nd the girl and empty the room. Clean, air, and
fumigate it thoroughly. Arrange the furniture differently, and help me
into the living-room with Ruth." He handed the pad to the doctor.

"Please attend to that," he said, and to the Girl: "Now we go on a
journey. Doc, you and Molly take the corners of the rug we are on and
slide us into the other room until you get this aired and freshened."

In the living-room the Girl took one long look at the surroundings
and suddenly relaxed. She cuddled against the Harvester and lifting a
tremulous white hand, drew it across his unshaven cheek.

"Feels so good," she said. "I'm sick and tired of immaculate men."

The Harvester laughed, tucked her feet in the cover and held her
tenderly. The Girl lay with her cheek against the rough khaki, palpitant
with the excitement of being moved.

"Isn't it great?" she panted.

He caught the hand that had touched his cheek in a tender grip, and
laughed a deep rumble of exultation that came from the depths of his
heart.

"There's no name for it, honey," he said. "But don't try to talk until
you have a long rest. Changing positions after you have lain so long may
be making unusual work for your heart. Am I hurting your back?"

"No," said the Girl. "This is the first time I have been comfortable in
ages. Am I tiring you?"

"Yes," laughed the Harvester. "You are almost as heavy as a large sack
of leaves, but not quite equal to a bridge pillar or a log. Be sure to
think of that, and worry considerably. You are in danger of straining my
muscles to the last degree, my heart included."

"Where is your heart?" whispered the Girl.

"Right under your cheek," answered the Harvester. "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 I done 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
'sa