e flood
broke, and there did a warm tide go through all my being, like you said
it would; and now, David, I know what you mean by love. I called
the maids and they packed my trunk and grandmother's, and I had
grandfather's valet pack his, and go and secure berths and tickets, and
learn about trains, and I got everything ready, even to the ambulance
and doctor; but I waited until morning to tell them. I knew they would
not let me come alone, so I brought them along. David, what in the world
are we going to do with them?"

The Harvester drew a deep breath and looked at the flushed face of the
Girl.

"With no time to mature a plan, I would say that we are going to love
them, care for them, gradually teach them our work, and interest them in
our plans here; and so soon as they become reconciled we will build them
such a house as they want on the hill facing us, just across Singing
Water, and there they may have every luxury they can provide for
themselves, or we can offer, and the pleasure of your presence, and both
of them can grow strong and happy. I'll have grandmother on her feet in
ten days, and the edge off grandfather's tongue in three. That bluster
of his is to drown tears, Ruth; I saw it to-night. And when they pass
over we will carry them up and lay them beside her under the oak, and
we can take the house we build for them, if you like it better, and use
this for a store-room."

"Never!" said the Girl. "Never! My sunshine room and gold garden so long
as I live. Never again will I leave them. If this cabin grows too small,
we will build all over the hillside; but my room and garden and this and
the dining-room and your den there must remain as they are now."

The Harvester arose and drew the davenport before the fireplace, and
heaped pillows. "You are so tired you are trembling, and your voice is
quivering," he said. He lifted the Girl, laid her down and arranged the
coverlet.

"Go to sleep!" he ordered gently. "You have made me so wildly happy that
I could run and shout like a madman. Try to rest, and maybe the fairies
who aid me will put my kiss back on your lips. I am going to the hill
top to tell mother and my God."

He knelt and gathered her in his arms a second, then called Belshazzar
to guard, and went into the sweet spring night, to jubilate with that
wild surge of passion that sweeps the heart of a strong man when he is
most nearly primal. He climbed the hill at a rush, and standing beneath
the oak