here the best I could. Of all the fool, unreliable dogs that
ever trod a man's tracks, you are the limit! And you
never before failed me! You blame, degenerate pup,
you!''

The Harvester paused for breath and the dog subsided
to a pitiful whimper. He was eager to return to the
man who had struck him the first blow his pampered
body ever had received; but he could not understand a
kick and harsh words for him, so he lay quivering with
anxiety and fear.

``You howling, whimpering idiot!'' exclaimed the
Harvester. ``Choose a day like this to spoil! Air to
intoxicate a mummy! Roots swelling! Buds bursting! Harvest
close and you'd call me off and put me at work
like that, would you? If I ever had supposed
lost all your senses, I never would have asked you.
Six years you have decided my fate, when the first
bluebird came, and you've been true blue every time.
If I ever trust you again! But the mischief is done
now.

``Have you forgotten that your name means `to protect?'
Don't you remember it is because of that, it is
your name? Protect! I'd have trusted you with my
life, Bell! You gave it to me the time you pointed that
rattler within six inches of my fingers in the blood-root
bed. You saw the falling limb in time to warn me. You
always know where the quicksands lie. But you are