第9章

Lindalookedthroughtheskylightandcriedouttothestars:

"Goodheavens！HaveIcopiedPetertooclosely？"

Shesatthinkingaminuteandthenshedecidedshehadnot。

AndinthisconnectionyouwillwanttoknowhowIamprogressinginmyfriendshipwiththejuniorpartner，andwhatkindofmotoristIammaking。Iamstilldrivingtwiceaweek，andlatelyonSundaysinalargercar，takingDanaandanewspaperfriendofhersalong。IthinkIhavedriveneveryhazardthatthispartofCaliforniaaffordsexceptthemountains；Mr。Snowisstillmercifulaboutthem。

Lindadear，Iknowwhatyou\'redyingtoknow。YouwanttoknowwhetherMr。Snowisinthesamedepthsofmourningaswhenouracquaintancefirstbegan。This，mydearchild，isveryreprehensibleofyou。Younggirlswithbraidsdowntheirbacks——andbytheway，Linda，youdidnottellmewhathappened"aftertheballwasover。"Didyougotoschoolthenextmorningwithbraidsdownyourback，orwearingyourcoronet？BecauseonthatdependswhatIhavetosaytoyounow；ifyouwentwithbraids，you\'restillmylittlegirlchum，thecleanest，finestkidIhaveeverknown；butifyouworeyourcoronet，thenyou\'reawomanandmyequalandmydearestfriend，fardearerthanDanaeven；andItellyouthis，Linda，becauseIwantyoualwaystounderstandthatyoucomefirst。

Ihavetriedandtriedtovisualizeyou，andcan\'tsatisfymymindastowhetherthebraidsareupordown。Goingontheassumptionthattheyareup，andthatlifemayinthenearfuturebegintoholdsomeinterestingexperiencesforyou，Iwilltellyouthis，belovedchild:Idon\'tthinkMr。Snowismourningquitesodeeplyashewas。Ihavenotbeenasked，thelastfourorfivetripswehavebeenon，tocarryanarmloadofexquisiteflowerstotheshrineofadepartedlove。IhavebeenprivilegedtotakethemhomeandarrangetheminmyroomandDana\'s。AndI

haven\'theardsomuchtalkaboutloneliness，andIhaven\'tseensuchtired，sadeyes。Itseemstomethatafamiliarpairofshouldersaresquaringuptotheworldagain，andaverykindpairofeyesarebrighterwithinterest。Idon\'tknowhowyoufeelaboutthis；Idon\'tknowhowIfeelaboutitmyself。IamsurethatEugeneSnowisamanwho，intheyearstocome，wouldlineupbesideyourfatherandmine，andIlikehimimmensely。

Itismerelyacaseofnotlikinghimless，butoflikingmyunknownmanmore。Icouldn\'tquitecommitthesacrilege，Lindadear，ofsendingyouasampleofthelettersIamreceiving，buttheyaretoofancifulandcharmingforanywordsofminetodescribeadequately。Idon\'tknowwhothismanis，orwhathehastooffer，orwhetherheintendstoofferanything，butitisaridiculousfact，Linda，thatIwouldrathersitwithhiminachimneycorneroffieldboulders，onapinefloor，withapalmroofandanOcotillocandle，thantoglowintheparchment-shieldedelectriclightofthehallsofarichman。Inarecentletter，Linda，therewasareferencetoawomanwhowore"adiademofcrystallizedlight。"ItwasabeautifulthingandI

couldnothelptakingitpersonally。Itwashiswayoftellingmethatheknewme，andknewmytragedy；and，asIsaidbefore，I

ambeginningtofeelthatIhavehimratherdefinitelylocated；

andIcanunderstandthefinestraininhimthatpromptedhisanonymity，andhisreasonsforit。OfcourseIamnotsufficientlyconfidentyettosayanythingdefinite，butmyheartisbeginningtosaythingsthatIsincerelyhopemylipsneverwillbeforcedtodeny。

Lindalaiddowntheletter，foldedherhandsacrossit，andoncemorelookedatthestars。

"Goodgracious！"shesaid。"IamtincturingthoseletterswithtoomuchPeter。I\'llhavetotonedownabit。NextthingIknowshewillbelosingherchancewiththatwonderfulSnowmanforadream。InmyeffortstocomfortherImusthavegonetoofar。

ItisallrighttowriteagushyloveletterandstuffitfullofPeter\'swhimsicalnonsense，but，inthelanguageofthepoet，howamIgoingto\'deliverthegoods\'？OfcoursethattalkaboutLouiseWhitingwasallwellenough。Equally，ofcourse，I

outlinedandplantedthebrookanddesignedthebridgeforMarian，whethersheknowsitorPeterknowsit，ornot。Iftheydon\'tknowit，it\'sabouttimetheywerefindingitout。Ithinkit\'smyjobtovisitPetermorefrequentlyandseeifIcan\'tinventsomewaytomakehimseethelight。IwillgiveKatyahintinthemorning。TomorroweveningI\'llgoupandhavesupperwithhimandseeifhehasanotherarticleinthestewpan。I

likethisworkwithPeter。Ilikehavinghimmakemedreamdreamsandseepictures。Ilikethepunchandthevirilityheputsintomydrawings。It\'sallrightreproducingmonkeyflowersandliliesforpastime，butforseriousbusiness，forreallifework，IwouldratherdoPeter\'sbrainstorming，heart-thrillingpicturesthanmymerelyprettyones。OnthesubjectofPeter，I

mustrememberinthemorningtotakethoseoldbookshegavemetoDonald。IbelievethatfromoneofthemheisgoingtogettheverymaterialheneedstodowntheJapinphilosophy。AndtheyarenottextbookswhichprovesthatPetermusthavebeendiggingintothesubjectandhuntedthemupinsomesecond-handstore，orevensentawayanorderforthem。"

InthehallthenextmorningLindastoppedDonaldandgavehimthebooks。Intheearlystagesoftheirfriendshipshehadlookedathimunderhalf-closedlidsandwaitedtoseewhetherheintendedstoppingtosayawordwithherwhentheypassedeachotherorcamedownthehallstogether。Sheknewthattheiracquaintancewouldbenotedandcommentedupon，andsheknewhowreadytheothergirlswouldbetosaythatshewasboldandforward，soshewascarefultoletDonaldmaketheadvances，untilhehadcalledtohersooften，andhaddugflowersandlefthisfriendswaitingatherdoorwhilehedeliveredthem，thatshefeltfreetoaddresshimasshechose。Hehadshownanyinterestedpersoninthehighschoolthathewasherfriend，thathewasspeakingtoherexactlyashedidtogirlshehadknownfromchildhood。Hewasverypopularamongtheboysandgirlsofhisclassandthewholeschool。Hisfriendship，comingatthetimeofLinda\'srebelliononthesubjectofclothes，haddevelopedatendencytobringherotherfriendships。BoyswhoneverhadknownshewasinexistencefollowedDonald\'sexampleinstoppinghertosayawordnowandthen。Girlswhohadpolitelyignoredhernowfoundthingstosay；andseveralinvitationsshehadnothadleisuretoaccepthadbeensenttoherforafternoonandeveningentertainmentsamongtheyoungpeople。Lindahadlaidoutforherselfsomethingofataskindecidingtobethementalleaderofherclass。Thereweregoodbrainsinplentyamongtheotherpupils。Itwasonlybywork，concentration，andpurpose，onlybyhavingamindkeenlyalert，byindependentinvestigationandintroducingnewpointsofviewthatshecouldholdherprestige。UptothereceiptofherlettercontainingtheoffertopublishherbookshehadbeenablerigorouslytoexcludefromhermindthepersonalityandtheundertakingsofJaneMeredith。ShewasLindaStronginthehighschoolandforanhourortwoatherstudies。ShewasJaneMeredithoverthedesert，throughthecanyons，besidethesea，inherMultifloreskitchenorinKatherineO\'Donovan\'s。Butthisbookofferopenedanewtrainofthought，anewseriesofplans。Shecouldseeherway——thankstoherfathershehadthematerialinhermindandtheartinherfingertips——tomaterializewhatshefeltwouldbeevenmoreattractiveinbookformthananythinghereditorhadbeenabletovisualizefromhermaterial。Sheknewherself，sheknewherterritorysominutely。Frequentlyshesmiledwhenshereadstatementsinherbotaniesastowhereplantsandvegetablescouldbefound。Sheknewthehighhomeoftherareandprecioussnowplant。Sheknewthenorthernlimitofthestrawberrycactus。Sheknewwherethewhiteseaswallownested。SheknewwheretheMonarchbutterflywentonhiswintermigration。Sheknewwherethetrap-doorspider，withcunningpastthecunningofanyotherarchitectofNature，builthissmall，round，silken-linedtowerandhingedhistrapdoorsocleverlythatonlyhecouldopenitfromtheoutside。Shehadevensatimmovableandwatchedhimerecthishouse，andshewouldhavegivenmuchtoseehimweaveitssilverlining。

Lindawasfastcomingtotheplacewhereshefeltherselftobeoneinaninterestedgroupoffellowworkers。Shenolongergaveathoughttowhatkindofshoesshewore。Othergirlswerebeginningtowearthesamekind。Thelegislaturesofhalfadozenstateswerepassinglawsregulatingtheheightofheelwhichmightbewornwithintheirboundaries。Manufacturerswerepromisingforthecomingseasonthatsuitableshoeswouldbebuiltforstreetwearandmountainclimbing，forthesandsoftheseaandthesandsofthedesert，andthesheerfaceofcanyons。

Theextremelylong，dirt-sweepingskirtswerecomingup；theextremelyshort，immodestskirtswerecomingdown。Asaneandsensiblewaveseemedtobesweepingthewholecountry。UndertheimpetusofDonaldWhiting\'sstrugglestoleadhisclassesandthoseofotherpupilstoleadtheirsahighergradeofscholarshipwasbeginningtobedevelopedthroughoutthehighschool。Pupilswerethinkinglessofwhattheyworeandhowmuchamusementtheycouldcrowdin，andmoreaboutmakinggradesthatwouldpassthemwithcreditfromyeartoyear。Thehorrorsofthewarandthedisordersfollowingithadbeguntoimpressupontheyoungbrainsgrowingintomaturitytheideathatsoonitwouldbetheirtasktotakeovertheproblemsthatwerenowvexingtheworld\'sgreateststatesmenanditswisestandmostcourageouswomen。Atendencywasmanifestingitselfamongyoungpeopletoequipthemselvestotakeaworthypartinthestrugglesyettocome。ClassmateswhohadlookedwithtolerationuponLinda\'scommon-senseshoesandplaindressesbecauseshewasherfather\'sdaughter，nowlookeduponherwithrespectandappreciationbecauseshestartedsomanyinterestingsubjectsfordiscussion，becauseshewassorapidlydevelopingintoacreaturewellworthlookingat。Alwaysshewouldbeunusualbecauseofherextremeheight，hernarroweyes，hervividcoloring。Butagreatermaturity，afullerfigure，hadcometobeapartofthevisionwithwhichonelookedatLinda。Inthesedaysnoonesawherasshewas。Evenherschoolmateshadfallenintothehabitofseeingherasshewouldbeintheyearstocome。

Thusfarshehadbeenabletokeepheridentitiesapartwithoutanydifficulty；butthebookpropositionwassounexpected，itwassuchabigthingtoresultfromhermodestbeginning，thatLindarealizedthatshemustproceedverycarefully，shemustconcentratewithallhermight，elseherschoolworkwouldbegintosufferinfavorofthebook。Recentlysomanythingshadarisentodistractherattention。ManydaysshehadnotbeenabletokeepEileen\'sfaceoffhergeometrypapers；andagainshesawGilman\'s，anxiousandpain-filled。Sometimesshefoundherselfliftinghereyesfromtasksuponwhichshewasconcentratingwithallhermight，andwithnopreviousthoughtwhatevershewassearchingforDonaldWhiting，andwhenshesawhim，comingintomuscularandhealthfulmanhood，shereturnedtoherworkwithmorestrength，deepervision，aquiet，assuredfeelingaroundherheart。Sometimes，overtheedgeofLiteratureandAncientHistory，PeterMorrisonlookeddownatherwithgravelyquestioningeyesanddancingimpstwistinghismouthmuscles，andLindapausedasecondtofigureuponwhathadbecomeanoldproblemwithher。Whydidherwild-flowergardenmakePeterMorrisonthinkofagraveyard？Whatwasburiedtherebesidesthefeetofherrareflowers？Shehadnotasyetfoundtheanswer。

ThisdayherthoughtswereonPeterfrequentlybecausesheintendedtoseehimthatnight。Shewasgoingtosharewithhimasupperofbakedhamandbeansandbreadandbutterandpickledonionsandlittlenutcakes，stillwarmfromKaty\'soven。ShewasgoingtotakeKatywithherinorderthatshemightseePeterMorrison\'slocationandthehouseforhisdreamlady，growingatthefootofthemountainlikeagayorchidhomingonaforesttree。ToLindaitwasalmostamiracle，therapiditywithwhichahousecouldbeerectedinCalifornia。Inafewweeks\'timeshehadseenabigcellarscoopedoutoftheplateau，hadseenitlinedandrisingtofoundationheightabovethesurfaceinsolidconcrete，facedoutsidewithcrackedboulders。Shehadseenaframeworkerected，arooftreeset，andjoistsandraftersandbeamsswingingintoplace。Fretworksofleadandironpipewererunningeverywhere，andwiresforelectricity。Soonshinglesandflooringwouldbegoingintoplace，andPetersaidthatwhenhehadfinishedacrobaticperformancesonbeamsandgirdersandreallysteppedoutonsolidfloorswherehemighttreadwithoutfearofbreakinganyofhislegs，hewouldperformaPeacockDanceallbyhimself。

"Peter，yousoundlikeacentipede，"saidLinda。

"Dearchild，"saidPeter，"whenIentermyfrontdoorandgettothebackontwo-inchfooting，IpositivelyfeelthatIhavenumerouslegs，andIachealmostasbadlyinthefearthatI

shallbreakthetwoIhave，asIshouldiftheywerereallybroken。"

AndthenheaddedafewwordsonasubjectofwhichhehadnotbeforespokentoLinda。

"ItwaslikethatinFrance。Whenwereallygotintotheheatofthingsandtheworkwasactuallybeingdone，wewerenotafraid:

weweretoobusy；wewere\'supermen。\'Thetimewhenwewerealllegsandarmsandhead，andallofthemwerebeingblownawaywholesalewaswhentheshellswhinedoverwhilewehadaresthourandweretryingtosleep，orinthecold，dimdawnwhenwestumbledoutstiff，hungry，andsleepy。It\'snottheREALTHING

whenit\'sreallyoccurringthatgetsone。It\'sthedevilsofimaginationtormentingthesoul。ThereisonlyonethinginthisworldcanhappentomethatisreallygoingtobeasbadasthethingsIdream。"

LindalookeddownLilacValley，hereyesabsentlyfocusingonKatybusilysettingsupperonastoreboxinfrontofthegarage。

ThenshelookedatPeter。

"Mindtelling？"sheinquiredlightly。

Peterlookedatherspeculatively。

"Andwouldamanbetellinghisheart\'sbestsecrettoakidlikeyou？"heasked。

"Now，Icallthatdownrightmean，"saidLinda。"Haven\'tyounoticedthatmybraidsareup？Don\'tyouseeamaturityandadignityandageneralmatronlinessapparentallovermetoday？"

"Matronliness"wastoomuchforPeter。Youcouldhaveheardhislaughfardownthebluevalley。

"That\'sgood！"hecried。

"Itis，"agreedLinda。"Itmeansthatmybraidsareuptostay，sohereafterI\'marealwoman。"

Shelingeredoverthewordaninstant，glancingwhimsicallyatPeter，atraceofasmileonherlips，thenshemadeherwaydownaslantdeclivityandpresentlyreturnedwithanentireflowerplant，newtoPeterandofunusualbeauty。

"AndbecauseIamawomanIshallsetmysealuponyou，"shesaid。

Inthebuttonholeofhislightlinencoatsheplacedaflowerofsatinfaceofpurestgold，thefivepetalsrounded，butsharplytipped，aheavymassofsilkstamens，pollendustedintheheart。

Shepushedbacktheleftsideofhiscoatandtakingoneoftherough，hairyleavesoftheplantshelocateditoverPeter\'sheart，herslim，deftfingerspattingdowntheleafandflatteningitoutuntilitlaypastedsmoothandtight。Assheworked，shesmiledathimchallengingly。Peterknewhewasexperiencingaceremonyofsomekind，thesignificanceofwhichhemustlearn。ItwasthefirsttimeLindahadvoluntarilytouchedhim。Hebreathedlightlyandheldsteady，lesthestartleher。

"Lovelyenough，"hesaid，"tohavecomefromthehillsofthestars。Don\'tmakemewait，Linda；helpmetotheinterpretation。"

"BuenaMujer，"suggestedLinda。

"Goodwoman，"translatedPeter。

Lindanodded，runningafingerdowntheleafoverhisheart。

"Becauseshesticksclosetoyou，"sheexplained。ThenstartledbythelookinPeter\'seyes，shecriedinswiftchange:"Nowweareallgoingtoworkforaminute。Katy\'sspreadingthelunch。

YoutakethispailandgotothespringforwaterandIshalltidyyourquartersforyou。"

WiththeeyeofexperienceLindaglancedoverthegaragedecidingthatshemustaskforcleansheetsforthecotandthattheSalvationArmywouldliketheheapofpapers。Studyingthewritingtablesheheardafaintsoundthatuntrainedearswouldhavemissed。

"Ah，ha，Mawoodmouse，"saidLinda，"nibblingPeter\'sdr，goodsareyou？"

Hercryaminutelateransweredthequestion。ShecamefromthegarageuponKatherineO\'Donovanrushingtomeether，holdingaman\'scoatatthelengthofherfar-reachingarm。

"Iwishyou\'dlookatthatpocket。Idon\'tknowhowlongthiscoathasbeenhangingthere，butthereisanestoffieldmiceinit，"shesaid。

Katypromptlyretreatedtotheimproviseddiningtable，seatedherselfuponanendofit，andraisedbothfeetstraightintotheair。

"SmallhelpI\'llbegettingfromyou，"saidLindalaughingly。

Shewenttotheedgeofthedeclivitythatcutbacktothegarageandwithaquickmovementreversedthecoatcatchingitbytheskirtsandshakingitvigorously。

CHAPTERXXVII。TheStraightandNarrowThisservedexactlythepurposeLindahadintended。Itdislodgedthemousenestanddroppeditthreefeetbelowherlevel，butitdidsomethingelseuponwhichLindahadnotimetocount。Itemptiedeverypocketinthecoatandsentthecontentsscatteringdowntheroughdeclivity。

"Ohmygracious！"gaspedLinda。"LookwhatIhavedone！Katy，comehelpmequickly；Ihavetogatherupthisstuff；butit\'snouse；I\'llhavetotakeittoPeterandtellhim。Icouldn\'tputthesethingsbackinthepocketswherehishandwillreachforthem，becauseIdon\'tknowwhichcamefrominsideandwhichcamefromout。"

Lindasprangdownandbeganhastilygatheringupeverythingshecouldseethathadfallenfromthecoatpockets。Shehadalmostfinishedwhenherfingerschanceduponaverysoiled，befiguredpieceofpaperwhoseimpressedfoldsshowedthatithadbeencarriedforsometimeinaninnerpocket。Asherfingerstouchedthispaperhereyesnarrowed，herbreathcameinagasp。Shelookedatitasecond，irresolute，thensheglancedoverthetopofthedeclivityinthedirectionPeterhadtaken。Hewasstandinginfrontofthebuilding，discussingsomematterwiththecontractor。Hehadnotyetgonetothespring。ShieldedbytheembankmentwithshakingfingersLindaopenedthepaperbarelyenoughtoseethatitwasMarian\'slostsheetofplans；butitwasnotasMarianhadlostit。Itwasscoreddeeplyhereandtherewithheavylinessuggestiveofalterations，andthemarginwasfairlycoveredwithfinefiguring。LindadidnotknowPeterMorrison\'swritingorfigures。Hisarticleshadbeentypewrittenandshehadneverseenhishandwriting。Shesatdownsuddenlyonaccountofweakenedknees，andgazedunseeinglydownthelengthofLilacValley，herheartsick，herbraintormented。Suddenlysheturnedandstudiedthehouse。

"BeforetheLord！"shegasped。"ITHOUGHTtherewassomethingmightyfamiliarevenabouttheskeletonofyou！Oh，Peter，Peter，wheredidyougetthis，andhowcouldyoudoit？"

Forawhileamistblurredhereyes。Shereachedforthecoatandstartedtoreplacethethingsshehadgatheredup，thensheshutherlipstight。

"Besttimetopullatooth，"shesaidterselytoaterracottaredmanzanitabush，"iswhenitaches。"

WhenPeterreturnedfromthespringhewasfacedbyatremblinggirl，colorlessandtryinghardtokeephervoicesteady。Sheheldoutthecoattohimwithonehand，thepackageofpaperswiththeother，thefoldeddrawingconspicuousonthetop。Withtheseshegesturedtowardthedeclivity。

"Mousenestinyourpocket，Peter，"shesaidthickly。"Reversedthecoattoshakeitout，andspilledyourstuff。"

ThenshewaitedforPetertobeconfounded。ButPeterwasnotinthefaintestdegreetroubledabouteitherthecoatorthepapers。

Whatdidtroublehimwasthefaceandtheblazingeyesofthegirlconcerningwhomhewouldnotadmit，eventohimself，hisexactstateoffeeling。

"Themousedidnotgetonyou，Linda？"heaskedanxiously。

Lindashookherhead。Suddenlyshelostherself-control。

"Oh，Peter，"shewailed，"howcouldyoudoit？"

Peter\'sleanframetensedsuddenly。

"Idon\'tunderstand，Linda，"hesaidquietly。"ExactlywhathaveIdone？"

Lindathrustthecoatandthepaperstowardhimaccusinglyandstoodtherewordlessbutwithvisiblepaininherdarkeyes。

petersmiledatherreassuringly。

"That\'snotmycoat，youknow。Ifthereisanythingdistressingaboutit，don\'tlayittome。"

"Oh，Peter！"criedLinda，"tellthetruthaboutit。Don\'ttryanyevasions。Iamsosickofthem。"

AratherqueerlightsprangintoPeter\'seyes。HeleanedforwardsuddenlyandcaughtthecoatfromLinda\'sfingers。

"Well，ifyouneedanalibiconcerningthiscoat，"hesaid，"I

thinkIcanfurnishitspeedily。"

Ashetalkedhewhirledthegarmentaroundandshothislongarmsintothesleeves。Shakingitintoplaceonhisshoulders，heslowlyturnedinfrontofLindaandthesurprisedKaty。Thesleevescamehalfwaytohiswristsandtheshoulderssliddownoverhisupperarms。HemadesuchaquaintandridiculousfigurethatKatyburstoutlaughing。Shewasverywelltrained，butsheknewLindawasdeeplydistressed。

"Wakeup，lambie！"shecriedsharply。"Thatcoatain\'tbelongingtoMr。PaterMorrison。Thatgairmentisthepropertyofthatbug-catchin\'architectofhis。"

PetershookoffthecoatandhandeditbacktoLinda。

"AmIacquitted？"heaskedlightly；buthissurprisedeyesweresearchingherfrombraidtotoe。

Lindaturnedfromhimswiftly。Shethrustthepacketintoasidepocketandstartedtothegaragewiththecoat。Asshepassedinsidesheslippeddownherhand，slidthesheetofplansfromtheotherpapers，andslippeditintothefrontofherblouse。

Shehungthecoatbackwhereshehadfoundit，thensuddenlysatdownonthesideofPeterMorrison\'scouch，whiteandshaken。

Peterthoughtheheardapeculiargaspandwhenhestrayedpastthedoor，casuallyglancinginward，hesawwhathesaw，anditbroughthimtohiskneesbesideLindawithallspeed。

"Linda-girl，"heimplored，"whatinthisworldhashappened？"

Lindastruggledtocontrolhervoice；butatlastsheburiedherfaceinherhandsandfranklyemittedasoundthatsheherselfwouldhavedescribedas"howling。"Peterkneltbackinwonder。

"OfallthethingsIeverthoughtaboutyou，Linda，"hesaid，"theonethingIneverdidthinkwasthatyouwerehysterical。"

IftherewasonewordinLinda\'svocabularymoreopprobriousthan"nerves，"whichcouldbeappliedtoawoman，itwas"hysterics。"

Thegreatspecialisthadadmittednerves；hystericshadnostandingwithhim。LindaherselfhadnomoreuseforahystericalwomanthanshehadforaGilamonster。Shestraightenedsuddenly，andinremovingherhandsfromherfaceshelaidoneoneachofPeter\'sshoulders。

"Oh，Peter，"shewailed，"Iamnotahystericalidiot，butI

couldn\'thavestooditifthatcoathadbeenyours。Peter，I

justcouldn\'thaveborneit！"

Peterheldhimselfrigidlyinthefearthathemightdisturbthehandsthatweregrippinghim。

"IseeIhavethejobofeducatingthesedamnedfieldmiceastowheretheymaybuildwithimpunity，"hesaidsoberly。

ButLindawasnottobediverted。Shelookedstraightanddeepintohiseyes。

"Peter，"shesaidaffirmatively，"youdon\'tknowathingaboutthatcoat，doyou？"

"Idonot，"saidPeterpromptly。

"Youneversawwhatwasinitspockets，didyou？"

"Nottomyknowledge，"answeredPeter。"Whatwasinthepockets，Linda？"

Lindathoughtswiftly。Peteradoredhisdreamhouse。Ifshetoldhimthattheplansforithadbeenstolenbyhisarchitect，thehousewouldberuinedforPeter。AnyonecouldseefromthecandorofhisgazeandthelinesthatGodandexperiencehadgravenonhisfacethatPeterwaswithoutguile。SuddenlyLindashotherhandspastPeter\'sshouldersandbroughtthemtogetheronthebackofhisneck。Shedrewhisfaceagainsthersandcried:"OhPeter，Iwouldhavebeenkilledifthatcoathadbeenyours。ItellyouIcouldn\'thaveenduredit，Peter。Iamjusttickledtodeath！"

Oneinstantshehuggedhimtight。Ifherlipsdidnotbrushhischeek，Peterdeludedhimself。Thenshesprangupandranfromthegarage。Laterhetookthecoatfromitsnail，thepapersfromitspockets，andcarefullylookedthemover。TherewasnothingamongthemthatwouldgivehimtheslightestcluetoLinda\'sconduct。Helookedagain，penetratingly，searchingly，forhemustlearnfromthemareason；andnoreasonwasapparent。

Withthecoatinonehandandthepapersintheotherhesteppedoutside。

"Linda，"hesaid，"won\'tyoushowme？Won\'tyoutellme？Whatisthereaboutthistoupsetyou？"

Lindaclosedherlipsandshookherhead。OncemorePetersoughtinherface，inherattitudetheinformationhecraved。

"Needn\'ttellme，"hesaid，"thatagirlwhowillfacethedesertandthemountainsandthecanyonsandtheseaisupsetbyamouse。"

"Well，youshouldhaveseenKatysittinginthemidstofoursupperwithherfeetrigidlyextendedbeforeher！"criedthegirl，strugglingtoregainhercomposure。"Putbackthatcoatandcometoyoursupper。It\'stimeforyoutobefednow。Thelastworkmanhasgoneandwe\'llbarelyhavetimetofinishnicelyandshowKatyyourdreamhousebeforeit\'stimetogo。"

PetercameandsatintheplaceLindaindicated。Hismindwaswhirling。Therewassomethinghedidnotunderstand，butinherowntime，inherownway，agirlofLinda\'spoiseandself-possessionwouldtellhimwhathadoccurredthatcouldberesponsiblefortheverypeculiarthingsshehaddone。Insomewayshehadexperiencedashocktoogreatforherusualself-possession。Thehandswithwhichshefishedpickledonionsfromthebottlewerestillunsteady，andthecorroborationPeterneededforhisthoughtscouldbefoundinthedazedwayinwhichKatywatchedLindaasshehoveredoverherinservingher。Butthatwasnotthetime。Byandbythetimewouldcome。ThethingtodowastotrustLindaandawaititscoming。SoPetercalledonallthereservewitandwisdomhehadatcommand。Hejested，toldstories，andtoLinda\'ssatisfactionandKaty\'sdelight，heatehissupperlikeahungryman，franklyenjoyingit，andwhenthemealwasfinishedPetertookKatyoverthehouse，explainingtoherasmuchdetailaswaspossibleatthatstageofitsconstruction，whileLindafollowedwithmutelipsandrebellionsurginginherheart。Whenleavingtimecame，whileKatypackedtheBearCat，Lindawanderedacrosstowardthespring，andPeter，feelingthatpossiblyshemightwishtospeakwithhim，followedher。Whenheovertookhershelookedathimstraightly，hereyesshowingthehurtherheartfelt。

"Peter，"shesaid，"thatfirstnightyouhaddinnerwithus，wasHenryAndersonoutofyourpresenceoneminutefromthetimeyoucameintothehouseuntilyouleftit？"

Peterstoppedandstudiedthegroundathisfeetintently。

Finallyhesaidconclusively:"Iwouldgoonoath，Linda，thathewasnot。Wewerealltogetherinthelivingroom，alltogetherinthediningroom。WelefttogetheratnightandJohnwaswithus。"

"Isee，"saidLinda。"Well，then，whenyoucamebackthenextmorningafterEileen，beforeyoustartedonyourtrip，tohuntalocation，washewithyouallthetime？"

AgainPetertookhistimetoanswer。

"WecametoyourhousewithGilman，"hesaid。"JohnstartedtothefrontdoortotellMissEileenthatwewereready。I

followedhim。Andersonsaidhewouldlookatthescenery。Hemusthavemadeacircuitofthehouse，becausewhenwecameoutreadytostart，averyfewminuteslater，hewascomingdowntheothersideofthehouse。"

"Ah，"saidLindacomprehendingly。

"Linda，"saidPeterquietly，"itisveryobviousthatsomethinghasworriedyouextremely。AmIinanywayconnectedwithit？"

Lindashookherhead。

"IsthereanythingIcando？"

Thenegativewasrepeated。Thenshelookedathim。

"No，Peter，"shesaidquietly，"IconfessIhavehadashock，butitisinnowayconnectedwithyouandthereisnothingyoucandoaboutitbutforgetmyfoolishness。ButIamglad——Peter，youwillneverknowhowgladIam——thatyouhaven\'tanythingtodowithit。"

TheninthefriendliestfashionimaginableshereachedhimherhandandledthewaybacktotheBearCat，theirtightlygrippedhandsswingingbetweenthem。AsPeterclosedthedoorhelookeddownonLinda。

"Youngwoman，"hesaid，"sincethiscountryhasasyetnonervespecialisttotaketheplaceofyourdistinguishedfather，ifyouhaveanywavestowavetometonight，kindlydoitbeforeyoustartorafteryoureachthehighway。IfyoutakeyourhandsoffthatsteeringwheelasyouroundthebouldersandstrikethatdeclivityasIhaveseenyoudoheretofore，Iwon\'tguaranteethatIshallnotrequireaspecialistmyself。"

Lindastartedtolaugh，thenshesawPeter\'seyesandsomethinginthemstoppedhersuddenly。

"IdidnotrealizethatIwastakinganyrisk，"shesaid。"I

won\'tdoitagain。Iwillsaygood-byetoyourighthereandnowsoIneedn\'tlookback。"

SosheshookhandswithPeteranddroveaway。Peterslowlyfolloweddowntheroughdriveway，wornhardbythewheelsofdeliverytrucks，andstooduponthehighestpointoftherockyturn，lookingafterthesmallgraycarasitsliddownthesteepdeclivity。Andhewonderediftherecouldhavebeentelepathyinthelongingwithwhichhewatcheditgo，foratthelevelroadwaythatfollowedbetweenthecultivatedlandouttothehighwayLindastoppedthecar，stoodupinit，andturning，lookedbackstraighttothespotuponwhichPeterstood。Shewavedbothhandstohim，andthengracefullyandbeautifully，withoutstretched，flutteringfingersshemadehimthesignofbirdsflyinghome。Andwiththewhimsyinhissouluppermost，Peterreflected，asheturnedbackforamicroscopicexaminationofHenryAnderson\'scoatandthecontentsofitspockets，thattherewasonebirdaboveallotherswhichmadehimthinkofLinda；buthecouldnotatthemomentfeatherKatherineO\'Donovan。Andthenhefurtherreflectedasheclimbedthehillthatifithadtobedonethebesthecoulddowouldbeabantamhencontemplatingdomesticity。

LindalookedthegarageoververycarefullywhensheputawaytheBearCat。Whensheclosedthegaragedoorsshewasparticularaboutthelocks。AsshecamethroughthekitchenshesaidtoKaty，busywiththelunchbox:

"Belovedest，havetherebeenanystrangeJapspokingaroundherelately？"

ShenearlycollapsedwhenKatyansweredpromptly:

"Adaletoomanyofthesquare-headedhaythens。Iampesteredtodeathwiththem。Theyusedtocomejisttowaterthelawnbutnowtheywanttocranetherugs；theywanttodothewash。Theyarewillingtocranehouse。Theywanttogetintothegarage；

theyinsistonwashingthecar。Iftheycan\'twashittheyjistwanttoseeifitnadeswashin\'。"

Lindastoodamazed。

"Andhowlonghasthisbeengoingon，Katy？"shefinallyasked。

"Well，Ihavehadtwogoodmonthsofit，"saidKaty；"thatis，itstartedtwomonthsago。Thepastmonthhasbeenworkin\'upandthelasttendaysitseemedtometheywasaJaponthebackstepsoftenerthantheywasastraycat，andIain\'tnotruckwithaytherofthem。Theygivemejistaboutthesamefalin\'。

BetweenthetwoIwouldtrustthecatadalefurtherwithmybirdthanIwouldtheJap。"

"Haveyoueverunlockedthegarageforthem，Katy？"askedLinda。

"No，"saidKaty。"IonlygotherewhenInadesomethingaboutmework。"

"Well，Katy，"saidLinda，"letmetellyouthis:thenexttimeyougothereforanythingtakeagoodlookforJapsbeforeyouopenthedoor。Getwhatyouwantandgetoutasquicklyaspossibleandbesure，Katy，desperatelysure，thatyoulockthedoorsecurelywhenyouleave。"

Katysetherhandsonherhips，flaredherelbows，andliftedherchin。

"What\'sanyofthemlittlehaythenbeencoin\'toscareye，missy？"shedemandedbelligerently。"Don\'tyouthinkI\'mafraidofthem！ComesanyofthemaroundmeandI\'lltakemymopstickovertheheadsofthem。"

"Andyou\'llbreakaperfectlygoodmopstickandnothurttheJapwhenyoudoit，"saidLinda。"There\'sanundercurrentofsomethingdeepandsubtlegoingoninthiscountryrightnow，Katy。WhenJapansendscollegeprofessorstoworkinourkitchensandrelativesofhergreateststatesmentoserveourtables，youcandependonitsheisnotdoingitforthemoneythatispaidthem。IfCaliforniadoesnotwakeupveryshortlyandverythoroughlysheisgoingtopayanawfulpricefortheluxurysheisexperiencingwhileshepampersherselfwiththeserviceoftheJapanese，justastheSouthhaspamperedherselfforgenerationswiththeserviceoftheNegroes。WhentheNegroeslearnwhatthereistoknow，thenthedayofretributionwillbeathand。Andthisisnotcroaking，Katy。Itisthetruestgospelthatwaseverpreached。KeepyoureyeswideopenforJaps。Keepyourdoorslocked，andifyouseeoneprowlingaroundthegarageanddon\'tknowwhatheisafter，gotothetelephoneandcallthepolice。"

Lindaclimbedthestairstoherworkroom，plumpeddownatthetable，setherchininherpalms，andlostherselfinthought。

Forhalfanhourshesatimmovable，staringathercaricatureofEileenthroughnarrowedlids。Thensheopenedthetypewriter，insertedasheetandwrote:

MYDEARMr。SNOW:

IamwritingasthemostintimatewomanfriendofMarianThorne。

Assuch，Ihavespentmuchthoughttryingtofigureoutexactlythereasonforthedecisioninyourrecentarchitecturalcompetition；whyamanshouldthinkofsuchanumberofverypersonal，intimatetouchesthat，fromfamiliaritywiththem，I

knowthatMissThornehadincorporatedinherplans，andwhyhiswinninghouseshouldbeherwinninghouse，merelyreversed。

TodayIhavefoundtheanswer，whichIamforwardingtoyou，knowingthatyouwillunderstandexactlywhatshouldbedone。

Enclosedyouwillfindoneofthefirstroughs}；etchesMarianmadeofherplans。Insomemysteriousmanneritwaslostonanightwhenyourprize-winningarchitecthaddinneratourhousewhereMissThornewasalsoaguest。Beforeretiringsheshowedtomeandexplainedtheplanswithwhichshehopedtowinyourcompetition。InthemorningIpackedhersuitcaseandhandedittotheporterofhertrain。WhenshearrivedatSanFranciscoshefoundthattheenclosedsheetwasmissing。

ThisafternoontidyingagarageinwhichMr。PeterMorrison，theauthor，islivingwhileHenryAndersoncompletesaresidenceheisbuildingforhimnearmyhome，IreversedacoatbelongingtoHenryAndersontodislodgefromitspocketthenestofafieldmouse。InsodoingIemptiedallthepockets，andingatheringuptheircontentsIfoundthislostsheetfromMarian\'splans。

IthinknothingmoreneedbesaidonmypartsavethatI

understoodthewinningplanwastobecomethepropertyofNicholsonandSnow。Withoutwaitingtoseewhethertheseplanswouldwinornot，HenryAndersonhasthemthreefourthsofthewaymaterializedinMr。Morrison\'sresidenceinLilacValleywhichisanorthwesternsuburbofLosAngeles。

YouprobablyhaveheardMarianspeakofme，andfromheryoumayobtainanyinformationyoumightcaretohaveconcerningmyresponsibility。

IammailingthesketchtoyouratherthantoMarianbecauseI

feelthatyouarethepartymostdeeplyinterestedinabusinessway，andIhope，too，thatyouwillbeinterestedinprotectingmyverydearfriendfromthedisagreeablepartsofthisverydisagreeablesituation。

Verytrulyyours，LINDASTRONG。

CHAPTERXXVIII。PuttingItUptoPeterWhenPeterMorrisonfinallygaveuplookinginthepocketsofHenryAnderson\'scoatforenlightenmentconcerningLinda\'sconduct，itwaswithhismindsettledononepoint。Therewasnothinginthecoatnowthatcouldpossiblyhavestartledthegirlorannoyedher。Whateverhadbeentherethatcausedherextremelypeculiarconductshehadcarriedawaywithher。PeterhadsettledconvictionsconcerningLinda。FromthefirstinstanthehadlookedintoherclearyoungeyesasshestoodinMultifloresCanyontriumphantlyholdingalofttheCotyledoninonehandandwiththeotherstrugglingtoinducetheskirtofherblousetoresumeitsproperlocationbeneaththebandofhertrousers，hehadfeltthatherheartandhermindwereasclearandcoolandbusinesslikeastheenergeticmountainstreamhurryingpasther。Aboveallothers，"straight"wastheoneadjectiveheprobablywouldhaveappliedtoher。WhatevershehadtakenfromHenry\'spocketswassomethingthatconcernedher。

Ifshetookanything，shehadarighttotakeit；ofthatPeterwasunalterablycertain。HerememberedthatafewdaysbeforeshepracticallyhadadmittedtohimthatAndersonhadannoyedher，andaslowangerbegantosurgeupinPeter\'scarefullyregulatedheart。Histhoughtswereextremelybusy，butthethinghethoughtmostfrequentlyandmostforcefullywasthathewouldthoroughlyenjoytakingHenryAndersonbythescruffoftheneck，leadinghimtothesheerestpartofhisownparticularshareofthemountain，andexhaustivelybootinghimdownit。

"Ittakestheseyoungsterstorushinandraisethedevilwherethere\'snonecessityforanythingtohappenifjustamodicumofcommonsensehadbeenused，"growledPeter。

Hemulledovertheproblemforseveraldays，andthenhedecidedheshouldseeLinda，andwithhisfirstlookintoherstraight-forwardeyes，fromthetonesofhervoiceandthecarriageofherheadhewouldknowwhethertheannoyancepersisted。AboutthecustomarytimeforhertoreturnfromschoolPeterstartedonfootdowntheshortcutbetweenhishomeandtheStrongresidence。Hewasfollowingafootpathroundingthebaseofthemountain，crossingandrecrossingtheenthusiasticmountainstreamasitspeededtowardthevalley，whenaflashofcoloronthefarthersideofthebrookattractedhim。Hestopped，thenhastilysprangacrossthewater，climbedafewyards，and，afterskirtingaheavyclumpofbushes，lookedatLindasittingbesidethem——amostastonishingLinda，appearingsmallandhumble，verymuchtuckedaway，unrestrainedtearsrollingdownhercheeks，awethandkerchiefwaddedinonehand，apacketoflettersinherlap。Alonginstanttheystudiedeachother。

"AmIintruding？"inquiredPeteratlast。

Lindashookherheadvigorouslyandgulpeddownasob。

"No，Peter，"shesobbed，"Ihadcomethisfaronmywaytoyouwhenmycouragegaveout。"

PeterrearrangedtheimmediatelandscapeandseatedhimselfbesideLinda。

"Nowstopdistressingyourself，"hesaidauthoritatively。"Youyoungstersdotakelifesoseriously。Theonlythingthatcouldhavehappenedtoyouworthyoursheddingatearovercan\'tpossiblyhavehappened；sostopthiswasteofgoodmaterial。

Tearsareverypreciousthings，Linda。Theyoughttobethemostunusualthingsinlife。Nowtellmesomething。Wereyoucomingtomeaboutthatmatterthatworriedyoutheotherevening？"

Lindashookherhead。

"No，"shesaid，"Ihaveturnedthatmatteroverwhereitbelongs。

Ihavenothingfurthertodowithit。I\'llconfesstoyouItookapaperfromamongthosethatfellfromHenryAnderson\'spocket。

Itwasnothis。Hehadnorighttohaveit。Hecouldn\'tpossiblyhavecomebyithonorablyorwithoutknowingwhatitwas。Itookthelibertytoputitwhereitbelongs，oratleastwhereitseemedtomethatitbelongs。Thatisallover。"

"Thensomethingelsehashappened？"askedPeter。"Somethingconnectedwiththepackageoflettersinyourlap？"

Lindanoddedvigorously。

"Peter，Ihavedonesomethingperfectlyawful，"sheconfessed。

"Ineverinthisworldmeanttodoit。Iwouldn\'thavedoneitforanything。Ihavegotmyselfintothedreadfullestmess，andIdon\'tknowhowtogetout。WhenIcouldn\'tstanditanotherminuteIstartedrighttoyou，Peter，justlikeI\'dhavestartedtomyfatherifI\'dhadhimtogoto。"

"Isee，"saidPeter，deeplyinterestedinthetoeofhisshoe。

"Youdependedonmyageandworldlyexperienceandmyunconcealeddevotiontoyourinterests，whichisexactlywhatyoushoulddo，mydear。Nowtellme。Dryyoureyesandtellme，andwhateveritisI\'llfixitallrightandhappilyforyou。I\'llsweartodoitifyouwantmeto。"

ThenLindaraisedhereyestohisface。

"Oh，Peter，youdear！"shecried。"Peter，I\'lljustkneelandkissyourhandsifyoucanfixthisforme。"

Petersethisjawsandcontinuedhismeditationsonshoeleather。

"Makeitsnappy！"hesaidtersely。"Thesooneryourtroublesareoutofyoursystemthebetteryou\'llfeel。Whoselettersarethose，andwhyareyoucryingoverthem？"

"Oh，Peter，"quaveredLinda，"youknowhowIloveMarian。YouhaveseenherandIhavetoldyouoverandover。"

"Yes，"saidPetersoothingly，"Iknow。"

"Ihavetoldyouhow，afteryearsofdevotiontoMarian，JohnGilmanletEileenmakeaperfectragofhimandtiehimintoanykindofknotshechose。Peter，whenMarianlefthereshehadlosteverythingonearthbutalittledabofmoney。Shehadlostafatherwhowasfineenoughtobemyfather\'sbestfriend。ShehadlostamotherwhowasfineenoughtorearMariantowhatsheis。Shehadlosttheminahorriblewaythatleftherroomforamillionfanciesandregrets:\'ifIhaddonethis，\'or\'ifIhaddonethat，\'or\'ifIhadtakenanotherroad。\'Andwhenshewentawaysheknewdefinitelyshehadlostthefirstandonlyloveofherheart；andIknew，becauseshewassosensitiveandsofine，Iknew，betterthananybodyliving，howsheCOULDbehurt；andI

thoughtifIcouldfixsomeschemethatwouldentertainherandtakehermindoffherselfandmakeherfeelappreciatedonlyforalittlewhile——Iknewinallreason，Peter，whenshegotoutintheworldwheremenwouldseeherandseehowbeautifulandfinesheis，therewouldbesomebodywhowouldwantherquickly。AllthetimeIhavethoughtthatwhenshecameback，YOUwouldwanther。Peter，IfibbedwhenIsaidIwassettingyourbrookforLouiseWhiting。Iwasnot。Idon\'tknowLouiseWhiting。Sheisnothingtome。IwassettingitforyouandMarian。ItwasaWHITEheadIsawamongtheirismarchingdownyourcreekbank，notagoldone，Peter。"

PeterlickedhisdrylipsandfounditimpossibletolookatLinda。

"Straightaheadwithit，"hesaidgravely。"Whatdidyoudo？"

"Oh，Ihavedonetheawfullestthing，"wailedLinda，"themostunforgivablething！"

Shereachedacrossandlaidholdofthehandnexther，andrealizingthatsheneededitforstrengthandsupport，Petergaveitintoherkeeping。

"Yes？"hequestioned。"Getonwithit，Linda。Whatwasityoudid？"

"Ihadatypewriter:Icould。Ibeganwritingherletters，thekindoflettersthatIthoughtwouldinterestherandmakeherfeellovedandappreciated。"

"Youdidn\'tsignmynametothem，didyou，Linda？"askedPeterinadry，breathlessvoice。

"No，Peter，"saidLinda，"Ididnotdothat，Ididworse。Oh，I

didawholelotworse！"

"Idon\'tunderstand，"saidPeterhoarsely。

"Iwantedtomakethemfine。Iwantedtomakethembrilliant。

Iwantedtomaketheminteresting。AndofcourseIcouldnotdoitbymyself。Iamnothingbutacopycat。IjustquotedalotofthingsIhadheardyousay；andIdidworsethanthat，Peter。

IwatchedthelittlewhimsylinesaroundyourmouthandItriedtointerprettheperfectlylovelythingstheywouldmakeyousaytoawomanifyoulovedherandwerebuildingadreamhouseforher。Andoh，Peter，it\'stooghastly；Idon\'tbelieveIcantellyou。"

"Thisisprettyseriousbusiness，Linda，"saidPetergravely。

"Havinggonethisfaryouareinhonorboundtofinish。Itwouldnotbefairtoleavemewithhalfatruth。Whatistheresultofthisimpersonation？"

"Oh，Peter，"sobbedLinda，breakingdownagain，"you\'regoingtohateme；Iknowyou\'regoingtohatemeandMarian\'sgoingtohateme；andIdidn\'tmeanathingbutthekindestthinginalltheworld。"

"Don\'ttalklikethat，Linda，"saidPeter。"Ifyourfriendisallyousaysheis，sheisboundtounderstand。Andasforme，I

amnotverylikelytomisjudgeyou。Butbequickaboutit。Whatdidyoudo，Linda？"

"Why，IjustwrotetheselettersthatIamtellingyouabout，"

saidLinda，"andIsaidthethingsthatIthoughtwouldcomfortherandentertainherandhelpwithherwork；andthesearetheanswersthatshewroteme，andIdon\'tthinkIrealizedtilllastnightthatshewastrulyattributingthemtoanyoneman，trulybelievinginthem。Oh，Peter，Iwasn\'tasleepaminutealllastnight，andforthefirsttimeIfailedinmylessonstoday。"

"Andwhatistheculmination，Linda？"urgedPeter。

"Shelikedtheletters，Peter。TheymeantallIintendedthemtoandtheymusthavemeantsomethingInevercouldhaveimagined。

AndinSanFranciscooneofthefirmwhereshestudies——averyfinemanshesaysheis，Peter；Icanseethatineverywayhewouldbequiterightforher；andIhadaletterfromherlastnight，and，Peter，hehadaskedhertomarryhim，tohavealifelongchanceatworkshe\'scrazyabout。Hehadofferedherabeautifulhomewitheverythingthatgreatwealthandcultureandgoodtastecouldafford。Hehadofferedherthemotheringofhislittledaughter；andsherefusedhim，Peter，refusedhimbecausesheisinlove，withallthelovethereisleftinherdisappointed，hurtheart，withthepersonalitythattheselettersrepresenttoher；andthatpersonalityisyours，Peter。Istoleitfromyou。Icopieditintothoseletters。I\'mnotstraight。

I\'mnotfair。Iwasn\'thonestwithher。Iwasn\'thonestwithyou。I\'lljusthavetotakeofffrontthetopofthehighestmountainorsinkinthedeepestplaceinthesea，Peter。I

thoughtIwasstraight。IthoughtIwashonorableIhavemadeDonaldbelievethatIwas。IfIhavetotellhimthetruthaboutthishewon\'twanttowearmyfloweranymore。IshallknowallthethingsthatMarianhassuffered，andathousandtimesworse，becauseshewasnottoblame；shehadnothingwithwhichtoreproachherself。"

PeterputanarmacrossLinda\'sshouldersanddrewheruptohim。

Foralong，bittermomenthethoughtdeeply，andthenhesaidhoarsely:"Nowcalmdown，Linda。You\'remakinganextremelyhighmountainoutofanextremelyshallowgopherhole。Youhaven\'tdoneanythingirreparable。Iseethewholesituation。

Youaresureyourfriendhasfinallyrefusedthisoffershehashadonaccountoftheselettersyouhavewritten？"

SuddenlyLindarelaxed。SheleanedherwarmyoungbodyagainstPeter。Shelaidhertiredheadonhisshoulder。Sheslippedthetopletterofthepacketinherlapfromunderitsband，openedit，andhelditbeforehim。Peterreaditverydeliberately，thenhenoddedinacquiescence。

"It\'salltooevident，"hesaidquietly，"thatyouhavetaughtherthatthereisamaninthisworldmoretoherlikingthanJohnGilmaneverhasbeen。Whenitcametomaterializingtheman，Linda，whatwasyouridea？Wereyouproposingtodeliverme？"

"Ithoughtitwouldbesuitableandyouwouldbeperfectlyhappy，"sobbedLinda，"andthatwayIcouldhavebothofyou。"

"AndDonaldalso？"askedPeterlightly。

"Donaldofcourse，"assentedLinda。

Andthensheliftedhertear-spilling，wonderfuleyes，wideopen，toPeter\'s，anddemanded:"But，ohPeter，IamsomiserableIamalmostdead。Ihavesaidyouwerearock，andyouarearock。

peter，canyougetmeoutofthis？"

"Sure，"saidPetergrimly。"Merelyacaseoflivinguptoyourbluechina，evenifithappenstobeintheformofhieroglyphicsinsteadofbakedpottery。Givemetheletters，Linda。Givemeafewdaystostudythem。ExchangetypewriterswithmesoIcanhavethesamemachine。Givemesomeofthepaperonwhichyouhavebeenwritingandtheaddressyouhavebeenusing，andI\'llguaranteetogetyououtofthisinsomewaythatwillleaveyouDonald，andyourfriendshipwithMarianquiteasgoodasnew。"

AtthatjuncturePetermighthavebeenkissed，buthisneckwasverystiffandhisheadwasveryhighandhiseyeswereonafar-distanthilltopfromwhichatthatminutehecouldnotseemtogatheranyparticularhelp。

"Woulditbeyouridea，"hesaid，"thatbyreadingtheselettersIcouldgainsufficientknowledgeofwhathaspassedtogoonwiththis？"

"Ofcourseyoucould，"saidLinda。

Peterreachedinhissidepocketandpulledoutacleanhandkerchief。Heshookitfromitsfoldsanddriedhereyes。

Thenhetookherbyhershouldersandsetherupstraight。

"Nowstopthisnervestrainandthisfoolishness，"hesaidtersely。"Youhavedoneaverywonderfulthingforme。ItisbarelypossiblethatMarianThorneisnotmydreamwoman，butwecan\'talwayshaveourdreamsinthisworld，andifIcouldnothavemine，trulyandcandidly，Linda，sofarasIhavelivedmylife，IwouldratherhaveMarianThornethananyotherwomanI

haveevermet。"

Lindaclappedherhandsindelight。

"Oh，goodygoody，Peter！"shecried。"Howjoyous！CanitbepossiblethatmybunglingiscomingoutrightforMarianandrightforyou？"

"Andrightforyou，Linda？"inquiredPeterlightly。

"Sure，rightforme，"saidLindaeagerly。"Ofcourseit\'srightformewhenit\'srightforyouandMarian。Andsinceit\'snotmysecretaloneIdon\'tthinkitwouldbequitehonorabletotellDonaldaboutit。WhathurtsMarian\'sheartorhealsitisnoneofhisbusiness。Hedoesn\'tevenknowher。"

"Allrightthen，Linda，"saidPeter，rising，"givemethelettersandbringmethemachineandthepaper。GivemethejoyousdetailsandtellmewhenIamexpectedtosendinmyfirstletterinpropriapersona？\'，"Oh，Peter，"criedLinda，beamingonhim，"oh，Peter，youarearock！Idoputmytrustinyou。"

"ThenGodhelpme，"saidPeter，"forwhateverhappens，yourtrustinmeshallnotbebetrayed，Linda。"

CHAPTERXXIX。KatyUnburdensHerMindPossiblybecauseshewishedtoeliminateherselffromtheofficesofNicholsonandSnowforafewdays，possiblybecauseherfinelyattunednaturefeltthecall，MarianThorneboardedatrainthatcarriedhertoLosAngeles。Shesteppedfromitatteno\'clockinthemorning，andbythestreetcarroutemadeherwaytoLilacValley。WhenshearrivedsherealizedthatshecouldnotseeLindabefore，possibly，threeintheafternoon。Sheenteredarestaurant，hadasmalllunchboxpacked，andleavingherdressingcase，shesetoffdownthevalleytowardthemountains。

Shehadneedoftheirstrength，theirquietandtheirhealing。

TotheoneparticularspotwhereshehadfoundcomfortinLilacValleyherfeetledher。Bypathsofherown，muchovergrownforwantofrecentusage，shepassedthroughthecultivatedfields，lefttheroadway，andbegantoclimb。Whenshereachedthestreamflowingdowntheruggedhillside，shestoppedtorestforawhile，andhermindwasinatumult。Inoneminuteshewasseeingthebitterlydisappointedfaceofalonely，sensitivemanwhosefirstwoundhadbeenreopenedbythemakingofanotherpossiblyquiteasdeep；andatthenextherheartwasthrobbingbecauseLindahadsucceededintransferringthelivingPetertopaper。

ThetimehadcomewhenMarianfeltthatshewouldknowthepersonalityembodiedinthelettersshehadbeenreceiving；andinthepastfewdayshermindhadbeenfixingtenaciouslyuponPeterMorrison。AndthefeelingconcerningwhichshehadwrittenLindahadtakenpossessionofher。Wealthdidnotmatter；positiondidnotmatter。LosingtheloveofagoodmandidnotmatterButthemindandtheheartandthepersonalitybehindthelettersshehadbeenreceivingdidmatter。ShethoughtlongandseriouslyWhenatlastshearoseshehadarrivedattheconclusionthatshehaddonetherightthing，nomatterwhetherthewonderfullettersshehadreceivedwentonandofferedherloveornot，nomatteraboutanything。Shemustmerelyliveanddothebestshecould，untilthewriterofthoseletterschosetodisclosehimselfandsaywhatpurposehehadinmindwhenhewrotethem。

SoMarianfollowedherownpathbesidethecreekuntilsheneareditshead，whichwasabig，gushingicyspringatthefootofthemountainkeepingwatchoverthesmallplateauthatinherheartshehadthoughtofashersforyears。Asshenearedthelocationstrangesoundsbegantoreachher，voicesofmen，clangingofhammers，theripofsaws。Alookofdeepconsternationoverspreadherface。Shelistenedaninstantandthenbegantorun。WhenshebrokethroughtherankfoliageflourishingfromthewatersofthespringandlookedoutontheplateauwhatshesawwasPeterMorrison\'shouseintheprocessofbeingflooredandshingled。ForaminuteMarianwasphysicallyill。Herhearthurtuntilherhandcrepttohersideinanefforttosootheit。

Beforesheaskedthequestionofamancomingtothespringwithapailinhishand，sheknewtheanswer。ItwasPeterMorrison\'shouse。Mariansprangacrossthebrook，climbedtothetemporaryroadway，andwalkeddowninfrontofthebuilding。Shestoodlookingatitintently。Itwasinaroughstage，butmuchdisguiseisneededtopreventamotherfromknowingherownchild。Marian\'sdarkeyesbegantowidenandtoblaze。Shewalkeduptothefrontofthehouseandfoundthatroughflooringhadbeenlaidsothatshecouldgooverthefirstfloor。Whenshehaddonethissheleftthebackdooradeeplyindignantwoman。

"Thereissomeconnection，"shetoldherselftersely，"betweenmylostsketchandthishouse，whichismerelyaleft-to-rightrehearsalofmyplans；andit\'sthesameplanwithwhichHenryAndersonwontheNicholsonandSnowprizemoneyandthestillmorevaluablehonorofbeingtheprizewinner。WhatIwanttoknowishowsuchawrongmayberighted，andwhatPeterMorrisonhastodowithit。"

Steppingfromthebackdoor，Marianfollowedthewell-wornpathwaythatledtothegarage，lookingrightandleftforPeter，andshewaswonderingwhatshewouldsaytohimifshemethim。

ShewasthinkingthatperhapsshehadbetterreturntoSanFranciscoandtalkthematteroverwithMr。Snowbeforeshesaidanythingtoanyoneelse；bythistimeshehadreachedthegarageandstoodinitswide-opendoor。Shelookedinatthecot，leftjustassomeonehadarisenfromit，attherowofclothinghangingonaroughwoodenrackattheback，atthepiledboxes，atthebigtable，knockedtogetherfromroughlumber，inthecenter，scatteredandpiledwithbooksandmagazines；andthenhereyesfixedintentlyonapacketlyingonthetablebesideatypewriterandastackofpaperandenvelopes。Shewalkedoverandpickedupthepacket。Asshehadknowntheinstantshesawthem，theywereherletters。Shestoodaninstantholdingtheminherhand，adazedexpressiononherface。Mechanicallyshereachedoutandlaidherhandsontheclosedtypewritertosteadyherself。Somethingaboutitappealedtoherasfamiliar。Shelookedatitclosely，thensheliftedthecoverandexaminedthemachine。ItwasthesamemachinethathadstoodforyearsinDoctorStrong\'slibrary，amachineuponwhichshehadtypedbusinesslettersforherownfather，andsometimesshehadcopiedlecturesandbookmanuscriptonitforDoctorStrong。Untilhishousewascompletedandhisbelongingsarrived，Peterundoubtedlyhadborrowedit。SuddenlyawilddesiretoescapesweptoverMarian。Herfirstthoughtwasofherfeelings。Shewasangry，andjustlyso。InherheartshehadbeguntofeelthatthelettersshewasreceivingwerefromPeterMorrison。Herewastheproof。

CoulditbepossiblethatintheironemeetingPeterhaddecidedthatshewashisdreamwoman，thatinsomewayhehadsecuredthatroughsketchofherplans，andfromthemwaspreparingherdreamhouseforher？Thethoughtspedthroughherbrainthathewassomethingmorethanhumantohavesecuredthoseplans，tohavefoundthatsecludedandchoicelocation。Foraninstantsheforgotthelossofthecompetitionintryingtocomprehendthewonderoffindingherownparticularhousefittingherownparticularlocationasnaturallyasoneofitsbigboulders。

Shetriedtoreplacethepackageoflettersexactlyasshehadfoundthem。Ontiptoesheslippedbacktothedoorandlookedsearchinglydowntheroad，around，andasfaraspossiblethroughthehouse。Thenshegatheredherskirts，steppedfromthegarage，andbegantheprocessofeffacingherselfonthemountainsideFromclumptoclumpofthethickestbushes，crouchingbelowthesageandgreasewood，pausingtorestbehindlilacandelder，with。outregardforhertravelingsuitorherbeautifullyshodfeet，Marianfledfromherlocation。Whenatlastshefeltthatshewascompletelyhiddenandatleastamilefromthespot，shedroppedpantingonaboulder，brushingthedebrisfromherskirts，liftingtremblinghandstostraightenherhat，andruefullycontemplatinghershoes。Thenshetriedtothinkinacalm，dispassionate，andreasonablemanner，butshefounditamostdifficultprocess。Hermindwasnotwellordered，neitherwasitathercommand。Itwhirledandshotoffatunexpectedtangentsanddancedasirresponsiblyasagrasshopperfromoneplacetoanother。TheflyingleapsittookrangedfromSanFranciscotoLilacValley，fromherlocationuponwhichPeterMorrisonwasbuildingherhouse，toLinda。EvenJohnGilmanobtrudedhimselfoncemore。AtoneminuteshewasexperiencingaragingindignationagainstHenryAnderson。Howhadhesecuredherplan？AtanothershewastryingtofiguredispassionatelywhatconnectionPeterMorrisoncouldhavehadwiththebuildingofhishouseuponherplan。EverytimePetercameintotheequationherheartaroseinhisdefense。Insomewayhisshareintheproceedingwasallright。Hehadcaredforherandhehaddonewhathethoughtwouldpleaseher。Thereforeshemustbepleased，althoughforcedtoadmittoherselfthatshewouldhavebeeninfinitelymorepleasedtohavebuiltherownhouseinherownway。

ShewashungrytoseeLinda。ShewantedKatherineO\'DonovantofeedherandfussoverherandentertainherwithhermellowIrishbrogue；butifshewenttothemanddisclosedherpresenceinthevalley，Peterwouldknowaboutit，andifheintendedthebuildinghewaserectingasawonderfulsurpriseforher，thenshemustnotspoilhisjoy。Planinanywayshecould，MariancouldseenocourselefttoherotherthantoslipbacktothestationandreturntoSanFranciscowithoutmeetinganyofherfriends。Shehurriedlyateherlunch，againstraightenedherclothing，wenttotherestaurantforhertravelingbag，andtookthecarforthestationwhereshewaitedforareturntraintoSanFranciscoSheboughtapaperandtriedtoconcentrateuponitinanefforttotakehermindfromherownproblemssothat，whenshereturnedtothem，shewouldbebetterabletothinkclearly，toreasonjustly，toactwisely。Shewasverygladwhenhertraincameandshewasstartedonherwaynorthward。Atthefirstsidinguponwhichitstoppedtoallowthepassingofasouth-boundlimited，shewascertainthatasthecarsflashedby，inoneofthemshesawEugeneSnow。ShewassocertainthatwhenshereachedthecitysheimmediatelycalledtheofficeandaskedforMr。Snowonlytobetoldthathehadgoneawayforadayortwoonbusiness。AfterthatMarian\'sthoughtwasconfusedtothepointofexasperation。

ItwouldbedifficulttoexplainpreciselythestateofmindinwhichLinda，uponarrivingatherhomethatafternoon，receivedfromKatytheinformationthatamannamedSnowhadbeenwaitinganhourforherinthelivingroom。Linda\'sappearancewasthatofapersonsoastonishedthatKatysidleduptohergivingstrongevidenceofbeingreadytobristle。

"Yeknow，lambie，"shesaidwithelaborateindifference，"yearen\'thavin\'toseeanybodyyedon\'twantto。Ifit\'ssomebodyintrudin\'himselfonye，justsaythewordandI\'llfirehim；

higherthanGuilderoy\'skiteI\'llbefirin\'him。"

"No，Imustseehim，Katy，"saidLindaquietly。"Andhavesomethingspeciallynicefordinner。VerylikelyI\'lltakehimtoseePeterMorrison\'shouseandpossiblyI\'llaskhimandPetertodinner。HeisaSanFranciscoarchitectfromthefirmwhereMariantakesherlessons，andit\'sbusinessaboutPeter\'shouse。

Iwassurprised，that\'sall。"

ThenLindaturnedandlaidahandoneachofKaty\'shairyredarms。

"KatherineO\'Donovan，olddear，"shesaid，"ifwedocomebackfordinner，concentrateonMr。Snowandstudyhim。Scrutinize，Katy！It\'sabullyword。Scrutinizeclosely。Toaddonemoretoourlonglistsofsecrets，here\'sanother。He\'sthemanItoldyouaboutwhohasaskedMariantomarryhim，andMarianhasrefusedhimprobablybecauseshepreferssomebodynearerhome。"

ThenLindafeltthetensingofeverymuscleinKaty\'sbody。Shesawtheliftofherhead，theincredulous，resentfullookinhereyes。Therewasfrankhostilityinhertone。

"Well，whoistherenearerhomethatMarianknows？"shedemandedbelligerently。

"Well，now，whowouldtherebe？"retortedLinda。

"Yeain\'tmanin\'JohnGilman？"askedKaty。

"No，"saidLinda，"IamnotmeaningJohnGilman。YoushouldknowMarianwellenoughtoknowthat。"

"Well，yeoughttoknowyourselfwellenoughtoknowthattheyain\'tanybodyelsearoundthesediggin\'sthatMarianThorne\'sgoingtoget，"saidKaty。

"IimagineMarianwillgetprettymuchwhomshewants，"saidLindalaughingly。"Inyourheart，Katy，youknowthatMarianneednothavelostJohnGilmanifshehadnotdeliberatelylethimgo。IfshehadbeenwillingtomeetEileenonherowngroundandtoplaythegamewithher，itwouldn\'thavehappened。MarianhasmorebrainsinaminutethanEileenhasinamonth。"