第11章

"Musthavegonetheotherway，"shesaidtoKaty。"I\'llcrawlbacktoyou。We\'llgoafterhelpandgetDonaldout。Therewillbetimeenoughtoexaminethecliffafterward；butIamjustassurenowasIwillbewhenitisexaminedthatthatstonewaspurposelyloosenedtoadegreewhereaslightpushwoulddropit。

AsDonaldsays，there\'snoreasonwhyitshouldhangthereforcenturiesandfallonhimtoday。Shutyoureyes，olddear，andbackup。WemustgotoDonald。Iratherthinkit\'sononeofhisfeetfromwhathesaid。Letmetakeonemoregoodlook。"

Atthatminutefromhighonthemountainabovethemashowerofsandandpebblescamerattlingdown。LindagaveKatyoneterrifiedlook。

"MyGod！"shepanted。"He\'scomingdownrightaboveus！"

JusthowLindarecrossedthebushesandreachedKatyshedidnotknow。Shemotionedforhertomakeherwaybackastheyhadcome。Katyplantedherfeetsquarelyupontherock。Herlowerjawshotout；hereyeswereaflame。ShestoodperfectlystillwiththeexceptionofmotioningLindatocrowdbackunderthebushes，andagainLindarealizedthatshehadnoauthority；asshehaddonefromchildhoodwhenKatywasinearnest，Lindaobeyedher。Shehadbarelyreachedtheoverhangingbushes，crouchedunderthem，andstraightenedherself，whenasmallavalanchecameshoweringdown，andaminutelaterapairoffeetwerelevelwithherhead。Thenscreenedbythebushes，shecouldhavereachedoutandtouchedOkaSayye。AshisfeetfoundasolidrestingplaceontheledgeonwhichLindaandKatystood，andwhilehewasstillclingingtothebushes，KatherineO\'Donovanadvanceduponhim。Hehadfeltthathisfeetwerefirm，letgohishold，andturned，whenhefacedtheinfuriatedIrishwoman。Shehadpulledthestrapfromaroundherneck，slippedtheaxefromit，andwithastrongthrustsheplantedtheheadofitagainstOkaSayye\'schestsohardthatshealmostfellforward。TheJapplungedbackwardamongthebushes，therootsofwhichhadsupportedLindawhilesheusedtheglasses。Thenhefell，slidingamongthem，snatchingwildly。Lindagrippedtheoverhanginggrowthbehindwhichshehadbeenscreened，andleanedforward。

"Hehasahold；heiscomingbackup，Katy！"shecried。

Katytookanotherstepforward。Shelookedoverthecliffdownanappallingdepthofhundredsoffeet。Deliberatelysheraisedtheaxe，circleditroundherheadandbroughtitdownuponthatparticularbranchtowhichOkaSayyewasclinging。Shecutitthrough，andtheaxeranguponthestonewallbehindit。AssheswayedforwardLindareachedout，grippedKatyandpulledherback。

"Gethim？"sheaskedtersely，asifshewerespeakingofaratorarattlesnake。

Katysankbacklimplyagainstthewall。Lindaslowlyturnedheraround，andasshefacedtherock，"Squeezetightagainstitshutyoureyes，andkeepastiffupperlip，"shecautioned。"I\'mgoingtoworkaroundYou；Iwanttobeaheadofyou。"

ShesqueezedpastKaty，securedtheaxeandhungitroundherownneck。ShecautionedKatytokeephereyesshutandfollowwheresheledher，thentheystartedontheirwayback。Lindadidnotattempttodescendthesheerwallbywhichtheyhadclimbed，butmakingadetourshewentlower，andinaveryshorttimetheywerebackinthekitchen。Lindarushedtotheboulderandkneltagain，butshecouldgetnoresponsetoherquestions。EvidentlyDonald\'sfootwascaughtandhewasunconsciousfromthepain。

Squeezingascloseasshecould，shethrustherarmundertheledgeuntilshecouldfeelhishead。Thenshewenttotheotherside，andthereshecouldseethathisrightfootwaspinnedundertherock。ShelookedatKatyreassuringly，thenshetookofftheaxeandhandedittoher。

"He\'salive，"shesaid。"Can\'tkillahealthyyoungstertohaveacrushedfoot。YoustandguarduntilItaketheBearCatandbringhelp。It\'snotfartowhereIcanfindpeople。"

AtfullspeedLindaputtheCatthroughthestreamandoutofthecanyonuntilshereachedcultivatedland，whereshefoundamanwhowouldgatherothermenandstarttotherescue。Sheranonuntilshefoundahousewithatelephone。ThereshecalledJudgeWhiting，tellinghimtobringanambulanceandasurgeon，givinghimexplicitdirectionsastowheretocome，andassuringhimthatDonaldcouldnotpossiblybeseriouslyhurt。Shefoundtimetourge，also，thatbeforestartinghesetinmotionanyprecautionshehadtakenforDonald\'sprotection。ShetoldhimwhereshethoughtwhatremainedofOkaSayyecouldbefound。Andthen，asnaturallyandasmethodicallyasshehaddonealltherest，shecalledPeterMorrisonandtoldhimthatshewasintroubleandwherehecouldfindher。

AndbecausePeterhadmanymileslessdistancetotravelthantheothersshehadsummoned，hearrivedfirst。HefoundLindaandKatyhadburrowedunderthestoneuntiltheyhadmadeanopeningintowhichthebrokenfootmightsinksothatthepainofthepressurewouldberelieved。Beforetherock，withpicksandshovels，halfadozensympatheticfarmersfromranchesandcultivatedlandatthemouthofthecanyonwerediggingfuriouslytomakeanopeningunderminingthebouldersothatitcouldbeeasilytippedforward。Donaldwasconsciousandtheyhadbeenpassingwatertohimandencouraginghimwiththereportthathisfatherandagoodsurgeonwouldbethereverysoon。KatherineO\'Donovanhadcrouchedatonesideoftheboulder，supportingthehurtfoot。Shewasbreathingheavilyandherusuallyredfacewasaghastlygreen。Lindahadhelpedhertoresumetheskirtofherdress。AttheothersideoftherockthegirlwasreachingtowhereshecouldtouchDonald\'sheadorreassuringlygripthehandthathecouldextendtoher。PeterseizedLinda\'saxeandbeganhewingattheearthandrockinordertohelpinthespeedyremovalofthehugeboulder。SoonJudgeWhiting，accompaniedbyDoctorFleming，thecity\'sgreatestsurgeon，camecaringintothecanyonandstoppedontheroadwaywhenhesawtheparty。TheJudgesprangfromthecar，leapedthestream，andstartedtowardthem。Inanefforttofreehissonbeforehisarrival，allthemenbracedthemselvesagainstthefaceofthecliffandpushedwiththeircombinedstrength。TheboulderdroppedforwardintothetrenchtheyhaddugforitenoughtoallowPetertocrowdhisbodybetweenitandthecliffandliftDonald\'sheadandshoulders。Lindainstantlyranaroundtheboulder，pushedherwayin，andcarefullyliftingDonald\'sfeet，shemanagedtoworkthelitheslendernessofherbodythroughtheopening，sothattheycarriedDonaldoutandlaidhimdownintheopen。Hewasconsiderablydazedandshaken，cruellyhurt，butprovedhimselfagameyoungsteroftherightmettle。Heraisedhimselftoasittingposture，managingaratherstiff-lippedsmileforhisfatherandLinda。Thesurgeoninstantlybegancuttingtoreachthehurtfoot，whilePeterMorrisonsupportedtheboy\'sheadandshouldersononeside，hisfatherontheother。

Anexclamationofdismaybrokefromthesurgeon\'slips。HelookedatJudgeWhitingandnoddedslightly。ThemenimmediatelypickedupDonaldandcarriedhimtotheambulance。KatherineO\'Donovansatdownsuddenlyandburiedherfaceintheskirtofherdress。Lindalaidareassuringhandonhershoulder。

"Don\'t，Katy，"shesaid。"Keepupyournerve；you\'reallright，olddear。Donald\'sfine。Thatdoesn\'tmeananythingexceptthathisfootisbroken，sohewon\'tbeable，anditwon\'tbenecessaryforhim，toendurethepainofsettingitinacastwithoutananesthetic；andDoctorFlemingcanworkmuchbetterwherehehaseveryconvenience。It\'sallright。"

Thesurgeonclimbedintotheambulanceandtheystartedonanemergencyruntothehospital。Asthecarturnedandsweptdownthecanyon，fornoreasonthatshecouldhaveexplained，Lindabegantoshakeuntilherteethclicked。PeterMorrisonsprangbackacrossthebrook，andrunningtoherside，heputhisarmaroundherandwithonehandhepressedherheadagainsthisshoulder，coveringherface。

"Steady，Linda，"hesaidquietly，"steady。Youknowthatheisallright。Itwillonlybeaquestionofashortconfinement。"

Lindamadeabraveefforttocontrolherself。SheleanedagainstPeterandheldoutbothherhands。

"I\'mallright，"shechattered。"Givemeaminute。"

JudgeWhitingcametothem。

"Iamgettingawayimmediately，"hesaid。"ImustreachLouiseandMotherbeforetheygetwordofthis。DoctorFlemingwilltakecareofDonaldallright。Whathappened，Linda？Canyoutellme？"

Lindaopenedherlipsandtriedtospeak，butshewastoobreathless，toofullofexcitement，tobecoherent。ToheramazementKatherineO\'Donovanscrambledtoherfeet，liftedherheadandfacedtheJudge。Shepointedtothefireplace。

"Iwasrightthere，busywithmecookie\'utensils，"shesaidlMissLindawasa-sittin，onthatexactspot，theyjisthavin1

finishedatin\'someofherhaythenmesses；andtheladwaslyin，squarewheretheboulderstruck，ontheIndianblanket，atin\'apaceofcactuscandy。Andjistonepebblecamerattlin\'down，butMissLindahappenedtobelookin\'，andshescramedtotheb\'ytoberollin\'underwhereyefoundhim；sohegaveafloportwo，andit\'swellthathetookhisorderswithoutwaitin\'toasktheraisonforthem，forifhehad，attheprisintminutehewouldbeaboutasthickasashateofwritingpaper。Thethingdroppedclearandstraightanddroveitselfintotheearthandstonebelowit，asyesee。"

KatherineO\'Donovanpaused。

"Yes，"saidtheJudge。"Anythingelse？"

"MissLindagottohimandshemadesurehehadbrathin\'spaceandhewasn\'thurtbad，andthenshetoldhimhehadgottostandit，because，sittin\'whereshedid，shefacedthecliffandshethoughtshehadseensomeone。Shetookthetelescopeandstartedclimbin\'，andItooktheaxeandIstartedclimbin\'afterher。"

KatybrokedownandemittedaweirdIrishhowl。Lindainstantlybracedherself，threwherarmsaroundKaty，anddrewherheadtohershoulder。ShelookedatJudgeWhitingandbegantotalk"Icanshowyouwhereshefollowedme，straightupthefaceofthecanyon，almost，"shesaid。"Andsheneverhadtriedtoclimbacanyonsideforayard，either，butshecameupandoverafterme，likeacat。AndupthereonasmallledgeOkaSayyecamedowndirectlyaboveus。Icouldn\'tbemistaken。Isawhimplainly。IknowhimbysightaswellasIdoanyofyou。Weheardthestonescomingdownbeforehim，andweknewsomeonewasgoingtobeonuswhowasdesperateenoughtokill。Whenhetouchedourlevelandturnedtofollowtheledgewewereon，I

pushedhimover。"

KatyshookoffLinda\'sprotectingarmandstraightenedsuddenly。

"Why，yedomnedlittlefool，ye！"shescreamed。"Yenevertoldaliebeforeinallyourdays！JudgeWhiting，Ihadtheaxeroundmeneckbytheclimbin\'strap，andIgotitinmefingerswhenweheardthecraturecomin\'，andagainsthischistIsetit，andI

gavehimashovethatsinthimover。Likeacathewasa-clingin\'andclimbin\'，andwhenIsawhimcomin\'uponuswiththatawfulfaceofhis，IjistswungtheaxelikeIdowhenI\'mrejoocin\'apaceofeucalyptustofireplacesize，andwhack！I

tookthebranchsupportin\'him，andadome\'goodaxeIspoileddin\'it。"

Katyfoldedherarms，liftedherchinhigherthaniteverhadbeenbefore，andglareddefianceattheJudge。

"Nowgoon，"shesaid，"anddecidewhatye\'lldotomeforit。"

TheJudgereachedoverandtookbothKatherineO\'Donovan\'shandsinafirmgrip。

"Youbravewoman！"hesaid。"Ifitlayinmypower，IwouldgiveyoutheCarnegieMedal。InanyeventIwillseethatyouhaveagoodbungalowwithplentyofshamrockoneachsideofyourfrontpath，andafairincometokeepyoucomfortablewhentherheumaticdaysareuponyou。"

"Iamnoover-feeder，"saidKatyproudly。"I\'mdailyexercisin\'

memusclesenoughtokapethemyoung。TherheumatismI\'llnothave。AndnaytherwillIhavethehousenortheincome。I\'vesavedmemoney；I\'veanincomeofmeown。"

"Andasforthebungalow，"interruptedLinda，"Katherine，asI

havementionedfrequentlybeforeismyfather，andmymother，andmywholefamily，andherfrontdoorismine。"

"Sure，"saidKatyproudly。"Whenthesetwofinepeoplebeforeyousetuptheirhearthstone，a-swapin\'itI\'llbe，andcarin\'

fortheiryoungsters；but，Judge，Iwouldlikeabitoftheshamrock。Yemightbesendin\'meastartofthat，ifitwouldplaseYourHonor。"

JudgeWhitinglookedintentlyatKatherineO\'Donovan。Andthen，asiftheyhadbeenonthewitnessstand，helookedsearchinglyatLinda。ButLindawastooperturbed，tooaccustomedtoKaty\'sextravagantnonsenseeventonoticethepurportofwhatshehadsaid。ThentheJudgeturnedhisattentiontoPeterMorrisonandrealizedthatatleastoneofthepartiestoKatherine\'sproposedhearthstonehadunderstoodandheartilyendorsedherproposal。

"Iwillhavetobegoing。Theboyandhismotherwillneedme，"

hesaid。"Iwillseeallofyoulater。"

Thenhesprangacrossthebrookandsenthiscarroaringdownthecanyonaftertheambulance。

OncemoreKatysanktotheground。Lindalookedatherassheburiedherfaceandbegantowail。

"Peter，"shesaidquietly，"huntourbelongingsandpackthemintheBearCatthebestyoucan。Excuseusforafewminutes。Wemustactthisoutofoursystems。"

GravelyshesatdownbesideKaty，laidherheadonhershoulder，andbegantocryverynearlyasenergeticallyasKatyherself。

AndthatwastheonethingwhichwasmosteffectiveinrestoringKaty\'snerves。TearsweresuchanunaccustomedthingwithLindathatKatycontrolledherselfspeedilysothatshemightbebetterabletoservethegirl。InafewminutesKatyhadreducedheremotionstoadrysniffle。Sheliftedherhead，gropedforherpocket，andbeingunabletofinditfortheverygoodreasonthatshewassittinguponit，sheusedherginghamhemasahandkerchief。Onceshehadrisentothephysicaleffortofwipinghereyes，sheregainedcalmnessrapidly。ThelasttimesheappliedthehemshelookedatPeter，butaddressedtheAlmightyinresignedtones:"There，Lord，Iguessthatwilldo。"

Inafewminutesshewassearchingthekitchen，makingsurethatnoknives，spoons，orcookingutensilswerelost。Missinghersupport，LindasaterectandendeavoredtofollowKaty\'sexample。

HereyesmetPeter\'sandwhenshesawthathisshoulderswereshaking，adry，hystericallaughpossessedher。

"Yes，Katy，"shepanted，"thatWILLdo，andrememberthetearswearesheddingareoverDonald\'sbrokenfoot，andbecausethismayinterferewithhiswork，thoughIdon\'tthinkitwillforlong。"

"WhenIcry，"saidKatytersely，"IcrybecauseIfeellikeit。

Iwasn\'twapin\'overthesnakethat\'dplanadeathlikethatforanyone"——Katywavedtowardtheboulder——"andnaytherwasI

wastin\'metearsoverthefutofakidbein\'jommedupatrifle。"

"Well，then，Katy，"askedLindatremulously，"whywereyoucrying？"

"Well，there\'stimes，"saidKatyjudicially，"whenmespiritstellmeIwouldbethebetterforlettin\'offaweebitofstame，andoneofthemtimeshavin\'arrived，Ijistbowedmeheadtoit，asisinaccordancewiththemakingsofme。Farbeitfrommetobeflyin\'inthefaceofProvidenceandsayin\'Iwon\'t，whenallmeinteriordisposhionsaystome:\'Yewill！\'"

"Andnow，Linda，"saidPeter，"canyoutelluswhyyouwerecrying？"

"Why，Ithink，"saidLinda，"thatKatyhasexplainedsufficientlyforbothofus。Itwasmerelytimeforustohowlaftersuchfearfulnervestrain，sowehowled。"

"Well，that\'sallright，"saidPeter。"NowI\'lltellyousomething。Ifyouhadgoneawayinthatambulancetoananestheticandanoperation，nowildcatthateverindulgedinahungerhuntthroughthiscanyoncouldhaveputupahowlequaltotheonethatIwouldhavesentup。"

"Peter，"saidLinda，"thereisnothingfunnyaboutthis；it\'snotameforjest。Butdomenhavenerves？Wouldyoureally？"

"OfcourseIwould，"saidPeter。

"No，youwouldn\'t，"contradictedLinda。"Youjustsaythatbecauseyouwanttocomfortusforhavingbrokendown，insteadoftryingtoteaseusasmostmenwould。"

"Hewould，too！"saidKaty，startingtotheBearCatwithaloadofutensils。"Nowcomeon；let\'sgohomeandbegettin\'cranedupandreadyforwhat\'sgoin\'tohappentous。Willtheybejailin\'us，belike，MissLinda？"

LindalookedatPeterquestioningly。

"No，"hesaidquietly。"Itisveryprobablethatthematterneverwillbementionedtoyouagain，unlessJudgeWhitinggetsholdofsomecluethathewishestouseasanargumentagainstmaturedJapsbeingadmittedinthesamehigh-schoolclasseswithourclean，decent，youngAmericans。Theystoppedthatinthegradesseveralyearsago，Iamtold。"

BeforetheycouldstartbacktoLilacValleyacarstoppedinthecanyonandacoupleofmenintroducingthemselvesashavingcomefromJudgeWhitinginterviewedKatyandLindaexhaustively。ThenLindapointedouttothemaneasierbutmuchlongerroutebywhichtheymightreachthetopofthecanyontoexaminethespotfromwhichtheboulderhadfallen。SheshowedthemwheresheandKatyhadascended，andtoldthemwheretheywouldbelikelytofindOkaSayye。

Whenitcametoaquestionofreallystarting，LindalookedwithappealingeyesatPeter。

"Peter，"shesaid，"couldwefixitanywaysoyoucoulddriveKatyandmehome？ForthefirsttimesinceIhavebegundrivingthisspringIdon\'tfeelequaltokeepingtheroad。"

"Ofcourse，"saidPeter。"I\'lltakeyourcartothenearestfarmhouseandleaveit，thenI\'lltakeyouandKatyinmycar。"

LatethateveningJudgeWhitingcametoLilacValleywithhiswifeanddaughtertotellLindathatthetopofthecliffgaveeveryevidenceofthestonehavingbeenloosenedpreviously，sothataslightimpetuswouldsenditcrashingdownatthetimewhenDonaldlayinhisaccustomedplacedirectlyinthelineofitsfall。Hisdetectiveshadfoundthelocationoftheencounterandtheyhadgonetothebottomofthecliff，athousandfeetbelow，buttheyhadnotbeenabletofindanytraceofOkaSayye。

Somewhereinwaitingtherehadbeenconfederateswhohadremovedwhatremainedofhim。OnthewayhomeMrs。Whitingsaidtoherhusband:"Judge，areyouverysurethatwhatthecooksaidtoyouthisafternoonaboutMissStrongandMr。Morrisonistrue？"

"Iamonlysureofitstruthsofarasheisconcerned，"repliedtheJudge。"WhathethoughtaboutLindawasevident。Iamverysorry。SheisamightyfinegirlandIthinkDonaldisverymuchinterestedinher。"

"Yes，Ithinkso，too，"saidDonald\'smother。"Interested；buthehasnotevenacaseoffirstlove。HeisinterestedforthesamereasonyouwouldbeorIwouldbe，becausesheisintellectuallysostimulating。Andyouhavetotakeintoconsiderationthefactthatintwoorthreeyearsmoreshewillbereadyformarriageandahomeofherown，andDonaldwillstillbeinschoolwithhisworldlyexperienceandhisbusinesseducationnotyetbegun。ThebestthingthatcanhappentoDonaldisjusttolethisinfatuationforherdieanaturaldeath，withthequietassistanceofhisfamily。"

TheJudge\'sfacereddenedslightly。

"Well，Iwouldlikemightywelltohaveherinthefamily，"hesaid。"She\'sacorkingfinegirl。Shewouldmakeafinemotheroffinemen。Ihaven\'tadoubtbutthatwiththepowerofhispersonalityandthepowerofhispenandthelureofpropinquity，PeterMorrisonwillwinher，butIhateit。It\'sthebestchancetheboyeverwillhave。"

AndthenLouisespokeupsoftly。

"Donaldhasn\'tanychance，Dad，"shesaidquietly，"andheneverdidhave。IhavemetPeterMorrisonmyselfandIwouldbeonlytoogladifIthoughthewasdevotedtome。I\'llgrantthatLindaStrongisafinegirl，butwhenshewakesuptotheworthofPeterMorrisonandtoarealizationofwhatotherwomenwouldbegladtobetohim，shewillmerelyreachoutandlaypossessivehandsuponwhatalreadybelongstoher。"

ItwasacuriousthingthatsuchoccurrencesasthedeathofOkaSayyeandtheinjurytoDonaldcouldtakeplaceandnooneknowaboutthem。Yetthepapersweresilentonthesubjectandsowerethecourts。LindaandKatywerefullyprotected。TheconfederatesofOkaSayyeforreasonsoftheirownpreferredtokeepveryquiet。

ByMondayDonald，withhisfootinaplastercast，wasonasideverandaofhishomewithatablebesidehimstrewnwithbooksandpapers。Anagreementhadbeenmadethathisprofessorsshouldcallandhearhisrecitationsforafewdaysuntilbytheaidofacrutchandacanehecouldresumehisplaceinschool。LindawenttovisithimexactlyasshewouldhavegonetoseeMarianinlikecircumstances。ShesucceededinmakingalloftheWhitingfamilyherverydevotedfriends。

Oneevening，afterhehadbeenhobblingaboutforoveraweek，LindaandPetercalledtospendtheevening，andaverygayandenjoyableeveningitwas。AndyetwhenitwasoverandtheyhadgoneawaytogetherDonaldappearedworriedanddeeplythoughtful。

Whenhismothercametohisroomtoseeifthefootwasundulypainfulortherewasanythingshecoulddotomakehimmorecomfortable，helookedatherbelligerently。

"Mother，"hesaid，"Idon\'tlikePeterMorrisonbeingsomuchwithmygirl。"

Mrs。Whitingstoodverystill。Shethoughtveryfast。Shouldshepostponeitorshouldshelettheboytakeallofhishurtstogether？HerheartachedforhimandyetshefeltthatsheknewwhatlifehadinstoreforhimconcerningLinda。Soshesatontheedgeofthebedandbegantotalkquietly，plainly，reasonably。Shetriedtoexplainnatureandhumannatureandwhatshethoughtthelawsofprobabilitywereinthecase。

Donaldlaysilent。Hesaidnothinguntilshehadfinishedallshehadtosay，andthenheannouncedtriumphantly:"You\'reallwrong。ThatiswhatwouldhappenifLindawereagirllikeanyoftheothergirlsinherclass，orlikeLouise。ButshehaspromisedthatshewouldwritetomeeverySaturdaynightandshehassaidthatshethinksmoreofmethanofanyoftheotherboys。"

"Donalddear，"saidMrs。Whiting，"you\'renot\'inlove\'withLindayourself，andneitherisshewithyou。Bythetimeyouarereadytomarryandsettledowninlife，Lindainallprobabilitywillbemarriedandbethemotheroftwoorthreebabies。"

"Yes，likefunshewill，"saidDonaldroughly。

"Haveyouaskedherwhethershelovesyou？"inquiredMrs。

Whiting。

"Oh，that\'love\'business，"saidDonald，"itmakesmetired！

LindaandIneverdidanymushingaround。Wehadthingsofsomeimportancetotalkaboutandtodo。"

AbitofpaininMrs。Whiting\'shearteased。Itwasdifficulttokeepherlipsquietandeven。

"Youhaven\'taskedhertomarryyou，then？"shesaidsoberly。

"OhgoodLord，"criedDonald，"\'marry！\'HowcouldImarryanyonewhenIhaven\'tevengraduatedfromhighschoolandwithcollegeandallthattocome？"

"ThatiswhatIhavebeentryingtotellyou，"saidhismotherevenly。"Idon\'tbelieveyouhavebeenthinkingaboutmarriageandIamabsolutelycertainthatLindahasnot，butsheisgoingtobemadetothinkaboutitlongbeforeyouwillbeinsuchfinancialpositionthatyoudare。ThatisthereasonIamsuggestingthatyouthinkaboutthesethingsseriouslyandquestionyourselfastowhetheryouwouldbedoingthefairthingbyLindaifyoutriedtotieherupinanarrangementthatwouldaskhertowaitsixoreightyearsyetbeforeyouwouldbeready。"

"Well，Icangetaroundfasterthanthat，"saidDonaldbelligerently。

"Ofcourseyoucan，"agreedhismother。"Imadethatestimatefullyayeartoolong。ButeveninsevenyearsLindacoulddoanawfullotofwaiting；andtherearesomeverywonderfulgirlsthatwillbecomingupsixorsevenyearsfromnowhereathome。

YouknowthathereafterallthegirlsintheworldaregoingtobeverymuchmoreLinda\'skindofgirlsthantheyhavebeenheretofore。Thegirlswhohavelivedthroughthewarandwhohavebeenintimatewithitssorrowanditssufferinganditsterribleresultstohumanity，arenotgoingtobesuchheedless，thoughtless，notnearlysuchselfish，girlsastheworldhasknowninthedecadejustpast。Andthereisgoingtobemoreoutdoorlife，morenaturestudy。Therearegoingtobestrongerbodies，betterfood，better-cared-foryoungpeople；andeveryyeareducationaladvantagesaregoingtobegreater。IfyoucanbringyourselftothinkaboutgivinguptheideaofthereeverexistinganyextremelypersonalthingbetweenyouandLinda，IamverysureIcouldguaranteetointroduceyoutoagirlwhowouldbequitehercounterpart，andundoubtedlywecouldmeetonewhowouldbehandsomer。"

Donaldpunchedhispillowviciously。

"That\'snicetalk，"hesaid，"anditmaybetruetalk。ButinthefirstplaceIwishthatPeterMorrisonwouldletmygirlalone，andinthesecondplaceIdon\'tcareifthereareathousandjustasnicegirlsorevenbetter-lookinggirlsthanLinda，thoughanygirlwouldbegoingsomeifshewerenicerandbetterlookingthanLinda。ButIamtellingyouthatwhenmyfootgetsbetterIamgoingtoLilacValleyandtellhimwheretoheadin，andI\'llpunchhisheadifhedoesn\'tdoitpromptly。"

"Ofcourseyouwill，"saidhismotherreassuringly；"andI\'llgowithyouandwe\'llseetoitthatheattendsstrictlytohisownaffairs。"

Donaldburstoutlaughing，exactlyashismotherinherhearthadhopedthathewould。

"Yes，I\'vegotahand-paintedpictureofmyselfstartingtoLilacValleytofightamanwhoisbuttinginwithmygirl，andtakingmymotheralongtohelpmebeathimup，"hesaid。

Mrs。Whitingputherarmsaroundherboy，kissedhimtenderly，andsmoothedhishair，andthenturnedoutthelightsandslippedfromtheroom。Butintheclearmoonlightassheclosedthedoorshecouldseethataboyishgrinwastwistinghislips，andshewentdowntotelltheJudgethatheneednotworry。Ifhisboywereirreparablyhurtanywhere，itwasinhisfoot。

CHAPTERXXXII。HowtheWaspBuiltHerNestThefollowingweekswereveryhappyforLinda。WhenthecastwasremovedfromDonald\'sfootanditwasfoundthatayearortwoofcarewouldputhimevenontheathleticfieldsandthedancingflooragain，shewasgreatlyrelieved。

ShelackedwordsinwhichtoexpressherjoythatMarianwasrapidlycomingintohappiness。Shewassoverybusywithherschoolwork，withdoingallshecouldtohelpDonaldwithhis，withher"JaneMeredith"articles，withhuntingandworkingoutmaterialforherbook，thatsheneverhadmanyminutesatatimeforintrospection。WhenshedidhaveafewshesometimespondereddeeplyastowhetherMarianhadbeenaltogethersincereinthelastlettershehadwrittenherintheircorrespondence，butshewassodelightedintheoutcomethatifshedidattimeshavethesamedoubtinafleetingformthathadnotbeenintheleastfleetingwithPeterMorrison，shedismisseditasrapidlyaspossible。Whenthingsweresoverygoodastheywereatthattime，whytrytoimprovethem？

Oneeveningasshecamefromschool，thinkingthatshewouldtakeKatyforashortrunintheBearCatbeforedinner，shenoticedaredheadprominentinthefrontyardasshenearedhome。WhensheturnedinatthefrontwalkandcrossedthelawnshewouldhavebeenwillingtowagerquiteasumthatKatyhadbeencrying。

"Why，olddear，"saidLinda，puttingherarmsaroundher，"ifanythinghasgonewrongwithyouIwillcertainlytaketothewarpath，instanter。Ican\'tevenimaginewhatcouldbetroublingyou。"Lindaloweredhervoice。"NothinghascomeupaboutOkaSayye？"

Katyshookherhead。

"Ithoughtnot，"saidLinda。"JudgeWhitingpromisedmethatwhatusehemadeofthatshouldbeman\'sbusinessandexploitedwhollyforthesakeofCaliforniaandherpeople。Hesaidweshouldn\'tbeinvolved。Ihaven\'tbeenworriedaboutiteven，althoughIamwillingtogouponthestandandtellthewholestoryifitwillbeanyhelptowardputtingrightwhatisatpresentagreatwrongtoCalifornia。"

"Yes，sowouldI，"saidKaty。"I\'mnotworryin\'meselfaboutthelittlebasteanymorethanIwouldifithadbeenamaddogfoamingupthatcliffatye。"

"Thenwhatisit？"askedLinda。"Tellmethisminute。"

"Idunnowhatintheworldyou\'regoingtothink，"saidKaty"I

dunnowhatintheworldyou\'regoingtodo。"

HerfacewassodistressedthatLinda\'snimblebrainflewtoaconclusion。ShetightenedherarmacrossKaty\'sshoulder。

"ByJove，Katy！"shesaidbreathlessly。"IsEileeninthehouse？"

Katynodded。

"HasshebeentoseeJohnandmadethingsrightwithhim？"

Katynoddedagain。

"He\'sintherewithherwaitin\'forye，"shesaid。

ItwasastunnedLindawhoslowlydroppedherarm，stooderect，andliftedherheadveryhigh。Shethoughtintently。

"Youdon\'tmeantotellme，"shesaid，"thatyouhavebeenCRYING

overher？"

Katyheldoutbothhands。

"Linda，"shesaid，"shealwayswassuchaprettything，andhermadidn\'traisehertohavethesenseofapeewee。Ifyourpahadbeenlettakeheroutdoorsandgrowherinthesunandtheair，shewouldhavebeenbiggerandbroader，an\'therewouldhavebeenthetruthofGod\'ssunshinean\'thegloryofHisrainabouther。Yeknow，Linda，thatshedidn\'teverhaveacommondecentchance。Itwascurlsthatcouldn\'tbeshookoutandanosethatdassen\'tbesunburnedandshoesthatmustn\'tbescuffedandadressthatshouldn\'tbemussed，fromthedayshewasborn。Yecouldn\'tjisthonestsayshehadeverhadaFAIRchance，nowcouldye？"

"No，"saidLindaconclusively\'"no，KatherineO\'Donovan，youcouldnot。Butwhatareweupagainst？Doesshewanttocomeback？Doesshewanttostayhereagain？"

"Ithinkshewouldliketo，"saidKaty。"Yougoinandseeherforyourself，lambie，beforeyecometoanydecision。"

"Youdon\'tmean，"saidLindainamarvelingtone，"thatshehasbeenhomesick，thatshehascomebacktousbecauseshewouldliketobewithusagain？"

"Yougoandseeherforyourself；andifyoudon\'tsaysheistheworstbeatoutandthetiredestmortalthatyehaveeverseenyou\'llbesurprisin\'me。MyGod，Linda，theyain\'tnothin\'inbein\'richifitcandotoagirlwhathasbeendonetoEileen！"

"Oh，well，"saidLindaimpatiently，"don\'tcondemnallmoneybecauseEileenhasnotfoundhappinesswithit。ThetroublehasbeenthatEileen\'sonlychancetoberichcametoherthroughthewrongkindofpeople。"

"Well，willyejisttellme，then，"saidKaty，"howithappenedthatEileen\'smawasasistertothatgreatbeefofaman，whichsameishardonself-rayspectin\'beef；porkwouldcomenearer。"

"Yes，"saidLinda，"I\'lltellyou。Eileen\'smotherhadabigstreakofthesamecoarsenessandthesamevulgarityinHER

nature，orshecouldnothaverearedEileenasshedid。Sheprobablyhadbeensenttoschoolandhadbetteradvantagesthantheboythroughadesigningmotherofherown。Herfirsthusbandmusthavebeenamanwhogreatlyrefinedandeducatedher。Wecan\'tevergetawayfromthefactthatDaddybelievedinherandlovedher。"

"Yes，"saidKaty，"buthewasafooledman。Shewasn\'twhatwethoughtshewas。Many\'sthetimeI\'vestoodinjusticeabouttheaccountsandhouseholdmanagementbecauseIwouldn\'tbewakin\'

himuptowhathewasboundtoforlife。"

"Thatdoesn\'thelpus，"saidLinda。"Imustgoinandfacethem。"

ShehandedherbookstoKaty，andwentintothelivingroomSheconcentratedonJohnGilmanfirst，andaweequalmofdisgustcreptthroughhersoulwhenshesawthatafterweeksofsufferinghewasoncemorereadytodevotehimselftoEileen。Lindamarveledatthepowerawomancouldholdoveramanthatwouldforcehimtocompromisewithhisintellect，hiseducationandenvironment。ThensheturnedherattentiontoEileen，andtheshockshereceivedwasinforming。Shestudiedheraninstantincredulously，thenshewenttoherandheldoutherhand。

"Howdoyoudo？"shesaidascordiallyaswaspossibletoher。"Thisisunexpected。"

Hermindwasworkingrapidly，yetshecouldnotrecalleverhavingseenawomanquitesobeautifulasEileen。Shewasverycertainthatthecoloronhercheekswasebbingandrisingwithexcitement；itwasnolongersodeepastobestationary。Shewasverycertainthathereyeshadnotbeendarkenedastolidsorwaxedastolashes。Herhairwasbeautifullydressedinsweepingwaveswithscarcelyanyartificialworkuponit。Herdresswasextremelytastefulandveryexpensive。Therewasnosimperonherlips，nothingsuperficial。Shewasonlyatired，homesickgirl。AsLindalookedathersheunderstoodwhyKatyhadcriedoverher。Shefelttearsbeginningtoriseinherownheart。SheputbotharmsprotectinglyaroundEileen。

"Why，youpoorlittlething，"shesaidwonderingly，"wasitsodamn\'badasallthat？"

Eileenstoodstraight。Sheheldherselfrigidly。ShemerelY

nodded。Thenafterasecondshesaid:"Worsethananythingyoucouldimagine，Linda。Beingrichwithpeoplewhohavegrownrichbyaccidentisadreadfulexperience。"

"SoIhavealwaysimagined，"saidLinda。Andtheninherusualdownrightwaysheasked:"Whydidyoucome，Eileen？Isthereanythingyouwantedofme？"

Eileenhesitated。ItwasnotinLinda\'shearttobemean。

"Homesick，littlesister？"sheaskedlightly"Doyouwanttocomeherewhileyou\'regettingreadytomakeahomeforJohn？Isthatit？"

ThenEileenswayedforwardsuddenly，buriedherfaceinLinda\'sbreast，andforthefirsttimeinherlifeLindasawandheardhercry，notfromselfishness，notfromanger，notfromgreed，butasanordinaryhumanbeingcrieswhentheheartissofullthatnaturerelievesitselfwithtears。LindaclosedherarmsaroundherandsmiledoverherheadatJohnGilman。

"Finishallofitbeforeyoustop，"sheadvised。"It\'sallright。Youcomestraighthome。Youdidn\'tleavemeanyword，andIdidn\'tknowwhattodowithyourthings，butIcouldn\'tfeelthatyouwouldwanttogiveupsuchbeautifulthingsthatyouhadsoenjoyed。WehadplannedforMariantospendhersummervacationheresoIputherthingsinyoursuiteandIhadmovedmineintotheguestroom，butIhavehadmyroomdoneoverandtheguestroomthingsareinthere，andeveryscrapofyoursiscarefullyputaway。Ifthatwilldo，youareperfectlywelcometoit。"

Eileenwipedhereyes。

"Anything，"shesobbed。"I\'dratherhaveKaty\'sroomthanbeshamedandhumiliatedandhurtanyfurther。Linda，IwouldalmostlikeyoutoknowmyAuntCallie，becauseyouwillneverunderstandaboutherifyoudon\'t。HerfavoritepastimewastotelleveryonewemethowmuchthethingsIworecosther。"

LindareleasedEileenwithaslightshake。

"Cheerup！"shesaid。"We\'llallhaveagorgeoustimetogether。

Ihaven\'ttheslightestambitiontoknowmorethanthataboutyourAuntCallie。IfmybrainreallyhadbeenactingproperlyI

wouldneverhavedismantledyourroom。Iwouldhaveknownthatyoucouldnotendureher，andthatyouwouldcomehomejustasyoushould。It\'sallright，John，makeyourselfcomfortable。I

don\'tknowwhatKatyhasfordinnerbutshecanalwaysfindenoughforanextracouple。ComeEileen，I\'llhelpyoutosettle。Whereisyourluggage？"

"Ibroughtback，Linda，justwhatIhaveon，"saidEileen。"I

willbeginagainwhereIleftoff。IrealizethatIamnotentitledtoanythingfurtherfromtheStrongestate，butUnclewassounhappyandJohnsaysit\'sallright——reallyIamtheonlybloodheirtoalltheyhave；Imightaswelltakeacomfortableallowancefromit。Iamtogotoseethemafewdaysofeverymonth。IcanendurethatwhenIknowIhaveJohnandyoutocomebackto。"

WhenEileenhadbeeninstalledinLinda\'soldroomLindawentdowntothekitchen，shutthedoorbehindher，andleaningagainstit，laidherhandoverhermouthtosuppressalowlaugh。

"Katy，"shesaid，"I\'vebeenandgoneanddoneit；Ihaveputtheperfectladyinmyoldroom。Thatwillbeatestofhersincerity——evendaintyandprettyasitissinceit\'sbeendoneover。IfsheissincereenoughtospendthesummergettingreadytomarryJohnGilman——whythatisallright，oldgirl。Wecanstandit，can\'twe？"

"Yes，"saidKaty，"it\'soneoftheminfernalnuisancesbutwecanstandit。I\'mthinkin\'，fromthelooksofJohnGilmanandhismannerofspakin\'，thatitain\'tgoin\'tobebutaveryshorttimethathe\'llbewaitin\'。"

"Katy，"saidLinda，"isn\'tthisthemostentertainingworld？

Doesn\'titproducethemostlightning-likechanges，anddon\'tthemostunexpectedthingshappen？Sortofdazesme。IhadplannedtotakealittlerunwithyouandtheCat。Sincewearehaving——no，Imustn\'tsayguests——sinceJohnandEileenhavecomehome，I\'llhavetogiveupthatplanuntilafterdinner，andthenwe\'llgoandtakecounselwithoursoulsandseeifwecanfigureouthowwearegoingtosolvethisequation；andifyoudontknowwhatanequationis，olddearheart，it\'smewithawar-clubandyouwithashillalahandEileenbetweenus，andbe\'damned\'

tousifwecan\'tmakeanaverage，ordinary，decenthumanbeingoutofher。Pinanaprononherinthemorning，Katy，andhandheradustclothandtellhertoindustrialize。Wewillhelpherwithhertrousseau，butsheSHALLhelpuswiththework。"

"Yeknow，lambie，"whisperedKatysuddenly，"thisisaburnin\'

shame。TheonethingIDIDN\'Tthinkaboutisthatbookofyours。

Whataboutit？"

"Iscarcelyknow，"saidLinda；"it\'sdifficulttosay。Ofcoursewecan\'tcarryouttheplanswehadmadetoworkhere，exactlyaswehadintended，withEileeninthehousepreparingtobemarried。Butshetellsmethatherunclehasmadeheragenerousallowance，soprobablyit\'senvironmentandlovesheisneedingmuchmorethanhelp。Itisbarelypossible，Katy，thatafterI

havewatchedherafewdays，ifIdecidesheisingenuine，sincere，heart-wholeearnest，ImightintroduceherandJohntomyfriend，\'Jane。\'ItisprobablethatifIdid，Eileenwouldnotexpectmetohelpher，andatthesametimeshewouldn\'tfeelthatIwasactingindifferentlybecauseIdidnot。We\'llwaitawhile，Katy，andseewhetherweskidbeforeweputonthechains。"

"WhataboutMarian？"inquiredKaty。

"Idon\'tknow，"saidLindathoughtfully。"IfMarianisbigenoughtocomehereandspendthesummerunderthesameroofwithEileenandJohnGilman，andhaveareallyrestful，enjoyabletimeoutofit，sheisbiggerthanIam。Comeuptothegarret；I

thinkEileenhasbroughtnomorewithherthanshetookaway。

We\'llbringhertrunkdown，putitinherroomandlaythekeysontop。Don\'tbeginbytreatingherasavisitor；treatherasifsheweretrulymysister。Tellherwhatyouwantandhowyouwantit，exactlyasyoutellmeandasItellyou。Ifyouseeevenasuspicionofanyoftheformerobjectionabletendenciespoppingup，let\'scheckthemquickandhard，Katy。"

ForaweekLindawatchedEileenclosely。AttheendofthattimeshewassincereinherconvictionthatEileenhadbeenseverelychastened。WhenshecameincontactwithPeterMorrisonoranyothermantheymetshewasnotimmediatelyartificial。Shehadlearnedtobeasnaturalwithmenaswithotherwomen。Therewerenoprettypostures，nosoftenedvocalmodulations，nochildishnonsenseonsubjectsuponwhichtheaveragechildofthesedaysdisplaystheknowledgeofthepast-generationgrandmother。WhentheyvisitedPeterMorrison\'shouseitwaseasytoseethatEileenwasinterested，moreinterestedthananyofthemeverbeforehadseenherinanysubjectoutsideofclothingandjewels。HerconductintheStronghomehadbeenirreproachable。Shehadcaredforherownroom，quietlyundertakenthedutiesofdustingandarrangingtheroomsandcuttingandbringinginflowers。ShehadgonetothekitchenandwipeddishesandaskedtobetaughthowtocookthingsofwhichJohnwasparticularlyfond。Shehadbeenreasonableintheamountoftimeshehadspentonhershopping，andhadrepeatedlygonetoLindaandshowninterestinherconcerns。TheresultwasthatLindaatoncedisplayedthesameinterestinanythingpertainingtoEileen。

OneafternoonLindacamehomeunusuallyearly。ShecalledforEileen，toldhertotieonhersunshadeandbereadyforashortride。AlmostimmediatelyshebroughtaroundtheBearCatandwhentheywereseatedsidebysideheadedittowardthecanyon。

Shestoppedattheusualrestingplace，andtogethersheandEileenwalkeddownthelight-dappledroadbed。ShepointedoutthingstoEileen，tellingherwhattheywere，towhatusestheycouldbeput，whileatthesametimenarrowlywatchingher。ToheramazementshefoundthatEileenwasinterested，thatshewasnoticingthingsforherself，askingwhattheywere。Shewantedtoknowthenamesofthesingingbirds。WhenabigbirdtrailedawavingshadowinfrontofherLindaexplainedhowshemightdistinguishaneaglefromahawk，ahawkfromavulture，aseabirdfromthoseoftheland。WhentheyreachedthebridgeLindaclimbeddowntheembankmenttogathercress。ShewasmovedtoprotestwhenEileenfollowedandwithoutsayingawordbegantoassisther，butsherestrainedherself，foritsuddenlyoccurredtoherthatitwouldbeanexcellentthingforEileentothinkmoreofwhatshewasdoingandwhyshewasdoingitthanaboutwhethershewouldwetherfeetormuddyherfingers。Sotheprotestbecameanexplanationthatitwasratherlateforcress:

theleavestoughenedwhenitbloomedandweretoopeppery。Theonlywayitcouldbeusedagreeablywastoworkalongtheedgesandselectthesmalltendershootsthathadnotyetmaturedtothefloweringpoint。Whentheyhadanarmloadtheywentbacktothecar，andwithoutanyexplanationLindadroveintoLosAngelesandstoppedattheresidenceofJudgeWhiting，nottellingEileenwhereshewas。

"Friendsofmine，"saidLindalightlyasshesteppedfromthecar。"Fondofcresssaladwiththeirdinner。TheyprepareitaftertheJaneMeredithrecipetowhichyoucalledmyattention，inEverybody\'sHomelastwinter。Comealongwithme。"

Eileensteppedfromthecarandfollowed。Lindaledthewayroundthesidewalktowhereherquickearhadlocatedvoicesonthesidelawn。Shestoppedatthekitchendoor，handedinthecress，exchangedafewlaughingwordswiththecook，andthenpresentedherselfatthedoorofthesummerhouse。Inside，hisbooksandpapersspreadoveraworktable，satDonaldWhiting。

Onesideofhimhismotherwasbusydarninghissocks；ontheotherhissisterLouisewasworkingwithembroiderysilkandsmallsquaresofgailycoloredlinen。Lindaenteredwithexactlythesameself-possessionthatcharacterizedherathome。SheshookhandswithMrs。Whiting，MaryLouise，andDonald，andthenshesaidquietly:"EileenandIweregatheringcressandwestoppedtoleaveyousomeforyourdinner。"WiththisexplanationsheintroducedEileentoMrs。Whiting。MaryLouiseimmediatelysprangupandrecalledtheirmeetingatRiverside。

Donaldrememberedameetinghedidnotmention。ItwasonlyafewminutesuntilLindawasseatedbesideDonald，interestingherselfinhislessons。EileenbeggedtobeshowntheprettyhandkerchiefsthatMaryLouisewasmaking。AnhourlaterLindarefusedaninvitationtodinnerbecauseKatywouldbeexpectingthem。Whenshearosetogo，Eileenwascarryingasmallsquareofblue-greenlinen。Carefullypinnedtoitwasapatchofwhitewithasprayofdelicateflowersoutlineduponit，andaskeinofpinksilkthread。Shehadbeeninitiatedintothethrillinglyabsorbingfeminineaccomplishmentofmakingsporthandkerchiefs。

WhentheyleftEileenwasincludednaturally，casually，spontaneously，intheirinvitationtoLindatoruninanytimeshewould。MaryLouisehadsaidshewouldrideoutwithDonaldinfewdaysandseehowthehandkerchiefswerecomingon，andmoreinstructionanddifferentstitchesandpatternswerenecessary，shewouldlovetoteachthem。SoLindarealizedthatMaryLouisehadbeentoldaboutthetrousseau。Sheknew，evenlackingasshewasinfemininesophistication，thatthereweretwoopenroadstotheheartofawoman。Oneisaweddingandtheotherisababy。Thelureofeitherisirresistible。

AstheBearCatglidedbacktoLilacValley，Eileensatsilent。

FortenyearsshehadcovetedtheentreetotheWhitinghomeperhapsmorethananyotherinthecity。Merelybybeingsimpleandnatural，bylivingherlifeaslifepresenteditselfeachday，LindawithnoeffortwhateverhadmadepossibletoEileenthethingshesodeeplycraved。Eileenwaslearninganewlessoneachday——somedaysmanyofthem——butnonewasmoreamazingmoresimple，orstruckdeeperintoherawakenedconsciousness。Asshegazedwithfar-seeingeyeonthebluewallsofthevalleyEileenwastakingamentalinventoryofherformerself。Onebyoneshewasarraigningalltheoldtricksshehadusedinhertradeofgettingonintheworld。Onebyoneshewasdiscardingtheminfavorofhonesty，unaffectedness，andwholesomeenjoyment。

BecauseofthesethingsLindacamehomethenextafternoonandleftabundleonEileen\'sbedbeforeshemadeherwaytoherownroomtobusyherselfwithaheadpieceforPeter\'slatestarticle。Shehadtakendownthewasppictureandwhileshehadnotdestroyeditshehadturnedthekeyofaverysubstantiallockuponit。Shewashardatworkwhensheheardstepsonthestairs。WhenEileenentered，Lindasmiledquizzicallyandthenbrokeintoanunaffectedejaculation。

"Ripping！"shecried。"Why，Eileen，you\'reperfectlytopping。"

Eileen\'sfaceflamedwithdelight。Shewasachallenginglittlefigure。Noneofthemwasaccustomedtoherwhensherepresentedanythingmoresubstantialthancurlsandruffles。

Lindareachedforthetelephone，calledGilman，andaskedhimifhecouldgotothebeachforsupperthatevening。Heimmediatelyrepliedthathewould。ThenshecalledPeterMorrisonandaskedhimthesamequestionandwhenPeteransweredaffirmativelyshetoldhimtobringhiscar。Thenshehastilyputonherownfieldclothesandrantothekitchentofillthelunchbox。ToKaty\'sdelightLindatoldhertherewouldberoomforherandthatsheneededher。

ItwaseveningandthesunwasmovingslowlytowardthehorizonwhentheystoppedthecarsandwentdownonthewhitesandsofSantaMonicaBay。Eileenhadbeencomplimenteduntilshewasinaglowofdelight。ShedidnotnoticethatinpilingthingsoutofthecarfortheirbeachsupperLindahadhandedherashovelandtheblackenedironlegsofabroiler。Everyonewasloadedpromiscuouslyastheytookuptheirmarchdowntoasnearthewater\'sedgeasthesandsweredry。PeterandJohngathereddriftwood。Lindaimprovisedtwocookingplaces，onebehindarockforherself，theotherunderthelittleoutdoorstoveforKaty。Eileenwasinstructedastohowtosetupthebeachtable，spreadtheblanketsbesideit，andplacethefooduponit。WhileKatymadecoffeeandtoastedbiscuitLindawasbusyintroducingherpartytobrigandbeefsteakuponfourlongsteelskewers。Thedayhadbeenwarm。Thelightsaltbreezefromtheseawaslikeabenediction。Friendlygullsgatheredonthewhitesandsaroundthem。Cunninglittleseachickensworkedinaccordwiththetide:whenthewavesadvancedtheyroseabovethemonwing；whentheyretreatedtheyscamperedoverthewetsand，huntinganysmallparticlesoffoodthatmighthavebeencarriedin。Outoverthewaterbigbrownpelicanswentslowlyfanninghomeward；

andwhiteseaswallowsdrewwonderfulpicturesonthebluenightskywiththetipsoftheirwings。Forafewminutesatthereddestpointofitssettingthesunpaintedamarvelouspictureinabankofwhiteclouds。Thesepileduplikeagreatrosycastle，anddowntheskyroadwaybeforeitcamealongprocessionofarmoredknights，redinthesunglowandridinghugeredhorses。Thenthecolorsmixedandfadedandalongredbridgeforashorttimespannedthewater，endingattheirfeet。Thegullshuntedthelastscrapthrownthemandwenthome。Theswallowssoughttheirhighcliffs。Theinsidiouslyalluringperfumeofsandverbenaroselikealtarincensearoundthem。

Gilmanspreadablanket，piledthebeachfirehigher，andsittingbesideEileen，hedrewherheadtohisshoulderandputhisarmaroundher。Possiblyhecouldhavebeenhappierinacarelesswayifhehadneversuffered。ItisveryprobablethatthepoignantdepthofexquisitehappinesshefeltinthathourneverwouldhavecometohimhadhenotlostEileenandfoundheragainsomuchmoreworthloving。Lindawandereddownthebeachuntilshereachedthelighthouserocks。Sheclimbedonahighoneandsatwatchingtheseaasitsprayedjustbelow。PeterMorrisonfollowedher。

"MayIcomeup？"heasked。

"Surely，"saidLinda，"thisbelongstotheLord；itisn\'tmine。"

SoPeterclimbedupandsatbesideher。

"Howdidthelandscapeappealtoyouwhenyouleftthecampfire？"

inquiredLinda。

"IshouldthinkthenightcrymightverywellbeEighto\'clockandall\'swell，"answeredPeter。

"\'God\'sinhisheaven，all\'srightwiththeworld？\'"Lindaputitintheformofaquestion。

"ItseemstobeforJohnandEileen，"saidPeter。

"Itisforanumberofpeople，"saidLinda。"IhadaletterfromMariantoday。Ihadwrittenhertoaskifshewouldcometousforthesummer，inspiteofthechangeinourplans；butMr。Snowhasmadesomeplansofhisown。Heisaveryastuteindividual。

HewantedMariantomarryhimatonceandshewouldnot，sohetookherforashortvisittoseehisdaughterathergrandmother\'shomeinthenorthernpartofthestate。Marianfelldeeplyinlovewithhislittlegirl，andofcoursethosepeoplefoundMariancharming，justasright-mindedpeoplewouldfindher。Whenshesawhowthelittlegirlmissedherfatherandhowdifficultitwasforhimtoleaveher，andwhenshesawhowshewouldbelovedandappreciatedinthatfinefamily，shechangedhermind。Peter，wearegoingtobeinvitedtoSanFranciscotoseethemmarriedveryshortly。Areyougladorsorry？"

"Iamveryglad，"saidPeterheartily。"ImakenoconcealmentofmyadmirationforMissThornebutIamverygladindeedthatitisnotherheadthatistocompletethedecorationwhenyoustarttheirismarchingdownmycreekbanks。"

"Well，that\'sallright，"saidLinda。"Ofcourseyoushouldhavesomethingtosayaboutwhoseheadfinishedthatpicture。Ican\'tcontracttodomorethansettheiris。ThethingaboutthisI

dreadisthatMarianandEugenearegoingtoliveinSanFrancisco，andIdidsowanthertomakeherhomeinLilacValley。"

"That\'stoobad，"saidPetersympathetically。"Iknowhowyouappreciateher，howdeeplyyouloveher。Doyouthinkthevalleywilleverberightforyouwithouther，Linda？"

"Itwillhavetobe，"saidLinda。"I\'vehadtogoonwithoutFather，youknow。IfgreaterhappinessseemstobeinstoreforMarianinSanFrancisco，allIcandoistoeffacemyselfandsay\'Amen。\'WhentheworldisallrightforMarian，itisaboutasnearallrightasitcanbeforme。AnddidyoueverseemuchmoresincerelyandclearlycontentedpeoplethanJohnandEileenareatthepresentminute？"

PeterlookedatLindawhimsically。Heloweredhisvoiceasifaseaurchinmighthearandtattle。

"Whatdidyoudoaboutthewasp，Linda？"hewhispered。

"Idelicatelyerasedthestinger，fluffeduparuffle，andputthesketchunderlockandkey。Ishouldhavestartedafirewithit，butcouldn\'tquitebringmyselftoletitgo，yet。"

"Isshegoingtoholdout？"askedPeter。

"She\'llholdoutorgetherneckwrung，"saidLinda。"Itrulythinkshehasbeenredeemed。Shehasbeenbornagain。Shehasanewheartandanewsoulandanewimpulseandarightconceptionoflife。Why，Peter，shehasevengotanewbody。Herfaceisnotthesame。"

"Sheismuchhandsomer，"saidPeter。

"Isn\'tshe？"criedLindaenthusiastically。"Anddoesn\'thavingasoulanddoesn\'tthinkingaboutessentialthingsmakethemostremarkabledifferenceinher？Itisworthgoingthroughafieryfurnacetocomeoutnewlikethat。IcalledherAbednegotheotherday，butshedidn\'tknowwhatImeant。"

Thentheysatsilentandwatchedtheseaforalongtime。Byandbythenightairgrewchill。PeterslippedfromtherockandwentupthebeachandcamebackwithanIndianblanket。HeputitverycarefullyaroundLinda\'sshoulders，andwhenhewenttoresumehisseatbesideherhefoundoneofherarmsstretchingitwithablanketcornerforhim。Sohesatdownbesideheranddrewthecorneroverhisshoulder；andbecausehisrightarmwasverymuchinhisway，anditwouldhavebeenverydisagreeableifLindahadslippedfromtherockandfallenintothecold，salt，unsympatheticPacificatnineo\'clockatnight——merelytodisposeofthearmcomfortablyandtoensurehersecurity，PeterputitaroundLindaanddrewherupbesidehimveryclose。Lindadidnotseemtonotice。ShesatquietlylookingatthePacificandthinkingherownthoughts。Whenthefogbecamedampandchill，shesaidtheymustbegoing，andsotheywentbacktotheircarsanddrovehomethroughthesheerwonderofthemoonlight，throughtheperfumeoftheorangeorchards，hearingthenightsongofthemockingbirds。

CHAPTERXXXIII。TheLadyoftheIrisAfewdayslaterLindaandPeterwenttoSanFranciscoandhelpedcelebratethemarriageofMarianandEugeneSnow。TheyleftMarianinahomecarefullydesignedtoinsureeverycomfortandconveniencesheeverhadplanned，furnishedinaccordancewithherdesires。BothLindaandPeterwerecharmedwithlittleDeborahSnow；shewasabeautifulandanappealingchild。

"Itseemstome，"saidLinda，onthetraingoinghome，"thatMarianwillgetmoreoutoflife，shewilllovedeeper，shewillworkharder，shewillclimbhigherinherprofessionthanshewouldhavedoneifshehadmarriedJohn。Itisdifficultsometimes，whenthingsarehappening，torealizethattheyareforthebest，butIreallybelievethisthinghasbeenforthelevelbest。IthinkMarianisgoingtobeabiggerwomaninSanFranciscothansheeverwouldhavebeeninLilacValley。WiththatthoughtImustreconcilemyself。"

"AndwhataboutJohn？"askedPeter。"IshegoingtobeabiggermanwithEileenthanhewouldhavebeenwithMarian？"

"No，"saidLinda，"heisnot。Hedidn\'tdorightandhe\'llhavepenaltytopay。Eileenisdevelopingintoalovableandtrulybeautifulwoman，butshehasnottheintellect，northeeducation，northeimpulsetostimulateaman\'smentalprocessesandmakehimoutdohimselfthewayMarianwill。Johnwillprobablyneverknowit，buthewillhavetodohisownstimulating；hewillhavetovisionlifeforhimself。HewillhavetofindhishighhillandclimbitwithEileenridingsecurelyonhisshoulders。Itisn\'treallythepleasantestthingintheworld，itisn\'ttrulythethingIwantedtodothissummer——helpingthemout——butithasseemedtobetheworkathand，thethingDaddyprobablywouldhavewantedmetodo，soit\'suptometodoallIcanforthem，justasIdidallIcouldforDonald。OnethingIshallalwaysbedelightedabout。WithmyownearsIheardthepronouncement:DonaldhadtheJapbeaten；hewasattheheadofhisclassbeforeOkaSayyewaseliminated。TheJapknewit。Hisonlychancelayingettingridofhisrival。Donaldcantaketheexcellentrecordhehasmadeinthisracetostartonthisfallwhenhecommencesanotherbattleagainstsomeotherman\'sbrainfortophonorsinhiscollege。"

"Willhestartwiththeideathathewantstobeanhonorman？"

Lindalaughedoutright。

"Ithink，"shesaid，"hisideawasthatifhewereoneoffiftyoronehundredleadingmenitwouldbesufficient，butIinsistedthatifhewantedtobefirstwithme，hewouldhavetobefirstinhisschoolwork。"

"Isee，"saidPeter。"Linda，haveyoudefinitelydecidedthatwhenyoucometoyourhome-makinghour，Donaldisthemanwithwhomyouwanttospendtheremainderofyourlife？"

"Oh，goodgracious！"saidLinda。"Who\'stalkingabout\'homes\'

and\'spendingtheremainderoflives\'？DonaldandIareschoolfriends，andwearegoodcompanions。You\'reasbadasEileen。

She\'salwaystryingtosuggestthingsthatnobodyelseeverthoughtof，andnowKaty\'sbeginningittoo。"

"Sapheads，all！"saidPeter。"Well，allowmetocongratulateyouonhavinggivenDonaldhisspurs。Ithinkit\'saveryfinethingforhimtostarttocollegewiththehonorideainhishead。

WhataboutyourSaturdayexcursions？"

"Theyhavediedanunnaturaldeath，"saidLinda。"DonandI

foughtforthem，buttheJudgeandMrs。WhitingandMaryLouisewereterrifiedforfearabonemightslipinDon\'sfoot，orsomerevengefulfriendorrelativeofOkaSayyelieinwaitforus。

Theywon\'thearofourgoinganymore。IgoeverySaturdayandtakeDonaldforaverycarefuldriveoverasmoothroadwiththeBearCatcursingourrateofspeedalltheway。Allthefun\'sspoiledforallthreeofus。"

"ThinkIwouldbeanygoodasasubstitutewhenitcomestofieldwork？"inquiredPetercasually。"IhavelookedatyourdesertgardensomuchIwouldknowaCotyledonifIsawit。IbelieveI

couldlearn。"

"Youwouldn\'thavetimetobother，"objectedLinda。"You\'reaman，withaman\'sbusinesstotransactintheworld。Youhavetohustleandearnmoneytopayforthebridgeandchangingthebrook。"

"ButIhadmoneytopayforthebrookandthebridgebeforeI

agreedtothem，"saidPeter。

"Well，then，"saidLinda，"youshouldbegintohuntoldmahoganyandrugs。"

"Ihadn\'tintendedto，"saidPeter；"iftheyaretobeold，I

won\'thavetodomorethantoshipthem。InstorageinVirginiatherearesomeverywonderfuloldmahoganyandrosewoodandrugsandbric-a-bracenoughtofurnishthehouseIambuilding。Thestuffbelongedtoalittleoldauntofminewholeftittomeinherwill，anditwaswiththosethingsinmindthatIbeganmyhouse。Theplansandfinishingwillfitthatfurniturebeautifully。"

"Why，youluckyindividual！"saidLinda。"NowhereintheworldistheremorebeautifulfurniturethaninsomeofthoseoldhomesinVirginia。ThereareoldFlemishandDutchandBritishandItalianpiecesthatcameintothiscountryonearlysailingvesselsforthearistocrats。Youdon\'tmeanthatkindofstuff，doyou，Peter？"

"ThatispreciselythekindofstuffIdomean，"answeredPeter。

"WhyPeter，ifyouhavefurniturelikethat，"criedLinda，"thenallyouneedisMaryLouise。"

"Linda，"saidPetersoberly，"youaretrespassingondelicategroundagain。Youselectedonewifeformeandyourplandidn\'twork。WhenthatfurniturearrivesandisinstalledI\'llsetaboutinducingtheladyofmydreamstocomeandoccupymydreamhouse，inmyownway。Ineverdidgiveyouthatjob。Itwasmerelyassumedonyourpart。"

"Soitwas，"saidLinda。"ButyouknowIcouldsetthatirisandrunthatbrookwithmoreenthusiasmifIknewtheladywhowastowalkbesideit。"

"Youdo，"saidPeter。"Youknowherbetterthananyoneelse，evenbetterthanI。Putthatinyourmentalpipeandsmokeit！"

"Saintspreserveus！"criedLinda。"IbelievethemanisplanningtotakeKatyawayfromme。"

"NotFROMyou，"saidPeter，"WITHyou。"

"Letmeknowaboutitbeforeyoudoit，"saidLindawithacarelesslaugh。

"That\'swhatI\'mdoingrightnow，"saidPeter。

"AndI\'mgoingtoschool，"saidLinda。

"Ofcourse，"saidPeter，"butthatwon\'tlastforever。"

LindaenteredenthusiasticallyuponthetripletaskofgettingDonaldinaproperframeofmindtostarttocollegewiththeambitiontodogoodwork，ofmarryingoffEileenandJohnGilman，andofgivingherbestbrainandhearttoJaneMeredith。Whenthetimecame，Donaldwasreadytoentercollegecomfortableandhappy，willingtowaitandseewhatlifehadinstoreforhimashelivedit。

WhenshewassureofEileenpastanyreasonabledoubtLindatookherandJohntoherworkroomoneeveningandshowedthemherbookcontractandthematerialshehadready，andgavethemthebestideashecouldofwhatyetremainedtobedone。Shewasnotpreparedfortheirwholeheartedpraise，fortheirdelightandappreciation。

Alone，theytookcounselastohowtheycouldbesthelpher，anddecidedthattobemarriedatonceandtakealongtripabroadwouldbethebestway。ThatwouldleaveLindatoworkinquietandwithnointerruptiontodistractherattention。Theycouldmaketheirhomearrangementswhentheyreturned。

WhentheyhadgoneLindaworkedpersistently，butherbookwasnotcompletedandthepublisherswerehurryingherwhenthefalltermofschoolopened。Bythetimethefinalchapterwithitsexquisiteillustrationhadbeensentin，thefirstoneswerecomingbackinproof，andwiththeproofcamethematerializedformofLinda\'sdesignforhercover，andtherewasnoMariantoconsultaboutit。Lindaworkeduntilshewasconfused。ThenshepiledthematerialintheBearCatandheadedupLilacValley。

Asshecamearoundthecurveandturnedfromthepublicroadshesawthatforthefirsttimeshemightcrossherbridge；itwaswaitingforher。Sheheardtherejoicingofthewaterasitfellfromstonetostonewhereitdippedundertheroad，andassheswungacrossthebridgeshesawthatshemightdriveoverthecompletedroadwhichhadbeenfinishedinherweeksofabsence。

Thewindowstoldanotherstory。Peter\'sfurniturehadcomeandhehadbeenplacingitwithouttellingher。Shefoundthefrontdoorstandingwideopen，soshewalkedin。WithherbundleonherarmshemadeherwaytoPeter\'sworkroom。Whenhelookedupandsawherstandinginhisdoorhesprangtohisfeetandcametomeether。

"Peter，"shesaid，"I\'vetakenonmoreworkthanIcanpossiblyfinishontime，andI\'mthelonesomestpersoninCaliforniatoday。"

"Idoubtthat，"saidPetergravely。"IfyouareanylonesomerthanIamyoumustproveit。"

"Ihaveprovedit，"saidLindaquietly。"IfyouhadbeenaslonesomeasIamyouwouldhavecometome。Asitis，Ihavecometoyou。"

"Isee，"saidPeterratherbreathlessly。"Whathaveyouthere，Linda？Whydidyoucome？"

"Icamefortworeasons，"saidLinda。"Iwanttoaskyouaboutthisstuff。SeveraltimesthissummeryouhaveheardtalkaboutJaneMeredithandtheEverybody\'sHomearticles。Everreadanyofthem，Peter？"

"Yes，"saidPeter，"Ireadallofthem。Interestedinhomestuffthesedaysmyself。"

"Well，"saidLinda，dumpingherarmloadbeforePeter，"there\'stheproofandthere\'stheillustrationandthere\'sthecoverdesignforabooktobemadefromthatstuff。Peter，makeyourbestboyandsay\'pleasedtomeetyou\'toJaneMeredith。"

PetersecuredbothofLinda\'shandsandheldthem。Firsthelookedather，thenhelookedatthematerialshehadpileddowninfrontofhim。

"Neveragain，"saidPeterinasmallvoice，"willIcreditmyselfwithanydeepdiscernment，anykeenpenetration。HowIcouldhavereadthatmatterandlookedatthosepicturesandnotseenyouinandthroughandoverthemisathingIcan\'timagine。

It\'sgreat，Linda，absolutelygreat！OfcourseIwillhelpyouanywayintheworldIcan。Andwhatelsewasityouwanted？

Yousaidtwothings。"

"Oh，theotherdoesn\'tamounttomuch，"saidLinda。"Ionlywantedthecomfortofknowingwhether，assoonasIgraduate，I

maytakeKatyandcomehome，Peter。"

FrompreviousexperiencewithLinda，Peterhadlearnedthatagirlrearedbymenisnotasotherwomen。Hehadsupposedtheotherthingconcerningwhichshehadwantedtoappealtohimwasonparwithherdesireforsympathyandhelpconcerningherbook。

Atherquestion，withhereyesfranklymeetinghis，Peterforaninstantfeltlightheaded。Healmostdodged，hewassosweepinglytakenunawares。Lindawaswaitingandhisbrainwasnotworking。

Hetriedtosmile，butheknewshewouldnotrecognizeasnaturaltheexpressionofthatwhirlingmoment。Shesawhishesitation。

"Ofcourse，ifyoudon\'twantus，Peter——"

Peterfoundhisvoicepromptly。OnlyhisGodknewhowmuchhewantedLinda，buttherewereconditionsthatamanofPeter\'ssoul-fibercouldnotendure。Morethanlifehewantedher，buthedidnotwantherasleep。Hedidnotwanttoriskherawakeningtoaspoiledlifeanddisappointedhopes。

"ButyourememberthatItoldyoucominghomefromSanFranciscothatyouknewtheLadyofmyIrisbetterthananyoneelse，andthatIwasplanningtotakeKaty，notfromyou，butwithyou。"

"OfcourseIremember，"saidLinda。"ThatiswhywhenMarianandEileenandDonaldandallmyworldwentpastandleftmestandingdesolate，andmyworkpiledupuntilIcouldn\'tseemyway，I

juststartedrightouttoaskyouifyouwouldhelpmewiththeproof。OfcourseIknewyouwouldbegladtodothatandI

thoughtifyoureallymeantinyourheartthatIwastheonetocompleteyouririsprocession，itwouldbeacomforttomeduringthehardworkandthelonesomedaystohaveitputintwo-syllableEnglish。Mariansaidthatwastheonlyrealway——"

"AndMarianiseminentlycorrect。Youwillhavetogivemeanordinarylifetime，Linda，inwhichtotrytomakeyouunderstandexactlywhatthismeanstome。PerhapsI\'llevenhavetoinventnewwordsinwhichtoexpressmyself。"

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

Ican\'ttellyouhowmuchIthinkofyou。Thatfirstday，assoonasIputdowntheCotyledonsafelyandtuckedinmyblouse，Iwouldhaveputmyhandinyoursandstartedaroundtheworld，ifyouhadaskedmeto。Ihavetheveryhighestesteemforyou，Peter。"

"Esteem，yes，"saidPeterslowly。"ButLinda-girl，isn\'tthesortofallianceIamaskingyoutoenterwithmeusuallybasedonsomethingagoodbitstrongerthan\'esteem\'？"

"Yes，Ithinkitis，"saidLinda。"Butyouneedn\'tworry。I

onlywantedthecomfortofknowingthatIwasnotutterlyaloneagain，saveforKaty。I\'llsticktomybookandtomyfightforSeniorhonorsallright。"

Peterwasblinkinghiseyesandfightingtobreatheevenly。Whenhecouldspeakhesaidassmoothlyaspossible:"Ofcourse，Linda。I\'lldoyourproofforyouandyoumayputallyourtimeonclasshonors。Itmerelyoccurredtometowonderwhetheryourealizedthefullandultimatesignificanceofwhatwearesaying；exactlywhatitmeanstomeandtoyou。"

"Possiblynot，Peter，"saidLinda，smilingonhimwithutterconfidence。"EveryonesaysIammyfather\'sdaughter，andFatherdidn\'tlivetocoachmeonbeingyouririsdecoration，asawomanwould；but，Peter，whenthetimecomes，Ihaveeveryconfidenceinyourabilitytoteachmewhatyouwouldlikemetoknowyourself。Don\'tyouagreewithme，Peter？"

MakinganefforttocontrolhimselfPetergatheredupthematerialLindahadbroughtandtakingherarmhesaidcasually:

"Ithoroughlyagreewithyou，dear。Youaresanelyandhealthfullyandbeautifullyright。Nowlet\'sgoandtakeKatyintoourconfidence，andthenyoushallshowmeyourideasbeforeIbeginworkonyourproof。Andafterthis，insteadofyoucomingtomeIshallalwayscometoyouwheneveryoucanspareaminuteforme。"

Lindanoddedacquiescence。

"Ofcourse！Thatwouldbebest，"shesaid。"Peter，youaresosatisfyinglysatisfactory。"

End