\"Musthavegonetheotherway，\"shesaidtoKaty。\"I\'llcrawlbacktoyou。We\'llgoafterhelpandgetDonaldout。Therewillbetimeenoughtoexaminethecliffafterward；butIamjustassurenowasIwillbewhenitisexaminedthatthatstonewaspurposelyloosenedtoadegreewhereaslightpushwoulddropit。
AsDonaldsays，there\'snoreasonwhyitshouldhangthereforcenturiesandfallonhimtoday。Shutyoureyes，olddear，andbackup。WemustgotoDonald。Iratherthinkit\'sononeofhisfeetfromwhathesaid。Letmetakeonemoregoodlook。\"
Atthatminutefromhighonthemountainabovethemashowerofsandandpebblescamerattlingdown。LindagaveKatyoneterrifiedlook。
\"MyGod！\"shepanted。\"He\'scomingdownrightaboveus！\"
JusthowLindarecrossedthebushesandreachedKatyshedidnotknow。Shemotionedforhertomakeherwaybackastheyhadcome。Katyplantedherfeetsquarelyupontherock。Herlowerjawshotout；hereyeswereaflame。ShestoodperfectlystillwiththeexceptionofmotioningLindatocrowdbackunderthebushes，andagainLindarealizedthatshehadnoauthority；asshehaddonefromchildhoodwhenKatywasinearnest，Lindaobeyedher。Shehadbarelyreachedtheoverhangingbushes，crouchedunderthem，andstraightenedherself，whenasmallavalanchecameshoweringdown，andaminutelaterapairoffeetwerelevelwithherhead。Thenscreenedbythebushes，shecouldhavereachedoutandtouchedOkaSayye。AshisfeetfoundasolidrestingplaceontheledgeonwhichLindaandKatystood，andwhilehewasstillclingingtothebushes，KatherineO\'Donovanadvanceduponhim。Hehadfeltthathisfeetwerefirm，letgohishold，andturned，whenhefacedtheinfuriatedIrishwoman。Shehadpulledthestrapfromaroundherneck，slippedtheaxefromit，andwithastrongthrustsheplantedtheheadofitagainstOkaSayye\'schestsohardthatshealmostfellforward。TheJapplungedbackwardamongthebushes，therootsofwhichhadsupportedLindawhilesheusedtheglasses。Thenhefell，slidingamongthem，snatchingwildly。Lindagrippedtheoverhanginggrowthbehindwhichshehadbeenscreened，andleanedforward。
\"Hehasahold；heiscomingbackup，Katy！\"shecried。
Katytookanotherstepforward。Shelookedoverthecliffdownanappallingdepthofhundredsoffeet。Deliberatelysheraisedtheaxe，circleditroundherheadandbroughtitdownuponthatparticularbranchtowhichOkaSayyewasclinging。Shecutitthrough，andtheaxeranguponthestonewallbehindit。AssheswayedforwardLindareachedout，grippedKatyandpulledherback。
\"Gethim？\"sheaskedtersely，asifshewerespeakingofaratorarattlesnake。
Katysankbacklimplyagainstthewall。Lindaslowlyturnedheraround，andasshefacedtherock，\"Squeezetightagainstitshutyoureyes，andkeepastiffupperlip，\"shecautioned。\"I\'mgoingtoworkaroundYou；Iwanttobeaheadofyou。\"
ShesqueezedpastKaty，securedtheaxeandhungitroundherownneck。ShecautionedKatytokeephereyesshutandfollowwheresheledher，thentheystartedontheirwayback。Lindadidnotattempttodescendthesheerwallbywhichtheyhadclimbed，butmakingadetourshewentlower，andinaveryshorttimetheywerebackinthekitchen。Lindarushedtotheboulderandkneltagain，butshecouldgetnoresponsetoherquestions。EvidentlyDonald\'sfootwascaughtandhewasunconsciousfromthepain。
Squeezingascloseasshecould，shethrustherarmundertheledgeuntilshecouldfeelhishead。Thenshewenttotheotherside，andthereshecouldseethathisrightfootwaspinnedundertherock。ShelookedatKatyreassuringly，thenshetookofftheaxeandhandedittoher。
\"He\'salive，\"shesaid。\"Can\'tkillahealthyyoungstertohaveacrushedfoot。YoustandguarduntilItaketheBearCatandbringhelp。It\'snotfartowhereIcanfindpeople。\"
AtfullspeedLindaputtheCatthroughthestreamandoutofthecanyonuntilshereachedcultivatedland，whereshefoundamanwhowouldgatherothermenandstarttotherescue。Sheranonuntilshefoundahousewithatelephone。ThereshecalledJudgeWhiting，tellinghimtobringanambulanceandasurgeon，givinghimexplicitdirectionsastowheretocome，andassuringhimthatDonaldcouldnotpossiblybeseriouslyhurt。Shefoundtimetourge，also，thatbeforestartinghesetinmotionanyprecautionshehadtakenforDonald\'sprotection。ShetoldhimwhereshethoughtwhatremainedofOkaSayyecouldbefound。Andthen，asnaturallyandasmethodicallyasshehaddonealltherest，shecalledPeterMorrisonandtoldhimthatshewasintroubleandwherehecouldfindher。
AndbecausePeterhadmanymileslessdistancetotravelthantheothersshehadsummoned，hearrivedfirst。HefoundLindaandKatyhadburrowedunderthestoneuntiltheyhadmadeanopeningintowhichthebrokenfootmightsinksothatthepainofthepressurewouldberelieved。Beforetherock，withpicksandshovels，halfadozensympatheticfarmersfromranchesandcultivatedlandatthemouthofthecanyonwerediggingfuriouslytomakeanopeningunderminingthebouldersothatitcouldbeeasilytippedforward。Donaldwasconsciousandtheyhadbeenpassingwatertohimandencouraginghimwiththereportthathisfatherandagoodsurgeonwouldbethereverysoon。KatherineO\'Donovanhadcrouchedatonesideoftheboulder，supportingthehurtfoot。Shewasbreathingheavilyandherusuallyredfacewasaghastlygreen。Lindahadhelpedhertoresumetheskirtofherdress。AttheothersideoftherockthegirlwasreachingtowhereshecouldtouchDonald\'sheadorreassuringlygripthehandthathecouldextendtoher。PeterseizedLinda\'saxeandbeganhewingattheearthandrockinordertohelpinthespeedyremovalofthehugeboulder。SoonJudgeWhiting，accompaniedbyDoctorFleming，thecity\'sgreatestsurgeon，camecaringintothecanyonandstoppedontheroadwaywhenhesawtheparty。TheJudgesprangfromthecar，leapedthestream，andstartedtowardthem。Inanefforttofreehissonbeforehisarrival，allthemenbracedthemselvesagainstthefaceofthecliffandpushedwiththeircombinedstrength。TheboulderdroppedforwardintothetrenchtheyhaddugforitenoughtoallowPetertocrowdhisbodybetweenitandthecliffandliftDonald\'sheadandshoulders。Lindainstantlyranaroundtheboulder，pushedherwayin，andcarefullyliftingDonald\'sfeet，shemanagedtoworkthelitheslendernessofherbodythroughtheopening，sothattheycarriedDonaldoutandlaidhimdownintheopen。Hewasconsiderablydazedandshaken，cruellyhurt，butprovedhimselfagameyoungsteroftherightmettle。Heraisedhimselftoasittingposture，managingaratherstiff-lippedsmileforhisfatherandLinda。Thesurgeoninstantlybegancuttingtoreachthehurtfoot，whilePeterMorrisonsupportedtheboy\'sheadandshouldersononeside，hisfatherontheother。
Anexclamationofdismaybrokefromthesurgeon\'slips。HelookedatJudgeWhitingandnoddedslightly。ThemenimmediatelypickedupDonaldandcarriedhimtotheambulance。KatherineO\'Donovansatdownsuddenlyandburiedherfaceintheskirtofherdress。Lindalaidareassuringhandonhershoulder。
\"Don\'t，Katy，\"shesaid。\"Keepupyournerve；you\'reallright，olddear。Donald\'sfine。Thatdoesn\'tmeananythingexceptthathisfootisbroken，sohewon\'tbeable，anditwon\'tbenecessaryforhim，toendurethepainofsettingitinacastwithoutananesthetic；andDoctorFlemingcanworkmuchbetterwherehehaseveryconvenience。It\'sallright。\"
Thesurgeonclimbedintotheambulanceandtheystartedonanemergencyruntothehospital。Asthecarturnedandsweptdownthecanyon，fornoreasonthatshecouldhaveexplained，Lindabegantoshakeuntilherteethclicked。PeterMorrisonsprangbackacrossthebrook，andrunningtoherside，heputhisarmaroundherandwithonehandhepressedherheadagainsthisshoulder，coveringherface。
\"Steady，Linda，\"hesaidquietly，\"steady。Youknowthatheisallright。Itwillonlybeaquestionofashortconfinement。\"
Lindamadeabraveefforttocontrolherself。SheleanedagainstPeterandheldoutbothherhands。
\"I\'mallright，\"shechattered。\"Givemeaminute。\"
JudgeWhitingcametothem。
\"Iamgettingawayimmediately，\"hesaid。\"ImustreachLouiseandMotherbeforetheygetwordofthis。DoctorFlemingwilltakecareofDonaldallright。Whathappened，Linda？Canyoutellme？\"
Lindaopenedherlipsandtriedtospeak，butshewastoobreathless，toofullofexcitement，tobecoherent。ToheramazementKatherineO\'Donovanscrambledtoherfeet，liftedherheadandfacedtheJudge。Shepointedtothefireplace。
\"Iwasrightthere，busywithmecookie\'utensils，\"shesaidlMissLindawasa-sittin，onthatexactspot，theyjisthavin1
finishedatin\'someofherhaythenmesses；andtheladwaslyin，squarewheretheboulderstruck，ontheIndianblanket，atin\'apaceofcactuscandy。Andjistonepebblecamerattlin\'down，butMissLindahappenedtobelookin\'，andshescramedtotheb\'ytoberollin\'underwhereyefoundhim；sohegaveafloportwo，andit\'swellthathetookhisorderswithoutwaitin\'toasktheraisonforthem，forifhehad，attheprisintminutehewouldbeaboutasthickasashateofwritingpaper。Thethingdroppedclearandstraightanddroveitselfintotheearthandstonebelowit，asyesee。\"
KatherineO\'Donovanpaused。
\"Yes，\"saidtheJudge。\"Anythingelse？\"
\"MissLindagottohimandshemadesurehehadbrathin\'spaceandhewasn\'thurtbad，andthenshetoldhimhehadgottostandit，because，sittin\'whereshedid，shefacedthecliffandshethoughtshehadseensomeone。Shetookthetelescopeandstartedclimbin\'，andItooktheaxeandIstartedclimbin\'afterher。\"
KatybrokedownandemittedaweirdIrishhowl。Lindainstantlybracedherself，threwherarmsaroundKaty，anddrewherheadtohershoulder。ShelookedatJudgeWhitingandbegantotalk\"Icanshowyouwhereshefollowedme，straightupthefaceofthecanyon，almost，\"shesaid。\"Andsheneverhadtriedtoclimbacanyonsideforayard，either，butshecameupandoverafterme，likeacat。AndupthereonasmallledgeOkaSayyecamedowndirectlyaboveus。Icouldn\'tbemistaken。Isawhimplainly。IknowhimbysightaswellasIdoanyofyou。Weheardthestonescomingdownbeforehim，andweknewsomeonewasgoingtobeonuswhowasdesperateenoughtokill。Whenhetouchedourlevelandturnedtofollowtheledgewewereon，I
pushedhimover。\"
KatyshookoffLinda\'sprotectingarmandstraightenedsuddenly。
\"Why，yedomnedlittlefool，ye！\"shescreamed。\"Yenevertoldaliebeforeinallyourdays！JudgeWhiting，Ihadtheaxeroundmeneckbytheclimbin\'strap，andIgotitinmefingerswhenweheardthecraturecomin\'，andagainsthischistIsetit，andI
gavehimashovethatsinthimover。Likeacathewasa-clingin\'andclimbin\'，andwhenIsawhimcomin\'uponuswiththatawfulfaceofhis，IjistswungtheaxelikeIdowhenI\'mrejoocin\'apaceofeucalyptustofireplacesize，andwhack！I
tookthebranchsupportin\'him，andadome\'goodaxeIspoileddin\'it。\"
Katyfoldedherarms，liftedherchinhigherthaniteverhadbeenbefore，andglareddefianceattheJudge。
\"Nowgoon，\"shesaid，\"anddecidewhatye\'lldotomeforit。\"
TheJudgereachedoverandtookbothKatherineO\'Donovan\'shandsinafirmgrip。
\"Youbravewoman！\"hesaid。\"Ifitlayinmypower，IwouldgiveyoutheCarnegieMedal。InanyeventIwillseethatyouhaveagoodbungalowwithplentyofshamrockoneachsideofyourfrontpath，andafairincometokeepyoucomfortablewhentherheumaticdaysareuponyou。\"
\"Iamnoover-feeder，\"saidKatyproudly。\"I\'mdailyexercisin\'
memusclesenoughtokapethemyoung。TherheumatismI\'llnothave。AndnaytherwillIhavethehousenortheincome。I\'vesavedmemoney；I\'veanincomeofmeown。\"
\"Andasforthebungalow，\"interruptedLinda，\"Katherine，asI
havementionedfrequentlybeforeismyfather，andmymother，andmywholefamily，andherfrontdoorismine。\"
\"Sure，\"saidKatyproudly。\"Whenthesetwofinepeoplebeforeyousetuptheirhearthstone，a-swapin\'itI\'llbe，andcarin\'
fortheiryoungsters；but，Judge，Iwouldlikeabitoftheshamrock。Yemightbesendin\'meastartofthat，ifitwouldplaseYourHonor。\"
JudgeWhitinglookedintentlyatKatherineO\'Donovan。Andthen，asiftheyhadbeenonthewitnessstand，helookedsearchinglyatLinda。ButLindawastooperturbed，tooaccustomedtoKaty\'sextravagantnonsenseeventonoticethepurportofwhatshehadsaid。ThentheJudgeturnedhisattentiontoPeterMorrisonandrealizedthatatleastoneofthepartiestoKatherine\'sproposedhearthstonehadunderstoodandheartilyendorsedherproposal。
\"Iwillhavetobegoing。Theboyandhismotherwillneedme，\"
hesaid。\"Iwillseeallofyoulater。\"
Thenhesprangacrossthebrookandsenthiscarroaringdownthecanyonaftertheambulance。
OncemoreKatysanktotheground。Lindalookedatherassheburiedherfaceandbegantowail。
\"Peter，\"shesaidquietly，\"huntourbelongingsandpackthemintheBearCatthebestyoucan。Excuseusforafewminutes。Wemustactthisoutofoursystems。\"
GravelyshesatdownbesideKaty，laidherheadonhershoulder，andbegantocryverynearlyasenergeticallyasKatyherself。
AndthatwastheonethingwhichwasmosteffectiveinrestoringKaty\'snerves。TearsweresuchanunaccustomedthingwithLindathatKatycontrolledherselfspeedilysothatshemightbebetterabletoservethegirl。InafewminutesKatyhadreducedheremotionstoadrysniffle。Sheliftedherhead，gropedforherpocket，andbeingunabletofinditfortheverygoodreasonthatshewassittinguponit，sheusedherginghamhemasahandkerchief。Onceshehadrisentothephysicaleffortofwipinghereyes，sheregainedcalmnessrapidly。ThelasttimesheappliedthehemshelookedatPeter，butaddressedtheAlmightyinresignedtones:\"There，Lord，Iguessthatwilldo。\"
Inafewminutesshewassearchingthekitchen，makingsurethatnoknives，spoons，orcookingutensilswerelost。Missinghersupport，LindasaterectandendeavoredtofollowKaty\'sexample。
HereyesmetPeter\'sandwhenshesawthathisshoulderswereshaking，adry，hystericallaughpossessedher。
\"Yes，Katy，\"shepanted，\"thatWILLdo，andrememberthetearswearesheddingareoverDonald\'sbrokenfoot，andbecausethismayinterferewithhiswork，thoughIdon\'tthinkitwillforlong。\"
\"WhenIcry，\"saidKatytersely，\"IcrybecauseIfeellikeit。
Iwasn\'twapin\'overthesnakethat\'dplanadeathlikethatforanyone\"——Katywavedtowardtheboulder——\"andnaytherwasI
wastin\'metearsoverthefutofakidbein\'jommedupatrifle。\"
\"Well，then，Katy，\"askedLindatremulously，\"whywereyoucrying？\"
\"Well，there\'stimes，\"saidKatyjudicially，\"whenmespiritstellmeIwouldbethebetterforlettin\'offaweebitofstame，andoneofthemtimeshavin\'arrived，Ijistbowedmeheadtoit，asisinaccordancewiththemakingsofme。Farbeitfrommetobeflyin\'inthefaceofProvidenceandsayin\'Iwon\'t，whenallmeinteriordisposhionsaystome:\'Yewill！\'\"
\"Andnow，Linda，\"saidPeter，\"canyoutelluswhyyouwerecrying？\"
\"Why，Ithink，\"saidLinda，\"thatKatyhasexplainedsufficientlyforbothofus。Itwasmerelytimeforustohowlaftersuchfearfulnervestrain，sowehowled。\"
\"Well，that\'sallright，\"saidPeter。\"NowI\'lltellyousomething。Ifyouhadgoneawayinthatambulancetoananestheticandanoperation，nowildcatthateverindulgedinahungerhuntthroughthiscanyoncouldhaveputupahowlequaltotheonethatIwouldhavesentup。\"
\"Peter，\"saidLinda，\"thereisnothingfunnyaboutthis；it\'snotameforjest。Butdomenhavenerves？Wouldyoureally？\"
\"OfcourseIwould，\"saidPeter。
\"No，youwouldn\'t，\"contradictedLinda。\"Youjustsaythatbecauseyouwanttocomfortusforhavingbrokendown，insteadoftryingtoteaseusasmostmenwould。\"
\"Hewould，too！\"saidKaty，startingtotheBearCatwithaloadofutensils。\"Nowcomeon；let\'sgohomeandbegettin\'cranedupandreadyforwhat\'sgoin\'tohappentous。Willtheybejailin\'us，belike，MissLinda？\"
LindalookedatPeterquestioningly。
\"No，\"hesaidquietly。\"Itisveryprobablethatthematterneverwillbementionedtoyouagain，unlessJudgeWhitinggetsholdofsomecluethathewishestouseasanargumentagainstmaturedJapsbeingadmittedinthesamehigh-schoolclasseswithourclean，decent，youngAmericans。Theystoppedthatinthegradesseveralyearsago，Iamtold。\"
BeforetheycouldstartbacktoLilacValleyacarstoppedinthecanyonandacoupleofmenintroducingthemselvesashavingcomefromJudgeWhitinginterviewedKatyandLindaexhaustively。ThenLindapointedouttothemaneasierbutmuchlongerroutebywhichtheymightreachthetopofthecanyontoexaminethespotfromwhichtheboulderhadfallen。SheshowedthemwheresheandKatyhadascended，andtoldthemwheretheywouldbelikelytofindOkaSayye。
Whenitcametoaquestionofreallystarting，LindalookedwithappealingeyesatPeter。
\"Peter，\"shesaid，\"couldwefixitanywaysoyoucoulddriveKatyandmehome？ForthefirsttimesinceIhavebegundrivingthisspringIdon\'tfeelequaltokeepingtheroad。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidPeter。\"I\'lltakeyourcartothenearestfarmhouseandleaveit，thenI\'lltakeyouandKatyinmycar。\"
LatethateveningJudgeWhitingcametoLilacValleywithhiswifeanddaughtertotellLindathatthetopofthecliffgaveeveryevidenceofthestonehavingbeenloosenedpreviously，sothataslightimpetuswouldsenditcrashingdownatthetimewhenDonaldlayinhisaccustomedplacedirectlyinthelineofitsfall。Hisdetectiveshadfoundthelocationoftheencounterandtheyhadgonetothebottomofthecliff，athousandfeetbelow，buttheyhadnotbeenabletofindanytraceofOkaSayye。
Somewhereinwaitingtherehadbeenconfederateswhohadremovedwhatremainedofhim。OnthewayhomeMrs。Whitingsaidtoherhusband:\"Judge，areyouverysurethatwhatthecooksaidtoyouthisafternoonaboutMissStrongandMr。Morrisonistrue？\"
\"Iamonlysureofitstruthsofarasheisconcerned，\"repliedtheJudge。\"WhathethoughtaboutLindawasevident。Iamverysorry。SheisamightyfinegirlandIthinkDonaldisverymuchinterestedinher。\"
\"Yes，Ithinkso，too，\"saidDonald\'smother。\"Interested；buthehasnotevenacaseoffirstlove。HeisinterestedforthesamereasonyouwouldbeorIwouldbe，becausesheisintellectuallysostimulating。Andyouhavetotakeintoconsiderationthefactthatintwoorthreeyearsmoreshewillbereadyformarriageandahomeofherown，andDonaldwillstillbeinschoolwithhisworldlyexperienceandhisbusinesseducationnotyetbegun。ThebestthingthatcanhappentoDonaldisjusttolethisinfatuationforherdieanaturaldeath，withthequietassistanceofhisfamily。\"
TheJudge\'sfacereddenedslightly。
\"Well，Iwouldlikemightywelltohaveherinthefamily，\"hesaid。\"She\'sacorkingfinegirl。Shewouldmakeafinemotheroffinemen。Ihaven\'tadoubtbutthatwiththepowerofhispersonalityandthepowerofhispenandthelureofpropinquity，PeterMorrisonwillwinher，butIhateit。It\'sthebestchancetheboyeverwillhave。\"
AndthenLouisespokeupsoftly。
\"Donaldhasn\'tanychance，Dad，\"shesaidquietly，\"andheneverdidhave。IhavemetPeterMorrisonmyselfandIwouldbeonlytoogladifIthoughthewasdevotedtome。I\'llgrantthatLindaStrongisafinegirl，butwhenshewakesuptotheworthofPeterMorrisonandtoarealizationofwhatotherwomenwouldbegladtobetohim，shewillmerelyreachoutandlaypossessivehandsuponwhatalreadybelongstoher。\"
ItwasacuriousthingthatsuchoccurrencesasthedeathofOkaSayyeandtheinjurytoDonaldcouldtakeplaceandnooneknowaboutthem。Yetthepapersweresilentonthesubjectandsowerethecourts。LindaandKatywerefullyprotected。TheconfederatesofOkaSayyeforreasonsoftheirownpreferredtokeepveryquiet。
ByMondayDonald，withhisfootinaplastercast，wasonasideverandaofhishomewithatablebesidehimstrewnwithbooksandpapers。Anagreementhadbeenmadethathisprofessorsshouldcallandhearhisrecitationsforafewdaysuntilbytheaidofacrutchandacanehecouldresumehisplaceinschool。LindawenttovisithimexactlyasshewouldhavegonetoseeMarianinlikecircumstances。ShesucceededinmakingalloftheWhitingfamilyherverydevotedfriends。
Oneevening，afterhehadbeenhobblingaboutforoveraweek，LindaandPetercalledtospendtheevening，andaverygayandenjoyableeveningitwas。AndyetwhenitwasoverandtheyhadgoneawaytogetherDonaldappearedworriedanddeeplythoughtful。
Whenhismothercametohisroomtoseeifthefootwasundulypainfulortherewasanythingshecoulddotomakehimmorecomfortable，helookedatherbelligerently。
\"Mother，\"hesaid，\"Idon\'tlikePeterMorrisonbeingsomuchwithmygirl。\"
Mrs。Whitingstoodverystill。Shethoughtveryfast。Shouldshepostponeitorshouldshelettheboytakeallofhishurtstogether？HerheartachedforhimandyetshefeltthatsheknewwhatlifehadinstoreforhimconcerningLinda。Soshesatontheedgeofthebedandbegantotalkquietly，plainly，reasonably。Shetriedtoexplainnatureandhumannatureandwhatshethoughtthelawsofprobabilitywereinthecase。
Donaldlaysilent。Hesaidnothinguntilshehadfinishedallshehadtosay，andthenheannouncedtriumphantly:\"You\'reallwrong。ThatiswhatwouldhappenifLindawereagirllikeanyoftheothergirlsinherclass，orlikeLouise。ButshehaspromisedthatshewouldwritetomeeverySaturdaynightandshehassaidthatshethinksmoreofmethanofanyoftheotherboys。\"
\"Donalddear，\"saidMrs。Whiting，\"you\'renot\'inlove\'withLindayourself，andneitherisshewithyou。Bythetimeyouarereadytomarryandsettledowninlife，Lindainallprobabilitywillbemarriedandbethemotheroftwoorthreebabies。\"
\"Yes，likefunshewill，\"saidDonaldroughly。
\"Haveyouaskedherwhethershelovesyou？\"inquiredMrs。
Whiting。
\"Oh，that\'love\'business，\"saidDonald，\"itmakesmetired！
LindaandIneverdidanymushingaround。Wehadthingsofsomeimportancetotalkaboutandtodo。\"
AbitofpaininMrs。Whiting\'shearteased。Itwasdifficulttokeepherlipsquietandeven。
\"Youhaven\'taskedhertomarryyou，then？\"shesaidsoberly。
\"OhgoodLord，\"criedDonald，\"\'marry！\'HowcouldImarryanyonewhenIhaven\'tevengraduatedfromhighschoolandwithcollegeandallthattocome？\"
\"ThatiswhatIhavebeentryingtotellyou，\"saidhismotherevenly。\"Idon\'tbelieveyouhavebeenthinkingaboutmarriageandIamabsolutelycertainthatLindahasnot，butsheisgoingtobemadetothinkaboutitlongbeforeyouwillbeinsuchfinancialpositionthatyoudare。ThatisthereasonIamsuggestingthatyouthinkaboutthesethingsseriouslyandquestionyourselfastowhetheryouwouldbedoingthefairthingbyLindaifyoutriedtotieherupinanarrangementthatwouldaskhertowaitsixoreightyearsyetbeforeyouwouldbeready。\"
\"Well，Icangetaroundfasterthanthat，\"saidDonaldbelligerently。
\"Ofcourseyoucan，\"agreedhismother。\"Imadethatestimatefullyayeartoolong。ButeveninsevenyearsLindacoulddoanawfullotofwaiting；andtherearesomeverywonderfulgirlsthatwillbecomingupsixorsevenyearsfromnowhereathome。
YouknowthathereafterallthegirlsintheworldaregoingtobeverymuchmoreLinda\'skindofgirlsthantheyhavebeenheretofore。Thegirlswhohavelivedthroughthewarandwhohavebeenintimatewithitssorrowanditssufferinganditsterribleresultstohumanity，arenotgoingtobesuchheedless，thoughtless，notnearlysuchselfish，girlsastheworldhasknowninthedecadejustpast。Andthereisgoingtobemoreoutdoorlife，morenaturestudy。Therearegoingtobestrongerbodies，betterfood，better-cared-foryoungpeople；andeveryyeareducationaladvantagesaregoingtobegreater。IfyoucanbringyourselftothinkaboutgivinguptheideaofthereeverexistinganyextremelypersonalthingbetweenyouandLinda，IamverysureIcouldguaranteetointroduceyoutoagirlwhowouldbequitehercounterpart，andundoubtedlywecouldmeetonewhowouldbehandsomer。\"
Donaldpunchedhispillowviciously。
\"That\'snicetalk，\"hesaid，\"anditmaybetruetalk。ButinthefirstplaceIwishthatPeterMorrisonwouldletmygirlalone，andinthesecondplaceIdon\'tcareifthereareathousandjustasnicegirlsorevenbetter-lookinggirlsthanLinda，thoughanygirlwouldbegoingsomeifshewerenicerandbetterlookingthanLinda。ButIamtellingyouthatwhenmyfootgetsbetterIamgoingtoLilacValleyandtellhimwheretoheadin，andI\'llpunchhisheadifhedoesn\'tdoitpromptly。\"
\"Ofcourseyouwill，\"saidhismotherreassuringly；\"andI\'llgowithyouandwe\'llseetoitthatheattendsstrictlytohisownaffairs。\"
Donaldburstoutlaughing，exactlyashismotherinherhearthadhopedthathewould。
\"Yes，I\'vegotahand-paintedpictureofmyselfstartingtoLilacValleytofightamanwhoisbuttinginwithmygirl，andtakingmymotheralongtohelpmebeathimup，\"hesaid。
Mrs。Whitingputherarmsaroundherboy，kissedhimtenderly，andsmoothedhishair，andthenturnedoutthelightsandslippedfromtheroom。Butintheclearmoonlightassheclosedthedoorshecouldseethataboyishgrinwastwistinghislips，andshewentdowntotelltheJudgethatheneednotworry。Ifhisboywereirreparablyhurtanywhere，itwasinhisfoot。
CHAPTERXXXII。HowtheWaspBuiltHerNestThefollowingweekswereveryhappyforLinda。WhenthecastwasremovedfromDonald\'sfootanditwasfoundthatayearortwoofcarewouldputhimevenontheathleticfieldsandthedancingflooragain，shewasgreatlyrelieved。
ShelackedwordsinwhichtoexpressherjoythatMarianwasrapidlycomingintohappiness。Shewassoverybusywithherschoolwork，withdoingallshecouldtohelpDonaldwithhis，withher\"JaneMeredith\"articles，withhuntingandworkingoutmaterialforherbook，thatsheneverhadmanyminutesatatimeforintrospection。WhenshedidhaveafewshesometimespondereddeeplyastowhetherMarianhadbeenaltogethersincereinthelastlettershehadwrittenherintheircorrespondence，butshewassodelightedintheoutcomethatifshedidattimeshavethesamedoubtinafleetingformthathadnotbeenintheleastfleetingwithPeterMorrison，shedismisseditasrapidlyaspossible。Whenthingsweresoverygoodastheywereatthattime，whytrytoimprovethem？
Oneeveningasshecamefromschool，thinkingthatshewouldtakeKatyforashortrunintheBearCatbeforedinner，shenoticedaredheadprominentinthefrontyardasshenearedhome。WhensheturnedinatthefrontwalkandcrossedthelawnshewouldhavebeenwillingtowagerquiteasumthatKatyhadbeencrying。
\"Why，olddear，\"saidLinda，puttingherarmsaroundher，\"ifanythinghasgonewrongwithyouIwillcertainlytaketothewarpath，instanter。Ican\'tevenimaginewhatcouldbetroublingyou。\"Lindaloweredhervoice。\"NothinghascomeupaboutOkaSayye？\"
Katyshookherhead。
\"Ithoughtnot，\"saidLinda。\"JudgeWhitingpromisedmethatwhatusehemadeofthatshouldbeman\'sbusinessandexploitedwhollyforthesakeofCaliforniaandherpeople。Hesaidweshouldn\'tbeinvolved。Ihaven\'tbeenworriedaboutiteven，althoughIamwillingtogouponthestandandtellthewholestoryifitwillbeanyhelptowardputtingrightwhatisatpresentagreatwrongtoCalifornia。\"
\"Yes，sowouldI，\"saidKaty。\"I\'mnotworryin\'meselfaboutthelittlebasteanymorethanIwouldifithadbeenamaddogfoamingupthatcliffatye。\"
\"Thenwhatisit？\"askedLinda。\"Tellmethisminute。\"
\"Idunnowhatintheworldyou\'regoingtothink，\"saidKaty\"I
dunnowhatintheworldyou\'regoingtodo。\"
HerfacewassodistressedthatLinda\'snimblebrainflewtoaconclusion。ShetightenedherarmacrossKaty\'sshoulder。
\"ByJove，Katy！\"shesaidbreathlessly。\"IsEileeninthehouse？\"
Katynodded。
\"HasshebeentoseeJohnandmadethingsrightwithhim？\"
Katynoddedagain。
\"He\'sintherewithherwaitin\'forye，\"shesaid。
ItwasastunnedLindawhoslowlydroppedherarm，stooderect，andliftedherheadveryhigh。Shethoughtintently。
\"Youdon\'tmeantotellme，\"shesaid，\"thatyouhavebeenCRYING
overher？\"
Katyheldoutbothhands。
\"Linda，\"shesaid，\"shealwayswassuchaprettything，andhermadidn\'traisehertohavethesenseofapeewee。Ifyourpahadbeenlettakeheroutdoorsandgrowherinthesunandtheair，shewouldhavebeenbiggerandbroader，an\'therewouldhavebeenthetruthofGod\'ssunshinean\'thegloryofHisrainabouther。Yeknow，Linda，thatshedidn\'teverhaveacommondecentchance。Itwascurlsthatcouldn\'tbeshookoutandanosethatdassen\'tbesunburnedandshoesthatmustn\'tbescuffedandadressthatshouldn\'tbemussed，fromthedayshewasborn。Yecouldn\'tjisthonestsayshehadeverhadaFAIRchance，nowcouldye？\"
\"No，\"saidLindaconclusively\'\"no，KatherineO\'Donovan，youcouldnot。Butwhatareweupagainst？Doesshewanttocomeback？Doesshewanttostayhereagain？\"
\"Ithinkshewouldliketo，\"saidKaty。\"Yougoinandseeherforyourself，lambie，beforeyecometoanydecision。\"
\"Youdon\'tmean，\"saidLindainamarvelingtone，\"thatshehasbeenhomesick，thatshehascomebacktousbecauseshewouldliketobewithusagain？\"
\"Yougoandseeherforyourself；andifyoudon\'tsaysheistheworstbeatoutandthetiredestmortalthatyehaveeverseenyou\'llbesurprisin\'me。MyGod，Linda，theyain\'tnothin\'inbein\'richifitcandotoagirlwhathasbeendonetoEileen！\"
\"Oh，well，\"saidLindaimpatiently，\"don\'tcondemnallmoneybecauseEileenhasnotfoundhappinesswithit。ThetroublehasbeenthatEileen\'sonlychancetoberichcametoherthroughthewrongkindofpeople。\"
\"Well，willyejisttellme，then，\"saidKaty，\"howithappenedthatEileen\'smawasasistertothatgreatbeefofaman，whichsameishardonself-rayspectin\'beef；porkwouldcomenearer。\"
\"Yes，\"saidLinda，\"I\'lltellyou。Eileen\'smotherhadabigstreakofthesamecoarsenessandthesamevulgarityinHER
nature，orshecouldnothaverearedEileenasshedid。Sheprobablyhadbeensenttoschoolandhadbetteradvantagesthantheboythroughadesigningmotherofherown。Herfirsthusbandmusthavebeenamanwhogreatlyrefinedandeducatedher。Wecan\'tevergetawayfromthefactthatDaddybelievedinherandlovedher。\"
\"Yes，\"saidKaty，\"buthewasafooledman。Shewasn\'twhatwethoughtshewas。Many\'sthetimeI\'vestoodinjusticeabouttheaccountsandhouseholdmanagementbecauseIwouldn\'tbewakin\'
himuptowhathewasboundtoforlife。\"
\"Thatdoesn\'thelpus，\"saidLinda。\"Imustgoinandfacethem。\"
ShehandedherbookstoKaty，andwentintothelivingroomSheconcentratedonJohnGilmanfirst，andaweequalmofdisgustcreptthroughhersoulwhenshesawthatafterweeksofsufferinghewasoncemorereadytodevotehimselftoEileen。Lindamarveledatthepowerawomancouldholdoveramanthatwouldforcehimtocompromisewithhisintellect，hiseducationandenvironment。ThensheturnedherattentiontoEileen，andtheshockshereceivedwasinforming。Shestudiedheraninstantincredulously，thenshewenttoherandheldoutherhand。
\"Howdoyoudo？\"shesaidascordiallyaswaspossibletoher。\"Thisisunexpected。\"
Hermindwasworkingrapidly，yetshecouldnotrecalleverhavingseenawomanquitesobeautifulasEileen。Shewasverycertainthatthecoloronhercheekswasebbingandrisingwithexcitement；itwasnolongersodeepastobestationary。Shewasverycertainthathereyeshadnotbeendarkenedastolidsorwaxedastolashes。Herhairwasbeautifullydressedinsweepingwaveswithscarcelyanyartificialworkuponit。Herdresswasextremelytastefulandveryexpensive。Therewasnosimperonherlips，nothingsuperficial。Shewasonlyatired，homesickgirl。AsLindalookedathersheunderstoodwhyKatyhadcriedoverher。Shefelttearsbeginningtoriseinherownheart。SheputbotharmsprotectinglyaroundEileen。
\"Why，youpoorlittlething，\"shesaidwonderingly，\"wasitsodamn\'badasallthat？\"
Eileenstoodstraight。Sheheldherselfrigidly。ShemerelY
nodded。Thenafterasecondshesaid:\"Worsethananythingyoucouldimagine，Linda。Beingrichwithpeoplewhohavegrownrichbyaccidentisadreadfulexperience。\"
\"SoIhavealwaysimagined，\"saidLinda。Andtheninherusualdownrightwaysheasked:\"Whydidyoucome，Eileen？Isthereanythingyouwantedofme？\"
Eileenhesitated。ItwasnotinLinda\'shearttobemean。
\"Homesick，littlesister？\"sheaskedlightly\"Doyouwanttocomeherewhileyou\'regettingreadytomakeahomeforJohn？Isthatit？\"
ThenEileenswayedforwardsuddenly，buriedherfaceinLinda\'sbreast，andforthefirsttimeinherlifeLindasawandheardhercry，notfromselfishness，notfromanger，notfromgreed，butasanordinaryhumanbeingcrieswhentheheartissofullthatnaturerelievesitselfwithtears。LindaclosedherarmsaroundherandsmiledoverherheadatJohnGilman。
\"Finishallofitbeforeyoustop，\"sheadvised。\"It\'sallright。Youcomestraighthome。Youdidn\'tleavemeanyword，andIdidn\'tknowwhattodowithyourthings，butIcouldn\'tfeelthatyouwouldwanttogiveupsuchbeautifulthingsthatyouhadsoenjoyed。WehadplannedforMariantospendhersummervacationheresoIputherthingsinyoursuiteandIhadmovedmineintotheguestroom，butIhavehadmyroomdoneoverandtheguestroomthingsareinthere，andeveryscrapofyoursiscarefullyputaway。Ifthatwilldo，youareperfectlywelcometoit。\"
Eileenwipedhereyes。
\"Anything，\"shesobbed。\"I\'dratherhaveKaty\'sroomthanbeshamedandhumiliatedandhurtanyfurther。Linda，IwouldalmostlikeyoutoknowmyAuntCallie，becauseyouwillneverunderstandaboutherifyoudon\'t。HerfavoritepastimewastotelleveryonewemethowmuchthethingsIworecosther。\"
LindareleasedEileenwithaslightshake。
\"Cheerup！\"shesaid。\"We\'llallhaveagorgeoustimetogether。
Ihaven\'ttheslightestambitiontoknowmorethanthataboutyourAuntCallie。IfmybrainreallyhadbeenactingproperlyI
wouldneverhavedismantledyourroom。Iwouldhaveknownthatyoucouldnotendureher，andthatyouwouldcomehomejustasyoushould。It\'sallright，John，makeyourselfcomfortable。I
don\'tknowwhatKatyhasfordinnerbutshecanalwaysfindenoughforanextracouple。ComeEileen，I\'llhelpyoutosettle。Whereisyourluggage？\"
\"Ibroughtback，Linda，justwhatIhaveon，\"saidEileen。\"I
willbeginagainwhereIleftoff。IrealizethatIamnotentitledtoanythingfurtherfromtheStrongestate，butUnclewassounhappyandJohnsaysit\'sallright——reallyIamtheonlybloodheirtoalltheyhave；Imightaswelltakeacomfortableallowancefromit。Iamtogotoseethemafewdaysofeverymonth。IcanendurethatwhenIknowIhaveJohnandyoutocomebackto。\"
WhenEileenhadbeeninstalledinLinda\'soldroomLindawentdowntothekitchen，shutthedoorbehindher，andleaningagainstit，laidherhandoverhermouthtosuppressalowlaugh。
\"Katy，\"shesaid，\"I\'vebeenandgoneanddoneit；Ihaveputtheperfectladyinmyoldroom。Thatwillbeatestofhersincerity——evendaintyandprettyasitissinceit\'sbeendoneover。IfsheissincereenoughtospendthesummergettingreadytomarryJohnGilman——whythatisallright，oldgirl。Wecanstandit，can\'twe？\"
\"Yes，\"saidKaty，\"it\'soneoftheminfernalnuisancesbutwecanstandit。I\'mthinkin\'，fromthelooksofJohnGilmanandhismannerofspakin\'，thatitain\'tgoin\'tobebutaveryshorttimethathe\'llbewaitin\'。\"
\"Katy，\"saidLinda，\"isn\'tthisthemostentertainingworld？
Doesn\'titproducethemostlightning-likechanges，anddon\'tthemostunexpectedthingshappen？Sortofdazesme。IhadplannedtotakealittlerunwithyouandtheCat。Sincewearehaving——no，Imustn\'tsayguests——sinceJohnandEileenhavecomehome，I\'llhavetogiveupthatplanuntilafterdinner，andthenwe\'llgoandtakecounselwithoursoulsandseeifwecanfigureouthowwearegoingtosolvethisequation；andifyoudontknowwhatanequationis，olddearheart，it\'smewithawar-clubandyouwithashillalahandEileenbetweenus，andbe\'damned\'
tousifwecan\'tmakeanaverage，ordinary，decenthumanbeingoutofher。Pinanaprononherinthemorning，Katy，andhandheradustclothandtellhertoindustrialize。Wewillhelpherwithhertrousseau，butsheSHALLhelpuswiththework。\"
\"Yeknow，lambie，\"whisperedKatysuddenly，\"thisisaburnin\'
shame。TheonethingIDIDN\'Tthinkaboutisthatbookofyours。
Whataboutit？\"
\"Iscarcelyknow，\"saidLinda；\"it\'sdifficulttosay。Ofcoursewecan\'tcarryouttheplanswehadmadetoworkhere，exactlyaswehadintended，withEileeninthehousepreparingtobemarried。Butshetellsmethatherunclehasmadeheragenerousallowance，soprobablyit\'senvironmentandlovesheisneedingmuchmorethanhelp。Itisbarelypossible，Katy，thatafterI
havewatchedherafewdays，ifIdecidesheisingenuine，sincere，heart-wholeearnest，ImightintroduceherandJohntomyfriend，\'Jane。\'ItisprobablethatifIdid，Eileenwouldnotexpectmetohelpher，andatthesametimeshewouldn\'tfeelthatIwasactingindifferentlybecauseIdidnot。We\'llwaitawhile，Katy，andseewhetherweskidbeforeweputonthechains。\"
\"WhataboutMarian？\"inquiredKaty。
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidLindathoughtfully。\"IfMarianisbigenoughtocomehereandspendthesummerunderthesameroofwithEileenandJohnGilman，andhaveareallyrestful，enjoyabletimeoutofit，sheisbiggerthanIam。Comeuptothegarret；I
thinkEileenhasbroughtnomorewithherthanshetookaway。
We\'llbringhertrunkdown，putitinherroomandlaythekeysontop。Don\'tbeginbytreatingherasavisitor；treatherasifsheweretrulymysister。Tellherwhatyouwantandhowyouwantit，exactlyasyoutellmeandasItellyou。Ifyouseeevenasuspicionofanyoftheformerobjectionabletendenciespoppingup，let\'scheckthemquickandhard，Katy。\"
ForaweekLindawatchedEileenclosely。AttheendofthattimeshewassincereinherconvictionthatEileenhadbeenseverelychastened。WhenshecameincontactwithPeterMorrisonoranyothermantheymetshewasnotimmediatelyartificial。Shehadlearnedtobeasnaturalwithmenaswithotherwomen。Therewerenoprettypostures，nosoftenedvocalmodulations，nochildishnonsenseonsubjectsuponwhichtheaveragechildofthesedaysdisplaystheknowledgeofthepast-generationgrandmother。WhentheyvisitedPeterMorrison\'shouseitwaseasytoseethatEileenwasinterested，moreinterestedthananyofthemeverbeforehadseenherinanysubjectoutsideofclothingandjewels。HerconductintheStronghomehadbeenirreproachable。Shehadcaredforherownroom，quietlyundertakenthedutiesofdustingandarrangingtheroomsandcuttingandbringinginflowers。ShehadgonetothekitchenandwipeddishesandaskedtobetaughthowtocookthingsofwhichJohnwasparticularlyfond。Shehadbeenreasonableintheamountoftimeshehadspentonhershopping，andhadrepeatedlygonetoLindaandshowninterestinherconcerns。TheresultwasthatLindaatoncedisplayedthesameinterestinanythingpertainingtoEileen。
OneafternoonLindacamehomeunusuallyearly。ShecalledforEileen，toldhertotieonhersunshadeandbereadyforashortride。AlmostimmediatelyshebroughtaroundtheBearCatandwhentheywereseatedsidebysideheadedittowardthecanyon。
Shestoppedattheusualrestingplace，andtogethersheandEileenwalkeddownthelight-dappledroadbed。ShepointedoutthingstoEileen，tellingherwhattheywere，towhatusestheycouldbeput，whileatthesametimenarrowlywatchingher。ToheramazementshefoundthatEileenwasinterested，thatshewasnoticingthingsforherself，askingwhattheywere。Shewantedtoknowthenamesofthesingingbirds。WhenabigbirdtrailedawavingshadowinfrontofherLindaexplainedhowshemightdistinguishaneaglefromahawk，ahawkfromavulture，aseabirdfromthoseoftheland。WhentheyreachedthebridgeLindaclimbeddowntheembankmenttogathercress。ShewasmovedtoprotestwhenEileenfollowedandwithoutsayingawordbegantoassisther，butsherestrainedherself，foritsuddenlyoccurredtoherthatitwouldbeanexcellentthingforEileentothinkmoreofwhatshewasdoingandwhyshewasdoingitthanaboutwhethershewouldwetherfeetormuddyherfingers。Sotheprotestbecameanexplanationthatitwasratherlateforcress:
theleavestoughenedwhenitbloomedandweretoopeppery。Theonlywayitcouldbeusedagreeablywastoworkalongtheedgesandselectthesmalltendershootsthathadnotyetmaturedtothefloweringpoint。Whentheyhadanarmloadtheywentbacktothecar，andwithoutanyexplanationLindadroveintoLosAngelesandstoppedattheresidenceofJudgeWhiting，nottellingEileenwhereshewas。
\"Friendsofmine，\"saidLindalightlyasshesteppedfromthecar。\"Fondofcresssaladwiththeirdinner。TheyprepareitaftertheJaneMeredithrecipetowhichyoucalledmyattention，inEverybody\'sHomelastwinter。Comealongwithme。\"
Eileensteppedfromthecarandfollowed。Lindaledthewayroundthesidewalktowhereherquickearhadlocatedvoicesonthesidelawn。Shestoppedatthekitchendoor，handedinthecress，exchangedafewlaughingwordswiththecook，andthenpresentedherselfatthedoorofthesummerhouse。Inside，hisbooksandpapersspreadoveraworktable，satDonaldWhiting。
Onesideofhimhismotherwasbusydarninghissocks；ontheotherhissisterLouisewasworkingwithembroiderysilkandsmallsquaresofgailycoloredlinen。Lindaenteredwithexactlythesameself-possessionthatcharacterizedherathome。SheshookhandswithMrs。Whiting，MaryLouise，andDonald，andthenshesaidquietly:\"EileenandIweregatheringcressandwestoppedtoleaveyousomeforyourdinner。\"WiththisexplanationsheintroducedEileentoMrs。Whiting。MaryLouiseimmediatelysprangupandrecalledtheirmeetingatRiverside。
Donaldrememberedameetinghedidnotmention。ItwasonlyafewminutesuntilLindawasseatedbesideDonald，interestingherselfinhislessons。EileenbeggedtobeshowntheprettyhandkerchiefsthatMaryLouisewasmaking。AnhourlaterLindarefusedaninvitationtodinnerbecauseKatywouldbeexpectingthem。Whenshearosetogo，Eileenwascarryingasmallsquareofblue-greenlinen。Carefullypinnedtoitwasapatchofwhitewithasprayofdelicateflowersoutlineduponit，andaskeinofpinksilkthread。Shehadbeeninitiatedintothethrillinglyabsorbingfeminineaccomplishmentofmakingsporthandkerchiefs。
WhentheyleftEileenwasincludednaturally，casually，spontaneously，intheirinvitationtoLindatoruninanytimeshewould。MaryLouisehadsaidshewouldrideoutwithDonaldinfewdaysandseehowthehandkerchiefswerecomingon，andmoreinstructionanddifferentstitchesandpatternswerenecessary，shewouldlovetoteachthem。SoLindarealizedthatMaryLouisehadbeentoldaboutthetrousseau。Sheknew，evenlackingasshewasinfemininesophistication，thatthereweretwoopenroadstotheheartofawoman。Oneisaweddingandtheotherisababy。Thelureofeitherisirresistible。
AstheBearCatglidedbacktoLilacValley，Eileensatsilent。
FortenyearsshehadcovetedtheentreetotheWhitinghomeperhapsmorethananyotherinthecity。Merelybybeingsimpleandnatural，bylivingherlifeaslifepresenteditselfeachday，LindawithnoeffortwhateverhadmadepossibletoEileenthethingshesodeeplycraved。Eileenwaslearninganewlessoneachday——somedaysmanyofthem——butnonewasmoreamazingmoresimple，orstruckdeeperintoherawakenedconsciousness。Asshegazedwithfar-seeingeyeonthebluewallsofthevalleyEileenwastakingamentalinventoryofherformerself。Onebyoneshewasarraigningalltheoldtricksshehadusedinhertradeofgettingonintheworld。Onebyoneshewasdiscardingtheminfavorofhonesty，unaffectedness，andwholesomeenjoyment。
BecauseofthesethingsLindacamehomethenextafternoonandleftabundleonEileen\'sbedbeforeshemadeherwaytoherownroomtobusyherselfwithaheadpieceforPeter\'slatestarticle。Shehadtakendownthewasppictureandwhileshehadnotdestroyeditshehadturnedthekeyofaverysubstantiallockuponit。Shewashardatworkwhensheheardstepsonthestairs。WhenEileenentered，Lindasmiledquizzicallyandthenbrokeintoanunaffectedejaculation。
\"Ripping！\"shecried。\"Why，Eileen，you\'reperfectlytopping。\"
Eileen\'sfaceflamedwithdelight。Shewasachallenginglittlefigure。Noneofthemwasaccustomedtoherwhensherepresentedanythingmoresubstantialthancurlsandruffles。
Lindareachedforthetelephone，calledGilman，andaskedhimifhecouldgotothebeachforsupperthatevening。Heimmediatelyrepliedthathewould。ThenshecalledPeterMorrisonandaskedhimthesamequestionandwhenPeteransweredaffirmativelyshetoldhimtobringhiscar。Thenshehastilyputonherownfieldclothesandrantothekitchentofillthelunchbox。ToKaty\'sdelightLindatoldhertherewouldberoomforherandthatsheneededher。
ItwaseveningandthesunwasmovingslowlytowardthehorizonwhentheystoppedthecarsandwentdownonthewhitesandsofSantaMonicaBay。Eileenhadbeencomplimenteduntilshewasinaglowofdelight。ShedidnotnoticethatinpilingthingsoutofthecarfortheirbeachsupperLindahadhandedherashovelandtheblackenedironlegsofabroiler。Everyonewasloadedpromiscuouslyastheytookuptheirmarchdowntoasnearthewater\'sedgeasthesandsweredry。PeterandJohngathereddriftwood。Lindaimprovisedtwocookingplaces，onebehindarockforherself，theotherunderthelittleoutdoorstoveforKaty。Eileenwasinstructedastohowtosetupthebeachtable，spreadtheblanketsbesideit，andplacethefooduponit。WhileKatymadecoffeeandtoastedbiscuitLindawasbusyintroducingherpartytobrigandbeefsteakuponfourlongsteelskewers。Thedayhadbeenwarm。Thelightsaltbreezefromtheseawaslikeabenediction。Friendlygullsgatheredonthewhitesandsaroundthem。Cunninglittleseachickensworkedinaccordwiththetide:whenthewavesadvancedtheyroseabovethemonwing；whentheyretreatedtheyscamperedoverthewetsand，huntinganysmallparticlesoffoodthatmighthavebeencarriedin。Outoverthewaterbigbrownpelicanswentslowlyfanninghomeward；
andwhiteseaswallowsdrewwonderfulpicturesonthebluenightskywiththetipsoftheirwings。Forafewminutesatthereddestpointofitssettingthesunpaintedamarvelouspictureinabankofwhiteclouds。Thesepileduplikeagreatrosycastle，anddowntheskyroadwaybeforeitcamealongprocessionofarmoredknights，redinthesunglowandridinghugeredhorses。Thenthecolorsmixedandfadedandalongredbridgeforashorttimespannedthewater，endingattheirfeet。Thegullshuntedthelastscrapthrownthemandwenthome。Theswallowssoughttheirhighcliffs。Theinsidiouslyalluringperfumeofsandverbenaroselikealtarincensearoundthem。
Gilmanspreadablanket，piledthebeachfirehigher，andsittingbesideEileen，hedrewherheadtohisshoulderandputhisarmaroundher。Possiblyhecouldhavebeenhappierinacarelesswayifhehadneversuffered。ItisveryprobablethatthepoignantdepthofexquisitehappinesshefeltinthathourneverwouldhavecometohimhadhenotlostEileenandfoundheragainsomuchmoreworthloving。Lindawandereddownthebeachuntilshereachedthelighthouserocks。Sheclimbedonahighoneandsatwatchingtheseaasitsprayedjustbelow。PeterMorrisonfollowedher。
\"MayIcomeup？\"heasked。
\"Surely，\"saidLinda，\"thisbelongstotheLord；itisn\'tmine。\"
SoPeterclimbedupandsatbesideher。
\"Howdidthelandscapeappealtoyouwhenyouleftthecampfire？\"
inquiredLinda。
\"IshouldthinkthenightcrymightverywellbeEighto\'clockandall\'swell，\"answeredPeter。
\"\'God\'sinhisheaven，all\'srightwiththeworld？\'\"Lindaputitintheformofaquestion。
\"ItseemstobeforJohnandEileen，\"saidPeter。
\"Itisforanumberofpeople，\"saidLinda。\"IhadaletterfromMariantoday。Ihadwrittenhertoaskifshewouldcometousforthesummer，inspiteofthechangeinourplans；butMr。Snowhasmadesomeplansofhisown。Heisaveryastuteindividual。
HewantedMariantomarryhimatonceandshewouldnot，sohetookherforashortvisittoseehisdaughterathergrandmother\'shomeinthenorthernpartofthestate。Marianfelldeeplyinlovewithhislittlegirl，andofcoursethosepeoplefoundMariancharming，justasright-mindedpeoplewouldfindher。Whenshesawhowthelittlegirlmissedherfatherandhowdifficultitwasforhimtoleaveher，andwhenshesawhowshewouldbelovedandappreciatedinthatfinefamily，shechangedhermind。Peter，wearegoingtobeinvitedtoSanFranciscotoseethemmarriedveryshortly。Areyougladorsorry？\"
\"Iamveryglad，\"saidPeterheartily。\"ImakenoconcealmentofmyadmirationforMissThornebutIamverygladindeedthatitisnotherheadthatistocompletethedecorationwhenyoustarttheirismarchingdownmycreekbanks。\"
\"Well，that\'sallright，\"saidLinda。\"Ofcourseyoushouldhavesomethingtosayaboutwhoseheadfinishedthatpicture。Ican\'tcontracttodomorethansettheiris。ThethingaboutthisI
dreadisthatMarianandEugenearegoingtoliveinSanFrancisco，andIdidsowanthertomakeherhomeinLilacValley。\"
\"That\'stoobad，\"saidPetersympathetically。\"Iknowhowyouappreciateher，howdeeplyyouloveher。Doyouthinkthevalleywilleverberightforyouwithouther，Linda？\"
\"Itwillhavetobe，\"saidLinda。\"I\'vehadtogoonwithoutFather，youknow。IfgreaterhappinessseemstobeinstoreforMarianinSanFrancisco，allIcandoistoeffacemyselfandsay\'Amen。\'WhentheworldisallrightforMarian，itisaboutasnearallrightasitcanbeforme。AnddidyoueverseemuchmoresincerelyandclearlycontentedpeoplethanJohnandEileenareatthepresentminute？\"
PeterlookedatLindawhimsically。Heloweredhisvoiceasifaseaurchinmighthearandtattle。
\"Whatdidyoudoaboutthewasp，Linda？\"hewhispered。
\"Idelicatelyerasedthestinger，fluffeduparuffle，andputthesketchunderlockandkey。Ishouldhavestartedafirewithit，butcouldn\'tquitebringmyselftoletitgo，yet。\"
\"Isshegoingtoholdout？\"askedPeter。
\"She\'llholdoutorgetherneckwrung，\"saidLinda。\"Itrulythinkshehasbeenredeemed。Shehasbeenbornagain。Shehasanewheartandanewsoulandanewimpulseandarightconceptionoflife。Why，Peter，shehasevengotanewbody。Herfaceisnotthesame。\"
\"Sheismuchhandsomer，\"saidPeter。
\"Isn\'tshe？\"criedLindaenthusiastically。\"Anddoesn\'thavingasoulanddoesn\'tthinkingaboutessentialthingsmakethemostremarkabledifferenceinher？Itisworthgoingthroughafieryfurnacetocomeoutnewlikethat。IcalledherAbednegotheotherday，butshedidn\'tknowwhatImeant。\"
Thentheysatsilentandwatchedtheseaforalongtime。Byandbythenightairgrewchill。PeterslippedfromtherockandwentupthebeachandcamebackwithanIndianblanket。HeputitverycarefullyaroundLinda\'sshoulders，andwhenhewenttoresumehisseatbesideherhefoundoneofherarmsstretchingitwithablanketcornerforhim。Sohesatdownbesideheranddrewthecorneroverhisshoulder；andbecausehisrightarmwasverymuchinhisway，anditwouldhavebeenverydisagreeableifLindahadslippedfromtherockandfallenintothecold，salt，unsympatheticPacificatnineo\'clockatnight——merelytodisposeofthearmcomfortablyandtoensurehersecurity，PeterputitaroundLindaanddrewherupbesidehimveryclose。Lindadidnotseemtonotice。ShesatquietlylookingatthePacificandthinkingherownthoughts。Whenthefogbecamedampandchill，shesaidtheymustbegoing，andsotheywentbacktotheircarsanddrovehomethroughthesheerwonderofthemoonlight，throughtheperfumeoftheorangeorchards，hearingthenightsongofthemockingbirds。
CHAPTERXXXIII。TheLadyoftheIrisAfewdayslaterLindaandPeterwenttoSanFranciscoandhelpedcelebratethemarriageofMarianandEugeneSnow。TheyleftMarianinahomecarefullydesignedtoinsureeverycomfortandconveniencesheeverhadplanned，furnishedinaccordancewithherdesires。BothLindaandPeterwerecharmedwithlittleDeborahSnow；shewasabeautifulandanappealingchild。
\"Itseemstome，\"saidLinda，onthetraingoinghome，\"thatMarianwillgetmoreoutoflife，shewilllovedeeper，shewillworkharder，shewillclimbhigherinherprofessionthanshewouldhavedoneifshehadmarriedJohn。Itisdifficultsometimes，whenthingsarehappening，torealizethattheyareforthebest，butIreallybelievethisthinghasbeenforthelevelbest。IthinkMarianisgoingtobeabiggerwomaninSanFranciscothansheeverwouldhavebeeninLilacValley。WiththatthoughtImustreconcilemyself。\"
\"AndwhataboutJohn？\"askedPeter。\"IshegoingtobeabiggermanwithEileenthanhewouldhavebeenwithMarian？\"
\"No，\"saidLinda，\"heisnot。Hedidn\'tdorightandhe\'llhavepenaltytopay。Eileenisdevelopingintoalovableandtrulybeautifulwoman，butshehasnottheintellect，northeeducation，northeimpulsetostimulateaman\'smentalprocessesandmakehimoutdohimselfthewayMarianwill。Johnwillprobablyneverknowit，buthewillhavetodohisownstimulating；hewillhavetovisionlifeforhimself。HewillhavetofindhishighhillandclimbitwithEileenridingsecurelyonhisshoulders。Itisn\'treallythepleasantestthingintheworld，itisn\'ttrulythethingIwantedtodothissummer——helpingthemout——butithasseemedtobetheworkathand，thethingDaddyprobablywouldhavewantedmetodo，soit\'suptometodoallIcanforthem，justasIdidallIcouldforDonald。OnethingIshallalwaysbedelightedabout。WithmyownearsIheardthepronouncement:DonaldhadtheJapbeaten；hewasattheheadofhisclassbeforeOkaSayyewaseliminated。TheJapknewit。Hisonlychancelayingettingridofhisrival。Donaldcantaketheexcellentrecordhehasmadeinthisracetostartonthisfallwhenhecommencesanotherbattleagainstsomeotherman\'sbrainfortophonorsinhiscollege。\"
\"Willhestartwiththeideathathewantstobeanhonorman？\"
Lindalaughedoutright。
\"Ithink，\"shesaid，\"hisideawasthatifhewereoneoffiftyoronehundredleadingmenitwouldbesufficient，butIinsistedthatifhewantedtobefirstwithme，hewouldhavetobefirstinhisschoolwork。\"
\"Isee，\"saidPeter。\"Linda，haveyoudefinitelydecidedthatwhenyoucometoyourhome-makinghour，Donaldisthemanwithwhomyouwanttospendtheremainderofyourlife？\"
\"Oh，goodgracious！\"saidLinda。\"Who\'stalkingabout\'homes\'
and\'spendingtheremainderoflives\'？DonaldandIareschoolfriends，andwearegoodcompanions。You\'reasbadasEileen。
She\'salwaystryingtosuggestthingsthatnobodyelseeverthoughtof，andnowKaty\'sbeginningittoo。\"
\"Sapheads，all！\"saidPeter。\"Well，allowmetocongratulateyouonhavinggivenDonaldhisspurs。Ithinkit\'saveryfinethingforhimtostarttocollegewiththehonorideainhishead。
WhataboutyourSaturdayexcursions？\"
\"Theyhavediedanunnaturaldeath，\"saidLinda。\"DonandI
foughtforthem，buttheJudgeandMrs。WhitingandMaryLouisewereterrifiedforfearabonemightslipinDon\'sfoot，orsomerevengefulfriendorrelativeofOkaSayyelieinwaitforus。
Theywon\'thearofourgoinganymore。IgoeverySaturdayandtakeDonaldforaverycarefuldriveoverasmoothroadwiththeBearCatcursingourrateofspeedalltheway。Allthefun\'sspoiledforallthreeofus。\"
\"ThinkIwouldbeanygoodasasubstitutewhenitcomestofieldwork？\"inquiredPetercasually。\"IhavelookedatyourdesertgardensomuchIwouldknowaCotyledonifIsawit。IbelieveI
couldlearn。\"
\"Youwouldn\'thavetimetobother，\"objectedLinda。\"You\'reaman，withaman\'sbusinesstotransactintheworld。Youhavetohustleandearnmoneytopayforthebridgeandchangingthebrook。\"
\"ButIhadmoneytopayforthebrookandthebridgebeforeI
agreedtothem，\"saidPeter。
\"Well，then，\"saidLinda，\"youshouldbegintohuntoldmahoganyandrugs。\"
\"Ihadn\'tintendedto，\"saidPeter；\"iftheyaretobeold，I
won\'thavetodomorethantoshipthem。InstorageinVirginiatherearesomeverywonderfuloldmahoganyandrosewoodandrugsandbric-a-bracenoughtofurnishthehouseIambuilding。Thestuffbelongedtoalittleoldauntofminewholeftittomeinherwill，anditwaswiththosethingsinmindthatIbeganmyhouse。Theplansandfinishingwillfitthatfurniturebeautifully。\"
\"Why，youluckyindividual！\"saidLinda。\"NowhereintheworldistheremorebeautifulfurniturethaninsomeofthoseoldhomesinVirginia。ThereareoldFlemishandDutchandBritishandItalianpiecesthatcameintothiscountryonearlysailingvesselsforthearistocrats。Youdon\'tmeanthatkindofstuff，doyou，Peter？\"
\"ThatispreciselythekindofstuffIdomean，\"answeredPeter。
\"WhyPeter，ifyouhavefurniturelikethat，\"criedLinda，\"thenallyouneedisMaryLouise。\"
\"Linda，\"saidPetersoberly，\"youaretrespassingondelicategroundagain。Youselectedonewifeformeandyourplandidn\'twork。WhenthatfurniturearrivesandisinstalledI\'llsetaboutinducingtheladyofmydreamstocomeandoccupymydreamhouse，inmyownway。Ineverdidgiveyouthatjob。Itwasmerelyassumedonyourpart。\"
\"Soitwas，\"saidLinda。\"ButyouknowIcouldsetthatirisandrunthatbrookwithmoreenthusiasmifIknewtheladywhowastowalkbesideit。\"
\"Youdo，\"saidPeter。\"Youknowherbetterthananyoneelse，evenbetterthanI。Putthatinyourmentalpipeandsmokeit！\"
\"Saintspreserveus！\"criedLinda。\"IbelievethemanisplanningtotakeKatyawayfromme。\"
\"NotFROMyou，\"saidPeter，\"WITHyou。\"
\"Letmeknowaboutitbeforeyoudoit，\"saidLindawithacarelesslaugh。
\"That\'swhatI\'mdoingrightnow，\"saidPeter。
\"AndI\'mgoingtoschool，\"saidLinda。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidPeter，\"butthatwon\'tlastforever。\"
LindaenteredenthusiasticallyuponthetripletaskofgettingDonaldinaproperframeofmindtostarttocollegewiththeambitiontodogoodwork，ofmarryingoffEileenandJohnGilman，andofgivingherbestbrainandhearttoJaneMeredith。Whenthetimecame，Donaldwasreadytoentercollegecomfortableandhappy，willingtowaitandseewhatlifehadinstoreforhimashelivedit。
WhenshewassureofEileenpastanyreasonabledoubtLindatookherandJohntoherworkroomoneeveningandshowedthemherbookcontractandthematerialshehadready，andgavethemthebestideashecouldofwhatyetremainedtobedone。Shewasnotpreparedfortheirwholeheartedpraise，fortheirdelightandappreciation。
Alone，theytookcounselastohowtheycouldbesthelpher，anddecidedthattobemarriedatonceandtakealongtripabroadwouldbethebestway。ThatwouldleaveLindatoworkinquietandwithnointerruptiontodistractherattention。Theycouldmaketheirhomearrangementswhentheyreturned。
WhentheyhadgoneLindaworkedpersistently，butherbookwasnotcompletedandthepublisherswerehurryingherwhenthefalltermofschoolopened。Bythetimethefinalchapterwithitsexquisiteillustrationhadbeensentin，thefirstoneswerecomingbackinproof，andwiththeproofcamethematerializedformofLinda\'sdesignforhercover，andtherewasnoMariantoconsultaboutit。Lindaworkeduntilshewasconfused。ThenshepiledthematerialintheBearCatandheadedupLilacValley。
Asshecamearoundthecurveandturnedfromthepublicroadshesawthatforthefirsttimeshemightcrossherbridge；itwaswaitingforher。Sheheardtherejoicingofthewaterasitfellfromstonetostonewhereitdippedundertheroad，andassheswungacrossthebridgeshesawthatshemightdriveoverthecompletedroadwhichhadbeenfinishedinherweeksofabsence。
Thewindowstoldanotherstory。Peter\'sfurniturehadcomeandhehadbeenplacingitwithouttellingher。Shefoundthefrontdoorstandingwideopen，soshewalkedin。WithherbundleonherarmshemadeherwaytoPeter\'sworkroom。Whenhelookedupandsawherstandinginhisdoorhesprangtohisfeetandcametomeether。
\"Peter，\"shesaid，\"I\'vetakenonmoreworkthanIcanpossiblyfinishontime，andI\'mthelonesomestpersoninCaliforniatoday。\"
\"Idoubtthat，\"saidPetergravely。\"IfyouareanylonesomerthanIamyoumustproveit。\"
\"Ihaveprovedit，\"saidLindaquietly。\"IfyouhadbeenaslonesomeasIamyouwouldhavecometome。Asitis，Ihavecometoyou。\"
\"Isee，\"saidPeterratherbreathlessly。\"Whathaveyouthere，Linda？Whydidyoucome？\"
\"Icamefortworeasons，\"saidLinda。\"Iwanttoaskyouaboutthisstuff。SeveraltimesthissummeryouhaveheardtalkaboutJaneMeredithandtheEverybody\'sHomearticles。Everreadanyofthem，Peter？\"
\"Yes，\"saidPeter，\"Ireadallofthem。Interestedinhomestuffthesedaysmyself。\"
\"Well，\"saidLinda，dumpingherarmloadbeforePeter，\"there\'stheproofandthere\'stheillustrationandthere\'sthecoverdesignforabooktobemadefromthatstuff。Peter，makeyourbestboyandsay\'pleasedtomeetyou\'toJaneMeredith。\"
PetersecuredbothofLinda\'shandsandheldthem。Firsthelookedather，thenhelookedatthematerialshehadpileddowninfrontofhim。
\"Neveragain，\"saidPeterinasmallvoice，\"willIcreditmyselfwithanydeepdiscernment，anykeenpenetration。HowIcouldhavereadthatmatterandlookedatthosepicturesandnotseenyouinandthroughandoverthemisathingIcan\'timagine。
It\'sgreat，Linda，absolutelygreat！OfcourseIwillhelpyouanywayintheworldIcan。Andwhatelsewasityouwanted？
Yousaidtwothings。\"
\"Oh，theotherdoesn\'tamounttomuch，\"saidLinda。\"Ionlywantedthecomfortofknowingwhether，assoonasIgraduate，I
maytakeKatyandcomehome，Peter。\"
FrompreviousexperiencewithLinda，Peterhadlearnedthatagirlrearedbymenisnotasotherwomen。Hehadsupposedtheotherthingconcerningwhichshehadwantedtoappealtohimwasonparwithherdesireforsympathyandhelpconcerningherbook。
Atherquestion，withhereyesfranklymeetinghis，Peterforaninstantfeltlightheaded。Healmostdodged，hewassosweepinglytakenunawares。Lindawaswaitingandhisbrainwasnotworking。
Hetriedtosmile，butheknewshewouldnotrecognizeasnaturaltheexpressionofthatwhirlingmoment。Shesawhishesitation。
\"Ofcourse，ifyoudon\'twantus，Peter——\"
Peterfoundhisvoicepromptly。OnlyhisGodknewhowmuchhewantedLinda，buttherewereconditionsthatamanofPeter\'ssoul-fibercouldnotendure。Morethanlifehewantedher，buthedidnotwantherasleep。Hedidnotwanttoriskherawakeningtoaspoiledlifeanddisappointedhopes。
\"ButyourememberthatItoldyoucominghomefromSanFranciscothatyouknewtheLadyofmyIrisbetterthananyoneelse，andthatIwasplanningtotakeKaty，notfromyou，butwithyou。\"
\"OfcourseIremember，\"saidLinda。\"ThatiswhywhenMarianandEileenandDonaldandallmyworldwentpastandleftmestandingdesolate，andmyworkpiledupuntilIcouldn\'tseemyway，I
juststartedrightouttoaskyouifyouwouldhelpmewiththeproof。OfcourseIknewyouwouldbegladtodothatandI
thoughtifyoureallymeantinyourheartthatIwastheonetocompleteyouririsprocession，itwouldbeacomforttomeduringthehardworkandthelonesomedaystohaveitputintwo-syllableEnglish。Mariansaidthatwastheonlyrealway——\"
\"AndMarianiseminentlycorrect。Youwillhavetogivemeanordinarylifetime，Linda，inwhichtotrytomakeyouunderstandexactlywhatthismeanstome。PerhapsI\'llevenhavetoinventnewwordsinwhichtoexpressmyself。\"
\"Oh，that\'sallright，\"saidLinda。\"Itmeansalottometoo。
Ican\'ttellyouhowmuchIthinkofyou。Thatfirstday，assoonasIputdowntheCotyledonsafelyandtuckedinmyblouse，Iwouldhaveputmyhandinyoursandstartedaroundtheworld，ifyouhadaskedmeto。Ihavetheveryhighestesteemforyou，Peter。\"
\"Esteem，yes，\"saidPeterslowly。\"ButLinda-girl，isn\'tthesortofallianceIamaskingyoutoenterwithmeusuallybasedonsomethingagoodbitstrongerthan\'esteem\'？\"
\"Yes，Ithinkitis，\"saidLinda。\"Butyouneedn\'tworry。I
onlywantedthecomfortofknowingthatIwasnotutterlyaloneagain，saveforKaty。I\'llsticktomybookandtomyfightforSeniorhonorsallright。\"
Peterwasblinkinghiseyesandfightingtobreatheevenly。Whenhecouldspeakhesaidassmoothlyaspossible:\"Ofcourse，Linda。I\'lldoyourproofforyouandyoumayputallyourtimeonclasshonors。Itmerelyoccurredtometowonderwhetheryourealizedthefullandultimatesignificanceofwhatwearesaying；exactlywhatitmeanstomeandtoyou。\"
\"Possiblynot，Peter，\"saidLinda，smilingonhimwithutterconfidence。\"EveryonesaysIammyfather\'sdaughter，andFatherdidn\'tlivetocoachmeonbeingyouririsdecoration，asawomanwould；but，Peter，whenthetimecomes，Ihaveeveryconfidenceinyourabilitytoteachmewhatyouwouldlikemetoknowyourself。Don\'tyouagreewithme，Peter？\"
MakinganefforttocontrolhimselfPetergatheredupthematerialLindahadbroughtandtakingherarmhesaidcasually:
\"Ithoroughlyagreewithyou，dear。Youaresanelyandhealthfullyandbeautifullyright。Nowlet\'sgoandtakeKatyintoourconfidence，andthenyoushallshowmeyourideasbeforeIbeginworkonyourproof。Andafterthis，insteadofyoucomingtomeIshallalwayscometoyouwheneveryoucanspareaminuteforme。\"
Lindanoddedacquiescence。
\"Ofcourse！Thatwouldbebest，\"shesaid。\"Peter，youaresosatisfyinglysatisfactory。\"
End