"But for Heaven's sake, don't intimate that you are taking any interest in it, or it will go to pounding until your head will bounce. It's one member of my body that I can't control where you are concerned."
"I thought you didn't like me any more."
"Careful!" warned the Harvester. "You are yet too close Heaven to fib like that, Ruth. What have Idone to indicate that I don't love you more than ever?"
"Stayed away nearly every minute for three awful days, and wouldn't come without being dragged; and now you're wishing they would hurry and fix that bed, so you can put me down and go back to your rank old herbs again."
"Well of all the black prevarications! I went when you sent me, and came when you called. I'd willingly give up my hope of what Granny calls `salvation' to hold you as I am for an hour, and you know it."
"It's going to be much longer than that," said the Girl nestling to him. "I asked for you because you never hurt me, and they always do. I knew you were so strong that my weight now wouldn't be a load for one of your hands, and I am not going back to that bed until I am so tired that I will be glad to lie down."
For a long time she was so silent the Harvester thought her going to sleep; and having learned that for him joy was probably transient, he deliberately got all he could.
He closely held the hand she had not withdrawn, and often lifted it to his lips. Sometimes he stroked the heavy braid, gently ran his hands across the tired shoulders, or eased her into a different position. There was not a doubt in his mind of one thing. He was having a royal, good time, and he was thankful for the work he had set his assistants that kept them out of the room.
They seemed in no hurry, and from scuffling, laughing, and a steady stream of talk, they were entertained at least. At last the Girl roused.
"There is something I want to ask you," she said.
"I promised Doctor Harmon I would."
Instantly the heart of the Harvester gave a leap that jarred the head resting on it.
"You don't like him?" questioned the Girl.
"I do!" declared the Harvester. "I like him immensely.
There is not a fine, manly good-looking feature about him that I have missed. I don't fail to do him justice on every point."
"I'm so glad! Then you will want him to remain."
"Here?" asked the Harvester with a light, hot breath.
"In Onabasha! Doctor Carey has offered him the place of chief assistant at the hospital. There is a good salary and the chance of taking up the doctor's work as he grows older. It means plenty to do at once, healthful atmosphere, congenial society----everything to a young man. He only had a call once in a while in Chicago, often among people who received more than they paid, like me, and he was very lonely. I think it would be great for him."
"And for you, Ruth?"
"It doesn't make the least difference to me; but for his sake, because I think so much of him, I would like to see him have the place."
"You still think so much of him, Ruth?"
"More, if possible," said the Girl. "Added to all Iowed him before, he has come here and worked for days to save me, and it wasn't his fault that it took a bigger man. Nothing alters the fact that he did all he could, most graciously and gladly."
"What do you mean, Ruth?" stammered the Harvester.
"Oh they have worn themselves out!" cried the Girl impatiently. "First, Granny Moreland told me every least little detail of how I went out, and you resurrected me. I knew what she said was true, because she worked with you. Then Doctor Carey told me, and Mrs. Carey, and Doctor Harmon, and Molly, and even Granny's little assistant has left the kitchen to tell me that Iowe my life to you, and all of them might as well have saved breath. I knew all the time that if ever I came out of this, and had a chance to be like other women, it would be your work, and I'm glad it is. I'd hate to be under obligations to some people I know; but Ifeel honoured to be indebted to you."
"I'm mighty sorry they worried you. I had no idea----"
"They didn't `worry,' me! I am just telling you that I knew it all the time; that's all!"
"Forget that!" said the Harvester. "Come back to our subject. What was it you wanted, dear?"
"To know if you have any objections to Doctor Harmon remaining in Onabasha?"
"Certainly not! It will be a fine thing for him."
"Will it make any difference to you in any way?"
"Ruth, that's probing too deep," said the Harvester.
"I don't see why!"
"I'm glad of it!"
"Why?"
"I'd least rather show my littleness to you than to any one else on earth."
"Then you have some feeling about it?"
"Perhaps a trifle. I'll get over it. Give me a little time to adjust myself. Doctor Harmon shall have the place, of course. Don't worry about that!"
"He will be so happy!"
"And you, Ruth?"
"I'll be happy too!"
"Then it's all right," said the Harvester.
He laid down her hand, drew the cover over it, and slightly shifted her position to rest her. The door opened, and Doctor Harmon announced that the room was ready. It was shining and fresh. The bed was now turned with its head to the north, so that from it one could see the big trees in Medicine Woods, the sweep of the hillside, the sparkle of mallow-bordered Singing Water, the driveway and the gold flower garden. Everything was so changed that the room had quite a different appearance. The instant he laid her on it the Girl said, "This bed is not mine."
"Yes it is," said the Harvester. "You see, we were a little excited sometimes, and we spilled a few quarts of perfectly good medicine on your mattress. It was hopelessly smelly and ruined; so I am going to cremate it and this is your splinter new one and a fresh pad and pillow. Now you try them and see if they are not much harder and more comfortable."
"This is just perfect!" she sighed, as she sank into the bed.
The Harvester bent over her to straighten the cover, when suddenly she reached both arms around his neck, and gripped him with all her strength.
"Thank you!" she said.
"May I hold you to-morrow?" whispered the Harvester, emboldened by this.
"Please do," said the Girl.
The Harvester, with dog to heel, went to the oak to think.
