第8章

"Thankyou，AuntCaroline，oh，thankyou！"criedEileen。

"Youneedn\'ttakethetroubleto\'aunt\'meeverytimeyouspeaktome，"saidthelady。"Iknowyou\'remyniece，butIain\'tgoin\'toremindyouofiteverytimeIspeaktoyou。It\'sagein\'，this\'auntie\'business。Idon\'tstandforit，andasforaname，IamfreetoconfessIalwayslikethewayJimcallsme\'Callie。\'Thatsoundsyoungerandmorecompanionablethan\'Caroline。\'"

JamesHeitmanlookedatEileenandwinked。

"Youjustbet，oldgirl！"hesaid。"Theyain\'tanyofthemcanbeatyou，notevenEileenatherbest。Let\'sgetheroutofhere。Doesthisrepresentyourluggage，girlie？"

"Yousaidnottobotherwithanythingelse，"saidEileen。

"SoIdid，"saidUncleJim，"andImeantjustwhatIsaidifit\'sallrightwithyou。IsupposeIdidhave，inthebackofmyhead，anideathattheremightbeatrunkorabox——somethingsthatbelongedtoyourmother，mebby，andyour\'keepsakes。\'"

"Oh，nevermind，"interruptedEileen。"Dolet\'sgo。It\'snearlyfouro\'clock。Anyminutetheymaysendformefromthebank，andI\'dbemorethangladtobeoutoftheway。"

"Well，I\'mnotaccustomedtobeingtheporter，butiftime\'sthatprecious，herewego，"saidUncleJim。

Hepickedupthesuitcasewithonehandandtookhiswife\'sarmwiththeother。

"Scootdownthereandclimbintothatboat，"hesaidproudlytoEileen。"We\'llhaveagooddinnerinaprivateroomwhenwegettothehotel。Iwon\'tevenregister。Andthenwe\'llgetoutofherewhenwehaverestedalittle。"

"Can\'twestayallnightandgointhemorning？"pantedhiswife。

"No，ma\'am，wecan\'t，"saidJamesHeitmanauthoritatively。

"We\'lleatabitebecauseweneedtobefedup，andIsincerelyhopethey\'ssomedecentgrubtobehadinthisburg。Thefirstplacewecometooutsideofhere，thatlooksliketheyhadadecentbed，we\'llstopandmakeupforlastnight。Butweain\'ta-goin\'tostayhereifEileenwantsustostartrightaway，eh，Eileen？"

"Yes，please！"pantedEileen。"Ijustdon\'twanttomeetanyofthem。It\'stimeenoughforthemtoknowwhathashappenedafterIamgone。"

"Allrightthen，"saidUncleJames。"Pileinandwe\'llgo。"

SoEileenstartedontheroadtotheunlimitedwealthhersoulhadalwayscraved。

CHAPTERXXIV。Linda\'sFirstPartyAtthebankLindaandJohnGilmanwaitedanhourpastthetimesetforEileen\'sappearance。ThenLindaassertedherself。

"Ihavehadafeelingforsometime，"shesaidquietly，"thatEileenwouldnotappeartoday，andifshedoesn\'tseefittocome，thereisnoparticularreasonwhysheshould。Thereisnothingtodobutgoovertherevenuefromtheestate。ThebookswillshowwhatEileenhasdrawnmonthlyforherexpensebudget。

Thatcanbesetasideandtheremainderdividedequallybetweenus。It\'sverysimple。HereisaletterIwrotetothepublishersofFather\'sbooksaskingaboutroyalties。Ihaven\'tevenopenedit。Iwillturnitinwiththeremainderofthebusiness。"

Theywereintheofficewiththepresidentofthebank。Herangfortheclerkhewantedandthebooksherequired，andanhour\'srapidfiguringsettledtheentirematter，withtheexceptionoftheprivateaccount，amountingtoseveralthousands，standinginEileen\'sname。Noneofthemknewanysourceofseparateincomeshemighthave。AtasuggestionfromLinda，thepayingtellerwascalledinandaskedifhecouldaccountforanyofthefundsthathadgoneintotheprivateaccount。

"Notdefinitely，"hesaid，"buttheamountsalwayscorrespondedexactlywiththeroyaltiesfromthebooks。IstronglysuspectthattheyconstitutethisprivateaccountofMissEileen\'s。"

Buthedidnotsaythatshehadtriedtodrawitthedayprevious。

JohnGilmanmadethesuggestionthattheyshouldletthematterrestuntilEileenexplainedaboutit。ThenLindaspokeveryquietly，butwithconsiderablefinalityinhertone。

"No，"shesaid，"IknowthatEileenHADnosourceofprivateincome。MotherusedtomentionthatshehadsomewealthyrelativesinSanFrancisco，buttheydidn\'tapproveofhermarriagetowhattheycalleda\'poordoctor，\'andshewouldneveraccept，orallowustoaccept，anythingfromthem。Theynevercametoseeusandweneverwenttoseethem。EileenknowsnomoreaboutthemthanIdo。WewillworkuponthesuppositionthateverythingthatisherebelongedtoFather。SetasidetoEileen\'scredittheusualamountforhousekeepingexpenses。Turntheprivateaccountinwiththeremainder。Starttwonewbankbooks，oneforEileenandoneforme。Dividethesurpluseachmonthexactlyinhalves。AndIbelievethisisthepropertimeforthebanktoturnovertomeacertainkey，specifiedbymyfatherashavingbeenleftinyourpossessiontobedeliveredtomeonmycomingofage。"

Withthekeyinherpossession，LindaandJohnGilmanleftthebank。Astheystoodforamomentinfrontofthebuilding，Gilmanremovedhishatandranhishandsthroughhishairasifitwereirritatinghishead。

"Linda，"hesaidinadeeplywistfultone，"Idon\'tunderstandthis。Whyshouldn\'tEileenhavecometodayassheagreed？Whatisthereaboutthisthatisnotaccordingtolawandhonorandtheplain，simplerightsofthecase？"

"Idon\'tknow，"saidLinda；"butthereissomethingwedon\'tunderstandaboutit。AndIamgoingtoaskyou，John，asmyguardian，closingupmyaffairstoday，togohomewithmetobepresentwhenIopenthelittlehiddendoorIfoundatthebackofalibraryshelfwhenIwasdisposingofDaddy\'stechnicalbooks。

TherewasaslipofpaperattheedgeofitspecifyingthatthekeywasinpossessionoftheConsolidatedBankandwastobedeliveredtome，intheeventofDaddy\'spassing，onmycomingofage。Ihavethekey，butIwouldliketohaveyouwithme，andEileenifsheisinthehouse，whenIopenthatdoor。Idon\'tknowwhatisbehindit，butthere\'sacertainfeelingthatalwayshasbeenstronginmyheartanditneverwassostrongasitisatthisminute。"

SotheyboardedthestreetcarandranouttoLilacValley。WhenKatyadmittedthemLindaputherarmaroundherandkissedher。

Shecouldseethatthehousewasfreshlysweptandbeautifullydecoratedwithflowers，andhertrainednostrilscouldscentwhiffsofdeliciousodorsfromfoodofwhichshewasspeciallyfond。InallherworldKatywastheonepersonwhowascelebratingherbirthday。SheseemedrathersurprisedwhenLindaandGilmancameintogether。

"WhereisEileen？"inquiredLinda。

"Shemusthavemadesomenewfriends，"saidKaty。"Aboutfouro\'clock，thebiggestcarthateverroareddownthisstreetrolledup，andthebiggestmanandwomanthatIeverseecamepuffin\'

andpantin\'in。MissEileendidnottellmewhereshewasgoin\'

orwhenshewouldbeback，butIknowitwon\'tbethenight，becauseshetookherlittledressin\'casewithher。Belikeit\'sanotherofthemtripstoRiversideorPasadena。"

"Verylikely，"saidLindaquietly。"Katy，canyouspareafewminutes？"

"No，lambie，Ijistcan\'t，"saidKaty，"becauseayoungpersonthat\'stheappleofmeeyeishavin\'abirthdaythedayandI

havegotmecustardcakeintheovenandthecustardisinthemakin\'，andafterMissEileenwentandIdidn\'tseenochancefornothin\'special，Ijisthappenedtolookout，oneofthewaysyedothingsunbeknownsttoyourself，andtherestoodMr。PaterMorrisonmoonin\'overthe\'graveyard，\'likehecalledit，anditwaslookin\'likeseein\'graveshewas，andIjisttookthebullbythehorns，andIsingsouttohimandIsays:\'Mr。PaterMorrison，it\'sagoodfriendyeweretotheyoungmissuswhenyeengineeredherskylightandherbeautifulfireplace，andthisbein\'herbirthday，I\'mtakin\'thelibertytoaskyetocometodinnerandhelpmecelebrate。\'Andhesaidhewouldrunuptothegarageandgetintohisraygimentals，whateverthemmightbe，andhewouldbehereatsixo\'clock。Soyegotaguestfordinner，andifthecustard\'sscorchedandthecake\'sflat，it\'suptoyeforkapin\'meheretotellyeallthis。"

ThenKatyhurriedtothekitchen。LindalookedatJohnGilmanandsmiled。

"Isn\'tthatlikeher？"shesaid。

Thensheledthewaytothelibrary，pulledasidethebooks，fittedthekeytothelittledoor，andopenedit。Insidelayasingleenvelope，sealedandbearinghername。Shetooktheenvelope，andwalkingtoherfather\'schairbesidehislibrarytable，satdowninit，andlayingtheenvelopeonthetable，crossedherhandsontopofit。

"John，"shesaid，"eversinceIhavebeenbigenoughtothinkandreasonandstudythingsoutformyself，thereisafeelingIhavehad——Iusedtothinkitwasunreasonable，thenIthoughtitremotepossibility。ThisminuteIthinkit\'sextremelyprobable。

BeforeIopenthisenvelopeIamgoingtotellyouwhatIbelieveitcontains。Ihavenottheslightestevidenceexceptpersonalconviction，butIbelievethatthepaperinsidethisenvelopeiswrittenbymyfather\'shandandIbelieveittellsmethathewasnotEileen\'sfatherandthatIamnothersister。Ifitdoesnotsaythis，thenthereisnothinginraceandbloodandinheritedtendencies。"

Lindapickedupthepapercutter，ranitacrosstheenvelope，slippedoutthesheet，andbracingherselfsheread:

MYDARLINGLINDA:

Theselinesaretotellyouthatyourmotherwenttohereternalsleepwhenyouwereborn。FouryearslaterImetandfellinlovewiththeonlymotheryoueverhaveknown。Atthetimeofourmarriageweenteredintoasolemncompactthatherlittledaughterbyaformermarriageandmineshouldberearedassisters。IwastogivehalfmyearningsandtodoforEileenexactlyasIdidforyou。Shewastogivehalfherloveandherbestattentiontoyourinterests。

IsincerelyhopethatwhatIhavedonewillnotresultinanydiscomfortorinconveniencetoyou。

Withdearestlove，aseveryourfather，ALEXANDERSTRONG。

Lindalaidthesheetonthetableanddroppedherhandsontopofit。ThenshelookedatJohnGilman。

"John，"shesaid，"IbelieveyouhadbetterfacethefactthatthebigcarandthebigpeoplethatcarriedEileenawaytodaywerehermother\'swealthyrelativesfromSanFrancisco。Shemusthavebeenintouchwiththem。IthinkverylikelyshesentforthemafterIsawherinthebankyesterdayafternoon，tryingwithallhermighttomakethepayingtellerturnovertoherthefundsoftheprivateaccount。"

JohnGilmansatverystillforalongtime，thenheraisedtired，disappointedeyestoLinda\'sface。

"Linda，"hesaid，"doyoumeanyouthinkEileenwasnotstraightaboutmoneymatters？"

"John，"saidLindaquietly，"IthinkitistimeforthetruthaboutEileenbetweenyouandme。Ifyouwantmetoanswerthatquestioncandidly，I\'llanswerit。"

ù"Iwantthetruth，"saidJohnGilmangravely。

"Well，"saidLinda，"IneverknewEileentobehonestaboutanythinginallherlifeunlessthetruthservedherbetterthananevasion。Herhairwasnothonestcoloranditwasnothonestcurl。Hereyebrowswerenotsodarkasshemadethem。Hercheeksandlipswerenotsored，herforeheadandthroatwerenotsowhite，herformwasnotsoperfect。Herfriendswereselectedbecausetheycouldserveher。Aslongasyouwerepoorandstruggling，Marianwaswelcometoyou。Whenyouwonagreatcaseandbecameprosperousandfamecamerapidly，Eileentookyou。I

believewhatItoldyouaminuteago:Ithinkshehasgoneforgood。IthinkshewentbecauseshehadnotbeenfairandshewouldnotbeforcedtofacethefactbeforeyouandmeandthepresidentoftheConsolidatedtoday。IthinkyouwillhavetotakeyourhearthometonightandIthinkthatbeforethenightisoveryouwillrealizewhatMarianfeltwhensheknewthatinadditiontohavingbeenabletotakeyoufromher，Eileenwasnotawomanwhowouldmakeyouhappy。Iamglad，deeplyg]ad，thatthereisnotadropofherbloodinmyveins，sorryasIamforyouandmuchasIregretwhathashappened。Iwon\'taskyoutostaytonight，becauseyoumustgothroughthesameblackwatersMarianbreasted，andyouwillwanttobealone。Later，ifyouthinkofanywayIcanserveyou，Iwillbegladforoldsake\'ssake；butyoumustnotexpectmeevertoloveyouorrespectyourjudgmentasIdidbeforetheshadowfell。"

ThenLindarose，replacedtheletter，turnedthekeyinthelock，andquietlyslippedoutoftheroom。

Whensheopenedherdoorandsteppedintoherroomshepausedinastonishment。Spreadoutuponthebedlayadressofgeorgettewithlittletouchesoffurandbroadribbonsofsatin。Incoloritwasliketheflameofseasonedbeechwood。Acrossthefootofthebedhungpetticoat，camisole，andhose，andbesidethedressapairofsatinslippersexactlymatchingthehose，andtheyseemedtherightsize。Lindatiptoedtothesideofthebedanddelicatelytouchedthedress，andthenshesawapaperlyingonthewaistfront，andpickingitupread:

Lambie，here\'syourbirthday，fromlovingoldKaty。

Thelineswereterseandtothepoint。Lindalaidthemdown，andpickingupthedressshewalkedtothemirror，andholdingitunderherchinglanceddownthelengthofitsreflection。Whatshesawalmoststunnedher。

"Oh，goodLord！"shesaid。"Ican\'twearthat。Thatisn\'tme。"

Thenshetossedthedressonthebedandstartedinaheadlongrushtothekitchen。Asshecamethroughthedoor，"Youblessedolddarling！"shecried。"WhatamIgoingtosaytomakeyouknowhowIappreciateyourlovely，lovelygift？"

Katyraisedherhead。Therewassomethingthatissupposedtobetheprerogativeofroyaltyintheliftofit。Hersmilewascomplacentintheextreme。

"Don\'tyebestandin\'therewastin\'notimetalkie\'，"shesaid。

"Ihaveoodlesoftime，"saidLinda，"butIwarnyou，youwon\'tknowmeifIputonthatfrock，Katy。"

"Yes，Iwill，too，"saidKaty。

"Katy，"saidLinda，soberingsuddenly，"woulditmakeanygreatdifferencetoyouifIweretheonlyonehereforalways，afterthis？"

Katylaughedcontemptuously。

"Well，I\'dwarranttosurviveit，"shesaidcoolly。

"ButthatisexactlywhatImusttellyou，Katy，"saidLindasoberly。"YouknowIhavetoldyouanumberoftimesthroughtheseyearsthatIdidnotbelieveEileenandIweresisters，andIamtellingyounowthatIknowit。Shedidnotcometothebanktoday，andthesettlementofFather\'saffairsdevelopedthefactthatIwasmyfather\'schildandEileenwashermother\'s；

andI\'mthinking，Katy，thatthebigcaryousawandtheopulentpeopleinitwereEileen\'smother\'swealthyrelativesfromSanFrancisco。Myguessis，Katy，thatEileenhasgonewiththemforgood。Lockherdooranddon\'ttouchherthingsuntilweknowcertainlywhatshewantsdonewiththem。"

Katystoodthinkingintently，thensheliftedhereyestoLinda\'s。

"Lambie，"shewhisperedsoftly，"areweixpictedtogointomourningoverthis？"

AmischievouslightleapedintoLinda\'seyes。

"Well，ifthereareanysuchexpectationsabroad，KatherineO\'Donovan，"shesaidsoberly，"thesaintspreserve\'em，forwecan\'tfulfill\'em，canwe，Katy？"

"Nottobesavin\'oursouls，"answeredKatyheartily。"I\'mjistsogladandthankfulthatIdon\'tknowwhattodo，andit\'ssuchgoodnewsthatIdon\'tbelaveonewordofit。Andwhileyou\'retalkie\'，whataboutJohnGilman？"

"Ithink，"saidLindaquietly，"thattonightisgoingtoteachhimhowMarianfeltinherblackesthours。"

"Well，heneedn\'tbecomingtomeforsympathy，"saidKaty。"ButifMissEileenhasgonetolivewiththefolksthatcomeafterhertheday，yemightbesavin\'aweecrapo\'sympathyforher，lambie。Theywasjistthekindofpeoplethatyou\'driskyourneckslidin\'downamountaintogetoutoftheirway。"

"Thatistoobad，"saidLindareflectively；"becauseEileenissensitiveandconstantcontactwithcrassvulgaritycertainlywouldwearonhernerves。"

"Nowyoubegoin\'andgettin\'intothatdress，lambie，"saidKaty。

"KatherineO\'Donovan，"saidLinda，"you\'reusedtoit；comeagaintoconfession。Tellmetrulywhereandhowdidyougetthatdress？"

"\'Tain\'tnoruleofpolitesocietytobelookin\'gifthorsesinthemouth，"saidKatyproudly。"HOWIgotitismeownaffair，jistlikeyegotanygiftsyewasevermakin\'me，isyours。

WHEREIgotit？IwentintothecityonthestrafecarandI

wenttothebiggeststoreinthecityandIgotintheelevatorandIsaystothenaygur:\'Letmeoffwhererealladiesbuyready-to-weardresses。\'

"Andupcomesalittlewoman，andherhairwasjistassoftandcurlingroundherears，andbrownandprettywashereyes，andthepinkthatGodmadewasinhercheeks，andinavoicelikerunnin\'watershesays:\'CouldIdoanythingforyou？\'ItoldherwhatIwanted。Andshesays:\'Howoldistheyounglady，andwhat\'shersize，andwhat\'shercolor？\'Darlin\'，ain\'tthatdresstheanswertowhatItoldher？"

"Yes，"saidLinda。"Ifanartisthadbeenselectingadressformehewouldprobablyhavechosenthatone。But，olddear，it\'snotsuitableforme。It\'snotthekindofdressthatIintendedtowearforyearsandyearsyet。Doyouthink，ifIputitontonight，I\'lleverbeabletogobacktobootsandbreechesagain，andhuntthecanyonsforplantstocookfor——youknowwhat？"

Katystoodinwhatiscommonlydesignatedasa"brownstudy。"

ThenshelookedLindaoverpiercingly。

"Yes，ma\'am，"shesaidconclusively。"It\'smyjudgmentthatyewill。Ithinkye\'llmaybewrapthebraidsofyearoundyourheadtonight，andIthinkye\'llputonthatfrock，andIthinkye\'llshowPaterMorrisonhowyourpa\'sdaughtercansitattheheadofhistableandentertainherfriends。ThenIthinkye\'llhangitinyourclosetandputonyourbootsandbreechesandgobacktoyouroldMultifloresandattindtoyourbusiness，thesameasbefore。"

"Allright，Katy，"saidLinda，"ifyouhavethatmuchfaithinmeIhavethatmuchfaithinmyself；but，olddear，Ican\'ttellyouhowILOVEhavingaprettydressfortonight。Katydear，the\'DayofJubilee\'hascome。BeforeyougotosleepI\'mcomingtoyourroomtotellyoufinelargesecrets，thatyouwon\'tbelieveforaminute，butIhaven\'tthetimetodoitnow。"

ThenLindaracedtoherroomandbegandressing。Sheletdownthemopofherhairwavingbelowherwaistandlookedatitdespairingly。

"Thatdressneverwasmadeforbraidsdownyourback，"shesaid，glancingtowardthebedwhereitlayshimmeringinamassoflovelycolor。"Iamofagetoday；forstateoccasionsIshouldbeawoman。WhatshallIdowithit？"

AndthensherecalledKaty\'svoicesaying:"Braidsroundyourhead。"

"Ofcourse，"saidLinda，"thatwouldbethethingtodo。I

certainlydon\'tneedanythingtoaddtomyheight；Iamfartootallnow。"

Soshepartedherhairinthemiddle，brusheditback，divideditinevenhalves，andinsteadofbraidingit，shecoileditaroundherhead，firstonesideandthentheother。

Sheslippedintothedressandstruggledwithitsmanyandintricatefastenings。Thenshewenttotheguestroomtostandbeforethefull-lengthmirrorthere。Slowlysheturned。

Criticallysheexaminedherself。

"It\'sabitshorterthanIwouldhaveorderedit，"shesaid，"butitreducesmyheight，itcertainlygiveswonderfulfreedominwalking，andit\'snotnearlysoshortasIseeothergirlswearing。"

Againshestudiedherselfcritically。

"Needsomekindofornamentformyhair，"shemuttered，"butI

haven\'tgotit，andneitherdoIownbeads，bracelet，oraring；

andmyearsarestickingrightoutintheair。Iamalmostoffensivelyuncovered。"

ThenshewentdowntoshowherselftoadelightedKaty。WhenthedoorbellrangLindaturnedtowardthehall。Katyreachedadetaininghand。

"You\'lldonothingofthesort，"shesaid。"IansweredthebellforMissEileen。AnswerthebellIshallforyou。"

DownthehallwentKatywiththelightofbattleinhereyesandtheairofaconquerorinthecarriageofherhead。Shewaswelltrained。NeithereyelidquiveredassheflungthedoorwidetoPeterMorrison。Hestoodthereindinnerdress，moreimposingthanKatyhadthoughthecouldbe。Withquick，innerexultationshereachedfortwoparcelshecarried；overthemherdelightwassooverpoweringthatPeterMorrisonmusthaveseenahintofit。

WithaflourishKatyseatedhim，andcarriedthepackagestoLinda。Shereturnedasecondlaterforabigvase，andinthisLindaarrangedagreatsheafofradiantroses。AsKatystartedtocarrythembacktotheroom，Lindasaid"Waitasecond，"andselectingonehalfopened，sheslippeditout，shortenedthestemandtuckeditamongthecoilsofhairwhereshewouldhavesetanornament。Theotherpackagewasabigboxthatwhenopenedshoweditsinteriortobedividedintocompartmentsineachofwhichnestledanexquisiteflowermadeofspunsugar。Thepetals，buds，andleaveswereperfect。Therewerewonderfulroseswithpalepinkouterpetalsanddeeper-coloredhearts。

TherewerepinkmallowsthatseemedasiftheymusthavebeencutfromthebushesborderingSantaMonicaroad。Therewerehollyhocksofwhiteandgold，andsimplyperfecttulips。Lindaneverbeforehadseensuchatreasurecandybox。Shecriedoutindelight，andhurriedtoshowKaty。InherpleasureovertherealflowersandthecandyflowersLindaforgotherdress，butwhenshesawPeterMorrisonstandingtallandstraight，indinnerdress，shestoppedandlookedthesurpriseandpleasureshefelt。

ShehadgrownaccustomedtoPeterinkhakipotteringaroundhisbuilding。ThisPetersheneverbeforehadseen。Herepresentedsomethingofculture，somethingofpride，aconformitytoanicecustomandsomethingmore。Lindawasnotapsychoanalyst。

ShecouldnotseeawonderfulauraofexquisitecolorenvelopingPeter。ButwhenPetersawthegirlapproachinghim，transformedintoawomanwhoseshiningcoronetwasjewelledwithhislivingredrose，whenhesawthebeautyofherlitheslendernessclothedinasoft，flamingcolor，somethingemanatedfromhisinnerconsciousnessthatLindadidsee，andforaninstantitdisturbedherasshewentforwardholdingoutherhands。

"Peter，"shesaidgaily，"doyouknowthatthisismyDayofJubilee？Iamawomantodaybylaw，Peter。HereafterIamtoexperienceatleastamoderatedegreeoffinancialfreedom，andthatIshallenjoy。Butthegreatestthinginlifeisfriends。"

Petertookboththehandsextendedtohimandlookedsmilinglyintohereyes。

"Youtakemybreath，"hesaid。"Iknew，thefirstglimpseIeverhadofyouscramblingfromthecanyonfloor，thatthistransformationCOULDtakeplace。MygoodfortuneisbeyondwordsthatIhavebeenfirsttoseeit。Permitme，fairlady。"

Peterbentandkissedbothherhands。Hehesitatedasecond，thenheturnedtherighthandandleftonemorekissinitspalm。

"Tohaveandtohold！"hesaidwhimsically。

"Thankyou，"saidLinda，closingherfistoveritandholdingitupforinspection。"I\'llseethatitdoesn\'tescape。AndthisminuteIthankyouforthecandy，whichIknowisdelicious，andformyveryfirstsheafofrosesfromanyman。SeewhatIhavedonewithoneofthem？"

Sheturnedfullyaroundthathemightcatchtheeffectoftherose，andingettingthathealsogotthefulleffectofthecostume，andthepossibilitiesofthegirlbeforehim。Andthenshegavehimashock。

"Isn\'titalovelyfrock？"shesaid。"AnotherbirthdaygiftfromtheStrongrockofages。Ihavebeenmakingacollectionofrocksformyfernbed，andIhavegotanothercollectionthatisnotvisibletoanyonesavemyself。Katy\'sarock，andyou\'rearock，andDonaldisarock，andMarian\'sarock，andIamrestingsecurelyonallofyou。IwishmyfatherknewthatinadditiontoMarianandKatyIhavefoundtwomoresuchwonderfulfriends。"

"AndwhataboutHenryAnderson？"inquiredPeter。"Aren\'tyougoingtoincludehim？"

Lindawalkedovertothechairinwhichsheintendedtoseatherself。

"Peter，"shesaid，"Iwishyouhadn\'taskedmethat。"

Peter\'sfiguretensedsuddenly。

"Lookhere，Linda，"hesaidsternly，"hasthatratherboldyoungstermadehimselfinanywayoffensivetoyou？"

"NotinanywaythatIamnotperfectlycapableofhandlingmyself，"saidLinda。ShelookedatPeterconfidently。

"Doyousuppose，"shesaid，"thatIcansitdowninthisthingwithoutruiningit？Shouldn\'tIreallystandupwhileIamwearingit？"

Peterlaughedunrestrainedly。

"Linda，you\'resimplydelicious，"hesaid。"ItseemstomethatIhaveseenyoungladiesinlikecasereachroundandgatherthesashtoonesideandsmoothouttheskirtastheysit。"

"Thankyou，Peter，ofcoursethatwouldbetheway，"saidLinda。

"Thisbeingmyfirst，I\'mlackinginexperience。"

Andthereuponshesataccordingtodirection；whilePetersatoppositeher。

"Nowfinish。JustonewordmoreaboutHenryAnderson，"hesaid。

"AreyouperfectlysurethereisnothingIneeddoforyouinthatconnection？"

"Oh，perfectly，"saidLindalightly。"Ididn\'tmeantoalarmyou。Hemerelycarriedthatbug-catchernonsenseatrifletoofar。Iwouldn\'thavemindedhumoringhimandfoolingaboutitalittle。But，Peter，doyouknowhimquitewell？Areyouverysureofhim？"

"No，"saidPeter，"Idon\'tknowhimwellatall。TheonlythingIamsureabouthimisthatheisdoingwellinhisprofession。

IchosehimbecausehewasanambitiousyoungsterandIthoughtI

couldgetmorecarefulattentionfromhimthanIcouldfromsomeoftheolderfellowswhohadmadetheirreputation。Yousee，therearesuchalotofthingsIwanttoknowaboutinthisbuildingproposition，andthelastfouryearshaven\'tbeenatimeforanymantobecarefulaboutsavinghismoney。"

"Then，"saidLinda，"heisallright，ofcourse。Hemustbe。

ButIthinkI\'mlikeacat。I\'mverycomplacentwithcertainpeople，butwhenIbegintogetgoosefleshandhairpricklesmyheadabit，Irealizethatthereissomethingantagonisticaround，somethingformetobewareof。Iguessit\'sbecauseIamsuchawildcreature。"

"Doyoumeantosay，"saidPeter，"thatthesearethesensationsthatHenrygivesyou？"

Lindanodded。

"NowforgetHenry，"shesaid。"IhavehadsuchabigdayImusttellyouaboutit，andthenwe\'llcometothatlastarticleyouleftme。Ihaven\'thadtimetoputanythingonpaperconcerningityet，butIbelieveIhaveanawfullygoodideainthepaintpot，andI\'llfindtimeinadayortwotoworkitout。Peter，I

havejustcomefromthebank，whereIwasrecognizedasoflegalage，andmyguardiandischarged。AndperhapsIoughttoexplaintoyou，Peter，thatyourfriend，JohnGilman，isnotherebecausethisnightisgoingtobeabadoneforhim。Whenyouknewhimbesthewasengaged，orshouldhavebeen，toMarianThorne。WhenyoumethimthistimehereallywasengagedtoEileen。Idon\'tknowwhatyouthinkaboutEileen。Idon\'tfeellikeinfluencinganyone\'sthoughtconcerningher，soI\'llmerelysaythattodayhasconfirmedaconvictionthatalwayshasbeeninmyheart。

KatycouldtellyouthatlongagoIsaidtoherthatIdidnotbelieveEileenwasmysister。Todayhasbroughtmetheknowledgeandproofpositivethatsheisnot，andtodayshehasgonetosomewealthyrelativesofhermotherinSanFrancisco。Sheexpressedhercontemptforwhatshewasgivingupbyleavingeverything，includingtheexquisitelittlenecklaceofpearlswhichhasbeenadailypartofhersincesheownedthem。Imaybemistaken，butintuitiontellsmethatwiththepearlsandthewardrobeshehasalsodiscardedJohnGilman。IthinkyourfriendwillbesufferingtonightquiteasdeeplyasmyfriendsufferedwhenJohnabandonedheratatimewhenshehadlosteverythingelseinlifebuthermoney。Ifeelverysurethatwewon\'tseeEileenanymore。Ihopeshewillhaveeverylovelythinginlife。"

"Amen，"saidPeterMorrisonearnestly。"IlovedJohnGilmanwhenwewereinschooltogether，butIhavenotbeenabletofeel，sinceIlocatedhere，thatheisexactlythesameJohn；andwhatyouhavetoldmeveryprobablyexplainsthedifferenceinhim。"

WhenKatyannounceddinnerLindaarose。

PeterMorrisonsteppedbesideherandofferedhisarm。Lindarestedherfingertipsuponitandheledhertotheheadofthetableandseatedher。ThenKatyservedamealthat，ifithadbeenpreparedforEileen，shewouldhavedescribedasabanquet。

Shegavethemdelicious，finelyflavoredfood，stimulating，exquisitelycompoundeddrinksthatshehadconcoctedfromtherichfruitsofCaliforniaandmintsandessencesathercommand。

When，atthecloseofthemeal，shebroughtMorrisonsomeofthecigarsEileenkeptforJohnGilman，shesetasecondtraybeforeLinda，andthistraycontainedtwopackages。LindalookedatKatyinquiringly，andKaty，herfacebeaming，noddedhersandyredheademphatically。

"Morebirthdaygiftsyou\'vehavin\'，melady，"shesaidinhermellowestIrishvoice。

"More？"marveledLinda。Shepickedupthelargerpackage，andopeningit，foundabeautifulbookinscribedfromherfriendDonald，overwhichshepassedcaressingfingers。

"Why，howlovelyofhim！"shesaid。"Howinthisworlddidheknow？"

KatherineO\'Donovancouldhaveansweredthatquestion，butshedidnot。TheotherpackagewasfromMarian。WhensheopeneditLindalaughedunrestrainedly。

"Whatajoke！"shesaid。"IhadpromisedmyselfthatIwouldnottouchathinginEileen\'sroom，andbeforeIcoulddojusticetoKaty\'slovelydressIhadtogothereforpinsformyhairandpowderformynose。ThisisMarian\'swayoftellingmethatIamalmostawoman。Willyoulookatthis？"

"Well，justwhatisit？"inquiredPeter。

"Hairpins，"laughedLinda，"andhairornaments，andaboxoffacepowder，andthelittle，femininetouchesthatmydressingtableneedsbadly。Howwouldyoulike，Peter，tofinishyourcigarinmyworkroom？"

"Iwouldlikeitimmensely，"saidPeter。

Sotogethertheyclimbedtothetopofthehouse。Lindakneltandmadealittleceremonyoflightingthefirstfireinherfireplace。ShepushedoneofherchairstoonesideforPeter，andtakingtheotherforherself，shesatdownandbegantheprocessofreallybecomingacquaintedwithhim。Twohourslater，ashewasleavingher，Petermadeacircuitoftheroom，scrutinizingthesketchesandpaintingsthatwererapidlycoveringthewalls，andpresentlyhecametothewasp。Helookedatitsocloselythathedidnotmisseventhestinger。Lindastoodbesidehimwhenhemadehisfirstdazedcomment:"Ifthatisn\'tEileen，andtruetothelife！"

"Imusttakethatdown，"saidLinda。"Ididitonenightwhenmyheartwasfullofbitterness。"

"Betterleaveit，"saidPeterdrily。

"DoyouthinkIneeditasawarning？"askedLinda。

Peterturnedandsurveyedherslowly。

"Linda，"hesaidquietly，"whatIthinkofyouhasnotyetbeenwritteninanyofthebooks。"

CHAPTERXXV。BuenaMozaAssoonasPeterhadleftherLindatookherboxofcandyflowersandseveralofherfinestrosesandwenttoKaty\'sroom。ShefoundKatyinabigrockingchair，herfeetonahassock，readingastoryinEverybody\'shome。Whenherdooropenedandshesawheryoungmistressframedinitshetossedthemagazineasideandsprangtoherfeet，butLindamadeherresumeherseat。ThegirlshortenedthestemsoftherosesandputtheminavaseonKaty\'sdresser。

"Theymayclashwithyourcoloringamite，MotherMachree，"shesaid，"butbythemselvestheyareverywonderfulthings，aren\'tthey？"

Lindawentover，anddrawingherdressaside，satdownonthehassockandleaningagainstKaty\'skneeshehelduptheboxofcandyflowersforamazedanddelightedinspection。

"Ah，thefoinegintleman！"criedKaty。"Sure\'twasonlyapapeI

hadwhenyeopenedthebox，an\'Ididn\'tknowhowrarethembeautiesraillywas。"

"Choosetheoneyoulikebest，"saidLinda。

ButKatywouldnottouchthedelicatethings，soLindaselectedabrushyhollyhockforherandthensatatherkneeagain。

"KatherineO\'Donovan，"shesaidsolemnly，"it\'suptoacoupleofyoungthingssuchasweare，strandedontheshoalsofthePacificaswehavebeen，toputourheadstogetherandtakecounsel。You\'reahost，Katy，andwhileIamtakingcareofyou，I\'llbejustdelightedtohaveyougoonlookingafteryourblacksheep；butit\'sgoingtobelonely，forallthat。AfterEileenhastakenherpersonalpossessions，whatdoyousaytofixingupthatroomwiththebelongingsthatMariankept，andinvitinghertomakethatsuiteherhomeuntilsuchtimeasshemayhaveahomeofherownagain？"

"Foine！"criedKaty。"I\'dlovetobehavin\'her。I\'dagreetotakeordersfromMissMarianandtobetakin\'careofherjistalmostthesameasIdoofye，MissLinda。TheonethingIdon\'tlikeaboutitisthatitain\'tfairnorrighttogiveevenMarianthebest。Yebetakin\'thatsuiteyourself，lambie，andgiveMissMarianyourroomallfixedupwithherthings，or，ifyewanthernearer，givehertheguestroomandmakeaguestroomofyours。"

"Iamwillingtofolloweitherofthelattersuggestionsformyself，"saidLinda；"itmightbepleasanttobeacrossthehallfromMarianwherewecouldcallbackandforthtoeachother。I

wouldn\'tmindachangeassoonasIhavetimetogetwhatI\'dneedtomakethechange。I\'lltaketheguestroomformine，andyoumaycallinadecoratorandhavemyroomfreshlydoneandtheguestthingsmovedintoit。"

Katylookedbelligerent。Lindareachedupandtouchedthefrowninglinesonherforehead。

"Brightenyourlovelyfeatureswithasmile，Katherinemedear，"

shesaidgaily。"Don\'tbeforgettingthatthisisourDayofJubilee。Wearefree——Ihopewearefreeforever——frompettyannoyancesanddissatisfactionsandlittle，gallingthingsthatsearthesoulandbringoutalltheworstinhumannature。I

couldn\'tdoanythingtoEileen\'ssuite，notevenifIresortedtotearingoutpartitionsandmakingitnewfromstarttofinish，thatwouldeliminateEileenfromitforme。IfMarianwillgivemepermissiontomoveandinstallherthingsinit，Ithinkshecanuseitwithoutanysuchfeeling，butIcouldn\'t。It\'sagreedthen，Katy，IamtowritetoMarianandextendtoherawelcomeonyourpartaswellasonmine？"

"Thatyemay，lambie，"saidKatyheartily。"And，asthebossusedtobesabin\'，justtomakeassurancedoublysure，ifYoU

wouldaddressitformeIwouldbewriting\'abitofalinemyself，conveying\'tohermesentimentsonthesubject。"

"Oh，fine，Katy；Marianwouldbedelighted！"criedLinda，springingup。

"And，Katydear，itwon\'tmakeusfeelanymorelikemourningforEileenwhenItellyouthatitdevelopedatthebankyesterdayandtoday，thatsinceshehasbeenmanaginghouseholdaffairsshehasdepositedinaseparateaccountalltheroyaltiesfromFather\'sbooks。Ihadthoughtthematterclosedatthebankwhenthisfundwasaddedtotheremainderoftheestate，thehouseholdexpensessetasidetoEileen，andtheremainderdividedequallybetweenus。Ididn\'tgettheproofthatshewasnotmysisteruntilafterIcamehome。IthinkitmeansthatIshallhavetogobacktothebank，havethematterreopened，andunlessshecanproduceawillorsomethingprovingthatsheisentitledtoit，itseemstomethatwhatremainsofmyfather\'sestateislegallymine。Ofcourse，ifitdevelopsthathehasmadeanyspecialprovisionforher，sheshallhaveit；otherwise，Katy，we\'llbeinapositiontoinstallyouashousekeeperandputsomelight-footed，capableyoungpersonunderyouforastep-saverinanydirectionyouwanttouseher。Itmeans，too，thatIshallbeabletorepayyourloanimmediatelyandtodothethingsthatIwantedtodoaboutthehouse。"

"NowIain\'tinanyhurryaboutthatmoney，lambie，"saidKaty；

"andyouunderstandofcoursethatthedressyou\'rewearing\'Iamgiven\'ye。"

"Ofcourse，olddear，andyoushouldhaveseenPeterMorrisonlightupandadmireit。Hethinksyouhavewonderfultaste，Katy。"

Katythrewupbothherhands。

"Oh，myLord，lambie！"shecried，aghast。"Wasyoutelling\'himthatthedressyewerewearing\'wasapresentfromyouroldcook？"

"Why，certainlyIwas，"saidLinda，wideeyedwithastonishmeet。

"Whyshouldn\'tI？Iwasproudto。Andnow，olddear，beforeI

go，thebiggestsecretofall。Ihadaletter，Katy，fromtheeditorofEverybody\'sHome，andpeoplelikeourarticles，KatY；

theyaresomethingnowandfolkarelettingtheeditorknowaboutit，andhewantsallIcansendhim。HelikesthepicturesI

make；and，Katy，youwon\'tbelieveittillIshowyoumylittlebankbook，butforthethreealreadypublishedwiththeirillustrationshepaysmefivehundrednice，long，smooth，beautifullydecorated，paperdollars！"

"Judaspraste！"criedKaty，herhandsoncemorealoft。"Yeain\'tmanin\'it，lambie？"

"Yes，Iare，"laughedLinda。"I\'vegotthemoney；andforeachsucceedingthreewiththeirpicturesIamtohavethatmuchmore，andwhenIfinish——nowsteadyyourself，Katy，becausethisisgoingtobeashock——whenIfinish，blessedolddearheart，heisgoingtomakethemintoabook！Thatwillbemyjobforthissummer，andyoushallhelpme，anditwillbeapartofourgreatsecret。Won\'titbethemostfun？"

"Mysoul！"saidKaty。"You\'rejistcrazy。Idon\'tbelaveawordyou\'retelling\'me。"

"ButIcanproveit，becauseIhavetheletterandthebankbook，"saidLinda。

Katythrewherarmsaroundthegirlandkissedthetopofherheadandcriedoverherandlaughedatthesametimeandpattedherandpettedherandendedbysaying:"Oh，lambie，ifonlythemastercouldbeknowin\'it。"

"Buthedoesknow，Katy，"saidLinda。

Shewenttoherroom，removedthebeautifuldressand，arrangingitonahanger，leftitinhercloset。Slippingintoanolddressinggown，sherantoherworkroomandwrotealettertoMarianfromherself。ShetriednottotellMarianthebig，vitalthingthatwasthrobbinginherheartalldayconcerningherwork，thegreatsecretthatmeantsuchawonderfulthingtoher，thethingthatwasbeatinginherheartandflutteringbehindherlipslikeabirdtryingtoescapeitscage；butshecouldtellherindetailofEileen\'sundoubtedremovaltoSanFrancisco；shecouldtellherenoughofthefinancialtransactionsofthedaytomakeherunderstandwhathadbeenhappeninginthepast；andshecouldtellofherlatestinterviewwithJohnGilman。Once，asshesatwithherpenpoised，thinkinghowtophraseasentence，Lindasaidtoherself:"Iwonderinmyheartifhewon\'ttrytocomecrawfishingbacktoMariannow，andifhedoes，Iwonder，oh，howIwonder，whatshewilldo。"Lindashutherlipsverytightandstaredupthroughherskylighttothestars，asshewasfastfallingintoahabitofdoingwhenshewantedinspiration。

"Well，Iknowonething，"shesaidtotheshiningthingsaboveher，"Marianwilldoassheseesfit，ofcourse，butifitwereI，andanymanhaddiscardedmeasJohnGilmandiscardedMarian，incaseheeverwantedtopickmeupagainhewouldfindIwasnotthere。MuchasIplaninmyheartforthehomeandthemanandthelittlepeoplethatIhopetohavesomeday，IwouldgiveupallofthembeforeIwouldbediscardedandre-soughtlikethat；andknowingMarianasIdo，Ihaveaconvictionthatshewillfeelthesameway。FromthethingssheiswritingaboutthisSnowmanIthinkitishighlyprobablethathemayawakesomedaytolearnthatheisnotsodeeplygrievedbutthathewouldliketohaveMariantocomforthiminhisloneliness；andasforhislittlegirlIdon\'tseewherehecouldfindawomanwhowouldrearhermorejudiciouslyandbeautifullythanMarianwould。"

Shefinishedherletter，sealedandstampedit，andthen，takingoutafreshsheet，sheletteredinatthetopofit，"INDIAN

POTATOES"andcontinued:

Andverygoodpotatoestheyare。YouwillfindthesegrowingeverywherethroughoutCalifornia，bloomingfromMaytoJuly，theirsixlong，slender，whitepetalsshadingtogoldatthebase，grayishontheoutside，apollen-ladenpistilupstanding，eightortengold-clubbedstamenssurroundingit，theslenderbrownstembearingadozenormoreofthesedelicateblooms，springinghighfromabaseofleavessometimesnearlytwofeetlongandaninchbroad，wavemargined，spreadinginacirclearoundit。Inthesoiloftheplainsandthedryhillsidesyouwillfindanamazinglylargesolidbulb，thicklyenwrappedinacoatofbrownfiber，thelongthreadsofwhichcanbebraided，theiramazingstrengthmakingthemsuitableforbowstrings，lariats，orropeofanykindthatmustneedsbeimprovisedforuseatthemoment。Thebulbsthemselveshavemanyuses。Crushedandrubbedupinwatertheymakeadelightfulcleansinglather。

Theextractedjuice，whencookeddown，maybeusedasglue。Oftheroastedbulbseffectivepoulticesforbruisesandboilsmaybemade。ItwasanIndiancustomtodamasmallstreamandthrowinmashedAmolebulbs，theeffectofwhichwastostupefythefishsothattheycouldbepickedoutbyhand；allofwhichdoesnotmakeitappearthatthesamebulbwouldserveasanexcellentsubstituteforabakedpotato；butwemustrememberhowourgrandmothersmadestarchfromourpotatoes，usedthemtobreakinthenewironware，andtopurifythelard；whichgoestoprovethatonevegetablemaybevaluableformanypurposes。Amole，whoseponderousscientificnameisChlorogalumpomeridiarum，isatitsbestformypurposeswhenallthechlorophyllfromflowerandstemhasbeendrivenbacktothebulb，anditliesripeandfullymaturedfromlateAugustuntilDecember。

Removethefibrouscoverdowntothesecondorthirdlayerenclosingthebulb。Thesejacketsarenecessaryastheykeepthebulbsfromdryingoutandhavingahardcrust。Roastthemexactlyasyouwouldpotatoes。Whentheycaneasilybepiercedwithasilverforkremovefromtheoven，andserveimmediatelywithanycoursewithwhichyouwouldusebakedpotatoes。

"Andgee，butthey\'regood！"commentedLindaassherereadwhatshehadwritten。

Afterthatsheturnedherattentiontodrawingahillsidewhitenedhereandtherewithamolebloomshowinginitspurityagainstthewarmgrayish-tanbackground。Thewavinggreenleavesranamongbigrocksandoverlappedsurroundinggrowth。AttherightofherdrawingLindasketchedinafinespecimenofmonkeyflower，deepeningtheyellowfromtheheartsoftheamoleliliesforthealmosthumanlittlemonkeyfaces。Ontheleftonegiantspecimenofamole，rearedfromabaseofexquisitelywavingleaves，ranupthesideofthedrawingandbrokeintoanairyandgracefulheadofgold-heartedwhitelilies。ForalongtimeLindasatwithpoisedpencil，studyingherforeground。Whatshouldsheintroducethatwouldbemosttypicalofthelocationandgaveherthedesiredsplashofcontrastingcolorthatsheusedasadistinctivetouchintheforegroundofallherdrawings？

Herpencilflewbusilyafewminuteswhileshesketchedinaflatlygrowingbushofpricklyphlox，settingtheflowerfacesascloselyastheoverlappedscalesofafish，settingthemevenastheygrowinnature；andwhensheresortedtothecolorboxshepaintedthesefacesawonderfulpinkthatwasnotwildrose，notcerise，notlilac，butitmadeonethinkofallofthem。Whenshecouldmakenofurtherimprovementonthissketch，shecarefullystretcheditagainstthewallandtackedituptodry。

AfterwardsheclearedhermentaldecksofalltheworkshecouldthinkofinordertohaveSaturdayfree，becauseSaturdaywasthedayuponwhichshefoundherselfplanninginthebackofhermindthroughoutthestrenuousweek，tosaveforridingtheKing\'sHighwaywithDonaldWhiting。Severaltimesshehadmethimonthewalksorinthehallways，andalwayshehadstoppedtospeakwithherandseveraltimeshehadreferredtothehighhopeinwhichhewaitedforSaturday。LindaalreadyhadheldaconsultationwithKatyonthesubjectofthelunchbasket。Thatmatterbeingsatisfactorilyarranged，therewasnothingforhertodobuttodoubleonherworksothatSaturdaywouldbefree。

FridayeveningLindawascalledfromthedinnertabletothetelephone。SheimmediatelyrecognizedthevoiceinquiringforherasthatofJudgeWhiting，andthenshelistenedbreathlesslywhilehesaidtoher:"YouwillrecognizethatthereisverylittleImaysayoveratelephoneconcerningamattertowhichyoubroughtmyattention。Ihaveaverycompetentmanlookingintothematterthoroughly，andIfindthatyourfearisamplyjustified。Whereveryougoorwhateveryoudo，useparticularcare。Don\'thaveanythingtodowithanystranger。Justusewhatyourjudgmentandcommonsensetellyouisareasonabledegreeofcautionineverydirectionnomatterhowtrivial。Youunderstand？"

"Ido，"saidLindapromptly。"WouldyoupreferthatwedonotgoonanymoreSaturdaytripsatpresent？"

ThelengthoftimethattheJudgewaitedtoanswerprovedthathehadtakentimetothink。

"Ican\'tsee，"hesaidfinally，"thatyouwouldnotbesaferonsuchatripwhereyouaremovingabout，wherenooneknowswhoyouarc，thanyouwouldwhereyouarecommonlyfound。"

"Allrightthen，"saidLinda。"Askthepartyweareconsideringandhewilltellyouwherehewillbetomorrow。Thankyouverymuchforlettingmeknow。Ifanythingshouldoccur，youwillunderstandthatitwassomethingquiteoutofmyrangeoffore-sight。"

"Iunderstand，"saidtheJudge。

WithallcareandmanylovingadmonitionsKatyassistedinthestartmadeearlySaturdaymorning。ThepreviousSaturdayLindahadfeltthatallnaturealongtheroadsheplannedtodrivewouldbeatitsbest，buttheyhadnotgonefaruntilshemodifiedherdecision。Theywereslippingthroughmistsofearlymorning，overlevel，carefullymaderoadslikepavilionfloors。

Ifanyoneobjectioncouldhavebeenmade，itwouldhavebeenthatthemistsofnightwereweightingtooheavilytoearththeperfumefromthebloomingorchardsandmillionsofflowersingardensandalongtheroadside。Atthathourtherewerefewcarsabroad。Lindawasdressedinheroutingsuitofdarkgreen。Shehadremovedherhatandslippeditontheseatbesideher。ShelookedatDonald，awhimsicalexpressiononhermostexpressiveyoungface。

"Pleaseto\'scuseme，"shesaidlightly，"ifIsteponthegasamitewhilewehavetheroadsomuchtoourselvesandaresofamiliarwithit。Later，whenwereachstrangercountryandhavetosharewithothers，we\'llbeforcedtogoslower。"

"Don\'tstintyourspeedonaccountofme，"saidDonald。"IamjustitchingtoknowwhatKittycando。"

"Allright，here\'syourchance，"saidLinda。"Hearherpurr？"

Shesettledherbodyatrifletensely，squaredhershoulders，andgrippedthesteeringwheel。ThensheincreasedthegasandlettheBearCatrolloverthesmoothroadfromLilacValleyrunningsouthintoLosAngeles。Ataspeedthatwasneartoflyingasanon-professionalattains，theyoungsterstraveledthatroad。

Theireyeswereshining；theirbloodwasracing。Untilthepointwhererougherroadsandapproachingtrafficforcedthemtogoslower，theyraced，andwhentheysloweddowntheylookedateachotherandlaughedinmorningdelight。

"Imaynotbeverywise，"saidLinda，"butdidn\'tIdothesmartestthingwhenIletEileenhavethetouringcarandsavedtheBearCatforus？"

"Nothingshortofinspiration，"saidDonald。"TheheightofmyambitionistoownaBearCat。IfFathermakesanymentionofanythingIwouldlikeparticularlytohaveforagraduationpresent，IamcockedandprimedastowhatIshalltellhim。"

"You\'dbettersaveyourselfadisappointment，"saidLindasoberly。"Youwillbestartingtocollegethisfall，andwhenyoudoyouwillbegoneninemonthsoutoftheyear，andIamfairlysureyourfatherwouldn\'tthinkshippingaBearCatbackandforthagoodinvestment，orfurnishingyouonetotaketoschoolwithyou。Hewouldfearyouwouldnevermakeagradethatwouldbeacredittohimifhedid。"

"My！"laughedDonald，"you\'vegotalongheadonyourshoulders！"

"Whenyou\'rethrownonyourownforfourofthelongest，lonesomestyearsofyourlife，youlearntothink，"saidLindasoberly。

ShewastouchingthebeginningofLosAngelestraffic。Latershewasontheopenroadagain。Themistswerethinningandlifting。

Theperfumewasnotsoheavy。Thesheetedwhitenessoftheorangegroveswasbrokenwiththepalerwhiteofplummergingimperceptiblyintothedelicatepinkofapricotandthestrongerpinkofpeach，andthereweredeepgreenorchardsofsmoothwaxenolivefoliageandthelacy-leavedwalnuts。Thencamethecitrusorchardsagain，andallthewayoneitherhandrunningwiththemwerealmostuninterruptedmilesofrosesofeverycolorandkind，andeverywherehomesrangingfromfriendlymansions，allwrittenoverinadorableflowercolorwiththehappyinvitation，"Comeinandmakeyourselfathome，"totinybungalowsalongthewaysidecryingwelcometothisgaypairofyoungstersingreetingsfashionedfromwhiteandpurplewisteria，goldbignonia，everyrosetheworldknows，andmyriadbrilliantannualandperennialflowerfacesgatheredfromthecircumferenceofthetropicalglobeandhomingenthusiasticallyontheKing\'sHighway。

SometimesLindaliftedherhandfromthewheeltowaveapassingsalutetoaparticularlyappealingflowerpicture。Sometimesshewhistledanoteorcriedagreetingtoamockingbird，arosyfinch，orasongsparrow。

"Lookatthepietimber！"shecriedtoDonald，callinghisattentiontoalawnalmostcoveredwithred-wingedblackbirds。

"Fourhundredandtwentymightbebakedinthatpie，"shelaughed。

Thenasubtlechangebegantocreepovertheworld。Thesunpeeredoverthemountainsinquiringly，atimidyoungthing，asifshewereaskingwhatdegreeoflightandwarmththeywouldlikefortheday。Anewbrilliancytingedeveryflowerfaceinthislight，athrobbingecstasymellowedeverybirdnote；theorchardsdroppedfartherapart，meadowsfilledwithgrazingcattleflashedpastthem，theearthyscentoffreshlyturnedfieldsmingledwithflowerperfume，andontheirrightcamedriftinginacoolsaltbreathfromthesea。Atmid-forenoon，astheynearedLaguna，theyranpastgreathills，untouchedsincethedayswhenDavidcried:"Iwillliftupmineeyesuntothehillsfromwhencecomethmyhelp。"Atoneparticularlybeautifulrange，drapedwiththeflowingemeraldofspring，decoratedwithbedsofgoldpoppy，setwithfloweringmadronaandmanzanita，withthegoldofyellowmonkeyflowerortherichredoftherelatedspecies，withspecimensoflupingrowinginsmalltrees，hereandthereadventurousstreamssingingandflashingtheirunexpectedwaytothemotherbreastofthewaitingoceanveryneartotheroadwhichatonesurprisingturncarriedthemtothenever-endingwonderofthetroubledsea，theydroveasslowlyastheBearCatwouldconsenttotravel，sothattheymightstudygreatboulders，hugeasmanyofthebuildingstheyhadpassed，theirfacesscarredbythewrackofages。StudyingtheirancientrecordsonecouldseethattheyhadbeenfamiliarwiththestarthatrestedoverBethlehem。OntheirfaceshadshonethesamemoonthatopenedthehighwaysJourneyingintoDamascus。Theyhadstoodthestormsthathadbeatenupontheworldsincethedayswhenthefloodssubsided，thelandliftedabovethefaceofthewatersingiganticupheavalsthathadrippedthesurfaceoftheglobefromnorthtosouthandforcedupthehills，thefoothills，andthemountainsoftheCoastRange。Theyhadbeenbornthen，theyhadfirstseenthelightofday，inglowing，molten，red-hot，high-piledstreamsoflavathathadgushedforthinthatawfulevolutionofbirth。

SometimesLindastoppedthecar，theyleftit，andclimbedoverthefacesofthesemightyupheavals。OnceLindareachedherhandtoDonaldandcried，halflaughingly，halfintenseearnest:

"Oh，kid，wehavegottohurry。Comparedwiththeageofthese，we\'veonlyafewminutes。It\'sallrighttotalkjestinglyabout\'thecrackofdoom\'butyouknowtherereallywasacrackofdoom，andrighthereiswhereitcrackedandspewedoutthematerialthathardenedintotheseveryrocks。BesidethemIfeelasashrimpmustfeelbesideawhale，andIfeelthatwemusthurry。"

"Andsowemust，"saidDonald。"I\'mhungryasLikeliestwhenhewaitedforthemtofindenoughpeacocktonguestosatisfyhisappetite。"

"Iwonderwhatbrandofhome-brewmadehimthinkofthat，"saidLinda。

"Well，youknow，"saidDonald，"theworldwasonlyasmallishplacethen。Theydidn\'thavetogofartofindeverythingtowhichtheyhadaccess，anditmusthavebeenratheradecenttimeinwhichtolive。Awfullotoflightandcolorandmusicanduniqueentertainment。"

"You\'retalking，"saidLinda，"fromthestandpointofthekingorthemaster。Supposeyouhadlivedthenandhadbeentheslave。"

"Thereyougoagain，"saidDonald，"throwingabrickintothemostdelicatemechanismofmyprofoundthought。YououghttobeashamedtoroundmeupwithsomethingscientificandmaterialisticeverytimeIgoa-glimmering。Don\'tyouthinkthiswouldbeafineplacetohavelunch？"

"Youwaitandseewherewelunchtoday，andyouwillhavetheanswertothat，"saidLinda，startingbacktotheBearCat。

Afewmilesfartherontheyfollowedtheroadaroundthefrowningmenaceofanoverhangingrockandspedoutdirectlytothepanoramaofthesea。Thesunwasshiningonit，but，asalwaysroundtheLagunashore，theriptidewasworkingitselfintounduefury。Itcamedashingupontheancientrocksuntilonecouldeasilyunderstandwhyapoetoflongagowroteofseahorses。Someofthewavesdidsuggestmonstrouswhitechargersracingmadlytoplacetheirfeetuponthesolidrock。

Throughthevillage，upthesteepinclines，pastplacidlakes，pastwavingyellowmustardbeds，besidehighwayswherethebreastplateofMotherEarthgleamedemeraldandrubyagainstthebackgroundofbillionsoftiny，shiningdiamondsoftheiceplant，pasttheoldostrichtreereproducedbyetchersofnotetheworldover，withgrindingbrakes，slidingdownthebreathlessdeclivityleadingtotheshore，Lindastoppedatlastwheretherockwallsliftedsheeralmosttothesky。SheledDonaldtoahugecirclecarpetedwithcerisesandverbena，withpinkandyellowiceplantbloom，withjewellediceplantfoliage，withtherunningblueofthelovelyseadaisy，withthewhiteandpinkoftheseafig，wherethewallswerefestoonedwithferns，lichens，studdedalloverwithflamingOurLord\'sCandles，andstrange，uncanny，grotesqueflowerforms，almosthumanintheirwrithingturnsastheytwistedaroundtherocksandslippedalongclingingtothesheerwalls。Justwherethevegetationmetthewhite，sea-washedsand，LindaspreadtheIndianblanket，andDonaldbroughtthelunchbox。Attheirfeetadventurouswavestorethemselvestofoamonthesharprocks。Ontheirlefttheybrokeinboomingspray，tearingandfrettingthebaseofcliffsthathadstoodimpregnablethroughaeonsofsuchceaselessattackandrepulse。

"Iwonder，"saidDonald，"howitcomesthatIhavelivedallmylifeinCalifornia，andtodayitseemstomethatmostoftheworthwhilethingsIknowaboutherIowetoyou。WhenIgotocollegethiswintert。hethingsIshallbetellingtheboyswillbehowIcouldgainaliving，ifIhadto，onthedesert，inDeathValley，fromthewallsofMultifloresCanyon；andhowthewavesgotosmashontherocksofLaguna，nottomentioncactusfishhooks，mescalsticks，andbrigandbeefsteak。It\'snowondertheartistsofalltheworldcomeherecopyingthesepictures。

It\'snowondertheybuildthesebungalowsandlivehereforyears，unsatisfiedwiththeireffortstoreproducethepicturesoftheMasterPainterofthemall。"

"Iwonder，"saidLinda，"ifanybodyisveryeasilysatisfied。I

wondertodayifEileenissatisfiedwithbeingmerelyrich。I

wonderifwearesatisfiedtohavethisgoldendaytogether。I

wonderifthewhiteswallowsaresatisfiedwiththesea。I

wonderifthoserocksaresatisfiedandproudtostandimpregnableagainsttheconstanttormentofthetide。"

"Iwonder，oh，Lord，howIwonder，"brokeinDonald，"aboutKatherineO\'Donovan\'slunchbox。Ifyouwantapictureofperfeetsatisfaction，Belindabeloved，leadmetoit！"

"Thankheavenyou\'remistaken，"shesaid；"theysparedmethe\'Be\'。It\'strulyjust\'Linda。"\'

"Well，I\'mnotsparingyouthe\'Be——\'，"saidDonald，busywiththefasteningsofthelunchbasket。"DidyouhearwhereIusedit？"

"Yes，child，andIlikeitheaps，"saidLindacasually。"It\'sfinetohaveyoulikeme。Awfullyproudofmyself。"

"Youhavetwomembersofourfamilyatyourfeet，"saidDonaldsoberlyashehandedherpackagesfromthebox。"MydadisbeginningtodiscourseonyouwithsuchsignsofintelligencethatIamalmostledtobelieve，fromsomeofhiswildestoutbursts，thathehashadsomepersonalexperienceinsomeway。"

"Andwhynot？"askedLindalightly。"Haven\'tIoftentoldyouthatmyfatherconstantlywentonfishingandhuntingtrips，thathewasagreatcollectorofbotanicalspecimens，thathefrequentlytookhisfriendswithhim？YoumightaskyourfatherifhedoesnotrecallmeashavingfriedfishandmadecoffeeandrenderedhimcampservicewhenIwasaslipofathinginthedawnofmyteens。"

"Well，hedidn\'tjustmentionit，"saidDonald，"butIcan。easilyseehowitmighthavebeen。"

AftertheyhadfinishedoneofKaty\'sinspiredlunches，inwhichalargepartoftheinspirationhadbeenmentalonLinda\'spartandexecutiveonKaty\'s，theyclimbedrockfaces，skirtedwave-beatenpromontories，andstoodpeeringfromoverhangingcliffsdippingdownintothefathomlessgreensea，wherethewaterboiledupinturbulentfury。Lindapointedouttherocksuponwhichshewouldsit，ifshewereamermaid，tocombtheseaweedfromherhair。Shecouldheartheseabellsringinginthosemenacingdepths，butDonald\'searswerenotsofinelytuned。Atthetopofoneofthehighestcliffstheyclimbed，theregrewaclumpofslenderpalegreenbushes，toweringhighabovetheirheadswithexquisitelycutblue-greenleaves，lanceshapedandslender。Donaldlookedatthefascinatinggrowthappraisingly。

"Linda，"hesaid，"doyouknowthattheslimnessandthesheernessandtheaudaciousfootholdandthebeautyofthatthingremindmeofyou？Itiscoveredalloverwiththedelicatefrostbloomyoutaughtmetoseeuponfruit。Ifinditeverywherebutyouhavenevertoldmewhatitis。"

Lindalaughinglyreachedupandbrokeasprayofgreenish-yellowtubularflowers，curvingoutlikeclusteredtrumpetsspillingmelodyfromtheirflutedthroats。

"Youwillseeiteverywhere。Youwillfindtheseflowerseverymonthoftheyear，"shesaid，"andIamparticularlygladsomethatthisplantremindsyouofme。Ilovethebluish-green\'bloom\'ofitssheerfoliage。Ilovethemusictheseflowertrumpetsmaketome。Ilovethewayithastraveled，Godknowshow，allthewayfromtheArgentineandspreaditselfoverourcountrywhereveritisallowedfooting。Iamgladthatthereissoothinginthesedriedleavesforthosewhorequireit。Ishallbedelightedtosetmysealonyouwithit。TherearetwolittleSpanishwordsthatitsuggeststotheMexican——Buenamoza——butyoushallfindoutforyourselfwhattheymean。"

Encounteringhisfatherthatnightathislibrarydoor，DonaldWhitingsaidtohim:"MayIcomein，Dad？IhavesomethingI

mustlookupbeforeIsleep。HaveyouaSpanishlexicon，ornodoubtyouhavethisinyourhead。"

"Well，I\'veahaltingvocabulary，"saidtheJudge。"What\'syourphrase？"

"Lindaputthisfloweronmetoday，"saidDonald，"andshesaidshewaspleasedbecauseIsaidthetall，slenderbushitgrewonremindedmeofher。ShegavemetheSpanishname，butIdon\'tknowtheexactsignificanceofthedecorationIamwearinguntilIlearnthemeaningofthephrase。"

"Trymeonit，"saidtheJudge。

"\'Buenamoza，"\'quotedDonald。

TheJudgethrewbackhisheadandlaughedheartily。

"Son，"hesaid，"youshouldknowthatfromtheLatinyou\'relearning。Youshouldtranslateitinstinctively。Icouldn\'ttellyouexactlywhetheraSpaniardwouldtranslate\'Buena\'

\'fine\'or\'good。\'Knowingtheirhigh-falutin\'renditionofalmosteverythingelseIwouldtakemychanceon\'fine。\'Son，yourphrasemeans\'afinegirl。\'"

Donaldlookeddownattheflowerinhisbuttonhole，andthenhelookedstraightathisfather。

"AndonlytheLordknows，Dad，"hesaidsoberly，"exactlyhowfineLinda-girlis。"

CHAPTERXXVI。AMouseNestLINDADEAREST:

Iamdelightedthatyouhadsuchawonderfulbirthday。Iwouldtakeashotinairthatanythingyoudon\'tunderstandaboutityoumightwithreasonablesafetychargetoKatherineO\'Donovan。

IthinkitwasgreatofhertohaveasuitableandabecomingdresswaitingforyouandacongenialmanlikePeterMorrisontodinewithyou。Heappealedtomeasbeingararecharacter，highlyoriginal，and，Ishouldthink，tothosewhoknowhimwellhemustbeentertainingandlovableintheextreme。InevershallbeworriedaboutyousolongasIknowthatheistakingcareofyou。

IshouldnotbesurprisedifsomedayImeetEileensomewhere，becauseDanaandIaregoingaboutmorethanyouwouldbelievepossible。Iheartilyjoinwithyouinwishinghereverygoodthatlifecanbringher。Idon\'twanttobepessimistic，butI

can\'thelpfeeling，Linda，thatsheistakingapoorwaytowinthebest，andIgravelydoubtwhethershefindsitinthespendingofunlimitedquantitiesofthemoneyofacoarsemanwhostumbleduponhisrichesaccidentally，ashasmanyamanofCaliforniaandColorado。

Iintended，whenIsatdowntowrite，theveryfirstthingI

said，tothankyouforyourwonderfulinvitation，secondedsoloyallyandcordiallybyKaty，tomakemyhomewithyouuntilthetimecomes——ifiteverdoescome——whenIshallhaveahomeofmyownagain。Andjustassimplyandwholeheartedlyasyoumadetheoffer，Iacceptit。Iamenclosingtheaddressandthereceiptformyfurnitureinstorage，andafewlinesorderingitdeliveredatyourhouseandthebillsenttome。IonlykeptafewheirloomsandthingsofMother\'sandFather\'sthatareveryprecioustome。WheneverEileentakesherthingsyoucanordermineinandletmeknow，andI\'lltakeadayortwooffandrundownforashortvisit。

MentioningEileenmakesmethinkofJohn。IthinkofhimmorefrequentlythanIintendorwishthatIdid，butIfeelmyninthlifeisnowpermanentlyextinguishedconcerninghim。IthoughtI

detectedinyourletter，Lindadear，ahintoffearthathemightcomebacktomeandthatImightwelcomehim。Ifyouhaveanysuchfeelinginyourheart，abandonit，child，because，whileI

trynottotalkaboutmyself，IdowanttosaythatIrejoiceinafamilyinheritanceoflegitimatepride。Icouldn\'tgivethefinestloyaltyandcomradeshipIhadtogivetoaman，haveitreturneddisdainfully，andthenfurbishupthepiecesandpresentitoveragain。IfIcanpatchthosesamepiecesandsopolishandrefinethemthatIcanmakethem，intheoldphrase，"asgoodasnew，"possiblyintime-

But，Linda，onethingiscertainasthehillsofmorning。Neverinmylifewillanymanmakeanyheadwaywithmeagainwithvaguesuggestionsandinnuendoesandhints。Ifeveranymanwantstobeanythinginmylife，hewillspeakplainlyandsaywhathewantsandthinksandhopesandintendsandfeelsinnotmorethantwo-syllableEnglish。Ilearnedmylessonaboutthefutilityofbuildingyourhouseofdreamsonafoundationofsand。NexttimeIerectadreamhouse，itisgoingtohaveaproperfoundationofsolidgranite。AndthatmayseemaqueerthingformetosaywhenyouknowthatIamgettingthejoyinmylife，thatIdonothesitatetoadmitIam，fromletterswrittenbyamanwhosenameIdon\'tknow。ItmaybethatIdon\'tknowtheman，butI

certainlyamverywellacquaintedwithhim，andinsomewayheseemstometobetakingonmoredefiniteform。IshouldnotbesurprisedifIweretorecognizehimthefirsttimeImethimfacetoface。