ListofCharactersLINDASTRONG，HerFather\'sDaughterDR。ALEXANDERSTRONG，aGreatNerveSpecialistMRS。STRONG，HisWifeEILEENSTRONG，HavingSocialAspirationsMR。ANDMRS。THORNE，NeighborsoftheStrongsMARIANTHORNE，aDreamerofHousesJOHNGILMAN，aManofLawPETERMORRISON，anAuthorHENRYANDERSON，anArchitectDONALDWHITING，aHighSchoolSeniorMARYLOUISEWHITING，HisSisterJUDGEANDMRS。WHITING，aManofLawandaWomanofCultureKATHERINEO\'DONOVAN，theStrongCookOKASAYYE，aHighSchoolSeniorJAMESHEITMAN，AccidentallyRichMRS。CAROLINEHEITMAN，HisWifeCHAPTERI。\"WhatKindofShoesAretheShoesYouWear？\"
\"Whatmakesyouwearsuchfunnyshoes？\"
LindaStrongthrustforwardafootandcriticallyexaminedthenarrowvamp，theprojectingsole，thebroad，lowheelofherwell-wornbrowncalfskinshoe。ThenherglanceliftedtothefaceofDonaldWhiting，oneofthemostbrilliantandpopularseniorsofthehighschool。Hereyesnarrowedinamannerhabitualtoherwhenthinkingintently。
\"Neveryoumindmyshoes，\"shesaiddeliberately。\"Kindlyfixyourattentiononmyheadpiece。WhenyouseemeallowinganyJapinmyclasstomakehighergradesthanIdo，thenIgiveyouleavetosayanythingyoupleaseconcerningmyhead。\"
Anangryredrushedtotheboy\'sface。ItwasanirritatingfactthatintheseniorclassofthatparticularLosAngeleshighschoolaJapaneseboystoodatthehead。Thiswasembarrassingtoeverysenior。
\"Isay，\"saidDonaldWhiting，\"Icallthatameanthrust。\"
\"Ihaveaparticularreason，\"saidLinda。
\"AndIhave\'aparticularreason\'，\"saidDonald，\"forbeinginterestedinyourshoes。\"
Lindalaughedsuddenly。WhenLindalaughed，whichwasveryseldom，thosewithinhearingturnedtolookather。Herswasnotalaughthatcanbeachieved。TherewereafewhighplacesonthepeakofLinda\'ssoul，andononeofthemhomedasmallflockofnotesofrapture；notesassweetasthevoiceofthewhite-bandedmockingbirdofArgentina。
\"Howsurprising！\"exclaimedLinda。\"Wehavebeenattendingthesameschoolforthreeyears；now，youstopmesuddenlytotellmethatyouareinterestedintheshapeofmyshoes。\"
\"Ihavebeenwatchingthemallthetime，\"saidDonald。\'Can\'tunderstandwhyanygirlwantstobesodifferent。Whydon\'tyoudressyourhairthesameastheothergirlsandwearthesamekindofclothesandshoes？\"
\"Nowlookhere，\"interposedLinda\"Youareflyingthetrack。I
amwillingtojustifymyshoes，ifIcan，buthereyougoincludingmydressandabigpsychologicalproblem，aswell；butIthinkperhapsthewhyoftheshoeswillexplaintheremainder。
Doesthename\'AlexanderStrong\'meananythingtoyou？\"
\"Thegreatnervespecialist？\"askedDonald。
\"Yes，\"saidLinda。\"Themanwhowastheauthorofhalf-dozenbooksthathavebeentranslatedintomanyforeigntongue\'andareusedasauthoritiesallovertheworld。HehappenedtobemyfatherTherearetwochildreninourfamily。IhaveasisterfouryearsolderthanIamwhoisexactlylikeMother，andsheandMotherwereinseparable。IamexactlylikeFather；becauseweunderstoodeachother，andbecausebothofusalwaysnew，althoughwenevermentionedit；
thatMotherpreferredmysisterEileentome，Fathertriedtomakeituptome，sofromthetimeIcanrememberIwasathisheels。Itneverbotheredhimtohavemeplayingaroundinthelibrarywhilehewaswritinghismostcomplicatedtreatise。
Ihavewaitedinhiscarhalfadayatatime，playingorreading，whilehewatchedapatientordeliveredalectureatsomemedicalcollege。Hismentalrelaxationwastohikeortomotortothesea，tothemountains，tothecanyonsorthedesert，andheveryseldomwentwithoutmeevenonlongtripswhenhewasfishingorhuntingwithothermen。Therewasnotmuchtoknowconcerningawoman\'sframeorhepsychologythatFatherdidnotknow，sothereweretworeasonwhyheselectedmyfootwearashedid。Onewasbecausehebebelievedhighheelsandpointedtoesanoutrageagainstthenervousprovince，andtheotherwasthatIcouldnotpossiblyhavekeptpacewithhimexceptinshoeslikethese。Nodoubt，theyarethesamekindI
shallwearallmylife，forwalking。Youprobablydon\'tknowit，butmyhomeliesnearthemiddleofLilacValleyandIwalkoveramileeachmorningandeveningtoandfromthecars。Doesthissufficientlyexplainmyshoes？\"
\"Ishouldthinkyou\'dfeelqueer，\"saidDonald。
\"IsuspectIwouldifIhadtimetobroodoverit，\"Lindareplied，\"butIhaven\'t。Imusthustletogettoschoolontimeinthemorning。It\'snearlyorquitedarkbeforeIreachhomeintheevening。Myfatherbelievedinhavingagoodtime。Hehadsuperbhealth，sohespentmostofwhathemadeasitcametohim。Hecountedonalonglife。ItneveroccurredtohimthatalittlepieceofmachinerygoingwrongwouldplungehimintoEternityinasecond。\"
\"Oh，Iremember！\"criedtheboy。
Linda\'sfacepaledslightly。
\"Yes，\"shesaid，\"ithappenedfouryearsagoandIhaven\'tgottenawayfromthehorrorofityet，enoughevertostepinsideofamotorcar；butIamgoingtogetoverthatoneofthesedays。
Brakesarenotalldefective，andonemusttakeone\'srisks。\"
\"YoujustbetIwould，\"saidDonald。\"Motoringisoneofthegreatestpleasuresofmodernlife。I\'llwageritmakessomeofthegayoldboys，likeMarcusAureliusforexample，wanttoturnoverintheirgraveswhentheyseeusflyingalongtheroadsofCaliforniathewaywedo。\"
\"WhatIwasgettingat，\"saidLinda，\"wasawordofreplytotheremainderofyourindictmentagainstme。Dad\'sincomestoppedwithhim，andhouseholdexpenseswenton，andwarcame，sothereisn\'tenoughmoneytodresstwoofusasmostofthehighschoolgirlsaredressed。Eileenissomucholderthatit\'sherturnfirst，andImustsaysheisnotatallbackwardaboutexercisingherrights。IthinkthatwillhavetosufficeforthequestionofdressbutyoumaybesurethatIamcapableofwearingtheloveliestdressimaginable，thatwouldbeforaschoolgirl，ifIhadittowear。\"
\"Ah，there\'sthelittle\'flyinyourointment\'——\'dressthatwouldbesuitable。\'IbetinyourheartyouthinkthedressesthathalfthegirlsinhighschoolarewearingareNOTSUITABLE！\"
\"Commendableperspicacity，Olearnedsenior，\"saidLinda，\"andamazinglytrue。InthefewshortyearsIhadwithDaddyI
acquiredafixedideaastowhatkindofdressissuitableandsufficientlydurabletowearwhilewalkingmydailytwomiles。I
can\'tseemtobecomereconciledtothecustomofdressingthesameforschoolasforaparty。Yougetmyidea？\"
\"Igetitallrightenough，\"saidDonald，\"butImustthinkawhilebeforeIdecidewhetherIagreewithyou。Whyshouldyouberight，andhundredsofothergirlsbewrong？\"
\"I\'llwageryourmotherwouldagreewithme，\"suggestedLinda。
\"Didyours？\"askedDonald。
\"Halfway，\"answeredLinda。\"Sheagreedwithmeforme，butnotforEileen。\"
\"Andnotformysister，\"saidDonald。\"ShewearstheveryfoxiestclothesthatFathercanaffordtopayfor，andwhenshewasgoingtoschoolsheworethemwithouttheleastregardastowhethershewasgoingtoschoolortoateapartyoramatinee。
Forthatmattershefrequentlywenttoallthreethesameday。
\"Andthatbringsusstraighttothepointconcerningyou，\"saidLinda。
\"Sureenough！\"saidDonald。\"Thereismetobeconsidered！Whatisityouhaveagainstme？\"
Lindalookedathimmeditatively。
\"YouSEEMexceptionallystrong，\"shesaid。\"Nodoubtaregoodinathletics。Yourheadlooksallright；itindicatesbrains。WhatIwanttoknowiswhyintheworldyoudon\'tusthem。\"
\"Whatareyougettingat，anyway？\"askedDonald，withmorethanahintofasperitymhisvoice。
\"Iamgettingatthefact，\"saidLinda，\"thataboyasbigasyouandasstrongasyouandwithasgoodbrainandyouropportunityhasallowedalittlebrownJaptocrossthePacificOceanandatotallystrangecountrytolearnalanguageforeigntohim，and，and，withthesamebooksandthesamechances，tobeatyouatyourowngame。Youandeveryotherboyinyourclassesoughttothoroughlyashamedofyourselves。BeforeIwouldletaJap，eitherboyorgirl，leadinmyclass，IwouldgiveupgoingtoschoolandgooutandseeifIcouldbeathimgrowinglettuceandspinach。\"
\"It\'sallverywelltotalk，\"saidDonaldhotly。
\"Andit\'sbettertomakegoodwhatyousay，\"brokeinLinda，withequalheat。\"TherearehalfadozenJapsinmyclassesbutnooneofthemisleading，youwillnotice，ifIdowearpeculiarshoes。\"
\"Well，youwouldbegoingsomeifyoubeattheleadingJapintheseniorclass，\"saidDonald。
\"ThenIwouldgosome，\"saidLinda。\"I\'dbeathim，orI\'dgostraightuptrying。Youcoulddoitifyou\'dmakeupyourmindto。Thetroublewithyouisthatyou\'rewastingyourbrainonspeedinganautomobile，ondances，andallsortsoffoolishnessthatisnotdoingyouanygoodinanyparticularway。Betyouaredevelopingnervessmokingcigarettes。Youarenotconcentrating。OkaSayyeisnotthinkingofathingexceptthetriumphofprovingtoCaliforniathatheisheadmaninoneoftheLosAngeleshighschools。That\'swhatIhavegotagainstyou，andeveryotherwhiteboyinyourclass，andinthelongrunitstacksupbiggerthanyourarraignmentofmyshoes。\"
\"Oh，darnyourshoes！\"criedDonaldhotly。\"Forget\'em！I\'vegottomoveonorI\'llbelatefortrigonometry，butIdon\'tknowwhenI\'vehadsuchatidylittlefightwithagirl，andIdon\'tenjoyfeelingthatIhavebeenworsted。Iproposeanothersession。MayIcomeouttoLilacValleySaturdayafternoonandflayyoualivetopayupformypresenthumiliation？\"\"
\"Why，ifyourmotherhappenedtobemotoringthatwayandwouldcaretocall，Ithinkthatwouldbefine，\"saidLinda。
\"Well，fortheLord\'ssake！\"exclaimedtheiratesenior。\"Can\'tafellowcomeandfightwithyouwithoutbeingrefereedbyhismother？ShallIbringFathertoo？\"
\"Ionlythought，\"saidLindaquietly，\"thatyouwouldlikeyourmothertoseethehomeandenvironmentofanygirlwhoseacquaintanceyoumade，butthefightwehavecomingwillinallprobabilitybesuchapitchedbattlethatwhenIgooverthetop，youwon\'tevercaretofollowmeandstartanotherissueontheotherside。You\'redyingrightnowtoaskwhyIwearmyhairinbraidsdownmybackinsteadofincootiecoopsovermyears。\"
\"Idon\'tgiveahang，\"saidDonaldungallantly，\"astohowyou；
wearyourhair，butIamcomingSaturdaytofight，andIdon\'tthinkMotherwilltakeanygreaterinterestinthematterthantoknowthatIamgoingtodobattlewithadaughterofDoctorI
Strong。\"
\"Thatisaverynicecomplimenttomydaddy，thankyou，saidLinda，turningawayandproceedinginthedirectionofherownclassrooms。Therewasabrilliantsparkleinhereyesandshesanginamuffledvoice，yetdistinctlyenoughtobeheard:
\"TheshoesIweararecommon-senseshoes，Andyoumaywearthemifyouchoose。\"
\"Bygracious！She\'snofool，\"hesaidtohimself。Inthreeminutes\'unpremeditatedtalkthe\"JuniorFreak，\"ashementallydenominatedher，hadmanagedtoirritatehim，topuncturehispride，toentertainandamusehim。
\"Iwonder——\"hesaidashewenthisway；andalldayhekeptonwondering，whenhewasnotstudyingharderthaneverbeforeinallhislife。
ThatnightLindawalkedslowlyalongtheroadtowardhome。ShewasnotseeingthebroadstretchofLilacValley，oneveryhandgreenwithspring，odorouswithcitrusandwildbloom，bluewalledwithlacylilacsveilingthemountainfaceoneitherside；
andshewasnotthinkingofherplain，well-worndressorhercommon-senseshoes。Whatshewasthinkingwasofeveryflaying，scathing，solidlybasedargumentshecouldproducethefollowingSaturdaytospurDonaldWhitinginsomewaytosurpassOkaSayye。
Hischanceremarkthatmorning，astheystoodneareachotherwaitingafewminutesinthehall，hadendedinhisaskingtocometoseeher，andshedecidedasshewalkedhomewardthathisfirstvisitinallprobabilitywouldbehislast，sinceshehadnottimetospareforboys，whenshehadsomanydifferentinterestsinvolved；butshediddecideveryfinelyinherownmindthatthewouldmakethatvisitamemorableoneforhim。
Inarrivingatthisdecisionhermindtraveledanumberofdeviousroads。Thethoughtthatshehadbeencriticizeddidnotannoyherastothekindofcriticism，butshedidresentthequalityoftruthaboutit。Shewasrightinfollowingtherulesherfatherhadlaiddownforherhealthandphysicalwell-being，butwasitrightthatsheshouldwearshoesscuffed，resoled，andevenpatched，whentherewasmoneyenoughforEileentohavemanypairsofexpensivelacedboots，walkingshoes，andfancyslippers？Shewassureshewasrightinwearingdressessuitableforschool，butwasitrightthatshemustwearthemuntiltheyweresunfaded，stained，anddisreputable？WasitrightthatEileenshouldoccupytheirfatherandmother\'ssuite，redecoratedanddaintilyfurnishedaccordingtoherowntaste，tokeepthepartsofthehousethatshecaredtousedecoratedwithflowersandbeautifullyappointed，whileLindamustlockherselfinasmallstuffybedroomroom，dingyandnonetoocomfortable，whenindeferencetoherprideshewishedtoworkinsecretuntilshelearnedwhethershecouldsucceed。
Thenshebeganthinking，anddecidedthattheonlyavailableplaceinthehouseforherusewasthebilliardroom。Shemadeuphermindthatshewoulddemandthesolerighttothisbigatticroom。Shewouldsellthetableandusethemoneytobuyherselfasuitableworktableandarug。ShewoulddemandthatEileenproduceenoughmoneyforbetterclothingforher，andthensherememberedwhatshehadsaidtoDonaldWhitingaboutconqueringherhorrorforamotorcar。Lindaturnedinatthewalkleadingtoherhome，butshepassedthefrontentranceandfollowedaroundtotheside。AsshewentshecouldhearvoicesinthelivingroomandsheknewthatEileenwasentertainingsomeofhermanyfriends；forEileenwasthatpeculiarcreatureknownasasocialbutterfly。Eachdayofherlifefriendscame；orEileenwent——mostlythelatter，forEileenhadaknackofmanagementandshesomanagedherfriendsthat，withouttheirrealizingit，theyentertainedhermanytimeswhilesheentertainedthemonce。Lindawenttothekitchen，Laidherbooksandpackageofmailonthetable，and，walkingovertothestove，sheproceededdeliberatelyandheartilytokissthecook。
\"Katy，medarlin\'，\"shesaid，\"lookuponyouronlychild。Doyounoticea\'leanandhungrylook\'onherclassicfeatures？\"
Katyturnedadoringeyestotheyounggirl。
\"It\'sgrowingsofastyeare，childie，\"shesaid。\"It\'sonlyalittlewhiletodinner，andthere\'scompanytonight，sohadn\'tyebetterwaitandnotspoilyourappetitewithpiecing？\"
\"Istheregoingtobeanything\'jarvis\'？\"inquiredLinda。
\'\"I\'dsaythereis，\"saidKaty。\"JohnGilmanishereandtwofriendsofEileen\'s。It\'sanearbanquet，lassie。\"
\"ThenI\'llwait，\"saidLinda。\"Iwantthekeystothegarage。\"
KatyhandedthemtoherandLindawentdownthebackwalkbeneathanarchoftropicalfoliage，betweenblazingwallsofbrilliantflowerfaces，unlockedthegarage，andstoodlookingatherfather\'srunabout。
Intherevolutionthathadtakenplaceintheirhomeafterthepassingoftheirfatherandmother，Eileenhaddominatedthesituationanddoneasshepleased，withtheexceptionoftwoinstances。Lindahadshownbothtemperanddeterminationattheproposaltodismantlethelibraryanddisposeofthecars。ShehadtoldEileenthatshemighttakethetouringcaranddoasshepleasedwithit。Forhershareshewantedherfather\'sroadster，andshemeanttohaveit。ShetookthesamefirmstandconcerningtheLibrary。WiththerestofthehouseEileenmightdoasshewould。ThelibrarywastoremainabsolutelyuntouchedandwhatitcontainedwasLinda\'s。TothisEileenhadagreed，butsofarLindahadbeencontentmerelytopossessherproperty。
Lately，drivenbythefeelingthatshemustfindawayinwhichshecouldearnmoney，shehadbeensecretlyworkingonsomeplansthatshehopedmightsoonyieldhersmallreturns。Asfortheroadster，sheaswellasEileenhadbeenhorror-strickenwhenthecarcontainingtheirfatherandmotherandtheiradjoiningneighbors，Mr。andMrs。Thorne，drivenbyMarianThorne，theplaymateandcompanionfromchildhoodoftheStronggirls，hadbecomeuncontrollableandplungeddownthemountaininadisasterthathadleftonlyMarian，protectedbythesteeringgear，alive。
Theyhadsimplybymutualagreementbegunusingthestreetcarswhentheywantedtoreachthecity。
Lindastoodlookingattheroadster，jackedupandtuckedunderaheavycanvastentthatsheandherfatherhadusedontheirhuntingandfishingtrips。Afteralongtimeshelaidstronghandsonthecanvasanddraggedittooneside。Shelookedthecarovercarefullyandthen，herfaceverywhiteandherhandstrembling，sheclimbedintoitandslowlyandmechanicallywentthroughthemotionsofstartingit。Foranotherintentperiodshesatwithherhandsonthesteeringgear，staringstraightahead，andthenshesaidslowly:\"Somethinghasgottobedone。
It\'snotgoingtobeveryagreeable，butIamgoingtodoit。
Eileen:hashadthingsallherownwaylongenough。IamgettingsuchabiggirlIoughttohaveafewthingsinmylifeasIwantthem。Somethingmustbedone。\"
ThenLindaproceededtodosomething。Whatshedidwastoleanforward，restherheaduponthesteeringwheelandfighttokeepdowndeep，pitifulsobbinguntilherwholeslenderbodytwistedintheeffort。
Shewasyieldingtoabreakingupafterfouryearsofendurance，forthegreaterpartinsilence。Asthemonthsofthepastyearhadrolledtheirdeliberateway，Lindahadbeguntorealizethatthecoursehereldersisterhadtakenwaswhollyunfairtoher，andslowlyatumultofrevoltwasgrowinginhersoul。Withoutadoubttheculminationhadresultedfromherfewminutes\'talkwithDonaldWhitinginthehallthatmorning。IthadstartedLindatothinkingdeeply，andthemoredeeplyshethoughttheclearlyshesawthesituation。Lindawasaloyalsoulandherheartwashonest。ShewasquitewillingthatEileenshould:
exerciseherrightsasheadofthefamily，thatsheshouldtaketheprecedencetowhichshewasentitledbyherfouryears\'
seniority，thatsheshouldspendthemoneywhichaccruedmonthlyfromtheirfather\'sestateasshesawfit，uptoacertainpoint。
Thatpointwaswherethingsceasedtobefairortobejust。IftherehadbeenmoneytodonomoreforEileenthanhadbeendoneforLinda，itwouldnothavebeeninLinda\'shearttoutteracomplaint。Shecouldhavewornscuffedshoesandolddresses，andgoneherwaywithherproudyoungheadheldveryhighandajestonherlips；butwhenhermindreallyfastenedontheproblemandshebegantoreason，shecouldnotfeelthatEileenwasjusttoherorthatshewasfairinheradministrationofthemoneywhichshouldhavebeendividedmorenearlyequallybetweenthem，afterthehouseholdexpenseshadbeenpaid。Oncerebellionburnedinherhearttheflamesleapedrapidly，andLindabegantorememberathousandsmallthingsthatshehadscarcelynotedatthetimeoftheiroccurrence。
Shewasleaningonthesteeringwheel，tiredwithnervestrain，whensheheardKatycallingher，andrealizedthatshewasneededinthekitchen。AsamatterofeconomyEileen，afterherparents\'passing，haddismissedthehousemaid，andwhentherewereguestsbeforewhomshewishedtomakeaniceappearanceLindahadbeenimpressedeithertowaitonthetableortohelpinthekitcheninorderthatKatymightattendthediningroom，soLindaunderstoodwhatwaswantedwhenKatycalledher。Sheranherfingersoverthesteeringwheel，wornbrightbythetouchofherfather\'sandherownhands，andwiththebuoyancyofyouth，foundcomfort。Oncemoreshemechanicallywentthroughthemotionsofstartingthecar，thenshesteppeddown，closedthedoor，andstoodaninstantthinking。
\"You\'refouryearsbehindthetimes，\"shesaidslowly。\"Nodoubtthere\'sanewerandabettermodel；Isuspectthetiresarerotten，butthelastdayIdroveyouforDaddyyoupurredlikeakitten，andranlikeaclock，andifyouwerecleanedandoiledandputinpropershape，there\'snoreasonintheworldwhyI
shouldnotdriveyouagain，asIhavedrivenyouhundredsofmileswhenDaddywastiredorwhenhewantedtoteachmetherulesofgoodmotoring，andthelawsoftheroad。Icandoitallright。Ihavegottodoit，butitwillbesometimebeforeI\'llcaretotacklethemountains。\"
Leavingthecoveronthefloor，shelockedthedoorandreturnedtothekitchen。
\"Allright，Katy，whatistheprogramme？\"sheinquiredaslightlyasshecould。
KatyhadbeencookintheStrongfamilyeversincetheyhadmovedtoLilacValley。ShehadobeyedMrs。StrongandEileen。
ShehadworshipedtheDoctorandLindaItalwayshadbeenpatenttohereyesthatMrs。StrongwasextremelypartialtoEileen，soKatyhadjoinedforceswiththeDoctorinsurreptitiouslydoingeverythingherwarmIrishheartpromptedtopreventLindafromfeelingneglected。HerquickeyessawthetracesoftearsonLinda\'sface，andsheinstantlyknewthatthetripthegirlhadmadetothegaragewasinsomewayconnectedwithsomebelongingsofherfather\'s，soshesaid:\"IamservingtonightbutIwantyoutokeepthingssmokinghotandtohavethemdishedupreadyformesothateverythingwillgosmoothly。\"
\"Whatwouldhappen，\"inquiredLinda，\"ifeverythingdidNOTgosmoothly？Katy，doyouthinktheroofwouldblowstraightupifIhadMYwayaboutsomething，justforachange？\"
\"No，Ithinktheroofwouldstayrightwhereitbelongs，\"saidKatywithachuckle，\"butIdothinkitsstayingtherewouldnotbebecauseMissEileenwanteditto。\"
\"Well，\"saidLindadeliberately，\"wewon\'twasteanytimeonthinkingWearegoingtohavesomepositiveknowledgeonthesubjectprettyimmediately。Idon\'tfeelequaltostartinganydomesticsantanatoday，buttheforcesaregatheringandtheblowiscomingsoon。TothatIhavefirmlymadeupmymind。\"
\"It\'snottheleastmiteI\'mblamingyou，honey，\"saidKaty。
\"Ye\'vegottobesuchabiggirlthatit\'sonlyfairthingsinthishouseshouldgoagooddealdifferent。\"
\"IsMariantobehere？\"askedLindaasshestoodbesidethestovepeeringintopansandkettles。
\"MissEileendidn\'tsay，\"repliedKaty。
Linda\'seyesreddenedsuddenly。Sheslammeddownalidwithviciousemphasis。
\"ThatisanotherdealEileen\'sengineered，\"shesaid，\"thatisjustaboutaswrongasanythingpossiblycanbe。WhatmakesmethemaddestaboutitisthatJohnGilmanwillletEileentakehimbythenoseandleadhimaroundlikearingedcalf。Whereishiscommonsense？Whereishisperception？Whereishishonor？\"
\"Nowwait，dearie，\"saidKatysoothingly，\"wait。JohnGilmanisamightyfineman。Yeknowhowyourfatherlovedhimandtrustedhimandgavehimchargeofallhisbusinessaffairs。Yemustn\'tgosofarastobeinsinuatingthatheislackinginhonor。\"
\"No，\"saidLinda，\"thatwasnotfair。Idon\'tintheleastknowthatheeverASKEDMariantomarryhim；butIdoknowthataslongashewasastruggling，threadbareyounglawyerMarianwaswelcometohim，andtheyhadgrandtimestogether。TheminutehewonthebigBaileysuitandcameintopublicnoticeandhispracticeincreaseduntilhewasindependent，thatminuteEileenbegantotakenotice，anditlookstomenowasifsheverynearlyhadhim。\"
\"AndsofarasIcansee，\"saidKaty，\"MissMarianistakingitwithoutastruggle。Sheisnotliftingafingerormakingamovetowinhimback。\"
\"Ofcoursesheisn\'t！\"saidLindaindignantly。\"Ifshethoughthepreferredsomeothergirltoher，shewouldmerelysay:\'IfJohnhasdiscoveredthathelikesEileenthebetter，why，thatisallright；buttherewouldn\'tbeanythingtopreventseeingEileentakeJohnfromhurtinglikethedeuce。Didyoueverloseamanyouloved，Katy？\"
\"ThatIdidnot！\"saidKatyemphatically。\"Wedidn\'tdoanyfourorfiveyears\'philanderin\'toseeifaman\'couldmakegood\'
whenIwasayoungster。Whenagirlandherladdiestooduptoeachotherandlookedeachotherstraightintheeyeandhadthegreatunderstanding，thereweren\'tnoquestionofwhetherhecoulddoforherwhatherfatherandmitherhadbeendoing，norofhowmuchhehadtoearnbeforetheywouldbeabletobeginlifetogether。Theyjustcaughthandsandhot-footedittotheprasteandtoldhimtoreadthebannsthenextSunday，andwhenthelawallowedtheywasmanandwifeandtakingwhatlifehadforthemthewayitcame，andtogether。Allthisphilanderin\'
thatyoungfolksdonowadaysisjustpurenonsense，andwasteoftime。\"
\"Sure！\"laughedLinda。\"WhenmybravecomesalongwithhisblanketI\'lljuststepunder，andthenifanybodytriestotakemymanI\'llhavetherighttogoonthewarpathandhaveascalpingpartythatwouldbesomesatisfactiontothesoul。\"
Thentheyservedthedinner，andwhentheguestshadleftthediningroom，Katyclosedthedoors，andbroughtonthedelicaciesshehadhiddenforLindaandpattedandcajoledherwhilesheatelikeanyhealthy，hungryyoungcreature。
CHAPTERII。CotyledonofMultifloresCanyon\"\'Ave，atquevale！\'Cotyledon！\"
Lindasliddownthesideofthecanyonwiththedeftnessoftheexpert。AtthefirstavailablecreviceshethrustinherAlpinestick，andbracingherself，gainedafooting。Thensheturnedandbyuseofherfingersandtoesworkedherwaybacktotheplan，shehadpassed。Shewasfamiliarwithmanymembersofshefamily，butsuchafinespecimensheseldomhadfoundandshecouldnotrecallhavingseenitinallofherbotanies。Oppositetheplantsheworkedoutafooting，droveherstickdeepatthebaseofarocktobraceherself，andfromtheknapsackonherbacktookasketchbookandpencilandbeganrapidlycopyingthethickfleshyleavesoftheflattenedrosette，sittingsecurelyattheedgeofarock。Sheworkedswiftlyandwithbreathlessinterest。Whenshehadfinishedtheflowershebegansketchinginthemoss-coveredfaceoftheboulderagainstwhichitgrew，andotherbitsofvegetationnear。
\"Ithink，Coty，\"shesaid，\"itisveryprobablethatIcancomeafewsimoleonswithyou。Youarebecomingbetterlookingeverminute。\"
ForatouchofcolorshemarginedonesideofherdrawingwithalittlesprayofPentstemonwhosebrighttubularflowerthecanyonknewas\"hummingbird\'sdinnerhorn。\"Thatgave，hertheideaofintroducingatouchoflivinginterest，sobearingdownupontheflowersfromtheupperright-handcornerofherdrawingshedeftlysketchedinaruby-throatedhummingbird，andacrossthebottomofthesheetthelaceofafewleavesoffern。Thenshereturnedthedrawingandpenciltoherknapsack，andmakingsureofherfooting，workedherwayforward。Withherlongslenderfingersshebeganteasingtheplantloosefromtherockandthesurroundingsoil。Therootspenetrateddeeperthanshehadsupposedandinherinterestsheforgotherprecariousfootingandpulledhard。Theplantgavewayunexpectedly，andlosingherbalance，Lindaplungeddownthesideofthecanyoncatchingwildlyatshrubsandbushesandbruisingherselfseverelyonstones，finallylandinginasittingpostureontheroadthattraversedthecanyon。
Shewasnotseriouslyhurt，butshedidnotpresentapicturesquefigureasshesprawledintheroad，herbootedfeetthruststraightbeforeher，oneofherlongblackbraidscaughtonabushatherback，herblousepulledaboveherbreeches，thecontentsofherknapsackdecoratingthecanyonsideandtheroadaroundher；buthighinonehand，withoutbreakorblemish，shetriumphantlyheldalofttherareCotyledon。Sheshruggedhershoulders，wiggledhertoes，andmovedherarmstoassureherselfthatnoboneswerebroken；thensheglancedatherdrawingsandthefruitsofherday\'scollectingscatteredontheroadsidearoundher。Shewasintheactofrisingwhenamotorcarcontainingtwoyoungmenshotaroundacurveofthecanyon，swervedtoavoidrunningoverher，andstoppedasabruptlyaspossible。
\"It\'sagirl！\"criedthedriver，andbothmensprangtotheroadandhurriedtoLinda\'sassistance。Herdarkcheekswereredwithmortification，butshemanagedtorecoverherfeetandtuckinherblousebeforetheyreachedher\"Weheardyoucomingdown，\"saidtheelderoftheyoungmen，\"andwethoughtyoumightbeabear。Areyousureyou\'renothurt？\"
Lindastoodbeforethem，alitheslenderfigure，vividwithyouthandvitality。
\"Iamabletostand，\"shesaid，\"soofcourseIhaven\'tbrokenanybones。IthinkIamfairlywellbattered，butyouwillpleasetoobservethatthereisn\'tascratchonCotyledon，andI
broughtherdown——atleastIthinkit\'sshe——fromtheedgeofthatboulderawayupthere。Isn\'tsheabeauty？Onlynoticethedelicatefrosty\'bloom\'onherleaves！\"
\"Ishouldprefer，\"saidtheyoungerofthemen，toknowwhetheryouhaveanybrokenbones。\"
\"I\'msureIamallright，\"answeredLinda。\"Ihavefallingdownmountainsreducedtoanexactscience。I\'llbetyoucouldn\'tslidethatfarandbringdownCotywithoutascratch。\'\"Well，whichisthemoreprecious，\"saidtheyoungman。\"Yourselforthespecimen？\"
\"Why，thespecimen！\"answeredLindainimpatience。\"Californiaisfullofgirls；butthisisthefinestCotyledonofthisfamilyIhaveeverseen。Don\'tmistakethisforanycommonstonecrop。
ItlookstomelikeanEcheveria。IknowwhatImeantodowiththepictureIhavemadeofher，andIknowexactlywheresheisgoingtogrowfromthisdayon。\"
\"Isthereanywaywecanhelpyou？\"inquiredtheelderofthetwomen。
ForthefirsttimeLindaglancedathim，andherimpressionwasthathewasdecidedlyattractive。
\"No，thankyou！\"sheansweredbriskly。\"IamgoingtoclimbbackuptotheboulderandcollectthebelongingsIspilledonthewaydown。ThenIamgoingtocarryCotytothecarlineinakindoftriumphalmarch，becausesheistherarestfindthatI
haveevermade。IhopeyouhavenodarkdesignsonCoty，becausethisis\'whattheownerhadtodotoredeemher。\'\"
Lindaindicatedhertraildownthecanyonside，brushedsoilandtwigsfromhertrousers，turnedherstraightyoungback，carefullysetdownherspecimen，andbytheaidofherrecoveredstickbeganexpertlymakingherwayupthecanyonside。\"Here，letmedothat，\"offeredtheyoungerman。\"YourestuntilI
collectyourbelongings。\"Lindaglancedbackoverhershoulder。
\"Thanks，\"shesaid。\"IhaveamentalinventoryofallthepencilsandknivesandtrowelsImustfind。Youmightoverlookthemostimportantpartofmyparaphernalia；andreallyIamnotdamaged。I\'mmerelyhurt。Good-bye！\"
Lindastartedbackupthesideofthecanyon，leavingtheyoungmentoentertheircaranddriveaway。Foraminutebothofthemstoodwatchingher。
\"Whatwillgirlsbewearinganddoingnext？\"askedtheelderofthetwoashestartedhiscar。
\"Whatwouldyouhaveagirlwearwhensheisoccupiedwithcoastingdowncanyons？\"saidhisfriend。\"Andasforwhatsheisdoing，it\'sprobablethateveryhigh-schoolgirlinLosAngeleshasabotanicalcollectiontomakebeforeshegraduates。\"
\"Isee！\"saidthemandriving。\"Sheisonlyahigh-schoolkid，，butdidyounoticethatsheisgoingtomakeanextremelyattractiveyoungwoman？\"
\"Yes，Inoticedjustthat；Inoticeditveryparticularly，\"
answeredtheyoungerman。\"AndInoticedalsothatsheeitherdoesn\'tknowit，ordoesn\'tgiveaflip。\"
Lindacollectedherbelongings，straightenedherhairandclothing，and，withherknapsackinplace，andleaningratheronheavilyonherwalkingstick，madeherwaydowntheroadtotheabutmentofasmallrusticbridgewhereshestoppedtorest。Thestreamatherfeetwasnoisyandicycold。Itrushedthroughnarrowdefilesintherock，beatitselftofoamagainstthefacesaofthebigstones，felloverjuttingcliffs，spreadinwhisperingpools，woundbackandforthacrosstheroadatitswill，singingeveryfootofitsdownwardwayandwateringbedsofcrisp，coolminers\'lettuce，greatferns，andheliotrope，climbingclematis，soilandblue-eyedgrass。Allalongitslengthgrewwillows，andinafewplaceswhite-bodiedsycamores。
Everywhereoverthewallsredaboveitthatvegetationcouldfindafootinggrewmosses，vines，flowers，andshrubs。OntheshadiestsidehomedmostofthefernsandtheCotyledon。Inthesun，larkspur，lupin，andmonkeyflower；everywherewildrose，holly，mahogany，gooseberry，andbayonetedyuccaallinterminglinginacurtainofvariegatedgreens，brocadedwithflowerarabesquesofvividred，white，yellow，andblue。Canyonwrensandvireossangastheynested。Theairwasclear，cool，andsaltyfromthenear-bysea。Myriadleafshadowsdancedontheblackroadbed，levelasabarnfloor，andacrossittrailedthewaveringimageofhawkandvulture，gullandwhiteseaswallow。Lindastudiedthecanyonwithintenteyes，butbruisedfleshpleaded，soreluctantlyshearose，shoulderedherbelongings，andslowlyfollowedtheroadouttothecarlinethatpassedthroughLilacValley，stillcarefullybearingintriumphthepreciousCotyledon。Anhourlatersheenteredthedrivewayofherhome。Shestoppedtosetherplantcarefullyinthewildgardensheandherfatherhadworkedallherlifeatcollecting，thenfollowedthebackporchandkitchenroute。
\"Whateverhaveyebeendoingtoyourself，honey？\"criedKaty。
\"IcameacropperdownMultifloresCanyonwhereitissosteepthatitleanstheotherway。Iprettywellpulverizedmyselfforapulverulent，Katy，whichisapoorjoke。\"
\"Nowain\'tthatjustmyluck！\"wailedKaty，snatchingacakecutterandbeginninghurriedlytostampoutlittlecakesfromthedoughbeforeher。
\"Well，Idon\'tunderstandinexactlywhatway，\"saidLinda，absentlyrubbingherelbowsandherknees。\"Seemstomeit\'smypromontoriesthathavebeenknockedoff，notyours，Katy。\"
\"Yes，andain\'titjustlikeye，\"saidKaty，\"tobecominginlate，andallbangedupwhenMissEileenhasgotsuddennoticethatthereisgoingtobecompanyagainandIhaveanespecialdinnertoserve，andneverintheworldcanImanageifyedon\'thelpme！\"
\"Why，whoiscomingnow？\"askedLinda，seatingherselfonthenearestchairandbeginningtounfastenherbootsslowly。
\"Well，firstofall，thereisMr。Gilman，ofcourse。\"
\"\'Ofcourse，\'\"concededLinda。\"Ifhetriedtogetpastourhouse，Eileenisperfectlycapableofsettingitonfiretostophim。She\'sgothim\'vamped\'properly。\"
\"OhIdon\'tknowthatyeshouldsayjustthat，\"saidKaty\"Eileenisamightyprettygirl，andsheisSOMEmanager。\"
\"Youcanstakeyourhilariouslifesheis，\"saidLinda，viciouslykickingaboottothecenterofthekitchen。\"Shecanmanagetogodowntownforlunchandbeinvitedouttodinnerthirteentimesaweek，andleaveusathometoeatbreadandmilk，breadheavilystressed。Shecanmanagetogeteverycentoftheincomefromthepropertyinherfingers，andagreatbiggirllikemehastogotohighschoollookingsotackythateventheboysarebeginningtocommentonit。Manage，I\'llsayshecanmanage，nottomentionmanagingtosnakeJohnGilmanrightoutofMarian\'sfingers。IdoubtifMarianfullyrealizesyetthatshe\'slostherman；andIhappentoknowthatshejustplainlovedJohn！\"
Thesecondbootlandedbesidethefirst，thenLindapickedthembothupandstartedtowardthebackhall。
\"Honey，areyetoobadhurttohelpmeany？\"askedKaty，asshepassedher。
\"Ofcoursenot，\"saidLinda。\"GivemeafewminutestotakeabathandstepintomyclothesandthenI\'llbeonthejob。\"
Withablackscowlonherface，Lindaclimbedthedingybackstairwayinherstocking-feet。Attheheadofthestairsshepausedoneminute，glancedatthegloomofherendofthehouse，thensheturnedandwalkedtothefrontofthehallwheretherewerepottedferns，daintywhitecurtains，andbrightrugs。Thedooroftheguestroomstoodopenandshecouldseethatitwasfilledwithfreshflowersandreadyforoccupancy。Thedoorofhersister\'sroomwasslightlyajarandshepusheditopenandstoodlookinginside。Inherstateofdisarrayshemadeashockingcontrasttotheflowerlikefigurebusybeforeadressingtable。Lindawasdark，narrow，rawboned，overgrowninheight，andforthrightofdisposition。Eileenwasatinywoman，delicatelymoulded，exquisitelycolored，andoneofthemostperfectlysuccessfultendrilsfromtheoriginalclingingvineinherintercoursewithmen，andwithsuchwomenaswouldtoleratetheclinging-vineideainthepresentforthrightdays。Withastrandofsoftlycurledhairinonehandandafancypinintheother，Eileenturnedadisapprovinglookuponhersister。
\"What\'sthegreatidea？\"demandedLindashortly。
\"Oh，it\'sperfectlysplendid，\"answeredEileen。\"JohnGilman\'sbestfriendismotoringaroundherelookingforalocationtobuildahome。Heisanauthorandyoungandgoodlookingandnotmarried，andhethinkshewouldliketosettlesomewherenearLosAngeles。OfcourseJohnwouldlovetohavehiminLilacValleybecausehehopestobuildahomeheresomedayforhimself。HisnameisPeterMorrisonandJohnsaysthathisarticlesandstorieshavehorsesense，logic，andhumor，andheismakingalotofmoney。\"
\"ThenGodhelpJohnGilman，ifhethinksnowthatheisinlovewithyou，\"saidLindadryly。
Eileenarchedhereyebrows，thinnedtoahairline，andherlipsdrewtogetherindisapproval。
\"WhatIcan\'tunderstand，\"shesaid，\"ishowyoucanbesounspeakablyvulgar，Linda。\"
Lindalaughedsharply。
\"AndthisPeterMorrisonandJohnareourguestsfordinner？\"
\"Yes，\"saidEileen。\"Iamgoingtoshowthemthisvalleyinsideandout。I\'msogladit\'sspring。We\'reatourverybest。Itwouldbeperfectlywonderfultohaveanauthorforaneighbor，andhemustbegoingtobuildarealhouse，becausehehashisarchitectwithhim；andJohnsaysthatwhileheisyoung，hehasdoneseveralawfullygoodhouses。HehasseenacoupleofthemininSanFrancisco。\"
Lindashruggedhershoulders。
\"UpthefluegoesMarian\'schanceofdrawingtheplansforJohnGilman\'shouse，\"shesaid。\"IhaveheardhimsayadozentimeshewouldnotbuildahouseunlessMarianmadetheplans。\"
Eileendeftlyplacedthestrandofhairandsetthejewelledpinwithprecision。
\"Justpossiblythingshavechangedslightly，\"shesuggested。
\"Yes，\"saidLinda，\"Iobservethattheyhave。Marianhassoldthehomesheadored。Sheisleavingfriendsshelovedandtrusted，andwhowereparticularlyboundtoherbyacommongriefwithoutrealizingexactlyhowitishappening。Shecertainlymustknowthatyouhavetakenherlover，andIhavenotadoubtbutthatisthereasonshehasdiscoveredshecannolongerworkathome，thatshemustsellherpropertyandspendthemoneycoopedupinacity，tostudyherprofessionfurther。\"
\"Linda，\"saidEileen，herfacepalewithanger，\"youarepositivelyinsufferable。Willyouleavemyroomandclosethedoorafteryou？\"
\"Well，Katyhasjustinformedme，\"saidLinda，\"thatthisdinnerpartydoesn\'tcomeoffwithoutmyvaluedassistance，andbeforeI
agreetoassist，I\'llknowONEthing。Areyouproposingtoentertainthesethreemenyourself，orhaveyouaskedMarian？\"
Eileenindicatedanopennotelyingonherdressingtable。
\"Ididnotknowtheywerecominguntilanhourago，\"shesaid。
\"_I_barelyhadtimetofillthevasesanddust，andthenIranuptodresssothattherewouldbesomeonepresentablewhentheyarrive。\"
\"Allrightthen，we\'llagreethatthisisasurpriseparty，butifJohnGilmanhastoldyousomuchaboutthem，youmusthavebeenexpectingthem，andinameasurepreparedforthematanytime。Haven\'tyoutalkeditoverwithMarian，andtoldherthatyouwouldwantherwhentheycame？\"
Eileenwasextremelybusywithanotherwaveofhair。Sheturnedherbackandhervoicewasnotquitesteadyassheanswered。
\"EversinceMariangotthis\'goingtothecitytostudy\'ideainherheadIhavescarcelyseenher。Shehadanawfuljobtoemptythehouse，andpacksuchthingsasshewantstokeep，andsheisworkingovertimeonaveryspecialplanthatshethinksmaybeshe\'llsubmitinaprizecompetitionofferedbyabigfirmofSanFranciscoarchitects，soIhavescarcelyseenherforsixweeks。\"
\"Andyouneveroncewentovertohelpherwithherwork，ortoencourageherortocomforther？Youcan\'tthinkMariancanleavethisvalleyandnotbealmostheartbroken，\"saidLinda。
\"Youjustmakemealmostwonderatyou。WhenyouthinkofthekindoffriendsthatMarianThorne\'sfatherandmother，andourfatherandmotherwere，andhowwechildrenwererearedtogether，andthegoodtimeswehavehadinthesetwohouses——andthentheawfuldaywhenthecarwentoverthecliff，andhowMarianclungtousandtriedtocomfortus，whenherownhealthwasbroken——
andMarian\'sthesameMarianshehasalwaysbeen，onlynicereveryday——howyoucansitthereandsayyouhavescarcelyseenherinsixofthehardestweeksofherlife，certainlysurprisesme。I\'lltellyouthis:ItoldKatyIwouldhelpher，butI
won\'tdoitifyoudon\'tgooverandmakeMariancometonight。\"
Eileenturnedtohersisterandlookedatherkeenly。Linda\'sbrowwassullen，andherjawset。
\"AbedwouldlookmightygoodtomeandIwillgoandgetintominethisminuteifyoudon\'tsayyouwillgoandaskher，insuchawaythatshecomes，\"shethreatened。
Eileenhesitatedasecondandthensaid:\"Allright，sinceyoumakesuchapointofitIwillaskher。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidLinda。\"ThenI\'llhelpKatytheverybestI
can。\"
CHAPTERIII。TheHouseofDreamsInlessthananhour，Lindawasinthekitchen，dressedinanoldgreenskirtandanorangeblouse。Katypinnedoneofherapronsonthegirlandtoldherthatherfirstjobwastosetthetable。
\"AndMissEileenhasgivenmostparticularordersthatIusetheverybestofeverything。Laythetableforfour，andyouaretobeextremelycarefulinservingnottospillthesoup。\"
Lindastoodveryquietlyforasecond，herheavyblackbrowsdrawntogetherindeepthought。
\"WhendidEileenissuetheseinstructions？\"sheinquired。
\"Notfiveminutesago，\"saidKaty。\"ShejustleftmekitchenandI\'llsayIneversawherlookin\'suchaperfectpicture。Thatnewdressofhersisthemostbecomingoneshehaseverhad。\"
Almostunconsciously，Linda\'shandreachedtothefrontofherwell-wornblouse，andsheglanceddownwardatherskirtandshoes。
\"Um-hm，\"shesaidmeditatively，\"anothernewdressforEileen，whichmeansthatIwillgetnothinguntilnextmonth\'sallowancecomesin，ifIdothen。Thetablesetforfour，which，interpreted，signifiesthatshehasaskedMarianinsuchawaythatMarianwon\'tcome。AndthecautionastocarewiththesoupmeansthatIamtoservemyfather\'stablelikeapaidwaitress。
Katy，IhaverunforoverthreeyearsonEileen\'sschedule，butthispastyearIambeginningtousemybrainsandIamreachingtheplaceofself-assertion。Thatprogrammewon\'tdo，Katy。
It\'sgottobecompletelyrevised。YoujustwatchmeandseehowIfollowthoseinstructions。\"
ThenLindamarchedoutofthekitchendoorandstartedacrossthelawninthedirectionofabigbrownhousedimlyoutlinedthroughwidelyspreadingbranchesofancientliveoaks，palm，andbamboothickets。Sheenteredthehousewithoutknockingandinthehallutteredalowpenetratingwhistle。Itwasinstantlyansweredfromupstairs。Lindabeganclimbing，andmetMarianatthetop。
\"Why，Marian，\"shecried，\"Ihadnoideayouweresofaralong。
Thehouseisactuallyempty。\"
\"Practicallyeverythingwentyesterday，\"answeredMarian。\"ThosethingsofFather\'sandMother\'sandmyownthatIwishtokeepI
haveputinstorage，andtheremainderwenttoJames\'sAuctionRooms。Thehouseissold，andIamleavinginthemorning。\"
\"Thenthatexplains，\"questionedLinda，\"whyyourefusedEileen\'sinvitationtodinnertonight？\"
\"Onthecontrary，\"answeredMarian，\"aninvitationtodinnertonightwouldbeparticularlyandpeculiarlyacceptabletome，sincethekitchenisbarrenastheremainderofthehouse，andI
wasintendingtoslipoverwhenyourroomwaslightedtoaskifI
mightspendthenightwithyou。\"
Lindasuddenlygatheredherfriendinherarmsandheldhertight。
\"Well，thankheaventhatyoufeltsufficientlysureofmetocometomewhenyouneededme。Ofcourseyoushallspendthenightwithme；andImusthavebeenmistakeninthinkingEileenhadbeenhere。Sheprobablywillcomeanyminute。Thereareguestsforthenight。Johnisbringingthatwriterfriendofhis。Ofcourseyouknowabouthim。It\'sPeterMorrison。\"
Mariannoddedherhead。\"Ofcourse！Johnhasalwaystalkedofhim。HehadsomeextremelycleverarticlesinThePostlately。\"
\"Well，heisone，\"saidLinda，\"andanarchitectwhoistouringwithhimistwo；theyarelookingforalocationtobuildahouseforthewriter。Youcanseethatitwouldbeaparticularlyattractivefeatherinourcapifhewouldendorseourvalleysufficientlytohomeinit。SoEileenhasinvitedthemtosampleourbrandofentertainment，andinthemorningnodoubtshewillbedelightedtoaccompanythemandshowthemallthebeautifulspotsnotyetpreempted。\"
\"Oh，heavens，\"criedMarian，\"I\'mgladInevershowedhermyspot！\"
\"Well，ifyouareparticularaboutwantingacertainplaceI
sincerelyhopeyoudidnot，\"saidLinda。
\"IamsureIneverdid，\"answeredMarian。\"IsoloveonespotthatIhavebeenmostsecretiveaboutit。IamcertainIneverwentfurtherthantosaytherewasaplaceonwhichIwouldlovetobuildformyselfthehouseofmydreams。Ihavejustaboutfinishedgettingthathomeonpaper，andItrulyhavehighhopesthatImaystandatleastafairchanceofwinningwithittheprizeNicholsonandSnowareoffering。ThatisoneofthereasonswhyIamhurryingonmywaytoSanFranciscomuchsoonerthanIhadexpectedtogo。Ihaven\'tasuitabledinnerdressbecausemytrunkshavegone，butamongsucholdfriendsitwon\'tmatter。Ihaveonefussyblouseinmybag，andI\'llbeoverassoonasIcanseetoclosingupthehouseanddressing。\"
Lindahurriedhome，andgoingtothediningroom，shelaidthetableforsixinadeftandartisticmanner。Shefilledabasketwithbeautifulflowersofherowngrowingforacenterpiece，andcarefullyfollowedEileen\'sinstructiontousethebestofeverything。Whenshehadfinishedshewenttothekitchen。
\"Katy，\"shesaid，\"takealookatmyhandiwork。\"
\"It\'sjustlovely，\"saidKatyheartily。
\"Iquiteagreewithyou，\"answeredLinda，\"andnowinpursuanceofarecentlyarrivedatdecision，Ihaveresigned，vamoosed，quit，deadstoppedbeingwaitressforEileen。Iwasseventeenmylastbirthday。HereafterwhenthereareguestsIsitatmyfather\'stable，andyouwillhavetodothebestyoucanwithserving，Katy。\"
\"Andit\'sjustexactlyrightyeare，\"saidKaty。\"I\'lldomybest，andifthat\'snotgoodenough，MissEileenknowswhatshecando。\"
\"Nowlistentoyou，\"laughedLinda。\"Katy，youcouldn\'tbedriventoleaveme，byanythingonthisearththatEileencoulddo；youknowyoucouldn\'t。\"
Katychuckledquietly。\"Sure，Iwouldn\'tbeleavingye，lambie，\"
shesaid。\"We\'llgeteverythingready，andIcanserveIsixasnicelyasanyone。Butyou\'renotforgettingthatMissEileensaidmostexplicittolaythetableforFOUR？\'
\"Iamnotforgetting，\"saidLinda。\"ForEileen\'ssakeIamI
sorrytosaythathershipisontheshoals。SheisnotgoingtohaveclearsailingwithlittlesisterLindaanylonger。Thisistheyearofwoman\'srights，youknow，Katy，andIambeginningtorealizethatmyrightshavebeenbadlyinfringeduponforlothesemanyyears。IfEileenchoosestomakeascenebeforeguests，thatisstrictlyuptoEileen。Nowwhatisityouwantmetodo？\"
KatydirectedandLindaworkedswiftly。Soontheyheardamotorstop，andlaughingvoicestoldthemthattheguestshadarrived。
\"NowIwonder，\"saidLinda，\"whetherMarianishereyet。\"
AtthatminuteMarianappearedatthekitchendoor。
\"Linda，\"shesaidbreathlessly，\"Iamfeelingqueeraboutthis。
Eileenhasn\'tbeenover。\"
\"Oh，that\'sallright，\"saidLindacasually。\"Thefolkshavecome，andshewasonlywaitingtomakethemabitathomebeforesheranafteryou。\"
Marianhesitated。
\"Shewasnotallowingmemuchtimetodress。\"
\"That\'s\'causesheknewyoudidnotneedit，\"retortedLinda。
\"Themoreyoufussup，thelesshandsomeyouare，andyouneverownedanythinginyourlifesobecomingasthatoldredblouse。
Sofarewell，Katy，we\'reduetoburstintohighsocietytonight。
We\'regoingtohelpEileenvampalawyer，andanauthor，andanarchitect，oneapiece。Whichdoyouprefer，Marian？\"
\"I\'lltakethearchitect，\"saidMarian。\"WeshouldhavesomethingincommonsinceIamgoingtobeagreatarchitectmyselfoneofthesedays。\"
\"Why，thatistoobad，\"saidLinda。\"I\'llhavetorearrangethetableifyouinsist，becauseItookhim，andleftyoutheauthor，anditwasforloveofyouIdidit。Itrulywantedhimmyself，allthetime。\"
TheystoppedinthediningroomandMarianpraisedLinda\'sworkinlayingthetable；andthen，togethertheyenteredthelivingroom。
Atthemomentoftheirentrance，Eileenwastalkinganimatedlyaboutthebeautiesofthevalleyasalocationforahappyhome。
Whenshesawthetwogirlsshepaused，thecolorswiftlyfadedfromherface，andLinda，whowaswatchingtoseewhatwouldhappen，noticedtheeffortshemadeatself-control，butshewasverysurethattheirguestsdidnot。
ItneveroccurredtoLindathatanyonewouldconsidergoodlooksinconnectionwithherovergrown，rawbonedframeandleanface，butshewasaccustomedtoseeingpeopleadmireMarian，forMarianwasaperfectlymodeledwomanwithpeachbloomcheeks，deep，darkeyes，herfaceframedinawavingmassofhairwhosewhitenessdatedfromthedaythatthebrakesofhercarfailedandsheplungeddownthemountainwithherfatherbesideher，andhermotherandDoctorandMrs。Stronginthebackseat。TendaysafterwardMarian\'sheadofbeautifuldarkhairwasmuslinwhite。
Nowitframedafaceofyouthandbeautywithpeculiarpathos。
\"Striking\"wasperhapstheoneadjectivewhichwouldbestdescribeher。
JohnGilmancamehastilytogreetthem。Linda，afteraswiftglanceatEileen，turnedastonishedeyesontheirguests。Foronesecondshelookedattheelderofthem，thenattheyounger。
Therewasnorecognitioninhereyes，andtherewasadecidednegativeinaswiftmovementofherhead。Bothmenunderstoodthatshedidnotwishthemtomentionthattheyeverhadseenherpreviously。Foraninstanttherewasastrainedsituation。
Eileenwaswhitewithanger。JohnGilmanwaslookingstraightatMarian，andinhissoulhemusthavewonderedifhehadbeenwiseinneglectingherforEileen。PeterMorrisonandhisarchitect，HenryAnderson，hadtwothingstothinkabout。OnewasthestunningbeautyofMarianThorneasshepausedinthedoorway，thelightmistingherwhitehairanddeepeningthetintsofherredwaistTheotherwaswhytheyounggirlfacingthemhadforbiddenthemtorevealthattwohoursbeforetheyhadseenherinthecanyon。Katy，theefficientlife-saveroftheStrongfamily，announceddinner，andLindadrewbackthecurtainsandledthewaytothediningroom，sayingwhentheyhadarrived:\"I
didn\'thavetimeinmyhour\'snoticetomakeelaborateplacecardsasIshouldhavelikedtodo，sotheselittlepensketcheswillhavetoserve。\"
Tocoverhisembarrassmentandtosatisfyhislegalmind，JohnGilmanturnedtoLinda，asking:\"Why\'anhour\'？ItoldEileenaweekagoIwasexpectingtheboystoday。\"
\"ButthatdoesnotprovethatEileenmentionedittome，\"
answeredLindaquietly；\"soyoumustfindyourplacesfromthecardsIcouldprepareinahurry。\"
ThissamepreparationofcardsattheroundtableplacedEileenbetweenthearchitectandtheauthor，MarianbetweentheauthorandJohnGilman，andLindabetweenGilmanandthearchitect，whichaddedonemoretinygaletothestormoffurythatwasraginginthebreastofwhite-facedEileen。Thesituationwassostrainedthatwithoutfullyunderstandingit，Marian，whowasseveralyearsolderthaneitheroftheStrongsisters，knewthatalthoughshewastiredtothepointofexhaustionsheshouldmusterwhatreserveforceshecouldtotheendofmakingthedinnerpartyparticularlyattractive，becauseshewasdeeplyinterestedindrawingtothevalleyeverysuitablehomeseekeritwaspossibletolocatethere。Itwastheunwrittenlawofthevalleythatwheneverahomeseekerpassedthrough，everysoulwhobelongedexertedthestrongestinfluencetoprovethatthestarshunglowerandshonebiggerandinbluerheavensthananywhereelseonearth；thatnowherecouldbefoundairtoequaltheenergizingsaltbreezesfromthesea，snowchilled，perfumedwithalmondandorange；thatthesunshonebrightermoredaysintheyear，andthesoilproducedagreatervarietyofvegetablesandfruitsthananyotherspotofthesamesizeonGod\'swonderfulfootstool。ThiscouldbedonewithunanimityandenthusiasmbyeveryresidentofLilacValleyfortheverysimplereasonthatitwasthetruth。Thevalleystoodwithitssteepsidesrayingbluefrommyriadwildlilacs；olivesandorangesslopeddowntotheflatfloor，wherecultivatedranchesandgardensweresoscreenedbyeucalyptusandpeppertrees，palmandliveoak，myriadsofrosesofeverycolorandvariety，andgaudyplantsgatheredtherefromtheentiregirthofthetropicalworld，thattothetraveleronthehighwaytreesandflowerspredominated。Thegreatesttreasureofthevalleywastheenthusiasticstreamoficymountainwaterthatwanderedthroughthenear-bycanyonandfollowedthelengthofthevalleyonitssinging，chucklingwaytotheocean。AlltheresidentsofLilacValleyhadtodotoentrancestrangerswiththelocationwastoshowanyoneofadozenvantagepoints，andletvisitorstestforthemselvesthequalityofthesunshineandair，andstudythepicturemadebythebroadstretchofintensivelycultivatedvalley，walledoneithersidebymountainswhosehighestpeakswereoftencloud-drapedandforevershiftingtheirdelicatepastelshadesfromgraytoblue，fromlavendertopurple，fromtawnyyellowtosepia，undertheplayofthesunandclouds。
TheyhadnotbeenseatedthreeminutesbeforeLindarealizedfromherknowledgeofEileenthattheshockhadbeentoogreat，ifsuchathingmightbesaidofsoresourcefulacreatureasEileen。Evidentlyshewasgoingtosulkinthehopethatthiswouldprovethatanypartywasafailureatwhichshedidnotexertherselftobegracious。IthadnotbeeninLinda\'shearttodomorethansitquietlyintheplacebelongingbyrighttoher，butwhensherealizedwhatwasgoingtohappen，shesentMarianoneswiftappealingglance，andthendesperatelyplungedintoconversationtocoverEileen\'sdefection。
\"Ihavebeentold，\"shesaid，addressingtheauthor，\"thatyouarelookingforahomeinCalifornia。Isthistrue，orisitmerelythateverygoodCalifornianhopesthiswillhappenwhenanydistinguishedEasternercomesourway？\"
\"Icanscarcelyansweryou，\"saidPeterMorrison，\"becausemyideasonthesubjectarestillslightlynebulous，butIamonlytoowillingtoseethembecomeconcrete。\"
\"Youhavestruckexactlytherightplace，\"saidLinda。\"Wehaveconcretebythewagonloadinthisvalleyandweareperfectlywillingtodonatetheamountrequiredtomaterializeyourideas。
Doyoudreamofawholeranchoronlyanest？\"
\"Well，thefactis，\"answeredPeterMorrisonwithamostattractivedrawlinhisslowspeech，\"thefactisthedimensionsofmydreammustfitmypurse。EversinceIfinishedcollegeI
havebeeninnewspaperworkandIhavelivedinanapartmentinNewYorkexceptwhileIwasabroad。WhenIcamebackmypapersentmetoSanFranciscoandfromthereImotoreddowntoseeformyselfifthewonderfulthingsthatarewrittenaboutLosAngelesCountyaretrue。\"
\"Thatisnotmuchofacomplimenttous，\"saidLindaslowly。
\"Howdoyouthinkwewoulddarewritethemiftheywerenottrue？\"
Thiscausedsuchalaughthateveryonefeltmucheasier。MarianturnedherdarkeyestowardPeterMorrison。
\"LindaandIarebusypeople，\"shesaid。\"Wewastelittletimeinindirections，soIhopeit\'snotoutofthewayformetoaskstraightforwardlyifyouaretrulyinearnest，aboutwantingahomeinLilacValley？\"
\"ThenI\'llhavetoansweryou，\"saidPeter，\"thatIhaveanattractivepartofthe\'makin\'s\'andIamindeadlyearnestaboutwantingahomesomewhere。Iamsickinmysoulofnarrowapartmentsandwheelsandtherushandroarofthecity。TherewasatimewhenIateanddrankit。Itwastheverybreathoflifetome。IchargedonBroadwaylikeacaterpillartankcharginginbattle；butitisveryremarkablehowquicklyonechangesinthisworld。Ihavehadsomesuccessinmywork，andthehigherIgo，thebetterworkIfeelIcandoinaquietplaceandamonglessenervatingsurroundings。JohnandIwereincollegetogether，roommates，andnodoubthehastoldyouthatwegraduatedwiththesameclass。HehasfoundhislocationhereandIwouldparticularlyenjoyhavingahomenearhim。Theytellmetherearewell-trainedservantstolookafterahouseandcareforabachelor，soItrulyfeelthatifIcanfindalocationI
wouldlike，andifHenrycanplanmeahouse，andIcanstretchmypursetocovertheinvestment，thatthereisaverylargepossibilitythatsomewherewithintwentymilesofLosAngelesI
mayfindthehomeofmydreams。\"
\"Onewouldalmostexpect，\"saidMarian，\"thatawriterwouldsaysomethingmoreoriginal。Thisvalleyisfilledwithpeoplewhocameheresayingpreciselywhatyouhavesaid；andthelureofthelandwonthemandheretheyare，shamelessboostersofCalifornia。\"
\"Whyshameless？\"inquiredHenryAnderson。
\"BecauseCaliforniasoverifiesthewildeststatementthatcanbemadeconcerningherthatonemaygothelimitofimaginationwithoutshame，\"laughedMarian。\"Itryinallmydealingstosticktothestraightandnarrowpath。\"
\"Oh，kid，don\'tsticktothestraightandnarrow，\"brokeinLinda，\"there\'snoscenery。\"
Eileenlaiddownherforkandstaredinwhite-lippedamazementatthetwogirls，butshewasutterlyincapableofforgettingherselfandherneatlyarrangedplanstohavethethreecultivatedandattractiveyoungmenalltoherselffortheevening。Sherealizedtoo，fromthesatisfactionbetrayedintheglancesthesemenwereexchangingamongeachother，theeasewithwhichtheysat，andthegustowithwhichtheyatethefoodKatywasdeftlyservingthem，thatsomethingwashappeningwhichneverhadhappenedattheStrongtablesinceshehadpresidedasitshead，hersoleendeavorhavingbeentoflatterherguestsortoextractflatteryforherselffromthem。
\"Thatiswhatmakesthisvalleysoadorable，\"saidMarianwhenatlastshecouldmakeherselfheard。\"Itisneitherstraightnornarrow。Thewingofawhiteseaswallowneversweptaloveliercurveonthebreastoftheoceanthanthelineofthisvalley。
Mymotherwasthedearestlittlewoman，andsheusedtosaythatthisvalleywasoutlinedbyagraciousgesturefromthehandofGodinthedawnofCreation。\"
PeterMorrisondeliberatelyturnedinhischair，hiseyesintentonMarian\'searnestface。
\"Youalmostmakemewanttosay，inthelanguageofanoldhymnI
usedtohearmymothersing，\'HerewillIsetupmyrest。\'WithsuchanameasLilacValleyandwithsuchathoughtintheheartconcerningit，Iscarcelyfeelthatthereisanyuseinlookingfurther。Howaboutit，Henry？Doesn\'titsoundconclusivetoyou？\"
\"Itcertainlydoes，\"answeredHenryAnderson，\"andfromwhatI
couldseeaswedrovein，itlooksaswellasitsounds。\"
PeterMorrisonturnedtohisfriend。
\"Gilman，\"hesaid，\"you\'realawyer；youshouldknowthethingsI\'dliketo。Aretheredesirablehomesitesstilltobefoundinthevalley，anddoestheinflationoflandatthepresentminuteputitoutofmyreach？\"
\"Well，thatisonaparwiththeaveragequestionaskedalawyer，\"answeredGilman，\"butpartofitIcananswerdefinitelyandatonce。Ithinkeveryacreoflandsuitableforgardenorfieldcultivationistaken。Idoubtifthereismuchoftheorchardlandhigherupremainingandwhatthereiswouldcommandaratherstiffprice；butifyouwouldbecontentwithsomesmallplateauatthebaseofamountainwhereyoucouldsetanysortofahouseandhave——saytwoorthreeacres，mostlyofsageandbouldersandgreasewoodandyuccaaroundit\"
\"Whyinthisworldareyoutalkingaboutstonesandsageandgreasewood？\"criedLinda。\"Nextthingthey\'llbeaskingaboutmountainlionsandrattlesnakes。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidGilman，\"IfearnoneofushasrememberedtopresentMissLindaasacomingnaturalist。Shegotherstartfromherfather，whowasoneofthegreatestnervespecialiststheworldeverhasknown。Sheknowseveryinchofthemountains，thecanyonsandthedesert。Shealwayssaysthatshecutherteethonachunkofadobe，whileherfatherhuntedthenestsoftrap-doorspidersoutinSunland。Whatshould1
havesaidwhendescribingasuitablehomesiteforPeter，Linda？\"
\"Youshouldhaveassumedthatimmediately，Peter，\"——LindaliftedhereyestoMorrison\'sfacewithasparkleofgaychallenge，andbywayofapologyinterjected——\"Iamonlyakid，youknow，soI
maycallJohn\'sfriendPeter——youshouldhaveassumedthatsageandgreasewoodwouldsimplyhavevanishedfromanyhomelocationchosenbyPeter，leavingitalllacybluewithlilac，andmistywhitewithlemonadebush，andlovelygoldwithmonkeyflower，andpurplewithlupin，andpaintedbloodredwithbroadstrokesofIndianpaintbrush，andbeautifullylightedwithfeatheryflamesfromOurLord\'sCandles，andperfumyasaltarincensewithwildalmond。\"
\"Oh，mysoul，\"saidPeterMorrison。\"Goodpeople，Ihavelocated。Ihavecometostay。IwouldlikethreeacresbutI
couldexistwithtwo；anacrewouldseemanestatetome，andmyideasofahouse，Henry，areshriveling。Ididhaveadreamofsomethingthatmusthavebeenpreciousnearahome。Theremighthavebeenanevanescenthintofflittingdraperiesandinexperiencedfeetinit，butforthesakeoflivingandworkinginsuchalocationasMissLindadescribes，Iwouldgladlycutmyresidencetoaworkroomandasleepingroomandkitchen。\"
\"Won\'tdo，\"saidLinda。\"AhouseisnotahouseinCaliforniawithoutafurnaceandabathroom。Wearecoldasblueblazesherewhenthesungoesdownandthesaltyfogcreepsupfromthesea，andtheicymistrollsdownfromthemountainstochillourbones；andwhenithasnotrainedforsixmonthsatastretch，yourownprivateswimmingpoolisacomfort。ThistoaddverisimilitudetowhateveryoneelseinLilacValleyisgoingtotellyou。\"
\"Ihadn\'tthoughtIwouldneedafire，\"saidPeter，\"andIwasdependingontheoceanformybathtub。Iamparticularlyfondofasaltrub。\"
Sofar，Eileenhadnotdeignedtoentertheconversation。Itwasallsohuman，sofarfromherideasofentertainingthatthedisapprovalonherlipswasnotsufficientlyveiledtobeinvisible，andJohnGilman，glancinginherdirection，realizedthathewashavingthebesttimehehadeverhadintheStronghouseholdsincethepassingofhisfriends，DoctorandMrs。Strong，vaguelywonderedwhy。AnditoccurredtohimthatLindaandMarianweredominatingtheparty。Hesaidthemostirritatingthingpossibleinthecircumstances:\"Iamafraidyouarenotfeelingwellthisevening，Eileen。\"
Eileenlaughedshortly。