and true! You was jest the
light of her eyes. I don't see how a girl could think more of a man.
What in the name of sense are you expecting months of separation to
teach her, but to forget you, and mebby turn her to some one else?"

"I hoped it would teach her what I call love, means," explained the
Harvester.

"Why you dratted popinjay! If ever in all my born days I wanted to take
a man and jest lit'rally mop up the airth with him, it's right here and
now. 'Absence teach her what you call love.' Idiot! That's your job!"

"But, Granny, I couldn't!"

"Wouldn't, you mean, no doubt! I hain't no manner of a notion in my head
but that child, depending on you, and grateful as she was, and tender
and loving, and all sech as that I hain't a doubt but she come to you
plain and told you she loved you with all her heart. What more could you
ast?"

"That she understand what love means before I can accept what she
offers."

"You puddin' head! You blunderbuss!" cried Granny. "Understand what you
mean by love. If you're going to bar a woman from being a wife 'til
she knows what you mean by love, you'll stop about nine tenths of
the weddings in the world, and t'other tenth will be women that no
decent-minded man would jine with."

"Granny, are you sure?"

"Well livin' through it, and up'ard of seventy years with other women,
ort to teach me something. The Girl offered you all any man needs to ast
or git. Her foundations was laid in faith and trust. Her affections was
caught by every loving, tender, thoughtful thing you did for her; and
everybody knows you did a-plenty, David. I never see sech a master hand
at courtin' as you be. You had her lovin' you all any good woman knows
how to love a man. All you needed to a-done was to take her in your
arms, and make her your wife, and she'd 'a' waked up to what you meant
by love."

"But suppose she never awakened?"

"Aw, bosh! S'pose water won't wet! S'pose fire won't burn! S'pose the
sun won't shine! That's the law of nature, man! If you think I hain't
got no sense at all I jest dare you to ask Doctor Carey. 'Twouldn't take
him long to comb the kinks out of you."

"I don't think you have left any, Granny," said the Harvester. "I see
what you mean, and in all probability you are right, but I can't send
for the Girl."

"Name o' goodness why?"

"Because I sent her away against her will, and now she is remaining so
long that there is every probability she prefers the life she is