pencil.

"If you don't mind," said the Harvester, "would you draw on this other
paper? I very much want the colour, also, and you can use it on this.
I brought a box along, and I'll get you water. I had it all ready
yesterday."

"Did you have this same moth?"

"No, I had another."

"Did you have the one you wanted most?"

"Yes----but it's no difference."

"And you let it go because I was not here?"

"No. It went on account of exquisite beauty. If kept in confinement it
would struggle and break its wings. You see, that one was a delicate
green, where this is yellow, plain pale blue green, with a lavender rib
here, and long curled trailers edged with pale yellow, and eye spots
rimmed with red and black."

As the Harvester talked he indicated the points of difference with a
pencil he had picked up; now he laid it down and retreated beyond the
limits of the rug.

"I see," said the Girl. "And this is colour?"

She touched the box.

"A few colours, rather," said the Harvester. "I selected enough to fill
the box, with the help of the clerk who sold them to me. If they are not
right, I have permission to return and exchange them for anything you
want."

With eager fingers she opened the box, and bent over it a face filled
with interest.

"Oh how I've always wanted this! I scarcely can wait to try it. I do
hope I can have it for my very own. Was it quite expensive?"

"No. Very cheap!" said the Harvester. "The paper isn't worth mentioning.
The little, empty tin box was only a few cents, and the paints differ
according to colour. Some appear to be more than others. I was surprised
that the outfit was so inexpensive."

A skeptical little smile wavered on the Girl's face as she drew her
slender fingers across the trays of bright colour.

"If one dared accept your word, you really would be a comfort," she
said, as she resolutely closed the box, pushed it away, and picked up a
pencil.

"If you will take the trouble to inquire at the banks, post office,
express office, hospital or of any druggist in Onabasha, you will
find that my word is exactly as good as my money, and taken quite as
readily."

"I didn't say I doubted you. I have no right to do that until I feel
you deceive me. What I said was 'dared accept,' which means I must not,
because I have no right. But you make one wonder what you would do if
you were coaxed and asked for things and led by insinuations."

"I can tell you that," said the Harvester.