuggested。
``Sheknowsthat。Shewantstotreatherfriends。’’
``Wellshehasgotenoughforabanquet，’’hesaid。
``I——Idon’tusuallysellmorethanadozenortwoinoneplace。’’
``Idon’tseewhyyoucan’tletherhavethemifyouhavemore。’’
``PerhapsIhaveorderstofillforregularcustomers，’’
suggestedtheHarvester。
``Andperhapsyouhaven’t，’’saidthemaid。``Yououghttobeashamednottoletpeoplewhoarewillingtopayyouroutrageouspriceshavethem。It’sregularhighwayrobbery。’’
``Possiblythat’sthereasonIdeclinetoholduponepartytwice，’’saidtheHarvesterasheenteredthegateandwentupthewalktothefrontdoor。
``Youshouldbetaughtyourplace，’’calledthemaidafterhim。
