Harvest is a novel written by Mrs. Humphrey Ward, first published in 1888. The story is set in rural England during the late 19th century and follows the life of a young woman named Leslie Stephen, who is forced to leave her privileged life in London to take care of her family's farm in the countryside after her father's sudden death. As she struggles to adapt to her new life, Leslie faces many challenges, including financial difficulties, harsh weather conditions, and social isolation. However, she also finds solace in the beauty of nature and the kindness of the local community. Throughout the novel, Ward explores themes of class, gender, and the changing landscape of rural England. She also delves into the complexities of family relationships and the tension between tradition and modernity. Overall, Harvest is a poignant and insightful portrayal of life in the English countryside during a time of great social and economic change. Ward's vivid descriptions of the natural world and her nuanced characterizations make this novel a timeless classic.1920. Frontispiece by Allan Gilbert. The novelist Mrs. Humphrey Ward (Mary Arnold Ward), was the niece of the poet Matthew Arnold, and granddaughter of Dr. Thomas Arnold, the headmaster of Rugby School who was immortalized as a character in the novel Tom Brown's Schooldays. Harvest begins: Two old laborers came out of the lane leading to Great End Farm. Both carried bags slung on sticks over their shoulders. One, the eldest and tallest, was a handsome fellow, with regular features and a delicately humorous mouth. His stoop and his slouching gait, the gray locks also, which straggled from under his broad hat, showed him an old man-probably very near his old-age pension. But he carried still with him a look of youth, and he had been a splendid creature in this time. The other was short of stature and of neck, bent besides by field work. A broadly-build, clumsy man, with something gnome-like about him, and the cheerful look of one whose country nerves had never known the touch of worry or long sickness. The name of the taller man was Peter Halsey, and Joseph Batts was his companion. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.