第7章

Donaldwavedhishandinthedirectionofaformationofstonethesizeofasmallhouse。

"Beenrollingthattothetopofthemountain，"hesaidlightly。

Linda\'seyesnarrowed，herfacegrewspeculative。ShelookedatDonaldintently。

"Isitasdifficultasthat？"sheaskedinaloweredvoiceasifthesurfandtheseachickensmighthear。

"Itisjustasdifficultasthat，"saidDonald。"Whileyou\'retalkingaboutpeculiarthings，I\'lltellyouone。InclassI

camerightupagainstOkaSayyeonthesolutionofatheoremintrigonometry。Webothhadtheanswer，thecorrectanswer，butwehadarrivedatitbywidelydifferentroutes，anditwasuptometoprovethatmylineofreasoningwasmorelucid，morenatural，theinevitableonebywhichthesolutionshouldbereached。WegotsoinearnestthatIamafraidbothofuswererathertense。

IsteppedovertohisdemonstrationtopointoutwhereIthoughthisreasoningwaswrong。IgotclosertotheJapthanIhadeverbeenbefore；andbygracious，Linda！scattered，butneverthelessstillthere，andvisible，Isawasprinklingofgrayhairsjustinfrontofandoverhisears。Itcaughtmeunawares，andbeforeIknewwhatIwasdoing，beforetheprofessorandtheassembledclassroomIblurteditout:\'Say，OkaSayye，howoldareyou？\'

IftheJaphadhadanywayofkillingme，Ibelievehewouldhavedoneit。TherewasalookinhiseyesthatwaswhatIwouldcalldeadly。Itwasonlyaflashandthen，verycourteously，puttingmeinthewrong，ofcourse，heremarkedthathewas\'almostninekleen\'；anditstruckmefromhislookandthewayhesaiditthatitwasalie。Ifhetrulywastheaverageageoftherestoftheclasstherewasnothingforhimtobeangryabout。ThenI

didtakeadeliberatesurvey。Fromthesettledsolidityofhisframeandtheshapeofhishandsandtheskinofhisfaceandthesetofhiseyesinhishead，Icouldn\'tseethatmuchyouth。

I\'llbethe\'sthirtyifhe\'saday，andIshouldn\'tbeabitsurprisedifhehasgraduatedatthemostworthwhileuniversityinJapan，beforeheevercametothiscountrytogethisEnglishfornothing。"

Lindawaswatchingaseaswallownow，andslowlyherleanfingersweregatheringhandfulsofsandandsiftingthemintoalittlepyramidshewasheapingbesideher。Againalmostunderherbreathshespoke。

"Donald，doyoureallybelievethat？"sheasked。"IsitpossiblethatmatureJapmenarecominghereandenteringourschoolsandavailingthemselvesofthebenefitsthatthetaxpayersofCaliforniaprovidefortheirchildren？"

"Didn\'tyouknowit？"askedDonald。"Ihadn\'tthoughtofitinconnectionwithOkaSayye，butIdoknowcaseswherematureJapshavebeeningradeschoolswithchildrenunderten。"

"Oh，Donald！"exclaimedLinda。"IfCaliforniaispermittingthatoreverhaspermittedit，we\'retooeasy。Wedeservetobecometheirpreyifwearesocareless。"

"Why，Iknowit\'strue，"saidDonald。"Ihavebeeninthesameclasseswithmenmorethanoldenoughtobemyfather。"

"Ineverwas，"saidLinda，industriouslysiftingsand。"IhavebeeninclasseswithJapseversinceIhavebeenatschool，butitwaswithgirlsandboysofourgardenersandfruitdealersandcurio-shoppeople，andtheywerealwaysofmyageandentitledtobeinschool，sinceoursystemincludestheeducationofanybodywhohappenstobeinCaliforniaandwantstogotoschool。"

"Didmybeinglatespoilanyparticularplanyouhadmade，Linda？"

"Yes，"saidLinda，"itdid。"

"Oh，Iamsosorry！"criedDonald。"Icertainlyshalltrytoseethatitdoesn\'toccuragain。CouldwedoitnextSaturday？"

"Iamhopingso，"saidLinda。

"ItoldDad，"saidDonald，"whereIwantedtogoandwhatI

wantedtodo，andhewasawfullysorrybuthesaiditwasbusinessanditwouldtakeonlyafewminutesandhethoughtI

coulddoitandbeontime。IfhehadknownIwouldbedetainedIdon\'tbelievehewouldhaveaskeditofme。He\'sagrandoldpeter，Linda。"

"Yes，Iknow，"saidLinda。"There\'snotmuchyoucantellmeaboutpetersofthegrandsort，thereal，trueflesh-and-blood，bighearted，human-beingfathers，whowilltakeyoutothefieldsandthewoodsandtakethetimetoteachyouwhatGodmadeandhowHemadeitandwhyHemadeitandwhatwecandowithit，andofthefellowshipandbrotherhoodwecangetfromNaturebybeingrealkin。TheonethingthatIhavehadthatwasthebiggestthinginallthisworldwasoneoftheserealfathers。"

Donaldwatchedassheraisedthepyramidhigherandhigher。

"Didyoutellyourfatherwhomyouweretogowith？"sheasked。

"SureIdid，"saidDonald。"Toldthewholefamilyatdinnerlastnight。Told\'emaboutallthethingsIwaslearning，fromwheretogetsoapoffthebushestothebestspotformaterialforwoodenlegsorinstantaneousreliefforsnakebite。"

"Whatdidtheysay？"Lindainquiredlaughingly。

"Unanimouslyinfavourofcontinuingthecourse，"hesaid。"I

hadalreadytoldFatheraboutyouwhenIaskedhimforbooksandanyhelpthathecouldgivemewithOkaSayye。SinceIhadmentionedyoulastnighthetoldMotherandLouiseaboutthat，andtheytoldmetobringyoutothehousesometime。Allofthemarecrazytoknowyou。Mothersayssheisjustwildtoknowwhetheragirlwhowearsbootsandbreechesandwhoknowscanyonsandthedesertandthemountainsasyoudocanbeafeminineandlovableperson。"

"IfItoldherhowmanyfriendsIhave，shecouldhavespeedilydecidedwhetherIamlovableornot，"saidLinda；"butIwouldmakeanefforttoconvinceherthatIamstrictlyfeminine。"

"Youwouldconvinceherofthatwithoutmakingtheslightesteffort。You\'reinfinitelymorefemininethananyothergirlI

haveeverknown"

"Howdoyoufigurethat？"askedLinda。

"Well，"saidDonald，"it\'saqueerthingaboutyou，Linda。I

takeanylibertyIprettynearlypleasewithmostofthegirlsI

havebeenassociatedwith。Itietheirshoesandpulltheirhair——downifIwantto——andhandthemround\'mostanywaythenotiontakesme，andtheyjustlaughandtakethesamelibertieswithme，whichprovesthatIamprettymuchagirlwiththemortheyareprettymuchboyswithme。Butitwouldn\'toccurtometotouchyourhairoryourshoelaceorthetipsofyourfingers；

whichprovesthatyou\'remorefemininethananyothergirlI

know，becauseifyouwerenotIwouldbetreatingyoumorelikeanotherboy。Ithought，thefirstdayweweretogether，thatyouwerelikeaboy，andIsaidso，andIthoughtitbecauseyoudidnotteasemeandflirtwithme，butsinceIhavecometoknowyoubetter，you\'relesslikeaboythananyothergirlIeverhaveknown。"

"Don\'tgetpsychological，Donald，"saidLinda。"GoonwiththeJap。Ihaven\'tgotanansweryettowhatIreallywanttoknow。

Haveyoumadetheleastprogressthisweek？Canyoubeathim？"

Donaldhesitated，studyingovertheanswer。

"Beathimatthattrigpropositiontheotherday，"hesaid。"Gotanopencommendationbeforetheclass。There\'snotaprofessorinanyofmyclasseswhoisn\'t\'hep\'towhatI\'mafterbythistime，andifIwouldcajolethemalittletheywouldnaturallybeonmyside，especiallyiftheirattentionwerecalledtothatincidentofyesterday；butyousaidIhavetobeathimwithmybrains，bydoingbetterworkthanhedoes；soaboutthebiggestthingIcanhonestlytellyouisthatIhaveheldmyown。Ihaveonlybeenaheadofhimoncethisweek，butIhaven\'tfailedinanythingthathehasaccomplished。IhavebeenabletoputsomeadditionaltouchestosomeworkthathehasdoneforwhichheusedtobemarkedAwhichmeansyourOneHundred。DoubleAwhichmeansyourplusImadeinoneinstance。Andyouneedn\'tthinkthatOkaSayyedoesnotrealizewhatIamuptoaswellasanyoftherestoftheclass，andyouneedn\'tthinkthatheisnotgoingtogivemearunformybrain。AllI\'vegotwillbeneededbeforewefinishthisterm。"

"Isee，"saidLinda，slowlynoddingherhead。

"Iwish，"saidDonald，"thatwehadstartedthisthingtwoyearsago，orbetterstill，four。Butofcourseyouwerenotinthehighschoolfouryearsagoandtherewasn\'tagirlinmyclassoramongmyfriendswhocaredwhetherIbeattheJapornot。TheygreatlypreferredthatItakethemmotoringortoadanceorapictureshoworabeachparty。You\'retheonlyoneexceptMotherandLouisewhoeverinspiredmetogetdowntobusiness。"

Lindalaidherpalmonthetopofthesandheapandpresseditflat。ShelookedatDonaldwithlaughingeyes。

"Symbolical，"sheannounced。"ThatsandwastheJap。"Shestretchedherhandtowardhim。"Thatwasyou。Didyouseeyourselfsquashhim？"

Donald\'slaughwasgrim。

"Yes，Isaw，"hesaid。"Iwishitwereaseasyasthat。"

"Thatwasnoteasy，"saidLinda；"makeamentalcomputationofallthesecondsthatittookmetoerectthatpyramidandallthemillionsofgrainsofsandIhadtogather。"

Donaldwasdeeplythoughtful，yetahalfsmilewasplayingroundhislips。

"OfallthequeergirlsIeverknew，you\'rethecapsheaf，Linda，"hesaid。

Lindaroseslowly，shookthesandfromherbreechesandstretchedoutherhand。

"Let\'shotfootitdowntotheAfricanvillageandseewhatthemoviesaredoingthatisinterestingtoday，"sheproposed。

CHAPTERXXI。ShiftingtheResponsibilityOnherpillowthatnightbeforedroppingtoalmostinstantaneoussleepLindareflectedthatifyoucouldnotridetheKing\'sHighway，racingthesandsofSantaMonicawasaveryexcellentsubstitute。Ithadbeenawonderfuldayafterall。WhenshehadleftDonaldattheLilacValleyendofthecarlinehehadheldherhandtightaninstantandlookedintoherfacewiththemostengagingofclear，boyishsmiles。

"Linda，isn\'tourfriendshipthenicestthingthateverhappenedtous？"hedemanded。

"Yes，"answeredLindapromptly，"quitethenicest。MakeyourplansforalldaylongnextSaturday。"

"I\'llbeherebeforethebirdsareawake，"promisedDonald。

AtthecloseofMonday\'ssessions，goingdownthebroadwalkfromthehighschool，DonaldovertookLindaandinabreathlesswhisperhesaid:"Whatdoyouthink？IcamenearOkaSayyeagainthismorningintrig，andhishairwasasblackasjet，dyedtoamidnight，charcoalfinish，andIamnotrightsurethathehadnotborrowedsomegirl\'slipstickandrougepotforthebenefitofhislipsandcheeks。Positivelyhe\'shecticallyyouthfultoday。Whatdoyouknowaboutthat？"

Thenhehurriedontoovertakethecrowdofboyshehadleft，Linda\'sheartwasracinginherbreast。

Turning，shere-enteredtheschoolbuilding，andtakingatelephonedirectoryshehuntedanaddress，andthen，insteadofgoingtothecarlinethattookhertoLilacValleyshewenttotheaddressshehadlookedup。Withapencilshewroteafewlinesonabitofscratchpaperinoneofherbooks。Thatnoteopenedadoorandadmittedhertothepresenceofatall，lean，gray-hairedmanwithquick，blue-grayeyesandlipsthatseemedcapableofbeingeithergraveorgayonshortnotice。WiththatperfecteasewhichLindahadacquiredthroughtheyoungdaysofherlifeinmeetingfriendsofherfather，shewenttothetablebesidewhichthismanwasstandingandstretchedoutherhand。

"JudgeWhiting？"sheasked。

"Yes，"saidtheJudge。

"IamLindaStrong，theyoungerdaughterofAlexanderStrong。I

thinkyouknewmyfather。"

"Yes，"saidtheJudge，"Iknewhimverywellindeed，andIhavesomesmallacquaintancewithhisdaughterthroughveryinterestingreportsthatmysonbringshome。"

"Yes，itisaboutDonaldthatIcametoseeyou，"saidLinda。

Ifshehadbeenwatchingasherfatherwouldhavewatched，LindawouldhaveseentheslightupliftoftheJudge\'sfigure，thetensingofhismuscles，thenarrowingofhiseyesintheswift，speculativelookhepassedoverherfromthecrownofherbare，roughenedblackheaddownthegold-brownofherdresstoherslender，well-shodfeet。ThelastpartofthatglanceLindacaught。Sheslightlyliftedoneofthefeetunderinspection，thrustitforwardandlookedattheJudgewithagaychallengeinherdarkeyes。

"Areyouinterestedinthemtoo？"sheasked。

TheJudgewasembarrassed。Aflushcreptintohischeeks。Hewassupposedtobemasterofanyemergencythatmightarise，butonehadariseninconnectionwithaslipofaschoolgirlthatlefthimwordless。

"Itisveryprobable，"saidLinda，"thatifmyshoeshadbeenlikemostothergirls\'shoesIwouldn\'tbeheretoday。Iwasinthesameschoolroomwithyoursonforthreeyears，andheneversawmeorspoketomeuntilonedayhestoppedmetoinquirewhyIworethekindofshoesIdid。HesaidhehadabattletowagewithmebecauseItriedtobealawtomyself，andhewantedtoknowwhyIwasn\'tlikeothergirls。AndItoldhimIhadacrowtopickwithHIMbecausehehadthekindofbrainthatwouldbecontenttoletaJapbeathiminhisownschool，inhisownlanguageandinhisowncountry；sowemadeanengagementtofighttoafinish，anditendedbyhisbecomingtheonlyboyfriendIhaveandthenicestboyfriendagirleverhad，Iamverysure。That\'swhyI\'mhere。"

LindaliftedhereyesandJudgeWhitinglookedintothemtillhesawthesamegoldlightsintheirdepthsthatPeterMorrisonhadseen。HecamearoundthetableandplacedabigleatherchairforLinda。Thenhewentbackandresumedhisown。

"Ofcourse，"saidtheJudgeinhismostengagingmanner。"I

gatherfromwhatDonaldhastoldmethatyouhaveareasonforbeinghere，andIwantyoutounderstandthatIamintenselyinterestedinanythingyouhavetosaytome。Nowtellmewhyyoucame。"

"Icame，"saidLinda，"becauseIstartedsomethingandamafraidofthepossibleresult。Ithinkverylikelyif，inretaliationforwhatDonaldsaidtomeaboutmyhairandmyshoes，IhadnottwittedhimabouttheusehewasmakingofhisbrainanddoneeverythinginmypowertodrivehimintocompetitionwithOkaSayyeinthehopethatawhitemanwouldgraduatewiththehighesthonors，hewouldnothavegoneintothiscompetition，whichIamnowcertainhasantagonizedOkaSayye。"

Lindafoldedherslimhandsonthetableandleanedforward。

"JudgeWhiting，"shesaidearnestly，"Iknowverylittleaboutmen。ThemostIknowwaswhatIlearnedaboutmyfatherandthemenwithwhomheoccasionallyhuntedandfished。TheywereallsuchfinementhatImusthavegrownupthinkingthateverymanwasverylikethem，butonedayIcameindirectcontactwiththeJapthatDonaldistryingtobeat，andthethingIsawinhisfaceputfearintomyheartandithasbeenthereeversince。I

havealmostanunreasoningfearofthatJap，notbecausehehassaidanythingordoneanything。It\'sjustinstinctive。Imaybewhollywronginhavingcometoyouandintakingupyourtime，buttherearetwothingsIwantedtotellyou。IcouldhavetoldDonald，butifIdidandhismindwentoffatatangentthinkingofthesethingshewouldn\'tbenearlysolikelytobeinconditiontogivehisbestthoughttohisstudies。IfIreallymadehimseewhatIthinkIhaveseen，andfearwhatIknowI

fear，hemightfailwhereIwouldgivealmostanythingtoseehimsucceed；soIthoughtIwouldcometoyouandtellyouaboutitandaskyoupleasetothinkitover，andtotakeextracareofhim，becauseIreallybelievethathemaybeindanger；andifheisInevershallbeabletoridmyselfofasenseofresponsibility。"

"Isee，"saidJudgeWhiting。"Nowtellme，justasexplicitlyasyouhavetoldmethis，exactlywhatitisthatyoufear。"

"LastSaturday，"saidLinda，"DonaldtoldmethatwhilestandingattheboardbesideOkaSayye，demonstratingatheorem，henoticedthatthereweregrayhairsabovetheJap\'sears，andhebluntlyaskedhim，beforetheprofessorandtheclass，howoldhewas。Intellingme，hesaidhehadthefeelingthatiftheJapcouldhavedonesointhatinstant，hewouldhavekilledhim。Hesaidhewasnineteen，butDonaldsaysfromthematuredlinesofhisbody，fromhishandsandhisfaceandhishair，heiscertainthatheisthirtyormore，andhethinksitveryprobablethathemayhavegraduatedathomebeforehecameheretogethisEnglishfornothingfromourpublicschools。Ineverbeforehadthefactcalledtomyattentionthatthiswasbeingdone，butDonaldtoldmethathehadbeeninclasseswithmaturedmenwhenhewaslessthantenyearsofage。Thatisnotfair，JudgeWhiting；itisnotright。Thereshouldbeanagespecifiedabovewhichpeoplemaynotbeallowedtoattendpublicschool。"

"Iquiteagreewithyou，"saidtheJudge。"Thathasbeendoneinthegrades，butthereisnothingfairinbringingaboyundertwentyincompetitionwithamangraduatedfromtheinstitutionsofanothercountry，eveninthehighschools。Ifthisbethecase——"

"Youcanbecertainthatitis，"saidLinda，"becauseDonaldwhisperedtomeashepassedmehalfanhourago，comingfromtheschoolbuilding，thatTODAYOkaSayye\'shairisauniform，shiningblack，andhealsothoughtthathehadusedalipstickandrougeinaneffortatrejuvenation。Doyouthink，fromyourknowledgeofDonald，thathewouldimaginethat？"

"No，"saidJudgeWhiting，"Idon\'tthinksuchathingwouldoccurtohimunlesshesawit。"

"NeitherdoI，"saidLinda。"FromtheshortacquaintanceIhavewithhimIshouldnotcallhimatallimaginative，butheisextremelyquickandwonderfullyretentive。YouhavetoshowhimbutoncefromwhichcactushecangetVictrolaneedlesandfishinghooks，orwheretofindmaterialforwoodenlegs。"

TheJudgelaughed。"Doesn\'tprovemuch，"hesaid。"Youwouldn\'thavetoshowmethatmorethanonceeither。Ifanyoneweregivingmeanintensivecourseonsuchinterestingsubjects，I

wouldguaranteetoremember，evenatmyage。"

Lindanoddedinacquiescence。"Thenyoucanregarditasquitecertain，"shesaid，"thatOkaSayyeismakingupinanefforttoappearyoungerthanheiswhichmeansthathedoesn\'twanthisrightquestionedtobeinourschools，toabsorbthethingsthatwearetaught，tolearnourlanguage，ourgovernment，ourinstitutions，ourideals，ourapproximatestrengthandouronly-too-apparentweakness。"

TheJudgeleanedforwardandwaitedattentively。

"Theothermatter，"saidLinda，"wasrelativetoSaturday。Theremaynotbeathinginit，butsometimesawoman\'sintuitionprovestruerthanwhatamanthinksheseesandknows。Ihaven\'tSEENathing，andIdon\'tKNOWathing，butIdon\'tbelieveyourgardenerwassicklastweek。IbelievehehadadirtyjobhewanteddoneandpreferredtosavehispositionandavoidrisksbygettingsomeotherJapwhohadnofamilyandnointerestshere，todoitforhim。Idon\'tBELIEVEthatyourcar，havingrunallrightFridaynight，wasshottopiecesSaturdaymorningsothatDonaldwentsmashwithitinamannerthatmightveryeasilyhavekilledhim，orsenthimtothehospitalformonths，whileOkaSayyecarriedoffthehonorswithoutcompetitionIwanttoaskyoutofindoutwhetheryourregulargardenertrulywasill，whetherhehasafamilyandintereststoprotecthere，orwhetherheisamanwhocoulddisappearinanightasJapswhohaveleasedlandandhavefamiliescannot。Iwanttoknowaboutthemanwhotookyourgardener\'splace，andIwantthemanwhoisrepairingyourcarinterviewedverycarefullyastowhathefoundthetroublewithit。"

Lindapaused。JudgeWhitingsatindeepthought，thenhelookedatLinda。

"Isee，"hesaidatlast。"Thankyouverymuchforcomingtome。

Allthesethingsandanythingthatdevelopsfromthemshallbehandledcarefully。OfcourseyouknowthatDonaldismyonlysonandyoucanrealizewhatheistomeandtohismotherandsister。"

"ItisbecauseIdorealizethat，"saidLinda，"thatIamhere。

Iappreciatehisfriendship，butitisnotformyownintereststhatIamaskingtohavehimtakencareofwhilehewageshismentalwarwiththisJap。IwantDonaldtohavethevictory，butIwantittobeavictorythatwillbeaninspirationtoanyboyofwhitebloodamonganyofouralliesoramongpeopleswhoshouldbeourallies。There\'sashowdowncomingbetweenthewhiteraceandamightyaggregationofcoloredpeoplesoneofthesedays，andifthewhitemandoesn\'trealizeprettysoonthathissupremacyisnotonlygoingtobecontestedbutmaybelost，itjustsimplywillbelost；thatisallthereistoit。"

TheJudgewasstudyingdeeplynow。Finallyhesaid:"Younglady，Igreatlyappreciateyourcomingtome。TheremaybeNOTHINGinwhatyoufear。ItMIGHTbeamatterofnationalimportance。Inanyevent，itshowsthatyourheartisintherightplace。MayMrs。WhitingandIpayyouavisitsomedaysooninyourhome？"

"Ofcourse，"saidLindasimply。"ItoldDonaldtobringhismotherthefirsttimehecame，buthesaidhedidnotneedtobechaperonedwhenhecametoseeme，becausemyfather\'snamewasaguaranteetohismotherthatmyhomewouldbeaproperplaceforhimtovisit。"

"Iwonderhowmanyofhisothergirlfriendsinvitedhimtobringhismothertoseethem，"saidtheJudge。

"Oh，heprobablygrewupwiththeothergirlsandwasacquaintedwiththemfromtinythings，"saidLinda。

"Verylikely，"concededtheJudge。"Ithink，afterall，Iwouldratherhaveaninvitationtomakeoneofthosetripswithyoutothedesertorthemountains。IsthereanythingelseasinterestingasfishhooksandVictrolaneedlesandwoodenlegstobelearned？"

"Oh，yes，"saidLinda，leaningfartherforward，alovelycolorsweepingupintohercheeks，hereyesa-shine。ShehadmissedthefactthattheJudgewasjesting。Shehadthoughthiminsober，scientificearnest。

"It\'sanawfullynicethingifyoudigaplantorsoilyourhandsinhunting，oranythinglikethat，toknowthattherearefourorfivedifferentkindsofvegetablesoapwhereyoucaneasilyreachthem，ifyouknowthem。Ifyouloseyourwayorhavealongtramp，it\'sgoodtoknowwhichplantswillgiveyoudrinkandwheretheyare。Andifyou\'reshortofimplements，youmightatanytimeneedamescalstick，oranarrowshaftoranarrow，even。IfDonaldwerelostnow，hecouldkeepalivefordays，becausehewouldknowwhatwoodwouldmakehimabowandhowhecouldtakeamolefiberandbraidabowstringandwherehecouldmakearrowsandarrowpointssothathecouldshootgameforfood。I\'vetaughthimtomakeanumberofsnares，andheknowswheretofindandhowtocookhisgreensandpotatoesandonionsandwheretofindhispicklesandhowtomakelemonadeandtea，andwhattouseforsnakebite。It\'sbeensuchfun，JudgeWhiting，andhehasbeensointerested。"

"Yes，Ishouldthinkhewouldbe，"saidtheJudge。"Iaminterestedmyself。Ifyouwouldtakeanoldboylikemeonafewofthosetrips，Iwouldbeimmenselypleased。"

"You\'dlikebrigandbeefsteak，"suggestedLinda，"andyou\'dlikecresssalad，andIamsureyou\'dlikecreamedyucca。"

"Hm，"saidtheJudge。"SoundstomelikeJaneMeredith。"

Lindasuddenlysatstraight。Adazedexpressioncrossedherface。Presentlysherecovered。

"Willyoukindlytellme，"shesaid，"whatagreatcriminaljudgeknowsaboutJaneMeredith？"

"Why，Ihearmywifeanddaughtertalkingabouther，"saidtheJudge。

"Iwonder，"saidLinda，"ifajudgehearssomanysecretsthatheforgetswhatasecretisandcouldn\'tpossiblykeeponetosavehislife。"

"Ontheotherhand，"saidJudgeWhiting，"ajudgehearssomanysecretsthathelearnstobeaverysecretivepersonhimself，andifayoungladyjustyoursizeandsolikeyouineverywayastobeyou，toldmeanythingandtoldmethatitwasasecret，I

wouldguaranteetocarryitwithmetomygrave，ifIsaidI

would。"

OneofLinda\'sspeciallaughsfloatedoutofthewindows。HerrighthandslippedacrossthetabletowardtheJudge。

"Crossyourheartandbody？"shechallenged。

TheJudgetookthehandsheofferedinbothofhisown。

"Onmysoul，"hesaid，"Iswearit。"

"Allright，"bubbledLinda。"JudgeWhiting，allowmetopresenttoyouJaneMeredith，theauthorandoriginatoroftheAboriginalCookeryarticlesnowrunninginEverybody\'sHome。\'，LindastoodupasshemadethepresentationandtheJudgearosewithher。WhenshebowedherdarkheadbeforehimtheJudgebowedequallyaslow，thenhetookthehandheheldandpresseditagainsthislips。

"Iamnotsurprised，"hesaid。"Iamhonored，deeplyhonored，andIamdelighted。Forahighschoolgirlthatisasplendidachievement。"

"Butyourealize，ofcourse，"saidLinda，"thatitisvicarious。

Ireallyhaven\'tdoneanything。IamjustpassingontotheworldwhatAlexanderStrongfounditinterestingtoteachhisdaughter，becausehehadn\'tason。"

"Icertainlyamfortunatethatmysonisgettingthebenefitofthis，"saidJudgeWhitingearnestly。"Therearegirlswhomakemyold-fashionedsoulshudder，butIshallrestingreatcomfortwheneverIknowthatmyboyiswithyou。"

"Sure！"laughedLinda。"I\'mnotvampinghim。Idon\'tknowthefirstprinciples。We\'renotdoingathingworsethansucking\'hunters\'rockleek\'orroastingIndianpotatoesorfishingfortroutwithcactusspines。IhavehadsuchalovelytimeIdon\'tbelievethatI\'llapologizeforcoming。Butyouwon\'twasteaminuteinmakingsureaboutOkaSayye？"

"Iwon\'twasteaminute，"saidtheJudge。

CHAPTERXXII。TheEndofMarian\'sContestComingfromschoolafewdayslateronaneveningwhenshehadbeendetained，LindafoundaradiantKatyawaitingher。

"What\'sup，olddear？"criedLinda。"Youseempositivelyillumined。"

"Sobe，"saidKaty。"It\'sagoodtimeI\'mhavin\'。Inthefirstplacethepreviousbossofthisplaceain\'tnowisesobossyassueusedtobe，an\'livin\'withherisadaleaisier。An\'then，whenMissEileenisaroundthesedays，sheisbeginningtoseethings，andsheisjustblackwithjealousyofye。Somethingfunnyhappenedheretheafternoon，an\'shewashomeforoncean\'

gotthefullbenefitofit。Iwasswapin\'theaistwalk，butI

knowshewasinsidethewindowan\'Iknowsheheard。First，comesagreatbigloadedautomobiledrivin\'up，andstoppedinfrontwithaflourishan\'outhopsasnicean\'natealookin\'ladaseveryouclappedyoureyeson，an\'uphecomestomean\'offgoeshishatwithaswape，an\'hehandsmethatbundlean\'hesays:\'Here\'ssomethingMissLindaiswantin\'badforherwildgarden。\'"

KatyhandedLindaabundleofnewspaper，insidewhich，wrappedinaman\'shandkerchief，shefoundseveralplants，carefullylifted，therootsproperlyballed，theheadserect，crisp，althoughinfullflower。

"Oh，Katy！"criedLinda。"Look，it\'sGallito，\'littlerooster\'！"

"Nowain\'tthemjistyellowviolets？"askedKatydubiously。

"No，"saidLinda，"theyarenot。Theyarequiteabitrarer。

Theyarereallyawildpansy。Bringwater，Katy，andhelpme。"

"ButI\'vesomethingelseforye，"saidKaty。

"Idon\'tcarewhatyouhave，"answeredLinda。"Iamjustcompelledtoparktheselittleroostersatonce。"

"Whatmakesyecallthemthatungodlyname？"askedKaty。

"Nothingungodlyaboutit，"answeredLinda。"It\'sfunny。

GallitoistheSpanishnamefortheseviolets，anditmeans\'littlerooster。\'"

Lindasetthevioletsascarefullyastheyhadbeenliftedandrinsedherhandsatthehydrant。

"Nowbringontheremainderoftheexhibit，"sheordered。

"It\'sthereonthetopoftherockpile，whichyounoticehasincrasedsinceyelastsawit。"

"Soithas！"saidLinda。"Soithas！Andbeautifullycoloredspecimensthosearetoo。Myfernbedwillliftupitsvoiceandrejoiceinthem。AndrocksmeanHenryAnderson。TheboxIdonotunderstand。"

Lindapickeditup，untiedthestring，andslippedoffthewrapping。Katystaredinwide-mouthedamazement。

"IwasjusttickledoverthatbecauseMissEileensawagood-

lookingandcapableyoungmanleaveasecondpackage，rightontheheelsofyoungWhiting，"shesaid。"Whateverhaveyegot，lambie？Whatdoesthatmean？"

Lindaheldupabeautifulboxofglass，insideofwhichcouldbeseenswarmingspecimensofeverybug，beetle，insect，andwormthatHenryAndersonhadbeenabletocollectinHeavenonlyknewwhathoursofsearch。Lindaopenedthebox。Thewingedcreaturesflew，thebettlestumbled，thewormswentoverthetop。

Shesetitonthegroundandlaughedtoexhaustion。HereyeswerewetasshelookedupatKaty。

"ThatfirstnightHenryAndersonandPeterMorrisonwereheretodinner，Katy，"shesaid，"Andersonmadeajokeaboutbeingmybug-catcherwhenIbuiltmyhomenest，andseveraltimessincehehastriedtobesillyaboutit，butthelasttimeItoldhimitwasfoolishnesstowhichIwouldlistennomore，soinsteadoftalking，hehastakenthiswayoftellingmethatheisfairlyexpertasabug-catcher。Really，itisawfullyfunny，Katy。"

Katywassober。Sheshowednoappreciationofthefun。

"Yeknow，lambie，"shesaid，herhandsonherhips，herelbowswide-spread，herjawsargumentative，"I\'vedonesomeblarneyingwiththatlad，an\'I\'vefedhimsome，becausehewasdoin\'thingsthatwouldhelpan\'pleaseye，butnowI\'mtellin\'ye，justlikeI\'llbetellin\'yetillIdie，Iain\'tSTRONGforhim。IfeverthedaycomeswhenyeaskmetotakeonthatWhitingkidformeboss，I\'llbowmyheadan\'I\'llflyathisbidding，becauseheisreal，he\'sgoin\'tocomeoutamanlotslikeyourpa，orhisn。

An\'ifeverthedaycomeswhenyewillbetellingmeyewantmetoservePaterMorrison，I\'llwellnighgetonmykneestohim。

Ithinkhe\'dbetheclosestwe\'devercometogettin\'themasterback。ButIcouldn\'tsayI\'devertaketoAnderson。They\'ssomethingabouthim，Ican\'tjustsaywhat，butheputsmebackupamazin\'。"

"Don\'tworry，ancientcustodianofthefamily，"saidLinda。

"ThatsamesomethinginHenryAndersonthatantagonizesyou，affectsmeinevenstrongerdegree。Youmustnotgetthefoolishnotionthatanymanhasaspeculativeeyeonme，becauseitisnottrue。DonaldWhitingisonlyaboyfriend，treatingmeasabrotherwould，andPeterMorrisonismuchtoosophisticatedandmaturetopayanyseriousattentiontoagirlwithayearmorehighschoolbeforeher。IwanttobedecenttoHenryAnderson，becauseheisPeter\'sarchitect，andI\'mdeeplyinterestedinPeter\'shouseandtheladywhowillliveinit。SometimesIhopeitwillbeDonald\'ssister，MaryLouise。Anyway，IamgoingtogetacquaintedwithherandmakeitmybusinesstoseethatsheandPetergettheirchancetoknoweachotherwell。MyjobforPeteristohelprunhisbrookattheproperangle，buildhisbridge，engineerhisroad，andplanthisgrounds；sodon\'tbedreaminganyfoolishdreams，Katy。"

Katyfoldedherarms，tiltedherchinatanunusuallyaspiringangle，anddeliberatelysniffed。

"Don\'tyebelettin\'yourselfbelaveyourownfoolishness，"shesaid。"Iain\'tdonewithmeexhibityet。OnthehalltableyewillfindapackagefromthePaterMorrisonmanthatMissEileenhadthejoyoftakin\'inandlayin\'asideforye，anatopofitristsabigletterthatI\'mthinkin\'mightmeanMissMarian。"

"Oh，"criedLinda。"Whyareyouwastingallthistime？IfthereisaletterfromMarianitmaymeanthatthecompetitionisdecided；butifitis，sheloses，becauseshewastotelegraphifshewon。"

Lindarushedintothehouseandcarriedherbelongingstoherworkroom。Shedroppedthemonthetableandlookedatthem。

"I\'llgetyouoffmymindfirst，"shesaidtotheMorrisonpackage，whichenclosedanewarticleentitled"HowtoGrowGoodCitizens。"Withitwasascrawledline，"I\'mleavingtheheadandheelsofthefuturetoyou。"

"Howfine！"exultedLinda。"HemusthavelikedtheheadandtailpiecesIdrewforhisotherarticle，sohewantsthesameforthis，andifheiswellpaidforhisarticle，maybeintime，afterI\'vesettledformyhearthmotto，hewillpaymesomethingformywork。Gal-lum-shus！"

AssheopenedtheletterfromMariansheslowlyshookherhead。

"Drattheluck，"shemuttered，"nogoodnewshere。"

Slowlyandabsorbedlysheread:

DEARESTLINDA:

Notelegramtosend。IgrazedthefirstprizeandmissedthesecondbecauseHenryAndersonwinswithplanssolikeminethattheyarepracticallyduplicates。Ihavenotseenthewinningplans。Mr。Snowtoldmeasgentlyashecouldthatthejudgeshadruledmeoutentirely。Thewinningplansarepracticallyareversalofmine，moreprofessionallydrawn，andnodoubtthespecificationsarefaraheadofmine，asthesearemyweakspot，althoughIhaveworkedalldayandfarintothenightonthemathematicsofhousebuilding。Mr。Snowwasverykind，andterriblycutupaboutit。

ImadewhatIhopewasabravefight，IdidsobelieveinthoseplansthatIamafraidtosayjusthowgreatlydisappointedIam。

AllIcandoistogotoworkagainandtrytofindouthowtobettermybest，whichIsurelyputintotheplansIsubmitted。I

can\'tseehowHenryAndersoncametohituponsomeofmypersonaldesignsforcomfortsandconveniences。Ihadhopedthatnomanwouldthinkofmyespecialkitchenplans。Iratherfanciedmyselfasabenefactortomysex，anemancipatorfromdrudgery，asitwere。Ihadaconcealedfeelingthatitrequiredawomanwhohadexpendedherstrengthcombatingtheconstructionofadevilishkitchen，todevisesomeofmybuilt-inconveniences，andIworkedascarefullyonmykitchentable，asonanypartofthehouse。IfIfindlaterthatthewinningplansincludethesethingsIshallbelievethatHenryAndersonisamindreader，orthatlostplansnaturallygravitatetohim。Butthereisnousetogrouchfurther。Iseemtobebornaloser。Anyway，Ihaven\'tlostyouandIstillhaveDanaMeade。

IhavenothingelsetotellyouexceptthatMr。SnowhaswaitedformetwoeveningsoutoftheweekeversinceIwroteyou，andhehastakenmeinhiscarandsimplyforcedmetodrivehimforanhouroverwhatappealstometobethemostdifficultroadshecouldselect。SofarIhavenotbalkedatanythingbuthehashadtheconsiderationnottodirectmetothemountains。Heisextremelyattractive，Linda，andIdoenjoybeingwithhim，butI

dreadittoo，becausehisgriefissodeepandsoapparentthatitconstantlykeepsbeforemethelossofmyowndearones，andthosethingstowhichthehymnbooksreferas"achingvoids"inmyownlife。

Butthereissomethingyouwillbegladtohear。Thatunknowncorrespondentofmineisstillsendingletters，andIamcrazyaboutthem。Idon\'tansweronenowuntilIhavemulledoverittwoorthreedaysandItrytogivehimasgoodashesends。

IjudgefromyourlettersthatyouarekeepingatleastevenwithEileen，andthatlifeismuchhappierforyou。Youseemtobebroadening。IamsogladforthefriendshipyouhaveformedwithDonaldWhiting。MymotherandMrs。Whitingwerefriends。SheisacharmingwomanandithasseemedtomethatinherdaughterLouiseshehasmanagedahappycompoundofold-fashionedstraightforwardnessandunswervingprinciple，festoonedwithhappytrimmingsofallthatisbestinthepresentdays。Ihopethatyoudobecomeacquaintedwithher。Sheisolderthanyou，butsheisthekindofgirlIknowyouwouldlike。

Don\'tworrybecauseIhavelostagain，Lindadear。Todayismyblueday。TomorrowIshallrollupmysleevesandgoatitagainwithallmymight，andbyandbyitiswritteninthebooksthatthingswillcomerightforme。Theycannotgowrongforever。

Withdearestlove，MARIAN。

Lindalookedgrimasshefinishedtheletter。

"Confoundsuchluck，"shesaidemphatically。"Idonotunderstandit。HowcanamanlikeHenryAndersonknowmoreaboutcomfortsandconveniencesinahomethanawomanwithMarian\'sexperienceandcomprehension？Andshehasbeengainingexperienceforthepasttenyears。Thatpartnerofhismustbeasix-cylindermiracle。"

Lindawenttothekitchen，becauseshewasinpressingneedofsomeonetowhomtotellhertroubles，andtherewasnooneexceptKaty。WhatKatysaidwasenergeticandemphatic，butitcomfortedLinda，becausesheagreedwithitandwhatshewasseekingattheminutewassomeonewhoagreedwithher。Asshewentbackupstairs，shemetEileenonherwaytothefrontdoor。

EileenpausedanddeliberatelystudiedLinda\'sface，andLindastoppedandwaitedquietlyuntilshechosetospeak。

"Ipresume，"saidEileenatlast，"thatyouandKatywouldcalltheprocessthroughwhichyouaregoingrightnow，\'takingthebitinyourteeth，\'orsomepoeticthinglikethat，butIcan\'tseethatyouaregettingmuchoutofit。Idon\'theartheoldlaughortheclatterofgayfeetasIdidbeforeallthiswarofdissatisfactionbrokeout。Thisminuteifyouhaven\'teithercried，orwantedto，Imissmyguess。"

"Youwin，"saidLinda。"Ihavenotcried，becauseImakeitarulenevertoresorttotearswhenIcanhelpit；sowhatyouseenowisunshedtearsinmyheart。Theyinnowayrelatetowhatyousoaptlytermmy\'warofdissatisfaction\'；theyareforMarian。Shehaslostagain，thistimetheNicholsonandSnowprizeinarchitecture。"

"Servesherright，"saidEileen，laughingcontemptuously。"Theridiculousideaofhertryingtocompeteinaman\'sage-oldoccupation！Asifsheevercouldlearnenoughaboutjoistsandbeamsandgirdersandinstallingwaterandgasandelectricitytobuildahouse。Sheshouldhavehadthesensetoknowshecouldn\'tdoit。"

"But，"saidLindaquietly，"Marianwasn\'tproposingtobeacontractor，sheonlywantstobeanarchitect。AndthemanwhobeatherisPeterMorrison\'sarchitect，HenryAnderson，andhewonbysuchanarrowmarginthatherplanswerethrownoutofsecondandthirdplace，becausetheyweresoverysimilartohis。

Doesn\'tthatstrikeyouascurious？"

"Thatismorethancurious，"saidEileenslowly。"Thatisaverystrangecoincidence。Theycouldn\'thavehadanythingfromeachother，becausetheyonlymetatdinner，beforeallofus，andMarianwentawaythenextmorning；itdoesseemqueer。"Thensheaddedwithaflashofgenerosityandjustice，"ItlooksprettygoodforMarian，atthat。Ifshecamesonearwinningthatshelostsecondandthirdbecauseshewastoonearfirsttomakeanypracticaldifference，Imustbewrongandshemustberight。"

"Youarewrong，"saidLindatersely，"ifyouthinkMariancannotmakewonderfulplansforhouses。Butgoingbacktowhatmy\'warofdissatisfaction\'isdoingtome，it\'sapaleaffaircomparedwithwhatitisdoingtoyou，Eileen。Youlookadebilitatedsilhouetteofthenearrecentpast。Doyoufeelthatbadlyaboutgivingupalittlemoneyandauthority？"

"Ineverprofessedtohavetheslightestauthorityoveryou，"

saidEileenveryprimly，asshedrewbackintheshadows。"Youhavecomeandgoneexactlyasyoupleased。AllIevertriedtodowastokeepupadecentappearancebeforetheneighborsandmakefinancialendsmeet。"

"Thatneverseemedtowearonyouassomethingseemstodonow，"

saidLinda。"Iamthankfulthatthisweekendsit。IwaslookingforyoubecauseIwantedtotellyoutobesurenottomakeanydatethatwillkeepyoufrommeetingmeattheofficeofthepresidentoftheConsolidatedBankThursdayafternoon。IamgoingtoarrangewithJohntobethereanditshouldn\'ttakefifteenminutestorunthroughmattersanddividetheincomeinafairwaybetweenus。Iamwillingforyoutogoonpayingthebillsandorderingforthehouseasyouhavebeen。"

"Certainlyyouare，"sneeredEileen。"Youarequitewillingforalltheworkandusethegreaterpartofmytimetomakeyoucomfortable。"

Lindasuddenlydrewback。Herbodyseemedtorecoil，butherheadthrustforwardasiftobringhereyesinbetterrangetoreadEileen\'sface。

"Thatisutterlyunjust，Eileen，"shecried。

Thentwoatatimesherushedthestairsinaraceforherroom。

CHAPTERXXIII。TheDayofJubileeLindastartedtoschoolhalfanhourearlierWednesdaymorningbecausethatwasthedayforherweeklytriptothePostOfficeforanymailwhichmighthavecometoherunderthenameofJaneMeredith。ShehadhardworktokeepdownhercolorwhensherecognizedtheheavygrayenvelopeusedbytheeditorofEverybody\'sHome。Assheturnedfromthewindowwithitinherfingersshewastremblingslightlyandwonderingwhethershecouldhaveaminute\'sseclusiontofacetheanswerwhichherlastlettermighthavebrought。Therewasasmallalcovebesideapublicdeskatonesideoftheroom。Lindasteppedintothis，toreopentheenvelopeandslippedoutthesheetitcontained。

Dazedlyshestaredattheslipthatfellfromit。Slowlythecolorlefthercheeksandthencamerushingbackfromhersurchargedheartuntilherveryearswerered，becausethatslipwasverymanifestlyachequeforfivehundreddollars。MentallyandphysicallyLindashookherself，thenshestraightenedtofullheight，tensinghermusclesandholdingthesheetbeforeherwithahandoneachsidetokeepitfromshaking，whilesheread:

MYDEARMADAM:

Isincerelyapologizeforhavingwaitedsolongbeforewritingyouoftheveryexceptionalreceptionwhichyourarticleshavehad。Ithinkonehalftheirattractionhasbeentheexquisiteandappealingpicturesyouhavesentfortheirillustration。AtthepresentminutetheyareformingwhatIconsiderthemostuniquefeatureinthemagazine。Iamenclosingyouachequeforfivehundreddollarsasaninitialpaymentontheseries。JustwhatthecompletedseriesshouldbeworthIamunabletosayuntilyouinformmehowmanymonthsyoucankeepitupatthesamegradeofculinaryandliteraryinterestandattractiveillustration；butIshouldsayataroughestimatethatyouwouldbesafeincountinguponarepetitionofthischequeforeverythreearticlesyousendin。Thisofcourseincludespaymentforthepicturesalso，whicharetomeifanythingmoreattractivethantherecipes，sincethelocalcolorandenvironmenttheyaddtotherecipeandthewordsketcharevaluableintheextreme。

Ifyoufeelthatyoucancontinuethistotheextentofevenasmallvolume，Ishallbedelightedtosendyouabookcontract。

Inconsideringthisproposition，letmesaythatifyoucouldnotproduceenoughrecipestofillabook，youcouldpieceitouttothenecessarylengthmostcharminglyandattractivelybylengtheningthedescriptionsoftheenvironmentinwhichtheparticularfruitsandvegetablesyoudealwitharetobefound；

andinbookformyoumightallowyourselfmuchgreaterlatitudeintheinstructionsconcerningthehandlingofthefruitsandthepreparationoftherecipes。Ithinkmyselfthatawonderfullyattractivebookcouldbemadefromthismaterial，andhopethatyouwillagreewithme。Trustingthatthiswillbesatisfactorytoyouandthatyouwillseriouslyconsiderthebookpropositionbeforeyoudeclineit，Iremain，mydearmadam，Verytrulyyours，HUGHTHOMPSON，Editor，Everybody\'sHome。

Grippingthechequeandtheletter，Lindalurchedforwardagainstthewindowcasementandshuthereyestight，becauseshecouldfeelbig，nervousgulpsofexultationandrejoicingswellingupinherthroat。Sheshiftedthepaperstoonehandandsurreptitiouslyslippedtheothertoherpocket。Shetriedtokeepthepapersbeforeherandlookedstraightfromthewindowtoavoidattractingattention。Thetumultofexultationinherheartwassowildthatshedidnotsurelyknowwhethershewantedtosinktothefloor，layherfaceagainsttheglass，andindulgeinwhatforgenerationswomenhavereferredtoas"agoodcry，"

orwhethershewantedtoleapfromthewindowandsportonthewindlikeadrivenleaf。

Thenshereturnedtheletterandchequetotheenvelope，andslippeditinsideherblouse，andstartedonherwaytoschool。

ShemightaswellhavegonetoMultifloresCanyonandpittedherstrengthagainstclimbingitswallsfortheday，forallthegoodshedidinherschoolwork。Sheheardnowordofanyrecitationbyherschoolmates。Shehadnowordreadywhencalledonforarecitationherself。Sheheardnothingthatwassaidbyanyoftheprofessors。Onwingedfeetshewasflyingbackandforthfromthedeserttothemountains，fromthecanyonstothesea。

Shewasraidingbedsofamassanddevisingwaystoroastthebulbsandmakeanewdish。Shewascompoundingdrinksfrommescalandbisnaga。ShewashuntingdesertpicklesandtryingtorememberwhetherIndianrhubarbevergrewsofarsouth。Shewasgladwhenthedismissalhourcamethatafternoon。WitheagerfeetshewentstraighttotheConsolidatedBankandtheresheaskedagaintobeadmittedtotheofficeofthepresident。Mr。

Worthingtonroseasshecamein。

"AmIwronginmydates？"heinquired。"Iwasnotexpectingyouuntiltomorrow。"

"No，you\'requiteright，"saidLinda。"Atthishourtomorrow。

But，Mr。Worthington，Iamintroubleagain。"

Lindalookedsodistressedthatthebankerpushedachairtothetable\'ssideforher，andwhenshehadseatedherself，hesaidquietly:"Tellmeallaboutit，Linda。Wemustgetlifestraightenedoutasbestwecan。"

"IthinkImusttellyouallaboutit，"saidLinda，"becauseI

knowjustenoughaboutbankingtoknowthatIhaveapropositionthatIdon\'tknowhowtohandle。Arebankerslikefatherconfessorsanddoctorsandlawyers？"

"Ithinktheyareevenmoreso，"laughedMr。Worthington。

"Perhapsthefatherconfessortakesprecedence，otherwiseI

believepeoplearequiteasmuchinterestedintheirfinancialsecretsasinanythingelseinallthisworld。Haveyouafinancialsecret？"

"Yes，"saidLinda，"Ihavewhatistomeabigsecret，andI

don\'tintheleastknowhowtohandleit，sorightawayIthoughtaboutyouandthatyouwouldbetheonetotellmewhatIcoulddo。"

"Goahead，"saidMr。Worthingtonkindly。"I\'llgiveyoumywordofhonortokeepanysecretyouconfidetome。"

Lindaproducedherletter。Sheopeneditandwithoutanypreliminarieshandeditandthechequetothebanker。Helookedatthechequespeculatively，andthenlaiditasideandreadtheletter。Hegaveeveryevidenceofhavingreadpartsofittwoorthreetimes，thenheexaminedthechequeagain，andglancedatLinda。

"Andjusthowdidyoucomeintopossessionofthis，younglady？"

heinquired。"Andwhatisitthatyouwantofme？"

"Why，don\'tyousee？"saidLinda。"It\'smyletterandmycheque；

I\'m\'JaneMeredith。\'NowhowamIgoingtogetmymoney。

ForonedazedmomentMr。WorthingtonstudiedLinda；thenhethrewbackhisheadandlaughedunrestrainedly。HecamearoundthetableandtookbothLinda\'shands。

"Bullyforyou！"hecriedexultantly。"HowIwishyourfathercouldseetheseedhehassownbearingitsfruit。Isn\'tthatfine？Anddoyouwanttogoonwiththisanonymously？"

"IthinkImust，"saidLinda。"IhavesaidinmyheartthatnoJap，maleorfemale，youngorold，shalltakefirsthonorsinaclassfromwhichIgraduate；andyoucanseethatifpeoplegenerallyknewthis，itwouldmakeitawfullyhardformetogoonwithmystudies，andIdon\'tknowthattheeditorwhoisacceptingthisworkwouldtakeitifheknewitweresenthimbyahigh-schoolJunior。Youseethedignifiedwayinwhichheaddressesmeas\'madam\'？"

"Isee，"saidMr。Worthingtonreflectively。

"I\'msure，"saidLindawithdemurelips，thoughtheeyesabovethemwereblazinganddancingathightension，"I\'msurethattheeditorisattachingahusband，andahousehavingawell-orderedkitchen，andratherwideculinaryexperiencetothat\'dearmadam。\'"

"Andwhataboutthisbookproposition？"askedthebankergravely。

"Thatwouldbeabigthingforagirlofyourage。Canyoudoit，andcontinueyourschoolwork？"

"WiththebackgroundIhave，withtheunusedmaterialIhave，andwithvacationcomingbeforelong，Icandoiteasily，"saidLinda。"Myschoolworkisnotdifficultforme。Itonlyrequiresconcentrationforabouttwohoursinthepreparationthateachdaybrings。TheremainderofthetimeIcouldgivetoamplifyingandproducingnewrecipes。"

"Isee，"saidthebanker。"Soyouhaveresolved，Linda，thatyoudon\'twantyoureditortoknowyourrealname。"

"Couldscarcelybedone，"saidLinda。

"Buthaveyoustoppedtothink，"saidthebanker，"thatyouwillbeaskedforpersonalhistoryandaboutyourresidence，andnodoubtaphotographofyourself。Ifyoucontinuethisworkanonymouslyyou\'regoingtohavetroublewithmoremattersthancashingacheque。"

"ButIamnotgoingtohaveanytroublecashingacheque，"shesaid，"becauseIhavecomestraighttothemanwhosebusinessischeques。"

"Trueenough，"hesaid；"ISHALLhavetoarrangethecheque；

there\'snotadoubtaboutthat；andasforyourotherbugbears"

"Irefusetobefrightenedbythem，"interposedLinda。

"Haveyoueverdoneanybusinessatthebank？"

"No，"saidLinda。

"Noneoftheclerksknowyou？"

"NotthatIremember，"saidLinda。"Imightpossiblybeacquaintedwithsomeofthem。Ihavemerelypassedthroughthebankonmywaytoyourroomtwice。"

"Then，"saidthebanker，"we\'llhavetoriskit。Afterthisestatebusinessissettledyouwillwanttoopenanaccountinyourname。"

"Quitetrue，"saidLinda。

"ThenIwouldadviseyou，"saidMr。Worthington，"toopenthisaccountinyourownname。Endorsethischeque\'JaneMeredith\'

andmakeitpayabletomepersonally。Wheneveroneofthesecomes，bringittomeandI\'lltakecareofitforyou。

Oneminute。"

HeleftLindasittingquietlyreadingandrereadingherletter，andpresentlyreturnedandlaidasheafofpapermoneybeforeher。

"Takeittothepayingteller。Tellhimthatyouwishtodepositit，andaskhimtogiveyouabankbookandachequebook，"hesaid。"Thankyouverymuchforcomingtomeandforconfidinginme。"

Lindagatheredupthemoney，andsaidgood-byetothebanker。

JustasshestartedforwardsherecognizedEileenatthewindowofthepayingteller。ItwasanEileensheneverbeforehadseen。Herfacewasstrainedtoaghastlygray。Herhatwasnotstraightandherhandswereshaking。Withoutrealizingthatshewasdoingit，Lindasteppedbehindoneofthehugemarblepillarssupportingtheceilingandstoodtherebreathlessly，watchingEileen。ShecouldgatherthatshewasdiscussingthebankledgerwhichlaybeforethetellerandthathewasrefusingsomethingthatEileenwasimploringhimtodo。Lindathoughtsheunderstoodwhatitwas。ThenveryclearlyEileen\'svoice，sharpandstrained，reachedherears。

"Youmeanthatyouarerefusingtopaymemydepositsonmyprivateaccount？"shecried；andLindacouldalsoheartheresponse。

"Iamverysorryifitannoysorinconveniencesyou，MissStrong，butsincethesettlementoftheestatetakesplacetomorrow，ourordersaretopayoutnofundsinanywayconnectedwiththeestateuntilafterthatsettlementhasbeenarranged。"

"Butthisismymoney，myownprivateaffair，"beggedEileen。

"Theestatehasnothingtodowithit。"

"Iamsorry，"repeatedtheteller。"Ifthatisthecase，youwillhavenodifficultyinestablishingthefactinafewminutes\'time。"

Eileenturnedandleftthebank，anditseemedthatshewasalmostswaying。Lindastoodasecondwithnarrowedeyes，indeepthought。

"Ithink，"shesaidatlast，deepdowninherheart，"thatitlookspreciousmuchasiftherehadbeenabitoftransgressioninthisaffair。Itlooks，too，asif\'thewayofthetransgressor\'wereadarnedhardway。Straightaheadopenandaboveboardforyou，mygirl！"

Thenshewentquietlytothedeskandtransactedherownbusiness；butherbeautifuldaywasclouded。Herheartwasnolongerleapingexultantly。ShewassickenedandsorrowfulovertheevidentnervestrainanddiscomfortwhichEileenseemedtohavebroughtuponherself。Shedreadedmeetingheratdinnerthatnight，andshewonderedallthewayhomewhereEileenhadgonefromthebankandwhatshehadbeendoing。WhatshefeltwasapaleaffaircomparedwithwhatshewouldhavefeltifshecouldhaveseenEileenleavethebankandenteranear-bystore，gotoatelephoneboothandputinalong-distancecallforSanFrancisco。Hereyeswerebrilliant，hercheeksbynatureredderthantherougeshehaduseduponthem。Shesquaredhershoulders，liftedherhead，asifsheirrevocablyhadmadeadecisionandwouldnotbethwartedinactinguponit。Whileshewaitedshestraightenedherhat，andtuckedupherprettyhair，oncemoreevincingconcernaboutherappearance。Afteranervouswaitshesecuredherparty。

"AmIspeakingwithMr。JamesHeitman？"sheasked。

"Yes，"cametheanswer。

"Well，UncleJim，thisisEileen。"

"Why，hello，girlie，"wasthequickresponse。"Delightedthatyou\'recallingyourancientuncle。Haven\'tchangedthedecisioninthelastletterIhadfromyou，haveyou？"

"Yes，"saidEileen，"Ihavechangedit。DoyouandAuntCarolinestillwantme，UncleJim？"

"YOUBETWEWANTYOU！"roaredthevoiceoverthe\'phone。"Hereweare，withplentyofmoneyandnotarelationonearthbutyoutoleaveitto。Youbelongtousbyrights。We\'dbetickledtodeathtohaveyou，andforyoutohavewhat\'sleftofthemoneywhenwegetthroughwithit。MayIcomeafteryou？Saytheword，andI\'llstartthisminute。"

"Oh，UncleJim，couldyou？Wouldyou？"criedEileen。

"Well，I\'dsayIcould。We\'dbetickledtodeath，Itellyou！"

"Howlongwouldittakeyoutogethere？"saidEileen。

"Well，Icouldreachyoubynoontomorrow。Elevensomethingistheshortesttimeit\'sbeenmadein；thatwouldgivemethirteen——morethanenough。Areyouinthatmuchofahurry？"

"Yes，"gaspedEileen，"yes，Iaminthebiggestkindofahurrythereis，UncleJim。Thistroublesomelittleestatehastobesettledtomorrowafternoon。There\'sgoingtobecomplaintabouteverythingthatIhaveseenfittodo。I\'vebeenhoundedandharassedtillIamdisgustedwithit。ThenI\'vepromisedtomarryJohnGilmanasIwroteyou，andIdon\'tbelieveyouwouldthinkthatwasmybestchancewiththeopportunitiesyoucouldgiveme。Itseemsfoolishtostayhere，abusedasIhavebeenlately，andasIwillbetomorrow。Youhavethehousenumber。

Ifyoucomeandgetmeoutofitbynoontomorrow，I\'llgowithyou。YoumaytakeoutthoseadoptionpapersyouhavealwaysentreatedmetoagreetoandI\'llbeadaughterthatyoucanbeproudof。Itwillbearelieftohavesomerealmoneyandsomerealposition，andtobreathefreelyandbemyselfoncemore。"

"Allrightforyou，girlie！"bellowedthegreatvoiceovertheline。"Pickupanylittlepersonalbitsyoucanputinasuitcase，andbytwelveo\'clocktomorrowI\'llwhiskyourightoutofthatdamnmess。"

Eileenwalkedfromthetelephoneboothwithherheadhigh，triumphwrittenalloverherfaceandfigure。Theyweregoingtohumiliateher。Shewouldshowthem！

Shewenthomeimmediately。Enteringherroom，sheclosedthedoorandstoodlookingatherpossessions。Howcouldshegethertrunkfromthegarret？Howcouldshegetittothestation？

WoulditbepossibleforUncleJamestotakeitinhiscar？AssheponderedthesethingsEileenhadadimmemoryofadayinherchildhoodwhenhermotherhadgoneonbusinesstoSanFranciscoandhadtakenheralong。Sherememberedahugehouse，allturretsandtowersandgables，allturnsandtwistsandangles，closedtothelightofdayandglowinginsidewithshiningartificiallights。Sherememberedstumblingoverdeeprugs。Onevividimpressionwasofwallscoveredwithhugecanvases，someofthemhavingframesmorethanafootwide。Sherememberedknightsinarmor，andbigfireplaces，andhugeurnsandvases。Itseemedtoherlikethemostwonderfulbazaarsheeverhadbeenin。Sheremembered，too，thatshehadbeengladwhenhermotherhadtakenheroutintothesunshineagainandfromthepresenceoftwoponderouspeoplewhohadobjectedstronglytoeverythinghermotherhaddiscussedwiththem。Shepausedoneinstant，contemplatingthispicture。Thelookoftriumphonherfacetoneddownconsiderably。Thenshecomfortedherselfaloud。

"I\'veheardMothersay，"shesaidsoftly，"thateverybodyoverdidthingsanddidnotknowhowtobegracefulwithimmensefortunesgotfromsilverandgoldmines，andlumber。Itwillbedifferentnow。Probablytheydon\'tliveinthesamehouse，even。Thereisasmallarmyofservants，andthereisnothingIcanthinkofthatUncleJimwon\'tgladlygetme。I\'vebeentoobigafoolforwordstolivethiswayaslongasIhave。Crushme，willthey？

I\'llshowthem！Iwon\'teventouchthesethingsIhavestrainedsotoget。"

Eileenjerkedfromherthroatthestrandofpearlsthatshehadworncontinuouslyforfouryearsandthrewitcontemptuouslyonherdressingtable。

"I\'llmakeUncleJimgetmearopewithtwoorthreestrandsinitthatwillreachtomywaist。\'Asuitcase！\'Idon\'tknowwhatIwouldfillasuitcasewithfromhere。Thetrunkmaystayinthegarret，andwhileIamleavingallthisrubbish，I\'lljustleaveJohnGilmanwithit。UncleJimwillgivemeanincomethatwillbuyallthecigarettesIwantwithouthavingtodeceiveanyone；andIcanhavemoneyifIwanttostakesomethingatbridgewithoutbeingscaredintoparalysisforfearsomebodymayfinditoutortheaccountswon\'tbalance。I\'llputonthemostsuitablethingIhavetotravelin，andjustwalkoutandleaveeverythingelse。"

ThatwaswhatEileendid。Atnoonthenextdayhereyeswerebrightwithnervousness。Hercheeksalternatelypaledwithfearandfloodedredwithanxiety。Shehaddressedherselfcarefully，laidoutherhatandglovesandaheavycoatincasethenightshouldbechilly。Onceshestoodlookingatthedainty，brightlycoloreddresseshanginginherwardrobeAflashofregretpassedoverherface。

"Tawdrylittlecheapthingsandmakeshifts，"shesaid。"IfLindafeelsthatshehasbeensoterriblydefrauded，shecanhelpherselfnow！"

Bytwelveo\'clockshefoundherselfstandingatthewindow，straininghereyesdownLilacValley。Shewasnotlookingatitshelpfulhills，atitsappealingcurves，atitsbrilliantcolors。

Shewaswatchingtheroadway。WhenKatyrangtocallhertolunch，shetoldhertoputthethingsaway；shewasexpectingpeoplewhowouldtakeherouttolunchpresently。Inthepastyearsshehadoccasionallywrittentoheruncle。SeveraltimeswhenhehadhadbusinessinLosAngelesshehadmethimathishotelanddinedwithhim。Shereasonedthathewouldcomestraighttothehouseandgether，andthentheywouldgotooneofthebighotelsforlunchbeforetheystarted。

"Ishan\'tfeellikemyself，"saidEileen，"untilwearewellonthewaytoSanFrancisco。"

Atoneo\'clockshewaswalkingthefloor。Attwoshewasalmostfrantic。Athalfpastshealmostwishedthatshehadhadthegoodsensetohavesomelunch，sinceshewasveryhungryandundertensenervestrain。Onceshepausedbeforetheglass，butwhatshesawfrightenedher。Justwhenshefeltthatshecouldnotendurethestrainanotherminute，grindingbrakes，theblastofahugeKlaxon，andthesoundofagreatvoicearosefromthestreet。Eileenrushedtothewindow。Shetookonelook，caughtupthesuitcaseandraceddownthestairs。Atthedoorshemetabluff，bigman，grossfromheadtofoot。ItseemedtoEileenstrangethatshecouldseeinhimevenatraceofhermother，andyetshecould。Redveinscrossedhischeeksandglowedonhisnose。Histiredeyeswerewatery；histhicklipshadaninclinationtosag；buttherewasheartinessinhisvoiceandearnestnessinthemannerinwhichhepickedherup。

"Whathavetheybeendoingtoyoudownhere？"hedemanded。

"Nevershouldhaveleftyouthislong。Oughttohavecomedownandtakenyouandshowedyouwhatyouwanted，andthenyouwouldhaveknownwhetheryouwanteditornot。"

Atthisjunctureahugewoman，grossinafemininewayasherhusbandwasinhis，paddledupthewalk。

"I\'mcomin\'inandrestafewminutes，"shesaid。"I\'mtiredtodeathandI\'mpoundedtopieces。"

Herhusbandturnedtowardher。HeopenedhislipstointroduceEileen。Hiswifeforestalledhim。

"SothisistheEileenyouhavebeenravin\'aboutforyears，"shesaid。"Ithoughtyousaidshewasaprettygirl。"

Eileen\'ssoulknewonesickinstantofrecoil。ShelookedfromJamesHeitmantoCaroline，hiswife，andrememberedthathehadahabitofcallingher"Callie。"Allthatpaintandpowderandlipstickandbrilliantinecoulddotomaketheponderous，bigwomanmoreghastlyhadbeendone，butintherushofthelongridethroughwhichherhusbandhadforcedher，thecolorshadmixedandslipped，thefalsewavesweredisplaced。Shewasnotinanyconditiontocriticizetheappearanceofanotherwoman。

ForonesecondEileenhesitated，thensheliftedhershakinghandstoherhat。

"Ihavebeenhoundedoutofmysenses，"shesaidapologetically，"andhavebeensoterriblyanxiousforfearyouwouldn\'tgethereontime。Please，AuntCaroline，letusgotoahotel，someplacewherewecanstraightenupcomfortably。"

"Well，what\'syourhurry？"saidAuntCarolinecoolly。"You\'renotafugitivefromjustice，areyou？Can\'tabodyrestafewminutesandhaveadrink，even？Besides，Iamgoingtoseewhatkindofaplaceyou\'vebeenlivingin，andthenI\'llknowhowthankfulyou\'llbeforwhatwegottooffer。"

Eileenturnedandthrewopenthedoor。Thebigwomanwalkedin。

Shelookeddownthehall，upthestairway，andwentontothelivingroom。Shegaveitonecontemptuousglance，andturning，camebacktothedoor。

"Allright，Jim，"shesaidbrusquely。"Ihaveseenenough。Ifyouknowthebesthotelinthetown，takemethere。Andthen，ifEileen\'sinsuchahurry，afterwehavehadabitewe\'llstartforhome。"