what diantha did-第6章

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good　child。　　If　you　have　to　sow　this　kind　of　wild　oats〃　they　both
smiled　at　this；　〃I　guess　we　can't　stop　you。　　I'll　keep　your　secret〃

〃Its　not　a　secret　really；〃　the　girl　explained；　〃I'll　tell　them　as　soon
as　I'm　settled。　　Then　they　can　tellif　they　want　to。〃　　And　they　both
smiled　again。

〃WellI　won't　tell　till　I　hear　of　it　then。　　Andyes；　I　guess　I　can
furnish　that　document　with　a　clean　conscience。〃

She　gave　him　paper　and　pen　and　he　wrote；　with　a　grin；　handing　her　the
result。

She　read　it；　a　girlish　giggle　lightening　the　atmosphere。　　〃Thank　you！〃
she　said　earnestly。　　〃Thank　you　ever　so　much。　　I　knew　you　would　help
me。〃

〃If　you　get　stuck　anywhere　just　let　me　know；〃　he　said　rising。　　〃This
Proddy　Gal　may　want　a　return　ticket　yet！〃

〃I'll　walk　first！〃　said　Diantha。

〃O　Dr。　Major；〃　cried　her　mother　from　the　window；　〃Don't　go！　　We　want　you
to　stay　to　supper　of　course！〃

But　he　had　other　calls　to　make；　he　said；　and　went　away；　his　big　hands
clasped　behind　him；　his　head　bent；　smiling　one　minute　and　shaking　his
head　the　next。

Diantha　leaned　against　a　pearly　eucalyptus　trunk　and　watched　him。　　She
would　miss　Dr。　Major。　　But　who　was　this　approaching？　　Her　heart　sank
miserably。　　Mrs。　Wardenand　_all_　the　girls。

She　went　to　meet　themperforce。　　Mrs。　Warden　had　always　been　kind　and
courteous　to　her；　the　girls　she　had　not　seen　very　much　of；　but　they　had
the　sweet　Southern　manner；　were　always　polite。　　Ross's　mother　she　must
love。　　Ross's　sisters　tooif　she　could。　　Why　did　the　bottom　drop　out　of
her　courage　at　sight　of　them？

〃You　dear　child！〃　said　Mrs。　Warden；　kissing　her。　　〃I　know　just　how　you
feel！　　You　want　to　help　my　boy！　　That's　your　secret！　　But　this　won't　do
it；　my　dear！〃

〃You've　no　idea　how　badly　Ross　feels！〃　said　Madeline。　　〃Mrs。　Delafield
dropped　in　just　now　and　told　us。　　You　ought　to　have　seen　him！〃

〃He　didn't　believe　it　of　course；〃　Adeline　put　in。　　〃And　he　wouldn't　say
a　thingnot　a　thing　to　blame　you。〃

〃We　said　we'd　come　over　right　offand　tried　to　bring　himbut　he　said
he'd　got　to　go　back　to　the　store；〃　Coraline　explained。

〃He　was　mad　though！〃　said　Dora〃_I_　know。〃

Diantha　looked　from　one　to　the　other　helplessly。

〃Come　in！　　Come　in！〃　said　Mrs。　Bell　hospitably。　　〃Have　this　rocker；　Mrs。
Wardenwouldn't　you　like　some　cool　drink？　　Diantha？〃

〃No　indeed！〃　Mrs。　Warden　protested。　　〃Don't　get　a　thing。　　We're　going
right　back；　it's　near　supper　time。　　No；　we　can't　think　of　staying；　of
course　not；　no　indeed！But　we　had　to　come　over　and　hear　about　this　dear
child's　idea！Now　tell　us　all　about　it；　Diantha！〃

There　they　satfive　pairs　of　curious　eyesand　her　mother's　sad
onesall　kindall　utterly　incapable　of　understanding。

She　moistened　her　lips　and　plunged　desperately。　　〃It　is　nothing
dreadful；　Mrs。　Warden。　　Plenty　of　girls　go　away　to　earn　their　livings
nowadays。　　That　is　all　I'm　doing。〃

〃But　why　go　away？〃

〃I　thought　you　were　earning　your　living　before！〃

〃Isn't　teaching　earning　your　living？〃

〃What　_are_　you　going　to　do？〃　the　girls　protested　variously；　and　Mrs。
Warden；　with　a　motherly　smile；　suggested

〃That　doesn't　explain　your　wanting　to　leave　Ross；　my　dearand　your
mother！〃

〃I　don't　want　to　leave　them；〃　protested　Diantha；　trying　to　keep　her
voice　steady。　　〃It　is　simply　that　I　have　made　up　my　mind　I　can　do　better
elsewhere。〃

〃Do　what　better？〃　asked　Mrs。　Warden　with　sweet　patience；　which　reduced
Diantha　to　the　bald　statement；　〃Earn　more　money　in　less　time。〃

〃And　is　that　better　than　staying　with　your　mother　and　your　lover？〃
pursued　the　gentle　inquisitor；　while　the　girls　tried；　〃What　do　you　want
to　earn　more　money　for？〃　and　〃I　thought　you　earned　a　lot　before。〃

Now　Diantha　did　not　wish　to　state　in　so　many　words　that　she　wanted　more
money　in　order　to　marry　soonershe　had　hardly　put　it　to　herself　that
way。　　She　could　not　make　them　see　in　a　few　moments　that　her　plan　was　to
do　far　more　for　her　mother　than　she　would　otherwise　ever　be　able　to。　
And　as　to　making　them　understand　the　larger　principles　at　stakethe
range　and　depth　of　her　full　purposethat　would　be　physically
impossible。

〃I　am　sorry！〃　she　said　with　trembling　lips。　　〃I　am　extremely　sorry。　
ButI　cannot　explain！〃

Mrs。　Warden　drew　herself　up　a　little。　　〃Cannot　explain　to　me？Your
mother；　of　course；　knows？〃

〃Diantha　is　naturally　more　frank　with　me　than　withanyone；〃　said　Mrs。
Bell　proudly；　〃But　she　does　not　wish　herbusinessplansmade　public
at　present！〃

Her　daughter　looked　at　her　with　vivid　gratitude；　but　the　words　〃made
public〃　were　a　little　unfortunate　perhaps。

〃Of　course；〃　Mrs。　Warden　agreed；　with　her　charming　smile；　〃that　we　can
quite　understand。　　I'm　sure　I　should　always　wish　my　girls　to　feel　so。　
Madelinejust　show　Mrs。　Bell　that　necktie　you're　makingshe　was　asking
about　the　stitch；　you　remember。〃

The　necktie　was　produced　and　admired；　while　the　other　girls　asked
Diantha　if　she　had　her　fall　dressmaking　done　yetand　whether　she　found
wash　ribbon　satisfactory。　　And　presently　the　whole　graceful　family
withdrew；　only　Dora　holding　her　head　with　visible　stiffness。

Diantha　sat　on　the　floor　by　her　mother；　put　her　head　in　her　lap　and
cried。　　〃How　splendid　of　you；　Mother！〃　she　sobbed。　　〃How　simply
splendid！　　I　will　tell　you　nowififyou　won't　tell　even
Fatheryet。〃

〃Dear　child〃　said　her　Mother；　〃I'd　rather　not　know　in　that　case。　　It
iseasier。〃

〃That's　what　I　kept　still　for！〃　said　the　girl。　　〃It's　hard　enough；
goodness　knowsas　it　is！　　Its　nothing　wicked；　or　even　risky；　Mother
dearand　as　far　as　I　can　see　it　is　right！〃

Her　mother　smiled　through　her　tears。　　〃If　you　say　that；　my　dear　child；　I
know　there's　no　stopping　you。　　And　I　hate　to　argue　with　youeven　for
your　own　sake；　because　it　is　so　much　to　my　advantage　to　have　you　here。　
Ishall　miss　youDiantha！〃

〃Don't；　Mother！〃　sobbed　the　girl。

〃Its　natural　for　the　young　to　go。　　We　expect　itin　time。　　But　you　are
so　young　yetandwell；　I　had　hoped　the　teaching　would　satisfy　you　till
Ross　was　ready。〃

Diantha　sat　up　straight。

〃Mother！　can't　you　see　Ross'll　never　be　ready！　　Look　at　that　family！　
And　the　way　they　live！　　And　those　mortgages！　　I　could　wait　and　teach　and
save　a　little　even　with　Father　always　losing　money；　but　I　can't　see　Ross
wearing　himself　out　for　years　and　yearsI　just　_can't_　bear　it！〃

Her　mother　stroked　her　fair　hair　softly；　not　surprised　that　her　own　plea
was　so　lost　in　thought　of　the　brave　young　lover。

〃And　besides；〃　the　girl　went　on　〃If　I　waitedand　savedand　married
Rosswhat　becomes　of　_you；_　I'd　like　to　know？　　What　I　can't　stand　is　to
have　you　grow　older　and　sickerand　never　have　any　good　time　in　all　your
life！〃

Mrs。　Bell　smiled　tenderly。　　〃You　dear　child！〃　she　said；　as　if　an
affectionate　five…year　old　had　offered　to　get　her　a　rainbow；　〃I　know　you
mean　it　all　for　the　best。　　But；　O　my　_dearest_！　　I'd　rather　have
youhereat　home　with　me…than　any　other　'good　time'　you　can
imagine！〃

She　could　not　see　the　suffering　in　her　daughter's　face；　but　she　felt　she
had　made　an　impression；　and　followed　it　up　with　heart…breaking
sincerity。　　She　caught　the　girl　to　her　breast　and　held　her　like　a　little
child。　　〃O　my　baby！　my　baby！　　Don't　leave　your　mother。　　I　can't　bear
it！〃

A　familiar　step　outside；　heavy；　yet　uncertain；　and　they　both　looked　at
each　other　with　frightened　eyes。

They　had　forgotten　the　biscuit。


〃Supper　ready？〃　asked　Mr。　Bell；　with　grim　humor。

〃It　will　be　in　a　moment；　Father；〃　cried　Diantha　springing　to　her　feet。　
〃At　leastin　a　few　moments。〃

〃Don't　fret　the　child；　Father；〃　said　Mrs。　Henderson　softly。　　〃She's
feeling　bad　enough。〃

〃Sh'd　think　she　would；〃　replied　her　husband。　　〃Moreoverto　my　mindshe
ought　to。〃

He　got　out　the　small　damp　local　paper　and　his　pipe；　and　composed　himself
in　obvious　patience：　yet　somehow　this　patience　seemed　to　fill　the
kitchen；　and　to　act　like　a　ball　and　chain　to　Diantha's　feet。

She　got　supper　ready；　at　last；　making　griddle…cakes　instead　of　biscuit；
and　no　comment　was　made　of　the　change：　but　the　tension　in　the　atmosphere
was　sharply　felt　by　the　two　women；　and　possibly　by　the　tall　old　man；　who
ate　less　than　usual；　and　said　absolutely　nothing。

〃I'm　going　over　to　see　Edwards　about　that　new　incubator；〃　he　said　when
the　meal　was　over；　and　departed；　and　Mrs。　Bell；　after　trying　in　vain　to
do　her　mending；　wiped　her　clouded　glasses　and　went　to　bed。

Diantha　made　all　neat　and　tidy；　washed　her　own　wet　eyes　again；　and　went
out　under　the　moon。　　In　that　broad　tender　mellow　light　she　drew　a　deep
breath　and　stretched　her　strong　young　arms　toward　the　sky　in　dumb
appeal。

〃I　knew　it　would　be　hard；〃　she　murmured　to　herself；　〃That　is　I　knew　the
factsbut　I　didn't　know　the　feeling！〃

She　stood　at　the　gate　between　the　cypresses；　sat　waiting　under　the
acacia　boughs；　walked　restlessly　up　and　down　the　path　outside；　the　dry
pepper　berries　crush　softly　under　foot；　bracing　herself　for　one　more
struggleand　the　hardest　of　all。

〃He　will　understand！〃　he　told　herself；　over　and　over；　but　at　the　bottom
of　her　heart　she　knew　he　wouldn't。

He　came　at　last；　a　slower；　wearier　step　than　usual；　came　and　took　both
her　hands　in　his　and　stood　holding　them；　looking　at　her　questioningly。　
Then　he　held　her　face　between　his　palms　and　made　her　look　at　him。　　Her
eyes　were　brave　and　steady；　but　the　mouth　trembled　in　spite　of　her。

He　stilled　it　with　a　kiss；　and　drew　her　to　a　seat　on　the　bench　beside
him。　　〃My　poor　Little　Girl！　　You　haven't　had　a　chance　yet　to　really　tell
me　about　this　thing；　and　I　want　you　to　right　now。　　Then　I'm　going　to
kill　about　forty　people　in　this　town！　　_Somebody_　has　been　mighty
foolish。〃

She　squeezed　his　hand；　but　found　it　very　difficult　to　speak。　　His　love；
his　sympathy；　his　tenderness；　were　so　delicious　after　this　day's
trialsand　before　those　further　ones　she　could　so　well　anticipate。　　She
didn't　wish　to　cry　any　more；　that　would　by　no　means　strengthen　her
position；　and　she　found　she　couldn't　seem　to　speak　without　crying。

〃One　would　think　to　hear　the　good　people　of　this　town　that　you　were
about　to　leave　home　and　mother　forwell；　for　a　trip　to　the　moon！〃　he
added。　　〃There　isn't　any　agreement　as　to　what　you're　going　to　do；　but
they're　unanimous　as　to　its　being　entirely　wrong。　　Now　suppose　you　tell
me　about　it。〃

〃I　will；〃　said　Diantha。　　〃I　began　to　the　other　night；　you　know；　you
first　of　courseit　was　too　bad！　your　having　to　go　off　at　that　exact
moment。　　Then　I　had　to　tell　motherbecausewell　you'll　see　presently。　
Now　dearjust　let　me　say　it　_all_before　youdo　anything。〃

〃Say　away；　my　darling。　　I　trust　you　perfectly。〃

She　flashed　a　grateful　look　at　him。　　〃It　is　this　way；　my　dear。　　I　have
two；　three；　yes　four；　things　to　consider：My　own　personal　problemmy
family'syoursand　a　social　one。〃

〃My　family's？〃　he　asked；　with　a　faint　shade　of　offence　in　his　tone。

〃No　no　dearyour　own；〃　she　explained。

〃Better　cut　mine　out；　Little　Girl；〃　he　said。　　〃I'll　consider　that
myself。〃

〃WellI　won't　talk　about　it　if　you　don't　want　me　to。　　There　are　the
other　three。〃

〃I　won't　question　your　second；　nor　your　imposing　third；　but　isn't　the
first　oneyour　own　personal　problema　good　deal　answered？〃　he
suggested；　holding　her　close　for　a　moment。

〃Don't！〃　she　said。　　〃I　can't　talk　straight　when　you　put　it　that　way。〃

She　r