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diff --git a/25847-h/25847-h.htm b/25847-h/25847-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..045d727 --- /dev/null +++ b/25847-h/25847-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9774 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" +"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> +<title> +The Project Gutenberg eBook of Patty's Friends, by Carolyn Wells. +</title> + +<style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em} + .figcenter {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center;} + div.ce p {text-align: center; margin: auto 0;} + .caption {font-size:.8em} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + .blockquot {margin-left:5%; margin-right:5%;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; color: silver; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + hr.major {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + hr.silver {width: 100%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver;} + h2 {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.6em} +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ +</style> + +</head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Patty's Friends, by Carolyn Wells + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Patty's Friends + +Author: Carolyn Wells + +Release Date: June 20, 2008 [EBook #25847] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S FRIENDS *** + + + + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>PATTY’S FRIENDS</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<table summary="" style='border:1px solid black; padding:0.5em'> +<tr><td align='center' style='font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:1em;'>BY THE SAME AUTHOR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left' style='font-size:0.8em'> +PATTY FAIRFIELD<br /> +PATTY AT HOME<br /> +PATTY IN THE CITY<br /> +PATTY’S SUMMER DAYS<br /> +PATTY IN PARIS<br /> +PATTY’S FRIENDS +</td></tr> +</table> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<a name='linki_1' id='linki_1'></a> +<img src='images/illus-fpc.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='text-align:center;'> +“Patty was a comfort-loving creature” (p. 33) +<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.8em; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em;'>Patty’s Friends</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em;'>BY</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1em;'>CAROLYN WELLS</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>Author of “Patty Fairfield,” “Patty</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:1em;'>in Paris,” etc.</p> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus-emb.png' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='text-align:center;'> + +<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-top:1em;'>NEW YORK</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-bottom:1em;'>1908</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce' style=' font-size:0.8em;'> +<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Copyright</span>, 1908</p> +<p style=' margin-bottom:1em;'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>By Dodd, Mead and Company</span></p> +<p>Published, September, 1908</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>CONTENTS</p> +</div> + +<table border='0' width='400' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin:1em auto;'> +<tr> + <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small;'>CHAPTER</span></td> + <td></td> + <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small;'>PAGE</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>I </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>An Afternoon Tea </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#I_AN_AFTERNOON_TEA'>9</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>II </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Riddles and Games </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#II_RIDDLES_AND_GAMES'>23</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>III </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>The White Lady </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#III_THE_WHITE_LADY'>36</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>IV </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>A Floral Offering </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IV_A_FLORAL_OFFERING'>51</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>V </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Miss Yankee Doodle </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#V_MISS_YANKEE_DOODLE'>65</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VI </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Herenden Hall </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VI_HERENDEN_HALL'>79</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>For One Night Only </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VII_FOR_ONE_NIGHT_ONLY'>93</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VIII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>The Earl of Ruthven </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VIII_THE_EARL_OF_RUTHVEN'>107</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>IX </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>An Important Document </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IX_AN_IMPORTANT_DOCUMENT'>121</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>X </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>A Momentous Interview </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#X_A_MOMENTOUS_INTERVIEW'>134</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XI </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>The Birthday Party </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XI_THE_BIRTHDAY_PARTY'>149</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Summer Plans </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XII_SUMMER_PLANS'>162</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Cromarty Manor </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIII_CROMARTY_MANOR'>175</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIV </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Uncle Marmaduke </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIV_UNCLE_MARMADUKE'>190</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XV </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Puzzling Rhymes </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XV_PUZZLING_RHYMES'>204</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVI </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>The Croquet Party </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVI_THE_CROQUET_PARTY'>218</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>The Griffin and the Rose </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVII_THE_GRIFFIN_AND_THE_ROSE'>231</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVIII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>The Old Chimney-Piece </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVIII_THE_OLD_CHIMNEYPIECE'>245</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIX </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>The Discovery </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIX_THE_DISCOVERY'>258</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XX </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Good-Byes </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XX_GOODBYES'>272</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>ILLUSTRATIONS</p> +</div> + +<table border='0' width='500' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Illustrations' style='margin:1em auto'> +<col style='width:80%;' /> +<col style='width:20%;' /> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“Patty was a comfort-loving creature”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_1'>Frontispiece</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“Marie pinned it and sewed it”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_2'>95</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“‘How <i>much</i> pleasanter this is than squabbling’”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_3'>146</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='left'>“Often she would spend a morning lying in a hammock<br />beneath the old trees”</td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#linki_4'>177</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span></div> +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.8em;'>Patty’s Friends</p> +</div> + +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='I_AN_AFTERNOON_TEA' id='I_AN_AFTERNOON_TEA'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h3>AN AFTERNOON TEA</h3> +</div> + +<p>“I wish I had a twin sister,” said Patty; +“no, that wouldn’t do, either. I wish I +were twins, and could be both of them +myself.” +</p> +<p>“What a sensible wish!” commented Nan. +“But why do you want to double yourself up +in that way?” +</p> +<p>“So I could go to two places at once. Here +I have two lovely invitations for this afternoon, +and I don’t know which I want to accept most. +One is a musicale at Mrs. Hastings’, and the +other is a picture exhibition at the New Gallery.” +</p> +<p>“They sound delightful. Can’t you manage +to go to both?” +</p> +<p>“No, they’re too far apart; and they’re both +at four o’clock, anyway. I think I’ll choose the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span> +musicale, for I’ll surely get another chance to see +the pictures.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, of course you will,” agreed Nan, a +little absently, for she was reading some newly +arrived letters. +</p> +<p>The Fairfields were in London, and were +comfortably established in the Savoy Hotel. It +was April, and though they intended to travel +later in the summer, their plans were as yet +indefinite, and they were enjoying the many and +varied delights of the London season. +</p> +<p>To be sure, Nan and Mr. Fairfield were invited +to many dinners and elaborate entertainments +which Patty was too young to attend, but +her time was pleasantly filled with afternoon +garden parties or teas, while mornings were often +devoted to sight-seeing. +</p> +<p>Patty was almost eighteen, and though not +allowed quite the untrammelled freedom she +would have had in America, she was not kept +so utterly secluded as English girls of her age. +Sometimes she would go all alone to Westminster +Abbey or to the National Gallery, and enjoy +hugely a solitary hour or two. At other times, +Nan or her father, or some girl friend, would +go with her. +</p> +<p>The Fairfields had begun their stay in +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span> +London with only a few friends, but these +had introduced others, until now their circle +of acquaintances was large, and the immediate +result of this was a sheaf of invitations +in every mail. For, during the season, Londoners +are hospitable folk, and give entertainments +morning, noon, and night. At first, the Fairfields +had thought they would take a house, and so +have a home of their own. But Mr. Fairfield +concluded that if Nan had the duties of a housekeeper, +her trip would not be a holiday, so he +declared they would live at a large hotel, and +thus have a chance to observe the gay life of +London. +</p> +<p>And so cosy and comfortable were their +apartments at the Savoy, that they soon began +to feel quite at home there. And Patty, as we +all know, was one who could adapt herself to +any mode of living. +</p> +<p>Of a naturally happy and contented disposition, +she accepted everything as it came, and enjoyed +everything with the enthusiasm so often +seen in American girls. +</p> +<p>It greatly amused her to note the differences +between herself and the English girls. +</p> +<p>To her mind, they seemed to have no enthusiasm, +no enterprise, and little capacity for enjoyment, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span> +while Patty enjoyed every experience +that came to her, whether a visit to Windsor +Castle, a day at Stratford, or a simple afternoon +tea in their own rooms. +</p> +<p>“I seem to have been set back two or three +years,” she said to Nan, one day. “In New +York I was almost a full-fledged young lady, but +over here, I’m treated as a little girl.” +</p> +<p>“It doesn’t matter,” said Nan, sensibly. +“You are what you are, and if the different +countries choose to treat you differently, it +doesn’t matter, does it?” +</p> +<p>“Not a bit. I’m Patty Fairfield, and I’m almost +eighteen, whether I’m in California or the +Fiji Islands. But it does amuse me, the way the +Londoners think we live at home. They really +believe American ladies go to market in the +morning, loaded down with diamonds. You +don’t often see that in New York, do you, +Nan?” +</p> +<p>“No, I don’t think I ever saw a New York +matron wearing elaborate jewelry to market. +But then I never go to market myself, and I +don’t know many people who do. I think that +bediamonded marketer story is an old tradition, +which is really pretty well worn out.” +</p> +<p>“And the London ladies needn’t talk, anyway. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span> +If we did wear jewels to market, it +wouldn’t be a bit more absurd than the way they +dress to go shopping in the morning. Long, +trailing, frilly gowns of pink and blue chiffon, +with swishing lace-ruffled petticoats, that just +drag through the dirt of the streets.” +</p> +<p>“Now aren’t you criticising them as unfairly +as they describe us?” +</p> +<p>“No, for what I say is true. I’ve seen them +fluttering about. And, anyway, I don’t mean +to be mean. I like them lots. I just love the +London ladies, they’re so kind to me, and invite +me to such lovely things. Of course I don’t +care if they choose to wear garden-party clothes +along Bond Street. We all have some ridiculous +ways.” +</p> +<p>Pretty Patty was fond of pretty clothes, and +the shops of Bond Street held great attractions +for her, though she herself wore a real tailor-made +costume when shopping. At first, Nan +had exercised a supervision over her purchases, +but Patty had shown such good taste, and such +quick and unerring judgment as to fabrics and +colors, that it had come about that Patty more +often advised Nan in her choosing, than the +other way. +</p> +<p>And so, many a pleasant morning was spent +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span> +in the beautiful London shops, buying things +they wanted, looking at things they did not +want, or noting with interest the ways and +means peculiar to English shopkeepers. +</p> +<p>Thus the days went happily by, and they had +already been more than a fortnight in London, +while as yet their plans for future travel +were unmade. Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield wanted +to go to Germany, Switzerland, and other countries, +but Patty didn’t care so much for that as +for English country, or small nearby towns. +So the matter was left unsettled, though short +and desultory discussions were held now and +then. +</p> +<p>But oftener their minds were taken up with +the doings of the moment, and they complacently +left the future to itself. +</p> +<p>“Well, then I think I’ll go to the musicale,” +said Patty. “What would you wear?” +</p> +<p>“That new light blue chiffon of yours, with +the lace bolero, is just the thing.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, and my new broad-leafed chip hat, with +the roses piled all over it.” +</p> +<p>Patty ran away to her own room, and after a +time returned in the pretty summer costume. +</p> +<p>“How do I look?” she asked, smilingly, of +Nan. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span></p> +<p>Nan smiled back at the lovely vision, for +Patty’s vanity was of a mild and innocent sort, +and was rather a childish delight in dainty colors +and fabrics, than any conceit over her own +beauty. +</p> +<p>For beautiful Patty certainly was, in a sweet, +wholesome, girlish way, and not the least of her +charms was her naturalness of manner and her +entire lack of self-consciousness. +</p> +<p>She looked especially winning in the light, +filmy dress, and the big hat, weighed down with +roses. +</p> +<p>“You look all right, Patty,” answered Nan. +“That’s a duck of a frock, and suits you perfectly. +Are you going alone?” +</p> +<p>“Yes; father says I may go alone in our own +carriage to any afternoon thing. The Hartleys +will bring me home, so sha‘n’t I send the carriage +back for you?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I wish you would. I’m going to a tea +or two, and then we’re dining out. You’re to +dine with the Hartleys, aren’t you?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, if it is dinner. It’s more likely to +be schoolroom tea. Mabel Hartley is sixteen, +but I doubt if she’s allowed at dinner +yet.” +</p> +<p>“Nonsense, of course she is. Well, then, if +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span> +they’re sending you home, Louise needn’t go +after you?” +</p> +<p>“No; they’ll send somebody. Good-bye, +Nan.” +</p> +<p>“Good-bye, Patty. Have a lovely time.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes; I always do.” +</p> +<p>Away went Patty and her frills, and when she +reached Chesterton Mansions, she was soon +established under the wing of her hostess, Mrs. +Hastings. +</p> +<p>That lady was very glad to have the pretty +American girl as her guest, and she introduced +Patty to so many people that it was almost +bewildering. But after a time, the music began, +and Patty was glad to sit still and listen. +</p> +<p>It was very fine music, for that is the sort that +Londoners usually offer at their teas, and Patty +thoroughly enjoyed the singing and the violin-playing. +She was a little afraid that Mrs. Hastings +would ask her to sing, but as it was a +programme of professionals this did not happen. +</p> +<p>When the Hartleys came, Mabel at once made +her way to Patty’s side and sat down by her. +</p> +<p>“I’m so glad to see you again,” she said, “and +it’s so lovely that you’re going home with us.” +</p> +<p>“I’m glad, too,” returned Patty, “it was lovely +of you to ask me.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span></p> +<p>Mabel Hartley was an English girl, and was +about as different from Patty as could well be +imagined, and perhaps for this reason the two +were very good friends. Although they had +met only a few times, they liked each other from +the beginning, and both were ready to continue +the friendship. +</p> +<p>Mabel was large and stout, with the solidity +which characterises the British young girls. She +was large-boned and not very graceful, but she +carried herself with a patrician air that told of +past generations of good-breeding. Her complexion +was of that pure pink and white seen +only on English faces, but her pale, sandy hair +and light blue eyes failed to add the deeper +color that was needed. Her frock was an uninteresting +shade of tan, and did not hang evenly, +while her hat was one of those tubby affairs +little short of ridiculous. +</p> +<p>Patty fairly ached to re-clothe her, in some +pretty clear color, and a becoming hat. +</p> +<p>The girls were politely silent while the music +was going on, but in the intervals between the +numbers they chattered glibly. +</p> +<p>“That’s Grace Meredith and her brother Tom +just coming in,” said Mabel. “I hope they’ll +come over here; you’ll like them, I know.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span></p> +<p>The Merediths did come over, and were +promptly introduced to Patty. +</p> +<p>“Do you know,” said Tom Meredith, as he +shook hands in cordial, boyish fashion, “you’re +the first American girl I’ve ever met.” +</p> +<p>“Am I, really?” laughed Patty. “Now don’t +ask me if we always wear our diamonds to +market, for truly the American women who go +to market rarely have any diamonds.” +</p> +<p>“I never believed that diamond story, anyway,” +responded Tom, gravely, “but I’m glad +to have you tell me it isn’t true. I’m perfectly +unprejudiced about America, though. I’m ready +to believe it’s the best country in the world, outside +of our own little island.” +</p> +<p>“Good for you!” cried Patty. “Then I’m +ready to acknowledge that I like England next +best to America.” +</p> +<p>“Have you been here long?” asked Grace. +</p> +<p>“No, only about two weeks, but I love London +better every day, and I know I shall love the +English country. Just the glimpse I caught coming +in the train from Dover was delightful.” +</p> +<p>“You should see the Hartleys’ country place,” +declared Tom, with enthusiasm. “It’s a ripping +old house, two hundred years old, and all +that. And such parks and orchards! Well!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span></p> +<p>“I hope you will come to see it, Patty,” said +Mabel, a little wistfully, and Patty wondered +why the girl’s tone had in it a note of sadness. +</p> +<p>But just then, as the music was over, Mrs. +Hastings asked them to go to the tea-room, and +the group of young people followed in her +wake. +</p> +<p>“You girls sit here,” said Tom, selecting a +jolly-looking alcove, with window-seats and red +cushions, “while I stalk some food.” +</p> +<p>He was back in a few moments, followed by a +waiter, who brought a tray of teacups and +plates of sweet cakes. +</p> +<p>Tom, himself, bore triumphantly a covered silver +dish. +</p> +<p>“Muffins!” he announced, in a jubilant voice. +“Hot, buttered muffins! Crickets, what +luck!” +</p> +<p>The hot muffins, buttered and quartered, were +indeed delicious, and England and America +seemed at one in showing an appreciative appetite +for them. +</p> +<p>“We don’t have these in America,” said Patty, +surveying her bit of muffin with admiration. +“We have good sandwiches, though.” +</p> +<p>“We almost never have sandwiches,” said +Grace. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span></p> +<p>“You don’t need to,” said Patty, quickly. +“Your wonderful bread and butter is too good +to be spoiled with a sandwich filling of any +sort.” +</p> +<p>“’Most all things are good eating at an afternoon +tea,” observed Tom. “Somehow, at five +o’clock I’m always so hungry I could eat a brickbat +if it were toasted and buttered.” +</p> +<p>“Afternoon tea is really an acquired taste with +us,” said Patty. “You seem to have it naturally, +even when you’re alone, but we only have +it when we have guests.” +</p> +<p>“Really?” said Mabel, in astonishment. +“Why, we’d as soon think of omitting breakfast +or dinner as tea.” +</p> +<p>“It’s a lovely meal,” said Patty, giving a little +sigh of satisfaction, as her last crumb of muffin +disappeared. “Such good things to eat, and +then it’s so cosy and informal to sit around in +easy chairs, instead of at a big table.” +</p> +<p>“But the ideal place for tea is on the lawn,” +said Tom. “The open air and the trees and +birds and flowers are even a better setting for +it, than an interior like this.” +</p> +<p>“I hope I shall have that kind this summer,” +said Patty. “I’m invited to several country +houses, and I know I shall enjoy it immensely.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span></p> +<p>“Indeed you will,” said Mabel, and again +Patty thought she detected a shade of sadness +in her friend’s eyes. +</p> +<p>But if Mabel was not exactly gay, Grace Meredith +made up for it. She was full of fun and +laughter, and both she and Tom made comical +speeches until Patty feared she would disgrace +herself laughing. +</p> +<p>“What’s the joke?” asked Mrs. Hartley, +coming to collect her young people and take +them home. +</p> +<p>“Tom is making verses about the people here,” +explained Grace. “Tell Mrs. Hartley the one +about the violinist, Tom.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t think it’s rude, Mrs. Hartley,” said +young Meredith; “truly, it isn’t meant to be. +But for that classic-browed genius, with his +chrysanthemum of tawny-colored hair, isn’t this +a pleasant token of regard and esteem? +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“This is our latest social lion,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>So, to look modest, he’s tryin’ and tryin’.”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>“It’s very beautiful,” said Mrs. Hartley, smiling, +“and I daresay Professor Prendergast +would enjoy it himself, were he to hear it.” +</p> +<p>“He might,” said Tom, doubtfully, “but +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span> +musicians rarely have a sense of humour, at least, +about themselves.” +</p> +<p>“That’s true,” agreed Mrs. Hartley, “and +now, Mabel and Miss Fairfield, we must be going +on.” +</p> +<p>Good-byes were soon said, and in the Hartleys’ +carriage Patty was taken away to her first +visit in an English home. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='II_RIDDLES_AND_GAMES' id='II_RIDDLES_AND_GAMES'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h3>RIDDLES AND GAMES</h3> +</div> + +<p>Much to Patty’s satisfaction Mabel +Hartley was in the habit of dining with +her elders and was not condemned to +“schoolroom tea.” +</p> +<p>The family was not large, consisting only of +Mrs. Hartley, her mother, Mrs. Cromarty, her +two sons, and Mabel. The sons, Sinclair and +Robert, were big, stalwart fellows, a few years +older than Mabel. +</p> +<p>Patty liked them at once, for they were cordial +and hearty in their greetings, and quite at ease in +their conversation. +</p> +<p>“I say, Mater,” began Bob, after they were +seated at dinner, “there’s a stunning garden-party +on at Regent’s Park next week. Don’t +you think we can all go? Tickets only two +shillings each.” +</p> +<p>“What is it, my son? A charity affair?” +</p> +<p>“Yes. Rest cure for semi-orphans, or something. +But they’ve all sorts of jolly shows, and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span> +the Stagefright Club is going to give a little +original play. Oh, say we go!” +</p> +<p>“I’ll see about it,” answered Mrs. Hartley. +“Perhaps, if we make up a party, Miss Fairfield +will go with us.” +</p> +<p>“I’d love to,” said Patty. “I’ve never seen a +real English garden party.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, this isn’t a real English garden party in +the true sense,” said Sinclair. “To see that, you +must be in the country. But this is a public +London garden party and typical of its sort. +You’ll like it, I’m sure. Will you go with us, +Grandy?” +</p> +<p>At first it seemed incongruous to Patty to hear +the dignified Mrs. Cromarty addressed by such +a nickname, but as she came to know her better, +the name seemed really appropriate. The lady +was of the class known as <i>grande dame</i>, and her +white hair and delicate, sharply-cut features betokened +a high type of English aristocracy. Her +voice was very sweet and gentle, and she smiled +at her big grandson, as she replied: +</p> +<p>“No, my boy; I lost my taste for garden +parties some years ago. But it’s a fine setting for +you young people, and I hope Emmeline will +take you all.” +</p> +<p>“Mother said she’d see about it,” said Mabel, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span> +“and that’s always the same as ‘yes.’ If it’s +going to be ‘no,’ she says, ‘I’ll think it over.’” +</p> +<p>“It’s a great thing to understand your mother-tongue +so well,” said Patty, laughing; “now I +shouldn’t have known those distinctions.” +</p> +<p>“We have a wonderful talent for languages,” +said Sinclair, gravely. “Indeed, we have a +language of our own. Shall I teach it to +you?” +</p> +<p>“You might try,” said Patty, “but I’m not at +all clever as a linguist.” +</p> +<p>“You may not learn it easily, but it can be +taught in one sentence. It consists in merely +using the initial of the word instead of the +word itself.” +</p> +<p>“But so many words begin with the same +initial,” said Patty, bewildered at the idea. +</p> +<p>“Yes, but it’s ever so much easier than you’d +think. Now listen. Wouldn’t you understand +me if I said: ‘D y w t g t t g p?’” +</p> +<p>“Say it again, please, and say it slowly.” +</p> +<p>Sinclair repeated the letters, and Patty clapped +her hands, crying: “Yes, yes, of course I understand. +You mean ‘Do you want to go to +the garden party?’ Now, listen to me while I +answer: Y I w t g i i d r.” +</p> +<p>“Good!” exclaimed Mabel. “You said: +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span> +‘Yes, I want to go, if it doesn’t rain.’ Oh, you +are a quick pupil.” +</p> +<p>“But those are such easy sentences,” said +Patty, as she considered the matter. +</p> +<p>“That’s the point,” said Bob, “most sentences, +at least, the ones we use most, <i>are</i> easy. If I +should meet you unexpectedly, and say H d y d? +you’d know I meant How do you do? Or if I +took leave, and said G b, you’d understand +good-bye. Those are the simplest possible examples. +Now, on the other hand, if I were to +read you a long speech from the morning paper, +you’d probably miss many of the long words, but +that’s the other extreme. We’ve talked in +initials for years, and rarely are we uncertain +as to the sense, though we may sometimes skip +a word here and there.” +</p> +<p>“But what good is it?” asked Patty. +</p> +<p>“No good at all,” admitted Bob; “but it’s fun. +And after you’re used to it, you can talk that +way so fast that any one listening couldn’t guess +what you are saying. Sometimes when we’re +riding on an omnibus, or anything like that, it’s +fun to talk initials and mystify the people.” +</p> +<p>“D y o d t?” said Patty, her eyes twinkling. +</p> +<p>“Yes, we often do that,” returned Bob, greatly +gratified at the rapid progress of the new pupil. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span> +“You must be fond of puzzles, to catch this up +so quickly.” +</p> +<p>“I am,” said Patty. “I’ve guessed puzzles +ever since I was a little girl. I always solve +all I can find in the papers, and sometimes I take +prizes for them.” +</p> +<p>“We do that too,” said Mabel; “and sometimes +we make puzzles and send them to the +papers and they print them. Let’s make some +for each other this evening.” +</p> +<p>After dinner the young people gathered round +the table in the pleasant library, and were soon +busy with paper and pencils. Patty found the +Hartleys a match for her in quickness and ingenuity, +but she was able to guess as great a +proportion of their puzzles as they of hers. +</p> +<p>After amusing themselves with square words +and double acrostics, they drifted to conundrums, +and Bob asked: +</p> +<p>“Which letter of the Dutch alphabet spells an +English lady of rank?” +</p> +<p>“That’s not fair,” objected Patty, “because I +don’t know the Dutch alphabet.” +</p> +<p>“That doesn’t matter,” said Mabel, “you can +guess it just as well without.” +</p> +<p>“Indeed I can’t, and besides I don’t know the +names of all the English ladies of rank.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span></p> +<p>“That doesn’t matter either,” said Sinclair, +smiling; “it spells a title, not a name; and one +you know very well.” +</p> +<p>“I can’t guess it, anyway,” said Patty, after a +few moment’s thought. “I give it up; tell +me.” +</p> +<p>“Why, Dutch S,” said Bob, and Patty agreed +that it was a good catch. +</p> +<p>“Now, I’ll catch you,” said Patty. “You all +know your London pretty well, I suppose, and +are familiar with the places of interest. Well, +Mabel, why is your nose like St. Paul’s?” +</p> +<p>Mabel thought hard, and so did the boys. +</p> +<p>“Is my nose like St. Paul’s, too?” asked +Bob, thoughtfully, stroking his well-shaped +feature. +</p> +<p>Patty looked at it critically. “Yes,” she said, +“and so is Sinclair’s. But why?” +</p> +<p>At last they gave it up, and Patty said, triumphantly, +“Because it is made of flesh and +blood.” +</p> +<p>They all screamed with laughter, for they +quickly saw the point, and realised that it was +the historic character referred to, and not the +cathedral. +</p> +<p>“Here’s one,” said Sinclair: “Where did the +Prince of Wales go on his eleventh birthday?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span> +But Patty was quite quick enough for this. +“Into his twelfth year,” she answered promptly. +“And now listen to this: A man walking out +at night, met a beggar asking alms. The man +gave him ten cents. He met another beggar +and gave him fifteen cents. What time +was it?” +</p> +<p>“Time for him to go home,” declared +Bob, but Patty said that was not the right +answer. +</p> +<p>“Springtime,” guessed Mabel, “because the +man was in such a good humor.” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty, “it was quarter to two.” +</p> +<p>Her hearers looked utterly blank at this, and, +suddenly realising that they were not very familiar +with American coins, Patty explained the +joke. They saw it, of course, but seemed to +think it not very good, and Sinclair whimsically +insisted on calling it, “a shilling to Bob,” which +he said was equally nonsensical. +</p> +<p>“Give us one of your poetry ones, Grandy,” +said Bob to Mrs. Cromarty, who sat by, quietly +enjoying the young people’s fun. +</p> +<p>“Miss Fairfield may not care for the old-fashioned +enigma, but I will offer this one,” +and in her fine, clear voice the old lady recited +her verse with elocutionary effect: +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span></p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“Afloat upon the ocean</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>My graceful form you see;</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>The protector of the people,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>The protector of a tree.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>I often save a patient,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Though a doctor I am not;</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>My name is very easy,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Can you tell me, children? What?”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>The others had heard this before, and when +Patty promptly guessed “Bark,” Mrs. Cromarty +was distinctly pleased with her quick-wittedness. +</p> +<p>Then lemonade and wafery little cakes were +brought in, that the puzzlers might refresh +themselves. +</p> +<p>The atmosphere of the Hartley household was +very pleasant, and Patty felt much more at +home than she had ever expected to feel among +English people. She made allusion to this, and +Bob said: “Oh, this place isn’t homey at all, +compared with our real home. You must come +to see us down in the country, mustn’t she, +mother?” +</p> +<p>“I should be very glad to welcome you there, +my dear,” said Mrs. Hartley, smiling at Patty, +“and I trust it may be arranged. We have +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span> +this apartment for only a few weeks longer, +and then we shall go back to Leicester.” +</p> +<p>“I’m in no haste to go,” declared Mabel. “I +love Cromarty Manor, but I want to stay in +London a little longer. But when we do go, +Patty, you surely must visit us there.” +</p> +<p>“Indeed I will, if I can manage it. My parents +want me to go with them to Switzerland, +but I’d much prefer to spend the summer in +England. I have ever so many delightful invitations +to country houses, and they seem to me +a lot more attractive than travelling about. I +suppose I ought to care more about seeing +places, but I don’t.” +</p> +<p>“You’re quite young enough yet,” said Mrs. +Hartley, “to look forward to travelling in future +years. I think some experiences of English +life would be quite as advantageous for +you.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll tell father you said that,” said Patty. +“Then perhaps he’ll let me have my own way. +But he usually does that, anyway.” +</p> +<p>“You’d love Cromarty Manor,” said Bob, enthusiastically. +“It’s so beautiful in spring and +early summer.” +</p> +<p>“But not half as grand as other houses where +Patty’s invited,” said Mabel, and again the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span> +shadow crossed her face that seemed always to +come when she spoke of her country home. +</p> +<p>“Grandeur doesn’t count in the country,” declared +Bob. “That belongs to London life. +Other places may be larger or in better +condition than ours, but they <i>can’t</i> be more +beautiful.” +</p> +<p>“That is true,” said Mrs. Cromarty, in her +quiet way, which always seemed to decide a disputed +point. And then it was time to go home, +and Mrs. Hartley sent Patty away in her carriage, +with a maid to accompany her. The +woman was middle-aged, with a pleasant voice +and a capable manner. She chatted affably with +Patty, and dilated a little on the glories of the +Cromarty family. +</p> +<p>Patty realised at once that she was an old +family servant, and had earned a right to a +little more freedom of speech than is usual to +English domestics. +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, Miss,” she said; “it’s a wonnerful +old place, that it is. And if the dear lady +only ’ad the money as is ’ers by right, she’d +keep it up lordly, that she would.” +</p> +<p>Patty wondered what had become of the money +in question, but Sarah said no more concerning +it, and Patty felt she had no right to ask. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span> +“You live with them, then, in the country?” +she said. +</p> +<p>“Yes, Miss, I’ve allus lived with them. My +mother was housekeeper at the Manor when Miss +Emmeline married Mr. ’Artley. Oh, he was the +fine gentleman. Dead now, this ten year come +Whitsuntide. Master Bob, he’s the image of +his father. Are you warm enough, Miss?” +</p> +<p>Sarah’s quick transit from reminiscences to solicitude +for her comfort almost startled Patty, +but she was getting used to that peculiarity of +the British mind. +</p> +<p>“Yes, thank you,” she said, “and anyway, +we’re home now. Here’s the Savoy.” +</p> +<p>Mr. Fairfield and Nan had not yet arrived, +so the good Sarah attended Patty to her own +apartment and gave her over to Louise, who +awaited her coming. +</p> +<p>Louise helped her off with her pretty frock, and +brought her a beribboned négligée, and Patty +curled up in a big armchair in front of the +fire to think over the evening. +</p> +<p>“These wood-fires are lovely,” she said to +herself, “and they do have most comfortable +stuffed chairs over here, if they only knew +enough to put rockers under them.” +</p> +<p>Patty was a comfort-loving creature, and often +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span> +bewailed the absence of the rocking-chairs so +dear to her American heart. Soon her parents +came in and found her sound asleep in the big +chair. +</p> +<p>She woke up, as her father kissed her lightly +on the forehead. +</p> +<p>“Hello, Prince Charming,” she said, smiling +gaily at the handsome man in evening clothes +who stood looking down at her. +</p> +<p>“I suppose you want a return compliment +about the Sleeping Beauty,” he said, “but you +won’t get it. Too much flattery isn’t good for +a baby like you, and I shall reserve my pretty +speeches for my wife.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I’ll share them with Patty,” laughed +Nan, “but with no one else.” +</p> +<p>“Tell us about your evening, girlie,” said her +father. “Did you have a good time?” +</p> +<p>“Fine,” said Patty. “The Hartleys are +lovely people; I like them better than any I’ve +met in London, so far. And they do puzzles, +and ask riddles, and they’re just as clever and +quick as Americans. I’ve heard that English +people were heavy and stupid, and they’re not, +a bit.” +</p> +<p>“You mustn’t believe all you hear. Are they +a large family?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span> +“Not very. Two sons, one daughter, and the +mother and grandmother. Mabel’s father has +been dead for years. And they want me to visit +them at their home in Leicester this summer. +Can’t I go?” +</p> +<p>“Desert your own family for foreigners!” +</p> +<p>“Yes; I do want to go there and to some other +country places while you and Nan go touristing +about. Mayn’t I?” +</p> +<p>“We won’t decide now. It’s too near midnight +for important matters to be discussed. +Skip to bed, chickabiddy, and dream of the Stars +and Stripes, lest you forget them entirely.” +</p> +<p>“Never!” cried Patty, striking a dramatic attitude. +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“Though English people may be grand,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>My heart is in my native land!”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>And humming the Star-spangled Banner, she +went away to her own room. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='III_THE_WHITE_LADY' id='III_THE_WHITE_LADY'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h3>THE WHITE LADY</h3> +</div> + +<p>“I feel in a gay mood,” said Nan, as she +clasped Patty round the waist, and always +ready for a dance, Patty fell into +step, and the two waltzed round the room, while +Patty sang tum-te-tum to the air of a popular +song. +</p> +<p>“As if you two ever felt any other way!” exclaimed +Mr. Fairfield, smiling at them from the +depths of his easy chair. “But what does this +gay mood betoken? I suppose you want to drag +me out to the theatre or opera to-night.” +</p> +<p>Mr. Fairfield’s pleasant smile belied his pretense +at sharpness, and he waited to hear a +reply. +</p> +<p>“That would be lovely,” said Nan, “and we’ll +go if you invite us. But what I had in mind is +this: I’d like to dine in the Restaurant.” +</p> +<p>“Good!” cried Mr. Fairfield. “I feel gay +enough for that, myself, and we haven’t dined +there for nearly a week.” +</p> +<p>The Fairfields had a complete apartment of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span> +their own, and when not invited out, usually +dined quietly in their own dining-room. But +occasionally, when the mood took them, they +dined in the great Savoy Restaurant, which was +a festive pageant indeed. +</p> +<p>Patty loved to sit at a table there, and watch +the beautiful women in their elaborate gowns, +and their handsome, stalwart escorts, who were +sometimes in brave uniforms. +</p> +<p>The splendid scene would have palled upon +them, had they dined there every evening, but as +a change from their small family dinner it was +delightful. +</p> +<p>“We’ll wear our dress-up frocks,” said Patty, +“and perhaps my White Lady will be there +again.” +</p> +<p>“Your White Lady?” asked Nan. “Who is +she?” +</p> +<p>“That’s just what I can’t find out, though I’ve +asked several people. But she’s the most beautiful +lady, with a haughty, proud face, and sad +eyes. She always wears white, and there’s an +elderly lady who is sometimes with her. A +strange-looking old lady in black, she is; and her +face is like a hawk’s.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I remember those people; they always +sit at the same table.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span> +“Yes, I think they live here. But she is so +sweet and lovely I’d like to know her. I +make up stories about her all to myself. She’s +like Ginevra or the Lady of Shalott.” +</p> +<p>“You’re too fanciful, Patty. Probably she’s +the Duchess of Hardscrabble.” +</p> +<p>“She looks like a Duchess, anyway. And also, +she looks like a simple, sweet, lovely lady. I’m +going to ask father to find out who she is.” +</p> +<p>A little later the Fairfields went down to dinner. +</p> +<p>Nan wore an exquisite gown of embroidered +yellow satin, and Patty wore a frilled white silk +muslin. It was a little low at the throat, and +was very becoming to her, and in and out of +her piled-up curls was twisted a broad white +ribbon, which ended in front in a saucy cluster +of bows, after the prevailing fashion. +</p> +<p>“This is great fun,” said Patty, as she took +her seat with a little sigh of content. “I just +love the lights and flowers and music and +noise——” +</p> +<p>“Can you distinguish the music from the +noise?” asked her father, laughing. +</p> +<p>“I can if I try, but I don’t care whether I +do or not. I love the whole conglomeration of +sounds. People laughing and talking, and a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span> +sort of undertone of glass and china and +waiters.” +</p> +<p>“That sounds graphic,” said Nan, “but the +waiters here aren’t supposed to make any noise.” +</p> +<p>“No, I know it, but they’re just part of the +whole scene, and it’s all beautiful together. Oh, +there’s my White Lady!” +</p> +<p>It was indeed a charming young woman who +was just entering the room. She was tall and +very slender, with a face serene and sweet. Her +large, dark eyes had a look of resignation, +rather than sadness, but the firm set of her +scarlet lips did not betoken an easily-resigned +nature. +</p> +<p>With her was the elder lady of whom Patty +had spoken. She was sharp-featured and looked +as if she were sharp-tempered. She wore a +rather severe evening gown of black net, and in +her gray hair was a quivering black aigrette. +</p> +<p>In contrast to this dark figure, the younger lady +looked specially fair and sweet. Her trailing +gown was of heavy white lace, and round her +beautiful throat were two long strings of pearls. +She wore no other ornament save for a white +flower in her hair, and her shoulders and arms +were almost as white as the soft tulle that billowed +against them. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span></p> +<p>It chanced that Mr. Fairfield’s table was quite +near the one usually occupied by these two, and +Patty watched the White Lady, without seeming +to stare at her. +</p> +<p>“Isn’t she exquisite?” she said, at last, for +they were not within earshot, and Nan agreed +that she was. +</p> +<p>As the dinner proceeded, Patty glanced often at +the lady of her admiration, and after a time was +surprised and a little embarrassed to find that +the White Lady was glancing at her. +</p> +<p>Fearing she had stared more frankly than she +realised, Patty refrained from looking at the +lady again, and resolutely kept her eyes turned +in other directions. +</p> +<p>But as if drawn by a magnet, she felt impelled +to look at her once more, and giving a quick +glance, she saw the White Lady distinctly smiling +at her. There was no mistake, it was a +kind, amused little smile of a most friendly nature. +</p> +<p>Patty was enchanted, and the warm blood +rushed to her cheeks as if she had been singled +out for a great honour. But frankly, and without +embarrassment, she smiled back at the lovely +face, and returned the pleased little nod that +was then given her. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span></p> +<p>“Patty, what <i>are</i> you doing?” said Nan; “do +you see any one you know?” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty, slowly, almost as one in a +dream, “my White Lady smiled at me,—that’s +all,—so I smiled back at her, and then we +bowed.” +</p> +<p>“You mustn’t do such things,” said Nan, half +smiling herself, “she’ll think you’re a forward +American.” +</p> +<p>“I am an American,” replied Patty, “and +I’d be sorry to be called backward.” +</p> +<p>“You never will be,” said her father. “Well, +I suppose you may smile at her, if she smiles +first, but don’t begin sending her anonymous +notes.” +</p> +<p>“Nonsense,” said Patty, “but you two don’t +know how lovely she is when she smiles.” +</p> +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield were seated with their +backs to the lady in question, and could not see +her without slightly turning their heads, while +Patty, opposite them at the round table, faced +her directly. +</p> +<p>“You’re fortunate in your position,” observed +her father, “for were you seated here and we +there, of course she would have beamed upon +us.” +</p> +<p>“She isn’t beaming,” cried Patty, almost indignantly; +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span> +“I won’t have that angelic smile +called a beam. Now, you’re not to tease. She’s +a sweet, dear lady, with some awful tragedy +gnawing at her heart.” +</p> +<p>“Patty, you’re growing up romantic! Stop +it at once. I’ll buy the lady for you, if you +want her, but I won’t have you indulging in +rubbishy romance like that, with nothing to base +it on.” +</p> +<p>Patty looked at her father comically. +</p> +<p>“I don’t believe you’d better buy her, Daddy, +dear,” she said. “You know you often say that, +with Nan and me on your hands, you have all +you can manage. So I’m sure you couldn’t add +those two to your collection; for I feel certain +wherever the White Lady goes the Black Lady +goes too.” +</p> +<p>The subject was lost sight of then, by the +greetings of some friends who were passing by +the Fairfields on their way out of the Restaurant. +</p> +<p>“Why, Mrs. Leigh,” exclaimed Nan, “how +do you do? Won’t you and Mr. Leigh sit +down and have coffee with us? Or, better yet, +suppose we all go up to our drawing-room and +have coffee there.” +</p> +<p>After Patty had spoken to the newcomers and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span> +was sitting silent while her elders were talking, +she looked up in surprise as a waiter approached +her. He laid a long-stemmed white rose beside +her plate, and said, quietly, “From Lady +Hamilton, Miss.” +</p> +<p>Involuntarily, Patty glanced at the White +Lady, and seeing her smile, knew at once that +she had sent the rose. +</p> +<p>As Patty explained the presence of the flower to +the others, Mrs. Leigh glanced across, and +said: “Oh, that’s Lady Hamilton! Excuse me, +I must speak to her just a moment.” +</p> +<p>“Who is Lady Hamilton?” asked Nan of +Mr. Leigh, unable longer to repress her interest. +</p> +<p>“One of the best and most beautiful women +in London,” he replied. “One of the most indifferent, +and the most sought after; one of the +richest, and the saddest; one of the most popular, +and the loneliest.” +</p> +<p>All this seemed enough to verify Patty’s surmises +of romance connected with the White +Lady, but before she could ask a question, Mrs. +Leigh returned, and Lady Hamilton came with +her. After introductions and a few words of +greeting, Lady Hamilton said to Mr. Fairfield: +“I wonder if you couldn’t be induced to lend +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span> +me your daughter for an hour or so. I will do +my best to entertain her.” +</p> +<p>“Indeed, yes, Lady Hamilton; and I think you +will find her quite ready to be borrowed. You +seemed to cast a magic spell over her, even before +she knew your name.” +</p> +<p>“I must confess that I have been wanting to +meet her; I have searched this room in vain +for some mutual friend who might introduce us, +but until I saw Mrs. Leigh over here, I could +find no one. Then, to attract Mrs. Leigh’s attention, +in hope of her helping me, I sent over +a signal of distress.” +</p> +<p>“I took it as a flag of truce,” said Patty, holding +up the white rose as it trembled on its stem. +</p> +<p>“I thought it was a cipher message,” said +Nan, smiling. “Patty is so fond of puzzles and +secret languages, I wasn’t sure but it might mean +‘All is discovered; fly at once!’” +</p> +<p>“It means ‘all is well’,” said Lady Hamilton, +in her gracious way; “and now I must fly at +once with my spoil.” +</p> +<p>She took possession of Patty, and with a few +words of adieu to the others, led her from the +room. The lady in black rose from the table +and followed them, and Patty entered the lift, +blissfully happy, but a little bewildered. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span></p> +<p>“We’ll have our coffee right here,” said Lady +Hamilton, as having reached her drawing-room, +she proceeded to adjust some dainty gilt cups +that stood on a small table. “That is, +if you are allowed to have coffee at night. +From your roseleaf cheeks, I fancy you drink +only honeydew or buttercup tea.” +</p> +<p>“No, indeed; I’m far too substantial for those +things,” said Patty, as she dropped into the +cosy chair Lady Hamilton had indicated; “and +for over a year now, I’ve been allowed to have +after-dinner coffee.” +</p> +<p>“Dear me! what a grown-up! Miss Fairfield, +this is Mrs. Betham, my very good friend, who +looks after me when I get frisky and try to +scrape acquaintance across a public dining-room.” +</p> +<p>If Lady Hamilton was lovely when she was +silent, she was doubly bewitching when she +talked in this gay strain. Little dimples came +and went in her cheeks, so quickly that they had +scarcely disappeared before they were back +again. +</p> +<p>Mrs. Betham bowed and spoke politely to +Patty, but her voice was quick and sharp, +and her manner, though courteous, was not +attractive. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span></p> +<p>“I doubt the coffee’s hot,” she said, as a +waiter, who had just brought it in, was filling +the tiny cups. +</p> +<p>“It’s steaming,” said Lady Hamilton, gaily, +and Patty saw at once that whatever it was that +made her new friend sorrowful, it was not the +grumbling tones of Mrs. Betham. +</p> +<p>“It’s quite too hot, Julia,” she went on; “unless +you’re careful, you’ll steam your throat.” +</p> +<p>“Not I,” growled Mrs. Betham. “I’m not +such a stupid as that. But I must say I like +my coffee at a table like a Christian, and not +setting my cup in my lap, or holding it up in the +air.” +</p> +<p>“Dear me, Julia,” said Lady Hamilton, with +great solicitude expressed on her face; “dear me, +your gout must be very bad to-night. It makes +you quite cross. Poor dear!” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Betham sniffed at this, but a grim smile +came into her eyes, and Patty concluded she was +not quite so grumpy as she seemed. +</p> +<p>After the coffee was finished, and the tray taken +away, Mrs. Betham excused herself and went +off to her own room. +</p> +<p>“The way it began,” said Lady Hamilton, as +if to explain her interest in Patty, “was one +day when I went through the corridors and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span> +passed your drawing-room, and the door was a +little mite ajar, and I heard you singing. I am +very fond of just that high, sweet kind of voice +that you have, and I paused a few moments to +listen to you. Then afterward I saw you in the +dining-room two or three times at luncheon or +dinner, and I took a fancy to know you, for I +felt sure I should like you. Do you mind coming +to see me once in a while, my dear? I am +very lonely.” +</p> +<p>“Mind! No, indeed!” cried Patty, impetuously +throwing her arms around her new friend. +“I loved you the first time I ever saw you. But +why do you say you are lonely? You, a great +lady.” +</p> +<p>“I will tell you my story in a few words,” said +Lady Hamilton. “For I suppose you would +hear it from others, and I would rather tell it +you myself. I am the daughter of Sir Otho +Markleham. Of course, if you were a Londoner, +you would know all this, but as you’re +not, I’ll tell you. Well, I am Sir Otho’s only +daughter, and four years ago, when I was just +eighteen, I ran away from home and married +Lord Cecil Hamilton. He was a good man, +but he had quarrelled with my father on +a point of politics, and my father disapproved +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span> +of the match. He disowned me as +his daughter, though he said he would always +continue the allowance I had had as a girl. I +was glad of this, not only because Lord Hamilton, +though a man of good fortune, was not a +wealthy man, but also because it seemed to +show my father had not entirely cast me off. +But he forbade us to go to his house, and we +went to Paris and lived there for a year. After +one year of happy married life Cecil died, and +since then my only aim in life has been to be +reconciled to my father. But he will not have +it, or at least he won’t have it unless I make +the first overtures toward peace.” +</p> +<p>“And won’t you?” cried Patty, in astonishment. +</p> +<p>“Not I! I am not to blame. The two men +quarrelled, and now that Cecil is gone, why +should my father hold the feud against me? +It is not my place to ask his pardon; I’ve done +nothing wrong.” +</p> +<p>“You ran away from home,” said Patty, thinking +only of the justice of the case, and quite forgetting +that she was seeming to censure a titled +English lady. +</p> +<p>“Yes, but that was not wrong. Father knew +that Cecil was a fine, honourable man, of an +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span> +old family. He had no right to forbid my +marriage because of a foolish personal disagreement.” +</p> +<p>“Your mother?” said Patty. +</p> +<p>“My mother died when I was a child,” said +Lady Hamilton, and at once Patty felt a new +bond of companionship. +</p> +<p>“I lived alone with my father, in our great +house in London, and I had a happy and uneventful +life, until Cecil came. Since his death, +I’ve longed so to go home to my father, and +be at peace with him, but though many kind +friends have tried to bring about a reconciliation, +they haven’t been able to do so.” +</p> +<p>“And so you live here alone at the Savoy?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, with Mrs. Betham, who is really an +old dear, though sometimes she grumbles +terribly.” +</p> +<p>“And do you go into society?” +</p> +<p>“I’ve begun to go a little, of late. Cecil made +me promise I’d never wear black dresses, so I’ve +worn white only, ever since he died, and I suppose +I always shall. That is, in the house. I +have black street gowns. But I can’t seem to +care for gay parties as I used to. I want father, +and I want my home.” +</p> +<p>“Is your father in London?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span></p> +<p>“Oh, yes; he’s a Member of Parliament. But +he’s of a stubborn and unyielding nature.” +</p> +<p>“And so are you?” +</p> +<p>“And so am I. Now, let’s drop the subject of +myself for the present, while you sing for me. +Will you?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed,” said Patty, warmly; “with +more pleasure than I ever sang for any one else.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='IV_A_FLORAL_OFFERING' id='IV_A_FLORAL_OFFERING'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h3>A FLORAL OFFERING</h3> +</div> + +<p>As the days went by, Patty and Lady +Hamilton became close friends. Mr. and +Mrs. Fairfield approved of the intimacy, +for the elder woman’s influence was in every +way good for Patty, and in return the girl +brought sunshine and happiness into Lady +Hamilton’s life. +</p> +<p>They went together to concerts and picture exhibitions, +but Patty could rarely persuade her +friend to go to a social affair. +</p> +<p>“It’s absurd, Lady Hamilton,” said Patty, one +day, “to shut yourself up as you do! All London +wants you, and yet you won’t go ’round and +play pretty with them.” +</p> +<p>Ignoring this outburst, Lady Hamilton only +smiled, and said: “Do you know, Patty, I +think it’s time you dropped my formal title, and +called me by my first name. I’d love to have +you do so.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve often wondered what your first name is, +but I haven’t the slightest idea. Tell me.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span></p> +<p>“No, guess. What name do you think suits +me?” +</p> +<p>Patty considered. +</p> +<p>“Well,” she said, at last, “I think it must be +either Ethelfrida or Gwendolyn Gladys.” +</p> +<p>Lady Hamilton laughed merrily. “Prepare +yourself for a sudden shock,” she said. “I was +named for my grandmother, Catharine.” +</p> +<p>“Catharine! What an absurd name for you! +You’re not even a Kate. But you are Lady +Kitty, and I’ll call you that, if I may.” +</p> +<p>“Indeed you may. Father used to call me +Kitty, when I was a child, but as I grew older, +I preferred my full name.” +</p> +<p>“Lady Kitty is just right for you, and when +you’re in the mood you’re a saucy puss. Now, +listen, the reason for my invasion of your premises +this morning is that I want you to go with +me this afternoon to a tea on the Terrace of +Parliament House.” +</p> +<p>Patty’s tones were very persuasive, and she +looked so daintily attractive in her fresh morning +gown that few could have refused any request +she might make. +</p> +<p>Lady Hamilton in a soft, frilly white négligée, +was sipping her coffee and looking over her +letters when Patty had interrupted the process. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span> +She looked at her eager young guest with a slow, +provoking smile, and said only: +</p> +<p>“Nixy.” +</p> +<p>“But why not?” said Patty, smiling too, for +she knew the Englishwoman had learned the +slangy word from herself. “You’d have a +lovely time. It’s so beautiful there, and the people +are always so cordial and pleasant.” +</p> +<p>“But I don’t want to go.” +</p> +<p>“But you <i>ought</i> to want to. You’re too young +to give up the pomps and vanities of this world. +How can I <i>make</i> you go?” +</p> +<p>“You can’t.” +</p> +<p>“I know it! That’s just the trouble with you. +I never saw such a stubborn, self-willed, determined——” +</p> +<p>“Pigheaded?” +</p> +<p>“Yes! and stupidly obstinate thing as you are! +So, there now!” +</p> +<p>They both laughed, and then Lady Hamilton +said more seriously, “Shall I tell you why I +won’t go?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, do, if you know, yourself.” +</p> +<p>“I know perfectly. I won’t go to the Terrace +because I’m afraid I’ll meet my father there.” +</p> +<p>“For goodness’ sake! Is that the real reason? +But you <i>want</i> to be reconciled to him!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span></p> +<p>“Yes, but you don’t understand. We couldn’t +have a ‘Come home and all will be forgiven’ +scene on the Terrace, in sight of hundreds of +people, so if I did see him, I should have to +bow slightly, or cut him dead; it would depend +on his attitude toward me which I did. <i>Then</i> +the episode would merely serve to widen the +breach, and it would break me up for days.” +</p> +<p>“I can’t understand such conditions,” said +Patty, earnestly. “Why, if I were at odds with +my father, and I can’t even imagine such a +thing, I’d rush at him and fling myself into his +arms and stay there till everything was all +right.” +</p> +<p>“That’s just because you’re of a different temperament, +and so is your father. My father is +an austere, unbending man, and if I were on the +Terrace and were to fling myself into his arms, +he’d very likely fling me into the Thames.” +</p> +<p>“You’d probably be rescued,” said Patty, +gravely; “there’s always so much traffic.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, but father wouldn’t jump in to rescue +me, so I’d only spoil my gown for nothing. +Give it up, dear, it’s a case outside your experience. +Father and I are both too proud to make +the first advance, and yet I really believe he +wants me as much as I want him. He must be +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span> +very lonely in the great house, with only the +servants to look after him.” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps he’ll marry again,” said Patty, +thoughtfully; “my father did.” +</p> +<p>“I wish he would, but I’ve no hope of that. +Now, never mind about my troubles, tell me of +your own. Who’s taking you to the tea?” +</p> +<p>“Mrs. Hastings. But she isn’t giving it. +We’re to sit at some Member’s table; I don’t +know whose. The Merediths will be there, too. +Tom and Grace, you know. I like them very +much.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, they’re nice children. I know them +slightly. Patty, some day I’ll give a party for +you, here in my rooms. How would you like +that?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Lady Kitty, I’d love it! You’d have to +come to that, wouldn’t you?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed, you couldn’t drive me away. +Let’s have a children’s party. All dress as children, +I mean; little children, or babies.” +</p> +<p>“Just the thing! I always wanted to see a +party like that. I’ve only heard of them. Can +we have it soon?” +</p> +<p>“Next week, I think. I’ll consult Mrs. +Betham, and I think I can coax her ’round to it; +though she’s bound to wet-blanket it at first.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span></p> +<p>“Oh, yes, you can coax her, I know. How +good you are to me! I do have beautiful times. +Really too many for one girl. Honestly, Lady +Kitty, do you think it’s right for me to lead +such a butterfly life? I just fly about from one +entertainment to another; and even if I’m at +home, or alone, I always have a good time. +Sometimes I think I’m a very useless member +of this busy world.” +</p> +<p>Lady Hamilton smiled kindly. “How old are +you?” she said. +</p> +<p>“I’ll be eighteen next month.” +</p> +<p>“And you haven’t set the Thames on fire, or +won the Victoria Cross yet? But you’re just at +the age when your type of happy girlhood is +often beset with over-conscientious scruples. +Don’t give way to them, Patty. It is not your +lot to do definite, physical good to suffering +humanity, like a Red Cross nurse, or the Salvation +Army. Nor is it necessary that you should +work to earn your bread, like a teacher or a +stenographer. But it is your duty, or rather +your privilege, to shed sunshine wherever you +go. I think I’ve never known any one with such +a talent for spontaneous and unconscious giving-out +of happiness. It is involuntary, which is its +chiefest charm, but whoever is with you for a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span> +time is cheered and comforted just by the influence +of your own gladness. This is honest talk, +my child, and I want you to take it as I mean +it. Don’t <i>try</i> to do this thing, that would spoil +it all; but just remember that you <i>do</i> do it, and +let that satisfy your desire to be a useful member +of this busy world.” +</p> +<p>“You’re such a dear,” said Patty, as she +caressed her friend’s hand affectionately; “if +that’s all true, and of course it is, since you say +so, I’m very glad. But can’t I do something +more definite, more voluntary?” +</p> +<p>“Of course there are always opportunities for +doing good,—organised charities and those +things that everybody takes part in. But if you +want to widen your own field of benefaction, +simply know more people. Whether you know +them socially or as casual acquaintances, you will +almost invariably add happiness to their lives, +though it be in the merest trifles. Now, I’m assuming +that you have sense enough not to overdo +this thing, and thrust yourself upon people who +don’t want you.” +</p> +<p>“Madam,” said Patty, in mock indignation, +“you may trust me. I am an +American!” +</p> +<p>“You are indeed; and you have what is known +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span> +as Yankee good sense, if you are a mere infant.” +</p> +<p>“Eighteen is pretty old, <i>I</i> think; and you’re +not so very ancient, yourself,” retorted Patty; +“but I’m willing to sit at your feet and acquire +wisdom.” +</p> +<p>When dressed to go out that afternoon, Patty +stopped at Lady Hamilton’s door to say good-bye. +</p> +<p>“Come in, and let me see if you’ll pass muster. +Yes, that frilly, flowered muslin is just right for +the Terrace; and that hat with long streamers +is truly pastoral.” +</p> +<p>“What’s pastoral about the Terrace, +pray?” +</p> +<p>“Nothing but the ladies’ clothes, and the +lamb-like demeanour of the M.P.’s.” +</p> +<p>“I may see your father there.” +</p> +<p>“You may. But he’ll be an exception to the +lamb-like ones. Here, let me put these valley +lilies in your belt. They rather suit your costume.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, thank you; they’re beautiful. If I see +your father, I’ll give him a spray and say you +sent it.” +</p> +<p>“Very well; he’ll then pitch you and the flowers +all in the Thames together.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span> +“Well, at least we’ll cause a sensation among +the lambs. Good-by, Kitty lady.” +</p> +<p>“Good-bye, little one. Have a good time, and +come in to tell me about it when you return.” +</p> +<p>The tea on the Terrace was a new delight. +Patty had been through the Houses of Parliament +before, but this was her first experience +of that unique function known as the Terrace +Tea. +</p> +<p>The broad, beautiful space was crowded with +tables, and the tables were crowded with people. +Merry, chatting, laughing Londoners, Americans, +and foreigners mingled in groups and +drank tea together. +</p> +<p>Mrs. Hastings and Patty were met by their +host, Mr. Pauncefote, and escorted to a table, +already surrounded by several people. +</p> +<p>Patty felt greatly pleased when she found herself +seated between Grace and Tom Meredith, +and listened with interest as they designated +various celebrated people who were strolling by. +</p> +<p>“But, after all,” she said, at last, “Dukes and +Duchesses don’t look very different from ordinary +people.” +</p> +<p>“Of course they don’t. Why should they? +They aren’t any different,” said Tom. “Indeed, +Miss Fairfield, I’ve vanity enough to believe +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span> +you’d find me more interesting than some +of the Dukes.” +</p> +<p>“I’m sure you are,” laughed Patty, “but if I +were introduced to a real Duke, I’d be so +scared I wouldn’t know what to say.” +</p> +<p>“Now I call that too bad,” declared Tom, with +an aggrieved look. “And, pray, why aren’t you +scared when in my august society?” +</p> +<p>“I am,” said Patty, dimpling, as she smiled +at him, “only I’m successfully striving not to +show my quaking fright.” +</p> +<p>“That’s better. I hope the longer you know +me, the more awed you’ll be of my,—of +my——” +</p> +<p>“Of your what?” calmly inquired his sister. +</p> +<p>“’Pon my word, I don’t know,” confessed +Tom, good-naturedly; “of my awesomeness, I +suppose.” +</p> +<p>“How do you like London?” said a loud +voice, in the tones that are sometimes called +stentorian, and Patty suddenly realised that her +host was addressing her. +</p> +<p>A bit embarrassed at finding the eyes of all at +the table upon her, she answered, shyly: “I love +it; it is so—so kind to me.” +</p> +<p>“Bravo! Pretty good for an American,” +shouted Mr. Pauncefote, who seemed unable to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span> +moderate his voice. “And which do you like +best, the people or the show-places?” +</p> +<p>“The people,” said Patty, her embarrassment +lost sight of in a flash of mischief. “I like the +Members of Parliament better than Parliament +House.” +</p> +<p>“Good! Good!” cried the portly M.P., +striking the table with his fist until the cups +rattled; “that’s true Yankee cleverness. You’re +a good sort, my child. Are they all like you in +America?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I think so,” said Patty, demurely; “are +they all like you in England?” +</p> +<p>Patty’s innocent air of inquiry robbed the +speech of all effect of pertness, and the genial +Mr. Pauncefote roared with delight. +</p> +<p>“Ha, ha!” he cried; “all like me in England? +No, my child, no! Heaven be praised, there +are very few after my pattern.” +</p> +<p>“That’s too bad,” said Patty. “I think your +pattern is a good one.” +</p> +<p>“It is,” said Tom Meredith. “If we had +more statesmen after Mr. Pauncefote’s pattern, +the House of Commons would be better off.” +</p> +<p>This speech called forth applause from the +other guests, and the host said, loudly: “Pshaw, +pshaw!” but he looked greatly pleased. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span></p> +<p>When the tea was over and the party rose from +the table, Mr. Pauncefote detained Patty for a +moment’s chat, while the others broke up into +smaller groups or wandered away. +</p> +<p>“I want you to meet my daughter,” he was +saying; “the young lady in gray over there, +talking to Sir Otho.” +</p> +<p>“Sir Otho who?” said Patty, quickly, forgetting +to respond in regard to Miss Pauncefote. +</p> +<p>“Sir Otho Markleham; see the large gentleman +with gold-rimmed glasses. She is my +youngest daughter, and I know she’d be glad to +meet you.” +</p> +<p>“I’d be delighted,” said Patty, but her attention +centred on Sir Otho. +</p> +<p>Could it be that was Lady Hamilton’s severe +father? He did not look so obstinate as she +had imagined him, but as she drew nearer, she +observed the firm set of his square jaw and reversed +her opinion. +</p> +<p>Sir Otho was very tall and big, and his +smoothly brushed hair was light brown without +a trace of gray. +</p> +<p>He wore closely-trimmed whiskers, of the style +known as “mutton-chop,” and his cold gray +eyes almost glittered as he looked through his +glasses. The introduction to Miss Pauncefote +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span> +implied also an introduction to Sir Otho, and +in a moment Patty found herself chatting in a +group of which Lady Kitty’s father was one. +</p> +<p>There was something about the big man that +awed her, and she naturally fell into conversation +with Miss Pauncefote, while the two gentlemen +talked together. But as they were all about +to separate, and even after Sir Otho had said +good-afternoon, Patty hesitated irresolutely for +a second, and then turned back toward him +again. +</p> +<p>“Sir Otho,” she said, timidly. +</p> +<p>“Well, ma’am, what is it?” was the response +as he turned in surprise to look at her. +</p> +<p>“I am very glad to meet you,” said Patty, +and as soon as the words were uttered, she realised +how absurd they were. +</p> +<p>“Thank you, ma’am,” said the puzzled gentleman. +He was very unresponsive, and showed +in his face that he thought little of this exhibition +of American forwardness. +</p> +<p>“Especially so,” Patty went on, “because I +know your daughter, Lady Hamilton.” +</p> +<p>“Bless my soul!” ejaculated Sir Otho Markleham, +the red blood dyeing his large face crimson, +and his eyes fairly snapping with anger. +</p> +<p>“Yes, I do,” went on Patty, resolved now to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span> +plunge in desperately, “and she sent you these +flowers.” +</p> +<p>Patty had previously detached two or three of +the prettiest sprays of the lilies of the valley, and +now held them out, with the air of one fulfilling +a trust. +</p> +<p>For a moment Sir Otho Markleham looked as +if he would really like to pitch the American +girl and her flowers into the river, and then, +almost mechanically, he took the blossoms from +Patty’s hand. +</p> +<p>Then, with a straight, cold stare at her, he +said, in a hard voice: “I have no daughter,” +and after a stiff, formal bow, he walked away. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='V_MISS_YANKEE_DOODLE' id='V_MISS_YANKEE_DOODLE'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<h3>MISS YANKEE DOODLE</h3> +</div> + +<p>“You didn’t, really!” exclaimed Lady +Hamilton, as Patty gleefully described +giving the flowers to Sir Otho Markleham. +</p> +<p>“But I did, Kitty, and truly, he <i>was</i> mad +enough to pitch me into that yellow muddy +old river. I greatly admire his self-control in +not really doing it. But what eyes he has! So +gray and steely, they cut right through me! +And he just said, tragically, ‘I have no +daughter,’ and stalked away. But—and this is +the main thing—he kept the flowers!” +</p> +<p>“How do you know?” +</p> +<p>“I watched him. I fully expected he’d fling +them straight over Parliament House, but he +didn’t. He didn’t even throw them on the stone +floor of the Terrace, and gr-r-rind them ’neath +his iron heel! I can’t say that he put them in +his button-hole, for his back was toward me, but +I <i>know</i> he kept them.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Patty, you are a silly! You think you’ve +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span> +gone far toward healing the family feud of the +Marklehams. But you haven’t. My father +gave the whole episode no thought at all, unless +it was to think of you as an impertinent child.” +</p> +<p>“Well, it was a wedge,” said Patty, doggedly, +“and if I ever get another chance at him, I’ll +hammer it in.” +</p> +<p>“No, don’t, Patty dear; you mean well, I +know, but you don’t know father’s disposition. +If he thought you were an intermediary, he’d be +more stubborn than ever.” +</p> +<p>“Huh!” said Patty, more expressively than +politely; “I’m not going to make any trouble. +Trust your Aunt Patty for that!” +</p> +<p>Lady Hamilton laughed, as she always did at +Patty’s funny American phrases, and the subject +of Sir Otho was dropped. +</p> +<p>“Better not mix yourself up in other people’s +quarrels,” said Mr. Fairfield, when Patty told +him about it. “Your motive is a good one, but +an Englishman is not apt to brook interference +from an outsider, especially an American.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, pshaw, Fred; Patty won’t do any +harm,” said Nan. “Patty’s tact is a match for +any English temper, and if she could bring +about a reconciliation, I’d be so glad for that +sweet Lady Hamilton.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span></p> +<p>“All right; I give in. When you two are +against me, I hold up my hands.” +</p> +<p>“We’re not against you, Daddy,” said Patty, +smiling fondly at her father. “You’re on our +side, only you don’t quite realise it.” +</p> +<p>“I told you she had tact,” laughed Nan, “and +she grows cleverer every day; don’t you, Stepdaughter?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, Stepmother,” replied Patty, gazing at +Nan in mock adoration; “since I have you for +a model, how could I do otherwise?” +</p> +<p>“You’re a pair of sillies,” said Mr. Fairfield, +laughing at their nonsense, “and in a vain endeavour +to improve your minds, I think I’ll read +aloud to you.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, goody!” cried Patty, for they both loved +to hear Mr. Fairfield read. “And mayn’t I ask +Lady Kitty to come in? She’ll sit still as a +mouse, I know.” +</p> +<p>“Certainly, my child; ask any one you like. +If you see any people in the corridors, bring them +back with you. Perhaps the elevator man will +come.” +</p> +<p>“’Deed he won’t be asked,” said Patty, indignantly. +“I just want my sweet, lovely Lady +Kitty.” +</p> +<p>The sweet, lovely lady was pleased to come, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span> +and did indeed sit still as a mouse, listening to +Mr. Fairfield’s fine reading. +</p> +<p>Then Patty sang one or two of her newest +songs, and then Nan declared they must all go +down to the Grill Room for a Welsh Rabbit. +</p> +<p>This plan enchanted Patty, and after a moment’s +hesitation, Lady Hamilton agreed. So +the evening proved a merry little festivity, and +Patty went to bed healthily tired, but healthily +happy. +</p> +<p>Bob Hartley did not forget his promise to ask +Patty to the Garden Party at Regent’s Park, +and Patty gladly accepted the invitation. +</p> +<p>“The only thing that bothers me,” she said to +Nan, “is that the Hartleys don’t seem to have +much money, and at a Charity Garden Party +there are so many ways to spend, that I fear I’ll +be a burden to them. It makes me awfully uncomfortable, +and yet I can’t offer to pay for +myself. And with those young men present, I +can’t offer to pay for the whole party.” +</p> +<p>“No,” agreed Nan. “But you might do something +yourself. Invite them all to be your guests +at some especial side-show, or booth. There +are often such opportunities.” +</p> +<p>“I hope there will be. The Hartleys are a +funny kind of poor. They have a good apartment +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span> +in London, and their country place is fine. +They have old servants, and keep a carriage, +and all that, and yet they never seem to have +spending money.” +</p> +<p>“English people are often like that. The keeping +up of an establishment comes first with them, +and little personal comforts afterward.” +</p> +<p>“That isn’t my idea of economy,” said Patty, +decidedly; “I’d rather spend all I want on flowers +and books and pretty hats, and go without +a butler and a footman and even a team of +horses.” +</p> +<p>“You can’t judge, because you’ve always had +whatever you want.” +</p> +<p>“Of course; because father is indulgent and +has plenty of money. But if he hadn’t, I’d be +just as happy, living in a plainer way.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, Patty, I believe you would,” and Nan +looked at the girl affectionately. “Well, do +your best to help the Hartleys financially this +afternoon without offending them.” +</p> +<p>“Ah, that’s just the trouble. They’re so +dreadfully proud they won’t accept so much as +a glass of lemonade from one who is their +guest.” +</p> +<p>“Try it, and see. It may not be so difficult +as you think.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span></p> +<p>So Patty went gaily off to the Garden Party. +Mrs. Hartley called for her in her carriage. +Mabel was with her, and they were to meet the +boys at the park. +</p> +<p>It was a beautiful drive, in the open victoria, +along the busy streets of the city, and then on +out to the green slopes of Regent’s Park. +</p> +<p>The portion of the park devoted to the Garden +Party was gay with booths and flower-stands, +tents and arbours, and catch-penny shows of all +sorts. +</p> +<p>Sinclair and Robert were awaiting them, and +also another young Englishman, whom Bob introduced +as Mr. Lawton. The latter was a +typical Briton, with a slight drawl, and a queer-looking +monocle in his right eye. +</p> +<p>“Awfully jolly to meet you,” he exclaimed, as +he shook Mrs. Hartley’s hand, and bowed formally +to the girls. +</p> +<p>He fascinated Patty, he was so exactly like +the young Englishmen pictured in <i>Punch</i>, and +she waited to hear him say “Bah Jove!” But +he didn’t say it, he contented himself with “My +word!” by way of expletive, and though it +didn’t seem to mean anything, it was apparently +useful to him. +</p> +<p>“You must jolly well let me be your guide,” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span> +he declared; “Mrs. Hartley and I will lead +and the rest of you will follow wherever we +go. First, we make the grand tour.” +</p> +<p>This meant joining a long procession that were +sauntering along a board walk, on either side +of which were settees filled with people. +</p> +<p>Patty, with Sinclair, followed the leaders, and +Mabel and Bob followed them. +</p> +<p>But their progress was slow, for continually +some of the party recognised friends seated +alongside, and stopped to speak to them. Patty +was introduced so often that she became bewildered, +and soon stopped trying to remember +who was who. +</p> +<p>“You’re getting jolly well fagged,” said Mr. +Lawton, suddenly noticing her expression. +“Now, we’ll stop this merry-go-round and adjourn +to the tea tent.” +</p> +<p>This they did, and were soon comfortably +seated round a tea table. +</p> +<p>“Great show, isn’t it?” said Bob, enthusiastically. +“And you haven’t seen half of it yet. +There’s fortune-telling, and Punch and Judy, +and the hat-trimming contest, and I don’t know +what beside.” +</p> +<p>Sinclair adroitly paid the tea bill, before Mr. +Lawton could do so, though the latter tried. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span></p> +<p>“Never mind, old fellow,” he cried, “I’ll get +even with you! I hereby invite you all to +supper at six o’clock.” +</p> +<p>“We’re pleased to accept,” said Patty, +promptly; “and I hereby invite you all to the +play, or whatever it is, given by the Stagefright +Club. I think that’s such a lovely name for a +dramatic club. Can’t we go at once?” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Hartley looked a little disturbed at +Patty’s invitation, but did not demur, and tea +being over, they all went toward the tent where +the play was to be given. Patty managed to +walk ahead with Mr. Lawton, this time, and +when they reached the big tent, she offered him +her little gold chain-purse, saying, quietly, +“Won’t you see to the tickets, please?” +</p> +<p>“Trust me,” said Mr. Lawton, and taking +Patty’s purse, he bought seats for them all. It +was gracefully done, and they all went in in +gay spirits and without a trace of embarrassment, +thanks to Patty’s tact. +</p> +<p>The play was very funny. Though only a +trifling farce, it was written by professionals, for +the benefit of the charity, and was played by the +clever amateurs who had chosen such an odd +name for their club. The situations in the play +were screamingly funny, and Patty shook with +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span> +laughter as she listened to the jokes and the +merry by-play. +</p> +<p>“Hist, she comes!” declared a weird figure in +a sepulchral voice, as he waited in the middle +of the stage. +</p> +<p>“Hist, she comes!” +</p> +<p>But nobody came. +</p> +<p>“That’s her cue,” he muttered; “what can be +the matter? I say,” he cleared his throat and +spoke louder: “Hist, she comes!” As the expected +entrance was still delayed, he only said: +“Well, she ought to be hissed when she does +come!” And calmly sat down to wait for her, +amid the applause of the audience. +</p> +<p>The short playlet soon came to an end, and +still shaking with laughter, the party went out +again into the beautiful atmosphere which is +found on a spring day in Regent’s Park. +</p> +<p>“Now, my children,” said Mrs. Hartley, “I +simply cannot walk about any more. I’m going +to sit in one of those chairs yonder, for I see +some people I know over there. You can amuse +yourselves with Punch and Judy, or Ring Toss +or whatever you like, and come back to me in an +hour or so. Sinclair, look after the little ones, +won’t you?” +</p> +<p>It was a great joke that Sinclair, the oldest +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span> +Hartley boy, should look after the others. He +had reached the age of twenty, and was much +more grave and dignified than Bob and Grace. +Mrs. Hartley often declared she could even +trust him to match samples for her, so careful +was he. So the young people wandered away +and spent a delightful hour looking at the beautiful +or grotesque sights that adorned the fair. +</p> +<p>Patty could not do much financially, but under +cover of giving to charity, she bought pretty +souvenirs for Mabel and Mrs. Hartley, and +laughingly invited the group to be photographed +by a Camera Fiend. +</p> +<p>This personage was clothed in red, and with +black horns and Mephistophelean countenance +was made to look as much like a fiend as possible. +With outlandish hoots and yells, he posed +the group and took several snapshots, which +they were to call for later. +</p> +<p>As they concluded it was nearly time to drift +back to Mrs. Hartley, Patty noticed a gentleman +who stood at a little distance, looking at +her intently. +</p> +<p>“Who’s your friend, Patty?” asked Mabel. +“Do you know him?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, slowly. “He’s Sir Otho +Markleham.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span></p> +<p>“So he is,” said Bob. “I’ve seen him often, +but I don’t know him personally.” +</p> +<p>Sir Otho, still looking at Patty, took a few +steps toward her, and then paused irresolutely. +</p> +<p>“Please excuse me,” said Patty to the others, +“I think I’ll go speak to him for a minute.” +</p> +<p>“Do,” said Mr. Lawton; “we’ll wait for you +right here.” +</p> +<p>Following an impulse, Patty walked directly toward +Sir Otho, who looked as if he would like +to run away. +</p> +<p>“How do you do?” she said, pleasantly, as +they met. +</p> +<p>“Quite well,” he said, but there was no responsiveness +in his manner. “Do you wish to +speak to me?” +</p> +<p>Now after he had first advanced toward Patty, +this was a strange question, but she bravely took +up the burden of conversation. +</p> +<p>“Well, yes,” she said, smiling at him prettily; +“I want to ask you how you are enjoying the +Garden Party.” +</p> +<p>“I never enjoy anything,” he returned, but his +face was sad now, rather than angry. +</p> +<p>“Oh, what a pity!” said Patty, involuntarily, +“and you have such powers of enjoyment, +too.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span></p> +<p>“How do you know that, Miss Yankee +Doodle?” +</p> +<p>Patty didn’t altogether like the name, or rather +the tone in which it was said, but she was determined +not to get piqued. So she said: +</p> +<p>“Oh, because you’re such a big, healthy, +hearty-looking man; you ought to laugh most of +the time.” +</p> +<p>“Ought I, indeed? But you see I never have +anything to laugh at.” +</p> +<p>At this Patty laughed outright. +</p> +<p>“Why, the world is full of things to laugh at,—and +you’re not blind.” +</p> +<p>“No, but I don’t feel like laughing.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t you ever even feel like smiling?” +</p> +<p>“Not often.” +</p> +<p>“Didn’t you feel like smiling just a little bit +of a happy smile, when I gave you those flowers +the other day? Those flowers—from Kitty.” +</p> +<p>Sir Otho’s face grew dark. +</p> +<p>“How dare you mention her name to me?” +he cried. “You are a saucy minx! Go away!” +</p> +<p>“I won’t be sent away like that,” declared +Patty, looking haughty now. “I’m no child to +be scolded for nothing. How dare you speak +to me like that? What do you think I am?” +</p> +<p>Sir Otho turned red with rage. He choked +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span> +and stammered and looked like a choleric old +gentleman, as indeed he was. +</p> +<p>“I think you’re an impertinent Yankee. What +do you think I am?” +</p> +<p>Patty looked him squarely in the eye. Her +chance had come, and she did not flinch. +</p> +<p>“I think,” she said, looking steadfastly at +him, “I think you’re an obstinate, stubborn, +selfish, cruel old—Pighead!” +</p> +<p>She confessed, afterward, that at that moment +she fully expected the irate old man to strike +her. But he did not. Instead, he looked at her +just a moment in amazement, and then burst +into peals of laughter. +</p> +<p>Surprised beyond measure, but unable to +resist the infectious merriment, Patty laughed +too. +</p> +<p>“Oh, Miss Yankee Doodle,” said Sir Otho, +wiping his eyes, “you are most astonishing. +The strange part is, you are quite right. I <i>am</i> +a stubborn old Pighead, but how did you know +it? Do I wear my heart on my sleeve to that +extent?” +</p> +<p>“Have you a heart?” asked Patty, so gravely +that Sir Otho again roared with laughter. +</p> +<p>“And yet,” said Patty, thoughtfully, seeing +that frankness pleased the old man, “and yet, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span> +no one with such a sense of humour as you +seem to have can be wholly bad.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, thank you! So I’m not wholly bad? +Well, that’s a comfort; I always thought I was. +But your friends are looking this way. I think +they want you to rejoin them.” +</p> +<p>“In a moment,” said Patty. “Sir Otho,—won’t +you—please—send a flower back to my +friend, Lady Hamilton?” +</p> +<p>“I would do much for any friend of yours,” +said the strange old man, very gravely, and +taking a few steps to a nearby flower stand, he +bought a bunch of sweet peas, and said, carelessly, +“Give her those, if you like.” +</p> +<p>Then formally escorting Patty back to her +friends, he raised his hat, and walked quickly +away. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VI_HERENDEN_HALL' id='VI_HERENDEN_HALL'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<h3>HERENDEN HALL</h3> +</div> + +<p>“There, Kitty lady,” said Patty, as she +reached the Savoy on her return from +the Garden Party, “there’s a nosegay +from your affectionate father.” +</p> +<p>Lady Hamilton stared at the bunch of sweet +peas that Patty held out to her. +</p> +<p>“My word!” she exclaimed, “you are the +most amazing child! I suppose he sent them +to me just about as much as I sent him those +valley lilies you took to him the other day.” +</p> +<p>Lady Kitty guessed so near the truth that +Patty felt a little crestfallen. +</p> +<p>“It was more than that,” she said. “I asked +him to send some flowers to you, and he bought +these purposely.” +</p> +<p>“Did he select sweet peas, himself?” +</p> +<p>“Yes.” +</p> +<p>“That means something, then, Patty dear; for +father well knows my fondness for these flowers. +Well, you’re a dear, good little girl to try to +heal the breach, but I can’t feel much encouragement. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span> +Father is too old and too obstinate ever +to forgive me.” +</p> +<p>“And you’re too young and too obstinate to +go and beg his forgiveness!” +</p> +<p>“Indeed I am! Fancy my meekly returning, +like a prodigal daughter, when I haven’t done +anything wrong!” +</p> +<p>“You don’t deserve a reconciliation,” cried +Patty; “you’re a hard-hearted little thing,—for +all you look so soft and amiable.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Lady Kitty, demurely; “I inherited +my father’s disposition.” +</p> +<p>“Indeed, you did; and you’ll grow more like +him every day you live, if you don’t try to be +more forgiving.” +</p> +<p>“I believe you’re right, Patty; and perhaps +some day I will try. But now let me tell you +what’s been happening. While you were away, +I had a call from that very charming stepmother +of yours. And this was the burden of her visit. +It seems that she and your father are invited +to spend the week-end at a country house, and +the question was, where to pack you away for +safe-keeping while they’re gone.” +</p> +<p>“And they’re going to let me stay with you!” +exclaimed Patty, clasping her hands and assuming +an ecstatically happy expression. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span></p> +<p>“Well, Mrs. Nan seemed to think that I +could keep you in order, though I’m not so sure +of it myself. But the strange part is, I also am +invited for this same week-end to a most delightful +country house, and I have already accepted.” +</p> +<p>Patty’s face fell. +</p> +<p>“What is to become of poor little me?” she +said. “I don’t want to stay with Mrs. Betham.” +</p> +<p>“No; I’ve a plan for you. And it’s this. I +want to take you with me to Herenden Hall, +where I’m going, and,—Mrs. Nan says I may.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Kitty! You duck! How perfectly +lovely!” Patty flew at her friend, and nearly +strangled her in a spasmodic embrace. +</p> +<p>“You see,” went on Lady Hamilton, when she +had regained her breath, “I’m so well acquainted +with the Herendens, that I can ask +an invitation for you; and though you’re not +really ‘out’ yet, it will give you a glimpse of +the nicest kind of English country-house life.” +</p> +<p>“It’s great!” declared Patty. “I’m wild with +excitement. But I care more about being with +you than I do about the house-party.” +</p> +<p>“You won’t when you get there. They’re +really charming people, and the Hall is one of +the finest old estates in England.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span></p> +<p>“Shall I have to have some new frocks?” +</p> +<p>“We’ll look over your wardrobe, and see. I +fancy the ones you already have will do. You +know you’ll be looked upon as scarcely more +than a schoolgirl, and you must wear simple, +frilly muslins and broad-leafed hats.” +</p> +<p>“I can even live through that! I don’t care +what I wear if I’m with you. Three whole +days! Will it be three days, Kitty?” +</p> +<p>“Three days or more. If they politely ask +us to remain a day or two longer we might do +so. They’re old friends of mine, do you see? +And I haven’t been there for years, so they’ll be +glad to see us.” +</p> +<p>“To see you, you mean. They don’t know +me, so how can they be glad to see me?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, you must,—what is your idiotic American +phrase? You must ‘make good’!” +</p> +<p>“I will,” said Patty, laughing to hear the +phrase from an Englishwoman, and then she +ran away to her own apartment, to talk over +affairs with Nan. +</p> +<p>“It’s a great piece of good fortune,” said Nan, +“that you’re such good friends with Lady +Hamilton, for Fred and I couldn’t take you with +us, and what would have become of you?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I always land on my feet,” returned +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span> +Patty, “I must have been born under a lucky +star.” +</p> +<p>“I believe you were, Pattykins.” +</p> +<p>“And won’t I have the time of my life at +Herenden Hall——” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Patty, Patty, you must stop using slang. +They’ll never ask you to Herenden Hall again +if you behave like a wild Indian.” +</p> +<p>“But you see, Stepmother, they look upon me +as an infant anyhow, so I may as well have +some fun.” +</p> +<p>“But don’t be a hoyden, and do remember that +American slang isn’t admired over here.” +</p> +<p>“Yas’m; I’ll be good. And I’ll say ‘Really?’ +and ‘Only fancy!’ till they’ll think I’m the +daughter of a hundred Earls.” +</p> +<p>“I’m not at all worried about your manners,” +said Nan, serenely. “You usually behave pretty +well, but you will talk American instead of English.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I’ll try to make myself understood, at +all events. And you’re going to have a lovely +time, too, aren’t you? Isn’t it fun! I do like +to have all my friends as happy as I am. I suppose +you and father will be like two young +turtle-doves off on your honeymoon trip.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, we’re always that, even when there’s a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span> +great, big girl like you around to make us seem +old.” +</p> +<p>“Well, if you behave as well as you look, I +won’t be ashamed of you.” Patty gazed critically +at Nan, and then added, “Though your +nose does seem to turn up more than it used to.” +</p> +<p>Whereupon Nan threw a sofa-pillow at her, +which Patty caught and stuffed behind her own +curly head. +</p> +<p>The Saturday of their departure was a beautiful, +bright day, and it was about noon when +Patty and Lady Hamilton, accompanied by the +latter’s maid, took the train from Victoria +Station. +</p> +<p>It was a long ride to their destination in Kent, +and not an especially interesting one, but Patty, +in the companionship of her dear friend, was entirely +happy. They chatted gaily as the train +rolled from one English town to another. At +Robertsbridge they had to change to a funny +little railroad, which had the strangest cars +Patty had ever seen. +</p> +<p>They were almost like freight cars, with +benches along the sides. There were no tickets, +and presently the guard came in to collect their +fares, as if in a street-car. +</p> +<p>Moreover the luggage had been tumbled in +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span> +without check or paster, and Patty wondered +if anybody ever could pick out their own again. +</p> +<p>“Your regular first-class coaches are funny +enough,” she said to Lady Hamilton, “but they +are comfortable. This box we’re in is like a +cattle pen.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no,” laughed Lady Hamilton; “this isn’t +bad at all. You see it’s only a tiny branch road, +running to some little hamlets, and it’s not much +used. There are only about two trains each +way every day.” +</p> +<p>This gave Patty a different idea of the little +railroad, and she began to feel a more personal +interest in it. They rolled slowly through the +hop-growing country, and though the scenery +was not grand, it was picturesque. Patty said +it was like a panorama of “The Angelus.” +They reached their station at about five o’clock, +and found a fine open barouche awaiting them, +and a wagon for their trunks. +</p> +<p>The footman greeted them deferentially, and +asked them to pick out their luggage from the lot +that had been dumped on the station platform. +</p> +<p>“I can’t see either of my trunks,” said Patty. +“So I suppose I’d better take the ones I like best +of these others.” +</p> +<p>“Nonsense,” said Lady Hamilton; “yours +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span> +must be here somewhere. Look around, Marie; +you know Miss Fairfield’s boxes.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, my Lady; but they are not here.” +</p> +<p>Sure enough, they weren’t there, and as Patty +was certain they had been put on the train, she +concluded they had been carried on. +</p> +<p>“What can I do?” she cried. “Can we telephone +to the next station and have them sent +back?” +</p> +<p>But in that small station, merely a tiny box, +there was no telephone. +</p> +<p>The impassive coachman and footman from +Herenden Hall seemed to have no advice to +offer, so there was nothing to do but to proceed +to the house. +</p> +<p>Patty was distressed at the outlook. +</p> +<p>“Oh, Kitty,” she said; “I can’t go to dinner +at all! Of course I couldn’t appear in this +travelling costume, and I’ll have to put on one +of your négligées, and eat dinner all alone in +my room!” +</p> +<p>The prospect was appalling, but neither of +them could think of any help for it. +</p> +<p>“Has Lady Herenden any daughters about my +age?” Patty asked, after a few moments’ +thought. +</p> +<p>“No, indeed. She and Lord Herenden have +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span> +no children. But if there are any young girls +there as guests, you might borrow a frock for +to-night. Surely they’ll get your things by to-morrow.” +</p> +<p>They drove into the park, through great gates, +and past various lodges. The wonderful old +trees waved above their heads; the marvellous +lawns stretched away in rolling slopes; and the +well-kept road wound along, now over a bridge, +now under an arch until they paused at the noble +old entrance of Herenden Hall. +</p> +<p>Liveried servants seemed to appear, as if by +magic, from all directions at once. Dogs came, +barking a noisy welcome, and, following Lady +Hamilton across the terrace and into the great +entrance hall, Patty found herself being presented +to a lovely young woman, almost as beautiful +as Lady Hamilton herself. +</p> +<p>“You must be the greatest chums,” Lady +Hamilton was saying, “for Miss Fairfield is one +of my dearest friends, and I want you to adore +each other.” +</p> +<p>“We will!” said Lady Herenden and Patty, +at the same moment, and then they all laughed, +and the guests were at once shown to their +rooms. +</p> +<p>After a bewildering route through several +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span> +branching halls, Patty found that to her had +been assigned a large and pleasant room, which +looked out upon the rose-garden. On one side +it communicated with Lady Hamilton’s room, +and on the other opened into a dainty dressing-room +and bath. It was all enchanting, and +Patty’s gaze rested admiringly upon the chintz +draperies and Dresden ornaments, when she +heard a tap at her door. Answering, she found +a trim maid, who courtesied and said: “I’m +Susan, Miss. Will you give me the keys of +your boxes, and I’ll unpack them.” +</p> +<p>Patty almost laughed at this casual request, in +the face of what seemed to her a tragedy. +</p> +<p>“Susan,” she said, “here are the keys, but you +can’t unpack my boxes for they haven’t +come.” +</p> +<p>“Lor’, Miss; they must be downstairs. I’ll +have them sent up.” +</p> +<p>“No—wait, Susan; they’re not downstairs. +They didn’t come on the train.” +</p> +<p>“Lor’, Miss, whatever will you do?” +</p> +<p>The girl’s eyes grew big and troubled. Here +was a dreadful situation indeed! Already Susan +felt drawn toward the pretty young American +girl, and she was aghast at the outlook of a dinner +party with no party frock. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span></p> +<p>“I can’t go to dinner at all, Susan,” said Patty, +dejectedly. “You must bring me a tray up +here—though I don’t feel like eating.” +</p> +<p>“Not go to dinner, Miss? Oh, what a pity! +It’s a grand dinner to-night. The Earl of Ruthven +is here, and it’s one of her ladyship’s greatest +dinners of the season.” +</p> +<p>The good Susan looked so concerned, and her +face was so anxious, that it went straight to +Patty’s heart. To her mind there came a vivid +and tantalising remembrance of her exquisite +dinner frock, of white chiffon, embroidered with +tiny sprays of blossoms—a soft sash and +shoulder-knots—one of the loveliest dresses she +had ever had, and with a sob she threw herself +on to the couch and indulged in a few foolish +but comforting tears. +</p> +<p>“There, there, Miss,” said Susan, sympathisingly, +“don’t ee take on so. Maybe we can +find summat for ee.” +</p> +<p>When Susan was excited or troubled, she lapsed +into her old dialect, which she was striving to +outgrow. +</p> +<p>“You can’t find anything, I know,” said Patty, +sitting up, and looking the picture of woe. +“There are no very young ladies in the house, +are there, Susan?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span></p> +<p>“No, Miss, none so young as yourself, nor +near it.” +</p> +<p>“And I can’t wear this,” went on Patty, looking +at the silk blouse that was part of her +travelling gown. +</p> +<p>“Lor’ no, Miss; not to a dinner!” +</p> +<p>“Then what?” +</p> +<p>“Then what, indeed, Miss!” +</p> +<p>Patty and Susan faced each other, at last in a +full realisation of the hopelessness of the situation, +when, after a light tap at the door, Lady +Hamilton came in. +</p> +<p>She laughed outright at the tragic attitude of +the two, and knew at once what they were +troubled about. +</p> +<p>“Listen to me, Pattypet,” she said. “Am I +your fairy godmother, or am I not?” +</p> +<p>“You are,” said Patty, with an air of conviction, +and feeling sure that Lady Hamilton +was about to help her out of her troubles, +somehow. +</p> +<p>“Well, I’ve carefully considered the case. +I’ve sent Marie to canvass the house for clothes +suitable for a mademoiselle of seventeen.” +</p> +<p>“Nearly eighteen,” murmured Patty. +</p> +<p>“It doesn’t matter. There isn’t what’s known +as a ‘misses’ costume’ beneath this roof. Now, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span> +I simply refuse to let you be absent from this +dinner. It will be both a pleasure and an education +to you to see this especial kind of a formal +function, and probably you’ll not often have a +chance. They’ve sent a man and a wagon over +to the next station, several miles away for your +boxes; that’s the way they do things here. But +he can’t get back until long after the dinner +hour. So listen, to my command, dictum, fiat—call +it what you please, but this is what you’re +to do.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll do anything you say, Kitty Lady, if it’s to +go to bed at once, and sleep soundly till morning.” +</p> +<p>“Nothing of the sort. You must and shall +attend this dinner. And—you’re going to wear +one of my gowns!” +</p> +<p>“Yours?” +</p> +<p>“Yes. We’re so nearly the same size that it +will fit you quite well enough. I’ve picked out +the simplest one, a white Irish point. It’s cut +princess, but all my gowns are. I’m sure Marie +can make it fit you perfectly, with a few pins or +a stitch here and there.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, it will fit well enough, but, Kitty, won’t +I be the grown-up! I’ve never worn a real +train in my life!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span></p> +<p>“Of course it’s a lot too old for you, and +truly, I hate to have you appear in a gown like +that. But what else can we do? I won’t let you +miss the dinner—and after all, it doesn’t matter +so much. After this visit I doubt if you’ll ever +see these people again, and let them think you’re +five or six years older than you are. Who +cares?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t,” said Patty, gleefully. “I think it +will be fun. I’ll have my hair piled high on my +head. Can you do it for me, Sarah?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, Miss. I’m a hair-dresser and I’m +that glad you’re going to dinner.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VII_FOR_ONE_NIGHT_ONLY' id='VII_FOR_ONE_NIGHT_ONLY'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<h3>FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY</h3> +</div> + +<p>Sarah was indeed an expert hair-dresser, +and she piled up Patty’s hair in soft coils, +and twisted the curly tendrils into fluffy +puffs, and though the result was beautiful, it +made Patty look like her own older sister. A +jewelled ornament of Lady Hamilton’s crowned +the coiffure, and this gave an added effect of +dignity. The lace gown was easily made to fit its +new wearer. Marie pinned it, and sewed it, +and patted it into place, till nobody would suspect +it had not been made for Patty. But the +long lines of the Princess pattern took away all +of Patty’s usual simple girlish appearance, and +transformed her at once into a beautiful, queenly +young woman. The décolletée corsage, and the +sleeves, which were merely frills of lace, were +very becoming; and the long train, which billowed +into a frou-frou of chiffon ruffles took +away the last semblance of a girl of eighteen. +Notwithstanding her softly-curved cheeks and +throat, and her exquisite, fresh complexion, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span> +Patty looked quite the young woman of society +and could easily have been adjudged about +twenty-four years old. +</p> +<p>Her eyes danced, as she walked sedately +through the open door and into Lady Hamilton’s +room. +</p> +<p>“My word, Patty!” exclaimed that lady, +“you’re simply stunning in that gown! You +look as if you’d been ‘out’ for two or three +seasons. Your people would never forgive me +if they knew how I’ve dressed you up.” +</p> +<p>“It was the only thing to do,” said Patty, +airily, as she began to draw on her arms a pair +of Lady Hamilton’s long white gloves. “The +wonder is that you had plenty of all sorts of +things to fit me out, and also that they do fit so +well. These gloves are just right, though I confess +the slippers pinch me just a speck.” +</p> +<p>“‘Pretty never hurts,’ you know,” said Lady +Hamilton, laughing. “Marie, isn’t Miss Fairfield +a picture?” +</p> +<p>“<i>Mais oui!</i> She is <i>charmante</i>. It is amazing +how the gown suits her. She is <i>très-belle!</i>” +</p> +<p>With the grown-up clothes, Patty had quite unconsciously +assumed a grown-up air. She nonchalantly +flung aside her train with just the +same gesture Lady Hamilton was wont to use, +and she carried herself with a dignity and graciousness +of manner which would have been absurd +when wearing her own simple frocks. +</p> +<div class='figcenter'> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span> +<a name='linki_2' id='linki_2'></a> +<img src='images/illus-094.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='text-align:center;'> +“Marie pinned it and sewed it” +<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span></div> +<p>“Gracious, goodness, child!” cried Lady +Hamilton. “Come down off that pedestal! +You walk like a Duchess. It won’t do, you +know, really.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t mean to,” said Patty; “you know I’m +a sort of chameleon. This gown makes me feel +as if I belonged in an opera-box, or had an audience +with the Queen.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, you goose! Stop your nonsense, and +we’ll go down to dinner. Mind, now, none of +those airs, or I’ll send you back to your room.” +</p> +<p>Patty honestly tried to be her own simple-minded +self, and would have succeeded all right, +if Herenden Hall had not been so lavishly provided +with mirrors. On the grand staircase she +came face to face with a radiant creature, and +was about to step aside when she discovered it +was herself! Involuntarily she gazed at the reflection +of the white-gowned lady, and unconsciously +an air of serenity, almost hauteur, replaced +her usual merry smile, and with a gracious +mien she passed on down the stairs. +</p> +<p>Lady Herenden awaited them in the drawing-room. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span></p> +<p>A brilliant assemblage was already there, for +Patty’s unusual costuming had caused her some +delay. After the first few introductions, Lady +Hamilton and Patty became separated, and the +guests stood about conversing in small groups. +</p> +<p>Patty chanced to fall in with some very entertaining +people, among whom was the Earl of +Ruthven. +</p> +<p>The Earl was a handsome man, tall, and of +an imposing presence. +</p> +<p>When presented to Patty, he gazed at her +with frank, though quite deferential admiration. +“So pleased to meet you, Miss Fairfield,” he +said; “I adore American ladies.” +</p> +<p>Patty really felt a little in awe of an Earl, as +she had never met one before, and was about to +make a shy response, when a slight movement +of her head showed her her own reflection in a +nearby mirror. +</p> +<p>Realising afresh that she was masquerading as +a society lady, a spirit of mischief suddenly took +possession of her, and she determined to throw +herself into the rôle. So, with a pretty little +toss of her head, and a charming smile, she +said: +</p> +<p>“Thank you, Lord Ruthven; I adore Englishmen, +too, but I know so few of them.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span></p> +<p>“You’ve not been here long, then?” +</p> +<p>“No, only a few weeks. And there’s so much +I want to learn.” +</p> +<p>“Let me teach you,” said his Lordship, +eagerly. “I do not think you would prove a +dull pupil.” +</p> +<p>Patty’s eyes smiled. “No Americans are +dull,” she said. +</p> +<p>“That’s true; my experience has already +proved it. I’ve met six, I think, including yourself. +But what sort of things do you want to +learn?” +</p> +<p>“The language, principally. I just want to +learn to say ‘only fancy’ occasionally, and ‘d’y’ see?’ +in the middle of every sentence.” +</p> +<p>“It’s not easy,” said Lord Ruthven, thoughtfully, +“but I think I can teach you in, say, about +ten lessons. When shall we begin the course?” +</p> +<p>Patty looked at him reproachfully. “If you +knew the American nature at all,” she said, +“you’d know that we always begin things the +moment the plan occurs to us.” +</p> +<p>“Good! there’s no time like the present.” +</p> +<p>But just then their conversation was interrupted +by the announcement of dinner. +</p> +<p>Patty hoped she would sit at table next the +Earl, but it was not so. The nobleman was +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span> +accorded the seat of honour at the right of his +hostess, while Patty, as a minor guest, was far +away across the table. But she found herself +between two affable and pleasant-mannered +young Englishmen, and instantly forgot all +about her titled friend. +</p> +<p>Indeed, the bewildering beauty of the scene +claimed her attention, and she fairly held her +breath as she looked about her. The great oval +room was lighted only by wax candles in crystal +chandeliers and candelabra. This made a soft, +mellow radiance quite different from gas or electricity. +On one side of the room long French +windows opened on to the terrace, through +which came the scent of roses and the sound of +plashing fountains. On the other side, only +slender pillars and arches divided the dining-room +from a conservatory, and a riotous tangle +of blossoms and foliage fairly spilled into the +room, forming almost a cascade of flowers. +</p> +<p>The great round table was a bewildering array +of gold plate, gilded glass, and exquisite china, +while on the delicate lace of the tablecloth lay +rare blossoms that seemed to have drifted from +the circular mound of flowers which formed the +low centrepiece. +</p> +<p>Twenty-four guests sat round the board, in +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span> +chairs of gilded wicker, and as the silent, black-garbed +waiters served the viands, the scene became +as animated as it was beautiful. +</p> +<p>Patty forgot all else in her absolute enjoyment +of the fairy-like spectacle, and was only brought +back to a sense of reality by the sound of a +voice at her side. Mr. Merivale was speaking—the +young man who had escorted her out +to dinner, and who now sat at her right +hand. +</p> +<p>“You love beauty of detail,” he was saying +as he noted Patty’s absorption. +</p> +<p>“Oh, isn’t it great!” she exclaimed, and then +suddenly realised that the expression was not at +all in keeping with the dignity of her Princess +gown. +</p> +<p>But Mr. Merivale seemed amused rather than +shocked. +</p> +<p>“That’s American for ‘ripping,’ isn’t it?” he +said, smiling. “But whatever the adjective, the +fact is the same. Lady Herenden’s dinners are +always the refinement of the spectacular.” +</p> +<p>Patty realised the appropriateness of this +phrase, and cudgelled her brain for an appropriate +reply. She began to think that playing +grown-up was a more difficult game than she +had supposed. Had she had on her own simple +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span> +little frock, Mr. Merivale would not have +talked to her like that. +</p> +<p>“Don’t you remember last season,” he went +on, “when Lady Herenden had a real pond, +with gold fish in the middle of the table, and +ferns and water lilies round the edge?” +</p> +<p>“I wasn’t here last season,” said Patty. “I +have never been in England until this +summer.” +</p> +<p>“Indeed? I know you are an American, but +you have really an English manner.” +</p> +<p>“It’s acquired,” said Patty, with a mischievous +twinkle in her eye. “I find my American manner +isn’t admired over here, so I assume London +airs.” +</p> +<p>“Ah, you wish to be admired?” +</p> +<p>“Of all things!” declared naughty Patty, with +a roguish glance at the jesting young man. +</p> +<p>“You’ll probably get your wish,” he replied. +“I’m jolly well ready to do my share.” +</p> +<p>This brought the colour to Patty’s cheeks, and +she turned slightly away, toward the man on her +other side. +</p> +<p>He was a slightly older man than Mr. Merivale +and was the squire of an adjoining estate. +He was quite ready to talk to his American +neighbour, and began the conversation by asking +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span> +her if she had yet seen Lady Herenden’s +rose-orchard. +</p> +<p>“No, Mr. Snowden,” said Patty, “I only arrived +a few hours ago, and I’ve not been round +the place at all.” +</p> +<p>“Then let me show it to you, please. I’ll +come over to-morrow morning for a stroll. +May I?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know,” said Patty, hesitatingly, for +she was uncertain what she ought to do in the +matter. “You see, I’m with Lady Hamilton, +and whatever she says——” +</p> +<p>“Oh, nonsense! She’ll spare you from her +side for an hour or two. There’s really a lot +to see.” +</p> +<p>Again poor Patty realised her anomalous position. +But for her piled-up hair and her trained +gown, the man would never have dreamed of +asking her to go for a walk unchaperoned. +Patty had learned the ethics of London etiquette +for girls of eighteen, but she was not versed in +the ways of older young women. +</p> +<p>“We’ll see about it,” she said, non-committally, +and then she almost laughed outright at the +sudden thought of Mr. Snowden’s surprise +should he see her next day in one of her own +simple morning frocks of light muslin. Lady +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span> +Hamilton’s morning gowns were Paris affairs, +with trailing frills and long knotted ribbons. +</p> +<p>“It seems to amuse you,” said Mr. Snowden, +a trifle piqued at her merriment. +</p> +<p>“You’ll be amused, too,” she said, “if you +see me to-morrow.” +</p> +<p>Then something in the man’s pleasant face +seemed to invite confidence, and she said, impulsively: +</p> +<p>“I may as well tell you that I’m masquerading. +I’m not a grown-up lady at all. I’m not +much more than a schoolgirl—not quite eighteen +years old. But—but my box didn’t come, and—and +I had to wear Lady Hamilton’s gown. +It makes me seem a lot older, I know, but I had +to do it, or stay away from dinner.” +</p> +<p>Mr. Snowden looked first amazed, and then +he burst into laughter. +</p> +<p>“I beg your pardon, I’m sure,” he said, “but +I had no idea! And so Lady Hamilton is your +chaperon? I see. Of course. Well, we’ll +have the stroll just the same, if you will, and +we’ll ask her to go with us.” +</p> +<p>“Isn’t she the dearest thing?” exclaimed +Patty, looking at Lady Kitty across the table, +and feeling much more at her ease now that she +had confessed her position. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span></p> +<p>“She is a beautiful and charming woman,” +agreed Mr. Snowden. +</p> +<p>And then it was time for Patty to turn back to +Mr. Merivale, for she had learned that one +must divide the time fairly between dinner neighbors. +</p> +<p>“I didn’t offend you, did I?” said young Merivale, +eagerly. “You turned so quickly—and—and +you—er—blushed, you know, and so I was +afraid—er——” +</p> +<p>But Patty was of no mind to confess the fewness +of her years to everybody, and her mischievous +spirit returned as she determined to +chaff this amusing young man. +</p> +<p>“What!” she said, reproachfully, “an Englishman, +and afraid!” +</p> +<p>“Afraid of nothing but a fair lady’s displeasure. +All true Englishmen surrender to that.” +</p> +<p>“I’m not displeased,” said Patty, dimpling and +smiling; “in fact, I’ve even forgotten what you +said.” +</p> +<p>“That’s good! Now we can start fresh. Will +you save a lot of dances for me to-night?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, will there be dancing?” exclaimed Patty, +delighted at the prospect. +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed; in the big ballroom. Will you +give me all the waltzes?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span></p> +<p>Patty looked at him in amazement. “You +said you were going to ‘start fresh,’” she said, +“and now you’ve certainly done so!” +</p> +<p>But the American phrase was lost on the Englishman, +who only proceeded to repeat his +request. +</p> +<p>Meantime, Mr. Snowden was asking Patty for +a dance. +</p> +<p>“Certainly,” she said, “I shall be pleased to +dance with you.” +</p> +<p>“You’ll give me more than one dance or you +needn’t give me any,” grumbled young Merivale. +</p> +<p>“All right,” said Patty, quickly. “Mr. Snowden, +I’ve just had a dance ‘returned with +thanks,’ so you can have that, if you wish it.” +</p> +<p>“I do indeed,” he replied, enthusiastically, and +Mr. Merivale relapsed into a sulky silence. +</p> +<p>Then Lady Herenden rose from the table, and +the ladies all rose and followed her up to one +of the beautiful salons, where coffee was served +to them. Patty managed to secure a seat on a +divan beside Lady Hamilton. +</p> +<p>“You quite take my breath away, little Patty,” +said her friend, in a low voice. “You are already +a favourite, and in a fair way to become +the belle of the ball.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span></p> +<p>“I try not to act too old, Kitty,” said Patty, +earnestly, “but truly everybody thinks I’m a +society lady. They don’t even look on me as a +débutante.” +</p> +<p>“Never mind, dearie; have all the fun you can. +Enjoy the dancing, and don’t care what anybody +thinks.” +</p> +<p>Encouraged by Lady Hamilton’s approval, +Patty ceased to think about her demeanour and +proceeded to enjoy the conversation of those +about her. +</p> +<p>Lady Herenden was especially kind to her, and +singled out the young American for her special +favour and attention. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VIII_THE_EARL_OF_RUTHVEN' id='VIII_THE_EARL_OF_RUTHVEN'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<h3>THE EARL OF RUTHVEN</h3> +</div> + +<p>After a time the men came from the dining-room +and rejoined the ladies. +</p> +<p>Patty was chatting with a group of +young women, and when she glanced around, it +was to see Lord Ruthven standing at her side. +</p> +<p>“I was miles away from you at dinner,” he +said, “but now there is an opportunity, let us +begin our lessons in English at once.” +</p> +<p>“Do,” said Patty, smiling; “where shall be +our classroom?” +</p> +<p>“We’ll pre-empt this sofa,” said Lord Ruthven, +indicating, as he spoke, a gold-framed +Louis XIV. tête-à-tête. “We’ll pretend that it +is a real schoolroom, with four walls hung with +maps and charts—just such as you used to have +when you were a little girl.” +</p> +<p>Patty smiled at this reference to her far-away +school-days, but fell in with his mood. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she said, “and you must be the stern +schoolmaster, and I the stupid pupil who has +been kept in after school.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span></p> +<p>But their merry game was interrupted by Lady +Herenden’s invitation to the ballroom. +</p> +<p>Escorted by Lord Ruthven, Patty followed the +others to the great hall where they were to +dance. +</p> +<p>It was a resplendent apartment, with balconies +and boxes, from which the spectators could look +down upon the dancers. A fine orchestra furnished +the music, and Patty, who loved to dance, +found her feet involuntarily keeping time to the +harmonious strains. +</p> +<p>“Shall we have a try?” said Lord Ruthven, +and in a moment they were gliding over the +smooth floor. +</p> +<p>Patty already knew that English dancing is not +like the American steps, but she was so completely +mistress of the art, that she could adapt +herself instantly to any variation. +</p> +<p>“I won’t compliment your dancing,” said the +Earl, as the waltz was finished, “for you must +have been told so often how wonderfully well +you dance. But I must tell you what a pleasure +it is to dance with you.” +</p> +<p>Patty thought this a very pretty speech, and +graciously gave his lordship some other dances +for which he asked, and then, leaving her with +Lady Herenden, he excused himself and went +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span> +away. Then Patty was besieged with would-be +partners. Her dancing had called forth the +admiration of everybody, and the young men +crowded about, begging to see her dance-card. +</p> +<p>Only Mr. Merivale stood aloof. He was still +sulky, and he looked so like a cross schoolboy +that Patty took pity on him. +</p> +<p>She slightly nodded her head at him by way +of invitation, and he came slowly toward her. +</p> +<p>“Which two do you want?” she said, demurely. +</p> +<p>Merivale’s face lighted up. “You are indeed +kind,” he said, in a low voice. “I will +take any you will give me. My card is blank +as yet.” +</p> +<p>So Patty arranged the dances, and the young +man went away looking much happier. The +evening was all too short. Patty whirled +through dance after dance, and between them +was restored to Lady Herenden or Lady Hamilton, +only to be claimed the next minute by another +partner. +</p> +<p>“What a belle it is!” said Lady Herenden, +patting the girl’s shoulder affectionately. “You +have made a real sensation, Miss Fairfield.” +</p> +<p>“But I’m Cinderella, to-night,” she said, gaily. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span></p> +<p>“Wait till to-morrow, and see all my popularity +vanish.” +</p> +<p>Lady Herenden did not understand, but took it +as merry chaff and paid no heed. +</p> +<p>Then Lord Ruthven came for the last dance. +</p> +<p>“This is an extra, Miss Fairfield,” he said; +“will you give it to me?” +</p> +<p>Patty agreed, but as they walked away, his +Lordship said: +</p> +<p>“You look really tired; would you not rather +sit on the terrace than dance?” +</p> +<p>“I am tired,” said Patty, honestly; “I think +it’s carrying this heavy train around. I’ve never +before danced in a long gown.” +</p> +<p>“Then you shall rest. Let us sit on the terrace, +and I’ll send for an ice for you.” +</p> +<p>Lord Ruthven was very kind and courteous. +He found a delightful corner of the terrace unoccupied, +and he arranged two wicker easy-chairs, +where they might be just out of the way +of the promenaders. He asked a footman to +bring the ices, and then seated himself beside +Patty. +</p> +<p>“Is it not beautiful,” he said, “the rose garden +in the moonlight? One can almost fancy the +roses opening beneath the moon’s light as in +daytime by the sun’s warm rays.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span></p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, falling in with his fanciful +mood, “and I think, perhaps, at night, the +white roses and the pale yellow ones bloom. +Then at daybreak, the pink or blush roses open, +and at midday the deep red ones.” +</p> +<p>“You have the mind of a poet, Miss Fairfield. +Where do you get those graceful conceits?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t know,” said Patty, carelessly; +“I think they are the result of this beautiful +moonlight night, and these picturesque surroundings.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I am sure that is true. You have a soul +that responds to all beauty in art or nature. +Let us take a short turn in the rose garden, and +get a view of this noble old house with the +moonlight full upon it.” +</p> +<p>“But I want my ice cream,” objected Patty, +who still had her schoolgirl appetite. +</p> +<p>“We’ll stay but a moment, and we’ll return to +find it awaiting us,” gently insisted Lord Ruthven, +and Patty amiably went down the terrace +steps and along the garden path with him. +</p> +<p>Near a clump of cedars, only a short distance +away, they turned to look at the beautiful old +house. Herenden Hall was always a splendid +picture, but especially at night, backgrounded +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span> +by a gray sky full of racing clouds, and touched +at every gable by the silver moonlight, it was +enchanting. +</p> +<p>“Oh,” said Patty, drawing a sigh, “it is the +most wonderful effect I ever saw. See that +great, quiet roof sloping darkly away, and beneath, +the gay lights of the terrace, and the +laughter of happy people.” +</p> +<p>“It is a beautiful picture,” said Lord Ruthven, +looking steadily at Patty, “but not so beautiful +as another one I see. A lovely face framed +in soft, shining curls, against a background of +dark cedar trees.” +</p> +<p>His tone, even more than his words, alarmed +Patty. She was not used to such speeches as this, +and she said, gravely: “Take me back to the +house, please, Lord Ruthven.” +</p> +<p>“Not just yet,” pleaded the nobleman. +“Dear Miss Fairfield, listen to me a moment. +Let me tell you something. Let me justify myself. +I oughtn’t to talk to you like this, I +know—but the fact is—oh, the fact is you’ve +completely bowled me over.” +</p> +<p>“What?” said Patty, not at all comprehending +his meaning. +</p> +<p>“Yes; I’m done for—and at first sight! And +by an American! But it’s a fact. I adore you, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span> +Miss Fairfield—I’m so desperately in love with +you that I can’t down it. Oh, I know I oughtn’t +to be talking to you like this. I ought to see +your father, and all that. And I will, as soon +as I can, but—oh, I say, Patty, tell me you +like me a little!” +</p> +<p>It suddenly dawned on Patty that she was having +a proposal! And from an English Earl! +And all on account of her grown-up gown! The +absurdity of it impressed her far more than +the romantic side of it, and though a little +frightened, she couldn’t help smiling at the +Earl’s tragic tones. +</p> +<p>“Nonsense, Lord Ruthven,” she said, though +her cheeks were pink; “don’t talk like that. +Please cut me that lovely cluster of roses, and +then take me back to Lady Hamilton.” +</p> +<p>The Earl drew a penknife from his pocket, +and cut the flowers she asked for. Then he +stood, trimming off the thorns, and looking down +at her. +</p> +<p>Patty had never looked so winsome. Her garb +made her seem a grown woman, and yet the +situation alarmed her, and her perplexed face +was that of a troubled child. +</p> +<p>“Tell me,” he repeated, “that you like me a +little.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span></p> +<p>“Of course I like you a little,” returned Patty, +in a matter-of-fact voice. “Why shouldn’t I?” +</p> +<p>“That’s something,” said the Earl, in a tone +of satisfaction, “and now will you accept these +flowers as a gift from me? As, for the moment, +I’ve nothing else to offer.” +</p> +<p>Patty took the flowers in both hands, but Lord +Ruthven still held them, too, saying: “And will +you let them mean——?” +</p> +<p>“No,” cried Patty, “they don’t mean anything—not +anything at all!” +</p> +<p>Lord Ruthven clasped Patty’s two hands, roses +and all, in his own. +</p> +<p>“They do,” he said quietly; “they mean I +love you. Do you understand?” +</p> +<p>He looked straight into the troubled, beseeching +eyes that met his own. +</p> +<p>“Please let me go, Lord Ruthven—<i>please!</i>” +said Patty, her hands trembling in his own. +</p> +<p>“You may go, if you will first call me by some +less formal name. Patty, dearest, say Sylvester—just +once!” +</p> +<p>This desperate request was too much for +Patty’s sense of humour. +</p> +<p>“Why can’t I say it twice?” she said in a +low tone, but her voice was shaking with +laughter. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span></p> +<p>“You little witch!” exclaimed the Earl, and +his clasp tightened on her hands. “Now you +shan’t go until you <i>have</i> said it twice!” +</p> +<p>“Sylvester—Sylvester—there!” said Patty, +her eyes twinkling with fun, and her lips on the +verge of laughter. Then, gently disengaging +her hands from his, she gathered up her long +white train, and prepared to run away. +</p> +<p>The Earl laid a detaining hand on her arm. +“Miss Fairfield,” he said, “Patty, I won’t keep +you now, but to-morrow you’ll give me an opportunity, +won’t you? to tell you——” +</p> +<p>“Wait till to-morrow, my lord,” said Patty, +really laughing now. “You will probably have +changed your mind.” +</p> +<p>“How little you know me!” he cried, reproachfully, +and then they had reached the terrace, +and joined the others. +</p> +<p>Soon after the guests all retired to their own +rooms, and the moonlight on Herenden Hall +saw no more the gay scene on the terrace. +</p> +<p>Patty, passing through her own room, discovered +that her two trunks had arrived and had +been unpacked. She went straight on and tapped +at Lady Hamilton’s door. “Get me out of this +gown, please, Marie; I’ve had quite enough +of being a grown-up young woman!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span></p> +<p>“What’s the matter, Patty?” said Lady Kitty, +looking round. “Didn’t you have a good time +this evening?” +</p> +<p>“The time of my life!” declared Patty, dropping +into her own graphic speech, as she emerged +from the heap of lace and silk. “I’ll see you +later, Kitty,” and without further word she returned +to her own room. +</p> +<p>And later, when Marie had been dismissed, +Patty crept back to Lady Hamilton, a very different +Patty, indeed. Her hair fell in two long +braids, with curly tails; a dainty dressing-gown +enveloped her slight figure; and on her bare feet +were heelless satin slippers. She found Lady +Kitty in an armchair before the wood fire, awaiting +her. +</p> +<p>Patty threw a big, fat sofa pillow at her +friend’s feet, and settled herself cosily upon +it. +</p> +<p>“Well, girlie,” said Lady Hamilton, “come to +the story at once. What happened to you as a +grown-up?” +</p> +<p>“What usually happens to grown-ups, I suppose,” +said Patty, demurely; “the Earl of Ruthven +proposed to me.” +</p> +<p>“What!” cried Lady Hamilton, starting up, +and quite upsetting Patty from her cushion. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span></p> +<p>“Yes, he did,” went on Patty, placidly; “shall +I accept him?” +</p> +<p>“Patty, you naughty child, tell me all about +it at once! Oh, what shall I say to your father +and mother?” +</p> +<p>Patty grinned. “Yes, it was all your fault, +Kitty. If I hadn’t worn your gown, he would +never have dreamed of such a thing.” +</p> +<p>“But, Patty, it <i>can’t</i> be true. You must have +misunderstood him.” +</p> +<p>“Not I. It’s my first proposal, to be sure; +but I know what a man means when he says he +loves me and begs me to call him by his first +name. And I did—twice.” +</p> +<p>Patty went off in shrieks of laughter at +the remembrance of it, and she rocked back +and forth on her cushion in paroxysms of +mirth. +</p> +<p>“Patty, behave yourself, and tell me the truth. +I’ve a mind to shake you!” +</p> +<p>“I <i>am</i> shaking,” said Patty, trying to control +her voice. “And I <i>am</i> telling you the +truth. His first name is Sylvester. Lovely +name!” +</p> +<p>“Where did this occur?” +</p> +<p>“In the rose garden. Oh, right near the terrace. +Not a dozen yards away from you all. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span> +I’m sure if you’d been listening, you could have +heard me say, ‘Sylvester—<i>Sylvester!</i>’” +</p> +<p>Again Patty went off in uncontrollable merriment +at this recollection, and Lady Kitty had to +laugh too. +</p> +<p>“What did you tell him?” +</p> +<p>“I told him to wait till to-morrow, and he’d +probably change his mind. And I see my trunks +have come, so he surely will. You see he proposed +to that long-tailed gown and jewelled +tiara I had on——” +</p> +<p>“It wasn’t a tiara.” +</p> +<p>“Well, it looked something like one. I’m sure +he thought it was. He doubtless wants a dignified, +stately Lady Ruthven, and he thought +I was <i>it</i>. Oh, Kitty! if you could have heard +him.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t think it’s nice of you, to take him +that way.” +</p> +<p>“All right, I won’t. But I’m not going to +take him at all. Why, Kitty, when he sees me +to-morrow in my own little pink muslin, he +won’t know me, let alone remembering what he +said to me.” +</p> +<p>“Patty, you’re incorrigible. I don’t know +what to say to you. But I hope your parents +won’t blame me for this.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span></p> +<p>“Of course they won’t, Kitsie. You see it +was an accident. A sort of case of mistaken +identity. I don’t mind it so much now that it’s +over, but I was scared stiff at the time. Only +it was all so funny that it swallowed up my +scare. Now I’ll tell you the whole story.” +</p> +<p>So Patty told every word that the Earl had +said to her during the evening, in the ballroom +and on the terrace. And Lady Hamilton listened +attentively. +</p> +<p>“You were not a bit to blame, dear,” she +said, kindly, when the tale was finished. “I +don’t think you even flirted with him. But it’s +truly extraordinary that he should speak so +soon.” +</p> +<p>“It was on the spur of the moment,” declared +Patty, with conviction. “You know, moonlight +and roses and a summer evening have a romantic +influence on some natures.” +</p> +<p>“What do you know of a romantic influence, +you baby. Hop along to bed, now, and +get up in the morning your own sweet, +natural self—without a thought of Earls or +moonlight.” +</p> +<p>“I will so,” said Patty; “I didn’t like it a bit, +except that it was all so funny. Won’t Nan +howl?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span></p> +<p>“She may, but I’m afraid your father will be +annoyed. You know you’re in my care, +Patty.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t you worry. I’ll tell Daddy all about +it. And I rather guess it will make him laugh.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='IX_AN_IMPORTANT_DOCUMENT' id='IX_AN_IMPORTANT_DOCUMENT'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<h3>AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT</h3> +</div> + +<p>It was the custom at Herenden Hall to serve +morning tea to the guests in their rooms. +</p> +<p>When Patty’s tray was brought, she asked +to have it taken into Lady Hamilton’s room, +and the two friends chatted cosily over their +toast and teacups. +</p> +<p>Lady Kitty, with a dainty dressing-jacket round +her shoulders, was still nestled among her pillows, +while Patty, in a blue kimono, curled up, +Turk-fashion on the foot of the bed. +</p> +<p>“It’s a gorgeous day,” observed Patty, stirring +her tea, which she was trying to sip, though she +hated it. “I’ll be glad to explore that lovely +rose garden without horrid old moonlit Earls.” +</p> +<p>“It’s a wonderfully fine place, Patty; you really +must go over the estate. I’ll show you round +myself.” +</p> +<p>“Thank you,” said Patty, airily, “but I believe +I have an engagement. Mr. Snowden, or +Snowed on, or Snowed under, or whatever his +name is, kindly offered to do that same.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span></p> +<p>“Yes, and he’ll kindly withdraw his offer when +he sees you in your own rightful raiment. I’ve +a notion to put you in a pinafore, and give +you a Teddy Bear to carry. There’s no keeping +you down any other way.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, don’t be alarmed. I’ve no designs on the +young men. I like the boys better, anyhow. +That Jack Merivale is a chummy kind of a +youth. That’s the sort I like. Rest assured I +won’t trouble that wretched Earl. I won’t even +speak to him, and I’ll make over to you whatever +interest he may deign to show in me.” +</p> +<p>“As one Humpty Dumpty said, ‘I’d rather see +that on paper.’” +</p> +<p>“So you shall,” said Patty, and setting down +her unfinished tea, she flew to the writing +table. +</p> +<p>Perching herself on the corner of the desk +chair, she laid out a sheet of Lady Herenden’s +crested note paper, and took up a pen. “Shall +I write the agreement as I please?” she said, +“or will you dictate it?” +</p> +<p>“I’ll dictate,” said Lady Kitty, smiling lazily +at the foolery. But as she paused between sentences, +Patty put in parentheses of her own, and +when finished the remarkable document read +thus: +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span></p> +<div class='blockquot'> +<p>“I, the undersigned, being of (fairly) sound +mind, do hereby of my own free will (coerced by +one Lady Hamilton) relinquish all interest or +concern in the (illustrious) personage known as +Sylvester, Earl of Ruthven (but I do think he +has a lovely name), and should he show any interest +in me, personally, I promise (gladly) to +refer him to (the aforesaid) Lady Hamilton +(though what she wants of him, I don’t +know!), and I hereby solemnly promise and +agree, not to seek or accept any further acquaintance +or friendship with the (Belted) +gentleman above referred to. +</p> +<p>“Furthermore, I (being still of sound mind, +but it’s tottering) promise not to talk or converse +with the (Sylvester! <i>Sylvester!</i>) Earl of +Ruthven, beyond the ordinary civilities of the +day (whatever that may mean!), never to +smile at him voluntarily (I can’t help laughing +at him), and <i>never</i> to wave my eyelashes at him +across the table. (<i>Why</i> does she think I’d do +that?) +</p> +<p style='text-align:right; margin-right:20%'>“Witness my hand and seal,</p> +<p style='text-align:right;'>“PATRICIA FAIRFIELD.”</p> + +</div> +<p>(“Lady Patricia would sound great! Wouldn’t it?”) +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span></p> +<p>“There, Kitty Cat,” said Patty, tossing the +paper to Lady Hamilton, “there’s your agreement, +and now, my dreams of glory over, I’ll +go and ‘bind my hair and lace my bodice blue.’ +I always wondered how people bind their hair. +Do you suppose they use skirt braid?” +</p> +<p>But Lady Kitty was shaking with laughter +over Patty’s foolish “document” and offered +no reply. +</p> +<p>An hour or so later, Patty presented herself +for inspection. +</p> +<p>She wore a pale blue dimity, whose round, full +blouse was belted with a soft ribbon. The skirt, +with its three frills edged with tiny lace, came +just to her instep, and disclosed dainty, patent-leather +oxfords. +</p> +<p>Her golden braids, crossed and recrossed low +at the back of her head, were almost covered +by a big butterfly bow of wide white ribbon. +In fact, she was perfectly garbed for an American +girl of eighteen, and the costume was more +becoming to her pretty, young face than the +trained gown of the night before. +</p> +<p>Lady Hamilton was still at her dressing table. +</p> +<p>“I feel quite at ease about you now,” she said, +looking up. “Nobody will propose to you in +that rig. They’ll be more likely to buy you a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span> +doll. I’m not nearly ready yet, but don’t wait. +Run along downstairs, you’ll find plenty of +people about.” +</p> +<p>Slowly Patty descended the great staircase, +looking at the pictures and hanging rugs as she +passed them. +</p> +<p>“For mercy’s sake, who is that?” was Lady +Herenden’s mental exclamation as the girl +neared the lower floor. +</p> +<p>“Good-morning, Lady Herenden,” cried +Patty, gaily, as she approached her hostess. +“Don’t look so surprised to see me, and I’ll +tell you all about it.” +</p> +<p>“Why, it’s Miss Fairfield!” exclaimed the +elder lady, making room for Patty on the sofa +beside her. +</p> +<p>“Yes, and I really owe you an explanation. +You see, my boxes didn’t come last night, and +I had to wear one of Lady Hamilton’s gowns +at dinner. I couldn’t tell you so, before all the +guests, and so you didn’t know me this morning +in my own frock.” +</p> +<p>“It’s astonishing what a difference it makes! +You look years younger.” +</p> +<p>“I am. I’m not quite eighteen yet, and I wish +you’d call me Patty, won’t you?” +</p> +<p>“I will, indeed,” said Lady Herenden, answering +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span> +the pretty smile that accompanied the +request. “I knew Kitty Hamilton said you +weren’t out yet, and so, when I saw you last +night, I just couldn’t understand it. But I do +now. Have you breakfasted, dearie?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, thank you. And now, I want to go out +and see the flowers, and the dogs. May I?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed. Run around as you like. +You’ll find people on the terrace and lawn, +though there are no girls here as young as yourself.” +</p> +<p>“That doesn’t matter. I like people of all +ages. I’ve friends from four to forty.” +</p> +<p>“I’m not surprised. You’re a friendly little +thing. Be sure to go through the rose orchard; +it’s back of the rose garden, and you’ll +love it.” +</p> +<p>Hatless, Patty ran out into the sunshine, and, +strolling through the rose garden, soon forgot +all else in her delight at the marvellous array of +blossoms. +</p> +<p>As she turned a corner of a path, she came +upon two men talking together. They were +Lord Ruthven and Lord Herenden’s head gardener. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” his lordship was saying, “you’ve done +a good thing, Parker, in getting that hybrid. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span> +And this next bush is a fine one, too. Is it a +Baroness Rothschild?” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty, carelessly joining in the conversation, +“it’s a Catherine Mermet.” +</p> +<p>“So it is, Miss,” said the gardener, turning +politely toward her, but Lord Ruthven, after +a slight glance, paid no attention to the +girl. +</p> +<p>“Are you sure, Parker?” he said. “The +Mermets are usually pinker.” +</p> +<p>“He doesn’t know me! What larks!” +thought Patty, gleefully. “I’ll try again.” +</p> +<p>“Where is the rose orchard, Parker?” she +asked, turning her full face toward the gardener, +and leaving only the big white bow to greet the +Earl. +</p> +<p>Something in her voice startled Lord Ruthven, +and he wheeled quickly about. “It is—it can’t +be—Miss Fairfield?” +</p> +<p>“Good-morning, my lord,” said Patty, with +cool politeness. “This, of course,” she thought +to herself, “is the civility of the day.” +</p> +<p>“I will show you the rose orchard,” went on +the Earl. “Come with me.” +</p> +<p>“No, thank you,” said Patty, turning again +to the gardener. She was absurdly placed, and +she felt a little embarrassed. But, on the other +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span> +hand, she had pledged her word, and a silly performance +it was! But she would keep it, at +least until Lady Hamilton released her from her +promise. Patty’s ideas of honour were, perhaps, +a little strained, but she took the promise of that +burlesque document as seriously as if it had been +of national importance. And now she was in a +dilemma. To refuse to walk with the Earl was +so rude, and yet to talk with him was to break +her pledged word. +</p> +<p>The gardener went on about his work, and the +other two stood silent. For the first time in +her life, Patty had a really difficult situation to +cope with. If she could have laughed and talked +naturally, it would have been easy to explain +matters. But that absurd paper sealed her lips. +Oh, why had she been so foolish? +</p> +<p>She did not look at the Earl, but he gazed +fixedly at her. +</p> +<p>“I don’t understand,” he said. “Why are +you so changed from last evening?” +</p> +<p>Patty thought hard. She was allowed the +“civilities of the day,” so she must depend on +those. +</p> +<p>“Isn’t it a charming morning?” she said, +without, however, turning toward the man at +her side. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span></p> +<p>“It is indeed. But why are you such an +enigma? Are all Americans so puzzling?” +</p> +<p>“And isn’t the rose garden wonderful?” went +on Patty, still looking off in the distance. +</p> +<p>“Wonderful, of course. Please look at me. +I believe, after all, you’re Miss Fairfield’s +younger sister! Ah, I have guessed you at +last!” +</p> +<p>Patty still looked straight ahead, but an irrepressible +smile dimpled the corners of her +mouth. +</p> +<p>“Do you think it will rain?” she said. +</p> +<p>“By Jove, I won’t stand this!” cried the +Earl, impetuously. “I know you are yourself—the +Miss Fairfield I talked with last night—but +why you’re masquerading as a schoolgirl, +I don’t know!” +</p> +<p>At this Patty could restrain her mirth no +longer, and her pretty laughter seemed to appease +the Earl’s irritation. +</p> +<p>“Am I not fit to be looked at, or spoken to?” +he said, more gently; “and if not, you must at +least tell me why.” +</p> +<p>“I can’t tell you why,” said Patty, stifling her +laughter, but still gazing at the far-away hills. +</p> +<p>“Why can’t you? Have you promised not +to?” The Earl meant this as a jest, little thinking +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span> +it was the truth, but Patty, now nearly choking +with merriment, said demurely, “Yes, sir.” +</p> +<p>“Nonsense! I’m not going to eat you! Look +at me, child.” +</p> +<p>“I can’t,” repeated Patty, in a small voice, and +holding her wilful, golden head very straight, +as she stared firmly ahead. +</p> +<p>“Whom did you promise?” +</p> +<p>“You have no right to ask.”—“That,” said +Patty to herself, “is an ordinary <i>incivility</i>, but I +can’t help it!” +</p> +<p>“I have a right to ask! And I don’t care +whether I have or not. You’re a mischief, and +I won’t stand any more of your chaff. Who +made you promise not to speak to me, or look +at me?” +</p> +<p>The Earl, quietly, but with a decided air, +moved around until he faced Patty, and the +laughing blue eyes were so full of fun that he +laughed too. +</p> +<p>“You ridiculous baby!” he cried; “what are +you, anyway? One night, a charming young +woman, the next day, a naughty child.” +</p> +<p>“I’m <i>not</i> naughty! Nobody made me promise. +I did it of my own free will.” +</p> +<p>“But whom did you promise?” +</p> +<p>“Lady Hamilton,” said Patty, remembering +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span> +all at once that the matter was to be referred to +her. +</p> +<p>“Oho! Well, now, see here. You just break +that promise, as quick as you can, and I’ll make +it square with Lady Hamilton.” +</p> +<p>“Will you?” said Patty, drawing a long sigh +of relief. “And will you blot out last evening, +and pretend it never was, and begin our acquaintance +from now?” +</p> +<p>“I will,” said the Earl, looking at her, curiously, +“if you will tell me why you seem to +have a dual personality.” +</p> +<p>Then Patty explained her appearance at dinner +in Lady Hamilton’s gown, and to her pleased +surprise, the Earl laughed long and loudly. +</p> +<p>“Best joke ever!” he declared; “a baby like +you giving an imitation of the ‘belle of the +ball’!” +</p> +<p>“I’m not so infantile,” said Patty, pouting a +little, for the Earl now treated her as if she +were about twelve. +</p> +<p>“You are!” he declared. “You ought to be +in the schoolroom eating bread and jam.” +</p> +<p>“I’d like the bread and jam well enough, for +I’m getting hungrier every minute.” +</p> +<p>“Well, it’s an hour yet to luncheon time; come +along and I’ll show you the rose orchard. It +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span> +may make you forget your gnawing pangs of +hunger.” +</p> +<p>On pleasant terms, then, they went through the +gate in the high hedge that surrounded the enclosure. +The rose orchard was unique. It had +originally been a fruit orchard, and as most +of the trees were dead, and many of them fallen, +roses had been trained over their trunks and +branches. The gorgeous masses of bloom covered +the old gnarled wood, and the climbing +roses twined lovingly around branches and +boughs. Here and there were rustic seats and +arbours; and there were many bird-houses, +whose tiny occupants were exceedingly tame and +sociable. Several other guests were walking +about, and Patty and the Earl joined a group +which included their host and hostess. +</p> +<p>“How do you like it?” said Lady Herenden, +drawing Patty’s arm through her own. +</p> +<p>“It’s the most beautiful place since the Garden +of Eden,” said Patty, so enthusiastically +that everybody laughed. +</p> +<p>Then Mr. Snowden sauntered up, and reminded +Patty of her promise to go walking +with him. +</p> +<p>“You haven’t seen the deer park yet,” he said, +“nor the carp pond; though I believe the carp +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span> +are merely tradition. Still, the pond is +there.” +</p> +<p>“Run along, child!” said Lady Herenden. +“You’ll just about have time for a pleasant +stroll before luncheon.” +</p> +<p>Patty was greatly relieved when Mr. Snowden +made no reference to her age or her costume. +He treated her politely and chatted gaily as he +led her around to see all the picturesque bits of +woodland and meadow. The magnificent old +place showed its age, for it had not been unduly +renovated, though everything was in good +order. +</p> +<p>They went into the old church, which was on +the estate, they visited the farmhouses and +stables, and Patty found Mr. Snowden a kind +and entertaining guide. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='X_A_MOMENTOUS_INTERVIEW' id='X_A_MOMENTOUS_INTERVIEW'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<h3>A MOMENTOUS INTERVIEW</h3> +</div> + +<p>The rest of their stay at Herenden Hall +passed off delightfully. Patty fitted into +her own niche, and everybody liked the +natural, unaffected young girl. +</p> +<p>She and Jack Merivale became good chums, +and went fishing together, and rowing on the +pond like old cronies. +</p> +<p>It was Patty’s nature to make friends quickly, +and during her stay in Kent, she had a royal +good time. Lord Ruthven talked over the matter +with Lady Hamilton, and as he chose to consider +it all a great joke on himself, she also took +his view of it. As for Patty, she was so engrossed +with other people that she nearly forgot +all about the moonlight episode. +</p> +<p>Only sometimes, when she chanced to catch +sight of Lord Ruthven, she would say to herself, +“Sylvester, <i>Sylvester!</i>” and then turn +away to hide her laughter. +</p> +<p>They stayed over until Tuesday, and then took +the noon train back to London, Lady Herenden +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span> +expressing an earnest wish that Patty would +visit her again. Lady Kitty and Patty reached +the Savoy duly, and Mr. Fairfield invited the +returned travellers to dinner in the great Restaurant. +This was a treat in itself, and Patty +gleefully ran up to her room to dress for +dinner. +</p> +<p>“Lend me one of your gowns to wear, +Kitty?” she said, roguishly, looking in at her +friend’s door. +</p> +<p>“Go away, you bad child. You’re not in my +care, now. I shall confess all to your father to-night +at dinner, and then I’ve done with you.” +</p> +<p>“You’ve chosen a wise time,” said Patty, +sagely. “Father’s always especially good-natured +at dinner.” +</p> +<p>“Let us hope he will be,” said Lady Hamilton, +who was really a little anxious about it all. +But she need not have been, for when the story +was told, both Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield looked +upon it as a huge joke. +</p> +<p>Nan, especially, was almost convulsed with +laughter at the account Patty gave of the moonlight +scene, and her tragic repetition in a stage +whisper of “Sylvester, <i>Sylvester!</i>” was truly +funny of itself. +</p> +<p>“It couldn’t be helped,” said Mr. Fairfield, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span> +“and it was in no way your fault, Lady Hamilton. +It would have been a pity to shut Patty +in her room on such a gala occasion, and no +one could foresee that she was going to throw +herself at the Earl’s head!” +</p> +<p>“Father!” exclaimed Patty, “I didn’t do any +such thing! He threw himself at my feet, if +you please.” +</p> +<p>“Well, it’s all right, chickabiddy, but don’t +let it happen again. At least, not for many +years, yet. I suppose some time, in the far future, +I shall be asked to be a father-in-law to +a Duke or a Count, but let’s put it off as long as +possible.” +</p> +<p>“Then Nan will be Dowager Duchess,” cried +irrepressible Patty, “won’t that be fun!” +</p> +<p>“I can do it,” said Nan, with an air of self-satisfaction +that made them all laugh. +</p> +<p>“I’m glad you exonerate me,” said Lady +Hamilton, with a sigh of relief. “And since I +let Patty appear too old, I’m going to average +matters in this way. Next week is the child’s +birthday, and I want to give her a children’s +party, if I may. You and your husband may +come, Mrs. Fairfield, if you’ll both dress as +children of tender years.” +</p> +<p>“We’ll do it,” cried Mr. Fairfield. “This is +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span> +an inspiration of yours, Lady Hamilton, and +will, as you say, quite even things up.” +</p> +<p>Then plans were speedily made for the children’s +party. It was only a week to Patty’s +birthday, but Lady Kitty said that was long +enough ahead to send invitations to an afternoon +affair. +</p> +<p>For the party was to be held from three to +six, and each guest was asked to dress as a small +child. Patty put considerable thought on her +own costume, for she said her eighteenth birthday +was an important occasion, and she must +do it honour. +</p> +<p>She finally decided on a quaint little Kate +Greenaway dress, and big-brimmed hat of dark +green velvet with white feathers tumbling over +its brim. The frock was ankle length and +short-waisted and she wore old-fashioned little +slippers, with crossed ribbons, and black lace +mitts. A shirred silk workbag hung at her +side, and she carried a tiny parasol. +</p> +<p>A few days before the party, Patty had an +inspiration. It came to her suddenly, as most +inspirations do, and it was so startling that it +almost took her breath away. +</p> +<p>“I <i>can’t</i> do it,” she said to herself, one minute; +and “I <i>will</i> do it,” she said to herself the next. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span></p> +<p>Not daring to think long about it lest she +lose her determination, she started that very +afternoon on her surprising errand. +</p> +<p>She had the carriage to herself, for she had +been to tea with a friend, and on her way home +she asked the coachman to stop at a house in +Carlton Terrace. +</p> +<p>Reaching the house, Patty sent her card in by +the footman, and awaited results with a beating +heart. +</p> +<p>The footman returned to the carriage door, +saying, Sir Otho Markleham would be pleased +to see Miss Fairfield, and resolutely crushing +down her timidity, Patty went in. +</p> +<p>She was ushered into a large and formal drawing-room, +and waited there a few moments +alone. +</p> +<p>She wished she had been asked into a library, +or some more cosy room, for the stiff hangings, +and massive furniture were oppressive. But she +had no time for further thought, for Sir Otho +entered the room. +</p> +<p>He bowed with exceeding courtesy, but with +a surprised air, which was indeed only natural. +</p> +<p>Frightened almost out of her wits, Patty extended +her hand, and though she tried to conquer +her embarrassment, her voice trembled, as +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span> +she said: “How do you do, Sir Otho? I’ve +come to see you.” +</p> +<p>She tried to speak jauntily, but there was a +queer little break in her voice. +</p> +<p>“So I perceive,” said Sir Otho, coldly. “May +I ask why I have this honour?” +</p> +<p>This was too much for Patty. Her nerves +were strained almost to the breaking point, and +when Sir Otho spoke so repellently, she realised +how foolish her little plan had been, and how +hopeless was her dream of reconciling this +dreadful old man and his daughter. Partly, +then, because of her overwrought nerves, and +partly because of the downfall of her cherished +hopes, Patty burst into tears. +</p> +<p>She rarely cried, almost never, unless at some +injustice or undeserved unkindness. But when +she did cry, it was done as she did everything +else, with a whole-souled enthusiasm. +</p> +<p>Utterly unable to control herself, for a few +moments she sobbed, and shook in paroxysms +of emotion. +</p> +<p>The old gentleman fairly danced around. +</p> +<p>“Bless my soul!” he exclaimed; “what is the +matter? What does this mean? Did you come +into my house for the purpose of having a fit +of hysterics?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span></p> +<p>Now Patty wasn’t a bit hysterical; it was +merely a sudden blow of disappointment, and +she would have been over it in a moment, but +that Sir Otho made matters worse by storming +at her. +</p> +<p>“Stop it, do you hear? I won’t have such +goings on in my house! You are a madwoman!” +</p> +<p>As Patty’s sobs grew quieter, and she sat softly +weeping into an already soaked handkerchief, +her host’s mood seemed to change also. +</p> +<p>“When I consented to see Miss Patricia Fairfield,” +he said, quoting her name as it appeared +on the card she had sent in, “I didn’t know I +was to be subjected to this extraordinary treatment.” +</p> +<p>“I d-didn’t know it e-either,” said Patty, +wiping her eyes, and trying to smile. Then, +as she saw Sir Otho’s hard old face beginning +to soften a little, she smiled at him through her +tears. +</p> +<p>“There, there, my dear, don’t cry,” he said, +with a clumsy imitation of gentleness. “Shall +I ring for a maid? Will you have some sal +volatile?” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty, trying hard to check her +sobs; “no, I will go away.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span></p> +<p>“But what’s it all about?” said the bewildered +old man. “What made you cry?” +</p> +<p>“You did,” said Patty, with such suddenness +that he nearly fell over. +</p> +<p>“I? Bless my soul! What did I do?” +</p> +<p>“You were so c-cross,” said Patty, weeping +afresh at the remembrance of his cold looks. +</p> +<p>“Well, never mind, child, I won’t be cross +again. Tell me all about it.” +</p> +<p>Surely Sir Otho was melting! Patty sagaciously +believed he was touched by her tears, so +made no desperate effort to stop them. +</p> +<p>“I c-can’t tell you now. You’re not in a k-kind +m-mood.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I am; try to tell me, my dear child.” +</p> +<p>Patty thought she had never known any one +who could turn from anger to kindness so suddenly, +but she resolved to strike while the iron +was hot. +</p> +<p>“It’s about K-Kitty,” she said, still sobbing, +but peeping out from behind her handkerchief +to see how he took this broadside. +</p> +<p>“I supposed so,” he said, with a sigh. “Well, +what about her?” +</p> +<p>“She’s your daughter, you know,” went on +Patty, growing more daring, as she slyly +watched the old gentleman’s expression. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span></p> +<p>“Is she, indeed? I’d forgotten the fact.” +</p> +<p>This, though in a sarcastic tone, was better +than his usual disavowal of the relationship. +</p> +<p>“And did you stop in here, and treat me to +this absurd scene, just to inform me concerning +my family tree?” +</p> +<p>“N-no,” said Patty, resorting to tears again. +“I stopped in, to—to ask you s-something.” +</p> +<p>“Well, out with it! Are you afraid of +me?” +</p> +<p>This nettled Patty. +</p> +<p>“No,” she said, starting to her feet. Her +tears had stopped now, and her eyes were blazing. +“No! I am not afraid of you! I’m sorry +I broke down. I was foolishly nervous. But +I’m over it now. I came in here, Sir Otho Markleham, +to ask you to make peace with your +daughter, and to propose to you a pleasant way +to do so. But you have been so cross and +ugly, so sarcastic and cruel, that I see the utter +hopelessness of trying to reconcile you two. I +was foolish even to think of it! Lady Kitty is +gentle and sweet in many ways, but she has inherited +your obstinate, stubborn——” +</p> +<p>“Pigheaded,” suggested Sir Otho, politely. +</p> +<p>“Yes! Pigheaded disposition, and though, as +the older, you ought to make the advance, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span> +you’ll never do it—and she never will—and—so——” +</p> +<p>Patty broke down again, this time from sheer +sadness of heart at the irrevocable state of +things. +</p> +<p>Her face buried in her handkerchief, to her +great surprise she felt a kindly touch on her +shoulder. +</p> +<p>“Don’t condemn me too soon, little one; and +don’t condemn me unheard. Suppose I tell you +that some of my ideas have undergone a change +since Miss Yankee Doodle has taken it upon +herself to scold me.” +</p> +<p>“Oh!” said Patty, rendered almost breathless +with amazement at the kind tone and the gentle +touch. +</p> +<p>“But suppose it’s very hard for an old man +like me to uproot some feelings that have +grown and strengthened with the passing +years.” +</p> +<p>“But if they’re bad and unworthy feelings, +you <i>want</i> to uproot them!” cried Patty. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Sir Otho, “I do. And though +my irascible and taciturn nature won’t let me admit +this to any one else, I’ll confess to you, Miss +Yankee Doodle, I do want to pull them up, root +and branch.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span></p> +<p>Sir Otho looked so brave and manly as he +made this confession, which was truly difficult +for him, that Patty grasped his hand in both +hers, and cried: “Oh, what a <i>splendid</i> man +you are! I’ll <i>never</i> be afraid of you again!” +</p> +<p>“You <i>weren’t</i> afraid of me, child. That’s +why your words had weight with me. You fearlessly +told me just what I was, and I had the +grace to be ashamed of myself.” +</p> +<p>“Never mind that now,” said Patty, eagerly. +“Do you want to be friends again with Kitty?” +</p> +<p>“More than anything on earth.” +</p> +<p>“Well, then, let me manage it; and do it the +way I want you to, will you?” +</p> +<p>Patty’s voice and smile were very wheedlesome, +and Sir Otho smiled in response, as he +said: +</p> +<p>“You’ve surely earned the right to manage it. +How shall it be done? Will Kitty meet me halfway?” +</p> +<p>“I think she will,” said Patty, slowly. “But +she’s not very tractable, you know. Indeed, Sir +Otho, she’s such a contrary-minded person, that +if she knew you wanted to be kind to her, she’d +likely run away.” +</p> +<p>“Miss Patricia,” said Sir Otho, gravely, “you +can’t tell me anything about my daughter +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span> +Catharine that I don’t already know. And she +is, indeed, contrary-minded, on occasion. As +you so justly observed, she inherits my obstinate +and cross-grained disposition.” +</p> +<p>“And yet she’s so lovely to look at,” sighed +Patty. +</p> +<p>“Ah, well, she didn’t get her good looks from +me, I’ll admit.” +</p> +<p>“I think she did,” said Patty, looking critically +at the fine old face, with a thoughtful gaze +that was very amusing. +</p> +<p>“Well, are you going to detail to me the +plan of this rather difficult campaign?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I am. And I hope you’ll see it as +I do.” +</p> +<p>“If I don’t, I have little doubt but you can +change my views. Will you have time to drink +a cup of tea with me? We can plan so much +more cosily over the teacups.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I will,” said Patty, consulting her +watch. +</p> +<p>“Then let us have it served in the library, and +not in this depressing room, which you must associate +with stormy outbursts of woe.” +</p> +<p>Patty laughed, and followed the stately old +gentleman into the library, where tea was soon +served. +</p> +<div class='figcenter'> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span> +<a name='linki_3' id='linki_3'></a> +<img src='images/illus-144.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='text-align:center;'> +“‘How <i>much</i> pleasanter this is than squabbling’” +<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span></div> +<p>“One lump?” said Patty, holding the sugar-tongs +poised over a teacup, while she put +her head on one side and smiled at her +host. +</p> +<p>“Two, please. It’s delightful to have some +one make my tea for me, and you do it very +prettily.” +</p> +<p>“But, alas!” said Patty, in mock despair, +“I’ll soon be supplanted here, by that ‘obstinate, +cross-grained’ Lady Kitty.” +</p> +<p>“Why are you so sure she’ll come back here +to live?” +</p> +<p>“Just give her the chance, and see,” said +Patty, wagging her head sagaciously, as she +poured her own tea. +</p> +<p>“How <i>much</i> pleasanter this is than squabbling,” +she observed, glancing happily at her +host. +</p> +<p>“Yes, or crying,” said he, a bit teasingly, and +Patty blushed. +</p> +<p>“That’s past history,” she said; “and <i>now</i> +I’ll tell you my plan.” +</p> +<p>The details of the plan kept them both talking +for some time, and then Patty had to +hurry away to reach home at her appointed +hour. +</p> +<p>“Now, I won’t see you again until then,” she +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span> +said, as they parted at the door. “But I know +you won’t fail me.” +</p> +<p>“Not I!” said Sir Otho, and with his hand +on his heart, he made a profound bow, and +Patty drove homeward in the happiest mood +she had known for many a day. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XI_THE_BIRTHDAY_PARTY' id='XI_THE_BIRTHDAY_PARTY'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<h3>THE BIRTHDAY PARTY</h3> +</div> + +<p>Patty’s birthday party was a great success. +</p> +<p>As a rule, young people love a “dress-up” +party, and the guests all entered into the +spirit of the thing. +</p> +<p>Lady Hamilton was in her element. +</p> +<p>For the occasion, she had engaged a large +salon, and aside from the pretty floral decorations, +there were dolls and Teddy Bears and +rocking horses, and all sorts of children’s toys +and games. On the walls hung bright-colored +prints, intended for nursery use, and little, low +chairs and ottomans stood about. +</p> +<p>Of course, Lady Hamilton, as hostess, did not +dress like a child, but wore one of her own +lovely, trailing white house-gowns. +</p> +<p>When the guests arrived they were shown to +dressing-rooms, where white-capped nurses +awaited them, and assisted them to lay aside +their wraps. +</p> +<p>Then led to the salon by these same nurses, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span> +the guests were presented to Lady Hamilton +and Patty. Such shouts of laughter as arose +at these presentations! The young people, +dressed as tiny children, came in with a shy air +(not always entirely assumed), and made funny +little, bobbing curtseys. Some, finger in mouth, +could find nothing to say; others of more fertile +brain, babbled childishly, or lisped in baby-talk. +</p> +<p>Before many had arrived, Patty and Lady +Kitty were in such roars of laughter they could +scarcely welcome the rest. +</p> +<p>Tom Meredith was a dear. Though a boy +nearly six feet tall, he had a round, cherubic +face, and soft, curly hair. He wore a white +dress of simple “Mother Hubbard” cut, the +fulness hanging from a yoke, and ending just +below his knees, in lace-edged frills. White +stockings, and white kid pumps adorned his +feet, and his short curls were tied at one side +with an immense white bow. He was such a +smiling, good-natured chap, and looked so girlish +and sweet in his white frock, that Patty at +once called him Baby Belle, and the name exactly +suited him. +</p> +<p>“Did you come all alone?” asked Lady +Hamilton. +</p> +<p>“Yeth, ma’am,” replied Tom, rolling up his +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span> +eyes in pretended diffidence. “My nurthie +went to a ball game, tho I had to come all by +mythelf. But I’th a big dirl, now!” +</p> +<p>“You are indeed,” said Patty, glancing at his +stalwart proportions, “but you’re surely the +belle of this ball.” +</p> +<p>Grace Meredith was a little Dutch girl, and +was charming in the picturesque Holland headgear, +and a tight-waisted, long-skirted blue +gown, that just cleared the tops of her clattering +wooden sabots. She talked a Dutch dialect, +or rather, what she imagined was such, and if +not real Hollandese, it was at least, very amusing +and funny. +</p> +<p>Mabel Hartley looked very sweet as Little Red +Riding-Hood, and she carried a little basket on +her arm, which contained a real pat of butter. +</p> +<p>Sinclair and Bob Hartley were the Princes in +the Tower, and the black velvet suits and white +lace collars were exceedingly becoming to them. +They wore wigs of long flaxen hair, and often +fell into the pose of the celebrated picture, to +the delight of all who saw them. But when not +posing as a tableau, they were so full of antics +that Patty told them they were more like Court +Jesters than Princes. +</p> +<p>“Clowns, you mean,” said Bob, as with a flash +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span> +of his black satin legs he leap-frogged over Sinclair’s +back. +</p> +<p>“Behave yourselves, Princes!” admonished +Patty, and in a second, the two stood motionless, +side by side, as in the great painting. +</p> +<p>“You certainly must be photographed like +that,” exclaimed Lady Hamilton; and then a +brilliant idea came to her and she sent a message +at once to a well-known photographer to +send one of his men and a camera at once. +</p> +<p>And so, the regular programme of the party +was suspended while photographs of the guests +were taken. Singly and in groups they were +snapped off as fast as the camera could be adjusted, +and Lady Hamilton promised to send +copies to their homes later. +</p> +<p>Some of the young people had hired very +elaborate costumes and represented celebrated +works of art. +</p> +<p>Gainsborough’s “Blue Boy,” and Velasquez’ +“Maria Teresa,” were truly beautiful, while +Van Dyck’s “Baby Stuart,” made a lovely picture. +But equally interesting were the less pretentious +characters and costumes. +</p> +<p>Simple Simon was a favourite with all. A +faded blue smock frock, and a battered old hat +formed his characteristic garb, and long, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span> +straight yellow locks, and a stupid, open-mouthed +expression of face made him look like +the traditional Simon. He was a boy of much +original wit, and his funny repartee proved him, +in reality, far from simple-minded. +</p> +<p>Little Miss Muffet was present, and Struwelpeter, +and “Alice,” and a merry brother and +sister had to cut up many roguish antics before +they were recognised as “The Heavenly +Twins.” +</p> +<p>Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary, wore a pretty +Dolly Varden costume, and carried a watering-pot, +while Little Boy Blue shyly blew his horn at +her. There were several Lord Fauntleroys, and +Buster Browns and Rollos, and also a great +many who represented nobody in particular, but +just a dear little child. +</p> +<p>Mr. Fairfield and Nan, though they had said +they would come to the party dressed as children, +had changed their minds, and arrived later +than the others, wearing the garb of elderly +people. +</p> +<p>They said they were the grandparents, come +to look at the children enjoy themselves. +</p> +<p>Nan made a very sweet old lady, with white +wig, and gold glasses, while Mr. Fairfield pretended +to be an old man, cross and gouty. But +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span> +so funny was his ferocious crustiness that nobody +felt in awe of him. +</p> +<p>Led by Lady Hamilton, the boys and girls +played all sorts of merry children’s games. +</p> +<p>“Ring Around a Rosy,” “London Bridge is +Falling Down,” “Hide the Thimble,” and +other such infantile entertainments proved exceedingly +mirth-provoking. The big babies +were continually crying over fancied woes, and +sometimes even the historic characters grew +humorously quarrelsome. +</p> +<p>At half-past four supper was served. The +children were formed in pairs for a grand +march. To the strains of “The Baby’s Opera” +they marched to another room, where a long +table was set for them. +</p> +<p>At each place was a bread-and-milk set, and a +mug which was lettered in gilt, “For a Good +Child.” +</p> +<p>The mugs were especially pretty ones, and +were to be taken home as souvenirs. At each +place was a bib with strings, and when these +were tied around their necks, the big “children” +looked absurd indeed. +</p> +<p>In keeping with their assumed rôles, their table +manners were not impeccable, and many fists +pounded on the table, while babyish voices +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span> +said: “Me wants me thupper,” or “Div me +some beddy-butter!” But though the bowls +and mugs betokened infantile fare, the supper +really served included dainty salads and sandwiches, +followed by ices, jellies and cakes, and +was fully enjoyed by the healthy appetites which +belong to young people of eighteen or thereabouts. +</p> +<p>After supper, they returned to the drawing-room +for a dance. +</p> +<p>Delightful music was played, and it was a +pretty sight to see the fancy costumes gracefully +flit about in the dance. +</p> +<p>When it was nearly time to go home, one of +the “nurses” came to Lady Hamilton saying +that a belated guest had arrived. +</p> +<p>“Who is it?” asked Lady Hamilton, surprised +that any one should arrive so late. +</p> +<p>“He says he is Peter Pan,” answered the +maid. +</p> +<p>“Show him in, at once,” said Lady Hamilton, +“we surely want to see Peter Pan—the boy +who never <i>could</i> grow up.” +</p> +<p>And then through the doorway came a figure +that unmistakably represented Peter Pan. +</p> +<p>The well-known costume of russet browns and +autumn-leaf tints, the small, close cap with its +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span> +single feather, and the fierce-looking dagger +were all there. To be sure, it was a much +<i>larger</i> Peter Pan than any of them had seen in +the play, but otherwise it was surely Peter. +</p> +<p>At first, Lady Hamilton looked completely bewildered, +and then, as she realised that it was +really her own father, she turned pale and then +very pink. +</p> +<p>Patty stood near her, and though she didn’t +know what might happen, she felt sure Lady +Hamilton would be quite able to cope with the +situation. +</p> +<p>And so she was. After the first dazed moment, +she stepped forward, and offering her hand, +said cordially: +</p> +<p>“Welcome, Peter Pan! We are indeed glad +to see you. We’re sorry you couldn’t come +earlier, but pray fall right into place with the +rest of our little guests.” +</p> +<p>It was the nature of Sir Otho Markleham to +do thoroughly whatever he did at all. +</p> +<p>So, now, throwing himself into the spirit of the +moment, he made friends with the young people +at once. He entertained them with stories of +his thrilling adventures with the pirates; he told +them how he lost his shadow, he explained all +about Fairies, and soon the other guests were +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span> +all crowded about him, listening breathlessly to +his talk. +</p> +<p>Lady Hamilton, standing a little to one side of +the listening group, looked at her father. She +realised at once what it all meant. She knew +that Patty had persuaded him to come, and that +it meant complete reconciliation between father +and daughter. The whole matter could be discussed +later, if they chose, but the mere presence +of her father beneath her roof meant forgiveness +and peace between them. +</p> +<p>Softly Patty came up beside her and clasped +her hand. “You’re a witch,” whispered Lady +Hamilton, as she warmly returned the pressure. +“How did you ever accomplish this?” +</p> +<p>“Never mind that, now,” said Patty, her eyes +shining. “Are you glad?” +</p> +<p>“Glad! Yes, only that’s a short word to express +my joy and my gratitude to you. But you +took a risk! Suppose I had fainted, or done +something foolish in my great surprise.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I knew you better than that,” returned +Patty. “Isn’t he a dear in that Peter Pan +suit? And, only think, he took off his beloved +‘sideboards,’ so he’d look the character +better.” +</p> +<p>“They’ll soon grow again,” said Lady Hamilton, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span> +carelessly; “but what I can’t understand +is why he came at all.” +</p> +<p>“Because he loves you,” whispered Patty, +“and you love him. And you’ve both been +acting like silly geese, but now that’s all +over.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, it is!” And Lady Hamilton gave a +soft sigh of relief. Then, following her father’s +example, she devoted herself to her young +guests, and the time passed pleasantly until their +departure. +</p> +<p>Of course, these young people knew nothing of +the state of affairs between “Peter Pan” and +his hostess, though they soon discovered the +identity of Sir Otho. +</p> +<p>Soon after six, the “children” went away, declaring +that it had been the event of the season, +and they had never enjoyed a party more. The +three Fairfields took leave at the same time, and +Lady Hamilton was left alone with her father. +</p> +<p>Exactly what was said in the next half hour +neither of them ever told, but when it was past, +the two were entirely reconciled, and Lady +Kitty had consented to return to her father’s +house to live. Then she sent a note to the Fairfields, +asking them all to dine with herself and +her father that evening. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span></p> +<p>“And meantime, Kitty,” said Sir Otho, “I’ll +go and get out of this foolish toggery.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, but save that suit to be photographed +in. I must have your picture to put with those +of the other ‘children.’” +</p> +<p>Sir Otho went away, enveloped in a long raincoat, +and promising to return at the dinner +hour. It was a merry dinner party that night. +</p> +<p>Patty had a new frock in honour of the occasion, +and as she donned the pretty demi-toilette +of pale green gauze, Nan said it was +the most becoming costume she had ever worn. +</p> +<p>“Now that you’re really eighteen, Patty,” she +said, “I think you might discard hair-ribbons.” +</p> +<p>“No, thank you,” said Patty, as Louise tied +her big, white bow for her. “I’ll wear them a +little longer. At least as long as I’m in this +country where Dukes and Earls run wild. +When I get back to New York, I’ll see about +it.” +</p> +<p>“Good-evening, Miss Yankee Doodle,” said +Sir Otho, as he met her again at dinner. “Once +more the American has conquered the English, +and I would be greatly honoured by your kind +acceptance of this tiny memento of the occasion.” +</p> +<p>As Sir Otho spoke, he handed Patty a small +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span> +jeweller’s box. She opened it and saw a dear +little brooch in the form of an American flag. +The Stars and Stripes were made of small sparkling +brilliants of the three colours, and the +twinkling effect was very beautiful. +</p> +<p>“It is lovely!” she exclaimed; “how can I +ever thank you! This is one of my very choicest +birthday gifts, and I have received a great +many.” +</p> +<p>“It is nothing,” said Sir Otho, “compared to +what you have given me,” and he glanced affectionately +toward his daughter. +</p> +<p>And this was all he ever said by way of expressing +his gratitude to Patty, but it was +enough, for the deep tone of his voice, and the +suggestion of tears in his eyes, proved his inexpressible +appreciation of Patty’s achievement. +</p> +<p>Then the matter was dropped entirely, and the +conversation became general and gay. Sir Otho +proved to be as entertaining to older people as +he had been to the children at the party, and +Lady Kitty was in her most charming mood. +Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield quite did their share +toward the general entertainment, but Patty +was queen of the feast. She enjoyed it all, for +she dearly loved a festivity of any sort, but to-night +she was specially happy to think that her +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span> +plan had succeeded, and that she had given to +her dear friend Kitty what she most wanted +in all the world. +</p> +<p>“And I trust it will not be long,” said Sir +Otho, “before you will all accept an invitation +to dine with me in Carlton Terrace, with Lady +Hamilton presiding at my table.” +</p> +<p>This invitation was delightedly accepted, and +then they all went up to the Fairfields’ drawing-room, +and Patty sang songs, and they all +sang choruses, and then, as a final surprise, +came a great, beautiful birthday cake, with +eighteen lighted candles. +</p> +<p>Then Patty cut the cake, and there were more +congratulations and good wishes all round, and +for pretty nearly the eighteenth time in her life +Patty declared it was the best birthday she +had ever had. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XII_SUMMER_PLANS' id='XII_SUMMER_PLANS'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<h3>SUMMER PLANS</h3> +</div> + +<p>“As usual,” said Mr. Fairfield, smiling, +“the question is, what is to be done with +Patty?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” agreed Patty, complacently, “you and +Nan are usually trying to dispose of me in some +way. It’s lucky I’m good-natured and don’t +mind being left behind.” +</p> +<p>“That’s a pretty speech!” exclaimed Nan, +“after we’ve begged and coaxed you to go +with us!” +</p> +<p>“So you have, my pretty little Stepmother—so +you have; and I’m just ungrateful enough not +to want to go.” +</p> +<p>It was about a week after the birthday party, +and the Fairfields were making their plans for +the summer. The elders wanted to travel in +Switzerland and Germany. Patty did not want +to go with them, but her dilemma was, which +of several delightful invitations to accept. +</p> +<p>“You see,” she went on, “I’m invited to spend +June in five separate places, each one lovelier +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span> +than the other. Now I can’t chop myself up +into five pieces.” +</p> +<p>“You can chop June up into five pieces,” suggested +Nan. +</p> +<p>“Yes, but if I go to a country house to make +a good long visit, I want to stay about a month. +A week here and then a week there is so unsatisfactory. +However, after much thoughtful +brooding over the question, I’ve cut out three, +and that brings my quandary down to only two +places to decide between.” +</p> +<p>“Lady Hamilton’s being one,” observed her +father. +</p> +<p>“Yes, Kitty’s is one; and Mabel Hartley’s is +the other. Of course, if I spend June with +Kitty, we’ll be right here in London all the +time, and though I love it, yet I love the country +too. Now, if I go to Mabel’s, I’ll have a beautiful +experience of real English country life.” +</p> +<p>“You would enjoy it, I’m sure,” said Nan; +“and I think you’d better decide to go to Cromarty +Manor, and then, if for any reason, you +don’t like it, come back, and put in the rest of +your time with Lady Kitty.” +</p> +<p>“Nan, that’s an inspiration!” cried Patty, +running across the room, and clasping Nan in +one of her rather strenuous embraces. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span></p> +<p>“Look out! You’ll break her!” cried Mr. +Fairfield, in great pretence of fear. +</p> +<p>“No, indeed!” said Patty, “she’s too substantial. +And anyway, such a clever suggestion +deserves ample recognition.” +</p> +<p>Patty sat on the arm of Nan’s chair, and +amused herself by twisting Nan’s curly hair into +tight little spirals. +</p> +<p>“Stop that, Patty,” said her father; “you +make Nan look like a pickaninny.” +</p> +<p>“No matter what she looks like, if it’s becoming,” +said Patty, serenely. “But truly, Nan, +you ought to wear your hair like that; it’s awfully +effective!” +</p> +<p>The spirals now stood out all round Nan’s +face, like a spiky frame, but the good-natured +victim only laughed, as she said, “Never mind +me, let’s get these great questions settled.” +</p> +<p>So, after some more talk and discussion, it was +settled that Patty should accept the Hartleys’ +urgent invitation to Cromarty Manor, for, at +least, a part of June, and then, if she cared +to, stay also a time with Lady Hamilton. +</p> +<p>“It may sound silly,” said Patty, thoughtfully, +“but I can’t help feeling that Mabel not +only wants me to visit her this summer, but +she needs me. Now, I don’t mean to be conceited, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span> +but, don’t you know, you can tell when +people seem to need you, if only in a trivial +way.” +</p> +<p>“I understand,” said Nan, quickly; “and +you’re not conceited a bit, Patty. Mabel does +need you. She is a sweet girl, but sometimes +she seems to me the least bit morbid; no, not +quite that, but verging that way. She adores +you, and I’m perfectly sure that your companionship +will do her a world of good.” +</p> +<p>“I hope so,” said Patty; “I love Mabel, but +there is something about her I can’t quite understand.” +</p> +<p>“You’ll probably find out what it is, when +you’re staying with her,” said her father, “and +I know, Patty, you’ll do all in your power to +brighten her up. The Merediths live near +them, don’t they?” +</p> +<p>“Yes; only a mile or two away. And the +Merediths are gay enough for anybody. If +they’re at home this summer, there’ll be plenty +of fun going on, I’m sure.” +</p> +<p>“Lady Hamilton will miss you a lot,” said +Nan; “what does she say to your going?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, she says she’ll miss me,” said Patty, +“and so she will, some, but it’s not like it was +when she was here, alone. Now that she’s +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span> +settled in her father’s house again, she has so +much to occupy her time and attention she’s +never lonely. Of course, she’s just as fond of +me, and I am of her, but since she’s gone away +from here, I don’t see so much of her. And, +truly, she doesn’t need me, and Mabel does. +So I’ll go to Mabel’s first, and I shouldn’t be +surprised if I stay there until you people come +back from your trip. Mrs. Hartley asked me +for the whole summer, you know, but you won’t +be gone more than a month or six weeks, will +you?” +</p> +<p>“Not more than two months,” answered her +father, “and you know, chickabiddy, if ever you +want to join us, I’ll send for you, or come for +you myself, whenever you say the word. Just +telegraph me, and I’ll respond at once.” +</p> +<p>“All right; I will if I want to. But there’s +too much fun for me in civilization to want to +go wandering off to the ends of the earth.” +</p> +<p>“And you may decide to go to Herenden +Hall for a time.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I may. I’d love to visit Lady Herenden +again, if I thought that Earl gentleman +wouldn’t be there.” +</p> +<p>“He probably won’t be,” said Nan. “I daresay +you scared him away from there forever.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span></p> +<p>“Even so, I didn’t scare him as much as he +scared me,” returned Patty, “but I do hope +there won’t be any Earls at Cromarty. I like +plain, big boys better.” +</p> +<p>“Those Hartley boys are fine fellows,” observed +Mr. Fairfield. “Young Meredith has +more fun and jollity, but the Hartleys are of a +sterling good sort. I like the whole family, and +I’m glad, Patty girl, that you’ve decided to go +there. I’ll willingly leave you in Mrs. Hartley’s +care, and I’m sure you’ll have a good +time.” +</p> +<p>“Of course I shall, Daddy, and I’ll write you +every day, if you want me to.” +</p> +<p>“Not quite so often, my dear. Twice a week, +will be all you’ll find time for, I’m certain.” +</p> +<p>“Quite likely,” said Patty, who was not very +fond of writing letters. +</p> +<p>Only a week later, Patty was to go away with +the Hartleys. And a week was not a very +long time for her preparations. There was +shopping to do, and calling, and, as Nan and +Mr. Fairfield were leaving at the same time, +they were to give up their hotel apartment for +the present. +</p> +<p>But Lady Hamilton insisted that Patty must +look upon Sir Otho’s big house in Carlton Terrace +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span> +as her own home. If she cared to run up +to London for a few days at any time, she +would be more than welcome at Lady Kitty’s. +Or she could leave there any trunks or other belongings +that she wished. This greatly pleased +Mr. Fairfield, for he felt more comfortable at +leaving Patty, to know that she had a foothold +in London, and somebody to look after her, +should she care to leave Cromarty before her +parents’ return. +</p> +<p>At last the day of departure came, and Mr. +Fairfield accompanied Patty to the station to +meet the Hartleys for the journey. +</p> +<p>It was with a homesick heart that Patty bade +her father good-bye. Somehow, she suddenly +felt that she was leaving her own people to go +away with strangers. But she knew she must +not be foolish, so she bravely kept back the +tears and said good-bye with a tender, if not a +gay, smile. +</p> +<p>“It is the loveliest thing,” said Mabel, after +they were settled in the train, “to think that +you’re really going with us. I wanted you to, +so dreadfully, but I didn’t urge it very much, +for fear you wouldn’t enjoy yourself with us.” +</p> +<p>“I always enjoy myself,” said Patty, “but I +know I shall be happy with you.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span></p> +<p>“We’ll try to make you so, Miss Fairfield,” +said Bob, earnestly, and Patty smiled at him, +and said: +</p> +<p>“Then the first thing you can do toward it, is +to drop that formal name, and call me Patty. +I’m not really grown-up enough for the other.” +</p> +<p>“No, I don’t think you are,” said Bob, as he +looked at her critically. “So, as we’re all to +live under one roof for a time, we’ll be first +namers all round.” +</p> +<p>“Good!” said Sinclair, “that suits me; and +now, Mater, when you’re ready, we’ll go in to +luncheon.” +</p> +<p>Patty thought luncheon in the dining car was +great fun. Only four could sit at a table, but +as Mrs. Hartley had a slight headache and did +not care to talk, she and Grandma Cromarty +sat at another table, and left the four young +people to chatter by themselves. +</p> +<p>Everything interested Patty, from the unusual +things she found on the menu to the strange +sights she saw from the window. +</p> +<p>This was her first trip in this direction, for +they were travelling toward Leicester, and the +scenes were all new to her. +</p> +<p>The boys were full of fun and nonsense, and +Mabel was so gay and jolly that Patty began +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span> +to think she had imagined the girl was of a sad +nature. They all told funny stories, and made +absurd jokes, and poked fun at each other, and +Patty concluded she was likely to have a very +jolly summer with the Hartleys. Back they +went after luncheon to their funny parlour car, +which had double seats facing each other, with +a small table between. +</p> +<p>“Just the place for a game,” said Sinclair, as +the four took their seats, two on either side of +the table. +</p> +<p>“What sort of a game?” asked Patty. +</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t know; I’ll make one up.” The +boy took a bit of chalk from his pocket, and +marked off the table into various sections, with +a circle in each corner, and crosses here and +there. +</p> +<p>“Now,” he explained, as he offered each +player a coin, “this isn’t money, you know. +They’re merely counters, for the time being. +But when the game is over you must all give +them back to me, because they’ll be money again +then.” +</p> +<p>“But what do we do with them?” asked +Patty, who was greatly interested in any game. +</p> +<p>“I’ll show you. These places are homes, and +these are wilderness. If you’re in the wilderness +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span> +you may be captured, but if you’re at home, +you can’t be.” +</p> +<p>The game was really a mix-up of parcheesi, +halma, and some others; to which were added +some original rules out of Sinclair’s own head. +Patty and Bob were partners against the other +two, and soon the quartette were deeply absorbed +in the game. +</p> +<p>“You are the cleverest boy, to make this up!” +cried Patty, as her side won, and they prepared +to begin over again. +</p> +<p>“Oh, he often makes up games,” said Mabel. +“We all do, only Sinclair’s are always the best.” +</p> +<p>“Mine are very good, though,” observed +Bob, modestly. +</p> +<p>“Good enough, yes,” said Sinclair; “only usually +they’re so difficult that nobody can win but +yourself.” +</p> +<p>Bob made a profound bow at this compliment, +and then the game went on. It seemed +impossible that they had been about five hours +on the train, when it was time to get out. They +had reached Leicester, and from there were to +drive to Cromarty Manor. +</p> +<p>Two vehicles met them at the station. +</p> +<p>Into one of these, a comfortable victoria, Sinclair +assisted the four ladies, and in the other, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span> +the boys rode up with the luggage. The drive +was beautiful, and Patty warmly expressed her +gratitude to Mrs. Hartley, for inviting her to +this delightful experience of English country +life. +</p> +<p>“It is beautiful,” said Mrs. Hartley, looking +about her. “I’m always glad to get back from +London to the restful quiet of these great trees +and the far-away, peaceful hills.” +</p> +<p>Mabel’s mood had changed. She no longer +laughed and jested, and though sweet and gentle +as ever, the hint of sadness had again crept into +her face, and her speech was slow and quiet. +Patty adapted her mood to the other’s, and it +was almost in silence they drove along the +country roads. +</p> +<p>It was a long ride, and it was nearly dusk +when at last they arrived at Cromarty +Manor. +</p> +<p>An old servant came out from the Porter’s +Lodge to open the high iron gates for them. +</p> +<p>He gave them a warm greeting, which seemed +a heart-felt welcome, and not merely the speech +of a paid dependant, and then they drove on +toward the house. +</p> +<p>The whole effect was so beautiful that it almost +took Patty’s breath away. It was not a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span> +bit like Herenden Hall, it was more like an old +feudal castle. The picturesque house was of +gray stone, with towers and turrets almost entirely +covered with ivy. From the ivy the birds +flew in and out, and the darkness of the surrounding +trees and tall shrubbery gave the place +a weird and fairly mysterious appearance. +</p> +<p>“You feel the charm of it, don’t you?” said +Mrs. Hartley, kindly, as she looked at Patty’s +rapt face and serious eyes. +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed,” said Patty, softly; “I can’t explain +it, but it casts a spell over me. Oh, I +don’t wonder you love it!” +</p> +<p>But the darkness of the outer world was soon +dispelled by a broad gleam of light, as the +great front doors were thrown open. An old, +gray-haired butler stood on the threshold, and +greeted them with rather pompous respect and +punctilious deference. The interior was quite +in keeping with the outside view of the house. +But though the old carved rafters and wainscoting +were dark and heavy, cheerful lamps +were in abundance, and in the halls and drawing-rooms, +wax candles were lighted also. +</p> +<p>At the first view on entering there seemed to +be an interminable vista of rooms, that opened +one from another; this was partly the effect of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span> +the elaborate old architecture, and partly because +of many long mirrors in various positions. +</p> +<p>The furniture, tapestries and ornaments were +all of an epoch two centuries back, and the +whole picture fascinated Patty beyond all words. +</p> +<p>“It’s a wonderful place,” she said at last; +“and after a week or two, I’m going to examine +it in detail. But at first I shall be satisfied just +to bask in its atmosphere.” +</p> +<p>“You’ll do!” cried Bob, who had just arrived. +“If you hadn’t appreciated Cromarty, we were +going to pack you straight back to London; but +you’ve acquitted yourself nobly. Nobody could +make a better speech than you did, and I’ll +wager you didn’t learn it beforehand either.” +</p> +<p>“I couldn’t,” said Patty, “because I didn’t +know what the place was like. What few remarks +you made about it seem like nothing, +now that I’ve begun to see it for myself.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, and you’ve only begun,” said Sinclair. +“To-morrow, when you get further into the +heart of it, you’ll surrender to its charm as +we all do.” +</p> +<p>“I’m sure I shall,” agreed Patty, “and, indeed, +I think I have already done so.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIII_CROMARTY_MANOR' id='XIII_CROMARTY_MANOR'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<h3>CROMARTY MANOR</h3> +</div> + +<p>Life at Cromarty Manor was very pleasant +indeed. +</p> +<p>Although Patty had not definitely realised +it, she was thoroughly tired out by her +London gaieties, and the peaceful quiet of the +country brought her a rest that she truly needed. +</p> +<p>Also, the Hartleys were a delightful family +to visit. There is quite as much hospitality in +knowing when to leave guests to themselves as +there is in continually entertaining them. +</p> +<p>And while the Hartleys planned many pleasures +for Patty, yet there were also hours in +the morning or early afternoon, when she was +free to follow her own sweet will. +</p> +<p>Sometimes she would roam around the historic +old house, pausing here and there in some +of the silent, unused rooms, to imagine romances +of days gone by. +</p> +<p>Sometimes she would stroll out-of-doors, +through the orchards and woods, by ravines and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span> +brooks, always discovering some new and beautiful +vista or bit of scenery. +</p> +<p>And often she would spend a morning, lying +in a hammock beneath the old trees, reading a +book, or merely day-dreaming, as she watched +the sunlight play hide-and-seek among the leaves +above her head. +</p> +<p>One morning, after she had been at Cromarty +Manor for about a week, Patty betook herself +to her favourite hammock, carrying with her a +book of Fairy Tales, for which she had never +outgrown her childish fondness. +</p> +<p>But the book remained unopened, for Patty’s +mind was full of busy thoughts. +</p> +<p>She looked around at the beautiful landscape +which, as far as the eye could reach included +only the land belonging to the Cromarty estate. +There were more than a thousand acres +in all, much of which was cultivated ground, +and the rest woodland or rolling meadows. +Patty looked at the dark woods in the distance; +the orchards nearer by; and, in her immediate +vicinity, the beautiful gardens and +terraces. +</p> +<p>The latter, of which there were two, known +as the Upper and Lower Terrace, were two +hundred feet long and were separated by a sloping +bank of green lawn, dotted with round +flower beds. +</p> +<div class='figcenter'> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span> +<a name='linki_4' id='linki_4'></a> +<img src='images/illus-174.jpg' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='text-align:center;'> +“Often she would spend a morning lying in a hammock<br /> +beneath the old trees” +<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span></div> +<p>Above the terraces rose the old house itself. +The Manor was built of a grayish stone, and +was of Elizabethan architecture. +</p> +<p>More than two hundred years old, it had been +remodelled and added to by its various successive +owners, but much of its fine old, original +plan was left. +</p> +<p>Ivy clung to its walls, and birds fluttered in and +out continually. +</p> +<p>There was a tower on either side the great +entrance, and Patty loved to fancy that awful +and mysterious deeds had been committed +within those frowning walls. +</p> +<p>But there was no legend or tradition attached +to the mansion, and all its history seemed to +be peaceful and pleasant. +</p> +<p>Even the quaint old yew-tree walk, with its +strangely misshapen shrubbery, was bright and +cheerful in the morning sunlight, and the lake +rippled like silver, and gave no hint of dark +or gloomy depths. +</p> +<p>And yet, Patty couldn’t help feeling that there +was some shadow hanging over the Hartley +family. They were never sad or low-spirited, +but sometimes Mrs. Hartley would sigh, or +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span> +Grandma Cromarty would look anxious, as if at +some unrelievable sorrow. +</p> +<p>The boys were always light-hearted and gay, +but Mabel often had moods of despondency, +which, while they never made her cross or irritable, +were so pathetic that it worried Patty’s +loving heart. +</p> +<p>And so she lay in her hammock, gazing at the +beauty all about her, and wondering what was +the secret grief that harassed her dear friends. +It never occurred to her that it was none of +her affair, for Patty was possessed of a healthy +curiosity, and moreover she was innately of a +helpful nature, and longed to know what the +trouble was, in a vague hope that she might be +of some assistance. +</p> +<p>“I know they’re not rich,” she said to herself, +“for the whole place shows neglect and shabbiness; +but there’s something besides lack of +money that makes Madam Cromarty sad.” +</p> +<p>The place was indeed in a state of unrepair. +Though there were many servants, there were +not enough to do all that should have been done. +The two gardeners did their best to keep the +flowers in order, but the elaborate conventional +gardens, laid out in geometric designs, and intricate +paths, called for a complete staff of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span> +trained workers, and in the absence of these, became +overgrown at their borders and untidy in +appearance. +</p> +<p>It was the same indoors. The handsome old +furniture, covered with silk brocades and tapestries, +was worn and sometimes ragged in appearance. +Some of the decorations showed need of +regilding, and though the magnificent old carved +woodwork, and tessellated floors could not be +marred by time, yet many of the lesser appointments +called for renovation or renewal. The +Great Hall, as it was called, had best withstood +the ravages of time, as it was wainscoted and +ceiled in massive old oak. +</p> +<p>It was a noble apartment, with recessed windows +and panelled walls, and across one end +was a raised platform from the back of +which rose a wonderfully carved chimney-piece. +</p> +<p>This apartment, in the palmier days of the +Manor House, had been the Banqueting Hall, +but as there was a smaller and more appropriate +dining-room, the Hartleys used the Great +Hall as a living room, and had gathered in +it their dearest treasures and belongings. +Grandma Cromarty had her own corner, with +her knitting basket. In another corner was a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span> +grand piano, and many other musical instruments. +In one north bay window was Mabel’s +painting outfit, and so large was the recess that +it formed a good-sized studio. On the walls, +hobnobbing with the ancient antlers and deers’ +heads, trophies of the chase, were the boys’ tennis +rackets, and in the outstretched arm of a +tall figure in armour, a lot of golfsticks rested +against the quartered shield. +</p> +<p>“I suppose,” Mabel had said, when they first +showed this room to Patty, “a great many +people would consider it desecration to fill up +this fine old place with all our modern stuff. +But we’re modern, and so we make the carving +and tapestries give way to us.” +</p> +<p>“They like it,” Patty had replied. “They +feel sorry for other houses where the carvings +and tapestries have to stay back in their own +old times. Now hear these old rafters ring to +modern music,” and seating herself at the piano, +Patty began some rollicking songs that were of +decidedly later date than the old rafters. +</p> +<p>Opening from the old Banqueting Hall was +the library. This had been left just as it was, +and the shelves full of old books were a never-failing +delight to Patty’s browsing nature. A +gallery ran round all four sides, which was +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span> +reached by spiral iron staircases, and the deep-seated +windows, with their old leather cushions, +made delightful nooks in which to pore over +the old volumes. There were many unused +rooms in the Manor House. Many unexpected +alcoves and corridors, and in these the old furniture +was worn and decayed. The rooms that +were lived in were kept in comfortable order, +but Patty knew, had there been more house-servants, +these other apartments would have +been thrown open to light and air. +</p> +<p>Surely, Patty decided, the Hartleys were +pinched for money, but just as surely, she +thought, that could not have the effect of casting +that indefinite gloom over them which was +now and then observable. And as she idly +swung in her hammock, she made up her mind +to ask about it. +</p> +<p>“If they don’t want to tell me, they needn’t,” +she said to herself, “but they surely know me +well enough now to know that I’m honestly interested +in their life, and not merely trying to +pry into their secrets.” +</p> +<p>But she could not quite decide which one of the +family to ask about it. She would have preferred +to ask Grandma Cromarty, but the old +lady had a certain reserve, which, at times, was +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span> +forbidding, and Patty stood a little in awe of +her. +</p> +<p>Mrs. Hartley was kindly and responsive, but +Patty rarely saw her except when the whole +family was present. In the morning Mrs. +Hartley was busy with household duties, and +afternoons Patty and Mabel were usually together. +Patty felt sure she could never ask +Mabel, for though the two girls were confidential +friends, there was a sensitiveness in Mabel’s +disposition that made Patty shrink from touching +on what she felt might be a painful subject. +Then there were the boys. Bob, at home on his +vacation from college was Patty’s chum and +merry comrade, but she imagined he would +cleverly evade a serious question. He was always +chaffing, and while Patty was always glad +to meet him on this ground, she almost knew +he wouldn’t talk seriously on family subjects. +This left only Sinclair. Patty really liked Sinclair +Hartley. A young man of about twenty, +he was studying law in a nearby town, where +he went every morning, returning in mid-afternoon. +</p> +<p>He was kindly and courteous, and though often +grave, was always appreciative of a joke, and +quite ready to join in any fun. But he had a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span> +serious side, and Patty had enjoyed many long +talks with him on subjects that never would +interest Mabel or Bob. +</p> +<p>And so she concluded that at the first opportunity, +she would ask Sinclair what was the nature +of the mystery that seemed to hang over the +House of Hartley. +</p> +<p>“Ah, there, Pitty-Pat!” called a gay voice, +and looking around, Patty saw Bob strolling toward +her across the lawn. “Want to go out on +the lake and fish for pond-lilies?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed,” said Patty, twisting herself +out of the hammock. “What are you going to +do with them?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, just for the lunch table. Mabel’s so +everlastingly fond of them, you know.” +</p> +<p>Patty thought it was nice of Bob to remember +his sister’s tastes, and she willingly went with +him toward the lake. +</p> +<p>“How beautiful it all is!” she said as they +went down the terrace steps and along the lake +path which led through a pergola and around a +curved corner called “The Alcove.” +</p> +<p>This delightful nook was a small open court +of marble, adorned with pillars and statues, and +partly surrounding a fountain. +</p> +<p>“Yes, isn’t it?” exclaimed Bob, enthusiastically. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span> +“You know, Patty, this old place is my +joy and my despair. I love every stick and +stone of it, but I wish we could keep it up in +decent order. Heigh-ho! Just wait until I’m +out of college. I’ll do something then to turn an +honest shilling, and every penny of it shall go +to fix up the dear old place.” +</p> +<p>“What are you going to be, Bob?” +</p> +<p>“An engineer. There’s more chance for a +fellow in that than in any other profession. +Old Sinclair’s for being a lawyer, and he’ll be +a good one, too, but it’s slow work.” +</p> +<p>“You ought to go to America, Bob, if you +want to get rich.” +</p> +<p>“I would, like a shot, if I could take the old +house with me. But I’m afraid it’s too big to +uproot.” +</p> +<p>“I’m afraid it is. I suppose you wouldn’t like +to live in a brown-stone front on Fifth +Avenue?” +</p> +<p>“Never having seen your brown-stone Avenue, +ma’am, I can’t say; but I suppose a deer park +and lake and several thousand acres of meadow +land are not included with each house.” +</p> +<p>“No; not unless you take the whole of Manhattan +Island.” +</p> +<p>“Even that wouldn’t do; unless I had taken +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span> +it a few hundred years ago, and started the +trees growing then.” +</p> +<p>“No, America wouldn’t suit you,” said Patty, +thoughtfully, “any more than English country +life would suit most of our American boys.” +</p> +<p>“But you like this life of ours?” +</p> +<p>“I love it; for a time. And just now I am +enjoying it immensely. Oh, what gorgeous +lilies!” +</p> +<p>They had reached the lake, and the quiet, well-behaved +water was placidly rippling against the +stone coping. +</p> +<p>Bob untied the boat. +</p> +<p>“It’s an old thing,” he said, regretfully; “but +it’s water-tight, so don’t be afraid.” +</p> +<p>Patty went down the broad marble steps, and +seated herself in the stern of the boat, while +Bob took the rowing seat. +</p> +<p>A few of his strong pulls, and they were out +among the lily pads. +</p> +<p>“Row around a bit before we gather them,” +suggested Patty, and Bob with long, slow +strokes sent the boat softly and steadily along. +</p> +<p>“Isn’t it perfect?” said Patty, dreamily. “It +seems as if nothing could stir me up on a day +like this.” +</p> +<p>“Is that so?” said Bob, and with mischief in +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span> +his eyes, he began to rock the boat from side +to side. +</p> +<p>“You villain!” cried Patty, rudely stirred +from her calm enjoyment; “take that!” +</p> +<p>She dashed light sprays of water at him from +over the side of the boat, and he returned by +cleverly sprinkling a few drops on her from +the blade of his oar. +</p> +<p>“Why did you want to kick up a bobbery, +when everything was so nice and peaceful?” +she said, reproachfully. +</p> +<p>“I shall always kick up a bobbery,” he returned, +calmly, “when you put on that romantic, +sentimental air.” +</p> +<p>“I didn’t put on any sentimental air! I was +just enjoying the dreamy spirit of the lake.” +</p> +<p>“Thank you! That’s the same as saying my +society makes you sleepy.” +</p> +<p>“Nothing of the sort. And anyway, the +dreamy mood has passed.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I intended it should. Now, let’s sing.” +</p> +<p>“All right; what?” +</p> +<p>“The ‘Little Kibosh,’ I think. That’s a good +song to row by.” +</p> +<p>The young people at Cromarty Manor had +already composed several songs which seemed +to them choicest gems of musical composition. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span></p> +<p>As a rule Patty and Bob made up the words, +while Mabel and Sinclair arranged the tunes. +</p> +<p>Sometimes the airs were adapted from well-known +songs, and sometimes they were entirely +original. +</p> +<p>“The Little Kibosh” was one of their favourite +nonsense songs, and now Patty and Bob +sang it in unison as they rowed slowly about +on the lake. +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“It was ever so many years ago,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>On a prairie by the sea;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>A little Kibosh I used to know</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>By the name of Hoppity Lee.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>His hair was as green as the driven snow,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>And his cheeks were as blue as tea.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“’Twas just about night, or nearly noon</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>When Hoppity Lee and I</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Decided to go for a sail to the moon,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>At least, as far as the sky.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>But instead of taking the Big Balloon,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>sailed in a pumpkin pie.</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“Dear little Hoppity Lee and I</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>Were happy and glad and gay;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>But the Dog Star came out as we passed by,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>And began to bark and bay.</p> +<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span></div> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>And the little Kibosh fell out of the pie,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>And into the Milky Way!</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“I fished and fished for a year and a week</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>For dear little Hoppity Lee;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>And at last I heard a small faint squeak</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>From the place where he used to be;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>And he said, ‘Go home, and never more seek,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>Oh, never more seek for me!’”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIV_UNCLE_MARMADUKE' id='XIV_UNCLE_MARMADUKE'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<h3>UNCLE MARMADUKE</h3> +</div> + +<p>That very same evening Patty had a +chance to speak to Sinclair alone. +</p> +<p>It was just after dinner, and the lovely +English twilight was beginning to cast long, +soft shadows of the tall cypresses across the +lawn. The various members of the family were +standing about on the terrace, when Sinclair +said, “You need some exercise, Patty; let’s +walk as far as the alcove.” +</p> +<p>Patty assented, and the two strolled away, +while Mabel called after them, “Don’t be gone +long, for we’re all going to play games this +evening.” +</p> +<p>They all loved games, so Patty promised to return +very soon. +</p> +<p>“I never saw anything like this alcove before +in my life,” said Patty, as they reached the picturesque +spot and sat down upon the curving +marble seat. +</p> +<p>“They are often found in the gardens of old +English homes. Any arched or covered seat +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span> +out of doors is called an alcove. But this is +rather an elaborate one. The marble pillars are +of fine design, and the whole thing is beautifully +proportioned.” +</p> +<p>“Is it very old?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, older than the house. You know the +Cromartys have lived on this estate for several +hundred years. But the original house was destroyed +by fire, or nearly so, and the present +house was built on the old foundations about +the middle of the seventeenth century. If +you’re interested in these things, there are lots +of books in the library, telling all about the history +of the place.” +</p> +<p>“Indeed I am interested, and I shall look up +the books, if you’ll tell me what they are. Is +there any legend or tradition connected with the +place?” +</p> +<p>“No. We have no ghosts at Cromarty +Manor. We’ve always been a peaceful sort, except +that my great uncle quarrelled with my +grandfather.” +</p> +<p>“Mrs. Cromarty’s husband?” +</p> +<p>“Yes. He was Roger Cromarty—grandfather +was, I mean—and he had a brother +Marmaduke. They were both high-tempered, +and Marmaduke after an unusually fierce quarrel +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span> +left home and went to India. But have you +never heard the story of the Cromarty Fortune?” +</p> +<p>“No, I never have. Is it a sad story? Would +you rather not tell me?” +</p> +<p>“Why, no; it isn’t a sad story, except that +the conditions are rather sad for us. But there’s +no reason in the world why you shouldn’t hear +it, if you care to. Indeed, I supposed Mabel +had already told it you.” +</p> +<p>“No, she never did. Will you?” +</p> +<p>“Yes. But not here. Let us go in, and get +the family all together, and we’ll give you a +dramatic recital of the Great Cromarty Mystery.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, is it a mystery story? How delightful. +I love a mystery.” +</p> +<p>“I’m glad you do, but I assure you I wish it +wasn’t a mystery.” +</p> +<p>“Will it never be solved?” +</p> +<p>“I fear not, now. But let us go back to the +house, and tell the tale as it should be told.” +</p> +<p>They found that the others had already gone +into the house, and were gathered round the +big table that stood in the middle of the living +room. As they joined the group, Sinclair said: +</p> +<p>“Before we play games this evening, we are +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span> +going to tell Patty the story of Uncle Marmaduke’s +money.” +</p> +<p>Patty was surprised to note the different expressions +on her friends’ faces. Mabel seemed +to shrink into herself, as if in embarrassment or +sensitiveness. Mrs. Cromarty looked calmly +proud, and Mrs. Hartley smiled a little. +</p> +<p>But Bob laughed outright, and said: +</p> +<p>“Good! I’ll help; we’ll all help, and we’ll +touch up the tale until it has all the dramatic +effect of a three-volume novel.” +</p> +<p>“It won’t need touching up,” said Sinclair. +“Just the plain truth is story enough of itself.” +</p> +<p>“You begin it, Grandy,” said Bob, “and then, +when your imagination gives out, I’ll take a +hand at it.” +</p> +<p>The old lady smiled. +</p> +<p>“It needs no imagination, Robert,” she said; +“if Patty cares to hear of our family misfortune, +I’m quite willing to relate the tale.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I didn’t know it was a misfortune,” cried +Patty. “I thought it was a mystery story.” +</p> +<p>“It’s both,” said Mrs. Cromarty, “but if the +mystery could be solved, it would be no misfortune.” +</p> +<p>“That sounds like an enigma,” observed +Patty. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span></p> +<p>“It’s all an enigma,” said Bob. “Go ahead, +Grandy.” +</p> +<p>“The story begins,” said Mrs. Cromarty, +“with my marriage to Roger Cromarty. I was +wed in the year 1855. My husband and I were +happy during the first few years of our married +life. He was the owner of this beautiful place, +which had been in his family for many generations. +My daughter, Emmeline, was born here, +and when she was a child she filled the old house +with her happy laughter and chatter. My husband +had a brother, Marmaduke, with whom he +was not on good terms. Before my marriage, +this brother had left home, and gone to India. +My husband held no communication with him, +but we sometimes heard indirectly from him, +and reports always said that he was amassing +great wealth in some Indian commerce.” +</p> +<p>“Is that his portrait?” asked Patty, indicating +a painting of a fine-looking man in the +prime of life. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Mrs. Cromarty. “But the picture +represents him as looking amiable, whereas +he was always cross, grumpy, and irritable.” +</p> +<p>“Like me,” commented Bob. +</p> +<p>“No,” said his mother, “I’m thankful to say +that none of you children show the slightest +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span> +signs of Uncle Marmaduke’s disposition. I was +only fifteen years old when he died, but I shall +never forget his scowling face and angry tones.” +</p> +<p>“Was he always cross?” asked Patty, amazed +that any one could be invariably ill-tempered. +</p> +<p>“Always,” said Mrs. Cromarty. “At least, +whenever he was here. I never saw him elsewhere.” +</p> +<p>“Go back, Grandy; you’re getting ahead of +your story.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I tried my best to bring about a +reconciliation between the two brothers, but both +were proud and a bit stubborn. I could not +persuade my husband to write to Marmaduke, +and though I wrote to him myself, my letters +were torn up, and the scraps returned to me.” +</p> +<p>“Lovely old gentleman!” commented Bob. +“I’m glad my manners are at least better than +that!” +</p> +<p>“At last, my husband, Mr. Roger Cromarty, +became very ill. I knew he could not recover, +and wrote Marmaduke to that effect. To my +surprise, I received a grim, but fairly polite +letter, saying that he would leave India at once, +and hoped to reach his brother’s bedside in time +for a reconciliation.” +</p> +<p>“And did he?” asked Patty, breathlessly. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span></p> +<p>“Yes, but that was all. My husband was dying +when his brother came. They made peace, +however, and arranged some business matters.” +</p> +<p>“Oh,” cried Patty, “how glad you must have +been that he did not come too late. What a +comfort all these years, to know that they did +make up their quarrel.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed,” assented Mrs. Cromarty. +“But I have talked all I can. Emmeline, you +may take up the narrative.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll tell a little,” said Mrs. Hartley, smiling; +“but I shall soon let Sinclair continue. We +all know this tale by heart, but only Sinclair +can do full justice to the mysterious part +of it. I was only ten years old when my +father died, and Uncle Marmaduke came +here to live. It changed the whole world for +me. Where before all had been happiness and +love, now all was unkindness and fear. None +of us dared cross Uncle Marmaduke, for his +fiery anger was something not to be endured. +And beside being bad-tempered, he was erratic. +He did most peculiar things, without any reason +in them whatever. Altogether, he was a +most difficult man to live with. But at my +father’s death he owned this estate, and we had +to live with him or go homeless. He had plenty +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span> +of money, and he repaired and restored much +about the place. But even in this he was erratic. +He would have masons in to renew the +crumbling plaster and brickwork in the cellars, +while the drawing-room furniture could go ragged +and forlorn. He spent his money freely +for anything he wanted himself, but was niggardly +toward mother and myself. However, +he always told us that at his death we should +inherit his wealth. The estate, also, he willed +to mother. He lived with us for about five +years, and then was killed by a fall from his +horse. I was a girl of fifteen then, and when +he was brought in, mangled and almost dead, +he called for me. I went to his bedside, trembling, +for even then I feared he was going to +scold me. But he could only speak in hesitating, +disjointed sentences. It was with difficulty I +gathered that he was trying to give me some information +about his fortune. I wish now I had +tried to help him tell me; but at that time it +seemed heartless to think of such things when +the poor man was dying, and I soothed him, and +begged him not to try to talk, when it was such +an exertion.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Mother,” wailed Bob, “if you’d only +listened, instead of talking yourself!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span></p> +<p>Mrs. Hartley smiled, as if she were used to +such comments at this part of the story. +</p> +<p>“Well,” she said, “I think Sinclair may take +up the recital here. That is, if you’re interested, +Patty?” +</p> +<p>“If I’m interested! Indeed I am! It’s very +exciting, and I want it all now; no ‘continued in +our next.’” +</p> +<p>“We don’t know the end, ourselves,” said +Mabel, with such a wistful look in her eyes that +Patty went over and sat by her, and with her +arm round her listened to the rest of the story. +</p> +<p>“Well, then,” said Sinclair, in his grave, +kindly voice, “Uncle Marmaduke tried very +hard to communicate to mother and Grandy +something about his fortune. But his accident +had somehow paralysed his throat, and he could +scarcely articulate. But for an hour or more, +as he lay dying, he would look at them with +piercing glances, and say what sounded like +dickens! gold!” +</p> +<p>“Did he mean gold money?” asked Patty, +impulsively. +</p> +<p>“They didn’t know, then. But they thought +at the time that dickens! was one of his angry +expletives, as he was given to such language. +The gold, they felt sure, referred to his fortune, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span> +which he had always declared he would +leave to Grandmother. Then he died, without +being able to say any other except those two +words, gold and dickens.” +</p> +<p>“He might have meant Charles Dickens,” suggested +Patty, who dearly loved to guess at a +puzzle. +</p> +<p>“As it turned out, he did,” said Sinclair, +serenely; “but that’s ahead of the story.” +</p> +<p>“And, too,” said Mrs. Hartley, “the way in +which he finally articulated the word, by a great +effort, and after many attempts, was so—so explosive, +that it sounded like an ejaculation far +more than like a noted author.” +</p> +<p>“Years went by,” continued Sinclair, “and +Grandy and mother were left with the old Cromarty +estate, and nothing to keep it up with.” +</p> +<p>“We had a small income, my boy,” said his +grandmother. +</p> +<p>“Yes, but not enough to keep the place as it +should be kept. However, no trace could be +found of Uncle Marmaduke’s money. He was +generally supposed to have brought a large fortune +home from India, but it seemed to have +vanished into thin air. His private papers and +belongings showed no records of stocks or +bonds, no bank books, and save for a small +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span> +amount of ready money he had by him, he +seemed to be penniless. Of course, he wasn’t; +the way he had lived, and the money he +had spent indicated that he had a fortune somewhere; +and, too, there was his promise to leave +it to Grandy. Of course, the conclusion was +that he had hidden this fortune.” +</p> +<p>“A hidden fortune!” exclaimed Patty, blissfully. +“Oh, what a lovely mystery! Why, you +couldn’t have a better one!” +</p> +<p>“I think a discovered fortune would be far +better,” said Mabel, and Patty clasped her +friend’s hand in sympathy. +</p> +<p>“At last,” said Sinclair, “a <i>very</i> bright lawyer +had a glimmering of an idea that Uncle Marmaduke’s +last words had some meaning to them. +He inquired of the ladies of the house, and +learned that the late Mr. Marmaduke had been +exceedingly fond of reading Dickens, and that +he was greatly attached to his own well-worn +set of the great author’s works. ‘Ah, ha!’ said +the very bright lawyer. ‘Between those well-thumbed +pages, we will find many Bank of England +notes, or certificates of valuable stocks!’ +They flew to the library, and thoroughly +searched all the volumes of the set. And what +do you think they found?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span></p> +<p>“Nothing,” said Patty, wagging her head +solemnly. +</p> +<p>“Exactly that! Save for a book-marker here +and there, the volumes held nothing but their +own immortal stories. ‘Foiled again!’ hissed +the <i>very</i> bright lawyer. But he kept right on +being foiled, and still no hoard of securities was +found.” +</p> +<p>“But what about the gold?” said Patty. +“They didn’t expect to find gold coins in +Dickens’ books?” +</p> +<p>“No, but they fondly hoped they’d find a +mysterious paper in cryptogram, like the ‘Gold +Bug,’ you know, telling them to go out in the +dark of the moon, and dig north by northwest +under the old apple tree.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t try to be funny, Clair,” put in Bob; +“go on with the yarn. You’re telling it well +to-night.” +</p> +<p>“And then,” said Sinclair, looking from one +to another of his interested hearers, “and then +the years rolled by until the fair maiden, Emmeline +Cromarty, was of sufficient age to have +suitors for her lily-white hand. As we can well +believe, after a mere glance in her direction, she +was the belle of the whole countryside. Brave +gallants from far and near came galloping into +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span> +the courtyard, and dismounting in feverish, +haste, cried, ‘What ho! is the radiant Emmeline +within?’ Then the old warden with his +clanking keys admitted them, and they stood in +rows, that the coquettish damsel might make a +selection.” +</p> +<p>“How ridiculous you are, Sinclair!” said his +mother, smiling. “Can’t you omit that part?” +</p> +<p>“Nay, nay, fair lady. And so, it came to +pass, that among the shoals of suitors was one +who was far more brave and strong and noble +than all the rest. Edgar Hartley——” +</p> +<p>Sinclair’s voice broke a little as he spoke the +name of his revered father. But hiding his +emotion, he went on. +</p> +<p>“Edgar Hartley wooed and won Emmeline +Cromarty, and in the beautiful June of 1880 +they were wed and merrily rang the bells. Now +while Edgar Hartley was by no means wealthy, +he had a fair income, and the fortunes of Cromarty +Manor improved. The young couple +took up their abode here, and the Dowager +Duchess of Cromarty lived with them.” +</p> +<p>“I’m not a Duchess,” interposed Mrs. Cromarty, +in her calm way. +</p> +<p>“You ought to have been, Grandy,” declared +Bob. “You look the part, and I’m sure there’s +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span> +a missing title somewhere that belongs to you. +Perhaps Uncle Marmaduke concealed it with +the rest of his fortune.” +</p> +<p>“No, dear boy; we are not titled people. But +the Cromartys are an old family, and much beloved +and respected by all the country round.” +</p> +<p>“We are so!” declared Bob, with great enthusiasm. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XV_PUZZLING_RHYMES' id='XV_PUZZLING_RHYMES'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<h3>PUZZLING RHYMES</h3> +</div> + +<p>“As I was saying,” continued Sinclair, +“Mr. and Mrs. Hartley lived happily +at Cromarty Manor. Three beautiful +children were born to them, who have since +grown to be the superior specimens of humanity +you see before you. I am the oldest, and, as I +may modestly remark, the flower of the family.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t know,” commented Patty, looking +affectionately at Mabel. +</p> +<p>“Well, anyway, as was only natural, the search +for that hidden fortune went on at times. Perhaps +a visitor would stir up the interest afresh, +and attempts would be made to discover new +meaning in Uncle Marmaduke’s last words. +And it was my father who succeeded in doing +this. He sat in the library one day, looking +over the old set of Dickens’ works, which always +had a fascinating air of holding the secret. +He had not lived here long then, and was +not very familiar with the books on the library +shelves, but looking about he discovered another +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span> +set of Dickens, a much newer set, and the +volumes were bound in cloth, but almost entirely +covered by a gilded decoration. Wait, +I’ll show you one.” +</p> +<p>Sinclair rose, and going into the library, returned +in a moment with a copy of “Barnaby +Rudge.” It was bound in green cloth, but so +ornate was the gold tooling that little green +could be seen. +</p> +<p>“Dickens—gold——” murmured Patty, her +eyes shining as she realised the new meaning in +the words. +</p> +<p>“Yes; and, sure enough that was what Uncle +Marmaduke meant. Just think! For fifteen +years that set of books had stood untouched +on the shelves, while people nearly wore +out the older set, hunting for a clue to the +fortune!” +</p> +<p>“It’s great!” declared Patty; “go on!” +</p> +<p>“Well, this set of Dickens proved extremely +interesting. Between the leaves of the books +were papers of all sorts. Bills, deeds, banknotes, +memoranda, and even a will.” +</p> +<p>“Then you had the fortune, at last?” +</p> +<p>“No such luck. The banknotes and the few +securities in the books amounted to a fair +sum, which was gratefully appreciated by my +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span> +parents, but as to the bulk of the fortune, +it only made matters more tantalising than +ever.” +</p> +<p>“Why?” asked Patty. +</p> +<p>“One of the papers was a will, properly executed +and witnessed, leaving all the fortune of +which Uncle Marmaduke died possessed, to my +mother. Then, instead of a definite statement +of where this money was deposited, were some +foolish jingles hinting where to find it. These +rhymes would be interesting as an old legend, +or in a story book, but to find them instead of +a heap of money, was, to say the least, disappointing.” +</p> +<p>“And did you never find the money?” +</p> +<p>“Never. And, of course, now we never will. +Remember all this happened twenty years ago. +I mean the discovery of the papers. Of course, +the money was hidden more than thirty-five +years ago.” +</p> +<p>“And do you mean to say that you people +are living here, in your own house, and your +own money is hidden here somewhere, and you +can’t find it?” +</p> +<p>“Exactly as you state it.” +</p> +<p>“Well! <i>I’d</i> find it, if I had to tear the whole +house down.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span></p> +<p>“Wait a minute, Miss Impetuosity. We don’t +think it’s in the house.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, out of doors?” +</p> +<p>“You’re good at puzzles, I know, but just +wait until you hear the directions that came with +the package, and I think you’ll admit it’s a +hopeless problem.” +</p> +<p>“May she see them, Mother?” said Mabel. +“Will you get them out for us?” +</p> +<p>“Not to-night, dear. I’ll show the old papers +to Patty, some other time; but now Sinclair can +tell her the lines just as well.” +</p> +<p>“Of all the papers in the books,” Sinclair went +on, “only two seemed to be directions for finding +the money, although others vaguely hinted +that the fortune was concealed. And still others +gave the impression that Uncle Marmaduke +meant to tell mother all about it; but as his +death came upon him so suddenly, of course +he could not do this. On these two papers are +rhymes, which we children have known by heart +all our lives. One is: +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“‘Great treasure lieth in the poke</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Between the fir trees and the oak.’</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>“You see uncle was a true poet.” +</p> +<p>“What does the poke mean?” asked Patty. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span></p> +<p>“Oh, a poke is a pocket; or a hiding-place of +any sort. Of course, this information sent +father to digging around every fir tree and oak +tree on the place. As you know, there are hundreds +of both kinds of trees, so the directions +can’t be called explicit.” +</p> +<p>“But,” said Patty, wrinkling her brow, “it +says ‘between the fir trees and the oak,’ as if +it meant a clump of firs and only one big oak.” +</p> +<p>“Yes; that’s what has been surmised. And +many a separate oak tree that stands near a +group of firs has been thoroughly investigated. +But wait; there’s another clue. On a separate +paper these words are written: +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“‘Above the stair, across the hall,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>Between the bedhead and the wall,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>A careful searching will reveal</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>The noble fortune I conceal.’</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>“There, could anything be plainer than +that?” +</p> +<p>“Then the money is <i>in</i> the house!” exclaimed +Patty. +</p> +<p>“Take your choice. There are the two declarations. +It may be he concealed the money +in one place, and then transferred it to another. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span> +Or it may be he put part in the ground, and +part in the house.” +</p> +<p>“But, ‘between the bedhead and the wall,’ is +so definite. There are not so very many bedrooms, +you know.” +</p> +<p>“True enough. And of course, when my +father found that paper, he went directly upstairs, +crossed the hall, and so reached Uncle +Marmaduke’s own bedroom. The furniture +had been moved about, but Grandy remembered +where the head of the bed stood in Uncle’s +time. They searched thoroughly, took up flooring, +took down wainscoting, and all that, to no +avail.” +</p> +<p>“Of course, they tried other ‘bedheads’?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, tell her about it, Grandy.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Mrs. Cromarty, placidly. “All +the bedrooms in the house, even the servants’ +rooms, were subjected to most careful scrutiny. +Although so many years had elapsed, I could +remember where the various beds stood when +Marmaduke was with us. Behind each, we had +the walls sounded, and in some cases, broken +into. We even looked for pockets or receptacles +of some sort on the backs of the headboards +themselves, but never a trace of anything could +we find.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span></p> +<p>“It’s very exciting!” said Patty; “how can +you all be so calm about it? I should think +you’d be searching every minute!” +</p> +<p>“You must remember, dear,” said Mrs. Hartley, +“it’s an old story to us. At first, we were +indeed excited. For several years we searched +almost continuously. Then hope began to fail, +and our investigations became intermittent. +Every now and then we would make a fresh +attempt, but invariably repeated failures dampened +our enthusiasm.” +</p> +<p>“It’s <i>so</i> interesting,” sighed Patty. “Can’t +we get up a little of the old enthusiasm, and +do some searching while I’m here?” +</p> +<p>“Indeed, we can,” cried Bob. “Would you +prefer an excavating party, with picks and +spades, or an indoor performance in the old +bedrooms?” +</p> +<p>“Both,” declared Patty. “Of course I know +how absurd it is to go over the ground that +has already been worn threadbare, but—but, +oh! if we <i>could</i> find it!” +</p> +<p>Grandma Cromarty smiled. +</p> +<p>“Forgive me, dearie,” she said, “but I’ve +heard those sentiments from all my guests to +whom we have told the story, for the past +thirty-five years; and though I don’t want to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span> +seem ungrateful for your interest, I feel it my +duty to warn you there is no hope.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes there is <i>hope</i>, Grandy,” said Sinclair, +“but there is nothing else. There’s no +probability, scarcely a possibility, but we’ll <i>never</i> +give up hope.” +</p> +<p>“Never!” agreed Bob; but Mabel’s expression +plainly showed that she hadn’t the faintest +glimmering of a hope. +</p> +<p>“It does seem so strange,” said Patty, thoughtfully, +“to have the two directions, and both so +explicit. No, not explicit, they’re not that, but +both so definite.” +</p> +<p>“Hardly definite, either,” said Bob, “except +that they seem to reveal the fact that there <i>is</i> a +fortune concealed about the place. Oh! it +makes me frantic! I feel so helpless.” +</p> +<p>“There’s no use storming about it, Bob, my +boy,” said his mother. “And, Patty, you +mustn’t set us down as too mercenary in this +matter. But I think you know that we, as a +family, long for the means which would enable +us to keep up this dear old place as it should +be, and not let its beautiful parks and gardens +go uncared for and neglected.” +</p> +<p>“I do know!” cried Patty; “and it makes me +furious to think that the money—your own +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span> +money—is perhaps within your reach, and yet—you +can’t get it! Oh, why didn’t Mr. Marmaduke +say just where he put it!” +</p> +<p>“He did,” said Bob, smiling. +</p> +<p>“Yes, so he did. Well, I’d tear up every +square foot of ground on the whole estate, +then.” +</p> +<p>“Remember, Patty,” said Sinclair, in his quiet +way, “there are nearly ten thousand acres in +all; and except for meadowlands and water, +there are oaks and firs on nearly every acre. +The fortune itself would scarcely pay for all +that labour.” +</p> +<p>“Well, then, I’d tear the house to pieces.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no you wouldn’t,” said Mrs. Hartley; +“and beside, that has almost been done. My +husband had so much of the woodwork and +plaster removed, that I almost feared he +would bring the house down about our ears. +And it is such a big, rambling old place, +it is hopeless to think of examining it really +thoroughly.” +</p> +<p>Patty glanced around at the great hall she was +in. The groined ceiling, with its intricate carvings +at the intersections; the cornice carved in +deep relief, with heraldic bosses, and massive +patterns; the tall columns and pilasters; all +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span> +seemed part of an old monument which it would +be desecration to break into. +</p> +<p>“I wonder where it is,” she said; “indoors +or out.” +</p> +<p>“I think it’s out of doors,” said Sinclair. “I +think uncle hid it in the house first, and then +wrote his exquisite poem about the poke. Perhaps +it was merely a pocket of leather or canvas, +that hung behind the headboard of his own +bed. In that case all prying into the walls would +mean nothing. Then, I think, as that was only +a temporary hiding-place, he later buried it in +the ground between some special oak tree and +fir tree, or trees. I think, too, he left, or meant +to leave some more of his poetry to tell which +trees, but owing to his sudden taking off, he +didn’t do this.” +</p> +<p>“Sinclair,” said Bob, “as our American friend, +Mr. Dooley, says, ‘Yer opinions is inthrestin’, +but not convincin’.’ As opinions, they’re fine; +but I wish I had some facts. If uncle had only +left a cryptogram or a cipher, I’d like it better +than all that rhymed foolishness.” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps it isn’t foolishness,” said Patty; “I +think, with Sinclair, it’s likely Mr. Marmaduke +wrote the indoor one first, and then changed +the hiding-place and wrote the other. But how +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span> +could he do all this hiding and rehiding without +being seen?” +</p> +<p>“I went up to London every season,” said +Mrs. Cromarty; “and, of course, took Emmeline +with me. Marmaduke always stayed +here, and thus had ample opportunity to do +what he would. Indeed, he usually had great +goings-on while we were away. One year, he +had the Italian garden laid out. Another year, +he had a new porter’s lodge built. This was +done the last year of his life, and as he had +masons around so much at that time, repairing +the cellars and all that, we thought later, that he +might have had a hiding-place arranged in the +wall behind the head of his bed. But, if so, we +never could find it.” +</p> +<p>“And have you dug under the trees much?” +persisted Patty, who could not accept the hopelessness +of the others. +</p> +<p>“Dug!” exclaimed Bob, “I’ve blistered my +hands by the hour. I’ve viewed fir trees and +oaks, until I know every one on the place by +heart. I’ve trudged a line from oaks to firs, +and starting in the middle, I’ve dug both ways. +But I’m nearly ready to give up. Not quite, +though. I’m making a thorough search of all +the books in the library, on the chance of finding +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span> +some other message. But there are such a +lot of books! I’ve been at it for three years +now, off and on, and I’m only three-quarters +way round. And not a paper yet, except a few +old letters and bills.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll help you, Bob,” said Patty; “oh, I’d love +to do something toward the search, even if I +don’t find a thing. I’ll begin to-morrow. You +tell me what books you’ve done.” +</p> +<p>“I will, indeed. I’ll be jolly glad to have +help. And you can do as much as you +like, before your young enthusiasm wears +off.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll do it, gladly,” said Patty, and then they +discovered that the evening had flown away, +and it was bedtime. +</p> +<p>As they went upstairs, Mabel followed Patty +to her room and sat down for a little good-night +chat. +</p> +<p>Patty’s eyes were shining with excitement, and +as she took off her hair ribbon, and folded it +round her hand, she said: +</p> +<p>“Even if we don’t find anything, you’ll be no +worse off, and it’s such fun to hunt.” +</p> +<p>“They didn’t tell you all, Patty,” said Mabel, +in a pathetic tone, and Patty turned quickly to +her friend. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span></p> +<p>“Why, what do you mean?” +</p> +<p>“I mean this. Of course, we’ve never been +rich, and we’ve never been able to do for the +place what ought to be done for it; but we have +been able to live here. And now—now, if we +can’t get any more money, we—we can’t stay +here! Oh, Patty!” +</p> +<p>Patty’s arms went round Mabel, as the poor +child burst into tears. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she said, sobbing, “some of mother’s +business interests have failed—it’s all come on +lately, I don’t entirely understand it—but, anyway, +we may soon have to leave Cromarty, and +oh, Patty, how <i>could</i> we live anywhere else? and +what’s worse, how <i>could</i> we have any one else +living here?” +</p> +<p>“Leave Cromarty Manor! Where you’ve all +lived so long—I mean your ancestors and all! +Why, Mabel, you can’t do that!” +</p> +<p>“But we’ll have to. We haven’t money +enough to pay the servants—or, at least, we +won’t have, soon.” +</p> +<p>“Are you sure of all this, dear? Does Mrs. +Cromarty expect to go away?” +</p> +<p>“It’s all uncertain. We don’t know. But +mother’s lawyer thinks we’d better sell or let +the place. Of course we won’t sell it, but it +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span> +would be almost as bad to let it. Think of +strangers here!” +</p> +<p>“I can’t think of such a thing! It seems impossible. +But perhaps matters may turn out +better than you think. Perhaps you won’t have +to go.” +</p> +<p>“That’s what Sinclair says—and mother. But +I’m sure the worst will happen.” +</p> +<p>“Now, Mabel, stop that! I won’t let you +look on the dark side. And, anyway, you’re not +to think any more about it to-night. You won’t +sleep a wink if you get nervous and worried. +Now put it out of your mind, and let’s talk +about the croquet party to-morrow at Grace +Meredith’s. How are we going over?” +</p> +<p>“You and I are to drive in the pony cart, and +the others will go in the carriage.” +</p> +<p>“That will be lovely. Now, what shall we +wear?” +</p> +<p>Thus, tactfully, Patty led Mabel’s thoughts +away from her troubles, for the time, at least, +and when the two friends parted for the night, +they both went healthily and happily to sleep. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVI_THE_CROQUET_PARTY' id='XVI_THE_CROQUET_PARTY'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<h3>THE CROQUET PARTY</h3> +</div> + +<p>The next afternoon the two girls started +in the pony cart for the Merediths. +</p> +<p>Patty loved to play croquet, and though +it greatly amused her to hear the English people +pronounce the word as if it were spelled <i>croky</i>, +yet not to appear peculiar, she spoke it that way +too. +</p> +<p>The party was a large one, and the games were +arranged somewhat after the fashion of a tournament. +</p> +<p>Patty’s partner was Tom Meredith, and as he +played a fairly good game they easily beat their +first opponents. +</p> +<p>But later on they found themselves matched +against Mabel Hartley and a young man named +Jack Stanton. Mr. Stanton was an expert, and +Mabel played the best game Patty had ever seen +a girl play. +</p> +<p>“It’s no use,” said Patty, good-naturedly, as +they began the game, “Tom and I never can +win against you two.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span></p> +<p>“Don’t despair,” said Tom, encouragingly, +“There’s many a slip, you know.” +</p> +<p>The game progressed until, when Tom and +Patty were about three-quarters of the way +around, Mabel was passing through her last +wicket and Mr. Stanton was a “rover.” +</p> +<p>“Be careful, now,” said Mr. Stanton, as +Mabel aimed to send her ball through the arch. +“It’s a straight shot, and a long shot, and +you’re liable to touch the post.” +</p> +<p>And that’s just what happened. As Mabel’s +swift, clear stroke sent the ball straight through +the wicket, it went spinning on and hit squarely +the home stake. +</p> +<p>“Jupiter! that’s bad luck!” exclaimed Jack +Stanton. “They’ll jolly well beat us now. But +never mind, perhaps I can slip through yet.” +</p> +<p>But he couldn’t. The fact that they had two +plays to his one, gave Patty and Tom a great +advantage. +</p> +<p>Tom was a clever manager, and Patty followed +his directions implicitly. So they played +a defensive game, and spent much time keeping +Stanton’s ball away from the positions he desired. +The result was that Tom and Patty won, +but their success was really owing to Mabel’s +mistake in going out. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span></p> +<p>The test was to win two games out of three, +so with one game in favor of Patty’s side they +began the next. +</p> +<p>Patty was considered a good croquet player in +America, but in England the rules of the game, +as well as the implements, were so different that +it seriously impeded her progress. +</p> +<p>The wickets were so narrow that the ball could +barely squeeze through if aimed straight, and +a side shot through one was impossible. +</p> +<p>But all this added to the zest, and it was four +very eager young people who strove for the +victory. +</p> +<p>The second game went easily to Mabel and +Jack Stanton, and then the third, the decisive +one, was begun. According to the laws of the +tournament, this was the final game. The opponents +had already vanquished all the other +contestants, and now, pitted against each other, +were playing for the prize. +</p> +<p>Patty knew in her heart she would be glad to +have Mabel win it, and yet, so strong was her +love of games, and so enthusiastic her natural +desire to succeed, that she tried her best to beat +the third game. +</p> +<p>All played conservatively. The partners kept +together, and progressed evenly. Toward the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span> +last Jack and Mabel began to creep ahead. +Tom saw this, and said to Patty: “This is our +last chance; if we plod on like this, they’ll calmly +walk out and leave us. Unless we can make a +brilliant dash of some sort, we are beaten.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t believe I can,” said Patty, looking +doubtfully at her ball. “It’s my turn, and unless +I can hit Mabel’s ball, clear across the +grounds, I can’t do anything.” +</p> +<p>“That’s just it. You <i>must</i> hit Mabel’s ball.” +</p> +<p>So Patty aimed carefully, and sent her ball +spinning over the ground toward Mabel’s, and +missed it by a hair’s breadth! +</p> +<p>“Goody!” cried Mabel, and hitting Patty’s +ball, she roqueted it back where it had come +from. +</p> +<p>“Now here’s our very lastest chance,” said +Tom, with a groan of despair. “And I’m sure, +Patty, I won’t do any better than you did.” +</p> +<p>Nor did he. Although not far from Jack’s +ball, at which he aimed, there was a wicket in +the way, which sent his own ball glancing off at +an angle, and he did not hit his opponent. +</p> +<p>A minute more, and Jack skilfully sent Mabel’s +ball and then his own against the home stake, +and the game was over. +</p> +<p>The onlookers crowded up and congratulated +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span> +the winners, and offered condolence to Patty and +Tom. Patty smiled, and responded merrily. +She did not try to lay the blame on the unusual +shaped wickets, or short, heavy mallets. She +declared that the best players had won, and +that she was satisfied. And indeed she was. +</p> +<p>When she saw the lovely prize that was given +to Mabel, she was deeply thankful that she +hadn’t won it. It was a white parasol, of silk +and chiffon, with a pearl handle. A really exquisite, +dainty affair, and just the very thing +Mabel had wanted, but couldn’t afford to buy. +As for Patty herself, she had several parasols, +and so was delighted that Mabel had won. +</p> +<p>But though she truly preferred that Mabel +should have the prize, she felt a little chagrined +at losing the contest, for like all people who are +fond of games and sports, Patty loved to win. +</p> +<p>These feelings, though, she successfully concealed, +and gave Mabel very sincere and loving +congratulations. Mr. Stanton’s prize was a +pretty scarf pin, and Tom Meredith loudly bewailed +his own misfortune in losing this. +Though, really, as the tournament was at his +own home, he would not have taken the prize +had he won it, but would have passed it on to +the one with the next highest record. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span></p> +<p>The victors were cheered and applauded, and +were then led in triumph to the pretty tent where +tea was being served. +</p> +<p>If Patty had had a shadow of regret that she +had not been the honoured one, it was lost sight +of in her gladness that it fell to Mabel’s lot. +</p> +<p>“You’re a plucky one,” said Tom Meredith, +who was observing her closely. “You’re a +good loser, aren’t you?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know,” said Patty, thoughtfully. +“I want to be, but do you know, I just love to +win contests or games. And when I lose—I’m +ashamed to say it—but I do feel put out.” +</p> +<p>“Of course you do! That’s only natural. +And that’s why I say you’re a good loser. If +you didn’t care tuppence whether you won or +not, it wouldn’t be much to your credit to look +smiling and pleasant when you lose. But since +you <i>do</i> care, a whole lot, you’re a jolly plucky +girl to take it so well. Now, what can I get +for you? An ice?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, please,” said Patty, really gratified at +Tom’s appreciative words. +</p> +<p>“How long are you staying with the Hartleys?” +Tom asked, as, returning with ices, he +found cosy seats at a small table for himself +and Patty. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span></p> +<p>“Two or three weeks longer, I think. But +I shall hate to go away, for I’ve become so interested +in their ‘mystery,’ that I can’t stop +trying to solve it.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, you mean that old affair of the hidden +fortune. I don’t believe there’s any at all. I +think the old man who pretended to hide it was +merely guying them.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no! That can’t be. Why, it all sounds +so real and natural. The story of the hiding, +I mean.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, but why should he want to hide it? +Why not bank it decently, like other people?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, because he was eccentric. People who +are naturally queer or freakish are always hiding +things. And I know it’s silly of me, but I’m +going to try to find that money.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve lots of faith in your energy and perseverance, +but I can’t think you’ll succeed in +that job. Better try something easier.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t think I can say I expect to succeed. +But I’m going to try—and—who can tell what +might happen?” +</p> +<p>“Who, indeed? But you know, of course, +that the Cromarty people have been hunting it +for nearly forty years.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, and her eyes fairly blazed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span> +with determination, “yes—but I am an +American!” +</p> +<p>Tom Meredith shouted with laughter. +</p> +<p>“Good for you, little Stars and Stripes!” he +cried. “I’ve always heard of the cleverness of +the Yankees, but if you can trace the Cromarty +fortune, I’ll believe you a witch, for sure. +Aren’t there witches in that New England of +yours?” +</p> +<p>“I believe there used to be. And my ancestors, +some of them, were Salem people. +That may be where I get my taste for divination +and solving problems. I just love +puzzles of all sorts, and if the old Cromarty +gentleman had only left a cipher message, it +would have been fun to puzzle it out.” +</p> +<p>“He did leave messages of some sort, didn’t +he? Maybe they are more subtle than you +think.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve been wondering about that. They +might mean something entirely different from +what they sound like; but I can’t see any light +that way. ‘The headboard of a bed against a +wall,’ is pretty practical, and doesn’t seem to +mean anything else. And the oak trees and fir +trees are there in abundance. But that’s the +trouble with them, there are so many.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span></p> +<p>“Go on, and do all you can, my child. You’ll +get over it the sooner, if you work hard on it +at first. We’ve all been through it. Nearly +everybody in this part of the country has tried +at one time or another to guess the Cromarty +riddle.” +</p> +<p>“But I’m the first American to try,” insisted +Patty, with a twinkle in her eye. +</p> +<p>“Quite so, Miss Yankee Doodle Doo; and I +wish you success where my own countrymen +have failed.” +</p> +<p>Tom said this with such a nice, kindly air that +Patty felt a little ashamed of her own vaunting +attitude. But sometimes Patty showed a decided +tendency to over-assuredness in her own +powers, and though she tried to correct it, it +would spring up now and again. Then the +Hartley boys joined them, and all discussion +of the missing fortune was dropped. +</p> +<p>It was soon time to take leave, and as it was +already twilight, Sinclair proposed that he +should drive Patty home in the pony cart, and +Mabel should return in the carriage. +</p> +<p>Mabel quite agreed to this, saying that after +her croquet, she did not care to drive. The +road lay through a lovely bit of country, and +Patty enjoyed the drive home with Sinclair. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span> +She always liked to talk with him, he was so +gentle and kindly. While not so merry as Bob +or as Tom Meredith, Sinclair was an interesting +talker, and Patty always felt that she was +benefited by his conversation. +</p> +<p>He told her much about the country as they +drove along, described the life and work of the +villagers, and pointed out buildings or other +objects of interest. +</p> +<p>They passed several fine estates, whose towering +mansions could be seen half hidden by trees, +or boldly placed on a summit. +</p> +<p>“But no place is as beautiful as Cromarty,” +said Sinclair, and Patty entirely agreed with +them. +</p> +<p>“Is it true that you may have to leave it?” +she asked, thinking it wiser to refer to it casually. +</p> +<p>Sinclair frowned. +</p> +<p>“Who’s been talking to you?” he said; +“Mabel, I suppose. Well, yes, there is a chance +that we’ll have to let it for a term of years. I +hope not, but I can’t tell yet. But even if so, +it will be only temporary. As soon as I get +fairly established in my career, I hope to make +money enough to take care of it all. A few +years hence, when I’m on my feet, and Bob’s +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span> +through college, it will be easier all round. But +if some business troubles that are now impending +don’t blow over, there’ll be no income to +keep things going, and we’ll have to—to——But +that <i>shan’t</i> happen!” +</p> +<p>Sinclair spoke almost desperately, and Patty +saw his fingers clench around the reins he was +holding. +</p> +<p>“I wonder,” said Patty slowly, for she was +not quite sure how what she was about to say +would be received. “I wonder, Sinclair, if +we’re not good friends enough, you and I, for +me to speak plainly to you.” +</p> +<p>The young man gave her a quick, earnest +glance. +</p> +<p>“Go on,” he said, briefly. +</p> +<p>“It’s only this,” said Patty, still hesitating, +“my father has lots of money—couldn’t you—couldn’t +he lend you some?” +</p> +<p>Sinclair looked at her squarely now, and spoke +in low, stern tones. +</p> +<p>“Never suggest such a thing again. The Cromartys +do not borrow.” +</p> +<p>“Not even from a friend?” said Patty, softly. +</p> +<p>“Not even from a friend,” repeated Sinclair, +but his voice was more gentle. “You don’t understand, +I suppose,” he went on, “but we would +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span> +leave Cromarty for ever before we would stay +on such terms.” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty, “I don’t understand. I +should think you’d be as glad to accept a friend’s +help as he would be to offer it.” +</p> +<p>“If you’d do me a real kindness, Patty, you’ll +never even mention such an idea again. I know +you mean well and I thank you, but it’s absolutely +impossible.” +</p> +<p>“Then there’s only one other way out of the +difficulty,” said Patty, with an effort at lightness; +“and that’s to find your buried fortune.” +</p> +<p>“Ah, that would be a help,” cried Sinclair, +also assuming a gayer tone. “If you’ll help us +to do that, I’ll set up a memorial tablet to your +cleverness.” +</p> +<p>“Where will you set it? Between the fir trees +and the oak?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, if you find the fortune there.” +</p> +<p>“But if I find it behind the headboard, that’s +no sort of a place for a tablet!” +</p> +<p>“You can choose your own spot for your Roll +of Fame, and I’ll see to it that the memorial is a +worthy one.” +</p> +<p>“And will you put fresh flowers on it every +day?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed; for if—I mean <i>when</i>, you find +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span> +the fortune for us, the gardens will have immediate +attention.” +</p> +<p>“Then I must set to work at once,” said Patty, +with pretended gravity, but in her heart she +registered a mental vow to try in earnest to +fulfil the promise given in jest. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVII_THE_GRIFFIN_AND_THE_ROSE' id='XVII_THE_GRIFFIN_AND_THE_ROSE'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> +<h3>THE GRIFFIN AND THE ROSE</h3> +</div> + +<p>Although the Hartleys had practically +given up all hope of ever finding the +hidden money, they couldn’t help being +imbued with Patty’s enthusiasm. +</p> +<p>Indeed, it took little to rouse the sleeping fires +of interest that never were entirely extinguished. +</p> +<p>But though they talked it over by the hour +there seemed to be nothing to do but talk. +</p> +<p>One day, Patty went out all by herself, determined +to see if she couldn’t find some combination +of an oak tree and a group of firs that +would somehow seem especially prominent. +</p> +<p>But after looking at a score or more of +such combinations, she realised that task was +futile. +</p> +<p>She looked at the ground under some of them, +but who could expect a mark of any kind on +the ground after nearly forty years? No. Unless +Mr. Marmaduke Cromarty had marked his +hiding-place with a stone or iron plate, it would +probably never be found by his heirs. Search +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span> +in the house was equally unsatisfactory. What +availed it to scan a wall or a bedstead that had +been scrutinised for years by eager, anxious +eyes? And then Patty set her wits to work. +She tried to think where an erratic old gentleman +would secrete his wealth. And she was +forced to admit that the most natural place was +in the ground on his estate, the location to be +designated by some obscure message. And +surely, the message was obscure enough! +</p> +<p>She kept her promise to help Bob in his self-appointed +task of going through all the books +in the library. This was no small piece of work, +for it was not enough to shake each book, and +let loose papers, if any, drop out. Some of the +old papers had been found pinned to leaves, and +so each book must be run through in such a +way that every page could be glanced at. +</p> +<p>Nor was this a particularly pleasant task. For +Mrs. Hartley had made it a rule that when her +own children went over the old books, they were +to dust them as they went along. Thus, she +said, at least some good would be accomplished, +though no hidden documents might be found. +</p> +<p>Of course, she did not request Patty to do +this, but learning of the custom, Patty insisted +on doing it, and many an hour she spent in the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span> +old library, clad in apron and dust-cap. Her +progress was rather slow, for book-loving Patty +often became absorbed in the old volumes, and +dropping down on the window-seat, or the old +steps to the gallery, would read away, oblivious +to all else till some one came to hunt for +her. +</p> +<p>At last, one day, her patient search met a reward. +In an old book she found several of +what were beyond all doubt Mr. Marmaduke +Comarty’s papers. +</p> +<p>Without looking at them closely, Patty took +the book straight to Mrs. Cromarty. +</p> +<p>“Dear me!” said the old lady, putting on her +glasses. “Have we really found something? +I declare I’m quite nervous over it. Emmeline, +you read them.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Hartley was a bit excited, too, and as +for Patty and Mabel, they nearly went frantic +at their elders’ slowness in opening the old and +yellow papers. +</p> +<p>There were several letters, a few bills, and +some hastily-scribbled memoranda. The letters +and bills were of no special interest, but on one +of the small bits of paper was another rhymed +couplet that seemed to indicate a direction. +</p> +<p>It read: +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span></p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“Where the angry griffin shows,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Ruthless, tear away the rose.”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>“Oh,” exclaimed Patty, “it’s another direction +how to get the fortune! Oh, Mabel, it +will be all right yet! Oh, where is the +angry griffin? Is it over a rosebush? You’re +only to pull up the rosebush, and there you +are!” +</p> +<p>Mabel looked bewildered. So did the older +ladies. +</p> +<p>“Speak, somebody!” cried Patty, dancing +about in excitement. “Isn’t there any angry +griffin? There must be!” +</p> +<p>“That’s the trouble,” said Mrs. Hartley; +“there are so many of them. Why, there are +angry griffins on the gates, over the lodge doors, +on the marbles in the gardens, and all over the +house.” +</p> +<p>“Of course there are,” said Mabel. “You +must have noticed them, Patty. There’s one +now,” and she pointed to a bit of wood carving +over the door frame of the room they were in. +</p> +<p>“I don’t care! It means something, I know +it does,” declared Patty. “We’ll work it out +yet. I wish the boys were home.” +</p> +<p>“They’ll soon be here,” said Mrs. Cromarty. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span> +“I can’t help thinking that it does mean something—Marmaduke +was very fond of roses, and +it would be just like him to plant a rosebush +over his buried treasure.” +</p> +<p>“That’s it,” cried Patty. “Now, where is +there a rosebush growing, and one of the angry +griffins near it?” +</p> +<p>“There probably are some in the rose garden,” +said Mrs. Cromarty. “I don’t remember +any, though.” +</p> +<p>“Come on, Mabel,” said Patty, “let’s go and +look. I can’t wait another minute!” +</p> +<p>Away flew the two girls, and for the next hour +they hovered about the rosebushes with more +energy than is often shown by the busiest of +bees. +</p> +<p>“I wish old Uncle Marmaduke had been less +of a poet,” said Mabel, as they sat down a +moment to rest, “and more of a—a——” +</p> +<p>“More straightforward,” suggested Patty. +“If he’d only written a few words of plain +prose, and left it with his lawyer, all this trouble +needn’t have been.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I suppose he did intend to make it +plain before he died, but he went off so suddenly. +Oh, here are the boys.” +</p> +<p>Sinclair and Bob came bounding down toward +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span> +the rose garden, followed more sedately by their +mother and grandmother. +</p> +<p>“Not a sign of a griffin a-sniffin’ of a rose,” +said Patty, disconsolately. +</p> +<p>“Oh, you haven’t looked all round yet,” said +Bob. “It’s such fun to have something to look +for besides fir trees and beds, I’m going to make +a close search.” +</p> +<p>“Of course,” said Sinclair, “the same rose +bush wouldn’t be here now that was here thirty +or forty years ago.” +</p> +<p>“But it would have been renewed,” said Mrs. +Cromarty. “We’ve always tried to keep the +flowers as nearly as possible the same.” +</p> +<p>“Then here goes to interview every griffin on +the place,” declared Bob. “Jolly of old uncle +to mark the spot with a rosebush and a griffin. +That’s what I call decent of him. And you’re a +wonder, Patty, to find the old paper.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, that’s nothing,” said Patty. “I just followed +your orders about the books. If you’d +kept at it yourself, you’d have found the same +book.” +</p> +<p>“I s’pose so. But I’m glad you helped the +good work along. Oh, dear! no rosebush +seems to be near a griffin; and the griffins seem +positively afraid of the rosebushes.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span> +And try as they would, no angry griffin could +they find, with a rosebush near it. Griffins there +were in plenty; both angry and grinning. Also +were there plenty of roses, but they were arranged +in well-laid-out beds, and in no case +were guarded or menaced by angry griffins. +</p> +<p>“Never mind,” said Sinclair, as they returned +to the house for dinner, “it’s something to work +on. I shall stay at home to-morrow and try to +find that particular rosebush, or the place where +it used to be.” +</p> +<p>“Maybe it’s a stone rose,” said Patty, as she +touched a rose carved in stone that was part of +an ornamental urn whose handles were the +heads of angry griffins. Sinclair stared at her. +</p> +<p>“You’re right,” he said, slowly, as if grasping +a great thought. “It’s much more likely +to be a rose of stone or marble, and when that’s +ruthlessly torn away the secret will be revealed. +Oh, mother, there <i>is</i> hope!” +</p> +<p>Patty had never seen the placid Sinclair so excited, +and they all went to their rooms to get +ready for dinner, with a feeling that something +was going to happen. Conversation at dinner +was all on the engrossing subject. +</p> +<p>Everybody made suggestions, and everybody +recalled various partly-forgotten griffins in odd +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span> +nooks and corners, each being sure that was +“just the place uncle would choose!” +</p> +<p>After dinner, the young people were anxious to +go out and search more, but it had begun to +rain, so they all went into the library and again +scrutinised the old papers Patty had found. +</p> +<p>They looked through more books, too, but +found nothing further of interest. +</p> +<p>At last, wearied with the hunt, Patty threw +herself into a big armchair and declared she +would do no more that night. +</p> +<p>“I should say not,” said Bob. “You’ve done +quite enough in giving us this new start.” +</p> +<p>Although, as Patty had said, the looking +through all the old books was Bob’s plan, he +generously gave her the credit of this new find. +Sinclair threw himself on a long leather couch, +and began to sing softly some of their nonsense +songs, as he often did when tired out. The +others joined, and for a time the fortune was +left to take care of itself. +</p> +<p>Very pleasant were the four fresh young +voices, and the elders listened gladly to their +music. +</p> +<p>In the middle of a song, Patty stopped, and +sat bolt upright, her eyes staring at a door +opposite her as if she had never seen it before. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span></p> +<p>“Gracious, goodness! Patty,” said Mabel, +“what is the matter?” +</p> +<p>“What is it, little one?” said Sinclair, +still humming the refrain of the interrupted +song. +</p> +<p>Patty pointed to the door, or rather to the +elaborately carved door frame, and said slowly, +“I’ve been reading a lot in the old architecture +books—and they often used to have secret hiding +places in the walls. And look at that door +frame! There’s an angry griffin on one jamb, +and a smiling griffin on the other, and under +each is a rose. That is it’s a five-leafed blossom, +a sort of conventional flower that they always +call a rose in architecture.” +</p> +<p>“Though I suppose,” said Sinclair, “by any +other name it would look as sweet. Patty, my +child, you’re dreaming. That old carving is as +solid as Gibraltar and that old griffin isn’t very +angry anyway. He just looks rather purse +proud and haughty.” +</p> +<p>“But it’s the only griffin that’s near a rose,” +persisted Patty. “And he is angry, compared +to the happy-looking griffin opposite to him.” +</p> +<p>“I believe the girl is right,” said Bob, who was +already examining the carvings in question. +“The rose doesn’t look movable, exactly, but it +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span> +is not quite like this other rose. It’s more deeply +cut.” +</p> +<p>By this time all had clustered about the door +frame, and one after another poked and pushed +at the wooden rose. +</p> +<p>“There’s something in it,” persisted Bob. +“In the idea, I mean. If there’s a secret hiding-place +in that upright carved beam, that rose +is the key to it. See how deeply it’s cut in, compared +to the other; and I can almost see a crack +all round it, as if it could be removed. May +I try to get it out, Grandy?” +</p> +<p>“Certainly, my boy. We mustn’t leave a stone +unturned.” +</p> +<p>“A rose unturned, you mean. Clair, what +shall we ruthlessly tear it away with? I hate +to take a chisel to this beautiful old door.” +</p> +<p>“Try a corkscrew,” said Mabel. +</p> +<p>“You mean a gimlet,” said Bob. “That’s a +good idea.” +</p> +<p>Fetching a gimlet, he bored a hole right in the +centre of the carved blossom, but though it +turned and creaked a little it wouldn’t come +out. +</p> +<p>“It must come,” said Sinclair. “It turns, so +that proves it’s meant to be movable. It probably +has some hinge or spring that is rusted, and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span> +so it doesn’t work as it ought to. We’ll have +to take hammer and chisel; shall we, Grandy?” +</p> +<p>The boys were deferential to Mrs. Cromarty, +for they well knew that she was tired of having +the old house torn up to no avail. But surely +this was an important development. +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed, boys. If your uncle’s words +mean anything, they mean that it must be ruthlessly +torn away, if removed at all.” +</p> +<p>For quite ten minutes the two boys worked +away with their tools, endeavouring to mar the +carving as little as might be, but resolved to +succeed in their undertaking. At last the +wooden rose fell out in their hands, leaving a +round opening. +</p> +<p>Peering in, Sinclair saw a small iron knob, +which seemed to be part of a rusty spring. +</p> +<p>Greatly excited, he tried to push or turn it, but +couldn’t move it. +</p> +<p>“Anyway, we’re getting warm,” he cried, and +his glowing face corroborated his words. +</p> +<p>The boys took turns in working at the stubborn +spring, trying with forceps and pincers to move +it, until at last something seemed to give way, +and the whole front of the door jamb fell out +as one panel. +</p> +<p>Behind it was a series of small pigeon holes +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span> +one above the other, all filled with neatly piled +papers. +</p> +<p>Though yellow with age, the papers were carefully +folded, labelled, and dated. +</p> +<p>“Patty!” cried Mabel, as she embraced her +friend, “you’ve found our fortune for us!” +</p> +<p>“Don’t be too sure,” said Patty, laughing, and +almost crying at the same time, so excited was +she. “Your Uncle Marmaduke was of such +uncertain ways I shouldn’t wonder if these +were merely more files of his immortal verse.” +</p> +<p>“They’re bills,” declared Sinclair, as he ran +over a packet he took from a shelf. +</p> +<p>“Let’s look them all over systematically,” said +Bob. “Let’s all sit round the table, and one of +us read out what the paper is about. Then if +we come to anything important, we’ll all know +it at once.” +</p> +<p>This plan was adopted, and Sinclair, as the +oldest, was chosen to read. He sat at the head +of the long library table, and the others were at +either side. +</p> +<p>But the packets of bills, though interesting in +a general way, had no bearing on the great +question of the fortune. The papers were all +bills. +</p> +<p>“Not even a bit of poetry,” sighed Patty, as +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span> +Sinclair laid aside one after another of the receipted +bills for merchandise, household goods, +clothing, and labour. +</p> +<p>“These might interest a historian,” said Sinclair, +“as they throw some light on the prices of +goods at that time. But we’ll keep on, we may +come to something of interest yet.” +</p> +<p>“I hope so,” said Bob. “I’m so anxious, +that nothing less than a straight direction to the +fortune would satisfy me.” +</p> +<p>“Well, here’s something,” said Sinclair, +“whatever it may mean.” +</p> +<p>The paper he had just unfolded was a mason’s +bill, containing only one item. The bill was +made out in due form, by one Martin Campbell, +and was properly receipted as paid. And its +single item read: +</p> +<p>“To constructing one secret pocket.... +Three Guineas.” +</p> +<p>“Oh!” cried Patty, breathless with excitement. +“Then there is a secret pocket, or poke +as your exasperating uncle calls it.” +</p> +<p>“There must be,” said Sinclair; “and now +that we know that, we’re going to find it. Of +course, we assumed there was one, but we had +only that foolish doggerel to prove it. Now +this regular bill establishes it as a fact beyond +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span> +all doubt. Do you know this Martin Campbell, +Grandy?” +</p> +<p>“I know there was a mason by that name, who +worked here several times for your uncle. He +came down from Leicester, but of course I +know nothing more of him.” +</p> +<p>“We’ll find him!” declared Bob. “We’ll +make him give up the secret of the pocket.” +</p> +<p>“Maybe he’s dead by this time,” said Sinclair. +“Was he an old man, Grandy?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know, my dear. I never saw him. +He worked here when I was away in London. +I fear, however, he is not alive now.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, perhaps he is. It was only about thirty-five +years ago, or forty, that he built this ‘secret +pocket.’ Thirty-eight, to be exact. The date +on the bill proves that.” +</p> +<p>“Well, to-morrow you must go to see him,” +said Mrs. Hartley, rising. “But now, my children, +you must go to bed. You can’t learn any +more to-night, and to-morrow we will pick up +the broken thread. Patty, my dear child, you +are doing a great deal for us.” +</p> +<p>“It isn’t anything yet,” said Patty, “but oh, +if it only leads to something, I shall be so +glad!” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVIII_THE_OLD_CHIMNEYPIECE' id='XVIII_THE_OLD_CHIMNEYPIECE'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> +<h3>THE OLD CHIMNEY-PIECE</h3> +</div> + +<p>But Sinclair’s search for the old mason in +Leicester was absolutely unsuccessful. +He learned that Martin Campbell had +died many years ago, and had left no direct +descendants. A cousin of the old mason told +Sinclair all this, and said, too, that there were +no books or papers or accounts of the dead man +left in existence. +</p> +<p>So Sinclair returned home, disappointed but +not entirely discouraged. +</p> +<p>“We’ll find it yet,” he said to Patty. “We +have proof of a hiding-place, now we must discover +it.” +</p> +<p>“We will!” declared Patty. “But it’s so exasperating +not to know whether the old mason +built that ‘pocket’ indoors or out.” +</p> +<p>“Out, I think,” said Sinclair. “It’s probably +a sunken bin or vault of brick, made water-tight, +and carefully concealed.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, it’s certainly carefully concealed,” Patty +agreed. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span></p> +<p>Sinclair was entitled to a fortnight’s vacation +from his law studies, and he arranged to take it +at this time. For now that the interest was revived, +all were eager to make search all the +time. +</p> +<p>“Let’s be systematic about it,” said Bob, “and +divide the estate up into sections. Then let’s +examine each section in turn.” +</p> +<p>This sounded well, but it was weary work. In +the wooded land, especially, it was hopeless to +look for any indicatory mark beneath the undergrowth +of forty years. But each morning the +four young people started out with renewed determination +to keep at it, at any rate. +</p> +<p>On rainy days they searched about the house. +Having found one secret panel, they hoped for +more, and the boys went about tapping the walls +or carved woodwork here and there, listening +for a hollow sound. +</p> +<p>Bob and Patty went on searching the books. +But though a number of old papers were found +they were of no value. Incidentally, Patty was +acquiring a store of information of various sorts. +Though too eager in her work to sit down and +read any book through, she scanned many pages +here and there, and learned much that was interesting +and useful. Especially did she like +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span> +books that described the old castles and abbeys +of England. There were many of these books, +both architectural and historical, and Patty lingered +over the illustrations, and let her eyes run +hastily over the pages of description. +</p> +<p>One afternoon she sat cross-legged, in Turk +fashion, on the library floor, absorbed in an account +of the beautiful old mansion known as +“Audley End.” The description so interested +her that she read on and on, and in her perusal +she came to this sentence: +</p> +<p>“There are other curious relics, among them +the chair of Alexander Pope, and the carved +oak head of Cromwell’s bed, converted into a +chimney-piece.” +</p> +<p>Anything in reference to the headboard of a +bedstead caught Patty’s attention, and she read +the paragraph over again. +</p> +<p>“Sinclair,” she called, but he had gone elsewhere, +and did not hear her. +</p> +<p>Patty looked around at the mantel or chimney-piece +in the library, but it was so evidently a +part of the plan of wall decoration, that it could +not possibly have been anything else. +</p> +<p>Patty sighed. “It would have been so lovely,” +she thought to herself, “if it only had been a +bedhead, made into a mantel, for then that +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span> +bothering old man could easily have tucked his +money between it and the wall.” +</p> +<p>And then, though Patty’s thoughts came slowly, +they came surely, and she remembered that in +the great hall, or living-room, the mantel was a +massive affair of carved oak. +</p> +<p>Half bewildered, Patty dropped the book, +jumped up, and went to the door of the hall. +No one was there, and the girl was glad of it, +for if she really was on the eve of a great discovery +she wanted to be alone at first. +</p> +<p>As she entered the room, the lines came to her +mind: +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“Above the stair, across the hall,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Between the bedhead and the wall,”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>and she noticed that the chimney-piece stood on +a sort of wide platform, which extended across +that whole end of the hall. Could it be that +Mr. Marmaduke had meant above this platform, +calling it a stair, which ran across the +great hall? For years they had taken the direction +to mean “up the staircase,” and “across +the corridor,” or hall which led to the bedrooms. +</p> +<p>Slowly, almost as if afraid, Patty crossed the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_249' name='page_249'></a>249</span> +hall, stepped up on the platform, and examined +the old chimney-piece. She couldn’t tell, positively, +but surely, surely it looked as if it <i>might</i> +once have been the headboard of an ancient +bed. It certainly was different in its workmanship +from the wood carving that decorated the +apartment. +</p> +<p>The top of it was well above her head, but +might it not be that the old rhyme meant between +<i>this</i> bedhead and the wall? +</p> +<p>Here they had never looked. It must be that +it was not generally known that this mantel was, +or had been, a bedhead. +</p> +<p>Still, as if in a daze, Patty went and sat in +a chair facing the old chimney-piece, and wondered. +She intended to call the others in a moment, +but first she wanted to enjoy alone the +marvel of her own discovery. +</p> +<p>As she sat there, scrutinising every detail of +the room, the lines kept repeating themselves in +her brain: +</p> +<p><i>“Above the stair, across the hall, +Between the bedhead and the wall.”</i> +</p> +<p>If the secret pocket was between that bedhead +and the wall, it was certainly above the stair +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span> +across the hall! Why had that stair or platform +been built across the hall? It was a peculiar +arrangement. +</p> +<p>This question Patty gave up, but she thought +it might well have been done when the bedhead +was set up there, in order to make the chimney-piece +higher and so more effective. +</p> +<p>Patty had learned something of architecture in +her library browsings. +</p> +<p>Above the high mantel was a large painting. +It was a landscape and showed a beautiful bit +of scenery without buildings or people. In the +foreground were several distinct trees of noble +proportions. +</p> +<p>“They’re firs,” said Patty to herself, for she +had become thoroughly familiar with fir trees. +</p> +<p>And then, like a flash, through her brain came +the words: +</p> +<p><i>“Great treasure lieth in the poke +Between the fir trees and the oak.”</i> +</p> +<p>The secret was revealed! Patty knew it! +</p> +<p>Beside the bedhead evidence, it was clear to +her mind that “Between the fir trees and the +oak,” meant between these painted fir trees and +the old carved oak mantel. Grasping the arms +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_251' name='page_251'></a>251</span> +of her chair, she sat still a minute trying to take +it all in, and then looked about for something +to stand on that she might examine the top of +the old mantel-shelf. +</p> +<p>But her next quick thought was, that that was +not her right. Those to whom the fortune belonged +must make the investigation themselves. +</p> +<p>“Sinclair,” called Patty, again; “Mabel, Mrs. +Hartley, where are you all?” +</p> +<p>Bob responded first, and seeing by Patty’s excited +face that she had discovered something important, +he went in search of the others. +</p> +<p>At last they were all gathered in the great +hall, and Patty’s sense of the dramatic proved +too strong to allow her to make her announcement +simply. +</p> +<p>“People,” she said, “I have made a discovery. +That is, I think I have. If I am right, the +Cromarty fortune is within your grasp. If I +am wrong—well, in that case, we’ll begin all +over again.” +</p> +<p>“Tell us about your new find,” said Sinclair, +selecting a comfortable chair, and sitting down +as if for a long session. “Is it another mason’s +bill?” +</p> +<p>Nobody minded being chaffed about searching +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_252' name='page_252'></a>252</span> +or finding, for the subject was treated jocosely +as well as seriously. +</p> +<p>Patty stood on the platform in front of the +carved oak chimney-piece, and addressed her +audience, who listened, half laughing, half +eager. +</p> +<p>“What is this on which I stand?” she demanded. +</p> +<p>“A rug,” replied Mabel, promptly. +</p> +<p>“I mean beneath the rug?” +</p> +<p>“The floor.” +</p> +<p>“No, it isn’t! What is this—this construction +across the room?” +</p> +<p>“A platform,” put in Bob, willing to help her +along. +</p> +<p>“Yes. But what else could it be called? I’m +in earnest.” +</p> +<p>“A step,” suggested Sinclair. +</p> +<p>“Yes, a step; but couldn’t it be called a +stair?” +</p> +<p>“It <i>could</i> be,” said Bob, “but I don’t believe +it is one.” +</p> +<p>“But suppose your erratic uncle chose to call +it that.” +</p> +<p>“Oh,” laughed Bob, “you mean the stair in +the poem.” +</p> +<p>“I do. I mean the stair across the hall.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_253' name='page_253'></a>253</span></p> +<p>“What! Oh, I say, Patty, now you’re jumbling +up the sense.” +</p> +<p>“No, I’m not. I’m straightening out the +sense. Suppose Mr. Marmaduke meant ‘above +the stair across the hall,’ and meant this stair +and this hall.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, but go on,” said Sinclair; “next comes +the bedhead.” +</p> +<p>“That’s my discovery!” announced Patty, +with what was truly forgivable triumph. +</p> +<p>“This carved oak chimney-piece is, I have reason +to believe, the headboard of some magnificent, +ancient bed.” +</p> +<p>“Patty Fairfield!” cried Sinclair, jumping up, +and reaching her side with two bounds. +“You’ve struck it! What a girl you are!” +</p> +<p>“Wait a minute,” said Patty, pushing him +back; “I’m entitled to a hearing. Take your +seat again, sir, until I unfold the rest of the +tale.” +</p> +<p>Patty was fairly quivering with excitement. +Her cheeks glowed, and her eyes shone, and her +voice trembled as she went on. +</p> +<p>Mabel, with clasped hands, just sat and looked +at her. The elder ladies were plainly bewildered, +and Bob was trying hard to sit still. +</p> +<p>“I read in an old book,” Patty went on, “how +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_254' name='page_254'></a>254</span> +somebody else used a carved headboard for a +chimney-piece, and I wondered if this mightn’t +be one. And it surely looks like it. And then +I wondered if ‘above the stair across the hall’ +mightn’t mean this platform across this hall. +And I think it does. But that’s not all. My +really important discovery is this.” +</p> +<p>Patty’s voice had sunk to a thrilling whisper, +and she addressed herself to Mrs. Cromarty, as +she continued. +</p> +<p>“I think the other rhyme, the one that says +the fortune is concealed ‘between the fir trees +and the oak,’ refers to this same place, and +means between the painting of fir trees, which +hangs over the mantel, and—the oak mantel +itself!” +</p> +<p>With a smiling bow, Patty stepped down from +the platform, and taking a seat by old Mrs. +Cromarty, nestled in that lady’s loving arms. +The two boys made a spring for the mantel, but +paused simultaneously to grasp both Patty’s +hands in theirs and nearly shake her arms off. +Then they left the heroine of the hour to Mabel +and Mrs. Hartley and began to investigate the +chimney piece. +</p> +<p>“‘Between the fir trees and the oak’!” exclaimed +Bob. “Great, isn’t it! And here for +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_255' name='page_255'></a>255</span> +thirty-five years we Cromarty dubs have thought +that meant real trees! To think it took a Yankee +to tell us! Oh, Patty, Patty, we’ll take down +that historic painting and put up a tablet to the +honour of Saint Patricia. For you surely deserve +canonisation!” +</p> +<p>“‘Between the bedhead and the wall,’” +ruminated Sinclair. “Well, here goes for finding +an opening.” +</p> +<p>Clambering up on stools, both boys examined +the place where the mantel shelf touched the +wall. The ornate carvings of the mantel left +many interstices where coins or notes might be +dropped through, yet they were by no means +conspicuous enough to attract the attention of +any one not looking for them. +</p> +<p>“Crickets!” cried Bob. “There’s a jolly +place for the precious poke to be located. I’m +going down cellar to see if I can find traces of +that mason’s work. Come on, Clair.” +</p> +<p>The two boys flew off, and the ladies remained +discussing the wonderful discovery, and examining +the old chimney-piece. +</p> +<p>“I can see it was a bedhead now,” said Mabel; +“but I never suspected it before. What a splendid +mantel it makes. Didn’t you ever hear its +history, Grandy?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_256' name='page_256'></a>256</span></p> +<p>“No, dear. It must have been put there +when the house was built, I think. Though, +of course, it may have been added later. But +it was all before my time. I married your +grandfather Cromarty and came here to live in +1855. The building and decorations then were +all just as they are now, except for such additions +as Marmaduke made. He may have had +that mantel set up in earlier years—I don’t +know. He was very fond of antique carvings.” +</p> +<p>Back came the boys from the cellar. +</p> +<p>“The whole chimney is bricked up,” Sinclair +explained. “We couldn’t get into it without +tearing it all down. And do you know what I +think, Grandy? I think it would be wiser to +take away the chimney-piece up here, and do +our investigating from this end. Then, if we +find anything, it will all be in this room, and +not in the cellar, where the servants can pry +about.” +</p> +<p>“I quite agree with you,” said Mrs. Cromarty, +“and I put the whole matter in your hands. +You and Robert are the sons of the house, and +it is your right to manage its affairs.” +</p> +<p>“Then I say, tear it down at once,” cried Bob. +“We needn’t damage the carving itself, and +all that we break away of plaster or inner woodwork +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_257' name='page_257'></a>257</span> +can easily be repaired, whatever our success +may be.” +</p> +<p>“Shall we begin now?” asked Sinclair, doubtfully. +He was not so impetuous as Bob, and +would have been quite willing to study over the +matter first. +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed!” cried his impatient brother. +“I’m not going to waste a minute. I’m glad +I’m a bit of a carpenter. Though not an expert, +I can tear down if I can’t build up.” +</p> +<p>“But we must take it down carefully,” said +Sinclair. “These screws must come out first.” +But Bob had already gone for tools, and soon +returned with screw-drivers, chisels, gimlets, and +all the paraphernalia of a carpenter’s well-appointed +tool-chest. +</p> +<p>“Here goes!” he cried, as he put the big +screw-driver in the first screw. “Good luck to +the Cromartys and three cheers for Uncle Marmaduke +and Patty Fairfield!” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIX_THE_DISCOVERY' id='XIX_THE_DISCOVERY'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_258' name='page_258'></a>258</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> +<h3>THE DISCOVERY</h3> +</div> + +<p>The removal of the old chimney-piece was +not an easy task. If the Hartley boys +hadn’t been big and strongly-built, they +could scarcely have succeeded in tearing away +the woodwork from the wall. But they did do +it, and their labours were rewarded by the discovery +of the long-lost fortune! +</p> +<p>Sure enough the historic “poke” was a pocket +or recess between the old bedhead and the main +wall. It was really built in the chimney itself, +though not in the flue. But this chimney-place, +with its wonderfully carved mantel, was never +used for fires, and the fortune had remained +undisturbed in its hiding-place. +</p> +<p>As the boys lifted away the portion of the +heavy oak that covered the secret pocket, a +rough wall of plaster was seen, and by tapping +on it, Sinclair learned that it was hollow. +</p> +<p>“Shall we break through?” he said. “I feel +sure the money is there.” +</p> +<p>“Break through, of course,” cried Bob; “but +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_259' name='page_259'></a>259</span> +wait a moment till I lock the doors. This is no +time for intruders.” +</p> +<p>Bob fastened the doors, and then with a +hatchet they broke through the plaster. +</p> +<p>And even as the old mortar crumbled beneath +their blows, out fell a shower of glittering gold +coins and tightly folded banknotes! +</p> +<p>The sight was too much for the strained nerves +of the watchers. Mabel burst into tears, and +Mrs. Cromarty trembled like a leaf. +</p> +<p>The boys broke into shouts of joy, and Patty +scarcely knew whether to laugh or cry. But in +a moment they were all congratulating each +other and showering praises on Patty for her +cleverness in the matter. +</p> +<p>“It’s ours! It’s ours!” cried Bob. “It’s +Grandy’s, to be sure, but it belongs to old Cromarty +Manor, and we’re all Cromartys. Patty, +you’re hereby adopted and made one of +us.” +</p> +<p>“What shall we do with it?” asked the more +practical Sinclair. “I mean, just at present. +We must take care of it, at once, you know. +We can’t leave it long like this.” +</p> +<p>“There’s the old Spanish chest,” said Mrs. +Hartley, indicating a good-sized affair that +stood nearby. “Put it in that.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_260' name='page_260'></a>260</span></p> +<p>“Just the thing,” said Bob. “Lend a hand, +Clair.” +</p> +<p>It was a strange proceeding. The old coins, +many of them still bright, though of far back +dates; represented a great deal of money. How +much, they could not guess as yet, but it was +surely a large sum. Also there were Bank of +England notes, folded small that they might be +pushed through the openings in the carved oak, +and well-preserved, as the pocket had been carefully +made damp-proof. +</p> +<p>The boys took the money out in double handfuls +and deposited it in the old Spanish chest. +</p> +<p>“It will be quite safe there until to-morrow,” +said Mrs. Hartley, “and then we must get it +to the bank. But as no one yet knows of our +discovery, there can be no danger of its being +stolen to-night.” +</p> +<p>“What ever made Uncle Marmaduke choose +this way of concealing his fortune?” asked Bob, +as he kept on transferring the money from its +hiding-place to the chest. +</p> +<p>“He had a fear of banks or investments,” +said Mrs. Cromarty. “I’ve often heard him +say he wouldn’t trust any of them. He said he’d +rather be sure of his principal, and go without +his interest.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_261' name='page_261'></a>261</span></p> +<p>“Crickets!” said Bob, “if all this <i>had</i> been +out at interest for forty years, think how it +would have increased!” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said his mother, “but in that case it +would not have been hidden, and before now, +it might have all been spent.” +</p> +<p>“Then I’m glad the old gentleman chose this +way of banking. And I suppose he meant to +leave full instructions where to find it.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” said Sinclair, “we found it without +his instructions, thanks to our Patty.” +</p> +<p>And then they all began again to bless and +praise Patty, until she was really embarrassed at +their overwhelming gratitude. +</p> +<p>“We’d offer you a share,” said Bob, gaily, +“but you already have more than you know +what to do with.” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps not quite that,” said Patty, smiling, +“but I have enough. And, oh! I am so +glad that you have your own at last.” +</p> +<p>“How much do you suppose there is?” asked +Mabel, awestruck, as she watched the boys +still carrying their precious handfuls across the +room. +</p> +<p>“Enough to buy you some new frocks, sister,” +said Sinclair, “and enough to fix up dear old +Cromarty as it should be fixed up.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_262' name='page_262'></a>262</span></p> +<p>“There must be thousands of pounds,” said +Grandma Cromarty. “To think of Marmaduke +exchanging all his securities and bonds for +gold and notes! I suppose he did it while I +was away in London. He was a most erratic +man.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you see,” said Sinclair, thoughtfully, +“once he had the place built, he could drop his +money through whenever he received any. I can +imagine the old chap, after every one else in +the house was in bed, standing here and dropping +in his coins one by one, and listening to +them clink. Why, it’s like a child’s toy savings-bank, +on a large scale.” +</p> +<p>“It’s a large scale!” said Bob. “Whew! +I’m tired out. But it’s nearly all in the chest +now, and see, Grandy, the chest is nearly full! +When shall we count it? And how <i>shall</i> we +get this mess cleared away? If the servants +come in here, they’ll know it all, at once. +And I think we ought to keep the matter +quiet until we can cart the gold away to the +bank.” +</p> +<p>“I think so too,” said his mother. “Suppose +we leave this room exactly as it is, and lock it +all up until to-morrow. Then we can talk it +over this evening, and decide what is best to do. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_263' name='page_263'></a>263</span> +I think we should consult with Lawyer Ashton, +and let him advise us.” +</p> +<p>So, after carefully securing the windows, and +locking all the doors of the room, it was a +merry-hearted family who went away to dress +for dinner. +</p> +<p>“Let’s put on our prettiest frocks, and make +the dinner a sort of celebration feast,” said +Patty, who dearly loved an “occasion.” +</p> +<p>“We will,” said Mabel, “and Grandy must +wear her black velvet.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Cromarty was easily persuaded, and the +happy old lady looked almost regal as, in her +trailing gown, she led the way to the dining-room. +The dinner conversation was on the all-absorbing +topic, and Patty realised afresh how +dearly these people loved their old home, and +how anxious they were to devote their newly-found +fortune to restoring the glories of the +place. +</p> +<p>“And now we can have the garden party!” +exclaimed Mabel. “You know, Patty, we’ve +had one every summer for years and years, and +this summer we thought we couldn’t afford it. +What fun to have you here to it!” +</p> +<p>“Let’s have it soon,” said Sinclair. “Can +you get ready in a week, mother?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_264' name='page_264'></a>264</span></p> +<p>“Give me a little longer than that, son. And +we want to send out the invitations about ten +days before the party.” +</p> +<p>“We’ll make the lists to-night. Let’s invite +everybody. I suppose, after we put the money +safely away, there’s no necessity for secrecy +about it.” +</p> +<p>“No, I think not. All our friends will rejoice +with us, that we’ve found it at last.” +</p> +<p>Later on, they all sat round the library table, +and made plans for the garden party. Patty discovered +that it would be a much larger and more +important affair than she had imagined. The +invitation list soon rose to about four hundred, +and seemed literally to include everybody in all +the country round. +</p> +<p>“I really ought to have a new frock for the +party,” said Mabel; “but we’ve so much going +on that I won’t have time to get one made.” +</p> +<p>This gave Patty an idea, and she determined +to give Mabel a little surprise. While they +were making the plans for the fête, she was +planning to write to Lady Hamilton and ask +her to send down from London two new frocks +for herself and Mabel to wear at the garden +party. She felt sure she could secretly procure +one of Mabel’s old dresses to send for a pattern, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_265' name='page_265'></a>265</span> +and she meant that Mabel should not know of +it until the new frock arrived. +</p> +<p>The evening was a merry one, indeed. The +boys were so exuberant that they laughed and +sang snatches of songs, and exclaimed over and +over how much they appreciated the good turn +Patty had done them. +</p> +<p>The two elder ladies were more quietly glad, +and it did Patty’s heart good to see that the +sad, anxious expression was gone from Mabel’s +face. +</p> +<p>The days before the garden party flew by +quickly, for there was much to be done. Extra +servants had to be secured, some repairing done +in house and gardens, and the caterer’s orders +attended to. The day before the party the +dresses arrived from London. Lady Hamilton +had chosen them, though Patty had given her a +general idea of what she wanted. +</p> +<p>Though they were called white muslin frocks, +they were made almost entirely of fine embroidery +and lace. Mabel’s was worn over a +pink silk slip, and Patty’s over blue. Frenchy +knots of ribbon were placed here and there, and +when the boxes were opened and the tissue +papers torn away, Mabel gave a shriek of delight +at the beautiful things. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_266' name='page_266'></a>266</span></p> +<p>Patty had wanted to give Mabel a pretty +frock, but had hesitated to do so, lest she wound +her pride. +</p> +<p>But this seemed different, and Patty offered the +gift so prettily, as a souvenir of the garden +party, that Mabel accepted it in the spirit it was +given. +</p> +<p>The day of the party was perfect. Just the +right temperature, and not a cloud in the blue +sky, except some fleecy little white ones that +were as innocent as kittens. +</p> +<p>The party was from three till six, and +promptly at three o’clock the guests began to +arrive. There was a continuous stream of carriages +and motor cars, and soon Patty was almost +bewildered by the crowds of people. Although +introduced to them as they arrived, she +couldn’t remember them all. But many of them +she had met before, and after a time she and +Mabel were excused from the receiving party, +and were sent to mingle with the guests. +</p> +<p>The old place was looking its best. Though +there had not been time for much work on the +gardens, yet a deal of tidying up had been +done. New flowers had been set out in the +formal flower beds, the fountains had been repaired +and put in working order, and the shrubs +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_267' name='page_267'></a>267</span> +and hedges had been trimmed. Patty, looking +very sweet in her lovely white dress, wandered +around indoors and out, greeting old friends and +making new ones. +</p> +<p>The house was thrown open, and of course the +old chimney-piece, which had been replaced, +was scrutinised with great interest. Patty was +lionised until she became almost embarrassed +at being made so prominent. But everybody +was thoroughly glad that the Cromartys had +come into their fortune at last. On the lawn +was a band of musicians in gay scarlet and gold +uniforms, who played popular music at intervals +during the afternoon. The terraces and +gardens were filled with groups of people pleasantly +chatting, and the ladies’ pretty summer +costumes added to the brilliancy of the +scene. +</p> +<p>At four o’clock tea was served in a great round +tent, which had been put up for the purpose. +Although called tea, the repast was a substantial +supper of various and elaborate viands. Patty +thought she had never seen so many sorts of +salads and carefully constructed cold dishes. +She sat at a small table with the Merediths and +some other young people. +</p> +<p>“You’re going to stay here all summer, aren’t +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_268' name='page_268'></a>268</span> +you?” asked Tom, who sincerely hoped she +was. +</p> +<p>“I don’t know,” replied Patty. “I’d love to +stay, for I’m happy every minute here. But my +own people are writing me very urgently to +join them in Switzerland. They’re in such delightful +quarters there, that they think I’d like +it too.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, don’t go. Stay here with us. We’re +going to get up a croquet club, and we want you +to be a member.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll be glad to, if I stay. But where are the +people going now?” +</p> +<p>The guests had all risen, and were being led +to a part of the grounds where a platform had +been erected. On this were a troupe of entertainers +called The Pierrots. They all wore +funny white suits, with little black pompons bobbing +all over them. They sang amusing songs, +played on cymbals and other instruments, did +some clever acrobatic work, and for a half-hour +entertained the guests who stood about on the +grass, or sat on camp chairs to watch them. +</p> +<p>At six o’clock the guests all took leave, and the +great procession of vehicles again appeared on +the driveway. Mrs. Cromarty and Mrs. Hartley +received their good-byes, and Patty and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_269' name='page_269'></a>269</span> +Mabel invited a number of the young people to +remain to dine and spend the evening. +</p> +<p>“Though I’m sure we can’t eat any dinner, +after that very satisfying tea,” said Grace Meredith, +as she accepted the invitation. +</p> +<p>In the evening they all went out on the lake +for a moonlight row. Several new boats had +been bought, and the young men rowed the +girls about. The boats were hung with Chinese +lanterns, which gave the lake the appearance of +a regatta or a water festival. +</p> +<p>Then back to the house for a dance in the +great hall. The musicians had remained, and to +their inspiriting strains the young people glided +about in merry measures. +</p> +<p>“Do give me another waltz,” Tom Meredith +begged of Patty. +</p> +<p>“I’d be glad to, Tom,” said Patty, frankly; +“but I can’t do it without offending somebody +else. I love to dance with you, but you’ve had +three already, and I’ve promised all the rest.” +</p> +<p>But Tom wheedled Mrs. Hartley into allowing +one more extra, after the last dance, and he +claimed Patty for that. +</p> +<p>“You’re the best dancer I ever saw,” said +Tom, as they floated away. +</p> +<p>“You’re the best English dancer I ever saw,” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_270' name='page_270'></a>270</span> +laughed Patty, for she well knew English people +do not dance like Americans. Good-natured +Tom didn’t mind her implication, and after the +waltz was ended he led her out on the terrace +to sit down for a bit and rest. There were +several others there, the Hartley boys among +them, and soon they began to sing songs. +</p> +<p>Others came and joined them, and the young +voices rose in merry choruses and glees. +</p> +<p>“You have splendid songs in England,” said +Patty, after the men’s voices had come out +strong in “Hearts of Oak” and “Rule Britannia.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, we have,” agreed Tom. “But, Patty, +won’t you sing something alone?” +</p> +<p>“Do,” chorused the rest, and Mabel said: +“Sing that newest song that you and Sinclair +made.” +</p> +<p>“‘The Moon’s Song?’” asked Patty. +</p> +<p>“Yes; this is just the night for it.” +</p> +<p>The moon was nearing the western horizon, +and its soft light fell across the lake in silver +ripples. Truly it was just the time and place +to sing the pretty song of which Patty had composed +the words, and Sinclair had set them to +music. It was a simple air, but full of soft, +lingering cadences, and without accompaniment +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_271' name='page_271'></a>271</span> +Patty’s really sweet voice sounded exquisite as it +thrilled through the summer evening air. +</p> +<p>The song was called “The Minstrel Moon,” +and the words were these: +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“I wonder if the moon could sing,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>On a marvellous, mystical night in spring,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>I wonder what the song would be</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>That the minstrel moon would sing to me.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>And as I think, I seem to know</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>How the music of the moon would go.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>It would be a mystic, murmuring strain</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Like the falling of far-away fairy rain.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Just a soft and silvery song</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>That would swing and swirl along;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 8em;'>Not a word</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 8em;'>Could be heard</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>But a lingering ding-a-dong.</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Just a melody low and sweet,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Just a harmony faint and fleet,</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 8em;'>Just a croon</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 8em;'>Of a tune</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Is the Music of the Moon.”</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XX_GOODBYES' id='XX_GOODBYES'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_272' name='page_272'></a>272</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> +<h3>GOOD-BYES</h3> +</div> + +<p>One beautiful morning, about a week +after the garden party, Patty lay in her +favourite hammock out under the trees. +She liked this hammock especially, for from it +she could see both terraces, the formal gardens, +and the lake beyond. +</p> +<p>As she looked around this morning she could +see the workmen busily engaged in restoring +the gardens to their original symmetry and +beauty. The Hartleys were by no means purse +proud or ostentatious, and their sudden acquisition +of a great fortune in no way changed their +simple, pleasant attitude toward life. But they +were now enabled to live in their dear old home, +without financial anxieties, and moreover, were +able to repair and restore its appointments. +</p> +<p>But though Patty loved to let her idle gaze +roam over the attractive landscape, her thoughts +just now were far away. She had in her hand +a letter from her father, and its message was +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_273' name='page_273'></a>273</span> +strongly in favour of her leaving Cromarty +Manor and joining her parents in Switzerland. +</p> +<p>It was for Patty to make choice, but both Nan +and Mr. Fairfield urged the plan they proposed. +So Patty was thinking it over. She was very +happy at Cromarty, and the life was quiet and +pleasant, and interspersed with many little +gaieties. But she thought, herself, it was a pity +not to travel about and see sights and places +when opportunity presented itself. +</p> +<p>As she lay, thinking, she saw a large motorcar +coming along the drive through the park. +She jumped out of the hammock and started toward +the house, in order to greet the guests whoever +they might be. As the car came nearer, +she saw a lady and gentleman in the tonneau, +but so concealed were they by their motor-clothes +she could not recognise them. +</p> +<p>As they drew nearer, the lady waved her hand, +and seeing the familiar gesture, Patty at once +realised that it was Lady Hamilton. +</p> +<p>Her father was with her, and Patty ran to +meet them, and reached the steps of the great +entrance of Cromarty just as the car swung +round the last curve of the road. +</p> +<p>“Oh, Kitty!” cried Patty; “I’m <i>so</i> glad to +see you! Where did you come from? Why +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_274' name='page_274'></a>274</span> +didn’t you tell me you were coming? How do +you do, Sir Otho. This is indeed a surprise.” +</p> +<p>“How are you, my dear child?” said Sir +Otho Markleham, after Patty had released +Lady Kitty from her enthusiastic embrace, and +turned to shake hands with her father. +</p> +<p>“Come in,” said Patty, dancing about in her +excited glee. “Come right in. You are welcome +to Cromarty Manor, and in a moment the +family will also tell you so.” +</p> +<p>“What a delightful house!” said Lady +Hamilton, pausing to admire the stately old +portal. +</p> +<p>“Yes, isn’t it? You know the Hartleys, don’t +you?” +</p> +<p>“Slightly. I’ll be glad to see them again. +But, of course, we came to see you.” +</p> +<p>“And it’s a lovely surprise. Are you staying +near here?” +</p> +<p>“Only for a day or two,” said Sir Otho. +“We’re taking a little jaunt about, and as Kitty +wanted to see you especially, we came in this +direction.” +</p> +<p>The chauffeur and the big touring car were put +in charge of the Cromarty coachman, and Patty +ushered her guests into the house. +</p> +<p>The ladies soon appeared and with hospitable +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_275' name='page_275'></a>275</span> +welcome insisted that Sir Otho and his daughter +should remain for a few days. This they were +unable to do, but it was finally decided that they +should stay the night, and resume their trip the +next day. +</p> +<p>“And,” said Sir Otho, “it may seem a rather +sudden proceeding, but we want to take Patty +with us.” +</p> +<p>“Take Patty!” exclaimed Mabel, aghast; +“for how long?” +</p> +<p>“You tell her,” said Sir Otho, smiling at his +daughter. “I haven’t the courage.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll explain later,” said Lady Hamilton. +“But now, I want to enjoy the beauties of this +grand old place. Is this the celebrated apartment +where the fortune was hidden?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, who had written to Lady +Kitty about the matter. “And here is the old +chimney-piece.” +</p> +<p>“You can imagine, Lady Hamilton,” said +Mrs. Hartley, “the deep debt of gratitude we +are under to our dear Patty.” +</p> +<p>“You must be, indeed. But I know Patty +is quite as glad that she made the discovery as +you are yourselves.” +</p> +<p>The rest of the morning was devoted to showing +the visitors about the place. Sir Otho was +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_276' name='page_276'></a>276</span> +greatly interested in the plans for the restoration +of the gardens, and both he and Lady +Kitty were enraptured with the historic treasures +of the old house. After luncheon, Lady +Hamilton unfolded her plans to Patty. +</p> +<p>“I have been in correspondence with Mr. and +Mrs. Fairfield,” she said, “and we’ve concluded +that we must have Patty back with us again. +She has been very happy here, I know, but she +has made you a long visit, and I’ve really been +sent down here to kidnap her.” +</p> +<p>Patty smiled, but the others didn’t. Mrs. Cromarty +and Mrs. Hartley looked truly sorry, and +Mabel had to struggle to keep her tears +back. +</p> +<p>“You are right,” said Mrs. Cromarty, at last. +“We have enjoyed having Patty here more than +I can tell you. But we must not be selfish. I +know her parents have been writing for her +to go to them, and it is wrong for us to urge +her to stay here.” +</p> +<p>“But I don’t want Patty to go away,” said +Mabel, and now she was really crying. +</p> +<p>“I know you don’t, dearie,” said her mother. +“But I see it as Grandma does, and I think we +must let her go. Perhaps some time she’ll come +again.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_277' name='page_277'></a>277</span></p> +<p>“Oh, I hope so,” said Patty, smiling through +the tears that had gathered in her own eyes. +“You’ve all been so good to me, and I’ve had +such lovely times.” +</p> +<p>The question once settled, Lady Hamilton +went on to say that she proposed to take +Patty away the next day. Of course this +redoubled Mabel’s woe, but Lady Kitty was +firm. +</p> +<p>“It would be just as hard to spare her a week +hence,” she said. “And then, who would take +her to London? If she goes with us to-morrow, +we will keep her with us for the rest of our +motor tour—about a week—and then reach +London about the first of July. After that +Patty and I will join Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield +in Switzerland, and go on to do some further +travelling.” +</p> +<p>Although Patty was sorry to leave Cromarty, +this plan did sound delightful, and she was glad +that it was all settled for her, and she had no +further responsibility in the matter. +</p> +<p>Lady Hamilton had a genius for despatch, and +she superintended the packing of Patty’s clothes +and belongings that same afternoon. Except +for the luggage needed on the motor-tour, everything +was to be sent to Lady Kitty’s home in +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_278' name='page_278'></a>278</span> +London, and Patty had to smile, as she realised +that her present temporary home was the great +house where she had so daringly braved the +irascible Sir Otho. +</p> +<p>There was a daintily furnished room in the +Markleham house that had been set aside for +Patty’s very own, and whenever she cared to +she was invited to occupy it. +</p> +<p>When the boys came home that afternoon and +heard the news, they set up a wail of woe that +was both genuine and very noisy. +</p> +<p>No one could help admiring Lady Kitty, but +Sinclair and Bob felt as if she were robbing their +household, and it required all their good manners +to hide their feeling of resentment. +</p> +<p>But they rose nobly to the occasion, and Bob +said: “Well, since Patty must go, we’ll have +to send her off in a blaze of glory. Let’s make +a party, mother, a few people to dinner, and +some more for the evening.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Hartley quickly realised that this would +be the best way to tide over a sad occasion, and +she agreed. The Merediths and a few others +were sent for to come to dinner, and a dozen +or more young people asked for a little dance +in the evening. Notwithstanding her unwelcome +errand, Lady Kitty fitted right into the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_279' name='page_279'></a>279</span> +house party, and both she and her father were so +affable and pleasant that the Hartleys forgave +them for stealing Patty away. +</p> +<p>The tourists had luggage with them, so were +able to don attire suitable to the party. Lady +Hamilton wore one of her beautiful trailing lace +gowns, which had won for her Patty’s name of +“The White Lady.” +</p> +<p>Patty, too, wore a white frock, of ruffled organdie, +with touches of pale green velvet. In +her pretty hair was a single pink rose, and as she +arranged it, she felt a pang as she thought +that might be the last flower she would ever +wear from the dear old Cromarty rose garden. +The dinner was a beautiful feast, indeed. The +table sparkled with the old silver and glass that +had belonged to the Cromarty ancestors. Flowers +were everywhere, and the table and dining-room +were lighted entirely by wax candles, with +the intent of abiding by the old traditions of the +manor. +</p> +<p>At Patty’s plate was a multitude of gifts. +How they managed it on such short notice, +she never knew, but every one of the family +and most of the guests gave her a parting +souvenir. +</p> +<p>Grandma Cromarty gave her a valuable old +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_280' name='page_280'></a>280</span> +miniature that had long been in her historic collection. +Mrs. Hartley gave her an exquisite +fan, painted by a celebrated artist. Mabel gave +her a ring set with a beautiful pearl, and the +boys together gave her a splendid set of +Dickens’ works in elaborately gilded binding. +Grace Meredith brought her a bangle, and +Tom a quaint old-fashioned candlestick; and +many other guests brought pretty or curious +trifles. +</p> +<p>Patty was overwhelmed at this unexpected +kindness, and opened parcel after parcel in a +bewilderment of delight. +</p> +<p>Everybody was gay and merry, yet there was +an undercurrent of sadness, as one after another +remembered this was the last time they would +see pretty Patty. +</p> +<p>After dinner they all assembled on the terrace, +and the other guests, arriving later, joined them +there. +</p> +<p>But the soft beauty of the summer evening +seemed to intensify the spirit of sadness, and +all were glad to hear the strains of a violin +coming from the great hall. +</p> +<p>Bob had sent for two or three musicians, and +soon the young people were spinning around in +the dance, and merriment once more reigned. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_281' name='page_281'></a>281</span></p> +<p>Always a popular partner, Patty was fairly +besieged that night. +</p> +<p>“I can’t,” she said laughingly, as the young +men gathered around to beg her favours; “I’ve +halved every dance already; I can’t do more +than that.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t halve this one,” said Tom Meredith, +as he led her away for a waltz. “I must have +all of it. Unless you’ll sit it out with me on +the terrace.” +</p> +<p>“No, thank you,” said Patty. “I’d rather +dance. I don’t suppose I’ll find another dancer +as good as you all summer.” +</p> +<p>“I hate to think of your going away,” said +Tom. “You almost promised me you’d stay +here all summer.” +</p> +<p>“I know. But I’m not mistress of my own +plans. They’re made for me.” +</p> +<p>“And you’re glad of it,” said Tom, almost +angrily. “You’re glad you’re going away from +here—to go motoring in Switzerland, and all +sorts of things.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t be so savage. It isn’t surprising that +I’m glad to go away from any one as cross as +you are.” +</p> +<p>Tom had to smile in return for Patty’s laughing +tones, and he said more gently: +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_282' name='page_282'></a>282</span></p> +<p>“I don’t mean to be bearish, but I wish you +weren’t going. I—I like you an awful lot, +Patty. Truly I do.” +</p> +<p>“I’m glad of it,” said Patty, heartily, “and I +like you too. After Sinclair and Bob, you’re the +nicest boy in England.” +</p> +<p>“There’s luck in odd numbers,” said Tom, a +little ruefully, “so I’m glad I’m number three. +But I’d like to be number one.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you’re a number one dancer,” said +Patty, as the music ceased, and with that Tom +had to be content. +</p> +<p>And now the hour was getting late and the +young people began to go home. +</p> +<p>It was really an ordeal for Patty to say good-bye, +for she had many friends among them, and +they all seemed truly regretful to part with +her. +</p> +<p>But after they had gone, and only those staying +in the house remained, another surprise was +in waiting for Patty. They were gathered in +the great hall, talking over for the last time the +mystery of the hidden fortune, and Patty’s +clever solution of it. +</p> +<p>“And now,” said Sinclair, “I’ve a little +speech to make.” +</p> +<p>He went and stood on the “stair across the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_283' name='page_283'></a>283</span> +hall,” in front of the old chimney-piece, and so, +just beneath the picture of the fir trees. The +painting was a fine one, and represented a landscape +with firs in the foreground. It had hung +there since the days of the earlier Cromartys, +and was a valuable work of art. +</p> +<p>Patty had always loved the picture, even before +the added interest of learning the truth +about the fir trees, and they all knew it was one +of her favourites among the many art treasures +of the old house. +</p> +<p>“I was going to make this speech when the +party was here,” proceeded Sinclair, “but I +didn’t, partly because I feared it might embarrass +Patty, and partly because I like it better +to have only our own people here. But the +speech itself is this: We, the Cromartys of Cromarty +Manor, realising that we can never liquidate +the great debt of gratitude we owe to our +beautiful and beloved friend, Miss Patty Fairfield, +wish, at least, to give her a token of +our affection and a memento of her noble +deed. We, therefore, one and all of the household +of Cromarty, offer her this picture of +fir trees, this painting by Hobbema, and we +trust that she will accept it in the spirit it is +tendered.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_284' name='page_284'></a>284</span></p> +<p>Sinclair bowed and sat down, and Patty sat +for a moment in awestruck silence. +</p> +<p>Then, “The Hobbema!” she cried, “I +won’t take it! The idea of giving me that +painting! Why, it’s one of the gems of the +house!” +</p> +<p>“That’s why we want you to have it, Patty +dear,” said Grandma Cromarty, gently. “It is +one of our treasures, and for that very reason it +is worthy to be presented as a souvenir to one +who so gloriously deserves it.” +</p> +<p>“Hear! Hear!” cried Bob. “Grandy +makes a better speech than you, Clair.” +</p> +<p>Patty’s scruples were lovingly overcome, and +she was made to realise that she was the owner +of a real masterpiece of art, that would be to +her a lifelong delight. +</p> +<p>“But what will take its place?” she said. +“It has hung there so many years.” +</p> +<p>“It hung there,” said Mrs. Hartley, “until its +mission was fulfilled. Now that there is nothing +to be searched for ‘between the fir trees and +the oak,’ it need hang there no longer. It is +fitting that we retain the ‘oak’ and you possess +the ‘fir trees,’ thus assuring an everlasting bond +of union between the fir trees and the +oak.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_285' name='page_285'></a>285</span></p> +<p>“Bravo, Mater!” cried Bob. “You’re coming +out strong on speechifying, too. Mabel, we +must look out for our laurels.” +</p> +<p>But Mabel was too near the verge of tears to +trust her voice, so she slipped her hand in +Patty’s, knowing that she would understand all +that could not be said. +</p> +<p>“Well,” went on Bob, “I’m not much of an +orator, but I’ll take it for my part to see that +the Fir Trees are properly packed and sent to +your home, Patty. Where shall I send the +box?” +</p> +<p>“I hate to have it go to New York now,” said +Patty, “for I want it with me while I’m over +here.” +</p> +<p>So it was arranged to send the picture to Sir +Otho’s house in London, there to remain until +the Fairfields returned to America. +</p> +<p>The departure from Cromarty was made next +morning directly after breakfast. It was fortunate +that the last details of luggage preparations, +and the packing of luncheon and so forth, +made a bustle and hurry that left little time +for actual farewells. And, too, they were all too +sensible to mar Patty’s last memory of Cromarty +with futile regrets. +</p> +<p>So after good-byes were said, and the party +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_286' name='page_286'></a>286</span> +stowed away in the big car, Sinclair started +one of their favourite nonsense songs. +</p> +<p>The others joined in, and Patty sang too, and +handkerchiefs were waved, and as the car slid +out of sight among the trees, those who were +left could still hear Patty’s high, sweet soprano +ringing back to them. +</p> +<!-- generated by ppgen.rb version: 2.06 --> +<!-- timestamp: Thu Jun 19 15:31:13 -0600 2008 --> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Patty's Friends, by Carolyn Wells + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S FRIENDS *** + +***** This file should be named 25847-h.htm or 25847-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/8/4/25847/ + +Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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