``Bel，comehere！’’
TheHarvestersatinthehollowworninthehewedlogstoopbythefeetofhisfatherandmotherandhisownsturdiertread，andrestedhisheadagainstthecasingofthecabindoorwhenhegavethecommand。Thetipofthedog’snosetouchedthegravelbetweenhispawsashecrouchedflatonearth，withbeautifuleyessteadilywatchingthemaster，buthedidnotmoveamuscle。
``Bel，comehere！’’
Twinklesflashedintheeyesofthemanwhenherepeatedtheorder，whilehisvoicegrewmoreimperativeashestretchedalean，wiryhandtowardthedog。Theanimal’seyesgleamedandhissensitivenosequivered，yethelayquietly。
``Belshazzar，kommenSiehier！’’
Thebodyofthedogaroseonstraightenedlegsandhismuzzledroppedintheoutstretchedpalm。Awindslightlyperfumedwiththeodourofmeltingsnowandunsheathingbudssweptthelakebesidethem，andliftedawavingtangleoflighthaironthebrowoftheman，whilealevelrayofthesettingsunflashedacrossthewaterandilluminedthegraven，sensitiveface，nowalivewithkeeninterestinthegamebeingplayed。
``Bel，dostremembertheday？’’inquiredtheHarvester。
Theeagerattitudeandanxiouseyesofthedogbetrayedthathedidnot，butwaswaitingwitheverysensealertforafamiliarwordthatwouldtellhimwhatwasexpected。
``Surelyyouheardthekilldeerscryinginthenight，’’
promptedtheman。``Icalledyourattentionwhentheecstasyofthefirstbluebirdwakedthedawn。Alldayyouhaveseenthegold-yellowandblood-redosiers，thesap-wetmaplesandspringtracingannouncementsofherarrivalonthesunnysideofthelevee。’’
Thedogfoundnoclew，butherecognizedtoneshelovedinthesuave，easyvoice，andhistailbeathissidesinvigorousapproval。Themannoddedgravely。
``Ah，so！Thenyourealizethisdaytobethemostimportantofallthecomingyeartome；thishourasolemnonethatinfluencesmywholeafterlife。Itistimeforyourannualdecisiononmyfateforatwelve-month。
Areyousureyouarefullyalivetothegravityofthesituation，Bel？’’
Thedogfelthimselfsafeinansweringarisinginflectionendinginhisnameutteredinthattone，andwaggedeagerassent。
``Wellthen，’’saidtheman，``whichshallitbe？DoI
leavehomeforthenoiseandgrimeofthecity，openanofficeandenterthemoney-makingscramble？’’
Everywordwasstrangetothedog，almostbreathlesslywaitingforafamiliarsyllable。Themangazedsteadilyintotheanimal’seyes。Afteralongpausehecontinued:
``OrdoIremainathometoharvestthegoldenseal，mullein，andginseng，nottomentionanoccasionalhourwiththeblackbassortrampsforpartridgeandcotton-
tails？’’
Thedogrecognizedeachwordofthat。Beforethevoiceceased，hissleeksideswerequivering，hisnostrilstwitching，histaillashing，andatthepauseheleapedupandthrusthisnoseagainstthefaceoftheman。TheHarvesterleanedbacklaughingindeep，full-chestedtones；thenhepattedthedog’sheadwithonehandandrenewedhisgripwiththeother。
``GoodoldBel！’’hecriedexultantly。``Sixyearsyouhavedecidedforme，andright——everytime！Weareofthewoods，Bel，bornandrearedhereasourfathersbeforeus。Whatwouldweofthecampfire，thelongtrail，theearthysearch，weharvestersofherbsthefamouschemistsrequire，whatwouldwedoinacity？Andwhenthesapisrising，thebasssplashing，andthewildgeesehonkinginthenight！Wenevercouldendureit，Bel。
``Whenwedeliveredthathemlockatthehospitalto-day，didyouhearthatyoungdoctortalkingabouthis`lid’？Wellupthereisours，oldfellow！Justskyandcloudsoverheadforus，forestwindinourfaces，wildperfumeinournostrils，muckonourfeet，that’sthelifeforus。Ourbloodwastaintedtobeginwith，andwe’velivedheresolongitisnowapassioninourhearts。Ifeveryousentenceustolifeinthecity，you’llfinishbothofus，that’swhatyou’lldo！Butyouwon’t，willyou？YourealizewhatGodmadeusforandwhatHemadeforus，don’tyou，Bel？’’
Ashelovinglypattedthedog’sheadthemantalkedandtheanimaltrembledwithdelight。ThenthevoiceoftheHarvesterchangedanddroppedtotonesofgravestimport。
``Nowhowaboutthatothermatter，Bel？Youalwaysdecidethattoo。Thetimehascomeagain。Steadynow！
Thisisfarmoreimportantthantheother。Justtobewipedout，Bel，pouf！Thatisn’tanythinganditconcernsnoonesaveourselves。Buttobringmiseryintoourlivesandlivewithitdaily，thatwouldbeaconditiontorendthesoul。Socareful，Bel！Cautiousnow！’’
Thevoiceofthemandroppedtoawhisperasheaskedthequestion。
``Whataboutthegirlbusiness？’’
Tremblingwitheagernesstodothethingthatwouldbringmorecaressing，bewilderedbyunfamiliarwordsandtones，thedoghesitated。
``DoIgoonasIhaveeversincemotherleftme，rustlingforgrub，livinginuntrammelledfreedom？DoIgoonasbefore，Bel？’’
TheHarvesterpausedandwaitedtheanswer，withanxietyinhiseyesashesearchedthebeastface。Hehadtalkedtothatdog，asmostmencommunewiththeirsouls，forsolongandplayedthegameinsuchintenseearnestthathefelttheresultsfinalwithhim。Theanimalwasimmovablenow，lostagain，hisanxiouseyeswatchingthefaceofthemaster，hiseagerearswaitingforwordsherecognized。Afteralongtimethemancontinuedslowlyandhesitantly，asiffearingtheoutcome。
Hedidnotrealizethattherewassufficientanxietyinhisvoicetochangeitstones。
``OrdoIgocourtingthisyear？DoIrigupinuncomfortablestore-clothes，andparadebeforethecountryandcitygirlsandtrytopersuadetheoneIcanget，probably——nottheoneIwouldwant——tomarryme，andcomehereandspoilallourgoodtimes？Dowewantawomanaroundscoldingifweareawayfromhome，whiningbecausesheislonesome，frettingforluxurieswecannotaffordtogiveher？Areyougoingtoletusinforascrapelikethat，Bel？’’
Thebewildereddogcouldbeartheunusualscenenolonger。Takingtherisinginflection，thatsoundedmorefamiliar，foracue，andhisnameforacertainty，hesprangforward，histailwavingashisnosetouchedthefaceoftheHarvester。Thenheshotacrossthedrivewayandlayinthespicethicket，halftheribsofonesideaching，ashehowledfromthelowestdepthsofdogmisery。
``Youungratefulcur！’’criedtheHarvester。``Whathascomeoveryou？SixyearsIhavetrustedyou，andtheanswerhasbeenright，everytime！Confoundyourpicture！Sentencemetotacklethegirlproposition！I
seemyself！Doyouknowwhatitwouldmean？Forthefirstthingyou’dbechained，whileIprancedoverthecountrylikeahalf-brokencolt，tryingtoattractsomegirl。I’dhavetowastetimeIneedformyworkandspendmoneythatdrawsgoodinterestwhilewesleep，totemptherwithpresents。I’dhavetorebuildthecabinandthere’snotachanceintenshewouldnotfretthelifeoutofmewhiningtogotothecitytolive，arrangeforherherethebestIcould。Ofallthefool，unreliabledogsthatevertrodaman’stracks，youarethelimit！Andyouneverbeforefailedme！Youblame，degeneratepup，you！’’
TheHarvesterpausedforbreathandthedogsubsidedtoapitifulwhimper。Hewaseagertoreturntothemanwhohadstruckhimthefirstblowhispamperedbodyeverhadreceived；buthecouldnotunderstandakickandharshwordsforhim，sohelayquiveringwithanxietyandfear。
``Youhowling，whimperingidiot！’’exclaimedtheHarvester。``Chooseadaylikethistospoil！Airtointoxicateamummy！Rootsswelling！Budsbursting！Harvestcloseandyou’dcallmeoffandputmeatworklikethat，wouldyou？IfIeverhadsupposedlostallyoursenses，Ineverwouldhaveaskedyou。
Sixyearsyouhavedecidedmyfate，whenthefirstbluebirdcame，andyou’vebeentrueblueeverytime。
IfIevertrustyouagain！Butthemischiefisdonenow。
``Haveyouforgottenthatyournamemeans`toprotect？’
Don’tyourememberitisbecauseofthat，itisyourname？Protect！I’dhavetrustedyouwithmylife，Bell！Yougaveittomethetimeyoupointedthatrattlerwithinsixinchesofmyfingersintheblood-rootbed。Yousawthefallinglimbintimetowarnme。Youalwaysknowwherethequicksandslie。Butyouareprotectingmenow，likesin，ain’tyou？Bringagirlheretospoilbothourlives！NotifIknowmyself！
Protect！’’
Themanaroseandgoinginsidethecabinclosedthedoor。Afterthatthedoglayinabjectmiserysodeepthattwobigtearssqueezedfromhiseyesandrolleddownhisface。Tobeshutoutwasworsethantheblow。Hedidnottakethetroubletoarisefromthewetleavescoveringthecoldearth，butclosinghiseyeswenttosleep。
Themanleanedagainstthedoorandranhisfingersthroughhishairasheanathematizedthedog。Slowlyhiseyestravelledaroundtheroom。Hesawhistumbledbedbytheopenwindowfacingthelake，thesmalltablewithhiswritingmaterial，thecruderackonthewallloadedwithmedicalworks，botanies，drugencyclopaedias，thebooksofthefewauthorswhointerestedhim，andthebare，muck-trackedfloor。Hewenttothekitchen，wherehebuiltafireinthecookstove，andtothesmoke-house，fromwhichhereturnedwithasliceofhamandsomeeggs。Hesetsomepotatoesboilingandtookbread，butterandmilkfromthepantry。Thenhelaidasmallnote-bookonthetablebeforehimandstudiedthetransactionsoftheday。
10lbs。wildcherrybark6cents$。60
5``wahoorootbark25``1。25
20``witchhazelbark5``1。00
5``blueflagroot12``。60
10``snakeroot18``1。80
10``bloodroot12``1。20
15``hoarhound10``1。50——
$7。95
``Notsobad，’’hemuttered，bendingoverthefigures。
``Iwonderifanyofmyneighbourswhoharvestthefieldsaverageaswellatthisseason。I’llwagertheydon’t。
That’sprettyfair！SomedaysIdon’tmakeit，andthenwhenaconsignmentofseedsgoorginsengiswantedthecashcomesinrightproperly。Icouldwastehalfofitonagirlandyetsavemoney。Butwhereisthewomanwhowouldbecontentwithhalf？She’dwantallandfretbecausetherewasn’tmore。Blamethatdog！’’
Heputthebookinhispocket，preparedandatehissupper，heapedaplategenerously，placeditonthefloorbeneaththetable，andsetawaythefoodthatremained。
``Notthatyoudeserveit，’’hesaidtospace。``Yougetthisinhonourofyourdistinguishednameandthefaithfulnesswithwhichyouformerlyhaveliveduptoitsimport。
Ifyouhadn’tbeenadogwithmoresensethansomemen，Iwouldn’ttakeyourgoingbackonmenowsohard。OnewouldthinkananimalofyourintelligencemightrealizethatyouwouldgetasmuchofadoseasI。
Wouldshepermityoutoeatfromaplateonthekitchenfloor？Notonyourlife，Belshazzar！Frozenscrapsaroundthedoorforyou！Wouldsheallowyoutosleepacrossthefootofthebed？Ho，ho，ho！Wouldshehaveyoutrackingonherfloor？Itwouldbethebarn，andgrowlingyoudidn’tdoatthat。IfI’dserveyouright，I’dgiveyouadoseandallowyoutoseehowyoulikeit。Butit’scuttingoffmynosetospitemyface，astheoldadagegoes，forwhatevershedidtoadog，she’dprobablydoworsetoaman。Ithinknot！’’
Heenteredthefrontroomandstoodbeforealongshelfonwhichwerearrangedanarrayofpartiallycompletedcandlestickscarvedfromwood。Therewereblackandwhitewalnut，red，white，andgoldenoak，cherryandcurlymaple，allinoriginaldesigns。Someofthemwereoddities，otherswerefailures，butmostofthemwereunusuallysuccessful。Heselectedoneofblackwalnut，carveduntiltheoutlineofhispatternwasbarelydistinguishable。Hewasimitatingthetrunkofatreewiththebarkon，thespreading，fern-coveredrootswideningforthebase，fromwhichavinesprang。Nearthetopwasthecrudeoutlineofabignightmothclimbingtowardthelight。Hestoodturningthisstickwithlovinghandsandholdingitfromhimforinspection。
``Iamgoingtomasteryou！’’heexulted。``Yourlinesareright。Thedesignbalancesandit’sgraceful。IfIhaveanytroubleitwillbewiththemoth，andIthinkIcanmanage。I’vegottodecidewhethertousececropiaorpolyphemusbeforelong。Really，onawalnut，andinthewoods，itshouldbealuna，accordingtotheeternalfitnessofthings——butI’mafraidofthetrailers。TheyturnoverandhalfcurlandIbelieveIhadbetternottacklethemforastart。I’llusetheeasiesttobeginon，andifIsucceedI’llduplicatethepatternandtryalunathen。Thebeauties！’’
TheHarvesterselectedaknifefromtheboxandbegancarvingthestickslowlyandcarefully。Hisbrainwasbusy，forpresentlyheglancedatthefloor。
``She’dobjecttothat！’’hesaidemphatically。``A
mancouldnomoresitandworkwherehepleasedthanhecouldfly。AtleastIknowmotherneverwouldhaveit，andshewasnonagger，either。Whatamothershewas！Ifoneonlycouldstopthelonelyfeelingthatwillcreepin，andtheachinghungerbornwiththebody，foramate；ifafellowonlycouldstopitwithawomanlikemother！Howsherevelledinsunshineandbeauty！
Howshelovedearthandair！HowshewentstraighttothemarrowofthefinestlineinthebestbookIcouldbringfromthelibrary！Howcleanandtrueshewasandhowunyielding！Icanhearhernow，holdingmewithherlastbreathtomypromise。IfIcouldmarryagirllikemother——greatCaesar！You’dseemebuyinganautomobiletomaketheruntothecountyclerk。Wouldn’tthatbegreat！Thinkofcominginfromalong，difficultday，tofindahotsupper，andagirlsuchasshemusthavebeen，waitingforme！Bel，ifIthoughttherewasawomansimilartoherinalltheworld，andIhadeventheghostofachancetowinher，I’dcallyouinandforgiveyou。ButIknowthegirlsofto-day。Ipassthemontheroads，onthestreets，seetheminthecafe’s，stores，andatthelibrary。
Whyeventhenursesatthehospital，forallthegravityoftheirpositions，areagiggling，sillylot；andtheyneverknowthattheonlytimetheylookandactpresentablytomeiswhentheystoptheirchatter，putontheiruniforms，andgotowork。Someofthemarepretty，then。
There’salittleblue-eyedone，butallsheneedsisfeatherstomakehera`ha！ha！bird。’Dratthatdog！’’
TheHarvestertookthecandlestickandtheboxofknives，openedthedoor，andreturnedtothestoop。Belshazzararose，pleadinginhiseyes，andcautiouslyadvancedafewsteps。Themanbentoverhisworkandpaidnottheslightestheed，sothediscourageddogsanktoearthandfixedlywatchedtheunresponsivemaster。Thecarvingofthecandlestickwentonsteadily。OccasionallytheHarvesterliftedhisheadandrepeatedlysuckedhislungsfullofair。Sometimesforaninstanthescannedthesurfaceofthelakeforsignsofbreakingfishorsplashofmigrantwaterbird。Againhisgazewanderedupthesteephill，crownedwithgianttrees，whoseswellingbudshecouldseeandsmell。Straightbeforehimlayalowmarsh，throughwhichthelittlecreekthatgurgledandtumbleddownhillcurved，crossedthedrivesomedistancebelow，andenteredthelakeofLostLoons。
Whilethetreeswerebare，andwhentheairwasclearasnow，hecouldseethespiresofOnabasha，fivemilesaway，interveningcultivatedfields，stretchesofwood，thelongblacklineoftherailway，andtheswampybottomlandsgraduallyrisingtotheculminationofthetree-crownedsummitabovehim。Hiscockswerecrowingwarlikechallengestorivalsonneighbouringfarms。Hishenswerecarollingtheirspringegg-song。Inthebarnyardganderswerescreamingstridently。Overthelakeandthecabin，withclappingsnowywings，hiswhitedovescircledinalastjoy-flightbeforeseekingtheircotesinthestableloft。Asthelightgrewfainter，theHarvesterworkedslower。Oftenheleanedagainstthecasing，andclosedhiseyestorestthem。Sometimeshewhistledsnatchesofoldsongstowhichhismotherhadcradledhim，andagainbitsofoperaandpopularmusichehadheardonthestreetsofOnabasha。Asheworked，thesunwentdownandahalfmoonappearedabovethewoodacrossthelake。Onceitseemedasifitwereasilverbowlsetonthebranchofagiantoak；higher，itrestedatiltedcrescentontherimofacloud。
Thedogwaiteduntilhecouldendureitnolonger，andstraighteningfromhiscrouchingposition，hetookafewvelvetstepsforward，makingfaint，whiningsoundsinhisthroat。Whenthemanneitherturnedhisheadnorgavehimaglance，Belshazzarsanktoearthagain，satisfiedforthemomentwithbeingalittlecloser。AcrossLoonLakecamethewaveringvoiceofanightlovesong。
TheHarvesterrememberedthatasaboyhehadshrunkfromthosenotesuntilhismotherexplainedthattheyweremadebyalittlebrownowlaskingforamatetocomeandliveinhishollowtree。Nowheratherlikedthesound。Itwaseloquentofearnestpleading。Withthelonelybirdononeside，andthereproachfuldogeyesontheother，themangrinnedratherfoolishly。
Betweentwofires，hethought。Ifthatdogevercatchesmyeyehewillcometearingasacyclone，andI
wouldnotkickhimagainforahundreddollars。FirsttimeIeverstruckhim，anddidn’tintendtothen。SoblamemadanddisappointedmyfootjustshotoutbeforeIknewit。Therehelieshalfdeadtomakeup，butI’mblestifIforgivehiminahurry。Andthereisthatinsanelittleowlscreechingforamate。IfI’dstartoutmakingsoundslikethat，allthegirlswouldlineupandcompeteforpossessionofmyhappyhome。
TheHarvesterlaughedandatthesoundBelshazzartookcourageandadvancedfivestepsbeforehesankbellytoearthagain。Theowlcontinueditssong。TheHarvesterimitatedthecryandatonceitresponded。Hecalledagainandleanedbackwaiting。Thenotescamecloser。TheHarvestercriedoncemoreandpeeredacrossthelake，watchingfortheshadowofsilentwings。Themoonwashighabovethetreesnow，theknifedroppedinthebox，thelongfingersclosedaroundthestick，theheadrestedagainstthecasing，andthemanintonedthecrywithallhisskill，andthenwatchedandwaited。Hehadbeenstraininghiseyesoverthecarvinguntiltheyweretired，andwhenhewatchedforthebirdthemoonlighttriedthem；forittouchedthelightlyripplingwavesofthelakeinalineofyellowlightthatstretchedstraightacrossthewaterfromtheoppositebank，directlytothegravelbedbelow，wherelaythebathingpool。Itmadeapathofgoldthatwaveredandshimmeredasthewatermovedgently，butitappearedsufficientlymaterialtoresembleabridgespanningthelake。
``SeemsasifIcouldwalkit，’’mutteredtheHarvester。
Theowlcriedagainandthemanintentlywatchedtheoppositebank。Hecouldnotseethebird，butinthedeepwoodwherehethoughtitmightbehebegantodiscernamisty，movingshimmerofwhite。Marvelling，hewatchedcloser。Soslowlyhecouldnotdetectmotionitadvanced，risinginheightandtakingshape。
``DoIendthisdaybyseeingaghost？’’hequeried。
Hegazedintentlyandsawthatawhitefigurereallymovedinthewoodsoftheoppositebank。
``Mustbesomeboysplayingfoolpranks！’’exclaimedtheHarvester。
Hewatchedfixedlywithinterestedface，andthenamazementwipedoutallotherexpressionandhesatmotionless，breathless，looking，intentlylooking。Forthewhiteobjectcamestraighttowardthewaterandattheveryedgeunhesitatinglysteppeduponthebridgeofgoldandlightly，easilyadvancedinhisdirection。Themanwaited。Oncamethefigureandasitdrewcloserhecouldseethatitwasaverytall，extremelyslenderwoman，wrappedinsoftrobesofwhite。Shesteppedalongtheslenderlineofthegoldbridgewithgraceunequalled。
Fromthewateraroseashiningmist，andbehindtheadvancingfigureawalloflightoutlinedandrimmedherinasettingofgold。AsshenearedtheshoretheHarvester’sbloodbegantoraceinhisveinsandhislipspartedinwonder。Firstshewaslikeaslenderbirchtrunk，thensheresembledawildlily，andsoonshewascloseenoughtoprovethatshewasyoungandverylovely。Heavybraidsofdarkhairrestedonherheadasacoronet。Herforeheadwaslowandwhite。Hereyeswerewide-openwellsofdarkness，herroundedcheeksfaintlypink，andherredlipssmilinginvitation。Herthroatwaslong，verywhite，andthehandsthatcaughtupthefleecyrobearoundherwererose-colouredandslender。InapanictheHarvestersawthatthetrailingrobeswepttheundulantgoldwater，butwasnotwet；thefeetthatalternatelyshowedassheadvancedwerenotpurplewithcold，butwarmwithapinkglow。
Shewascomingstraighttowardhim，wonderful，alluring，lovelybeyondanywomantheHarvestereverhadseen。Straightwaythefountainsoftwenty-sixyears’
repressionoverflowedinthebreastofthemanandallhisbeingrantowardherinawaveofdesire。Onshecame，andnowhertenderfeetwereonthewhitegravel。
Whenhecouldseeclearlyshewasevenmorebeautifulthanshehadappearedatadistance。Heopenedhislips，butnosoundcame。Hestruggledtorise，buthislegswouldnotbearhisweight。Helpless，hesankagainstthecasing。Thegirlwalkedtohisfeet，bent，placedahandoneachofhisshoulders，andsmiledintohiseyes。
Hecouldscenttheflower-likeodourofherbodyandwrapping，evenherhair。Hestruggledfranticallytospeaktoherassheleanedcloser，yetcloser，andsoftlybutfirmlylaidlipsofpulsingsweetnessonhisinadeliberatekiss。
TheHarvesterwasonhisfeetnow。Belshazzarshrankintotheshadows。
``Comeback！’’criedtheman。``Comeback！Fortheloveofmercy，whereareyou？’’
Heranstumblinglytowardthelake。Thebridgeofgoldwasthere，thelittleowlcriedlonesomely；anddidheseeordidheonlydreamhesawamistofwhitevanishingintheoppositewood？
Hisbreathcamebetweendrylips，andhecircledthecabinsearchingeagerly，buthecouldfindnothing，hearnothing，savethedogathisheels。Hehurriedtothestoopandstoodgazingatthemoltenpathofmoonlight。
Oneminutehewashalffrozen，thenextarosyglowenfoldedhim。Slowlyheliftedahandandtouchedhislips。Thenheraisedhiseyesfromthewaterandswepttheskyinapenetrantgaze。
``MygraciousHeavenlyFather，’’saidtheHarvesterreverently。``Woulditbelikethat？’’
CHAPTERII
THEEFFECTOFADREAM
Fullyconvincedatlastthathehadbeendreaming，theHarvesterpickeduphisknivesandcandlestickandenteredthecabin。Heplacedthemonashelfandturnedaway，butafterasecond’shesitationheclosedtheboxandarrangedthesticksneatly。Thenhesettheroominorderandcarefullysweptthefloor。Ashereplacedthebroomhethoughtforaninstant，thenopenedthedoorandwhistledsoftly。
Belshazzarcameatarush。TheHarvesterpushedtheplateoffoodtowardthehungrydogandheategreedily。
Themanreturnedtothefrontroomandclosedthedoor。
Hestoodalongtimebeforehisshelfofbooks，atlastselectedavolumeof``MedicinalPlants’’andsettledtostudy。Hissupperfinished，Belshazzarcamescratchingandwhiningatthedoor。Severaltimesthemanliftedhisheadandglancedinthatdirection，butheonlyreturnedtohisbookandreadagain。Tiredandsleepy，atlast，heplacedthevolumeontheshelf，wenttoaclosetforapairofbathtowels，andhungthemacrossachair。Thenheundressed，openedthedoor，andranforthelake。Heplungedwithasplashandswamvigorouslyforafewminutes，hiswhitebodygrowingpinkunderthestingofthechilledwater。Overandoverhescannedthegoldenbridgetothemoon，andstoodaninstantdrippingonthegravelofthelandingtomakesurethatnodreamwomanwascrossingthewaveringfloor！
Herubbedtoaglowandturnedbackthecoversofhisbed。Thedoorandwindowstoodwide。Beforehelaydown，theHarvesterpausedinarrestedmotionasecond，thensteppedtothekitchendoorandliftedthelatch。
Asthemandrewthecoversoverhim，thedog’snosebeganmakinganopening，andalittlelaterhequietlywalkedintotheroom。TheHarvesterrested，facingthelake。Thedogsniffedathisshoulder，butthemanwasrigid。ThentheclickofnailscouldbeheardonthefloorasBelshazzarwenttotheoppositeside。Athisaccustomedplacehepausedandsetonefootonthebed。
Therewasnotasound，soheliftedtheother。Thenoneatatimehedrewuphishindfeetandcrouchedashehadonthegravel。Themanlaywatchingthebrightbridge。Themoonlightenteredthewindowandfloodedtheroom。Thestronglinesontheweather-beatenfaceoftheHarvesterweremellowedinthelight，andheappearedyoungandgoodtosee。Hislithefigurestretchedthelengthofthebed，hishairappearedalmostwhite，andhisface，touchedbytheglorifyinglightofthemoon，wasastudy。
Oneinstanthiscountenancewassweptwithultimatescorn；thengraduallythatwouldfadeandthelinessoften，untilhislipscurvedinchild-likeappealandhiseyeswerefilledwithpleading。Severaltimesheliftedahandandgentlytouchedhislips，asifakisswereamaterialthingandwouldleavetangibleevidenceofhavingbeengiven。AfteralongtimehiseyesclosedandhescarcelywasunconsciousbeforeBelshazzar’scoldnosetouchedtheoutstretchedhandandtheHarvesterliftedandlaiditonthedog’shead。
``Forgiveme，Bel，’’hemuttered。``Ineverdidthat。
Iwouldn’thavehurtyouforanything。IthappenedbeforeIhadtimetothink。’’
Theybothfellasleep。Theclear-cutlinesofmanlystrengthonthefaceoftheHarvesterweretouchedtotenderbeauty。Helaysmilingsoftly。Farinthenightherealizedthefrost-chillanddividedthecoverletwiththehappyBelshazzar。
Thegoldendreamnevercameagain。Therewasnoneed。Ithaddoneitsperfectwork。TheHarvesterawokethenextmorningadifferentman。Hisfacewasyouthfulandalivewithalertanticipation。Hebeganhisworkwitheagerimpetuosity，whistlingandsingingthewhile，andhefoundtimetoplaywithandtalktoBelshazzar，untilthatgladbeastalmostwaggedoffhistailindelight。Theybreakfastedtogetherandarrangedtheroomswithunusualcare。
``Yousee，’’explainedtheHarvestertothedog，``wemustwalkneatlyafterthis。Maybethereissuchathingasfate。Possiblyyouranswerwasright。Theremightbeagirlintheworldforme。Idon’texpectit，butthereisapossibilitythatshemayfindusbeforewelocateher。Anyway，weshouldworkandbeready。
Alltheoldstockinthestore-housegoesoutassoonaswecancartit。Anewcabinshallriseasfastaswecanbuildit。Theremustbeabasementandfurnace，too。Dreamwomendon’thavecoldfeet，butifthereisagirllivinglikethat，andsheiscomingtousorwaitingforustocometoher，wemusthaveacomfortablehometooffer。Thereshouldbeabathroom，too。Shecouldn’tdipinthelakeaswedo。Anduntilwebuildthenewhousewemustkeeptheoldoneclean，justonthechanceofherhappeningonus。ShemightbevisitingsomeoftheneighboursorcomefromtownwithsomeoneorImightseeheronthestreetoratthelibraryorhospitalorinsomeofthestores。Fortheloveofmercy，helpmewatchforher，Bel！Thehalfofmykingdomifyouwillpointherforme！’’
TheHarvesterworkedashetalked。Hesettheroomsinorder，putawaytheremainsofbreakfast，andstartedtothestable。Heturnedbackandstoodforalongtime，scanningthefaceinthekitchenmirror。Oncehewenttothedoor，thenhehesitated，andfinallytookouthisshavingsetanduseditcarefullyandwashedvigorously。
Hepulledhisshirttogetheratthethroat，andhuntingamonghisclothing，foundanoldredtiethatheknottedaroundhisneck。Thissochangedhisevery-dayappearancethathefeltwonderfullydressedandwhistledgailyonhiswaytothebarn。Thereheconfidedintheoldgraymareashecurriedandharnessedhertothespringwagon。
``Hardlyknowme，doyou，Betsy？’’heinquired。
``Well，I’llexplain。OurfriendBel，here，hasdoomedmetogocourtingthisyear。Wouldn’tthatdurnfoundyou？
Iwasmadashornetsatfirst，butsinceI’vesleptontheidea，Iratherlikeit。Maybewearetoolonelyanddull。
Perhapstherightwomanwouldmakelifeaverydifferentmatter。LastnightIsawher，Betsy，andbetweenus，Ican’ttellevenyou。Shewastheloveliest，sweetestgirlonearth，andthatisallIcansay。Wearegoingtowatchforherto-day，andeverytripwemake，untilwefindher，ifitrequiresahundredyears。Thensomegladtimewearegoingtolocateher，andwhenwedo，well，youjustkeepyoureyeonus，Betsy，andyou’llseehowcourtingstraightfromtheheartisdone，evenifwelackexperience。’’
Intoxicatedwithnewanddelightfulsensationshistongueworkedfasterthanhishands。
``Idon’tmindtellingyou，oldfaithful，thatIaminlovethismorning，’’hesaid。``Inloveheelsover，Betsy，forthefirsttimeinallmylife。IfanymaneverwasabiggerfoolthanIamto-day，itwouldcomfortmetoknowaboutit。Iamactinglikeanidiot，Betsy。Iknowthat，butIwishyoucouldunderstandhowIfeel。Power！
Iamthehead-watersofNiagara！Icouldpluckdownthestarsandsetthemindifferentplaces！Icouldtwistthetailfromthecomet！Icouldtwirltheglobeonmypalmandtopplemountainsandwipelakesfromthesurface！Iamaliveman，Betsy。Existenceisover。
Sodon’tyougoatanytricksorImightpulloffyourhead。Betsy，ifyouseethetallestgirlyoueversaw，andshewearsadarkdiadem，andhasbigblackeyesandafacesolovelyitblindsyou，whyyouhaveseenHer，andyoubalk，rightonthespot，andstandliketherockofGibraltar，untilyoumakemeseeher，too。AsifIwouldn’tknowshewascomingamileaway！There’smoreI
couldtellyou，butthatismysecret，andit’stooprecioustotalkabout，eventomybestfriends。Bel，bringBetsytothestore-room。’’
TheHarvestertossedthehitchingstraptothedogandwalkeddownthedrivewaytoalowstructurebuiltontheembankmentbesidethelake。Oneendofitwasadry-houseofhisownconstruction。Here，byanarrangementofhotwaterpipes，heevaporatedmanyofthebarks，roots，seeds，andleaveshegrewtosupplylargeconcernsengagedinthemanufactureofdrugs。Byhisprocesscrudestockwasthoroughlycured，yetdidnotloseinweightandcolouraswhendriedinthesunoroutdoorshade。
SotheHarvesterwasenabledtosendhiscustomersbigpackagesofbrightlycolouredrawmaterial，andthefewcentsperpoundheaskedinadvanceofthecataloguedpriceswerepaideagerly。Helivedalone，andnevertalkedofhiswork；sononeoftheharvestersofthefieldsadjoiningdreamedoftheextentofhisreaping。Theideahadbeenhisown。Hehadbeenborninthecabininwhichhenowlived。Hisfatherandgrandfatherwereold-timehuntersofskinsandgame。Theyhadaddedtotheirearningsbygatheringinspringandfallthefewmedicinalseeds，leaves，andbarkstheyknew。
Hismotherhadbeenofdifferenttype。Shehadlovedandmarriedthepicturesqueyounghunter，andgonetolivewithhimonthesectionoflandtakenbyhisfather。Shefoundlife，reallife，vastlydifferentfromhergirlhooddreams，butshewasoneofthosechangeless，unyieldingwomenwhosuffersilently，butneverrueabargain，nomatterhowbadlytheyarecheated。Heronlyjoyinlifehadbeenherson。Forhimshehadworkedandsavedunceasingly，andwhenhewasoldenoughshesenthimtothecitytoschoolandkeptpacewithhiminthelessonshebroughthomeatnight。
Usingwhatsheknewofherhusband’sworkasaguide，andprofitingbypamphletspublishedbythegovernment，everyhourofthetimeoutsideschoolandinsummervacationssheworkedinthewoodswiththeboy，gatheringherbsandrootstopayforhiseducationandclothing。Sothesonpassedthefullhigh-schoolcourse，andthen，selectingsuchbranchesasinterestedhim，continuedhisstudiesalone。
Frombooksanddrugpamphletshehadlearnedeverymedicinalplant，shrub，andtreeofhisvicinity，andforyearsroamedfarafieldandthroughthewoodscollecting。
Afterhisfather’sdeathexpensesgrewheavierandtheboysawthathemustearnmoremoney。Hismotherfranticallyopposedhisgoingtothecity，sohethoughtouttheplanoftransplantingthestuffhegathered，tothelandtheyownedandcultivatingitthere。Thisworkwaswelldevelopedwhenhewastwenty，butthatyearhelosthismother。
Fromthattimehewentonsteadilyenlarginghisspecies，transplantingtrees，shrubs，vines，andmedicinalherbsfromsuchlocationsashefoundthemtosimilarconditionsonhisland。Sixyearshehadworkedcultivatingthesebeds，andhuntingthroughthewoodsontheriverbanks，governmentland，thegreatLimberlostSwamp，andneglectedcornersofearthforbarksandroots。Heoccasionallymadelongtripsacrossthecountryforrapidlydiminishingplantshefoundinthewoodlandofmenwhodidnotcaretobotherwithafewspecimens，andmanybigbedsofprofitableherbs，extinctformilesaround，nowflourishedonthebanksofLoonLake，inthemarsh，andthroughtheforestrisingabove。Towhatextentandvaluehisventurehadgrown，noonesavetheHarvesterknew。Whenhisneighbourstwittedhimwithbeingtoolazytoplowandsow，of``mooning’’overbooks，andderisivelysneeredwhentheyspokeofhimastheHarvesteroftheWoodsortheMedicineMan，DavidLangstonsmiledandwenthisway。
Howlonelyhehadbeensincethedeathofhismotherheneverrealizeduntilthatmorningwhenanewideareallyhadtakenpossessionofhim。Fromthestore-
househeheapedpackagesofseeds，driedleaves，barks，androotsintothewagon。Buthekeptageneroussupplyofeach，forhepridedhimselfonbeingabletofillallordersthatreachedhim。Yettheloadhetooktothecitywasmuchlargerthanusual。Ashedrovedownthehillandpassedthecabinhestudiedthelocation。
``Thedrainageisperfect，’’hesaidtoBelshazzarbesidehimontheseat。``Soisthesituation。Wegetthecoolbreezesfromthelakeinsummerandthehillsidewarmthinwinter。Viewdownthevalleycan’tbesurpassed。Wewillgruboutthatthicketinfront，moveoverthedriveway，andbuildacoupleoftwo-storyrooms，withbasementforcellarandfurnace，andabathroominfrontofthecabinanduseitwithsomefixingoverforadining-
roomandkitchen。ThenwewilldeepenandwidenSingingWater，stickabushelofbulbsandrootsandsowapeckofflowerseedsinthemarsh，plantahedgealongthedrive，andstraightenthelakeshorealittle。I
canmakeabeautifulwild-flowergardenandarrangesothatwithoneseason’sworkthiswillappearverywell。Wewillexpressthisstuffandthenselectandfellsometreesto-night。Soonasthefrostisoutofthegroundwewilldigourbasementandlaythefoundations。
Theneighbourswillhelpmeraisethelogs；afterthatI
canfinishtheinsidework。I’vegotsomedriedmaple，cherry，andwalnutlogsthatwouldworkintobeautifulfurniture。Ihaven’tforgottenthepricesMcLeanofferedme。Icanuseitaswellashe。Plainwaythebestthingsarebuiltnow，IbelieveIcouldmaketablesandcouchesmyself。Icanseeplansinthemagazinesatthelibrary。I’lltakealookwhenIgetthisoff。I
feelstrongenoughtodoallofitinafewdaysandIamcrazytocommence。ButIscarcelyknowwheretobegin。
ThereareaboutfiftythingsI’dliketodo。Buttofellanddrythetreesandgetthewallsupcomefirst，Ibelieve。
Whatdoyouthink，oldunreliable？’’
Belshazzarthoughttheworldwasaplaceofbeautythatmorning。Hesniffedtheicy，odorousairandwithtiltedheadwatchedthebirds。AweariedbandofduckshadsettledonLoonLaketofeedandrest，fortherewasnothingtodisturbthem。SignswerenumerouseverywhereprohibitinghuntersfromfiringovertheHarvester’sland。Besidethelake，downthevalley，crossingtherailroad，andinthefartherlowlands，thedogwasanervousquiver，asheconstantlyscentedgameorsawbirdshewantedtopoint。Butwhentheynearedthecity，hesatsilentlywatchingeverythingwithalerteyes。AstheyreachedtheouterfringeofresidencestheHarvesterspoketohim。
``Nowremember，Bel，’’hesaid。``Pointmethetallestgirlyoueversaw，withabigbraidofdarkhair，shiningblackeyes，andredvelvetlips，sweeterthanwildcrabappleblossoms。Makeadeadset！Don’tallowhertopassus。HeavenisgoingtobegininMedicineWoodswhenwefindherandprovetoherthatthereliesherhappyhome。
``Whenwefindher，’’repeatedtheHarvestersoftlyandexultantly。``Whenwefindher！’’
Hesaiditagainandagain，pronouncingthewordswithtendermodulations。Becausehewaschantingitinhissoul，inhisheart，inhisbrain，withhislips，hehadahastyglanceforeverywomanhepassed。Lighthair，blueeyes，andshortfiguresgotonlycasualinspection:
butanytallgirlwithdarkhairandeyesenduredratherclosescrutinythatmorning。Hedrovetotheexpressofficeanddeliveredhispackagesandthentothehospital。
Inthehalltheblue-eyednursemethimandcriedgaily，``Goodmorning，MedicineMan！’’
``Ugh！Iscalppale-faces！’’threatenedtheHarvester，butthegirlwasnotafraidandstoodbeforehimlaughing。
Shemighthavegoneherwayquiteaswell。Shecouldnothavedifferedmorefromthegirlofthenewlybegunquest。Themanmerelytouchedhiswide-brimmedhatashewalkedaroundherandenteredtheofficeofthechiefsurgeon。
Aslender，gray-eyedmanwithwhitehairturnedfromhisdesk，smiledwarmly，pushedachair，andreachedawelcominghand。
``Ahgood-morning，David，’’hecried。``Youbringtheverybreathofspringwithyou。Areyouatthemaplesyet？’’
``Beginto-morrow，’’wastheanswer。``Iwanttogetallmyoldstockoffhands。Sugarwatercomesnext，andthenthegiddysassafrasandspringrootsrushme，andafterthat，harvestbeginsfullforce，andallmylandisteeming。Thisisgoingtobeabigyear。Everythingissufficientlyadvancedtobeworthwhile。Ihavedecidedtoenlargethebuildings。’’
``Store-roomtoosmall？’’
``Everything！’’saidtheHarvestercomprehensively。
``Iamcrowdedeverywhere。’’
Thekeengrayeyesbentonhimsearchingly。
``Ho，ho！’’laughedthedoctor。```Crowdedeverywhere。’
Ihadnotheardofcrampedlivingquartersbefore。Whendidyoumeether？’’
``Lastnight，’’repliedtheHarvester。``Herhomeisalreadyinconstruction。IchoseseventreesasIdroveherethataregoingtofallbeforenight。’’
Socasualwasthetonethedoctorwasdisarmed。
``Iamtryingyournerveremedy，’’hesaid。
InstantlytheHarvestertingledwithinterest。
``Howdoesitwork？’’heinquired。
``Finely！Hadacasethatpresentedjustthesymptomsyoumentioned。High-schoolgirlbrokendownfromtryingtoleadherclasses，leadherfraternity，leadherparents，leadsociety——theLordonlyknowswhatelse。Gonealltopieces！Prettyacaseofnervousprostrationasyoueversawinapersonoffifty。Ibeganonfractionaldoseswithit，andatlastgotherwhereshecanrest。Itdidpreciselywhatyouclaimeditwould，David。’’
``Good！’’criedtheHarvester。``Good！Ihopeditwouldbeeffective。Thankyouforthetest。ItwillgivemeconfidencewhenIgobeforethechemistswithit。
I’vegotacouplemorecompoundsIwishyouwouldtrywhenyouhavesafecaseswhereyoucandonoharm。’’
``Youarecautiousforayoungman，son！’’
``Thewoodsdothat。Younotonlydiscovermiraclesandmarvelsinthem，younotonlytraceevolutionandtheoriginofspecies，butyougetthegreatestlessonstaughtinalltheworldgroundintoyouearlyandalone——
courage，caution，andpatience。’’
``Thosearetherocksonwhichmenarestrandedasarule。Youthinkyoucanbreastthem，David？’’
TheHarvesterlaughed。
``Asidefrombreakingacertainpromisemotherrootedinthebloodandbonesofme，ifIamafraidofanything，Idon’tknowit。Youdon’toftenseemegoinghead-
long，doyou？Astopatience！TenyearsagoIbeganremovingeverytree，bush，vine，andplantofmedicinalvaluefromthewoodsaroundtomyland；Isetandsowedacresinginseng，knowingImustnurse，tend，andcultivatesevenyears。IfmyneighbourshadunderstoodwhatIwasattempting，whatdoyouthinktheywouldhavesaid？Crankyandlazywouldhavebecomeadjectivestoomild。Lunaticwouldhaveexpresseditbetter。
That’sclosethegeneralopinion，anyway。BecauseI
willnotfellmytrees，andthewoodshidetheworkIdo，itisgenerallyconcededthatIspendmytimeinthesunreadingabook。Ido，asoftenasIhaveanopportunity。
Butthepointisthatthisfall，whenIharvestthatginsengbed，Iwillclearmoremoneythanmystiffestdetractoreversawatonetime。I’llwagermybankaccountwon’tcomparesounfavourablywiththebestofthemnow。
Ididwellthismorning。Yes，I’lladmitthismuch:
Iamreasonablycautious，I’mapatternforpatience，andmycourageneverhasfailedmeyet，anyway。ButImustraponwood；forthatboastisasignthatIprobablywillmeetmyJonahsoon。’’
``David，youareamanaftermyownheart，’’saidthedoctor。``IloveyoumorethananyotherfriendIhaveIwouldn’tseeahairofyourheadchangedfortheworld。
NowI’vegottohurrytomyoperation。Remainaslongasyoupleaseifthereisanythingthatinterestsyou；
butdon’tletthegigglinglittlenursethatalwayshauntsthehallwhenyoucomemakeanyimpression。Sheisnotuptoyourstandard。’’
``Don’t！’’saidtheHarvester。``I’velearnedoneofthebiglessonsoflifesincelastIsawyou，Doc。Ihavenostandard。Thereisjustonewomaninalltheworldforme，andwhenIfindherIwillknowher，andIwillbehappyforevenaglance；asforthattalkofstandards，Iwillbeonlytoogladtotakeherassheis。’’
``David！Isupposedwhatyousaidaboutenlargedbuildingswasnonsenseorappliedtostore-rooms。’’
``Gotoyouroperation！’’
``David，ifyousendmeinsuspense，Imayoperateonthewrongman。Whathashappened？’’
``Nothing！’’saidtheHarvester。``Nothing！’’
``David，itisnotlikeyoutoevade。Whathappened？’’
``Nothing！Onmyword！Imerelysawavisionanddreamedadream。’’
``You！Arankmaterialist！Sawavisionanddreamedadream！Andyoucallitnothing。Worstthingthatcouldhappen！Wheneveramanofcommon-
sensegoestoseeingthingsthatdon’texist，anddreamingdreams，whylookout！Whatdidyousee？Whatdidyoudream？’’
``Youwoman！’’laughedtheHarvester。``Talkaboutcuriosity！I’dhavetobeapoettodescribemyvision，andthedreamwasstrictlyprivate。Icouldn’ttellit，notforanypriceyoucouldmention。Gotoyouroperation。’’
Thedoctorpausedonthethreshold。
``Youcan’tfoolme，’’hesaid。``Icandiagnoseyouallright。Youarepoetenough，butthevisionwassacred；andwhenamanwon’ttell，it’salwaysandforeverawoman。IknowallnowIeverwill，becauseIknowyou，David。Amanwithaloosemouthandalowminddragsthewomenofhisacquaintancethroughwhatevermirehesinksin；butyoucouldn’ttell，David，notevenaboutadreamwoman。Comeagainsoon！Youaremyelixiroflife，lad！Irevelintheatmosphereyoubring。
Wishmesuccessnow，Iamgoingtoadifficult，delicateoperation。’’
``Ido！’’criedtheHarvesterheartily。``Ido！Butyoucan’tfail。Youneverhaveandthatprovesyoucannot！Good-bye！’’
DownthestreetwenttheHarvester，passingovercitypavewithhisfree，swingingstride，hisheadhigh，hisfaceflushedwithvividoutdoortints，goingsomewheretodosomethingworthwhile，theimpressionalwaysleftbehindhim。Menenviedhisrobustappearanceandwomenlookedtwice，alwaystwice，andsometimesofteneriftherewasanyopportunity；buttwiceatleastwastherule。Heleftalittlerollofbillsatthebankandstartedtowardthelibrary。Whenheenteredthereadingroomanattendantwithaneagersmilehastilycametowardhim。
``Whatwillyouhavethismorning，Mr。Langston？’’sheaskedinthevoiceofonewhowouldrenderwillingservice。
``Notthebigbooksto-day，’’laughedtheHarvester。
``I’veonlyashorttime。I’llglancethroughthemagazines。’’
Heselectedseveralfromatableandgoingtoacornersettledwiththemandfortwohourswasdeeplyengrossed。
Hetookanenvelopefromhispocket，tracedlines，andreadintently。Hestudiedtheplacingofrooms，theconstructionoffurniture，andallattractiveideaswerenoted。Whenatlasthearosetheattendantwenttoreplacethemagazinesonthetable。Theyhadbeenopenedwidely，andassheturnedtheleavestheynaturallyfellapartattheplansforhousesorarticlesoffurniture。
TheHarvesterslowlywentdownthestreet。Beforeeveryfurniturestorehepausedandstudiedthedesignsdisplayedinthewindows。ThenheuntiedBetsyanddrovetoalumbermillontheoutskirtsofthecityandmadearrangementstohavesomefreshlyfelledlogsofblackwalnutandcurlymaplesawedintodifferentsizesandputthroughacourseindrying。
HedrovebacktoMedicineWoodswhistling，singing，andtalkingtoBelshazzarbesidehim。Heateahastylunchandatthreeo’clockwasintheforest，blazingandfellingslender，straight-trunkedoakandashofthedesiredproportions。
CHAPTERIII
HARVESTINGTHEFOREST
Theforestisneversowonderfulaswhenspringwrestleswithwinterforsupremacy。Whiletheearthisyeticebound，whilesnowsoccasionallyfly，springbreathesherwarmerbreathofapproach，andallnatureresponds。Sunnyknolls，embankments，andclearedspacesbecomebare，whileshadowspotsandshelterednooksremainwhite。Thisperfumestheicyairwithawarmerbreathofmeltingsnow。Thesaprisesinthetreesandbushes，setsbudsswelling，andtheydistilafaint，intangibleodour。Deeplayersofdeadleavescoverthefrozenearth，andthesunshiningonthemraisesasteamyvapourunlikeanythingelseinnature。Adifferentscentrisesfromearthwherethesunstrikesit。Lichenfacestakeonthebrightestcolourstheyeverwear，andrough，coarsemossesemergeinrankgrowthfromtheircoverofsnowandaddanotherperfumetomellowingair。Thiscombinationhasbreathedastrangeintoxicationintothebreastofmankindinallages，andbirdandanimallifeprovebytheiractionsthatitmakesthesameappealtothem。
Crowscawsupremacyfromtalltrees；flickers，drunkonthewineofnature，flashtheiryellow-linedwingsandredcrownsamongtreesinasearchforsuitablebuildingplaces；nut-hatchesrunheadforemostdownroughtrunks，spyingoutlarvaeandearlyemerginginsects；
titmicechatter；thebold，clearwhistleofthecardinalsoundsneversogaily；andsongsparrowspipefromeverywaysideshrubandfencepost。Coonsandopossumsstirintheirdens，musk-ratandground-hoginspecttheweather，whilesquirrelsracealongbranchesandboundfromtreetotreelikewingedfolk。
AllofthemcouldhaveoutlinedtheholdingsoftheHarvesteralmostaswellasanysurveyor。Theyunderstoodwherethebangofgunsandthesnapoftrapsmenacedlife。Bestofall，theyknewwherecrackednuts，handfulsofwheat，oats，andcrumbswerescatteredontheground，andwheresuetbonesdangledfrombushes。
Here，too，thelastsheaffromthesmallwheatfieldatthefootofthehillwasstoutlyfixedonahighpole，sothatthegrainwasfreetoallfeatheredvisitors。
WhentheHarvesterhitchedBetsy，loadedhisspilesandsapbucketsintothewagon，andstartedtothewoodstogathertheofferingthewetmapleswerepouringdowntheirswellingsides，almosthisentirefamilycametoseehim。Theyknewwhofedandpassedeverydayamongthem，andsowereunafraid。
Afterthefamiliarityofalong，coldwinter，whenithadbeeneasiertopickupscatteredfoodthantosearchforit，theybecamesofriendlywiththeman，thedog，andthegrayhorsethattheyhastilysnatchedthefoodofferedatthebarnandthenfollowedthroughthewoods。TheHarvesteralwayswasparticulartowearlargepockets，foritwasgoodcompanytohavelivingcreaturesflockingafterhim，trustingtohisbounty。Ajax，ashimmeringwonderofgorgeousfeathers，sunnedontheridgepoleoftheoldlogstable，preened，spreadhistrain，andutteredthepeacockcryofdefiance，toexercisehisvoiceortoexpresshisemotionsatalltimes。Butatfeedinghourhedescendedtotheparkandsnatchedbitesfromthebiggestturkeycocksandgandersandreignedinpowerabsoluteoverducks，guineas，andchickens。Thenhefollowedtothebarnandtriedtofrightencrowsandjays，andthegentlewhitedovesundertheeaves。
TheHarvesterwalkedthroughdeepleavesandsnowcoveringtheroadthatonlyaforestercouldhavedistinguished。Overhisshoulderhecarriedamattock，andinthewagonwerehisclippersandanax。BehindhimcameBetsydrawingthesapbucketsandbigevaporatingkettles。ThroughthewoodrangedBelshazzar，thecraziestdoginallcreation。Healwayswentwildatsaptime。Herewasnoneofthemonotonyoftrappingforskinsaroundthelake。Thismarkedthefirstfulldayinthewoodsfortheseason。Herangedashepleasedandcameforapatoralookofconfidencewhenhegrewlonely，whiletheHarvesterworked。
AtcampthemanunhitchedBetsyandtiedhertothewagonandforseveralhoursdistributedbuckets。Thenhehungthekettlesandgatheredwoodforthefire。Atnoonhereturnedtothecabinforlunchandbroughtbackaloadofemptysyrupcans，andbarrelsinwhichtocollectthesap。Whilethebucketsfilledatthedrippingtrees，hedugrootsinthesassafrasthickettofillordersandsupplythedemandofOnabashafortea。Severaltimeshestoppedtocutanespeciallyfinetree。
``YouknowIhatetokillyou，’’heapologizedtothefirstonehefelled。``Butitcertainlymustbelegitimateforamantotakeenoughofhistreestobuildahome。Andnootherhouseispossibleforacreatureofthewoodsbutacabin，isthere？Thebirdsuseofthematerialtheyfindhere；surelyIhavetherighttodothesame。Seemsasifnothingelsewouldserve，atleastforme。Iwasbornandrearedhere，I’vealwayslovedyou；ofcourse，Ican’tuseanythingelseformyhome。’’
Heswungtheaxandthechipsflewasheworkedonastraighthalf-grownoak。Afteratimehepausedaninstantandrested，andashedidsohelookedspeculativelyathiswork。
``Iwonderwheresheisto-day，’’hesaid。``Iwonderwhatsheisgoingtothinkofalogcabininthewoods。
Maybeshehasbeenrearedinthecityandisafraidofaforest。Shemaynotlikehousesmadeoflogs。Possiblyshewon’twanttomarryaMedicineMan。Shemaydisliketheman，nottomentionhisoccupation。Shemaythinkitcoarseandcommontoworkoutofdoorswithyourhands，althoughI’dhavetoarguethereisalittlebraininthecombination。Imustfigureoutallthesethings。Butthereisoneonthelady:Sheshouldhavesettledthesepointsbeforeshebecamequitesofamiliar。
Ihavethatforafoundationanyway，soI’llgooncuttingwood，andtheremainderwillbeuptoherwhenIfindher。WhenIfindher，’’repeatedtheHarvesterslowly。
``ButIamnotgoingtolocateherverysoonmonkeyingaroundinthesewoods。Ishouldbeoutwherepeopleare，lookingforherrightnow。’’
Hechoppedsteadilyuntilthetreecrashedover，andthen，noticingarapidlyfillingbucket，hestrucktheaxinthewoodandbegangatheringsap。Whenhehadmadetheround，hedrovetothecamp，filledthekettles，andlightedthefire。Whileitstartedhecutandscrapedsassafrasroots，andmadeclippingsoftagalder，spicebrushandwhitewillowintobigbundlesthatwerereadytohavethebarkremovedduringthenightwatch，andthencuredinthedry-house。
Hewenthomeateveningtofeedthepoultryandreplenishtheever-burningfireoftheengineandtokeepthecabinwarmenoughthatfoodwouldnotfreeze。
Withanoilclothandblanketshereturnedtocampandthroughoutthenighttendedthebucketsandboilingsap，andworkedordozedbythefirebetweentimes。
Towardtheendofboiling，whenthesapwasbecomingthick，ithadtobewatchedwithespecialcaresoitwouldnotscorch。ButwhenthekettleswerefreshlyfilledtheHarvestersatbesidethemandcarefullysplittendertwigsofwillowandslippedoffthebarkreadytobespreadonthetrays。
``Youareagoodtonic，’’hemusedasheworked，``andyougointosomeofthemedicineforrheumatism。
Ifsheeverhasitwewillgivehersomeofyou，andthenshewillbeallrightagain。StrangethatIshouldbepreparingmedicinalbarkbythesugarcampfire，butIhavetomakethishay，notwhilethesunshines，butwhenthebarkisloose，whilethesapisrising。Wonderwhowillusethis。DependslargelyonwhereIsellit。
Anyway，Ihopeitwilltakethepainoutofsomepoorbody。Pricessolownow，notworthgatheringunlessIcankilltimeonitwhilewaitingforsomethingelse。
NevergotoversevencentsapoundforthebestIeversold，andittakesaheapoftheselittlequillstomakeapoundwhentheyaredry。That’sallofyou——abouttwenty-fivecents’worth。ButeventhatisbetterthandoingnothingwhileIwait，andsomeonehastokeepthedoctorssuppliedwithsalicinandtannin，so，ifIdo，otherfolksneedn’tbother。’’
Hearoseandpouredmoresapintothekettlesasitboiledawayandreplenishedthefire。Henibbledatwigwhenhebeganonthespicebrush。Ashesatonthepiledwood，andbentoverhisworkhewasanattractivefigure。Hisfaceshonewithhealthandwasbrightwithanticipation。Whilehesplitthetenderbarkandslippedoutthewoodhespokehisthoughtsslowly:
``ThefivecentsapoundI’llgetforyouisevenless，butIlovethefragranceandtaste。Youdon’tpeelsoeasyasthewillow，butIliketoprepareyoubetter，becauseyouwillmakesomemiserablelittlesickchildwelloryoumaycoolsomeone’sfeveredblood。Ifevershehasafever，Ihopeshewilltakemedicinemadefrommybark，becauseitwillbestrongandpure。I’vehalfanotiontosetsomeoneelsegatheringthestuffandtendingtheplantsandspendmytimeinthelittlelaboratorycompoundingdifferentcombinations。Idon’tseewhatbiggerthingamancandothantocombinepure，clean，unadulteratedrootsandbarksintomedicinesthatwillcoolfevers，stopchills，andpurifybadblood。Thedoctorsmaybeallright，butwhataretheygoingtodoifwemenbehindtheprescriptioncasesdon’tsupplythemwithunadulterateddrugs。Answermethat，Mr。Sapsucker。
DocsaysI’vedonemightywellsofarasI
havegone。Ican’tthinkofathingonearthI’dratherdo，andthere’smoneynoendinit。Icouldgettoorichforcomfortinshortorder。Iwouldn’tbetoowealthytolivejustthewayIdoforanyconsideration。Idon’tknowabouther，though。Sheislovely，andhandsomewomenusuallywantbeautifulclothing，andaquantityofthingsthatcostnoendofmoney。ImayneedallI
canget，forher。Onenevercantell。’’
Hearosetostirthesapandpourmorefromthebarrelstothekettlesbeforehebeganonthetagalderhehadgathered。
``Ifitisallthesametoyou，I’lljustkeeponchewingspicebrushwhileIwork，’’hemuttered。``Youareentirelytoomuchofanastringenttosuitmytasteandyoubringacentlessapound。Butyouarethickeranddryheavier，andyougrowinanyquantityaroundthelakeandonthemarshyplaces，soI’llmakethesizeofthebundleatonefortheprice。IfIpeelyouwhileIwaitonthesapI’mthatmuchahead。Icanspreadyouondryingtraysinafewsecondsandthereyouare。Howlyourheadoff，Bel，Idon’tcarewhatyouhavefound。I
wouldn’tshootanythingto-day，unlessthecupboardwasbareandIwasstarvationhungry。InthatcaseIthinkamancomesfirst，andI’dkillasquirrelorquailinseason，butblestifI’dbutcheralotordoitoften。Vegetablesandbreadarebetteranyway。Youpeeleasiereventhanthewillow。Whatjollywhistlesfatherusedtomake！
``Therewasabouttwentycents’worthofspice，andI’lleasyraiseittoadollaronthis。I’llgetahundredgallonsofsyrupinthecomingtwoweeksanditwillbringonefiftyifIboilandstrainitcarefullyandcanguaranteeitcontainsnohickorybarkandbrownsugar。
Anditwon’t！Straightformeornotatall。PureisthewordatMedicineWoods；syrupordrugsit’sthesamething。BetweentimesIcanfelleverytreeI’llneedforthenewcabin，andaverageadollaradaybesidesonspice，alder，andwillow，andtwicethatforsassafrasfortheOnabashamarkets；nottomentionthequantitiesI
candrythisyear。Asidefromspringtea，theyseemtouseitforeverything。Ineveryethavehadenough。
Itgoesintohalfthetonics，anodyne，andstimulants；
alsosoapandcandy。IseewhereIgrowrichinspiteofmyself，andalsowheremyharvestisgoingtospoilbeforeIcangarnerit，ifIdon’tsteplivelyanddoubleevenmorethanIamnow。Wherethecabinistocomein——wellitmustcomeifeverythingelsegoes。
``TherootscanwaitandI’lldigthemnextyearandgetmoreandlargerpieces。Iwon’treallyloseanything，andifsheshouldcomebeforeIamreadytostarttofindher，whythenI’llhaveherhomeprepared。Howlongbeforeyoubeginyourhouse，oldfire-fly？’’heinquiredofaflamingcardinaltiltingonatwig。
Hearosetomaketheroundofthesapbucketsagain，thenresumedhisworkpeelingbark，andsothetimepassed。Inthefollowingtendayshecollectedandboiledenoughsaptomakemoresyrupthanhehadexpected。Hisearliestspringstoreofmedicinaltwigs，thatwerepeeledtodryinquills，wereallcollectedandonthetrays；hehaddiggedseveralwagonloadsofsassafrasandfelledallthelogsofstout，slenderoakhewouldrequireforhiswalls。Choicetimberhehadbeencuringforcandlestickmaterialhehauledtothesaw-millstohavecutproperly，forthethoughtoftryinghishandattablesandchairshadtakenpossessionofhim。Hewassurehecouldmakefurniturethatwouldappearquiteaswellasthemissionpiecesheadmiredondisplayinthestorewindowsofthecity。Tohim，chairsandtablesmadefromtreesthatgrewonlandthathadbelongedforthreegenerationstohisancestors，treesamongwhichhehadgrown，played，andworked，treesthatweresomuchhisfriendsthathecarefullyexplainedthesituationtothembeforeusinganaxorsaw，treesthathehadcut，cured，andfashionedintodesignsofhisown，wouldmakevastlymorevaluablefurnishingsinhishomethananythingthatcouldbepurchasedinthecity。
Ashedrovebackandforthhewatchedconstantlyforher。Hewasworkingsodesperately，planningfarahead，doublingandtreblingtasks，tryingtodoeverythinghisprofessiondemandedinseason，andtopreparetimberandmakeplansforthenewcabin，aswellastostartapairofcandlesticksofmarvellousdesignforher，thatnightwasonelong，unbrokensleepofthethoroughlytiredman，butdayhadbecomeadelightfuldream。
Hefedthechickenstoproduceeggsforher。Hegatheredbarksandsluicedrootsontheraftinthelake，forher。Hegrubbedthespicethicketbeforethedoorandmoveditintothewoodstomakespaceforalawn，forher。Hiseyeswerewideopenforeverywovencaseanddanglingcocoonofthebignightmothsthatpropagatedaroundhim，forher。Everynightwhenheleftthewoodsfromonetoadozencocoons，thathehaddetectedwithremarkableeasewhilethetreeswerebare，werestuckinhishatband。Ashearrangedtheminacool，dryplacehetalkedtothem。
``OfcourseIknowyouarevaluableandtherearecollectorswhowouldpaywellforyou，butIthinknot。
YouaretheprettiestthingGodmadethatIeversaw，andthoseofyouthathomewithmehavenopriceonyourwings。Youaremuchsaferherethanamongthecrowsandjaysofthewoods。Iamgatheringyoutoprotectyou，andtoshowtoher。IfIdon’tfindherbyJune，youmaygoscotfree。AllIwantisthebestpatternIcangetfromsomeofyouforcandlestickdesigns。
Ofeverythinginthewholeworldacandlestickshouldbemadeofwood。Itshouldbecarvedbyhand，andofallornamentationsonearththemoththatfliestothenightlightisthemostappropriate。Owlsarenotsobad。Theyareofthenight，andtheyflytolight，too，buttheyaresoold。NobodyIeverhaveknownusedamoth。Theymissedthebestwhentheyneglectedthem。I’llmakehersticksoveranoriginalpattern；
I’lltwinenightshadevines，withflowersandberriesaroundthem，andputatrailedlunaonone，andwhatisthenextprettiestfortheother？I’llthinkwellbeforeifdecide。Maybeshe’llcomebythetimeIgettocarvingandtellmewhatshelikes。Thatwouldbeatmytasteorguessingamile。’’
Hecarefullyarrangedthetwigsbearingcocoonsinabig，wire-coveredboxtoprotectthemfromthedepredationsofnibblingmiceandthebolderattacksofthesaucygroundsquirrelsthatstorednutsinhisloftandtookpossessionoftheatticuntiltheirscamperingsometimesawokehiminthenight。
Everytriphemadetothecityhestoppedatthelibrarytoexamineplansofbuildingsandfurnitureandtomakenotes。Theoakhehadhauledwasbeinghewedintoshapebyaneighbourwhoknewhow，andeverywagonthatcarriedalogtothecitytobedressedatthemillbroughtbacktimberforsidewalls，joists，andrafters。Nightafternighthesatlateporingoverhisplansforthenewrooms，aboveallforherchamber。
Withpoisedpencilhewaveredoverwheretoputtheclosetandentrancetoherbath。Hefiguredonhowwidetomakeherbedandwhereitshouldstand。Herememberedherdressingtableinplacingwindowsandaspaceforachestofdrawers。InfacttherewasnothingtheactivemindoftheHarvesterdidnotbusyitselfwithinthosedaysthatmightmakeawomanacomfortablehome。Everythoughtemanatedfromimpulsesevolvedinhislifeinthewoods，andeachwasexecutedwithmightytenderness。
Akilldeersweepingthelakeclosetwoo’clockonemorningawakenedhim。Hehadplannedtoclosethesugarcampfortheseasonthatday，butwhenheheardthenotesofthelovedbirdhewonderedifthatwouldnotbeagoodtimetostakeoutthefoundationsandbegindigging。Therewasyeticeintheground，butthehillsidewasrapidlythawing，andalthoughtheworkwouldbeeasierlater，soeagerwastheHarvestertohavewallsupandaroofoverthathedecidedtocommence。
ButwhenmorningcameandheandBelshazzarbreakfastedandfedBetsyandthestock，heconcludedtoreturntohisfirstplanandclosethecamp。Allthesapcollectedthatdaywentintothevinegarbarrel。Heloadedthekettles，buckets，andspilesandstoppedatthespicethickettocutabaleoftwigsashepassed。Hecarriedoneloadtothewagonandreturnedforanother。
Downwindonswiftwingcameabirdandenteredthebushes。MotionlesstheHarvesterpeeredatit。A
mourningdovehadreturnedtohimthroughsnow，skiftingovercoldearth。Itsettledonalimbandbegandressingitsplumage。Atthatinstantawavering，``Coocooa’ghcoo，’’brokeinsobbingnotesfromthedeepwood。Withoutpayingtheslightestheed，thedovefinishedawing，ruffledandsettledherfeathers，andopenedherbillinahuman-likeyawn。TheHarvestersmiled。Thenotesswelledcloserinrenewedpleading。
Thecrywasbeyonddoubtacourtingmaleandthisanindifferentfemale。Herbeadyeyessnapped，herheadturnedcoquettishly，apictureofself-possession，shehidamongthedensetwigsofthespicethicket。
Aroundtheoutsidecircledthepleadingmale。
WithshiningeyestheHarvesterwatched。Thesewereofthethingsthatmadelifeinthewoodsmostworthwhile。Moreinsistentgrewthewaveringnotesofthelover。Moreindifferentbecamethebeloved。Shewassuperbinherpoiseassheamusedherselfinhiding。A
perfectburstofconfused，sobbingnotesbrokeontheair。Thenawayinthedeepwoodasoftly-wavering，half-questioning``Coo-ah！’’answeredthem。AmazementflashedintotheeyesoftheHarvester，buthisfacewasnotnearlysoexpressiveasthatofthebird。Sheliftedabewilderedheadandgrewrigidinanattitudeoftenselistening。Therewasapause。Inquickermeasureandcrowdingnotesthemalecalledagain。Instantlythesoft``Coo！’’waveredinanswer。Thesurprisedlittlehenbirdofthethickethoppedstraightupandsettledonherperchagain，herdarkeyesindignantassheutteredashort``Coo！’’ThemusclesoftheHarvester’schestwerebeginningtotwitchandquiver。
Moreintensegrewthenotesofthepleadingmale。Softlyseductivecamethereply。Theclappingofhiswingscouldbeheardasheflewinsearchofthecharmer。``A’ghcoo！’’criedthedesertedfemaleasshetiltedoffthebranchandtorethroughthethicketinpursuit，withwingshastenedbyfrightattheringinglaughoftheHarvester。
``Notsoindifferentafterall，Bel，’’hesaidtothedogstandinginstiffpointbesidehim。``Thatwasall`pretend！’
Butshewaitedjustatrifletoolong。Nowshewillhavetofightitoutwitharival。Goodthingifsomeoftheflirtatiouswomencouldhaveseenthat。
Helpthemtolearntheirownmindssooner。’’
Helaughedasheheapedthetwigsontopofthewagonandstarteddownthehillchuckling。Belshazzarfollowed，leadingBetsystraightinthemiddleoftheroadbythehitchingstrap。Afewyardsaheadthemanstoppedsuddenlywithliftedhand。Thedogandhorsestoodmotionless。Adoveflashedacrosstheroadandsettledinsightonalimb。Almostsimultaneouslyanotherperchedbesideit，andtheylockedbillsinalongcaress，utterlyheedlessofaplaintive``Coo’’inthedeepwood。
``Settled！’’saidtheHarvester。``Jupiter！Iwishmytroubleswerethatnearlyfinished！WishIknewwheresheisandhowtofindmywaytoherlips！WonderifshewillcomewhenIcallher。WhatifIshouldfindher，andshewouldhaveeverythingonearth，otherlovers，andindifferenceworsethanMadamDove’sforme。
Talkaboutbitterness！WellI’dhavethedreamleftanyway。Andtherearealwaystwosides。Thereisjustapossibilitythatshemaybepoorandoverworked，sickandtired，andwonderingwhyIdon’tcome。Possiblyshehadadream，too，andshewishesIwouldhurry。
DearLord！’’
TheHarvesterbegantoperspireashestrodedownthehill。Hescarcelywaitedtohangtheharnessproperly。
Hedidnotstoptounloadthewagonuntilnight，butwentafteranaxandaboardthathesplitintopegs。
Thenhetookaballoftwine，ameasuringline，andbeganlayingouthisfoundation，whenthehardearthwouldscarcelyholdthestakeshedroveintoit。Whenhefoundheonlywouldwastetimeindiggingheputawaytheneatlywashedkettles，peeledthespicebrush，spreadittodry，andpreparedhisdinner。Afterthathebeganhaulingstoneandcementforhisbasementfloorandfoundationwalls。Occasionallyhehelpedathewinglogswhentheoldmanpausedtorest。Thatafternoonthefirstrobinoftheseasonhailedhiminpassing。
``Hello！’’criedtheHarvester。``Youdon’tmeantotellmethatyouhavebeatenthelarks！Youreallyhave！WellsinceIseeit，Imustbelieve，butyouareearly。Comearoundtothebackdoorifcrumbsorwheatwilldoorifyoucanmakeoutonsuetandmeatbones！
Wearegoodandreadyforyou。Whereisyourmate？
Foranysake，don’ttellmeyoudon’tknow。OnecaseofthatkindatMedicineWoodsisenough。Sayyoucameaheadtoseeifitistoocoldortoselectahomeandgetreadyforher。Sayanythingonearthexceptthatyouloveher，andwantheruntilyourbodyisonequiveringache，andyoudon’tknowwheresheis。’’
CHAPTERIV
ACOMMISSIONFORTHESOUTHWIND
Thenextmorningthelarkstrailedecstasyalloverthevalley，thefollowingdaycuckooswerecallinginthethickets，awarmwindsweptfromthesouthandsetswollenbudsbursting，whilethesunshone，causingtheHarvestertorejoice。Betsy’swhitecoatwassplashedwiththemudofthevalleyroad；
thefeetofBelshazzarlefttracksoverlumberpiles；
andtheHarvesterremovedhismuck-coveredshoesatthedoorandworeslippersinside。Theskunkcabbageappearedaroundtheedgeoftheforest，rankmulleinandthistleslayoverthefieldsinbigcirclesofgreen，andevenplantsofdelicategrowthwerethrustingtheirheadsthroughmellowingearthanddeadleaves，toreachlightandair。
ThentheHarvestertookhismattockandbegantodig。Hislevelbestfellsofarshortofwhathefeltcapableofdoinganddesiredtoaccomplishthatthefollowingdayheputtwomoremenonthejob。Thentheearthdidfly，andsosoonastherequiredspacewasexcavatedthewallswerelinedwithstoneandasmoothbasementfloorwasmadeofcement。Thenightthenewhomestood，askeletonofjoistsandrafters，gleamingwhitelyonthebanksofLoonLake，theHarvesterwenttothebridgecrossingSingingWaterandslowlycameupthedrivewaytoseehowtheworkappeared。Hecaughthisbreathasheadvanced。Hehadintendedtostakeoutgenerousrooms，butthis，comparedwiththecabin，seemedlikeabighotel。
``IhopeIhaven’tmadeitsolargeitwillbeaburden，’’
hesoliloquized。``It’shuge！ButwhileIamatitI
wanttobuildbigenough，andIthinkIhave。’’
Hestoodonthedriveway，hisarmsfolded，andlookedatthestructureasheoccasionallyvoicedhisthoughts。
``Thenextthingistolayupthesidewallsandgettheroofover。Gottohaveplentyofhelp，forthoselogsarehewedtofourteeninchessquareandsomeofthemarefortyfeetlong。That’stimber！Grewwithme，too。Personallyacquaintedwithalmosteverytreeofit。Wewillbedthemincement，usecarewiththeroof，andifthatdoesn’tmakeacoolhouseinthesummer，andawarmoneinwinter，I’llbedisappointed。
Itsetsamongthetrees，andonthehillsidejustright。
Wemusthaveawideporch，plentyofflowers，vines，ferns，andmosses，andwhenIgeteverythingfinishedandsheseesit——perhapsitwillpleaseher。’’
Agreathornedowlsweptdownthehill，crossedthelake，andhootedfromtheforestoftheoppositebank。TheHarvesterthoughtofhisdreamandturned。
``Anywomenwalkingthewaterto-night？Comeifyoulike，’’hebantered，``Idon’tmindintheleast。Infact，I’dratherenjoyit。I’dbesohappyifyouwouldcomenowandtellmehowthisappearstoyou，forit’sallyours。I’dhaveenlargedthestore-room，dry-housesandlaboratoryformyself，butthiscabin，never！Theoldonesuitedmeasitwas；butforyou——Ishouldhaveabetterhome。’’
TheHarvesterglancedfromtheshiningskeletontothebridgeofgoldandbackagain。
``Whereareyouto-night？’’hequestioned。``Whatareyoudoing？Can’tyougivemeahintofwheretosearchforyouwhenthisisready？Idon’tknowbutI
ambeginningwrong。Mylittlebrothersofthewooddodifferently。Theyannouncetheirintentionsthefirstthing，flaunttheirattractions，anddisplaytheirstrength。Theysayaloud，forallthelisteningworldtohear，whatisintheirhearts。Theychip，chirp，andsing，warble，whistle，thrill，scream，andhootit。Theyarestrongonself-expression，andappreciativeoftheirappearance。Theymeet，court，mate，andTHENbuildtheirhometogetherafteramutualplan。It’sagoodway，too！Lotssurerofgettingthingssatisfactory。’’
TheHarvestersatonalumberpileandgazedquestioninglyattheframework。
``IwishIknewifIamgoingatthingsright，’’hesaid。
``Therearetwosidestoconsider。Ifsheisinagoodhome，andlovinglycaredfor，itwouldbepropertocourtherandgetherpromise，ifIcould——noI’mblestifI’llbesomodest——getherpromise，asIsaid，andletherwaitwhileIbuildthecabin。Butifsheshouldbepoor，tired，andneglected，thenIoughttohavethisreadywhenIfindher，soIcouldpickherupandbringhertoit，withnomoreceremonythanthebirds。’’
TheHarvester’sclearskinflushedcrimson。
``Ofcourse，Idon’tmeannoweddingceremony，’’
heamended。``IwasthinkingofalongtimewastedinpreliminarieswheninmysoulIknowIamgoingtomarrymyDreamGirlbeforeIeverhaveseenherinreality。
Whatwouldbetheuseinspendingmuchtimeincourting？
Sheismywifenow，byeverylawofGod。Letmegetaglimpseofher，andI’llproveit。ButI’vegottomaketracks，forifshewerehere，wherewouldIputher？Imusthurry！’’
Hewenttotheworkroomandbeganpolishingatabletop。Hehadboughtachestoftoolsandwasspendingeveryspareminuteontables，chairseats，andlegs。
Hehaddecidedtomakethesefirstandcarvecandlestickslaterwhenhehadmoretime。Twohoursheworkedatthefurniture，andthenwenttobed。Thefollowingmorningheputeggsunderseveralhensthatwantedtoset，trimmedhisgrape-vines，examinedthepreciousginsengbeds，attendedhisstock，gotbreakfastforBelshazzarandhimself，andwasreadyforworkwhenthefirstcarpenterarrived。Layinghewedlogswentspeedily，andbeforetheHarvesterbelieveditpossiblethebigshingleshehadorderedwerebeingnailedontheroof。Thencametheplumberandarrangedforthebathroom，andthefurnacemanplacedtheheatingpipes。
TheHarvesterhadintendedthecabintobemostlytheworkofhisownhands，butwhenhesawhowrapidlyskilledcarpentersworked，hechangedhismindandhadthemfinishtheliving-room，hisroom，andtheupstairs，andmakeoverthedining-roomandkitchen。
Herroomheworkedonalone，withalittlehelpifhedidnotknowhowtojointhedifferentparts。Everythingwasplainandsimple，afterplansofhisown，buttheHarvesterlaidfloorsandmadewindowcasings，seats，anddoorsofwoodthatthebigfactoriesofGrandRapidsusedinveneeringtheirfinestfurniture。Whenoneofhiscarpenterspointedoutthistohim，andsuggestedthathesellhislumbertoMcLeanandusepineflooringfromthemillstheHarvesterlaughedathim。
``Idon’tsaythatIcouldaffordtobuyburlmaple，walnut，andcherryforwood-work，’’saidtheHarvester。
``Icouldnot，butsinceIhaveit，youcanstakeyourlifeIwon’tsellitandbuildmyhomeofcheap，rapidlydecayingwood。ThebestIhavegoesintothiscabinandwhatremainswilldotosell。Ihaveanideathatwhenthisisdoneitisgoingtoappearfirstrate。Anyway，itwillbesolidenoughtolastathousandyears，andwitheverydayofusenaturalwoodgrowsmorebeautiful。
Whenwegetsometables，couches，andchairsmadefromthesametimberasthecasingsandthefloors，I
thinkitwillbefine。Iwantmoney，butIdon’twantitbadenoughtopartwiththeBESTofanythingIhaveforit。Gocarefullyandneatlythere；itwillhavetobechangedifyoudon’t。’’
Sotheworkprogressedrapidly。Whenthecarpentershadfinishedthelaststrokeonthebigverandatheyremainedadaymoreandmadeflowerboxes，andaswingingcouch，andthenthegreedyHarvesterkeptthebestmanwithhimaweeklongertohelponthefurniture。
``Ain’tyougoingtosayawordabouther，Langston？’’
askedthismanastheyputamirror-likesurfaceonacurlymapledressingtabletop。
``Her！’’ejaculatedtheHarvester。``Whatdoyoumean？’’
``Ihaven’tseenyoubatheanywhereexceptinthelakesinceIhavebeenhere，’’saidthecarpenter。``Doyouwantmetothinkthataporcelaintub，thisbigcloset，andchestofdrawersareforyou？’’
