Shesentthelittlecarthroughtheeveninguntilshefeltthatitwastimetogohome，andwhenatlastshestoppedwheretheyhadstarted，sherealizedthatneithershenorPeterhadspokenoneword。Ashesteppedfromthecarsheleanedtowardhimandreachedoutherhand。
\"Thankyouforthefireplace，Peter，\"shesaid。
Petertookthehandsheextendedandhelditoneminuteinbothhisown。Thenverygentlyhestraighteneditoutinthepalmofoneofhishandsandwiththeotherhandturnedbackthefingersandlaidhislipstotheheartofit。
\"Thankyou，Linda，fortheflame，\"hesaid，andturningabruptly，hewenttowardhisworkroom。
Stoppingforabitetoeatinthekitchen，Lindawentbacktoherroom。Shesatdownatthetableandpickingupherpencil，begantowork，andfoundthatshecouldwork。Everystrokecametrueandstrong。Everyideaseemedoriginalandunusual。Quiteaslateasalighteverhadshoneinherwindow，itshonethatnight，thelastthingshedidbeingtowriteanotheranonymouslettertoMarian，andwhensherereaditLindarealizedthatitwasanappealingletter。ShethoughtitcertainlywouldcomfortMarianandsurelywouldmakeherfeelthatsomeoneworthwhilewasinterestedinherandinherwork。Shelovedsomeofthewhimsicallittletouchesshehadputintoit，andshewonderedifshehadmadeitsomuchlikePeterMorrisonthatitwouldbesuggestiveofhimtoMarian。Sheknewthatshehadnorighttodothatandhadnosuchintention。ShemerelywantedamodeltocopyfromandPeterseemedthemostappealingmodelathand。
AfterschoolthenextdayLindareportedthatshehadfinishedgoingthroughthebooksandwasreadytohavethemtaken。Then，afterafewminutesofdeepthought，shemadeherwaytotheConsolidatedBank。Atthewindowofthepayingtellersheexplainedthatshewishedtoseethepersonconnectedwiththebankwhohadchargeofthesafety-depositboxesandwholookedaftertheaccountspertainingtotheestateofAlexanderStrong。
Thetellerrecognizedthename。Heimmediatelybecamedeferential。
\"I\'lltakeyoutotheofficeofthepresident，\"hesaid。\"HeandDoctorStrongwereverywarmfriends。Youcanexplaintohimwhatitisyouwanttoknow。\"
Beforesherealizedwhatwashappening，Lindafoundherselfinanofficethatwasallmahoganyandmarble。Atahugedeskstackedwithpaperssataman，considerablyolderthanherfather。Lindarememberedtohaveseenhimfrequentlyintheirhome，inherfather\'scar，andsherecalledonefishingexpeditiontotheTulareLakeregionwherehehadbeenamemberofherfather\'sparty。
\"Ofcourseyouhaveforgottenme，Mr。Worthington，\"shesaidassheapproachedhisdesk。\"Ihavegrownsuchatallpersonduringthepastfouryears。\"
Thewhite-hairedfinancierroseandstretchedouthishand。
\"YouexactreplicaofAlexanderStrong，\"hesaidlaughingly，\"I
couldn\'tforgetyouanymorethanIcouldforgetyourfather。
Thatfinefishingtripwhereyouprovedsuchagrandlittlescoutisbrightinmymemoryasoneofmyhappiestvacations。SitdownandtellmewhatIcandoforyou。\"
Lindasatdownandtoldhimthatshewasdissatisfiedwiththemannerinwhichherfather\'sestatewasbeingadministered。
Helistenedverycarefullytoallshehadtosay，thenhepressedabuttonandgaveafewwordsofinstructiontotheclerkwhoansweredit。Whenseveralledgersandaccountbookswerelaidbeforehim，withpracticedhandheturnedtowhathewanted。Therecordswerenotcomplicated。Theycoveredaperiodoffouryears。Theyshowedexactlywhatmonieshadbeenpaidintothebankfortheestate。Theyshowedwhatroyaltieshadbeenpaidonthebooks。Lindasatbesidehimandwatchedhispencilrunningupanddowncolumns，settingdownalistofitems，andmakingeverythingplain。PaidchequesforhouseholdexpensesIanddrygoodsbillswereallrecordedanddeducted。Withnarrow，alerteyes，Lindawaswatching，andherbrainwaskeenlyalive。
Assherealizedthediscrepancybetweentheannualrevenuefromtheestateandthetotalingoftheexpenses，shehadaninspiration。Somethingsheneverbeforehadthoughtofoccurredtoher。Shelookedthebankerintheeyeandsaidveryquietly:
\"Andnow，sincesheismysisterandIamgoingtobeofageveryshortlyandthesethingsmustallbegoneintoandopenedup，woulditbeoutofplaceformetoaskyouthisafternoontoletmehaveaglimpseattheprivateaccountofMissEileenStrong？\"
ThebankerdrewadeepbreathandlookedatLindakeenly。
\"Thatwouldnotbecustomary，\"hesaidslowly。
\"No？\"saidLinda。\"ButsinceFatherandMotherwentoutatthesametimeandtherewasnowillandthepropertywouldbelegallydividedequallybetweenusuponmycomingofage，wouldmysisterbeentitledtoaprivateaccount？\"
\"Hadsheanysourcesofobtainingmoneyoutsidetheestate？\"
\"No，\"saidLinda。\"AtleastnonethatIknowof。MotherhadI
somerelativesinSanFranciscowhowereverywealthypeople，buttheynevercametoseeusandweneverwentthere。Iknownothingaboutthem。IneverhadanymoneyfromthemandIamquitesureEileenneverhad。\"
Lindasatveryquietlyaminuteandthenshelookedatthebanker。
\"Mr。Worthington，\"shesaid，\"thesituationisslightlypeculiar。
Myguardian，JohnGilman，isengagedtomarrymysisterEileen。
Sheisabeautifulgirl，asyounodoubtrecall，andheisverymuchinlovewithher。Undoubtedlyshehasbeenable，atleastrecently，tomanageaffairsverymuchinherownway。Sheismorethanfouryearsmysenior，andhasalwayshadchargeofthehouseholdaccountsandthehandlingofthebankaccounts。Sincethereissuchawidediscrepancybetweenthereturnsfromthepropertyandtheexpensesthatthesebooksshow，Iamforced。otheconclusionthattheremustbeuponyourbooks，orthebooksofsomeotherbankinthecity，aprivateaccountinEileen\'snameorinthenameoftheStrongestate。\"
\"ThatIcanveryeasilyascertain，\"saidMr。Worthington，reachingagaintowardthebuttononhisdesk。AfewminuteslaterthereportcamethattherewasaprivateaccountinthenameofMissEileenStrong。AgainLindawasdeeplythoughtful。
\"IsthereanythingIcando，\"sheinquired，\"topreventthataccountfrombeingchangedordrawnoutprevioustomycomingofage？\"
ThenMr。Worthingtongrewthoughtful。
\"Yes，\"hesaidatlast。\"Ifyouaredissatisfied，ifyoufeelthatyouhavereasontobelievethatmoneyrightfullybelongingtoyouisbeingdivertedtootherchannels，youhavetherighttoissueaninjunctionagainstthebank，orderingitnottopayoutanyfurthermoneyonanyaccountnortohonoranychequesdrawnbyMissStronguntilthesettlementoftheestate。Askyourguardiantoexecuteanddeliversuchaninjunction，ormerelyaskhim，asyourguardianandtheadministratoroftheestate，togivethebankawrittenordertothateffect。\"
\"ButbecauseheisengagedtoEileen，ItoldhimIwouldnotbringhimintothismatter，\"saidLinda。\"ItoldhimthatI
woulddowhatIwanteddone，myself。\"
\"Well，howlongisituntilthiscomingbirthdayofyours？\"
inquiredMr。Worthington。
\"Lessthantwoweeks，\"answeredLinda。
Foratimethefinanciersatindeepthought，thenhelookedatLinda。Itwasakeen，searchinglook。Itwenttothedepthsofhereyes；itincludedherfaceandhair；itincludedthefoldsofherdress，thecutofhershoe，andrestedattentivelyontheslenderhandslyingquietlyinherlap。
\"Iseethecircumstancesveryclearly，\"hesaid。\"Isympathizewithyourposition。Havingknownyourfatherandbeingwellacquaintedwithyourguardian，wouldyoubesatisfiedifIshouldtaketheresponsibilityofissuingtotheclerksanordernottoallowanythingtobedrawnfromtheprivateaccountuntilthesettlementoftheestate？\"
\"Perfectlysatisfied，\"saidLinda。
\"Itmightbe，\"saidMr。Worthington，\"managingmattersithatway，thatnooneoutsideofourselvesneedeverknowofilShouldyoursisternotdrawontheprivateaccountinthemeantime，shewouldbefreetodrawhouseholdchequesonthemonthlyincomeandifinthesettlementoftheestatesheturnsinthisprivateaccountoraccounts，sheneedneverknowoftherestrictionconcerningthisfund。\"
\"Thankyouverymuch，\"saidLinda。\"Thatwillfixeverythingfinely。\"
Onherwaytothestreetcar，Linda\'sbrainwhirled。
\"It\'snotconceivable，\"shesaid，\"thatEileenshouldbeenrichingherselfatmyexpense。Ican\'timagineherbeingdishonestinmoneyaffairs，andyetIcanrecallscarcelyacircumstanceinlifeinwhichEileenhaseverhesitatedtobedishonestwhenalieservedherpurposebetterthanthetruth。
Anyway，mattersaresafenow。\"
ThenextdaythebooksweretakenandachequefortheirvaluewaswaitingforLindawhenshereachedhome。ShecashedthischequeandwentstraighttoPeterMorrisonforhisestimateoftheexpensesfortheskylightandfireplace。WhensheaskedforthebillPeterhesitated。
\"Youwouldn\'tacceptthislittleadditiontoyourstudyasagiftfromHenryandme？\"heaskedlightly。\"Itwouldbeagreatpleasuretousifyouwould。\"
\"IcouldacceptstonesthatHenryAndersonhadgatheredfromthemountainsandcanyons，andIcouldacceptaversecarvedonstone，andbedelightedwiththegift；butIcouldn\'taccepthoursofdaylaboratthepresentpriceoflabor，soyouwillhavetogivemethebill，Peter。\"
Peterdidnothavethebill，buthehadmemoranda，andwhenLindapaidhimshereflectedthatthecurrenttalkconcerningtheinflatedpriceoflaborwasgreatlyexaggerated。
FortwoeveningsasLindareturnedfromschoolandwenttoherroomsheglanceddownthehallandsmiledatthedecorationremainingonEileen\'srug。Thethirdeveningitwasgone，sothatsheknewEileenwaseitherinherroomorhadbeenthere。
Shedidnotmeethersisteruntildinnertime。ShewaspreparedtowatchEileen，tostudyherclosely。Shewasnotpreparedtoadmireher，butinherheartshealmostdidthatverything。
Eileenhadpracticedsubterfugessolong，shewassoaccomplished，thatitwouldhavetakenanexperttodistinguishrealityfromsubterfuge。Sheenteredthediningroomhummingagaytune。Shewascarefullydressedandappealinglybeautiful。
SheblewakisstoLindaandwavedgailytoKaty。
\"Iwasratherafraid，\"shesaidlightly，\"thatImightfindyoutwoinmourningwhenIgotback。Ineverstayedsolongbefore，didI？SeemedasifeveryfriendIhadmadespecialdemandonmytimeallatonce。Hopeyouhaven\'tbeendullwithoutme。\"
\"Oh，no，\"saidLindaquietly。\"Beingawayatschoolallday，ofcourseIwouldn\'tknowwhetheryouwereathomeornot，andI
havegrownsoaccustomedtospendingmyeveningsalonethatI
don\'trelyonyouforentertainmentatanytime。\"
\"Inotherwords，\"saidEileen，\"itdoesn\'tmakeanydifferencetoyouwhereIam。\"
\"Notsofarasenjoyingyourcompanyisconcerned，\"saidLinda。
\"Otherwise，ofcourseitmakesadifference。Ihopeyouhadahappytime。\"
\"Oh，Ialwayshaveahappytime，\"answeredEileenlightly。\"I
certainlyhavethebestfriends。\"
\"That\'syourgoodfortune，\"answeredLinda。
AtthecloseofthemealLindasatwaiting。EileengaveKatyinstructionstohavethingsreadyforamidnightlunchforherandJohnGilmanandthen，humminghertuneagain，sheleftthediningroomandwentupstairs。Lindastoodlookingafterher。
\"Nowornever，\"shesaidatlast。\"IhavenobusinesstolethermeetJohnuntilIhaverecoveredmyself-respect。ButtheLordhelpmetodothethingdecently！\"
SoshefollowedEileenupthestairway。Shetappedatthedoor，andwithoutwaitingtohearwhethershewasinvitedornot，openeditandsteppedinside。Eileenwassittingbeforethewindow，abigboxofcandybesideher，amagazineinherfingers。
Evidentlysheintendedtokeephertemperincasethecominginterviewthreatenedtobecomepainful。
\"Iwashalfexpectingyou，\"shesaid，\"yousillyhothead。I
foundthechequeIwroteyouwhenIgothomethisafternoon。
Thatwasafoolishthingtodo。Whydidyoutearitup？Ifitweretoolargeorifitwerenotenoughwhydidn\'tyouuseitandaskforanother？BecauseIhadtobeawaythatwasmerelytoleaveyousomethingtogoonuntilIgotback。\"
ThenLindadidthemostdisconcertingthingpossible。Inhereffortatself-controlshewenttoofar。ShemerelyfoldedherhandsinherlapandsatlookingstraightatEileenwithoutsayingoneword。Itdidnotshowmuchonthesurface，butEileenreallyhadaconscience，shereallyhadasoul；Linda\'seyes，restingratherspeculativelyonher，werehonesteyes，andEileenknewwhatsheknew。Sheflushedandfidgeted，andatlastshebrokeoutimpatiently:\"Oh，forgoodness\'sake，Linda，don\'tplay\'Patience-on-a-monument。\'Speakupandsaywhatitisthatyouwant。Ifthatchequewasnotbigenough，whatwillsatisfyyou？\"
\"Cometothinkofit，\"saidLindaquietly，\"IcangetalongwithwhatIhavefortheshorttimeuntilthelegalsettlementofourinterestsisdue。Youneedn\'tbotheranymoreaboutacheque。\"
Eileenwassurprisedandherfaceshowedit；andshewasalsorelieved。Thattooherfaceshowed。
\"Ialwaysknew，\"shesaidlightly，\"thatIhadalittlesisterwitharemarkablylevelheadandgoodcommonsense。Iamgladthatyourecognizetheawfulinflationofpricesduringthewarperiod，andhowIhavehadtoskimpandschemeandsaveinordertomakeendsmeetandtokeepusgoingonPapa\'smeagerincome。\"
AllLinda\'sgoodresolutionsvanished。Shewasunderstrongnervoustension。ItirritatedhertohaveEileenconstantlyreferringtotheirmonetaryaffairsasiftheywerepracticallypaupers，asiftheirfather\'slifehadbeenafinancialfailure，asifhehadnotbeenabletorealizefromachievementsrecognizedaroundtheworldacomfortablelivingfortwowomen。
\"Oh，goodLord！\"shesaidshortly。\"Blufftherestoftheworldlikeaprofessional，Eileen，butwhytryitwithme？You\'rerightaboutmyhavingcommonsense。I\'lladmitthatIamusingitnow。Iwillbeofageinafewdays，andthenwe\'lltakeJohnGilmanandgototheConsolidatedBank，andifitsuitsyourconveniencetobeabsentforfourorfivedaysatthatperiod，I\'lltakeJohnGilmanandwe\'llgotogether。\"
Eileenwasamazed。Therecedingcolorinhercheekslefttherougeonthemaghastly，garishthing。
\"Well，Iwon\'tdoanythingofthesort，\"shesaidhotly，\"andneitherwillJohnGilman。\"
\"Unfortunatelyforyou，\"answeredLinda，\"JohnGilmanismyguardian，notyours。He\'llbeforcedtodowhatthelawsayshemust，andwhatcommondecencytellshimhemust，nomatterwhathispersonalfeelingsare；andImightaswelltellyouthatyourabsencehasdoneyounogood。You\'dfarbetterhavecomehome，asyouagreedto，andgoneoverthebooksandmademeadecentallowance，becauseinyourabsenceJohncameheretoaskmewhereyouwere，andIknowthathewasanxious。\"
\"Hecamehere！\"criedEileen。
\"Why，yes，\"saidLinda。\"Wasitanythingunusual？Hasn\'thebeencominghereeversinceIcanremember？Evidentlyyoudidn\'tkeephimaswellpostedthistimeasyouusuallydo。Hecamehereandaskedforme。\"
\"AndIsuppose，\"saidEileen，anuglyredbeginningtorushintoherwhitecheeks，\"thatyoutookpainstomakethingsuncomfortableforme。\"
\"Iamverymuchafraid，\"saidLinda，\"thatyouareright。YouhavemadethingsuncomfortableformeeversinceIcanremember，forIcan\'trememberthetimewhenyouwerenotfindingfaultwithme，puttingmeinthewrongandgettingmecriticizedandpunishedifyoupossiblycould。Itwasafairunderstandingthatyoushouldbehere，andyouwerenot，andIwasseeingredaboutit；andjustasJohncameinIfoundyournoteintilelivingroomandreaditaloud。\'；
\"Oh，well，therewasnothinginthat，\"saidEileeninarelievedtone。
\"Nothinginthewordingofit，no，\"saidLinda，\"buttherewaseverythingintheintentionbackofit。Becauseyoudidnotliveuptoyourtacitagreement，andbecauseIhadbeenonhightensionfortwoorthreedays，Ilostmytempercompletely。I
broughtJohnGilmanuphereandshowedhimthesuiteofroomsinwhichyouhavedoneforyourself，forfouryears。Igavehimratherathoroughinventoryofyourdressingtableanddrawers，andthenIopenedtheclosetdoorandcalledhisattentiontothenumberandthequalityofthegarmentshangingthere。TheboxunderneaththemIthoughtwasashoebox，butitdidn\'tprovetobeexactlythat；andforthatIwanttotellyou，asIhavealreadytoldJohn，Iamsorry。Iwouldn\'thavedonethatifI
hadknownwhatIwasdoing。\"
\"Isthatall？\"inquiredEileen，makingadesperateeffortatself-control。
\"Notquite，\"saidLinda。\"WhenIfinishedwithyourroom，ItookhimbackandshowedhimmineinevengreaterdetailthanIshowedhimyours。Ithoughtthecontrastwouldbemoreenlighteningthananythingeitheroneofuscouldsay。\"
\"AndIsupposeyourealize，\"saidEileenbitterly，\"thatyoulostmeJohnGilmanwhenyoudidit。\"
\"I？\"saidLinda。\"IlostyouJohnGilmanwhenIdidit？ButI
didn\'tdoit。Youdidit。Youhavebeenbusyforfouryearsdoingit。Ifyouhadn\'tdoneit，itwouldn\'thavebeenthereformetoshowhim。Ican\'tseethatthisisprofitable。Certainlyit\'sthemostdistressingthingthateverhasoccurredforme。
ButIdidn\'tfeelthatIcouldletyoumeetJohnGilmantonightwithouttellingyouwhatheknows。Ifyouhaveanywaytosquareyourconscienceandcleanseyoursoulbeforeyoumeethim，youhadbetterdoit，forhe\'samightyfinemanandifyoulosehimyouwillhavelostthebestchancethatislikelyevertocometoyou。\"
LindasatstudyingEileen。Shesawthegallanteffortshewasmakingtokeepherself-possession，tothinkwithheraccustomedrapidity，tostrikeuponsomeschemewherebyshecouldsquareherself。Sheroseandstartedtowardthedoor。
\"Whatyou\'llsaytoJohnIhaven\'tthefaintestnotion，\"shesaid。\"Itoldhimverylittle。Ijustshowedhim。\"
Thenshewentoutandclosedthedoorafterher。AtthefootofthestairsshemetKatyadmittingGilman。Withoutanypreliminariesshesaid:\"Irepeat，John，thatI\'msorryforwhathappenedtheotherday。IhavejustcomefromEileen。ShewillbedownassoonasKatytellsheryou\'rehere，nodoubt。IhavedonewhatItoldyouIwould。SheknowswhatIshowedyousoyouneedn\'temployanysubterfuges。Youcanbefrankandhonestwitheachother。\"
\"IwishtoGodwecould，\"saidJohnGilman。
Lindawenttoherwork。ShedecidedthatshewouldgaugewhathappenedbythelengthoftimeJohnstayed。Ifheremainedonlyafewminutesitwouldindicatethattherehadbeenarupture。
Ifhestayedaslongasheusuallydid，thechanceswerethatEileen\'swithadtriumphedasusual。
Attwelveo\'clockLindalaidherpencilsinthebox，washedthebrushes，andwentdownthebackstairstotheicechestforaglassofmilk。ThelivingroomwasstilllightedandLindathoughtEileen\'slaughquiteasgayassheeverhadheardit。
Lindaclosedherlipsverytightandslowlyclimbedthestairs。
Whensheenteredherroomshewalkeduptothemirrorandstaredatherselfintheglassforalongtime，andthenofherselfsheaskedthisquestion:
\"Well，howdoyousupposeshedidit？\"
CHAPTERXVIII。SpanishIrisJustasLindawasmostdeeplyabsorbedwithherownconcernstherecamealetterfromMarianwhichLindareadandrereadseveraltimes；forMarianwrote:
MYDEARESTPAL:
LifeissobusyupSanFranciscowaythatitmakesLilacValleylookinretrospectionlikeapeacefulsunsetpreliminarytobedtime。
ButIwantyoutohavetheconsolationandthecomfortofknowingthatIhavefoundatleasttwofriendsthatIhopewillendure。
Oneisawomanwhohasaroomacrossthehallfrommineinmyapartmenthouse。Sheisanewspaperwomanandlifeisveryfullforher，butitisfilledwithsuchintenselyinterestingthingsthatIalmostregrethavingmademylifeworkanythingsoprosaicasinanimatehouses；butthenit\'smydreamtoenliveneachhouseIplanwithatleastthespiritofhome。Thiswoman——hernameisDanaMeade——enlivenseveryhourofherworkingdaywithsomethingconcerningthewelfareofhumanity。Sheisabeautifulwomaninhersoul，soextremelybeautifulthatIcan\'tatthisminutewriteyouadetaileddescriptionofherhairandhereyesandhercomplexion，becausethisnice，big，friendlylightthatradiatesfromhersolightsherupandtransfiguresherthateveryonesayshowbeautifulsheis，andyetIhaveavaguerecollectionthathernoseiswhatyouwouldcalla\"beak，\"andIamafraidhercheekbonesaretoohighforgoodproportion，andIknowthatherhairisnotalwayssocarefullydressedasitshouldbe，butwhatisthedifferencewhenthehairiscrownedwithahalo？Ican\'tsweartoanyofthesethings；they\'resketchyimpressions。TheonlythingIamabsolutelysureaboutistheinnerlightthatshinestoanunbelievabledegree。IwishshehadmoretimeandI
wishIhadmoretimeandthatsheandImightbecomesuchfriendsasyouandIare。Ican\'ttellyou，dear，howmuchIthinkofyou。Itseemstomethatyou\'rerunningasortofundercurrentinmythoughtsalldaylong。
Youwillhardlycreditit，Linda，butafewdaysagoIdroveacarthroughthethickesttraffic，upasteephill，androundacurve。Ididit，butpracticallycollapsedwhenitwasover。
Thewhyofitwasthis:IthinkItoldyoubeforethatintheofficesofNicholsonandSnowthereisamanwhoisanunderstandingperson。HeisthejuniorpartnerandhisnameisEugeneSnow。IhappenedtoarriveathisdeskthedayIcameformyinstructionsandtomakemyplansforenteringtheircontest。
Hewasverykindtomeandwentoutofhiswaytosmoothouttheroughplaces。Eversince，hemakesapointofcomingtomeandtalkingafewminuteswhenIamattheofficeorwhenhepassesmeonmywaytothedraftingroomswhereItakemylessons。ThedayImentionIhadworkedlateandhardthenightbefore。Ihaddonethelastpossiblethingtotheplansformydreamhouse。Atthelastminute，gettingitallonpaper，workingatthespecifications，atwhichyouknowIamwobbly，wasnervousbusiness；andwhenIcamefromthedeskafterhavingturnedinmyplans，perhapsIshowedfatigue。Anyway，hesaidtomethathiscarwasbelow。Hesaidalsothathewasalonelyperson，havinglosthiswifetwoyearsago，andnotbeingableveryfrequentlytoseehislittledaughterwhoisinthecareofhergrandmother，thereweretimeswhenhewashungryforthecompanionshiphehadlost。HeaskedmeifIwouldgowithhimforadriveandItoldhimthatIwould。Iamratherstunnedyetoverwhathappened。
Therunaboutheledmetowasgreatlylikeyours，and，Linda，hestoppedataflorist\'sandcameoutwithanarmloadofbloom——exquisitelavenderandpalepinkandfaintyellowandwaxenwhite——themostenticingarmloadofspring。ForoneminuteItrulyexperiencedathrill。Ithoughthewasgoingtogivethatmassofflowerstome，buthedidnot。Hemerelylaiditacrossmylapandsaid:\"Edithadoredtheflowersfrombulbs。I
neverseesuchbloomthatmyheartdoesnotachewithakeen，angryachetothinkthatsheshouldbetakenfromtheworld，andthebeautythatshesoloved，soearlyandsoruthlessly。We\'lltakehertheseasIwouldtakethemtoherweresheliving。\"
So，Lindadear，Isatthereandlookedatcoloranddrankinfragrance，andwewhirledthroughthecityandawaytoacemeteryonabeautifulhill，andfilledavaseinsidethegatesofamausoleumwiththeseappealingflowers。Thenwesatdown，andamanwithahurthearttoldmeabouthishurt，andwhatanefforthewasmakingtogetthroughtheworldasthewomanhelovedwouldhavehadhim；andbeforeIknewwhatIwasdoing，Linda，I
toldhimthetellablepartofmyownhurts。Ievenliftedmyturbanandbowedmywhiteheadbeforehim。Thishurt——itwasoneoftheinexorablethingsthatcometopeopleinthisworld——I
couldtalkabout。Thatdeeperhurt，whichhasputascarthatneverwillbeeffacedonmysoul，ofcourseIcouldnottellhimabout。Butwhenwewentbacktothecarhesaidtomethathewouldhelpmetogetbackintothesunlight。HesaidthefirstthingImustdotoregainself-confidencewastobegindrivingagain。ItoldhimIcouldnot，buthesaidImust，andmademetakethedriver\'sseatofacarIhadneverseenandtakethesteeringwheelofamakeofmachineIhadneverdriven，andtackletwoorthreeseriousproblemsforadriver。Ididitallright，Linda，becauseIcouldn\'tallowmyselftofailthekindofamanMr。Snowis，whenhewastrulytryingtohelpme，butinthedepthsofmyheartIamafraidIamacowardforever，forthereisaghastlyillnesstakespossessionofmeasIwritethesedetailstoyou。Butanyway，putaredmarkonyourcalendarbesidethedateonwhichyougetthisletter，andjoyfullysaytoyourselfthatMarianhasfoundtworeal，sympatheticfriends。
InaweekortendaysIshallknowaboutthecontest。If1:
win，asIreallyhaveasneakinghopethatIshall，sinceIhavecondensedthebestoftwodozenhousesintooneandexhaustedmyimaginationonmydreamhome，Iwillsurelytelegraph，andyoucanmakeitadayofjubilee。IfIfail，Iwilltrytofindoutwheremydreamwasnottrueandwhatcanbedonetomakeitmaterializeproperly；butbetweenus，Lindagirl，Iamgoingtobedreadfullydisappointed。Icouldusethematerialvaluethatprizerepresents。IcouldstartmylifeworkwhichIhopetodoinLilacValleyontheprestigeandthebackgroundthatitwouldgiveme。Idon\'tknow，Linda，whetheryoueverlearnedtoprayornot，butIhave，andit\'sathingthathelpswhentheblackshadowcomes，whenyoureachthelandof\"benefitsforgotandfriendsrememberednot。\"
AndthisremindsmethatIshouldnotwritetomyverydearestfriendwhohasherownproblemsandmakeherheartsadwithmine；
sotothejoyfulnewsofmytwofriendsaddathird，Linda，forI
amgoingtotellyouasecretbecauseitwillmakeyouhappy。
SinceIhavebeeninSanFranciscosomeman，whoforareasonofhisowndoesnottellmehisname，hasbeenwritingmeextremelyattractiveletters。IhavehadseveralofthemandIcan\'ttellyou，Linda，whattheymeantomeorhowtheyhelpme。Thereisatouchofwhimsyaboutthem。Ican\'tasyetconnectthemwithanybodyIevermet，buttometheyaretakingtheplaceofalittlelunchonthebreadoflife。Theyaresuchreal，suchvivid，suchalivelettersfromsucharealpersonthatIhavebeendoingtheveryfoolishandromanticthingofansweringthemasmyheartdictatesandsigningmyownnametothem，whichonthesurfacelooksunwisewhenthemaninthecasekeepshisidentityinthebackground；butsinceheknowsmeandknowsmynameitseemsuselesstodoanythingelse:andanswertheselettersIshallandmust；becauseeveryoneofthemistomeastronglightthrownonJohnGilman。EverytimeoneoftheseletterscomestomeIhavethefeelingthatIwouldliketoreachoutthroughspaceandpickupthemanwhoiswritingthemanddanglehimbeforeEileenandsaytoher:\"TakeHIM。IdareyoutotakeHIM。\"Andmyconfidence，Linda，ispositivelysupremethatshecouldnotdoit。
Youknow，betweenus，Linda，weregardedEileenasararecreature，akindofexoticthing，madetobekeptinaglasshousewithtemperedairandwarmedwater；butasIgoaboutthecityandattimesamusemyselfatconcertsandtheaters，Iamratherdazedtotellyou，honey，thattheworldischockfullofEileens。Onthestreets，inthestores，everywhereIgo，sometimeshalfadozentimesinadayIsaytomyself:\"TheregoesEileen。\"Ihaven\'tadoubtthatEileenhasaheart，ifithasnotbecomesocallousedthatnobodycouldeverreachit，andIsuspectshehasasoul，butthemoreIseeofherkindthemoreIfeelthatJohnGilmanmayhavetobreastratherblackwaterbeforehefindsthem。
Withdearestlove，besuretoremembermetoKatherineO\'Donovan。
Hughertightandgivehermyunqualifiedlove。Don\'tletherforgetme。
Asever，MARIAN。
ThiswastheletterthatLindareadonce，thenshereaditagainandthenshereaditathirdtime，andafterthatshelostcountandrereaditwhenevershewasnotbusydoingsomethingelse，foritwasaletterthatwasthenextthingtolayinghandsuponMarian。ThepartoftheletterconcerningtheunknownmanwhowaswritingMarian，Lindaponderedoverdeeply。
\"ThatisthebestthingIeverdidinmylife，\"shesaidinself-
commendation。\"It\'sdoingmorethanIhopeditwould。It\'sgivingMariansomethingtothinkabout。It\'sgivingheraninterestinlife。It\'sdistractingherattention。WithoutsayingawordaboutJohnGilmanitismakingherseeforherselftheweakspotsinhimthroughtheverysubtlemethodofcallingherattentiontothestrengththatmaylieinanotherman。Foronceinyourlife，Linda，youhavedonesomethingstrictlyworthwhile。Thethingforyoutodoistokeepitup，andinordertokeepitup，tomakeeachletterfreshandoriginal，youwillhavetodoagooddealofstickingaroundPeterMorrison\'slocationandabsorbingratherthoroughlythethingshesays。Peterdoesn\'tknowheiswritingthoselettersbutheisinthemtillit\'sawonderMariandoesnothearhimdrawlandseetheimpstwistinghislipsasshereadsthem。BeforeIwriteanothersingleoneI\'llgoseePeter。Maybehewillhavethatarticlewritten。I\'lltakeapencil，andashereadsI\'lljotdownthesalientpointsandthenI\'llcomehomeandworkoutaheadandtailpieceforhimtosendinwithit，andinthatwayI\'lleasemysoulabouttheskylightandthefireplace。\"
SoLindatookpadandpencils，raidedKatyforeverythingshecouldfindthatwastemptinglyedible，climbedintotheBearCat，andwenttoseePeterasfranklyasshewouldhavecrossedthelawntovisitMarian。Hewasnotinthegaragewhenshestoppedhercarbeforeit，buttheworkmentoldherthathehadstrolledupthemountainandthatprobablyhewouldreturnsoon。LearningthathehadbeengonebutashorttimeLindasettheBearCatsquallingatthetopofitsvoice。Thenshetookpossessionofthegarage，andclearingPeter\'sworktablespreaduponitthefoodshehadbrought，andthenstartedouttofindsomeflowersfordecorations。WhenPetercameuponthescenehefoundLinda，flushedandbrillianteyed，holdingbeforehimabigbouquetofalderbloom，thelastofthelilacsshehadfoundinacool，shadedplace，pinkfilaree，bluelupin，andwhitemahoganypanicles。\"Peter，\"shecried。\"youcan\'tguesswhatIhavebeendoing！\"
Peterglancedattheflowers。
\"Isn\'titobvious？\"heinquired。
\"No，itisn\'t，\"saidLinda，\"becauseIamcapableoftwoprocessesatonce。Theworkofmyhandsisvisible；withitIamgoingtodecorateyourtable。Youwon\'thavetogodowntotherestaurantforyoursuppertonightbecauseIhavebroughtmysupperuptosharewithyou，andafterwefinish，you\'regoingtoreadmeyourarticleasyouhaverewrittenit。Iamgoingtodecorateitandwearegoingtomakeahitwithitthatwillbeatleastastartontheroadtogreaterfame。Whatyouseeismaterial。Youcanpickitup，smellit，admireitandeatit。
ButwhatIhavetrulybeendoingissettingSpanishirisforyardsdownonesideofthebedofyourstream。WhenIleftitwasafootandahalfhighPeter，andeverybluethattheskyeverknewinitsloveliestmoments，andayellowthatistheconcentratedessenceofthebestgoldfromtheheartofCalifornia。Oh，Peter，thereisenchantmentinthewayIsetit。
Thereareirregulardeepbeds，andtherearestragglyplaceswherethereareonlyoneortwoinaraggedstreak，andthenitrunsalongtheedgeinafringyrim，andthenitstretchesoutinamarshyplacethatisgoingtohavesomeotherwildthings，arrowheads，andorchids，andmaybeabunchofpaintbrushonahigh，dryspotnearby。Iwishyoucouldseeit！\"
PeterlookedatLindareflectivelyandthenhetoldherthathecouldseeit。Hefoldherthatheadoredit，thathewascrazyaboutherstragglycontinuityandherfringyborder，buttherewasnotonewordoftruthinwhathesaid，becausewhathesawwasaslenderthing，willowy，graceful；roughenedwavyblackhairhanginghalfherlengthinheavybraids，darkeyesandbrightcheeks，avividredlineofmouth，andabrightbrownlineoffrecklesbridgingaprominentandaristocraticnose。Whathewasseeingwasasoul，ayoungthing，athinghecovetedwitheverynerveandfiberofhisbeing。Andwhilehegliblyhumoredherinhervisionofdecoratinghisbrook，inhisownconsciousnesshewassayingtohimself:\"IsthereanyreasonwhyIshouldnottryforher？\"
Andthenheansweredhimself。\"Thereisnoreasoninyourlife。
Thereisnothinguglythatcouldoffendherorhurther。Thereason，therealreason，probablyliesinthefactthatifshewerethinkingofcaringforanyoneitwouldbeforthatattractiveyoungschoolmateshebroughtuphereformetoexercisemywitsupon。Itisverylikelythatsheregardsmeinthelightofagrandfatherlypersontowhomshecancomewithherjoysorherproblems，asfranklyasshehasnow。\"
SoPeteraskediftheirisescrossedthebrookandrandownbothsides。Lindasatonapackingcaseandconcentratedontheiris，andfinallysheannouncedthattheydid。Sheinformedhimthathisplacewasgoingtobcnatural，thatNatureevolvedthingsinherownway。Shedidnotgrowirisesdownonesideofabrookandarrowheadsdowntheother。Theywadedacrossandflewacrossandvisitedbackandforth，ridingthewaterorthewindorthedownofabeeorthetailofacow。Assheservedthesuppershehadbroughtsheverygravelyinformedhimthattherewouldbeirisonbothsidesofhisbrook，andcressandminers\'lettuceunderthebridge；andsheknewexactlywherethewildclematisgrewthatwouldwhitenhisembankmentafterhisworkmenhadextractedthelastrootofpoisonoak。
\"Itmaynotscorchyou，Peter，\"shesaidgravely，\"butyoumustlookoutfortheMissusandthelittlethings。Ihaven\'tdefinitelydecidedonheryet，butshelooksagooddeallikeMaryLouiseWhitingtomc。Isawhertheotherday。ShecametoschoolafterDonald。IlikedherlookssowellthatIsaidtomyself:\'Everybodytalksabouthowfinesheis。Ishouldn\'twonderifIhadbettersaveherforPeter\'；butifIdecideto，youshouldactthatpoisonstuffout，becauseit\'ssureasshootingtoattackanyonewiththesoft，delicateskinthatgoeswithagoldenhead。\"
\"Oh，let\'sleaveitin，\"saidPeter，\"anddispensewiththegoldenhead。Bythetimeyougetthatstreamplantedasyou\'replanning，I\'llhavebecomesoaccustomedtoadarkheadbobbingupanddownbesideitthatIwon\'ttakekindlytoasorreltop。\"
\"Thatispositivelysacrilegious，\"saidLinda，liftingherhandstoherroughblackhair。\"NeverinmylifesawanythinglovelierthantherichgoldonLouiseWhiting\'sbareheadasshebenttoreleaseherbrakesandstarthercar。Ablackheadlookslikeacinderbedbesideit；andonlythinkwhatasunburstitwillbewhenMaryLouisekneelsdownbesidetheiris。\"
WhentheyhadfinishedtheirsupperLindagathereduptheremnantsandputtheminthecar，thenshelaidanotebookandpencilonthetable。
\"NowIwanttohearthatarticle，\"shesaid。\"IknewyouwoulddoitovertheminuteIwasgone，andIknewyouwouldkeepittoreadtomebeforeyousentit。\"
\"Hm，\"saidPeter。\"Isitsecondsightorpsychoanalysisortelepathy，orwhat？\"
\"Mostly\'what\'，\"laughedLinda。\"Imerelyknew。Theworkmenaregoneandeverythingisquietnow，Peter。Begin。Iamcrazytogettheparticularanglefromwhichyou\'maketheworldsafefordemocracy。\'Johnusedtocallourattentiontoyourarticlesduringthewar。HesaidwehadnotsentanothermantoFrancewhocouldwriteashumanelyandasinterestinglyasyoudid。I
wishIhadkeptthosearticles；becauseIdidn\'tgetanythingfromthemtocomparewithwhatIcangetsinceIhaveaslightacquaintancewiththeprocessionthatmarchesaroundyourmouth。
Peter，youwillhavetowatchthatmouthofyours。It\'sanawfullybetrayingfeature。Solongasit\'soccupiedwithpoliticsandthefadsandthefoiblesandthesinsandthefoolishnessandtheextravagancesofhumanity，it\'sallverywell。Butifyouevergetintroubleorifeveryourhearthurts，oryougetmadenoughtokillsomebody，thatmouthofyoursisgoingtobeamostawfullyrevealingfeature，Peter。
Youwillhavehardworktosettleitdownintohard-and-fastnoncommittallines。\"
Peterlookedatthegirlsteadily。
\"Haveyouspecializedonmymouth？\"heasked。
\"Huh-umph！\"saidLinda，shakingherheadvigorously。WhenI
specializeIuseapinandamicroscopeandgorighttotherootofmattersasIwastaught。Thisissuperficial。Iamextemporizingnow。\"
\"Well，ifthisisextemporizing，\"saidPeter，\"Godhelpmysoulifyouevergoatmewithapinandamicroscope。\"
\"Oh，butIwon\'t！\"criedLinda。\"Itwouldn\'tbekindtopinyourfriendsonasettingboardanduseamicroscopeonthem。Youmightseethingsthatwerestrictlyprivate。Youmightseethingstheywouldn\'twantyoutosee。Theymightnotbeyourfriendsanymoreifyoudidthat。WhenImakeafriendIjusttakehimontrustlikeIdidDonald。You\'remyfriend，aren\'tyou，Peter？\"
\"Yes，Linda，\"saidPetersoberly。\"Putmetoanytestyoucanthinkofifyouwantproof。\"
\"ButIdon\'tbelieveinPROVINGfriends，either，\"saidLinda。\"I
believeinnurturingthem。Iwouldsetafriendinmygardenandwaterhisfeetandturnthesunshineonhimandtellhimtostaythereandgrow。Imightfertilizehim，Imightprunehim，andI
mightuseinsecticideonhim。Imightsprayhimwithratherstringentsolutions，butIgiveyoumywordIwouldnottesthim。
IfheflourishedundermycareIwouldknowit，andifhedidnotIwouldknowit，andthatwouldbeallIwouldwanttoknow。I
havewatchedDaddysearchfortheseatofnervousdisorders，andsometimeshehadtoprobeverydeeptofindwhatdevelopednervesundulybuthedidn\'teverdoanypickingandravelingandfringingatthesoulofahumanbeingmerelyforthesakeoffindingoutwhatitwasmadeof；andeveryonesaysIamlikehim。\"
\"IwishImighthaveknownhim，\"saidPeter。
\"Don\'tIwishit！\"saidLinda。\"Nowthen，Peter，goahead。Readyourarticle。\"
Peteropenedapackingcase，pickedoutasheafofpapers，andsittingoppositeLinda，begantoread。Hewasdumbfoundedtofindthathe，amanwhohadreadandtalkedextemporaneouslybeforegreatbodiesoflearnedmen，shouldhavecoldfeetandshakinghandsandahammeringheartbecausehewastryingtoreadanarticleonAmericaforAmericansbeforeahigh-schoolJunior。
Butpresently，asthethemeengrossedhim，heforgotthevisionofLindainterestingherselfinhishomemaking，andsawinsteadavisionofhiscountrythreatenedononesidebytheredmenaceoftheBolshevik，ontheotherbytheyellowmenaceoftheJap，andyetonanotherbythetreacheryoftheMexicanandtheslowlyuprisingmightoftheblackman，andpresentlyhewasthunderinghisbest-consideredargumentsatLindauntilsheimperceptiblydrewbackfromhimonthepackingcase，andwithpartedlipsandwideeyesshelistenedinutterabsorption。ShegazedatatransformedPeterwitharousedeyesandawhitelightofpatriotismonhisforehead，andaconceptionevenkeenerthananythingthatthewarhadbroughtheryoungsoulwasburninginherheartofwhatamanmeanswhenhetriestoexpresshisfeelingconcerningthelandofhisbirth。Presently，withoutrealizingwhatshewasdoing，shereachedforherpadandpencilsandrapidlybegansketchingastretchofpeacefulcountrysideoverwhichacomingstormofgiganticproportionswasgathering。
FiredbyPeter\'sarticle，thetouchofgeniusinLinda\'ssoulbecamecreativeandshefashionedhugestormcloudswinddriven，thatfloatedinsuchamannerastobringthemerestsuggestionofmenacingfaces，blackfaces，yellowfaces，brownfaces，andundertheflashoflightning，justattheobscuringofthesun，ahuge，evil，leeringredface。Shesweptastrokeacrosshersheetandbelowthisshebeganagain，sketchingthesamestretchofcountryshehadpicturedabove，strollingincultivatedfields，dottingitwithwhitecities，connectingitwithsmoothroadways，sweepingtheskywithgiantplanes。Atoneside，winginginfromtheglowofmorning，shedrewinthestrong-wingedflightofaflockofseaswallows，peacefullyhomingtowardthefar-distantocean。ShewasutterlyunawarewhenPeterstoppedreading。Absorbed，shebentoverherwork。
Whenshehadfinishedshelookedup。
\"NowI\'lltakethishome，\"shesaid。\"Ican\'tdowelloncolorwithpencils。YouholdthatarticletillIhavetimetoputthisonwater-colorpaperandtouchitupabithereandthere，andI
believeitwillbeworthyofstartingandclosingyourarticle。\"
Shepushedthesketchestowardhim。
\"Youlittlewonder！\"saidPetersoftly。
\"Yes，\'little\'isgood，\"scoffedLinda，risingtoverynearlyhisheightandreachingforthelunchbasket。\"\'Little\'isgood，Peter。IfIcoulddowhatIliketomyselfIwouldgetinsomekindofapressandsquashdownaboutseveninches。\"
\"Oh，Lord！\"saidPeter。\"Forgetit。What\'sthedifferencewhattheinchesofyourbodyaresolongasyourbrainhasastatureworthyofmention？\"
\"Good-bye！\"saidLinda。\"OnthestrengthofthatI\'lljazzthatsketchallup，blueyandred-purpleandjade-green。I11makeitasgloriousasaCatalinasunset。\"
AssheswungthecararoundthesharpcurveatthebouldersshelookedbackandlaughinglywavedherhandatPeter，andPeterexperiencedawilddesiretoshrieklestshelosecontrolofthecarandplungedownthesteepincline。Asecondlater，whenhesawhersecurelyontheroadbelow，hesmiledtohimself。
\"Provesonething，\"hesaidconclusively。\"Sheisoverthehorrors。Sheisdrivingunconsciously。ThankGodsheknewthatcurvesowellshecouldlooktheotherwayanddriveitmentally。
CHAPTERXIX。TheOfficialBug-CatcherNotamilebelowtheexitfromPeter\'sgrounds，Lindaperceivedaheavilyladenpersontoilingdowntheroadwaybeforeherandwhensheranhercarabreastandstoppedit，HenryAndersonlookedupatherwithjoyfulface。
\"SorryIcan\'tuncover，fairlady，\"hesaid，\"butyouseeIamverymuchotherwiseengaged。\"
WhatLindasawwasatired，disheveledmanstandingintheroadwaybesidehercar，undereacharmaboulderthesizeofherhead，onealmostjet-black，shotthroughwithlinesofwhiteandflyingfiguresofwhitecrossingbetweenthesebandsthatalmostremindedoneofwingeddancers。Theotherwasacombinationstonemadeupofmatrixthicklyimbeddedwithpebblesofbrown，green，pink，anddullblue。
\"Forpity\'ssake！\"saidLinda。\"Whereareyougoingandwhyareyoupersonallydemonstratinganewmethodoftransportingrock？\"
\"IamonmywaydownLilacValleytotheresidenceofafriendofmine，\"saidHenryAnderson。\"Iheardhersaytheotherdaythatshesavedeverypeculiarlymarkedbouldershecouldfindtopreservecoolnessandmoistureinherfernbed。\"
Lindaleanedoverandopenedthecardoor。
\"Allwellandgood，\"shesaid；\"butwhyinthecauseofreasondidn\'tyouleavethematPeter\'sandbringthemdowninhiscar？\"
HenryAndersonlaidthestonesinthebottomofthecar，steppedinandclosedthedoorbehindhim。Hedrewahandkerchieffromhispocketandwipedhisperspiringfaceandsoiledhands。
\"Ihadtwosufficientpersonalreasons，\"hesaid。\"OnewasthatthecaratourplaceisPeterMorrison\'scar，notmine；andtheotherwasthatit\'snoneofanybody\'sbusinessbutmyownifI
chooseto\'sayit\'withstones。\"
Lindastartedthecar，beingliberalwithgas——soliberalthatitwasonlyafewminutestillHenryAndersonprotested。
\"Thisisn\'tthespeedway，\"hesaid。\"What\'syourhurry？\"
\"Tworeasonsseemtobeallthatareallowedforthingsatthepresentminute，\"answeredLinda。\"Oneofmineisthatyoucan\'tdrivethisbeastslow，andtheotheristhatmyworkroomispiledhighwiththingsIshouldbedoing。IhavetwosketchesImustcompletewhileIaminthemood，andIhavehadagreatbigletterfrommyfriend，MarianThorne，todaythatIwanttoanswerbeforeIgotobedtonight。\"
\"Inotherwords，\"saidHenryAndersonbluntly，\"youwantmetounderstandthatwhenIhavereachedyourplaceanddumpedthesestonesIcanbeatit；youhavenofurtheruseforme。\"
\"Yousaidthat，\"retortedLinda。
\"Andwhoeverheardofsuchathing，\"saidHenry，\"asayoungwomansendingawayapersonofmynumerouscharmsandattractionsinordertowork，ortowritealettertoanotherwoman？\"
\"Butyou\'renottakingintoconsideration，\"saidLinda，\"thatI
mustwork，andIscarcelyknowyou，whileIhaveknownMarianeversinceIwasfouryearsoldandsheismybestfriend。\"
\"Well，shehasnoadvantageoverme\"saidHenryinstantly，\"becauseIhaveknownyouquiteaslongasPeterMorrisonhasatleast，andI\'myourofficialbug-catcher。\"
\"Ihadalmostforgottenaboutthebugs，\"saidLinda。
\"Well，don\'tforaminutethinkIamgoingtogiveyouanopportunitytoforget，\"saidHenryAnderson。
HereachedacrossandlaidhishandoverLinda\'sonthesteeringgear。Lindasaidnothing，neitherdidshemove。ShemerelyaddedmoregasandputtheBearCatforwardatadizzywhirl。
Henrylaughed。
\"That\'sallright，mybeauty，\"hesaid。\"Don\'tyouthinkforaminutethatIcan\'trideasfastasyoucandrive。\"
AdullredmottledLinda\'scheeks。AsquicklyasitcouldbedoneshebroughttheBearCattoafullstop。ThensheturnedandlookedatHenryAnderson。Theexpressioninhereyeswasdisconcertingeventothatcheekyyoungindividual——hehadnotbornehergazeaseconduntilheremovedhishand。
\"Thanks，\"saidLindainadrydrawl。\"Andyouwilladdtomyobligationifinthefutureyouwillremembernottodealinassumptions。Iamnotyour\'beauty，\'andI\'mnotanyone\'sbeauty；whiletheonlythinginthisworldthatIaminterestedinatpresentistogetthebesteducationIcanandatthesametimecarryonworkthatIlovetodo。IhaveayeartofinishmycourseinthehighschoolandwhenIfinishIwillonlyhaveagoodbeginningforwhateverIdecidetostudynext。\"
\"That\'snothing，\"saidtheirrepressibleHenry。\"Itwilltakemetwoyearstocatchasufficientnumberofgoldbugstobereallyserious，buttherewouldn\'tbeanyharminhavingamutualunderstandingandsomethingdefinitetoworkfor，andthenwemightbeable，youknow，tocutoutsomeofthatyearofhigh-
schoolgrinding。IftheplansIhavesubmittedintheNicholsonandSnowcontestshouldjusthappentobetheprizewinners，thatwouldputmattersinsuchashapeforyoungHenrythathecoulddevotehimselftocricketsandtumble-bugsatonce。\"
\"Don\'tyouthink，\"saidLindaquietly，\"thatyouwouldbetterforgetthatsillyjestingandconcentratethebestofyourbrainsonimprovingyourplansforPeterMorrison\'shouse？\"
\"Why，surelyIwillifthat\'swhatyoucommandmetodo，\"saidHenry，purposelymisunderstandingher。
\"Youhaven\'tmentionedbefore，\"saidLinda，\"thatyouhadsubmittedplansinthatSanFranciscocontest。\"
\"Alldoneandgone，\"saidHenryAndersonlightly。\"IhadaninspirationonedayandIsawawaytoimproveahousewithcomfortsandconveniencesIneverhadthoughtofbefore。IwasenthusiasticovertheproductionwhenIgotitonpaperandfiguredit。It\'sexactlythehousethatIamgoingtobuildforPeter，andwhenI\'vecutmyeyeteethonitIamgoingtocorrecteverythingpossibleandbuilditinperfectionforyou。\"
\"Lookhere，\"saidLindasoberly，\"I\'mnotaccustomedtothissortoftalk。Idon\'tcareforit。Ifyouwanttopreserveeventhesemblanceoffriendshipwithmeyoumuststopit，andgettoimpersonalmattersandstaythere。\"
\"Allright，\"heagreedinstantly，\"butifyoudon\'tlikemylineoftalk，you\'rethefirstgirlIevermetthatdidn\'t。\"
\"Youhavemysympathy，\"saidLindagravely。\"Youhavebeenextremelyunfortunate。\"
ThenshestartedtheBearCat，andagainrunningatunduespeedshereachedherwild-flowergarden。HenryAndersonplacedthestonesasshedirectedandwaitedforaninvitationtocomein，buttheinvitationwasnotgiven。Lindathankedhimforthestones。Shetoldhimthatincombinationwithafewremainingfromthemanteltheywouldmakeallshewouldrequire，andexcusingherselfshedrovetothegarage。WhenshecameinshefoundtheirrepressibleHenrysittingonthebackstepsexplainingtoKatythestrenuoustimehehadhadfindingandcarryingdownthestonestheyhadbrought。KatyhadaplateofrefreshmentsreadytohandhimwhenLindalaughinglypassedthemandwenttoherroom。
WhenshehadfinishedherlettertoMarianshetookasheetofdrawingpaper，andinhermostattractiveletteringsketchedintheheading，\"APalateTeaser，\"whichwasadirectquotationfromKaty。Belowshewrote:
YouwillfindTunasinthecactithicketsofanydesert，butifyouaresofortunateastobeabletoreachspecimenswhichwerebroughtfromMexicoandsetashedgesaroundthegardensoftheoldmissions，youwillfindtherethematerialforthissaladinitsmostlusciousform。NaturallyitcanbemadefromeitherOpuntiaFiscus-IndicaorOpuntiaTuna，butacombinationofthesetwogivesthesaladanexquisiteappearanceandatinytouchmoredeliciousflavor，becauseTuna，whichisred，hastomytasteatriflericherandfullerflavorthanIndica，whichisyellow。
Bothfruitstastemorelikethebestwell-ripenedwatermelonthananyotherIrecall。
BringdowntheTunaswithafishingrodoralongpolewithanailintheend。Withanythingsaveyourfingersrolltheminthesandorintuftsofgrasstoremovethespines。Sliceoffeitherend，scoretheskindownoneside，presslightly，andalushglobuleofpalegoldorrosyredfruitlargerthanahen\'seggliesbeforeyou。Withasharpknife，beginningwithalayerofredandendingwithoneofyellow，slicethefruitsthinly，stoppingtoshakeouttheseedsasyouwork。IncaseyouliveinSanDiegoCountyorfarthersouth，whereitispossibletosecurethescarletberriesoftheStrawberryCactus——itistheMammillariaGoodridgeispeciesthatyoushoulduse——abeautifuldecorationforfinishingyoursaladcanbemadefromtheredstrawberriesofthese。Ifyoulivetoofarnorthtofindthese，youmaysendyoursaladtothetablebeautifullydecoratedbycuttingfancyfiguresfromtheredTuna，orbyslicingitlengthwiseintooblongpiecesandweavingthemintoadecorationovertheyellowbackground。
Foryourdressingusethejuiceofalemonmixedwiththatofanorange，sweetenedtotaste，intowhichyouwork，adropatatime，fourtablespoonsofthebestPalermooliveoil。Ifthesaladislargemoreoilandmorejuiceshouldbeused。
Togetthefulldeliciousnessofthissalad，thefruitmusthavebeenonice，andthedressingmadeinabowlimbeddedincrackedice，sothatwhenreadytoblendbothareice-cold，andmustbeservedimmediately。
Giganticspecimensoffruit-bearingCacticanbefoundallovertheSunlandDesertneartothecity，buttheyarenotpossessedofthefullflavorofthecultivatedoldmissiongrowths，sothatitiswellworthyourwhiletomakeatriptothenearestoftheseforthefruitwithwhichtopreparethissalad。Andif，asyougatherit，youshouldseeavisionofawhitehead，athin，ascetic，oldface，aleanfiguretrailingabrownrobe，slenderwhitehandsclaspingaheavycross；ifyoushouldhearthemusicofworshipascendingfromthethroatsofBenedictinefathersleadingaclamoringchoiroftheblendedvoicesofSpaniard，Mexican，andIndian，combiningwiththemusicofthebellsandthesongsofthemockingbirds，nestmakingamongtheTunas，itwillbegoodforyoursoulinthelineofpurgingitfromselfishness，sinceinthisdaywearenotaskedtogivealloflifetotheserviceofothers，onlyareasonablepartofit。
Lindareadthisover，workinginchangeshereandthere，thenshepickedupherpencilandacrossthetopofhersheetindicatedanopenskywithscarcelyahintofcloud。AcrossthebottomsheoutlinedabitofSunlandDesertshewellremembered，intheforegroundabedofflat-leavednopal，floweringredandyellow，thedarkredpricklypears，edible，beinganearrelativeofthefruitsshehadusedinhersalad。Aftergivingthepricklypeartheplaceofhonortotheleft，inhighergrowthsheworkedintheslender，cylindrical，jointedstemsoftheCholla，shadingtheflowersapaler，greenishyellow。Ontheright，balancingtheCholla，shedrewtheoval，cylindricalcolumnsofthehedgehogcactus，andthecolortouchofthebigmagentaflowersblendedexquisitelywiththecolorshealreadyhadused。Attheleft，thelengthofherpage，shedrewagiganticspecimenofOpuntiaTuna，coveredwithflowers，andwell-developedspecimensofthepearswhosecoloringranintotheshadesofthehedgehogcactus。
Shewasputtingawayherworkingmaterialswhensheheardstepsandvoicesonthestairs，sosheknewthatEileenandJohnGilmanwerecoming。Shedidnotintheleastwantthem，yetshecouldthinkofnoexcuseforrefusingthemadmissionthatwouldnotseemungracious。Shehurriedtothewall，snatcheddownthepaintingsforPeterMorrison，andlookedaroundtoseehowshecoulddisposeofthem。Sheendedbylayingoneoftheminalargedrawerwhichshepushedshutandlocked。Theothersheplacedinsideacaseinthewallwhichformerlyhadbeenusedforbilliardcues。Attheirsecondtapsheopenedthedoor。Eileenwasnotatherbest。Therewasaworriedlookacrosshereyes，arestlessnessvisibleinhermovements，butGilmanwasradiant。
\"Whatdoyouthink，Linda？\"hecried。\"Eileenhasjustnamedtheday！\"
\"Ididnosuchthing，\"brokeinEileen。
\"Yourpardon，fairlady，youdidnot，\"saidGilman。\"Thatwasmerelyafigureofspeech。Imeantnamedthemonth。ShehasdefinitelypromisedinOctober，andImaybegintohuntalocationandplanahomeforus。Iwantthecongratulationsofmydearfriendandmydearersister。\"
Lindaheldoutherhandandsmiledasbravelyasshecould。
\"Iamverygladyouaresopleased，John，\"shesaidquietly，\"andIhopethatyouwillbeashappyasyoudeservetobe。\"
\"Nowexactlywhatdoyoumeanbythat？\"heasked。
\"Oh，Lindapridesherselfonbeingdeepandsubtleandconveyinghiddenmeanings，\"saidEileen。\"Shemeanswhatathousandpeoplewilltellyouinthecomingmonths:merelythattheyhopeyouwillbehappy。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"Lindahastenedtocorroborate，wishingifpossibletoavoidanyunpleasantness。
\"Youcertainlyhaveanattractiveworkroomhere，\"saidJohn，\"muchasIhatetoseeitspoiledforbilliards。\"
\"It\'stoobad，\"saidLinda，\"thatIhavespoileditforyouforbilliards。IhavealsospoiledtheoutsideappearanceofthehouseforEileen。\"
\"Oh，Idon\'tknow，\"saidJohn。\"IlookedatitcarefullytheotherdayasIcameup，andIthoughtyourchangesenhancedthevalueoftheproperty。\"
\"Iamsurelygladtohearthat，\"saidLinda。\"Takealookthroughmyskylightandmynewwindow。ImagineyouseetherugsIamgoingtohaveandafewmorepiecesoffurniturewhenIcanaffordthem；andletmeparticularlypointoutthefireplacethatHenryAndersonandyourfriendPeterdesignedandhadbuiltforme。Doesn\'titaddasoulandahearttomystudy？\"
JohnGilmanwalkedoverandlookedatthefireplacecritically。
Hereadthelinesaloud，thenheturnedtoEileen。
\"Why，thatisperfectlybeautiful，\"hesaid。\"Let\'sduplicateitinourhome。\"
\"Youbungler！\"scoffedEileen。
\"Ithinkyou\'reright，\"saidGilmanreflectively，\"exactlyright。
OfcourseIwouldhavenobusinesscopyingLinda\'sspecialfireplacewherethesamepeoplewouldseeitfrequently；andifI
hadstoppedtothinkasecond，Imighthaveknownthatyouwouldprefertilingtofieldstone。\"
\"Lindaseemsverybusytonight，\"saidEileen。\"Perhapswearebotheringher。\"
\"Yes，\"saidJohn，\"we\'llgoatonce。Ihadtorunuptotellourgoodnews；andIwantedtotellyoutoo，Lindadear，thatIthinkbothofusmisjudgedEileentheotherday。Youknow，Linda，youhavealwaysdressedaccordingtoyourfather\'sideas，whichweresomuchsimplerandplainerthanthemannerinwhichyourmotherdressedEileen，thatshemerelythoughtthatyouwishedtocontinueinhisway。Shehadnoobjectiontoyourhavinganykindofclothesyouchose，ifonlyyouhadconfidedinher，andexplainedtoherwhatyouwanted。\"
Lindastoodbesidehertable，oneleanhandholdingdownthelettershehadbeenwriting。Shestoodverystill，butshewaspowerlesstoraisehereyestothefaceofeitherJohnorEileen。
AboveeverythingshedidnotwishtogoanyfurtherinrevealingEileentoJohnGilman。Ifheknewwhatheknewandifhefeltsatisfied，afterwhathehadseen，withanyexplanationthatEileencouldtrumpuptooffer，Lindahadnodesiretocarrythematterfurther。Shehadbeenashamedofwhatshealreadyhaddone。Shehadfeltangryanddissatisfiedwithherself，soshestoodbeforethemdowncastandsilent。
\"Anditcertainlywasagreatjokeonbothofus，\"saidJohnjovially，\"whatwethoughtaboutthatboxofcigarettes，youknow。Theywereaprizegivenbyabridgeclubatan\'Ambassador\'benefitfortheGoodSamaritanHospital。Eileen，thelittlecardsharksheis，wonit，andshewaskeepingithiddenawaytheretouseasagiftformybirthday。Sincewedisclosedherplansprematurely，shegaveittomeatonce，andI\'mhavingagreattimetreatingallmyfriends。\"
AtthatinstantLindaexperiencedarevulsion。Previouslyshehadnotbeenabletoraisehereyes。NowitwouldhavebeenquiteimpossibletoavoidlookingstraightintoEileen\'sface。
ButEileenhadnointentionofmeetinganyone\'sgazeatthatminute。Shewasfidgetingwithasheetofdrawingpaper。
\"Carefulyoudon\'tbendthat，\"cautionedLinda。ThenshelookedatJohnGilman。HeBELIEVEDwhathewassaying；hewashappyagain。Lindaevolvedthebestsmileshecould。
\"Howstupidofusnottohaveguessed！\"shesaid。
Closingthedoorbehindthem，Lindaleanedagainstitandlookedupthroughtheskylightatthecreepblueofthenight，thelow-hungstars。Howlongshestoodthereshedidnotknow。
Presentlyshewenttoherchair，pickedupherpencil，andslowlybegantodraw。Atfirstshescarcelyrealizedwhatshewasdoing，thenshebecameabsorbedinherwork。Thenshereachedforhercolorboxandbrushes，andshortlyafterwardtackedagainstthewallanextremelycleverdrawingofagreatlyenlargedwasp。Skillfullyshehadsketchedafacethatwasrecognizableroundthebiginsecteyes。Shehadsurmountedthefacebyafluffofbejewelledyellowcurls，encasedthehindlegsuponwhichthecreaturestooduprightinpinkvelvetTurkishtrousersandputtinygoldshoesonthefeet。Shegreatlyexaggeratedthewingsintolongtrailsandmadethemofgreengauzewithrufflededges。Alltheremainderofthelegsshehadtransformedintosomanybraceletedarms，eachholdingatinyfan，oranecklace，ajewelbox，orahandkerchiefoflace。Shestoodbeforethissketch，studyingitforafewminutes，thenshewalkedovertothetableandcamebackwithabigblackpencil。
Steadyingherhandwithamahlstickrestedagainstthewall，withoneshortsharpstrokeshedrewaneedle-pointedstinger，soscreenedbythedelicatewingsthatitcouldnotbeseenunlessyouscrutinizedthepictureminutely。Afterthat，withcareful，interestedhandsshebroughtoutPeterMorrison\'sdrawingsandreplacedthemonthewalltodry。
CHAPTERXX。TheCapSheafTowardthelastoftheweekLindabegantoclearthementaldecksofhershipoflifeinorderthatshemighthaveSaturdayfreeforherpromiseddaywithDonald。Shehaddecidedthattheywoulddevotethatdaytowave-beatenLaguna。Itwasalongdrivebutdelightful。ItranovertheoldKing\'sHighwaybetweenmilesoforangeandlemonorchardsinfullflower，borderedbyothermilesofrosesintheirprime。
EveryminutewhenhermindwasnotactivelyoccupiedwithherlessonsorherrecipesLindawasdreamingoftheKing\'sHighway。
Almostunconsciouslyshebegantochant:
\"Allinthegoldenweather，forthletusridetoday，YouandI
togetherontheKing\'sHighway，Theblueskiesaboveus，andbelowtheshiningsea；There\'smanyaroadtotravel，butit\'sthisroadforme。\"
YoumusthaveriddenthisroadwithanunderstandingheartandthearmofGodaroundyoutoknowtheexactdegreeofdisappointmentthatswelledinLinda\'sheartwhensheansweredthetelephoneearlySaturdaymorningandheardDonaldWhiting\'sstrainedvoicespeakingintoit。Hewastalkingbreathlesslyineager，boyishfashion。
\"Linda，Iaminagaragehalfwaydowntown，\"hewassaying，\"anditlookstomeasiftosavemysoulIcouldn\'treachyoubeforenoon。Ihavehadthedarnedestluck。OurJapgotsicklastweekandhesentanewmantotakehisplace。Therewasn\'tathingthematterwithourcarwhenIdroveitinFridaynight。ThismorningFatherwantedtouseitonimportantbusiness，anditwouldn\'trun。Heorderedmetotinkeritupenoughtogetittotheshop。Iwentatitandwhenitwouldgo，IstartedYoucanimaginetheclipIwasgoing，andthethingwenttopieces。I
don\'tknowyethowitcomesthatIsavedmyskin。I\'mprettybadlyknockedout，butI\'llgettherebynoonifit\'sapossiblething。\"
\"Oh，that\'sallright，\"saidLinda，ferventlyhopingthattheacheinherthroatwouldnottincturehervoice。
Itwashalf-pastelevenwhenDonaldcame。Lindacouldnotbringherselftogiveuptheseathatday。ShefounditimpossibletodrivetheKing\'sHighway。Itseemedequallyimpossiblenottolookonthefaceoftheocean，soshecompromisedbyskirtingSantaMonicaBay，andtakingthefoothillroadsheranittothenorthendofthebeachdrive。Whentheyhadspreadtheirblanketsonthesand，finishedtheirlunchandwereresting，LindabegantoquestionDonaldaboutwhathadhappened。ShewantedtoknowhowlongWhitings\'gardenerhadbeenintheiremploy；iftheyknewwherehelivedandabouthisfamily；iftheyknewwhohisfriendswere，oranythingconcerninghim。Sheinquiredaboutthemanwhohadtakenhisplace，andwantedmostparticularlytoknowwhatthegaragemenhadfoundthetroublewithacarthatranperfectlyonFridaynightandbrokedowninhalfadozendifferentplacesonSaturdaymorning。FinallyDonaldlookedather，laughinglyquizzical。
\"Linda，\"hesaid，\"you\'renonervespecialistandnonaturalist。
You\'rethecrossexaminerfortheplaintiff。Whatareyoutryingtogetat？MakeoutacaseagainstYogoSani？\"
\"Ofcourseit\'sallright，\"saidLinda，watchingadistantpelicanturnheaddownandcatapultintothesea。\"Ithastobeallright，butyoumustadmitthatitlookspeculiar。Howhaveyoubeengettingalongthisweek？\"