CHAPTERI。
HANDICAPPED
OnemayusetheOldManoftheSea，Forapartnerorpatron，ButhelplessandhaplessisheWhoisridden，inextricably，Byafondoldmer—matron。
TheWardenhousewasmoreimpressiveinappearancethanitsneighbors。
Ithad"grounds，"insteadofayardorgarden;ithadwidepillaredporchesand"galleries，"showingsouthernantecedents;moreover，ithadacupola，givingdatetothebuilding，andproofofthecontinuingambitionsofthebuilders。
Thestatelymansionwascoveredwithheavyfloweringvines，alsowithheavymortgages。Mrs。RoscoeWardenandherfourdaughtersreposedpeacefullyunderthevines，whileRoscoeWarden，Jr。，struggleddesperatelyunderthemortgages。
Aslender，languidladywasMrs。Warden，wearingherthinbutstillbrownhairin"water—waves"overapalehighforehead。Shewassittingonacouchonthebroad，rose—shadedporch，surroundedbybillowingmassesofvari—coloredworsted。Itwasherdelighttopurchaseskeinonskeinofsoft，bright—huedwool，cutitallupintoshortlengths，tiethemtogetheragainincontrastingcolors，andthencrochetthishashedrainbowintoafghansofstartlingaspect。Californiadoesnotcallforafghanstoanygreatextent，but"theymakesuchacceptablepresents，"
Mrs。Wardendeclared，tothosewhoquestionedthepurposeofherwork;
andshecontinuedtosendthemoff，onChristmases，birthdays，andminorweddings，inastreamofpillowybundles。Astheywereaccepted，theymusthavebeenacceptable，andthestreamflowedon。
Aroundher，amongthegayblossomsandgayerwools，satherfourdaughters，variouslyintent。Themother，apoeticsoul，hadnamedthemmusicallyandwithdulcetrhymes：MadelineandAdelinewerethetwoeldest，CoralineandDoralinethetwoyoungest。Ithadnotoccurredtoheruntiltoolatethatthosemelodiousterminationsmadeitimpossibletocallonedaughterwithoutcallingtwo，andthat"Lina"calledthemall。
"Mis’Immerjin，"saidasoftvoiceinthedoorway，"derepos’tivelyain’tnobutterindehousefersupper。"
"Nobutter？"saidMrs。Warden，incredulously。"Why，Sukey，I’msurewehadatubsentuplast——lastTuesday！"
"AweekagoTuesday，morelikely，mother，"suggestedDora。
"Nonsense，Dora！Itwasthisweek，wasn’tit，girls？"Themotherappealedtothemquiteearnestly，asifthedateofthattub’sdeliverywouldfurnishforththesupper—table;butnoneoftheyoungladiessaveDorahadevenacontradictiontooffer。
"YouknowInevernoticethings，"saidtheartisticCora;and"thede—lines，"astheiryoungersisterscalledthem，saidnothing。
"Imightborrowsomeo’Mis’Bell？"suggestedSukey;"dat’snearer’n’
desto’。"
"Yes，do，Sukey，"hermistressagreed。"Itissohot。Butwhathaveyoudonewiththattubful？"
"Why，someItukbacktoMis’BellforwhatIborreredbefo’——I’malwaysmostcarefultomakereturnforwhatIborrers——andyo’know，Mis’
Warden，datwafflesandsweetpotatersandcohnbreaddeydotakebutter;tosaynothin’o’themlittlecakesyoualllikessowell——_an’_
defriedchicken，_an’_——"
"Nevermind，Sukey;yougoandpresentmycomplimentstoMrs。Bell，andaskherforsome;andbesureyoureturnitpromptly。Now，girls，don’tletmeforgettotellRosstosendupanothertub。"
"Wecan’tseemtorememberanybetterthanyoucan，mother，"saidAdeline，dreamily。"Thosedetailsaresoutterlyuninteresting。"
"IshouldthinkitwasSukey’sbusinesstotellhim，"saidMadelinewithdecision;whilethe"a—lines"keptsilencethistime。
"There！Sukey’sgone！"Mrs。Wardensuddenlyremarked，watchingthestoutfiguremovingheavilyawayunderthepeppertrees。"AndImeanttohaveaskedhertomakemeaglassofshrub！Dora，dear，yourunandgetitformother。"
Doralaiddownherwork，nottooregretfully，andstartedoff。
"Thatchildisthemostpracticalofanyofyou，"saidhermother;whichstatementwastacitlyaccepted。Itwasnotextravagantpraise。
Dorapokedaboutintherefrigeratorforabitofice。Shehonoideaofthehighcostoficeinthatregion——itcamefrom"thestore，"likealltheirprovisions。Itdidnotoccurtoherthatfishandmilkandmelonsmadeapoorcombinationinflavor;orthattheclammy，sub—offensivesmellwasnotthenaturalandnecessaryodorofrefrigerators。Neitherdidshethinkthatasunnycornerofthebackporchnearthechimney，thoughconvenient，wasanill—selectedspotforarefrigerator。Shecouldn’tfindtheice—pick，soputabigpieceoficeinatowelandbrokeitontheedgeofthesink;replacedthelargestfragment，usedwhatshewanted，andlefttheresttofilterslowlydownthroughamassofgreaseandtea—leaves;foundtheraspberryvinegar，andmadeaverysatisfactorybeveragewhichhermotherreceivedwithgratefulaffection。
"Thankyou，mydarling，"shesaid。"Iwishyou’dmadeapitcherful。"
"Whydidn’tyou，Do？"hersistersdemanded。
"You’retoolate，"saidDora，huntingforherneedleandthenforherthimble，andthenforhertwist;"butthere’smoreinthekitchen。"
"I’drathergowithoutthangointothekitchen，"saidAdeline;"Idodespiseakitchen。"Andthisseemedtobethegeneralsentiment;fornoonemoved。
"Mymotheralwayslikedraspberryshrub，"saidMrs。Warden;"andyourAuntLeicester，andyourRaymondcousins。"
Mrs。Wardenhadawidefamilycircle，manybelovedrelatives，"connections"ofwhomshewasdulyproudand"kin"insuchwideningramificationsthatevenhercarefullyreareddaughterslosttrackofthem。
"Youyoungpeopledon’tseemtocareaboutyourcousinsatall！"pursuedtheirmother，somewhatseverely，settingherglassontherailing，fromwhenceitwaspresentlyknockedoffandbroken。
"That’sthefifth！"remarkedDora，underbreath。
"Whyshouldwe，Ma？"inquiredCora。"We’veneverseenoneofthem——exceptMadamWeatherstone！"
"We’llneverforget_her！"_saidMadeline，withdelicatedecision，layingdownthesilknecktieshewasknittingforRoscoe。"What_beautiful_mannersshehad！"
"Howrichisshe，mother？Doyouknow？"askedDora。
"RichenoughtodosomethingforRoscoe，I’msure，ifshehadaproperfamilyspirit，"repliedMrs。Warden。"Hermotherwasowncousintomygrandmother——oneoftheVirginiaPaddingtons。Orshemightdosomethingforyougirls。"
"Iwishshewould！"Adelinemurmured，softly，herlargeeyesturnedtothehorizon，herhandsinherlapoverthehandkerchiefshewasmarkingforRoscoe。
"Don’tbeungrateful，Adeline，"saidhermother，firmly。"Youhaveagoodhomeandagoodbrother;nogirleverhadabetter。"
"Butthereisneveranythinggoingon，"brokeinCoraline，inatoneofcomplaint;"noparties，nogoingawayforvacations，noanything。"
"Now，Cora，don’tbediscontented！YoumustnotaddastrawtodearRoscoe’sburdens，"saidhermother。
"Ofcoursenot，mother;Iwouldn’tfortheworld。Ineversawherbutthatonce;andshewasn’tverycordial。But，asyousay，shemightdo_something。_Shemightinviteustovisither。"
"Ifsheevercomesbackagain，I’mgoingtoreciteforher，"said，Dora，firmly。
Hermothergazedfondlyonheryoungest。"Iwishyoucould，dear，"sheagreed。"I’msureyouhavetalent;andMadamWeatherstonewouldrecognizeit。AndAdeline’smusictoo。AndCora’sart。Iamveryproudofmygirls。"
Corasatwherethelightfellwelluponherwork。Shewasilluminatingavolumeofpoems，paintingflowersonthemargins，inappropriateplaces——forRoscoe。
"Iwonderifhe’llcareforit？"shesaid，layingdownherbrushandholdingthebookatarm’slengthtogettheeffect。
"Ofcoursehewill！"answeredhermother，warmly。"Itisnotonlythebeautyofit，buttheaffection！Howareyougettingon，Dora？"
Dorawaslaboringatataskalmostbeyondherfourteenyears，consistingofanegligeeshirtofoutingflannel，uponthebreastofwhichshewasembroideringalarge，intricatedesign——forRoscoe。Shewasanambitiouschild，butapttotireintheexecutionofherlargeprojects。
"Iguessit’llbedone，"shesaid，alittlewearily。"Whatareyougoingtogivehim，mother？"
"Anotherbath—robe;hisoldoneissoworn。Andnothingistoogoodformyboy。"
"He’scoming，"saidAdeline，whowasstilllookingdowntheroad;andtheyallconcealedtheirbirthdayworkinhaste。
Atall，straightyoungfellow，withanairofsuddenly—facedmaturityuponhim，openedthegateunderthepeppertreesandcametowardthem。
Hehadthefinelymoldedfeaturesweseeinportraitsofhandsomeancestors，seemingtocallforcurlinghairalittlelongish，andarichprofusionofruffledshirt。Buthishairwassternlyshort，hisshirtseverelyplain，hisproudlycarriedheadspokeofeffortratherthanofeaseinitsattitude。
Doraskippedtomeethim，Coradescendedadecoroussteportwo。
MadelineandAdeline，arminarm，methimatthepiazzaedge，hismotherliftedherface。
"Well，mother，dear！"Affectionatelyhestoopedandkissedher，andsheheldhishandandstrokeditlovingly。Thesistersgatheredaboutwithteasingaffection，Dorapokinginhiscoat—pocketforthestickcandyherfatheralwaysusedtobringher，andherbrotherstillremembered。
"Aren’tyouhomeearly，dear？"askedMrs。Warden。
"Yes;Ihadalittleheadache"——hepassedhishandoverhisforehead——"andJoecanrunthestoretillaftersupper，anyhow。"Theyflewtogethimcamphor，cologne，amenthol—pencil。Doradraggedforththewickerlounge。Hewaslaidoutcarefullyandfannedandfussedovertillhismotherdrovethemallaway。
"Now，justrest，"shesaid。"It’sanhourtosuppertimeyet！"Andshecoveredhimwithherlatestcompletedafghan，gatheringupandcarryingawaytheincompleteoneanditstumultuousconstituents。
Hewasgladofthequiet，thefresh，sweetair，thesmellofflowersinsteadofthesmellofmolassesandcheese，soapandsulphurmatches。
Buttheheadachedidnotstop，northeworrythatcausedit。Helovedhismother，helovedhissisters，helovedtheirhome，buthedidnotlovethegrocerybusinesswhichhadfallensounexpectedlyuponhimathisfather’sdeath，northeloadofdebtwhichfellwithit。
Thattheyneedneverhavehadsolargea"place"to"keepup"didnotoccurtohim。Hehadlivedtheremostofhislife，anditwashome。
Thattheexpensesofrunningthehouseholdwerethreetimeswhattheyneededtobe，hedidnotknow。Hisfatherhadnotquestionedtheirstyleofliving，nordidhe。Thatafamilyoffivewomenmight，betweenthem，dotheworkofthehouse，hedidnotevenconsider。
Mrs。Warden’shealthwasnevergood，andsinceherhusband’sdeathshehadmadedailyuseofmanyafghansonthemanyloungesofthehouse。
Madelinewas"delicate，"andAdelinewas"frail";Corawas"nervous，"
Dorawas"onlyachild。"SoblackSukeyandherhusbandJonahdidtheworkoftheplace，sofarasitwasdone;andMrs。Wardenhelditamiracleofmanagementthatshecould"dowithoneservant，"andtheheightofwomanlydevotiononherdaughters’partthattheydustedtheparlorandarrangedtheflowers。
Roscoeshuthiseyesandtriedtorest，buthisproblembesethimruthlessly。Therewasthestore——theironeandonlysourceofincome。
Therewasthehouse，asteady，largeexpense。Therewerefivewomentoclotheandkeepcontented，besidehimself。Therewastheunappeasabledemandofthemortgage——andtherewasDiantha。
WhenMr。Wardendied，somefouryearspreviously，Roscoewasaladofabouttwenty，justhomefromcollege，fullofdreamsofgreatservicetotheworldinscience，expectingtogobackforhisdoctor’sdegreenextyear。Insteadofwhichtheoldermanhadsuddenlydroppedbeneaththeburdenhehadcarriedwithsuchvisiblehappinessandpride，suchunknownanxietyandstrainingeffort;andtheyoungeronehadtostepintotheharnessonthespot。
Hewasbrave，capable，whollyloyaltohismotherandsisters，rearedinthetraditionsofolderdaysastoaman’sdutytowardwomen。Inhisfirstgriefforhisfather，andthereadypridewithwhichheundertooktofillhisplace，hehadnotintheleastestimatedtheweightofcarehewastocarry，northetimethathemustcarryit。Ayear，ayearortwo，afewyears，hetoldhimself，astheypassed，andhewouldmakemoremoney;thegirls，ofcourse，wouldmarry;hecould"retire"intimeandtakeuphisscientificworkagain。Then——therewasDiantha。
Whenhefoundhelovedthisyoungneighboroftheirs，andthatshelovedhim，thefirstflushofhappinessmadealllifelookeasier。Theyhadbeenengagedsixmonths——anditwasbeginningtodawnupontheyoungmanthatitmightbesixyears——orsixteenyears——beforehecouldmarry。
Hecouldnotsellthebusiness——andifhecould，heknewofnobetterwaytotakecareofhisfamily。Thegirlsdidnotmarry，andevenwhentheydid，hehadfiguredthisouttoadrearycertainty，hewouldstillnotbefree。Topaythemortgagesoff，andkeepupthehouse，evenwithouthissisters，wouldrequireallthemoneythestorewouldbringinforsomesixyearsahead。Theyoungmansethisteethhardandturnedhisheadsharplytowardtheroad。
AndtherewasDiantha。
Shestoodatthegateandsmiledathim。Hesprangtohisfeet，headachelessforthemoment，andjoinedher。Mrs。Warden，fromtheloungebyherbedroomwindow，sawthemmoveofftogether，andsighed。
"PoorRoscoe！"shesaidtoherself。"Itisveryhardforhim。Buthecarrieshisdifficultiesnobly。Heisasontobeproudof。"Andsheweptalittle。
Dianthaslippedherhandinhisofferedarm——heclaspeditwarmlywithhis，andtheywalkedalongtogether。
"Youwon’tcomeinandseemotherandthegirls？"
"No，thankyou;notthistime。Imustgethomeandgetsupper。
Besides，I’dratherseejustyou。"
Hefeltitapitythatthereweresomanyhousesalongtheroadhere，butsqueezedherhand，anyhow。
Shelookedathimkeenly。"Headache？"sheasked。
"Yes;it’snothing;it’sgonealready。"
"Worry？"sheasked。
"Yes，Isupposeitis，"heanswered。"ButIoughtnottoworry。I’vegotagoodhome，agoodmother，goodsisters，and——you！"Andhetookadvantageofahighhedgeandanemptylotoneithersideofthem。
Dianthareturnedhiskissaffectionatelyenough，butseemedpreoccupied，andwalkedinsilencetillheaskedherwhatshewasthinkingabout。
"Aboutyou，ofcourse，"sheanswered，brightly。"TherearethingsIwanttosay;andyet——Ioughtnotto。"
"Youcansayanythingonearthtome，"heanswered。
"Youaretwenty—four，"shebegan，musingly。
"Admittedatonce。"
"AndI’mtwenty—oneandahalf。"
"That’snosuchawfulrevelation，surely！"
"Andwe’vebeenengagedeversincemybirthday，"thegirlpursued。
"Allthesearefacts，dearest。"
"Now，Ross，willyoubeperfectlyfrankwithme？MayIaskyouan——animpertinentquestion？"
"Youmayaskmeanyquestionyoulike;itcouldn’tbeimpertinent。"
"You’llbescandalised，Iknow——but——well，heregoes。WhatwouldyouthinkifMadeline——oranyofthegirls——shouldgoawaytowork？"
Helookedatherlovingly，butwithalittlesmileonhisfirmmouth。
"Ishouldn’tallowit，"hesaid。
"O——allowit？Iaskedyouwhatyou’dthink。"
"Ishouldthinkitwasadisgracetothefamily，andadirectreproachtome，"beanswered。"Butit’snousetalkingaboutthat。Noneofthegirlshaveanysuchfoolishnotion。AndIwouldn’tpermititiftheyhad。"
Dianthasmiled。"Isupposeyouneverwouldpermityourwifetowork？"
"Mywidowmighthaveto——notmywife。"Heheldhisfineheadatriflehigher，andherhandachedforamoment。
"Wouldn’tyouletmework——tohelpyou，Ross？"
"Mydearestgirl，you’vegotsomethingfarharderthanthattodoforme，andthat’swait。"
Hisfacedarkenedagain，andhepassedhishandoverhisforehead。
"SometimesIfeelasifIoughtnottoholdyouatall！"heburstout，bitterly。"Yououghttobefreetomarryabetterman。"
"Therearen’tany！"saidDiantha，shakingherheadslowlyfromsidetoside。"Andiftherewere——millions——Iwouldn’tmarryanyof’em。I
love_you，"_shefirmlyconcluded。
"Thenwe’lljust_wait，"_saidhe，settinghisteethontheword，asifhewouldcrushit。"Itwon’tbehardwithyoutohelp。You’rebetterworthitthanRachaelandLeahtogether。"Theywalkedafewstepssilently。
"Buthowaboutscience？"sheaskedhim。
"Idon’tletmyselfthinkofit。I’lltakethatuplater。We’reyoungenough，bothofus，towaitforourhappiness。"
"Andhaveyouanyidea——wemightaswellfacetheworst——howmanyyearsdoyouthinkthatwillbe，dearest？"
Hewasalittleannoyedatherpersistence。Also，thoughhewouldnotadmitthethought，itdidnotseemquitethethingforhertoask。A
womanshouldnotseektoodefiniteaperiodofwaiting。Sheoughttotrust——tojustwaitongeneralprinciples。
"IcanfaceathingbetterifIknowjustwhatI’mfacing，"saidthegirl，quietly，"andI’dwaitforyou，ifIhadto，allmylife。Willitbetwentyyears，doyouthink？"
Helookedrelieved。"Why，no，indeed，darling。Itoughtn’ttobeattheoutsidemorethanfive。Orsix，"headded，honestthoughreluctant。
"Yousee，fatherhadnotimetosettleanything;therewereoutstandingaccounts，andthefuneralexpenses，andthemortgages。Butthebusinessisgood;andIcancarryit;Icanbuilditup。"Heshookhisbroadshouldersdeterminedly。"Ishouldthinkitmightbewithinfive，perhapsevenless。Goodthingshappensometimes——suchasyou，myheart’sdelight。"
Theywereathergatenow，andshestoodalittlewhiletosaygood—night。Astepinsidetherewasaseat，walledinbyevergreen，roofedoverbythewideacaciaboughs。Manyalonggood—nighthadtheyexchangedthere，underthelarge，brilliantCaliforniamoon。Theysatthere，silent，now。
Diantha’sheartwasfullofloveforhim，andprideandconfidenceinhim;butitwasfullofotherfeelings，too，whichhecouldnotfathom。
Histroublewasclearertoherthantohim;asheavytobear。Tohermind，trainedinalltheminutiaeofdomesticeconomy，theWardenfamilylivedincarelesswastefulness。Thatfivewomen——forDorawasolderthanshehadbeenwhenshebegantodohousework——shouldrequireservants，seemedtothisNewEngland—borngirlmerelazinessandpride。
Thattwovotingwomenovertwentyshouldpreferbeingsupportedbytheirbrothertosupportingthemselves，shecondemnedevenmoresharply。
Moreover，shefeltwellassuredthatwithadifferentfamilyto"support，"Mr。Wardenwouldneverhavebrokendownsosuddenlyandirrecoverably。Eventhatfuneral——herfacehardenedasshethoughtoftheconspicuous"lot，"thecontinualflowers，themonument（notwhollypaidforyet，thatmonument，thoughthisshedidnotknow）——allthatexpendituretodohonortothemantheyhadworkedtodeath（thusbrutallyDianthaputit）wasprobablyenoughtoputofftheirhappinessforawholeyear。
Sheroseatlast，herhandstillheldinhis。"I’msorry，butI’vegottogetsupper，dear，"shesaid，"andyoumustgo。Good—nightforthepresent;you’llberoundbyandby？"
"Yes，foralittlewhile，afterwecloseup，"saidhe，andtookhimselfoff，nottoosuddenly，walkingstraightandproudwhilehereveswereonhim，throwingherakissfromthecorner;buthissteplaggingandhisheadachesettlingdownuponhimagainashenearedthelargehousewiththecupola。
Dianthawatchedhimoutofsight，turnedandmarchedupthepathtoherowndoor，herlipssettight，herwell—shapedheadasstraightlyheldashis。"It’sashame，acruel，burningshame！"shetoldherselfrebelliously。"Amanofhisability。Why，hecoulddoanything，inhisownwork！Andheloveditso！
"Tokeepagrocerystore——
""Andnothingtoshowforallthatsplendideffort！
"Theydon’tdoathing？Theyjust_live_——and’keephouse！’Allthosewomen！
"Sixyears？Likelytobesixty！ButI’mnotgoingtowait！"
WHATDIANTHADID
CHAPTERII。
ANUNNATURALDAUGHTER
Thebroodingbirdfulfillshertask，Orshe—bearleanandbrown;
Allparentbeastsseedutytrue，Allparentbeaststheirdutydo，WearetheonlykindthatasksFordutyupsidedown。
Thestiff—rayedwindmillstoodlikeatallmechanicalflower，turningslowlyinthelightafternoonwind;itsfaintregularmetallicsqueakprickedthedrysilencewearingly。Rampantfuchsias，red—jewelled，heavy，ranupitsframework，withcrowdingheliotropeandnasturtiums。
Thickstragglingroseshungoverthekitchenwindows，andarowofdustyeucalyptustreesrustledtheirstiffleaves，andgaveanineffectualshadetothehouse。
Itwasoneofthosesmallframehousescommontothenortheasternstates，whichmustbedeartotheheartsoftheirdwellers。Fornootherreason，surely，wouldthecoldgreysteep—roofedlittleboxesberepeatedsofaithfullyinthebroadglowofasemi—tropicallandscape。
Therewasanattemptata"lawn，"thepetambitionofthetransplantedeasterner;andafurtherattemptat"flower—beds，"whichmerelyservedasasortofspringboardtotheirfar—reachingproducts。
Theparlor，behindtheclosedblinds，wasasNewEnglandparlorsare;
minusthehintofcosinessgivenbyevenafirelessstove;thelittlebedroomsbakedundertheroof;onlythekitchenspokeofhumanliving，andthelivingitportrayedwasnot，tosaytheleast，joyous。Itwasclean，cleanwithacleannessthatspokeofconscientiouslaborandunremittingcare。Thezincmatunderthebigcook—stovewasscouredtoadullglimmer，whilethatswartaltaritselfshonedarklyfromitsdailyrubbing。
Therewasnodustnorsmellofdust;nogreasespots，nolitteranywhere。Buttheplaceborenoatmosphereofcontentedpride，asdoesaDutch，GermanorFrenchkitchen，itspokeofLabor，EconomyandDuty——underrestriction。
InthedeadquietoftheafternoonDianthaandhermothersattheresewing。Thesunpoureddownthroughthedanglingeucalyptusleaves。
Thedryair，richwithflowerodors，flowedsoftlyin，pushingthewhitesashcurtainsasteadyinchortwo。Ee—errr！——Ee—errr！——camethefaintwhineofthewindmill。
Totheolderwomanrockinginhersmallsplintchairbytherose—drapedwindow，herthoughtsdwellingonlongdarkgreengrass，theshadeofelms，andcowsknee—deepinriver—shallows;thiswasCalifornia——hot，arid，tediousinendlesssunlight——aplaceofexile。
Totheyounger，thelongseamoftheturnedsheetpinnedtightlytoherknee，herneedleflyingfirmlyandsteadily，andherthoughtsfullofpouringmoonlightthroughacaciaboughsandRoss’smurmuredwords，itwasCalifornia——rich，warm，fullofsweetbloomandfruit，ofboundlessvitality，promise，andpower——home！
Mrs。Belldrewalongwearysigh，andlaiddownherworkforamoment。
"Whydon’tyoustopitMotherdear？There’ssurelynohurryaboutthesethings。"
"No——notparticularly，"hermotheranswered，"butthere’splentyelsetodo。"Andshewentonwiththelongneathemming。Dianthadidthe"overandoverseam"upthemiddle。
"What_do_youdoitforanyway，Mother——Ialwayshatedthisjob——andyoudon’tseemtolikeit。"
"Theywearalmosttwiceaslong，child，youknow。Themiddlegetswornandtheedgesdon’t。Nowthey’rereversed。Astolikingit——"Shegavealittlesmile，asmilethatwastootiredtobesarcastic，butwhichcertainlydidnotindicatepleasure。
"Whatkindofworkdoyoulikebest——really？"herdaughterinquiredsuddenly，afterasilentmomentortwo。
"Why——Idon’tknow，"saidhermother。"Ineverthoughtofit。Inevertriedanybutteaching。Ididn’tlikethat。NeitherdidyourAuntEsther，butshe’sstillteaching。"
"Didn’tyoulikeanyofit？"pursuedDiantha。
"Ilikedarithmeticbest。Ialwayslovedarithmetic，whenIwenttoschool——usedtostandhighestinthat。"
"Andwhatpartofhouseworkdoyoulikebest？"thegirlpersisted。
Mrs。Bellsmiledagain，wanly。"SeemstomesometimesasifIcouldn’ttellsometimeswhatpartIlikeleast！"sheanswered。Thenwithsuddenheat——"OmyChild！Don’tyoumarrytillRosscanaffordatleastonegirlforyou！"
Dianthaputhersmall，stronghandsbehindherheadandleanedbackinherchair。"We’llhavetowaitsometimeforthatIfancy，"shesaid。
"But，Mother，thereisonepartyoulike——keepingaccounts！Ineversawanythinglikethewayyoumanagethemoney，andIbelieveyou’vegoteverybillsinceyonweremarried。"
"Yes——Idoloveaccounts，"Mrs。Belladmitted。"AndIcankeeprunofthings。I’veoftenthoughtyourFather’dhavedonebetterifhe’dletmerunthatendofhisbusiness。"
Dianthagaveafiercelittlelaugh。Sheadmiredherfatherinsomeways，enjoyedhiminsomeways，lovedhimasachilddoesifnotill—treated;butshelovedhermotherwithasortofpassionatepitymixedwithpride;feelingalwaysnoblerpowerinherthanhadeverhadafairchancetogrow。Itseemedtoheraninterminabledulltragedy;
thisgraceful，eager，black—eyedwoman，spendingwhattothegirlwasliterallyalifetime，intheconscientiousperformanceofdutiesshedidnotlove。
Sheknewhermother’sideaofduty，knewtheclearhead，thesteadywill，theactiveintelligenceholdingherrelentlesslytothetask;thechafeandfretofseeingherhusbandconstantlyattemptingagainstherjudgment，andfailingforlackofthehelphescorned。Youngasshewas，sherealizedthatthenervousbreakdownoftheselateryearswaswhollyduetothatcommonmiseryof"thesquaremanintheroundhole。"
Shefoldedherfinishedsheetinaccuratelinesandlaiditaway——takinghermother’salso。"Nowyousitstillforonce，Motherdear，readorliedown。Don’tyoustirtillsupper’sready。"
Andfrompantrytotableshestepped，swiftlyandlightly，settingoutwhatwasneeded，greasedherpansandsetthembeforeher，andproceededtomakebiscuit。
Hermotherwatchedheradmiringly。"Howeasyyoudoit！"shesaid。"I
nevercouldmakebreadwithoutgettingflouralloverme。Youdon’tspillaspeck！"
Dianthasmiled。"Ioughttodoiteasilybythistime。Father’sgottohavehotbreadforsupper——orthinkshehas！——andI’vemade’em——everynightwhenIwasathomeforthistenyearsback！"
"Iguessyouhave，"saidMrs。Bellproudly。"Youwereonlyelevenwhenyoumadeyourfirstbatch。Icanrememberjustaswell！Ihadoneofmybadheadachesthatnight——anditdidseemasifIcouldn’tsitup！
ButyourFather’sgottohavehisbiscuitwhetherorno。Andyousaid，’NowMotheryoulierightstillonthatsofaandletmedoit！Ican！’
Andyoucould！——youdid！Theywerebettern’minethatfirsttime——andyourFatherpraised’em——andyou’vebeenatiteversince。"
"Yes，"saidDiantha，withadeepernoteoffeelingthanhermothercaught，"I’vebeenatiteversince！"
"Exceptwhenyouwereteachingschool，"pursuedhermother。
"ExceptwhenItaughtschoolatMedville，"Dianthacorrected。"WhenI
taughthereImade’emjustthesame。"
"Soyoudid，"agreedhermother。"Soyoudid！Nomatterhowtiredyouwere——youwouldn’tadmitit。Youalwayswerethebestchild！"
"IfIwastireditwasnotofmakingbiscuitsanyhow。Iwastiredenoughofteachingschoolthough。I’vegotsomethingtotellyou，presently，Mother。"
Shecoveredthebiscuitswithalightclothandsetthemontheshelfoverthestove;thenpokedamongthegreasewoodrootstofindwhatshewantedandstartedafire。"Why_don’t_yougetanoilstove？Oragasoline？Itwouldbealoteasier。"
"Yes，"hermotheragreed。"I’vewantedonefortwentyyears;butyouknowyourFatherwon’thaveoneinthehouse。Hesaysthey’redangerous。Whatareyougoingtotellme，dear？IdohopeyouandRosshaven’tquarrelled。"
"Noindeedwehaven’t，Mother。Rossissplendid。Only——"
"Onlywhat，Dinah？"
"Onlyhe’ssotiedup！"saidthegirl，brushingeverychipfromthehearth。"He’sperfectlyhelplessthere，withthatmotherofhis——andthosefoursisters。"
"Rossisagoodson，"saidMrs。Bell，"andagoodbrother。Ineversawabetter。He’scertainlydoinghisduty。Nowifhisfather’dlivedyoutwocouldhavegotmarriedbythistimemaybe，thoughyou’retooyoungyet。"
Dianthawashedandputawaythedishesshehadused，sawthatthepantrywasinitsusualdelicateorder，andproceededtosetthetable，withlightstepsandnoclatterofdishes。
"I’mtwenty—one，"shesaid。
"Yes，you’retwenty—one，"hermotherallowed。"Itdon’tseempossible，butyouare。Myfirstbaby！"shelookedatherproudly"IfRosshastowaitforallthosegirlstomarry——andtopayhisfather’sdebts——I’llbeoldenough，"saidDianthagrimly。
Hermotherwatchedherquickassuredmovementswithadmiration，andlistenedwithkeensympathy。"Iknowit’shard，dearchild。You’veonlybeenengagedsixmonths——anditlooksasifitmightbesomeyearsbeforeRoss’llbeabletomarry。He’sgotanawfulloadforaboytocarryalone。"
"Ishouldsayhehad！"Dianthaburstforth。"Fivehelplesswomen！——orthreewomen，andtwogirls。ThoughCora’sasoldasIwaswhenIbegantoteach。Andnotoneof’emwillliftafingertoearnherownliving。"
"Theyweren’tbroughtupthatway，"saidMrs。Bell。"Theirmotherdon’tapproveofit。Shethinksthehomeistheplaceforawoman——andsodoesRoss——andsodoI，"sheaddedratherfaintly。
Dianthaputherpanofwhitepuff—ballsintotheoven，slicedaquantityofsmokedbeefinthinshavings，andmadewhitesauceforit，talkingthewhileasiftheseactswereautomatic。"Idon’tagreewithMrs。
Wardenonthatpoint，norwithRoss，norwithyou，Mother，"shesaid，"WhatI’vegottotellyouisthis——I’mgoingawayfromhome。Towork。"
Mrs。Bellstoppedrocking，stoppedfanning，andregardedherdaughterwithwidefrightenedeyes。
"WhyDiantha！"shesaid。"WhyDiantha！Youwouldn’tgoandleaveyourMother！"
Dianthadrewadeepbreathandstoodforamomentlookingatthefeeblelittlewomaninthechair。Thenshewenttoher，kneltdownandhuggedherclose——close。
"It’snotbecauseIdon’tloveyou，Mother。It’sbecauseIdo。Andit’snotbecauseIdon’tloveRosseither：——it’sbecauseI_do。_Iwanttotakecareofyou，Mother，andmakelifeeasierforyouaslongasyoulive。Iwanttohelphim——tohelpcarrythatawfulload——andI’mgoing——to——do——it！"
Shestooduphastily，forastepsoundedonthebackporch。Itwasonlyhersister，whohurriedin，putadishonthetable，kissedhermotherandtookanotherrocking—chair。
"Ijustranin，"saidshe，"tobringthoseberries。Aren’ttheybeauties？Thebaby’sasleep。Geraldhasn’tgotinyet。Supper’sallready，andIcanseehimcomingtimeenoughtorunback。Why，Mother！
What’sthematter？You’recrying！"
"AmI？"askedMrs。Bellweakly;wipinghereyesinadazedway。
"WhatareyoudoingtoMother，Diantha？"demandedyoungMrs。Peters。
"Blessme！Ithoughtyouandsheneverhadanydifferences！Iwasalwaystheblacksheep，whenIwasathome。Maybethat’swhyIleftsoearly！"
Shelookedveryprettyandcomplacent，thisyoungmatronandmotherofnineteen;andpattedtheolderwoman’shandaffectionately，demanding，"Come——what’sthetrouble？"
"Youmightaswellknownowaslater，"saidhersister。"Ihavedecidedtoleavehome，that’sall。"
"Toleavehome！"Mrs。Peterssatupstraightandstaredather。"Toleavehome！——AndMother！"
"Well？"saidDiantha，whilethetearsroseandranoverfromhermother’seyes。"Well，whynot？Youlefthome——andMother——beforeyouwereeighteen。"
"That’sdifferent！"saidhersistersharply。"Ilefttobemarried，——tohaveahomeofmyown。AndbesidesIhaven’tgonefar！IcanseeMothereveryday。"
"That’sonereasonIcangonowbetterthanlateron，"Dianthasaid。
"Youareclosebyincaseofanytrouble。"
"Whatonearthareyougoingfor？Rossisn’treadytomarryyet，ishe？"
"No——norlikelytobeforyears。That’sanotherreasonI’mgoing。"
"Butwhat_for，_forgoodnesssake。"
"Toearnmoney——foronething。"
"Can’tyouearnmoneyenoughbyteaching？"theMotherbrokeineagerly。
"Iknowyouhaven’tgotthesameplacethisfall——butyoucangetanothereasyenough。"
Dianthashookherhead。"No，Mother，I’vehadenoughofthat。I’vetaughtforfouryears。Idon’tlikeit，Idon’tdowell，anditexhaustsmehorribly。AndIshouldnevergetbeyondathousandorfifteenhundreddollarsayearifItaughtforalifetime。"
"Well，Ideclare！"saidhersister。"Whatdoyou_expect_toget？I
shouldthinkfifteenhundreddollarsayearwasenoughforanywoman！"
Dianthapeeredintotheovenandturnedherbiscuitpanaround。
"Andyou’remeaningtoleavehomejusttomakemoney，areyou？"
"Whynot？"saidDianthafirmly。"Hendersondid——whenhewaseighteen。
Noneofyoublamedhim。"
"Idon’tseewhatthat’sgottodowithit，"hermotherventured。
"Henderson’saboy，andboyshavetogo，ofcourse。Amotherexpectsthat。Butagirl——Why，Diantha！HowcanIgetalongwithoutyou！Withmyhealth！"
"Ishouldthinkyou’dbeashamedofyourselftothinkofsuchathing！"
saidyoungMrs。Peters。
Aslowstepsoundedoutside，andanelderlyman，tall，slouching，carelesslydressed，entered，stumblingalittleovertherag—matatthedoor。
"Fatherhasn’tgotusedtothatruginfourteenyears！"saidhisyoungestdaughterlaughingly。"AndMotherwillstraightenitoutafterhim！I’mbringingGeralduponbetterprinciples。Youshouldjustseehimwaitonme！"
"Amanshouldbemasterinhisownhousehold，"Mr。Bellproclaimed，raisingadrippingfacefromthebasinandlookingaroundforthetowel——whichhiswifehandedhim。
"Youwon’thavemuchhouseholdtobemasterofpresently，"saidMrs。
Petersprovokingly。"Halfofit’sgoingtoleave。"
Mr。Bellcameoutofhistowelandlookedfromonetotheotherforsomeexplanationofthisattemptedjoke，"Whatnonsenseareyoutalking？"hedemanded。
"Ithinkit’snonsensemyself，"saidtheprettyyoungwoman——herhandonthedoorknob。"Butyou’dbetterenjoythosebiscuitsofDi’swhileyoucan——youwon’tgetmanymore！There’sGerald——goodnight！"Andoffsheran。
Dianthasettheplatefulonthetable，puffy，brown，andcrisplycrusted。"Supper’sready，"shesaid。"Dositdown，Mother，"andsheheldthechairforher。"Minnie’squiteright，Father，thoughImeantnottotellyoutillyou’dhadsupper。Iamgoingawaytowork。"
Mr。Bellregardedhisdaughterwithastern，slowstare;notsomuchsurprisedasannoyedbyanuntimelyjesting。Heateahotbiscuitintwoun—Fletcherizedmouthfuls，andputmoresugarinhislargecupoftea。"You’vegotyourMotherallworkedupwithyournonsense，"saidhe。"Whatareyoutalkingaboutanyway？"
Dianthamethiseyesunflinchingly。Hewasatalloldman，stillhandsomeandimpressiveinappearance，hadbeentheheadofhisownhouseholdbeyondquestion，eversincehewaslefttheonlysonofanidolizingmother。Buthehadneversucceededinbeingtheheadofanythingelse。RepeatedfailuresintheoldNewEnglandhomehadresultedinhisruthlesslysellingallthepropertythere;andbringinghisdelicatewifeandthreeyoungchildrentoCalifornia。Vainwereherprotestsandobjections。Itwoulddohergood——bestplaceintheworldforchildren——goodfornervouscomplaintstoo。Awife’sdutywastofollowherhusband，ofcourse。Shehadfollowed，willynilly;anditwasgoodforthechildren——therewasnodoubtofthat。
Mr。Bellhadprofitedlittlebyhisventure。Theyhadtheranch，theflowersandfruitandamplelivingofthatrichsoil;buthehadfailedinoranges，failedinraisins，failedinprunes，andwasnowfailinginwealth—promisinghens。
ButMrs。Bell，thoughanineffectualhousekeeper，didnotfailinthechildren。Theyhadgrownupbigandvigorous，sturdy，handsomecreatures，especiallythetwoyoungerones。Dianthawasgood—lookingenough。RoscoeWardenthoughtherdivinelybeautiful。Butheryoungstrengthhadbeenheavilytaxedfromchildhoodinthatcomplexprocessknownas"helpingmother。"Asalittlechildshehadbeenofconstantserviceincaringforthebabies;andearlydevelopedsuchcompetenceinthevariousartsofhouseworkasfilledhermotherwithfondpride，andevenwrungfromherfathersomegrudgingrecognition。Thathedidnotvalueitmorewasbecauseheexpectedsuchcompetenceinwomen，allwomen;itwastheirnaturalfieldofability，theirdutyaswivesandmothers。Alsoasdaughters。Iftheyfailedinitthatwasbyillnessorperversity。Iftheysucceeded——thatwasamatterofcourse。
HeateanotherofDiantha’sexcellentbiscuits，hisgreyish—redwhiskersslowlywagging;andcontinuedtoeyeherdisapprovingly。Shesaidnothing，buttriedtoeat;andtriedstillhardertomakeherheartgoquietly，hercheekskeepcool，andhereyesdry。Mrs。Bellalsostrovetokeepacheerfulcountenance;urgedfooduponherfamily;eventriedtoopensometopicofconversation;buthergentlewordstrailedoffintounnoticedsilence。
Mr。Bellateuntilhewassatisfiedandbetookhimselftoacomfortablechairbythelamp，whereheunfoldedthesmartlocalpaperandlithispipe。"Whenyou’vegotthroughwiththedishes，Diantha，"hesaidcoldly，"I’llhearaboutthispropositionofyours。"
Dianthaclearedthetable，loweredtheleaves，setitbackagainstthewall，spreadingtheturkey—redclothuponit。Shewashedthedishes，——herkettlelongsinceboiling，scaldedthem，wipedthem，setthemintheirplaces;washedoutthetowels，wipedthepanandhungitup，swiftly，accurately，andwithaquietnessthatwouldhaveseemedincredibletoanymistressofheavy—footedservants。Thenwithheightenedcolorandfirm—setmouth，shetookherplacebythelamplittableandsatstill。
Hermotherwaspatientlydarninglargesockswithmanyholes——akindofworkshespeciallydisliked。"You’llhavetogetsomenewsocks，Father，"sheventured，"theseareprettywellgone。"
"Othey’lldoagoodwhileyet，"hereplied，notlookingatthem。"I
likeyourembroidery，mydear。"
Thatpleasedher。Shedidnotliketoembroider，butshedidliketobepraised。
Dianthatooksomesocksandsettowork，red—checkedandexcited，butsilentyet。Hermother’sneedletrembledirregularlyunderandover，andatearortwosliddownhercheeks。
FinallyMr。Belllaiddownhisfinishedpaperandhisemptiedpipeandsaid，"Nowthen。Outwithit。"
Thiswasnotafelicitiousopening。Itisreallyastonishinghowlittlediplomacyparentsexhibit，howdifficulttheymakeitfortheyoungtointroduceaproposition。Therewasnothingforitbutabaldstatement，soDianthamadeitbaldly。
"Ihavedecidedtoleavehomeandgotowork，"shesaid。
"Don’tyouhaveworkenoughtodoathome？"heinquired，withthesameairofquizzicalsuperioritywhichhadalwaysannoyedhersointensely，evenasalittlechild。
Shewouldcutshortthisformofdiscussion："Iamgoingawaytoearnmyliving。Ihavegivenupschool—teaching——Idon’tlikeit，and，thereisn’tmoneyenoughinit。Ihaveplans——whichwillspeakforthemselveslater。"
"So，"saidMr。Bell，"Plansallmade，eh？Isupposeyou’veconsideredyourMotherintheseplans？"
"Ihave，"saidhisdaughter。"ItislargelyonheraccountthatI’mgoing。"
"Youthinkit’llbegoodforyourMother’shealthtoloseyourassistance，doyou？"
"Iknowshe’llmissme;butIhaven’tlefttheworkonhershoulders。I
amgoingtopayforagirl——todotheworkI’vedone。Itwon’tcostyouanymore，Father;andyou’llsavesome——forshe’lldothewashingtoo。
Youdidn’tobjecttoHenderson’sgoing——ateighteen。Youdidn’tobjecttoMinnie’sgoing——atseventeen。Whyshouldyouobjecttomygoing——attwenty—one。"
"Ihaven’tobjected——sofar，"repliedherfather。"Haveyourplansalsoallowedfortheaffectionanddutyyouoweyourparents？"
"Ihavedonemyduty——aswellasIknowhow，"sheanswered。"NowIamtwenty—one，andself—supporting——andhavearighttogo。"
"Oyes。Youhavearight——alegalright——ifthat’swhatyoubaseyourideaofachild’sdutyon！Andwhileyou’retalkingofrights——howaboutaparent’srights？Howaboutcommongratitude！Howaboutwhatyouowetome——forallthecareandpainsandcostit’sbeentobringyouup。Achild’saratherexpensiveinvestmentthesedays。"
Dianthaflushed。shehadexpectedthis，andyetitstruckherlikeablow。Itwasnotthefirsttimeshehadheardit——thisclaimoffilialobligation。
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