第6章

Shesentthelittlecarthroughtheeveninguntilshefeltthatitwastimetogohome，andwhenatlastshestoppedwheretheyhadstarted，sherealizedthatneithershenorPeterhadspokenoneword。Ashesteppedfromthecarsheleanedtowardhimandreachedoutherhand。

"Thankyouforthefireplace，Peter，"shesaid。

Petertookthehandsheextendedandhelditoneminuteinbothhisown。Thenverygentlyhestraighteneditoutinthepalmofoneofhishandsandwiththeotherhandturnedbackthefingersandlaidhislipstotheheartofit。

"Thankyou，Linda，fortheflame，"hesaid，andturningabruptly，hewenttowardhisworkroom。

Stoppingforabitetoeatinthekitchen，Lindawentbacktoherroom。Shesatdownatthetableandpickingupherpencil，begantowork，andfoundthatshecouldwork。Everystrokecametrueandstrong。Everyideaseemedoriginalandunusual。Quiteaslateasalighteverhadshoneinherwindow，itshonethatnight，thelastthingshedidbeingtowriteanotheranonymouslettertoMarian，andwhensherereaditLindarealizedthatitwasanappealingletter。ShethoughtitcertainlywouldcomfortMarianandsurelywouldmakeherfeelthatsomeoneworthwhilewasinterestedinherandinherwork。Shelovedsomeofthewhimsicallittletouchesshehadputintoit，andshewonderedifshehadmadeitsomuchlikePeterMorrisonthatitwouldbesuggestiveofhimtoMarian。Sheknewthatshehadnorighttodothatandhadnosuchintention。ShemerelywantedamodeltocopyfromandPeterseemedthemostappealingmodelathand。

AfterschoolthenextdayLindareportedthatshehadfinishedgoingthroughthebooksandwasreadytohavethemtaken。Then，afterafewminutesofdeepthought，shemadeherwaytotheConsolidatedBank。Atthewindowofthepayingtellersheexplainedthatshewishedtoseethepersonconnectedwiththebankwhohadchargeofthesafety-depositboxesandwholookedaftertheaccountspertainingtotheestateofAlexanderStrong。

Thetellerrecognizedthename。Heimmediatelybecamedeferential。

"I\'lltakeyoutotheofficeofthepresident，"hesaid。"HeandDoctorStrongwereverywarmfriends。Youcanexplaintohimwhatitisyouwanttoknow。"

Beforesherealizedwhatwashappening，Lindafoundherselfinanofficethatwasallmahoganyandmarble。Atahugedeskstackedwithpaperssataman，considerablyolderthanherfather。Lindarememberedtohaveseenhimfrequentlyintheirhome，inherfather\'scar，andsherecalledonefishingexpeditiontotheTulareLakeregionwherehehadbeenamemberofherfather\'sparty。

"Ofcourseyouhaveforgottenme，Mr。Worthington，"shesaidassheapproachedhisdesk。"Ihavegrownsuchatallpersonduringthepastfouryears。"

Thewhite-hairedfinancierroseandstretchedouthishand。

"YouexactreplicaofAlexanderStrong，"hesaidlaughingly，"I

couldn\'tforgetyouanymorethanIcouldforgetyourfather。

Thatfinefishingtripwhereyouprovedsuchagrandlittlescoutisbrightinmymemoryasoneofmyhappiestvacations。SitdownandtellmewhatIcandoforyou。"

Lindasatdownandtoldhimthatshewasdissatisfiedwiththemannerinwhichherfather\'sestatewasbeingadministered。

Helistenedverycarefullytoallshehadtosay，thenhepressedabuttonandgaveafewwordsofinstructiontotheclerkwhoansweredit。Whenseveralledgersandaccountbookswerelaidbeforehim，withpracticedhandheturnedtowhathewanted。Therecordswerenotcomplicated。Theycoveredaperiodoffouryears。Theyshowedexactlywhatmonieshadbeenpaidintothebankfortheestate。Theyshowedwhatroyaltieshadbeenpaidonthebooks。Lindasatbesidehimandwatchedhispencilrunningupanddowncolumns，settingdownalistofitems，andmakingeverythingplain。PaidchequesforhouseholdexpensesIanddrygoodsbillswereallrecordedanddeducted。Withnarrow，alerteyes，Lindawaswatching，andherbrainwaskeenlyalive。

Assherealizedthediscrepancybetweentheannualrevenuefromtheestateandthetotalingoftheexpenses，shehadaninspiration。Somethingsheneverbeforehadthoughtofoccurredtoher。Shelookedthebankerintheeyeandsaidveryquietly:

"Andnow，sincesheismysisterandIamgoingtobeofageveryshortlyandthesethingsmustallbegoneintoandopenedup，woulditbeoutofplaceformetoaskyouthisafternoontoletmehaveaglimpseattheprivateaccountofMissEileenStrong？"

ThebankerdrewadeepbreathandlookedatLindakeenly。

"Thatwouldnotbecustomary，"hesaidslowly。

"No？"saidLinda。"ButsinceFatherandMotherwentoutatthesametimeandtherewasnowillandthepropertywouldbelegallydividedequallybetweenusuponmycomingofage，wouldmysisterbeentitledtoaprivateaccount？"

"Hadsheanysourcesofobtainingmoneyoutsidetheestate？"

"No，"saidLinda。"AtleastnonethatIknowof。MotherhadI

somerelativesinSanFranciscowhowereverywealthypeople，buttheynevercametoseeusandweneverwentthere。Iknownothingaboutthem。IneverhadanymoneyfromthemandIamquitesureEileenneverhad。"

Lindasatveryquietlyaminuteandthenshelookedatthebanker。

"Mr。Worthington，"shesaid，"thesituationisslightlypeculiar。

Myguardian，JohnGilman，isengagedtomarrymysisterEileen。

Sheisabeautifulgirl，asyounodoubtrecall，andheisverymuchinlovewithher。Undoubtedlyshehasbeenable，atleastrecently，tomanageaffairsverymuchinherownway。Sheismorethanfouryearsmysenior，andhasalwayshadchargeofthehouseholdaccountsandthehandlingofthebankaccounts。Sincethereissuchawidediscrepancybetweenthereturnsfromthepropertyandtheexpensesthatthesebooksshow，Iamforced。otheconclusionthattheremustbeuponyourbooks，orthebooksofsomeotherbankinthecity，aprivateaccountinEileen\'snameorinthenameoftheStrongestate。"

"ThatIcanveryeasilyascertain，"saidMr。Worthington，reachingagaintowardthebuttononhisdesk。AfewminuteslaterthereportcamethattherewasaprivateaccountinthenameofMissEileenStrong。AgainLindawasdeeplythoughtful。

"IsthereanythingIcando，"sheinquired，"topreventthataccountfrombeingchangedordrawnoutprevioustomycomingofage？"

ThenMr。Worthingtongrewthoughtful。

"Yes，"hesaidatlast。"Ifyouaredissatisfied，ifyoufeelthatyouhavereasontobelievethatmoneyrightfullybelongingtoyouisbeingdivertedtootherchannels，youhavetherighttoissueaninjunctionagainstthebank，orderingitnottopayoutanyfurthermoneyonanyaccountnortohonoranychequesdrawnbyMissStronguntilthesettlementoftheestate。Askyourguardiantoexecuteanddeliversuchaninjunction，ormerelyaskhim，asyourguardianandtheadministratoroftheestate，togivethebankawrittenordertothateffect。"

"ButbecauseheisengagedtoEileen，ItoldhimIwouldnotbringhimintothismatter，"saidLinda。"ItoldhimthatI

woulddowhatIwanteddone，myself。"

"Well，howlongisituntilthiscomingbirthdayofyours？"

inquiredMr。Worthington。

"Lessthantwoweeks，"answeredLinda。

Foratimethefinanciersatindeepthought，thenhelookedatLinda。Itwasakeen，searchinglook。Itwenttothedepthsofhereyes；itincludedherfaceandhair；itincludedthefoldsofherdress，thecutofhershoe，andrestedattentivelyontheslenderhandslyingquietlyinherlap。

"Iseethecircumstancesveryclearly，"hesaid。"Isympathizewithyourposition。Havingknownyourfatherandbeingwellacquaintedwithyourguardian，wouldyoubesatisfiedifIshouldtaketheresponsibilityofissuingtotheclerksanordernottoallowanythingtobedrawnfromtheprivateaccountuntilthesettlementoftheestate？"

"Perfectlysatisfied，"saidLinda。

"Itmightbe，"saidMr。Worthington，"managingmattersithatway，thatnooneoutsideofourselvesneedeverknowofilShouldyoursisternotdrawontheprivateaccountinthemeantime，shewouldbefreetodrawhouseholdchequesonthemonthlyincomeandifinthesettlementoftheestatesheturnsinthisprivateaccountoraccounts，sheneedneverknowoftherestrictionconcerningthisfund。"

"Thankyouverymuch，"saidLinda。"Thatwillfixeverythingfinely。"

Onherwaytothestreetcar，Linda\'sbrainwhirled。

"It\'snotconceivable，"shesaid，"thatEileenshouldbeenrichingherselfatmyexpense。Ican\'timagineherbeingdishonestinmoneyaffairs，andyetIcanrecallscarcelyacircumstanceinlifeinwhichEileenhaseverhesitatedtobedishonestwhenalieservedherpurposebetterthanthetruth。

Anyway，mattersaresafenow。"

ThenextdaythebooksweretakenandachequefortheirvaluewaswaitingforLindawhenshereachedhome。ShecashedthischequeandwentstraighttoPeterMorrisonforhisestimateoftheexpensesfortheskylightandfireplace。WhensheaskedforthebillPeterhesitated。

"Youwouldn\'tacceptthislittleadditiontoyourstudyasagiftfromHenryandme？"heaskedlightly。"Itwouldbeagreatpleasuretousifyouwould。"

"IcouldacceptstonesthatHenryAndersonhadgatheredfromthemountainsandcanyons，andIcouldacceptaversecarvedonstone，andbedelightedwiththegift；butIcouldn\'taccepthoursofdaylaboratthepresentpriceoflabor，soyouwillhavetogivemethebill，Peter。"

Peterdidnothavethebill，buthehadmemoranda，andwhenLindapaidhimshereflectedthatthecurrenttalkconcerningtheinflatedpriceoflaborwasgreatlyexaggerated。

FortwoeveningsasLindareturnedfromschoolandwenttoherroomsheglanceddownthehallandsmiledatthedecorationremainingonEileen\'srug。Thethirdeveningitwasgone，sothatsheknewEileenwaseitherinherroomorhadbeenthere。

Shedidnotmeethersisteruntildinnertime。ShewaspreparedtowatchEileen，tostudyherclosely。Shewasnotpreparedtoadmireher，butinherheartshealmostdidthatverything。

Eileenhadpracticedsubterfugessolong，shewassoaccomplished，thatitwouldhavetakenanexperttodistinguishrealityfromsubterfuge。Sheenteredthediningroomhummingagaytune。Shewascarefullydressedandappealinglybeautiful。

SheblewakisstoLindaandwavedgailytoKaty。

"Iwasratherafraid，"shesaidlightly，"thatImightfindyoutwoinmourningwhenIgotback。Ineverstayedsolongbefore，didI？SeemedasifeveryfriendIhadmadespecialdemandonmytimeallatonce。Hopeyouhaven\'tbeendullwithoutme。"

"Oh，no，"saidLindaquietly。"Beingawayatschoolallday，ofcourseIwouldn\'tknowwhetheryouwereathomeornot，andI

havegrownsoaccustomedtospendingmyeveningsalonethatI

don\'trelyonyouforentertainmentatanytime。"

"Inotherwords，"saidEileen，"itdoesn\'tmakeanydifferencetoyouwhereIam。"

"Notsofarasenjoyingyourcompanyisconcerned，"saidLinda。

"Otherwise，ofcourseitmakesadifference。Ihopeyouhadahappytime。"

"Oh，Ialwayshaveahappytime，"answeredEileenlightly。"I

certainlyhavethebestfriends。"

"That\'syourgoodfortune，"answeredLinda。

AtthecloseofthemealLindasatwaiting。EileengaveKatyinstructionstohavethingsreadyforamidnightlunchforherandJohnGilmanandthen，humminghertuneagain，sheleftthediningroomandwentupstairs。Lindastoodlookingafterher。

"Nowornever，"shesaidatlast。"IhavenobusinesstolethermeetJohnuntilIhaverecoveredmyself-respect。ButtheLordhelpmetodothethingdecently！"

SoshefollowedEileenupthestairway。Shetappedatthedoor，andwithoutwaitingtohearwhethershewasinvitedornot，openeditandsteppedinside。Eileenwassittingbeforethewindow，abigboxofcandybesideher，amagazineinherfingers。

Evidentlysheintendedtokeephertemperincasethecominginterviewthreatenedtobecomepainful。

"Iwashalfexpectingyou，"shesaid，"yousillyhothead。I

foundthechequeIwroteyouwhenIgothomethisafternoon。

Thatwasafoolishthingtodo。Whydidyoutearitup？Ifitweretoolargeorifitwerenotenoughwhydidn\'tyouuseitandaskforanother？BecauseIhadtobeawaythatwasmerelytoleaveyousomethingtogoonuntilIgotback。"

ThenLindadidthemostdisconcertingthingpossible。Inhereffortatself-controlshewenttoofar。ShemerelyfoldedherhandsinherlapandsatlookingstraightatEileenwithoutsayingoneword。Itdidnotshowmuchonthesurface，butEileenreallyhadaconscience，shereallyhadasoul；Linda\'seyes，restingratherspeculativelyonher，werehonesteyes，andEileenknewwhatsheknew。Sheflushedandfidgeted，andatlastshebrokeoutimpatiently:"Oh，forgoodness\'sake，Linda，don\'tplay\'Patience-on-a-monument。\'Speakupandsaywhatitisthatyouwant。Ifthatchequewasnotbigenough，whatwillsatisfyyou？"

"Cometothinkofit，"saidLindaquietly，"IcangetalongwithwhatIhavefortheshorttimeuntilthelegalsettlementofourinterestsisdue。Youneedn\'tbotheranymoreaboutacheque。"

Eileenwassurprisedandherfaceshowedit；andshewasalsorelieved。Thattooherfaceshowed。

"Ialwaysknew，"shesaidlightly，"thatIhadalittlesisterwitharemarkablylevelheadandgoodcommonsense。Iamgladthatyourecognizetheawfulinflationofpricesduringthewarperiod，andhowIhavehadtoskimpandschemeandsaveinordertomakeendsmeetandtokeepusgoingonPapa\'smeagerincome。"

AllLinda\'sgoodresolutionsvanished。Shewasunderstrongnervoustension。ItirritatedhertohaveEileenconstantlyreferringtotheirmonetaryaffairsasiftheywerepracticallypaupers，asiftheirfather\'slifehadbeenafinancialfailure，asifhehadnotbeenabletorealizefromachievementsrecognizedaroundtheworldacomfortablelivingfortwowomen。

"Oh，goodLord！"shesaidshortly。"Blufftherestoftheworldlikeaprofessional，Eileen，butwhytryitwithme？You\'rerightaboutmyhavingcommonsense。I\'lladmitthatIamusingitnow。Iwillbeofageinafewdays，andthenwe\'lltakeJohnGilmanandgototheConsolidatedBank，andifitsuitsyourconveniencetobeabsentforfourorfivedaysatthatperiod，I\'lltakeJohnGilmanandwe\'llgotogether。"

Eileenwasamazed。Therecedingcolorinhercheekslefttherougeonthemaghastly，garishthing。

"Well，Iwon\'tdoanythingofthesort，"shesaidhotly，"andneitherwillJohnGilman。"

"Unfortunatelyforyou，"answeredLinda，"JohnGilmanismyguardian，notyours。He\'llbeforcedtodowhatthelawsayshemust，andwhatcommondecencytellshimhemust，nomatterwhathispersonalfeelingsare；andImightaswelltellyouthatyourabsencehasdoneyounogood。You\'dfarbetterhavecomehome，asyouagreedto，andgoneoverthebooksandmademeadecentallowance，becauseinyourabsenceJohncameheretoaskmewhereyouwere，andIknowthathewasanxious。"

"Hecamehere！"criedEileen。

"Why，yes，"saidLinda。"Wasitanythingunusual？Hasn\'thebeencominghereeversinceIcanremember？Evidentlyyoudidn\'tkeephimaswellpostedthistimeasyouusuallydo。Hecamehereandaskedforme。"

"AndIsuppose，"saidEileen，anuglyredbeginningtorushintoherwhitecheeks，"thatyoutookpainstomakethingsuncomfortableforme。"

"Iamverymuchafraid，"saidLinda，"thatyouareright。YouhavemadethingsuncomfortableformeeversinceIcanremember，forIcan\'trememberthetimewhenyouwerenotfindingfaultwithme，puttingmeinthewrongandgettingmecriticizedandpunishedifyoupossiblycould。Itwasafairunderstandingthatyoushouldbehere，andyouwerenot，andIwasseeingredaboutit；andjustasJohncameinIfoundyournoteintilelivingroomandreaditaloud。\'；

"Oh，well，therewasnothinginthat，"saidEileeninarelievedtone。

"Nothinginthewordingofit，no，"saidLinda，"buttherewaseverythingintheintentionbackofit。Becauseyoudidnotliveuptoyourtacitagreement，andbecauseIhadbeenonhightensionfortwoorthreedays，Ilostmytempercompletely。I

broughtJohnGilmanuphereandshowedhimthesuiteofroomsinwhichyouhavedoneforyourself，forfouryears。Igavehimratherathoroughinventoryofyourdressingtableanddrawers，andthenIopenedtheclosetdoorandcalledhisattentiontothenumberandthequalityofthegarmentshangingthere。TheboxunderneaththemIthoughtwasashoebox，butitdidn\'tprovetobeexactlythat；andforthatIwanttotellyou，asIhavealreadytoldJohn，Iamsorry。Iwouldn\'thavedonethatifI

hadknownwhatIwasdoing。"

"Isthatall？"inquiredEileen，makingadesperateeffortatself-control。

"Notquite，"saidLinda。"WhenIfinishedwithyourroom，ItookhimbackandshowedhimmineinevengreaterdetailthanIshowedhimyours。Ithoughtthecontrastwouldbemoreenlighteningthananythingeitheroneofuscouldsay。"

"AndIsupposeyourealize，"saidEileenbitterly，"thatyoulostmeJohnGilmanwhenyoudidit。"

"I？"saidLinda。"IlostyouJohnGilmanwhenIdidit？ButI

didn\'tdoit。Youdidit。Youhavebeenbusyforfouryearsdoingit。Ifyouhadn\'tdoneit，itwouldn\'thavebeenthereformetoshowhim。Ican\'tseethatthisisprofitable。Certainlyit\'sthemostdistressingthingthateverhasoccurredforme。

ButIdidn\'tfeelthatIcouldletyoumeetJohnGilmantonightwithouttellingyouwhatheknows。Ifyouhaveanywaytosquareyourconscienceandcleanseyoursoulbeforeyoumeethim，youhadbetterdoit，forhe\'samightyfinemanandifyoulosehimyouwillhavelostthebestchancethatislikelyevertocometoyou。"

LindasatstudyingEileen。Shesawthegallanteffortshewasmakingtokeepherself-possession，tothinkwithheraccustomedrapidity，tostrikeuponsomeschemewherebyshecouldsquareherself。Sheroseandstartedtowardthedoor。

"Whatyou\'llsaytoJohnIhaven\'tthefaintestnotion，"shesaid。"Itoldhimverylittle。Ijustshowedhim。"

Thenshewentoutandclosedthedoorafterher。AtthefootofthestairsshemetKatyadmittingGilman。Withoutanypreliminariesshesaid:"Irepeat，John，thatI\'msorryforwhathappenedtheotherday。IhavejustcomefromEileen。ShewillbedownassoonasKatytellsheryou\'rehere，nodoubt。IhavedonewhatItoldyouIwould。SheknowswhatIshowedyousoyouneedn\'temployanysubterfuges。Youcanbefrankandhonestwitheachother。"

"IwishtoGodwecould，"saidJohnGilman。

Lindawenttoherwork。ShedecidedthatshewouldgaugewhathappenedbythelengthoftimeJohnstayed。Ifheremainedonlyafewminutesitwouldindicatethattherehadbeenarupture。

Ifhestayedaslongasheusuallydid，thechanceswerethatEileen\'swithadtriumphedasusual。

Attwelveo\'clockLindalaidherpencilsinthebox，washedthebrushes，andwentdownthebackstairstotheicechestforaglassofmilk。ThelivingroomwasstilllightedandLindathoughtEileen\'slaughquiteasgayassheeverhadheardit。

Lindaclosedherlipsverytightandslowlyclimbedthestairs。

Whensheenteredherroomshewalkeduptothemirrorandstaredatherselfintheglassforalongtime，andthenofherselfsheaskedthisquestion:

"Well，howdoyousupposeshedidit？"

CHAPTERXVIII。SpanishIrisJustasLindawasmostdeeplyabsorbedwithherownconcernstherecamealetterfromMarianwhichLindareadandrereadseveraltimes；forMarianwrote:

MYDEARESTPAL:

LifeissobusyupSanFranciscowaythatitmakesLilacValleylookinretrospectionlikeapeacefulsunsetpreliminarytobedtime。

ButIwantyoutohavetheconsolationandthecomfortofknowingthatIhavefoundatleasttwofriendsthatIhopewillendure。

Oneisawomanwhohasaroomacrossthehallfrommineinmyapartmenthouse。Sheisanewspaperwomanandlifeisveryfullforher，butitisfilledwithsuchintenselyinterestingthingsthatIalmostregrethavingmademylifeworkanythingsoprosaicasinanimatehouses；butthenit\'smydreamtoenliveneachhouseIplanwithatleastthespiritofhome。Thiswoman——hernameisDanaMeade——enlivenseveryhourofherworkingdaywithsomethingconcerningthewelfareofhumanity。Sheisabeautifulwomaninhersoul，soextremelybeautifulthatIcan\'tatthisminutewriteyouadetaileddescriptionofherhairandhereyesandhercomplexion，becausethisnice，big，friendlylightthatradiatesfromhersolightsherupandtransfiguresherthateveryonesayshowbeautifulsheis，andyetIhaveavaguerecollectionthathernoseiswhatyouwouldcalla"beak，"andIamafraidhercheekbonesaretoohighforgoodproportion，andIknowthatherhairisnotalwayssocarefullydressedasitshouldbe，butwhatisthedifferencewhenthehairiscrownedwithahalo？Ican\'tsweartoanyofthesethings；they\'resketchyimpressions。TheonlythingIamabsolutelysureaboutistheinnerlightthatshinestoanunbelievabledegree。IwishshehadmoretimeandI

wishIhadmoretimeandthatsheandImightbecomesuchfriendsasyouandIare。Ican\'ttellyou，dear，howmuchIthinkofyou。Itseemstomethatyou\'rerunningasortofundercurrentinmythoughtsalldaylong。

Youwillhardlycreditit，Linda，butafewdaysagoIdroveacarthroughthethickesttraffic，upasteephill，androundacurve。Ididit，butpracticallycollapsedwhenitwasover。

Thewhyofitwasthis:IthinkItoldyoubeforethatintheofficesofNicholsonandSnowthereisamanwhoisanunderstandingperson。HeisthejuniorpartnerandhisnameisEugeneSnow。IhappenedtoarriveathisdeskthedayIcameformyinstructionsandtomakemyplansforenteringtheircontest。

Hewasverykindtomeandwentoutofhiswaytosmoothouttheroughplaces。Eversince，hemakesapointofcomingtomeandtalkingafewminuteswhenIamattheofficeorwhenhepassesmeonmywaytothedraftingroomswhereItakemylessons。ThedayImentionIhadworkedlateandhardthenightbefore。Ihaddonethelastpossiblethingtotheplansformydreamhouse。Atthelastminute，gettingitallonpaper，workingatthespecifications，atwhichyouknowIamwobbly，wasnervousbusiness；andwhenIcamefromthedeskafterhavingturnedinmyplans，perhapsIshowedfatigue。Anyway，hesaidtomethathiscarwasbelow。Hesaidalsothathewasalonelyperson，havinglosthiswifetwoyearsago，andnotbeingableveryfrequentlytoseehislittledaughterwhoisinthecareofhergrandmother，thereweretimeswhenhewashungryforthecompanionshiphehadlost。HeaskedmeifIwouldgowithhimforadriveandItoldhimthatIwould。Iamratherstunnedyetoverwhathappened。

Therunaboutheledmetowasgreatlylikeyours，and，Linda，hestoppedataflorist\'sandcameoutwithanarmloadofbloom——exquisitelavenderandpalepinkandfaintyellowandwaxenwhite——themostenticingarmloadofspring。ForoneminuteItrulyexperiencedathrill。Ithoughthewasgoingtogivethatmassofflowerstome，buthedidnot。Hemerelylaiditacrossmylapandsaid:"Edithadoredtheflowersfrombulbs。I

neverseesuchbloomthatmyheartdoesnotachewithakeen，angryachetothinkthatsheshouldbetakenfromtheworld，andthebeautythatshesoloved，soearlyandsoruthlessly。We\'lltakehertheseasIwouldtakethemtoherweresheliving。"

So，Lindadear，Isatthereandlookedatcoloranddrankinfragrance，andwewhirledthroughthecityandawaytoacemeteryonabeautifulhill，andfilledavaseinsidethegatesofamausoleumwiththeseappealingflowers。Thenwesatdown，andamanwithahurthearttoldmeabouthishurt，andwhatanefforthewasmakingtogetthroughtheworldasthewomanhelovedwouldhavehadhim；andbeforeIknewwhatIwasdoing，Linda，I

toldhimthetellablepartofmyownhurts。Ievenliftedmyturbanandbowedmywhiteheadbeforehim。Thishurt——itwasoneoftheinexorablethingsthatcometopeopleinthisworld——I

couldtalkabout。Thatdeeperhurt，whichhasputascarthatneverwillbeeffacedonmysoul，ofcourseIcouldnottellhimabout。Butwhenwewentbacktothecarhesaidtomethathewouldhelpmetogetbackintothesunlight。HesaidthefirstthingImustdotoregainself-confidencewastobegindrivingagain。ItoldhimIcouldnot，buthesaidImust，andmademetakethedriver\'sseatofacarIhadneverseenandtakethesteeringwheelofamakeofmachineIhadneverdriven，andtackletwoorthreeseriousproblemsforadriver。Ididitallright，Linda，becauseIcouldn\'tallowmyselftofailthekindofamanMr。Snowis，whenhewastrulytryingtohelpme，butinthedepthsofmyheartIamafraidIamacowardforever，forthereisaghastlyillnesstakespossessionofmeasIwritethesedetailstoyou。Butanyway，putaredmarkonyourcalendarbesidethedateonwhichyougetthisletter，andjoyfullysaytoyourselfthatMarianhasfoundtworeal，sympatheticfriends。

InaweekortendaysIshallknowaboutthecontest。If1:

win，asIreallyhaveasneakinghopethatIshall，sinceIhavecondensedthebestoftwodozenhousesintooneandexhaustedmyimaginationonmydreamhome，Iwillsurelytelegraph，andyoucanmakeitadayofjubilee。IfIfail，Iwilltrytofindoutwheremydreamwasnottrueandwhatcanbedonetomakeitmaterializeproperly；butbetweenus，Lindagirl，Iamgoingtobedreadfullydisappointed。Icouldusethematerialvaluethatprizerepresents。IcouldstartmylifeworkwhichIhopetodoinLilacValleyontheprestigeandthebackgroundthatitwouldgiveme。Idon\'tknow，Linda，whetheryoueverlearnedtoprayornot，butIhave，andit\'sathingthathelpswhentheblackshadowcomes，whenyoureachthelandof"benefitsforgotandfriendsrememberednot。"

AndthisremindsmethatIshouldnotwritetomyverydearestfriendwhohasherownproblemsandmakeherheartsadwithmine；

sotothejoyfulnewsofmytwofriendsaddathird，Linda，forI

amgoingtotellyouasecretbecauseitwillmakeyouhappy。

SinceIhavebeeninSanFranciscosomeman，whoforareasonofhisowndoesnottellmehisname，hasbeenwritingmeextremelyattractiveletters。IhavehadseveralofthemandIcan\'ttellyou，Linda，whattheymeantomeorhowtheyhelpme。Thereisatouchofwhimsyaboutthem。Ican\'tasyetconnectthemwithanybodyIevermet，buttometheyaretakingtheplaceofalittlelunchonthebreadoflife。Theyaresuchreal，suchvivid，suchalivelettersfromsucharealpersonthatIhavebeendoingtheveryfoolishandromanticthingofansweringthemasmyheartdictatesandsigningmyownnametothem，whichonthesurfacelooksunwisewhenthemaninthecasekeepshisidentityinthebackground；butsinceheknowsmeandknowsmynameitseemsuselesstodoanythingelse:andanswertheselettersIshallandmust；becauseeveryoneofthemistomeastronglightthrownonJohnGilman。EverytimeoneoftheseletterscomestomeIhavethefeelingthatIwouldliketoreachoutthroughspaceandpickupthemanwhoiswritingthemanddanglehimbeforeEileenandsaytoher:"TakeHIM。IdareyoutotakeHIM。"Andmyconfidence，Linda，ispositivelysupremethatshecouldnotdoit。

Youknow，betweenus，Linda，weregardedEileenasararecreature，akindofexoticthing，madetobekeptinaglasshousewithtemperedairandwarmedwater；butasIgoaboutthecityandattimesamusemyselfatconcertsandtheaters，Iamratherdazedtotellyou，honey，thattheworldischockfullofEileens。Onthestreets，inthestores，everywhereIgo，sometimeshalfadozentimesinadayIsaytomyself:"TheregoesEileen。"Ihaven\'tadoubtthatEileenhasaheart，ifithasnotbecomesocallousedthatnobodycouldeverreachit，andIsuspectshehasasoul，butthemoreIseeofherkindthemoreIfeelthatJohnGilmanmayhavetobreastratherblackwaterbeforehefindsthem。

Withdearestlove，besuretoremembermetoKatherineO\'Donovan。

Hughertightandgivehermyunqualifiedlove。Don\'tletherforgetme。

Asever，MARIAN。

ThiswastheletterthatLindareadonce，thenshereaditagainandthenshereaditathirdtime，andafterthatshelostcountandrereaditwhenevershewasnotbusydoingsomethingelse，foritwasaletterthatwasthenextthingtolayinghandsuponMarian。ThepartoftheletterconcerningtheunknownmanwhowaswritingMarian，Lindaponderedoverdeeply。

"ThatisthebestthingIeverdidinmylife，"shesaidinself-

commendation。"It\'sdoingmorethanIhopeditwould。It\'sgivingMariansomethingtothinkabout。It\'sgivingheraninterestinlife。It\'sdistractingherattention。WithoutsayingawordaboutJohnGilmanitismakingherseeforherselftheweakspotsinhimthroughtheverysubtlemethodofcallingherattentiontothestrengththatmaylieinanotherman。Foronceinyourlife，Linda，youhavedonesomethingstrictlyworthwhile。Thethingforyoutodoistokeepitup，andinordertokeepitup，tomakeeachletterfreshandoriginal，youwillhavetodoagooddealofstickingaroundPeterMorrison\'slocationandabsorbingratherthoroughlythethingshesays。Peterdoesn\'tknowheiswritingthoselettersbutheisinthemtillit\'sawonderMariandoesnothearhimdrawlandseetheimpstwistinghislipsasshereadsthem。BeforeIwriteanothersingleoneI\'llgoseePeter。Maybehewillhavethatarticlewritten。I\'lltakeapencil，andashereadsI\'lljotdownthesalientpointsandthenI\'llcomehomeandworkoutaheadandtailpieceforhimtosendinwithit，andinthatwayI\'lleasemysoulabouttheskylightandthefireplace。"

SoLindatookpadandpencils，raidedKatyforeverythingshecouldfindthatwastemptinglyedible，climbedintotheBearCat，andwenttoseePeterasfranklyasshewouldhavecrossedthelawntovisitMarian。Hewasnotinthegaragewhenshestoppedhercarbeforeit，buttheworkmentoldherthathehadstrolledupthemountainandthatprobablyhewouldreturnsoon。LearningthathehadbeengonebutashorttimeLindasettheBearCatsquallingatthetopofitsvoice。Thenshetookpossessionofthegarage，andclearingPeter\'sworktablespreaduponitthefoodshehadbrought，andthenstartedouttofindsomeflowersfordecorations。WhenPetercameuponthescenehefoundLinda，flushedandbrillianteyed，holdingbeforehimabigbouquetofalderbloom，thelastofthelilacsshehadfoundinacool，shadedplace，pinkfilaree，bluelupin，andwhitemahoganypanicles。"Peter，"shecried。"youcan\'tguesswhatIhavebeendoing！"

Peterglancedattheflowers。

"Isn\'titobvious？"heinquired。

"No，itisn\'t，"saidLinda，"becauseIamcapableoftwoprocessesatonce。Theworkofmyhandsisvisible；withitIamgoingtodecorateyourtable。Youwon\'thavetogodowntotherestaurantforyoursuppertonightbecauseIhavebroughtmysupperuptosharewithyou，andafterwefinish，you\'regoingtoreadmeyourarticleasyouhaverewrittenit。Iamgoingtodecorateitandwearegoingtomakeahitwithitthatwillbeatleastastartontheroadtogreaterfame。Whatyouseeismaterial。Youcanpickitup，smellit，admireitandeatit。

ButwhatIhavetrulybeendoingissettingSpanishirisforyardsdownonesideofthebedofyourstream。WhenIleftitwasafootandahalfhighPeter，andeverybluethattheskyeverknewinitsloveliestmoments，andayellowthatistheconcentratedessenceofthebestgoldfromtheheartofCalifornia。Oh，Peter，thereisenchantmentinthewayIsetit。

Thereareirregulardeepbeds，andtherearestragglyplaceswherethereareonlyoneortwoinaraggedstreak，andthenitrunsalongtheedgeinafringyrim，andthenitstretchesoutinamarshyplacethatisgoingtohavesomeotherwildthings，arrowheads，andorchids，andmaybeabunchofpaintbrushonahigh，dryspotnearby。Iwishyoucouldseeit！"

PeterlookedatLindareflectivelyandthenhetoldherthathecouldseeit。Hefoldherthatheadoredit，thathewascrazyaboutherstragglycontinuityandherfringyborder，buttherewasnotonewordoftruthinwhathesaid，becausewhathesawwasaslenderthing，willowy，graceful；roughenedwavyblackhairhanginghalfherlengthinheavybraids，darkeyesandbrightcheeks，avividredlineofmouth，andabrightbrownlineoffrecklesbridgingaprominentandaristocraticnose。Whathewasseeingwasasoul，ayoungthing，athinghecovetedwitheverynerveandfiberofhisbeing。Andwhilehegliblyhumoredherinhervisionofdecoratinghisbrook，inhisownconsciousnesshewassayingtohimself:"IsthereanyreasonwhyIshouldnottryforher？"

Andthenheansweredhimself。"Thereisnoreasoninyourlife。

Thereisnothinguglythatcouldoffendherorhurther。Thereason，therealreason，probablyliesinthefactthatifshewerethinkingofcaringforanyoneitwouldbeforthatattractiveyoungschoolmateshebroughtuphereformetoexercisemywitsupon。Itisverylikelythatsheregardsmeinthelightofagrandfatherlypersontowhomshecancomewithherjoysorherproblems，asfranklyasshehasnow。"

SoPeteraskediftheirisescrossedthebrookandrandownbothsides。Lindasatonapackingcaseandconcentratedontheiris，andfinallysheannouncedthattheydid。Sheinformedhimthathisplacewasgoingtobcnatural，thatNatureevolvedthingsinherownway。Shedidnotgrowirisesdownonesideofabrookandarrowheadsdowntheother。Theywadedacrossandflewacrossandvisitedbackandforth，ridingthewaterorthewindorthedownofabeeorthetailofacow。Assheservedthesuppershehadbroughtsheverygravelyinformedhimthattherewouldbeirisonbothsidesofhisbrook，andcressandminers\'lettuceunderthebridge；andsheknewexactlywherethewildclematisgrewthatwouldwhitenhisembankmentafterhisworkmenhadextractedthelastrootofpoisonoak。

"Itmaynotscorchyou，Peter，"shesaidgravely，"butyoumustlookoutfortheMissusandthelittlethings。Ihaven\'tdefinitelydecidedonheryet，butshelooksagooddeallikeMaryLouiseWhitingtomc。Isawhertheotherday。ShecametoschoolafterDonald。IlikedherlookssowellthatIsaidtomyself:\'Everybodytalksabouthowfinesheis。Ishouldn\'twonderifIhadbettersaveherforPeter\'；butifIdecideto，youshouldactthatpoisonstuffout，becauseit\'ssureasshootingtoattackanyonewiththesoft，delicateskinthatgoeswithagoldenhead。"

"Oh，let\'sleaveitin，"saidPeter，"anddispensewiththegoldenhead。Bythetimeyougetthatstreamplantedasyou\'replanning，I\'llhavebecomesoaccustomedtoadarkheadbobbingupanddownbesideitthatIwon\'ttakekindlytoasorreltop。"

"Thatispositivelysacrilegious，"saidLinda，liftingherhandstoherroughblackhair。"NeverinmylifesawanythinglovelierthantherichgoldonLouiseWhiting\'sbareheadasshebenttoreleaseherbrakesandstarthercar。Ablackheadlookslikeacinderbedbesideit；andonlythinkwhatasunburstitwillbewhenMaryLouisekneelsdownbesidetheiris。"

WhentheyhadfinishedtheirsupperLindagathereduptheremnantsandputtheminthecar，thenshelaidanotebookandpencilonthetable。

"NowIwanttohearthatarticle，"shesaid。"IknewyouwoulddoitovertheminuteIwasgone，andIknewyouwouldkeepittoreadtomebeforeyousentit。"

"Hm，"saidPeter。"Isitsecondsightorpsychoanalysisortelepathy，orwhat？"

"Mostly\'what\'，"laughedLinda。"Imerelyknew。Theworkmenaregoneandeverythingisquietnow，Peter。Begin。Iamcrazytogettheparticularanglefromwhichyou\'maketheworldsafefordemocracy。\'Johnusedtocallourattentiontoyourarticlesduringthewar。HesaidwehadnotsentanothermantoFrancewhocouldwriteashumanelyandasinterestinglyasyoudid。I

wishIhadkeptthosearticles；becauseIdidn\'tgetanythingfromthemtocomparewithwhatIcangetsinceIhaveaslightacquaintancewiththeprocessionthatmarchesaroundyourmouth。

Peter，youwillhavetowatchthatmouthofyours。It\'sanawfullybetrayingfeature。Solongasit\'soccupiedwithpoliticsandthefadsandthefoiblesandthesinsandthefoolishnessandtheextravagancesofhumanity，it\'sallverywell。Butifyouevergetintroubleorifeveryourhearthurts，oryougetmadenoughtokillsomebody，thatmouthofyoursisgoingtobeamostawfullyrevealingfeature，Peter。

Youwillhavehardworktosettleitdownintohard-and-fastnoncommittallines。"

Peterlookedatthegirlsteadily。

"Haveyouspecializedonmymouth？"heasked。

"Huh-umph！"saidLinda，shakingherheadvigorously。WhenI

specializeIuseapinandamicroscopeandgorighttotherootofmattersasIwastaught。Thisissuperficial。Iamextemporizingnow。"

"Well，ifthisisextemporizing，"saidPeter，"Godhelpmysoulifyouevergoatmewithapinandamicroscope。"

"Oh，butIwon\'t！"criedLinda。"Itwouldn\'tbekindtopinyourfriendsonasettingboardanduseamicroscopeonthem。Youmightseethingsthatwerestrictlyprivate。Youmightseethingstheywouldn\'twantyoutosee。Theymightnotbeyourfriendsanymoreifyoudidthat。WhenImakeafriendIjusttakehimontrustlikeIdidDonald。You\'remyfriend，aren\'tyou，Peter？"

"Yes，Linda，"saidPetersoberly。"Putmetoanytestyoucanthinkofifyouwantproof。"

"ButIdon\'tbelieveinPROVINGfriends，either，"saidLinda。"I

believeinnurturingthem。Iwouldsetafriendinmygardenandwaterhisfeetandturnthesunshineonhimandtellhimtostaythereandgrow。Imightfertilizehim，Imightprunehim，andI

mightuseinsecticideonhim。Imightsprayhimwithratherstringentsolutions，butIgiveyoumywordIwouldnottesthim。

IfheflourishedundermycareIwouldknowit，andifhedidnotIwouldknowit，andthatwouldbeallIwouldwanttoknow。I

havewatchedDaddysearchfortheseatofnervousdisorders，andsometimeshehadtoprobeverydeeptofindwhatdevelopednervesundulybuthedidn\'teverdoanypickingandravelingandfringingatthesoulofahumanbeingmerelyforthesakeoffindingoutwhatitwasmadeof；andeveryonesaysIamlikehim。"

"IwishImighthaveknownhim，"saidPeter。

"Don\'tIwishit！"saidLinda。"Nowthen，Peter，goahead。Readyourarticle。"

Peteropenedapackingcase，pickedoutasheafofpapers，andsittingoppositeLinda，begantoread。Hewasdumbfoundedtofindthathe，amanwhohadreadandtalkedextemporaneouslybeforegreatbodiesoflearnedmen，shouldhavecoldfeetandshakinghandsandahammeringheartbecausehewastryingtoreadanarticleonAmericaforAmericansbeforeahigh-schoolJunior。

Butpresently，asthethemeengrossedhim，heforgotthevisionofLindainterestingherselfinhishomemaking，andsawinsteadavisionofhiscountrythreatenedononesidebytheredmenaceoftheBolshevik，ontheotherbytheyellowmenaceoftheJap，andyetonanotherbythetreacheryoftheMexicanandtheslowlyuprisingmightoftheblackman，andpresentlyhewasthunderinghisbest-consideredargumentsatLindauntilsheimperceptiblydrewbackfromhimonthepackingcase，andwithpartedlipsandwideeyesshelistenedinutterabsorption。ShegazedatatransformedPeterwitharousedeyesandawhitelightofpatriotismonhisforehead，andaconceptionevenkeenerthananythingthatthewarhadbroughtheryoungsoulwasburninginherheartofwhatamanmeanswhenhetriestoexpresshisfeelingconcerningthelandofhisbirth。Presently，withoutrealizingwhatshewasdoing，shereachedforherpadandpencilsandrapidlybegansketchingastretchofpeacefulcountrysideoverwhichacomingstormofgiganticproportionswasgathering。

FiredbyPeter\'sarticle，thetouchofgeniusinLinda\'ssoulbecamecreativeandshefashionedhugestormcloudswinddriven，thatfloatedinsuchamannerastobringthemerestsuggestionofmenacingfaces，blackfaces，yellowfaces，brownfaces，andundertheflashoflightning，justattheobscuringofthesun，ahuge，evil，leeringredface。Shesweptastrokeacrosshersheetandbelowthisshebeganagain，sketchingthesamestretchofcountryshehadpicturedabove，strollingincultivatedfields，dottingitwithwhitecities，connectingitwithsmoothroadways，sweepingtheskywithgiantplanes。Atoneside，winginginfromtheglowofmorning，shedrewinthestrong-wingedflightofaflockofseaswallows，peacefullyhomingtowardthefar-distantocean。ShewasutterlyunawarewhenPeterstoppedreading。Absorbed，shebentoverherwork。

Whenshehadfinishedshelookedup。

"NowI\'lltakethishome，"shesaid。"Ican\'tdowelloncolorwithpencils。YouholdthatarticletillIhavetimetoputthisonwater-colorpaperandtouchitupabithereandthere，andI

believeitwillbeworthyofstartingandclosingyourarticle。"

Shepushedthesketchestowardhim。

"Youlittlewonder！"saidPetersoftly。

"Yes，\'little\'isgood，"scoffedLinda，risingtoverynearlyhisheightandreachingforthelunchbasket。"\'Little\'isgood，Peter。IfIcoulddowhatIliketomyselfIwouldgetinsomekindofapressandsquashdownaboutseveninches。"

"Oh，Lord！"saidPeter。"Forgetit。What\'sthedifferencewhattheinchesofyourbodyaresolongasyourbrainhasastatureworthyofmention？"

"Good-bye！"saidLinda。"OnthestrengthofthatI\'lljazzthatsketchallup，blueyandred-purpleandjade-green。I11makeitasgloriousasaCatalinasunset。"

AssheswungthecararoundthesharpcurveatthebouldersshelookedbackandlaughinglywavedherhandatPeter，andPeterexperiencedawilddesiretoshrieklestshelosecontrolofthecarandplungedownthesteepincline。Asecondlater，whenhesawhersecurelyontheroadbelow，hesmiledtohimself。

"Provesonething，"hesaidconclusively。"Sheisoverthehorrors。Sheisdrivingunconsciously。ThankGodsheknewthatcurvesowellshecouldlooktheotherwayanddriveitmentally。

CHAPTERXIX。TheOfficialBug-CatcherNotamilebelowtheexitfromPeter\'sgrounds，Lindaperceivedaheavilyladenpersontoilingdowntheroadwaybeforeherandwhensheranhercarabreastandstoppedit，HenryAndersonlookedupatherwithjoyfulface。

"SorryIcan\'tuncover，fairlady，"hesaid，"butyouseeIamverymuchotherwiseengaged。"

WhatLindasawwasatired，disheveledmanstandingintheroadwaybesidehercar，undereacharmaboulderthesizeofherhead，onealmostjet-black，shotthroughwithlinesofwhiteandflyingfiguresofwhitecrossingbetweenthesebandsthatalmostremindedoneofwingeddancers。Theotherwasacombinationstonemadeupofmatrixthicklyimbeddedwithpebblesofbrown，green，pink，anddullblue。

"Forpity\'ssake！"saidLinda。"Whereareyougoingandwhyareyoupersonallydemonstratinganewmethodoftransportingrock？"

"IamonmywaydownLilacValleytotheresidenceofafriendofmine，"saidHenryAnderson。"Iheardhersaytheotherdaythatshesavedeverypeculiarlymarkedbouldershecouldfindtopreservecoolnessandmoistureinherfernbed。"

Lindaleanedoverandopenedthecardoor。

"Allwellandgood，"shesaid；"butwhyinthecauseofreasondidn\'tyouleavethematPeter\'sandbringthemdowninhiscar？"

HenryAndersonlaidthestonesinthebottomofthecar，steppedinandclosedthedoorbehindhim。Hedrewahandkerchieffromhispocketandwipedhisperspiringfaceandsoiledhands。

"Ihadtwosufficientpersonalreasons，"hesaid。"OnewasthatthecaratourplaceisPeterMorrison\'scar，notmine；andtheotherwasthatit\'snoneofanybody\'sbusinessbutmyownifI

chooseto\'sayit\'withstones。"

Lindastartedthecar，beingliberalwithgas——soliberalthatitwasonlyafewminutestillHenryAndersonprotested。

"Thisisn\'tthespeedway，"hesaid。"What\'syourhurry？"

"Tworeasonsseemtobeallthatareallowedforthingsatthepresentminute，"answeredLinda。"Oneofmineisthatyoucan\'tdrivethisbeastslow，andtheotheristhatmyworkroomispiledhighwiththingsIshouldbedoing。IhavetwosketchesImustcompletewhileIaminthemood，andIhavehadagreatbigletterfrommyfriend，MarianThorne，todaythatIwanttoanswerbeforeIgotobedtonight。"

"Inotherwords，"saidHenryAndersonbluntly，"youwantmetounderstandthatwhenIhavereachedyourplaceanddumpedthesestonesIcanbeatit；youhavenofurtheruseforme。"

"Yousaidthat，"retortedLinda。

"Andwhoeverheardofsuchathing，"saidHenry，"asayoungwomansendingawayapersonofmynumerouscharmsandattractionsinordertowork，ortowritealettertoanotherwoman？"

"Butyou\'renottakingintoconsideration，"saidLinda，"thatI

mustwork，andIscarcelyknowyou，whileIhaveknownMarianeversinceIwasfouryearsoldandsheismybestfriend。"

"Well，shehasnoadvantageoverme"saidHenryinstantly，"becauseIhaveknownyouquiteaslongasPeterMorrisonhasatleast，andI\'myourofficialbug-catcher。"

"Ihadalmostforgottenaboutthebugs，"saidLinda。

"Well，don\'tforaminutethinkIamgoingtogiveyouanopportunitytoforget，"saidHenryAnderson。

HereachedacrossandlaidhishandoverLinda\'sonthesteeringgear。Lindasaidnothing，neitherdidshemove。ShemerelyaddedmoregasandputtheBearCatforwardatadizzywhirl。

Henrylaughed。

"That\'sallright，mybeauty，"hesaid。"Don\'tyouthinkforaminutethatIcan\'trideasfastasyoucandrive。"

AdullredmottledLinda\'scheeks。AsquicklyasitcouldbedoneshebroughttheBearCattoafullstop。ThensheturnedandlookedatHenryAnderson。Theexpressioninhereyeswasdisconcertingeventothatcheekyyoungindividual——hehadnotbornehergazeaseconduntilheremovedhishand。

"Thanks，"saidLindainadrydrawl。"Andyouwilladdtomyobligationifinthefutureyouwillremembernottodealinassumptions。Iamnotyour\'beauty，\'andI\'mnotanyone\'sbeauty；whiletheonlythinginthisworldthatIaminterestedinatpresentistogetthebesteducationIcanandatthesametimecarryonworkthatIlovetodo。IhaveayeartofinishmycourseinthehighschoolandwhenIfinishIwillonlyhaveagoodbeginningforwhateverIdecidetostudynext。"

"That\'snothing，"saidtheirrepressibleHenry。"Itwilltakemetwoyearstocatchasufficientnumberofgoldbugstobereallyserious，buttherewouldn\'tbeanyharminhavingamutualunderstandingandsomethingdefinitetoworkfor，andthenwemightbeable，youknow，tocutoutsomeofthatyearofhigh-

schoolgrinding。IftheplansIhavesubmittedintheNicholsonandSnowcontestshouldjusthappentobetheprizewinners，thatwouldputmattersinsuchashapeforyoungHenrythathecoulddevotehimselftocricketsandtumble-bugsatonce。"

"Don\'tyouthink，"saidLindaquietly，"thatyouwouldbetterforgetthatsillyjestingandconcentratethebestofyourbrainsonimprovingyourplansforPeterMorrison\'shouse？"

"Why，surelyIwillifthat\'swhatyoucommandmetodo，"saidHenry，purposelymisunderstandingher。

"Youhaven\'tmentionedbefore，"saidLinda，"thatyouhadsubmittedplansinthatSanFranciscocontest。"

"Alldoneandgone，"saidHenryAndersonlightly。"IhadaninspirationonedayandIsawawaytoimproveahousewithcomfortsandconveniencesIneverhadthoughtofbefore。IwasenthusiasticovertheproductionwhenIgotitonpaperandfiguredit。It\'sexactlythehousethatIamgoingtobuildforPeter，andwhenI\'vecutmyeyeteethonitIamgoingtocorrecteverythingpossibleandbuilditinperfectionforyou。"

"Lookhere，"saidLindasoberly，"I\'mnotaccustomedtothissortoftalk。Idon\'tcareforit。Ifyouwanttopreserveeventhesemblanceoffriendshipwithmeyoumuststopit，andgettoimpersonalmattersandstaythere。"

"Allright，"heagreedinstantly，"butifyoudon\'tlikemylineoftalk，you\'rethefirstgirlIevermetthatdidn\'t。"

"Youhavemysympathy，"saidLindagravely。"Youhavebeenextremelyunfortunate。"

ThenshestartedtheBearCat，andagainrunningatunduespeedshereachedherwild-flowergarden。HenryAndersonplacedthestonesasshedirectedandwaitedforaninvitationtocomein，buttheinvitationwasnotgiven。Lindathankedhimforthestones。Shetoldhimthatincombinationwithafewremainingfromthemanteltheywouldmakeallshewouldrequire，andexcusingherselfshedrovetothegarage。WhenshecameinshefoundtheirrepressibleHenrysittingonthebackstepsexplainingtoKatythestrenuoustimehehadhadfindingandcarryingdownthestonestheyhadbrought。KatyhadaplateofrefreshmentsreadytohandhimwhenLindalaughinglypassedthemandwenttoherroom。

WhenshehadfinishedherlettertoMarianshetookasheetofdrawingpaper，andinhermostattractiveletteringsketchedintheheading，"APalateTeaser，"whichwasadirectquotationfromKaty。Belowshewrote:

YouwillfindTunasinthecactithicketsofanydesert，butifyouaresofortunateastobeabletoreachspecimenswhichwerebroughtfromMexicoandsetashedgesaroundthegardensoftheoldmissions，youwillfindtherethematerialforthissaladinitsmostlusciousform。NaturallyitcanbemadefromeitherOpuntiaFiscus-IndicaorOpuntiaTuna，butacombinationofthesetwogivesthesaladanexquisiteappearanceandatinytouchmoredeliciousflavor，becauseTuna，whichisred，hastomytasteatriflericherandfullerflavorthanIndica，whichisyellow。

Bothfruitstastemorelikethebestwell-ripenedwatermelonthananyotherIrecall。

BringdowntheTunaswithafishingrodoralongpolewithanailintheend。Withanythingsaveyourfingersrolltheminthesandorintuftsofgrasstoremovethespines。Sliceoffeitherend，scoretheskindownoneside，presslightly，andalushglobuleofpalegoldorrosyredfruitlargerthanahen\'seggliesbeforeyou。Withasharpknife，beginningwithalayerofredandendingwithoneofyellow，slicethefruitsthinly，stoppingtoshakeouttheseedsasyouwork。IncaseyouliveinSanDiegoCountyorfarthersouth，whereitispossibletosecurethescarletberriesoftheStrawberryCactus——itistheMammillariaGoodridgeispeciesthatyoushoulduse——abeautifuldecorationforfinishingyoursaladcanbemadefromtheredstrawberriesofthese。Ifyoulivetoofarnorthtofindthese，youmaysendyoursaladtothetablebeautifullydecoratedbycuttingfancyfiguresfromtheredTuna，orbyslicingitlengthwiseintooblongpiecesandweavingthemintoadecorationovertheyellowbackground。

Foryourdressingusethejuiceofalemonmixedwiththatofanorange，sweetenedtotaste，intowhichyouwork，adropatatime，fourtablespoonsofthebestPalermooliveoil。Ifthesaladislargemoreoilandmorejuiceshouldbeused。

Togetthefulldeliciousnessofthissalad，thefruitmusthavebeenonice，andthedressingmadeinabowlimbeddedincrackedice，sothatwhenreadytoblendbothareice-cold，andmustbeservedimmediately。

Giganticspecimensoffruit-bearingCacticanbefoundallovertheSunlandDesertneartothecity，buttheyarenotpossessedofthefullflavorofthecultivatedoldmissiongrowths，sothatitiswellworthyourwhiletomakeatriptothenearestoftheseforthefruitwithwhichtopreparethissalad。Andif，asyougatherit，youshouldseeavisionofawhitehead，athin，ascetic，oldface，aleanfiguretrailingabrownrobe，slenderwhitehandsclaspingaheavycross；ifyoushouldhearthemusicofworshipascendingfromthethroatsofBenedictinefathersleadingaclamoringchoiroftheblendedvoicesofSpaniard，Mexican，andIndian，combiningwiththemusicofthebellsandthesongsofthemockingbirds，nestmakingamongtheTunas，itwillbegoodforyoursoulinthelineofpurgingitfromselfishness，sinceinthisdaywearenotaskedtogivealloflifetotheserviceofothers，onlyareasonablepartofit。

Lindareadthisover，workinginchangeshereandthere，thenshepickedupherpencilandacrossthetopofhersheetindicatedanopenskywithscarcelyahintofcloud。AcrossthebottomsheoutlinedabitofSunlandDesertshewellremembered，intheforegroundabedofflat-leavednopal，floweringredandyellow，thedarkredpricklypears，edible，beinganearrelativeofthefruitsshehadusedinhersalad。Aftergivingthepricklypeartheplaceofhonortotheleft，inhighergrowthsheworkedintheslender，cylindrical，jointedstemsoftheCholla，shadingtheflowersapaler，greenishyellow。Ontheright，balancingtheCholla，shedrewtheoval，cylindricalcolumnsofthehedgehogcactus，andthecolortouchofthebigmagentaflowersblendedexquisitelywiththecolorshealreadyhadused。Attheleft，thelengthofherpage，shedrewagiganticspecimenofOpuntiaTuna，coveredwithflowers，andwell-developedspecimensofthepearswhosecoloringranintotheshadesofthehedgehogcactus。

Shewasputtingawayherworkingmaterialswhensheheardstepsandvoicesonthestairs，sosheknewthatEileenandJohnGilmanwerecoming。Shedidnotintheleastwantthem，yetshecouldthinkofnoexcuseforrefusingthemadmissionthatwouldnotseemungracious。Shehurriedtothewall，snatcheddownthepaintingsforPeterMorrison，andlookedaroundtoseehowshecoulddisposeofthem。Sheendedbylayingoneoftheminalargedrawerwhichshepushedshutandlocked。Theothersheplacedinsideacaseinthewallwhichformerlyhadbeenusedforbilliardcues。Attheirsecondtapsheopenedthedoor。Eileenwasnotatherbest。Therewasaworriedlookacrosshereyes，arestlessnessvisibleinhermovements，butGilmanwasradiant。

"Whatdoyouthink，Linda？"hecried。"Eileenhasjustnamedtheday！"

"Ididnosuchthing，"brokeinEileen。

"Yourpardon，fairlady，youdidnot，"saidGilman。"Thatwasmerelyafigureofspeech。Imeantnamedthemonth。ShehasdefinitelypromisedinOctober，andImaybegintohuntalocationandplanahomeforus。Iwantthecongratulationsofmydearfriendandmydearersister。"

Lindaheldoutherhandandsmiledasbravelyasshecould。

"Iamverygladyouaresopleased，John，"shesaidquietly，"andIhopethatyouwillbeashappyasyoudeservetobe。"

"Nowexactlywhatdoyoumeanbythat？"heasked。

"Oh，Lindapridesherselfonbeingdeepandsubtleandconveyinghiddenmeanings，"saidEileen。"Shemeanswhatathousandpeoplewilltellyouinthecomingmonths:merelythattheyhopeyouwillbehappy。"

"Ofcourse，"Lindahastenedtocorroborate，wishingifpossibletoavoidanyunpleasantness。

"Youcertainlyhaveanattractiveworkroomhere，"saidJohn，"muchasIhatetoseeitspoiledforbilliards。"

"It\'stoobad，"saidLinda，"thatIhavespoileditforyouforbilliards。IhavealsospoiledtheoutsideappearanceofthehouseforEileen。"

"Oh，Idon\'tknow，"saidJohn。"IlookedatitcarefullytheotherdayasIcameup，andIthoughtyourchangesenhancedthevalueoftheproperty。"

"Iamsurelygladtohearthat，"saidLinda。"Takealookthroughmyskylightandmynewwindow。ImagineyouseetherugsIamgoingtohaveandafewmorepiecesoffurniturewhenIcanaffordthem；andletmeparticularlypointoutthefireplacethatHenryAndersonandyourfriendPeterdesignedandhadbuiltforme。Doesn\'titaddasoulandahearttomystudy？"

JohnGilmanwalkedoverandlookedatthefireplacecritically。

Hereadthelinesaloud，thenheturnedtoEileen。

"Why，thatisperfectlybeautiful，"hesaid。"Let\'sduplicateitinourhome。"

"Youbungler！"scoffedEileen。

"Ithinkyou\'reright，"saidGilmanreflectively，"exactlyright。

OfcourseIwouldhavenobusinesscopyingLinda\'sspecialfireplacewherethesamepeoplewouldseeitfrequently；andifI

hadstoppedtothinkasecond，Imighthaveknownthatyouwouldprefertilingtofieldstone。"

"Lindaseemsverybusytonight，"saidEileen。"Perhapswearebotheringher。"

"Yes，"saidJohn，"we\'llgoatonce。Ihadtorunuptotellourgoodnews；andIwantedtotellyoutoo，Lindadear，thatIthinkbothofusmisjudgedEileentheotherday。Youknow，Linda，youhavealwaysdressedaccordingtoyourfather\'sideas，whichweresomuchsimplerandplainerthanthemannerinwhichyourmotherdressedEileen，thatshemerelythoughtthatyouwishedtocontinueinhisway。Shehadnoobjectiontoyourhavinganykindofclothesyouchose，ifonlyyouhadconfidedinher，andexplainedtoherwhatyouwanted。"

Lindastoodbesidehertable，oneleanhandholdingdownthelettershehadbeenwriting。Shestoodverystill，butshewaspowerlesstoraisehereyestothefaceofeitherJohnorEileen。

AboveeverythingshedidnotwishtogoanyfurtherinrevealingEileentoJohnGilman。Ifheknewwhatheknewandifhefeltsatisfied，afterwhathehadseen，withanyexplanationthatEileencouldtrumpuptooffer，Lindahadnodesiretocarrythematterfurther。Shehadbeenashamedofwhatshealreadyhaddone。Shehadfeltangryanddissatisfiedwithherself，soshestoodbeforethemdowncastandsilent。

"Anditcertainlywasagreatjokeonbothofus，"saidJohnjovially，"whatwethoughtaboutthatboxofcigarettes，youknow。Theywereaprizegivenbyabridgeclubatan\'Ambassador\'benefitfortheGoodSamaritanHospital。Eileen，thelittlecardsharksheis，wonit，andshewaskeepingithiddenawaytheretouseasagiftformybirthday。Sincewedisclosedherplansprematurely，shegaveittomeatonce，andI\'mhavingagreattimetreatingallmyfriends。"

AtthatinstantLindaexperiencedarevulsion。Previouslyshehadnotbeenabletoraisehereyes。NowitwouldhavebeenquiteimpossibletoavoidlookingstraightintoEileen\'sface。

ButEileenhadnointentionofmeetinganyone\'sgazeatthatminute。Shewasfidgetingwithasheetofdrawingpaper。

"Carefulyoudon\'tbendthat，"cautionedLinda。ThenshelookedatJohnGilman。HeBELIEVEDwhathewassaying；hewashappyagain。Lindaevolvedthebestsmileshecould。

"Howstupidofusnottohaveguessed！"shesaid。

Closingthedoorbehindthem，Lindaleanedagainstitandlookedupthroughtheskylightatthecreepblueofthenight，thelow-hungstars。Howlongshestoodthereshedidnotknow。

Presentlyshewenttoherchair，pickedupherpencil，andslowlybegantodraw。Atfirstshescarcelyrealizedwhatshewasdoing，thenshebecameabsorbedinherwork。Thenshereachedforhercolorboxandbrushes，andshortlyafterwardtackedagainstthewallanextremelycleverdrawingofagreatlyenlargedwasp。Skillfullyshehadsketchedafacethatwasrecognizableroundthebiginsecteyes。Shehadsurmountedthefacebyafluffofbejewelledyellowcurls，encasedthehindlegsuponwhichthecreaturestooduprightinpinkvelvetTurkishtrousersandputtinygoldshoesonthefeet。Shegreatlyexaggeratedthewingsintolongtrailsandmadethemofgreengauzewithrufflededges。Alltheremainderofthelegsshehadtransformedintosomanybraceletedarms，eachholdingatinyfan，oranecklace，ajewelbox，orahandkerchiefoflace。Shestoodbeforethissketch，studyingitforafewminutes，thenshewalkedovertothetableandcamebackwithabigblackpencil。

Steadyingherhandwithamahlstickrestedagainstthewall，withoneshortsharpstrokeshedrewaneedle-pointedstinger，soscreenedbythedelicatewingsthatitcouldnotbeseenunlessyouscrutinizedthepictureminutely。Afterthat，withcareful，interestedhandsshebroughtoutPeterMorrison\'sdrawingsandreplacedthemonthewalltodry。

CHAPTERXX。TheCapSheafTowardthelastoftheweekLindabegantoclearthementaldecksofhershipoflifeinorderthatshemighthaveSaturdayfreeforherpromiseddaywithDonald。Shehaddecidedthattheywoulddevotethatdaytowave-beatenLaguna。Itwasalongdrivebutdelightful。ItranovertheoldKing\'sHighwaybetweenmilesoforangeandlemonorchardsinfullflower，borderedbyothermilesofrosesintheirprime。

EveryminutewhenhermindwasnotactivelyoccupiedwithherlessonsorherrecipesLindawasdreamingoftheKing\'sHighway。

Almostunconsciouslyshebegantochant:

"Allinthegoldenweather，forthletusridetoday，YouandI

togetherontheKing\'sHighway，Theblueskiesaboveus，andbelowtheshiningsea；There\'smanyaroadtotravel，butit\'sthisroadforme。"

YoumusthaveriddenthisroadwithanunderstandingheartandthearmofGodaroundyoutoknowtheexactdegreeofdisappointmentthatswelledinLinda\'sheartwhensheansweredthetelephoneearlySaturdaymorningandheardDonaldWhiting\'sstrainedvoicespeakingintoit。Hewastalkingbreathlesslyineager，boyishfashion。

"Linda，Iaminagaragehalfwaydowntown，"hewassaying，"anditlookstomeasiftosavemysoulIcouldn\'treachyoubeforenoon。Ihavehadthedarnedestluck。OurJapgotsicklastweekandhesentanewmantotakehisplace。Therewasn\'tathingthematterwithourcarwhenIdroveitinFridaynight。ThismorningFatherwantedtouseitonimportantbusiness，anditwouldn\'trun。Heorderedmetotinkeritupenoughtogetittotheshop。Iwentatitandwhenitwouldgo，IstartedYoucanimaginetheclipIwasgoing，andthethingwenttopieces。I

don\'tknowyethowitcomesthatIsavedmyskin。I\'mprettybadlyknockedout，butI\'llgettherebynoonifit\'sapossiblething。"

"Oh，that\'sallright，"saidLinda，ferventlyhopingthattheacheinherthroatwouldnottincturehervoice。

Itwashalf-pastelevenwhenDonaldcame。Lindacouldnotbringherselftogiveuptheseathatday。ShefounditimpossibletodrivetheKing\'sHighway。Itseemedequallyimpossiblenottolookonthefaceoftheocean，soshecompromisedbyskirtingSantaMonicaBay，andtakingthefoothillroadsheranittothenorthendofthebeachdrive。Whentheyhadspreadtheirblanketsonthesand，finishedtheirlunchandwereresting，LindabegantoquestionDonaldaboutwhathadhappened。ShewantedtoknowhowlongWhitings\'gardenerhadbeenintheiremploy；iftheyknewwherehelivedandabouthisfamily；iftheyknewwhohisfriendswere，oranythingconcerninghim。Sheinquiredaboutthemanwhohadtakenhisplace，andwantedmostparticularlytoknowwhatthegaragemenhadfoundthetroublewithacarthatranperfectlyonFridaynightandbrokedowninhalfadozendifferentplacesonSaturdaymorning。FinallyDonaldlookedather，laughinglyquizzical。

"Linda，"hesaid，"you\'renonervespecialistandnonaturalist。

You\'rethecrossexaminerfortheplaintiff。Whatareyoutryingtogetat？MakeoutacaseagainstYogoSani？"

"Ofcourseit\'sallright，"saidLinda，watchingadistantpelicanturnheaddownandcatapultintothesea。"Ithastobeallright，butyoumustadmitthatitlookspeculiar。Howhaveyoubeengettingalongthisweek？"