Donaldwavedhishandinthedirectionofaformationofstonethesizeofasmallhouse。
\"Beenrollingthattothetopofthemountain，\"hesaidlightly。
Linda\'seyesnarrowed，herfacegrewspeculative。ShelookedatDonaldintently。
\"Isitasdifficultasthat？\"sheaskedinaloweredvoiceasifthesurfandtheseachickensmighthear。
\"Itisjustasdifficultasthat，\"saidDonald。\"Whileyou\'retalkingaboutpeculiarthings，I\'lltellyouone。InclassI
camerightupagainstOkaSayyeonthesolutionofatheoremintrigonometry。Webothhadtheanswer，thecorrectanswer，butwehadarrivedatitbywidelydifferentroutes，anditwasuptometoprovethatmylineofreasoningwasmorelucid，morenatural，theinevitableonebywhichthesolutionshouldbereached。WegotsoinearnestthatIamafraidbothofuswererathertense。
IsteppedovertohisdemonstrationtopointoutwhereIthoughthisreasoningwaswrong。IgotclosertotheJapthanIhadeverbeenbefore；andbygracious，Linda！scattered，butneverthelessstillthere，andvisible，Isawasprinklingofgrayhairsjustinfrontofandoverhisears。Itcaughtmeunawares，andbeforeIknewwhatIwasdoing，beforetheprofessorandtheassembledclassroomIblurteditout:\'Say，OkaSayye，howoldareyou？\'
IftheJaphadhadanywayofkillingme，Ibelievehewouldhavedoneit。TherewasalookinhiseyesthatwaswhatIwouldcalldeadly。Itwasonlyaflashandthen，verycourteously，puttingmeinthewrong，ofcourse，heremarkedthathewas\'almostninekleen\'；anditstruckmefromhislookandthewayhesaiditthatitwasalie。Ifhetrulywastheaverageageoftherestoftheclasstherewasnothingforhimtobeangryabout。ThenI
didtakeadeliberatesurvey。Fromthesettledsolidityofhisframeandtheshapeofhishandsandtheskinofhisfaceandthesetofhiseyesinhishead，Icouldn\'tseethatmuchyouth。
I\'llbethe\'sthirtyifhe\'saday，andIshouldn\'tbeabitsurprisedifhehasgraduatedatthemostworthwhileuniversityinJapan，beforeheevercametothiscountrytogethisEnglishfornothing。\"
Lindawaswatchingaseaswallownow，andslowlyherleanfingersweregatheringhandfulsofsandandsiftingthemintoalittlepyramidshewasheapingbesideher。Againalmostunderherbreathshespoke。
\"Donald，doyoureallybelievethat？\"sheasked。\"IsitpossiblethatmatureJapmenarecominghereandenteringourschoolsandavailingthemselvesofthebenefitsthatthetaxpayersofCaliforniaprovidefortheirchildren？\"
\"Didn\'tyouknowit？\"askedDonald。\"Ihadn\'tthoughtofitinconnectionwithOkaSayye，butIdoknowcaseswherematureJapshavebeeningradeschoolswithchildrenunderten。\"
\"Oh，Donald！\"exclaimedLinda。\"IfCaliforniaispermittingthatoreverhaspermittedit，we\'retooeasy。Wedeservetobecometheirpreyifwearesocareless。\"
\"Why，Iknowit\'strue，\"saidDonald。\"Ihavebeeninthesameclasseswithmenmorethanoldenoughtobemyfather。\"
\"Ineverwas，\"saidLinda，industriouslysiftingsand。\"IhavebeeninclasseswithJapseversinceIhavebeenatschool，butitwaswithgirlsandboysofourgardenersandfruitdealersandcurio-shoppeople，andtheywerealwaysofmyageandentitledtobeinschool，sinceoursystemincludestheeducationofanybodywhohappenstobeinCaliforniaandwantstogotoschool。\"
\"Didmybeinglatespoilanyparticularplanyouhadmade，Linda？\"
\"Yes，\"saidLinda，\"itdid。\"
\"Oh，Iamsosorry！\"criedDonald。\"Icertainlyshalltrytoseethatitdoesn\'toccuragain。CouldwedoitnextSaturday？\"
\"Iamhopingso，\"saidLinda。
\"ItoldDad，\"saidDonald，\"whereIwantedtogoandwhatI
wantedtodo，andhewasawfullysorrybuthesaiditwasbusinessanditwouldtakeonlyafewminutesandhethoughtI
coulddoitandbeontime。IfhehadknownIwouldbedetainedIdon\'tbelievehewouldhaveaskeditofme。He\'sagrandoldpeter，Linda。\"
\"Yes，Iknow，\"saidLinda。\"There\'snotmuchyoucantellmeaboutpetersofthegrandsort，thereal，trueflesh-and-blood，bighearted，human-beingfathers，whowilltakeyoutothefieldsandthewoodsandtakethetimetoteachyouwhatGodmadeandhowHemadeitandwhyHemadeitandwhatwecandowithit，andofthefellowshipandbrotherhoodwecangetfromNaturebybeingrealkin。TheonethingthatIhavehadthatwasthebiggestthinginallthisworldwasoneoftheserealfathers。\"
Donaldwatchedassheraisedthepyramidhigherandhigher。
\"Didyoutellyourfatherwhomyouweretogowith？\"sheasked。
\"SureIdid，\"saidDonald。\"Toldthewholefamilyatdinnerlastnight。Told\'emaboutallthethingsIwaslearning，fromwheretogetsoapoffthebushestothebestspotformaterialforwoodenlegsorinstantaneousreliefforsnakebite。\"
\"Whatdidtheysay？\"Lindainquiredlaughingly。
\"Unanimouslyinfavourofcontinuingthecourse，\"hesaid。\"I
hadalreadytoldFatheraboutyouwhenIaskedhimforbooksandanyhelpthathecouldgivemewithOkaSayye。SinceIhadmentionedyoulastnighthetoldMotherandLouiseaboutthat，andtheytoldmetobringyoutothehousesometime。Allofthemarecrazytoknowyou。Mothersayssheisjustwildtoknowwhetheragirlwhowearsbootsandbreechesandwhoknowscanyonsandthedesertandthemountainsasyoudocanbeafeminineandlovableperson。\"
\"IfItoldherhowmanyfriendsIhave，shecouldhavespeedilydecidedwhetherIamlovableornot，\"saidLinda；\"butIwouldmakeanefforttoconvinceherthatIamstrictlyfeminine。\"
\"Youwouldconvinceherofthatwithoutmakingtheslightesteffort。You\'reinfinitelymorefemininethananyothergirlI
haveeverknown\"
\"Howdoyoufigurethat？\"askedLinda。
\"Well，\"saidDonald，\"it\'saqueerthingaboutyou，Linda。I
takeanylibertyIprettynearlypleasewithmostofthegirlsI
havebeenassociatedwith。Itietheirshoesandpulltheirhair——downifIwantto——andhandthemround\'mostanywaythenotiontakesme，andtheyjustlaughandtakethesamelibertieswithme，whichprovesthatIamprettymuchagirlwiththemortheyareprettymuchboyswithme。Butitwouldn\'toccurtometotouchyourhairoryourshoelaceorthetipsofyourfingers；
whichprovesthatyou\'remorefemininethananyothergirlI
know，becauseifyouwerenotIwouldbetreatingyoumorelikeanotherboy。Ithought，thefirstdayweweretogether，thatyouwerelikeaboy，andIsaidso，andIthoughtitbecauseyoudidnotteasemeandflirtwithme，butsinceIhavecometoknowyoubetter，you\'relesslikeaboythananyothergirlIeverhaveknown。\"
\"Don\'tgetpsychological，Donald，\"saidLinda。\"GoonwiththeJap。Ihaven\'tgotanansweryettowhatIreallywanttoknow。
Haveyoumadetheleastprogressthisweek？Canyoubeathim？\"
Donaldhesitated，studyingovertheanswer。
\"Beathimatthattrigpropositiontheotherday，\"hesaid。\"Gotanopencommendationbeforetheclass。There\'snotaprofessorinanyofmyclasseswhoisn\'t\'hep\'towhatI\'mafterbythistime，andifIwouldcajolethemalittletheywouldnaturallybeonmyside，especiallyiftheirattentionwerecalledtothatincidentofyesterday；butyousaidIhavetobeathimwithmybrains，bydoingbetterworkthanhedoes；soaboutthebiggestthingIcanhonestlytellyouisthatIhaveheldmyown。Ihaveonlybeenaheadofhimoncethisweek，butIhaven\'tfailedinanythingthathehasaccomplished。IhavebeenabletoputsomeadditionaltouchestosomeworkthathehasdoneforwhichheusedtobemarkedAwhichmeansyourOneHundred。DoubleAwhichmeansyourplusImadeinoneinstance。Andyouneedn\'tthinkthatOkaSayyedoesnotrealizewhatIamuptoaswellasanyoftherestoftheclass，andyouneedn\'tthinkthatheisnotgoingtogivemearunformybrain。AllI\'vegotwillbeneededbeforewefinishthisterm。\"
\"Isee，\"saidLinda，slowlynoddingherhead。
\"Iwish，\"saidDonald，\"thatwehadstartedthisthingtwoyearsago，orbetterstill，four。Butofcourseyouwerenotinthehighschoolfouryearsagoandtherewasn\'tagirlinmyclassoramongmyfriendswhocaredwhetherIbeattheJapornot。TheygreatlypreferredthatItakethemmotoringortoadanceorapictureshoworabeachparty。You\'retheonlyoneexceptMotherandLouisewhoeverinspiredmetogetdowntobusiness。\"
Lindalaidherpalmonthetopofthesandheapandpresseditflat。ShelookedatDonaldwithlaughingeyes。
\"Symbolical，\"sheannounced。\"ThatsandwastheJap。\"Shestretchedherhandtowardhim。\"Thatwasyou。Didyouseeyourselfsquashhim？\"
Donald\'slaughwasgrim。
\"Yes，Isaw，\"hesaid。\"Iwishitwereaseasyasthat。\"
\"Thatwasnoteasy，\"saidLinda；\"makeamentalcomputationofallthesecondsthatittookmetoerectthatpyramidandallthemillionsofgrainsofsandIhadtogather。\"
Donaldwasdeeplythoughtful，yetahalfsmilewasplayingroundhislips。
\"OfallthequeergirlsIeverknew，you\'rethecapsheaf，Linda，\"hesaid。
Lindaroseslowly，shookthesandfromherbreechesandstretchedoutherhand。
\"Let\'shotfootitdowntotheAfricanvillageandseewhatthemoviesaredoingthatisinterestingtoday，\"sheproposed。
CHAPTERXXI。ShiftingtheResponsibilityOnherpillowthatnightbeforedroppingtoalmostinstantaneoussleepLindareflectedthatifyoucouldnotridetheKing\'sHighway，racingthesandsofSantaMonicawasaveryexcellentsubstitute。Ithadbeenawonderfuldayafterall。WhenshehadleftDonaldattheLilacValleyendofthecarlinehehadheldherhandtightaninstantandlookedintoherfacewiththemostengagingofclear，boyishsmiles。
\"Linda，isn\'tourfriendshipthenicestthingthateverhappenedtous？\"hedemanded。
\"Yes，\"answeredLindapromptly，\"quitethenicest。MakeyourplansforalldaylongnextSaturday。\"
\"I\'llbeherebeforethebirdsareawake，\"promisedDonald。
AtthecloseofMonday\'ssessions，goingdownthebroadwalkfromthehighschool，DonaldovertookLindaandinabreathlesswhisperhesaid:\"Whatdoyouthink？IcamenearOkaSayyeagainthismorningintrig，andhishairwasasblackasjet，dyedtoamidnight，charcoalfinish，andIamnotrightsurethathehadnotborrowedsomegirl\'slipstickandrougepotforthebenefitofhislipsandcheeks。Positivelyhe\'shecticallyyouthfultoday。Whatdoyouknowaboutthat？\"
Thenhehurriedontoovertakethecrowdofboyshehadleft，Linda\'sheartwasracinginherbreast。
Turning，shere-enteredtheschoolbuilding，andtakingatelephonedirectoryshehuntedanaddress，andthen，insteadofgoingtothecarlinethattookhertoLilacValleyshewenttotheaddressshehadlookedup。Withapencilshewroteafewlinesonabitofscratchpaperinoneofherbooks。Thatnoteopenedadoorandadmittedhertothepresenceofatall，lean，gray-hairedmanwithquick，blue-grayeyesandlipsthatseemedcapableofbeingeithergraveorgayonshortnotice。WiththatperfecteasewhichLindahadacquiredthroughtheyoungdaysofherlifeinmeetingfriendsofherfather，shewenttothetablebesidewhichthismanwasstandingandstretchedoutherhand。
\"JudgeWhiting？\"sheasked。
\"Yes，\"saidtheJudge。
\"IamLindaStrong，theyoungerdaughterofAlexanderStrong。I
thinkyouknewmyfather。\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheJudge，\"Iknewhimverywellindeed，andIhavesomesmallacquaintancewithhisdaughterthroughveryinterestingreportsthatmysonbringshome。\"
\"Yes，itisaboutDonaldthatIcametoseeyou，\"saidLinda。
Ifshehadbeenwatchingasherfatherwouldhavewatched，LindawouldhaveseentheslightupliftoftheJudge\'sfigure，thetensingofhismuscles，thenarrowingofhiseyesintheswift，speculativelookhepassedoverherfromthecrownofherbare，roughenedblackheaddownthegold-brownofherdresstoherslender，well-shodfeet。ThelastpartofthatglanceLindacaught。Sheslightlyliftedoneofthefeetunderinspection，thrustitforwardandlookedattheJudgewithagaychallengeinherdarkeyes。
\"Areyouinterestedinthemtoo？\"sheasked。
TheJudgewasembarrassed。Aflushcreptintohischeeks。Hewassupposedtobemasterofanyemergencythatmightarise，butonehadariseninconnectionwithaslipofaschoolgirlthatlefthimwordless。
\"Itisveryprobable，\"saidLinda，\"thatifmyshoeshadbeenlikemostothergirls\'shoesIwouldn\'tbeheretoday。Iwasinthesameschoolroomwithyoursonforthreeyears，andheneversawmeorspoketomeuntilonedayhestoppedmetoinquirewhyIworethekindofshoesIdid。HesaidhehadabattletowagewithmebecauseItriedtobealawtomyself，andhewantedtoknowwhyIwasn\'tlikeothergirls。AndItoldhimIhadacrowtopickwithHIMbecausehehadthekindofbrainthatwouldbecontenttoletaJapbeathiminhisownschool，inhisownlanguageandinhisowncountry；sowemadeanengagementtofighttoafinish，anditendedbyhisbecomingtheonlyboyfriendIhaveandthenicestboyfriendagirleverhad，Iamverysure。That\'swhyI\'mhere。\"
LindaliftedhereyesandJudgeWhitinglookedintothemtillhesawthesamegoldlightsintheirdepthsthatPeterMorrisonhadseen。HecamearoundthetableandplacedabigleatherchairforLinda。Thenhewentbackandresumedhisown。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidtheJudgeinhismostengagingmanner。\"I
gatherfromwhatDonaldhastoldmethatyouhaveareasonforbeinghere，andIwantyoutounderstandthatIamintenselyinterestedinanythingyouhavetosaytome。Nowtellmewhyyoucame。\"
\"Icame，\"saidLinda，\"becauseIstartedsomethingandamafraidofthepossibleresult。Ithinkverylikelyif，inretaliationforwhatDonaldsaidtomeaboutmyhairandmyshoes，IhadnottwittedhimabouttheusehewasmakingofhisbrainanddoneeverythinginmypowertodrivehimintocompetitionwithOkaSayyeinthehopethatawhitemanwouldgraduatewiththehighesthonors，hewouldnothavegoneintothiscompetition，whichIamnowcertainhasantagonizedOkaSayye。\"
Lindafoldedherslimhandsonthetableandleanedforward。
\"JudgeWhiting，\"shesaidearnestly，\"Iknowverylittleaboutmen。ThemostIknowwaswhatIlearnedaboutmyfatherandthemenwithwhomheoccasionallyhuntedandfished。TheywereallsuchfinementhatImusthavegrownupthinkingthateverymanwasverylikethem，butonedayIcameindirectcontactwiththeJapthatDonaldistryingtobeat，andthethingIsawinhisfaceputfearintomyheartandithasbeenthereeversince。I
havealmostanunreasoningfearofthatJap，notbecausehehassaidanythingordoneanything。It\'sjustinstinctive。Imaybewhollywronginhavingcometoyouandintakingupyourtime，buttherearetwothingsIwantedtotellyou。IcouldhavetoldDonald，butifIdidandhismindwentoffatatangentthinkingofthesethingshewouldn\'tbenearlysolikelytobeinconditiontogivehisbestthoughttohisstudies。IfIreallymadehimseewhatIthinkIhaveseen，andfearwhatIknowI
fear，hemightfailwhereIwouldgivealmostanythingtoseehimsucceed；soIthoughtIwouldcometoyouandtellyouaboutitandaskyoupleasetothinkitover，andtotakeextracareofhim，becauseIreallybelievethathemaybeindanger；andifheisInevershallbeabletoridmyselfofasenseofresponsibility。\"
\"Isee，\"saidJudgeWhiting。\"Nowtellme，justasexplicitlyasyouhavetoldmethis，exactlywhatitisthatyoufear。\"
\"LastSaturday，\"saidLinda，\"DonaldtoldmethatwhilestandingattheboardbesideOkaSayye，demonstratingatheorem，henoticedthatthereweregrayhairsabovetheJap\'sears，andhebluntlyaskedhim，beforetheprofessorandtheclass，howoldhewas。Intellingme，hesaidhehadthefeelingthatiftheJapcouldhavedonesointhatinstant，hewouldhavekilledhim。Hesaidhewasnineteen，butDonaldsaysfromthematuredlinesofhisbody，fromhishandsandhisfaceandhishair，heiscertainthatheisthirtyormore，andhethinksitveryprobablethathemayhavegraduatedathomebeforehecameheretogethisEnglishfornothingfromourpublicschools。Ineverbeforehadthefactcalledtomyattentionthatthiswasbeingdone，butDonaldtoldmethathehadbeeninclasseswithmaturedmenwhenhewaslessthantenyearsofage。Thatisnotfair，JudgeWhiting；itisnotright。Thereshouldbeanagespecifiedabovewhichpeoplemaynotbeallowedtoattendpublicschool。\"
\"Iquiteagreewithyou，\"saidtheJudge。\"Thathasbeendoneinthegrades，butthereisnothingfairinbringingaboyundertwentyincompetitionwithamangraduatedfromtheinstitutionsofanothercountry，eveninthehighschools。Ifthisbethecase——\"
\"Youcanbecertainthatitis，\"saidLinda，\"becauseDonaldwhisperedtomeashepassedmehalfanhourago，comingfromtheschoolbuilding，thatTODAYOkaSayye\'shairisauniform，shiningblack，andhealsothoughtthathehadusedalipstickandrougeinaneffortatrejuvenation。Doyouthink，fromyourknowledgeofDonald，thathewouldimaginethat？\"
\"No，\"saidJudgeWhiting，\"Idon\'tthinksuchathingwouldoccurtohimunlesshesawit。\"
\"NeitherdoI，\"saidLinda。\"FromtheshortacquaintanceIhavewithhimIshouldnotcallhimatallimaginative，butheisextremelyquickandwonderfullyretentive。YouhavetoshowhimbutoncefromwhichcactushecangetVictrolaneedlesandfishinghooks，orwheretofindmaterialforwoodenlegs。\"
TheJudgelaughed。\"Doesn\'tprovemuch，\"hesaid。\"Youwouldn\'thavetoshowmethatmorethanonceeither。Ifanyoneweregivingmeanintensivecourseonsuchinterestingsubjects，I
wouldguaranteetoremember，evenatmyage。\"
Lindanoddedinacquiescence。\"Thenyoucanregarditasquitecertain，\"shesaid，\"thatOkaSayyeismakingupinanefforttoappearyoungerthanheiswhichmeansthathedoesn\'twanthisrightquestionedtobeinourschools，toabsorbthethingsthatwearetaught，tolearnourlanguage，ourgovernment，ourinstitutions，ourideals，ourapproximatestrengthandouronly-too-apparentweakness。\"
TheJudgeleanedforwardandwaitedattentively。
\"Theothermatter，\"saidLinda，\"wasrelativetoSaturday。Theremaynotbeathinginit，butsometimesawoman\'sintuitionprovestruerthanwhatamanthinksheseesandknows。Ihaven\'tSEENathing，andIdon\'tKNOWathing，butIdon\'tbelieveyourgardenerwassicklastweek。IbelievehehadadirtyjobhewanteddoneandpreferredtosavehispositionandavoidrisksbygettingsomeotherJapwhohadnofamilyandnointerestshere，todoitforhim。Idon\'tBELIEVEthatyourcar，havingrunallrightFridaynight，wasshottopiecesSaturdaymorningsothatDonaldwentsmashwithitinamannerthatmightveryeasilyhavekilledhim，orsenthimtothehospitalformonths，whileOkaSayyecarriedoffthehonorswithoutcompetitionIwanttoaskyoutofindoutwhetheryourregulargardenertrulywasill，whetherhehasafamilyandintereststoprotecthere，orwhetherheisamanwhocoulddisappearinanightasJapswhohaveleasedlandandhavefamiliescannot。Iwanttoknowaboutthemanwhotookyourgardener\'splace，andIwantthemanwhoisrepairingyourcarinterviewedverycarefullyastowhathefoundthetroublewithit。\"
Lindapaused。JudgeWhitingsatindeepthought，thenhelookedatLinda。
\"Isee，\"hesaidatlast。\"Thankyouverymuchforcomingtome。
Allthesethingsandanythingthatdevelopsfromthemshallbehandledcarefully。OfcourseyouknowthatDonaldismyonlysonandyoucanrealizewhatheistomeandtohismotherandsister。\"
\"ItisbecauseIdorealizethat，\"saidLinda，\"thatIamhere。
Iappreciatehisfriendship，butitisnotformyownintereststhatIamaskingtohavehimtakencareofwhilehewageshismentalwarwiththisJap。IwantDonaldtohavethevictory，butIwantittobeavictorythatwillbeaninspirationtoanyboyofwhitebloodamonganyofouralliesoramongpeopleswhoshouldbeourallies。There\'sashowdowncomingbetweenthewhiteraceandamightyaggregationofcoloredpeoplesoneofthesedays，andifthewhitemandoesn\'trealizeprettysoonthathissupremacyisnotonlygoingtobecontestedbutmaybelost，itjustsimplywillbelost；thatisallthereistoit。\"
TheJudgewasstudyingdeeplynow。Finallyhesaid:\"Younglady，Igreatlyappreciateyourcomingtome。TheremaybeNOTHINGinwhatyoufear。ItMIGHTbeamatterofnationalimportance。Inanyevent，itshowsthatyourheartisintherightplace。MayMrs。WhitingandIpayyouavisitsomedaysooninyourhome？\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidLindasimply。\"ItoldDonaldtobringhismotherthefirsttimehecame，buthesaidhedidnotneedtobechaperonedwhenhecametoseeme，becausemyfather\'snamewasaguaranteetohismotherthatmyhomewouldbeaproperplaceforhimtovisit。\"
\"Iwonderhowmanyofhisothergirlfriendsinvitedhimtobringhismothertoseethem，\"saidtheJudge。
\"Oh，heprobablygrewupwiththeothergirlsandwasacquaintedwiththemfromtinythings，\"saidLinda。
\"Verylikely，\"concededtheJudge。\"Ithink，afterall，Iwouldratherhaveaninvitationtomakeoneofthosetripswithyoutothedesertorthemountains。IsthereanythingelseasinterestingasfishhooksandVictrolaneedlesandwoodenlegstobelearned？\"
\"Oh，yes，\"saidLinda，leaningfartherforward，alovelycolorsweepingupintohercheeks，hereyesa-shine。ShehadmissedthefactthattheJudgewasjesting。Shehadthoughthiminsober，scientificearnest。
\"It\'sanawfullynicethingifyoudigaplantorsoilyourhandsinhunting，oranythinglikethat，toknowthattherearefourorfivedifferentkindsofvegetablesoapwhereyoucaneasilyreachthem，ifyouknowthem。Ifyouloseyourwayorhavealongtramp，it\'sgoodtoknowwhichplantswillgiveyoudrinkandwheretheyare。Andifyou\'reshortofimplements，youmightatanytimeneedamescalstick，oranarrowshaftoranarrow，even。IfDonaldwerelostnow，hecouldkeepalivefordays，becausehewouldknowwhatwoodwouldmakehimabowandhowhecouldtakeamolefiberandbraidabowstringandwherehecouldmakearrowsandarrowpointssothathecouldshootgameforfood。I\'vetaughthimtomakeanumberofsnares，andheknowswheretofindandhowtocookhisgreensandpotatoesandonionsandwheretofindhispicklesandhowtomakelemonadeandtea，andwhattouseforsnakebite。It\'sbeensuchfun，JudgeWhiting，andhehasbeensointerested。\"
\"Yes，Ishouldthinkhewouldbe，\"saidtheJudge。\"Iaminterestedmyself。Ifyouwouldtakeanoldboylikemeonafewofthosetrips，Iwouldbeimmenselypleased。\"
\"You\'dlikebrigandbeefsteak，\"suggestedLinda，\"andyou\'dlikecresssalad，andIamsureyou\'dlikecreamedyucca。\"
\"Hm，\"saidtheJudge。\"SoundstomelikeJaneMeredith。\"
Lindasuddenlysatstraight。Adazedexpressioncrossedherface。Presentlysherecovered。
\"Willyoukindlytellme，\"shesaid，\"whatagreatcriminaljudgeknowsaboutJaneMeredith？\"
\"Why，Ihearmywifeanddaughtertalkingabouther，\"saidtheJudge。
\"Iwonder，\"saidLinda，\"ifajudgehearssomanysecretsthatheforgetswhatasecretisandcouldn\'tpossiblykeeponetosavehislife。\"
\"Ontheotherhand，\"saidJudgeWhiting，\"ajudgehearssomanysecretsthathelearnstobeaverysecretivepersonhimself，andifayoungladyjustyoursizeandsolikeyouineverywayastobeyou，toldmeanythingandtoldmethatitwasasecret，I
wouldguaranteetocarryitwithmetomygrave，ifIsaidI
would。\"
OneofLinda\'sspeciallaughsfloatedoutofthewindows。HerrighthandslippedacrossthetabletowardtheJudge。
\"Crossyourheartandbody？\"shechallenged。
TheJudgetookthehandsheofferedinbothofhisown。
\"Onmysoul，\"hesaid，\"Iswearit。\"
\"Allright，\"bubbledLinda。\"JudgeWhiting，allowmetopresenttoyouJaneMeredith，theauthorandoriginatoroftheAboriginalCookeryarticlesnowrunninginEverybody\'sHome。\'，LindastoodupasshemadethepresentationandtheJudgearosewithher。WhenshebowedherdarkheadbeforehimtheJudgebowedequallyaslow，thenhetookthehandheheldandpresseditagainsthislips。
\"Iamnotsurprised，\"hesaid。\"Iamhonored，deeplyhonored，andIamdelighted。Forahighschoolgirlthatisasplendidachievement。\"
\"Butyourealize，ofcourse，\"saidLinda，\"thatitisvicarious。
Ireallyhaven\'tdoneanything。IamjustpassingontotheworldwhatAlexanderStrongfounditinterestingtoteachhisdaughter，becausehehadn\'tason。\"
\"Icertainlyamfortunatethatmysonisgettingthebenefitofthis，\"saidJudgeWhitingearnestly。\"Therearegirlswhomakemyold-fashionedsoulshudder，butIshallrestingreatcomfortwheneverIknowthatmyboyiswithyou。\"
\"Sure！\"laughedLinda。\"I\'mnotvampinghim。Idon\'tknowthefirstprinciples。We\'renotdoingathingworsethansucking\'hunters\'rockleek\'orroastingIndianpotatoesorfishingfortroutwithcactusspines。IhavehadsuchalovelytimeIdon\'tbelievethatI\'llapologizeforcoming。Butyouwon\'twasteaminuteinmakingsureaboutOkaSayye？\"
\"Iwon\'twasteaminute，\"saidtheJudge。
CHAPTERXXII。TheEndofMarian\'sContestComingfromschoolafewdayslateronaneveningwhenshehadbeendetained，LindafoundaradiantKatyawaitingher。
\"What\'sup，olddear？\"criedLinda。\"Youseempositivelyillumined。\"
\"Sobe，\"saidKaty。\"It\'sagoodtimeI\'mhavin\'。Inthefirstplacethepreviousbossofthisplaceain\'tnowisesobossyassueusedtobe，an\'livin\'withherisadaleaisier。An\'then，whenMissEileenisaroundthesedays，sheisbeginningtoseethings，andsheisjustblackwithjealousyofye。Somethingfunnyhappenedheretheafternoon，an\'shewashomeforoncean\'
gotthefullbenefitofit。Iwasswapin\'theaistwalk，butI
knowshewasinsidethewindowan\'Iknowsheheard。First，comesagreatbigloadedautomobiledrivin\'up，andstoppedinfrontwithaflourishan\'outhopsasnicean\'natealookin\'ladaseveryouclappedyoureyeson，an\'uphecomestomean\'offgoeshishatwithaswape，an\'hehandsmethatbundlean\'hesays:\'Here\'ssomethingMissLindaiswantin\'badforherwildgarden。\'\"
KatyhandedLindaabundleofnewspaper，insidewhich，wrappedinaman\'shandkerchief，shefoundseveralplants，carefullylifted，therootsproperlyballed，theheadserect，crisp，althoughinfullflower。
\"Oh，Katy！\"criedLinda。\"Look，it\'sGallito，\'littlerooster\'！\"
\"Nowain\'tthemjistyellowviolets？\"askedKatydubiously。
\"No，\"saidLinda，\"theyarenot。Theyarequiteabitrarer。
Theyarereallyawildpansy。Bringwater，Katy，andhelpme。\"
\"ButI\'vesomethingelseforye，\"saidKaty。
\"Idon\'tcarewhatyouhave，\"answeredLinda。\"Iamjustcompelledtoparktheselittleroostersatonce。\"
\"Whatmakesyecallthemthatungodlyname？\"askedKaty。
\"Nothingungodlyaboutit，\"answeredLinda。\"It\'sfunny。
GallitoistheSpanishnamefortheseviolets，anditmeans\'littlerooster。\'\"
Lindasetthevioletsascarefullyastheyhadbeenliftedandrinsedherhandsatthehydrant。
\"Nowbringontheremainderoftheexhibit，\"sheordered。
\"It\'sthereonthetopoftherockpile，whichyounoticehasincrasedsinceyelastsawit。\"
\"Soithas！\"saidLinda。\"Soithas！Andbeautifullycoloredspecimensthosearetoo。Myfernbedwillliftupitsvoiceandrejoiceinthem。AndrocksmeanHenryAnderson。TheboxIdonotunderstand。\"
Lindapickeditup，untiedthestring，andslippedoffthewrapping。Katystaredinwide-mouthedamazement。
\"IwasjusttickledoverthatbecauseMissEileensawagood-
lookingandcapableyoungmanleaveasecondpackage，rightontheheelsofyoungWhiting，\"shesaid。\"Whateverhaveyegot，lambie？Whatdoesthatmean？\"
Lindaheldupabeautifulboxofglass，insideofwhichcouldbeseenswarmingspecimensofeverybug，beetle，insect，andwormthatHenryAndersonhadbeenabletocollectinHeavenonlyknewwhathoursofsearch。Lindaopenedthebox。Thewingedcreaturesflew，thebettlestumbled，thewormswentoverthetop。
Shesetitonthegroundandlaughedtoexhaustion。HereyeswerewetasshelookedupatKaty。
\"ThatfirstnightHenryAndersonandPeterMorrisonwereheretodinner，Katy，\"shesaid，\"Andersonmadeajokeaboutbeingmybug-catcherwhenIbuiltmyhomenest，andseveraltimessincehehastriedtobesillyaboutit，butthelasttimeItoldhimitwasfoolishnesstowhichIwouldlistennomore，soinsteadoftalking，hehastakenthiswayoftellingmethatheisfairlyexpertasabug-catcher。Really，itisawfullyfunny，Katy。\"
Katywassober。Sheshowednoappreciationofthefun。
\"Yeknow，lambie，\"shesaid，herhandsonherhips，herelbowswide-spread，herjawsargumentative，\"I\'vedonesomeblarneyingwiththatlad，an\'I\'vefedhimsome，becausehewasdoin\'thingsthatwouldhelpan\'pleaseye，butnowI\'mtellin\'ye，justlikeI\'llbetellin\'yetillIdie，Iain\'tSTRONGforhim。IfeverthedaycomeswhenyeaskmetotakeonthatWhitingkidformeboss，I\'llbowmyheadan\'I\'llflyathisbidding，becauseheisreal，he\'sgoin\'tocomeoutamanlotslikeyourpa，orhisn。
An\'ifeverthedaycomeswhenyewillbetellingmeyewantmetoservePaterMorrison，I\'llwellnighgetonmykneestohim。
Ithinkhe\'dbetheclosestwe\'devercometogettin\'themasterback。ButIcouldn\'tsayI\'devertaketoAnderson。They\'ssomethingabouthim，Ican\'tjustsaywhat，butheputsmebackupamazin\'。\"
\"Don\'tworry，ancientcustodianofthefamily，\"saidLinda。
\"ThatsamesomethinginHenryAndersonthatantagonizesyou，affectsmeinevenstrongerdegree。Youmustnotgetthefoolishnotionthatanymanhasaspeculativeeyeonme，becauseitisnottrue。DonaldWhitingisonlyaboyfriend，treatingmeasabrotherwould，andPeterMorrisonismuchtoosophisticatedandmaturetopayanyseriousattentiontoagirlwithayearmorehighschoolbeforeher。IwanttobedecenttoHenryAnderson，becauseheisPeter\'sarchitect，andI\'mdeeplyinterestedinPeter\'shouseandtheladywhowillliveinit。SometimesIhopeitwillbeDonald\'ssister，MaryLouise。Anyway，IamgoingtogetacquaintedwithherandmakeitmybusinesstoseethatsheandPetergettheirchancetoknoweachotherwell。MyjobforPeteristohelprunhisbrookattheproperangle，buildhisbridge，engineerhisroad，andplanthisgrounds；sodon\'tbedreaminganyfoolishdreams，Katy。\"
Katyfoldedherarms，tiltedherchinatanunusuallyaspiringangle，anddeliberatelysniffed。
\"Don\'tyebelettin\'yourselfbelaveyourownfoolishness，\"shesaid。\"Iain\'tdonewithmeexhibityet。OnthehalltableyewillfindapackagefromthePaterMorrisonmanthatMissEileenhadthejoyoftakin\'inandlayin\'asideforye，anatopofitristsabigletterthatI\'mthinkin\'mightmeanMissMarian。\"
\"Oh，\"criedLinda。\"Whyareyouwastingallthistime？IfthereisaletterfromMarianitmaymeanthatthecompetitionisdecided；butifitis，sheloses，becauseshewastotelegraphifshewon。\"
Lindarushedintothehouseandcarriedherbelongingstoherworkroom。Shedroppedthemonthetableandlookedatthem。
\"I\'llgetyouoffmymindfirst，\"shesaidtotheMorrisonpackage，whichenclosedanewarticleentitled\"HowtoGrowGoodCitizens。\"Withitwasascrawledline，\"I\'mleavingtheheadandheelsofthefuturetoyou。\"
\"Howfine！\"exultedLinda。\"HemusthavelikedtheheadandtailpiecesIdrewforhisotherarticle，sohewantsthesameforthis，andifheiswellpaidforhisarticle，maybeintime，afterI\'vesettledformyhearthmotto，hewillpaymesomethingformywork。Gal-lum-shus！\"
AssheopenedtheletterfromMariansheslowlyshookherhead。
\"Drattheluck，\"shemuttered，\"nogoodnewshere。\"
Slowlyandabsorbedlysheread:
DEARESTLINDA:
Notelegramtosend。IgrazedthefirstprizeandmissedthesecondbecauseHenryAndersonwinswithplanssolikeminethattheyarepracticallyduplicates。Ihavenotseenthewinningplans。Mr。Snowtoldmeasgentlyashecouldthatthejudgeshadruledmeoutentirely。Thewinningplansarepracticallyareversalofmine，moreprofessionallydrawn，andnodoubtthespecificationsarefaraheadofmine，asthesearemyweakspot，althoughIhaveworkedalldayandfarintothenightonthemathematicsofhousebuilding。Mr。Snowwasverykind，andterriblycutupaboutit。
ImadewhatIhopewasabravefight，IdidsobelieveinthoseplansthatIamafraidtosayjusthowgreatlydisappointedIam。
AllIcandoistogotoworkagainandtrytofindouthowtobettermybest，whichIsurelyputintotheplansIsubmitted。I
can\'tseehowHenryAndersoncametohituponsomeofmypersonaldesignsforcomfortsandconveniences。Ihadhopedthatnomanwouldthinkofmyespecialkitchenplans。Iratherfanciedmyselfasabenefactortomysex，anemancipatorfromdrudgery，asitwere。Ihadaconcealedfeelingthatitrequiredawomanwhohadexpendedherstrengthcombatingtheconstructionofadevilishkitchen，todevisesomeofmybuilt-inconveniences，andIworkedascarefullyonmykitchentable，asonanypartofthehouse。IfIfindlaterthatthewinningplansincludethesethingsIshallbelievethatHenryAndersonisamindreader，orthatlostplansnaturallygravitatetohim。Butthereisnousetogrouchfurther。Iseemtobebornaloser。Anyway，Ihaven\'tlostyouandIstillhaveDanaMeade。
IhavenothingelsetotellyouexceptthatMr。SnowhaswaitedformetwoeveningsoutoftheweekeversinceIwroteyou，andhehastakenmeinhiscarandsimplyforcedmetodrivehimforanhouroverwhatappealstometobethemostdifficultroadshecouldselect。SofarIhavenotbalkedatanythingbuthehashadtheconsiderationnottodirectmetothemountains。Heisextremelyattractive，Linda，andIdoenjoybeingwithhim，butI
dreadittoo，becausehisgriefissodeepandsoapparentthatitconstantlykeepsbeforemethelossofmyowndearones，andthosethingstowhichthehymnbooksreferas\"achingvoids\"inmyownlife。
Butthereissomethingyouwillbegladtohear。Thatunknowncorrespondentofmineisstillsendingletters，andIamcrazyaboutthem。Idon\'tansweronenowuntilIhavemulledoverittwoorthreedaysandItrytogivehimasgoodashesends。
IjudgefromyourlettersthatyouarekeepingatleastevenwithEileen，andthatlifeismuchhappierforyou。Youseemtobebroadening。IamsogladforthefriendshipyouhaveformedwithDonaldWhiting。MymotherandMrs。Whitingwerefriends。SheisacharmingwomanandithasseemedtomethatinherdaughterLouiseshehasmanagedahappycompoundofold-fashionedstraightforwardnessandunswervingprinciple，festoonedwithhappytrimmingsofallthatisbestinthepresentdays。Ihopethatyoudobecomeacquaintedwithher。Sheisolderthanyou，butsheisthekindofgirlIknowyouwouldlike。
Don\'tworrybecauseIhavelostagain，Lindadear。Todayismyblueday。TomorrowIshallrollupmysleevesandgoatitagainwithallmymight，andbyandbyitiswritteninthebooksthatthingswillcomerightforme。Theycannotgowrongforever。
Withdearestlove，MARIAN。
Lindalookedgrimasshefinishedtheletter。
\"Confoundsuchluck，\"shesaidemphatically。\"Idonotunderstandit。HowcanamanlikeHenryAndersonknowmoreaboutcomfortsandconveniencesinahomethanawomanwithMarian\'sexperienceandcomprehension？Andshehasbeengainingexperienceforthepasttenyears。Thatpartnerofhismustbeasix-cylindermiracle。\"
Lindawenttothekitchen，becauseshewasinpressingneedofsomeonetowhomtotellhertroubles，andtherewasnooneexceptKaty。WhatKatysaidwasenergeticandemphatic，butitcomfortedLinda，becausesheagreedwithitandwhatshewasseekingattheminutewassomeonewhoagreedwithher。Asshewentbackupstairs，shemetEileenonherwaytothefrontdoor。
EileenpausedanddeliberatelystudiedLinda\'sface，andLindastoppedandwaitedquietlyuntilshechosetospeak。
\"Ipresume，\"saidEileenatlast，\"thatyouandKatywouldcalltheprocessthroughwhichyouaregoingrightnow，\'takingthebitinyourteeth，\'orsomepoeticthinglikethat，butIcan\'tseethatyouaregettingmuchoutofit。Idon\'theartheoldlaughortheclatterofgayfeetasIdidbeforeallthiswarofdissatisfactionbrokeout。Thisminuteifyouhaven\'teithercried，orwantedto，Imissmyguess。\"
\"Youwin，\"saidLinda。\"Ihavenotcried，becauseImakeitarulenevertoresorttotearswhenIcanhelpit；sowhatyouseenowisunshedtearsinmyheart。Theyinnowayrelatetowhatyousoaptlytermmy\'warofdissatisfaction\'；theyareforMarian。Shehaslostagain，thistimetheNicholsonandSnowprizeinarchitecture。\"
\"Servesherright，\"saidEileen，laughingcontemptuously。\"Theridiculousideaofhertryingtocompeteinaman\'sage-oldoccupation！Asifsheevercouldlearnenoughaboutjoistsandbeamsandgirdersandinstallingwaterandgasandelectricitytobuildahouse。Sheshouldhavehadthesensetoknowshecouldn\'tdoit。\"
\"But，\"saidLindaquietly，\"Marianwasn\'tproposingtobeacontractor，sheonlywantstobeanarchitect。AndthemanwhobeatherisPeterMorrison\'sarchitect，HenryAnderson，andhewonbysuchanarrowmarginthatherplanswerethrownoutofsecondandthirdplace，becausetheyweresoverysimilartohis。
Doesn\'tthatstrikeyouascurious？\"
\"Thatismorethancurious，\"saidEileenslowly。\"Thatisaverystrangecoincidence。Theycouldn\'thavehadanythingfromeachother，becausetheyonlymetatdinner，beforeallofus，andMarianwentawaythenextmorning；itdoesseemqueer。\"Thensheaddedwithaflashofgenerosityandjustice，\"ItlooksprettygoodforMarian，atthat。Ifshecamesonearwinningthatshelostsecondandthirdbecauseshewastoonearfirsttomakeanypracticaldifference，Imustbewrongandshemustberight。\"
\"Youarewrong，\"saidLindatersely，\"ifyouthinkMariancannotmakewonderfulplansforhouses。Butgoingbacktowhatmy\'warofdissatisfaction\'isdoingtome，it\'sapaleaffaircomparedwithwhatitisdoingtoyou，Eileen。Youlookadebilitatedsilhouetteofthenearrecentpast。Doyoufeelthatbadlyaboutgivingupalittlemoneyandauthority？\"
\"Ineverprofessedtohavetheslightestauthorityoveryou，\"
saidEileenveryprimly，asshedrewbackintheshadows。\"Youhavecomeandgoneexactlyasyoupleased。AllIevertriedtodowastokeepupadecentappearancebeforetheneighborsandmakefinancialendsmeet。\"
\"Thatneverseemedtowearonyouassomethingseemstodonow，\"
saidLinda。\"Iamthankfulthatthisweekendsit。IwaslookingforyoubecauseIwantedtotellyoutobesurenottomakeanydatethatwillkeepyoufrommeetingmeattheofficeofthepresidentoftheConsolidatedBankThursdayafternoon。IamgoingtoarrangewithJohntobethereanditshouldn\'ttakefifteenminutestorunthroughmattersanddividetheincomeinafairwaybetweenus。Iamwillingforyoutogoonpayingthebillsandorderingforthehouseasyouhavebeen。\"
\"Certainlyyouare，\"sneeredEileen。\"Youarequitewillingforalltheworkandusethegreaterpartofmytimetomakeyoucomfortable。\"
Lindasuddenlydrewback。Herbodyseemedtorecoil，butherheadthrustforwardasiftobringhereyesinbetterrangetoreadEileen\'sface。
\"Thatisutterlyunjust，Eileen，\"shecried。
Thentwoatatimesherushedthestairsinaraceforherroom。
CHAPTERXXIII。TheDayofJubileeLindastartedtoschoolhalfanhourearlierWednesdaymorningbecausethatwasthedayforherweeklytriptothePostOfficeforanymailwhichmighthavecometoherunderthenameofJaneMeredith。ShehadhardworktokeepdownhercolorwhensherecognizedtheheavygrayenvelopeusedbytheeditorofEverybody\'sHome。Assheturnedfromthewindowwithitinherfingersshewastremblingslightlyandwonderingwhethershecouldhaveaminute\'sseclusiontofacetheanswerwhichherlastlettermighthavebrought。Therewasasmallalcovebesideapublicdeskatonesideoftheroom。Lindasteppedintothis，toreopentheenvelopeandslippedoutthesheetitcontained。
Dazedlyshestaredattheslipthatfellfromit。Slowlythecolorlefthercheeksandthencamerushingbackfromhersurchargedheartuntilherveryearswerered，becausethatslipwasverymanifestlyachequeforfivehundreddollars。MentallyandphysicallyLindashookherself，thenshestraightenedtofullheight，tensinghermusclesandholdingthesheetbeforeherwithahandoneachsidetokeepitfromshaking，whilesheread:
MYDEARMADAM:
Isincerelyapologizeforhavingwaitedsolongbeforewritingyouoftheveryexceptionalreceptionwhichyourarticleshavehad。Ithinkonehalftheirattractionhasbeentheexquisiteandappealingpicturesyouhavesentfortheirillustration。AtthepresentminutetheyareformingwhatIconsiderthemostuniquefeatureinthemagazine。Iamenclosingyouachequeforfivehundreddollarsasaninitialpaymentontheseries。JustwhatthecompletedseriesshouldbeworthIamunabletosayuntilyouinformmehowmanymonthsyoucankeepitupatthesamegradeofculinaryandliteraryinterestandattractiveillustration；butIshouldsayataroughestimatethatyouwouldbesafeincountinguponarepetitionofthischequeforeverythreearticlesyousendin。Thisofcourseincludespaymentforthepicturesalso，whicharetomeifanythingmoreattractivethantherecipes，sincethelocalcolorandenvironmenttheyaddtotherecipeandthewordsketcharevaluableintheextreme。
Ifyoufeelthatyoucancontinuethistotheextentofevenasmallvolume，Ishallbedelightedtosendyouabookcontract。
Inconsideringthisproposition，letmesaythatifyoucouldnotproduceenoughrecipestofillabook，youcouldpieceitouttothenecessarylengthmostcharminglyandattractivelybylengtheningthedescriptionsoftheenvironmentinwhichtheparticularfruitsandvegetablesyoudealwitharetobefound；
andinbookformyoumightallowyourselfmuchgreaterlatitudeintheinstructionsconcerningthehandlingofthefruitsandthepreparationoftherecipes。Ithinkmyselfthatawonderfullyattractivebookcouldbemadefromthismaterial，andhopethatyouwillagreewithme。Trustingthatthiswillbesatisfactorytoyouandthatyouwillseriouslyconsiderthebookpropositionbeforeyoudeclineit，Iremain，mydearmadam，Verytrulyyours，HUGHTHOMPSON，Editor，Everybody\'sHome。
Grippingthechequeandtheletter，Lindalurchedforwardagainstthewindowcasementandshuthereyestight，becauseshecouldfeelbig，nervousgulpsofexultationandrejoicingswellingupinherthroat。Sheshiftedthepaperstoonehandandsurreptitiouslyslippedtheothertoherpocket。Shetriedtokeepthepapersbeforeherandlookedstraightfromthewindowtoavoidattractingattention。Thetumultofexultationinherheartwassowildthatshedidnotsurelyknowwhethershewantedtosinktothefloor，layherfaceagainsttheglass，andindulgeinwhatforgenerationswomenhavereferredtoas\"agoodcry，\"
orwhethershewantedtoleapfromthewindowandsportonthewindlikeadrivenleaf。
Thenshereturnedtheletterandchequetotheenvelope，andslippeditinsideherblouse，andstartedonherwaytoschool。
ShemightaswellhavegonetoMultifloresCanyonandpittedherstrengthagainstclimbingitswallsfortheday，forallthegoodshedidinherschoolwork。Sheheardnowordofanyrecitationbyherschoolmates。Shehadnowordreadywhencalledonforarecitationherself。Sheheardnothingthatwassaidbyanyoftheprofessors。Onwingedfeetshewasflyingbackandforthfromthedeserttothemountains，fromthecanyonstothesea。
Shewasraidingbedsofamassanddevisingwaystoroastthebulbsandmakeanewdish。Shewascompoundingdrinksfrommescalandbisnaga。ShewashuntingdesertpicklesandtryingtorememberwhetherIndianrhubarbevergrewsofarsouth。Shewasgladwhenthedismissalhourcamethatafternoon。WitheagerfeetshewentstraighttotheConsolidatedBankandtheresheaskedagaintobeadmittedtotheofficeofthepresident。Mr。
Worthingtonroseasshecamein。
\"AmIwronginmydates？\"heinquired。\"Iwasnotexpectingyouuntiltomorrow。\"
\"No，you\'requiteright，\"saidLinda。\"Atthishourtomorrow。
But，Mr。Worthington，Iamintroubleagain。\"
Lindalookedsodistressedthatthebankerpushedachairtothetable\'ssideforher，andwhenshehadseatedherself，hesaidquietly:\"Tellmeallaboutit，Linda。Wemustgetlifestraightenedoutasbestwecan。\"
\"IthinkImusttellyouallaboutit，\"saidLinda，\"becauseI
knowjustenoughaboutbankingtoknowthatIhaveapropositionthatIdon\'tknowhowtohandle。Arebankerslikefatherconfessorsanddoctorsandlawyers？\"
\"Ithinktheyareevenmoreso，\"laughedMr。Worthington。
\"Perhapsthefatherconfessortakesprecedence，otherwiseI
believepeoplearequiteasmuchinterestedintheirfinancialsecretsasinanythingelseinallthisworld。Haveyouafinancialsecret？\"
\"Yes，\"saidLinda，\"Ihavewhatistomeabigsecret，andI
don\'tintheleastknowhowtohandleit，sorightawayIthoughtaboutyouandthatyouwouldbetheonetotellmewhatIcoulddo。\"
\"Goahead，\"saidMr。Worthingtonkindly。\"I\'llgiveyoumywordofhonortokeepanysecretyouconfidetome。\"
Lindaproducedherletter。Sheopeneditandwithoutanypreliminarieshandeditandthechequetothebanker。Helookedatthechequespeculatively，andthenlaiditasideandreadtheletter。Hegaveeveryevidenceofhavingreadpartsofittwoorthreetimes，thenheexaminedthechequeagain，andglancedatLinda。
\"Andjusthowdidyoucomeintopossessionofthis，younglady？\"
heinquired。\"Andwhatisitthatyouwantofme？\"
\"Why，don\'tyousee？\"saidLinda。\"It\'smyletterandmycheque；
I\'m\'JaneMeredith。\'NowhowamIgoingtogetmymoney。
ForonedazedmomentMr。WorthingtonstudiedLinda；thenhethrewbackhisheadandlaughedunrestrainedly。HecamearoundthetableandtookbothLinda\'shands。
\"Bullyforyou！\"hecriedexultantly。\"HowIwishyourfathercouldseetheseedhehassownbearingitsfruit。Isn\'tthatfine？Anddoyouwanttogoonwiththisanonymously？\"
\"IthinkImust，\"saidLinda。\"IhavesaidinmyheartthatnoJap，maleorfemale，youngorold，shalltakefirsthonorsinaclassfromwhichIgraduate；andyoucanseethatifpeoplegenerallyknewthis，itwouldmakeitawfullyhardformetogoonwithmystudies，andIdon\'tknowthattheeditorwhoisacceptingthisworkwouldtakeitifheknewitweresenthimbyahigh-schoolJunior。Youseethedignifiedwayinwhichheaddressesmeas\'madam\'？\"
\"Isee，\"saidMr。Worthingtonreflectively。
\"I\'msure，\"saidLindawithdemurelips，thoughtheeyesabovethemwereblazinganddancingathightension，\"I\'msurethattheeditorisattachingahusband，andahousehavingawell-orderedkitchen，andratherwideculinaryexperiencetothat\'dearmadam。\'\"
\"Andwhataboutthisbookproposition？\"askedthebankergravely。
\"Thatwouldbeabigthingforagirlofyourage。Canyoudoit，andcontinueyourschoolwork？\"
\"WiththebackgroundIhave，withtheunusedmaterialIhave，andwithvacationcomingbeforelong，Icandoiteasily，\"saidLinda。\"Myschoolworkisnotdifficultforme。Itonlyrequiresconcentrationforabouttwohoursinthepreparationthateachdaybrings。TheremainderofthetimeIcouldgivetoamplifyingandproducingnewrecipes。\"
\"Isee，\"saidthebanker。\"Soyouhaveresolved，Linda，thatyoudon\'twantyoureditortoknowyourrealname。\"
\"Couldscarcelybedone，\"saidLinda。
\"Buthaveyoustoppedtothink，\"saidthebanker，\"thatyouwillbeaskedforpersonalhistoryandaboutyourresidence，andnodoubtaphotographofyourself。Ifyoucontinuethisworkanonymouslyyou\'regoingtohavetroublewithmoremattersthancashingacheque。\"
\"ButIamnotgoingtohaveanytroublecashingacheque，\"shesaid，\"becauseIhavecomestraighttothemanwhosebusinessischeques。\"
\"Trueenough，\"hesaid；\"ISHALLhavetoarrangethecheque；
there\'snotadoubtaboutthat；andasforyourotherbugbears\"
\"Irefusetobefrightenedbythem，\"interposedLinda。
\"Haveyoueverdoneanybusinessatthebank？\"
\"No，\"saidLinda。
\"Noneoftheclerksknowyou？\"
\"NotthatIremember，\"saidLinda。\"Imightpossiblybeacquaintedwithsomeofthem。Ihavemerelypassedthroughthebankonmywaytoyourroomtwice。\"
\"Then，\"saidthebanker，\"we\'llhavetoriskit。Afterthisestatebusinessissettledyouwillwanttoopenanaccountinyourname。\"
\"Quitetrue，\"saidLinda。
\"ThenIwouldadviseyou，\"saidMr。Worthington，\"toopenthisaccountinyourownname。Endorsethischeque\'JaneMeredith\'
andmakeitpayabletomepersonally。Wheneveroneofthesecomes，bringittomeandI\'lltakecareofitforyou。
Oneminute。\"
HeleftLindasittingquietlyreadingandrereadingherletter，andpresentlyreturnedandlaidasheafofpapermoneybeforeher。
\"Takeittothepayingteller。Tellhimthatyouwishtodepositit，andaskhimtogiveyouabankbookandachequebook，\"hesaid。\"Thankyouverymuchforcomingtomeandforconfidinginme。\"
Lindagatheredupthemoney，andsaidgood-byetothebanker。
JustasshestartedforwardsherecognizedEileenatthewindowofthepayingteller。ItwasanEileensheneverbeforehadseen。Herfacewasstrainedtoaghastlygray。Herhatwasnotstraightandherhandswereshaking。Withoutrealizingthatshewasdoingit，Lindasteppedbehindoneofthehugemarblepillarssupportingtheceilingandstoodtherebreathlessly，watchingEileen。ShecouldgatherthatshewasdiscussingthebankledgerwhichlaybeforethetellerandthathewasrefusingsomethingthatEileenwasimploringhimtodo。Lindathoughtsheunderstoodwhatitwas。ThenveryclearlyEileen\'svoice，sharpandstrained，reachedherears。
\"Youmeanthatyouarerefusingtopaymemydepositsonmyprivateaccount？\"shecried；andLindacouldalsoheartheresponse。
\"Iamverysorryifitannoysorinconveniencesyou，MissStrong，butsincethesettlementoftheestatetakesplacetomorrow，ourordersaretopayoutnofundsinanywayconnectedwiththeestateuntilafterthatsettlementhasbeenarranged。\"
\"Butthisismymoney，myownprivateaffair，\"beggedEileen。
\"Theestatehasnothingtodowithit。\"
\"Iamsorry，\"repeatedtheteller。\"Ifthatisthecase，youwillhavenodifficultyinestablishingthefactinafewminutes\'time。\"
Eileenturnedandleftthebank，anditseemedthatshewasalmostswaying。Lindastoodasecondwithnarrowedeyes，indeepthought。
\"Ithink，\"shesaidatlast，deepdowninherheart，\"thatitlookspreciousmuchasiftherehadbeenabitoftransgressioninthisaffair。Itlooks，too，asif\'thewayofthetransgressor\'wereadarnedhardway。Straightaheadopenandaboveboardforyou，mygirl！\"
Thenshewentquietlytothedeskandtransactedherownbusiness；butherbeautifuldaywasclouded。Herheartwasnolongerleapingexultantly。ShewassickenedandsorrowfulovertheevidentnervestrainanddiscomfortwhichEileenseemedtohavebroughtuponherself。Shedreadedmeetingheratdinnerthatnight，andshewonderedallthewayhomewhereEileenhadgonefromthebankandwhatshehadbeendoing。WhatshefeltwasapaleaffaircomparedwithwhatshewouldhavefeltifshecouldhaveseenEileenleavethebankandenteranear-bystore，gotoatelephoneboothandputinalong-distancecallforSanFrancisco。Hereyeswerebrilliant，hercheeksbynatureredderthantherougeshehaduseduponthem。Shesquaredhershoulders，liftedherhead，asifsheirrevocablyhadmadeadecisionandwouldnotbethwartedinactinguponit。Whileshewaitedshestraightenedherhat，andtuckedupherprettyhair，oncemoreevincingconcernaboutherappearance。Afteranervouswaitshesecuredherparty。
\"AmIspeakingwithMr。JamesHeitman？\"sheasked。
\"Yes，\"cametheanswer。
\"Well，UncleJim，thisisEileen。\"
\"Why，hello，girlie，\"wasthequickresponse。\"Delightedthatyou\'recallingyourancientuncle。Haven\'tchangedthedecisioninthelastletterIhadfromyou，haveyou？\"
\"Yes，\"saidEileen，\"Ihavechangedit。DoyouandAuntCarolinestillwantme，UncleJim？\"
\"YOUBETWEWANTYOU！\"roaredthevoiceoverthe\'phone。\"Hereweare，withplentyofmoneyandnotarelationonearthbutyoutoleaveitto。Youbelongtousbyrights。We\'dbetickledtodeathtohaveyou，andforyoutohavewhat\'sleftofthemoneywhenwegetthroughwithit。MayIcomeafteryou？Saytheword，andI\'llstartthisminute。\"
\"Oh，UncleJim，couldyou？Wouldyou？\"criedEileen。
\"Well，I\'dsayIcould。We\'dbetickledtodeath，Itellyou！\"
\"Howlongwouldittakeyoutogethere？\"saidEileen。
\"Well，Icouldreachyoubynoontomorrow。Elevensomethingistheshortesttimeit\'sbeenmadein；thatwouldgivemethirteen——morethanenough。Areyouinthatmuchofahurry？\"
\"Yes，\"gaspedEileen，\"yes，Iaminthebiggestkindofahurrythereis，UncleJim。Thistroublesomelittleestatehastobesettledtomorrowafternoon。There\'sgoingtobecomplaintabouteverythingthatIhaveseenfittodo。I\'vebeenhoundedandharassedtillIamdisgustedwithit。ThenI\'vepromisedtomarryJohnGilmanasIwroteyou，andIdon\'tbelieveyouwouldthinkthatwasmybestchancewiththeopportunitiesyoucouldgiveme。Itseemsfoolishtostayhere，abusedasIhavebeenlately，andasIwillbetomorrow。Youhavethehousenumber。
Ifyoucomeandgetmeoutofitbynoontomorrow，I\'llgowithyou。YoumaytakeoutthoseadoptionpapersyouhavealwaysentreatedmetoagreetoandI\'llbeadaughterthatyoucanbeproudof。Itwillbearelieftohavesomerealmoneyandsomerealposition，andtobreathefreelyandbemyselfoncemore。\"
\"Allrightforyou，girlie！\"bellowedthegreatvoiceovertheline。\"Pickupanylittlepersonalbitsyoucanputinasuitcase，andbytwelveo\'clocktomorrowI\'llwhiskyourightoutofthatdamnmess。\"
Eileenwalkedfromthetelephoneboothwithherheadhigh，triumphwrittenalloverherfaceandfigure。Theyweregoingtohumiliateher。Shewouldshowthem！
Shewenthomeimmediately。Enteringherroom，sheclosedthedoorandstoodlookingatherpossessions。Howcouldshegethertrunkfromthegarret？Howcouldshegetittothestation？
WoulditbepossibleforUncleJamestotakeitinhiscar？AssheponderedthesethingsEileenhadadimmemoryofadayinherchildhoodwhenhermotherhadgoneonbusinesstoSanFranciscoandhadtakenheralong。Sherememberedahugehouse，allturretsandtowersandgables，allturnsandtwistsandangles，closedtothelightofdayandglowinginsidewithshiningartificiallights。Sherememberedstumblingoverdeeprugs。Onevividimpressionwasofwallscoveredwithhugecanvases，someofthemhavingframesmorethanafootwide。Sherememberedknightsinarmor，andbigfireplaces，andhugeurnsandvases。Itseemedtoherlikethemostwonderfulbazaarsheeverhadbeenin。Sheremembered，too，thatshehadbeengladwhenhermotherhadtakenheroutintothesunshineagainandfromthepresenceoftwoponderouspeoplewhohadobjectedstronglytoeverythinghermotherhaddiscussedwiththem。Shepausedoneinstant，contemplatingthispicture。Thelookoftriumphonherfacetoneddownconsiderably。Thenshecomfortedherselfaloud。
\"I\'veheardMothersay，\"shesaidsoftly，\"thateverybodyoverdidthingsanddidnotknowhowtobegracefulwithimmensefortunesgotfromsilverandgoldmines，andlumber。Itwillbedifferentnow。Probablytheydon\'tliveinthesamehouse，even。Thereisasmallarmyofservants，andthereisnothingIcanthinkofthatUncleJimwon\'tgladlygetme。I\'vebeentoobigafoolforwordstolivethiswayaslongasIhave。Crushme，willthey？
I\'llshowthem！Iwon\'teventouchthesethingsIhavestrainedsotoget。\"
Eileenjerkedfromherthroatthestrandofpearlsthatshehadworncontinuouslyforfouryearsandthrewitcontemptuouslyonherdressingtable。
\"I\'llmakeUncleJimgetmearopewithtwoorthreestrandsinitthatwillreachtomywaist。\'Asuitcase！\'Idon\'tknowwhatIwouldfillasuitcasewithfromhere。Thetrunkmaystayinthegarret，andwhileIamleavingallthisrubbish，I\'lljustleaveJohnGilmanwithit。UncleJimwillgivemeanincomethatwillbuyallthecigarettesIwantwithouthavingtodeceiveanyone；andIcanhavemoneyifIwanttostakesomethingatbridgewithoutbeingscaredintoparalysisforfearsomebodymayfinditoutortheaccountswon\'tbalance。I\'llputonthemostsuitablethingIhavetotravelin，andjustwalkoutandleaveeverythingelse。\"
ThatwaswhatEileendid。Atnoonthenextdayhereyeswerebrightwithnervousness。Hercheeksalternatelypaledwithfearandfloodedredwithanxiety。Shehaddressedherselfcarefully，laidoutherhatandglovesandaheavycoatincasethenightshouldbechilly。Onceshestoodlookingatthedainty，brightlycoloreddresseshanginginherwardrobeAflashofregretpassedoverherface。
\"Tawdrylittlecheapthingsandmakeshifts，\"shesaid。\"IfLindafeelsthatshehasbeensoterriblydefrauded，shecanhelpherselfnow！\"
Bytwelveo\'clockshefoundherselfstandingatthewindow，straininghereyesdownLilacValley。Shewasnotlookingatitshelpfulhills，atitsappealingcurves，atitsbrilliantcolors。
Shewaswatchingtheroadway。WhenKatyrangtocallhertolunch，shetoldhertoputthethingsaway；shewasexpectingpeoplewhowouldtakeherouttolunchpresently。Inthepastyearsshehadoccasionallywrittentoheruncle。SeveraltimeswhenhehadhadbusinessinLosAngelesshehadmethimathishotelanddinedwithhim。Shereasonedthathewouldcomestraighttothehouseandgether，andthentheywouldgotooneofthebighotelsforlunchbeforetheystarted。
\"Ishan\'tfeellikemyself，\"saidEileen，\"untilwearewellonthewaytoSanFrancisco。\"
Atoneo\'clockshewaswalkingthefloor。Attwoshewasalmostfrantic。Athalfpastshealmostwishedthatshehadhadthegoodsensetohavesomelunch，sinceshewasveryhungryandundertensenervestrain。Onceshepausedbeforetheglass，butwhatshesawfrightenedher。Justwhenshefeltthatshecouldnotendurethestrainanotherminute，grindingbrakes，theblastofahugeKlaxon，andthesoundofagreatvoicearosefromthestreet。Eileenrushedtothewindow。Shetookonelook，caughtupthesuitcaseandraceddownthestairs。Atthedoorshemetabluff，bigman，grossfromheadtofoot。ItseemedtoEileenstrangethatshecouldseeinhimevenatraceofhermother，andyetshecould。Redveinscrossedhischeeksandglowedonhisnose。Histiredeyeswerewatery；histhicklipshadaninclinationtosag；buttherewasheartinessinhisvoiceandearnestnessinthemannerinwhichhepickedherup。
\"Whathavetheybeendoingtoyoudownhere？\"hedemanded。
\"Nevershouldhaveleftyouthislong。Oughttohavecomedownandtakenyouandshowedyouwhatyouwanted，andthenyouwouldhaveknownwhetheryouwanteditornot。\"
Atthisjunctureahugewoman，grossinafemininewayasherhusbandwasinhis，paddledupthewalk。
\"I\'mcomin\'inandrestafewminutes，\"shesaid。\"I\'mtiredtodeathandI\'mpoundedtopieces。\"
Herhusbandturnedtowardher。HeopenedhislipstointroduceEileen。Hiswifeforestalledhim。
\"SothisistheEileenyouhavebeenravin\'aboutforyears，\"shesaid。\"Ithoughtyousaidshewasaprettygirl。\"
Eileen\'ssoulknewonesickinstantofrecoil。ShelookedfromJamesHeitmantoCaroline，hiswife，andrememberedthathehadahabitofcallingher\"Callie。\"Allthatpaintandpowderandlipstickandbrilliantinecoulddotomaketheponderous，bigwomanmoreghastlyhadbeendone，butintherushofthelongridethroughwhichherhusbandhadforcedher，thecolorshadmixedandslipped，thefalsewavesweredisplaced。Shewasnotinanyconditiontocriticizetheappearanceofanotherwoman。
ForonesecondEileenhesitated，thensheliftedhershakinghandstoherhat。
\"Ihavebeenhoundedoutofmysenses，\"shesaidapologetically，\"andhavebeensoterriblyanxiousforfearyouwouldn\'tgethereontime。Please，AuntCaroline，letusgotoahotel，someplacewherewecanstraightenupcomfortably。\"
\"Well，what\'syourhurry？\"saidAuntCarolinecoolly。\"You\'renotafugitivefromjustice，areyou？Can\'tabodyrestafewminutesandhaveadrink，even？Besides，Iamgoingtoseewhatkindofaplaceyou\'vebeenlivingin，andthenI\'llknowhowthankfulyou\'llbeforwhatwegottooffer。\"
Eileenturnedandthrewopenthedoor。Thebigwomanwalkedin。
Shelookeddownthehall，upthestairway，andwentontothelivingroom。Shegaveitonecontemptuousglance，andturning，camebacktothedoor。
\"Allright，Jim，\"shesaidbrusquely。\"Ihaveseenenough。Ifyouknowthebesthotelinthetown，takemethere。Andthen，ifEileen\'sinsuchahurry，afterwehavehadabitewe\'llstartforhome。\"