ng 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.

"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."

"I doubt that," said Peter gravely. "If you are any lonesomer than I am
you must prove it."

"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."

"I see," said Peter rather breathlessly. "What have you there, Linda?
Why did you come?"

"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?"

"Yes," said Peter, "I read all of them. Interested in home stuff these
days myself."

"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."

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.

"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."

"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."

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 ex