what diantha did-第4章

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None　of　you　blamed　him。〃

〃I　don't　see　what　that's　got　to　do　with　it；〃　her　mother　ventured。　
〃Henderson's　a　boy；　and　boys　have　to　go；　of　course。　　A　mother　expects
that。　　But　a　girlWhy；　Diantha！　How　can　I　get　along　without　you！　With
my　health！〃

〃I　should　think　you'd　be　ashamed　of　yourself　to　think　of　such　a　thing！〃
said　young　Mrs。　Peters。

A　slow　step　sounded　outside；　and　an　elderly　man；　tall；　slouching；
carelessly　dressed；　entered；　stumbling　a　little　over　the　rag…mat　at　the
door。

〃Father　hasn't　got　used　to　that　rug　in　fourteen　years！〃　said　his
youngest　daughter　laughingly。　　〃And　Mother　will　straighten　it　out　after
him！　　I'm　bringing　Gerald　up　on　better　principles。　　You　should　just　see
him　wait　on　me！〃

〃A　man　should　be　master　in　his　own　household；〃　Mr。　Bell　proclaimed；
raising　a　dripping　face　from　the　basin　and　looking　around　for　the
towelwhich　his　wife　handed　him。

〃You　won't　have　much　household　to　be　master　of　presently；〃　said　Mrs。
Peters　provokingly。　　〃Half　of　it's　going　to　leave。〃

Mr。　Bell　came　out　of　his　towel　and　looked　from　one　to　the　other　for　some
explanation　of　this　attempted　joke；　〃What　nonsense　are　you　talking？〃　he
demanded。

〃I　think　it's　nonsense　myself；〃　said　the　pretty　young　womanher　hand　on
the　doorknob。　　〃But　you'd　better　enjoy　those　biscuits　of　Di's　while　you
canyou　won't　get　many　more！　　There's　Geraldgood　night！〃　　And　off　she
ran。

Diantha　set　the　plateful　on　the　table；　puffy；　brown；　and　crisply
crusted。　　〃Supper's　ready；〃　she　said。　　〃Do　sit　down；　Mother；〃　and　she
held　the　chair　for　her。　　〃Minnie's　quite　right；　Father；　though　I　meant
not　to　tell　you　till　you'd　had　supper。　　I　am　going　away　to　work。〃

Mr。　Bell　regarded　his　daughter　with　a　stern；　slow　stare；　not　so　much
surprised　as　annoyed　by　an　untimely　jesting。　　He　ate　a　hot　biscuit　in
two　un…Fletcherized　mouthfuls；　and　put　more　sugar　in　his　large　cup　of
tea。　　〃You've　got　your　Mother　all　worked　up　with　your　nonsense；〃　said
he。　　〃What　are　you　talking　about　anyway？〃

Diantha　met　his　eyes　unflinchingly。　　He　was　a　tall　old　man；　still
handsome　and　impressive　in　appearance；　had　been　the　head　of　his　own
household　beyond　question；　ever　since　he　was　left　the　only　son　of　an
idolizing　mother。　　But　he　had　never　succeeded　in　being　the　head　of
anything　else。　　Repeated　failures　in　the　old　New　England　home　had
resulted　in　his　ruthlessly　selling　all　the　property　there；　and　bringing
his　delicate　wife　and　three　young　children　to　California。　　Vain　were　her
protests　and　objections。　　It　would　do　her　goodbest　place　in　the　world
for　childrengood　for　nervous　complaints　too。　　A　wife's　duty　was　to
follow　her　husband；　of　course。　　She　had　followed；　willy　nilly；　and　it
was　good　for　the　childrenthere　was　no　doubt　of　that。

Mr。　Bell　had　profited　little　by　his　venture。　　They　had　the　ranch；　the
flowers　and　fruit　and　ample　living　of　that　rich　soil；　but　he　had　failed
in　oranges；　failed　in　raisins；　failed　in　prunes；　and　was　now　failing　in
wealth…promising　hens。

But　Mrs。　Bell；　though　an　ineffectual　housekeeper；　did　not　fail　in　the
children。　　They　had　grown　up　big　and　vigorous；　sturdy；　handsome
creatures；　especially　the　two　younger　ones。　　Diantha　was　good…looking
enough。　　Roscoe　Warden　thought　her　divinely　beautiful。　　But　her　young
strength　had　been　heavily　taxed　from　childhood　in　that　complex　process
known　as　〃helping　mother。〃　　As　a　little　child　she　had　been　of　constant
service　in　caring　for　the　babies；　and　early　developed　such　competence　in
the　various　arts　of　house　work　as　filled　her　mother　with　fond　pride；　and
even　wrung　from　her　father　some　grudging　recognition。　　That　he　did　not
value　it　more　was　because　he　expected　such　competence　in　women；　all
women；　it　was　their　natural　field　of　ability；　their　duty　as　wives　and
mothers。　　Also　as　daughters。　　If　they　failed　in　it　that　was　by　illness
or　perversity。　　If　they　succeededthat　was　a　matter　of　course。

He　ate　another　of　Diantha's　excellent　biscuits；　his　greyish…red　whiskers
slowly　wagging；　and　continued　to　eye　her　disapprovingly。　　She　said
nothing；　but　tried　to　eat；　and　tried　still　harder　to　make　her　heart　go
quietly；　her　cheeks　keep　cool；　and　her　eyes　dry。　　Mrs。　Bell　also　strove
to　keep　a　cheerful　countenance；　urged　food　upon　her　family；　even　tried
to　open　some　topic　of　conversation；　but　her　gentle　words　trailed　off
into　unnoticed　silence。

Mr。　Bell　ate　until　he　was　satisfied　and　betook　himself　to　a　comfortable
chair　by　the　lamp；　where　he　unfolded　the　smart　local　paper　and　lit　his
pipe。　　〃When　you've　got　through　with　the　dishes；　Diantha；〃　he　said
coldly；　〃I'll　hear　about　this　proposition　of　yours。〃

Diantha　cleared　the　table；　lowered　the　leaves；　set　it　back　against　the
wall；　spreading　the　turkey…red　cloth　upon　it。　　She　washed　the
dishes；her　kettle　long　since　boiling；　scalded　them；　wiped　them；　set
them　in　their　places；　washed　out　the　towels；　wiped　the　pan　and　hung　it
up；　swiftly；　accurately；　and　with　a　quietness　that　would　have　seemed
incredible　to　any　mistress　of　heavy…footed　servants。　　Then　with
heightened　color　and　firm…set　mouth；　she　took　her　place　by　the　lamplit
table　and　sat　still。

Her　mother　was　patiently　darning　large　socks　with　many　holesa　kind　of
work　she　specially　disliked。　　〃You'll　have　to　get　some　new　socks；
Father；〃　she　ventured；　〃these　are　pretty　well　gone。〃

〃O　they'll　do　a　good　while　yet；〃　he　replied；　not　looking　at　them。　　〃I
like　your　embroidery；　my　dear。〃

That　pleased　her。　　She　did　not　like　to　embroider；　but　she　did　like　to　be
praised。

Diantha　took　some　socks　and　set　to　work；　red…checked　and　excited；　but
silent　yet。　　Her　mother's　needle　trembled　irregularly　under　and　over；
and　a　tear　or　two　slid　down　her　cheeks。

Finally　Mr。　Bell　laid　down　his　finished　paper　and　his　emptied　pipe　and
said；　〃Now　then。　　Out　with　it。〃

This　was　not　a　felicitious　opening。　　It　is　really　astonishing　how　little
diplomacy　parents　exhibit；　how　difficult　they　make　it　for　the　young　to
introduce　a　proposition。　　There　was　nothing　for　it　but　a　bald　statement；
so　Diantha　made　it　baldly。

〃I　have　decided　to　leave　home　and　go　to　work；〃　she　said。

〃Don't　you　have　work　enough　to　do　at　home？〃　he　inquired；　with　the　same
air　of　quizzical　superiority　which　had　always　annoyed　her　so　intensely；
even　as　a　little　child。

She　would　cut　short　this　form　of　discussion：　〃I　am　going　away　to　earn　my
living。　　I　have　given　up　school…teachingI　don't　like　it；　and；　there
isn't　money　enough　in　it。　　I　have　planswhich　will　speak　for　themselves
later。〃

〃So；〃　said　Mr。　Bell；　〃Plans　all　made；　eh？　　I　suppose　you've　considered
your　Mother　in　these　plans？〃

〃I　have；〃　said　his　daughter。　　〃It　is　largely　on　her　account　that　I'm
going。〃

〃You　think　it'll　be　good　for　your　Mother's　health　to　lose　your
assistance；　do　you？〃

〃I　know　she'll　miss　me；　but　I　haven't　left　the　work　on　her　shoulders。　　I
am　going　to　pay　for　a　girlto　do　the　work　I've　done。　　It　won't　cost　you
any　more；　Father；　and　you'll　save　somefor　she'll　do　the　washing　too。　
You　didn't　object　to　Henderson's　goingat　eighteen。　　You　didn't　object
to　Minnie's　goingat　seventeen。　　Why　should　you　object　to　my　goingat
twenty…one。〃

〃I　haven't　objectedso　far；〃　replied　her　father。　　〃Have　your　plans　also
allowed　for　the　affection　and　duty　you　owe　your　parents？〃

〃I　have　done　my　dutyas　well　as　I　know　how；〃　she　answered。　　〃Now　I　am
twenty…one；　and　self…supportingand　have　a　right　to　go。〃

〃O　yes。　　You　have　a　righta　legal　rightif　that's　what　you　base　your
idea　of　a　child's　duty　on！　　And　while　you're　talking　of　rightshow
about　a　parent's　rights？　　How　about　common　gratitude！　　How　about　what
you　owe　to　mefor　all　the　care　and　pains　and　cost　it's　been　to　bring
you　up。　　A　child's　a　rather　expensive　investment　these　days。〃

Diantha　flushed。　　she　had　expected　this；　and　yet　it　struck　her　like　a
blow。　　It　was　not　the　first　time　she　had　heard　itthis　claim　of　filial
obligation。

〃I　have　considered　that　position；　Father。　　I　know　you　feel　that
wayyou've　often　made　me　feel　it。　　So　I've　been　at　some　pains　to　work
it　outon　a　money　basis。　　Here　is　an　accountas　full　as　I　could　make
it。〃　　She　handed　him　a　paper　covered　with　neat　figures。　　The　totals　read
as　follows：

Miss　Diantha　Bell；
To　Mr。　Henderson　R。　Bell；　Dr。

To　medical　and　dental　expenses　。　。　。　110。00
To　school　expenses　。　。　。　76。00
To　clothing；　in　full　。　。　。　1；130。00
To　board　and　lodging　at　3。00　a　week　。　。　。　2；184。00
To　incidentals　。　。　。　100。00
　
　3。600。00

He　studied　the　various　items　carefully；　stroking　his　beard；　half　in
anger；　half　in　unavoidable　amusement。　　Perhaps　there　was　a　tender
feeling　too；　as　he　remembered　that　doctor's　billthe　first　he　ever
paid；　with　the　other；　when　she　had　scarlet　fever；　and　saw　the　exact
price　of　the　high　chair　which　had　served　all　three　of　the　children；　but
of　which　she　magnanimously　shouldered　the　whole　expense。

The　clothing　total　was　so　large　that　it　made　him　whistlehe　knew　he　had
never　spent　1；130。00　on　one　girl's　clothes。　　But　the　items　explained
it。

Materials；　three　years　at　an　average　of　10　a　year　。　。　。　30。00
Five　years　averaging　20　each　year　。　。　。　100。00
Five　years　averaging　30　each　year　。　。　。　50。00
Five　years　averaging　50　each　year　。　。　。　250。00
…
530。00

The　rest　was　〃Mother's　labor；　averaging　twenty　full　days　a　year　at　2　a
day；　40　a　year。　　For　fifteen　years；　600。00。　　Mother's　laboron　one
child's；　clothesfooting　up　to　600。00。　　It　looked　strange　to　see　cash
value　attached　to　that　unfailing　source　of　family　comfort　and　advantage。

The　school　expenses　puzzled　him　a　bit；　for　she　had　only　gone　to　public
schools；　but　she　was　counting　books　and　slates　and　even　pencilsit
brought　up　evenings　long　passed　by；　the　sewing　wife；　the　studying
children；　the　〃Say；　Father；　I've　got　to　have　a　new　slatemine's　broke！〃

〃Broken；　Dina；〃　her　Mother　would　gently　correct；　while　he　demanded；　〃How
did　you　break　it？〃　and　scolded　her　for　her　careless　tomboy　ways。　
Slatesthree；　1。50they　were　all　down。　　And　slates　didn't　cost　so
much　come　to　think　of　it；　even　the　red…edged　ones；　wound　with　black；
that　she　always　wanted。

Board　and　lodging　was　put　low；　at　3。00　per　week；　but　the　items　had　a
footnote　as　to　house…rent　in　the　country；　and　food　raised　on　the　farm。　
Yes；　he　guessed　that　was　a　full　rate　for　the　plain　food　and　bare　little
bedroom　they　always　had。

〃It's　what　Aunt　Esther　paid　the　winter　she　was　here；〃　said　Diantha。

Circusesthree　。　。　。　1。50
Share　in　melodeon　。　。　。　50。00

Yes；　she　was　one　of　five　to　use　and　enjoy　it。

Music　lessons　。　。　。　30。00

And　quite　a　large　margin　left　here；　called　miscellaneous；　which　he
smiled　to　observe　made　just　an　even　figure；　and　suspected　she　had　put　in
for　that　purpose　as　well　as　from　generosity。

〃This　board　account　looks　kind　of　funny；〃　he　said〃only　fourteen　years
of　it！〃

〃I　didn't　take　table…boardnor　a　roomthe　first　yearnor　much　the
second。　　I've　allowed　1。00　a　week　for　that；　and　2。00　for　the
thirdthat　takes　out　two；　you　see。　　Then　it's　156　a　year　till　I　was
fourteen　and　earned　board　and　wages；　two　more　years　at　156and　I've
paid　since　I　was　seventeen；　you　know。〃

〃WellI　guess　you　didI　guess　you　did。〃　　He　grinned　genially。　　〃Yes；〃
he　continued　slowly；　〃I　guess　that's　a　fair　enough　account。　　'Cording　to
this；　you