ack of the orchard and garden stood three big red barns. These barns
were full of wonders for Helen. She was always glad to go into them
with her father, and see the piles of corn and wheat, the plows and
wagons, and the many other things that were there.

One morning in the harvest-time Helen was standing alone upon the
door-step. The sun shone bright; the robins were singing in the
apple-trees; the grasshoppers were chirping in the lane; but Helen
heard only the sound of the far-off reaper, as it came to her through
the soft morning air. She knew that her father was with the reaper.

Don't you know what a reaper is? It is that with which the farmer cuts
his grain when it is ripe. It is drawn by horses, and it cuts down the
grain stalks with many sharp knives, which move back and forth very
fast.

"I think I will go out to the field and help father," said Helen to
herself.

In another moment the little feet were turned toward the harvest field.

Across the orchard and down the lane she went, carrying her sunbonnet
in her hand and talking to the grasshoppers, which would somehow get in
her way.

But when at last she came to the field, she saw the men and the reaper
far away toward the other side.

Helen kept on across the field, for she thought that she would soon
catch up with the men. But it did not take long for the little feet to
grow very tired.

Then she sat down on a sheaf of wheat and looked around her, wishing
that her father would come.

Just in front of her the tall yellow grain was still standing. Helen
wondered why her father had not cut it down.

As she was looking, a lark flew out from among the grain singing a
rich, clear song. The little child clapped her hands for joy. Then
she jumped from her seat and ran toward the place from which the bird
had flown.

"There is a nest in there, and I am going to find it," said Helen to
herself. She parted the tall yellow wheat-stalks to right and left,
and went forward, looking all about her with her bright, sharp eyes.
She did not have to go very far, for right before her was the nest,
sure enough, and in it were three little birds.

Was there ever anything so cunning as those little heads, with their
tiny bills wide open! It was such a pretty place for a nest, too.
Helen clapped her hands again, she was so happy.

Then she sat down by the nest, but she did not touch the birdies. It
was like being in a golden forest, for the grain was