Lindalookedthroughtheskylightandcriedouttothestars:
\"Goodheavens！HaveIcopiedPetertooclosely？\"
Shesatthinkingaminuteandthenshedecidedshehadnot。
AndinthisconnectionyouwillwanttoknowhowIamprogressinginmyfriendshipwiththejuniorpartner，andwhatkindofmotoristIammaking。Iamstilldrivingtwiceaweek，andlatelyonSundaysinalargercar，takingDanaandanewspaperfriendofhersalong。IthinkIhavedriveneveryhazardthatthispartofCaliforniaaffordsexceptthemountains；Mr。Snowisstillmercifulaboutthem。
Lindadear，Iknowwhatyou\'redyingtoknow。YouwanttoknowwhetherMr。Snowisinthesamedepthsofmourningaswhenouracquaintancefirstbegan。This，mydearchild，isveryreprehensibleofyou。Younggirlswithbraidsdowntheirbacks——andbytheway，Linda，youdidnottellmewhathappened\"aftertheballwasover。\"Didyougotoschoolthenextmorningwithbraidsdownyourback，orwearingyourcoronet？BecauseonthatdependswhatIhavetosaytoyounow；ifyouwentwithbraids，you\'restillmylittlegirlchum，thecleanest，finestkidIhaveeverknown；butifyouworeyourcoronet，thenyou\'reawomanandmyequalandmydearestfriend，fardearerthanDanaeven；andItellyouthis，Linda，becauseIwantyoualwaystounderstandthatyoucomefirst。
Ihavetriedandtriedtovisualizeyou，andcan\'tsatisfymymindastowhetherthebraidsareupordown。Goingontheassumptionthattheyareup，andthatlifemayinthenearfuturebegintoholdsomeinterestingexperiencesforyou，Iwilltellyouthis，belovedchild:Idon\'tthinkMr。Snowismourningquitesodeeplyashewas。Ihavenotbeenasked，thelastfourorfivetripswehavebeenon，tocarryanarmloadofexquisiteflowerstotheshrineofadepartedlove。IhavebeenprivilegedtotakethemhomeandarrangetheminmyroomandDana\'s。AndI
haven\'theardsomuchtalkaboutloneliness，andIhaven\'tseensuchtired，sadeyes。Itseemstomethatafamiliarpairofshouldersaresquaringuptotheworldagain，andaverykindpairofeyesarebrighterwithinterest。Idon\'tknowhowyoufeelaboutthis；Idon\'tknowhowIfeelaboutitmyself。IamsurethatEugeneSnowisamanwho，intheyearstocome，wouldlineupbesideyourfatherandmine，andIlikehimimmensely。
Itismerelyacaseofnotlikinghimless，butoflikingmyunknownmanmore。Icouldn\'tquitecommitthesacrilege，Lindadear，ofsendingyouasampleofthelettersIamreceiving，buttheyaretoofancifulandcharmingforanywordsofminetodescribeadequately。Idon\'tknowwhothismanis，orwhathehastooffer，orwhetherheintendstoofferanything，butitisaridiculousfact，Linda，thatIwouldrathersitwithhiminachimneycorneroffieldboulders，onapinefloor，withapalmroofandanOcotillocandle，thantoglowintheparchment-shieldedelectriclightofthehallsofarichman。Inarecentletter，Linda，therewasareferencetoawomanwhowore\"adiademofcrystallizedlight。\"ItwasabeautifulthingandI
couldnothelptakingitpersonally。Itwashiswayoftellingmethatheknewme，andknewmytragedy；and，asIsaidbefore，I
ambeginningtofeelthatIhavehimratherdefinitelylocated；
andIcanunderstandthefinestraininhimthatpromptedhisanonymity，andhisreasonsforit。OfcourseIamnotsufficientlyconfidentyettosayanythingdefinite，butmyheartisbeginningtosaythingsthatIsincerelyhopemylipsneverwillbeforcedtodeny。
Lindalaiddowntheletter，foldedherhandsacrossit，andoncemorelookedatthestars。
\"Goodgracious！\"shesaid。\"IamtincturingthoseletterswithtoomuchPeter。I\'llhavetotonedownabit。NextthingIknowshewillbelosingherchancewiththatwonderfulSnowmanforadream。InmyeffortstocomfortherImusthavegonetoofar。
ItisallrighttowriteagushyloveletterandstuffitfullofPeter\'swhimsicalnonsense，but，inthelanguageofthepoet，howamIgoingto\'deliverthegoods\'？OfcoursethattalkaboutLouiseWhitingwasallwellenough。Equally，ofcourse，I
outlinedandplantedthebrookanddesignedthebridgeforMarian，whethersheknowsitorPeterknowsit，ornot。Iftheydon\'tknowit，it\'sabouttimetheywerefindingitout。Ithinkit\'smyjobtovisitPetermorefrequentlyandseeifIcan\'tinventsomewaytomakehimseethelight。IwillgiveKatyahintinthemorning。TomorroweveningI\'llgoupandhavesupperwithhimandseeifhehasanotherarticleinthestewpan。I
likethisworkwithPeter。Ilikehavinghimmakemedreamdreamsandseepictures。Ilikethepunchandthevirilityheputsintomydrawings。It\'sallrightreproducingmonkeyflowersandliliesforpastime，butforseriousbusiness，forreallifework，IwouldratherdoPeter\'sbrainstorming，heart-thrillingpicturesthanmymerelyprettyones。OnthesubjectofPeter，I
mustrememberinthemorningtotakethoseoldbookshegavemetoDonald。IbelievethatfromoneofthemheisgoingtogettheverymaterialheneedstodowntheJapinphilosophy。AndtheyarenottextbookswhichprovesthatPetermusthavebeendiggingintothesubjectandhuntedthemupinsomesecond-handstore，orevensentawayanorderforthem。\"
InthehallthenextmorningLindastoppedDonaldandgavehimthebooks。Intheearlystagesoftheirfriendshipshehadlookedathimunderhalf-closedlidsandwaitedtoseewhetherheintendedstoppingtosayawordwithherwhentheypassedeachotherorcamedownthehallstogether。Sheknewthattheiracquaintancewouldbenotedandcommentedupon，andsheknewhowreadytheothergirlswouldbetosaythatshewasboldandforward，soshewascarefultoletDonaldmaketheadvances，untilhehadcalledtohersooften，andhaddugflowersandlefthisfriendswaitingatherdoorwhilehedeliveredthem，thatshefeltfreetoaddresshimasshechose。Hehadshownanyinterestedpersoninthehighschoolthathewasherfriend，thathewasspeakingtoherexactlyashedidtogirlshehadknownfromchildhood。Hewasverypopularamongtheboysandgirlsofhisclassandthewholeschool。Hisfriendship，comingatthetimeofLinda\'srebelliononthesubjectofclothes，haddevelopedatendencytobringherotherfriendships。BoyswhoneverhadknownshewasinexistencefollowedDonald\'sexampleinstoppinghertosayawordnowandthen。Girlswhohadpolitelyignoredhernowfoundthingstosay；andseveralinvitationsshehadnothadleisuretoaccepthadbeensenttoherforafternoonandeveningentertainmentsamongtheyoungpeople。Lindahadlaidoutforherselfsomethingofataskindecidingtobethementalleaderofherclass。Thereweregoodbrainsinplentyamongtheotherpupils。Itwasonlybywork，concentration，andpurpose，onlybyhavingamindkeenlyalert，byindependentinvestigationandintroducingnewpointsofviewthatshecouldholdherprestige。UptothereceiptofherlettercontainingtheoffertopublishherbookshehadbeenablerigorouslytoexcludefromhermindthepersonalityandtheundertakingsofJaneMeredith。ShewasLindaStronginthehighschoolandforanhourortwoatherstudies。ShewasJaneMeredithoverthedesert，throughthecanyons，besidethesea，inherMultifloreskitchenorinKatherineO\'Donovan\'s。Butthisbookofferopenedanewtrainofthought，anewseriesofplans。Shecouldseeherway——thankstoherfathershehadthematerialinhermindandtheartinherfingertips——tomaterializewhatshefeltwouldbeevenmoreattractiveinbookformthananythinghereditorhadbeenabletovisualizefromhermaterial。Sheknewherself，sheknewherterritorysominutely。Frequentlyshesmiledwhenshereadstatementsinherbotaniesastowhereplantsandvegetablescouldbefound。Sheknewthehighhomeoftherareandprecioussnowplant。Sheknewthenorthernlimitofthestrawberrycactus。Sheknewwherethewhiteseaswallownested。SheknewwheretheMonarchbutterflywentonhiswintermigration。Sheknewwherethetrap-doorspider，withcunningpastthecunningofanyotherarchitectofNature，builthissmall，round，silken-linedtowerandhingedhistrapdoorsocleverlythatonlyhecouldopenitfromtheoutside。Shehadevensatimmovableandwatchedhimerecthishouse，andshewouldhavegivenmuchtoseehimweaveitssilverlining。
Lindawasfastcomingtotheplacewhereshefeltherselftobeoneinaninterestedgroupoffellowworkers。Shenolongergaveathoughttowhatkindofshoesshewore。Othergirlswerebeginningtowearthesamekind。Thelegislaturesofhalfadozenstateswerepassinglawsregulatingtheheightofheelwhichmightbewornwithintheirboundaries。Manufacturerswerepromisingforthecomingseasonthatsuitableshoeswouldbebuiltforstreetwearandmountainclimbing，forthesandsoftheseaandthesandsofthedesert，andthesheerfaceofcanyons。
Theextremelylong，dirt-sweepingskirtswerecomingup；theextremelyshort，immodestskirtswerecomingdown。Asaneandsensiblewaveseemedtobesweepingthewholecountry。UndertheimpetusofDonaldWhiting\'sstrugglestoleadhisclassesandthoseofotherpupilstoleadtheirsahighergradeofscholarshipwasbeginningtobedevelopedthroughoutthehighschool。Pupilswerethinkinglessofwhattheyworeandhowmuchamusementtheycouldcrowdin，andmoreaboutmakinggradesthatwouldpassthemwithcreditfromyeartoyear。Thehorrorsofthewarandthedisordersfollowingithadbeguntoimpressupontheyoungbrainsgrowingintomaturitytheideathatsoonitwouldbetheirtasktotakeovertheproblemsthatwerenowvexingtheworld\'sgreateststatesmenanditswisestandmostcourageouswomen。Atendencywasmanifestingitselfamongyoungpeopletoequipthemselvestotakeaworthypartinthestrugglesyettocome。ClassmateswhohadlookedwithtolerationuponLinda\'scommon-senseshoesandplaindressesbecauseshewasherfather\'sdaughter，nowlookeduponherwithrespectandappreciationbecauseshestartedsomanyinterestingsubjectsfordiscussion，becauseshewassorapidlydevelopingintoacreaturewellworthlookingat。Alwaysshewouldbeunusualbecauseofherextremeheight，hernarroweyes，hervividcoloring。Butagreatermaturity，afullerfigure，hadcometobeapartofthevisionwithwhichonelookedatLinda。Inthesedaysnoonesawherasshewas。Evenherschoolmateshadfallenintothehabitofseeingherasshewouldbeintheyearstocome。
Thusfarshehadbeenabletokeepheridentitiesapartwithoutanydifficulty；butthebookpropositionwassounexpected，itwassuchabigthingtoresultfromhermodestbeginning，thatLindarealizedthatshemustproceedverycarefully，shemustconcentratewithallhermight，elseherschoolworkwouldbegintosufferinfavorofthebook。Recentlysomanythingshadarisentodistractherattention。ManydaysshehadnotbeenabletokeepEileen\'sfaceoffhergeometrypapers；andagainshesawGilman\'s，anxiousandpain-filled。Sometimesshefoundherselfliftinghereyesfromtasksuponwhichshewasconcentratingwithallhermight，andwithnopreviousthoughtwhatevershewassearchingforDonaldWhiting，andwhenshesawhim，comingintomuscularandhealthfulmanhood，shereturnedtoherworkwithmorestrength，deepervision，aquiet，assuredfeelingaroundherheart。Sometimes，overtheedgeofLiteratureandAncientHistory，PeterMorrisonlookeddownatherwithgravelyquestioningeyesanddancingimpstwistinghismouthmuscles，andLindapausedasecondtofigureuponwhathadbecomeanoldproblemwithher。Whydidherwild-flowergardenmakePeterMorrisonthinkofagraveyard？Whatwasburiedtherebesidesthefeetofherrareflowers？Shehadnotasyetfoundtheanswer。
ThisdayherthoughtswereonPeterfrequentlybecausesheintendedtoseehimthatnight。Shewasgoingtosharewithhimasupperofbakedhamandbeansandbreadandbutterandpickledonionsandlittlenutcakes，stillwarmfromKaty\'soven。ShewasgoingtotakeKatywithherinorderthatshemightseePeterMorrison\'slocationandthehouseforhisdreamlady，growingatthefootofthemountainlikeagayorchidhomingonaforesttree。ToLindaitwasalmostamiracle，therapiditywithwhichahousecouldbeerectedinCalifornia。Inafewweeks\'timeshehadseenabigcellarscoopedoutoftheplateau，hadseenitlinedandrisingtofoundationheightabovethesurfaceinsolidconcrete，facedoutsidewithcrackedboulders。Shehadseenaframeworkerected，arooftreeset，andjoistsandraftersandbeamsswingingintoplace。Fretworksofleadandironpipewererunningeverywhere，andwiresforelectricity。Soonshinglesandflooringwouldbegoingintoplace，andPetersaidthatwhenhehadfinishedacrobaticperformancesonbeamsandgirdersandreallysteppedoutonsolidfloorswherehemighttreadwithoutfearofbreakinganyofhislegs，hewouldperformaPeacockDanceallbyhimself。
\"Peter，yousoundlikeacentipede，\"saidLinda。
\"Dearchild，\"saidPeter，\"whenIentermyfrontdoorandgettothebackontwo-inchfooting，IpositivelyfeelthatIhavenumerouslegs，andIachealmostasbadlyinthefearthatI
shallbreakthetwoIhave，asIshouldiftheywerereallybroken。\"
AndthenheaddedafewwordsonasubjectofwhichhehadnotbeforespokentoLinda。
\"ItwaslikethatinFrance。Whenwereallygotintotheheatofthingsandtheworkwasactuallybeingdone，wewerenotafraid:
weweretoobusy；wewere\'supermen。\'Thetimewhenwewerealllegsandarmsandhead，andallofthemwerebeingblownawaywholesalewaswhentheshellswhinedoverwhilewehadaresthourandweretryingtosleep，orinthecold，dimdawnwhenwestumbledoutstiff，hungry，andsleepy。It\'snottheREALTHING
whenit\'sreallyoccurringthatgetsone。It\'sthedevilsofimaginationtormentingthesoul。ThereisonlyonethinginthisworldcanhappentomethatisreallygoingtobeasbadasthethingsIdream。\"
LindalookeddownLilacValley，hereyesabsentlyfocusingonKatybusilysettingsupperonastoreboxinfrontofthegarage。
ThenshelookedatPeter。
\"Mindtelling？\"sheinquiredlightly。
Peterlookedatherspeculatively。
\"Andwouldamanbetellinghisheart\'sbestsecrettoakidlikeyou？\"heasked。
\"Now，Icallthatdownrightmean，\"saidLinda。\"Haven\'tyounoticedthatmybraidsareup？Don\'tyouseeamaturityandadignityandageneralmatronlinessapparentallovermetoday？\"
\"Matronliness\"wastoomuchforPeter。Youcouldhaveheardhislaughfardownthebluevalley。
\"That\'sgood！\"hecried。
\"Itis，\"agreedLinda。\"Itmeansthatmybraidsareuptostay，sohereafterI\'marealwoman。\"
Shelingeredoverthewordaninstant，glancingwhimsicallyatPeter，atraceofasmileonherlips，thenshemadeherwaydownaslantdeclivityandpresentlyreturnedwithanentireflowerplant，newtoPeterandofunusualbeauty。
\"AndbecauseIamawomanIshallsetmysealuponyou，\"shesaid。
Inthebuttonholeofhislightlinencoatsheplacedaflowerofsatinfaceofpurestgold，thefivepetalsrounded，butsharplytipped，aheavymassofsilkstamens，pollendustedintheheart。
Shepushedbacktheleftsideofhiscoatandtakingoneoftherough，hairyleavesoftheplantshelocateditoverPeter\'sheart，herslim，deftfingerspattingdowntheleafandflatteningitoutuntilitlaypastedsmoothandtight。Assheworked，shesmiledathimchallengingly。Peterknewhewasexperiencingaceremonyofsomekind，thesignificanceofwhichhemustlearn。ItwasthefirsttimeLindahadvoluntarilytouchedhim。Hebreathedlightlyandheldsteady，lesthestartleher。
\"Lovelyenough，\"hesaid，\"tohavecomefromthehillsofthestars。Don\'tmakemewait，Linda；helpmetotheinterpretation。\"
\"BuenaMujer，\"suggestedLinda。
\"Goodwoman，\"translatedPeter。
Lindanodded，runningafingerdowntheleafoverhisheart。
\"Becauseshesticksclosetoyou，\"sheexplained。ThenstartledbythelookinPeter\'seyes，shecriedinswiftchange:\"Nowweareallgoingtoworkforaminute。Katy\'sspreadingthelunch。
YoutakethispailandgotothespringforwaterandIshalltidyyourquartersforyou。\"
WiththeeyeofexperienceLindaglancedoverthegaragedecidingthatshemustaskforcleansheetsforthecotandthattheSalvationArmywouldliketheheapofpapers。Studyingthewritingtablesheheardafaintsoundthatuntrainedearswouldhavemissed。
\"Ah，ha，Mawoodmouse，\"saidLinda，\"nibblingPeter\'sdr，goodsareyou？\"
Hercryaminutelateransweredthequestion。ShecamefromthegarageuponKatherineO\'Donovanrushingtomeether，holdingaman\'scoatatthelengthofherfar-reachingarm。
\"Iwishyou\'dlookatthatpocket。Idon\'tknowhowlongthiscoathasbeenhangingthere，butthereisanestoffieldmiceinit，\"shesaid。
Katypromptlyretreatedtotheimproviseddiningtable，seatedherselfuponanendofit，andraisedbothfeetstraightintotheair。
\"SmallhelpI\'llbegettingfromyou，\"saidLindalaughingly。
Shewenttotheedgeofthedeclivitythatcutbacktothegarageandwithaquickmovementreversedthecoatcatchingitbytheskirtsandshakingitvigorously。
CHAPTERXXVII。TheStraightandNarrowThisservedexactlythepurposeLindahadintended。Itdislodgedthemousenestanddroppeditthreefeetbelowherlevel，butitdidsomethingelseuponwhichLindahadnotimetocount。Itemptiedeverypocketinthecoatandsentthecontentsscatteringdowntheroughdeclivity。
\"Ohmygracious！\"gaspedLinda。\"LookwhatIhavedone！Katy，comehelpmequickly；Ihavetogatherupthisstuff；butit\'snouse；I\'llhavetotakeittoPeterandtellhim。Icouldn\'tputthesethingsbackinthepocketswherehishandwillreachforthem，becauseIdon\'tknowwhichcamefrominsideandwhichcamefromout。\"
Lindasprangdownandbeganhastilygatheringupeverythingshecouldseethathadfallenfromthecoatpockets。Shehadalmostfinishedwhenherfingerschanceduponaverysoiled，befiguredpieceofpaperwhoseimpressedfoldsshowedthatithadbeencarriedforsometimeinaninnerpocket。Asherfingerstouchedthispaperhereyesnarrowed，herbreathcameinagasp。Shelookedatitasecond，irresolute，thensheglancedoverthetopofthedeclivityinthedirectionPeterhadtaken。Hewasstandinginfrontofthebuilding，discussingsomematterwiththecontractor。Hehadnotyetgonetothespring。ShieldedbytheembankmentwithshakingfingersLindaopenedthepaperbarelyenoughtoseethatitwasMarian\'slostsheetofplans；butitwasnotasMarianhadlostit。Itwasscoreddeeplyhereandtherewithheavylinessuggestiveofalterations，andthemarginwasfairlycoveredwithfinefiguring。LindadidnotknowPeterMorrison\'swritingorfigures。Hisarticleshadbeentypewrittenandshehadneverseenhishandwriting。Shesatdownsuddenlyonaccountofweakenedknees，andgazedunseeinglydownthelengthofLilacValley，herheartsick，herbraintormented。Suddenlysheturnedandstudiedthehouse。
\"BeforetheLord！\"shegasped。\"ITHOUGHTtherewassomethingmightyfamiliarevenabouttheskeletonofyou！Oh，Peter，Peter，wheredidyougetthis，andhowcouldyoudoit？\"
Forawhileamistblurredhereyes。Shereachedforthecoatandstartedtoreplacethethingsshehadgatheredup，thensheshutherlipstight。
\"Besttimetopullatooth，\"shesaidterselytoaterracottaredmanzanitabush，\"iswhenitaches。\"
WhenPeterreturnedfromthespringhewasfacedbyatremblinggirl，colorlessandtryinghardtokeephervoicesteady。Sheheldoutthecoattohimwithonehand，thepackageofpaperswiththeother，thefoldeddrawingconspicuousonthetop。Withtheseshegesturedtowardthedeclivity。
\"Mousenestinyourpocket，Peter，\"shesaidthickly。\"Reversedthecoattoshakeitout，andspilledyourstuff。\"
ThenshewaitedforPetertobeconfounded。ButPeterwasnotinthefaintestdegreetroubledabouteitherthecoatorthepapers。
Whatdidtroublehimwasthefaceandtheblazingeyesofthegirlconcerningwhomhewouldnotadmit，eventohimself，hisexactstateoffeeling。
\"Themousedidnotgetonyou，Linda？\"heaskedanxiously。
Lindashookherhead。Suddenlyshelostherself-control。
\"Oh，Peter，\"shewailed，\"howcouldyoudoit？\"
Peter\'sleanframetensedsuddenly。
\"Idon\'tunderstand，Linda，\"hesaidquietly。\"ExactlywhathaveIdone？\"
Lindathrustthecoatandthepaperstowardhimaccusinglyandstoodtherewordlessbutwithvisiblepaininherdarkeyes。
petersmiledatherreassuringly。
\"That\'snotmycoat，youknow。Ifthereisanythingdistressingaboutit，don\'tlayittome。\"
\"Oh，Peter！\"criedLinda，\"tellthetruthaboutit。Don\'ttryanyevasions。Iamsosickofthem。\"
AratherqueerlightsprangintoPeter\'seyes。HeleanedforwardsuddenlyandcaughtthecoatfromLinda\'sfingers。
\"Well，ifyouneedanalibiconcerningthiscoat，\"hesaid，\"I
thinkIcanfurnishitspeedily。\"
Ashetalkedhewhirledthegarmentaroundandshothislongarmsintothesleeves。Shakingitintoplaceonhisshoulders，heslowlyturnedinfrontofLindaandthesurprisedKaty。Thesleevescamehalfwaytohiswristsandtheshoulderssliddownoverhisupperarms。HemadesuchaquaintandridiculousfigurethatKatyburstoutlaughing。Shewasverywelltrained，butsheknewLindawasdeeplydistressed。
\"Wakeup，lambie！\"shecriedsharply。\"Thatcoatain\'tbelongingtoMr。PaterMorrison。Thatgairmentisthepropertyofthatbug-catchin\'architectofhis。\"
PetershookoffthecoatandhandeditbacktoLinda。
\"AmIacquitted？\"heaskedlightly；buthissurprisedeyesweresearchingherfrombraidtotoe。
Lindaturnedfromhimswiftly。Shethrustthepacketintoasidepocketandstartedtothegaragewiththecoat。Asshepassedinsidesheslippeddownherhand，slidthesheetofplansfromtheotherpapers，andslippeditintothefrontofherblouse。
Shehungthecoatbackwhereshehadfoundit，thensuddenlysatdownonthesideofPeterMorrison\'scouch，whiteandshaken。
Peterthoughtheheardapeculiargaspandwhenhestrayedpastthedoor，casuallyglancinginward，hesawwhathesaw，anditbroughthimtohiskneesbesideLindawithallspeed。
\"Linda-girl，\"heimplored，\"whatinthisworldhashappened？\"
Lindastruggledtocontrolhervoice；butatlastsheburiedherfaceinherhandsandfranklyemittedasoundthatsheherselfwouldhavedescribedas\"howling。\"Peterkneltbackinwonder。
\"OfallthethingsIeverthoughtaboutyou，Linda，\"hesaid，\"theonethingIneverdidthinkwasthatyouwerehysterical。\"
IftherewasonewordinLinda\'svocabularymoreopprobriousthan\"nerves，\"whichcouldbeappliedtoawoman，itwas\"hysterics。\"
Thegreatspecialisthadadmittednerves；hystericshadnostandingwithhim。LindaherselfhadnomoreuseforahystericalwomanthanshehadforaGilamonster。Shestraightenedsuddenly，andinremovingherhandsfromherfaceshelaidoneoneachofPeter\'sshoulders。
\"Oh，Peter，\"shewailed，\"Iamnotahystericalidiot，butI
couldn\'thavestooditifthatcoathadbeenyours。Peter，I
justcouldn\'thaveborneit！\"
Peterheldhimselfrigidlyinthefearthathemightdisturbthehandsthatweregrippinghim。
\"IseeIhavethejobofeducatingthesedamnedfieldmiceastowheretheymaybuildwithimpunity，\"hesaidsoberly。
ButLindawasnottobediverted。Shelookedstraightanddeepintohiseyes。
\"Peter，\"shesaidaffirmatively，\"youdon\'tknowathingaboutthatcoat，doyou？\"
\"Idonot，\"saidPeterpromptly。
\"Youneversawwhatwasinitspockets，didyou？\"
\"Nottomyknowledge，\"answeredPeter。\"Whatwasinthepockets，Linda？\"
Lindathoughtswiftly。Peteradoredhisdreamhouse。Ifshetoldhimthattheplansforithadbeenstolenbyhisarchitect，thehousewouldberuinedforPeter。AnyonecouldseefromthecandorofhisgazeandthelinesthatGodandexperiencehadgravenonhisfacethatPeterwaswithoutguile。SuddenlyLindashotherhandspastPeter\'sshouldersandbroughtthemtogetheronthebackofhisneck。Shedrewhisfaceagainsthersandcried:\"OhPeter，Iwouldhavebeenkilledifthatcoathadbeenyours。ItellyouIcouldn\'thaveenduredit，Peter。Iamjusttickledtodeath！\"
Oneinstantshehuggedhimtight。Ifherlipsdidnotbrushhischeek，Peterdeludedhimself。Thenshesprangupandranfromthegarage。Laterhetookthecoatfromitsnail，thepapersfromitspockets，andcarefullylookedthemover。TherewasnothingamongthemthatwouldgivehimtheslightestcluetoLinda\'sconduct。Helookedagain，penetratingly，searchingly，forhemustlearnfromthemareason；andnoreasonwasapparent。
Withthecoatinonehandandthepapersintheotherhesteppedoutside。
\"Linda，\"hesaid，\"won\'tyoushowme？Won\'tyoutellme？Whatisthereaboutthistoupsetyou？\"
Lindaclosedherlipsandshookherhead。OncemorePetersoughtinherface，inherattitudetheinformationhecraved。
\"Needn\'ttellme，\"hesaid，\"thatagirlwhowillfacethedesertandthemountainsandthecanyonsandtheseaisupsetbyamouse。\"
\"Well，youshouldhaveseenKatysittinginthemidstofoursupperwithherfeetrigidlyextendedbeforeher！\"criedthegirl，strugglingtoregainhercomposure。\"Putbackthatcoatandcometoyoursupper。It\'stimeforyoutobefednow。Thelastworkmanhasgoneandwe\'llbarelyhavetimetofinishnicelyandshowKatyyourdreamhousebeforeit\'stimetogo。\"
PetercameandsatintheplaceLindaindicated。Hismindwaswhirling。Therewassomethinghedidnotunderstand，butinherowntime，inherownway，agirlofLinda\'spoiseandself-possessionwouldtellhimwhathadoccurredthatcouldberesponsiblefortheverypeculiarthingsshehaddone。Insomewayshehadexperiencedashocktoogreatforherusualself-possession。Thehandswithwhichshefishedpickledonionsfromthebottlewerestillunsteady，andthecorroborationPeterneededforhisthoughtscouldbefoundinthedazedwayinwhichKatywatchedLindaasshehoveredoverherinservingher。Butthatwasnotthetime。Byandbythetimewouldcome。ThethingtodowastotrustLindaandawaititscoming。SoPetercalledonallthereservewitandwisdomhehadatcommand。Hejested，toldstories，andtoLinda\'ssatisfactionandKaty\'sdelight，heatehissupperlikeahungryman，franklyenjoyingit，andwhenthemealwasfinishedPetertookKatyoverthehouse，explainingtoherasmuchdetailaswaspossibleatthatstageofitsconstruction，whileLindafollowedwithmutelipsandrebellionsurginginherheart。Whenleavingtimecame，whileKatypackedtheBearCat，Lindawanderedacrosstowardthespring，andPeter，feelingthatpossiblyshemightwishtospeakwithhim，followedher。Whenheovertookhershelookedathimstraightly，hereyesshowingthehurtherheartfelt。
\"Peter，\"shesaid，\"thatfirstnightyouhaddinnerwithus，wasHenryAndersonoutofyourpresenceoneminutefromthetimeyoucameintothehouseuntilyouleftit？\"
Peterstoppedandstudiedthegroundathisfeetintently。
Finallyhesaidconclusively:\"Iwouldgoonoath，Linda，thathewasnot。Wewerealltogetherinthelivingroom，alltogetherinthediningroom。WelefttogetheratnightandJohnwaswithus。\"
\"Isee，\"saidLinda。\"Well，then，whenyoucamebackthenextmorningafterEileen，beforeyoustartedonyourtrip，tohuntalocation，washewithyouallthetime？\"
AgainPetertookhistimetoanswer。
\"WecametoyourhousewithGilman，\"hesaid。\"JohnstartedtothefrontdoortotellMissEileenthatwewereready。I
followedhim。Andersonsaidhewouldlookatthescenery。Hemusthavemadeacircuitofthehouse，becausewhenwecameoutreadytostart，averyfewminuteslater，hewascomingdowntheothersideofthehouse。\"
\"Ah，\"saidLindacomprehendingly。
\"Linda，\"saidPeterquietly，\"itisveryobviousthatsomethinghasworriedyouextremely。AmIinanywayconnectedwithit？\"
Lindashookherhead。
\"IsthereanythingIcando？\"
Thenegativewasrepeated。Thenshelookedathim。
\"No，Peter，\"shesaidquietly，\"IconfessIhavehadashock，butitisinnowayconnectedwithyouandthereisnothingyoucandoaboutitbutforgetmyfoolishness。ButIamglad——Peter，youwillneverknowhowgladIam——thatyouhaven\'tanythingtodowithit。\"
TheninthefriendliestfashionimaginableshereachedhimherhandandledthewaybacktotheBearCat，theirtightlygrippedhandsswingingbetweenthem。AsPeterclosedthedoorhelookeddownonLinda。
\"Youngwoman，\"hesaid，\"sincethiscountryhasasyetnonervespecialisttotaketheplaceofyourdistinguishedfather，ifyouhaveanywavestowavetometonight，kindlydoitbeforeyoustartorafteryoureachthehighway。IfyoutakeyourhandsoffthatsteeringwheelasyouroundthebouldersandstrikethatdeclivityasIhaveseenyoudoheretofore，Iwon\'tguaranteethatIshallnotrequireaspecialistmyself。\"
Lindastartedtolaugh，thenshesawPeter\'seyesandsomethinginthemstoppedhersuddenly。
\"IdidnotrealizethatIwastakinganyrisk，\"shesaid。\"I
won\'tdoitagain。Iwillsaygood-byetoyourighthereandnowsoIneedn\'tlookback。\"
SosheshookhandswithPeteranddroveaway。Peterslowlyfolloweddowntheroughdriveway，wornhardbythewheelsofdeliverytrucks，andstooduponthehighestpointoftherockyturn，lookingafterthesmallgraycarasitsliddownthesteepdeclivity。Andhewonderediftherecouldhavebeentelepathyinthelongingwithwhichhewatcheditgo，foratthelevelroadwaythatfollowedbetweenthecultivatedlandouttothehighwayLindastoppedthecar，stoodupinit，andturning，lookedbackstraighttothespotuponwhichPeterstood。Shewavedbothhandstohim，andthengracefullyandbeautifully，withoutstretched，flutteringfingersshemadehimthesignofbirdsflyinghome。Andwiththewhimsyinhissouluppermost，Peterreflected，asheturnedbackforamicroscopicexaminationofHenryAnderson\'scoatandthecontentsofitspockets，thattherewasonebirdaboveallotherswhichmadehimthinkofLinda；buthecouldnotatthemomentfeatherKatherineO\'Donovan。Andthenhefurtherreflectedasheclimbedthehillthatifithadtobedonethebesthecoulddowouldbeabantamhencontemplatingdomesticity。
LindalookedthegarageoververycarefullywhensheputawaytheBearCat。Whensheclosedthegaragedoorsshewasparticularaboutthelocks。AsshecamethroughthekitchenshesaidtoKaty，busywiththelunchbox:
\"Belovedest，havetherebeenanystrangeJapspokingaroundherelately？\"
ShenearlycollapsedwhenKatyansweredpromptly:
\"Adaletoomanyofthesquare-headedhaythens。Iampesteredtodeathwiththem。Theyusedtocomejisttowaterthelawnbutnowtheywanttocranetherugs；theywanttodothewash。Theyarewillingtocranehouse。Theywanttogetintothegarage；
theyinsistonwashingthecar。Iftheycan\'twashittheyjistwanttoseeifitnadeswashin\'。\"
Lindastoodamazed。
\"Andhowlonghasthisbeengoingon，Katy？\"shefinallyasked。
\"Well，Ihavehadtwogoodmonthsofit，\"saidKaty；\"thatis，itstartedtwomonthsago。Thepastmonthhasbeenworkin\'upandthelasttendaysitseemedtometheywasaJaponthebackstepsoftenerthantheywasastraycat，andIain\'tnotruckwithaytherofthem。Theygivemejistaboutthesamefalin\'。
BetweenthetwoIwouldtrustthecatadalefurtherwithmybirdthanIwouldtheJap。\"
\"Haveyoueverunlockedthegarageforthem，Katy？\"askedLinda。
\"No，\"saidKaty。\"IonlygotherewhenInadesomethingaboutmework。\"
\"Well，Katy，\"saidLinda，\"letmetellyouthis:thenexttimeyougothereforanythingtakeagoodlookforJapsbeforeyouopenthedoor。Getwhatyouwantandgetoutasquicklyaspossibleandbesure，Katy，desperatelysure，thatyoulockthedoorsecurelywhenyouleave。\"
Katysetherhandsonherhips，flaredherelbows，andliftedherchin。
\"What\'sanyofthemlittlehaythenbeencoin\'toscareye，missy？\"shedemandedbelligerently。\"Don\'tyouthinkI\'mafraidofthem！ComesanyofthemaroundmeandI\'lltakemymopstickovertheheadsofthem。\"
\"Andyou\'llbreakaperfectlygoodmopstickandnothurttheJapwhenyoudoit，\"saidLinda。\"There\'sanundercurrentofsomethingdeepandsubtlegoingoninthiscountryrightnow，Katy。WhenJapansendscollegeprofessorstoworkinourkitchensandrelativesofhergreateststatesmentoserveourtables，youcandependonitsheisnotdoingitforthemoneythatispaidthem。IfCaliforniadoesnotwakeupveryshortlyandverythoroughlysheisgoingtopayanawfulpricefortheluxurysheisexperiencingwhileshepampersherselfwiththeserviceoftheJapanese，justastheSouthhaspamperedherselfforgenerationswiththeserviceoftheNegroes。WhentheNegroeslearnwhatthereistoknow，thenthedayofretributionwillbeathand。Andthisisnotcroaking，Katy。Itisthetruestgospelthatwaseverpreached。KeepyoureyeswideopenforJaps。Keepyourdoorslocked，andifyouseeoneprowlingaroundthegarageanddon\'tknowwhatheisafter，gotothetelephoneandcallthepolice。\"
Lindaclimbedthestairstoherworkroom，plumpeddownatthetable，setherchininherpalms，andlostherselfinthought。
Forhalfanhourshesatimmovable，staringathercaricatureofEileenthroughnarrowedlids。Thensheopenedthetypewriter，insertedasheetandwrote:
MYDEARMr。SNOW:
IamwritingasthemostintimatewomanfriendofMarianThorne。
Assuch，Ihavespentmuchthoughttryingtofigureoutexactlythereasonforthedecisioninyourrecentarchitecturalcompetition；whyamanshouldthinkofsuchanumberofverypersonal，intimatetouchesthat，fromfamiliaritywiththem，I
knowthatMissThornehadincorporatedinherplans，andwhyhiswinninghouseshouldbeherwinninghouse，merelyreversed。
TodayIhavefoundtheanswer，whichIamforwardingtoyou，knowingthatyouwillunderstandexactlywhatshouldbedone。
Enclosedyouwillfindoneofthefirstroughs}；etchesMarianmadeofherplans。Insomemysteriousmanneritwaslostonanightwhenyourprize-winningarchitecthaddinneratourhousewhereMissThornewasalsoaguest。Beforeretiringsheshowedtomeandexplainedtheplanswithwhichshehopedtowinyourcompetition。InthemorningIpackedhersuitcaseandhandedittotheporterofhertrain。WhenshearrivedatSanFranciscoshefoundthattheenclosedsheetwasmissing。
ThisafternoontidyingagarageinwhichMr。PeterMorrison，theauthor，islivingwhileHenryAndersoncompletesaresidenceheisbuildingforhimnearmyhome，IreversedacoatbelongingtoHenryAndersontodislodgefromitspocketthenestofafieldmouse。InsodoingIemptiedallthepockets，andingatheringuptheircontentsIfoundthislostsheetfromMarian\'splans。
IthinknothingmoreneedbesaidonmypartsavethatI
understoodthewinningplanwastobecomethepropertyofNicholsonandSnow。Withoutwaitingtoseewhethertheseplanswouldwinornot，HenryAndersonhasthemthreefourthsofthewaymaterializedinMr。Morrison\'sresidenceinLilacValleywhichisanorthwesternsuburbofLosAngeles。
YouprobablyhaveheardMarianspeakofme，andfromheryoumayobtainanyinformationyoumightcaretohaveconcerningmyresponsibility。
IammailingthesketchtoyouratherthantoMarianbecauseI
feelthatyouarethepartymostdeeplyinterestedinabusinessway，andIhope，too，thatyouwillbeinterestedinprotectingmyverydearfriendfromthedisagreeablepartsofthisverydisagreeablesituation。
Verytrulyyours，LINDASTRONG。
CHAPTERXXVIII。PuttingItUptoPeterWhenPeterMorrisonfinallygaveuplookinginthepocketsofHenryAnderson\'scoatforenlightenmentconcerningLinda\'sconduct，itwaswithhismindsettledononepoint。Therewasnothinginthecoatnowthatcouldpossiblyhavestartledthegirlorannoyedher。Whateverhadbeentherethatcausedherextremelypeculiarconductshehadcarriedawaywithher。PeterhadsettledconvictionsconcerningLinda。FromthefirstinstanthehadlookedintoherclearyoungeyesasshestoodinMultifloresCanyontriumphantlyholdingalofttheCotyledoninonehandandwiththeotherstrugglingtoinducetheskirtofherblousetoresumeitsproperlocationbeneaththebandofhertrousers，hehadfeltthatherheartandhermindwereasclearandcoolandbusinesslikeastheenergeticmountainstreamhurryingpasther。Aboveallothers，\"straight\"wastheoneadjectiveheprobablywouldhaveappliedtoher。WhatevershehadtakenfromHenry\'spocketswassomethingthatconcernedher。
Ifshetookanything，shehadarighttotakeit；ofthatPeterwasunalterablycertain。HerememberedthatafewdaysbeforeshepracticallyhadadmittedtohimthatAndersonhadannoyedher，andaslowangerbegantosurgeupinPeter\'scarefullyregulatedheart。Histhoughtswereextremelybusy，butthethinghethoughtmostfrequentlyandmostforcefullywasthathewouldthoroughlyenjoytakingHenryAndersonbythescruffoftheneck，leadinghimtothesheerestpartofhisownparticularshareofthemountain，andexhaustivelybootinghimdownit。
\"Ittakestheseyoungsterstorushinandraisethedevilwherethere\'snonecessityforanythingtohappenifjustamodicumofcommonsensehadbeenused，\"growledPeter。
Hemulledovertheproblemforseveraldays，andthenhedecidedheshouldseeLinda，andwithhisfirstlookintoherstraight-forwardeyes，fromthetonesofhervoiceandthecarriageofherheadhewouldknowwhethertheannoyancepersisted。AboutthecustomarytimeforhertoreturnfromschoolPeterstartedonfootdowntheshortcutbetweenhishomeandtheStrongresidence。Hewasfollowingafootpathroundingthebaseofthemountain，crossingandrecrossingtheenthusiasticmountainstreamasitspeededtowardthevalley，whenaflashofcoloronthefarthersideofthebrookattractedhim。Hestopped，thenhastilysprangacrossthewater，climbedafewyards，and，afterskirtingaheavyclumpofbushes，lookedatLindasittingbesidethem——amostastonishingLinda，appearingsmallandhumble，verymuchtuckedaway，unrestrainedtearsrollingdownhercheeks，awethandkerchiefwaddedinonehand，apacketoflettersinherlap。Alonginstanttheystudiedeachother。
\"AmIintruding？\"inquiredPeteratlast。
Lindashookherheadvigorouslyandgulpeddownasob。
\"No，Peter，\"shesobbed，\"Ihadcomethisfaronmywaytoyouwhenmycouragegaveout。\"
PeterrearrangedtheimmediatelandscapeandseatedhimselfbesideLinda。
\"Nowstopdistressingyourself，\"hesaidauthoritatively。\"Youyoungstersdotakelifesoseriously。Theonlythingthatcouldhavehappenedtoyouworthyoursheddingatearovercan\'tpossiblyhavehappened；sostopthiswasteofgoodmaterial。
Tearsareverypreciousthings，Linda。Theyoughttobethemostunusualthingsinlife。Nowtellmesomething。Wereyoucomingtomeaboutthatmatterthatworriedyoutheotherevening？\"
Lindashookherhead。
\"No，\"shesaid，\"Ihaveturnedthatmatteroverwhereitbelongs。
Ihavenothingfurthertodowithit。I\'llconfesstoyouItookapaperfromamongthosethatfellfromHenryAnderson\'spocket。
Itwasnothis。Hehadnorighttohaveit。Hecouldn\'tpossiblyhavecomebyithonorablyorwithoutknowingwhatitwas。Itookthelibertytoputitwhereitbelongs，oratleastwhereitseemedtomethatitbelongs。Thatisallover。\"
\"Thensomethingelsehashappened？\"askedPeter。\"Somethingconnectedwiththepackageoflettersinyourlap？\"
Lindanoddedvigorously。
\"Peter，Ihavedonesomethingperfectlyawful，\"sheconfessed。
\"Ineverinthisworldmeanttodoit。Iwouldn\'thavedoneitforanything。Ihavegotmyselfintothedreadfullestmess，andIdon\'tknowhowtogetout。WhenIcouldn\'tstanditanotherminuteIstartedrighttoyou，Peter，justlikeI\'dhavestartedtomyfatherifI\'dhadhimtogoto。\"
\"Isee，\"saidPeter，deeplyinterestedinthetoeofhisshoe。
\"Youdependedonmyageandworldlyexperienceandmyunconcealeddevotiontoyourinterests，whichisexactlywhatyoushoulddo，mydear。Nowtellme。Dryyoureyesandtellme，andwhateveritisI\'llfixitallrightandhappilyforyou。I\'llsweartodoitifyouwantmeto。\"
ThenLindaraisedhereyestohisface。
\"Oh，Peter，youdear！\"shecried。\"Peter，I\'lljustkneelandkissyourhandsifyoucanfixthisforme。\"
Petersethisjawsandcontinuedhismeditationsonshoeleather。
\"Makeitsnappy！\"hesaidtersely。\"Thesooneryourtroublesareoutofyoursystemthebetteryou\'llfeel。Whoselettersarethose，andwhyareyoucryingoverthem？\"
\"Oh，Peter，\"quaveredLinda，\"youknowhowIloveMarian。YouhaveseenherandIhavetoldyouoverandover。\"
\"Yes，\"saidPetersoothingly，\"Iknow。\"
\"Ihavetoldyouhow，afteryearsofdevotiontoMarian，JohnGilmanletEileenmakeaperfectragofhimandtiehimintoanykindofknotshechose。Peter，whenMarianlefthereshehadlosteverythingonearthbutalittledabofmoney。Shehadlostafatherwhowasfineenoughtobemyfather\'sbestfriend。ShehadlostamotherwhowasfineenoughtorearMariantowhatsheis。Shehadlosttheminahorriblewaythatleftherroomforamillionfanciesandregrets:\'ifIhaddonethis，\'or\'ifIhaddonethat，\'or\'ifIhadtakenanotherroad。\'Andwhenshewentawaysheknewdefinitelyshehadlostthefirstandonlyloveofherheart；andIknew，becauseshewassosensitiveandsofine，Iknew，betterthananybodyliving，howsheCOULDbehurt；andI
thoughtifIcouldfixsomeschemethatwouldentertainherandtakehermindoffherselfandmakeherfeelappreciatedonlyforalittlewhile——Iknewinallreason，Peter，whenshegotoutintheworldwheremenwouldseeherandseehowbeautifulandfinesheis，therewouldbesomebodywhowouldwantherquickly。AllthetimeIhavethoughtthatwhenshecameback，YOUwouldwanther。Peter，IfibbedwhenIsaidIwassettingyourbrookforLouiseWhiting。Iwasnot。Idon\'tknowLouiseWhiting。Sheisnothingtome。IwassettingitforyouandMarian。ItwasaWHITEheadIsawamongtheirismarchingdownyourcreekbank，notagoldone，Peter。\"
PeterlickedhisdrylipsandfounditimpossibletolookatLinda。
\"Straightaheadwithit，\"hesaidgravely。\"Whatdidyoudo？\"
\"Oh，Ihavedonetheawfullestthing，\"wailedLinda，\"themostunforgivablething！\"
Shereachedacrossandlaidholdofthehandnexther，andrealizingthatsheneededitforstrengthandsupport，Petergaveitintoherkeeping。
\"Yes？\"hequestioned。\"Getonwithit，Linda。Whatwasityoudid？\"
\"Ihadatypewriter:Icould。Ibeganwritingherletters，thekindoflettersthatIthoughtwouldinterestherandmakeherfeellovedandappreciated。\"
\"Youdidn\'tsignmynametothem，didyou，Linda？\"askedPeterinadry，breathlessvoice。
\"No，Peter，\"saidLinda，\"Ididnotdothat，Ididworse。Oh，I
didawholelotworse！\"
\"Idon\'tunderstand，\"saidPeterhoarsely。
\"Iwantedtomakethemfine。Iwantedtomakethembrilliant。
Iwantedtomaketheminteresting。AndofcourseIcouldnotdoitbymyself。Iamnothingbutacopycat。IjustquotedalotofthingsIhadheardyousay；andIdidworsethanthat，Peter。
IwatchedthelittlewhimsylinesaroundyourmouthandItriedtointerprettheperfectlylovelythingstheywouldmakeyousaytoawomanifyoulovedherandwerebuildingadreamhouseforher。Andoh，Peter，it\'stooghastly；Idon\'tbelieveIcantellyou。\"
\"Thisisprettyseriousbusiness，Linda，\"saidPetergravely。
\"Havinggonethisfaryouareinhonorboundtofinish。Itwouldnotbefairtoleavemewithhalfatruth。Whatistheresultofthisimpersonation？\"
\"Oh，Peter，\"sobbedLinda，breakingdownagain，\"you\'regoingtohateme；Iknowyou\'regoingtohatemeandMarian\'sgoingtohateme；andIdidn\'tmeanathingbutthekindestthinginalltheworld。\"
\"Don\'ttalklikethat，Linda，\"saidPeter。\"Ifyourfriendisallyousaysheis，sheisboundtounderstand。Andasforme，I
amnotverylikelytomisjudgeyou。Butbequickaboutit。Whatdidyoudo，Linda？\"
\"Why，IjustwrotetheselettersthatIamtellingyouabout，\"
saidLinda，\"andIsaidthethingsthatIthoughtwouldcomfortherandentertainherandhelpwithherwork；andthesearetheanswersthatshewroteme，andIdon\'tthinkIrealizedtilllastnightthatshewastrulyattributingthemtoanyoneman，trulybelievinginthem。Oh，Peter，Iwasn\'tasleepaminutealllastnight，andforthefirsttimeIfailedinmylessonstoday。\"
\"Andwhatistheculmination，Linda？\"urgedPeter。
\"Shelikedtheletters，Peter。TheymeantallIintendedthemtoandtheymusthavemeantsomethingInevercouldhaveimagined。
AndinSanFranciscooneofthefirmwhereshestudies——averyfinemanshesaysheis，Peter；Icanseethatineverywayhewouldbequiterightforher；andIhadaletterfromherlastnight，and，Peter，hehadaskedhertomarryhim，tohavealifelongchanceatworkshe\'scrazyabout。Hehadofferedherabeautifulhomewitheverythingthatgreatwealthandcultureandgoodtastecouldafford。Hehadofferedherthemotheringofhislittledaughter；andsherefusedhim，Peter，refusedhimbecausesheisinlove，withallthelovethereisleftinherdisappointed，hurtheart，withthepersonalitythattheselettersrepresenttoher；andthatpersonalityisyours，Peter。Istoleitfromyou。Icopieditintothoseletters。I\'mnotstraight。
I\'mnotfair。Iwasn\'thonestwithher。Iwasn\'thonestwithyou。I\'lljusthavetotakeofffrontthetopofthehighestmountainorsinkinthedeepestplaceinthesea，Peter。I
thoughtIwasstraight。IthoughtIwashonorableIhavemadeDonaldbelievethatIwas。IfIhavetotellhimthetruthaboutthishewon\'twanttowearmyfloweranymore。IshallknowallthethingsthatMarianhassuffered，andathousandtimesworse，becauseshewasnottoblame；shehadnothingwithwhichtoreproachherself。\"
PeterputanarmacrossLinda\'sshouldersanddrewheruptohim。
Foralong，bittermomenthethoughtdeeply，andthenhesaidhoarsely:\"Nowcalmdown，Linda。You\'remakinganextremelyhighmountainoutofanextremelyshallowgopherhole。Youhaven\'tdoneanythingirreparable。Iseethewholesituation。
Youaresureyourfriendhasfinallyrefusedthisoffershehashadonaccountoftheselettersyouhavewritten？\"
SuddenlyLindarelaxed。SheleanedherwarmyoungbodyagainstPeter。Shelaidhertiredheadonhisshoulder。Sheslippedthetopletterofthepacketinherlapfromunderitsband，openedit，andhelditbeforehim。Peterreaditverydeliberately，thenhenoddedinacquiescence。
\"It\'salltooevident，\"hesaidquietly，\"thatyouhavetaughtherthatthereisamaninthisworldmoretoherlikingthanJohnGilmaneverhasbeen。Whenitcametomaterializingtheman，Linda，whatwasyouridea？Wereyouproposingtodeliverme？\"
\"Ithoughtitwouldbesuitableandyouwouldbeperfectlyhappy，\"sobbedLinda，\"andthatwayIcouldhavebothofyou。\"
\"AndDonaldalso？\"askedPeterlightly。
\"Donaldofcourse，\"assentedLinda。
Andthensheliftedhertear-spilling，wonderfuleyes，wideopen，toPeter\'s，anddemanded:\"But，ohPeter，IamsomiserableIamalmostdead。Ihavesaidyouwerearock，andyouarearock。
peter，canyougetmeoutofthis？\"
\"Sure，\"saidPetergrimly。\"Merelyacaseoflivinguptoyourbluechina，evenifithappenstobeintheformofhieroglyphicsinsteadofbakedpottery。Givemetheletters，Linda。Givemeafewdaystostudythem。ExchangetypewriterswithmesoIcanhavethesamemachine。Givemesomeofthepaperonwhichyouhavebeenwritingandtheaddressyouhavebeenusing，andI\'llguaranteetogetyououtofthisinsomewaythatwillleaveyouDonald，andyourfriendshipwithMarianquiteasgoodasnew。\"
AtthatjuncturePetermighthavebeenkissed，buthisneckwasverystiffandhisheadwasveryhighandhiseyeswereonafar-distanthilltopfromwhichatthatminutehecouldnotseemtogatheranyparticularhelp。
\"Woulditbeyouridea，\"hesaid，\"thatbyreadingtheselettersIcouldgainsufficientknowledgeofwhathaspassedtogoonwiththis？\"
\"Ofcourseyoucould，\"saidLinda。
Peterreachedinhissidepocketandpulledoutacleanhandkerchief。Heshookitfromitsfoldsanddriedhereyes。
Thenhetookherbyhershouldersandsetherupstraight。
\"Nowstopthisnervestrainandthisfoolishness，\"hesaidtersely。\"Youhavedoneaverywonderfulthingforme。ItisbarelypossiblethatMarianThorneisnotmydreamwoman，butwecan\'talwayshaveourdreamsinthisworld，andifIcouldnothavemine，trulyandcandidly，Linda，sofarasIhavelivedmylife，IwouldratherhaveMarianThornethananyotherwomanI
haveevermet。\"
Lindaclappedherhandsindelight。
\"Oh，goodygoody，Peter！\"shecried。\"Howjoyous！CanitbepossiblethatmybunglingiscomingoutrightforMarianandrightforyou？\"
\"Andrightforyou，Linda？\"inquiredPeterlightly。
\"Sure，rightforme，\"saidLindaeagerly。\"Ofcourseit\'srightformewhenit\'srightforyouandMarian。Andsinceit\'snotmysecretaloneIdon\'tthinkitwouldbequitehonorabletotellDonaldaboutit。WhathurtsMarian\'sheartorhealsitisnoneofhisbusiness。Hedoesn\'tevenknowher。\"
\"Allrightthen，Linda，\"saidPeter，rising，\"givemethelettersandbringmethemachineandthepaper。GivemethejoyousdetailsandtellmewhenIamexpectedtosendinmyfirstletterinpropriapersona？\'，\"Oh，Peter，\"criedLinda，beamingonhim，\"oh，Peter，youarearock！Idoputmytrustinyou。\"
\"ThenGodhelpme，\"saidPeter，\"forwhateverhappens，yourtrustinmeshallnotbebetrayed，Linda。\"
CHAPTERXXIX。KatyUnburdensHerMindPossiblybecauseshewishedtoeliminateherselffromtheofficesofNicholsonandSnowforafewdays，possiblybecauseherfinelyattunednaturefeltthecall，MarianThorneboardedatrainthatcarriedhertoLosAngeles。Shesteppedfromitatteno\'clockinthemorning，andbythestreetcarroutemadeherwaytoLilacValley。WhenshearrivedsherealizedthatshecouldnotseeLindabefore，possibly，threeintheafternoon。Sheenteredarestaurant，hadasmalllunchboxpacked，andleavingherdressingcase，shesetoffdownthevalleytowardthemountains。
Shehadneedoftheirstrength，theirquietandtheirhealing。
TotheoneparticularspotwhereshehadfoundcomfortinLilacValleyherfeetledher。Bypathsofherown，muchovergrownforwantofrecentusage，shepassedthroughthecultivatedfields，lefttheroadway，andbegantoclimb。Whenshereachedthestreamflowingdowntheruggedhillside，shestoppedtorestforawhile，andhermindwasinatumult。Inoneminuteshewasseeingthebitterlydisappointedfaceofalonely，sensitivemanwhosefirstwoundhadbeenreopenedbythemakingofanotherpossiblyquiteasdeep；andatthenextherheartwasthrobbingbecauseLindahadsucceededintransferringthelivingPetertopaper。
ThetimehadcomewhenMarianfeltthatshewouldknowthepersonalityembodiedinthelettersshehadbeenreceiving；andinthepastfewdayshermindhadbeenfixingtenaciouslyuponPeterMorrison。AndthefeelingconcerningwhichshehadwrittenLindahadtakenpossessionofher。Wealthdidnotmatter；positiondidnotmatter。LosingtheloveofagoodmandidnotmatterButthemindandtheheartandthepersonalitybehindthelettersshehadbeenreceivingdidmatter。ShethoughtlongandseriouslyWhenatlastshearoseshehadarrivedattheconclusionthatshehaddonetherightthing，nomatterwhetherthewonderfullettersshehadreceivedwentonandofferedherloveornot，nomatteraboutanything。Shemustmerelyliveanddothebestshecould，untilthewriterofthoseletterschosetodisclosehimselfandsaywhatpurposehehadinmindwhenhewrotethem。
SoMarianfollowedherownpathbesidethecreekuntilsheneareditshead，whichwasabig，gushingicyspringatthefootofthemountainkeepingwatchoverthesmallplateauthatinherheartshehadthoughtofashersforyears。Asshenearedthelocationstrangesoundsbegantoreachher，voicesofmen，clangingofhammers，theripofsaws。Alookofdeepconsternationoverspreadherface。Shelistenedaninstantandthenbegantorun。WhenshebrokethroughtherankfoliageflourishingfromthewatersofthespringandlookedoutontheplateauwhatshesawwasPeterMorrison\'shouseintheprocessofbeingflooredandshingled。ForaminuteMarianwasphysicallyill。Herhearthurtuntilherhandcrepttohersideinanefforttosootheit。
Beforesheaskedthequestionofamancomingtothespringwithapailinhishand，sheknewtheanswer。ItwasPeterMorrison\'shouse。Mariansprangacrossthebrook，climbedtothetemporaryroadway，andwalkeddowninfrontofthebuilding。Shestoodlookingatitintently。Itwasinaroughstage，butmuchdisguiseisneededtopreventamotherfromknowingherownchild。Marian\'sdarkeyesbegantowidenandtoblaze。Shewalkeduptothefrontofthehouseandfoundthatroughflooringhadbeenlaidsothatshecouldgooverthefirstfloor。Whenshehaddonethissheleftthebackdooradeeplyindignantwoman。
\"Thereissomeconnection，\"shetoldherselftersely，\"betweenmylostsketchandthishouse，whichismerelyaleft-to-rightrehearsalofmyplans；andit\'sthesameplanwithwhichHenryAndersonwontheNicholsonandSnowprizemoneyandthestillmorevaluablehonorofbeingtheprizewinner。WhatIwanttoknowishowsuchawrongmayberighted，andwhatPeterMorrisonhastodowithit。\"
Steppingfromthebackdoor，Marianfollowedthewell-wornpathwaythatledtothegarage，lookingrightandleftforPeter，andshewaswonderingwhatshewouldsaytohimifshemethim。
ShewasthinkingthatperhapsshehadbetterreturntoSanFranciscoandtalkthematteroverwithMr。Snowbeforeshesaidanythingtoanyoneelse；bythistimeshehadreachedthegarageandstoodinitswide-opendoor。Shelookedinatthecot，leftjustassomeonehadarisenfromit，attherowofclothinghangingonaroughwoodenrackattheback，atthepiledboxes，atthebigtable，knockedtogetherfromroughlumber，inthecenter，scatteredandpiledwithbooksandmagazines；andthenhereyesfixedintentlyonapacketlyingonthetablebesideatypewriterandastackofpaperandenvelopes。Shewalkedoverandpickedupthepacket。Asshehadknowntheinstantshesawthem，theywereherletters。Shestoodaninstantholdingtheminherhand，adazedexpressiononherface。Mechanicallyshereachedoutandlaidherhandsontheclosedtypewritertosteadyherself。Somethingaboutitappealedtoherasfamiliar。Shelookedatitclosely，thensheliftedthecoverandexaminedthemachine。ItwasthesamemachinethathadstoodforyearsinDoctorStrong\'slibrary，amachineuponwhichshehadtypedbusinesslettersforherownfather，andsometimesshehadcopiedlecturesandbookmanuscriptonitforDoctorStrong。Untilhishousewascompletedandhisbelongingsarrived，Peterundoubtedlyhadborrowedit。SuddenlyawilddesiretoescapesweptoverMarian。Herfirstthoughtwasofherfeelings。Shewasangry，andjustlyso。InherheartshehadbeguntofeelthatthelettersshewasreceivingwerefromPeterMorrison。Herewastheproof。
CoulditbepossiblethatintheironemeetingPeterhaddecidedthatshewashisdreamwoman，thatinsomewayhehadsecuredthatroughsketchofherplans，andfromthemwaspreparingherdreamhouseforher？Thethoughtspedthroughherbrainthathewassomethingmorethanhumantohavesecuredthoseplans，tohavefoundthatsecludedandchoicelocation。Foraninstantsheforgotthelossofthecompetitionintryingtocomprehendthewonderoffindingherownparticularhousefittingherownparticularlocationasnaturallyasoneofitsbigboulders。
Shetriedtoreplacethepackageoflettersexactlyasshehadfoundthem。Ontiptoesheslippedbacktothedoorandlookedsearchinglydowntheroad，around，andasfaraspossiblethroughthehouse。Thenshegatheredherskirts，steppedfromthegarage，andbegantheprocessofeffacingherselfonthemountainsideFromclumptoclumpofthethickestbushes，crouchingbelowthesageandgreasewood，pausingtorestbehindlilacandelder，with。outregardforhertravelingsuitorherbeautifullyshodfeet，Marianfledfromherlocation。Whenatlastshefeltthatshewascompletelyhiddenandatleastamilefromthespot，shedroppedpantingonaboulder，brushingthedebrisfromherskirts，liftingtremblinghandstostraightenherhat，andruefullycontemplatinghershoes。Thenshetriedtothinkinacalm，dispassionate，andreasonablemanner，butshefounditamostdifficultprocess。Hermindwasnotwellordered，neitherwasitathercommand。Itwhirledandshotoffatunexpectedtangentsanddancedasirresponsiblyasagrasshopperfromoneplacetoanother。TheflyingleapsittookrangedfromSanFranciscotoLilacValley，fromherlocationuponwhichPeterMorrisonwasbuildingherhouse，toLinda。EvenJohnGilmanobtrudedhimselfoncemore。AtoneminuteshewasexperiencingaragingindignationagainstHenryAnderson。Howhadhesecuredherplan？AtanothershewastryingtofiguredispassionatelywhatconnectionPeterMorrisoncouldhavehadwiththebuildingofhishouseuponherplan。EverytimePetercameintotheequationherheartaroseinhisdefense。Insomewayhisshareintheproceedingwasallright。Hehadcaredforherandhehaddonewhathethoughtwouldpleaseher。Thereforeshemustbepleased，althoughforcedtoadmittoherselfthatshewouldhavebeeninfinitelymorepleasedtohavebuiltherownhouseinherownway。
ShewashungrytoseeLinda。ShewantedKatherineO\'DonovantofeedherandfussoverherandentertainherwithhermellowIrishbrogue；butifshewenttothemanddisclosedherpresenceinthevalley，Peterwouldknowaboutit，andifheintendedthebuildinghewaserectingasawonderfulsurpriseforher，thenshemustnotspoilhisjoy。Planinanywayshecould，MariancouldseenocourselefttoherotherthantoslipbacktothestationandreturntoSanFranciscowithoutmeetinganyofherfriends。Shehurriedlyateherlunch，againstraightenedherclothing，wenttotherestaurantforhertravelingbag，andtookthecarforthestationwhereshewaitedforareturntraintoSanFranciscoSheboughtapaperandtriedtoconcentrateuponitinanefforttotakehermindfromherownproblemssothat，whenshereturnedtothem，shewouldbebetterabletothinkclearly，toreasonjustly，toactwisely。Shewasverygladwhenhertraincameandshewasstartedonherwaynorthward。Atthefirstsidinguponwhichitstoppedtoallowthepassingofasouth-boundlimited，shewascertainthatasthecarsflashedby，inoneofthemshesawEugeneSnow。ShewassocertainthatwhenshereachedthecitysheimmediatelycalledtheofficeandaskedforMr。Snowonlytobetoldthathehadgoneawayforadayortwoonbusiness。AfterthatMarian\'sthoughtwasconfusedtothepointofexasperation。
ItwouldbedifficulttoexplainpreciselythestateofmindinwhichLinda，uponarrivingatherhomethatafternoon，receivedfromKatytheinformationthatamannamedSnowhadbeenwaitinganhourforherinthelivingroom。Linda\'sappearancewasthatofapersonsoastonishedthatKatysidleduptohergivingstrongevidenceofbeingreadytobristle。
\"Yeknow，lambie，\"shesaidwithelaborateindifference，\"yearen\'thavin\'toseeanybodyyedon\'twantto。Ifit\'ssomebodyintrudin\'himselfonye，justsaythewordandI\'llfirehim；
higherthanGuilderoy\'skiteI\'llbefirin\'him。\"
\"No，Imustseehim，Katy，\"saidLindaquietly。\"Andhavesomethingspeciallynicefordinner。VerylikelyI\'lltakehimtoseePeterMorrison\'shouseandpossiblyI\'llaskhimandPetertodinner。HeisaSanFranciscoarchitectfromthefirmwhereMariantakesherlessons，andit\'sbusinessaboutPeter\'shouse。
Iwassurprised，that\'sall。\"
ThenLindaturnedandlaidahandoneachofKaty\'shairyredarms。
\"KatherineO\'Donovan，olddear，\"shesaid，\"ifwedocomebackfordinner，concentrateonMr。Snowandstudyhim。Scrutinize，Katy！It\'sabullyword。Scrutinizeclosely。Toaddonemoretoourlonglistsofsecrets，here\'sanother。He\'sthemanItoldyouaboutwhohasaskedMariantomarryhim，andMarianhasrefusedhimprobablybecauseshepreferssomebodynearerhome。\"
ThenLindafeltthetensingofeverymuscleinKaty\'sbody。Shesawtheliftofherhead，theincredulous，resentfullookinhereyes。Therewasfrankhostilityinhertone。
\"Well，whoistherenearerhomethatMarianknows？\"shedemandedbelligerently。
\"Well，now，whowouldtherebe？\"retortedLinda。
\"Yeain\'tmanin\'JohnGilman？\"askedKaty。
\"No，\"saidLinda，\"IamnotmeaningJohnGilman。YoushouldknowMarianwellenoughtoknowthat。\"
\"Well，yeoughttoknowyourselfwellenoughtoknowthattheyain\'tanybodyelsearoundthesediggin\'sthatMarianThorne\'sgoingtoget，\"saidKaty。
\"IimagineMarianwillgetprettymuchwhomshewants，\"saidLindalaughingly。\"Inyourheart，Katy，youknowthatMarianneednothavelostJohnGilmanifshehadnotdeliberatelylethimgo。IfshehadbeenwillingtomeetEileenonherowngroundandtoplaythegamewithher，itwouldn\'thavehappened。MarianhasmorebrainsinaminutethanEileenhasinamonth。\"