AstheBearCattraversedLilacValley，LindawaspointingoutPeterMorrison\'slocation。ShewastellingDonaldWhitingwheretofindPeter\'sarticles，andwhatafinemanhewas，andthathehadpromisedtothinkhowhecouldhelpwiththeirplantomakeofDonaldabetterscholarthanwasOkaSayye。
\"Well，Icallthatmightydecentofastranger，\"saidDonald。
\"ButheisscarcelymoreofastrangerthanIam，\"answeredLinda。\"Heisawriter。Heisinterestedinhumanity。It\'sthebusinessofeverymaninthisworldtoreachoutandhelpeveryboywithwhomhecomesincontactintothebiggest，finestmanhoodpossible。Heonlyknowsthatyou\'reaboytacklingabigjobthatmeansmuchtoeverywhiteboytohaveyousucceedwith，andforthatreasonhe\'sjustasinterestedasIam。Maybe，whenwecomeinthisevening，I\'llrunuptohisplace，andyoucantalkitoverwithhim。Ifyourfatherhelpedyouatoneangle，it\'saltogetherprobablethatPeterMorrisoncouldhelpyouatanother。\"
DonaldWhitingrubbedhiskneereflectively。HewassittinghalfturnedinthewideseatsothathemightwatchLinda\'shandsandherfacewhileshedrove。
\"Well，that\'sallright，\"hesaidheartily。\"YoucanwritemedownaswillingandanxioustotakeallthehelpIcanget，forit\'sgoingtobenomicroscopicjob，thatIcantellyou。OneweekhaswakeduptheJaptothefactthatthere\'ssomethingdoing，andhe\'sdigginginandhasbegun，thelastdayortwo，tospeakupinclassandsuggestthingshimself。SinceI\'vebeenstudyinghimandwatchinghim，IhavecometotheconclusionthatheismucholderthanIam。SomethinghesaidinclassyesterdaymademethinkhehadprobablyhadthebestschoolingJapancouldgivehimbeforehecamehere。Thenexttimeyoumeethimlookforasuspicionofgrayhairsaroundhisears。He\'stooblamedcomprehensivefortheaverageboyofmyage。YousaidtheJapswerethebestimitatorsintheworldandIhaveanideainthebackofmyheadthatbeforeIgetthroughwithhim，OkaSayyeisgoingtoproveyourproposition。\"
LindanoddedassheshottheBearCatacrossthestreetcartracksandheadedtowardthedesert。Theenginewaspurringsoftlyasitwarmedup。Thecarwasrunningsmoothly。Thesunofearlymorningwasshiningonthemthroughbracing，salt，coolair，andeveninthevalleythelarkswerebusy，andthemockingbirds，andfromeverywaysidebushtherosyfinchesweresinging。Alltheworldwascomingtotheexquisitebloomofahalf-tropicalcountry。Upfromearthswepttheheavyodorsofbloomingcitrusorchards，millionsofroses，andtheoverpoweringsweetnessofgardensandcultivatedflowers；whiledownfromthemountainsrolledthedelicatebreathofthemistybluelilac，thepungentodorofCaliforniasage，andthespicysweetofthelemonadebush。Theyweretwoyoungthings，freefortheday，flyingdownaperfectroad，adventuringwithProvidence。TheyhadonlygoneafewmileswhenDonaldWhitingtookoffhishat，stuffeditdownbesidehim，andthrewbackhishead，shakinghishairtothewindinagesturesosoontobecomefamiliartoLinda。Sheglancedacrossathimandfoundhimlookingather。Asmilebrokeoverherlips。Oneofhermostspontaneouslaughsbubbledupinherthroat。
\"Topping，isn\'tit！\"shecriedgaily。
\"It\'sthebestthingthateverhappenedtome，\"answeredDonaldWhitinginstantly。\"OurcarisamightygoodoneandDadisn\'tmeanaboutlettingmedriveit。Icantakeitfrequentlyandcanhaveplentyofgasandtakemycrowd；butlordy，Idon\'tbelievethere\'saboyorgirllivingthatdoesn\'tjustpositivelygroanwhentheyseeoneoftheselittlegrayBearCatsgolopingpast。
AndIneverevenhadarideinonebefore。Ican\'tgetoverthefactthatit\'syours。Itwouldn\'tseemsofunnyifitbelongedtooneofthefellows。\"
Withsteadyhandandgraduallyincreasingspeed，LindaputtheBearCatovertheroadsofearlymorning。Sometimesshestoppedintheshadeofpepper，eucalyptus，orpalm，wherethelarkswerespecializingintheirage-oldoffertory。Andthenagaintheywentracinguntiltheyreachedtherealdesert。Lindaranthecarundertheshadeofatallclumpofbloom-whitenedalders。
Shetookoffherhat，loosenedthehairathertemples，andlookedoutacrossthelongmorningstretchofdesert。
\"It\'sjustbeginningtobegood，\"shesaid。Shebeganpointingwithherslenderhand。\"Thatgleamyouseeoverthereisthegoldofasmallclumpofearlypoppies。Thepurplebeyonditislupin。Alltheseexquisitecolorsonthefloorarebirds\'-eyesandbabyblueeyes，andthemistywhitehereandthereisforget-me-not。Itwon\'tbelongtilthousandsandthousandsofyuccaplantswilllighttheirtorchesalloverthedesertandallthealdersshowtheirlacymist。OfcourseyouknowhowexquisitelytheSpaniardsnamedtheyucca\'OurLord\'sCandles。\'
Isn\'tthattheprettiestnameforaflower，andisn\'tittheprettiestthought？\"
\"Itcertainlyis，\"answeredDonald。
\"Hadanyexperiencewiththedesert？\"Lindaaskedlightly。
\"Huntedsagehenssome，\"answeredDonald。
\"Oh，well，that\'llbeallright，\"saidLinda。\"Iwonderedifyou\'dgomurderingyourselflikeatenderfoot。\"
\"What\'stheuseofallthisartillery？\"inquiredDonaldashesteppedfromthecar。
\"Betterputonyourhat。You\'retallerthanmostofthebushes；
you\'llfindslightshade，\"cautionedLinda。\"Theuseispurelyamatterofself-protection。Thedeserthasgotsuchadevilofafightforexistence，withoutshadeandpracticallywithoutwater，thatitcan\'taffordtotakeanyotherchanceofextermination，andsoitprotectsitselfwithneedleshereandspearsthereandsabersatotherplacesandrootsthatstrikedowntoChinaeverywhere。Firstthingwearegoingtogetissomesoap。\"
\"Greathat！\"exclaimedDonald。\"Ifyouwantedsoapwhydidn\'tyoubringsome？\"
\"Forallyouknow，\"laughedLinda，\"Imaybegoingtoeducationyouupalittle。DareyoutotellmehowmanykindsofsoapI
canfindtodaythattheIndiansused，andwhereIcanfindit。\"
\"Couldn\'ttellyouonetosavemylife，\"saidDonald。
\"Andbornandrearedwithinafewmilesofthedesert！\"scoffedLinda。\"NiceIndianyou\'dmake。Wetakeourchoicetodaybetweenfindingdeer-brushanddiggingforamole，becausethemockorangesaren\'tripeenoughtobeniceandsoapyyet。I\'vegotthedeer-brushspotted，andwe\'llpassanamolebeforewegoveryfar。Lookforawavyblue-greenleaflikeawidebladeofgrassandcominguplikealily。\"
Sotogethertheywenttothedeer-brushandgatheredabunchofflowersthatLindaboundtogetherwithsomewirydesertgrassandfastenedtoherbelt。ItwasnotlongbeforeDonaldspiedanamole，andhavingfoundone，discoveredmanyothersgrowingnear。
ThenLindaledthewaypastthornsandbrush，pastimpenetrablebedsofcholla，untiltheyreachedahugebarrelcactusthatshehadlocatedwiththeglasses。BesidethisbristlingmonstrousgrowthLindapaused，andreachedfortheaxe，whichDonaldhandedtoher。Shedrewitlightlyacrossthearmorprotectingtheplant。
\"ShortofVictrolaneedles？\"sheinquired。\"Becauseifyouare，thesemakeexcellentones。Alotmoresingingqualitytothemthanthesteelneedles，notnearlysometallic。\"
\"Well，Iamsurelygoingtotrythat，\"saidDonald。\"Neverheardofsuchathing。\"
Lindachoppedoffasectionofplant。Thenshepickedoneoftheknivesfromthebucketandhandedittohim。
\"Allright，yougetwhatyouwant，\"shesaid，\"whileIoperateonthebarrel。\"
Shesetherfeetfirmlyinthesand，swungtheaxe，andwithacoupleofdeftstrokesslicedoffthetopofthehugeplant，andfromtheheartofitlifteduphalfabucketfulofthejuicyinterior，withherdipper。
\"Ifwedidn\'thavedrink，hereiswherewewouldgetit，andmightygooditis，\"shesaid，pushingdownwiththedipperuntilsheformedasmallpoolintheheartoftheplantwhichrapidlyfilled。\"Haveataste。\"
\"Jove，thatisgood！\"saidDonald。\"Whatareyougoingtodowithit？\"
\"Showyoulater，\"laughedLinda。\"ThinkI\'lltakeasipmyself。\"
Thenbyaroundaboutroutetheystartedontheirreturntothecar。OnceLindastoppedandgatheredasmallbunchofanextremelycuriouslittleplantspreadingovertheground，atinyreddishvinewithquaintroundleavesthatlookedasifadropofwhitepaintrimmedwithmaroonhadfallenoneachofthem。
\"Ineversawthatbefore，\"saidDonald。\"Whatareyougoingtodowithit？\"
\"Useitonwhicheverofusgetsthefirstsnakebite，\"saidLinda。\"Thatisrattlesnakeweedandifapoisonoussnakebitesyou，scoreeachsideofthewoundwiththecleanest，sharpestknifeyouhaveandthenbruisetheplantandbinditonwithyourhandkerchief，andforgetit。\"
\"Isthatwhatyoudo？\"inquiredDonald。
\"Whysure，\"saidLinda，\"thatiswhatIwoulddoifasnakeweresoungallantastobiteme，buttheredoesn\'tseemtobemuchoftheantagonisticelementinmynature。Idon\'tgothroughthedesertexhalingtheodoroffright，andsosnakesliequiescentorslipawaysosilentlythatIneverseethem。\"
\"Nowwhatonearthdoyoumeanbythat？\"inquiredDonald。
\"WhythatistheveryfirstlessonDaddyevertaughtmewhenhetookmetothemountainsandthedesert。Ifyouareafraid，yoursystemthrowsoffformicacid，andtheanimalsneedonlythesuspicionofascentofittomakethemreadytofight。Anyanimalyouencounterorevenabee，recognizesit。OneofthefirstthingsthatIrememberaboutDaddywasseeinghimsitontherunningboardoftherunaboutbucklinguphisdesertbootswhilehesangtome，\'LetnotyourheartbetroubledNeitherletitbeafraid，\'
ashegotreadytotakemeonhisbackandgointothedesertforourfirstlesson；hetoldmethatamanwasperfectlysafeingoingtotheforestorthedesertoranywherehechoseamonganykindofanimalsifhehadsufficientself-controlthatnoodoroffearemanatedfromhim。Hesaidthatamanwassafetomakehiswayanywherehewantedtogo，ifhestartedhisjourneybyrecognizingabloodbrotherhoodwithanythinglivinghewouldmeetontheway；andIhaveheardEnosMillssaythatwhenhewassnowinspectorofColoradohetraveledthecrestoftheRockiesfromoneendofthestatetotheotherwithoutagunoranymeansofself-defense。\"
\"Now，thatissomethingnewtothinkabout，\"saidDonald。
\"Andit\'ssomethingthatisverytrue，\"saidLinda。\"Ihaveseenitworktimeswithoutnumber。FatherandIwentquietlyupthemountains，throughthecanyons，acrossthedesert，andwewouldneverseeasnakeofanykind，butrepeatedlywewouldseemenwithgunsanddogsouttokill，totrespassontherightsofthewild，andtheywouldbehuntingforsticksandclubsandfiringtheirgunswherewehadpassedneverthinkingoflurkingdanger。
Ifyoustartoutinaccord，atonewithNature，you\'requiteassafeasyouareathome，sometimesmoreso。Butifyoustartouttostirupafight，theoccasionisveryrareonwhichyoucan\'tsucceed。\"
\"Andthatremindsme，\"saidDonald，withalaugh，\"thataweekagoIcametostartafightwithyou。Whathasbecomeofthatfightweweregoingtohave，anyway？\"
\"Youcansearchme，\"laughedLinda，throwingoutherhandsinagracefulgesture。\"There\'snotascrapoffightinmysystemconcerningyou，butifOkaSayyewerehavingafightwithyouandIwereanywherearound，you\'dhaveonefriendwhowouldhelpyoutohandletheJap。\"
DonaldlookedatLindathoughtfully。
\"Bythegreathocus-pocus，\"hesaid，\"youknow，Ibelieveyou。
IftwofellowswerehavingapitchedbattlemostofthegirlsI
knowwouldquietlyfaintorrun，butIdobelievethatyouwouldstandbyandhelpafellowifheneededit。\"
\"ThatIsurelywould，\"saidLinda；\"butdon\'tyousay\'mostofthegirlsIknow\'andthenmakeastatementlikethatconcerninggirls，becauseyouprovethatyoudon\'tknowthematall。Afewyearsago，IverydistinctlyrecallhowangrymanywomenwereatthislineinoneofKipling\'spoems:
Thefemaleofthespeciesismoredeadlythanthemale，andtherewasnothingtoitsavethatagreatpoetwastryingtopaywomanhoodeverywherethefinestcomplimentheknewhow。Healwayshasbeenfundamentalinhisprocessofthought。Hegetsrightbacktotheheartofprimalthings。Whenhewrotethatlinehewasnotreallythinkingthattherewasanastypoisonintheheartofawomanordeathinherhands。Whathewasthinkingwasthatinthejunglethefemalelionortigerorjaguarmustgoandfindaparticularlysecludedcaveandbearheryoungandraisethemtobequiteactivekittensbeforesheleadsthemout，becausethereisdangerofthebloodthirstyfathereatingthemwhentheyaretinyandhelpless。Andifperchanceamalefindsthecaveofhismateandhertinyyoungandentersittodomischief，thenthereisnorecordedinstanceIknowofinwhichthefemale，fightingindefenseofheryoung，hasnotbeen\'moredeadlythanthemale。\'Andthatistheoriginofthemuch-discussedlineconcerningthefemaleofthespecies，anditholdsgoodfairlywelldownthelineofthewild。It\'seventrueamongsuchtinythingsasguineapigsandcanarybirds。Thereisamotherelementintheheartofeverygirl。Daddyusedtosaythathalfthewomenintheworldmarriedthementheydidbecausetheywantedtomotherthem。Youcan\'ttellwhatisinawoman\'sheartbylookingather。Youmustbringherfacetofacewithanemergencybeforeyoucansaywhatshe\'lldo，butIwouldbeperfectlywillingtostakemylifeonthis:Thereisscarcelyagirlyouknowwhowouldseeyougettingtheworstofafight，saywithOkaSayye，orsomeonewhomeanttokillyouorinjureyou，whowouldnotpickupthefirstweaponshecouldlayherhandson，whetheritwasanaxeorastickorastone，andgotoyourdefense，andifshehadnothingelsetofightwith，Ihaveheardofwomenwhoputupratheratidybattlewiththeirclaws。
Soundsprimitive，doesn\'tit？\"
\"Itsoundstrue，\"saidDonaldreflectively。\"Isee，younglady，whereoneisgoingtohavetomeasurehiswordsandthinkbeforehetalkstoyou。\"
\"Prettythought！\"saidLindalightly。\"We\'llhaveagreattimeifyoumuststoptoconsidereverywordbeforeyousayit。\"
\"Well，anyway，\"saidDonald，\"whenarewegoingtohavethatfightwhichwasthepurposeofourcomingtogether？\"
\"Why，we\'renotevergoingtohaveit，\"answeredLinda。\"Ihavegotnothinginthisworldtofightwithyouaboutsinceyou\'redoingyourlevelbesttobeatOkaSayye。Ihavewatchedyourheadabovetheremainderofyourclassforthreeyearsandwantedtofightwithyouonthatpoint。\"
\"Nowthat\'saqueerthing，\"saidDonald，\"becauseIhavewatchedyouforthreeyearsandwantedtofightwithyouaboutyourdrygoods，andnowsinceI\'veknownyouonlysuchashortwhile，I
don\'tcaretwowhoopswhatyouwear。It\'samatterofperfectindifferencetome。YoucanwearFrenchheelsorbabypumps，orgobarefoot。Youwouldstillbeyou。\"
\"Isitatruce？\"askedLinda。I
\"No，ma\'am，\"saidDonald，\"it\'snotatruce。Thatimplieswarandwehaven\'tfought。It\'snotarmedneutrality；it\'snotevenwatchfulwaiting。It\'smyfriend，LindaStrong。Meforherandherforme，ifyousayso。\"
Hereachedouthishand。Lindalaidhersinit，andlookingintohiseyes，shesaid:\"Thatisacompact。We\'lltestthisfriendshipbusinessandseewhatthereistoit。Nowcomeon；
let\'srunforthecanyon。\"
ItwasonlyashorttimeuntiltheBearCatfolloweditstrailofthepreviousSaturday，and，rushingacrossthestream，stoppedatitsformerrestingplace，whileLindaandDonaldsatlookingatthesheer-walledlittleroombeforethem。
\"Icansee，\"saidLinda，\"astrongertingeinthegreen。Therearemoreflowersinthecarpet。Thereismoremelodyinthebirds\'song。WearegoingtohaveabettertimethanwehadlastSaturday。Firstlet\'sfixupouroldfurnace，becausewemusthaveafiretoday。\"
Sotheyleftthecar，andunderLinda\'sdirectiontheyreconstructedtheoldfireplaceatwhichthegirlandherfatherhadcookedwhenbotanizinginMultiflores。Inacornersecludedfromwind，usingthewallofthecanyonforabackwall，bigboulderstherightdistanceapartoneachside，andsmallstonesforchinking，Lindasuperintendedtherebuildingofthefireplace。
Sheunpackedthelunchbox，setthetable，andwhenshehadeverythinginreadinessshecoveredthetable，andtakingapackage，shecarrieditonacoupleofaluminiumpiepanstowhereherfirewasburningcrisply。Withasmallfieldaxeshechoppedacoupleofsmallgreenbranches，pointedthemtoherliking，andpeeledthem。Thenshemadeapokerfromoneofthesaplingstheyhadusedtomovetherocks，andbeatdownherfireuntilshehadabrightbedofdeepcoals。Whenthesewerearrangedexactlytohersatisfaction，shepulledsomespraysofdeerweedbloomfromherbundleand，goingdowntothecreek，madealatherandcarefullywashedherhands，tuckingthetowelsheusedindryingthemthroughherbelt。Thenshecamebacktothefireand，sittingdownbesideit，openedthepackageandbeganheroperations。Onthelong，slendersticksshestrungapieceoftenderloinbeef，aboutthreeinchesincircumferenceandonefourthofaninchinthickness，thenhalfasliceofbacon，andthenasliceofonion。Thissherepeateduntilherskewerwouldbearnomoreweight。Thenshelaiditacrosstherockswallingherfire，occasionallyturningitwhileshefilledthesecondskewer。Thenshebroughtfromthecarthebucketofpulpshehadtakenfromthebarrelcactus，transferredittoapieceofcheeseclothanddeftlyextractedthejuice。Tothissheaddedthecontentsofathermosbottlecontainingapintofsugarthathadbeenbroughttotheboilingpointwithapintofwaterandpouredoversomechoppedspearminttowhichhadbeenaddedthejuiceofhalfadozenlemonsandthreeorfouroranges。Fromasmall，metal-linedcompartment，Lindatookachunkoficeanddroppeditintothismixture。
Shewassittingontheground，onefootdoubledunderher，theotherextended。Shehadtakenoffherhat；thewindandthebusheshadroughenedherhair。Exercisehadbroughtdeepredtohercheeksandherlips。Happinesshadbroughtamellowglowtoherdarkeyes。Shehadturnedbackhersleeves，andherslenderhandswerefascinatinglygracefulintheirdefthandlingofeverythingshetouched。TheywereasecondeditionofthehandswithwhichAlexanderStronghadfeltoutdefectivenervesystemsandmadedelicatemuscularadjustments。Shewaswhollyabsorbedinwhatshewasdoing。SittingontheblanketacrossfromherDonaldWhitingwaswhollyabsorbedinherandhewasthinking。
Hewasplanninghowhecouldpleaseher，howhecouldearnherfriendship。Hewasadmittingtohimselfthathehadverylittle，ifanything，toshowforhoursoftimethathehadspentindancing，atcardgames，beachpicnics，andraces。Allthesethingshadbeenamusing。Buthehadnothingtoshowforthetimehehadspentorthemoneyhehadwasted。NothinghadhappenedthatinanywayequippedhimforhisbattlewithOkaSayye。
Conversely，thisgirl，whomhehadresented，whomhehadcriticized，whohadclaimedhisnoticeonlybyherradicaldifferencefromtheothergirls，hadmanaged，duringthefewminuteshehadfirsttalkedwithherinthehall，towoundhispride，tospurhisambition，tostarthimonacoursethatmustendinlastingandmaterialbenefittohimevenifhefailedinmakingahigherrecordofscholarshipthanOkaSayye。Itwasverycertainthattheexercisehewasgivinghisbrainmustbebeneficial。Hehadlearnedmanythingsthatwereintenselyinterestingtohimandhehadnoteventouchedthesurfaceofwhathecouldseethatshehadbeentaughtbyherfatherorhadlearnedthroughexperienceandpersonalinvestigation。Shehadbeencomingtothemountainsandthecanyonsalone，forfouryearsdoingbyherselfwhatshewouldhavedoneunderherfather\'ssupervisionhadhelived。Thatarguedforsteadfastnessandstrengthofcharacter。Shewouldnotutteronewordofflattery。Shewouldsaynothingshedidnotmean。Watchingherintently，DonaldWhitingthoughtofallthesethings。Hethoughtofwhatshehadsaidaboutfightingforhim，andhewonderedifitreallywastruethatanygirlheknewwouldfightforhim。Hehardlybelieveditwhenherememberedsomeofhisfriends，soentirelydevotedtopersonaladornmentandpersonalgratification。ButLindahadsaidthatallwomenwerealikeintheirhearts。Sheknewaboutotherthings。Shemustknowaboutthis。Maybeallwomenwouldfightfortheiryoungorfortheirmen，butheknewofnoothergirlwhocoulddriveaBearCatwiththeprecisionandskillwithwhichLindadrove。Heknewnoothergirlwhowasmasterofthesecretsofthedesertandthecanyonsandthemountains。Certainlyheknewnoothergirlwhowouldtugatgreatbouldersandbuildafireplaceandriskburningherfingersandscorchingherfacetoprepareamealforhim。SohewatchedLindaandsohethought。
Atfirsthethoughtshewasthefinestpalaboyeverhad，andthenhethoughthowhemeanttoworktoearnandkeepherfriendship；andthen，asthefirereddenedLinda\'scheeksandshemaderunningcommentswhileshedeftlyturnedherskewersofbrigandbeefsteak，foodthathalftheBoyScoutsinthecountryhadbeeneatingforfouryears，therecameanideawithwhichhedallieduntilitgrewintoaluringvision。
\"Linda，\"heaskedsuddenly，\"doyouknowthatoneofthesedaysyou\'regoingtobeabeautifulwoman？\"
Lindaturnedherskewerswithintenseabsorption。Atfirsthealmostthoughtshehadnotheardhim，butatlastshesaidquietly:\"Doyoureallythinkthatispossible，Donald？\"
\"You\'relovelyrightnow！\"answeredtheboypromptly。
\"Forgoodness\'sake，haveaneyesingletoyourrecordfortruthandveracity，\"saidLinda。\"Doesn\'tthisbegintosmellzippy？\"
\"Itcertainlydoes，\"saidDonald。\"It\'smakingmeravenous。Buthonest，Linda，youareaprettygirl。\"
\"Honest，yourfoot！\"saidLindascornfully。\"Iamnotaprettygirl。IamleanandbonyandI\'vegotabeakwhereIshouldhaveanose。Speakingofprettygirls，mysister，Eileen，isaprettygirl。Sheisadownrightbeautifulgirl。\"
\"Yes，\"saidDonald，\"sheis，butshecan\'tholdacandletoyou。
Howdidshelookwhenshewasyourage？\"
\"Ican\'trememberEileen，\"saidLinda，\"whenshewasnotexquisitelydressedandthinkingmoreabouttakingcareofhershoesthananythingelseintheworld。Ican\'trememberherwhenshewasnotcurled，andevenwhenshewasatinythingMotherputadustofpowderonhernose。Shesaidherskinwassodelicatethatitcouldnotbearthesun。Shenevercouldrunorplayormotormuchordoanything，becauseshehasalwayshadtobesavedforthesolepurposeofbeingexquisitelybeautiful。Talkaboutliliesofthefield，that\'swhatEileenis！Sheisanimprovementontheoriginallilyofthefield——she\'salilyofthedrawingroom。Me，now，I\'mmoreofaJoshuatree。\"
DonaldWhitinglaughed，asLindaintendedthatheshould。
Aminuteafterwardsheslidthesavoryfoodfromaskewerupononeofthepiepans，tossedbackthecoverfromthelittletable，stackedsomebread-and-buttersandwichesbesidethemeatandhandedthepantoDonald。
\"Fallto，\"shesaid，\"andprovethatyou\'reamanwithanappreciativetummy。Fatherusedtobepositivelyravenousforthisstuff。Ilikeitmyself。\"
Sheslidthefoodfromthesecondskewertoapanforherself，settledthefiretohersatisfactionandtheybegantheirmeal。
PresentlyshefilledacupfromthebucketbesideherandhandedittoDonald。Atthesametimesheliftedanotherforherself。
\"Here\'stothebarrelcactus，\"shesaid。\"Maythedesertgrowenoughofthemsothatwe\'llneverlackonewhenwewanttohaveaSaturdaypicnic。\"
Laughinglytheydrankthistoast；andtheskewerswerefilledasecondtime。Whentheycouldeatnomoretheypackedawaythelunchthings，buriedthefire，tooktheaxeandthefieldglasses，andstartedonatripofexplorationdownthecanyon。
Togethertheyadmireddelicateandexquisitefernsgrowingaroundgreatgrayboulders。Donaldtastedhunters\'rockleek，andlearnedthatanyhefoundwhileonahuntingexpeditionwouldfurnishasplendidsubstituteforwater。Lindatoldhimofrareflowersshelackedandwhattheywerelikeandhowhewouldbeabletoidentifywhatshewantedincaseheshouldeverfindanywhenhewasouthuntingorwithhisotherfriends。Theypeepedintothenestingplacesofcanyonwrensanddovesandfinches，andlistenedtotheexquisitecourtingsongsofthebirdswhoseheartswerealmostburstingwiththeexuberanceofspringandthejoyofhomemaking。Whentheyweretiredouttheywentbacktothediningroomandafterrestingatime，theymadeasupperfromtheremnantsoftheirdinner。WhentheywereseatedinthecarandLinda\'shandwasonthesteeringwheel，Donaldreachedacrossandcovereditwithhisown。
\"Waitabit，\"hesaid。\"BeforeweleavehereIwanttoaskyouaquestionandIwantyoutomakemeapromise。\"
\"Allright，\"saidLinda。\"What\'syourquestion？\"
\"Whatisthere，\"saidDonald，\"thatIcandothatwouldgiveyousuchpleasureasyouhavegivenme？\"
Lindacouldjestonoccasions，butbynatureshewasaseriousperson。ShelookedatDonaldreflectively。
\"Why，Ithink，\"shesaidatlast，\"thathavingafriend，havingsomeonewhounderstandsandwhocaresforthethingsIdo，andwholikestogotothesameplacesandtodothesamethings，isthebiggestthingthathashappenedtomesinceIlostmyfather。
Idon\'tseethatyouareinanywayinmydebt，Donald。\"
\"Allrightthen，\"saidtheboy，\"thatbringsmetothepromiseI
wantyoutomakeme。MaywealwayshaveourSaturdaystogetherlikethis？\"
\"Sure！\"saidLinda，\"Iwouldbemightilypleased。I\'llhavetoworklateratnightandscheme，maybe。BygoodrightsSaturdaybelongstomeanywaybecauseIambornSaturday\'schild。\"
\"Well，hurrahforSaturday！Italwayswasagrandoldday，\"saidDonald，\"andsinceIseewhatitcandointurningoutagirllikeyou，I\'vegotabetteropinionofitthanever。We\'llcallthatsettled。I\'llalwaysaskyouonFridayatwhathourtocome，andhereafterSaturdayisours。\"
\"Oursitis，\"saidLinda。
ThensheputtheBearCatthroughthecreekandontheroadand，drivingswiftlyasshedared，rantoLilacValleyanduptoPeterMorrison\'slocation。
Shewasamazedattheamountofworkthathadbeenaccomplished。
Thegaragewasfinished。Peter\'stemporaryworkdeskandhiscotwereinit。Anumberofhispersonalbelongingswerethere。Thesiteforhishousehadbeenselectedandthecellarwasbeingexcavated。
LindadescendedfromtheBearCatandledDonaldbeforePeter。
\"Sinceyou\'rebothmyfriends，\"shesaid，\"Iwantyoutoknoweachother。ThisisDonaldWhiting，theSeniorItoldyouabout，Mr。Morrison。Youknowyousaidyouwouldhelphimifyoucould。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidPeter。\"Iamverygladtoknowanyfriendofyours，MissLinda。Comeovertomyworkroomandlet\'shearaboutthis。\"
\"Oh，goandtalkitoverbetweenyourselves，\"saidLinda。\"Iamgoingupheretohaveaprivateconversationwiththespring。I
wantittotellmeconfidentiallyexactlythecourseitwouldenjoyrunningsothatwhenyourhouseisfinishedandIcometolayoutyourgroundsIwillknowexactlyhowitfeelsaboutmakingachange。\"
\"Fine！\"saidPeter。\"Takeyourtimeandbecomeextremelyconfidential，becausethemoreIlookatthelocationandthemoreIhearthegaychucklingsongthatthatwatersings，themoreIaminlovewithyourplantorunitacrossthelawnandbringitaroundtheboulder。\"
\"Itwouldbeadownrightsinnottohavethatwaterinaconvenientplaceforyourchildrentoplayin，Peter，\"saidLinda。
\"Thenthat\'sallsettled，\"saidPeter。\"Now，Whiting，comethiswayandwe\'llseewhetherIcansuggestanythingthatwillhelpyouwithyourproblem。\"
\"Whistlewhenyouareready，Donald，\"calledLindaassheturnedaway。
PeterMorrisonglancedafterherasecond，andthenheledDonaldWhitingtoanailkeginthegarageandimpaledthatyoungsteronthementalpointofamentalpinandstudiedhimascarefullyasanyscientisteverstudiedararespecimen。Whenfinallyhelethimgo，hismentalcommentwas:\"He\'samightyfinekid。Lindaisperfectlysafewithhim。\"
CHAPTERXV。Linda\'sHearthstoneEarlythefollowingweekLindacamefromschooloneeveningtofindaloadofsandandaheapofcuriouslymarkedstonesbesidethebackdoor。
\"Canitpossiblybe，Katy，\"sheasked，\"thatthosemenareplanningtobeginworkonmyroomsosoon？Iamscaredoutofalmostsevenofmyfivesenses。IhadnoideatheywouldbereadytobeginworkuntilafterIhadmysettlementwithEileenorwaspaidforthebooks。\"
\"Don\'tyebeworried，\"saidKaty。\"There\'smoreinmestockingthanmeleg，andyou\'reaswelcometoitasthedesertiswelcometorain，an\'nadin\'it\'mostasbad。\"
\"Anyway，\"saidLinda，\"itwillsurelytakethemlongenoughsothatIcanpaybythetimetheyfinish。\"
ButLindawasnotfiguringthatbackoftheprojectedimprovementsstoodtwomen，eachofwhomhadanextremelypersonalreasonforgreatlydesiringtopleaseher。PeterMorrisonhadsecuredaslabofsandstone。Hehadlocatedamarblecuttertowhomhemeanttocarryit，andwasspendingmuchthoughtthathemighthavebeenusingonanarticleintryingtohituponexactlytherightlineorphrasetobuildinaboveLinda\'sfire——somethingthatwouldconveytoherinafewwordsasenseoffriendshipandbeauty。
WhilePetergazedattheunresponsivegraysandstoneandwrotelineafterlinewhichheimmediatelydestroyed，HenryAndersonexploredthemountainandcamein，redfacedandperspiring，frommilesofclimbingwithabrightstoneineachhand，ortookthecartobringinsmallheapstooheavytocarrythathehadcollectedneartheroads。Theyweretwomenstrivingforthefavorofthesamegirl。HowLindawouldhavebeenamusedhadsheunderstoodthesituation，orhowEileenwouldhavebeenprovoked，neitherofthemenknewnordidtheycare。
TheworkmencameafterLindaleftandwentbeforeherreturn。
Havingbeencautionedtosilence，Katyhadnottoldherwhenworkactuallybegan；andsoithappenedthat，goingtoherroomoneevening，sheunlockedthedoorandsteppedinsidetofacethecompletedfireplace。Thefireboxwasnotverylargebutample。
Thehearthstonewasabigsheetofsmoothgraysandstone。ThesidesandtopwereHenry\'scollectionofbrilliantboulders，carefullyandartisticallylaidinbluemortar，andoverthefireboxwassetPeter\'sslabofgraysandstone。Onitwerefourdeeplycarvedlines。ThequaintOldEnglishletteringwasfilledeventothesurfacewitharedmortar，whilethecapitalsweredoneindullblue。Thegirlslowlyread:
Voicelessstones，withFlame-tonguesPreachSermonsstruckfromNature\'sLyre；NotesofLoveandTrustandHopeHourlysinginLinda\'sFire。
Inthefireboxstoodasquatpairofblackandirons，showingageandusage。Arougheucalyptuslogwaitedacrossthemwhiletheshavingsfromtheplacingofthemantelandthecuttingofthewindowsweretuckedbeneathit。Lindastoodabsorbedaminute。
Shelookedattheskylight，floodingtheroomwiththelightshesoneededcomingfromtherightangle。Shewentovertothenewwindowthatgaveheraviewofthelengthofthevalleyshelovedandamostessentialdraft。Whensheturnedbacktothefireplaceherhandsweretrembling。
\"Nowisn\'tthattoolovelyofthem？\"shesaidsoftly。\"Isn\'tthataltogetherwonderful？HowIwishDaddywereheretositbesidemyfireandsharewithmetheworkIhopetodohere。\"
Inordertocomeasclosetohimaspossibleshedidthenextbestthing。ShesatdownathertableandwrotealonglettertoMarian，tellinghereverythingshecouldthinkofthatwouldinteresther。Thenshere-readwithextremecarethelettershehadfoundatthePostOfficethatdayinreplytotheoneshehadwrittenMarianpurportingtocomefromanadmirer。Writingslowlyandthinkingdeeply，sheansweredit。ShetriedtoimaginethatshewasPeterMorrisonandshetriedtosaythethingsinthatletterthatshethoughtPeterwouldsayinthecircumstances，becauseshefeltsurethatMarianwouldbeentertainedbysuchthingsasPeterwouldsay。Whenshefinished，shereaditovercarefully，andthencopieditwithequalcareonthetypewriter，whichshehadremovedtoherworkroom。
WhensheheardKaty\'sfootstepoutsideherdoor，sheopeneditanddrewherin，slippingtheboltbehindher。Sheledhertothefireplaceandrecitedthelines。
\"Nowain\'ttheyjistthefinestgentlemen？\"saidKaty。\"Cutrightoffofapieceofthesameclothasyourfather。Nowsomewaywemustgettogetherenoughmoneytogetyeagood-sizedrugforunderyourworktable，andthenye\'vegottohavetwobitsofsmallones，oneforyourhearthstoneandoneforyouraisel；andthenye\'reready，colleen，toshowwhatyecando。I\'msoproudofyewhenIthinkofthegrandsecretit\'skeepin\'foryeIam；
andlessandlessaregettin\'mechancesforthesalvationofmesoul，foreverynightI\'ma-sittin\'starin\'atthemagazinesyegavemewhenIoughttobetellin\'mebeadsandmakin\'medevotions。Ain\'titabouttimethethirdwascomin\'in？\"
\"Anydaynow，\"saidLindainawhisper。\"And，Katy，you\'llbecareful？Thateditormustthinkthat\'JaneMeredith\'isfullofyearsandripeexperience。Iprobablywouldn\'tgettencents，nonotevenafor-nothingchance，ifheknewthosearticleswerewrittenbyaJunior。\"
\"Juniornothing！\"scoffedKaty。\"Therewasnotadayofhislifethatyourpadidnotspendhoursdrillin\'yeinthingstherestofthegirlsinyourschoolneverheardof。\'Tain\'tnohigh-schoolgirlthat\'swrittenthemarticles。It\'sAlexanderStrongspeakin\'throughthemediumofhisownfleshandblood。\"
\"Why，soitis，Katy！\"criedLindadelightedly。\"Youknow，I
neverthoughtofthat。IhavebeensoegoisticalIthoughtIwasdoingthemmyself。\"
\"Paidyeanythingyet？\"queriedKaty。
\"No，\"saidLinda，\"theyhaven\'t。ItseemsthattheamountofinterestthearticlesevokeisgoingtodecidewhatIamtobepaidforthem，buttheycertainlycouldn\'ttaketherecipeandthecommentsandthesketchforlessthantwenty-fiveorthirtydollars，unlessrecipesarelikepoetry。Petersaidtheotherdaythatifapoetdidnothavesomeotherprofessiontosupporthim，hewouldstarvetodeathonallhewaspaidforwritingthemostbeautifulthingsthateverarewritteninallthisworld。
Petersaysevenanefforttowriteapoemisabeautifulthing。\"
\"Well，maybethatusedtobethetruth，\"saidKatyasshestartedtowardthedoor，\"butIhavebeenreadingsomethingslabeled\'poetry\'inthemagazinesoflate，andiftheholyfatherknowswhattheymean，he\'sevenbiggerthaneverItookhimtobe。\"
\"Katy，\"saidLinda，\"wearedreadfulbacknumbers。Wearelettingthisworldprogressandrollrightonpastuswithoutastruggle。Wehaven\'teitheronebeentoapsychoanalysttofindoutthecolorofourauras。\"
\"NowGodforbid，\"saidKaty。\"Iain\'tgoingtohaveoneofthemthingsaroundme。ThecolorsI\'mwearin\'satisfymeentoirely。\"
\"Andminearegoingtosatisfymeveryshortly，now，\"laughedLinda，\"becausetomorrowismybigdaywithEileen。Nexttimewehaveaminutetogether，olddear，I\'llhavestartedmybankaccount。\"
\"Rightyeare，\"saidKaty，\"jistexactlyright。You\'regettingsuchagreatgirlit\'stheproperthingyeshouldbesuitablydressed，anddon\'tyebetoomodest。\"
\"Theunfortunatethingaboutthat，Katy，isthatlintimatedtheotherdaythatIwouldbecontentwithlessthanhalf，sincesheisolderandsheshouldhaveherchancefirst。\"
\"Nowain\'tthatjistlikeye？\"saidKaty。\"Imighthaveknownyewouldbedoingthatverything。\"
\"AfterIhavegoneovertheaccounts，\"saidLinda，\"I\'llknowbetterwhattodemand。Nowflytoyourcooking，Katy，andletmesitdownatthistableandseeifIcandigoutafewdollarsofhonestcoin；butI\'mgoingtohavehardworktokeepmyevesonthepaperwiththatfireplacebeforeme。Isn\'tthatredandblueletteringtheprettiestthing，Katy，anddoyounoticethattiny\'P。M。\'cutdowninthelowerleft-handcornernearlyoutofsight？That，Katy，standsfor\'PeterMorrison，\'andoneofthesedaysPeterisgoingtobealargefigureonthelandscape。ThenextPosthehasanarticleinI\'llbuyforyou。\"
\"Itneverdoes，\"saidKaty，\"tobemakin\'upyourmindinthisworldsohardandfastthatyecan\'tchangeit。InthedaysbeforeJohnGilmangotbewitchedoutofhissensesIdidthink，barrin\'yourfather，thathewasthefinestmantheLordevermade；butIain\'tthoughtsomuchofhimoflateasIdidbefore。\"
\"Sameholdsgoodforme，\"saidLinda。
\"I\'vestudiedthisPeter，\"continuedKaty，\"likeyourpausedtostudythingsunderhismicroscope。He\'sthemostcome-at-ableman。He\'sgotsuchakindofaquestionin\'lookonhisface，andthere\'sabitofastooptohisshouldersliketheyhadbeenwhittledoutforcarryin\'aload，andthere\'sakindofawhimsyquiverin\'aroundhislipsthatmakesmeheartstandstilleverytimehespeakstome，becauseIcan\'tbecertainwhetherheisgoingtomakemelaughorgoingtomakemecry，andwhenwhathe\'ssayin\'doescomewiththatlittleslowdrawl，Ican\'tbejustsurewhetherhe\'smeanin\'itorwhetherhe\'sjistpokin\'funatme。Hesaidthequarestthingtometheotherdaywhenhewasherefiddlin\'overthemakin\'ofthisfireplace。Hewasstandin\'
outbesideyourdesertgardenandIcomeavenwithhimandIsaystohim:\'Them\'stherareplantsMissLindaandherpahavebeengoin\'tothedesertsandthecanyons，aslongashelived，tofetchin；andthenMissLindawentalone，andnowthesonofJudgeWhiting，thebiggestlawyerinLosAngeles，hasbegungoin\'
withher。Ain\'titthebrightest，prettiestplace？\'Isaystohim。Andhestoodtherelookin\'，andhesaystome:\'No，Katy，thatisagraveyard。\'Nowwhatinthenameofraisonwasthemanmeanin\'bythat？\"
Lindastaredatthehearthmottoreflectively。
\"Agraveyard！\"sherepeated。\"Well，ifanythingcouldcomefartherfromagraveyardthanthatspot，Idon\'tknowhowitwoulddoit。Ihaven\'ttheremotestnotionwhathemeant。Whydidn\'tyouaskhim？\"
\"Well，thetruthis，\"saidKaty，\"thatIproidemyselfonbeingabletokapememouthshutwhenIshould。\"
\"I\'llleavetothinkoverit，\"saidLinda。\"AtpresentIhavenomoreideathanyouinwhatrespectmydesertgardencouldresembleagraveyard。Oh！yes，there\'sonethingIwantedtoaskyou，Katy。HasEileenbeenaroundwhilethisroomwasbeingaltered？\"
\"Shecameinyesterday，\"answeredKaty，\"whenthehammerin\'andsawin\'wasgoin\'fullblast。\"
\"WhatIwantedtofindout\'\"saidLinda，\"waswhethershehadbeenhereandseenthisroomornot，becauseifshehasn\'tandshewantstoseeit，nowishertime。AfterIgetthingsgoinghereandthesewallsarecoveredwithdryingsketchesthisroomisgoingtobestrictlyprivate。Youseethatyoukeepyourkeywherenobodygetsholdofit。\"
\"It\'sonastringroundmeneckthisblessedminute，\"saidKaty。
\"Ididn\'tseehercomeuphere，butyecouldbesafeinbettin\'
anythingye\'vegotthatshecame。\"
\"Yes，Iimagineshedid，\"saidLinda。\"ShewouldbesufficientlycuriousthatshewouldcometolearnhowmuchIhavespentifshehadnootherinterestinme。\"
Shelookedatthefireplacereflectively。
\"Iwonder，\"shesaid，\"whatEileenthoughtofthatandIwonderifshenoticedthatlittle\'P。M。\'tuckedawaydownthereinthecorner。\"
\"Sureshedid，\"saidKaty。\"Shehasgoteyeslikeacat。ShecanseemorethingsinashortertimethananybodyIeverknew。\"
SothateveningatdinnerLindatoldEileenthattheimprovementsshehadmadeforherconvenienceinthebilliardroomwerefinished，andaskedherifshewouldliketoseethem。
\"Ican\'timaginewhatyouwanttostickyourselfoffuptherealonefor，\"saidEileen。\"Idon\'tbelieveIamsufficientlyinterestedingarretskylightsandwindowstoclimbuptolookatthem。Whateverybodyintheneighborhoodcanseeisthatyouhaveabsolutelyruinedthelooksofthebackpartofthehouse。\"
\"Goodgracious！\"saidLinda。\"HaveI？YouknowIneverthoughtofthat。\"
\"Ofcourse！Butallyou\'vegottodoisgoonthecastlawnandtakealookatthatsideandthebackendofthehousetoseewhatyouhavedone，\"saidEileen。\"Undoubtedlyyou\'vecutthesellingpriceofthehouseonethousand，atleast。Butit\'sexactlylikeyounottohavethoughtofwhatchoppinguptheroofandtheendofthehouseasyouhavedone，wouldmakeitlooklike。Youhavegotoneofthosesingle-trackminds，Linda，thatcanthinkofonlyonethingatatime，andyouneverdothink，whenyoustartanything，ofwhattheendisgoingtobe。\"
\"Verylikelythere\'salargeamountoftruthinthat，\"saidLindasoberly。\"PerhapsIdogetanideaandpursueittotheexclusionofeverythingelse。It\'saninheritancefromDaddy，thisconcentratingwithallmymightononethingatatime。ButIamverysorryifIhavedisfiguredthehouse。\"
\"WhatIwanttoknow，\"saidEileen，\"ishowinthisworld，atpresentwagesandcostofmaterial，you\'reexpectingtopaymenfortheworkyouhavehaddone。\"
\"Icantalkmoreunderstandinglyaboutthat，\"saidLindaquietly，\"dayaftertomorrow。I\'llgethomefromschooltomorrowasearlyasIcan，andthenwe\'llfigureoutourfinancialsituationexactly。\"
Eileenmadenoreply。
CHAPTERXVI。ProducingtheEvidenceWhenLindahurriedhomethenextevening，herfirstwordtoKatywastoaskifEileenwerethere。
\"No，sheisn\'there，\"saidKaty，\"andshe\'snotgoingtobe。\"
\"Notgoingtobe！\"criedLinda，herfacepalingperceptibly。
\"Shewentdowntownthismorningandshetelephonedmeaboutthreesayin\'shehadaninvoitationtogowithamotorpartytoPasadenathisafternoon，an\'shewasn\'tknowin\'whethershecouldgethomethenightornot。\"
\"Idon\'tlikeit，\"saidLinda。\"Idon\'tlikeitatall。\"
ShelikeditstilllesswhenEileencamehomeforachangeofclothingthefollowingday，andagainwenttospendthenightwithafriend，withoutleavinganywordwhatever。
\"Idon\'tunderstandthis，\"saidLinda，whitelippedandtense。
\"Shedoesnotwanttoseeme。Shedoesnotintendtotalkbusinesswithmeifshecanpossiblyhelpit。SheistreatingmeasifIwereafour-year-oldinsteadofawomanwithasmuchbrainasshehas。IfsheappearswhileIamgonetomorrowandstartsawayagain，youtellherCometothinkofit，youneedn\'ttellheranything；I\'llgiveyouanoteforher。\"
SoLindasatdownandwrote:
DEAREILEEN:
Itwon\'tbenecessarytoremindyouofouragreementnightbeforelasttosettleonanallowancefromFather\'sestateforme。OfcourseIrealizethatyouarepurposelyavoidingseeingme，forwhatreasonIcan\'timagine；butIgiveyouwarning，thatifyouhavebeeninthishouseandhavereadthisnote，andarenotherewithyourfiguresreadytomeetmewhenIgethometomorrownight，I\'lltakemattersintomyownhands，anddoexactlywhatI
thinkbestwithouttheslightestreferencetowhatyouthinkaboutit。Ifyoudon\'twantsomethingdonethatyouwilldislike，evenmorethanyoudislikeseeingme，youhadbetterheedthiswarning。
LINDA。
Shereaditoverslowly:\"My，thatsoundsmelodramatic！\"shecommented。\"It\'sevengotathreatinit，andit\'safunnythingtothreatenmyownsister。Idon\'tthinkthatit\'sasituationthatoccursveryfrequently，butforthatmatterIsincerelyhopethatEileenisn\'tthekindofsisterthatoccursfrequently。\"
Lindawentuptoherroomandtriedtosettleherselftowork，butfoundthatitwasimpossibletofixherattentiononwhatshewasdoing。Hermindjumpedfromonethingtoanotherinawaythattotallyprohibitedeffectiveworkofanykind。Asuddenresolvecameintoherheart。Shewouldnotwaitanylonger。Shewouldknowforherselfjusthowshewassituatedfinancially。
ShewroteanotetotheeditorofEverybody\'sHome，askinghimifitwouldbeconvenienttoletherknowwhatreceptionherworkwashavingwithhissubscribers，whetherhedesiredhertocontinuethedepartmentinhismagazines，andifso，whatwasthebestofferhecouldmakeherfortherecipes，thenaturalhistorycommentsaccompanyingthem，andthesketches。ThenshewentdowntothetelephonebookandlookedupthelocationoftheConsolidatedBank。ShedecidedthatshewouldstopthereonherwayfromschoolthenextdayandasktobeshowntheStrongaccounts。
WhileshewasmeditatingtheseheroicmeasuresthebellrangandKatyadmittedJohnGilman。Strangelyenough，hewasaskingforLinda，notforEileen。AtthefirstglimpseofhimLindaknewthatsomethingwaswrong；sowithoutanypreludeshesaidabruptly:\"What\'sthematter，John？Don\'tyouknowwhereI
Eileeniseither？\"
\"Approximately，\"heanswered。\"Shehas\'phonedmetwoorthreetimes，butIhaven\'tseenherforthreedays。Doyouknowwheresheisorexactlywhysheiskeepingawayfromhomeassheis？\"
\"Yes，\"saidLinda，\"Ido。ItoldyoutheotherdaythetimehadcomewhenIwasgoingtodemandasettlementofFather\'sestateandafixedincome。ThattimecamethreedaysagoandIhavenotseenEileensince。\"
Theyenteredthelivingroom。AsLindapassedthetable，proppedagainstacandlestickonit，shenoticedanoteaddressedtoherself。
\"Oh，herewillbeanexplanation，\"shesaid。\"Hereisanoteforme。SitdownaminutetillIreadit。\"
Sheseatedherselfonthearmofachair，toreopenthenote，andinstantlybeganreadingaloud。
\"Dearlittlesister——\"
\"Pathetic，\"interpolatedLinda，\"inconsiderationofthefactthatIamabouttwiceasbigassheis。However，we\'llletthatgo，andfocusontheenclosure。\"ShewavedaslenderslipofpaperatGilman。\"Ineverwaspossessedofanarticlelikethisbeforeinallmytenderyounglife，butitseemstomethatit\'sacheque，andIcan\'ttellyouquitehowdeeplyitamusesme。
Buttoreturntobusiness，atthepresentinstantIam:
DEARLITTLESISTER:
ItseemsthatallthefriendsIhaveareparticularlyinsistentonseeingmeallatonceandallinarush。Idon\'tthinkIeverhadquitesomanyinvitationsatonetimeinmylifebefore，andthenexttwoorthreedaysseemtobegoingtobeequallyasfull。ButItooktimetorunintothebankandgooverthingscarefully。Ifindthatafterthepaymentoftaxesandinsuranceandallthehouseholdexpenses，thatbywearingoldclothesI
haveandmakingthemoverIcanaffordtoturnoveratleastseventy-fivedollarsamonthtoyouforyourclothingandpersonalexpenses。AsIdon\'tknowexactlywhenIcangethome，IamenclosingachequewhichisconsiderablylargerthanIhadsupposedIcouldmakeit，andIcanonlydothisbyskimpingmyself；butofcourseyouaregettingsuchabiggirlandbeginningtoattractattention，soitisonlyrightthatyoushouldhavetheverybestthatIcanaffordtodoforyou。IamnottakingthebillfromTheModeintoconsideration。Ipaidthatwithlastmonth\'sexpenses。
Withlove，EILEEN。
Lindaheldtheletterinonehand，thechequeintheother，andstaredquestioninglyatJohnGilman。
\"Whatdoyouthinkofthat？\"sheinquiredtersely。
\"Itseemstome，\"saidGilman，\"thatamorepertinentquestionwouldbe，whatdoyouthinkofit？\"
\"Rot！\"saidLindatersely。\"IfIwereastenographerinyourofficeIwouldthinkthatIwasmakingafairlygoodstart；butI
happentobethedaughterofAlexanderStronglivinginmyownhomewithmyonlysister，whocanaffordtoflitliketheflittingestofsocialbutterfliesfromonepartytoanotheraswelldressedas，andbetterdressedthan，theGreatGeneralAverage。Youhaveknownus，John，eversinceEileensatinthesuntodryherhandmadecurls，whileIwasleavingapieceofmydressoneverybuskinMultifloresCanyon。RighthereandnowI
amgoingtoshowyousomething！\"
Lindastartedupstairs，soJohnGilmanfollowedher。ShewenttothedoorofEileen\'ssuiteandopenedit。
\"Nowthen，\"shesaid，\"takealookatwhatEileenfeelsshecanaffordforherself。Youwillobserveshehascompleteandexquisitefurnishingsandallsortsoffeminineaccessoriesonherdressingtable。Youwillobservethatshehasfinerugsinherdressingroomandbathroom。Letmecallyourattentiontothefactthatallthesedrawersarefilledwithexpensivecomfortsandconveniences。\"
AngrilyLindabegantoopendrawersfilledwithfancyfeminineapparel，daintilyandneatlyfolded，everythinginperfectorder:
gloves，hose，handkerchiefs，ribbons，laces，allinseparatecompartmentsShepointedtothehighchiffonier，thetopdecoratedwithcandlesticksandsilver-framedpictures。Herethedrawersrevealedheapsofembroideredunderclothingandsilkengarments。Thenshewalkedtotheclosetandthrewthedoorwide。
Shepushedhangersontheirrods，slidingbeforetheperplexedandbewilderedmandressafterdressoflaceandgeorgette，walkingsuitsofcloth，streetdressesofsilk，andprettyafternoongowns，heavycoats，lightcoats，abeautifuleveningcoat。LindatookthisdownandhelditinfrontofJohnGilman。
\"Iseethingsmarkedinstorewindows，\"shesaid。\"Eileenpaidnotapennylessthanthreehundredforthisonecoat。Lookattherowsofshoes，andpumps，andslippers，andwhatthatboxisorIdon\'tknow。\"
Lindaslidtothelightaboxscreenedbythehangingdresses，andwiththetoeofhershoeliftedthelid，disclosingacompletesmokingoutfit——caseaftercaseofcigarettes。Lindadroppedthelidandshovedtheboxback。Shestoodsilentasecond，thenshelookedatJohnGilman。
\"Thatisthewaythingsgointhisworld，\"shesaidquietly。
\"Wheneveryouloseyourtemper，youalwaysdosomethingyoudidn\'tintendtodowhenyoustarted。Ididn\'tknowthat，andI
wouldn\'thaveshownittoyoupurposelyifIhadknownit；butitdoesn\'talterthefactthatyoushouldknowit。Ifyoudidknowitnoharm\'sdonebutifyoudidn\'tknowit，youshouldn\'tbeallowedtomarryEileenwithoutknowingasmuchaboutherasyoudidaboutMarian，andtherewasnothingaboutMarianthatyoudidn\'tknow。Iamsorryforthat，butsinceIhavestartedthisIamgoingthroughwithit。Nowgivemejustoneminutemore。\"
Thenshewentdownthehall，threwopenthedoortoherroom，andwalkinginsaid:\"YouhaveseenEileen\'ssurroundings；nowtakealookatmine。There\'smybed；there\'smydresserandtoiletarticles；andthisismywardrobe。\"
Sheopenedtheclosetdoorandexhibitedapairofoverallsinwhichshewateredherdesertgarden。Nextrangedherkhakibreechesandfelthat。Thenhungtheoldsergeschooldress，besideittheextraskirtandorangeblouse。Thestackofunderclothingontheshelveswaspitifullysmall，visiblydilapidated。Twoorthreeoutgrownginghamdresseshungforlornlyontheoppositewall。LindastoodtallandstraightbeforeJohnGilman。
\"WhatIhaveonandoneotherwaistconstitutemywardrobe，\"shesaid，\"andItoldEileenwheretogetthisdressandsuggesteditbeforeIgotit。\"
Gilmanlookedatherinadazedfashion。
\"Idon\'tunderstand，\"hesaidslowly。\"Ifthatisn\'tthedressI
sawEileensendupforherself，I\'mbadlymistaken。ItwastheSaturdaywewenttoRiverside。Itsurelyistheverydress。\"
Lindalaughedbleakly。
\"Thatmaybe，\"shesaid。\"Theonetimesheeverhasanyrespectformeisinaquestionoftaste。ShewillagreethatIknowwhencolorsarerightandathingisartistic。Nowthen，John，youaretheadministratorofmyfather\'sestate；youhaveseenwhatyouhaveseen。Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？\"
\"Linda，\"hesaidquietly，\"whatmyheartmightpromptmetodoinconsiderationofthefactthatIamengagedtomarryEileen，andwhatmylegalsensetellsmeImustdoasexecutorofyourfather\'swishes，aredifferentpropositions。Iamgoingtodoexactlywhatyoutellmeto。Whatyouhaveshownme，andwhatI\'dhaverealized，ifIhadstoppedtothink，isneitherrightnorjust。\"
ThenLindatookhertunatdeepthought。
\"John，\"shesaidatlast，\"IamfeelingdepressedoverwhatI
havejustdone。IamnotsurethatinlosingmytemperandbringingyouuphereIhaveplayedthegamefairly。Youdon\'tneedtodoanything。I\'llmanagemyaffairswithEileenmyself。
ButI\'lltellyoubeforeyougo，thatyouneedn\'tpracticeanysubterfuges。Whenshereachesthepointwheresheisreadytocomehome，I\'lltellherthatyouwerehere，andwhatyouhaveseen。ThatisthebestIcandotowardsquaringmyselfwithmyownconscience。\"
Slowlytheywalkeddowntheha]ltogether。AttheheadofthestairsLindatookthechequethatshecarriedandtoreitintobits。Steppingacrossthehall，sheletthelittleheapslowlyfluttertotheruginfrontofEileen\'sdoor。ThenshewentbacktoherroomandleftJohnGilmantohisownreflections。
CHAPTERXVII。ARockandaFlameThefirsttimeLindaenteredthekitchenafterherinterviewwithGilman，Katyaskedindeepconcern，\"Nowwhatyebeendoing，lambie？\"
\"Doingthebabyact，Katy，\"confessedLinda。\"Disgracingmyself。
Losingmytemper。IwishIcouldbringmyselftotheplacewhereIwouldthinkhalfadozentimesbeforeIdoathingonce。\"
\"Nowlookhere，\"saidKaty，beginningtobristle，\"ain\'titthetruththatyehavethoughtforfouryearsbeforeyedidthisthingonce？\"
\"Quiteso，\"saidLinda。\"ButsinceIamthedaughterofthefinestgentlemanIeverknew，Ishouldnotdohasty，regrettablethings。Ontheliving-roomtableIfoundanotesweeterthanhoney，anditcontainedachequeformethatwouldn\'tpayEileen\'sbillsforlunches，candy，andtheatersforamonth；soinundueheatIreducedittobitsanddecoratedtherugbeforeherdoor。Butbeforethat，Katy，Iledmyguardianintotheroom，andshowedhimeverything。Imeanttotellhimthat，sincehehadneglectedmeforfouryears，hecouldseethatIhadjusticenow，butwhenI\'dpersonallyconductedhimfromEileen\'sroomtomine，andwhenItookagoodlookathimtherewassomethingonhisface，Katy，thatIcouldn\'tendure。SoItoldhimtoleaveittome；thatIwouldtellEileenmyselfwhatIhaddone，andsoIwill。ButIamsorryIdidit，Katy；Iamawfullysorry。YoualwaystoldmetokeepmytemperandIlostitcompletely。FromnowonIcertainlywilltrytobehavemyselfmorelikeawomanthanaspoiledchild。Nowgivemeadustclothandbrushes。IamalmostthroughwithmyjobinthelibraryandIwanttofinish，becauseIshallbeforcedtousethemoneyfromthebookstopayformyskylightandfireplace。\"
Lindawenttothelibraryandbeganwork，efficiently，carefully，yetwithapreciserapidityhabitualtoher。Downthelonglineofheavytechnicalbooks，shecametotheendoftheshelf。
Threebooksfromtheendshenoticedadifferenceinthewallbehindtheshelf。Hastilyremovingtheothertwovolumes，shedisclosedasmalllockeddoorhavingascrapofpaperprotrudingfromtheedgewhichshepulledoutanduponwhichsheread:
Intheeventofmypassing，shouldanyonemovethesebooksandfindthisdoor，theselinesaretoinformhimthatitistoremainuntouched。Thekeytoitisinmysafety-depositvaultattheConsolidatedBank。TheBankwillopenthedoorandattendtothecontentsoftheboxatthepropertime。
Lindafixedthepaperbackexactlyasshehadfoundit。Shestoodlookingatthedooralongtime，thenshecarefullywipedit，thewallaroundit，andtheshelf。Goingtoanothershelf，shepickedoutthebooksthathadbeenwrittenbyherfatherand，beginningattheendoftheshelf，sherangedtheminarowuntiltheycompletelycoveredtheopening。Thenshefinishedfillingtheshelfwithotherbooksthatshemeanttokeep，butherbrainwasworking，millingoverandoverthequestionofwhatthatlittlecompartmentcontainedandwhenitwastobeopenedandwhetherJohnGilmanknewaboutit，andwhethertheConsolidatedBankwouldrememberthedayspecified，andwhetheritwouldmeananythingimportanttoher。
ShecarriedthedustersbacktoKaty，andgoingtoherroom，concentratedresolutelyuponherwork；butsheWasunabletodoanythingconstructive。Herroutinelessonsshecouldprepare，butshecouldnotevensketchawildroseaccurately。Finallyshelaiddownherpencil，washedherbrushes，putawayhermaterial，andlockingherdoor，slippedthekeyintoherpocket。
GoingdowntothegaragesheclimbedintotheBearCatandheadedstraightforPeterMorrison。Shedroveintohislocationandblewthehorn。Petersteppedfromthegarage，andseeingher，startedinherdirection。Lindasprangdownandhurriedtowardhim。Helookedatherintentlyassheapproachedandformedhisownconclusions。
\"Sortofrestless，\"saidLinda。\"Couldn\'tevolveasinglenewideawithwhichtoenliventhegayannalsofEnglishliteratureandGreekhistory。Apersonalhistoryseemsinfinitelymoreinsistentandunusual。Iranawayfrommylessons，andmywork，andcametoyou，Peter，becauseIhadafeelingthattherewassomethingyoucouldgiveme，andIthoughtyouwould。\"
Petersmiledaslowcurioussmile。
\"Ilikeyourlineofthought，Linda，\"hesaidquietly。\"Itgreatlyappealstome。AnytimeanancientandpatriarchalliterarymannamedPeterMorrisoncanserveasarockuponwhichayoungthingcanrest，whyhe\'llbegladtobethatrock。\"
\"Whatwereyoudoing？\"askedLindaabruptly。
\"Comeandsee，\"saidPeter。
Heledthewaytothegarage。Hisworktableandthecementfloorarounditwerelitteredwithsheetsofcloselytypedpaper。
\"I\'llhavetoassemblethemfirst，\"saidPeter，gettingdownonhiskneesandbeginningtopickthemup。
Lindasatonapackingcaseandwatchedhim。Alreadyshefeltcomforted。OfcoursePeterwasarock，ofcourseanyonecouldtrusthim，andofcourseifthetempestoflifebeatuponhertoostronglyshecouldalwaysflytoPeter。
\"MayI？\"sheinquired，stretchingherhandinthedirectionofasheet。
\"Sure，\"saidPeter。
\"Whatisit？\"inquiredLindalightly。\"Thebridgeortheroadortheplayroom？\"
\"Gad！\"hesaidslowly。\"Don\'ttalkaboutmebeingarock！Rocksarestolid，stodgyunresponsivethings。IthoughtIwasstrugglingwithoneofthebiggestpoliticalproblemsofthedayfromaneconomicandpsychologicalstandpoint。IfI\'dhadsenseenoughtorealizethatitwasabridgeIwasbuilding，Imighthavedonethethingwithsomeimaginationandsubtlety。IfyouwantarockandyousayIamarock，arockI\'llbe，Linda。ButIknowwhatyouare，andwhatyouwillbetomewhenwereallybecomethekindoffriendswearedestinedtobe。\"
\"Iwondernow，\"saidLinda，\"ifyouaregoingtosaythatIcouldbeanysuchlovelythingonthelandscapeasabridge。\"
\"No，\"saidPeterslowly，\"nothingsoprosaic。Bridgesarecommoninthisworld。Youaregoingtobesomethinguncommon。Historyrecordstheexperiencesofbutonemanwhohasseenaflameintheopen。IamasecondMosesandyouaregoingtobemyburningbush。Iintendedtoreadthisarticletoyou。\"
Petermassedthesheets，straightenedthemonthedesk，anddeliberatelyrippedthemacrossseveraltimes。Lindasprangtoherfeetandstretchedoutherhands。
\"Why，Peter！\"shecriedinashockedvoice。\"Thatisperfectlyinexcusable。Therearehoursandhoursofworkonthat，andI
havenotadoubtbutthatitwasgoodwork。\"
\"Simplecaseofmechanism，\"saidPeter，reducingthebitstosmallersizeanddroppingthemintotheemptynailkegthatservedashiswastebasket。\"Alifelessthingwithoutasoul，mereclockwork。Ihavegottheideanow。Iamtobuildabridgeandmakearoad。EverywayIlookIcanseeagolden-flametongueofinspirationburning。I\'llrewritethatthingandanimateit。Takemeforaride，Linda。\"
LindaroseandwalkedtotheBearCat。Peterclimbedinandsatbesideher。Lindalaidherhandsonthesteeringwheelandstartedthecar。Sheranitdowntothehighwayandchosealevelroadleadingstraightdownthevalleythroughcultivatedcountry。InalltheworldtherewasnothingtoequalthepanoramathatshespreadbeforePeterthatevening。ShedrovetheBearCatpastorchards，hundredsofacresoforchardsofwaxengreenleavesandwaxenwhitebloomoforange，grapefruit，andlemon。Shetookhimwhereseasofpinkoutlinedpeachorchards，andotherseasthemoredelicatetintoftheapricots。
Sheglideddownavenueslinedwithpalmandeucalyptus，pepperandolive，andthroughunbrokenrows，extendingformiles，ofroses，longstretchesofwhite，againastretchofpink，thensalmon，yellow，andred。Nowhereinalltheworldaretheretobefoundsomanyacresoforchardbloomandsomanymilesoftree-lined，rose-decoratedroadwayasinsouthernCalifornia。