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。
