"It would depend altogether
on who wanted anything of me and what they asked. If you would undertake
to coax and insinuate, you never would get it done, because I'd see what
you needed and have it at hand before you had time."

The Girl looked at him wonderingly.

"Now don't spring your recurrent 'why' on me," said the Harvester. "I'll
tell you 'why' some of these days. Just now answer me this question: Do
you want me to remain here or leave until you finish? Which way would
you be least afraid?"

"I am not at all afraid on the rug and with my work," she said. "If you
want to hunt ginseng go by all means."

"I don't want to hunt anything," said the Harvester. "But if you are
more comfortable with me away, I'll be glad to go. I'll leave the dog
with you."

He gave a short whistle and Belshazzar came bounding to him. The
Harvester stepped to the Girl's side, and dropping on one knee, he drew
his hand across the rug close to her skirts.

"Right here, Belshazzar," he said. "Watch! You are on guard, Bel."

"Well of all names for a dog!" exclaimed the Girl. "Why did you select
that?"

"My mother named my first dog Belshazzar, and taught me why; so each of
the three I've owned since have been christened the same. It means 'to
protect' and that is the office all of them perform; this one especially
has filled it admirably. Once I failed him, but he never has gone back
on me. You see he is not a particle afraid of me. Every step I take, he
is at my heels."

"So was Bill Sikes' dog, if I remember."

The Harvester laughed.

"Bel," he said, "if you could speak you'd say that was an ugly one,
wouldn't you?"

The dog sprang up and kissed the face of the man and rubbed a loving
head against his breast.

"Thank you!" said the Harvester. "Now lie down and protect this woman as
carefully as you ever watched in your life. And incidentally, Bel,
tell her that she can't exterminate me more than once a day, and the
performance is accomplished for the present. I refuse to be a willing
sacrifice. 'So was Bill Sikes' dog!' What do you think of that, Bel?"

The Harvester arose and turned to go.

"What if this thing attempts to fly?" she asked.

"Your pardon," said the Harvester. "If the emperor moves, slide the lid
over the box a few seconds, until he settles and clings quietly again,
and then slowly draw it away. If you are careful not to jar the table
heavily he will not go for hours yet."

Again he turned.

"If there