what diantha did-第18章

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friends。　　He　is　not　to　be　trusted。　　One　nice　girl　I　had　here　simply　left
the　placehe　annoyed　her　so。〃

Ilda　was　a　little　sulky。　　She　had　been　quite　a　queen　in　the　small
Norwegian　village　she　was　born　in。　　Young　men　were　young　menand　they
might　evenperhaps！　　This　severe　young　housekeeper　didn't　know
everything。　　Maybe　she　was　jealous！

So　Ilda　was　rather　unconvinced；　though　apparently　submissive；　and
Diantha　kept　a　careful　eye　upon　her。　　She　saw　to　it　that　Ilda's　room　had
a　bolt　as　well　as　key　in　the　door；　and　kept　the　room　next　to　it　empty；
frequently　using　it　herself；　unknown　to　anyone。　　〃I　hate　to　turn　the
child　off；〃　she　said　to　herself；　conscientiously　revolving　the　matter。　
〃She　isn't　doing　a　thing　more　than　most　girls　doshe's　only　a　little
fool。　　And　he's　not　doing　anything　I　can　complain　ofyet。〃

But　she　worried　over　it　a　good　deal；　and　Mrs。　Weatherstone　noticed　it。

〃Doesn't　your　pet　club　house　go　well；　'Miss　Bell？'　　You　seem　troubled
about　something。〃

〃I　am；〃　Diantha　admitted。　　〃I　believe　I'll　have　to　tell　you　about
itbut　I　hate　to。　　Perhaps　if　you'll　come　and　look　I　shan't　have　to　say
much。〃

She　led　her　to　a　window　that　looked　on　the　garden；　the　rich；　vivid；
flower…crowded　garden　of　Southern　California　by　the　sea。　　Little　Ilda；
in　a　fresh　black　frock　and　snowy；　frilly　cap　and　apron；　ran　out　to　get　a
rose；　and　while　she　sniffed　and　dallied　they　saw　Mr。　Mathew　saunter　out
and　join　her。

The　girl　was　not　as　severe　with　him　as　she　ought　to　have　beenthat　was
evident；　but　it　was　also　evident　that　she　was　frightened　and　furious
when　he　suddenly　held　her　fast　and　kissed　her　with　much　satisfaction。　
As　soon　as　her　arms　were　free　she　gave　him　a　slap　that　sounded　smartly
even　at　that　distance；　and　ran　crying　into　the　house。

〃She's　foolish；　I　admit；〃　said　Diantha；〃but　she　doesn't　realize　her
danger　at　all。　　I've　tried　to　make　her。　　And　now　I'm　more　worried　than
ever。　　It　seems　rather　hard　to　discharge　hershe　needs　care。〃

〃I'll　speak　to　that　young　man　myself；〃　said　Mrs。　Weatherstone。　　〃I'll
speak　to　his　grandmother　too！〃

〃Owould　you？〃　urged　Diantha。　　〃She　wouldn't　believe　anything　except
that　the　girl　'led　him　on'you　know　that。　　But　I　have　an　idea　that　we
could　convince　herif　you're　willing　to　do　something　rather
melodramaticand　I　think　we'd　better　do　it　to…night！〃

〃What's　that？〃　asked　her　employer；　and　Diantha　explained。　　It　was
melodramatic；　but　promised　to　be　extremely　convincing。

〃Do　you　think　he'd　dare！　under　my　roof？〃　hotly　demanded　Madam
Weatherstone。

〃I'm　very　much　afraid　it　wouldn't　be　the　first　time；〃　Diantha
reluctantly　assured　her。　　〃It's　no　use　being　horrified。　　But　if　we　could
only　make　_sure_〃

〃If　we　could　only　make　his　grandmother　sure！〃　cried　Madam　Weatherstone。　
〃That　would　save　me　a　deal　of　trouble　and　misunderstanding。　　See　hereI
think　I　can　manage　itwhat　makes　you　think　it's　to…night？〃

〃I　can't　be　absolutely　certain〃　Diantha　explained；　and　told　her　the
reasons　she　had。

〃It　does　look　so；〃　her　employer　admitted。　　〃We'll　try　it　at　any　rate。〃

Urging　her　mother…in…law's　presence　on　the　ground　of　needing　her
experienced　advice；　Mrs。　Weatherstone　brought　the　august　lady　to　the
room　next　to　Ilda's　late　that　evening；　the　housekeeper　in　attendance。

〃We　mustn't　wake　the　servants；〃　she　said　in　an　elaborate　whisper。　　〃They
need　sleep；　poor　things！　　But　I　want　to　consult　you　about　these
communicating　doors　and　the　locksmith　is　coming　in　the　morning。you　see
this　opens　from　this　side。〃　　She　turned　the　oiled　key　softly　in　the
lock。　　〃Now　Miss　Bell　thinks　they　ought　to　be　left　soso　that　the　girls
can　visit　one　another　if　they　likewhat　do　you　think？〃

〃I　think　you　are　absurd　to　bring　me　to　the　top　floor；　at　this　time　of
night；　for　a　thing　like　this！〃　said　the　old　lady。　　〃They　should　be
permanently　locked；　to　my　mind！　　There's　no　question　about　it。〃

Viva；　still　in　low　tones；　discussed　this　point　further；　introduced　the
subject　of　wall…paper　or　hard　finish；　pointed　out　from　the　window　a　tall
eucalyptus　which　she　thought　needed　heading；　did　what　she　could　to　keep
her　mother…in…law　on　the　spot；　and　presently　her　efforts　were　rewarded。

A　sound　of　muffled　speech　came　from　the　next　rooma　man's　voice　dimly
heard。　　Madam　Weatherstone　raised　her　head　like　a　warhorse。

〃What's　this！　　What's　this！〃　she　said　in　a　fierce　whisper。

Viva　laid　a　hand　on　her　arm。　　〃Sh！〃　said　she。　　〃Let　us　make　sure！〃　and
she　softly　unlatched　the　door。

A　brilliant　moon　flooded　the　small　chamber。　　They　could　see　little　Ilda；
huddled　in　the　bedclothes；　staring　at　her　door　from　which　the　key　had
fallen。　　Another　key　was　being　insertedturnedbut　the　bolt　held。

〃Come　and　open　it；　young　lady！〃　said　a　careful　voice　outside。

〃Go　away！　　Go　away！〃　begged　the　girl；　low　and　breathlessly。　　〃Oh　how
_can_　you！　　Go　away　quick！〃

〃Indeed；　I　won't！〃　said　the　voice。　　〃You　come　and　open　it。〃

〃Go　away；〃　she　cried；　in　a　soft　but　frantic　voice。　　〃II'll　scream！〃

〃Scream　away！〃　he　answered。　　〃I'll　just　say　I　came　up　to　see　what　the
screaming's　about；　that's　all。　　You　open　the　doorif　you　don't　want
anybody　to　know　I'm　here！　　I　won't　hurt　you　anyI　just　want　to　talk　to
you　a　minute。〃

Madam　Weatherstone　was　speechless　with　horror；　her　daughter…in…law
listened　with　set　lips。　　Diantha　looked　from　one　to　the　other；　and　at
the　frightened　child　before　them　who　was　now　close　to　the　terrible　door。

〃O　please！_please！_　go　away！〃　she　cried　in　desperation。　　〃O　what　shall
I　do！　　What　shall　I　do！〃

〃You　can't　do　anything；〃　he　answered　cheerfully。　　〃And　I'm　coming　in
anyhow。　　You'd　better　keep　still　about　this　for　your　own　sake。　　Stand
from　under！〃　　Madam　Weatherstone　marched　into　the　room。　　Ilda；　with　a
little　cry；　fled　out　of　it　to　Diantha。

There　was　a　jump；　a　scramble；　two　knuckly　hands　appeared；　a　long　leg　was
put　through　the　transom；　two　legs　wildly　wriggling；　a　descending　body；
and　there　stood　before　them；　flushed；　dishevelled；　his　coat　up　to　his
earsMat　Weatherstone。

He　did　not　notice　the　stern　rigidity　of　the　figure　which　stood　between
him　and　the　moonlight；　but　clasped　it　warmly　to　his　heart。〃Now　I've
got　you；　Ducky！〃　cried　he；　pressing　all　too　affectionate　kisses　upon　the
face　of　his　grandmother。

Young　Mrs。　Weatherstone　turned　on　the　light。

It　was　an　embarrassing　position　for　the　gentleman。

He　had　expected　to　find　a　helpless　cowering　girl；　afraid　to　cry　out
because　her　case　would　be　lost　if　she　did；　begging　piteously　that　he
would　leave　her；　wholly　at　his　mercy。

What　he　did　find　was　so　inexplicable　as　to　reduce　him　to　gibbering
astonishment。　　There　stood　his　imposing　grandmother；　so　overwhelmed　with
amazement　that　her　trenchant　sentences　failed　her　completely；　his
stepmother；　wearing　an　expression　that　almost　suggested　delight　in　his
discomfiture；　and　Diantha；　as　grim　as　Rhadamanthus。

Poor　little　Ilda　burst　into　wild　sobs　and　choking　explanations；　clinging
to　Diantha's　hand。　　〃If　I'd　only　listened　to　you！〃　she　said。　　〃You　told
me　he　was　bad！　　I　never　thought　he'd　do　such　an　awful　thing！〃

Young　Mathew　fumbled　at　the　door。　　He　had　locked　it　outside　in　his
efforts　with　the　pass…key。　　He　was　red；　red　to　his　earsvery　red；　but
there　was　no　escape。　　He　faced　themthere　was　no　good　in　facing　the
door。

They　all　stood　aside　and　let　him　passa　wordless　gauntlet。

Diantha　took　the　weeping　Ilda　to　her　room　for　the　night。　　Madam
Weatherstone　and　Mrs。　Weatherstone　went　down　together。

〃She　must　have　encouraged　him！〃　the　older　lady　finally　burst　forth。

〃She　did　not　encourage　him　to　enter　her　room；　as　you　saw　and　heard；〃
said　Viva　with　repressed　intensity。

〃He's　only　a　boy！〃　said　his　grandmother。

〃She　is　only　a　child；　a　helpless　child；　a　foreigner；　away　from　home；
untaught；　unprotected；〃　Viva　answered　swiftly；　adding　with　quiet
sarcasm〃Save　for　the　shelter　of　the　home！〃

They　parted　in　silence。



WHAT　DIANTHA　DID


CHAPTER　X

UNION　HOUSE。


〃We　are　weak！〃　said　the　Sticks；　and　men　broke　them；
　〃We　are　weak！〃　said　the　Threads；　and　were　torn；
Till　new　thoughts　came　and　they　spoke　them；
　Till　the　Fagot　and　the　Rope　were　born。
　
For　the　Fagot　men　find　is　resistant；
And　they　anchor　on　the　Rope's　taut　length；
　Even　grasshoppers　combined；
　Are　a　force；　the　farmers　find
In　union　there　is　strength。


Ross　Warden　endured　his　grocery　business；　strove　with　it；　toiled　at　it；
concentrated　his　scientific　mind　on　alien　tasks　of　financial　calculation
and　practical　psychology；　but　he　liked　it　no　better。　　He　had　no　interest
in　business；　no　desire　to　make　money；　no　skill　in　salesmanship。

But　there　were　five　mouths　at　home；　sweet　affectionate　feminine　mouths
no　doubt；　but　requiring　food。　　Also　two　in　the　kitchen；　wider；　and
requiring　more　food。　　And　there　were　five　backs　at　home　to　be　covered；
to　use　the　absurd　metaphoras　if　all　one　needed　for　clothing　was　a　four
foot　patch。　　The　amount　and　quality　of　the　covering　was　an　unceasing
surprise　to　Ross；　and　he　did　not　do　justice　to　the　fact　that　his
womenfolk　really　saved　a　good　deal　by　doing　their　own　sewing。

In　his　heart　he　longed　always　to　be　free　of　the　whole　hated　load　of
tradesmanship。　　Continually　his　thoughts　went　back　to　the　hope　of
selling　out　the　business　and　buying　a　ranch。

〃I　could　make　it　keep　us；　anyhow；〃　he　would　plan　to　himself；　〃and　I
could　get　at　that　guinea　pig　idea。　　Or　maybe　hens　would　do。〃　　He　had　a
theory　of　his　own；　or　a　personal　test　of　his　own；　rather；　which　he
wished　to　apply　to　a　well　known　theory。　　It　would　take　some　years　to
work　it　out；　and　a　great　many　fine　pigs；　and　be　of　no　possible　value
financially。　　〃I'll　do　it　sometime；〃　he　always　concluded；　which　was　cold
comfort。

His　real　grief　at　losing　the　companionship　of　the　girl　he　loved；　was
made　more　bitter　by　a　total　lack　of　sympathy　with　her　aims；　even　if　she
achieved　themin　which　he　had　no　confidence。　　He　had　no　power　to　change
his　course；　and　tried　not　to　be　unpleasant　about　it；　but　he　had　to
express　his　feelings　now　and　then。

〃Are　you　coming　back　to　me？〃　he　wrote。　　〃How　con　you　bear　to　give　so
much　pain　to　everyone　who　loves　you？　　Is　your　wonderful　salary　worth
more　to　you　than　being　here　with　your　motherwith　me？　　How　can　you　say
you　love　meand　ruin　both　our　lives　like　this？　　I　cannot　come　to　see
youI　_would_　not　come　to　see　youcalling　at　the　back　door！　　Finding
the　girl　I　love　in　a　cap　and　apron！　　Can　you　not　see　it　is　wrong；
utterly　wrong；　all　this　mad　escapade　of　yours？　　Suppose　you　do　make　a
thousand　dollars　a　yearI　shall　never　touch　your　moneyyou　know　that。　
I　cannot　even　offer　you　a　home；　except　with　my　family；　and　I　know　how
you　feel　about　that；　I　do　not　blame　you。

〃But　I　am　as　stubborn　as　you　are；　dear　girl；　I　will　not　live　on　my
wife's　moneyyou　will　not　live　in　my　mother's　houseand　we　are
drifting　apart。　　It　is　not　that　I　care　less　for　you　dear；　or　at　all　for
anyone　else；　but　this　is　slow　deaththat's　all。〃

Mrs。　Warden　wrote　now　and　then　and　expatiated　on　the　sufferings　of　her
son；　and　his　failing　strength　under　the　unnatural　strain；　till　Diantha
grew　to　dread　her　letters　more　than　any　pain　she　knew。　　Fortunately　they
came　seldom。

Her　own　family　was　much　impressed　by　the　thousand　dollars；　and　found　the
occupation　of　housekeeper