c and Dan were not the first in all the concessions to finish the
getting in of the hay, but they were by no means the last. It was all
got in in a good state, too; and the grain-harvest began cheerfully and
ended successfully. Shenac took the lead in the cutting of the grain.

In those days, in that part of the country, there were none of those
wonderful machines which now begin to make farm-work light. The horses
were used to draw the grain and hay to the barn or the stacks when it
was ready; but there were no patent rakes or mowing or reaping machines
for them to draw. All the wheat, and a good deal of the other grain,
was cut down with the old-fashioned hook or sickle, the reapers stooping
low to their work. It was tedious and exhausting labour, and slow, too.
Shenac's "faculty" and perfect health stood her in good stead at this
work as at other things. She tired herself thoroughly every day, but
she was young and strong; and though the summer nights were short there
was no part of them lost to her, for she fell asleep the moment her head
touched the pillow. Even thoughts of the weary and suffering Hamish did
not often disturb her rest. She slept the dreamless sleep of perfect
health till the dawn awakened her, cheerful and ready for another day's
labour.

They had very little help for the harvest. There was one moonlight bee.
They say the grain is more easily cut with the dew upon it; and
moonlight bees are common in Glengarry even now. But Shenac and her
brothers knew nothing of this one till, on going out in the morning,
they found more than half of their wheat lying ready to be bound up in
sheaves.

The rest of the harvest was very successful. Indeed, it was a
favourable harvest everywhere that year. There was rejoicing through
all the township--through many town-ships; and even the most earthly and
churlish of the farmers assented with a good grace when a day of
thanksgiving was appointed, and kept it outwardly in appearance, if not
inwardly with the heart.

As for Shenac, it would be impossible to describe her triumph and
thankfulness when the last sheaf was safely gathered in. For she was
truly thankful, though I am afraid her triumphant self-congratulation
went even beyond her thankfulness. Her thankfulness was not displayed
in a way that made it apparent to others; but it filled her heart and
gave her courage to look forward. It did more than this: it gave her a
self-reliance quite unusua