that is very arbitrary!" cried Mr. Kennedy. "You don't
understand! They are a couple of old people, and they are slowly dying
of broken hearts!"

"Not so badly broken or they wouldn't die slowly," commented the Girl
grimly. "The heart that was really broken was my mother's. The torture
of a starved, overworked body and hopeless brain was hers. There was
nothing slow about her death, for she went out with only half a life
spent, and much of that in acute agony, because of their negligence.
David, you often have said that this is my home. I choose to take you at
your word. Will you kindly tell this man that he is not welcome in this
house, and I wish him to leave it at once?"

The Harvester stepped back, and his face grew very white.

"I can't, Ruth," he said gently.

"Why not?"

"Because I brought him here."

"You brought him here! You! David, are you crazy? You!"

"It is through me that he came."

The Girl caught the mantel for support.

"Then I stand alone again," she said. "Harvester, I had thought you were
on my side."

"I am at your feet," said the man in a broken voice. "Ruth dear, will
you let me explain?"

"There is only one explanation, and with what you have done for me fresh
in my mind, I can't put it into words."

"Ruth, hear me!"

"I must! You force me! But before you speak understand this: Not now, or
through all eternity, do I forgive the inexcusable neglect that drove my
mother to what I witnessed and was helpless to avert."

"My dear! My dear!" said the Harvester, "I had hoped the woods had done
a more perfect work in your heart. Your mother is lying in state now,
Girl, safe from further suffering of any kind; and if I read aright, her
tired face and shrivelled frame were eloquent of forgiveness. Ruth dear,
if she so loved them that her heart was broken and she died for them,
think what they are suffering! Have some mercy on them."

"Get this very clear, David," said the Girl. "She died of hunger
for food. Her heart was not so broken that she couldn't have lived a
lifetime, and got much comfort out of it, if her body had not lacked
sustenance. Oh I was so happy a minute ago. David, why did you do this
thing?"

The Harvester picked up the Girl, placed her in a chair, and knelt
beside her with his arms around her.

"Because of the PAIN IN THE WORLD, Ruth," he said simply. "Your mother
is sleeping sweetly in the long sleep that knows neither anger nor
resentment; and so I was forced