Youhaveanunfortunateway，Eileen，ofdefeatingyourownends。
IfyouwantedtoattractMaryLouiseWhiting，youmissedthebestchanceyouevercouldhavehad，atthreeo\'clockSaturdayafternoon，whenyoumaliciouslytreatedheronlybrotherasyouwouldamechanic，orderedhimtoourgarage，andshutourdoorinhisface。\"
EileenturnedtoLinda。Hermouthfellopen。Aghastlygreenishwhitefloodedherface。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"shegasped。
\"Imean，\"saidLinda，\"thatDonaldWhitingwascallingonme，andyoupurposelysenthimtothegarage。\"
CrashdownamongthevanitiesofEileen\'sdressingtablewentherlovelyhead，andshebrokeintodeepandviolentsobs。Lindastoodlookingatherasecond，slowlyshakingherhead。Thensheturnedandwenttoherroom。
LaterintheeveningsherememberedtheRomanscarfandtoldEileenofwhatshehaddone，andshewasunpreparedforEileen\'sreply:\"Thatscarfalwayswastoobrilliantforme。You\'rewelcometoitifyouwantit。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidLindagravely，\"Iwantitverymuchindeed。\"
CHAPTERXI。AssistingProvidenceLindawenttothelibrarytoseetowhatstateofemptinessithadbeenreducedbytheremovalofseveralpiecesoffurnitureshehadorderedtakenawaythatday。Asshestoodonthethresholdlookingovertheroomasusual，athroboflovingappreciationofKatysweptthroughherheart。Katyhadbeentherebeforeher。Theroomhadbeenfreshlysweptanddusted，therugshadbeenrelaid，thefurniturerearrangedskilfully，andthetablestoodatthebestangletobelightedeitherbydayornight。Onthetableandthemantelstoodbigbowlsoflovelyfreshflowers。Lindawasquitecertainthatanyoneenteringtheroomforthefirsttimewouldhavefeltitcompletelyfurnished，andshedoubtedifevenMarianwouldnoticethemissingpieces。
Cheeredinherheart，sheranuptothebilliardroom，andthereagainKatyhadprecededher。Thewindowswereshining。Thewallsandfloorhadbeencleaned。Everythingwasinreadinessforthenewfurniture。Herheartfullofgratitude，Lindawenttoherroom，preparedherlessonsforthenextday，andthendrewoutherwritingmaterialstoanswerMarian\'sletter。Shewrote:
Ihaveanacuteattackofenlargementoftheheart。Somanythingshavehappenedsinceyourleaving。ButfirstImusttellyouaboutyoursketch。Wejustknowyoudidnotleaveithere。
Katysaystherewasnotascrapinourbedroomwhenshecleanedit；andassheknowsyoumakeplansandhowprecioustheyaretoyou，Iguaranteeshewouldhavesaveditifshehadfoundanythinglookinglikeaparallelogramonapieceofpaper。AndI
haveverynearlycombedthelawn，notonlythenorthside，butthewest，south，andeast；andthenIbrokethelawsandwentovertoyourhouseandcrawledthroughabasementwindowandworkedmywayup，andIhavehuntedeveryroominit，butthereisnothingthere。YoumusthavelostthatsketchafteryoureachedSanFrancisco。Ihopetoallthat\'speacefulyoudidnotlayitdownintheofficesofNicholsonandSnow，orwhereyoutakeyourlessons。Iknownothingaboutarchitecture，butIdoknowsomethingaboutcomfortinahome，andIthoughtthatwasthemostcomfortableandconvenient-lookinghouseIeverhadseen。
NowI\'llgoonandtellyouallthenews，andIdon\'tknowwhichisthebiggerpiecetoburstonyoufirst。WouldyoubemoreinterestedinknowingthatPeterMorrisonhasboughtthreeacresontheothersideofthevalleyfromusandupquiteaway，orintheastonishingfactthatIhaveanewdress，aperfectloveofadress，reallytoogoodforschool？Youknowtherewasbloodinmyeyewhenyouleft，andIdidn\'twaitlongtostartaction。I
havemanagedtoputthefearofGodintoEileen\'sheartsothatshehasagreedtoareasonableallowanceformefromthefirstofnextmonth；butshemusthavefeltatleastonesmallwaveofcontritionwhenItoldheraboutapeculiarlyenticingdressI
hadseenatTheMode。Shesentituprightaway，andKaty，blessedbeherlovingfootprints，loanedmemoneytobuyablouseandsomeshoestomatch，soIwenttoschooltodaylookingveryliketheGreatGeneralAverage，minusrouge，lipstick，hairdress，andFrenchheels。
IdohopeyouwillapproveoftwothingsIhavedone。
ThenLindarecountedtheemptyingofthebilliardroom，theinroadsinthelibrary，thelistingofthetechnicalbooks，andwhatsheproposedtodowiththemoney。Andthen，herfaceslightlypaleandherfingersslightlytrembling，shewrote:
And，Mariandear，Ihopeyouwon\'tbeangrywithmewhenItellyouthatIhaveputtheBearCatintocommissionanddrivenitthreetimesalready。Itisrunninglikethefelineitis，andI
ambeingascarefulasIcan。Iknowexactlyhowyouwillfeel。
Itisthesamefeelingthathasheldmeallthesemonths，whenI
wouldn\'tevenletmyselfthinkofit。Butsomethinghappenedatschooloneday，Marian。YouknowtheWhitings？MaryLouiseWhiting\'sbrotherisintheseniorclass。Heisasix-footer，andwhileheisnothandsomeheisgoingtobearealmanwhenheisfullydeveloped，andsteadieddowntowork。Onedaylastweekhemadeithisbusinesstostopmeinthehallandtwitmeaboutmyshoes，andincidentallytoaskmewhyIdidn\'tdressliketheothergirls；andsomewayitcamerougherthanifithadbeenoneofthegirls。ThemoreIthoughtaboutitthemorewrongedI
felt，soIendedinayoungrevolutionthatistobringmeanincome，asuitableplacetoworkinandhasbroughtmesuchaprettydress。IthinkithasbroughtEileentoasenseofatleastpartialjusticeaboutmoney，anditbroughtmebacktheBearCat。YouknowtheproudestmomentofmylifewaswhenFatherwouldletmedrivethelittlebeast，anditallcamebackasnaturalasbreathing。Pleasedon\'tworry，Marian。Nothingshallhappen，Ipromiseyou。
Itwon\'tbenecessarytotellyouthatKatyisherdarlingoldself，loyalandsteadfastasthesun，andquiteasnecessaryandascomfortingtome。AndIhaveacoupleofotherinterestsinlifethataregoingto——Iwon\'tsaymakeupforyourabsence，becausenothingcoulddothat——buttheyaregoingtogivemesomethinginterestingtothinkabout，somethingagreeabletoworkat，whileyouaregone。But，oh，Marian，dohurry。Workalldayandpartofthenight。BeSaturday\'schildyourselfifyoumust，justsoyougethomequick，andwhereyourwhiteheadmakesabeaconlightforthetruest，lovingestpalyouwilleverhave，LINDA。
Lindalaiddownthepen，sliddowninherchair，andlookedfromthewindowacrossthevalley，andshewonderedifinherviewlaythelocationthathadbeenpurchasedbyPeterMorrison。Sheglancedbackatherletterandsatlookingattheclosinglinesandthesignature。
\"Muchgoodthatwilldoher，\"shecommented。\"Whenawomanlovesamanandloveshimwithallherheart，asMarianlovedJohn，andwhensheloseshim，notbecauseshehasdoneasingleunworthythingherself，butbecauseheissorubberspinedthathewillletanotherwomansuccessfullyintriguehim，alotofcomfortsheisgoingtogetfromtheloveofaschoolgirl！\"
Linda\'seyesstrayedtothewindowagain，andtraveleddowntothecityandupthecoast，allthewaytoSanFrancisco，andoutofthethousandsofhomestheretheypicturedasmall，neatroom，fullofMarian\'sbelongings，andMarianherselfbendingoveraworktable，absorbedinthefinaldraftofherpreciousplans。
LindacouldseeMarianasplainlyassheeverhadseenher，butsheletherimaginationrun，andshefanciedthatwhenMarianwasamongstrangersandwherenooneknewofJohnGilman\'sdefection，thathersmightbeaveryheavyheart，thathersmightbeaverysadface。Thenshewenttoplanning。Shehadbeendesolate，hearthungry，andisolatedherself。Firstshehadendured，thenshehadfought；thedawnofanewlifewasbreakingoverherhill。Shehadfoundworkshewaseagertodo。Shecouldputthebestofherbrain，theskillofherfingers，thecreativeimpulseofherheart，intoit。
Shewasalmostsurethatshehadfoundafriend。ShehadafeelingthatwhenthecomingSaturdayhadbeenlivedDonaldWhitingwouldbeherfriend。Hewouldwantheradviceandherhelpinhiswork。Shewouldwanthiscompanionshipandthestimulusofhismind，inhers。WhatLindahadcravedwasadearfriendamongthegirls，butnogirlhadofferedherfriendship。
Thisboyhad，soshewouldacceptwhatthegodsoftimeandcircumstanceprovided。Itwasaverywonderfulthingthathadhappenedtoher。NowwhycouldnotsomethingequallywonderfulhappentoMarian？Lindawrinkledherbrowsandthoughtdeeply。
\"It\'stheworstthinginallthisworldtoworkandworkwithnobodytoknowaboutitandnobodytocare，\"thoughtLinda。
\"MariancouldbreakarecordifshethoughtJohnGilmancarednowasheusedto。It\'salmostanecessaryelementtohersuccess。
Ifhedoesn\'tcare，sheoughttobemadetofeelthatsomebodycares。Thisthingofstandingalone，sinceIhavefoundafriend，appealstomeasalmostinsupportable。Letmethink。\"
ItwasnotlonguntilshehadworkedoutaschemeforputtinganinterestinMarian\'slifeandgivinghersomethingforwhichtowork，untilamorevitalrealitysupplantedit。Theresultwasthatshetooksomepaper，wentdowntothelibrary，andopeningthetypewriter，wrotealetter。Shereaditover，makingmanychangesandcorrections，andthenshecopieditcarefully。Whenshecametoaddressingitshewasuncertain，butatlastshehituponaschemeofsendingitinthecareofNicholsonandSnowbecauseMarianhadtoldherthatshemeanttoentertheircontestimmediatelyshereachedSanFrancisco，andshewouldhaveleftthemheraddress。Onthelastreadingofthelettershehadwritten，shedecidedthatitwasamanly，straightforwardproduction，whichshouldinterestandattractanygirl。Buthowwasshetosignit？Afterthinkingdeeplyforalongtime，shewrote\"PhilipSanders，GeneralDelivery，\"andbelowsheaddedapostscript:
TosaveyouthetroubleofinquiringamongyourfriendsastowhoPhilipSandersis，Imightaswelltellyouinthebeginningthatheisn\'t。HeismerelyanassumptionunderwhichIshallhidemypersonalityuntilyouletmeknowwhetheritispossiblethatyoucouldbecomeevenslightlyinterestedinme，asasmallreturnfortheverydeepandwholesomeinterestabidinginmyheartforyou。
\"Abiding，\"saidLindaaloud。\"Itseemstomethatthereisnothinginalltheworldquitesofineasaword。Isn\'t\'abiding\'agoodword？Doesn\'titmeanalot？Wherecouldyoufindoneotherwordthatmeansbeingwithyouandalsomeanscomfortingyouandlovingyouandsympathizingwithyouandsurroundingyouwithfirmwallsandacushionedfloorandastarryroof？Ilovethatword。IhopeitimpressesMarianwithallitswonderfulmeaning。\"
Shewentbacktoherroom，putbothlettersintoherGeometry，andinthemorningmailedthem。Shestoodalongtimehesitatingwiththetypewrittenletterinherhand，butfinallydroppeditintheletterboxalso。
\"Itwilljustbesomething，\"shesaid，\"tomakeherthinkthatsomemanappreciatesherlovelyfaceanddoesn\'tcareifherhairiswhite，andseeshowsteadfastandfinesheis。\"
Andthensheslowlyrepeated，\"\'steadfast，\'thatisanotherfineword。Ithaspearlsandrubiesalloverit。\"
AfterschoolthateveningshevisitedJamesBrothers\'andwaspaidthefullamountoftheappraisementofherfurniture。Thenshewenttoanartstoreandlaidinafullsupplyofthematerialssheneededfortheworkshewastryingtodo。Herfingersweretremblingasshehandledtheboxesofwatercolorsandselectedthebrushesandpencilsforherwork，andsheetsofdrawingpaperuponwhichshecoulddoherselfjustice。Whenthetransactionwasfinished，shehadafewdollarsremaining。Assheputtheminherpocketshesaidsoftly:
\"That\'sgasoline。PoorKaty！I\'mgladshedoesn\'tneedhermoney，becausesheisgoingtohavetowaitfortheallowanceorthesaleofthebooksoronJaneMeredith。Butit\'sonlyafewdaysnow，sothat\'llbeallright。\"
CHAPTERXII。TheLayoftheLandLindaenteredthestreetcarforherdailyridetoLilacValley。
ShenoticedPeterMorrisonandHenryAndersonsittingbesideeachother，deeplyengrossedinadrawing。Shehadbeenaccustomedtorideintheopensectionofthecarasshelikedthefreshair。
Shehadafleetingthoughtofenteringthebodyofthecarandsittingwheretheywouldseeher；andthenaperversespiritinLinda\'sheartsaidtoher:
\"ThatispreciselywhatEileenwoulddo。Yousitwhereyoubelong。\"
WhereuponLindadroppedintothefirstvacantseatshecouldreach，butitwasonlyafewmomentsbeforePeterMorrison，lookingupfromtheplanshewasstudying，sawher，andliftinghishat，beckonedhertocomeandsitwithhim。Theymaderoomforherbetweenthemandspreadingthepaperacrossherlap，allthreeofthembegantodiscusstheplansforthefoundationforPeter\'shouse。Andersonhadroughlyoutlinedthegrounds，sketchinginthetreesthatweretobesaved，thespring，andthemostavailablerouteforreachingtheroad。Thediscussionwasastowheretheroadshouldlogicallyenterthegrounds，andwherethegarageshouldstand。
\"Whichremindsme，\"saidLinda——\"haven\'tyouyourcarwithyou？
Orwasthatahiredoneyouweretouringin？\"
\"Mine，\"saidPeterMorrison，\"butwetouredsofar，it\'sintheshopforageneraloverhaulingtoday。\"
\"Thatbeingthecase，\"saidLinda，\"walkhomewithmeandI\'lltakeyoutoyourplaceinmineandbringyoubacktothecars，ifyouonlywanttostayanhourortwo。\"
\"Why，thatwouldbefine，\"saidPeter。\"Youdidn\'tmention，theotherevening，thatyouhadacar。\"
\"No，\"saidLinda，\"Ihadbeentryingtokeepcarsoutofmythoughtforalongtime，butIcouldendureitnolongertheotherday，soIgotmineoutandtuneditup。Ifyoudon\'tmindstackingupabit，threecanrideinitverycomfortably。\"
ThatwasthewayithappenedthatLindawalkedhomeafterschoolthatafternoonbetweenPeterMorrisonandhisarchitect，broughtouttheBearCat，anddrovethemtoPeter\'slocation。
Allthatday，workmenhadbeenbusyunderthemanagementofawell-instructedforeman，removingtreesandbushesandstonesandclearingthespotthathadbeenselectedforthegarageandapproximatelyforthehouse。
ThesoftbrownishgrayofLinda\'sdresswasexactlythecolortointensifythedarkerbrownofhereyes。Therewasafluctuatingredinherolivecheeks，abrilliantredframingherevenwhiteteeth。Oncedressedsothatshewassatisfiedwiththeresults，Lindaimmediatelyforgotherclothes，andplungedintoMorrison\'splans。
\"Peter，\"shesaidgravely，withPeterperfectlycognizantofthetwinkleinherdarkeyes，\"Peter，youmaysavemoneyinastraight-lineroad，butyou\'regoingtosinagainstyoursoulifyoubuildit。You\'llhavetoeconomizeinsomeotherway，andrunyourroadaroundthebaseofthoseboulders，thencomeinstraighttothelinehere，andthenyoushouldswingagainandrunoutonthispoint，whereguestscanhaveonebewilderingglimpseofthelengthofourbluevalley，andthenwhipthemaroundthisclumpofperfumylilacandelders，runthemtoyoursideentrance，andthenscootthecarbacktothegarage。I
thinkyoushouldplacethefrontofyourhouseabouthere。\"
Lindaindicatedwhere。\"Solongasyou\'rebuyingaplacelikethisyoudon\'twanttomissonesinglething；andyoudowanttomaketheverymostpossibleoutofeverybeautyyouhave。Andyoumustn\'tfailtoopenupandwidentherunwayfromthatenergetic，enthusiasticspring。Carryitacrossyourroad，sure。
Itwillcostyouanotherlittlesomethingforasafebridge，butthere\'snothingsoartisticasabridgewithacoldstreamrunningunderit。AndthinkwhatajoyfultimeI\'llhave，gatheringspecimensforyouofeveryprettywaterplantthatgrowsinmyparticularcanyon。Anytimewhenyou\'rebusyinyourlibraryandyouhearmycarpuffinguptheinclineandaroundthecornerandrattlingacrossthebridge，you\'llknowthatIamdownheregivingyouastartofwatercressandminers\'lettuceandeverylovelythingyoucouldmentionthatlikestobenibbledorloved-up，whileitdabblesitstoesinthewater。\"
PeterMorrisonlookedatLindareflectively。HelookedforsuchalongmomentthatHenryAndersonreachedanebulousconclusion。
\"Fine！\"hecried。\"Everyoneofthosesuggestionsisvaluabletoaninexperiencedman。Morrison，shan\'tImakeanoteofthem？\"
\"Yes，Henry，youshall，\"saidPeter。\"Iamgoingtopushthisthingasfastaspossible，sofarasbuildingthegarageisconcernedandgettingsettledinit。AfterthatIdon\'tcareifIliveonthisspotuntilweknoweachotherbytheinch，beforeIbeginbuildingmyhome。Atthepresentminuteitappealstomethat\'home\'isaboutthebestwordinthelanguageofanynation。
IhaveafeelingthatwhatIbuildhereisgoingtobemyhome，verypossiblytheonlyoneIshalleverhave。WemustfindthespotonwhichtheLordintendedthatahouseshouldgrowonthishillside，andthenwemustbuildthathousesothatithasaroomsuitableforaworkshopinwhichImaystrive，underthebestconditionspossible，togetmyshareofthejoyoflifeandtoearnthemoneythatIshallrequiretosupportmeandentertainmyfriends；andthatsoundsaboutasselfishasanythingpossiblycould。Itseemstobemostly\'me\'and\'mine，\'andit\'snottherealtruthconcerningthishouse。Idon\'tbelievethereisahealthy，normalmanlivingwhohasnothisdream。IhavenohesitationwhateverinadmittingthatIhavemine。Thishousemustbetwothings。Ithasgottobeaconcreteworkshopforme，andithasgottobeanabstractabidingplaceforadream。It\'sratherdifficulttobuildadreamhouseforadreamlady，soI
don\'tknowwhatkindofafistIamgoingtomakeofit。\"
Lindasatdownonaboulderandcontemplatedhershoesforaminute。Thensheraisedherever-shifting，eager，youngeyestoPeter，anditseemedtohimashelookedintothemthattherewerelittlegoldlightsflickeringatthebottomoftheirdarkness。
\"Why，that\'sjustaseasy，\"shesaid。\"Ahomeismerelyahome。
Itincludesafrontporchandabackporchandafireplaceandabathtubandanicechestandaviewandagardenaroundit；alltherestisincidental。Ifyouhavemoremoney，youhavemoreincidentals。Ifyoudon\'thavesomuch，youuseyourimaginationandthinkyouhavejustasmuchonless。\"
\"Now，Iwonder，\"saidPeter，\"whenIfindmydreamlady，ifshewillhaveanelasticimagination。\"
\"Haven\'tyoufoundheryet？\"askedLindacasually。
\"No，\"saidPeter，\"Ihaven\'tfoundher，andunfortunatelyshehasn\'tfoundme。Ihavehadastrenuoustimegettingmystartinlife。It\'smostlyarushfromonepointofinteresttoanother，droppingatanywaysidestationforrefreshmentandtheuseofawritingtable。OccasionallyIhaveseenavisionthatIhavewantedtofollow，butIneverhavehadtime。Sofar，theladyofthishouseisevenmoreofadreamthanthehouse。\"
\"Oh，well，don\'tworry，\"saidLindacomfortingly。\"Theworldisfullofthenicestgirls。WhenyougetreadyforagraciousladyI\'llfindyouonethatwillhaveanIndia-rubberimaginationandagreatbiglovingheartandIndian-hempapronstringssothathalfadozenbabiescanswingfromthem。\"
MorrisonturnedtoHenryAnderson。
\"Youhear，Henry？\"hesaid。\"I\'mdestinedtohavealargefamily。Youmustcurtailyourplansfortheworkroomandmakethatbigroombackofitintoanursery。\"
\"Well，whatIamgoingtodo，\"saidHenryAnderson，\"istobuildaplacesuitableforyourneeds。Ifanydreamwomancomestoit，shewillhavetofitherselftoherenvironment。\"
Lindafrowned。
\"Now，thatisn\'tabitniceofyou，\"shesaid，\"andIdon\'tbelievePeterwillpaytheslightestattentiontoyou。He\'llletmemakeyoubuildalovelyroomfortheloveofhisheart，andagreatbigbrightnurseryonthesunnysideforhissmallpeople。\"
\"Ineverbelieved，\"saidHenryAnderson，\"incountingyourchickensbeforetheyarehatched。ThereareacoupleofacresaroundPeter\'shouse，andhecanbuildanadditionashisneedsincrease。\"
\"Messyidea，\"saidLindapromptly。\"Thingtodo，whenyoubuildahouse，istobuilditthewayyouwantitfortheremainderofyourlife，soyoudon\'thavetotearupthesceneryeveryfewyears，dragginginlumberforexpansion。AndI\'lltellyouanotherthing。Ifthehomemakersofthiscountrydon\'tgettheideaintotheirheadsprettysoonthattheyarenotgoingtobeabletoholdtheirownwiththerestoftheworld，withnochildren，oronechildinthefamily，there\'sasaddayofreckoningcoming。Withtherecordsatthepatentofficeopentotheworld，youcan\'tclaimthatthebrainofthewhitemanisnotconstructive。Youcanlookatourrecordsandcomparethemwiththoseofcountriesagesandagesolderthanweare，whichneverdiscoveredthebeautiesofaDoveregg-beaterorawashingmachineorachurnorarailroadorasteamboatorabridge。Weareheadandshouldersaboveothernationsininvention，andjustasfastaspossible，wearefallingbehindinthebirthrate。
Theredmanandtheyellowmanandthebrownmanandtheblackmancanlookatouregg-beatersandwashingmachinesandbridgesandbigguns，andgohomeandcopythem；andusethemwhilerearingevenbiggerfamiliesthantheyhavenow。IfeveryhomeinLilacValleyhadatleastsixsturdyboysandgirlsgrowingupinitwiththeproperloveofcountryandtheproperrealizationofthewhiteman\'srighttosupremacy，andifalltheworldnowoccupiedbywhitemencouldmakeanequalrecord，wherewouldbethetalkoftheyellowperil？Therewouldn\'tbeanyyellowperil。YouseewhatImean？\"
LindaliftedherfrankeyestoPeterMorrison。
\"Yes，youngwoman，\"saidPetergravely，\"Iseewhatyoumean，butthisisthefirsttimeIeverheardahigh-schoolkidpropoundsuchideas。Wheredidyougetthem？\"
\"GottheminMultifloresCanyonfrommyfathertostartwith，\"
saidLinda，\"butrecentlyIhavebeenthinking，becausethereisaboyinhighschoolwhoismakingagreatfightforabetterscholarshiprecordthanaJapinhisclass。Ibroodoveriteveryspareminute，dayornight，andwhenIsaymyprayersI
implorehighHeaventosendhimanideaortosendmeonethatI
canpassontohim，thatwillhelphimtobeatthatJap。\"
\"Isee，\"saidPeterMorrison。\"We\'llhavetotaketimetotalkthisover。It\'sbarelypossibleImightbeabletosuggestsomething。\"
\"Youletthatkidfighthisownbattles，\"saidHenryAndersonroughly。\"He\'snoproperbug-catcher。Ifeelitinmybones。\"
Forthefirsttime，Linda\'sjoylaughrangoverPeterMorrison\'spossession。
\"Idon\'tknowaboutthat，\"shesaidgaily。\"He\'sawide-awakespecimen；hehasledhisclassforfouryearswhentheJapdidn\'tgetaheadofhim。But，allfoolishnessaside，takemywordforit，Peter，you\'llbesorryifyoudon\'tbuildthishousebigenoughforyourdreamladyandforallthelittledreamsthatmayspringfromherheart。\"
\"Nightmares，youmean，\"saidHenryAnderson。\"Ican\'timagineabunchofkidsmuddyingupthisspringandbreakingthebushesandusingslingshotsonthebirds。\"
\"Yes，\"saidLindawithscathingsarcasm，\"andwouldn\'tourgovernmentbetickledtodeathtohaveaclearspringandaperfectbushandasingingbird，ifitneededsixmentogooverthetoptohandlearegimentofJapanese！\"
ThenPeterMorrisonlaughed。
\"Well，yourestimateistoolow，Linda，\"hesaidinhisnicestdrawlingtoneofvoice。\"Believeme，oneU。S。kidwillnevermarchinawholeregimentofJapanese。Theywon\'tlaydowntheirgunsandwalktosurrenderasbunchesofGermansdid。Nobodyneedeverthinkthat。Theyareasgoodfightersastheyareimitators。There\'snothingforyoutodo，Henry，buttotaketoheartwhatMissLindahassaid。Planthehousewithasuiteforadreamlady，andadiningroom，asleepingporchandanurserybigenoughforthesixchildrenallottedtome。\"
\"You\'renotreallyinearnest？\"askedHenryAndersonindoubtingastonishment。
\"Iaminthedeepestkindofearnest，\"saidPeterMorrison。
\"WhatMissLindasaysistrue。Asanation，ourpeoplearepamperingthemselvesandlivingfortheirownpleasures。Theywon\'ttakethetroubleorendurethepainrequiredtobearandtorearchildren；andthedayisrollingtowardus，witheveryturnoftheplanetonedaycloser，whenwearegoingtobeoutnumberedbyacombinationofpeopleswhocantakeourowntricksandbeatuswiththem。WemustpassalongthegoodwordthattheonethingAmericaneedsaboveeveryotherthingonearthisHOMESAND
HEARTSBIGENOUGHFORCHILDREN，aswerethehomesofourgrandfathers，whennojoyinlifeequaledthejoyofanewchildinthefamily，andifyoudidn\'thaveadozenyouweren\'tdoingyourmanifestduty。\"
\"Well，ifthatisthewayyouseethelight，wemustenlargethishouse。Asdesigned，itincludedeveryfeminineconvenienceanyway。ButwhenIbuildmyhouseIamgoingtobuilditformyself。\"
\"Thendon\'ttalkanymoreaboutbeingmybug-catcher，\"saidLindapromptly，\"becausewhenIbuildmyhouseit\'sgoingtobeanestthatwillholdsixattheveryleast。Myheartisperfectlysetonabroodofsix。\"
Lindawasquiteunawarethatthetwomenwerestudyingherclosely，butifshehadknownwhatwasgoingonintheirmindsshewouldhavehadnothingtoregret，becausebothofthemfoundherveryattractive，andbothofthemwerewonderinghowanythingsosuperficialasEileencouldbeofthesamebloodasLinda。
\"Arewekeepingyoutoolate？\"inquiredPeter。
\"No，\"saidLinda，\"IamasinterestedasIcanbe。Finisheverythingyouwanttodobeforewego。Ihopeyou\'regoingtoletmecomeoveroftenandwatchyouwithyourbuilding。MaybeI
cangetanideaforsomethingsIwanttodo。EileenandIhaveourhousedividedbyaMasonandDixonline。OnhersideisMother\'ssuite，thediningroom，thelivingroomandthefrontdoor。Onminethere\'sthegarageandthekitchenandKaty\'sbedroomandmineandthelibraryandthebilliardroom。AtthepresentminuteIaminterestedinadaptingthelibrarytomyrequirementsinsteadofFather\'s，andIamemptyingthebilliardroomandfurnishingittomakeaworkroom。Ihaveasmalltalentwithabrushandpencil，andIneedsomebarewallstotackmyprintsontodry，andIneednumerousplacesforallthethingsI
amalwaysdragginginfromthedesertandthecanyons；andsinceIhavetheBearCatrunning，whatIhavebeendoinginthatlinewithaknapsackwon\'tbeworthyofmention。\"
\"Howdiditcome，\"inquiredHenryAnderson，\"thatyouhadthatcarjackedupsolong？\"
\"Why，hasn\'tanybodytoldyou，\"askedLinda，\"aboutourdayoftheBlackShadow？\"
\"JohnGilmanwrotemewhenithappened，\"saidPetersoftly，\"butIdon\'tbelieveithasbeenmentionedbeforeHenry。Youtellhim。\"
LindaturnedtoHenryAnderson，andwithtremblinglipsandpalingcheeks，inafewbriefsentencesshegavehimthedetails。
ThenshesaidtoPeterMorrisoninalowvoice:\"AndthatisthewhyofMarianThorne\'swhitehead。Anybodytellyouthat？\"
\"ThatwhiteheadpuzzledmebeyondanythingIeversaw，\"hesaid。
\"ImeanttoaskJohnaboutit。Heusedtotalktomeandwritetomeoftenabouther，andlatelyhehasn\'t；whenIcameIsawthereason，andsoyouseeIfeltreticentonthesubject。\"
\"Well，there\'snothingthematterwithmytongue，\"saidLinda。
\"It\'slooseatbothends。Marianwasanexpertdriver。Shedrovewiththesamecalmjudgmentandprecisionandgracefulskillthatshedoeseverythingelse，butthecurvewassteepandsomethinginthebrakeswasdefective。Itbrokewithasnapandtherewasnotathingshecoulddo。Enoughwasleftoftheremainsofthecartoprovethat。Tendaysafterwardherheadwasalmostaswhiteassnow。Beforethatitwasasdarkasmine。
Butherbodyisjustasyoungandherheartisjustasyoungandherfaceisevenmorebeautiful。Idothinkthatawhitecrownmakesherlovelierthanshewasbefore。IhaveknownMarianeversinceIcanremember，andIdon\'tknowonethingaboutherthatI
couldnotlookyoustraightintheeyeandtellyouallabout。
Thereisnotasubterfugeoranevasionorasmallmeandeceitinhersoul。SheisthebrainiestwomanandthebiggestwomanI
know。\"
\"Ihaven\'tadoubtofit，\"saidPeterMorrison。\"Andwhileyouaretalkingaboutnicewomen，wemetamightyfineoneatRiversideonSunday。HernameisMaryLouiseWhiting。Doyouknowher？\"
\"Notpersonally，\"saidLinda。\"Idon\'trecallthatIeversawher。Iknowherbrother，Donald。Heisthehigh-schoolboywhoishavingthewrestlewiththeJap。\"
\"Ilikedhertoo，\"saidHenryAnderson。\"Andbytheway，MissLinda，haven\'tbug-catchersanyreputationatallasnestbuilders？Isittruethatamongfeatheredcreaturesthehenbuildsthehome？\"
\"No，it\'snot，\"saidLindapromptly。\"Malebirdsmakeasplendidrecordcarryingnestmaterial。Whatistrueisthatinthemajorityofcasesthefemaledoesthebuilding。\"
\"Well，whatIamgettingat，\"saidHenryAnderson，\"isthis。IsthereanythingIcandotohelpyouwiththatbilliardroomthatyou\'regoingtoconverttoaworkroom？Whatdoyoulackinitthatyouwouldliketohave？Doyouneedmorelightorair，orafireplace，orwhat？Whenyoutakeustothestation，supposeyoudriveuspastyourhouseandgivemealookatthatroomandletmethinkoveritadayortwo。Imightbeabletomakesomesuggestionthatwouldhelpyou。\"
\"Nowthatispositivelysweetofyou，\"saidLinda。\"Ineverthoughtofsuchathingaseithercomfortorconvenience。I
thoughtIhadtotakethatroomasitstandsanddothebestI
couldwithit，butsinceyoumentionit，it\'sbarelypossiblethatmoreairmightbeagreeableandalsomorelight，andiftherecouldbeasmallfireplacebuiltinfrontofthechimneywhereitgoesupfromthelibraryfireplace，itcertainlywouldbeacomfort，anditwouldaddsomethingtotheroomthatnothingelsecould。
\"Noworkroomreallyhasasoulifyoucan\'tsmellsmokeandseeredwhenyougotoitatnight。\"
\"Youlittleoutdoorheathen，\"laughedPeterMorrison。\"OnewouldthinkyouwereanIndian。\"
\"IamafairlygoodIndian，\"saidLinda。\"Ihavebeenscoutingaroundwithmyfatheragoodmanyyears。Howaboutit，Peter？
Doestheroadgocrooked？\"
\"Yes，\"saidPeter，\"theroadgoescrooked。\"
\"Doesthebedofthespringcurveandsweepacrossthelawnanddropofftotheoriginalstreambelowthetree-tobaccoclumpthere？\"
\"Ifyousayso，itdoes，\"saidPeter。
\"Includingthebridge？\"inquiredLinda。
\"Includingthebridge，\"saidPeter。\"I\'llhavetoburnsomemidnightoil，butIcanvisualizethebridge。\"
\"Andisthishousewhereyou\'setupyourrest，\'asyousobeautifullysaidtheothernightatdinner，goingtolayitscornerstoneandgrowtoitsroofaselfishhouse，orisitgoingtobegenerousenoughforagraciousladyandaflightoflittlefootsteps？\"
PeterMorrisontookoffhishat。HeturnedhisfacetowardthelengthofLilacValleyandstood，verytallandstraight，lookingfarawaybeforehim。PresentlyhelookeddownatLinda。
\"Evenso，\"hesaidsoftly。\"Myshouldersarebroadenough；I
haveabrain；andIamnotafraidtowork。Ifmyheartisnotquitebigenoughyet，Iseeveryclearlyhowitcanbemadetoexpand。\"
\"Ihavebeentold，\"saidLindainalowvoice，\"thatMaryLouiseWhitingisaperfectdarling。\"
Peterlookedatherfromthetopofherblackheadtothetipsofherbrownshoes。Hecouldhavecountedthefrecklesbridginghernose。Thesunburnonhercheekswasveryvisible；therewassomethingarrestinginthedepthofhereyes，thecurveofherlips，thelitheslendernessofheryoungbody；shegavetheeffectofsomethingsmolderinginsidethatwouldleapatabreath。
\"IwasnotthinkingofMissWhiting，\"hesaidsoberly。
HenryAndersonwaswatching。Nowheturnedhisbackandcommencedtalkingaboutplans，butinhishearthesaid:\"Sothat\'sthelayoftheland。You\'vegottohustleyourself，Henry，oryouwon\'thavetheghostofashow。\"
Later，whentheymotoreddownthevalleyandstoppedattheStrongresidence，PeterrefusedtobemonopolizedbyEileen。HeclimbedthetwoflightsofstairswithHenryAndersonandLindaandexhaustedhisfundofsuggestionsastowhatcouldbedonetothatemptybilliardroomtomakeanattractivestudyofit。
Lindalistenedquietlytoalltheirsuggestions，andthenshesaid:
\"Itwouldbefinetohaveanotherwindow，andasmallskylightwouldbeadream，andasforthefireplaceyoumention，Ican\'tevenconceivehowgreatitwouldbetohavethat；butmypurseismuchmorelimitedthanPeter\'s，andwhileIhavemyschoolworktodoeveryday，myearningcapacityisnearlynegligible。Icanonlypickupabithereandtherewithmybrushandpencil——
placecardsandEastercardsandvalentines，andonceortwicemagazinecovers，andlittlethingslikethat。Idon\'tseemywaycleartolumberandglassandbricksandchimneypieces。\"
PeterlookedatHenry，andHenrylookedatPeter，andamalehighsign，ancientasday，passedbetweenthem。
\"Easiestthingintheworld，\"saidPeter。\"It\'sassureasshootingthatwhenmythreeorfourfireplaces，whichHenry\'spresentplanscallfor，arebuilt，thereisgoingtobeallthematerialleftthatcanbeusedinalighttinyfireplacesuchascouldbebuiltonathirdfloor，andwhenthefiguringforthehouseisdoneitcouldveryeasilyincludethecuttingofaskylightandanextrawindowortwohere，andgettingthematerialinwithmystuff，itwouldcostyoualmostnothing。\"
Linda\'seyesopenedwideanddewywithsurpriseandpleasure。
\"Why，youtwoperfectlynicemen！\"shesaid。\"Ihaven\'tfeltasIdothisminutesinceIlostDaddy。It\'swonderfultobetakencareof。It\'sbetterthancreampuffswithalmondflavoring。\"
HenryAndersonlookedatLindakeenly。
\"You\'rethedarndestkid！\"hesaid。\"Oneminuteyou\'resmackingyourlipsovercreampuffs，andthenextyou\'regoingtothebottomoftheyellowperil。Ineverbeforesawyourcombinationinonegirl。What\'stheexplanation？\"ForthesecondtimethateveningLinda\'sspecialtyinrapturefloatedfree。
\"BunchallthecomponentpartsintotheoneparamountfactthatI
amSaturday\'schild，\"shesaid，\"soIamconstantlyonthejobofworkingforaliving，andthenaddtothatthefactthatIwasrearedbyanervespecialist。\"
Thentheywentdownstairs，andthemenrefusedbothEileen\'sandLinda\'sinvitationtoremainfordinner。WhentheyhadgoneEileenturnedtoLindawithadiscontentedandaggrievedface。
\"Inthenameofallthat\'sholy，whatareyoudoingorplanningtodo？\"shedemanded。
\"Notanythingthatwillcostyouapennybeyondmynaturalrights，\"saidLindaquietly。
\"Thatisnotansweringmyquestion，\"saidEileen。\"You\'renotofageandyou\'restillundertheauthorityofaguardian。Ifyoucan\'tanswerme，possiblyyoucanhim。ShallIsendJohnGilmantoaskwhatIwanttoknowofyou？\"
\"WhendidIeveraskyouanyquestionsaboutwhatyouchosetodo？\"askedLinda。\"Iammerelyfollowingtheexamplethatyouhavepreviouslysetme。JohnGilmanandIusedtobegreatfriends。Itmighthelpbothofustohaveafamilyreunion。
Sendhimbyallmeans。\"
\"Youusedtotakepride，\"suggestedEileen，\"inleadingyourclass。\"
\"AndhasanyonetoldyouthatIamnotleadingmyclassatthepresentminute？\"askedLinda。
\"No，\"saidEileen，\"butwhatIwanttopointouttoyouisthattheminuteyoustartrunningwiththeboysyouwillquitleadingyourclass。\"
\"Don\'tyoubelieveit，\"saidLindaquietly。\"I\'mnotbuiltthatway。Ishan\'tconcentrateonanyboytotheexclusionofchemistryandgeometry，neverfearit。\"
Thenshethoughtfullyascendedthestairsandwenttowork。
Eileenwenttoherroomandsatdowntothink；andthemoreshethought，thedeepergrewherangerandchagrin；andtotheindifferencethatalwayshadexistedinherheartconcerningLindawasaddedinthatmomentanewelement。Shewasjealousofher。Howdiditcomethatalanky，ganglingkidinherteeshadbeenpaidavisitbythesonofpossiblythemostculturedandinfluentialfamilyofthecity，peopleofprestige，comfortablewealth，andunlimitedpopularity？ForfouryearsshehadstruggledtogainanentranceinsomewayintoLouiseWhiting\'sintimatecircleoffriends，andshehadendedbyshuttingthedoorontheonlysonofthefamily。AndwhyhadsheeverallowedLindatokeeptherunabout？Itwasnotproperthatayounggirlshouldownahighpoweredcarlikethat。Itwasnotproperthatsheshoulddriveitandgoracingaroundthecountry，heavenknewwhere，andwithheavenknewwhom。Eileenbitherlipuntilitalmostbled。Hereyeswerehatefulandherhandswerenervousasshereviewedthepastweek。Shemightthinkanymeanthingthatameanbraincouldconjureup，butwhenshecalmeddowntofactsshehadtoadmitthattherewasnotareasonintheworldwhyLindashouldnotdrivethecarshehaddrivenforherfather，orwhysheshouldnottakewithherDonaldWhitingorPeterMorrisonorHenryAnderson。ThethingthatrankledwasthatthecarbelongedtoLinda。Thetouringcarwhichshemighthaveownedanddriven，hadshesodesired，layinanextremelyslenderstringofpearlsaroundherneckatthatinstant。Shereflectedthatifshehadkepthercarandmadeherselfsufficientlyhardytodriveit，shemighthavebeentheonetohavetakenPeterMorrisontohishomelocationandtohavehadmanyopportunitiesforbeingwithhim。
\"I\'vebeenafool，\"saidEileen，tuggingatthepearlsviciously。
\"TheyarenothingbutalittlebitofastringthatlooksasifI
weretryingtodosomethingandcouldn\'t，atbest。WhatI\'vegottodoistothinkmoreofmyself。I\'vegottoplansomewaytopreventLindafrombeingtoopopularuntilIreallygetmymindmadeupastowhatIwanttodo。\"
CHAPTERXIII。LeaveningtheBreadofLife\"\'Ahousethatisdividedagainstitselfcannotstand，\'\"quotedLinda。\"ImustkeepinmindwhatEileensaid，notthatthereistheslightestdanger，buttofallbehindinmygradesisathingthatsimplymustnothappen。IfitbetruethatPeterandHenrycansoeasilyandsocheaplyaddafewimprovementsinmyworkroominconnectionwithPeter\'sbuilding，Icanseenoreasonwhytheyshouldn\'tdoit，solongasIpayforit。Ihaven\'tadoubtbutthattherewillbesomethingIcandoforPeter，beforehefinisheshisbuilding，thathewouldgreatlyappreciate，while，sinceI\'mhandywithmypencil，IMIGHTbeabletomakeafewheadandtailpiecesforsomeofhisarticlesthatwouldmakethemmoreattractive。Idon\'twanttouseanyfriendofmine:I
don\'twanttofeelthatIamnotgivingquiteasmuchasIget，butIthinkIseemywayclear，betweenmeandtheBearCat，topayforallthefavorsIwouldreceiveinalteringmystudy。
\"FirstthingIdoImustgothroughFather\'sbooksandgetthemoneyforthem，soI\'llknowmylimitationwhenIcometoselectfurniture。AndIdon\'tknowthatIamgoingtobesoterriblymodestwhenitcomestonamingthesumwithwhichI\'llbesatisfiedformyallowance。PossiblyIshallexercisemyage-oldprerogativeandchangemymind；Imayjustsay\'half\'rightoutloudandsticktoit。Andthere\'sanotherthing。SincetheeditorofEverybody\'sHomehasstartedmydepartmentandpromisedthatifitgoeswellhewillgiveittomepermanently，Icancertainlydependonsomethingfromthat。HehasusedmyIntroductionandtwoinstalmentsnow。Ishouldthinkitmightbefairtotalkpaymentsprettysoon。Heshouldgivemefiftydollarsforarecipewithitsperfectlygoodnaturalhistoryandembellishedwithmyownvegetableandfloraldecorations。
\"InthemeantimeIthinkImightbuymyworktableandpossiblyaneasel，soIcanhaverealroomtospreadoutmynewmaterialandseehowitwouldfeeltodoonedrawingcompletelyunhampered。
I\'llorderthetabletonight，andthenI\'llbeginonthebooks，becauseImusthaveSaturdayfree；andImustbethinkingaboutthemostattractiveandinterestingplaceIcantakeDonaldto。
Ijusthavetokeephiminteresteduntilhegetsgoingofhisownaccord，becauseheshallbeatOkaSayye。Iwouldn\'tletDonaldsayitbutIdon\'tmindsayingmyselftomyselfwithnoonepresentexceptmyselfthatinallmylifeIhaveneverseenanythingsomasklikeasthestolidlittlesquareheadonthatJap。IhaveneverseenanythingIdislikemorethantheoily，stiff，blackhairstandinguponitlikemenacingbristles。I
haveneverhadbutonestraightlookdeepintohiseyes，butinthatlookIsawtheonlythingthateverfrightenedmeinlookingintoaman\'seyesinmywholelife。AndthereisonethingthatIhavetoremembertocautionDonaldabout。Hemustcarryonthiscontestinaperfectlyopen，fair，andaboveboardway，andhesimplymustnotantagonizeOkaSayye。TherearesomanyoftheJaps。Theyalllooksomuchalike，andthere\'sabloodbrotherhoodbetweenthemthatwillmakethemprotecteachothertothedeathagainstanywhiteman。Itwouldn\'tbesafeforDonaldtomakeOkaSayyehatehim。Hehadfarbettertrytomakehimhisfriendandputaspiritofhonestrivalryintohisheart；
butcometothinkofit，therewasn\'tanythinglikethatinmyonelookintoOkaSayye\'seyes。Idon\'tknowwhatitwas，butwhateveritwasitwassomethingrepulsive。\"
WiththisthoughtinhermindLindawalkedslowlyassheapproachedthehighschoolthenexttime。Fardownthestreet，overthewalksandacrossthegrounds，hereyesweresearchingeagerlyforthetallslenderfigureofDonaldWhiting。Shedidnotseehiminthemorning，butatnoonsheencounteredhiminthehall。
\"Lookingforyou，\"hecriedgailywhenhesawher。\"I\'vegotmypryinonTrig。Theprofessor\'sinterested。DadfishedoutanoldTrigthatheusedwhenhewasaboyandIhavesomenewanglesthatwillkeepmyesteemedrivalstirringuphisgraymatterforsomelittletime。\"
\"Goodforyou！Joyouscongratulations！You\'vegottheidea！\"
criedLinda。\"Gotoit！Startsomethingallalongtheline，butmakeitsomethingfoundedonbrainsandreasonandcommonsense。
But，Donald，Iwaswatchingforyou。Iwantedtosayaword。\"
DonaldWhitingbenttowardher。Thefaintestsuspicionofatingeofcolorcreptintohischeeks。
\"That\'sfine，\"hesaid。\"Whatwasityouwanted？\"
\"Onlythis，\"shesaidinalmostabreathlesswhisper。\"ThereisnothinginCaliforniaIamafraidofexceptaJap，andIamafraidofthem，notpotentially，notonaccountofwhatallofusknowtheyareplanninginthebacksoftheirheadsforthefuture，butrighthereandnow，personallyandphysically。Don\'tantagonizeOkaSayye。Don\'tbetooprecipitateaboutwhatyou\'retryingtodo。Trytomakeitappearthatyou\'redevelopingideasfortheinterestandedificationofthewholeclass。Don\'tincurhispersonalenmity。Usetact。\"
\"YouthinkIamafraidofthatlittlejiu-jitsu？\'，hescoffed。
\"Icanlickhimwithonehand。\"
\"Ihaven\'tadoubtofit，\"saidLinda，measuringhisheightandapparentstrengthandfitness。\"Ihaven\'tadoubtofit。Butletmeaskyouthisconfidentially:Haveyougotafriendwhowouldslipinandstabhiminthebackincaseyouwereinanencounterandhewasgettingthebetterofyou？\"
DonaldWhiting\'seyeswidened。HelookedatLindaamazed。
\"Wouldn\'tthatbegoingratherfar？\"heasked。\"IthinkIhavesomefairlygoodfriendsamongthefellows，butIdon\'tknowjustwhomIwouldwanttoasktodomethatsmallfavor。\"
\"Thatispreciselythepoint，\"criedLinda。\"Youhaven\'tafriendyouwouldask；andyouhaven\'tafriendwhowoulddoit，ifyoudid。Butdon\'tbelieveforonesecondthatOkaSayyehasn\'thalfadozenwhowouldmakeawaywithyouatanunexpectedtimeandinasecludedplace，andvanish，ifitwouldinanywayfurtherOkaSayye\'sambition，orhelpestablishthesupremacyoftheJapaneseinCalifornia。\"
\"Um-hm，\"saidDonaldWhiting。
HewaslookingfarpastLindaandnowhiseyeswerenarrowedinthought。\"Ibelieveyou\'reRIGHTaboutit。\"
\"I\'vethoughtofyousooftensinceItriedtospuryoutobeatOkaSayye，\"saidLinda。\"Ifeelasortofresponsibilityforyou。It\'stothehonorandgloryofallCalifornia，andtheUnitedStates，andthewhiteraceeverywhereforyoutobeathim，butifanyharmshouldcometoyouIwouldalwaysfeelthatI
shouldn\'thaveurgedit。\"
\"Nowthat\'sfoolishness，\"saidDonaldearnestly。\"IfIamsuchadubthatIdidn\'thavetheambitiontothinkupsomewaytobeataJapmyself，nomatterwhathappensyoushouldn\'tregrethavingbeentheonetopointouttomemymanifestduty。DadisaHarvardman，youknow，andthatiswherehe\'sgoingtosendme，andintalkingaboutittheothernightItoldhimaboutyou，andwhatyouhadsaidtome。He\'sthegreatestoldscout，andwasmightilyinterested。Hewentatonceandopenedaboxofbooksinthegarretanddugoutsomestuffthatwillbeabighelptome。He\'sgoingtokeeppostedandseewhathecando；hesaidevenworsethingstomethanyoudid；soyouneedn\'tfeelthatyouhaveanyresponsibility；besidesthat，it\'snotprovedyetthatIcanbeatOkaSayye。\"
\"Yes，itis！\"saidLinda，sendingastraightlevelgazedeepintohiseyes。\"Yes，itis！Wheneverawhitemanmakesuphismindwhathe\'sgoingtodo，andputshisbraintowork，hebeatsanyman，ofanyothercolor。Sureyou\'regoingtobeathim。\"
\"FatchanceIhavenotto，\"saidDonald，laughingruefully。\"IfIdon\'tbeathimIamdisgracedathome，andwithyou；beforeI
tryverylonginthishighlyspecializedeffortIammaking，everyprofessorinthehighschoolandeverymemberofmyclassisboundtobecomeawareofwhatisgoingon。You\'remightyrightaboutit。Ihavegottobeathimordisgracemyselfrightatthebeginningofmyniceyoungcareer。\"
\"Ofcourseyou\'llbeathim，\"saidLinda。
\"AtwhathourdidyousayIshouldcome，Saturday？\"
\"Oh，comewiththelarkforallIcare，\"saidLinda。\"Earlymorninginthedesertisamysteryandamiracle，andthelarkshavebeentherejustlongenoughtogettheirvoicesproperlytunedfortheirpurestnotes。\"
Thensheturnedandhurriedaway。HerfirstleisureminuteafterreachinghomeshewenttothelibrarywearingoneofKaty\'sbigaprons，andcarryingabrushandduster。Beginningatoneendofeachshelf，shetookdownthevolumessheintendedtosell，carefullydustedthem，wipedtheircovers，andtheplaceonwhichtheyhadstood，andthenopenedandleafedthroughthemsothatnoscrapofpapercontaininganynotesormemorandaofpossiblevalueshouldbeoverlooked。ItwaswhilehandlingthesevolumesthatLindashiftedseveralofthebookswrittenbyherfather，toseparatethemfromthosewithwhichshemeanttopart。Shehadgrownsoaccustomedtoopeningeachbookshehandledandlookingthroughit，thatshemechanicallyopenedthefirstoneshepickedupandfromamongitsleavestherefellascrapofloosepaper。
Shepickeditupandfounditwasaletterfromthepublishersofthebook。Linda\'seyeswidenedsuddenlyassheread:
MYDEARSTRONG:
Sendingyoualineofcongratulations。Youhavegonetotheheadofthelistof\"bestsellers\"amongmedicalworks，andthechequeIdrawyouforthepastsixmonths\'royaltieswillbeconsiderablylargerthanthatwhichgoestoyourmostesteemedcontemporaryonyourchosensubject。
Verytrulyyours，ThesignaturewasthatofFredericDickman，theeditorofoneofthebiggestpublishinghousesofthecountry。
\"Hm，\"shesaidtoherselfsoftly。\"Nowthatisaqueerthing。
Thatletterwaswrittennearlyfiveyearsago。Idon\'tknowwhyIneverthoughtofroyaltiessinceDaddywent。Ifrequentlyheardhimmentionthembefore。Isupposethey\'rebeingpaidtoJohnGilmanasadministrator，ortotheConsolidatedBank，andcaredforwithFather\'sotherbusiness。There\'snoreasonwhythesebooksshouldnotkeeponselling。Thereareprobablythesamenumberofyoungmen，ifnotagreaternumber，studyingmedicineeveryyear。Iwondernow，abouttheseroyalties。I
mustdosomethinking。\"
ThenLindabegantoexaminebooksmorecarefullythanbefore。
Thelettershecarriedwithherwhenshewenttoherroom；butshemadeapointofbeingonthelawnthateveningwhenJohnGilmancame，andaftertalkingtohimafewminutes，shesaidverycasually:\"John，asFather\'sadministrator，doesaroyaltyfromhismedicalbookscometoyou？\"
\"No，\"saidGilman。\"Itispaidtohisbank。\"
\"Idon\'tsuppose，\"saidLindacasually，\"itwouldamounttoenoughtokeeponeinshoestheseinflateddays。\"
\"Oh，Idon\'tknowaboutthat，\"saidJohntestily。\"IhaveseenafewofthosechequesinyourFather\'stime。Youshouldbeabletokeepfairlywellsuppliedwithshoes。\"
\"SoIshould，\"saidLindadrily。\"SoIshould。\"
ThensheledhimtothebackofthehouseandtalkedtheincidentoutofhismindascleverlyaspossiblebygivinghimanintensivebotanicalstudyofCotyledon。Butshecouldnotinteresthimquitesodeeplyasshehadhoped，forpresentlyhesaid:\"Eileentellsmethatyou\'repartingwithsomeofthebooks。\"
\"OnlytechnicalonesforwhichIcouldhavenopossibleuse，\"
saidLinda。\"Ineedclothes，andhavefoundthathadIaproperplacetoworkinandpropertoolstoworkwith，Icouldearnquiteabitwithmybrushandpencil，andsoIamtryingtogetenoughmoneytogethertofitupthebilliardroomforaworkroom，sincenobodyusesitforanythingelse。\"
\"Isee，\"saidJohnGilman。\"Isupposerunningahouseisextremelyexpensivethesedays，butevensotheincomefromyourestateshouldbesufficienttodressaschoolgirlandprovideforanythingyouwouldwantinthewayoffurnishingaworkroom。\"
\"That\'swhatIhavealwaysthoughtmyself，\"saidLinda；\"butEileendoesn\'tagreewithme，andshehandlesthemoney。Whenthefirstofthemonthcomes，weareplanningtogooverthingstogether，andsheisgoingtomakemeaproperallowance。\"
\"Thatisexactlyasitshouldbe，\"saidGilman。\"Ineverrealizedtilltheothernightatdinnerthatyouhavegrownsuchagreatgirl，Linda。That\'sfine！Fixyourworkroomthewayyouwouldliketohaveit，andifthere\'sanythingIcandotohelpyouinanyway，youhaveonlytocommandme。Ihaven\'tseenyouoftenlately。\"
\"No，\"saidLinda，\"butIdon\'tfeelthatitisexactlymyfault。
MarianandIwerealwayspals。WhenIsawthatyoupreferredEileen，IkeptwithMariantocomfortherallIcould。Idon\'tsupposeshecared，particularly。Shecouldn\'thave，orshewouldatleasthavemadesomeefforttopreventEileenfrommonopolizingyou。Sheprobablywasmightygladtoberidofyou；
butsinceyouhadbeentogethersomuch，Ithoughtshemightmissyou，soItriedtocoveryourdefection。\"
JohnGilman\'sfaceflushed。Hestoodverystill，whileheseemeddeeplythoughtful。
\"Ofcourseyouwerefreetofollowyourinclinations，orEileen\'smachinations，whicheveryoudidfollow，\"Lindasaidlightly，\"but\'themasknows\'couldtellyou，John，asKatysowellputsit，thatyouhavemadethemistakeofyouryounglife。\"
Thensheturnedandwenttothegarage，leavingJohntohisvisitwithEileen。
TheEileenwhotookpossessionofJohnwasanEileenwithwhomhewasnotacquainted。Hehadknown，thenightofthedinnerparty，thatEileenwaspouting，buttherehadbeennochancetolearnfromherwhathergrievancewas，andbythenexttimetheymetshewasabundleofflashingallurement，soheignoredtheoccurrence。Thisevening，forthefirsttime，itseemedtohimthatEileenwasnotsobeautifulawomanashehadthoughther。
Somethinghadroiledthebloodinherdelicateveinsuntilithadmuddiedtheclearfreshnessofhersmoothsatinyskin。Therewasdiscontentinhereyes，whichwerehermostconvincingattraction。Theywerebigeyes，wideopenandcandid。Shehadsotrainedthemthroughalifetimeofpracticethatshecouldmeetothereyesdirectlywhilemanipulatinghermostdextrousevasion。WheneverEileenwasmostdeceptivelysubtle，shewaslookingstraightathervictimwiththeinnocentappealofababyinhergaze。
JohnGilmanhadhadhisstruggle。Hehadsucceeded。Hehadwatched，andwaited，andworkedincessantly，andwhenhisopportunitycamehewasready。Successhadcometosuchadegreethatinashorttimehehadassuredhimselfofcomfortforanywomanheloved。Heknewthathisappearancewasquiteaspleasingasthatofhisfriend。Heknewthatinmannerandeducationtheywereequals。Hewasnowhandlinglargebusinessaffairs。Hehadmadefriendsinhighplaces。WheneverEileenwasready，hewouldbuildandfurnishahomehefeltsurewouldbeequal，ifnotsuperior，towhatMorrisonwasplanning。WhyhadEileenfeltthatshewouldenvyanywomanwhosharedlifewithPeterMorrison？
Allthatdayshehadannoyedhim，becausetheremusthavebeenintheverydeepsofhissoul\"astill，smallvoice\"whisperingtohimthathehadnotliveduptothebesttraditionsofagentlemaninhiscoursewithMarian。Whilenodefiniteplanshadbeenmade，therehadbeenendlessassumption。Manytimestheyhadtalkedofthehometheywouldmaketogether。WhenhereachedthepointwherehedecidedthatheneverhadlovedMarianasamanshouldlovethewomanhemarries，hefeltjustifiedinturningtoEileen，butinhisheartheknewthatifhehadbeenthemanhewaspleasedtoconsiderhimself，hewouldhavegonetoMarianThorneandexplained，therebykeepingherfriendship，whilehenowknewthathemusthaveearnedhercontempt。
ThedayatRiversidehadbeenanenigmahecouldnotsolve。
Eileenwasgaytoadegreethatwasalmostboisterous。Shehadattractedattentionandcommentwhichnowell-bredwomanwouldhavedone。
ThegrowingdiscontentinJohn\'ssoulhadincreasedunderLinda\'sdirectattack。HehadknownLindasinceshewasfouryearsoldandhadbeenresponsibleforsomeofhereducation。HehadbeenalargeinfluenceinteachingLindafromchildhoodtobeagoodsport，tobesureshewasrightandthengoahead，andifshehurtherselfinthegoing，torubthebruise，buttokeepherpath。
AthingpatenttotheeyeofeverymanwhoturnedanappraisinglookuponLindaalwayshadbeenoneofsteadfastloyalty。Youcoulddependuponher。Shewasthecounterpartofherfather；
andDoctorStronghadbeenlovedbyothermen。Whereverhehadgonehehadbeensurrounded。Hisfigurehadbeenonethatattractedattention。Whenhehadspoken，hisvoiceandwhathehadtosayhadcommandedrespect。Andthentherehademanatedfromhimthatpeculiarphysicalcharmwhichgivessuchpleasinganddistinguishedpersonalitytoaveryfewpeopleinthisworld。
ThisgifttoohaddescendedtoLinda。Shecouldsitandlookstraightatyouwithhernarrow，interestedeyes，smilefaintly，andmakeyourealizewhatshethoughtandfeltwithoutopeningherlips。Johndidnotfeelverywellacquaintedwiththegirlwhohaddominatedtherecentdinnerparty，buthedidseethatshewasattractive，thatbothPeterMorrisonandHenryAndersonhadbeengreatlyamusedandverymuchentertainedbyher。HehadfoundhersointerestinghimselfthathehadpaidslightattentiontoEileen\'spouting。
TonighthewasforcedtostudyEileen，forthesakeofhisowncomforttotrytoconciliateher。HewasuncomfortablebecausehewasunabletoconducthimselfasEileenwishedhimto，withoutasmallsickeningdisgustcreepingintohissoul。Beforetheeveningwasoverhebecameexasperated，andendedbyaskingflatly:\"Eileen，whatinthedickensisthematterwithyou？\"
Itwasanewtoneandanewquestiononnervestenselystrung。
\"Ifyouweren\'tblindyou\'dknowwithoutasking，\"retortedEileenhotly。
\"ThenIam\'blind，\'forIhaven\'ttheslightestnotion。WhathaveIdone？\"
\"Isn\'titjustbarelypossible，\"askedEileen，\"thattheremightbeotherpeoplewhowouldannoyandexasperateme？Ihavenothintedthatyouhavedoneanything，althoughIdon\'tknowthatit\'scustomaryforamancallingonhisbetrothedtostopfirstforavisitwithhersister。\"
\"FortheloveofMike！\"saidJohnGilman。\"AmItobefoundfaultwithforcrossingthelawnaminutetoseehowLinda\'swildgardeniscomingon？Ihavedugandhelpedsetenoughofthoseplantstojustifysomeinterestinthemastheygrow。\"
\"Andthegardenwasyoursolesubjectofconversation？\"inquiredEileen，implieddoubtconveyednicely。
\"No，itwasnot，\"answeredGilman，allthebulldoginhisnaturecomingtothesurface。
\"AsIknewperfectly，\"saidEileen。\"IadmitthatI\'mnotfeelingmyself。Thingsbegangoingwrongrecently，andeverythinghasgonewrongsince。IthinkitallbeganwithMarianThorne\'scrazyideaofsellingherhomeandgoingtothecitytotrytoapeaman。\"
\"Mariannevertriedtoapeamaninherlife，\"saidJohn，instantlyyieldingtoasenseofjustice。\"SheisasstrictlyfeminineasanywomanIeverknew。\"
\"Doyoumeantosaythatyouthinkstudyingarchitectureisawoman\'swork？\"sneeredEileen。
\"Yes，Ido，\"saidGilmanemphatically。\"Womenliveinhouses。
They\'reinthemninetenthsofthetimetoaman\'sonetenth。
NexttorockingacradleIdon\'tknowofanyoccupationinthisworldmoredistinctlyfemininethantheplanningofcomfortablehomesforhomekeepingpeople。\"
Eileenchangedthesubjectswiftly。\"WhatwasLindasayingtoyou？\"sheasked。
\"Shewasshowingmeaplant，arareEcheveriaoftheCotyledonfamily，thatshetobogganeddownonesideofMultifloresCanyonanddeliveredsafelyontheroadwaywithoutitslosinganappreciableamountof\'bloom\'fromitsexquisitelypaintedleaves。\"
Eileenbrokeinrudely。\"LindahasmissedMarian。There\'snotapossiblethingtomakelifeuncomfortableformethatsheisnotdoing。Youneedn\'ttellmeyoudidn\'tseeandunderstandherrudeforwardnesstheothernight！\"
\"No，Ididn\'tseeit，\"saidJohn，\"becausethefactisIthoughtthekidwaspositivelycharming，andsodidPeterandHenrybecausebothofthemsaidso。There\'sonethingyoumusttakeintoconsideration，Eileen。Thetimehascomewhensheshouldhaveclothesandlibertyandopportunitytoshapeherlifeaccordingtoherinclinations。Letmetellyoushewillattractattentioningeorgetteandlaces。\"
\"Andwherearethegeorgetteandlacestocomefrom？\"inquiredEileensarcastically。\"AlloutgoandnoincomeforfouryearsisleavingtheStrongfinancesinmightyprecariousshape，Icantellyou。\"
\"Allright，\"saidGilman，\"I\'mfinanciallycomfortablenow。I\'mready。Saytheword。We\'llselectourlocationandbuildourhome，andletLindahavewhatthereisoftheStrongincometillsheissettledinlife。Youhaveprettywellhadallofitforthepastfouryears。\"
\"Yes，\"saidEileenfuriously，\"Ihave\'prettywell\'hadit，inafewlittledressesthatIhavealteredmyselfandveryfrequentlymadeentirely。IhavedonethebestIcould，shiftingandskimping，andit\'snotaccomplishedanythingthatIhavereallywanted。Accordingtomen，thegasandthetelephoneandtheelectriclightandthetaxesandfoodandcookpayforthemselves。Allawomaneverspendsmoneyonisclothes！\"
\"Eileen，\"chuckledJohnGilman，\"thissoundsexactlyasifweweremarried，andwe\'renot，yet。\"
\"No，\"saidEileen，\"thankheavenwe\'renot。Ifit\'scometotheplacewhereyou\'residingwitheverybodyelseagainstme，andwhereyou\'remoreinterestedinwhatmykidsisterhastosaytoyouthanyouareinme，Idon\'tthinkweevershallbe。\"
Then，fromstressofnervetensionandlongpractice，somebigtearsgushedupandthreatenedtooverflowEileen\'slovelyeyes。
Thatnevershouldhappen，fortearsaresaltwaterandtheycutlittleriversthrougheventhemostcarefullyandskillfullyconstructedcomplexion，whileEileen\'swaslookingitsworstthatevening。Shehastilyappliedherhandkerchief，andJohnGilmantookherintohisarms；sotheremainderoftheeveningitwasasiftheywerenotmarried。ButwhenJohnreturnedtothesubjectofahomeandbeggedEileentoannouncetheirengagementandlethimbeginwork，sheevadedhim，andputhimoff，andhadtohavetimetothink，andshewasnotready，andthereweremanyexcuses，fornoneofwhichGilmancouldseeanysufficientreason。WhenheleftEileenthatnight，itwaswithaheavyheart。
CHAPTERXIV。Saturday\'sChildThroughouttheweekLindahadworkedasneverduringherlifepreviously，inordertosaveSaturdayforDonaldWhiting。SherantheBearCatdowntothegarageandhaditlookedoveroncemoretobesurethateverythingwasallright。Fridayevening，onherwayfromschool，shestoppedatagrocerywheresheknewEileenkeptanaccount，andforthefirsttimeorderedafewgroceries。Theseshecarriedhomewithher，andexplainedtoKatywhatshewanted。
KatyfullyrealizedthatLindawasstillherchild，withnothoughtinhermindsavestandingattheheadofherclasses，carryingontheworkshehadbegunwithherfather，keepinguphernaturestudy，andgettingthebesttimeshecouldoutoflifeintheopenasshehadbeentaughttodofromhercradle。
Katyhadnottheslightestintentionofopeningherlipstosayonewordthatmightputanyideaintotheheadofherbelovedchild，butshesawnoreasonwhysheherselfshouldnotharboralltheideasshepleased。
Whereupon，actuatedbyacombinationoffamilypride，love，ambitioninherchosenprofession，KatymadereadytoseethatonthemorrowthesonofFrederickWhitingshouldbeproperlynourishedonhisoutingwithLinda。
Atsixo\'clockSaturdaymorningLindarantheBearCattothebackdoor，wheresheandKatypackedit。Beforetheyhadfinished，DonaldWhitingcamedownthesidewalk，hischeeksflushedwiththeexerciseofwalking，hiseyesbrightwithanticipation，hiscauseforeverwon——incasehehadacause——withKaty，becauseshelikedthewholesome，heartymannerinwhichhegreetedLinda，andshewasdumbfoundedwhenheheldouthishandtoherandsaidlaughingly:\"Blessedamongwomen，didyouputinafinelargeconsignmentoforangepunch？\"
\"No，\"saidKaty，\"I\'lljusttellyeflat-footedthereain\'tgoingtobeanypunch，but，youngsir，you\'reeshcortin\'averycapableyounglady，anddon\'tyebewailthepunch，becauseyemightbecomplimentingyourfacewithsomethingyewouldlikeahapebetter。\"
\"Can\'tbedone，Katy，\"criedDonald。
\"Yemusthaveapooropinionofus，\"laughedKaty，\"ifyearethinkingyecangettotheendofourlimitationsinonelunch。
FourteenyearsmeandMissLinda\'sbeenonthislunch-boxstunt。
Don\'tyebethinkin\'yecanexhaustusinanywantrip，orinanywandozen。\"
Sotheysaidgood-byetoKatyandrolledpastEileen\'sroomonthewaytothedesert。Eileenstoodatthewindowwatchingthem，andneverhadherheartbeensofullofdiscontentandhersoultheabidingplaceofsuchenvyorhermindsobusy。Justwhenshehadthoughtlifewasgoingtoyieldherwhatshecraved，shecouldnotunderstandhoworwhythingsshouldbegintogowrong。