第10章

WhenLindadrewbacktheportiereandsteppedintothelivingroomEugeneSnowrosetomeether。Whateitherofthemexpecteditmightbedifficulttoexplain。Knowingsolittleofeachother，itisverypossiblethattheyhadnovisualizations。WhatSnowsawwaswhateveryonesawwholookedatLinda——agirlarrestinglyunusual。WithLindalaytheadvantagebyfar，sinceshehadMarian\'slettersforabackground。Whatshesawwasatallman，slender，andabouthimtherewastoLindaastrongappeal。Asshelookedintohiseyes，shecouldfeelthedoublehurtthatFatehaddealthim。Shethoughtshecouldfathomthefinenessinhisnaturethathadledhimtomadehome-buildinghischosenoccupation。Instantlyshelikedhim。Withonlyonelookdeepintohiseyesshewasonhisside。Shestretchedoutbothherhandsandadvanced。

"Nowisn\'tthisthefinestthingofyou？"shesaid。"Iamsogladthatyoucame。I\'lltellyouwordforwordwhathappenedhere。"

"Thatwillbefine，"hesaid。"Whichisyourfavoritechair？"

"Youknow，"shesaid，"thatisajoke。IamsounfamiliarwiththisroomthatIhaven\'tanyfavoritechair。I\'llhavetotakethenearest，likeThoreauselectedhispieceofchicken。"

ThenforafewminutesLindatalkedfrankly。SheansweredEugeneSnow\'severyquestionunhesitatinglyandcomprehensively。

Togethertheyascendedthestairs，andintheguestroomsheshowedhimthetableatwhichsheandMarianhadstudiedthesketchesofplans，andexactlywheretheyhadleftthemlyingovernight。

"TheonethingIcan\'tbeexplicitabout，"saidLinda，"ishowmanysheetswerethereinthemorning。Wehadstayedawakesolatetalking，thatweoverslept。IpackedMarian\'sbagwhileshedressed。Isnatchedupwhattherewerewithoutrealizingwhetherthereweretwosheetsorthree，laidthemintheflatbottomofthecase，andfoldedherclothingontopofthem。"

"Isee，"saidMr。Snowcomprehendingly。"Nowlet\'sexperimentalittle。Ofcoursethewindowbeforethattablewasraised？"

"Yes，itwas，"saidLinda，"buteverywindowinthehouseisscreened。"

"Andwhataboutthedooropeningintothehall？Canyoutellmewhetheritwasclosedoropen？"

"Itwasopen，"saidLinda。"Weleftitslightlyajartocreateadraft；thenightwaswarm。"

"Isthereanyoneaboutthehouse，"inquiredMr。Snow，"whocouldtelluscertainlywhetherthatwindowwasscreenedthatnight？"

"Ofcourse，"saidLinda。"Ourhousekeeper，KatherineO\'Donovan，wouldknow。Whenwegodownwe\'llaskher。"

Ontheirreturntothelivingroom，forthefirsttimeinherlifeLindarangforKaty。Shehesitatedaninstantbeforeshedidit。Itwouldbeestablishingarelationshipthatneverbeforehadexistedbetweenthem。ShealwayshadgonetoKatyasshewouldhave，gonetohermother。Shewouldhavegonetohernow，butshewantedKatytomakeherappearanceandgiveherinformationwithoutthepossibilityofpreviousdiscussion。Katyansweredthebellalmostatonce。Lindawenttohersideandreachedherarmacrosshershoulders。

"Katy，"shesaid，"thisisMr。EugeneSnowofSanFranciscoHeisinterestedinfindingoutexactlywhatbecameofthatlostplanofMarian\'sthatwehavelookedforsocarefully。Putonyourthinkingcap，olddear，andtrytoansweraccuratelyanyquestionthatMr。Snowmaywishtoaskyou。"

KatylookedexpectantlyatEugeneSnow。

"Inthemeantime，"saidLinda，"I\'llbeexcusedandgobringroundtheBearCat。"

"Ihaveonlyonequestiontoaskyou，"saidMr。Snow。"Canyourecallwhether，foranyreason，therewasascreenoutoftheguest-roomwindowdirectlyinfrontofwhichthereadingtablewasstandingthenightMissMarianoccupiedtheroombeforeleavingforSanFrancisco？"

"Suretherewas，"answeredKatyinstantlyinherrichest，mellowestbrogue。

Shewastakingtheinventoryshehadbeentoldtotake。Shewasdeciding，asinstantlyasLindahaddone，thatshelikedthisman。Years，appearance，everythingabouthimappealedtoKatyasbeingexactlyrightforMarian；andhercunningIrishmindwasleapingandflyingandtuggingattheleashthatthirtyyearsofconventionshadbounduponher。

"Sure，"sherepeated，"thewildestsantanathateverroaredoverusjustcaughtthatscreenandlandeditslamagainstthesideofthegarage，anditsetinsideforthreedaystillIcouldgetaworkmantogouptheoutsideandputitback。IthadbeenouttwodaysbeforethenightMarianwashere。"

"DidMissLindaknowaboutit？"askedSnow。

"NotthatIknowof，"saidKaty。"Sheisaschoolgirl，youknow，offearlyinthemorning，backanduptoherroom，thebusiestyoungsterthevalleyknows；andcoin\'adaleofgoodsheis，too。

ItwasMissEileenthatheardthescreenrippedoutandtoldmeitwasgone。She\'stheonewholookedafterthehousekapin\'andpaidthebills。Sheknewallaboutit。If\'twouldbehelpin\'

MissMariananyaboutfindin\'themplanswe\'veransackedthepremisesfor，Icouldn\'tseeanyreasonwhyMissEileenwouldn\'ttellyethesameasI\'mtellin\'ye，andherhousekapin\'accountsandherchequebookwouldshowshepaidthecarpenter，ifit\'slegalbusinessyou\'rewantin\'。"

"Thankyou，Katy，"saidMr。Snow。"Ihopenothingofthatkindwilloccur。Agreatwronghasbeenperpetrated，butwemustfindsomewaytorightitwithoutinvolvingsuchextremelyniceyoungwomenintheannoyanceoflegalproceedings。"

Katyfoldedherarmsandraisedherhead。AllhershareoftheblarneyofIrelandbegantorollfromthemellowtipofhertongue。

"Now，thenicemanyeare，tobeseein\'thebeautyofthemgirlssoquick，"shesaid。"ThegoodLordairlyinthemornin\'ofcreationthoughtthemoutwhenHewasjistfreshfromrist，andthematerialwasnoneshopworn。Theyain\'tladieslike\'emanywhereelseinthewholeofCalifornia，andbelaveme，amanyraleladieshaveIseeninmytime。YecanjistmakeupyourmindthatMissLindaisthebrothoftheearth。Sheisherfather\'sownchildandsheislikehimastwopaseinthepod。

AndMariangrowedbesideher，andmuchofahandI\'vehadinherraisin\'meself，andwellI\'mknowin\'howfinesheisandwhatajuelshe\'dbe，setonanyman\'shearthstone。I\'mwonderin\'，"

saidKatychallengingly，"ifyou\'retheMr。Snowatwhoseplacesheistakin\'herlessons，andifyeare，I\'mwonderin\'ifyeain\'tgoin\'tousethegoodjudgmenttosether，likethejuelshewouldbe，iathestoneofyourownhearth。"

EugeneSnowlookedatKatyintently。Hewasnotaccustomedtodiscussinghisaffairswithhouseholdhelpers，buthecouldnotlookatKatywithoutthereremaininginhisvisiontheforteofLindastandingbesideher，areassuringarmstretchedacrosshershoulders，themannerinwhichshehadpresentedherandthenleftherthatshemightbefreetoanswerasshechosewithoutheryoungmistressevenknowingexactlywhatwasaskedofher。

Suchfaithandtrustandlovewereunusual。

"Imighttrytodothatverything，"hesaid，"but，youknow，awonderfulwomanisananimatedjewel。Youcan\'tmanufactureasettingandputherinandtightentheclaspswithoutherconsent。"

"Thenwhydon\'tyougetit？"saidKatycasually。

EugeneSnowlaughedruefully。

"Butsuppose，"hesaid，"thattheparticularjewelyou\'rediscussingpreferstoselectherownsetting，andminedoesnotpleaseher。"

"Well，they\'sjistonething，"saidKaty。Herheelsleftthefloorinvoluntarily；shearoseonhertiptoes；hershoulderscameup，andherheadliftedtoaheightitneverhadknownbefore。

"They\'sjistonething，"shesaid。"AsidefromMissLinda，whoismyveryownchildthatIhavewashedandIhavecombedandI

havedoneforsinceshewasatoddlin\'four-year-old，theyain\'tnowomaninthisworldIwouldgoasfarforasIwouldforMissMarian；butI\'mtellin\'yenow，yeMr。EujaneSnow，thatthey\'sonethingIdon\'tlendnocountenanceto。Iamsorryshehashadthecold，cruelluckthatshehas，butIain\'tsorryenoughthatI\'mgoin\'tostandforherdroppin\'herselfintotheplacewhereshedoesn\'tbelong。IfthegoodLordain\'tgiveherthesensetoseethatyou\'rejisttheimageofthemanthatwouldbejistexactlyrightforher，somebodyhadbetterbetellin\'herso。

Anyway，ifMissLindaistakin\'yeuptothehousethatMr。PaterMorrisonisbuildin\'andthePatermanisthere，Iwouldadviseyetocastyourmostdiscernin\'eyeonthatgintleman。Yewatchhimjistoneminutewhenhelooksattheyoungmissusandhethinksnobodyain\'tobservinghim，andye\'llseewhatye\'llsee。

IfyewantMarian，yejistgoonandtakeher。I\'mnotcarin\'

whetheryeuseacluborwhitevi\'lets，butdon\'tyebelettin\'

MarianThornegetnoideaintoherheadthatsheisgoin\'totakeMr。PaterMorrison，becauseconcernin\'PaterIknowwhatIknow，andIain\'tgoin\'tostandbyandseethingsgoin\'wrongforwantofspakin\'up。Nowifyou\'reawiseman，yedon\'tnadenothingfurthersaidonthesubject。"

EugeneSnowthoughtintentlyforafewmoments。HisvisioncenteredonKatherineO\'Donovan\'sface。

"You\'reabsolutelysureofthis？"hesaidatlast。

"Jistassureasthesun\'ssure，andthemountains，andtheseaSonscomeandgo，"saidKatywithfinality。"Watchhimandyou\'llseeitstickin\'outalloverhim。Ihavepickedhimformeboss，andit\'sjistadorin\'thatmancratureIam。"

"WhataboutMissLinda？"inquiredSnow。"Issheadoringhim？"

"Sheain\'tnothingbutaganglin\'schoolkid，adorin\'thespadewithwhichshecanshootaroundthatBearCatofhers，andracethecanyons，andtherelylovelythingsshecanstrikeonpaperwithherpencilandlightupwithherjoyouscolors。Herdayandherhourain\'tcome，andthePaterman\'sthatfinehewon\'tlayafingeronhertowakeherupwhenshehasayearyetofherschoolin\'beforeher。Butinthemanetimeit\'smyjobtostandguardasI\'mstandin\'rightnow。I\'mtellin\'yefrankandfair。

YegoonandtakeMarianThornebecauseyeoughttohaveher。Ifshe\'sgotanyideainherheadthatshe\'sgoin\'tohavePaterMorrison，she\'llhavetogetitout。"

EugeneSnowheldouthishandandstartedtothefrontdoorinanswertothegrowloftheBearCat。Ashecamedownthestepsandadvancedtothecar，Linda，withthequickeyethathadbeenoneofherspecialgiftsasabirthright，notedachangeinhim。

Heseemedtohavebeenkeyedupandtonedup。Therewasadifferentexpressiononhisface。Therewasbuoyancyinhisstep。Therewasavisibledeterminationinhiseye。HetooktheseatbesideherandLindastartedthecar。Shelookedathiminterrogatively。

"Canyouconnectaheavywindwiththedateofthelostplan？"heinquired。

"Therewasacrack-a-jackafewdaysbefore，"saidLinda。"Itblewoversometreesinthelotnexttous。"

"Exactly，"saidSnow；"anditpluckedascreenfromyourguest-roomwindow。Katythinksthatthechequetothecarpenterandthecostoftherepairswillbeinyoursister\'saccountbooks。"

"Umhm，"noddedLinda。"Well，thatsimplifiesmatters，becausePeterMorrisonisgoingtotellyouaboutatripHenryAndersonmadearoundourhousethemorningMarianleft。"

"Ithinkthatisaboutallweneedtoknow，"saidMr。Snowconclusively。

"Ithinkso，"saidLinda，"butIwantyoutoseePeter\'shouseforyourself，sinceIunderstandthataccordingtoyourcontracttherightstoreproducetheseparticularplansremainedwithyouafteryouhadpaidprizemoneyforthem。"

"Mostcertainly，"saidMr。Snow。"Weshouldhavethatmuchtoshowforourshareofthetransaction。"

"It\'saqueerthing，"saidLinda。"Youwouldhavetoknowmealongtime，andperhapsknowunderwhatconditionsIhavebeenrearedinordertounderstandafeelingthatIfrequentlyhaveconcerningpeople。ItobogganeddownasheersideofMultifloresCanyononedaywithoutmypathhavingbeenpreviouslyprepared，andIverynearlylandedintheautomobilethatcarriedHenryAndersonandPeterMorrisonontheirfirsttriptoLilacValley。

Iwasmuchinterestedinpreservingtheintegrityofmyneck。I

ferventlyhopednottobreakmorethanadozenofmylegsandarms，andwasforcedtobringdownintactthefinestCotyledonpulverulentathatDaddyorIhadfoundinfourteenyearsofcollectinginCalifornia。IamtellingyouallthisthatyoumayseewhyImighthavebeenexcusedfornothavingbeenminutelyobservantofmysurroundingswhenIlanded。ButwhatIdidobservewasachilly，caterpillarysensationchasingupmyspinetheinstantImettheeyesofHenryAnderson。InthatinstantI

saidtomyselfthatIwouldnottrusthim，thatIdidnotlikehim。"

"Andwhatabouthiscompanion？"askedEugeneSnowlightly。"Oh，Peter？"saidLinda。Therewasacaressinherpronunciationofthename。"Why，Peterisarock。TheinstantIdepositedmyCotyledoninasafeplaceIwouldhaveputmyhandinPeterMorrison\'sandstartedaroundtheworldifhehadaskedmetogo。

ThereisonlyonePeter。Youwillrecognizethattheinstantyoumeethim。"

"Iamaltogetherwillingtotakeyourwordforit，"saidMr。

Snow。

"Andthereisonethingaboutthisdisagreeablebusiness，"saidLinda。"ItwasnotPeter\'scoatthathadtheplaninit。Heknewnothingaboutit。Hehashadhisfullserviceofstiffwarwork，andhehasbeenknockingaroundbigcitiesinnewspaperwork，andnowhehascomehometoLilacValleyto\'setuphisrest，\'asinthehymnbook，youknow。Hebuilthisgaragefirstandheislivinginitbecausehesolovesthishouseofhisthathehastobepresenttowatchitgrowinminutes"detail。OnceonatimeIsawagreatwizardwalkingalongthesidewalk，andhelookedexactlylikeanyman。Hemighthavebeenyousofarasanythingdifferentfromothermeninhisappearancewasconcerned。"

LindacutdowntheBearCattoitsslowestspeed。

"Whatisonmymindisthis，"shesaid。"Idon\'tthinkPetercouldquiteaffordtheamountofgroundhehasbought，andthehouseheisbuilding。Ithinkpossiblyheistyinghimselfupinobligations。Itmaytakehimtwoorthreeyearstocomeevenonit；butitisaprepossessionwithhim。Nowcan\'tyouseethatifwegotohimandtellhimthissordid，underhand，unmanlytale，howhisfinenatureisgoingtobehurt，howhisbigheartisgoingtobewrung，howhishome-housethatheisbuildingwithsucheagerwatchfulnesswillbeaweightyOldManoftheSeaclingingtohisback？Doyouthink，Mr。EugeneSnow，thatyou\'reenoughofawizardtoexaminethishouseandtosatisfyyourselfastowhetherit\'saninfringementofyourplansornot，withoutlettingPeterknowthethingsaboutitthatwouldspoilitforhim？"

EugeneSnowreachedacrossandclosedahandovertheoneofLinda\'snearesthimonthesteeringwheel。

"Youverydecentkid，you，"hesaidappreciatively。"IcertainlyamenoughofawizardtosaveyourPetermananydisillusionmentconcerninghisdreamhouse。"

"Oh，butheisnotmyPeterman，"saidLinda。"Weareonlythebestfriendsintheworld。Reallyandtruly，ifyoucankeepasecret，he\'sMarian\'s。"

"Ishe？"askedMr。Snowinterestedly。Andthenheaddedverycasually，inthemostoffhandmanner——hesaiditmoretoanorangeorchardthroughwhichtheywerepassingthanhesaidittoLinda——"Ihaveverygravedoubtsaboutthat。Ithinktheremustbesomeslightcomplicationthatwillhavetobeclearedup。"

Linda\'sheartgaveagreatjumpofconsternation。

"Indeedno，"shesaidemphatically。"Idon\'tthinkhehasjusttoldMarianyet，butIamverysurethathecaresforhermorethanforanyotherwoman，andIamequallysureshecaresforhim；andnothingcouldbemoresuitable。"

"Allrightthen，"agreedMr。Snow。

LindaputtheBearCatatthemountain，creptaroundtheroad，skirtedtheboulders，andstoppedhalfwaytothegarage。Andthere，inalowtone，sheindicatedtoMr。Snowwheretheyhadlunched，whenshefoundtheplans，howshehadbroughtoutthecoat，whereshehademptiedthemousenest。ThenshesteppedfromthecarandhallooedforPeter。Petercamehurryingfromthegarage，andEugeneSnowwasswiftinhismentalinventory。

ItcoincidedexactlywithLinda\'s。HewouldhavebeenwillingtojoinhandswithPeterandstartaroundtheworld，quiteconvincedofthefairnessoftheoutcome，withnogreateracquaintancethanoneintentlookatPeter，onegripofhissurehand。AfterthathebegantoactonKaty\'shint，andinaveryshorttimehehadconvincedhimselfthatshewasright。MaybePetertriedtoabsorbhimselfintheplanshewasgoingover，inthehousehewasproudtoshowthegreatarchitect；butitseemedtothemanhewasentertainingthathisglancescarcelyleftLinda，thathewassopreoccupiedwithwhereshewentandwhatshedidthathewaslikeajugglerkeepingtwomentalballsintheairatthesametime。

ItseemedtoPeteranaturalthingthat，thearchitectbeinginthecityonbusiness，heshouldrunouttocallonMissThorne\'sdearestfriendItseemedtohimequallynaturalthatLindashouldbringhimtoseeahouseinwhichshewassokindlyinterestingherself。AndjustwhenPeterwasmostdexterousinhisjuggling，justwhenhewastryingtoexplaintheverywonderfulstep-saving\'time-saving，rationalkitchenarrangementsandatthesametimewatchLindaonhercoursedowntothespring，thearchitecthaltedhimwithajerk。EugeneSnowstoodverystraight，hishandsinhiscoatpockets，looking，Petersupposed，withinterestatthearrangementsofkitchenconveniences。HisnexttersesentencefairlystaggeredPeter。Helookedhimstraightintheeyeandinquiredcasually:"Chosenyourdreamwomantofityourhouse，Morrison？"

Peterwastoosurprisedtoconcealhisfeelings。Hisjawssnappedtogether；abelligerentlooksprangintohiseyes。

"Ihavehadagooddealtodowithhouses，"continuedMr。Snow。

"Theyaremylifework。Ifindthatinvariablytheyarebuiltforawoman。Almostalwaystheyarebuiltfromherplans，andforherpleasure。It\'sanewhouse，auniquehouse，awonderfulhouseyou\'reevolvinghere。Itmustbetrulyawonderfulwomanyou\'redreamingaboutwhileyoubuildit。"

Thatwasanastylittletrap。WithhisyearsandworldlyexperiencePetershouldnothavefallenintoit；butallmenarechildrenwhentheyaresick，heartsickorbodysick，andPeterwasaverysickmanatthatminute。Hehadbeenaddressedinsuchafrankandcasualmanner。Hisownbrainshotoffatqueertangentsandledhimconstantlyintounexpectedplaces。ThenarrowsidelanethatopenedupcameintoviewsosuddenlythatPeter，withtheinnocenceofafour-year-old，turnedwithmilitaryprecisionatthesuggestionandlookedoverthepremisesfortheexactlocationofLinda。EugeneSnowhadseenforhimselfthethingthatKatyhadtoldhimhewouldseeifhelookedforit。Suddenlyheheldouthishand。

"Asmantoman，Morrison，inthisinstance，"hesaidinratherahoarse，breathlessvoice，"don\'tyouthinkitwouldbeagoodideaforyouandmetoassertourmanhood，tomanageourownaffairs，toselectourownwivesifneedbe？Ifwereallysetourselvestothejobdon\'tyoubelievewecanworkoutourlivesmoretoourlikingthananyoneelsecanplanforus？Yougettheidea，don\'tyou，Morrison？"

Peterwasfacingthekitchensinkbuthedidnotseeit。Hisbrainwaswhirling。HedidseeSnow\'spointofview。Hedidrealizehisposition。ButwhatMr。Snowknewofhisaffairshecouldonlyguess。TheonethingMr。SnowcouldnotknowwasthatLindafranklyadmittedherprepossessionforherschoolchum，DonaldWhiting，butinanyeventifPetercouldnothaveLindahewouldmuchpreferoccupyinghisdreamhousealone。Sohecaughtatthestrawheldouttohimwithbothhands。

"Igetyou，"hesaidtersely。"Itisnotquiteuptothemarkofthemanhoodweliketothinkwepossesstoletourlivesbeengineeredbyahighschoolkid。Supposewedojustquietlyandmasterfullyassertourselvesconcerningourownaffairs。"

"Supposewedo，"saidSnowwithfinality。

Whereupontheyshookhandswithagripthatwhitenedtheirknuckles。

ThentheywentbacktoLilacValleyandhadtheirdinnertogether，andLindaandPeterescortedEugeneSnowtohistrainandstartedhimonhisreturntriptoSanFranciscofeelingverymuchbetter。PeterwouldnotallowLindatodrivehimhomeatnight，soheleftheraftertheBearCathadbeensafelyplacedinthegarage。Asshestoodonthewalkbesidehim，stronglyoutlinedinthemoonlight，PeterstudiedLindawhimsically。Hesaidithalflaughingly，buttherewassomethingtothinkaboutinwhathesaid:

"I\'mjustpicturing，Linda，whataniceoldladyyouwillbebythetimethathighschoolkidofyoursspendsfouryearsincollege，oneonthecontinent，andtheLordknowshowmanyatmasteringaprofession。"

Lindalookedathimwithwidenedeyes。

KATYUNBURDENSHERMIND307

"Why，whatareyoutalkingabout，Peter？Areyoumoonstruck？"

sheinquiredsolicitously。"Donald\'sonlyafriend，youknow。I

lovehimbecauseheisthenicestcompanion；butthereisnothingforyoutobesillyabout。"

ThenPeterbegantorealizethetruth。Therewasn\'tanythingforhimtobeconcernedabout。Shehadnottheslightestnotionwhatlovemeant，evenassheannouncedthatshelovedDonald。

CHAPTERXXX。Peter\'sReleaseEugeneSnowreturnedtoSanFranciscoenthusiasticaboutLinda，whilehewouldscarcelyhaveknownhowtoexpresshisappreciationofKatherineO\'Donovan。Hehadbeenservedadeliciousdinner，deftlyandquietly，suchfoodasmenparticularlylike；buttherehadbeennosubservience。IfKatherineO\'Donovanhadbeenwaitingonherowntable，servingherownfriendsshecouldnothavemanagedwithmorepride。Itwasveryevidentthatshelovedservice，thatshelovedthegirltowhomshegaveconstantattention。HeunderstoodexactlywhattherewasinherheartandwhyshefeltasshedidwhenhesawLindaandPetertogetherandheardtheirmannerofspeakingtoeachother，andmadementalnoteofthemanypointsofinterestwhichseemedtoexistbetweenthem。HereturnedtoSanFranciscowithagooddealofa"See-the-conquering-hero-comes"mentalattitude。Hewentdirectlytohisoffice，pausingonthewayforaboxofcandyandabunchofParmaviolets。HisfirstactonreachingtheofficewastosendforMissThorne。Mariancamealmostimmediately，aworriedlookinhereyes。Shesatinthebig，cushionedchairthatwasofferedher，andsmiledfaintlywhentheboxwaslaidonherlap，toppedwiththeviolets。ShelookedatEugeneSnowwithan"I-wish-you-wouldn\'t"expressiononherface；buthesmiledatherreassuringly。

"Nothing，"hesaid。"Pickedthemuponthewayfromthestation。

ImadeahastytriptothatpreciousLilacValleyofyours，andI

mustsayitpalesyourrepresentation。Itisawonderfullylovelyspot。"

Mariansettledbackinthechair。Shepickedupthevioletsandrananexperiencedfingeraroundthestemsuntilshefoundthepinwithwhichshefastenedthematherwaist。ThenastheyoccupiedthemselvesmakingselectionsfromthecandyboxhelookedsmilinglyatMarian。Hereyesnotedthechangeinhim。

Hewasneitherdisappointednorsad。SomethinghadhappenedinLilacValleythathadchangedhisperspective。Womanlike，shebeganprobing。

"Gladyoulikedmyvalley，"shesaid。"Wearetoldthatblueisawonderfulauratosurroundaperson，andit\'sequallywonderfulwhenitsurroundsawholevalley。Withtheblueskyandthebluewallsandafewtrue-bluefriendsIhavethere，it\'snaturallyaverydearspottome。"

"Yes，"saidMr。Snow，"Icanseethatitis。Irandownonabusinessmatter。Ihavebeendeeplypuzzledandmuchperturbedoverthisprizecontest。Wehaveruntheseaffairsonceayear，sometimesoftener，foralongtime，soIcouldn\'tunderstandthepeculiarthingaboutthesimilarityofthewinningplansandyourworkthisyear。Ihavebeenholdinguptheprizemoney，becauseIdidnotfeelthatyouweresayingexactlywhatwasinyourheart，andIcouldn\'tbealtogethersatisfiedthateverythingwasright。IwenttoLilacValleybecauseIhadaletterfromyourfriend，MissLindaStrong。Therewasanenclosureinit。"

HedrewfromhispocketthefoldedsheetandhandedittoMarian。

Hereyesweresurprised，incredulous，assheopenedthemissingsheetfromherplans，sawtheextraneouslinesdrawnuponitandtheminutefiguringwithwhichthemarginwascovered。

"Lindafounditatlast！"shecried。"Whereinthisworlddidshegetit，andwhoseworkisthisonit？"

"Shegotit，"saidEugeneSnow，"whensheundertooktocleanPeterMorrison\'sworkroomonaneveningwhensheandhercookwerehavingsupperwithhim。SheturnedacoatbelongingtohisarchitectthathungwithsomeofhisclothinginPeterMorrison\'sgarage。Shewasshakingthenestofafieldmousefromoneofthesidepockets。Naturallythisemptiedallthepockets，andingatheringuptheircontentsshecameacrossthatplan，whichsherecognized。Shethoughtitwasrighttotakeitandverywiselyfeltthatitwasman\'sbusiness，soshesentittomewithherexplanations。IwenttoLilacValleybecauseIwantedtojudgeformyselfexactlywhatkindofyoungpersonshewas。Iwantedtoseeherenvironment。Iwantedtoseethehousethatshefeltsurewasbeingbuiltfromtheseplans。IwantedtosatisfymyselfofthestabilityofwhatIhadtoworkonbeforeI

mentionedthemattertoyouorHenryAnderson。"

Mariansatholdingtheplan，listeningabsorbedlytowhathewassaying。

"It\'sanuglybusiness，"hesaid，"souglythatthereisnoquestionwhateverbutthatitcanbesettledveryquietlyandwithoutanyannoyancetoyou。Ishallhavetotakethematterupwiththeboard，butIhavethedetailssoworkedoutthatIshallhavenodifficultyinarrangingmattersasIthinkbest。Thereisnoquestionwhatever，Marian，butAndersonfoundthatsketchonthewestsideoftheStrongresidence。WhenyouleftyourplanslyingonatablebeforeawindowintheStrongguestroomthenightbeforeyoucametoSanFranciscoyoudidnotknowthatthesantanawhichragedthroughthevalleyadayortwopreviouslyhadstrippedascreenfromthewindowbeforewhichyouleftthem。Inopeningyourdoortoestablishadraftbeforeyouwenttobedyoustartedonethatcarriedyourtopdrawingthroughthewindow。WaitingforMissStrongthenextmorning，inmakingacircuitofthegroundsAndersonfounditandappropriatedittomostexcellentadvantage。MissLindatellsmethatyourstudyofarchitecturewasdiscussedatthedinnertablethatnight。Hecouldnothavehelpedrealizingthatanysheetofplanshefoundtheremusthavebeenyours。Ifhecouldacquithisconscienceoftakingthemandusingthem，hewouldstillhavetoexplainwhyhewasreadytoacceptthefirstprizeandtheconditionsimposedwhenhealreadyhadahousefairlywellunderconstructionfromtheplanshesubmittedinthecontest。Theruleisunbreakablethattheplansmustbeoriginal，mustbeunused，mustbeoursoleproperty，iftheytaketheprize。"

Marianwasleaningforward，hereyeswidewithinterest，herbreastagitated。Shenoddedinacquiescence。EugeneSnowreachedacrossandhelpedhimselftoanotherpieceofcandyfromtheboxonherknee。Helookedatherspeculativelyandspokequietlyasifthematterwereofnogreatimportance。

"Woulditbeagreeable，Marian，iftheprizecommitteeshouldannOuncethattherewerereasonsastowhytheywerenotsatisfied，thattheyhavedecidedtoreturnallplansandcalloffthepresentcontest，openinganotherinafewmonthsinwhichinterestedpartiesmayagainsubmittheirdrawings？IwillundertakeswiftlyandcomprehensivelytoeliminateHenryAndersonfromCalifornia。IwouldbewillingtoventurequiteasumthatwhenIfinishwiththeyoungsterhewillseethebeautyofgoingstraighthereafterandthedesirabilityofachangeofatmosphere。He\'sayoungster。Ihatetomakethematterpublic，notonlyonaccountofinvolvingyouandyourfriendsinsuchdisagreeablebusiness，butIamsorryforhim。Iwouldliketodealwithhimliketheproverbial\'Dutchuncle，\'thenIwouldliketosendhimawaytomakeanewstartwiththeassurancethatIamkeepingclosewatchonhim。WouldyoubesatisfiedifI

handledthematterquietlyandinmyownway？Couldyouwaitafewweeksforjustice？"

Mariandrewadeepbreath。

"Ofcourse，"shesaid，"itwouldbewonderfulifyoucoulddothat。ButwhataboutPeterMorrison？Howmuchdidheknowconcerningtheplans，andwhatdoesheknowaboutthis？"

"Nothing，"saidMr。Snow。"ThatmostunusualyoungfriendofyoursmademeseethelightveryclearlyconcerningPeterMorrison。Thereisnonecessityforhimevertoknowthatthe\'dreamhouse，\'asMissLindacallsit，thatheisbuildingforhisdreamwomanhasanydisagreeablehistoryattachedtoit。Hesolovesthespotthatheislivingonittowatchthathouseinminutestdetail。MissLindawasfairlyeloquentinthepleashemadeonhisbehalf。Hestrikesmeasaveryunusualperson，andsheappealedtomeinthesameway。TheremustbesomescientificexplanationconcerningherthatIdon\'tjustget，butIcanseethatsheismostunusualWhenIwatchedthemtogetherandheardthemtalkoftheirplansforthehouseandthegroundsanddiscussingillustrationsthatsheismakingforarticlesthatheiswriting，Isawhowdeepandwholesomewasthefriendshipexistingbetweenthem。Ievenheardthatwonderfulservingwoman，whomtheysofamiliarlyspeakofas\'Katy，\'chidingPeterMorrisonforallowingLindatotakehertypewritertohimanddoherownworkwithapen。AndbecauseMissLindaseemssogreatheartedandlovingwithherfriends，Iwasrathergladtohearhisexplanationthattheyweremerelychangingmachinesforthetimebeingforaveryparticularreasonoftheirown。"

"Doyoumean，"askedMarian，"thatyouthinkthereisanythingmorethancasualfriendshipbetweenLindaandPeterMorrison？"

"Notonherpart，"answeredEugeneSnow。"Anybodycanseethatsheisachilddeeplyengrossedinallsortsofaffairsuncommonforagirlofherageandposition。Herniceperceptions，herwonderfulloyaltytoherfriends，herlovingthoughtforthem，aremanifestineverythingshesaysordoes。Ifsheevermakesanymistakestheywillbefromthehead，notfromtheheart。ButfortheotherendoftheequationIcouldspeakauthoritatively。

KatypointedouttomethefactthatifIwouldwatchPeterMorrisoninMissLinda\'spresence，Ishouldseethatheadoredher。Ididwatch，andIdidseethatverything。WhenItaxedhimaboutbuildingadreamhouseforadreamwoman，hiseyescrossedaplateau，leapedabrook，andstartedupthesideofamountain。TheydidnotrestuntiltheyhadfoundLinda。"

Mariansatsostillthatitseemedasifshewerenotevenbreathing。InviewofwhatKatyhadsaid，andhisfewwordswithPeterMorrison，EugeneSnowhadfeltjustifiedingivingMarianahintastowhatwasgoingoninLilacValley。Exactlywhathehaddonehehadnomeansofknowing。IfhehadknownandhadtalkedintentionallyhecouldnothavemadeclearertoMarianthethingwhichformonthshadpuzzledher。ShewasawarethatEugeneSnowwastalking，thathewasdescribingthedinnerhehadbeenserved，thewonderfulwild-flowergardenthathehadseen，howskillfullyLindadrovetheBearCat。Sheheardthesethingsanddimlycomprehendedthembutunderneath，herbrainwasseizingupononefactafteranother。Theyhadexchangedtypewriters。

Thepoor，foolishlittlekidhadknownhowherhealthwaswracked，howshewassuffering，howherpridewouldnotletherstooptoEileen\'ssubterfugesandwagewarwithherimplementsforamanshedidnotwantifhermanneroflivinghereverydaylifedidnotappealtohim。Lindahadknownhowlonelyandhearthungryanddisappointedshehadgoneaway，andloyallyshehadtriedtocreateaninterestinlifeforher；andshehadsucceededentirelytoowell。AndtheninapanicshemusthavegonetoPeterMorrisonandexplainedthesituation；andPetermusthaveagreedtotakeoverthecorrespondence。Onebyonethingsthathadpuzzledheraboutthelettersandaboutthewholeaffairbegantogrowclear。SheevensawhowLinda，havingfriendlyassociationwithnomansavePeter，wouldnaturallyusehimforamodel。Thetroublewasthat，withhergiftofpenetrationandinsightandherfacilitywithherpen，shehadoverdonethematter。ShehadnotimitatedPeter；shehadBEEN

Peter。Marianarosesuddenly。

Shewenthome，lockedthedoor，andoneafteranothershereadthelettersthathadpiqued，amused，comforted，andfinallyintriguedher。Theywerebrilliantletters，charming，appealingletters，andyet，withknowledgeconcerningthem，MarianwonderedhowshecouldhavefailedtoappreciateinthebeginningthattheywerefromLinda。

"Itgoestoprove，"shesaidatlast，"howhungrythehumanheartisforloveandsympathy。Andthatpoorkid，whatshemusthavesufferedwhenshewenttoPeterforhelp！Andif，asMr。Snowthinks，hecaresforher，howhemusthavesufferedbeforeheagreedtohelpher，asnodoubthedid。WhatIhavetodoistofindsomewayoutofthesituationthatwillrelieveLinda\'sanxietyandatleastpartiallysavemyface。Ishallhavetotakeafewdaystoworkitout。LuckilyIhaven\'tansweredmylastletter。WhenIfindoutwhatIreallywanttosaythenI

willbeverycarefulhowIsayit。Idon\'tjustexactlyrelishhavingmylettersturnedovertoPeterMorrison，butpossiblyI

canthinkofsomeway——Imustthinkofsomeway——tomakethemfeelthatIhavenotbeenanymorecredulousthanthey。"

Whileshethought，bothLindaandPeterweredoingmuchthinkingonthesamesubject。Linda\'sheartwasfullofgratitudetoPeterforhelpingheroutofherverydisagreeablesituation。

PeterhadnotyetopenedthepacketofletterslyingonhistableHehadasickeningdistasteforthewholetransaction。Hehadthoughtthathewouldwaituntilhereceivedthefirstletterhewastoanswer。Ifitgavehimsufficientfoundationinitselffortheanswer，hewouldnotbeforcedtosearchfurther。Hehadsmokedmanypipesonthisdecision。AfterthevisitofMr。Snow，Peterhadseenagreatlightandhaddecided，fromthemoodandtheattitudeofthatgentlemanafterhisinterviewwithKaty，thatheverylikelywouldbeequaltoanycomplicationthatmightarisewhenhereachedSanFrancisco。MullingoverthesituationonedayPetersaidreflectivelytothespringwhichwasverybusytalkingtohim:"Iammorallycertainthatthismatterhasresolveditselfintoasituationthatcloselyresemblesthebootblack\'sapple:\'theyain\'tgoin\'tobeanycore。\'IamreasonablycertainthatInevershallhavealettertoanswer。

InafewdaysprobablyIshallbeabletoturnbackthatpackettoLindawithouthavingopenedit。"

Tomakeupfortheperturbationwhichhadresultedinfailureinclassandtwoweeksofworkthatrepresentedherworstappearancesinhigh-schoolhistory，Linda，hermindfreedfromtheworryoverMarian\'splans，andherheartcalmeroverthefiascointryingtocomforther，devotedherselfabsorbinglytoherlessonsandtothenextmagazinearticlethatshemustfinish。ShehaddecidedthatitwastimetowriteonthesubjectofIndianconfections。HerfirstspareminutesheandKatymustbusythemselvesworkingoutthemostdeliciouscactuscandypossible。Thentheycouldtrythemesquitecandy。Nodoubtshecouldevolveadeliciousgumfromthemesquiteandtheincenseplant。Sheknewshecouldfromthewillowmilkweed；andundertheheadof"sweets"anappetizingjellyfrommanzanita。Thereweredelightfuldrinkstoo，fromthemanzanitaandthechia。Andbetterthaneither，thelemonadeberrywouldservethispurpose。

Shehadnotexperimentedtoanauthoritativeextentwiththedesertpickles。Andamongdrinksshemightusetheteamadefromblue-eyedgrass，brewedbytheIndiansforfeverishconditions；

andtherewasawholeworldofinteresttoopenupindifferingseedsandberries，parchedorboiledforfood。Andthereweretheseedsthatweregroundformush，likethethistlesage，andthemockorangewhichwasfoodandsoapalso，andthewildsunflowersthatwereparchedformeal，andaboveall，theacorns。

Shecouldseethatherproblemwasnotgoingtobeoneofdifficultyinsecuringsufficientmaterialforherbook；itwouldbehowtofindtimetogatherallthesethings，andputthemthroughthevariousprocessesandcombinationsnecessarytomakeedibledishesfromIthem。ItwouldmeanalongsummerofinterestingandabsorbingIworkforherandforKaty。MuchofitcouldnotbedoneuntiltheIsummerwasfaradvancedandtheseedsandtheberrieswereIripe。ShecouldrelyonDonaldtohelphersearchforthematerial。lWithonlyherselfandKatyinthefamilytheycouldgivemuchoftheirtimetothework。

"WhereKatywillrebel，"saidLindatoherself，"iswhenitcomestogatheringsufficientseedsandparchingthemtomakethesemealandmushdishes。Shewillcallit\'fiddlin\'business。\'Sheshallbepropitiatedwithanewdressandabeautifulbonnet，andsheshallgowithmefrequentlytothefields。Theolddearlovestoride。FirstthingIdoI\'llcallatthebankagainandhaveouraffairsproperlystraightenedandsettledthereinthelightoftheletterDaddyleftme。ThenIshallhavemoneytogetallthefurnitureandtherugsandthingswetrulyneed。

I\'llrepaintthekitchenandgetKatysomenewcookingutensilstogladdenhersoul。AndSaturdayImustmakemytripwithDonaldaccountforsomethingworthwhileonthebook。"

Alltheseplanswerefeasible。WhatLindahadtodowastoaccomplishthem，andthissheproceededtodoinaswiftandbusinesslikemanner。ShesoonreachedtheplacewherethewholehousewiththeexceptionofEileen\'ssuitehadbeengoneover，freshenedandrefurnishedtoherliking。Theguest-roomfurniturehadbeenmovedtoherrejuvenatedroom。OnthestrengthofherIreturnsfromthebookshehaddisposedofherfurnitureandwasfindingmuchgirlishdelightinoccupyingabeautifulroom，daintilydecorated，comfortablyfurnishedwithpiecesofherownselection。AssheandKatystoodlookingovertheirworkwheneverythingwasreadyforherfirstnightofoccupancyKatyhadsaidtoher:

"It\'sjistrightandproper，lambie；it\'sjistthewayitoughttobe；andnowsaythewordandletmecleanoutEileen\'ssuateandgetitreadyforMissMarian，soifshewoulddropdownunexpectedshewouldfindwewasgoodasourword。"

"Allright，"saidLinda。

"AndwhatamItodowiththestuff？"inquiredKaty。

"Katy，mydear，"saidLindawithadrylaugh，"you\'llthinkIamfoolish，butIhavethequeerestfeelingconcerningthosethings。

Ican\'tfeelthatEileenhasdonewiththem；Ican\'tfeelthatshewillneverwantthemagain；Ican\'tfeelthattheyshouldgotosomesecond-handbasement。Packallofherclothingthatyoucanmanageinhertrunkandputitinthegarret，andwhatthetrunkwon\'tholdpackinatightboxandputthatinthegarretalso。Shehasn\'twrittenmealine；shehassentmenoaddress；

Idon\'tknowwhattodo；but，asIhavesaidbefore，IamgoingtosavethethingsatleastayearandseewhethersomedayEileenwon\'tthinkofsomethingshewantstodowiththem。CleantheroomsandIwillorderMarian\'sthingssent。"

AccordingtothesearrangementsitwasonlyafewdaysuntilLindawroteMarianthatherroomwasreadyforherandthatanytimeshedesiredtocomeandtakepossessionshecouldtestthelovingnessofthewelcomethatawaitedherbybecomingintimatelyacquaintedwithit。Marianansweredtheletterimmediately。Shesaidthatshewasplanningtocomeverysoontotestthatwelcome。Shelongedforthequietofthevalley，foritscool，clean，wildair。Shewasverytired；sheneededrest。Shethoughtshewouldlovethenewhometheywereofferingher。Thencametwoamazingparagraphs。

TheotherdayDanaandIwentintooneofthebigcafesinthecitytotreatourselvestoatasteoftheentertainmentwithwhichthepeopleofwealthregalethemselves。Wehadwanderedinlaughinglyjestingaboutwhatweshouldorder，andranintoEileeninthecompanyofherauntanduncleandaveryflashyandloudlydressedyoungman，evidentlyanewsuitorofEileen\'s。I

don\'tthinkEileenwantedtointroduceus，andyetsheactedlikeapersonravenousfornewsofherhomeandfriends。Shedidintroduceus，andimmediatelyherponderousuncletookpossessionofus。ItseemsthatthemanisabrotherofEileen\'smother。

Linda，heisbigandgross，heiseverythingthatamanofniceperceptionswouldnotbe，buthedoesloveEileen。Heistryingconscientiouslytopleaseher。Hiswifeisthekindofpersonwhowouldmarrythatkindofmanandthinkeverythinghesaidanddidwasright。Andthesuitor，mydear，wasthekindofmanwhocouldendurethatkindofpeople。Eileenwasalmost，ifnotquite，theloveliestthingIeverhaveseen。Shewasplain；shewassimple；butitwasthecostlysimplicityofextravagance。Yegods！butshehadpearlsofthesizeshehadalwayswanted。Shetriedwithallhermighttobeherself，butsheknowsmewellenoughtoknowwhatIwouldthinkandwhatIwouldwritetoyouconcerningtheconditionsunderwhichImether。Weweresimplyforcedtolunchwiththem。Wecouldonlynibbleatthetoorich，toohighlyseasonedfoodsetbeforeus。AndInoticedthatEileennibbledalso。Sheisnotgoingtogrowfatandwaddleandreddenhernose，but，mydear，backdeepinhereyesandinthecurveofherlipsandinthetoneofhervoicethereweresuchdisappointmentanddiscontentasIneverhaveseeninanywoman。

Shecouldnotsuppressthem；shecouldnotconcealthem。Therewasnothingonearthshecoulddobutsitquietlyandendure。

Theydeliveredusatourrespectiveoffices，leavingbothofusdatesonwhichtovisitthem，butneitherofusintendstocallonthem。Eileen\'sfacewasatragedywhenheruncleinsistedonmakingthearrangements。Icanatleastspareherthat。

Andnow，mydear，lifeisgrowingsofullandmytimeissotakenwithmyworkattheofficeandwithmywideningfriendshipswithDanaandherfriendsandwithMr。Snow，thatIreallyfeelIhavenottimetogofartherwithouranonymouscorrespondence。ItisallIcandotofindtimetowriteyouletterssuchastheoneI

amwritingIhavedonemybesttoplayuptowhatyouexpectedofmeandIthinkIhavesucceededinfoolingyouquiteasmuchasyouhavefeltthatyouwerefoolingme。But，Lindadear，IwantyoualwaystoknowthatIappreciatethespiritinwhichyoubeganthisthing。IknowwhyyoudiditandIshallalwaysloveyouatriflemoreforyourthoughtofmeandyourefforttotideovertheverydarkdaysyouknewIwouldbefacinginSanFrancisco。Ithink，dearfriendofmine，thatIhavehadmyshareofdarkdays。Ithinkthereisverybeautifulsunlightaheadforme。AndbyandbyIhopetocomeintohappinessthatmaybeisevenmorethanmyshare。IamcomingtoseeyousoonandthenIwilltellyouallaboutit。

Therewasmoreoftheletter，butatthatpointLindamadeoneheadlongrushfortheBearCat。Shetookthecurveontwowheelsandalmostranintothemountainfacebehindthegaragebeforeshecouldslowdown。ThenshesettheCatscreamingwildlyforPeter。Ashecameuptothecarsheleanedtowardhim，shakingwithexcitement。

"Peter，"shecried，"haveyouopenedthatpacketoflettersyet？"

"No，"saidPeter，"Ihavenot。"

"Thengivethemtomequickly，Peter，"saidLinda。

Peterrushedintothegarageandbroughtoutthepacket。Lindacaughtitinbothhandsanddroppeditinherlap。

"Well，thankGod，"shesaiddevoutly。"And，Peter，thejoke\'sonme。MarianknewIwaswritingthoselettersallthetimeandshejustpretendedthatshecaredforthemtomakethegameinterestingforme。Andwhenshehadsomanyfriendsandsomuchtodo，shehadn\'ttimeforthemanylonger；thenshepretendedthatshewasgettingawfullyinearnestinordertostopme，andshedidstopmeallright。"

Linda\'sfacewasasmallpanoramaofconflictingemotionsassheappealedtoPeter。

"Peter，"shesaidinaquiveringvoice，"youcantestifythatshestoppedmeproperly，can\'tyou，Peter？"

Petertriedtosmile。HewasolderthanLinda，andhewasthinkingswiftly，intently。

"Yes，kid，"hesaidwithutmostcorroboration，"yes，kid，shestoppedyou，butIcan\'tseethatitwasnecessaryliterallytoscarethelifeoutofyoutillshehadyouatthepointwhereyouwerethinkingoftakingofffromamountainorintothesea。Didyoureallymeanthat，Linda？"

Lindarelaxedsuddenly。ShesankbackintothedeeplypaddedseatoftheBearCat。Alookoffrightandentreatysweptintoherdarkeyes。

"Yes，Peter，Ididmeanit，"shesaidwithfinality。"Icouldn\'thavelivedifIhadhurtMarianirreparably。Shehasbeenhurtsomuchalready。And，Peter，itwasawfullyniceofyoutowaitaboutreadingtheseletters。Evenifsheonlydiditforajoke，IthinkMarianwouldratherthatyouhadnotreadthem。NowI\'llgobackhomeandbegintoworkinearnestontheheadpieceof\'HowtoGrowGoodCitizens。\'AndIquiteagreewithyou，Peter，thattheoathofallegiance，citizenship，andthetitletoapieceofrealestatearetheprimerequisites。Peoplehavenobusinesscommatoourcountrytoearnmoneythattheyintendtocarryawaytoinvestinthedevelopmentandthestrengtheningofsomeothercountrythatmaysomedaybeourworstenemy。Ihavenotfoundoutyethowtosayitinafour-by-twelve-inchstrip，butbythetimeIhavereadthearticlealoudtomyskylightalongabouttentonightI\'llgetaninspiration；IamsureI

shall。"

"Ofcourseyouwill，"saidPeter；"butdon\'tworryaboutit，dear；don\'tlosesleep。Takethingsslower。Givetimeforalittlemorefleshtogrowonyourbones。Anddon\'tforgetthatwhileyou\'rehelpingDonaldtokeepattheheadofhisclassesit\'syourfirstjobtokeepattheheadofyourown。"

"Thankyou，"saidLinda。"Howisthedreamcoming？"

"Beautifully，"saidPeter。"Oneofthesedaysyou\'regoingtocomerushingaroundthebouldersanddownthesideofthebuildingtofindallthisdebrisclearedawayandtheplaceforalawnleveled。Iamfightingdowneverypossibleavenueofexpertiseonthebuildingintheefforttosavemoneytomakethebrookrunandtheroadwindwhereyouhaveindicatedthatyouwantthemtofollowyou。"

LindalookedatPeterwhileaqueer，reflectivelightgatheredinhereyes。Atlastshesaidsoberly:"Well，Idon\'tknow，Peter，thatyoushouldmakethemsoverypersonaltomeasallthat。"

"Whynot？"askedPetercasually。"Sincethereisnooneelse，whynot？"

Lindareleasedtheclutchandstartedthecar。Shebackedinfrontofthegarageandturned。Shewasstillthinkingdeeplyasshestopped。OnceagainsheextendedahandtoPeter。

"Thankyouathousandtimesfornotreadingtheseletters，Peter，"shesaid。"Ican\'texpresshowawfullyfineIthinkitisofyou。Andifit\'sallrightwithyou，perhapsthere\'snotanyrealreasonwhyyoushouldnotrunthatbrookanddrivethatroadthewayIthinktheyshouldgo。Somebodyisgoingtodesignthem。Whyshouldn\'tI，ifitpleasesyoutohaveme？"

"Itpleasesmeverygreatly，"saidPeter——"morethananythingelseIcanthinkofinalltheworldatthisminute。"

Andthenhedidathingthathehaddoneonceortwicebefore。

HebentbackLinda\'sfingersandleftanotherkissinthepalmofherhand，andthenheclosedherfingersverytightlyoverit。

CHAPTERXXXI。TheEndofDonald\'sContestThemiddleoftheweekLindahadtoldKatythatsheintendedstockinguptheBearCatforthreeandthatshewouldtakeheralongonthenextSaturday\'striptohercanyonkitchen。Itwasadayuponwhichshehadplannedtogathergreens，vegetables，androots，andprepareadinnerwhollyfromthewild。Shewasfairlysureexactlywhereinnatureshewouldfindthematerialsshewanted，butsheknewthatthesearchwouldbelongandtiring。ItwouldbejollytohaveKatytohelpherpreparethelunch。ItwouldpleaseKatyimmenselytobetaken；andtheoriginalthingsshesaidinherquaintIrishbroguegreatlyamusedDonald。Thearrangementhadbeenunderstoodamongthemforsometime，sotheyallstartedontheirjourneyfilledwithhappyexpectations。Theyclosedthehouseandthegaragecarefully。LindalookedovertheequipmentoftheBearCatminutelymakingsurethatherfieldaxe，saw，knives，andherfieldglasseswereinplace。Becausemorefoodthanusualwastobepreparedinthekitchentheytookalonganestofcookingvesselsandabroiler。TheyfoundDonaldwaitingbeforeeitherofthemwereready，andingreatglee，withmuchlaughingandmanyjeststheyrolleddownthevalleyintheearlymorning。

Theydrovetothekitchen，spreadtheirblankets，setuptheirtable，andarrangedthesmallcircularopeningfortheirday\'soccupancy。WhileKatyandLindawerebusywiththeseaffairsDonaldtooktheaxeandcollectedabigheapofwood。ThentheyleftKatytoburnthewoodandhaveadeepbedofcoalsreadywhiletheystartedouttocollectfromthecanyonwalls，thefootofthemountains，andthenear-bydesertthematerialstheywouldusefortheirdinner。

JustwherethedesertbegantoclimbthemountainLindahadforalongtimewatchedabigbedofamole。Donaldusedtheshovel，shethehatchet，andsoontheyhadbroughttothesurfacesuchaquantitythatDonaldprotested。

"ButIhavetwousesforthemtoday，"explainedLinda。"Theymustserveforpotatoesandtheyhavetofurnishourmeat。"

"Oh，Igetyou，"saidDonald。"Ihavealwaysbeencrazytotrythat。"

Sohebegantodigagainenthusiastically。

"NowI\'lltellyouwhatIthinkwehadbetterdo，"saidLinda。

"Wewillskirmisharoundthissideofthemountainandfindaverynicetenderyuccashoot；andthenwe\'lltakethesebacktoKatyandletherburythemintheashesandkeepupthefirewhileweforagefortheremainderofourwildIndianfeast。"

PresentlytheyfoundayuccaheadthatLindasaidwasexactlyright，adelicatepink，thickerthanherwristandtwofeetinlength。WiththisandtheamoletheyranbacktoKaty。Sheknewhowtopreparetheamoleforroasting。Lindagaveherafewwordsofinstructionconcerningtheyucca。ThenfromtheinterioroftheBearCatshedrewatightlyrolledsectionofwirewindowscreening。Justwhereadeep，widepoolnarrowedatarockydefiletheysankthescreening，jammeditwelltothebottom，fastenedittightatthesides，andagainstthecurrentsideofittheythrewleaves，grass，chunksofmoss，anydebristheycouldgatherthatwouldmakeatemporarydam。Then，standingononesidewithherfieldknife，Lindabegantoslicetheremainderoftheamoleverythinandtothrowitoverthesurfaceofthepool。Ontheother，Donaldpoundedthebig，juicybulbstopulpandscattereditbroadcastoverthewater。LindainstructedKatytositonthebankwithalong-handledlandingnetandwheneveratroutarose，tosnatchitoutasspeedilyaspossible，beingcarefulnottotakemorethantheywouldrequire。

Thenthetwoyoungsters，exhilaratedwithyouth，withliving，withthejoyoffriendship，withthelureofthevalley，withtheheadyintoxicationofthesaltbreezeandthegoldofthesunshine，climbedintotheBearCatandwentrollingthroughthecanyonandouttothevalleyonthefarside。HeretheygatheredthetenderestheartshootsofthelupinuntilLindasaidtheyhadenough。Thentoaparticularspotthatsheknewonthedeserttheyhurriedfortheenlargedstemsofthedeserttrumpetwhichwastoservethatdayforanappetizerinthesteadofpickles。

Here，too，theyfilledabucketfromtheheartofabigBisnagacactusasabasisfortheirdrink。AmongKatherineO\'Donovan\'scookingutensilstherewasaboxofdeliciouscactuscandymadefromthepreservedandsun-driedheartmeatofthissamefruitwhichwastoserveastheirconfection。Onthewaybacktheystoppedatthebridgeandgatheredcressfortheirsalad。WhentheyreturnedtoKatyshehadfivefinetroutlyingintheshade，andwithmoreexperiencedeyesandamoreskillfulhandLindainafewminutesdoubledthisnumber。Thentheytoreoutthedam，rinsedthescreenandspreaditoverarocktodry。WhileDonaldscaledthefishLindaputthegreenstocook，preparedthesaladandsetthetable。Once，asheworkedunderhersupervision，LindasaidtoDonald:"Nowaboutbread，kid——there\'snotgoingtobeanybread，becausetheIndiansdidnothaveitwhentheylivedthewaywearelivingtoday。Whenyoureachtheplacewhereyourlefthandfeelsemptywithoutapieceofbreadinit，justbutterupanotheramoleandtryit。Itwillservethesamepurposeasbread，andbemuchbetterfortheinnerman。"

"Ifyouwouldletmeskinthesefish，"saidDonald，"Icoulddoitmuchfasterandmakeabetterjobofit。"

"Butyoushouldn\'tskinthem；youwanttheskintoholdthemeattogetherwhenitbeginstocooktender；andyoushouldbeabletopeelitoffanddiscarditifitburnsorgetssmokyinthecooking。It\'sagreatconcessiontocleanthemaswedo。TheIndianscookedtheminthealtogetherandatethemeatfromthebones。"

"Ohmytummy！"saidDonald。"IalwaysthoughttherewassomedarksecretabouttheIndians。"

Lindasatonarockoppositehimandclaspedherhandsaroundherknees。Shelookedathimmeditatively。

"Didyou？"sheasked。"Supposeyourevisethatopinion。OurNorthAmericanIndiansintheiroriginalstatewereasfineasanypeoplesthateverhavebeendiscoveredtheroundoftheglobe。Mygrandfathercameintointimatecontactwiththemintheearlydays，andhesaidthattheirreligion，embracingtheideaofagreatspirittowhomtheywereresponsiblefortheirdeedshere，andahappyhuntinggroundtowhichtheywentasarewardfordecentliving，wasasfineasanyreligionthateverhasbeenpracticedbypeopleofanynation。Immoralitywasunknownamongthem。FamilytieswereformedandtheywerebindingTheylovedtheirchildrenandrearedthemcarefully。

Theywerehardyandhealthful。Untiltheintroductionofwhiskeyandwhatwearepleasedtotermcivilizedmethodsofliving，veryfewofthemdiedsavefromwaroroldage。Theywerefree；theywerehappy。Themoping，lazy，diseasedcreaturethatyoufindsleepinginthesunaroundthereservationsisaproductofourcivilization。Nicecommentaryoncivilization，isn\'tit？"

"Forheaven\'ssake，Linda，"saidDonald，"don\'tstartanybigbrainstormingtrainsofthoughttoday！Grantmerepose。IhaveoverworkedmybrainforafewmonthspastuntilIknowonlyonethingforcertain。"

"Allrightthen，melad，thisisthetimeforthebigsecret，"

saidLinda。"IjusthappenedtobeintheassemblyroomonsomebusinessofmyownlastThursdayafternoonwhenmysessionswereover，andIoverheardyourprofessorintrigonometrytellamarlIdidnotknow，whoseemedtobeafriendvisitinghim，thatthesonofJudgeWhitingwasdoingthefinestworkthateverhadbeendoneinanyoftheLosAngeleshighschools，andthatundoubtedlyyouweregoingtograduatewithhigherhonorsthananyotherboyeverhadfromthatschool。"

Donaldsatthinkingthisover。Heabsentlyliftedanelbowandwipedthetinyscalesfromhisfacewithhisshirtsleeve。

"Youngwoman，"hesaidsolemnly，"themthingswhatyou\'resaying，arethey\'crossyourheart，honesttogoodness，sohelpyou，\'

truth，oraretheythefruitofaperfervidimagination？"

Lindashookherheadvigorously。

"Debut\'，kid，"shesaid，"degospelbut\'。YouhavetheJapgoingproperly。Hecan\'tstopyounow。Youhavefoughtyourgoodfight，andyouhavepracticallywonit。AllyouhavetodoistocarryontillthemiddleofJune，andyou\'reIt。"

"IwishDadknew，"saidDonaldinalowvoice。

"TheJudgedoesknow，"saidLindaheartily。"Itwasn\'tfifteenminutesafterIheardthattillIhadhimonthetelephonerepeatingitasfastasIcouldrepeat。Cometothinkofit，haven\'tyounoticedaparticularlycockysetofhisheadandthecorksomelightnessabouthisheelsduringthepastfewdays？"

"ByJove，hehasbeenhappyaboutsomething！"saidDonald。"AndInoticedthatLouiseandtheMaterweresortofcheeryandmakingaspecialtyoftheonlysonandbrother。"

"Sure，brother，sure，"saidLinda。"Hurryupandscrapethosefishandlet\'sscamperdownthecanyonmerelyforthejoyofflyingwithwingsonourfeet。You\'reIt，youngman，justIt！"

Donaldwassittingonaboulder。Onanotherinfrontofhimhewasoperatingonthetrout。Hishandsweresoiled；hishairwastousled；hewasfairlywelldecoratedwithfinescales。HelookedatLindaappealingly。

"AmI\'It\'withyou，Linda？"heaskedsoberly。

"Sureyouare，"saidLinda。"You\'rethebestfriendIhave。"

"WillyouwritetomewhenIgotocollegethisfall？"

"Why，youcouldn\'tkeepmefromit，"saidLinda。"I\'llhavesomanythingstotellyou。Andwhenyourfirstvacationcomeswe\'llmakeitahummer。"

"IknowDadwon\'tletmecomehomeformyholidaysexceptforthemidsummerones，"saidDonaldsoberly。"Itwouldtakemostofthetimetherewouldbeoftheshortholidaystotravelbackandforth。"

"Youwillhavetogoverycarefullyaboutgettingastart，"saidLinda，"andyoushouldbecarefultofindtherightkindoffriendsattheverystart。ChristmasandThanksgivingboxescanalwaysbesentontimetoreachyou。Itwon\'tbesolongforyouasforus；andbythetimeyouhaveOkaSayyebeatentoravelingsyouwillhavesucha\'perfecthabit\'thatyouwillstartrightinwiththebeatingidea。Thatshouldkeepyoufairlybusy，becausemostofthemenyoucomeupagainstwillbebeatersthemselves。"

"Yes，Iknow，"saidDonald。"AreyougoingtostartmetocollegewiththeideathatIhavetokeepupthisbeatinghabit？

IfIweretobeoneoffiftyorahundred，wouldn\'tthatbegoodenough？"

"Why，sure，"saidLinda，"ifyouwillbesatisfiedwithhavingmelikefiftyorahundredaswellasIdoyou。"

"Oh，damn！"saidDonaldangrily。"DoIhavetokeepupthistop-crustbusinessallmydays？"

Lindalookedathimwithaqueersmileonherlips。

"Notunlessyouwantto，Donald，"shesaidquietly；"notunlessyouthinkyouwouldrather。"

Donaldscrapedafishvigorously。Lindasatwatchinghim。

Presentlythetenselinesaroundhiseyesvanished。Afaintredcreptuphisneckandsettledonhisleftcheekbone。Aconfusedgrinslowlywidenedhisnaturallywidemouth。

"Thenit\'smeforthetopcrust，"hesaidconclusively。

"Thenit\'smeforyou，"answeredLindainequallyasmatter-of-facttones；andrising，shegatheredupthefishandcarriedthemtoKatywhileDonaldkneltbesidethechillystreamandscouredhisfaceandhands，afterwhichLindawhippedawaythescaleswithanimprovisedbrushofwillowtwigs。

Itwassuchawonderfulday；itwassuchanunusualanddeliciousfeast。Plumpbrooktrout，freshfromicywater，delicatelybroiledoversearingwoodcoals，arethefinestoffood。ThroughthemealtothepointwhereDonaldlayonhisbackatthefarcurveofthecanyonwall，nibblingapieceofcactuscandy，everythinghadbeenperfect。Ninemonthswouldbealongtimetobegone，butLindawouldwaitforhim，andshewouldwritetohim。

Heraisedhisheadonhiselbowandcalledacrosstoher:"Say，Linda，howoftenwillyouwritetome？"

Lindaansweredpromptly:"EverySaturdaynight。Saturdayisourday。I\'lltellyouwhathashappenedalltheweek。I\'lltellyouspeciallywhatadarnedunprofitabledaySaturdayiswhenyou\'rethreethousandmilesaway。"

Bendingoverthecanyonfireplace，herfaceredwithheatandexertion，KatherineO\'Donovancaughtupherpokerandbeatupthefireuntiltheashesflew。

"Easy，Katy，easy，"cautionedLinda。"Wemaywanttoburythosecoalsandresurrectthemtowarmupwhatisleftforsupper。"

"We\'lldonosuchthing，"saidKatypromptly。"Whatremainsgoestofeedthefish。Nexttimeit\'shungryyeare，we\'regoin\'tohititstraighttoLilacValleyandfillourselveswithGod\'sownbreadandbeefsteakandparaties。Don\'tyethinkwe\'regoin\'tobeatin\'thesehaythenmessestwiceinoneday。"

Toherselfshewassaying:"ThesoonerIgetyouhometoPaterMorrison，missy，thebetterI\'llbesatisfied。"

Onceshestooderect，herhandsatherbelt，herelbowswidespread，andwithnarrowedeyeswatchedtheyoungsters。Herlipswereclosedsotightlytheywrinkledcuriouslyassheturnedbacktothefireplace。

"Naytheroneofthemfoolkidshascometoyet，"shesaidtoherself，"andamightygoodthingitisthattheyhaven\'t。"

LindawaslookingspeculativelyatDonaldashelaystretchedontheIndianblanketatthebaseofthecliff。Andthen，becauseshewasforeverbusywithNature，hereyesstrayedabovehimupthesideofthecliff，notingthevegetation，thescarredrocks，thesheerbeautyofthecanyonwalluntiltheyreachedthetop。

Then，fornoreasonatall，shesatlookingsteadilyatahugeboulderoverhangingtheedgeofthecliff，andshewaswonderinghowmanyagesithadhungthereandhowmanymoreitwouldhang，poisedalmostinair，whenatinypebbleatitsbaseloosenedandcamerattlingandboundingdownthecanyonface。EverynerveinLindatensed。Sheopenedhermouth，butnotasoundcame。Forabreathlesssecondshewasparalyzed。Thensheshriekedwildly:

"Donald，Donald，rollundertheledge！Quick，quick！"

SheturnedtoKaty。

"Back，Katy，back！"shescreamed。"Thatboulderisloose；it\'scomingdown！"

FormonthsDonaldWhitinghadobeyedLindaimplicitlyandinstantly。Hehadmovedwithalmostinvisiblespeedatherwarningmanytimesbefore。Sometimesithadbeenavenomoussnake，sometimesayuccabayonet，sometimespoisonvines，againunsafefooting——ineachcaseinstantobediencehadbeentherule。

Hedidhot"questionwhy"atherwarning；heinstantlydidashewastold。He，too，hadnoticedthefallingpebble。Withalltheagilityofwhichhewascapableherolledunderthenarrowprojectingledgeabovehim。KatherineO\'Donovanwasagoodsoldieralso。Shewhirledandrantotheroadway。Shehadbarelyreacheditwhen，withagrindingcrash，downcamethehugeboulder，carryingbushes，smallerrocks，sand，anddebriswithit。Onaccountofitsweightitfellstraight，struckheavily，andburieditselfintheearthexactlyonthespotuponwhichDonaldhadbeenlying。Lindaraisedterrifiedeyestothetopofthewall。Foroneinstantadarkobjectpeeredoveritandthendrewback。WithoutthoughtforherselfLindarushedtotheboulder，andkneeling，triedtoseebackofit。

"Donald！"shecried，"Donald，areyouallright？"

"GuessIam，unlessithitonefootprettyhard。Feelsfast。"

"Canyougetout？"shecried，beginningtotearwithherhandsatthestoneandthebusheswhereshethoughthisheadwouldbe。

"I\'mfast；butI\'mallright，"hepanted。"Whythedevildidthatthinghangthereforages，andthencomedownonmetoday？"

"Yes，whydidit？"gaspedLinda。"Donald，Imustleaveyouaminute。I\'vegottoknowifIsawaheadpeeroverjustasthatstonecamedown。"

"Becarefulwhatyoudo！"hecriedafterher。

Lindasprangtoherfeetandrushedtothecar。Shecaughtoutthefieldclassesandthrewthestrapoverherheadassheracedtothefarsideofthefireplacewherethewallswerenotsosheer。KatherineO\'Donovanpromptlyseizedtheaxe，caughtitscarryingstraplyingbesideit，thrustthehandlethrough，swungitoverherownhead，droppeditbetweenhershoulders，andrippingoffherdressskirtshestartedupthecliffafterLinda。

Lindawasclimbingsoswiftlyandsoabsorbedlythatshereachedthetopbeforesheheardasoundbehindher。Thensheturnedwithawhiteface，andhermouthdroppedopenasshesawKatythreefourthsofthewayupthecliff。Foronesecondshewasagainstiffwithterror，then，feelingshecoulddonothing，shesteppedbackoutofsightandwaitedaseconduntilKaty\'sredheadandredderfaceappearedovertheedge。Realizingthatherauthoritywasofnoavail，thatKatywouldfollowhernomatterwhereshewentorwhatshedid，andwithnotimetoargue，Lindasimplycalledtoherencouragingly:"FollowwhereIgo；takeyourtime；hangtight，olddear，it\'sdangerous！"

Shestartedaroundthesideofthemountain，headingalmoststraightupward，travelingasswiftlyandasnoiselesslyaspossible。Overbigboulders，onprecariousfooting，clingingtobushes，theymadetheirwayuntiltheyreachedaplacethatseemedtobesheerabovethem；certainlyitwasforhundredsoffeetbelowOnapointofrockscreenedbyoverhangingbushesLindapauseduntilKatyovertookher。

"Weareaboutstalled，"shepanted。"Findagoodfootingandstaywhereyouare。I\'mgoingtoclimboutonthesebushesandseeifIcangetaviewofthemountainside。"

Advancingafewyards，Lindabracedherself，drewaroundherglasses，andbegansearchingthesideofthemountainoppositeherandbelowasfarasshecouldrangewiththeglasses。Atlastshegaveup。