“They are rubbed shiny and almost skinned, David. No one ever had better care, of that I am sure. Go gather what you should have.” “All right,” said the Harvester. He arose and as he started to leave the room he took one last look at the Girl to see if he could detect anything he could suggest for her comfort, and read a message in her eyes. Instantly there was an answering flash in his. “I'll be back in a minute,” he said. “I just noticed discorea villosa has the finest rattle boxes formed. I've been waiting to show you. And the hop tree has its castanets all green and gold. In a few more weeks it will begin to play for you. I'll bring you some.” Soon he returned with the queer seed formations, and as he bent above her, with his back to Doctor Harmon, he whispered, “What is it?” Her lips barely formed the one word, “Hurry!” The Harvester straightened. “All comfortable, Ruth?” he asked casually. “Yes.” “You understand, of course, that there is not the slightest necessity for my going to work if you really want me for anything, even if it's nothing more than to have me within calling distance, in case you SHOULD want something. The whole lot I can gather now won't amount to twenty dollars. It's merely a matter of pride with me to have what is called for. I'd much rather remain, if you can use me in any way at all.” “Twenty dollars is considerable, when expenses are as heavy as now. And it's worth more than any money to you not to fail when orders come. I have learned that, and David, I don't want you to either. You must fill all demands as usual. I wouldn't forgive myself this winter if you should be forced to send orders only partly filled because I fell ill and hindered you. Please go and gather all you possibly will need of everything you take at this season, only remember!” “There is no danger of my forgetting. If you are going to send me away to work, you will allow me to kiss your hand before I go, fair lady?” He did it fervently. “One word with you, Harmon,” he said as he left the room. Doctor Harmon arose and followed him to the gold garden, and together they stood beside the molten hedge of sunflowers, coneflowers, elecampane, and jewel flower. “I merely want to mention that this is your inning,” said the Harvester. “Find out if you are essential to the Girl's happiness as soon as you can, and the day she tells me so, I will file her petition and take a trip to the city to study some little chemical quirks that bother me. That's all.” The Harvester went to the dry-house for bags and clipping shears, and the doctor returned to the sunshine room. “Ruth,” he said, “do you know that the Harvester is the squarest man I ever met?” “Is he?” asked the Girl. “He is! He certainly is!” “You must remember that I have little acquaintance with men,” said she. “You are the first one I ever knew, and the only one except him.”