et until they are
wanted. They can be sunned and the bed made delightfully fresh."

"Of course," said the Harvester.

When he had finished, he spread a cover on the dressing table and
laid out white toilet articles and grouped a white wash set with green
decorations on the stand. Then he brushed the floor, spread a big green
rug in the middle and small ones before the bed, stand, and table, and
coming out closed the door.

"Guest chamber with lake view is now ready for company," announced the
Harvester. "Repeat the operation on the woods room, finished also. Why
do some people make work of things and string them out eternally and
fuss so much? Isn't this simple and easy, Ruth?"

"Yes, if you can afford it," said the Girl.

"Forbear!" cried the Harvester. "We have the goods, the dealer has my
check. Excuse me ten minutes, until I furnish another room."

The laughing Girl could catch glimpses of him busy over beds and
dresser, floor and rugs; then he came where she sat.

"Woods guest chamber ready," he said. "Now we come to the interior
apartment, that from its view might be called the marsh room. Aside
from being two windows short, it is exactly similar to the others. It
occurred to me that, in order to make up for the loss of those windows,
and also because I may be compelled to ask some obliging woman to occupy
it in case your health is precarious at any time, and in view of the
further fact that if any such woman could be found, and would kindly and
willingly care for us, my gratitude would be inexpressible; on account
of all these things, I got a shade the BEST furnishings for this room."

The Girl stared at him with blank face.

"You see," said the Harvester, "this is a question of ethics. Now what
is a guest? A thing of a day! A person who disturbs your routine and
interferes with important concerns. Why should any one be grateful for
company? Why should time and money be lavished on visitors? They come.
You overwork yourself. They go. You are glad of it. You return the
visit, because it's the only way to have back at them; but why pamper
them unnecessarily? Now a good housekeeper, that means more than words
can express. Comfort, kindness, sanitary living, care in illness! Here's
to the prospective housekeeper of Medicine Woods! Rogers, hang those
ruffled embroidered curtains. Observe that whereas mere guest beds
are plain white, this has a touch of brass. Where guest rugs are floor
coverings, this is a w