e Harvester.

She advanced and handed him the roll of bills.

"I had a feeling you would be reckless," she said. "I saw it in your
face, so I came back as soon as I could steal away, and sure enough,
there lay your money and the books and everything. I hid them in the
thicket, so they will be all right. I've almost prayed it wouldn't rain.
I didn't dare carry them to the house. Please take the money. I haven't
time to argue about it or strength, but of course I can't possibly use
it unless I earn it. I'm so anxious to see the pencils and paper."

The Harvester thrust the money into his pocket. The Girl went to the
table, opened and spread the paper, and took out the pencils.

"Is my subject in here?" she touched the colour box.

"No, the other."

"Is it alive? May I open it?"

"We will be very careful at first," said the Harvester. "It only left
its case in the night and may fly. When the weather is so warm the wings
develop rapidly. Perhaps if I remove the lid----"

He took off the cover, exposing a big moth, its lovely, pale yellow
wings, flecked with heliotrope, outspread as it clung to a twig in the
box. The Girl leaned forward.

"What is it?" she asked.

"One of the big night moths that emerge and fly a few hours in June."

"Is this what you want for your candlestick?"

"If I can't do better. There is one other I prefer, but it may not come
at a time that you can get it right."

"What do you mean by 'right'?"

"So that you can copy it before it wants to fly."

"Why don't you chloroform and pin it until I am ready?"

"I am not in the business of killing and impaling exquisite creatures
like that."

"Do you mean that if I can't draw it when it is just right you will let
it go?"

"I do."

"Why?"

"I told you why."

"I know you said you were not in the business, but why wouldn't you take
only one you really wanted to use?"

"I would be afraid," replied the Harvester.

"Afraid? You!"

"I must have a mighty good reason before I kill," said the man. "I
cannot give life; I have no right to take it away. I will let my
statement stand. I am afraid."

"Of what please?"

"An indefinable something that follows me and makes me suffer if I am
wantonly cruel."

"Is there any particular pose in which you want this bird placed?"

"Allow me to present you to the yellow emperor, known in the books as
eagles imperialis," he said. "I want him as he clings naturally and life
size."

She took up a