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diff --git a/old/904-h/904-h.htm b/old/904-h/904-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..feee0de --- /dev/null +++ b/old/904-h/904-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,16254 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Her Father's Daughter, by Gene Stratton-Porter + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Her Father's Daughter, by Gene Stratton-Porter + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Her Father's Daughter + +Author: Gene Stratton-Porter + +Release Date: July 26, 2008 [EBook #904] +Last Updated: March 9, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HER FATHER'S DAUGHTER *** + + + + +Produced by Dianne Bean, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + HER FATHER'S DAUGHTER + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Gene Stratton-Porter + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_LIST"> List of Characters </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> "What Kind of + Shoes Are the Shoes You Wear?” <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> + CHAPTER II. </a> Cotyledon of Multiflores Canyon <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> The House of + Dreams <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> Linda + Starts a Revolution <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> The + Smoke of Battle <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> Jane + Meredith <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> Trying + Yucca <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> The + Bear Cat <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> One + Hundred Per Cent Plus <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. + </a> Katy to the Rescue <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> + CHAPTER XI. </a> Assisting Providence <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> The Lay of the Land + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> Leavening + the Bread of Life <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> Saturday's + Child <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> Linda's + Hearthstone <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> Producing + the Evidence <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a> A + Rock and a Flame <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. </a> Spanish + Iris <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a> The + Official Bug-Catcher <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. + </a> The Cap Sheaf <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0021"> + CHAPTER XXI. </a> Shifting the Responsibility <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. </a> The End of Marian's + Contest <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. </a> The + Day of Jubilee <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. </a> Linda's + First Party <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. </a> Buena + Moza <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI. </a> A + Mouse Nest <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII. </a> The + Straight and Narrow <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0028"> CHAPTER XXVIII. + </a> Putting It Up to Peter <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0029"> + CHAPTER XXIX. </a> Katy Unburdens Her Mind <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX. </a> Peter's Release <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI. </a> The End of + Donald's Contest <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0032"> CHAPTER XXXII. </a> How + the Wasp Built Her Nest <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0033"> CHAPTER + XXXIII. </a> The Lady of the Iris <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_LIST" id="link2H_LIST"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + List of Characters + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + LINDA STRONG, Her Father's Daughter + DR. ALEXANDER STRONG, a Great Nerve Specialist + MRS. STRONG, His Wife + EILEEN STRONG, Having + Social Aspirations + MR. AND MRS. THORNE, Neighbors of the Strongs + MARIAN THORNE, a Dreamer of Houses + JOHN GILMAN, a Man of Law + PETER MORRISON, an Author + HENRY ANDERSON, an Architect + DONALD WHITING, a High School Senior + MARY LOUISE WHITING, His Sister + JUDGE AND MRS. WHITING, a Man of Law and a Woman of Culture + KATHERINE O' DONOVAN, the Strong Cook + OKA SAYYE, a High School Senior + JAMES HEITMAN, Accidentally Rich + MRS. CAROLINE HEITMAN, His Wife +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. “What Kind of Shoes Are the Shoes You Wear?” + </h2> + <h3> + “What makes you wear such funny shoes?” + </h3> + <p> + Linda Strong thrust forward a foot and critically examined the narrow + vamp, the projecting sole, the broad, low heel of her well-worn brown + calfskin shoe. Then her glance lifted to the face of Donald Whiting, one + of the most brilliant and popular seniors of the high school. Her eyes + narrowed in a manner habitual to her when thinking intently. + </p> + <p> + “Never you mind my shoes,” she said deliberately. “Kindly fix your + attention on my head piece. When you see me allowing any Jap in my class + to make higher grades than I do, then I give you leave to say anything you + please concerning my head.” + </p> + <p> + An angry red rushed to the boy's face. It was an irritating fact that in + the senior class of that particular Los Angeles high school a Japanese boy + stood at the head. This was embarrassing to every senior. + </p> + <p> + “I say,” said Donald Whiting, “I call that a mean thrust.” + </p> + <p> + “I have a particular reason,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “And I have 'a particular reason',” said Donald, “for being interested in + your shoes.” + </p> + <p> + Linda laughed suddenly. When Linda laughed, which was very seldom, those + within hearing turned to look at her. Hers was not a laugh that can be + achieved. There were a few high places on the peak of Linda's soul, and on + one of them homed a small flock of notes of rapture; notes as sweet as the + voice of the white-banded mockingbird of Argentina. + </p> + <p> + “How surprising!” exclaimed Linda. “We have been attending the same school + for three years; now, you stop me suddenly to tell me that you are + interested in the shape of my shoes.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been watching them all the time,” said Donald. “Can't understand + why any girl wants to be so different. Why don't you dress your hair the + same as the other girls and wear the same kind of clothes and shoes?” + </p> + <p> + “Now look here,” interposed Linda “You are flying the track.I am willing + to justify my shoes, if I can, but here you go including my dress and a + big psychological problem, as well; but I think perhaps the why of the + shoes will explain the remainder. Does the name 'Alexander Strong' mean + anything to you?” + </p> + <p> + “The great nerve specialist?” asked Donald. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Linda. “The man who was the author of half-dozen books that + have been translated into many foreign tongue' and are used as authorities + all over the world. He happened to be my father There are two children in + our family. I have a sister four years older than I am who is exactly like + Mother, and she and Mother were inseparable. I am exactly like Father; + because we understood each other, and because both of us always new, + although we never mentioned it; that Mother preferred my sister Eileen to + me, Father tried to make it up to me, so from the time I can remember I + was at his heels. It never bothered him to have me playing around in the + library while he was writing his most complicated treatise. I have waited + in his car half a day at a time, playing or reading, while he watched a + patient or delivered a lecture at some medical college. His mental + relaxation was to hike or to motor to the sea, to the mountains, to the + canyons or the desert, and he very seldom went without me even on long + trips when he was fishing or hunting with other men. There was not much to + know concerning a woman's frame or he psychology that Father did not know, + so there were two reason why he selected my footwear as he did. One was + because he be believed high heels and pointed toes an outrage against the + nervous province, and the other was that I could not possibly have kept + pace with him except in shoes like these. No doubt, they are the same kind + I shall wear all my life, for walking. You probably don't know it, but my + home lies near the middle of Lilac Valley and I walk over a mile each + morning and evening to and from the cars. Does this sufficiently explain + my shoes?” + </p> + <p> + “I should think you'd feel queer,” said Donald. + </p> + <p> + “I suspect I would if I had time to brood over it,” Linda replied, “but I + haven't. I must hustle to get to school on time in the morning. It's + nearly or quite dark before I reach home in the evening. My father + believed in having a good time. He had superb health, so he spent most of + what he made as it came to him. He counted on a long life. It never + occurred to him that a little piece of machinery going wrong would plunge + him into Eternity in a second.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I remember!” cried the boy. + </p> + <p> + Linda's face paled slightly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she said, “it happened four years ago and I haven't gotten away + from the horror of it yet, enough ever to step inside of a motor car; but + I am going to get over that one of these days. Brakes are not all + defective, and one must take one's risks.” + </p> + <p> + “You just bet I would,” said Donald. “Motoring is one of the greatest + pleasures of modern life. I'll wager it makes some of the gay old boys, + like Marcus Aurelius for example, want to turn over in their graves when + they see us flying along the roads of California the way we do.” + </p> + <p> + “What I was getting at,” said Linda, “was a word of reply to the remainder + of your indictment against me. Dad's income stopped with him, and + household expenses went on, and war came, so there isn't enough money to + dress two of us as most of the high school girls are dressed. Eileen is so + much older that it's her turn first, and I must say she is not at all + backward about exercising her rights. I think that will have to suffice + for the question of dress but you may be sure that I am capable of wearing + the loveliest dress imaginable, that would be for a school girl, if I had + it to wear.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, there's the little 'fly in your ointment'—'dress that would be + suitable.' I bet in your heart you think the dresses that half the girls + in high school are wearing are NOT SUITABLE!” + </p> + <p> + “Commendable perspicacity, O learned senior,” said Linda, “and amazingly + true. In the few short years I had with Daddy I acquired a fixed idea as + to what kind of dress is suitable and sufficiently durable to wear while + walking my daily two miles. I can't seem to become reconciled to the + custom of dressing the same for school as for a party. You get my idea?” + </p> + <p> + “I get it all right enough,” said Donald, “but I must think awhile before + I decide whether I agree with you. Why should you be right, and hundreds + of other girls be wrong?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll wager your mother would agree with me,” suggested Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Did yours?” asked Donald. + </p> + <p> + “Halfway,” answered Linda. “She agreed with me for me, but not for + Eileen.” + </p> + <p> + “And not for my sister,” said Donald. “She wears the very foxiest clothes + that Father can afford to pay for, and when she was going to school she + wore them without the least regard as to whether she was going to school + or to a tea party or a matinee. For that matter she frequently went to all + three the same day. + </p> + <p> + “And that brings us straight to the point concerning you,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Sure enough!” said Donald. “There is me to be considered! What is it you + have against me?” + </p> + <p> + Linda looked at him meditatively. + </p> + <p> + “You SEEM exceptionally strong,” she said. “No doubt are good in + athletics. Your head looks all right; it indicates brains. What I want to + know is why in the world you don't us them.” + </p> + <p> + “What are you getting at, anyway?” asked Donald, with more than a hint of + asperity in his voice. + </p> + <p> + “I am getting at the fact,” said Linda, “that a boy as big as you and as + strong as you and with as good brain and your opportunity has allowed a + little brown Jap to cross the Pacific Ocean and a totally strange country + to learn a language foreign to him, and, and, with the same books and the + same chances, to beat you at your own game. You and every other boy in + your classes ought to thoroughly ashamed of yourselves. Before I would let + a Jap, either boy or girl, lead in my class, I would give up going to + school and go out and see if I could beat him growing lettuce and + spinach.” + </p> + <p> + “It's all very well to talk,” said Donald hotly. + </p> + <p> + “And it's better to make good what you say,” broke in Linda, with equal + heat. “There are half a dozen Japs in my classes but no one of them is + leading, you will notice, if I do wear peculiar shoes.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you would be going some if you beat the leading Jap in the senior + class,” said Donald. + </p> + <p> + “Then I would go some,” said Linda. “I'd beat him, or I'd go straight up + trying. You could do it if you'd make up your mind to. The trouble with + you is that you're wasting your brain on speeding an automobile, on + dances, and all sorts of foolishness that is not doing you any good in any + particular way. Bet you are developing nerves smoking cigarettes. You are + not concentrating. Oka Sayye is not thinking of a thing except the triumph + of proving to California that he is head man in one of the Los Angeles + high schools. That's what I have got against you, and every other white + boy in your class, and in the long run it stacks up bigger than your + arraignment of my shoes.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, darn your shoes!” cried Donald hotly. “Forget 'em! I've got to move + on or I'll be late for trigonometry, but I don't know when I've had such a + tidy little fight with a girl, and I don't enjoy feeling that I have been + worsted. I propose another session. May I come out to Lilac Valley + Saturday afternoon and flay you alive to pay up for my present + humiliation?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, if your mother happened to be motoring that way and would care to + call, I think that would be fine,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Well, for the Lord's sake!” exclaimed the irate senior. “Can't a fellow + come and fight with you without being refereed by his mother? Shall I + bring Father too?” + </p> + <p> + “I only thought,” said Linda quietly, “that you would like your mother to + see the home and environment of any girl whose acquaintance you made, but + the fight we have coming will in all probability be such a pitched battle + that when I go over the top, you won't ever care to follow me and start + another issue on the other side. You're dying right now to ask why I wear + my hair in braids down my back instead of in cootie coops over my ears.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't give a hang,” said Donald ungallantly, “as to how you; wear your + hair, but I am coming Saturday to fight, and I don't think Mother will + take any greater interest in the matter than to know that I am going to do + battle with a daughter of Doctor I Strong.” + </p> + <p> + “That is a very nice compliment to my daddy, thank you, said Linda, + turning away and proceeding in the direction of her own classrooms. There + was a brilliant sparkle in her eyes and she sang in a muffled voice, yet + distinctly enough to be heard: + </p> + <p> + “The shoes I wear are common-sense shoes, And you may wear them if you + choose.” + </p> + <p> + “By gracious! She's no fool,” he said to himself. In three minutes' + unpremeditated talk the “Junior Freak,” as he mentally denominated her, + had managed to irritate him, to puncture his pride, to entertain and amuse + him. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder—” he said as he went his way; and all day he kept on + wondering, when he was not studying harder than ever before in all his + life. + </p> + <p> + That night Linda walked slowly along the road toward home. She was not + seeing the broad stretch of Lilac Valley, on every hand green with spring, + odorous with citrus and wild bloom, blue walled with lacy lilacs veiling + the mountain face on either side; and she was not thinking of her plain, + well-worn dress or her common-sense shoes. What she was thinking was of + every flaying, scathing, solidly based argument she could produce the + following Saturday to spur Donald Whiting in some way to surpass Oka + Sayye. His chance remark that morning, as they stood near each other + waiting a few minutes in the hall, had ended in his asking to come to see + her, and she decided as she walked homeward that his first visit in all + probability would be his last, since she had not time to spare for boys, + when she had so many different interests involved; but she did decide very + finely in her own mind that the would make that visit a memorable one for + him. + </p> + <p> + In arriving at this decision her mind traveled a number of devious roads. + The thought that she had been criticized did not annoy her as to the kind + of criticism, but she did resent the quality of truth about it. She was + right in following the rules her father had laid down for her health and + physical well-being, but was it right that she should wear shoes scuffed, + resoled, and even patched, when there was money enough for Eileen to have + many pairs of expensive laced boots, walking shoes, and fancy slippers? + She was sure she was right in wearing dresses suitable for school, but was + it right that she must wear them until they were sunfaded, stained, and + disreputable? Was it right that Eileen should occupy their father and + mother's suite, redecorated and daintily furnished according to her own + taste, to keep the parts of the house that she cared to use decorated with + flowers and beautifully appointed, while Linda must lock herself in a + small stuffy bedroom room, dingy and none too comfortable, when in + deference to her pride she wished to work in secret until she learned + whether she could succeed. + </p> + <p> + Then she began thinking, and decided that the only available place in the + house for her use was the billiard room. She made up her mind that she + would demand the sole right to this big attic room. She would sell the + table and use the money to buy herself a suitable worktable and a rug. She + would demand that Eileen produce enough money for better clothing for her, + and then she remembered what she had said to Donald Whiting about + conquering her horror for a motor car. Linda turned in at the walk leading + to her home, but she passed the front entrance and followed around to the + side. As she went she could hear voices in the living room and she knew + that Eileen was entertaining some of her many friends; for Eileen was that + peculiar creature known as a social butterfly. Each day of her life + friends came; or Eileen went—mostly the latter, for Eileen had a + knack of management and she so managed her friends that, without their + realizing it, they entertained her many times while she entertained them + once. Linda went to the kitchen, Laid her books and package of mail on the + table, and, walking over to the stove, she proceeded deliberately and + heartily to kiss the cook. + </p> + <p> + “Katy, me darlin',” she said, “look upon your only child. Do you notice a + 'lean and hungry look' on her classic features?” + </p> + <p> + Katy turned adoring eyes to the young girl. + </p> + <p> + “It's growing so fast ye are, childie,” she said. “It's only a little + while to dinner, and there's company tonight, so hadn't ye better wait and + not spoil your appetite with piecing?” + </p> + <p> + “Is there going to be anything 'jarvis'?” inquired Linda. + </p> + <p> + '“I'd say there is,” said Katy. “John Gilman is here and two friends of + Eileen's. It's a near banquet, lassie.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I'll wait,” said Linda. “I want the keys to the garage.” + </p> + <p> + Katy handed them to her and Linda went down the back walk beneath an arch + of tropical foliage, between blazing walls of brilliant flower faces, + unlocked the garage, and stood looking at her father's runabout. + </p> + <p> + In the revolution that had taken place in their home after the passing of + their father and mother, Eileen had dominated the situation and done as + she pleased, with the exception of two instances. Linda had shown both + temper and determination at the proposal to dismantle the library and + dispose of the cars. She had told Eileen that she might take the touring + car and do as she pleased with it. For her share she wanted her father's + roadster, and she meant to have it. She took the same firm stand + concerning the Library. With the rest of the house Eileen might do as she + would. The library was to remain absolutely untouched and what it + contained was Linda's. To this Eileen had agreed, but so far Linda had + been content merely to possess her property. + </p> + <p> + Lately, driven by the feeling that she must find a way in which she could + earn money, she had been secretly working on some plans that she hoped + might soon yield her small returns. As for the roadster, she as well as + Eileen had been horror-stricken when the car containing their father and + mother and their adjoining neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Thorne, driven by + Marian Thorne, the playmate and companion from childhood of the Strong + girls, had become uncontrollable and plunged down the mountain in a + disaster that had left only Marian, protected by the steering gear, alive. + They had simply by mutual agreement begun using the street cars when they + wanted to reach the city. + </p> + <p> + Linda stood looking at the roadster, jacked up and tucked under a heavy + canvas tent that she and her father had used on their hunting and fishing + trips. After a long time she laid strong hands on the canvas and dragged + it to one side. She looked the car over carefully and then, her face very + white and her hands trembling, she climbed into it and slowly and + mechanically went through the motions of starting it. For another intent + period she sat with her hands on the steering gear, staring straight + ahead, and then she said slowly: “Something has got to be done. It's not + going to be very agreeable, but I am going to do it. Eileen: has had + things all her own way long enough. I am getting such a big girl I ought + to have a few things in my life as I want them. Something must be done.” + </p> + <p> + Then Linda proceeded to do something. What she did was to lean forward, + rest her head upon the steering wheel and fight to keep down deep, pitiful + sobbing until her whole slender body twisted in the effort. + </p> + <p> + She was yielding to a breaking up after four years of endurance, for the + greater part in silence. As the months of the past year had rolled their + deliberate way, Linda had begun to realize that the course her elder + sister had taken was wholly unfair to her, and slowly a tumult of revolt + was growing in her soul. Without a doubt the culmination had resulted from + her few minutes' talk with Donald Whiting in the hall that morning. It had + started Linda to thinking deeply, and the more deeply she thought the + clearly she saw the situation. Linda was a loyal soul and her heart was + honest. She was quite willing that Eileen should: exercise her rights as + head of the family, that she should take the precedence to which she was + entitled by her four years' seniority, that she should spend the money + which accrued monthly from their father's estate as she saw fit, up to a + certain point. That point was where things ceased to be fair or to be + just. If there had been money to do no more for Eileen than had been done + for Linda, it would not have been in Linda's heart to utter a complaint. + She could have worn scuffed shoes and old dresses, and gone her way with + her proud young head held very high and a jest on her lips; but when her + mind really fastened on the problem and she began to reason, she could not + feel that Eileen was just to her or that she was fair in her + administration of the money which should have been divided more nearly + equally between them, after the household expenses had been paid. Once + rebellion burned in her heart the flames leaped rapidly, and Linda began + to remember a thousand small things that she had scarcely noted at the + time of their occurrence. + </p> + <p> + She was leaning on the steering wheel, tired with nerve strain, when she + heard Katy calling her, and realized that she was needed in the kitchen. + As a matter of economy Eileen, after her parents' passing, had dismissed + the housemaid, and when there were guests before whom she wished to make a + nice appearance Linda had been impressed either to wait on the table or to + help in the kitchen in order that Katy might attend the dining room, so + Linda understood what was wanted when Katy called her. She ran her fingers + over the steering wheel, worn bright by the touch of her father's and her + own hands, and with the buoyancy of youth, found comfort. Once more she + mechanically went through the motions of starting the car, then she + stepped down, closed the door, and stood an instant thinking. + </p> + <p> + “You're four years behind the times,” she said slowly. “No doubt there's a + newer and a better model; I suspect the tires are rotten, but the last day + I drove you for Daddy you purred like a kitten, and ran like a clock, and + if you were cleaned and oiled and put in proper shape, there's no reason + in the world why I should not drive you again, as I have driven you + hundreds of miles when Daddy was tired or when he wanted to teach me the + rules of good motoring, and the laws of the road. I can do it all right. I + have got to do it, but it will be some time before I'll care to tackle the + mountains.” + </p> + <p> + Leaving the cover on the floor, she locked the door and returned to the + kitchen. + </p> + <p> + “All right, Katy, what is the programme?” she inquired as lightly as she + could. + </p> + <p> + Katy had been cook in the Strong family ever since they had moved to Lilac + Valley. She had obeyed Mrs. Strong and Eileen. She had worshiped the + Doctor and Linda It always had been patent to her eyes that Mrs. Strong + was extremely partial to Eileen, so Katy had joined forces with the Doctor + in surreptitiously doing everything her warm Irish heart prompted to + prevent Linda from feeling neglected. Her quick eyes saw the traces of + tears on Linda's face, and she instantly knew that the trip the girl had + made to the garage was in some way connected with some belongings of her + father's, so she said: “I am serving tonight but I want you to keep things + smoking hot and to have them dished up ready for me so that everything + will go smoothly.” + </p> + <p> + “What would happen,” inquired Linda, “if everything did NOT go smoothly? + Katy, do you think the roof would blow straight up if I had MY way about + something, just for a change?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I think the roof would stay right where it belongs,” said Katy with a + chuckle, “but I do think its staying there would not be because Miss + Eileen wanted it to.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Linda deliberately, “we won't waste any time on thinking We + are going to have some positive knowledge on the subject pretty + immediately. I don't feel equal to starting any domestic santana today, + but the forces are gathering and the blow is coming soon. To that I have + firmly made up my mind.” + </p> + <p> + “It's not the least mite I'm blaming you, honey,” said Katy. + </p> + <p> + “Ye've got to be such a big girl that it's only fair things in this house + should go a good deal different.” + </p> + <p> + “Is Marian to be here?” asked Linda as she stood beside the stove peering + into pans and kettles. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Eileen didn't say,” replied Katy. + </p> + <p> + Linda's eyes reddened suddenly. She slammed down a lid with vicious + emphasis. + </p> + <p> + “That is another deal Eileen's engineered,” she said, “that is just about + as wrong as anything possibly can be. What makes me the maddest about it + is that John Gilman will let Eileen take him by the nose and lead him + around like a ringed calf. Where is his common sense? Where is his + perception? Where is his honor?” + </p> + <p> + “Now wait, dearie,” said Katy soothingly, “wait. John Gilman is a mighty + fine man. Ye know how your father loved him and trusted him and gave him + charge of all his business affairs. Ye mustn't go so far as to be + insinuating that he is lacking in honor.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda, “that was not fair. I don't in the least know that he + ever ASKED Marian to marry him; but I do know that as long as he was a + struggling, threadbare young lawyer Marian was welcome to him, and they + had grand times together. The minute he won the big Bailey suit and came + into public notice and his practice increased until he was independent, + that minute Eileen began to take notice, and it looks to me now as if she + very nearly had him.” + </p> + <p> + “And so far as I can see,” said Katy, “Miss Marian is taking it without a + struggle. She is not lifting a finger or making a move to win him back.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course she isn't!” said Linda indignantly. “If she thought he + preferred some other girl to her, she would merely say: 'If John has + discovered that he likes Eileen the better, why, that is all right; but + there wouldn't be anything to prevent seeing Eileen take John from hurting + like the deuce. Did you ever lose a man you loved, Katy?” + </p> + <p> + “That I did not!” said Katy emphatically. “We didn't do any four or five + years' philanderin' to see if a man 'could make good' when I was a + youngster. When a girl and her laddie stood up to each other and looked + each other straight in the eye and had the great understanding, there + weren't no question of whether he could do for her what her father and + mither had been doing, nor of how much he had to earn before they would be + able to begin life together. They just caught hands and hot-footed it to + the praste and told him to read the banns the next Sunday, and when the + law allowed they was man and wife and taking what life had for them the + way it came, and together. All this philanderin' that young folks do + nowadays is just pure nonsense, and waste of time.” + </p> + <p> + “Sure!” laughed Linda. “When my brave comes along with his blanket I'll + just step under, and then if anybody tries to take my man I'll have the + right to go on the warpath and have a scalping party that would be some + satisfaction to the soul.” + </p> + <p> + Then they served the dinner, and when the guests had left the dining room, + Katy closed the doors, and brought on the delicacies she had hidden for + Linda and patted and cajoled her while she ate like any healthy, hungry + young creature. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. Cotyledon of Multiflores Canyon + </h2> + <h3> + “'Ave, atque vale!' Cotyledon!” + </h3> + <p> + Linda slid down the side of the canyon with the deftness of the expert. At + the first available crevice she thrust in her Alpine stick, and bracing + herself, gained a footing. Then she turned and by use of her fingers and + toes worked her way back to the plan, she had passed. She was familiar + with many members of she family, but such a fine specimen she seldom had + found and she could not recall having seen it in all of her botanies. + Opposite the plant she worked out a footing, drove her stick deep at the + base of a rock to brace herself, and from the knapsack on her back took a + sketchbook and pencil and began rapidly copying the thick fleshy leaves of + the flattened rosette, sitting securely at the edge of a rock. She worked + swiftly and with breathless interest. When she had finished the flower she + began sketching in the moss-covered face of the boulder against which it + grew, and other bits of vegetation near. + </p> + <p> + “I think, Coty,” she said, “it is very probable that I can come a few + simoleons with you. You are becoming better looking ever minute.” + </p> + <p> + For a touch of color she margined one side of her drawing with a little + spray of Pentstemon whose bright tubular flower the canyon knew as + “hummingbird's dinner horn.” That gave, her the idea of introducing a + touch of living interest, so bearing down upon the flowers from the upper + right-hand corner of her drawing she deftly sketched in a ruby-throated + hummingbird, and across the bottom of the sheet the lace of a few leaves + of fern. Then she returned the drawing and pencil to her knapsack, and + making sure of her footing, worked her way forward. With her long slender + fingers she began teasing the plant loose from the rock and the + surrounding soil. The roots penetrated deeper than she had supposed and in + her interest she forgot her precarious footing and pulled hard. The plant + gave way unexpectedly, and losing her balance, Linda plunged down the side + of the canyon catching wildly at shrubs and bushes and bruising herself + severely on stones, finally landing in a sitting posture on the road that + traversed the canyon. + </p> + <p> + She was not seriously hurt, but she did not present a picturesque figure + as she sprawled in the road, her booted feet thrust straight before her, + one of her long black braids caught on a bush at her back, her blouse + pulled above her breeches, the contents of her knapsack decorating the + canyon side and the road around her; but high in one hand, without break + or blemish, she triumphantly held aloft the rare Cotyledon. She shrugged + her shoulders, wiggled her toes, and moved her arms to assure herself that + no bones were broken; then she glanced at her drawings and the fruits of + her day's collecting scattered on the roadside around her. She was in the + act of rising when a motor car containing two young men shot around a + curve of the canyon, swerved to avoid running over her, and stopped as + abruptly as possible. + </p> + <p> + “It's a girl!” cried the driver, and both men sprang to the road and + hurried to Linda's assistance. Her dark cheeks were red with + mortification, but she managed to recover her feet and tuck in her blouse + before they reached her. + </p> + <p> + “We heard you coming down,” said the elder of the young men, “and we + thought you might be a bear. Are you sure you're not hurt?” + </p> + <p> + Linda stood before them, a lithe slender figure, vivid with youth and + vitality. + </p> + <p> + “I am able to stand,” she said, “so of course I haven't broken any bones. + I think I am fairly well battered, but you will please to observe that + there isn't a scratch on Cotyledon, and I brought her down—at least + I think it's she—from the edge of that boulder away up there. Isn't + she a beauty? Only notice the delicate frosty 'bloom' on her leaves!” + </p> + <p> + “I should prefer,” said the younger of the men, “to know whether you have + any broken bones.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure I am all right,” answered Linda. “I have falling down mountains + reduced to an exact science. I'll bet you couldn't slide that far and + bring down Coty without a scratch.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, which is the more precious,” said the young man. “Yourself or the + specimen?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, the specimen!” answered Linda in impatience. “California is full of + girls; but this is the finest Cotyledon of this family I have ever seen. + Don't mistake this for any common stonecrop. It looks to me like an + Echeveria. I know what I mean to do with the picture I have made of her, + and I know exactly where she is going to grow from this day on.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there any way we can help you?” inquired the elder of the two men. + </p> + <p> + For the first time Linda glanced at him, and her impression was that he + was decidedly attractive. + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you!” she answered briskly. “I am going to climb back up to the + boulder and collect the belongings I spilled on the way down. Then I am + going to carry Coty to the car line in a kind of triumphal march, because + she is the rarest find that I have ever made. I hope you have no dark + designs on Coty, because this is 'what the owner had to do to redeem + her.'” + </p> + <p> + Linda indicated her trail down the canyon side, brushed soil and twigs + from her trousers, turned her straight young back, carefully set down her + specimen, and by the aid of her recovered stick began expertly making her + way up the canyon side. “Here, let me do that,” offered the younger man. + “You rest until I collect your belongings.” Linda glanced back over her + shoulder. “Thanks,” she said. “I have a mental inventory of all the + pencils and knives and trowels I must find. You might overlook the most + important part of my paraphernalia; and really I am not damaged. I'm + merely hurt. Good-bye!” + </p> + <p> + Linda started back up the side of the canyon, leaving the young men to + enter their car and drive away. For a minute both of them stood watching + her. + </p> + <p> + “What will girls be wearing and doing next?” asked the elder of the two as + he started his car. + </p> + <p> + “What would you have a girl wear when she is occupied with coasting down + canyons?” said his friend. “And as for what she is doing, it's probable + that every high-school girl in Los Angeles has a botanical collection to + make before she graduates.” + </p> + <p> + “I see!” said the man driving. “She is only a high-school kid, but did you + notice that she is going to make an extremely attractive young woman?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I noticed just that; I noticed it very particularly,” answered the + younger man. “And I noticed also that she either doesn't know it, or + doesn't give a flip.” + </p> + <p> + Linda collected her belongings, straightened her hair and clothing, and, + with her knapsack in place, and leaning rather on heavily on her walking + stick, made her way down the road to the abutment of a small rustic bridge + where she stopped to rest. The stream at her feet was noisy and icy cold. + It rushed through narrow defiles in the rock, beat itself to foam against + the faces a of the big stones, fell over jutting cliffs, spread in + whispering pools, wound back and forth across the road at its will, + singing every foot of its downward way and watering beds of crisp, cool + miners' lettuce, great ferns, and heliotrope, climbing clematis, soil and + blue-eyed grass. All along its length grew willows, and in a few places + white-bodied sycamores. Everywhere over the walls red above it that + vegetation could find a footing grew mosses, vines, flowers, and shrubs. + On the shadiest side homed most of the ferns and the Cotyledon. In the + sun, larkspur, lupin, and monkey flower; everywhere wild rose, holly, + mahogany, gooseberry, and bayoneted yucca all intermingling in a curtain + of variegated greens, brocaded with flower arabesques of vivid red, white, + yellow, and blue. Canyon wrens and vireos sang as they nested. The air was + clear, cool, and salty from the near-by sea. Myriad leaf shadows danced on + the black roadbed, level as a barn floor, and across it trailed the + wavering image of hawk and vulture, gull and white sea swallow. Linda + studied the canyon with intent eyes, but bruised flesh pleaded, so + reluctantly she arose, shouldered her belongings, and slowly followed the + road out to the car line that passed through Lilac Valley, still carefully + bearing in triumph the precious Cotyledon. An hour later she entered the + driveway of her home. She stopped to set her plant carefully in the wild + garden she and her father had worked all her life at collecting, then + followed the back porch and kitchen route. + </p> + <p> + “Whatever have ye been doing to yourself, honey?” cried Katy. + </p> + <p> + “I came a cropper down Multiflores Canyon where it is so steep that it + leans the other way. I pretty well pulverized myself for a pulverulent, + Katy, which is a poor joke.” + </p> + <p> + “Now ain't that just my luck!” wailed Katy, snatching a cake cutter and + beginning hurriedly to stamp out little cakes from the dough before her. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't understand in exactly what way,” said Linda, absently + rubbing her elbows and her knees. “Seems to me it's my promontories that + have been knocked off, not yours, Katy.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and ain't it just like ye,” said Katy, “to be coming in late, and + all banged up when Miss Eileen has got sudden notice that there is going + to be company again and I have an especial dinner to serve, and never in + the world can I manage if ye don't help me!” + </p> + <p> + “Why, who is coming now?” asked Linda, seating herself on the nearest + chair and beginning to unfasten her boots slowly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, first of all, there is Mr. Gilman, of course.” + </p> + <p> + “'Of course,'” conceded Linda. “If he tried to get past our house, Eileen + is perfectly capable of setting it on fire to stop him. She's got him + 'vamped' properly.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh I don't know that ye should say just that,” said Katy “Eileen is a + mighty pretty girl, and she is SOME manager.” + </p> + <p> + “You can stake your hilarious life she is,” said Linda, viciously kicking + a boot to the center of the kitchen. “She can manage to go downtown for + lunch and be invited out to dinner thirteen times a week, and leave us at + home to eat bread and milk, bread heavily stressed. She can manage to get + every cent of the income from the property in her fingers, and a great big + girl like me has to go to high school looking so tacky that even the boys + are beginning to comment on it. Manage, I'll say she can manage, not to + mention managing to snake John Gilman right out of Marian's fingers. I + doubt if Marian fully realizes yet that she's lost her man; and I happen + to know that she just plain loved John!” + </p> + <p> + The second boot landed beside the first, then Linda picked them both up + and started toward the back hall. + </p> + <p> + “Honey, are ye too bad hurt to help me any?” asked Katy, as she passed + her. + </p> + <p> + “Of course not,” said Linda. “Give me a few minutes to take a bath and + step into my clothes and then I'll be on the job.” + </p> + <p> + With a black scowl on her face, Linda climbed the dingy back stairway in + her stocking-feet. At the head of the stairs she paused one minute, + glanced at the gloom of her end of the house, then she turned and walked + to the front of the hall where there were potted ferns, dainty white + curtains, and bright rugs. The door of the guest room stood open and she + could see that it was filled with fresh flowers and ready for occupancy. + The door of her sister's room was slightly ajar and she pushed it open and + stood looking inside. In her state of disarray she made a shocking + contrast to the flowerlike figure busy before a dressing table. Linda was + dark, narrow, rawboned, overgrown in height, and forthright of + disposition. Eileen was a tiny woman, delicately moulded, exquisitely + colored, and one of the most perfectly successful tendrils from the + original clinging vine in her intercourse with men, and with such women as + would tolerate the clinging-vine idea in the present forthright days. With + a strand of softly curled hair in one hand and a fancy pin in the other, + Eileen turned a disapproving look upon her sister. + </p> + <p> + “What's the great idea?” demanded Linda shortly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it's perfectly splendid,” answered Eileen. “John Gilman's best friend + is motoring around here looking for a location to build a home. He is an + author and young and good looking and not married, and he thinks he would + like to settle somewhere near Los Angeles. Of course John would love to + have him in Lilac Valley because he hopes to build a home here some day + for himself. His name is Peter Morrison and John says that his articles + and stories have horse sense, logic, and humor, and he is making a lot of + money.” + </p> + <p> + “Then God help John Gilman, if he thinks now that he is in love with you,” + said Linda dryly. + </p> + <p> + Eileen arched her eyebrows, thinned to a hair line, and her lips drew + together in disapproval. + </p> + <p> + “What I can't understand,” she said, “is how you can be so unspeakably + vulgar, Linda.” + </p> + <p> + Linda laughed sharply. + </p> + <p> + “And this Peter Morrison and John are our guests for dinner?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Eileen. “I am going to show them this valley inside and out. + I'm so glad it's spring. We're at our very best. It would be perfectly + wonderful to have an author for a neighbor, and he must be going to build + a real house, because he has his architect with him; and John says that + while he is young, he has done several awfully good houses. He has seen a + couple of them in in San Francisco.” + </p> + <p> + Linda shrugged her shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “Up the flue goes Marian's chance of drawing the plans for John Gilman's + house,” she said. “I have heard him say a dozen times he would not build a + house unless Marian made the plans.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen deftly placed the strand of hair and set the jewelled pin with + precision. + </p> + <p> + “Just possibly things have changed slightly,” she suggested. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Linda, “I observe that they have. Marian has sold the home she + adored. She is leaving friends she loved and trusted, and who were + particularly bound to her by a common grief without realizing exactly how + it is happening. She certainly must know that you have taken her lover, + and I have not a doubt but that is the reason she has discovered she can + no longer work at home, that she must sell her property and spend the + money cooped up in a city, to study her profession further.” + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” said Eileen, her face pale with anger, “you are positively + insufferable. Will you leave my room and close the door after you?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Katy has just informed me,” said Linda, “that this dinner party + doesn't come off without my valued assistance, and before I agree to + assist, I'll know ONE thing. Are you proposing to entertain these three + men yourself, or have you asked Marian?” + </p> + <p> + Eileen indicated an open note lying on her dressing table. + </p> + <p> + “I did not know they were coming until an hour ago,” she said. “<i>I</i> + barely had time to fill the vases and dust, and then I ran up to dress so + that there would be someone presentable when they arrive.” + </p> + <p> + “All right then, we'll agree that this is a surprise party, but if John + Gilman has told you so much about them, you must have been expecting them, + and in a measure prepared for them at any time. Haven't you talked it over + with Marian, and told her that you would want her when they came?” + </p> + <p> + Eileen was extremely busy with another wave of hair. She turned her back + and her voice was not quite steady as she answered. “Ever since Marian got + this 'going to the city to study' idea in her head I have scarcely seen + her. She had an awful job to empty the house, and pack such things as she + wants to keep, and she is working overtime on a very special plan that she + thinks maybe she'll submit in a prize competition offered by a big firm of + San Francisco architects, so I have scarcely seen her for six weeks.” + </p> + <p> + “And you never once went over to help her with her work, or to encourage + her or to comfort her? You can't think Marian can leave this valley and + not be almost heartbroken,” said Linda. “You just make me almost wonder at + you. When you think of the kind of friends that Marian Thorne's father and + mother, and our father and mother were, and how we children were reared + together, and the good times we have had in these two houses—and + then the awful day when the car went over the cliff, and how Marian clung + to us and tried to comfort us, when her own health was broken—and + Marian's the same Marian she has always been, only nicer every day—how + you can sit there and say you have scarcely seen her in six of the hardest + weeks of her life, certainly surprises me. I'll tell you this: I told Katy + I would help her, but I won't do it if you don't go over and make Marian + come tonight.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen turned to her sister and looked at her keenly. Linda's brow was + sullen, and her jaw set. + </p> + <p> + “A bed would look mighty good to me and I will go and get into mine this + minute if you don't say you will go and ask her, in such a way that she + comes,” she threatened. + </p> + <p> + Eileen hesitated a second and then said: “All right, since you make such a + point of it I will ask her.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Linda. “Then I'll help Katy the very best I can.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. The House of Dreams + </h2> + <p> + In less than an hour, Linda was in the kitchen, dressed in an old green + skirt and an orange blouse. Katy pinned one of her aprons on the girl and + told her that her first job was to set the table. + </p> + <p> + “And Miss Eileen has given most particular orders that I use the very best + of everything. Lay the table for four, and you are to be extremely careful + in serving not to spill the soup.” + </p> + <p> + Linda stood very quietly for a second, her heavy black brows drawn + together in deep thought. + </p> + <p> + “When did Eileen issue these instructions?” she inquired. + </p> + <p> + “Not five minutes ago,” said Katy. “She just left me kitchen and I'll say + I never saw her lookin' such a perfect picture. That new dress of hers is + the most becoming one she has ever had.” + </p> + <p> + Almost unconsciously, Linda's hand reached to the front of her well-worn + blouse, and she glanced downward at her skirt and shoes. + </p> + <p> + “Um-hm,” she said meditatively, “another new dress for Eileen, which means + that I will get nothing until next month's allowance comes in, if I do + then. The table set for four, which, interpreted, signifies that she has + asked Marian in such a way that Marian won't come. And the caution as to + care with the soup means that I am to serve my father's table like a paid + waitress. Katy, I have run for over three years on Eileen's schedule, but + this past year I am beginning to use my brains and I am reaching the place + of self-assertion. That programme won't do, Katy. It's got to be + completely revised. You just watch me and see how I follow those + instructions.” + </p> + <p> + Then Linda marched out of the kitchen door and started across the lawn in + the direction of a big brown house dimly outlined through widely spreading + branches of ancient live oaks, palm, and bamboo thickets. She entered the + house without knocking and in the hall uttered a low penetrating whistle. + It was instantly answered from upstairs. Linda began climbing, and met + Marian at the top. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Marian,” she cried, “I had no idea you were so far along. The house + is actually empty.” + </p> + <p> + “Practically everything went yesterday,” answered Marian. “Those things of + Father's and Mother's and my own that I wish to keep I have put in + storage, and the remainder went to James's Auction Rooms. The house is + sold, and I am leaving in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Then that explains,” questioned Linda, “why you refused Eileen's + invitation to dinner tonight?” + </p> + <p> + “On the contrary,” answered Marian, “an invitation to dinner tonight would + be particularly and peculiarly acceptable to me, since the kitchen is + barren as the remainder of the house, and I was intending to slip over + when your room was lighted to ask if I might spend the night with you.” + </p> + <p> + Linda suddenly gathered her friend in her arms and held her tight. + </p> + <p> + “Well, thank heaven that you felt sufficiently sure of me to come to me + when you needed me. Of course you shall spend the night with me; and I + must have been mistaken in thinking Eileen had been here. She probably + will come any minute. There are guests for the night. John is bringing + that writer friend of his. Of course you know about him. It's Peter + Morrison.” + </p> + <p> + Marian nodded her head. “Of course! John has always talked of him. He had + some extremely clever articles in The Post lately.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he is one,” said Linda, “and an architect who is touring with him + is two; they are looking for a location to build a house for the writer. + You can see that it would be a particularly attractive feather in our cap + if he would endorse our valley sufficiently to home in it. So Eileen has + invited them to sample our brand of entertainment, and in the morning no + doubt she will be delighted to accompany them and show them all the + beautiful spots not yet preempted.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, heavens,” cried Marian, “I'm glad I never showed her my spot!” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you are particular about wanting a certain place I sincerely + hope you did not,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “I am sure I never did,” answered Marian. “I so love one spot that I have + been most secretive about it. I am certain I never went further than to + say there was a place on which I would love to build for myself the house + of my dreams. I have just about finished getting that home on paper, and I + truly have high hopes that I may stand at least a fair chance of winning + with it the prize Nicholson and Snow are offering. That is one of the + reasons why I am hurrying on my way to San Francisco much sooner than I + had expected to go. I haven't a suitable dinner dress because my trunks + have gone, but among such old friends it won't matter. I have one fussy + blouse in my bag, and I'll be over as soon as I can see to closing up the + house and dressing.” + </p> + <p> + Linda hurried home, and going to the dining room, she laid the table for + six in a deft and artistic manner. She filled a basket with beautiful + flowers of her own growing for a centerpiece, and carefully followed + Eileen's instruction to use the best of everything. When she had finished + she went to the kitchen. + </p> + <p> + “Katy,” she said, “take a look at my handiwork.” + </p> + <p> + “It's just lovely,” said Katy heartily. + </p> + <p> + “I quite agree with you,” answered Linda, “and now in pursuance of a + recently arrived at decision, I have resigned, vamoosed, quit, dead + stopped being waitress for Eileen. I was seventeen my last birthday. + Hereafter when there are guests I sit at my father's table, and you will + have to do the best you can with serving, Katy.” + </p> + <p> + “And it's just exactly right ye are,” said Katy. “I'll do my best, and if + that's not good enough, Miss Eileen knows what she can do.” + </p> + <p> + “Now listen to you,” laughed Linda. “Katy, you couldn't be driven to leave + me, by anything on this earth that Eileen could do; you know you + couldn't.” + </p> + <p> + Katy chuckled quietly. “Sure, I wouldn't be leaving ye, lambie,” she said. + “We'll get everything ready, and I can serve I six as nicely as anyone. + But you're not forgetting that Miss Eileen said most explicit to lay the + table for FOUR?' + </p> + <p> + “I am not forgetting,” said Linda. “For Eileen's sake I am I sorry to say + that her ship is on the shoals. She is not going to have clear sailing + with little sister Linda any longer. This is the year of woman's rights, + you know, Katy, and I am beginning to realize that my rights have been + badly infringed upon for lo these many years. If Eileen chooses to make a + scene before guests, that is strictly up to Eileen. Now what is it you + want me to do?” + </p> + <p> + Katy directed and Linda worked swiftly. Soon they heard a motor stop, and + laughing voices told them that the guests had arrived. + </p> + <p> + “Now I wonder,” said Linda, “whether Marian is here yet.” + </p> + <p> + At that minute Marian appeared at the kitchen door. + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” she said breathlessly, “I am feeling queer about this. Eileen + hasn't been over.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's all right,” said Linda casually. “The folks have come, and she + was only waiting to make them a bit at home before she ran after you.” + </p> + <p> + Marian hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “She was not allowing me much time to dress.” + </p> + <p> + “That's 'cause she knew you did not need it,” retorted Linda. “The more + you fuss up, the less handsome you are, and you never owned anything in + your life so becoming as that old red blouse. So farewell, Katy, we're due + to burst into high society tonight. We're going to help Eileen vamp a + lawyer, and an author, and an architect, one apiece. Which do you prefer, + Marian?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll take the architect,” said Marian. “We should have something in + common since I am going to be a great architect myself one of these days.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, that is too bad,” said Linda. “I'll have to rearrange the table if + you insist, because I took him, and left you the author, and it was for + love of you I did it. I truly wanted him myself, all the time.” + </p> + <p> + They stopped in the dining room and Marian praised Linda's work in laying + the table; and then, together they entered the living room. + </p> + <p> + At the moment of their entrance, Eileen was talking animatedly about the + beauties of the valley as a location for a happy home. When she saw the + two girls she paused, the color swiftly faded from her face, and Linda, + who was watching to see what would happen, noticed the effort she made at + self-control, but she was very sure that their guests did not. + </p> + <p> + It never occurred to Linda that anyone would consider good looks in + connection with her overgrown, rawboned frame and lean face, but she was + accustomed to seeing people admire Marian, for Marian was a perfectly + modeled woman with peach bloom cheeks, deep, dark eyes, her face framed in + a waving mass of hair whose whiteness dated from the day that the brakes + of her car failed and she plunged down the mountain with her father beside + her, and her mother and Doctor and Mrs. Strong in the back seat. Ten days + afterward Marian's head of beautiful dark hair was muslin white. Now it + framed a face of youth and beauty with peculiar pathos. “Striking” was + perhaps the one adjective which would best describe her. + </p> + <p> + John Gilman came hastily to greet them. Linda, after a swift glance at + Eileen, turned astonished eyes on their guests. For one second she looked + at the elder of them, then at the younger. There was no recognition in her + eyes, and there was a decided negative in a swift movement of her head. + Both men understood that she did not wish them to mention that they ever + had seen her previously. For an instant there was a strained situation. + Eileen was white with anger. John Gilman was looking straight at Marian, + and in his soul he must have wondered if he had been wise in neglecting + her for Eileen. Peter Morrison and his architect, Henry Anderson, had two + things to think about. One was the stunning beauty of Marian Thorne as she + paused in the doorway, the light misting her white hair and deepening the + tints of her red waist The other was why the young girl facing them had + forbidden them to reveal that two hours before they had seen her in the + canyon. Katy, the efficient life-saver of the Strong family, announced + dinner, and Linda drew back the curtains and led the way to the dining + room, saying when they had arrived: “I didn't have time in my hour's + notice to make elaborate place cards as I should have liked to do, so + these little pen sketches will have to serve.” + </p> + <p> + To cover his embarrassment and to satisfy his legal mind, John Gilman + turned to Linda, asking: “Why 'an hour'? I told Eileen a week ago I was + expecting the boys today.” + </p> + <p> + “But that does not prove that Eileen mentioned it to me,” answered Linda + quietly; “so you must find your places from the cards I could prepare in a + hurry.” + </p> + <p> + This same preparation of cards at the round table placed Eileen between + the architect and the author, Marian between the author and John Gilman, + and Linda between Gilman and the architect, which added one more tiny gale + to the storm of fury that was raging in the breast of white-faced Eileen. + The situation was so strained that without fully understanding it, Marian, + who was several years older than either of the Strong sisters, knew that + although she was tired to the point of exhaustion she should muster what + reserve force she could to the end of making the dinner party particularly + attractive, because she was deeply interested in drawing to the valley + every suitable home seeker it was possible to locate there. It was the + unwritten law of the valley that whenever a home seeker passed through, + every soul who belonged exerted the strongest influence to prove that the + stars hung lower and shone bigger and in bluer heavens than anywhere else + on earth; that nowhere could be found air to equal the energizing salt + breezes from the sea, snow chilled, perfumed with almond and orange; that + the sun shone brighter more days in the year, and the soil produced a + greater variety of vegetables and fruits than any other spot of the same + size on God's wonderful footstool. This could be done with unanimity and + enthusiasm by every resident of Lilac Valley for the very simple reason + that it was the truth. The valley stood with its steep sides raying blue + from myriad wild lilacs; olives and oranges sloped down to the flat floor, + where cultivated ranches and gardens were so screened by eucalyptus and + pepper trees, palm and live oak, myriads of roses of every color and + variety, and gaudy plants gathered there from the entire girth of the + tropical world, that to the traveler on the highway trees and flowers + predominated. The greatest treasure of the valley was the enthusiastic + stream of icy mountain water that wandered through the near-by canyon and + followed the length of the valley on its singing, chuckling way to the + ocean. All the residents of Lilac Valley had to do to entrance strangers + with the location was to show any one of a dozen vantage points, and let + visitors test for themselves the quality of the sunshine and air, and + study the picture made by the broad stretch of intensively cultivated + valley, walled on either side by mountains whose highest peaks were often + cloud-draped and for ever shifting their delicate pastel shades from gray + to blue, from lavender to purple, from tawny yellow to sepia, under the + play of the sun and clouds. + </p> + <p> + They had not been seated three minutes before Linda realized from her + knowledge of Eileen that the shock had been too great, if such a thing + might be said of so resourceful a creature as Eileen. Evidently she was + going to sulk in the hope that this would prove that any party was a + failure at which she did not exert herself to be gracious. It had not been + in Linda's heart to do more than sit quietly in the place belonging by + right to her, but when she realized what was going to happen, she sent + Marian one swift appealing glance, and then desperately plunged into + conversation to cover Eileen's defection. + </p> + <p> + “I have been told,” she said, addressing the author, “that you are looking + for a home in California. Is this true, or is it merely that every good + Californian hopes this will happen when any distinguished Easterner comes + our way?” + </p> + <p> + “I can scarcely answer you,” said Peter Morrison, “because my ideas on the + subject are still slightly nebulous, but I am only too willing to see them + become concrete.” + </p> + <p> + “You have struck exactly the right place,” said Linda. “We have concrete + by the wagon load in this valley and we are perfectly willing to donate + the amount required to materialize your ideas. Do you dream of a whole + ranch or only a nest?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, the fact is,” answered Peter Morrison with a most attractive drawl + in his slow speech, “the fact is the dimensions of my dream must fit my + purse. Ever since I finished college I have been in newspaper work and I + have lived in an apartment in New York except while I was abroad. When I + came back my paper sent me to San Francisco and from there I motored down + to see for myself if the wonderful things that are written about Los + Angeles County are true.” + </p> + <p> + “That is not much of a compliment to us,” said Linda slowly. “How do you + think we would dare write them if they were not true?” + </p> + <p> + This caused such a laugh that everyone felt much easier. Marian turned her + dark eyes toward Peter Morrison. + </p> + <p> + “Linda and I are busy people,” she said. “We waste little time in + indirections, so I hope it's not out of the way for me to ask + straightforwardly if you are truly in earnest, about wanting a home in + Lilac Valley?” + </p> + <p> + “Then I'll have to answer you,” said Peter, “that I have an attractive + part of the 'makin's' and I am in deadly earnest about wanting a home + somewhere. I am sick in my soul of narrow apartments and wheels and the + rush and roar of the city. There was a time when I ate and drank it. It + was the very breath of life to me. I charged on Broadway like a + caterpillar tank charging in battle; but it is very remarkable how quickly + one changes in this world. I have had some success in my work, and the + higher I go, the better work I feel I can do in a quiet place and among + less enervating surroundings. John and I were in college together, + roommates, and no doubt he has told you that we graduated with the same + class. He has found his location here and I would particularly enjoy + having a home near him. They tell me there are well-trained servants to + look after a house and care for a bachelor, so I truly feel that if I can + find a location I would like, and if Henry can plan me a house, and I can + stretch my purse to cover the investment, that there is a very large + possibility that somewhere within twenty miles of Los Angeles I may find + the home of my dreams.” + </p> + <p> + “One would almost expect,” said Marian, “that a writer would say something + more original. This valley is filled with people who came here saying + precisely what you have said; and the lure of the land won them and here + they are, shameless boosters of California.” + </p> + <p> + “Why shameless?” inquired Henry Anderson. + </p> + <p> + “Because California so verifies the wildest statement that can be made + concerning her that one may go the limit of imagination without shame,” + laughed Marian. “I try in all my dealings to stick to the straight and + narrow path.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, kid, don't stick to the straight and narrow,” broke in Linda, + “there's no scenery.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen laid down her fork and stared in white-lipped amazement at the two + girls, but she was utterly incapable of forgetting herself and her neatly + arranged plans to have the three cultivated and attractive young men all + to herself for the evening. She realized too, from the satisfaction + betrayed in the glances these men were exchanging among each other, the + ease with which they sat, and the gusto with which they ate the food Katy + was deftly serving them, that something was happening which never had + happened at the Strong table since she had presided as its head, her sole + endeavor having been to flatter her guests or to extract flattery for + herself from them. + </p> + <p> + “That is what makes this valley so adorable,” said Marian when at last she + could make herself heard. “It is neither straight nor narrow. The wing of + a white sea swallow never swept a lovelier curve on the breast of the + ocean than the line of this valley. My mother was the dearest little + woman, and she used to say that this valley was outlined by a gracious + gesture from the hand of God in the dawn of Creation.” + </p> + <p> + Peter Morrison deliberately turned in his chair, his eyes intent on + Marian's earnest face. + </p> + <p> + “You almost make me want to say, in the language of an old hymn I used to + hear my mother sing, 'Here will I set up my rest.' With such a name as + Lilac Valley and with such a thought in the heart concerning it, I + scarcely feel that there is any use in looking further. How about it, + Henry? Doesn't it sound conclusive to you?” + </p> + <p> + “It certainly does,” answered Henry Anderson, “and from what I could see + as we drove in, it looks as well as it sounds.” + </p> + <p> + Peter Morrison turned to his friend. + </p> + <p> + “Gilman,” he said, “you're a lawyer; you should know the things I'd like + to. Are there desirable homesites still to be found in the valley, and + does the inflation of land at the present minute put it out of my reach?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that is on a par with the average question asked a lawyer,” + answered Gilman, “but part of it I can answer definitely and at once. I + think every acre of land suitable for garden or field cultivation is + taken. I doubt if there is much of the orchard land higher up remaining + and what there is would command a rather stiff price; but if you would be + content with some small plateau at the base of a mountain where you could + set any sort of a house and have—say two or three acres, mostly of + sage and boulders and greasewood and yucca around it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why in this world are you talking about stones and sage and greasewood?” + cried Linda. “Next thing they'll be asking about mountain lions and + rattlesnakes.” + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon,” said Gilman, “I fear none of us has remembered to + present Miss Linda as a coming naturalist. She got her start from her + father, who was one of the greatest nerve specialists the world ever has + known. She knows every inch of the mountains, the canyons and the desert. + She always says that she cut her teeth on a chunk of adobe, while her + father hunted the nests of trap-door spiders out in Sunland. What should I + have said when describing a suitable homesite for Peter, Linda?” + </p> + <p> + “You should have assumed that immediately, Peter,”—Linda lifted her + eyes to Morrison's face with a sparkle of gay challenge, and by way of + apology interjected—“I am only a kid, you know, so I may call John's + friend Peter—you should have assumed that sage and greasewood would + simply have vanished from any home location chosen by Peter, leaving it + all lacy blue with lilac, and misty white with lemonade bush, and lovely + gold with monkey flower, and purple with lupin, and painted blood red with + broad strokes of Indian paint brush, and beautifully lighted with feathery + flames from Our Lord's Candles, and perfumy as altar incense with wild + almond.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my soul,” said Peter Morrison. “Good people, I have located. I have + come to stay. I would like three acres but I could exist with two; an acre + would seem an estate to me, and my ideas of a house, Henry, are + shriveling. I did have a dream of something that must have been precious + near a home. There might have been an evanescent hint of flitting + draperies and inexperienced feet in it, but for the sake of living and + working in such a location as Miss Linda describes, I would gladly cut my + residence to a workroom and a sleeping room and kitchen.” + </p> + <p> + “Won't do,” said Linda. “A house is not a house in California without a + furnace and a bathroom. We are cold as blue blazes here when the sun goes + down and the salty fog creeps up from the sea, and the icy mist rolls down + from the mountains to chill our bones; and when it has not rained for six + months at a stretch, your own private swimming pool is a comfort. This to + add verisimilitude to what everyone else in Lilac Valley is going to tell + you.” + </p> + <p> + “I hadn't thought I would need a fire,” said Peter, “and I was depending + on the ocean for my bathtub. I am particularly fond of a salt rub.” + </p> + <p> + So far, Eileen had not deigned to enter the conversation. It was all so + human, so far from her ideas of entertaining that the disapproval on her + lips was not sufficiently veiled to be invisible, and John Gilman, + glancing in her direction, realized that he was having the best time he + had ever had in the Strong household since the passing of his friends, + Doctor and Mrs. Strong, vaguely wondered why. And it occurred to him that + Linda and Marian were dominating the party. He said the most irritating + thing possible in the circumstances: “I am afraid you are not feeling well + this evening, Eileen.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen laughed shortly. + </p> + <p> + “The one perfect thing about me,” she said with closely cut precision, “is + my health. I haven't the faintest notion what it means to be ill. I am + merely waiting for the conversation to take a I turn where I can join in + it intelligently.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, bless the child!” exclaimed Linda. “Can't you talk intelligently + about a suitable location for a home? On what subject is a woman supposed + to be intelligent if she is not at her best on the theme of home. If you + really are not interested you had better begin to polish up, because it + appeals to me that the world goes just so far in one direction, and then + it whirls to the right-about and goes equally as far in the opposite + direction. If Daddy were living I think he would say we have reached the + limit with apartment house homes minus fireplaces, with restaurant dining + minus a blessing, with jazz music minus melody, with jazz dancing minus + grace, with national progress minus cradles.” + </p> + <p> + “Linda!” cried Eileen indignantly. + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious!” cried Linda. “Do I get the shillalah for that? Weren't + all of us rocked in cradles? I think that the pendulum has swung far and + it is time to swing back to where one man and one woman choose any little + spot on God's footstool, build a nest and plan their lives in accord with + personal desire and inclination instead of aping their neighbors.” + </p> + <p> + “Bravo!” cried Henry Anderson. “Miss Linda, if you see any suitable spot, + and you think I would serve for a bug-catcher, won't you please stake the + location?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't know about that,” said Linda. “Would it be the old case of + 'I furnish the bread and you furnish the water'?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Peter Morrison, “it would not. Henry is doing mighty well. I + guarantee that he would furnish a cow that would produce real cream.” + </p> + <p> + “How joyous!” said Linda. “I feel quite competent to manage the bread + question. We'll call that settled then. When I next cast an appraising eye + over my beloved valley, I shan't select the choicest spot in it for Peter + Morrison to write a book in; and I want to warn you people when you go + hunting to keep a mile away from Marian's plot. She has had her location + staked from childhood and has worked on her dream house until she has it + all ready to put the ice in the chest and scratch the match for the living + room fire-logs. The one thing she won't ever tell is where her location + is, but wherever it is, Peter Morrison, don't you dare take it.” + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't for the world,” said Peter Morrison gravely. “If Miss Thorne + will tell me even on which side of the valley her location lies, I will + agree to stay on the other side.” + </p> + <p> + “Well there is one thing you can depend upon,” said the irrepressible + Linda before Marian had time to speak. “It is sure to be on the sunny + side. Every living soul in California is looking for a place in the sun.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will make a note of it,” said Peter Morrison. “But isn't there + enough sun in all this lovely valley that I may have a place in it too?” + </p> + <p> + “You go straight ahead and select any location you like,” said Marian. “I + give you the freedom of the valley. There's not one chance in ten thousand + that you would find or see anything attractive about the one secluded spot + I have always hoped I might some day own.” + </p> + <p> + “This is not fooling, then?” asked Peter Morrison. “You truly have a place + selected where you would like to live?” + </p> + <p> + “She truly has the spot selected and she truly has the house on paper and + it truly is a house of dreams,” said Linda. “I dream about it myself. When + she builds it and lives in it awhile and finds out all the things that are + wrong with it, then I am going to build one like it, only I shall + eliminate all the mistakes she has made.” + </p> + <p> + “I have often wondered,” said Henry Anderson, “if such a thing ever + happened as that people built a house and lived in it, say ten years, and + did not find one single thing about it that they would change if they had + it to build over again. I never have heard of such a case. Have any of + you?” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure no one has,” said John Gilman meditatively, “and it's a queer + thing. I can't see why people don't plan a house the way they want it + before they build.” + </p> + <p> + Marian turned to him—the same Marian he had fallen in love with when + they were children. + </p> + <p> + “Mightn't it be,” she asked, “that it is due to changing conditions caused + by the rapid development of science and invention? If one had built the + most perfect house possible five years ago and learned today that + infinitely superior lighting and heating and living facilities could be + installed at much less expense and far greater convenience, don't you + think that one would want to change? Isn't life a series of changes? + Mustn't one be changing constantly to keep abreast of one's day and age?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, surely,” answered Gilman, “and no doubt therein lies at least part + of the answer to Anderson's question.” + </p> + <p> + “And then,” added Marian, “things happen in families. Sometimes more + babies than they expect come to newly married people and they require more + room.” + </p> + <p> + “My goodness, yes!” broke in Linda. “Just look at Sylvia Townsend—twins + to begin with.” + </p> + <p> + “Linda!” breathed Eileen, aghast. + </p> + <p> + “So glad you like my name, dear,” murmured Linda sweetly. + </p> + <p> + “And then,” continued Marian, “changes come to other people as they have + to me. I can't say that I had any fault to find with either the comforts + or the conveniences of Hawthorne House until Daddy and Mother were swept + from it at one cruel sweep; and after that it was nothing to me but a + haunted house, and I don't feel that I can be blamed for wanting to leave + it. I will be glad to know that there are people living in it who won't + see a big strong figure meditatively smoking before the fireplace and a + gray dove of a woman sitting on the arm of his chair. I will be glad, if + Fate is kind to me and people like my houses, to come back to the valley + when I can afford to and build myself a home that has no past—a + place, in fact, where I can furnish my own ghost, and if I meet myself on + the stairs then I won't be shocked by me. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think there is a soul in the valley who blames you for selling + your home and going, Marian,” said Linda soberly. “I think it would be + foolish if you did not.” + </p> + <p> + The return to the living room brought no change. Eileen pouted while Linda + and Marian thoroughly enjoyed themselves and gave the guests a most + entertaining evening. So disgruntled was Eileen, when the young men had + gone, that she immediately went to her room, leaving Linda and Marian to + close the house and make their own arrangements for the night. Whereupon + Linda deliberately led Marian to the carefully dusted and flower-garnished + guest room and installed her with every comfort and convenience that the + house afforded. Then bringing her brushes from her own room, she and + Marian made themselves comfortable, visiting far into the night. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” said Linda, “if Peter Morrison will go to a real estate man in + the morning and look over the locations remaining in Lilac Valley.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I think he will,” said Marian conclusively. + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me,” said Linda, “that we did a whole lot of talking about + homes tonight; which reminds me, Marian, in packing have you put in your + plans? Have you got your last draft with you?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Marian, “it's in one of the cases. I haven't anything but + two or three pencil sketches from which I drew the final plans as I now + think I'll submit them for the contest. Wouldn't it be a tall feather in + my cap, Linda, if by any chance l I should win that prize?” + </p> + <p> + “It would be more than a feather,” said Linda. “It would be a whole cap, + and a coat to wear with it, and a dress to match the coat, and slippers to + match the dress, and so forth just like 'The House That Jack Built.' Have + you those sketches, Marian?” + </p> + <p> + Opening her case, Marian slid from underneath the garments folded in it, + several sheets on which were roughly penciled sketches of the exterior of + a house—on the reverse, the upstairs and downstairs floor plans; and + sitting down, she explained these to Linda. Then she left them lying on a + table, waiting to be returned to her case before she replaced her clothes + in the morning. Both girls were fast asleep when a mischievous wind + slipped down the valley, and lightly lifting the top sheet, carried it + through the window, across the garden, and dropped it at the foot of a + honey-dripping loquat. + </p> + <p> + Because they had talked until late in the night of Marian's plans and + prospects in the city, of Peter Morrison's proposed residence in the + valley, of how lonely Linda would be without Marian, of everything + concerning their lives except the change in Eileen and John Gilman, the + two girls slept until late in the morning, so that there were but a few + minutes remaining in which Marian might dress, have a hasty breakfast and + make her train. In helping her, it fell to Linda to pack Marian's case. + She put the drawings she found on the table in the bottom, the clothing + and brushes on top of them, and closing the case, carried it herself until + she delivered it into the porter's hands as Marian boarded her train. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. Linda Starts a Revolution + </h2> + <p> + The last glimpse Marian Thorne had of Linda was as she stood alone, waving + her hand, her cheeks flushed, her eyes shining, her final word cheery and + encouraging. Marian smiled and waved in return until the train bore her + away. Then she sat down wearily and stared unseeingly from a window. Life + did such very dreadful things to people. Her girlhood had been so happy. + Then came the day of the Black Shadow, but in her blackest hour she had + not felt alone. She had supposed she was leaning on John Gilman as + securely as she had leaned on her father. She had learned, with the loss + of her father, that one cannot be sure of anything in this world least of + all of human life. Yet in her darkest days she had depended on John + Gilman. She had every reason to believe that it was for her that he + struggled daily to gain a footing in his chosen profession. When success + came, when there was no reason that Marian could see why they might not + have begun life together, there had come a subtle change in John, and that + change had developed so rapidly that in a few weeks' time, she was forced + to admit that the companionship and loving attentions that once had been + all hers were now all Eileen's. + </p> + <p> + She sat in the train, steadily carrying her mile after mile farther from + her home, and tried to think what had happened and how and why it had + happened. She could not feel that she had been wrong in her estimate of + John Gilman. Her valuation of him had been taught her by her father and + mother and by Doctor and Mrs. Strong and by John Gilman himself. Dating + from the time that Doctor Strong had purchased the property and built a + home in Lilac Valley beside Hawthorne House, Marian had admired Eileen and + had loved her. She was several years older than the beautiful girl she had + grown up beside. Age had not mattered; Eileen's beauty had not mattered. + Marian was good looking herself. + </p> + <p> + She always had known that Eileen had imposed upon her and was selfish with + her, but Eileen's impositions were so skillfully maneuvered, her + selfishness was so adorably taken for granted that Marian in retrospection + felt that perhaps she was responsible for at least a small part of it. She + never had been able to see the inner workings of Eileen's heart. She was + not capable of understanding that when John Gilman was poor and struggling + Eileen had ignored him. It had not occurred to Marian that when the + success for which he struggled began to come generously, Eileen would + begin to covet the man she had previously disdained. She had always + striven to find friends among people of wealth and distinction. How was + Marian to know that when John began to achieve wealth and distinction, + Eileen would covet him also? + </p> + <p> + Marian could not know that Eileen had studied her harder than she ever + studied any book, that she had deliberately set herself to make the most + of every defect or idiosyncrasy in Marian, at the same time offering + herself as a charming substitute. Marian was prepared to be the mental, + the spiritual, and the physical mate of a man. + </p> + <p> + Eileen was not prepared to be in truth and honor any of these. She was + prepared to make any emergency of life subservient to her own selfish + desires. She was prepared to use any man with whom she came in contact for + the furtherance of any whim that at the hour possessed her. What she + wanted was unbridled personal liberty, unlimited financial resources. + </p> + <p> + Marian, almost numbed with physical fatigue and weeks of mental strain, + came repeatedly against the dead wall of ignorance when she tried to + fathom the change that had taken place between herself and John Gilman and + between herself and Eileen. Daniel Thorne was an older man than Doctor + Strong. He had accumulated more property. Marian had sufficient means at + her command to make it unnecessary for her to acquire a profession or work + for her living, but she had always been interested in and loved to plan + houses and help her friends with buildings they were erecting. When the + silence and the loneliness of her empty home enveloped her, she had begun, + at first as a distraction, to work on the drawings for a home that an + architect had made for one of her neighbors. She had been able to suggest + so many comforts and conveniences, and so to revise these plans that, at + first in a desultory way, later in real earnest, she had begun to draw + plans for houses. Then, being of methodical habit and mathematical mind, + she began scaling up the plans and figuring on the cost of building, and + so she had worked until she felt that she was evolving homes that could be + built for the same amount of money and lived in with more comfort and + convenience than the homes that many of her friends were having planned + for them by architects of the city. + </p> + <p> + To one spot in the valley she had gone from childhood as a secret place in + which to dream and study. She had loved that retreat until it had become a + living passion with her. The more John Gilman neglected her, the more she + concentrated upon her plans, and when the hour came in which she realized + what she had lost and what Eileen had won, she reached the decision to + sell her home, go to the city, and study until she knew whether she really + could succeed at her chosen profession. + </p> + <p> + Then she would come back to the valley, buy the spot she coveted, build + the house of which she dreamed, and in it she would spend the remainder of + her life making homes for the women who knew how to hold the love of men. + When she reached the city she had decided that if one could not have the + best in life, one must be content with the next best, and for her the next + best would be homes for other people, since she might not materialize the + home she had dreamed for John Gilman and herself. She had not wanted to + leave the valley. She had not wanted to lose John Gilman. She had not + wanted to part with the home she had been reared in. Yet all of these + things seemed to have been forced upon her. All Marian knew to do was to + square her shoulders, take a deep breath, put regrets behind her, and move + steadily toward the best future she could devise for herself. + </p> + <p> + She carried letters of introduction to the San Francisco architects, + Nicholson and Snow, who had offered a prize for the best house that could + be built in a reasonable time for fifteen thousand dollars. She meant to + offer her plans in this competition. Through friends she had secured a + comfortable place in which to live and work. She need undergo no hardships + in searching for a home, in clothing herself, in paying for instruction in + the course in architecture she meant to pursue. + </p> + <p> + Concerning Linda she could not resist a feeling of exultation. Linda was + one of the friends in Lilac Valley about whom Marian could think + wholeheartedly and lovingly. Sometimes she had been on the point of making + a suggestion to Linda, and then she had contented herself with waiting in + the thought that very soon there must come to the girl a proper sense of + her position and her rights. The experience of the previous night taught + Marian that Linda had arrived. She would no longer be the compliant little + sister who would run Eileen's errands, wait upon her guests and wear + disreputable clothing. When Linda reached a point where she was capable of + the performance of the previous night, Marian knew that she would proceed + to live up to her blue china in every ramification of life. She did not + know exactly how Linda would follow up the assertion of her rights that + she had made, but she did know that in some way she would follow it up, + because Linda was a very close reproduction of her father. + </p> + <p> + She had been almost constantly with him during his life, very much alone + since his death. She was a busy young person. From Marian's windows she + had watched the business of carrying on the wild-flower garden that Linda + and her father had begun. What the occupation was that kept the light + burning in Linda's room far into the night Marian did not know. For a long + time she had supposed that her studies were difficult for her, and when + she had asked Linda if it were not possible for her to prepare her lessons + without so many hours of midnight study she had caught the stare of frank + amazement with which the girl regarded her and in that surprised, almost + grieved look she had realized that very probably a daughter of Alexander + Strong, who resembled him as Linda resembled him, would not be compelled + to overwork to master the prescribed course of any city high school. What + Linda was doing during those midnight hours Marian did not know, but she + did know that she was not wrestling with mathematics and languages—at + least not all of the time. So Marian knowing Linda's gift with a pencil, + had come to the conclusion that she was drawing pictures; but + circumstantial evidence was all she had as a basis for her conviction. + Linda went her way silently and alone. She was acquainted with everyone + living in Lilac Valley, frank and friendly with all of them; aside from + Marian she had no intimate friend. Not another girl in the valley cared to + follow Linda's pursuits or to cultivate the acquaintance of the breeched, + booted girl, constantly devoting herself to outdoor study with her father + during his lifetime, afterward alone. + </p> + <p> + For an instant after Marian had boarded her train Linda stood looking at + it, her heart so heavy that it pained acutely. She had not said one word + to make Marian feel that she did not want her to go. Not once had she put + forward the argument that Marian's going would leave her to depend + entirely for human sympathy upon the cook, and her guardian, also + administrator of the Strong estate, John Gilman. So long as he was + Marian's friend Linda had admired John Gilman. She had gone to him for + some measure of the companionship she had missed in losing her father. + Since Gilman had allowed himself to be captivated by Eileen, Linda had + harbored a feeling concerning him almost of contempt. Linda was so + familiar with every move that Eileen made, so thoroughly understood that + there was a motive back of her every action, that she could not see why + John Gilman, having known her from childhood, should not understand her + also. + </p> + <p> + She had decided that the time had come when she would force Eileen to give + her an allowance, however small, for her own personal expenses, that she + must in some way manage to be clothed so that she was not a matter of + comment even among the boys of her school, and she could see no reason why + the absolute personal liberty she always had enjoyed so long as she + disappeared when Eileen did not want her and appeared when she did, should + not extend to her own convenience as well as Eileen's. + </p> + <p> + Life was a busy affair for Linda. She had not time to watch Marian's train + from sight. She must hurry to the nearest street car and make all possible + haste or she would be late for her classes. Throughout the day she worked + with the deepest concentration, but she could not keep down the knowledge + that Eileen would have things to say, possibly things to do, when they met + that evening, for Eileen was capable of disconcerting hysteria. Previously + Linda had remained stubbornly silent during any tirade in which Eileen + chose to indulge. She had allowed herself to be nagged into doing many + things that she despised, because she would not assert herself against + apparent injustice. But since she had come fully to realize the results of + Eileen's course of action for Marian and for herself, she was deliberately + arriving at the conclusion that hereafter she would speak when she had a + defense, and she would make it her business to let the sun shine on any + dark spot that she discovered in Eileen. + </p> + <p> + Linda knew that if John Gilman were well acquainted with Eileen, he could + not come any nearer to loving her than she did. Such an idea as loving + Eileen never had entered Linda's thoughts. To Linda, Eileen was not + lovable. That she should be expected to love her because they had the same + parents and lived in the same home seemed absurd. She was slightly + disappointed, on reaching home, to find that Eileen was not there. + </p> + <p> + “Will the lady of the house dine with us this evening? she asked as she + stood eating an apple in the kitchen. + </p> + <p> + “She didn't say,” answered Katy. “Have ye had it out about last night + yet?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Linda. “That is why I was asking about her. I want to clear + the atmosphere before I make my new start in life.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, don't ye be going too far, lambie,” cautioned Katy “Ye young things + make such an awful serious business of life these days. In your scramble + to wring artificial joy out of it you miss all the natural joy the good + God provided ye.” + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me, Katy,” said Linda slowly, “that you should put that + statement the other way round. It seems that life makes a mighty serious + business for us young things, and it seems to me that if we don't get the + right start and have a proper foundation life Is going to be spoiled for + us. One life is all I've got to live in this world, and I would like it to + be the interesting and the beautiful kind of life that Father lived.” + </p> + <p> + Linda dropped to a chair. + </p> + <p> + “Katy,” she said, leaning forward and looking intently into the earnest + face of the woman before her, “Katy, I have been thinking an awful lot + lately. There is a question you could answer for me if you wanted to.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't see any raison,” said Katy, “why I shouldn't answer ye any + question ye'd be asking me.” + </p> + <p> + Linda's eyes narrowed as they did habitually in deep thought She was + looking past Katy down the sunlit spaces of the wild garden that was her + dearest possession, and then her eyes strayed higher to where the blue + walls that shut in Lilac Valley ranged their peaks against the sky. + “Katy,” she said, scarcely above her breath, “was Mother like Eileen?” + </p> + <p> + Katy stiffened. Her red face paled slightly. She turned her back and + slowly slid into the oven the pie she was carrying. She closed the door + with more force than was necessary and then turned and deliberately + studied Linda from the top of her shining black head to the tip of her + shoe. + </p> + <p> + “Some,” she said tersely. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know 'some',” said Linda, “but you know I was too young to pay + much attention, and Daddy managed always to make me so happy that I never + realized until he was gone that he not only had been my father but my + mother as well. You know what I mean, Katy.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Katy deliberately, “I know what ye mean, lambie, and I'll tell + ye the truth as far as I know it. She managed your father, she pampered + him, but she deceived him every day, just about little things. She always + made the household accounts bigger than they were, and used the extra + money for Miss Eileen and herself—things like that. I'm thinkin' he + never knew it. I'm thinking he loved her deeply and trusted her complete. + I know what ye're getting at. She was not enough like Eileen to make him + unhappy with her. He might have been if he had known all there was to + know, but for his own sake I was not the one to give her away, though she + constantly made him think that I was extravagant and wasteful in me work.” + Linda's eyes came back from the mountains and met Katy's straightly. + </p> + <p> + “Katy,” she said, “did you ever see sisters as different as Eileen and I + are?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't think I ever did,” said Katy. + </p> + <p> + “It puzzles me,” said Linda slowly. “The more I think about it, the less I + can understand why, if we are sisters, we would not accidentally resemble + each other a tiny bit in some way, and I must say I can't see that we do + physically or mentally.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Katy, “ye were just as different as ye are now when I came to + this house new and ye were both little things.” + </p> + <p> + “And we are going to be as different and to keep on growing more different + every day of our lives, because red war breaks out the minute Eileen comes + home. I haven't a notion what she will say to me for what I did last night + and what I am going to do in the future, but I have a definite idea as to + what I am going to say to her.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, easy; ye go easy, lambie,” cautioned Katy. + </p> + <p> + “I wouldn't regret it,” said Linda, “if I took Eileen by the shoulders and + shook her till I shook the rouge off her cheek, and the brilliantine off + her hair, and a million mean little subterfuges out of her soul. You know + Eileen is lovely when she is natural, and if she would be + straight-off-the-bat square, I would be proud to be her sister. As it is, + I have my doubts, even about this sister business.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Linda, child, ye are just plain crazy,” said Katy. “What kind of + notions are you getting into your head?” + </p> + <p> + “I hear the front door,” said Linda, “and I am going to march straight to + battle. She's going up the front stairs. I did mean to short-cut up the + back, but, come to think of it, I have served my apprenticeship on the + back stairs. I believe I'll ascend the front myself. Good-bye, darlin', + wish me luck.” + </p> + <p> + Linda swung Katy around, hugged her tight, and dropped a kiss on the top + of her faithful head. + </p> + <p> + “Ye just stick right up for your rights,” Katy advised her. “Ye're a great + big girl. 'Tain't going to be long till ye're eighteen. But mind your old + Katy about going too far. If ye lose your temper and cat-spit, it won't + get ye anywhere. The fellow that keeps the coolest can always do the best + headwork.” + </p> + <p> + “I get you,” said Linda, “and that is good advice for which I thank you.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. The Smoke of Battle + </h2> + <p> + Then Linda walked down the hall, climbed the front stairs, and presented + herself at Eileen's door, there to receive one of the severest shocks of + her young life. Eileen had tossed her hat and fur upon a couch, seated + herself at her dressing table, and was studying her hair in the effort to + decide whether she could fluff it up sufficiently to serve for the evening + or whether she must take it down and redress it. At Linda's step in the + doorway she turned a smiling face upon her and cried: “Hello, little + sister, come in and tell me the news.” + </p> + <p> + Linda stopped as if dazed. The wonderment in which she looked at Eileen + was stamped all over her. A surprised braid of hair hung over one of her + shoulders. Her hands were surprised, and the skirt of her dress, and her + shoes flatly set on the floor. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'll be darned!” she ejaculated, and then walked to where she could + face Eileen, and seated herself without making any attempt to conceal her + amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” said Eileen sweetly, “you would stand far better chance of being + popular and making a host of friends if you would not be so coarse. I am + quite sure you never heard Mama or me use such an expression.” + </p> + <p> + For one long instant Linda was too amazed to speak. Then she recovered + herself. + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Eileen, you needn't try any 'perfect lady' business on me,” + she said shortly. “Do you think I have forgotten the extent of your + vocabulary when the curling iron gets too hot or you fail to receive an + invitation to the Bachelors' Ball?” + </p> + <p> + Linda never had been capable of understanding Eileen. At that minute she + could not know that Eileen had been facing facts through the long hours of + the night and all through the day, and that she had reached the decision + that for the future her only hope of working Linda to her will was to + conciliate her, to ignore the previous night, to try to put their + relationship upon the old basis by pretending that there never had been a + break. She laughed softly. + </p> + <p> + “On rare occasions, I grant it. Of course a little swear slips out + sometimes. What I am trying to point out is that you do too much of it.” + </p> + <p> + “How did you ever get the idea,” said Linda, “that I wanted to be popular + and have hosts of friends? What would I do with them if I had them?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, use them, my child, use them,” answered Eileen promptly. + </p> + <p> + “Let's cut this,” said Linda tersely. “I am not your child. I'm getting to + the place where I have serious doubt as to whether I am your sister or + not. If I am, it's not my fault, and the same clay never made two objects + quite so different. I came up here to fight, and I'm going to see it + through. I'm on the warpath, so you may take your club and proceed to + battle.” + </p> + <p> + “What have we to fight about?” inquired Eileen. + </p> + <p> + “Every single thing that you have done that was unfair to me all my life,” + said Linda. “Since all of it has been deliberate you probably know more + about the details than I do, so I'll just content myself with telling you + that for the future, last night marked a change in the relations between + us. I am going to be eighteen before so very long, and I have ceased to be + your maid or your waitress or your dupe. You are not going to work me one + single time when I have got brains to see through your schemes after this. + Hereafter I take my place in my father's house and at my father's table on + an equality with you.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen looked at Linda steadily, trying to see to the depths of her soul. + She saw enough to convince her that the young creature in front of her was + in earnest. + </p> + <p> + “Hm,” she said, “have I been so busy that I have failed to notice what a + great girl you are getting?” + </p> + <p> + “Busy!” scoffed Linda. “Tell that to Katy. It's a kumquat!” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you are too big,” continued Eileen, “to be asked to wait on the + table any more.” + </p> + <p> + “I certainly am,” retorted Linda, “and I am also too big to wear such + shoes or such a dress as I have on at the present min. ute. I know all + about the war and the inflation of prices and the reduction in income, but + I know also that if there is enough to run the house, and dress you, and + furnish you such a suite of rooms as you're enjoying right now, there is + enough to furnish me suitable clothes, a comfortable bedroom and a place + where I can leave my work without putting away everything I am doing each + time I step from the room. I told you four years ago that you might take + the touring car and do what you pleased with it. I have never asked what + you did or what you got out of it, so I'll thank you to observe equal + silence about anything I choose to do now with the runabout, which I + reserved for myself. I told you to take this suite, and this is the first + time that I have ever mentioned to you what you spent on it.” + </p> + <p> + Linda waved an inclusive hand toward the fully equipped, dainty dressing + table, over rugs of pale blue, and beautifully decorated walls, including + the sleeping room and bath adjoining. + </p> + <p> + “So now I'll ask you to keep off while I do what I please about the + library and the billiard room. I'll try to get along without much money in + doing what I desire there, but I must have some new clothes. I want money + to buy me a pair of new shoes for school. I want a pair of pumps suitable + for evenings when there are guests to dinner. I want a couple of + attractive school dresses. This old serge is getting too hot and too worn + for common decency. And I also want a couple of dresses something like you + are wearing, for afternoons and evenings.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen stared aghast at Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Where,” she inquired politely, “is the money for all this to come from?” + </p> + <p> + “Eileen,” said Linda in a low tense voice, “I have reached the place where + even the BOYS of the high school are twitting me about how I am dressed, + and that is the limit. I have stood it for three years from the girls. I + am an adept in pretending that I don't see, and I don't hear. I have got + to the point where I am perfectly capable of walking into your wardrobe + and taking out enough of the clothes there and selling them at a + second-hand store to buy me what I require to dress me just plainly and + decently. So take warning. I don't know where you are going to get the + money, but you are going to get it. If you would welcome a suggestion from + me, come home only half the times you dine yourself and your girl friends + at tearooms and cafes in the city, and you will save my share that way. I + am going to give you a chance to total your budget, and then I demand one + half of the income from Father's estate above household expenses; and if I + don't get it, on the day I am eighteen I shall go to John Gilman and say + to him what I have said to you, and I shall go to the bank and demand that + a division be made there, and that a separate bank book be started for + me.” + </p> + <p> + Linda's amazement on entering the room had been worthy of note. Eileen's + at the present minute was beyond description. Dumbfounded was a colorless + word to describe her state of mind. + </p> + <p> + “You don't mean that,” she gasped in a quivering voice when at last she + could speak. + </p> + <p> + “I can see, Eileen, that you are taken unawares,” said Linda. “I have had + four long years to work up to this hour. Hasn't it even dawned on you that + this worm was ever going to turn? You know exquisite moths and butterflies + evolve in the canyons from very unprepossessing and lowly living worms. + You are spending your life on the butterfly stunt. Have I been such a weak + worm that it hasn't ever occurred to you that I might want to try a plain, + everyday pair of wings sometime myself?” + </p> + <p> + Eileen's face was an ugly red, her hands were shaking, her voice was + unnatural, but she controlled her temper. + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” she said, “I have always known that the time would come, + after you finished school and were of a proper age, when you would want to + enter society.” + </p> + <p> + “No, you never knew anything of the kind,” said Linda bluntly, “because I + have not the slightest ambition to enter society either now or then. All I + am asking is to enter the high school in a commonly decent, suitable + dress; to enter our dining room as a daughter; to enter a workroom + decently equipped for my convenience. You needn't be surprised if you hear + some changes going on in the billiard room and see some changes going on + in the library. And if I feel that I can muster the nerve to drive the + runabout, it's my car, it's up to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Linda!” wailed Eileen, “how can you think of such a thing? You wouldn't + dare.” + </p> + <p> + “Because I haven't dared till the present is no reason why I should + deprive myself of every single pleasure in life,” said Linda. “You spend + your days doing exactly what you please; driving that runabout for Father + was my one soul-satisfying diversion. Why shouldn't I do the thing I love + most, if I can muster the nerve?” + </p> + <p> + Linda arose, and walking over to a table, picked up a magazine lying among + some small packages that Eileen evidently had placed there on entering her + room. + </p> + <p> + “Are you subscribing to this?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + She turned in her hands and leafed through the pages of a most attractive + magazine, Everybody's Home. It was devoted to poetry, good fiction, and + everything concerning home life from beef to biscuits, and from rugs to + roses. + </p> + <p> + “I saw it on a newsstand,” said Eileen. “I was at lunch with some girls + who had a copy and they were talking about some articles by somebody named + something—Meredith, I think it was—Jane Meredith, maybe she's + a Californian, and she is advocating the queer idea that we go back to + nature by trying modern cooking on the food the aborigines ate. If we find + it good then she recommends that we specialize on the growing of these + native vegetables for home use and for export—as a new industry.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Linda. “Out-Burbanking Burbank, as it were.” + </p> + <p> + “No, not that,” said Eileen. “She is not proposing to evolve new forms. + She is proposing to show us how to make delicious dishes for luncheon or + dinner from wild things now going to waste. What the girls said was so + interesting that I thought I'd get a copy and if I see anything good I'll + turn it over to Katy.” + </p> + <p> + “And where's Katy going to get the wild vegetables?” asked Linda + sceptically. + </p> + <p> + “Why you might have some of them in your wild garden, or you could easily + find enough to try—all the prowling the canyons you do ought to + result in something.” + </p> + <p> + “So it should,” said Linda. “I quite agree with you. Did I understand you + to say that I should be ready to go to the bank with you to arrange about + my income next week?” + </p> + <p> + Again the color deepened in Eileen's face, again she made a visible effort + at self-control. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Linda,” she said, “what is the use of being so hard? You will make + them think at the bank that I have not treated you fairly.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>I</i>?” said Linda, “<i>I</i> will make them think? Don't you think it + is YOU who will make them think? Will you kindly answer my question?” + </p> + <p> + “If I show you the books,” said Eileen, “if I divide what is left after + the bills are paid so that you say yourself that it is fair, what more can + you ask?” + </p> + <p> + Linda hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “What I ought to do is exactly what I have said I would do,” she said + tersely, “but if you are going to put it on that basis I have no desire to + hurt you or humiliate you in public. If you do that, I can't see that I + have any reason to complain, so we'll call it a bargain and we'll say no + more about it until the first of the month, unless the spirit moves you, + after taking a good square look at me, to produce some shoes and a school + dress instanter.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll see what I can do,” answered Eileen. + </p> + <p> + “All right then,” said Linda. “See you at dinner.” + </p> + <p> + She went to her own room, slipped off her school dress, brushed her hair, + and put on the skirt and blouse she had worn the previous evening, these + being the only extra clothing she possessed. As she straightened her hair + she looked at herself intently. + </p> + <p> + “My, aren't you coming on!” she said to the figure in the glass. “Dressing + for dinner! First thing you know you'll be a perfect lady.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. Jane Meredith + </h2> + <p> + When Eileen came down to dinner that evening Linda understood at a glance + that an effort was to be made to efface thoroughly from the mind of John + Gilman all memory of the Eileen of the previous evening. She had decided + on redressing her hair, while she wore one of her most becoming and + attractive gowns. To Linda and Katy during the dinner she was simply + charming. Having said what she wanted to say and received the assurance + she desired, Linda accepted her advances cordially and displayed such + charming proclivities herself that Eileen began covertly to watch her, and + as she watched there slowly grew in her brain the conviction that + something had happened to Linda. At once she began studying deeply in an + effort to learn what it might be. There were three paramount things in + Eileen's cosmos that could happen to a girl: She could have lovely + clothing. Linda did not have it. She could have money and influential + friends. Since Marian's going Linda had practically no friend; she was + merely acquainted with almost everyone living in Lilac Valley. She could + have a lover. Linda had none. But stay! Eileen's thought halted at the + suggestion. Maybe she had! She had been left completely, to her own + devices when she was not wanted about the house. She had been mingling + with hundreds of boys and girls in high school. She might have met some + man repeatedly on the street cars, going to and from school. In school she + might have attracted the son of some wealthy and influential family; which + was the only kind of son Eileen chose to consider in connection with + Linda. Through Eileen's brain ran bits of the conversation of the previous + evening. She recalled that the men she had intended should spend the + evening waiting on her and paying her pretty compliments had spent it + eating like hungry men, laughing and jesting with Linda and Marian, giving + every evidence of a satisfaction with their entertainment that never had + been evinced with the best brand of attractions she had to offer. + </p> + <p> + Eileen was willing to concede that Marian Thorne had been a beautiful + girl, and she had known, previous to the disaster, that it was quite as + likely that any man might admire Marian's flashing dark beauty as her + blonde loveliness. Between them then it would have been merely a question + of taste on the part of the man. Since Marian's dark head had turned + ashen, Eileen had simply eliminated her at one sweep. That white hair + would brand Marian anywhere as an old woman. Very likely no man ever would + want to marry her. Eileen was sure she would not want to if she were a + man. No wonder John Gilman had ceased to be attracted by a girl's face + with a grandmother setting. + </p> + <p> + As for Linda, Eileen never had considered her at all except as a + convenience to serve her own purposes. Last night she had learned that + Linda had a brain, that she had wit, that she could say things to which + men of the world listened with interest. She began to watch Linda. She + appraised with deepest envy the dark hair curling naturally on her + temples. She wondered how hair that curled naturally could be so thick and + heavy, and she thought what a crown of glory would adorn Linda's head when + the day came to coil those long dark braids around it and fasten them with + flashing pins. She drew some satisfaction from the sunburned face and lean + figure before her, but it was not satisfaction of soul-sustaining quality. + There was beginning to be something disquieting about Linda. A roundness + was creeping over her lean frame; a glow was beginning to color her lips + and cheek bones; a dewy look could be surprised in her dark eyes + occasionally. She had the effect of a creature with something yeasty + bottled inside it that was beginning to ferment and might effervesce at + any minute. Eileen had been so surprised the previous evening and again + before dinner, that she made up her mind that hereafter one might expect + almost anything from Linda. She would no longer follow a suggestion unless + the suggestion accorded with her sense of right and justice. It was barely + possible that it might be required to please her inclinations. Eileen's + mind worked with unbelievable swiftness. She tore at her subject like a + vulture tearing at a feast, and like a vulture she reached the vitals + swiftly. She prefaced her question with a dry laugh. Then she leaned + forward and asked softly: “Linda, dear, why haven't you told me?” + </p> + <p> + Linda's eyes were so clear and honest as they met Eileen's that she almost + hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “A little more explicit, please,” said the girl quietly. + </p> + <p> + “WHO IS HE?” asked Eileen abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I haven't narrowed to an individual,” said Linda largely “You have + noticed a flock of boys following me from school and hanging around the + front door? I have such hosts to choose from that it's going to take a + particularly splendid knight on a snow-white charger—I think + 'charger' is the proper word—to capture my young affections.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen was satisfied. There wasn't any he. She might for a short time yet + cut Linda's finances to the extreme limit. Whenever a man appeared on the + horizon she would be forced to make a division at least approaching + equality. + </p> + <p> + Linda followed Eileen to the living room and sat down with a book until + John Gilman arrived. She had a desire to study him for a few minutes. She + was going to write Marian a letter that night. She wanted to know if she + could honestly tell her that Gilman appeared lonely and seemed to miss + her. Katy had no chance to answer the bell when it rang. Eileen was in the + hall. Linda could not tell what was happening from the murmur of voices. + Presently John and Eileen entered the room, and as Linda greeted him she + did have the impression that he appeared unusually thoughtful and worried. + She sat for half an hour, taking slight part in the conversation. Then she + excused herself and went to her room, and as she went she knew that she + could not honestly write Marian what she had hoped, for in thirty minutes + by the clock Eileen's blandishments had worked, and John Gilman was + looking at her as if she were the most exquisite and desirable creature in + existence. + </p> + <p> + Slowly Linda climbed the stairs and entered her room. She slid the bolt of + her door behind her, turned on the lights, unlocked a drawer, and taking + from it a heap of materials she scattered them over a small table, and + picking up her pencil, she sat gazing at the sheet before her for some + time. Then slowly she began writing: + </p> + <p> + It appeals to me that, far as modern civilization has gone in culinary + efforts, we have not nearly reached the limits available to us as I + pointed out last month. We consider ourselves capable of preparing and + producing elaborate banquets, yet at no time are we approaching anything + even to compare in lavishness and delicacy with the days of Lucullus. We + are not feasting on baked swans, peacock tongues and drinking our pearls. + I am not recommending that we should revive the indulgence of such lavish + and useless expenditure, but I would suggest that if we tire with the + sameness of our culinary efforts, we at least try some of the new dishes + described in this department, established for the sole purpose of their + introduction. In so doing we accomplish a multiple purpose. We enlarge the + resources of the southwest. We tease stale appetites with a new tang. We + offer the world something different, yet native to us. We use modern + methods on Indian material and the results are most surprising. In trying + these dishes I would remind you that few of us cared for oysters, olives, + celery—almost any fruit or vegetable one could mention on first + trial. Try several times and be sure you prepare dishes exactly right + before condemning them as either fad or fancy. These are very real, + nourishing and delicious foods that are being offered you. Here is a salad + that would have intrigued the palate of Lucullus, himself. If you do not + believe me, try it. The vegetable is slightly known by a few native + mountaineers and ranchers. Botanists carried it abroad where under the + name of winter-purslane it is used in France and England for greens or + salad, while remaining practically unknown at home. Boiled and seasoned as + spinach it makes equally good greens. But it is in salad that it stands + pre-eminent. + </p> + <p> + Go to any canyon—I shall not reveal the name of my particular canyon—and + locate a bed of miner's lettuce (Montia perfoliata). Growing in rank beds + beside a cold, clean stream, you will find these pulpy, exquisitely + shaped, pungent round leaves from the center of which lifts a tiny head of + misty white lace, sending up a palate-teasing, spicy perfume. The crisp, + pinkish stems snap in the fingers. Be sure that you wash the leaves + carefully so that no lurking germs cling to them. Fill your salad bowl + with the crisp leaves, from which the flowerhead has been plucked. For + dressing, dice a teacup of the most delicious bacon you can obtain and fry + it to a crisp brown together with a small sliced onion. Add to the fat two + tablespoons of sugar, half a teaspoon of mustard; salt will scarcely be + necessary the bacon will furnish that. Blend the fat, sugar, and mustard, + and pour in a measure of the best apple vinegar, diluted to taste. Bring + this mixture to the boiling point, and when it has cooled slightly pour it + over the lettuce leaves, lightly turning with a silver fork. Garnish the + edge of the dish with a deep border of the fresh leaves bearing their lace + of white bloom intact, around the edge of the bowl, and sprinkle on top + the sifted yolks of two hard-boiled eggs, heaping the diced whites in the + center. + </p> + <p> + Linda paused and read this over carefully. + </p> + <p> + “That is all right,” she said. “I couldn't make that much better.” + </p> + <p> + She made a few corrections here and there, and picking up a colored + pencil, she deftly sketched in a head piece of delicate sprays of miners' + lettuce tipped at differing angles, fringy white with bloom. Below she + printed: “A delicious Indian salad. The second of a series of new dishes + to be offered made from materials used by the Indians. Compounded and + tested in her own diet kitchen by the author.” + </p> + <p> + Swiftly she sketched a tail piece representing a table top upon which sat + a tempting-looking big salad bowl filled with fresh green leaves, rimmed + with a row of delicate white flowers, from which you could almost scent a + teasing delicate fragrance arising; and beneath, in a clear, firm hand, + she stroked in the name, Jane Meredith. She went over her work carefully, + then laid it flat on a piece of cardboard, shoved it into an envelope, + directed it to the editor of Everybody's Home, laid it inside her + geometry, and wrote her letter to Marian before going to bed. + </p> + <p> + In the morning on her way to the street car she gaily waved to a passing + automobile going down Lilac Valley, in which sat John Gilman and Peter + Morrison and his architect, and as they were driving in the direction from + which she had come, Linda very rightly surmised that they were going to + pick up Eileen and make a tour of the valley, looking for available + building locations; and she wondered why Eileen had not told her that they + were coming. Linda had been right about the destination of the car. It + turned in at the Strong driveway and stopped at the door. John Gilman went + to ring the bell and learn if Eileen were ready. Peter followed him. Henry + Anderson stepped from the car and wandered over the lawn, looking at the + astonishing array of bushes, vines, flowers, and trees. + </p> + <p> + From one to another he went, fingering the waxy leaves, studying the + brilliant flower faces. Finally turning a corner and crossing the wild + garden, to which he paid slight attention, he started down the other side + of the house. Here an almost overpowering odor greeted his nostrils, and + he went over to a large tree covered with rough, dark green, almost + brownish, lance-shaped leaves, each branch terminating in a heavy spray of + yellowish-green flowers, whose odor was of cloying sweetness. The bees + were buzzing over it. It was not a tree with which he was familiar, and + stepping back, he looked at it carefully. Then at its base, wind-driven + into a crevice between the roots, his attention was attracted to a + crumpled sheet of paper, upon which he could see lines that would have + attracted the attention of any architect. He went forward instantly, + picked up the sheet, and straightening it out he stood looking at it. + </p> + <p> + “Holy smoke!” he breathed softly. “What a find!” + </p> + <p> + He looked at the reverse of the sheet, his face becoming more intent every + minute. When he heard Peter Morrison's voice calling him he hastily thrust + the paper into his coat pocket; but he had gone only a few steps when he + stopped, glanced keenly over the house and lawn, turned his back, and + taking the sheet from his pocket, he smoothed it out, folded it carefully, + and put it in an inside pocket. Then he joined the party. + </p> + <p> + At once they set out to examine the available locations that yet remained + in Lilac Valley. Nature provided them a wonderful day of snappy sunshine + and heady sea air. Spring favored them with lilac walls at their bluest, + broken here and there with the rose-misted white mahogany. The violet + nightshade was beginning to add deeper color to the hills in the sunniest + wild spots. The panicles of mahonia bloom were showing their gold color. + Wild flowers were lifting leaves of feather and lace everywhere, and most + agreeable on the cool morning air was a faint breath of California sage. + Up one side of the valley, weaving in and out, up and down, over the + foothills they worked their way. They stopped for dinner at one of the + beautiful big hotels, practically filled with Eastern tourists. Eileen + never had known a prouder moment than when she took her place at the head + of the table and presided over the dinner which was served to three most + attractive specimens of physical manhood, each of whom was unusually well + endowed with brain, all flattering her with the most devoted attention. + This triumph she achieved in a dining room seating hundreds of people, its + mirror-lined walls reflecting her exquisite image from many angles, to the + click of silver, and the running accompaniment of many voices. What she + had expected to accomplish in her own dining room had come to her before a + large audience, in which, she had no doubt, there were many envious women. + Eileen rayed loveliness like a Mariposa lily, and purred in utter + contentment like a deftly stroked kitten. + </p> + <p> + When they parted in the evening Peter Morrison had memoranda of three + locations that he wished to consider. That he might not seem to be unduly + influenced or to be giving the remainder of Los Angeles County its just + due, he proposed to motor around for a week before reaching an ultimate + decision, but in his heart he already had decided that somewhere near Los + Angeles he would build his home, and as yet he had seen nothing nearly so + attractive as Lilac Valley. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. Trying Yucca + </h2> + <p> + On her way to school that morning Linda stopped at the post office and + pasted the required amount of stamps upon the package that she was mailing + to New York. She hurried from her last class that afternoon to the city + directory to find the street and number of James Brothers, figuring that + the firm with whom Marian dealt would be the proper people for her to + consult. She had no difficulty in finding the place for which she was + searching, and she was rather agreeably impressed with the men to whom she + talked. She made arrangements with their buyer to call at her home in + Lilac Valley at nine o'clock the following Saturday morning to appraise + the articles with which she wished to part. + </p> + <p> + Then she went to one of the leading book stores of the city and made + inquiries which guided her to a reliable second-hand book dealer, and she + arranged to be ready to receive his representative at ten o'clock on + Saturday. + </p> + <p> + Reaching home she took a note book and pencil, and studied the billiard + room and the library, making a list of the furniture which she did not + actually need. After that she began on the library shelves, listing such + medical works as were of a technical nature. Books of fiction, history, + art, and biography, and those books written by her father she did not + include. She found that she had a long task which would occupy several + evenings. Her mind was methodical and she had been with her father through + sufficient business transactions to understand that in order to drive a + good bargain she must know how many volumes she had to offer and the + importance of their authors as medical authorities; she should also know + the exact condition of each set of books. Since she had made up her mind + to let them go, and she knew the value of many of the big, leather-bound + volumes, she determined that she would not sell them until she could + secure the highest possible price for them. + </p> + <p> + Two months previously she would have consulted John Gilman and asked him + to arrange the transaction for her. Since he had allowed himself to be + duped so easily—or at least it had seemed easy to Linda; for, much + as she knew of Eileen, she could not possibly know the weeks of secret + plotting, the plans for unexpected meetings, the trumped-up business + problems necessary to discuss, the deliberate flaunting of her physical + charms before him, all of which had made his conquest extremely hard for + Eileen, but Linda, seeing only results, had thought it contemptibly easy—she + would not ask John Gilman anything. She would go ahead on the basis of her + agreement with Eileen and do the best she could alone. + </p> + <p> + She counted on Saturday to dispose of the furniture. The books might go at + her leisure. Then the first of the week she could select such furniture as + she desired in order to arrange the billiard room for her study. If she + had a suitable place in which to work in seclusion, there need be no hurry + about the library. She conscientiously prepared all the lessons required + in her school course for the next day and then, stacking her books, she + again unlocked the drawer opened the previous evening, and taking from it + the same materials, set to work. She wrote: + </p> + <p> + Botanists have failed to mention that there is any connection between + asparagus, originally a product of salt marshes, and Yucca, a product of + the alkaline desert. Very probably there is no botanical relationship, but + these two plants are alike in flavor. From the alkaline, sunbeaten desert + where the bayonet plant thrusts up a tender bloom head six inches in + height, it slowly increases in stature as it travels across country more + frequently rain washed, and winds its way beside mountain streams to where + in more fertile soil and the same sunshine it develops magnificent + specimens from ten to fifteen and more feet in height. The plant grows a + number of years before it decides to flower. When it reaches maturity it + throws up a bloom stem as tender as the delicate head of asparagus, thick + as one's upper arm, and running to twice one's height. This bloom stem in + its early stages is colored the pale pink of asparagus, with faint touches + of yellow, and hints of blue. At maturity it breaks into a gorgeous head + of lavender-tinted, creamy pendent flowers covering the upper third of its + height, billowing out slightly in the center, so that from a distance the + waxen torch takes on very much the appearance of a flaming candle. For + this reason, in Mexico, where the plant flourishes in even greater + abundance than in California, with the exquisite poetry common to the + tongue and heart of the Spaniard, Yucca Whipplei has been commonly named + “Our Lord's Candle.” At the most delicate time of their growth these + candlesticks were roasted and eaten by the Indians. Based upon this + knowledge, I would recommend two dishes, almost equally delicious, which + may be prepared from this plant. + </p> + <p> + Take the most succulent young bloom stems when they have exactly the + appearance of an asparagus head at its moment of delicious perfection. + With a sharp knife, cut them in circles an inch in depth. Arrange these in + a shallow porcelain baking dish, sprinkle with salt, dot them with butter, + add enough water to keep them from sticking and burning. Bake until + thoroughly tender. Use a pancake turner to slide the rings to a hot + platter, and garnish with circles of hard-boiled egg. This you will find + an extremely delicate and appetizing dish. + </p> + <p> + The second recipe I would offer is to treat this vegetable precisely as + you would creamed asparagus. Cut the stalks in six-inch lengths, quarter + them to facilitate cooking and handling, and boil in salted water. Drain, + arrange in a hot dish, and pour over a carefully made cream sauce. I might + add that one stalk would furnish sufficient material for several families. + This dish should be popular in southwestern states where the plant grows + profusely; and to cultivate these plants for shipping to Eastern markets + would be quite as feasible as the shipping of asparagus, rhubarb, + artichokes, or lettuce. + </p> + <p> + I have found both these dishes peculiarly appetizing, but I should be + sorry if, in introducing Yucca as a food, I became instrumental in the + extermination of this universal and wonderfully beautiful plant. For this + reason I have hesitated about including Yucca among these articles; but + when I see the bloom destroyed ruthlessly by thousands who cut it to + decorate touring automobiles and fruit and vegetable stands beside the + highways, who carry it from its native location and stick it in the + parching sun of the seashore as a temporary shelter, I feel that the bloom + stems might as well be used for food as to be so ruthlessly wasted. + </p> + <p> + The plant is hardy in the extreme, growing in the most unfavorable places, + clinging tenaciously to sheer mountain and canyon walls. After blooming + and seeding the plant seems to have thrown every particle of nourishment + it contains into its development, it dries out and dies (the spongy wood + is made into pincushions for the art stores); but from the roots there + spring a number of young plants, which, after a few years of growth, + mature and repeat their life cycle, while other young plants develop from + the widely scattered seeds. The Spaniards at times call the plant Quiota. + This word seems to be derived from quiotl, which is the Aztec name for + Agave, from which plant a drink not unlike beer is produced, and suggests + the possibility that there might have been a time when the succulent + flower stem of the Yucca furnished drink as well as food for the Indians. + </p> + <p> + After carefully re-reading and making several minor corrections, Linda + picked up her pencil, and across the top of a sheet of heavy paper + sketched the peaks of a chain of mountains. Across the base she drew a + stretch of desert floor, bristling with the thorns of many different cacti + brilliant with their gold, pink, and red bloom, intermingled with fine + grasses and desert flower faces. + </p> + <p> + At the left she painstakingly drew a huge plant of yucca with a perfect + circle of bayonets, from the center of which uprose the gigantic flower + stem the length of her page, and on the misty bloom of the flaming tongue + she worked quite as late as Marian Thorne had ever seen a light burning in + her window. When she had finished her drawing she studied it carefully a + long time, adding a touch here and there, and then she said softly: + “There, Daddy, I feel that even you would think that a faithful + reproduction Tomorrow night I'll paint it.” + </p> + <p> + John Gilman saw the light from Linda's window when he brought Eileen home + that night, and when he left he glanced that way again, and was surprised + to see the room still lighted, and the young figure bending over a + worktable. He stood very still for a few minutes, wondering what could + keep Linda awake so far into the night, and while his thoughts were upon + her he wondered, too, why she did not care to have beautiful clothes such + as Eileen wore; and then he went further and wondered why, when she could + be as entertaining as she had been the night she joined them at dinner, + she did not make her appearance oftener; and then, because the mind is a + queer thing, and he had wondered about a given state of affairs, he went a + step further, and wondered whether the explanation lay in Linda's + inclinations or in Eileen's management, and then his thought fastened + tenaciously upon the subject of Eileen's management. + </p> + <p> + He was a patient man. He had allowed his reason and better judgment to be + swayed by Eileen's exquisite beauty and her blandishments. He did not + regret having discovered before it was too late that Marian Thorne was not + the girl he had thought her. He wanted a wife cut after the clinging-vine + pattern. He wanted to be the dominating figure in his home. It had not + taken Eileen long to teach him that Marian was self-assertive and would do + a large share of dominating herself. He had thought that he was perfectly + satisfied and very happy with Eileen; yet that day he repeatedly had felt + piqued and annoyed with her. She had openly cajoled and flirted with Henry + Anderson past a point which was agreeable for any man to see his + sweetheart go with another man With Peter Morrison she had been + unspeakably charming in a manner with which John was very familiar. + </p> + <p> + He turned up his coat collar, thrust his hands in his pockets, and swore + softly. Looking straight ahead of him, he should have seen a stretch of + level sidewalk, bordered on one hand by lacy, tropical foliage, on the + other, by sheets of level green lawn, broken everywhere by the uprising + boles of great trees, clumps of rare vines, and rows of darkened homes, + attractive in architectural 'design' vine covered, hushed for the night. + What he really saw was a small plateau, sun illumined, at the foot of a + mountain across the valley, where the lilac wall was the bluest, where the + sun shone slightly more golden than anywhere else in the valley, where + huge live oaks outstretched rugged arms, where the air had a tang of salt, + a tinge of sage, an odor of orange, shot through with snowy coolness, + thrilled with bird song, and the laughing chuckle of a big spring breaking + from the foot of the mountain. They had left the road and followed a + narrow, screened path by which they came unexpectedly into this opening. + They had stood upon it in wordless enchantment, looking down the slope + beneath it, across the peace of the valley, to the blue ranges beyond. + </p> + <p> + “Just where are we?” Peter Morrison had asked at last. + </p> + <p> + John Gilman had been looking at a view which included Eileen. She lifted + her face, flushed and exquisite, to Peter Morrison and answered in a + breathless undertone, yet John had distinctly heard her: + </p> + <p> + “How wonderful it would be if we were at your house. Oh, I envy the woman + who shares this with you!” + </p> + <p> + It had not been anything in particular, yet all day it had teased John + Gilman's sensibilities. He felt ashamed of himself for not being more + enthusiastic as he searched records and helped to locate the owner of that + particular spot. To John, there was a new tone in Peter's voice, a + possessive light in his eyes as he studied the location, and made + excursions in several directions, to fix in his mind the exact position of + the land. + </p> + <p> + He had indicated what he considered the topographical location for a house—stood + on it facing the valley, and stepped the distance suitably far away to set + a garage and figured on a short private road down to the highway. He very + plainly was deeply prepossessed with a location John Gilman blamed himself + for not having found first. Certainly nature had here grown and walled a + dream garden in which to set a house of dreams. So, past midnight, Gilman + stood in the sunshine, looking at the face of the girl he had asked to + marry him and who had said that she would; and a small doubt crept into + his heart, and a feeling that perhaps life might be different for him if + Peter Morrison decided to come to Lilac Valley to build his home. Then the + sunlight faded, night closed in, but as he went his homeward way John + Gilman was thinking, thinking deeply and not at all happily. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. The Bear Cat + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Friday's child is loving and giving, + But Saturday's child must work for a living,” + </pre> + <p> + Linda was chanting happily as she entered the kitchen early Saturday + morning. + </p> + <p> + “Katy, me blessing,” she said gaily, “did I ever point out to you the + interesting fact that I was born on Saturday? And a devilish piece of luck + it was, for I have been hustling ever since. It's bad enough to have been + born on Monday and spoiled wash day, but I call Saturday the vanishing + point, the end of the extreme limit.” + </p> + <p> + Katy laughed, and, as always, turned adoring eyes on Linda. + </p> + <p> + “I am not needing ye, lambie,” she said. “Is it big business in the canyon + ye're having today? Shall I be ready to be cooking up one of them + God-forsaken Red Indian messes for ye when ye come back?” + </p> + <p> + Linda held up a warning finger. + </p> + <p> + “Hiss, Katy,” she said. “That is a dark secret. Don't you be forgetting + yourself and saying anything like that before anyone, or I would be ruined + entirely.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I did think when ye began it,” said Katy, “that of all the wild + foolishness ye and your pa had ever gone through with, that was the worst, + but that last mess ye worked out was so tasty to the tongue that I thought + of it a lot, and I'm kind o' hankering for more.” + </p> + <p> + Linda caught Katy and swung her around the kitchen in a wild war dance. + Her gayest laugh bubbled clear from the joy peak of her soul. + </p> + <p> + “Katy,” she said, “if you had lain awake all night trying to say something + that would particularly please me, you couldn't have done better. That was + a quaint little phrase and a true little phrase, and I know a little spot + that it will fit exactly. What am I doing today? Well, several things, + Katy. First, anything you need about the house. Next, I am going to empty + the billiard room and sell some of the excess furniture of the library, + and with the returns I am going to buy me a rug and a table and some tools + to work with, so I won't have to clutter up my bedroom with my lessons and + things I bring in that I want to save. And then I am going to sell the + technical stuff from the library and use that money where it will be of + greatest advantage to me. And then, Katy, I am going to manicure the Bear + Cat and I am going to drive it again.” + </p> + <p> + Linda hesitated. Katy stood very still, thinking intently, but finally she + said: “That's all right; ye have got good common sense; your nerves are + steady; your pa drilled ye fine. Many's the time he has bragged to me + behind your back what a fine little driver he was making of ye. I don't + know a girl of your age anywhere that has less enjoyment than ye. If it + would be giving ye any happiness to be driving that car, ye just go ahead + and drive it, lambie, but ye promise me here and now that ye will be + mortal careful. In all my days I don't think I have seen a meaner-looking + little baste of a car.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I'll be careful, Katy,” said Linda. “That car was not bought + for its beauty. Its primal object in this world was to arrive. Gee, how we + shot curves, and coasted down the canyons, and gassed up on the level when + some poor soul went batty from nerve strain! The truth is, Katy, that you + can't drive very slowly. You have got to go the speed for which it was + built. But I have had my training. I won't forget. I adore that car, Katy, + and I don't know how I have ever kept my fingers off it this long. Today + it gets a bath and a facial treatment, and when I have thought up some way + to meet my big problem, you're going to have a ride, Katy, that will quite + uplift your soul. We'll go scooting through the canyons, and whizzing + around the mountains, and roaring along the beach, as slick as a white sea + swallow.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, easy, lambie, easy,” said Katy. “Ye're planning to speed that thing + before ye've got it off the jacks.” + </p> + <p> + “No, that was mere talk,” said Linda. “But, Katy, this is my great day. I + feel in my bones that I shall have enough money by night to get me some + new tires, which I must have before I can start out in safety.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course ye must, honey. I would just be tickled to pieces to let ye + have what ye need.” + </p> + <p> + Linda slid her hand across Katy's lips and gathered her close in her arms. + </p> + <p> + “You blessed old darling,” she said. “Of course you would, but I don't + need it, Katy. I can sit on the floor to work, if I must, and instead of + taking the money from the billiard table to buy a worktable, I can buy + tires with that. But here's another thing I want to tell you, Katy. This + afternoon a male biped is coming to this house, and he's not coming to see + Eileen. His name is Donald Whiting, and when he tells you it is, and + stands very straight and takes off his hat, and looks you in the eye and + says, 'Calling on Miss Linda Strong,' walk him into the living room, Katy, + and seat him in the best chair and put a book beside him and the morning + paper; and don't you forget to do it with a flourish. He is nothing but a + high-school kid, but he's the first boy that ever in all my days asked to + come to see me so it's a big event; and I wish to my soul I had something + decent to wear.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, with all the clothes in this house,” said Katy; and then she + stopped and shut her lips tight and looked at Linda with belligerent Irish + eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I know it,” nodded Linda in acquiescence; “I know what you think; but + never mind. Eileen has agreed to make me a fair allowance the first of the + month, and if that isn't sufficient, I may possibly figure up some way to + do some extra work that will bring me a few honest pennies, so I can fuss + up enough to look feminine at times, Katy. In the meantime, farewell, oh, + my belovedest. Call me at half-past eight, so I will be ready for business + at nine.” + </p> + <p> + Then Linda went to the garage and began operations. She turned the hose on + the car and washed the dust from it carefully. Then she dried it with the + chamois skins as she often had done before. She carefully examined the + cushioning, and finding it dry and hard, she gave it a bath of olive oil + and wiped and manipulated it. She cleaned the engine with extreme care. At + one minute she was running to Katy for kerosene to pour through the engine + to loosen the carbon. At another she was telephoning for the delivery of + oil, gasoline, and batteries for which she had no money to pay, so she + charged them to Eileen, ordering the bill to be sent on the first of the + month. It seemed to her that she had only a good start when Katy came + after her. + </p> + <p> + The business of appraising the furniture was short, and Linda was well + satisfied with the price she was offered for it. After the man had gone + she showed Katy the pieces she had marked to dispose of, and told her when + they would be called for. She ate a few bites of lunch while waiting for + the book man, and the results of her business with him quite delighted + Linda. She had not known that the value of books had risen with the price + of everything else. The man with whom she dealt had known her father. He + had appreciated the strain in her nature which made her suggest that he + should number and appraise the books, but she must be allowed time to go + through each volume in order to remove any scraps of paper or memoranda + which her father so frequently left in books to which he was referring. He + had figured carefully and he had made Linda a far higher price than could + have been secured by a man. As the girl went back to her absorbing task in + the garage, she could see her way clear to the comforts and conveniences + and the material that she needed for her work. When she reached the car + she patted it as if it had been a living creature. + </p> + <p> + “Cheer up, nice old thing,” she said gaily. “I know how to get new tires + for you, and you shall drink all the gasoline and oil your tummy can hold. + Now let me see. What must I do next? I must get you off your jacks; and + oh, my gracious there are the grease cups, and that's a nasty job, but it + must be done; and what is the use of Saturday if I can't do it? Daddy + often did.” + </p> + <p> + Linda began work in utter absorption. She succeeded in getting the car off + the jacks. She was lying on her back under it, filling some of the most + inaccessible grease cups, and she was softly singing as she worked: + </p> + <p> + “The shoes I wear are common-sense shoes—” + </p> + <p> + At that minute Donald Whiting swung down the street, turned in at the + Strong residence, and rang the bell. Eileen was coming down the stairs, + dressed for the street. She had inquired for Linda, and Katy had told her + that she thought Miss Linda had decided to begin using her car, and that + she was in the garage working on it. To Eileen's credit it may be said + that she had not been told that a caller was expected. Linda never before + had had a caller and, as always, Eileen was absorbed in her own concerns. + Had she got the rouge a trifle brighter on one cheek than on the other? + Was the powder evenly distributed? Would the veil hold the handmade curls + in exactly the proper place? When the bell rang her one thought might have + been that some of her friends were calling for her. She opened the door, + and when she learned that Linda was being asked for, it is possible that + she mistook the clean, interesting, and well-dressed youngster standing + before her for a mechanic. What she said was: “Linda's working on her car. + Go around to the left and you will find her in the garage, and for + heaven's sake, get it right before you let her start out, for we've had + enough horror in this family from motor accidents.” + </p> + <p> + Then she closed the door before him and stood buttoning her gloves; a + wicked and malicious smile spreading over her face. + </p> + <p> + “Just possibly,” she said, “that youngster is from a garage, but if he is, + he's the best imitation of the real thing that I have seen in these + chaotic days.” + </p> + <p> + Donald Whiting stopped at the garage door and looked in, before Linda had + finished her grease cups, and in time to be informed that he might wear + common-sense shoes if he chose. At his step, Linda rolled her black head + on the cement floor and raised her eyes. She dropped the grease cup, and + her face reddened deeply. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my Lord!” she gasped breathlessly. “I forgot to tell Katy when to + call me!” + </p> + <p> + In that instant she also forgot that the stress of the previous four years + had accustomed men to seeing women do any kind of work in any kind of + costume; but soon Linda realized that Donald Whiting was not paying any + particular attention either to her or to her occupation. He was leaning + forward, gazing at the car with positively an enraptured expression on his + eager young face. + </p> + <p> + “Shades of Jehu!” he cried. “It's a Bear Cat!” + </p> + <p> + Linda felt around her head for the grease cup. + </p> + <p> + “Why, sure it's a Bear Cat,” she said with the calmness of complete + recovery. “And it's just about ready to start for its very own cave in the + canyon.” + </p> + <p> + Donald Whiting pitched his hat upon the seat, shook off his coat, and sent + it flying after the hat. Then he began unbuttoning and turning back his + sleeves. + </p> + <p> + “Here, let me do that,” he said authoritatively. “Gee! I have never yet + ridden in a Bear Cat. Take me with you, will you, Linda?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure,” said Linda, pressing the grease into the cup with a little paddle + and holding it up to see if she had it well filled. “Sure, but there's no + use in you getting into this mess, because I have only got two more. You + look over the engine. Did you ever grind valves, and do you think these + need it?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, they don't need it,” said Donald, “if they were all right when it + was jacked up.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, they were,” said Linda. “It was running like a watch when it went + to sleep. But do we dare take it out on these tires?” + </p> + <p> + “How long has it been?” asked Donald, busy at the engine. + </p> + <p> + “All of four years,” answered Linda. + </p> + <p> + Donald whistled softly and started a circuit of the car, kicking the tires + and feeling them. + </p> + <p> + “Have you filled them?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda. “I did not want to start the engine until I had finished + everything else.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” he said, “I'll look at the valves first and then, if it is + all ready, there ought to be a garage near that we can run to carefully, + and get tuned up.” + </p> + <p> + “There is,” said Linda. “There is one only a few blocks down the street + where Dad always had anything done that he did not want to do himself.” + </p> + <p> + “That's that, then,” said Donald. + </p> + <p> + Linda crawled from under the car and stood up, wiping her hands on a bit + of waste. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know what tires cost now?” she asked anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “They have 'em at the garage,” answered Donald, “and if I were you, I + wouldn't get a set; I would get two. I would-put them on the rear wheels. + You might be surprised at how long some of these will last. Anyway, that + would be the thing to do.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” said Linda, in a relieved tone. “That would be the thing to + do.” + </p> + <p> + “Now,” she said, “I must be excused a few minutes till I clean up so I am + fit to go on the streets. I hope you won't think I forgot you were + coming.” + </p> + <p> + Donald laughed drily. + </p> + <p> + “When 'shoes' was the first word I heard,” he said, “I did not for a + minute think you had forgotten.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I didn't forget,” said Linda. “What I did do was to become so excited + about cleaning up the car that I let time go faster than I thought it + could. That was what made me late.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, forget it!” said Donald. “Run along and jump into something, and + let us get our tires and try Kitty out.” + </p> + <p> + Linda reached up and released the brakes. She stepped to one side of the + car and laid her hands on it. + </p> + <p> + “Let us run it down opposite the kitchen door,” she said, “then you go + around to the front, and I'll let you in, and you can read something a few + minutes till I make myself presentable.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'll stay out here and look around the yard and go over the car + again,” said the boy. “What a bunch of stuff you have got growing here; I + don't believe I ever saw half of it before.” “It's Daddy's and my + collection,” said Linda. “Some day I'll show you some of the things, and + tell you how we got them, and why they are rare. Today I just naturally + can't wait a minute until I try my car.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it really yours?” asked Donald enviously. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Linda. “It's about the only thing on earth that is peculiarly + and particularly mine. I haven't a doubt there are improved models, but + Daddy had driven this car only about nine months. It was going smooth as + velvet, and there's no reason why it should not keep it up, though I + suspect that by this time there are later models that could outrun it.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't know,” said the boy. “It looks like some little old car to + me. I bet it can just skate.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it can,” said Linda, “if I haven't neglected something. We'll + start carefully, and we'll have the inspector at the salesrooms look it + over.” + </p> + <p> + Then Linda entered the kitchen door to find Katy with everything edible + that the house afforded spread before her on the table. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Katy, what are you doing?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “I was makin' ready,” explained Katy, “to fix ye the same kind of lunch I + would for Miss Eileen. Will ye have it under the live oak, or in the + living room?” + </p> + <p> + “Neither,” said Linda. “Come upstairs with me, and in the storeroom you'll + find the lunch case and the thermos bottles and don't stint yourself, + Katy. This is a rare occasion. It never happened before. Probably it will + never happen again. Let's make it high altitude while we are at it.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll do my very best with what I happen to have,” said Katy; “but I warn + you right now I am making a good big hole in the Sunday dinner.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't give two whoops,” said Linda, “if there isn't any Sunday dinner. + In memory of hundreds of times that we have eaten bread and milk, make it + a banquet, Katy, and we'll eat bread and milk tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + Then she took the stairway at a bound, and ran to her room. In a very + short time she emerged, clad in a clean blouse and breeches' her climbing + boots, her black hair freshly brushed and braided. + </p> + <p> + “I ought to have something,” said Linda, “to shade my eyes. The glare's + hard on them facing the sun.” + </p> + <p> + Going down the hall she came to the storeroom, opened a drawer' and picked + out a fine black felt Alpine hat that had belonged to her father. She + carried it back to her room and, standing at the glass, tried it on, + pulling it down on one side, turning it up at the other, and striking a + deep cleft across the crown. She looked at herself intently for a minute, + and then she reached up and deliberately loosened the hair at her temples. + </p> + <p> + “Not half bad, all things considered, Linda,” she said. “But, oh, how you + do need a tich of color.” + </p> + <p> + She ran down the hall and opened the door to Eileen's room, and going to + her chiffonier, pulled out a drawer containing an array of gloves, veils, + and ribbons. At the bottom of the ribbon stack, her eye caught the gleam + of color for which she was searching, and she deftly slipped out a narrow + scarf of Roman stripes with a deep black fringe at the end. Sitting down, + she fitted the hat over her knee, picked up the dressing-table scissors, + and ripped off the band. In its place she fitted the ribbon, pinning it + securely and knotting the ends so that the fringe reached her shoulder. + Then she tried the hat again. The result was blissfully satisfactory. The + flash of orange, the blaze of red, the gleam of green, were what she + needed. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you very much, sister mine,” she said, “I know you I would be + perfectly delighted to loan me this.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. One Hundred Per Cent Plus + </h2> + <p> + Then she went downstairs and walked into the kitchen, prepared for what + she would see, by what she heard as she approached. + </p> + <p> + With Katy's apron tied around his waist, Donald Whiting was occupied in + squeezing orange, lemon, and pineapple juice over a cake of ice in a big + bowl, preparatory to the compounding of Katy's most delicious brand of + fruit punch. Without a word, Linda stepped to the bread board and began + slicing the bread and building sandwiches, while Katy hurried her + preparations for filling the lunch box. A few minutes later Katy packed + them in the car, kissed Linda good-bye, and repeatedly cautioned Donald to + make her be careful. + </p> + <p> + As the car rolled down the driveway and into the street, Donald looked + appraisingly at the girl beside him. + </p> + <p> + “Is it the prevailing custom in Lilac Valley for young ladies to kiss the + cook?” inquired Donald laughingly. + </p> + <p> + “Now, you just hush,” said Linda. “Katy is NOT the cook, alone. Katy's my + father, and my mother, and my family, and my best friend—” + </p> + <p> + “Stop right there,” interposed Donald. “That is quite enough for any human + to be. Katy's a multitude. She came out to the car with the canteen, and + when I offered to help her, without any 'polly foxin',' she just said: + 'Sure. Come in and make yourself useful.' So I went, and I am expecting + amazing results from the job she gave me.” + </p> + <p> + “Come to think of it,” said Linda, “I have small experience with anybody's + cooking except Katy's and my own, but so far as I know, she can't very + well be beaten.” + </p> + <p> + Carefully she headed the car into the garage adjoining the salesrooms. + There she had an ovation. The manager and several of the men remembered + her. The whole force clustered around the Bear Cat and began to examine + it, and comment on it, and Linda climbed out and asked to have the + carburetor adjusted, while the mechanic put on a pair of tires. When + everything was satisfactory, she backed to the street, and after a few + blocks of experimental driving, she headed for the Automobile Club to + arrange for her license and then turned straight toward Multiflores + Canyon, but she did not fail to call Donald Whiting's attention to every + beauty of Lilac Valley as they passed through. When they had reached a + long level stretch of roadway leading to the canyon, Linda glanced + obliquely at the boy beside her. + </p> + <p> + “It all comes back as natural as breathing,” she said. “I couldn't forget + it any more than I could forget how to walk, or to swim. Sit tight. I am + going to step on the gas for a bit, just for old sake's sake.” + </p> + <p> + “That's all right,” said Donald, taking off his hat and giving his head a + toss so that the wind might have full play through his hair. “But remember + our tires are not safe. Better not go the limit until we get rid of these + old ones, and have a new set all around.” + </p> + <p> + Linda settled back in her seat, took a firm grip on the wheel, and started + down the broad, smooth highway, gradually increasing the speed. The color + rushed to her cheeks. Her eyes were gleaming. + </p> + <p> + “Listen to it purr!” she cried to Donald. “If you hear it begin to growl, + tell me.” + </p> + <p> + And then for a few minutes they rode like birds on the path of the wind. + When they approached the entrance to the canyon, gradually Linda slowed + down. She turned an exultant flashing face to Donald Whiting. + </p> + <p> + “That was a whizzer,” said the boy. “I'll tell you I don't know what I'd + give to have a car like this for my very own. I'll bet not another girl in + Los Angeles has a car that can go like that.” + </p> + <p> + “And I don't believe I have any business with it,” said Linda; “but since + circumstances make it mine, I am going to keep it and I am going to drive + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course you are,” said Donald emphatically. “Don't you ever let anybody + fool you out of this car, because if they wanted to, it would be just + because they are jealous to think they haven't one that will go as fast.” + </p> + <p> + “There's not the slightest possibility of my giving it up so long as I can + make the engine turn over,” she said. “I told you how Father always took + me around with him, and there's nothing in this world I am so sure of as I + am sure that I am spoiled for a house cat. I have probably less feminine + sophistication than any girl of my age in the world, and I probably know + more about camping and fishing and the scientific why and wherefore of all + outdoors than most of them. I just naturally had such a heavenly time with + Daddy that it never has hurt my feelings to be left out of any dance or + party that ever was given. The one thing that has hurt is the isolation. + Since I lost Daddy I haven't anyone but Katy. Sometimes, when I see a + couple of nice, interesting girls visiting with their heads together, a + great feeling of envy wells up in my soul, and I wish with all my heart + that I had such a friend.” + </p> + <p> + “Ever try to make one?” asked Donald. “There are mighty fine girls in the + high school.” + </p> + <p> + “I have seen several that I thought I would like to be friends with,” said + Linda, “but I am so lacking in feminine graces that I haven't known how to + make advances, in the first place, and I haven't had the courage, in the + second.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish my sister were not so much older than you,” said Donald. + </p> + <p> + “How old is your sister?” inquired Linda. + </p> + <p> + “She will be twenty-three next birthday,” said Donald; “and of all the + nice girls you ever saw, she is the queen.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she assented, “I am sure I have heard your sister mentioned. But + didn't you tell me she had been reared for society?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I did not,” said Donald emphatically. “I told you Mother j believed + in dressing her as the majority of other girls were dressed, but I didn't + say she had been reared for society. She has been reared with an eye + single to making a well-dressed, cultured, and gracious woman.” + </p> + <p> + “I call that fine,” said Linda. “Makes me envious of you. Now forget + everything except your eyes and tell me what you see. Have you ever been + here before?” + </p> + <p> + “I have been through a few times before, but seems to me I | never saw it + looking quite so pretty.” + </p> + <p> + Linda drove carefully, but presently Donald uttered an exclamation as she + swerved from the road and started down what appeared to be quite a steep + embankment and headed straight for the stream. + </p> + <p> + “Sit tight,” she said tersely. “The Bear Cat just loves its cave. It knows + where it is going.” + </p> + <p> + She broke through a group of young willows and ran the car! into a tiny + plateau, walled in a circle by the sheer sides of the! canyon reaching + upward almost out of sight, topped with great jagged overhanging boulders. + Crowded to one side, she stopped the car and sat quietly, smiling at + Donald Whiting. + </p> + <p> + “How about it?” she asked in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + The boy looked around him, carefully examining the canyon walls, and then + at the level, odorous floor where one could not step without crushing tiny + flowers of white, cerise, blue, and yellow. Big ferns grew along the + walls, here and there “Our Lord's Candles” lifted high torches not yet + lighted, the ambitious mountain stream skipped and circled and fell over + its rocky bed, while many canyon wrens were singing. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think,” she said, “that anyone driving along here at an ordinary + rate of speed would see that car?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Donald, getting her idea, “I don't believe they would.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, then,” said Linda. “Toe up even and I'll race YoU to the third + curve where you see the big white sycamore.” + </p> + <p> + Donald had a fleeting impression of a flash of khaki, a gleam of red, and + a wave of black as they started. He ran with all the speed he had ever + attained at a track meet. He ran with all his might. He ran until his + sides strained and his breath came short; but the creature beside him was + not running; she was flying; and long before they neared the sycamore he + knew he was beaten, so he laughingly cried to her to stop it. Linda turned + to him panting and laughing. + </p> + <p> + “I make that dash every time I come to the canyon, to keep my muscle up, + but this is the first time I have had anyone to race with in a long time.” + </p> + <p> + Then together they slowly walked down the smooth black floor between the + canyon walls. As they crossed a small bridge Linda leaned over and looked + down. + </p> + <p> + “Anyone at your house care about 'nose twister'?” she asked lightly. + </p> + <p> + “Why, isn't that watercress?” asked Donald. + </p> + <p> + “Sure it is,” said Linda. “Anyone at your house like it?” + </p> + <p> + “Every one of us,” answered Donald. “We're all batty about cress salad—and, + say, that reminds me of something! If you know so much about this canyon + and everything in it, is there any place in it where a fellow could find a + plant, a kind of salad lettuce, that the Indians used to use?” + </p> + <p> + “Might be,” said Linda carelessly. “For why?” + </p> + <p> + “Haven't you heard of the big sensation that is being made in feminine + circles by the new department in Everybody's Home?” inquired Donald. + “Mother and Mary Louise were discussing it the other day at lunch, and + they said that some of the recipes for dishes to be made from stuff the + Indians used sounded delicious. One reminded them of cress, and when we + saw the cress I wondered if I could get them some of the other.” + </p> + <p> + “Might,” said Linda drily, “if you could give me a pretty good idea of + what it is that you want.” + </p> + <p> + “When you know cress, it's queer that you wouldn't know other things in + your own particular canyon,” said Donald. + </p> + <p> + Linda realized that she had overdone her disinterestedness a trifle. + </p> + <p> + “I suspect it's miners' lettuce you want,” she said. “Of course I know + where there's some, but you will want it as fresh as possible if you take + any, so we'll finish our day first and gather it the last thing before we + leave.” + </p> + <p> + How it started neither of them noticed, but they had not gone far before + they were climbing the walls and hanging to precarious footings. Her + cheeks flushed, her eyes brilliant, her lips laughing, Linda was showing + Donald thrifty specimens of that Cotyledon known as “old hen and + chickens,” telling him of the rare Echeveria of the same family, and her + plunge down the canyon side while trying to uproot it, exulting that she + had brought down the plant without a rift in the exquisite bloom on its + leaves. + </p> + <p> + Linda told about her fall, and the two men who had passed at that instant, + and how she had met them later, and who they were, and what they were + doing. Then Donald climbed high for a bunch of larkspur, and Linda showed + him how to turn his back to the canyon wall and come down with the least + possible damage to his person and clothing. When at last both of them were + tired they went back to the car. Linda spread an old Indian blanket over + the least flower-grown spot she could select, brought out the thermos + bottles and lunch case, and served their lunch. With a glass of fruit + punch in one hand and a lettuce sandwich in the other, Donald smiled at + Linda. + </p> + <p> + “I'll agree about Katy. She knows how,” he said appreciatively. + </p> + <p> + “Katy is more than a cook,” said Linda quietly. “She is a human being. She + has the biggest, kindest heart. When anybody's sick or in trouble she's + the greatest help. She is honest; she has principles; she is intelligent. + In her spare time she reads good books and magazines. She knows what is + going on in the world. She can talk intelligently on almost any subject. + It's no disgrace to be a cook. If it were, Katy would be unspeakable. Fact + is, at the present minute there's no one in all the world so dear to me as + Katy. I always talk Irish with her.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I call that rough on your sister,” said Donald. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe it is,” conceded Linda. “I suspect a lady wouldn't have i said + that, but Eileen and I are so different. She never has made the slightest + effort to prove herself lovable to me, and so I have never learned to love + her. Which reminds me—how did you happen to come to the garage?” + </p> + <p> + “The very beautiful young lady who opened the door mistook me for a + mechanic. She told me I would find you working on your car and for + goodness' sake to see that it was in proper condition before you drove + it.” + </p> + <p> + Linda looked at him with wide, surprised eyes in which a trace of + indignation was plainly discernible. + </p> + <p> + “Now listen to me,” she said deliberately. “Eileen is a most sophisticated + young lady. If she saw you, she never in this world, thought you were a + mechanic sent from a garage presenting yourself at our front door.” + </p> + <p> + “There might have been a spark of malice in the big blue-gray I eyes that + carefully appraised me,” said Donald. + </p> + <p> + “Your choice of words is good,” said Linda, refilling the punch glass. + “'Appraise' fits Eileen like her glove. She appraises every thing on a + monetary basis, and when she can't figure that it's going to be worth an + appreciable number of dollars and cents to her—'to the garage wid + it,' as Katy would say.” + </p> + <p> + When they had finished their lunch Linda began packing the box and Donald + sat watching her. + </p> + <p> + “At this point,” said Linda, “Daddy always smoked. Do you smoke?” + </p> + <p> + There was a hint of deeper color in the boy's cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “I did smoke an occasional cigarette,” he said lightly, “up to the day, + not a thousand years ago, when a very emphatic young lady who should have + known, insinuated that it was bad for the nerves, and going on the + presumption that she knew, I haven't smoked a cigarette since and I'm not + going to until I find out whether I can do better work without them.” + </p> + <p> + Linda folded napkins and packed away accessories thoughtfully. Then she + looked into the boy's eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Now we reach the point of our being here together,” she said. “It's time + to fight, and I am sorry we didn't go at it gas and bomb the minute we + met. You're so different from what I thought you were. If anyone had told + me a week ago that you would take off your coat and mess with my + automobile engine, or wear Katy's apron and squeeze lemons in our kitchen + I would have looked him over for Daddy's high sign of hysteria, at least. + It's too bad to I have such a good time as I have had this afternoon, and + then end with a fight.” + </p> + <p> + “That's nothing,” said Donald. “You couldn't have had as good a time as I + have had. You're like another boy. A fellow can be just a fellow with you, + and somehow you make everything you touch mean something it never meant + before. You have made me feel that I would be about twice the man I am if + I had spent the time I have wasted in plain jazzing around, hunting + Cotyledon or trap-door spiders' nests.” + </p> + <p> + “I get you,” said Linda. “It's the difference between a girl reared in an + atmosphere of georgette and rouge, and one who has grown up in the canyons + with the oaks and sycamores. One is natural and the other is artificial. + Most boys prefer the artificial.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought I did myself,” said Donald, “but today has taught me that I + don't. I think, Linda, that you would make the finest friend a fellow ever + had. I firmly and finally decline to fight with you; but for God's sake, + Linda, tell me how I can beat that little cocoanut-headed Jap.” + </p> + <p> + Linda slammed down the lid to the lunch box. Her voice was smooth and even + but there was battle in her eyes and she answered decisively: “Well, you + can't beat him calling him names. There is only one way on God's footstool + that you can beat him. You can't beat him legislating against him. You + can't beat him boycotting him. You can't beat him with any tricks. He is + as sly as a cat and he has got a whole bag full of tricks of his own, and + he has proved right here in Los Angeles that he has got a brain that is + hard to beat. All you can do, and be a man commendable to your own soul, + is to take his subject and put your brain on it to such purpose that you + cut pigeon wings around him. What are you studying in your classes, + anyway?” + </p> + <p> + “Trigonometry, Rhetoric, Ancient History, Astronomy,” answered Donald. + </p> + <p> + “And is your course the same as his?” inquired Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Strangely enough it is,” answered Donald. “We have been in the same + classes all through high school. I think the little monkey—” + </p> + <p> + “Man, you mean,” interposed Linda. + </p> + <p> + “'Man,'” conceded Donald. “Has waited until I selected my course all the + way through, and then he has announced what he would take. He probably + figured that I had somebody with brains back of the course I selected, and + that whatever I studied would be suitable for him.” + </p> + <p> + “I haven't a doubt of it,” said Linda. “They are quick; oh! they are + quick; and they know from their cradles what it is that they have in the + backs of their heads. We are not going to beat them driving them to Mexico + or to Canada, or letting them monopolize China. That is merely + temporizing. That is giving them fertile soil on which to take the best of + their own and the level best of ours, and by amalgamating the two, build + higher than we ever have. There is just one way in all this world that we + can beat Eastern civilization and all that it intends to do to us + eventually. The white man has dominated by his color so far in the history + of the world, but it is written in the Books that when the men of color + acquire our culture and combine it with their own methods of living and + rate of production, they are going to bring forth greater numbers, better + equipped for the battle of life, than we are. When they have got our last + secret, constructive or scientific, they will take it, and living in a way + that we would not, reproducing in numbers we don't, they will beat us at + any game we start, if we don't take warning while we are in the + ascendancy, and keep there.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there is something to think about,” said Donald Whiting, staring + past Linda at the side of the canyon as if he had seen the same + handwriting on the wall that dismayed Belshazzar at the feast that + preceded his downfall. + </p> + <p> + “I see what you're getting at,” he said. “I had thought that there might + be some way to circumvent him.” + </p> + <p> + “There is!” broke in Linda hastily. “There is. You can beat him, but you + have got to beat him in an honorable way and in a way that is open to him + as it is to you.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll do anything in the world if you will only tell me how,” said Donald. + “Maybe you think it isn't grinding me and humiliating me properly. Maybe + you think Father and Mother haven't warned me. Maybe you think Mary Louise + isn't secretly ashamed of me. How can I beat him, Linda?” + </p> + <p> + Linda's eyes were narrowed to a mere line. She was staring at the wall + back of Donald as if she hoped that Heaven would intercede in her favor + and write thereon a line that she might translate to the boy's benefit. + </p> + <p> + “I have been watching pretty sharply,” she said. “Take them as a race, as + a unit—of course there are exceptions, there always are—but + the great body of them are mechanical. They are imitative. They are not + developing anything great of their own in their own country. They are + spreading all over the world and carrying home sewing machines and + threshing machines and automobiles and cantilever bridges and submarines + and aeroplanes—anything from eggbeaters to telescopes. They are not + creating one single thing. They are not missing imitating everything that + the white man can do anywhere else on earth. They are just like the + Germans so far as that is concerned.” + </p> + <p> + “I get that, all right enough,” said Donald. “Now go on. What is your + deduction? How the devil am I to beat the best? He is perfect, right + straight along in everything.” + </p> + <p> + The red in Linda's cheeks deepened. Her eyes opened their widest. She + leaned forward, and with her closed fist, pounded the blanket before him. + </p> + <p> + “Then, by gracious,” she said sternly, “you have got to do something new. + You have got to be perfect, PLUS.” + </p> + <p> + “'Perfect, plus?'” gasped Donald. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir!” said Linda emphatically. “You have got to be perfect, plus. If + he can take his little mechanical brain and work a thing out till he has + got it absolutely right, you have got to go further than that and discover + something pertaining to it not hitherto thought of and start something + NEW. I tell you you must use your brains. You should be more than an + imitator. You must be a creator!” + </p> + <p> + Donald started up and drew a deep breath. + </p> + <p> + “Well, some job I call that,” he said. “Who do you think I am, the + Almighty?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda quietly, “you are not. You are merely His son, created in + His own image, like Him, according to the Book, and you have got to your + advantage the benefit of all that has been learned down the ages. We have + got to take up each subject in your course, and to find some different + books treating this same subject. We have got to get at it from a new + angle. We must dig into higher authorities. We have got to coach you till, + when you reach the highest note possible for the parrot, you can go ahead + and embellish it with a few mocking-bird flourishes. All Oka Sayye knows + how to do is to learn the lesson in his book perfectly, and he is 100 per + cent. I have told you what you must do to add the plus, and you can do it + if you are the boy I take you for. People have talked about the 'yellow + peril' till it's got to be a meaningless phrase. Somebody must wake up to + the realization that it's the deadliest peril that ever has menaced white + civilization. Why shouldn't you have your hand in such wonderful work?” + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” said the boy breathlessly, “do you realize that you have been + saying 'we'? Can you help me? Will you help me?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda, “I didn't realize that I had said 'we.' I didn't mean + two people, just you and me. I meant all the white boys and girls of the + high school and the city and the state and the whole world. If we are + going to combat the 'yellow peril' we must combine against it. We have got + to curb our appetites and train our brains and enlarge our hearts till we + are something bigger and finer and numerically greater than this yellow + peril. We can't take it and pick it up and push it into the sea. We are + not Germans and we are not Turks. I never wanted anything in all this + world worse than I want to see you graduate ahead of Oka Sayye. And then I + want to see the white boys and girls of Canada and of England and of + Norway and Sweden and Australia, and of the whole world doing exactly what + I am recommending that you do in your class and what I am doing personally + in my own. I have had Japs in my classes ever since I have been in school, + but Father always told me to study them, to play the game fairly, but to + BEAT them in some way, in some fair way, to beat them at the game they are + undertaking.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there is one thing you don't take into consideration,” said Donald. + “All of us did not happen to be fathered by Alexander Strong. Maybe we + haven't all got your brains.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, posher!” said Linda. “I know of a case where a little Indian was + picked up from a tribal battlefield in South America and brought to this + country and put into our schools, and there was nothing that any white + pupil in the school could do that he couldn't, so long as it was imitative + work. You have got to be constructive. You have got to work out some way + to get ahead of them; and if you will take the history of the white races + and go over their great achievements in mechanics, science, art, + literature—anything you choose—when a white man is + constructive, when he does create, he can simply cut circles around the + colored races. The thing is to get the boys and girls of today to + understand what is going on in the world, what they must do as their share + in making the world safe for their grandchildren. Life is a struggle. It + always has been. It always will be. There is no better study than to go + into the canyons or the deserts and efface yourself and watch life. It's + an all-day process of the stronger annihilating the weaker. The one + inexorable thing in the world is Nature. The eagle dominates the hawk; the + hawk, the falcon; the falcon, the raven; and so on down to the place where + the hummingbird drives the moth from his particular trumpet flower. The + big snake swallows the little one. The big bear appropriates the desirable + cave.” + </p> + <p> + “And is that what you are recommending people to do?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda, “it is not. That is wild. We go a step ahead of the + wild, or we ourselves become wild. We have brains, and with our brains we + must do in a scientific way what Nature does with tooth and claw. In other + words, and to be concrete, put these things in the car while I fold the + blanket. We'll gather our miners' lettuce and then we'll go home and + search Daddy's library and see if there is anything bearing in a higher + way on any subject you are taking, so that you can get from it some new + ideas, some different angle, some higher light, something that will end in + speedily prefacing Oka Sayye's perfect with your pluperfect!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. Katy to the Rescue + </h2> + <p> + Linda delivered Donald Whiting at his door with an armload of books and a + bundle of miners' lettuce and then drove to her home in Lilac Valley—in + the eye of the beholder on the floor-level macadam road; in her own eye + she scarcely grazed it. The smooth, easy motion of the car, the softly + purring engine were thrilling. The speed at which she was going was like + having wings on her body. The mental stimulus she had experienced in + concentrating her brain on Donald Whiting's problem had stimulated her + imagination. The radiant color of spring; the chilled, perfumed, golden + air; the sure sense of having found a friend, had ruffled the plumes of + her spirit. On the home road Donald had plainly indicated that he would + enjoy spending the morrow with her, and she had advised him to take the + books she had provided and lock himself in his room and sweat out some + information about Monday's lessons which would at least arrest his + professor's attention, and lead his mind to the fact that something was + beginning to happen. And then she had laughingly added: “Tomorrow is + Katy's turn. I told the old dear I would take her as soon as I felt the + car was safe. Every day she does many things that she hopes will give me + pleasure. This is one thing I can do that I know will delight her.” + </p> + <p> + “Next Saturday, then?” questioned Donald. And Linda nodded. + </p> + <p> + “Sure thing. I'll be thinking up some place extra interesting. Come in the + morning if you want, and we'll take a lunch and go for the day. Which do + you like best, mountains or canyons or desert or sea?” + </p> + <p> + “I like it best wherever what you're interested in takes you,” said Donald + simply. + </p> + <p> + “All right, then,” answered Linda, “we'll combine business and pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + So they parted with another meeting arranged. + </p> + <p> + When she reached home she found Katy tearfully rejoicing, plainly + revealing how intensely anxious she had been. But when Linda told her that + the old tires had held, that the car ran wonderfully, that everything was + perfectly safe, that she drove as unconsciously as she breathed, and that + tomorrow Katy was to go for a long ride, her joy was incoherent. + </p> + <p> + Linda laughed. She patted Katy and started down the hallway, when she + called back: “What is this package?” + </p> + <p> + “A delivery boy left it special only a few minutes ago. Must be something + Miss Eileen bought and thought she would want tomorrow, and then afterward + she got this invitation and went on as she was.” + </p> + <p> + Linda stood gazing at the box. It did look so suspiciously like a dress + box. + </p> + <p> + “Katy,” she said, “I have just about got an irresistible impulse to peep. + I was telling Eileen last night of a dress I saw that I thought perfect. + It suited me better than any other dress I ever did see. It was at 'The + Mode.' This box is from 'The Mode.' Could there be a possibility that she + sent it up specially for me?” + </p> + <p> + “I think she would put your name on it if she meant it for ye,” said Katy. + </p> + <p> + “One peep would show me whether it is my dress or not,” said Linda, “and + peep I'm going to.” + </p> + <p> + She began untying the string. + </p> + <p> + “There's one thing,” said Katy, “Miss Eileen's sizes would never fit ye.” + </p> + <p> + “Might,” conceded Linda. “I am taller than she is, but I could wear her + waists if I wanted to, and she always alters her skirts herself to save + the fees. Glory be! This is my dress, and there's a petticoat and + stockings to match it. Why, the nice old thing! I suggested hard enough, + but in my heart I hardly thought she would do it. Oh, dear, now if I only + had some shoes, and a hat.” + </p> + <p> + Linda was standing holding the jacket in one hand, the stockings in the + other, her face flaming. Katy drew herself to full height. She reached + over and picked the things from Linda's fingers. + </p> + <p> + “If ye know that is your dress, lambie,” she said authoritatively, “ye go + right out and get into that car and run to town and buy ye a pair of + shoes.” + </p> + <p> + “But I have no credit anywhere and I have no money, yet,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I have,” said Katy, “and this time ye're going to stop your + stubbornness and take enough to get ye what you need. Ye go to the best + store in Los Angeles and come back here with a pair of shoes that just + match those stockings, and ye go fast, before the stores close. If ye've + got to speed a little, do it in the country and do it judacious.” + </p> + <p> + “Katy, you're arriving!” cried Linda. “'Judicious speeding' is one thing I + learned better than any other lesson about driving a motor car. Three + fourths of the driving Father and I did we were speeding judiciously.” + </p> + <p> + Katy held the skirt to Linda's waist. + </p> + <p> + “Well, maybe it's a little shorter than any you have been wearing, but it + ain't as short as Eileen and all the rest of the girls your age have them, + so that's all right, honey. Slip on your coat.” + </p> + <p> + Katy's fingers were shaking as she lifted the jacket and Linda slipped + into it. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Lord,” she groaned, “ye can't be wearing that! The sleeves don't come + much below your elbows.” + </p> + <p> + “You will please to observe,” said Linda, “that they are flowing sleeves + and they are not intended to come below the elbows; but it's a piece of + luck I tried it on, for it reminds me that it's a jacket suit and I must + have a blouse. When you get the shoe money, make it enough for a blouse—two + blouses, Katy, one for school and one to fuss up in a little.” + </p> + <p> + Without stopping to change her clothing, Linda ran to the garage and + hurried back to the city. It was less than an hour's run, but she made it + in ample time to park her car and buy the shoes. She selected a pair of + low oxfords of beautiful color, matching the stockings. Then she hurried + to one of the big drygoods stores and bought the two waists and an + inexpensive straw hat that would harmonize with the suit; a hat small + enough to stick, in the wind, with brim enough to shade her eyes. In about + two hours she was back with Katy and they were in her room trying on the + new clothing. + </p> + <p> + “It dumbfounds me,” said Linda, “to have Eileen do this for me.” + </p> + <p> + She had put on the shoes and stockings, a plain georgette blouse of a + soft, brownish wood-gray, with a bit of heavy brown silk embroidery + decorating the front, and the jacket. The dress was of silky changeable + tricolette, the skirt plain. Where a fold lifted and was strongly lighted, + it was an exquisite silver-gray; where a shadow fell deeply it was + gray-brown. The coat reached half way to the knees. It had a rippling + skirt with a row of brown embroidery around it, a deep belt with double + buttoning at the waistline, and collar and sleeves in a more elaborate + pattern of the same embroidery as the skirt. Linda perched the hat on her + head, pulled it down securely, and faced Katy. + </p> + <p> + “Now then!” she challenged. + </p> + <p> + “And it's a perfect dress!” said Katy proudly, “and you're just the + colleen to wear it. My, but I wisht your father could be seeing ye the + now.” + </p> + <p> + With almost reverent hands Linda removed the clothing and laid it away. + Then she read a letter from Marian that was waiting for her, telling Katy + scraps of it in running comment as she scanned the sheets. + </p> + <p> + “She likes her boarding place. There are nice people in it. She has got a + wonderful view from the windows of her room. She is making friends. She + thinks one of the men at Nicholson and Snow's is just fine; he is helping + her all he can, on the course she is taking. And she wants us to look + carefully everywhere for any scrap of paper along the hedge or around the + shrubbery on the north side of the house. One of her three sheets of plans + is missing. I don't see where in the world it could have gone, Katy.” + </p> + <p> + Katy spread out her hands in despair. + </p> + <p> + “There was not a scrap of a sheet of paper in the room when I cleaned it,” + she said, “not a scrap. And if I had seen a sheet flying around the yard I + would have picked it up. She just must be mistaken about having lost it + here. She must have opened her case on the train and lost it there.” + </p> + <p> + Linda shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “I put that stuff in the case myself,” she said, “and the clothes on top + of it, and she wouldn't have any reason for taking those things out on the + train. I can't understand, but she did have three rough sketches. She had + her heart set on winning that prize and it would be a great help to her, + and certainly it was the most comprehensive and convenient plan for a + house of that class that I ever have seen. If I ever have a house, she is + going to plan it, even if she doesn't get to plan John Gilman's as he + always used to say that she should. And by the way, Katy, isn't it kind of + funny for Eileen to go away over Sunday when it's his only holiday?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, she'll telephone him,” said Katy, “and very like, he'll go down, or + maybe he is with her. Ye needn't waste any sympathy on him. Eileen will + take care that she has him so long as she thinks she wants him.” + </p> + <p> + Later it developed that Eileen had secured the invitation because she was + able to produce three most eligible men. Not only was John Gilman with the + party, but Peter Morrison and Henry Anderson were there as well. It was in + the nature of a hastily arranged celebration, because the deal for three + acres of land that Peter Morrison most coveted on the small plateau, + mountain walled, in Lilac Valley, was in escrow. He had made a payment on + it. Anderson was working on his plans. Contractors had been engaged, and + on Monday work would begin. The house was to be built as soon as possible, + and Peter Morrison had arranged that the garage was to be built first. + This he meant to occupy as a residence so that he could be on hand to + superintend the construction of the new home and to protect, as far as + possible, the natural beauty and the natural growth of the location. + </p> + <p> + Early Sunday morning Linda and Katy, with a full lunch box and a full + gasoline tank, slid from the driveway and rolled down the main street of + Lilac Valley toward the desert. + </p> + <p> + “We'll switch over and strike San Fernando Road,” said Linda, “and I'll + scout around Sunland a bit and see if I can find anything that will + furnish material for another new dish.” + </p> + <p> + That day was wonderful for Katy. She trotted after Linda over sandy desert + reaches, along the seashore, up mountain trails, and through canyons + connected by long stretches of motoring that was more like flying than + riding. She was tired but happy when she went to bed. Monday morning she + was an interested spectator as Linda dressed for school. + </p> + <p> + “Sure, and hasn't the old chrysalis opened up and let out the nicest + little lady-bird moth, Katy?” inquired Linda as she smoothed her gray-gold + skirts. “I think myself that this dress is a trifle too good for school. + When I get my allowance next week I think I'll buy me a cloth skirt and a + couple of wash waists and save this for better; but it really was good of + Eileen to take so much pains and send it to me, when she was busy planning + a trip.” + </p> + <p> + Katy watched Linda go, and she noted the new light in her eyes, the new + lift of her head, and the proud sureness of her step, and she wondered if + a new dress could do all that for a girl, she scarcely believed that it + could. And, too, she had very serious doubts about the dress. She kept + thinking of it during the day, and when Eileen came, in the middle of the + afternoon, at the first words on her lips: “Has my dress come?” Katy felt + a wave of illness surge through her. She looked at Eileen so helplessly + that that astute reader of human nature immediately Suspected something. + </p> + <p> + “I sent it special,” she said, “because I didn't know at the time that I + was going to Riverside and I wanted to work on it. Isn't it here yet?” + </p> + <p> + Then Katy prepared to do battle for the child of her heart. + </p> + <p> + “Was the dress ye ordered sent the one Miss Linda was telling ye about?” + she asked tersely. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it was,” said Eileen. “Linda has got mighty good taste. Any dress + she admired was sure to be right. She said there was a beautiful dress at + 'The Mode'. I went and looked, and sure enough there was, a perfect + beauty.” + </p> + <p> + “But she wanted the dress for herself,” said Katy. + </p> + <p> + “It was not a suitable dress for school,” said Eileen. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it strikes me,” said Katy, “that it was just the spittin' image of + fifty dresses I've seen ye wear to school. + </p> + <p> + “What do you know about it?” demanded Eileen. + </p> + <p> + “I know just this,” said Katy with determination. “Ye've had one new dress + in the last few days and you're not needin' another. The blessed Virgin + only knows when Miss Linda's had a dress. She thought ye'd done yourself + proud and sent it for her, and she put it on, and a becoming and a proper + thing it was too! I advanced her the money myself and sent her to get some + shoes to match it since she had her car fixed and could go in a hurry. A + beautiful dress it is, and on her back this minute it is!” + </p> + <p> + Eileen was speechless with anger. Her face was a sickly white and the + rouge spots on her cheeks stood a glaring admission. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to tell me—” she gasped. + </p> + <p> + “Not again,” said the daughter of Erin firmly, “because I have already + told ye wance. Linda's gone like a rag bag since the Lord knows when. She + had a right to the dress, and she thought it was hers, and she took it. + And if ye ever want any more respect or obedience or love from the kiddie, + ye better never let her know that ye didn't intend it for her, for nothing + was ever quite so fair and right as that she should have it; and while + you're about it you'd better go straight to the store and get her what she + is needin' to go with it, or better still, ye had better give her a fair + share of the money of which there used to be such a plenty, and let her + get her things herself, for she's that tasty nobody can beat her when + she's got anything to do with.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen turned on Katy in a gust of fury. + </p> + <p> + “Katherine O'Donovan,” she said shrilly, “pack your trunk and see how + quick you can get out of this house. I have stood your insolence for + years, and I won't endure it a minute longer!” + </p> + <p> + Katy folded her red arms and lifted her red chin, and a steel-blue light + flashed from her steel-gray eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Humph!” she said, “I'll do nothing of the sort. I ain't working for ye + and I never have been no more than I ever worked for your mother. Every + lick I ever done in this house I done for Linda and Doctor Strong and for + nobody else. Half of this house and everything in it belongs to Linda, and + it's a mortal short time till she's of age to claim it. Whichever is her + half, that half I'll be staying in, and if ye manage so as she's got + nothing to pay me, I'll take care of her without pay till the day comes + when she can take care of me. Go to wid ye, ye triflin', lazy, + self-possessed creature. Ten years I have itched to tell ye what I thought + of ye, and now ye know it.” + </p> + <p> + As Katy's rage increased, Eileen became intimidated. Like every extremely + selfish person she was a coward in her soul. + </p> + <p> + “If you refuse to go on my orders,” she said, “I'll have John Gilman issue + his.” + </p> + <p> + Then Katy set her left hand on her left hip, her lower jaw shot past the + upper, her doubled right fist shook precious near the tip of Eileen's + exquisite little nose. + </p> + <p> + “I'm darin' ye,” she shouted. “I'm just darin' ye to send John Gilman in + the sound of my voice. If ye do, I'll tell him every mean and selfish + thing ye've done to me poor lambie since the day of the Black Shadow. Send + him to me? Holy Mither, I wish ye would! If ever I get my chance at him, + don't ye think I won't be tellin' him what he has lost, and what he has + got? And as for taking orders from him, I am taking my orders from the + person I am working for, and as I told ye before, that's Miss Linda. Be + off wid ye, and primp up while I get my supper, and mind ye this, if ye + tell Miss Linda ye didn't mean that gown for her and spoil the happy day + she has had, I won't wait for ye to send John Gilman to me; I'll march + straight to him. Put that in your cigarette and smoke it! Think I've lost + me nose as well as me sense?” + </p> + <p> + Then Katy started a triumphal march to the kitchen and cooled down by the + well-known process of slamming pots and pans for half an hour. Soon her + Irish sense of humor came to her rescue. + </p> + <p> + “Now, don't I hear myself telling Miss Linda a few days ago to kape her + temper, and to kape cool, and to go aisy. Look at the aise of me when I + got started. By gracious, wasn't I just itching to wallop her?” + </p> + <p> + Then every art that Katy possessed was bent to the consummation of + preparing a particularly delicious dinner for the night. + </p> + <p> + Linda came in softly humming something to herself about the kind of shoes + that you might wear if you chose. She had entered the high school that + morning with an unusually brilliant color. Two or three girls, who never + had noticed her before, had nodded to her that morning, and one or two had + said: “What a pretty dress you have!” She had caught the flash of approval + in the eyes of Donald Whiting, and she had noted the flourish with which + he raised his hat when he saw her at a distance, and she knew what he + meant when he held up a book, past the covers of which she could see + protruding a thick fold of white paper. He had foresworn whatever pleasure + he might have thought of for Sunday. He had prepared notes on some subject + that he thought would further him. The lift of his head, the flourish of + his hat, and the book all told Linda that he had struggled and that he + felt the struggle had brought an exhilarating degree of success. That had + made the day particularly bright for Linda. She had gone home with a + feeling of uplift and exultation in her heart. As she closed the front + door she cried up the stairway: “Eileen, are you there?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered a rather sulky voice from above. + </p> + <p> + Linda ascended, two steps at a bound. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you over and over, old thing!” she cried as she raced down the + hallway. “Behold me! I never did have a more becoming dress, and Katy + loaned me money, till my income begins, to get shoes and a little scuff + hat to go with it. Aren't I spiffy?” + </p> + <p> + She pirouetted in the doorway. Eileen gripped the brush she was wielding, + tight. + </p> + <p> + “You have good taste,” she said. “It's a pretty dress, but You're always + howling about things being suitable. Do you call that suitable for + school?” + </p> + <p> + “It certainly is an innovation for me,” said Linda, “but there are dozens + of dresses of the same material, only different cut and colors in the high + school today. As soon as I get my money I'll buy a skirt and some blouses + so I won't have to wear this all the time; but I surely do thank you very + much, and I surely have had a lovely day. Did you have a nice time at + Riverside?” + </p> + <p> + Eileen slammed down the brush and turned almost a distorted face to Linda. + She had temper to vent. In the hour's reflection previous to Linda's + coming, she realized that she had reached the limit with Katy. If she + antagonized her by word or look, she would go to John Gilman, and Eileen + dared not risk what she would say. + </p> + <p> + “No, I did not have a lovely time,” she said. “I furnished the men for the + party and I expected to have a grand time, but the first thing we did was + to run into that inflated egotist calling herself Mary Louise Whiting, and + like a fool, Janie Brunson introduced her to Peter Morrison. I had paired + him with Janie on purpose to keep my eye on him.” + </p> + <p> + Linda tried hard but she could not suppress a chuckle: “Of course you + would!” she murmured softly. + </p> + <p> + Eileen turned her back. That had been her first confidence to Linda. She + was so aggrieved at that moment that she could have told unanswering walls + her tribulations. It would have been better if she had done so. She might + have been able to construe silence as sympathy. Linda's laughter she knew + exactly how to interpret. “Served you right,” was what it meant. + </p> + <p> + “I hadn't the least notion you would take an interest in anything + concerning me,” she said. “People can talk all they please about Mary + Louise Whiting being a perfect lady but she is a perfect beast. I have met + her repeatedly and she has always ignored me, and yesterday she singled + out for her special attention the most desirable man in my party—” + </p> + <p> + “'Most desirable,'” breathed Linda. “Poor John! I see his second fiasco. + Lavender crystals, please!” + </p> + <p> + Eileen caught her lip in mortification. She had not intended to say what + she thought. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you can't claim,” she hurried on to cover her confusion, “that it + was not an ill-bred, common trick for her to take possession of a man of + my party, and utterly ignore me. She has everything on earth that I want; + she treats me like a dog, and she could give me a glorious time by merely + nodding her head.” + </p> + <p> + “I am quite sure you are mistaken,” said Linda. “From what I've heard of + her, she wouldn't mistreat anyone. Very probably what she does is merely + to feel that she is not acquainted with you. You have an unfortunate way, + Eileen, of defeating your own ends. If you wanted to attract Mary Louise + Whiting, you missed the best chance you ever could have had, at three + o'clock Saturday afternoon, when you maliciously treated her only brother + as you would a mechanic, ordered him to our garage, and shut our door in + his face.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen turned to Linda. Her mouth fell open. A ghastly greenish white + flooded her face. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” she gasped. + </p> + <p> + “I mean,” said Linda, “that Donald Whiting was calling on me, and you + purposely sent him to the garage.” + </p> + <p> + Crash down among the vanities of Eileen's dressing table went her lovely + head, and she broke into deep and violent sobs. Linda stood looking at her + a second, slowly shaking her head. Then she turned and went to her room. + </p> + <p> + Later in the evening she remembered the Roman scarf and told Eileen of + what she had done, and she was unprepared for Eileen's reply: “That scarf + always was too brilliant for me. You're welcome to it if you want it.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said Linda gravely, “I want it very much indeed.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. Assisting Providence + </h2> + <p> + Linda went to the library to see to what state of emptiness it had been + reduced by the removal of several pieces of furniture she had ordered + taken away that day. As she stood on the threshold looking over the room + as usual, a throb of loving appreciation of Katy swept through her heart. + Katy had been there before her. The room had been freshly swept and + dusted, the rugs had been relaid, the furniture rearranged skilfully, and + the table stood at the best angle to be lighted either by day or night. On + the table and the mantel stood big bowls of lovely fresh flowers. Linda + was quite certain that anyone entering the room for the first time would + have felt it completely furnished, and she doubted if even Marian would + notice the missing pieces. Cheered in her heart, she ran up to the + billiard room, and there again Katy had preceded her. The windows were + shining. The walls and floor had been cleaned. Everything was in readiness + for the new furniture. Her heart full of gratitude, Linda went to her + room, prepared her lessons for the next day, and then drew out her writing + materials to answer Marian's letter. She wrote: + </p> + <p> + I have an acute attack of enlargement of the heart. So many things have + happened since your leaving. But first I must tell you about your sketch. + We just know you did not leave it here. Katy says there was not a scrap in + our bedroom when she cleaned it; and as she knows you make plans and how + precious they are to you, I guarantee she would have saved it if she had + found anything looking like a parallelogram on a piece of paper. And I + have very nearly combed the lawn, not only the north side, but the west, + south, and east; and then I broke the laws and went over to your house and + crawled through a basement window and worked my way up, and I have hunted + every room in it, but there is nothing there. You must have lost that + sketch after you reached San Francisco. I hope to all that's peaceful you + did not lay it down in the offices of Nicholson and Snow, or where you + take your lessons. I know nothing about architecture, but I do know + something about comfort in a home, and I thought that was the most + comfortable and convenient-looking house I ever had seen. + </p> + <p> + Now I'll go on and tell you all the news, and I don't know which is the + bigger piece to burst on you first. Would you be more interested in + knowing that Peter Morrison has bought three acres on the other side of + the valley from us and up quite a way, or in the astonishing fact that I + have a new dress, a perfect love of a dress, really too good for school? + You know there was blood in my eye when you left, and I didn't wait long + to start action. I have managed to put the fear of God into Eileen's heart + so that she has agreed to a reasonable allowance for me from the first of + next month; but she must have felt at least one small wave of contrition + when I told her about a peculiarly enticing dress I had seen at The Mode. + She sent it up right away, and Katy, blessed be her loving footprints, + loaned me money to buy a blouse and some shoes to match, so I went to + school today looking very like the Great General Average, minus rouge, + lipstick, hairdress, and French heels. + </p> + <p> + I do hope you will approve of two things I have done. + </p> + <p> + Then Linda recounted the emptying of the billiard room, the inroads in the + library, the listing of the technical books, and what she proposed to do + with the money. And then, her face slightly pale and her fingers slightly + trembling, she wrote: + </p> + <p> + And, Marian dear, I hope you won't be angry with me when I tell you that I + have put the Bear Cat into commission and driven it three times already. + It is running like the feline it is, and I am being as careful as I can. I + know exactly how you will feel. It is the same feeling that has held me + all these months, when I wouldn't even let myself think of it. But + something happened at school one day, Marian. You know the Whitings? Mary + Louise Whiting's brother is in the senior class. He is a six-footer, and + while he is not handsome he is going to be a real man when he is fully + developed, and steadied down to work. One day last week he made it his + business to stop me in the hall and twit me about my shoes, and + incidentally to ask me why I didn't dress like the other girls; and some + way it came rougher than if it had been one of the girls. The more I + thought about it the more wronged I felt, so I ended in a young revolution + that is to bring me an income, a suitable place to work in and has brought + me such a pretty dress. I think it has brought Eileen to a sense of at + least partial justice about money, and it brought me back the Bear Cat. + You know the proudest moment of my life was when Father would let me drive + the little beast, and it all came back as natural as breathing. Please + don't worry, Marian. Nothing shall happen, I promise you. + </p> + <p> + It won't be necessary to tell you that Katy is her darling old self, loyal + and steadfast as the sun, and quite as necessary and as comforting to me. + And I have a couple of other interests in life that are going to—I + won't say make up for your absence, because nothing could do that—but + they are going to give me something interesting to think about, something + agreeable to work at, while you are gone. But, oh, Marian, do hurry. Work + all day and part of the night. Be Saturday's child yourself if you must, + just so you get home quick, and where your white head makes a beacon light + for the truest, lovingest pal you will ever have, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + LINDA. +</pre> + <p> + Linda laid down the pen, slid down in her chair, and looked from the + window across the valley, and she wondered if in her view lay the location + that had been purchased by Peter Morrison. She glanced back at her letter + and sat looking at the closing lines and the signature. + </p> + <p> + “Much good that will do her,” she commented. “When a woman loves a man and + loves him with all her heart, as Marian loved John, and when she loses + him, not because she has done a single unworthy thing herself, but because + he is so rubber spined that he will let another woman successfully + intrigue him, a lot of comfort she is going to get from the love of a + schoolgirl!” + </p> + <p> + Linda's eyes strayed to the window again, and traveled down to the city + and up the coast, all the way to San Francisco, and out of the thousands + of homes there they pictured a small, neat room, full of Marian's + belongings, and Marian herself bending over a worktable, absorbed in the + final draft of her precious plans. Linda could see Marian as plainly as + she ever had seen her, but she let her imagination run, and she fancied + that when Marian was among strangers and where no one knew of John + Gilman's defection, that hers might be a very heavy heart, that hers might + be a very sad face. Then she went to planning. She had been desolate, + heart hungry, and isolated herself. First she had endured, then she had + fought; the dawn of a new life was breaking over her hill. She had found + work she was eager to do. She could put the best of her brain, the skill + of her fingers, the creative impulse of her heart, into it. + </p> + <p> + She was almost sure that she had found a friend. She had a feeling that + when the coming Saturday had been lived Donald Whiting would be her + friend. He would want her advice and her help in his work. She would want + his companionship and the stimulus of his mind, in hers. What Linda had + craved was a dear friend among the girls, but no girl had offered her + friendship. This boy had, so she would accept what the gods of time and + circumstance provided. It was a very wonderful thing that had happened to + her. Now why could not something equally wonderful happen to Marian? Linda + wrinkled her brows and thought deeply. + </p> + <p> + “It's the worst thing in all this world to work and work with nobody to + know about it and nobody to care,” thought Linda. “Marian could break a + record if she thought John Gilman cared now as he used to. It's almost a + necessary element to her success. If he doesn't care, she ought to be made + to feel that somebody cares. This thing of standing alone, since I have + found a friend, appeals to me as almost insupportable. Let me think.” + </p> + <p> + It was not long until she had worked out a scheme for putting an interest + in Marian's life and giving her something for which to work, until a more + vital reality supplanted it. The result was that she took some paper, went + down to the library, and opening the typewriter, wrote a letter. She read + it over, making many changes and corrections, and then she copied it + carefully. When she came to addressing it she was uncertain, but at last + she hit upon a scheme of sending it in the care of Nicholson and Snow + because Marian had told her that she meant to enter their contest + immediately she reached San Francisco, and she would have left them her + address. On the last reading of the letter she had written, she decided + that it was a manly, straightforward production, which should interest and + attract any girl. But how was she to sign it? After thinking deeply for a + long time, she wrote “Philip Sanders, General Delivery,” and below she + added a postscript: + </p> + <p> + To save you the trouble of inquiring among your friends as to who Philip + Sanders is, I might as well tell you in the beginning that he isn't. He is + merely an assumption under which I shall hide my personality until you let + me know whether it is possible that you could become even slightly + interested in me, as a small return for the very deep and wholesome + interest abiding in my heart for you. + </p> + <p> + “Abiding,” said Linda aloud. “It seems to me that there is nothing in all + the world quite so fine as a word. Isn't 'abiding' a good word? Doesn't it + mean a lot? Where could you find one other word that means being with you + and also means comforting you and loving you and sympathizing with you and + surrounding you with firm walls and a cushioned floor and a starry roof? I + love that word. I hope it impresses Marian with all its wonderful + meaning.” + </p> + <p> + She went back to her room, put both letters into her Geometry, and in the + morning mailed them. She stood a long time hesitating with the typewritten + letter in her hand, but finally dropped it in the letter box also. + </p> + <p> + “It will just be something,” she said, “to make her think that some man + appreciates her lovely face and doesn't care if her hair is white, and + sees how steadfast and fine she is.” + </p> + <p> + And then she slowly repeated, “'steadfast,' that is another fine word. It + has pearls and rubies all over it.” + </p> + <p> + After school that evening she visited James Brothers' and was paid the + full amount of the appraisement of her furniture. Then she went to an art + store and laid in a full supply of the materials she needed for the work + she was trying to do. Her fingers were trembling as she handled the boxes + of water colors and selected the brushes and pencils for her work, and + sheets of drawing paper upon which she could do herself justice. When the + transaction was finished, she had a few dollars remaining. As she put them + in her pocket she said softly: + </p> + <p> + “That's gasoline. Poor Katy! I'm glad she doesn't need her money, because + she is going to have to wait for the allowance or the sale of the books or + on Jane Meredith. But it's only a few days now, so that'll be all right.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. The Lay of the Land + </h2> + <p> + Linda entered the street car for her daily ride to Lilac Valley. She + noticed Peter Morrison and Henry Anderson sitting beside each other, + deeply engrossed in a drawing. She had been accustomed to ride in the open + section of the car as she liked the fresh air. She had a fleeting thought + of entering the body of the car and sitting where they would see her; and + then a perverse spirit in Linda's heart said to her: + </p> + <p> + “That is precisely what Eileen would do. You sit where you belong.” + </p> + <p> + Whereupon Linda dropped into the first vacant seat she could reach, but it + was only a few moments before Peter Morrison, looking up from the plans he + was studying, saw her, and lifting his hat, beckoned her to come and sit + with him. They made room for her between them and spreading the paper + across her lap, all three of them began to discuss the plans for the + foundation for Peter's house. Anderson had roughly outlined the grounds, + sketching in the trees that were to be saved, the spring, and the most + available route for reaching the road. The discussion was as to where the + road should logically enter the grounds, and where the garage should + stand. + </p> + <p> + “Which reminds me,” said Linda—“haven't you your car with you? Or + was that a hired one you were touring in?” + </p> + <p> + “Mine,” said Peter Morrison, “but we toured so far, it's in the shop for a + general overhauling today.” + </p> + <p> + “That being the case,” said Linda, “walk home with me and I'll take you to + your place in mine and bring you back to the cars, if you only want to + stay an hour or two.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, that would be fine,” said Peter. “You didn't mention, the other + evening, that you had a car.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda, “I had been trying to keep cars out of my thought for a + long time, but I could endure it no longer the other day, so I got mine + out and tuned it up. If you don't mind stacking up a bit, three can ride + in it very comfortably.” + </p> + <p> + That was the way it happened that Linda walked home after school that + afternoon between Peter Morrison and his architect, brought out the Bear + Cat, and drove them to Peter's location. + </p> + <p> + All that day, workmen had been busy under the management of a + well-instructed foreman, removing trees and bushes and stones and clearing + the spot that had been selected for the garage and approximately for the + house. + </p> + <p> + The soft brownish gray of Linda's dress was exactly the color to intensify + the darker brown of her eyes. There was a fluctuating red in her olive + cheeks, a brilliant red framing her even white teeth. Once dressed so that + she was satisfied with the results, Linda immediately forgot her clothes, + and plunged into Morrison's plans. + </p> + <p> + “Peter,” she said gravely, with Peter perfectly cognizant of the twinkle + in her dark eyes, “Peter, you may save money in a straight-line road, but + you're going to sin against your soul if you build it. You'll have to + economize in some other way, and run your road around the base of those + boulders, then come in straight to the line here, and then you should + swing again and run out on this point, where guests can have one + bewildering glimpse of the length of our blue valley, and then whip them + around this clump of perfumy lilac and elders, run them to your side + entrance, and then scoot the car back to the garage. I think you should + place the front of your house about here.” Linda indicated where. “So long + as you're buying a place like this you don't want to miss one single + thing; and you do want to make the very most possible out of every beauty + you have. And you mustn't fail to open up and widen the runway from that + energetic, enthusiastic spring. Carry it across your road, sure. It will + cost you another little something for a safe bridge, but there's nothing + so artistic as a bridge with a cold stream running under it. And think + what a joyful time I'll have, gathering specimens for you of every pretty + water plant that grows in my particular canyon. Any time when you're busy + in your library and you hear my car puffing up the incline and around the + corner and rattling across the bridge, you'll know that I am down here + giving you a start of watercress and miners' lettuce and every lovely + thing you could mention that likes to be nibbled or loved-up, while it + dabbles its toes in the water.” + </p> + <p> + Peter Morrison looked at Linda reflectively. He looked for such a long + moment that Henry Anderson reached a nebulous conclusion. “Fine!” he + cried. “Every one of those suggestions is valuable to an inexperienced + man. Morrison, shan't I make a note of them?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Henry, you shall,” said Peter. “I am going to push this thing as + fast as possible, so far as building the garage is concerned and getting + settled in it. After that I don't care if I live on this spot until we + know each other by the inch, before I begin building my home. At the + present minute it appeals to me that 'home' is about the best word in the + language of any nation. I have a feeling that what I build here is going + to be my home, very possibly the only one I shall ever have. We must find + the spot on which the Lord intended that a house should grow on this + hillside, and then we must build that house so that it has a room suitable + for a workshop in which I may strive, under the best conditions possible, + to get my share of the joy of life and to earn the money that I shall + require to support me and entertain my friends; and that sounds about as + selfish as anything possibly could. It seems to be mostly 'me' and 'mine,' + and it's not the real truth concerning this house. I don't believe there + is a healthy, normal man living who has not his dream. I have no + hesitation whatever in admitting that I have mine. This house must be two + things. It has got to be a concrete workshop for me, and it has got to be + an abstract abiding place for a dream. It's rather difficult to build a + dream house for a dream lady, so I don't know what kind of a fist I am + going to make of it.” + </p> + <p> + Linda sat down on a boulder and contemplated her shoes for a minute. Then + she raised her ever-shifting, eager, young eyes to Peter, and it seemed to + him as he looked into them that there were little gold lights flickering + at the bottom of their darkness. + </p> + <p> + “Why, that's just as easy,” she said. “A home is merely a home. It + includes a front porch and a back porch and a fireplace and a bathtub and + an ice chest and a view and a garden around it; all the rest is + incidental. If you have more money, you have more incidentals. If you + don't have so much, you use your imagination and think you have just as + much on less.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, I wonder,” said Peter, “when I find my dream lady, if she will have + an elastic imagination.” + </p> + <p> + “Haven't you found her yet?” asked Linda casually. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Peter, “I haven't found her, and unfortunately she hasn't found + me. I have had a strenuous time getting my start in life. It's mostly a + rush from one point of interest to another, dropping at any wayside + station for refreshment and the use of a writing table. Occasionally I + have seen a vision that I have wanted to follow, but I never have had + time. So far, the lady of this house is even more of a dream than the + house.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, don't worry,” said Linda comfortingly. “The world is full of + the nicest girls. When you get ready for a gracious lady I'll find you one + that will have an India-rubber imagination and a great big loving heart + and Indian-hemp apron strings so that half a dozen babies can swing from + them.” + </p> + <p> + Morrison turned to Henry Anderson. + </p> + <p> + “You hear, Henry?” he said. “I'm destined to have a large family. You must + curtail your plans for the workroom and make that big room back of it into + a nursery.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what I am going to do,” said Henry Anderson, “is to build a place + suitable for your needs. If any dream woman comes to it, she will have to + fit herself to her environment.” + </p> + <p> + Linda frowned. + </p> + <p> + “Now, that isn't a bit nice of you,” she said, “and I don't believe Peter + will pay the slightest attention to you. He'll let me make you build a + lovely room for the love of his heart, and a great big bright nursery on + the sunny side for his small people.” + </p> + <p> + “I never believed,” said Henry Anderson, “in counting your chickens before + they are hatched. There are a couple of acres around Peter's house, and he + can build an addition as his needs increase.” + </p> + <p> + “Messy idea,” said Linda promptly. “Thing to do, when you build a house, + is to build it the way you want it for the remainder of your life, so you + don't have to tear up the scenery every few years, dragging in lumber for + expansion. And I'll tell you another thing. If the homemakers of this + country don't get the idea into their heads pretty soon that they are not + going to be able to hold their own with the rest of the world, with no + children, or one child in the family, there's a sad day of reckoning + coming. With the records at the patent office open to the world, you can't + claim that the brain of the white man is not constructive. You can look at + our records and compare them with those of countries ages and ages older + than we are, which never discovered the beauties of a Dover egg-beater or + a washing machine or a churn or a railroad or a steamboat or a bridge. We + are head and shoulders above other nations in invention, and just as fast + as possible, we are falling behind in the birth rate. The red man and the + yellow man and the brown man and the black man can look at our egg-beaters + and washing machines and bridges and big guns, and go home and copy them; + and use them while rearing even bigger families than they have now. If + every home in Lilac Valley had at least six sturdy boys and girls growing + up in it with the proper love of country and the proper realization of the + white man's right to supremacy, and if all the world now occupied by white + men could make an equal record, where would be the talk of the yellow + peril? There wouldn't be any yellow peril. You see what I mean?” + </p> + <p> + Linda lifted her frank eyes to Peter Morrison. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, young woman,” said Peter gravely, “I see what you mean, but this is + the first time I ever heard a high-school kid propound such ideas. Where + did you get them?” + </p> + <p> + “Got them in Multiflores Canyon from my father to start with,” said Linda, + “but recently I have been thinking, because there is a boy in high school + who is making a great fight for a better scholarship record than a Jap in + his class. I brood over it every spare minute, day or night, and when I + say my prayers I implore high Heaven to send him an idea or to send me one + that I can pass on to him, that will help him to beat that Jap.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Peter Morrison. “We'll have to take time to talk this over. + It's barely possible I might be able to suggest something.” + </p> + <p> + “You let that kid fight his own battles,” said Henry Anderson roughly. + “He's no proper bug-catcher. I feel it in my bones.” + </p> + <p> + For the first time, Linda's joy laugh rang over Peter Morrison's + possession. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know about that,” she said gaily. “He's a wide-awake specimen; he + has led his class for four years when the Jap didn't get ahead of him. + But, all foolishness aside, take my word for it, Peter, you'll be sorry if + you don't build this house big enough for your dream lady and for all the + little dreams that may spring from her heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Nightmares, you mean,” said Henry Anderson. “I can't imagine a bunch of + kids muddying up this spring and breaking the bushes and using slingshots + on the birds.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Linda with scathing sarcasm, “and wouldn't our government be + tickled to death to have a clear spring and a perfect bush and a singing + bird, if it needed six men to go over the top to handle a regiment of + Japanese!” + </p> + <p> + Then Peter Morrison laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Well, your estimate is too low, Linda,” he said in his nicest drawling + tone of voice. “Believe me, one U. S. kid will never march in a whole + regiment of Japanese. They won't lay down their guns and walk to surrender + as bunches of Germans did. Nobody need ever think that. They are as good + fighters as they are imitators. There's nothing for you to do, Henry, but + to take to heart what Miss Linda has said. Plan the house with a suite for + a dream lady, and a dining room, a sleeping porch and a nursery big enough + for the six children allotted to me.” + </p> + <p> + “You're not really in earnest?” asked Henry Anderson in doubting + astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “I am in the deepest kind of earnest,” said Peter Morrison. “What Miss + Linda says is true. As a nation, our people are pampering themselves and + living for their own pleasures. They won't take the trouble or endure the + pain required to bear and to rear children; and the day is rolling toward + us, with every turn of the planet one day closer, when we are going to be + outnumbered by a combination of peoples who can take our own tricks and + beat us with them. We must pass along the good word that the one thing + America needs above every other thing on earth is HOMES AND HEARTS BIG + ENOUGH FOR CHILDREN, as were the homes of our grandfathers, when no joy in + life equaled the joy of a new child in the family, and if you didn't have + a dozen you weren't doing your manifest duty.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if that is the way you see the light, we must enlarge this house. + As designed, it included every feminine convenience anyway. But when I + build my house I am going to build it for myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Then don't talk any more about being my bug-catcher,” said Linda + promptly, “because when I build my house it's going to be a nest that will + hold six at the very least. My heart is perfectly set on a brood of six.” + </p> + <p> + Linda was quite unaware that the two men were studying her closely, but if + she had known what was going on in their minds she would have had nothing + to regret, because both of them found her very attractive, and both of + them were wondering how anything so superficial as Eileen could be of the + same blood as Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Are we keeping you too late?” inquired Peter. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda, “I am as interested as I can be. Finish everything you + want to do before we go. I hope you're going to let me come over often and + watch you with your building. Maybe I can get an idea for some things I + want to do. Eileen and I have our house divided by a Mason and Dixon line. + On her side is Mother's suite, the dining room, the living room and the + front door. On mine there's the garage and the kitchen and Katy's bedroom + and mine and the library and the billiard room. At the present minute I am + interested in adapting the library to my requirements instead of Father's, + and I am emptying the billiard room and furnishing it to make a workroom. + I have a small talent with a brush and pencil, and I need some bare walls + to tack my prints on to dry, and I need numerous places for all the things + I am always dragging in from the desert and the canyons; and since I have + the Bear Cat running, what I have been doing in that line with a knapsack + won't be worthy of mention.” + </p> + <p> + “How did it come,” inquired Henry Anderson, “that you had that car jacked + up so long?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, hasn't anybody told you,” asked Linda, “about our day of the Black + Shadow?” + </p> + <p> + “John Gilman wrote me when it happened,” said Peter softly, “but I don't + believe it has been mentioned before Henry. You tell him.” + </p> + <p> + Linda turned to Henry Anderson, and with trembling lips and paling cheeks, + in a few brief sentences she gave him the details. Then she said to Peter + Morrison in a low voice: “And that is the why of Marian Thorne's white + head. Anybody tell you that?” + </p> + <p> + “That white head puzzled me beyond anything I ever saw,” he said. “I meant + to ask John about it. He used to talk to me and write to me often about + her, and lately he hasn't; when I came I saw the reason, and so you see I + felt reticent on the subject.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there's nothing the matter with my tongue,” said Linda. “It's loose + at both ends. Marian was an expert driver. She drove with the same calm + judgment and precision and graceful skill that she does everything else, + but the curve was steep and something in the brakes was defective. It + broke with a snap and there was not a thing she could do. Enough was left + of the remains of the car to prove that. Ten days afterward her head was + almost as white as snow. Before that it was as dark as mine. But her body + is just as young and her heart is just as young and her face is even more + beautiful. I do think that a white crown makes her lovelier than she was + before. I have known Marian ever since I can remember, and I don't know + one thing about her that I could not look you straight in the eye and tell + you all about. There is not a subterfuge or an evasion or a small mean + deceit in her soul. She is the brainiest woman and the biggest woman I + know.” + </p> + <p> + “I haven't a doubt of it,” said Peter Morrison. “And while you are talking + about nice women, we met a mighty fine one at Riverside on Sunday. Her + name is Mary Louise Whiting. Do you know her?” + </p> + <p> + “Not personally,” said Linda. “I don't recall that I ever saw her. I know + her brother, Donald. He is the high-school boy who is having the wrestle + with the Jap.” + </p> + <p> + “I liked her too,” said Henry Anderson. “And by the way, Miss Linda, + haven't bug-catchers any reputation at all as nest builders? Is it true + that among feathered creatures the hen builds the home?” + </p> + <p> + “No, it's not,” said Linda promptly. “Male birds make a splendid record + carrying nest material. What is true is that in the majority of cases the + female does the building.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what I am getting at,” said Henry Anderson, “is this. Is there + anything I can do to help you with that billiard room that you're going to + convert to a workroom? What do you lack in it that you would like to have? + Do you need more light or air, or a fireplace, or what? When you take us + to the station, suppose you drive us past your house and give me a look at + that room and let me think over it a day or two. I might be able to make + some suggestion that would help you.” + </p> + <p> + “Now that is positively sweet of you,” said Linda. “I never thought of + such a thing as either comfort or convenience. I thought I had to take + that room as it stands and do the best I could with it, but since you + mention it, it's barely possible that more air might be agreeable and also + more light, and if there could be a small fireplace built in front of the + chimney where it goes up from the library fireplace, it certainly would be + a comfort, and it would add something to the room that nothing else could. + </p> + <p> + “No workroom really has a soul if you can't smell smoke and see red when + you go to it at night.” + </p> + <p> + “You little outdoor heathen,” laughed Peter Morrison. “One would think you + were an Indian.” + </p> + <p> + “I am a fairly good Indian,” said Linda. “I have been scouting around with + my father a good many years. How about it, Peter? Does the road go + crooked?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Peter, “the road goes crooked.” + </p> + <p> + “Does the bed of the spring curve and sweep across the lawn and drop off + to the original stream below the tree-tobacco clump there?” + </p> + <p> + “If you say so, it does,” said Peter. + </p> + <p> + “Including the bridge?” inquired Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Including the bridge,” said Peter. “I'll have to burn some midnight oil, + but I can visualize the bridge.” + </p> + <p> + “And is this house where you 'set up your rest,' as you so beautifully + said the other night at dinner, going to lay its corner stone and grow to + its roof a selfish house, or is it going to be generous enough for a + gracious lady and a flight of little footsteps?” + </p> + <p> + Peter Morrison took off his hat. He turned his face toward the length of + Lilac Valley and stood, very tall and straight, looking far away before + him. Presently he looked down at Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Even so,” he said softly. “My shoulders are broad enough; I have a brain; + and I am not afraid to work. If my heart is not quite big enough yet, I + see very clearly how it can be made to expand.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been told,” said Linda in a low voice, “that Mary Louise Whiting + is a perfect darling.” + </p> + <p> + Peter looked at her from the top of her black head to the tips of her + brown shoes. He could have counted the freckles bridging her nose. The + sunburn on her cheeks was very visible; there was something arresting in + the depth of her eyes, the curve of her lips, the lithe slenderness of her + young body; she gave the effect of something smoldering inside that would + leap at a breath. + </p> + <p> + “I was not thinking of Miss Whiting,” he said soberly. + </p> + <p> + Henry Anderson was watching. Now he turned his back and commenced talking + about plans, but in his heart he said: “So that's the lay of the land. + You've got to hustle yourself, Henry, or you won't have the ghost of a + show.” + </p> + <p> + Later, when they motored down the valley and stopped at the Strong + residence, Peter refused to be monopolized by Eileen. He climbed the two + flights of stairs with Henry Anderson and Linda and exhausted his fund of + suggestions as to what could be done to that empty billiard room to make + an attractive study of it. Linda listened quietly to all their + suggestions, and then she said: + </p> + <p> + “It would be fine to have another window, and a small skylight would be a + dream, and as for the fireplace you mention, I can't even conceive how + great it would be to have that; but my purse is much more limited than + Peter's, and while I have my school work to do every day, my earning + capacity is nearly negligible. I can only pick up a bit here and there + with my brush and pencil—place cards and Easter cards and + valentines, and once or twice magazine covers, and little things like + that. I don't see my way clear to lumber and glass and bricks and chimney + pieces.” + </p> + <p> + Peter looked at Henry, and Henry looked at Peter, and a male high sign, + ancient as day, passed between them. + </p> + <p> + “Easiest thing in the world,” said Peter. “It's as sure as shooting that + when my three or four fireplaces, which Henry's present plans call for, + are built, there is going to be all the material left that can be used in + a light tiny fireplace such as could be built on a third floor, and when + the figuring for the house is done it could very easily include the + cutting of a skylight and an extra window or two here, and getting the + material in with my stuff, it would cost you almost nothing.” + </p> + <p> + Linda's eyes opened wide and dewy with surprise and pleasure. + </p> + <p> + “Why, you two perfectly nice men!” she said. “I haven't felt as I do this + minute since I lost Daddy. It's wonderful to be taken care of. It's better + than cream puffs with almond flavoring.” + </p> + <p> + Henry Anderson looked at Linda keenly. + </p> + <p> + “You're the darndest kid!” he said. “One minute you're smacking your lips + over cream puffs, and the next you're going to the bottom of the yellow + peril. I never before saw your combination in one girl. What's the + explanation?” For the second time that evening Linda's specialty in + rapture floated free. + </p> + <p> + “Bunch all the component parts into the one paramount fact that I am + Saturday's child,” she said, “so I am constantly on the job of working for + a living, and then add to that the fact that I was reared by a nerve + specialist.” + </p> + <p> + Then they went downstairs, and the men refused both Eileen's and Linda's + invitation to remain for dinner. When they had gone Eileen turned to Linda + with a discontented and aggrieved face. + </p> + <p> + “In the name of all that's holy, what are you doing or planning to do?” + she demanded. + </p> + <p> + “Not anything that will cost you a penny beyond my natural rights,” said + Linda quietly. + </p> + <p> + “That is not answering my question,” said Eileen. “You're not of age and + you're still under the authority of a guardian. If you can't answer me, + possibly you can him. Shall I send John Gilman to ask what I want to know + of you?” + </p> + <p> + “When did I ever ask you any questions about what you chose to do?” asked + Linda. “I am merely following the example that you have previously set me. + John Gilman and I used to be great friends. It might help both of us to + have a family reunion. Send him by all means.” + </p> + <p> + “You used to take pride,” suggested Eileen, “in leading your class.” + </p> + <p> + “And has anyone told you that I am not leading my class at the present + minute?” asked Linda. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Eileen, “but what I want to point out to you is that the minute + you start running with the boys you will quit leading your class.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you believe it,” said Linda quietly. “I'm not built that way. I + shan't concentrate on any boy to the exclusion of chemistry and geometry, + never fear it.” + </p> + <p> + Then she thoughtfully ascended the stairs and went to work. + </p> + <p> + Eileen went to her room and sat down to think; and the more she thought, + the deeper grew her anger and chagrin; and to the indifference that always + had existed in her heart concerning Linda was added in that moment a new + element. She was jealous of her. How did it come that a lanky, gangling + kid in her tees had been paid a visit by the son of possibly the most + cultured and influential family of the city, people of prestige, + comfortable wealth, and unlimited popularity? For four years she had + struggled to gain an entrance in some way into Louise Whiting's intimate + circle of friends, and she had ended by shutting the door on the only son + of the family. And why had she ever allowed Linda to keep the runabout? It + was not proper that a young girl should own a high powered car like that. + It was not proper that she should drive it and go racing around the + country, heaven knew where, and with heaven knew whom. Eileen bit her lip + until it almost bled. Her eyes were hateful and her hands were nervous as + she reviewed the past week. She might think any mean thing that a mean + brain could conjure up, but when she calmed down to facts she had to admit + that there was not a reason in the world why Linda should not drive the + car she had driven for her father, or why she should not take with her + Donald Whiting or Peter Morrison or Henry Anderson. The thing that rankled + was that the car belonged to Linda. The touring car which she might have + owned and driven, had she so desired, lay in an extremely slender string + of pearls around her neck at that instant. She reflected that if she had + kept her car and made herself sufficiently hardy to drive it, she might + have been the one to have taken Peter Morrison to his home location and to + have had many opportunities for being with him. + </p> + <p> + “I've been a fool,” said Eileen, tugging at the pearls viciously. “They + are nothing but a little bit of a string that looks as if I were trying to + do something and couldn't, at best. What I've got to do is to think more + of myself. I've got to plan some way to prevent Linda from being too + popular until I really get my mind made up as to what I want to do.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. Leavening the Bread of Life + </h2> + <p> + “'A house that is divided against itself cannot stand,'” quoted Linda. “I + must keep in mind what Eileen said, not that there is the slightest + danger, but to fall behind in my grades is a thing that simply must not + happen. If it be true that Peter and Henry can so easily and so cheaply + add a few improvements in my workroom in connection with Peter's building, + I can see no reason why they shouldn't do it, so long as I pay for it. I + haven't a doubt but that there will be something I can do for Peter, + before he finishes his building, that he would greatly appreciate, while, + since I'm handy with my pencil, I MIGHT be able to make a few head and + tail pieces for some of his articles that would make them more attractive. + I don't want to use any friend of mine: I don't want to feel that I am not + giving quite as much as I get, but I think I see my way clear, between me + and the Bear Cat, to pay for all the favors I would receive in altering my + study. + </p> + <p> + “First thing I do I must go through Father's books and get the money for + them, so I'll know my limitation when I come to select furniture. And I + don't know that I am going to be so terribly modest when it comes to + naming the sum with which I'll be satisfied for my allowance. Possibly I + shall exercise my age-old prerogative and change my mind; I may just say + 'half' right out loud and stick to it. And there's another thing. Since + the editor of Everybody's Home has started my department and promised that + if it goes well he will give it to me permanently, I can certainly depend + on something from that. He has used my Introduction and two instalments + now. I should think it might be fair to talk payments pretty soon. He + should give me fifty dollars for a recipe with its perfectly good natural + history and embellished with my own vegetable and floral decorations. + </p> + <p> + “In the meantime I think I might buy my worktable and possibly an easel, + so I can have real room to spread out my new material and see how it would + feel to do one drawing completely unhampered. I'll order the table + tonight, and then I'll begin on the books, because I must have Saturday + free; and I must be thinking about the most attractive and interesting + place I can take Donald to. I just have to keep him interested until he + gets going of his own accord, because he shall beat Oka Sayye. I wouldn't + let Donald say it but I don't mind saying myself to myself with no one + present except myself that in all my life I have never seen anything so + masklike as the stolid little square head on that Jap. I have never seen + anything I dislike more than the oily, stiff, black hair standing up on it + like menacing bristles. I have never had but one straight look deep into + his eyes, but in that look I saw the only thing that ever frightened me in + looking into a man's eyes in my whole life. And there is one thing that I + have to remember to caution Donald about. He must carry on this contest in + a perfectly open, fair, and aboveboard way, and he simply must not + antagonize Oka Sayye. There are so many of the Japs. They all look so much + alike, and there's a blood brotherhood between them that will make them + protect each other to the death against any white man. It wouldn't be safe + for Donald to make Oka Sayye hate him. He had far better try to make him + his friend and put a spirit of honest rivalry into his heart; but come to + think of it, there wasn't anything like that in my one look into Oka + Sayye's eyes. I don't know what it was, but whatever it was it was + something repulsive.” + </p> + <p> + With this thought in her mind Linda walked slowly as she approached the + high school the next time. Far down the street, over the walks and across + the grounds, her eyes were searching eagerly for the tall slender figure + of Donald Whiting. She did not see him in the morning, but at noon she + encountered him in the hall. + </p> + <p> + “Looking for you,” he cried gaily when he saw her. “I've got my pry in on + Trig. The professor's interested. Dad fished out an old Trig that he used + when he was a boy and I have some new angles that will keep my esteemed + rival stirring up his gray matter for some little time.” + </p> + <p> + “Good for you! Joyous congratulations! You've got the idea!” cried Linda. + “Go to it! Start something all along the line, but make it something + founded on brains and reason and common sense. But, Donald, I was watching + for you. I wanted to say a word.” + </p> + <p> + Donald Whiting bent toward her. The faintest suspicion of a tinge of color + crept into his cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “That's fine,” he said. “What was it you wanted?” + </p> + <p> + “Only this,” she said in almost a breathless whisper. “There is nothing in + California I am afraid of except a Jap, and I am afraid of them, not + potentially, not on account of what all of us know they are planning in + the backs of their heads for the future, but right here and now, + personally and physically. Don't antagonize Oka Sayye. Don't be too + precipitate about what you're trying to do. Try to make it appear that + you're developing ideas for the interest and edification of the whole + class. Don't incur his personal enmity. Use tact.” + </p> + <p> + “You think I am afraid of that little jiu-jitsu?” he scoffed. “I can lick + him with one hand.” + </p> + <p> + “I haven't a doubt of it,” said Linda, measuring his height and apparent + strength and fitness. “I haven't a doubt of it. But let me ask you this + confidentially: Have you got a friend who would slip in and stab him in + the back in case you were in an encounter and he was getting the better of + you?” + </p> + <p> + Donald Whiting's eyes widened. He looked at Linda amazed. + </p> + <p> + “Wouldn't that be going rather far?” he asked. “I think I have some fairly + good friends among the fellows, but I don't know just whom I would want to + ask to do me that small favor.” + </p> + <p> + “That is precisely the point,” cried Linda. “You haven't a friend you + would ask; and you haven't a friend who would do it, if you did. But don't + believe for one second that Oka Sayye hasn't half a dozen who would make + away with you at an unexpected time and in a secluded place, and vanish, + if it would in any way further Oka Sayye's ambition, or help establish the + supremacy of the Japanese in California.” + </p> + <p> + “Um-hm,” said Donald Whiting. + </p> + <p> + He was looking far past Linda and now his eyes were narrowed in thought. + “I believe you're RIGHT about it.” + </p> + <p> + “I've thought of you so often since I tried to spur you to beat Oka + Sayye,” said Linda. “I feel a sort of responsibility for you. It's to the + honor and glory of all California, and the United States, and the white + race everywhere for you to beat him, but if any harm should come to you I + would always feel that I shouldn't have urged it.” + </p> + <p> + “Now that's foolishness,” said Donald earnestly. “If I am such a dub that + I didn't have the ambition to think up some way to beat a Jap myself, no + matter what happens you shouldn't regret having been the one to point out + to me my manifest duty. Dad is a Harvard man, you know, and that is where + he's going to send me, and in talking about it the other night I told him + about you, and what you had said to me. He's the greatest old scout, and + was mightily interested. He went at once and opened a box of books in the + garret and dug out some stuff that will be a big help to me. He's going to + keep posted and see what he can do; he said even worse things to me than + you did; so you needn't feel that you have any responsibility; besides + that, it's not proved yet that I can beat Oka Sayye.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it is!” said Linda, sending a straight level gaze deep into his + eyes. “Yes, it is! Whenever a white man makes up his mind what he's going + to do, and puts his brain to work, he beats any man, of any other color. + Sure you're going to beat him.” + </p> + <p> + “Fat chance I have not to,” said Donald, laughing ruefully. “If I don't + beat him I am disgraced at home, and with you; before I try very long in + this highly specialized effort I am making, every professor in the high + school and every member of my class is bound to become aware of what is + going on. You're mighty right about it. I have got to beat him or disgrace + myself right at the beginning of my nice young career.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course you'll beat him,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “At what hour did you say I should come, Saturday?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, come with the lark for all I care,” said Linda. “Early morning in the + desert is a mystery and a miracle, and the larks have been there just long + enough to get their voices properly tuned for their purest notes.” + </p> + <p> + Then she turned and hurried away. Her first leisure minute after reaching + home she went to the library wearing one of Katy's big aprons, and + carrying a brush and duster. Beginning at one end of each shelf, she took + down the volumes she intended to sell, carefully dusted them, wiped their + covers, and the place on which they had stood, and then opened and leafed + through them so that no scrap of paper containing any notes or memoranda + of possible value should be overlooked. It was while handling these + volumes that Linda shifted several of the books written by her father, to + separate them from those with which she meant to part. She had grown so + accustomed to opening each book she handled and looking through it, that + she mechanically opened the first one she picked up and from among its + leaves there fell a scrap of loose paper. She picked it up and found it + was a letter from the publishers of the book. Linda's eyes widened + suddenly as she read: + </p> + <p> + MY DEAR STRONG: + </p> + <p> + Sending you a line of congratulations. You have gone to the head of the + list of “best sellers” among medical works, and the cheque I draw you for + the past six months' royalties will be considerably larger than that which + goes to your most esteemed contemporary on your chosen subject. + </p> + <p> + Very truly yours, + </p> + <p> + The signature was that of Frederic Dickman, the editor of one of the + biggest publishing houses of the country. + </p> + <p> + “Hm,” she said to herself softly. “Now that is a queer thing. That letter + was written nearly five years ago. I don't know why I never thought of + royalties since Daddy went. I frequently heard him mention them before. I + suppose they're being paid to John Gilman as administrator, or to the + Consolidated Bank, and cared for with Father's other business. There's no + reason why these books should not keep on selling. There are probably the + same number of young men, if not a greater number, studying medicine every + year. I wonder now, about these royalties. I must do some thinking.” + </p> + <p> + Then Linda began to examine books more carefully than before. The letter + she carried with her when she went to her room; but she made a point of + being on the lawn that evening when John Gilman came, and after talking to + him a few minutes, she said very casually: “John, as Father's + administrator, does a royalty from his medical books come to you?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Gilman. “It is paid to his bank.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't suppose,” said Linda casually, “it would amount to enough to keep + one in shoes these inflated days.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't know about that,” said John testily. “I have seen a few of + those cheques in your Father's time. You should be able to keep fairly + well supplied with shoes.” + </p> + <p> + “So I should,” said Linda drily. “So I should.” + </p> + <p> + Then she led him to the back of the house and talked the incident out of + his mind as cleverly as possible by giving him an intensive botanical + study of Cotyledon. But she could not interest him quite so deeply as she + had hoped, for presently he said: “Eileen tells me that you're parting + with some of the books.” + </p> + <p> + “Only technical ones for which I could have no possible use,” said Linda. + “I need clothes, and have found that had I a proper place to work in and + proper tools to work with, I could earn quite a bit with my brush and + pencil, and so I am trying to get enough money together to fit up the + billiard room for a workroom, since nobody uses it for anything else.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said John Gilman. “I suppose running a house is extremely + expensive these days, but even so the income from your estate should be + sufficient to dress a schoolgirl and provide for anything you would want + in the way of furnishing a workroom.” + </p> + <p> + “That's what I have always thought myself,” said Linda; “but Eileen + doesn't agree with me, and she handles the money. When the first of the + month comes, we are planning to go over things together, and she is going + to make me a proper allowance.” + </p> + <p> + “That is exactly as it should be,” said Gilman. “I never realized till the + other night at dinner that you have grown such a great girl, Linda. That's + fine! Fix your workroom the way you would like to have it, and if there's + anything I can do to help you in any way, you have only to command me. I + haven't seen you often lately.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda, “but I don't feel that it is exactly my fault. Marian + and I were always pals. When I saw that you preferred Eileen, I kept with + Marian to comfort her all I could. I don't suppose she cared, + particularly. She couldn't have, or she would at least have made some + effort to prevent Eileen from monopolizing you. She probably was mighty + glad to be rid of you; but since you had been together so much, I thought + she might miss you, so I tried to cover your defection.” + </p> + <p> + John Gilman's face flushed. He stood very still, while he seemed deeply + thoughtful. + </p> + <p> + “Of course you were free to follow your inclinations, or Eileen's + machinations, whichever you did follow,” Linda said lightly, “but 'them as + knows' could tell you, John, as Katy so well puts it, that you have made + the mistake of your young life.” + </p> + <p> + Then she turned and went to the garage, leaving John to his visit with + Eileen. + </p> + <p> + The Eileen who took possession of John was an Eileen with whom he was not + acquainted. He had known, the night of the dinner party, that Eileen was + pouting, but there had been no chance to learn from her what her grievance + was, and by the next time they met she was a bundle of flashing + allurement, so he ignored the occurrence. This evening, for the first + time, it seemed to him that Eileen was not so beautiful a woman as he had + thought her. Something had roiled the blood in her delicate veins until it + had muddied the clear freshness of her smooth satiny skin. There was + discontent in her eyes, which were her most convincing attraction. They + were big eyes, wide open and candid. She had so trained them through a + lifetime of practice that she could meet other eyes directly while + manipulating her most dextrous evasion. Whenever Eileen was most + deceptively subtle, she was looking straight at her victim with the + innocent appeal of a baby in her gaze. + </p> + <p> + John Gilman had had his struggle. He had succeeded. He had watched, and + waited, and worked incessantly, and when his opportunity came he was + ready. Success had come to such a degree that in a short time he had + assured himself of comfort for any woman he loved. He knew that his + appearance was quite as pleasing as that of his friend. He knew that in + manner and education they were equals. He was now handling large business + affairs. He had made friends in high places. Whenever Eileen was ready, he + would build and furnish a home he felt sure would be equal, if not + superior, to what Morrison was planning. Why had Eileen felt that she + would envy any woman who shared life with Peter Morrison? + </p> + <p> + All that day she had annoyed him, because there must have been in the very + deeps of his soul “a still, small voice” whispering to him that he had not + lived up to the best traditions of a gentleman in his course with Marian. + While no definite plans had been made, there had been endless assumption. + Many times they had talked of the home they would make together. When he + reached the point where he decided that he never had loved Marian as a man + should love the woman he marries, he felt justified in turning to Eileen, + but in his heart he knew that if he had been the man he was pleased to + consider himself, he would have gone to Marian Thorne and explained, + thereby keeping her friendship, while he now knew that he must have earned + her contempt. + </p> + <p> + The day at Riverside had been an enigma he could not solve. Eileen was gay + to a degree that was almost boisterous. She had attracted attention and + comment which no well-bred woman would have done. + </p> + <p> + The growing discontent in John's soul had increased under Linda's direct + attack. He had known Linda since she was four years old and had been + responsible for some of her education. He had been a large influence in + teaching Linda from childhood to be a good sport, to be sure she was right + and then go ahead, and if she hurt herself in the going, to rub the + bruise, but to keep her path. + </p> + <p> + A thing patent to the eye of every man who turned an appraising look upon + Linda always had been one of steadfast loyalty. You could depend upon her. + She was the counterpart of her father; and Doctor Strong had been loved by + other men. Wherever he had gone he had been surrounded. His figure had + been one that attracted attention. When he had spoken, his voice and what + he had to say had commanded respect. And then there had emanated from him + that peculiar physical charm which gives such pleasing and distinguished + personality to a very few people in this world. This gift too had + descended to Linda. She could sit and look straight at you with her + narrow, interested eyes, smile faintly, and make you realize what she + thought and felt without opening her lips. John did not feel very well + acquainted with the girl who had dominated the recent dinner party, but he + did see that she was attractive, that both Peter Morrison and Henry + Anderson had been greatly amused and very much entertained by her. He had + found her so interesting himself that he had paid slight attention to + Eileen's pouting. + </p> + <p> + Tonight he was forced to study Eileen, for the sake of his own comfort to + try to conciliate her. He was uncomfortable because he was unable to + conduct himself as Eileen wished him to, without a small sickening disgust + creeping into his soul. Before the evening was over he became exasperated, + and ended by asking flatly: “Eileen, what in the dickens is the matter + with you?” + </p> + <p> + It was a new tone and a new question on nerves tensely strung. + </p> + <p> + “If you weren't blind you'd know without asking,” retorted Eileen hotly. + </p> + <p> + “Then I am 'blind,' for I haven't the slightest notion. What have I done?” + </p> + <p> + “Isn't it just barely possible,” asked Eileen, “that there might be other + people who would annoy and exasperate me? I have not hinted that you have + done anything, although I don't know that it's customary for a man calling + on his betrothed to stop first for a visit with her sister.” + </p> + <p> + “For the love of Mike!” said John Gilman. “Am I to be found fault with for + crossing the lawn a minute to see how Linda's wild garden is coming on? I + have dug and helped set enough of those plants to justify some interest in + them as they grow.” + </p> + <p> + “And the garden was your sole subject of conversation?” inquired Eileen, + implied doubt conveyed nicely. + </p> + <p> + “No, it was not,” answered Gilman, all the bulldog in his nature coming to + the surface. + </p> + <p> + “As I knew perfectly,” said Eileen. “I admit that I'm not feeling myself. + Things began going wrong recently, and everything has gone wrong since. I + think it all began with Marian Thorne's crazy idea of selling her home and + going to the city to try to ape a man.” + </p> + <p> + “Marian never tried to ape a man in her life,” said John, instantly + yielding to a sense of justice. “She is as strictly feminine as any woman + I ever knew.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to say that you think studying architecture is a woman's + work?” sneered Eileen. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I do,” said Gilman emphatically. “Women live in houses. They're in + them nine tenths of the time to a man's one tenth. Next to rocking a + cradle I don't know of any occupation in this world more distinctly + feminine than the planning of comfortable homes for homekeeping people.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen changed the subject swiftly. “What was Linda saying to you?” she + asked. + </p> + <p> + “She was showing me a plant, a rare Echeveria of the Cotyledon family, + that she tobogganed down one side of Multiflores Canyon and delivered + safely on the roadway without its losing an appreciable amount of 'bloom' + from its exquisitely painted leaves.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen broke in rudely. “Linda has missed Marian. There's not a possible + thing to make life uncomfortable for me that she is not doing. You needn't + tell me you didn't see and understand her rude forwardness the other + night!” + </p> + <p> + “No, I didn't see it,” said John, “because the fact is I thought the kid + was positively charming, and so did Peter and Henry because both of them + said so. There's one thing you must take into consideration, Eileen. The + time has come when she should have clothes and liberty and opportunity to + shape her life according to her inclinations. Let me tell you she will + attract attention in georgette and laces.” + </p> + <p> + “And where are the georgette and laces to come from?” inquired Eileen + sarcastically. “All outgo and no income for four years is leaving the + Strong finances in mighty precarious shape, I can tell you.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” said Gilman, “I'm financially comfortable now. I'm ready. Say + the word. We'll select our location and build our home, and let Linda have + what there is of the Strong income till she is settled in life. You have + pretty well had all of it for the past four years.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Eileen furiously, “I have 'pretty well' had it, in a few + little dresses that I have altered myself and very frequently made + entirely. I have done the best I could, shifting and skimping, and it's + not accomplished anything that I have really wanted. According to men, the + gas and the telephone and the electric light and the taxes and food and + cook pay for themselves. All a woman ever spends money on is clothes!” + </p> + <p> + “Eileen,” chuckled John Gilman, “this sounds exactly as if we were + married, and we're not, yet.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Eileen, “thank heaven we're not. If it's come to the place + where you're siding with everybody else against me, and where you're more + interested in what my kid sister has to say to you than you are in me, I + don't think we ever shall be.” + </p> + <p> + Then, from stress of nerve tension and long practice, some big tears + gushed up and threatened to overflow Eileen's lovely eyes. That never + should happen, for tears are salt water and they cut little rivers through + even the most carefully and skillfully constructed complexion, while + Eileen's was looking its worst that evening. She hastily applied her + handkerchief, and John Gilman took her into his arms; so the remainder of + the evening it was as if they were not married. But when John returned to + the subject of a home and begged Eileen to announce their engagement and + let him begin work, she evaded him, and put him off, and had to have time + to think, and she was not ready, and there were many excuses, for none of + which Gilman could see any sufficient reason. When he left Eileen that + night, it was with a heavy heart. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. Saturday's Child + </h2> + <p> + Throughout the week Linda had worked as never during her life previously, + in order to save Saturday for Donald Whiting. She ran the Bear Cat down to + the garage and had it looked over once more to be sure that everything was + all right. Friday evening, on her way from school, she stopped at a + grocery where she knew Eileen kept an account, and for the first time + ordered a few groceries. These she carried home with her, and explained to + Katy what she wanted. + </p> + <p> + Katy fully realized that Linda was still her child, with no thought in her + mind save standing at the head of her classes, carrying on the work she + had begun with her father, keeping up her nature study, and getting the + best time she could out of life in the open as she had been taught to do + from her cradle. + </p> + <p> + Katy had not the slightest intention of opening her lips to say one word + that might put any idea into the head of her beloved child, but she saw no + reason why she herself should not harbor all the ideas she pleased. + </p> + <p> + Whereupon, actuated by a combination of family pride, love, ambition in + her chosen profession, Katy made ready to see that on the morrow the son + of Frederick Whiting should be properly nourished on his outing with + Linda. + </p> + <p> + At six o'clock Saturday morning Linda ran the Bear Cat to the back door, + where she and Katy packed it. Before they had finished, Donald Whiting + came down the sidewalk, his cheeks flushed with the exercise of walking, + his eyes bright with anticipation, his cause forever won—in case he + had a cause—with Katy, because she liked the wholesome, hearty + manner in which he greeted Linda, and she was dumbfounded when he held out + his hand to her and said laughingly: “Blessed among women, did you put in + a fine large consignment of orange punch?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Katy, “I'll just tell ye flat-footed there ain't going to be + any punch, but, young sir, you're eshcortin' a very capable young lady, + and don't ye bewail the punch, because ye might be complimenting your face + with something ye would like a hape better.” + </p> + <p> + “Can't be done, Katy,” cried Donald. + </p> + <p> + “Ye must have a poor opinion of us,” laughed Katy, “if ye are thinking ye + can get to the end of our limitations in one lunch. Fourteen years me and + Miss Linda's been on this lunch-box stunt. Don't ye be thinkin' ye can + exhaust us in any wan trip, or in any wan dozen.” + </p> + <p> + So they said good-bye to Katy and rolled past Eileen's room on the way to + the desert. Eileen stood at the window watching them, and never had her + heart been so full of discontent and her soul the abiding place of such + envy or her mind so busy. Just when she had thought life was going to + yield her what she craved, she could not understand how or why things + should begin to go wrong. + </p> + <p> + As the Bear Cat traversed Lilac Valley, Linda was pointing out Peter + Morrison's location. She was telling Donald Whiting where to find Peter's + articles, and what a fine man he was, and that he had promised to think + how he could help with their plan to make of Donald a better scholar than + was Oka Sayye. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I call that mighty decent of a stranger,” said Donald. + </p> + <p> + “But he is scarcely more of a stranger than I am,” answered Linda. “He is + a writer. He is interested in humanity. It's the business of every man in + this world to reach out and help every boy with whom he comes in contact + into the biggest, finest manhood possible. He only knows that you're a boy + tackling a big job that means much to every white boy to have you succeed + with, and for that reason he's just as interested as I am. Maybe, when we + come in this evening, I'll run up to his place, and you can talk it over + with him. If your father helped you at one angle, it's altogether probable + that Peter Morrison could help you at another.” + </p> + <p> + Donald Whiting rubbed his knee reflectively. He was sitting half turned in + the wide seat so that he might watch Linda's hands and her face while she + drove. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that's all right,” he said heartily. “You can write me down as + willing and anxious to take all the help I can get, for it's going to be + no microscopic job, that I can tell you. One week has waked up the Jap to + the fact that there's something doing, and he's digging in and has begun, + the last day or two, to speak up in class and suggest things himself. + Since I've been studying him and watching him, I have come to the + conclusion that he is much older than I am. Something he said in class + yesterday made me think he had probably had the best schooling Japan could + give him before he came here. The next time you meet him look for a + suspicion of gray hairs around his ears. He's too blamed comprehensive for + the average boy of my age. You said the Japs were the best imitators in + the world and I have an idea in the back of my head that before I get + through with him, Oka Sayye is going to prove your proposition.” + </p> + <p> + Linda nodded as she shot the Bear Cat across the streetcar tracks and + headed toward the desert. The engine was purring softly as it warmed up. + The car was running smoothly. The sun of early morning was shining on them + through bracing, salt, cool air, and even in the valley the larks were + busy, and the mockingbirds, and from every wayside bush the rosy finches + were singing. All the world was coming to the exquisite bloom of a + half-tropical country. Up from earth swept the heavy odors of blooming + citrus orchards, millions of roses, and the overpowering sweetness of + gardens and cultivated flowers; while down from the mountains rolled the + delicate breath of the misty blue lilac, the pungent odor of California + sage, and the spicy sweet of the lemonade bush. They were two young + things, free for the day, flying down a perfect road, adventuring with + Providence. They had only gone a few miles when Donald Whiting took off + his hat, stuffed it down beside him, and threw back his head, shaking his + hair to the wind in a gesture so soon to become familiar to Linda. She + glanced across at him and found him looking at her. A smile broke over her + lips. One of her most spontaneous laughs bubbled up in her throat. + </p> + <p> + “Topping, isn't it!” she cried gaily. + </p> + <p> + “It's the best thing that ever happened to me,” answered Donald Whiting + instantly. “Our car is a mighty good one and Dad isn't mean about letting + me drive it. I can take it frequently and can have plenty of gas and take + my crowd; but lordy, I don't believe there's a boy or girl living that + doesn't just positively groan when they see one of these little gray Bear + Cats go loping past. And I never even had a ride in one before. I can't + get over the fact that it's yours. It wouldn't seem so funny if it + belonged to one of the fellows.” + </p> + <p> + With steady hand and gradually increasing speed, Linda put the Bear Cat + over the roads of early morning. Sometimes she stopped in the shade of + pepper, eucalyptus, or palm, where the larks were specializing in their + age-old offertory. And then again they went racing until they reached the + real desert. Linda ran the car under the shade of a tall clump of + bloom-whitened alders. She took off her hat, loosened the hair at her + temples, and looked out across the long morning stretch of desert. + </p> + <p> + “It's just beginning to be good,” she said. She began pointing with her + slender hand. “That gleam you see over there is the gold of a small clump + of early poppies. The purple beyond it is lupin. All these exquisite + colors on the floor are birds'-eyes and baby blue eyes, and the misty + white here and there is forget-me-not. It won't be long til thousands and + thousands of yucca plants will light their torches all over the desert and + all the alders show their lacy mist. Of course you know how exquisitely + the Spaniards named the yucca 'Our Lord's Candles.' Isn't that the + prettiest name for a flower, and isn't it the prettiest thought?” + </p> + <p> + “It certainly is,” answered Donald. + </p> + <p> + “Had any experience with the desert?” Linda asked lightly. + </p> + <p> + “Hunted sage hens some,” answered Donald. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, that'll be all right,” said Linda. “I wondered if you'd go + murdering yourself like a tenderfoot.” + </p> + <p> + “What's the use of all this artillery?” inquired Donald as he stepped from + the car. + </p> + <p> + “Better put on your hat. You're taller than most of the bushes; you'll + find slight shade,” cautioned Linda. “The use is purely a matter of + self-protection. The desert has got such a devil of a fight for existence, + without shade and practically without water, that it can't afford to take + any other chance of extermination, and so it protects itself with needles + here and spears there and sabers at other places and roots that strike + down to China everywhere. First thing we are going to get is some soap.” + </p> + <p> + “Great hat!” exclaimed Donald. “If you wanted soap why didn't you bring + some?” + </p> + <p> + “For all you know,” laughed Linda, “I may be going to education you up a + little. Dare you to tell me how many kinds of soap I can find today that + the Indians used, and where I can find it.” + </p> + <p> + “Couldn't tell you one to save my life,” said Donald. + </p> + <p> + “And born and reared within a few miles of the desert!” scoffed Linda. + “Nice Indian you'd make. We take our choice today between finding + deer-brush and digging for amole, because the mock oranges aren't ripe + enough to be nice and soapy yet. I've got the deer-brush spotted, and + we'll pass an amole before we go very far. Look for a wavy blue-green leaf + like a wide blade of grass and coming up like a lily.” + </p> + <p> + So together they went to the deer-brush and gathered a bunch of flowers + that Linda bound together with some wiry desert grass and fastened to her + belt. It was not long before Donald spied an amole, and having found one, + discovered many others growing near. Then Linda led the way past thorns + and brush, past impenetrable beds of cholla, until they reached a huge + barrel cactus that she had located with the glasses. Beside this bristling + monstrous growth Linda paused, and reached for the axe, which Donald + handed to her. She drew it lightly across the armor protecting the plant. + </p> + <p> + “Short of Victrola needles?” she inquired. “Because if you are, these make + excellent ones. A lot more singing quality to them than the steel needles, + not nearly so metallic.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I am surely going to try that,” said Donald. “Never heard of such a + thing.” + </p> + <p> + Linda chopped off a section of plant. Then she picked one of the knives + from the bucket and handed it to him. + </p> + <p> + “All right, you get what you want,” she said, “while I operate on the + barrel.” + </p> + <p> + She set her feet firmly in the sand, swung the axe, and with a couple of + deft strokes sliced off the top of the huge plant, and from the heart of + it lifted up half a bucketful of the juicy interior, with her dipper. + </p> + <p> + “If we didn't have drink, here is where we would get it, and mighty good + it is,” she said, pushing down with the dipper until she formed a small + pool in the heart of the plant which rapidly filled. “Have a taste.” + </p> + <p> + “Jove, that is good!” said Donald. “What are you going to do with it?” + </p> + <p> + “Show you later,” laughed Linda. “Think I'll take a sip myself.” + </p> + <p> + Then by a roundabout route they started on their return to the car. Once + Linda stopped and gathered a small bunch of an extremely curious little + plant spreading over the ground, a tiny reddish vine with quaint round + leaves that looked as if a drop of white paint rimmed with maroon had + fallen on each of them. + </p> + <p> + “I never saw that before,” said Donald. “What are you going to do with + it?” + </p> + <p> + “Use it on whichever of us gets the first snake bite,” said Linda. “That + is rattlesnake weed and if a poisonous snake bites you, score each side of + the wound with the cleanest, sharpest knife you have and then bruise the + plant and bind it on with your handkerchief, and forget it.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that what you do?” inquired Donald. + </p> + <p> + “Why sure,” said Linda, “that is what I would do if a snake were so + ungallant as to bite me, but there doesn't seem to be much of the + antagonistic element in my nature. I don't go through the desert exhaling + the odor of fright, and so snakes lie quiescent or slip away so silently + that I never see them.” + </p> + <p> + “Now what on earth do you mean by that?” inquired Donald. + </p> + <p> + “Why that is the very first lesson Daddy ever taught me when he took me to + the mountains and the desert. If you are afraid, your system throws off + formic acid, and the animals need only the suspicion of a scent of it to + make them ready to fight. Any animal you encounter or even a bee, + recognizes it. One of the first things that I remember about Daddy was + seeing him sit on the running board of the runabout buckling up his desert + boots while he sang to me, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + 'Let not your heart be troubled + Neither let it be afraid,' +</pre> + <p> + as he got ready to take me on his back and go into the desert for our + first lesson; he told me that a man was perfectly safe in going to the + forest or the desert or anywhere he chose among any kind of animals if he + had sufficient self-control that no odor of fear emanated from him. He + said that a man was safe to make his way anywhere he wanted to go, if he + started his journey by recognizing a blood brotherhood with anything + living he would meet on the way; and I have heard Enos Mills say that when + he was snow inspector of Colorado he traveled the crest of the Rockies + from one end of the state to the other without a gun or any means of + self-defense.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, that is something new to think about,” said Donald. + </p> + <p> + “And it's something that is very true,” said Linda. “I have seen it work + times without number. Father and I went quietly up the mountains, through + the canyons, across the desert, and we would never see a snake of any + kind, but repeatedly we would see men with guns and dogs out to kill, to + trespass on the rights of the wild, and they would be hunting for sticks + and clubs and firing their guns where we had passed never thinking of + lurking danger. If you start out in accord, at one with Nature, you're + quite as safe as you are at home, sometimes more so. But if you start out + to stir up a fight, the occasion is very rare on which you can't succeed.” + </p> + <p> + “And that reminds me,” said Donald, with a laugh, “that a week ago I came + to start a fight with you. What has become of that fight we were going to + have, anyway?” + </p> + <p> + “You can search me,” laughed Linda, throwing out her hands in a graceful + gesture. “There's not a scrap of fight in my system concerning you, but if + Oka Sayye were having a fight with you and I were anywhere around, you'd + have one friend who would help you to handle the Jap.” + </p> + <p> + Donald looked at Linda thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “By the great hocus-pocus,” he said, “you know, I believe you. If two + fellows were having a pitched battle most of the girls I know would + quietly faint or run, but I do believe that you would stand by and help a + fellow if he needed it.” + </p> + <p> + “That I surely would,” said Linda; “but don't you say 'most of the girls I + know' and then make a statement like that concerning girls, because you + prove that you don't know them at all. A few years ago, I very distinctly + recall how angry many women were at this line in one of Kipling's poems: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The female of the species is more deadly than the male, +</pre> + <p> + and there was nothing to it save that a great poet was trying to pay + womanhood everywhere the finest compliment he knew how. He always has been + fundamental in his process of thought. He gets right back to the heart of + primal things. When he wrote that line he was not really thinking that + there was a nasty poison in the heart of a woman or death in her hands. + What he was thinking was that in the jungle the female lion or tiger or + jaguar must go and find a particularly secluded cave and bear her young + and raise them to be quite active kittens before she leads them out, + because there is danger of the bloodthirsty father eating them when they + are tiny and helpless. And if perchance a male finds the cave of his mate + and her tiny young and enters it to do mischief, then there is no recorded + instance I know of in which the female, fighting in defense of her young, + has not been 'more deadly than the male.' And that is the origin of the + much-discussed line concerning the female of the species, and it holds + good fairly well down the line of the wild. It's even true among such tiny + things as guinea pigs and canary birds. There is a mother element in the + heart of every girl. Daddy used to say that half the women in the world + married the men they did because they wanted to mother them. You can't + tell what is in a woman's heart by looking at her. You must bring her face + to face with an emergency before you can say what she'll do, but I would + be perfectly willing to stake my life on this: There is scarcely a girl + you know who would see you getting the worst of a fight, say with Oka + Sayye, or someone who meant to kill you or injure you, who would not pick + up the first weapon she could lay her hands on, whether it was an axe or a + stick or a stone, and go to your defense, and if she had nothing else to + fight with, I have heard of women who put up rather a tidy battle with + their claws. Sounds primitive, doesn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “It sounds true,” said Donald reflectively. “I see, young lady, where one + is going to have to measure his words and think before he talks to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Pretty thought!” said Linda lightly. “We'll have a great time if you must + stop to consider every word before you say it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, anyway,” said Donald, “when are we going to have that fight which + was the purpose of our coming together?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, we're not ever going to have it,” answered Linda. “I have got + nothing in this world to fight with you about since you're doing your + level best to beat Oka Sayye. I have watched your head above the remainder + of your class for three years and wanted to fight with you on that point.” + </p> + <p> + “Now that's a queer thing,” said Donald, “because I have watched you for + three years and wanted to fight with you about your drygoods, and now + since I've known you only such a short while, I don't care two whoops what + you wear. It's a matter of perfect indifference to me. You can wear French + heels or baby pumps, or go barefoot. You would still be you.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it a truce?” asked Linda. + </p> + <p> + “No, ma'am,” said Donald, “it's not a truce. That implies war and we + haven't fought. It's not armed neutrality; it's not even watchful waiting. + It's my friend, Linda Strong. Me for her and her for me, if you say so.” + </p> + <p> + He reached out his hand. Linda laid hers in it, and looking into his eyes, + she said: “That is a compact. We'll test this friendship business and see + what there is to it. Now come on; let's run for the canyon.” + </p> + <p> + It was only a short time until the Bear Cat followed its trail of the + previous Saturday, and, rushing across the stream, stopped at its former + resting place, while Linda and Donald sat looking at the sheer-walled + little room before them. + </p> + <p> + “I can see,” said Linda, “a stronger tinge in the green. There are more + flowers in the carpet. There is more melody in the birds' song. We are + going to have a better time than we had last Saturday. First let's fix up + our old furnace, because we must have a fire today.” + </p> + <p> + So they left the car, and under Linda's direction they reconstructed the + old fireplace at which the girl and her father had cooked when botanizing + in Multiflores. In a corner secluded from wind, using the wall of the + canyon for a back wall, big boulders the right distance apart on each + side, and small stones for chinking, Linda superintended the rebuilding of + the fireplace. + </p> + <p> + She unpacked the lunch box, set the table, and when she had everything in + readiness she covered the table, and taking a package, she carried it on a + couple of aluminium pie pans to where her fire was burning crisply. With a + small field axe she chopped a couple of small green branches, pointed them + to her liking, and peeled them. Then she made a poker from one of the + saplings they had used to move the rocks, and beat down her fire until she + had a bright bed of deep coals. When these were arranged exactly to her + satisfaction, she pulled some sprays of deer weed bloom from her bundle + and, going down to the creek, made a lather and carefully washed her + hands, tucking the towel she used in drying them through her belt. Then + she came back to the fire and, sitting down beside it, opened the package + and began her operations. On the long, slender sticks she strung a piece + of tenderloin beef, about three inches in circumference and one fourth of + an inch in thickness, then half a slice of bacon, and then a slice of + onion. This she repeated until her skewer would bear no more weight. Then + she laid it across the rocks walling her fire, occasionally turning it + while she filled the second skewer. Then she brought from the car the + bucket of pulp she had taken from the barrel cactus, transferred it to a + piece of cheesecloth and deftly extracted the juice. To this she added the + contents of a thermos bottle containing a pint of sugar that had been + brought to the boiling point with a pint of water and poured over some + chopped spearmint to which had been added the juice of half a dozen lemons + and three or four oranges. From a small, metal-lined compartment, Linda + took a chunk of ice and dropped it into this mixture. + </p> + <p> + She was sitting on the ground, one foot doubled under her, the other + extended. She had taken off her hat; the wind and the bushes had roughened + her hair. Exercise had brought deep red to her cheeks and her lips. + Happiness had brought a mellow glow to her dark eyes. She had turned back + her sleeves, and her slender hands were fascinatingly graceful in their + deft handling of everything she touched. They were a second edition of the + hands with which Alexander Strong had felt out defective nerve systems and + made delicate muscular adjustments. She was wholly absorbed in what she + was doing. Sitting on the blanket across from her Donald Whiting was + wholly absorbed in her and he was thinking. He was planning how he could + please her, how he could earn her friendship. He was admitting to himself + that he had very little, if anything, to show for hours of time that he + had spent in dancing, at card games, beach picnics, and races. All these + things had been amusing. But he had nothing to show for the time he had + spent or the money he had wasted. Nothing had happened that in any way + equipped him for his battle with Oka Sayye. Conversely, this girl, whom he + had resented, whom he had criticized, who had claimed his notice only by + her radical difference from the other girls, had managed, during the few + minutes he had first talked with her in the hall, to wound his pride, to + spur his ambition, to start him on a course that must end in lasting and + material benefit to him even if he failed in making a higher record of + scholarship than Oka Sayye. It was very certain that the exercise he was + giving his brain must be beneficial. He had learned many things that were + intensely interesting to him and he had not even touched the surface of + what he could see that she had been taught by her father or had learned + through experience and personal investigation. She had been coming to the + mountains and the canyons alone, for four years doing by herself what she + would have done under her father's supervision had he lived. That argued + for steadfastness and strength of character. She would not utter one word + of flattery. She would say nothing she did not mean. Watching her + intently, Donald Whiting thought of all these things. He thought of what + she had said about fighting for him, and he wondered if it really was true + that any girl he knew would fight for him. He hardly believed it when he + remembered some of his friends, so entirely devoted to personal adornment + and personal gratification. But Linda had said that all women were alike + in their hearts. She knew about other things. She must know about this. + Maybe all women would fight for their young or for their men, but he knew + of no other girl who could drive a Bear Cat with the precision and skill + with which Linda drove. He knew no other girl who was master of the + secrets of the desert and the canyons and the mountains. Certainly he knew + no other girl who would tug at great boulders and build a fireplace and + risk burning her fingers and scorching her face to prepare a meal for him. + So he watched Linda and so he thought. + </p> + <p> + At first he thought she was the finest pal a boy ever had, and then he + thought how he meant to work to earn and keep her friendship; and then, as + the fire reddened Linda's cheeks and she made running comments while she + deftly turned her skewers of brigand beefsteak, food that half the Boy + Scouts in the country had been eating for four years, there came an idea + with which he dallied until it grew into a luring vision. + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” he asked suddenly, “do you know that one of these days you're + going to be a beautiful woman?” + </p> + <p> + Linda turned her skewers with intense absorption. At first he almost + thought she had not heard him, but at last she said quietly: “Do you + really think that is possible, Donald?” + </p> + <p> + “You're lovely right now!” answered the boy promptly. + </p> + <p> + “For goodness' sake, have an eye single to your record for truth and + veracity,” said Linda. “Doesn't this begin to smell zippy?” + </p> + <p> + “It certainly does,” said Donald. “It's making me ravenous. But honest, + Linda, you are a pretty girl.” + </p> + <p> + “Honest, your foot!” said Linda scornfully. “I am not a pretty girl. I am + lean and bony and I've got a beak where I should have a nose. Speaking of + pretty girls, my sister, Eileen, is a pretty girl. She is a downright + beautiful girl.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Donald, “she is, but she can't hold a candle to you. How did + she look when she was your age?” + </p> + <p> + “I can't remember Eileen,” said Linda, “when she was not exquisitely + dressed and thinking more about taking care of her shoes than anything + else in the world. I can't remember her when she was not curled, and even + when she was a tiny thing Mother put a dust of powder on her nose. She + said her skin was so delicate that it could not bear the sun. She never + could run or play or motor much or do anything, because she has always had + to be saved for the sole purpose of being exquisitely beautiful. Talk + about lilies of the field, that's what Eileen is! She is an improvement on + the original lily of the field—she's a lily of the drawing room. Me, + now, I'm more of a Joshua tree.” + </p> + <p> + Donald Whiting laughed, as Linda intended that he should. + </p> + <p> + A minute afterward she slid the savory food from a skewer upon one of the + pie pans, tossed back the cover from the little table, stacked some + bread-and-butter sandwiches beside the meat and handed the pan to Donald. + </p> + <p> + “Fall to,” she said, “and prove that you're a man with an appreciative + tummy. Father used to be positively ravenous for this stuff. I like it + myself.” + </p> + <p> + She slid the food from the second skewer to a pan for herself, settled the + fire to her satisfaction and they began their meal. Presently she filled a + cup from the bucket beside her and handed it to Donald. At the same time + she lifted another for herself. + </p> + <p> + “Here's to the barrel cactus,” she said. “May the desert grow enough of + them so that we'll never lack one when we want to have a Saturday picnic.” + </p> + <p> + Laughingly they drank this toast; and the skewers were filled a second + time. When they could eat no more they packed away the lunch things, + buried the fire, took the axe and the field glasses, and started on a trip + of exploration down the canyon. Together they admired delicate and + exquisite ferns growing around great gray boulders. Donald tasted hunters' + rock leek, and learned that any he found while on a hunting expedition + would furnish a splendid substitute for water. Linda told him of rare + flowers she lacked and what they were like and how he would be able to + identify what she wanted in case he should ever find any when he was out + hunting or with his other friends. They peeped into the nesting places of + canyon wrens and doves and finches, and listened to the exquisite courting + songs of the birds whose hearts were almost bursting with the exuberance + of spring and the joy of home making. When they were tired out they went + back to the dining room and after resting a time, they made a supper from + the remnants of their dinner. When they were seated in the car and Linda's + hand was on the steering wheel, Donald reached across and covered it with + his own. + </p> + <p> + “Wait a bit,” he said. “Before we leave here I want to ask you a question + and I want you to make me a promise.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” said Linda. “What's your question?” + </p> + <p> + “What is there,” said Donald, “that I can do that would give you such + pleasure as you have given me?” + </p> + <p> + Linda could jest on occasions, but by nature she was a serious person. She + looked at Donald reflectively. + </p> + <p> + “Why, I think,” she said at last, “that having a friend, having someone + who understands and who cares for the things I do, and who likes to go to + the same places and to do the same things, is the biggest thing that has + happened to me since I lost my father. I don't see that you are in any way + in my debt, Donald.” + </p> + <p> + “All right then,” said the boy, “that brings me to the promise I want you + to make me. May we always have our Saturdays together like this?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure!” said Linda, “I would be mightily pleased. I'll have to work later + at night and scheme, maybe. By good rights Saturday belongs to me anyway + because I am born Saturday's child.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, hurrah for Saturday! It always was a grand old day,” said Donald, + “and since I see what it can do in turning out a girl like you, I've got a + better opinion of it than ever. We'll call that settled. I'll always ask + you on Friday at what hour to come, and hereafter Saturday is ours.” + </p> + <p> + “Ours it is,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + Then she put the Bear Cat through the creek and on the road and, driving + swiftly as she dared, ran to Lilac Valley and up to Peter Morrison's + location. + </p> + <p> + She was amazed at the amount of work that had been accomplished. The + garage was finished. Peter's temporary work desk and his cot were in it. A + number of his personal belongings were there. The site for his house had + been selected and the cellar was being excavated. + </p> + <p> + Linda descended from the Bear Cat and led Donald before Peter. + </p> + <p> + “Since you're both my friends,” she said, “I want you to know each other. + This is Donald Whiting, the Senior I told you about, Mr. Morrison. You + know you said you would help him if you could.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” said Peter. “I am very glad to know any friend of yours, Miss + Linda. Come over to my workroom and let's hear about this.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, go and talk it over between yourselves,” said Linda. “I am going up + here to have a private conversation with the spring. I want it to tell me + confidentially exactly the course it would enjoy running so that when your + house is finished and I come to lay out your grounds I will know exactly + how it feels about making a change.” + </p> + <p> + “Fine!” said Peter. “Take your time and become extremely confidential, + because the more I look at the location and the more I hear the gay + chuckling song that that water sings, the more I am in love with your plan + to run it across the lawn and bring it around the boulder.” + </p> + <p> + “It would be a downright sin not to have that water in a convenient place + for your children to play in, Peter,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Then that's all settled,” said Peter. “Now, Whiting, come this way and + we'll see whether I can suggest anything that will help you with your + problem.” + </p> + <p> + “Whistle when you are ready, Donald,” called Linda as she turned away. + </p> + <p> + Peter Morrison glanced after her a second, and then he led Donald Whiting + to a nail keg in the garage and impaled that youngster on the mental point + of a mental pin and studied him as carefully as any scientist ever studied + a rare specimen. When finally he let him go, his mental comment was: “He's + a mighty fine kid. Linda is perfectly safe with him.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. Linda's Hearthstone + </h2> + <p> + Early the following week Linda came from school one evening to find a load + of sand and a heap of curiously marked stones beside the back door. + </p> + <p> + “Can it possibly be, Katy,” she asked, “that those men are planning to + begin work on my room so soon? I am scared out of almost seven of my five + senses. I had no idea they would be ready to begin work until after I had + my settlement with Eileen or was paid for the books.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't ye be worried,” said Katy. “There's more in me stocking than me + leg, and you're as welcome to it as the desert is welcome to rain, an' + nadin' it 'most as bad.” + </p> + <p> + “Anyway,” said Linda, “it will surely take them long enough so that I can + pay by the time they finish.” + </p> + <p> + But Linda was not figuring that back of the projected improvements stood + two men, each of whom had an extremely personal reason for greatly + desiring to please her. Peter Morrison had secured a slab of sandstone. He + had located a marble cutter to whom he meant to carry it, and was spending + much thought that he might have been using on an article in trying to hit + upon exactly the right line or phrase to build in above Linda's fire—something + that would convey to her in a few words a sense of friendship and beauty. + </p> + <p> + While Peter gazed at the unresponsive gray sandstone and wrote line after + line which he immediately destroyed, Henry Anderson explored the mountain + and came in, red faced and perspiring, from miles of climbing with a + bright stone in each hand, or took the car to bring in small heaps too + heavy to carry that he had collected near the roads. They were two men + striving for the favor of the same girl. How Linda would have been amused + had she understood the situation, or how Eileen would have been provoked, + neither of the men knew nor did they care. + </p> + <p> + The workmen came after Linda left and went before her return. Having been + cautioned to silence, Katy had not told her when work actually began; and + so it happened that, going to her room one evening, she unlocked the door + and stepped inside to face the completed fireplace. The firebox was not + very large but ample. The hearthstone was a big sheet of smooth gray + sandstone. The sides and top were Henry's collection of brilliant + boulders, carefully and artistically laid in blue mortar, and over the + firebox was set Peter's slab of gray sandstone. On it were four deeply + carved lines. The quaint Old English lettering was filled even to the + surface with a red mortar, while the capitals were done in dull blue. The + girl slowly read: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +Voiceless stones, with Flame-tongues Preach +Sermons struck from Nature's Lyre; +Notes of Love and Trust and Hope +Hourly sing in Linda's Fire. +</pre> + <p> + In the firebox stood a squat pair of black andirons, showing age and + usage. A rough eucalyptus log waited across them while the shavings from + the placing of the mantel and the cutting of the windows were tucked + beneath it. Linda stood absorbed a minute. She looked at the skylight, + flooding the room with the light she so needed coming from the right + angle. She went over to the new window that gave her a view of the length + of the valley she loved and a most essential draft. When she turned back + to the fireplace her hands were trembling. + </p> + <p> + “Now isn't that too lovely of them?” she said softly. “Isn't that + altogether wonderful? How I wish Daddy were here to sit beside my fire and + share with me the work I hope to do here.” + </p> + <p> + In order to come as close to him as possible she did the next best thing. + She sat down at her table and wrote a long letter to Marian, telling her + everything she could think of that would interest her. Then she re-read + with extreme care the letter she had found at the Post Office that day in + reply to the one she had written Marian purporting to come from an + admirer. Writing slowly and thinking deeply, she answered it. She tried to + imagine that she was Peter Morrison and she tried to say the things in + that letter that she thought Peter would say in the circumstances, because + she felt sure that Marian would be entertained by such things as Peter + would say. When she finished, she read it over carefully, and then copied + it with equal care on the typewriter, which she had removed to her + workroom. + </p> + <p> + When she heard Katy's footstep outside her door, she opened it and drew + her in, slipping the bolt behind her. She led her to the fireplace and + recited the lines. + </p> + <p> + “Now ain't they jist the finest gentlemen?” said Katy. “Cut right off of a + piece of the same cloth as your father. Now some way we must get together + enough money to get ye a good-sized rug for under your worktable, and then + ye've got to have two bits of small ones, one for your hearthstone and one + for your aisel; and then ye're ready, colleen, to show what ye can do. I'm + so proud of ye when I think of the grand secret it's keepin' for ye I am; + and less and less are gettin' me chances for the salvation of me soul, for + every night I'm a-sittin' starin' at the magazines ye gave me when I ought + to be tellin' me beads and makin' me devotions. Ain't it about time the + third was comin' in?” + </p> + <p> + “Any day now,” said Linda in a whisper. “And, Katy, you'll be careful? + That editor must think that 'Jane Meredith' is full of years and ripe + experience. I probably wouldn't get ten cents, no not even a for-nothing + chance, if he knew those articles were written by a Junior.” + </p> + <p> + “Junior nothing!” scoffed Katy. “There was not a day of his life that your + pa did not spend hours drillin' ye in things the rest of the girls in your + school never heard of. 'Tain't no high-school girl that's written them + articles. It's Alexander Strong speakin' through the medium of his own + flesh and blood.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, so it is, Katy!” cried Linda delightedly. “You know, I never thought + of that. I have been so egoistical I thought I was doing them myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Paid ye anything yet?” queried Katy. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda, “they haven't. It seems that the amount of interest the + articles evoke is going to decide what I am to be paid for them, but they + certainly couldn't take the recipe and the comments and the sketch for + less than twenty-five or thirty dollars, unless recipes are like poetry. + Peter said the other day that if a poet did not have some other profession + to support him, he would starve to death on all he was paid for writing + the most beautiful things that ever are written in all this world. Peter + says even an effort to write a poem is a beautiful thing.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, maybe that used to be the truth,” said Katy as she started toward + the door, “but I have been reading some things labeled 'poetry' in the + magazines of late, and if the holy father knows what they mean, he's even + bigger than ever I took him to be.” + </p> + <p> + “Katy,” said Linda, “we are dreadful back numbers. We are letting this + world progress and roll right on past us without a struggle. We haven't + either one been to a psychoanalyst to find out the color of our auras.” + </p> + <p> + “Now God forbid,” said Katy. “I ain't going to have one of them things + around me. The colors I'm wearin' satisfy me entoirely.” + </p> + <p> + “And mine are going to satisfy me very shortly, now,” laughed Linda, + “because tomorrow is my big day with Eileen. Next time we have a minute + together, old dear, I'll have started my bank account.” + </p> + <p> + “Right ye are,” said Katy, “jist exactly right. You're getting such a + great girl it's the proper thing ye should be suitably dressed, and don't + ye be too modest.” + </p> + <p> + “The unfortunate thing about that, Katy, is that l intimated the other day + that I would be content with less than half, since she is older and she + should have her chance first.” + </p> + <p> + “Now ain't that jist like ye?” said Katy. “I might have known ye would be + doing that very thing.” + </p> + <p> + “After I have gone over the accounts,” said Linda, “I'll know better what + to demand. Now fly to your cooking, Katy, and let me sit down at this + table and see if I can dig out a few dollars of honest coin; but I'm going + to have hard work to keep my eyes on the paper with that fireplace before + me. Isn't that red and blue lettering the prettiest thing, Katy, and do + you notice that tiny 'P. M.' cut down in the lower left-hand corner nearly + out of sight? That, Katy, stands for 'Peter Morrison,' and one of these + days Peter is going to be a large figure on the landscape. The next Post + he has an article in I'll buy for you.” + </p> + <p> + “It never does,” said Katy, “to be makin' up your mind in this world so + hard and fast that ye can't change it. In the days before John Gilman got + bewitched out of his senses I did think, barrin' your father, that he was + the finest man the Lord ever made; but I ain't thought so much of him of + late as I did before.” + </p> + <p> + “Same holds good for me,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “I've studied this Peter,” continued Katy, “like your pa used to study + things under his microscope. He's the most come-at-able man. He's got such + a kind of a questionin' look on his face, and there's a bit of a stoop to + his shoulders like they had been whittled out for carryin' a load, and + there's a kind of a whimsy quiverin' around his lips that makes me heart + stand still every time he speaks to me, because I can't be certain whether + he is going to make me laugh or going to make me cry, and when what he's + sayin' does come with that little slow drawl, I can't be just sure whether + he's meanin' it or whether he's jist pokin' fun at me. He said the quarest + thing to me the other day when he was here fiddlin' over the makin' of + this fireplace. He was standin' out beside your desert garden and I come + aven with him and I says to him: 'Them's the rare plants Miss Linda and + her pa have been goin' to the deserts and the canyons, as long as he + lived, to fetch in; and then Miss Linda went alone, and now the son of + Judge Whiting, the biggest lawyer in Los Angeles, has begun goin' with + her. Ain't it the brightest, prettiest place?' I says to him. And he stood + there lookin', and he says to me: 'No, Katy, that is a graveyard.' Now + what in the name of raison was the man meanin' by that?” + </p> + <p> + Linda stared at the hearth motto reflectively. + </p> + <p> + “A graveyard!” she repeated. “Well, if anything could come farther from a + graveyard than that spot, I don't know how it would do it. I haven't the + remotest notion what he meant. Why didn't you ask him?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, the truth is,” said Katy, “that I proide myself on being able to + kape me mouth shut when I should.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll leave to think over it,” said Linda. “At present I have no more idea + than you in what respect my desert garden could resemble a graveyard. Oh! + yes, there's one thing I wanted to ask you, Katy. Has Eileen been around + while this room was being altered?” + </p> + <p> + “She came in yesterday,” answered Katy, “when the hammerin' and sawin' was + goin' full blast.” + </p> + <p> + “What I wanted to find out'” said Linda, “was whether she had been here + and seen this room or not, because if she hasn't and she wants to see it, + now is her time. After I get things going here and these walls are covered + with drying sketches this room is going to be strictly private. You see + that you keep your key where nobody gets hold of it.” + </p> + <p> + “It's on a string round me neck this blessed minute,” said Katy. “I didn't + see her come up here, but ye could be safe in bettin' anything ye've got + that she came.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I imagine she did,” said Linda. “She would be sufficiently curious + that she would come to learn how much I have spent if she had no other + interest in me.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at the fireplace reflectively. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” she said, “what Eileen thought of that and I wonder if she + noticed that little 'P. M.' tucked away down there in the corner.” + </p> + <p> + “Sure she did,” said Katy. “She has got eyes like a cat. She can see more + things in a shorter time than anybody I ever knew.” So that evening at + dinner Linda told Eileen that the improvements she had made for her + convenience in the billiard room were finished, and asked her if she would + like to see them. + </p> + <p> + “I can't imagine what you want to stick yourself off up there alone for,” + said Eileen. “I don't believe I am sufficiently interested in garret + skylights and windows to climb up to look at them. What everybody in the + neighborhood can see is that you have absolutely ruined the looks of the + back part of the house.” + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious!” said Linda. “Have I? You know I never thought of that.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course! But all you've got to do is go on the cast lawn and take a + look at that side and the back end of the house to see what you have + done,” said Eileen. “Undoubtedly you've cut the selling price of the house + one thousand, at least. But it's exactly like you not to have thought of + what chopping up the roof and the end of the house as you have done, would + make it look like. You have got one of those single-track minds, Linda, + that can think of only one thing at a time, and you never do think, when + you start anything, of what the end is going to be.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely there's a large amount of truth in that,” said Linda soberly. + “Perhaps I do get an idea and pursue it to the exclusion of everything + else. It's an inheritance from Daddy, this concentrating with all my might + on one thing at a time. But I am very sorry if I have disfigured the + house.” + </p> + <p> + “What I want to know,” said Eileen, “is how in this world, at present + wages and cost of material, you're expecting to pay men for the work you + have had done.” + </p> + <p> + “I can talk more understandingly about that,” said Linda quietly, “day + after tomorrow. I'll get home from school tomorrow as early as I can, and + then we'll figure out our financial situation exactly.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen made no reply. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. Producing the Evidence + </h2> + <p> + When Linda hurried home the next evening, her first word to Katy was to + ask if Eileen were there. + </p> + <p> + “No, she isn't here,” said Katy, “and she's not going to be.” + </p> + <p> + “Not going to be!” cried Linda, her face paling perceptibly. + </p> + <p> + “She went downtown this morning and she telephoned me about three sayin' + she had an invoitation to go with a motor party to Pasadena this + afternoon, an' she wasn't knowin' whether she could get home the night or + not.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't like it,” said Linda. “I don't like it at all.” + </p> + <p> + She liked it still less when Eileen came home for a change of clothing the + following day, and again went to spend the night with a friend, without + leaving any word whatever. + </p> + <p> + “I don't understand this,” said Linda, white lipped and tense. “She does + not want to see me. She does not intend to talk business with me if she + can possibly help it. She is treating me as if I were a four-year-old + instead of a woman with as much brain as she has. If she appears while I + am gone tomorrow and starts away again, you tell her Come to think of it, + you needn't tell her anything; I'll give you a note for her.” + </p> + <p> + So Linda sat down and wrote: + </p> + <p> + DEAR EILEEN: + </p> + <p> + It won't be necessary to remind you of our agreement night before last to + settle on an allowance from Father's estate for me. Of course I realize + that you are purposely avoiding seeing me, for what reason I can't + imagine; but I give you warning, that if you have been in this house and + have read this note, and are not here with your figures ready to meet me + when I get home tomorrow night, I'll take matters into my own hands, and + do exactly what I think best without the slightest reference to what you + think about it. If you don't want something done that you will dislike, + even more than you dislike seeing me, you had better heed this warning. + </p> + <p> + LINDA. + </p> + <p> + She read it over slowly: “My, that sounds melodramatic!” she commented. + “It's even got a threat in it, and it's a funny thing to threaten my own + sister. I don't think that it's a situation that occurs very frequently, + but for that matter I sincerely hope that Eileen isn't the kind of sister + that occurs frequently.” + </p> + <p> + Linda went up to her room and tried to settle herself to work, but found + that it was impossible to fix her attention on what she was doing. Her + mind jumped from one thing to another in a way that totally prohibited + effective work of any kind. A sudden resolve came into her heart. She + would not wait any longer. She would know for herself just how she was + situated financially. She wrote a note to the editor of Everybody's Home, + asking him if it would be convenient to let her know what reception her + work was having with his subscribers, whether he desired her to continue + the department in his magazines, and if so, what was the best offer he + could make her for the recipes, the natural history comments accompanying + them, and the sketches. Then she went down to the telephone book and + looked up the location of the Consolidated Bank. She decided that she + would stop there on her way from school the next day and ask to be shown + the Strong accounts. + </p> + <p> + While she was meditating these heroic measures the bell rang and Katy + admitted John Gilman. Strangely enough, he was asking for Linda, not for + Eileen. At the first glimpse of him Linda knew that something was wrong; + so without any prelude she said abruptly: “What's the matter, John? Don't + you know where I Eileen is either?” + </p> + <p> + “Approximately,” he answered. “She has 'phoned me two or three times, but + I haven't seen her for three days. Do you know where she is or exactly why + she is keeping away from home as she is?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Linda, “I do. I told you the other day the time had come when + I was going to demand a settlement of Father's estate and a fixed income. + That time came three days ago and I have not seen Eileen since.” + </p> + <p> + They entered the living room. As Linda passed the table, propped against a + candlestick on it, she noticed a note addressed to herself. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, here will be an explanation,” she said. “Here is a note for me. Sit + down a minute till I read it.” + </p> + <p> + She seated herself on the arm of a chair, tore open the note, and + instantly began reading aloud. + </p> + <p> + “Dear little sister—” + </p> + <p> + “Pathetic,” interpolated Linda, “in consideration of the fact that I am + about twice as big as she is. However, we'll let that go, and focus on the + enclosure.” She waved a slender slip of paper at Gilman. “I never was + possessed of an article like this before in all my tender young life, but + it seems to me that it's a cheque, and I can't tell you quite how deeply + it amuses me. But to return to business, at the present instant I am: + </p> + <p> + DEAR LITTLE SISTER: + </p> + <p> + It seems that all the friends I have are particularly insistent on seeing + me all at once and all in a rush. I don't think I ever had quite so many + invitations at one time in my life before, and the next two or three days + seem to be going to be equally as full. But I took time to run into the + bank and go over things carefully. I find that after the payment of taxes + and insurance and all the household expenses, that by wearing old clothes + I have and making them over I can afford to turn over at least + seventy-five dollars a month to you for your clothing and personal + expenses. As I don't know exactly when I can get home, I am enclosing a + cheque which is considerably larger than I had supposed I could make it, + and I can only do this by skimping myself; but of course you are getting + such a big girl and beginning to attract attention, so it is only right + that you should have the very best that I can afford to do for you. I am + not taking the bill from The Mode into consideration. I paid that with + last month's expenses. + </p> + <p> + With love, + </p> + <p> + EILEEN. + </p> + <p> + Linda held the letter in one hand, the cheque in the other, and stared + questioningly at John Gilman. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think of that?” she inquired tersely. + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me,” said Gilman, “that a more pertinent question would be, + what do you think of it?” + </p> + <p> + “Rot!” said Linda tersely. “If I were a stenographer in your office I + would think that I was making a fairly good start; but I happen to be the + daughter of Alexander Strong living in my own home with my only sister, + who can afford to flit like the flittingest of social butterflies from one + party to another as well dressed as, and better dressed than, the Great + General Average. You have known us, John, ever since Eileen sat in the sun + to dry her handmade curls, while I was leaving a piece of my dress on + every busk in Multiflores Canyon. Right here and now I am going to show + you something!” + </p> + <p> + Linda started upstairs, so John Gilman followed her. She went to the door + of Eileen's suite and opened it. + </p> + <p> + “Now then,” she said, “take a look at what Eileen feels she can afford for + herself. You will observe she has complete and exquisite furnishings and + all sorts of feminine accessories on her dressing table. You will observe + that she has fine rugs in her dressing room and bathroom. Let me call your + attention to the fact that all these drawers are filled with expensive + comforts and conveniences.” + </p> + <p> + Angrily Linda began to open drawers filled with fancy feminine apparel, + daintily and neatly folded, everything in perfect order: gloves, hose, + handkerchiefs, ribbons, laces, all in separate compartments She pointed to + the high chiffonier, the top decorated with candlesticks and silver-framed + pictures. Here the drawers revealed heaps of embroidered underclothing and + silken garments. Then she walked to the closet and threw the door wide. + </p> + <p> + She pushed hangers on their rods, sliding before the perplexed and + bewildered man dress after dress of lace and georgette, walking suits of + cloth, street dresses of silk, and pretty afternoon gowns, heavy coats, + light coats, a beautiful evening coat. Linda took this down and held it in + front of John Gilman. + </p> + <p> + “I see things marked in store windows,” she said. “Eileen paid not a penny + less than three hundred for this one coat. Look at the rows of shoes, and + pumps, and slippers, and what that box is or I don't know.” + </p> + <p> + Linda slid to the light a box screened by the hanging dresses, and with + the toe of her shoe lifted the lid, disclosing a complete smoking outfit—case + after case of cigarettes. Linda dropped the lid and shoved the box back. + She stood silent a second, then she looked at John Gilman. + </p> + <p> + “That is the way things go in this world,” she said quietly. “Whenever you + lose your temper, you always do something you didn't intend to do when you + started. I didn't know that, and I wouldn't have shown it to you purposely + if I had known it; but it doesn't alter the fact that you should know it. + If you did know it no harm's done but if you didn't know it, you shouldn't + be allowed to marry Eileen without knowing as much about her as you did + about Marian, and there was nothing about Marian that you didn't know. I + am sorry for that, but since I have started this I am going through with + it. Now give me just one minute more.” + </p> + <p> + Then she went down the hall, threw open the door to her room, and walking + in said: “You have seen Eileen's surroundings; now take a look at mine. + There's my bed; there's my dresser and toilet articles; and this is my + wardrobe.” + </p> + <p> + She opened the closet door and exhibited a pair of overalls in which she + watered her desert garden. Next ranged her khaki breeches and felt hat. + Then hung the old serge school dress, beside it the extra skirt and orange + blouse. The stack of underclothing on the shelves was pitifully small, + visibly dilapidated. Two or three outgrown gingham dresses hung forlornly + on the opposite wall. Linda stood tall and straight before John Gilman. + </p> + <p> + “What I have on and one other waist constitute my wardrobe,” she said, + “and I told Eileen where to get this dress and suggested it before I got + it.” + </p> + <p> + Gilman looked at her in a dazed fashion. + </p> + <p> + “I don't understand,” he said slowly. “If that isn't the dress I saw + Eileen send up for herself, I'm badly mistaken. It was the Saturday we + went to Riverside. It surely is the very dress.” + </p> + <p> + Linda laughed bleakly. + </p> + <p> + “That may be,” she said. “The one time she ever has any respect for me is + in a question of taste. She will agree that I know when colors are right + and a thing is artistic. Now then, John, you are the administrator of my + father's estate; you have seen what you have seen. What are you going to + do about it?” + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” he said quietly, “what my heart might prompt me to do in + consideration of the fact that I am engaged to marry Eileen, and what my + legal sense tells me I must do as executor of your father's wishes, are + different propositions. I am going to do exactly what you tell me to. What + you have shown me, and what I'd have realized, if I had stopped to think, + is neither right nor just.” + </p> + <p> + Then Linda took her tun at deep thought. + </p> + <p> + “John,” she said at last, “I am feeling depressed over what I have just + done. I am not sure that in losing my temper and bringing you up here I + have played the game fairly. You don't need to do anything. I'll manage my + affairs with Eileen myself. But I'll tell you before you go, that you + needn't practice any subterfuges. When she reaches the point where she is + ready to come home, I'll tell her that you were here, and what you have + seen. That is the best I can do toward squaring myself with my own + conscience.” + </p> + <p> + Slowly they walked down the hall together. At the head of the stairs Linda + took the cheque that she carried and tore it into bits. Stepping across + the hall, she let the little heap slowly flutter to the rug in front of + Eileen's door. Then she went back to her room and left John Gilman to his + own reflections. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. A Rock and a Flame + </h2> + <p> + The first time Linda entered the kitchen after her interview with Gilman, + Katy asked in deep concern, “Now what ye been doing, lambie?” + </p> + <p> + “Doing the baby act, Katy,” confessed Linda. “Disgracing myself. Losing my + temper. I wish I could bring myself to the place where I would think half + a dozen times before I do a thing once.” + </p> + <p> + “Now look here,” said Katy, beginning to bristle, “ain't it the truth that + ye have thought for four years before ye did this thing once?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so,” said Linda. “But since I am the daughter of the finest + gentleman I ever knew, I should not do hasty, regrettable things. On the + living-room table I found a note sweeter than honey, and it contained a + cheque for me that wouldn't pay Eileen's bills for lunches, candy, and + theaters for a month; so in undue heat I reduced it to bits and decorated + the rug before her door. But before that, Katy, I led my guardian into the + room, and showed him everything. I meant to tell him that, since he had + neglected me for four years, he could see that I had justice now, but when + I'd personally conducted him from Eileen's room to mine, and when I took a + good look at him there was something on his face, Katy, that I couldn't + endure. So I told him to leave it to me; that I would tell Eileen myself + what I had done, and so I will. But I am sorry I did it, Katy; I am + awfully sorry. You always told me to keep my temper and I lost it + completely. From now on I certainly will try to behave myself more like a + woman than a spoiled child. Now give me a dust cloth and brushes. I am + almost through with my job in the library and I want to finish, because I + shall be forced to use the money from the books to pay for my skylight and + fireplace.” + </p> + <p> + Linda went to the library and began work, efficiently, carefully, yet with + a precise rapidity habitual to her. Down the long line of heavy technical + books, she came to the end of the shelf. Three books from the end she + noticed a difference in the wall behind the shelf. Hastily removing the + other two volumes, she disclosed a small locked door having a scrap of + paper protruding from the edge which she pulled out and upon which she + read: + </p> + <p> + In the event of my passing, should anyone move these books and find this + door, these lines are to inform him that it is to remain untouched. The + key to it is in my safety-deposit vault at the Consolidated Bank. The Bank + will open the door and attend to the contents of the box at the proper + time. + </p> + <p> + Linda fixed the paper back exactly as she had found it. She stood looking + at the door a long time, then she carefully wiped it, the wall around it, + and the shelf. Going to another shelf, she picked out the books that had + been written by her father and, beginning at the end of the shelf, she + ranged them in a row until they completely covered the opening. Then she + finished filling the shelf with other books that she meant to keep, but + her brain was working, milling over and over the question of what that + little compartment contained and when it was to be opened and whether John + Gilman knew about it, and whether the Consolidated Bank would remember the + day specified, and whether it would mean anything important to her. + </p> + <p> + She carried the dusters back to Katy, and going to her room, concentrated + resolutely upon her work; but she Was unable to do anything constructive. + Her routine lessons she could prepare, but she could not even sketch a + wild rose accurately. Finally she laid down her pencil, washed her + brushes, put away her material, and locking her door, slipped the key into + her pocket. Going down to the garage she climbed into the Bear Cat and + headed straight for Peter Morrison. She drove into his location and blew + the horn. Peter stepped from the garage, and seeing her, started in her + direction. Linda sprang down and hurried toward him. He looked at her + intently as she approached and formed his own conclusions. + </p> + <p> + “Sort of restless,” said Linda. “Couldn't evolve a single new idea with + which to enliven the gay annals of English literature and Greek history. A + personal history seems infinitely more insistent and unusual. I ran away + from my lessons, and my work, and came to you, Peter, because I had a + feeling that there was something you could give me, and I thought you + would.” + </p> + <p> + Peter smiled a slow curious smile. + </p> + <p> + “I like your line of thought, Linda,” he said quietly. “It greatly appeals + to me. Any time an ancient and patriarchal literary man named Peter + Morrison can serve as a rock upon which a young thing can rest, why he'll + be glad to be that rock.” + </p> + <p> + “What were you doing?” asked Linda abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “Come and see,” said Peter. + </p> + <p> + He led the way to the garage. His worktable and the cement floor around it + were littered with sheets of closely typed paper. + </p> + <p> + “I'll have to assemble them first,” said Peter, getting down on his knees + and beginning to pick them up. + </p> + <p> + Linda sat on a packing case and watched him. Already she felt comforted. + Of course Peter was a rock, of course anyone could trust him, and of + course if the tempest of life beat upon her too strongly she could always + fly to Peter. + </p> + <p> + “May I?” she inquired, stretching her hand in the direction of a sheet. + </p> + <p> + “Sure,” said Peter. + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” inquired Linda lightly. “The bridge or the road or the + playroom?” + </p> + <p> + “Gad!” he said slowly. “Don't talk about me being a rock! Rocks are + stolid, stodgy unresponsive things. I thought I was struggling with one of + the biggest political problems of the day from an economic and + psychological standpoint. If I'd had sense enough to realize that it was a + bridge I was building, I might have done the thing with some imagination + and subtlety. If you want a rock and you say I am a rock, a rock I'll be, + Linda. But I know what you are, and what you will be to me when we really + become the kind of friends we are destined to be.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder now,” said Linda, “if you are going to say that I could be any + such lovely thing on the landscape as a bridge.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Peter slowly, “nothing so prosaic. Bridges are common in this + world. You are going to be something uncommon. History records the + experiences of but one man who has seen a flame in the open. I am a second + Moses and you are going to be my burning bush. I intended to read this + article to you.” + </p> + <p> + Peter massed the sheets, straightened them on the desk, and deliberately + ripped them across several times. Linda sprang to her feet and stretched + out her hands. + </p> + <p> + “Why, Peter!” she cried in a shocked voice. “That is perfectly + inexcusable. There are hours and hours of work on that, and I have not a + doubt but that it was good work.” + </p> + <p> + “Simple case of mechanism,” said Peter, reducing the bits to smaller size + and dropping them into the empty nail keg that served as his wastebasket. + “A lifeless thing without a soul, mere clockwork. I have got the idea now. + I am to build a bridge and make a road. Every way I look I can see a + golden-flame tongue of inspiration burning. I'll rewrite that thing and + animate it. Take me for a ride, Linda.” + </p> + <p> + Linda rose and walked to the Bear Cat. Peter climbed in and sat beside + her. Linda laid her hands on the steering wheel and started the car. She + ran it down to the highway and chose a level road leading straight down + the valley through cultivated country. In all the world there was nothing + to equal the panorama that she spread before Peter that evening. She drove + the Bear Cat past orchards, hundreds of acres of orchards of waxen green + leaves and waxen white bloom of orange, grapefruit, and lemon. She took + him where seas of pink outlined peach orchards, and other seas the more + delicate tint of the apricots. She glided down avenues lined with palm and + eucalyptus, pepper and olive, and through unbroken rows, extending for + miles, of roses, long stretches of white, again a stretch of pink, then + salmon, yellow, and red. Nowhere in all the world are there to be found so + many acres of orchard bloom and so many miles of tree-lined, + rose-decorated roadway as in southern California. She sent the little car + through the evening until she felt that it was time to go home, and when + at last she stopped where they had started, she realized that neither she + nor Peter had spoken one word. As he stepped from the car she leaned + toward him and reached out her hand. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you for the fireplace, Peter,” she said. + </p> + <p> + Peter took the hand she extended and held it one minute in both his own. + Then very gently he straightened it out in the palm of one of his hands + and with the other hand turned back the fingers and laid his lips to the + heart of it. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Linda, for the flame,” he said, and turning abruptly, he went + toward his workroom. + </p> + <p> + Stopping for a bite to eat in the kitchen, Linda went back to her room. + She sat down at the table and picking up her pencil, began to work, and + found that she could work. Every stroke came true and strong. Every idea + seemed original and unusual. Quite as late as a light ever had shone in + her window, it shone that night, the last thing she did being to write + another anonymous letter to Marian, and when she reread it Linda realized + that it was an appealing letter. She thought it certainly would comfort + Marian and surely would make her feel that someone worth while was + interested in her and in her work. She loved some of the whimsical little + touches she had put into it, and she wondered if she had made it so much + like Peter Morrison that it would be suggestive of him to Marian. She knew + that she had no right to do that and had no such intention. She merely + wanted a model to copy from and Peter seemed the most appealing model at + hand. + </p> + <p> + After school the next day Linda reported that she had finished going + through the books and was ready to have them taken. Then, after a few + minutes of deep thought, she made her way to the Consolidated Bank. At the + window of the paying teller she explained that she wished to see the + person connected with the bank who had charge of the safety-deposit boxes + and who looked after the accounts pertaining to the estate of Alexander + Strong. The teller recognized the name. He immediately became deferential. + </p> + <p> + “I'll take you to the office of the president,” he said. “He and Doctor + Strong were very warm friends. You can explain to him what it is you want + to know.” + </p> + <p> + Before she realized what was happening, Linda found herself in an office + that was all mahogany and marble. At a huge desk stacked with papers sat a + man, considerably older than her father. Linda remembered to have seen him + frequently in their home, in her father's car, and she recalled one + fishing expedition to the Tulare Lake region where he had been a member of + her father's party. + </p> + <p> + “Of course you have forgotten me, Mr. Worthington,” she said as she + approached his desk. “I have grown such a tall person during the past four + years.” + </p> + <p> + The white-haired financier rose and stretched out his hand. + </p> + <p> + “You exact replica of Alexander Strong,” he said laughingly, “I couldn't + forget you any more than I could forget your father. That fine fishing + trip where you proved such a grand little scout is bright in my memory as + one of my happiest vacations. Sit down and tell me what I can do for you.” + </p> + <p> + Linda sat down and told him that she was dissatisfied with the manner in + which her father's estate was being administered. + </p> + <p> + He listened very carefully to all she had to say, then he pressed a button + and gave a few words of instruction to the clerk who answered it. When + several ledgers and account books were laid before him, with practiced + hand he turned to what he wanted. The records were not complicated. They + covered a period of four years. They showed exactly what monies had been + paid into the bank for the estate. They showed what royalties had been + paid on the books. Linda sat beside him and watched his pencil running up + and down columns, setting down a list of items, and making everything + plain. Paid cheques for household expenses I and drygoods bills were all + recorded and deducted. With narrow, alert eyes, Linda was watching, and + her brain was keenly alive. As she realized the discrepancy between the + annual revenue from the estate and the totaling of the expenses, she had + an inspiration. Something she never before had thought of occurred to her. + She looked the banker in the eye and said very quietly: “And now, since + she is my sister and I am going to be of age very shortly and these things + must all be gone into and opened up, would it be out of place for me to + ask you this afternoon to let me have a glimpse at the private account of + Miss Eileen Strong?” + </p> + <p> + The banker drew a deep breath and looked at Linda keenly. + </p> + <p> + “That would not be customary,” he said slowly. + </p> + <p> + “No?” said Linda. “But since Father and Mother went out at the same time + and there was no will and the property would be legally divided equally + between us upon my coming of age, would my sister be entitled to a private + account?” + </p> + <p> + “Had she any sources of obtaining money outside the estate?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda. “At least none that I know of. Mother had I some + relatives in San Francisco who were very wealthy people, but they never + came to see us and we never went there. I know nothing about them. I never + had any money from them and I am quite sure Eileen never had.” + </p> + <p> + Linda sat very quietly a minute and then she looked at the banker. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Worthington,” she said, “the situation is slightly peculiar. My + guardian, John Gilman, is engaged to marry my sister Eileen. She is a + beautiful girl, as you no doubt recall, and he is very much in love with + her. Undoubtedly she has been able, at least recently, to manage affairs + very much in her own way. She is more than four years my senior, and has + always had charge of the household accounts and the handling of the bank + accounts. Since there is such a wide discrepancy between the returns from + the property and the expenses that these books show, I am forced to the + conclusion that there must be upon your books, or the books of some other + bank in the city, a private account in Eileen's name or in the name of the + Strong estate.” + </p> + <p> + “That I can very easily ascertain,” said Mr. Worthington, reaching again + toward the button on his desk. A few minutes later the report came that + there was a private account in the name of Miss Eileen Strong. Again Linda + was deeply thoughtful. + </p> + <p> + “Is there anything I can do,” she inquired, “to prevent that account from + being changed or drawn out previous to my coming of age?” + </p> + <p> + Then Mr. Worthington grew thoughtful. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he said at last. “If you are dissatisfied, if you feel that you + have reason to believe that money rightfully belonging to you is being + diverted to other channels, you have the right to issue an injunction + against the bank, ordering it not to pay out any further money on any + account nor to honor any cheques drawn by Miss Strong until the settlement + of the estate. Ask your guardian to execute and deliver such an + injunction, or merely ask him, as your guardian and the administrator of + the estate, to give the bank a written order to that effect.” + </p> + <p> + “But because he is engaged to Eileen, I told him I would not bring him + into this matter,” said Linda. “I told him that I would do what I wanted + done, myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, how long is it until this coming birthday of yours?” inquired Mr. + Worthington. + </p> + <p> + “Less than two weeks,” answered Linda. + </p> + <p> + For a time the financier sat in deep thought, then he looked at Linda. It + was a keen, searching look. It went to the depths of her eyes; it included + her face and hair; it included the folds of her dress, the cut of her + shoe, and rested attentively on the slender hands lying quietly in her + lap. + </p> + <p> + “I see the circumstances very clearly,” he said. “I sympathize with your + position. Having known your father and being well acquainted with your + guardian, would you be satisfied if I should take the responsibility of + issuing to the clerks an order not to allow anything to be drawn from the + private account until the settlement of the estate?” + </p> + <p> + “Perfectly satisfied,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “It might be,” said Mr. Worthington, “managing matters i that way, that no + one outside of ourselves need ever know of il Should your sister not draw + on the private account in the mean time, she would be free to draw + household cheques on the monthly income and if in the settlement of the + estate she turns in this private account or accounts, she need never know + of the restriction concerning this fund.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you very much,” said Linda. “That will fix everything finely.” + </p> + <p> + On her way to the street car, Linda's brain whirled. + </p> + <p> + “It's not conceivable,” she said, “that Eileen should be enriching herself + at my expense. I can't imagine her being dishonest in money affairs, and + yet I can recall scarcely a circumstance in life in which Eileen has ever + hesitated to be dishonest when a lie served her purpose better than the + truth. Anyway, matters are safe now.” + </p> + <p> + The next day the books were taken and a cheque for their value was waiting + for Linda when she reached home. She cashed this cheque and went straight + to Peter Morrison for his estimate of the expenses for the skylight and + fireplace. When she asked for the bill Peter hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “You wouldn't accept this little addition to your study as a gift from + Henry and me?” he asked lightly. “It would be a great pleasure to us if + you would.” + </p> + <p> + “I could accept stones that Henry Anderson had gathered from the mountains + and canyons, and I could accept a verse carved on stone, and be delighted + with the gift; but I couldn't accept hours of day labor at the present + price of labor, so you will have to give me the bill, Peter.” + </p> + <p> + Peter did not have the bill, but he had memoranda, and when Linda paid him + she reflected that the current talk concerning the inflated price of labor + was greatly exaggerated. + </p> + <p> + For two evenings as Linda returned from school and went to her room she + glanced down the hall and smiled at the decoration remaining on Eileen's + rug. The third evening it was gone, so that she knew Eileen was either in + her room or had been there. She did not meet her sister until dinnertime. + She was prepared to watch Eileen, to study her closely. She was not + prepared to admire her, but in her heart she almost did that very thing. + Eileen had practiced subterfuges so long, she was so accomplished, that it + would have taken an expert to distinguish reality from subterfuge. She + entered the dining room humming a gay tune. She was carefully dressed and + appealingly beautiful. She blew a kiss to Linda and waved gaily to Katy. + </p> + <p> + “I was rather afraid,” she said lightly, “that I might find you two in + mourning when I got back. I never stayed so long before, did I? Seemed as + if every friend I had made special demand on my time all at once. Hope you + haven't been dull without me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no,” said Linda quietly. “Being away at school all day, of course I + wouldn't know whether you were at home or not, and I have grown so + accustomed to spending my evenings alone that I don't rely on you for + entertainment at any time.” + </p> + <p> + “In other words,” said Eileen, “it doesn't make any difference to you + where I am.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so far as enjoying your company is concerned,” said Linda. + “Otherwise, of course it makes a difference. I hope you had a happy time.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I always have a happy time,” answered Eileen lightly. “I certainly + have the best friends.” + </p> + <p> + “That's your good fortune,” answered Linda. + </p> + <p> + At the close of the meal Linda sat waiting. Eileen gave Katy instructions + to have things ready for a midnight lunch for her and John Gilman and + then, humming her tune again, she left the dining room and went upstairs. + Linda stood looking after her. + </p> + <p> + “Now or never,” she said at last. “I have no business to let her meet John + until I have recovered my self-respect. But the Lord help me to do the + thing decently!” + </p> + <p> + So she followed Eileen up the stairway. She tapped at the door, and + without waiting to hear whether she was invited or not, opened it and + stepped inside. Eileen was sitting before the window, a big box of candy + beside her, a magazine in her fingers. + </p> + <p> + Evidently she intended to keep her temper in case the coming interview + threatened to become painful. + </p> + <p> + “I was half expecting you,” she said, “you silly hothead. I found the + cheque I wrote you when I got home this afternoon. That was a foolish + thing to do. Why did you tear it up? If it were too large or if it were + not enough why didn't you use it and ask for another? Because I had to be + away that was merely to leave you something to go on until I got back.” + </p> + <p> + Then Linda did the most disconcerting thing possible. In her effort at + self-control she went too far. She merely folded her hands in her lap and + sat looking straight at Eileen without saying one word. It did not show + much on the surface, but Eileen really had a conscience, she really had a + soul; Linda's eyes, resting rather speculatively on her, were honest eyes, + and Eileen knew what she knew. She flushed and fidgeted, and at last she + broke out impatiently: “Oh, for goodness' sake, Linda, don't play + 'Patience-on-a-monument.' Speak up and say what it is that you want. If + that cheque was not big enough, what will satisfy you?” + </p> + <p> + “Come to think of it,” said Linda quietly, “I can get along with what I + have for the short time until the legal settlement of our interests is + due. You needn't bother any more about a cheque.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen was surprised and her face showed it; and she was also relieved. + That too her face showed. + </p> + <p> + “I always knew,” she said lightly, “that I had a little sister with a + remarkably level head and good common sense. I am glad that you recognize + the awful inflation of prices during the war period, and how I have had to + skimp and scheme and save in order to make ends meet and to keep us going + on Papa's meager income.” + </p> + <p> + All Linda's good resolutions vanished. She was under strong nervous + tension. It irritated her to have Eileen constantly referring to their + monetary affairs as if they were practically paupers, as if their father's + life had been a financial failure, as if he had not been able to realize + from achievements recognized around the world a comfortable living for two + women. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, good Lord!” she said shortly. “Bluff the rest of the world like a + professional, Eileen, but why try it with me? You're right about my having + common sense. I'll admit that I am using it now. I will be of age in a few + days, and then we'll take John Gilman and go to the Consolidated Bank, and + if it suits your convenience to be absent for four or five days at that + period, I'll take John Gilman and we'll go together.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen was amazed. The receding color in her cheeks left the rouge on them + a ghastly, garish thing. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I won't do anything of the sort,” she said hotly, “and neither will + John Gilman.” + </p> + <p> + “Unfortunately for you,” answered Linda, “John Gilman is my guardian, not + yours. He'll be forced to do what the law says he must, and what common + decency tells him he must, no matter what his personal feelings are; and I + might as well tell you that your absence has done you no good. You'd far + better have come home, as you agreed to, and gone over the books and made + me a decent allowance, because in your absence John came here to ask me + where you were, and I know that he was anxious.” + </p> + <p> + “He came here!” cried Eileen. + </p> + <p> + “Why, yes,” said Linda. “Was it anything unusual? Hasn't he been coming + here ever since I can remember? Evidently you didn't keep him as well + posted this time as you usually do. He came here and asked for me.” + </p> + <p> + “And I suppose,” said Eileen, an ugly red beginning to rush into her white + cheeks, “that you took pains to make things uncomfortable for me.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very much afraid,” said Linda, “that you are right. You have made + things uncomfortable for me ever since I can remember, for I can't + remember the time when you were not finding fault with me, putting me in + the wrong and getting me criticized and punished if you possibly could. It + was a fair understanding that you should be here, and you were not, and I + was seeing red about it; and just as John came in I found your note in the + living room and read it aloud.' + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well, there was nothing in that,” said Eileen in a relieved tone. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing in the wording of it, no,” said Linda, “but there was everything + in the intention back of it. Because you did not live up to your tacit + agreement, and because I had been on high tension for two or three days, I + lost my temper completely. I brought John Gilman up here and showed him + the suite of rooms in which you have done for yourself, for four years. I + gave him rather a thorough inventory of your dressing table and drawers, + and then I opened the closet door and called his attention to the number + and the quality of the garments hanging there. The box underneath them I + thought was a shoe box, but it didn't prove to be exactly that; and for + that I want to tell you, as I have already told John, I am sorry. I + wouldn't have done that if I had known what I was doing.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that all?” inquired Eileen, making a desperate effort at self-control. + </p> + <p> + “Not quite,” said Linda. “When I finished with your room, I took him back + and showed him mine in even greater detail than I showed him yours. I + thought the contrast would be more enlightening than anything either one + of us could say.” + </p> + <p> + “And I suppose you realize,” said Eileen bitterly, “that you lost me John + Gilman when you did it.” + </p> + <p> + “I?” said Linda. “I lost you John Gilman when I did it? But I didn't do + it. You did it. You have been busy for four years doing it. If you hadn't + done it, it wouldn't have been there for me to show him. I can't see that + this is profitable. Certainly it's the most distressing thing that ever + has occurred for me. But I didn't feel that I could let you meet John + Gilman tonight without telling you what he knows. If you have any way to + square your conscience and cleanse your soul before you meet him, you had + better do it, for he's a mighty fine man and if you lose him you will have + lost the best chance that is likely ever to come to you.” + </p> + <p> + Linda sat studying Eileen. She saw the gallant effort she was making to + keep her self-possession, to think with her accustomed rapidity, to strike + upon some scheme whereby she could square herself. She rose and started + toward the door. + </p> + <p> + “What you'll say to John I haven't the faintest notion,” she said. “I told + him very little. I just showed him.” + </p> + <p> + Then she went out and closed the door after her. At the foot of the stairs + she met Katy admitting Gilman. Without any preliminaries she said: “I + repeat, John, that I'm sorry for what happened the other day. I have just + come from Eileen. She will be down as soon as Katy tells her you're here, + no doubt. I have done what I told you I would. She knows what I showed you + so you needn't employ any subterfuges. You can be frank and honest with + each other.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish to God we could,” said John Gilman. + </p> + <p> + Linda went to her work. She decided that she would gauge what happened by + the length of time John stayed. If he remained only a few minutes it would + indicate that there had been a rupture. If he stayed as long as he usually + did, the chances were that Eileen's wit had triumphed as usual. + </p> + <p> + At twelve o'clock Linda laid her pencils in the box, washed the brushes, + and went down the back stairs to the ice chest for a glass of milk. The + living room was still lighted and Linda thought Eileen's laugh quite as + gay as she ever had heard it. Linda closed her lips very tight and slowly + climbed the stairs. When she entered her room she walked up to the mirror + and stared at herself in the glass for a long time, and then of herself + she asked this question: + </p> + <p> + “Well, how do you suppose she did it?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. Spanish Iris + </h2> + <p> + Just as Linda was most deeply absorbed with her own concerns there came a + letter from Marian which Linda read and reread several times; for Marian + wrote: + </p> + <p> + MY DEAREST PAL: + </p> + <p> + Life is so busy up San Francisco way that it makes Lilac Valley look in + retrospection like a peaceful sunset preliminary to bed time. + </p> + <p> + But I want you to have the consolation and the comfort of knowing that I + have found at least two friends that I hope will endure. One is a woman + who has a room across the hall from mine in my apartment house. She is a + newspaper woman and life is very full for her, but it is filled with such + intensely interesting things that I almost regret having made my life work + anything so prosaic as inanimate houses; but then it's my dream to enliven + each house I plan with at least the spirit of home. This woman—her + name is Dana Meade—enlivens every hour of her working day with + something concerning the welfare of humanity. She is a beautiful woman in + her soul, so extremely beautiful that I can't at this minute write you a + detailed description of her hair and her eyes and her complexion, because + this nice, big, friendly light that radiates from her so lights her up and + transfigures her that everyone says how beautiful she is, and yet I have a + vague recollection that her nose is what you would call a “beak,” and I am + afraid her cheek bones are too high for good proportion, and I know that + her hair is not always so carefully dressed as it should be, but what is + the difference when the hair is crowned with a halo? I can't swear to any + of these things; they're sketchy impressions. The only thing I am + absolutely sure about is the inner light that shines to an unbelievable + degree. I wish she had more time and I wish I had more time and that she + and I might become such friends as you and I are. I can't tell you, dear, + how much I think of you. It seems to me that you're running a sort of + undercurrent in my thoughts all day long. + </p> + <p> + You will hardly credit it, Linda, but a few days ago I drove a car through + the thickest traffic, up a steep hill, and round a curve. I did it, but + practically collapsed when it was over. The why of it was this: I think I + told you before that in the offices of Nicholson and Snow there is a man + who is an understanding person. He is the junior partner and his name is + Eugene Snow. I happened to arrive at his desk the day I came for my + instructions and to make my plans for entering their contest. He was very + kind to me and went out of his way to smooth out the rough places. Ever + since, he makes a point of coming to me and talking a few minutes when I + am at the office or when he passes me on my way to the drafting rooms + where I take my lessons. The day I mention I had worked late and hard the + night before. I had done the last possible thing to the plans for my dream + house. At the last minute, getting it all on paper, working at the + specifications, at which you know I am wobbly, was nervous business; and + when I came from the desk after having turned in my plans, perhaps I + showed fatigue. Anyway, he said to me that his car was below. He said also + that he was a lonely person, having lost his wife two years ago, and not + being able very frequently to see his little daughter who is in the care + of her grandmother, there were times when he was hungry for the + companionship he had lost. He asked me if I would go with him for a drive + and I told him that I would. I am rather stunned yet over what happened. + The runabout he led me to was greatly like yours, and, Linda, he stopped + at a florist's and came out with an armload of bloom—exquisite + lavender and pale pink and faint yellow and waxen white—the most + enticing armload of spring. For one minute I truly experienced a thrill. I + thought he was going to give that mass of flowers to me, but he did not. + He merely laid it across my lap and said: “Edith adored the flowers from + bulbs. I never see such bloom that my heart does not ache with a keen, + angry ache to think that she should be taken from the world, and the + beauty that she so loved, so early and so ruthlessly. We'll take her these + as I would take them to her were she living.” + </p> + <p> + So, Linda dear, I sat there and looked at color and drank in fragrance, + and we whirled through the city and away to a cemetery on a beautiful + hill, and filled a vase inside the gates of a mausoleum with these + appealing flowers. Then we sat down, and a man with a hurt heart told me + about his hurt, and what an effort he was making to get through the world + as the woman he loved would have had him; and before I knew what I was + doing, Linda, I told him the tellable part of my own hurts. I even lifted + my turban and bowed my white head before him. This hurt—it was one + of the inexorable things that come to people in this world—I could + talk about. That deeper hurt, which has put a scar that never will be + effaced on my soul, of course I could not tell him about. But when we went + back to the car he said to me that he would help me to get back into the + sunlight. He said the first thing I must do to regain self-confidence was + to begin driving again. I told him I could not, but he said I must, and + made me take the driver's seat of a car I had never seen and take the + steering wheel of a make of machine I had never driven, and tackle two or + three serious problems for a driver. I did it all right, Linda, because I + couldn't allow myself to fail the kind of a man Mr. Snow is, when he was + truly trying to help me, but in the depths of my heart I am afraid I am a + coward forever, for there is a ghastly illness takes possession of me as I + write these details to you. But anyway, put a red mark on your calendar + beside the date on which you get this letter, and joyfully say to yourself + that Marian has found two real, sympathetic friends. + </p> + <p> + In a week or ten days I shall know about the contest. If I win, as I + really have a sneaking hope that I shall, since I have condensed the best + of two dozen houses into one and exhausted my imagination on my dream + home, I will surely telegraph, and you can make it a day of jubilee. If I + fail, I will try to find out where my dream was not true and what can be + done to make it materialize properly; but between us, Linda girl, I am + going to be dreadfully disappointed. I could use the material value that + prize represents. I could start my life work which I hope to do in Lilac + Valley on the prestige and the background that it would give me. I don't + know, Linda, whether you ever learned to pray or not, but I have, and it's + a thing that helps when the black shadow comes, when you reach the land of + “benefits forgot and friends remembered not.” + </p> + <p> + And this reminds me that I should not write to my very dearest friend who + has her own problems and make her heart sad with mine; so to the joyful + news of my two friends add a third, Linda, for I am going to tell you a + secret because it will make you happy. Since I have been in San Francisco + some man, who for a reason of his own does not tell me his name, has been + writing me extremely attractive letters. I have had several of them and I + can't tell you, Linda, what they mean to me or how they help me. There is + a touch of whimsy about them. I can't as yet connect them with anybody I + ever met, but to me they are taking the place of a little lunch on the + bread of life. They are such real, such vivid, such alive letters from + such a real person that I have been doing the very foolish and romantic + thing of answering them as my heart dictates and signing my own name to + them, which on the surface looks unwise when the man in the case keeps his + identity in the background; but since he knows me and knows my name it + seems useless to do anything else: and answer these letters I shall and + must; because every one of them is to me a strong light thrown on John + Gilman. Every time one of these letters comes to me I have the feeling + that I would like to reach out through space and pick up the man who is + writing them and dangle him before Eileen and say to her: “Take HIM. I + dare you to take HIM.” And my confidence, Linda, is positively supreme + that she could not do it. + </p> + <p> + You know, between us, Linda, we regarded Eileen as a rare creature, a kind + of exotic thing, made to be kept in a glass house with tempered air and + warmed water; but as I go about the city and at times amuse myself at + concerts and theaters, I am rather dazed to tell you, honey, that the + world is chock full of Eileens. On the streets, in the stores, everywhere + I go, sometimes half a dozen times in a day I say to myself: “There goes + Eileen.” I haven't a doubt that Eileen has a heart, if it has not become + so calloused that nobody could ever reach it, and I suspect she has a + soul, but the more I see of her kind the more I feel that John Gilman may + have to breast rather black water before he finds them. + </p> + <p> + With dearest love, be sure to remember me to Katherine O'Donovan. Hug her + tight and give her my unqualified love. Don't let her forget me. + </p> + <p> + As ever, + </p> + <p> + MARIAN. + </p> + <p> + This was the letter that Linda read once, then she read it again and then + she read it a third time, and after that she lost count and reread it + whenever she was not busy doing something else, for it was a letter that + was the next thing to laying hands upon Marian. The part of the letter + concerning the unknown man who was writing Marian, Linda pondered over + deeply. + </p> + <p> + “That is the best thing I ever did in my life,” she said in + self-commendation. “It's doing more than I hoped it would. It's giving + Marian something to think about. It's giving her an interest in life. It's + distracting her attention. Without saying a word about John Gilman it is + making her see for herself the weak spots in him through the very subtle + method of calling her attention to the strength that may lie in another + man. For once in your life, Linda, you have done something strictly worth + while. The thing for you to do is to keep it up, and in order to keep it + up, to make each letter fresh and original, you will have to do a good + deal of sticking around Peter Morrison's location and absorbing rather + thoroughly the things he says. Peter doesn't know he is writing those + letters but he is in them till it's a wonder Marian does not hear him + drawl and see the imps twisting his lips as she reads them. Before I write + another single one I'll go see Peter. Maybe he will have that article + written. I'll take a pencil, and as he reads I'll jot down the salient + points and then I'll come home and work out a head and tail piece for him + to send in with it, and in that way I'll ease my soul about the skylight + and the fireplace.” + </p> + <p> + So Linda took pad and pencils, raided Katy for everything she could find + that was temptingly edible, climbed into the Bear Cat, and went to see + Peter as frankly as she would have crossed the lawn to visit Marian. He + was not in the garage when she stopped her car before it, but the workmen + told her that he had strolled up the mountain and that probably he would + return soon. Learning that he had been gone but a short time Linda set the + Bear Cat squalling at the top of its voice. Then she took possession of + the garage, and clearing Peter's worktable spread upon it the food she had + brought, and then started out to find some flowers for decorations. When + Peter came upon the scene he found Linda, flushed and brilliant eyed, + holding before him a big bouquet of alder bloom, the last of the lilacs + she had found in a cool, shaded place, pink filaree, blue lupin, and white + mahogany panicles. “Peter,” she cried. “you can't guess what I have been + doing!” + </p> + <p> + Peter glanced at the flowers. + </p> + <p> + “Isn't it obvious?” he inquired. + </p> + <p> + “No, it isn't,” said Linda, “because I am capable of two processes at + once. The work of my hands is visible; with it I am going to decorate your + table. You won't have to go down to the restaurant for your supper tonight + because I have brought my supper up to share with you, and after we + finish, you're going to read me your article as you have rewritten it. I + am going to decorate it and we are going to make a hit with it that will + be at least a start on the road to greater fame. What you see is material. + You can pick it up, smell it, admire it and eat it. But what I have truly + been doing is setting Spanish iris for yards down one side of the bed of + your stream. When I left it was a foot and a half high Peter, and every + blue that the sky ever knew in its loveliest moments, and a yellow that is + the concentrated essence of the best gold from the heart of California. + Oh, Peter, there is enchantment in the way I set it. There are irregular + deep beds, and there are straggly places where there are only one or two + in a ragged streak, and then it runs along the edge in a fringy rim, and + then it stretches out in a marshy place that is going to have some other + wild things, arrowheads, and orchids, and maybe a bunch of paint brush on + a high, dry spot near by. I wish you could see it!” + </p> + <p> + Peter looked at Linda reflectively and then he told her that he could see + it. He fold her that he adored it, that he was crazy about her straggly + continuity and her fringy border, but there was not one word of truth in + what he said, because what he saw was a slender thing, willowy, graceful; + roughened wavy black hair hanging half her length in heavy braids, dark + eyes and bright cheeks, a vivid red line of mouth, and a bright brown line + of freckles bridging a prominent and aristocratic nose. What he was seeing + was a soul, a young thing, a thing he coveted with every nerve and fiber + of his being. And while he glibly humored her in her vision of decorating + his brook, in his own consciousness he was saying to himself: “Is there + any reason why I should not try for her?” + </p> + <p> + And then he answered himself. “There is no reason in your life. There is + nothing ugly that could offend her or hurt her. The reason, the real + reason, probably lies in the fact that if she were thinking of caring for + anyone it would be for that attractive young schoolmate she brought up + here for me to exercise my wits upon. It is very likely that she regards + me in the light of a grandfatherly person to whom she can come with her + joys or her problems, as frankly as she has now.” + </p> + <p> + So Peter asked if the irises crossed the brook and ran down both sides. + Linda sat on a packing case and concentrated on the iris, and finally she + announced that they did. She informed him that his place was going to be + natural, that Nature evolved things in her own way. She did not grow + irises down one side of a brook and arrowheads down the other. They waded + across and flew across and visited back and forth, riding the water or the + wind or the down of a bee or the tail of a cow. As she served the supper + she had brought she very gravely informed him that there would be iris on + both sides of his brook, and cress and miners' lettuce under the bridge; + and she knew exactly where the wild clematis grew that would whiten his + embankment after his workmen had extracted the last root of poison oak. + </p> + <p> + “It may not scorch you, Peter,” she said gravely, “but you must look out + for the Missus and the little things. I haven't definitely decided on her + yet, but she looks a good deal like Mary Louise Whiting to mc. I saw her + the other day. She came to school after Donald. I liked her looks so well + that I said to myself: 'Everybody talks about how fine she is. I shouldn't + wonder if I had better save her for Peter'; but if I decide to, you should + act that poison stuff out, because it's sure as shooting to attack any one + with the soft, delicate skin that goes with a golden head.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, let's leave it in,” said Peter, “and dispense with the golden head. + By the time you get that stream planted as you're planning, I'll have + become so accustomed to a dark head bobbing up and down beside it that I + won't take kindly to a sorrel top.” “That is positively sacrilegious,” + said Linda, lifting her hands to her rough black hair. “Never in my life + saw anything lovelier than the rich gold on Louise Whiting's bare head as + she bent to release her brakes and start her car. A black head looks like + a cinder bed beside it; and only think what a sunburst it will be when + Mary Louise kneels down beside the iris.” + </p> + <p> + When they had finished their supper Linda gathered up the remnants and put + them in the car, then she laid a notebook and pencil on the table. + </p> + <p> + “Now I want to hear that article,” she said. “I knew you would do it over + the minute I was gone, and I knew you would keep it to read to me before + you sent it.” + </p> + <p> + “Hm,” said Peter. “Is it second sight or psychoanalysis or telepathy, or + what?” + </p> + <p> + “Mostly 'what',” laughed Linda. “I merely knew. The workmen are gone and + everything is quiet now, Peter. Begin. I am crazy to get the particular + angle from which you 'make the world safe for democracy.' John used to + call our attention to your articles during the war. He said we had not + sent another man to France who could write as humanely and as + interestingly as you did. I wish I had kept those articles; because I + didn't get anything from them to compare with what I can get since I have + a slight acquaintance with the procession that marches around your mouth. + Peter, you will have to watch that mouth of yours. It's an awfully + betraying feature. So long as it's occupied with politics and the fads and + the foibles and the sins and the foolishness and the extravagances of + humanity, it's all very well. But if you ever get in trouble or if ever + your heart hurts, or you get mad enough to kill somebody, that mouth of + yours is going to be a most awfully revealing feature, Peter. You will + have hard work to settle it down into hard-and-fast noncommittal lines.” + </p> + <p> + Peter looked at the girl steadily. + </p> + <p> + “Have you specialized on my mouth?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Huh-umph!” said Linda, shaking her head vigorously. “When I specialize I + use a pin and a microscope and go right to the root of matters as I was + taught. This is superficial. I am extemporizing now.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if this is extemporizing,” said Peter, “God help my soul if you + ever go at me with a pin and a microscope.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but I won't!” cried Linda. “It wouldn't be kind to pin your friends + on a setting board and use a microscope on them. You might see things that + were strictly private. You might see things they wouldn't want you to see. + They might not be your friends any more if you did that. When I make a + friend I just take him on trust like I did Donald. You're my friend, + aren't you, Peter?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Linda,” said Peter soberly. “Put me to any test you can think of if + you want proof.” + </p> + <p> + “But I don't believe in PROVING friends, either,” said Linda. “I believe + in nurturing them. I would set a friend in my garden and water his feet + and turn the sunshine on him and tell him to stay there and grow. I might + fertilize him, I might prune him, and I might use insecticide on him. I + might spray him with rather stringent solutions, but I give you my word I + would not test him. If he flourished under my care I would know it, and if + he did not I would know it, and that would be all I would want to know. I + have watched Daddy search for the seat of nervous disorders, and sometimes + he had to probe very deep to find what developed nerves unduly but he + didn't ever do any picking and raveling and fringing at the soul of a + human being merely for the sake of finding out what it was made of; and + everyone says I am like him.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I might have known him,” said Peter. + </p> + <p> + “Don't I wish it!” said Linda. “Now then, Peter, go ahead. Read your + article.” + </p> + <p> + Peter opened a packing case, picked out a sheaf of papers, and sitting + opposite Linda, began to read. He was dumbfounded to find that he, a man + who had read and talked extemporaneously before great bodies of learned + men, should have cold feet and shaking hands and a hammering heart because + he was trying to read an article on America for Americans before a + high-school Junior. But presently, as the theme engrossed him, he forgot + the vision of Linda interesting herself in his homemaking, and saw instead + a vision of his country threatened on one side by the red menace of the + Bolshevik, on the other by the yellow menace of the Jap, and yet on + another by the treachery of the Mexican and the slowly uprising might of + the black man, and presently he was thundering his best-considered + arguments at Linda until she imperceptibly drew back from him on the + packing case, and with parted lips and wide eyes she listened in utter + absorption. She gazed at a transformed Peter with aroused eyes and a white + light of patriotism on his forehead, and a conception even keener than + anything that the war had brought her young soul was burning in her heart + of what a man means when he tries to express his feeling concerning the + land of his birth. Presently, without realizing what she was doing, she + reached for her pad and pencils and rapidly began sketching a stretch of + peaceful countryside over which a coming storm of gigantic proportions was + gathering. Fired by Peter's article, the touch of genius in Linda's soul + became creative and she fashioned huge storm clouds wind driven, that + floated in such a manner as to bring the merest suggestion of menacing + faces, black faces, yellow faces, brown faces, and under the flash of + lightning, just at the obscuring of the sun, a huge, evil, leering red + face. She swept a stroke across her sheet and below this she began again, + sketching the same stretch of country she had pictured above, strolling in + cultivated fields, dotting it with white cities, connecting it with smooth + roadways, sweeping the sky with giant planes. At one side, winging in from + the glow of morning, she drew in the strong-winged flight of a flock of + sea swallows, peacefully homing toward the far-distant ocean. She was + utterly unaware when Peter stopped reading. Absorbed, she bent over her + work. When she had finished she looked up. + </p> + <p> + “Now I'll take this home,” she said. “I can't do well on color with + pencils. You hold that article till I have time to put this on water-color + paper and touch it up a bit here and there, and I believe it will be + worthy of starting and closing your article.” + </p> + <p> + She pushed the sketches toward him. + </p> + <p> + “You little wonder!” said Peter softly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, 'little' is good,” scoffed Linda, rising to very nearly his height + and reaching for the lunch basket. “'Little' is good, Peter. If I could do + what I like to myself I would get in some kind of a press and squash down + about seven inches.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Lord!” said Peter. “Forget it. What's the difference what the inches + of your body are so long as your brain has a stature worthy of mention?” + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye!” said Linda. “On the strength of that I'll jazz that sketch all + up, bluey and red-purple and jade-green. I'll make it as glorious as a + Catalina sunset.” + </p> + <p> + As she swung the car around the sharp curve at the boulders she looked + back and laughingly waved her hand at Peter, and Peter experienced a wild + desire to shriek lest she lose control of the car and plunge down the + steep incline. A second later, when he saw her securely on the road below, + he smiled to himself. + </p> + <p> + “Proves one thing,” he said conclusively. “She is over the horrors. She is + driving unconsciously. Thank God she knew that curve so well she could + look the other way and drive it mentally.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. The Official Bug-Catcher + </h2> + <p> + Not a mile below the exit from Peter's grounds, Linda perceived a heavily + laden person toiling down the roadway before her and when she ran her car + abreast and stopped it, Henry Anderson looked up at her with joyful face. + </p> + <p> + “Sorry I can't uncover, fair lady,” he said, “but you see I am very much + otherwise engaged.” + </p> + <p> + What Linda saw was a tired, disheveled man standing in the roadway beside + her car, under each arm a boulder the size of her head, one almost + jet-black, shot through with lines of white and flying figures of white + crossing between these bands that almost reminded one of winged dancers. + The other was a combination stone made up of matrix thickly imbedded with + pebbles of brown, green, pink, and dull blue. + </p> + <p> + “For pity's sake!” said Linda. “Where are you going and why are you + personally demonstrating a new method of transporting rock?” + </p> + <p> + “I am on my way down Lilac Valley to the residence of a friend of mine,” + said Henry Anderson. “I heard her say the other day that she saved every + peculiarly marked boulder she could find to preserve coolness and moisture + in her fern bed.” + </p> + <p> + Linda leaned over and opened the car door. + </p> + <p> + “All well and good,” she said; “but why in the cause of reason didn't you + leave them at Peter's and bring them down in his car?” + </p> + <p> + Henry Anderson laid the stones in the bottom of the car, stepped in and + closed the door behind him. He drew a handkerchief from his pocket and + wiped his perspiring face and soiled hands. + </p> + <p> + “I had two sufficient personal reasons,” he said. “One was that the car at + our place is Peter Morrison's car, not mine; and the other was that it's + none of anybody's business but my own if I choose to 'say it' with + stones.” + </p> + <p> + Linda started the car, being liberal with gas—so liberal that it was + only a few minutes till Henry Anderson protested. + </p> + <p> + “This isn't the speedway,” he said. “What's your hurry?” + </p> + <p> + “Two reasons seem to be all that are allowed for things at the present + minute,” answered Linda. “One of mine is that you can't drive this beast + slow, and the other is that my workroom is piled high with things I should + be doing. I have two sketches I must complete while I am in the mood, and + I have had a great big letter from my friend, Marian Thorne, today that I + want to answer before I go to bed tonight.” + </p> + <p> + “In other words,” said Henry Anderson bluntly, “you want me to understand + that when I have reached your place and dumped these stones I can beat it; + you have no further use for me.” + </p> + <p> + “You said that,” retorted Linda. + </p> + <p> + “And who ever heard of such a thing,” said Henry, “as a young woman + sending away a person of my numerous charms and attractions in order to + work, or to write a letter to another woman?” + </p> + <p> + “But you're not taking into consideration,” said Linda, “that I must work, + and I scarcely know you, while I have known Marian ever since I was four + years old and she is my best friend.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, she has no advantage over me,” said Henry instantly, “because I + have known you quite as long as Peter Morrison has at least, and I'm your + official bug-catcher.” + </p> + <p> + “I had almost forgotten about the bugs,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Well, don't for a minute think I am going to give you an opportunity to + forget,” said Henry Anderson. + </p> + <p> + He reached across and laid his hand over Linda's on the steering gear. + Linda said nothing, neither did she move. She merely added more gas and + put the Bear Cat forward at a dizzy whirl. Henry laughed. + </p> + <p> + “That's all right, my beauty,” he said. “Don't you think for a minute that + I can't ride as fast as you can drive.” + </p> + <p> + A dull red mottled Linda's cheeks. As quickly as it could be done she + brought the Bear Cat to a full stop. Then she turned and looked at Henry + Anderson. The expression in her eyes was disconcerting even to that cheeky + young individual—he had not borne her gaze a second until he removed + his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Thanks,” said Linda in a dry drawl. “And you will add to my obligation if + in the future you will remember not to deal in assumptions. I am not your + 'beauty,' and I'm not anyone's beauty; while the only thing in this world + that I am interested in at present is to get the best education I can and + at the same time carry on work that I love to do. I have a year to finish + my course in the high school and when I finish I will only have a good + beginning for whatever I decide to study next.” + </p> + <p> + “That's nothing,” said the irrepressible Henry. “It will take me two years + to catch a sufficient number of gold bugs to be really serious, but there + wouldn't be any harm in having a mutual understanding and something + definite to work for, and then we might be able, you know, to cut out some + of that year of high-school grinding. If the plans I have submitted in the + Nicholson and Snow contest should just happen to be the prize winners, + that would put matters in such a shape for young Henry that he could + devote himself to crickets and tumble-bugs at once.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you think,” said Linda quietly, “that you would better forget that + silly jesting and concentrate the best of your brains on improving your + plans for Peter Morrison's house?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, surely I will if that's what you command me to do,” said Henry, + purposely misunderstanding her. + </p> + <p> + “You haven't mentioned before,” said Linda, “that you had submitted plans + in that San Francisco contest.” + </p> + <p> + “All done and gone,” said Henry Anderson lightly. “I had an inspiration + one day and I saw a way to improve a house with comforts and conveniences + I never had thought of before. I was enthusiastic over the production when + I got it on paper and figured it. It's exactly the house that I am going + to build for Peter, and when I've cut my eye teeth on it I am going to + correct everything possible and build it in perfection for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here,” said Linda soberly, “I'm not accustomed to this sort of talk. + I don't care for it. If you want to preserve even the semblance of + friendship with me you must stop it, and get to impersonal matters and + stay there.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” he agreed instantly, “but if you don't like my line of talk, + you're the first girl I ever met that didn't.” + </p> + <p> + “You have my sympathy,” said Linda gravely. “You have been extremely + unfortunate.” + </p> + <p> + Then she started the Bear Cat, and again running at undue speed she + reached her wild-flower garden. Henry Anderson placed the stones as she + directed and waited for an invitation to come in, but the invitation was + not given. Linda thanked him for the stones. She told him that in + combination with a few remaining from the mantel they would make all she + would require, and excusing herself she drove to the garage. When she came + in she found the irrepressible Henry sitting on the back steps explaining + to Katy the strenuous time he had had finding and carrying down the stones + they had brought. Katy had a plate of refreshments ready to hand him when + Linda laughingly passed them and went to her room. + </p> + <p> + When she had finished her letter to Marian she took a sheet of drawing + paper, and in her most attractive lettering sketched in the heading, “A + Palate Teaser,” which was a direct quotation from Katy. Below she wrote: + </p> + <p> + You will find Tunas in the cacti thickets of any desert, but if you are so + fortunate as to be able to reach specimens which were brought from Mexico + and set as hedges around the gardens of the old missions, you will find + there the material for this salad in its most luscious form. Naturally it + can be made from either Opuntia Fiscus-Indica or Opuntia Tuna, but a + combination of these two gives the salad an exquisite appearance and a + tiny touch more delicious flavor, because Tuna, which is red, has to my + taste a trifle richer and fuller flavor than Indica, which is yellow. Both + fruits taste more like the best well-ripened watermelon than any other I + recall. + </p> + <p> + Bring down the Tunas with a fishing rod or a long pole with a nail in the + end. With anything save your fingers roll them in the sand or in tufts of + grass to remove the spines. Slice off either end, score the skin down one + side, press lightly, and a lush globule of pale gold or rosy red fruit + larger than a hen's egg lies before you. With a sharp knife, beginning + with a layer of red and ending with one of yellow, slice the fruits + thinly, stopping to shake out the seeds as you work. In case you live in + San Diego County or farther south, where it is possible to secure the + scarlet berries of the Strawberry Cactus—it is the Mammillaria + Goodridgei species that you should use—a beautiful decoration for + finishing your salad can be made from the red strawberries of these. If + you live too far north to find these, you may send your salad to the table + beautifully decorated by cutting fancy figures from the red Tuna, or by + slicing it lengthwise into oblong pieces and weaving them into a + decoration over the yellow background. + </p> + <p> + For your dressing use the juice of a lemon mixed with that of an orange, + sweetened to taste, into which you work, a drop at a time, four + tablespoons of the best Palermo olive oil. If the salad is large more oil + and more juice should be used. + </p> + <p> + To get the full deliciousness of this salad, the fruit must have been on + ice, and the dressing made in a bowl imbedded in cracked ice, so that when + ready to blend both are ice-cold, and must be served immediately. + </p> + <p> + Gigantic specimens of fruit-bearing Cacti can be found all over the + Sunland Desert near to the city, but they are not possessed of the full + flavor of the cultivated old mission growths, so that it is well worth + your while to make a trip to the nearest of these for the fruit with which + to prepare this salad. And if, as you gather it, you should see a vision + of a white head, a thin, ascetic, old face, a lean figure trailing a brown + robe, slender white hands clasping a heavy cross; if you should hear the + music of worship ascending from the throats of Benedictine fathers leading + a clamoring choir of the blended voices of Spaniard, Mexican, and Indian, + combining with the music of the bells and the songs of the mocking birds, + nest making among the Tunas, it will be good for your soul in the line of + purging it from selfishness, since in this day we are not asked to give + all of life to the service of others, only a reasonable part of it. + </p> + <p> + Linda read this over, working in changes here and there, then she picked + up her pencil and across the top of her sheet indicated an open sky with + scarcely a hint of cloud. Across the bottom she outlined a bit of Sunland + Desert she well remembered, in the foreground a bed of flat-leaved nopal, + flowering red and yellow, the dark red prickly pears, edible, being a near + relative of the fruits she had used in her salad. After giving the prickly + pear the place of honor to the left, in higher growth she worked in the + slender, cylindrical, jointed stems of the Cholla, shading the flowers a + paler, greenish yellow. On the right, balancing the Cholla, she drew the + oval, cylindrical columns of the hedgehog cactus, and the color touch of + the big magenta flowers blended exquisitely with the color she already had + used. At the left, the length of her page, she drew a gigantic specimen of + Opuntia Tuna, covered with flowers, and well-developed specimens of the + pears whose coloring ran into the shades of the hedgehog cactus. + </p> + <p> + She was putting away her working materials when she heard steps and voices + on the stairs, so she knew that Eileen and John Gilman were coming. She + did not in the least want them, yet she could think of no excuse for + refusing them admission that would not seem ungracious. She hurried to the + wall, snatched down the paintings for Peter Morrison, and looked around to + see how she could dispose of them. She ended by laying one of them in a + large drawer which she pushed shut and locked. The other she placed inside + a case in the wall which formerly had been used for billiard cues. At + their second tap she opened the door. Eileen was not at her best. There + was a worried look across her eyes, a restlessness visible in her + movements, but Gilman was radiant. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think, Linda?” he cried. “Eileen has just named the day!” + </p> + <p> + “I did no such thing,” broke in Eileen. + </p> + <p> + “Your pardon, fair lady, you did not,” said Gilman. “That was merely a + figure of speech. I meant named the month. She has definitely promised in + October, and I may begin to hunt a location and plan a home for us. I want + the congratulations of my dear friend and my dearer sister.” + </p> + <p> + Linda held out her hand and smiled as bravely as she could. + </p> + <p> + “I am very glad you are so pleased, John,” she said quietly, “and I hope + that you will be as happy as you deserve to be.” + </p> + <p> + “Now exactly what do you mean by that?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Linda prides herself on being deep and subtle and conveying hidden + meanings,” said Eileen. “She means what a thousand people will tell you in + the coming months: merely that they hope you will be happy.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” Linda hastened to corroborate, wishing if possible to avoid + any unpleasantness. + </p> + <p> + “You certainly have an attractive workroom here,” said John, “much as I + hate to see it spoiled for billiards.” + </p> + <p> + “It's too bad,” said Linda, “that I have spoiled it for you for billiards. + I have also spoiled the outside appearance of the house for Eileen.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't know,” said John. “I looked at it carefully the other day as + I came up, and I thought your changes enhanced the value of the property.” + </p> + <p> + “I am surely glad to hear that,” said Linda. “Take a look through my + skylight and my new window. Imagine you see the rugs I am going to have + and a few more pieces of furniture when I can afford them; and let me + particularly point out the fireplace that Henry Anderson and your friend + Peter designed and had built for me. Doesn't it add a soul and a heart to + my study?” + </p> + <p> + John Gilman walked over and looked at the fireplace critically. He read + the lines aloud, then he turned to Eileen. + </p> + <p> + “Why, that is perfectly beautiful,” he said. “Let's duplicate it in our + home.” + </p> + <p> + “You bungler!” scoffed Eileen. + </p> + <p> + “I think you're right,” said Gilman reflectively, “exactly right. Of + course I would have no business copying Linda's special fireplace where + the same people would see it frequently; and if I had stopped to think a + second, I might have known that you would prefer tiling to field stone.” + </p> + <p> + “Linda seems very busy tonight,” said Eileen. “Perhaps we are bothering + her.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said John, “we'll go at once. I had to run up to tell our good + news; and I wanted to tell you too, Linda dear, that I think both of us + misjudged Eileen the other day. You know, Linda, you have always dressed + according to your father's ideas, which were so much simpler and plainer + than the manner in which your mother dressed Eileen, that she merely + thought that you wished to continue in his way. She had no objection to + your having any kind of clothes you chose, if only you had confided in + her, and explained to her what you wanted.” + </p> + <p> + Linda stood beside her table, one lean hand holding down the letter she + had been writing. She stood very still, but she was powerless to raise her + eyes to the face of either John or Eileen. Above everything she did not + wish to go any further in revealing Eileen to John Gilman. If he knew what + he knew and if he felt satisfied, after what he had seen, with any + explanation that Eileen could trump up to offer, Linda had no desire to + carry the matter further. She had been ashamed of what she already had + done. She had felt angry and dissatisfied with herself, so she stood + before them downcast and silent. + </p> + <p> + “And it certainly was a great joke on both of us,” said John jovially, + “what we thought about that box of cigarettes, you know. They were a prize + given by a bridge club at an 'Ambassador' benefit for the Good Samaritan + Hospital. Eileen, the little card shark she is, won it, and she was + keeping it hidden away there to use as a gift for my birthday. Since we + disclosed her plans prematurely, she gave it to me at once, and I'm having + a great time treating all my friends.” + </p> + <p> + At that instant Linda experienced a revulsion. Previously she had not been + able to raise her eyes. Now it would have been quite impossible to avoid + looking straight into Eileen's face. But Eileen had no intention of + meeting anyone's gaze at that minute. She was fidgeting with a sheet of + drawing paper. + </p> + <p> + “Careful you don't bend that,” cautioned Linda. Then she looked at John + Gilman. He BELIEVED what he was saying; he was happy again. Linda evolved + the best smile she could. + </p> + <p> + “How stupid of us not to have guessed!” she said. + </p> + <p> + Closing the door behind them, Linda leaned against it and looked up + through the skylight at the creep blue of the night, the low-hung stars. + How long she stood there she did not know. Presently she went to her + chair, picked up her pencil, and slowly began to draw. At first she + scarcely realized what she was doing, then she became absorbed in her + work. Then she reached for her color box and brushes, and shortly + afterward tacked against the wall an extremely clever drawing of a greatly + enlarged wasp. Skillfully she had sketched a face that was recognizable + round the big insect eyes. She had surmounted the face by a fluff of + bejewelled yellow curls, encased the hind legs upon which the creature + stood upright in pink velvet Turkish trousers and put tiny gold shoes on + the feet. She greatly exaggerated the wings into long trails and made them + of green gauze with ruffled edges. All the remainder of the legs she had + transformed into so many braceleted arms, each holding a tiny fan, or a + necklace, a jewel box, or a handkerchief of lace. She stood before this + sketch, studying it for a few minutes, then she walked over to the table + and came back with a big black pencil. Steadying her hand with a mahl + stick rested against the wall, with one short sharp stroke she drew a + needle-pointed stinger, so screened by the delicate wings that it could + not be seen unless you scrutinized the picture minutely. After that, with + careful, interested hands she brought out Peter Morrison's drawings and + replaced them on the wall to dry. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. The Cap Sheaf + </h2> + <p> + Toward the last of the week Linda began to clear the mental decks of her + ship of life in order that she might have Saturday free for her promised + day with Donald. She had decided that they would devote that day to + wave-beaten Laguna. It was a long drive but delightful. It ran over the + old King's Highway between miles of orange and lemon orchards in full + flower, bordered by other miles of roses in their prime. + </p> + <p> + Every minute when her mind was not actively occupied with her lessons or + her recipes Linda was dreaming of the King's Highway. Almost unconsciously + she began to chant: + </p> + <p> + “All in the golden weather, forth let us ride today, You and I together on + the King's Highway, The blue skies above us, and below the shining sea; + There's many a road to travel, but it's this road for me.” + </p> + <p> + You must have ridden this road with an understanding heart and the arm of + God around you to know the exact degree of disappointment that swelled in + Linda's heart when she answered the telephone early Saturday morning and + heard Donald Whiting's strained voice speaking into it. He was talking + breathlessly in eager, boyish fashion. + </p> + <p> + “Linda, I am in a garage halfway downtown,” he was saying, “and it looks + to me as if to save my soul I couldn't reach you before noon. I have had + the darnedest luck. Our Jap got sick last week and he sent a new man to + take his place. There wasn't a thing the matter with our car when I drove + it in Friday night. This morning Father wanted to use it on important + business, and it wouldn't run. He ordered me to tinker it up enough to get + it to the shop. I went at it and when it would go, I started You can + imagine the clip I was going, and the thing went to pieces. I don't know + yet how it comes that I saved my skin. I'm pretty badly knocked out, but + I'll get there by noon if it's a possible thing.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's all right,” said Linda, fervently hoping that the ache in her + throat would not tincture her voice. + </p> + <p> + It was half-past eleven when Donald came. Linda could not bring herself to + give up the sea that day. She found it impossible to drive the King's + Highway. It seemed equally impossible not to look on the face of the + ocean, so she compromised by skirting Santa Monica Bay, and taking the + foothill road she ran it to the north end of the beach drive. When they + had spread their blankets on the sand, finished their lunch and were + resting, Linda began to question Donald about what had happened. She + wanted to know how long Whitings' gardener had been in their employ; if + they knew where he lived and about his family; if they knew who his + friends were, or anything concerning him. She inquired about the man who + had taken his place, and wanted most particularly to know what the garage + men had found the trouble with a car that ran perfectly on Friday night + and broke down in half a dozen different places on Saturday morning. + Finally Donald looked at her, laughingly quizzical. + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” he said, “you're no nerve specialist and no naturalist. You're + the cross examiner for the plaintiff. What are you trying to get at? Make + out a case against Yogo Sani?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course it's all right,” said Linda, watching a distant pelican turn + head down and catapult into the sea. “It has to be all right, but you must + admit that it looks peculiar. How have you been getting along this week?” + </p> + <p> + Donald waved his hand in the direction of a formation of stone the size of + a small house. + </p> + <p> + “Been rolling that to the top of the mountain,” he said lightly. Linda's + eyes narrowed, her face grew speculative. She looked at Donald intently. + </p> + <p> + “Is it as difficult as that?” she asked in a lowered voice as if the surf + and the sea chickens might hear. + </p> + <p> + “It is just as difficult as that,” said Donald. “While you're talking + about peculiar things, I'll tell you one. In class I came right up against + Oka Sayye on the solution of a theorem in trigonometry. We both had the + answer, the correct answer, but we had arrived at it by widely different + routes, and it was up to me to prove that my line of reasoning was more + lucid, more natural, the inevitable one by which the solution should be + reached. We got so in earnest that I am afraid both of us were rather + tense. I stepped over to his demonstration to point out where I thought + his reasoning was wrong. I got closer to the Jap than I had ever been + before; and by gracious, Linda! scattered, but nevertheless still there, + and visible, I saw a sprinkling of gray hairs just in front of and over + his ears. It caught me unawares, and before I knew what I was doing, + before the professor and the assembled classroom I blurted it out: 'Say, + Oka Sayye, how old are you?' If the Jap had had any way of killing me, I + believe he would have done it. There was a look in his eyes that was what + I would call deadly. It was only a flash and then, very courteously, + putting me in the wrong, of course, he remarked that he was 'almost + ninekleen'; and it struck me from his look and the way he said it that it + was a lie. If he truly was the average age of the rest of the class there + was nothing for him to be angry about. Then I did take a deliberate + survey. From the settled solidity of his frame and the shape of his hands + and the skin of his face and the set of his eyes in his head, I couldn't + see that much youth. I'll bet he's thirty if he's a day, and I shouldn't + be a bit surprised if he has graduated at the most worthwhile university + in Japan, before he ever came to this country to get his English for + nothing.” + </p> + <p> + Linda was watching a sea swallow now, and slowly her lean fingers were + gathering handfuls of sand and sifting them into a little pyramid she was + heaping beside her. Again almost under her breath she spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Donald, do you really believe that?” she asked. “Is it possible that + mature Jap men are coming here and entering our schools and availing + themselves of the benefits that the taxpayers of California provide for + their children?” + </p> + <p> + “Didn't you know it?” asked Donald. “I hadn't thought of it in connection + with Oka Sayye, but I do know cases where mature Japs have been in grade + schools with children under ten.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Donald!” exclaimed Linda. “If California is permitting that or ever + has permitted it, we're too easy. We deserve to become their prey if we + are so careless.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I know it's true,” said Donald. “I have been in the same classes + with men more than old enough to be my father.” + </p> + <p> + “I never was,” said Linda, industriously sifting sand. “I have been in + classes with Japs ever since I have been at school, but it was with girls + and boys of our gardeners and fruit dealers and curio-shop people, and + they were always of my age and entitled to be in school, since our system + includes the education of anybody who happens to be in California and + wants to go to school.” + </p> + <p> + “Did my being late spoil any particular plan you had made, Linda?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Linda, “it did.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I am so sorry!” cried Donald. “I certainly shall try to see that it + doesn't occur again. Could we do it next Saturday?” + </p> + <p> + “I am hoping so,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “I told Dad,” said Donald, “where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do, + and he was awfully sorry but he said it was business and it would take + only a few minutes and he thought I could do it and be on time. If he had + known I would be detained I don't believe he would have asked it of me. + He's a grand old peter, Linda.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know,” said Linda. “There's not much you can tell me about peters + of the grand sort, the real, true flesh-and-blood, bighearted, human-being + fathers, who will take you to the fields and the woods and take the time + to teach you what God made and how He made it and why He made it and what + we can do with it, and of the fellowship and brotherhood we can get from + Nature by being real kin. The one thing that I have had that was the + biggest thing in all this world was one of these real fathers.” + </p> + <p> + Donald watched as she raised the pyramid higher and higher. + </p> + <p> + “Did you tell your father whom you were to go with?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Sure I did,” said Donald. “Told the whole family at dinner last night. + Told 'em about all the things I was learning, from where to get soap off + the bushes to the best spot for material for wooden legs or instantaneous + relief for snake bite.” + </p> + <p> + “What did they say?” Linda inquired laughingly. + </p> + <p> + “Unanimously in favour of continuing the course,” he said. “I had already + told Father about you when I asked him for books and any help that he + could give me with Oka Sayye. Since I had mentioned you last night he told + Mother and Louise about that, and they told me to bring you to the house + some time. All of them are crazy to know you. Mother says she is just wild + to know whether a girl who wears boots and breeches and who knows canyons + and the desert and the mountains as you do can be a feminine and lovable + person.” + </p> + <p> + “If I told her how many friends I have, she could have speedily decided + whether I am lovable or not,” said Linda; “but I would make an effort to + convince her that I am strictly feminine.” + </p> + <p> + “You would convince her of that without making the slightest effort. + You're infinitely more feminine than any other girl I have ever known.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you figure that?” asked Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Donald, “it's a queer thing about you, Linda. I take any + liberty I pretty nearly please with most of the girls I have been + associated with. I tie their shoes and pull their hair—down if I + want to—and hand them round 'most any way the notion takes me, and + they just laugh and take the same liberties with me, which proves that I + am pretty much a girl with them or they are pretty much boys with me. But + it wouldn't occur to me to touch your hair or your shoe lace or the tips + of your fingers; which proves that you're more feminine than any other + girl I know, because if you were not I would be treating you more like + another boy. I thought, the first day we were together, that you were like + a boy, and I said so, and I thought it because you did not tease me and + flirt with me, but since I have come to know you better, you're less like + a boy than any other girl I ever have known.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't get psychological, Donald,” said Linda. “Go on with the Jap. I + haven't got an answer yet to what I really want to know. Have you made the + least progress this week? Can you beat him?” + </p> + <p> + Donald hesitated, studying over the answer. + </p> + <p> + “Beat him at that trig proposition the other day,” he said. “Got an open + commendation before the class. There's not a professor in any of my + classes who isn't 'hep' to what I'm after by this time, and if I would + cajole them a little they would naturally be on my side, especially if + their attention were called to that incident of yesterday; but you said I + have to beat him with my brains, by doing better work than he does; so + about the biggest thing I can honestly tell you is that I have held my + own. I have only been ahead of him once this week, but I haven't failed in + anything that he has accomplished. I have been able to put some additional + touches to some work that he has done for which he used to be marked A + which means your One Hundred. Double A which means your plus I made in one + instance. And you needn't think that Oka Sayye does not realize what I am + up to as well as any of the rest of the class, and you needn't think that + he is not going to give me a run for my brain. All I've got will be needed + before we finish this term.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Linda, slowly nodding her head. + </p> + <p> + “I wish,” said Donald, “that we had started this thing two years ago, or + better still, four. But of course you were not in the high school four + years ago and there wasn't a girl in my class or among my friends who + cared whether I beat the Jap or not. They greatly preferred that I take + them motoring or to a dance or a picture show or a beach party. You're the + only one except Mother and Louise who ever inspired me to get down to + business.” + </p> + <p> + Linda laid her palm on the top of the sand heap and pressed it flat. She + looked at Donald with laughing eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Symbolical,” she announced. “That sand was the Jap.” She stretched her + hand toward him. “That was you. Did you see yourself squash him?” + </p> + <p> + Donald's laugh was grim. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I saw,” he said. “I wish it were as easy as that.” + </p> + <p> + “That was not easy,” said Linda; “make a mental computation of all the + seconds that it took me to erect that pyramid and all the millions of + grains of sand I had to gather.” + </p> + <p> + Donald was deeply thoughtful, yet a half smile was playing round his lips. + </p> + <p> + “Of all the queer girls I ever knew, you're the cap sheaf, Linda,” he + said. + </p> + <p> + Linda rose slowly, shook the sand from her breeches and stretched out her + hand. + </p> + <p> + “Let's hotfoot it down to the African village and see what the movies are + doing that is interesting today,” she proposed. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. Shifting the Responsibility + </h2> + <p> + On her pillow that night before dropping to almost instantaneous sleep + Linda reflected that if you could not ride the King's Highway, racing the + sands of Santa Monica was a very excellent substitute. It had been a + wonderful day after all. When she had left Donald at the Lilac Valley end + of the car line he had held her hand tight an instant and looked into her + face with the most engaging of clear, boyish smiles. + </p> + <p> + “Linda, isn't our friendship the nicest thing that ever happened to us?” + he demanded. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Linda promptly, “quite the nicest. Make your plans for all + day long next Saturday.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll be here before the birds are awake,” promised Donald. + </p> + <p> + At the close of Monday's sessions, going down the broad walk from the high + school, Donald overtook Linda and in a breathless whisper he said: “What + do you think? I came near Oka Sayye again this morning in trig, and his + hair was as black as jet, dyed to a midnight, charcoal finish, and I am + not right sure that he had not borrowed some girl's lipstick and rouge pot + for the benefit of his lips and cheeks. Positively he's hectically + youthful today. What do you know about that?” + </p> + <p> + Then he hurried on to overtake the crowd of boys he had left, Linda's + heart was racing in her breast. + </p> + <p> + Turning, she re-entered the school building, and taking a telephone + directory she hunted an address, and then, instead of going to the car + line that took her to Lilac Valley she went to the address she had looked + up. With a pencil she wrote a few lines on a bit of scratch paper in one + of her books. That note opened a door and admitted her to the presence of + a tall, lean, gray-haired man with quick, blue-gray eyes and lips that + seemed capable of being either grave or gay on short notice. With that + perfect ease which Linda had acquired through the young days of her life + in meeting friends of her father, she went to the table beside which this + man was standing and stretched out her hand. + </p> + <p> + “Judge Whiting?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the Judge. + </p> + <p> + “I am Linda Strong, the younger daughter of Alexander Strong. I think you + knew my father.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the Judge, “I knew him very well indeed, and I have some small + acquaintance with his daughter through very interesting reports that my + son brings home.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it is about Donald that I came to see you,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + If she had been watching as her father would have watched, Linda would + have seen the slight uplift of the Judge's figure, the tensing of his + muscles, the narrowing of his eyes in the swift, speculative look he + passed over her from the crown of her bare, roughened black head down the + gold-brown of her dress to her slender, well-shod feet. The last part of + that glance Linda caught. She slightly lifted one of the feet under + inspection, thrust it forward and looked at the Judge with a gay challenge + in her dark eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Are you interested in them too?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + The Judge was embarrassed. A flush crept into his cheeks. He was supposed + to be master of any emergency that might arise, but one had arisen in + connection with a slip of a schoolgirl that left him wordless. + </p> + <p> + “It is very probable,” said Linda, “that if my shoes had been like most + other girls' shoes I wouldn't be here today. I was in the same schoolroom + with your son for three years, and he never saw me or spoke to me until + one day he stopped me to inquire why I wore the kind of shoes I did. He + said he had a battle to wage with me because I tried to be a law to + myself, and he wanted to know why I wasn't like other girls. And I told + him I had a crow to pick with HIM because he had the kind of brain that + would be content to let a Jap beat him in his own school, in his own + language and in his own country; so we made an engagement to fight to a + finish, and it ended by his becoming the only boy friend I have and the + nicest boy friend a girl ever had, I am very sure. That's why I'm here.” + </p> + <p> + Linda lifted her eyes and Judge Whiting looked into them till he saw the + same gold lights in their depths that Peter Morrison had seen. He came + around the table and placed a big leather chair for Linda. Then he went + back and resumed his own. + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” said the Judge in his most engaging manner. “I gather from + what Donald has told me that you have a reason for being here, and I want + you to understand that I am intensely interested in anything you have to + say to me. Now tell me why you came.” + </p> + <p> + “I came,” said Linda, “because I started something and am afraid of the + possible result. I think very likely if, in retaliation for what Donald + said to me about my hair and my shoes, I had not twitted him about the use + he was making of his brain and done everything in my power to drive him + into competition with Oka Sayye in the hope that a white man would + graduate with the highest honors, he would not have gone into this + competition, which I am now certain has antagonized Oka Sayye.” + </p> + <p> + Linda folded her slim hands on the table and leaned forward. + </p> + <p> + “Judge Whiting,” she said earnestly, “I know very little about men. The + most I know was what I learned about my father and the men with whom he + occasionally hunted and fished. They were all such fine men that I must + have grown up thinking that every man was very like them, but one day I + came in direct contact with the Jap that Donald is trying to beat, and the + thing I saw in his face put fear into my heart and it has been there ever + since. I have almost an unreasoning fear of that Jap, not because he has + said anything or done anything. It's just instinctive. I may be wholly + wrong in having come to you and in taking up your time, but there are two + things I wanted to tell you. I could have told Donald, but if I did and + his mind went off at a tangent thinking of these things he wouldn't be + nearly so likely to be in condition to give his best thought to his + studies. If I really made him see what I think I have seen, and fear what + I know I fear, he might fail where I would give almost anything to see him + succeed; so I thought I would come to you and tell you about it and ask + you please to think it over, and to take extra care of him, because I + really believe that he may be in danger; and if he is I never shall be + able to rid myself of a sense of responsibility.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Judge Whiting. “Now tell me, just as explicitly as you have + told me this, exactly what it is that you fear.” + </p> + <p> + “Last Saturday,” said Linda, “Donald told me that while standing at the + board beside Oka Sayye, demonstrating a theorem, he noticed that there + were gray hairs above the Jap's ears, and he bluntly asked him, before the + professor and the class, how old he was. In telling me, he said he had the + feeling that if the Jap could have done so in that instant, he would have + killed him. He said he was nineteen, but Donald says from the matured + lines of his body, from his hands and his face and his hair, he is certain + that he is thirty or more, and he thinks it very probable that he may have + graduated at home before he came here to get his English for nothing from + our public schools. I never before had the fact called to my attention + that this was being done, but Donald told me that he had been in classes + with matured men when he was less than ten years of age. That is not fair, + Judge Whiting; it is not right. There should be an age specified above + which people may not be allowed to attend public school.” + </p> + <p> + “I quite agree with you,” said the Judge. “That has been done in the + grades, but there is nothing fair in bringing a boy under twenty in + competition with a man graduated from the institutions of another country, + even in the high schools. If this be the case—” + </p> + <p> + “You can be certain that it is,” said Linda, “because Donald whispered to + me as he passed me half an hour ago, coming from the school building, that + TODAY Oka Sayye's hair is a uniform, shining black, and he also thought + that he had used a lipstick and rouge in an effort at rejuvenation. Do you + think, from your knowledge of Donald, that he would imagine that?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Judge Whiting, “I don't think such a thing would occur to him + unless he saw it.” + </p> + <p> + “Neither do I,” said Linda. “From the short acquaintance I have with him I + should not call him at all imaginative, but he is extremely quick and + wonderfully retentive. You have to show him but once from which cactus he + can get Victrola needles and fishing hooks, or where to find material for + wooden legs.” + </p> + <p> + The Judge laughed. “Doesn't prove much,” he said. “You wouldn't have to + show me that more than once either. If anyone were giving me an intensive + course on such interesting subjects, I would guarantee to remember, even + at my age.” + </p> + <p> + Linda nodded in acquiescence. “Then you can regard it as quite certain,” + she said, “that Oka Sayye is making up in an effort to appear younger than + he is which means that he doesn't want his right questioned to be in our + schools, to absorb the things that we are taught, to learn our language, + our government, our institutions, our ideals, our approximate strength and + our only-too-apparent weakness.” + </p> + <p> + The Judge leaned forward and waited attentively. + </p> + <p> + “The other matter,” said Linda, “was relative to Saturday. There may not + be a thing in it, but sometimes a woman's intuition proves truer than what + a man thinks he sees and knows. I haven't SEEN a thing, and I don't KNOW a + thing, but I don't believe your gardener was sick last week. I believe he + had a dirty job he wanted done and preferred to save his position and + avoid risks by getting some other Jap who had no family and no interests + here, to do it for him. I don't BELIEVE that your car, having run all + right Friday night, was shot to pieces Saturday morning so that Donald + went smash with it in a manner that might very easily have killed him, or + sent him to the hospital for months, while Oka Sayye carried off the + honors without competition I want to ask you to find out whether your + regular gardener truly was ill, whether he has a family and interests to + protect here, or whether he is a man who could disappear in a night as + Japs who have leased land and have families cannot. I want to know about + the man who took your gardener's place, and I want the man who is + repairing your car interviewed very carefully as to what he found the + trouble with it.” + </p> + <p> + Linda paused. Judge Whiting sat in deep thought, then he looked at Linda. + </p> + <p> + “I see,” he said at last. “Thank you very much for coming to me. All these + things and anything that develops from them shall be handled carefully. Of + course you know that Donald is my only son and you can realize what he is + to me and to his mother and sister.” + </p> + <p> + “It is because I do realize that,” said Linda, “that I am here. I + appreciate his friendship, but it is not for my own interests that I am + asking to have him taken care of while he wages his mental war with this + Jap. I want Donald to have the victory, but I want it to be a victory that + will be an inspiration to any boy of white blood among any of our allies + or among peoples who should be our allies. There's a showdown coming + between the white race and a mighty aggregation of colored peoples one of + these days, and if the white man doesn't realize pretty soon that his + supremacy is not only going to be contested but may be lost, it just + simply will be lost; that is all there is to it.” + </p> + <p> + The Judge was studying deeply now. Finally he said: “Young lady, I greatly + appreciate your coming to me. There may be NOTHING in what you fear. It + MIGHT be a matter of national importance. In any event, it shows that your + heart is in the right place. May Mrs. Whiting and I pay you a visit some + day soon in your home?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” said Linda simply. “I told Donald to bring his mother the + first time he came, but he said he did not need to be chaperoned when he + came to see me, because my father's name was a guarantee to his mother + that my home would be a proper place for him to visit.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder how many of his other girl friends invited him to bring his + mother to see them,” said the Judge. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he probably grew up with the other girls and was acquainted with them + from tiny things,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Very likely,” conceded the Judge. “I think, after all, I would rather + have an invitation to make one of those trips with you to the desert or + the mountains. Is there anything else as interesting as fish hooks and + Victrola needles and wooden legs to be learned?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes,” said Linda, leaning farther forward, a lovely color sweeping up + into her cheeks, her eyes a-shine. She had missed the fact that the Judge + was jesting. She had thought him in sober, scientific earnest. + </p> + <p> + “It's an awfully nice thing if you dig a plant or soil your hands in + hunting, or anything like that, to know that there are four or five + different kinds of vegetable soap where you can easily reach them, if you + know them. If you lose your way or have a long tramp, it's good to know + which plants will give you drink and where they are. And if you're short + of implements, you might at any time need a mescal stick, or an arrow + shaft or an arrow, even. If Donald were lost now, he could keep alive for + days, because he would know what wood would make him a bow and how he + could take amole fiber and braid a bow string and where he could make + arrows and arrow points so that he could shoot game for food. I've taught + him to make a number of snares, and he knows where to find and how to cook + his greens and potatoes and onions and where to find his pickles and how + to make lemonade and tea, and what to use for snake bite. It's been such + fun, Judge Whiting, and he has been so interested.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I should think he would be,” said the Judge. “I am interested + myself. If you would take an old boy like me on a few of those trips, I + would be immensely pleased.” + </p> + <p> + “You'd like brigand beefsteak,” suggested Linda, “and you'd like cress + salad, and I am sure you'd like creamed yucca.” + </p> + <p> + “Hm,” said the Judge. “Sounds to me like Jane Meredith.” + </p> + <p> + Linda suddenly sat straight. A dazed expression crossed her face. + Presently she recovered. + </p> + <p> + “Will you kindly tell me,” she said, “what a great criminal judge knows + about Jane Meredith?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I hear my wife and daughter talking about her,” said the Judge. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” said Linda, “if a judge hears so many secrets that he forgets + what a secret is and couldn't possibly keep one to save his life.” + </p> + <p> + “On the other hand,” said Judge Whiting, “a judge hears so many secrets + that he learns to be a very secretive person himself, and if a young lady + just your size and so like you in every way as to be you, told me anything + and told me that it was a secret, I would guarantee to carry it with me to + my grave, if I said I would.” + </p> + <p> + One of Linda's special laughs floated out of the windows. Her right hand + slipped across the table toward the Judge. + </p> + <p> + “Cross your heart and body?” she challenged. + </p> + <p> + The Judge took the hand she offered in both of his own. + </p> + <p> + “On my soul,” he said, “I swear it.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” bubbled Linda. “Judge Whiting, allow me to present to you + Jane Meredith, the author and originator of the Aboriginal Cookery + articles now running in Everybody's Home.” + </p> + <p> + Linda stood up as she made the presentation and the Judge arose with her. + When she bowed her dark head before him the Judge bowed equally as low, + then he took the hand he held and pressed it against his lips. + </p> + <p> + “I am not surprised,” he said. “I am honored, deeply honored, and I am + delighted. For a high school girl that is a splendid achievement.” + </p> + <p> + “But you realize, of course,” said Linda, “that it is vicarious. I really + haven't done anything. I am just passing on to the world what Alexander + Strong found it interesting to teach his daughter, because he hadn't a + son.” + </p> + <p> + “I certainly am fortunate that my son is getting the benefit of this,” + said Judge Whiting earnestly. “There are girls who make my old-fashioned + soul shudder, but I shall rest in great comfort whenever I know that my + boy is with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Sure!” laughed Linda. “I'm not vamping him. I don't know the first + principles. We're not doing a thing worse than sucking 'hunters' rock + leek' or roasting Indian potatoes or fishing for trout with cactus spines. + I have had such a lovely time I don't believe that I'll apologize for + coming. But you won't waste a minute in making sure about Oka Sayye?” + </p> + <p> + “I won't waste a minute,” said the Judge. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. The End of Marian's Contest + </h2> + <p> + Coming from school a few days later on an evening when she had been + detained, Linda found a radiant Katy awaiting her. + </p> + <p> + “What's up, old dear?” cried Linda. “You seem positively illumined.” + </p> + <p> + “So be,” said Katy. “It's a good time I'm havin'. In the first place the + previous boss of this place ain't nowise so bossy as sue used to be, an' + livin' with her is a dale aisier. An' then, when Miss Eileen is around + these days, she is beginning to see things, and she is just black with + jealousy of ye. Something funny happened here the afternoon, an' she was + home for once an' got the full benefit of it. I was swapin' the aist walk, + but I know she was inside the window an' I know she heard. First, comes a + great big loaded automobile drivin' up, and stopped in front with a + flourish an' out hops as nice an' nate a lookin' lad as ever you clapped + your eyes on, an' up he comes to me an' off goes his hat with a swape, an' + he hands me that bundle an' he says: 'Here's something Miss Linda is + wantin' bad for her wild garden.'” + </p> + <p> + Katy handed Linda a bundle of newspaper, inside which, wrapped in a man's + handkerchief, she found several plants, carefully lifted, the roots + properly balled, the heads erect, crisp, although in full flower. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Katy!” cried Linda. “Look, it's Gallito, 'little rooster'!” “Now + ain't them jist yellow violets?” asked Katy dubiously. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda, “they are not. They are quite a bit rarer. They are + really a wild pansy. Bring water, Katy, and help me.” + </p> + <p> + “But I've something else for ye,” said Katy. + </p> + <p> + “I don't care what you have,” answered Linda. “I am just compelled to park + these little roosters at once.” + </p> + <p> + “What makes ye call them that ungodly name?” asked Katy. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing ungodly about it,” answered Linda. “It's funny. Gallito is the + Spanish name for these violets, and it means 'little rooster.'” + </p> + <p> + Linda set the violets as carefully as they had been lifted and rinsed her + hands at the hydrant. + </p> + <p> + “Now bring on the remainder of the exhibit,” she ordered. + </p> + <p> + “It's there on the top of the rock pile, which you notice has incrased + since ye last saw it.” + </p> + <p> + “So it has!” said Linda. “So it has! And beautifully colored specimens + those are too. My fern bed will lift up its voice and rejoice in them. And + rocks mean Henry Anderson. The box I do not understand.” + </p> + <p> + Linda picked it up, untied the string, and slipped off the wrapping. Katy + stared in wide-mouthed amazement. + </p> + <p> + “I was just tickled over that because Miss Eileen saw a good-looking and + capable young man leave a second package, right on the heels of young + Whiting,” she said. “Whatever have ye got, lambie? What does that mean?” + </p> + <p> + Linda held up a beautiful box of glass, inside of which could be seen + swarming specimens of every bug, beetle, insect, and worm that Henry + Anderson had been able to collect in Heaven only knew what hours of + search. Linda opened the box. The winged creatures flew, the bettles + tumbled, the worms went over the top. She set it on the ground and laughed + to exhaustion. Her eyes were wet as she looked up at Katy. + </p> + <p> + “That first night Henry Anderson and Peter Morrison were here to dinner, + Katy,” she said, “Anderson made a joke about being my bug-catcher when I + built my home nest, and several times since he has tried to be silly about + it, but the last time I told him it was foolishness to which I would + listen no more, so instead of talking, he has taken this way of telling me + that he is fairly expert as a bug-catcher. Really, it is awfully funny, + Katy.” + </p> + <p> + Katy was sober. She showed no appreciation of the fun. + </p> + <p> + “Ye know, lambie,” she said, her hands on her hips, her elbows + wide-spread, her jaws argumentative, “I've done some blarneying with that + lad, an' I've fed him some, because he was doin' things that would help + an' please ye, but now I'm tellin' ye, just like I'll be tellin' ye till I + die, I ain't STRONG for him. If ever the day comes when ye ask me to take + on that Whiting kid for me boss, I'll bow my head an' I'll fly at his + bidding, because he is real, he's goin' to come out a man lots like your + pa, or hisn. An' if ever the day comes when ye will be telling me ye want + me to serve Pater Morrison, I'll well nigh get on my knees to him. I think + he'd be the closest we'd ever come to gettin' the master back. But I + couldn't say I'd ever take to Anderson. They's something about him, I + can't just say what, but he puts me back up amazin'.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't worry, ancient custodian of the family,” said Linda. “That same + something in Henry Anderson that antagonizes you, affects me in even + stronger degree. You must not get the foolish notion that any man has a + speculative eye on me, because it is not true. Donald Whiting is only a + boy friend, treating me as a brother would, and Peter Morrison is much too + sophisticated and mature to pay any serious attention to a girl with a + year more high school before her. I want to be decent to Henry Anderson, + because he is Peter's architect, and I'm deeply interested in Peter's + house and the lady who will live in it. Sometimes I hope it will be + Donald's sister, Mary Louise. Anyway, I am going to get acquainted with + her and make it my business to see that she and Peter get their chance to + know each other well. My job for Peter is to help run his brook at the + proper angle, build his bridge, engineer his road, and plant his grounds; + so don't be dreaming any foolish dreams, Katy.” + </p> + <p> + Katy folded her arms, tilted her chin at an unusually aspiring angle, and + deliberately sniffed. + </p> + <p> + “Don't ye be lettin' yourself belave your own foolishness,” she said. “I + ain't done with me exhibit yet. On the hall table ye will find a package + from the Pater Morrison man that Miss Eileen had the joy of takin' in and + layin' aside for ye, an atop of it rists a big letter that I'm thinkin' + might mean Miss Marian.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” cried Linda. “Why are you wasting all this time? If there is a + letter from Marian it may mean that the competition is decided; but if it + is, she loses, because she was to telegraph if she won.” + </p> + <p> + Linda rushed into the house and carried her belongings to her workroom. + She dropped them on the table and looked at them. + </p> + <p> + “I'll get you off my mind first,” she said to the Morrison package, which + enclosed a new article entitled “How to Grow Good Citizens.” With it was a + scrawled line, “I'm leaving the head and heels of the future to you.” + </p> + <p> + “How fine!” exulted Linda. “He must have liked the head and tail pieces I + drew for his other article, so he wants the same for this, and if he is + well paid for his article, maybe in time, after I've settled for my hearth + motto, he will pay me something for my work. Gal-lum-shus!” + </p> + <p> + As she opened the letter from Marian she slowly shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “Drat the luck,” she muttered, “no good news here.” + </p> + <p> + Slowly and absorbedly she read: + </p> + <p> + DEAREST LINDA: + </p> + <p> + No telegram to send. I grazed the first prize and missed the second + because Henry Anderson wins with plans so like mine that they are + practically duplicates. I have not seen the winning plans. Mr. Snow told + me as gently as he could that the judges had ruled me out entirely. The + winning plans are practically a reversal of mine, more professionally + drawn, and no doubt the specifications are far ahead of mine, as these are + my weak spot, although I have worked all day and far into the night on the + mathematics of house building. Mr. Snow was very kind, and terribly cut up + about it. I made what I hope was a brave fight, I did so believe in those + plans that I am afraid to say just how greatly disappointed I am. All I + can do is to go to work again and try to find out how to better my best, + which I surely put into the plans I submitted. I can't see how Henry + Anderson came to hit upon some of my personal designs for comforts and + conveniences. I had hoped that no man would think of my especial kitchen + plans. I rather fancied myself as a benefactor to my sex, an emancipator + from drudgery, as it were. I had a concealed feeling that it required a + woman who had expended her strength combating the construction of a + devilish kitchen, to devise some of my built-in conveniences, and I worked + as carefully on my kitchen table, as on any part of the house. If I find + later that the winning plans include these things I shall believe that + Henry Anderson is a mind reader, or that lost plans naturally gravitate to + him. But there is no use to grouch further. I seem to be born a loser. + Anyway, I haven't lost you and I still have Dana Meade. + </p> + <p> + I have nothing else to tell you except that Mr. Snow has waited for me two + evenings out of the week ever since I wrote you, and he has taken me in + his car and simply forced me to drive him for an hour over what appeals to + me to be the most difficult roads he could select. So far I have not + balked at anything but he has had the consideration not to direct me to + the mountains. He is extremely attractive, Linda, and I do enjoy being + with him, but I dread it too, because his grief is so deep and so apparent + that it constantly keeps before me the loss of my own dear ones, and those + things to which the hymn books refer as “aching voids” in my own life. + </p> + <p> + But there is something you will be glad to hear. That unknown + correspondent of mine is still sending letters, and I am crazy about them. + I don't answer one now until I have mulled over it two or three days and I + try to give him as good as he sends. + </p> + <p> + I judge from your letters that you are keeping at least even with Eileen, + and that life is much happier for you. You seem to be broadening. I am so + glad for the friendship you have formed with Donald Whiting. My mother and + Mrs. Whiting were friends. She is a charming woman and it has seemed to me + that in her daughter Louise she has managed a happy compound of + old-fashioned straightforwardness and unswerving principle, festooned with + happy trimmings of all that is best in the present days. I hope that you + do become acquainted with her. She is older than you, but she is the kind + of girl I know you would like. + </p> + <p> + Don't worry because I have lost again, Linda dear. Today is my blue day. + Tomorrow I shall roll up my sleeves and go at it again with all my might, + and by and by it is written in the books that things will come right for + me. They cannot go wrong for ever. With dearest love, + </p> + <p> + MARIAN. + </p> + <p> + Linda looked grim as she finished the letter. + </p> + <p> + “Confound such luck,” she said emphatically. “I do not understand it. How + can a man like Henry Anderson know more about comforts and conveniences in + a home than a woman with Marian's experience and comprehension? And she + has been gaining experience for the past ten years. That partner of his + must be a six-cylinder miracle.” + </p> + <p> + Linda went to the kitchen, because she was in pressing need of someone to + whom to tell her troubles, and there was no one except Katy. What Katy + said was energetic and emphatic, but it comforted Linda, because she + agreed with it and what she was seeking at the minute was someone who + agreed with her. As she went back upstairs, she met Eileen on her way to + the front door. Eileen paused and deliberately studied Linda's face, and + Linda stopped and waited quietly until she chose to speak. + </p> + <p> + “I presume,” said Eileen at last, “that you and Katy would call the + process through which you are going right now, 'taking the bit in your + teeth,' or some poetic thing like that, but I can't see that you are + getting much out of it. I don't hear the old laugh or the clatter of gay + feet as I did before all this war of dissatisfaction broke out. This + minute if you haven't either cried, or wanted to, I miss my guess.” + </p> + <p> + “You win,” said Linda. “I have not cried, because I make it a rule never + to resort to tears when I can help it; so what you see now is unshed tears + in my heart. They in no way relate to what you so aptly term my 'war of + dissatisfaction'; they are for Marian. She has lost again, this time the + Nicholson and Snow prize in architecture.” + </p> + <p> + “Serves her right,” said Eileen, laughing contemptuously. “The ridiculous + idea of her trying to compete in a man's age-old occupation! As if she + ever could learn enough about joists and beams and girders and installing + water and gas and electricity to build a house. She should have had the + sense to know she couldn't do it.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” said Linda quietly, “Marian wasn't proposing to be a contractor, + she only wants to be an architect. And the man who beat her is Peter + Morrison's architect, Henry Anderson, and he won by such a narrow margin + that her plans were thrown out of second and third place, because they + were so very similar to his. Doesn't that strike you as curious?” + </p> + <p> + “That is more than curious,” said Eileen slowly. “That is a very strange + coincidence. They couldn't have had anything from each other, because they + only met at dinner, before all of us, and Marian went away the next + morning; it does seem queer.” Then she added with a flash of generosity + and justice, “It looks pretty good for Marian, at that. If she came so + near winning that she lost second and third because she was too near first + to make any practical difference, I must be wrong and she must be right.” + </p> + <p> + “You are wrong,” said Linda tersely, “if you think Marian cannot make + wonderful plans for houses. But going back to what my 'war of + dissatisfaction' is doing to me, it's a pale affair compared with what it + is doing to you, Eileen. You look a debilitated silhouette of the near + recent past. Do you feel that badly about giving up a little money and + authority?” + </p> + <p> + “I never professed to have the slightest authority over you,” said Eileen + very primly, as she drew back in the shadows. “You have come and gone + exactly as you pleased. All I ever tried to do was to keep up a decent + appearance before the neighbors and make financial ends meet.” + </p> + <p> + “That never seemed to wear on you as something seems to do now,” said + Linda. “I am thankful that this week ends it. I was looking for you + because I wanted to tell you to be sure not to make any date that will + keep you from meeting me at the office of the president of the + Consolidated Bank Thursday afternoon. I am going to arrange with John to + be there and it shouldn't take fifteen minutes to run through matters and + divide the income in a fair way between us. I am willing for you to go on + paying the bills and ordering for the house as you have been.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly you are,” sneered Eileen. “You are quite willing for all the + work and use the greater part of my time to make you comfortable.” + </p> + <p> + Linda suddenly drew back. Her body seemed to recoil, but her head thrust + forward as if to bring her eyes in better range to read Eileen's face. + </p> + <p> + “That is utterly unjust, Eileen,” she cried. + </p> + <p> + Then two at a time she rushed the stairs in a race for her room. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. The Day of Jubilee + </h2> + <p> + Linda started to school half an hour earlier Wednesday morning because + that was the day for her weekly trip to the Post Office for any mail which + might have come to her under the name of Jane Meredith. She had hard work + to keep down her color when she recognized the heavy gray envelope used by + the editor of Everybody's Home. As she turned from the window with it in + her fingers she was trembling slightly and wondering whether she could + have a minute's seclusion to face the answer which her last letter might + have brought. There was a small alcove beside a public desk at one side of + the room. Linda stepped into this, tore open the envelope and slipped out + the sheet it contained. Dazedly she stared at the slip that fell from it. + Slowly the color left her cheeks and then came rushing back from her + surcharged heart until her very ears were red, because that slip was very + manifestly a cheque for five hundred dollars. Mentally and physically + Linda shook herself, then she straightened to full height, tensing her + muscles and holding the sheet before her with a hand on each side to keep + it from shaking, while she read: + </p> + <p> + MY DEAR MADAM: + </p> + <p> + I sincerely apologize for having waited so long before writing you of the + very exceptional reception which your articles have had. I think one half + their attraction has been the exquisite and appealing pictures you have + sent for their illustration. At the present minute they are forming what I + consider the most unique feature in the magazine. I am enclosing you a + cheque for five hundred dollars as an initial payment on the series. Just + what the completed series should be worth I am unable to say until you + inform me how many months you can keep it up at the same grade of culinary + and literary interest and attractive illustration; but I should say at a + rough estimate that you would be safe in counting upon a repetition of + this cheque for every three articles you send in. This of course includes + payment for the pictures also, which are to me if anything more attractive + than the recipes, since the local color and environment they add to the + recipe and the word sketch are valuable in the extreme. + </p> + <p> + If you feel that you can continue this to the extent of even a small + volume, I shall be delighted to send you a book contract. In considering + this proposition, let me say that if you could not produce enough recipes + to fill a book, you could piece it out to the necessary length most + charmingly and attractively by lengthening the descriptions of the + environment in which the particular fruits and vegetables you deal with + are to be found; and in book form you might allow yourself much greater + latitude in the instructions concerning the handling of the fruits and the + preparation of the recipes. I think myself that a wonderfully attractive + book could be made from this material, and hope that you will agree with + me. Trusting that this will be satisfactory to you and that you will + seriously consider the book proposition before you decline it, I remain, + my dear madam, Very truly yours, + </p> + <p> + HUGH THOMPSON, + </p> + <p> + Editor, Everybody's Home. + </p> + <p> + Gripping the cheque and the letter, Linda lurched forward against the + window casement and shut her eyes tight, because she could feel big, + nervous gulps of exultation and rejoicing swelling up in her throat. She + shifted the papers to one hand and surreptitiously slipped the other to + her pocket. She tried to keep the papers before her and looked straight + from the window to avoid attracting attention. The tumult of exultation in + her heart was so wild that she did not surely know whether she wanted to + sink to the floor, lay her face against the glass, and indulge in what for + generations women have referred to as “a good cry,” or whether she wanted + to leap from the window and sport on the wind like a driven leaf. + </p> + <p> + Then she returned the letter and cheque to the envelope, and slipped it + inside her blouse, and started on her way to school. She might as well + have gone to Multiflores Canyon and pitted her strength against climbing + its walls for the day, for all the good she did in her school work. She + heard no word of any recitation by her schoolmates. She had no word ready + when called on for a recitation herself. She heard nothing that was said + by any of the professors. On winged feet she was flying back and forth + from the desert to the mountains, from the canyons to the sea. She was + raiding beds of amass and devising ways to roast the bulbs and make a new + dish. She was compounding drinks from mescal and bisnaga. She was hunting + desert pickles and trying to remember whether Indian rhubarb ever grew so + far south. She was glad when the dismissal hour came that afternoon. With + eager feet she went straight to the Consolidated Bank and there she asked + again to be admitted to the office of the president. Mr. Worthington rose + as she came in. + </p> + <p> + “Am I wrong in my dates?” he inquired. “I was not expecting you until + tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + “No, you're quite right,” said Linda. “At this hour tomorrow. But, Mr. + Worthington, I am in trouble again.” + </p> + <p> + Linda looked so distressed that the banker pushed a chair to the table's + side for her, and when she had seated herself, he said quietly: “Tell me + all about it, Linda. We must get life straightened out as best we can.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I must tell you all about it,” said Linda, “because I know just + enough about banking to know that I have a proposition that I don't know + how to handle. Are bankers like father confessors and doctors and + lawyers?” + </p> + <p> + “I think they are even more so,” laughed Mr. Worthington. “Perhaps the + father confessor takes precedence, otherwise I believe people are quite as + much interested in their financial secrets as in anything else in all this + world. Have you a financial secret?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Linda, “I have what is to me a big secret, and I don't in the + least know how to handle it, so right away I thought about you and that + you would be the one to tell me what I could do.” + </p> + <p> + “Go ahead,” said Mr. Worthington kindly. “I'll give you my word of honor + to keep any secret you confide to me.” + </p> + <p> + Linda produced her letter. She opened it and without any preliminaries + handed it and the cheque to the banker. He looked at the cheque + speculatively, and then laid it aside and read the letter. He gave every + evidence of having read parts of it two or three times, then he examined + the cheque again, and glanced at Linda. + </p> + <p> + “And just how did you come into possession of this, young lady?” he + inquired. “And what is it that you want of me?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, don't you see?” said Linda. “It's my letter and my cheque; I'm 'Jane + Meredith.' Now how am I going to get my money.” + </p> + <p> + For one dazed moment Mr. Worthington studied Linda; then he threw back his + head and laughed unrestrainedly. He came around the table and took both + Linda's hands. + </p> + <p> + “Bully for you!” he cried exultantly. “How I wish your father could see + the seed he has sown bearing its fruit. Isn't that fine? And do you want + to go on with this anonymously?” + </p> + <p> + “I think I must,” said Linda. “I have said in my heart that no Jap, male + or female, young or old, shall take first honors in a class from which I + graduate; and you can see that if people generally knew this, it would + make it awfully hard for me to go on with my studies, and I don't know + that the editor who is accepting this work would take it if he knew it + were sent him by a high-school Junior. You see the dignified way in which + he addresses me as 'madam'?” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Mr. Worthington reflectively. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure,” said Linda with demure lips, though the eyes above them were + blazing and dancing at high tension, “I'm sure that the editor is + attaching a husband, and a house having a well-ordered kitchen, and rather + wide culinary experience to that 'dear madam.'” + </p> + <p> + “And what about this book proposition?” asked the banker gravely. “That + would be a big thing for a girl of your age. Can you do it, and continue + your school work?” + </p> + <p> + “With the background I have, with the unused material I have, and with + vacation coming before long, I can do it easily,” said Linda. “My school + work is not difficult for me. It only requires concentration for about two + hours in the preparation that each day brings. The remainder of the time I + could give to amplifying and producing new recipes.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said the banker. “So you have resolved, Linda, that you don't + want your editor to know your real name.” + </p> + <p> + “Could scarcely be done,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “But have you stopped to think,” said the banker, “that you will be asked + for personal history and about your residence, and no doubt a photograph + of yourself. If you continue this work anonymously you're going to have + trouble with more matters than cashing a cheque.” + </p> + <p> + “But I am not going to have any trouble cashing a cheque,” she said, + “because I have come straight to the man whose business is cheques.” + </p> + <p> + “True enough,” he said; “I SHALL have to arrange the cheque; there's not a + doubt about that; and as for your other bugbears.” + </p> + <p> + “I refuse to be frightened by them,” interposed Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Have you ever done any business at the bank?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “None of the clerks know you?” + </p> + <p> + “Not that I remember,” said Linda. “I might possibly be acquainted with + some of them. I have merely passed through the bank on my way to your room + twice.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said the banker, “we'll have to risk it. After this estate + business is settled you will want to open an account in your name.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite true,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Then I would advise you,” said Mr. Worthington, “to open this account in + your own name. Endorse this cheque 'Jane Meredith' and make it payable to + me personally. Whenever one of these comes, bring it to me and I'll take + care of it for you. One minute.” + </p> + <p> + He left Linda sitting quietly reading and rereading her letter, and + presently returned and laid a sheaf of paper money before her. + </p> + <p> + “Take it to the paying teller. Tell him that you wish to deposit it, and + ask him to give you a bank book and a cheque book,” he said. “Thank you + very much for coming to me and for confiding in me.” + </p> + <p> + Linda gathered up the money, and said good-bye to the banker. Just as she + started forward she recognized Eileen at the window of the paying teller. + It was an Eileen she never before had seen. Her face was strained to a + ghastly gray. Her hat was not straight and her hands were shaking. Without + realizing that she was doing it, Linda stepped behind one of the huge + marble pillars supporting the ceiling and stood there breathlessly, + watching Eileen. She could gather that she was discussing the bank ledger + which lay before the teller and that he was refusing something that Eileen + was imploring him to do. Linda thought she understood what it was. Then + very clearly Eileen's voice, sharp and strained, reached her ears. + </p> + <p> + “You mean that you are refusing to pay me my deposits on my private + account?” she cried; and Linda could also hear the response. + </p> + <p> + “I am very sorry if it annoys or inconveniences you, Miss Strong, but + since the settlement of the estate takes place tomorrow, our orders are to + pay out no funds in any way connected with the estate until after that + settlement has been arranged.” + </p> + <p> + “But this is my money, my own private affair,” begged Eileen. “The estate + has nothing to do with it.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry,” repeated the teller. “If that is the case, you will have no + difficulty in establishing the fact in a few minutes' time.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen turned and left the bank, and it seemed that she was almost + swaying. Linda stood a second with narrowed eyes, in deep thought. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” she said at last, deep down in her heart, “that it looks + precious much as if there had been a bit of transgression in this affair. + It looks, too, as if 'the way of the transgressor' were a darned hard way. + Straight ahead open and aboveboard for you, my girl!” + </p> + <p> + Then she went quietly to the desk and transacted her own business; but her + beautiful day was clouded. Her heart was no longer leaping exultantly. She + was sickened and sorrowful over the evident nerve strain and discomfort + which Eileen seemed to have brought upon herself. She dreaded meeting her + at dinner that night, and she wondered all the way home where Eileen had + gone from the bank and what she had been doing. What she felt was a pale + affair compared with what she would have felt if she could have seen + Eileen leave the bank and enter a near-by store, go to a telephone booth + and put in a long-distance call for San Francisco. Her eyes were + brilliant, her cheeks by nature redder than the rouge she had used upon + them. She squared her shoulders, lifted her head, as if she irrevocably + had made a decision and would not be thwarted in acting upon it. While she + waited she straightened her hat, and tucked up her pretty hair, once more + evincing concern about her appearance. After a nervous wait she secured + her party. + </p> + <p> + “Am I speaking with Mr. James Heitman?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” came the answer. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Uncle Jim, this is Eileen.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, hello, girlie,” was the quick response. “Delighted that you're + calling your ancient uncle. Haven't changed the decision in the last + letter I had from you, have you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Eileen, “I have changed it. Do you and Aunt Caroline still + want me, Uncle Jim?” + </p> + <p> + “YOU BET WE WANT YOU!” roared the voice over the 'phone. “Here we are, + with plenty of money and not a relation on earth but you to leave it to. + You belong to us by rights. We'd be tickled to death to have you, and for + you to have what's left of the money when we get through with it. May I + come after you? Say the word, and I'll start this minute.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Uncle Jim, could you? Would you?” cried Eileen. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'd say I could. We'd be tickled to death, I tell you!” + </p> + <p> + “How long would it take you to get here?” said Eileen. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I could reach you by noon tomorrow. Eleven something is the + shortest time it's been made in; that would give me thirteen—more + than enough. Are you in that much of a hurry?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” gasped Eileen, “yes, I am in the biggest kind of a hurry there is, + Uncle Jim. This troublesome little estate has to be settled tomorrow + afternoon. There's going to be complaint about everything that I have seen + fit to do. I've been hounded and harassed till I am disgusted with it. + Then I've promised to marry John Gilman as I wrote you, and I don't + believe you would think that was my best chance with the opportunities you + could give me. It seems foolish to stay here, abused as I have been + lately, and as I will be tomorrow. You have the house number. If you come + and get me out of it by noon tomorrow, I'll go with you. You may take out + those adoption papers you have always entreated me to agree to and I'll be + a daughter that you can be proud of. It will be a relief to have some real + money and some real position, and to breathe freely and be myself once + more.” + </p> + <p> + “All right for you, girlie!” bellowed the great voice over the line. “Pick + up any little personal bits you can put in a suitcase, and by twelve + o'clock tomorrow I'll whisk you right out of that damn mess.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen walked from the telephone booth with her head high, triumph written + all over her face and figure. They were going to humiliate her. She would + show them! + </p> + <p> + She went home immediately. Entering her room, she closed the door and + stood looking at her possessions. How could she get her trunk from the + garret? How could she get it to the station? Would it be possible for + Uncle James to take it in his car? As she pondered these things Eileen had + a dim memory of a day in her childhood when her mother had gone on + business to San Francisco and had taken her along. She remembered a huge + house, all turrets and towers and gables, all turns and twists and angles, + closed to the light of day and glowing inside with shining artificial + lights. She remembered stumbling over deep rugs. One vivid impression was + of walls covered with huge canvases, some of them having frames more than + a foot wide. She remembered knights in armor, and big fireplaces, and huge + urns and vases. It seemed to her like the most wonderful bazaar she ever + had been in. She remembered, too, that she had been glad when her mother + had taken her out into the sunshine again and from the presence of two + ponderous people who had objected strongly to everything her mother had + discussed with them. She paused one instant, contemplating this picture. + The look of triumph on her face toned down considerably. Then she + comforted herself aloud. + </p> + <p> + “I've heard Mother say,” she said softly, “that everybody overdid things + and did not know how to be graceful with immense fortunes got from silver + and gold mines, and lumber. It will be different now. Probably they don't + live in the same house, even. There is a small army of servants, and there + is nothing I can think of that Uncle Jim won't gladly get me. I've been + too big a fool for words to live this way as long as I have. Crush me, + will they? I'll show them! I won't even touch these things I have strained + so to get.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen jerked from her throat the strand of pearls that she had worn + continuously for four years and threw it contemptuously on her dressing + table. + </p> + <p> + “I'll make Uncle Jim get me a rope with two or three strands in it that + will reach to my waist. 'A suitcase!' I don't know what I would fill a + suitcase with from here. The trunk may stay in the garret, and while I am + leaving all this rubbish, I'll just leave John Gilman with it. Uncle Jim + will give me an income that will buy all the cigarettes I want without + having to deceive anyone; and I can have money if I want to stake + something at bridge without being scared into paralysis for fear somebody + may find it out or the accounts won't balance. I'll put on the most + suitable thing I have to travel in, and just walk out and leave everything + else.” + </p> + <p> + That was what Eileen did. At noon the next day her eyes were bright with + nervousness. Her cheeks alternately paled with fear and flooded red with + anxiety. She had dressed herself carefully, laid out her hat and gloves + and a heavy coat in case the night should be chilly. Once she stood + looking at the dainty, brightly colored dresses hanging in her wardrobe A + flash of regret passed over her face. + </p> + <p> + “Tawdry little cheap things and makeshifts,” she said. “If Linda feels + that she has been so terribly defrauded, she can help herself now!” + </p> + <p> + By twelve o'clock she found herself standing at the window, straining her + eyes down Lilac Valley. She was not looking at its helpful hills, at its + appealing curves, at its brilliant colors. She was watching the roadway. + When Katy rang to call her to lunch, she told her to put the things away; + she was expecting people who would take her out to lunch presently. In the + past years she had occasionally written to her uncle. Several times when + he had had business in Los Angeles she had met him at his hotel and dined + with him. She reasoned that he would come straight to the house and get + her, and then they would go to one of the big hotels for lunch before they + started. + </p> + <p> + “I shan't feel like myself,” said Eileen, “until we are well on the way to + San Francisco.” + </p> + <p> + At one o'clock she was walking the floor. At two she was almost frantic. + At half past she almost wished that she had had the good sense to have + some lunch, since she was very hungry and under tense nerve strain. Once + she paused before the glass, but what she saw frightened her. Just when + she felt that she could not endure the strain another minute, grinding + brakes, the blast of a huge Klaxon, and the sound of a great voice arose + from the street. Eileen rushed to the window. She took one look, caught up + the suitcase and raced down the stairs. At the door she met a bluff, big + man, gross from head to foot. It seemed to Eileen strange that she could + see in him even a trace of her mother, and yet she could. Red veins + crossed his cheeks and glowed on his nose. His tired eyes were watery; his + thick lips had an inclination to sag; but there was heartiness in his + voice and earnestness in the manner in which he picked her up. + </p> + <p> + “What have they been doing to you down here?” he demanded. “Never should + have left you this long. Ought to have come down and taken you and showed + you what you wanted, and then you would have known whether you wanted it + or not.” + </p> + <p> + At this juncture a huge woman, gross in a feminine way as her husband was + in his, paddled up the walk. + </p> + <p> + “I'm comin' in and rest a few minutes,” she said. “I'm tired to death and + I'm pounded to pieces.” + </p> + <p> + Her husband turned toward her. He opened his lips to introduce Eileen. His + wife forestalled him. + </p> + <p> + “So this is the Eileen you have been ravin' about for years,” she said. “I + thought you said she was a pretty girl.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen's soul knew one sick instant of recoil. She looked from James + Heitman to Caroline, his wife, and remembered that he had a habit of + calling her “Callie.” All that paint and powder and lipstick and + brilliantine could do to make the ponderous, big woman more ghastly had + been done, but in the rush of the long ride through which her husband had + forced her, the colors had mixed and slipped, the false waves were + displaced. She was not in any condition to criticize the appearance of + another woman. For one second Eileen hesitated, then she lifted her + shaking hands to her hat. + </p> + <p> + “I have been hounded out of my senses,” she said apologetically, “and have + been so terribly anxious for fear you wouldn't get here on time. Please, + Aunt Caroline, let us go to a hotel, some place where we can straighten up + comfortably.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what's your hurry?” said Aunt Caroline coolly. “You're not a + fugitive from justice, are you? Can't a body rest a few minutes and have a + drink, even? Besides, I am going to see what kind of a place you've been + living in, and then I'll know how thankful you'll be for what we got to + offer.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen turned and threw open the door. The big woman walked in. She looked + down the hall, up the stairway, and went on to the living room. She gave + it one contemptuous glance, and turning, came back to the door. + </p> + <p> + “All right, Jim,” she said brusquely. “I have seen enough. If you know the + best hotel in the town, take me there. And then, if Eileen's in such a + hurry, after we have had a bite we'll start for home.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Aunt Caroline, oh, thank you!” cried Eileen. + </p> + <p> + “You needn't take the trouble to 'aunt' me every time you speak to me,” + said the lady. “I know you're my niece, but I ain't goin' to remind you of + it every time I speak to you. It's agein', this 'auntie' business. I don't + stand for it, and as for a name, I am free to confess I always like the + way Jim calls me 'Callie.' That sounds younger and more companionable than + 'Caroline.'” + </p> + <p> + James Heitman looked at Eileen and winked. + </p> + <p> + “You just bet, old girl!” he said. “They ain't any of them can beat you, + not even Eileen at her best. Let's get her out of here. Does this + represent your luggage, girlie?” + </p> + <p> + “You said not to bother with anything else,” said Eileen. + </p> + <p> + “So I did,” said Uncle Jim, “and I meant just what I said if it's all + right with you. I suppose I did have, in the back of my head, an idea that + there might be a trunk or a box—some things that belonged to your + mother, mebby, and your 'keepsakes.'” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, never mind,” interrupted Eileen. “Do let's go. It's nearly four + o'clock. Any minute they may send for me from the bank, and I'd be more + than glad to be out of the way.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm not accustomed to being the porter, but if time's that + precious, here we go,” said Uncle Jim. + </p> + <p> + He picked up the suitcase with one hand and took his wife's arm with the + other. + </p> + <p> + “Scoot down there and climb into that boat,” he said proudly to Eileen. + “We'll have a good dinner in a private room when we get to the hotel. I + won't even register. And then we'll get out of here when we have rested a + little.” + </p> + <p> + “Can't we stay all night and go in the morning?” panted his wife. + </p> + <p> + “No, ma'am, we can't,” said James Heitman authoritatively. “We'll eat a + bite because we need to be fed up, and I sincerely hope they's some decent + grub to be had in this burg. The first place we come to outside of here, + that looks like they had a decent bed, we'll stop and make up for last + night. But we ain't a-goin' to stay here if Eileen wants us to start right + away, eh, Eileen?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, please!” panted Eileen. “I just don't want to meet any of them. It's + time enough for them to know what has happened after I am gone.” + </p> + <p> + “All right then,” said Uncle James. “Pile in and we'll go.” + </p> + <p> + So Eileen started on the road to the unlimited wealth her soul had always + craved. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. Linda's First Party + </h2> + <p> + At the bank Linda and John Gilman waited an hour past the time set for + Eileen's appearance. Then Linda asserted herself. + </p> + <p> + “I have had a feeling for some time,” she said quietly, “that Eileen would + not appear today, and if she doesn't see fit to come, there is no + particular reason why she should. There is nothing to do but go over the + revenue from the estate. The books will show what Eileen has drawn monthly + for her expense budget. That can be set aside and the remainder divided + equally between us. It's very simple. Here is a letter I wrote to the + publishers of Father's books asking about royalties. I haven't even opened + it. I will turn it in with the remainder of the business.” + </p> + <p> + They were in the office with the president of the bank. He rang for the + clerk he wanted and the books he required, and an hour's rapid figuring + settled the entire matter, with the exception of the private account, + amounting to several thousands, standing in Eileen's name. None of them + knew any source of separate income she might have. At a suggestion from + Linda, the paying teller was called in and asked if he could account for + any of the funds that had gone into the private account. + </p> + <p> + “Not definitely,” he said, “but the amounts always corresponded exactly + with the royalties from the books. I strongly suspect that they constitute + this private account of Miss Eileen's.” + </p> + <p> + But he did not say that she had tried to draw it the day previous. + </p> + <p> + John Gilman made the suggestion that they should let the matter rest until + Eileen explained about it. Then Linda spoke very quietly, but with + considerable finality in her tone. + </p> + <p> + “No,” she said, “I know that Eileen HAD no source of private income. + Mother used to mention that she had some wealthy relatives in San + Francisco, but they didn't approve of her marriage to what they called a + 'poor doctor,' and she would never accept, or allow us to accept, anything + from them. They never came to see us and we never went to see them. Eileen + knows no more about them than I do. We will work upon the supposition that + everything that is here belonged to Father. Set aside to Eileen's credit + the usual amount for housekeeping expenses. Turn the private account in + with the remainder. Start two new bank books, one for Eileen and one for + me. Divide the surplus each month exactly in halves. And I believe this is + the proper time for the bank to turn over to me a certain key, specified + by my father as having been left in your possession to be delivered to me + on my coming of age.” + </p> + <p> + With the key in her possession, Linda and John Gilman left the bank. As + they stood for a moment in front of the building, Gilman removed his hat + and ran his hands through his hair as if it were irritating his head. + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” he said in a deeply wistful tone, “I don't understand this. Why + shouldn't Eileen have come today as she agreed? What is there about this + that is not according to law and honor and the plain, simple rights of the + case?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” said Linda; “but there is something we don't understand + about it. And I am going to ask you, John, as my guardian, closing up my + affairs today, to go home with me to be present when I open the little + hidden door I found at the back of a library shelf when I was disposing of + Daddy's technical books. There was a slip of paper at the edge of it + specifying that the key was in possession of the Consolidated Bank and was + to be delivered to me, in the event of Daddy's passing, on my coming of + age. I have the key, but I would like to have you with me, and Eileen if + she is in the house, when I open that door. I don't know what is behind + it, but there's a certain feeling that always has been strong in my heart + and it never was so strong as it is at this minute.” + </p> + <p> + So they boarded the street car and ran out to Lilac Valley. When Katy + admitted them Linda put her arm around her and kissed her. She could see + that the house was freshly swept and beautifully decorated with flowers, + and her trained nostrils could scent whiffs of delicious odors from food + of which she was specially fond. In all her world Katy was the one person + who was celebrating her birthday. She seemed rather surprised when Linda + and Gilman came in together. + </p> + <p> + “Where is Eileen?” inquired Linda. + </p> + <p> + “She must have made some new friends,” said Katy. “About four o'clock, the + biggest car that ever roared down this street rolled up, and the biggest + man and woman that I ever see came puffin' and pantin' in. Miss Eileen did + not tell me where she was goin' or when she would be back, but I know it + won't be the night, because she took her little dressin' case with her. + Belike it's another of them trips to Riverside or Pasadena.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely,” said Linda quietly. “Katy, can you spare a few minutes?” + </p> + <p> + “No, lambie, I jist can't,” said Katy, “because a young person that's the + apple of me eye is havin' a birthday the day and I have got me custard + cake in the oven and the custard is in the makin', and after Miss Eileen + went and I didn't see no chance for nothin' special, I jist happened to + look out, one of the ways ye do things unbeknownst to yourself, and there + stood Mr. Pater Morrison moonin' over the 'graveyard,' like he called it, + and it was lookin' like seein' graves he was, and I jist took the bull by + the horns, and I sings out to him and I says: 'Mr. Pater Morrison, it's a + good friend ye were to the young missus when ye engineered her skylight + and her beautiful fireplace, and this bein' her birthday, I'm takin' the + liberty to ask ye to come to dinner and help me celebrate.' And he said he + would run up to the garage and get into his raygimentals, whatever them + might be, and he would be here at six o'clock. So ye got a guest for + dinner, and if the custard's scorched and the cake's flat, it's up to ye + for kapin' me here to tell ye all this.” + </p> + <p> + Then Katy hurried to the kitchen. Linda looked at John Gilman and smiled. + </p> + <p> + “Isn't that like her?” she said. + </p> + <p> + Then she led the way to the library, pulled aside the books, fitted the + key to the little door, and opened it. Inside lay a single envelope, + sealed and bearing her name. She took the envelope, and walking to her + father's chair beside his library table, sat down in it, and laying the + envelope on the table, crossed her hands on top of it. + </p> + <p> + “John,” she said, “ever since I have been big enough to think and reason + and study things out for myself, there is a feeling I have had—I + used to think it was unreasonable, then I thought it remote possibility. + This minute I think it's extremely probable. Before I open this envelope I + am going to tell you what I believe it contains. I have not the slightest + evidence except personal conviction, but I believe that the paper inside + this envelope is written by my father's hand and I believe it tells me + that he was not Eileen's father and that I am not her sister. If it does + not say this, then there is nothing in race and blood and inherited + tendencies.” + </p> + <p> + Linda picked up the paper cutter, ran it across the envelope, slipped out + the sheet, and bracing herself she read: + </p> + <p> + MY DARLING LINDA: + </p> + <p> + These lines are to tell you that your mother went to her eternal sleep + when you were born. Four years later I met and fell in love with the only + mother you ever have known. At the time of our marriage we entered into a + solemn compact that her little daughter by a former marriage and mine + should be reared as sisters. I was to give half my earnings and to do for + Eileen exactly as I did for you. She was to give half her love and her + best attention to your interests. + </p> + <p> + I sincerely hope that what I have done will not result in any discomfort + or inconvenience to you. + </p> + <p> + With dearest love, as ever your father, + </p> + <p> + ALEXANDER STRONG. + </p> + <p> + Linda laid the sheet on the table and dropped her hands on top of it. Then + she looked at John Gilman. + </p> + <p> + “John,” she said, “I believe you had better face the fact that the big car + and the big people that carried Eileen away today were her mother's + wealthy relatives from San Francisco. She must have been in touch with + them. I think very likely she sent for them after I saw her in the bank + yesterday afternoon, trying with all her might to make the paying teller + turn over to her the funds of the private account.” + </p> + <p> + John Gilman sat very still for a long time, then he raised tired, + disappointed eyes to Linda's face. + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” he said, “do you mean you think Eileen was not straight about + money matters?” + </p> + <p> + “John,” said Linda quietly, “I think it is time for the truth about Eileen + between you and me. If you want me to answer that question candidly, I'll + answer it.” + </p> + <p> + “I want the truth,” said John Gilman gravely. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Linda, “I never knew Eileen to be honest about anything in + all her life unless the truth served her better than an evasion. Her hair + was not honest color and it was not honest curl. Her eyebrows were not so + dark as she made them. Her cheeks and lips were not so red, her forehead + and throat were not so white, her form was not so perfect. Her friends + were selected because they could serve her. As long as you were poor and + struggling, Marian was welcome to you. When you won a great case and + became prosperous and fame came rapidly, Eileen took you. I believe what I + told you a minute ago: I think she has gone for good. I think she went + because she had not been fair and she would not be forced to face the fact + before you and me and the president of the Consolidated today. I think you + will have to take your heart home tonight and I think that before the + night is over you will realize what Marian felt when she knew that in + addition to having been able to take you from her, Eileen was not a woman + who would make you happy. I am glad, deeply glad, that there is not a drop + of her blood in my veins, sorry as I am for you and much as I regret what + has happened. I won't ask you to stay tonight, because you must go through + the same black waters Marian breasted, and you will want to be alone. + Later, if you think of any way I can serve you, I will be glad for old + sake's sake; but you must not expect me ever to love you or respect your + judgment as I did before the shadow fell.” + </p> + <p> + Then Linda rose, replaced the letter, turned the key in the lock, and + quietly slipped out of the room. + </p> + <p> + When she opened her door and stepped into her room she paused in + astonishment. Spread out upon the bed lay a dress of georgette with little + touches of fur and broad ribbons of satin. In color it was like the flame + of seasoned beechwood. Across the foot of the bed hung petticoat, + camisole, and hose, and beside the dress a pair of satin slippers exactly + matching the hose, and they seemed the right size. Linda tiptoed to the + side of the bed and delicately touched the dress, and then she saw a paper + lying on the waist front, and picking it up read: + </p> + <p> + Lambie, here's your birthday, from loving old Katy. + </p> + <p> + The lines were terse and to the point. Linda laid them down, and picking + up the dress she walked to the mirror, and holding it under her chin + glanced down the length of its reflection. What she saw almost stunned + her. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, good Lord!” she said. “I can't wear that. That isn't me.” + </p> + <p> + Then she tossed the dress on the bed and started in a headlong rush to the + kitchen. As she came through the door, “You blessed old darling!” she + cried. “What am I going to say to make you know how I appreciate your + lovely, lovely gift?” + </p> + <p> + Katy raised her head. There was something that is supposed to be the + prerogative of royalty in the lift of it. Her smile was complacent in the + extreme. + </p> + <p> + “Don't ye be standin' there wastin' no time talkie',” she said. + </p> + <p> + “I have oodles of time,” said Linda, “but I warn you, you won't know me if + I put on that frock, Katy.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I will, too,” said Katy. + </p> + <p> + “Katy,” said Linda, sobering suddenly, “would it make any great difference + to you if I were the only one here for always, after this?” + </p> + <p> + Katy laughed contemptuously. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'd warrant to survive it,” she said coolly. + </p> + <p> + “But that is exactly what I must tell you, Katy,” said Linda soberly. “You + know I have told you a number of times through these years that I did not + believe Eileen and I were sisters, and I am telling you now that I know + it. She did not come to the bank today, and the settlement of Father's + affairs developed the fact that I was my father's child and Eileen was her + mother's; and I'm thinking, Katy, that the big car you saw and the opulent + people in it were Eileen's mother's wealthy relatives from San Francisco. + My guess is, Katy, that Eileen has gone with them for good. Lock her door + and don't touch her things until we know certainly what she wants done + with them.” + </p> + <p> + Katy stood thinking intently, then she lifted her eyes to Linda's. + </p> + <p> + “Lambie,” she whispered softly, “are we ixpicted to go into mourning over + this?” + </p> + <p> + A mischievous light leaped into Linda's eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Well, if there are any such expectations abroad, Katherine O'Donovan,” + she said soberly, “the saints preserve 'em, for we can't fulfill 'em, can + we, Katy?” + </p> + <p> + “Not to be savin' our souls,” answered Katy heartily. “I'm jist so glad + and thankful that I don't know what to do, and it's such good news that I + don't belave one word of it. And while you're talkie', what about John + Gilman?” + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said Linda quietly, “that tonight is going to teach him how + Marian felt in her blackest hours.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he needn't be coming to me for sympathy,” said Katy. “But if Miss + Eileen has gone to live with the folks that come after her the day, ye + might be savin' a wee crap o' sympathy for her, lambie. They was jist the + kind of people that you'd risk your neck slidin' down a mountain to get + out of their way.” + </p> + <p> + “That is too bad,” said Linda reflectively; “because Eileen is sensitive + and constant contact with crass vulgarity certainly would wear on her + nerves.” + </p> + <p> + “Now you be goin' and gettin' into that dress, lambie,” said Katy. + </p> + <p> + “Katherine O'Donovan,” said Linda, “you're used to it; come again to + confession. Tell me truly where and how did you get that dress?” + </p> + <p> + “'Tain't no rule of polite society to be lookin' gift horses in the + mouth,” said Katy proudly. “HOW I got it is me own affair, jist like ye + got any gifts ye was ever makin' me, is yours. WHERE I got it? I went into + the city on the strafe car and I went to the biggest store in the city and + I got in the elevator and I says to the naygur: 'Let me off where real + ladies buy ready-to-wear dresses.' + </p> + <p> + “And up comes a little woman, and her hair was jist as soft and curling + round her ears, and brown and pretty was her eyes, and the pink that God + made was in her cheeks, and in a voice like runnin' water she says: 'Could + I do anything for you?' I told her what I wanted. And she says: 'How old + is the young lady, and what's her size, and what's her color?' Darlin', + ain't that dress the answer to what I told her?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Linda. “If an artist had been selecting a dress for me he + would probably have chosen that one. But, old dear, it's not suitable for + me. It's not the kind of dress that I intended to wear for years and years + yet. Do you think, if I put it on tonight, I'll ever be able to go back to + boots and breeches again, and hunt the canyons for plants to cook for—you + know what?” + </p> + <p> + Katy stood in what is commonly designated as a “brown study.” Then she + looked Linda over piercingly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, ma'am,” she said conclusively. “It's my judgment that ye will. I + think ye'll maybe wrap the braids of ye around your head tonight, and I + think ye'll put on that frock, and I think ye'll show Pater Morrison how + your pa's daughter can sit at the head of his table and entertain her + friends. Then I think ye'll hang it in your closet and put on your boots + and breeches and go back to your old Multiflores and attind to your + business, the same as before.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, Katy,” said Linda, “if you have that much faith in me I have + that much faith in myself; but, old dear, I can't tell you how I LOVE + having a pretty dress for tonight. Katy dear, the 'Day of Jubilee' has + come. Before you go to sleep I'm coming to your room to tell you fine + large secrets, that you won't believe for a minute, but I haven't the time + to do it now.” + </p> + <p> + Then Linda raced to her room and began dressing. She let down the mop of + her hair waving below her waist and looked at it despairingly. + </p> + <p> + “That dress never was made for braids down your back,” she said, glancing + toward the bed where it lay shimmering in a mass of lovely color. “I am of + age today; for state occasions I should be a woman. What shall I do with + it?” + </p> + <p> + And then she recalled Katy's voice saying: “Braids round your head.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” said Linda, “that would be the thing to do. I certainly don't + need anything to add to my height; I am far too tall now.” + </p> + <p> + So she parted her hair in the middle, brushed it back, divided it in even + halves, and instead of braiding it, she coiled it around her head, first + one side and then the other. + </p> + <p> + She slipped into the dress and struggled with its many and intricate + fastenings. Then she went to the guest room to stand before the + full-length mirror there. Slowly she turned. Critically she examined + herself. + </p> + <p> + “It's a bit shorter than I would have ordered it,” she said, “but it + reduces my height, it certainly gives wonderful freedom in walking, and + it's not nearly so short as I see other girls wearing.” + </p> + <p> + Again she studied herself critically. + </p> + <p> + “Need some kind of ornament for my hair,” she muttered, “but I haven't got + it, and neither do I own beads, bracelet, or a ring; and my ears are + sticking right out in the air. I am almost offensively uncovered.” + </p> + <p> + Then she went down to show herself to a delighted Katy. When the doorbell + rang Linda turned toward the hall. Katy reached a detaining hand. + </p> + <p> + “You'll do nothing of the sort,” she said. “I answered the bell for Miss + Eileen. Answer the bell I shall for you.” + </p> + <p> + Down the hall went Katy with the light of battle in her eyes and the air + of a conqueror in the carriage of her head. She was well trained. Neither + eyelid quivered as she flung the door wide to Peter Morrison. He stood + there in dinner dress, more imposing than Katy had thought he could be. + With quick, inner exultation she reached for two parcels he carried; over + them her delight was so overpowering that Peter Morrison must have seen a + hint of it. With a flourish Katy seated him, and carried the packages to + Linda. She returned a second later for a big vase, and in this Linda + arranged a great sheaf of radiant roses. As Katy started to carry them + back to the room, Linda said “Wait a second,” and selecting one half + opened, she slipped it out, shortened the stem and tucked it among the + coils of hair where she would have set an ornament. The other package was + a big box that when opened showed its interior to be divided into + compartments in each of which nestled an exquisite flower made of spun + sugar. The petals, buds, and leaves were perfect. There were wonderful + roses with pale pink outer petals and deeper-colored hearts. There were + pink mallows that seemed as if they must have been cut from the bushes + bordering Santa Monica road. There were hollyhocks of white and gold, and + simply perfect tulips. Linda never before had seen such a treasure candy + box. She cried out in delight, and hurried to show Katy. In her pleasure + over the real flowers and the candy flowers Linda forgot her dress, but + when she saw Peter Morrison standing tall and straight, in dinner dress, + she stopped and looked the surprise and pleasure she felt. She had grown + accustomed to Peter in khaki pottering around his building. This Peter she + never before had seen. He represented something of culture, something of + pride, a conformity to a nice custom and something more. Linda was not a + psychoanalyst. + </p> + <p> + She could not see a wonderful aura of exquisite color enveloping Peter. + But when Peter saw the girl approaching him, transformed into a woman + whose shining coronet was jewelled with his living red rose, when he saw + the beauty of her lithe slenderness clothed in a soft, flaming color, + something emanated from his inner consciousness that Linda did see, and + for an instant it disturbed her as she went forward holding out her hands. + </p> + <p> + “Peter,” she said gaily, “do you know that this is my Day of Jubilee? I am + a woman today by law, Peter. Hereafter I am to experience at least a + moderate degree of financial freedom, and that I shall enjoy. But the + greatest thing in life is friends.” + </p> + <p> + Peter took both the hands extended to him and looked smilingly into her + eyes. + </p> + <p> + “You take my breath,” he said. “I knew, the first glimpse I ever had of + you scrambling from the canyon floor, that this transformation COULD take + place. My good fortune is beyond words that I have been first to see it. + Permit me, fair lady.” + </p> + <p> + Peter bent and kissed both her hands. He hesitated a second, then he + turned the right hand and left one more kiss in its palm. + </p> + <p> + “To have and to hold!” he said whimsically. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said Linda, closing her fist over it and holding it up for + inspection. “I'll see that it doesn't escape. And this minute I thank you + for the candy, which I know is delicious, and for my very first sheaf of + roses from any man. See what I have done with one of them?” + </p> + <p> + She turned fully around that he might catch the effect of the rose, and in + getting that he also got the full effect of the costume, and the + possibilities of the girl before him. And then she gave him a shock. + </p> + <p> + “Isn't it a lovely frock?” she said. “Another birthday gift from the + Strong rock of ages. I have been making a collection of rocks for my fern + bed, and I have got another collection that is not visible to anyone save + myself. Katy's a rock, and you're a rock, and Donald is a rock, and + Marian's a rock, and I am resting securely on all of you. I wish my father + knew that in addition to Marian and Katy I have found two more such + wonderful friends.” + </p> + <p> + “And what about Henry Anderson?” inquired Peter. “Aren't you going to + include him?” + </p> + <p> + Linda walked over to the chair in which she intended to seat herself. + </p> + <p> + “Peter,” she said, “I wish you hadn't asked me that.” + </p> + <p> + Peter's figure tensed suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Linda,” he said sternly, “has that rather bold youngster made + himself in any way offensive to you?” + </p> + <p> + “Not in any way that I am not perfectly capable of handling myself,” said + Linda. She looked at Peter confidently. + </p> + <p> + “Do you suppose,” she said, “that I can sit down in this thing without + ruining it? Shouldn't I really stand up while I am wearing it?” + </p> + <p> + Peter laughed unrestrainedly. + </p> + <p> + “Linda, you're simply delicious,” he said. “It seems to me that I have + seen young ladies in like case reach round and gather the sash to one side + and smooth out the skirt as they sit.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Peter, of course that would be the way,” said Linda. “This + being my first, I'm lacking in experience.” + </p> + <p> + And thereupon she sat according to direction; while Peter sat opposite + her. + </p> + <p> + “Now finish. Just one word more about Henry Anderson,” he said. “Are you + perfectly sure there is nothing I need do for you in that connection?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, perfectly,” said Linda lightly. “I didn't mean to alarm you. He + merely carried that bug-catcher nonsense a trifle too far. I wouldn't have + minded humoring him and fooling about it a little. But, Peter, do you know + him quite well? Are you very sure of him?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Peter, “I don't know him well at all. The only thing I am sure + about him is that he is doing well in his profession. I chose him because + he was an ambitious youngster and I thought I could get more careful + attention from him than I could from some of the older fellows who had + made their reputation. You see, there are such a lot of things I want to + know about in this building proposition, and the last four years haven't + been a time for any man to be careful about saving his money.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said Linda, “he is all right, of course. He must be. But I think + I'm like a cat. I'm very complacent with certain people, but when I begin + to get goose flesh and hair prickles my head a bit, I realize that there + is something antagonistic around, something for me to beware of. I guess + it's because I am such a wild creature.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to say,” said Peter, “that these are the sensations that + Henry gives you?” + </p> + <p> + Linda nodded. + </p> + <p> + “Now forget Henry,” she said. “I have had such a big day I must tell you + about it, and then we'll come to that last article you left me. I haven't + had time to put anything on paper concerning it yet, but I believe I have + an awfully good idea in the paint pot, and I'll find time in a day or two + to work it out. Peter, I have just come from the bank, where I was + recognized as of legal age, and my guardian discharged. And perhaps I + ought to explain to you, Peter, that your friend, John Gilman, is not here + because this night is going to be a bad one for him. When you knew him + best he was engaged, or should have been, to Marian Thorne. When you met + him this time he really was engaged to Eileen. I don't know what you think + about Eileen. I don't feel like influencing anyone's thought concerning + her, so I'll merely say that today has confirmed a conviction that always + has been in my heart. Katy could tell you that long ago I said to her that + I did not believe Eileen was my sister. Today has brought me the knowledge + and proof positive that she is not, and today she has gone to some wealthy + relatives of her mother in San Francisco. She expressed her contempt for + what she was giving up by leaving everything, including the exquisite + little necklace of pearls which has been a daily part of her since she + owned them. I may be mistaken, but intuition tells me that with the pearls + and the wardrobe she has also discarded John Gilman. I think your friend + will be suffering tonight quite as deeply as my friend suffered when John + abandoned her at a time when she had lost everything else in life but her + money. I feel very sure that we won't see Eileen any more. I hope she will + have every lovely thing in life.” + </p> + <p> + “Amen,” said Peter Morrison earnestly. “I loved John Gilman when we were + in school together, but I have not been able to feel, since I located + here, that he is exactly the same John; and what you have told me very + probably explains the difference in him.” + </p> + <p> + When Katy announced dinner Linda arose. + </p> + <p> + Peter Morrison stepped beside her and offered his arm. Linda rested her + finger tips upon it and he led her to the head of the table and seated + her. Then Katy served a meal that, if it had been prepared for Eileen, she + would have described as a banquet. She gave them delicious, finely + flavored food, stimulating, exquisitely compounded drinks that she had + concocted from the rich fruits of California and mints and essences at her + command. When, at the close of the meal, she brought Morrison some of the + cigars Eileen kept for John Gilman, she set a second tray before Linda, + and this tray contained two packages. Linda looked at Katy inquiringly, + and Katy, her face beaming, nodded her sandy red head emphatically. + </p> + <p> + “More birthday gifts you've havin', me lady,” she said in her mellowest + Irish voice. + </p> + <p> + “More?” marveled Linda. She picked up the larger package, and opening it, + found a beautiful book inscribed from her friend Donald, over which she + passed caressing fingers. + </p> + <p> + “Why, how lovely of him!” she said. “How in this world did he know?” + </p> + <p> + Katherine O'Donovan could have answered that question, but she did not. + The other package was from Marian. When she opened it Linda laughed + unrestrainedly. + </p> + <p> + “What a joke!” she said. “I had promised myself that I would not touch a + thing in Eileen's room, and before I could do justice to Katy's lovely + dress I had to go there for pins for my hair and powder for my nose. This + is Marian's way of telling me that I am almost a woman. Will you look at + this?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, just what is it?” inquired Peter. + </p> + <p> + “Hairpins,” laughed Linda, “and hair ornaments, and a box of face powder, + and the little, feminine touches that my dressing table needs badly. How + would you like, Peter, to finish your cigar in my workroom?” + </p> + <p> + “I would like it immensely,” said Peter. + </p> + <p> + So together they climbed to the top of the house. Linda knelt and made a + little ceremony of lighting the first fire in her fireplace. She pushed + one of her chairs to one side for Peter, and taking the other for herself, + she sat down and began the process of really becoming acquainted with him. + Two hours later, as he was leaving her, Peter made a circuit of the room, + scrutinizing the sketches and paintings that were rapidly covering the + walls, and presently he came to the wasp. He looked at it so closely that + he did not miss even the stinger. Linda stood beside him when he made his + first dazed comment: “If that isn't Eileen, and true to the life!” + </p> + <p> + “I must take that down,” said Linda. “I did it one night when my heart was + full of bitterness.” + </p> + <p> + “Better leave it,” said Peter drily. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think I need it as a warning?” asked Linda. + </p> + <p> + Peter turned and surveyed her slowly. + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” he said quietly, “what I think of you has not yet been written in + any of the books.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV. Buena Moza + </h2> + <p> + As soon as Peter had left her Linda took her box of candy flowers and + several of her finest roses and went to Katy's room. She found Katy in a + big rocking chair, her feet on a hassock, reading a story in Everybody's + home. When her door opened and she saw her young mistress framed in it she + tossed the magazine aside and sprang to her feet, but Linda made her + resume her seat. The girl shortened the stems of the roses and put them in + a vase on Katy's dresser. + </p> + <p> + “They may clash with your coloring a mite, Mother Machree,” she said, “but + by themselves they are very wonderful things, aren't they?” + </p> + <p> + Linda went over, and drawing her dress aside, sat down on the hassock and + leaning against Katy's knee she held up the box of candy flowers for + amazed and delighted inspection. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, the foine gintleman!” cried Katy. “Sure 'twas only a pape I had when + ye opened the box, an' I didn't know how rare them beauties railly was.” + </p> + <p> + “Choose the one you like best,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + But Katy would not touch the delicate things, so Linda selected a brushy + hollyhock for her and then sat at her knee again. + </p> + <p> + “Katherine O'Donovan,” she said solemnly, “it's up to a couple of young + things such as we are, stranded on the shoals of the Pacific as we have + been, to put our heads together and take counsel. You're a host, Katy, and + while I am taking care of you, I'll be just delighted to have you go on + looking after your black sheep; but it's going to be lonely, for all that. + After Eileen has taken her personal possessions, what do you say to fixing + up that room with the belongings that Marian kept, and inviting her to + make that suite her home until such time as she may have a home of her own + again?” + </p> + <p> + “Foine!” cried Katy. “I'd love to be havin' her. I'd agree to take orders + from Miss Marian and to be takin' care of her jist almost the same as I do + of ye, Miss Linda. The one thing I don't like about it is that it ain't + fair nor right to give even Marian the best. Ye be takin' that suite + yourself, lambie, and give Miss Marian your room all fixed up with her + things, or, if ye want her nearer, give her the guest room and make a + guest room of yours.” + </p> + <p> + “I am willing to follow either of the latter suggestions for myself,” said + Linda; “it might be pleasant to be across the hall from Marian where we + could call back and forth to each other. I wouldn't mind a change as soon + as I have time to get what I'd need to make the change. I'll take the + guest room for mine, and you may call in a decorator and have my room + freshly done and the guest things moved into it.” + </p> + <p> + Katy looked belligerent. Linda reached up and touched the frowning lines + on her forehead. + </p> + <p> + “Brighten your lovely features with a smile, Katherine me dear,” she said + gaily. “Don't be forgetting that this is our Day of Jubilee. We are free—I + hope we are free forever—from petty annoyances and dissatisfactions + and little, galling things that sear the soul and bring out all the worst + in human nature. I couldn't do anything to Eileen's suite, not even if I + resorted to tearing out partitions and making it new from start to finish, + that would eliminate Eileen from it for me. If Marian will give me + permission to move and install her things in it, I think she can use it + without any such feeling, but I couldn't. It's agreed then, Katy, I am to + write to Marian and extend to her a welcome on your part as well as on + mine?” + </p> + <p> + “That ye may, lambie,” said Katy heartily. “And, as the boss used to be + sabin', just to make assurance doubly sure, if YoU would address it for me + I would be writing' a bit of a line myself, conveying' to her me + sentiments on the subject.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, fine, Katy; Marian would be delighted!” cried Linda, springing up. + </p> + <p> + “And, Katy dear, it won't make us feel any more like mourning for Eileen + when I tell you that it developed at the bank yesterday and today, that + since she has been managing household affairs she has deposited in a + separate account all the royalties from Father's books. I had thought the + matter closed at the bank when this fund was added to the remainder of the + estate, the household expenses set aside to Eileen, and the remainder + divided equally between us. I didn't get the proof that she was not my + sister until after I came home. I think it means that I shall have to go + back to the bank, have the matter reopened, and unless she can produce a + will or something proving that she is entitled to it, it seems to me that + what remains of my father's estate is legally mine. Of course, if it + develops that he has made any special provision for her, she shall have + it; otherwise, Katy, we'll be in a position to install you as housekeeper + and put some light-footed, capable young person under you for a step-saver + in any direction you want to use her. It means, too, that I shall be able + to repay your loan immediately and to do the things that I wanted to do + about the house.” + </p> + <p> + “Now I ain't in any hurry about that money, lambie,” said Katy; “and you + understand of course that the dress you're wearing' I am given' ye.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, old dear, and you should have seen Peter Morrison light up and + admire it. He thinks you have wonderful taste, Katy.” + </p> + <p> + Katy threw up both her hands. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my Lord, lambie!” she cried, aghast. “Was you telling' him that the + dress ye were wearing' was a present from your old cook?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, certainly I was,” said Linda, wide eyed with astonish meet. “Why + shouldn't I? I was proud to. And now, old dear, before I go, the biggest + secret of all. I had a letter, Katy, from the editor of Everybody's Home, + and people like our articles, Katy; they are something now and folk are + letting the editor know about it, and he wants all I can send him. He + likes the pictures I make; and, Katy, you won't believe it till I show you + my little bank book, but for the three already published with their + illustrations he pays me five hundred nice, long, smooth, beautifully + decorated, paper dollars!” + </p> + <p> + “Judas praste!” cried Katy, her hands once more aloft. “Ye ain't manin' + it, lambie?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I are,” laughed Linda. “I've got the money; and for each succeeding + three with their pictures I am to have that much more, and when I finish—now + steady yourself, Katy, because this is going to be a shock—when I + finish, blessed old dear heart, he is going to make them into a book! That + will be my job for this summer, and you shall help me, and it will be a + part of our great secret. Won't it be the most fun?” + </p> + <p> + “My soul!” said Katy. “You're jist crazy. I don't belave a word you're + telling' me.” + </p> + <p> + “But I can prove it, because I have the letter and the bank book,” said + Linda. + </p> + <p> + Katy threw her arms around the girl and kissed the top of her head and + cried over her and laughed at the same time and patted her and petted her + and ended by saying: “Oh, lambie, if only the master could be knowin' it.” + </p> + <p> + “But he does know, Katy,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + She went to her room, removed the beautiful dress and, arranging it on a + hanger, left it in her closet. Slipping into an old dressing gown, she ran + to her workroom and wrote a letter to Marian from herself. She tried not + to tell Marian the big, vital thing that was throbbing in her heart all + day concerning her work, the great secret that meant such a wonderful + thing to her, the thing that was beating in her heart and fluttering + behind her lips like a bird trying to escape its cage; but she could tell + her in detail of Eileen's undoubted removal to San Francisco; she could + tell her enough of the financial transactions of the day to make her + understand what had been happening in the past; and she could tell of her + latest interview with John Gilman. Once, as she sat with her pen poised, + thinking how to phrase a sentence, Linda said to herself: “I wonder in my + heart if he won't try to come crawfishing back to Marian now, and if he + does, I wonder, oh, how I wonder, what she will do.” Linda shut her lips + very tight and stared up through her skylight to the stars, as she was + fast falling into a habit of doing when she wanted inspiration. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I know one thing,” she said to the shining things above her, + “Marian will do as she sees fit, of course, but if it were I, and any man + had discarded me as John Gilman discarded Marian, in case he ever wanted + to pick me up again he would find I was not there. Much as I plan in my + heart for the home and the man and the little people that I hope to have + some day, I would give up all of them before I would be discarded and + re-sought like that; and knowing Marian as I do, I have a conviction that + she will feel the same way. From the things she is writing about this Snow + man I think it is highly probable that he may awake some day to learn that + he is not so deeply grieved but that he would like to have Marian to + comfort him in his loneliness; and as for his little girl I don't see + where he could find a woman who would rear her more judiciously and + beautifully than Marian would.” + </p> + <p> + She finished her letter, sealed and stamped it, and then, taking out a + fresh sheet, she lettered in at the top of it, “INDIAN POTATOES” and + continued: + </p> + <p> + And very good potatoes they are. You will find these growing everywhere + throughout California, blooming from May to July, their six long, slender, + white petals shading to gold at the base, grayish on the outside, a + pollen-laden pistil upstanding, eight or ten gold-clubbed stamens + surrounding it, the slender brown stem bearing a dozen or more of these + delicate blooms, springing high from a base of leaves sometimes nearly two + feet long and an inch broad, wave margined, spreading in a circle around + it. In the soil of the plains and the dry hillsides you will find an + amazingly large solid bulb, thickly enwrapped in a coat of brown fiber, + the long threads of which can be braided, their amazing strength making + them suitable for bow strings, lariats, or rope of any kind that must + needs be improvised for use at the moment. The bulbs themselves have many + uses. Crushed and rubbed up in water they make a delightful cleansing + lather. The extracted juice, when cooked down, may be used as glue. Of the + roasted bulbs effective poultices for bruises and boils may be made. It + was an Indian custom to dam a small stream and throw in mashed Amole + bulbs, the effect of which was to stupefy the fish so that they could be + picked out by hand; all of which does not make it appear that the same + bulb would serve as an excellent substitute for a baked potato; but we + must remember how our grandmothers made starch from our potatoes, used + them to break in the new ironware, and to purify the lard; which goes to + prove that one vegetable may be valuable for many purposes. Amole, whose + ponderous scientific name is Chlorogalum pomeridiarum, is at its best for + my purposes when all the chlorophyll from flower and stem has been driven + back to the bulb, and it lies ripe and fully matured from late August + until December. + </p> + <p> + Remove the fibrous cover down to the second or third layer enclosing the + bulb. These jackets are necessary as they keep the bulbs from drying out + and having a hard crust. Roast them exactly as you would potatoes. When + they can easily be pierced with a silver fork remove from the oven, and + serve immediately with any course with which you would use baked potatoes. + </p> + <p> + “And gee, but they're good!” commented Linda as she reread what she had + written. + </p> + <p> + After that she turned her attention to drawing a hillside whitened here + and there with amole bloom showing in its purity against the warm + grayish-tan background. The waving green leaves ran among big rocks and + overlapped surrounding growth. At the right of her drawing Linda sketched + in a fine specimen of monkey flower, deepening the yellow from the hearts + of the amole lilies for the almost human little monkey faces. On the left + one giant specimen of amole, reared from a base of exquisitely waving + leaves, ran up the side of the drawing and broke into an airy and graceful + head of gold-hearted white lilies. For a long time Linda sat with poised + pencil, studying her foreground. What should she introduce that would be + most typical of the location and gave her the desired splash of + contrasting color that she used as a distinctive touch in the foreground + of all her drawings? + </p> + <p> + Her pencil flew busily a few minutes while she sketched in a flatly + growing bush of prickly phlox, setting the flower faces as closely as the + overlapped scales of a fish, setting them even as they grow in nature; and + when she resorted to the color box she painted these faces a wonderful + pink that was not wild rose, not cerise, not lilac, but it made one think + of all of them. When she could make no further improvement on this sketch, + she carefully stretched it against the wall and tacked it up to dry. + </p> + <p> + Afterward she cleared her mental decks of all the work she could think of + in order to have Saturday free, because Saturday was the day upon which + she found herself planning in the back of her mind throughout the + strenuous week, to save for riding the King's Highway with Donald Whiting. + Several times she had met him on the walks or in the hallways, and always + he had stopped to speak with her and several times he had referred to the + high hope in which he waited for Saturday. Linda already had held a + consultation with Katy on the subject of the lunch basket. That matter + being satisfactorily arranged, there was nothing for her to do but to + double on her work so that Saturday would be free. Friday evening Linda + was called from the dinner table to the telephone. She immediately + recognized the voice inquiring for her as that of Judge Whiting, and then + she listened breathlessly while he said to her: “You will recognize that + there is very little I may say over a telephone concerning a matter to + which you brought my attention. I have a very competent man looking into + the matter thoroughly, and I find that your fear is amply justified. + Wherever you go or whatever you do, use particular care. Don't have + anything to do with any stranger. Just use what your judgment and common + sense tell you is a reasonable degree of caution in every direction no + matter how trivial. You understand?” + </p> + <p> + “I do,” said Linda promptly. “Would you prefer that we do not go on any + more Saturday trips at present?” + </p> + <p> + The length of time that the Judge waited to answer proved that he had + taken time to think. + </p> + <p> + “I can't see,” he said finally, “that you would not be safer on such a + trip where you are moving about, where no one knows who you are, than you + would where you are commonly found.” + </p> + <p> + “All right then,” said Linda. “Ask the party we are considering and he + will tell you where he will be tomorrow. Thank you very much for letting + me know. If anything should occur, you will understand that it was + something quite out of my range of fore-sight.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand,” said the Judge. + </p> + <p> + With all care and many loving admonitions Katy assisted in the start made + early Saturday morning. The previous Saturday Linda had felt that all + nature along the road she planned to drive would be at its best, but they + had not gone far until she modified her decision. They were slipping + through mists of early morning, over level, carefully made roads like + pavilion floors. If any one objection could have been made, it would have + been that the mists of night were weighting too heavily to earth the + perfume from the blooming orchards and millions of flowers in gardens and + along the roadside. At that hour there were few cars abroad. Linda was + dressed in her outing suit of dark green. She had removed her hat and + slipped it on the seat beside her. She looked at Donald, a whimsical + expression on her most expressive young face. + </p> + <p> + “Please to 'scuse me,” she said lightly, “if I step on the gas a mite + while we have the road so much to ourselves and are so familiar with it. + Later, when we reach stranger country and have to share with others, we'll + be forced to go slower.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't stint your speed on account of me,” said Donald. “I am just itching + to know what Kitty can do.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, here's your chance,” said Linda. “Hear her purr?” + </p> + <p> + She settled her body a trifle tensely, squared her shoulders, and gripped + the steering wheel. Then she increased the gas and let the Bear Cat roll + over the smooth road from Lilac Valley running south into Los Angeles. At + a speed that was near to flying as a non-professional attains, the + youngsters traveled that road. Their eyes were shining; their blood was + racing. Until the point where rougher roads and approaching traffic forced + them to go slower, they raced, and when they slowed down they looked at + each other and laughed in morning delight. + </p> + <p> + “I may not be very wise,” said Linda, “but didn't I do the smartest thing + when I let Eileen have the touring car and saved the Bear Cat for us?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing short of inspiration,” said Donald. “The height of my ambition is + to own a Bear Cat. If Father makes any mention of anything I would like + particularly to have for a graduation present, I am cocked and primed as + to what I shall tell him.” + </p> + <p> + “You'd better save yourself a disappointment,” said Linda soberly. “You + will be starting to college this fall, and when you do you will be gone + nine months out of the year, and I am fairly sure your father wouldn't + think shipping a Bear Cat back and forth a good investment, or furnishing + you one to take to school with you. He would fear you would never make a + grade that would be a credit to him if he did.” + </p> + <p> + “My!” laughed Donald, “you've got a long head on your shoulders!” + </p> + <p> + “When you're thrown on your own for four of the longest, lonesomest years + of your life, you learn to think,” said Linda soberly. + </p> + <p> + She was touching the beginning of Los Angeles traffic. Later she was on + the open road again. The mists were thinning and lifting. The perfume was + not so heavy. The sheeted whiteness of the orange groves was broken with + the paler white of plum merging imperceptibly into the delicate pink of + apricot and the stronger pink of peach, and there were deep green orchards + of smooth waxen olive foliage and the lacy-leaved walnuts. Then came the + citrus orchards again, and all the way on either hand running with them + were almost uninterrupted miles of roses of every color and kind, and + everywhere homes ranging from friendly mansions, all written over in + adorable flower color with the happy invitation, “Come in and make + yourself at home,” to tiny bungalows along the wayside crying welcome to + this gay pair of youngsters in greetings fashioned from white and purple + wisteria, gold bignonia, every rose the world knows, and myriad brilliant + annual and perennial flower faces gathered from the circumference of the + tropical globe and homing enthusiastically on the King's Highway. + Sometimes Linda lifted her hand from the wheel to wave a passing salute to + a particularly appealing flower picture. Sometimes she whistled a note or + cried a greeting to a mockingbird, a rosy finch, or a song sparrow. + </p> + <p> + “Look at the pie timber!” she cried to Donald, calling his attention to a + lawn almost covered with red-winged blackbirds. “Four hundred and twenty + might be baked in that pie,” she laughed. + </p> + <p> + Then a subtle change began to creep over the world. The sun peered over + the mountains inquiringly, a timid young thing, as if she were asking what + degree of light and warmth they would like for the day. A new brilliancy + tinged every flower face in this light, a throbbing ecstasy mellowed every + bird note; the orchards dropped farther apart, meadows filled with grazing + cattle flashed past them, the earthy scent of freshly turned fields + mingled with flower perfume, and on their right came drifting in a cool + salt breath from the sea. At mid-forenoon, as they neared Laguna, they ran + past great hills, untouched since the days when David cried: “I will lift + up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help.” At one + particularly beautiful range, draped with the flowing emerald of spring, + decorated with beds of gold poppy, set with flowering madrona and + manzanita, with the gold of yellow monkey flower or the rich red of the + related species, with specimens of lupin growing in small trees, here and + there adventurous streams singing and flashing their unexpected way to the + mother breast of the waiting ocean very near to the road which at one + surprising turn carried them to the never-ending wonder of the troubled + sea, they drove as slowly as the Bear Cat would consent to travel, so that + they might study great boulders, huge as many of the buildings they had + passed, their faces scarred by the wrack of ages. Studying their ancient + records one could see that they had been familiar with the star that + rested over Bethlehem. On their faces had shone the same moon that opened + the highways Journeying into Damascus. They had stood the storms that had + beaten upon the world since the days when the floods subsided, the land + lifted above the face of the waters in gigantic upheavals that had ripped + the surface of the globe from north to south and forced up the hills, the + foothills, and the mountains of the Coast Range. They had been born then, + they had first seen the light of day, in glowing, molten, red-hot, + high-piled streams of lava that had gushed forth in that awful evolution + of birth. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes Linda stopped the car, they left it, and climbed over the faces + of these mighty upheavals. Once Linda reached her hand to Donald and + cried, half laughingly, half in tense earnest: “Oh, kid, we have got to + hurry. Compared with the age of these, we've only a few minutes. It's all + right to talk jestingly about 'the crack of doom' but you know there + really was a crack of doom, and right here is where it cracked and spewed + out the material that hardened into these very rocks. Beside them I feel + as a shrimp must feel beside a whale, and I feel that we must hurry.” + </p> + <p> + “And so we must,” said Donald. “I'm hungry as Likeliest when he waited for + them to find enough peacock tongues to satisfy his appetite.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder what brand of home-brew made him think of that,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you know,” said Donald, “the world was only a smallish place then. + They didn't have to go far to find everything to which they had access, + and it must have been rather a decent time in which to live. Awful lot of + light and color and music and unique entertainment.” + </p> + <p> + “You're talking,” said Linda, “from the standpoint of the king or the + master. Suppose you had lived then and had been the slave.” + </p> + <p> + “There you go again,” said Donald, “throwing a brick into the most + delicate mechanism of my profound thought. You ought to be ashamed to + round me up with something scientific and materialistic every time I go + a-glimmering. Don't you think this would be a fine place to have lunch?” + </p> + <p> + “You wait and see where we lunch today, and you will have the answer to + that,” said Linda, starting back to the Bear Cat. + </p> + <p> + A few miles farther on they followed the road around the frowning menace + of an overhanging rock and sped out directly to the panorama of the sea. + The sun was shining on it, but, as always round the Laguna shore, the rip + tide was working itself into undue fury. It came dashing up on the ancient + rocks until one could easily understand why a poet of long ago wrote of + sea horses. Some of the waves did suggest monstrous white chargers racing + madly to place their feet upon the solid rock. + </p> + <p> + Through the village, up the steep inclines, past placid lakes, past waving + yellow mustard beds, beside highways where the breastplate of Mother Earth + gleamed emerald and ruby against the background of billions of tiny, + shining diamonds of the iceplant, past the old ostrich tree reproduced by + etchers of note the world over, with grinding brakes, sliding down the + breathless declivity leading to the shore, Linda stopped at last where the + rock walls lifted sheer almost to the sky. She led Donald to a huge circle + carpeted with cerise sand verbena, with pink and yellow iceplant bloom, + with jewelled iceplant foliage, with the running blue of the lovely sea + daisy, with the white and pink of the sea fig, where the walls were + festooned with ferns, lichens, studded all over with flaming Our Lord's + Candles, and strange, uncanny, grotesque flower forms, almost human in + their writhing turns as they twisted around the rocks and slipped along + clinging to the sheer walls. Just where the vegetation met the white, + sea-washed sand, Linda spread the Indian blanket, and Donald brought the + lunch box. At their feet adventurous waves tore themselves to foam on the + sharp rocks. On their left they broke in booming spray, tearing and + fretting the base of cliffs that had stood impregnable through aeons of + such ceaseless attack and repulse. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” said Donald, “how it comes that I have lived all my life in + California, and today it seems to me that most of the worthwhile things I + know about her I owe to you. When I go to college this winter the things I + shall be telling the boys will be how I could gain a living, if I had to, + on the desert, in Death Valley, from the walls of Multiflores Canyon; and + how the waves go to smash on the rocks of Laguna, not to mention cactus + fish hooks, mescal sticks, and brigand beefsteak. It's no wonder the + artists of all the world come here copying these pictures. It's no wonder + they build these bungalows and live here for years, unsatisfied with their + efforts to reproduce the pictures of the Master Painter of them all.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” said Linda, “if anybody is very easily satisfied. I wonder + today if Eileen is satisfied with being merely rich. I wonder if we are + satisfied to have this golden day together. I wonder if the white swallows + are satisfied with the sea. I wonder if those rocks are satisfied and + proud to stand impregnable against the constant torment of the tide.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder, oh, Lord, how I wonder,” broke in Donald, “about Katherine + O'Donovan's lunch box. If you want a picture of per feet satisfaction, + Belinda beloved, lead me to it!” + </p> + <p> + “Thank heaven you're mistaken,” she said; “they spared me the 'Be'—. + It's truly just 'Linda.”' + </p> + <p> + “Well, I'm not sparing you the 'Be—',” said Donald, busy with the + fastenings of the lunch basket. “Did you hear where I used it?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, child, and I like it heaps,” said Linda casually. “It's fine to have + you like me. Awfully proud of myself.” + </p> + <p> + “You have two members of our family at your feet,” said Donald soberly as + he handed her packages from the box. “My dad is beginning to discourse on + you with such signs of intelligence that I am almost led to believe, from + some of his wildest outbursts, that he has had some personal experience in + some way.” + </p> + <p> + “And why not?” asked Linda lightly. “Haven't I often told you that my + father constantly went on fishing and hunting trips, that he was a great + collector of botanical specimens, that he frequently took his friends with + him? You might ask your father if he does not recall me as having fried + fish and made coffee and rendered him camp service when I was a slip of a + thing in the dawn of my teens.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he didn't just mention it,” said Donald, “but I can easily see how + it might have been.” + </p> + <p> + After they had finished one of Katy's inspired lunches, in which a large + part of the inspiration had been mental on Linda's part and executive on + Katy's, they climbed rock faces, skirted wave-beaten promontories, and + stood peering from overhanging cliffs dipping down into the fathomless + green sea, where the water boiled up in turbulent fury. Linda pointed out + the rocks upon which she would sit, if she were a mermaid, to comb the + seaweed from her hair. She could hear the sea bells ringing in those + menacing depths, but Donald's ears were not so finely tuned. At the top of + one of the highest cliffs they climbed, there grew a clump of slender pale + green bushes, towering high above their heads with exquisitely cut + blue-green leaves, lance shaped and slender. Donald looked at the + fascinating growth appraisingly. + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” he said, “do you know that the slimness and the sheerness and the + audacious foothold and the beauty of that thing remind me of you? It is + covered all over with the delicate frostbloom you taught me to see upon + fruit. I find it everywhere but you have never told me what it is.” + </p> + <p> + Linda laughingly reached up and broke a spray of greenish-yellow tubular + flowers, curving out like clustered trumpets spilling melody from their + fluted throats. + </p> + <p> + “You will see it everywhere. You will find these flowers every month of + the year,” she said, “and I am particularly gladsome that this plant + reminds you of me. I love the bluish-green 'bloom' of its sheer foliage. I + love the music these flower trumpets make to me. I love the way it has + traveled, God knows how, all the way from the Argentine and spread itself + over our country wherever it is allowed footing. I am glad that there is + soothing in these dried leaves for those who require it. I shall be + delighted to set my seal on you with it. There are two little Spanish + words that it suggests to the Mexican—Buena moza—but you shall + find out for yourself what they mean.” + </p> + <p> + Encountering his father that night at his library door, Donald Whiting + said to him: “May I come in, Dad? I have something I must look up before I + sleep. Have you a Spanish lexicon, or no doubt you have this in your + head.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I've a halting vocabulary,” said the Judge. “What's your phrase?” + </p> + <p> + “Linda put this flower on me today,” said Donald, “and she said she was + pleased because I said the tall, slender bush it grew on reminded me of + her. She gave me the Spanish name, but I don't know the exact significance + of the decoration I am wearing until I learn the meaning of the phrase.” + </p> + <p> + “Try me on it,” said the Judge. + </p> + <p> + “'Buena moza,'” quoted Donald. + </p> + <p> + The Judge threw back his head and laughed heartily. + </p> + <p> + “Son,” he said, “you should know that from the Latin you're learning. You + should translate it instinctively. I couldn't tell you exactly whether a + Spaniard would translate 'Buena' 'fine' or 'good.' Knowing their + high-falutin' rendition of almost everything else I would take my chance + on 'fine.' Son, your phrase means 'a fine girl.'” + </p> + <p> + Donald looked down at the flower in his buttonhole, and then he looked + straight at his father. + </p> + <p> + “And only the Lord knows, Dad,” he said soberly, “exactly how fine + Linda-girl is.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI. A Mouse Nest + </h2> + <h3> + LINDA DEAREST: + </h3> + <p> + I am delighted that you had such a wonderful birthday. I would take a shot + in air that anything you don't understand about it you might with + reasonable safety charge to Katherine O'Donovan. I think it was great of + her to have a suitable and a becoming dress waiting for you and a + congenial man like Peter Morrison to dine with you. He appealed to me as + being a rare character, highly original, and, I should think, to those who + know him well he must be entertaining and lovable in the extreme. I never + shall be worried about you so long as I know that he is taking care of + you. + </p> + <p> + I should not be surprised if some day I meet Eileen somewhere, because + Dana and I are going about more than you would believe possible. I + heartily join with you in wishing her every good that life can bring her. + I don't want to be pessimistic, but I can't help feeling, Linda, that she + is taking a poor way to win the best, and I gravely doubt whether she + finds it in the spending of unlimited quantities of the money of a coarse + man who stumbled upon his riches accidentally, as has many a man of + California and Colorado. + </p> + <p> + I intended, when I sat down to write, the very first thing I said, to + thank you for your wonderful invitation, seconded so loyally and cordially + by Katy, to make my home with you until the time comes—if it ever + does come—when I shall have a home of my own again. And just as + simply and wholeheartedly as you made the offer, I accept it. I am + enclosing the address and the receipt for my furniture in storage, and a + few lines ordering it delivered at your house and the bill sent to me. I + only kept a few heirlooms and things of Mother's and Father's that are + very precious to me. Whenever Eileen takes her things you can order mine + in and let me know, and I'll take a day or two off and run down for a + short visit. + </p> + <p> + Mentioning Eileen makes me think of John. I think of him more frequently + than I intend or wish that I did, but I feel my ninth life is now + permanently extinguished concerning him. I thought I detected in your + letter, Linda dear, a hint of fear that he might come back to me and that + I might welcome him. If you have any such feeling in your heart, abandon + it, child, because, while I try not to talk about myself, I do want to say + that I rejoice in a family inheritance of legitimate pride. I couldn't + give the finest loyalty and comradeship I had to give to a man, have it + returned disdainfully, and then furbish up the pieces and present it over + again. If I can patch those same pieces and so polish and refine them that + I can make them, in the old phrase, “as good as new,” possibly in time—but, + Linda, one thing is certain as the hills of morning. Never in my life will + any man make any headway with me again with vague suggestions and + innuendoes and hints. If ever any man wants to be anything in my life, he + will speak plainly and say what he wants and thinks and hopes and intends + and feels in not more than two-syllable English. I learned my lesson about + the futility of building your house of dreams on a foundation of sand. + Next time I erect a dream house, it is going to have a proper foundation + of solid granite. And that may seem a queer thing for me to say when you + know that I am getting the joy in my life, that I do not hesitate to admit + I am, from letters written by a man whose name I don't know. It may be + that I don't know the man, but I certainly am very well acquainted with + him, and in some way he seems to me to be taking on more definite form. I + should not be surprised if I were to recognize him the first time I met + him face to face. + </p> + <p> + Linda looked through the skylight and cried out to the stars: “Good + heavens! Have I copied Peter too closely?” + </p> + <p> + She sat thinking a minute and then she decided she had not. + </p> + <p> + And in this connection you will want to know how I am progressing in my + friendship with the junior partner, and what kind of motorist I am making. + I am still driving twice a week, and lately on Sundays in a larger car, + taking Dana and a newspaper friend of hers along. I think I have driven + every hazard that this part of California affords except the mountains; + Mr. Snow is still merciful about them. + </p> + <p> + Linda dear, I know what you're dying to know. You want to know whether Mr. + Snow is in the same depths of mourning as when our acquaintance first + began. This, my dear child, is very reprehensible of you. Young girls with + braids down their backs—and by the way, Linda, you did not tell me + what happened “after the ball was over.” Did you go to school the next + morning with braids down your back, or wearing your coronet? Because on + that depends what I have to say to you now; if you went with braids, + you're still my little girl chum, the cleanest, finest kid I have ever + known; but if you wore your coronet, then you're a woman and my equal and + my dearest friend, far dearer than Dana even; and I tell you this, Linda, + because I want you always to understand that you come first. + </p> + <p> + I have tried and tried to visualize you, and can't satisfy my mind as to + whether the braids are up or down. Going on the assumption that they are + up, and that life may in the near future begin to hold some interesting + experiences for you, I will tell you this, beloved child: I don't think + Mr. Snow is mourning quite so deeply as he was. I have not been asked, the + last four or five trips we have been on, to carry an armload of exquisite + flowers to the shrine of a departed love. I have been privileged to take + them home and arrange them in my room and Dana's. And I haven't heard so + much talk about loneliness, and I haven't seen such tired, sad eyes. It + seems to me that a familiar pair of shoulders are squaring up to the world + again, and a very kind pair of eyes are brighter with interest. I don't + know how you feel about this; I don't know how I feel about it myself. I + am sure that Eugene Snow is a man who, in the years to come, would line up + beside your father and mine, and I like him immensely. It is merely a case + of not liking him less, but of liking my unknown man more. I couldn't + quite commit the sacrilege, Linda dear, of sending you a sample of the + letters I am receiving, but they are too fanciful and charming for any + words of mine to describe adequately. I don't know who this man is, or + what he has to offer, or whether he intends to offer anything, but it is a + ridiculous fact, Linda, that I would rather sit with him in a chimney + corner of field boulders, on a pine floor, with a palm roof and an + Ocotillo candle, than to glow in the parchment-shielded electric light of + the halls of a rich man. In a recent letter, Linda, there was a reference + to a woman who wore “a diadem of crystallized light.” It was a beautiful + thing and I could not help taking it personally. It was his way of telling + me that he knew me, and knew my tragedy; and, as I said before, I am + beginning to feel that I have him rather definitely located; and I can + understand the fine strain in him that prompted his anonymity, and his + reasons for it. Of course I am not sufficiently confident yet to say + anything definite, but my heart is beginning to say things that I + sincerely hope my lips never will be forced to deny. + </p> + <p> + Linda laid down the letter, folded her hands across it, and once more + looked at the stars. + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious!” she said. “I am tincturing those letters with too much + Peter. I'll have to tone down a bit. Next thing I know she will be losing + her chance with that wonderful Snow man for a dream. In my efforts to + comfort her I must have gone too far. It is all right to write a gushy + love letter and stuff it full of Peter's whimsical nonsense, but, in the + language of the poet, how am I going to 'deliver the goods'? Of course + that talk about Louise Whiting was all well enough. Equally, of course, I + outlined and planted the brook and designed the bridge for Marian, whether + she knows it or Peter knows it, or not. If they don't know it, it's about + time they were finding it out. I think it's my job to visit Peter more + frequently and see if I can't invent some way to make him see the light. I + will give Katy a hint in the morning. Tomorrow evening I'll go up and have + supper with him and see if he has another article in the stewpan. I like + this work with Peter. I like having him make me dream dreams and see + pictures. I like the punch and the virility he puts into my drawings. It's + all right reproducing monkey flowers and lilies for pastime, but for + serious business, for real life work, I would rather do Peter's + brainstorming, heart-thrilling pictures than my merely pretty ones. On the + subject of Peter, I must remember in the morning to take those old books + he gave me to Donald. I believe that from one of them he is going to get + the very material he needs to down the Jap in philosophy. And they are not + text books which proves that Peter must have been digging into the subject + and hunted them up in some second-hand store, or even sent away an order + for them.” + </p> + <p> + In the hall the next morning Linda stopped Donald and gave him the books. + In the early stages of their friendship she had looked at him under + half-closed lids and waited to see whether he intended stopping to say a + word with her when they passed each other or came down the halls together. + She knew that their acquaintance would be noted and commented upon, and + she knew how ready the other girls would be to say that she was bold and + forward, so she was careful to let Donald make the advances, until he had + called to her so often, and had dug flowers and left his friends waiting + at her door while he delivered them, that she felt free to address him as + she chose. He had shown any interested person in the high school that he + was her friend, that he was speaking to her exactly as he did to girls he + had known from childhood. He was very popular among the boys and girls of + his class and the whole school. His friendship, coming at the time of + Linda's rebellion on the subject of clothes, had developed a tendency to + bring her other friendships. Boys who never had known she was in existence + followed Donald's example in stopping her to say a word now and then. + Girls who had politely ignored her now found things to say; and several + invitations she had not had leisure to accept had been sent to her for + afternoon and evening entertainments among the young people. Linda had + laid out for herself something of a task in deciding to be the mental + leader of her class. There were good brains in plenty among the other + pupils. It was only by work, concentration, and purpose, only by having a + mind keenly alert, by independent investigation and introducing new points + of view that she could hold her prestige. Up to the receipt of her letter + containing the offer to publish her book she had been able rigorously to + exclude from her mind the personality and the undertakings of Jane + Meredith. She was Linda Strong in the high school and for an hour or two + at her studies. She was Jane Meredith over the desert, through the + canyons, beside the sea, in her Multiflores kitchen or in Katherine + O'Donovan's. But this book offer opened a new train of thought, a new + series of plans. She could see her way—thanks to her father she had + the material in her mind and the art in her finger tips—to + materialize what she felt would be even more attractive in book form than + anything her editor had been able to visualize from her material. She knew + herself, she knew her territory so minutely. Frequently she smiled when + she read statements in her botanies as to where plants and vegetables + could be found. She knew the high home of the rare and precious snow + plant. She knew the northern limit of the strawberry cactus. She knew + where the white sea swallow nested. She knew where the Monarch butterfly + went on his winter migration. She knew where the trap-door spider, with + cunning past the cunning of any other architect of Nature, built his + small, round, silken-lined tower and hinged his trap door so cleverly that + only he could open it from the outside. She had even sat immovable and + watched him erect his house, and she would have given much to see him + weave its silver lining. + </p> + <p> + Linda was fast coming to the place where she felt herself to be one in an + interested group of fellow workers. She no longer gave a thought to what + kind of shoes she wore. Other girls were beginning to wear the same kind. + The legislatures of half a dozen states were passing laws regulating the + height of heel which might be worn within their boundaries. Manufacturers + were promising for the coming season that suitable shoes would be built + for street wear and mountain climbing, for the sands of the sea and the + sands of the desert, and the sheer face of canyons. The extremely long, + dirt-sweeping skirts were coming up; the extremely short, immodest skirts + were coming down. A sane and sensible wave seemed to be sweeping the whole + country. Under the impetus of Donald Whiting's struggles to lead his + classes and those of other pupils to lead theirs a higher grade of + scholarship was beginning to be developed throughout the high school. + Pupils were thinking less of what they wore and how much amusement they + could crowd in, and more about making grades that would pass them with + credit from year to year. The horrors of the war and the disorders + following it had begun to impress upon the young brains growing into + maturity the idea that soon it would be their task to take over the + problems that were now vexing the world's greatest statesmen and its + wisest and most courageous women. A tendency was manifesting itself among + young people to equip themselves to take a worthy part in the struggles + yet to come. Classmates who had looked with toleration upon Linda's + common-sense shoes and plain dresses because she was her father's + daughter, now looked upon her with respect and appreciation because she + started so many interesting subjects for discussion, because she was so + rapidly developing into a creature well worth looking at. Always she would + be unusual because of her extreme height, her narrow eyes, her vivid + coloring. But a greater maturity, a fuller figure, had come to be a part + of the vision with which one looked at Linda. In these days no one saw her + as she was. Even her schoolmates had fallen into the habit of seeing her + as she would be in the years to come. + </p> + <p> + Thus far she had been able to keep her identities apart without any + difficulty; but the book proposition was so unexpected, it was such a big + thing to result from her modest beginning, that Linda realized that she + must proceed very carefully, she must concentrate with all her might, else + her school work would begin to suffer in favor of the book. Recently so + many things had arisen to distract her attention. Many days she had not + been able to keep Eileen's face off her geometry papers; and again she saw + Gilman's, anxious and pain-filled. Sometimes she found herself lifting her + eyes from tasks upon which she was concentrating with all her might, and + with no previous thought whatever she was searching for Donald Whiting, + and when she saw him, coming into muscular and healthful manhood, she + returned to her work with more strength, deeper vision, a quiet, assured + feeling around her heart. Sometimes, over the edge of Literature and + Ancient History, Peter Morrison looked down at her with gravely + questioning eyes and dancing imps twisting his mouth muscles, and Linda + paused a second to figure upon what had become an old problem with her. + Why did her wild-flower garden make Peter Morrison think of a graveyard? + What was buried there besides the feet of her rare flowers? She had not as + yet found the answer. + </p> + <p> + This day her thoughts were on Peter frequently because she intended to see + him that night. She was going to share with him a supper of baked ham and + beans and bread and butter and pickled onions and little nut cakes, still + warm from Katy's oven. She was going to take Katy with her in order that + she might see Peter Morrison's location and the house for his dream lady, + growing at the foot of the mountain like a gay orchid homing on a forest + tree. To Linda it was almost a miracle, the rapidity with which a house + could be erected in California. In a few weeks' time she had seen a big + cellar scooped out of the plateau, had seen it lined and rising to + foundation height above the surface in solid concrete, faced outside with + cracked boulders. She had seen a framework erected, a rooftree set, and + joists and rafters and beams swinging into place. Fretworks of lead and + iron pipe were running everywhere, and wires for electricity. Soon + shingles and flooring would be going into place, and Peter said that when + he had finished acrobatic performances on beams and girders and really + stepped out on solid floors where he might tread without fear of breaking + any of his legs, he would perform a Peacock Dance all by himself. + </p> + <p> + “Peter, you sound like a centipede,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Dear child,” said Peter, “when I enter my front door and get to the back + on two-inch footing, I positively feel that I have numerous legs, and I + ache almost as badly in the fear that I shall break the two I have, as I + should if they were really broken.” + </p> + <p> + And then he added a few words on a subject of which he had not before + spoken to Linda. + </p> + <p> + “It was like that in France. When we really got into the heat of things + and the work was actually being done, we were not afraid: we were too + busy; we were 'supermen.' The time when we were all legs and arms and + head, and all of them were being blown away wholesale was when the shells + whined over while we had a rest hour and were trying to sleep, or in the + cold, dim dawn when we stumbled out stiff, hungry, and sleepy. It's not + the REAL THING when it's really occurring that gets one. It's the devils + of imagination tormenting the soul. There is only one thing in this world + can happen to me that is really going to be as bad as the things I dream.” + </p> + <p> + Linda looked down Lilac Valley, her eyes absently focusing on Katy busily + setting supper on a store box in front of the garage. Then she looked at + Peter. + </p> + <p> + “Mind telling?” she inquired lightly. + </p> + <p> + Peter looked at her speculatively. + </p> + <p> + “And would a man be telling his heart's best secret to a kid like you?” he + asked. + </p> + <p> + “Now, I call that downright mean,” said Linda. “Haven't you noticed that + my braids are up? Don't you see a maturity and a dignity and a general + matronliness apparent all over me today?” + </p> + <p> + “Matronliness” was too much for Peter. You could have heard his laugh far + down the blue valley. + </p> + <p> + “That's good!” he cried. + </p> + <p> + “It is,” agreed Linda. “It means that my braids are up to stay, so + hereafter I'm a real woman.” + </p> + <p> + She lingered over the word an instant, glancing whimsically at Peter, a + trace of a smile on her lips, then she made her way down a slant declivity + and presently returned with an entire flower plant, new to Peter and of + unusual beauty. + </p> + <p> + “And because I am a woman I shall set my seal upon you,” she said. + </p> + <p> + In the buttonhole of his light linen coat she placed a flower of satin + face of purest gold, the five petals rounded, but sharply tipped, a heavy + mass of silk stamens, pollen dusted in the heart. She pushed back the left + side of his coat and taking one of the rough, hairy leaves of the plant + she located it over Peter's heart, her slim, deft fingers patting down the + leaf and flattening it out until it lay pasted smooth and tight. As she + worked, she smiled at him challengingly. Peter knew he was experiencing a + ceremony of some kind, the significance of which he must learn. It was the + first time Linda had voluntarily touched him. He breathed lightly and held + steady, lest he startle her. + </p> + <p> + “Lovely enough,” he said, “to have come from the hills of the stars. Don't + make me wait, Linda; help me to the interpretation.” + </p> + <p> + “Buena Mujer,” suggested Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Good woman,” translated Peter. + </p> + <p> + Linda nodded, running a finger down the leaf over his heart. + </p> + <p> + “Because she sticks close to you,” she explained. Then startled by the + look in Peter's eyes, she cried in swift change: “Now we are all going to + work for a minute. Katy's spreading the lunch. You take this pail and go + to the spring for water and I shall tidy your quarters for you.” + </p> + <p> + With the eye of experience Linda glanced over the garage deciding that she + must ask for clean sheets for the cot and that the Salvation Army would + like the heap of papers. Studying the writing table she heard a faint + sound that untrained ears would have missed. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, ha, Ma wood mouse,” said Linda, “nibbling Peter's dr. goods are you?” + </p> + <p> + Her cry a minute later answered the question. She came from the garage + upon Katherine O'Donovan rushing to meet her, holding a man's coat at the + length of her far-reaching arm. + </p> + <p> + “I wish you'd look at that pocket. I don't know how long this coat has + been hanging there, but there is a nest of field mice in it,” she said. + </p> + <p> + Katy promptly retreated to the improvised dining table, seated herself + upon an end of it, and raised both feet straight into the air. + </p> + <p> + “Small help I'll be getting from you,” said Linda laughingly. + </p> + <p> + She went to the edge of the declivity that cut back to the garage and with + a quick movement reversed the coat catching it by the skirts and shaking + it vigorously. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII. The Straight and Narrow + </h2> + <p> + This served exactly the purpose Linda had intended. It dislodged the mouse + nest and dropped it three feet below her level, but it did something else + upon which Linda had no time to count. It emptied every pocket in the coat + and sent the contents scattering down the rough declivity. + </p> + <p> + “Oh my gracious!” gasped Linda. “Look what I have done! Katy, come help me + quickly; I have to gather up this stuff; but it's no use; I'll have to + take it to Peter and tell him. I couldn't put these things back in the + pockets where his hand will reach for them, because I don't know which + came from inside and which came from out.” + </p> + <p> + Linda sprang down and began hastily gathering up everything she could see + that had fallen from the coat pockets. She had almost finished when her + fingers chanced upon a very soiled, befigured piece of paper whose + impressed folds showed that it had been carried for some time in an inner + pocket. As her fingers touched this paper her eyes narrowed, her breath + came in a gasp. She looked at it a second, irresolute, then she glanced + over the top of the declivity in the direction Peter had taken. He was + standing in front of the building, discussing some matter with the + contractor. He had not yet gone to the spring. Shielded by the embankment + with shaking fingers Linda opened the paper barely enough to see that it + was Marian's lost sheet of plans; but it was not as Marian had lost it. It + was scored deeply here and there with heavy lines suggestive of + alterations, and the margin was fairly covered with fine figuring. Linda + did not know Peter Morrison's writing or figures. His articles had been + typewritten and she had never seen his handwriting. She sat down suddenly + on account of weakened knees, and gazed unseeingly down the length of + Lilac Valley, her heart sick, her brain tormented. Suddenly she turned and + studied the house. + </p> + <p> + “Before the Lord!” she gasped. “I THOUGHT there was something mighty + familiar even about the skeleton of you! Oh, Peter, Peter, where did you + get this, and how could you do it?” + </p> + <p> + For a while a mist blurred her eyes. She reached for the coat and started + to replace the things she had gathered up, then she shut her lips tight. + </p> + <p> + “Best time to pull a tooth,” she said tersely to a terra cotta red + manzanita bush, “is when it aches.” + </p> + <p> + When Peter returned from the spring he was faced by a trembling girl, + colorless and trying hard to keep her voice steady. She held out the coat + to him with one hand, the package of papers with the other, the folded + drawing conspicuous on the top. With these she gestured toward the + declivity. + </p> + <p> + “Mouse nest in your pocket, Peter,” she said thickly. “Reversed the coat + to shake it out, and spilled your stuff.” + </p> + <p> + Then she waited for Peter to be confounded. But Peter was not in the + faintest degree troubled about either the coat or the papers. What did + trouble him was the face and the blazing eyes of the girl concerning whom + he would not admit, even to himself, his exact state of feeling. + </p> + <p> + “The mouse did not get on you, Linda?” he asked anxiously. + </p> + <p> + Linda shook her head. Suddenly she lost her self-control. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Peter,” she wailed, “how could you do it?” + </p> + <p> + Peter's lean frame tensed suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “I don't understand, Linda,” he said quietly. “Exactly what have I done?” + </p> + <p> + Linda thrust the coat and the papers toward him accusingly and stood there + wordless but with visible pain in her dark eyes. peter smiled at her + reassuringly. + </p> + <p> + “That's not my coat, you know. If there is anything distressing about it, + don't lay it to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Peter!” cried Linda, “tell the truth about it. Don't try any + evasions. I am so sick of them.” + </p> + <p> + A rather queer light sprang into Peter's eyes. He leaned forward suddenly + and caught the coat from Linda's fingers. + </p> + <p> + “Well, if you need an alibi concerning this coat,” he said, “I think I can + furnish it speedily.” + </p> + <p> + As he talked he whirled the garment around and shot his long arms into the + sleeves. Shaking it into place on his shoulders, he slowly turned in front + of Linda and the surprised Katy. The sleeves came halfway to his wrists + and the shoulders slid down over his upper arms. He made such a quaint and + ridiculous figure that Katy burst out laughing. She was very well trained, + but she knew Linda was deeply distressed. + </p> + <p> + “Wake up, lambie!” she cried sharply. “That coat ain't belonging to Mr. + Pater Morrison. That gairment is the property of that bug-catchin' + architect of his.” + </p> + <p> + Peter shook off the coat and handed it back to Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Am I acquitted?” he asked lightly; but his surprised eyes were searching + her from braid to toe. + </p> + <p> + Linda turned from him swiftly. She thrust the packet into a side pocket + and started to the garage with the coat. As she passed inside she slipped + down her hand, slid the sheet of plans from the other papers, and slipped + it into the front of her blouse. She hung the coat back where she had + found it, then suddenly sat down on the side of Peter Morrison's couch, + white and shaken. Peter thought he heard a peculiar gasp and when he + strayed past the door, casually glancing inward, he saw what he saw, and + it brought him to his knees beside Linda with all speed. + </p> + <p> + “Linda-girl,” he implored, “what in this world has happened?” + </p> + <p> + Linda struggled to control her voice; but at last she buried her face in + her hands and frankly emitted a sound that she herself would have + described as “howling.” Peter knelt back in wonder. + </p> + <p> + “Of all the things I ever thought about you, Linda,” he said, “the one + thing I never did think was that you were hysterical.” + </p> + <p> + If there was one word in Linda's vocabulary more opprobrious than + “nerves,” which could be applied to a woman, it was “hysterics.” The great + specialist had admitted nerves; hysterics had no standing with him. Linda + herself had no more use for a hysterical woman than she had for a Gila + monster. She straightened suddenly, and in removing her hands from her + face she laid one on each of Peter's shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Peter,” she wailed, “I am not a hysterical idiot, but I couldn't have + stood it if that coat had been yours. Peter, I just couldn't have borne + it!” + </p> + <p> + Peter held himself rigidly in the fear that he might disturb the hands + that were gripping him. + </p> + <p> + “I see I have the job of educating these damned field mice as to where + they may build with impunity,” he said soberly. + </p> + <p> + But Linda was not to be diverted. She looked straight and deep into his + eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Peter,” she said affirmatively, “you don't know a thing about that coat, + do you?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not,” said Peter promptly. + </p> + <p> + “You never saw what was in its pockets, did you?” + </p> + <p> + “Not to my knowledge,” answered Peter. “What was in the pockets, Linda?” + </p> + <p> + Linda thought swiftly. Peter adored his dream house. If she told him that + the plans for it had been stolen by his architect, the house would be + ruined for Peter. Anyone could see from the candor of his gaze and the + lines that God and experience had graven on his face that Peter was + without guile. Suddenly Linda shot her hands past Peter's shoulders and + brought them together on the back of his neck. She drew his face against + hers and cried: “Oh Peter, I would have been killed if that coat had been + yours. I tell you I couldn't have endured it, Peter. I am just tickled to + death!” + </p> + <p> + One instant she hugged him tight. If her lips did not brush his cheek, + Peter deluded himself. Then she sprang up and ran from the garage. Later + he took the coat from its nail, the papers from its pockets, and carefully + looked them over. There was nothing among them that would give him the + slightest clue to Linda's conduct. He looked again, penetratingly, + searchingly, for he must learn from them a reason; and no reason was + apparent. With the coat in one hand and the papers in the other he stepped + outside. + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” he said, “won't you show me? Won't you tell me? What is there + about this to upset you?” + </p> + <p> + Linda closed her lips and shook her head. Once more Peter sought in her + face, in her attitude the information he craved. + </p> + <p> + “Needn't tell me,” he said, “that a girl who will face the desert and the + mountains and the canyons and the sea is upset by a mouse.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you should have seen Katy sitting in the midst of our supper with + her feet rigidly extended before her!” cried the girl, struggling to + regain her composure. “Put back that coat and come to your supper. It's + time for you to be fed now. The last workman has gone and we'll barely + have time to finish nicely and show Katy your dream house before it's time + to go.” + </p> + <p> + Peter came and sat in the place Linda indicated. His mind was whirling. + There was something he did not understand, but in her own time, in her own + way, a girl of Linda's poise and self-possession would tell him what had + occurred that could be responsible for the very peculiar things she had + done. In some way she had experienced a shock too great for her usual + self-possession. The hands with which she fished pickled onions from the + bottle were still unsteady, and the corroboration Peter needed for his + thoughts could be found in the dazed way in which Katy watched Linda as + she hovered over her in serving her. But that was not the time. By and by + the time would come. The thing to do was to trust Linda and await its + coming. So Peter called on all the reserve wit and wisdom he had at + command. He jested, told stories, and to Linda's satisfaction and Katy's + delight, he ate his supper like a hungry man, frankly enjoying it, and + when the meal was finished Peter took Katy over the house, explaining to + her as much detail as was possible at that stage of its construction, + while Linda followed with mute lips and rebellion surging in her heart. + When leaving time came, while Katy packed the Bear Cat, Linda wandered + across toward the spring, and Peter, feeling that possibly she might wish + to speak with him, followed her. When he overtook her she looked at him + straightly, her eyes showing the hurt her heart felt. + </p> + <p> + “Peter,” she said, “that first night you had dinner with us, was Henry + Anderson out of your presence one minute from the time you came into the + house until you left it?” + </p> + <p> + Peter stopped and studied the ground at his feet intently. Finally he said + conclusively: “I would go on oath, Linda, that he was not. We were all + together in the living room, all together in the dining room. We left + together at night and John was with us.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Linda. “Well, then, when you came back the next morning + after Eileen, before you started on your trip, to hunt a location, was he + with you all the time?” + </p> + <p> + Again Peter took his time to answer. + </p> + <p> + “We came to your house with Gilman,” he said. “John started to the front + door to tell Miss Eileen that we were ready. I followed him. Anderson said + he would look at the scenery. He must have made a circuit of the house, + because when we came out ready to start, a very few minutes later, he was + coming down the other side of the house.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah,” said Linda comprehendingly. + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” said Peter quietly, “it is very obvious that something has + worried you extremely. Am I in any way connected with it?” + </p> + <p> + Linda shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “Is there anything I can do?” + </p> + <p> + The negative was repeated. Then she looked at him. + </p> + <p> + “No, Peter,” she said quietly, “I confess I have had a shock, but it is in + no way connected with you and there is nothing you can do about it but + forget my foolishness. But I am glad—Peter, you will never know how + glad I am—that you haven't anything to do with it.” + </p> + <p> + Then in the friendliest fashion imaginable she reached him her hand and + led the way back to the Bear Cat, their tightly gripped hands swinging + between them. As Peter closed the door he looked down on Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Young woman,” he said, “since this country has as yet no nerve specialist + to take the place of your distinguished father, if you have any waves to + wave to me tonight, kindly do it before you start or after you reach the + highway. If you take your hands off that steering wheel as you round the + boulders and strike that declivity as I have seen you do heretofore, I + won't guarantee that I shall not require a specialist myself.” + </p> + <p> + Linda started to laugh, then she saw Peter's eyes and something in them + stopped her suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “I did not realize that I was taking any risk,” she said. “I won't do it + again. I will say good-bye to you right here and now so I needn't look + back.” + </p> + <p> + So she shook hands with Peter and drove away. Peter slowly followed down + the rough driveway, worn hard by the wheels of delivery trucks, and stood + upon the highest point of the rocky turn, looking after the small gray car + as it slid down the steep declivity. And he wondered if there could have + been telepathy in the longing with which he watched it go, for at the + level roadway that followed between the cultivated land out to the highway + Linda stopped the car, stood up in it, and turning, looked back straight + to the spot upon which Peter stood. She waved both hands to him, and then + gracefully and beautifully, with outstretched, fluttering fingers she made + him the sign of birds flying home. And with the whimsy in his soul + uppermost, Peter reflected, as he turned back for a microscopic + examination of Henry Anderson's coat and the contents of its pockets, that + there was one bird above all others which made him think of Linda; but he + could not at the moment feather Katherine O'Donovan. And then he further + reflected as he climbed the hill that if it had to be done the best he + could do would be a bantam hen contemplating domesticity. + </p> + <p> + Linda looked the garage over very carefully when she put away the Bear + Cat. When she closed the garage doors she was particular about the locks. + As she came through the kitchen she said to Katy, busy with the lunch box: + </p> + <p> + “Belovedest, have there been any strange Japs poking around here lately?” + </p> + <p> + She nearly collapsed when Katy answered promptly: + </p> + <p> + “A dale too many of the square-headed haythens. I am pestered to death + with them. They used to come jist to water the lawn but now they want to + crane the rugs; they want to do the wash. They are willing to crane house. + They want to get into the garage; they insist on washing the car. If they + can't wash it they jist want to see if it nades washin'.” + </p> + <p> + Linda stood amazed. + </p> + <p> + “And how long has this been going on, Katy?” she finally asked. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I have had two good months of it,” said Katy; “that is, it started + two months ago. The past month has been workin' up and the last ten days + it seemed to me they was a Jap on the back steps oftener than they was a + stray cat, and I ain't no truck with ayther of them. They give me jist + about the same falin'. Between the two I would trust the cat a dale + further with my bird than I would the Jap.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you ever unlocked the garage for them, Katy?” asked Linda. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Katy. “I only go there when I nade something about me work.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Katy,” said Linda, “let me tell you this: the next time you go + there for anything take a good look for Japs before you open the door. Get + what you want and get out as quickly as possible and be sure, Katy, + desperately sure, that you lock the door securely when you leave.” + </p> + <p> + Katy set her hands on her hips, flared her elbows, and lifted her chin. + </p> + <p> + “What's any of them little haythen been coin' to scare ye, missy?” she + demanded belligerently. “Don't you think I'm afraid of them! Comes any of + them around me and I'll take my mopstick over the heads of them.” + </p> + <p> + “And you'll break a perfectly good mopstick and not hurt the Jap when you + do it,” said Linda. “There's an undercurrent of something deep and subtle + going on in this country right now, Katy. When Japan sends college + professors to work in our kitchens and relatives of her greatest statesmen + to serve our tables, you can depend on it she is not doing it for the + money that is paid them. If California does not wake up very shortly and + very thoroughly she is going to pay an awful price for the luxury she is + experiencing while she pampers herself with the service of the Japanese, + just as the South has pampered herself for generations with the service of + the Negroes. When the Negroes learn what there is to know, then the day of + retribution will be at hand. And this is not croaking, Katy. It is the + truest gospel that was ever preached. Keep your eyes wide open for Japs. + Keep your doors locked, and if you see one prowling around the garage and + don't know what he is after, go to the telephone and call the police.” + </p> + <p> + Linda climbed the stairs to her workroom, plumped down at the table, set + her chin in her palms, and lost herself in thought. For half an hour she + sat immovable, staring at her caricature of Eileen through narrowed lids. + Then she opened the typewriter, inserted a sheet and wrote: + </p> + <p> + MY DEAR Mr. SNOW: + </p> + <p> + I am writing as the most intimate woman friend of Marian Thorne. As such, + I have spent much thought trying to figure out exactly the reason for the + decision in your recent architectural competition; why a man should think + of such a number of very personal, intimate touches that, from familiarity + with them, I know that Miss Thorne had incorporated in her plans, and why + his winning house should be her winning house, merely reversed. + </p> + <p> + Today I have found the answer, which I am forwarding to you, knowing that + you will understand exactly what should be done. Enclosed you will find + one of the first rough sketches Marian made of her plans. In some + mysterious manner it was lost on a night when your prize-winning architect + had dinner at our house where Miss Thorne was also a guest. Before + retiring she showed to me and explained the plans with which she hoped to + win your competition. In the morning I packed her suitcase and handed it + to the porter of her train. When she arrived at San Francisco she found + that the enclosed sheet was missing. + </p> + <p> + This afternoon tidying a garage in which Mr. Peter Morrison, the author, + is living while Henry Anderson completes a residence he is building for + him near my home, I reversed a coat belonging to Henry Anderson to + dislodge from its pocket the nest of a field mouse. In so doing I emptied + all the pockets, and in gathering up their contents I found this lost + sheet from Marian's plans. + </p> + <p> + I think nothing more need be said on my part save that I understood the + winning plan was to become the property of Nicholson and Snow. Without + waiting to see whether these plans would win or not, Henry Anderson has + them three fourths of the way materialized in Mr. Morrison's residence in + Lilac Valley which is a northwestern suburb of Los Angeles. + </p> + <p> + You probably have heard Marian speak of me, and from her you may obtain + any information you might care to have concerning my responsibility. + </p> + <p> + I am mailing the sketch to you rather than to Marian because I feel that + you are the party most deeply interested in a business way, and I hope, + too, that you will be interested in protecting my very dear friend from + the disagreeable parts of this very disagreeable situation. + </p> + <p> + Very truly yours, + </p> + <p> + LINDA STRONG. <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII. Putting It Up to Peter + </h2> + <p> + When Peter Morrison finally gave up looking in the pockets of Henry + Anderson's coat for enlightenment concerning Linda's conduct, it was with + his mind settled on one point. There was nothing in the coat now that + could possibly have startled the girl or annoyed her. Whatever had been + there that caused her extremely peculiar conduct she had carried away with + her. Peter had settled convictions concerning Linda. From the first + instant he had looked into her clear young eyes as she stood in + Multiflores Canyon triumphantly holding aloft the Cotyledon in one hand + and with the other struggling to induce the skirt of her blouse to resume + its proper location beneath the band of her trousers, he had felt that her + heart and her mind were as clear and cool and businesslike as the + energetic mountain stream hurrying past her. Above all others, “straight” + was the one adjective he probably would have applied to her. Whatever she + had taken from Henry's pockets was something that concerned her. If she + took anything, she had a right to take it; of that Peter was unalterably + certain. He remembered that a few days before she practically had admitted + to him that Anderson had annoyed her, and a slow anger began to surge up + in Peter's carefully regulated heart. His thoughts were extremely busy, + but the thing he thought most frequently and most forcefully was that he + would thoroughly enjoy taking Henry Anderson by the scruff of the neck, + leading him to the sheerest part of his own particular share of the + mountain, and exhaustively booting him down it. + </p> + <p> + “It takes these youngsters to rush in and raise the devil where there's no + necessity for anything to happen if just a modicum of common sense had + been used,” growled Peter. + </p> + <p> + He mulled over the problem for several days, and then he decided he should + see Linda, and with his first look into her straight-forward eyes, from + the tones of her voice and the carriage of her head he would know whether + the annoyance persisted. About the customary time for her to return from + school Peter started on foot down the short cut between his home and the + Strong residence. He was following a footpath rounding the base of the + mountain, crossing and recrossing the enthusiastic mountain stream as it + speeded toward the valley, when a flash of color on the farther side of + the brook attracted him. He stopped, then hastily sprang across the water, + climbed a few yards, and, after skirting a heavy clump of bushes, looked + at Linda sitting beside them—a most astonishing Linda, appearing + small and humble, very much tucked away, unrestrained tears rolling down + her cheeks, a wet handkerchief wadded in one hand, a packet of letters in + her lap. A long instant they studied each other. + </p> + <p> + “Am I intruding?” inquired Peter at last. + </p> + <p> + Linda shook her head vigorously and gulped down a sob. + </p> + <p> + “No, Peter,” she sobbed, “I had come this far on my way to you when my + courage gave out.” + </p> + <p> + Peter rearranged the immediate landscape and seated himself beside Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Now stop distressing yourself,” he said authoritatively. “You youngsters + do take life so seriously. The only thing that could have happened to you + worth your shedding a tear over can't possibly have happened; so stop this + waste of good material. Tears are very precious things, Linda. They ought + to be the most unusual things in life. Now tell me something. Were you + coming to me about that matter that worried you the other evening?” + </p> + <p> + Linda shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “No,” she said, “I have turned that matter over where it belongs. I have + nothing further to do with it. I'll confess to you I took a paper from + among those that fell from Henry Anderson's pocket. It was not his. He had + no right to have it. He couldn't possibly have come by it honorably or + without knowing what it was. I took the liberty to put it where it + belongs, or at least where it seemed to me that it belongs. That is all + over.” + </p> + <p> + “Then something else has happened?” asked Peter. “Something connected with + the package of letters in your lap?” + </p> + <p> + Linda nodded vigorously. + </p> + <p> + “Peter, I have done something perfectly awful,” she confessed. “I never in + this world meant to do it. I wouldn't have done it for anything. I have + got myself into the dreadfullest mess, and I don't know how to get out. + When I couldn't stand it another minute I started right to you, Peter, + just like I'd have started to my father if I'd had him to go to.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Peter, deeply interested in the toe of his shoe. “You + depended on my age and worldly experience and my unconcealed devotion to + your interests, which is exactly what you should do, my dear. Now tell me. + Dry your eyes and tell me, and whatever it is I'll fix it all right and + happily for you. I'll swear to do it if you want me to.” + </p> + <p> + Then Linda raised her eyes to his face. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Peter, you dear!” she cried. “Peter, I'll just kneel and kiss your + hands if you can fix this for me.” + </p> + <p> + Peter set his jaws and continued his meditations on shoe leather. + </p> + <p> + “Make it snappy!” he said tersely. “The sooner your troubles are out of + your system the better you'll feel. Whose letters are those, and why are + you crying over them?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Peter,” quavered Linda, “you know how I love Marian. You have seen + her and I have told you over and over.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Peter soothingly, “I know.” + </p> + <p> + “I have told you how, after years of devotion to Marian, John Gilman let + Eileen make a perfect rag of him and tie him into any kind of knot she + chose. Peter, when Marian left here she had lost everything on earth but a + little dab of money. She had lost a father who was fine enough to be my + father's best friend. She had lost a mother who was fine enough to rear + Marian to what she is. She had lost them in a horrible way that left her + room for a million fancies and regrets: 'if I had done this,' or 'if I had + done that,' or 'if I had taken another road.' And when she went away she + knew definitely she had lost the first and only love of her heart; and I + knew, because she was so sensitive and so fine, I knew, better than + anybody living, how she COULD be hurt; and I thought if I could fix some + scheme that would entertain her and take her mind off herself and make her + feel appreciated only for a little while—I knew in all reason, + Peter, when she got out in the world where men would see her and see how + beautiful and fine she is, there would be somebody who would want her + quickly. All the time I have thought that when she came back, YOU would + want her. Peter, I fibbed when I said I was setting your brook for Louise + Whiting. I was not. I don't know Louise Whiting. She is nothing to me. I + was setting it for you and Marian. It was a WHITE head I saw among the + iris marching down your creek bank, not a gold one, Peter.” + </p> + <p> + Peter licked his dry lips and found it impossible to look at Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Straight ahead with it,” he said gravely. “What did you do?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I have done the awfullest thing,” wailed Linda, “the most + unforgivable thing!” + </p> + <p> + She reached across and laid hold of the hand next her, and realizing that + she needed it for strength and support, Peter gave it into her keeping. + </p> + <p> + “Yes?” he questioned. “Get on with it, Linda. What was it you did?” + </p> + <p> + “I had a typewriter: I could. I began writing her letters, the kind of + letters that I thought would interest her and make her feel loved and + appreciated.” + </p> + <p> + “You didn't sign my name to them, did you, Linda?” asked Peter in a dry, + breathless voice. + </p> + <p> + “No, Peter,” said Linda, “I did not do that, I did worse. Oh, I did a + whole lot worse!” + </p> + <p> + “I don't understand,” said Peter hoarsely. + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to make them fine. I wanted to make them brilliant. I wanted to + make them interesting. And of course I could not do it by myself. I am + nothing but a copycat. I just quoted a lot of things I had heard you say; + and I did worse than that, Peter. I watched the little whimsy lines around + your mouth and I tried to interpret the perfectly lovely things they would + make you say to a woman if you loved her and were building a dream house + for her. And oh, Peter, it's too ghastly; I don't believe I can tell you.” + </p> + <p> + “This is pretty serious business, Linda,” said Peter gravely. “Having gone + this far you are in honor bound to finish. It would not be fair to leave + me with half a truth. What is the result of this impersonation?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Peter,” sobbed Linda, breaking down again, “you're going to hate me; + I know you're going to hate me and Marian's going to hate me; and I didn't + mean a thing but the kindest thing in all the world.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't talk like that, Linda,” said Peter. “If your friend is all you say + she is, she is bound to understand. And as for me, I am not very likely to + misjudge you. But be quick about it. What did you do, Linda?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I just wrote these letters that I am telling you about,” said Linda, + “and I said the things that I thought would comfort her and entertain her + and help with her work; and these are the answers that she wrote me, and I + don't think I realized till last night that she was truly attributing them + to any one man, truly believing in them. Oh, Peter, I wasn't asleep a + minute all last night, and for the first time I failed in my lessons + today.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is the culmination, Linda?” urged Peter. + </p> + <p> + “She liked the letters, Peter. They meant all I intended them to and they + must have meant something I never could have imagined. And in San + Francisco one of the firm where she studies—a very fine man she says + he is, Peter; I can see that in every way he would be quite right for her; + and I had a letter from her last night, and, Peter, he had asked her to + marry him, to have a lifelong chance at work she's crazy about. He had + offered her a beautiful home with everything that great wealth and culture + and good taste could afford. He had offered her the mothering of his + little daughter; and she refused him, Peter, refused him because she is in + love, with all the love there is left in her disappointed, hurt heart, + with the personality that these letters represent to her; and that + personality is yours, Peter. I stole it from you. I copied it into those + letters. I'm not straight. I'm not fair. I wasn't honest with her. I + wasn't honest with you. I'll just have to take off front the top of the + highest mountain or sink in the deepest place in the sea, Peter. I thought + I was straight. I thought I was honorable I have made Donald believe that + I was. If I have to tell him the truth about this he won't want to wear my + flower any more. I shall know all the things that Marian has suffered, and + a thousand times worse, because she was not to blame; she had nothing with + which to reproach herself.” + </p> + <p> + Peter put an arm across Linda's shoulders and drew her up to him. For a + long, bitter moment he thought deeply, and then he said hoarsely: “Now + calm down, Linda. You're making an extremely high mountain out of an + extremely shallow gopher hole. You haven't done anything irreparable. I + see the whole situation. You are sure your friend has finally refused this + offer she has had on account of these letters you have written?” + </p> + <p> + Suddenly Linda relaxed. She leaned her warm young body against Peter. She + laid her tired head on his shoulder. She slipped the top letter of the + packet in her lap from under its band, opened it, and held it before him. + Peter read it very deliberately, then he nodded in acquiescence. + </p> + <p> + “It's all too evident,” he said quietly, “that you have taught her that + there is a man in this world more to her liking than John Gilman ever has + been. When it came to materializing the man, Linda, what was your idea? + Were you proposing to deliver me?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought it would be suitable and you would be perfectly happy,” sobbed + Linda, “and that way I could have both of you.” + </p> + <p> + “And Donald also?” asked Peter lightly. + </p> + <p> + “Donald of course,” assented Linda. + </p> + <p> + And then she lifted her tear-spilling, wonderful eyes, wide open, to + Peter's, and demanded: “But, oh Peter, I am so miserable I am almost dead. + I have said you were a rock, and you are a rock. peter, can you get me out + of this?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure,” said Peter grimly. “Merely a case of living up to your blue china, + even if it happens to be in the form of hieroglyphics instead of baked + pottery. Give me the letters, Linda. Give me a few days to study them. + Exchange typewriters with me so I can have the same machine. Give me some + of the paper on which you have been writing and the address you have been + using, and I'll guarantee to get you out of this in some way that will + leave you Donald, and your friendship with Marian quite as good as new.” + </p> + <p> + At that juncture Peter might have been kissed, but his neck was very stiff + and his head was very high and his eyes were on a far-distant hilltop from + which at that minute he could not seem to gather any particular help. + </p> + <p> + “Would it be your idea,” he said, “that by reading these letters I could + gain sufficient knowledge of what has passed to go on with this?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course you could,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + Peter reached in his side pocket and pulled out a clean handkerchief. He + shook it from its folds and dried her eyes. Then he took her by her + shoulders and set her up straight. + </p> + <p> + “Now stop this nerve strain and this foolishness,” he said tersely. “You + have done a very wonderful thing for me. It is barely possible that Marian + Thorne is not my dream woman, but we can't always have our dreams in this + world, and if I could not have mine, truly and candidly, Linda, so far as + I have lived my life, I would rather have Marian Thorne than any other + woman I have ever met.” + </p> + <p> + Linda clapped her hands in delight. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, goody goody, Peter!” she cried. “How joyous! Can it be possible that + my bungling is coming out right for Marian and right for you?” + </p> + <p> + “And right for you, Linda?” inquired Peter lightly. + </p> + <p> + “Sure, right for me,” said Linda eagerly. “Of course it's right for me + when it's right for you and Marian. And since it's not my secret alone I + don't think it would be quite honorable to tell Donald about it. What + hurts Marian's heart or heals it is none of his business. He doesn't even + know her.” + </p> + <p> + “All right then, Linda,” said Peter, rising, “give me the letters and + bring me the machine and the paper. Give me the joyous details and tell me + when I am expected to send in my first letter in propria persona?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Peter,” cried Linda, beaming on him, “oh, Peter, you are a rock! I do + put my trust in you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then God help me,” said Peter, “for whatever happens, your trust in me + shall not be betrayed, Linda.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX. Katy Unburdens Her Mind + </h2> + <p> + Possibly because she wished to eliminate herself from the offices of + Nicholson and Snow for a few days, possibly because her finely attuned + nature felt the call, Marian Thorne boarded a train that carried her to + Los Angeles. She stepped from it at ten o'clock in the morning, and by the + streetcar route made her way to Lilac Valley. When she arrived she + realized that she could not see Linda before, possibly, three in the + afternoon. She entered a restaurant, had a small lunch box packed, and + leaving her dressing case, she set off down the valley toward the + mountains. She had need of their strength, their quiet and their healing. + To the one particular spot where she had found comfort in Lilac Valley her + feet led her. By paths of her own, much overgrown for want of recent + usage, she passed through the cultivated fields, left the roadway, and + began to climb. When she reached the stream flowing down the rugged + hillside, she stopped to rest for a while, and her mind was in a tumult. + In one minute she was seeing the bitterly disappointed face of a lonely, + sensitive man whose first wound had been reopened by the making of another + possibly quite as deep; and at the next her heart was throbbing because + Linda had succeeded in transferring the living Peter to paper. + </p> + <p> + The time had come when Marian felt that she would know the personality + embodied in the letters she had been receiving; and in the past few days + her mind had been fixing tenaciously upon Peter Morrison. And the feeling + concerning which she had written Linda had taken possession of her. Wealth + did not matter; position did not matter. Losing the love of a good man did + not matter But the mind and the heart and the personality behind the + letters she had been receiving did matter. She thought long and seriously + When at last she arose she had arrived at the conclusion that she had done + the right thing, no matter whether the wonderful letters she had received + went on and offered her love or not, no matter about anything. She must + merely live and do the best she could, until the writer of those letters + chose to disclose himself and say what purpose he had in mind when he + wrote them. + </p> + <p> + So Marian followed her own path beside the creek until she neared its + head, which was a big, gushing icy spring at the foot of the mountain + keeping watch over the small plateau that in her heart she had thought of + as hers for years. As she neared the location strange sounds began to + reach her, voices of men, clanging of hammers, the rip of saws. A look of + deep consternation overspread her face. She listened an instant and then + began to run. When she broke through the rank foliage flourishing from the + waters of the spring and looked out on the plateau what she saw was Peter + Morrison's house in the process of being floored and shingled. For a + minute Marian was physically ill. Her heart hurt until her hand crept to + her side in an effort to soothe it. Before she asked the question of a man + coming to the spring with a pail in his hand, she knew the answer. It was + Peter Morrison's house. Marian sprang across the brook, climbed to the + temporary roadway, and walked down in front of the building. She stood + looking at it intently. It was in a rough stage, but much disguise is + needed to prevent a mother from knowing her own child. Marian's dark eyes + began to widen and to blaze. She walked up to the front of the house and + found that rough flooring had been laid so that she could go over the + first floor. When she had done this she left the back door a deeply + indignant woman. + </p> + <p> + “There is some connection,” she told herself tersely, “between my lost + sketch and this house, which is merely a left-to-right rehearsal of my + plans; and it's the same plan with which Henry Anderson won the Nicholson + and Snow prize money and the still more valuable honor of being the prize + winner. What I want to know is how such a wrong may be righted, and what + Peter Morrison has to do with it.” + </p> + <p> + Stepping from the back door, Marian followed the well-worn pathway that + led to the garage, looking right and left for Peter, and she was wondering + what she would say to him if she met him. She was thinking that perhaps + she had better return to San Francisco and talk the matter over with Mr. + Snow before she said anything to anyone else; by this time she had reached + the garage and stood in its wide-open door. She looked in at the cot, left + just as someone had arisen from it, at the row of clothing hanging on a + rough wooden rack at the back, at the piled boxes, at the big table, + knocked together from rough lumber, in the center, scattered and piled + with books and magazines; and then her eyes fixed intently on a packet + lying on the table beside a typewriter and a stack of paper and envelopes. + She walked over and picked up the packet. As she had known the instant she + saw them, they were her letters. She stood an instant holding them in her + hand, a dazed expression on her face. Mechanically she reached out and + laid her hands on the closed typewriter to steady herself. Something about + it appealed to her as familiar. She looked at it closely, then she lifted + the cover and examined the machine. It was the same machine that had stood + for years in Doctor Strong's library, a machine upon which she had typed + business letters for her own father, and sometimes she had copied lectures + and book manuscript on it for Doctor Strong. Until his house was completed + and his belongings arrived, Peter undoubtedly had borrowed it. Suddenly a + wild desire to escape swept over Marian. Her first thought was of her + feelings. She was angry, and justly so. In her heart she had begun to feel + that the letters she was receiving were from Peter Morrison. Here was the + proof. + </p> + <p> + Could it be possible that in their one meeting Peter had decided that she + was his dream woman, that in some way he had secured that rough sketch of + her plans, and from them was preparing her dream house for her? The + thought sped through her brain that he was something more than human to + have secured those plans, to have found that secluded and choice location. + For an instant she forgot the loss of the competition in trying to + comprehend the wonder of finding her own particular house fitting her own + particular location as naturally as one of its big boulders. + </p> + <p> + She tried to replace the package of letters exactly as she had found them. + On tiptoe she slipped back to the door and looked searchingly down the + road, around, and as far as possible through the house. Then she gathered + her skirts, stepped from the garage, and began the process of effacing + herself on the mountain side From clump to clump of the thickest bushes, + crouching below the sage and greasewood, pausing to rest behind lilac and + elder, without regard for her traveling suit or her beautifully shod feet, + Marian fled from her location. When at last she felt that she was + completely hidden and at least a mile from the spot, she dropped panting + on a boulder, brushing the debris from her skirts, lifting trembling hands + to straighten her hat, and ruefully contemplating her shoes. Then she + tried to think in a calm, dispassionate, and reasonable manner, but she + found it a most difficult process. Her mind was not well ordered, neither + was it at her command. It whirled and shot off at unexpected tangents and + danced as irresponsibly as a grasshopper from one place to another. The + flying leaps it took ranged from San Francisco to Lilac Valley, from her + location upon which Peter Morrison was building her house, to Linda. Even + John Gilman obtruded himself once more. At one minute she was experiencing + a raging indignation against Henry Anderson. How had he secured her plan? + At another she was trying to figure dispassionately what connection Peter + Morrison could have had with the building of his house upon her plan. + Every time Peter came into the equation her heart arose in his defense. In + some way his share in the proceeding was all right. He had cared for her + and he had done what he thought would please her. Therefore she must be + pleased, although forced to admit to herself that she would have been + infinitely more pleased to have built her own house in her own way. + </p> + <p> + She was hungry to see Linda. She wanted Katherine O'Donovan to feed her + and fuss over her and entertain her with her mellow Irish brogue; but if + she went to them and disclosed her presence in the valley, Peter would + know about it, and if he intended the building he was erecting as a + wonderful surprise for her, then she must not spoil his joy. Plan in any + way she could, Marian could see no course left to her other than to slip + back to the station and return to San Francisco without meeting any of her + friends. She hurriedly ate her lunch, again straightened her clothing, + went to the restaurant for her traveling bag, and took the car for the + station where she waited for a return train to San Francisco She bought a + paper and tried to concentrate upon it in an effort to take her mind from + her own problems so that, when she returned to them, she would be better + able to think clearly, to reason justly, to act wisely. She was very glad + when her train came and she was started on her way northward. At the first + siding upon which it stopped to allow the passing of a south-bound + limited, she was certain that as the cars flashed by, in one of them she + saw Eugene Snow. She was so certain that when she reached the city she + immediately called the office and asked for Mr. Snow only to be told that + he had gone away for a day or two on business. After that Marian's thought + was confused to the point of exasperation. + </p> + <p> + It would be difficult to explain precisely the state of mind in which + Linda, upon arriving at her home that afternoon, received from Katy the + information that a man named Snow had been waiting an hour for her in the + living room. Linda's appearance was that of a person so astonished that + Katy sidled up to her giving strong evidence of being ready to bristle. + </p> + <p> + “Ye know, lambie,” she said with elaborate indifference, “ye aren't havin' + to see anybody ye don't want to. If it's somebody intrudin' himself on ye, + just say the word and I'll fire him; higher than Guilderoy's kite I'll be + firin' him.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I must see him, Katy,” said Linda quietly. “And have something + specially nice for dinner. Very likely I'll take him to see Peter + Morrison's house and possibly I'll ask him and Peter to dinner. He is a + San Francisco architect from the firm where Marian takes her lessons, and + it's business about Peter's house. I was surprised, that's all.” + </p> + <p> + Then Linda turned and laid a hand on each of Katy's hairy red arms. + </p> + <p> + “Katherine O'Donovan, old dear,” she said, “if we do come back for dinner, + concentrate on Mr. Snow and study him. Scrutinize, Katy! It's a bully + word. Scrutinize closely. To add one more to our long lists of secrets, + here's another. He's the man I told you about who has asked Marian to + marry him, and Marian has refused him probably because she prefers + somebody nearer home.” + </p> + <p> + Then Linda felt the tensing of every muscle in Katy's body. She saw the + lift of her head, the incredulous, resentful look in her eyes. There was + frank hostility in her tone. + </p> + <p> + “Well, who is there nearer home that Marian knows?” she demanded + belligerently. + </p> + <p> + “Well, now, who would there be?” retorted Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Ye ain't manin' John Gilman?” asked Katy. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda, “I am not meaning John Gilman. You should know Marian + well enough to know that.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, ye ought to know yourself well enough to know that they ain't + anybody else around these diggin's that Marian Thorne's going to get,” + said Katy. + </p> + <p> + “I imagine Marian will get pretty much whom she wants,” said Linda + laughingly. “In your heart, Katy, you know that Marian need not have lost + John Gilman if she had not deliberately let him go. If she had been + willing to meet Eileen on her own ground and to play the game with her, it + wouldn't have happened. Marian has more brains in a minute than Eileen has + in a month.” + </p> + <p> + When Linda drew back the portiere and stepped into the living room Eugene + Snow rose to meet her. What either of them expected it might be difficult + to explain. Knowing so little of each other, it is very possible that they + had no visualizations. What Snow saw was what everyone saw who looked at + Linda—a girl arrestingly unusual. With Linda lay the advantage by + far, since she had Marian's letters for a background. What she saw was a + tall man, slender, and about him there was to Linda a strong appeal. As + she looked into his eyes, she could feel the double hurt that Fate had + dealt him. She thought she could fathom the fineness in his nature that + had led him to made home-building his chosen occupation. Instantly she + liked him. With only one look deep into his eyes she was on his side. She + stretched out both her hands and advanced. + </p> + <p> + “Now isn't this the finest thing of you?” she said. “I am so glad that you + came. I'll tell you word for word what happened here.” + </p> + <p> + “That will be fine,” he said. “Which is your favorite chair?” + </p> + <p> + “You know,” she said, “that is a joke. I am so unfamiliar with this room + that I haven't any favorite chair. I'll have to take the nearest, like + Thoreau selected his piece of chicken.” + </p> + <p> + Then for a few minutes Linda talked frankly. She answered Eugene Snow's + every question unhesitatingly and comprehensively. Together they ascended + the stairs, and in the guest room she showed him the table at which she + and Marian had studied the sketches of plans, and exactly where they had + left them lying overnight. + </p> + <p> + “The one thing I can't be explicit about,” said Linda, “is how many sheets + were there in the morning. We had stayed awake so late talking, that we + overslept. I packed Marian's bag while she dressed. I snatched up what + there were without realizing whether there were two sheets or three, laid + them in the flat bottom of the case, and folded her clothing on top of + them.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Mr. Snow comprehendingly. “Now let's experiment a little. Of + course the window before that table was raised?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it was,” said Linda, “but every window in the house is screened.” + </p> + <p> + “And what about the door opening into the hall? Can you tell me whether it + was closed or open?” + </p> + <p> + “It was open,” said Linda. “We left it slightly ajar to create a draft; + the night was warm.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there anyone about the house,” inquired Mr. Snow, “who could tell us + certainly whether that window was screened that night?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” said Linda. “Our housekeeper, Katherine O'Donovan, would + know. When we go down we'll ask her.” + </p> + <p> + On their return to the living room, for the first time in her life Linda + rang for Katy. She hesitated an instant before she did it. It would be + establishing a relationship that never before had existed between them. + She always had gone to Katy as she would have, gone to her mother. She + would have gone to her now, but she wanted Katy to make her appearance and + give her information without the possibility of previous discussion. Katy + answered the bell almost at once. Linda went to her side and reached her + arm across her shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “Katy,” she said, “this is Mr. Eugene Snow of San Francisco He is + interested in finding out exactly what became of that lost plan of + Marian's that we have looked for so carefully. Put on your thinking cap, + old dear, and try to answer accurately any question that Mr. Snow may wish + to ask you.” + </p> + <p> + Katy looked expectantly at Eugene Snow. + </p> + <p> + “In the meantime,” said Linda, “I'll be excused and go bring round the + Bear Cat.” + </p> + <p> + “I have only one question to ask you,” said Mr. Snow. “Can you recall + whether, for any reason, there was a screen out of the guest-room window + directly in front of which the reading table was standing the night Miss + Marian occupied the room before leaving for San Francisco?” + </p> + <p> + “Sure there was,” answered Katy instantly in her richest, mellowest + brogue. + </p> + <p> + She was taking the inventory she had been told to take. She was deciding, + as instantly as Linda had done, that she liked this man. Years, + appearance, everything about him appealed to Katy as being exactly right + for Marian; and her cunning Irish mind was leaping and flying and tugging + at the leash that thirty years of conventions had bound upon her. + </p> + <p> + “Sure,” she repeated, “the wildest santana that ever roared over us just + caught that screen and landed it slam against the side of the garage, and + it set inside for three days till I could get a workman to go up the + outside and put it back. It had been out two days before the night Marian + was here.” + </p> + <p> + “Did Miss Linda know about it?” asked Snow. + </p> + <p> + “Not that I know of,” said Katy. “She is a schoolgirl, you know, off early + in the morning, back and up to her room, the busiest youngster the valley + knows; and coin' a dale of good she is, too. It was Miss Eileen that heard + the screen ripped out and told me it was gone. She's the one who looked + after the housekapin' and paid the bills. She knew all about it. If + 'twould be helpin' Miss Marian any about findin' them plans we've + ransacked the premises for, I couldn't see any reason why Miss Eileen + wouldn't tell ye the same as I'm tellin' ye, and her housekapin' accounts + and her cheque book would show she paid the carpenter, if it's legal + business you're wantin'.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Katy,” said Mr. Snow. “I hope nothing of that kind will occur. + A great wrong has been perpetrated, but we must find some way to right it + without involving such extremely nice young women in the annoyance of + legal proceedings.” + </p> + <p> + Katy folded her arms and raised her head. All her share of the blarney of + Ireland began to roll from the mellow tip of her tongue. + </p> + <p> + “Now, the nice man ye are, to be seein' the beauty of them girls so + quick,” she said. “The good Lord airly in the mornin' of creation thought + them out when He was jist fresh from rist, and the material was none + shopworn. They ain't ladies like 'em anywhere else in the whole of + California, and belave me, a many rale ladies have I seen in my time. Ye + can jist make up your mind that Miss Linda is the broth of the earth. She + is her father's own child and she is like him as two pase in the pod. And + Marian growed beside her, and much of a hand I've had in her raisin' + meself, and well I'm knowin' how fine she is and what a juel she'd be, set + on any man's hearthstone. I'm wonderin',” said Katy challengingly, “if + you're the Mr. Snow at whose place she is takin' her lessons, and if ye + are, I'm wonderin' if ye ain't goin' to use the good judgment to set her, + like the juel she would be, in the stone of your own hearth.” + </p> + <p> + Eugene Snow looked at Katy intently. He was not accustomed to discussing + his affairs with household helpers, but he could not look at Katy without + there remaining in his vision the forte of Linda standing beside her, a + reassuring arm stretched across her shoulders, the manner in which she had + presented her and then left her that she might be free to answer as she + chose with out her young mistress even knowing exactly what was asked of + her. Such faith and trust and love were unusual. + </p> + <p> + “I might try to do that very thing,” he said, “but, you know, a wonderful + woman is an animated jewel. You can't manufacture a setting and put her in + and tighten the clasps without her consent.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why don't you get it?” said Katy casually. + </p> + <p> + Eugene Snow laughed ruefully. + </p> + <p> + “But suppose,” he said, “that the particular jewel you're discussing + prefers to select her own setting, and mine does not please her.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, they's jist one thing,” said Katy. Her heels left the floor + involuntarily; she arose on her tiptoes; her shoulders came up, and her + head lifted to a height it never had known before. “They's jist one + thing,” she said. “Aside from Miss Linda, who is my very own child that I + have washed and I have combed and I have done for since she was a toddlin' + four-year-old, they ain't no woman in this world I would go as far for as + I would for Miss Marian; but I'm tellin' ye now, ye Mr. Eujane Snow, that + they's one thing I don't lend no countenance to. I am sorry she has had + the cold, cruel luck that she has, but I ain't sorry enough that I'm goin' + to stand for her droppin' herself into the place where she doesn't belong. + If the good Lord ain't give her the sense to see that you're jist the + image of the man that would be jist exactly right for her, somebody had + better be tellin' her so. Anyway, if Miss Linda is takin' ye up to the + house that Mr. Pater Morrison is buildin' and the Pater man is there, I + would advise ye to cast your most discernin' eye on that gintleman. Ye + watch him jist one minute when he looks at the young missus and he thinks + nobody ain't observing him, and ye'll see what ye'll see. If ye want + Marian, ye jist go on and take her. I'm not carin' whether ye use a club + or white vi'lets, but don't ye be lettin' Marian Thorne get no idea into + her head that she is goin' to take Mr. Pater Morrison, because concernin' + Pater I know what I know, and I ain't goin' to stand by and see things + goin' wrong for want of spakin' up. Now if you're a wise man, ye don't + nade nothing further said on the subject.” + </p> + <p> + Eugene Snow thought intently for a few moments. His vision centered on + Katherine O'Donovan's face. + </p> + <p> + “You're absolutely sure of this?” he said at last. + </p> + <p> + “Jist as sure as the sun's sure, and the mountains, and the seasons come + and go,” said Katy with finality. “Watch him and you'll see it stickin' + out all over him. I have picked him for me boss, and it's jist adorin' + that man crature I am.” + </p> + <p> + “What about Miss Linda?” inquired Snow. “Is she adoring him?” + </p> + <p> + “She ain't nothing but a ganglin' school kid, adorin' the spade with which + she can shoot around that Bear Cat of hers, and race the canyons, and the + rely lovely things she can strike on paper with her pencil and light up + with her joyous colors. Her day and her hour ain't come, and the Pater + man's that fine he won't lay a finger on her to wake her up when she has a + year yet of her schoolin' before her. But in the manetime it's my job to + stand guard as I'm standin' right now. I'm tellin' ye frank and fair. Ye + go on and take Marian Thorne because ye ought to have her. If she's got + any idea in her head that she's goin' to have Pater Morrison, she'll have + to get it out.” + </p> + <p> + Eugene Snow held out his hand and started to the front door in answer to + the growl of the Bear Cat. As he came down the steps and advanced to the + car, Linda, with the quick eye that had been one of her special gifts as a + birthright, noted a change in him. He seemed to have been keyed up and + toned up. There was a different expression on his face. There was buoyancy + in his step. There was a visible determination in his eye. He took the + seat beside her and Linda started the car. She looked at him + interrogatively. + </p> + <p> + “Can you connect a heavy wind with the date of the lost plan?” he + inquired. + </p> + <p> + “There was a crack-a-jack a few days before,” said Linda. “It blew over + some trees in the lot next to us.” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly,” said Snow; “and it plucked a screen from your guest-room + window. Katy thinks that the cheque to the carpenter and the cost of the + repairs will be in your sister's account books.” + </p> + <p> + “Um hm,” nodded Linda. “Well, that simplifies matters, because Peter + Morrison is going to tell you about a trip Henry Anderson made around our + house the morning Marian left.” + </p> + <p> + “I think that is about all we need to know,” said Mr. Snow conclusively. + </p> + <p> + “I think so,” said Linda, “but I want you to see Peter's house for + yourself, since I understand that according to your contract the rights to + reproduce these particular plans remained with you after you had paid + prize money for them.” + </p> + <p> + “Most certainly,” said Mr. Snow. “We should have that much to show for our + share of the transaction.” + </p> + <p> + “It's a queer thing,” said Linda. “You would have to know me a long time, + and perhaps know under what conditions I have been reared in order to + understand a feeling that I frequently have concerning people. I + tobogganed down a sheer side of Multiflores Canyon one day without my path + having been previously prepared, and I very nearly landed in the + automobile that carried Henry Anderson and Peter Morrison on their first + trip to Lilac Valley. I was much interested in preserving the integrity of + my neck. I fervently hoped not to break more than a dozen of my legs and + arms, and was forced to bring down intact the finest Cotyledon + pulverulenta that Daddy or I had found in fourteen years of collecting in + California. I am telling you all this that you may see why I might have + been excused for not having been minutely observant of my surroundings + when I landed. But what I did observe was a chilly, caterpillary sensation + chasing up my spine the instant I met the eyes of Henry Anderson. In that + instant I said to myself that I would not trust him, that I did not like + him.” + </p> + <p> + “And what about his companion?” asked Eugene Snow lightly. “Oh, Peter?” + said Linda. There was a caress in her pronunciation of the name. “Why, + Peter is a rock. The instant I deposited my Cotyledon in a safe place I + would have put my hand in Peter Morrison's and started around the world if + he had asked me to go. There is only one Peter. You will recognize that + the instant you meet him.” + </p> + <p> + “I am altogether willing to take your word for it,” said Mr. Snow. + </p> + <p> + “And there is one thing about this disagreeable business,” said Linda. “It + was not Peter's coat that had the plan in it. He knew nothing about it. He + has had his full service of stiff war work, and he has been knocking + around big cities in newspaper work, and now he has come home to Lilac + Valley to 'set up his rest,' as in the hymn book, you know. He built his + garage first and he is living in it because he so loves this house of his + that he has to be present to watch it grow in minute detail. Once on a + time I saw a great wizard walking along the sidewalk, and he looked + exactly like any man. He might have been you so far as anything different + from other men in his appearance w as concerned.” + </p> + <p> + Linda cut down the Bear Cat to its slowest speed. + </p> + <p> + “What is on my mind is this,” she said. “I don't think Peter could quite + afford the amount of ground he has bought, and the house he is building. I + think possibly he is tying himself up in obligations. It may take him two + or three years to come even on it; but it is a prepossession with him. Now + can't you see that if we go to him and tell him this sordid, underhand, + unmanly tale, how his fine nature is going to be hurt, how his big heart + is going to be wrung, how his home-house that he is building with such + eager watchfulness will be a weighty Old Man of the Sea clinging to his + back? Do you think, Mr. Eugene Snow, that you're enough of a wizard to + examine this house and to satisfy yourself as to whether it's an + infringement of your plans or not, without letting Peter know the things + about it that would spoil it for him?” + </p> + <p> + Eugene Snow reached across and closed a hand over the one of Linda's + nearest him on the steering wheel. + </p> + <p> + “You very decent kid, you,” he said appreciatively. “I certainly am enough + of a wizard to save your Peter man any disillusionment concerning his + dream house.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but he is not my Peter man,” said Linda. “We are only the best + friends in the world. Really and truly, if you can keep a secret, he's + Marian's.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he?” asked Mr. Snow interestedly. And then he added very casually, in + the most offhand manner—he said it more to an orange orchard through + which they were passing than he said it to Linda—“I have very grave + doubts about that. I think there must be some slight complication that + will have to be cleared up.” + </p> + <p> + Linda's heart gave a great jump of consternation. + </p> + <p> + “Indeed no,” she said emphatically. “I don't think he has just told Marian + yet, but I am very sure that he cares for her more than for any other + woman, and I am equally sure she cares for him; and nothing could be more + suitable.” + </p> + <p> + “All right then,” agreed Mr. Snow. + </p> + <p> + Linda put the Bear Cat at the mountain, crept around the road, skirted the + boulders, and stopped halfway to the garage. And there, in a low tone, she + indicated to Mr. Snow where they had lunched, when she found the plans, + how she had brought out the coat, where she had emptied the mouse nest. + Then she stepped from the car and hallooed for Peter. Peter came hurrying + from the garage, and Eugene Snow was swift in his mental inventory. It + coincided exactly with Linda's. He would have been willing to join hands + with Peter and start around the world, quite convinced of the fairness of + the outcome, with no greater acquaintance than one intent look at Peter, + one grip of his sure hand. After that he began to act on Katy's hint, and + in a very short time he had convinced himself that she was right. Maybe + Peter tried to absorb himself in the plans he was going over, in the house + he was proud to show the great architect; but it seemed to the man he was + entertaining that his glance scarcely left Linda, that he was so + preoccupied with where she went and what she did that he was like a + juggler keeping two mental balls in the air at the same time. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to Peter a natural thing that, the architect being in the city + on business, he should run out to call on Miss Thorne's dearest friend It + seemed to him equally natural that Linda should bring him to see a house + in which she was so kindly interesting herself. And just when Peter was + most dexterous in his juggling, just when he was trying to explain the + very wonderful step-saving' time-saving, rational kitchen arrangements and + at the same time watch Linda on her course down to the spring, the + architect halted him with a jerk. Eugene Snow stood very straight, his + hands in his coat pockets, looking, Peter supposed, with interest at the + arrangements of kitchen conveniences. His next terse sentence fairly + staggered Peter. He looked him straight in the eye and inquired casually: + “Chosen your dream woman to fit your house, Morrison?” + </p> + <p> + Peter was too surprised to conceal his feelings. His jaws snapped + together; a belligerent look sprang into his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I have had a good deal to do with houses,” continued Mr. Snow. “They are + my life work. I find that invariably they are built for a woman. Almost + always they are built from her plans, and for her pleasure. It's a new + house, a unique house, a wonderful house you're evolving here. It must be + truly a wonderful woman you're dreaming about while you build it.” + </p> + <p> + That was a nasty little trap. With his years and worldly experience Peter + should not have fallen into it; but all men are children when they are + sick, heart sick or body sick, and Peter was a very sick man at that + minute. He had been addressed in such a frank and casual manner. His own + brain shot off at queer tangents and led him constantly into unexpected + places. The narrow side lane that opened up came into view so suddenly + that Peter, with the innocence of a four-year-old, turned with military + precision at the suggestion and looked over the premises for the exact + location of Linda. Eugene Snow had seen for himself the thing that Katy + had told him he would see if he looked for it. Suddenly he held out his + hand. + </p> + <p> + “As man to man, Morrison, in this instance,” he said in rather a hoarse, + breathless voice, “don't you think it would be a good idea for you and me + to assert our manhood, to manage our own affairs, to select our own wives + if need be? If we really set ourselves to the job don't you believe we can + work out our lives more to our liking than anyone else can plan for us? + You get the idea, don't you, Morrison?” + </p> + <p> + Peter was facing the kitchen sink but he did not see it. His brain was + whirling. He did see Snow's point of view. He did realize his position. + But what Mr. Snow knew of his affairs he could only guess. The one thing + Mr. Snow could not know was that Linda frankly admitted her prepossession + for her school chum, Donald Whiting, but in any event if Peter could not + have Linda he would much prefer occupying his dream house alone. So he + caught at the straw held out to him with both hands. + </p> + <p> + “I get you,” he said tersely. “It is not quite up to the mark of the + manhood we like to think we possess to let our lives be engineered by a + high school kid. Suppose we do just quietly and masterfully assert + ourselves concerning our own affairs.” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose we do,” said Snow with finality. + </p> + <p> + Whereupon they shook hands with a grip that whitened their knuckles. + </p> + <p> + Then they went back to Lilac Valley and had their dinner together, and + Linda and Peter escorted Eugene Snow to his train and started him on his + return trip to San Francisco feeling very much better. Peter would not + allow Linda to drive him home at night, so he left her after the Bear Cat + had been safely placed in the garage. As she stood on the walk beside him, + strongly outlined in the moonlight, Peter studied Linda whimsically. He + said it half laughingly, but there was something to think about in what he + said: + </p> + <p> + “I'm just picturing, Linda, what a nice old lady you will be by the time + that high school kid of yours spends four years in college, one on the + continent, and the Lord knows how many at mastering a profession.” + </p> + <p> + Linda looked at him with widened eyes. + </p> + <p> + KATY UNBURDENS HER MIND + </p> + <p> + “Why, what are you talking about, Peter? Are you moonstruck?” she inquired + solicitously. “Donald's only a friend, you know. I love him because he is + the nicest companion; but there is nothing for you to be silly about.” + </p> + <p> + Then Peter began to realize the truth. There wasn't anything for him to be + concerned about. She had not the slightest notion what love meant, even as + she announced that she loved Donald. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX. Peter's Release + </h2> + <p> + Eugene Snow returned to San Francisco enthusiastic about Linda, while he + would scarcely have known how to express his appreciation of Katherine + O'Donovan. He had been served a delicious dinner, deftly and quietly, such + food as men particularly like; but there had been no subservience. If + Katherine O'Donovan had been waiting on her own table, serving her own + friends she could not have managed with more pride. It was very evident + that she loved service, that she loved the girl to whom she gave constant + attention. He understood exactly what there was in her heart and why she + felt as she did when he saw Linda and Peter together and heard their + manner of speaking to each other, and made mental note of the many points + of interest which seemed to exist between them. He returned to San + Francisco with a good deal of a “See-the-conquering-hero-comes” mental + attitude. He went directly to his office, pausing on the way for a box of + candy and a bunch of Parma violets. His first act on reaching the office + was to send for Miss Thorne. Marian came almost immediately, a worried + look in her eyes. She sat in the big, cushioned chair that was offered + her, and smiled faintly when the box was laid on her lap, topped with the + violets. She looked at Eugene Snow with an “I-wish-you-wouldn't” + expression on her face; but he smiled at her reassuringly. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” he said. “Picked them up on the way from the station. I made a + hasty trip to that precious Lilac Valley of yours, and I must say it pales + your representation. It is a wonderfully lovely spot.” + </p> + <p> + Marian settled back in the chair. She picked up the violets and ran an + experienced finger around the stems until she found the pin with which she + fastened them at her waist. Then as they occupied themselves making + selections from the candy box he looked smilingly at Marian. Her eyes + noted the change in him. He was neither disappointed nor sad. Something + had happened in Lilac Valley that had changed his perspective. Womanlike, + she began probing. + </p> + <p> + “Glad you liked my valley,” she said. “We are told that blue is a + wonderful aura to surround a person, and it's equally wonderful when it + surrounds a whole valley. With the blue sky and the blue walls and a few + true-blue friends I have there, it's naturally a very dear spot to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Mr. Snow, “I can see that it is. I ran down on a business + matter. I have been deeply puzzled and much perturbed over this prize + contest. We have run these affairs once a year, sometimes oftener, for a + long time, so I couldn't understand the peculiar thing about the + similarity of the winning plans and your work this year. I have been + holding up the prize money, because I did not feel that you were saying + exactly what was in your heart, and I couldn't be altogether satisfied + that everything was right. I went to Lilac Valley because I had a letter + from your friend, Miss Linda Strong. There was an enclosure in it.” + </p> + <p> + He drew from his pocket the folded sheet and handed it to Marian. Her eyes + were surprised, incredulous, as she opened the missing sheet from her + plans, saw the extraneous lines drawn upon it and the minute figuring with + which the margin was covered. + </p> + <p> + “Linda found it at last!” she cried. “Where in this world did she get it, + and whose work is this on it?” + </p> + <p> + “She got it,” said Eugene Snow, “when she undertook to clean Peter + Morrison's workroom on an evening when she and her cook were having supper + with him. She turned a coat belonging to his architect that hung with some + of his clothing in Peter Morrison's garage. She was shaking the nest of a + field mouse from one of the side pockets. Naturally this emptied all the + pockets, and in gathering up their contents she came across that plan, + which she recognized. She thought it was right to take it and very wisely + felt that it was man's business, so she sent it to me with her + explanations. I went to Lilac Valley because I wanted to judge for myself + exactly what kind of young person she was. I wanted to see her + environment. I wanted to see the house that she felt sure was being built + from these plans. I wanted to satisfy myself of the stability of what I + had to work on before I mentioned the matter to you or Henry Anderson.” + </p> + <p> + Marian sat holding the plan, listening absorbedly to what he was saying. + </p> + <p> + “It's an ugly business,” he said, “so ugly that there is no question + whatever but that it can be settled very quietly and without any annoyance + to you. I shall have to take the matter up with the board, but I have the + details so worked out that I shall have no difficulty in arranging matters + as I think best. There is no question whatever, Marian, but Anderson found + that sketch on the west side of the Strong residence. When you left your + plans lying on a table before a window in the Strong guestroom the night + before you came to San Francisco you did not know that the santana which + raged through the valley a day or two previously had stripped a screen + from the window before which you left them. In opening your door to + establish a draft before you went to bed you started one that carried your + top drawing through the window. Waiting for Miss Strong the next morning, + in making a circuit of the grounds Anderson found it and appropriated it + to most excellent advantage. Miss Linda tells me that your study of + architecture was discussed at the dinner table that night. He could not + have helped realizing that any sheet of plans he found there must have + been yours. If he could acquit his conscience of taking them and using + them, he would still have to explain why he was ready to accept the first + prize and the conditions imposed when he already had a house fairly well + under construction from the plans he submitted in the contest. The rule is + unbreakable that the plans must be original, must be unused, must be our + sole property, if they take the prize.” + </p> + <p> + Marian was leaning forward, her eyes wide with interest, her breast + agitated. She nodded in acquiescence. Eugene Snow reached across and + helped himself to another piece of candy from the box on her knee. He + looked at her speculatively and spoke quietly as if the matter were of no + great importance. + </p> + <p> + “Would it be agreeable, Marian, if the prize committee should announce + that there were reasons as to why they were not satisfied, that they have + decided to return all plans and call off the present contest, opening + another in a few months in which interested parties may again submit their + drawings? I will undertake swiftly and comprehensively to eliminate Henry + Anderson from California. I would be willing to venture quite a sum that + when I finish with the youngster he will see the beauty of going straight + hereafter and the desirability of a change of atmosphere. He's a + youngster. I hate to make the matter public, not only on account of + involving you and your friends in such disagreeable business, but I am + sorry for him. I would like to deal with him like the proverbial 'Dutch + uncle,' then I would like to send him away to make a new start with the + assurance that I am keeping close watch on him. Would you be satisfied if + I handled the matter quietly and in my own way? Could you wait a few weeks + for justice?” + </p> + <p> + Marian drew a deep breath. + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” she said, “it would be wonderful if you could do that. But + what about Peter Morrison? How much did he know concerning the plans, and + what does he know about this?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” said Mr. Snow. “That most unusual young friend of yours made me + see the light very clearly concerning Peter Morrison. There is no + necessity for him ever to know that the 'dream house,' as Miss Linda calls + it, that he is building for his dream woman has any disagreeable history + attached to it. He so loves the spot that he is living on it to watch that + house in minutest detail. Miss Linda was fairly eloquent in the plea she + made on his behalf. He strikes me as a very unusual person, and she + appealed to me in the same way. There must be some scientific explanation + concerning her that I don't just get, but I can see that she is most + unusual when I watched them together and heard them talk of their plans + for the house and the grounds and discussing illustrations that she is + making for articles that he is writing, I saw how deep and wholesome was + the friendship existing between them. I even heard that wonderful serving + woman, whom they so familiarly speak of as 'Katy,' chiding Peter Morrison + for allowing Linda to take her typewriter to him and do her own work with + a pen. And because Miss Linda seems so greathearted and loving with her + friends, I was rather glad to hear his explanation that they were merely + changing machines for the time being for a very particular reason of their + own.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean,” asked Marian, “that you think there is anything more than + casual friendship between Linda and Peter Morrison?” + </p> + <p> + “Not on her part,” answered Eugene Snow. “Anybody can see that she is a + child deeply engrossed in all sorts of affairs uncommon for a girl of her + age and position. Her nice perceptions, her wonderful loyalty to her + friends, her loving thought for them, are manifest in everything she says + or does. If she ever makes any mistakes they will be from the head, not + from the heart. But for the other end of the equation I could speak + authoritatively. Katy pointed out to me the fact that if I would watch + Peter Morrison in Miss Linda's presence, I should see that he adored her. + I did watch, and I did see that very thing. When I taxed him about + building a dream house for a dream woman, his eyes crossed a plateau, + leaped a brook, and started up the side of a mountain. They did not rest + until they had found Linda.” + </p> + <p> + Marian sat so still that it seemed as if she were not even breathing. In + view of what Katy had said, and his few words with Peter Morrison, Eugene + Snow had felt justified in giving Marian a hint as to what was going on in + Lilac Valley. Exactly what he had done he had no means of knowing. If he + had known and had talked intentionally he could not have made clearer to + Marian the thing which for months had puzzled her. She was aware that + Eugene Snow was talking, that he was describing the dinner he had been + served, the wonderful wild-flower garden that he had seen, how skillfully + Linda drove the Bear Cat. She heard these things and dimly comprehended + them but underneath, her brain was seizing upon one fact after another. + They had exchanged typewriters. The poor, foolish little kid had known how + her health was wracked, how she was suffering, how her pride would not let + her stoop to Eileen's subterfuges and wage war with her implements for a + man she did not want if her manner of living her everyday life did not + appeal to him. Linda had known how lonely and heart hungry and + disappointed she had gone away, and loyally she had tried to create an + interest in life for her; and she had succeeded entirely too well. And + then in a panic she must have gone to Peter Morrison and explained the + situation; and Peter must have agreed to take over the correspondence. One + by one things that had puzzled her about the letters and about the whole + affair began to grow clear. She even saw how Linda, having friendly + association with no man save Peter, would naturally use him for a model. + The trouble was that, with her gift of penetration and insight and her + facility with her pen, she had overdone the matter. She had not imitated + Peter; she had BEEN Peter. Marian arose suddenly. + </p> + <p> + She went home, locked the door, and one after another she read the letters + that had piqued, amused, comforted, and finally intrigued her. They were + brilliant letters, charming, appealing letters, and yet, with knowledge + concerning them, Marian wondered how she could have failed to appreciate + in the beginning that they were from Linda. + </p> + <p> + “It goes to prove,” she said at last, “how hungry the human heart is for + love and sympathy. And that poor kid, what she must have suffered when she + went to Peter for help! And if, as Mr. Snow thinks, he cares for her, how + he must have suffered before he agreed to help her, as no doubt he did. + What I have to do is to find some way out of the situation that will + relieve Linda's anxiety and at least partially save my face. I shall have + to take a few days to work it out. Luckily I haven't answered my last + letter. When I find out what I really want to say then I will be very + careful how I say it. I don't just exactly relish having my letters turned + over to Peter Morrison, but possibly I can think of some way—I must + think of some way—to make them feel that I have not been any more + credulous than they.” + </p> + <p> + While she thought, both Linda and Peter were doing much thinking on the + same subject. Linda's heart was full of gratitude to Peter for helping her + out of her very disagreeable situation. Peter had not yet opened the + packet of letters lying on his table He had a sickening distaste for the + whole transaction. He had thought that he would wait until he received the + first letter he was to answer. If it gave him sufficient foundation in + itself for the answer, he would not be forced to search further. He had + smoked many pipes on this decision. After the visit of Mr. Snow, Peter had + seen a great light and had decided, from the mood and the attitude of that + gentleman after his interview with Katy, that he very likely would be + equal to any complication that might arise when he reached San Francisco. + Mulling over the situation one day Peter said reflectively to the spring + which was very busy talking to him: “I am morally certain that this matter + has resolved itself into a situation that closely resembles the + bootblack's apple: 'they ain't goin' to be any core.' I am reasonably + certain that I never shall have a letter to answer. In a few days probably + I shall be able to turn back that packet to Linda without having opened + it.” + </p> + <p> + To make up for the perturbation which had resulted in failure in class and + two weeks of work that represented her worst appearances in high-school + history, Linda, her mind freed from the worry over Marian's plans, and her + heart calmer over the fiasco in trying to comfort her, devoted herself + absorbingly to her lessons and to the next magazine article that she must + finish. She had decided that it was time to write on the subject of Indian + confections. Her first spare minute she and Katy must busy themselves + working out the most delicious cactus candy possible. Then they could try + the mesquite candy. No doubt she could evolve a delicious gum from the + mesquite and the incense plant. She knew she could from the willow + milkweed; and under the head of “sweets” an appetizing jelly from + manzanita. There were delightful drinks too, from the manzanita and the + chia. And better than either, the lemonade berry would serve this purpose. + She had not experimented to an authoritative extent with the desert + pickles. And among drinks she might use the tea made from blue-eyed grass, + brewed by the Indians for feverish conditions; and there was a whole world + of interest to open up in differing seeds and berries, parched or boiled + for food. And there were the seeds that were ground for mush, like the + thistle sage, and the mock orange which was food and soap also, and the + wild sunflowers that were parched for meal, and above all, the acorns. She + could see that her problem was not going to be one of difficulty in + securing sufficient material for her book; it would be how to find time to + gather all these things, and put them through the various processes and + combinations necessary to make edible dishes from I them. It would mean a + long summer of interesting and absorbing I work for her and for Katy. Much + of it could not be done until the I summer was far advanced and the seeds + and the berries were I ripe. She could rely on Donald to help her search + for the material. With only herself and Katy in the family they could give + much of their time to the work. + </p> + <p> + “Where Katy will rebel,” said Linda to herself, “is when it comes to + gathering sufficient seeds and parching them to make these meal and mush + dishes. She will call it 'fiddlin' business.' She shall be propitiated + with a new dress and a beautiful bonnet, and she shall go with me + frequently to the fields. The old dear loves to ride. First thing I do + I'll call at the bank again and have our affairs properly straightened and + settled there in the light of the letter Daddy left me. Then I shall have + money to get all the furniture and the rugs and things we truly need. I'll + repaint the kitchen and get Katy some new cooking utensils to gladden her + soul. And Saturday I must make my trip with Donald account for something + worth while on the book.” + </p> + <p> + All these plans were feasible. What Linda had to do was to accomplish + them, and this she proceeded to do in a swift and businesslike manner. She + soon reached the place where the whole house with the exception of + Eileen's suite had been gone over, freshened and refurnished to her + liking. The guest-room furniture had been moved to her rejuvenated room. + On the strength of her I returns from the book she had disposed of her + furniture and was finding much girlish delight in occupying a beautiful + room, daintily decorated, comfortably furnished with pieces of her own + selection. As she and Katy stood looking over their work when everything + was ready for her first night of occupancy Katy had said to her: + </p> + <p> + “It's jist right and proper, lambie; it's jist the way it ought to be; and + now say the word and let me clean out Eileen's suate and get it ready for + Miss Marian, so if she would drop down unexpected she would find we was + good as our word.” + </p> + <p> + “All right,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “And what am I to do with the stuff?” inquired Katy. + </p> + <p> + “Katy, my dear,” said Linda with a dry laugh, “you'll think I am foolish, + but I have the queerest feeling concerning those things. I can't feel that + Eileen has done with them; I can't feel that she will never want them + again; I can't feel that they should go to some second-hand basement. Pack + all of her clothing that you can manage in her trunk and put it in the + garret, and what the trunk won't hold pack in a tight box and put that in + the garret also. She hasn't written me a line; she has sent me no address; + I don't know what to do; but, as I have said before, I am going to save + the things at least a year and see whether some day Eileen won't think of + something she wants to do with them. Clean the rooms and I will order + Marian's things sent.” + </p> + <p> + According to these arrangements it was only a few days until Linda wrote + Marian that her room was ready for her and that any time she desired to + come and take possession she could test the lovingness of the welcome that + awaited her by becoming intimately acquainted with it. Marian answered the + letter immediately. She said that she was planning to come very soon to + test that welcome. She longed for the quiet of the valley, for its cool, + clean, wild air. She was very tired; she needed rest. She thought she + would love the new home they were offering her. Then came two amazing + paragraphs. + </p> + <p> + The other day Dana and I went into one of the big cafes in the city to + treat ourselves to a taste of the entertainment with which the people of + wealth regale themselves. We had wandered in laughingly jesting about what + we should order, and ran into Eileen in the company of her aunt and uncle + and a very flashy and loudly dressed young man, evidently a new suitor of + Eileen's. I don't think Eileen wanted to introduce us, and yet she acted + like a person ravenous for news of her home and friends. She did introduce + us, and immediately her ponderous uncle took possession of us. It seems + that the man is a brother of Eileen's mother. Linda, he is big and gross, + he is everything that a man of nice perceptions would not be, but he does + love Eileen. He is trying conscientiously to please her. His wife is the + kind of person who would marry that kind of man and think everything he + said and did was right. And the suitor, my dear, was the kind of man who + could endure that kind of people. Eileen was almost, if not quite, the + loveliest thing I ever have seen. She was plain; she was simple; but it + was the costly simplicity of extravagance. Ye gods! but she had pearls of + the size she had always wanted. She tried with all her might to be + herself, but she knows me well enough to know what I would think and what + I would write to you concerning the conditions under which I met her. We + were simply forced to lunch with them. We could only nibble at the too + rich, too highly seasoned food set before us. And I noticed that Eileen + nibbled also. She is not going to grow fat and waddle and redden her nose, + but, my dear, back deep in her eyes and in the curve of her lips and in + the tone of her voice there were such disappointment and discontent as I + never have seen in any woman. She could not suppress them; she could not + conceal them. There was nothing on earth she could do but sit quietly and + endure. They delivered us at our respective offices, leaving both of us + dates on which to visit them, but neither of us intends to call on them. + Eileen's face was a tragedy when her uncle insisted on making the + arrangements. I can at least spare her that. + </p> + <p> + And now, my dear, life is growing so full and my time is so taken with my + work at the office and with my widening friendships with Dana and her + friends and with Mr. Snow, that I really feel I have not time to go + farther with our anonymous correspondence. It is all I can do to find time + to write you letters such as the one I am writing I have done my best to + play up to what you expected of me and I think I have succeeded in fooling + you quite as much as you have felt that you were fooling me. But, Linda + dear, I want you always to know that I appreciate the spirit in which you + began this thing. I know why you did it and I shall always love you a + trifle more for your thought of me and your effort to tide over the very + dark days you knew I would be facing in San Francisco. I think, dear + friend of mine, that I have had my share of dark days. I think there is + very beautiful sunlight ahead for me. And by and by I hope to come into + happiness that maybe is even more than my share. I am coming to see you + soon and then I will tell you all about it. + </p> + <p> + There was more of the letter, but at that point Linda made one headlong + rush for the Bear Cat. She took the curve on two wheels and almost ran + into the mountain face behind the garage before she could slow down. Then + she set the Cat screaming wildly for Peter. As he came up to the car she + leaned toward him, shaking with excitement. + </p> + <p> + “Peter,” she cried, “have you opened that packet of letters yet?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Peter, “I have not.” + </p> + <p> + “Then give them to me quickly, Peter,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + Peter rushed into the garage and brought out the packet. Linda caught it + in both hands and dropped it in her lap. + </p> + <p> + “Well, thank God,” she said devoutly. “And, Peter, the joke's on me. + Marian knew I was writing those letters all the time and she just + pretended that she cared for them to make the game interesting for me. And + when she had so many friends and so much to do, she hadn't time for them + any longer; then she pretended that she was getting awfully in earnest in + order to stop me, and she did stop me all right.” + </p> + <p> + Linda's face was a small panorama of conflicting emotions as she appealed + to Peter. + </p> + <p> + “Peter,” she said in a quivering voice, “you can testify that she stopped + me properly, can't you, Peter?” + </p> + <p> + Peter tried to smile. He was older than Linda, and he was thinking + swiftly, intently. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, kid,” he said with utmost corroboration, “yes, kid, she stopped you, + but I can't see that it was necessary literally to scare the life out of + you till she had you at the point where you were thinking of taking off + from a mountain or into the sea. Did you really mean that, Linda?” + </p> + <p> + Linda relaxed suddenly. She sank back into the deeply padded seat of the + Bear Cat. A look of fright and entreaty swept into her dark eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Peter, I did mean it,” she said with finality. “I couldn't have + lived if I had hurt Marian irreparably. She has been hurt so much already. + And, Peter, it was awfully nice of you to wait about reading these + letters. Even if she only did it for a joke, I think Marian would rather + that you had not read them. Now I'll go back home and begin to work in + earnest on the head piece of 'How to Grow Good Citizens.' And I quite + agree with you, Peter, that the oath of allegiance, citizenship, and the + title to a piece of real estate are the prime requisites. People have no + business comma to our country to earn money that they intend to carry away + to invest in the development and the strengthening of some other country + that may some day be our worst enemy. I have not found out yet how to say + it in a four-by-twelve-inch strip, but by the time I have read the article + aloud to my skylight along about ten tonight I'll get an inspiration; I am + sure I shall.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course you will,” said Peter; “but don't worry about it, dear; don't + lose sleep. Take things slower. Give time for a little more flesh to grow + on your bones. And don't forget that while you're helping Donald to keep + at the head of his classes it's your first job to keep at the head of your + own.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said Linda. “How is the dream coming?” + </p> + <p> + “Beautifully,” said Peter. “One of these days you're going to come rushing + around the boulders and down the side of the building to find all this + debris cleared away and the place for a lawn leveled. I am fighting down + every possible avenue of expertise on the building in the effort to save + money to make the brook run and the road wind where you have indicated + that you want them to follow you.” + </p> + <p> + Linda looked at Peter while a queer, reflective light gathered in her + eyes. At last she said soberly: “Well, I don't know, Peter, that you + should make them so very personal to me as all that.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” asked Peter casually. “Since there is no one else, why not?” + </p> + <p> + Linda released the clutch and started the car. She backed in front of the + garage and turned. She was still thinking deeply as she stopped. Once + again she extended a hand to Peter. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you a thousand times for not reading these letters, Peter,” she + said. “I can't express how awfully fine I think it is of you. And if it's + all right with you, perhaps there's not any real reason why you should not + run that brook and drive that road the way I think they should go. + Somebody is going to design them. Why shouldn't I, if it pleases you to + have me?” + </p> + <p> + “It pleases me very greatly,” said Peter—“more than anything else I + can think of in all the world at this minute.” + </p> + <p> + And then he did a thing that he had done once or twice before. He bent + back Linda's fingers and left another kiss in the palm of her hand, and + then he closed her fingers very tightly over it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXI. The End of Donald's Contest + </h2> + <p> + The middle of the week Linda had told Katy that she intended stocking up + the Bear Cat for three and that she would take her along on the next + Saturday's trip to her canyon kitchen. It was a day upon which she had + planned to gather greens, vegetables, and roots, and prepare a dinner + wholly from the wild. She was fairly sure exactly where in nature she + would find the materials she wanted, but she knew that the search would be + long and tiring. It would be jolly to have Katy to help her prepare the + lunch. It would please Katy immensely to be taken; and the original things + she said in her quaint Irish brogue greatly amused Donald. The arrangement + had been understood among them for some time, so they all started on their + journey filled with happy expectations. They closed the house and the + garage carefully. Linda looked over the equipment of the Bear Cat minutely + making sure that her field axe, saw, knives, and her field glasses were in + place. Because more food than usual was to be prepared in the kitchen they + took along a nest of cooking vessels and a broiler. They found Donald + waiting before either of them were ready, and in great glee, with much + laughing and many jests they rolled down the valley in the early morning. + They drove to the kitchen, spread their blankets, set up their table, and + arranged the small circular opening for their day's occupancy. While Katy + and Linda were busy with these affairs Donald took the axe and collected a + big heap of wood. Then they left Katy to burn the wood and have a deep bed + of coals ready while they started out to collect from the canyon walls, + the foot of the mountains, and the near-by desert the materials they would + use for their dinner. + </p> + <p> + Just where the desert began to climb the mountain Linda had for a long + time watched a big bed of amole. Donald used the shovel, she the hatchet, + and soon they had brought to the surface such a quantity that Donald + protested. + </p> + <p> + “But I have two uses for them today,” explained Linda. “They must serve + for potatoes and they have to furnish our meat.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I get you,” said Donald. “I have always been crazy to try that.” + </p> + <p> + So he began to dig again enthusiastically. + </p> + <p> + “Now I'll tell you what I think we had better do,” said Linda. “We will + skirmish around this side of the mountain and find a very nice tender + yucca shoot; and then we'll take these back to Katy and let her bury them + in the ashes and keep up the fire while we forage for the remainder of our + wild Indian feast.” + </p> + <p> + Presently they found a yucca head that Linda said was exactly right, a + delicate pink, thicker than her wrist and two feet in length. With this + and the amole they ran back to Katy. She knew how to prepare the amole for + roasting. Linda gave her a few words of instruction concerning the yucca. + Then from the interior of the Bear Cat she drew a tightly rolled section + of wire window screening. Just where a deep, wide pool narrowed at a rocky + defile they sank the screening, jammed it well to the bottom, fastened it + tight at the sides, and against the current side of it they threw leaves, + grass, chunks of moss, any debris they could gather that would make a + temporary dam. Then, standing on one side with her field knife, Linda + began to slice the remainder of the amole very thin and to throw it over + the surface of the pool. On the other, Donald pounded the big, juicy bulbs + to pulp and scattered it broadcast over the water. Linda instructed Katy + to sit on the bank with a long-handled landing net and whenever a trout + arose, to snatch it out as speedily as possible, being careful not to take + more than they would require. + </p> + <p> + Then the two youngsters, exhilarated with youth, with living, with the joy + of friendship, with the lure of the valley, with the heady intoxication of + the salt breeze and the gold of the sunshine, climbed into the Bear Cat + and went rolling through the canyon and out to the valley on the far side. + Here they gathered the tenderest heart shoots of the lupin until Linda + said they had enough. Then to a particular spot that she knew on the + desert they hurried for the enlarged stems of the desert trumpet which was + to serve that day for an appetizer in the stead of pickles. Here, too, + they filled a bucket from the heart of a big Bisnaga cactus as a basis for + their drink. Among Katherine O'Donovan's cooking utensils there was a box + of delicious cactus candy made from the preserved and sun-dried heart meat + of this same fruit which was to serve as their confection. On the way back + they stopped at the bridge and gathered cress for their salad. When they + returned to Katy she had five fine trout lying in the shade, and with more + experienced eyes and a more skillful hand Linda in a few minutes doubled + this number. Then they tore out the dam, rinsed the screen and spread it + over a rock to dry. While Donald scaled the fish Linda put the greens to + cook, prepared the salad and set the table. Once, as he worked under her + supervision, Linda said to Donald: “Now about bread, kid—there's not + going to be any bread, because the Indians did not have it when they lived + the way we are living today. When you reach the place where your left hand + feels empty without a piece of bread in it, just butter up another amole + and try it. It will serve the same purpose as bread, and be much better + for the inner man.” + </p> + <p> + “If you would let me skin these fish,” said Donald, “I could do it much + faster and make a better job of it.” + </p> + <p> + “But you shouldn't skin them; you want the skin to hold the meat together + when it begins to cook tender; and you should be able to peel it off and + discard it if it burns or gets smoky in the cooking. It's a great + concession to clean them as we do. The Indians cooked them in the + altogether and ate the meat from the bones.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh my tummy!” said Donald. “I always thought there was some dark secret + about the Indians.” + </p> + <p> + Linda sat on a rock opposite him and clasped her hands around her knees. + She looked at him meditatively. + </p> + <p> + “Did you?” she asked. “Suppose you revise that opinion. Our North American + Indians in their original state were as fine as any peoples that ever have + been discovered the round of the globe. My grandfather came into intimate + contact with them in the early days, and he said that their religion, + embracing the idea of a great spirit to whom they were responsible for + their deeds here, and a happy hunting ground to which they went as a + reward for decent living, was as fine as any religion that ever has been + practiced by people of any nation. Immorality was unknown among them. + Family ties were formed and they were binding They loved their children + and reared them carefully. They were hardy and healthful. Until the + introduction of whiskey and what we are pleased to term civilized methods + of living, very few of them died save from war or old age. They were free; + they were happy. The moping, lazy, diseased creature that you find + sleeping in the sun around the reservations is a product of our + civilization. Nice commentary on civilization, isn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “For heaven's sake, Linda,” said Donald, “don't start any big + brainstorming trains of thought today! Grant me repose. I have overworked + my brain for a few months past until I know only one thing for certain.” + </p> + <p> + “All right then, me lad, this is the time for the big secret,” said Linda. + “I just happened to be in the assembly room on some business of my own + last Thursday afternoon when my sessions were over, and I overheard your + professor in trigonometry tell a marl I did not know, who seemed to be a + friend visiting him, that the son of Judge Whiting was doing the finest + work that ever had been done in any of the Los Angeles high schools, and + that undoubtedly you were going to graduate with higher honors than any + other boy ever had from that school.” + </p> + <p> + Donald sat thinking this over. He absently lifted an elbow and wiped the + tiny scales from his face with his shirt sleeve. + </p> + <p> + “Young woman,” he said solemnly, “them things what you're saying, are they + 'cross your heart, honest to goodness, so help you,' truth, or are they + the fruit of a perfervid imagination?” + </p> + <p> + Linda shook her head vigorously. + </p> + <p> + “De but', kid,” she said, “de gospel but'. You have the Jap going + properly. He can't stop you now. You have fought your good fight, and you + have practically won it. All you have to do is to carry on till the middle + of June, and you're It.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish Dad knew,” said Donald in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “The Judge does know,” said Linda heartily. “It wasn't fifteen minutes + after I heard that till I had him on the telephone repeating it as fast as + I could repeat. Come to think of it, haven't you noticed a particularly + cocky set of his head and the corksome lightness about his heels during + the past few days?” + </p> + <p> + “By Jove, he has been happy about something!” said Donald. “And I noticed + that Louise and the Mater were sort of cheery and making a specialty of + the only son and brother.” + </p> + <p> + “Sure, brother, sure,” said Linda. “Hurry up and scrape those fish and + let's scamper down the canyon merely for the joy of flying with wings on + our feet. You're It, young man, just It!” + </p> + <p> + Donald was sitting on a boulder. On another in front of him he was + operating on the trout. His hands were soiled; his hair was tousled; he + was fairly well decorated with fine scales. He looked at Linda + appealingly. + </p> + <p> + “Am I 'It' with you, Linda?” he asked soberly. + </p> + <p> + “Sure you are,” said Linda. “You're the best friend I have.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you write to me when I go to college this fall?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, you couldn't keep me from it,” said Linda. “I'll have so many things + to tell you. And when your first vacation comes we'll make it a hummer.” + </p> + <p> + “I know Dad won't let me come home for my holidays except for the + midsummer ones,” said Donald soberly. “It would take most of the time + there would be of the short holidays to travel back and forth.” + </p> + <p> + “You will have to go very carefully about getting a start,” said Linda, + “and you should be careful to find the right kind of friends at the very + start. Christmas and Thanksgiving boxes can always be sent on time to + reach you. It won't be so long for you as for us; and by the time you have + Oka Sayye beaten to ravelings you will have such a 'perfect habit' that + you will start right in with the beating idea. That should keep you fairly + busy, because most of the men you come up against will be beaters + themselves.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know,” said Donald. “Are you going to start me to college with the + idea that I have to keep up this beating habit? If I were to be one of + fifty or a hundred, wouldn't that be good enough?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, sure,” said Linda, “if you will be satisfied with having me like + fifty or a hundred as well as I do you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, damn!” said Donald angrily. “Do I have to keep up this top-crust + business all my days?” + </p> + <p> + Linda looked at him with a queer smile on her lips. + </p> + <p> + “Not unless you want to, Donald,” she said quietly; “not unless you think + you would rather.” + </p> + <p> + Donald scraped a fish vigorously. Linda sat watching him. Presently the + tense lines around his eyes vanished. A faint red crept up his neck and + settled on his left cheek bone. A confused grin slowly widened his + naturally wide mouth. + </p> + <p> + “Then it's me for the top crust,” he said conclusively. + </p> + <p> + “Then it's me for you,” answered Linda in equally as matter-of-fact tones; + and rising, she gathered up the fish and carried them to Katy while Donald + knelt beside the chilly stream and scoured his face and hands, after which + Linda whipped away the scales with an improvised brush of willow twigs. + </p> + <p> + It was such a wonderful day; it was such an unusual and delicious feast. + Plump brook trout, fresh from icy water, delicately broiled over searing + wood coals, are the finest of food. Through the meal to the point where + Donald lay on his back at the far curve of the canyon wall, nibbling a + piece of cactus candy, everything had been perfect. Nine months would be a + long time to be gone, but Linda would wait for him, and she would write to + him. + </p> + <p> + He raised his head on his elbow and called across to her: “Say, Linda, how + often will you write to me?” + </p> + <p> + Linda answered promptly: “Every Saturday night. Saturday is our day. I'll + tell you what has happened all the week. I'll tell you specially what a + darned unprofitable day Saturday is when you're three thousand miles + away.” + </p> + <p> + Bending over the canyon fireplace, her face red with heat and exertion, + Katherine O'Donovan caught up her poker and beat up the fire until the + ashes flew. + </p> + <p> + “Easy, Katy, easy,” cautioned Linda. “We may want to bury those coals and + resurrect them to warm up what is left for supper.” + </p> + <p> + “We'll do no such thing,” said Katy promptly. “What remains goes to feed + the fish. Next time it's hungry ye are, we're goin' to hit it straight to + Lilac Valley and fill ourselves with God's own bread and beefsteak and + paraties. Don't ye think we're goin' to be atin' these haythen messes + twice in one day.” + </p> + <p> + To herself she was saying: “The sooner I get you home to Pater Morrison, + missy, the better I'll be satisfied.” + </p> + <p> + Once she stood erect, her hands at her belt, her elbows widespread, and + with narrowed eyes watched the youngsters. Her lips were closed so tightly + they wrinkled curiously as she turned back to the fireplace. + </p> + <p> + “Nayther one of them fool kids has come to yet,” she said to herself, “and + a mighty good thing it is that they haven't.” + </p> + <p> + Linda was looking speculatively at Donald as he lay stretched on the + Indian blanket at the base of the cliff. And then, because she was for + ever busy with Nature, her eyes strayed above him up the side of the + cliff, noting the vegetation, the scarred rocks, the sheer beauty of the + canyon wall until they reached the top. Then, for no reason at all, she + sat looking steadily at a huge boulder overhanging the edge of the cliff, + and she was wondering how many ages it had hung there and how many more it + would hang, poised almost in air, when a tiny pebble at its base loosened + and came rattling and bounding down the canyon face. Every nerve in Linda + tensed. She opened her mouth, but not a sound came. For a breathless + second she was paralyzed. Then she shrieked wildly: “Donald, Donald, roll + under the ledge! Quick, quick!” + </p> + <p> + She turned to Katy. + </p> + <p> + “Back, Katy, back!” she screamed. “That boulder is loose; it's coming + down!” + </p> + <p> + For months Donald Whiting had obeyed Linda implicitly and instantly. He + had moved with almost invisible speed at her warning many times before. + Sometimes it had been a venomous snake, sometimes a yucca bayonet, + sometimes poison vines, again unsafe footing—in each case instant + obedience had been the rule. He did hot “question why” at her warning; he + instantly did as he was told. He, too, had noticed the falling pebble. + With all the agility of which he was capable he rolled under the narrow + projecting ledge above him. Katherine O'Donovan was a good soldier also. + She whirled and ran to the roadway. She had barely reached it when, with a + grinding crash, down came the huge boulder, carrying bushes, smaller + rocks, sand, and debris with it. On account of its weight it fell + straight, struck heavily, and buried itself in the earth exactly on the + spot upon which Donald had been lying. Linda raised terrified eyes to the + top of the wall. For one instant a dark object peered over it and then + drew back. Without thought for herself Linda rushed to the boulder, and + kneeling, tried to see back of it. + </p> + <p> + “Donald!” she cried, “Donald, are you all right?” + </p> + <p> + “Guess I am, unless it hit one foot pretty hard. Feels fast.” + </p> + <p> + “Can you get out?” she cried, beginning to tear with her hands at the + stone and the bushes where she thought his head would be. + </p> + <p> + “I'm fast; but I'm all right,” he panted. “Why the devil did that thing + hang there for ages, and then come down on me today?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, why did it?” gasped Linda. “Donald, I must leave you a minute. I've + got to know if I saw a head peer over just as that stone came down.” + </p> + <p> + “Be careful what you do!” he cried after her. + </p> + <p> + Linda sprang to her feet and rushed to the car. She caught out the field + classes and threw the strap over her head as she raced to the far side of + the fireplace where the walls were not so sheer. Katherine O'Donovan + promptly seized the axe, caught its carrying strap lying beside it, thrust + the handle through, swung it over her own head, dropped it between her + shoulders, and ripping off her dress skirt she started up the cliff after + Linda. Linda was climbing so swiftly and so absorbedly that she reached + the top before she heard a sound behind her. Then she turned with a white + face, and her mouth dropped open as she saw Katy three fourths of the way + up the cliff. For one second she was again stiff with terror, then, + feeling she could do nothing, she stepped back out of sight and waited a + second until Katy's red head and redder face appeared over the edge. + Realizing that her authority was of no avail, that Katy would follow her + no matter where she went or what she did, and with no time to argue, Linda + simply called to her encouragingly: “Follow where I go; take your time; + hang tight, old dear, it's dangerous!” + </p> + <p> + She started around the side of the mountain, heading almost straight + upward, traveling as swiftly and as noiselessly as possible. Over big + boulders, on precarious footing, clinging to bushes, they made their way + until they reached a place that seemed to be sheer above them; certainly + it was for hundreds of feet below On a point of rock screened by + overhanging bushes Linda paused until Katy overtook her. + </p> + <p> + “We are about stalled,” she panted. “Find a good footing and stay where + you are. I'm going to climb out on these bushes and see if I can get a + view of the mountain side.” + </p> + <p> + Advancing a few yards, Linda braced herself, drew around her glasses, and + began searching the side of the mountain opposite her and below as far as + she could range with the glasses. At last she gave up. + </p> + <p> + “Must have gone the other way,” she said to Katy. “I'll crawl back to you. + We'll go after help and get Donald out. There will be time enough to + examine the cliff afterward; but I am just as sure now as I will be when + it is examined that that stone was purposely loosened to a degree where a + slight push would drop it. As Donald says, there's no reason why it should + hang there for centuries and fall on him today. Shut your eyes, old dear, + and back up. We must go to Donald. I rather think it's on one of his feet + from what he said. Let me take one more good look.” + </p> + <p> + At that minute from high on the mountain above them a shower of sand and + pebbles came rattling down. Linda gave Katy one terrified look. + </p> + <p> + “My God!” she panted. “He's coming down right above us!” + </p> + <p> + Just how Linda recrossed the bushes and reached Katy she did not know. She + motioned for her to make her way back as they had come. Katy planted her + feet squarely upon the rock. Her lower jaw shot out; her eyes were aflame. + She stood perfectly still with the exception of motioning Linda to crowd + back under the bushes, and again Linda realized that she had no authority; + as she had done from childhood when Katy was in earnest, Linda obeyed her. + She had barely reached the overhanging bushes, crouched under them, and + straightened herself, when a small avalanche came showering down, and a + minute later a pair of feet were level with her head. Then screened by the + bushes, she could have reached out and touched Oka Sayye. As his feet + found a solid resting place on the ledge on which Linda and Katy stood, + and while he was still clinging to the bushes, Katherine O'Donovan + advanced upon him. He had felt that his feet were firm, let go his hold, + and turned, when he faced the infuriated Irishwoman. She had pulled the + strap from around her neck, slipped the axe from it, and with a strong + thrust she planted the head of it against Oka Sayye's chest so hard that + she almost fell forward. The Jap plunged backward among the bushes, the + roots of which had supported Linda while she used the glasses. Then he + fell, sliding among them, snatching wildly. Linda gripped the overhanging + growth behind which she had been screened, and leaned forward. + </p> + <p> + “He has a hold; he is coming back up, Katy!” she cried. + </p> + <p> + Katy took another step forward. She looked over the cliff down an + appalling depth of hundreds of feet. Deliberately she raised the axe, + circled it round her head and brought it down upon that particular branch + to which Oka Sayye was clinging. She cut it through, and the axe rang upon + the stone wall behind it. As she swayed forward Linda reached out, gripped + Katy and pulled her back. + </p> + <p> + “Get him?” she asked tersely, as if she were speaking of a rat or a + rattlesnake. + </p> + <p> + Katy sank back limply against the wall. Linda slowly turned her around, + and as she faced the rock, “Squeeze tight against it shut your eyes, and + keep a stiff upper lip,” she cautioned. “I'm going to work around you; I + want to be ahead of you.” + </p> + <p> + She squeezed past Katy, secured the axe and hung it round her own neck. + She cautioned Katy to keep her eyes shut and follow where she led her, + then they started on their way back. Linda did not attempt to descend the + sheer wall by which they had climbed, but making a detour she went lower, + and in a very short time they were back in the kitchen. Linda rushed to + the boulder and knelt again, but she could get no response to her + questions. Evidently Donald's foot was caught and he was unconscious from + the pain. Squeezing as close as she could, she thrust her arm under the + ledge until she could feel his head. Then she went to the other side, and + there she could see that his right foot was pinned under the rock. She + looked at Katy reassuringly, then she took off the axe and handed it to + her. + </p> + <p> + “He's alive,” she said. “Can't kill a healthy youngster to have a crushed + foot. You stand guard until I take the Bear Cat and bring help. It's not + far to where I can find people.” + </p> + <p> + At full speed Linda put the Cat through the stream and out of the canyon + until she reached cultivated land, where she found a man who would gather + other men and start to the rescue. She ran on until she found a house with + a telephone. There she called Judge Whiting, telling him to bring an + ambulance and a surgeon, giving him explicit directions as to where to + come, and assuring him that Donald could not possibly be seriously hurt. + She found time to urge, also, that before starting he set in motion any + precautions he had taken for Donald's protection. She told him where she + thought what remained of Oka Sayye could be found. And then, as naturally + and as methodically as she had done all the rest, she called Peter + Morrison and told him that she was in trouble and where he could find her. + </p> + <p> + And because Peter had many miles less distance to travel than the others + she had summoned, he arrived first. He found Linda and Katy had burrowed + under the stone until they had made an opening into which the broken foot + might sink so that the pain of the pressure would be relieved. Before the + rock, with picks and shovels, half a dozen sympathetic farmers from + ranches and cultivated land at the mouth of the canyon were digging + furiously to make an opening undermining the boulder so that it could be + easily tipped forward. Donald was conscious and they had been passing + water to him and encouraging him with the report that his father and a + good surgeon would be there very soon. Katherine O'Donovan had crouched at + one side of the boulder, supporting the hurt foot. She was breathing + heavily and her usually red face was a ghastly green. Linda had helped her + to resume the skirt of her dress. At the other side of the rock the girl + was reaching to where she could touch Donald's head or reassuringly grip + the hand that he could extend to her. Peter seized Linda's axe and began + hewing at the earth and rock in order to help in the speedy removal of the + huge boulder. Soon Judge Whiting, accompanied by Doctor Fleming, the + city's greatest surgeon, came caring into the canyon and stopped on the + roadway when he saw the party. The Judge sprang from the car, leaped the + stream, and started toward them. In an effort to free his son before his + arrival, all the men braced themselves against the face of the cliff and + pushed with their combined strength. The boulder dropped forward into the + trench they had dug for it enough to allow Peter to crowd his body between + it and the cliff and lift Donald's head and shoulders. Linda instantly ran + around the boulder, pushed her way in, and carefully lifting Donald's + feet, she managed to work the lithe slenderness of her body through the + opening, so that they carried Donald out and laid him down in the open. He + was considerably dazed and shaken, cruelly hurt, but proved himself a game + youngster of the right mettle. He raised himself to a sitting posture, + managing a rather stiff-lipped smile for his father and Linda. The surgeon + instantly began cutting to reach the hurt foot, while Peter Morrison + supported the boy's head and shoulders on one side, his father on the + other. + </p> + <p> + An exclamation of dismay broke from the surgeon's lips. He looked at Judge + Whiting and nodded slightly. The men immediately picked up Donald and + carried him to the ambulance. Katherine O'Donovan sat down suddenly and + buried her face in the skirt of her dress. Linda laid a reassuring hand on + her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Don't, Katy,” she said. “Keep up your nerve; you're all right, old dear. + Donald's fine. That doesn't mean anything except that his foot is broken, + so he won't be able, and it won't be necessary for him, to endure the pain + of setting it in a cast without an anesthetic; and Doctor Fleming can work + much better where he has every convenience. It's all right.” + </p> + <p> + The surgeon climbed into the ambulance and they started on an emergency + run to the hospital. As the car turned and swept down the canyon, for no + reason that she could have explained, Linda began to shake until her teeth + clicked. Peter Morrison sprang back across the brook, and running to her + side, he put his arm around her and with one hand he pressed her head + against his shoulder, covering her face. + </p> + <p> + “Steady, Linda,” he said quietly, “steady. You know that he is all right. + It will only be a question of a short confinement.” + </p> + <p> + Linda made a brave effort to control herself. She leaned against Peter and + held out both her hands. + </p> + <p> + “I'm all right,” she chattered. “Give me a minute.” + </p> + <p> + Judge Whiting came to them. + </p> + <p> + “I am getting away immediately,” he said. “I must reach Louise and Mother + before they get word of this. Doctor Fleming will take care of Donald all + right. What happened, Linda? Can you tell me?” + </p> + <p> + Linda opened her lips and tried to speak, but she was too breathless, too + full of excitement, to be coherent. To her amazement Katherine O'Donovan + scrambled to her feet, lifted her head and faced the Judge. She pointed to + the fireplace. + </p> + <p> + “I was right there, busy with me cookie' utensils,” she said, “Miss Linda + was a-sittin, on that exact spot, they jist havin finished atin' some of + her haythen messes; and the lad was lyin, square where the boulder struck, + on the Indian blanket, atin' a pace of cactus candy. And jist one pebble + came rattlin' down, but Miss Linda happened to be lookin', and she scramed + to the b'y to be rollin' under where ye found him; so he gave a flop or + two, and it's well that he took his orders without waitin' to ask the + raison for them, for if he had, at the prisint minute he would be about as + thick as a shate of writing paper. The thing dropped clear and straight + and drove itself into the earth and stone below it, as ye see.” + </p> + <p> + Katherine O'Donovan paused. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the Judge. “Anything else?” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Linda got to him and she made sure he had brathin' space and he + wasn't hurt bad, and then she told him he had got to stand it, because, + sittin' where she did, she faced the cliff and she thought she had seen + someone. She took the telescope and started climbin', and I took the axe + and I started climbin' after her.” + </p> + <p> + Katy broke down and emitted a weird Irish howl. Linda instantly braced + herself, threw her arms around Katy, and drew her head to her shoulder. + She looked at Judge Whiting and began to talk. + </p> + <p> + “I can show you where she followed me, straight up the face of the canyon, + almost,” she said. “And she never had tried to climb a canyon side for a + yard, either, but she came up and over after me, like a cat. And up there + on a small ledge Oka Sayye came down directly above us. I couldn't be + mistaken. I saw him plainly. I know him by sight as well as I do any of + you. We heard the stones coming down before him, and we knew someone was + going to be on us who was desperate enough to kill. When he touched our + level and turned to follow the ledge we were on, I pushed him over.” + </p> + <p> + Katy shook off Linda's protecting arm and straightened suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “Why, ye domned little fool, ye!” she screamed. “Ye never told a lie + before in all your days! Judge Whiting, I had the axe round me neck by the + climbin' strap, and I got it in me fingers when we heard the crature + comin', and against his chist I set it, and I gave him a shove that sint + him over. Like a cat he was a-clingin' and climbin', and when I saw him + comin' up on us with that awful face of his, I jist swung the axe like I + do when I'm rejoocin' a pace of eucalyptus to fireplace size, and whack! I + took the branch supportin' him, and a dome' good axe I spoiled din' it.” + </p> + <p> + Katy folded her arms, lifted her chin higher than it ever had been before, + and glared defiance at the Judge. + </p> + <p> + “Now go on,” she said, “and decide what ye'll do to me for it.” + </p> + <p> + The Judge reached over and took both Katherine O'Donovan's hands in a firm + grip. + </p> + <p> + “You brave woman!” he said. “If it lay in my power, I would give you the + Carnegie Medal. In any event I will see that you have a good bungalow with + plenty of shamrock on each side of your front path, and a fair income to + keep you comfortable when the rheumatic days are upon you.” + </p> + <p> + “I am no over-feeder,” said Katy proudly. “I'm daily exercisin' me muscles + enough to kape them young. The rheumatism I'll not have. And nayther will + I have the house nor the income. I've saved me money; I've an income of me + own.” + </p> + <p> + “And as for the bungalow,” interrupted Linda, “Katherine, as I have + mentioned frequently before is my father, and my mother, and my whole + family, and her front door is mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Sure,” said Katy proudly. “When these two fine people before you set up + their hearthstone, a-swapin' it I'll be, and carin' for their youngsters; + but, Judge, I would like a bit of the shamrock. Ye might be sendin' me a + start of that, if it would plase Your Honor.” + </p> + <p> + Judge Whiting looked intently at Katherine O'Donovan. And then, as if they + had been on the witness stand, he looked searchingly at Linda. But Linda + was too perturbed, too accustomed to Katy's extravagant nonsense even to + notice the purport of what she had said. Then the Judge turned his + attention to Peter Morrison and realized that at least one of the parties + to Katherine's proposed hearthstone had understood and heartily endorsed + her proposal. + </p> + <p> + “I will have to be going. The boy and his mother will need me,” he said. + “I will see all of you later.” + </p> + <p> + Then he sprang across the brook and sent his car roaring down the canyon + after the ambulance. + </p> + <p> + Once more Katy sank to the ground. Linda looked at her as she buried her + face and began to wail. + </p> + <p> + “Peter,” she said quietly, “hunt our belongings and pack them in the Bear + Cat the best you can. Excuse us for a few minutes. We must act this out of + our systems.” + </p> + <p> + Gravely she sat down beside Katy, laid her head on her shoulder, and began + to cry very nearly as energetically as Katy herself. And that was the one + thing which was most effective in restoring Katy's nerves. Tears were such + an unaccustomed thing with Linda that Katy controlled herself speedily so + that she might be better able to serve the girl. In a few minutes Katy had + reduced her emotions to a dry sniffle. She lifted her head, groped for her + pocket, and being unable to find it for the very good reason that she was + sitting upon it, she used her gingham hem as a handkerchief. Once she had + risen to the physical effort of wiping her eyes, she regained calmness + rapidly. The last time she applied the hem she looked at Peter, but + addressed the Almighty in resigned tones: “There, Lord, I guess that will + do.” + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes she was searching the kitchen, making sure that no + knives, spoons, or cooking utensils were lost. Missing her support, Linda + sat erect and endeavored to follow Katy's example. Her eyes met Peter's + and when she saw that his shoulders were shaking, a dry, hysterical laugh + possessed her. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Katy,” she panted, “that WILL do, and remember the tears we are + shedding are over Donald's broken foot, and because this may interfere + with his work, though I don't think it will for long.” + </p> + <p> + “When I cry,” said Katy tersely, “I cry because I feel like it. I wasn't + wapin' over the snake that'd plan a death like that for anyone”—Katy + waved toward the boulder—“and nayther was I wastin' me tears over + the fut of a kid bein' jommed up a trifle.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, Katy,” asked Linda tremulously, “why were you crying?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there's times,” said Katy judicially, “when me spirits tell me I + would be the better for lettin' off a wee bit of stame, and one of them + times havin' arrived, I jist bowed me head to it, as is in accordance with + the makings of me. Far be it from me to be flyin' in the face of + Providence and sayin' I won't, when all me interior disposhion says to me: + 'Ye will!'” + </p> + <p> + “And now, Linda,” said Peter, “can you tell us why you were crying?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I think,” said Linda, “that Katy has explained sufficiently for both + of us. It was merely time for us to howl after such fearful nerve strain, + so we howled.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that's all right,” said Peter. “Now I'll tell you something. If you + had gone away in that ambulance to an anesthetic and an operation, no + wildcat that ever indulged in a hunger hunt through this canyon could have + put up a howl equal to the one that I would have sent up.” + </p> + <p> + “Peter,” said Linda, “there is nothing funny about this; it's no tame for + jest. But do men have nerves? Would you really?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I would,” said Peter. + </p> + <p> + “No, you wouldn't,” contradicted Linda. “You just say that because you + want to comfort us for having broken down, instead of trying to tease us + as most men would.” + </p> + <p> + “He would, too!” said Katy, starting to the Bear Cat with a load of + utensils. “Now come on; let's go home and be gettin' craned up and ready + for what's goin' to happen to us. Will they be jailin' us, belike, Miss + Linda?” + </p> + <p> + Linda looked at Peter questioningly. + </p> + <p> + “No,” he said quietly. “It is very probable that the matter never will be + mentioned to you again, unless Judge Whiting gets hold of some clue that + he wishes to use as an argument against matured Japs being admitted in the + same high-school classes with our clean, decent, young Americans. They + stopped that in the grades several years ago, I am told.” + </p> + <p> + Before they could start back to Lilac Valley a car stopped in the canyon + and a couple of men introducing themselves as having come from Judge + Whiting interviewed Katy and Linda exhaustively. Then Linda pointed out to + them an easier but much longer route by which they might reach the top of + the canyon to examine the spot from which the boulder had fallen. She + showed them where she and Katy had ascended, and told them where they + would be likely to find Oka Sayye. + </p> + <p> + When it came to a question of really starting, Linda looked with appealing + eyes at Peter. + </p> + <p> + “Peter,” she said, “could we fix it any way so you could drive Katy and me + home? For the first time since I have begun driving this spring I don't + feel equal to keeping the road.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” said Peter. “I'll take your car to the nearest farmhouse and + leave it, then I'll take you and Katy in my car.” + </p> + <p> + Late that evening Judge Whiting came to Lilac Valley with his wife and + daughter to tell Linda that the top of the cliff gave every evidence of + the stone having been loosened previously, so that a slight impetus would + send it crashing down at the time when Donald lay in his accustomed place + directly in the line of its fall. His detectives had found the location of + the encounter and they had gone to the bottom of the cliff, a thousand + feet below, but they had not been able to find any trace of Oka Sayye. + Somewhere in waiting there had been confederates who had removed what + remained of him. On the way home Mrs. Whiting said to her husband: “Judge, + are you very sure that what the cook said to you this afternoon about Miss + Strong and Mr. Morrison is true?” + </p> + <p> + “I am only sure of its truth so far as he is concerned,” replied the + Judge. “What he thought about Linda was evident. I am very sorry. She is a + mighty fine girl and I think Donald is very much interested in her.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I think so, too,” said Donald's mother. “Interested; but he has not + even a case of first love. He is interested for the same reason you would + be or I would be, because she is intellectually so stimulating. And you + have to take into consideration the fact that in two or three years more + she will be ready for marriage and a home of her own, and Donald will + still be in school with his worldly experience and his business education + not yet begun. The best thing that can happen to Donald is just to let his + infatuation for her die a natural death, with the quiet assistance of his + family.” + </p> + <p> + The Judge's face reddened slightly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I would like mighty well to have her in the family,” he said. + “She's a corking fine girl. She would make a fine mother of fine men. I + haven't a doubt but that with the power of his personality and the power + of his pen and the lure of propinquity, Peter Morrison will win her, but I + hate it. It's the best chance the boy ever will have.” + </p> + <p> + And then Louise spoke up softly. + </p> + <p> + “Donald hasn't any chance, Dad,” she said quietly, “and he never did have. + I have met Peter Morrison myself and I would be only too glad if I thought + he was devoted to me. I'll grant that Linda Strong is a fine girl, but + when she wakes up to the worth of Peter Morrison and to a realization of + what other women would be glad to be to him, she will merely reach out and + lay possessive hands upon what already belongs to her.” + </p> + <p> + It was a curious thing that such occurrences as the death of Oka Sayye and + the injury to Donald could take place and no one know about them. Yet the + papers were silent on the subject and so were the courts. Linda and Katy + were fully protected. The confederates of Oka Sayye for reasons of their + own preferred to keep very quiet. + </p> + <p> + By Monday Donald, with his foot in a plaster cast, was on a side veranda + of his home with a table beside him strewn with books and papers. An + agreement had been made that his professors should call and hear his + recitations for a few days until by the aid of a crutch and a cane he + could resume his place in school. Linda went to visit him exactly as she + would have gone to see Marian in like circumstances. She succeeded in + making all of the Whiting family her very devoted friends. + </p> + <p> + One evening, after he had been hobbling about for over a week, Linda and + Peter called to spend the evening, and a very gay and enjoyable evening it + was. And yet when it was over and they had gone away together Donald + appeared worried and deeply thoughtful. When his mother came to his room + to see if the foot was unduly painful or there was anything she could do + to make him more comfortable, he looked at her belligerently. + </p> + <p> + “Mother,” he said, “I don't like Peter Morrison being so much with my + girl.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Whiting stood very still. She thought very fast. Should she postpone + it or should she let the boy take all of his hurts together? Her heart + ached for him and yet she felt that she knew what life had in store for + him concerning Linda. So she sat on the edge of the bed and began to talk + quietly, plainly, reasonably. She tried to explain nature and human nature + and what she thought the laws of probability were in the case. Donald lay + silent. He said nothing until she had finished all she had to say, and + then he announced triumphantly: “You're all wrong. That is what would + happen if Linda were a girl like any of the other girls in her class, or + like Louise. But she has promised that she would write to me every + Saturday night and she has said that she thinks more of me than of any of + the other boys.” + </p> + <p> + “Donald dear,” said Mrs. Whiting, “you're not 'in love' with Linda + yourself, and neither is she with you. By the time you are ready to marry + and settle down in life, Linda in all probability will be married and be + the mother of two or three babies.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, like fun she will,” said Donald roughly. + </p> + <p> + “Have you asked her whether she loves you?” inquired Mrs. Whiting. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that 'love' business,” said Donald, “it makes me tired! Linda and I + never did any mushing around. We had things of some importance to talk + about and to do.” + </p> + <p> + A bit of pain in Mrs. Whiting's heart eased. It was difficult to keep her + lips quiet and even. + </p> + <p> + “You haven't asked her to marry you, then?” she said soberly. “Oh good + Lord,” cried Donald, “'marry!' How could I marry anyone when I haven't + even graduated from high school and with college and all that to come?” + </p> + <p> + “That is what I have been trying to tell you,” said his mother evenly. “I + don't believe you have been thinking about marriage and I am absolutely + certain that Linda has not, but she is going to be made to think about it + long before you will be in such financial position that you dare. That is + the reason I am suggesting that you think about these things seriously and + question yourself as to whether you would be doing the fair thing by Linda + if you tried to tie her up in an arrangement that would ask her to wait + six or eight years yet before you would be ready.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I can get around faster than that,” said Donald belligerently. + </p> + <p> + “Of course you can,” agreed his mother. “I made that estimate fully a year + too long. But even in seven years Linda could do an awful lot of waiting; + and there are some very wonderful girls that will be coming up six or + seven years from now here at home. You know that hereafter all the girls + in the world are going to be very much more Linda's kind of girls than + they have been heretofore. The girls who have lived through the war and + who have been intimate with its sorrow and its suffering and its terrible + results to humanity, are not going to be such heedless, thoughtless, not + nearly such selfish, girls as the world has known in the decade just past. + And there is going to be more outdoor life, more nature study. There are + going to be stronger bodies, better food, better-cared-for young people; + and every year educational advantages are going to be greater. If you can + bring yourself to think about giving up the idea of there ever existing + any extremely personal thing between you and Linda, I am very sure I could + guarantee to introduce you to a girl who would be quite her counterpart, + and undoubtedly we could meet one who would be handsomer.” + </p> + <p> + Donald punched his pillow viciously. + </p> + <p> + “That's nice talk,” he said, “and it may be true talk. But in the first + place I wish that Peter Morrison would let my girl alone, and in the + second place I don't care if there are a thousand just as nice girls or + even better-looking girls than Linda, though any girl would be going some + if she were nicer and better looking than Linda. But I am telling you that + when my foot gets better I am going to Lilac Valley and tell him where to + head in, and I'll punch his head if he doesn't do it promptly.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course you will,” said his mother reassuringly; “and I'll go with you + and we'll see to it that he attends strictly to his own affairs.” + </p> + <p> + Donald burst out laughing, exactly as his mother in her heart had hoped + that he would. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I've got a hand-painted picture of myself starting to Lilac Valley + to fight a man who is butting in with my girl, and taking my mother along + to help me beat him up,” he said. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Whiting put her arms around her boy, kissed him tenderly, and + smoothed his hair, and then turned out the lights and slipped from the + room. But in the clear moonlight as she closed the door she could see that + a boyish grin was twisting his lips, and she went down to tell the Judge + that he need not worry. If his boy were irreparably hurt anywhere, it was + in his foot. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0032" id="link2HCH0032"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXII. How the Wasp Built Her Nest + </h2> + <p> + The following weeks were very happy for Linda. When the cast was removed + from Donald's foot and it was found that a year or two of care would put + him even on the athletic fields and the dancing floor again, she was + greatly relieved. + </p> + <p> + She lacked words in which to express her joy that Marian was rapidly + coming into happiness. She was so very busy with her school work, with + doing all she could to help Donald with his, with her “Jane Meredith” + articles, with hunting and working out material for her book, that she + never had many minutes at a time for introspection. When she did have a + few she sometimes pondered deeply as to whether Marian had been altogether + sincere in the last letter she had written her in their correspondence, + but she was so delighted in the outcome that if she did at times have the + same doubt in a fleeting form that had not been in the least fleeting with + Peter Morrison, she dismissed it as rapidly as possible. When things were + so very good as they were at that time, why try to improve them? + </p> + <p> + One evening as she came from school, thinking that she would take Katy for + a short run in the Bear Cat before dinner, she noticed a red head + prominent in the front yard as she neared home. When she turned in at the + front walk and crossed the lawn she would have been willing to wager quite + a sum that Katy had been crying. + </p> + <p> + “Why, old dear,” said Linda, putting her arms around her, “if anything has + gone wrong with you I will certainly take to the warpath, instanter. I + can't even imagine what could be troubling you.” Linda lowered her voice. + “Nothing has come up about Oka Sayye?” + </p> + <p> + Katy shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “I thought not,” said Linda. “Judge Whiting promised me that what use he + made of that should be man's business and exploited wholly for the sake of + California and her people. He said we shouldn't be involved. I haven't + been worried about it even, although I am willing to go upon the stand and + tell the whole story if it will be any help toward putting right what is + at present a great wrong to California.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, so would I,” said Katy. “I'm not worryin' meself about the little + baste any more than I would if it had been a mad dog foaming up that cliff + at ye.” + </p> + <p> + “Then what is it?” asked Linda. “Tell me this minute.” + </p> + <p> + “I dunno what in the world you're going to think,” said Katy “I dunno what + in the world you're going to do.” + </p> + <p> + Her face was so distressed that Linda's nimble brain flew to a conclusion. + She tightened her arm across Katy's shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “By Jove, Katy!” she said breathlessly. “Is Eileen in the house?” + </p> + <p> + Katy nodded. + </p> + <p> + “Has she been to see John and made things right with him?” + </p> + <p> + Katy nodded again. + </p> + <p> + “He's in there with her waitin' for ye,” she said. + </p> + <p> + It was a stunned Linda who slowly dropped her arm, stood erect, and lifted + her head very high. She thought intently. + </p> + <p> + “You don't mean to tell me,” she said, “that you have been CRYING over + her?” + </p> + <p> + Katy held out both hands. + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” she said, “she always was such a pretty thing, and her ma didn't + raise her to have the sense of a peewee. If your pa had been let take her + outdoors and grow her in the sun and the air, she would have been bigger + and broader, an' there would have been the truth of God's sunshine an' the + glory of His rain about her. Ye know, Linda, that she didn't ever have a + common decent chance. It was curls that couldn't be shook out and a nose + that dassen't be sunburned and shoes that mustn't be scuffed and a dress + that shouldn't be mussed, from the day she was born. Ye couldn't jist + honest say she had ever had a FAIR chance, now could ye?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda conclusively, “no, Katherine O'Donovan, you could not. + But what are we up against? Does she want to come back? Does she want to + stay here again?” + </p> + <p> + “I think she would like to,” said Katy. “You go in and see her for + yourself, lambie, before ye come to any decision.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't mean,” said Linda in a marveling tone, “that she has been + homesick, that she has come back to us because she would like to be with + us again?” + </p> + <p> + “You go and see her for yourself; and if you don't say she is the worst + beat out and the tiredest mortal that ye have ever seen you'll be + surprisin' me. My God, Linda, they ain't nothin' in bein' rich if it can + do to a girl what has been done to Eileen!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well,” said Linda impatiently, “don't condemn all money because + Eileen has not found happiness with it. The trouble has been that Eileen's + only chance to be rich came to her through the wrong kind of people.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, will ye jist tell me, then,” said Katy, “how it happened that + Eileen's ma was a sister to that great beef of a man, which same is hard + on self-rayspectin' beef; pork would come nearer.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Linda, “I'll tell you. Eileen's mother had a big streak of the + same coarseness and the same vulgarity in HER nature, or she could not + have reared Eileen as she did. She probably had been sent to school and + had better advantages than the boy through a designing mother of her own. + Her first husband must have been a man who greatly refined and educated + her. We can't ever get away from the fact that Daddy believed in her and + loved her.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Katy, “but he was a fooled man. She wasn't what we thought she + was. Many's the time I've stood injustice about the accounts and household + management because I wouldn't be wakin' him up to what he was bound to for + life.” + </p> + <p> + “That doesn't help us,” said Linda. “I must go in and face them.” + </p> + <p> + She handed her books to Katy, and went into the living room She + concentrated on John Gilman first, and a wee qualm of disgust crept + through her soul when she saw that after weeks of suffering he was once + more ready to devote himself to Eileen. Linda marveled at the power a + woman could hold over a man that would force him to compromise with his + intellect, his education and environment. Then she turned her attention to + Eileen, and the shock she received was informing. She studied her an + instant incredulously, then she went to her and held out her hand. + </p> + <p> + “How do you do?” she said as cordially as was possible to her. “This is + unexpected.” + </p> + <p> + Her mind was working rapidly, yet she could not recall ever having seen a + woman quite so beautiful as Eileen. She was very certain that the color on + her cheeks was ebbing and rising with excitement; it was no longer so deep + as to be stationary. She was very certain that her eyes had not been + darkened as to lids or waxed as to lashes. Her hair was beautifully + dressed in sweeping waves with scarcely any artificial work upon it. Her + dress was extremely tasteful and very expensive. There was no simper on + her lips, nothing superficial. She was only a tired, homesick girl. As + Linda looked at her she understood why Katy had cried over her. She felt + tears beginning to rise in her own heart. She put both arms protectingly + around Eileen. + </p> + <p> + “Why, you poor little thing,” she said wonderingly, “was it so damn' bad + as all that?” + </p> + <p> + Eileen stood straight. She held herself rigidly. She merely nodded. Then + after a second she said: “Worse than anything you could imagine, Linda. + Being rich with people who have grown rich by accident is a dreadful + experience.” + </p> + <p> + “So I have always imagined,” said Linda. And then in her usual downright + way she asked: “Why did you come, Eileen? Is there anything you wanted of + me?” + </p> + <p> + Eileen hesitated. It was not in Linda's heart to be mean. + </p> + <p> + “Homesick, little sister?” she asked lightly “Do you want to come here + while you're getting ready to make a home for John? Is that it?” + </p> + <p> + Then Eileen swayed forward suddenly, buried her face in Linda's breast, + and for the first time in her life Linda saw and heard her cry, not from + selfishness, not from anger, not from greed, but as an ordinary human + being cries when the heart is so full that nature relieves itself with + tears. Linda closed her arms around her and smiled over her head at John + Gilman. + </p> + <p> + “Finish all of it before you stop,” she advised. “It's all right. You come + straight home. You didn't leave me any word, and I didn't know what to do + with your things, but I couldn't feel that you would want to give up such + beautiful things that you had so enjoyed. We had planned for Marian to + spend her summer vacation here so I put her things in your suite and I had + moved mine into the guest room, but I have had my room done over and the + guest room things are in there, and every scrap of yours is carefully put + away. If that will do, you are perfectly welcome to it.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen wiped her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Anything,” she sobbed. “I'd rather have Katy's room than be shamed and + humiliated and hurt any further. Linda, I would almost like you to know my + Aunt Callie, because you will never understand about her if you don't. Her + favorite pastime was to tell everyone we met how much the things I wore + cost her.” + </p> + <p> + Linda released Eileen with a slight shake. + </p> + <p> + “Cheer up!” she said. “We'll all have a gorgeous time together. I haven't + the slightest ambition to know more than that about your Aunt Callie. If + my brain really had been acting properly I would never have dismantled + your room. I would have known that you could not endure her, and that you + would come home just as you should. It's all right, John, make yourself + comfortable. I don't know what Katy has for dinner but she can always find + enough for an extra couple. Come Eileen, I'll help you to settle. Where is + your luggage?” + </p> + <p> + “I brought back, Linda, just what I have on,” said Eileen. “I will begin + again where I left off. I realize that I am not entitled to anything + further from the Strong estate, but Uncle was so unhappy and John says + it's all right—really I am the only blood heir to all they have; I + might as well take a comfortable allowance from it. I am to go to see them + a few days of every month. I can endure that when I know I have John and + you to come back to.” + </p> + <p> + When Eileen had been installed in Linda's old room Linda went down to the + kitchen, shut the door behind her, and leaning against it, laid her hand + over her mouth to suppress a low laugh. + </p> + <p> + “Katy,” she said, “I've been and gone and done it; I have put the perfect + lady in my old room. That will be a test of her sincerity—even + dainty and pretty as it is since it's been done over. If she is sincere + enough to spend the summer getting ready to marry John Gilman—why + that is all right, old girl. We can stand it, can't we?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Katy, “it's one of them infernal nuisances but we can stand + it. I'm thinkin', from the looks of John Gilman and his manner of spakin', + that it ain't goin' to be but a very short time that he'll be waitin'.” + </p> + <p> + “Katy,” said Linda, “isn't this the most entertaining world? Doesn't it + produce the most lightning-like changes, and don't the most unexpected + things happen? Sort of dazes me. I had planned to take a little run with + you and the Cat. Since we are having—no, I mustn't say guests—since + John and Eileen have come home, I'll have to give up that plan until after + dinner, and then we'll go and take counsel with our souls and see if we + can figure out how we are going to solve this equation; and if you don t + know what an equation is, old dear heart, it's me with a war-club and you + with a shillalah and Eileen between us, and be 'damned' to us if we can't + make an average, ordinary, decent human being out of her. Pin an apron on + her in the morning, Katy, and hand her a dust cloth and tell her to + industrialize. We will help her with her trousseau, but she SHALL help us + with the work.” + </p> + <p> + “Ye know, lambie,” whispered Katy suddenly, “this is a burnin' shame. The + one thing I DIDN'T think about is that book of yours. What about it?” + </p> + <p> + “I scarcely know,” said Linda; “it's difficult to say. Of course we can't + carry out the plans we had made to work here, exactly as we had intended, + with Eileen in the house preparing to be married. But she tells me that + her uncle has made her a generous allowance, so probably it's environment + and love she is needing much more than help. It is barely possible, Katy, + that after I have watched her a few days, if I decide she is in genuine, + sincere, heart-whole earnest, I might introduce her and John to my friend, + 'Jane.' It is probable that if I did, Eileen would not expect me to help + her, and at the same time she wouldn't feel that I was acting + indifferently because I did not. We'll wait awhile, Katy, and see whether + we skid before we put on the chains.” + </p> + <p> + “What about Marian?” inquired Katy. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” said Linda thoughtfully. “If Marian is big enough to come + here and spend the summer under the same roof with Eileen and John Gilman, + and have a really restful, enjoyable time out of it, she is bigger than I + am. Come up to the garret; I think Eileen has brought no more with her + than she took away. We'll bring her trunk down, put it in her room and lay + the keys on top. Don't begin by treating her as a visitor; treat her as if + she were truly my sister. Tell her what you want and how you want it, + exactly as you tell me and as I tell you. If you see even a suspicion of + any of the former objectionable tendencies popping up, let's check them + quick and hard, Katy.” + </p> + <p> + For a week Linda watched Eileen closely. At the end of that time she was + sincere in her conviction that Eileen had been severely chastened. When + she came in contact with Peter Morrison or any other man they met she was + not immediately artificial. She had learned to be as natural with men as + with other women. There were no pretty postures, no softened vocal + modulations, no childish nonsense on subjects upon which the average child + of these days displays the knowledge of the past-generation grandmother. + When they visited Peter Morrison's house it was easy to see that Eileen + was interested, more interested than any of them ever before had seen her + in any subject outside of clothing and jewels. Her conduct in the Strong + home had been irreproachable. She had cared for her own room, quietly + undertaken the duties of dusting and arranging the rooms and cutting and + bringing in flowers. She had gone to the kitchen and wiped dishes and + asked to be taught how to cook things of which John was particularly fond. + She had been reasonable in the amount of time she had spent on her + shopping, and had repeatedly gone to Linda and shown interest in her + concerns. The result was that Linda at once displayed the same interest in + anything pertaining to Eileen. + </p> + <p> + One afternoon Linda came home unusually early. She called for Eileen, told + her to tie on her sunshade and be ready for a short ride. Almost + immediately she brought around the Bear Cat and when they were seated side + by side headed it toward the canyon. She stopped at the usual resting + place, and together she and Eileen walked down the light-dappled road bed. + She pointed out things to Eileen, telling her what they were, to what uses + they could be put, while at the same time narrowly watching her. To her + amazement she found that Eileen was interested, that she was noticing + things for herself, asking what they were. She wanted to know the names of + the singing birds. When a big bird trailed a waving shadow in front of her + Linda explained how she might distinguish an eagle from a hawk, a hawk + from a vulture, a sea bird from those of the land. When they reached the + bridge Linda climbed down the embankment to gather cress. She was moved to + protest when Eileen followed and without saying a word began to assist + her, but she restrained herself, for it suddenly occurred to her that it + would be an excellent thing for Eileen to think more of what she was doing + and why she was doing it than about whether she would wet her feet or + muddy her fingers. So the protest became an explanation that it was rather + late for cress: the leaves toughened when it bloomed and were too peppery. + The only way it could be used agreeably was to work along the edges and + select the small tender shoots that had not yet matured to the flowering + point. When they had an armload they went back to the car, and without any + explanation Linda drove into Los Angeles and stopped at the residence of + Judge Whiting, not telling Eileen where she was. + </p> + <p> + “Friends of mine,” said Linda lightly as she stepped from the car. “Fond + of cress salad with their dinner. They prepare it after the Jane Meredith + recipe to which you called my attention, in Everybody's Home last winter. + Come along with me.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen stepped from the car and followed. Linda led the way round the + sidewalk to where her quick ear had located voices on the side lawn. She + stopped at the kitchen door, handed in the cress, exchanged a few laughing + words with the cook, and then presented herself at the door of the + summerhouse. Inside, his books and papers spread over a worktable, sat + Donald Whiting. One side of him his mother was busy darning his socks; on + the other his sister Louise was working with embroidery silk and small + squares of gaily colored linen. Linda entered with exactly the same + self-possession that characterized her at home. She shook hands with Mrs. + Whiting, Mary Louise, and Donald, and then she said quietly: “Eileen and I + were gathering cress and we stopped to leave you some for your dinner.” + With this explanation she introduced Eileen to Mrs. Whiting. Mary Louise + immediately sprang up and recalled their meeting at Riverside. Donald + remembered a meeting he did not mention. It was only a few minutes until + Linda was seated beside Donald, interesting herself in his lessons. Eileen + begged to be shown the pretty handkerchiefs that Mary Louise was making. + An hour later Linda refused an invitation to dinner because Katy would be + expecting them. When she arose to go, Eileen was carrying a small square + of blue-green linen. Carefully pinned to it was a patch of white with a + spray of delicate flowers outlined upon it, and a skein of pink silk + thread. She had been initiated into the thrillingly absorbing feminine + accomplishment of making sport handkerchiefs. When they left Eileen was + included naturally, casually, spontaneously, in their invitation to Linda + to run in any time she would. Mary Louise had said she would ride out with + Donald in few days and see how the handkerchiefs were coming on, and more + instruction and different stitches and patterns were necessary, she would + love to teach them. So Linda realized that Mary Louise had been told about + the trousseau. She knew, even lacking as she was in feminine + sophistication, that there were two open roads to the heart of a woman. + One is a wedding and the other is a baby. The lure of either is + irresistible. + </p> + <p> + As the Bear Cat glided back to Lilac Valley, Eileen sat silent. For ten + years she had coveted the entree to the Whiting home perhaps more than any + other in the city. Merely by being simple and natural, by living her life + as life presented itself each day, Linda with no effort whatever had made + possible to Eileen the thing she so deeply craved. Eileen was learning a + new lesson each day—some days many of them—but none was more + amazing more simple, or struck deeper into her awakened consciousness. As + she gazed with far-seeing eye on the blue walls of the valley Eileen was + taking a mental inventory of her former self. One by one she was + arraigning all the old tricks she had used in her trade of getting on in + the world. One by one she was discarding them in favor of honesty, + unaffectedness, and wholesome enjoyment. + </p> + <p> + Because of these things Linda came home the next afternoon and left a + bundle on Eileen's bed before she made her way to her own room to busy + herself with a head piece for Peter's latest article. She had taken down + the wasp picture and while she had not destroyed it she had turned the key + of a very substantial lock upon it. She was hard at work when she heard + steps on the stairs. When Eileen entered, Linda smiled quizzically and + then broke into an unaffected ejaculation. + </p> + <p> + “Ripping!” she cried. “Why, Eileen, you're perfectly topping.” + </p> + <p> + Eileen's face flamed with delight. She was a challenging little figure. + None of them was accustomed to her when she represented anything more + substantial than curls and ruffles. + </p> + <p> + Linda reached for the telephone, called Gilman, and asked him if he could + go to the beach for supper that evening. He immediately replied that he + would. Then she called Peter Morrison and asked him the same question and + when Peter answered affirmatively she told him to bring his car. Then she + hastily put on her own field clothes and ran to the kitchen to fill the + lunch box. To Katy's delight Linda told her there would be room for her + and that she needed her. + </p> + <p> + It was evening and the sun was moving slowly toward the horizon when they + stopped the cars and went down on the white sands of Santa Monica Bay. + Eileen had been complimented until she was in a glow of delight. She did + not notice that in piling things out of the car for their beach supper + Linda had handed her a shovel and the blackened iron legs of a broiler. + Everyone was loaded promiscuously as they took up their march down to as + near the water's edge as the sands were dry. Peter and John gathered + driftwood. Linda improvised two cooking places, one behind a rock for + herself, the other under the little outdoor stove for Katy. Eileen was + instructed as to how to set up the beach table, spread the blankets beside + it, and place the food upon it. While Katy made coffee and toasted biscuit + Linda was busy introducing her party to brigand beefsteak upon four long + steel skewers. The day had been warm. The light salt breeze from the sea + was like a benediction. Friendly gulls gathered on the white sands around + them. Cunning little sea chickens worked in accord with the tide: when the + waves advanced they rose above them on wing; when they retreated they + scampered over the wet sand, hunting any small particles of food that + might have been carried in. Out over the water big brown pelicans went + slowly fanning homeward; and white sea swallows drew wonderful pictures on + the blue night sky with the tips of their wings. For a few minutes at the + reddest point of its setting the sun painted a marvelous picture in a bank + of white clouds. These piled up like a great rosy castle, and down the sky + roadway before it came a long procession of armored knights, red in the + sun glow and riding huge red horses. Then the colors mixed and faded and a + long red bridge for a short time spanned the water, ending at their feet. + The gulls hunted the last scrap thrown them and went home. The swallows + sought their high cliffs. The insidiously alluring perfume of sand verbena + rose like altar incense around them. Gilman spread a blanket, piled the + beach fire higher, and sitting beside Eileen, he drew her head to his + shoulder and put his arm around her. Possibly he could have been happier + in a careless way if he had never suffered. It is very probable that the + poignant depth of exquisite happiness he felt in that hour never would + have come to him had he not lost Eileen and found her again so much more + worth loving. Linda wandered down the beach until she reached the + lighthouse rocks. She climbed on a high one and sat watching the sea as it + sprayed just below. Peter Morrison followed her. + </p> + <p> + “May I come up?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Surely,” said Linda, “this belongs to the Lord; it isn't mine.” + </p> + <p> + So Peter climbed up and sat beside her. + </p> + <p> + “How did the landscape appeal to you when you left the campfire?” inquired + Linda. + </p> + <p> + “I should think the night cry might very well be Eight o'clock and all's + well,” answered Peter. + </p> + <p> + “'God's in his heaven, all's right with the world?'” Linda put it in the + form of a question. + </p> + <p> + “It seems to be for John and Eileen,” said Peter. + </p> + <p> + “It is for a number of people,” said Linda. “I had a letter from Marian + today. I had written her to ask if she would come to us for the summer, in + spite of the change in our plans; but Mr. Snow has made some plans of his + own. He is a very astute individual. He wanted Marian to marry him at once + and she would not, so he took her for a short visit to see his daughter at + her grandmother's home in the northern part of the state. Marian fell + deeply in love with his little girl, and of course those people found + Marian charming, just as right-minded people would find her. When she saw + how the little girl missed her father and how difficult it was for him to + leave her, and when she saw how she would be loved and appreciated in that + fine family, she changed her mind. Peter, we are going to be invited to + San Francisco to see them married very shortly. Are you glad or sorry?” + </p> + <p> + “I am very glad,” said Peter heartily. “I make no concealment of my + admiration for Miss Thorne but I am very glad indeed that it is not her + head that is to complete the decoration when you start the iris marching + down my creek banks.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that's all right,” said Linda. “Of course you should have something + to say about whose head finished that picture. I can't contract to do more + than set the iris. The thing about this I dread is that Marian and Eugene + are going to live in San Francisco, and I did so want her to make her home + in Lilac Valley.” + </p> + <p> + “That's too bad,” said Peter sympathetically. “I know how you appreciate + her, how deeply you love her. Do you think the valley will ever be right + for you without her, Linda?” + </p> + <p> + “It will have to be,” said Linda. “I've had to go on without Father, you + know. If greater happiness seems to be in store for Marian in San + Francisco, all I can do is to efface myself and say 'Amen.' When the world + is all right for Marian, it is about as near all right as it can be for + me. And did you ever see much more sincerely and clearly contented people + than John and Eileen are at the present minute?” + </p> + <p> + Peter looked at Linda whimsically. He lowered his voice as if a sea urchin + might hear and tattle. + </p> + <p> + “What did you do about the wasp, Linda?” he whispered. + </p> + <p> + “I delicately erased the stinger, fluffed up a ruffle, and put the sketch + under lock and key. I should have started a fire with it, but couldn't + quite bring myself to let it go, yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Is she going to hold out?” asked Peter. + </p> + <p> + “She'll hold out or get her neck wrung,” said Linda. “I truly think she + has been redeemed. She has been born again. She has a new heart and a new + soul and a new impulse and a right conception of life. Why, Peter, she has + even got a new body. Her face is not the same.” + </p> + <p> + “She is much handsomer,” said Peter. + </p> + <p> + “Isn't she?” cried Linda enthusiastically. “And doesn't having a soul and + doesn't thinking about essential things make the most remarkable + difference in her? It is worth going through a fiery furnace to come out + new like that. I called her Abednego the other day, but she didn't know + what I meant.” + </p> + <p> + Then they sat silent and watched the sea for a long time. By and by the + night air grew chill. Peter slipped from the rock and went up the beach + and came back with an Indian blanket. He put it very carefully around + Linda's shoulders, and when he went to resume his seat beside her he found + one of her arms stretching it with a blanket corner for him. So he sat + down beside her and drew the corner over his shoulder; and because his + right arm was very much in his way, and it would have been very + disagreeable if Linda had slipped from the rock and fallen into the cold, + salt, unsympathetic Pacific at nine o'clock at night—merely to + dispose of the arm comfortably and to ensure her security, Peter put it + around Linda and drew her up beside him very close. Linda did not seem to + notice. She sat quietly looking at the Pacific and thinking her own + thoughts. When the fog became damp and chill, she said they must be going, + and so they went back to their cars and drove home through the sheer + wonder of the moonlight, through the perfume of the orange orchards, + hearing the night song of the mockingbirds. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0033" id="link2HCH0033"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXIII. The Lady of the Iris + </h2> + <p> + A few days later Linda and Peter went to San Francisco and helped + celebrate the marriage of Marian and Eugene Snow. They left Marian in a + home carefully designed to insure every comfort and convenience she ever + had planned, furnished in accordance with her desires. Both Linda and + Peter were charmed with little Deborah Snow; she was a beautiful and an + appealing child. + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me,” said Linda, on the train going home, “that Marian will + get more out of life, she will love deeper, she will work harder, she will + climb higher in her profession than she would have done if she had married + John. It is difficult sometimes, when things are happening, to realize + that they are for the best, but I really believe this thing has been for + the level best. I think Marian is going to be a bigger woman in San + Francisco than she ever would have been in Lilac Valley. With that thought + I must reconcile myself.” + </p> + <p> + “And what about John?” asked Peter. “Is he going to be a bigger man with + Eileen than he would have been with Marian?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Linda, “he is not. He didn't do right and he'll have penalty to + pay. Eileen is developing into a lovable and truly beautiful woman, but + she has not the intellect, nor the education, nor the impulse to stimulate + a man's mental processes and make him outdo himself the way Marian will. + John will probably never know it, but he will have to do his own + stimulating; he will have to vision life for himself. He will have to find + his high hill and climb it with Eileen riding securely on his shoulders. + It isn't really the pleasantest thing in the world, it isn't truly the + thing I wanted to do this summer—helping them out—but it has + seemed to be the work at hand, the thing Daddy probably would have wanted + me to do, so it's up to me to do all I can for them, just as I did all I + could for Donald. One thing I shall always be delighted about. With my own + ears I heard the pronouncement: Donald had the Jap beaten; he was at the + head of his class before Oka Sayye was eliminated. The Jap knew it. His + only chance lay in getting rid of his rival. Donald can take the excellent + record he has made in this race to start on this fall when he commences + another battle against some other man's brain for top honors in his + college.” + </p> + <p> + “Will he start with the idea that he wants to be an honor man?” + </p> + <p> + Linda laughed outright. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” she said, “his idea was that if he were one of fifty or one + hundred leading men it would be sufficient, but I insisted that if he + wanted to be first with me, he would have to be first in his school work.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Peter. “Linda, have you definitely decided that when you + come to your home-making hour, Donald is the man with whom you want to + spend the remainder of your life?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, good gracious!” said Linda. “Who's talking about 'homes' and + 'spending the remainder of lives'? Donald and I are school friends, and we + are good companions. You're as bad as Eileen. She's always trying to + suggest things that nobody else ever thought of, and now Katy's beginning + it too.” + </p> + <p> + “Sapheads, all!” said Peter. “Well, allow me to congratulate you on having + given Donald his spurs. I think it's a very fine thing for him to start to + college with the honor idea in his head. What about your Saturday + excursions?” + </p> + <p> + “They have died an unnatural death,” said Linda. “Don and I fought for + them, but the Judge and Mrs. Whiting and Mary Louise were terrified for + fear a bone might slip in Don's foot, or some revengeful friend or + relative of Oka Sayye lie in wait for us. They won't hear of our going any + more. I go every Saturday and take Donald for a very careful drive over a + smooth road with the Bear Cat cursing our rate of speed all the way. All + the fun's spoiled for all three of us.” + </p> + <p> + “Think I would be any good as a substitute when it comes to field work?” + inquired Peter casually. “I have looked at your desert garden so much I + would know a Cotyledon if I saw it. I believe I could learn.” + </p> + <p> + “You wouldn't have time to bother,” objected Linda. “You're a man, with a + man's business to transact in the world. You have to hustle and earn money + to pay for the bridge and changing the brook.” + </p> + <p> + “But I had money to pay for the brook and the bridge before I agreed to + them,” said Peter. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” said Linda, “you should begin to hunt old mahogany and + rugs.” + </p> + <p> + “I hadn't intended to,” said Peter; “if they are to be old, I won't have + to do more than to ship them. In storage in Virginia there are some very + wonderful old mahogany and rosewood and rugs and bric-a-brac enough to + furnish the house I am building. The stuff belonged to a little old aunt + of mine who left it to me in her will, and it was with those things in + mind that I began my house. The plans and finishing will fit that + furniture beautifully.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, you lucky individual!” said Linda. “Nowhere in the world is there + more beautiful furniture than in some of those old homes in Virginia. + There are old Flemish and Dutch and British and Italian pieces that came + into this country on early sailing vessels for the aristocrats. You don't + mean that kind of stuff, do you, Peter?” + </p> + <p> + “That is precisely the kind of stuff I do mean,” answered Peter. + </p> + <p> + “Why Peter, if you have furniture like that,” cried Linda, “then all you + need is Mary Louise.” + </p> + <p> + “Linda,” said Peter soberly, “you are trespassing on delicate ground + again. You selected one wife for me and your plan didn't work. When that + furniture arrives and is installed I'll set about inducing the lady of my + dreams to come and occupy my dream house, in my own way. I never did give + you that job. It was merely assumed on your part.” + </p> + <p> + “So it was,” said Linda. “But you know I could set that iris and run that + brook with more enthusiasm if I knew the lady who was to walk beside it.” + </p> + <p> + “You do,” said Peter. “You know her better than anyone else, even better + than I. Put that in your mental pipe and smoke it!” + </p> + <p> + “Saints preserve us!” cried Linda. “I believe the man is planning to take + Katy away from me.” + </p> + <p> + “Not FROM you,” said Peter, “WITH you.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me know about it before you do it,” said Linda with a careless laugh. + </p> + <p> + “That's what I'm doing right now,” said Peter. + </p> + <p> + “And I'm going to school,” said Linda. + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” said Peter, “but that won't last forever.” + </p> + <p> + Linda entered enthusiastically upon the triple task of getting Donald in a + proper frame of mind to start to college with the ambition to do good + work, of marrying off Eileen and John Gilman, and of giving her best brain + and heart to Jane Meredith. When the time came, Donald was ready to enter + college comfortable and happy, willing to wait and see what life had in + store for him as he lived it. + </p> + <p> + When she was sure of Eileen past any reasonable doubt Linda took her and + John to her workroom one evening and showed them her book contract and the + material she had ready, and gave them the best idea she could of what yet + remained to be done. She was not prepared for their wholehearted praise, + for their delight and appreciation. + </p> + <p> + Alone, they took counsel as to how they could best help her, and decided + that to be married at once and take a long trip abroad would be the best + way. That would leave Linda to work in quiet and with no interruption to + distract her attention. They could make their home arrangements when they + returned. + </p> + <p> + When they had gone Linda worked persistently, but her book was not + completed and the publishers were hurrying her when the fall term of + school opened. By the time the final chapter with its exquisite + illustration had been sent in, the first ones were coming back in proof, + and with the proof came the materialized form of Linda's design for her + cover, and there was no Marian to consult about it. Linda worked until she + was confused. Then she piled the material in the Bear Cat and headed up + Lilac Valley. As she came around the curve and turned from the public road + she saw that for the first time she might cross her bridge; it was waiting + for her. She heard the rejoicing of the water as it fell from stone to + stone where it dipped under the road, and as she swung across the bridge + she saw that she might drive over the completed road which had been + finished in her weeks of absence. The windows told another story. Peter's + furniture had come and he had been placing it without telling her. She + found the front door standing wide open, so she walked in. With her bundle + on her arm she made her way to Peter's workroom. When he looked up and saw + her standing in his door he sprang to his feet and came to meet her. + </p> + <p> + “Peter,” she said, “I've taken on more work than I can possibly finish on + time, and I'm the lonesomest person in California today.” + </p> + <p> + “I doubt that,” said Peter gravely. “If you are any lonesomer than I am + you must prove it.” + </p> + <p> + “I have proved it,” said Linda quietly. “If you had been as lonesome as I + am you would have come to me. As it is, I have come to you.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Peter rather breathlessly. “What have you there, Linda? Why + did you come?” + </p> + <p> + “I came for two reasons,” said Linda. “I want to ask you about this stuff. + Several times this summer you have heard talk about Jane Meredith and the + Everybody's Home articles. Ever read any of them, Peter?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Peter, “I read all of them. Interested in home stuff these + days myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Linda, dumping her armload before Peter, “there's the proof + and there's the illustration and there's the cover design for a book to be + made from that stuff. Peter, make your best boy and say 'pleased to meet + you' to Jane Meredith.” + </p> + <p> + Peter secured both of Linda's hands and held them. First he looked at her, + then he looked at the material she had piled down in front of him. + </p> + <p> + “Never again,” said Peter in a small voice, “will I credit myself with any + deep discernment, any keen penetration. How I could have read that matter + and looked at those pictures and not seen you in and through and over them + is a thing I can't imagine. It's great, Linda, absolutely great! Of course + I will help you any way in the world I can. And what else was it you + wanted? You said two things.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, the other doesn't amount to much,” said Linda. “I only wanted the + comfort of knowing whether, as soon as I graduate, I may take Katy and + come home, Peter.” + </p> + <p> + From previous experience with Linda, Peter had learned that a girl reared + by men is not as other women. He had supposed the other thing concerning + which she had wanted to appeal to him was on par with her desire for + sympathy and help concerning her book. At her question, with her eyes + frankly meeting his, Peter for an instant felt lightheaded. He almost + dodged, he was so sweepingly taken unawares. Linda was waiting and his + brain was not working. He tried to smile, but he knew she would not + recognize as natural the expression of that whirling moment. She saw his + hesitation. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, if you don't want us, Peter—” + </p> + <p> + Peter found his voice promptly. Only his God knew how much he wanted + Linda, but there were conditions that a man of Peter's soul-fiber could + not endure. More than life he wanted her, but he did not want her asleep. + He did not want to risk her awakening to a spoiled life and disappointed + hopes. + </p> + <p> + “But you remember that I told you coming home from San Francisco that you + knew the Lady of my Iris better than anyone else, and that I was planning + to take Katy, not from you, but with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I remember,” said Linda. “That is why when Marian and Eileen + and Donald and all my world went past and left me standing desolate, and + my work piled up until I couldn't see my way, I just started right out to + ask you if you would help me with the proof. Of course I knew you would be + glad to do that and I thought if you really meant in your heart that I was + the one to complete your iris procession, it would be a comfort to me + during the hard work and the lonesome days to have it put in two-syllable + English. Marian said that was the only real way—” + </p> + <p> + “And Marian is eminently correct. You will have to give me an ordinary + lifetime, Linda, in which to try to make you understand exactly what this + means to me. Perhaps I'll even have to invent new words in which to + express myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's all right,” said Linda. “It means a lot to me too. I can't + tell you how much I think of you. That first day, as soon as I put down + the Cotyledon safely and tucked in my blouse, I would have put my hand in + yours and started around the world, if you had asked me to. I have the + very highest esteem for you, Peter.” + </p> + <p> + “Esteem, yes,” said Peter slowly. “But Linda-girl, isn't the sort of + alliance I am asking you to enter with me usually based on something a + good bit stronger than 'esteem'?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I think it is,” said Linda. “But you needn't worry. I only wanted + the comfort of knowing that I was not utterly alone again, save for Katy. + I'll stick to my book and to my fight for Senior honors all right.” + </p> + <p> + Peter was blinking his eyes and fighting to breathe evenly. When he could + speak he said as smoothly as possible: “Of course, Linda. I'll do your + proof for you and you may put all your time on class honors. It merely + occurred to me to wonder whether you realized the full and ultimate + significance of what we are saying; exactly what it means to me and to + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Possibly not, Peter,” said Linda, smiling on him with utter confidence. + “Everyone says I am my father's daughter, and Father didn't live to coach + me on being your iris decoration, as a woman would; but, Peter, when the + time comes, I have every confidence in your ability to teach me what you + would like me to know yourself. Don't you agree with me, Peter?” + </p> + <p> + Making an effort to control himself Peter gathered up the material Linda + had brought and taking her arm he said casually: “I thoroughly agree with + you, dear. You are sanely and health fully and beautifully right. Now + let's go and take Katy into our confidence, and then you shall show me + your ideas before I begin work on your proof. And after this, instead of + you coming to me I shall always come to you whenever you can spare a + minute for me.” + </p> + <p> + Linda nodded acquiescence. + </p> + <p> + “Of course! That would be best,” she said. “Peter, you are so satisfyingly + satisfactory.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Her Father's Daughter, by Gene Stratton-Porter + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HER FATHER'S DAUGHTER *** + +***** This file should be named 904-h.htm or 904-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/0/904/ + +Produced by Dianne Bean, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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