第4章

Youhaveanunfortunateway，Eileen，ofdefeatingyourownends。

IfyouwantedtoattractMaryLouiseWhiting，youmissedthebestchanceyouevercouldhavehad，atthreeo\'clockSaturdayafternoon，whenyoumaliciouslytreatedheronlybrotherasyouwouldamechanic，orderedhimtoourgarage，andshutourdoorinhisface。"

EileenturnedtoLinda。Hermouthfellopen。Aghastlygreenishwhitefloodedherface。

"Whatdoyoumean？"shegasped。

"Imean，"saidLinda，"thatDonaldWhitingwascallingonme，andyoupurposelysenthimtothegarage。"

CrashdownamongthevanitiesofEileen\'sdressingtablewentherlovelyhead，andshebrokeintodeepandviolentsobs。Lindastoodlookingatherasecond，slowlyshakingherhead。Thensheturnedandwenttoherroom。

LaterintheeveningsherememberedtheRomanscarfandtoldEileenofwhatshehaddone，andshewasunpreparedforEileen\'sreply:"Thatscarfalwayswastoobrilliantforme。You\'rewelcometoitifyouwantit。"

"Thankyou，"saidLindagravely，"Iwantitverymuchindeed。"

CHAPTERXI。AssistingProvidenceLindawenttothelibrarytoseetowhatstateofemptinessithadbeenreducedbytheremovalofseveralpiecesoffurnitureshehadorderedtakenawaythatday。Asshestoodonthethresholdlookingovertheroomasusual，athroboflovingappreciationofKatysweptthroughherheart。Katyhadbeentherebeforeher。Theroomhadbeenfreshlysweptanddusted，therugshadbeenrelaid，thefurniturerearrangedskilfully，andthetablestoodatthebestangletobelightedeitherbydayornight。Onthetableandthemantelstoodbigbowlsoflovelyfreshflowers。Lindawasquitecertainthatanyoneenteringtheroomforthefirsttimewouldhavefeltitcompletelyfurnished，andshedoubtedifevenMarianwouldnoticethemissingpieces。

Cheeredinherheart，sheranuptothebilliardroom，andthereagainKatyhadprecededher。Thewindowswereshining。Thewallsandfloorhadbeencleaned。Everythingwasinreadinessforthenewfurniture。Herheartfullofgratitude，Lindawenttoherroom，preparedherlessonsforthenextday，andthendrewoutherwritingmaterialstoanswerMarian\'sletter。Shewrote:

Ihaveanacuteattackofenlargementoftheheart。Somanythingshavehappenedsinceyourleaving。ButfirstImusttellyouaboutyoursketch。Wejustknowyoudidnotleaveithere。

Katysaystherewasnotascrapinourbedroomwhenshecleanedit；andassheknowsyoumakeplansandhowprecioustheyaretoyou，Iguaranteeshewouldhavesaveditifshehadfoundanythinglookinglikeaparallelogramonapieceofpaper。AndI

haveverynearlycombedthelawn，notonlythenorthside，butthewest，south，andeast；andthenIbrokethelawsandwentovertoyourhouseandcrawledthroughabasementwindowandworkedmywayup，andIhavehuntedeveryroominit，butthereisnothingthere。YoumusthavelostthatsketchafteryoureachedSanFrancisco。Ihopetoallthat\'speacefulyoudidnotlayitdownintheofficesofNicholsonandSnow，orwhereyoutakeyourlessons。Iknownothingaboutarchitecture，butIdoknowsomethingaboutcomfortinahome，andIthoughtthatwasthemostcomfortableandconvenient-lookinghouseIeverhadseen。

NowI\'llgoonandtellyouallthenews，andIdon\'tknowwhichisthebiggerpiecetoburstonyoufirst。WouldyoubemoreinterestedinknowingthatPeterMorrisonhasboughtthreeacresontheothersideofthevalleyfromusandupquiteaway，orintheastonishingfactthatIhaveanewdress，aperfectloveofadress，reallytoogoodforschool？Youknowtherewasbloodinmyeyewhenyouleft，andIdidn\'twaitlongtostartaction。I

havemanagedtoputthefearofGodintoEileen\'sheartsothatshehasagreedtoareasonableallowanceformefromthefirstofnextmonth；butshemusthavefeltatleastonesmallwaveofcontritionwhenItoldheraboutapeculiarlyenticingdressI

hadseenatTheMode。Shesentituprightaway，andKaty，blessedbeherlovingfootprints，loanedmemoneytobuyablouseandsomeshoestomatch，soIwenttoschooltodaylookingveryliketheGreatGeneralAverage，minusrouge，lipstick，hairdress，andFrenchheels。

IdohopeyouwillapproveoftwothingsIhavedone。

ThenLindarecountedtheemptyingofthebilliardroom，theinroadsinthelibrary，thelistingofthetechnicalbooks，andwhatsheproposedtodowiththemoney。Andthen，herfaceslightlypaleandherfingersslightlytrembling，shewrote:

And，Mariandear，Ihopeyouwon\'tbeangrywithmewhenItellyouthatIhaveputtheBearCatintocommissionanddrivenitthreetimesalready。Itisrunninglikethefelineitis，andI

ambeingascarefulasIcan。Iknowexactlyhowyouwillfeel。

Itisthesamefeelingthathasheldmeallthesemonths，whenI

wouldn\'tevenletmyselfthinkofit。Butsomethinghappenedatschooloneday，Marian。YouknowtheWhitings？MaryLouiseWhiting\'sbrotherisintheseniorclass。Heisasix-footer，andwhileheisnothandsomeheisgoingtobearealmanwhenheisfullydeveloped，andsteadieddowntowork。Onedaylastweekhemadeithisbusinesstostopmeinthehallandtwitmeaboutmyshoes，andincidentallytoaskmewhyIdidn\'tdressliketheothergirls；andsomewayitcamerougherthanifithadbeenoneofthegirls。ThemoreIthoughtaboutitthemorewrongedI

felt，soIendedinayoungrevolutionthatistobringmeanincome，asuitableplacetoworkinandhasbroughtmesuchaprettydress。IthinkithasbroughtEileentoasenseofatleastpartialjusticeaboutmoney，anditbroughtmebacktheBearCat。YouknowtheproudestmomentofmylifewaswhenFatherwouldletmedrivethelittlebeast，anditallcamebackasnaturalasbreathing。Pleasedon\'tworry，Marian。Nothingshallhappen，Ipromiseyou。

Itwon\'tbenecessarytotellyouthatKatyisherdarlingoldself，loyalandsteadfastasthesun，andquiteasnecessaryandascomfortingtome。AndIhaveacoupleofotherinterestsinlifethataregoingto——Iwon\'tsaymakeupforyourabsence，becausenothingcoulddothat——buttheyaregoingtogivemesomethinginterestingtothinkabout，somethingagreeabletoworkat，whileyouaregone。But，oh，Marian，dohurry。Workalldayandpartofthenight。BeSaturday\'schildyourselfifyoumust，justsoyougethomequick，andwhereyourwhiteheadmakesabeaconlightforthetruest，lovingestpalyouwilleverhave，LINDA。

Lindalaiddownthepen，sliddowninherchair，andlookedfromthewindowacrossthevalley，andshewonderedifinherviewlaythelocationthathadbeenpurchasedbyPeterMorrison。Sheglancedbackatherletterandsatlookingattheclosinglinesandthesignature。

"Muchgoodthatwilldoher，"shecommented。"Whenawomanlovesamanandloveshimwithallherheart，asMarianlovedJohn，andwhensheloseshim，notbecauseshehasdoneasingleunworthythingherself，butbecauseheissorubberspinedthathewillletanotherwomansuccessfullyintriguehim，alotofcomfortsheisgoingtogetfromtheloveofaschoolgirl！"

Linda\'seyesstrayedtothewindowagain，andtraveleddowntothecityandupthecoast，allthewaytoSanFrancisco，andoutofthethousandsofhomestheretheypicturedasmall，neatroom，fullofMarian\'sbelongings，andMarianherselfbendingoveraworktable，absorbedinthefinaldraftofherpreciousplans。

LindacouldseeMarianasplainlyassheeverhadseenher，butsheletherimaginationrun，andshefanciedthatwhenMarianwasamongstrangersandwherenooneknewofJohnGilman\'sdefection，thathersmightbeaveryheavyheart，thathersmightbeaverysadface。Thenshewenttoplanning。Shehadbeendesolate，hearthungry，andisolatedherself。Firstshehadendured，thenshehadfought；thedawnofanewlifewasbreakingoverherhill。Shehadfoundworkshewaseagertodo。Shecouldputthebestofherbrain，theskillofherfingers，thecreativeimpulseofherheart，intoit。

Shewasalmostsurethatshehadfoundafriend。ShehadafeelingthatwhenthecomingSaturdayhadbeenlivedDonaldWhitingwouldbeherfriend。Hewouldwantheradviceandherhelpinhiswork。Shewouldwanthiscompanionshipandthestimulusofhismind，inhers。WhatLindahadcravedwasadearfriendamongthegirls，butnogirlhadofferedherfriendship。

Thisboyhad，soshewouldacceptwhatthegodsoftimeandcircumstanceprovided。Itwasaverywonderfulthingthathadhappenedtoher。NowwhycouldnotsomethingequallywonderfulhappentoMarian？Lindawrinkledherbrowsandthoughtdeeply。

"It\'stheworstthinginallthisworldtoworkandworkwithnobodytoknowaboutitandnobodytocare，"thoughtLinda。

"MariancouldbreakarecordifshethoughtJohnGilmancarednowasheusedto。It\'salmostanecessaryelementtohersuccess。

Ifhedoesn\'tcare，sheoughttobemadetofeelthatsomebodycares。Thisthingofstandingalone，sinceIhavefoundafriend，appealstomeasalmostinsupportable。Letmethink。"

ItwasnotlonguntilshehadworkedoutaschemeforputtinganinterestinMarian\'slifeandgivinghersomethingforwhichtowork，untilamorevitalrealitysupplantedit。Theresultwasthatshetooksomepaper，wentdowntothelibrary，andopeningthetypewriter，wrotealetter。Shereaditover，makingmanychangesandcorrections，andthenshecopieditcarefully。Whenshecametoaddressingitshewasuncertain，butatlastshehituponaschemeofsendingitinthecareofNicholsonandSnowbecauseMarianhadtoldherthatshemeanttoentertheircontestimmediatelyshereachedSanFrancisco，andshewouldhaveleftthemheraddress。Onthelastreadingofthelettershehadwritten，shedecidedthatitwasamanly，straightforwardproduction，whichshouldinterestandattractanygirl。Buthowwasshetosignit？Afterthinkingdeeplyforalongtime，shewrote"PhilipSanders，GeneralDelivery，"andbelowsheaddedapostscript:

TosaveyouthetroubleofinquiringamongyourfriendsastowhoPhilipSandersis，Imightaswelltellyouinthebeginningthatheisn\'t。HeismerelyanassumptionunderwhichIshallhidemypersonalityuntilyouletmeknowwhetheritispossiblethatyoucouldbecomeevenslightlyinterestedinme，asasmallreturnfortheverydeepandwholesomeinterestabidinginmyheartforyou。

"Abiding，"saidLindaaloud。"Itseemstomethatthereisnothinginalltheworldquitesofineasaword。Isn\'t\'abiding\'agoodword？Doesn\'titmeanalot？Wherecouldyoufindoneotherwordthatmeansbeingwithyouandalsomeanscomfortingyouandlovingyouandsympathizingwithyouandsurroundingyouwithfirmwallsandacushionedfloorandastarryroof？Ilovethatword。IhopeitimpressesMarianwithallitswonderfulmeaning。"

Shewentbacktoherroom，putbothlettersintoherGeometry，andinthemorningmailedthem。Shestoodalongtimehesitatingwiththetypewrittenletterinherhand，butfinallydroppeditintheletterboxalso。

"Itwilljustbesomething，"shesaid，"tomakeherthinkthatsomemanappreciatesherlovelyfaceanddoesn\'tcareifherhairiswhite，andseeshowsteadfastandfinesheis。"

Andthensheslowlyrepeated，"\'steadfast，\'thatisanotherfineword。Ithaspearlsandrubiesalloverit。"

AfterschoolthateveningshevisitedJamesBrothers\'andwaspaidthefullamountoftheappraisementofherfurniture。Thenshewenttoanartstoreandlaidinafullsupplyofthematerialssheneededfortheworkshewastryingtodo。Herfingersweretremblingasshehandledtheboxesofwatercolorsandselectedthebrushesandpencilsforherwork，andsheetsofdrawingpaperuponwhichshecoulddoherselfjustice。Whenthetransactionwasfinished，shehadafewdollarsremaining。Assheputtheminherpocketshesaidsoftly:

"That\'sgasoline。PoorKaty！I\'mgladshedoesn\'tneedhermoney，becausesheisgoingtohavetowaitfortheallowanceorthesaleofthebooksoronJaneMeredith。Butit\'sonlyafewdaysnow，sothat\'llbeallright。"

CHAPTERXII。TheLayoftheLandLindaenteredthestreetcarforherdailyridetoLilacValley。

ShenoticedPeterMorrisonandHenryAndersonsittingbesideeachother，deeplyengrossedinadrawing。Shehadbeenaccustomedtorideintheopensectionofthecarasshelikedthefreshair。

Shehadafleetingthoughtofenteringthebodyofthecarandsittingwheretheywouldseeher；andthenaperversespiritinLinda\'sheartsaidtoher:

"ThatispreciselywhatEileenwoulddo。Yousitwhereyoubelong。"

WhereuponLindadroppedintothefirstvacantseatshecouldreach，butitwasonlyafewmomentsbeforePeterMorrison，lookingupfromtheplanshewasstudying，sawher，andliftinghishat，beckonedhertocomeandsitwithhim。Theymaderoomforherbetweenthemandspreadingthepaperacrossherlap，allthreeofthembegantodiscusstheplansforthefoundationforPeter\'shouse。Andersonhadroughlyoutlinedthegrounds，sketchinginthetreesthatweretobesaved，thespring，andthemostavailablerouteforreachingtheroad。Thediscussionwasastowheretheroadshouldlogicallyenterthegrounds，andwherethegarageshouldstand。

"Whichremindsme，"saidLinda——"haven\'tyouyourcarwithyou？

Orwasthatahiredoneyouweretouringin？"

"Mine，"saidPeterMorrison，"butwetouredsofar，it\'sintheshopforageneraloverhaulingtoday。"

"Thatbeingthecase，"saidLinda，"walkhomewithmeandI\'lltakeyoutoyourplaceinmineandbringyoubacktothecars，ifyouonlywanttostayanhourortwo。"

"Why，thatwouldbefine，"saidPeter。"Youdidn\'tmention，theotherevening，thatyouhadacar。"

"No，"saidLinda，"Ihadbeentryingtokeepcarsoutofmythoughtforalongtime，butIcouldendureitnolongertheotherday，soIgotmineoutandtuneditup。Ifyoudon\'tmindstackingupabit，threecanrideinitverycomfortably。"

ThatwasthewayithappenedthatLindawalkedhomeafterschoolthatafternoonbetweenPeterMorrisonandhisarchitect，broughtouttheBearCat，anddrovethemtoPeter\'slocation。

Allthatday，workmenhadbeenbusyunderthemanagementofawell-instructedforeman，removingtreesandbushesandstonesandclearingthespotthathadbeenselectedforthegarageandapproximatelyforthehouse。

ThesoftbrownishgrayofLinda\'sdresswasexactlythecolortointensifythedarkerbrownofhereyes。Therewasafluctuatingredinherolivecheeks，abrilliantredframingherevenwhiteteeth。Oncedressedsothatshewassatisfiedwiththeresults，Lindaimmediatelyforgotherclothes，andplungedintoMorrison\'splans。

"Peter，"shesaidgravely，withPeterperfectlycognizantofthetwinkleinherdarkeyes，"Peter，youmaysavemoneyinastraight-lineroad，butyou\'regoingtosinagainstyoursoulifyoubuildit。You\'llhavetoeconomizeinsomeotherway，andrunyourroadaroundthebaseofthoseboulders，thencomeinstraighttothelinehere，andthenyoushouldswingagainandrunoutonthispoint，whereguestscanhaveonebewilderingglimpseofthelengthofourbluevalley，andthenwhipthemaroundthisclumpofperfumylilacandelders，runthemtoyoursideentrance，andthenscootthecarbacktothegarage。I

thinkyoushouldplacethefrontofyourhouseabouthere。"

Lindaindicatedwhere。"Solongasyou\'rebuyingaplacelikethisyoudon\'twanttomissonesinglething；andyoudowanttomaketheverymostpossibleoutofeverybeautyyouhave。Andyoumustn\'tfailtoopenupandwidentherunwayfromthatenergetic，enthusiasticspring。Carryitacrossyourroad，sure。

Itwillcostyouanotherlittlesomethingforasafebridge，butthere\'snothingsoartisticasabridgewithacoldstreamrunningunderit。AndthinkwhatajoyfultimeI\'llhave，gatheringspecimensforyouofeveryprettywaterplantthatgrowsinmyparticularcanyon。Anytimewhenyou\'rebusyinyourlibraryandyouhearmycarpuffinguptheinclineandaroundthecornerandrattlingacrossthebridge，you\'llknowthatIamdownheregivingyouastartofwatercressandminers\'lettuceandeverylovelythingyoucouldmentionthatlikestobenibbledorloved-up，whileitdabblesitstoesinthewater。"

PeterMorrisonlookedatLindareflectively。HelookedforsuchalongmomentthatHenryAndersonreachedanebulousconclusion。

"Fine！"hecried。"Everyoneofthosesuggestionsisvaluabletoaninexperiencedman。Morrison，shan\'tImakeanoteofthem？"

"Yes，Henry，youshall，"saidPeter。"Iamgoingtopushthisthingasfastaspossible，sofarasbuildingthegarageisconcernedandgettingsettledinit。AfterthatIdon\'tcareifIliveonthisspotuntilweknoweachotherbytheinch，beforeIbeginbuildingmyhome。Atthepresentminuteitappealstomethat\'home\'isaboutthebestwordinthelanguageofanynation。

IhaveafeelingthatwhatIbuildhereisgoingtobemyhome，verypossiblytheonlyoneIshalleverhave。WemustfindthespotonwhichtheLordintendedthatahouseshouldgrowonthishillside，andthenwemustbuildthathousesothatithasaroomsuitableforaworkshopinwhichImaystrive，underthebestconditionspossible，togetmyshareofthejoyoflifeandtoearnthemoneythatIshallrequiretosupportmeandentertainmyfriends；andthatsoundsaboutasselfishasanythingpossiblycould。Itseemstobemostly\'me\'and\'mine，\'andit\'snottherealtruthconcerningthishouse。Idon\'tbelievethereisahealthy，normalmanlivingwhohasnothisdream。IhavenohesitationwhateverinadmittingthatIhavemine。Thishousemustbetwothings。Ithasgottobeaconcreteworkshopforme，andithasgottobeanabstractabidingplaceforadream。It\'sratherdifficulttobuildadreamhouseforadreamlady，soI

don\'tknowwhatkindofafistIamgoingtomakeofit。"

Lindasatdownonaboulderandcontemplatedhershoesforaminute。Thensheraisedherever-shifting，eager，youngeyestoPeter，anditseemedtohimashelookedintothemthattherewerelittlegoldlightsflickeringatthebottomoftheirdarkness。

"Why，that\'sjustaseasy，"shesaid。"Ahomeismerelyahome。

Itincludesafrontporchandabackporchandafireplaceandabathtubandanicechestandaviewandagardenaroundit；alltherestisincidental。Ifyouhavemoremoney，youhavemoreincidentals。Ifyoudon\'thavesomuch，youuseyourimaginationandthinkyouhavejustasmuchonless。"

"Now，Iwonder，"saidPeter，"whenIfindmydreamlady，ifshewillhaveanelasticimagination。"

"Haven\'tyoufoundheryet？"askedLindacasually。

"No，"saidPeter，"Ihaven\'tfoundher，andunfortunatelyshehasn\'tfoundme。Ihavehadastrenuoustimegettingmystartinlife。It\'smostlyarushfromonepointofinteresttoanother，droppingatanywaysidestationforrefreshmentandtheuseofawritingtable。OccasionallyIhaveseenavisionthatIhavewantedtofollow，butIneverhavehadtime。Sofar，theladyofthishouseisevenmoreofadreamthanthehouse。"

"Oh，well，don\'tworry，"saidLindacomfortingly。"Theworldisfullofthenicestgirls。WhenyougetreadyforagraciousladyI\'llfindyouonethatwillhaveanIndia-rubberimaginationandagreatbiglovingheartandIndian-hempapronstringssothathalfadozenbabiescanswingfromthem。"

MorrisonturnedtoHenryAnderson。

"Youhear，Henry？"hesaid。"I\'mdestinedtohavealargefamily。Youmustcurtailyourplansfortheworkroomandmakethatbigroombackofitintoanursery。"

"Well，whatIamgoingtodo，"saidHenryAnderson，"istobuildaplacesuitableforyourneeds。Ifanydreamwomancomestoit，shewillhavetofitherselftoherenvironment。"

Lindafrowned。

"Now，thatisn\'tabitniceofyou，"shesaid，"andIdon\'tbelievePeterwillpaytheslightestattentiontoyou。He\'llletmemakeyoubuildalovelyroomfortheloveofhisheart，andagreatbigbrightnurseryonthesunnysideforhissmallpeople。"

"Ineverbelieved，"saidHenryAnderson，"incountingyourchickensbeforetheyarehatched。ThereareacoupleofacresaroundPeter\'shouse，andhecanbuildanadditionashisneedsincrease。"

"Messyidea，"saidLindapromptly。"Thingtodo，whenyoubuildahouse，istobuilditthewayyouwantitfortheremainderofyourlife，soyoudon\'thavetotearupthesceneryeveryfewyears，dragginginlumberforexpansion。AndI\'lltellyouanotherthing。Ifthehomemakersofthiscountrydon\'tgettheideaintotheirheadsprettysoonthattheyarenotgoingtobeabletoholdtheirownwiththerestoftheworld，withnochildren，oronechildinthefamily，there\'sasaddayofreckoningcoming。Withtherecordsatthepatentofficeopentotheworld，youcan\'tclaimthatthebrainofthewhitemanisnotconstructive。Youcanlookatourrecordsandcomparethemwiththoseofcountriesagesandagesolderthanweare，whichneverdiscoveredthebeautiesofaDoveregg-beaterorawashingmachineorachurnorarailroadorasteamboatorabridge。Weareheadandshouldersaboveothernationsininvention，andjustasfastaspossible，wearefallingbehindinthebirthrate。

Theredmanandtheyellowmanandthebrownmanandtheblackmancanlookatouregg-beatersandwashingmachinesandbridgesandbigguns，andgohomeandcopythem；andusethemwhilerearingevenbiggerfamiliesthantheyhavenow。IfeveryhomeinLilacValleyhadatleastsixsturdyboysandgirlsgrowingupinitwiththeproperloveofcountryandtheproperrealizationofthewhiteman\'srighttosupremacy，andifalltheworldnowoccupiedbywhitemencouldmakeanequalrecord，wherewouldbethetalkoftheyellowperil？Therewouldn\'tbeanyyellowperil。YouseewhatImean？"

LindaliftedherfrankeyestoPeterMorrison。

"Yes，youngwoman，"saidPetergravely，"Iseewhatyoumean，butthisisthefirsttimeIeverheardahigh-schoolkidpropoundsuchideas。Wheredidyougetthem？"

"GottheminMultifloresCanyonfrommyfathertostartwith，"

saidLinda，"butrecentlyIhavebeenthinking，becausethereisaboyinhighschoolwhoismakingagreatfightforabetterscholarshiprecordthanaJapinhisclass。Ibroodoveriteveryspareminute，dayornight，andwhenIsaymyprayersI

implorehighHeaventosendhimanideaortosendmeonethatI

canpassontohim，thatwillhelphimtobeatthatJap。"

"Isee，"saidPeterMorrison。"We\'llhavetotaketimetotalkthisover。It\'sbarelypossibleImightbeabletosuggestsomething。"

"Youletthatkidfighthisownbattles，"saidHenryAndersonroughly。"He\'snoproperbug-catcher。Ifeelitinmybones。"

Forthefirsttime，Linda\'sjoylaughrangoverPeterMorrison\'spossession。

"Idon\'tknowaboutthat，"shesaidgaily。"He\'sawide-awakespecimen；hehasledhisclassforfouryearswhentheJapdidn\'tgetaheadofhim。But，allfoolishnessaside，takemywordforit，Peter，you\'llbesorryifyoudon\'tbuildthishousebigenoughforyourdreamladyandforallthelittledreamsthatmayspringfromherheart。"

"Nightmares，youmean，"saidHenryAnderson。"Ican\'timagineabunchofkidsmuddyingupthisspringandbreakingthebushesandusingslingshotsonthebirds。"

"Yes，"saidLindawithscathingsarcasm，"andwouldn\'tourgovernmentbetickledtodeathtohaveaclearspringandaperfectbushandasingingbird，ifitneededsixmentogooverthetoptohandlearegimentofJapanese！"

ThenPeterMorrisonlaughed。

"Well，yourestimateistoolow，Linda，"hesaidinhisnicestdrawlingtoneofvoice。"Believeme，oneU。S。kidwillnevermarchinawholeregimentofJapanese。Theywon\'tlaydowntheirgunsandwalktosurrenderasbunchesofGermansdid。Nobodyneedeverthinkthat。Theyareasgoodfightersastheyareimitators。There\'snothingforyoutodo，Henry，buttotaketoheartwhatMissLindahassaid。Planthehousewithasuiteforadreamlady，andadiningroom，asleepingporchandanurserybigenoughforthesixchildrenallottedtome。"

"You\'renotreallyinearnest？"askedHenryAndersonindoubtingastonishment。

"Iaminthedeepestkindofearnest，"saidPeterMorrison。

"WhatMissLindasaysistrue。Asanation，ourpeoplearepamperingthemselvesandlivingfortheirownpleasures。Theywon\'ttakethetroubleorendurethepainrequiredtobearandtorearchildren；andthedayisrollingtowardus，witheveryturnoftheplanetonedaycloser，whenwearegoingtobeoutnumberedbyacombinationofpeopleswhocantakeourowntricksandbeatuswiththem。WemustpassalongthegoodwordthattheonethingAmericaneedsaboveeveryotherthingonearthisHOMESAND

HEARTSBIGENOUGHFORCHILDREN，aswerethehomesofourgrandfathers，whennojoyinlifeequaledthejoyofanewchildinthefamily，andifyoudidn\'thaveadozenyouweren\'tdoingyourmanifestduty。"

"Well，ifthatisthewayyouseethelight，wemustenlargethishouse。Asdesigned，itincludedeveryfeminineconvenienceanyway。ButwhenIbuildmyhouseIamgoingtobuilditformyself。"

"Thendon\'ttalkanymoreaboutbeingmybug-catcher，"saidLindapromptly，"becausewhenIbuildmyhouseit\'sgoingtobeanestthatwillholdsixattheveryleast。Myheartisperfectlysetonabroodofsix。"

Lindawasquiteunawarethatthetwomenwerestudyingherclosely，butifshehadknownwhatwasgoingonintheirmindsshewouldhavehadnothingtoregret，becausebothofthemfoundherveryattractive，andbothofthemwerewonderinghowanythingsosuperficialasEileencouldbeofthesamebloodasLinda。

"Arewekeepingyoutoolate？"inquiredPeter。

"No，"saidLinda，"IamasinterestedasIcanbe。Finisheverythingyouwanttodobeforewego。Ihopeyou\'regoingtoletmecomeoveroftenandwatchyouwithyourbuilding。MaybeI

cangetanideaforsomethingsIwanttodo。EileenandIhaveourhousedividedbyaMasonandDixonline。OnhersideisMother\'ssuite，thediningroom，thelivingroomandthefrontdoor。Onminethere\'sthegarageandthekitchenandKaty\'sbedroomandmineandthelibraryandthebilliardroom。AtthepresentminuteIaminterestedinadaptingthelibrarytomyrequirementsinsteadofFather\'s，andIamemptyingthebilliardroomandfurnishingittomakeaworkroom。Ihaveasmalltalentwithabrushandpencil，andIneedsomebarewallstotackmyprintsontodry，andIneednumerousplacesforallthethingsI

amalwaysdragginginfromthedesertandthecanyons；andsinceIhavetheBearCatrunning，whatIhavebeendoinginthatlinewithaknapsackwon\'tbeworthyofmention。"

"Howdiditcome，"inquiredHenryAnderson，"thatyouhadthatcarjackedupsolong？"

"Why，hasn\'tanybodytoldyou，"askedLinda，"aboutourdayoftheBlackShadow？"

"JohnGilmanwrotemewhenithappened，"saidPetersoftly，"butIdon\'tbelieveithasbeenmentionedbeforeHenry。Youtellhim。"

LindaturnedtoHenryAnderson，andwithtremblinglipsandpalingcheeks，inafewbriefsentencesshegavehimthedetails。

ThenshesaidtoPeterMorrisoninalowvoice:"AndthatisthewhyofMarianThorne\'swhitehead。Anybodytellyouthat？"

"ThatwhiteheadpuzzledmebeyondanythingIeversaw，"hesaid。

"ImeanttoaskJohnaboutit。Heusedtotalktomeandwritetomeoftenabouther，andlatelyhehasn\'t；whenIcameIsawthereason，andsoyouseeIfeltreticentonthesubject。"

"Well，there\'snothingthematterwithmytongue，"saidLinda。

"It\'slooseatbothends。Marianwasanexpertdriver。Shedrovewiththesamecalmjudgmentandprecisionandgracefulskillthatshedoeseverythingelse，butthecurvewassteepandsomethinginthebrakeswasdefective。Itbrokewithasnapandtherewasnotathingshecoulddo。Enoughwasleftoftheremainsofthecartoprovethat。Tendaysafterwardherheadwasalmostaswhiteassnow。Beforethatitwasasdarkasmine。

Butherbodyisjustasyoungandherheartisjustasyoungandherfaceisevenmorebeautiful。Idothinkthatawhitecrownmakesherlovelierthanshewasbefore。IhaveknownMarianeversinceIcanremember，andIdon\'tknowonethingaboutherthatI

couldnotlookyoustraightintheeyeandtellyouallabout。

Thereisnotasubterfugeoranevasionorasmallmeandeceitinhersoul。SheisthebrainiestwomanandthebiggestwomanI

know。"

"Ihaven\'tadoubtofit，"saidPeterMorrison。"Andwhileyouaretalkingaboutnicewomen，wemetamightyfineoneatRiversideonSunday。HernameisMaryLouiseWhiting。Doyouknowher？"

"Notpersonally，"saidLinda。"Idon\'trecallthatIeversawher。Iknowherbrother，Donald。Heisthehigh-schoolboywhoishavingthewrestlewiththeJap。"

"Ilikedhertoo，"saidHenryAnderson。"Andbytheway，MissLinda，haven\'tbug-catchersanyreputationatallasnestbuilders？Isittruethatamongfeatheredcreaturesthehenbuildsthehome？"

"No，it\'snot，"saidLindapromptly。"Malebirdsmakeasplendidrecordcarryingnestmaterial。Whatistrueisthatinthemajorityofcasesthefemaledoesthebuilding。"

"Well，whatIamgettingat，"saidHenryAnderson，"isthis。IsthereanythingIcandotohelpyouwiththatbilliardroomthatyou\'regoingtoconverttoaworkroom？Whatdoyoulackinitthatyouwouldliketohave？Doyouneedmorelightorair，orafireplace，orwhat？Whenyoutakeustothestation，supposeyoudriveuspastyourhouseandgivemealookatthatroomandletmethinkoveritadayortwo。Imightbeabletomakesomesuggestionthatwouldhelpyou。"

"Nowthatispositivelysweetofyou，"saidLinda。"Ineverthoughtofsuchathingaseithercomfortorconvenience。I

thoughtIhadtotakethatroomasitstandsanddothebestI

couldwithit，butsinceyoumentionit，it\'sbarelypossiblethatmoreairmightbeagreeableandalsomorelight，andiftherecouldbeasmallfireplacebuiltinfrontofthechimneywhereitgoesupfromthelibraryfireplace，itcertainlywouldbeacomfort，anditwouldaddsomethingtotheroomthatnothingelsecould。

"Noworkroomreallyhasasoulifyoucan\'tsmellsmokeandseeredwhenyougotoitatnight。"

"Youlittleoutdoorheathen，"laughedPeterMorrison。"OnewouldthinkyouwereanIndian。"

"IamafairlygoodIndian，"saidLinda。"Ihavebeenscoutingaroundwithmyfatheragoodmanyyears。Howaboutit，Peter？

Doestheroadgocrooked？"

"Yes，"saidPeter，"theroadgoescrooked。"

"Doesthebedofthespringcurveandsweepacrossthelawnanddropofftotheoriginalstreambelowthetree-tobaccoclumpthere？"

"Ifyousayso，itdoes，"saidPeter。

"Includingthebridge？"inquiredLinda。

"Includingthebridge，"saidPeter。"I\'llhavetoburnsomemidnightoil，butIcanvisualizethebridge。"

"Andisthishousewhereyou\'setupyourrest，\'asyousobeautifullysaidtheothernightatdinner，goingtolayitscornerstoneandgrowtoitsroofaselfishhouse，orisitgoingtobegenerousenoughforagraciousladyandaflightoflittlefootsteps？"

PeterMorrisontookoffhishat。HeturnedhisfacetowardthelengthofLilacValleyandstood，verytallandstraight，lookingfarawaybeforehim。PresentlyhelookeddownatLinda。

"Evenso，"hesaidsoftly。"Myshouldersarebroadenough；I

haveabrain；andIamnotafraidtowork。Ifmyheartisnotquitebigenoughyet，Iseeveryclearlyhowitcanbemadetoexpand。"

"Ihavebeentold，"saidLindainalowvoice，"thatMaryLouiseWhitingisaperfectdarling。"

Peterlookedatherfromthetopofherblackheadtothetipsofherbrownshoes。Hecouldhavecountedthefrecklesbridginghernose。Thesunburnonhercheekswasveryvisible；therewassomethingarrestinginthedepthofhereyes，thecurveofherlips，thelitheslendernessofheryoungbody；shegavetheeffectofsomethingsmolderinginsidethatwouldleapatabreath。

"IwasnotthinkingofMissWhiting，"hesaidsoberly。

HenryAndersonwaswatching。Nowheturnedhisbackandcommencedtalkingaboutplans，butinhishearthesaid:"Sothat\'sthelayoftheland。You\'vegottohustleyourself，Henry，oryouwon\'thavetheghostofashow。"

Later，whentheymotoreddownthevalleyandstoppedattheStrongresidence，PeterrefusedtobemonopolizedbyEileen。HeclimbedthetwoflightsofstairswithHenryAndersonandLindaandexhaustedhisfundofsuggestionsastowhatcouldbedonetothatemptybilliardroomtomakeanattractivestudyofit。

Lindalistenedquietlytoalltheirsuggestions，andthenshesaid:

"Itwouldbefinetohaveanotherwindow，andasmallskylightwouldbeadream，andasforthefireplaceyoumention，Ican\'tevenconceivehowgreatitwouldbetohavethat；butmypurseismuchmorelimitedthanPeter\'s，andwhileIhavemyschoolworktodoeveryday，myearningcapacityisnearlynegligible。Icanonlypickupabithereandtherewithmybrushandpencil——

placecardsandEastercardsandvalentines，andonceortwicemagazinecovers，andlittlethingslikethat。Idon\'tseemywaycleartolumberandglassandbricksandchimneypieces。"

PeterlookedatHenry，andHenrylookedatPeter，andamalehighsign，ancientasday，passedbetweenthem。

"Easiestthingintheworld，"saidPeter。"It\'sassureasshootingthatwhenmythreeorfourfireplaces，whichHenry\'spresentplanscallfor，arebuilt，thereisgoingtobeallthematerialleftthatcanbeusedinalighttinyfireplacesuchascouldbebuiltonathirdfloor，andwhenthefiguringforthehouseisdoneitcouldveryeasilyincludethecuttingofaskylightandanextrawindowortwohere，andgettingthematerialinwithmystuff，itwouldcostyoualmostnothing。"

Linda\'seyesopenedwideanddewywithsurpriseandpleasure。

"Why，youtwoperfectlynicemen！"shesaid。"Ihaven\'tfeltasIdothisminutesinceIlostDaddy。It\'swonderfultobetakencareof。It\'sbetterthancreampuffswithalmondflavoring。"

HenryAndersonlookedatLindakeenly。

"You\'rethedarndestkid！"hesaid。"Oneminuteyou\'resmackingyourlipsovercreampuffs，andthenextyou\'regoingtothebottomoftheyellowperil。Ineverbeforesawyourcombinationinonegirl。What\'stheexplanation？"ForthesecondtimethateveningLinda\'sspecialtyinrapturefloatedfree。

"BunchallthecomponentpartsintotheoneparamountfactthatI

amSaturday\'schild，"shesaid，"soIamconstantlyonthejobofworkingforaliving，andthenaddtothatthefactthatIwasrearedbyanervespecialist。"

Thentheywentdownstairs，andthemenrefusedbothEileen\'sandLinda\'sinvitationtoremainfordinner。WhentheyhadgoneEileenturnedtoLindawithadiscontentedandaggrievedface。

"Inthenameofallthat\'sholy，whatareyoudoingorplanningtodo？"shedemanded。

"Notanythingthatwillcostyouapennybeyondmynaturalrights，"saidLindaquietly。

"Thatisnotansweringmyquestion，"saidEileen。"You\'renotofageandyou\'restillundertheauthorityofaguardian。Ifyoucan\'tanswerme，possiblyyoucanhim。ShallIsendJohnGilmantoaskwhatIwanttoknowofyou？"

"WhendidIeveraskyouanyquestionsaboutwhatyouchosetodo？"askedLinda。"Iammerelyfollowingtheexamplethatyouhavepreviouslysetme。JohnGilmanandIusedtobegreatfriends。Itmighthelpbothofustohaveafamilyreunion。

Sendhimbyallmeans。"

"Youusedtotakepride，"suggestedEileen，"inleadingyourclass。"

"AndhasanyonetoldyouthatIamnotleadingmyclassatthepresentminute？"askedLinda。

"No，"saidEileen，"butwhatIwanttopointouttoyouisthattheminuteyoustartrunningwiththeboysyouwillquitleadingyourclass。"

"Don\'tyoubelieveit，"saidLindaquietly。"I\'mnotbuiltthatway。Ishan\'tconcentrateonanyboytotheexclusionofchemistryandgeometry，neverfearit。"

Thenshethoughtfullyascendedthestairsandwenttowork。

Eileenwenttoherroomandsatdowntothink；andthemoreshethought，thedeepergrewherangerandchagrin；andtotheindifferencethatalwayshadexistedinherheartconcerningLindawasaddedinthatmomentanewelement。Shewasjealousofher。Howdiditcomethatalanky，ganglingkidinherteeshadbeenpaidavisitbythesonofpossiblythemostculturedandinfluentialfamilyofthecity，peopleofprestige，comfortablewealth，andunlimitedpopularity？ForfouryearsshehadstruggledtogainanentranceinsomewayintoLouiseWhiting\'sintimatecircleoffriends，andshehadendedbyshuttingthedoorontheonlysonofthefamily。AndwhyhadsheeverallowedLindatokeeptherunabout？Itwasnotproperthatayounggirlshouldownahighpoweredcarlikethat。Itwasnotproperthatsheshoulddriveitandgoracingaroundthecountry，heavenknewwhere，andwithheavenknewwhom。Eileenbitherlipuntilitalmostbled。Hereyeswerehatefulandherhandswerenervousasshereviewedthepastweek。Shemightthinkanymeanthingthatameanbraincouldconjureup，butwhenshecalmeddowntofactsshehadtoadmitthattherewasnotareasonintheworldwhyLindashouldnotdrivethecarshehaddrivenforherfather，orwhysheshouldnottakewithherDonaldWhitingorPeterMorrisonorHenryAnderson。ThethingthatrankledwasthatthecarbelongedtoLinda。Thetouringcarwhichshemighthaveownedanddriven，hadshesodesired，layinanextremelyslenderstringofpearlsaroundherneckatthatinstant。Shereflectedthatifshehadkepthercarandmadeherselfsufficientlyhardytodriveit，shemighthavebeentheonetohavetakenPeterMorrisontohishomelocationandtohavehadmanyopportunitiesforbeingwithhim。

"I\'vebeenafool，"saidEileen，tuggingatthepearlsviciously。

"TheyarenothingbutalittlebitofastringthatlooksasifI

weretryingtodosomethingandcouldn\'t，atbest。WhatI\'vegottodoistothinkmoreofmyself。I\'vegottoplansomewaytopreventLindafrombeingtoopopularuntilIreallygetmymindmadeupastowhatIwanttodo。"

CHAPTERXIII。LeaveningtheBreadofLife"\'Ahousethatisdividedagainstitselfcannotstand，\'"quotedLinda。"ImustkeepinmindwhatEileensaid，notthatthereistheslightestdanger，buttofallbehindinmygradesisathingthatsimplymustnothappen。IfitbetruethatPeterandHenrycansoeasilyandsocheaplyaddafewimprovementsinmyworkroominconnectionwithPeter\'sbuilding，Icanseenoreasonwhytheyshouldn\'tdoit，solongasIpayforit。Ihaven\'tadoubtbutthattherewillbesomethingIcandoforPeter，beforehefinisheshisbuilding，thathewouldgreatlyappreciate，while，sinceI\'mhandywithmypencil，IMIGHTbeabletomakeafewheadandtailpiecesforsomeofhisarticlesthatwouldmakethemmoreattractive。Idon\'twanttouseanyfriendofmine:I

don\'twanttofeelthatIamnotgivingquiteasmuchasIget，butIthinkIseemywayclear，betweenmeandtheBearCat，topayforallthefavorsIwouldreceiveinalteringmystudy。

"FirstthingIdoImustgothroughFather\'sbooksandgetthemoneyforthem，soI\'llknowmylimitationwhenIcometoselectfurniture。AndIdon\'tknowthatIamgoingtobesoterriblymodestwhenitcomestonamingthesumwithwhichI\'llbesatisfiedformyallowance。PossiblyIshallexercisemyage-oldprerogativeandchangemymind；Imayjustsay\'half\'rightoutloudandsticktoit。Andthere\'sanotherthing。SincetheeditorofEverybody\'sHomehasstartedmydepartmentandpromisedthatifitgoeswellhewillgiveittomepermanently，Icancertainlydependonsomethingfromthat。HehasusedmyIntroductionandtwoinstalmentsnow。Ishouldthinkitmightbefairtotalkpaymentsprettysoon。Heshouldgivemefiftydollarsforarecipewithitsperfectlygoodnaturalhistoryandembellishedwithmyownvegetableandfloraldecorations。

"InthemeantimeIthinkImightbuymyworktableandpossiblyaneasel，soIcanhaverealroomtospreadoutmynewmaterialandseehowitwouldfeeltodoonedrawingcompletelyunhampered。

I\'llorderthetabletonight，andthenI\'llbeginonthebooks，becauseImusthaveSaturdayfree；andImustbethinkingaboutthemostattractiveandinterestingplaceIcantakeDonaldto。

Ijusthavetokeephiminteresteduntilhegetsgoingofhisownaccord，becauseheshallbeatOkaSayye。Iwouldn\'tletDonaldsayitbutIdon\'tmindsayingmyselftomyselfwithnoonepresentexceptmyselfthatinallmylifeIhaveneverseenanythingsomasklikeasthestolidlittlesquareheadonthatJap。IhaveneverseenanythingIdislikemorethantheoily，stiff，blackhairstandinguponitlikemenacingbristles。I

haveneverhadbutonestraightlookdeepintohiseyes，butinthatlookIsawtheonlythingthateverfrightenedmeinlookingintoaman\'seyesinmywholelife。AndthereisonethingthatIhavetoremembertocautionDonaldabout。Hemustcarryonthiscontestinaperfectlyopen，fair，andaboveboardway，andhesimplymustnotantagonizeOkaSayye。TherearesomanyoftheJaps。Theyalllooksomuchalike，andthere\'sabloodbrotherhoodbetweenthemthatwillmakethemprotecteachothertothedeathagainstanywhiteman。Itwouldn\'tbesafeforDonaldtomakeOkaSayyehatehim。Hehadfarbettertrytomakehimhisfriendandputaspiritofhonestrivalryintohisheart；

butcometothinkofit，therewasn\'tanythinglikethatinmyonelookintoOkaSayye\'seyes。Idon\'tknowwhatitwas，butwhateveritwasitwassomethingrepulsive。"

WiththisthoughtinhermindLindawalkedslowlyassheapproachedthehighschoolthenexttime。Fardownthestreet，overthewalksandacrossthegrounds，hereyesweresearchingeagerlyforthetallslenderfigureofDonaldWhiting。Shedidnotseehiminthemorning，butatnoonsheencounteredhiminthehall。

"Lookingforyou，"hecriedgailywhenhesawher。"I\'vegotmypryinonTrig。Theprofessor\'sinterested。DadfishedoutanoldTrigthatheusedwhenhewasaboyandIhavesomenewanglesthatwillkeepmyesteemedrivalstirringuphisgraymatterforsomelittletime。"

"Goodforyou！Joyouscongratulations！You\'vegottheidea！"

criedLinda。"Gotoit！Startsomethingallalongtheline，butmakeitsomethingfoundedonbrainsandreasonandcommonsense。

But，Donald，Iwaswatchingforyou。Iwantedtosayaword。"

DonaldWhitingbenttowardher。Thefaintestsuspicionofatingeofcolorcreptintohischeeks。

"That\'sfine，"hesaid。"Whatwasityouwanted？"

"Onlythis，"shesaidinalmostabreathlesswhisper。"ThereisnothinginCaliforniaIamafraidofexceptaJap，andIamafraidofthem，notpotentially，notonaccountofwhatallofusknowtheyareplanninginthebacksoftheirheadsforthefuture，butrighthereandnow，personallyandphysically。Don\'tantagonizeOkaSayye。Don\'tbetooprecipitateaboutwhatyou\'retryingtodo。Trytomakeitappearthatyou\'redevelopingideasfortheinterestandedificationofthewholeclass。Don\'tincurhispersonalenmity。Usetact。"

"YouthinkIamafraidofthatlittlejiu-jitsu？\'，hescoffed。

"Icanlickhimwithonehand。"

"Ihaven\'tadoubtofit，"saidLinda，measuringhisheightandapparentstrengthandfitness。"Ihaven\'tadoubtofit。Butletmeaskyouthisconfidentially:Haveyougotafriendwhowouldslipinandstabhiminthebackincaseyouwereinanencounterandhewasgettingthebetterofyou？"

DonaldWhiting\'seyeswidened。HelookedatLindaamazed。

"Wouldn\'tthatbegoingratherfar？"heasked。"IthinkIhavesomefairlygoodfriendsamongthefellows，butIdon\'tknowjustwhomIwouldwanttoasktodomethatsmallfavor。"

"Thatispreciselythepoint，"criedLinda。"Youhaven\'tafriendyouwouldask；andyouhaven\'tafriendwhowoulddoit，ifyoudid。Butdon\'tbelieveforonesecondthatOkaSayyehasn\'thalfadozenwhowouldmakeawaywithyouatanunexpectedtimeandinasecludedplace，andvanish，ifitwouldinanywayfurtherOkaSayye\'sambition，orhelpestablishthesupremacyoftheJapaneseinCalifornia。"

"Um-hm，"saidDonaldWhiting。

HewaslookingfarpastLindaandnowhiseyeswerenarrowedinthought。"Ibelieveyou\'reRIGHTaboutit。"

"I\'vethoughtofyousooftensinceItriedtospuryoutobeatOkaSayye，"saidLinda。"Ifeelasortofresponsibilityforyou。It\'stothehonorandgloryofallCalifornia，andtheUnitedStates，andthewhiteraceeverywhereforyoutobeathim，butifanyharmshouldcometoyouIwouldalwaysfeelthatI

shouldn\'thaveurgedit。"

"Nowthat\'sfoolishness，"saidDonaldearnestly。"IfIamsuchadubthatIdidn\'thavetheambitiontothinkupsomewaytobeataJapmyself，nomatterwhathappensyoushouldn\'tregrethavingbeentheonetopointouttomemymanifestduty。DadisaHarvardman，youknow，andthatiswherehe\'sgoingtosendme，andintalkingaboutittheothernightItoldhimaboutyou，andwhatyouhadsaidtome。He\'sthegreatestoldscout，andwasmightilyinterested。Hewentatonceandopenedaboxofbooksinthegarretanddugoutsomestuffthatwillbeabighelptome。He\'sgoingtokeeppostedandseewhathecando；hesaidevenworsethingstomethanyoudid；soyouneedn\'tfeelthatyouhaveanyresponsibility；besidesthat，it\'snotprovedyetthatIcanbeatOkaSayye。"

"Yes，itis！"saidLinda，sendingastraightlevelgazedeepintohiseyes。"Yes，itis！Wheneverawhitemanmakesuphismindwhathe\'sgoingtodo，andputshisbraintowork，hebeatsanyman，ofanyothercolor。Sureyou\'regoingtobeathim。"

"FatchanceIhavenotto，"saidDonald，laughingruefully。"IfIdon\'tbeathimIamdisgracedathome，andwithyou；beforeI

tryverylonginthishighlyspecializedeffortIammaking，everyprofessorinthehighschoolandeverymemberofmyclassisboundtobecomeawareofwhatisgoingon。You\'remightyrightaboutit。Ihavegottobeathimordisgracemyselfrightatthebeginningofmyniceyoungcareer。"

"Ofcourseyou\'llbeathim，"saidLinda。

"AtwhathourdidyousayIshouldcome，Saturday？"

"Oh，comewiththelarkforallIcare，"saidLinda。"Earlymorninginthedesertisamysteryandamiracle，andthelarkshavebeentherejustlongenoughtogettheirvoicesproperlytunedfortheirpurestnotes。"

Thensheturnedandhurriedaway。HerfirstleisureminuteafterreachinghomeshewenttothelibrarywearingoneofKaty\'sbigaprons，andcarryingabrushandduster。Beginningatoneendofeachshelf，shetookdownthevolumessheintendedtosell，carefullydustedthem，wipedtheircovers，andtheplaceonwhichtheyhadstood，andthenopenedandleafedthroughthemsothatnoscrapofpapercontaininganynotesormemorandaofpossiblevalueshouldbeoverlooked。ItwaswhilehandlingthesevolumesthatLindashiftedseveralofthebookswrittenbyherfather，toseparatethemfromthosewithwhichshemeanttopart。Shehadgrownsoaccustomedtoopeningeachbookshehandledandlookingthroughit，thatshemechanicallyopenedthefirstoneshepickedupandfromamongitsleavestherefellascrapofloosepaper。

Shepickeditupandfounditwasaletterfromthepublishersofthebook。Linda\'seyeswidenedsuddenlyassheread:

MYDEARSTRONG:

Sendingyoualineofcongratulations。Youhavegonetotheheadofthelistof"bestsellers"amongmedicalworks，andthechequeIdrawyouforthepastsixmonths\'royaltieswillbeconsiderablylargerthanthatwhichgoestoyourmostesteemedcontemporaryonyourchosensubject。

Verytrulyyours，ThesignaturewasthatofFredericDickman，theeditorofoneofthebiggestpublishinghousesofthecountry。

"Hm，"shesaidtoherselfsoftly。"Nowthatisaqueerthing。

Thatletterwaswrittennearlyfiveyearsago。Idon\'tknowwhyIneverthoughtofroyaltiessinceDaddywent。Ifrequentlyheardhimmentionthembefore。Isupposethey\'rebeingpaidtoJohnGilmanasadministrator，ortotheConsolidatedBank，andcaredforwithFather\'sotherbusiness。There\'snoreasonwhythesebooksshouldnotkeeponselling。Thereareprobablythesamenumberofyoungmen，ifnotagreaternumber，studyingmedicineeveryyear。Iwondernow，abouttheseroyalties。I

mustdosomethinking。"

ThenLindabegantoexaminebooksmorecarefullythanbefore。

Thelettershecarriedwithherwhenshewenttoherroom；butshemadeapointofbeingonthelawnthateveningwhenJohnGilmancame，andaftertalkingtohimafewminutes，shesaidverycasually:"John，asFather\'sadministrator，doesaroyaltyfromhismedicalbookscometoyou？"

"No，"saidGilman。"Itispaidtohisbank。"

"Idon\'tsuppose，"saidLindacasually，"itwouldamounttoenoughtokeeponeinshoestheseinflateddays。"

"Oh，Idon\'tknowaboutthat，"saidJohntestily。"IhaveseenafewofthosechequesinyourFather\'stime。Youshouldbeabletokeepfairlywellsuppliedwithshoes。"

"SoIshould，"saidLindadrily。"SoIshould。"

ThensheledhimtothebackofthehouseandtalkedtheincidentoutofhismindascleverlyaspossiblebygivinghimanintensivebotanicalstudyofCotyledon。Butshecouldnotinteresthimquitesodeeplyasshehadhoped，forpresentlyhesaid:"Eileentellsmethatyou\'repartingwithsomeofthebooks。"

"OnlytechnicalonesforwhichIcouldhavenopossibleuse，"

saidLinda。"Ineedclothes，andhavefoundthathadIaproperplacetoworkinandpropertoolstoworkwith，Icouldearnquiteabitwithmybrushandpencil，andsoIamtryingtogetenoughmoneytogethertofitupthebilliardroomforaworkroom，sincenobodyusesitforanythingelse。"

"Isee，"saidJohnGilman。"Isupposerunningahouseisextremelyexpensivethesedays，butevensotheincomefromyourestateshouldbesufficienttodressaschoolgirlandprovideforanythingyouwouldwantinthewayoffurnishingaworkroom。"

"That\'swhatIhavealwaysthoughtmyself，"saidLinda；"butEileendoesn\'tagreewithme，andshehandlesthemoney。Whenthefirstofthemonthcomes，weareplanningtogooverthingstogether，andsheisgoingtomakemeaproperallowance。"

"Thatisexactlyasitshouldbe，"saidGilman。"Ineverrealizedtilltheothernightatdinnerthatyouhavegrownsuchagreatgirl，Linda。That\'sfine！Fixyourworkroomthewayyouwouldliketohaveit，andifthere\'sanythingIcandotohelpyouinanyway，youhaveonlytocommandme。Ihaven\'tseenyouoftenlately。"

"No，"saidLinda，"butIdon\'tfeelthatitisexactlymyfault。

MarianandIwerealwayspals。WhenIsawthatyoupreferredEileen，IkeptwithMariantocomfortherallIcould。Idon\'tsupposeshecared，particularly。Shecouldn\'thave，orshewouldatleasthavemadesomeefforttopreventEileenfrommonopolizingyou。Sheprobablywasmightygladtoberidofyou；

butsinceyouhadbeentogethersomuch，Ithoughtshemightmissyou，soItriedtocoveryourdefection。"

JohnGilman\'sfaceflushed。Hestoodverystill，whileheseemeddeeplythoughtful。

"Ofcourseyouwerefreetofollowyourinclinations，orEileen\'smachinations，whicheveryoudidfollow，"Lindasaidlightly，"but\'themasknows\'couldtellyou，John，asKatysowellputsit，thatyouhavemadethemistakeofyouryounglife。"

Thensheturnedandwenttothegarage，leavingJohntohisvisitwithEileen。

TheEileenwhotookpossessionofJohnwasanEileenwithwhomhewasnotacquainted。Hehadknown，thenightofthedinnerparty，thatEileenwaspouting，buttherehadbeennochancetolearnfromherwhathergrievancewas，andbythenexttimetheymetshewasabundleofflashingallurement，soheignoredtheoccurrence。Thisevening，forthefirsttime，itseemedtohimthatEileenwasnotsobeautifulawomanashehadthoughther。

Somethinghadroiledthebloodinherdelicateveinsuntilithadmuddiedtheclearfreshnessofhersmoothsatinyskin。Therewasdiscontentinhereyes，whichwerehermostconvincingattraction。Theywerebigeyes，wideopenandcandid。Shehadsotrainedthemthroughalifetimeofpracticethatshecouldmeetothereyesdirectlywhilemanipulatinghermostdextrousevasion。WheneverEileenwasmostdeceptivelysubtle，shewaslookingstraightathervictimwiththeinnocentappealofababyinhergaze。

JohnGilmanhadhadhisstruggle。Hehadsucceeded。Hehadwatched，andwaited，andworkedincessantly，andwhenhisopportunitycamehewasready。Successhadcometosuchadegreethatinashorttimehehadassuredhimselfofcomfortforanywomanheloved。Heknewthathisappearancewasquiteaspleasingasthatofhisfriend。Heknewthatinmannerandeducationtheywereequals。Hewasnowhandlinglargebusinessaffairs。Hehadmadefriendsinhighplaces。WheneverEileenwasready，hewouldbuildandfurnishahomehefeltsurewouldbeequal，ifnotsuperior，towhatMorrisonwasplanning。WhyhadEileenfeltthatshewouldenvyanywomanwhosharedlifewithPeterMorrison？

Allthatdayshehadannoyedhim，becausetheremusthavebeenintheverydeepsofhissoul"astill，smallvoice"whisperingtohimthathehadnotliveduptothebesttraditionsofagentlemaninhiscoursewithMarian。Whilenodefiniteplanshadbeenmade，therehadbeenendlessassumption。Manytimestheyhadtalkedofthehometheywouldmaketogether。WhenhereachedthepointwherehedecidedthatheneverhadlovedMarianasamanshouldlovethewomanhemarries，hefeltjustifiedinturningtoEileen，butinhisheartheknewthatifhehadbeenthemanhewaspleasedtoconsiderhimself，hewouldhavegonetoMarianThorneandexplained，therebykeepingherfriendship，whilehenowknewthathemusthaveearnedhercontempt。

ThedayatRiversidehadbeenanenigmahecouldnotsolve。

Eileenwasgaytoadegreethatwasalmostboisterous。Shehadattractedattentionandcommentwhichnowell-bredwomanwouldhavedone。

ThegrowingdiscontentinJohn\'ssoulhadincreasedunderLinda\'sdirectattack。HehadknownLindasinceshewasfouryearsoldandhadbeenresponsibleforsomeofhereducation。HehadbeenalargeinfluenceinteachingLindafromchildhoodtobeagoodsport，tobesureshewasrightandthengoahead，andifshehurtherselfinthegoing，torubthebruise，buttokeepherpath。

AthingpatenttotheeyeofeverymanwhoturnedanappraisinglookuponLindaalwayshadbeenoneofsteadfastloyalty。Youcoulddependuponher。Shewasthecounterpartofherfather；

andDoctorStronghadbeenlovedbyothermen。Whereverhehadgonehehadbeensurrounded。Hisfigurehadbeenonethatattractedattention。Whenhehadspoken，hisvoiceandwhathehadtosayhadcommandedrespect。Andthentherehademanatedfromhimthatpeculiarphysicalcharmwhichgivessuchpleasinganddistinguishedpersonalitytoaveryfewpeopleinthisworld。

ThisgifttoohaddescendedtoLinda。Shecouldsitandlookstraightatyouwithhernarrow，interestedeyes，smilefaintly，andmakeyourealizewhatshethoughtandfeltwithoutopeningherlips。Johndidnotfeelverywellacquaintedwiththegirlwhohaddominatedtherecentdinnerparty，buthedidseethatshewasattractive，thatbothPeterMorrisonandHenryAndersonhadbeengreatlyamusedandverymuchentertainedbyher。HehadfoundhersointerestinghimselfthathehadpaidslightattentiontoEileen\'spouting。

TonighthewasforcedtostudyEileen，forthesakeofhisowncomforttotrytoconciliateher。HewasuncomfortablebecausehewasunabletoconducthimselfasEileenwishedhimto，withoutasmallsickeningdisgustcreepingintohissoul。Beforetheeveningwasoverhebecameexasperated，andendedbyaskingflatly:"Eileen，whatinthedickensisthematterwithyou？"

Itwasanewtoneandanewquestiononnervestenselystrung。

"Ifyouweren\'tblindyou\'dknowwithoutasking，"retortedEileenhotly。

"ThenIam\'blind，\'forIhaven\'ttheslightestnotion。WhathaveIdone？"

"Isn\'titjustbarelypossible，"askedEileen，"thattheremightbeotherpeoplewhowouldannoyandexasperateme？Ihavenothintedthatyouhavedoneanything，althoughIdon\'tknowthatit\'scustomaryforamancallingonhisbetrothedtostopfirstforavisitwithhersister。"

"FortheloveofMike！"saidJohnGilman。"AmItobefoundfaultwithforcrossingthelawnaminutetoseehowLinda\'swildgardeniscomingon？Ihavedugandhelpedsetenoughofthoseplantstojustifysomeinterestinthemastheygrow。"

"Andthegardenwasyoursolesubjectofconversation？"inquiredEileen，implieddoubtconveyednicely。

"No，itwasnot，"answeredGilman，allthebulldoginhisnaturecomingtothesurface。

"AsIknewperfectly，"saidEileen。"IadmitthatI\'mnotfeelingmyself。Thingsbegangoingwrongrecently，andeverythinghasgonewrongsince。IthinkitallbeganwithMarianThorne\'scrazyideaofsellingherhomeandgoingtothecitytotrytoapeaman。"

"Mariannevertriedtoapeamaninherlife，"saidJohn，instantlyyieldingtoasenseofjustice。"SheisasstrictlyfeminineasanywomanIeverknew。"

"Doyoumeantosaythatyouthinkstudyingarchitectureisawoman\'swork？"sneeredEileen。

"Yes，Ido，"saidGilmanemphatically。"Womenliveinhouses。

They\'reinthemninetenthsofthetimetoaman\'sonetenth。

NexttorockingacradleIdon\'tknowofanyoccupationinthisworldmoredistinctlyfemininethantheplanningofcomfortablehomesforhomekeepingpeople。"

Eileenchangedthesubjectswiftly。"WhatwasLindasayingtoyou？"sheasked。

"Shewasshowingmeaplant，arareEcheveriaoftheCotyledonfamily，thatshetobogganeddownonesideofMultifloresCanyonanddeliveredsafelyontheroadwaywithoutitslosinganappreciableamountof\'bloom\'fromitsexquisitelypaintedleaves。"

Eileenbrokeinrudely。"LindahasmissedMarian。There\'snotapossiblethingtomakelifeuncomfortableformethatsheisnotdoing。Youneedn\'ttellmeyoudidn\'tseeandunderstandherrudeforwardnesstheothernight！"

"No，Ididn\'tseeit，"saidJohn，"becausethefactisIthoughtthekidwaspositivelycharming，andsodidPeterandHenrybecausebothofthemsaidso。There\'sonethingyoumusttakeintoconsideration，Eileen。Thetimehascomewhensheshouldhaveclothesandlibertyandopportunitytoshapeherlifeaccordingtoherinclinations。Letmetellyoushewillattractattentioningeorgetteandlaces。"

"Andwherearethegeorgetteandlacestocomefrom？"inquiredEileensarcastically。"AlloutgoandnoincomeforfouryearsisleavingtheStrongfinancesinmightyprecariousshape，Icantellyou。"

"Allright，"saidGilman，"I\'mfinanciallycomfortablenow。I\'mready。Saytheword。We\'llselectourlocationandbuildourhome，andletLindahavewhatthereisoftheStrongincometillsheissettledinlife。Youhaveprettywellhadallofitforthepastfouryears。"

"Yes，"saidEileenfuriously，"Ihave\'prettywell\'hadit，inafewlittledressesthatIhavealteredmyselfandveryfrequentlymadeentirely。IhavedonethebestIcould，shiftingandskimping，andit\'snotaccomplishedanythingthatIhavereallywanted。Accordingtomen，thegasandthetelephoneandtheelectriclightandthetaxesandfoodandcookpayforthemselves。Allawomaneverspendsmoneyonisclothes！"

"Eileen，"chuckledJohnGilman，"thissoundsexactlyasifweweremarried，andwe\'renot，yet。"

"No，"saidEileen，"thankheavenwe\'renot。Ifit\'scometotheplacewhereyou\'residingwitheverybodyelseagainstme，andwhereyou\'remoreinterestedinwhatmykidsisterhastosaytoyouthanyouareinme，Idon\'tthinkweevershallbe。"

Then，fromstressofnervetensionandlongpractice，somebigtearsgushedupandthreatenedtooverflowEileen\'slovelyeyes。

Thatnevershouldhappen，fortearsaresaltwaterandtheycutlittleriversthrougheventhemostcarefullyandskillfullyconstructedcomplexion，whileEileen\'swaslookingitsworstthatevening。Shehastilyappliedherhandkerchief，andJohnGilmantookherintohisarms；sotheremainderoftheeveningitwasasiftheywerenotmarried。ButwhenJohnreturnedtothesubjectofahomeandbeggedEileentoannouncetheirengagementandlethimbeginwork，sheevadedhim，andputhimoff，andhadtohavetimetothink，andshewasnotready，andthereweremanyexcuses，fornoneofwhichGilmancouldseeanysufficientreason。WhenheleftEileenthatnight，itwaswithaheavyheart。

CHAPTERXIV。Saturday\'sChildThroughouttheweekLindahadworkedasneverduringherlifepreviously，inordertosaveSaturdayforDonaldWhiting。SherantheBearCatdowntothegarageandhaditlookedoveroncemoretobesurethateverythingwasallright。Fridayevening，onherwayfromschool，shestoppedatagrocerywheresheknewEileenkeptanaccount，andforthefirsttimeorderedafewgroceries。Theseshecarriedhomewithher，andexplainedtoKatywhatshewanted。

KatyfullyrealizedthatLindawasstillherchild，withnothoughtinhermindsavestandingattheheadofherclasses，carryingontheworkshehadbegunwithherfather，keepinguphernaturestudy，andgettingthebesttimeshecouldoutoflifeintheopenasshehadbeentaughttodofromhercradle。

Katyhadnottheslightestintentionofopeningherlipstosayonewordthatmightputanyideaintotheheadofherbelovedchild，butshesawnoreasonwhysheherselfshouldnotharboralltheideasshepleased。

Whereupon，actuatedbyacombinationoffamilypride，love，ambitioninherchosenprofession，KatymadereadytoseethatonthemorrowthesonofFrederickWhitingshouldbeproperlynourishedonhisoutingwithLinda。

Atsixo\'clockSaturdaymorningLindarantheBearCattothebackdoor，wheresheandKatypackedit。Beforetheyhadfinished，DonaldWhitingcamedownthesidewalk，hischeeksflushedwiththeexerciseofwalking，hiseyesbrightwithanticipation，hiscauseforeverwon——incasehehadacause——withKaty，becauseshelikedthewholesome，heartymannerinwhichhegreetedLinda，andshewasdumbfoundedwhenheheldouthishandtoherandsaidlaughingly:"Blessedamongwomen，didyouputinafinelargeconsignmentoforangepunch？"

"No，"saidKaty，"I\'lljusttellyeflat-footedthereain\'tgoingtobeanypunch，but，youngsir，you\'reeshcortin\'averycapableyounglady，anddon\'tyebewailthepunch，becauseyemightbecomplimentingyourfacewithsomethingyewouldlikeahapebetter。"

"Can\'tbedone，Katy，"criedDonald。

"Yemusthaveapooropinionofus，"laughedKaty，"ifyearethinkingyecangettotheendofourlimitationsinonelunch。

FourteenyearsmeandMissLinda\'sbeenonthislunch-boxstunt。

Don\'tyebethinkin\'yecanexhaustusinanywantrip，orinanywandozen。"

Sotheysaidgood-byetoKatyandrolledpastEileen\'sroomonthewaytothedesert。Eileenstoodatthewindowwatchingthem，andneverhadherheartbeensofullofdiscontentandhersoultheabidingplaceofsuchenvyorhermindsobusy。Justwhenshehadthoughtlifewasgoingtoyieldherwhatshecraved，shecouldnotunderstandhoworwhythingsshouldbegintogowrong。