第2章

"Theoneperfectthingaboutme，"shesaidwithcloselycutprecision，"ismyhealth。Ihaven\'tthefaintestnotionwhatitmeanstobeill。IammerelywaitingfortheconversationtotakeaIturnwhereIcanjoininitintelligently。"

"Why，blessthechild！"exclaimedLinda。"Can\'tyoutalkintelligentlyaboutasuitablelocationforahome？Onwhatsubjectisawomansupposedtobeintelligentifsheisnotatherbestonthethemeofhome。Ifyoureallyarenotinterestedyouhadbetterbegintopolishup，becauseitappealstomethattheworldgoesjustsofarinonedirection，andthenitwhirlstotheright-aboutandgoesequallyasfarintheoppositedirection。IfDaddywerelivingIthinkhewouldsaywehavereachedthelimitwithapartmenthousehomesminusfireplaces，withrestaurantdiningminusablessing，withjazzmusicminusmelody，withjazzdancingminusgrace，withnationalprogressminuscradles。"

"Linda！"criedEileenindignantly。

"Goodgracious！"criedLinda。"DoIgettheshillalahforthat？

Weren\'tallofusrockedincradles？IthinkthatthependulumhasswungfaranditistimetoswingbacktowhereonemanandonewomanchooseanylittlespotonGod\'sfootstool，buildanestandplantheirlivesinaccordwithpersonaldesireandinclinationinsteadofapingtheirneighbors。"

"Bravo！"criedHenryAnderson。"MissLinda，ifyouseeanysuitablespot，andyouthinkIwouldserveforabug-catcher，won\'tyoupleasestakethelocation？"

"Well，Idon\'tknowaboutthat，"saidLinda。"Woulditbetheoldcaseof\'Ifurnishthebreadandyoufurnishthewater\'？"

"No，"saidPeterMorrison，"itwouldnot。Henryisdoingmightywell。Iguaranteethathewouldfurnishacowthatwouldproducerealcream。"

"Howjoyous！"saidLinda。"Ifeelquitecompetenttomanagethebreadquestion。We\'llcallthatsettledthen。WhenInextcastanappraisingeyeovermybelovedvalley，Ishan\'tselectthechoicestspotinitforPeterMorrisontowriteabookin；andI

wanttowarnyoupeoplewhenyougohuntingtokeepamileawayfromMarian\'splot。Shehashadherlocationstakedfromchildhoodandhasworkedonherdreamhouseuntilshehasitallreadytoputtheiceinthechestandscratchthematchforthelivingroomfire-logs。Theonethingshewon\'tevertelliswhereherlocationis，butwhereveritis，PeterMorrison，don\'tyoudaretakeit。"

"Iwouldn\'tfortheworld，"saidPeterMorrisongravely。"IfMissThornewilltellmeevenonwhichsideofthevalleyherlocationlies，Iwillagreetostayontheotherside。"

"Wellthereisonethingyoucandependupon，"saidtheirrepressibleLindabeforeMarianhadtimetospeak。"Itissuretobeonthesunnyside。EverylivingsoulinCaliforniaislookingforaplaceinthesun。"

"ThenIwillmakeanoteofit，"saidPeterMorrison。"Butisn\'tthereenoughsuninallthislovelyvalleythatImayhaveaplaceinittoo？"

"Yougostraightaheadandselectanylocationyoulike，"saidMarian。"Igiveyouthefreedomofthevalley。There\'snotonechanceintenthousandthatyouwouldfindorseeanythingattractiveabouttheonesecludedspotIhavealwayshopedI

mightsomedayown。\'

"Thisisnotfooling，then？"askedPeterMorrison。"Youtrulyhaveaplaceselectedwhereyouwouldliketolive？"

"Shetrulyhasthespotselectedandshetrulyhasthehouseonpaperandittrulyisahouseofdreams，"saidLinda。"Idreamaboutitmyself。Whenshebuildsitandlivesinitawhileandfindsoutallthethingsthatarewrongwithit，thenIamgoingtobuildonelikeit，onlyIshalleliminateallthemistakesshehasmade。"

"Ihaveoftenwondered，"saidHenryAnderson，"ifsuchathingeverhappenedasthatpeoplebuiltahouseandlivedinit，saytenyears，anddidnotfindonesinglethingaboutitthattheywouldchangeiftheyhadittobuildoveragain。Ineverhaveheardofsuchacase。Haveanyofyou？"

"Iamsurenoonehas，"saidJohnGilmanmeditatively，"andit\'saqueerthing。Ican\'tseewhypeopledon\'tplanahousethewaytheywantitbeforetheybuild。"

Marianturnedtohim——thesameMarianhehadfalleninlovewithwhentheywerechildren。

"Mightn\'titbe，"sheasked，"thatitisduetochangingconditionscausedbytherapiddevelopmentofscienceandinvention？Ifonehadbuiltthemostperfecthousepossiblefiveyearsagoandlearnedtodaythatinfinitelysuperiorlightingandheatinglandlivingfacilitiescouldbeinstalledatmuchlessexpenseandfargreaterconvenience，don\'tyouthinkthatonewouldwanttochange？Isn\'tlifeaseriesofchanges？Mustn\'tonebechangingconstantlytokeepabreastofone\'sdayandage？"

"Why，surely，"answeredGilman，"andnodoubtthereinliesatleastpartoftheanswertoAnderson\'squestion。"

"Andthen，"addedMarian，"thingshappeninfamilies。Sometimesmorebabiesthantheyexpectcometonewlymarriedpeopleandtheyrequiremoreroom。"

"Mygoodness，yes！"brokeinLinda。"JustlookatSylviaTownsend——twinstobeginwith。"

"Linda！"breathedEileen，aghast。

"Sogladyoulikemyname，dear，"murmuredLindasweetly。

"Andthen，"continuedMarian，"changescometootherpeopleastheyhavetome。Ican\'tsaythatIhadanyfaulttofindwitheitherthecomfortsortheconveniencesofHawthorneHouseuntilDaddyandMotherweresweptfromitatonecruelsweep；andafterthatitwasnothingtomebutahauntedhouse，andIdon\'tfeelthatIcanbeblamedforwantingtoleaveit。Iwillbegladtoknowthattherearepeoplelivinginitwhowon\'tseeabigstrongfiguremeditativelysmokingbeforethefireplaceandagraydoveofawomansittingonthearmofhischair。Iwillbeglad，ifFateiskindtomeandpeoplelikemyhouses，tocomebacktothevalleywhenIcanaffordtoandbuildmyselfahomethathasnopast——aplace，infact，whereIcanfurnishmyownghost，andifImeetmyselfonthestairsthenIwon\'tbeshockedbyme。

"Idon\'tthinkthereisasoulinthevalleywhoblamesyouforsellingyourhomeandgoing，Marian，"saidLindasoberly。"I

thinkitwouldbefoolishifyoudidnot。"

Thereturntothelivingroombroughtnochange。EileenpoutedwhileLindaandMarianthoroughlyenjoyedthemselvesandgavetheguestsamostentertainingevening。SodisgruntledwasEileen，whentheyoungmenhadgone，thatsheimmediatelywenttoherroom，leavingLindaandMariantoclosethehouseandmaketheirownarrangementsforthenight。WhereuponLindadeliberatelyledMariantothecarefullydustedandflower-garnishedguestroomandinstalledherwitheverycomfortandconveniencethatthehouseafforded。Thenbringingherbrushesfromherownroom，sheandMarianmadethemselvescomfortable，visitingfarintothenight。

"Iwonder，"saidLinda。"ifPeterMorrisonwillgotoarealestatemaninthemorningandlookoverthelocationsremaininginLilacValley。"

"Yes，Ithinkhewill，"saidMarianconclusively。

"Itseemstome，"saidLinda，"thatwedidawholelotoftalkingabouthomestonight；whichremindsme，Marian，inpackinghaveyouputinyourplans？Haveyougotyourlastdraftwithyou？"

"No，"answeredMarian，"it\'sinoneofthecases。Ihaven\'tanythingbuttwoorthreepencilsketchesfromwhichIdrewthefinalplansasInowthinkI\'llsubmitthemforthecontest。

Wouldn\'titbeatallfeatherinmycap，Linda，ifbyanychancelIshouldwinthatprize？"

"Itwouldbemorethanafeather，"saidLinda。"Itwouldbeawholecap，andacoattowearwithit，andadresstomatchthecoat，andslipperstomatchthedress，andsoforthjustlike\'TheHouseThatJackBuilt。\'Haveyouthosesketches，Marian？"

Openinghercase，Marianslidfromunderneaththegarmentsfoldedinit，severalsheetsonwhichwereroughlypenciledsketchesoftheexteriorofahouse——onthereverse，theupstairsanddownstairsfloorplans；andsittingdown，sheexplainedthesetoLinda。Thensheleftthemlyingonatable，waitingtobereturnedtohercasebeforeshereplacedherclothesinthemorning。Bothgirlswerefastasleepwhenamischievouswindslippeddownthevalley，andlightlyliftingthetopsheet，carrieditthroughthewindow，acrossthegarden，anddroppeditatthefootofahoney-drippingloquat。

BecausetheyhadtalkeduntillateinthenightofMarian\'splansandprospectsinthecity，ofPeterMorrison\'sproposedresidenceinthevalley，ofhowlonelyLindawouldbewithoutMarian，ofeverythingconcerningtheirlivesexceptthechangeinEileenandJohnGilman，thetwogirlssleptuntillateinthemorning，sothattherewerebutafewminutesremaininginwhichMarianmightdress，haveahastybreakfastandmakehertrain。Inhelpingher，itfelltoLindatopackMarian\'scase。Sheputthedrawingsshefoundonthetableinthebottom，theclothingandbrushesontopofthem，andclosingthecase，carrieditherselfuntilshedelivereditintotheporter\'shandsasMarianboardedhertrain。

CHAPTERIV。LindaStartsaRevolutionThelastglimpseMarianThornehadofLindawasasshestoodalone，wavingherhand，hercheeksflushed，hereyesshining，herfinalwordcheeryandencouraging。Mariansmiledandwavedinreturnuntilthetrainboreheraway。Thenshesatdownwearilyandstaredunseeinglyfromawindow。Lifedidsuchverydreadfulthingstopeople。Hergirlhoodhadbeensohappy。ThencamethedayoftheBlackShadow，butinherblackesthourshehadnotfeltalone。ShehadsupposedshewasleaningonJohnGilmanassecurelyasshehadleanedonherfather。Shehadlearned，withthelossofherfather，thatonecannotbesureofanythinginthisworldleastofallofhumanlife。YetinherdarkestdaysshehaddependedonJohnGilman。Shehadeveryreasontobelievethatitwasforherthathestruggleddailytogainafootinginhischosenprofession。Whensuccesscame，whentherewasnoreasonthatMariancouldseewhytheymightnothavebegunlifetogether，therehadcomeasubtlechangeinJohn，andthatchangehaddevelopedsorapidlythatinafewweeks\'time，shewasforcedtoadmitthatthecompanionshipandlovingattentionsthatoncehadbeenallherswerenowallEileen\'s。

Shesatinthetrain，steadilycarryinghermileaftermilefartherfromherhome，andtriedtothinkwhathadhappenedandhowandwhyithadhappened。ShecouldnotfeelthatshehadbeenwronginherestimateofJohnGilman。HervaluationofhimhadbeentaughtherbyherfatherandmotherandbyDoctorandMrs。

StrongandbyJohnGilmanhimself。DatingfromthetimethatDoctorStronghadpurchasedthepropertyandbuiltahomeinLilacValleybesideHawthorneHouse，MarianhadadmiredEileenandhadlovedher。Shewasseveralyearsolderthanthebeautifulgirlshehadgrownupbeside。Agehadnotmattered；

Eileen\'sbeautyhadnotmattered。Marianwasgoodlookingherself。

ShealwayshadknownthatEileenhadimposeduponherandwasselfishwithher，butEileen\'simpositionsweresoskillfullymaneuvered，herselfishnesswassoadorablytakenforgrantedthatMarianinretrospectionfeltthatperhapsshewasresponsibleforatleastasmallpartofit。SheneverhadbeenabletoseetheinnerworkingsofEileen\'sheart。ShewasnotcapableofunderstandingthatwhenJohnGilmanwaspoorandstrugglingEileenhadignoredhim。IthadnotoccurredtoMarianthatwhenthesuccessforwhichhestruggledbegantocomegenerously，Eileenwouldbegintocovetthemanshehadpreviouslydisdained。Shehadalwaysstriventofindfriendsamongpeopleofwealthanddistinction。HowwasMariantoknowthatwhenJohnbegantoachievewealthanddistinction，Eileenwouldcovethimalso？

MariancouldnotknowthatEileenhadstudiedherharderthansheeverstudiedanybook，thatshehaddeliberatelysetherselftomakethemostofeverydefectoridiosyncrasyinMarian，atthesametimeofferingherselfasacharmingsubstitute。Marianwaspreparedtobethemental，thespiritual，andthephysicalmateofaman。

Eileenwasnotpreparedtobeintruthandhonoranyofthese。

Shewaspreparedtomakeanyemergencyoflifesubservienttoherownselfishdesires。Shewaspreparedtouseanymanwithwhomshecameincontactforthefurtheranceofanywhimthatatthehourpossessedher。Whatshewantedwasunbridledpersonalliberty，unlimitedfinancialresources。

Marian，almostnumbedwithphysicalfatigueandweeksofmentalstrain，camerepeatedlyagainstthedeadwallofignorancewhenshetriedtofathomthechangethathadtakenplacebetweenherselfandJohnGilmanandbetweenherselfandEileen。DanielThornewasanoldermanthanDoctorStrong。Hehadaccumulatedmoreproperty。Marianhadsufficientmeansathercommandtomakeitunnecessaryforhertoacquireaprofessionorworkforherliving，butshehadalwaysbeeninterestedinandlovedtoplanhousesandhelpherfriendswithbuildingstheywereerecting。Whenthesilenceandthelonelinessofheremptyhomeenvelopedher，shehadbegun，atfirstasadistraction，toworkonthedrawingsforahomethatanarchitecthadmadeforoneofherneighbors。Shehadbeenabletosuggestsomanycomfortsandconveniences，andsotorevisetheseplansthat，atfirstinadesultoryway，laterinrealearnest，shehadbeguntodrawplansforhouses。Then，beingofmethodicalhabitandmathematicalmind，shebeganscalinguptheplansandfiguringonthecostofbuilding，andsoshehadworkeduntilshefeltthatshewasevolvinghomesthatcouldbebuiltforthesameamountofmoneyandlivedinwithmorecomfortandconveniencethanthehomesthatmanyofherfriendswerehavingplannedforthembyarchitectsofthecity。

Toonespotinthevalleyshehadgonefromchildhoodasasecretplaceinwhichtodreamandstudy。Shehadlovedthatretreatuntilithadbecomealivingpassionwithher。ThemoreJohnGilmanneglectedher，themoresheconcentrateduponherplans，andwhenthehourcameinwhichsherealizedwhatshehadlostandwhatEileenhadwon，shereachedthedecisiontosellherhome，gotothecity，andstudyuntilsheknewwhethershereallycouldsucceedatherchosenprofession。

Thenshewouldcomebacktothevalley，buythespotshecoveted，buildthehouseofwhichshedreamed，andinitshewouldspendtheremainderofherlifemakinghomesforthewomenwhoknewhowtoholdtheloveofmen。Whenshereachedthecityshehaddecidedthatifonecouldnothavethebestinlife，onemustbecontentwiththenextbest，andforherthenextbestwouldbehomesforotherpeople，sinceshemightnotmaterializethehomeshehaddreamedforJohnGilmanandherself。Shehadnotwantedtoleavethevalley。ShehadnotwantedtoloseJohnGilman。

Shehadnotwantedtopartwiththehomeshehadbeenrearedin。

Yetallofthesethingsseemedtohavebeenforceduponher。AllMarianknewtodowastosquarehershoulders，takeadeepbreath，putregretsbehindher，andmovesteadilytowardthebestfutureshecoulddeviseforherself。

ShecarriedlettersofintroductiontotheSanFranciscoarchitects，NicholsonandSnow，whohadofferedaprizeforthebesthousethatcouldbebuiltinareasonabletimeforfifteenthousanddollars。Shemeanttoofferherplansinthiscompetition。Throughfriendsshehadsecuredacomfortableplaceinwhichtoliveandwork。Sheneedundergonohardshipsinsearchingforahome，inclothingherself，inpayingforinstructioninthecourseinarchitectureshemeanttopursue。

ConcerningLindashecouldnotresistafeelingofexultation。

LindawasoneofthefriendsinLilacValleyaboutwhomMariancouldthinkwholeheartedlyandlovingly。SometimesshehadbeenonthepointofmakingasuggestiontoLinda，andthenshehadcontentedherselfwithwaitinginthethoughtthatverysoontheremustcometothegirlapropersenseofherpositionandherrights。TheexperienceofthepreviousnighttaughtMarianthatLindahadarrived。ShewouldnolongerbethecompliantlittlesisterwhowouldrunEileen\'serrands，waituponherguestsandweardisreputableclothing。WhenLindareachedapointwhereshewascapableoftheperformanceofthepreviousnight，Marianknewthatshewouldproceedtoliveuptoherbluechinaineveryramificationoflife。ShedidnotknowexactlyhowLindawouldfollowuptheassertionofherrightsthatshehadmade，butshedidknowthatinsomewayshewouldfollowitup，becauseLindawasaveryclosereproductionofherfather。

Shehadbeenalmostconstantlywithhimduringhislife，verymuchalonesincehisdeath。Shewasabusyyoungperson。FromMarian\'swindowsshehadwatchedthebusinessofcarryingonthewild-flowergardenthatLindaandherfatherhadbegun。WhattheoccupationwasthatkeptthelightburninginLinda\'sroomfarintothenightMariandidnotknow。Foralongtimeshehadsupposedthatherstudiesweredifficultforher，andwhenshehadaskedLindaifitwerenotpossibleforhertoprepareherlessonswithoutsomanyhoursofmidnightstudyshehadcaughtthestareoffrankamazementwithwhichthegirlregardedherandinthatsurprised，almostgrievedlookshehadrealizedthatveryprobablyadaughterofAlexanderStrong，whoresembledhimasLindaresembledhim，wouldnotbecompelledtooverworktomastertheprescribedcourseofanycityhighschool。WhatLindawasdoingduringthosemidnighthoursMariandidnotknow，butshedidknowthatshewasnotwrestlingwithmathematicsandlanguages——atleastnotallofthetime。SoMarianknowingLinda\'sgiftwithapencil，hadcometotheconclusionthatshewasdrawingpictures；butcircumstantialevidencewasallshehadasabasisforherconviction。Lindawentherwaysilentlyandalone。ShewasacquaintedwitheveryonelivinginLilacValley，frankandfriendlywithallofthem；asidefromMarianshehadnointimatefriend。NotanothergirlinthevalleycaredtofollowLinda\'spursuitsortocultivatetheacquaintanceofthebreeched，bootedgirl，constantlydevotingherselftooutdoorstudywithherfatherduringhislifetime，afterwardalone。

ForaninstantafterMarianhadboardedhertrainLindastoodlookingatit，herheartsoheavythatitpainedacutely。ShehadnotsaidonewordtomakeMarianfeelthatshedidnotwanthertogo。NotoncehadsheputforwardtheargumentthatMarian\'sgoingwouldleavehertodependentirelyforhumansympathyuponthecook，andherguardian，alsoadministratoroftheStrongestate，JohnGilman。SolongashewasMarian\'sfriendLindahadadmiredJohnGilman。Shehadgonetohimforsomemeasureofthecompanionshipshehadmissedinlosingherfather。SinceGilmanhadallowedhimselftobecaptivatedbyEileen，Lindahadharboredafeelingconcerninghimalmostofcontempt。LindawassofamiliarwitheverymovethatEileenmade，sothoroughlyunderstoodthattherewasamotivebackofhereveryaction，thatshecouldnotseewhyJohnGilman，havingknownherfromchildhood，shouldnotunderstandheralso。

ShehaddecidedthatthetimehadcomewhenshewouldforceEileentogiveheranallowance，howeversmall，forherownpersonalexpenses，thatshemustinsomewaymanagetobeclothedsothatshewasnotamatterofcommentevenamongtheboysofherschool，andshecouldseenoreasonwhytheabsolutepersonallibertyshealwayshadenjoyedsolongasshedisappearedwhenEileendidnotwantherandappearedwhenshedid，shouldnotextendtoherownconvenienceaswellasEileen\'s。

LifewasabusyaffairforLinda。ShehadnottimetowatchMarian\'strainfromsight。Shemusthurrytotheneareststreetcarandmakeallpossiblehasteorshewouldbelateforherclasses。Throughoutthedaysheworkedwiththedeepestconcentration，butshecouldnotkeepdowntheknowledgethatEileenwouldhavethingstosay，possiblythingstodo，whentheymetthatevening，forEileenwascapableofdisconcertinghysteria。PreviouslyLindahadremainedstubbornlysilentduringanytiradeinwhichEileenchosetoindulge。Shehadallowedherselftobenaggedintodoingmanythingsthatshedespised，becauseshewouldnotassertherselfagainstapparentinjustice。

ButsinceshehadcomefullytorealizetheresultsofEileen\'scourseofactionforMarianandforherself，shewasdeliberatelyarrivingattheconclusionthathereaftershewouldspeakwhenshehadadefense，andshewouldmakeitherbusinesstoletthesunshineonanydarkspotthatshediscoveredinEileen。

LindaknewthatifJohnGilmanwerewellacquaintedwithEileen，hecouldnotcomeanynearertolovingherthanshedid。SuchanideaaslovingEileenneverhadenteredLinda\'sthoughts。ToLinda，Eileenwasnotlovable。Thatsheshouldbeexpectedtoloveherbecausetheyhadthesameparentsandlivedinthesamehomeseemedabsurd。Shewasslightlydisappointed，onreachinghome，tofindthatEileenwasnotthere。

"Willtheladyofthehousedinewithusthisevening？sheaskedasshestoodeatinganappleinthekitchen。

"Shedidn\'tsay，"answeredKaty。"Haveyehaditoutaboutlastnightyet？"

"No，"answeredLinda。"ThatiswhyIwasaskingabouther。I

wanttocleartheatmospherebeforeImakemynewstartinlife。"

"Now，don\'tyebegoingtoofar，lambie，"cautionedKaty"Yeyoungthingsmakesuchanawfulseriousbusinessoflifethesedays。InyourscrambletowringartificialjoyoutofityoumissallthenaturaljoythegoodGodprovidedye。"

"Itseemstome，Katy，"saidLindaslowly，"thatyoushouldputthatstatementtheotherwayround。Itseemsthatlifemakesamightyseriousbusinessforusyoungthings，anditseemstomethatifwedon\'tgettherightstartandhaveaproperfoundationlifeIsgoingtobespoiledforus。OnelifeisallI\'vegottoliveinthisworld，andIwouldlikeittobetheinterestingandthebeautifulkindoflifethatFatherlived。"

Lindadroppedtoachair。

"Katy，"shesaid，leaningforwardandlookingintentlyintotheearnestfaceofthewomanbeforeher，"Katy，Ihavebeenthinkinganawfullotlately。Thereisaquestionyoucouldanswerformeifyouwantedto。"

"Well，Idon\'tseeanyraison，"saidKaty，"whyIshouldn\'tansweryeanyquestionye\'dbeaskingme。"

Linda\'seyesnarrowedastheydidhabituallyindeepthoughtShewaslookingpastKatydownthesunlitspacesofthewildgardenthatwasherdearestpossession，andthenhereyesstrayedhighertowherethebluewallsthatshutinLilacValleyrangedtheirpeaksagainstthesky。"Katy，"shesaid，scarcelyaboveherbreath，"wasMotherlikeEileen？"

Katystiffened。Herredfacepaledslightly。Sheturnedherbackandslowlyslidintotheoventhepieshewascarrying。

SheclosedthedoorwithmoreforcethanwasnecessaryandthenturnedanddeliberatelystudiedLindafromthetopofhershiningblackheadtothetipofhershoe。

"Some，"shesaidtersely。

"Yes，Iknow\'some\'，"saidLinda，"butyouknowIwastooyoungtopaymuchattention，andDaddymanagedalwaystomakemesohappythatIneverrealizeduntilhewasgonethathenotonlyhadbeenmyfatherbutmymotheraswell。YouknowwhatImean，Katy。"

"Yes，"saidKatydeliberately，"Iknowwhatyemean，lambie，andI\'lltellyethetruthasfarasIknowit。Shemanagedyourfather，shepamperedhim，butshedeceivedhimeveryday，justaboutlittlethings。Shealwaysmadethehouseholdaccountsbiggerthantheywere，andusedtheextramoneyforMissEileenandherself——thingslikethat。I\'mthinkin\'heneverknewit。

I\'mthinkinghelovedherdeeplyandtrustedhercomplete。I

knowwhatye\'regettingat。ShewasnotenoughlikeEileentomakehimunhappywithher。Hemighthavebeenifhehadknownalltherewastoknow，butforhisownsakeIwasnottheonetogiveheraway，thoughsheconstantlymadehimthinkthatIwasextravagantandwastefulinmework。"Linda\'seyescamebackfromthemountainsandmetKaty\'sstraightly。

"Katy，"shesaid，"didyoueverseesistersasdifferentasEileenandIare？"

"No，Idon\'tthinkIeverdid，"saidKaty。

"Itpuzzlesme，"saidLindaslowly。"ThemoreIthinkaboutit，thelessIcanunderstandwhy，ifwearesisters，wewouldnotaccidentallyresembleeachotheratinybitinsomeway，andI

mustsayIcan\'tseethatwedophysicallyormentally。"

"No，"saidKaty，"yewerejustasdifferentasyearenowwhenI

cametothishousenewandyewerebothlittlethings。"

"Andwearegoingtobeasdifferentandtokeepongrowingmoredifferenteverydayofourlives，becauseredwarbreaksouttheminuteEileencomeshome。Ihaven\'tanotionwhatshewillsaytomeforwhatIdidlastnightandwhatIamgoingtodointhefuture，butIhaveadefiniteideaastowhatIamgoingtosaytoher。"

"Now，easy；yegoeasy，lambie，"cautionedKaty。

"Iwouldn\'tregretit，"saidLinda，"ifItookEileenbytheshouldersandshookhertillIshooktherougeoffhercheek，andthebrilliantineoffherhair，andamillionmeanlittlesubterfugesoutofhersoul。YouknowEileenislovelywhensheisnatural，andifshewouldbestraight-off-the-batsquare，I

wouldbeproudtobehersister。Asitis，Ihavemydoubts，evenaboutthissisterbusiness。"

"Why，Linda，child，yearejustplaincrazy，"saidKaty。"Whatkindofnotionsareyougettingintoyourhead？"

"Ihearthefrontdoor，"saidLinda，"andIamgoingtomarchstraighttobattle。She\'sgoingupthefrontstairs。Ididmeantoshort-cutuptheback，but，cometothinkofit，Ihaveservedmyapprenticeshiponthebackstairs。IbelieveI\'llascendthefrontmyself。Good-bye，darlin\'，wishmeluck。"

LindaswungKatyaround，huggedhertight，anddroppedakissonthetopofherfaithfulhead。

"Yejuststickrightupforyourrights，"Katyadvisedher。

"Ye\'reagreatbiggirl。\'Tain\'tgoingtobelongtillye\'reeighteen。ButmindyouroldKatyaboutgoingtoofar。Ifyeloseyourtemperandcat-spit，itwon\'tgetyeanywhere。Thefellowthatkeepsthecoolestcanalwaysdothebestheadwork。"

"Igetyou，"saidLinda，"andthatisgoodadviceforwhichI

thankyou。"

CHAPTERV。TheSmokeofBattleThenLindawalkeddownthehall，climbedthefrontstairs，andpresentedherselfatEileen\'sdoor，theretoreceiveoneoftheseverestshocksofheryounglife。Eileenhadtossedherhatandfuruponacouch，seatedherselfatherdressingtable，andwasstudyingherhairintheefforttodecidewhethershecouldfluffitupsufficientlytoservefortheeveningorwhethershemusttakeitdownandredressit。AtLinda\'sstepinthedoorwaysheturnedasmilingfaceuponherandcried:"Hello，littlesister，comeinandtellmethenews。"

Lindastoppedasifdazed。ThewondermentinwhichshelookedatEileenwasstampedalloverher。Asurprisedbraidofhairhungoveroneofhershoulders。Herhandsweresurprised，andtheskirtofherdress，andhershoesflatlysetonthefloor。

"Well，I\'llbedarned！"sheejaculated，andthenwalkedtowhereshecouldfaceEileen，andseatedherselfwithoutmakinganyattempttoconcealheramazement。

"Linda，"saidEileensweetly，"youwouldstandfarbetterchanceofbeingpopularandmakingahostoffriendsifyouwouldnotbesocoarse。IamquitesureyouneverheardMamaormeusesuchanexpression。"

ForonelonginstantLindawastooamazedtospeak。Thensherecoveredherself。

"Lookhere，Eileen，youneedn\'ttryany\'perfectlady\'businessonme，"shesaidshortly。"DoyouthinkIhaveforgottentheextentofyourvocabularywhenthecurlingirongetstoohotoryoufailtoreceiveaninvitationtotheBachelors\'Ball？"

LindaneverhadbeencapableofunderstandingEileen。AtthatminuteshecouldnotknowthatEileenhadbeenfacingfactsthroughthelonghoursofthenightandallthroughtheday，andthatshehadreachedthedecisionthatforthefutureheronlyhopeofworkingLindatoherwillwastoconciliateher，toignorethepreviousnight，totrytoputtheirrelationshipupontheoldbasisbypretendingthatthereneverhadbeenabreak。

Shelaughedsoftly。

"Onrareoccasions，Igrantit。Ofcoursealittleswearslipsoutsometimes。WhatIamtryingtopointoutisthatyoudotoomuchofit。"

"Howdidyouevergettheidea，"saidLinda，"thatIwantedtobepopularandhavehostsoffriends？WhatwouldIdowiththemifIhadthem？"

"Why，usethem，mychild，usethem，"answeredEileenpromptly。

"Let\'scutthis，"saidLindatersely。"Iamnotyourchild。I\'mgettingtotheplacewhereIhaveseriousdoubtastowhetherI

amyoursisterornot。IfIam，it\'snotmyfault，andthesameclaynevermadetwoobjectsquitesodifferent。Icameupheretofight，andI\'mgoingtoseeitthrough。I\'monthewarpath，soyoumaytakeyourclubandproceedtobattle。"

"Whathavewetofightabout？"inquiredEileen。

"Everysinglethingthatyouhavedonethatwasunfairtomeallmylife，"saidLinda。"SinceallofithasbeendeliberateyouprobablyknowmoreaboutthedetailsthanIdo，soI\'lljustcontentmyselfwithtellingyouthatforthefuture，lastnightmarkedachangeintherelationsbetweenus。Iamgoingtobeeighteenbeforesoverylong，andIhaveceasedtobeyourmaidoryourwaitressoryourdupe。YouarenotgoingtoworkmeonesingletimewhenIhavegotbrainstoseethroughyourschemesafterthis。HereafterItakemyplaceinmyfather\'shouseandatmyfather\'stableonanequalitywithyou。"

EileenlookedatLindasteadily，tryingtoseetothedepthsofhersoul。Shesawenoughtoconvinceherthattheyoungcreatureinfrontofherwasinearnest。

"Hm，"shesaid，"haveIbeensobusythatIhavefailedtonoticewhatagreatgirlyouaregetting？"

"Busy！"scoffedLinda。"TellthattoKaty。It\'sakumquat！"

"Perhapsyouaretoobig，"continuedEileen，"tobeaskedtowaitonthetableanymore。"

"Icertainlyam，"retortedLinda，"andIamalsotoobigtowearsuchshoesorsuchadressasIhaveonatthepresentmin。ute。

Iknowallaboutthewarandtheinflationofpricesandthereductioninincome，butIknowalsothatifthereisenoughtorunthehouse，anddressyou，andfurnishyousuchasuiteofroomsasyou\'reenjoyingrightnow，thereisenoughtofurnishmesuitableclothes，acomfortablebedroomandaplacewhereIcanleavemyworkwithoutputtingawayeverythingIamdoingeachtimeIstepfromtheroom。Itoldyoufouryearsagothatyoumighttakethetouringcaranddowhatyoupleasedwithit。I

haveneveraskedwhatyoudidorwhatyougotoutofit，soI\'llthankyoutoobserveequalsilenceaboutanythingIchoosetodonowwiththerunabout，whichIreservedformyself。Itoldyoutotakethissuite，andthisisthefirsttimethatIhaveevermentionedtoyouwhatyouspentonit。"

Lindawavedaninclusivehandtowardthefullyequipped，daintydressingtable，overrugsofpaleblue，andbeautifullydecoratedwalls，includingthesleepingroomandbathadjoining。

"SonowI\'llaskyoutokeepoffwhileIdowhatIpleaseaboutthelibraryandthebilliardroom。I\'lltrytogetalongwithoutmuchmoneyindoingwhatIdesirethere，butImusthavesomenewclothes。Iwantmoneytobuymeapairofnewshoesforschool。

Iwantapairofpumpssuitableforeveningswhentherearegueststodinner。Iwantacoupleofattractiveschooldresses。

Thisoldsergeisgettingtoohotandtoowornforcommondecency。AndIalsowantacoupleofdressessomethinglikeyouarewearing，forafternoonsandevenings。"

EileenstaredaghastatLinda。

"Where，"sheinquiredpolitely，"isthemoneyforallthistocomefrom？"

"Eileen，"saidLindainalowtensevoice，"IhavereachedtheplacewhereeventheBOYSofthehighschoolaretwittingmeabouthowIamdressed，andthatisthelimit。Ihavestooditforthreeyearsfromthegirls。IamanadeptinpretendingthatIdon\'tsee，andIdon\'thear。IhavegottothepointwhereI

amperfectlycapableofwalkingintoyourwardrobeandtakingoutenoughoftheclothesthereandsellingthematasecond-handstoretobuymewhatIrequiretodressmejustplainlyanddecently。Sotakewarning。Idon\'tknowwhereyouaregoingtogetthemoney，butyouaregoingtogetit。Ifyouwouldwelcomeasuggestionfromme，comehomeonlyhalfthetimesyoudineyourselfandyourgirlfriendsattearoomsandcafesinthecity，andyouwillsavemysharethatway。Iamgoingtogiveyouachancetototalyourbudget，andthenIdemandonehalfoftheincomefromFather\'sestateabovehouseholdexpenses；andifI

don\'tgetit，onthedayIameighteenIshallgotoJohnGilmanandsaytohimwhatIhavesaidtoyou，andIshallgotothebankanddemandthatadivisionbemadethere，andthataseparatebankbookbestartedforme。"

Linda\'samazementonenteringtheroomhadbeenworthyofnote。

Eileen\'satthepresentminutewasbeyonddescription。

Dumbfoundedwasacolorlesswordtodescribeherstateofmind。

"Youdon\'tmeanthat，"shegaspedinaquiveringvoicewhenatlastshecouldspeak。

"Icansee，Eileen，thatyouaretakenunawares，"saidLinda。"I

havehadfourlongyearstoworkuptothishour。Hasn\'titevendawnedonyouthatthiswormwasevergoingtoturn？Youknowexquisitemothsandbutterfliesevolveinthecanyonsfromveryunprepossessingandlowlylivingworms。Youarespendingyourlifeonthebutterflystunt。HaveIbeensuchaweakwormthatithasn\'teveroccurredtoyouthatImightwanttotryaplain，everydaypairofwingssometimemyself？"

Eileen\'sfacewasanuglyred，herhandswereshaking，hervoicewasunnatural，butshecontrolledhertemper。

"Ofcourse，"shesaid，"Ihavealwaysknownthatthetimewouldcome，afteryoufinishedschoolandwereofaproperage，whenyouwouldwanttoentersociety。"

"No，youneverknewanythingofthekind，"saidLindabluntly，"becauseIhavenottheslightestambitiontoentersocietyeithernoworthen。AllIamaskingistoenterthehighschoolinacommonlydecent，suitabledress；toenterourdiningroomasadaughter；toenteraworkroomdecentlyequippedformyconvenience。Youneedn\'tbesurprisedifyouhearsomechangesgoingoninthebilliardroomandseesomechangesgoingoninthelibrary。AndifIfeelthatIcanmusterthenervetodrivetherunabout，it\'smycar，it\'suptome。"

"Linda！"wailedEileen，"howcanyouthinkofsuchathing？Youwouldn\'tdare。"

"BecauseIhaven\'tdaredtillthepresentisnoreasonwhyI

shoulddeprivemyselfofeverysinglepleasureinlife，"saidLinda。"Youspendyourdaysdoingexactlywhatyouplease；

drivingthatrunaboutforFatherwasmyonesoul-satisfyingdiversion。Whyshouldn\'tIdothethingIlovemost，ifIcanmusterthenerve？"

Lindaarose，andwalkingovertoatable，pickedupamagazinelyingamongsomesmallpackagesthatEileenevidentlyhadplacedthereonenteringherroom。

"Areyousubscribingtothis？"sheasked。

Sheturnedinherhandsandleafedthroughthepagesofamostattractivemagazine，Everybody\'sHome。Itwasdevotedtopoetry，goodfiction，andeverythingconcerninghomelifefrombeeftobiscuits，andfromrugstoroses。

"Isawitonanewsstand，"saidEileen。"Iwasatlunchwithsomegirlswhohadacopyandtheyweretalkingaboutsomearticlesbysomebodynamedsomething——Meredith，Ithinkitwas——JaneMeredith，maybeshe\'saCalifornian，andsheisadvocatingthequeerideathatwegobacktonaturebytryingmoderncookingonthefoodtheaboriginesate。Ifwefinditgoodthensherecommendsthatwespecializeonthegrowingofthesenativevegetablesforhomeuseandforexport——asanewindustry。"

"Isee，"saidLinda。"Out-BurbankingBurbank，asitwere。"

"No，notthat，"saidEileen。"Sheisnotproposingtoevolvenewforms。Sheisproposingtoshowushowtomakedeliciousdishesforluncheonordinnerfromwildthingsnowgoingtowaste。WhatthegirlssaidwassointerestingthatIthoughtI\'dgetacopyandifIseeanythinggoodI\'llturnitovertoKaty。"

"Andwhere\'sKatygoingtogetthewildvegetables？"askedLindasceptically。

"Whyyoumighthavesomeoftheminyourwildgarden，oryoucouldeasilyfindenoughtotry——alltheprowlingthecanyonsyoudooughttoresultinsomething。"

"Soitshould，"saidLinda。"Iquiteagreewithyou。DidI

understandyoutosaythatIshouldbereadytogotothebankwithyoutoarrangeaboutmyincomenextweek？"

AgainthecolordeepenedinEileen\'sface，againshemadeavisibleeffortatself-control。

"Oh，Linda，"shesaid，"whatistheuseofbeingsohard？YouwillmakethemthinkatthebankthatIhavenottreatedyoufairly。"

"_I_？"saidLinda，"_I_willmakethemthink？Don\'tyouthinkitisYOUwhowillmakethemthink？Willyoukindlyanswermyquestion？"

"IfIshowyouthebooks，"saidEileen，"ifIdividewhatisleftafterthebillsarepaidsothatyousayyourselfthatitisfair，whatmorecanyouask？"

Lindahesitated。

"WhatIoughttodoisexactlywhatIhavesaidIwoulddo，"shesaidtersely，"butifyouaregoingtoputitonthatbasisI

havenodesiretohurtyouorhumiliateyouinpublic。Ifyoudothat，Ican\'tseethatIhaveanyreasontocomplain，sowe\'llcallitabargainandwe\'llsaynomoreaboutituntilthefirstofthemonth，unlessthespiritmovesyou，aftertakingagoodsquarelookatme，toproducesomeshoesandaschooldressinstanter。"

"I\'llseewhatIcando，"answeredEileen。

"Allrightthen，"saidLinda。"Seeyouatdinner。"

Shewenttoherownroom，slippedoffherschooldress，brushedherhair，andputontheskirtandblouseshehadwornthepreviousevening，thesebeingtheonlyextraclothingshepossessed。Asshestraightenedherhairshelookedatherselfintently。

"My，aren\'tyoucomingon！"shesaidtothefigureintheglass。

"Dressingfordinner！Firstthingyouknowyou\'llbeaperfectlady。"

CHAPTERVI。JaneMeredithWhenEileencamedowntodinnerthateveningLindaunderstoodataglancethataneffortwastobemadetoeffacethoroughlyfromthemindofJohnGilmanallmemoryoftheEileenofthepreviousevening。Shehaddecidedonredressingherhair，whilesheworeoneofhermostbecomingandattractivegowns。ToLindaandKatyduringthedinnershewassimplycharming。Havingsaidwhatshewantedtosayandreceivedtheassuranceshedesired，LindaacceptedheradvancescordiallyanddisplayedsuchcharmingproclivitiesherselfthatEileenbegancovertlytowatchher，andasshewatchedthereslowlygrewinherbraintheconvictionthatsomethinghadhappenedtoLinda。Atonceshebeganstudyingdeeplyinanefforttolearnwhatitmightbe。TherewerethreeparamountthingsinEileen\'scosmosthatcouldhappentoagirl:

Shecouldhavelovelyclothing。Lindadidnothaveit。Shecouldhavemoneyandinfluentialfriends。SinceMarian\'sgoingLindahadpracticallynofriend；shewasmerelyacquaintedwithalmosteveryonelivinginLilacValley。Shecouldhavealover。

Lindahadnone。Butstay！Eileen\'sthoughthaltedatthesuggestion。Maybeshehad！Shehadbeenleftcompletely，toherowndeviceswhenshewasnotwantedaboutthehouse。Shehadbeenminglingwithhundredsofboysandgirlsinhighschool。

Shemighthavemetsomemanrepeatedlyonthestreetcars，goingtoandfromschool。Inschoolshemighthaveattractedthesonofsomewealthyandinfluentialfamily；whichwastheonlykindofsonEileenchosetoconsiderinconnectionwithLinda。

ThroughEileen\'sbrainranbitsoftheconversationofthepreviousevening。Sherecalledthatthemenshehadintendedshouldspendtheeveningwaitingonherandpayingherprettycomplimentshadspentiteatinglikehungrymen，laughingandjestingwithLindaandMarian，givingeveryevidenceofasatisfactionwiththeirentertainmentthatneverhadbeenevincedwiththebestbrandofattractionsshehadtooffer。

EileenwaswillingtoconcedethatMarianThornehadbeenabeautifulgirl，andshehadknown，previoustothedisaster，thatitwasquiteaslikelythatanymanmightadmireMarian\'sflashingdarkbeautyasherblondeloveliness。Betweenthemthenitwouldhavebeenmerelyaquestionoftasteonthepartoftheman。SinceMarian\'sdarkheadhadturnedashen，Eileenhadsimplyeliminatedheratonesweep。ThatwhitehairwouldbrandMariananywhereasanoldwoman。Verylikelynomaneverwouldwanttomarryher。Eileenwassureshewouldnotwanttoifshewereaman。NowonderJohnGilmanhadceasedtobeattractedbyagirl\'sfacewithagrandmothersetting。

AsforLinda，Eileenneverhadconsideredheratallexceptasaconveniencetoserveherownpurposes。LastnightshehadlearnedthatLindahadabrain，thatshehadwit，thatshecouldsaythingstowhichmenoftheworldlistenedwithinterest。ShebegantowatchLinda。Sheappraisedwithdeepestenvythedarkhaircurlingnaturallyonhertemples。Shewonderedhowhairthatcurlednaturallycouldbesothickandheavy，andshethoughtwhatacrownofglorywouldadornLinda\'sheadwhenthedaycametocoilthoselongdarkbraidsarounditandfastenthemwithflashingpins。Shedrewsomesatisfactionfromthesunburnedfaceandleanfigurebeforeher，butitwasnotsatisfactionofsoul-sustainingquality。TherewasbeginningtobesomethingdisquietingaboutLinda。Aroundnesswascreepingoverherleanframe；aglowwasbeginningtocolorherlipsandcheekbones；adewylookcouldbesurprisedinherdarkeyesoccasionally。Shehadtheeffectofacreaturewithsomethingyeastybottledinsideitthatwasbeginningtofermentandmighteffervesceatanyminute。Eileenhadbeensosurprisedthepreviouseveningandagainbeforedinner，thatshemadeuphermindthathereafteronemightexpectalmostanythingfromLinda。

Shewouldnolongerfollowasuggestionunlessthesuggestionaccordedwithhersenseofrightandjustice。Itwasbarelypossiblethatitmightberequiredtopleaseherinclinations。

Eileen\'smindworkedwithunbelievableswiftness。Shetoreathersubjectlikeavulturetearingatafeast，andlikeavultureshereachedthevitalsswiftly。Sheprefacedherquestionwithadrylaugh。Thensheleanedforwardandaskedsoftly:"Linda，dear，whyhaven\'tyoutoldme？"

Linda\'seyesweresoclearandhonestastheymetEileen\'sthatshealmosthesitated。

"Alittlemoreexplicit，please，"saidthegirlquietly。

"WHOISHE？"askedEileenabruptly。

"Oh，Ihaven\'tnarrowedtoanindividual，"saidLindalargely"Youhavenoticedaflockofboysfollowingmefromschoolandhangingaroundthefrontdoor？Ihavesuchhoststochoosefromthatit\'sgoingtotakeaparticularlysplendidknightonasnow-

whitecharger——Ithink\'charger\'istheproperword——tocapturemyyoungaffections。"

Eileenwassatisfied。Therewasn\'tanyhe。ShemightforashorttimeyetcutLinda\'sfinancestotheextremelimit。

Wheneveramanappearedonthehorizonshewouldbeforcedtomakeadivisionatleastapproachingequality。

LindafollowedEileentothelivingroomandsatdownwithabookuntilJohnGilmanarrived。Shehadadesiretostudyhimforafewminutes。ShewasgoingtowriteMarianaletterthatnight。

ShewantedtoknowifshecouldhonestlytellherthatGilmanappearedlonelyandseemedtomissher。Katyhadnochancetoanswerthebellwhenitrang。Eileenwasinthehall。Lindacouldnottellwhatwashappeningfromthemurmurofvoices。

PresentlyJohnandEileenenteredtheroom，andasLindagreetedhimshedidhavetheimpressionthatheappearedunusuallythoughtfulandworried。Shesatforhalfanhour，takingslightpartintheconversation。Thensheexcusedherselfandwenttoherroom，andasshewentsheknewthatshecouldnothonestlywriteMarianwhatshehadhoped，forinthirtyminutesbytheclockEileen\'sblandishmentshadworked，andJohnGilmanwaslookingatherasifshewerethemostexquisiteanddesirablecreatureinexistence。

SlowlyLindaclimbedthestairsandenteredherroom。Sheslidtheboltofherdoorbehindher，turnedonthelights，unlockedadrawer，andtakingfromitaheapofmaterialsshescatteredthemoverasmalltable，andpickingupherpencil，shesatgazingatthesheetbeforeherforsometime。Thenslowlyshebeganwriting:

Itappealstomethat，farasmoderncivilizationhasgoneinculinaryefforts，wehavenotnearlyreachedthelimitsavailabletousasIpointedoutlastmonth。Weconsiderourselvescapableofpreparingandproducingelaboratebanquets，yetatnotimeareweapproachinganythingeventocompareinlavishnessanddelicacywiththedaysofLucullus。Wearenotfeastingonbakedswans，peacocktonguesanddrinkingourpearls。Iamnotrecommendingthatweshouldrevivetheindulgenceofsuchlavishanduselessexpenditure，butIwouldsuggestthatifwetirewiththesamenessofourculinaryefforts，weatleasttrysomeofthenewdishesdescribedinthisdepartment，establishedforthesolepurposeoftheirintroduction。Insodoingweaccomplishamultiplepurpose。Weenlargetheresourcesofthesouthwest。Weteasestaleappetiteswithanewtang。Weoffertheworldsomethingdifferent，yetnativetous。WeusemodernmethodsonIndianmaterialandtheresultsaremostsurprising。IntryingthesedishesIwouldremindyouthatfewofuscaredforoysters，olives，celery——almostanyfruitorvegetableonecouldmentiononfirsttrial。Tryseveraltimesandbesureyoupreparedishesexactlyrightbeforecondemningthemaseitherfadorfancy。

Theseareveryreal，nourishinganddeliciousfoodsthatarebeingofferedyou。HereisasaladthatwouldhaveintriguedthepalateofLucullus，himself。Ifyoudonotbelieveme，tryit。

Thevegetableisslightlyknownbyafewnativemountaineersandranchers。Botanistscarrieditabroadwhereunderthenameofwinter-purslaneitisusedinFranceandEnglandforgreensorsalad，whileremainingpracticallyunknownathome。Boiledandseasonedasspinachitmakesequallygoodgreens。Butitisinsaladthatitstandspre-eminent。

Gotoanycanyon——Ishallnotrevealthenameofmyparticularcanyon——andlocateabedofminer\'slettuce(Montiaperfoliata)。

Growinginrankbedsbesideacold，cleanstream，youwillfindthesepulpy，exquisitelyshaped，pungentroundleavesfromthecenterofwhichliftsatinyheadofmistywhitelace，sendingupapalate-teasing，spicyperfume。Thecrisp，pinkishstemssnapinthefingers。Besurethatyouwashtheleavescarefullysothatnolurkinggermsclingtothem。Fillyoursaladbowlwiththecrispleaves，fromwhichtheflowerheadhasbeenplucked。

Fordressing，diceateacupofthemostdeliciousbaconyoucanobtainandfryittoacrispbrowntogetherwithasmallslicedonion。Addtothefattwotablespoonsofsugar，halfateaspoonofmustard；saltwillscarcelybenecessarythebaconwillfurnishthat。Blendthefat，sugar，andmustard，andpourinameasureofthebestapplevinegar，dilutedtotaste。Bringthismixturetotheboilingpoint，andwhenithascooledslightlypouritoverthelettuceleaves，lightlyturningwithasilverfork。Garnishtheedgeofthedishwithadeepborderofthefreshleavesbearingtheirlaceofwhitebloomintact，aroundtheedgeofthebowl，andsprinkleontopthesiftedyolksoftwohard-boiledeggs，heapingthedicedwhitesinthecenter。

Lindapausedandread。thisovercarefully。

"Thatisallright，"shesaid。"Icouldn\'tmakethatmuchbetter。"

Shemadeafewcorrectionshereandthere，andpickingupacoloredpencil，shedeftlysketchedinaheadpieceofdelicatespraysofminers\'lettucetippedatdifferingangles，fringywhitewithbloom。Belowsheprinted:"AdeliciousIndiansalad。

ThesecondofaseriesofnewdishestobeofferedmadefrommaterialsusedbytheIndians。Compoundedandtestedinherowndietkitchenbytheauthor。"

Swiftlyshesketchedatailpiecerepresentingatabletopuponwhichsatatempting-lookingbigsaladbowlfilledwithfreshgreenleaves，rimmedwitharowofdelicatewhiteflowers，fromwhichyoucouldalmostscentateasingdelicatefragrancearising；andbeneath，inaclear，firmhand，shestrokedinthename，JaneMeredith。Shewentoverherworkcarefully，thenlaiditflatonapieceofcardboard，shoveditintoanenvelope，directedittotheeditorofEverybody\'sHome，laiditinsidehergeometry，andwroteherlettertoMarianbeforegoingtobed。

InthemorningonherwaytothestreetcarshegailywavedtoapassingautomobilegoingdownLilacValley，inwhichsatJohnGilmanandPeterMorrisonandhisarchitect，andastheyweredrivinginthedirectionfromwhichshehadcome，LindaveryrightlysurmisedthattheyweregoingtopickupEileenandmakeatourofthevalley，lookingforavailablebuildinglocations；

andshewonderedwhyEileenhadnottoldherthattheywerecoming。Lindahadbeenrightaboutthedestinationofthecar。

ItturnedinattheStrongdrivewayandstoppedatthedoor。

JohnGilmanwenttoringthebellandlearnifEileenwereready。

Peterfollowedhim。HenryAndersonsteppedfromthecarandwanderedoverthelawn，lookingattheastonishingarrayofbushes，vines，flowers，andtrees。

Fromonetoanotherhewent，fingeringthewaxyleaves，studyingthebrilliantflowerfaces。Finallyturningacornerandcrossingthewildgarden，towhichhepaidslightattention，hestarteddowntheothersideofthehouse。Hereanalmostoverpoweringodorgreetedhisnostrils，andhewentovertoalargetreecoveredwithrough，darkgreen，almostbrownish，lance-shapedleaves，eachbranchterminatinginaheavysprayofyellowish-greenflowers，whoseodorwasofcloyingsweetness。

Thebeeswerebuzzingoverit。Itwasnotatreewithwhichhewasfamiliar，andsteppingback，helookedatitcarefully。Thenatitsbase，wind-drivenintoacrevicebetweentheroots，hisattentionwasattractedtoacrumpledsheetofpaper，uponwhichhecouldseelinesthatwouldhaveattractedtheattentionofanyarchitect。Hewentforwardinstantly，pickedupthesheet，andstraighteningitouthestoodlookingatit。

"Holysmoke！"hebreathedsoftly。"Whatafind！"

Helookedatthereverseofthesheet，hisfacebecomingmoreintenteveryminute。WhenheheardPeterMorrison\'svoicecallinghimhehastilythrustthepaperintohiscoatpocket；buthehadgoneonlyafewstepswhenhestopped，glancedkeenlyoverthehouseandlawn，turnedhisback，andtakingthesheetfromhispocket，hesmootheditout，foldeditcarefully，andputitinaninsidepocket。Thenhejoinedtheparty。

AtoncetheysetouttoexaminetheavailablelocationsthatyetremainedinLilacValley。Natureprovidedthemawonderfuldayofsnappysunshineandheadyseaair。Springfavoredthemwithlilacwallsattheirbluest，brokenhereandtherewiththerose-

mistedwhitemahogany。Thevioletnightshadewasbeginningtoadddeepercolortothehillsinthesunniestwildspots。Thepaniclesofmahoniabloomwereshowingtheirgoldcolor。Wildflowerswereliftingleavesoffeatherandlaceeverywhere，andmostagreeableonthecoolmorningairwasafaintbreathofCaliforniasage。Uponesideofthevalley，weavinginandout，upanddown，overthefoothillstheyworkedtheirway。Theystoppedfordinneratoneofthebeautifulbighotels，practicallyfilledwithEasterntourists。Eileenneverhadknownaproudermomentthanwhenshetookherplaceattheheadofthetableandpresidedoverthedinnerwhichwasservedtothreemostattractivespecimensofphysicalmanhood，eachofwhomwasunusuallywellendowedwithbrain，allflatteringherwiththemostdevotedattention。Thistriumphsheachievedinadiningroomseatinghundredsofpeople，itsmirror-linedwallsreflectingherexquisiteimagefrommanyangles，totheclickofsilver，andtherunningaccompanimentofmanyvoices。Whatshehadexpectedtoaccomplishinherowndiningroomhadcometoherbeforealargeaudience，inwhich，shehadnodoubt，thereweremanyenviouswomen。EileenrayedlovelinesslikeaMariposalily，andpurredinuttercontentmentlikeadeftlystrokedkitten。

WhentheypartedintheeveningPeterMorrisonhadmemorandaofthreelocationsthathewishedtoconsider。ThathemightnotseemtobeundulyinfluencedortobegivingtheremainderofLosAngelesCountyitsjustdue，heproposedtomotoraroundforaweekbeforereachinganultimatedecision，butinhishearthealreadyhaddecidedthatsomewherenearLosAngeleshewouldbuildhishome，andasyethehadseennothingnearlysoattractiveasLilacValley。

CHAPTERVII。TryingYuccaOnherwaytoschoolthatmorningLindastoppedatthepostofficeandpastedtherequiredamountofstampsuponthepackagethatshewasmailingtoNewYork。ShehurriedfromherlastclassthatafternoontothecitydirectorytofindthestreetandnumberofJamesBrothers，figuringthatthefirmwithwhomMariandealtwouldbetheproperpeopleforhertoconsult。Shehadnodifficultyinfindingtheplaceforwhichshewassearching，andshewasratheragreeablyimpressedwiththementowhomshetalked。ShemadearrangementswiththeirbuyertocallatherhomeinLilacValleyatnineo\'clockthefollowingSaturdaymorningtoappraisethearticleswithwhichshewishedtopart。

Thenshewenttooneoftheleadingbookstoresofthecityandmadeinquirieswhichguidedhertoareliablesecond-handbookdealer，andshearrangedtobereadytoreceivehisrepresentativeatteno\'clockonSaturday。

Reachinghomeshetookanotebookandpencil，andstudiedthebilliardroomandthelibrary，makingalistofthefurniturewhichshedidnotactuallyneed。Afterthatshebeganonthelibraryshelves，listingsuchmedicalworksaswereofatechnicalnature。Booksoffiction，history，art，andbiography，andthosebookswrittenbyherfathershedidnotinclude。Shefoundthatshehadalongtaskwhichwouldoccupyseveralevenings。Hermindwasmethodicalandshehadbeenwithherfatherthroughsufficientbusinesstransactionstounderstandthatinordertodriveagoodbargainshemustknowhowmanyvolumesshehadtoofferandtheimportanceoftheirauthorsasmedicalauthorities；sheshouldalsoknowtheexactconditionofeachsetofbooks。Sinceshehadmadeuphermindtoletthemgo，andsheknewthevalueofmanyofthebig，leather-boundvolumes，shedeterminedthatshewouldnotsellthemuntilshecouldsecurethehighestpossiblepriceforthem。

TwomonthspreviouslyshewouldhaveconsultedJohnGilmanandaskedhimtoarrangethetransactionforher。Sincehehadallowedhimselftobedupedsoeasily——oratleastithadseemedeasytoLinda；for，muchassheknewofEileen，shecouldnotpossiblyknowtheweeksofsecretplotting，theplansforunexpectedmeetings，thetrumped-upbusinessproblemsnecessarytodiscuss，thedeliberateflauntingofherphysicalcharmsbeforehim，allofwhichhadmadehisconquestextremelyhardforEileen，butLinda，seeingonlyresults，hadthoughtitcontemptiblyeasy——shewouldnotaskJohnGilmananything。ShewouldgoaheadonthebasisofheragreementwithEileenanddothebestshecouldalone。

ShecountedonSaturdaytodisposeofthefurniture。Thebooksmightgoatherleisure。Thenthefirstoftheweekshecouldselectsuchfurnitureasshedesiredinordertoarrangethebilliardroomforherstudy。Ifshehadasuitableplaceinwhichtoworkinseclusion，thereneedbenohurryaboutthelibrary。Sheconscientiouslypreparedallthelessonsrequiredinherschoolcourseforthenextdayandthen，stackingherbooks，sheagainunlockedthedraweropenedthepreviousevening，andtakingfromitthesamematerials，settowork。Shewrote:

Botanistshavefailedtomentionthatthereisanyconnectionbetweenasparagus，originallyaproductofsaltmarshes，andYucca，aproductofthealkalinedesert。Veryprobablythereisnobotanicalrelationship，butthesetwoplantsarealikeinflavor。Fromthealkaline，sunbeatendesertwherethebayonetplantthrustsupatenderbloomheadsixinchesinheight，itslowlyincreasesinstatureasittravelsacrosscountrymorefrequentlyrainwashed，andwindsitswaybesidemountainstreamstowhereinmorefertilesoilandthesamesunshineitdevelopsmagnificentspecimensfromtentofifteenandmorefeetinheight。Theplantgrowsanumberofyearsbeforeitdecidestoflower。Whenitreachesmaturityitthrowsupabloomstemastenderasthedelicateheadofasparagus，thickasone\'supperarm，andrunningtotwiceone\'sheight。Thisbloomsteminitsearlystagesiscoloredthepalepinkofasparagus，withfainttouchesofyellow，andhintsofblue。Atmaturityitbreaksintoagorgeousheadoflavender-tinted，creamypendentflowerscoveringtheupperthirdofitsheight，billowingoutslightlyinthecenter，sothatfromadistancethewaxentorchtakesonverymuchtheappearanceofaflamingcandle。Forthisreason，inMexico，wheretheplantflourishesinevengreaterabundancethaninCalifornia，withtheexquisitepoetrycommontothetongueandheartoftheSpaniard，YuccaWhippleihasbeencommonlynamed"OurLord\'sCandle。"AtthemostdelicatetimeoftheirgrowththesecandlestickswereroastedandeatenbytheIndians。Baseduponthisknowledge，Iwouldrecommendtwodishes，almostequallydelicious，whichmaybepre。paredfromthisplant。

Takethemostsucculentyoungbloomstemswhentheyhaveexactlytheappearanceofanasparagusheadatitsmomentofdeliciousperfection。Withasharpknife，cutthemincirclesaninchindepth。Arrangetheseinashallowporcelainbakingdish，sprinklewithsalt，dotthemwithbutter，addenoughwatertokeepthemfromstickingandburning。Bakeuntilthoroughlytender。Useapancaketurnertoslidetheringstoahotplatter，andgarnishwithcirclesofhard-boiledegg。Thisyouwillfindanextremelydelicateandappetizingdish。

ThesecondrecipeIwouldofferistotreatthisvegetablepreciselyasyouwouldcreamedasparagus。Cutthestalksinsix-inchlengths，quarterthemtofacilitatecookingandhandling，andboilinsaltedwater。Drain，arrangeinahotdish，andpouroveracarefullymadecreamsauce。Imightaddthatonestalkwouldfurnishsufficientmaterialforseveralfamilies。Thisdishshouldbepopularinsouthwesternstateswheretheplantgrowsprofusely；andtocultivatetheseplantsforshippingtoEasternmarketswouldbequiteasfeasibleastheshippingofasparagus，rhubarb，artichokes，orlettuce。

Ihavefoundboththesedishespeculiarlyappetizing，butI

shouldbesorryif，inintroducingYuccaasafood，Ibecameinstrumentalintheexterminationofthisuniversalandwonderfullybeautifulplant。ForthisreasonIhavehesitatedaboutincludingYuccaamongthesearticles；butwhenIseethebloomdestroyedruthlesslybythousandswhocutittodecoratetouringautomobilesandfruitandvegetablestandsbesidethehighways，whocarryitfromitsnativelocationandstickitintheparchingsunoftheseashoreasatemporaryshelter，Ifeelthatthebloomstemsmightaswellbeusedforfoodastobesoruthlesslywasted。

Theplantishardyintheextreme，growinginthemostunfavorableplaces，clingingtenaciouslytosheermountainandcanyonwalls。Afterbloomingandseedingtheplantseemstohavethrowneveryparticleofnourishmentitcontainsintoitsdevelopment，itdriesoutanddies(thespongywoodismadeintopincushionsfortheartstores)；butfromtherootstherespringanumberofyoungplants，which，afterafewyearsofgrowth，matureandrepeattheirlifecycle，whileotheryoungplantsdevelopfromthewidelyscatteredseeds。TheSpaniardsattimescalltheplantQuiota。Thiswordseemstobederivedfromquiotl，whichistheAztecnameforAgave，fromwhichplantadrinknotunlikebeerisproduced，andsuggeststhepossibilitythattheremighthavebeenatimewhenthesucculentflowerstemoftheYuccafurnisheddrinkaswellasfoodfortheIndians。

Aftercarefullyre-readingandmakingseveralminorcorrections，Lindapickedupherpencil，andacrossthetopofasheetofheavypapersketchedthepeaksofachainofmountains。Acrossthebaseshedrewastretchofdesertfloor，bristlingwiththethornsofmanydifferentcactibrilliantwiththeirgold，pink，andredbloom，intermingledwithfinegrassesanddesertflowerfaces。

Attheleftshepainstakinglydrewahugeplantofyuccawithaperfectcircleofbayonets，fromthecenterofwhichuprosethegiganticflowerstemthelengthofherpage，andonthemistybloomoftheflamingtonguesheworkedquiteaslateasMarianThornehadeverseenalightburninginherwindow。Whenshehadfinishedherdrawingshestudieditcarefullyalongtime，addingatouchhereandthere，andthenshesaidsoftly:"There，Daddy，IfeelthatevenyouwouldthinkthatafaithfulreproductionTomorrownightI\'llpaintit。"

JohnGilmansawthelightfromLinda\'swindowwhenhebroughtEileenhomethatnight，andwhenheleftheglancedthatwayagain，andwassurprisedtoseetheroomstilllighted，andtheyoungfigurebendingoveraworktable。Hestoodverystillforafewminutes，wonderingwhatcouldkeepLindaawakesofarintothenight，andwhilehisthoughtswereuponherhewondered，too，whyshedidnotcaretohavebeautifulclothessuchasEileenwore；andthenhewentfurtherandwonderedwhy，whenshecouldbeasentertainingasshehadbeenthenightshejoinedthematdinner，shedidnotmakeherappearanceoftener；andthen，becausethemindisaqueerthing，andhehadwonderedaboutagivenstateofaffairs，hewentastepfurther，andwonderedwhethertheexplanationlayinLinda\'sinclinationsorinEileen\'smanagement，andthenhisthoughtfastenedtenaciouslyuponthesubjectofEileen\'smanagement。

Hewasapatientman。HehadallowedhisreasonandbetterjudgmenttobeswayedbyEileen\'sexquisitebeautyandherblandishments。HedidnotregrethavingdiscoveredbeforeitwastoolatethatMarianThornewasnotthegirlhehadthoughther。

Hewantedawifecutaftertheclinging-vinepattern。Hewantedtobethedominatingfigureinhishome。IthadnottakenEileenlongtoteachhimthatMarianwasself-assertiveandwoulddoalargeshareofdominatingherself。HehadthoughtthathewasperfectlysatisfiedandveryhappywithEileen；yetthatdayherepeatedlyhadfeltpiquedandannoyedwithher。ShehadopenlycajoledandflirtedwithHenryAndersonpastapointwhichwasagreeableforanymantoseehissweetheartgowithanothermanWithPeterMorrisonshehadbeenunspeakablycharminginamannerwithwhichJohnwasveryfamiliar。

Heturneduphiscoatcollar，thrusthishandsinhispockets，andsworesoftly。Lookingstraightaheadofhim，heshouldhaveseenastretchoflevelsidewalk，borderedononehandbylacy，tropicalfoliage，ontheother，bysheetsoflevelgreenlawn，brokeneverywherebytheuprisingbolesofgreattrees，clumpsofrarevines，androwsofdarkenedhomes，attractiveinarchitectural_，design\'vinecovered，hushedforthenight。Whathereallysawwasasmallplateau，sunillumined，atthefootofamountainacrossthevalley，wherethelilacwallwasthebluest，wherethesunshoneslightlymoregoldenthananywhereelseinthevalley，wherehugeliveoaksoutstretchedruggedarms，wheretheairhadatangofsalt，atingeofsage，anodoroforange，shotthroughwithsnowycoolness，thrilledwithbirdsong，andthelaughingchuckleofabigspringbreakingfromthefootofthemountain。

Theyhadlefttheroadandfollowedanarrow，screenedpathbywhichtheycameunexpectedlyintothisopening。Theyhadstooduponitinwordlessenchantment，lookingdowntheslopebeneathit，acrossthepeaceofthevalley，tothebluerangesbeyond。

"Justwherearewe？"PeterMorrisonhadaskedatlast。

JohnGilmanhadbeenlookingataviewwhichincludedEileen。

Sheliftedherface，flushedandexquisite，toPeterMorrisonandansweredinabreathlessundertone，yetJohnhaddistinctlyheardher:

"Howwonderfulitwouldbeifwewereatyourhouse。Oh，Ienvythewomanwhosharesthiswithyou！"

Ithadnotbeenanythinginparticular，yetalldayithadteasedJohnGilman\'ssensibilities。Hefeltashamedofhimselffornotbeingmoreenthusiasticashesearchedrecordsandhelpedtolocatetheownerofthatparticularspot。ToJohn，therewasanewtoneinPeter\'svoice，apossessivelightinhiseyesashestudiedthelocation，andmadeexcursionsinseveraldirections，tofixinhismindtheexactpositionoftheland。

Hehadindicatedwhatheconsideredthetopographicallocationforahouse——stoodonitfacingthevalley，andsteppedthedistancesuitablyfarawaytosetagarageandfiguredonashortprivateroaddowntothehighway。HeveryplainlywasdeeplyprepossessedwithalocationJohnGilmanblamedhimselffornothavingfoundfirst。Certainlynaturehadheregrownandwalledadreamgardeninwhichtosetahouseofdreams。So，pastmidnight，Gilmanstoodinthesunshine，lookingatthefaceofthegirlhehadaskedtomarryhimandwhohadsaidthatshewould；andasmalldoubtcreptintohisheart，andafeelingthatperhapslifemightbedifferentforhimifPeterMorrisondecidedtocometoLilacValleytobuildhishome。Thenthesunlightfaded，nightclosedin，butashewenthishomewardwayJohnGilmanwasthinking，thinkingdeeplyandnotatallhappily。

CHAPTERVIII。TheBearCat"Friday\'schildislovingandgiving，ButSaturday\'schildmustworkforaliving，"

LindawaschantinghappilyassheenteredthekitchenearlySaturdaymorning。

"Katy，meblessing，"shesaidgaily，"didIeverpointouttoyoutheinterestingfactthatIwasbornonSaturday？Andadevilishpieceofluckitwas，forIhavebeenhustlingeversince。It\'sbadenoughtohavebeenbornonMondayandspoiledwashday，butIcallSaturdaythevanishingpoint，theendoftheextremelimit。"

Katylaughed，and，asalways，turnedadoringeyesonLinda。

"Iamnotneedingye，lambie，"shesaid。"Isitbigbusinessinthecanyonye\'rehavingtoday？ShallIbereadytobecookinguponeofthemGod-forsakenRedIndianmessesforyewhenyecomeback？"

Lindaheldupawarningfinger。