to their decrees you will have a bad
time."

The Girl's smile was a little wan. She sank on a chair and picked up a
pencil.

"Lay that down!" cried the Harvester. "You haven't had permission from
the Dictator to begin drawing. You are to sit and rest a long time."

"Please may I speak?" asked the Girl.

The Harvester grew foolishly happy. Was she really going to play the
game? Of course he had hoped, but it was a hope without any foundation.

"You may," he said soberly.

"I am afraid that if you don't allow me to draw the moth at once, I'll
never get it done. I dislike to mention it on your good day, but Aunt
Molly is very restless. I got a neighbour's little girl to watch her and
call me if I'm wanted. It's quite certain that I must go soon, so if you
would like the moth----"

"When luck is coming your way, never hurry it! You always upset the bowl
if you grow greedy and crowd. If it is a gamble whether I get this moth,
I'll take the chance; but I won't change my foreordained programme for
this afternoon. First, you are to sit still ten minutes, shut your eyes,
and rest. I can't sing, but I can whistle, and I'm going to entertain
you so you won't feel alone. Ready now!"

The Girl leaned her elbows on the table, closed her eyes, and pressed
her slender white hands over them.

"Please don't call the birds," she said. "I can't rest if you do. It was
so exciting trying to see all of them and guess what they were saying."

"No," said the Harvester gently. "This ten minutes is for relaxation,
you know. You ease every muscle, sink limply on your chair, lean on the
table, let go all over, and don't think. Just listen to me. I assure you
it's going to be perfectly lovely."

Watching intently he saw the strained muscles relaxing at his suggestion
and caught the smile over the last words as he slid into a soft whistle.
It was an easy, slow, old-fashioned tune, carrying along gently, with
neither heights nor depths, just monotonous, sleepy, soothing notes,
that went on and on with a little ripple of change at times, only to
return to the theme, until at last the Girl lifted her head.

"It's away past ten minutes," she said, "but that was a real rest.
Truly, I am better prepared for work."

"Broke the rule, too!" said the Harvester. "It was, for me to say when
time was up. Can't you allow me to have my way for ten minutes?"

"I am so anxious to see and draw this moth," she answered. "And first of
all you promised t