\"Thankyou，AuntCaroline，oh，thankyou！\"criedEileen。
\"Youneedn\'ttakethetroubleto\'aunt\'meeverytimeyouspeaktome，\"saidthelady。\"Iknowyou\'remyniece，butIain\'tgoin\'toremindyouofiteverytimeIspeaktoyou。It\'sagein\'，this\'auntie\'business。Idon\'tstandforit，andasforaname，IamfreetoconfessIalwayslikethewayJimcallsme\'Callie。\'Thatsoundsyoungerandmorecompanionablethan\'Caroline。\'\"
JamesHeitmanlookedatEileenandwinked。
\"Youjustbet，oldgirl！\"hesaid。\"Theyain\'tanyofthemcanbeatyou，notevenEileenatherbest。Let\'sgetheroutofhere。Doesthisrepresentyourluggage，girlie？\"
\"Yousaidnottobotherwithanythingelse，\"saidEileen。
\"SoIdid，\"saidUncleJim，\"andImeantjustwhatIsaidifit\'sallrightwithyou。IsupposeIdidhave，inthebackofmyhead，anideathattheremightbeatrunkorabox——somethingsthatbelongedtoyourmother，mebby，andyour\'keepsakes。\'\"
\"Oh，nevermind，\"interruptedEileen。\"Dolet\'sgo。It\'snearlyfouro\'clock。Anyminutetheymaysendformefromthebank，andI\'dbemorethangladtobeoutoftheway。\"
\"Well，I\'mnotaccustomedtobeingtheporter，butiftime\'sthatprecious，herewego，\"saidUncleJim。
Hepickedupthesuitcasewithonehandandtookhiswife\'sarmwiththeother。
\"Scootdownthereandclimbintothatboat，\"hesaidproudlytoEileen。\"We\'llhaveagooddinnerinaprivateroomwhenwegettothehotel。Iwon\'tevenregister。Andthenwe\'llgetoutofherewhenwehaverestedalittle。\"
\"Can\'twestayallnightandgointhemorning？\"pantedhiswife。
\"No，ma\'am，wecan\'t，\"saidJamesHeitmanauthoritatively。
\"We\'lleatabitebecauseweneedtobefedup，andIsincerelyhopethey\'ssomedecentgrubtobehadinthisburg。Thefirstplacewecometooutsideofhere，thatlooksliketheyhadadecentbed，we\'llstopandmakeupforlastnight。Butweain\'ta-goin\'tostayhereifEileenwantsustostartrightaway，eh，Eileen？\"
\"Yes，please！\"pantedEileen。\"Ijustdon\'twanttomeetanyofthem。It\'stimeenoughforthemtoknowwhathashappenedafterIamgone。\"
\"Allrightthen，\"saidUncleJames。\"Pileinandwe\'llgo。\"
SoEileenstartedontheroadtotheunlimitedwealthhersoulhadalwayscraved。
CHAPTERXXIV。Linda\'sFirstPartyAtthebankLindaandJohnGilmanwaitedanhourpastthetimesetforEileen\'sappearance。ThenLindaassertedherself。
\"Ihavehadafeelingforsometime，\"shesaidquietly，\"thatEileenwouldnotappeartoday，andifshedoesn\'tseefittocome，thereisnoparticularreasonwhysheshould。Thereisnothingtodobutgoovertherevenuefromtheestate。ThebookswillshowwhatEileenhasdrawnmonthlyforherexpensebudget。
Thatcanbesetasideandtheremainderdividedequallybetweenus。It\'sverysimple。HereisaletterIwrotetothepublishersofFather\'sbooksaskingaboutroyalties。Ihaven\'tevenopenedit。Iwillturnitinwiththeremainderofthebusiness。\"
Theywereintheofficewiththepresidentofthebank。Herangfortheclerkhewantedandthebooksherequired，andanhour\'srapidfiguringsettledtheentirematter，withtheexceptionoftheprivateaccount，amountingtoseveralthousands，standinginEileen\'sname。Noneofthemknewanysourceofseparateincomeshemighthave。AtasuggestionfromLinda，thepayingtellerwascalledinandaskedifhecouldaccountforanyofthefundsthathadgoneintotheprivateaccount。
\"Notdefinitely，\"hesaid，\"buttheamountsalwayscorrespondedexactlywiththeroyaltiesfromthebooks。IstronglysuspectthattheyconstitutethisprivateaccountofMissEileen\'s。\"
Buthedidnotsaythatshehadtriedtodrawitthedayprevious。
JohnGilmanmadethesuggestionthattheyshouldletthematterrestuntilEileenexplainedaboutit。ThenLindaspokeveryquietly，butwithconsiderablefinalityinhertone。
\"No，\"shesaid，\"IknowthatEileenHADnosourceofprivateincome。MotherusedtomentionthatshehadsomewealthyrelativesinSanFrancisco，buttheydidn\'tapproveofhermarriagetowhattheycalleda\'poordoctor，\'andshewouldneveraccept，orallowustoaccept，anythingfromthem。Theynevercametoseeusandweneverwenttoseethem。EileenknowsnomoreaboutthemthanIdo。WewillworkuponthesuppositionthateverythingthatisherebelongedtoFather。SetasidetoEileen\'scredittheusualamountforhousekeepingexpenses。Turntheprivateaccountinwiththeremainder。Starttwonewbankbooks，oneforEileenandoneforme。Dividethesurpluseachmonthexactlyinhalves。AndIbelievethisisthepropertimeforthebanktoturnovertomeacertainkey，specifiedbymyfatherashavingbeenleftinyourpossessiontobedeliveredtomeonmycomingofage。\"
Withthekeyinherpossession，LindaandJohnGilmanleftthebank。Astheystoodforamomentinfrontofthebuilding，Gilmanremovedhishatandranhishandsthroughhishairasifitwereirritatinghishead。
\"Linda，\"hesaidinadeeplywistfultone，\"Idon\'tunderstandthis。Whyshouldn\'tEileenhavecometodayassheagreed？Whatisthereaboutthisthatisnotaccordingtolawandhonorandtheplain，simplerightsofthecase？\"
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidLinda；\"butthereissomethingwedon\'tunderstandaboutit。AndIamgoingtoaskyou，John，asmyguardian，closingupmyaffairstoday，togohomewithmetobepresentwhenIopenthelittlehiddendoorIfoundatthebackofalibraryshelfwhenIwasdisposingofDaddy\'stechnicalbooks。
TherewasaslipofpaperattheedgeofitspecifyingthatthekeywasinpossessionoftheConsolidatedBankandwastobedeliveredtome，intheeventofDaddy\'spassing，onmycomingofage。Ihavethekey，butIwouldliketohaveyouwithme，andEileenifsheisinthehouse，whenIopenthatdoor。Idon\'tknowwhatisbehindit，butthere\'sacertainfeelingthatalwayshasbeenstronginmyheartanditneverwassostrongasitisatthisminute。\"
SotheyboardedthestreetcarandranouttoLilacValley。WhenKatyadmittedthemLindaputherarmaroundherandkissedher。
Shecouldseethatthehousewasfreshlysweptandbeautifullydecoratedwithflowers，andhertrainednostrilscouldscentwhiffsofdeliciousodorsfromfoodofwhichshewasspeciallyfond。InallherworldKatywastheonepersonwhowascelebratingherbirthday。SheseemedrathersurprisedwhenLindaandGilmancameintogether。
\"WhereisEileen？\"inquiredLinda。
\"Shemusthavemadesomenewfriends，\"saidKaty。\"Aboutfouro\'clock，thebiggestcarthateverroareddownthisstreetrolledup，andthebiggestmanandwomanthatIeverseecamepuffin\'
andpantin\'in。MissEileendidnottellmewhereshewasgoin\'
orwhenshewouldbeback，butIknowitwon\'tbethenight，becauseshetookherlittledressin\'casewithher。Belikeit\'sanotherofthemtripstoRiversideorPasadena。\"
\"Verylikely，\"saidLindaquietly。\"Katy，canyouspareafewminutes？\"
\"No，lambie，Ijistcan\'t，\"saidKaty，\"becauseayoungpersonthat\'stheappleofmeeyeishavin\'abirthdaythedayandI
havegotmecustardcakeintheovenandthecustardisinthemakin\'，andafterMissEileenwentandIdidn\'tseenochancefornothin\'special，Ijisthappenedtolookout，oneofthewaysyedothingsunbeknownsttoyourself，andtherestoodMr。PaterMorrisonmoonin\'overthe\'graveyard，\'likehecalledit，anditwaslookin\'likeseein\'graveshewas，andIjisttookthebullbythehorns，andIsingsouttohimandIsays:\'Mr。PaterMorrison，it\'sagoodfriendyeweretotheyoungmissuswhenyeengineeredherskylightandherbeautifulfireplace，andthisbein\'herbirthday，I\'mtakin\'thelibertytoaskyetocometodinnerandhelpmecelebrate。\'Andhesaidhewouldrunuptothegarageandgetintohisraygimentals，whateverthemmightbe，andhewouldbehereatsixo\'clock。Soyegotaguestfordinner，andifthecustard\'sscorchedandthecake\'sflat，it\'suptoyeforkapin\'meheretotellyeallthis。\"
ThenKatyhurriedtothekitchen。LindalookedatJohnGilmanandsmiled。
\"Isn\'tthatlikeher？\"shesaid。
Thensheledthewaytothelibrary，pulledasidethebooks，fittedthekeytothelittledoor，andopenedit。Insidelayasingleenvelope，sealedandbearinghername。Shetooktheenvelope，andwalkingtoherfather\'schairbesidehislibrarytable，satdowninit，andlayingtheenvelopeonthetable，crossedherhandsontopofit。
\"John，\"shesaid，\"eversinceIhavebeenbigenoughtothinkandreasonandstudythingsoutformyself，thereisafeelingIhavehad——Iusedtothinkitwasunreasonable，thenIthoughtitremotepossibility。ThisminuteIthinkit\'sextremelyprobable。
BeforeIopenthisenvelopeIamgoingtotellyouwhatIbelieveitcontains。Ihavenottheslightestevidenceexceptpersonalconviction，butIbelievethatthepaperinsidethisenvelopeiswrittenbymyfather\'shandandIbelieveittellsmethathewasnotEileen\'sfatherandthatIamnothersister。Ifitdoesnotsaythis，thenthereisnothinginraceandbloodandinheritedtendencies。\"
Lindapickedupthepapercutter，ranitacrosstheenvelope，slippedoutthesheet，andbracingherselfsheread:
MYDARLINGLINDA:
Theselinesaretotellyouthatyourmotherwenttohereternalsleepwhenyouwereborn。FouryearslaterImetandfellinlovewiththeonlymotheryoueverhaveknown。Atthetimeofourmarriageweenteredintoasolemncompactthatherlittledaughterbyaformermarriageandmineshouldberearedassisters。IwastogivehalfmyearningsandtodoforEileenexactlyasIdidforyou。Shewastogivehalfherloveandherbestattentiontoyourinterests。
IsincerelyhopethatwhatIhavedonewillnotresultinanydiscomfortorinconveniencetoyou。
Withdearestlove，aseveryourfather，ALEXANDERSTRONG。
Lindalaidthesheetonthetableanddroppedherhandsontopofit。ThenshelookedatJohnGilman。
\"John，\"shesaid，\"IbelieveyouhadbetterfacethefactthatthebigcarandthebigpeoplethatcarriedEileenawaytodaywerehermother\'swealthyrelativesfromSanFrancisco。Shemusthavebeenintouchwiththem。IthinkverylikelyshesentforthemafterIsawherinthebankyesterdayafternoon，tryingwithallhermighttomakethepayingtellerturnovertoherthefundsoftheprivateaccount。\"
JohnGilmansatverystillforalongtime，thenheraisedtired，disappointedeyestoLinda\'sface。
\"Linda，\"hesaid，\"doyoumeanyouthinkEileenwasnotstraightaboutmoneymatters？\"
\"John，\"saidLindaquietly，\"IthinkitistimeforthetruthaboutEileenbetweenyouandme。Ifyouwantmetoanswerthatquestioncandidly，I\'llanswerit。\"
ù\"Iwantthetruth，\"saidJohnGilmangravely。
\"Well，\"saidLinda，\"IneverknewEileentobehonestaboutanythinginallherlifeunlessthetruthservedherbetterthananevasion。Herhairwasnothonestcoloranditwasnothonestcurl。Hereyebrowswerenotsodarkasshemadethem。Hercheeksandlipswerenotsored，herforeheadandthroatwerenotsowhite，herformwasnotsoperfect。Herfriendswereselectedbecausetheycouldserveher。Aslongasyouwerepoorandstruggling，Marianwaswelcometoyou。Whenyouwonagreatcaseandbecameprosperousandfamecamerapidly，Eileentookyou。I
believewhatItoldyouaminuteago:Ithinkshehasgoneforgood。IthinkshewentbecauseshehadnotbeenfairandshewouldnotbeforcedtofacethefactbeforeyouandmeandthepresidentoftheConsolidatedtoday。IthinkyouwillhavetotakeyourhearthometonightandIthinkthatbeforethenightisoveryouwillrealizewhatMarianfeltwhensheknewthatinadditiontohavingbeenabletotakeyoufromher，Eileenwasnotawomanwhowouldmakeyouhappy。Iamglad，deeplyg]ad，thatthereisnotadropofherbloodinmyveins，sorryasIamforyouandmuchasIregretwhathashappened。Iwon\'taskyoutostaytonight，becauseyoumustgothroughthesameblackwatersMarianbreasted，andyouwillwanttobealone。Later，ifyouthinkofanywayIcanserveyou，Iwillbegladforoldsake\'ssake；butyoumustnotexpectmeevertoloveyouorrespectyourjudgmentasIdidbeforetheshadowfell。\"
ThenLindarose，replacedtheletter，turnedthekeyinthelock，andquietlyslippedoutoftheroom。
Whensheopenedherdoorandsteppedintoherroomshepausedinastonishment。Spreadoutuponthebedlayadressofgeorgettewithlittletouchesoffurandbroadribbonsofsatin。Incoloritwasliketheflameofseasonedbeechwood。Acrossthefootofthebedhungpetticoat，camisole，andhose，andbesidethedressapairofsatinslippersexactlymatchingthehose，andtheyseemedtherightsize。Lindatiptoedtothesideofthebedanddelicatelytouchedthedress，andthenshesawapaperlyingonthewaistfront，andpickingitupread:
Lambie，here\'syourbirthday，fromlovingoldKaty。
Thelineswereterseandtothepoint。Lindalaidthemdown，andpickingupthedressshewalkedtothemirror，andholdingitunderherchinglanceddownthelengthofitsreflection。Whatshesawalmoststunnedher。
\"Oh，goodLord！\"shesaid。\"Ican\'twearthat。Thatisn\'tme。\"
Thenshetossedthedressonthebedandstartedinaheadlongrushtothekitchen。Asshecamethroughthedoor，\"Youblessedolddarling！\"shecried。\"WhatamIgoingtosaytomakeyouknowhowIappreciateyourlovely，lovelygift？\"
Katyraisedherhead。Therewassomethingthatissupposedtobetheprerogativeofroyaltyintheliftofit。Hersmilewascomplacentintheextreme。
\"Don\'tyebestandin\'therewastin\'notimetalkie\'，\"shesaid。
\"Ihaveoodlesoftime，\"saidLinda，\"butIwarnyou，youwon\'tknowmeifIputonthatfrock，Katy。\"
\"Yes，Iwill，too，\"saidKaty。
\"Katy，\"saidLinda，soberingsuddenly，\"woulditmakeanygreatdifferencetoyouifIweretheonlyonehereforalways，afterthis？\"
Katylaughedcontemptuously。
\"Well，I\'dwarranttosurviveit，\"shesaidcoolly。
\"ButthatisexactlywhatImusttellyou，Katy，\"saidLindasoberly。\"YouknowIhavetoldyouanumberoftimesthroughtheseyearsthatIdidnotbelieveEileenandIweresisters，andIamtellingyounowthatIknowit。Shedidnotcometothebanktoday，andthesettlementofFather\'saffairsdevelopedthefactthatIwasmyfather\'schildandEileenwashermother\'s；
andI\'mthinking，Katy，thatthebigcaryousawandtheopulentpeopleinitwereEileen\'smother\'swealthyrelativesfromSanFrancisco。Myguessis，Katy，thatEileenhasgonewiththemforgood。Lockherdooranddon\'ttouchherthingsuntilweknowcertainlywhatshewantsdonewiththem。\"
Katystoodthinkingintently，thensheliftedhereyestoLinda\'s。
\"Lambie，\"shewhisperedsoftly，\"areweixpictedtogointomourningoverthis？\"
AmischievouslightleapedintoLinda\'seyes。
\"Well，ifthereareanysuchexpectationsabroad，KatherineO\'Donovan，\"shesaidsoberly，\"thesaintspreserve\'em，forwecan\'tfulfill\'em，canwe，Katy？\"
\"Nottobesavin\'oursouls，\"answeredKatyheartily。\"I\'mjistsogladandthankfulthatIdon\'tknowwhattodo，andit\'ssuchgoodnewsthatIdon\'tbelaveonewordofit。Andwhileyou\'retalkie\'，whataboutJohnGilman？\"
\"Ithink，\"saidLindaquietly，\"thattonightisgoingtoteachhimhowMarianfeltinherblackesthours。\"
\"Well，heneedn\'tbecomingtomeforsympathy，\"saidKaty。\"ButifMissEileenhasgonetolivewiththefolksthatcomeafterhertheday，yemightbesavin\'aweecrapo\'sympathyforher，lambie。Theywasjistthekindofpeoplethatyou\'driskyourneckslidin\'downamountaintogetoutoftheirway。\"
\"Thatistoobad，\"saidLindareflectively；\"becauseEileenissensitiveandconstantcontactwithcrassvulgaritycertainlywouldwearonhernerves。\"
\"Nowyoubegoin\'andgettin\'intothatdress，lambie，\"saidKaty。
\"KatherineO\'Donovan，\"saidLinda，\"you\'reusedtoit；comeagaintoconfession。Tellmetrulywhereandhowdidyougetthatdress？\"
\"\'Tain\'tnoruleofpolitesocietytobelookin\'gifthorsesinthemouth，\"saidKatyproudly。\"HOWIgotitismeownaffair，jistlikeyegotanygiftsyewasevermakin\'me，isyours。
WHEREIgotit？IwentintothecityonthestrafecarandI
wenttothebiggeststoreinthecityandIgotintheelevatorandIsaystothenaygur:\'Letmeoffwhererealladiesbuyready-to-weardresses。\'
\"Andupcomesalittlewoman，andherhairwasjistassoftandcurlingroundherears，andbrownandprettywashereyes，andthepinkthatGodmadewasinhercheeks，andinavoicelikerunnin\'watershesays:\'CouldIdoanythingforyou？\'ItoldherwhatIwanted。Andshesays:\'Howoldistheyounglady，andwhat\'shersize，andwhat\'shercolor？\'Darlin\'，ain\'tthatdresstheanswertowhatItoldher？\"
\"Yes，\"saidLinda。\"Ifanartisthadbeenselectingadressformehewouldprobablyhavechosenthatone。But，olddear，it\'snotsuitableforme。It\'snotthekindofdressthatIintendedtowearforyearsandyearsyet。Doyouthink，ifIputitontonight，I\'lleverbeabletogobacktobootsandbreechesagain，andhuntthecanyonsforplantstocookfor——youknowwhat？\"
Katystoodinwhatiscommonlydesignatedasa\"brownstudy。\"
ThenshelookedLindaoverpiercingly。
\"Yes，ma\'am，\"shesaidconclusively。\"It\'smyjudgmentthatyewill。Ithinkye\'llmaybewrapthebraidsofyearoundyourheadtonight，andIthinkye\'llputonthatfrock，andIthinkye\'llshowPaterMorrisonhowyourpa\'sdaughtercansitattheheadofhistableandentertainherfriends。ThenIthinkye\'llhangitinyourclosetandputonyourbootsandbreechesandgobacktoyouroldMultifloresandattindtoyourbusiness，thesameasbefore。\"
\"Allright，Katy，\"saidLinda，\"ifyouhavethatmuchfaithinmeIhavethatmuchfaithinmyself；but，olddear，Ican\'ttellyouhowILOVEhavingaprettydressfortonight。Katydear，the\'DayofJubilee\'hascome。BeforeyougotosleepI\'mcomingtoyourroomtotellyoufinelargesecrets，thatyouwon\'tbelieveforaminute，butIhaven\'tthetimetodoitnow。\"
ThenLindaracedtoherroomandbegandressing。Sheletdownthemopofherhairwavingbelowherwaistandlookedatitdespairingly。
\"Thatdressneverwasmadeforbraidsdownyourback，\"shesaid，glancingtowardthebedwhereitlayshimmeringinamassoflovelycolor。\"Iamofagetoday；forstateoccasionsIshouldbeawoman。WhatshallIdowithit？\"
AndthensherecalledKaty\'svoicesaying:\"Braidsroundyourhead。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidLinda，\"thatwouldbethethingtodo。I
certainlydon\'tneedanythingtoaddtomyheight；Iamfartootallnow。\"
Soshepartedherhairinthemiddle，brusheditback，divideditinevenhalves，andinsteadofbraidingit，shecoileditaroundherhead，firstonesideandthentheother。
Sheslippedintothedressandstruggledwithitsmanyandintricatefastenings。Thenshewenttotheguestroomtostandbeforethefull-lengthmirrorthere。Slowlysheturned。
Criticallysheexaminedherself。
\"It\'sabitshorterthanIwouldhaveorderedit，\"shesaid，\"butitreducesmyheight，itcertainlygiveswonderfulfreedominwalking，andit\'snotnearlysoshortasIseeothergirlswearing。\"
Againshestudiedherselfcritically。
\"Needsomekindofornamentformyhair，\"shemuttered，\"butI
haven\'tgotit，andneitherdoIownbeads，bracelet，oraring；
andmyearsarestickingrightoutintheair。Iamalmostoffensivelyuncovered。\"
ThenshewentdowntoshowherselftoadelightedKaty。WhenthedoorbellrangLindaturnedtowardthehall。Katyreachedadetaininghand。
\"You\'lldonothingofthesort，\"shesaid。\"IansweredthebellforMissEileen。AnswerthebellIshallforyou。\"
DownthehallwentKatywiththelightofbattleinhereyesandtheairofaconquerorinthecarriageofherhead。Shewaswelltrained。NeithereyelidquiveredassheflungthedoorwidetoPeterMorrison。Hestoodthereindinnerdress，moreimposingthanKatyhadthoughthecouldbe。Withquick，innerexultationshereachedfortwoparcelshecarried；overthemherdelightwassooverpoweringthatPeterMorrisonmusthaveseenahintofit。
WithaflourishKatyseatedhim，andcarriedthepackagestoLinda。Shereturnedasecondlaterforabigvase，andinthisLindaarrangedagreatsheafofradiantroses。AsKatystartedtocarrythembacktotheroom，Lindasaid\"Waitasecond，\"andselectingonehalfopened，sheslippeditout，shortenedthestemandtuckeditamongthecoilsofhairwhereshewouldhavesetanornament。Theotherpackagewasabigboxthatwhenopenedshoweditsinteriortobedividedintocompartmentsineachofwhichnestledanexquisiteflowermadeofspunsugar。Thepetals，buds，andleaveswereperfect。Therewerewonderfulroseswithpalepinkouterpetalsanddeeper-coloredhearts。
TherewerepinkmallowsthatseemedasiftheymusthavebeencutfromthebushesborderingSantaMonicaroad。Therewerehollyhocksofwhiteandgold，andsimplyperfecttulips。Lindaneverbeforehadseensuchatreasurecandybox。Shecriedoutindelight，andhurriedtoshowKaty。InherpleasureovertherealflowersandthecandyflowersLindaforgotherdress，butwhenshesawPeterMorrisonstandingtallandstraight，indinnerdress，shestoppedandlookedthesurpriseandpleasureshefelt。
ShehadgrownaccustomedtoPeterinkhakipotteringaroundhisbuilding。ThisPetersheneverbeforehadseen。Herepresentedsomethingofculture，somethingofpride，aconformitytoanicecustomandsomethingmore。Lindawasnotapsychoanalyst。
ShecouldnotseeawonderfulauraofexquisitecolorenvelopingPeter。ButwhenPetersawthegirlapproachinghim，transformedintoawomanwhoseshiningcoronetwasjewelledwithhislivingredrose，whenhesawthebeautyofherlitheslendernessclothedinasoft，flamingcolor，somethingemanatedfromhisinnerconsciousnessthatLindadidsee，andforaninstantitdisturbedherasshewentforwardholdingoutherhands。
\"Peter，\"shesaidgaily，\"doyouknowthatthisismyDayofJubilee？Iamawomantodaybylaw，Peter。HereafterIamtoexperienceatleastamoderatedegreeoffinancialfreedom，andthatIshallenjoy。Butthegreatestthinginlifeisfriends。\"
Petertookboththehandsextendedtohimandlookedsmilinglyintohereyes。
\"Youtakemybreath，\"hesaid。\"Iknew，thefirstglimpseIeverhadofyouscramblingfromthecanyonfloor，thatthistransformationCOULDtakeplace。MygoodfortuneisbeyondwordsthatIhavebeenfirsttoseeit。Permitme，fairlady。\"
Peterbentandkissedbothherhands。Hehesitatedasecond，thenheturnedtherighthandandleftonemorekissinitspalm。
\"Tohaveandtohold！\"hesaidwhimsically。
\"Thankyou，\"saidLinda，closingherfistoveritandholdingitupforinspection。\"I\'llseethatitdoesn\'tescape。AndthisminuteIthankyouforthecandy，whichIknowisdelicious，andformyveryfirstsheafofrosesfromanyman。SeewhatIhavedonewithoneofthem？\"
Sheturnedfullyaroundthathemightcatchtheeffectoftherose，andingettingthathealsogotthefulleffectofthecostume，andthepossibilitiesofthegirlbeforehim。Andthenshegavehimashock。
\"Isn\'titalovelyfrock？\"shesaid。\"AnotherbirthdaygiftfromtheStrongrockofages。Ihavebeenmakingacollectionofrocksformyfernbed，andIhavegotanothercollectionthatisnotvisibletoanyonesavemyself。Katy\'sarock，andyou\'rearock，andDonaldisarock，andMarian\'sarock，andIamrestingsecurelyonallofyou。IwishmyfatherknewthatinadditiontoMarianandKatyIhavefoundtwomoresuchwonderfulfriends。\"
\"AndwhataboutHenryAnderson？\"inquiredPeter。\"Aren\'tyougoingtoincludehim？\"
Lindawalkedovertothechairinwhichsheintendedtoseatherself。
\"Peter，\"shesaid，\"Iwishyouhadn\'taskedmethat。\"
Peter\'sfiguretensedsuddenly。
\"Lookhere，Linda，\"hesaidsternly，\"hasthatratherboldyoungstermadehimselfinanywayoffensivetoyou？\"
\"NotinanywaythatIamnotperfectlycapableofhandlingmyself，\"saidLinda。ShelookedatPeterconfidently。
\"Doyousuppose，\"shesaid，\"thatIcansitdowninthisthingwithoutruiningit？Shouldn\'tIreallystandupwhileIamwearingit？\"
Peterlaughedunrestrainedly。
\"Linda，you\'resimplydelicious，\"hesaid。\"ItseemstomethatIhaveseenyoungladiesinlikecasereachroundandgatherthesashtoonesideandsmoothouttheskirtastheysit。\"
\"Thankyou，Peter，ofcoursethatwouldbetheway，\"saidLinda。
\"Thisbeingmyfirst，I\'mlackinginexperience。\"
Andthereuponshesataccordingtodirection；whilePetersatoppositeher。
\"Nowfinish。JustonewordmoreaboutHenryAnderson，\"hesaid。
\"AreyouperfectlysurethereisnothingIneeddoforyouinthatconnection？\"
\"Oh，perfectly，\"saidLindalightly。\"Ididn\'tmeantoalarmyou。Hemerelycarriedthatbug-catchernonsenseatrifletoofar。Iwouldn\'thavemindedhumoringhimandfoolingaboutitalittle。But，Peter，doyouknowhimquitewell？Areyouverysureofhim？\"
\"No，\"saidPeter，\"Idon\'tknowhimwellatall。TheonlythingIamsureabouthimisthatheisdoingwellinhisprofession。
IchosehimbecausehewasanambitiousyoungsterandIthoughtI
couldgetmorecarefulattentionfromhimthanIcouldfromsomeoftheolderfellowswhohadmadetheirreputation。Yousee，therearesuchalotofthingsIwanttoknowaboutinthisbuildingproposition，andthelastfouryearshaven\'tbeenatimeforanymantobecarefulaboutsavinghismoney。\"
\"Then，\"saidLinda，\"heisallright，ofcourse。Hemustbe。
ButIthinkI\'mlikeacat。I\'mverycomplacentwithcertainpeople，butwhenIbegintogetgoosefleshandhairpricklesmyheadabit，Irealizethatthereissomethingantagonisticaround，somethingformetobewareof。Iguessit\'sbecauseIamsuchawildcreature。\"
\"Doyoumeantosay，\"saidPeter，\"thatthesearethesensationsthatHenrygivesyou？\"
Lindanodded。
\"NowforgetHenry，\"shesaid。\"IhavehadsuchabigdayImusttellyouaboutit，andthenwe\'llcometothatlastarticleyouleftme。Ihaven\'thadtimetoputanythingonpaperconcerningityet，butIbelieveIhaveanawfullygoodideainthepaintpot，andI\'llfindtimeinadayortwotoworkitout。Peter，I
havejustcomefromthebank，whereIwasrecognizedasoflegalage，andmyguardiandischarged。AndperhapsIoughttoexplaintoyou，Peter，thatyourfriend，JohnGilman，isnotherebecausethisnightisgoingtobeabadoneforhim。Whenyouknewhimbesthewasengaged，orshouldhavebeen，toMarianThorne。WhenyoumethimthistimehereallywasengagedtoEileen。Idon\'tknowwhatyouthinkaboutEileen。Idon\'tfeellikeinfluencinganyone\'sthoughtconcerningher，soI\'llmerelysaythattodayhasconfirmedaconvictionthatalwayshasbeeninmyheart。
KatycouldtellyouthatlongagoIsaidtoherthatIdidnotbelieveEileenwasmysister。Todayhasbroughtmetheknowledgeandproofpositivethatsheisnot，andtodayshehasgonetosomewealthyrelativesofhermotherinSanFrancisco。Sheexpressedhercontemptforwhatshewasgivingupbyleavingeverything，includingtheexquisitelittlenecklaceofpearlswhichhasbeenadailypartofhersincesheownedthem。Imaybemistaken，butintuitiontellsmethatwiththepearlsandthewardrobeshehasalsodiscardedJohnGilman。IthinkyourfriendwillbesufferingtonightquiteasdeeplyasmyfriendsufferedwhenJohnabandonedheratatimewhenshehadlosteverythingelseinlifebuthermoney。Ifeelverysurethatwewon\'tseeEileenanymore。Ihopeshewillhaveeverylovelythinginlife。\"
\"Amen，\"saidPeterMorrisonearnestly。\"IlovedJohnGilmanwhenwewereinschooltogether，butIhavenotbeenabletofeel，sinceIlocatedhere，thatheisexactlythesameJohn；andwhatyouhavetoldmeveryprobablyexplainsthedifferenceinhim。\"
WhenKatyannounceddinnerLindaarose。
PeterMorrisonsteppedbesideherandofferedhisarm。Lindarestedherfingertipsuponitandheledhertotheheadofthetableandseatedher。ThenKatyservedamealthat，ifithadbeenpreparedforEileen，shewouldhavedescribedasabanquet。
Shegavethemdelicious，finelyflavoredfood，stimulating，exquisitelycompoundeddrinksthatshehadconcoctedfromtherichfruitsofCaliforniaandmintsandessencesathercommand。
When，atthecloseofthemeal，shebroughtMorrisonsomeofthecigarsEileenkeptforJohnGilman，shesetasecondtraybeforeLinda，andthistraycontainedtwopackages。LindalookedatKatyinquiringly，andKaty，herfacebeaming，noddedhersandyredheademphatically。
\"Morebirthdaygiftsyou\'vehavin\'，melady，\"shesaidinhermellowestIrishvoice。
\"More？\"marveledLinda。Shepickedupthelargerpackage，andopeningit，foundabeautifulbookinscribedfromherfriendDonald，overwhichshepassedcaressingfingers。
\"Why，howlovelyofhim！\"shesaid。\"Howinthisworlddidheknow？\"
KatherineO\'Donovancouldhaveansweredthatquestion，butshedidnot。TheotherpackagewasfromMarian。WhensheopeneditLindalaughedunrestrainedly。
\"Whatajoke！\"shesaid。\"IhadpromisedmyselfthatIwouldnottouchathinginEileen\'sroom，andbeforeIcoulddojusticetoKaty\'slovelydressIhadtogothereforpinsformyhairandpowderformynose。ThisisMarian\'swayoftellingmethatIamalmostawoman。Willyoulookatthis？\"
\"Well，justwhatisit？\"inquiredPeter。
\"Hairpins，\"laughedLinda，\"andhairornaments，andaboxoffacepowder，andthelittle，femininetouchesthatmydressingtableneedsbadly。Howwouldyoulike，Peter，tofinishyourcigarinmyworkroom？\"
\"Iwouldlikeitimmensely，\"saidPeter。
Sotogethertheyclimbedtothetopofthehouse。Lindakneltandmadealittleceremonyoflightingthefirstfireinherfireplace。ShepushedoneofherchairstoonesideforPeter，andtakingtheotherforherself，shesatdownandbegantheprocessofreallybecomingacquaintedwithhim。Twohourslater，ashewasleavingher，Petermadeacircuitoftheroom，scrutinizingthesketchesandpaintingsthatwererapidlycoveringthewalls，andpresentlyhecametothewasp。Helookedatitsocloselythathedidnotmisseventhestinger。Lindastoodbesidehimwhenhemadehisfirstdazedcomment:\"Ifthatisn\'tEileen，andtruetothelife！\"
\"Imusttakethatdown，\"saidLinda。\"Ididitonenightwhenmyheartwasfullofbitterness。\"
\"Betterleaveit，\"saidPeterdrily。
\"DoyouthinkIneeditasawarning？\"askedLinda。
Peterturnedandsurveyedherslowly。
\"Linda，\"hesaidquietly，\"whatIthinkofyouhasnotyetbeenwritteninanyofthebooks。\"
CHAPTERXXV。BuenaMozaAssoonasPeterhadleftherLindatookherboxofcandyflowersandseveralofherfinestrosesandwenttoKaty\'sroom。ShefoundKatyinabigrockingchair，herfeetonahassock，readingastoryinEverybody\'shome。Whenherdooropenedandshesawheryoungmistressframedinitshetossedthemagazineasideandsprangtoherfeet，butLindamadeherresumeherseat。ThegirlshortenedthestemsoftherosesandputtheminavaseonKaty\'sdresser。
\"Theymayclashwithyourcoloringamite，MotherMachree，\"shesaid，\"butbythemselvestheyareverywonderfulthings，aren\'tthey？\"
Lindawentover，anddrawingherdressaside，satdownonthehassockandleaningagainstKaty\'skneeshehelduptheboxofcandyflowersforamazedanddelightedinspection。
\"Ah，thefoinegintleman！\"criedKaty。\"Sure\'twasonlyapapeI
hadwhenyeopenedthebox，an\'Ididn\'tknowhowrarethembeautiesraillywas。\"
\"Choosetheoneyoulikebest，\"saidLinda。
ButKatywouldnottouchthedelicatethings，soLindaselectedabrushyhollyhockforherandthensatatherkneeagain。
\"KatherineO\'Donovan，\"shesaidsolemnly，\"it\'suptoacoupleofyoungthingssuchasweare，strandedontheshoalsofthePacificaswehavebeen，toputourheadstogetherandtakecounsel。You\'reahost，Katy，andwhileIamtakingcareofyou，I\'llbejustdelightedtohaveyougoonlookingafteryourblacksheep；butit\'sgoingtobelonely，forallthat。AfterEileenhastakenherpersonalpossessions，whatdoyousaytofixingupthatroomwiththebelongingsthatMariankept，andinvitinghertomakethatsuiteherhomeuntilsuchtimeasshemayhaveahomeofherownagain？\"
\"Foine！\"criedKaty。\"I\'dlovetobehavin\'her。I\'dagreetotakeordersfromMissMarianandtobetakin\'careofherjistalmostthesameasIdoofye，MissLinda。TheonethingIdon\'tlikeaboutitisthatitain\'tfairnorrighttogiveevenMarianthebest。Yebetakin\'thatsuiteyourself，lambie，andgiveMissMarianyourroomallfixedupwithherthings，or，ifyewanthernearer，givehertheguestroomandmakeaguestroomofyours。\"
\"Iamwillingtofolloweitherofthelattersuggestionsformyself，\"saidLinda；\"itmightbepleasanttobeacrossthehallfromMarianwherewecouldcallbackandforthtoeachother。I
wouldn\'tmindachangeassoonasIhavetimetogetwhatI\'dneedtomakethechange。I\'lltaketheguestroomformine，andyoumaycallinadecoratorandhavemyroomfreshlydoneandtheguestthingsmovedintoit。\"
Katylookedbelligerent。Lindareachedupandtouchedthefrowninglinesonherforehead。
\"Brightenyourlovelyfeatureswithasmile，Katherinemedear，\"
shesaidgaily。\"Don\'tbeforgettingthatthisisourDayofJubilee。Wearefree——Ihopewearefreeforever——frompettyannoyancesanddissatisfactionsandlittle，gallingthingsthatsearthesoulandbringoutalltheworstinhumannature。I
couldn\'tdoanythingtoEileen\'ssuite，notevenifIresortedtotearingoutpartitionsandmakingitnewfromstarttofinish，thatwouldeliminateEileenfromitforme。IfMarianwillgivemepermissiontomoveandinstallherthingsinit，Ithinkshecanuseitwithoutanysuchfeeling，butIcouldn\'t。It\'sagreedthen，Katy，IamtowritetoMarianandextendtoherawelcomeonyourpartaswellasonmine？\"
\"Thatyemay，lambie，\"saidKatyheartily。\"And，asthebossusedtobesabin\'，justtomakeassurancedoublysure，ifYoU
wouldaddressitformeIwouldbewriting\'abitofalinemyself，conveying\'tohermesentimentsonthesubject。\"
\"Oh，fine，Katy；Marianwouldbedelighted！\"criedLinda，springingup。
\"And，Katydear，itwon\'tmakeusfeelanymorelikemourningforEileenwhenItellyouthatitdevelopedatthebankyesterdayandtoday，thatsinceshehasbeenmanaginghouseholdaffairsshehasdepositedinaseparateaccountalltheroyaltiesfromFather\'sbooks。Ihadthoughtthematterclosedatthebankwhenthisfundwasaddedtotheremainderoftheestate，thehouseholdexpensessetasidetoEileen，andtheremainderdividedequallybetweenus。Ididn\'tgettheproofthatshewasnotmysisteruntilafterIcamehome。IthinkitmeansthatIshallhavetogobacktothebank，havethematterreopened，andunlessshecanproduceawillorsomethingprovingthatsheisentitledtoit，itseemstomethatwhatremainsofmyfather\'sestateislegallymine。Ofcourse，ifitdevelopsthathehasmadeanyspecialprovisionforher，sheshallhaveit；otherwise，Katy，we\'llbeinapositiontoinstallyouashousekeeperandputsomelight-footed，capableyoungpersonunderyouforastep-saverinanydirectionyouwanttouseher。Itmeans，too，thatIshallbeabletorepayyourloanimmediatelyandtodothethingsthatIwantedtodoaboutthehouse。\"
\"NowIain\'tinanyhurryaboutthatmoney，lambie，\"saidKaty；
\"andyouunderstandofcoursethatthedressyou\'rewearing\'Iamgiven\'ye。\"
\"Ofcourse，olddear，andyoushouldhaveseenPeterMorrisonlightupandadmireit。Hethinksyouhavewonderfultaste，Katy。\"
Katythrewupbothherhands。
\"Oh，myLord，lambie！\"shecried，aghast。\"Wasyoutelling\'himthatthedressyewerewearing\'wasapresentfromyouroldcook？\"
\"Why，certainlyIwas，\"saidLinda，wideeyedwithastonishmeet。
\"Whyshouldn\'tI？Iwasproudto。Andnow，olddear，beforeI
go，thebiggestsecretofall。Ihadaletter，Katy，fromtheeditorofEverybody\'sHome，andpeoplelikeourarticles，KatY；
theyaresomethingnowandfolkarelettingtheeditorknowaboutit，andhewantsallIcansendhim。HelikesthepicturesI
make；and，Katy，youwon\'tbelieveittillIshowyoumylittlebankbook，butforthethreealreadypublishedwiththeirillustrationshepaysmefivehundrednice，long，smooth，beautifullydecorated，paperdollars！\"
\"Judaspraste！\"criedKaty，herhandsoncemorealoft。\"Yeain\'tmanin\'it，lambie？\"
\"Yes，Iare，\"laughedLinda。\"I\'vegotthemoney；andforeachsucceedingthreewiththeirpicturesIamtohavethatmuchmore，andwhenIfinish——nowsteadyyourself，Katy，becausethisisgoingtobeashock——whenIfinish，blessedolddearheart，heisgoingtomakethemintoabook！Thatwillbemyjobforthissummer，andyoushallhelpme，anditwillbeapartofourgreatsecret。Won\'titbethemostfun？\"
\"Mysoul！\"saidKaty。\"You\'rejistcrazy。Idon\'tbelaveawordyou\'retelling\'me。\"
\"ButIcanproveit，becauseIhavetheletterandthebankbook，\"saidLinda。
Katythrewherarmsaroundthegirlandkissedthetopofherheadandcriedoverherandlaughedatthesametimeandpattedherandpettedherandendedbysaying:\"Oh，lambie，ifonlythemastercouldbeknowin\'it。\"
\"Buthedoesknow，Katy，\"saidLinda。
Shewenttoherroom，removedthebeautifuldressand，arrangingitonahanger，leftitinhercloset。Slippingintoanolddressinggown，sherantoherworkroomandwrotealettertoMarianfromherself。ShetriednottotellMarianthebig，vitalthingthatwasthrobbinginherheartalldayconcerningherwork，thegreatsecretthatmeantsuchawonderfulthingtoher，thethingthatwasbeatinginherheartandflutteringbehindherlipslikeabirdtryingtoescapeitscage；butshecouldtellherindetailofEileen\'sundoubtedremovaltoSanFrancisco；shecouldtellherenoughofthefinancialtransactionsofthedaytomakeherunderstandwhathadbeenhappeninginthepast；andshecouldtellofherlatestinterviewwithJohnGilman。Once，asshesatwithherpenpoised，thinkinghowtophraseasentence，Lindasaidtoherself:\"Iwonderinmyheartifhewon\'ttrytocomecrawfishingbacktoMariannow，andifhedoes，Iwonder，oh，howIwonder，whatshewilldo。\"Lindashutherlipsverytightandstaredupthroughherskylighttothestars，asshewasfastfallingintoahabitofdoingwhenshewantedinspiration。
\"Well，Iknowonething，\"shesaidtotheshiningthingsaboveher，\"Marianwilldoassheseesfit，ofcourse，butifitwereI，andanymanhaddiscardedmeasJohnGilmandiscardedMarian，incaseheeverwantedtopickmeupagainhewouldfindIwasnotthere。MuchasIplaninmyheartforthehomeandthemanandthelittlepeoplethatIhopetohavesomeday，IwouldgiveupallofthembeforeIwouldbediscardedandre-soughtlikethat；andknowingMarianasIdo，Ihaveaconvictionthatshewillfeelthesameway。FromthethingssheiswritingaboutthisSnowmanIthinkitishighlyprobablethathemayawakesomedaytolearnthatheisnotsodeeplygrievedbutthathewouldliketohaveMariantocomforthiminhisloneliness；andasforhislittlegirlIdon\'tseewherehecouldfindawomanwhowouldrearhermorejudiciouslyandbeautifullythanMarianwould。\"
Shefinishedherletter，sealedandstampedit，andthen，takingoutafreshsheet，sheletteredinatthetopofit，\"INDIAN
POTATOES\"andcontinued:
Andverygoodpotatoestheyare。YouwillfindthesegrowingeverywherethroughoutCalifornia，bloomingfromMaytoJuly，theirsixlong，slender，whitepetalsshadingtogoldatthebase，grayishontheoutside，apollen-ladenpistilupstanding，eightortengold-clubbedstamenssurroundingit，theslenderbrownstembearingadozenormoreofthesedelicateblooms，springinghighfromabaseofleavessometimesnearlytwofeetlongandaninchbroad，wavemargined，spreadinginacirclearoundit。Inthesoiloftheplainsandthedryhillsidesyouwillfindanamazinglylargesolidbulb，thicklyenwrappedinacoatofbrownfiber，thelongthreadsofwhichcanbebraided，theiramazingstrengthmakingthemsuitableforbowstrings，lariats，orropeofanykindthatmustneedsbeimprovisedforuseatthemoment。Thebulbsthemselveshavemanyuses。Crushedandrubbedupinwatertheymakeadelightfulcleansinglather。
Theextractedjuice，whencookeddown，maybeusedasglue。Oftheroastedbulbseffectivepoulticesforbruisesandboilsmaybemade。ItwasanIndiancustomtodamasmallstreamandthrowinmashedAmolebulbs，theeffectofwhichwastostupefythefishsothattheycouldbepickedoutbyhand；allofwhichdoesnotmakeitappearthatthesamebulbwouldserveasanexcellentsubstituteforabakedpotato；butwemustrememberhowourgrandmothersmadestarchfromourpotatoes，usedthemtobreakinthenewironware，andtopurifythelard；whichgoestoprovethatonevegetablemaybevaluableformanypurposes。Amole，whoseponderousscientificnameisChlorogalumpomeridiarum，isatitsbestformypurposeswhenallthechlorophyllfromflowerandstemhasbeendrivenbacktothebulb，anditliesripeandfullymaturedfromlateAugustuntilDecember。
Removethefibrouscoverdowntothesecondorthirdlayerenclosingthebulb。Thesejacketsarenecessaryastheykeepthebulbsfromdryingoutandhavingahardcrust。Roastthemexactlyasyouwouldpotatoes。Whentheycaneasilybepiercedwithasilverforkremovefromtheoven，andserveimmediatelywithanycoursewithwhichyouwouldusebakedpotatoes。
\"Andgee，butthey\'regood！\"commentedLindaassherereadwhatshehadwritten。
Afterthatsheturnedherattentiontodrawingahillsidewhitenedhereandtherewithamolebloomshowinginitspurityagainstthewarmgrayish-tanbackground。Thewavinggreenleavesranamongbigrocksandoverlappedsurroundinggrowth。AttherightofherdrawingLindasketchedinafinespecimenofmonkeyflower，deepeningtheyellowfromtheheartsoftheamoleliliesforthealmosthumanlittlemonkeyfaces。Ontheleftonegiantspecimenofamole，rearedfromabaseofexquisitelywavingleaves，ranupthesideofthedrawingandbrokeintoanairyandgracefulheadofgold-heartedwhitelilies。ForalongtimeLindasatwithpoisedpencil，studyingherforeground。Whatshouldsheintroducethatwouldbemosttypicalofthelocationandgaveherthedesiredsplashofcontrastingcolorthatsheusedasadistinctivetouchintheforegroundofallherdrawings？
Herpencilflewbusilyafewminuteswhileshesketchedinaflatlygrowingbushofpricklyphlox，settingtheflowerfacesascloselyastheoverlappedscalesofafish，settingthemevenastheygrowinnature；andwhensheresortedtothecolorboxshepaintedthesefacesawonderfulpinkthatwasnotwildrose，notcerise，notlilac，butitmadeonethinkofallofthem。Whenshecouldmakenofurtherimprovementonthissketch，shecarefullystretcheditagainstthewallandtackedituptodry。
AfterwardsheclearedhermentaldecksofalltheworkshecouldthinkofinordertohaveSaturdayfree，becauseSaturdaywasthedayuponwhichshefoundherselfplanninginthebackofhermindthroughoutthestrenuousweek，tosaveforridingtheKing\'sHighwaywithDonaldWhiting。Severaltimesshehadmethimonthewalksorinthehallways，andalwayshehadstoppedtospeakwithherandseveraltimeshehadreferredtothehighhopeinwhichhewaitedforSaturday。LindaalreadyhadheldaconsultationwithKatyonthesubjectofthelunchbasket。Thatmatterbeingsatisfactorilyarranged，therewasnothingforhertodobuttodoubleonherworksothatSaturdaywouldbefree。
FridayeveningLindawascalledfromthedinnertabletothetelephone。SheimmediatelyrecognizedthevoiceinquiringforherasthatofJudgeWhiting，andthenshelistenedbreathlesslywhilehesaidtoher:\"YouwillrecognizethatthereisverylittleImaysayoveratelephoneconcerningamattertowhichyoubroughtmyattention。Ihaveaverycompetentmanlookingintothematterthoroughly，andIfindthatyourfearisamplyjustified。Whereveryougoorwhateveryoudo，useparticularcare。Don\'thaveanythingtodowithanystranger。Justusewhatyourjudgmentandcommonsensetellyouisareasonabledegreeofcautionineverydirectionnomatterhowtrivial。Youunderstand？\"
\"Ido，\"saidLindapromptly。\"WouldyoupreferthatwedonotgoonanymoreSaturdaytripsatpresent？\"
ThelengthoftimethattheJudgewaitedtoanswerprovedthathehadtakentimetothink。
\"Ican\'tsee，\"hesaidfinally，\"thatyouwouldnotbesaferonsuchatripwhereyouaremovingabout，wherenooneknowswhoyouarc，thanyouwouldwhereyouarecommonlyfound。\"
\"Allrightthen，\"saidLinda。\"Askthepartyweareconsideringandhewilltellyouwherehewillbetomorrow。Thankyouverymuchforlettingmeknow。Ifanythingshouldoccur，youwillunderstandthatitwassomethingquiteoutofmyrangeoffore-sight。\"
\"Iunderstand，\"saidtheJudge。
WithallcareandmanylovingadmonitionsKatyassistedinthestartmadeearlySaturdaymorning。ThepreviousSaturdayLindahadfeltthatallnaturealongtheroadsheplannedtodrivewouldbeatitsbest，buttheyhadnotgonefaruntilshemodifiedherdecision。Theywereslippingthroughmistsofearlymorning，overlevel，carefullymaderoadslikepavilionfloors。
Ifanyoneobjectioncouldhavebeenmade，itwouldhavebeenthatthemistsofnightwereweightingtooheavilytoearththeperfumefromthebloomingorchardsandmillionsofflowersingardensandalongtheroadside。Atthathourtherewerefewcarsabroad。Lindawasdressedinheroutingsuitofdarkgreen。Shehadremovedherhatandslippeditontheseatbesideher。ShelookedatDonald，awhimsicalexpressiononhermostexpressiveyoungface。
\"Pleaseto\'scuseme，\"shesaidlightly，\"ifIsteponthegasamitewhilewehavetheroadsomuchtoourselvesandaresofamiliarwithit。Later，whenwereachstrangercountryandhavetosharewithothers，we\'llbeforcedtogoslower。\"
\"Don\'tstintyourspeedonaccountofme，\"saidDonald。\"IamjustitchingtoknowwhatKittycando。\"
\"Allright，here\'syourchance，\"saidLinda。\"Hearherpurr？\"
Shesettledherbodyatrifletensely，squaredhershoulders，andgrippedthesteeringwheel。ThensheincreasedthegasandlettheBearCatrolloverthesmoothroadfromLilacValleyrunningsouthintoLosAngeles。Ataspeedthatwasneartoflyingasanon-professionalattains，theyoungsterstraveledthatroad。
Theireyeswereshining；theirbloodwasracing。Untilthepointwhererougherroadsandapproachingtrafficforcedthemtogoslower，theyraced，andwhentheysloweddowntheylookedateachotherandlaughedinmorningdelight。
\"Imaynotbeverywise，\"saidLinda，\"butdidn\'tIdothesmartestthingwhenIletEileenhavethetouringcarandsavedtheBearCatforus？\"
\"Nothingshortofinspiration，\"saidDonald。\"TheheightofmyambitionistoownaBearCat。IfFathermakesanymentionofanythingIwouldlikeparticularlytohaveforagraduationpresent，IamcockedandprimedastowhatIshalltellhim。\"
\"You\'dbettersaveyourselfadisappointment，\"saidLindasoberly。\"Youwillbestartingtocollegethisfall，andwhenyoudoyouwillbegoneninemonthsoutoftheyear，andIamfairlysureyourfatherwouldn\'tthinkshippingaBearCatbackandforthagoodinvestment，orfurnishingyouonetotaketoschoolwithyou。Hewouldfearyouwouldnevermakeagradethatwouldbeacredittohimifhedid。\"
\"My！\"laughedDonald，\"you\'vegotalongheadonyourshoulders！\"
\"Whenyou\'rethrownonyourownforfourofthelongest，lonesomestyearsofyourlife，youlearntothink，\"saidLindasoberly。
ShewastouchingthebeginningofLosAngelestraffic。Latershewasontheopenroadagain。Themistswerethinningandlifting。
Theperfumewasnotsoheavy。Thesheetedwhitenessoftheorangegroveswasbrokenwiththepalerwhiteofplummergingimperceptiblyintothedelicatepinkofapricotandthestrongerpinkofpeach，andthereweredeepgreenorchardsofsmoothwaxenolivefoliageandthelacy-leavedwalnuts。Thencamethecitrusorchardsagain，andallthewayoneitherhandrunningwiththemwerealmostuninterruptedmilesofrosesofeverycolorandkind，andeverywherehomesrangingfromfriendlymansions，allwrittenoverinadorableflowercolorwiththehappyinvitation，\"Comeinandmakeyourselfathome，\"totinybungalowsalongthewaysidecryingwelcometothisgaypairofyoungstersingreetingsfashionedfromwhiteandpurplewisteria，goldbignonia，everyrosetheworldknows，andmyriadbrilliantannualandperennialflowerfacesgatheredfromthecircumferenceofthetropicalglobeandhomingenthusiasticallyontheKing\'sHighway。
SometimesLindaliftedherhandfromthewheeltowaveapassingsalutetoaparticularlyappealingflowerpicture。Sometimesshewhistledanoteorcriedagreetingtoamockingbird，arosyfinch，orasongsparrow。
\"Lookatthepietimber！\"shecriedtoDonald，callinghisattentiontoalawnalmostcoveredwithred-wingedblackbirds。
\"Fourhundredandtwentymightbebakedinthatpie，\"shelaughed。
Thenasubtlechangebegantocreepovertheworld。Thesunpeeredoverthemountainsinquiringly，atimidyoungthing，asifshewereaskingwhatdegreeoflightandwarmththeywouldlikefortheday。Anewbrilliancytingedeveryflowerfaceinthislight，athrobbingecstasymellowedeverybirdnote；theorchardsdroppedfartherapart，meadowsfilledwithgrazingcattleflashedpastthem，theearthyscentoffreshlyturnedfieldsmingledwithflowerperfume，andontheirrightcamedriftinginacoolsaltbreathfromthesea。Atmid-forenoon，astheynearedLaguna，theyranpastgreathills，untouchedsincethedayswhenDavidcried:\"Iwillliftupmineeyesuntothehillsfromwhencecomethmyhelp。\"Atoneparticularlybeautifulrange，drapedwiththeflowingemeraldofspring，decoratedwithbedsofgoldpoppy，setwithfloweringmadronaandmanzanita，withthegoldofyellowmonkeyflowerortherichredoftherelatedspecies，withspecimensoflupingrowinginsmalltrees，hereandthereadventurousstreamssingingandflashingtheirunexpectedwaytothemotherbreastofthewaitingoceanveryneartotheroadwhichatonesurprisingturncarriedthemtothenever-endingwonderofthetroubledsea，theydroveasslowlyastheBearCatwouldconsenttotravel，sothattheymightstudygreatboulders，hugeasmanyofthebuildingstheyhadpassed，theirfacesscarredbythewrackofages。StudyingtheirancientrecordsonecouldseethattheyhadbeenfamiliarwiththestarthatrestedoverBethlehem。OntheirfaceshadshonethesamemoonthatopenedthehighwaysJourneyingintoDamascus。Theyhadstoodthestormsthathadbeatenupontheworldsincethedayswhenthefloodssubsided，thelandliftedabovethefaceofthewatersingiganticupheavalsthathadrippedthesurfaceoftheglobefromnorthtosouthandforcedupthehills，thefoothills，andthemountainsoftheCoastRange。Theyhadbeenbornthen，theyhadfirstseenthelightofday，inglowing，molten，red-hot，high-piledstreamsoflavathathadgushedforthinthatawfulevolutionofbirth。
SometimesLindastoppedthecar，theyleftit，andclimbedoverthefacesofthesemightyupheavals。OnceLindareachedherhandtoDonaldandcried，halflaughingly，halfintenseearnest:
\"Oh，kid，wehavegottohurry。Comparedwiththeageofthese，we\'veonlyafewminutes。It\'sallrighttotalkjestinglyabout\'thecrackofdoom\'butyouknowtherereallywasacrackofdoom，andrighthereiswhereitcrackedandspewedoutthematerialthathardenedintotheseveryrocks。BesidethemIfeelasashrimpmustfeelbesideawhale，andIfeelthatwemusthurry。\"
\"Andsowemust，\"saidDonald。\"I\'mhungryasLikeliestwhenhewaitedforthemtofindenoughpeacocktonguestosatisfyhisappetite。\"
\"Iwonderwhatbrandofhome-brewmadehimthinkofthat，\"saidLinda。
\"Well，youknow，\"saidDonald，\"theworldwasonlyasmallishplacethen。Theydidn\'thavetogofartofindeverythingtowhichtheyhadaccess，anditmusthavebeenratheradecenttimeinwhichtolive。Awfullotoflightandcolorandmusicanduniqueentertainment。\"
\"You\'retalking，\"saidLinda，\"fromthestandpointofthekingorthemaster。Supposeyouhadlivedthenandhadbeentheslave。\"
\"Thereyougoagain，\"saidDonald，\"throwingabrickintothemostdelicatemechanismofmyprofoundthought。YououghttobeashamedtoroundmeupwithsomethingscientificandmaterialisticeverytimeIgoa-glimmering。Don\'tyouthinkthiswouldbeafineplacetohavelunch？\"
\"Youwaitandseewherewelunchtoday，andyouwillhavetheanswertothat，\"saidLinda，startingbacktotheBearCat。
Afewmilesfartherontheyfollowedtheroadaroundthefrowningmenaceofanoverhangingrockandspedoutdirectlytothepanoramaofthesea。Thesunwasshiningonit，but，asalwaysroundtheLagunashore，theriptidewasworkingitselfintounduefury。Itcamedashingupontheancientrocksuntilonecouldeasilyunderstandwhyapoetoflongagowroteofseahorses。Someofthewavesdidsuggestmonstrouswhitechargersracingmadlytoplacetheirfeetuponthesolidrock。
Throughthevillage，upthesteepinclines，pastplacidlakes，pastwavingyellowmustardbeds，besidehighwayswherethebreastplateofMotherEarthgleamedemeraldandrubyagainstthebackgroundofbillionsoftiny，shiningdiamondsoftheiceplant，pasttheoldostrichtreereproducedbyetchersofnotetheworldover，withgrindingbrakes，slidingdownthebreathlessdeclivityleadingtotheshore，Lindastoppedatlastwheretherockwallsliftedsheeralmosttothesky。SheledDonaldtoahugecirclecarpetedwithcerisesandverbena，withpinkandyellowiceplantbloom，withjewellediceplantfoliage，withtherunningblueofthelovelyseadaisy，withthewhiteandpinkoftheseafig，wherethewallswerefestoonedwithferns，lichens，studdedalloverwithflamingOurLord\'sCandles，andstrange，uncanny，grotesqueflowerforms，almosthumanintheirwrithingturnsastheytwistedaroundtherocksandslippedalongclingingtothesheerwalls。Justwherethevegetationmetthewhite，sea-washedsand，LindaspreadtheIndianblanket，andDonaldbroughtthelunchbox。Attheirfeetadventurouswavestorethemselvestofoamonthesharprocks。Ontheirlefttheybrokeinboomingspray，tearingandfrettingthebaseofcliffsthathadstoodimpregnablethroughaeonsofsuchceaselessattackandrepulse。
\"Iwonder，\"saidDonald，\"howitcomesthatIhavelivedallmylifeinCalifornia，andtodayitseemstomethatmostoftheworthwhilethingsIknowaboutherIowetoyou。WhenIgotocollegethiswintert。hethingsIshallbetellingtheboyswillbehowIcouldgainaliving，ifIhadto，onthedesert，inDeathValley，fromthewallsofMultifloresCanyon；andhowthewavesgotosmashontherocksofLaguna，nottomentioncactusfishhooks，mescalsticks，andbrigandbeefsteak。It\'snowondertheartistsofalltheworldcomeherecopyingthesepictures。
It\'snowondertheybuildthesebungalowsandlivehereforyears，unsatisfiedwiththeireffortstoreproducethepicturesoftheMasterPainterofthemall。\"
\"Iwonder，\"saidLinda，\"ifanybodyisveryeasilysatisfied。I
wondertodayifEileenissatisfiedwithbeingmerelyrich。I
wonderifwearesatisfiedtohavethisgoldendaytogether。I
wonderifthewhiteswallowsaresatisfiedwiththesea。I
wonderifthoserocksaresatisfiedandproudtostandimpregnableagainsttheconstanttormentofthetide。\"
\"Iwonder，oh，Lord，howIwonder，\"brokeinDonald，\"aboutKatherineO\'Donovan\'slunchbox。Ifyouwantapictureofperfeetsatisfaction，Belindabeloved，leadmetoit！\"
\"Thankheavenyou\'remistaken，\"shesaid；\"theysparedmethe\'Be\'。It\'strulyjust\'Linda。\"\'
\"Well，I\'mnotsparingyouthe\'Be——\'，\"saidDonald，busywiththefasteningsofthelunchbasket。\"DidyouhearwhereIusedit？\"
\"Yes，child，andIlikeitheaps，\"saidLindacasually。\"It\'sfinetohaveyoulikeme。Awfullyproudofmyself。\"
\"Youhavetwomembersofourfamilyatyourfeet，\"saidDonaldsoberlyashehandedherpackagesfromthebox。\"MydadisbeginningtodiscourseonyouwithsuchsignsofintelligencethatIamalmostledtobelieve，fromsomeofhiswildestoutbursts，thathehashadsomepersonalexperienceinsomeway。\"
\"Andwhynot？\"askedLindalightly。\"Haven\'tIoftentoldyouthatmyfatherconstantlywentonfishingandhuntingtrips，thathewasagreatcollectorofbotanicalspecimens，thathefrequentlytookhisfriendswithhim？YoumightaskyourfatherifhedoesnotrecallmeashavingfriedfishandmadecoffeeandrenderedhimcampservicewhenIwasaslipofathinginthedawnofmyteens。\"
\"Well，hedidn\'tjustmentionit，\"saidDonald，\"butIcan。easilyseehowitmighthavebeen。\"
AftertheyhadfinishedoneofKaty\'sinspiredlunches，inwhichalargepartoftheinspirationhadbeenmentalonLinda\'spartandexecutiveonKaty\'s，theyclimbedrockfaces，skirtedwave-beatenpromontories，andstoodpeeringfromoverhangingcliffsdippingdownintothefathomlessgreensea，wherethewaterboiledupinturbulentfury。Lindapointedouttherocksuponwhichshewouldsit，ifshewereamermaid，tocombtheseaweedfromherhair。Shecouldheartheseabellsringinginthosemenacingdepths，butDonald\'searswerenotsofinelytuned。Atthetopofoneofthehighestcliffstheyclimbed，theregrewaclumpofslenderpalegreenbushes，toweringhighabovetheirheadswithexquisitelycutblue-greenleaves，lanceshapedandslender。Donaldlookedatthefascinatinggrowthappraisingly。
\"Linda，\"hesaid，\"doyouknowthattheslimnessandthesheernessandtheaudaciousfootholdandthebeautyofthatthingremindmeofyou？Itiscoveredalloverwiththedelicatefrostbloomyoutaughtmetoseeuponfruit。Ifinditeverywherebutyouhavenevertoldmewhatitis。\"
Lindalaughinglyreachedupandbrokeasprayofgreenish-yellowtubularflowers，curvingoutlikeclusteredtrumpetsspillingmelodyfromtheirflutedthroats。
\"Youwillseeiteverywhere。Youwillfindtheseflowerseverymonthoftheyear，\"shesaid，\"andIamparticularlygladsomethatthisplantremindsyouofme。Ilovethebluish-green\'bloom\'ofitssheerfoliage。Ilovethemusictheseflowertrumpetsmaketome。Ilovethewayithastraveled，Godknowshow，allthewayfromtheArgentineandspreaditselfoverourcountrywhereveritisallowedfooting。Iamgladthatthereissoothinginthesedriedleavesforthosewhorequireit。Ishallbedelightedtosetmysealonyouwithit。TherearetwolittleSpanishwordsthatitsuggeststotheMexican——Buenamoza——butyoushallfindoutforyourselfwhattheymean。\"
Encounteringhisfatherthatnightathislibrarydoor，DonaldWhitingsaidtohim:\"MayIcomein，Dad？IhavesomethingI
mustlookupbeforeIsleep。HaveyouaSpanishlexicon，ornodoubtyouhavethisinyourhead。\"
\"Well，I\'veahaltingvocabulary，\"saidtheJudge。\"What\'syourphrase？\"
\"Lindaputthisfloweronmetoday，\"saidDonald，\"andshesaidshewaspleasedbecauseIsaidthetall，slenderbushitgrewonremindedmeofher。ShegavemetheSpanishname，butIdon\'tknowtheexactsignificanceofthedecorationIamwearinguntilIlearnthemeaningofthephrase。\"
\"Trymeonit，\"saidtheJudge。
\"\'Buenamoza，\"\'quotedDonald。
TheJudgethrewbackhisheadandlaughedheartily。
\"Son，\"hesaid，\"youshouldknowthatfromtheLatinyou\'relearning。Youshouldtranslateitinstinctively。Icouldn\'ttellyouexactlywhetheraSpaniardwouldtranslate\'Buena\'
\'fine\'or\'good。\'Knowingtheirhigh-falutin\'renditionofalmosteverythingelseIwouldtakemychanceon\'fine。\'Son，yourphrasemeans\'afinegirl。\'\"
Donaldlookeddownattheflowerinhisbuttonhole，andthenhelookedstraightathisfather。
\"AndonlytheLordknows，Dad，\"hesaidsoberly，\"exactlyhowfineLinda-girlis。\"
CHAPTERXXVI。AMouseNestLINDADEAREST:
Iamdelightedthatyouhadsuchawonderfulbirthday。Iwouldtakeashotinairthatanythingyoudon\'tunderstandaboutityoumightwithreasonablesafetychargetoKatherineO\'Donovan。
IthinkitwasgreatofhertohaveasuitableandabecomingdresswaitingforyouandacongenialmanlikePeterMorrisontodinewithyou。Heappealedtomeasbeingararecharacter，highlyoriginal，and，Ishouldthink，tothosewhoknowhimwellhemustbeentertainingandlovableintheextreme。InevershallbeworriedaboutyousolongasIknowthatheistakingcareofyou。
IshouldnotbesurprisedifsomedayImeetEileensomewhere，becauseDanaandIaregoingaboutmorethanyouwouldbelievepossible。Iheartilyjoinwithyouinwishinghereverygoodthatlifecanbringher。Idon\'twanttobepessimistic，butI
can\'thelpfeeling，Linda，thatsheistakingapoorwaytowinthebest，andIgravelydoubtwhethershefindsitinthespendingofunlimitedquantitiesofthemoneyofacoarsemanwhostumbleduponhisrichesaccidentally，ashasmanyamanofCaliforniaandColorado。
Iintended，whenIsatdowntowrite，theveryfirstthingI
said，tothankyouforyourwonderfulinvitation，secondedsoloyallyandcordiallybyKaty，tomakemyhomewithyouuntilthetimecomes——ifiteverdoescome——whenIshallhaveahomeofmyownagain。Andjustassimplyandwholeheartedlyasyoumadetheoffer，Iacceptit。Iamenclosingtheaddressandthereceiptformyfurnitureinstorage，andafewlinesorderingitdeliveredatyourhouseandthebillsenttome。IonlykeptafewheirloomsandthingsofMother\'sandFather\'sthatareveryprecioustome。WheneverEileentakesherthingsyoucanordermineinandletmeknow，andI\'lltakeadayortwooffandrundownforashortvisit。
MentioningEileenmakesmethinkofJohn。IthinkofhimmorefrequentlythanIintendorwishthatIdid，butIfeelmyninthlifeisnowpermanentlyextinguishedconcerninghim。IthoughtI
detectedinyourletter，Lindadear，ahintoffearthathemightcomebacktomeandthatImightwelcomehim。Ifyouhaveanysuchfeelinginyourheart，abandonit，child，because，whileI
trynottotalkaboutmyself，IdowanttosaythatIrejoiceinafamilyinheritanceoflegitimatepride。Icouldn\'tgivethefinestloyaltyandcomradeshipIhadtogivetoaman，haveitreturneddisdainfully，andthenfurbishupthepiecesandpresentitoveragain。IfIcanpatchthosesamepiecesandsopolishandrefinethemthatIcanmakethem，intheoldphrase，\"asgoodasnew，\"possiblyintime-
But，Linda，onethingiscertainasthehillsofmorning。Neverinmylifewillanymanmakeanyheadwaywithmeagainwithvaguesuggestionsandinnuendoesandhints。Ifeveranymanwantstobeanythinginmylife，hewillspeakplainlyandsaywhathewantsandthinksandhopesandintendsandfeelsinnotmorethantwo-syllableEnglish。Ilearnedmylessonaboutthefutilityofbuildingyourhouseofdreamsonafoundationofsand。NexttimeIerectadreamhouse，itisgoingtohaveaproperfoundationofsolidgranite。AndthatmayseemaqueerthingformetosaywhenyouknowthatIamgettingthejoyinmylife，thatIdonothesitatetoadmitIam，fromletterswrittenbyamanwhosenameIdon\'tknow。ItmaybethatIdon\'tknowtheman，butI
certainlyamverywellacquaintedwithhim，andinsomewayheseemstometobetakingonmoredefiniteform。IshouldnotbesurprisedifIweretorecognizehimthefirsttimeImethimfacetoface。