第1章

ListofCharactersLINDASTRONG，HerFather\'sDaughterDR。ALEXANDERSTRONG，aGreatNerveSpecialistMRS。STRONG，HisWifeEILEENSTRONG，HavingSocialAspirationsMR。ANDMRS。THORNE，NeighborsoftheStrongsMARIANTHORNE，aDreamerofHousesJOHNGILMAN，aManofLawPETERMORRISON，anAuthorHENRYANDERSON，anArchitectDONALDWHITING，aHighSchoolSeniorMARYLOUISEWHITING，HisSisterJUDGEANDMRS。WHITING，aManofLawandaWomanofCultureKATHERINEO\'DONOVAN，theStrongCookOKASAYYE，aHighSchoolSeniorJAMESHEITMAN，AccidentallyRichMRS。CAROLINEHEITMAN，HisWifeCHAPTERI。"WhatKindofShoesAretheShoesYouWear？"

"Whatmakesyouwearsuchfunnyshoes？"

LindaStrongthrustforwardafootandcriticallyexaminedthenarrowvamp，theprojectingsole，thebroad，lowheelofherwell-wornbrowncalfskinshoe。ThenherglanceliftedtothefaceofDonaldWhiting，oneofthemostbrilliantandpopularseniorsofthehighschool。Hereyesnarrowedinamannerhabitualtoherwhenthinkingintently。

"Neveryoumindmyshoes，"shesaiddeliberately。"Kindlyfixyourattentiononmyheadpiece。WhenyouseemeallowinganyJapinmyclasstomakehighergradesthanIdo，thenIgiveyouleavetosayanythingyoupleaseconcerningmyhead。"

Anangryredrushedtotheboy\'sface。ItwasanirritatingfactthatintheseniorclassofthatparticularLosAngeleshighschoolaJapaneseboystoodatthehead。Thiswasembarrassingtoeverysenior。

"Isay，"saidDonaldWhiting，"Icallthatameanthrust。"

"Ihaveaparticularreason，"saidLinda。

"AndIhave\'aparticularreason\'，"saidDonald，"forbeinginterestedinyourshoes。"

Lindalaughedsuddenly。WhenLindalaughed，whichwasveryseldom，thosewithinhearingturnedtolookather。Herswasnotalaughthatcanbeachieved。TherewereafewhighplacesonthepeakofLinda\'ssoul，andononeofthemhomedasmallflockofnotesofrapture；notesassweetasthevoiceofthewhite-bandedmockingbirdofArgentina。

"Howsurprising！"exclaimedLinda。"Wehavebeenattendingthesameschoolforthreeyears；now，youstopmesuddenlytotellmethatyouareinterestedintheshapeofmyshoes。"

"Ihavebeenwatchingthemallthetime，"saidDonald。\'Can\'tunderstandwhyanygirlwantstobesodifferent。Whydon\'tyoudressyourhairthesameastheothergirlsandwearthesamekindofclothesandshoes？"

"Nowlookhere，"interposedLinda"Youareflyingthetrack。I

amwillingtojustifymyshoes，ifIcan，buthereyougoincludingmydressandabigpsychologicalproblem，aswell；butIthinkperhapsthewhyoftheshoeswillexplaintheremainder。

Doesthename\'AlexanderStrong\'meananythingtoyou？"

"Thegreatnervespecialist？"askedDonald。

"Yes，"saidLinda。"Themanwhowastheauthorofhalf-dozenbooksthathavebeentranslatedintomanyforeigntongue\'andareusedasauthoritiesallovertheworld。HehappenedtobemyfatherTherearetwochildreninourfamily。IhaveasisterfouryearsolderthanIamwhoisexactlylikeMother，andsheandMotherwereinseparable。IamexactlylikeFather；becauseweunderstoodeachother，andbecausebothofusalwaysnew，althoughwenevermentionedit；

thatMotherpreferredmysisterEileentome，Fathertriedtomakeituptome，sofromthetimeIcanrememberIwasathisheels。Itneverbotheredhimtohavemeplayingaroundinthelibrarywhilehewaswritinghismostcomplicatedtreatise。

Ihavewaitedinhiscarhalfadayatatime，playingorreading，whilehewatchedapatientordeliveredalectureatsomemedicalcollege。Hismentalrelaxationwastohikeortomotortothesea，tothemountains，tothecanyonsorthedesert，andheveryseldomwentwithoutmeevenonlongtripswhenhewasfishingorhuntingwithothermen。Therewasnotmuchtoknowconcerningawoman\'sframeorhepsychologythatFatherdidnotknow，sothereweretworeasonwhyheselectedmyfootwearashedid。Onewasbecausehebebelievedhighheelsandpointedtoesanoutrageagainstthenervousprovince，andtheotherwasthatIcouldnotpossiblyhavekeptpacewithhimexceptinshoeslikethese。Nodoubt，theyarethesamekindI

shallwearallmylife，forwalking。Youprobablydon\'tknowit，butmyhomeliesnearthemiddleofLilacValleyandIwalkoveramileeachmorningandeveningtoandfromthecars。Doesthissufficientlyexplainmyshoes？"

"Ishouldthinkyou\'dfeelqueer，"saidDonald。

"IsuspectIwouldifIhadtimetobroodoverit，"Lindareplied，"butIhaven\'t。Imusthustletogettoschoolontimeinthemorning。It\'snearlyorquitedarkbeforeIreachhomeintheevening。Myfatherbelievedinhavingagoodtime。Hehadsuperbhealth，sohespentmostofwhathemadeasitcametohim。Hecountedonalonglife。ItneveroccurredtohimthatalittlepieceofmachinerygoingwrongwouldplungehimintoEternityinasecond。"

"Oh，Iremember！"criedtheboy。

Linda\'sfacepaledslightly。

"Yes，"shesaid，"ithappenedfouryearsagoandIhaven\'tgottenawayfromthehorrorofityet，enoughevertostepinsideofamotorcar；butIamgoingtogetoverthatoneofthesedays。

Brakesarenotalldefective，andonemusttakeone\'srisks。"

"YoujustbetIwould，"saidDonald。"Motoringisoneofthegreatestpleasuresofmodernlife。I\'llwageritmakessomeofthegayoldboys，likeMarcusAureliusforexample，wanttoturnoverintheirgraveswhentheyseeusflyingalongtheroadsofCaliforniathewaywedo。"

"WhatIwasgettingat，"saidLinda，"wasawordofreplytotheremainderofyourindictmentagainstme。Dad\'sincomestoppedwithhim，andhouseholdexpenseswenton，andwarcame，sothereisn\'tenoughmoneytodresstwoofusasmostofthehighschoolgirlsaredressed。Eileenissomucholderthatit\'sherturnfirst，andImustsaysheisnotatallbackwardaboutexercisingherrights。IthinkthatwillhavetosufficeforthequestionofdressbutyoumaybesurethatIamcapableofwearingtheloveliestdressimaginable，thatwouldbeforaschoolgirl，ifIhadittowear。"

"Ah，there\'sthelittle\'flyinyourointment\'——\'dressthatwouldbesuitable。\'IbetinyourheartyouthinkthedressesthathalfthegirlsinhighschoolarewearingareNOTSUITABLE！"

"Commendableperspicacity，Olearnedsenior，"saidLinda，"andamazinglytrue。InthefewshortyearsIhadwithDaddyI

acquiredafixedideaastowhatkindofdressissuitableandsufficientlydurabletowearwhilewalkingmydailytwomiles。I

can\'tseemtobecomereconciledtothecustomofdressingthesameforschoolasforaparty。Yougetmyidea？"

"Igetitallrightenough，"saidDonald，"butImustthinkawhilebeforeIdecidewhetherIagreewithyou。Whyshouldyouberight，andhundredsofothergirlsbewrong？"

"I\'llwageryourmotherwouldagreewithme，"suggestedLinda。

"Didyours？"askedDonald。

"Halfway，"answeredLinda。"Sheagreedwithmeforme，butnotforEileen。"

"Andnotformysister，"saidDonald。"ShewearstheveryfoxiestclothesthatFathercanaffordtopayfor，andwhenshewasgoingtoschoolsheworethemwithouttheleastregardastowhethershewasgoingtoschoolortoateapartyoramatinee。

Forthatmattershefrequentlywenttoallthreethesameday。

"Andthatbringsusstraighttothepointconcerningyou，"saidLinda。

"Sureenough！"saidDonald。"Thereismetobeconsidered！Whatisityouhaveagainstme？"

Lindalookedathimmeditatively。

"YouSEEMexceptionallystrong，"shesaid。"Nodoubtaregoodinathletics。Yourheadlooksallright；itindicatesbrains。WhatIwanttoknowiswhyintheworldyoudon\'tusthem。"

"Whatareyougettingat，anyway？"askedDonald，withmorethanahintofasperitymhisvoice。

"Iamgettingatthefact，"saidLinda，"thataboyasbigasyouandasstrongasyouandwithasgoodbrainandyouropportunityhasallowedalittlebrownJaptocrossthePacificOceanandatotallystrangecountrytolearnalanguageforeigntohim，and，and，withthesamebooksandthesamechances，tobeatyouatyourowngame。Youandeveryotherboyinyourclassesoughttothoroughlyashamedofyourselves。BeforeIwouldletaJap，eitherboyorgirl，leadinmyclass，IwouldgiveupgoingtoschoolandgooutandseeifIcouldbeathimgrowinglettuceandspinach。"

"It\'sallverywelltotalk，"saidDonaldhotly。

"Andit\'sbettertomakegoodwhatyousay，"brokeinLinda，withequalheat。"TherearehalfadozenJapsinmyclassesbutnooneofthemisleading，youwillnotice，ifIdowearpeculiarshoes。"

"Well，youwouldbegoingsomeifyoubeattheleadingJapintheseniorclass，"saidDonald。

"ThenIwouldgosome，"saidLinda。"I\'dbeathim，orI\'dgostraightuptrying。Youcoulddoitifyou\'dmakeupyourmindto。Thetroublewithyouisthatyou\'rewastingyourbrainonspeedinganautomobile，ondances，andallsortsoffoolishnessthatisnotdoingyouanygoodinanyparticularway。Betyouaredevelopingnervessmokingcigarettes。Youarenotconcentrating。OkaSayyeisnotthinkingofathingexceptthetriumphofprovingtoCaliforniathatheisheadmaninoneoftheLosAngeleshighschools。That\'swhatIhavegotagainstyou，andeveryotherwhiteboyinyourclass，andinthelongrunitstacksupbiggerthanyourarraignmentofmyshoes。"

"Oh，darnyourshoes！"criedDonaldhotly。"Forget\'em！I\'vegottomoveonorI\'llbelatefortrigonometry，butIdon\'tknowwhenI\'vehadsuchatidylittlefightwithagirl，andIdon\'tenjoyfeelingthatIhavebeenworsted。Iproposeanothersession。MayIcomeouttoLilacValleySaturdayafternoonandflayyoualivetopayupformypresenthumiliation？""

"Why，ifyourmotherhappenedtobemotoringthatwayandwouldcaretocall，Ithinkthatwouldbefine，"saidLinda。

"Well，fortheLord\'ssake！"exclaimedtheiratesenior。"Can\'tafellowcomeandfightwithyouwithoutbeingrefereedbyhismother？ShallIbringFathertoo？"

"Ionlythought，"saidLindaquietly，"thatyouwouldlikeyourmothertoseethehomeandenvironmentofanygirlwhoseacquaintanceyoumade，butthefightwehavecomingwillinallprobabilitybesuchapitchedbattlethatwhenIgooverthetop，youwon\'tevercaretofollowmeandstartanotherissueontheotherside。You\'redyingrightnowtoaskwhyIwearmyhairinbraidsdownmybackinsteadofincootiecoopsovermyears。"

"Idon\'tgiveahang，"saidDonaldungallantly，"astohowyou；

wearyourhair，butIamcomingSaturdaytofight，andIdon\'tthinkMotherwilltakeanygreaterinterestinthematterthantoknowthatIamgoingtodobattlewithadaughterofDoctorI

Strong。"

"Thatisaverynicecomplimenttomydaddy，thankyou，saidLinda，turningawayandproceedinginthedirectionofherownclassrooms。Therewasabrilliantsparkleinhereyesandshesanginamuffledvoice，yetdistinctlyenoughtobeheard:

"TheshoesIweararecommon-senseshoes，Andyoumaywearthemifyouchoose。"

"Bygracious！She\'snofool，"hesaidtohimself。Inthreeminutes\'unpremeditatedtalkthe"JuniorFreak，"ashementallydenominatedher，hadmanagedtoirritatehim，topuncturehispride，toentertainandamusehim。

"Iwonder——"hesaidashewenthisway；andalldayhekeptonwondering，whenhewasnotstudyingharderthaneverbeforeinallhislife。

ThatnightLindawalkedslowlyalongtheroadtowardhome。ShewasnotseeingthebroadstretchofLilacValley，oneveryhandgreenwithspring，odorouswithcitrusandwildbloom，bluewalledwithlacylilacsveilingthemountainfaceoneitherside；

andshewasnotthinkingofherplain，well-worndressorhercommon-senseshoes。Whatshewasthinkingwasofeveryflaying，scathing，solidlybasedargumentshecouldproducethefollowingSaturdaytospurDonaldWhitinginsomewaytosurpassOkaSayye。

Hischanceremarkthatmorning，astheystoodneareachotherwaitingafewminutesinthehall，hadendedinhisaskingtocometoseeher，andshedecidedasshewalkedhomewardthathisfirstvisitinallprobabilitywouldbehislast，sinceshehadnottimetospareforboys，whenshehadsomanydifferentinterestsinvolved；butshediddecideveryfinelyinherownmindthatthewouldmakethatvisitamemorableoneforhim。

Inarrivingatthisdecisionhermindtraveledanumberofdeviousroads。Thethoughtthatshehadbeencriticizeddidnotannoyherastothekindofcriticism，butshedidresentthequalityoftruthaboutit。Shewasrightinfollowingtherulesherfatherhadlaiddownforherhealthandphysicalwell-being，butwasitrightthatsheshouldwearshoesscuffed，resoled，andevenpatched，whentherewasmoneyenoughforEileentohavemanypairsofexpensivelacedboots，walkingshoes，andfancyslippers？Shewassureshewasrightinwearingdressessuitableforschool，butwasitrightthatshemustwearthemuntiltheyweresunfaded，stained，anddisreputable？WasitrightthatEileenshouldoccupytheirfatherandmother\'ssuite，redecoratedanddaintilyfurnishedaccordingtoherowntaste，tokeepthepartsofthehousethatshecaredtousedecoratedwithflowersandbeautifullyappointed，whileLindamustlockherselfinasmallstuffybedroomroom，dingyandnonetoocomfortable，whenindeferencetoherprideshewishedtoworkinsecretuntilshelearnedwhethershecouldsucceed。

Thenshebeganthinking，anddecidedthattheonlyavailableplaceinthehouseforherusewasthebilliardroom。Shemadeuphermindthatshewoulddemandthesolerighttothisbigatticroom。Shewouldsellthetableandusethemoneytobuyherselfasuitableworktableandarug。ShewoulddemandthatEileenproduceenoughmoneyforbetterclothingforher，andthensherememberedwhatshehadsaidtoDonaldWhitingaboutconqueringherhorrorforamotorcar。Lindaturnedinatthewalkleadingtoherhome，butshepassedthefrontentranceandfollowedaroundtotheside。AsshewentshecouldhearvoicesinthelivingroomandsheknewthatEileenwasentertainingsomeofhermanyfriends；forEileenwasthatpeculiarcreatureknownasasocialbutterfly。Eachdayofherlifefriendscame；orEileenwent——mostlythelatter，forEileenhadaknackofmanagementandshesomanagedherfriendsthat，withouttheirrealizingit，theyentertainedhermanytimeswhilesheentertainedthemonce。Lindawenttothekitchen，Laidherbooksandpackageofmailonthetable，and，walkingovertothestove，sheproceededdeliberatelyandheartilytokissthecook。

"Katy，medarlin\'，"shesaid，"lookuponyouronlychild。Doyounoticea\'leanandhungrylook\'onherclassicfeatures？"

Katyturnedadoringeyestotheyounggirl。

"It\'sgrowingsofastyeare，childie，"shesaid。"It\'sonlyalittlewhiletodinner，andthere\'scompanytonight，sohadn\'tyebetterwaitandnotspoilyourappetitewithpiecing？"

"Istheregoingtobeanything\'jarvis\'？"inquiredLinda。

\'"I\'dsaythereis，"saidKaty。"JohnGilmanishereandtwofriendsofEileen\'s。It\'sanearbanquet，lassie。"

"ThenI\'llwait，"saidLinda。"Iwantthekeystothegarage。"

KatyhandedthemtoherandLindawentdownthebackwalkbeneathanarchoftropicalfoliage，betweenblazingwallsofbrilliantflowerfaces，unlockedthegarage，andstoodlookingatherfather\'srunabout。

Intherevolutionthathadtakenplaceintheirhomeafterthepassingoftheirfatherandmother，Eileenhaddominatedthesituationanddoneasshepleased，withtheexceptionoftwoinstances。Lindahadshownbothtemperanddeterminationattheproposaltodismantlethelibraryanddisposeofthecars。ShehadtoldEileenthatshemighttakethetouringcaranddoasshepleasedwithit。Forhershareshewantedherfather\'sroadster，andshemeanttohaveit。ShetookthesamefirmstandconcerningtheLibrary。WiththerestofthehouseEileenmightdoasshewould。ThelibrarywastoremainabsolutelyuntouchedandwhatitcontainedwasLinda\'s。TothisEileenhadagreed，butsofarLindahadbeencontentmerelytopossessherproperty。

Lately，drivenbythefeelingthatshemustfindawayinwhichshecouldearnmoney，shehadbeensecretlyworkingonsomeplansthatshehopedmightsoonyieldhersmallreturns。Asfortheroadster，sheaswellasEileenhadbeenhorror-strickenwhenthecarcontainingtheirfatherandmotherandtheiradjoiningneighbors，Mr。andMrs。Thorne，drivenbyMarianThorne，theplaymateandcompanionfromchildhoodoftheStronggirls，hadbecomeuncontrollableandplungeddownthemountaininadisasterthathadleftonlyMarian，protectedbythesteeringgear，alive。

Theyhadsimplybymutualagreementbegunusingthestreetcarswhentheywantedtoreachthecity。

Lindastoodlookingattheroadster，jackedupandtuckedunderaheavycanvastentthatsheandherfatherhadusedontheirhuntingandfishingtrips。Afteralongtimeshelaidstronghandsonthecanvasanddraggedittooneside。Shelookedthecarovercarefullyandthen，herfaceverywhiteandherhandstrembling，sheclimbedintoitandslowlyandmechanicallywentthroughthemotionsofstartingit。Foranotherintentperiodshesatwithherhandsonthesteeringgear，staringstraightahead，andthenshesaidslowly:"Somethinghasgottobedone。

It\'snotgoingtobeveryagreeable，butIamgoingtodoit。

Eileen:hashadthingsallherownwaylongenough。IamgettingsuchabiggirlIoughttohaveafewthingsinmylifeasIwantthem。Somethingmustbedone。"

ThenLindaproceededtodosomething。Whatshedidwastoleanforward，restherheaduponthesteeringwheelandfighttokeepdowndeep，pitifulsobbinguntilherwholeslenderbodytwistedintheeffort。

Shewasyieldingtoabreakingupafterfouryearsofendurance，forthegreaterpartinsilence。Asthemonthsofthepastyearhadrolledtheirdeliberateway，Lindahadbeguntorealizethatthecoursehereldersisterhadtakenwaswhollyunfairtoher，andslowlyatumultofrevoltwasgrowinginhersoul。Withoutadoubttheculminationhadresultedfromherfewminutes\'talkwithDonaldWhitinginthehallthatmorning。IthadstartedLindatothinkingdeeply，andthemoredeeplyshethoughttheclearlyshesawthesituation。Lindawasaloyalsoulandherheartwashonest。ShewasquitewillingthatEileenshould:

exerciseherrightsasheadofthefamily，thatsheshouldtaketheprecedencetowhichshewasentitledbyherfouryears\'

seniority，thatsheshouldspendthemoneywhichaccruedmonthlyfromtheirfather\'sestateasshesawfit，uptoacertainpoint。

Thatpointwaswherethingsceasedtobefairortobejust。IftherehadbeenmoneytodonomoreforEileenthanhadbeendoneforLinda，itwouldnothavebeeninLinda\'shearttoutteracomplaint。Shecouldhavewornscuffedshoesandolddresses，andgoneherwaywithherproudyoungheadheldveryhighandajestonherlips；butwhenhermindreallyfastenedontheproblemandshebegantoreason，shecouldnotfeelthatEileenwasjusttoherorthatshewasfairinheradministrationofthemoneywhichshouldhavebeendividedmorenearlyequallybetweenthem，afterthehouseholdexpenseshadbeenpaid。Oncerebellionburnedinherhearttheflamesleapedrapidly，andLindabegantorememberathousandsmallthingsthatshehadscarcelynotedatthetimeoftheiroccurrence。

Shewasleaningonthesteeringwheel，tiredwithnervestrain，whensheheardKatycallingher，andrealizedthatshewasneededinthekitchen。AsamatterofeconomyEileen，afterherparents\'passing，haddismissedthehousemaid，andwhentherewereguestsbeforewhomshewishedtomakeaniceappearanceLindahadbeenimpressedeithertowaitonthetableortohelpinthekitcheninorderthatKatymightattendthediningroom，soLindaunderstoodwhatwaswantedwhenKatycalledher。Sheranherfingersoverthesteeringwheel，wornbrightbythetouchofherfather\'sandherownhands，andwiththebuoyancyofyouth，foundcomfort。Oncemoreshemechanicallywentthroughthemotionsofstartingthecar，thenshesteppeddown，closedthedoor，andstoodaninstantthinking。

"You\'refouryearsbehindthetimes，"shesaidslowly。"Nodoubtthere\'sanewerandabettermodel；Isuspectthetiresarerotten，butthelastdayIdroveyouforDaddyyoupurredlikeakitten，andranlikeaclock，andifyouwerecleanedandoiledandputinpropershape，there\'snoreasonintheworldwhyI

shouldnotdriveyouagain，asIhavedrivenyouhundredsofmileswhenDaddywastiredorwhenhewantedtoteachmetherulesofgoodmotoring，andthelawsoftheroad。Icandoitallright。Ihavegottodoit，butitwillbesometimebeforeI\'llcaretotacklethemountains。"

Leavingthecoveronthefloor，shelockedthedoorandreturnedtothekitchen。

"Allright，Katy，whatistheprogramme？"sheinquiredaslightlyasshecould。

KatyhadbeencookintheStrongfamilyeversincetheyhadmovedtoLilacValley。ShehadobeyedMrs。StrongandEileen。

ShehadworshipedtheDoctorandLindaItalwayshadbeenpatenttohereyesthatMrs。StrongwasextremelypartialtoEileen，soKatyhadjoinedforceswiththeDoctorinsurreptitiouslydoingeverythingherwarmIrishheartpromptedtopreventLindafromfeelingneglected。HerquickeyessawthetracesoftearsonLinda\'sface，andsheinstantlyknewthatthetripthegirlhadmadetothegaragewasinsomewayconnectedwithsomebelongingsofherfather\'s，soshesaid:"IamservingtonightbutIwantyoutokeepthingssmokinghotandtohavethemdishedupreadyformesothateverythingwillgosmoothly。"

"Whatwouldhappen，"inquiredLinda，"ifeverythingdidNOTgosmoothly？Katy，doyouthinktheroofwouldblowstraightupifIhadMYwayaboutsomething，justforachange？"

"No，Ithinktheroofwouldstayrightwhereitbelongs，"saidKatywithachuckle，"butIdothinkitsstayingtherewouldnotbebecauseMissEileenwanteditto。"

"Well，"saidLindadeliberately，"wewon\'twasteanytimeonthinkingWearegoingtohavesomepositiveknowledgeonthesubjectprettyimmediately。Idon\'tfeelequaltostartinganydomesticsantanatoday，buttheforcesaregatheringandtheblowiscomingsoon。TothatIhavefirmlymadeupmymind。"

"It\'snottheleastmiteI\'mblamingyou，honey，"saidKaty。

"Ye\'vegottobesuchabiggirlthatit\'sonlyfairthingsinthishouseshouldgoagooddealdifferent。"

"IsMariantobehere？"askedLindaasshestoodbesidethestovepeeringintopansandkettles。

"MissEileendidn\'tsay，"repliedKaty。

Linda\'seyesreddenedsuddenly。Sheslammeddownalidwithviciousemphasis。

"ThatisanotherdealEileen\'sengineered，"shesaid，"thatisjustaboutaswrongasanythingpossiblycanbe。WhatmakesmethemaddestaboutitisthatJohnGilmanwillletEileentakehimbythenoseandleadhimaroundlikearingedcalf。Whereishiscommonsense？Whereishisperception？Whereishishonor？"

"Nowwait，dearie，"saidKatysoothingly，"wait。JohnGilmanisamightyfineman。Yeknowhowyourfatherlovedhimandtrustedhimandgavehimchargeofallhisbusinessaffairs。Yemustn\'tgosofarastobeinsinuatingthatheislackinginhonor。"

"No，"saidLinda，"thatwasnotfair。Idon\'tintheleastknowthatheeverASKEDMariantomarryhim；butIdoknowthataslongashewasastruggling，threadbareyounglawyerMarianwaswelcometohim，andtheyhadgrandtimestogether。TheminutehewonthebigBaileysuitandcameintopublicnoticeandhispracticeincreaseduntilhewasindependent，thatminuteEileenbegantotakenotice，anditlookstomenowasifsheverynearlyhadhim。"

"AndsofarasIcansee，"saidKaty，"MissMarianistakingitwithoutastruggle。Sheisnotliftingafingerormakingamovetowinhimback。"

"Ofcoursesheisn\'t！"saidLindaindignantly。"Ifshethoughthepreferredsomeothergirltoher，shewouldmerelysay:\'IfJohnhasdiscoveredthathelikesEileenthebetter，why，thatisallright；buttherewouldn\'tbeanythingtopreventseeingEileentakeJohnfromhurtinglikethedeuce。Didyoueverloseamanyouloved，Katy？"

"ThatIdidnot！"saidKatyemphatically。"Wedidn\'tdoanyfourorfiveyears\'philanderin\'toseeifaman\'couldmakegood\'

whenIwasayoungster。Whenagirlandherladdiestooduptoeachotherandlookedeachotherstraightintheeyeandhadthegreatunderstanding，thereweren\'tnoquestionofwhetherhecoulddoforherwhatherfatherandmitherhadbeendoing，norofhowmuchhehadtoearnbeforetheywouldbeabletobeginlifetogether。Theyjustcaughthandsandhot-footedittotheprasteandtoldhimtoreadthebannsthenextSunday，andwhenthelawallowedtheywasmanandwifeandtakingwhatlifehadforthemthewayitcame，andtogether。Allthisphilanderin\'

thatyoungfolksdonowadaysisjustpurenonsense，andwasteoftime。"

"Sure！"laughedLinda。"WhenmybravecomesalongwithhisblanketI\'lljuststepunder，andthenifanybodytriestotakemymanI\'llhavetherighttogoonthewarpathandhaveascalpingpartythatwouldbesomesatisfactiontothesoul。"

Thentheyservedthedinner，andwhentheguestshadleftthediningroom，Katyclosedthedoors，andbroughtonthedelicaciesshehadhiddenforLindaandpattedandcajoledherwhilesheatelikeanyhealthy，hungryyoungcreature。

CHAPTERII。CotyledonofMultifloresCanyon"\'Ave，atquevale！\'Cotyledon！"

Lindasliddownthesideofthecanyonwiththedeftnessoftheexpert。AtthefirstavailablecreviceshethrustinherAlpinestick，andbracingherself，gainedafooting。Thensheturnedandbyuseofherfingersandtoesworkedherwaybacktotheplan，shehadpassed。Shewasfamiliarwithmanymembersofshefamily，butsuchafinespecimensheseldomhadfoundandshecouldnotrecallhavingseenitinallofherbotanies。Oppositetheplantsheworkedoutafooting，droveherstickdeepatthebaseofarocktobraceherself，andfromtheknapsackonherbacktookasketchbookandpencilandbeganrapidlycopyingthethickfleshyleavesoftheflattenedrosette，sittingsecurelyattheedgeofarock。Sheworkedswiftlyandwithbreathlessinterest。Whenshehadfinishedtheflowershebegansketchinginthemoss-coveredfaceoftheboulderagainstwhichitgrew，andotherbitsofvegetationnear。

"Ithink，Coty，"shesaid，"itisveryprobablethatIcancomeafewsimoleonswithyou。Youarebecomingbetterlookingeverminute。"

ForatouchofcolorshemarginedonesideofherdrawingwithalittlesprayofPentstemonwhosebrighttubularflowerthecanyonknewas"hummingbird\'sdinnerhorn。"Thatgave，hertheideaofintroducingatouchoflivinginterest，sobearingdownupontheflowersfromtheupperright-handcornerofherdrawingshedeftlysketchedinaruby-throatedhummingbird，andacrossthebottomofthesheetthelaceofafewleavesoffern。Thenshereturnedthedrawingandpenciltoherknapsack，andmakingsureofherfooting，workedherwayforward。Withherlongslenderfingersshebeganteasingtheplantloosefromtherockandthesurroundingsoil。Therootspenetrateddeeperthanshehadsupposedandinherinterestsheforgotherprecariousfootingandpulledhard。Theplantgavewayunexpectedly，andlosingherbalance，Lindaplungeddownthesideofthecanyoncatchingwildlyatshrubsandbushesandbruisingherselfseverelyonstones，finallylandinginasittingpostureontheroadthattraversedthecanyon。

Shewasnotseriouslyhurt，butshedidnotpresentapicturesquefigureasshesprawledintheroad，herbootedfeetthruststraightbeforeher，oneofherlongblackbraidscaughtonabushatherback，herblousepulledaboveherbreeches，thecontentsofherknapsackdecoratingthecanyonsideandtheroadaroundher；buthighinonehand，withoutbreakorblemish，shetriumphantlyheldalofttherareCotyledon。Sheshruggedhershoulders，wiggledhertoes，andmovedherarmstoassureherselfthatnoboneswerebroken；thensheglancedatherdrawingsandthefruitsofherday\'scollectingscatteredontheroadsidearoundher。Shewasintheactofrisingwhenamotorcarcontainingtwoyoungmenshotaroundacurveofthecanyon，swervedtoavoidrunningoverher，andstoppedasabruptlyaspossible。

"It\'sagirl！"criedthedriver，andbothmensprangtotheroadandhurriedtoLinda\'sassistance。Herdarkcheekswereredwithmortification，butshemanagedtorecoverherfeetandtuckinherblousebeforetheyreachedher"Weheardyoucomingdown，"saidtheelderoftheyoungmen，"andwethoughtyoumightbeabear。Areyousureyou\'renothurt？"

Lindastoodbeforethem，alitheslenderfigure，vividwithyouthandvitality。

"Iamabletostand，"shesaid，"soofcourseIhaven\'tbrokenanybones。IthinkIamfairlywellbattered，butyouwillpleasetoobservethatthereisn\'tascratchonCotyledon，andI

broughtherdown——atleastIthinkit\'sshe——fromtheedgeofthatboulderawayupthere。Isn\'tsheabeauty？Onlynoticethedelicatefrosty\'bloom\'onherleaves！"

"Ishouldprefer，"saidtheyoungerofthemen，toknowwhetheryouhaveanybrokenbones。"

"I\'msureIamallright，"answeredLinda。"Ihavefallingdownmountainsreducedtoanexactscience。I\'llbetyoucouldn\'tslidethatfarandbringdownCotywithoutascratch。\'"Well，whichisthemoreprecious，"saidtheyoungman。"Yourselforthespecimen？"

"Why，thespecimen！"answeredLindainimpatience。"Californiaisfullofgirls；butthisisthefinestCotyledonofthisfamilyIhaveeverseen。Don\'tmistakethisforanycommonstonecrop。

ItlookstomelikeanEcheveria。IknowwhatImeantodowiththepictureIhavemadeofher，andIknowexactlywheresheisgoingtogrowfromthisdayon。"

"Isthereanywaywecanhelpyou？"inquiredtheelderofthetwomen。

ForthefirsttimeLindaglancedathim，andherimpressionwasthathewasdecidedlyattractive。

"No，thankyou！"sheansweredbriskly。"IamgoingtoclimbbackuptotheboulderandcollectthebelongingsIspilledonthewaydown。ThenIamgoingtocarryCotytothecarlineinakindoftriumphalmarch，becausesheistherarestfindthatI

haveevermade。IhopeyouhavenodarkdesignsonCoty，becausethisis\'whattheownerhadtodotoredeemher。\'"

Lindaindicatedhertraildownthecanyonside，brushedsoilandtwigsfromhertrousers，turnedherstraightyoungback，carefullysetdownherspecimen，andbytheaidofherrecoveredstickbeganexpertlymakingherwayupthecanyonside。"Here，letmedothat，"offeredtheyoungerman。"YourestuntilI

collectyourbelongings。"Lindaglancedbackoverhershoulder。

"Thanks，"shesaid。"IhaveamentalinventoryofallthepencilsandknivesandtrowelsImustfind。Youmightoverlookthemostimportantpartofmyparaphernalia；andreallyIamnotdamaged。I\'mmerelyhurt。Good-bye！"

Lindastartedbackupthesideofthecanyon，leavingtheyoungmentoentertheircaranddriveaway。Foraminutebothofthemstoodwatchingher。

"Whatwillgirlsbewearinganddoingnext？"askedtheelderofthetwoashestartedhiscar。

"Whatwouldyouhaveagirlwearwhensheisoccupiedwithcoastingdowncanyons？"saidhisfriend。"Andasforwhatsheisdoing，it\'sprobablethateveryhigh-schoolgirlinLosAngeleshasabotanicalcollectiontomakebeforeshegraduates。"

"Isee！"saidthemandriving。"Sheisonlyahigh-schoolkid，，butdidyounoticethatsheisgoingtomakeanextremelyattractiveyoungwoman？"

"Yes，Inoticedjustthat；Inoticeditveryparticularly，"

answeredtheyoungerman。"AndInoticedalsothatsheeitherdoesn\'tknowit，ordoesn\'tgiveaflip。"

Lindacollectedherbelongings，straightenedherhairandclothing，and，withherknapsackinplace，andleaningratheronheavilyonherwalkingstick，madeherwaydowntheroadtotheabutmentofasmallrusticbridgewhereshestoppedtorest。Thestreamatherfeetwasnoisyandicycold。Itrushedthroughnarrowdefilesintherock，beatitselftofoamagainstthefacesaofthebigstones，felloverjuttingcliffs，spreadinwhisperingpools，woundbackandforthacrosstheroadatitswill，singingeveryfootofitsdownwardwayandwateringbedsofcrisp，coolminers\'lettuce，greatferns，andheliotrope，climbingclematis，soilandblue-eyedgrass。Allalongitslengthgrewwillows，andinafewplaceswhite-bodiedsycamores。

Everywhereoverthewallsredaboveitthatvegetationcouldfindafootinggrewmosses，vines，flowers，andshrubs。OntheshadiestsidehomedmostofthefernsandtheCotyledon。Inthesun，larkspur，lupin，andmonkeyflower；everywherewildrose，holly，mahogany，gooseberry，andbayonetedyuccaallinterminglinginacurtainofvariegatedgreens，brocadedwithflowerarabesquesofvividred，white，yellow，andblue。Canyonwrensandvireossangastheynested。Theairwasclear，cool，andsaltyfromthenear-bysea。Myriadleafshadowsdancedontheblackroadbed，levelasabarnfloor，andacrossittrailedthewaveringimageofhawkandvulture，gullandwhiteseaswallow。Lindastudiedthecanyonwithintenteyes，butbruisedfleshpleaded，soreluctantlyshearose，shoulderedherbelongings，andslowlyfollowedtheroadouttothecarlinethatpassedthroughLilacValley，stillcarefullybearingintriumphthepreciousCotyledon。Anhourlatersheenteredthedrivewayofherhome。Shestoppedtosetherplantcarefullyinthewildgardensheandherfatherhadworkedallherlifeatcollecting，thenfollowedthebackporchandkitchenroute。

"Whateverhaveyebeendoingtoyourself，honey？"criedKaty。

"IcameacropperdownMultifloresCanyonwhereitissosteepthatitleanstheotherway。Iprettywellpulverizedmyselfforapulverulent，Katy，whichisapoorjoke。"

"Nowain\'tthatjustmyluck！"wailedKaty，snatchingacakecutterandbeginninghurriedlytostampoutlittlecakesfromthedoughbeforeher。

"Well，Idon\'tunderstandinexactlywhatway，"saidLinda，absentlyrubbingherelbowsandherknees。"Seemstomeit\'smypromontoriesthathavebeenknockedoff，notyours，Katy。"

"Yes，andain\'titjustlikeye，"saidKaty，"tobecominginlate，andallbangedupwhenMissEileenhasgotsuddennoticethatthereisgoingtobecompanyagainandIhaveanespecialdinnertoserve，andneverintheworldcanImanageifyedon\'thelpme！"

"Why，whoiscomingnow？"askedLinda，seatingherselfonthenearestchairandbeginningtounfastenherbootsslowly。

"Well，firstofall，thereisMr。Gilman，ofcourse。"

"\'Ofcourse，\'"concededLinda。"Ifhetriedtogetpastourhouse，Eileenisperfectlycapableofsettingitonfiretostophim。She\'sgothim\'vamped\'properly。"

"OhIdon\'tknowthatyeshouldsayjustthat，"saidKaty"Eileenisamightyprettygirl，andsheisSOMEmanager。"

"Youcanstakeyourhilariouslifesheis，"saidLinda，viciouslykickingaboottothecenterofthekitchen。"Shecanmanagetogodowntownforlunchandbeinvitedouttodinnerthirteentimesaweek，andleaveusathometoeatbreadandmilk，breadheavilystressed。Shecanmanagetogeteverycentoftheincomefromthepropertyinherfingers，andagreatbiggirllikemehastogotohighschoollookingsotackythateventheboysarebeginningtocommentonit。Manage，I\'llsayshecanmanage，nottomentionmanagingtosnakeJohnGilmanrightoutofMarian\'sfingers。IdoubtifMarianfullyrealizesyetthatshe\'slostherman；andIhappentoknowthatshejustplainlovedJohn！"

Thesecondbootlandedbesidethefirst，thenLindapickedthembothupandstartedtowardthebackhall。

"Honey，areyetoobadhurttohelpmeany？"askedKaty，asshepassedher。

"Ofcoursenot，"saidLinda。"GivemeafewminutestotakeabathandstepintomyclothesandthenI\'llbeonthejob。"

Withablackscowlonherface，Lindaclimbedthedingybackstairwayinherstocking-feet。Attheheadofthestairsshepausedoneminute，glancedatthegloomofherendofthehouse，thensheturnedandwalkedtothefrontofthehallwheretherewerepottedferns，daintywhitecurtains，andbrightrugs。Thedooroftheguestroomstoodopenandshecouldseethatitwasfilledwithfreshflowersandreadyforoccupancy。Thedoorofhersister\'sroomwasslightlyajarandshepusheditopenandstoodlookinginside。Inherstateofdisarrayshemadeashockingcontrasttotheflowerlikefigurebusybeforeadressingtable。Lindawasdark，narrow，rawboned，overgrowninheight，andforthrightofdisposition。Eileenwasatinywoman，delicatelymoulded，exquisitelycolored，andoneofthemostperfectlysuccessfultendrilsfromtheoriginalclingingvineinherintercoursewithmen，andwithsuchwomenaswouldtoleratetheclinging-vineideainthepresentforthrightdays。Withastrandofsoftlycurledhairinonehandandafancypinintheother，Eileenturnedadisapprovinglookuponhersister。

"What\'sthegreatidea？"demandedLindashortly。

"Oh，it\'sperfectlysplendid，"answeredEileen。"JohnGilman\'sbestfriendismotoringaroundherelookingforalocationtobuildahome。Heisanauthorandyoungandgoodlookingandnotmarried，andhethinkshewouldliketosettlesomewherenearLosAngeles。OfcourseJohnwouldlovetohavehiminLilacValleybecausehehopestobuildahomeheresomedayforhimself。HisnameisPeterMorrisonandJohnsaysthathisarticlesandstorieshavehorsesense，logic，andhumor，andheismakingalotofmoney。"

"ThenGodhelpJohnGilman，ifhethinksnowthatheisinlovewithyou，"saidLindadryly。

Eileenarchedhereyebrows，thinnedtoahairline，andherlipsdrewtogetherindisapproval。

"WhatIcan\'tunderstand，"shesaid，"ishowyoucanbesounspeakablyvulgar，Linda。"

Lindalaughedsharply。

"AndthisPeterMorrisonandJohnareourguestsfordinner？"

"Yes，"saidEileen。"Iamgoingtoshowthemthisvalleyinsideandout。I\'msogladit\'sspring。We\'reatourverybest。Itwouldbeperfectlywonderfultohaveanauthorforaneighbor，andhemustbegoingtobuildarealhouse，becausehehashisarchitectwithhim；andJohnsaysthatwhileheisyoung，hehasdoneseveralawfullygoodhouses。HehasseenacoupleofthemininSanFrancisco。"

Lindashruggedhershoulders。

"UpthefluegoesMarian\'schanceofdrawingtheplansforJohnGilman\'shouse，"shesaid。"IhaveheardhimsayadozentimeshewouldnotbuildahouseunlessMarianmadetheplans。"

Eileendeftlyplacedthestrandofhairandsetthejewelledpinwithprecision。

"Justpossiblythingshavechangedslightly，"shesuggested。

"Yes，"saidLinda，"Iobservethattheyhave。Marianhassoldthehomesheadored。Sheisleavingfriendsshelovedandtrusted，andwhowereparticularlyboundtoherbyacommongriefwithoutrealizingexactlyhowitishappening。Shecertainlymustknowthatyouhavetakenherlover，andIhavenotadoubtbutthatisthereasonshehasdiscoveredshecannolongerworkathome，thatshemustsellherpropertyandspendthemoneycoopedupinacity，tostudyherprofessionfurther。"

"Linda，"saidEileen，herfacepalewithanger，"youarepositivelyinsufferable。Willyouleavemyroomandclosethedoorafteryou？"

"Well，Katyhasjustinformedme，"saidLinda，"thatthisdinnerpartydoesn\'tcomeoffwithoutmyvaluedassistance，andbeforeI

agreetoassist，I\'llknowONEthing。Areyouproposingtoentertainthesethreemenyourself，orhaveyouaskedMarian？"

Eileenindicatedanopennotelyingonherdressingtable。

"Ididnotknowtheywerecominguntilanhourago，"shesaid。

"_I_barelyhadtimetofillthevasesanddust，andthenIranuptodresssothattherewouldbesomeonepresentablewhentheyarrive。"

"Allrightthen，we\'llagreethatthisisasurpriseparty，butifJohnGilmanhastoldyousomuchaboutthem，youmusthavebeenexpectingthem，andinameasurepreparedforthematanytime。Haven\'tyoutalkeditoverwithMarian，andtoldherthatyouwouldwantherwhentheycame？"

Eileenwasextremelybusywithanotherwaveofhair。Sheturnedherbackandhervoicewasnotquitesteadyassheanswered。

"EversinceMariangotthis\'goingtothecitytostudy\'ideainherheadIhavescarcelyseenher。Shehadanawfuljobtoemptythehouse，andpacksuchthingsasshewantstokeep，andsheisworkingovertimeonaveryspecialplanthatshethinksmaybeshe\'llsubmitinaprizecompetitionofferedbyabigfirmofSanFranciscoarchitects，soIhavescarcelyseenherforsixweeks。"

"Andyouneveroncewentovertohelpherwithherwork，ortoencourageherortocomforther？Youcan\'tthinkMariancanleavethisvalleyandnotbealmostheartbroken，"saidLinda。

"Youjustmakemealmostwonderatyou。WhenyouthinkofthekindoffriendsthatMarianThorne\'sfatherandmother，andourfatherandmotherwere，andhowwechildrenwererearedtogether，andthegoodtimeswehavehadinthesetwohouses——andthentheawfuldaywhenthecarwentoverthecliff，andhowMarianclungtousandtriedtocomfortus，whenherownhealthwasbroken——

andMarian\'sthesameMarianshehasalwaysbeen，onlynicereveryday——howyoucansitthereandsayyouhavescarcelyseenherinsixofthehardestweeksofherlife，certainlysurprisesme。I\'lltellyouthis:ItoldKatyIwouldhelpher，butI

won\'tdoitifyoudon\'tgooverandmakeMariancometonight。"

Eileenturnedtohersisterandlookedatherkeenly。Linda\'sbrowwassullen，andherjawset。

"AbedwouldlookmightygoodtomeandIwillgoandgetintominethisminuteifyoudon\'tsayyouwillgoandaskher，insuchawaythatshecomes，"shethreatened。

Eileenhesitatedasecondandthensaid:"Allright，sinceyoumakesuchapointofitIwillaskher。"

"Verywell，"saidLinda。"ThenI\'llhelpKatytheverybestI

can。"

CHAPTERIII。TheHouseofDreamsInlessthananhour，Lindawasinthekitchen，dressedinanoldgreenskirtandanorangeblouse。Katypinnedoneofherapronsonthegirlandtoldherthatherfirstjobwastosetthetable。

"AndMissEileenhasgivenmostparticularordersthatIusetheverybestofeverything。Laythetableforfour，andyouaretobeextremelycarefulinservingnottospillthesoup。"

Lindastoodveryquietlyforasecond，herheavyblackbrowsdrawntogetherindeepthought。

"WhendidEileenissuetheseinstructions？"sheinquired。

"Notfiveminutesago，"saidKaty。"ShejustleftmekitchenandI\'llsayIneversawherlookin\'suchaperfectpicture。Thatnewdressofhersisthemostbecomingoneshehaseverhad。"

Almostunconsciously，Linda\'shandreachedtothefrontofherwell-wornblouse，andsheglanceddownwardatherskirtandshoes。

"Um-hm，"shesaidmeditatively，"anothernewdressforEileen，whichmeansthatIwillgetnothinguntilnextmonth\'sallowancecomesin，ifIdothen。Thetablesetforfour，which，interpreted，signifiesthatshehasaskedMarianinsuchawaythatMarianwon\'tcome。AndthecautionastocarewiththesoupmeansthatIamtoservemyfather\'stablelikeapaidwaitress。

Katy，IhaverunforoverthreeyearsonEileen\'sschedule，butthispastyearIambeginningtousemybrainsandIamreachingtheplaceofself-assertion。Thatprogrammewon\'tdo，Katy。

It\'sgottobecompletelyrevised。YoujustwatchmeandseehowIfollowthoseinstructions。"

ThenLindamarchedoutofthekitchendoorandstartedacrossthelawninthedirectionofabigbrownhousedimlyoutlinedthroughwidelyspreadingbranchesofancientliveoaks，palm，andbamboothickets。Sheenteredthehousewithoutknockingandinthehallutteredalowpenetratingwhistle。Itwasinstantlyansweredfromupstairs。Lindabeganclimbing，andmetMarianatthetop。

"Why，Marian，"shecried，"Ihadnoideayouweresofaralong。

Thehouseisactuallyempty。"

"Practicallyeverythingwentyesterday，"answeredMarian。"ThosethingsofFather\'sandMother\'sandmyownthatIwishtokeepI

haveputinstorage，andtheremainderwenttoJames\'sAuctionRooms。Thehouseissold，andIamleavinginthemorning。"

"Thenthatexplains，"questionedLinda，"whyyourefusedEileen\'sinvitationtodinnertonight？"

"Onthecontrary，"answeredMarian，"aninvitationtodinnertonightwouldbeparticularlyandpeculiarlyacceptabletome，sincethekitchenisbarrenastheremainderofthehouse，andI

wasintendingtoslipoverwhenyourroomwaslightedtoaskifI

mightspendthenightwithyou。"

Lindasuddenlygatheredherfriendinherarmsandheldhertight。

"Well，thankheaventhatyoufeltsufficientlysureofmetocometomewhenyouneededme。Ofcourseyoushallspendthenightwithme；andImusthavebeenmistakeninthinkingEileenhadbeenhere。Sheprobablywillcomeanyminute。Thereareguestsforthenight。Johnisbringingthatwriterfriendofhis。Ofcourseyouknowabouthim。It\'sPeterMorrison。"

Mariannoddedherhead。"Ofcourse！Johnhasalwaystalkedofhim。HehadsomeextremelycleverarticlesinThePostlately。"

"Well，heisone，"saidLinda，"andanarchitectwhoistouringwithhimistwo；theyarelookingforalocationtobuildahouseforthewriter。Youcanseethatitwouldbeaparticularlyattractivefeatherinourcapifhewouldendorseourvalleysufficientlytohomeinit。SoEileenhasinvitedthemtosampleourbrandofentertainment，andinthemorningnodoubtshewillbedelightedtoaccompanythemandshowthemallthebeautifulspotsnotyetpreempted。"

"Oh，heavens，"criedMarian，"I\'mgladInevershowedhermyspot！"

"Well，ifyouareparticularaboutwantingacertainplaceI

sincerelyhopeyoudidnot，"saidLinda。

"IamsureIneverdid，"answeredMarian。"IsoloveonespotthatIhavebeenmostsecretiveaboutit。IamcertainIneverwentfurtherthantosaytherewasaplaceonwhichIwouldlovetobuildformyselfthehouseofmydreams。Ihavejustaboutfinishedgettingthathomeonpaper，andItrulyhavehighhopesthatImaystandatleastafairchanceofwinningwithittheprizeNicholsonandSnowareoffering。ThatisoneofthereasonswhyIamhurryingonmywaytoSanFranciscomuchsoonerthanIhadexpectedtogo。Ihaven\'tasuitabledinnerdressbecausemytrunkshavegone，butamongsucholdfriendsitwon\'tmatter。Ihaveonefussyblouseinmybag，andI\'llbeoverassoonasIcanseetoclosingupthehouseanddressing。"

Lindahurriedhome，andgoingtothediningroom，shelaidthetableforsixinadeftandartisticmanner。Shefilledabasketwithbeautifulflowersofherowngrowingforacenterpiece，andcarefullyfollowedEileen\'sinstructiontousethebestofeverything。Whenshehadfinishedshewenttothekitchen。

"Katy，"shesaid，"takealookatmyhandiwork。"

"It\'sjustlovely，"saidKatyheartily。

"Iquiteagreewithyou，"answeredLinda，"andnowinpursuanceofarecentlyarrivedatdecision，Ihaveresigned，vamoosed，quit，deadstoppedbeingwaitressforEileen。Iwasseventeenmylastbirthday。HereafterwhenthereareguestsIsitatmyfather\'stable，andyouwillhavetodothebestyoucanwithserving，Katy。"

"Andit\'sjustexactlyrightyeare，"saidKaty。"I\'lldomybest，andifthat\'snotgoodenough，MissEileenknowswhatshecando。"

"Nowlistentoyou，"laughedLinda。"Katy，youcouldn\'tbedriventoleaveme，byanythingonthisearththatEileencoulddo；youknowyoucouldn\'t。"

Katychuckledquietly。"Sure，Iwouldn\'tbeleavingye，lambie，"

shesaid。"We\'llgeteverythingready，andIcanserveIsixasnicelyasanyone。Butyou\'renotforgettingthatMissEileensaidmostexplicittolaythetableforFOUR？\'

"Iamnotforgetting，"saidLinda。"ForEileen\'ssakeIamI

sorrytosaythathershipisontheshoals。SheisnotgoingtohaveclearsailingwithlittlesisterLindaanylonger。Thisistheyearofwoman\'srights，youknow，Katy，andIambeginningtorealizethatmyrightshavebeenbadlyinfringeduponforlothesemanyyears。IfEileenchoosestomakeascenebeforeguests，thatisstrictlyuptoEileen。Nowwhatisityouwantmetodo？"

KatydirectedandLindaworkedswiftly。Soontheyheardamotorstop，andlaughingvoicestoldthemthattheguestshadarrived。

"NowIwonder，"saidLinda，"whetherMarianishereyet。"

AtthatminuteMarianappearedatthekitchendoor。

"Linda，"shesaidbreathlessly，"Iamfeelingqueeraboutthis。

Eileenhasn\'tbeenover。"

"Oh，that\'sallright，"saidLindacasually。"Thefolkshavecome，andshewasonlywaitingtomakethemabitathomebeforesheranafteryou。"

Marianhesitated。

"Shewasnotallowingmemuchtimetodress。"

"That\'s\'causesheknewyoudidnotneedit，"retortedLinda。

"Themoreyoufussup，thelesshandsomeyouare，andyouneverownedanythinginyourlifesobecomingasthatoldredblouse。

Sofarewell，Katy，we\'reduetoburstintohighsocietytonight。

We\'regoingtohelpEileenvampalawyer，andanauthor，andanarchitect，oneapiece。Whichdoyouprefer，Marian？"

"I\'lltakethearchitect，"saidMarian。"WeshouldhavesomethingincommonsinceIamgoingtobeagreatarchitectmyselfoneofthesedays。"

"Why，thatistoobad，"saidLinda。"I\'llhavetorearrangethetableifyouinsist，becauseItookhim，andleftyoutheauthor，anditwasforloveofyouIdidit。Itrulywantedhimmyself，allthetime。"

TheystoppedinthediningroomandMarianpraisedLinda\'sworkinlayingthetable；andthen，togethertheyenteredthelivingroom。

Atthemomentoftheirentrance，Eileenwastalkinganimatedlyaboutthebeautiesofthevalleyasalocationforahappyhome。

Whenshesawthetwogirlsshepaused，thecolorswiftlyfadedfromherface，andLinda，whowaswatchingtoseewhatwouldhappen，noticedtheeffortshemadeatself-control，butshewasverysurethattheirguestsdidnot。

ItneveroccurredtoLindathatanyonewouldconsidergoodlooksinconnectionwithherovergrown，rawbonedframeandleanface，butshewasaccustomedtoseeingpeopleadmireMarian，forMarianwasaperfectlymodeledwomanwithpeachbloomcheeks，deep，darkeyes，herfaceframedinawavingmassofhairwhosewhitenessdatedfromthedaythatthebrakesofhercarfailedandsheplungeddownthemountainwithherfatherbesideher，andhermotherandDoctorandMrs。Stronginthebackseat。TendaysafterwardMarian\'sheadofbeautifuldarkhairwasmuslinwhite。

Nowitframedafaceofyouthandbeautywithpeculiarpathos。

"Striking"wasperhapstheoneadjectivewhichwouldbestdescribeher。

JohnGilmancamehastilytogreetthem。Linda，afteraswiftglanceatEileen，turnedastonishedeyesontheirguests。Foronesecondshelookedattheelderofthem，thenattheyounger。

Therewasnorecognitioninhereyes，andtherewasadecidednegativeinaswiftmovementofherhead。Bothmenunderstoodthatshedidnotwishthemtomentionthattheyeverhadseenherpreviously。Foraninstanttherewasastrainedsituation。

Eileenwaswhitewithanger。JohnGilmanwaslookingstraightatMarian，andinhissoulhemusthavewonderedifhehadbeenwiseinneglectingherforEileen。PeterMorrisonandhisarchitect，HenryAnderson，hadtwothingstothinkabout。OnewasthestunningbeautyofMarianThorneasshepausedinthedoorway，thelightmistingherwhitehairanddeepeningthetintsofherredwaistTheotherwaswhytheyounggirlfacingthemhadforbiddenthemtorevealthattwohoursbeforetheyhadseenherinthecanyon。Katy，theefficientlife-saveroftheStrongfamily，announceddinner，andLindadrewbackthecurtainsandledthewaytothediningroom，sayingwhentheyhadarrived:"I

didn\'thavetimeinmyhour\'snoticetomakeelaborateplacecardsasIshouldhavelikedtodo，sotheselittlepensketcheswillhavetoserve。"

Tocoverhisembarrassmentandtosatisfyhislegalmind，JohnGilmanturnedtoLinda，asking:"Why\'anhour\'？ItoldEileenaweekagoIwasexpectingtheboystoday。"

"ButthatdoesnotprovethatEileenmentionedittome，"

answeredLindaquietly；"soyoumustfindyourplacesfromthecardsIcouldprepareinahurry。"

ThissamepreparationofcardsattheroundtableplacedEileenbetweenthearchitectandtheauthor，MarianbetweentheauthorandJohnGilman，andLindabetweenGilmanandthearchitect，whichaddedonemoretinygaletothestormoffurythatwasraginginthebreastofwhite-facedEileen。Thesituationwassostrainedthatwithoutfullyunderstandingit，Marian，whowasseveralyearsolderthaneitheroftheStrongsisters，knewthatalthoughshewastiredtothepointofexhaustionsheshouldmusterwhatreserveforceshecouldtotheendofmakingthedinnerpartyparticularlyattractive，becauseshewasdeeplyinterestedindrawingtothevalleyeverysuitablehomeseekeritwaspossibletolocatethere。Itwastheunwrittenlawofthevalleythatwheneverahomeseekerpassedthrough，everysoulwhobelongedexertedthestrongestinfluencetoprovethatthestarshunglowerandshonebiggerandinbluerheavensthananywhereelseonearth；thatnowherecouldbefoundairtoequaltheenergizingsaltbreezesfromthesea，snowchilled，perfumedwithalmondandorange；thatthesunshonebrightermoredaysintheyear，andthesoilproducedagreatervarietyofvegetablesandfruitsthananyotherspotofthesamesizeonGod\'swonderfulfootstool。ThiscouldbedonewithunanimityandenthusiasmbyeveryresidentofLilacValleyfortheverysimplereasonthatitwasthetruth。Thevalleystoodwithitssteepsidesrayingbluefrommyriadwildlilacs；olivesandorangesslopeddowntotheflatfloor，wherecultivatedranchesandgardensweresoscreenedbyeucalyptusandpeppertrees，palmandliveoak，myriadsofrosesofeverycolorandvariety，andgaudyplantsgatheredtherefromtheentiregirthofthetropicalworld，thattothetraveleronthehighwaytreesandflowerspredominated。Thegreatesttreasureofthevalleywastheenthusiasticstreamoficymountainwaterthatwanderedthroughthenear-bycanyonandfollowedthelengthofthevalleyonitssinging，chucklingwaytotheocean。AlltheresidentsofLilacValleyhadtodotoentrancestrangerswiththelocationwastoshowanyoneofadozenvantagepoints，andletvisitorstestforthemselvesthequalityofthesunshineandair，andstudythepicturemadebythebroadstretchofintensivelycultivatedvalley，walledoneithersidebymountainswhosehighestpeakswereoftencloud-drapedandforevershiftingtheirdelicatepastelshadesfromgraytoblue，fromlavendertopurple，fromtawnyyellowtosepia，undertheplayofthesunandclouds。

TheyhadnotbeenseatedthreeminutesbeforeLindarealizedfromherknowledgeofEileenthattheshockhadbeentoogreat，ifsuchathingmightbesaidofsoresourcefulacreatureasEileen。Evidentlyshewasgoingtosulkinthehopethatthiswouldprovethatanypartywasafailureatwhichshedidnotexertherselftobegracious。IthadnotbeeninLinda\'shearttodomorethansitquietlyintheplacebelongingbyrighttoher，butwhensherealizedwhatwasgoingtohappen，shesentMarianoneswiftappealingglance，andthendesperatelyplungedintoconversationtocoverEileen\'sdefection。

"Ihavebeentold，"shesaid，addressingtheauthor，"thatyouarelookingforahomeinCalifornia。Isthistrue，orisitmerelythateverygoodCalifornianhopesthiswillhappenwhenanydistinguishedEasternercomesourway？"

"Icanscarcelyansweryou，"saidPeterMorrison，"becausemyideasonthesubjectarestillslightlynebulous，butIamonlytoowillingtoseethembecomeconcrete。"

"Youhavestruckexactlytherightplace，"saidLinda。"Wehaveconcretebythewagonloadinthisvalleyandweareperfectlywillingtodonatetheamountrequiredtomaterializeyourideas。

Doyoudreamofawholeranchoronlyanest？"

"Well，thefactis，"answeredPeterMorrisonwithamostattractivedrawlinhisslowspeech，"thefactisthedimensionsofmydreammustfitmypurse。EversinceIfinishedcollegeI

havebeeninnewspaperworkandIhavelivedinanapartmentinNewYorkexceptwhileIwasabroad。WhenIcamebackmypapersentmetoSanFranciscoandfromthereImotoreddowntoseeformyselfifthewonderfulthingsthatarewrittenaboutLosAngelesCountyaretrue。"

"Thatisnotmuchofacomplimenttous，"saidLindaslowly。

"Howdoyouthinkwewoulddarewritethemiftheywerenottrue？"

Thiscausedsuchalaughthateveryonefeltmucheasier。MarianturnedherdarkeyestowardPeterMorrison。

"LindaandIarebusypeople，"shesaid。"Wewastelittletimeinindirections，soIhopeit\'snotoutofthewayformetoaskstraightforwardlyifyouaretrulyinearnest，aboutwantingahomeinLilacValley？"

"ThenI\'llhavetoansweryou，"saidPeter，"thatIhaveanattractivepartofthe\'makin\'s\'andIamindeadlyearnestaboutwantingahomesomewhere。Iamsickinmysoulofnarrowapartmentsandwheelsandtherushandroarofthecity。TherewasatimewhenIateanddrankit。Itwastheverybreathoflifetome。IchargedonBroadwaylikeacaterpillartankcharginginbattle；butitisveryremarkablehowquicklyonechangesinthisworld。Ihavehadsomesuccessinmywork，andthehigherIgo，thebetterworkIfeelIcandoinaquietplaceandamonglessenervatingsurroundings。JohnandIwereincollegetogether，roommates，andnodoubthehastoldyouthatwegraduatedwiththesameclass。HehasfoundhislocationhereandIwouldparticularlyenjoyhavingahomenearhim。Theytellmetherearewell-trainedservantstolookafterahouseandcareforabachelor，soItrulyfeelthatifIcanfindalocationI

wouldlike，andifHenrycanplanmeahouse，andIcanstretchmypursetocovertheinvestment，thatthereisaverylargepossibilitythatsomewherewithintwentymilesofLosAngelesI

mayfindthehomeofmydreams。"

"Onewouldalmostexpect，"saidMarian，"thatawriterwouldsaysomethingmoreoriginal。Thisvalleyisfilledwithpeoplewhocameheresayingpreciselywhatyouhavesaid；andthelureofthelandwonthemandheretheyare，shamelessboostersofCalifornia。"

"Whyshameless？"inquiredHenryAnderson。

"BecauseCaliforniasoverifiesthewildeststatementthatcanbemadeconcerningherthatonemaygothelimitofimaginationwithoutshame，"laughedMarian。"Itryinallmydealingstosticktothestraightandnarrowpath。"

"Oh，kid，don\'tsticktothestraightandnarrow，"brokeinLinda，"there\'snoscenery。"

Eileenlaiddownherforkandstaredinwhite-lippedamazementatthetwogirls，butshewasutterlyincapableofforgettingherselfandherneatlyarrangedplanstohavethethreecultivatedandattractiveyoungmenalltoherselffortheevening。Sherealizedtoo，fromthesatisfactionbetrayedintheglancesthesemenwereexchangingamongeachother，theeasewithwhichtheysat，andthegustowithwhichtheyatethefoodKatywasdeftlyservingthem，thatsomethingwashappeningwhichneverhadhappenedattheStrongtablesinceshehadpresidedasitshead，hersoleendeavorhavingbeentoflatterherguestsortoextractflatteryforherselffromthem。

"Thatiswhatmakesthisvalleysoadorable，"saidMarianwhenatlastshecouldmakeherselfheard。"Itisneitherstraightnornarrow。Thewingofawhiteseaswallowneversweptaloveliercurveonthebreastoftheoceanthanthelineofthisvalley。

Mymotherwasthedearestlittlewoman，andsheusedtosaythatthisvalleywasoutlinedbyagraciousgesturefromthehandofGodinthedawnofCreation。"

PeterMorrisondeliberatelyturnedinhischair，hiseyesintentonMarian\'searnestface。

"Youalmostmakemewanttosay，inthelanguageofanoldhymnI

usedtohearmymothersing，\'HerewillIsetupmyrest。\'WithsuchanameasLilacValleyandwithsuchathoughtintheheartconcerningit，Iscarcelyfeelthatthereisanyuseinlookingfurther。Howaboutit，Henry？Doesn\'titsoundconclusivetoyou？"

"Itcertainlydoes，"answeredHenryAnderson，"andfromwhatI

couldseeaswedrovein，itlooksaswellasitsounds。"

PeterMorrisonturnedtohisfriend。

"Gilman，"hesaid，"you\'realawyer；youshouldknowthethingsI\'dliketo。Aretheredesirablehomesitesstilltobefoundinthevalley，anddoestheinflationoflandatthepresentminuteputitoutofmyreach？"

"Well，thatisonaparwiththeaveragequestionaskedalawyer，"answeredGilman，"butpartofitIcananswerdefinitelyandatonce。Ithinkeveryacreoflandsuitableforgardenorfieldcultivationistaken。Idoubtifthereismuchoftheorchardlandhigherupremainingandwhatthereiswouldcommandaratherstiffprice；butifyouwouldbecontentwithsomesmallplateauatthebaseofamountainwhereyoucouldsetanysortofahouseandhave——saytwoorthreeacres，mostlyofsageandbouldersandgreasewoodandyuccaaroundit"

"Whyinthisworldareyoutalkingaboutstonesandsageandgreasewood？"criedLinda。"Nextthingthey\'llbeaskingaboutmountainlionsandrattlesnakes。"

"Ibegyourpardon，"saidGilman，"IfearnoneofushasrememberedtopresentMissLindaasacomingnaturalist。Shegotherstartfromherfather，whowasoneofthegreatestnervespecialiststheworldeverhasknown。Sheknowseveryinchofthemountains，thecanyonsandthedesert。Shealwayssaysthatshecutherteethonachunkofadobe，whileherfatherhuntedthenestsoftrap-doorspidersoutinSunland。Whatshould1

havesaidwhendescribingasuitablehomesiteforPeter，Linda？"

"Youshouldhaveassumedthatimmediately，Peter，"——LindaliftedhereyestoMorrison\'sfacewithasparkleofgaychallenge，andbywayofapologyinterjected——"Iamonlyakid，youknow，soI

maycallJohn\'sfriendPeter——youshouldhaveassumedthatsageandgreasewoodwouldsimplyhavevanishedfromanyhomelocationchosenbyPeter，leavingitalllacybluewithlilac，andmistywhitewithlemonadebush，andlovelygoldwithmonkeyflower，andpurplewithlupin，andpaintedbloodredwithbroadstrokesofIndianpaintbrush，andbeautifullylightedwithfeatheryflamesfromOurLord\'sCandles，andperfumyasaltarincensewithwildalmond。"

"Oh，mysoul，"saidPeterMorrison。"Goodpeople，Ihavelocated。Ihavecometostay。IwouldlikethreeacresbutI

couldexistwithtwo；anacrewouldseemanestatetome，andmyideasofahouse，Henry，areshriveling。Ididhaveadreamofsomethingthatmusthavebeenpreciousnearahome。Theremighthavebeenanevanescenthintofflittingdraperiesandinexperiencedfeetinit，butforthesakeoflivingandworkinginsuchalocationasMissLindadescribes，Iwouldgladlycutmyresidencetoaworkroomandasleepingroomandkitchen。"

"Won\'tdo，"saidLinda。"AhouseisnotahouseinCaliforniawithoutafurnaceandabathroom。Wearecoldasblueblazesherewhenthesungoesdownandthesaltyfogcreepsupfromthesea，andtheicymistrollsdownfromthemountainstochillourbones；andwhenithasnotrainedforsixmonthsatastretch，yourownprivateswimmingpoolisacomfort。ThistoaddverisimilitudetowhateveryoneelseinLilacValleyisgoingtotellyou。"

"Ihadn\'tthoughtIwouldneedafire，"saidPeter，"andIwasdependingontheoceanformybathtub。Iamparticularlyfondofasaltrub。"

Sofar，Eileenhadnotdeignedtoentertheconversation。Itwasallsohuman，sofarfromherideasofentertainingthatthedisapprovalonherlipswasnotsufficientlyveiledtobeinvisible，andJohnGilman，glancinginherdirection，realizedthathewashavingthebesttimehehadeverhadintheStronghouseholdsincethepassingofhisfriends，DoctorandMrs。Strong，vaguelywonderedwhy。AnditoccurredtohimthatLindaandMarianweredominatingtheparty。Hesaidthemostirritatingthingpossibleinthecircumstances:"Iamafraidyouarenotfeelingwellthisevening，Eileen。"

Eileenlaughedshortly。