第3章

"Hiss，Katy，"shesaid。"Thatisadarksecret。Don\'tyoubeforgettingyourselfandsayinganythinglikethatbeforeanyone，orIwouldberuinedentirely。"

"Well，Ididthinkwhenyebeganit，"saidKaty，"thatofallthewildfoolishnessyeandyourpahadevergonethroughwith，thatwastheworst，butthatlastmessyeworkedoutwassotastytothetonguethatIthoughtofitalot，andI\'mkindo\'hankeringformore。"

LindacaughtKatyandswungheraroundthekitcheninawildwardance。Hergayestlaughbubbledclearfromthejoypeakofhersoul。

"Katy，"shesaid，"ifyouhadlainawakeallnighttryingtosaysomethingthatwouldparticularlypleaseme，youcouldn\'thavedonebetter。Thatwasaquaintlittlephraseandatruelittlephrase，andIknowalittlespotthatitwillfitexactly。WhatamIdoingtoday？Well，severalthings，Katy。First，anythingyouneedaboutthehouse。Next，Iamgoingtoemptythebilliardroomandsellsomeoftheexcessfurnitureofthelibrary，andwiththereturnsIamgoingtobuymearugandatableandsometoolstoworkwith，soIwon\'thavetoclutterupmybedroomwithmylessonsandthingsIbringinthatIwanttosave。AndthenI

amgoingtosellthetechnicalstufffromthelibraryandusethatmoneywhereitwillbeofgreatestadvantagetome。Andthen，Katy，IamgoingtomanicuretheBearCatandIamgoingtodriveitagain。"

Lindahesitated。Katystoodverystill，thinkingintently，butfinallyshesaid:"That\'sallright；yehavegotgoodcommonsense；yournervesaresteady；yourpadrilledyefine。Many\'sthetimehehasbraggedtomebehindyourbackwhatafinelittledriverhewasmakingofye。Idon\'tknowagirlofyourageanywherethathaslessenjoymentthanye。Ifitwouldbegivingyeanyhappinesstobedrivingthatcar，yejustgoaheadanddriveit，lambie，butyepromisemehereandnowthatyewillbemortalcareful。InallmydaysIdon\'tthinkIhaveseenameaner-lookinglittlebasteofacar。"

"OfcourseI\'llbecareful，Katy，"saidLinda。"Thatcarwasnotboughtforitsbeauty。Itsprimalobjectinthisworldwastoarrive。Gee，howweshotcurves，andcoasteddownthecanyons，andgasseduponthelevelwhensomepoorsoulwentbattyfromnervestrain！Thetruthis，Katy，thatyoucan\'tdriveveryslowly。Youhavegottogothespeedforwhichitwasbuilt。

ButIhavehadmytraining。Iwon\'tforget。Iadorethatcar，Katy，andIdon\'tknowhowIhaveeverkeptmyfingersoffitthislong。Todayitgetsabathandafacialtreatment，andwhen1havethoughtupsomewaytomeetmybigproblem，you\'regoingtohavearide，Katy，thatwillquiteupliftyoursoul。We\'llgoscootingthroughthecanyons，andwhizzingaroundthemountains，androaringalongthebeach，asslickasawhiteseaswallow。"

"Now，easy，lambie，easy，"saidKaty。"Ye\'replanningtospeedthatthingbeforeye\'vegotitoffthejacks。"

"No，thatwasmeretalk，"saidLinda。"But，Katy，thisismygreatday。IfeelinmybonesthatIshallhaveenoughmoneybynighttogetmesomenewtires，whichImusthavebeforeIcanstartoutinsafety。"

"Ofcourseyemust，honey。Iwouldjustbetickledtopiecestoletyehavewhatyeneed。"

LindaslidherhandacrossKaty\'slipsandgatheredhercloseinherarms。

"Youblessedolddarling，"shesaid。"Ofcourseyouwould，butI

don\'tneedit，Katy。Icansitonthefloortowork，ifImust，andinsteadoftakingthemoneyfromthebilliardtabletobuyaworktable，Icanbuytireswiththat。Buthere\'sanotherthingI

wanttotellyou，Katy。Thisafternoonamalebipediscomingtothishouse，andhe\'snotcomingtoseeEileen。HisnameisDonaldWhiting，andwhenhetellsyouitis，andstandsverystraightandtakesoffhishat，andlooksyouintheeyeandsays，\'CallingonMissLindaStrong，\'walkhimintothelivingroom，Katy，andseathiminthebestchairandputabookbesidehimandthemorningpaper；anddon\'tyouforgettodoitwithaflourish。Heisnothingbutahigh-schoolkid，buthe\'sthefirstboythateverinallmydaysaskedtocometoseemesoit\'sabigevent；andIwishtomysoulIhadsomethingdecenttowear。"

"Well，withalltheclothesinthishouse，"saidKaty；andthenshestoppedandshutherlipstightandlookedatLindawithbelligerentIrisheyes。

"Iknowit，"noddedLindainacquiescence；"Iknowwhatyouthink；butnevermind。Eileenhasagreedtomakemeafairallowancethefirstofthemonth，andifthatisn\'tsufficient，I

maypossiblyfigureupsomewaytodosomeextraworkthatwillbringmeafewhonestpennies，soIcanfussupenoughtolookfeminineattimes，Katy。Inthemeantime，farewell，oh，mybelovedest。Callmeathalf-pasteight，soIwillbereadyforbusinessatnine。"

ThenLindawenttothegarageandbeganoperations。Sheturnedthehoseonthecarandwashedthedustfromitcarefully。Thenshedrieditwiththechamoisskinsassheoftenhaddonebefore。

Shecarefullyexaminedthecushioning，andfindingitdryandhard，shegaveitabathofoliveoilandwipedandmanipulatedit。Shecleanedtheenginewithextremecare。AtoneminuteshewasrunningtoKatyforkerosenetopourthroughtheenginetoloosenthecarbon。Atanothershewastelephoningforthedeliveryofoil，gasoline，andbatteriesforwhichshehadnomoneytopay，soshechargedthemtoEileen，orderingthebilltobesentonthefirstofthemonth。ItseemedtoherthatshehadonlyagoodstartwhenKatycameafterher。

Thebusinessofappraisingthefurniturewasshort，andLindawaswellsatisfiedwiththepriceshewasofferedforit。AfterthemanhadgonesheshowedKatythepiecesshehadmarkedtodisposeof，andtoldherwhentheywouldbecalledfor。Sheateafewbitesoflunchwhilewaitingforthebookman，andtheresultsofherbusinesswithhimquitedelightedLinda。Shehadnotknownthatthevalueofbookshadrisenwiththepriceofeverythingelse。Themanwithwhomshedealthadknownherfather。Hehadappreciatedthestraininhernaturewhichmadehersuggestthatheshouldnumberandappraisethebooks，butshemustbeallowedtimetogothrougheachvolumeinordertoremoveanyscrapsofpaperormemorandawhichherfathersofrequentlyleftinbookstowhichhewasreferring。HehadfiguredcarefullyandhehadmadeLindaafarhigherpricethancouldhavebeensecuredbyaman。Asthegirlwentbacktoherabsorbingtaskinthegarage，shecouldseeherwaycleartothecomfortsandconveniencesandthematerialthatsheneededforherwork。When。shereachedthecarshepatteditasifithadbeenalivingcreature。

"Cheerup，niceoldthing，"shesaidgaily。"Iknowhowtogetnewtiresforyou，andyoushalldrinkallthegasolineandoilyourtummycanhold。Nowletmesee。WhatmustIdonext？I

mustgetyouoffyourjacks；andoh，mygracioustherearethegreasecups，andthat\'sanastyjob，butitmustbedone；andwhatistheuseofSaturdayifIcan\'tdoit？Daddyoftendid。"

Lindabeganworkinutterabsorption。Shesucceededingettingthecaroffthejacks。Shewaslyingonherbackunderit，fillingsomeofthemostinaccessiblegreasecups，andshewassoftlysingingassheworked:

"TheshoesIweararecommon-senseshoes——"

AtthatminuteDonaldWhitingswungdownthestreet，turnedinattheStrongresidence，andrangthebell。Eileenwascomingdownthestairs，dressedforthestreet。ShehadinquiredforLinda，andKatyhadtoldherthatshethoughtMissLindahaddecidedtobeginusinghercar，andthatshewasinthegarageworkingonit。ToEileen\'scredititmaybesaidthatshehadnotbeentoldthatacallerwasexpected。Lindaneverbeforehadhadacallerand，asalways，Eileenwasabsorbedinherownconcerns。Hadshegottherougeatriflebrighterononecheekthanontheother？

Wasthepowderevenlydistributed？Wouldtheveilholdthehandmadecurlsinexactlytheproperplace？Whenthebellrangheronethoughtmighthavebeenthatsomeofherfriendswerecallingforher。Sheopenedthedoor，andwhenshelearnedthatLindawasbeingaskedfor，itispossiblethatshemistooktheclean，interesting，andwell-dressedyoungsterstandingbeforeherforamechanic。Whatshesaidwas:"Linda\'sworkingonhercar。Goaroundtotheleftandyouwillfindherinthegarage，andforheaven\'ssake，getitrightbeforeyouletherstartout，forwe\'vehadenoughhorrorinthisfamilyfrommotoraccidents。"

Thensheclosedthedoorbeforehimandstoodbuttoninghergloves；awickedandmalicioussmilespreadingoverherface。

"Justpossibly，"shesaid，"thatyoungsterisfromagarage，butifheis，he\'sthebestimitationoftherealthingthatIhaveseeninthesechaoticdays。"

DonaldWhitingstoppedatthegaragedoorandlookedin，beforeLindahadfinishedhergreasecups，andintimetobeinformedthathemightwearcommon-senseshoesifhechose。Athisstep，Lindarolledherblackheadonthecementfloorandraisedhereyes。Shedroppedthegreasecup，andherfacereddeneddeeply。

"Oh，myLord！"shegaspedbreathlessly。"IforgottotellKatywhentocallme！"

Inthatinstantshealsoforgotthatthestressofthepreviousfouryearshadaccustomedmentoseeingwomendoanykindofworkinanykindofcostume；butsoonLindarealizedthatDonaldWhitingwasnotpayinganyparticularattentioneithertoherortoheroccupation。Hewasleaningforward，gazingatthecarwithpositivelyanenrapturedexpressiononhiseageryoungface。

"ShadesofJehu！"hecried。"It\'saBearCat！"

Lindafeltaroundherheadforthegreasecup。

"Why，sureit\'saBearCat，"shesaidwiththecalmnessofcompleterecovery。"Andit\'sjustaboutreadytostartforitsveryowncaveinthecanyon。"

DonaldWhitingpitchedhishatupontheseat，shookoffhiscoat，andsentitflyingafterthehat。Thenhebeganunbuttoningandturningbackhissleeves。

"Here，letmedothat，"hesaidauthoritatively。"Gee！IhaveneveryetriddeninaBearCat。Takemewithyou，willyou，Linda？"

"Sure，"saidLinda，pressingthegreaseintothecupwithalittlepaddleandholdingituptoseeifshehaditwellfilled。

"Sure，butthere\'snouseinyougettingintothismess，becauseIhaveonlygottwomore。Youlookovertheengine。Didyouevergrindvalves，anddoyouthinktheseneedit？"

"Why，theydon\'tneedit，"saidDonald，"iftheywereallrightwhenitwasjackedup。"

"Well，theywere，"saidLinda。"Itwasrunninglikeawatchwhenitwenttosleep。Butdowedaretakeitoutonthesetires？"

"Howlonghasitbeen？"askedDonald，busyattheengine。

"Alloffouryears，"answeredLinda。

Donaldwhistledsoftlyandstartedacircuitofthecar，kickingthetiresandfeelingthem。

"Haveyoufilledthem？"heasked。

"No，"saidLinda。"IdidnotwanttostarttheengineuntilI

hadfinishedeverythingelse。"

"Allright，"hesaid，"I\'lllookatthevalvesfirstandthen，ifitisallready，thereoughttobeagaragenearthatwecanruntocarefully，andgettunedup。"

"Thereis，"saidLinda。"ThereisoneonlyafewblocksdownthestreetwhereDadalwayshadanythingdonethathedidnotwanttodohimself。"

"That\'sthat，then，"saidDonald。

Lindacrawledfromunderthecarandstoodup，wipingherhandsonabitofwaste。

"Doyouknowwhattirescostnow？"sheaskedanxiously。

"Theyhave\'ematthegarage，"answeredDonald，"andifIwereyou，Iwouldn\'tgetaset；Iwouldgettwo。Iwould-putthemontherearwheels。Youmightbesurprisedathowlongsomeofthesewilllast。Anyway，thatwouldbethethingtodo。"

"Ofcourse，"saidLinda，inarelievedtone。"Thatwouldbethethingtodo。"

"Now，"shesaid，"ImustbeexcusedafewminutestillIcleanupsoIamfittogoonthestreets。Ihopeyouwon\'tthinkI

forgotyouwerecoming。"

Donaldlaugheddrily。

"When\'shoes\'wasthefirstwordIheard，"hesaid，"Ididnotforaminutethinkyouhadforgotten。"

"No，Ididn\'tforget，"saidLinda。"WhatIdiddowastobecomesoexcitedaboutcleaningupthecarthatIlettimegofasterthanIthoughtitcould。Thatwaswhatmademelate。"

"Well，forgetit！"saidDonald。"Runalongandjumpintosomething，andletusgetourtiresandtryKittyout。"

Lindareachedupandreleasedthebrakes。Shesteppedtoonesideofthecarandlaidherhandsonit。

"Letusrunitdownoppositethekitchendoor，"shesaid，"thenyougoaroundtothefront，andI\'llletyouin，andyoucanreadsomethingafewminutestillImakemyselfpresentable。"

"Oh，I\'llstayouthereandlookaroundtheyardandgooverthecaragain，"saidtheboy。"Whatabunchofstuffyouhavegotgrowinghere；Idon\'tbelieveIeversawhalfofitbefore。"

"It\'sDaddy\'sandmycollection，"saidLinda。"SomedayI\'llshowyousomeofthethings，andtellyouhowwegotthem，andwhytheyarerare。TodayIjustnaturallycan\'twaitaminuteuntilItrymycar。"

"Isitreallyyours？"askedDonaldenviously。

"Yes，"saidLinda。"It\'sabouttheonlythingonearththatispeculiarlyandparticularlymine。Ihaven\'tadoubtthereareimprovedmodels，butDaddyhaddriventhiscaronlyaboutninemonths。Itwasgoingsmoothasvelvet，andthere\'snoreasonwhyitshouldnotkeepitup，thoughIsuspectthatbythistimetherearelatermodelsthatcouldoutrunit。"

"Oh，Idon\'tknow，"saidtheboy。"Itlookslikesomelittleoldcartome。Ibetitcanjustskate。"

"Iknowitcan，"saidLinda，"ifIhaven\'tneglectedsomething。

We\'llstartcarefully，andwe\'llhavetheinspectoratthesalesroomslookitover。"

ThenLindaenteredthekitchendoortofindKatywitheverythingediblethatthehouseaffordedspreadbeforeheronthetable。

"Why，Katy，whatareyoudoing？"sheasked。

"Iwasmakin\'ready，"explainedKaty，"tofixyethesamekindoflunchIwouldforMissEileen。Willyehaveitundertheliveoak，orinthelivingroom？"

"Neither，"saidLinda。"Comeupstairswithme，andinthestoreroomyou\'llfindthelunchcaseandthethermosbottlesanddon\'tstintyourself，Katy。Thisisarareoccasion。Itneverhappenedbefore。Probablyitwillneverhappenagain。

Let\'smakeithighaltitudewhileweareatit。"

"I\'lldomyverybestwithwhatIhappentohave，"saidKaty；

"butIwarnyourightnowIammakingagoodbigholeintheSundaydinner。"

"Idon\'tgivetwowhoops，"saidLinda，"ifthereisn\'tanySundaydinner。Inmemoryofhundredsoftimesthatwehaveeatenbreadandmilk，makeitabanquet，Katy，andwe\'lleatbreadandmilktomorrow。"

Thenshetookthestairwayatabound，andrantoherroom。Lnaveryshorttimesheemerged，cladinacleanblouseandbreeches\'

herclimbingboots，herblackhairfreshlybrushedandbraided。

"Ioughttohavesomething，"saidLinda，"toshademyeyes。iTheglare\'shardonthemfacingthesun。"

Goingdownthehallshecametothestoreroom，openedadrawer\'

andpickedoutafineblackfeltAlpinehatthathadbelongedtoherfather。Shecarrieditbacktoherroomand，standingattheglass，triediton，pullingitdownononeside，turningitupattheother，andstrikingadeepcleftacrossthecrown。Shelookedatherselfintentlyforaminute，andthenshereachedupanddeliberatelyloosenedthehairathertemples。

"Nothalfbad，allthingsconsidered，Linda，"shesaid。"But，oh，howyoudoneedatichofcolor。"

SherandownthehallandopenedthedoortoEileen\'sroom，andgoingtoherchiffonier，pulledoutadrawercontaininganarrayofgloves，veils，andribbons。Atthebottomoftheribbonstack，hereyecaughtthegleamofcolorforwhichshewassearching，andshedeftlyslippedoutanarrowscarfofRomanstripeswithadeepblackfringeattheend。Sittingdown，shefittedthehatoverherknee，pickedupthedressing-tablescissors，andrippedofftheband。Initsplaceshefittedtheribbon，pinningitsecurelyandknottingtheendssothatthefringereachedhershoulder。Thenshetriedthehatagain。Theresultwasblissfullysatisfactory。Theflashoforange，theblazeofred，thegleamofgreen，werewhatsheneeded。

"Thankyouverymuch，sistermine，"shesaid，"IknowyouIwouldbeperfectlydelightedtoloanmethis。"

CHAPTERIX。OneHundredPerCentPlusThenshewentdownstairsandwalkedintothekitchen，preparedforwhatshewouldsee，bywhatsheheardassheapproached。

WithKaty\'saprontiedaroundhiswaist，DonaldWhitingwasoccupiedinsqueezingorange，lemon，andpineapplejuiceoveracakeoficeinabigbowl，preparatorytothecompoundingofKaty\'smostdeliciousbrandoffruitpunch。Withoutaword，Lindasteppedtothebreadboardandbeganslicingthebreadandbuildingsandwiches，whileKatyhurriedherpreparationsforfillingthelunchbox。AfewminuteslaterKatypackedtheminthecar，kissedLindagood-bye，andrepeatedlycautionedDonaldtomakeherbecareful。

Asthecarrolleddownthedrivewayandintothestreet，Donaldlookedappraisinglyatthegirlbesidehim。

"IsittheprevailingcustominLilacValleyforyoungladiestokissthecook？"inquiredDonaldlaughingly。

"Now，youjusthush，"saidLinda。"KatyisNOTthecook，alone。

Katy\'smyfather，andmymother，andmyfamily，andmybestfriend——"

"Stoprightthere，"interposedDonald。"Thatisquiteenoughforanyhumantobe。Katy\'samultitude。Shecameouttothecarwiththecanteen，andwhenIofferedtohelpher，withoutany\'pollyfoxin\'，\'shejustsaid:\'Sure。Comeinandmakeyourselfuseful。\'SoIwent，andIamexpectingamazingresultsfromthejobshegaveme。"

"Cometothinkofit，"saidLinda，"Ihavesmallexperiencewithanybody\'scookingexceptKaty\'sandmyown，butsofarasIknow，shecan\'tverywellbebeaten。"

Carefullysheheadedthecarintothegarageadjoiningthesalesrooms。Thereshehadanovation。Themanagerandseveralofthemenrememberedher。ThewholeforceclusteredaroundtheBearCatandbegantoexamineit，andcommentonit，andLindaclimbedoutandaskedtohavethecarburetoradjusted，whilethemechanicputonapairoftires。Wheneverythingwassatisfactory，shebackedtothestreet，andafterafewblocksofexperimentaldriving，sheheadedfortheAutomobileClubtoarrangeforherlicenseandthenturnedstraighttowardMultifloresCanyon，butshedidnotfailtocallDonaldWhiting\'sattentiontoeverybeautyofLilacValleyastheypassedthrough。

Whentheyhadreachedalonglevelstretchofroadwayleadingtothecanyon，Lindaglancedobliquelyattheboybesideher。

"Itallcomesbackasnaturalasbreathing，"shesaid。"I

couldn\'tforgetitanymorethanIcouldforgethowtowalk，ortoswim。Sittight。Iamgoingtosteponthegasforabit，justforoldsake\'ssake。"

"That\'sallright，"saidDonald，takingoffhishatandgivinghisheadatosssothatthewindmighthavefullplaythroughhishair。"Butrememberourtiresarenotsafe。Betternotgothelimituntilwegetridoftheseoldones，andhaveanewsetallaround。"

Lindasettledbackinherseat，tookafirmgriponthewheel，andstarteddownthebroad，smoothhighway，graduallyincreasingthespeed。Thecolorrushedtohercheeks。Hereyesweregleaming。

"Listentoitpurr！"shecriedtoDonald。"Ifyouhearitbegintogrowl，tellme。"

Andthenforafewminutestheyrodelikebirdsonthepathofthewind。Whentheyapproachedtheentrancetothecanyon，graduallyLindasloweddown。SheturnedanexultantflashingfacetoDonaldWhiting。

"Thatwasawhizzer，"saidtheboy。"I\'lltellyouIdon\'tknowwhatI\'dgivetohaveacarlikethisformyveryown。I\'llbetnotanothergirlinLosAngeleshasacarthatcangolikethat。"

"AndIdon\'tbelieveIhaveanybusinesswithit，"saidLinda；

"butsincecircumstancesmakeitmine，IamgoingtokeepitandIamgoingtodriveit。"

"Ofcourseyouare，"saidDonaldemphatically。"Don\'tYoUeverletanybodyfoolyououtofthiscar，becauseiftheywantedto，itwouldbejustbecausetheyarejealoustothinktheyhaven\'tonethatwillgoasfast。"

"There\'snottheslightestpossibilityofmygivingitupsolongasIcanmaketheengineturnover，"shesaid。"ItoldyouhowFatheralwaystookmearoundwithhim，andthere\'snothinginthisworldIamsosureofasIamsurethatIamspoiledforahousecat。Ihaveprobablylessfemininesophisticationthananygirlofmyageintheworld，andIprobablyknowmoreaboutcampingandfishingandthescientificwhyandwhereforeofalloutdoorsthanmostofthem。IjustnaturallyhadsuchaheavenlytimewithDaddythatitneverhashurtmyfeelingstobeleftoutofanydanceorpartythateverwasgiven。Theonethingthathashurtistheisolation。SinceIlostDaddyIhaven\'tanyonebutKaty。Sometimes，whenIseeacoupleofnice，interestinggirlsvisitingwiththeirheadstogether，agreatfeelingofenvywellsupinmysoul，andIwishwithallmyheartthatIhadsuchafriend。"

"Evertrytomakeone？"askedDonald。"Therearemightyfinegirlsinthehighschool。"

"IhaveseenseveralthatIthoughtIwouldliketobefriendswith，"saidLinda，"butIamsolackinginfemininegracesthatI

haven\'tknownhowtomakeadvances，inthefirstplace，andI

haven\'thadthecourage，inthesecond。"

"Iwishmysisterwerenotsomucholderthanyou，"saidDonald。

"Howoldisyoursister？"inquiredLinda。

"Shewillbetwenty-threenextbirthday，"saidDonald；"andofallthenicegirlsyoueversaw，sheisthequeen。"

"Yes，"sheassented，"IamsureIhaveheardyoursistermentioned。Butdidn\'tyoutellmeshehadbeenrearedforsociety？"

"No，Ididnot，"saidDonaldemphatically。"ItoldyouMotherjbelievedindressingherasthemajorityofothergirlsweredressed，butIdidn\'tsayshehadbeenrearedforsociety。Shehasbeenrearedwithaneyesingletomakingawell-dressed，cultured，andgraciouswoman。"

"Icallthatfine，"saidLinda。"Makesmeenviousofyou。Nowforgeteverythingexceptyoureyesandtellmewhatyousee。

Haveyoueverbeenherebefore？"

"Ihavebeenthroughafewtimesbefore，butseemstomeI|

neversawitlookingquitesopretty。"

Lindadrovecarefully，butpresentlyDonaldutteredanexclamationassheswervedfromtheroadandstarteddownwhatappearedtobequiteasteepembankmentandheadedstraightforthestream。

"Sittight，"shesaidtersely。"TheBearCatjustlovesitscave。Itknowswhereitisgoing。"

Shebrokethroughagroupofyoungwillowsandranthecar！intoatinyplateau，walledinacirclebythesheersidesofthe！

canyonreachingupwardalmostoutofsight，toppedwithgreatjaggedoverhangingboulders。Crowdedtooneside，shestoppedthecarandsatquietly，smilingatDonaldWhiting。

"Howaboutit？"sheaskedinalowvoice。

Theboylookedaroundhim，carefullyexaminingthecanyonwalls，andthenatthelevel，odorousfloorwhereonecouldnotstepwithoutcrushingtinyflowersofwhite，cerise，blue，andyellow。

Bigfernsgrewalongthewalls，hereandthere"OurLord\'sCandles"liftedhightorchesnotyetlighted，theambitiousmountainstreamskippedandcircledandfelloveritsrockybed，whilemanycanyonwrensweresinging。

"Doyouthink，"shesaid，"thatanyonedrivingalonghereatanordinaryrateofspeedwouldseethatcar？"

"No，"saidDonald，gettingheridea，"Idon\'tbelievetheywould。"

"Allright，then，"saidLinda。"ToeupevenandI\'llraceYoUtothethirdcurvewhereyouseethebigwhitesycamore。"

Donaldhadafleetingimpressionofaflashofkhaki，agleamofred，andawaveofblackastheystarted。Heranwithallthespeedhehadeverattainedatatrackmeet。Heranwithallhismight。Heranuntilhissidesstrainedandhisbreathcameshort；butthecreaturebesidehimwasnotrunning；shewasflying；andlongbeforetheynearedthesycamoreheknewhewasbeaten，sohelaughinglycriedtohertostopit。Lindaturnedtohimpantingandlaughing。

"ImakethatdasheverytimeIcometothecanyon，tokeepmymuscleup，butthisisthefirsttimeIhavehadanyonetoracewithinalongtime。"

Thentogethertheyslowlywalkeddownthesmoothblackfloorbetweenthecanyonwalls。AstheycrossedasmallbridgeLindaleanedoverandlookeddown。

"Anyoneatyourhousecareabout\'nosetwister\'？"sheaskedlightly。

"Why，isn\'tthatwatercress？"askedDonald。

"Sureitis，"saidLinda。"Anyoneatyourhouselikeit？"

"Everyoneofus，"answeredDonald。"We\'reallbattyaboutcresssalad——and，say，thatremindsmeofsomething！Ifyouknowsomuchaboutthiscanyonandeverythinginit，isthereanyplaceinitwhereafellowcouldfindaplant，akindofsaladlettuce，thattheIndiansusedtouse？"

"Mightbe，"saidLindacarelessly。"Forwhy？"

"Haven\'tyouheardofthebigsensationthatisbeingmadeinfemininecirclesbythenewdepartmentinEverybody\'sHome？"

inquiredDonald。"MotherandMaryLouisewerediscussingittheotherdayatlunch，andtheysaidthatsomeoftherecipesfordishestobemadefromstufftheIndiansusedsoundeddelicious。

Oneremindedthemofcress，andwhenwesawthecressIwonderedifIcouldgetthemsomeoftheother。"

"Might，"saidLindadrily，"ifyoucouldgivemeaprettygoodideaofwhatitisthatyouwant。"

"Whenyouknowcress，it\'squeerthatyouwouldn\'tknowotherthingsinyourownparticularcanyon，"saidDonald。

Lindarealizedthatshehadoverdoneherdisinterestednessatrifle。

"Isuspectit\'sminers\'lettuceyouwant，"shesaid。"OfcourseIknowwherethere\'ssome，butyouwillwantitasfreshaspossibleifyoutakeany，sowe\'llfinishourdayfirstandgatheritthelastthingbeforeweleave。"

Howitstartedneitherofthemnoticed，buttheyhadnotgonefarbeforetheywereclimbingthewallsandhangingtoprecariousfootings。Hercheeksflushed，hereyesbrilliant，herlipslaughing，LindawasshowingDonaldthriftyspecimensofthatCotyledonknownas"oldhenandchickens，"tellinghimoftherareEcheveriaofthesamefamily，andherplungedownthecanyonsidewhiletryingtouprootit，exultingthatshehadbroughtdowntheplantwithoutariftintheexquisitebloomonitsleaves。

Lindatoldaboutherfall，andthetwomenwhohadpassedatthatinstant，andhowshehadmetthemlater，andwhotheywere，andwhattheyweredoing。ThenDonaldclimbedhighforabunchoflarkspur，andLindashowedhimhowtoturnhisbacktothecanyonwallandcomedownwiththeleastpossibledamagetohispersonandclothing。Whenatlastbothofthemweretiredtheywentbacktothecar。LindaspreadanoldIndianblanketovertheleastflower-grownspotshecouldselect，broughtoutthethermosbottlesandlunchcase，andservedtheirlunch。Withaglassoffruitpunchinonehandandalettucesandwichintheother，DonaldsmiledatLinda。

"I\'llagreeaboutKaty。Sheknowshow，"hesaidappreciatively。

"Katyismorethanacook，"saidLindaquietly。"Sheisahumanbeing。Shehasthebiggest，kindestheart。Whenanybody\'ssickorintroubleshe\'sthegreatesthelp。Sheishonest；shehasprinciples；sheisintelligent。Inhersparetimeshereadsgoodbooksandmagazines。Sheknowswhatisgoingonintheworld。

Shecantalkintelligentlyonalmostanysubject。It\'snodisgracetobeacook。Ifitwere，Katywouldbeunspeakable。

Factis，atthepresentminutethere\'snooneinalltheworldsodeartomeasKaty。IalwaystalkIrishwithher。"

"Well，Icallthatroughonyoursister，"saidDonald。

"Maybeitis，"concededLinda。"Isuspectaladywouldn\'thaveisaidthat，butEileenandIaresodifferent。Sheneverhasmadetheslightestefforttoproveherselflovabletome，andsoI

haveneverlearnedtoloveher。Whichremindsme——howdidyouhappentocometothegarage？"

"Theverybeautifulyoungladywhoopenedthedoormistookmeforamechanic。ShetoldmeIwouldfindyouworkingonyourcarandforgoodness\'saketoseethatitwasinproperconditionbeforeyoudroveit。"

Lindalookedathimwithwide，surprisedeyesinwhichatraceofindignationwasplainlydiscernible。

"Nowlistentome，"shesaiddeliberately。"Eileenisamostsophisticatedyounglady。Ifshesawyou，sheneverinthisworld，thoughtyouwereamechanicsentfromagaragepresentingyourselfatourfrontdoor。"

"Theremighthavebeenasparkofmaliceinthebigblue-grayI

eyesthatcarefullyappraisedme，"saidDonald。

"Yourchoiceofwordsisgood，"saidLinda，refillingthepunchglass。"\'Appraise\'fitsEileenlikeherglove。Sheappraiseseverythingonamonetarybasis，andwhenshecan\'tfigurethatit\'sgoingtobeworthanappreciablenumberofdollarsandcentstoher——\'tothegaragewidit，\'asKatywouldsay。"

WhentheyhadfinishedtheirlunchLindabeganpackingtheboxandDonaldsatwatchingher。

"Atthispoint，"saidLinda，"Daddyalwayssmoked。Doyousmoke？"

Therewasahintofdeepercolorintheboy\'scheeks。

"Ididsmokeanoccasionalcigarette，"hesaidlightly，"uptotheday，notathousandyearsago，whenaveryemphaticyoungladywhoshouldhaveknown，insinuatedthatitwasbadforthenerves，andgoingonthepresumptionthatsheknew，Ihaven\'tsmokedacigarettesinceandI\'mnotgoingtountilIfindoutwhetherIcandobetterworkwithoutthem。"

Lindafoldednapkinsandpackedawayaccessoriesthoughtfully。

Thenshelookedintotheboy\'seyes。

"Nowwereachthepointofourbeingheretogether，"shesaid。

"It\'stimetofight，andIamsorrywedidn\'tgoatitgasandbomb？\'theminutewemet。You\'resodifferentfromwhatIthoughtyouwere。Ifanyonehadtoldmeaweekagothatyouwouldtakeoffyourcoatandmesswithmyautomobileengine，orwearKaty\'sapronandsqueezelemonsinourkitchenIwouldhavelooked！himoverforDaddy\'shighsignofhysteria，atleast。It\'stoobadtoIhavesuchagoodtimeasIhavehadthisafternoon，andthenendwithafight。"

I"That\'snothing，"saidDonald。"Youcouldn\'thavehadas|goodatimeasIhavehad。You\'relikeanotherboy。Afellowcanbejustafellowwithyou，andsomehowyoumakeeverythingyoutouchmeansomethingitnevermeantbefore。YouhavemademefeelthatIwouldbeabouttwicethemanIamifIhadspentthetimeIhavewastedinplainjazzingaround，huntingCotyledonortrap-doorspiders\'nests。"

"Igetyou，"saidLinda。"It\'sthedifferencebetweenagirlrearedinanatmosphereofgeorgetteandrouge，andonewhohasgrownupinthecanyonswiththeoaksandsycamores。Oneisnaturalandtheotherisartificial。Mostboysprefertheartificial。"

"IthoughtIdidmyself，"saidDonald，"buttodayhastaughtmethatIdon\'t。Ithink，Linda，thatyouwouldmakethefinestfriendafelloweverhad。Ifirmlyandfinallydeclinetofightwithyou；butforGod\'ssake，Linda，tellmehowIcanbeatthatlittlecocoanut-headedJap。"

Lindaslammeddownthelidtothelunchbox。Hervoicewassmoothandevenbuttherewasbattleinhereyesandsheanswereddecisively:"Well，youcan\'tbeathimcallinghimnames。ThereisonlyonewayonGod\'sfootstoolthatyoucanbeathim。Youcan\'tbeathimlegislatingagainsthim。Youcan\'tbeathimboycottinghim。Youcan\'tbeathimwithanytricks。Heisasslyasacatandhehasgotawholebagfulloftricksofhisown，andhehasprovedrighthereinLosAngelesthathehasgotabrainthatishardtobeat。Allyoucando，andbeamancommendabletoyourownsoul，istotakehissubjectandputyourbrainonittosuchpurposethatyoucutpigeonwingsaroundhim。

Whatareyoustudyinginyourclasses，anyway？"

"Trigonometry，Rhetoric，AncientHistory，Astronomy，"answeredDonald。

"Andisyourcoursethesameashis？"inquiredLinda。

"Strangelyenoughitis，"answeredDonald。"Wehavebeeninthesameclassesallthroughhighschool。Ithinkthelittlemonkey——

"

"Man，youmean，"interposedLinda。

"\'Man，\'"concededDonald。"HaswaiteduntilIselectedmycourseallthewaythrough，andthenhehasannouncedwhathewouldtake。HeprobablyfiguredthatIhadsomebodywithbrainsbackofthecourseIselected，andthatwhateverIstudiedwouldbesuitableforhim。"

"Ihaven\'tadoubtofit，"saidLinda。"Theyarequick；oh！theyarequick；andtheyknowfromtheircradleswhatitisthattheyhaveinthebacksoftheirheads。WearenotgoingtobeatthemdrivingthemtoMexicoortoCanada，orlettingthemmonopolizeChina。Thatismerelytemporizing。Thatisgivingthemfertilesoilonwhichtotakethebestoftheirownandthelevelbestofours，andbyamalgamatingthetwo，buildhigherthanweeverhave。ThereisjustonewayinallthisworldthatwecanbeatEasterncivilizationandallthatitintendstodotouseventually。Thewhitemanhasdominatedbyhiscolorsofarinthehistoryoftheworld，butitiswrittenintheBooksthatwhenthemenofcoloracquireourcultureandcombineitwiththeirownmethodsoflivingandrateofproduction，theyaregoingtobringforthgreaternumbers，betterequippedforthebattleoflife，thanweare。Whentheyhavegotourlastsecret，constructiveorscientific，theywilltakeit，andlivinginawaythatwewouldnot，reproducinginnumberswedon\'t，theywillbeatusatanygamewestart，ifwedon\'ttakewarningwhileweareintheascendancy，andkeepthere。"

"Well，thereissomethingtothinkabout，"saidDonaldWhiting，staringpastLindaatthesideofthecanyonasifhehadseenthesamehandwritingonthewallthatdismayedBelshazzaratthefeastthatprecededhisdownfall。

"Iseewhatyou\'regettingat，"hesaid。"Ihadthoughtthattheremightbesomewaytocircumventhim。"

"Thereis！"brokeinLindahastily。"Thereis。Youcanbeathim，butyouhavegottobeathiminanhonorablewayandinawaythatisopentohimasitistoyou。"

"I\'lldoanythingintheworldifyouwillonlytellmehow，"

saidDonald。"Maybeyouthinkitisn\'tgrindingmeandhumiliatingmeproperly。MaybeyouthinkFatherandMotherhaven\'twarnedme。MaybeyouthinkMaryLouiseisn\'tsecretlyashamedofme。HowcanIbeathim，Linda？"

Linda\'seyeswerenarrowedtoamereline。ShewasstaringatthewallbackofDonaldasifshehopedthatHeavenwouldintercedeinherfavorandwritethereonalinethatshemighttranslatetotheboy\'sbenefit。

"Ihavebeenwatchingprettysharply，"shesaid。"Takethemasarace，asaunit——ofcoursethereareexceptions，therealwaysare——butthegreatbodyofthemaremechanical。Theyareimitative。

Theyarenotdevelopinganythinggreatoftheirownintheirowncountry。Theyarespreadingallovertheworldandcarryinghomesewingmachinesandthreshingmachinesandautomobilesandcantileverbridgesandsubmarinesandaeroplanes——anythingfromeggbeaterstotelescopes。Theyarenotcreatingonesinglething。Theyarenotmissingimitatingeverythingthatthewhitemancandoanywhereelseonearth。TheyarejustliketheGermanssofarasthatisconcerned。"

"Igetthat，allrightenough，"saidDonald。"Nowgoon。Whatisyourdeduction？HowthedevilamItobeatthebest？Heisperfect，rightstraightalongineverything。"

TheredinLinda\'scheeksdeepened。Hereyesopenedtheirwidest。Sheleanedforward，andwithherclosedfist，poundedtheblanketbeforehim。

"Then，bygracious，"shesaidsternly，"youhavegottodosomethingnew。Youhavegottobeperfect，PLUS。"

"\'Perfect，plus？\'"gaspedDonald。

"Yes，sir！"saidLindaemphatically。"Youhavegottobeperfect，plus。Ifhecantakehislittlemechanicalbrainandworkathingouttillhehasgotitabsolutelyright，youhavegottogofurtherthanthatanddiscoversomethingpertainingtoitnothithertothoughtofandstartsomethingNEW。Itellyouyoumustuseyourbrains。Youshouldbemorethananimitator。

Youmustbeacreator！"

Donaldstartedupanddrewadeepbreath。

"Well，somejobIcallthat，"hesaid。"WhodoyouthinkIam，theAlmighty？"

"No，"saidLindaquietly，"youarenot。YouaremerelyHisson，createdinHisownimage，likeHim，accordingtotheBook，andyouhavegottoyouradvantagethebenefitofallthathasbeenlearneddowntheages。Wehavegottotakeupeachsubjectinyourcourse，andtofindsomedifferentbookstreatingthissamesubject。Wehavegottogetatitfromanewangle。Wemustdigintohigherauthorities。Wehavegottocoachyoutill，whenyoureachthehighestnotepossiblefortheparrot，youcangoaheadandembellishitwithafewmocking-birdflourishes。AllOkaSayyeknowshowtodoistolearnthelessoninhisbookperfectly，andheis100percent。Ihavetoldyouwhatyoumustdotoaddtheplus，andyoucandoitifyouaretheboyItakeyoufor。Peoplehavetalkedaboutthe\'yellowperil\'tillit\'sgottobeameaninglessphrase。Somebodymustwakeuptotherealizationthatit\'sthedeadliestperilthateverhasmenacedwhitecivilization。Whyshouldn\'tyouhaveyourhandinsuchwonderfulwork？"

"Linda，"saidtheboybreathlessly，"doyourealizethatyouhavebeensaying\'we\'？Canyouhelpme？Willyouhelpme？"

"No，"saidLinda，"Ididn\'trealizethatIhadsaid\'we。\'I

didn\'tmeantwopeople，justyouandme。Imeantallthewhiteboysandgirlsofthehighschoolandthecityandthestateandthewholeworld。Ifwearegoingtocombatthe\'yellowperil\'wemustcombineagainstit。Wehavegottocurbourappetitesandtrainourbrainsandenlargeourheartstillwearesomethingbiggerandfinerandnumericallygreaterthanthisyellowperil。

Wecan\'ttakeitandpickitupandpushitintothesea。WearenotGermansandwearenotTurks。IneverwantedanythinginallthisworldworsethanIwanttoseeyougraduateaheadofOkaSayye。AndthenIwanttoseethewhiteboysandgirlsofCanadaandofEnglandandofNorwayandSwedenandAustralia，andofthewholeworlddoingexactlywhatIamrecommendingthatyoudoinyourclassandwhatIamdoingpersonallyinmyown。IhavehadJapsinmyclasseseversinceIhavebeeninschool，butFatheralwaystoldmetostudythem，toplaythegamefairly，buttoBEATtheminsomeway，insomefairway，tobeatthematthegametheyareundertaking。"

"Well，thereisonethingyoudon\'ttakeintoconsideration，"

saidDonald。"AllofusdidnothappentobefatheredbyAlexanderStrong。Maybewehaven\'tallgotyourbrains。"

"Oh，posher！"saidLinda。"IknowofacasewherealittleIndianwaspickedupfromatribalbattlefieldinSouthAmericaandbroughttothiscountryandputintoourschools，andtherewasnothingthatanywhitepupilintheschoolcoulddothathecouldn\'t，solongasitwasimitativework。Youhavegottobeconstructive。Youhavegottoworkoutsomewaytogetaheadofthem；andifyouwilltakethehistoryofthewhiteracesandgoovertheirgreatachievementsinmechanics，science，art，literature——anythingyouchoose——whenawhitemanisconstructive，whenhedoescreate，hecansimplycutcirclesaroundthecoloredraces。Thethingistogettheboysandgirlsoftodaytounderstandwhatisgoingonintheworld，whattheymustdoastheirshareinmakingtheworldsafefortheirgrandchildren。Lifeisastruggle。Italwayshasbeen。Italwayswillbe。Thereisnobetterstudythantogointothecanyonsorthedesertsandeffaceyourselfandwatchlife。It\'sanall-dayprocessofthestrongerannihilatingtheweaker。TheoneinexorablethingintheworldisNature。Theeagledominatesthehawk；thehawk，thefalcon；thefalcon，theraven；andsoondowntotheplacewherethehummingbirddrivesthemothfromhisparticulartrumpetflower。Thebigsnakeswallowsthelittleone。Thebigbearappropriatesthedesirablecave。"

"Andisthatwhatyouarerecommendingpeopletodo？"

"No，"saidLinda，"itisnot。Thatiswild。Wegoastepaheadofthewild，orweourselvesbecomewild。Wehavebrains，andwithourbrainswemustdoinascientificwaywhatNaturedoeswithtoothandclaw。Inotherwords，andtobeconcrete，putthesethingsinthecarwhileIfoldtheblanket。We\'llgatherourminers\'lettuceandthenwe\'llgohomeandsearchDaddy\'slibraryandseeifthereisanythingbearinginahigherwayonanysubjectyouaretaking，sothatyoucangetfromitsomenewideas，somedifferentangle，somehigherlight，somethingthatwillendinspeedilyprefacingOkaSayye\'sperfectwithyourpluperfect！"

CHAPTERX。KatytotheRescueLindadeliveredDonaldWhitingathisdoorwithanarmloadofbooksandabundleofminers\'lettuceandthendrovetoherhomeinLilacValley——intheeyeofthebeholderonthefloor-levelmacadamroad；inherowneyeshescarcelygrazedit。Thesmooth，easymotionofthecar，thesoftlypurringenginewerethrilling。

Thespeedatwhichshewasgoingwaslikehavingwingsonherbody。ThementalstimulusshehadexperiencedinconcentratingherbrainonDonaldWhiting\'sproblemhadstimulatedherimagination。Theradiantcolorofspring；thechilled，perfumed，goldenair；thesuresenseofhavingfoundafriend，hadruffledtheplumesofherspirit。OnthehomeroadDonaldhadplainlyindicatedthathewouldenjoyspendingthemorrowwithher，andshehadadvisedhimtotakethebooksshehadprovidedandlockhimselfinhisroomandsweatoutsomeinformationaboutMonday\'slessonswhichwouldatleastarresthisprofessor\'sattention，andleadhismindtothefactthatsomethingwasbeginningtohappen。Andthenshehadlaughinglyadded:"TomorrowisKaty\'sturn。ItoldtheolddearIwouldtakeherassoonasIfeltthecarwassafe。Everydayshedoesmanythingsthatshehopeswillgivemepleasure。ThisisonethingIcandothatIknowwilldelighther。"

"NextSaturday，then？"questionedDonald。AndLindanodded。

"Surething。I\'llbethinkingupsomeplaceextrainteresting。

Comeinthemorningifyouwant，andwe\'lltakealunchandgofortheday。Whichdoyoulikebest，mountainsorcanyonsordesertorsea？"

"Ilikeitbestwhereverwhatyou\'reinterestedintakesyou，"

saidDonaldsimply。

"Allright，then，"answeredLinda，"we\'llcombinebusinessandpleasure。"

Sotheypartedwithanothermeetingarranged。

WhenshereachedhomeshefoundKatytearfullyrejoicing，plainlyrevealinghowintenselyanxiousshehadbeen。ButwhenLindatoldherthattheoldtireshadheld，thatthecarranwonderfully，thateverythingwasperfectlysafe，thatshedroveasunconsciouslyasshebreathed，andthattomorrowKatywastogoforalongride，herjoywasincoherent。

Lindalaughed。ShepattedKatyandstarteddownthehallway，whenshecalledback:"Whatisthispackage？"

"Adeliveryboyleftitspecialonlyafewminutesago。MustbesomethingMissEileenboughtandthoughtshewouldwanttomorrow，andthenafterwardshegotthisinvitationandwentonasshewas。"

Lindastoodgazingatthebox。Itdidlooksosuspiciouslylikeadressbox。

"Katy，"shesaid，"Ihavejustaboutgotanirresistibleimpulsetopeep。IwastellingEileenlastnightofadressIsawthatI

thoughtperfect。ItsuitedmebetterthananyotherdressIeverdidsee。Itwasat\'TheMode。\'Thisboxisfrom\'TheMode。\'

Couldtherebeapossibilitythatshesentitupspeciallyforme？"

"Ithinkshewouldputyournameonitifshemeantitforye，"

saidKaty。

"Onepeepwouldshowmewhetheritismydressornot，"saidLinda，"andpeepI\'mgoingto。"

Shebeganuntyingthestring。

"There\'sonething，"saidKaty，"MissEileen\'ssizeswouldneverfitye。"

"Might，"concededLinda。"Iamtallerthansheis，butIcouldwearherwaistsifIwantedto，andshealwaysaltersherskirtsherselftosavethefees。Glorybe！Thisismydress，andthere\'sapetticoatandstockingstomatchit。Why，theniceoldthing！Isuggestedhardenough，butinmyheartIhardlythoughtshewoulddoit。Oh，dear，nowifIonlyhadsomeshoes，andahat。"

Lindawasstandingholdingthejacketinonehand，thestockingsintheother，herfaceflaming。Katydrewherselftofullheight。ShereachedoverandpickedthethingsfromLinda\'sfingers。

"Ifyeknowthatisyourdress，lambie，"shesaidauthoritatively，"yegorightoutandgetintothatcarandruntotownandbuyyeapairofshoes。"

"ButIhavenocreditanywhereandIhavenomoney，yet，"saidLinda。

"Well，Ihave，"saidKaty，"andthistimeye\'regoingtostopyourstubbornnessandtakeenoughtogetyewhatyouneed。YegotothebeststoreinLosAngelesandcomebackherewithapairofshoesthatjustmatchthosestockings，andyegofast，beforethestoresclose。Ifye\'vegottospeedalittle，doitinthecountryanddoitjudacious。"

"Katy，you\'rearriving！"criedLinda。"\'Judiciousspeeding\'isonethingIlearnedbetterthananyotherlessonaboutdrivingamotorcar。ThreefourthsofthedrivingFatherandIdidwewerespeedingjudiciously。"

KatyheldtheskirttoLinda\'swaist。

"Well，maybeit\'salittleshorterthananyyouhavebeenwearing，butitain\'tasshortasEileenandalltherestofthegirlsyouragehavethem，sothat\'sallright，honey。Sliponyourcoat。"

Katy\'sfingerswereshakingassheliftedthejacketandLindaslippedintoit。

"Oh，Lord，"shegroaned，"yecan\'tbewearingthat！Thesleevesdon\'tcomemuchbelowyourelbows。"

"Youwillpleasetoobserve，"saidLinda，"thattheyareflowingsleevesandtheyarenotintendedtocomebelowtheelbows；butit\'sapieceofluckItriediton，foritremindsmethatit\'sajacketsuitandImusthaveablouse。Whenyougettheshoemoney，makeitenoughforablouse——twoblouses，Katy，oneforschoolandonetofussupinalittle。"

Withoutstoppingtochangeherclothing，Lindarantothegarageandhurriedbacktothecity。Itwaslessthananhour\'srun，butshemadeitinampletimetoparkhercarandbuytheshoes。

Sheselectedapairoflowoxfordsofbeautifulcolor，matchingthestockings。Thenshehurriedtooneofthebigdrygoodsstoresandboughtthetwowaistsandaninexpensivestrawhatthatwouldharmonizewiththesuit；ahatsmallenoughtostick，inthewind，withbrimenoughtoshadehereyes。InabouttwohoursshewasbackwithKatyandtheywereinherroomtryingonthenewclothing。

"Itdumbfoundsme，"saidLinda，"tohaveEileendothisforme。"

Shehadputontheshoesandstockings，aplaingeorgetteblouseofasoft，brownishwood-gray，withabitofheavybrownsilkembroiderydecoratingthefront，andthejacket。Thedresswasofsilkychangeabletricolette，theskirtplain。Whereafoldliftedandwasstronglylighted，itwasanexquisitesilver-gray；

whereashadowfelldeeplyitwasgray-brown。Thecoatreachedhalfwaytotheknees。Ithadaripplingskirtwitharowofbrownembroideryaroundit，adeepbeltwithdoublebuttoningatthewaistline，andcollarandsleevesinamoreelaboratepatternofthesameembroideryastheskirt。Lindaperchedthehatonherhead，pulleditdownsecurely，andfacedKaty。

"Nowthen！"shechallenged。

"Andit\'saperfectdress！"saidKatyproudly，"andyou\'rejustthecolleentowearit。My，butIwishtyourfathercouldbeseeingyethenow。"

WithalmostreverenthandsLindaremovedtheclothingandlaiditaway。ThenshereadaletterfromMarianthatwaswaitingforher，tellingKatyscrapsofitinrunningcommentasshescannedthesheets。

"Shelikesherboardingplace。Therearenicepeopleinit。Shehasgotawonderfulviewfromthewindowsofherroom。Sheismakingfriends。ShethinksoneofthemenatNicholsonandSnow\'sisjustfine；heishelpingherallhecan，onthecoursesheistaking。Andshewantsustolookcarefullyeverywhereforanyscrapofpaperalongthehedgeoraroundtheshrubberyonthenorthsideofthehouse。Oneofherthreesheetsofplansismissing。Idon\'tseewhereintheworlditcouldhavegone，Katy。"

Katyspreadoutherhandsindespair。

"TherewasnotascrapofasheetofpaperintheroomwhenI

cleanedit，"shesaid，"notascrap。AndifIhadseenasheetflyingaroundtheyardIwouldhavepickeditup。Shejustmustbemistakenabouthavinglostithere。Shemusthaveopenedhercaseonthetrainandlostitthere。"

Lindashookherhead。

"Iputthatstuffinthecasemyself，"shesaid，"andtheclothesontopofit，andshewouldn\'thaveanyreasonfortakingthosethingsoutonthetrain。Ican\'tunderstand，butshedidhavethreeroughsketches。Shehadherheartsetonwinningthatprizeanditwouldbeagreathelptoher，andcertainlyitwasthemostcomprehensiveandconvenientplanforahouseofthatclassthatIeverhaveseen。IfIeverhaveahouse，sheisgoingtoplanit，evenifshedoesn\'tgettoplanJohnGilman\'sashealwaysusedtosaythatsheshould。Andbytheway，Katy，isn\'titkindoffunnyforEileentogoawayoverSundaywhenit\'shisonlyholiday？"

"Oh，she\'lltelephonehim，"saidKaty，"andverylike，he\'llgodown，ormaybeheiswithher。Yeneedn\'twasteanysympathyonhim。Eileenwilltakecarethatshehashimsolongasshethinksshewantshim。"

LateritdevelopedthatEileenhadsecuredtheinvitationbecauseshewasabletoproducethreemosteligiblemen。NotonlywasJohnGilmanwiththeparty，butPeterMorrisonandHenryAndersonwerethereaswell。Itwasinthenatureofahastilyarrangedcelebration，becausethedealforthreeacresoflandthatPeterMorrisonmostcovetedonthesmallplateau，mountainwalled，inLilacValley，wasinescrow。Hehadmadeapaymentonit。Andersonwasworkingonhisplans。Contractorshadbeenengaged，andonMondayworkwouldbegin。Thehousewastobebuiltassoonaspossible，andPeterMorrisonhadarrangedthatthegaragewastobebuiltfirst。Thishemeanttooccupyasaresidencesothathecouldbeonhandtosuperintendtheconstructionofthenewhomeandtoprotect，asfaraspossible，thenaturalbeautyandthenaturalgrowthofthelocation。

EarlySundaymorningLindaandKaty，withafulllunchboxandafullgasolinetank，slidfromthedrivewayandrolleddownthemainstreetofLilacValleytowardthedesert。

"We\'llswitchoverandstrikeSanFernandoRoad，"saidLinda，"andI\'llscoutaroundSunlandabitandseeifIcanfindanythingthatwillfurnishmaterialforanothernewdish。"

ThatdaywaswonderfulforKaty。ShetrottedafterLindaoversandydesertreaches，alongtheseashore，upmountaintrails，andthroughcanyonsconnectedbylongstretchesofmotoringthatwasmorelikeflyingthanriding。Shewastiredbuthappywhenshewenttobed。MondaymorningshewasaninterestedspectatorasLindadressedforschool。

"Sure，andhasn\'ttheoldchrysalisopenedupandletoutthenicestlittlelady-birdmoth，Katy？\'inquiredLindaasshesmoothedhergray-goldskirts。"Ithinkmyselfthatthisdressisatrifletoogoodforschool。WhenIgetmyallowancenextweekIthinkI\'llbuymeaclothskirtandacoupleofwashwaistsandsavethisforbetter；butitreallywasgoodofEileentotakesomuchpainsandsendittome，whenshewasbusyplanningatrip。"

KatywatchedLindago，andshenotedthenewlightinhereyes，thenewliftofherhead，andtheproudsurenessofherstep，andshewonderedifanewdresscoulddoallthatforagirl，shescarcelybelievedthatitcould。And，too，shehadveryseriousdoubtsaboutthedress。Shekeptthinkingofitduringtheday，andwhenEileencame，inthemiddleoftheafternoon，atthefirstwordsonherlips:"Hasmydresscome？"Katyfeltawaveofillnesssurgethroughher。ShelookedatEileensohelplesslythatthatastutereaderofhumannatureimmediatelySuspectedsomething。

"Isentitspecial，"shesaid，"becauseIdidn\'tknowatthetimethatIwasgoingtoRiversideandIwantedtoworkonit。Isn\'tithereyet？"

ThenKatypreparedtodobattleforthechildofherheart。

"WasthedressyeorderedsenttheoneMissLindawastellingyeabout？"sheaskedtersely。

"Yes，itwas，"saidEileen。"Lindahasgotmightygoodtaste。

Anydresssheadmiredwassuretoberight。Shesaidtherewasabeautifuldressat\'TheMode\'。Iwentandlooked，andsureenoughtherewas，aperfectbeauty。"

"Butshewantedthedressforherself，"saidKaty。

"Itwasnotasuitabledressforschool，"saidEileen。

"Well，itstrikesme，"saidKaty，"thatitwasjustthespittin\'

imageoffiftydressesI\'veseenyeweartoschool。

"Whatdoyouknowaboutit？"demandedEileen。

"Iknowjustthis，"saidKatywithdetermination。"Ye\'vehadonenewdressinthelastfewdaysandyou\'renotneedin\'another。

TheblessedVirginonlyknowswhenMissLinda\'shadadress。Shethoughtye\'ddoneyourselfproudandsentitforher，andsheputiton，andabecomingandaproperthingitwastoo！Iadvancedherthemoneymyselfandsenthertogetsomeshoestomatchitsinceshehadhercarfixedandcouldgoinahurry。Abeautifuldressitis，andonherbackthisminuteitis！"

Eileenwasspeechlesswithanger。Herfacewasasicklywhiteandtherougespotsonhercheeksstoodaglaringadmission"Doyoumeantotellme——"shegasped。

"Notagain，"saidthedaughterofErinfirmly，"becauseIhavealreadytoldyewance。Linda\'sgonelikearagbagsincetheLordknowswhen。Shehadarighttothedress，andshethoughtitwashers，andshetookit。Andifyeeverwantanymorerespectorobedienceorlovefromthekiddie，yebetterneverletherknowthatyedidn\'tintenditforher，fornothingwaseverquitesofairandrightasthatsheshouldhaveit；andwhileyou\'reaboutityou\'dbettergostraighttothestoreandgetherwhatsheisneedin\'togowithit，orbetterstill，yehadbettergiveherafairshareofthemoneyofwhichthereusedtobesuchaplenty，andlethergetherthingsherself，forshe\'sthattastynobodycanbeatherwhenshe\'sgotanythingtodowith。"

EileenturnedonKatyinagustoffury。

"KatherineO\'Donovan，"shesaidshrilly，"packyourtrunkandseehowquickyoucangetoutofthishouse。Ihavestoodyourinsolenceforyears，andIwon\'tendureitaminutelonger！"

Katyfoldedherredarmsandliftedherredchin，andasteel-bluelightflashedfromhersteel-grayeyes。

"Humph！"shesaid，"I\'lldonothingofthesort。Iain\'tworkingforyeandIneverhavebeennomorethanIeverworkedforyourmother。EverylickIeverdoneinthishouseIdoneforLindaandDoctorStrongandfornobodyelse。HalfofthishouseandeverythinginitbelongstoLinda，andit\'samortalshorttimetillshe\'sofagetoclaimit。Whicheverisherhalf，thathalfI\'llbestayingin，andifyemanagesoasshe\'sgotnothingtopayme，I\'lltakecareofherwithoutpaytillthedaycomeswhenshecantakecareofme。Gotowidye，yetriflin\'，lazy，self-possessedcreature。TenyearsIhaveitchedtotellyewhatIthoughtofye，andnowyeknowit。"

AsKaty\'srageincreased，Eileenbecameintimidated。Likeeveryextremelyselfishpersonshewasacowardinhersoul。

"Ifyourefusetogoonmyorders，"shesaid，"I\'llhaveJohnGilmanissuehis。"

ThenKatysetherlefthandonherlefthip，herlowerjawshotpasttheupper，herdoubledrightfistshookpreciousnearthetipofEileen\'sexquisitelittlenose。

"I\'mdarin\'ye，"sheshouted。"I\'mjustdarin\'yetosendJohnGilmaninthesoundofmyvoice。Ifyedo，I\'lltellhimeverymeanandselfishthingye\'vedonetomepoorlambiesincethedayoftheBlackShadow。Sendhimtome？HolyMither，Iwishyewould！IfeverIgetmychanceathim，don\'tyethinkIwon\'tbetellin\'himwhathehaslost，andwhathehasgot？Andasfortakingordersfromhim，IamtakingmyordersfromthepersonI

amworkingfor，andasItoldyebefore，that\'sMissLinda。Beoffwidye，andprimpupwhileIgetmysupper，andmindyethis，，ifyetellMissLindayedidn\'tmeanthatgownforherandspoilthehappydayshehashad，Iwon\'twaitforyetosendJohnGilmantome；I\'llmarchstraighttohim。Putthatinyourcigaretteandsmokeit！ThinkI\'velostmenoseaswellasmesense？"

ThenKatystartedatriumphalmarchtothekitchenandcooleddownbythewell-knownprocessofslammingpotsandpansforhalfanhour。SoonherIrishsenseofhumorcametoherrescue。

"Now，don\'tIhearmyselftellingMissLindaafewdaysagotokapehertemper，andtokapecool，andtogoaisy。LookattheaiseofmewhenIgotstarted。Bygracious，wasn\'tIjustitchingtowallopher？"

TheneveryartthatKatypossessedwasbenttotheconsummationofpreparingaparticularlydeliciousdinnerforthenight。

Lindacameinsoftlyhummingsomethingtoherselfaboutthekindofshoesthatyoumightwearifyouchose。Shehadenteredthehighschoolthatmorningwithanunusuallybrilliantcolor。Twoorthreegirls，whoneverhadnoticedherbefore，hadnoddedtoherthatmorning，andoneortwohadsaid:"Whataprettydressyouhave！"ShehadcaughttheflashofapprovalintheeyesofDonaldWhiting，andshehadnotedtheflourishwithwhichheraisedhishatwhenhesawheratadistance，andsheknewwhathemeantwhenheheldupabook，pastthecoversofwhichshecouldseeprotrudingathickfoldofwhitepaper。HehadforeswornwhateverpleasurehemighthavethoughtofforSunday。

Hehadpreparednotesonsomesubjectthathethoughtwouldfurtherhim。Theliftofhishead，theflourishofhishat，andthebookalltoldLindathathehadstruggledandthathefeltthestrugglehadbroughtanexhilaratingdegreeofsuccess。ThathadmadethedayparticularlybrightforLinda。Shehadgonehomewithafeelingofupliftandexultationinherheart。Assheclosedthefrontdoorshecriedupthestairway:"Eileen，areyouthere？"

"Yes，"answeredarathersulkyvoicefromabove。

Lindaascended，twostepsatabound。

"Thankyouoverandover，oldthing！"shecriedassheraceddownthehallway。"Beholdme！Ineverdidhaveamorebecomingdress，andKatyloanedmemoney，tillmyincomebegins，togetshoesandalittlescuffhattogowithit。Aren\'tIspiffy？"

Shepirouettedinthedoorway。Eileengrippedthebrushshewaswielding，tight。

"Youhavegoodtaste，"shesaid。"It\'saprettydress，butYou\'realwayshowlingaboutthingsbeingsuitable。Doyoucallthatsuitableforschool？"

"Itcertainlyisaninnovationforme，"saidLinda，"buttherearedozensofdressesofthesamematerial，onlydifferentcutandcolorsinthehighschooltoday。AssoonasIgetmymoneyI\'llbuyaskirtandsomeblousessoIwon\'thavetowearthisallthetime；butIsurelydothankyouverymuch，andIsurelyhavehadalovelyday。DidyouhaveanicetimeatRiverside？"

EileenslammeddownthebrushandturnedalmostadistortedfacetoLinda。Shehadtempertovent。Inthehour\'sreflectionprevioustoLinda\'scoming，sherealizedthatshehadreachedthelimitwithKaty。Ifsheantagonizedherbywordorlook，shewouldgotoJohnGilman，andEileendarednotriskwhatshewouldsay。

"No，Ididnothavealovelytime，"shesaid。"IfurnishedthemenforthepartyandIexpectedtohaveagrandtime，butthefirstthingwedidwastorunintothatinflatedegotistcallingherselfMaryLouiseWhiting，andlikeafool，JanieBrunsonintroducedhertoPeterMorrison。IhadpairedhimwithJanieonpurposetokeepmyeyeonhim。"

Lindatriedhardbutshecouldnotsuppressachuckle:"Ofcourseyouwould！"shemurmuredsoftly。

Eileenturnedherback。ThathadbeenherfirstconfidencetoLinda。Shewassoaggrievedatthatmomentthatshecouldhavetoldunansweringwallshertribulations。Itwouldhavebeenbetterifshehaddoneso。Shemighthavebeenabletoconstruesilenceassympathy。Linda\'slaughtersheknewexactlyhowtointerpret。"Servedyouright，"waswhatitmeant。

"Ihadn\'ttheleastnotionyouwouldtakeaninterestinanythingconcerningme，"shesaid。"PeoplecantalkalltheypleaseaboutMaryLouiseWhitingbeingaperfectladybutsheisaperfectbeast。Ihavemetherrepeatedlyandshehasalwaysignoredme，andyesterdayshesingledoutforherspecialattentionthemostdesirablemaninmyparty——"

"\'Mostdesirable，\'"breathedLinda。"PoorJohn！Iseehissecondfiasco。Lavendercrystals，please！"

Eileencaughtherlipinmortification。Shehadnotintendedtosaywhatshethought。

"Well，youcan\'tclaim，"shehurriedontocoverherconfusion，"thatitwasnotanill-bred，commontrickforhertotakepossessionofamanofmyparty，andutterlyignoreme。ShehaseverythingonearththatIwant；shetreatsmelikeadog，andshecouldgivemeaglorioustimebymerelynoddingherhead。"

"Iamquitesureyouaremistaken，"saidLinda。"FromwhatI\'veheardofher，shewouldn\'tmistreatanyone。Veryprobablywhatshedoesismerelytofeelthatsheisnotacquaintedwithyou。