WhenLindadrewbacktheportiereandsteppedintothelivingroomEugeneSnowrosetomeether。Whateitherofthemexpecteditmightbedifficulttoexplain。Knowingsolittleofeachother，itisverypossiblethattheyhadnovisualizations。WhatSnowsawwaswhateveryonesawwholookedatLinda——agirlarrestinglyunusual。WithLindalaytheadvantagebyfar，sinceshehadMarian\'slettersforabackground。Whatshesawwasatallman，slender，andabouthimtherewastoLindaastrongappeal。Asshelookedintohiseyes，shecouldfeelthedoublehurtthatFatehaddealthim。Shethoughtshecouldfathomthefinenessinhisnaturethathadledhimtomadehome-buildinghischosenoccupation。Instantlyshelikedhim。Withonlyonelookdeepintohiseyesshewasonhisside。Shestretchedoutbothherhandsandadvanced。
\"Nowisn\'tthisthefinestthingofyou？\"shesaid。\"Iamsogladthatyoucame。I\'lltellyouwordforwordwhathappenedhere。\"
\"Thatwillbefine，\"hesaid。\"Whichisyourfavoritechair？\"
\"Youknow，\"shesaid，\"thatisajoke。IamsounfamiliarwiththisroomthatIhaven\'tanyfavoritechair。I\'llhavetotakethenearest，likeThoreauselectedhispieceofchicken。\"
ThenforafewminutesLindatalkedfrankly。SheansweredEugeneSnow\'severyquestionunhesitatinglyandcomprehensively。
Togethertheyascendedthestairs，andintheguestroomsheshowedhimthetableatwhichsheandMarianhadstudiedthesketchesofplans，andexactlywheretheyhadleftthemlyingovernight。
\"TheonethingIcan\'tbeexplicitabout，\"saidLinda，\"ishowmanysheetswerethereinthemorning。Wehadstayedawakesolatetalking，thatweoverslept。IpackedMarian\'sbagwhileshedressed。Isnatchedupwhattherewerewithoutrealizingwhetherthereweretwosheetsorthree，laidthemintheflatbottomofthecase，andfoldedherclothingontopofthem。\"
\"Isee，\"saidMr。Snowcomprehendingly。\"Nowlet\'sexperimentalittle。Ofcoursethewindowbeforethattablewasraised？\"
\"Yes，itwas，\"saidLinda，\"buteverywindowinthehouseisscreened。\"
\"Andwhataboutthedooropeningintothehall？Canyoutellmewhetheritwasclosedoropen？\"
\"Itwasopen，\"saidLinda。\"Weleftitslightlyajartocreateadraft；thenightwaswarm。\"
\"Isthereanyoneaboutthehouse，\"inquiredMr。Snow，\"whocouldtelluscertainlywhetherthatwindowwasscreenedthatnight？\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidLinda。\"Ourhousekeeper，KatherineO\'Donovan，wouldknow。Whenwegodownwe\'llaskher。\"
Ontheirreturntothelivingroom，forthefirsttimeinherlifeLindarangforKaty。Shehesitatedaninstantbeforeshedidit。Itwouldbeestablishingarelationshipthatneverbeforehadexistedbetweenthem。ShealwayshadgonetoKatyasshewouldhave，gonetohermother。Shewouldhavegonetohernow，butshewantedKatytomakeherappearanceandgiveherinformationwithoutthepossibilityofpreviousdiscussion。Katyansweredthebellalmostatonce。Lindawenttohersideandreachedherarmacrosshershoulders。
\"Katy，\"shesaid，\"thisisMr。EugeneSnowofSanFranciscoHeisinterestedinfindingoutexactlywhatbecameofthatlostplanofMarian\'sthatwehavelookedforsocarefully。Putonyourthinkingcap，olddear，andtrytoansweraccuratelyanyquestionthatMr。Snowmaywishtoaskyou。\"
KatylookedexpectantlyatEugeneSnow。
\"Inthemeantime，\"saidLinda，\"I\'llbeexcusedandgobringroundtheBearCat。\"
\"Ihaveonlyonequestiontoaskyou，\"saidMr。Snow。\"Canyourecallwhether，foranyreason，therewasascreenoutoftheguest-roomwindowdirectlyinfrontofwhichthereadingtablewasstandingthenightMissMarianoccupiedtheroombeforeleavingforSanFrancisco？\"
\"Suretherewas，\"answeredKatyinstantlyinherrichest，mellowestbrogue。
Shewastakingtheinventoryshehadbeentoldtotake。Shewasdeciding，asinstantlyasLindahaddone，thatshelikedthisman。Years，appearance，everythingabouthimappealedtoKatyasbeingexactlyrightforMarian；andhercunningIrishmindwasleapingandflyingandtuggingattheleashthatthirtyyearsofconventionshadbounduponher。
\"Sure，\"sherepeated，\"thewildestsantanathateverroaredoverusjustcaughtthatscreenandlandeditslamagainstthesideofthegarage，anditsetinsideforthreedaystillIcouldgetaworkmantogouptheoutsideandputitback。IthadbeenouttwodaysbeforethenightMarianwashere。\"
\"DidMissLindaknowaboutit？\"askedSnow。
\"NotthatIknowof，\"saidKaty。\"Sheisaschoolgirl，youknow，offearlyinthemorning，backanduptoherroom，thebusiestyoungsterthevalleyknows；andcoin\'adaleofgoodsheis，too。
ItwasMissEileenthatheardthescreenrippedoutandtoldmeitwasgone。She\'stheonewholookedafterthehousekapin\'andpaidthebills。Sheknewallaboutit。If\'twouldbehelpin\'
MissMariananyaboutfindin\'themplanswe\'veransackedthepremisesfor，Icouldn\'tseeanyreasonwhyMissEileenwouldn\'ttellyethesameasI\'mtellin\'ye，andherhousekapin\'accountsandherchequebookwouldshowshepaidthecarpenter，ifit\'slegalbusinessyou\'rewantin\'。\"
\"Thankyou，Katy，\"saidMr。Snow。\"Ihopenothingofthatkindwilloccur。Agreatwronghasbeenperpetrated，butwemustfindsomewaytorightitwithoutinvolvingsuchextremelyniceyoungwomenintheannoyanceoflegalproceedings。\"
Katyfoldedherarmsandraisedherhead。AllhershareoftheblarneyofIrelandbegantorollfromthemellowtipofhertongue。
\"Now，thenicemanyeare，tobeseein\'thebeautyofthemgirlssoquick，\"shesaid。\"ThegoodLordairlyinthemornin\'ofcreationthoughtthemoutwhenHewasjistfreshfromrist，andthematerialwasnoneshopworn。Theyain\'tladieslike\'emanywhereelseinthewholeofCalifornia，andbelaveme，amanyraleladieshaveIseeninmytime。YecanjistmakeupyourmindthatMissLindaisthebrothoftheearth。Sheisherfather\'sownchildandsheislikehimastwopaseinthepod。
AndMariangrowedbesideher，andmuchofahandI\'vehadinherraisin\'meself，andwellI\'mknowin\'howfinesheisandwhatajuelshe\'dbe，setonanyman\'shearthstone。I\'mwonderin\'，\"
saidKatychallengingly，\"ifyou\'retheMr。Snowatwhoseplacesheistakin\'herlessons，andifyeare，I\'mwonderin\'ifyeain\'tgoin\'tousethegoodjudgmenttosether，likethejuelshewouldbe，iathestoneofyourownhearth。\"
EugeneSnowlookedatKatyintently。Hewasnotaccustomedtodiscussinghisaffairswithhouseholdhelpers，buthecouldnotlookatKatywithoutthereremaininginhisvisiontheforteofLindastandingbesideher，areassuringarmstretchedacrosshershoulders，themannerinwhichshehadpresentedherandthenleftherthatshemightbefreetoanswerasshechosewithoutheryoungmistressevenknowingexactlywhatwasaskedofher。
Suchfaithandtrustandlovewereunusual。
\"Imighttrytodothatverything，\"hesaid，\"but，youknow，awonderfulwomanisananimatedjewel。Youcan\'tmanufactureasettingandputherinandtightentheclaspswithoutherconsent。\"
\"Thenwhydon\'tyougetit？\"saidKatycasually。
EugeneSnowlaughedruefully。
\"Butsuppose，\"hesaid，\"thattheparticularjewelyou\'rediscussingpreferstoselectherownsetting，andminedoesnotpleaseher。\"
\"Well，they\'sjistonething，\"saidKaty。Herheelsleftthefloorinvoluntarily；shearoseonhertiptoes；hershoulderscameup，andherheadliftedtoaheightitneverhadknownbefore。
\"They\'sjistonething，\"shesaid。\"AsidefromMissLinda，whoismyveryownchildthatIhavewashedandIhavecombedandI
havedoneforsinceshewasatoddlin\'four-year-old，theyain\'tnowomaninthisworldIwouldgoasfarforasIwouldforMissMarian；butI\'mtellin\'yenow，yeMr。EujaneSnow，thatthey\'sonethingIdon\'tlendnocountenanceto。Iamsorryshehashadthecold，cruelluckthatshehas，butIain\'tsorryenoughthatI\'mgoin\'tostandforherdroppin\'herselfintotheplacewhereshedoesn\'tbelong。IfthegoodLordain\'tgiveherthesensetoseethatyou\'rejisttheimageofthemanthatwouldbejistexactlyrightforher，somebodyhadbetterbetellin\'herso。
Anyway，ifMissLindaistakin\'yeuptothehousethatMr。PaterMorrisonisbuildin\'andthePatermanisthere，Iwouldadviseyetocastyourmostdiscernin\'eyeonthatgintleman。Yewatchhimjistoneminutewhenhelooksattheyoungmissusandhethinksnobodyain\'tobservinghim，andye\'llseewhatye\'llsee。
IfyewantMarian，yejistgoonandtakeher。I\'mnotcarin\'
whetheryeuseacluborwhitevi\'lets，butdon\'tyebelettin\'
MarianThornegetnoideaintoherheadthatsheisgoin\'totakeMr。PaterMorrison，becauseconcernin\'PaterIknowwhatIknow，andIain\'tgoin\'tostandbyandseethingsgoin\'wrongforwantofspakin\'up。Nowifyou\'reawiseman，yedon\'tnadenothingfurthersaidonthesubject。\"
EugeneSnowthoughtintentlyforafewmoments。HisvisioncenteredonKatherineO\'Donovan\'sface。
\"You\'reabsolutelysureofthis？\"hesaidatlast。
\"Jistassureasthesun\'ssure，andthemountains，andtheseaSonscomeandgo，\"saidKatywithfinality。\"Watchhimandyou\'llseeitstickin\'outalloverhim。Ihavepickedhimformeboss，andit\'sjistadorin\'thatmancratureIam。\"
\"WhataboutMissLinda？\"inquiredSnow。\"Issheadoringhim？\"
\"Sheain\'tnothingbutaganglin\'schoolkid，adorin\'thespadewithwhichshecanshootaroundthatBearCatofhers，andracethecanyons，andtherelylovelythingsshecanstrikeonpaperwithherpencilandlightupwithherjoyouscolors。Herdayandherhourain\'tcome，andthePaterman\'sthatfinehewon\'tlayafingeronhertowakeherupwhenshehasayearyetofherschoolin\'beforeher。Butinthemanetimeit\'smyjobtostandguardasI\'mstandin\'rightnow。I\'mtellin\'yefrankandfair。
YegoonandtakeMarianThornebecauseyeoughttohaveher。Ifshe\'sgotanyideainherheadthatshe\'sgoin\'tohavePaterMorrison，she\'llhavetogetitout。\"
EugeneSnowheldouthishandandstartedtothefrontdoorinanswertothegrowloftheBearCat。Ashecamedownthestepsandadvancedtothecar，Linda，withthequickeyethathadbeenoneofherspecialgiftsasabirthright，notedachangeinhim。
Heseemedtohavebeenkeyedupandtonedup。Therewasadifferentexpressiononhisface。Therewasbuoyancyinhisstep。Therewasavisibledeterminationinhiseye。HetooktheseatbesideherandLindastartedthecar。Shelookedathiminterrogatively。
\"Canyouconnectaheavywindwiththedateofthelostplan？\"heinquired。
\"Therewasacrack-a-jackafewdaysbefore，\"saidLinda。\"Itblewoversometreesinthelotnexttous。\"
\"Exactly，\"saidSnow；\"anditpluckedascreenfromyourguest-roomwindow。Katythinksthatthechequetothecarpenterandthecostoftherepairswillbeinyoursister\'saccountbooks。\"
\"Umhm，\"noddedLinda。\"Well，thatsimplifiesmatters，becausePeterMorrisonisgoingtotellyouaboutatripHenryAndersonmadearoundourhousethemorningMarianleft。\"
\"Ithinkthatisaboutallweneedtoknow，\"saidMr。Snowconclusively。
\"Ithinkso，\"saidLinda，\"butIwantyoutoseePeter\'shouseforyourself，sinceIunderstandthataccordingtoyourcontracttherightstoreproducetheseparticularplansremainedwithyouafteryouhadpaidprizemoneyforthem。\"
\"Mostcertainly，\"saidMr。Snow。\"Weshouldhavethatmuchtoshowforourshareofthetransaction。\"
\"It\'saqueerthing，\"saidLinda。\"Youwouldhavetoknowmealongtime，andperhapsknowunderwhatconditionsIhavebeenrearedinordertounderstandafeelingthatIfrequentlyhaveconcerningpeople。ItobogganeddownasheersideofMultifloresCanyononedaywithoutmypathhavingbeenpreviouslyprepared，andIverynearlylandedintheautomobilethatcarriedHenryAndersonandPeterMorrisonontheirfirsttriptoLilacValley。
Iwasmuchinterestedinpreservingtheintegrityofmyneck。I
ferventlyhopednottobreakmorethanadozenofmylegsandarms，andwasforcedtobringdownintactthefinestCotyledonpulverulentathatDaddyorIhadfoundinfourteenyearsofcollectinginCalifornia。IamtellingyouallthisthatyoumayseewhyImighthavebeenexcusedfornothavingbeenminutelyobservantofmysurroundingswhenIlanded。ButwhatIdidobservewasachilly，caterpillarysensationchasingupmyspinetheinstantImettheeyesofHenryAnderson。InthatinstantI
saidtomyselfthatIwouldnottrusthim，thatIdidnotlikehim。\"
\"Andwhatabouthiscompanion？\"askedEugeneSnowlightly。\"Oh，Peter？\"saidLinda。Therewasacaressinherpronunciationofthename。\"Why，Peterisarock。TheinstantIdepositedmyCotyledoninasafeplaceIwouldhaveputmyhandinPeterMorrison\'sandstartedaroundtheworldifhehadaskedmetogo。
ThereisonlyonePeter。Youwillrecognizethattheinstantyoumeethim。\"
\"Iamaltogetherwillingtotakeyourwordforit，\"saidMr。
Snow。
\"Andthereisonethingaboutthisdisagreeablebusiness，\"saidLinda。\"ItwasnotPeter\'scoatthathadtheplaninit。Heknewnothingaboutit。Hehashadhisfullserviceofstiffwarwork，andhehasbeenknockingaroundbigcitiesinnewspaperwork，andnowhehascomehometoLilacValleyto\'setuphisrest，\'asinthehymnbook，youknow。Hebuilthisgaragefirstandheislivinginitbecausehesolovesthishouseofhisthathehastobepresenttowatchitgrowinminutes\"detail。OnceonatimeIsawagreatwizardwalkingalongthesidewalk，andhelookedexactlylikeanyman。Hemighthavebeenyousofarasanythingdifferentfromothermeninhisappearancewasconcerned。\"
LindacutdowntheBearCattoitsslowestspeed。
\"Whatisonmymindisthis，\"shesaid。\"Idon\'tthinkPetercouldquiteaffordtheamountofgroundhehasbought，andthehouseheisbuilding。Ithinkpossiblyheistyinghimselfupinobligations。Itmaytakehimtwoorthreeyearstocomeevenonit；butitisaprepossessionwithhim。Nowcan\'tyouseethatifwegotohimandtellhimthissordid，underhand，unmanlytale，howhisfinenatureisgoingtobehurt，howhisbigheartisgoingtobewrung，howhishome-housethatheisbuildingwithsucheagerwatchfulnesswillbeaweightyOldManoftheSeaclingingtohisback？Doyouthink，Mr。EugeneSnow，thatyou\'reenoughofawizardtoexaminethishouseandtosatisfyyourselfastowhetherit\'saninfringementofyourplansornot，withoutlettingPeterknowthethingsaboutitthatwouldspoilitforhim？\"
EugeneSnowreachedacrossandclosedahandovertheoneofLinda\'snearesthimonthesteeringwheel。
\"Youverydecentkid，you，\"hesaidappreciatively。\"IcertainlyamenoughofawizardtosaveyourPetermananydisillusionmentconcerninghisdreamhouse。\"
\"Oh，butheisnotmyPeterman，\"saidLinda。\"Weareonlythebestfriendsintheworld。Reallyandtruly，ifyoucankeepasecret，he\'sMarian\'s。\"
\"Ishe？\"askedMr。Snowinterestedly。Andthenheaddedverycasually，inthemostoffhandmanner——hesaiditmoretoanorangeorchardthroughwhichtheywerepassingthanhesaidittoLinda——\"Ihaveverygravedoubtsaboutthat。Ithinktheremustbesomeslightcomplicationthatwillhavetobeclearedup。\"
Linda\'sheartgaveagreatjumpofconsternation。
\"Indeedno，\"shesaidemphatically。\"Idon\'tthinkhehasjusttoldMarianyet，butIamverysurethathecaresforhermorethanforanyotherwoman，andIamequallysureshecaresforhim；andnothingcouldbemoresuitable。\"
\"Allrightthen，\"agreedMr。Snow。
LindaputtheBearCatatthemountain，creptaroundtheroad，skirtedtheboulders，andstoppedhalfwaytothegarage。Andthere，inalowtone，sheindicatedtoMr。Snowwheretheyhadlunched，whenshefoundtheplans，howshehadbroughtoutthecoat，whereshehademptiedthemousenest。ThenshesteppedfromthecarandhallooedforPeter。Petercamehurryingfromthegarage，andEugeneSnowwasswiftinhismentalinventory。
ItcoincidedexactlywithLinda\'s。HewouldhavebeenwillingtojoinhandswithPeterandstartaroundtheworld，quiteconvincedofthefairnessoftheoutcome，withnogreateracquaintancethanoneintentlookatPeter，onegripofhissurehand。AfterthathebegantoactonKaty\'shint，andinaveryshorttimehehadconvincedhimselfthatshewasright。MaybePetertriedtoabsorbhimselfintheplanshewasgoingover，inthehousehewasproudtoshowthegreatarchitect；butitseemedtothemanhewasentertainingthathisglancescarcelyleftLinda，thathewassopreoccupiedwithwhereshewentandwhatshedidthathewaslikeajugglerkeepingtwomentalballsintheairatthesametime。
ItseemedtoPeteranaturalthingthat，thearchitectbeinginthecityonbusiness，heshouldrunouttocallonMissThorne\'sdearestfriendItseemedtohimequallynaturalthatLindashouldbringhimtoseeahouseinwhichshewassokindlyinterestingherself。AndjustwhenPeterwasmostdexterousinhisjuggling，justwhenhewastryingtoexplaintheverywonderfulstep-saving\'time-saving，rationalkitchenarrangementsandatthesametimewatchLindaonhercoursedowntothespring，thearchitecthaltedhimwithajerk。EugeneSnowstoodverystraight，hishandsinhiscoatpockets，looking，Petersupposed，withinterestatthearrangementsofkitchenconveniences。HisnexttersesentencefairlystaggeredPeter。Helookedhimstraightintheeyeandinquiredcasually:\"Chosenyourdreamwomantofityourhouse，Morrison？\"
Peterwastoosurprisedtoconcealhisfeelings。Hisjawssnappedtogether；abelligerentlooksprangintohiseyes。
\"Ihavehadagooddealtodowithhouses，\"continuedMr。Snow。
\"Theyaremylifework。Ifindthatinvariablytheyarebuiltforawoman。Almostalwaystheyarebuiltfromherplans，andforherpleasure。It\'sanewhouse，auniquehouse，awonderfulhouseyou\'reevolvinghere。Itmustbetrulyawonderfulwomanyou\'redreamingaboutwhileyoubuildit。\"
Thatwasanastylittletrap。WithhisyearsandworldlyexperiencePetershouldnothavefallenintoit；butallmenarechildrenwhentheyaresick，heartsickorbodysick，andPeterwasaverysickmanatthatminute。Hehadbeenaddressedinsuchafrankandcasualmanner。Hisownbrainshotoffatqueertangentsandledhimconstantlyintounexpectedplaces。ThenarrowsidelanethatopenedupcameintoviewsosuddenlythatPeter，withtheinnocenceofafour-year-old，turnedwithmilitaryprecisionatthesuggestionandlookedoverthepremisesfortheexactlocationofLinda。EugeneSnowhadseenforhimselfthethingthatKatyhadtoldhimhewouldseeifhelookedforit。Suddenlyheheldouthishand。
\"Asmantoman，Morrison，inthisinstance，\"hesaidinratherahoarse，breathlessvoice，\"don\'tyouthinkitwouldbeagoodideaforyouandmetoassertourmanhood，tomanageourownaffairs，toselectourownwivesifneedbe？Ifwereallysetourselvestothejobdon\'tyoubelievewecanworkoutourlivesmoretoourlikingthananyoneelsecanplanforus？Yougettheidea，don\'tyou，Morrison？\"
Peterwasfacingthekitchensinkbuthedidnotseeit。Hisbrainwaswhirling。HedidseeSnow\'spointofview。Hedidrealizehisposition。ButwhatMr。Snowknewofhisaffairshecouldonlyguess。TheonethingMr。SnowcouldnotknowwasthatLindafranklyadmittedherprepossessionforherschoolchum，DonaldWhiting，butinanyeventifPetercouldnothaveLindahewouldmuchpreferoccupyinghisdreamhousealone。Sohecaughtatthestrawheldouttohimwithbothhands。
\"Igetyou，\"hesaidtersely。\"Itisnotquiteuptothemarkofthemanhoodweliketothinkwepossesstoletourlivesbeengineeredbyahighschoolkid。Supposewedojustquietlyandmasterfullyassertourselvesconcerningourownaffairs。\"
\"Supposewedo，\"saidSnowwithfinality。
Whereupontheyshookhandswithagripthatwhitenedtheirknuckles。
ThentheywentbacktoLilacValleyandhadtheirdinnertogether，andLindaandPeterescortedEugeneSnowtohistrainandstartedhimonhisreturntriptoSanFranciscofeelingverymuchbetter。PeterwouldnotallowLindatodrivehimhomeatnight，soheleftheraftertheBearCathadbeensafelyplacedinthegarage。Asshestoodonthewalkbesidehim，stronglyoutlinedinthemoonlight，PeterstudiedLindawhimsically。Hesaidithalflaughingly，buttherewassomethingtothinkaboutinwhathesaid:
\"I\'mjustpicturing，Linda，whataniceoldladyyouwillbebythetimethathighschoolkidofyoursspendsfouryearsincollege，oneonthecontinent，andtheLordknowshowmanyatmasteringaprofession。\"
Lindalookedathimwithwidenedeyes。
KATYUNBURDENSHERMIND307
\"Why，whatareyoutalkingabout，Peter？Areyoumoonstruck？\"
sheinquiredsolicitously。\"Donald\'sonlyafriend，youknow。I
lovehimbecauseheisthenicestcompanion；butthereisnothingforyoutobesillyabout。\"
ThenPeterbegantorealizethetruth。Therewasn\'tanythingforhimtobeconcernedabout。Shehadnottheslightestnotionwhatlovemeant，evenassheannouncedthatshelovedDonald。
CHAPTERXXX。Peter\'sReleaseEugeneSnowreturnedtoSanFranciscoenthusiasticaboutLinda，whilehewouldscarcelyhaveknownhowtoexpresshisappreciationofKatherineO\'Donovan。Hehadbeenservedadeliciousdinner，deftlyandquietly，suchfoodasmenparticularlylike；buttherehadbeennosubservience。IfKatherineO\'Donovanhadbeenwaitingonherowntable，servingherownfriendsshecouldnothavemanagedwithmorepride。Itwasveryevidentthatshelovedservice，thatshelovedthegirltowhomshegaveconstantattention。HeunderstoodexactlywhattherewasinherheartandwhyshefeltasshedidwhenhesawLindaandPetertogetherandheardtheirmannerofspeakingtoeachother，andmadementalnoteofthemanypointsofinterestwhichseemedtoexistbetweenthem。HereturnedtoSanFranciscowithagooddealofa\"See-the-conquering-hero-comes\"mentalattitude。Hewentdirectlytohisoffice，pausingonthewayforaboxofcandyandabunchofParmaviolets。HisfirstactonreachingtheofficewastosendforMissThorne。Mariancamealmostimmediately，aworriedlookinhereyes。Shesatinthebig，cushionedchairthatwasofferedher，andsmiledfaintlywhentheboxwaslaidonherlap，toppedwiththeviolets。ShelookedatEugeneSnowwithan\"I-wish-you-wouldn\'t\"expressiononherface；buthesmiledatherreassuringly。
\"Nothing，\"hesaid。\"Pickedthemuponthewayfromthestation。
ImadeahastytriptothatpreciousLilacValleyofyours，andI
mustsayitpalesyourrepresentation。Itisawonderfullylovelyspot。\"
Mariansettledbackinthechair。Shepickedupthevioletsandrananexperiencedfingeraroundthestemsuntilshefoundthepinwithwhichshefastenedthematherwaist。ThenastheyoccupiedthemselvesmakingselectionsfromthecandyboxhelookedsmilinglyatMarian。Hereyesnotedthechangeinhim。
Hewasneitherdisappointednorsad。SomethinghadhappenedinLilacValleythathadchangedhisperspective。Womanlike，shebeganprobing。
\"Gladyoulikedmyvalley，\"shesaid。\"Wearetoldthatblueisawonderfulauratosurroundaperson，andit\'sequallywonderfulwhenitsurroundsawholevalley。Withtheblueskyandthebluewallsandafewtrue-bluefriendsIhavethere，it\'snaturallyaverydearspottome。\"
\"Yes，\"saidMr。Snow，\"Icanseethatitis。Irandownonabusinessmatter。Ihavebeendeeplypuzzledandmuchperturbedoverthisprizecontest。Wehaveruntheseaffairsonceayear，sometimesoftener，foralongtime，soIcouldn\'tunderstandthepeculiarthingaboutthesimilarityofthewinningplansandyourworkthisyear。Ihavebeenholdinguptheprizemoney，becauseIdidnotfeelthatyouweresayingexactlywhatwasinyourheart，andIcouldn\'tbealtogethersatisfiedthateverythingwasright。IwenttoLilacValleybecauseIhadaletterfromyourfriend，MissLindaStrong。Therewasanenclosureinit。\"
HedrewfromhispocketthefoldedsheetandhandedittoMarian。
Hereyesweresurprised，incredulous，assheopenedthemissingsheetfromherplans，sawtheextraneouslinesdrawnuponitandtheminutefiguringwithwhichthemarginwascovered。
\"Lindafounditatlast！\"shecried。\"Whereinthisworlddidshegetit，andwhoseworkisthisonit？\"
\"Shegotit，\"saidEugeneSnow，\"whensheundertooktocleanPeterMorrison\'sworkroomonaneveningwhensheandhercookwerehavingsupperwithhim。SheturnedacoatbelongingtohisarchitectthathungwithsomeofhisclothinginPeterMorrison\'sgarage。Shewasshakingthenestofafieldmousefromoneofthesidepockets。Naturallythisemptiedallthepockets，andingatheringuptheircontentsshecameacrossthatplan，whichsherecognized。Shethoughtitwasrighttotakeitandverywiselyfeltthatitwasman\'sbusiness，soshesentittomewithherexplanations。IwenttoLilacValleybecauseIwantedtojudgeformyselfexactlywhatkindofyoungpersonshewas。Iwantedtoseeherenvironment。Iwantedtoseethehousethatshefeltsurewasbeingbuiltfromtheseplans。IwantedtosatisfymyselfofthestabilityofwhatIhadtoworkonbeforeI
mentionedthemattertoyouorHenryAnderson。\"
Mariansatholdingtheplan，listeningabsorbedlytowhathewassaying。
\"It\'sanuglybusiness，\"hesaid，\"souglythatthereisnoquestionwhateverbutthatitcanbesettledveryquietlyandwithoutanyannoyancetoyou。Ishallhavetotakethematterupwiththeboard，butIhavethedetailssoworkedoutthatIshallhavenodifficultyinarrangingmattersasIthinkbest。Thereisnoquestionwhatever，Marian，butAndersonfoundthatsketchonthewestsideoftheStrongresidence。WhenyouleftyourplanslyingonatablebeforeawindowintheStrongguestroomthenightbeforeyoucametoSanFranciscoyoudidnotknowthatthesantanawhichragedthroughthevalleyadayortwopreviouslyhadstrippedascreenfromthewindowbeforewhichyouleftthem。Inopeningyourdoortoestablishadraftbeforeyouwenttobedyoustartedonethatcarriedyourtopdrawingthroughthewindow。WaitingforMissStrongthenextmorning，inmakingacircuitofthegroundsAndersonfounditandappropriatedittomostexcellentadvantage。MissLindatellsmethatyourstudyofarchitecturewasdiscussedatthedinnertablethatnight。Hecouldnothavehelpedrealizingthatanysheetofplanshefoundtheremusthavebeenyours。Ifhecouldacquithisconscienceoftakingthemandusingthem，hewouldstillhavetoexplainwhyhewasreadytoacceptthefirstprizeandtheconditionsimposedwhenhealreadyhadahousefairlywellunderconstructionfromtheplanshesubmittedinthecontest。Theruleisunbreakablethattheplansmustbeoriginal，mustbeunused，mustbeoursoleproperty，iftheytaketheprize。\"
Marianwasleaningforward，hereyeswidewithinterest，herbreastagitated。Shenoddedinacquiescence。EugeneSnowreachedacrossandhelpedhimselftoanotherpieceofcandyfromtheboxonherknee。Helookedatherspeculativelyandspokequietlyasifthematterwereofnogreatimportance。
\"Woulditbeagreeable，Marian，iftheprizecommitteeshouldannOuncethattherewerereasonsastowhytheywerenotsatisfied，thattheyhavedecidedtoreturnallplansandcalloffthepresentcontest，openinganotherinafewmonthsinwhichinterestedpartiesmayagainsubmittheirdrawings？IwillundertakeswiftlyandcomprehensivelytoeliminateHenryAndersonfromCalifornia。IwouldbewillingtoventurequiteasumthatwhenIfinishwiththeyoungsterhewillseethebeautyofgoingstraighthereafterandthedesirabilityofachangeofatmosphere。He\'sayoungster。Ihatetomakethematterpublic，notonlyonaccountofinvolvingyouandyourfriendsinsuchdisagreeablebusiness，butIamsorryforhim。Iwouldliketodealwithhimliketheproverbial\'Dutchuncle，\'thenIwouldliketosendhimawaytomakeanewstartwiththeassurancethatIamkeepingclosewatchonhim。WouldyoubesatisfiedifI
handledthematterquietlyandinmyownway？Couldyouwaitafewweeksforjustice？\"
Mariandrewadeepbreath。
\"Ofcourse，\"shesaid，\"itwouldbewonderfulifyoucoulddothat。ButwhataboutPeterMorrison？Howmuchdidheknowconcerningtheplans，andwhatdoesheknowaboutthis？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidMr。Snow。\"ThatmostunusualyoungfriendofyoursmademeseethelightveryclearlyconcerningPeterMorrison。Thereisnonecessityforhimevertoknowthatthe\'dreamhouse，\'asMissLindacallsit，thatheisbuildingforhisdreamwomanhasanydisagreeablehistoryattachedtoit。Hesolovesthespotthatheislivingonittowatchthathouseinminutestdetail。MissLindawasfairlyeloquentinthepleashemadeonhisbehalf。Hestrikesmeasaveryunusualperson，andsheappealedtomeinthesameway。TheremustbesomescientificexplanationconcerningherthatIdon\'tjustget，butIcanseethatsheismostunusualWhenIwatchedthemtogetherandheardthemtalkoftheirplansforthehouseandthegroundsanddiscussingillustrationsthatsheismakingforarticlesthatheiswriting，Isawhowdeepandwholesomewasthefriendshipexistingbetweenthem。Ievenheardthatwonderfulservingwoman，whomtheysofamiliarlyspeakofas\'Katy，\'chidingPeterMorrisonforallowingLindatotakehertypewritertohimanddoherownworkwithapen。AndbecauseMissLindaseemssogreatheartedandlovingwithherfriends，Iwasrathergladtohearhisexplanationthattheyweremerelychangingmachinesforthetimebeingforaveryparticularreasonoftheirown。\"
\"Doyoumean，\"askedMarian，\"thatyouthinkthereisanythingmorethancasualfriendshipbetweenLindaandPeterMorrison？\"
\"Notonherpart，\"answeredEugeneSnow。\"Anybodycanseethatsheisachilddeeplyengrossedinallsortsofaffairsuncommonforagirlofherageandposition。Herniceperceptions，herwonderfulloyaltytoherfriends，herlovingthoughtforthem，aremanifestineverythingshesaysordoes。Ifsheevermakesanymistakestheywillbefromthehead，notfromtheheart。ButfortheotherendoftheequationIcouldspeakauthoritatively。
KatypointedouttomethefactthatifIwouldwatchPeterMorrisoninMissLinda\'spresence，Ishouldseethatheadoredher。Ididwatch，andIdidseethatverything。WhenItaxedhimaboutbuildingadreamhouseforadreamwoman，hiseyescrossedaplateau，leapedabrook，andstartedupthesideofamountain。TheydidnotrestuntiltheyhadfoundLinda。\"
Mariansatsostillthatitseemedasifshewerenotevenbreathing。InviewofwhatKatyhadsaid，andhisfewwordswithPeterMorrison，EugeneSnowhadfeltjustifiedingivingMarianahintastowhatwasgoingoninLilacValley。Exactlywhathehaddonehehadnomeansofknowing。IfhehadknownandhadtalkedintentionallyhecouldnothavemadeclearertoMarianthethingwhichformonthshadpuzzledher。ShewasawarethatEugeneSnowwastalking，thathewasdescribingthedinnerhehadbeenserved，thewonderfulwild-flowergardenthathehadseen，howskillfullyLindadrovetheBearCat。Sheheardthesethingsanddimlycomprehendedthembutunderneath，herbrainwasseizingupononefactafteranother。Theyhadexchangedtypewriters。
Thepoor，foolishlittlekidhadknownhowherhealthwaswracked，howshewassuffering，howherpridewouldnotletherstooptoEileen\'ssubterfugesandwagewarwithherimplementsforamanshedidnotwantifhermanneroflivinghereverydaylifedidnotappealtohim。Lindahadknownhowlonelyandhearthungryanddisappointedshehadgoneaway，andloyallyshehadtriedtocreateaninterestinlifeforher；andshehadsucceededentirelytoowell。AndtheninapanicshemusthavegonetoPeterMorrisonandexplainedthesituation；andPetermusthaveagreedtotakeoverthecorrespondence。Onebyonethingsthathadpuzzledheraboutthelettersandaboutthewholeaffairbegantogrowclear。SheevensawhowLinda，havingfriendlyassociationwithnomansavePeter，wouldnaturallyusehimforamodel。Thetroublewasthat，withhergiftofpenetrationandinsightandherfacilitywithherpen，shehadoverdonethematter。ShehadnotimitatedPeter；shehadBEEN
Peter。Marianarosesuddenly。
Shewenthome，lockedthedoor，andoneafteranothershereadthelettersthathadpiqued，amused，comforted，andfinallyintriguedher。Theywerebrilliantletters，charming，appealingletters，andyet，withknowledgeconcerningthem，MarianwonderedhowshecouldhavefailedtoappreciateinthebeginningthattheywerefromLinda。
\"Itgoestoprove，\"shesaidatlast，\"howhungrythehumanheartisforloveandsympathy。Andthatpoorkid，whatshemusthavesufferedwhenshewenttoPeterforhelp！Andif，asMr。Snowthinks，hecaresforher，howhemusthavesufferedbeforeheagreedtohelpher，asnodoubthedid。WhatIhavetodoistofindsomewayoutofthesituationthatwillrelieveLinda\'sanxietyandatleastpartiallysavemyface。Ishallhavetotakeafewdaystoworkitout。LuckilyIhaven\'tansweredmylastletter。WhenIfindoutwhatIreallywanttosaythenI
willbeverycarefulhowIsayit。Idon\'tjustexactlyrelishhavingmylettersturnedovertoPeterMorrison，butpossiblyI
canthinkofsomeway——Imustthinkofsomeway——tomakethemfeelthatIhavenotbeenanymorecredulousthanthey。\"
Whileshethought，bothLindaandPeterweredoingmuchthinkingonthesamesubject。Linda\'sheartwasfullofgratitudetoPeterforhelpingheroutofherverydisagreeablesituation。
PeterhadnotyetopenedthepacketofletterslyingonhistableHehadasickeningdistasteforthewholetransaction。Hehadthoughtthathewouldwaituntilhereceivedthefirstletterhewastoanswer。Ifitgavehimsufficientfoundationinitselffortheanswer，hewouldnotbeforcedtosearchfurther。Hehadsmokedmanypipesonthisdecision。AfterthevisitofMr。Snow，Peterhadseenagreatlightandhaddecided，fromthemoodandtheattitudeofthatgentlemanafterhisinterviewwithKaty，thatheverylikelywouldbeequaltoanycomplicationthatmightarisewhenhereachedSanFrancisco。MullingoverthesituationonedayPetersaidreflectivelytothespringwhichwasverybusytalkingtohim:\"Iammorallycertainthatthismatterhasresolveditselfintoasituationthatcloselyresemblesthebootblack\'sapple:\'theyain\'tgoin\'tobeanycore。\'IamreasonablycertainthatInevershallhavealettertoanswer。
InafewdaysprobablyIshallbeabletoturnbackthatpackettoLindawithouthavingopenedit。\"
Tomakeupfortheperturbationwhichhadresultedinfailureinclassandtwoweeksofworkthatrepresentedherworstappearancesinhigh-schoolhistory，Linda，hermindfreedfromtheworryoverMarian\'splans，andherheartcalmeroverthefiascointryingtocomforther，devotedherselfabsorbinglytoherlessonsandtothenextmagazinearticlethatshemustfinish。ShehaddecidedthatitwastimetowriteonthesubjectofIndianconfections。HerfirstspareminutesheandKatymustbusythemselvesworkingoutthemostdeliciouscactuscandypossible。Thentheycouldtrythemesquitecandy。Nodoubtshecouldevolveadeliciousgumfromthemesquiteandtheincenseplant。Sheknewshecouldfromthewillowmilkweed；andundertheheadof\"sweets\"anappetizingjellyfrommanzanita。Thereweredelightfuldrinkstoo，fromthemanzanitaandthechia。Andbetterthaneither，thelemonadeberrywouldservethispurpose。
Shehadnotexperimentedtoanauthoritativeextentwiththedesertpickles。Andamongdrinksshemightusetheteamadefromblue-eyedgrass，brewedbytheIndiansforfeverishconditions；
andtherewasawholeworldofinteresttoopenupindifferingseedsandberries，parchedorboiledforfood。Andthereweretheseedsthatweregroundformush，likethethistlesage，andthemockorangewhichwasfoodandsoapalso，andthewildsunflowersthatwereparchedformeal，andaboveall，theacorns。
Shecouldseethatherproblemwasnotgoingtobeoneofdifficultyinsecuringsufficientmaterialforherbook；itwouldbehowtofindtimetogatherallthesethings，andputthemthroughthevariousprocessesandcombinationsnecessarytomakeedibledishesfromIthem。ItwouldmeanalongsummerofinterestingandabsorbingIworkforherandforKaty。MuchofitcouldnotbedoneuntiltheIsummerwasfaradvancedandtheseedsandtheberrieswereIripe。ShecouldrelyonDonaldtohelphersearchforthematerial。lWithonlyherselfandKatyinthefamilytheycouldgivemuchoftheirtimetothework。
\"WhereKatywillrebel，\"saidLindatoherself，\"iswhenitcomestogatheringsufficientseedsandparchingthemtomakethesemealandmushdishes。Shewillcallit\'fiddlin\'business。\'Sheshallbepropitiatedwithanewdressandabeautifulbonnet，andsheshallgowithmefrequentlytothefields。Theolddearlovestoride。FirstthingIdoI\'llcallatthebankagainandhaveouraffairsproperlystraightenedandsettledthereinthelightoftheletterDaddyleftme。ThenIshallhavemoneytogetallthefurnitureandtherugsandthingswetrulyneed。
I\'llrepaintthekitchenandgetKatysomenewcookingutensilstogladdenhersoul。AndSaturdayImustmakemytripwithDonaldaccountforsomethingworthwhileonthebook。\"
Alltheseplanswerefeasible。WhatLindahadtodowastoaccomplishthem，andthissheproceededtodoinaswiftandbusinesslikemanner。ShesoonreachedtheplacewherethewholehousewiththeexceptionofEileen\'ssuitehadbeengoneover，freshenedandrefurnishedtoherliking。Theguest-roomfurniturehadbeenmovedtoherrejuvenatedroom。OnthestrengthofherIreturnsfromthebookshehaddisposedofherfurnitureandwasfindingmuchgirlishdelightinoccupyingabeautifulroom，daintilydecorated，comfortablyfurnishedwithpiecesofherownselection。AssheandKatystoodlookingovertheirworkwheneverythingwasreadyforherfirstnightofoccupancyKatyhadsaidtoher:
\"It\'sjistrightandproper，lambie；it\'sjistthewayitoughttobe；andnowsaythewordandletmecleanoutEileen\'ssuateandgetitreadyforMissMarian，soifshewoulddropdownunexpectedshewouldfindwewasgoodasourword。\"
\"Allright，\"saidLinda。
\"AndwhatamItodowiththestuff？\"inquiredKaty。
\"Katy，mydear，\"saidLindawithadrylaugh，\"you\'llthinkIamfoolish，butIhavethequeerestfeelingconcerningthosethings。
Ican\'tfeelthatEileenhasdonewiththem；Ican\'tfeelthatshewillneverwantthemagain；Ican\'tfeelthattheyshouldgotosomesecond-handbasement。Packallofherclothingthatyoucanmanageinhertrunkandputitinthegarret，andwhatthetrunkwon\'tholdpackinatightboxandputthatinthegarretalso。Shehasn\'twrittenmealine；shehassentmenoaddress；
Idon\'tknowwhattodo；but，asIhavesaidbefore，IamgoingtosavethethingsatleastayearandseewhethersomedayEileenwon\'tthinkofsomethingshewantstodowiththem。CleantheroomsandIwillorderMarian\'sthingssent。\"
AccordingtothesearrangementsitwasonlyafewdaysuntilLindawroteMarianthatherroomwasreadyforherandthatanytimeshedesiredtocomeandtakepossessionshecouldtestthelovingnessofthewelcomethatawaitedherbybecomingintimatelyacquaintedwithit。Marianansweredtheletterimmediately。Shesaidthatshewasplanningtocomeverysoontotestthatwelcome。Shelongedforthequietofthevalley，foritscool，clean，wildair。Shewasverytired；sheneededrest。Shethoughtshewouldlovethenewhometheywereofferingher。Thencametwoamazingparagraphs。
TheotherdayDanaandIwentintooneofthebigcafesinthecitytotreatourselvestoatasteoftheentertainmentwithwhichthepeopleofwealthregalethemselves。Wehadwanderedinlaughinglyjestingaboutwhatweshouldorder，andranintoEileeninthecompanyofherauntanduncleandaveryflashyandloudlydressedyoungman，evidentlyanewsuitorofEileen\'s。I
don\'tthinkEileenwantedtointroduceus，andyetsheactedlikeapersonravenousfornewsofherhomeandfriends。Shedidintroduceus，andimmediatelyherponderousuncletookpossessionofus。ItseemsthatthemanisabrotherofEileen\'smother。
Linda，heisbigandgross，heiseverythingthatamanofniceperceptionswouldnotbe，buthedoesloveEileen。Heistryingconscientiouslytopleaseher。Hiswifeisthekindofpersonwhowouldmarrythatkindofmanandthinkeverythinghesaidanddidwasright。Andthesuitor，mydear，wasthekindofmanwhocouldendurethatkindofpeople。Eileenwasalmost，ifnotquite，theloveliestthingIeverhaveseen。Shewasplain；shewassimple；butitwasthecostlysimplicityofextravagance。Yegods！butshehadpearlsofthesizeshehadalwayswanted。Shetriedwithallhermighttobeherself，butsheknowsmewellenoughtoknowwhatIwouldthinkandwhatIwouldwritetoyouconcerningtheconditionsunderwhichImether。Weweresimplyforcedtolunchwiththem。Wecouldonlynibbleatthetoorich，toohighlyseasonedfoodsetbeforeus。AndInoticedthatEileennibbledalso。Sheisnotgoingtogrowfatandwaddleandreddenhernose，but，mydear，backdeepinhereyesandinthecurveofherlipsandinthetoneofhervoicethereweresuchdisappointmentanddiscontentasIneverhaveseeninanywoman。
Shecouldnotsuppressthem；shecouldnotconcealthem。Therewasnothingonearthshecoulddobutsitquietlyandendure。
Theydeliveredusatourrespectiveoffices，leavingbothofusdatesonwhichtovisitthem，butneitherofusintendstocallonthem。Eileen\'sfacewasatragedywhenheruncleinsistedonmakingthearrangements。Icanatleastspareherthat。
Andnow，mydear，lifeisgrowingsofullandmytimeissotakenwithmyworkattheofficeandwithmywideningfriendshipswithDanaandherfriendsandwithMr。Snow，thatIreallyfeelIhavenottimetogofartherwithouranonymouscorrespondence。ItisallIcandotofindtimetowriteyouletterssuchastheoneI
amwritingIhavedonemybesttoplayuptowhatyouexpectedofmeandIthinkIhavesucceededinfoolingyouquiteasmuchasyouhavefeltthatyouwerefoolingme。But，Lindadear，IwantyoualwaystoknowthatIappreciatethespiritinwhichyoubeganthisthing。IknowwhyyoudiditandIshallalwaysloveyouatriflemoreforyourthoughtofmeandyourefforttotideovertheverydarkdaysyouknewIwouldbefacinginSanFrancisco。Ithink，dearfriendofmine，thatIhavehadmyshareofdarkdays。Ithinkthereisverybeautifulsunlightaheadforme。AndbyandbyIhopetocomeintohappinessthatmaybeisevenmorethanmyshare。IamcomingtoseeyousoonandthenIwilltellyouallaboutit。
Therewasmoreoftheletter，butatthatpointLindamadeoneheadlongrushfortheBearCat。Shetookthecurveontwowheelsandalmostranintothemountainfacebehindthegaragebeforeshecouldslowdown。ThenshesettheCatscreamingwildlyforPeter。Ashecameuptothecarsheleanedtowardhim，shakingwithexcitement。
\"Peter，\"shecried，\"haveyouopenedthatpacketoflettersyet？\"
\"No，\"saidPeter，\"Ihavenot。\"
\"Thengivethemtomequickly，Peter，\"saidLinda。
Peterrushedintothegarageandbroughtoutthepacket。Lindacaughtitinbothhandsanddroppeditinherlap。
\"Well，thankGod，\"shesaiddevoutly。\"And，Peter，thejoke\'sonme。MarianknewIwaswritingthoselettersallthetimeandshejustpretendedthatshecaredforthemtomakethegameinterestingforme。Andwhenshehadsomanyfriendsandsomuchtodo，shehadn\'ttimeforthemanylonger；thenshepretendedthatshewasgettingawfullyinearnestinordertostopme，andshedidstopmeallright。\"
Linda\'sfacewasasmallpanoramaofconflictingemotionsassheappealedtoPeter。
\"Peter，\"shesaidinaquiveringvoice，\"youcantestifythatshestoppedmeproperly，can\'tyou，Peter？\"
Petertriedtosmile。HewasolderthanLinda，andhewasthinkingswiftly，intently。
\"Yes，kid，\"hesaidwithutmostcorroboration，\"yes，kid，shestoppedyou，butIcan\'tseethatitwasnecessaryliterallytoscarethelifeoutofyoutillshehadyouatthepointwhereyouwerethinkingoftakingofffromamountainorintothesea。Didyoureallymeanthat，Linda？\"
Lindarelaxedsuddenly。ShesankbackintothedeeplypaddedseatoftheBearCat。Alookoffrightandentreatysweptintoherdarkeyes。
\"Yes，Peter，Ididmeanit，\"shesaidwithfinality。\"Icouldn\'thavelivedifIhadhurtMarianirreparably。Shehasbeenhurtsomuchalready。And，Peter，itwasawfullyniceofyoutowaitaboutreadingtheseletters。Evenifsheonlydiditforajoke，IthinkMarianwouldratherthatyouhadnotreadthem。NowI\'llgobackhomeandbegintoworkinearnestontheheadpieceof\'HowtoGrowGoodCitizens。\'AndIquiteagreewithyou，Peter，thattheoathofallegiance，citizenship，andthetitletoapieceofrealestatearetheprimerequisites。Peoplehavenobusinesscommatoourcountrytoearnmoneythattheyintendtocarryawaytoinvestinthedevelopmentandthestrengtheningofsomeothercountrythatmaysomedaybeourworstenemy。Ihavenotfoundoutyethowtosayitinafour-by-twelve-inchstrip，butbythetimeIhavereadthearticlealoudtomyskylightalongabouttentonightI\'llgetaninspiration；IamsureI
shall。\"
\"Ofcourseyouwill，\"saidPeter；\"butdon\'tworryaboutit，dear；don\'tlosesleep。Takethingsslower。Givetimeforalittlemorefleshtogrowonyourbones。Anddon\'tforgetthatwhileyou\'rehelpingDonaldtokeepattheheadofhisclassesit\'syourfirstjobtokeepattheheadofyourown。\"
\"Thankyou，\"saidLinda。\"Howisthedreamcoming？\"
\"Beautifully，\"saidPeter。\"Oneofthesedaysyou\'regoingtocomerushingaroundthebouldersanddownthesideofthebuildingtofindallthisdebrisclearedawayandtheplaceforalawnleveled。Iamfightingdowneverypossibleavenueofexpertiseonthebuildingintheefforttosavemoneytomakethebrookrunandtheroadwindwhereyouhaveindicatedthatyouwantthemtofollowyou。\"
LindalookedatPeterwhileaqueer，reflectivelightgatheredinhereyes。Atlastshesaidsoberly:\"Well，Idon\'tknow，Peter，thatyoushouldmakethemsoverypersonaltomeasallthat。\"
\"Whynot？\"askedPetercasually。\"Sincethereisnooneelse，whynot？\"
Lindareleasedtheclutchandstartedthecar。Shebackedinfrontofthegarageandturned。Shewasstillthinkingdeeplyasshestopped。OnceagainsheextendedahandtoPeter。
\"Thankyouathousandtimesfornotreadingtheseletters，Peter，\"shesaid。\"Ican\'texpresshowawfullyfineIthinkitisofyou。Andifit\'sallrightwithyou，perhapsthere\'snotanyrealreasonwhyyoushouldnotrunthatbrookanddrivethatroadthewayIthinktheyshouldgo。Somebodyisgoingtodesignthem。Whyshouldn\'tI，ifitpleasesyoutohaveme？\"
\"Itpleasesmeverygreatly，\"saidPeter——\"morethananythingelseIcanthinkofinalltheworldatthisminute。\"
Andthenhedidathingthathehaddoneonceortwicebefore。
HebentbackLinda\'sfingersandleftanotherkissinthepalmofherhand，andthenheclosedherfingersverytightlyoverit。
CHAPTERXXXI。TheEndofDonald\'sContestThemiddleoftheweekLindahadtoldKatythatsheintendedstockinguptheBearCatforthreeandthatshewouldtakeheralongonthenextSaturday\'striptohercanyonkitchen。Itwasadayuponwhichshehadplannedtogathergreens，vegetables，androots，andprepareadinnerwhollyfromthewild。Shewasfairlysureexactlywhereinnatureshewouldfindthematerialsshewanted，butsheknewthatthesearchwouldbelongandtiring。ItwouldbejollytohaveKatytohelpherpreparethelunch。ItwouldpleaseKatyimmenselytobetaken；andtheoriginalthingsshesaidinherquaintIrishbroguegreatlyamusedDonald。Thearrangementhadbeenunderstoodamongthemforsometime，sotheyallstartedontheirjourneyfilledwithhappyexpectations。Theyclosedthehouseandthegaragecarefully。LindalookedovertheequipmentoftheBearCatminutelymakingsurethatherfieldaxe，saw，knives，andherfieldglasseswereinplace。Becausemorefoodthanusualwastobepreparedinthekitchentheytookalonganestofcookingvesselsandabroiler。TheyfoundDonaldwaitingbeforeeitherofthemwereready，andingreatglee，withmuchlaughingandmanyjeststheyrolleddownthevalleyintheearlymorning。
Theydrovetothekitchen，spreadtheirblankets，setuptheirtable，andarrangedthesmallcircularopeningfortheirday\'soccupancy。WhileKatyandLindawerebusywiththeseaffairsDonaldtooktheaxeandcollectedabigheapofwood。ThentheyleftKatytoburnthewoodandhaveadeepbedofcoalsreadywhiletheystartedouttocollectfromthecanyonwalls，thefootofthemountains，andthenear-bydesertthematerialstheywouldusefortheirdinner。
JustwherethedesertbegantoclimbthemountainLindahadforalongtimewatchedabigbedofamole。Donaldusedtheshovel，shethehatchet，andsoontheyhadbroughttothesurfacesuchaquantitythatDonaldprotested。
\"ButIhavetwousesforthemtoday，\"explainedLinda。\"Theymustserveforpotatoesandtheyhavetofurnishourmeat。\"
\"Oh，Igetyou，\"saidDonald。\"Ihavealwaysbeencrazytotrythat。\"
Sohebegantodigagainenthusiastically。
\"NowI\'lltellyouwhatIthinkwehadbetterdo，\"saidLinda。
\"Wewillskirmisharoundthissideofthemountainandfindaverynicetenderyuccashoot；andthenwe\'lltakethesebacktoKatyandletherburythemintheashesandkeepupthefirewhileweforagefortheremainderofourwildIndianfeast。\"
PresentlytheyfoundayuccaheadthatLindasaidwasexactlyright，adelicatepink，thickerthanherwristandtwofeetinlength。WiththisandtheamoletheyranbacktoKaty。Sheknewhowtopreparetheamoleforroasting。Lindagaveherafewwordsofinstructionconcerningtheyucca。ThenfromtheinterioroftheBearCatshedrewatightlyrolledsectionofwirewindowscreening。Justwhereadeep，widepoolnarrowedatarockydefiletheysankthescreening，jammeditwelltothebottom，fastenedittightatthesides，andagainstthecurrentsideofittheythrewleaves，grass，chunksofmoss，anydebristheycouldgatherthatwouldmakeatemporarydam。Then，standingononesidewithherfieldknife，Lindabegantoslicetheremainderoftheamoleverythinandtothrowitoverthesurfaceofthepool。Ontheother，Donaldpoundedthebig，juicybulbstopulpandscattereditbroadcastoverthewater。LindainstructedKatytositonthebankwithalong-handledlandingnetandwheneveratroutarose，tosnatchitoutasspeedilyaspossible，beingcarefulnottotakemorethantheywouldrequire。
Thenthetwoyoungsters，exhilaratedwithyouth，withliving，withthejoyoffriendship，withthelureofthevalley，withtheheadyintoxicationofthesaltbreezeandthegoldofthesunshine，climbedintotheBearCatandwentrollingthroughthecanyonandouttothevalleyonthefarside。HeretheygatheredthetenderestheartshootsofthelupinuntilLindasaidtheyhadenough。Thentoaparticularspotthatsheknewonthedeserttheyhurriedfortheenlargedstemsofthedeserttrumpetwhichwastoservethatdayforanappetizerinthesteadofpickles。
Here，too，theyfilledabucketfromtheheartofabigBisnagacactusasabasisfortheirdrink。AmongKatherineO\'Donovan\'scookingutensilstherewasaboxofdeliciouscactuscandymadefromthepreservedandsun-driedheartmeatofthissamefruitwhichwastoserveastheirconfection。Onthewaybacktheystoppedatthebridgeandgatheredcressfortheirsalad。WhentheyreturnedtoKatyshehadfivefinetroutlyingintheshade，andwithmoreexperiencedeyesandamoreskillfulhandLindainafewminutesdoubledthisnumber。Thentheytoreoutthedam，rinsedthescreenandspreaditoverarocktodry。WhileDonaldscaledthefishLindaputthegreenstocook，preparedthesaladandsetthetable。Once，asheworkedunderhersupervision，LindasaidtoDonald:\"Nowaboutbread，kid——there\'snotgoingtobeanybread，becausetheIndiansdidnothaveitwhentheylivedthewaywearelivingtoday。Whenyoureachtheplacewhereyourlefthandfeelsemptywithoutapieceofbreadinit，justbutterupanotheramoleandtryit。Itwillservethesamepurposeasbread，andbemuchbetterfortheinnerman。\"
\"Ifyouwouldletmeskinthesefish，\"saidDonald，\"Icoulddoitmuchfasterandmakeabetterjobofit。\"
\"Butyoushouldn\'tskinthem；youwanttheskintoholdthemeattogetherwhenitbeginstocooktender；andyoushouldbeabletopeelitoffanddiscarditifitburnsorgetssmokyinthecooking。It\'sagreatconcessiontocleanthemaswedo。TheIndianscookedtheminthealtogetherandatethemeatfromthebones。\"
\"Ohmytummy！\"saidDonald。\"IalwaysthoughttherewassomedarksecretabouttheIndians。\"
Lindasatonarockoppositehimandclaspedherhandsaroundherknees。Shelookedathimmeditatively。
\"Didyou？\"sheasked。\"Supposeyourevisethatopinion。OurNorthAmericanIndiansintheiroriginalstatewereasfineasanypeoplesthateverhavebeendiscoveredtheroundoftheglobe。Mygrandfathercameintointimatecontactwiththemintheearlydays，andhesaidthattheirreligion，embracingtheideaofagreatspirittowhomtheywereresponsiblefortheirdeedshere，andahappyhuntinggroundtowhichtheywentasarewardfordecentliving，wasasfineasanyreligionthateverhasbeenpracticedbypeopleofanynation。Immoralitywasunknownamongthem。FamilytieswereformedandtheywerebindingTheylovedtheirchildrenandrearedthemcarefully。
Theywerehardyandhealthful。Untiltheintroductionofwhiskeyandwhatwearepleasedtotermcivilizedmethodsofliving，veryfewofthemdiedsavefromwaroroldage。Theywerefree；theywerehappy。Themoping，lazy，diseasedcreaturethatyoufindsleepinginthesunaroundthereservationsisaproductofourcivilization。Nicecommentaryoncivilization，isn\'tit？\"
\"Forheaven\'ssake，Linda，\"saidDonald，\"don\'tstartanybigbrainstormingtrainsofthoughttoday！Grantmerepose。IhaveoverworkedmybrainforafewmonthspastuntilIknowonlyonethingforcertain。\"
\"Allrightthen，melad，thisisthetimeforthebigsecret，\"
saidLinda。\"IjusthappenedtobeintheassemblyroomonsomebusinessofmyownlastThursdayafternoonwhenmysessionswereover，andIoverheardyourprofessorintrigonometrytellamarlIdidnotknow，whoseemedtobeafriendvisitinghim，thatthesonofJudgeWhitingwasdoingthefinestworkthateverhadbeendoneinanyoftheLosAngeleshighschools，andthatundoubtedlyyouweregoingtograduatewithhigherhonorsthananyotherboyeverhadfromthatschool。\"
Donaldsatthinkingthisover。Heabsentlyliftedanelbowandwipedthetinyscalesfromhisfacewithhisshirtsleeve。
\"Youngwoman，\"hesaidsolemnly，\"themthingswhatyou\'resaying，arethey\'crossyourheart，honesttogoodness，sohelpyou，\'
truth，oraretheythefruitofaperfervidimagination？\"
Lindashookherheadvigorously。
\"Debut\'，kid，\"shesaid，\"degospelbut\'。YouhavetheJapgoingproperly。Hecan\'tstopyounow。Youhavefoughtyourgoodfight，andyouhavepracticallywonit。AllyouhavetodoistocarryontillthemiddleofJune，andyou\'reIt。\"
\"IwishDadknew，\"saidDonaldinalowvoice。
\"TheJudgedoesknow，\"saidLindaheartily。\"Itwasn\'tfifteenminutesafterIheardthattillIhadhimonthetelephonerepeatingitasfastasIcouldrepeat。Cometothinkofit，haven\'tyounoticedaparticularlycockysetofhisheadandthecorksomelightnessabouthisheelsduringthepastfewdays？\"
\"ByJove，hehasbeenhappyaboutsomething！\"saidDonald。\"AndInoticedthatLouiseandtheMaterweresortofcheeryandmakingaspecialtyoftheonlysonandbrother。\"
\"Sure，brother，sure，\"saidLinda。\"Hurryupandscrapethosefishandlet\'sscamperdownthecanyonmerelyforthejoyofflyingwithwingsonourfeet。You\'reIt，youngman，justIt！\"
Donaldwassittingonaboulder。Onanotherinfrontofhimhewasoperatingonthetrout。Hishandsweresoiled；hishairwastousled；hewasfairlywelldecoratedwithfinescales。HelookedatLindaappealingly。
\"AmI\'It\'withyou，Linda？\"heaskedsoberly。
\"Sureyouare，\"saidLinda。\"You\'rethebestfriendIhave。\"
\"WillyouwritetomewhenIgotocollegethisfall？\"
\"Why，youcouldn\'tkeepmefromit，\"saidLinda。\"I\'llhavesomanythingstotellyou。Andwhenyourfirstvacationcomeswe\'llmakeitahummer。\"
\"IknowDadwon\'tletmecomehomeformyholidaysexceptforthemidsummerones，\"saidDonaldsoberly。\"Itwouldtakemostofthetimetherewouldbeoftheshortholidaystotravelbackandforth。\"
\"Youwillhavetogoverycarefullyaboutgettingastart，\"saidLinda，\"andyoushouldbecarefultofindtherightkindoffriendsattheverystart。ChristmasandThanksgivingboxescanalwaysbesentontimetoreachyou。Itwon\'tbesolongforyouasforus；andbythetimeyouhaveOkaSayyebeatentoravelingsyouwillhavesucha\'perfecthabit\'thatyouwillstartrightinwiththebeatingidea。Thatshouldkeepyoufairlybusy，becausemostofthemenyoucomeupagainstwillbebeatersthemselves。\"
\"Yes，Iknow，\"saidDonald。\"AreyougoingtostartmetocollegewiththeideathatIhavetokeepupthisbeatinghabit？
IfIweretobeoneoffiftyorahundred，wouldn\'tthatbegoodenough？\"
\"Why，sure，\"saidLinda，\"ifyouwillbesatisfiedwithhavingmelikefiftyorahundredaswellasIdoyou。\"
\"Oh，damn！\"saidDonaldangrily。\"DoIhavetokeepupthistop-crustbusinessallmydays？\"
Lindalookedathimwithaqueersmileonherlips。
\"Notunlessyouwantto，Donald，\"shesaidquietly；\"notunlessyouthinkyouwouldrather。\"
Donaldscrapedafishvigorously。Lindasatwatchinghim。
Presentlythetenselinesaroundhiseyesvanished。Afaintredcreptuphisneckandsettledonhisleftcheekbone。Aconfusedgrinslowlywidenedhisnaturallywidemouth。
\"Thenit\'smeforthetopcrust，\"hesaidconclusively。
\"Thenit\'smeforyou，\"answeredLindainequallyasmatter-of-facttones；andrising，shegatheredupthefishandcarriedthemtoKatywhileDonaldkneltbesidethechillystreamandscouredhisfaceandhands，afterwhichLindawhippedawaythescaleswithanimprovisedbrushofwillowtwigs。
Itwassuchawonderfulday；itwassuchanunusualanddeliciousfeast。Plumpbrooktrout，freshfromicywater，delicatelybroiledoversearingwoodcoals，arethefinestoffood。ThroughthemealtothepointwhereDonaldlayonhisbackatthefarcurveofthecanyonwall，nibblingapieceofcactuscandy，everythinghadbeenperfect。Ninemonthswouldbealongtimetobegone，butLindawouldwaitforhim，andshewouldwritetohim。
Heraisedhisheadonhiselbowandcalledacrosstoher:\"Say，Linda，howoftenwillyouwritetome？\"
Lindaansweredpromptly:\"EverySaturdaynight。Saturdayisourday。I\'lltellyouwhathashappenedalltheweek。I\'lltellyouspeciallywhatadarnedunprofitabledaySaturdayiswhenyou\'rethreethousandmilesaway。\"
Bendingoverthecanyonfireplace，herfaceredwithheatandexertion，KatherineO\'Donovancaughtupherpokerandbeatupthefireuntiltheashesflew。
\"Easy，Katy，easy，\"cautionedLinda。\"Wemaywanttoburythosecoalsandresurrectthemtowarmupwhatisleftforsupper。\"
\"We\'lldonosuchthing，\"saidKatypromptly。\"Whatremainsgoestofeedthefish。Nexttimeit\'shungryyeare，we\'regoin\'tohititstraighttoLilacValleyandfillourselveswithGod\'sownbreadandbeefsteakandparaties。Don\'tyethinkwe\'regoin\'tobeatin\'thesehaythenmessestwiceinoneday。\"
Toherselfshewassaying:\"ThesoonerIgetyouhometoPaterMorrison，missy，thebetterI\'llbesatisfied。\"
Onceshestooderect，herhandsatherbelt，herelbowswidespread，andwithnarrowedeyeswatchedtheyoungsters。Herlipswereclosedsotightlytheywrinkledcuriouslyassheturnedbacktothefireplace。
\"Naytheroneofthemfoolkidshascometoyet，\"shesaidtoherself，\"andamightygoodthingitisthattheyhaven\'t。\"
LindawaslookingspeculativelyatDonaldashelaystretchedontheIndianblanketatthebaseofthecliff。Andthen，becauseshewasforeverbusywithNature，hereyesstrayedabovehimupthesideofthecliff，notingthevegetation，thescarredrocks，thesheerbeautyofthecanyonwalluntiltheyreachedthetop。
Then，fornoreasonatall，shesatlookingsteadilyatahugeboulderoverhangingtheedgeofthecliff，andshewaswonderinghowmanyagesithadhungthereandhowmanymoreitwouldhang，poisedalmostinair，whenatinypebbleatitsbaseloosenedandcamerattlingandboundingdownthecanyonface。EverynerveinLindatensed。Sheopenedhermouth，butnotasoundcame。Forabreathlesssecondshewasparalyzed。Thensheshriekedwildly:
\"Donald，Donald，rollundertheledge！Quick，quick！\"
SheturnedtoKaty。
\"Back，Katy，back！\"shescreamed。\"Thatboulderisloose；it\'scomingdown！\"
FormonthsDonaldWhitinghadobeyedLindaimplicitlyandinstantly。Hehadmovedwithalmostinvisiblespeedatherwarningmanytimesbefore。Sometimesithadbeenavenomoussnake，sometimesayuccabayonet，sometimespoisonvines，againunsafefooting——ineachcaseinstantobediencehadbeentherule。
Hedidhot\"questionwhy\"atherwarning；heinstantlydidashewastold。He，too，hadnoticedthefallingpebble。Withalltheagilityofwhichhewascapableherolledunderthenarrowprojectingledgeabovehim。KatherineO\'Donovanwasagoodsoldieralso。Shewhirledandrantotheroadway。Shehadbarelyreacheditwhen，withagrindingcrash，downcamethehugeboulder，carryingbushes，smallerrocks，sand，anddebriswithit。Onaccountofitsweightitfellstraight，struckheavily，andburieditselfintheearthexactlyonthespotuponwhichDonaldhadbeenlying。Lindaraisedterrifiedeyestothetopofthewall。Foroneinstantadarkobjectpeeredoveritandthendrewback。WithoutthoughtforherselfLindarushedtotheboulder，andkneeling，triedtoseebackofit。
\"Donald！\"shecried，\"Donald，areyouallright？\"
\"GuessIam，unlessithitonefootprettyhard。Feelsfast。\"
\"Canyougetout？\"shecried，beginningtotearwithherhandsatthestoneandthebusheswhereshethoughthisheadwouldbe。
\"I\'mfast；butI\'mallright，\"hepanted。\"Whythedevildidthatthinghangthereforages，andthencomedownonmetoday？\"
\"Yes，whydidit？\"gaspedLinda。\"Donald，Imustleaveyouaminute。I\'vegottoknowifIsawaheadpeeroverjustasthatstonecamedown。\"
\"Becarefulwhatyoudo！\"hecriedafterher。
Lindasprangtoherfeetandrushedtothecar。Shecaughtoutthefieldclassesandthrewthestrapoverherheadassheracedtothefarsideofthefireplacewherethewallswerenotsosheer。KatherineO\'Donovanpromptlyseizedtheaxe，caughtitscarryingstraplyingbesideit，thrustthehandlethrough，swungitoverherownhead，droppeditbetweenhershoulders，andrippingoffherdressskirtshestartedupthecliffafterLinda。
Lindawasclimbingsoswiftlyandsoabsorbedlythatshereachedthetopbeforesheheardasoundbehindher。Thensheturnedwithawhiteface，andhermouthdroppedopenasshesawKatythreefourthsofthewayupthecliff。Foronesecondshewasagainstiffwithterror，then，feelingshecoulddonothing，shesteppedbackoutofsightandwaitedaseconduntilKaty\'sredheadandredderfaceappearedovertheedge。Realizingthatherauthoritywasofnoavail，thatKatywouldfollowhernomatterwhereshewentorwhatshedid，andwithnotimetoargue，Lindasimplycalledtoherencouragingly:\"FollowwhereIgo；takeyourtime；hangtight，olddear，it\'sdangerous！\"
Shestartedaroundthesideofthemountain，headingalmoststraightupward，travelingasswiftlyandasnoiselesslyaspossible。Overbigboulders，onprecariousfooting，clingingtobushes，theymadetheirwayuntiltheyreachedaplacethatseemedtobesheerabovethem；certainlyitwasforhundredsoffeetbelowOnapointofrockscreenedbyoverhangingbushesLindapauseduntilKatyovertookher。
\"Weareaboutstalled，\"shepanted。\"Findagoodfootingandstaywhereyouare。I\'mgoingtoclimboutonthesebushesandseeifIcangetaviewofthemountainside。\"
Advancingafewyards，Lindabracedherself，drewaroundherglasses，andbegansearchingthesideofthemountainoppositeherandbelowasfarasshecouldrangewiththeglasses。Atlastshegaveup。