\"Theoneperfectthingaboutme，\"shesaidwithcloselycutprecision，\"ismyhealth。Ihaven\'tthefaintestnotionwhatitmeanstobeill。IammerelywaitingfortheconversationtotakeaIturnwhereIcanjoininitintelligently。\"
\"Why，blessthechild！\"exclaimedLinda。\"Can\'tyoutalkintelligentlyaboutasuitablelocationforahome？Onwhatsubjectisawomansupposedtobeintelligentifsheisnotatherbestonthethemeofhome。Ifyoureallyarenotinterestedyouhadbetterbegintopolishup，becauseitappealstomethattheworldgoesjustsofarinonedirection，andthenitwhirlstotheright-aboutandgoesequallyasfarintheoppositedirection。IfDaddywerelivingIthinkhewouldsaywehavereachedthelimitwithapartmenthousehomesminusfireplaces，withrestaurantdiningminusablessing，withjazzmusicminusmelody，withjazzdancingminusgrace，withnationalprogressminuscradles。\"
\"Linda！\"criedEileenindignantly。
\"Goodgracious！\"criedLinda。\"DoIgettheshillalahforthat？
Weren\'tallofusrockedincradles？IthinkthatthependulumhasswungfaranditistimetoswingbacktowhereonemanandonewomanchooseanylittlespotonGod\'sfootstool，buildanestandplantheirlivesinaccordwithpersonaldesireandinclinationinsteadofapingtheirneighbors。\"
\"Bravo！\"criedHenryAnderson。\"MissLinda，ifyouseeanysuitablespot，andyouthinkIwouldserveforabug-catcher，won\'tyoupleasestakethelocation？\"
\"Well，Idon\'tknowaboutthat，\"saidLinda。\"Woulditbetheoldcaseof\'Ifurnishthebreadandyoufurnishthewater\'？\"
\"No，\"saidPeterMorrison，\"itwouldnot。Henryisdoingmightywell。Iguaranteethathewouldfurnishacowthatwouldproducerealcream。\"
\"Howjoyous！\"saidLinda。\"Ifeelquitecompetenttomanagethebreadquestion。We\'llcallthatsettledthen。WhenInextcastanappraisingeyeovermybelovedvalley，Ishan\'tselectthechoicestspotinitforPeterMorrisontowriteabookin；andI
wanttowarnyoupeoplewhenyougohuntingtokeepamileawayfromMarian\'splot。Shehashadherlocationstakedfromchildhoodandhasworkedonherdreamhouseuntilshehasitallreadytoputtheiceinthechestandscratchthematchforthelivingroomfire-logs。Theonethingshewon\'tevertelliswhereherlocationis，butwhereveritis，PeterMorrison，don\'tyoudaretakeit。\"
\"Iwouldn\'tfortheworld，\"saidPeterMorrisongravely。\"IfMissThornewilltellmeevenonwhichsideofthevalleyherlocationlies，Iwillagreetostayontheotherside。\"
\"Wellthereisonethingyoucandependupon，\"saidtheirrepressibleLindabeforeMarianhadtimetospeak。\"Itissuretobeonthesunnyside。EverylivingsoulinCaliforniaislookingforaplaceinthesun。\"
\"ThenIwillmakeanoteofit，\"saidPeterMorrison。\"Butisn\'tthereenoughsuninallthislovelyvalleythatImayhaveaplaceinittoo？\"
\"Yougostraightaheadandselectanylocationyoulike，\"saidMarian。\"Igiveyouthefreedomofthevalley。There\'snotonechanceintenthousandthatyouwouldfindorseeanythingattractiveabouttheonesecludedspotIhavealwayshopedI
mightsomedayown。\'
\"Thisisnotfooling，then？\"askedPeterMorrison。\"Youtrulyhaveaplaceselectedwhereyouwouldliketolive？\"
\"Shetrulyhasthespotselectedandshetrulyhasthehouseonpaperandittrulyisahouseofdreams，\"saidLinda。\"Idreamaboutitmyself。Whenshebuildsitandlivesinitawhileandfindsoutallthethingsthatarewrongwithit，thenIamgoingtobuildonelikeit，onlyIshalleliminateallthemistakesshehasmade。\"
\"Ihaveoftenwondered，\"saidHenryAnderson，\"ifsuchathingeverhappenedasthatpeoplebuiltahouseandlivedinit，saytenyears，anddidnotfindonesinglethingaboutitthattheywouldchangeiftheyhadittobuildoveragain。Ineverhaveheardofsuchacase。Haveanyofyou？\"
\"Iamsurenoonehas，\"saidJohnGilmanmeditatively，\"andit\'saqueerthing。Ican\'tseewhypeopledon\'tplanahousethewaytheywantitbeforetheybuild。\"
Marianturnedtohim——thesameMarianhehadfalleninlovewithwhentheywerechildren。
\"Mightn\'titbe，\"sheasked，\"thatitisduetochangingconditionscausedbytherapiddevelopmentofscienceandinvention？Ifonehadbuiltthemostperfecthousepossiblefiveyearsagoandlearnedtodaythatinfinitelysuperiorlightingandheatinglandlivingfacilitiescouldbeinstalledatmuchlessexpenseandfargreaterconvenience，don\'tyouthinkthatonewouldwanttochange？Isn\'tlifeaseriesofchanges？Mustn\'tonebechangingconstantlytokeepabreastofone\'sdayandage？\"
\"Why，surely，\"answeredGilman，\"andnodoubtthereinliesatleastpartoftheanswertoAnderson\'squestion。\"
\"Andthen，\"addedMarian，\"thingshappeninfamilies。Sometimesmorebabiesthantheyexpectcometonewlymarriedpeopleandtheyrequiremoreroom。\"
\"Mygoodness，yes！\"brokeinLinda。\"JustlookatSylviaTownsend——twinstobeginwith。\"
\"Linda！\"breathedEileen，aghast。
\"Sogladyoulikemyname，dear，\"murmuredLindasweetly。
\"Andthen，\"continuedMarian，\"changescometootherpeopleastheyhavetome。Ican\'tsaythatIhadanyfaulttofindwitheitherthecomfortsortheconveniencesofHawthorneHouseuntilDaddyandMotherweresweptfromitatonecruelsweep；andafterthatitwasnothingtomebutahauntedhouse，andIdon\'tfeelthatIcanbeblamedforwantingtoleaveit。Iwillbegladtoknowthattherearepeoplelivinginitwhowon\'tseeabigstrongfiguremeditativelysmokingbeforethefireplaceandagraydoveofawomansittingonthearmofhischair。Iwillbeglad，ifFateiskindtomeandpeoplelikemyhouses，tocomebacktothevalleywhenIcanaffordtoandbuildmyselfahomethathasnopast——aplace，infact，whereIcanfurnishmyownghost，andifImeetmyselfonthestairsthenIwon\'tbeshockedbyme。
\"Idon\'tthinkthereisasoulinthevalleywhoblamesyouforsellingyourhomeandgoing，Marian，\"saidLindasoberly。\"I
thinkitwouldbefoolishifyoudidnot。\"
Thereturntothelivingroombroughtnochange。EileenpoutedwhileLindaandMarianthoroughlyenjoyedthemselvesandgavetheguestsamostentertainingevening。SodisgruntledwasEileen，whentheyoungmenhadgone，thatsheimmediatelywenttoherroom，leavingLindaandMariantoclosethehouseandmaketheirownarrangementsforthenight。WhereuponLindadeliberatelyledMariantothecarefullydustedandflower-garnishedguestroomandinstalledherwitheverycomfortandconveniencethatthehouseafforded。Thenbringingherbrushesfromherownroom，sheandMarianmadethemselvescomfortable，visitingfarintothenight。
\"Iwonder，\"saidLinda。\"ifPeterMorrisonwillgotoarealestatemaninthemorningandlookoverthelocationsremaininginLilacValley。\"
\"Yes，Ithinkhewill，\"saidMarianconclusively。
\"Itseemstome，\"saidLinda，\"thatwedidawholelotoftalkingabouthomestonight；whichremindsme，Marian，inpackinghaveyouputinyourplans？Haveyougotyourlastdraftwithyou？\"
\"No，\"answeredMarian，\"it\'sinoneofthecases。Ihaven\'tanythingbuttwoorthreepencilsketchesfromwhichIdrewthefinalplansasInowthinkI\'llsubmitthemforthecontest。
Wouldn\'titbeatallfeatherinmycap，Linda，ifbyanychancelIshouldwinthatprize？\"
\"Itwouldbemorethanafeather，\"saidLinda。\"Itwouldbeawholecap，andacoattowearwithit，andadresstomatchthecoat，andslipperstomatchthedress，andsoforthjustlike\'TheHouseThatJackBuilt。\'Haveyouthosesketches，Marian？\"
Openinghercase，Marianslidfromunderneaththegarmentsfoldedinit，severalsheetsonwhichwereroughlypenciledsketchesoftheexteriorofahouse——onthereverse，theupstairsanddownstairsfloorplans；andsittingdown，sheexplainedthesetoLinda。Thensheleftthemlyingonatable，waitingtobereturnedtohercasebeforeshereplacedherclothesinthemorning。Bothgirlswerefastasleepwhenamischievouswindslippeddownthevalley，andlightlyliftingthetopsheet，carrieditthroughthewindow，acrossthegarden，anddroppeditatthefootofahoney-drippingloquat。
BecausetheyhadtalkeduntillateinthenightofMarian\'splansandprospectsinthecity，ofPeterMorrison\'sproposedresidenceinthevalley，ofhowlonelyLindawouldbewithoutMarian，ofeverythingconcerningtheirlivesexceptthechangeinEileenandJohnGilman，thetwogirlssleptuntillateinthemorning，sothattherewerebutafewminutesremaininginwhichMarianmightdress，haveahastybreakfastandmakehertrain。Inhelpingher，itfelltoLindatopackMarian\'scase。Sheputthedrawingsshefoundonthetableinthebottom，theclothingandbrushesontopofthem，andclosingthecase，carrieditherselfuntilshedelivereditintotheporter\'shandsasMarianboardedhertrain。
CHAPTERIV。LindaStartsaRevolutionThelastglimpseMarianThornehadofLindawasasshestoodalone，wavingherhand，hercheeksflushed，hereyesshining，herfinalwordcheeryandencouraging。Mariansmiledandwavedinreturnuntilthetrainboreheraway。Thenshesatdownwearilyandstaredunseeinglyfromawindow。Lifedidsuchverydreadfulthingstopeople。Hergirlhoodhadbeensohappy。ThencamethedayoftheBlackShadow，butinherblackesthourshehadnotfeltalone。ShehadsupposedshewasleaningonJohnGilmanassecurelyasshehadleanedonherfather。Shehadlearned，withthelossofherfather，thatonecannotbesureofanythinginthisworldleastofallofhumanlife。YetinherdarkestdaysshehaddependedonJohnGilman。Shehadeveryreasontobelievethatitwasforherthathestruggleddailytogainafootinginhischosenprofession。Whensuccesscame，whentherewasnoreasonthatMariancouldseewhytheymightnothavebegunlifetogether，therehadcomeasubtlechangeinJohn，andthatchangehaddevelopedsorapidlythatinafewweeks\'time，shewasforcedtoadmitthatthecompanionshipandlovingattentionsthatoncehadbeenallherswerenowallEileen\'s。
Shesatinthetrain，steadilycarryinghermileaftermilefartherfromherhome，andtriedtothinkwhathadhappenedandhowandwhyithadhappened。ShecouldnotfeelthatshehadbeenwronginherestimateofJohnGilman。HervaluationofhimhadbeentaughtherbyherfatherandmotherandbyDoctorandMrs。
StrongandbyJohnGilmanhimself。DatingfromthetimethatDoctorStronghadpurchasedthepropertyandbuiltahomeinLilacValleybesideHawthorneHouse，MarianhadadmiredEileenandhadlovedher。Shewasseveralyearsolderthanthebeautifulgirlshehadgrownupbeside。Agehadnotmattered；
Eileen\'sbeautyhadnotmattered。Marianwasgoodlookingherself。
ShealwayshadknownthatEileenhadimposeduponherandwasselfishwithher，butEileen\'simpositionsweresoskillfullymaneuvered，herselfishnesswassoadorablytakenforgrantedthatMarianinretrospectionfeltthatperhapsshewasresponsibleforatleastasmallpartofit。SheneverhadbeenabletoseetheinnerworkingsofEileen\'sheart。ShewasnotcapableofunderstandingthatwhenJohnGilmanwaspoorandstrugglingEileenhadignoredhim。IthadnotoccurredtoMarianthatwhenthesuccessforwhichhestruggledbegantocomegenerously，Eileenwouldbegintocovetthemanshehadpreviouslydisdained。Shehadalwaysstriventofindfriendsamongpeopleofwealthanddistinction。HowwasMariantoknowthatwhenJohnbegantoachievewealthanddistinction，Eileenwouldcovethimalso？
MariancouldnotknowthatEileenhadstudiedherharderthansheeverstudiedanybook，thatshehaddeliberatelysetherselftomakethemostofeverydefectoridiosyncrasyinMarian，atthesametimeofferingherselfasacharmingsubstitute。Marianwaspreparedtobethemental，thespiritual，andthephysicalmateofaman。
Eileenwasnotpreparedtobeintruthandhonoranyofthese。
Shewaspreparedtomakeanyemergencyoflifesubservienttoherownselfishdesires。Shewaspreparedtouseanymanwithwhomshecameincontactforthefurtheranceofanywhimthatatthehourpossessedher。Whatshewantedwasunbridledpersonalliberty，unlimitedfinancialresources。
Marian，almostnumbedwithphysicalfatigueandweeksofmentalstrain，camerepeatedlyagainstthedeadwallofignorancewhenshetriedtofathomthechangethathadtakenplacebetweenherselfandJohnGilmanandbetweenherselfandEileen。DanielThornewasanoldermanthanDoctorStrong。Hehadaccumulatedmoreproperty。Marianhadsufficientmeansathercommandtomakeitunnecessaryforhertoacquireaprofessionorworkforherliving，butshehadalwaysbeeninterestedinandlovedtoplanhousesandhelpherfriendswithbuildingstheywereerecting。Whenthesilenceandthelonelinessofheremptyhomeenvelopedher，shehadbegun，atfirstasadistraction，toworkonthedrawingsforahomethatanarchitecthadmadeforoneofherneighbors。Shehadbeenabletosuggestsomanycomfortsandconveniences，andsotorevisetheseplansthat，atfirstinadesultoryway，laterinrealearnest，shehadbeguntodrawplansforhouses。Then，beingofmethodicalhabitandmathematicalmind，shebeganscalinguptheplansandfiguringonthecostofbuilding，andsoshehadworkeduntilshefeltthatshewasevolvinghomesthatcouldbebuiltforthesameamountofmoneyandlivedinwithmorecomfortandconveniencethanthehomesthatmanyofherfriendswerehavingplannedforthembyarchitectsofthecity。
Toonespotinthevalleyshehadgonefromchildhoodasasecretplaceinwhichtodreamandstudy。Shehadlovedthatretreatuntilithadbecomealivingpassionwithher。ThemoreJohnGilmanneglectedher，themoresheconcentrateduponherplans，andwhenthehourcameinwhichsherealizedwhatshehadlostandwhatEileenhadwon，shereachedthedecisiontosellherhome，gotothecity，andstudyuntilsheknewwhethershereallycouldsucceedatherchosenprofession。
Thenshewouldcomebacktothevalley，buythespotshecoveted，buildthehouseofwhichshedreamed，andinitshewouldspendtheremainderofherlifemakinghomesforthewomenwhoknewhowtoholdtheloveofmen。Whenshereachedthecityshehaddecidedthatifonecouldnothavethebestinlife，onemustbecontentwiththenextbest，andforherthenextbestwouldbehomesforotherpeople，sinceshemightnotmaterializethehomeshehaddreamedforJohnGilmanandherself。Shehadnotwantedtoleavethevalley。ShehadnotwantedtoloseJohnGilman。
Shehadnotwantedtopartwiththehomeshehadbeenrearedin。
Yetallofthesethingsseemedtohavebeenforceduponher。AllMarianknewtodowastosquarehershoulders，takeadeepbreath，putregretsbehindher，andmovesteadilytowardthebestfutureshecoulddeviseforherself。
ShecarriedlettersofintroductiontotheSanFranciscoarchitects，NicholsonandSnow，whohadofferedaprizeforthebesthousethatcouldbebuiltinareasonabletimeforfifteenthousanddollars。Shemeanttoofferherplansinthiscompetition。Throughfriendsshehadsecuredacomfortableplaceinwhichtoliveandwork。Sheneedundergonohardshipsinsearchingforahome，inclothingherself，inpayingforinstructioninthecourseinarchitectureshemeanttopursue。
ConcerningLindashecouldnotresistafeelingofexultation。
LindawasoneofthefriendsinLilacValleyaboutwhomMariancouldthinkwholeheartedlyandlovingly。SometimesshehadbeenonthepointofmakingasuggestiontoLinda，andthenshehadcontentedherselfwithwaitinginthethoughtthatverysoontheremustcometothegirlapropersenseofherpositionandherrights。TheexperienceofthepreviousnighttaughtMarianthatLindahadarrived。ShewouldnolongerbethecompliantlittlesisterwhowouldrunEileen\'serrands，waituponherguestsandweardisreputableclothing。WhenLindareachedapointwhereshewascapableoftheperformanceofthepreviousnight，Marianknewthatshewouldproceedtoliveuptoherbluechinaineveryramificationoflife。ShedidnotknowexactlyhowLindawouldfollowuptheassertionofherrightsthatshehadmade，butshedidknowthatinsomewayshewouldfollowitup，becauseLindawasaveryclosereproductionofherfather。
Shehadbeenalmostconstantlywithhimduringhislife，verymuchalonesincehisdeath。Shewasabusyyoungperson。FromMarian\'swindowsshehadwatchedthebusinessofcarryingonthewild-flowergardenthatLindaandherfatherhadbegun。WhattheoccupationwasthatkeptthelightburninginLinda\'sroomfarintothenightMariandidnotknow。Foralongtimeshehadsupposedthatherstudiesweredifficultforher，andwhenshehadaskedLindaifitwerenotpossibleforhertoprepareherlessonswithoutsomanyhoursofmidnightstudyshehadcaughtthestareoffrankamazementwithwhichthegirlregardedherandinthatsurprised，almostgrievedlookshehadrealizedthatveryprobablyadaughterofAlexanderStrong，whoresembledhimasLindaresembledhim，wouldnotbecompelledtooverworktomastertheprescribedcourseofanycityhighschool。WhatLindawasdoingduringthosemidnighthoursMariandidnotknow，butshedidknowthatshewasnotwrestlingwithmathematicsandlanguages——atleastnotallofthetime。SoMarianknowingLinda\'sgiftwithapencil，hadcometotheconclusionthatshewasdrawingpictures；butcircumstantialevidencewasallshehadasabasisforherconviction。Lindawentherwaysilentlyandalone。ShewasacquaintedwitheveryonelivinginLilacValley，frankandfriendlywithallofthem；asidefromMarianshehadnointimatefriend。NotanothergirlinthevalleycaredtofollowLinda\'spursuitsortocultivatetheacquaintanceofthebreeched，bootedgirl，constantlydevotingherselftooutdoorstudywithherfatherduringhislifetime，afterwardalone。
ForaninstantafterMarianhadboardedhertrainLindastoodlookingatit，herheartsoheavythatitpainedacutely。ShehadnotsaidonewordtomakeMarianfeelthatshedidnotwanthertogo。NotoncehadsheputforwardtheargumentthatMarian\'sgoingwouldleavehertodependentirelyforhumansympathyuponthecook，andherguardian，alsoadministratoroftheStrongestate，JohnGilman。SolongashewasMarian\'sfriendLindahadadmiredJohnGilman。Shehadgonetohimforsomemeasureofthecompanionshipshehadmissedinlosingherfather。SinceGilmanhadallowedhimselftobecaptivatedbyEileen，Lindahadharboredafeelingconcerninghimalmostofcontempt。LindawassofamiliarwitheverymovethatEileenmade，sothoroughlyunderstoodthattherewasamotivebackofhereveryaction，thatshecouldnotseewhyJohnGilman，havingknownherfromchildhood，shouldnotunderstandheralso。
ShehaddecidedthatthetimehadcomewhenshewouldforceEileentogiveheranallowance，howeversmall，forherownpersonalexpenses，thatshemustinsomewaymanagetobeclothedsothatshewasnotamatterofcommentevenamongtheboysofherschool，andshecouldseenoreasonwhytheabsolutepersonallibertyshealwayshadenjoyedsolongasshedisappearedwhenEileendidnotwantherandappearedwhenshedid，shouldnotextendtoherownconvenienceaswellasEileen\'s。
LifewasabusyaffairforLinda。ShehadnottimetowatchMarian\'strainfromsight。Shemusthurrytotheneareststreetcarandmakeallpossiblehasteorshewouldbelateforherclasses。Throughoutthedaysheworkedwiththedeepestconcentration，butshecouldnotkeepdowntheknowledgethatEileenwouldhavethingstosay，possiblythingstodo，whentheymetthatevening，forEileenwascapableofdisconcertinghysteria。PreviouslyLindahadremainedstubbornlysilentduringanytiradeinwhichEileenchosetoindulge。Shehadallowedherselftobenaggedintodoingmanythingsthatshedespised，becauseshewouldnotassertherselfagainstapparentinjustice。
ButsinceshehadcomefullytorealizetheresultsofEileen\'scourseofactionforMarianandforherself，shewasdeliberatelyarrivingattheconclusionthathereaftershewouldspeakwhenshehadadefense，andshewouldmakeitherbusinesstoletthesunshineonanydarkspotthatshediscoveredinEileen。
LindaknewthatifJohnGilmanwerewellacquaintedwithEileen，hecouldnotcomeanynearertolovingherthanshedid。SuchanideaaslovingEileenneverhadenteredLinda\'sthoughts。ToLinda，Eileenwasnotlovable。Thatsheshouldbeexpectedtoloveherbecausetheyhadthesameparentsandlivedinthesamehomeseemedabsurd。Shewasslightlydisappointed，onreachinghome，tofindthatEileenwasnotthere。
\"Willtheladyofthehousedinewithusthisevening？sheaskedasshestoodeatinganappleinthekitchen。
\"Shedidn\'tsay，\"answeredKaty。\"Haveyehaditoutaboutlastnightyet？\"
\"No，\"answeredLinda。\"ThatiswhyIwasaskingabouther。I
wanttocleartheatmospherebeforeImakemynewstartinlife。\"
\"Now，don\'tyebegoingtoofar，lambie，\"cautionedKaty\"Yeyoungthingsmakesuchanawfulseriousbusinessoflifethesedays。InyourscrambletowringartificialjoyoutofityoumissallthenaturaljoythegoodGodprovidedye。\"
\"Itseemstome，Katy，\"saidLindaslowly，\"thatyoushouldputthatstatementtheotherwayround。Itseemsthatlifemakesamightyseriousbusinessforusyoungthings，anditseemstomethatifwedon\'tgettherightstartandhaveaproperfoundationlifeIsgoingtobespoiledforus。OnelifeisallI\'vegottoliveinthisworld，andIwouldlikeittobetheinterestingandthebeautifulkindoflifethatFatherlived。\"
Lindadroppedtoachair。
\"Katy，\"shesaid，leaningforwardandlookingintentlyintotheearnestfaceofthewomanbeforeher，\"Katy，Ihavebeenthinkinganawfullotlately。Thereisaquestionyoucouldanswerformeifyouwantedto。\"
\"Well，Idon\'tseeanyraison，\"saidKaty，\"whyIshouldn\'tansweryeanyquestionye\'dbeaskingme。\"
Linda\'seyesnarrowedastheydidhabituallyindeepthoughtShewaslookingpastKatydownthesunlitspacesofthewildgardenthatwasherdearestpossession，andthenhereyesstrayedhighertowherethebluewallsthatshutinLilacValleyrangedtheirpeaksagainstthesky。\"Katy，\"shesaid，scarcelyaboveherbreath，\"wasMotherlikeEileen？\"
Katystiffened。Herredfacepaledslightly。Sheturnedherbackandslowlyslidintotheoventhepieshewascarrying。
SheclosedthedoorwithmoreforcethanwasnecessaryandthenturnedanddeliberatelystudiedLindafromthetopofhershiningblackheadtothetipofhershoe。
\"Some，\"shesaidtersely。
\"Yes，Iknow\'some\'，\"saidLinda，\"butyouknowIwastooyoungtopaymuchattention，andDaddymanagedalwaystomakemesohappythatIneverrealizeduntilhewasgonethathenotonlyhadbeenmyfatherbutmymotheraswell。YouknowwhatImean，Katy。\"
\"Yes，\"saidKatydeliberately，\"Iknowwhatyemean，lambie，andI\'lltellyethetruthasfarasIknowit。Shemanagedyourfather，shepamperedhim，butshedeceivedhimeveryday，justaboutlittlethings。Shealwaysmadethehouseholdaccountsbiggerthantheywere，andusedtheextramoneyforMissEileenandherself——thingslikethat。I\'mthinkin\'heneverknewit。
I\'mthinkinghelovedherdeeplyandtrustedhercomplete。I
knowwhatye\'regettingat。ShewasnotenoughlikeEileentomakehimunhappywithher。Hemighthavebeenifhehadknownalltherewastoknow，butforhisownsakeIwasnottheonetogiveheraway，thoughsheconstantlymadehimthinkthatIwasextravagantandwastefulinmework。\"Linda\'seyescamebackfromthemountainsandmetKaty\'sstraightly。
\"Katy，\"shesaid，\"didyoueverseesistersasdifferentasEileenandIare？\"
\"No，Idon\'tthinkIeverdid，\"saidKaty。
\"Itpuzzlesme，\"saidLindaslowly。\"ThemoreIthinkaboutit，thelessIcanunderstandwhy，ifwearesisters，wewouldnotaccidentallyresembleeachotheratinybitinsomeway，andI
mustsayIcan\'tseethatwedophysicallyormentally。\"
\"No，\"saidKaty，\"yewerejustasdifferentasyearenowwhenI
cametothishousenewandyewerebothlittlethings。\"
\"Andwearegoingtobeasdifferentandtokeepongrowingmoredifferenteverydayofourlives，becauseredwarbreaksouttheminuteEileencomeshome。Ihaven\'tanotionwhatshewillsaytomeforwhatIdidlastnightandwhatIamgoingtodointhefuture，butIhaveadefiniteideaastowhatIamgoingtosaytoher。\"
\"Now，easy；yegoeasy，lambie，\"cautionedKaty。
\"Iwouldn\'tregretit，\"saidLinda，\"ifItookEileenbytheshouldersandshookhertillIshooktherougeoffhercheek，andthebrilliantineoffherhair，andamillionmeanlittlesubterfugesoutofhersoul。YouknowEileenislovelywhensheisnatural，andifshewouldbestraight-off-the-batsquare，I
wouldbeproudtobehersister。Asitis，Ihavemydoubts，evenaboutthissisterbusiness。\"
\"Why，Linda，child，yearejustplaincrazy，\"saidKaty。\"Whatkindofnotionsareyougettingintoyourhead？\"
\"Ihearthefrontdoor，\"saidLinda，\"andIamgoingtomarchstraighttobattle。She\'sgoingupthefrontstairs。Ididmeantoshort-cutuptheback，but，cometothinkofit，Ihaveservedmyapprenticeshiponthebackstairs。IbelieveI\'llascendthefrontmyself。Good-bye，darlin\'，wishmeluck。\"
LindaswungKatyaround，huggedhertight，anddroppedakissonthetopofherfaithfulhead。
\"Yejuststickrightupforyourrights，\"Katyadvisedher。
\"Ye\'reagreatbiggirl。\'Tain\'tgoingtobelongtillye\'reeighteen。ButmindyouroldKatyaboutgoingtoofar。Ifyeloseyourtemperandcat-spit，itwon\'tgetyeanywhere。Thefellowthatkeepsthecoolestcanalwaysdothebestheadwork。\"
\"Igetyou，\"saidLinda，\"andthatisgoodadviceforwhichI
thankyou。\"
CHAPTERV。TheSmokeofBattleThenLindawalkeddownthehall，climbedthefrontstairs，andpresentedherselfatEileen\'sdoor，theretoreceiveoneoftheseverestshocksofheryounglife。Eileenhadtossedherhatandfuruponacouch，seatedherselfatherdressingtable，andwasstudyingherhairintheefforttodecidewhethershecouldfluffitupsufficientlytoservefortheeveningorwhethershemusttakeitdownandredressit。AtLinda\'sstepinthedoorwaysheturnedasmilingfaceuponherandcried:\"Hello，littlesister，comeinandtellmethenews。\"
Lindastoppedasifdazed。ThewondermentinwhichshelookedatEileenwasstampedalloverher。Asurprisedbraidofhairhungoveroneofhershoulders。Herhandsweresurprised，andtheskirtofherdress，andhershoesflatlysetonthefloor。
\"Well，I\'llbedarned！\"sheejaculated，andthenwalkedtowhereshecouldfaceEileen，andseatedherselfwithoutmakinganyattempttoconcealheramazement。
\"Linda，\"saidEileensweetly，\"youwouldstandfarbetterchanceofbeingpopularandmakingahostoffriendsifyouwouldnotbesocoarse。IamquitesureyouneverheardMamaormeusesuchanexpression。\"
ForonelonginstantLindawastooamazedtospeak。Thensherecoveredherself。
\"Lookhere，Eileen，youneedn\'ttryany\'perfectlady\'businessonme，\"shesaidshortly。\"DoyouthinkIhaveforgottentheextentofyourvocabularywhenthecurlingirongetstoohotoryoufailtoreceiveaninvitationtotheBachelors\'Ball？\"
LindaneverhadbeencapableofunderstandingEileen。AtthatminuteshecouldnotknowthatEileenhadbeenfacingfactsthroughthelonghoursofthenightandallthroughtheday，andthatshehadreachedthedecisionthatforthefutureheronlyhopeofworkingLindatoherwillwastoconciliateher，toignorethepreviousnight，totrytoputtheirrelationshipupontheoldbasisbypretendingthatthereneverhadbeenabreak。
Shelaughedsoftly。
\"Onrareoccasions，Igrantit。Ofcoursealittleswearslipsoutsometimes。WhatIamtryingtopointoutisthatyoudotoomuchofit。\"
\"Howdidyouevergettheidea，\"saidLinda，\"thatIwantedtobepopularandhavehostsoffriends？WhatwouldIdowiththemifIhadthem？\"
\"Why，usethem，mychild，usethem，\"answeredEileenpromptly。
\"Let\'scutthis，\"saidLindatersely。\"Iamnotyourchild。I\'mgettingtotheplacewhereIhaveseriousdoubtastowhetherI
amyoursisterornot。IfIam，it\'snotmyfault，andthesameclaynevermadetwoobjectsquitesodifferent。Icameupheretofight，andI\'mgoingtoseeitthrough。I\'monthewarpath，soyoumaytakeyourclubandproceedtobattle。\"
\"Whathavewetofightabout？\"inquiredEileen。
\"Everysinglethingthatyouhavedonethatwasunfairtomeallmylife，\"saidLinda。\"SinceallofithasbeendeliberateyouprobablyknowmoreaboutthedetailsthanIdo，soI\'lljustcontentmyselfwithtellingyouthatforthefuture，lastnightmarkedachangeintherelationsbetweenus。Iamgoingtobeeighteenbeforesoverylong，andIhaveceasedtobeyourmaidoryourwaitressoryourdupe。YouarenotgoingtoworkmeonesingletimewhenIhavegotbrainstoseethroughyourschemesafterthis。HereafterItakemyplaceinmyfather\'shouseandatmyfather\'stableonanequalitywithyou。\"
EileenlookedatLindasteadily，tryingtoseetothedepthsofhersoul。Shesawenoughtoconvinceherthattheyoungcreatureinfrontofherwasinearnest。
\"Hm，\"shesaid，\"haveIbeensobusythatIhavefailedtonoticewhatagreatgirlyouaregetting？\"
\"Busy！\"scoffedLinda。\"TellthattoKaty。It\'sakumquat！\"
\"Perhapsyouaretoobig，\"continuedEileen，\"tobeaskedtowaitonthetableanymore。\"
\"Icertainlyam，\"retortedLinda，\"andIamalsotoobigtowearsuchshoesorsuchadressasIhaveonatthepresentmin。ute。
Iknowallaboutthewarandtheinflationofpricesandthereductioninincome，butIknowalsothatifthereisenoughtorunthehouse，anddressyou，andfurnishyousuchasuiteofroomsasyou\'reenjoyingrightnow，thereisenoughtofurnishmesuitableclothes，acomfortablebedroomandaplacewhereIcanleavemyworkwithoutputtingawayeverythingIamdoingeachtimeIstepfromtheroom。Itoldyoufouryearsagothatyoumighttakethetouringcaranddowhatyoupleasedwithit。I
haveneveraskedwhatyoudidorwhatyougotoutofit，soI\'llthankyoutoobserveequalsilenceaboutanythingIchoosetodonowwiththerunabout，whichIreservedformyself。Itoldyoutotakethissuite，andthisisthefirsttimethatIhaveevermentionedtoyouwhatyouspentonit。\"
Lindawavedaninclusivehandtowardthefullyequipped，daintydressingtable，overrugsofpaleblue，andbeautifullydecoratedwalls，includingthesleepingroomandbathadjoining。
\"SonowI\'llaskyoutokeepoffwhileIdowhatIpleaseaboutthelibraryandthebilliardroom。I\'lltrytogetalongwithoutmuchmoneyindoingwhatIdesirethere，butImusthavesomenewclothes。Iwantmoneytobuymeapairofnewshoesforschool。
Iwantapairofpumpssuitableforeveningswhentherearegueststodinner。Iwantacoupleofattractiveschooldresses。
Thisoldsergeisgettingtoohotandtoowornforcommondecency。AndIalsowantacoupleofdressessomethinglikeyouarewearing，forafternoonsandevenings。\"
EileenstaredaghastatLinda。
\"Where，\"sheinquiredpolitely，\"isthemoneyforallthistocomefrom？\"
\"Eileen，\"saidLindainalowtensevoice，\"IhavereachedtheplacewhereeventheBOYSofthehighschoolaretwittingmeabouthowIamdressed，andthatisthelimit。Ihavestooditforthreeyearsfromthegirls。IamanadeptinpretendingthatIdon\'tsee，andIdon\'thear。IhavegottothepointwhereI
amperfectlycapableofwalkingintoyourwardrobeandtakingoutenoughoftheclothesthereandsellingthematasecond-handstoretobuymewhatIrequiretodressmejustplainlyanddecently。Sotakewarning。Idon\'tknowwhereyouaregoingtogetthemoney，butyouaregoingtogetit。Ifyouwouldwelcomeasuggestionfromme，comehomeonlyhalfthetimesyoudineyourselfandyourgirlfriendsattearoomsandcafesinthecity，andyouwillsavemysharethatway。Iamgoingtogiveyouachancetototalyourbudget，andthenIdemandonehalfoftheincomefromFather\'sestateabovehouseholdexpenses；andifI
don\'tgetit，onthedayIameighteenIshallgotoJohnGilmanandsaytohimwhatIhavesaidtoyou，andIshallgotothebankanddemandthatadivisionbemadethere，andthataseparatebankbookbestartedforme。\"
Linda\'samazementonenteringtheroomhadbeenworthyofnote。
Eileen\'satthepresentminutewasbeyonddescription。
Dumbfoundedwasacolorlesswordtodescribeherstateofmind。
\"Youdon\'tmeanthat，\"shegaspedinaquiveringvoicewhenatlastshecouldspeak。
\"Icansee，Eileen，thatyouaretakenunawares，\"saidLinda。\"I
havehadfourlongyearstoworkuptothishour。Hasn\'titevendawnedonyouthatthiswormwasevergoingtoturn？Youknowexquisitemothsandbutterfliesevolveinthecanyonsfromveryunprepossessingandlowlylivingworms。Youarespendingyourlifeonthebutterflystunt。HaveIbeensuchaweakwormthatithasn\'teveroccurredtoyouthatImightwanttotryaplain，everydaypairofwingssometimemyself？\"
Eileen\'sfacewasanuglyred，herhandswereshaking，hervoicewasunnatural，butshecontrolledhertemper。
\"Ofcourse，\"shesaid，\"Ihavealwaysknownthatthetimewouldcome，afteryoufinishedschoolandwereofaproperage，whenyouwouldwanttoentersociety。\"
\"No，youneverknewanythingofthekind，\"saidLindabluntly，\"becauseIhavenottheslightestambitiontoentersocietyeithernoworthen。AllIamaskingistoenterthehighschoolinacommonlydecent，suitabledress；toenterourdiningroomasadaughter；toenteraworkroomdecentlyequippedformyconvenience。Youneedn\'tbesurprisedifyouhearsomechangesgoingoninthebilliardroomandseesomechangesgoingoninthelibrary。AndifIfeelthatIcanmusterthenervetodrivetherunabout，it\'smycar，it\'suptome。\"
\"Linda！\"wailedEileen，\"howcanyouthinkofsuchathing？Youwouldn\'tdare。\"
\"BecauseIhaven\'tdaredtillthepresentisnoreasonwhyI
shoulddeprivemyselfofeverysinglepleasureinlife，\"saidLinda。\"Youspendyourdaysdoingexactlywhatyouplease；
drivingthatrunaboutforFatherwasmyonesoul-satisfyingdiversion。Whyshouldn\'tIdothethingIlovemost，ifIcanmusterthenerve？\"
Lindaarose，andwalkingovertoatable，pickedupamagazinelyingamongsomesmallpackagesthatEileenevidentlyhadplacedthereonenteringherroom。
\"Areyousubscribingtothis？\"sheasked。
Sheturnedinherhandsandleafedthroughthepagesofamostattractivemagazine，Everybody\'sHome。Itwasdevotedtopoetry，goodfiction，andeverythingconcerninghomelifefrombeeftobiscuits，andfromrugstoroses。
\"Isawitonanewsstand，\"saidEileen。\"Iwasatlunchwithsomegirlswhohadacopyandtheyweretalkingaboutsomearticlesbysomebodynamedsomething——Meredith，Ithinkitwas——JaneMeredith，maybeshe\'saCalifornian，andsheisadvocatingthequeerideathatwegobacktonaturebytryingmoderncookingonthefoodtheaboriginesate。Ifwefinditgoodthensherecommendsthatwespecializeonthegrowingofthesenativevegetablesforhomeuseandforexport——asanewindustry。\"
\"Isee，\"saidLinda。\"Out-BurbankingBurbank，asitwere。\"
\"No，notthat，\"saidEileen。\"Sheisnotproposingtoevolvenewforms。Sheisproposingtoshowushowtomakedeliciousdishesforluncheonordinnerfromwildthingsnowgoingtowaste。WhatthegirlssaidwassointerestingthatIthoughtI\'dgetacopyandifIseeanythinggoodI\'llturnitovertoKaty。\"
\"Andwhere\'sKatygoingtogetthewildvegetables？\"askedLindasceptically。
\"Whyyoumighthavesomeoftheminyourwildgarden，oryoucouldeasilyfindenoughtotry——alltheprowlingthecanyonsyoudooughttoresultinsomething。\"
\"Soitshould，\"saidLinda。\"Iquiteagreewithyou。DidI
understandyoutosaythatIshouldbereadytogotothebankwithyoutoarrangeaboutmyincomenextweek？\"
AgainthecolordeepenedinEileen\'sface，againshemadeavisibleeffortatself-control。
\"Oh，Linda，\"shesaid，\"whatistheuseofbeingsohard？YouwillmakethemthinkatthebankthatIhavenottreatedyoufairly。\"
\"_I_？\"saidLinda，\"_I_willmakethemthink？Don\'tyouthinkitisYOUwhowillmakethemthink？Willyoukindlyanswermyquestion？\"
\"IfIshowyouthebooks，\"saidEileen，\"ifIdividewhatisleftafterthebillsarepaidsothatyousayyourselfthatitisfair，whatmorecanyouask？\"
Lindahesitated。
\"WhatIoughttodoisexactlywhatIhavesaidIwoulddo，\"shesaidtersely，\"butifyouaregoingtoputitonthatbasisI
havenodesiretohurtyouorhumiliateyouinpublic。Ifyoudothat，Ican\'tseethatIhaveanyreasontocomplain，sowe\'llcallitabargainandwe\'llsaynomoreaboutituntilthefirstofthemonth，unlessthespiritmovesyou，aftertakingagoodsquarelookatme，toproducesomeshoesandaschooldressinstanter。\"
\"I\'llseewhatIcando，\"answeredEileen。
\"Allrightthen，\"saidLinda。\"Seeyouatdinner。\"
Shewenttoherownroom，slippedoffherschooldress，brushedherhair，andputontheskirtandblouseshehadwornthepreviousevening，thesebeingtheonlyextraclothingshepossessed。Asshestraightenedherhairshelookedatherselfintently。
\"My，aren\'tyoucomingon！\"shesaidtothefigureintheglass。
\"Dressingfordinner！Firstthingyouknowyou\'llbeaperfectlady。\"
CHAPTERVI。JaneMeredithWhenEileencamedowntodinnerthateveningLindaunderstoodataglancethataneffortwastobemadetoeffacethoroughlyfromthemindofJohnGilmanallmemoryoftheEileenofthepreviousevening。Shehaddecidedonredressingherhair，whilesheworeoneofhermostbecomingandattractivegowns。ToLindaandKatyduringthedinnershewassimplycharming。Havingsaidwhatshewantedtosayandreceivedtheassuranceshedesired，LindaacceptedheradvancescordiallyanddisplayedsuchcharmingproclivitiesherselfthatEileenbegancovertlytowatchher，andasshewatchedthereslowlygrewinherbraintheconvictionthatsomethinghadhappenedtoLinda。Atonceshebeganstudyingdeeplyinanefforttolearnwhatitmightbe。TherewerethreeparamountthingsinEileen\'scosmosthatcouldhappentoagirl:
Shecouldhavelovelyclothing。Lindadidnothaveit。Shecouldhavemoneyandinfluentialfriends。SinceMarian\'sgoingLindahadpracticallynofriend；shewasmerelyacquaintedwithalmosteveryonelivinginLilacValley。Shecouldhavealover。
Lindahadnone。Butstay！Eileen\'sthoughthaltedatthesuggestion。Maybeshehad！Shehadbeenleftcompletely，toherowndeviceswhenshewasnotwantedaboutthehouse。Shehadbeenminglingwithhundredsofboysandgirlsinhighschool。
Shemighthavemetsomemanrepeatedlyonthestreetcars，goingtoandfromschool。Inschoolshemighthaveattractedthesonofsomewealthyandinfluentialfamily；whichwastheonlykindofsonEileenchosetoconsiderinconnectionwithLinda。
ThroughEileen\'sbrainranbitsoftheconversationofthepreviousevening。Sherecalledthatthemenshehadintendedshouldspendtheeveningwaitingonherandpayingherprettycomplimentshadspentiteatinglikehungrymen，laughingandjestingwithLindaandMarian，givingeveryevidenceofasatisfactionwiththeirentertainmentthatneverhadbeenevincedwiththebestbrandofattractionsshehadtooffer。
EileenwaswillingtoconcedethatMarianThornehadbeenabeautifulgirl，andshehadknown，previoustothedisaster，thatitwasquiteaslikelythatanymanmightadmireMarian\'sflashingdarkbeautyasherblondeloveliness。Betweenthemthenitwouldhavebeenmerelyaquestionoftasteonthepartoftheman。SinceMarian\'sdarkheadhadturnedashen，Eileenhadsimplyeliminatedheratonesweep。ThatwhitehairwouldbrandMariananywhereasanoldwoman。Verylikelynomaneverwouldwanttomarryher。Eileenwassureshewouldnotwanttoifshewereaman。NowonderJohnGilmanhadceasedtobeattractedbyagirl\'sfacewithagrandmothersetting。
AsforLinda，Eileenneverhadconsideredheratallexceptasaconveniencetoserveherownpurposes。LastnightshehadlearnedthatLindahadabrain，thatshehadwit，thatshecouldsaythingstowhichmenoftheworldlistenedwithinterest。ShebegantowatchLinda。Sheappraisedwithdeepestenvythedarkhaircurlingnaturallyonhertemples。Shewonderedhowhairthatcurlednaturallycouldbesothickandheavy，andshethoughtwhatacrownofglorywouldadornLinda\'sheadwhenthedaycametocoilthoselongdarkbraidsarounditandfastenthemwithflashingpins。Shedrewsomesatisfactionfromthesunburnedfaceandleanfigurebeforeher，butitwasnotsatisfactionofsoul-sustainingquality。TherewasbeginningtobesomethingdisquietingaboutLinda。Aroundnesswascreepingoverherleanframe；aglowwasbeginningtocolorherlipsandcheekbones；adewylookcouldbesurprisedinherdarkeyesoccasionally。Shehadtheeffectofacreaturewithsomethingyeastybottledinsideitthatwasbeginningtofermentandmighteffervesceatanyminute。Eileenhadbeensosurprisedthepreviouseveningandagainbeforedinner，thatshemadeuphermindthathereafteronemightexpectalmostanythingfromLinda。
Shewouldnolongerfollowasuggestionunlessthesuggestionaccordedwithhersenseofrightandjustice。Itwasbarelypossiblethatitmightberequiredtopleaseherinclinations。
Eileen\'smindworkedwithunbelievableswiftness。Shetoreathersubjectlikeavulturetearingatafeast，andlikeavultureshereachedthevitalsswiftly。Sheprefacedherquestionwithadrylaugh。Thensheleanedforwardandaskedsoftly:\"Linda，dear，whyhaven\'tyoutoldme？\"
Linda\'seyesweresoclearandhonestastheymetEileen\'sthatshealmosthesitated。
\"Alittlemoreexplicit，please，\"saidthegirlquietly。
\"WHOISHE？\"askedEileenabruptly。
\"Oh，Ihaven\'tnarrowedtoanindividual，\"saidLindalargely\"Youhavenoticedaflockofboysfollowingmefromschoolandhangingaroundthefrontdoor？Ihavesuchhoststochoosefromthatit\'sgoingtotakeaparticularlysplendidknightonasnow-
whitecharger——Ithink\'charger\'istheproperword——tocapturemyyoungaffections。\"
Eileenwassatisfied。Therewasn\'tanyhe。ShemightforashorttimeyetcutLinda\'sfinancestotheextremelimit。
Wheneveramanappearedonthehorizonshewouldbeforcedtomakeadivisionatleastapproachingequality。
LindafollowedEileentothelivingroomandsatdownwithabookuntilJohnGilmanarrived。Shehadadesiretostudyhimforafewminutes。ShewasgoingtowriteMarianaletterthatnight。
ShewantedtoknowifshecouldhonestlytellherthatGilmanappearedlonelyandseemedtomissher。Katyhadnochancetoanswerthebellwhenitrang。Eileenwasinthehall。Lindacouldnottellwhatwashappeningfromthemurmurofvoices。
PresentlyJohnandEileenenteredtheroom，andasLindagreetedhimshedidhavetheimpressionthatheappearedunusuallythoughtfulandworried。Shesatforhalfanhour，takingslightpartintheconversation。Thensheexcusedherselfandwenttoherroom，andasshewentsheknewthatshecouldnothonestlywriteMarianwhatshehadhoped，forinthirtyminutesbytheclockEileen\'sblandishmentshadworked，andJohnGilmanwaslookingatherasifshewerethemostexquisiteanddesirablecreatureinexistence。
SlowlyLindaclimbedthestairsandenteredherroom。Sheslidtheboltofherdoorbehindher，turnedonthelights，unlockedadrawer，andtakingfromitaheapofmaterialsshescatteredthemoverasmalltable，andpickingupherpencil，shesatgazingatthesheetbeforeherforsometime。Thenslowlyshebeganwriting:
Itappealstomethat，farasmoderncivilizationhasgoneinculinaryefforts，wehavenotnearlyreachedthelimitsavailabletousasIpointedoutlastmonth。Weconsiderourselvescapableofpreparingandproducingelaboratebanquets，yetatnotimeareweapproachinganythingeventocompareinlavishnessanddelicacywiththedaysofLucullus。Wearenotfeastingonbakedswans，peacocktonguesanddrinkingourpearls。Iamnotrecommendingthatweshouldrevivetheindulgenceofsuchlavishanduselessexpenditure，butIwouldsuggestthatifwetirewiththesamenessofourculinaryefforts，weatleasttrysomeofthenewdishesdescribedinthisdepartment，establishedforthesolepurposeoftheirintroduction。Insodoingweaccomplishamultiplepurpose。Weenlargetheresourcesofthesouthwest。Weteasestaleappetiteswithanewtang。Weoffertheworldsomethingdifferent，yetnativetous。WeusemodernmethodsonIndianmaterialandtheresultsaremostsurprising。IntryingthesedishesIwouldremindyouthatfewofuscaredforoysters，olives，celery——almostanyfruitorvegetableonecouldmentiononfirsttrial。Tryseveraltimesandbesureyoupreparedishesexactlyrightbeforecondemningthemaseitherfadorfancy。
Theseareveryreal，nourishinganddeliciousfoodsthatarebeingofferedyou。HereisasaladthatwouldhaveintriguedthepalateofLucullus，himself。Ifyoudonotbelieveme，tryit。
Thevegetableisslightlyknownbyafewnativemountaineersandranchers。Botanistscarrieditabroadwhereunderthenameofwinter-purslaneitisusedinFranceandEnglandforgreensorsalad，whileremainingpracticallyunknownathome。Boiledandseasonedasspinachitmakesequallygoodgreens。Butitisinsaladthatitstandspre-eminent。
Gotoanycanyon——Ishallnotrevealthenameofmyparticularcanyon——andlocateabedofminer\'slettuceMontiaperfoliata。
Growinginrankbedsbesideacold，cleanstream，youwillfindthesepulpy，exquisitelyshaped，pungentroundleavesfromthecenterofwhichliftsatinyheadofmistywhitelace，sendingupapalate-teasing，spicyperfume。Thecrisp，pinkishstemssnapinthefingers。Besurethatyouwashtheleavescarefullysothatnolurkinggermsclingtothem。Fillyoursaladbowlwiththecrispleaves，fromwhichtheflowerheadhasbeenplucked。
Fordressing，diceateacupofthemostdeliciousbaconyoucanobtainandfryittoacrispbrowntogetherwithasmallslicedonion。Addtothefattwotablespoonsofsugar，halfateaspoonofmustard；saltwillscarcelybenecessarythebaconwillfurnishthat。Blendthefat，sugar，andmustard，andpourinameasureofthebestapplevinegar，dilutedtotaste。Bringthismixturetotheboilingpoint，andwhenithascooledslightlypouritoverthelettuceleaves，lightlyturningwithasilverfork。Garnishtheedgeofthedishwithadeepborderofthefreshleavesbearingtheirlaceofwhitebloomintact，aroundtheedgeofthebowl，andsprinkleontopthesiftedyolksoftwohard-boiledeggs，heapingthedicedwhitesinthecenter。
Lindapausedandread。thisovercarefully。
\"Thatisallright，\"shesaid。\"Icouldn\'tmakethatmuchbetter。\"
Shemadeafewcorrectionshereandthere，andpickingupacoloredpencil，shedeftlysketchedinaheadpieceofdelicatespraysofminers\'lettucetippedatdifferingangles，fringywhitewithbloom。Belowsheprinted:\"AdeliciousIndiansalad。
ThesecondofaseriesofnewdishestobeofferedmadefrommaterialsusedbytheIndians。Compoundedandtestedinherowndietkitchenbytheauthor。\"
Swiftlyshesketchedatailpiecerepresentingatabletopuponwhichsatatempting-lookingbigsaladbowlfilledwithfreshgreenleaves，rimmedwitharowofdelicatewhiteflowers，fromwhichyoucouldalmostscentateasingdelicatefragrancearising；andbeneath，inaclear，firmhand，shestrokedinthename，JaneMeredith。Shewentoverherworkcarefully，thenlaiditflatonapieceofcardboard，shoveditintoanenvelope，directedittotheeditorofEverybody\'sHome，laiditinsidehergeometry，andwroteherlettertoMarianbeforegoingtobed。
InthemorningonherwaytothestreetcarshegailywavedtoapassingautomobilegoingdownLilacValley，inwhichsatJohnGilmanandPeterMorrisonandhisarchitect，andastheyweredrivinginthedirectionfromwhichshehadcome，LindaveryrightlysurmisedthattheyweregoingtopickupEileenandmakeatourofthevalley，lookingforavailablebuildinglocations；
andshewonderedwhyEileenhadnottoldherthattheywerecoming。Lindahadbeenrightaboutthedestinationofthecar。
ItturnedinattheStrongdrivewayandstoppedatthedoor。
JohnGilmanwenttoringthebellandlearnifEileenwereready。
Peterfollowedhim。HenryAndersonsteppedfromthecarandwanderedoverthelawn，lookingattheastonishingarrayofbushes，vines，flowers，andtrees。
Fromonetoanotherhewent，fingeringthewaxyleaves，studyingthebrilliantflowerfaces。Finallyturningacornerandcrossingthewildgarden，towhichhepaidslightattention，hestarteddowntheothersideofthehouse。Hereanalmostoverpoweringodorgreetedhisnostrils，andhewentovertoalargetreecoveredwithrough，darkgreen，almostbrownish，lance-shapedleaves，eachbranchterminatinginaheavysprayofyellowish-greenflowers，whoseodorwasofcloyingsweetness。
Thebeeswerebuzzingoverit。Itwasnotatreewithwhichhewasfamiliar，andsteppingback，helookedatitcarefully。Thenatitsbase，wind-drivenintoacrevicebetweentheroots，hisattentionwasattractedtoacrumpledsheetofpaper，uponwhichhecouldseelinesthatwouldhaveattractedtheattentionofanyarchitect。Hewentforwardinstantly，pickedupthesheet，andstraighteningitouthestoodlookingatit。
\"Holysmoke！\"hebreathedsoftly。\"Whatafind！\"
Helookedatthereverseofthesheet，hisfacebecomingmoreintenteveryminute。WhenheheardPeterMorrison\'svoicecallinghimhehastilythrustthepaperintohiscoatpocket；buthehadgoneonlyafewstepswhenhestopped，glancedkeenlyoverthehouseandlawn，turnedhisback，andtakingthesheetfromhispocket，hesmootheditout，foldeditcarefully，andputitinaninsidepocket。Thenhejoinedtheparty。
AtoncetheysetouttoexaminetheavailablelocationsthatyetremainedinLilacValley。Natureprovidedthemawonderfuldayofsnappysunshineandheadyseaair。Springfavoredthemwithlilacwallsattheirbluest，brokenhereandtherewiththerose-
mistedwhitemahogany。Thevioletnightshadewasbeginningtoadddeepercolortothehillsinthesunniestwildspots。Thepaniclesofmahoniabloomwereshowingtheirgoldcolor。Wildflowerswereliftingleavesoffeatherandlaceeverywhere，andmostagreeableonthecoolmorningairwasafaintbreathofCaliforniasage。Uponesideofthevalley，weavinginandout，upanddown，overthefoothillstheyworkedtheirway。Theystoppedfordinneratoneofthebeautifulbighotels，practicallyfilledwithEasterntourists。Eileenneverhadknownaproudermomentthanwhenshetookherplaceattheheadofthetableandpresidedoverthedinnerwhichwasservedtothreemostattractivespecimensofphysicalmanhood，eachofwhomwasunusuallywellendowedwithbrain，allflatteringherwiththemostdevotedattention。Thistriumphsheachievedinadiningroomseatinghundredsofpeople，itsmirror-linedwallsreflectingherexquisiteimagefrommanyangles，totheclickofsilver，andtherunningaccompanimentofmanyvoices。Whatshehadexpectedtoaccomplishinherowndiningroomhadcometoherbeforealargeaudience，inwhich，shehadnodoubt，thereweremanyenviouswomen。EileenrayedlovelinesslikeaMariposalily，andpurredinuttercontentmentlikeadeftlystrokedkitten。
WhentheypartedintheeveningPeterMorrisonhadmemorandaofthreelocationsthathewishedtoconsider。ThathemightnotseemtobeundulyinfluencedortobegivingtheremainderofLosAngelesCountyitsjustdue，heproposedtomotoraroundforaweekbeforereachinganultimatedecision，butinhishearthealreadyhaddecidedthatsomewherenearLosAngeleshewouldbuildhishome，andasyethehadseennothingnearlysoattractiveasLilacValley。
CHAPTERVII。TryingYuccaOnherwaytoschoolthatmorningLindastoppedatthepostofficeandpastedtherequiredamountofstampsuponthepackagethatshewasmailingtoNewYork。ShehurriedfromherlastclassthatafternoontothecitydirectorytofindthestreetandnumberofJamesBrothers，figuringthatthefirmwithwhomMariandealtwouldbetheproperpeopleforhertoconsult。Shehadnodifficultyinfindingtheplaceforwhichshewassearching，andshewasratheragreeablyimpressedwiththementowhomshetalked。ShemadearrangementswiththeirbuyertocallatherhomeinLilacValleyatnineo\'clockthefollowingSaturdaymorningtoappraisethearticleswithwhichshewishedtopart。
Thenshewenttooneoftheleadingbookstoresofthecityandmadeinquirieswhichguidedhertoareliablesecond-handbookdealer，andshearrangedtobereadytoreceivehisrepresentativeatteno\'clockonSaturday。
Reachinghomeshetookanotebookandpencil，andstudiedthebilliardroomandthelibrary，makingalistofthefurniturewhichshedidnotactuallyneed。Afterthatshebeganonthelibraryshelves，listingsuchmedicalworksaswereofatechnicalnature。Booksoffiction，history，art，andbiography，andthosebookswrittenbyherfathershedidnotinclude。Shefoundthatshehadalongtaskwhichwouldoccupyseveralevenings。Hermindwasmethodicalandshehadbeenwithherfatherthroughsufficientbusinesstransactionstounderstandthatinordertodriveagoodbargainshemustknowhowmanyvolumesshehadtoofferandtheimportanceoftheirauthorsasmedicalauthorities；sheshouldalsoknowtheexactconditionofeachsetofbooks。Sinceshehadmadeuphermindtoletthemgo，andsheknewthevalueofmanyofthebig，leather-boundvolumes，shedeterminedthatshewouldnotsellthemuntilshecouldsecurethehighestpossiblepriceforthem。
TwomonthspreviouslyshewouldhaveconsultedJohnGilmanandaskedhimtoarrangethetransactionforher。Sincehehadallowedhimselftobedupedsoeasily——oratleastithadseemedeasytoLinda；for，muchassheknewofEileen，shecouldnotpossiblyknowtheweeksofsecretplotting，theplansforunexpectedmeetings，thetrumped-upbusinessproblemsnecessarytodiscuss，thedeliberateflauntingofherphysicalcharmsbeforehim，allofwhichhadmadehisconquestextremelyhardforEileen，butLinda，seeingonlyresults，hadthoughtitcontemptiblyeasy——shewouldnotaskJohnGilmananything。ShewouldgoaheadonthebasisofheragreementwithEileenanddothebestshecouldalone。
ShecountedonSaturdaytodisposeofthefurniture。Thebooksmightgoatherleisure。Thenthefirstoftheweekshecouldselectsuchfurnitureasshedesiredinordertoarrangethebilliardroomforherstudy。Ifshehadasuitableplaceinwhichtoworkinseclusion，thereneedbenohurryaboutthelibrary。Sheconscientiouslypreparedallthelessonsrequiredinherschoolcourseforthenextdayandthen，stackingherbooks，sheagainunlockedthedraweropenedthepreviousevening，andtakingfromitthesamematerials，settowork。Shewrote:
Botanistshavefailedtomentionthatthereisanyconnectionbetweenasparagus，originallyaproductofsaltmarshes，andYucca，aproductofthealkalinedesert。Veryprobablythereisnobotanicalrelationship，butthesetwoplantsarealikeinflavor。Fromthealkaline，sunbeatendesertwherethebayonetplantthrustsupatenderbloomheadsixinchesinheight，itslowlyincreasesinstatureasittravelsacrosscountrymorefrequentlyrainwashed，andwindsitswaybesidemountainstreamstowhereinmorefertilesoilandthesamesunshineitdevelopsmagnificentspecimensfromtentofifteenandmorefeetinheight。Theplantgrowsanumberofyearsbeforeitdecidestoflower。Whenitreachesmaturityitthrowsupabloomstemastenderasthedelicateheadofasparagus，thickasone\'supperarm，andrunningtotwiceone\'sheight。Thisbloomsteminitsearlystagesiscoloredthepalepinkofasparagus，withfainttouchesofyellow，andhintsofblue。Atmaturityitbreaksintoagorgeousheadoflavender-tinted，creamypendentflowerscoveringtheupperthirdofitsheight，billowingoutslightlyinthecenter，sothatfromadistancethewaxentorchtakesonverymuchtheappearanceofaflamingcandle。Forthisreason，inMexico，wheretheplantflourishesinevengreaterabundancethaninCalifornia，withtheexquisitepoetrycommontothetongueandheartoftheSpaniard，YuccaWhippleihasbeencommonlynamed\"OurLord\'sCandle。\"AtthemostdelicatetimeoftheirgrowththesecandlestickswereroastedandeatenbytheIndians。Baseduponthisknowledge，Iwouldrecommendtwodishes，almostequallydelicious，whichmaybepre。paredfromthisplant。
Takethemostsucculentyoungbloomstemswhentheyhaveexactlytheappearanceofanasparagusheadatitsmomentofdeliciousperfection。Withasharpknife，cutthemincirclesaninchindepth。Arrangetheseinashallowporcelainbakingdish，sprinklewithsalt，dotthemwithbutter，addenoughwatertokeepthemfromstickingandburning。Bakeuntilthoroughlytender。Useapancaketurnertoslidetheringstoahotplatter，andgarnishwithcirclesofhard-boiledegg。Thisyouwillfindanextremelydelicateandappetizingdish。
ThesecondrecipeIwouldofferistotreatthisvegetablepreciselyasyouwouldcreamedasparagus。Cutthestalksinsix-inchlengths，quarterthemtofacilitatecookingandhandling，andboilinsaltedwater。Drain，arrangeinahotdish，andpouroveracarefullymadecreamsauce。Imightaddthatonestalkwouldfurnishsufficientmaterialforseveralfamilies。Thisdishshouldbepopularinsouthwesternstateswheretheplantgrowsprofusely；andtocultivatetheseplantsforshippingtoEasternmarketswouldbequiteasfeasibleastheshippingofasparagus，rhubarb，artichokes，orlettuce。
Ihavefoundboththesedishespeculiarlyappetizing，butI
shouldbesorryif，inintroducingYuccaasafood，Ibecameinstrumentalintheexterminationofthisuniversalandwonderfullybeautifulplant。ForthisreasonIhavehesitatedaboutincludingYuccaamongthesearticles；butwhenIseethebloomdestroyedruthlesslybythousandswhocutittodecoratetouringautomobilesandfruitandvegetablestandsbesidethehighways，whocarryitfromitsnativelocationandstickitintheparchingsunoftheseashoreasatemporaryshelter，Ifeelthatthebloomstemsmightaswellbeusedforfoodastobesoruthlesslywasted。
Theplantishardyintheextreme，growinginthemostunfavorableplaces，clingingtenaciouslytosheermountainandcanyonwalls。Afterbloomingandseedingtheplantseemstohavethrowneveryparticleofnourishmentitcontainsintoitsdevelopment，itdriesoutanddiesthespongywoodismadeintopincushionsfortheartstores；butfromtherootstherespringanumberofyoungplants，which，afterafewyearsofgrowth，matureandrepeattheirlifecycle，whileotheryoungplantsdevelopfromthewidelyscatteredseeds。TheSpaniardsattimescalltheplantQuiota。Thiswordseemstobederivedfromquiotl，whichistheAztecnameforAgave，fromwhichplantadrinknotunlikebeerisproduced，andsuggeststhepossibilitythattheremighthavebeenatimewhenthesucculentflowerstemoftheYuccafurnisheddrinkaswellasfoodfortheIndians。
Aftercarefullyre-readingandmakingseveralminorcorrections，Lindapickedupherpencil，andacrossthetopofasheetofheavypapersketchedthepeaksofachainofmountains。Acrossthebaseshedrewastretchofdesertfloor，bristlingwiththethornsofmanydifferentcactibrilliantwiththeirgold，pink，andredbloom，intermingledwithfinegrassesanddesertflowerfaces。
Attheleftshepainstakinglydrewahugeplantofyuccawithaperfectcircleofbayonets，fromthecenterofwhichuprosethegiganticflowerstemthelengthofherpage，andonthemistybloomoftheflamingtonguesheworkedquiteaslateasMarianThornehadeverseenalightburninginherwindow。Whenshehadfinishedherdrawingshestudieditcarefullyalongtime，addingatouchhereandthere，andthenshesaidsoftly:\"There，Daddy，IfeelthatevenyouwouldthinkthatafaithfulreproductionTomorrownightI\'llpaintit。\"
JohnGilmansawthelightfromLinda\'swindowwhenhebroughtEileenhomethatnight，andwhenheleftheglancedthatwayagain，andwassurprisedtoseetheroomstilllighted，andtheyoungfigurebendingoveraworktable。Hestoodverystillforafewminutes，wonderingwhatcouldkeepLindaawakesofarintothenight，andwhilehisthoughtswereuponherhewondered，too，whyshedidnotcaretohavebeautifulclothessuchasEileenwore；andthenhewentfurtherandwonderedwhy，whenshecouldbeasentertainingasshehadbeenthenightshejoinedthematdinner，shedidnotmakeherappearanceoftener；andthen，becausethemindisaqueerthing，andhehadwonderedaboutagivenstateofaffairs，hewentastepfurther，andwonderedwhethertheexplanationlayinLinda\'sinclinationsorinEileen\'smanagement，andthenhisthoughtfastenedtenaciouslyuponthesubjectofEileen\'smanagement。
Hewasapatientman。HehadallowedhisreasonandbetterjudgmenttobeswayedbyEileen\'sexquisitebeautyandherblandishments。HedidnotregrethavingdiscoveredbeforeitwastoolatethatMarianThornewasnotthegirlhehadthoughther。
Hewantedawifecutaftertheclinging-vinepattern。Hewantedtobethedominatingfigureinhishome。IthadnottakenEileenlongtoteachhimthatMarianwasself-assertiveandwoulddoalargeshareofdominatingherself。HehadthoughtthathewasperfectlysatisfiedandveryhappywithEileen；yetthatdayherepeatedlyhadfeltpiquedandannoyedwithher。ShehadopenlycajoledandflirtedwithHenryAndersonpastapointwhichwasagreeableforanymantoseehissweetheartgowithanothermanWithPeterMorrisonshehadbeenunspeakablycharminginamannerwithwhichJohnwasveryfamiliar。
Heturneduphiscoatcollar，thrusthishandsinhispockets，andsworesoftly。Lookingstraightaheadofhim，heshouldhaveseenastretchoflevelsidewalk，borderedononehandbylacy，tropicalfoliage，ontheother，bysheetsoflevelgreenlawn，brokeneverywherebytheuprisingbolesofgreattrees，clumpsofrarevines，androwsofdarkenedhomes，attractiveinarchitectural_，design\'vinecovered，hushedforthenight。Whathereallysawwasasmallplateau，sunillumined，atthefootofamountainacrossthevalley，wherethelilacwallwasthebluest，wherethesunshoneslightlymoregoldenthananywhereelseinthevalley，wherehugeliveoaksoutstretchedruggedarms，wheretheairhadatangofsalt，atingeofsage，anodoroforange，shotthroughwithsnowycoolness，thrilledwithbirdsong，andthelaughingchuckleofabigspringbreakingfromthefootofthemountain。
Theyhadlefttheroadandfollowedanarrow，screenedpathbywhichtheycameunexpectedlyintothisopening。Theyhadstooduponitinwordlessenchantment，lookingdowntheslopebeneathit，acrossthepeaceofthevalley，tothebluerangesbeyond。
\"Justwherearewe？\"PeterMorrisonhadaskedatlast。
JohnGilmanhadbeenlookingataviewwhichincludedEileen。
Sheliftedherface，flushedandexquisite，toPeterMorrisonandansweredinabreathlessundertone，yetJohnhaddistinctlyheardher:
\"Howwonderfulitwouldbeifwewereatyourhouse。Oh，Ienvythewomanwhosharesthiswithyou！\"
Ithadnotbeenanythinginparticular，yetalldayithadteasedJohnGilman\'ssensibilities。Hefeltashamedofhimselffornotbeingmoreenthusiasticashesearchedrecordsandhelpedtolocatetheownerofthatparticularspot。ToJohn，therewasanewtoneinPeter\'svoice，apossessivelightinhiseyesashestudiedthelocation，andmadeexcursionsinseveraldirections，tofixinhismindtheexactpositionoftheland。
Hehadindicatedwhatheconsideredthetopographicallocationforahouse——stoodonitfacingthevalley，andsteppedthedistancesuitablyfarawaytosetagarageandfiguredonashortprivateroaddowntothehighway。HeveryplainlywasdeeplyprepossessedwithalocationJohnGilmanblamedhimselffornothavingfoundfirst。Certainlynaturehadheregrownandwalledadreamgardeninwhichtosetahouseofdreams。So，pastmidnight，Gilmanstoodinthesunshine，lookingatthefaceofthegirlhehadaskedtomarryhimandwhohadsaidthatshewould；andasmalldoubtcreptintohisheart，andafeelingthatperhapslifemightbedifferentforhimifPeterMorrisondecidedtocometoLilacValleytobuildhishome。Thenthesunlightfaded，nightclosedin，butashewenthishomewardwayJohnGilmanwasthinking，thinkingdeeplyandnotatallhappily。
CHAPTERVIII。TheBearCat\"Friday\'schildislovingandgiving，ButSaturday\'schildmustworkforaliving，\"
LindawaschantinghappilyassheenteredthekitchenearlySaturdaymorning。
\"Katy，meblessing，\"shesaidgaily，\"didIeverpointouttoyoutheinterestingfactthatIwasbornonSaturday？Andadevilishpieceofluckitwas，forIhavebeenhustlingeversince。It\'sbadenoughtohavebeenbornonMondayandspoiledwashday，butIcallSaturdaythevanishingpoint，theendoftheextremelimit。\"
Katylaughed，and，asalways，turnedadoringeyesonLinda。
\"Iamnotneedingye，lambie，\"shesaid。\"Isitbigbusinessinthecanyonye\'rehavingtoday？ShallIbereadytobecookinguponeofthemGod-forsakenRedIndianmessesforyewhenyecomeback？\"
Lindaheldupawarningfinger。