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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Patty's Social Season, 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 Social Season
+
+
+Author: Carolyn Wells
+
+
+
+Release Date: June 20, 2008  [eBook #25857]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Roger Frank and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON
+
+by
+
+CAROLYN WELLS
+
+Author of
+The TWO LITTLE WOMEN Series
+The MARJORIE Books
+etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers
+New York
+
+Copyright, 1913
+By Dodd, Mead and Company
+
+Printed in the United States of America
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER                           PAGE
+      I  Flowers!                    9
+     II  At the Dance               25
+    III  Happy Saturdays            42
+     IV  An Invitation              60
+      V  Happy Guests               76
+     VI  Confidences                94
+    VII  More Making Up            108
+   VIII  A Delightful Invitation   125
+     IX  Fern Falls                141
+      X  Christmas Eve             158
+     XI  The Christmas Spirit      174
+    XII  Coasting                  192
+   XIII  Hide and Seek             208
+    XIV  A Proposal                225
+     XV  A Christmas Card          243
+    XVI  Stormbound                260
+   XVII  The Country Club Ball     284
+  XVIII  Back to New York          300
+    XIX  An Exciting Chase         316
+     XX  Bridesmaid Patty          333
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+FLOWERS!
+
+
+"Patty, do come along and get your luncheon before everything grows
+cold!"
+
+"'And the stars are old, And the leaves of the judgment book unfold,'"
+chanted Patty, who had just learned this new song, and was apt to sing
+it at unexpected moments. She sat on the floor in the middle of the
+long drawing-room of her New York home. To say she was surrounded by
+flowers, faintly expresses it. She was hemmed in, barricaded, nearly
+smothered in flowers.
+
+They were or had been in enormous florist's boxes, and as fast as
+Patty opened the boxes and read the cards which accompanied the
+blossoms, Jane took the boxes away.
+
+It was the great occasion of Patty's début, and in accordance with
+the social custom, all her friends had sent her flowers as a message
+of congratulation.
+
+"You certainly have heaps of friends," said Elise, who was helping
+arrange the bouquets.
+
+"Friends!" cried Patty; "nobody could have as many friends as this!
+These flowers must be also from my enemies, my casual acquaintances,
+and indeed from utter strangers! I think the whole hilarious populace
+of New York has gone mad on the subject of sending flowers!"
+
+Even as she spoke, Jane came in with several more boxes, followed by
+Miller, fairly staggering under an enormous box that was almost too
+much for one man to carry. Behind him was Nan, who went straight to
+Patty and held out both hands to assist her to rise.
+
+"Patty," she said, "if you don't come out this minute, you never _can_
+get out! A few more of these boxes, and the door will be completely
+blocked up."
+
+"That's so, Nan," and Patty scrambled to her feet. "Come on, girls,
+let's gather our foodings while we may. These flowers will keep; but I
+shudder to think of the accumulation when we come back from luncheon!"
+
+"I didn't know there were so many flowers in the world," said Mona
+Galbraith, who paused to look back into the drawing-room.
+
+"There aren't," said Patty solemnly; "it's an optical illusion. Don't
+you know how the Indian jugglers make you see flowers growing, when
+there aren't any flowers there? Well, this is like that."
+
+Following Nan, Patty's pretty stepmother, the three girls, arm in arm,
+danced along to the dining-room, quite hungry enough to do justice to
+the tempting luncheon they found there.
+
+All the morning they had been untying the flower boxes and making a
+list of the donors.
+
+"Just think of the notes of thanks I have to write," said Patty,
+groaning at the outlook.
+
+"Wish we could help you," said Elise, "but I suppose you have to do
+those yourself."
+
+"Yes; and I think it will take me the rest of my natural life! What's
+the use of 'coming out,' if I have got to go right in again, and write
+all those notes? Why, there are hundreds!"
+
+"Thousands!" corrected Elise. And Mona said, "Looks to me like
+millions!"
+
+"Who sent that last big box, Patty?" asked Nan; "the one that just
+came."
+
+"Dunno, Nancy; probably the Czar of Russia or the King of the Cannibal
+Islands. But I mean to take time to eat my luncheon in peace, even if
+the flowers aren't all in place by the time the company comes."
+
+"We can't stay very long," said Elise; "of course, Mona and I have to
+go home and dress and be back here at four o'clock, and it's nearly
+two, now."
+
+"All right," said Patty; "the boys are coming, and they'll do the
+rest. We couldn't hang the flowers on the wall, anyway."
+
+"We ought to have had a florist to attend to it," said Nan,
+thoughtfully; "I had no idea there'd be so many."
+
+"Oh, it'll be all right," returned Patty. "Father's coming home early,
+and Roger and Ken will be over, and Mr. Hepworth will direct
+proceedings."
+
+Even as she spoke the men's voices were heard in the hall, and Patty
+jumped up from the table and ran to the drawing-room.
+
+"Did you ever see anything like it?" she exclaimed, and her visitors
+agreed that they never had.
+
+"It must be awful to be so popular, Patty," said Roger. "If I ever
+come out, I shall ask my friends to send fruit instead of flowers."
+
+"Patty would have to start a canning factory, if she had done that,"
+said Kenneth, laughing. "Let's open this big box, Patty. Who sent it?"
+
+"I haven't an idea, but there must be a card inside."
+
+They opened the immense box, and found it full to the brim with
+exquisite Killarney roses.
+
+After some search, Roger discovered a small envelope, with a card
+inside. The card read, "Mr. William Farnsworth," and written beneath
+the engraved name was the message, "With congratulations and best
+wishes."
+
+"From Big Bill!" exclaimed Mona. "For goodness' sake, Patty, why
+didn't he send you more? But these didn't come all the way from
+Arizona, where he is."
+
+"No," said Patty, looking at the label on the box; "he must have just
+sent an order to a New York florist."
+
+"To two or three florists, I should think," said Mr. Hepworth. "What
+can we do with them all?"
+
+But the crowd of merry young people set to work, and in an hour the
+floral chaos was reduced to a wonderful vision of symmetry and beauty.
+Under Mr. Hepworth's directions, the flowers were banked on the
+mantels and window-seats, and hung in groups on the wall, and
+clustered on the door-frames in a profusion which had behind it a
+methodical and symmetrical intent.
+
+"It's perfectly beautiful!" declared Nan, who, with her husband, was
+taking her first view of the finished effect. "It's a perfect shame to
+spoil this bower of beauty by cramming it with a crowd of people, who
+will jostle your bouquets all to bits."
+
+"Well, we can't help it," said Patty. "You see, we invited the people,
+as well as the flowers, so we must take the consequences. But they
+can't reach those that are up high, and as soon as the party is over,
+I'm going to put them all in fresh water----"
+
+"What! the party?" and Kenneth looked astounded.
+
+"I mean the flowers," said Patty, not deigning to laugh at his
+foolishness. "And then, to-morrow morning, I'm going to send them all
+to the hospital."
+
+"The people?" said Kenneth again. "That's thoughtful of you, Patty! I
+have no doubt they'll be in condition to go. I'm about ready, myself."
+
+"Well, you may go now," and Patty smiled at him. "Your work is done
+here, and I'm going away to dress. Good-bye, Ken; this is the last
+time you'll see me as a little girl. When next we meet, I shall be a
+young lady, a fully-fledged society lady, whose only thoughts will be
+for dancing and gaiety of all sorts."
+
+"Nonsense," said Kenneth; "you can't scare me. You'll be the same old
+Patty, foolish and irresponsible,--but sunshiny and sweet as ever."
+
+"Thank you, Ken," said Patty, for there was a note of earnestness in
+Kenneth's voice that the girl was quick to catch. They had been
+friends since childhood, and while Patty did not take her "coming out"
+very seriously, yet she realised that it meant she was grown up and a
+child no longer.
+
+"Don't let it all spoil you, Patty." It was Mr. Hepworth who said
+this, as he was about to follow Kenneth out. "I have a right to
+lecture you, you know, and I want to warn you----"
+
+"Oh, don't do it now, Mr. Hepworth," said Patty, laughing; "the
+occasion is solemn enough, I'm sure, and if you lecture me, I shall
+burst into large weeps of tears! Do let me 'come out' without being
+lectured, and you can come round to-morrow and give me all the
+warnings you like."
+
+"You're right, little Patty," and Hepworth looked at her kindly. "I
+ought not to spoil one of the happiest days of your life with too
+serious thought. Yours is a butterfly nature----"
+
+"But butterfly natures are nice; aren't they, Mr. Hepworth?" and Patty
+looked up at him with the roguishness that she could never quite
+control.
+
+"Yes,----" and the man hesitated a moment, as he looked into Patty's
+blue eyes. Then, suddenly, "Yes, indeed, _very_ nice." And, turning
+abruptly, he left her.
+
+"Now, you girls, skip," ordered Patty.
+
+"You haven't more than time to fly home and get dressed, for I don't
+want you to be late and delay the ceremony."
+
+"Gracious! it sounds like a wedding," cried Mona, laughing.
+
+"Well, it isn't!" declared Patty. "I may have a wedding some day, but
+that's in the far, far future; why, I'm only just entering society,
+and when I'm married, I suppose I shall leave it. I expect to have
+heaps of fun between this and then."
+
+The programme for the occasion was an afternoon reception, from four
+o'clock until seven. This was really Patty's début. A dinner at eight
+was to follow, to which were invited about a dozen of her dearest
+friends, and after this would be a dance, to which a goodly number
+more were asked.
+
+"You ought to have time for an hour's rest, Patty," said Nan, as she
+drew the girl away from a last look at the beautiful flowers, and took
+her up to her room.
+
+"Well, I haven't, little steppy-mother. It will be just about all Miss
+Patricia Fairfield can do to get into her purple and fine linen by
+four o'clock p.m., and methinks you'd better begin on your own glad
+toilette, or you'll be late yourself."
+
+"Was I _ever_ late?" asked Nan, scornfully, and as Patty responded,
+"never anything but," she ran away to her own room.
+
+However, four o'clock found all the members of the reception party in
+their places.
+
+Patty looked adorable in soft white chiffon, untrimmed, save for some
+fine lace round the slightly low-cut neck. She wore a string of small
+but perfect pearls which her father had given her for the occasion,
+and she carried a beautiful bouquet of orchids, which was Nan's gift.
+
+Patty had never looked prettier. Her rose-leaf cheeks were slightly
+flushed with excitement, and her big violet eyes were bright and
+sparkling. Her golden hair, which was really unusual in texture and
+quantity, was dressed simply, yet in a manner very becoming to her
+small, prettily poised head. On her brow and temples it rippled in
+natural ringlets, which gave her piquant face a charming, childish
+effect. Patty was certainly a beauty, but she was of such a sweet,
+unspoiled nature, and of such simple, dainty manners, that everybody
+loved her.
+
+Her father looked at her rather thoughtfully, half unable to realise
+that his little Patty had really grown up and was taking her place in
+society. He had no fears for her, he knew her sweet nature too well;
+but he was earnestly hoping that she was starting out on a life of
+happiness and well-being. Though healthy and moderately strong, Patty
+was not of a robust constitution, and there was danger that too much
+gaiety might result in a nervous breakdown. This, Mr. Fairfield
+determined to guard against; and resolved that, while Patty should be
+allowed generally to do as she chose, he should keep a strict eye
+against her overdoing.
+
+Nan had much the same thoughts as she looked at the lovely débutante,
+so exquisite in her fresh young beauty. Nan's gown of heavy white lace
+was very becoming, and though a secondary figure, she ably shared the
+honours of the afternoon with Patty.
+
+Mona and Elise assisted in the capacity of "Floaters," and in their
+pale pink frocks, they were quite in harmony with the floral setting
+of the picture.
+
+And then the guests began to arrive, and Patty learned what it meant
+to stand and shake hands, and receive the same compliments and
+congratulations over and over again. It was interesting at first, but
+she grew very tired as the hours went by.
+
+"Now, I say," exclaimed a cheery voice, suddenly, "it can't be that
+you have to stand here continuously from four to seven! Mrs.
+Fairfield, mayn't I take Patty to get a cup of tea or an ice, and you
+stay here and 'come out' until she returns?"
+
+It was Philip Van Reypen who made this request, and Nan consented
+readily. "Yes, indeed, Philip," she said, "do take her off to rest a
+minute. I think most of the people have arrived; and, anyway, you must
+bring her back shortly."
+
+"I will," and young Van Reypen led Patty through the crowd to the
+dining-room.
+
+"I ought to find you a 'quiet little corner,'" he said, smiling; "but
+I don't see such a thing anywhere about. So I'll just place you on one
+of these gimcrack gilt chairs, and I'll ask you to keep this one next,
+for me, until I make a raid on the table. What will you have?"
+
+"I don't really want anything, Philip, but just to sit here a moment
+and rest. I had no idea coming out was so tiresome! I believe I've
+said, 'oh, thank you!' a billion times!"
+
+"Yes, you said it to me," and Philip laughed at the recollection, "and
+I can tell you, Patty, it had the real society ring! You said it like
+a conventionalised parrot."
+
+"Well, I don't care if I did! It was the proper thing to say, and
+nobody could say it a million times in succession, without sounding
+parrotty! I know now how the President feels when he has to shake
+hands with the whole United States!"
+
+Philip left her, and returned in a moment, followed by a waiter, who
+brought them hot bouillon and tiny sandwiches.
+
+"My, but these are good!" exclaimed Patty, as she nibbled and sipped.
+"Why, Philip, I believe I was hungry and that's what made me tired!
+Oh, hello, Mona! Did you get leave of absence, too?"
+
+"Yes; the mad rush is pretty much over. Only a few late stragglers
+now, and Elise is floating them. Here's Roger. He says you wouldn't
+speak to him this afternoon, except to say, 'oh, thank you!' three
+times."
+
+"I couldn't help it," returned Patty, laughing. "That's all I said to
+anybody. I felt like a rubber stamp--repeating myself. Well, thank
+goodness, I'm out!"
+
+"But you're not a bit more grown up than when you were in," said
+Kenneth, joining the group around Patty.
+
+"Oh, pshaw, I'm never going to be grown up. Now I'm rested, Philip;
+please take me back to Nan. She said we must return soon."
+
+So Patty went back to the drawing-room, and insisted that her
+stepmother should go for a little refreshment. "I can hold the fort
+alone now," she said; "you've no idea how capable I am, now that I'm
+really out. Run along, Nan, and get some of those sandwiches; they're
+awfully good."
+
+"It isn't romantic, Patty, to think about eating when you're
+celebrating an occasion like this," reproved Philip.
+
+"Well, I'm not romantic," declared Patty, "and I never expect to be.
+Oh, how do you do, Mr. Galbraith? It's so late, I feared you weren't
+coming." And Patty held out her hand to Mona's father.
+
+"How d'y'do, Patty?" And Mr. Galbraith shook hands heartily. "I
+suppose I ought to say all sorts of pretty things to you, but you
+know, I'm not much up in social chat."
+
+"I'm glad of it," said Patty, "and then I won't have to say, 'oh,
+thank you!' to you. Mona is looking beautiful this afternoon, isn't
+she?"
+
+"She's a fine girl--a fine girl." Mr. Galbraith's eyes rested on his
+daughter a little thoughtfully. He was a Chicago man, who had made his
+fortune suddenly, and was a little bewildered at his own success. His
+one interest in life, outside of business matters, was his daughter
+Mona, for whom he desired every possible good, and to whose wishes and
+whims he always willingly consented.
+
+At her request, he had closed his Chicago home and come to spend the
+winter in New York, that Mona might be near Patty, whom she adored.
+The Galbraiths were living for the winter at the Plaza Hotel, and
+Patty, who had grown fond of Mona, was glad to have her friend so near
+her.
+
+"She's a fine girl," Mr. Galbraith repeated, "and a good-looking
+girl." He paused a moment, and then added in a sudden burst of
+confidence, "but, Patty, I wish she had a mother. You know how I
+idolise her, but I can't do for her what a mother would do. I've urged
+her to have a chaperon or a companion of some sort, but she won't do
+it. She says a father is chaperon enough for her, and so we live alone
+in that big hotel, and I'm afraid it isn't right. Right for her, I
+mean. I don't care a snap about conventions, but Mona is impulsive,
+even headstrong, and I wish she had an older woman to guide and advise
+her."
+
+"I wish she did, Mr. Galbraith," said Patty, earnestly, for the two
+were chatting by themselves, and no one else was within hearing. "I've
+thought about it, and I've talked with my stepmother about it. Perhaps
+I could persuade Mona to do as you wish her to."
+
+"I hope you can, Patty; I do hope you can. You know, Mona is dignified
+and all that, and as proud as they make them. Nobody would dare to
+speak to her if she didn't want them to; but, Patty, here's the
+trouble. There's a young man at the hotel named Lansing. He's not
+especially attractive, and yet, somehow, he has gained Mona's favour.
+I have told my girl that I do not like him, but she only laughs and
+says carelessly that he's all right. Now, I mustn't detain you longer,
+my child; there are people waiting to speak to you. But, some time, I
+want to have a little talk to you about this, and perhaps you can help
+me in some way. For I believe, Patty, that that Lansing man is trying
+to win my girl for the sake of her money. He has all the appearances
+of a fortune-hunter, and I can't let Mona throw herself away on such."
+
+"I should think not!" exclaimed Patty, indignantly. And then Mr.
+Galbraith moved away to give his place to other guests who were
+arriving.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+AT THE DANCE
+
+
+At eight o'clock that same evening, Patty came down to her own dinner
+party. An hour's rest had freshened her up wonderfully, and she had
+changed her little white frock for a dinner gown of pale green
+chiffon, sparkling with silver embroidery. It trailed behind her in a
+most grown-up fashion, and she entered the drawing-room with an
+exaggerated air of dignity.
+
+"Huh," cried Roger; "look at grown-up Patty! Isn't she the haughty
+lady? Patty, if you put on such airs, you'll be old before your time!"
+
+"Airs, nothing!" retorted Patty, and with a skipping little dance
+step, she crossed the room, picked up a sofa pillow, and aimed it
+deftly at Roger, who caught it on the wing.
+
+"That's better," he said. "We can't have any of these _grande dame_
+airs. Now, who is the lucky man who is to take you out to dinner? Me?"
+
+"No, not you," and Patty looked at him, critically; "you won't do, and
+neither will Kenneth, nor Phil Van Reypen, nor Mr. Hepworth." She
+looked at them each in turn, and smiled so merrily that they could take
+no offence. "I think," she said, "I shall select the best-looking and
+best-natured gentleman, and walk out with him." Whereupon she tucked
+her arm through her father's, and led the way to the dining-room,
+followed by the rest of the merry crowd.
+
+The dinner was a beautiful one, for Nan had spared no pains or thought
+to make it worthy of the occasion. At the girls' places were beautiful
+souvenirs, in the shape of fans of carved ivory with lace mounts,
+while the men received attractive stick-pins.
+
+"Shall you feel like dancing after all this gaiety, Patty?" asked Van
+Reypen.
+
+"Well, rather!" declared Patty. "Why, I'd feel like dancing if I'd
+been through a--civil war! I could scarcely keep still when the
+orchestra was playing this afternoon, and I'm crazy for to-night's
+dance to begin."
+
+"Frivolous young person, very," murmured Philip. "Never saw such
+devotion to the vain follies of life! However, since you're determined
+to dance, will you honour me with the first one to-night?"
+
+"Why, I don't mind, if you don't," said Patty, dimpling at him.
+
+"And give me the second," said Kenneth and Roger simultaneously.
+
+"I can't do these sums in my head," said Patty; "I'll get all mixed
+up. Let's wait till we get our dance orders, and fill them up, hit or
+miss."
+
+"You be the miss and I'll try to make a hit," said Philip.
+
+"What waggery!" exclaimed Patty, shaking her head. "If you're too
+clever, Philip, I can't dance with you. When I dance, I keep my mind
+on my feet, not on my head."
+
+"That explains your good dancing," said Mr. Hepworth, laughing.
+"Perhaps, if I could keep my mind on my feet, I could dance better."
+
+"Oh, you're too highminded for such low levels," laughed Patty, while
+Mona, who was rather practical, said, seriously, "Do you really think
+about your feet all the time you're dancing, Patty?"
+
+"No," returned Patty; "sometimes I have to think about my partner's
+feet, to keep out of the way of them."
+
+When they returned to the drawing-room, they found it had been cleared
+for the dance, and soon the evening guests began to arrive.
+
+Patty again stood by Nan to receive them, and after greeting many
+people she knew, she was surprised to find herself confronted by a
+stranger. He was a thick-set, stockily-built man, several years older
+than most of Patty's friends. He had black hair and eyes and a short
+black moustache and a round, heavy type of face. His black eyes were
+of the audacious sort, and he flashed a glance of admiration at Patty.
+Before she could speak, or even offer her hand, Mona sprang forward,
+saying, "Patty, this is my friend Mr. Lansing. I took the liberty of
+inviting him to your dance. Mrs. Fairfield, may I present Mr.
+Lansing?"
+
+Patty was angry. This, of course, must be the man of whom Mr.
+Galbraith had spoken, and, aside from the fact that he seemed
+undesirable, Patty felt that Mona had no right to invite him without
+asking permission from her hostess.
+
+But Nan knew nothing of all this, and she cordially greeted the
+stranger because he was a friend of Mona's. Patty recovered her
+equilibrium sufficiently to say, "How do you do, Mr. Lansing?" in a
+non-committal sort of way, but she couldn't refrain from giving Mona a
+side glance of reproof, to which, however, that young woman paid no
+attention.
+
+In another moment Mona had drifted away, and had taken Mr. Lansing
+with her. Patty turned to speak to Nan about him, but just then some
+more guests arrived; and then the dancing began, and Patty had no
+further opportunity.
+
+As Patty had promised, she gave the first dance to Philip Van Reypen;
+and after that she was fairly besieged by would-be partners. The fact
+that she was hostess at her own coming-out ball, the fact that she
+danced beautifully, and the fact that she was so pretty and charming,
+all combined to make her, as was not unusual, the most popular girl
+present.
+
+"Anything left for me?" asked Roger, gaily, as he threaded the crowds
+at Patty's side.
+
+"I saved one for you," said Patty, smiling at him; "for I hoped you'd
+ask me, sooner or later."
+
+Roger gratefully accepted the dance Patty had saved for him, and soon
+after he came to claim her for it.
+
+"I say, Patty," he began when they were whirling about the floor, "who
+is that stuff Mona has trailing after her?"
+
+"Moderate your language, Roger," said Patty, smiling up at him, and
+noticing that his expression was very wrathy indeed.
+
+"He doesn't deserve moderate language! He's a bounder, if I ever saw
+one! What's he doing here?"
+
+"He seems to be dancing," said Patty, demurely, "and he doesn't dance
+half badly, either."
+
+"Oh, stop your fooling, Patty; I'm not in the mood for it. Tell me who
+he is."
+
+Patty had never known Roger to be so out of temper, and she resented
+his tone, which was almost rude. Now, for all her sweetness, Patty had
+a touch of perversity in her nature, and Roger had roused it. So she
+said: "I don't know why you speak like that, Roger. He's a friend of
+Mona's, and lives at the Hotel Plaza, where she lives."
+
+"The fact that two people live in the same big hotel doesn't give them
+the right to be friends," growled Roger. "Who introduced them,
+anyhow?"
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure," said Patty, her patience exhausted; "but Mr.
+Galbraith knows him, so it must be all right."
+
+Patty was not quite ingenuous in this speech, for she knew perfectly
+well, from what Mr. Galbraith had said to her, that it was not all
+right. But she was irritated by Roger's demeanour, and perversely
+disagreed with him.
+
+"Well, I don't believe he's all right; I don't like his looks a bit,
+and, Patty, you know as well as I do, that the Galbraiths are not
+quite competent always to select the people best worth knowing."
+
+"Oh, what a fuss you are, Roger; and it's hardly fair when you don't
+know anything at all about Mr. Lansing."
+
+"Do you?"
+
+"No," and then Patty hesitated. She did know something,--she knew what
+Mr. Galbraith had told her. But she was not of a mind to tell this to
+Roger. "I only met him as I was introduced," she said, "and Mona has
+never so much as even mentioned him to me."
+
+"Didn't she ask you if she might bring him to-night?"
+
+"No; I suppose, as an intimate friend, she didn't think that
+necessary."
+
+"It _was_ necessary, Patty, and you know it, if Mona doesn't. Now,
+look here; you and I are Mona's friends; and if there are any social
+matters that she isn't quite familiar with, it's up to us to help her
+out a little. And I, for one, don't believe that man is the right sort
+for her to be acquainted with; and I'm going to find out about him."
+
+"Well, I'm sure I'm willing you should, Roger; but you needn't make
+such a bluster about it."
+
+"I'm not making a bluster, Patty."
+
+"You are so!"
+
+"I am not!"
+
+And then they both realised that they were bickering like two
+children, and they laughed simultaneously as they swept on round the
+dancing-room. The music stopped just then, and as they were near a
+window-seat, Patty sat down for a moment. "You go on, Roger," she
+said, "and hunt up your next partner, or fight a duel with Mr.
+Lansing, or do whatever amuses you. My partner will come to hunt me
+up, I'm sure, and I'll just wait here."
+
+"Who is your next partner, Patty?"
+
+"Haven't looked at my card; but, never mind, he'll come. You run
+along."
+
+As Roger's next partner was Mona, and as he was anxious to talk to her
+about her new friend, Roger obeyed Patty's bidding and strolled away.
+
+Patty sat alone for a moment, knowing full well who was her next
+partner, and then Mr. Lansing appeared and made a low bow before her.
+
+Now, Patty had not chosen to express to Roger her real opinion of this
+new man, but in reality she did not approve of him. Though fairly
+good-looking and correctly dressed, there was about him a certain
+something--or perhaps, rather, he lacked a certain something that
+invariably stamps the well-bred man. He stared at Patty a trifle too
+freely; he sat down beside her with a little too much informality; and
+he began conversation a little too familiarly. All of these things
+Patty saw and resented, but as hostess she could not, of course, be
+openly rude.
+
+"Nice, jolly rooms you've got here for a party," Mr. Lansing remarked,
+rolling his eyes about appreciatively, "and a jolly lot of people,
+too. Some class to 'em!"
+
+Patty looked at him coldly. She was not accustomed to this style of
+expression. Her friends perhaps occasionally used a slang word or
+term, but it was done in a spirit of gaiety or as a jest, whereas this
+man used his expressions as formal conversation.
+
+"Yes, I have many kind and delightful friends," said Patty, a little
+stiffly.
+
+"You sure have! Rich, too, most of 'em."
+
+Patty made no response to this, and Mr. Lansing turned suddenly to
+look at her. "I say, Miss Fairfield, do you know what I think? I think
+you are prejudiced against me, and I think somebody put you up to it,
+and I think I know who. Now, look here, won't you give me a fair show?
+Do you think it's just to judge a man by what other people say about
+him?"
+
+"How do you know I've heard anything about you, Mr. Lansing?"
+
+"Well, you give me the icy glare before I've said half a dozen words
+to you! So, take it from me, somebody's been putting you wise to my
+defects."
+
+He wagged his head so sagaciously at this speech, that Patty was
+forced to smile. On a sudden impulse, she decided to speak frankly.
+"Suppose I tell you the truth, Mr. Lansing, that I'm not accustomed to
+being addressed in such--well, in such slangy terms."
+
+"Oh, is that it? Pooh, I'll bet those chums of yours talk slang to you
+once in a while."
+
+"What my chums may do is no criterion for an absolute stranger,"--and
+now Patty spoke very haughtily indeed.
+
+"That's so, Miss Fairfield; you're dead right,--and I apologise. But,
+truly, it's a habit with me. I'm from Chicago, and I believe people
+use more slang out there."
+
+"The best Chicago people don't," said Patty, seriously.
+
+Mr. Lansing smiled at her, a trifle whimsically.
+
+"I'm afraid I don't class up with the best people," he confessed; "but
+if it will please you better, I'll cut out the slang. Shall we have a
+turn at this two-step?"
+
+Patty rose without a word, and in a moment they were circling the
+floor. Mr. Lansing was a good dancer, and especially skilful in
+guiding his partner. Patty, herself such an expert dancer, was
+peculiarly sensitive to the good points of a partner, and she enjoyed
+the dance with Mr. Lansing, even though she felt she did not like the
+man. And yet he had a certain fascination in his manner, and when the
+dance was over, Patty looked at him with kinder eyes than she had when
+they began. But all that he had won of her favour he lost by his final
+speech, for as the dance ended, he said, brusquely: "Now, I'll tumble
+you into a seat, and chase my next victim."
+
+Patty stood looking after him, almost moved to laughter at what he had
+said, and yet indignant that a man, and a comparative stranger, should
+address her thus.
+
+"What's the matter, Lady Fair?" and Philip Van Reypen came up to her.
+"Methinks thou hast a ruffled brow."
+
+"No, it's my frock that's ruffled," said Patty, demurely. "You men
+know so little of millinery!"
+
+"That's true enough, and if you will smile again, I'll drop the
+subject of ruffles. And now for my errand; will you go out to supper
+with me?"
+
+"Goodness, is it supper time? I thought the evening had scarcely
+begun!"
+
+"Alas! look at the programme," and Van Reypen showed her that it was,
+indeed, time for intermission.
+
+"Intermission is French for supper," he said, gravely, "and I'd like
+to know if you'd rather sit on the stairs in good old orthodox party
+fashion, or if you'd rather go to the dining-room in state?"
+
+"Who are on the stairs?"
+
+"I shall be, if you are. You don't want to know more than that, do
+you?" The young man's gaze was so reproachful that Patty giggled.
+
+"You are a great factor in my happiness, Mr. Van Reypen," she said,
+saucily; "but you are not all the world to me! So, if I flock on the
+stairs with you, I must know what other doves will be perching there."
+
+"Oh, doves!" in a tone of great relief. "I thought you wanted to know
+what men you would find there,--you inveterate coquette, you! Well,
+Elise is there waiting for you, and Miss Farley."
+
+"And Mona Galbraith?"
+
+"I don't know; I didn't see Miss Galbraith. But if you will go with
+me, I will accumulate for you any young ladies you desire."
+
+"And any men?"
+
+"The men I shall have to fight off, not invite!"
+
+Laughing at each other's chaff, they sauntered across to the hall and
+found the stairs already pretty well occupied.
+
+"Why is it," Mr. Hepworth was saying, "that you young people prefer
+the stairs to the nice, comfortable seats at little tables in the
+dining-room?"
+
+"Habit," said Patty, laughing, as she made her way up a few steps;
+"I've always eaten my party suppers on the stairs, and I dare say I
+always shall. When I build a house I shall have a great, broad
+staircase, like they have in palaces, and then everybody can eat on
+the stairs."
+
+"I'm going to give a party," announced Van Reypen, "and it's going to
+be in the new Pennsylvania Station. There are enormous staircases
+there."
+
+"All right, I'll come to it," said Patty, and then Mona and Mr.
+Lansing came strolling along the hall, and demanded room on the stairs
+also.
+
+"Seats all taken," declared Roger, who had had a real tiff with Mona
+on the subject of her new friend. The others, too, did not seem to
+welcome Mr. Lansing, and though one or two moved slightly, they did
+not make room for the newcomers.
+
+Patty was uncertain what she ought to do. She remembered what Mr.
+Galbraith had said, and she felt that to send Mona and Mr. Lansing
+away would be to throw them more exclusively in each other's society;
+and she thought that Mr. Galbraith meant for her to keep Mona under
+her own eye as much as possible. But to call the pair upon the stairs
+and make room for them would annoy, she felt sure, the rest of the
+group.
+
+She looked at Roger and at Philip Van Reypen, and both of them gave
+her an eloquent glance of appeal not to add to their party. Then she
+chanced to glance at Mr. Hepworth and found him smiling at her. She
+thought she knew what he meant, and immediately she said, "Come up
+here by me, Mona; and you come too, Mr. Lansing. We can make room
+easily if we move about a little."
+
+There was considerable moving about, and finally Patty found herself
+at the top of the group with Mona and Mr. Lansing. Christine and Mr.
+Hepworth were directly below them, and then Elise and Kenneth.
+
+Mr. Van Reypen and Roger Farrington declared their intention of making
+a raid on the dining-room and kidnapping waiters with trays of
+supplies. On their return the supper plates were passed up to those on
+the stairs, and Van Reypen and Roger calmly walked away.
+
+Patty knew perfectly well what they meant. They intended her to
+understand that if she and Mona persisted in cultivating the
+acquaintance of the man they considered objectionable, they did not
+care to be of the party.
+
+"Which is perfectly ridiculous!" said Patty to herself, as she
+realised the state of things. "Those boys needn't think they can
+dictate to me at my own party!"
+
+Whereupon, perverse Patty began to make herself extremely and
+especially agreeable to Mr. Lansing, and Mona was greatly delighted at
+the turn things had taken.
+
+Christine and Mr. Hepworth joined in the conversation, and perhaps
+because of what Patty had said earlier in the evening, Mr. Lansing
+avoided to a great extent the use of slang expressions, and made
+himself really interesting and entertaining.
+
+"What a fascinating man he is," said Christine later, to Patty, when
+Mona and her new friend had walked away to the "extra" supper dance.
+
+"Do you think so?" said Patty, looking at Christine in astonishment.
+"He was rather nicer than I thought him at first, but, Christine, I
+never dreamed _you_ would approve of him! But you never can tell when
+a quiet little mouse like you is going to break loose. Why did you
+like him, Christine?"
+
+"I don't know exactly; only he seemed so breezy and unusual."
+
+"Yes, he's that," and Patty wagged her head, knowingly; "but I don't
+like him very much, Christine, and you mustn't, either. Now run away
+and play."
+
+Patty's last direction was because she saw a young man coming to ask
+Christine for this dance; while two others were rapidly coming toward
+herself.
+
+The rest of the evening was danced gaily away, but neither Roger nor
+Philip Van Reypen came near Patty. To be sure, she had plenty of
+partners, but she felt a little offended at her two friends' attitude,
+for she knew she hadn't really deserved it.
+
+But when the dance was over, Patty's good-nights to Roger and Philip
+were quite as gentle and cordial as those she said to any one else.
+She smiled her best smiles at them, and though not as responsive as
+usual, they made polite adieux and departed with no further reference
+to the troublesome matter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+HAPPY SATURDAYS
+
+
+As was not to be wondered at, Patty slept late the next morning. And
+when she awakened, she lay, cozily tucked in her coverlets, thinking
+over the occurrences of the night before.
+
+Presently Jane came in with a dainty tray of chocolate and rolls, and
+then, with some big, fluffy pillows behind her, Patty sat up in bed,
+and thoughtfully nibbled away at a crust.
+
+Then Nan came in, in her pretty morning gown, and, drawing up a little
+rocker, sat down by Patty's bedside.
+
+"Are you in mood for a gossip, Patty?" she asked, and Patty replied,
+"Yes, indeedy! I want to talk over the whole thing. In the first
+place, Nan, it was a howling, screaming success, wasn't it?"
+
+"Why, yes, of course; how could it be otherwise? with the nicest
+people and the nicest flowers and the nicest girl in New York City!"
+
+"In the whole United States, you mean," said Patty, complacently, as
+she took a spoonful of chocolate. "Yes, the party in all its parts was
+all right. There wasn't a flaw. But, oh, Nan, I got into a scrap with
+the boys."
+
+"What boys? and what _is_ a scrap? Patty, now that you're out, you
+mustn't use those slang words you're so fond of."
+
+"Nan," and Patty shook her spoon solemnly at her stepmother, "I've
+come to realise that there is slang and slang. Now, the few little
+innocent bits I use, don't count at all, because I just say them for
+fun and to help make my meaning clear. But that man last night,--that
+Lansing man,--why, Nan, his slang is altogether a different matter."
+
+"Well, Patty, he, himself, seems to be an altogether different matter
+from the people we know."
+
+"Yes, doesn't he? And yet, Nan, he isn't so bad. Well, anyway, let me
+tell you what Mr. Galbraith says."
+
+"That's just it!" declared Nan, after Patty had finished her story.
+"That man _is_ a fortune-hunter, and he means to try to marry Mona for
+the sake of her father's money!"
+
+"Oh, my!" exclaimed Patty, laughing; "isn't it grand to be grown up! I
+see I'm mixed up in a matrimonial tangle already!"
+
+"Nothing of the sort, you foolish child! There won't be any matrimonial
+tangle. Mr. Galbraith is quite right; this man must be discouraged, and
+Mona must be made to see him in his true light."
+
+"But, Nan, he isn't so awful. You know, sometimes he was quite
+fascinating."
+
+"Yes, you think that, because he has big dark eyes and rolled them at
+you."
+
+"Goodness! it sounds like a game of bowls. No, I don't mean that;
+but--well, I'll tell you what I do mean. He said we weren't fair to
+him, to judge him adversely, not knowing anything about him. And I
+think so, too, Nan; it doesn't seem fair or right to say a man is a
+bounder,--that's what Roger called him,--when we don't know anything
+about him, really."
+
+"Patty, you're a goose! Don't you suppose we'll find out about him? Of
+course, _we_ can't, but your father and Mr. Galbraith,--yes, and Roger
+Farrington, will soon find out his standing."
+
+"Well," said Patty, with a relieved sigh, "then I needn't bother about
+_him_ any more. But, Nan, I have troubles of my own. Philip and Roger
+are both mad at me!"
+
+"Goodness! Patty, how awful! Do you suppose they'll stay mad all day?"
+
+"Oh, it isn't just a momentary tiff; they are up and down angry! Why,
+neither of them danced with me or even spoke to me after supper last
+night!"
+
+"Well, it was probably your own fault."
+
+"My own fault, indeed! It was all because of that horrid Lansing man.
+Well, if they want to stay mad, they may! _I_ shan't make any
+advances."
+
+"Don't worry, my child. Into each life some little squabbles must
+fall,--and though you're fairly good-natured, as a rule, you can't
+expect it always to be smooth sailing."
+
+Seeing she could get no sympathy from her stepmother, Patty dropped
+the subject of her quarrels, and remarked, with a yawn, "Well, I
+suppose I may as well get up, and begin on those flower notes. What
+shall I say, Nan, something like this? 'Miss Patricia Fairfield thanks
+you for your kind donation of expensive blossoms, but as it's such a
+bother to write the notes of acknowledgment, she really wishes you
+hadn't sent them.'"
+
+"What base ingratitude! Patty, I'm ashamed of you! or I would be, if I
+thought you meant a word of it, but I know you don't. What are you
+doing this afternoon?"
+
+"Oh, I forgot to tell you. We're going to have a club, just a little
+club,--only four of us girls. And, Nan, you know there are so many
+clubs that make an awful fuss and yet don't really _do_ anything.
+Well, this is going to be a _Doing_ Club. We're going to be real
+_doers_."
+
+"It sounds lovely, Patty. What are you going to do?"
+
+"We don't know yet, that's what the meeting's for this afternoon. But
+we're going to do good, you know--some kind of good. You know, Nan, I
+always said I didn't want to be just a social butterfly and nothing
+else. I want to accomplish something that will give some joy or
+comfort to somebody."
+
+Patty's blue eyes looked very earnest and sincere as she said this,
+and Nan kissed her, saying, "I know you do, Patty, dearest, and I know
+you'll succeed in your doing. If I can help you in any way, be sure to
+ask me; and now I'll run away and let you dress."
+
+Patty made a leisurely toilette; and then, in a trailing blue silk
+négligée, she went into her boudoir and began to write her notes.
+
+It was not a difficult task, and she did not really mind it, though it
+was a long list. But Patty had a knack at writing graceful little
+notes, and although she jested about it, she was really grateful to
+the kind friends who had sent the flowers.
+
+"I don't know _why_ I have so many friends," she said to herself, as
+she scanned the rows of names. "To be sure, a great many are really
+friends of father's and Nan's, but there's a lot of our crowd, too,
+and lots of out of town people. Perhaps it would be a good idea to do
+the farthest away first, and so work back to New York."
+
+Patty picked up Mr. Farnsworth's card, and read again the message on
+it. "H'm," she said to herself, "it sounds to me a trifle formal and
+conventional--considering all things. Now, Little Billee is a Western
+man,--but how different he is from that Lansing person! I wonder what
+makes the difference. Little Billee isn't formal or conventional a
+bit, and yet his manners are as far removed from Horace Lansing's as
+white is from black. Oh, well, I know the reason well enough. It's
+because Little Billee is a thorough gentleman at heart; and the other
+one is,--well, I guess he's what Roger called him. Now, what shall I
+say to Mr. William Farnsworth by way of thanks for his truly beautiful
+pink roses? I'd like to write a nice, every-day letter, and tell him
+all about the party and everything; but, as he just sent his visiting
+card, with a mere line on it, I suppose I must reply very formally."
+
+Patty began her formal note, but tore up half a dozen beginnings
+before she completed one to her satisfaction. This one read, "Miss
+Patricia Fairfield thanks Mr. William Farnsworth sincerely for his
+exquisite gift of roses, and for his kind congratulations."
+
+Patty gave a little sigh as she sealed this missive and addressed it
+to her friend in Arizona.
+
+With the exception of the roses, Patty had never heard a word from Big
+Bill since they were at Spring Beach together. She had told her father
+and Nan of what Mr. Farnsworth had said to her down there, and as they
+had agreed that Patty was altogether too young even to think of such a
+thing as being engaged to anybody, it was wiser to hold no
+correspondence with him at all.
+
+Apparently, this in no way disappointed the young man, for he had made
+no effort on his part to recall himself to Patty's remembrance, until
+the occasion of sending the flowers.
+
+Patty had liked Bill extremely, but as Arizona was far away, and she
+had no reason to think she would ever see him again, she gave him few
+thoughts. However, the thoughts, when she did allow them to come, were
+pleasant ones. Although she had sealed the note she intended to send,
+she began another one, and the opening words were "Little Billee."
+This note she wrote in the first person, and thanked him simply and
+naturally for the flowers. Then, for a signature, she made a carefully
+and daintily drawn pen-and-ink sketch of an apple blossom. She was
+clever at flower-sketching, and she sat a moment admiring her own
+handiwork. Then a flush spread over her pretty face, and she spoke
+sternly to herself, as was her habit when she disapproved of her own
+actions.
+
+"Patty Fairfield," she said, reprovingly, "you ought to be ashamed to
+think of sending a personal, lettery sort of a note like that, to a
+man who sent you the formalest kind of a message! He only sent the
+flowers, because convention demanded it! He never gave you one single
+thought after that last time he saw you,--and that's all there is
+about _that_!"
+
+And then, to her great surprise, luncheon was announced, and she found
+that her whole morning was gone and only one name on her list crossed
+off!
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+The club that met that afternoon in Mona's pretty sitting-room in the
+Plaza Hotel, consisted of only four girls--Patty, Mona, Elise, and
+Clementine Morse.
+
+It was thought wiser to start with a few earnest members and then
+enlarge the number later if it seemed advisable.
+
+"What a beautiful room!" said Clementine, as she tossed off her furs.
+"Don't you like it, Mona, to live in a big hotel like this, and yet
+have your own rooms, like a home all to yourself?"
+
+"Yes, I like it in some ways; but I'm alone a great deal. However, I
+would be that, if father and I lived in a house or an apartment."
+
+"You ought to have a companion of some sort, Mona," said Patty, who
+thought this a good opportunity to urge Mr. Galbraith's wishes.
+
+"No, thank you," and Mona tossed her head, disdainfully; "I know what
+companions are! Snoopy old maids who won't let you do anything, or
+careless, easy-going old ladies who pay no attention to you. If I
+could have a companion of my own age and tastes, I'd like that,--but I
+suppose that wouldn't do."
+
+"Hardly," said Elise, laughing; "that would only mean your father
+would have two troublesome girls to look after instead of one. And I
+daresay, Mona, you are quite as much as he can handle."
+
+"I suppose I am. But he's so good to me I'm afraid he spoils me. But
+come on, girls, let's organise our club."
+
+"Don't let's have too much organisation," said Clementine. "Do you
+know, I think lots of clubs, especially charity clubs, have so much
+organisation that they haven't anything else. One club I joined fell to
+pieces before it was fairly started, because the two vice-presidents
+squabbled so."
+
+"If there's anything I hate," declared Patty, "it's a squabble.
+Whatever else we girls do, let's try not to have any friction. Now, I
+know perfectly well that none of us four is _very_ meek or mild."
+
+"I am," declared Elise, assuming an angelic expression, which made
+them all laugh, for Elise was really the one most likely to take
+offence at trifles, or to flare up impulsively if any one disagreed
+with her.
+
+Patty knew this only too well, and was trying to forestall it by a
+preliminary treaty of peace.
+
+"Well, then, let's be an organisation that doesn't organise," said
+Mona, "but let's be it _now_."
+
+"I think," said Patty, "that our end and aim ought to be to do good to
+somebody who doesn't expect it. Now, that isn't quite what I mean,--I
+mean to people who wouldn't accept it if it seemed like charity, but
+to whom we could give a pleasure that they would really like."
+
+"Patty, my child," said Clementine, "I think your ideas are all right,
+but I must say you don't express them very clearly. Let's get down to
+something definite. Do you mean to give material things,--like
+presents or money?"
+
+"That's just exactly what I _don't_ mean, Clem! Don't you remember
+that little club we used to have at school,--the Merry Grigs?"
+
+"Indeed I do! All we had to do was to be merry and gay."
+
+"Well, that's what I mean,--in a way,--if you know what I mean."
+
+"Oh, Patty," cried Mona, "I never knew you to be so hopelessly vague.
+Now, for instance, how would it be if we gave a lovely motor ride to
+some poor shop girl, or somebody that never gets into a motor?"
+
+"That's it!" cried Clementine, approvingly; "I was thinking of sending
+flowers to hospitals, but that's so general. Now, your suggestion,
+Mona, is definite, and just the right sort of thing."
+
+"But aren't we going to have a president and treasurer, and things
+like that?" asked Elise.
+
+"No," said Patty; "my mind is clearing now, and I begin to see our
+club. Instead of a president, we'll all four be presidents, and
+instead of a treasurer, we'll all four be treasurers. We'll give money
+when it's necessary, or we'll use our motor cars, or buy flowers, or
+whatever we like; but we won't have dues and officers and things."
+
+"But the shop girls are always busy; how can we take them motoring?"
+asked Elise.
+
+"That was only a suggestion," said Mona; "it needn't be exactly a shop
+girl; but anybody we know of, who would enjoy a little unexpected
+pleasure."
+
+"The principle is exactly right," said Clementine; "now, let's get it
+down to practicability. As Mona says, we needn't necessarily choose a
+shop girl,--but suppose we do, many of them are free Saturday
+afternoon."
+
+"Only in the summer time," objected Elise.
+
+"Yes, perhaps, in the big shops; but there are lots of them, in
+offices,--or even school teachers,--who would be free Saturday
+afternoons. Well, anyway, here's what I'm thinking of, and you can all
+say what you think of it. Suppose we try, every week, to give a happy
+Saturday afternoon to somebody who wouldn't have it otherwise."
+
+"The Happy Saturday Afternoon Club!" cried Patty; "that's a lovely
+name! let's do it!"
+
+"But," said Elise, "that would mean giving up our Saturday afternoons.
+Do we want to do that? What about matinées?"
+
+"I think we ought to be willing to sacrifice something," said Patty,
+thoughtfully; "but I do love Saturday matinées."
+
+"Oh, if there's anything especial, we needn't consider ourselves bound
+to give up the afternoon," said Clementine. "For that matter, we could
+send a couple of girls for a motor ride without going ourselves."
+
+"But that's more like charity," objected Patty: "I meant to go with
+them, and be real nice and pleasant with them, and make a bright spot
+in their lives that they would always remember."
+
+"They'd always remember you, Patty, if you were the bright spot,"
+declared Mona, who idolised her friend. "But I must confess I do like
+to be definite about this thing. Now, how's this for a plan? To-day's
+Thursday. Suppose we begin on Saturday and make a start at something.
+Suppose we each of us pick out a girl,--or a boy, for that matter,--or
+a child or anybody, and think what we can do to make them happy on
+Saturday afternoon."
+
+"Now we're getting somewhere," said Elise, approvingly. "I've picked
+mine already. She's a girl who comes to our house quite often to sew
+for the children. She's a sweet little thing, but she looks as if she
+never had a real good time in all her life. Now, can the rest of you
+think of anybody like that?"
+
+"Yes, I have one," said Mona. "Your suggestion made me think of her.
+She's my manicure girl. She comes here, and sometimes she's so tired
+she's ready to drop! She works awfully hard, and never takes a day
+off, because she has to support two little sisters. But I'll make her
+take a holiday Saturday afternoon, somehow."
+
+"There's a girl I'd like to have," said Clementine, thoughtfully;
+"she's at the ribbon counter in Walker's. She always waits on me
+there; and she has such a wistful air, I'd like to do her a kindness.
+I don't suppose she could get off,--but I could go and ask the head of
+the department, and perhaps he'd let her."
+
+"I can't think of anybody," said Patty, "except one person, that I
+would simply _love_ to have. And that's a very tired and cross-looking
+lady who gives out embroidery patterns in a dreadful place, way down
+town. I believe it would sweeten her up for a year to have a little
+spree with us."
+
+"All right," said Mona. "Now we have selected our guests, what shall
+we do with them? Say, a motor ride and a cup of tea afterward in some
+pretty tea room?"
+
+"I think," said Elise, "that we'd better give them luncheon first.
+They can't enjoy a motor ride if they're hungry, and they probably
+will be."
+
+"Luncheon where?" said Patty, looking puzzled; "at one of our houses?"
+
+"I could have them here, easily enough," said Mona. "Our dining-room
+here, would really be better than any of the homes of you girls.
+Because you all have people, and I haven't. Father would just as lieve
+lunch downstairs, in the main dining-room."
+
+"That's lovely of you, Mona," said Patty. "I was going to suggest some
+small, quiet restaurant, but a luncheon here in your pretty dining-room
+would indeed be a bright spot for them to remember. But suppose they
+won't come?"
+
+"Then we must ask someone instead," said Clementine; "let's promise
+each to bring someone with us on Saturday, and if the first one we ask
+declines, keep on asking till we get somebody. Of course, Mona, we'll
+share the expense of the luncheon equally."
+
+"Nonsense," returned Mona; "I'll be glad to give that."
+
+"No," said Patty, firmly; "we'll each pay a quarter of whatever the
+luncheon costs. And let's have it good and substantial, and yet have
+some pretty, fancy things too. For, you know, this isn't a charity or
+a soup kitchen,--it's to give those girls a bright and beautiful scene
+to look back on."
+
+"Oh, it will be lovely!" cried Mona. "I'll have pretty place cards,
+and favours, and everything."
+
+"But we mustn't overdo it," said Clementine.
+
+"You know, to the unaccustomed, an elaborate table may prove
+embarrassing."
+
+"That will be all right," said Patty, smiling. "Mona can fix her
+table, and I'll come over before the luncheon, and if she has too many
+or too grand flumadiddles, I'll take some of them off. I don't want
+our guests struck dumb by too much grandeur, but I do want things
+pretty and nice. Suppose we each bring a favor for our own guest."
+
+"Something useful?" said Elise.
+
+"No; _not_ a suit of flannel underwear or a pair of shoes! But a
+pretty necktie or handkerchief, if you like, or even a little gold
+pin, or a silver one."
+
+"Or a picture or cast," said Clementine.
+
+"Yes," and Patty nodded approval; "but it ought to be a little thing
+that would look like a luncheon souvenir and not like a Christmas
+present. I think they ought to be all alike."
+
+"So do I," said Mona, "and I think a little pin in a jeweler's box
+will be the prettiest; and then a lovely bunch of flowers at each
+plate, and an awfully pretty place-card."
+
+"Oh, it will be beautiful!" cried Patty, jumping up and dancing about
+the room; "but I must flit, girls,--I have an engagement at five.
+Wait, what about motors? I'm sure we can use our big car."
+
+"And ours," said all the rest together.
+
+"Well, we'll need two," said Clementine, "and two of us girls and two
+guests can go in each. We'll see which cars can be used most
+conveniently; perhaps our fathers may have something to say on that
+subject. But we can arrange all such things by telephone to-morrow.
+The main thing is to get our guests."
+
+"Oh, we'll do that," said Patty, "if we have to go out into the
+highways and hedges after them."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+AN INVITATION
+
+
+The next morning Patty started off in her own little electric runabout
+with Miller, the chauffeur.
+
+She let him drive, and gave the address, as she stepped in, "The
+Monongahela Art Embroidery Company," adding a number in lower
+Broadway.
+
+The correct Miller could not suppress a slight smile as he said,
+"Where I took you once before, Miss Patty?" And Patty smiled, as she
+said, "Yes, Miller."
+
+But it was with a different feeling that she entered the big building
+this time, and she went straight to department B. On her way she met
+the red-headed boy who had so amused her when she was there a year
+ago.
+
+He greeted her with the same lack of formality that had previously
+characterised him.
+
+"Is youse up against it again?" he inquired, grinning broadly. "I
+t'ought youse didn't get no cinch, and had to can de whole projick."
+
+"I'm not on the same 'projick' now," said Patty, smiling at him. "Is
+department B in the same place?"
+
+"Sure it is," and for some reason the boy added, "miss," after a
+momentary pause, which made Patty realise his different attitude
+toward her, now that she wore a more elaborate costume, than when he
+had seen her in a purposely plain little suit.
+
+"And is the same lady still in charge of it?"
+
+"Yep; dey ain't nuttin' lessen dynnimite goin' to boost Mis' Greene
+outen o' here!"
+
+"Then Mrs. Greene is the lady I want to see," and Patty threaded her
+way through the narrow passages between the piled up boxes.
+
+"No pass needed; she's a free show," the boy called after her, and in
+a moment Patty found herself again in the presence of the sharp-faced,
+tired-looking woman whom she had once interviewed regarding her
+embroidery work.
+
+"This is Mrs. Greene, isn't it?" said Patty, pleasantly.
+
+"Yes, I am," snapped the woman. "You don't want work again, do you?"
+
+"No," said Patty, smiling, "I come this time on quite a different
+errand."
+
+"Then you don't want to see _me_. I'm here only to give out work. Did
+Mr. Myers send you?"
+
+"No, I came of my own accord. Now, Mrs. Greene, forget the work for a
+moment, and let me tell you what I want."
+
+"If it's subscribin' to any fund, or belongin' to any working woman's
+club run by you swell ladies, you can count me out. I ain't got time
+for foolishness."
+
+"It isn't anything like that," and Patty laughed so merrily that Mrs.
+Greene's hard face softened in spite of herself. "Well, what is it?"
+she asked, in a less belligerent tone.
+
+"It's only this," and though Patty's errand had seemed to her simple
+enough before she came in, she now began to wonder how Mrs. Greene
+would take it. "Some friends of mine and I are asking three or four
+people to lunch with us and take a little motor ride on Saturday, and
+I want you to come as my guest?"
+
+"What!" and Mrs. Greene's face was blank with amazement, but her
+manner betokened an impending burst of wrath.
+
+Patty realised that the woman's pride was up in arms at the idea of
+patronage, and she was at her wit's end how to make the real spirit of
+her invitation understood.
+
+As it chanced, she unwittingly took the right tack. So earnest was she
+that her lips quivered a little, and her eyes showed a pleading,
+pathetic expression, as she said, "_Please_ don't misunderstand me,
+Mrs. Greene. If you would enjoy it, I want you to come to our party on
+Saturday as our welcome guest. If you wouldn't enjoy it,--just say
+so,--but--but _don't_ scold me!"
+
+Mrs. Greene looked puzzled, and then the hard, stern mouth broke into
+an actual smile.
+
+"Well, I declare," she said, "I do believe you've got a real heart!"
+
+"And I do believe that _you_ have!" exclaimed Patty. "And, now that we
+know the truth about each other, you'll come, won't you?"
+
+"Tell me about it," and the speaker seemed still uncertain, though
+wavering.
+
+So Patty told her, honestly and straightforwardly, the circumstances
+of the party, and wound up by saying, "I truly want you, Mrs. Greene,
+for the simple reason that I want you to enjoy the afternoon,--and for
+no other reason."
+
+"And I'll come, and be awful glad of the chance! Why, I've never had a
+ride in a motor car in my life, and I've never eaten in one of those
+fandangle hotels; and the way you put it, I'm just crazy to go!"
+
+"Do you have holiday Saturday afternoon?"
+
+"Yes, all these downtown places do."
+
+"Very well, then, I shall expect you at the Plaza at one o'clock. Ask
+for Miss Galbraith, and they will show you right up to her rooms."
+
+"Land! it does seem too good to be true! Say, Miss Fairfield, I've
+only got a black mohair to wear,--will that do?"
+
+"Of course it will. Maybe you've a pretty bit of embroidery or
+something to lighten it up a little."
+
+"Yes, I've got a linjerry collar and cuffs that I've just been achin'
+to wear ever since my sister gave them to me last Christmas."
+
+"Then I shall expect you on Saturday, and I'm so glad."
+
+With a smiling bow, Patty started away, but she saw by Mrs. Greene's
+face, there was something left unsaid.
+
+"What is it?" she asked, kindly, stepping back again to the counter.
+
+"Say, Miss Fairfield," and Mrs. Greene twisted her fingers a little
+nervously, "don't think this is queer,--but won't you wear one of your
+real pretty dresses? I do like to see a pretty, stylish dress,--and I
+never get a chance."
+
+"Of course I will," said Patty, heartily; "I've a brand-new one that
+I've never worn, and I'll honour the occasion with it, on Saturday."
+
+And then Patty went away, greatly pleased at her success.
+
+"Had quite a buzz, didn't yer?" observed the red-headed boy, looking
+at Patty with curiosity, as she passed him.
+
+"Yes, I did. By the way, young man, what is your name?"
+
+"Rosy; should think you'd know without askin'," and he grabbed a bunch
+of his red hair with a comical grin.
+
+"Well, I didn't know whether it was that or Freckles," said Patty, who
+was moved to chaff him, by reason of his good-natured _camaraderie_.
+
+"Might just as well 'a' been," and Rosy grinned wider than ever.
+
+Patty nodded a good-bye, and went on, rapidly turning over in her mind
+a new plan that would include Rosy in some future happy Saturday
+afternoon. But this plan must wait for development, as the coming
+Saturday was enough to occupy her thoughts for the present.
+
+"Home, Miller," she said, as she took her seat. Miller gave a relieved
+sigh, for he was always more or less afraid of Patty's escapades; and
+he didn't like to have her go alone into these strange buildings.
+
+They whizzed homeward, and at luncheon time Patty gave Nan a graphic
+account of her interview with Mrs. Greene.
+
+"I think that's the funniest of all," said Nan, "that she should want
+you to wear your elaborate clothes."
+
+"So do I," said Patty. "We girls had planned to wear our plainest
+dresses, thinking to make our guests feel more at ease. And when
+Madame Greene spoke of her black mohair, I thought I'd even rip the
+trimming off my brown waist! But not so,--far otherwise. So I shall
+get me into that new American Beauty satin, and I hope to goodness it
+will suit her taste. I expect she's fearfully critical."
+
+"Perhaps the other girls' guests won't feel as Mrs. Greene does about
+this matter. What then?"
+
+"Now, Nan, don't stir up trouble! I have only my own guest to look
+after, and I shall dress my part. The others will have to do as
+seemeth unto them best. Oh, Nan, it's going to be heaps of fun!"
+
+"Yes, if it turns out right,--without any awkwardness or embarrassment."
+
+"Oh, you old wet blanket! Now, you know perfectly well, we're doing our
+best. And if we're awkward, we can't help it. We're going this
+afternoon to get the favours. What do you think of little pins,--silver
+gilt, or enamel?"
+
+"They'd be all right, or hatpins, either."
+
+"No, hatpins everybody has. And they don't show, anyhow. That amethyst
+one of mine always hides itself behind a bow or a feather. No; I'm
+sure a nice little round brooch is the best thing."
+
+"How about gloves?"
+
+"Or overshoes? or knitted wash-cloths? Nan, can't I bang it into your
+head that this affair is for pleasure, not profit? Would you give
+_your_ luncheon guests gloves as souvenirs?"
+
+"I suppose you're right, Patty. But it _is_ an experiment."
+
+"Of course it is! And it's going to be a successful one, and the
+forerunner of many others!"
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+Half an hour before luncheon time, Patty walked into Mona's dining-room.
+She wore her new gown of American Beauty satin, softly draped with a
+thin black marquisette, and a soft sash of black satin. Her hat was all
+black, with a Beauty rose tucked under the brim, and resting against her
+fair hair.
+
+Mona surveyed her with delight. "You look unusually well, Patty,--but
+that's not saying anything unusual, for you always look unusually
+well."
+
+"Good gracious, Mona, what kind of English is that? And a doubtful
+compliment beside! But I see you're preoccupied, so I shan't expect
+much appreciation of my new costume. Simple but tasty, isn't it?"
+
+As she spoke, Patty was looking at herself in a long mirror and
+craning her neck to get a view of her back. She was fond of pretty
+clothes, and her new gown, though rich, was really simple in line and
+colouring.
+
+"Your table is beautiful, Mona," she said, suddenly bringing her
+attention from her own raiment to the festal preparation.
+
+The girls had decided that, since Christmas was only about a fortnight
+away, it would be attractive to use Christmas decorations for their
+party. And so the round table showed crossed strips of broad red
+ribbon, under bands of lace, and a central decoration of a real
+Christmas tree, with beautiful fancy ornaments and colored electric
+lights. At each place was an elaborate bonbonnière of Christmas red,
+decked with sprays of holly. The place cards were Christmassy; and the
+little brooches they had bought, were in dainty boxes tied with holly
+ribbon.
+
+"It's perfectly lovely, Mona," said Patty, enthusiastically. "There
+isn't a bit too much of anything, and it's just as cheery and jolly as
+it can be."
+
+"I thought I wouldn't have any flowers on the table," Mona explained,
+"for they didn't go with the other things. So, you see, I've these
+four big bunches of red carnations around the room, and I shall give
+them each one to take home. Of course, I have boxes ready for
+them,--and then, Patty, I thought we'd distribute the Christmas tree
+decorations among them,--and I have the boxes big, so we can put those
+and the place-cards and candy-boxes and souvenirs all in them. And
+then, you know, it won't seem like _giving_ them things; for you know
+yourself how keen people are to take away their place cards and such
+things."
+
+"They are, indeed! I've been _surprised_ the people who have
+_everything_ will gather up their cards and trumpery boxes after a
+luncheon! And your thoughtfulness is lovely, Mona. We'll each give
+them our own place-card and box, too."
+
+"Yes; and then, you see, they'll have quite a few little things for
+their own Christmas, and that will make them remember the 'bright
+spot' all the more."
+
+"Of course it will! Mona, you're a perfect _darling_!" And Patty
+grasped Mona's shoulders and swung her about in a mad dance of
+jubilation.
+
+"And, Patty," Mona went on, "Mr. Lansing wants to help us with our
+Happy Saturdays Club. He says he could go with us some afternoon, to
+take a lot of newsboys to the circus."
+
+"Why, Mona Galbraith!" and Patty stared at her friend in astonishment.
+"Have you been telling _him_ about our club?"
+
+"Yes; of course, I have. It's no secret society, is it?"
+
+"No; but we don't want men for members."
+
+"But, Patty, he would be a help. I'd love to give some of those poor
+little newsboys a good time, and we couldn't do it, just by ourselves."
+
+Suddenly, Patty thought of "Rosy," and her idea of including him in
+some of their plans. To be sure, it would be better to have a man to
+help manage such a project. But not Mr. Lansing!
+
+"No, Mona," she said; "our club is made up of just us four girls, and
+we can find plenty to do among girls or women. At least, for this
+winter. If it's all a success, we can do more next winter, and perhaps
+get some men to help us then. If we want to take newsboys to the
+circus, father will go with us. Don't be everlastingly dragging in
+that Mr. Lansing."
+
+"I'm _not_ dragging him in! He kindly offered to help. But of
+course,--if you don't want him----"
+
+"Well, I don't! And, look here, Mona, I wish you'd let him alone,
+yourself. He's not like the men of our set, and I want you to realise
+that. Roger says he's a bounder,--if you know what that is."
+
+"Pooh! Roger is jealous."
+
+"Yes, I think he is. But, aside from that, he's right about Mr.
+Lansing not being the right kind of a friend for you. Philip Van
+Reypen says the same thing."
+
+"Oh, pshaw! Mr. Van Reypen is an old stuck-up! He thinks nobody is any
+good if they don't begin their names with a Van."
+
+"Now, Mona, don't be silly. I'm sure I don't know what you see so
+admirable in Mr. Lansing, but I do think you ought to be advised by
+others who know better than you. Why, your own father doesn't like
+him."
+
+"I know dad doesn't; but--well, all the same, I _do_! Why, Patty, he's
+awfully interesting, and he brings me flowers and candy and books----"
+
+"Now, stop, Mona. You know you don't care for those things! You can
+have all you want, without Mr. Lansing's gifts. You like him, because
+he flatters you, and--well, I must admit that he has a way with him."
+
+"Oh, yes, Patty, he has! Why, when you know him, he's really
+fascinating!"
+
+"Well, don't let him fascinate you. He's loud, Mona. He's not our
+sort. Now, do promise me to see less of him, won't you? He seems to be
+calling on you very often."
+
+"Yes, he does. But how can I stop that? I can't be rude to him."
+
+"Well, you can be cool. Every girl can discourage a man's attentions,
+if she wants to."
+
+"H'm; you seem to know a great deal about it."
+
+"I only know what my common sense tells me. Mona, dear, _do_ drop that
+man! Why, Roger is worth a dozen of him!"
+
+"Roger's all right,--but Mr. Lansing is so,--so,--well, he's
+different."
+
+"He is, indeed! And that's the trouble. The difference is all in
+Roger's favour, if you only could see it."
+
+"Well, I can't! Now, look here, Patty. You know how much I care for
+you, but I won't have you talking to me like a Dutch Aunt. I made
+father bring me to New York this winter, so I could be near you, and
+we could have fun together. But, if you're going to scold me all the
+time, we won't have any fun at all."
+
+Patty began to realise that, though Mona might be coaxed, she could
+never be driven. So she concluded to drop the subject, and use more
+thought and tact in her endeavours to break up Mona's new friendship.
+
+And then Clementine Morse came, so the matter had to be laid aside.
+
+"Is Jenny here?" asked Clementine, as she tossed off her furs.
+
+"Jenny who?"
+
+"My guest, Jenny Bisbee. She's the ribbon girl I told you about. I had
+the greatest time to get her off for the afternoon. I had to go to
+Walker's, you know, and see all sorts of Heads of Departments. My!
+they acted like Crowned Heads! They said it wouldn't do at all,--it
+would establish a precedent,--and all sorts of things like that. But,
+somehow or other, I wheedled them into it, and at last they said Jenny
+might come. She was just crazy about it. She said, she never has any
+fun in her life, except looking at the new ribbons when they come in!
+Oh, girls, isn't it awful _never_ to have any fun? I expect Jenny will
+be embarrassed, but I'm sure she'll enjoy it all. Oh, how lovely the
+table looks! Mona, you are a wonder! I never should have thought of
+all those Christmas fixings."
+
+"I'm glad you like them. Say, Clementine, don't you think it would be
+nice to have men members in our club?"
+
+"Why, I don't know. No, I guess not, though my brother Clifford says
+it's a great game, and he'd like to help us."
+
+"Yes, and I know another man who wants to help," said Mona, eagerly,
+when Clementine interrupted her.
+
+"I hope it isn't that strange being you brought to Patty's party!
+Wherever _did_ you pick up that freak, Mona?"
+
+"He _isn't_ a freak! Mr. Lansing is not a rich man, but he's very
+exclusive. He told me so himself."
+
+"Don't you believe it!" and Clementine laughed merrily. "As a rule,
+people who say themselves that they're exclusive, are _not_. And one
+glance at that man is enough to show his standing."
+
+"What _is_ his standing, then?" said Mona, sulkily.
+
+"Outside the pale of society, if not outside the pale of civilisation,"
+retorted Clementine, who was plain-spoken.
+
+"Don't let's talk about Mr. Lansing now," broke in Patty, who feared
+an unpleasant element in their pleasant occasion. "And, anyway, here
+comes Elise."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+HAPPY GUESTS
+
+
+Elise came in, bringing her guest with her. The three girls waiting in
+the sitting-room were surprised to see the small, dainty person whom
+Elise introduced as Miss Anna Gorman. She had a sweet, sad little
+face, and wore a simple one-piece gown of dove-grey voile. Her hat was
+grey, also; a turban shape, with a small knot of pink roses at one
+side. Anna was not pretty, but she had a refined air, and a gentle
+manner. Though embarrassed, she strove not to show it, and tried to
+appear at ease.
+
+Mona greeted her cordially: "How do you do, Anna?" she said, for they
+had agreed to call the girls informally, by their Christian names. "I
+am glad to see you. Come with me into the boudoir, and lay off your
+coat." Mona herself assisted, for she thought it better not to have
+her maid about.
+
+"I'm well, thank you," said Anna, in response to Mona's inquiry, and
+then she broke out, impulsively: "Oh, I'm so happy to be here! It was
+so heavenly kind of you young ladies to ask me. You don't _know_ what
+it means to me!"
+
+"Why, I'm very glad," said Mona, touched at the girl's gratitude.
+"Now, I hope you'll just have the time of your life!"
+
+"Oh, I shall, indeed! I know it. I'm enjoying every minute, just being
+in these lovely rooms, and seeing you kind ladies."
+
+Then Mona's manicure girl came. Her name was Celeste Arleson, and she
+was a tall, slender young woman, garbed all in black. It was the gown
+she always wore at her work, and, being of French descent, she had an
+air of charm that made her attractive.
+
+"Good-morning, Celeste; come right in," said Mona, and then she
+introduced her to Anna.
+
+The two looked at each other a little shyly, and then Anna said,
+"Good-morning," in a timid way.
+
+Mona felt embarrassed, too, and began to wonder if their party would
+be a failure, after all.
+
+But Patty came in then and, with her ever-ready tact, took the two
+visitors to the drawing-room, and began to show them some pictures and
+curios.
+
+Then Jenny Bisbee came, the girl from the ribbon counter, whom
+Clementine had invited.
+
+"My, isn't this fine!" she exclaimed, as she met the others. "I just
+do think it's fine!"
+
+"I'm glad we could arrange for you to come," said Clementine,
+cordially.
+
+"Glad! My gracious, I guess I'm glad! Well! if you measured ribbon
+from morning till night, I guess you'd be glad to get away from it for
+once. Why, I measure ribbon in my dreams, from night till morning. I
+can't seem to get away from that everlasting stretching out of
+thirty-six inches, over and over again."
+
+"But the ribbons are so pretty," said Clementine, by way of being
+agreeable.
+
+"Yes; when they first come in. But after a few weeks you get so tired
+of the patterns. My, I feel as if I could throw that Dresden sash
+ribbon on the floor and stamp on it, I'm so tired of seeing it! And
+there's one piece of gay brocade that hits me in the eye every
+morning. I can't stand that piece much longer."
+
+"I'll come round some day, and buy it," said Patty, laughing
+good-naturedly. "I didn't know the ribbons were so individual to you."
+
+"Yes, they are. There's one piece of light blue satin ribbon, plain
+and wide, that I just love. It's a real comfort to me."
+
+Jenny gave a little sigh, as she thought of her favourite ribbon, and
+Patty looked at her in wonderment, that she should be so sensitive to
+colour and texture. But her taste in colours did not seem to extend to
+her clothes. Jenny was a pale little thing, with ashy blonde hair, and
+large, light blue eyes. She wore a nondescript tan-coloured dress,
+without tone or shape; and she had a weary, exhausted air, as if
+chronically tired.
+
+Conversation was a little difficult. The four hostesses tried their
+best to be entertaining without being patronising, but it was not an
+easy task. At least, their advances were not easily received, and the
+guests seemed to be on the alert to resent anything that savoured of
+patronage. But help came from an unexpected quarter. Just at one
+o'clock Mrs. Greene arrived.
+
+"My land!" she exclaimed, as she entered the room, "if this isn't grand!
+I wouldn't of missed it for a farm! You see, I waited out on the corner,
+till it was just one o'clock. I know enough to get to a party just on
+the minute. My bringin' up was good, if I have fell off a little since.
+But my folks was always awful particular people,--wouldn't even take
+their pie in their hands. My husband, now, he was different. He wasn't a
+fool, nor he wasn't much else. But I only had him a year, and then he up
+and got killed in a rolling mill. Nice man, John, but not very
+forth-putting. So I've shifted for myself ever since. Not that I've done
+so awful well. I'm slow, I am. I never was one o' those to sew with a
+hot needle and a scorching thread, but I do my stent right along. But,
+my! how I do rattle on! You might think I don't often go in good
+society. Well, I don't! So I must make the most of this chance."
+
+Mrs. Greene's chatter had been broken in upon by introductions and
+greetings, but that bothered her not at all. She nodded her head
+affably at the different ones, but kept right on talking.
+
+So Mona was fairly obliged to interrupt her.
+
+"Now, let us go out to luncheon," she said, after the maid had
+announced it twice.
+
+"Glad to," said Mrs. Greene. "Oh, my land! what a pretty sight!"
+
+She stood stock still in the doorway, and had to be urged forward, in
+order that the others might follow.
+
+"Well, I didn't know a table _could_ look so handsome!" she went on.
+"My land! I s'pose it's been thirty years since I've went to a real
+party feast, and then, I can tell you, it wasn't much like this!"
+
+Probably not, for Mona's table, with the coloured electric lights
+blazing from the pretty Christmas tree, the soft radiance of the room,
+the fragrance of flowers, the exquisite table appointments, and the
+pretty, kindly hostesses, was a scene well worthy of praise.
+
+Anna Gorman trembled a little as she took her seat, and sat,
+wide-eyed, looking almost as if in a trance of delight. Celeste
+Arleson was less embarrassed, as her profession took her into fine
+mansions and in presence of fashionable people every day.
+
+Jenny Bisbee looked rapturous. "Oh," she said, "Oh! I am _so_ happy!"
+
+The guests all looked a trifle awestruck when the first course
+appeared, of grapefruit, served in tall, slender ice-glasses, each
+with a red ribbon tied round its stem, and a sprig of holly in the
+bow.
+
+"Well, did you ever!" exclaimed Mrs. Greene. "And is this the way they
+do things now? Well, well! It does look 'most too good to eat, but I'm
+ready to tackle it."
+
+Anna Gorman looked a little pained, as if this homely enthusiasm
+jarred upon her sense of fitness. But Mona said hospitably, "Yes,
+indeed, Mrs. Greene,--it's here to be eaten."
+
+"Now, I'm free to confess, I don't know what spoon to take," Mrs.
+Greene acknowledged, looking blankly at the row of flat silver before
+her.
+
+"I know," spoke up Jenny Bisbee, eagerly; "I read it in a Sunday
+paper. You begin at the outside of the row, and eat in!"
+
+"Land! are you sure to come out right, that way? S'pose you had a fork
+left for your ice cream!"
+
+"We'll risk it," said Mona, smiling. "Let's use this spoon at the
+outside, as Jenny suggests."
+
+The second course was clam bouillon, and after it was served, a maid
+passed a dish of whipped cream.
+
+Mrs. Greene watched carefully as Mona placed a spoonful on the top of
+her soup, and then she exclaimed:
+
+"Well, if that don't beat all! What is that, might I ask?"
+
+"Whipped cream," said Mona. "Won't you have some?"
+
+"Well, I will,--as you took some. But if that ain't the greatest! Now,
+just let me tell you. A friend of mine,--she has seen some high
+society,--she was telling me a little how to behave. And she told me
+of a country person she knew, who had some soup in a cup once. And he
+thought it was tea, and he ca'mly puts in milk and sugar! Well, he was
+just kerflum-mixed, that poor man, when he found it was soup! So, my
+friend says, says she: 'Now, Almira, whatever you do, _don't_ put milk
+in your soup!' And, I declare to goodness, here you're doin' just that
+very thing!"
+
+"Well, we won't put any sugar in," said Mona, pleasantly; "but I think
+the cream improves it. You like it, don't you, Jenny?"
+
+"Heavenly!" said Jenny, rolling her eyes up with such a comically
+blissful expression that Elise nearly choked.
+
+As Patty had agreed, the luncheon was good and substantial, rather
+than elaborate. The broiled chicken, dainty vegetables, and pretty
+salad all met the guests' hearty approval and appreciation; and when
+the ice cream was served, Mrs. Greene discovered she had both a fork
+and a spoon at her disposal.
+
+"Well, I never!" she observed. "Ain't that handy, now? I s'pose you
+take whichever one you like."
+
+"Yes," said Mona. "You see, there is strawberry sauce for the ice
+cream, and that makes it seem more like a pudding."
+
+"So it does, so it does," agreed Mrs. Greene, "though, land knows, it
+ain't much like the puddin's I'm accustomed to. Cottage, rice, and
+bread is about the variety we get, in the puddin' line. Not but what
+I'm mighty grateful to get those."
+
+"I like chocolate pudding," said Jenny, in a low voice, and apparently
+with great effort. Patty knew she made the remark because she thought
+it her duty to join in the conversation; and she felt such heroism
+deserved recognition.
+
+"So do I," she said, smiling kindly at Jenny. "In fact, I like
+anything with chocolate in it."
+
+"So do I," returned Jenny, a little bolder under this expressed
+sympathy of tastes. "Once I had a whole box of chocolate candies,--a
+pound box it was. I've got the box yet. I'm awful careful of the lace
+paper."
+
+"I often get boxes of candy," said Celeste, unable to repress this bit
+of vanity. "My customers give them to me."
+
+"My," said Jenny, "that must be fine. Is it grand to be a manicure?"
+
+"I like it," said Celeste, "because it takes me among nice people.
+They're mostly good to me."
+
+"My ladies are nice to me, too," observed Anna. "I only sew in nice
+houses. But I don't see the ladies much. It's different with you, Miss
+Arleson."
+
+"Well, I don't see nice ladies," broke in Jenny. "My, how those queens
+of society can snap at you! Seems 'if they blame me for everything:
+the stock, the price, the slow cash boys,--whatever bothers 'em, it's
+all my fault."
+
+"That is unkind," said Clementine. "But shopping does make some people
+cross."
+
+"Indeed it does!" returned Jenny. "But I'm going to forget it just for
+to-day. When I sit here and see these things, all so beautiful and
+sparkly and bright, I pretend there isn't any shop or shopping in all
+the world."
+
+Jenny's smile was almost roguish, and lighted up her pale face till
+she looked almost pretty.
+
+Then they had coffee, and snapping crackers with caps inside, and they
+put on the caps and laughed at each other's grotesque appearance.
+
+Mrs. Greene's cap was a tri-corne, with a gay cockade, which gave her
+a militant air, quite in keeping with her strong face. Patty had a
+ruffled night-cap, which made her look grotesque, and Anna Gorman had
+a frilled sunbonnet.
+
+Celeste had a Tam o' Shanter, which just suited her piquant face, and
+Jenny had a Scotch cap, which became her well.
+
+"Now," said Mona, as she rose from the table, "I'm going to give you
+each a bunch of these carnations----"
+
+"To take home?" broke in Jenny, unable to repress her eagerness.
+
+"Yes; and I'll have them put in boxes for you, along with your cards
+and souvenirs, which, of course, you must take home also. And, if
+there's room, I'll put in some of these Christmas tree thingamajigs,
+and you can use them for something at Christmas time."
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Jenny; "maybe my two kid brothers won't just about go
+crazy over 'em! Says I to myself, just the other day, 'What's going in
+them kids' stockings is more'n I know; but something there must be.'
+And,--here you are!"
+
+"Here you are!" said Mona, tucking an extra snapping cracker or two in
+Jenny's box.
+
+"We plan to go for a motor ride, now," said Mona. "I wonder if you
+girls are dressed warmly enough."
+
+All declared that they were, but Mona provided several extra cloaks
+and wraps, lest any one should take cold.
+
+"We have two cars for our trip," she explained; "Miss Farrington's
+limousine and my own. Has any one any preference which way we shall
+go?"
+
+"Well," said Mrs. Greene, "if you ask me, I'd like best to ride up
+Fifth Avenue. There ought to be some fine show of dress, a bright
+afternoon like this. And there ain't anything I admire like stylish
+clothes. That's a real handsome gown you got on, Miss Fairfield."
+
+"Do you like it?" said Patty, smiling.
+
+"Yes, I do. It's fashionable of cut, and yet it ain't drawed so tight
+as some. And a becomin' colour, too."
+
+"It's a dandy," observed Jenny. "I see lots of good clothes on my
+customers, but they don't all have such taste as Miss Fairfield's. And
+all you other ladies here," she added, politely, glancing round.
+
+"Now, are we all ready?" asked Mona, looking over the group. "Mrs.
+Greene, I fear you won't be warm enough, though your jacket _is_
+thick, isn't it? But I'm going to throw this boa round your neck, by
+way of precaution. Please wear it; I have another."
+
+"My land! if this ain't luxuriant," and Mrs. Greene smoothed the
+neckpiece and muff that Mona put on her. "What is this fur, Miss
+Galbraith?"
+
+"That is caracul. Do you like it?"
+
+"Like it? Well, I think it's just too scrumptious for anything. I'll
+remember the feel of it for a year. And so genteel looking, too."
+
+"Yes, it's a good fur," said Mona, carelessly throwing a sable scarf
+round her own throat. "Now, let us start."
+
+Down went the eight in an elevator, and Mrs. Greene was overjoyed to
+find that she was attended with quite as much deference as Mona
+herself. Elise and Clementine took their guests in the Farrington car,
+leaving Patty and Mona, with their guests, for the Galbraith car.
+
+Celeste Arleson enjoyed the ride, but she was not so openly enthusiastic
+as Mrs. Greene.
+
+"My!" exclaimed that worthy, as she bobbed up and down on the springy
+cushions; "to think it's come at last! Why, I _never_ expected to ride
+in one of these. I saved up once for a taxicab ride, but I had to use
+my savings for a case of grippe, so I never felt to try it again."
+
+"Did you have grippe?" said Patty, sympathetically; "that was too
+bad."
+
+"Well, no; it wasn't _my_ grippe. Leastways, I didn't have it. It was
+a lady that lived in the same boardin' house, along with me. But she'd
+had misfortune, and lost her money, so I couldn't do no less than to
+help her. Poor thing! she was crossed in love and it made her queer.
+But that Rosy,--you know, that redhead boy, Miss Fairfield?"
+
+"Yes, I do," returned Patty, smiling.
+
+"Well, he says she was queered in love, and it made her cross! She
+works in our place, you know. Well, cross she is; and, my land! if she
+wasn't cross when she had the grippe! You know, it ain't soothin' on
+folks' nerves."
+
+"No," said Patty; "so I've understood. Well, Mrs. Greene, now you can
+see plenty of fashionable costumes. Do you enjoy it?"
+
+"My! I'm just drinkin' 'em in! Furs is worn a lot this year, ain't
+they? Well, I don't wonder. Why, I feel real regal in this fur of
+yours, Miss Galbraith. I don't know when I've had such a pleasure as
+the wearin' of this fur."
+
+"Now, we'll go through the park and up Riverside Drive," said Mona, as
+they neared Eighty-sixth Street. It was pleasant in the Park, and the
+fine motors, with their smartly-apparelled occupants, delighted Mrs.
+Greene's very soul.
+
+"Where would you like to go, Celeste?" asked Mona; "or do you like the
+Park and the River drive?"
+
+"If I might, Miss Galbraith, I'd like to go to Grant's Tomb. I've
+always wanted to go there, but I never can get a spare hour,--or if I
+do, I'm too tired for the trip."
+
+"Certainly, you shall. Would you like that, Mrs. Greene?"
+
+"Oh, land, yes! I've never been there, either. Quite some few times
+I've thought to go, but something always interferes."
+
+So to Grant's Tomb they went. The other car followed, and all went in
+to look at the impressive mausoleum.
+
+"Makes you feel kind o' solemn," said Mrs. Greene, as they came out.
+"Think of lyin' there in that eternal rock, as you might say, and the
+whole nation comin' to weep over your bier."
+
+"They don't all weep," observed Celeste.
+
+"Well, in a manner o' speakin', they do," said Mrs. Greene, gently.
+"Not real tears, maybe; but, you know, to weep over a bier, is a
+figger of speech; and so far as its meanin' goes, Grant's got it. And,
+after all, it's the meanin' that counts."
+
+It was nearing sundown as they started down the Drive, and Mona
+proposed that they go to a tea room, and then take their guests to
+their several homes.
+
+"Oh, how pretty!" said Mrs. Greene, as they all went into the Marie
+Jeannette Tea Room.
+
+The younger girls chose chocolate, but Mrs. Greene said, "Give me a
+cup of tea. There's nothing like it, to my mind. And to think of
+having tea in this beautiful place, all decked with posies. I'll just
+throw this fur a little open, but keep it over my shoulders. It looks
+so luxuriant that way."
+
+Mona ordered dainty sandwiches and little fancy cakes--and after a
+pleasant half-hour they started homeward. They left Celeste at her
+home first, and then took Mrs. Greene to hers.
+
+"I live way down on East Eleventh Street," she said, apologetically;
+"and I oughtn't to let you go clear down there with me. But,--oh,
+well, I might as well own up,--I'd just love to roll up to our door in
+this car!"
+
+"And so you shall," said Mona, appreciating this bit of feminine
+vanity. "And, Mrs. Greene, if you'll accept them, I'd like to make you
+a present of those furs. I don't need them, for I have several other
+sets, and you're very welcome to them."
+
+"My land!" said Mrs. Greene, and then could say no more, for her voice
+choked, and two tears rolled down her cheeks.
+
+"And to think I thought you ladies were stuck up!" she said, in a
+voice of contrition. "Why, two angels straight from Heaven couldn't be
+more kind or whole-soulder than you two are. But, Miss Galbraith, I
+can't accept such a gift,--I--I ought not to."
+
+Mrs. Greene was caressing the fur as she spoke, and Mona patted her
+hand, saying laughingly:
+
+"I couldn't take it away from anybody who loves it as you do. Please
+keep it. I'm more glad to give it to you than you can possibly be to
+have it."
+
+So Mrs. Greene kept the furs,--and her beaming face proved the depth
+of thankfulness which she tried, all inadequately, to express.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+CONFIDENCES
+
+
+Mona went home with Patty to dinner, as she often did when the girls
+had been together during the afternoon.
+
+At the dinner table the elder Fairfields were greatly entertained by
+the account of the first Happy Saturday Afternoon.
+
+"But aren't you afraid," Mr. Fairfield asked, "that such unaccustomed
+luxuries will make those people discontented with their own conditions?"
+
+"Now, father Fairfield," exclaimed Patty, "you ought to know better
+than that! you might as well say that a man in a prison ought never to
+see a ray of sunlight, because it would make him more discontented
+with his dark jail."
+
+"That's true," agreed Nan; "I think it's lovely to give these people
+such a pleasure, and if I can help in any way, Patty, I'll be glad
+to."
+
+"And then it's the memory of it," said Mona.
+
+"You know yourself how pleasant it is to look back and remember any
+pleasure you may have had; and when it's only one, and such a big one,
+the pleasure of remembrance is even greater."
+
+"That's good philosophy, Mona," said Mr. Fairfield, approvingly, "and
+I take back what I said. I think the plans you girls have made are
+excellent; and I, too, will be glad to help if I can."
+
+"Other people have offered to help us," began Mona, but Patty
+interrupted her, saying: "We don't want any help from people
+individually. I mean, father, if you will lend us the car, and things
+like that, we'll be glad, of course. But we don't want any personal
+assistance in our plans."
+
+"All right, chickadee; far be it from me to intrude. But I thought
+perhaps if you wanted to make a little excursion, say, to see the
+Statue of Liberty, or even to go to the circus, you might like a man
+along with you as a Courier General."
+
+"That's just what Mr. Lansing said!" exclaimed Mona, which was the
+very remark Patty had been fearing.
+
+"That's just what we're _not_ going to do!" she declared. "We're only
+going to places where we can go by ourselves, or if we need a
+chaperon, we'll take Nan. But we don't want any men in on this deal."
+
+"I don't see why," began Mona, but Patty promptly silenced her by
+saying, "You _do_ see why. Now, Mona, don't say anything more about
+it. There isn't any circus now, and it's time enough when it comes, to
+decide about going to it; and I don't want to go, anyway. There are
+lots of things nicer than a circus."
+
+"Mr. Lansing said he'd send us a box for the Hippodrome, some Saturday
+afternoon," said Mona, a little diffidently.
+
+"That's awfully kind of him," said Nan. "I should think you girls
+would be delighted with that."
+
+"A box," and Patty looked scornful. "Why, a box only holds six, so
+with us four, we could only invite two guests. I don't think much of
+that scheme!"
+
+"I'll donate a box also," said Mr. Fairfield. "You can get them
+adjoining, and with two of you girls in one and two in the other, you
+can invite eight guests."
+
+Patty hesitated. The plan sounded attractive, and she quickly thought
+that she could invite Rosy for one of the guests and give the boy a
+Happy Saturday Afternoon. But she didn't want to accept anything from
+Mr. Lansing, though she couldn't quite bring herself to say so,
+frankly.
+
+"What's the matter, Patty?" asked Nan. "You don't like the idea of the
+Hippodrome, though I don't see why."
+
+"I _do_ like it," said Patty, "but we can't decide these things in a
+minute. We ought to have a meeting of the club and talk it over."
+
+"Nonsense," said Mona. "You know very well, Patty, it isn't a formal
+club. I'm going to accept these two Hippodrome boxes, and tell the
+girls that we can each invite two guests. The Hippodrome show is
+lovely this year, and anybody would like it, whether children or
+grown-ups. And we're much obliged to you, Mr. Fairfield."
+
+"You're taking a great deal upon yourself, Mona," said Patty. "You're
+not president of the club."
+
+"Neither are you."
+
+"Well, _I'm_ not dictating how things shall be run."
+
+"Well, I _am_! So all you'll have to do, is to run along with me."
+
+Mona was so laughingly good-natured that Patty's serious face broke
+into a smile, too. She was annoyed at the idea of being under
+obligation to Mr. Lansing, but, after all, it was hardly fair to stand
+in the way of eight people's pleasure. So she surrendered gracefully.
+
+"All right, Mona," she said; "we'll have the Hippodrome party. I know
+one guest I shall invite, who's sure to enjoy it. He's a boy about
+fourteen, and the funniest thing you ever saw."
+
+"I'd like to take children, too," said Mona; "but I don't know many. I
+think I'll ask Celeste's two little sisters."
+
+It was characteristic of Patty not to dwell on anything unpleasant, so
+having made up her mind to accept Mr. Lansing's favour, she entered
+heartily into the plan for the next party.
+
+But after dinner, when the girls were alone in Patty's boudoir, she
+said to Mona, seriously, "You know I didn't want to take that box from
+Mr. Lansing."
+
+"Of course I know it, Patty," and Mona smiled, complacently. "But I
+made you do it, didn't I? I knew I should in the end, but your father
+helped me unexpectedly, by offering a second box. Now, Pattikins, you
+may as well stop disliking Mr. Lansing. He's my friend, and he's going
+to stay my friend. He may have some faults, but everybody has."
+
+"But, Mona, he isn't our sort at all. I don't see _why_ you like him."
+
+"He mayn't be your sort, but he's mine; and I like him because I like
+him! That's the only reason that anybody likes anybody. You think
+nobody's any good unless they have all sorts of aristocratic ancestry!
+Like that Van Reypen man who's always dangling after you."
+
+"He isn't dangling now," said Patty. "I haven't seen him since my
+party."
+
+"You haven't! Is he mad at you?"
+
+"Yes; he and Roger are both mad at me; and all on account of your old
+Mr. Lansing!"
+
+"Yes, Roger's mad at me, too, on account of that same poor,
+misunderstood young gentleman. But they'll get over it. Don't worry,
+Patty."
+
+"Mona, I'd like to shake you! I might just as well reason with the
+Rock of Gibraltar as to try to influence _you_. Don't you know that
+your father asked me to try to persuade you to drop that Lansing man?"
+
+Patty had not intended to divulge this confidence of Mr. Galbraith,
+but she was at her wit's end to find some argument that would carry
+any weight with her headstrong friend.
+
+"Oh, daddy!" said Mona, carelessly. "He talks to me by the hour, and I
+just laugh at him and drum tunes on his dear old bald head. He hasn't
+anything, really, against Mr. Lansing, you know; it's nothing but
+prejudice."
+
+"A very well-founded prejudice, then! Why, Mona, that man isn't fit
+to--to----"
+
+"To worship the ground I walk on," suggested Mona, calmly. "Well, he
+does, Patty, so you may as well stop interfering."
+
+"Oh, if you look upon it as interfering!"
+
+"Well, I don't know what you call it, if not that. But I don't mind.
+Go ahead, if it amuses you. But I'm sorry if my affairs make trouble
+between you and your friends. However, I don't believe Mr. Van Reypen
+will stay angry at you very long. And as for Roger,--well, I wouldn't
+worry about him. Of course, you're going to Elise's dance on Tuesday
+night?"
+
+"Yes, of course. And I've no doubt I'll make up with Roger, then; but
+I don't know about Philip. I doubt if he'll be there."
+
+"I haven't the least doubt. Where you are, there will Mr. Van Reypen
+be, also,--if he can possibly get an invitation."
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+Mona was right in her opinion. At Elise's dance on Tuesday night,
+almost the first man Patty saw, as she entered the drawing-room, was
+Philip Van Reypen. He greeted her pleasantly, but with a certain
+reserve quite different from his usual eager cordiality.
+
+"May I have a dance, Miss Fairfield?" he said, holding out his hand
+for her card.
+
+Quick-witted Patty chose just the tone that she knew would irritate
+him. "Certainly, Mr. Van Reypen," she said, carelessly, and as she
+handed him her card, she turned to smile at another man who was just
+coming to speak to her. When Philip handed back her card, she took it
+without looking at it, or at him, and handed it to Mr. Drayton,
+seemingly greatly interested in what dances he might select.
+
+Van Reypen looked at her a moment in amazement. He had intended to be
+cool toward her, but the tables were turned, and she was decidedly
+cool toward him.
+
+However, his look of surprise was not lost upon Miss Patricia
+Fairfield, who saw him out of the corner of her eye, even though she
+was apparently engrossed with Mr. Drayton.
+
+And then, as usual, Patty was besieged by several men at once, all
+begging for dances, and her card was quickly filled.
+
+"What _can_ I do with so many suitors?" she cried, raising her hands
+in pretty bewilderment, as her card was passed from one to another.
+"Don't take all the dances, please; I want to save some for my special
+favourites."
+
+"Meaning me?" said Kenneth Harper, who had just joined the group in
+time to hear Patty's remark.
+
+"You, for one," said Patty, smiling on him, "but there are seventeen
+others."
+
+"I'm two or three of the seventeen," said Roger, gaining possession of
+the card. "May I have three, Patty?"
+
+One look flashed from Roger's dark eyes to Patty's blue ones, and in
+that glance their foolish little quarrel was forgiven and forgotten.
+
+Roger had a big, generous nature, and so had Patty, and with a smile
+they were good friends again.
+
+Patty's mind worked quickly. She had no intention of giving Roger
+three dances, but she saw that he and Mona were not yet on speaking
+terms. So she nodded assent, as he scribbled his initials in three
+places, thinking to herself that before the evening was over, two of
+them should be transferred to Mona's card.
+
+Patty was looking lovely in pale blue chiffon with tiny French
+rosebuds of pink satin adorning it here and there. Her golden hair was
+clustered in becoming puffs and curls, tucked into a little net of
+gold mesh, with coquettish bunches of rosebuds above each ear.
+
+But, though Patty was pretty and wore lovely clothes, her chief charm
+was her happy, smiling face and her gay, good-natured friendliness. She
+smiled on everybody, not with a set smile of society, but in a frank,
+happy enjoyment of the good time she was having, and appreciation of
+the good time that everybody else helped her to have.
+
+"You are all so kind to me," she was saying to Robert Kenton, who had
+just come in; "and I want to thank you, Mr. Kenton, for the beautiful
+flowers you sent. I do love valley lilies, they're so--so----"
+
+"They're so sentimental," suggested Rob Kenton, smiling.
+
+"Well, yes,--if you mean them to be," said Patty, dimpling at him.
+"Any flower is sentimental, if the sender means it so."
+
+"Or if the receiver wants it to be. Did you?" and Kenton smiled back
+at her.
+
+"Oh, yes, of _course_ I do!" And Patty put on an exaggeratedly soulful
+look. "I'm _that_ sentimental you wouldn't believe! But I forget the
+language of flowers. What do lilies of the valley mean,--especially
+with orchids in the middle of the bunch?"
+
+"Undying affection," responded Kenton, promptly. "Do you accept it?"
+
+"I'd be glad to, but I suppose that means it lasts for ever and
+ever,--so you needn't ever send me any more flowers!"
+
+"Oh, it isn't as undying as all that! It needs to be revived sometimes
+with fresh flowers."
+
+"It's a little too complicated for me to think it out now," and Patty
+smiled at him, roguishly. "Besides, here are more suitors approaching;
+so if you'll please give me back my card, Mr. Kenton,--though I don't
+believe there's room for another one."
+
+"Not one?" said the man who took it, disappointedly; for sure enough,
+every space was filled. "But there'll be an extra or two. May I have
+one of those?"
+
+"Oh, I never arrange those in advance," said Patty. "My partners take
+their chances on those. But I'll give you half of this dance," and she
+calmly cut in two the one dance against which Philip Van Reypen had
+set his aristocratic initials.
+
+Then the dancing began, and what with the fine music, the perfect
+floor, and usually good partners, Patty enjoyed herself thoroughly.
+She loved dancing, and being accomplished in all sorts of fancy
+dances, could learn any new or intricate steps in a moment.
+
+After a few dances she found herself whirling about the room with
+Roger, and she determined to carry out her plan of reconciling him and
+Mona. Mr. Lansing was not at the dance, for Elise had positively
+declined to invite him; and so, though Mona was there, she was rather
+cool to Elise, and favoured Roger only with a distant bow as a
+greeting.
+
+"You and Mona are acting like two silly idiots," was Patty's somewhat
+definite manner of beginning her conversation.
+
+"You think so?" said Roger, as he guided her skilfully round another
+couple who were madly dashing toward them.
+
+"Yes, I do. And, Roger, I want you to take my advice and make up with
+her."
+
+"I've nothing to make up."
+
+"Yes, you have, too. You and Mona are good friends, or have been, and
+there's no reason why you should act as you do."
+
+"There's a very good reason; and he has most objectionable manners,"
+declared Roger, looking sulky.
+
+"I don't like his manners, either; but I tell you honestly, Roger,
+you're going about it the wrong way. I know Mona awfully well,--better
+than you do. And she's proud-spirited, and even a little contrary, and
+if you act as you do toward her, you simply throw her into the arms of
+that objectionable-mannered man!"
+
+"Good Heavens, Patty, what a speech!"
+
+"Well, of course, I don't mean literally, but if you won't speak to
+her at all, on account of Mr. Lansing, why of course she's going to
+feel just piqued enough to smile on him all the more. Can't you
+understand that?"
+
+"Let her!" growled Roger.
+
+"No, we won't let her,--any such thing! I don't like that man a bit
+better than you do, but do you suppose I'm going to show it by being
+unkind and mean to Mona? That's not tactful."
+
+"I don't want to be tactful. I want him to let her alone."
+
+"Well, you can't make him do that, unless you shoot him; and that
+means a lot of bother all round."
+
+"It might be worth the bother."
+
+"Don't talk nonsense, I'm in earnest. You're seriously fond of Mona,
+aren't you, Roger?"
+
+"Yes, I am; or rather, I was until that cad came between us."
+
+"He isn't exactly a cad," said Patty, judicially. "I do believe in
+being fair, and while the man hasn't all the culture in the world, he
+is kind-hearted and----"
+
+"And awfully good to his mother, let us hope," and Roger smiled, a
+little sourly. "Now, Patty girl, you'd better keep your pretty little
+fingers out of this pie. It isn't like you to interfere in other
+people's affairs, and I'd rather you wouldn't."
+
+"Oh, fiddle-de-fudge, Roger! I'm not interfering, and it _is_ my
+affair. Mona is my affair, and so are you; and now your Aunt Patty is
+going to bring about a reconciliation."
+
+"Not on my part," declared Roger, stoutly;
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+MORE MAKING UP
+
+
+After the sixth dance was over, Patty asked her partner to bring Mr.
+Everson to her, and then she awaited his coming on a little sofa in an
+alcove.
+
+If Eugene Everson was surprised at the summons, he did not show it,
+but advanced courteously, and took a seat by Patty's side. He had a
+dance engaged with her much later in the evening, so Patty said,
+pleasantly:
+
+"Mr. Everson, don't think my request strange, but won't you exchange
+our later dance for this number seven?"
+
+"I would gladly, Miss Fairfield, but I'm engaged for this."
+
+"Yes, I know," and Patty favoured him with one of her most bewitching
+smiles; "but the lady is Miss Galbraith, as I happen to know, and Miss
+Galbraith is a very dear friend of mine, and,--oh, well, it's a matter
+of 'first aid to the injured.' I don't want to tell you all about it,
+Mr. Everson, but the truth is, I want Miss Galbraith to dance this
+number with another man,--because,--because----"
+
+It was not quite so easy as Patty had anticipated. She didn't want to
+go so far as to explain the real situation, and she became suddenly
+aware that she was somewhat embarrassed. Her face flushed rosy pink,
+and she cast an appealing glance from her violet-blue eyes into the
+amused face of the man beside her.
+
+"I haven't an idea of what it is all about, Miss Fairfield, but please
+consider me entirely at the orders of yourself and Miss Galbraith. A
+man at a party is at best but a puppet to dance at the bidding of any
+fair lady. And what better fortune could I ask than to be allowed to
+obey your decree?"
+
+Patty was greatly relieved when he took the matter thus lightly. In
+whimsical conversation she was on her own ground, and she responded
+gaily: "Let it remain a mystery, then; and obey as a noble knight a
+lady's decree. Dance with me, and trust it to me that Miss Galbraith
+is also obeying a decree of mine."
+
+"For a small person, you seem to issue decrees of surprising number
+and rapidity," and Everson, who was a large man, looked down at Patty
+with an air of amusement.
+
+"Yes, sir," said Patty, demurely, "I'm accustomed to it. Decrees are
+my strong point. I issue them 'most all the time."
+
+"And are they always obeyed?"
+
+"Alas, noble sir, not always. Though I'm not sure that your question
+is as flattering as the remarks most young men make to me."
+
+"Perhaps not. But when you know me better, Miss Fairfield, you'll find
+out that I'm very different from the common herd."
+
+"Really? How interesting! I hope I shall know you better very soon,
+for I adore unusual people."
+
+"And do unusual people adore you?"
+
+"I can't tell; I've never met one before," and after the briefest of
+saucy glances, Patty dropped her eyes demurely.
+
+"Aren't you one yourself?"
+
+"Oh, no!" And Patty looked up with an air of greatest surprise; "I'm
+just a plain little every-day girl."
+
+"You're a plain little coquette, that's what you are!"
+
+"You are indeed unusual, sir, to call me plain!" and Patty looked
+about as indignant as an angry kitten.
+
+"Perhaps, when I know you better, I may change my opinion of your
+plainness. Will you dance now?"
+
+The music had been playing for some moments, and signifying her
+assent, Patty rose, and they joined the dancers who were circling the
+floor. Mr. Everson was a fine dancer, but he was all unprepared for
+Patty's exquisite perfection in the art.
+
+"Why, Miss Fairfield," he said, unable to suppress his admiration, "I
+didn't know anybody danced like you, except professionals."
+
+"Oh, yes, I'm a good dancer," said Patty, carelessly; "and so are you,
+for that matter. Do you think they've made up?"
+
+"Who?"
+
+"Miss Galbraith and Mr. Farrington. See, we're just passing them. Oh,
+I'm afraid they haven't!"
+
+It was difficult to judge by the glance they obtained in passing, but
+Patty declared that both Mona's and Roger's faces looked like thunder
+clouds.
+
+"Give them a little longer," said Mr. Everson, who began to see how
+matters stood.
+
+"Perhaps another round, and we will find them smiling into each
+other's eyes."
+
+But when they next circled the long room, Mona and Roger were nowhere
+to be seen.
+
+"Aha," said Everson, "the conservatory for theirs! It must be all
+right! Shall we trail 'em?"
+
+"Yes," said Patty. "I don't care if they see us. Let's walk through
+the conservatory."
+
+They did so, and spied Mona and Roger sitting under a group of palms,
+engaged in earnest conversation. They were not smiling, but they were
+talking very seriously, with no indication of quarrelling.
+
+"I guess it's all right," said Patty, with a little sigh. "It's
+awfully nice to have friends, Mr. Everson, but sometimes they're a
+great care; aren't they?"
+
+"If you'll let me be your friend, Miss Fairfield, I'll promise never
+to be a care, and I'll help you to care for your other cares."
+
+"Goodness, what a complicated offer! If I could straighten all those
+cares you speak of, I might decide to take you as a friend. I think I
+will, anyway,--you were so nice about giving me this dance."
+
+"I was only too delighted to do so, Miss Fairfield."
+
+"Thank you. You know it is in place of our other one, number sixteen."
+
+"Oh, we must have that also."
+
+"No, it was a fair exchange. You can get another partner for sixteen."
+
+"But I don't want to. If you throw me over, I shall sit in a corner
+and mope."
+
+"Oh, don't do that! Well, I'll tell you what, I'll give you half of
+sixteen, and you can mope the other half."
+
+And then Patty's next partner claimed her, and Mr. Everson went away.
+
+Having done all she could in the matter of conciliating Mona and
+Roger, Patty bethought herself of her own little tiff with Philip Van
+Reypen. It did not bother her much, for she had little doubt that she
+could soon cajole him back to friendship, and she assured herself that
+if she couldn't, she didn't care.
+
+And so, when he came to claim his dance, which was the last before
+supper, Patty met him with an air of cool politeness, which greatly
+irritated the Van Reypen pride.
+
+He had thought, had even hoped, Patty would be humble and repentant,
+but she showed no such attitude, and the young man was slightly at a
+loss as to what manner to assume, himself.
+
+But he followed her lead, and with punctilious courtesy asked her to
+dance, and they stepped out on to the floor.
+
+For a few rounds they danced in silence, and then Philip said, in a
+perfunctory way: "You're enjoying this party?"
+
+"I have been, up to this dance," and Patty smiled pleasantly, as she
+spoke.
+
+"And you're not enjoying yourself now?" Philip said, suppressing his
+desire to shake her.
+
+"Oh, _no_, sir!" and Patty looked at him with big, round eyes.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"I don't like to dance with a man who doesn't like me."
+
+"I _do_ like you, you silly child."
+
+"Oh, no, you don't, either! and I'm _not_ a silly child."
+
+"And you're not enjoying this dance with me?"
+
+"Not a bit!"
+
+"Then there's no use going on with it," and releasing her, Philip
+tucked one of her hands through his arm, and calmly marched her into
+the conservatory. The seat under the palms was vacant, and as she took
+her place in one corner of it, he poked one or two cushions deftly
+behind her back and made her entirely comfortable. Then he sat down
+beside her.
+
+"Now," he commanded, "say you're sorry."
+
+"Sorry for what?"
+
+"That you carried on with that horrid man and spoiled our friendship."
+
+"Didn't carry on, and he isn't a horrid man, and our friendship isn't
+spoiled, and I'm not sorry."
+
+"Not sorry that our friendship isn't spoiled?"
+
+"No; 'course I'm not! You don't s'pose I want it to be spoiled, do
+you?"
+
+"Well, you certainly did all in your power to spoil it."
+
+"Now, look here, Philip Van Reypen, I've already exhausted myself this
+evening patching up one spoiled friendship, and it's just about worn
+me out! Now if ours needs any patching up, you'll have to do it
+yourself. I shan't raise a finger toward it!"
+
+Patty leaned back among her pillows, looking lovely and provoking. She
+tried to scowl at him, but her dimples broke through the scowl and
+turned it into a smile. Whereupon, she dropped her eyes, and tried to
+assume a look of bored indifference.
+
+Van Reypen looked at her. "So she won't raise a finger, won't she? And
+I've got to do it myself, have I? Well, then, I suppose I'll have to
+raise her finger for her." Patty's hand was lying idly in her lap, and
+he picked up her slender pink forefinger slowly, and with an
+abstracted air. "I don't know how raising a finger helps to patch up a
+spoiled friendship," he went on, as if to himself, "but she seems to
+think it does, and so, of course, it does! Well, now, mademoiselle,
+your finger is raised,--is our quarrel all patched up?"
+
+Philip held her finger in one hand, and clasped her whole hand with
+the other, as he smiled into her eyes, awaiting an answer to his
+question.
+
+Patty looked up suddenly, and quickly drew her hand away.
+
+"Unhand me, villain!" she laughed, "and don't bother about our
+friendship! I'm not worrying over it."
+
+"You needn't, little girl," and Philip's voice rang true. "Nothing can
+_ever_ shake it! And I apologise for my foolish anger. If you want to
+affect the society of men I don't like,--of course I've no right to
+say a word, and I won't. At any rate, not now, for I don't want to
+spoil this blessed making-up with even a thought of anything
+unpleasant."
+
+"Now, that's real nice of you, Philip," and Patty fairly beamed at
+him. "It's so nice to be friends again, after being near-not-friends!"
+
+"Yes, milady, and you made up just in time. Aunty Van is having an
+opera party to-morrow night, and she wants you to go."
+
+"Are you going?" and Patty put her fingertip in her mouth, and looked
+babyishly at him.
+
+"Oh, don't let that influence you. Decide for yourself."
+
+"Well, since _you_ don't care whether I go or not, I believe I won't
+go."
+
+"Foolish child! Of course you'll go. And then, as you know very well,
+wild horses couldn't keep me away."
+
+"How do wild horses keep people away? They must be trained to do it.
+And _then_, they're not wild horses any more."
+
+"What foolishness you do talk! Well, will you go to the opera with
+us?"
+
+"Yes, and thank you kindly, sir. Or, rather, I thank your august aunt
+for the invitation."
+
+"No, thank me. As a matter of fact, I made up the party. So it's
+really mine, though I accept Aunty Van's box for the occasion."
+
+"'Tis well, fair sir. I thank thee greatly. What may I do for thee in
+return?"
+
+Patty clasped her hands and looked a pretty suppliant, begging a
+favour.
+
+"Give me half a dozen more dances," replied Philip, taking her card to
+look at.
+
+"Not one left," said Patty, calmly.
+
+"And most of them halves!" exclaimed Philip. "What a belle you are,
+Patty!"
+
+"All the girls are," she returned, carelessly, which, however, was not
+quite true. "But I'll tell you what I will do. I'll give you half of
+number sixteen. That's Mr. Everson's, but I'll divide it. I told him I
+should."
+
+"You little witch! Did you save it for me?"
+
+"M--m----," and Patty slowly wagged her head up and down.
+
+"That was dear of you! But don't you think for a minute that's all I'm
+going to have! There'll be an extra or two, and I claim them all!"
+
+"Hear the man talk!" exclaimed Patty. "Why, I do believe they're
+beginning an extra now! Mr. Van Reypen, won't you dance it with me?"
+Patty jumped up and stood before him, lightly swaying in time to the
+music.
+
+Philip sat looking at her, entranced by the pretty vision; and even
+before he could rise, Kenneth Harper came to Patty, and obeying a
+sudden coquettish impulse, she put her hand lightly on Kenneth's
+shoulder and they danced away.
+
+Philip Van Reypen sat looking after them, smiling.
+
+"What a transparent child she is," he thought to himself. "Her pretty
+little coquetries are like the gambols of a kitten. Now, she thinks
+I'm going to be annoyed at losing this dance with her. Well,--I
+am,--but I don't propose to quarrel with her about it."
+
+And then Patty and Kenneth came dancing back again; and Patty calmly
+told Mr. Van Reypen it was his turn now.
+
+Philip took her hand and they started off, and when that dance was
+finished it was supper-time.
+
+As usual, Patty and her most especial friends grouped in some pleasant
+corner for supper. But, looking about, she missed a familiar face.
+
+"Where is Christine Farley?" she said. "She always has supper with us.
+Do you know where she is, Mr. Hepworth?"
+
+Gilbert Hepworth drew near Patty, and spoke in a low voice: "I think
+she has gone to the dressing-room," he said. "I wish you'd go up and
+see her, Patty."
+
+A little startled at his serious face, Patty ran upstairs, to Elise's
+room, where she had taken off her wraps.
+
+There was Christine, who had thrown herself on a couch, and buried her
+face in the pillows.
+
+"Why, Christine, what is the matter, dear?" and Patty laid her hand
+gently on Christine's hair.
+
+"Oh, Patty, don't speak to me! I am not fit to have you touch me!"
+
+"Good gracious, Christine, what _do_ you mean?" and Patty began to
+think her friend had suddenly lost her mind.
+
+"I'm a bad, wicked girl! You were my friend, and now I've done an
+awful, dreadful thing! But, truly, _truly_, Patty, I didn't mean to!"
+
+"Christine Farley, stop this foolishness! Sit up here this minute, and
+tell me what you're talking about! I believe you're crazy."
+
+Christine sat up, her pale hair falling from its bands, and her eyes
+full of tears.
+
+"I've--I've--stolen----" she began.
+
+"Oh, you goose! _do_ go on! What have you stolen? A pin from Elise's
+pin cushion,--or some powder from her puff-box? Another dab on your
+nose would greatly improve your appearance,--if you ask me! It's as
+red as a beet!"
+
+"Patty, don't giggle! I'm serious. Oh, Patty, _Patty_, _do_ forgive
+me!"
+
+"I'll forgive you _anything_, if you'll tell me what's the matter, and
+convince me that you haven't lost your mind. Now, Christine, don't you
+_dare_ ask me to forgive you again, until you tell me _what for_!"
+
+"Well, you see, you were away all summer."
+
+"Yes, so I was," agreed Patty, in bewilderment.
+
+"And you have been so busy socially this fall and winter, I haven't
+seen much of you."
+
+"No," agreed Patty, still more deeply mystified.
+
+"And--and--Gil--Mr. Hepworth hasn't either----"
+
+"Oh!" cried Patty, a great light breaking in upon her; "oh,--oh!--OH!!
+Christine, do you _mean_ it? Oh, how perfectly _lovely_! I'm _so_
+glad!"
+
+"You're glad?" and Christine opened her eyes in amazement.
+
+"Why, of _course_ I'm glad, you silly! Did you think _I_ wanted him?
+Oh, you Blessed Goose!"
+
+"Oh, Patty, I'm _so_ relieved. You see, I thought you looked upon him
+as your especial property. I know he cared a lot for you,--he still
+does. But----"
+
+"But he and I are about as well suited as chalk and cheese! Whereas,
+he's just the one for you! Oh, Christine, darling, I'm delighted! May
+I tell? Can we announce it to-night?"
+
+"Oh, no! You see, he just told me to-night. And I felt guilty at once.
+I knew I had stolen him from you."
+
+"Oh, Christine, _don't_! Don't say such things! He wasn't mine to
+steal. We've always been friends, but I never cared for him _that_
+way."
+
+"That's what he said; but I felt guilty all the same."
+
+"Well, stop it, right now! Mr. Hepworth is lovely; he's one of the
+best friends I ever had, and if I have any claim on his interest or
+affection, I'm only too glad to hand it over to you. Now, brace up,
+powder your nose, and come down to supper. And you needn't think you
+can keep this thing secret! I won't tell,--but your two faces will
+give it away at once. Don't blame _me_ if people guess it!"
+
+"Don't let them, Patty; not to-night. Keep me by you, and right after
+supper I'll go home."
+
+"All right, girlie; just as you like. But don't look at G. H. or
+you'll betray your own dear little heart."
+
+However, they reckoned without the other interested party.
+
+When the two girls came downstairs, smiling, and with their arms about
+each other, Mr. Hepworth went to meet them, and drew Christine's arm
+through his own with an unmistakable air of proprietorship. Christine's
+blushes, and Patty's smiles, confirmed Hepworth's attitude, and a shout
+of understanding went up from their group of intimates.
+
+"Yes, it's so," said Patty; "but I promised Christine I wouldn't
+tell!"
+
+And then there were congratulations and good wishes from everybody,
+and the pretty little Southern girl was quite overcome at being so
+suddenly the centre of attraction.
+
+"It's perfectly lovely," said Patty, holding out her hand to Hepworth,
+"and I'm as glad for you as I can be,--and for Christine, too."
+
+"Thank you, Patty," he returned, and for a moment he held her eyes
+with his own. Then he said, "Thank you," again, and turned away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A DELIGHTFUL INVITATION
+
+
+Patty was singing softly to herself, as she fluttered around her
+boudoir at a rather late hour the next morning. Robed in a soft blue
+silk négligée, with her golden curls tucked into a little lace
+breakfast cap, she now paused to take a sip of chocolate or a bit of a
+roll from her breakfast tray, then danced over to the window to look
+out, or back to her desk to look up her calendar of engagements for
+the day.
+
+"What a flutter-budget you are, Patty," said Nan, appearing at the
+doorway, and pausing to watch Patty's erratic movements.
+
+Patty flew across the room and greeted her stepmother with an
+affectionate squeeze, and then flew back and dropped comfortably on
+the couch, tucking one foot under her, and thereby dropping off a
+little blue silk boudoir slipper as she did so.
+
+"Oh, Nan!" she began, "it was the most exciting party ever! What _do_
+you think? Christine and Mr. Hepworth are engaged!"
+
+"Christine! and Gilbert Hepworth!" and Nan was quite as surprised at
+the news as Patty could desire.
+
+"Yes, isn't it great! and oh, Nan, what _do_ you think? Christine was
+all broken up,--crying in fact,--because,--did you ever know anything
+so ridiculous?--because she thought she was taking him away from me!"
+
+Nan looked at Patty a little curiously. "Well; you must know, Patty,
+he certainly thought a great deal of you."
+
+"Of course he did! And of course he _does!_--You speak as if he were
+dead!--and I think a great deal of him, and I think a heap of
+Christine, and I think they are perfectly suited to each other, and I
+think it's all just lovely! Don't you?"
+
+"Yes," said Nan, slowly. "Then, you didn't care for him especially,
+Patty?"
+
+"Good gracious, Nan, if you mean was I in love with him, I sure was
+_not!_ Little girls like me don't fall in love with elderly gentlemen;
+and this particular little girl isn't falling in love anyway. Why,
+Nan, I'm only just out, and I do perfectly adore being out! I want
+three or four years of good, solid outness before I even think of
+falling in love with anybody. Of course I shall marry eventually, and
+be a beautiful, lovely housekeeper, just exactly like you. But, if you
+remember, my lady, you were some few years older than nineteen when
+you married my revered father."
+
+"That's true enough, Patty, and I can tell you I'm glad I didn't
+accept any of the young men who asked me before Fred did."
+
+"I'm jolly glad, too; and father was in luck when he got you. But
+you're not going to be rid of me yet for a long time, I can tell you
+that much. Well, more things happened last night. Philip and I made up
+our quarrel,--which wasn't much of a quarrel anyway,--and Roger and
+Mona are pretty much at peace again; though, if Mona keeps on with
+that Lansing idiot, Roger won't stand it much longer. And I'm going to
+the opera to-night in the Van Reypen box, and I'm going skating
+to-morrow,--oh, there's the mail!"
+
+Patty jumped up and ran to take the letters from Jane, who brought in
+a trayful.
+
+"Quite a bunch for you, Nansome," and Patty tossed a lot of letters in
+Nan's lap. "And a whole lot of beautiful, fat envelopes for me. 'Most
+all invitations, as you can see at a glance. Two or three requests for
+charity,--they show on the outside, too. A few bills, a few circulars
+and advertisements, and all the rest invitations. Isn't it gorgeous,
+Nan, to be invited to such heaps of things?"
+
+"Don't wear yourself out, Patty," returned Nan, a little
+absent-mindedly, being absorbed in a letter from her mother.
+
+Having weeded out the more interesting looking letters, Patty returned
+to her sofa, and curled up there with both feet under her, looking
+like a very pretty and very civilised little Turk. With a slender
+paper cutter she slashed all the envelopes, and then went through them
+one by one, making running comments of delight or indifference as she
+read the various contents.
+
+But suddenly a more excited exclamation broke from her. "Oh, my
+goodness, gracious, sakes alive!" she cried. "Nan, _will_ you listen
+to this!"
+
+"Wait a minute, honey, till I finish this letter," and Nan went on
+reading to herself.
+
+Patty dashed through eight pages of sprawly penmanship, and as soon as
+she finished she read it all over again.
+
+"Now, Miss Fairfield, what's it all about?" and Nan folded her own
+letter and returned it to its envelope.
+
+"Well, in a nutshell, it's a Christmas Country House Party! Could
+anything be more delightfuller?"
+
+"Who, where, what, when?" And Nan patiently awaited further
+enlightenment.
+
+"Oh, Nan, it's _too_ gorgeous!" And Patty's eyes ran through the letter
+again. "You know Adèle Kenerley, who was down at Mona's last
+summer,--well, she and Jim have bought a place at Fern Falls,--wherever
+that may be,--somewhere up in Connecticut,--in the Berkshires, you
+know. Heavenly in summer, dunno what it'll be in winter. But all the
+same that's where the house party is, Christmas,--stay two or three
+weeks,--all our crowd,--oh, Nan! isn't it beatific!"
+
+Patty bounded to her feet, and gathering up the sides of her
+accordion-pleated gown, she executed a triumphant dance about the
+room, winding up by kicking her little blue silk slipper straight over
+Nan's head.
+
+"Moderate your transports, my love," Nan said, calmly. "I don't want
+concussion of the brain, from being hit by a French heel."
+
+"Not much of a compliment to my skilful ballet dancing," and Patty
+flung herself into the cushions again. "But, Nan, you don't understand;
+everybody's going! Elise and Mona and the boys, and oh, gracious, _do_
+show some enthusiasm!"
+
+"Don't have to," said Nan, smiling, "when you show enough for a
+dozen."
+
+"Well, I'll call up Mona, she'll have something to say."
+
+Patty reached for the telephone, and in a few moments both girls were
+talking at once, and the conversation ran something like this:
+
+"Yes, I did, and, Patty----"
+
+"Of course I am! Oh, I don't know about that! If I----"
+
+"But of course if Daisy is there----"
+
+"Well, we can't help that, and anyway----"
+
+"Tuesday, I suppose; but Adèle said----"
+
+"No, Monday, Mona, for us, and the boys----"
+
+"I'm not sure that I'll go. You see----"
+
+"Now, stop such nonsense! Of course he isn't invited, but I'll never
+speak to you again if----"
+
+"Oh, of course I will, but I'll only stay----"
+
+"Yes, all our best frocks, and lots of presents and, oh, Mona, come on
+over here, do. There's oceans of things to talk about!"
+
+"All right, I will. Good-bye."
+
+"Good-bye." And Patty hung up the receiver. "She's coming over here,
+Nan; there's so much to plan for, you know. Do help me, won't you? A
+regular Christmas tree, and all that, you know; and presents for
+everybody, and a dance at the country club, and I don't know what
+all."
+
+"Yes, you will have a lovely time." And Nan smiled with sympathy at
+the excited girl, whose sparkling eyes and tumbled hair betokened her
+state of mind.
+
+Mona came over and spent the rest of the day, and plans were made and
+unmade and remade with startling rapidity.
+
+Mona began to voice regrets that Mr. Lansing was not invited to the
+house party, but Patty interrupted at once:
+
+"Now, Mona Galbraith, you stop that! Adèle has a lovely party made
+up, and you're not going to spoil it by even so much as a reference to
+that man! Roger will be there for Christmas, and if that isn't enough
+for you, you can stay home!"
+
+"Isn't Elise going?"
+
+"No, she can't. She's going South next week with her mother, and I
+doubt if Philip Van Reypen will go. His aunt won't want him to leave
+her at the holidays. Do you know, I'm a little sorry Daisy Dow is up
+there."
+
+"You don't like her, do you, Patty?"
+
+"I would, if she'd like me. But she's always snippy to me."
+
+"'Cause she's jealous of you," observed Mona, sapiently.
+
+"Nonsense! She has no reason to be. I never interfere with her."
+
+"Well, never mind, don't let her bother you. Hal Ferris will be there.
+You don't know him, do you? He's Adèle's brother."
+
+"No, I never met him. She wrote that he'd be there."
+
+"He's the dearest boy. Well, he's older than Adèle, but he seems like
+a boy,--he's so full of capers. Adèle says it's a beautiful big
+house, just right for a jolly, old-fashioned Christmas party."
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+The days simply flew by as Christmas drew nearer. There was so much to
+do socially, and then there were the Happy Saturday Afternoons to be
+planned and carried out, and the Christmas shopping to be done.
+
+This last was greatly added to because of the house party, for Patty
+knew the generosity of her hosts, and she wanted to do her share in
+the presentation festivities.
+
+She undertook to dress a huge doll for baby May. Nan helped her with
+this or she never could have finished the elaborate wardrobe. She
+selected a beautiful doll, of goodly size, but not big enough to be
+cumbersome to little two-year-old arms. With her knack for dressmaking
+and her taste for colour, she made half a dozen dainty and beautiful
+frocks, and also little coats and hats, and all the various accessories
+of a doll's outfit.
+
+She bought a doll's trunk and suit-case to contain these things, and
+added parasol, furs, jewelry, and all the marvellous little trinkets
+that the toy shop afforded.
+
+"I spent so much time and thought on this doll," said Patty, one day,
+"that I shall have to buy things for the others. I can't sew any more,
+Nan; my fingers are all like nutmeg graters now."
+
+"Poor child," sympathised Nan. "You have worked hard, I know, but
+Adèle will appreciate it more than if you had made something for
+herself. By all means buy the rest of your gifts."
+
+So Patty bought a beautiful luncheon set of filet lace and embroidery
+for Mrs. Kenerley, and an Oriental antique paper cutter for her
+husband.
+
+She bought a handsome opera bag for Mona and a similar one for Daisy
+Dow, that there might be no rivalry there. She bought a few handsome
+and worth-while books for the men who would be at the party, and
+attractive trinkets for the house servants.
+
+Of course, in addition to these, she had to prepare a great many gifts
+for her New York friends, as well as for her own family and many of
+her relatives. But both Patty and Nan enjoyed shopping, and went about
+it with method and common sense.
+
+"I can't see," said Patty, as they started off in the car one morning,
+"why people make such a bugbear of Christmas shopping. I think it's
+easy enough."
+
+"Perhaps it's because you have plenty of money, Patty. You know, not
+every one has such a liberal father as you have."
+
+Patty looked thoughtful. "I don't think it's that, Nan; at least, not
+entirely. I think it's more common sense, and not being fussy. Now, I
+give lots of presents that cost very little; and then, of course, I
+give a lot of expensive ones, too. But it's just as easy to buy the
+cheap ones, if not easier. You just make up your mind what you want to
+spend for a certain present, and then you buy the nicest thing you see
+for that amount. It's when people fuss and bother, and can't make up
+their minds among half a dozen different things, that they get worried
+and bothered about Christmas. I do believe most of their trouble comes
+from lack of decision, which is only another way of saying that they
+haven't common sense or even common gumption!"
+
+"Well, Patty, whatever else you may lack, you certainly have common
+sense and gumption; I'll give you credit for them."
+
+"Thank you, Nan; much obliged, I'm sure. I wish I could return the
+compliment, but sometimes I think you haven't much of those things
+yourself."
+
+Nan flashed a smile at Patty, entirely unmoved by this criticism; for
+she knew that she was vacillating and sometimes undecided, as compared
+to Patty's quick-witted grasp of a subject and instantaneous decision.
+
+"Have I told you," said Patty, "what we're going to do next Saturday
+afternoon? I do think it's going to be lovely. And I do hope it won't
+make the girls mad, but I don't think it will. You know, Nan, what an
+awful lot of things we all get every Christmas that we don't want and
+can't use, although they're awfully pretty and nice. We just lay them
+away in cupboards, and there they stay. Well, on Saturday, we're going
+to take a lot of these things and give them to people."
+
+"For Christmas presents? Why, Christmas is two weeks off yet."
+
+"That's just it! Not for presents to themselves, but presents for them
+to give to other people."
+
+"Oh, I begin to see."
+
+"Yes; it isn't the least bit _charity_, you see. Why, one of the people
+I'm going to give things to, is Christine. With her work, and being
+engaged and all, she hasn't any time to make things, or even to go
+shopping, and she can't afford to buy much, anyway. So I'm going to give
+her one or two beautiful silk bags that were given to me two or three
+years ago. They're perfectly fresh, never been out of their boxes. And
+I'm going to give her one or two beautiful, fine handkerchiefs in boxes,
+and two or three lovely books, and two or three pieces of bric-a-brac,
+and a Japanese ivory carving. Don't you see, Nan, she can give these to
+her friends for Christmas, and it will save her a lot of trouble and
+expense. And dear knows, _I_ don't want them! My rooms are chock-a-block
+with just such things, now. And I know she won't feel offended, when I
+tell her about it straightforwardly."
+
+"Of course she won't be offended with you, Patty; and I think the idea
+is lovely. I've a lot of things put away I'll give you. I never
+thought of such a thing before."
+
+"The girls thought at first that maybe it might not work, but I talked
+them around and now they're all in for it. I'm going to take some
+things to Mrs. Greene. I've quite a lot for her, and I'll tell her she
+can give them all away, or keep some herself, just as she likes. And
+I've things for Rosy, that freckled-faced boy, you know. I have games
+and picture-puzzles and books that I used to have myself. Of course
+they're all perfectly new. I wouldn't give anything that had been used
+at all. And we're going Saturday afternoon to take these things
+around. Mona has lovely things, and so has Elise. You see, we get so
+many Christmas and birthday presents, and card party prizes, and such
+things, and I do think it's sensible to make use of them for
+somebody's pleasure instead of sticking them away in dark cupboards.
+And, Nan, what do you think?--with each lot of things we're going to
+give a dozen sheets of white tissue paper and a bolt of holly ribbon
+and some little tags so they can fix up real Christmassy presents to
+give away."
+
+"Patty, you're a wonder," said Nan, looking affectionately at the girl
+beside her. "How do you think of all these things?"
+
+"Common sense and general gumption," returned Patty. "Very useful
+traits, _I_ find 'em. And here we are at our first shopping place."
+
+Assisted by Patty's common sense and expeditious judgment, they
+accomplished a great deal that morning, and returned home with their
+lists considerably shortened.
+
+"It does seem funny," said Patty, that same afternoon, "to be tying up
+these things almost two weeks ahead of time. But with all the
+newspapers and magazines urging you to do your shopping early, and
+send off your parcels early, you can't really do otherwise."
+
+Patty was surrounded by presents of all sorts, boxes of all sizes,
+pieces of ribbon, and all sorts of cards and tags.
+
+"I'm sick and tired of holly ribbon and red ribbon," she said, as she
+deftly tied up her parcels. "So, this year, I'm using white satin
+ribbon and gilt cord. It's an awfully pretty combination, and these
+little green and gilt tags are lovely, don't you think?"
+
+Her audience, which consisted of Elise and Mona, were watching her
+work with admiration. They had offered to help, but after an
+ineffectual attempt to meet Patty's idea of how a box should be tied
+up, they abandoned the effort, and sat watching her nimble fingers
+fly.
+
+"You ought to get a position in some shop where they advertise, 'only
+experienced parcel wrappers need apply,'" said Elise. "I never saw
+such neat parcels."
+
+"You're evidently going to be an old maid," said Mona, "you're so
+fussy and tidy."
+
+"I do like things tidy," admitted Patty, "and if that interferes with
+my having a husband, why, of course I'll have to give him up. For I
+can't stand not having things neat about me."
+
+"Do you call this room neat?" asked Elise, smiling as she looked about
+at the scattered boxes and papers, cut strings, and little piles of
+shredded tissue.
+
+"Yes, I do," declared Patty, stoutly. "This kind of stuff can be
+picked up in a jiffy, and then the room is all in order. This is
+temporary, you see. By untidiness, I mean dirt and dust, and bureau
+drawers in a mess, and desks in disorder."
+
+"That's me," confessed Mona, cheerfully. "Not the dirt and dust,
+perhaps,--the maids look after that. But I just _can't_ keep my
+belongings in their places."
+
+"Neither can I," said Elise. "I don't see how you do it, Patty."
+
+"Oh, pshaw! it's no credit to me, I just can't help it. I'd have a fit
+if they weren't all nice and in order. And if that means I'm going to
+be an old maid, I can't help it,--and I don't care!"
+
+"Hoo-hoo!" said Elise.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+FERN FALLS
+
+
+Christmas would be on Wednesday, and it was arranged that Patty and
+Mona should go up to Fern Falls on Monday. Roger and Philip Van Reypen
+were to go up on Tuesday for the Christmas Eve celebration; and the
+rest of the house-party were already at the Kenerleys'.
+
+The girls started off early in the afternoon, and a train ride of
+three hours brought them to the pretty little New England village of
+Fern Falls.
+
+Jim Kenerley met them with a motor.
+
+"We hoped for snow," he said, as he cordially greeted the befurred
+young women who stepped off the train at the little station. "So much
+more Christmassy, you know. But, at any rate, we have cold, clear
+weather, and that's something. Hop in, now. Adèle didn't come to meet
+you,--sent all kinds of excuses, which I've forgotten, but she can
+tell you herself, when we reach the house. Here, I'll sit between you,
+and keep you from shaking around and perhaps spilling out."
+
+Cheery Jim Kenerley bustled them into the tonneau, looked after their
+luggage, and then, taking his own place, drew up the fur robes snugly,
+and the chauffeur started off. It was a four-mile spin to the house,
+for the village itself was distant from the station, and the
+Kenerleys' house a mile or so beyond.
+
+It was cold, but the girls were warmly wrapped up and didn't a bit
+mind the clear, frosty air, though in an open car. "Didn't bring the
+limousine," Mr. Kenerley rattled on. "Can't abide to be shut up in a
+stuffy glass house, and then, you know, people who ride in glass
+houses mustn't throw stones."
+
+"But, you see, we girls couldn't hit anything if we did throw a
+stone," said Patty. "At least, women have that reputation."
+
+"That's so," agreed Jim. "Can't even hit the side of a barn, so they
+say. But I expect you girls that grow up with athletics and basket
+ball, and such things, put the old proverbs to rout."
+
+"How's Daisy?" asked Mona. "Same as ever?"
+
+"Yep; same as ever. Daisy's all right, you know, if things go her way.
+But if not----"
+
+"If not, she makes them go her way," said Mona, and Jim laughed and
+agreed, "She sure does!"
+
+At last they reached the house, which Jim informed them they had
+dubbed the Kenerley Kennel, for no particular reason, except that it
+sounded well.
+
+"But you have dogs?" asked Patty, as they rolled up the driveway.
+
+"Yes, but we didn't exactly name it after them. Hello, here are the
+girls!"
+
+Adèle and Daisy appeared in the doorway, and greeted the visitors in
+truly feminine fashion, which included much laughter and exclamation.
+
+"Where do I come in?" said a laughing voice, and a big, laughing man
+left his seat by the fireplace and came toward them.
+
+"This is my brother," said Adèle, "by name, Mr. Harold Ferris,--but
+commonly called Chub."
+
+The name was not inapt, for Mr. Ferris showed a round, chubby face,
+with big, dancing black eyes and ringlets of dark hair clustered on
+his brow. Only his enormous size prevented his appearance being
+positively infantile, and his round, dimpled face was as good-natured
+as that of a laughing baby.
+
+"And so you're the two girls who are to spend Christmas with us," he
+said, beaming down on them from his great height. "Well, you'll do!"
+
+He looked approvingly from Patty's flower face to Mona's glowing
+beauty, and truly it would have been hard to find two more attractive
+looking girls. The sudden transition from the cold out-of-doors to the
+warmth of the blazing fire had flushed their cheeks and brightened
+their eyes, and the hearty welcome they received brought smiles of
+delight to their faces.
+
+"Now, come away with me," said Adèle, "and get off your furs and
+wraps, and make yourselves pretty for tea."
+
+"Oh, I know what you'll do," said Chub, in an aggrieved tone. "You'll
+just go upstairs and hob-nob and talk and gossip and chatter and
+babble, and never get down here again! I know girls! Why, first thing
+I know, you'll be having your tea sent up there!"
+
+"Great idea!" exclaimed Patty, twinkling her eyes at him. "Let's do
+that, Adèle; kimono party, you know. We'll see you at dinner time,
+Mr. Ferris."
+
+"Dinner time, nothing! If you're not back here in fifteen minutes, the
+whole crowd of you, I'll--I'll----"
+
+"Well, what will you do?" laughed Mona.
+
+"Never you mind,--you'll find out all too soon. Now, skip, and
+remember, tea will be served in just fifteen minutes."
+
+The girls had really no intention of not returning, and it was not
+much more than the allotted time before Patty and Mona were arrayed in
+soft, pretty house-dresses and reappeared in the great hall, where tea
+was already being placed for them.
+
+The big fireplace had cosy seats on either side, and the crackling
+logs and flickering blaze made all the light that was needed save for
+a pair of tall cathedral candles in their antique standards.
+
+"What a duck of a house!" exclaimed Patty, as she came down the broad
+staircase, her soft, rose-coloured chiffon gown shimmering in the
+firelight. She cuddled up in a corner near the fire, and Hal Ferris
+brought a cushion to put behind her.
+
+"It ought to be a rose-coloured one," he said, apologetically; "but I
+didn't see one handy to grab, and really this old blue isn't half bad
+for a background."
+
+"Much obliged for your kind colour-scheme," said Patty, smiling at
+him, "and I'll have one lump, please, and a bit of lemon."
+
+Big Mr. Ferris proved himself tactful as well as kind, for he divided
+his attentions impartially among the four ladies.
+
+"A little shy of men; aren't we, Adèle?" he said to his sister. "Even
+Jim seems to have disappeared. Not that I mind being the only pebble
+on the beach,--far from it,--but I'm afraid I can't prove entertaining
+enough for four."
+
+"You're doing nobly so far," said Patty, cuddling into her cushion,
+for she loved luxurious warmth, like a kitten.
+
+"Two more men are coming to dinner, girls," said their hostess; "and
+to-morrow, you know, we'll have two more house-party guests. Don't
+worry, Chub, you shan't be overworked, I promise you."
+
+After a pleasant tea hour, the girls went again to their rooms,
+ostensibly to rest before dinner, but really to have what Patty called
+a kimono party.
+
+All in their pretty négligées, they gathered in Adèle's room and
+talked as rapidly and interruptingly as any four girls can.
+
+"Do you hear from Bill Farnsworth often?" asked Daisy of Patty,
+_apropos_ of nothing but her own curiosity.
+
+"Not often, Daisy," returned Patty, of no mind to pursue the subject.
+
+"But don't you ever hear from him?" persisted the other.
+
+"Oh, sometimes," said Patty, carelessly. "He sent me flowers for my
+coming-out party."
+
+"I hear from Bill sometimes," said Adèle. "I asked him to come to
+this party, but he couldn't possibly leave just now. He's awfully
+busy."
+
+"What's he doing?" asked Mona.
+
+"I don't know exactly," answered Adèle. "Jim can tell you, but it has
+something to do with prospecting of mines. Say, girls, do you want to
+see the baby before she's put to bed?"
+
+Of course they did, and they all trooped into the nursery to admire
+the tiny mite of humanity, who looked a picture, with her tumbled
+curls and her laughing face, just ready for bed.
+
+She remembered Patty and Mona, and greeted them without shyness,
+clinging to Patty's neck and begging her to stay and sing her to
+sleep.
+
+This Patty would have done, but Adèle wouldn't allow it, and ordered
+the girls back to their rooms to dress for dinner.
+
+"Eight o'clock sharp," she warned them, "and don't put on your
+prettiest gowns; save those for to-morrow night."
+
+Patty wandered around her room, singing softly, as she dressed.
+Looking over her dinner gowns, she decided upon her second best, a
+white marquisette with a garniture of pearl beads and knots of pale
+blue velvet. When the maid came to assist her she was nearly dressed,
+and ten minutes before the dinner hour she was quite ready to go
+downstairs. "I may as well go on down," she thought to herself. "I can
+explore the house a little."
+
+She looked in at Mona's door as she passed, but as that young woman
+was just having her gown put over her head, she didn't see Patty, and
+so Patty went on downstairs.
+
+There was no one about, so she strolled through the various rooms,
+admiring the big, pleasant living-room, the cosy library, and then
+drifted back to the great hall, which was very large, even for a
+modern country house. It was wainscoted in dark wood, and contained
+many antique bits of furniture and some fine specimens of old armour
+and other curios. Jim Kenerley's father had been rather a noted
+collector, and had left his treasures to his only son. They had chosen
+this house as being roomy and well-fitted for their belongings.
+
+Patty came back to the great fireplace, and stood there, leaning her
+golden head against one of the massive uprights.
+
+"Adèle told me you were a peach," exclaimed a laughing voice, "but
+she didn't half tell me how much of a one you are!"
+
+Patty turned her head slowly, and looked at Mr. Hal Ferris.
+
+"And I thought you were a mannerly boy!" she said, in a tone of grave
+reproach.
+
+"I beg your pardon," he exclaimed. "I do indeed! I'm almost a stranger
+to you, I know; I ought to have waited until I know you better to say
+anything of that sort to you! May I take it back, and then say it to
+you again after I do know you better?"
+
+Patty couldn't help smiling at his mock dismay.
+
+"And how well shall I have to know you," he went on, "before I can say
+it to you properly?"
+
+"I can't answer that question at once," said Patty. "We'll have to let
+our acquaintance proceed, and see----"
+
+"And see how the cat jumps," he suggested.
+
+"Yes," agreed Patty. "And, by the way, what a jumper that cat must
+be."
+
+"Small wonder, with everybody waiting to see how she jumps! Oh, pshaw!
+here comes a horde of people, and our pleasant tête-à-tête is
+spoiled!"
+
+"Never mind; we'll have another some time," and Patty gave him a
+dimpled smile that quite completed the undoing of Mr. Harold Ferris.
+
+The "horde" proved to be two young men from nearby country houses, Mr.
+Collins and Mr. Hoyt. And then the other members of the household
+appeared, and soon dinner was announced.
+
+"We haven't any especial guest of honour," said Mrs. Kenerley, "for
+you're all so very honourable. So pair off just as you like."
+
+Hal Ferris jumped a low chair and two footstools to reach Patty before
+any one else could. "Come in with me," he said. "I know the way to the
+dining-room."
+
+"I'm glad to be shown," said Patty. "You see, I've never been here
+before."
+
+"I know it; that's why I'm being so kind to you. To-morrow I'll take
+you up in the tower--it's great."
+
+"Why, is this place a castle?"
+
+"Not exactly, but it's modelled after an old château. Really, it's a
+most interesting house."
+
+"All right. To-morrow we'll explore it thoroughly."
+
+And then they took their seats at the table, and as the party was
+small, conversation became general.
+
+Suddenly Patty became aware that Mr. Collins, who sat on the other side
+of her, was trying to attract her attention. He was a mild-mannered
+young man, and he looked at her reproachfully.
+
+"I've asked you a question three times, Miss Fairfield," he said, "and
+you never even heard it."
+
+"Then you certainly can't expect me to answer it, Mr. Collins," and
+Patty laughed gaily. "Won't you repeat it for me, please? I'll promise
+to hear it this time."
+
+"I said, did you ever make a lemon pig?"
+
+"A lemon pig! No, I never did. How do you make it?"
+
+"Oh, they're the maddest fun! I say, Mrs. Kenerley, mayn't we have a
+lemon?"
+
+"Certainly, Mr. Collins."
+
+"And, oh, I say, Mrs. Kenerley, if it isn't too much trouble, mayn't
+we have a box of matches, and two black pins, and a bit of paper?"
+
+"And a colander and a tack hammer and a bar of soap?" asked Ferris,
+but Mr. Collins said, gravely: "No, we don't want those."
+
+The articles he had asked for were soon provided, and in the slow,
+grave way in which he did everything, Mr. Collins began to make the
+strange animal of which he had spoken. The lemon formed the whole pig,
+with four matches for his legs, two black pins for his eyes, and a
+narrow strip of paper, first curled round a match, for his tail. It
+was neither artistic nor realistic, but it was an exceedingly comical
+pig, and soon it began to squeak in an astonishingly pig-like voice.
+Then a tap at the window was heard, and a farmer's gruff voice
+shouted: "Have you my pig in there? My little Lemmy pig?"
+
+"Yes," responded Mr. Collins, "we have; and we mean to keep him, too."
+
+"I'll have the law of ye," shouted the farmer. "Me pig escaped from
+the sty, and I call upon ye to give him up!"
+
+"We won't do it!" shouted several of the men in chorus.
+
+"Then, kape him!" returned the voice of the farmer, and they heard his
+heavy tramp as he strode away.
+
+Patty looked puzzled. She couldn't understand what it all meant, until
+Hal Ferris whispered, "It was only Collins; he's a ventriloquist."
+
+"Oh," said Patty, turning to Mr. Collins, delightedly, "was it really
+you? Oh, how do you do it? I've always wanted to hear a ventriloquist,
+and I never did before."
+
+"Oh, yes, you did!" said a voice from the other end of the table, and
+Patty looked up, saying earnestly, "No, I didn't!" when she realised
+that the accusation had really come from Mr. Collins.
+
+"Oh, what fun!" she cried, clapping her hands. "Do some more!"
+
+"I'd rather he wouldn't," said Adèle, and Patty looked at her in
+surprise. "Why not, Adèle?" she asked.
+
+Everybody laughed, and Adèle said: "You're too easily fooled, Patty.
+That was Mr. Collins speaking like me. He knows my voice so well he
+can imitate it."
+
+"He'd better stop it!" came in a deep growl from Jim Kenerley's end of
+the table, and Patty was surprised at such a speech from her urbane
+host. Then she realised that that, too, was Mr. Collins speaking.
+
+"I just love it!" she exclaimed. "I've always wanted to know how to do
+it. Won't you teach me?"
+
+"You couldn't learn," said Mr. Collins, smiling at her.
+
+And then Patty _heard herself_ say: "I could so! I think you're real
+mean!"
+
+Her bewildered look changed to admiration at his wonderful imitation
+of her voice, and the natural, petulant tone of the remark.
+
+"It's too wonderful!" she said. "Some other time, Mr. Collins, after
+dinner, maybe, will you teach me just a little about it?"
+
+"I'll try," he said, kindly; "but I warn you, Miss Fairfield, it isn't
+easy to learn, unless one has a natural gift for it, and a peculiar
+throat formation."
+
+"Don't teach her," begged Daisy Dow. "She'll be keeping us awake all
+night with her practising."
+
+It was like Daisy to say something unpleasant; but Patty only smiled
+at her, and said, "I'll practise being an angel, and sing you to
+sleep, Daisy."
+
+"You sing like an angel without any practice," said Mona, who was
+always irritated when Daisy was what Patty called snippy.
+
+"Oh, do you sing, Miss Fairfield?" said Mr. Hoyt, from across the
+table. "You must join our Christmas choir, then. We're going to have a
+glorious old carolling time to-morrow night."
+
+"I'll be glad to," replied Patty, "if I know your music."
+
+But after dinner, when they tried some of the music, they discovered
+that Patty could sing readily at sight, and she was gladly welcomed to
+the musical circle of Fern Falls.
+
+"How long are you staying here?" asked Mr. Hoyt.
+
+"A month, at least," Adèle answered for Patty.
+
+"Oh, no, not so long as that," Patty protested. "A fortnight, at
+most."
+
+But Adèle only smiled, and said, "We'll see about that, my dear."
+
+After a time, Hal Ferris came to Patty, and tried to draw her away
+from the group around the piano.
+
+"You're neglecting me shamefully," he said; "and I'm the brother of
+your hostess! Guests should always be especially kind to the Brother
+of a Hostess."
+
+"What can I do for you?" asked Patty, smiling, as she walked out to
+the hall with him.
+
+"Quit talking to the other people, and devote yourself to me," was the
+prompt response.
+
+"Do all your sister's guests do that?"
+
+"I don't want 'em all to; I only want you to."
+
+"And what about _my_ wants?"
+
+"Yes; _what_ about them? You want to talk to me, _don't_ you?"
+
+His tone and smile were so roguishly eager that Patty felt a strong
+liking for this big, boyish chap.
+
+"I'll talk for ten minutes," she said, "and then we're going to dance,
+I believe."
+
+"Oh, and then they'll all be after you! I say," and he drew her toward
+a window, from where the moonlight could be plainly seen, "Let's go
+out and skate. The ice is fine!"
+
+"Skate! You must be crazy!"
+
+"Yes; I supposed you'd say so! But to-morrow more people are coming,
+and I'll never see anything of you. Say, how about this? Are you game
+to get up and go for an early morning skate, just with me, and not let
+anybody else know?"
+
+"I'd like that!" and Patty's eyes sparkled, for she dearly loved early
+morning fresh air. "Of course, we'll tell Adèle."
+
+"Yes; so she'll have some breakfast made for us. But nobody else. How
+about eight o'clock? Regular breakfast will be at nine-thirty."
+
+"Good! I'll be ready at eight."
+
+"Meet me in the breakfast-room at eight, then. Do you know where it
+is? Just off the big dining-room."
+
+"What are you two hob-nobbing about?" asked Daisy, curiously, as she
+strolled over toward them.
+
+"I'm just telling Miss Fairfield about the plan of the house," said
+Ferris, innocently. "It's well planned, isn't it?"
+
+"Very," said Patty.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+CHRISTMAS EVE
+
+
+As Patty stepped out of her room into the hall the next morning, at
+eight o'clock, she found Hal Ferris already tiptoeing down the stairs.
+He put his finger to his lip with a great show of secrecy, which made
+Patty laugh.
+
+"Why must we be so careful?" she whispered. "We're not doing anything
+wrong."
+
+"No; but it's so much more fun to pretend we are. Let's pretend we're
+on a mysterious mission, and if we are discovered we're lost!"
+
+So they crept downstairs silently, and reached the breakfast-room,
+without seeing any one except one or two of the maids, who were
+dusting about.
+
+Patty had on a trim, short skirt of white cloth and a blouse of soft
+white silk. Over this she wore a scarlet coat, and her golden curls
+were tucked into a little scarlet skating cap with a saucy, wagging
+tassel.
+
+But in the warm, cheery breakfast-room she threw off her coat and sat
+down at the table.
+
+"I didn't intend to eat anything," she said; "but the coffee smells so
+good, I think I'll have a cup of it, with a roll." She smiled at the
+waitress, who stood ready to attend to her wishes, and Hal took a seat
+beside her, saying he would have some coffee also.
+
+"We won't eat our breakfast now, you know," he went on; "but we'll
+come back with raging appetites and eat anything we can find. I say,
+this is jolly cosy, having coffee here together like this! I s'pose
+you won't come down every morning?"
+
+"No, indeed," and Patty laughed. "I don't mind admitting I hate to get
+up early. I usually breakfast in my room and dawdle around until all
+hours."
+
+"Just like a girl!" said Hal, sniffing a little.
+
+"Well, I _am_ a girl," retorted Patty.
+
+"You sure are! _Some_ girl, I should say! Well, now, Girl, if you're
+ready, let's start."
+
+He held Patty's scarlet coat for her while she slipped in her arms.
+
+Then he disappeared for a moment, and returned wearing a dark red
+sweater, which was very becoming to his athletic figure and broad
+shoulders.
+
+"Come on, Girl," he said, gathering up their skates, and off they
+started.
+
+"It's nearly half a mile to the lake. Are you good for that much
+walk?" Ferris asked, as they swung along at a brisk pace.
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed, I like to walk; and I like to skate, but I like best
+of all to dance."
+
+"I should think you would,--you're a ripping dancer. You know,
+to-night we'll have 'Sir Roger de Coverley' and old-fashioned dances
+like that. You like them?"
+
+"Yes, for a change; but I like the new ones best. Are we going to have
+any dressing up to-night? I do love dressing up."
+
+"Glad rags, do you mean?"
+
+"No; I mean fancy costumes."
+
+"Oh, that. Well, old Jim's going to be Santa Claus. I don't think
+anybody else will wear uncivilised clothes."
+
+"But I want to. Can't you and I rig up in something, just for fun?"
+
+"Oh, I say! that would be fun. What can we be? Romeo and Juliet, or
+Jack and Jill?"
+
+"Oh, no, nothing like that. Something more like Christmas, you know.
+Well, I'll think it over through the day, and we'll fix it up."
+
+Skating on the lake so early in the morning proved to be glorious
+exercise. The ice was perfect, and the crisp, clear air filled them
+with exhilaration.
+
+Both were good skaters, and though they did not attempt fancy figures,
+they spent nearly an hour skating around the lake.
+
+"That's the best skate I ever had!" declared Hal, when they concluded
+to return home.
+
+"It certainly was fine," declared Patty, "and by the time we've walked
+back to the house, I shall be quite ready for some eggs and bacon."
+
+"And toast and marmalade," supplemented Ferris.
+
+"I wonder if Daisy will be down. Does she come down to breakfast
+usually?"
+
+"Sometimes and sometimes not," answered Ferris, carelessly. "She's a
+law unto herself, is Daisy Dow."
+
+"You've known her a long time, haven't you?"
+
+"Just about all our lives. Used to go to school together, and we were
+always scrapping. Daisy's a nice girl, and a pretty girl, but she sure
+has got a temper."
+
+"And a good thing to have sometimes. I often wish I had more."
+
+"Nonsense! you're perfect just as you are."
+
+"Oh, what a pretty speech! If you're going to talk like that, I shall
+take the longest way home."
+
+"I'd willingly agree to that, but I don't believe you're in need of
+further exercise just now. Come, own up you're a little bit tired."
+
+"Hardly enough to call it tired, but if there is a short cut home
+let's take it."
+
+"And what about the pretty speeches I'm to make to you?"
+
+"Leave those till after breakfast. Or leave them till this evening and
+give them to me for a Christmas gift."
+
+"Under the mistletoe?" and Ferris looked mischievous.
+
+"Certainly not," said Patty, with great dignity. "I'm too grown-up for
+such foolishness as that!"
+
+"Oh, I don't know," said Ferris.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+The appearance of the two runaways in the breakfast-room was greeted
+with shouts of surprise.
+
+Adèle knew they had gone skating, but no one else did, and it was
+supposed they hadn't yet come downstairs.
+
+Patty's glowing cheeks were almost as scarlet as her coat and cap,
+while Ferris was grinning with boyish enthusiasm.
+
+"Top o' the morning to you all," he cried. "Me and Miss Fairfield,
+we've been skating for an hour."
+
+"On the lake?" cried Daisy, in surprise. "Why, you must have started
+before sunrise."
+
+"Oh, no, not that," declared Patty, as, throwing off her wraps, she
+took a seat next to Adèle; "but long enough to get up a ravenous
+appetite. I hope the Kenerley larder is well stocked."
+
+"Why didn't you let us all in on this game?" asked the host. "I think
+a morning skating party would be just about right."
+
+"All right," said Patty. "We'll have one any morning you say. I shall
+be here for a fortnight, and I'll go any morning you like."
+
+"I won't go," declared Mona. "I hate skating, and I hate getting up
+early, so count me out."
+
+"I doubt if any one goes very soon," said Adèle, "for I think there's
+a storm coming. It looks bright out of doors, but it feels like snow
+in the air."
+
+"It does," agreed her brother; "and I hope it will snow. I'd like a
+real good, old-fashioned snowstorm for Christmas."
+
+"Well, I hope it won't begin before night," said Adèle. "We've a lot
+to do to-day. I want you all to help me decorate the tree and fix the
+presents."
+
+"Of course we will," said Patty. "But, if I may, I want to skip over
+to the village on an errand. Can some one take me over, Adèle, or
+must I walk?"
+
+"I'll go with you," said Daisy, who was of no mind to be left out of
+Patty's escapades, if she could help it.
+
+"All right, Daisy, but you mustn't tell what I buy, because it's a
+secret."
+
+"Everything's a secret at Christmas time," said Mr. Kenerley; "but,
+Patty, you can have the small motor, and go over to the village any
+time you like."
+
+As there was room for them all, Daisy and Mona both accompanied Patty
+on her trip to the village, and Hal Ferris volunteered to drive the
+car. But when they reached the country shop, Patty laughingly refused
+to let any of the party go inside with her, saying that her purchases
+would be a Christmas secret.
+
+She bought a great many yards of the material known as Turkey red, and
+also a whole piece of white illusion. Some gilt paper completed her
+list, and she ran back to the car, the shopkeeper following with her
+bundles. They attended to some errands for Adèle, and then whizzed
+back to the house just in time to see the Christmas tree being put
+into place.
+
+"We're going to have the tree at five o'clock," said Adèle, "on
+account of baby May. It's really for her, you know, and so I have it
+before dinner."
+
+"Fine!" declared Patty. "And where do we put our presents?"
+
+"On these tables," and Adèle pointed to several small stands already
+well heaped with tissue-papered parcels.
+
+"Very well, I'll get mine," and Patty went flying up to her room. Mona
+followed, and the two girls returned laden with their bundles.
+
+"What fascinating looking parcels," said Adèle, as she helped to
+place them where they belonged. "Now, Patty, about the tree; would you
+have bayberry candles on it, or only the electric lights?"
+
+"Oh, have the candles. They're so nice and traditional, you know.
+Unless you're afraid of fire."
+
+"No; all the decorations are fireproof. Jim would have them so. See,
+we've lots of this Niagara Falls stuff."
+
+Adèle referred to a decoration of spun glass, which was thrown all
+over the tree in cascades, looking almost like the foam of a
+waterfall. This would not burn, even if the flame of a candle were
+held to it.
+
+"It's perfectly beautiful!" exclaimed Patty. "I never saw anything
+like it before."
+
+They scattered it all over the tree, the men going up on step-ladders
+to reach the top branches.
+
+The tree was set in the great, high-vaulted hall, and was a noble
+specimen of an evergreen. Hundreds of electric lights were fastened to
+its branches; and the thick bayberry candles were placed by means of
+holders that clasped the tree trunk, and so were held firmly and safe.
+
+Adèle's prognostications had been correct. For, soon after luncheon,
+it began to snow. Fine flakes at first, but with a steadiness that
+betokened a real snowstorm.
+
+"I'm so glad," exclaimed Patty, dancing about. "I do love a white
+Christmas. It won't interfere with your guests, will it, Adèle?"
+
+"No; if Mr. Van Reypen and Mr. Farrington get up from New York without
+having their trains blocked by snowdrifts, I imagine our Fern Falls
+people will be able to get here for the dinner and the dance."
+
+The two men arrived during the afternoon, and came in laden with
+parcels and looking almost like Santa Claus himself.
+
+"Had to bring all this stuff with us," explained Roger, "for fear of
+delays with expresses and things. Presents for everybody,--and then
+some. Where shall we put them?"
+
+Adèle superintended the placing of the parcels, and the men threw off
+their overcoats, and they all gathered round the blazing fire in the
+hall.
+
+"This is right down jolly!" declared Philip Van Reypen. "I haven't had
+a real country Christmas since I was a boy. And this big fire and the
+tree and the snowstorm outside make it just perfect."
+
+"I ordered the snowstorm," said Adèle. "I like to have any little
+thing that will give my guests pleasure."
+
+"Awfully good of you, Mrs. Kenerley," said Philip. "I wanted to
+flatter myself that I brought it with me, but it seems not. Have you a
+hill anywhere near? Perhaps we can go coasting to-morrow."
+
+"Plenty of hills; but I don't believe there's a sled about the
+place--is there, Jim?"
+
+"We'll find some, somehow, if there's any coasting. We may have to put
+one of the motor cars on runners and try that."
+
+"They had sleds at the country store. I saw them this morning," said
+Patty. "And that reminds me I have a little work to do on a Christmas
+secret, so if you'll excuse me, I'll run away."
+
+Patty ran away to the nursery, where Fräulein, the baby's governess,
+was working away at the materials Patty had brought home that morning.
+
+"Yes, that's right," said Patty, as she closed the door behind her.
+"You've caught my idea exactly, Fräulein. Now, I'll try on mine, and
+then, afterward, we'll call up Mr. Ferris to try on his."
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+At five o'clock the sounding of a Chinese gong called everybody to
+come to the Christmas tree.
+
+The grown people arrived first, as the principal part of the fun was
+to see the surprise and delight of baby May when she should see the
+tree.
+
+"Let me sit by you, Patty," said Philip Van Reypen, as they found a
+place on one of the fireside benches. "I've missed you awfully since
+you left New York."
+
+"Huh," said Patty, "I've only been gone twenty-four hours."
+
+"Twenty-four hours seems like a lifetime when _you're_ not in New
+York."
+
+"Hush your foolishness; here comes the baby."
+
+The tree had been illuminated; the electric lights were shining and
+the candles twinkling, when little May came toddling into the hall.
+She was a dear baby, and her pretty hair lay in soft ringlets all over
+the little head. Her dainty white frock was short, and she wore little
+white socks and slippers. She came forward a few steps, and then spied
+the tree and stood stock still.
+
+"What a booful!" she exclaimed, "oh, _what_ a booful!"
+
+Then she went up near the tree, sat down on the floor in front of it,
+clasped her little fat hands in her lap, and just stared at it.
+
+"I yike to yook at it!" she said, turning to smile at Patty, in a
+friendly way. "It's so booful!" she further explained.
+
+"Don't you want something off it?" asked Patty, who was now sitting on
+the floor beside the baby.
+
+"Zes; all of ze fings. Zey is all for me! all for baby May!"
+
+As a matter of fact, there were no gifts on the tree, only decorations
+and lights, but Patty took one or two little trinkets from the
+branches, and put them in the baby's lap. "There," she said. "How do
+you like those, baby May?"
+
+"Booful, booful," said the child, whose vocabulary seemed limited by
+reason of her excited delight.
+
+And then a jingle, as of tiny sleighbells, was heard outside. The door
+flew open, and in came a personage whom May recognised at once.
+
+"Santa Claus!" she cried. "Oh, Santa Claus!" And jumping up from the
+floor, she ran to meet him as fast as her little fat legs could carry
+her.
+
+"Down on the floor!" she cried, tugging at his red coat. "Baby May's
+Santa Claus! Sit down on floor by baby May!"
+
+Jim Kenerley, who was arrayed in the regulation garb of a St.
+Nicholas, sat down beside his little girl, and taking his pack from
+his back, placed it in front of her.
+
+"All for baby May!" she said, appreciating the situation at once.
+
+"Yes, all for baby May," returned her mother, for in the pack were
+only the child's presents.
+
+One by one the little hands took the gifts from their wrappings, and
+soon the baby herself was almost lost sight of in a helter-skelter
+collection of dolls and teddy bears and woolly dogs and baa lambs and
+more dolls. To say nothing of kittens and candies, and balls, and
+every sort of a toy that was nice and soft and pleasant.
+
+The doll Patty had brought, with its wonderful wardrobe, pleased the
+baby especially, and she declared at once that the doll's name should
+be Patty.
+
+Having undone all her treasures, the baby elected to have a general
+romp with Santa Claus, whom she well knew to be her father. Jim had
+made no attempt to disguise lest it should frighten the child, and so
+his own gay young face looked out from a voluminous snow-white wig and
+long white beard. His costume was the conventional red, belted coat,
+edged with white fur, and a fur-trimmed red cap with a bobbing tassel.
+
+Among the toys was a pair of horse lines with bells on it, and soon
+May had her good-natured father transformed into a riding-horse and
+galloping madly round the hall.
+
+Then all present must needs play games suited to the calibre of the
+little one, and Ring around a Rosy and London Bridge proved to be her
+favourites.
+
+After these unwonted exertions, everybody was ready for tea, which was
+then brought in. As a special dispensation, May was allowed to have
+her bread and milk at the same time, with the added indulgence of a
+few little cakes.
+
+"Isn't she a perfect dear?" said Patty, as she stood with the baby in
+her arms, after tea was finished.
+
+"She is," declared Philip, who stood near. "I'm not much up on
+kiddies, but she's about the best-natured little piece I ever saw. I
+thought they always cried after a big racket like this."
+
+"She must say good-night now," said Adèle. "It's quite time, and
+beside, I want her to go away while her reputation is good. Now,
+Maisie May, go to Fräulein and go beddy."
+
+"Patty take May beddy."
+
+"No, dear, Patty must stay here with mother."
+
+"Patty take May beddy! _Zes!_" The finality of this decision was
+unmistakable. The most casual observer could see that unless it were
+complied with the scene might lose something of its sunshine and
+merriment.
+
+"I should say," judicially observed Philip, "that unless Miss May has
+her way this time, there will be one large and elegant ruction."
+
+"But I _must_ make her obey me," said Adèle, a little uncertainly.
+
+"Fiddlestrings, Adèle," returned Patty; "this is no time for
+discipline. The poor baby is about worn out with fatigue and
+excitement. You know, it has been her busy day. Let's humour her this
+time. I'll take her away, and I'll return anon."
+
+"Anon isn't a very long time, is it?" said Adèle, laughing, and Hal
+remarked, "If it is, we'll all come after you, Miss Fairfield."
+
+So Patty went away, carrying the now smiling baby, and Fräulein went
+along with her, knowing the little thing would soon drop to sleep,
+anyway, from sheer fatigue.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
+
+
+Patty soon returned, saying the country was saved, and now she was
+ready for her presents.
+
+And then everybody began untying things, and soon the whole place was
+knee-deep in tissue papers and ribbons.
+
+All exclaimed with delight at their own gifts, and then exclaimed with
+delight at the others' gifts.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Kenerley gave Patty one of those Oriental garments known
+as a Mandarin coat. It was of pale blue silk, heavy with elaborate
+embroidery and gold braiding, and Patty was enchanted with it.
+
+"Just what I wanted!" she exclaimed, "and I don't care if that _is_
+what everybody always says, _I_ mean it! I've wanted one a long time.
+They're so heavenly for party wraps or opera cloaks. Mona has a
+beauty, but this is handsomer still."
+
+"Yes, it is," admitted Mona; "and now open that box, Patty. It's my
+gift to you, and I want to see if you like it."
+
+"Oh, I know I shall like it, of course. Why, Mona Galbraith, if it
+isn't a lace scarf! Real Brussels point! You generous girl, it's _too_
+beautiful!"
+
+"Isn't it lovely?" cried Daisy. "Now, this is mine to you, Patty. It
+isn't nearly as handsome; it's just a bag."
+
+"But what a grand one!" exclaimed Patty, as she unwrapped the
+beautiful French confection. "I simply adore bags. I can't have too
+many of them. My goodness! I'm getting as many presents as baby May!"
+
+Sure enough, Patty was surrounded with gifts and trinkets of all
+sorts. Philip's present was a small but exquisite water-color in a
+gilded frame. Roger gave her a glass and silver flower-basket.
+
+"I gave each of you girls exactly the same thing," he said, "because I
+didn't want you scrapping over me. Mrs. Kenerley, I included you, too,
+if you will accept one of them."
+
+They were beautiful ornaments, and the four together were so effective
+that Adèle declared she should use them that night for a dinner table
+decoration at their Christmas feast.
+
+Hal Ferris gave each of the girls a beautiful book, and everybody had
+so many presents of all sorts that it was almost impossible to
+remember who gave anything.
+
+"What I need is a card catalogue," said Patty. "I never can remember
+which is which, I know."
+
+"And I know another thing," said Adèle. "If you girls don't scamper
+off and dress, you won't be ready for dinner at eight o'clock. And
+there are lots of guests coming. And more this evening for the country
+dance. Now, disperse, all of you, and put on your prettiest frocks for
+Christmas Eve."
+
+Patty had a new gown for the occasion, of an exquisite shade of pink
+chiffon, which just matched her cheeks. She did up her hair simply,
+with a pink ribbon around it, and a pink rose tucked over one ear.
+
+After she was all dressed, she flew to the nursery for a little confab
+with Fräulein, who was working away on the Turkey red.
+
+"Will it be done?" asked Patty, anxiously.
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed, Miss Patty; in ample time. And the crowns, too."
+
+"Everything all right?" inquired a voice in the doorway, and Hal
+Ferris stepped into the nursery.
+
+"Yes," said Patty, her eyes sparkling. "Fräulein will have them all
+ready by the time dinner's over. Oh, I do _love_ to dress up!"
+
+"You can't look any sweeter than you do this way," said Ferris,
+glancing approvingly at the little pink dancing frock.
+
+"You are so nice and complimentary," said Patty, flashing a smile at
+him, and then they went downstairs together.
+
+Dinner was a real Christmas feast. The table was properly decorated
+with red ribbons and red candles and holly, and everybody had
+souvenirs and Christmassy sort of trinkets, and everybody was very gay
+and festive, and an air of Christmas jollity pervaded the atmosphere.
+
+After dinner they all returned to the great hall, where the Christmas
+tree was again lighted to add to the holiday effect.
+
+Then Patty and Hal, who had let Adèle into their secret, slipped away
+from the crowd, and ran up to the nursery, where Fräulein was
+awaiting them.
+
+The baby was asleep in the next room, so they must needs be careful
+not to awaken her, and they tiptoed about as Fräulein helped them to
+don the robes she had made.
+
+The Turkey red she had fashioned into a full-draped cloak, which she
+adjusted around Hal's broad shoulders. It was trimmed with white fur,
+and was caught up on one shoulder, toga fashion, with a spray of
+holly. A massive gilt pasteboard crown she put on his head, and gave
+him a long wand or sceptre covered with gilt paper and topped with a
+cap and bells.
+
+"I wonder if they'll know I'm Lord of Misrule," whispered Hal, as he
+stalked up and down before the mirror, swishing his draperies about in
+regal fashion.
+
+"If they don't, I'll tell 'em," said Patty. "I wonder if they'll know
+what I am."
+
+"You look like an angel," said Hal, as he gazed at her.
+
+The garment Fräulein had made for Patty was simply straight, flowing
+breadths of the white illusion, which fell straight from her
+shoulders, her pink gown beneath giving it a faint rosy tinge. From
+her head the illusion rippled in a long veil, floating down behind,
+and there were long angel sleeves of the same material.
+
+On her head was a small crown of gilt paper, with a large gilt star in
+front, and she carried a gilt wand with a star on the end.
+
+But the masterpiece of the costume, and one that did great credit to
+the ingenuity of Fräulein, was a pair of wings that were fastened to
+Patty's shoulders. They were made of fine net, covered with fringed
+tissue paper, which had the effect of soft white feathers.
+
+Altogether Patty was a lovely vision, and it is doubtful if "The
+Christmas Spirit" was represented more beautifully anywhere on earth
+that Christmas Eve.
+
+She floated about the room, delighted to be "dressed up."
+
+Then, flying into the hall, she listened over the banister till she
+heard Adèle's signal from the piano.
+
+Still listening, she heard Adèle begin to sing softly a carol called
+"The Christmas Spirit."
+
+Slowly, in time to the music, Patty came down the great staircase. She
+paused on the landing, which was but a few steps from the bottom, and
+standing there, motionless as a picture, joined her voice to Adèle's.
+
+She sang the beautiful carol, Adèle now singing alto, and the vision
+of the beautiful Christmas Spirit, and the tones of Patty's exquisite
+voice, gave the guests assembled in the hall a Christmas memory that
+they could never forget.
+
+As the last notes died away, there was a significant pause, and then a
+storm of applause broke out.
+
+They insisted on another song, but Patty shook her head laughingly,
+and the next moment Adèle played a merry, rollicking march on the
+piano and the Lord of Misrule came bounding downstairs. He had a long
+trumpet in his hand, upon which he sounded a few notes, and then waved
+his sceptre majestically.
+
+"I'm the Lord of Misrule," he announced, "and I have come to direct
+our Christmas revels. To-night my word is law; you are all my
+subjects, and must obey my decrees!"
+
+A shout of applause greeted this gay banter, and then as Adèle played
+a lively strain, the Lord of Misrule gave a clever clog dance on the
+staircase landing.
+
+Then he sprang down the steps, and clasping the Christmas Spirit, the
+two tripped away into a gay impromptu dance.
+
+"Everybody dance!" shouted the Lord of Misrule, brandishing his
+sceptre aloft, and obedient to his orders, the others caught the gay
+spirit, and soon they were all dancing.
+
+Later they had the country dances--Virginia reel, Sir Roger, and
+others which Patty had never heard of before, but which she had no
+difficulty in learning.
+
+It was not long, however, before she laid aside her somewhat
+uncomfortable wings, and also the illusion draperies, which did not
+well survive the intricacies of the figure dances.
+
+So, once again in her pretty pink frock, she entered into the dances
+with the zest she always felt for that amusement.
+
+"I think it's my turn," said Roger, coming up to her at last.
+
+"And I'm glad to be with a friend again, after all these strangers,"
+she said, as they danced away. "Though they're awfully nice men, and
+some of them are very good dancers. You and Mona are all right, aren't
+you, Roger?"
+
+Patty said this so suddenly that he was caught off his guard.
+
+"Not all right," he said, "and never will be until she'll consent to
+cut the acquaintance of that Lansing!"
+
+"She'll never do that!" and Patty wagged her head positively.
+
+"Then she can get along without my friendship."
+
+"Now, Roger, what's the use of acting like that? Mona has a right to
+choose her friends."
+
+"Patty, I believe you like that man yourself!"
+
+"I don't dislike him; at least, not as much as you do. But I don't see
+any reason for you to take the matter so seriously. At any rate, while
+you're up here, forget it, won't you, and be good to Mona."
+
+"Oh, I'll be good to her fast enough, if she'll be good to me. I think
+a heap of that girl, Patty, and I don't want to see her in the
+clutches of a bad man like Lansing."
+
+"You don't know that he's a bad man."
+
+"Well, he's a fortune-hunter,--that's bad enough."
+
+"Pooh, every man that looks at a girl doesn't want to marry her for
+her money."
+
+"But that man does."
+
+"Then cut him out! Why, Roger, you're worth a dozen Lansings, and if
+you want to marry Mona, why don't you tell her so?"
+
+"Oh, Patty, do you think I'd have the ghost of a chance?"
+
+"I certainly do. That is, if Mona has a grain of sense in that pretty
+head of hers."
+
+"Well,--say, Patty,--this sounds queer, I know,--but you and I are
+such pals,--couldn't you just say a good word for----"
+
+"Roger Farrington! the idea! I never supposed you were _bashful_!"
+
+"I never was before,--but I'm a little afraid of Mona. She's so,--so
+decided, you know."
+
+"Very well. Make her decide in your favour. But, mark my words, young
+man, you'll never win her by getting grumpy and sour just because she
+smiles on another man. In fact, you'd better praise Mr. Lansing. That
+would be the best way to make her lose interest in him."
+
+"Patty Fairfield! I'm ashamed of you. I always knew you were a flirt,
+but anything like that would be downright deception."
+
+"Oh, fiddle-de-dee! All's fair in love and war. You're too
+matter-of-fact, Roger,--too staid and practical. Brace up and tease
+Mona. Get her guessing--and the game will be all in your own hands."
+
+"How do you know these things, Patty? You're too young for such
+worldly wisdom."
+
+"Oh, women are born with a spirit of contrariness. And, anyway, it's
+human nature. Now, you jolly Mona up, and stop looking as if you'd
+lost your last friend,--and then see how the cat jumps. Why, what is
+Hal Ferris doing?"
+
+The Lord of Misrule had jumped up on a table, and was flourishing his
+sceptre, and announcing that he would now issue a few decrees, and
+they must immediately be obeyed.
+
+He said the audience wished to see some well-acted plays, and he would
+ask some of the guests present to favour them.
+
+"As these dramas are necessarily impromptu," he said, "you will please
+come forward and do your parts as soon as your names are called. Any
+delay, hesitation, or tardiness will be punished to the full extent of
+the Law of Misrule. The first play, ladies and gentlemen, will be a
+realistic representation of the great tragedy of 'Jack and Jill.' It
+will be acted by Mr. Van Reypen and Miss Fairfield. Ready! Time!"
+
+Philip and Patty went forward at once, for though they had had no
+intimation of this act, they were quite ready to take their part in
+the merriment.
+
+Philip caught up one of the glass baskets which he had brought up for
+gifts, and declared that represented their pail.
+
+"It isn't mine!" cried Daisy. "I don't want mine smashed!"
+
+"No matter what happens," returned Philip, "we must be realistic."
+
+"Here, take this instead," said Jim Kenerley, offering an antique
+copper bucket, which was one of his pet pieces.
+
+"All right, it _is_ better. Now, the play begins. This is an
+illustrated ballad, you know. Will somebody with a sweet voice kindly
+recite the words?"
+
+"I will," volunteered Hal, himself. "My voice is as sweet as taffy."
+
+He began intoning the nursery rhyme, and Patty and Philip strolled
+through the hall, swinging the bucket between them, and acting like
+two country children going for water. They climbed the stairs,
+laboriously, as if clambering up a steep hill, and as they went up,
+Philip hastily whispered to Patty how they were to come down.
+
+She understood quickly, and as the second line was drawled out they
+stood at the top of the stairs. Then when Hal said, "Jack fell
+down----" there was a terrific plunge and Philip tumbled, head over
+heels, all the way downstairs, with the big copper bucket rolling
+bumpety-bump down beside him. He was a trained athlete, and knew how
+to fall without hurting himself, but his mad pitching made it seem
+entirely an accidental fall. In the screams of laughter, the last line
+could scarcely be heard, but when Hal said, "And Jill came tumbling
+after," Patty poised on the top step, leaning over so far that it
+seemed as if in a moment she must pitch headlong. Her fancy dance
+training enabled her to hold this precarious position, and as she
+stood, motionless, a beautiful tableau, everybody applauded.
+
+"All over!" cried the Lord of Misrule, after a moment. "Curtain's
+down!"
+
+There was only an imaginary curtain, so considering herself dismissed,
+Patty came tripping downstairs, and the broken-crowned Jack stood
+waiting to receive her.
+
+"Good work!" he commented. "How could you stand in that breakneck
+position?"
+
+"How could you take that breakneck fall?" she queried back, and then
+they sought a nearby seat to witness the next "play."
+
+"Now," said the Lord of Misrule, "we will have a thrilling drama by
+Miss Dow and--well, she may select her own company."
+
+"I choose Jim Kenerley," said Daisy, suddenly remembering a little
+trick they used to do in school. A whispered word was enough to recall
+it to Jim's mind, and in a twinkling he had snatched a gay silk
+lamp-shade from an electrolier and clapped it on his head, and draped
+around him a Bagdad couch cover. Then he caught up a big bronze dagger
+from a writing-table, and he and Daisy went to the staircase landing,
+which was almost like a stage. Seemingly, Jim was a fearful bandit,
+dragging a lady, who hung back with moans and cries.
+
+On the landing, he brandished the dagger fearsomely, and Daisy knelt
+before him, begging for mercy. At least, her attitude denoted that,
+but all she said was: "A B C D," in a low, pleading voice. "E F G!"
+shouted Jim, dancing about in a fierce fury.
+
+Daisy threw out her arms and fairly grovelled at his feet, begging, "H
+I J K." "L M!" shouted Jim; "N O!"
+
+Then Daisy's pretty hair became loosened from its pins, and fell, a
+shining mass, down her back.
+
+Jim clutched it. "P Q R!" he yelled, as he waved the dagger aloft.
+
+"S T!" moaned Daisy, swaying from side to side, as if in an agony of
+fear.
+
+"U! V! W!" and the blade of the dagger rested against the fair neck,
+as the dreadful brigand, with a fierce shout, attacked his victim.
+
+"X Y!" Daisy shrieked, and then toppled over, as if killed, while Jim,
+with a frenzied yell of "Z!" towered, triumphant, above his slain
+captive.
+
+How they all laughed; for it was good acting, though of course greatly
+burlesqued. But both had a touch of dramatic genius, and they had
+often given this little exhibition in their old school days.
+
+"Fine!" said Adèle, who was shaking with laughter. "You never did it
+better, Daisy. You ought to go on the stage."
+
+Daisy smiled and bowed at the applause, and began to twist up her
+hair.
+
+"My beloved subjects," said the Lord of Misrule, "you are sure some
+actors! I didn't know I had so much talent concealed about my kingdom.
+I shall now aim for a higher touch of histrionic art. Let us stop at
+nothing! Let us give the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. I will
+command Miss Galbraith to play the part of Juliet, and if no one
+volunteers as Romeo, I'll modestly remark that I'm a ripping good
+actor myself."
+
+"Too late," said Roger, calmly; "I've already signed for the part,"
+and taking Mona's hand, he led her toward the staircase.
+
+"I can't!" protested Mona. "I don't know a word of it!"
+
+"Can't! Won't!" cried the Lord of Misrule, in stentorian tones. "Those
+words are not allowed in this my Court. Ha, maiden, dost desire the
+dungeon for thine? Dost hanker after prison fare? Fie! Get to thy
+place and take thy cue."
+
+Mona flung her lace handkerchief on her head for a little Juliet cap,
+and accepting a large lace scarf which a lady offered her as she
+passed, and an enormous bunch of roses, which Jim hastily took from a
+vase and gave her, they all agreed she was perfectly costumed for
+Juliet.
+
+Upstairs she went, and drawing a chair to the railing, looked over at
+Roger below. He had hastily opened a small cupboard, and caught up a
+broad black hat of Adèle's, with a long, willowed ostrich plume. He
+put it on, so that the feather hung straight down his face, and he
+kept blowing it out of his eyes. Daisy had offered him a gay, flowered
+chiffon scarf as he passed her, and he tied it round his waist like a
+sash.
+
+"'Oh, Romeo! Romeo! Romeo!'" began Mona.
+
+"'Wherefore,'" prompted Roger in a stage whisper.
+
+"'Wherefore,'" said Mona, obediently, "whence, whither, why----"
+
+"Never mind," said Roger, calmly. "I'll say the lines you forget.
+'Wherefore art thou Romeo?' Now for the second act. I wish to goodness
+I could be a glove upon that paw of yours."
+
+"Why?" queried Mona.
+
+"So you wouldn't give me the mitten. Pardon, good friends, merely an
+interpolation. Back to work now. It was the nightingale and not a poll
+parrot that hit you in the ear."
+
+"Oh, Romeo, Romeo," Mona broke in. "I'd like to cut you up into little
+bits of stars, and decorate the sky with you."
+
+"Call me but Star, and I'll be baptised all over again. Friends, as
+we're a little shy on lines, the rest of this will be pantomime."
+
+Roger then sneaked cautiously upstairs, motioned to Mona to make no
+sound, picked up various impedimenta, including books, vases, a
+statuette, and such things as he could find on the hall tables, added
+a good-sized rug, and then, also picking Mona up in his arms, he
+stealthily made his way downstairs again, and the elopement was
+successful.
+
+"Roger, you strong giant!" cried Patty. "How _could_ you carry all
+those things downstairs?"
+
+"My warriors are all strong men!" said the Lord of Misrule. "They can
+carry off anything, and carry on like everything."
+
+And then, as Christmas Eve was well past, and Christmas Day had begun,
+the merry guests went away, and the house party congratulated itself
+all round, wished everybody Merry Christmas, and went away to rest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+COASTING
+
+
+Christmas morning was as white as the most picturesque imagination
+could desire. A heavy snow had fallen in the night and lay, sparkling,
+all over the fields and hills, so that now, in the sunshine, the whole
+earth seemed powdered with diamonds.
+
+Patty came dancing downstairs, in a dainty little white morning frock.
+
+"Merry Christmas, everybody!" she cried, as she found the group
+gathered round the fireplace in the hall. "Did you ever see such a
+beautiful day? Not for skating," and she smiled at Hal, "but for
+snow-balling or coasting or any old kind of fun with snow."
+
+"All right," cried Roger. "Who's for a snow frolic? We can build a
+fort----"
+
+"And make a snow-man," put in Daisy, "with a pipe in his mouth and an
+old hat on his head. Why do snow-men always have to have those two
+things?"
+
+"They don't," said Jim Kenerley. "That's an exploded theory. Let's
+make one this morning of a modern type, and let him have anything he
+wants except a pipe and a battered stove-pipe hat."
+
+"We'll give him a cigarette and a Derby," said Patty. "Oh, here comes
+the mail! Let's have that before we go after our snow-man."
+
+The chauffeur came in from a trip to the post-office, with his hands
+and arms full of mail,--parcels, papers, and letters,--which he
+deposited on a table, and Jim Kenerley sorted them over.
+
+"Heaps of things for everybody," he said. "Belated gifts, magazines,
+letters, and post cards. Patty, this big parcel is for you; Daisy,
+here are two for you."
+
+"May take letters! Let baby May be postman!" cried the infant
+Kenerley.
+
+"Let her, Jim,--she loves to be postman," and Adèle put the baby down
+from her arms, and she toddled to her father.
+
+"Great scheme!" said Hal. "Wait a minute, midget; I'll make you a
+cap."
+
+With a few folds, a newspaper was transformed into a three-cornered
+cap and placed on the baby's head.
+
+"Now you're a postman," said her uncle. "Go and get the letters from
+the post-office."
+
+"Letters, p'ease," said the baby, holding out her fat little hands to
+her father.
+
+"All right, kiddums; these parcels are too big for you; you're no
+parcel-post carrier. But here's a bunch of letters; pass them around
+and let every one pick out his own."
+
+Obediently, the baby postman started off, and passing Daisy first,
+dumped the whole lot in her lap.
+
+"Wait a minute, Toddles," said Daisy. "I'll pick out mine, then you
+take the rest on."
+
+Daisy selected half a dozen or more, and gave the rest of the lot back
+to the little one, who went on round the circle, letting each pick out
+his own letters.
+
+Patty had about a dozen letters, and cards and greetings of various
+sorts. Some she tore open and read aloud, some she read to herself,
+and some she kept to open when she might be alone.
+
+"Have you opened all your letters, Patty?" asked Jim, looking at her,
+quizzically.
+
+"No; I saved father's and Nan's to read by myself, you people are so
+distracting."
+
+"Oho! Father's and Nan's! Oho! aha! And are those the only ones you
+saved to read by yourself, young lady?"
+
+"I saved Elise's, also," said Patty, looking at him, a little
+surprised. "Aren't you the inquisitive gentleman, anyway!"
+
+"Elise's! Oh, yes, Elise's! And how about that big blue one,--what
+have you done with that?"
+
+"I don't see any big blue one," said Patty, innocently. "What do you
+mean, Jim?"
+
+"Oho! _what_ do I mean? What, _indeed_!"
+
+"Now, stop, Jim," said his wife. "I don't know what you're teasing
+Patty about, but she shan't be teased. If she wants to keep her big
+blue letter to herself, she's going to keep it, that's all."
+
+"Of course I shall," said Patty, saucily. "That is, I should, if I had
+any big blue letter, but I haven't."
+
+"Never mind big blue letters," said Roger, "let's all go out and play
+in the snow."
+
+So everybody put on wraps and caps and furs and out they went like a
+parcel of children to frolic in the snow. Snow-balling was a matter of
+course, but nobody minded a lump of soft snow, and soon they began to
+build the snow-man.
+
+He turned out to be a marvel of art and architecture, and as his
+heroic proportions were far too great for anybody's hat or coat, they
+draped an Indian blanket around him and stuck a Japanese parasol on
+the top of his head to protect him from the sun.
+
+Roger insisted on the cigarette, and as the snow gentleman had been
+provided with a fine set of orange-peel teeth, he held his cigarette
+jauntily and firmly.
+
+"I want to go coasting," said Patty.
+
+"And so you shall," said Jim. "I sent for a lot of sleds from the
+village, and I think they've arrived."
+
+Sure enough, there were half a dozen new sleds ready for them, and
+snatching the ropes, with glee, they dragged them to a nearby hill.
+
+It was a long, easy slope, just right for coasting.
+
+"Want to be pioneer?" asked Roger of Patty. And ever-ready Patty
+tucked herself on to a sled, grasped the rope, Roger gave her a push,
+and she was half-way down the hill before any one knew she had
+started. The rest followed, and soon the whole party stood laughing at
+the bottom of the long hill.
+
+"The worst is walking up again," said Patty, looking back up the hill.
+
+"Do you say that because it's what everybody says,--or because you're
+lazy?" asked Philip.
+
+"Because I'm lazy," returned Patty, promptly.
+
+"Then get on your sled, and I'll pull you up."
+
+"No, I'm not lazy enough for that, I hope! But I'll tell you what I'll
+do; I'll race you up."
+
+"Huh! as if I couldn't beat you up, and not half try!"
+
+"Oh, I don't _know_! Come on, now, do your best! One, two, three, go!"
+
+Each pulling a sled, they started to run uphill; at least, Philip
+started to run, and at a good rate; but Patty walked,--briskly and
+evenly, knowing full well that Philip could not keep up his gait.
+
+And she was right. Half-way up the hill, Philip was forced to slow
+down, and panting and puffing,--for he was a big man,--he turned to
+look for Patty. She came along, and swung past him with an easy
+stride, flinging back over her shoulder, "Take another sprint, and you
+may catch me yet!"
+
+"I'll catch you, no matter how much I have to sprint," Philip called
+after her, but he walked slowly for a few paces. Then, having regained
+his breath, he strode after her, and rapidly gained upon her progress.
+Patty looked over her shoulder, saw him coming, and began to run. But
+running uphill is not an easy task, and Patty's strength began to give
+out. Philip saw this, and fell back a bit on purpose to give her an
+advantage. Then as they were very near the top, Patty broke into a
+desperate run. Philip ran swiftly, overtook her, picked her up in his
+arms as he passed, and plumped her down into a soft snowbank at the
+very top of the hill.
+
+"There!" he cried; "that's the goal, and you reached it first!"
+
+"With your help," and Patty pouted a little.
+
+"My help is always at your disposal, when you can't get up a hill."
+
+"That would be a fine help, if I ever had hills to climb. But I never
+do. This is a great exception."
+
+"But there are other hills than snow hills."
+
+"Oh, I suppose now you're talking in allegories. I never _could_
+understand those."
+
+"Some day, when I get a real good chance, I'll explain them to you.
+May I?"
+
+Philip's face was laughing, but there was a touch of seriousness in
+his tone that made Patty look up quickly. She found his dark eyes
+looking straight into her own. She jumped up from her snowbank,
+saying: "I want to go down again. Where's a sled?"
+
+"Come on this one with me," said Hal, who had a long, toboggan sort of
+an affair.
+
+"This is great!" said Patty. "Where did you get this double-rigged
+thing?"
+
+"It's been here all the time, but you've been so wrapped up in that
+Van Reypen chap that you had no eyes for anybody else, or anybody
+else's sled! I'm downright jealous of that man, and I'll be glad when
+he goes home."
+
+"Ah, now, Chub," said Patty, coaxingly, "don't talk to me scoldy!
+Don't now; will you, Chubsy?"
+
+"Yes, I will, if you like him better than you do me."
+
+"Why, goodness, gracious, sakes alive! I've known him for _years_, and
+I've only known you a few days!"
+
+"That doesn't matter. I've only known you a few days, and I'm head
+over heels in love with you!"
+
+"Wow!" exclaimed Patty, "but this is sudden! Do you know, it's so
+awful swift, I don't believe it can be the real thing!"
+
+"Do you know what the Real Thing is?"
+
+"Haven't a notion."
+
+"Mayn't I tell you?"
+
+"No, sir-ee. You see, I don't want to know for years yet! _Why_ can't
+people let me alone?"
+
+"Who else has been bothering you?" demanded Hal, jealously.
+
+"I don't call it a bother! I supposed it was part of the game. Don't
+all girls have nice compliments, and flattery kind of speeches from
+the young men they know?"
+
+"I don't know whether they do or not," growled Hal.
+
+"Well, I know; they do, and they don't mean a thing; it's part of the
+game, you know. Now, I'll tell you something. I've known Philip Van
+Reypen ever so much longer than I have you, and yet I like you both
+exactly the same! And Roger just the same,--and Jim just the same!"
+
+"And Martin, the chauffeur, just the same, I suppose; and Mike, the
+gardener, just the same!"
+
+"Yep," agreed Patty. "_Everybody_ just the same! I think that's the
+way to do in this world, love your neighbour as yourself, and look
+upon all men as free and equal."
+
+"Well, I don't think all girls are equal,--not by a long shot. To my
+mind they're divided into two classes."
+
+"What two?" said Patty, with some curiosity.
+
+"One class is Patty Fairfield, and the other class is everybody else."
+
+They had reached the bottom of the hill before this, and were sitting
+on the sled, talking. Patty jumped up and clapped her hands. "That's
+about the prettiest speech I ever had made to me! It's a beautiful
+speech! I'm going right straight up the hill and tell it to everybody!"
+
+"Patty, _don't_!" cried Hal, his honest, boyish face turning crimson.
+
+"Oh, then you didn't mean it!" and Patty was the picture of
+disappointment.
+
+"I did! _Of course_ I did! But girls don't run and tell everything
+everybody says to them!"
+
+"Don't they? Well, then, _I_ won't. You see, I haven't had as much
+experience in these matters as you have! Mustn't I _ever_ tell
+anything nice that _anybody_ says to me?"
+
+"Not what _I_ say to you, anyhow! You see, they're confidences."
+
+"Well, I don't want any more of them just now. I came out here for
+coasting, not for confidences."
+
+"I fear, my dear little girl, you're destined all through life to get
+confidences, whatever you may go for."
+
+"Oh, what a horrible outlook! Well, then, let me gather my coasting
+while I may! Come on, Chubsy, let's go up the hill." And putting her
+hand in Hal's, Patty started the upward journey.
+
+At the top she declared she was going for one more ride downhill, and
+this time with Jim. "For," she said to herself, "I would like _one_
+ride without 'confidences.'"
+
+"Off we go!" said Jim, as he arranged her snugly on the toboggan sled,
+and took his place in front of her. They had a fine ride down, and Jim
+insisted on pulling Patty up again. She rode part way, and then
+decided it was too hard work for him, and jumped off.
+
+"I guess I'm good for some walk," she said, as she tucked her arm
+through his, and they climbed the hill slowly.
+
+"I guess you are, Patty. You're strong enough, only you're not as
+hardy as Daisy and Adèle. I believe our Western girls are heartier
+than you New Yorkers. By the way, Patty, speaking of the West at
+large, what made you tell a naughty story this morning?"
+
+"I didn't!" and Patty looked at him with wide-open eyes. "I have a few
+faults, Jim, a _very_ few, and _very_ small ones! but truly,
+storytelling isn't among them."
+
+"But you said you didn't get a big blue letter," pursued Jim.
+
+"And neither I did," protested Patty. "What do you mean, Jim, by that
+big blue letter? I didn't see any."
+
+"Patty, it's none of my business, but you seem to be in earnest in
+what you say, so I'll tell you that there certainly was in the mail a
+big blue letter for you, addressed in Bill Farnsworth's handwriting. I
+wasn't curious, but I couldn't help seeing it; and I know the dear old
+boy's fist so well, that I was moved to tease you about it."
+
+"It didn't tease me, Jim, for I didn't get any such letter."
+
+"Well, then, where is it?"
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure. Perhaps baby May kept it."
+
+"Perhaps some of the boys got it and kept it to tease you."
+
+"I don't believe they'd do that. Perhaps Adèle saved it for me. Well,
+we'll look around when we get home, but don't say anything about it."
+
+But when they reached the house, neither Jim nor Patty could find the
+blue letter. Adèle said she had not seen it, and Patty insisted that
+no one else should be questioned. Privately, she thought that Hal
+Ferris had received it by mistake from baby May, and had kept it,
+because he, too, knew Bill's handwriting, and because,--well, of
+course, it _was_ foolish, she knew,--but Hal had said he was jealous
+of any other man, and he might have suppressed or destroyed Bill's
+card for that reason. She felt sure it was not a letter, but merely a
+Christmas card. However, she wanted it, but she wanted to ask Hal for
+it herself, instead of letting the Kenerleys ask him.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Dinner will be at two o'clock," Adèle made announcement. "It's
+considered the proper thing to eat in the middle of the day on a
+holiday, though why, I never could quite understand."
+
+"Why, of course, the reason is, so the children can eat once in a
+while," suggested her brother.
+
+"Baby can't come to the table. She's too little, and her table manners
+are informal, to say the least. However, the tradition still holds, so
+dinner's at two o'clock, and you may as well all go and get dressed,
+for it's after one, now. There'll be a few extra guests, so you girls
+will have somebody to dress up for."
+
+"I like that," said Roger; "as if we boys weren't enough for any girls
+to dress up for!"
+
+"But you've seen all our pretty frocks," laughed Patty. "It's only
+strangers we can hope to impress with them now. I shall wear my most
+captivating gown, if Mr. Collins is coming. Is he, Adèle?"
+
+"Yes, and Mr. Hoyt, too; and two more girls. Skip along, now, and
+don't dawdle."
+
+But Patty dawdled on the staircase till Ferris came along, and then
+she spoke to him in a low tone. "Chub, you didn't see a stray letter
+of mine this morning, did you?"
+
+"'M--what kind of a letter?"
+
+"Oh, a blue envelope, with probably a card inside. I hadn't opened it,
+so I don't know what was in it."
+
+"Who was it from?"
+
+"Why, how could I tell, when I hadn't opened it! In fact, that's just
+what I want to know."
+
+"What makes you think I know anything about it?"
+
+"Oh, Chub, don't tease me! I haven't time, now; and truly, I want that
+letter! Do you know anything about it?"
+
+"No, Patty, I don't. I didn't see any letters addressed to you, except
+the bunch you had in your hand. Have you really lost one?"
+
+"Yes," said Patty, seeing that Hal was serious. "Jim told me there was
+one for me from Mr. Farnsworth, and I want it."
+
+"Bill Farnsworth! What's he writing to you for? I didn't know you knew
+him."
+
+"I don't know him very well; I only met him last summer. And I don't
+know that he did write to me; it was probably just a card. But I want
+it."
+
+"Yes, you seem to. Why, Patty, you're blushing."
+
+"I am not any such thing!"
+
+"You are, too! You're as pink as a peach."
+
+"Well, I only blushed to make you call me a peach,--and now that I've
+succeeded, I'll run away."
+
+So blushing and laughing both, Patty ran upstairs to her own room. Hal
+had been so frank that she was convinced he knew nothing about the
+letter, and she began to fear it must have been tossed into the fire,
+with the many waste papers that were scattered about.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+HIDE AND SEEK
+
+
+All the time Patty was dressing she wondered about that letter; and
+when Mona, ready for dinner, stopped at her door, Patty drew her into
+the room.
+
+"Mona," she said, "did you get a Christmas card from Mr. Farnsworth?"
+
+"Yes," said Mona, "in a big blue envelope. Daisy had one, too. Didn't
+you get one?"
+
+"No; Jim said there was one for me, but it got lost somehow. Thrown in
+the fire, I shouldn't wonder."
+
+"Well, don't mind," said Mona, cheerfully. "You can have mine. It
+isn't very pretty, and Daisy's isn't either, but I suppose they're the
+best Bill could find out there in Arizona. Do you want it now, Patty?"
+
+"I don't want it at all, Mona. What would I want with your card, or
+Daisy's either? But if Little Billee sent one to me, I'd like to have
+it, that's all."
+
+"Of course you would; but truly, they don't amount to much."
+
+"Jim must have been mistaken about there being one for me," said
+Patty, and then the two girls went downstairs.
+
+The Christmas dinner was practically a repetition of the feast of the
+night before; but as Adèle said, how could that be helped if people
+would have two Christmas celebrations on successive days?
+
+There were four extra guests, who proved to be merry and jolly young
+people, and after dinner Hal declared that his reign as Lord of
+Misrule was not yet over.
+
+"Don't let's do any more stunts like we had last night," said Mona.
+"They wear me out. Let's play easy games, like blindman's buff, or
+something."
+
+"Or Copenhagen," said Hal, but Patty frowned at him.
+
+"We're too grown-up for such things," she declared, with dignity.
+"What do you say to a nice, dignified game of hide and seek?"
+
+"All over the house!" cried Roger. "May we, Mrs. Kenerley?"
+
+"The house is yours," said Adèle. "I reserve no portion of it. From
+cellar to attic, from drawing-room to kitchen, hide where you will and
+seek where you like,--if you'll only promise not to wake the baby.
+She's taking her afternoon nap."
+
+"She doesn't seem to mind noise," said Roger. "We do make an awful
+racket, you know."
+
+"Oh, no, I don't mean that," said Adèle. "I've trained her not to
+mind noise. But I mean if your hiding and seeking takes you into the
+nursery quarters, do go softly."
+
+"Of course we will," said Philip. "I'm specially devoted to that baby,
+and I'll see that her nap isn't disturbed, even if I have to stand
+sentry at her door. But what larks to have the whole house! I've never
+played it before but what they wouldn't let you hide in this room or
+that room. Who'll be It?"
+
+"Oh, that's an old-fashioned way to play," said Hal. "Here's a better
+way. Either all the men hide and the girls find them, or else the
+other way around; and, anyway, don't you know, whoever finds who, has
+to be her partner or something."
+
+"For life?" asked Jim, looking horrified.
+
+"Mercy, no!" said his brother-in-law. "This is a civilised land, and
+we don't select life partners that way!"
+
+"You mean just partners for a dance," said Patty, trying to help him
+out.
+
+"Well, you see," said Hal, "it ought to be more than just a dance; I
+mean more like a partner for a,--for a junketing of some kind."
+
+"I'll tell you," said Adèle. "There's to be a masquerade ball at the
+Country Club on New Year's Eve, and we're all going."
+
+"Just the thing!" cried Hal. "Now, whichever seeker finds whichever
+hider, they'll go in pairs to the ball, don't you see? Romeo and
+Juliet, or anything they like, for costumes."
+
+"But we won't be here," and Philip Van Reypen looked ruefully at
+Roger. "We go back to town to-morrow."
+
+"But you can come up again," said Adèle, hospitably. "I hereby invite
+you both to come back the day before New Year's, and stay as long as
+you will."
+
+"Well, you are _some_ hostess!" declared Roger, looking grateful. "I
+accept with pleasure, but I doubt if my friend Van Reypen can get
+away."
+
+"Can he!" cried Philip. "Well, I rather guess he can! Mrs. Kenerley,
+you're all sorts of a darling, and you'll see me back here on the
+first train after your invitation takes effect."
+
+"Then hurrah for our game of hide and seek," Hal exclaimed. "Jim and
+Adèle, you must be in it, too. You needn't think you can go as Darby
+and Joan,--you must take your chances with the rest. If you find each
+other, all right, but if you find anybody else, that's your fate,--see?"
+
+"I'm willing," said Adèle, laughing. "I'm sure I'd be glad to go with
+any of you beautiful young men."
+
+"Now, will you listen to _that_!" cried her husband. "Well, I won't be
+outdone in generosity. I'll be proud to escort any one of this galaxy
+of beauty," and he looked at the group of pretty girls.
+
+"Now, we must do it all up proper," said Hal. "In the first place, we
+must draw lots to see whether the girls shall hide or we shall. We
+must have it all very fair."
+
+He tore two strips of paper, one longer than the other, and holding
+them behind him, bade Adèle choose.
+
+"Right!" she said, and Hal put forth his right hand and gave her a
+paper on which was written "Girls."
+
+"All right," went on the master of ceremonies. "Now you girls must
+hide. We'll give you fifteen minutes to tuck yourselves away, and then
+we're all coming to look for you. As soon as any man finds any girl,
+he brings her back here to the hall to wait for the others. Now,
+there's no stipulation, except that you must not go out of the house.
+Scoot! and remember, in fifteen minutes we'll be after you!"
+
+The six girls ran away and made for various parts of the house. The
+two Misses Crosby, who had come as dinner guests, looked a little
+surprised at this unusual game, and Patty said to them, kindly: "You
+don't mind, do you? You know, you needn't really go with the man who
+finds you, if you don't want to."
+
+"Oh, we don't mind," said the elder Miss Crosby. "I think it's
+fun,--only if I should draw that dignified Mr. Van Reypen I'd be
+scared to death!"
+
+"Oh, he isn't so awfully dignified," laughed Patty. "That's just his
+manner at first. When you know him better, he's as jolly as anything.
+But hurry up, girls, the minutes are flying."
+
+The girls scampered away, some running to the attic, others going into
+wardrobes or behind sofas, and Patty ran to her own room.
+
+Then she bethought herself that that was one of the most likely places
+they would look for her, and she was seized with an ambition to baffle
+the seekers. With a half-formed plan in her mind, she slipped out of a
+side door of her own room that opened on a small passage leading to
+the nursery. In the nursery, she found the baby asleep in her crib,
+and the Fräulein lying down on a couch with a slumber-robe thrown
+over her, though she was not asleep.
+
+Like a flash, Patty's plan formed itself. She whispered to the
+Fräulein, and with a quick understanding the good-natured German girl
+took off her rather voluminous frilled cap, with its long muslin
+streamers, and put it on Patty's head. Then Patty lay down on the couch,
+with her face toward the wall, and deep buried in the pillows. Fräulein
+tucked the slumber-robe over her, and then herself disappeared down into
+the kitchen quarters.
+
+The search was rather a long one, for the house was large, and the
+girls had chosen difficult hiding-places.
+
+The two Crosby girls were found first, because not knowing the house
+well, they had simply gone into hall closets, and stood behind some
+hanging dresses. They were discovered by Jim Kenerley and Hal; and if
+the latter was disappointed in his quarry, he gave no sign of it.
+
+The four returned to the hall, and after a while they were joined by
+Roger and Mona.
+
+"Oho," said Jim, who loved to tease, "what a coincidence that you two
+should find each other!"
+
+"Easy enough," said Roger. "I knew Mona would choose the very hardest
+place to find; so I went straight to the attic to the very farthest,
+darkest corner, and there she was, waiting for me!"
+
+"There I was," said Mona, "but I wasn't waiting for _you_!"
+
+"No, you were waiting for me, I know," said Jim, ironically. "But
+never mind, Mona, we'll be partners next time. Hello, Adèle, is that
+_your_ terrible fate?" and they all laughed as Adèle and Mr. Hoyt
+came in together, with cobwebs on their hair and smudges of black on
+their faces.
+
+"I thought I'd be so smart, Jim, and I hid in the coal-bin; but Mr.
+Hoyt found me! By the way, we must have that place cleaned; it's a
+disgrace to the house!"
+
+"But you know, my dear, we don't often use it to receive our guests
+in."
+
+"Well, I don't care, it must be cleaned. There's no excuse for
+cobwebs. Now I must go and tidy up. I hope they haven't wakened the
+baby. Oh, here's Daisy."
+
+Daisy and Mr. Collins came in, laughing, and Mr. Collins declared he
+had found Miss Dow hanging out the third-story window by her
+finger-tips.
+
+"Nothing of the sort," said Daisy. "I was out on a kind of little
+balcony place, that's on top of a bay-window or something,--but I put
+my hands over the sill inside, so that I could say I was still in the
+house. Wasn't that fair?"
+
+"Well, it's fair enough, as long as I found you," said Mr. Collins.
+"But when I saw your hands, I really thought you were hanging from the
+sill!"
+
+"Where's Patty?" asked Daisy, "and Mr. Van Reypen? Are they still
+finding each other?"
+
+"I saw Phil," said Roger, "standing guard at the nursery door, as he
+said he would. He let us each go in and look around, on condition that
+we wouldn't wake the baby. And the baby's nurse was also asleep on the
+sofa, so I looked around and sneaked out as fast as I could."
+
+Just then Van Reypen came downstairs. "I've been delayed," he said,
+"because I held the fort for the baby, until every man-jack of you had
+been in the nursery. Now I'm going to begin _my search_. Who is there
+left to find?"
+
+"Oh, who, _indeed_?" said Jim, looking wise. "Oh, _nobody_ in
+particular! Nobody but that little Fairfield girl, and _of course_ you
+wouldn't want to find _her_!"
+
+"Patty!" exclaimed Philip, as he looked around at the group. "Why, she
+isn't here, is she? Where can that little rascal be? You fellows have
+been all over the house, I suppose?"
+
+"Every nook and cranny," declared Mr. Hoyt. "It was as a very last
+resort that I went to the coal-bin and captured Mrs. Kenerley."
+
+"Been through the kitchens?" asked Philip, looking puzzled.
+
+"I have," said Mr. Collins. "They're full of startled-looking servants
+who seemed to think I was a lunatic, or a gentleman burglar,--I don't
+know which."
+
+"Well, of course she's got to be found," said Philip. "There's no use
+looking in the obvious places, for Patty's just cute enough to pick
+out a most unexpected hiding-place. Come on, Roger; you found your
+girl,--help me with mine."
+
+"Oh, it isn't fair to have help," said Hal. "Alone upon your quest you
+go!"
+
+"Here I go, then." And Philip ran upstairs three at a time. He went
+first to the attics, and made a systematic search of every hall, room,
+and closet. He even peeped into the great tank, as if Patty might have
+been transformed into a mermaid. Then followed a thorough search of
+the second story, with all its rambling ells and side corridors; he
+tiptoed through the nursery, smiling at the sleeping baby and casting
+a casual glance at the still figure on the couch with the long, white
+cap-strings falling to the floor.
+
+On he went, through the various rooms, and at last, with slow step,
+came down into the hall again.
+
+"I think she had one of those contraptions like the Peter Pan
+fairies," he said, "and flew right out through the roof and up into
+the sky! But I haven't searched this floor yet. May I go into the
+dining-room and kitchens, Mrs. Kenerley?"
+
+"Everywhere," said Adèle. "You know I made no reservations."
+
+Philip strode through the rooms, looked under the dining-room table
+and into the sideboard cupboards; on through the butler's pantry, and
+into the kitchens. Needless to say, he found no Patty, and returned,
+looking more puzzled than ever.
+
+"I'm not going down cellar," he said. "Something tells me that Patty
+couldn't possibly stay down there all this time! It's more than an
+hour since she hid."
+
+"What are you going to do about it?" inquired Jim. "Give it up? I'll
+ring the Chinese gong for her to come back to us. That was to be a
+signal in case of an emergency."
+
+"No," said Philip. "I'm going to reason this thing out. Give me a few
+minutes to think, and I believe I can find her."
+
+"Don't anybody disturb him, let him think!" said Mona, gaily, and
+going to the piano, she began to play "Alice, where art thou?" in
+wailing strains that made them all laugh.
+
+All at once Philip jumped up. "I know where she is!" he exclaimed.
+"Sit still all of you, and I'll bring her back with me!"
+
+"Wait a minute," said Adèle, curiously. "How did you find it out?"
+
+"Do _you_ know where she is?" and Philip looked at her intently.
+
+"No, I haven't the slightest idea," said Adèle, honestly. "But I
+wondered how you could know, just from thinking about it."
+
+"It's clairvoyance," said Philip, with a mock air of mystery. "You
+see, I know all the places where she _isn't_, so the one place I have
+in mind must be where she _is_. By the way, Mrs. Kenerley; baby always
+takes an afternoon nap, doesn't she?"
+
+"Yes, always."
+
+"And does the Fräulein, her nurse, always take a nap at the same
+time?"
+
+"Oh, no! She never naps in the daytime."
+
+"She did to-day," began Roger, but Philip was already flying upstairs
+again.
+
+He went softly into the nursery. The baby was still asleep, the figure
+on the couch still lay quietly beneath the knitted afghan.
+
+Philip went over and stood beside the couch. The face was buried in
+the pillow, but beneath the edge of the cap he saw some stray golden
+curls.
+
+"H'm!" he mused, in a low voice, but entirely audible to Patty. "I
+thought baby May's nurse had dark hair. She must have bleached it!"
+
+Patty gave no sign that she heard, but cuddled her head more deeply in
+the soft pillows.
+
+"Why, it isn't the Fräulein at all!" said Philip, in tones of great
+surprise. "It's the Sleeping Beauty!"
+
+Still Patty gave no intimation of being awake, though, of course, she
+was.
+
+Then Philip leaned down over her and murmured: "And I'm the Prince;
+and when the Prince finds the Sleeping Beauty, there's only one course
+for him to pursue."
+
+At this, Patty opened her eyes and prepared to spring up, but she was
+not quite quick enough, and Philip lightly kissed the top of her
+little pink ear, before she could elude him.
+
+"How dare you!" she cried, and her eyes flashed with indignation.
+
+But Philip stood calmly smiling at her.
+
+"It's entirely permissible," he said, "when any Prince finds a
+Sleeping Beauty, to kiss her awake."
+
+"But I wasn't asleep!" stormed Patty, "and you knew it!"
+
+"You gave such a successful imitation of it, that I consider myself
+justified," he returned. "And, anyway, it was only a little bit of a
+butterfly kiss, and it doesn't really count."
+
+"No," agreed Patty, rather relieved, "it doesn't count."
+
+"But it counts that I have found you," went on Philip. "You know the
+rest of the story, after the Prince kissed the Sleeping Beauty?"
+
+"She had to go to the Country Club ball with him," said Patty,
+laughing, as she danced away from him. "Be careful, Philip; we'll wake
+baby May. Come on downstairs."
+
+"I found her," announced Philip, somewhat unnecessarily; "and I was a
+blooming idiot not to know she was there all the time!"
+
+"You sure were!" said Roger, when he heard the story. "Did you get a
+good rest, Patty?"
+
+"Yes; only it was interrupted so soon," and Patty returned Philip's
+meaning glance with a saucy smile.
+
+"Well," Roger went on, "now you two will have to go to the masquerade
+together. I suppose you'll go as Jack and Jill?"
+
+"No," said Philip, "I think fairy tales are much prettier than Mother
+Goose rhymes. We're going as the Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, and the
+Fairy Prince. Only, of course, the Sleeping Beauty will be awake for
+the occasion. Shall I bring up your costume when I return next week,
+Patty?"
+
+"I might like to have a voice in deciding on the part I shall take,"
+said Patty, with a show of spirit.
+
+"But you _did_ decide it! I never should have thought of appearing as
+'Prince Charming,' if you hadn't----"
+
+"That will do, Philip!" said Patty, turning very pink.
+
+"Go on, Phil!" cried Roger. "If she hadn't what?"
+
+"If she hadn't said I'd look so sweet in a light blue satin coat,"
+replied Philip, pretending to look confused.
+
+"Oh, pshaw! She didn't say that," declared Roger. "And beside, you
+won't!"
+
+"Oh, yes, he will," said Patty. "Those court suits are lovely,--all
+silver lace and cocked hats! Oh, Philip, do wear one of those! And
+I'll write to Nan, to get me a costume. What are you going to wear,
+Mona?"
+
+"But we mustn't tell!" said Adèle, in dismay. "This is a masquerade,
+not merely a fancy dress ball."
+
+"Oh!" said Patty. "Then we'll have to change our plans, Philip. The
+Sleeping Beauty game is all off!"
+
+"Only for the moment!" And Philip threw her a challenging glance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A PROPOSAL
+
+
+It was after midnight when the Christmas guests went away, and Patty
+declared her intention of going to bed at once.
+
+"I coasted and danced and played hide and seek till I'm utterly worn
+out," she said, "and I think I shall sleep for a week!"
+
+"But I'm going away to-morrow," said Philip, detaining her a moment.
+
+"But you're coming back next week. I'll promise to be awake by then.
+But now I'm going to hibernate, like a bear! Good-night, everybody!"
+and Patty ran upstairs without further ceremony.
+
+But as, in her pretty blue négligée, she sat before the mirror
+brushing her long hair, Mona, Daisy, and Adèle all came into her
+room, quite evidently with a determination to chat.
+
+"You're an old sleepy-head, Patty," declared Adèle. "You may sleep as
+late as you like in the morning, but we want to have a little confab
+now, about lots of things."
+
+"Nicht, nein, non, no!" cried Patty, jumping up and brandishing her
+hair-brush. "I know perfectly well what your confabs mean,--an hour or
+more of chattering and giggling! Come in the morning,--I'm going to
+have my chocolate upstairs to-morrow,--and I'll give you all the
+information you want. But as for to-night, skip, scoot, scamper, and
+vamoose, every dear, sweet, pretty little one of you!"
+
+Laughingly, Patty pushed the three out of her room, and closing the
+door after them, turned its key, unheeding their protests, and
+returned to her hair-brushing.
+
+"It's no use, Patricia," she said, talking to herself in the mirror,
+as she often did, "letting those girls keep you up till all hours! You
+need your beauty sleep, to preserve what small pretence to good looks
+you have left."
+
+Patty was not really vain of her pretty face, but she well knew that
+her delicate type of beauty could not stand continuous late hours
+without showing it, and Patty was not mistaken when she claimed for
+herself a good share of common sense.
+
+But as she brushed away at the golden tangle of curls, she heard a light
+tap at her door, which sounded insistent, rather than mischievous.
+
+"Who is it?" she asked, as she rose and went toward the door.
+
+"It's Daisy," said a low voice. "Let me in, Patty, just for a minute."
+
+So Patty opened the door, and Daisy Dow came in.
+
+"I want to tell you something," she said, as Patty stood waiting,
+brush in hand. "I don't really want to tell you a bit,--but Jim says I
+must," and Daisy looked decidedly cross and ill-tempered.
+
+Patty realised that it was a bother of some kind, and she said,
+gently, "Leave it till morning, Daisy; we'll both feel brighter then."
+
+"No; Jim said I must tell you to-night. Oh, pshaw, it's nothing,
+anyway! Only there _was_ a letter for you from Bill Farnsworth, and I
+took it from May, and kept it for a while, just to tease you. I was
+going to give it to you to-morrow, anyway; but Jim came and asked me
+about it, and made _such_ a fuss! Men are so _silly_!"
+
+"Why, no, Daisy, it isn't anything much; only you know people _do_
+like to have letters that belong to them! But, as you say, it's
+nothing to make a fuss about. Incidentally, I believe it's a State's
+prison offence,--or would be if you opened it. You didn't, did you?"
+
+"Of course not!" said Daisy; "but I knew it was only a card, like
+ours, and I just kept it back for fun."
+
+"It doesn't seem to me an awfully good joke,--but never mind that.
+Give me the letter, and we'll call it square, and I won't have you
+arrested or anything."
+
+Patty spoke lightly, but really she was deeply annoyed at this foolish
+trick of Daisy's. However, since Jim had found out the truth and made
+Daisy own up, there was no great harm done.
+
+"I haven't got the letter," said Daisy. "I left it downstairs, but we
+can get it in the morning. I'm sure it's only a card; it is just the
+same size and shape as ours."
+
+"Daisy, what did you do it for?" And Patty looked the girl in the
+eyes, in a real curiosity to know why she should descend to this petty
+meanness.
+
+"Because you're such a favourite," said Daisy, truthfully. "Everybody
+likes you best, and everybody does everything for you, and you get
+everything, and I wanted to tease you!"
+
+Patty grasped the girl by her shoulders, and shook her good-naturedly,
+while she laughed aloud. "Daisy, you _do_ beat the dickens! You know
+that foolish little temper of yours is too silly for anything, and if
+you'd conquer it you'd be a whole lot nicer girl! You're just as
+pretty as anybody else, and just as jolly and attractive, but you get
+a notion that you're slighted when you're _not_; and that makes you
+ill-tempered and you lose half your charm. Don't you know that if you
+want people to love you and admire you, you must be sunshiny and
+pleasant?"
+
+"Huh, that isn't my nature, I s'pose. I can't help my quick temper.
+But, anyway, Patty, you're a dear not to get mad,--and I'll give you
+the letter the first thing in the morning."
+
+"Where is it, Daisy?"
+
+"Oh, I just stuck it between two volumes of a cyclopædia, on a shelf
+in the library. So, you see, we can't get it till morning; but it will
+be safe there, don't worry."
+
+"I'm not worrying," and Patty smiled, as Daisy said a somewhat abrupt
+good-night, and went away.
+
+There were still a few embers of a wood fire glowing on the hearth,
+and Patty sat down before it in a big arm-chair.
+
+"I don't know why I'm so glad," she said to herself, her weariness all
+gone now. "But I did feel neglected to have Little Billee send the
+other girls cards, and leave me out. I'd like to see it; I hardly
+glanced at theirs,--though I remember, they weren't very pretty. I'd
+like to see Little Billee again, but I don't suppose I ever shall.
+Well, there are plenty of other nice boys in the world, so it doesn't
+matter much. All the same, I'd like to see that card. I believe I'll
+go down and get it. There's always a low light in the hall, and I can
+feel it between the books."
+
+Patty hesitated for some time, but finally her impatience or curiosity
+got the better of her, and she softly opened her door and peeped out.
+There were low lights in the halls, and as she listened over the
+banister and heard no sounds, Patty began to creep softly down the
+stairs. Her trailing robe of light blue crêpe de chine was edged with
+swansdown, and she drew it about her, as she noiselessly tiptoed along
+in her slippered feet.
+
+The hall light shone dimly into the library, through which Patty could
+see a brighter light in the smoking-room beyond. She listened a
+moment, but hearing no voices, concluded she could creep into the
+library, capture her card, and return undiscovered.
+
+"And, anyway," she thought to herself, "there can't be anybody in the
+smoking-room, or I would hear them talking."
+
+It was easy to proceed without a sound by stepping softly along the
+thick rugs, and as Patty knew exactly where the cyclopædias were
+shelved, she made straight for that bookcase. It was next to the
+smoking-room doorway, and as Patty reached it, she peeped around the
+portière to make sure that the next room was unoccupied.
+
+But to her surprise, she saw Philip Van Reypen stretched out in a big
+arm-chair in front of the fire. His eyes were closed, but Patty saw he
+was not asleep, as he was slowly smoking a cigar. Patty saw him
+sidewise, and she stood for a second contemplating the handsome
+profile and the fine physique of the man, who looked especially
+graceful in his careless and unconscious position.
+
+Almost holding her breath, lest he should hear her, Patty moved
+noiselessly to the shelves, being then out of sight behind a
+portière.
+
+By slow, careful movements, it was easy enough to move the books
+silently, and at last she discovered the blue envelope, tucked between
+two of them. She drew it out without a sound,--careful lest the paper
+should crackle,--and started to retrace her stealthy steps upstairs
+again, when she saw the hem of the portière move the veriest trifle.
+
+"A mouse!" she thought to herself, with a terrified spasm of fear, for
+Patty was foolishly afraid of mice.
+
+Unable to control herself, she sprang up into a soft easy-chair and
+perched on the back of it.
+
+The springs of the chair gave a tiny squeak, scarcely as loud as a
+mouse might make, yet sufficient to arouse Van Reypen from his
+reverie.
+
+He sprang up, and pushing aside the portière, switched on the light,
+to see Patty sitting on the low, tufted back of the chair, her hair
+streaming about her shoulders, and her face expressing the utmost fear
+and horror.
+
+"Well!" he observed, looking at her with a smile,--"_well_!"
+
+"Oh, Philip," whispered Patty, in a quaking voice, "it's a mouse! an
+_awful_ mouse!"
+
+"Well, what are you going to do about it?" and Philip folded his arms,
+and stood gazing at the pretty, frightened figure on the chair back.
+
+His amused calm quieted Patty's nerves, which had really been put on
+edge by her uncontrollable aversion to mice, and she returned,
+cheerfully, "I suppose I shall have to stay up here the rest of my
+life, unless you can attack and vanquish the fearsome brute."
+
+"I shall not even try," said Philip, coolly, as he turned to throw
+away his cigar, "because I like to see you sitting up there. However,
+as there may be danger of another attack from the enemy, and as this
+chair is almost entirely unoccupied, I shall camp out here at your
+feet, and keep guard over your safety."
+
+He seated himself on the arm of the same chair, while Patty sat on its
+low, cushioned back. She drew her blue gown more closely about her,
+and cast wary glances toward the corner, where the enemy was
+presumably encamped.
+
+"I think perhaps the danger is over," she said. "And if you'll go back
+to the smoking-room, I will make a brave effort to get away unharmed."
+
+"Watch me go," said Philip, showing no signs of moving. "However, if
+it will set your mind at rest, I'll tell you that it _wasn't_ a mouse.
+I don't believe they have such things in this well-regulated
+household."
+
+"But I _saw_ it!" declared Patty, positively.
+
+"Saw a mouse?"
+
+"Well, not _exactly_ that, but I saw that little tassel on the
+portière wiggle, so it _must_ have been a mouse."
+
+"Patty, you are the most ridiculous little goose on the face of this
+earth! Your imagination is something marvellous! Now I'll inform you
+that the reason that tassel moved, was because I threw a match at it.
+I aimed for a waste-basket and hit the curtain, but I had no idea that
+I should find myself so surprised at the result!"
+
+Patty dimpled and giggled. "It _is_ surprising, isn't it?" she said,
+feeling much more light-hearted since her fears were relieved
+regarding the mouse. "And I'm not sure it's altogether correct, that
+you and I should be down here alone after midnight."
+
+"Fiddlestrings!" exclaimed Philip. "Don't be a silly! And besides, Jim
+is about somewhere, and Adèle has been bobbing in and out."
+
+"There was no one in the halls when I came down. And I think, Philip,
+I'd better go back."
+
+"What did you come down for, anyhow?"
+
+For some unexplained reason, Patty suddenly felt unwilling to tell
+what she had come for. Bill's letter was hidden in the folds of her
+voluminous blue gown, and she couldn't quite bring herself to tell
+Philip that she came down for that.
+
+"Oh, I was wakeful," she said, "and I came down to get a--a book."
+
+"H'm; and you thought you'd take a volume of the Britannica back with
+you, to read yourself to sleep?"
+
+Patty had to laugh at this, for in the corner where they were, the
+shelves contained nothing but cyclopædias and dictionaries.
+
+"But they're really very interesting reading," she declared.
+
+"And this is the little girl who was so sleepy she had to run off to
+bed as soon as the party was over! Patty, Patty, I'm afraid you're not
+telling me the truth! Try again."
+
+"Well, then,--well, then, I came down because,--because I was hungry!"
+
+"Ah, that's better. Anybody has a right to be hungry, or even afraid
+of mice,--but no one has a right to lug a whole cyclopædia upstairs
+to read oneself to sleep."
+
+"I wasn't going to take _all_ the volumes," said Patty, demurely, and
+then she jumped down from her perch. "I'll just see which one I do
+want," and pretending to read the labels, she deftly slipped her
+letter back between the volumes, unseen by Van Reypen.
+
+"You little goose, you," said Philip, laughing. "Stop your nonsense,
+and let's go and forage in the dining-room for something to eat. We
+might as well have some good food while we're about it."
+
+"But I'm not exactly in proper dinner garb," said Patty, shaking out
+her blue folds, and trailing her long robe behind her.
+
+"Nonsense! I don't know much about millinery, but you never wore
+anything more becoming than all that fiddly-faddly conglomeration of
+blue silk and white fur."
+
+"It isn't fur,--it's down."
+
+"Well, I said you were a goose,--so it's most appropriate."
+
+"But it's swansdown."
+
+"Well, be a swan, then! Be anything you like. But come on, let's make
+for the dining-room. We'll probably find Jim there, but don't make any
+noise, or everybody upstairs will think we're burglars and shoot us."
+
+Philip switched off the library light, and taking Patty's hand, led
+her through the dim hall and into the dining-room. At the end of this
+room was a wide bay window, which let in a perfect flood of moonlight.
+
+"Oh," exclaimed Patty, "what a picture! From my room you couldn't tell
+it was moonlight at all."
+
+The picture from the window was a far sweep of hills, white with snow,
+and glistening in the moonlight. In the foreground, evergreen trees,
+laden with snow, stood about like sentinels,--and a big, yellow
+three-quarter moon was nearing the western horizon.
+
+"Isn't it wonderful, Philip?" whispered Patty, almost awed at the
+sight.
+
+"Yes, dear," he said, still holding her hand in both his own. "Patty,
+you have a wonderful appreciation of the beautiful."
+
+"Nobody could help loving such a sight as that."
+
+"And nobody could help loving such a girl as you!" exclaimed Philip,
+drawing her into his arms. "Patty, darling, you know I love you!
+Patty, _do_ care for me a _little_ bit, won't you?"
+
+"Don't, Philip," and Patty drew gently away from him. "_Please_ don't
+talk to me like that! Oh, I oughtn't to be here! Let me go, Philip,--I
+_know_ this isn't right."
+
+"It _is_ right, Patty, darling; because I love you, and I want you for
+all my own. Say you love me, and that will make _everything_ all
+right!"
+
+"But I don't, Philip." And Patty's voice carried a hint of tears.
+
+"But you will, dear; you _must_, because I love you _so_. Patty, I
+have always loved you, I think, since I first saw you on the stairs at
+Aunty Van's that evening. Do you remember?"
+
+"Yes, I remember; but please, Philip, let me go now, and _don't_ talk
+to me this way. I don't _want_ you to!"
+
+"You're frightened, Patty, that's all; and perhaps I ought not to have
+spoken just now; but you looked so sweet, in the moonlight, with that
+wonderful hair of yours curling about your shoulders, that I just
+couldn't help it."
+
+"I'll forgive you, Philip, if you'll forget this whole occurrence."
+
+"Forget it? Why, Patty, what do you mean? I never forget it for a
+single moment! I was sitting there to-night, dreaming of _you_. I
+wasn't asleep, you know, I was just thinking about you, and wondering
+how soon I might tell you my thoughts. You're so young, dear,--I'm
+half a dozen years older than you are,--but I want you, my little
+Patty. Mayn't I hope?"
+
+"You're quite right, Philip. I _am_ too young to think of such things.
+So cut it out for a couple of years, and then I'll see about it!"
+
+"Patty, you rogue, how _can_ you speak like that? Don't you love me a
+least little bit?"
+
+"Not a teenty weenty speck! And if you don't give me something to eat,
+I won't even _like_ you."
+
+"Well, here's a bargain, then,--if I find something nice for you to
+eat, will you like me a whole lot?"
+
+"I do like you a whole lot, anyway; but I don't love you and I'm not
+going to love _anybody_, _ever_! I do think being grown-up is a
+regular nuisance, and I wish I was a little girl again, with my hair
+down my back!"
+
+"Incidentally, your hair _is_ down your back."
+
+"Well, I don't care," and Patty shook her curly mane. "I wear it that
+way in tableaux and things, so what's the difference?"
+
+"There _isn't_ any difference. We'll pretend you're a tableau."
+
+"All right, I'll be Patience on a Monument, waiting for some supper."
+
+"That was Little Tommy Tucker."
+
+"No; _he_ sang for his supper. I'm not going to sing."
+
+"For Heaven's sake, _don't_! Your top notes would bring the whole
+crowd down here! Patty, if you'll promise to love me _some time_, I'll
+stop teasing you _now_."
+
+"Oh, Philip, I'd do 'most anything to have you stop teasing me now!
+But how _can_ I tell who I'm going to love when I get old enough to
+love anybody?"
+
+"Well, you don't love anybody yet, do you?"
+
+"I do _not_!" and Patty shook her head with great emphasis.
+
+"Then I have a fair show, anyway." And Philip drew the curtain that
+shut out the moonlight, and switched on the electric light.
+
+"Exit Romance!" he said, "and enter Comedy! Now, Patty, you're my
+little playmate; we're just two kiddies in the pantry, stealing
+jam,--that is, if we can find any jam."
+
+"The pantry's the place," said Patty; "there's nothing in the
+sideboard but biscuit and raisins."
+
+"They don't sound very good to me. To the pantry!"
+
+Into the pantries they went, and there, in cupboards and iceboxes,
+found all sorts of good things.
+
+Cold turkey, game pâté, jellies, custards, cakes, and all varieties
+of food.
+
+"This is ever so much more fun than moonlight," said Patty, as she
+perched herself on a table, there being no chair, and held a partridge
+wing in one hand and a macaroon in the other. "Could you find me a
+glass of milk, Philip?"
+
+"Yes, indeed; anything you want, my Princess."
+
+"I thought you said Jim was about," Patty remarked.
+
+"He was," returned Philip, calmly. "I saw him go upstairs as we came
+in the dining-room."
+
+"Did he see us?"
+
+"Sure! He grinned at me and I grinned at him. I didn't invite him to
+come with us,--so being a polite gentleman, he didn't come. He doesn't
+mind our eating up his food. He's awful hospitable, Jim is."
+
+"Well, I've had enough of his food, and now I'm going back to my downy
+couch. If I don't see you to-morrow before you leave,--good-bye,
+Philip."
+
+"That's a nice, casual way to say good-bye to a man who has just
+proposed to you!"
+
+"Good gracious! _Was_ that a proposal?"
+
+"Well, rather! What did you think it was? A sermon, or just a bit of
+oratory?"
+
+"Do you know, Philip, truly I didn't realise it at the time," and
+Patty's smile was very provoking, as she looked up into his face.
+
+"Would your answer have been different if you had?" he asked, eagerly.
+
+"Oh, no, not that! But I just want you to understand that I don't
+consider it a real proposal," and Patty laughed and ran away, leaving
+Philip to "clear up" the pantry.
+
+She stopped a moment in the library, long enough to get her blue
+letter, and then scuttled up the stairs and into her own room.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+A CHRISTMAS CARD
+
+
+Once safely behind her locked door, Patty tore open her blue envelope.
+It was only a card,--but not an ordinary printed Christmas card.
+
+In the upper corner was a spray of apple blossoms, exquisitely
+painted; and on the card were some verses, written in a hand that was
+small and fine, but unmistakably the same as the address on the
+outside of the envelope.
+
+With a little sigh of pleasure, Patty cuddled up in her arm-chair to
+read the Christmas message.
+
+But it proved to be not very Christmassy, after all; for this is what
+she read:
+
+                         "MY LADY OF DELIGHT
+
+    "My Lady of Delight's a dainty, winsome thing;
+    She's Queen of Summertime, and Princess of the Spring.
+    Her lovely, smiling lips are roses set to rhyme,
+    She has a merry, lilting laugh, like Bluebells all a-chime.
+    The radiance of her smile, the sunshine in her eyes,
+    Is like the Dawn of breaking Day upon the summer skies.
+
+    "With roguish glances bright, all on a Summer Day,
+    My Lady of Delight she stole my heart away;
+    And though I humbly beg and plead with her, alack!
+    My Lady of Delight, she will not give it back.
+    I seem to see her now, with tangled golden curl,
+    With dancing eyes, and smiling lips,--My Apple Blossom Girl!
+
+    "Oh, Lady of Delight, I pray you, smile on me;
+    Oh, Lady of Delight, your Knight I fain would be;
+    Oh, Lady of Delight, you set my heart aglow.
+                I only know
+                I love you so,
+            Dear Lady of Delight!"
+
+Patty read the verses over twice, with shining eyes.
+
+"I wonder if he wrote them himself," she mused. "I don't believe he
+did; he must have copied them. He knows an awful lot of pretty poetry
+like that. And yet it doesn't sound like a real poet's poetry, either.
+And he used to call me Apple Blossom,--such a pretty name. Philip
+would never think of such a thing as that. I wonder if I like Little
+Billee better than I do Philip. I wonder if he likes me better. But of
+course he can't, or he would have written to me in all this time. I
+haven't seen him since August, and he never wrote a word, except the
+stiffest kind of a line with those flowers he sent me. I thought he'd
+forgotten all about me! But I can't think so now,--unless he just came
+across this poem, and it recalled me to his mind. Well, I came awfully
+near not getting it! I don't see how Daisy _could_ have been so mean;
+I don't like that kind of a joke a bit. But of course she thought it
+was just a printed card, like hers and Mona's. Well, she'll never know
+it _isn't_,--that's one thing sure!"
+
+And then Patty tucked her card of verses under her pillow and went to
+sleep.
+
+The next morning, as Patty had prophesied, she slept late. Daisy
+peeped into her room two or three times before she finally found
+Patty's blue eyes open.
+
+"At last!" she said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I thought
+you'd never wake up! Patty, what do you think? I've been down in the
+library, and I can't find that card! I'm awfully sorry, truly I am;
+I'll give you mine if you want it."
+
+"Thank you, Daisy," and Patty smiled at the recollection of Mona's
+similar offer. "Bill's cards seem to be a drug in the market! But you
+may keep yours, and also set your mind at rest about mine; for I
+sneaked downstairs last night in the dark, and fished it out for
+myself."
+
+"You did! Oh, Patty, weren't you frightened to prowl around like that,
+late at night?"
+
+Patty shook with laughter. "I _was_ frightened," she said, "when I
+thought I saw a mouse,--but it wasn't a mouse, after all."
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't be afraid of a mouse! But you might have met a,--a
+burglar or something?"
+
+"No," and Patty still grinned. "I didn't meet any _burglar_. But I got
+the card, Daisy, so that's all right."
+
+"Was it like mine? Let me see it."
+
+"It wasn't exactly like yours, and I won't let you see it. You kept it
+away from me, and now it's my turn to keep it away from you. And by
+the way, Daisy, that was a mean thing to do, and I don't want you to
+do anything like that to me again!" Patty's sweet face showed an
+unusually stern expression, and her blue eyes looked straight into
+Daisy's as she spoke.
+
+"I won't, Patty; truly, I won't. I'm awfully sorry, but I did it on a
+sudden impulse."
+
+"I know it; and, Daisy, I want you to try not to give way to those
+'sudden impulses' when they're mean ones. You have enough good,
+generous impulses to keep you busy. Now, you mustn't mind if your Aunt
+Patty lectures you a little bit, because as the teachers always say,
+'it's for your own good.' And if you'll please take a chair, instead
+of sitting all over my feet, I'd like to have my breakfast; for I hear
+my pretty little Swedish Hedwig bringing it in."
+
+The smiling maid appeared with Patty's breakfast tray, followed by
+Mona and Adèle.
+
+"Company already!" exclaimed Patty, sitting up in bed. "Hedwig, quick,
+my breakfast cap,--the pink one,--and the nightingale to match."
+
+The maid threw the silken wrap around Patty's shoulders, and tucked
+her hair into the lace-frilled cap, which was of a Dutch shape, and
+made Patty look like the pictures of Holland's pretty queen.
+
+"You don't seem hungry," said Mona, as Patty toyed with her chocolate.
+"Now, I ate a most astonishing breakfast, because I forgot to eat my
+supper last night."
+
+"Well, you see," returned Patty, dropping her lashes to hide her
+twinkling eyes, "I didn't forget to eat my supper."
+
+The recollection of that supper in the pantry was too much for her,
+and she burst into laughter.
+
+"What _is_ the matter with you, Patty?" said Adèle. "You're acting
+like a harmless lunatic! However, I'm sent to tell you to hop up and
+get dressed, for one of your admirers below stairs wants you to go for
+a sleighride with him."
+
+"Jim?" asked Patty, looking up with a smile.
+
+"No; Mr. Van Reypen."
+
+"Oh, good gracious! I don't care about going riding with Philip; I can
+see _him_ in New York. I hoped it was Hal,--that's why I said Jim."
+
+"Patty," said her hostess, "you're a born coquette, and always will
+be! But your wiles are wasted on me. Save them for your suitors. But,
+truly, Mr. Van Reypen is going on an errand for me, and he said that
+he wanted to show you _some_ little attention while he was here, and
+he guessed he'd let you go along with him in the cutter."
+
+"Oh, a cutter ride," and Patty began to scramble out of bed. "That
+sounds rather good fun. But I'd rather go with Hal."
+
+"Well, you're candid, at any rate," said Daisy. "But as it happens,
+Hal and I are going to practise some music this morning."
+
+"Oh, in that case, I've nothing more to say." And Patty smiled
+good-naturedly at Daisy. "And I suppose Mona and Roger are going
+somewhere to play by themselves."
+
+"Nothing of the sort," said Mona. "Roger's going back to the city this
+morning, and I'm going to write letters."
+
+"But I thought Philip was going back to the city," said Patty, looking
+at Adèle.
+
+"He's going on the afternoon train. Go on and get dressed, Patty, and
+don't waste any more time."
+
+"All right," and Patty made an expeditious toilette and in little more
+than half an hour went downstairs equipped for her ride.
+
+She was enveloped from head to foot in a raccoon fur coat, with a
+jaunty hat of the same, trimmed only with a bright quill feather.
+
+"Why do we go?" she demanded, presenting herself before Philip, who
+was waiting in the hall.
+
+"To get butter and eggs," he returned, gravely. "The Kenerley larder
+is entirely empty of those two very necessary ingredients."
+
+"But why do _we_ go for them? Are there no servants to send?"
+
+"Little girls shouldn't ask questions," and without further ceremony
+Philip tucked her into the waiting sleigh, sprang in beside her, and
+took up the lines.
+
+"My, this is great!" exclaimed Patty, as the pair of fine horses went
+dashing down the drive, and the clear, keen winter air blew against
+her face.
+
+"Yes; I thought the sleighride would brace you up. And, really, there
+seemed to be nobody to send on this errand, so I said we'd go."
+
+"Is it far?"
+
+"No; only about five miles; we'll be back for luncheon. How did you
+sleep, after your late supper?"
+
+"All right," and Patty smiled back into Philip's face. "But I wasn't
+hungry for my breakfast."
+
+"I should say not! You ate enough last night for two little girls like
+you!"
+
+"There aren't two little girls like me!" said Patty, with twinkling
+eyes, and Philip exclaimed: "Indeed, there aren't! I say, Patty, my
+Princess Patty, _do_ be engaged to me, won't you?"
+
+"No, you ridiculous boy, I won't! And if you say another word on the
+subject, I'll be real downright mad at you!"
+
+"Very well, I won't. Now, see here, Princess, do you mean to go to
+this masquerade ball with me? For, if not, I'm not coming back here
+for New Year's."
+
+"Why, of course, I'm going with you. Who else?"
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure. But there would be plenty glad to take you."
+
+"Pooh! I know that. But I want to go with you. What shall we wear?"
+
+"I was thinking of some foolish thing, like Little Bo-Peep, you know."
+
+"Oh, I'd love to be that! A shepherdess costume, and a crook with
+ribbons on. But I want you to wear a satin coat and knee-breeches."
+
+"Well, I'll be Old King Cole."
+
+"No, I don't like that. I'll tell you! You be Little Boy Blue."
+
+"The Gainsborough picture?"
+
+"No, that won't do either. Oh, you be Bobby Shafto! He wears 'silver
+buckles on his knee,' don't you know?"
+
+"Yes, I _do_ know! And what's the next line?"
+
+"Never mind," said Patty, turning pink. "I want you to wear a real
+Bobby Shafto costume. So you will, won't you?"
+
+"Of course, if my Princess commands. I'll have it made at once. Can I
+help about yours?"
+
+"Well, you might go to see Nan, and tell her what I want, and she'll
+get it and send it up here. A shepherdess rig is easy enough, and
+there's nothing prettier."
+
+"It will be lovely. I say, which way do we turn here?"
+
+"To go to Hatton's Corners? Oh, to the right."
+
+"I think it's the left."
+
+"No, it isn't. I remember distinctly, Jim said, be sure to take the
+right road."
+
+"He meant right, not wrong."
+
+"Nonsense! he didn't. He meant right, not left. Turn right, Philip."
+
+They turned right, into a wide, straight road. The sleighing was fine,
+though not yet sufficiently packed. But, with the light cutter, and
+two good horses, they spun along in great shape.
+
+"There's something about sleighing that's different from anything
+else," remarked Patty, with the air of one expounding a great truth.
+
+"It's the exhilaration. Spinning along like this, with the snow
+crunching under us, beats motoring, I think."
+
+"Yes; for an occasional ride. But for all the year round, motoring is
+best."
+
+"That's so. Sleighing isn't much fun in July or August."
+
+"Huh! don't be silly. But, I say, Philip, where are we? Jim said we'd
+pass Little Falls, and then we must follow the trolley line all the
+way to the butter and egg house. I don't see any trolley."
+
+"Neither do I, yet. But we'll soon strike it. Ah, here we are!"
+
+"No; this is a railroad,--a steam railroad, I mean. Philip, we're off
+the road."
+
+"I think we are. I'm sorry I insisted on turning to the right at that
+corner."
+
+"You _didn't_ insist. _I_ did! But I thought it was right."
+
+"It _is_ right, dear. Anything is right, where you are."
+
+"You'd better stop talking foolishness, and find the right road."
+
+"Oh, if you call that _foolishness_!"
+
+"Well, I do! I'd rather you'd get to the egg house and back before it
+begins to storm. And by the looks of the sky, I'm sure it _is_ going
+to storm."
+
+"Oh, no! nothing like that. But I say! Princess! it's after one
+o'clock! Now, who would have thought it? And they expect us back to
+luncheon!"
+
+"After one! Oh, Philip, it _can't_ be!"
+
+"Yes, it is! Well, Patty Pink, the best thing to do, _I_ think, is to
+go to that house I see in the dim distance, and ask our way. The last
+two or three signposts have shown names _I_ never heard of."
+
+"I either," said Patty, in a meek voice. "I noticed them, but I didn't
+say anything, because it's my fault we went astray."
+
+"Well, never mind. We're in for a lark, that's all. 'Afar in the
+desert I love to ride'--what comes next, Patty?"
+
+"'With the silent Bushboy alone by my side----'"
+
+"Yes, that's it; but thank goodness, you're not silent----"
+
+"Nor a Bushboy, either. But I don't like this, Philip. We're----"
+
+"We're far frae our hame, and all that. But don't you worry, my
+Princess. You're with me, and so you're not lost. You know, it's
+better to be loved than lost."
+
+"Now, Philip, stop talking about love! It's bad enough to be
+lost,--and we _are_ lost,--without having somebody harping about love
+all the time."
+
+"Well, this isn't much of a time or place, is it? So, suppose we invade
+this peaceful dwelling, and inquire our latitude and longitude."
+
+They drove up a winding road to a large, old-fashioned house, and
+Philip jumped out at the front door.
+
+His summons on the big, brass knocker was answered by a prim little
+lady, with grey hair and bright, dark eyes.
+
+"Pardon me, madame," said Philip, in his best manner. "We have lost
+our way. Will you tell me how to reach Hatton's Corners?"
+
+"Hatton's Corners! Why, that's a good ten miles from here. Where'd you
+come from?"
+
+"From Fern Falls."
+
+"Then you took the wrong road at the Big Tree Fork. You'd oughter 'a'
+gone to the left."
+
+"H'm; you may be right. But must we go back there, or is there a
+shorter cut?"
+
+"No; there ain't no shorter cut. But your young lady looks cold. Won't
+you two come in and take a bite o' dinner, and get warm before you go
+on?"
+
+"Why, this is true hospitality, madame. What do you say, Patty?"
+
+Patty looked uncertain. "I don't know what to say," she replied,
+hesitatingly. "I _am_ cold; but I'm afraid it would delay us so long
+that Adèle will worry about us. I think we'd better jog along."
+
+But then another old lady appeared. She was rounder, rosier, plumper,
+and jollier than the first, and she cried out, heartily: "Jog along?
+Well, I reckon not! I jest waited to slip into my shoes,--my feet's
+awful tender,--and then I come right out here to see what's goin' on.
+Now, you two young folks come right in, and set a spell. 'Tain't often
+we get a chance to have comp'ny,--and on chicken pie day, too!"
+
+"Whew, chicken pie!" exclaimed Philip. "How about it, Patty?"
+
+"Have you a telephone?" asked Patty, with a sudden inspiration.
+
+"Yes, miss. Now you jest come along. 'Kiah, the hired man, he'll look
+after your horses, and I'm free to confess they need a rest and a
+feed, even if you don't."
+
+"That's so," said Philip. "We must have come twelve or fifteen miles."
+
+"It's all o' that from Fern Falls. My, I'm right down glad to look
+after you two. You do seem to need it."
+
+The speaker's twinkling dark eyes looked at her two visitors with such
+comprehension that Patty blushed and Philip smiled.
+
+"We're from Mr. Kenerley's house," he explained,--"guests there, you
+know. And we started for Hatton's Corners to get some butter and
+eggs--and somehow, we took the wrong turn----"
+
+"It was all my fault," confessed Patty. "I insisted on coming this
+way, though Mr. Van Reypen thought the other was right."
+
+"Well, well, never mind! It'll jest be a nice, smart trip back after
+dinner. I'm Mrs. Fay, and this is my sister, Miss Wilhelmina Winthrop.
+She's got a longer name than I have, but I've got a longer head."
+
+They were ushered into the old-fashioned sitting-room, with its
+Brussels carpet showing huge baskets of flowers; its heterogeneous
+furniture, some chairs haircloth and black walnut, and others
+cane-seated, with rep cushions tied on; marble tables, of course; and
+an old sofa, with well-worn pillows and rugs.
+
+But the place had a hospitable air, and the two hostesses were fairly
+beaming with delight at this opportunity for entertainment. Miss
+Winthrop carried Patty off to her own bedroom.
+
+"You're jest all tuckered out, I can see," she said, hovering around
+her like a clucking hen; "but a wash-up and a good dish o' chicken pie
+will put you all to rights again."
+
+"But I must telephone before we eat dinner," said Patty.
+
+"So you shall,--so you shall. Now, don't you worry the leastest mite
+about anything."
+
+"How kind you are!" exclaimed Patty, smiling on the happy little old
+lady. "I suppose you belong to the real old New England Winthrops?"
+
+"Yes, and we're mighty proud of our name. I was so much so that I
+never would change it,"--and she chuckled. "Sister, though, she
+thought Fay was prettier."
+
+"Fay _is_ pretty," said Patty, cordially, "and now, if I may, I'll
+telephone, for I know our people will be wondering where we are."
+
+"All right, Miss Fairfield; come right along." But in returning to the
+sitting-room, Patty found Philip was already at the telephone.
+
+"Yep," he was saying, "lost our way; took wrong turning at Big Tree
+Fork. Brought up, somehow, at Mrs. Fay's. Accepted invitation to
+dinner,--chicken pie!--Start back immediately after the E in Pie! See?
+Expect us when we get there. Will accumulate a butter and a egg or
+two, on our way home. Love to all. Philip." He concluded his harangue,
+and turned to Patty.
+
+"All serene on the Potomac, Patty Pink! I told them all it was
+necessary for them to know; and if they desire further information,
+they can call us up. They know where we are. Me for the chicken pie!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+STORMBOUND
+
+
+The two old ladies were not of the quaint type, nor was their home
+picturesque. The place and the people were merely old-fashioned, and
+they were almost primitive in their ways. They were kind-hearted and
+hospitable, but they were of the rugged New England class that has
+lost the charm of its Colonial ancestry.
+
+The dinner was wholesome and plentiful, but with no variety, and
+served in the plainest fashion. The chicken pie was delicious, but it
+had no accompaniments except home-made hot biscuit and coffee with
+thick, rich, country cream.
+
+"I always say," said Miss Winthrop, as she settled herself at the
+table, "that chicken pie is a whole meal in itself, without any
+bothersome side-dishes. I say it's meat and drink both; but sister
+says she just can't enjoy it 'thout she has a cup of coffee alongside
+of it. Well, I've no objections to the coffee, I'm sure, but I'm free
+to admit it does seem superfluous. Still, with company so, it ain't so
+much out of place."
+
+"I'm sorry if we've made you any extra trouble," said Patty, giving
+Miss Winthrop one of her best smiles; "but _I'm_ free to confess that
+this is the most wonderful coffee that I've ever tasted, and I think
+it goes specially well with the pie. And as for these light biscuit,
+they're just puffs of lusciousness! Aren't they, Philip?"
+
+"They are, indeed! All you say is true, but both coffee and biscuit
+pale beside the glory of this chicken pie! There never _was_ such
+another!"
+
+Mrs. Fay beamed with delight at these generous compliments, and said,
+complacently, "Yes, they ain't many can make chicken pie like mine, if
+I do say it. My, ain't it lucky you young people happened along,
+to-day of all days! And land knows, I don't want you to go away right
+off. I'd like you to set a spell after dinner. But I feel it my
+bounden duty to tell you that 'Kiah says there's a storm a-brewin'.
+But I don't think you need start off before, say, three o'clock,
+anyway."
+
+"Three o'clock will do nicely," returned Philip, gaily. "That will
+give us time to stop at Hatton's Corners and get home before dark.
+Personally, I'm not in a bit of a hurry."
+
+"No?" And Mrs. Fay looked quizzically at her guests. "I just reckon,
+young man, that you ain't one mite sorry that you lost your way and
+had this little outing with your young lady?"
+
+"Indeed I'm not sorry, Mrs. Fay; and beside our little outing, we're
+having a pleasant visit with you, and we're enjoying every minute of
+it."
+
+"Indeed we are," said Patty, glancing out of the window as she spoke.
+"But it's beginning to snow already, and I don't think we'd better
+wait until three o'clock."
+
+"Land's sake!" and Miss Winthrop turned to look out of the window
+behind her. "So it is snowing! And when it begins that way, with fine
+flakes, slanting crossways, it means business! I dunno as you can
+hardly dare venture on a twelve-mile ride in the face of this. 'Pears
+to me it's going to be a blizzard."
+
+"Nonsense, Mina; you do always look on the dark side," expostulated
+her sister. "Now _I_ think 'tain't nothing but a flurry, and by then
+dinner is over, it'll be bright sunshine again. Now, have your plates
+filled up, friends, and try and make out a meal."
+
+Mrs. Fay fairly beamed with hospitality as she urged more viands upon
+her guests. The table appointments were of the plainest, being thick
+white china and coarse table napery, with plated silverware. Patty had
+expected thin little old teaspoons of hall-marked silver, and old blue
+or perhaps copper-lustre teacups, but this household was not of that
+sort. Everything seemed to date from the early seventies, and Patty
+wondered why there were no old Winthrop heirlooms in the family.
+
+She brought the conversation round to antiques, and Mrs. Fay remarked,
+decidedly: "I just can't bear old-fashioned things. I come into quite
+a lot of old mahogany furniture and pewter and dishes and things when
+my grandfather died. But when I got married, I had an auction and sold
+everything. Then I took the money and bought a whole new outfit. I
+believe in going right along with the times. 'Course those old things
+were all right for grandfather, but when I married, I'm free to
+confess, I wanted things that were in style then. So I bought a real
+tasty outfit, and I've kept it careful, and it's pretty near as good
+as new now."
+
+She looked around with pride at her dining-room furnishings, which
+seemed to Patty about the worst she had ever seen.
+
+But she smiled at her hostess, and said, cordially: "I _do_ think it's
+nice to have just what you want; and I think we do get attached to our
+own things. Have you lived here long?"
+
+"Land, yes! Nearly all my life. Mr. Fay, he's been dead twenty-five
+years; so sister and me we live here together, as contented as you
+please. We have a telephone and a rural delivery, so you see it's just
+the same as if we were right in town. Now, if you really won't eat any
+more pie, let's go into the sittin'-room a spell."
+
+From the sitting-room windows the view of the storm seemed more
+serious. The sky was black, the wind was blowing a gale, and the
+snow-flurry had grown thicker. In fact, it was a hard snowstorm, and
+Miss Winthrop's fear of a blizzard did not seem entirely unfounded.
+
+The young people took it lightly, however. "There's no use worrying,"
+said Patty. "We ought to be thankful, Philip, that we're under
+shelter, and with such kind friends. You'll keep us till the storm is
+over, won't you, Mrs. Fay?"
+
+"Yes, and glad to. You just can't think of starting now, so you might
+as well settle down and make the best of it. Want to telephone to your
+people again?"
+
+"We will after a while; but there's no use calling them up now. Let's
+wait and see whether the storm grows worse or better. Why, if it's a
+blizzard, we may have to stay here all night!"
+
+"Don't let that worry you none," and Mrs. Fay swung back and forth
+complacently in her plush patent-rocker. "We got two spare bedrooms,
+and I'll just be tickled to death to put you up over night. You're
+just like a streak of sunshine in the house, Miss Fairfield, and I'm
+glad to have you as long as you'll stay."
+
+"I wish you'd call me a streak of sunshine," said Philip. "I'd love to
+be called that."
+
+"Well, you're bright enough," and Mrs. Fay looked at him, serenely.
+"But you're a different kind of a streak."
+
+"A streak of lightning, I guess, if need be," said Miss Winthrop,
+nodding her head at Philip, as if she appreciated his capabilities.
+
+"I'm quick at some things," said Philip, modestly. "But, jiminy
+crickets! I don't believe we're going to be very quick getting away
+from here! Just look at the storm, _now_!"
+
+The fury of the elements had increased. The wind was a raging northern
+blast, and the snow was already piled in drifts. It was, in fact, a
+blizzard in a small way, and was rapidly growing.
+
+"But never mind the weather, so long as we're together," sang Patty
+with a little trill, as she danced about the room. Then she seated
+herself at the old, square piano, and began to sing snatches of gay
+songs.
+
+"My land! How pretty you do sing," said Miss Winthrop, who was leaning
+on the end of the piano, listening delightedly. "Oh, sing more, won't
+you? I don't know when I've had such a treat."
+
+So Patty sang several of her prettiest songs, and the two old ladies
+were enchanted. Moreover, Eliza, the maid-of-all-work, and 'Kiah, the
+hired man, appeared in the doorway of the sitting-room and listened
+too.
+
+"Come on, Philip; let's give them a duet," and Patty broke into some
+rollicking college songs, in which Philip joined.
+
+Glad to be able to please their kind entertainers, they kept on
+singing for an hour or more.
+
+"Well, that was great!" exclaimed Mrs. Fay, as Patty rose at last from
+the piano stool. "I used to sing some, and he used to sing bass. My,
+but we had nice times singing together there at that same piano. You
+two just made me think of it all over again. I think it's awful nice
+for two to sing together."
+
+"Yes, we're awfully fond of singing together," said Philip, with a
+glance at Patty, half mischievous, half tender, whereat Patty blushed.
+
+"You needn't tell me," said Mrs. Fay, nodding her head. "I see just
+how it is with you two. You can't hide it, you know, so you needn't to
+try."
+
+"Oh, I don't want to hide anything, I'm sure," said Philip. But Patty
+said, "Don't be foolish, Philip; there's nothing to hide! You're
+mistaken, Mrs. Fay, if you think we're anything more than friends."
+
+"Oh, land, child, I know what that means! Maybe you ain't ready to say
+yes yet, but you will soon. Well, it ain't none of my business, but
+I'm free to confess you are as proper-lookin' a young couple as I'd
+want to meet; and mighty well suited to each other."
+
+"That's what I think," began Philip, but Patty turned the subject and
+went back to the weather, which was always a safe ground for
+conversation, if not safe to go out into.
+
+"Well," she said, going to the window for the fourteenth time; "it's
+perfectly hopeless to think of starting. And it's after four now, and
+it's blowing great guns and snowing like all possessed! Mrs. Fay,
+we'll simply have to accept your hospitality for the night. Now I
+think I'll telephone Adèle that we're stormbound."
+
+But though Patty called and called, she could get no answer from the
+telephone Central.
+
+"Guess the wires must be down," said Miss Winthrop. "They broke down
+last winter with a snow that came sudden, just like this, and 'twas a
+week before we got it fixed."
+
+"Let me try," and Philip took the receiver from Patty's hand. But it
+made no difference who tried, they could get no answer of any kind.
+
+"Oh, well," said Philip, as he hung up the receiver again, "it doesn't
+matter much. They know we're safe, and they know where we are, and
+they know we couldn't start out in a storm like this."
+
+"Maybe they'll come for us with a motor," suggested Patty.
+
+"They might if we were nearer. But a motor would get stalled before it
+could get over here and back again in these drifts. It's an awful
+storm, Patty, and the sooner you make up your mind that we can't go
+home to-night, the better for all concerned."
+
+"My mind's made up, then," and Patty danced about the room. "I don't
+mind a bit! I think it's a lark. Do you have feather beds, Mrs.
+Fay?--I mean the kind you climb up to with step-ladders."
+
+"Land no, child! We ain't old-fashioned folks, you know. We have
+springs and mattresses just like you do at home. Well, I'm sorry if
+your folks are worried, but I'm glad to have you young people stay the
+night. Maybe this evening, you'll sing for us some more."
+
+"We will," said Philip. "We'll sing everything we know, and then make
+up some."
+
+Once having made up her mind to the inevitable, Patty ceased bothering
+about it, and proceeded to enjoy herself and to entertain everybody
+else. She chatted pleasantly with the old lady, she coquetted with
+Philip, and finally wandered out into the kitchen to make friends with
+Eliza.
+
+"Let me help you get supper," she said, for, to tell the truth, the
+novelty of the situation had passed, and Patty began to feel a little
+bored.
+
+"Supper ain't nothin' to get, miss," returned Eliza, a rawboned,
+countrified girl who was shy in the presence of this city lady.
+
+"Well, let me help you, anyway. Mayn't I set the table?"
+
+"I'm afraid you wouldn't know where the things was. Here, take this
+dish and go down cellar for the butter, if so be's you have to do
+somethin'. It's in a kag, underneath the swing-shelf."
+
+"Swing-shelf?" said Patty, interested--"what is a swing-shelf?"
+
+"Why, a shelf hanging from the ceiling, to keep things on."
+
+"But why does it hang from the ceiling? I never heard of such a
+thing."
+
+"Why, so the rats or mice can't get at the things."
+
+"Rats or mice!" and Patty gave a wild scream. "Here, take your plate,
+Eliza. I wouldn't go down there for a million billion dollars!"
+
+Patty ran back to the sitting-room. "Oh, Philip," she cried, "they
+have rats and mice! Can't we go home? I don't mind the storm!"
+
+"There, there, Patty," said Philip, meeting her half-way across the
+room, and taking her hand in his. "Don't be silly!"
+
+"I'm _not_ silly! But I _can't_ stay where they keep rats and mice!
+Why, Philip, they _expect_ them. They build high shelves on purpose
+for them."
+
+"You must excuse this little girl, Mrs. Fay," said Philip. "She's
+really sensible in most ways, but she's an absolute idiot about mice,
+and she can't help it. Why, the other night----"
+
+Patty drew her hand away from Philip's clasp, and put it over his
+mouth. "Stop!" she said, blushing furiously. "Don't you say another
+word! I'm _not_ afraid of mice, Mrs. Fay."
+
+"There, there, child; I know you are, and I don't blame you a mite. I
+am, too, or leastways, I used to be. I've kinder got over it of late
+years. But I know just how you feel. Now, let me tell you; _honest_,
+never a mouse dares show the tip of his nose outside the cellar! If
+you don't go down there, you're as safe as you would be up in a
+balloon. And I don't count none the less on you for acting skittish
+about 'em."
+
+"I don't mind it, either," said Philip, who was still holding Patty's
+hand by way of reassurance. "I shouldn't mind if you acted skittisher
+yet."
+
+But Patty drew her hand away, declaring that Mrs. Fay had quieted her
+fears entirely, and that if Eliza would promise to keep the cellar
+door shut, she wouldn't give another thought to the dreaded animals.
+
+After supper, the four played a game of old-fashioned whist, which
+delighted the two old ladies, though it seemed strange to Patty and
+Philip, who were both good bridge players. Then there was more music,
+and at ten o'clock Miss Winthrop informed them that it was bedtime.
+
+With considerable pride she took Patty up to the best spare room.
+
+"Now, I hope you'll be comfortable," she said, "and I'm sure you will
+be. Here's my best night-gown for you, and a dressing-gown and
+slippers. I don't need 'em,--I can get along. And here's a brush and
+comb. And now, that's everything you want, isn't it?"
+
+Patty was touched at the kindliness of the old lady, and though
+inwardly amused at the meagerness of her night appointments, she said,
+gratefully, "You're so kind to me, Miss Winthrop. Truly, I do
+appreciate it."
+
+"You sweet little thing," returned the old lady. "Now let me unhook
+you,--I should admire to do so."
+
+So Miss Winthrop assisted Patty to undress, and finally, after minute
+directions about the turning down and blowing out of the kerosene
+lamp, she went away.
+
+When Patty surveyed herself in the mirror, she almost laughed aloud.
+The night-dress was of thick, unbleached muslin, made with tight bands
+to button around the neck and wrists. These bands were edged with a
+row of narrow tatting; and it was this trimming, Patty felt sure, that
+differentiated Miss Winthrop's best night-gown from her others. Then
+Patty tried on the dressing-gown, which was of dark grey flannel.
+This, too, was severely plain, though voluminous in shape; and the
+slippers were of black felt, and quite large enough for Patty to put
+both feet in one. She arrayed herself in these things and gave way to
+silent laughter as she pirouetted across the room. But her amusement
+at the unattractive garments in no way lessened her real appreciation
+of the gentle kindliness and hospitality that had been accorded to
+her.
+
+At last she tucked herself into bed, and rolling over on the nubbly
+mattress and creaky springs, she almost wished that it had been a
+feather bed. But she was soon asleep, and thought no more about
+anything until morning.
+
+Breakfast was at half-past seven, and after that, the long morning
+dragged. The fun and novelty had worn off, and Patty was anxious to
+get back to Fern Falls. She was bright and entertaining as ever, but
+the spontaneous enthusiasm of the day before had vanished.
+
+But it was impossible to start that morning, Philip said. The roads
+were piled high with drifts, and almost impassable.
+
+"But why can't we break the roads?" asked Patty. "Somebody has to do
+it, and I'm sure Jim's horses are as good as anybody's."
+
+"Little girls mustn't advise on matters which they know nothing
+about," said Philip, unable to resist the temptation to tease her.
+
+Patty pouted a little, and then, with a sudden resolution, was her own
+sunny self again. "All right, Philip," she said, smiling at him. "I
+know you'll start as soon as it's possible. When will that be?"
+
+"Perhaps we can go this afternoon, dear; right after dinner, maybe.
+The man thinks the roads will be broken by that time."
+
+The storm had ceased, and it was cloudy most of the morning, but about
+noon the sun came out, and by two o'clock they prepared to start.
+
+The two kind old ladies were sorry to see them go, and begged them to
+come again some time to visit them.
+
+Patty said good-bye with expressions of real and honestly meant
+gratitude, for surely Mrs. Fay and her sister had been kindness itself
+to their young guests.
+
+"But goodness, gracious, Philip," Patty exclaimed, as they went flying
+down the road, "if I had had to stay there another night, I should
+have died!"
+
+"Why, Patty, it wasn't so bad. Of course, they are primitive and
+old-fashioned people; but they are true ladies, even if not very
+highly educated. And their hospitality was simply unlimited."
+
+"Yes, I know all that," said Patty, impatiently; "but I was bored to
+death."
+
+"Well, you didn't show it; you were sweet as a peach to those two
+people, and they'll always love you for it."
+
+"Oh, of course I wouldn't be impolite; but I'm glad we're started for
+home."
+
+"Well, I'm not. Patty, I just enjoyed every minute,--because I was
+there with you. Dear, you don't _know_ what it meant to me."
+
+"Now, Philip," and Patty turned to flash a twinkling smile at him, "we
+have a twelve-mile drive ahead of us, besides gathering the eggs. Now,
+if you're going to say things like that to me all that twelve miles,
+I'm going to jump right out into this snowbank and stay there till
+somebody comes along and picks me up."
+
+"But, Patty, I _must_ say these things to you."
+
+"Then, I _must_ jump."
+
+"But wait a minute, dear; before you jump, won't you just tell me that
+I may have a little hope that some day you'll promise to be my own
+little Patty forever?"
+
+"Philip, I _can't_ say anything like that, and I _wish_ you wouldn't
+tease me. If those snowbanks didn't look so dreadfully cold----"
+
+"But they _are_ cold. If you don't believe it, I will wait while you
+try one. But, Patty, anyway, tell me this. If I stop teasing you now,
+will you give me an answer when I come back at New Year's? You know, I
+must take that five-thirty train this afternoon, and I shan't see you
+again till next week. Will you give me an answer then?"
+
+"'Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do!'" sang Patty, with a saucy
+smile at him.
+
+"No, I don't want Daisy's answer, I want yours. Now, you think it over
+through the week, and when I come up next Tuesday, you be ready to
+say, 'Yes, Philip, you may hope, and some day I'll make your hope come
+true.'"
+
+"That's an awful long speech to learn by heart," said Patty, musingly.
+
+"But you needn't learn it word for word; just say something from your
+own heart that means the same."
+
+"Well," said Patty, "next Tuesday I'll look into my heart and see
+what's there; and if there's anything for you, I'll tell you."
+
+Philip was forced to be content with this, for Patty suddenly changed
+the subject, and began to chatter merry nonsense that afforded no
+opportunity for romance. The roads were only a little broken, and the
+going was hard, because of occasional big drifts, but along some
+wind-swept stretches they made fairly good time.
+
+"But I say," said Philip; "we'll have to cut out the butter and egg
+chapter! I simply _must_ get that five-thirty, and I can't do it if we
+go around by Hatton's Corners."
+
+"All right," returned Patty. "I'll put it up to Adèle that we just
+couldn't do it; and I'll tell you what, Philip, we'll go right to the
+station, and you take the train there without going to the Kenerleys'
+at all. They'll send your things down to-morrow."
+
+"That would be the safer way. But how will you get home from the
+station?"
+
+"Oh, I'll telephone from the station office, and they'll send Martin,
+or somebody, after me."
+
+"But you have to wait so long. Here's a better plan. Let's stop at the
+Barclay Inn, and telephone from there. Then when we reach the station,
+Martin or somebody will be there for you."
+
+Patty agreed, and when they reached the Barclay Inn, a few miles from
+Fern Falls, they went in to telephone.
+
+"We're on our way home," said Patty, after she had succeeded in
+getting a connection.
+
+"Well, I should think it was time!" exclaimed Adèle. "You don't know
+what you've missed! Where are you?"
+
+"At Barclay Inn; and we're in an awful hurry. Philip is going to take
+the five-thirty from the station, and you send somebody there to meet
+me and drive the horses home, will you! And what did I miss? And
+_you'll_ miss the butter and eggs, because we didn't get them."
+
+"But where have you been? We tried all yesterday to get you on the
+telephone, and all this morning, too."
+
+"Yes, I know; the wires broke down. But everything's all right. We
+stayed at Mrs. Fay's. I'll tell you all about it when I see you. Be
+sure to have me met at the station. Good-bye."
+
+Patty hung up the receiver and hurried back to Philip. "We'll have to
+hustle to catch that train," he said, as he tucked her in the sleigh.
+"Did you get Adèle?"
+
+"Yes; she'll send some one to meet me. She says I missed something. Do
+you suppose they had a party last night in all that blizzard?"
+
+"Well, it's just as well for you to miss a party once in a while; you
+have plenty of them. And I like the party I was at better than any I
+ever went to."
+
+The roads were much better where they were travelling now, and they
+reached the station in time for Philip's train. But it was a close
+connection, for the train was already in the station, and as Philip
+swung aboard, he saw Martin and Hal Ferris coming in another sleigh.
+
+"There they are!" he called to Patty. "It's all right, good-bye."
+
+"Good-bye," she called back, and then the train pulled out.
+
+"Well, you _did_ cut up a pretty trick!" exclaimed Hal Ferris, as he
+came up to her. "Now, you jump in here with me, and I'll drive you
+home, and let Martin look after your horses. They must be pretty well
+done up. I would have brought a motor, but the sleighing's fine, and
+the motoring isn't. Hop in."
+
+Patty hopped in, and in a moment they were flying along toward home.
+
+"What did I miss?" she asked. "Did you have a party last night?"
+
+"Party! in that storm! Rather not."
+
+"Well, what _did_ I miss?"
+
+"What makes you think you missed anything?"
+
+"Adèle told me so, over the telephone."
+
+"Well, then, let Adèle tell you what it was. How could I possibly
+know?"
+
+"But what did you do last night?"
+
+"Nothing much; sat around, sang a little, and talked,--and I guess
+that's all."
+
+"Who was there? Didn't Roger go home?"
+
+"Yes; Roger went down on the morning train, just after you started on
+your wild career."
+
+"Well, who _was_ there? Chub, I know you're keeping something from me.
+Now, tell me what it is!"
+
+"Do you really want to know, Patty? Well, Bill Farnsworth was there."
+
+"What!" and Patty nearly fell out of the sleigh in astonishment. "Bill
+Farnsworth?"
+
+"Yes; he came unexpectedly yesterday afternoon. Could only stay
+twenty-four hours, and went back to-day on the two o'clock train."
+
+Patty wondered to herself why she felt as if something awful had
+happened. She couldn't realise that Bill had been there, and had gone
+away, and she hadn't seen him! What a cruel coincidence that it should
+have been just at the time when she was away. But her pride came to
+her rescue. She had no intention of letting Hal Ferris or anybody else
+know that she cared.
+
+So she said, lightly: "Well, of all things! Didn't anybody expect
+him?"
+
+"No; he thought he'd surprise us. He was awfully cut up that you
+weren't there."
+
+"Oh, he was! Well, why didn't you send for me?"
+
+"Send for you! And you miles away, and a blizzard blizzing like fury!
+But we spent hours hanging over the telephone, trying to get word to
+you."
+
+"The wires were down," said Patty, thinking of the uninteresting
+evening she had spent, when she might have been talking to Little
+Billee.
+
+"They sure were! We tried and tried, but we couldn't get a peep out of
+you. Daisy said it was because you were so wrapped up in Philip that
+you wouldn't answer the old telephone."
+
+Patty's pretty face hardened a little as she thought how Daisy would
+delight in making such a speech as that before Farnsworth.
+
+"I say, Patty, are you cut up about this? Did you want to see Big
+Bill, specially?"
+
+"Oh, no, no," said Patty, smiling again. "I only thought it seemed
+funny that he happened to come when I happened to be away."
+
+"Yes, I know; but of course nobody could help it. He came East on a
+flying business trip. Tried to get here for Christmas, but couldn't
+make it. He waited over a day, just to skip up here and back; said he
+wanted to see us all. But he had to take the two o'clock back to New
+York to-day, and I believe he starts to-night for Arizona. He's a
+great fellow, Bill is. You like him, don't you, Patty?"
+
+"Yes, I like him," said Patty, simply.
+
+"I've known him for years, you know. Giant Greatheart, we used to call
+him. So big and good, you know. Always doing something for somebody,
+and generous as he can be. Well, he's making good out in the mines. I
+don't know exactly what he's doing, but he's in a fair way to be a
+rich man. He's connected with some big company, and he's working with
+all his might. And when you say that about Big Bill Farnsworth, it
+means a good deal."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE COUNTRY CLUB BALL
+
+
+Before her mirror, Patty was putting the last touches to her Bo-Peep
+costume, and it must be confessed she was viewing the effect with
+admiration.
+
+The gilt-framed glass gave back a lovely picture. The costume was one
+of the prettiest Patty had ever worn, and was exceedingly becoming.
+There was a short, quilted skirt of white satin and a panniered
+overdress of gay, flowered silk, caught up with blue bows. A little
+laced bodice and white chemisette completed the dress. Then there was
+a broad-leafed shepherdess hat, trimmed with flowers, and under this
+Patty's gold curls were bunched up on either side and tied with blue
+ribbons. She wore high-heeled, buckled slippers, and carried a long,
+white crook, trimmed with blossoms and fluttering ribbons.
+
+She pranced and turned in front of the mirror, decidedly satisfied
+with the whole effect. Then she caught up her basket of flowers, which
+she carried because it added a pretty touch, and went downstairs.
+
+It was a gay-looking party that waited for her in the hall. The two
+Misses Crosby had been there to dinner, and also Mr. Hoyt and Mr.
+Collins, and these, with the house party, were now all arrayed in
+their fancy dress. As they had agreed on Christmas Day, they were all
+in pairs, and as of course there could be no secrecy among them, they
+had not yet put on their masks.
+
+Mona and Roger were very magnificent as Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter
+Raleigh. Though Mona was not at all the type of the red-haired queen,
+she looked very handsome in the regal robes and great, flaring collar,
+while Roger was a veritable courtier in his picturesque garb.
+
+Daisy and Mr. Collins were Pierrette and Pierrot. Their costumes were
+black and white, Frenchy-looking affairs, with tossing pompons and
+peaked caps.
+
+The elder Miss Crosby and Jim Kenerley were Indians; and the warlike
+brave and the young Indian maiden looked as if they might have stepped
+out of the earliest pages of our country's history.
+
+The other Miss Crosby and Hal Ferris were Italian peasants in national
+costume.
+
+Adèle and Mr. Hoyt were the most simply dressed of all, but in their
+plain Puritan garb they were effective and distinguished looking.
+
+Perhaps, however, it was Philip Van Reypen whose costume received the
+greatest applause. He had copied a picture of Bobby Shafto that had
+been painted by a frivolous-minded artist, and his embroidered and
+belaced coat of light blue silk was remindful of the period of the
+gayest Louis. He wore white satin knee-breeches, white silk stockings,
+and black slippers with enormous buckles. In accordance with the song,
+there were large silver buckles at his knees; and his tri-corne hat
+was a very marvel of gold lace and feathers. Full lace ruffles flapped
+at his throat and wrists, and altogether he was an absolute dandy.
+
+"You look like a valentine," said Patty, "or a birthday cake."
+
+"You do look good enough to eat," declared Adèle, as she took in the
+gorgeous costume.
+
+"Yes, I flatter myself it's the very last touch of Shaftoism," said
+Philip, strutting about with an affected gait. "I say, Patty, you're
+all kinds of a peach yourself."
+
+"Yes, this frock is all right," said Patty, "but you simply take my
+breath away, Phil. I didn't know anybody could look so beautiful! I
+wish men dressed that way nowadays."
+
+And then everybody admired everybody else until it was time to start.
+Then each put on a little mask, which they were to wear at the ball
+until supper-time. Patty's was of light blue silk with a short fall of
+lace, and Philip's was of black satin.
+
+"I can't wear this thing all the way there," declared Patty, taking
+hers off again.
+
+"Well, put it on just before you get there," enjoined Adèle. "I've
+taken great care that no one should know a word about our costumes,
+and now if we are well masked they won't be able to guess who we are.
+Even though they know we all came from our house, there are so many of
+us, they can't tell us apart."
+
+The Country Club was a handsome, spacious building, well away from the
+outskirts of the town. But the motors took them there swiftly, and
+soon they joined the large party of maskers in the Club ballroom.
+There were perhaps a hundred people there, and Patty felt there was
+little risk of being recognised. She did not know many of the Fern
+Falls people, anyway, and they would scarcely know her in her
+disguise.
+
+"Of course the first dance is mine," said Philip, as the music began.
+
+But after that dance was over, Patty was besieged by would-be
+partners. Historical characters, foreigners, clowns, monks, and
+knights in armour begged for dances with Little Bo-Peep. Patty was so
+engrossed in looking at these wonderful personages, that she scarcely
+noticed who put their names on her card. And in truth it made little
+difference, as none of the men put their real names, and she hadn't
+the slightest idea who they were.
+
+"Help yourselves," she said, laughing, "to the dances before supper;
+but don't touch the other side of the card. After the masks are off, I
+shall have some say, myself, as to my partners!"
+
+So the first half of the dances were variously signed for by Columbus
+and Aladdin and Brother Sebastian and Jack Pudding and other such
+names.
+
+During each dance Patty would try to discover the identity of her
+partner, but as she only succeeded in one or two cases, she gave it
+up.
+
+"For it doesn't make the slightest difference who you are," she said,
+as she danced with Brother Sebastian, who was garbed as a Friar of
+Orders Grey.
+
+"No," he returned, in a hollow, sepulchral voice, which he seemed to
+think suited to his monk's attire.
+
+"And you needn't try to disguise your voice so desperately," said
+Patty, laughing gaily, "for probably I don't know you, anyhow. And you
+don't know me, do you?"
+
+"I don't know your name," said the monk, still in hollow tones, "but I
+know you're a dancer from the professional stage, and not just a young
+woman in private life."
+
+"Good gracious!" cried Patty, horrified. "I'm nothing of the sort! I'm
+a simple-minded little country girl, and I dance because I can't help
+it. I love to dance, but I must say that a monk's robe on one's
+partner is a little troublesome. I think all the time I'm going to
+trip on it."
+
+"Oh, all right; I'll fix that," said the monk, and he held up the
+skirts of his long robe until they cleared the floor.
+
+"That's better," said Patty, "but it does spoil the picturesqueness of
+your costume. Let's promenade for a while, and then you can let your
+robes drag in proper monkian fashion."
+
+"Much obliged to you for not saying monkey fashion! I certainly do
+feel foolish, dressed up in this rig."
+
+"Why, you ought not to, in that plain gown. Just look at the things
+some of the men have on!"
+
+"I know it. Look at that court jester; he must feel a fool!"
+
+"But that's his part," laughed Patty; "rather clever, I think, to
+dress as a fool, and then if you feel like a fool, you're right in
+your part."
+
+"I say, Miss Bo-Peep, you're clever, aren't you?"
+
+"Not so very; but when talking to a learned monk, I try to be as wise
+as I can. Oh, look at that stunning big man,--who is he?"
+
+"Looks like one of the patriarchs; but I guess he's meant for King
+Lear. See the wreath of flowers on his white hair."
+
+"Did Lear wear flowers? I thought he wore a crown."
+
+"Tut! tut! Little Bo-Peep, you must brush up your Shakespeare. Don't
+you know King Lear became a little troubled in his head, and adorned
+himself with a garland?"
+
+"Well, he's awfully picturesque," said Patty, quite undisturbed by her
+ignorance of the play, and looking admiringly at Lear's magnificent
+court robes of velvet and ermine, and his long, flowing white hair and
+beard, and the garland of flowers that lay loosely on the glistening
+white wig and trailed down behind.
+
+As they neared the picturesque figure, King Lear bowed low before
+Patty, and held out his hand for her dance card.
+
+It was the rule of the ball not to speak, but to indicate invitations
+by gestures.
+
+However, Patty had no reason to keep silent, as they were nearly all
+strangers, so she laughed, and spoke right out: "I'd gladly give you a
+dance, King Lear, but I haven't one left."
+
+With another courtly bow, King Lear still seemed to insist on his
+wish, and he took up her card, which she had tied to her crook by a
+narrow ribbon. With surprise he saw the whole second page blank, and
+pointed to it with an accusing gesture.
+
+"Ah, yes," returned Patty, smiling, "but those are for my friends
+after I know them. We unmask at supper-time, and then I shall use some
+discrimination in bestowing my dances. If you want one of those you
+must ask me for it after supper."
+
+King Lear bowed submissively to Patty's decree, and was about to move
+away, when a sudden thought struck him. He picked up Patty's card
+again, and indicated a space between the last dance and the supper.
+
+"Oh, I know what you mean," cried Patty. "You mean an 'extra.' But I
+don't think they'll have any. And, anyway, I never engage for extras.
+If they do have one, and you happen to be around, I'll give it to
+you;--that's all I can say." And then Patty's next partner came, and
+she danced away with him, leaving King Lear making his sweeping,
+impressive bows.
+
+"Who is he?" asked Patty, of Roger, who chanced to be her partner this
+time.
+
+"Don't know, I'm sure; but I know scarcely any of the people up here.
+They seem to be a fine crowd, though. Have you noticed the Zenobia,
+Queen of Palmyra? There she is now. Isn't she stunning?"
+
+Patty looked round, to see a tall, majestic woman, dressed as Zenobia.
+Her tiny mask hid only her eyes, and her beautiful, classic face well
+accorded with the character she had chosen.
+
+"She's beautiful!" declared Patty, with heartfelt admiration. "I wish
+I was big and stunning, Roger, instead of a little scrap of humanity."
+
+"What a silly you are, Patty Pink! Now, I've no doubt that tall,
+majestic-looking creature wishes she could be a little fairy, like
+you."
+
+"But a big woman is so much more graceful and dignified."
+
+"Patty, I do believe you're fishing! And I _know_ you're talking
+nonsense! Dignified isn't just the term I should apply to you,--but if
+there's anybody more graceful than you are, I've yet to see her."
+
+"Oh, Roger, that's dear of you. You know very well, I hate flattery or
+compliments, but when a real friend says a nice thing it does me good.
+And, truly, it's the regret of my life, that I'm not about six inches
+taller. There, look at Zenobia now. She's walking with that King Lear.
+Aren't they a stunning couple?"
+
+"Yes, they are. But if I were you, I wouldn't be envious of other
+women's attractions. You have quite enough of your own."
+
+"Never mind about me," said Patty, suddenly realising that she was
+talking foolishly. "Let's talk about Mona. She's looking beautiful
+to-night, Roger."
+
+"She always does," and Roger had a strange thrill in his voice, that
+struck a sympathetic chord in Patty's heart.
+
+"What about her, Roger? Isn't she good to you?"
+
+"Not very. She's capricious, Patty; sometimes awfully kind, and then
+again she says things that cut deep. Patty, do you think she really
+cares for that Lansing man?"
+
+"I don't know, Roger. I can't make Mona out at all, lately. She used
+to be so frank and open with me, and now she never talks confidences
+at all."
+
+"Well, I can't understand her, either. But here comes Mr. Collins,
+looking for you, Patty. Is only half of this dance mine?"
+
+"Yes, Roger. I had to chop up every one, to-night. You may have one
+after supper, if you like."
+
+Patty whirled through the various dances, and at the last one before
+supper she found herself again with Philip Van Reypen.
+
+"Why, I didn't know this was yours!" she cried, looking at her card,
+where, sure enough, she saw the initials B. S.
+
+"It sure is mine," returned Bobby Shafto; "but we're not going to
+dance it."
+
+"Why not, and what are we going to do?"
+
+"We're going to wander away into the conservatory."
+
+"There isn't any conservatory. This is a club-house, you know."
+
+"Well, they've fixed up the gymnasium, so it's almost a conservatory.
+It's full of palms and flowers and things, and it makes a perfectly
+good imitation."
+
+"But why do we go there?" asked Patty, as Philip led her away from the
+dancing-room.
+
+"Oh, to settle affairs of state." He led her to the gymnasium, and sure
+enough, tall palms and flowering plants had been arranged to form little
+nooks and bowers, which were evidently intended for tête-à-tête
+conversations.
+
+"You know," Philip began, as they found a pleasant seat, under some
+palms, "you know, Patty, you promised me something."
+
+"Didn't, neither."
+
+"Yes, you did, and I'm going to hold you to your promise. You
+promised----"
+
+"'Rose, you promised!'" sang Patty, humming a foolish little song that
+was an old-fashioned favourite.
+
+"Yes, you _did_ promise, you exasperating little Rose, you! And I'm
+going to keep you prisoner here, until you make it good! Patty, you
+said you'd look into your heart, and tell me what you found there."
+
+"Goodness me, Philip, did I really say that? Well, it will take me an
+awful long while to tell you all that's in it."
+
+"Really, Patty? Did you find so much?"
+
+"Yes, heaps of things."
+
+"But I mean about me."
+
+"Oh, about you! Why, I don't know that there's anything there at all
+about you."
+
+"Oh, yes, there is; you can't fool me that way. Now, Patty, do be
+serious. Look in your heart, and see if there isn't a little love for
+me?"
+
+Patty sat very still, and closed her eyes, as Philip could see through
+the holes in her blue mask.
+
+Then she opened them, and said, with a smile: "I looked and hunted
+good, Philip, and I can't find a bit of love for you. But there's an
+awful big, nice, warm friendship, if you care about that."
+
+"I do care about that, Patty. I care very much for it, but I want
+more."
+
+Just at that moment King Lear and Zenobia strolled past them, and
+Patty almost forgot Philip as she gazed after the two majestic
+figures.
+
+"Patty," he said, recalling her attention, "Patty, dear, I say I want
+more."
+
+"Piggy-wig!" exclaimed Patty, with her blue eyes twinkling at him
+through the mask. "More what? I was looking at King Lear, and I lost
+the thread of your discourse, Philip."
+
+"Patty Fairfield, I'd like to shake you! Don't you _know_ what I'm
+asking of you?"
+
+"Well, even if I do, I must say, Philip, that I can't carry on a
+serious conversation with a mask on. Now, you know, they take these
+things off pretty soon, and then----"
+
+"And then may I ask you again, Patty, and will you listen to me and
+answer me?"
+
+"Dunno. I make no promises. Philip, this dance is over. I expect
+they're going to unmask now. Come on, let's go back to our crowd."
+
+But just as they rose to go, Jim Kenerley approached, and King Lear
+was with him.
+
+"Little Bo-Peep," said the big Indian, "King Lear tells me that you
+half promised him an extra, if there should be one."
+
+"As it was only half a promise, then it means only half a dance," said
+Patty, turning her laughing blue eyes to the majestic, flower-crowned
+King. "Is there going to be an extra, Jim,--I mean Chief Mudjokivis,
+or whatever your Indian name is?"
+
+"I don't know, Bo-Peep. I'll go and see."
+
+Jim went away, and as Philip had already gone, Patty was left alone
+with the white-haired King.
+
+With a slow, majestic air, he touched her gently on the arm, and
+motioned for her to be seated. Then he sat down beside her, and
+through the eyeholes of his mask, he looked straight into her eyes.
+
+At his intent gaze, Patty felt almost frightened, but as her eyes met
+his own, she became conscious of something familiar in the blue eyes
+that looked at her, and then she heard King Lear whisper, softly:
+"Apple Blossom!"
+
+Patty fairly jumped; then, seeing the smile that came into his eyes,
+she put out both hands to King Lear, and said, gladly: "Bill! Little
+Billee! Oh, I _am_ glad to see you!"
+
+"Are you, really?" And Bill Farnsworth's voice had a slight tremor in
+it. "Are you sure of that, my girl?"
+
+"Of course I am," and Patty had regained her gay demeanour, which she
+had lost in her moment of intense surprise. "Oh, of course I am! I was
+so sorry to have missed you last week. And Jim said you went back to
+Arizona."
+
+"I did expect to, but I was detained in New York, and only this
+morning I found I could run up here and stay till to-morrow. I
+couldn't get here earlier, and when I reached the house, you had all
+started. So I got into these togs, and came along."
+
+"Your togs are wonderful, Little Billee. I never saw you look so
+stunning, not even as Father Neptune."
+
+"That was a great show, wasn't it?" and Big Bill smiled at the
+recollection. "But I say, Little Girl, you're looking rather wonderful
+yourself to-night. Oh, Patty, it's good to see you again!"
+
+"And it's good to see you; though it doesn't seem as if I had really
+seen you. That mask and beard completely cover up your noble
+countenance."
+
+"And I wish you'd take off that dinky little scrap of blue, so I can
+see if you are still my Apple Blossom Girl."
+
+"But I thought you wanted the extra dance."
+
+"I don't believe there's going to be any extra, after all. I think the
+people are anxious to get their masks off, and if so we'll have our
+dance after supper."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+BACK TO NEW YORK
+
+
+Farnsworth was right. There was no extra before supper, and the guests
+were even now flocking to the supper-room.
+
+Philip came toward them, looking for Patty, his mask already off.
+
+"Oh, can we really take them off now?" cried Patty. "I'm so glad.
+They're horridly uncomfortable. I'll never wear one again. I love a
+fancy dress party, but I don't see any sense in a masquerade."
+
+She took off her mask as she spoke, and her pretty face was flushed
+pink and her hair was curling in moist ringlets about her temples.
+
+Farnsworth looked down on her as he removed his own mask. "Apple
+Blossom!" he exclaimed again, and the comparison was very apt, for the
+pink and white of Patty's face was just the color of the blossoms.
+
+Then the two men looked at each other, and Patty suddenly realised
+that they had never met.
+
+"Oh, you don't know each other, do you?" she exclaimed. "And you my
+two best friends! Mr. Farnsworth, this is Mr. Van Reypen. And now,
+which of you is going to take me to supper?"
+
+As each offered an arm at once, Patty accepted both, and walked out
+demurely between the two big men. The men were exceedingly polite and
+courteous, but each was annoyed at the other's presence. As a matter
+of fact, Farnsworth had chanced to overhear a few words that Philip
+said to Patty a short time before. It was by merest chance that King
+Lear and Zenobia had walked by just as Philip was asking Patty to give
+him more than friendship. Zenobia, uninterested in the two under the
+palms, didn't even hear the words; but Farnsworth, who had found out
+from Jim Kenerley all the members of the house party, had scarcely
+taken his eyes from Little Bo-Peep since he arrived at the ball. With
+no intention of eavesdropping, he had followed her about, hoping to
+get a chance to see her first alone. He managed this only with
+Kenerley's help, and meantime he had discovered that Van Reypen was
+very seriously interested in Little Bo-Peep.
+
+Philip himself knew little of Farnsworth, save for a few chance
+remarks he had heard at the Kenerleys', but he realised at once that
+Patty and the big Westerner were great friends, if nothing more.
+
+However, the three went to supper together, and joined the group in
+which they were most interested.
+
+Great was the surprise of Daisy and Mona when Patty appeared with Mr.
+Farnsworth.
+
+Big Bill was in the merriest of spirits. He greeted everybody
+heartily, he joked and laughed, and was at his most entertaining best.
+Patty was very proud of him, for without his mask he looked very
+handsome as King Lear, and his stalwart figure seemed to dwarf the
+other men.
+
+After supper he claimed Patty for the promised dance.
+
+"Would you rather dance with King Lear?" he said, smiling, "with all
+these heavy velvet draperies bothering us, or shall I go and shed this
+robe, and just be plain Bill?"
+
+Patty looked at him, thoughtfully. "We'd have a better dance if you
+took off that flapping robe. But then, of course, you'd have to take
+off your wigs and things, and you wouldn't be half so beautiful."
+
+"Well, then, don't let's dance, but just stroll around and talk. And
+there's another reason why I'd rather keep on my wig and wreath."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"Because the wreath means that I am mad."
+
+"Mad at me?"
+
+"Oh, not that kind of mad! I mean crazy, demented, loony,--what was
+the old King, anyway?"
+
+"A little touched?"
+
+"Yes, that's it; and so, you see, he could say anything he wanted to.
+You know, people forgive crazy people, no matter what they say."
+
+"Are you going to say crazy things to me?"
+
+"Very likely; you've completely turned my head."
+
+"Do you know, I didn't even know King Lear ever went crazy," said
+Patty in an endeavour to change the subject.
+
+"Why, fie, fie, Little Girl, I thought you knew your Shakespeare; but
+I suppose you're too busy socially to read much poetry."
+
+"I read one poem this winter that I liked," said Patty, demurely.
+
+"Did you? What was it?"
+
+"It came to me in a blue envelope."
+
+"It did! Why, Patty, Jim told me you never got that."
+
+"Jim is mistaken; I did get it."
+
+"And did you like it?"
+
+"Where did you get it, Bill?"
+
+"Did you like it?"
+
+"Yes, I liked it lots. Who wrote it?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"Did you, really? You clever man! I thought possibly you might have
+done it, but it sounded so,--so finished."
+
+"Oh, no, it didn't, Patty. It was crude and amateurish; but it was
+written to you and about you, so I did the best I could. Patty, are
+you in love with Van Reypen?"
+
+"What!" and Patty stood still and looked at Farnsworth, indignantly.
+"You have no right to ask such a question!"
+
+"I know I haven't, Patty, and I apologise. I can't seem to get over my
+Western bluntness. And, Little Girl, I don't blame you a bit if you do
+care for him. He's a good-looking chap, and an all-round good man."
+
+"You seem to have sized him up pretty quickly. Why, you've only just
+met him."
+
+"Yes, but you know I was at the Kenerleys' last week, and Jim told me
+all about him."
+
+"Why did you want to know all about him?"
+
+"Shall I tell you why?" And Farnsworth's blue eyes looked straight
+into Patty's own. "I inquired about him, because Daisy said you were
+just the same as engaged to him."
+
+"Daisy said that, did she?" Patty rarely lost her temper, but this
+unwarranted speech of Daisy Dow's made her exceedingly angry. But what
+hurt her even more, was that Bill should believe Daisy's assertion,
+and should take it so calmly. His attitude piqued Patty; and she said,
+coldly: "Well, if Daisy says so, it must be so."
+
+"I know it, Little Girl," and Farnsworth's voice was very tender. "He
+can give you everything that you ought to have,--wealth, social
+position, and a life of luxury and pleasure. Moreover, he is a
+thorough gentleman and a true man. I hope you will be very happy with
+him, Patty."
+
+For some reason this speech exasperated Patty beyond all measure. It
+seemed as if her friends were settling her affairs for her, without
+giving her any voice in the decision. "You are a little premature,
+Bill," she said, without a smile. "I'm not engaged to Mr. Van Reypen,
+and I do not know that I shall be."
+
+"Oh, yes, you will, Patty; but don't be hasty, dear child. Think it
+over before you decide, for you know there are other things in the
+world beside wealth and social position."
+
+"What, for instance?" said Patty, in a flippant tone.
+
+"Love," said Farnsworth, very seriously.
+
+And then Patty was moved by a spirit of perversity. She thought that
+if Farnsworth really cared for her, he was handing her over to Philip
+very easily, and she resented this attitude.
+
+"Are you implying that Mr. Van Reypen is not capable of giving me
+love, as well as the other advantages you enumerate?"
+
+"No, Patty, I am not implying anything of the sort. I only know that
+you are too young yet to be engaged to anybody, and I wish for your
+own sake you would wait,--at least until you are perfectly sure of
+your own affections. But if they are given to Mr. Van Reypen, I shall
+be glad for you that you have chosen so wisely."
+
+Patty looked at Farnsworth in amazement. Remembering what he had said
+to her last summer, it was strange to hear him talk this way. She
+could not know that the honest, big-hearted fellow was breaking his
+own heart at the thought of losing her; but that he unselfishly felt
+that Van Reypen, as a man of the world, was more fitting for pretty
+Patty than himself. He knew he was Western, and different from Patty's
+friends and associates, and he was so lacking in egotism or in
+self-conceit that he couldn't recognise his own sterling merits. And,
+too, though he was interested in some mining projects, they had not
+yet materialised, and he did not yet know whether the near future
+would bring him great wealth, or exactly the reverse of fortune.
+
+But Patty couldn't read his heart, and she was disappointed and piqued
+at his manner and words. Without even a glance into his earnest eyes,
+she said: "Thank you, Bill, for your advice; I know it is well meant,
+and I appreciate it. Please take me back to Philip now."
+
+Farnsworth gave her a pained look, but without a word turned and led
+her back to the group they had left.
+
+Philip was waiting there, and Patty, to hide the strange hurt she felt
+in her own heart, was exceedingly kind in her manner toward him.
+
+"Our dance, Philip," she said, gaily, and though it hadn't been
+engaged, Philip was only too glad to get it.
+
+Soon afterward, the ball was over, and they all went home. As Patty
+came from the cloak room, wrapped in her fur coat, Philip stepped up
+to her in such a possessive way, that Farnsworth, who had also been
+waiting for her, turned aside.
+
+"That's a foregone conclusion," said Jim Kenerley to Farnsworth, as he
+glanced at Patty and Philip.
+
+"Nonsense," said Adèle. "Patty isn't thinking of conclusions yet. But
+I must say it would be a very satisfactory match."
+
+"Yes, Mr. Van Reypen seems to be a fine fellow," agreed Farnsworth.
+
+When they reached home, Patty said good-night, declaring she was weary
+enough to go straight to bed at once.
+
+"Will you come down again later, if you're hungry?" said Philip,
+smiling at the recollection of Christmas Eve.
+
+"No," and Patty flashed her dimples at him; and knowing that
+Farnsworth was listening, she added, "There's no moonlight to-night!"
+
+"Moonlight does help," said Philip. "Good-night, Little Bo-Peep."
+
+"Good-night, Bobby Shafto," and Patty started upstairs, then turned,
+and holding out her hand to Farnsworth, said "Good-night, King Lear;
+shall I see you in the morning?"
+
+"No; I leave on the early train," said Farnsworth, abruptly.
+"Good-night, Patty, and good-bye."
+
+He turned away, toward Daisy, and Patty went on upstairs.
+
+Farnsworth had spoken in a kind voice, but Patty knew that he had
+heard what she and Philip had said about coming down in the moonlight.
+
+"I think he's a horrid, mean old thing!" said Patty to herself, when
+she reached her own room. "His manners are not half as good as
+Philip's, and he's rude and unkind, and I just hate him!"
+
+Whereupon, as if to prove her words, she took from her portfolio the
+poem in the blue envelope, and read it all over again; and then put it
+under her pillow and went to sleep.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+A few days later Patty was back in New York. She gave her father and
+Nan glowing accounts of the delightful times she had had at Fern Falls
+and the jollities of a country house party in the winter time. She
+told them all about the pleasant people she had met up there, about
+her experience at Mrs. Fay's, and about Farnsworth's flying visits.
+
+"I'd like to meet that man," said Nan. "I think he sounds attractive,
+Patty."
+
+"He is attractive," said Patty, frankly; "but he's queer. You never
+know what mood he's going to be in. Sometimes he's awfully friendly,
+and then again he gets huffy over nothing."
+
+"I'm afraid you tease him, Patty," said her father, smiling at her.
+"You're getting to be such a popular young person that I fear you're
+getting spoiled."
+
+"Not Patty," said Nan, kindly. "Go ahead, my child, and have all the
+fun you can. The young men all adore you, and I don't wonder."
+
+"Why, Nancy Bell, how complimentary you are!" and Patty gave her
+stepmother an affectionate pat.
+
+"But now," said Mr. Fairfield, "if I may have the floor for a minute,
+I'd like to make an announcement. We have a plan, Patty, which we made
+while you were away, and which I hope will meet with your approval."
+
+"As if I ever disapproved of any of your plans, my dear daddy.
+Consider my approval granted before you begin."
+
+"Well, it's this: I think Nan is looking a little bit pale, and I feel
+a trifle pale myself, so I think we two will run away down South for a
+fortnight or so, and leave you here."
+
+"Alone?" asked Patty, in surprise.
+
+"Well, no; hardly that. But how would you like to have Mrs. Allen,
+Nan's mother, come and stay with you?"
+
+"I think that will be lovely," exclaimed Patty. "I'm awfully fond of
+Mrs. Allen, and I haven't seen her for a long time."
+
+"She's not a very sedate matron," said Nan, laughing. "I dare say
+she'll keep you on the go, Patty. She's fond of opera and concerts,
+and she likes gaiety. But father will come over for the week-ends, and
+look after you both."
+
+Nan's parents lived in Philadelphia, and as they had just returned
+from a trip abroad, the Fairfields hadn't seen them lately. But it had
+seemed to them that the arrangement they had planned would be
+satisfactory all round, for Mrs. Allen liked to spend a few weeks in
+New York each winter.
+
+About a week later the elder Fairfields departed, and Mrs. Allen
+arrived.
+
+She was a fine-looking lady of a youthful middle age, and looked
+forward with pleasure to her visit with Patty.
+
+"Now, you mustn't let me be a burden to you in any way, my dear," Mrs.
+Allen said, after the two were left alone. "Whenever I can help you,
+or whenever you want a chaperon, I'm entirely at your service; but
+when I'm not necessary to your plans, don't consider me at all,--and
+don't think about entertaining me, for I can look after myself. I'm
+never lonely or bored."
+
+"Thank you, Mrs. Allen," said Patty. "I'm sure we shall get on most
+beautifully together, and anything you want or want to do, I want you
+to give your own orders, just as if you were in your own home."
+
+And so the two had many pleasant times together. They went to
+matinées, teas, and concerts, to picture exhibitions, and to card
+parties. Mrs. Allen did not care for dances, but went gladly when it
+was a party where Patty required a chaperon.
+
+All of the young people liked Mrs. Allen, and she became well
+acquainted with all of Patty's friends.
+
+Bill Farnsworth was still in New York. His plans were uncertain, and
+often changed from day to day, owing to various details of his
+business.
+
+He called on Patty occasionally, but not often, and his calls were
+short and formal.
+
+"I like that big Western chap," Mrs. Allen said to Patty one day; "but
+he seems preoccupied. Sometimes he sits as if in a brown study, and
+says nothing for quite some minutes. And then, when you speak to him,
+he answers abruptly, as if bringing his mind back from faraway
+thoughts."
+
+"I daresay he's very much wrapped up in his business, Mrs. Allen,"
+said Patty. "They say he's trying to swing a big mining
+proposition,--whatever that means."
+
+"It may mean a great many things," said Mrs. Allen, thoughtfully. "I
+hope he's all right, Patty."
+
+"All right! Big Bill Farnsworth all right? Well, I rather guess he
+_is_!"
+
+"There, there," and Mrs. Allen laughed. "You needn't take up the
+cudgels so desperately. I didn't mean to accuse him of anything."
+
+"No, of course you didn't," and Patty laughed, too; "but whatever big
+Bill may lack in the way of polish or culture, he's absolutely honest
+and honourable, even to an absurd degree."
+
+"I don't think he lacks culture, Patty. His manners are all right."
+
+"Yes, they're all right, but he hasn't quite the correct ease of a man
+like Philip Van Reypen."
+
+"I know what you mean, and I suppose it's the effect of the aristocratic
+Van Reypen ancestry. But Mr. Farnsworth has such a splendid big air of
+real nobility about him that I think a more formal and conventional
+demeanour would quite spoil him."
+
+"Maybe it would," said Patty, simply.
+
+That very afternoon Farnsworth came to call, and told Patty he had
+come to say good-bye.
+
+"I know you think my farewells never mean anything," he said, smiling;
+"and I don't wonder, for I often say I am going, and then a telegram
+obliges me to change my plan. But I think it is positive this time
+that I shall leave to-night for Arizona."
+
+"Have you been successful in your undertakings?" asked Patty, with a
+sympathetic interest.
+
+"Yes, I believe I have. I don't want to be over sanguine, and matters
+are not yet entirely settled, but I think I have conquered the
+obstacles which I came to conquer, and I hope all will go well."
+
+"I hope so, Little Billee," said Patty, looking at him with earnest
+good will. "I want you to succeed."
+
+"Thank you for that," said Farnsworth, simply.
+
+"And when are you coming East again?"
+
+"I can't tell; I may have to come back in February; but if that is not
+necessary, I shall not come for a year or more. You will be married
+and settled by that time."
+
+"Indeed, I shan't! In fact, I've about made up my mind that I'll never
+marry anybody."
+
+"Girls have said that before, and been known to change their minds.
+But whatever you do, I wish you all happiness and joy throughout your
+whole life,--Little Apple Blossom."
+
+Farnsworth had risen to go, and he held Patty's hands in both his, as
+he looked straight into her eyes.
+
+Patty's own eyes fell beneath his gaze, and she said, "And I wish you
+happiness wherever you are, Little Billee."
+
+"Thank you, dear," he said, and then with a final handclasp he went
+away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+AN EXCITING CHASE
+
+
+Farnsworth had left Patty about two o'clock, and it was only a few
+moments later that her telephone rang.
+
+Her response was answered by a tearful, wailing voice, that said, "Oh,
+Miss Patty, oh, _can't_ you come here at once? Come right away!"
+
+"Come where? Who are you?" said Patty, bewildered, for she did not
+recognise the voice, and it sounded like some one in deep distress.
+
+"Oh, don't wait a _minute_! Every moment is precious! Just come _at
+once_!"
+
+"But how can I come, if I don't know who you are? I can help you
+better, if you'll control yourself and tell me something about
+yourself and your trouble. First of all, who are you?"
+
+"I'm Anne, Miss Galbraith's maid. You know me, Miss Patty. Oh, come
+quick; Miss Mona has gone!"
+
+"Gone! Where? Now, listen to me, Anne! Stop your crying, and tell me
+what you mean, and then I will go to you at once. Where are you? And
+where has Miss Mona gone?"
+
+"I'm in her apartment, and I don't like to tell you over the telephone
+where she's gone. But,--Miss Patty,--I think,--Oh, I fear,--she has
+eloped with Mr. Lansing!"
+
+The last sentence came in an explosive burst, as if the girl could
+keep her secret no longer.
+
+"What!" exclaimed Patty. And then, suddenly realising that it was a
+desperate situation, she said, "Don't say another word, Anne! I will
+go right straight to you. Stay there till I come."
+
+She knew the excitable character of the girl, and feared she might get
+hysterical if she talked further over the telephone. Patty hung up the
+receiver, and sat still for a moment, thinking deeply.
+
+"I won't tell Mrs. Allen," she finally decided, "but I must have some
+one to help me,--to go with me. I believe I'll call up Roger."
+
+But she couldn't bear to do that. It seemed too dreadful to tell Roger
+what had happened. She thought next of Kenneth, who was a standby as a
+loyal friend, but he was far downtown in his office, and might be busy
+with an important case.
+
+"Philip, of course," she said to herself; but even with her hand on
+the receiver, another thought flashed through her mind. "No one could
+help me to save Mona like Big Bill!" she thought, and on a sudden
+impulse she called up his hotel.
+
+"Bill,--it's Patty," she said, her voice trembling.
+
+"Yes, dear; what is it? What is the matter?"
+
+The kind, quiet voice, with its deep tones of sympathy and capability,
+made Patty realise that she had appealed to the right one. "Oh, Bill,"
+she went on, "there's awful trouble, and you must help me."
+
+"Of course I will, Little Girl! Steady now; tell me what it's all
+about. Do you want me to come there?"
+
+"But you're just starting for the West," cried Patty, as she
+remembered this for the first time.
+
+"That doesn't matter, if _you_ want me. I'll be right over."
+
+"And wait a minute; tell me what you think we ought to do. I've heard
+from Anne that Mona is eloping with that awful Lansing man!"
+
+"Then there's no time to be lost! Take your little car, and go to The
+Plaza as fast as you can spin! I'll meet you there, in the Galbraiths'
+apartment."
+
+Bill hung up the receiver, without even a good-bye, and Patty gave a
+little sigh of relief, for it seemed as if he had taken the
+responsibility from her shoulders, and would manage the matter
+himself. She ordered her car, flung on her hat and coat, and with a
+hasty word to Mrs. Allen that she was going out, she drove her little
+electric herself down to the hotel.
+
+When she entered the Galbraiths' apartment, she found Farnsworth
+already there.
+
+"It's true," he said, looking at her with a grave face. "That is, I
+think it must be. Mona went away half an hour ago, and took a suit
+case with her. She went in a motor with Mr. Lansing. Anne is worried,
+because this morning she overheard the two telephoning."
+
+"I wasn't listening, Miss Patty," said the tearful maid. "That is, I
+didn't mean to, but Miss Mona was excited like, and her voice was so
+loud I couldn't help hearing."
+
+"I'm glad you did, Anne," said Patty, "it may help us to save Miss
+Mona yet. What else can you tell us?"
+
+"Nothing, except that Miss Mona left a note on her father's desk, and
+I thought maybe it might be to tell him she had gone."
+
+Big Bill strode over to the desk, and there, under a paperweight, lay
+a note, addressed to Mr. Galbraith. He picked it up, and looked at it,
+thoughtfully.
+
+"Patty," he said, "this isn't sealed. Considering all things, I think
+it is our duty to read it, but you know more about such matters than I
+do. What do you think?"
+
+Patty hesitated. She had always thought it little less than a crime to
+read a note addressed to another, but the circumstances made this case
+seem an exception. "We might telephone to Mr. Galbraith and ask his
+permission," she suggested.
+
+But Big Bill seemed suddenly to have made up his mind.
+
+"No!" he declared, "_I'll_ take the responsibility of this thing. To
+telephone would frighten Mr. Galbraith, and would delay matters too
+much, beside. I shall read this note, and if I can't square my action
+with Mr. Galbraith afterward, I'll accept the consequences."
+
+The impressive manner of the big man, his stern, set face, and honest,
+determined blue eyes convinced Patty that he was right, and together
+they read the note.
+
+In it, as they had feared, Mona told her father that she was going
+away to marry Mr. Lansing, because her father would not allow her to
+marry him otherwise. She expressed regret at the sorrow she knew this
+would bring to her father, but she said she was old enough to decide
+for herself whom she wished to marry, and she felt sure that after it
+was over he would forgive her, and call his two children back to him.
+
+"Mona never wrote that note of her own accord," exclaimed Patty,
+indignantly. "That man made her do it!"
+
+"Of course he did!" agreed Bill, in a stern voice. "I know
+Lansing,--and, Patty, the man is a scoundrel."
+
+"You know him? I didn't know you did."
+
+"Yes, I do! And I ought to have warned Mona more against him. I did
+tell her what his real nature is, but she wouldn't listen, and I never
+dreamed she was so deeply infatuated with him. But we mustn't blame
+her, Patty. She was simply under the influence of that man, and he
+persuaded her to go with him against her better judgment. But we must
+go after them and bring them back."
+
+"But you're going West to-night."
+
+"Not unless we rescue Mona first! Why, Patty, she _mustn't_ be allowed
+to marry that man! I tell you he's a scoundrel, and I never say _that_
+about a man unless I _know_ it to be true. But this is no time to
+discuss Lansing. We must simply fly after them."
+
+"But how do you know where they've gone?"
+
+"I don't know! But we must find out, somehow. Perhaps the men at the
+door can tell us. Perhaps Anne can."
+
+"I only know this, sir," said Anne, who was wringing her hands and
+weeping; "when Miss Mona was telephoning, she said something about
+Greenwich."
+
+"Of course!" cried Bill. "That's exactly where they'd go! But wait,
+they would have to go for a license first."
+
+"Telephone the license man," said Patty, inspired by Bill's manner and
+tones.
+
+"Right-O!" and after some rather troublesome telephoning, Bill
+announced, "They did! they got a license, and they started in a motor
+for Greenwich about half an hour ago! Come on, Patty! Anne, you stay
+right here, in case we telephone. If Mr. Galbraith comes home, don't
+tell him a word about it. Leave it to me. I'll be responsible for this
+note." Bill put the note in his pocket, and almost pushing Patty out
+of the door, he had her in the elevator and downstairs almost before
+she knew it.
+
+"Shall we take my little car?" she asked, as Bill strode through the
+lobby, and Patty hurried to keep up with him.
+
+"Good Heavens, no! We want a racer. I'll drive it myself."
+
+By the power of sheer determination, the big Western man procured a
+fast car in an incredibly short time, and in a few moments he and
+Patty were flying up Broadway.
+
+"Now if you want to talk you may," said Bill, and his voice was quiet
+and composed, though he was alertly threading his swift way through
+the traffic. "I had to be a little short with you while we were
+hurrying off, because I didn't want to lose a minute. But now, all I
+have to do is to keep just inside the speed limit while we're in the
+city, and then I rather guess there'll be one big chase!"
+
+"Oh, Bill, you are just splendid!" exclaimed Patty, with shining eyes,
+unable to repress her admiration of his capability and strength.
+
+"But we haven't accomplished anything yet, Patty; we're only starting
+out to try. You know, it's a hundred to one shot that we miss
+them,--for we've very little idea where they've gone."
+
+"But it's a straight road to Greenwich."
+
+"Yes, but they may have turned off anywhere. They may change their
+minds a dozen times about their destination."
+
+"No, they won't," said Patty, positively; "not unless they think
+they're pursued, and of course they've no idea of that. Speed her up,
+Bill; the way is clear now! I don't believe they're going at this
+pace."
+
+"Patty, you're a good pal! I don't believe any other girl would be as
+plucky as you are in such a case."
+
+"Why, I haven't done anything," and Patty opened her eyes wide, in
+surprise. "You've done it all--Little Billee."
+
+"You've helped me more than you know. With you by my side, I'm bound
+to succeed." Big Bill bent to his wheel, and the swift machine flew
+along so fast that conversation became impossible.
+
+As they neared Greenwich, Patty's sharp eyes descried a dark red car
+ahead of them.
+
+"That's it!" she cried. "That's Mona's car! Chase 'em, Bill!"
+
+"The nerve of him, to elope in her own car!" growled Bill, through his
+clenched teeth. "I told you he was a scoundrel, Patty!"
+
+They were rapidly gaining on the red car, when, as it turned the
+corner, one of its occupants saw their pursuers, and Patty heard a
+shriek.
+
+"That's Mona's yell," she cried, in dismay. "They've seen us, Bill,
+and now they'll get away from us!"
+
+Sure enough, the pursuing car was swift, but the big Galbraith car was
+a speed wonder, and the elopers darted ahead with renewed determination
+to escape capture.
+
+"Oh, what a shame!" wailed Patty. "They recognised us, and now they'll
+get away."
+
+"Not if I know it!" and Farnsworth set his teeth hard. "Sit tight,
+Patty; we're going to go faster!"
+
+It didn't seem as if they could go any faster, but they did, and if it
+had been anybody driving except Farnsworth, Patty would have felt
+frightened. But she knew his skill, and too, she knew that he never
+let excitement or enthusiasm run away with his judgment. So she sat as
+still as she could, striving to catch her breath in the face of the
+wind; and refraining from speech, lest she distract Bill's attention
+even for a second.
+
+At last, when they had a long, clear view ahead, and they saw the red
+car ever increasing the distance between them, Bill gave up.
+
+"It's no use, Patty; we can't catch them! I've done all I can, but
+that car they're in is a world-beater! They went through Greenwich
+like a streak. They would have been arrested, but no one could stop
+them. Oh, I say, My Little Girl,--I have an idea!"
+
+"Is your idea faster than their car, Little Billee?"
+
+"You bet it is! Just you wait and see; Patty, we've _got_ 'em!"
+
+Farnsworth turned around and drove rapidly back to Greenwich, which
+they had just passed through.
+
+At a hotel there, he jumped out, told Patty to wait, and rushed into
+the office.
+
+It was nearly ten minutes before he returned, and Patty could scarcely
+believe that whatever plan he had could be of any use after such
+delay.
+
+He jumped in beside her, turned around, and in a minute they were
+again whizzing along, following the direction of the other car.
+
+"I'll tell you what I did, Patty," he said, chuckling. "I telephoned
+to the Stamford Chief of Police, and asked him to arrest those people
+for speeding as they crossed the city limit!"
+
+"Will they be speeding?"
+
+"_Will_ they be speeding? You _bet_ they will! And even if they
+aren't, they'll be arrested, all the same, and held without bail until
+we get there! Oh, Patty, if the situation were not so serious, I could
+laugh at this joke on Lansing!"
+
+On they went, at their highest speed, and reached Stamford not very
+much later than the red car they were following.
+
+At the city line, they found this car standing, with two or three
+policemen forbidding its further progress.
+
+Horace Lansing was in a violent fit of temper, and was alternating
+bribes with threats of vengeance, but the policemen were imperturbable,
+having been told the facts of the case by Farnsworth over the
+telephone.
+
+Mona was weeping bitterly, and though Patty went to her with
+affectionate words, she stormed back, "Go away, Patty Fairfield! You
+have no right to interfere in my affairs! It was your prying that
+found this out. Go away; I won't speak to you!"
+
+"By what right have you followed us, Miss Fairfield?" began Mr.
+Lansing, looking at Patty, angrily.
+
+But Farnsworth strode over to the speaker, and spoke to him, sternly
+but quietly. "Lansing," he said, "it's all up, and you know it! Now, I
+don't want to have a scene here and now, so you have my permission to
+go away wherever you like, on condition that you never enter the
+presence again, of Miss Galbraith or Miss Fairfield."
+
+"Ho!" said Lansing, with an attempt at bravado. "You give me your
+permission, do you? Let me tell you that Miss Galbraith is my promised
+wife. We have the license, and we're about to be married. It will take
+more than you to stop us!"
+
+"Indeed," said Farnsworth, and putting his hands in his pockets, he
+gave Lansing a contemptuous glance. "Well, then, I shall have to
+request assistance. If I tell this constable a good reason why he
+should detain you long enough to prevent your marriage to Miss
+Galbraith, would such an argument have any weight with you?"
+
+There was an instantaneous change in Horace Lansing's demeanour. From
+a blustering braggart, he became a pale and cringing coward. But with
+a desperate attempt to bluff it out, he exclaimed, "What do you mean?"
+but even as he spoke, he shivered and staggered backward, as if
+dreading a blow.
+
+"Since you ask me," said Farnsworth, looking at him, sternly, "I'll
+answer frankly, that unless you consent to go away and never again
+enter the presence of these ladies, I shall inform these policemen of
+a certain little bank trouble that happened in Chicago----"
+
+It was unnecessary to go on. Lansing was abject, and begged in
+pleading tones that Farnsworth would say no more. "I am going,"
+Lansing stammered, and without a word of farewell to Mona or even a
+glance at Patty, he walked rapidly away.
+
+"Let him go," said Farnsworth. "I can't tell you girls about it, but
+I'll explain to Mr. Galbraith. Mona, that man is not fit for you to
+know! He is guilty of forgery and robbery."
+
+"I don't believe it!" declared Mona, angrily.
+
+"You _do_ believe it," and Farnsworth looked at her steadily, "because
+you know I would not tell you so unless I knew it to be true."
+
+Mona was silent at this, for she did know it. She knew Bill Farnsworth
+well enough to know that if he made an accusation of that sort, he
+knew it to be the truth.
+
+"But I love him so," she said, sobbing.
+
+"No, Mona, you don't love him." Bill spoke very gently, and as he laid
+his hand on Mona's shoulder, she raised her eyes to look into his
+kind, serious face. "You were not much to blame, Mona; the man
+fascinated you, and you thought the foolish infatuation you felt for
+him was love. But it wasn't, and you'll soon forget him. You don't
+want to remember a man who was a wrong-doer, I'm sure; nor do you want
+to remember a man who goes away and deserts you because he has been
+found out. Mona, is not his going away as he did, enough proof of his
+guilt?"
+
+But Mona was sobbing so that she could not speak. Not angry sobs now,
+but pathetic, repentant sorrow.
+
+"Now, it's up to you, Patty," said Farnsworth, cheerily. "You and Mona
+get into the tonneau of this Galbraith car, and I'll drive you home.
+You chirk her up, Patty, and tell her there's no harm done, and that
+all her friends love her just the same. And tell her if she'll stop
+her crying and calm herself before she gets home, nobody need ever
+know a thing about this whole affair."
+
+Mona looked up at this, and said, eagerly, "Not father?"
+
+"No, Mona dear," said Patty. "Sit here by me and I'll tell you all
+about it. How we read the note and kept it, and everything. And, Mona,
+we won't even let Roger know anything about all this, because it would
+hurt him very much."
+
+"But Anne," said Mona, doubtfully. "You say she told you where I
+went."
+
+"I'll attend to Anne," said Farnsworth, decidedly. "Can't you go home
+to dinner with Patty, Mona? I think that would do you good."
+
+"Yes, do," said Patty. "And stay over night with me. We'll telephone
+your father where you are, and then, to-morrow, you can go home as if
+nothing had ever happened."
+
+"It's a justifiable deception, Mona," said Bill, "for I know how it
+would grieve the poor man if he knew about your foolish little
+escapade,--which is all over now. It's past history, and the incident
+is closed forever. Don't you be afraid Lansing will ever appear
+against you. He's too thoroughly frightened ever to be seen in these
+parts again."
+
+"You come to dinner, too, Bill," said Patty, as they took their
+places; "though I fear we'll all be rather late."
+
+Farnsworth hesitated a moment, then he said, decidedly, "No, Patty, I
+can't do it. I was to take the seven o'clock train to-night, but
+though I'll miss that, I can take the nine o'clock, and I _must_ go."
+
+"But, Little Billee, I want to thank you for helping me as you did. I
+want to thank you, not only for Mona's sake, but my own."
+
+"That would be worth staying for, Little Girl, but it is a case of
+duty, you see. Won't you write me your thanks,--Apple Blossom?"
+
+"Yes," said Patty, softly, "I will."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+BRIDESMAID PATTY
+
+
+Early in February Christine was to be married, and the Fairfields had
+persuaded her to accept the use of their house for the occasion.
+
+Christine had demurred, for she wanted a simple ceremony with no
+reception at all. But the Fairfields finally made her see that Mr.
+Hepworth's position as an artist of high repute made it desirable that
+his many friends should be invited to his wedding.
+
+So Christine agreed to the plan, and Patty was delighted at the
+thought of the festivities in her home.
+
+The elder Fairfields had returned from their Southern trip, but Mrs.
+Allen was still with them, and there were other house guests from
+Christine's Southern home.
+
+The day of the wedding, Patty, assisted by Elise and Mona, was
+superintending the decorations. Christine had insisted that these
+should be simple, and as Mr. Hepworth, too, was opposed to the
+conventional work of a florist, the girls had directed it all
+themselves.
+
+"It does look perfectly sweet," said Patty, as she surveyed the
+drawing-room. "Personally, I should prefer all those dinky white
+telegraph poles stretched with ribbon and bunched up with flowers to
+make an aisle for the happy couple to walk through. But as it isn't my
+wedding, I suppose we must let the bride have her own way."
+
+"I'm tired of those tied up poles," said Elise, decidedly. "I think
+this is a lot prettier, and all this Southern jasmine is beautiful,
+and just like Christine."
+
+"She is the sweetest thing!" said Patty. "Every new present that comes
+in, she sits and looks at it helplessly, as if it were the very last
+straw!"
+
+"Well, of course, most of the presents are from Mr. Hepworth's
+friends," said Mona, "and they are stunning! I don't wonder Christine
+is overcome."
+
+"She has lots of friends of her own, too," said Patty. "All the girls
+gave her beautiful things, and you two quite outdid yourselves. That
+lamp of yours, Mona, is a perfect dream; and, Elise, I never saw such
+gems as your silver candlesticks. Christine's path through life will
+be well lighted! Well, everything's finished, and I think it's about
+time we went to dress. The ceremony's at four, and as I'm going to be
+a bridesmaid for the first time in my mad career, I don't want to be
+late at the party."
+
+"How beautiful the drawing-room looks," said Mrs. Allen, coming along
+just then. "Patty dear, doesn't this all remind you of the day Nan was
+married?"
+
+"Yes, Mrs. Allen; only the weddings are quite different. But Christine
+would keep this as simple as possible, so of course I let her have her
+own way."
+
+"Yes, Patty, that's the privilege of a bride. But some day you can
+have your own way in the direction of your own wedding, and I rather
+fancy it will be an elaborate affair. I hope I'll be here to see."
+
+"I hope you will, Mrs. Allen," laughed Patty; "but don't look for it
+very soon. My suitors are so bashful, you know; I have to urge them
+on."
+
+"Nonsense!" cried Elise. "Patty's greatest trouble is to keep her
+suitors off! She tries to hold them at arm's length, but they are so
+insistent that it is difficult."
+
+"I think you girls are all too young to have suitors," commented Mrs.
+Allen, smiling at the pretty trio.
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Allen," said Patty; "suitors doesn't mean men who want to
+marry you. I suppose it's sort of slang, but nowadays, girls call all
+their young men suitors, even the merest casual acquaintances."
+
+"Oh, I see," said Mrs. Allen. "I suppose as in my younger days we used
+to call them beaux."
+
+"Yes, just that," said Patty. "Why, Mr. Hepworth used to be one of our
+favourite suitors, until he persuaded Christine to marry him; but we
+have lots of them left."
+
+"Is that big one coming to the wedding?" asked Mrs. Allen.
+
+"She means Bill Farnsworth," said Patty to the others. "She always
+calls him 'that big one.' I don't know whether he's coming or not. He
+said if he possibly could get here, he would."
+
+"He'll come," said Elise, wagging her head, sagely. "He'll manage it
+somehow. Why, Mrs. Allen, he worships the ground Patty walks on!"
+
+"So do all my suitors," said Patty, complacently. "They're awful
+ground worshippers, the whole lot of them! But so long as they don't
+worship me, they may adore the ground as much as they like. Now, you
+people must excuse me, for I'm going to get into that flummery
+bridesmaid's frock,--and I can tell you, though it looks so simple,
+it's fearfully and wonderfully made."
+
+Patty ran away to her own room, but paused on the way to speak to
+Christine, who was already being dressed in her bridal robes.
+
+"You _sweet_ thing!" cried Patty, flinging her arms round her friend's
+neck. "Christine dear, you know I'm not much good at sentimental
+expressions, but I _do_ want to wish you such a heap of joy that
+you'll just almost break down under it!"
+
+Christine smiled back into Patty's honest eyes, and realised the
+loving friendship that prompted the words.
+
+"Patty," she said, "I can't begin to thank you for all you've done for
+me this past year, but I thank you most,"--here she blushed, and
+whispered shyly,--"because you didn't want him, yourself!"
+
+"Oh, Christine!" said Patty, "I _do_ want him, something dreadful! I
+shall just _pine_ away the rest of my sad life because I can't have
+him! But you wrested him from me, and I give him to you with my
+blessing!" And then Patty went away, and Christine smiled, knowing
+that Patty's words were merely jesting, and knowing too, with a heart
+full of content, that Gilbert Hepworth really wanted _her_, and not
+the radiant, mischievous Patty.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+Promptly at four o'clock, the old, well-known music sounded forth, and
+Patty came slowly downstairs. Her gown was of white chiffon, over pink
+chiffon, and fell in soft, shimmering draperies, that looked like
+classic simplicity, but were in reality rather complicated. Christine
+had designed both their gowns, and they were marvels of beauty. On
+Patty's head was perched a coquettish little cap of the style most
+approved for bridesmaids, and she carried a clustered spray of pink
+roses. As she entered the drawing-room, intent on walking correctly in
+time to the music, she chanced to glance up, and saw Bill Farnsworth's
+blue eyes fixed upon her. Unthinkingly, she gave him a radiant smile,
+and then, with the pink in her cheeks deepened a little, she went on
+her way toward the group of palms, where the wedding party would
+stand.
+
+Not even the bride herself looked prettier than Patty; though
+Christine was very sweet, in her soft white chiffon, her misty veil,
+and her shower bouquet of white flowers, which she had expressly
+requested should be without ribbons.
+
+Only the more intimate friends had been invited to the ceremony, but
+immediately after, the house was filled with the reception guests.
+Patty was in gay spirits, which was not at all unusual for that young
+woman. She fluttered about everywhere, like a big pink butterfly, but
+ever and again hovering back to Christine, to caress her, and, as she
+expressed it, "To keep up her drooping spirits." Christine had never
+entirely overcome her natural shyness, and being the centre of
+attraction on this occasion greatly embarrassed her, and she was glad
+of Patty's gay nonsense to distract attention from herself.
+
+Kenneth Harper was best man, and, as he told Patty, the responsibility
+of the whole affair rested on himself and her. "We're really of far
+greater importance than the bride and groom," he said; "and they
+depend on us for everything. Have you the confetti all ready, Patty?"
+
+"Yes, of course; do you have to go to the train with them, Ken?"
+
+"No; my duties are ended when I once get them packed into a motor at
+the door. But Christine looks as if she couldn't survive much longer,
+and as for old Gilbert, he's as absent-minded as the conventional
+bridegroom."
+
+"Christine's all right," said Patty. "I'm going to take her off, now,
+to get into her travelling clothes. Oh, Ken, she has the loveliest
+suit! Sort of a taupe colour, you know, and the dearest hat----"
+
+"Patty! Do you suppose I care what she's going to wear away? But _do_
+see to it that she's ready on time! You girls will all get to
+weeping,--that's the way they always do,--and you'll spin out your
+farewells so that they'll lose their train! Run along with Christine,
+now; Hepworth is fidgeting like the dickens."
+
+So the pretty bridesmaid took the pretty bride away, and Patty begged
+Christine to make haste with her dressing, lest she might lose the
+train.
+
+"And Mr. Hepworth will go away without you," Patty threatened. "Now,
+you do always dawdle, Christine; but this time you've got to
+hustle,--so be spry,--Mrs. Hepworth."
+
+Christine smiled at Patty's use of the new name, and she tried to make
+the haste Patty demanded. But she was slow by nature, and Patty danced
+around her in terror, lest she should really be late.
+
+"Here's your coat, Christine,--put your arms in, do! Now the other
+one. Now sit down, and I'll put your hat on for you. Oh, Mrs.
+Hepworth, _do_ hold your head still! Here, stick this pin in yourself,
+or I may jab it through your brain,--though I must confess you act as
+if you hadn't any! or if you have, it's addled. And Ken says that
+husband of yours is acting just the same way. My! it's lucky you two
+infants had a capable and clever bridesmaid and best man to get you
+off! There! take your gloves,--no, don't hold them like that! put them
+on. Wake up, Christine; remember, the show isn't over yet. You've got
+to go downstairs, and be showered with confetti, and, oh, Christine,
+_don't_ forget to throw your bouquet!"
+
+"I won't do it!" and Christine Hepworth woke up suddenly from her
+dreaming, and clasped her bridal bouquet to her heart.
+
+"Nonsense! of course you will! You've simply _got_ to! I'm not going
+to run this whole wedding, and then have the prima donna balk in the
+last act. Now, listen, Christine, you throw it over the banister just
+as you start downstairs! Will you?"
+
+"Yes," was the meek response; "I will."
+
+"And wait a minute; don't you throw it till I get down there myself,
+for I might catch it."
+
+"Do catch it, Patty, and then you can give it back to me. I want to
+keep it all my life."
+
+"Well, you can't, Christine; it isn't done! You'll have to direct your
+sentimentality in some other direction. Or, here, I'll give you a
+flower out of it, and that's plenty for you to keep for a souvenir of
+this happy occasion."
+
+"Why do I have to throw it, anyway?" persisted Christine, as she
+tucked the flower away for safe keeping.
+
+"First and foremost, because I tell you to! and, incidentally, because
+it's the custom. You know, whoever catches it will be married inside
+of a year. Now, I'm going on down, and then you come along with Nan,
+and I expect you'll find Mr. Hepworth down there somewhere,--if Ken
+hasn't lost him."
+
+Patty cast a final critical glance at Christine, and seeing that she
+was all right in every respect, she gave her one last kiss, and
+hurried downstairs. She found a group of laughing young people
+standing in the hall, all provided with confetti, and the girls all
+looking upward to watch for the descending bouquet.
+
+"Here's a good place for you, Patty Pink and White," and Farnsworth
+guided her to a place directly under the banister.
+
+At that moment Christine appeared at the head of the stairs. She stood
+a moment, her bouquet held at arm's length, and looked at it as if she
+couldn't quite bring herself to part with it.
+
+"There, _now_ she's going to toss it! _Quick_, Patty, catch it!" Big
+Bill whispered in her ear, and Patty looked upward. Then, seeing the
+direction in which the flowers fell,--for Christine really tossed them
+straight at her,--Patty whirled round and sprang aside, so that the
+bouquet was picked up by a girl who stood next to her.
+
+"Oh, Patty! you muffed it!" cried Farnsworth; "and what's more, you
+did it on purpose!"
+
+"'Course I did!" declared Patty. "I don't want to be married this
+year, thank you. But it was all I could do to dodge it!"
+
+And then the confetti was showered on the departing couple, Kenneth
+tucked them into the motor car, Patty jumped in too, for a last
+rapturous hug of Christine, and Kenneth almost had to pull her out.
+
+"Come, come, Patty," he cried. "Let them make their getaway! I think
+they've missed the train as it is. There, now, they're off! My, a best
+man's lot is not a happy one! But our trials are over now, Patty girl,
+and we can take a little rest! Let's go back and receive the
+congratulations of the audience on our good work."
+
+They went back to the house, laughing, and Patty succeeded in
+obtaining a few more blossoms from the bridal bouquet to save for
+Christine until she came back.
+
+"Why didn't you catch it, Patty?" said Kenneth. "Do you want to be an
+old maid?"
+
+"'Nobody asked me, sir, she said,'" and Patty dropped her eyes,
+demurely.
+
+"You mean there's nobody that hasn't asked you!" returned Kenneth.
+"I'm going to ask you, myself, some day; but not to-night. I've had
+enough to do with matrimonial alliances for one day!"
+
+"So have I," laughed Patty. "Let's put it off for a year, Ken."
+
+"All right," was the laughing response, and then they rejoined the
+other young people.
+
+After the reception was over, a few of Patty's more intimate friends
+were invited to remain to dinner with the Fairfields.
+
+"Can you stay, Little Billee?" asked Patty, dancing up to him, as he
+seemed about to leave.
+
+"I have to take a midnight train," he said, "and I have some business
+matters that I must attend to first. So if I may, I'll run away now,
+and come back this evening for a dance with you."
+
+"All right; be sure to come," and Patty flashed him a smiling glance,
+and danced away again.
+
+It was after eleven before Farnsworth returned, and Patty had begun to
+fear he would not come at all.
+
+"What are you looking at?" asked Philip Van Reypen, as Patty continued
+to glance over her shoulder toward the hall, while they were dancing.
+
+"Nothing," was the non-committal answer.
+
+"Well, then, you may as well look at me. At least, I'm better than
+nothing."
+
+"_Much_ better!" said Patty, with exaggerated emphasis; "_ever_ so
+much better! Oh, say, Philip, take me over to the hall, will you?"
+
+"What for? This dance has just begun."
+
+"Never mind!" said Patty, impatiently. "Lead me over that way!"
+
+Patty turned her own dancing steps in that direction, and when they
+reached the hall, there was Big Bill Farnsworth, smiling at her.
+
+"This is what I was looking for!" said Patty, gaily. "Run away now,
+Philip. Little Billee can only stay a minute, and we'll finish our
+dance afterward."
+
+Van Reypen was decidedly annoyed, but he didn't show it, for he knew
+Patty's caprices must be obeyed. So he bowed politely, and walked
+away.
+
+"He's mad as hops," said Patty, calmly; "but I had to see you for a
+few minutes, if you're really going on that midnight train. Are you,
+Little Billee?"
+
+"Yes, Apple Blossom, I am. I've time for just one turn round the room.
+Will you dance?"
+
+For answer, Patty put her hand in his, and they waltzed slowly round
+the room.
+
+"You are the busiest business man I ever saw," Patty said, pouting a
+little.
+
+"Yes, I _am_ very busy just now. Indeed, matters are rapidly coming to
+a crisis. It was only because I suddenly found that I must be in
+Boston to-morrow, that I could stop here to-day. And if matters turn
+out to-morrow as I hope they will, I must start back immediately to
+Arizona. But some day I hope to be less hurried, and then----"
+
+"And then?" asked Patty.
+
+"Then I hope to live in New York, and learn good manners and correct
+customs, and make myself fit to be a friend of yours."
+
+"Oh, Little Billee, you _are_ a friend of mine."
+
+"Well, something more than a friend, then. Patty,--I _must_ ask
+you,--are you engaged to Van Reypen?"
+
+"Goodness, no!" and Patty flashed a glance of surprise.
+
+"Then, Patty, mayn't _I_ hope?"
+
+"That's a question I _never_ know how to answer," said Patty,
+demurely; "if you mean that I'm to consider myself bound by any sort
+of a promise, I most certainly won't!"
+
+"No, I don't mean that, dear, but,----well, Patty, won't you wait?"
+
+"Of course I'll wait. That's exactly what I mean to do for years and
+years."
+
+"You mean to,--but you're so capricious."
+
+"Oh, no! not _that_, of all things! And, anyway, what does capricious
+mean?"
+
+"Well, it means like a butterfly, hovering from one flower to
+another----"
+
+"Oh, you think you're like unto a flower?"
+
+"I'll be any kind of a flower you wish, if you'll hover around me like
+a butterfly."
+
+"Well, be a timid little forget-me-not,--that will be lovely."
+
+"I'll forget-you-not, all right; but I can't be timid, it isn't my
+nature." And now they had stopped dancing, and stood in the hall, near
+the door, for it was almost time for Farnsworth to go.
+
+"It isn't because I'm timid," and the six feet three of humanity
+towered above her, "that I don't grab you up and run away with you,
+but because----"
+
+"Well, because what?" said Patty, daringly.
+
+"Because, Apple Blossom," and Bill spoke slowly, "when I see you here
+in your rightful setting, and surrounded by your own sort of people, I
+realise that I'm only a great, big----"
+
+"Bear," interrupted Patty. "You _are_ like a big bear, Bill! But such
+a nice, gruff, kind, woolly bear,--and the best friend a girl ever
+had. But I wish you'd be more of a chum, Little Billee. I like to be
+good chums with every one of my suitors! It's all very well for
+Christine to marry; she doesn't care for society, she just only loves
+Mr. Hepworth."
+
+"Some day you'll forget your love for society, because you'll get to
+love just only one man."
+
+"'And it might as well be you,'" hummed Patty, to an old tune.
+
+"Patty!" cried Farnsworth, his blue eyes lighting up with sudden joy;
+"do you mean that?"
+
+"No, _I_ never mean anything! Of _course_, I don't mean it,--but if I
+_did_, I'd say I didn't."
+
+"Patty Pink and White! you little scamp! if you tease me like this,
+how do you suppose I'm ever going to tear myself away to catch that
+midnight train to Boston?"
+
+"Why, you can't get that, Little Billee! it's too late, now!"
+
+"No, it isn't; and beside, I _must_ make it." He looked at his watch.
+"I've just exactly two minutes longer to stay with you."
+
+"Two minutes is a long time," said Patty, flippantly.
+
+"Yes, it is! it's just long enough for two things I have to do."
+
+"What have you to do?" asked Patty, wonderingly, looking up at him, as
+they stood alone in the hall.
+
+Farnsworth's strong face wore a determined look, but his blue eyes
+were full of a tender light, as he answered:
+
+"Two very important things,--Apple Blossom,--this,--and this!"
+
+He kissed her swiftly on one pink cheek and then on the other, and
+then, like a flash, he was gone.
+
+"Oh!" said Patty, softly, to herself, "Oh!"
+
+
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+
+
+THE CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS FOR GIRLS
+
+Fresh, spirited stories that the modern small girl will take to her
+heart, these well known books by a famous author have won an important
+place in the field of juvenile fiction.
+
+Patty, with her beauty and frank good nature, and Marjorie full of
+vitality and good spirits, are two lovable characters well worth
+knowing, and their adventures will stir the eager imaginations of
+young readers.
+
+THE FAMOUS "PATTY" BOOKS
+
+Patty Fairfield               Patty's Motor Car
+Patty at Home                 Patty's Butterfly Days
+Patty in the City             Patty's Social Season
+Patty's Summer Days           Patty's Suitors
+Patty in Paris                Patty's Romance
+Patty's Friend                Patty's Fortune
+Patty's Pleasure Trip         Patty Blossom
+Patty's Success               Patty--Bride
+
+THE MARJORIE BOOKS
+
+Marjorie's Vacation           Marjorie in Command
+Marjorie's Busy Days          Marjorie's Maytime
+Marjorie's New Friend         Marjorie at Seacote
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP   _Publishers_   NEW YORK
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+There is the high, happy spirit of youth in these famous
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS
+by JANE D. ABBOTT
+
+APRILLY
+
+The charming story of a young girl, child of the circus, and the
+adventures which led to her goal of happiness.
+
+HIGHACRES
+
+A school story of Jerry Travis and her chum Gyp Westley. A thread of
+romance and mystery in Jerry's life runs through the tale.
+
+KEINETH
+
+How Keineth Randolph kept a secret--a war secret--for a whole year
+makes one of the best stories ever written for girls.
+
+RED ROBIN
+
+In attempting to bring happiness into the lives of mill workers, Robin
+Forsythe, heir to a fortune, has many strange adventures.
+
+HEYDAY
+
+Twenty-three! The heyday of life. Jay, a small town girl, finds
+happiness in New York.
+
+LARKSPUR
+
+Especially interesting to any Girl Scout because it is the story of a
+Girl Scout who is poor and has to help her mother.
+
+HAPPY HOUSE
+
+How an old family quarrel is healed through a misunderstanding and an
+old homestead becomes a "happy house" in reality.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP   _Publishers_   NEW YORK
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 25857-8.txt or 25857-8.zip *******
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+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Patty's Social Season, by Carolyn Wells</h1>
+<pre>
+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 <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: Patty's Social Season</p>
+<p>Author: Carolyn Wells</p>
+<p>Release Date: June 20, 2008  [eBook #25857]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3 class="pg">E-text prepared by Roger Frank<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br />
+    (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:2em; margin-top:1em;'>Patty&#8217;s</p>
+<p style=' font-size:2em; margin-bottom:1em;'>Social Season</p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>BY</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1em;'>CAROLYN WELLS</p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'><i>Author of</i></p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'><i>The</i> TWO LITTLE WOMEN <i>Series</i></p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'><i>The</i> MARJORIE <i>Books</i></p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:3em;'><i>etc</i>.</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:3em;'>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP, <i>Publishers</i></p>
+<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-bottom:2em;'>NEW YORK</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Copyright</span>, 1913</p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:2em;'>By <span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Dodd, Mead and Company</span></p>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'><i>Printed in the United States of America</i></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&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Flowers!&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#I_FLOWERS'>9</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>II&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>At the Dance&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#II_AT_THE_DANCE'>25</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>III&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Happy Saturdays&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#III_HAPPY_SATURDAYS'>42</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>IV&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>An Invitation&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IV_AN_INVITATION'>60</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>V&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Happy Guests&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#V_HAPPY_GUESTS'>76</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>VI&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Confidences&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VI_CONFIDENCES'>94</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>VII&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>More Making Up&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VII_MORE_MAKING_UP'>108</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>VIII&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>A Delightful Invitation&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VIII_A_DELIGHTFUL_INVITATION'>125</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>IX&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Fern Falls&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IX_FERN_FALLS'>141</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>X&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Christmas Eve&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#X_CHRISTMAS_EVE'>158</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XI&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>The Christmas Spirit&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XI_THE_CHRISTMAS_SPIRIT'>174</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XII&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Coasting&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XII_COASTING'>192</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XIII&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Hide and Seek&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIII_HIDE_AND_SEEK'>208</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XIV&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>A Proposal&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIV_A_PROPOSAL'>225</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XV&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>A Christmas Card&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XV_A_CHRISTMAS_CARD'>243</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XVI&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Stormbound&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVI_STORMBOUND'>260</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XVII&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>The Country Club Ball&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVII_THE_COUNTRY_CLUB_BALL'>284</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XVIII&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Back to New York&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVIII_BACK_TO_NEW_YORK'>300</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XIX&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>An Exciting Chase&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIX_AN_EXCITING_CHASE'>316</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td valign='top' align='right'>XX&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='top' align='left'>Bridesmaid Patty&nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
+  <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XX_BRIDESMAID_PATTY'>333</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='I_FLOWERS' id='I_FLOWERS'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER I</h2>
+<h3>FLOWERS!</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>&#8220;Patty, do come along and get your
+luncheon before everything grows
+cold!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;And the stars are old, And the leaves of the
+judgment book unfold,&#8217;&#8221; chanted Patty, who
+had just learned this new song, and was apt to
+sing it at unexpected moments. She sat on the
+floor in the middle of the long drawing-room
+of her New York home. To say she was surrounded
+by flowers, faintly expresses it. She
+was hemmed in, barricaded, nearly smothered
+in flowers.
+</p>
+<p>They were or had been in enormous florist&#8217;s
+boxes, and as fast as Patty opened the boxes
+and read the cards which accompanied the blossoms,
+Jane took the boxes away.
+</p>
+<p>It was the great occasion of Patty&#8217;s début, and
+in accordance with the social custom, all her
+friends had sent her flowers as a message of
+congratulation.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You certainly have heaps of friends,&#8221; said
+Elise, who was helping arrange the bouquets.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Friends!&#8221; cried Patty; &#8220;nobody could have
+as many friends as this! These flowers must
+be also from my enemies, my casual acquaintances,
+and indeed from utter strangers! I think
+the whole hilarious populace of New York has
+gone mad on the subject of sending flowers!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Even as she spoke, Jane came in with several
+more boxes, followed by Miller, fairly staggering
+under an enormous box that was almost
+too much for one man to carry. Behind him
+was Nan, who went straight to Patty and held
+out both hands to assist her to rise.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty,&#8221; she said, &#8220;if you don&#8217;t come out this
+minute, you never <i>can</i> get out! A few more
+of these boxes, and the door will be completely
+blocked up.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s so, Nan,&#8221; and Patty scrambled to
+her feet. &#8220;Come on, girls, let&#8217;s gather our
+foodings while we may. These flowers will
+keep; but I shudder to think of the accumulation
+when we come back from luncheon!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t know there were so many flowers
+in the world,&#8221; said Mona Galbraith, who
+paused to look back into the drawing-room.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There aren&#8217;t,&#8221; said Patty solemnly; &#8220;it&#8217;s an
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span>
+optical illusion. Don&#8217;t you know how the Indian
+jugglers make you see flowers growing,
+when there aren&#8217;t any flowers there? Well,
+this is like that.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Following Nan, Patty&#8217;s pretty stepmother, the
+three girls, arm in arm, danced along to the
+dining-room, quite hungry enough to do justice
+to the tempting luncheon they found there.
+</p>
+<p>All the morning they had been untying the
+flower boxes and making a list of the donors.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just think of the notes of thanks I have to
+write,&#8221; said Patty, groaning at the outlook.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wish we could help you,&#8221; said Elise, &#8220;but
+I suppose you have to do those yourself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; and I think it will take me the rest of
+my natural life! What&#8217;s the use of &#8216;coming
+out,&#8217; if I have got to go right in again, and write
+all those notes? Why, there are hundreds!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thousands!&#8221; corrected Elise. And Mona
+said, &#8220;Looks to me like millions!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who sent that last big box, Patty?&#8221; asked
+Nan; &#8220;the one that just came.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dunno, Nancy; probably the Czar of Russia
+or the King of the Cannibal Islands. But I
+mean to take time to eat my luncheon in peace,
+even if the flowers aren&#8217;t all in place by the time
+the company comes.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;We can&#8217;t stay very long,&#8221; said Elise; &#8220;of
+course, Mona and I have to go home and dress
+and be back here at four o&#8217;clock, and it&#8217;s nearly
+two, now.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right,&#8221; said Patty; &#8220;the boys are coming,
+and they&#8217;ll do the rest. We couldn&#8217;t hang
+the flowers on the wall, anyway.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We ought to have had a florist to attend to
+it,&#8221; said Nan, thoughtfully; &#8220;I had no idea
+there&#8217;d be so many.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it&#8217;ll be all right,&#8221; returned Patty.
+&#8220;Father&#8217;s coming home early, and Roger and
+Ken will be over, and Mr. Hepworth will direct
+proceedings.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Even as she spoke the men&#8217;s voices were heard
+in the hall, and Patty jumped up from the table
+and ran to the drawing-room.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you ever see anything like it?&#8221; she exclaimed,
+and her visitors agreed that they never
+had.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It must be awful to be so popular, Patty,&#8221;
+said Roger. &#8220;If I ever come out, I shall ask
+my friends to send fruit instead of flowers.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty would have to start a canning factory,
+if she had done that,&#8221; said Kenneth, laughing.
+&#8220;Let&#8217;s open this big box, Patty. Who sent
+it?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t an idea, but there must be a card
+inside.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>They opened the immense box, and found
+it full to the brim with exquisite Killarney
+roses.
+</p>
+<p>After some search, Roger discovered a small
+envelope, with a card inside. The card read,
+&#8220;Mr. William Farnsworth,&#8221; and written beneath
+the engraved name was the message,
+&#8220;With congratulations and best wishes.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;From Big Bill!&#8221; exclaimed Mona. &#8220;For
+goodness&#8217; sake, Patty, why didn&#8217;t he send you
+more? But these didn&#8217;t come all the way from
+Arizona, where he is.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; said Patty, looking at the label on
+the box; &#8220;he must have just sent an order to
+a New York florist.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;To two or three florists, I should think,&#8221;
+said Mr. Hepworth. &#8220;What can we do with
+them all?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But the crowd of merry young people set to
+work, and in an hour the floral chaos was reduced
+to a wonderful vision of symmetry and
+beauty. Under Mr. Hepworth&#8217;s directions,
+the flowers were banked on the mantels and window-seats,
+and hung in groups on the wall, and
+clustered on the door-frames in a profusion
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span>
+which had behind it a methodical and symmetrical
+intent.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s perfectly beautiful!&#8221; declared Nan,
+who, with her husband, was taking her first view
+of the finished effect. &#8220;It&#8217;s a perfect shame to
+spoil this bower of beauty by cramming it with
+a crowd of people, who will jostle your bouquets
+all to bits.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we can&#8217;t help it,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;You
+see, we invited the people, as well as the flowers,
+so we must take the consequences. But
+they can&#8217;t reach those that are up high, and as
+soon as the party is over, I&#8217;m going to put them
+all in fresh water&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What! the party?&#8221; and Kenneth looked astounded.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I mean the flowers,&#8221; said Patty, not deigning
+to laugh at his foolishness. &#8220;And then,
+to-morrow morning, I&#8217;m going to send them all
+to the hospital.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The people?&#8221; said Kenneth again.
+&#8220;That&#8217;s thoughtful of you, Patty! I have no
+doubt they&#8217;ll be in condition to go. I&#8217;m about
+ready, myself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you may go now,&#8221; and Patty smiled
+at him. &#8220;Your work is done here, and I&#8217;m going
+away to dress. Good-bye, Ken; this is the
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span>
+last time you&#8217;ll see me as a little girl. When
+next we meet, I shall be a young lady, a fully-fledged
+society lady, whose only thoughts will
+be for dancing and gaiety of all sorts.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense,&#8221; said Kenneth; &#8220;you can&#8217;t scare
+me. You&#8217;ll be the same old Patty, foolish and
+irresponsible,&mdash;but sunshiny and sweet as ever.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you, Ken,&#8221; said Patty, for there was
+a note of earnestness in Kenneth&#8217;s voice that
+the girl was quick to catch. They had been
+friends since childhood, and while Patty did not
+take her &#8220;coming out&#8221; very seriously, yet she
+realised that it meant she was grown up and
+a child no longer.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t let it all spoil you, Patty.&#8221; It was
+Mr. Hepworth who said this, as he was about
+to follow Kenneth out. &#8220;I have a right to lecture
+you, you know, and I want to warn
+you&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, don&#8217;t do it now, Mr. Hepworth,&#8221; said
+Patty, laughing; &#8220;the occasion is solemn
+enough, I&#8217;m sure, and if you lecture me, I shall
+burst into large weeps of tears! Do let me
+&#8216;come out&#8217; without being lectured, and you can
+come round to-morrow and give me all the
+warnings you like.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re right, little Patty,&#8221; and Hepworth
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span>
+looked at her kindly. &#8220;I ought not to spoil
+one of the happiest days of your life with too
+serious thought. Yours is a butterfly nature&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But butterfly natures are nice; aren&#8217;t they,
+Mr. Hepworth?&#8221; and Patty looked up at him
+with the roguishness that she could never quite
+control.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&mdash;&mdash;&#8221; and the man hesitated a moment,
+as he looked into Patty&#8217;s blue eyes. Then, suddenly,
+&#8220;Yes, indeed, <i>very</i> nice.&#8221; And, turning
+abruptly, he left her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, you girls, skip,&#8221; ordered Patty.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You haven&#8217;t more than time to fly home and
+get dressed, for I don&#8217;t want you to be late and
+delay the ceremony.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gracious! it sounds like a wedding,&#8221; cried
+Mona, laughing.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, it isn&#8217;t!&#8221; declared Patty. &#8220;I may
+have a wedding some day, but that&#8217;s in the far,
+far future; why, I&#8217;m only just entering society,
+and when I&#8217;m married, I suppose I shall leave
+it. I expect to have heaps of fun between this
+and then.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The programme for the occasion was an afternoon
+reception, from four o&#8217;clock until seven.
+This was really Patty&#8217;s début. A dinner at
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span>
+eight was to follow, to which were invited about
+a dozen of her dearest friends, and after this
+would be a dance, to which a goodly number
+more were asked.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You ought to have time for an hour&#8217;s rest,
+Patty,&#8221; said Nan, as she drew the girl away
+from a last look at the beautiful flowers, and
+took her up to her room.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I haven&#8217;t, little steppy-mother. It
+will be just about all Miss Patricia Fairfield
+can do to get into her purple and fine linen by
+four o&#8217;clock <span style='font-variant: small-caps'>p.m.</span>, and methinks you&#8217;d better begin
+on your own glad toilette, or you&#8217;ll be late
+yourself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Was I <i>ever</i> late?&#8221; asked Nan, scornfully,
+and as Patty responded, &#8220;never anything but,&#8221;
+she ran away to her own room.
+</p>
+<p>However, four o&#8217;clock found all the members
+of the reception party in their places.
+</p>
+<p>Patty looked adorable in soft white chiffon,
+untrimmed, save for some fine lace round the
+slightly low-cut neck. She wore a string of
+small but perfect pearls which her father had
+given her for the occasion, and she carried a
+beautiful bouquet of orchids, which was Nan&#8217;s
+gift.
+</p>
+<p>Patty had never looked prettier. Her rose-leaf
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span>
+cheeks were slightly flushed with excitement,
+and her big violet eyes were bright and
+sparkling. Her golden hair, which was really
+unusual in texture and quantity, was dressed
+simply, yet in a manner very becoming to her
+small, prettily poised head. On her brow and
+temples it rippled in natural ringlets, which
+gave her piquant face a charming, childish effect.
+Patty was certainly a beauty, but she was
+of such a sweet, unspoiled nature, and of such
+simple, dainty manners, that everybody loved
+her.
+</p>
+<p>Her father looked at her rather thoughtfully,
+half unable to realise that his little Patty had
+really grown up and was taking her place in
+society. He had no fears for her, he knew her
+sweet nature too well; but he was earnestly
+hoping that she was starting out on a life of
+happiness and well-being. Though healthy
+and moderately strong, Patty was not of a robust
+constitution, and there was danger that
+too much gaiety might result in a nervous
+breakdown. This, Mr. Fairfield determined
+to guard against; and resolved that, while Patty
+should be allowed generally to do as she chose,
+he should keep a strict eye against her overdoing.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span></p>
+<p>Nan had much the same thoughts as she
+looked at the lovely débutante, so exquisite in
+her fresh young beauty. Nan&#8217;s gown of heavy
+white lace was very becoming, and though a
+secondary figure, she ably shared the honours of
+the afternoon with Patty.
+</p>
+<p>Mona and Elise assisted in the capacity of
+&#8220;Floaters,&#8221; and in their pale pink frocks, they
+were quite in harmony with the floral setting of
+the picture.
+</p>
+<p>And then the guests began to arrive, and
+Patty learned what it meant to stand and shake
+hands, and receive the same compliments and
+congratulations over and over again. It was
+interesting at first, but she grew very tired as
+the hours went by.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, I say,&#8221; exclaimed a cheery voice, suddenly,
+&#8220;it can&#8217;t be that you have to stand here
+continuously from four to seven! Mrs. Fairfield,
+mayn&#8217;t I take Patty to get a cup of tea or
+an ice, and you stay here and &#8216;come out&#8217; until
+she returns?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was Philip Van Reypen who made this
+request, and Nan consented readily. &#8220;Yes,
+indeed, Philip,&#8221; she said, &#8220;do take her off to
+rest a minute. I think most of the people have
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span>
+arrived; and, anyway, you must bring her back
+shortly.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will,&#8221; and young Van Reypen led Patty
+through the crowd to the dining-room.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I ought to find you a &#8216;quiet little corner,&#8217;&#8221;
+he said, smiling; &#8220;but I don&#8217;t see such a thing
+anywhere about. So I&#8217;ll just place you on one
+of these gimcrack gilt chairs, and I&#8217;ll ask you
+to keep this one next, for me, until I make a
+raid on the table. What will you have?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t really want anything, Philip, but just
+to sit here a moment and rest. I had no idea
+coming out was so tiresome! I believe I&#8217;ve
+said, &#8216;oh, thank you!&#8217; a billion times!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, you said it to me,&#8221; and Philip laughed
+at the recollection, &#8220;and I can tell you, Patty,
+it had the real society ring! You said it like
+a conventionalised parrot.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I don&#8217;t care if I did! It was the
+proper thing to say, and nobody could say it a
+million times in succession, without sounding
+parrotty! I know now how the President feels
+when he has to shake hands with the whole
+United States!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Philip left her, and returned in a moment, followed
+by a waiter, who brought them hot
+bouillon and tiny sandwiches.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;My, but these are good!&#8221; exclaimed Patty,
+as she nibbled and sipped. &#8220;Why, Philip, I
+believe I was hungry and that&#8217;s what made me
+tired! Oh, hello, Mona! Did you get leave
+of absence, too?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; the mad rush is pretty much over.
+Only a few late stragglers now, and Elise is
+floating them. Here&#8217;s Roger. He says you
+wouldn&#8217;t speak to him this afternoon, except to
+say, &#8216;oh, thank you!&#8217; three times.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I couldn&#8217;t help it,&#8221; returned Patty, laughing.
+&#8220;That&#8217;s all I said to anybody. I felt like a
+rubber stamp&mdash;repeating myself. Well, thank
+goodness, I&#8217;m out!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you&#8217;re not a bit more grown up than
+when you were in,&#8221; said Kenneth, joining the
+group around Patty.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, pshaw, I&#8217;m never going to be grown up.
+Now I&#8217;m rested, Philip; please take me back to
+Nan. She said we must return soon.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>So Patty went back to the drawing-room, and
+insisted that her stepmother should go for a
+little refreshment. &#8220;I can hold the fort
+alone now,&#8221; she said; &#8220;you&#8217;ve no idea how
+capable I am, now that I&#8217;m really out. Run
+along, Nan, and get some of those sandwiches;
+they&#8217;re awfully good.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;It isn&#8217;t romantic, Patty, to think about eating
+when you&#8217;re celebrating an occasion like
+this,&#8221; reproved Philip.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;m not romantic,&#8221; declared Patty,
+&#8220;and I never expect to be. Oh, how do you
+do, Mr. Galbraith? It&#8217;s so late, I feared you
+weren&#8217;t coming.&#8221; And Patty held out her hand
+to Mona&#8217;s father.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How d&#8216;y&#8217;do, Patty?&#8221; And Mr. Galbraith
+shook hands heartily. &#8220;I suppose I ought to
+say all sorts of pretty things to you, but you
+know, I&#8217;m not much up in social chat.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m glad of it,&#8221; said Patty, &#8220;and then I
+won&#8217;t have to say, &#8216;oh, thank you!&#8217; to you.
+Mona is looking beautiful this afternoon, isn&#8217;t
+she?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She&#8217;s a fine girl&mdash;a fine girl.&#8221; Mr. Galbraith&#8217;s
+eyes rested on his daughter a little
+thoughtfully. He was a Chicago man, who
+had made his fortune suddenly, and was a little
+bewildered at his own success. His one interest
+in life, outside of business matters, was his
+daughter Mona, for whom he desired every
+possible good, and to whose wishes and whims
+he always willingly consented.
+</p>
+<p>At her request, he had closed his Chicago
+home and come to spend the winter in New
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span>
+York, that Mona might be near Patty, whom
+she adored. The Galbraiths were living for
+the winter at the Plaza Hotel, and Patty, who
+had grown fond of Mona, was glad to have her
+friend so near her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She&#8217;s a fine girl,&#8221; Mr. Galbraith repeated,
+&#8220;and a good-looking girl.&#8221; He paused a moment,
+and then added in a sudden burst of confidence,
+&#8220;but, Patty, I wish she had a mother.
+You know how I idolise her, but I can&#8217;t do for
+her what a mother would do. I&#8217;ve urged her
+to have a chaperon or a companion of some
+sort, but she won&#8217;t do it. She says a father is
+chaperon enough for her, and so we live alone
+in that big hotel, and I&#8217;m afraid it isn&#8217;t right.
+Right for her, I mean. I don&#8217;t care a snap
+about conventions, but Mona is impulsive, even
+headstrong, and I wish she had an older woman
+to guide and advise her.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wish she did, Mr. Galbraith,&#8221; said Patty,
+earnestly, for the two were chatting by themselves,
+and no one else was within hearing.
+&#8220;I&#8217;ve thought about it, and I&#8217;ve talked with my
+stepmother about it. Perhaps I could persuade
+Mona to do as you wish her to.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope you can, Patty; I do hope you can.
+You know, Mona is dignified and all that, and
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span>
+as proud as they make them. Nobody would
+dare to speak to her if she didn&#8217;t want them to;
+but, Patty, here&#8217;s the trouble. There&#8217;s a young
+man at the hotel named Lansing. He&#8217;s not
+especially attractive, and yet, somehow, he has
+gained Mona&#8217;s favour. I have told my girl
+that I do not like him, but she only laughs and
+says carelessly that he&#8217;s all right. Now, I
+mustn&#8217;t detain you longer, my child; there are
+people waiting to speak to you. But, some
+time, I want to have a little talk to you about
+this, and perhaps you can help me in some way.
+For I believe, Patty, that that Lansing man is
+trying to win my girl for the sake of her money.
+He has all the appearances of a fortune-hunter,
+and I can&#8217;t let Mona throw herself away on
+such.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I should think not!&#8221; exclaimed Patty, indignantly.
+And then Mr. Galbraith moved away
+to give his place to other guests who were arriving.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='II_AT_THE_DANCE' id='II_AT_THE_DANCE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER II</h2>
+<h3>AT THE DANCE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>At eight o&#8217;clock that same evening, Patty
+came down to her own dinner party.
+An hour&#8217;s rest had freshened her up
+wonderfully, and she had changed her little
+white frock for a dinner gown of pale green
+chiffon, sparkling with silver embroidery. It
+trailed behind her in a most grown-up fashion,
+and she entered the drawing-room with an exaggerated
+air of dignity.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Huh,&#8221; cried Roger; &#8220;look at grown-up
+Patty! Isn&#8217;t she the haughty lady? Patty,
+if you put on such airs, you&#8217;ll be old before your
+time!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Airs, nothing!&#8221; retorted Patty, and with a
+skipping little dance step, she crossed the room,
+picked up a sofa pillow, and aimed it deftly at
+Roger, who caught it on the wing.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s better,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We can&#8217;t have
+any of these <i>grande dame</i> airs. Now, who is
+the lucky man who is to take you out to dinner?
+Me?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;No, not you,&#8221; and Patty looked at him,
+critically; &#8220;you won&#8217;t do, and neither will Kenneth,
+nor Phil Van Reypen, nor Mr. Hepworth.&#8221;
+She looked at them each in turn, and
+smiled so merrily that they could take no offence.
+&#8220;I think,&#8221; she said, &#8220;I shall select the
+best-looking and best-natured gentleman, and
+walk out with him.&#8221; Whereupon she tucked
+her arm through her father&#8217;s, and led the way
+to the dining-room, followed by the rest of the
+merry crowd.
+</p>
+<p>The dinner was a beautiful one, for Nan had
+spared no pains or thought to make it worthy
+of the occasion. At the girls&#8217; places were beautiful
+souvenirs, in the shape of fans of carved
+ivory with lace mounts, while the men received
+attractive stick-pins.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Shall you feel like dancing after all this
+gaiety, Patty?&#8221; asked Van Reypen.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, rather!&#8221; declared Patty. &#8220;Why,
+I&#8217;d feel like dancing if I&#8217;d been through a&mdash;civil
+war! I could scarcely keep still when the
+orchestra was playing this afternoon, and I&#8217;m
+crazy for to-night&#8217;s dance to begin.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Frivolous young person, very,&#8221; murmured
+Philip. &#8220;Never saw such devotion to the vain
+follies of life! However, since you&#8217;re determined
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span>
+to dance, will you honour me with the first
+one to-night?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, I don&#8217;t mind, if you don&#8217;t,&#8221; said Patty,
+dimpling at him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And give me the second,&#8221; said Kenneth and
+Roger simultaneously.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t do these sums in my head,&#8221; said
+Patty; &#8220;I&#8217;ll get all mixed up. Let&#8217;s wait till
+we get our dance orders, and fill them up, hit or
+miss.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You be the miss and I&#8217;ll try to make a hit,&#8221;
+said Philip.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What waggery!&#8221; exclaimed Patty, shaking
+her head. &#8220;If you&#8217;re too clever, Philip, I
+can&#8217;t dance with you. When I dance, I keep
+my mind on my feet, not on my head.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That explains your good dancing,&#8221; said Mr.
+Hepworth, laughing. &#8220;Perhaps, if I could
+keep my mind on my feet, I could dance better.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, you&#8217;re too highminded for such low
+levels,&#8221; laughed Patty, while Mona, who was
+rather practical, said, seriously, &#8220;Do you really
+think about your feet all the time you&#8217;re dancing,
+Patty?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; returned Patty; &#8220;sometimes I have to
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span>
+think about my partner&#8217;s feet, to keep out of the
+way of them.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>When they returned to the drawing-room, they
+found it had been cleared for the dance, and
+soon the evening guests began to arrive.
+</p>
+<p>Patty again stood by Nan to receive them, and
+after greeting many people she knew, she was
+surprised to find herself confronted by a
+stranger. He was a thick-set, stockily-built
+man, several years older than most of Patty&#8217;s
+friends. He had black hair and eyes and a
+short black moustache and a round, heavy type
+of face. His black eyes were of the audacious
+sort, and he flashed a glance of admiration at
+Patty. Before she could speak, or even offer
+her hand, Mona sprang forward, saying,
+&#8220;Patty, this is my friend Mr. Lansing. I took
+the liberty of inviting him to your dance. Mrs.
+Fairfield, may I present Mr. Lansing?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty was angry. This, of course, must be
+the man of whom Mr. Galbraith had spoken,
+and, aside from the fact that he seemed undesirable,
+Patty felt that Mona had no right to
+invite him without asking permission from her
+hostess.
+</p>
+<p>But Nan knew nothing of all this, and she cordially
+greeted the stranger because he was a
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span>
+friend of Mona&#8217;s. Patty recovered her equilibrium
+sufficiently to say, &#8220;How do you do, Mr.
+Lansing?&#8221; in a non-committal sort of way, but
+she couldn&#8217;t refrain from giving Mona a side
+glance of reproof, to which, however, that
+young woman paid no attention.
+</p>
+<p>In another moment Mona had drifted away,
+and had taken Mr. Lansing with her. Patty
+turned to speak to Nan about him, but just then
+some more guests arrived; and then the dancing
+began, and Patty had no further opportunity.
+</p>
+<p>As Patty had promised, she gave the first
+dance to Philip Van Reypen; and after that she
+was fairly besieged by would-be partners. The
+fact that she was hostess at her own coming-out
+ball, the fact that she danced beautifully, and
+the fact that she was so pretty and charming,
+all combined to make her, as was not unusual,
+the most popular girl present.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Anything left for me?&#8221; asked Roger, gaily,
+as he threaded the crowds at Patty&#8217;s side.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I saved one for you,&#8221; said Patty, smiling at
+him; &#8220;for I hoped you&#8217;d ask me, sooner or
+later.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Roger gratefully accepted the dance Patty had
+saved for him, and soon after he came to claim
+her for it.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I say, Patty,&#8221; he began when they were
+whirling about the floor, &#8220;who is that stuff
+Mona has trailing after her?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Moderate your language, Roger,&#8221; said
+Patty, smiling up at him, and noticing that his
+expression was very wrathy indeed.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He doesn&#8217;t deserve moderate language!
+He&#8217;s a bounder, if I ever saw one! What&#8217;s he
+doing here?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He seems to be dancing,&#8221; said Patty, demurely,
+&#8220;and he doesn&#8217;t dance half badly,
+either.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, stop your fooling, Patty; I&#8217;m not in
+the mood for it. Tell me who he is.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty had never known Roger to be so out of
+temper, and she resented his tone, which was
+almost rude. Now, for all her sweetness,
+Patty had a touch of perversity in her nature,
+and Roger had roused it. So she said: &#8220;I
+don&#8217;t know why you speak like that, Roger.
+He&#8217;s a friend of Mona&#8217;s, and lives at the Hotel
+Plaza, where she lives.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The fact that two people live in the same
+big hotel doesn&#8217;t give them the right to be
+friends,&#8221; growled Roger. &#8220;Who introduced
+them, anyhow?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know, I&#8217;m sure,&#8221; said Patty, her patience
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span>
+exhausted; &#8220;but Mr. Galbraith knows
+him, so it must be all right.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty was not quite ingenuous in this speech,
+for she knew perfectly well, from what Mr.
+Galbraith had said to her, that it was not all
+right. But she was irritated by Roger&#8217;s demeanour,
+and perversely disagreed with him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I don&#8217;t believe he&#8217;s all right; I don&#8217;t
+like his looks a bit, and, Patty, you know as
+well as I do, that the Galbraiths are not quite
+competent always to select the people best
+worth knowing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, what a fuss you are, Roger; and it&#8217;s
+hardly fair when you don&#8217;t know anything at
+all about Mr. Lansing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; and then Patty hesitated. She did
+know something,&mdash;she knew what Mr. Galbraith
+had told her. But she was not of a mind
+to tell this to Roger. &#8220;I only met him as I
+was introduced,&#8221; she said, &#8220;and Mona has
+never so much as even mentioned him to me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Didn&#8217;t she ask you if she might bring him
+to-night?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; I suppose, as an intimate friend, she
+didn&#8217;t think that necessary.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It <i>was</i> necessary, Patty, and you know it, if
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span>
+Mona doesn&#8217;t. Now, look here; you and I
+are Mona&#8217;s friends; and if there are any social
+matters that she isn&#8217;t quite familiar with, it&#8217;s
+up to us to help her out a little. And I, for
+one, don&#8217;t believe that man is the right sort
+for her to be acquainted with; and I&#8217;m going
+to find out about him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;m sure I&#8217;m willing you should,
+Roger; but you needn&#8217;t make such a bluster
+about it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not making a bluster, Patty.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are so!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am not!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And then they both realised that they were
+bickering like two children, and they laughed
+simultaneously as they swept on round the
+dancing-room. The music stopped just then,
+and as they were near a window-seat, Patty sat
+down for a moment. &#8220;You go on, Roger,&#8221;
+she said, &#8220;and hunt up your next partner, or
+fight a duel with Mr. Lansing, or do whatever
+amuses you. My partner will come to hunt
+me up, I&#8217;m sure, and I&#8217;ll just wait here.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who is your next partner, Patty?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Haven&#8217;t looked at my card; but, never mind,
+he&#8217;ll come. You run along.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>As Roger&#8217;s next partner was Mona, and as
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span>
+he was anxious to talk to her about her new
+friend, Roger obeyed Patty&#8217;s bidding and
+strolled away.
+</p>
+<p>Patty sat alone for a moment, knowing full
+well who was her next partner, and then Mr.
+Lansing appeared and made a low bow before
+her.
+</p>
+<p>Now, Patty had not chosen to express to
+Roger her real opinion of this new man, but
+in reality she did not approve of him. Though
+fairly good-looking and correctly dressed, there
+was about him a certain something&mdash;or perhaps,
+rather, he lacked a certain something that invariably
+stamps the well-bred man. He stared
+at Patty a trifle too freely; he sat down beside
+her with a little too much informality; and he
+began conversation a little too familiarly. All
+of these things Patty saw and resented, but as
+hostess she could not, of course, be openly rude.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nice, jolly rooms you&#8217;ve got here for a
+party,&#8221; Mr. Lansing remarked, rolling his eyes
+about appreciatively, &#8220;and a jolly lot of people,
+too. Some class to &#8217;em!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty looked at him coldly. She was not accustomed
+to this style of expression. Her
+friends perhaps occasionally used a slang word
+or term, but it was done in a spirit of gaiety or
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span>
+as a jest, whereas this man used his expressions
+as formal conversation.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I have many kind and delightful
+friends,&#8221; said Patty, a little stiffly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You sure have! Rich, too, most of &#8217;em.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty made no response to this, and Mr. Lansing
+turned suddenly to look at her. &#8220;I say,
+Miss Fairfield, do you know what I think? I
+think you are prejudiced against me, and I
+think somebody put you up to it, and I think I
+know who. Now, look here, won&#8217;t you give me
+a fair show? Do you think it&#8217;s just to judge a
+man by what other people say about him?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How do you know I&#8217;ve heard anything
+about you, Mr. Lansing?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you give me the icy glare before I&#8217;ve
+said half a dozen words to you! So, take it
+from me, somebody&#8217;s been putting you wise to
+my defects.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He wagged his head so sagaciously at this
+speech, that Patty was forced to smile. On a
+sudden impulse, she decided to speak frankly.
+&#8220;Suppose I tell you the truth, Mr. Lansing,
+that I&#8217;m not accustomed to being addressed in
+such&mdash;well, in such slangy terms.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, is that it? Pooh, I&#8217;ll bet those chums
+of yours talk slang to you once in a while.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;What my chums may do is no criterion for
+an absolute stranger,&#8221;&mdash;and now Patty spoke
+very haughtily indeed.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s so, Miss Fairfield; you&#8217;re dead right,&mdash;and
+I apologise. But, truly, it&#8217;s a habit with
+me. I&#8217;m from Chicago, and I believe people
+use more slang out there.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The best Chicago people don&#8217;t,&#8221; said Patty,
+seriously.
+</p>
+<p>Mr. Lansing smiled at her, a trifle whimsically.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m afraid I don&#8217;t class up with the best people,&#8221;
+he confessed; &#8220;but if it will please you
+better, I&#8217;ll cut out the slang. Shall we have a
+turn at this two-step?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty rose without a word, and in a moment
+they were circling the floor. Mr. Lansing was
+a good dancer, and especially skilful in guiding
+his partner. Patty, herself such an expert
+dancer, was peculiarly sensitive to the good
+points of a partner, and she enjoyed the dance
+with Mr. Lansing, even though she felt she did
+not like the man. And yet he had a certain
+fascination in his manner, and when the dance
+was over, Patty looked at him with kinder eyes
+than she had when they began. But all that he
+had won of her favour he lost by his final
+speech, for as the dance ended, he said,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span>
+brusquely: &#8220;Now, I&#8217;ll tumble you into a seat,
+and chase my next victim.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty stood looking after him, almost moved
+to laughter at what he had said, and yet indignant
+that a man, and a comparative stranger,
+should address her thus.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s the matter, Lady Fair?&#8221; and Philip
+Van Reypen came up to her. &#8220;Methinks thou
+hast a ruffled brow.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, it&#8217;s my frock that&#8217;s ruffled,&#8221; said Patty,
+demurely. &#8220;You men know so little of millinery!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s true enough, and if you will smile
+again, I&#8217;ll drop the subject of ruffles. And now
+for my errand; will you go out to supper with
+me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Goodness, is it supper time? I thought the
+evening had scarcely begun!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Alas! look at the programme,&#8221; and Van
+Reypen showed her that it was, indeed, time for
+intermission.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Intermission is French for supper,&#8221; he said,
+gravely, &#8220;and I&#8217;d like to know if you&#8217;d rather
+sit on the stairs in good old orthodox party
+fashion, or if you&#8217;d rather go to the dining-room
+in state?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who are on the stairs?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I shall be, if you are. You don&#8217;t want to
+know more than that, do you?&#8221; The young
+man&#8217;s gaze was so reproachful that Patty giggled.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are a great factor in my happiness, Mr.
+Van Reypen,&#8221; she said, saucily; &#8220;but you are
+not all the world to me! So, if I flock on
+the stairs with you, I must know what other
+doves will be perching there.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, doves!&#8221; in a tone of great relief. &#8220;I
+thought you wanted to know what men you
+would find there,&mdash;you inveterate coquette, you!
+Well, Elise is there waiting for you, and Miss
+Farley.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And Mona Galbraith?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know; I didn&#8217;t see Miss Galbraith.
+But if you will go with me, I will accumulate
+for you any young ladies you desire.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And any men?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The men I shall have to fight off, not invite!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Laughing at each other&#8217;s chaff, they sauntered
+across to the hall and found the stairs already
+pretty well occupied.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why is it,&#8221; Mr. Hepworth was saying,
+&#8220;that you young people prefer the stairs to the
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span>
+nice, comfortable seats at little tables in the
+dining-room?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Habit,&#8221; said Patty, laughing, as she made
+her way up a few steps; &#8220;I&#8217;ve always eaten my
+party suppers on the stairs, and I dare say I
+always shall. When I build a house I shall
+have a great, broad staircase, like they have in
+palaces, and then everybody can eat on the
+stairs.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going to give a party,&#8221; announced Van
+Reypen, &#8220;and it&#8217;s going to be in the new
+Pennsylvania Station. There are enormous
+staircases there.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, I&#8217;ll come to it,&#8221; said Patty, and
+then Mona and Mr. Lansing came strolling
+along the hall, and demanded room on the
+stairs also.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Seats all taken,&#8221; declared Roger, who had
+had a real tiff with Mona on the subject of her
+new friend. The others, too, did not seem to
+welcome Mr. Lansing, and though one or two
+moved slightly, they did not make room for
+the newcomers.
+</p>
+<p>Patty was uncertain what she ought to do.
+She remembered what Mr. Galbraith had said,
+and she felt that to send Mona and Mr. Lansing
+away would be to throw them more exclusively
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span>
+in each other&#8217;s society; and she thought
+that Mr. Galbraith meant for her to keep Mona
+under her own eye as much as possible. But
+to call the pair upon the stairs and make room
+for them would annoy, she felt sure, the rest
+of the group.
+</p>
+<p>She looked at Roger and at Philip Van Reypen,
+and both of them gave her an eloquent
+glance of appeal not to add to their party.
+Then she chanced to glance at Mr. Hepworth
+and found him smiling at her. She thought
+she knew what he meant, and immediately she
+said, &#8220;Come up here by me, Mona; and you
+come too, Mr. Lansing. We can make room
+easily if we move about a little.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>There was considerable moving about, and
+finally Patty found herself at the top of the
+group with Mona and Mr. Lansing. Christine
+and Mr. Hepworth were directly below
+them, and then Elise and Kenneth.
+</p>
+<p>Mr. Van Reypen and Roger Farrington declared
+their intention of making a raid on the
+dining-room and kidnapping waiters with trays
+of supplies. On their return the supper plates
+were passed up to those on the stairs, and Van
+Reypen and Roger calmly walked away.
+</p>
+<p>Patty knew perfectly well what they meant.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span>
+They intended her to understand that if she and
+Mona persisted in cultivating the acquaintance
+of the man they considered objectionable, they
+did not care to be of the party.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Which is perfectly ridiculous!&#8221; said Patty
+to herself, as she realised the state of things.
+&#8220;Those boys needn&#8217;t think they can dictate to
+me at my own party!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Whereupon, perverse Patty began to make
+herself extremely and especially agreeable to
+Mr. Lansing, and Mona was greatly delighted
+at the turn things had taken.
+</p>
+<p>Christine and Mr. Hepworth joined in the
+conversation, and perhaps because of what
+Patty had said earlier in the evening, Mr. Lansing
+avoided to a great extent the use of slang
+expressions, and made himself really interesting
+and entertaining.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What a fascinating man he is,&#8221; said Christine
+later, to Patty, when Mona and her new
+friend had walked away to the &#8220;extra&#8221; supper
+dance.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you think so?&#8221; said Patty, looking at
+Christine in astonishment. &#8220;He was rather
+nicer than I thought him at first, but, Christine,
+I never dreamed <i>you</i> would approve of him!
+But you never can tell when a quiet little mouse
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span>
+like you is going to break loose. Why did you
+like him, Christine?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know exactly; only he seemed so
+breezy and unusual.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, he&#8217;s that,&#8221; and Patty wagged her head,
+knowingly; &#8220;but I don&#8217;t like him very much,
+Christine, and you mustn&#8217;t, either. Now run
+away and play.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty&#8217;s last direction was because she saw a
+young man coming to ask Christine for this
+dance; while two others were rapidly coming
+toward herself.
+</p>
+<p>The rest of the evening was danced gaily
+away, but neither Roger nor Philip Van Reypen
+came near Patty. To be sure, she had plenty
+of partners, but she felt a little offended at her
+two friends&#8217; attitude, for she knew she hadn&#8217;t
+really deserved it.
+</p>
+<p>But when the dance was over, Patty&#8217;s good-nights
+to Roger and Philip were quite as gentle
+and cordial as those she said to any one else.
+She smiled her best smiles at them, and though
+not as responsive as usual, they made polite
+adieux and departed with no further reference
+to the troublesome matter.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='III_HAPPY_SATURDAYS' id='III_HAPPY_SATURDAYS'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER III</h2>
+<h3>HAPPY SATURDAYS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>As was not to be wondered at, Patty slept
+late the next morning. And when she
+awakened, she lay, cozily tucked in her
+coverlets, thinking over the occurrences of the
+night before.
+</p>
+<p>Presently Jane came in with a dainty tray of
+chocolate and rolls, and then, with some big,
+fluffy pillows behind her, Patty sat up in bed,
+and thoughtfully nibbled away at a crust.
+</p>
+<p>Then Nan came in, in her pretty morning
+gown, and, drawing up a little rocker, sat down
+by Patty&#8217;s bedside.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are you in mood for a gossip, Patty?&#8221; she
+asked, and Patty replied, &#8220;Yes, indeedy! I
+want to talk over the whole thing. In the first
+place, Nan, it was a howling, screaming success,
+wasn&#8217;t it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, yes, of course; how could it be otherwise?
+with the nicest people and the nicest flowers
+and the nicest girl in New York City!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;In the whole United States, you mean,&#8221; said
+Patty, complacently, as she took a spoonful of
+chocolate. &#8220;Yes, the party in all its parts was
+all right. There wasn&#8217;t a flaw. But, oh, Nan,
+I got into a scrap with the boys.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What boys? and what <i>is</i> a scrap? Patty,
+now that you&#8217;re out, you mustn&#8217;t use those slang
+words you&#8217;re so fond of.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nan,&#8221; and Patty shook her spoon solemnly
+at her stepmother, &#8220;I&#8217;ve come to realise that
+there is slang and slang. Now, the few little
+innocent bits I use, don&#8217;t count at all, because
+I just say them for fun and to help make
+my meaning clear. But that man last night,&mdash;that
+Lansing man,&mdash;why, Nan, his slang is altogether
+a different matter.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Patty, he, himself, seems to be an altogether
+different matter from the people we
+know.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, doesn&#8217;t he? And yet, Nan, he isn&#8217;t
+so bad. Well, anyway, let me tell you what
+Mr. Galbraith says.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just it!&#8221; declared Nan, after Patty
+had finished her story. &#8220;That man <i>is</i> a fortune-hunter,
+and he means to try to marry
+Mona for the sake of her father&#8217;s money!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, my!&#8221; exclaimed Patty, laughing; &#8220;isn&#8217;t
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span>
+it grand to be grown up! I see I&#8217;m mixed up
+in a matrimonial tangle already!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing of the sort, you foolish child!
+There won&#8217;t be any matrimonial tangle. Mr.
+Galbraith is quite right; this man must be discouraged,
+and Mona must be made to see him
+in his true light.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, Nan, he isn&#8217;t so awful. You know,
+sometimes he was quite fascinating.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, you think that, because he has big dark
+eyes and rolled them at you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Goodness! it sounds like a game of bowls.
+No, I don&#8217;t mean that; but&mdash;well, I&#8217;ll tell you
+what I do mean. He said we weren&#8217;t fair to
+him, to judge him adversely, not knowing anything
+about him. And I think so, too, Nan;
+it doesn&#8217;t seem fair or right to say a man is a
+bounder,&mdash;that&#8217;s what Roger called him,&mdash;when
+we don&#8217;t know anything about him,
+really.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty, you&#8217;re a goose! Don&#8217;t you suppose
+we&#8217;ll find out about him? Of course, <i>we</i> can&#8217;t,
+but your father and Mr. Galbraith,&mdash;yes, and
+Roger Farrington, will soon find out his standing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; said Patty, with a relieved sigh,
+&#8220;then I needn&#8217;t bother about <i>him</i> any more.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span>
+But, Nan, I have troubles of my own. Philip
+and Roger are both mad at me!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Goodness! Patty, how awful! Do you suppose
+they&#8217;ll stay mad all day?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it isn&#8217;t just a momentary tiff; they are
+up and down angry! Why, neither of them
+danced with me or even spoke to me after supper
+last night!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, it was probably your own fault.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My own fault, indeed! It was all because of
+that horrid Lansing man. Well, if they want
+to stay mad, they may! <i>I</i> shan&#8217;t make any
+advances.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t worry, my child. Into each life some
+little squabbles must fall,&mdash;and though you&#8217;re
+fairly good-natured, as a rule, you can&#8217;t expect
+it always to be smooth sailing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Seeing she could get no sympathy from her
+stepmother, Patty dropped the subject of her
+quarrels, and remarked, with a yawn, &#8220;Well,
+I suppose I may as well get up, and begin on
+those flower notes. What shall I say, Nan,
+something like this? &#8216;Miss Patricia Fairfield
+thanks you for your kind donation of expensive
+blossoms, but as it&#8217;s such a bother to write
+the notes of acknowledgment, she really wishes
+you hadn&#8217;t sent them.&#8217;&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;What base ingratitude! Patty, I&#8217;m ashamed
+of you! or I would be, if I thought you meant
+a word of it, but I know you don&#8217;t. What are
+you doing this afternoon?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I forgot to tell you. We&#8217;re going to
+have a club, just a little club,&mdash;only four of us
+girls. And, Nan, you know there are so many
+clubs that make an awful fuss and yet don&#8217;t
+really <i>do</i> anything. Well, this is going to be
+a <i>Doing</i> Club. We&#8217;re going to be real
+<i>doers</i>.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It sounds lovely, Patty. What are you going
+to do?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t know yet, that&#8217;s what the meeting&#8217;s
+for this afternoon. But we&#8217;re going to
+do good, you know&mdash;some kind of good. You
+know, Nan, I always said I didn&#8217;t want to be
+just a social butterfly and nothing else. I want
+to accomplish something that will give some
+joy or comfort to somebody.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty&#8217;s blue eyes looked very earnest and
+sincere as she said this, and Nan kissed her, saying,
+&#8220;I know you do, Patty, dearest, and I
+know you&#8217;ll succeed in your doing. If I can
+help you in any way, be sure to ask me; and
+now I&#8217;ll run away and let you dress.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty made a leisurely toilette; and then, in
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span>
+a trailing blue silk négligée, she went into her
+boudoir and began to write her notes.
+</p>
+<p>It was not a difficult task, and she did not
+really mind it, though it was a long list. But
+Patty had a knack at writing graceful little
+notes, and although she jested about it, she was
+really grateful to the kind friends who had sent
+the flowers.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know <i>why</i> I have so many friends,&#8221;
+she said to herself, as she scanned the rows of
+names. &#8220;To be sure, a great many are really
+friends of father&#8217;s and Nan&#8217;s, but there&#8217;s a lot
+of our crowd, too, and lots of out of town
+people. Perhaps it would be a good idea to
+do the farthest away first, and so work back
+to New York.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty picked up Mr. Farnsworth&#8217;s card, and
+read again the message on it. &#8220;H&#8217;m,&#8221; she
+said to herself, &#8220;it sounds to me a trifle formal
+and conventional&mdash;considering all things.
+Now, Little Billee is a Western man,&mdash;but how
+different he is from that Lansing person! I
+wonder what makes the difference. Little
+Billee isn&#8217;t formal or conventional a bit, and
+yet his manners are as far removed from Horace
+Lansing&#8217;s as white is from black. Oh,
+well, I know the reason well enough. It&#8217;s because
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span>
+Little Billee is a thorough gentleman at
+heart; and the other one is,&mdash;well, I guess he&#8217;s
+what Roger called him. Now, what shall I say
+to Mr. William Farnsworth by way of thanks
+for his truly beautiful pink roses? I&#8217;d like to
+write a nice, every-day letter, and tell him all
+about the party and everything; but, as he
+just sent his visiting card, with a mere line
+on it, I suppose I must reply very formally.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty began her formal note, but tore up half
+a dozen beginnings before she completed one to
+her satisfaction. This one read, &#8220;Miss Patricia
+Fairfield thanks Mr. William Farnsworth
+sincerely for his exquisite gift of roses, and for
+his kind congratulations.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty gave a little sigh as she sealed this missive
+and addressed it to her friend in Arizona.
+</p>
+<p>With the exception of the roses, Patty had
+never heard a word from Big Bill since they
+were at Spring Beach together. She had told
+her father and Nan of what Mr. Farnsworth
+had said to her down there, and as they had
+agreed that Patty was altogether too young
+even to think of such a thing as being engaged
+to anybody, it was wiser to hold no correspondence
+with him at all.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span></p>
+<p>Apparently, this in no way disappointed the
+young man, for he had made no effort on his
+part to recall himself to Patty&#8217;s remembrance,
+until the occasion of sending the flowers.
+</p>
+<p>Patty had liked Bill extremely, but as Arizona
+was far away, and she had no reason to think
+she would ever see him again, she gave him few
+thoughts. However, the thoughts, when she
+did allow them to come, were pleasant ones.
+Although she had sealed the note she intended
+to send, she began another one, and the opening
+words were &#8220;Little Billee.&#8221; This note she
+wrote in the first person, and thanked him simply
+and naturally for the flowers. Then, for a
+signature, she made a carefully and daintily
+drawn pen-and-ink sketch of an apple blossom.
+She was clever at flower-sketching, and she sat a
+moment admiring her own handiwork. Then
+a flush spread over her pretty face, and she
+spoke sternly to herself, as was her habit when
+she disapproved of her own actions.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty Fairfield,&#8221; she said, reprovingly, &#8220;you
+ought to be ashamed to think of sending a personal,
+lettery sort of a note like that, to a man
+who sent you the formalest kind of a message!
+He only sent the flowers, because convention
+demanded it! He never gave you one single
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span>
+thought after that last time he saw you,&mdash;and
+that&#8217;s all there is about <i>that</i>!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And then, to her great surprise, luncheon was
+announced, and she found that her whole morning
+was gone and only one name on her list
+crossed off!
+</p>
+<hr class='tb' />
+
+<p>The club that met that afternoon in Mona&#8217;s
+pretty sitting-room in the Plaza Hotel, consisted
+of only four girls&mdash;Patty, Mona, Elise,
+and Clementine Morse.
+</p>
+<p>It was thought wiser to start with a few earnest
+members and then enlarge the number later
+if it seemed advisable.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What a beautiful room!&#8221; said Clementine,
+as she tossed off her furs. &#8220;Don&#8217;t you like it,
+Mona, to live in a big hotel like this, and yet
+have your own rooms, like a home all to yourself?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I like it in some ways; but I&#8217;m alone
+a great deal. However, I would be that, if
+father and I lived in a house or an apartment.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You ought to have a companion of some
+sort, Mona,&#8221; said Patty, who thought this a
+good opportunity to urge Mr. Galbraith&#8217;s
+wishes.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, thank you,&#8221; and Mona tossed her head,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span>
+disdainfully; &#8220;I know what companions are!
+Snoopy old maids who won&#8217;t let you do anything,
+or careless, easy-going old ladies who pay
+no attention to you. If I could have a companion
+of my own age and tastes, I&#8217;d like that,&mdash;but
+I suppose that wouldn&#8217;t do.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hardly,&#8221; said Elise, laughing; &#8220;that would
+only mean your father would have two troublesome
+girls to look after instead of one. And
+I daresay, Mona, you are quite as much as he
+can handle.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I suppose I am. But he&#8217;s so good to me
+I&#8217;m afraid he spoils me. But come on, girls,
+let&#8217;s organise our club.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t let&#8217;s have too much organisation,&#8221;
+said Clementine. &#8220;Do you know, I think lots
+of clubs, especially charity clubs, have so much
+organisation that they haven&#8217;t anything else.
+One club I joined fell to pieces before it was
+fairly started, because the two vice-presidents
+squabbled so.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If there&#8217;s anything I hate,&#8221; declared Patty,
+&#8220;it&#8217;s a squabble. Whatever else we girls do,
+let&#8217;s try not to have any friction. Now, I
+know perfectly well that none of us four is <i>very</i>
+meek or mild.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am,&#8221; declared Elise, assuming an angelic
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span>
+expression, which made them all laugh, for
+Elise was really the one most likely to take
+offence at trifles, or to flare up impulsively if
+any one disagreed with her.
+</p>
+<p>Patty knew this only too well, and was trying
+to forestall it by a preliminary treaty of
+peace.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, let&#8217;s be an organisation that
+doesn&#8217;t organise,&#8221; said Mona, &#8220;but let&#8217;s be it
+<i>now</i>.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think,&#8221; said Patty, &#8220;that our end and aim
+ought to be to do good to somebody who
+doesn&#8217;t expect it. Now, that isn&#8217;t quite what I
+mean,&mdash;I mean to people who wouldn&#8217;t accept
+it if it seemed like charity, but to whom we
+could give a pleasure that they would really
+like.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty, my child,&#8221; said Clementine, &#8220;I think
+your ideas are all right, but I must say you
+don&#8217;t express them very clearly. Let&#8217;s get
+down to something definite. Do you mean to
+give material things,&mdash;like presents or money?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just exactly what I <i>don&#8217;t</i> mean, Clem!
+Don&#8217;t you remember that little club we used to
+have at school,&mdash;the Merry Grigs?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Indeed I do! All we had to do was to be
+merry and gay.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, that&#8217;s what I mean,&mdash;in a way,&mdash;if
+you know what I mean.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Patty,&#8221; cried Mona, &#8220;I never knew you
+to be so hopelessly vague. Now, for instance,
+how would it be if we gave a lovely motor ride
+to some poor shop girl, or somebody that never
+gets into a motor?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s it!&#8221; cried Clementine, approvingly;
+&#8220;I was thinking of sending flowers to hospitals,
+but that&#8217;s so general. Now, your suggestion,
+Mona, is definite, and just the right sort of
+thing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But aren&#8217;t we going to have a president and
+treasurer, and things like that?&#8221; asked Elise.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; said Patty; &#8220;my mind is clearing now,
+and I begin to see our club. Instead of a president,
+we&#8217;ll all four be presidents, and instead of
+a treasurer, we&#8217;ll all four be treasurers. We&#8217;ll
+give money when it&#8217;s necessary, or we&#8217;ll use our
+motor cars, or buy flowers, or whatever we like;
+but we won&#8217;t have dues and officers and things.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But the shop girls are always busy; how
+can we take them motoring?&#8221; asked Elise.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That was only a suggestion,&#8221; said Mona;
+&#8220;it needn&#8217;t be exactly a shop girl; but anybody
+we know of, who would enjoy a little unexpected
+pleasure.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;The principle is exactly right,&#8221; said Clementine;
+&#8220;now, let&#8217;s get it down to practicability.
+As Mona says, we needn&#8217;t necessarily choose a
+shop girl,&mdash;but suppose we do, many of them
+are free Saturday afternoon.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Only in the summer time,&#8221; objected Elise.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, perhaps, in the big shops; but there are
+lots of them, in offices,&mdash;or even school teachers,&mdash;who
+would be free Saturday afternoons.
+Well, anyway, here&#8217;s what I&#8217;m thinking of, and
+you can all say what you think of it. Suppose
+we try, every week, to give a happy Saturday
+afternoon to somebody who wouldn&#8217;t have it
+otherwise.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The Happy Saturday Afternoon Club!&#8221;
+cried Patty; &#8220;that&#8217;s a lovely name! let&#8217;s do it!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But,&#8221; said Elise, &#8220;that would mean giving
+up our Saturday afternoons. Do we want to
+do that? What about matinées?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think we ought to be willing to sacrifice
+something,&#8221; said Patty, thoughtfully; &#8220;but I
+do love Saturday matinées.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, if there&#8217;s anything especial, we needn&#8217;t
+consider ourselves bound to give up the afternoon,&#8221;
+said Clementine. &#8220;For that matter,
+we could send a couple of girls for a motor ride
+without going ourselves.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;But that&#8217;s more like charity,&#8221; objected
+Patty: &#8220;I meant to go with them, and be real
+nice and pleasant with them, and make a bright
+spot in their lives that they would always remember.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They&#8217;d always remember you, Patty, if you
+were the bright spot,&#8221; declared Mona, who
+idolised her friend. &#8220;But I must confess I do
+like to be definite about this thing. Now,
+how&#8217;s this for a plan? To-day&#8217;s Thursday.
+Suppose we begin on Saturday and make a start
+at something. Suppose we each of us pick out
+a girl,&mdash;or a boy, for that matter,&mdash;or a child
+or anybody, and think what we can do to make
+them happy on Saturday afternoon.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now we&#8217;re getting somewhere,&#8221; said Elise,
+approvingly. &#8220;I&#8217;ve picked mine already.
+She&#8217;s a girl who comes to our house quite often
+to sew for the children. She&#8217;s a sweet little
+thing, but she looks as if she never had a real
+good time in all her life. Now, can the rest of
+you think of anybody like that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I have one,&#8221; said Mona. &#8220;Your suggestion
+made me think of her. She&#8217;s my manicure
+girl. She comes here, and sometimes she&#8217;s
+so tired she&#8217;s ready to drop! She works awfully
+hard, and never takes a day off, because
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span>
+she has to support two little sisters. But I&#8217;ll
+make her take a holiday Saturday afternoon,
+somehow.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s a girl I&#8217;d like to have,&#8221; said Clementine,
+thoughtfully; &#8220;she&#8217;s at the ribbon
+counter in Walker&#8217;s. She always waits on me
+there; and she has such a wistful air, I&#8217;d like to
+do her a kindness. I don&#8217;t suppose she could
+get off,&mdash;but I could go and ask the head of the
+department, and perhaps he&#8217;d let her.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t think of anybody,&#8221; said Patty, &#8220;except
+one person, that I would simply <i>love</i> to
+have. And that&#8217;s a very tired and cross-looking
+lady who gives out embroidery patterns in
+a dreadful place, way down town. I believe it
+would sweeten her up for a year to have a little
+spree with us.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right,&#8221; said Mona. &#8220;Now we have selected
+our guests, what shall we do with them?
+Say, a motor ride and a cup of tea afterward in
+some pretty tea room?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think,&#8221; said Elise, &#8220;that we&#8217;d better give
+them luncheon first. They can&#8217;t enjoy a motor
+ride if they&#8217;re hungry, and they probably will
+be.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Luncheon where?&#8221; said Patty, looking puzzled;
+&#8220;at one of our houses?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I could have them here, easily enough,&#8221; said
+Mona. &#8220;Our dining-room here, would really
+be better than any of the homes of you girls.
+Because you all have people, and I haven&#8217;t.
+Father would just as lieve lunch downstairs, in
+the main dining-room.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s lovely of you, Mona,&#8221; said Patty.
+&#8220;I was going to suggest some small, quiet restaurant,
+but a luncheon here in your pretty dining-room
+would indeed be a bright spot for
+them to remember. But suppose they won&#8217;t
+come?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then we must ask someone instead,&#8221; said
+Clementine; &#8220;let&#8217;s promise each to bring someone
+with us on Saturday, and if the first one
+we ask declines, keep on asking till we get somebody.
+Of course, Mona, we&#8217;ll share the expense
+of the luncheon equally.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense,&#8221; returned Mona; &#8220;I&#8217;ll be glad to
+give that.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; said Patty, firmly; &#8220;we&#8217;ll each pay a
+quarter of whatever the luncheon costs. And
+let&#8217;s have it good and substantial, and yet have
+some pretty, fancy things too. For, you know,
+this isn&#8217;t a charity or a soup kitchen,&mdash;it&#8217;s to
+give those girls a bright and beautiful scene to
+look back on.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it will be lovely!&#8221; cried Mona. &#8220;I&#8217;ll
+have pretty place cards, and favours, and everything.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But we mustn&#8217;t overdo it,&#8221; said Clementine.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You know, to the unaccustomed, an elaborate
+table may prove embarrassing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That will be all right,&#8221; said Patty, smiling.
+&#8220;Mona can fix her table, and I&#8217;ll come over before
+the luncheon, and if she has too many or
+too grand flumadiddles, I&#8217;ll take some of them
+off. I don&#8217;t want our guests struck dumb by
+too much grandeur, but I do want things pretty
+and nice. Suppose we each bring a favor for
+our own guest.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Something useful?&#8221; said Elise.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; <i>not</i> a suit of flannel underwear or a
+pair of shoes! But a pretty necktie or handkerchief,
+if you like, or even a little gold pin,
+or a silver one.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Or a picture or cast,&#8221; said Clementine.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; and Patty nodded approval; &#8220;but it
+ought to be a little thing that would look like
+a luncheon souvenir and not like a Christmas
+present. I think they ought to be all
+alike.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So do I,&#8221; said Mona, &#8220;and I think a little
+pin in a jeweler&#8217;s box will be the prettiest; and
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span>
+then a lovely bunch of flowers at each plate, and
+an awfully pretty place-card.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it will be beautiful!&#8221; cried Patty, jumping
+up and dancing about the room; &#8220;but I
+must flit, girls,&mdash;I have an engagement at five.
+Wait, what about motors? I&#8217;m sure we can
+use our big car.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And ours,&#8221; said all the rest together.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we&#8217;ll need two,&#8221; said Clementine,
+&#8220;and two of us girls and two guests can go in
+each. We&#8217;ll see which cars can be used most
+conveniently; perhaps our fathers may have
+something to say on that subject. But we can
+arrange all such things by telephone to-morrow.
+The main thing is to get our guests.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, we&#8217;ll do that,&#8221; said Patty, &#8220;if we have
+to go out into the highways and hedges after
+them.&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='IV_AN_INVITATION' id='IV_AN_INVITATION'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+<h3>AN INVITATION</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The next morning Patty started off in her
+own little electric runabout with Miller,
+the chauffeur.
+</p>
+<p>She let him drive, and gave the address, as she
+stepped in, &#8220;The Monongahela Art Embroidery
+Company,&#8221; adding a number in lower
+Broadway.
+</p>
+<p>The correct Miller could not suppress a slight
+smile as he said, &#8220;Where I took you once before,
+Miss Patty?&#8221; And Patty smiled, as she
+said, &#8220;Yes, Miller.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But it was with a different feeling that she
+entered the big building this time, and she went
+straight to department B. On her way she met
+the red-headed boy who had so amused her
+when she was there a year ago.
+</p>
+<p>He greeted her with the same lack of formality
+that had previously characterised him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is youse up against it again?&#8221; he inquired,
+grinning broadly. &#8220;I t&#8217;ought youse didn&#8217;t get
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span>
+no cinch, and had to can de whole projick.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not on the same &#8216;projick&#8217; now,&#8221; said
+Patty, smiling at him. &#8220;Is department B in
+the same place?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sure it is,&#8221; and for some reason the boy
+added, &#8220;miss,&#8221; after a momentary pause,
+which made Patty realise his different attitude
+toward her, now that she wore a more elaborate
+costume, than when he had seen her in a purposely
+plain little suit.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And is the same lady still in charge of
+it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yep; dey ain&#8217;t nuttin&#8217; lessen dynnimite goin&#8217;
+to boost Mis&#8217; Greene outen o&#8217; here!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then Mrs. Greene is the lady I want to see,&#8221;
+and Patty threaded her way through the narrow
+passages between the piled up boxes.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No pass needed; she&#8217;s a free show,&#8221; the boy
+called after her, and in a moment Patty found
+herself again in the presence of the sharp-faced,
+tired-looking woman whom she had once interviewed
+regarding her embroidery work.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is Mrs. Greene, isn&#8217;t it?&#8221; said Patty,
+pleasantly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I am,&#8221; snapped the woman. &#8220;You
+don&#8217;t want work again, do you?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; said Patty, smiling, &#8220;I come this time
+on quite a different errand.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then you don&#8217;t want to see <i>me</i>. I&#8217;m here
+only to give out work. Did Mr. Myers send
+you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, I came of my own accord. Now, Mrs.
+Greene, forget the work for a moment, and let
+me tell you what I want.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If it&#8217;s subscribin&#8217; to any fund, or belongin&#8217;
+to any working woman&#8217;s club run by you swell
+ladies, you can count me out. I ain&#8217;t got time
+for foolishness.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It isn&#8217;t anything like that,&#8221; and Patty
+laughed so merrily that Mrs. Greene&#8217;s hard face
+softened in spite of herself. &#8220;Well, what is
+it?&#8221; she asked, in a less belligerent tone.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s only this,&#8221; and though Patty&#8217;s errand
+had seemed to her simple enough before she
+came in, she now began to wonder how Mrs.
+Greene would take it. &#8220;Some friends of mine
+and I are asking three or four people to lunch
+with us and take a little motor ride on Saturday,
+and I want you to come as my guest?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What!&#8221; and Mrs. Greene&#8217;s face was blank
+with amazement, but her manner betokened an
+impending burst of wrath.
+</p>
+<p>Patty realised that the woman&#8217;s pride was up
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span>
+in arms at the idea of patronage, and she was
+at her wit&#8217;s end how to make the real spirit of
+her invitation understood.
+</p>
+<p>As it chanced, she unwittingly took the right
+tack. So earnest was she that her lips quivered
+a little, and her eyes showed a pleading, pathetic
+expression, as she said, &#8220;<i>Please</i> don&#8217;t misunderstand
+me, Mrs. Greene. If you would enjoy it,
+I want you to come to our party on Saturday as
+our welcome guest. If you wouldn&#8217;t enjoy it,&mdash;just
+say so,&mdash;but&mdash;but <i>don&#8217;t</i> scold me!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mrs. Greene looked puzzled, and then the
+hard, stern mouth broke into an actual smile.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I declare,&#8221; she said, &#8220;I do believe
+you&#8217;ve got a real heart!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I do believe that <i>you</i> have!&#8221; exclaimed
+Patty. &#8220;And, now that we know the truth
+about each other, you&#8217;ll come, won&#8217;t you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Tell me about it,&#8221; and the speaker seemed
+still uncertain, though wavering.
+</p>
+<p>So Patty told her, honestly and straightforwardly,
+the circumstances of the party, and
+wound up by saying, &#8220;I truly want you, Mrs.
+Greene, for the simple reason that I want you to
+enjoy the afternoon,&mdash;and for no other reason.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I&#8217;ll come, and be awful glad of the
+chance! Why, I&#8217;ve never had a ride in a motor
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span>
+car in my life, and I&#8217;ve never eaten in one of
+those fandangle hotels; and the way you put
+it, I&#8217;m just crazy to go!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you have holiday Saturday afternoon?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, all these downtown places do.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Very well, then, I shall expect you at the
+Plaza at one o&#8217;clock. Ask for Miss Galbraith,
+and they will show you right up to her rooms.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Land! it does seem too good to be true!
+Say, Miss Fairfield, I&#8217;ve only got a black mohair
+to wear,&mdash;will that do?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course it will. Maybe you&#8217;ve a pretty
+bit of embroidery or something to lighten it up
+a little.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I&#8217;ve got a linjerry collar and cuffs that
+I&#8217;ve just been achin&#8217; to wear ever since my sister
+gave them to me last Christmas.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then I shall expect you on Saturday, and
+I&#8217;m so glad.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>With a smiling bow, Patty started away, but
+she saw by Mrs. Greene&#8217;s face, there was something
+left unsaid.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What is it?&#8221; she asked, kindly, stepping
+back again to the counter.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Say, Miss Fairfield,&#8221; and Mrs. Greene
+twisted her fingers a little nervously, &#8220;don&#8217;t
+think this is queer,&mdash;but won&#8217;t you wear one of
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span>
+your real pretty dresses? I do like to see a
+pretty, stylish dress,&mdash;and I never get a chance.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course I will,&#8221; said Patty, heartily; &#8220;I&#8217;ve
+a brand-new one that I&#8217;ve never worn, and I&#8217;ll
+honour the occasion with it, on Saturday.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And then Patty went away, greatly pleased at
+her success.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Had quite a buzz, didn&#8217;t yer?&#8221; observed the
+red-headed boy, looking at Patty with curiosity,
+as she passed him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I did. By the way, young man, what
+is your name?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Rosy; should think you&#8217;d know without
+askin&#8217;,&#8221; and he grabbed a bunch of his red hair
+with a comical grin.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I didn&#8217;t know whether it was that or
+Freckles,&#8221; said Patty, who was moved to chaff
+him, by reason of his good-natured <i>camaraderie</i>.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Might just as well &#8216;a&#8217; been,&#8221; and Rosy
+grinned wider than ever.
+</p>
+<p>Patty nodded a good-bye, and went on, rapidly
+turning over in her mind a new plan that would
+include Rosy in some future happy Saturday
+afternoon. But this plan must wait for development,
+as the coming Saturday was enough to
+occupy her thoughts for the present.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Home, Miller,&#8221; she said, as she took her
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span>
+seat. Miller gave a relieved sigh, for he was
+always more or less afraid of Patty&#8217;s escapades;
+and he didn&#8217;t like to have her go alone into
+these strange buildings.
+</p>
+<p>They whizzed homeward, and at luncheon
+time Patty gave Nan a graphic account of her
+interview with Mrs. Greene.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think that&#8217;s the funniest of all,&#8221; said Nan,
+&#8220;that she should want you to wear your elaborate
+clothes.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So do I,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;We girls had
+planned to wear our plainest dresses, thinking
+to make our guests feel more at ease. And
+when Madame Greene spoke of her black mohair,
+I thought I&#8217;d even rip the trimming off
+my brown waist! But not so,&mdash;far otherwise.
+So I shall get me into that new American Beauty
+satin, and I hope to goodness it will suit her
+taste. I expect she&#8217;s fearfully critical.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps the other girls&#8217; guests won&#8217;t feel as
+Mrs. Greene does about this matter. What
+then?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Nan, don&#8217;t stir up trouble! I have
+only my own guest to look after, and I shall
+dress my part. The others will have to do as
+seemeth unto them best. Oh, Nan, it&#8217;s going
+to be heaps of fun!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, if it turns out right,&mdash;without any awkwardness
+or embarrassment.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, you old wet blanket! Now, you know
+perfectly well, we&#8217;re doing our best. And if
+we&#8217;re awkward, we can&#8217;t help it. We&#8217;re going
+this afternoon to get the favours. What do you
+think of little pins,&mdash;silver gilt, or enamel?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They&#8217;d be all right, or hatpins, either.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, hatpins everybody has. And they
+don&#8217;t show, anyhow. That amethyst one of
+mine always hides itself behind a bow or a
+feather. No; I&#8217;m sure a nice little round
+brooch is the best thing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How about gloves?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Or overshoes? or knitted wash-cloths?
+Nan, can&#8217;t I bang it into your head that this
+affair is for pleasure, not profit? Would you
+give <i>your</i> luncheon guests gloves as souvenirs?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I suppose you&#8217;re right, Patty. But it <i>is</i> an
+experiment.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course it is! And it&#8217;s going to be a successful
+one, and the forerunner of many
+others!&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='tb' />
+
+<p>Half an hour before luncheon time, Patty
+walked into Mona&#8217;s dining-room. She wore
+her new gown of American Beauty satin, softly
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span>
+draped with a thin black marquisette, and a soft
+sash of black satin. Her hat was all black,
+with a Beauty rose tucked under the brim, and
+resting against her fair hair.
+</p>
+<p>Mona surveyed her with delight. &#8220;You look
+unusually well, Patty,&mdash;but that&#8217;s not saying
+anything unusual, for you always look unusually
+well.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good gracious, Mona, what kind of English
+is that? And a doubtful compliment beside!
+But I see you&#8217;re preoccupied, so I shan&#8217;t expect
+much appreciation of my new costume. Simple
+but tasty, isn&#8217;t it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>As she spoke, Patty was looking at herself in
+a long mirror and craning her neck to get a view
+of her back. She was fond of pretty clothes,
+and her new gown, though rich, was really simple
+in line and colouring.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Your table is beautiful, Mona,&#8221; she said,
+suddenly bringing her attention from her own
+raiment to the festal preparation.
+</p>
+<p>The girls had decided that, since Christmas
+was only about a fortnight away, it would be attractive
+to use Christmas decorations for their
+party. And so the round table showed crossed
+strips of broad red ribbon, under bands of lace,
+and a central decoration of a real Christmas
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span>
+tree, with beautiful fancy ornaments and colored
+electric lights. At each place was an elaborate
+bonbonnière of Christmas red, decked
+with sprays of holly. The place cards were
+Christmassy; and the little brooches they had
+bought, were in dainty boxes tied with holly
+ribbon.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s perfectly lovely, Mona,&#8221; said Patty, enthusiastically.
+&#8220;There isn&#8217;t a bit too much of
+anything, and it&#8217;s just as cheery and jolly as
+it can be.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I thought I wouldn&#8217;t have any flowers on the
+table,&#8221; Mona explained, &#8220;for they didn&#8217;t go
+with the other things. So, you see, I&#8217;ve these
+four big bunches of red carnations around the
+room, and I shall give them each one to take
+home. Of course, I have boxes ready for
+them,&mdash;and then, Patty, I thought we&#8217;d distribute
+the Christmas tree decorations among them,&mdash;and
+I have the boxes big, so we can put those
+and the place-cards and candy-boxes and souvenirs
+all in them. And then, you know, it
+won&#8217;t seem like <i>giving</i> them things; for you
+know yourself how keen people are to take
+away their place cards and such things.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They are, indeed! I&#8217;ve been <i>surprised</i> the
+people who have <i>everything</i> will gather up
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span>
+their cards and trumpery boxes after a luncheon!
+And your thoughtfulness is lovely,
+Mona. We&#8217;ll each give them our own place-card
+and box, too.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; and then, you see, they&#8217;ll have quite a
+few little things for their own Christmas, and
+that will make them remember the &#8216;bright
+spot&#8217; all the more.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course it will! Mona, you&#8217;re a perfect
+<i>darling</i>!&#8221; And Patty grasped Mona&#8217;s shoulders
+and swung her about in a mad dance of
+jubilation.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And, Patty,&#8221; Mona went on, &#8220;Mr. Lansing
+wants to help us with our Happy Saturdays
+Club. He says he could go with us some
+afternoon, to take a lot of newsboys to the
+circus.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, Mona Galbraith!&#8221; and Patty stared
+at her friend in astonishment. &#8220;Have you
+been telling <i>him</i> about our club?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; of course, I have. It&#8217;s no secret society,
+is it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; but we don&#8217;t want men for members.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, Patty, he would be a help. I&#8217;d love
+to give some of those poor little newsboys a
+good time, and we couldn&#8217;t do it, just by ourselves.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span></p>
+<p>Suddenly, Patty thought of &#8220;Rosy,&#8221; and her
+idea of including him in some of their plans.
+To be sure, it would be better to have a man
+to help manage such a project. But not Mr.
+Lansing!
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Mona,&#8221; she said; &#8220;our club is made
+up of just us four girls, and we can find plenty
+to do among girls or women. At least, for this
+winter. If it&#8217;s all a success, we can do more
+next winter, and perhaps get some men to help
+us then. If we want to take newsboys to the
+circus, father will go with us. Don&#8217;t be everlastingly
+dragging in that Mr. Lansing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m <i>not</i> dragging him in! He kindly offered
+to help. But of course,&mdash;if you don&#8217;t
+want him&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I don&#8217;t! And, look here, Mona, I
+wish you&#8217;d let him alone, yourself. He&#8217;s not
+like the men of our set, and I want you to
+realise that. Roger says he&#8217;s a bounder,&mdash;if
+you know what that is.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Pooh! Roger is jealous.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I think he is. But, aside from that, he&#8217;s
+right about Mr. Lansing not being the right
+kind of a friend for you. Philip Van Reypen
+says the same thing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, pshaw! Mr. Van Reypen is an old
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span>
+stuck-up! He thinks nobody is any good if
+they don&#8217;t begin their names with a Van.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Mona, don&#8217;t be silly. I&#8217;m sure I
+don&#8217;t know what you see so admirable in Mr.
+Lansing, but I do think you ought to be advised
+by others who know better than you. Why,
+your own father doesn&#8217;t like him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know dad doesn&#8217;t; but&mdash;well, all the same,
+I <i>do</i>! Why, Patty, he&#8217;s awfully interesting,
+and he brings me flowers and candy and
+books&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, stop, Mona. You know you don&#8217;t
+care for those things! You can have all you
+want, without Mr. Lansing&#8217;s gifts. You like
+him, because he flatters you, and&mdash;well, I must
+admit that he has a way with him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes, Patty, he has! Why, when you
+know him, he&#8217;s really fascinating!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, don&#8217;t let him fascinate you. He&#8217;s
+loud, Mona. He&#8217;s not our sort. Now, do
+promise me to see less of him, won&#8217;t you? He
+seems to be calling on you very often.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, he does. But how can I stop that? I
+can&#8217;t be rude to him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you can be cool. Every girl can
+discourage a man&#8217;s attentions, if she wants
+to.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;H&#8217;m; you seem to know a great deal about
+it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I only know what my common sense tells me.
+Mona, dear, <i>do</i> drop that man! Why, Roger
+is worth a dozen of him!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Roger&#8217;s all right,&mdash;but Mr. Lansing is so,&mdash;so,&mdash;well,
+he&#8217;s different.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He is, indeed! And that&#8217;s the trouble.
+The difference is all in Roger&#8217;s favour, if you
+only could see it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I can&#8217;t! Now, look here, Patty.
+You know how much I care for you, but I won&#8217;t
+have you talking to me like a Dutch Aunt. I
+made father bring me to New York this winter,
+so I could be near you, and we could have fun
+together. But, if you&#8217;re going to scold me all
+the time, we won&#8217;t have any fun at all.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty began to realise that, though Mona
+might be coaxed, she could never be driven. So
+she concluded to drop the subject, and use more
+thought and tact in her endeavours to break up
+Mona&#8217;s new friendship.
+</p>
+<p>And then Clementine Morse came, so the matter
+had to be laid aside.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is Jenny here?&#8221; asked Clementine, as she
+tossed off her furs.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Jenny who?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;My guest, Jenny Bisbee. She&#8217;s the ribbon
+girl I told you about. I had the greatest time
+to get her off for the afternoon. I had to go
+to Walker&#8217;s, you know, and see all sorts of
+Heads of Departments. My! they acted like
+Crowned Heads! They said it wouldn&#8217;t do at
+all,&mdash;it would establish a precedent,&mdash;and all
+sorts of things like that. But, somehow or
+other, I wheedled them into it, and at last they
+said Jenny might come. She was just crazy
+about it. She said, she never has any fun in
+her life, except looking at the new ribbons when
+they come in! Oh, girls, isn&#8217;t it awful <i>never</i>
+to have any fun? I expect Jenny will be embarrassed,
+but I&#8217;m sure she&#8217;ll enjoy it all. Oh,
+how lovely the table looks! Mona, you are a
+wonder! I never should have thought of all
+those Christmas fixings.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m glad you like them. Say, Clementine,
+don&#8217;t you think it would be nice to have men
+members in our club?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, I don&#8217;t know. No, I guess not,
+though my brother Clifford says it&#8217;s a great
+game, and he&#8217;d like to help us.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and I know another man who wants to
+help,&#8221; said Mona, eagerly, when Clementine interrupted
+her.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope it isn&#8217;t that strange being you brought
+to Patty&#8217;s party! Wherever <i>did</i> you pick up
+that freak, Mona?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He <i>isn&#8217;t</i> a freak! Mr. Lansing is not a rich
+man, but he&#8217;s very exclusive. He told me so
+himself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you believe it!&#8221; and Clementine
+laughed merrily. &#8220;As a rule, people who say
+themselves that they&#8217;re exclusive, are <i>not</i>.
+And one glance at that man is enough to show
+his standing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What <i>is</i> his standing, then?&#8221; said Mona,
+sulkily.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Outside the pale of society, if not outside the
+pale of civilisation,&#8221; retorted Clementine, who
+was plain-spoken.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t let&#8217;s talk about Mr. Lansing now,&#8221;
+broke in Patty, who feared an unpleasant element
+in their pleasant occasion. &#8220;And, anyway,
+here comes Elise.&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='V_HAPPY_GUESTS' id='V_HAPPY_GUESTS'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER V</h2>
+<h3>HAPPY GUESTS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Elise came in, bringing her guest with
+her. The three girls waiting in the sitting-room
+were surprised to see the
+small, dainty person whom Elise introduced as
+Miss Anna Gorman. She had a sweet, sad
+little face, and wore a simple one-piece gown of
+dove-grey voile. Her hat was grey, also; a
+turban shape, with a small knot of pink roses at
+one side. Anna was not pretty, but she had a
+refined air, and a gentle manner. Though embarrassed,
+she strove not to show it, and tried
+to appear at ease.
+</p>
+<p>Mona greeted her cordially: &#8220;How do you
+do, Anna?&#8221; she said, for they had agreed to
+call the girls informally, by their Christian
+names. &#8220;I am glad to see you. Come with
+me into the boudoir, and lay off your coat.&#8221;
+Mona herself assisted, for she thought it better
+not to have her maid about.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m well, thank you,&#8221; said Anna, in response
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span>
+to Mona&#8217;s inquiry, and then she broke out, impulsively:
+&#8220;Oh, I&#8217;m so happy to be here! It
+was so heavenly kind of you young ladies to
+ask me. You don&#8217;t <i>know</i> what it means to
+me!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, I&#8217;m very glad,&#8221; said Mona, touched
+at the girl&#8217;s gratitude. &#8220;Now, I hope you&#8217;ll
+just have the time of your life!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I shall, indeed! I know it. I&#8217;m enjoying
+every minute, just being in these lovely
+rooms, and seeing you kind ladies.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Then Mona&#8217;s manicure girl came. Her name
+was Celeste Arleson, and she was a tall, slender
+young woman, garbed all in black. It was the
+gown she always wore at her work, and, being
+of French descent, she had an air of charm that
+made her attractive.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good-morning, Celeste; come right in,&#8221; said
+Mona, and then she introduced her to Anna.
+</p>
+<p>The two looked at each other a little shyly,
+and then Anna said, &#8220;Good-morning,&#8221; in a
+timid way.
+</p>
+<p>Mona felt embarrassed, too, and began to
+wonder if their party would be a failure, after
+all.
+</p>
+<p>But Patty came in then and, with her ever-ready
+tact, took the two visitors to the drawing-room,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span>
+and began to show them some pictures
+and curios.
+</p>
+<p>Then Jenny Bisbee came, the girl from the
+ribbon counter, whom Clementine had invited.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My, isn&#8217;t this fine!&#8221; she exclaimed, as she
+met the others. &#8220;I just do think it&#8217;s fine!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m glad we could arrange for you to come,&#8221;
+said Clementine, cordially.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Glad! My gracious, I guess I&#8217;m glad!
+Well! if you measured ribbon from morning
+till night, I guess you&#8217;d be glad to get away
+from it for once. Why, I measure ribbon in my
+dreams, from night till morning. I can&#8217;t seem
+to get away from that everlasting stretching out
+of thirty-six inches, over and over again.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But the ribbons are so pretty,&#8221; said Clementine,
+by way of being agreeable.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; when they first come in. But after a
+few weeks you get so tired of the patterns.
+My, I feel as if I could throw that Dresden sash
+ribbon on the floor and stamp on it, I&#8217;m so
+tired of seeing it! And there&#8217;s one piece of
+gay brocade that hits me in the eye every morning.
+I can&#8217;t stand that piece much longer.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll come round some day, and buy it,&#8221; said
+Patty, laughing good-naturedly. &#8220;I didn&#8217;t
+know the ribbons were so individual to you.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, they are. There&#8217;s one piece of light
+blue satin ribbon, plain and wide, that I just
+love. It&#8217;s a real comfort to me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Jenny gave a little sigh, as she thought of her
+favourite ribbon, and Patty looked at her in
+wonderment, that she should be so sensitive to
+colour and texture. But her taste in colours
+did not seem to extend to her clothes. Jenny
+was a pale little thing, with ashy blonde hair,
+and large, light blue eyes. She wore a nondescript
+tan-coloured dress, without tone or shape;
+and she had a weary, exhausted air, as if chronically
+tired.
+</p>
+<p>Conversation was a little difficult. The four
+hostesses tried their best to be entertaining without
+being patronising, but it was not an easy
+task. At least, their advances were not easily
+received, and the guests seemed to be on the
+alert to resent anything that savoured of patronage.
+But help came from an unexpected
+quarter. Just at one o&#8217;clock Mrs. Greene
+arrived.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My land!&#8221; she exclaimed, as she entered
+the room, &#8220;if this isn&#8217;t grand! I wouldn&#8217;t of
+missed it for a farm! You see, I waited out
+on the corner, till it was just one o&#8217;clock. I
+know enough to get to a party just on the minute.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span>
+My bringin&#8217; up was good, if I have fell
+off a little since. But my folks was always awful
+particular people,&mdash;wouldn&#8217;t even take their
+pie in their hands. My husband, now, he was
+different. He wasn&#8217;t a fool, nor he wasn&#8217;t
+much else. But I only had him a year, and
+then he up and got killed in a rolling mill.
+Nice man, John, but not very forth-putting.
+So I&#8217;ve shifted for myself ever since. Not that
+I&#8217;ve done so awful well. I&#8217;m slow, I am. I
+never was one o&#8217; those to sew with a hot needle
+and a scorching thread, but I do my stent right
+along. But, my! how I do rattle on! You
+might think I don&#8217;t often go in good society.
+Well, I don&#8217;t! So I must make the most of
+this chance.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mrs. Greene&#8217;s chatter had been broken in
+upon by introductions and greetings, but that
+bothered her not at all. She nodded her head
+affably at the different ones, but kept right on
+talking.
+</p>
+<p>So Mona was fairly obliged to interrupt her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, let us go out to luncheon,&#8221; she said,
+after the maid had announced it twice.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Glad to,&#8221; said Mrs. Greene. &#8220;Oh, my
+land! what a pretty sight!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>She stood stock still in the doorway, and had
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span>
+to be urged forward, in order that the others
+might follow.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I didn&#8217;t know a table <i>could</i> look so
+handsome!&#8221; she went on. &#8220;My land! I s&#8217;pose
+it&#8217;s been thirty years since I&#8217;ve went to a real
+party feast, and then, I can tell you, it wasn&#8217;t
+much like this!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Probably not, for Mona&#8217;s table, with the coloured
+electric lights blazing from the pretty
+Christmas tree, the soft radiance of the room,
+the fragrance of flowers, the exquisite table appointments,
+and the pretty, kindly hostesses,
+was a scene well worthy of praise.
+</p>
+<p>Anna Gorman trembled a little as she took her
+seat, and sat, wide-eyed, looking almost as if in
+a trance of delight. Celeste Arleson was less
+embarrassed, as her profession took her into
+fine mansions and in presence of fashionable
+people every day.
+</p>
+<p>Jenny Bisbee looked rapturous. &#8220;Oh,&#8221; she
+said, &#8220;Oh! I am <i>so</i> happy!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The guests all looked a trifle awestruck when
+the first course appeared, of grapefruit, served
+in tall, slender ice-glasses, each with a red ribbon
+tied round its stem, and a sprig of holly in
+the bow.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, did you ever!&#8221; exclaimed Mrs.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span>
+Greene. &#8220;And is this the way they do things
+now? Well, well! It does look &#8217;most too
+good to eat, but I&#8217;m ready to tackle it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Anna Gorman looked a little pained, as if this
+homely enthusiasm jarred upon her sense of fitness.
+But Mona said hospitably, &#8220;Yes, indeed,
+Mrs. Greene,&mdash;it&#8217;s here to be eaten.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, I&#8217;m free to confess, I don&#8217;t know what
+spoon to take,&#8221; Mrs. Greene acknowledged,
+looking blankly at the row of flat silver before
+her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know,&#8221; spoke up Jenny Bisbee, eagerly; &#8220;I
+read it in a Sunday paper. You begin at the
+outside of the row, and eat in!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Land! are you sure to come out right, that
+way? S&#8217;pose you had a fork left for your ice
+cream!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll risk it,&#8221; said Mona, smiling. &#8220;Let&#8217;s
+use this spoon at the outside, as Jenny suggests.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The second course was clam bouillon, and
+after it was served, a maid passed a dish of
+whipped cream.
+</p>
+<p>Mrs. Greene watched carefully as Mona
+placed a spoonful on the top of her soup, and
+then she exclaimed:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, if that don&#8217;t beat all! What is that,
+might I ask?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Whipped cream,&#8221; said Mona. &#8220;Won&#8217;t you
+have some?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I will,&mdash;as you took some. But if
+that ain&#8217;t the greatest! Now, just let me tell
+you. A friend of mine,&mdash;she has seen some
+high society,&mdash;she was telling me a little how to
+behave. And she told me of a country person
+she knew, who had some soup in a cup once.
+And he thought it was tea, and he ca&#8217;mly puts
+in milk and sugar! Well, he was just kerflum-mixed,
+that poor man, when he found it was
+soup! So, my friend says, says she: &#8216;Now,
+Almira, whatever you do, <i>don&#8217;t</i> put milk in
+your soup!&#8217; And, I declare to goodness, here
+you&#8217;re doin&#8217; just that very thing!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we won&#8217;t put any sugar in,&#8221; said
+Mona, pleasantly; &#8220;but I think the cream improves
+it. You like it, don&#8217;t you, Jenny?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Heavenly!&#8221; said Jenny, rolling her eyes up
+with such a comically blissful expression that
+Elise nearly choked.
+</p>
+<p>As Patty had agreed, the luncheon was good
+and substantial, rather than elaborate. The
+broiled chicken, dainty vegetables, and pretty
+salad all met the guests&#8217; hearty approval and
+appreciation; and when the ice cream was
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span>
+served, Mrs. Greene discovered she had both a
+fork and a spoon at her disposal.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I never!&#8221; she observed. &#8220;Ain&#8217;t that
+handy, now? I s&#8217;pose you take whichever one
+you like.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; said Mona. &#8220;You see, there is strawberry
+sauce for the ice cream, and that makes it
+seem more like a pudding.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So it does, so it does,&#8221; agreed Mrs. Greene,
+&#8220;though, land knows, it ain&#8217;t much like the puddin&#8217;s
+I&#8217;m accustomed to. Cottage, rice, and
+bread is about the variety we get, in the puddin&#8217;
+line. Not but what I&#8217;m mighty grateful to get
+those.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I like chocolate pudding,&#8221; said Jenny, in a
+low voice, and apparently with great effort.
+Patty knew she made the remark because she
+thought it her duty to join in the conversation;
+and she felt such heroism deserved recognition.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So do I,&#8221; she said, smiling kindly at Jenny.
+&#8220;In fact, I like anything with chocolate in it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So do I,&#8221; returned Jenny, a little bolder under
+this expressed sympathy of tastes. &#8220;Once
+I had a whole box of chocolate candies,&mdash;a
+pound box it was. I&#8217;ve got the box yet. I&#8217;m
+awful careful of the lace paper.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I often get boxes of candy,&#8221; said Celeste,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span>
+unable to repress this bit of vanity. &#8220;My customers
+give them to me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My,&#8221; said Jenny, &#8220;that must be fine. Is
+it grand to be a manicure?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I like it,&#8221; said Celeste, &#8220;because it takes me
+among nice people. They&#8217;re mostly good to
+me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My ladies are nice to me, too,&#8221; observed
+Anna. &#8220;I only sew in nice houses. But I
+don&#8217;t see the ladies much. It&#8217;s different with
+you, Miss Arleson.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I don&#8217;t see nice ladies,&#8221; broke in
+Jenny. &#8220;My, how those queens of society can
+snap at you! Seems &#8217;if they blame me for
+everything: the stock, the price, the slow
+cash boys,&mdash;whatever bothers &#8217;em, it&#8217;s all my
+fault.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is unkind,&#8221; said Clementine. &#8220;But
+shopping does make some people cross.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Indeed it does!&#8221; returned Jenny. &#8220;But
+I&#8217;m going to forget it just for to-day. When
+I sit here and see these things, all so beautiful
+and sparkly and bright, I pretend there isn&#8217;t any
+shop or shopping in all the world.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Jenny&#8217;s smile was almost roguish, and lighted
+up her pale face till she looked almost pretty.
+</p>
+<p>Then they had coffee, and snapping crackers
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span>
+with caps inside, and they put on the caps and
+laughed at each other&#8217;s grotesque appearance.
+</p>
+<p>Mrs. Greene&#8217;s cap was a tri-corne, with a gay
+cockade, which gave her a militant air, quite in
+keeping with her strong face. Patty had a ruffled
+night-cap, which made her look grotesque,
+and Anna Gorman had a frilled sunbonnet.
+</p>
+<p>Celeste had a Tam o&#8217; Shanter, which just
+suited her piquant face, and Jenny had a Scotch
+cap, which became her well.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now,&#8221; said Mona, as she rose from the
+table, &#8220;I&#8217;m going to give you each a bunch of
+these carnations&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;To take home?&#8221; broke in Jenny, unable to
+repress her eagerness.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; and I&#8217;ll have them put in boxes for you,
+along with your cards and souvenirs, which, of
+course, you must take home also. And, if
+there&#8217;s room, I&#8217;ll put in some of these Christmas
+tree thingamajigs, and you can use them
+for something at Christmas time.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh!&#8221; exclaimed Jenny; &#8220;maybe my two kid
+brothers won&#8217;t just about go crazy over &#8217;em!
+Says I to myself, just the other day, &#8216;What&#8217;s
+going in them kids&#8217; stockings is more&#8217;n I know;
+but something there must be.&#8217; And,&mdash;here you
+are!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Here you are!&#8221; said Mona, tucking an extra
+snapping cracker or two in Jenny&#8217;s box.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We plan to go for a motor ride, now,&#8221; said
+Mona. &#8220;I wonder if you girls are dressed
+warmly enough.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>All declared that they were, but Mona provided
+several extra cloaks and wraps, lest any
+one should take cold.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We have two cars for our trip,&#8221; she explained;
+&#8220;Miss Farrington&#8217;s limousine and my
+own. Has any one any preference which way
+we shall go?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; said Mrs. Greene, &#8220;if you ask me,
+I&#8217;d like best to ride up Fifth Avenue. There
+ought to be some fine show of dress, a bright
+afternoon like this. And there ain&#8217;t anything
+I admire like stylish clothes. That&#8217;s a real
+handsome gown you got on, Miss Fairfield.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you like it?&#8221; said Patty, smiling.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I do. It&#8217;s fashionable of cut, and yet
+it ain&#8217;t drawed so tight as some. And a becomin&#8217;
+colour, too.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a dandy,&#8221; observed Jenny. &#8220;I see lots
+of good clothes on my customers, but they don&#8217;t
+all have such taste as Miss Fairfield&#8217;s. And
+all you other ladies here,&#8221; she added, politely,
+glancing round.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, are we all ready?&#8221; asked Mona, looking
+over the group. &#8220;Mrs. Greene, I fear you
+won&#8217;t be warm enough, though your jacket <i>is</i>
+thick, isn&#8217;t it? But I&#8217;m going to throw this
+boa round your neck, by way of precaution.
+Please wear it; I have another.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My land! if this ain&#8217;t luxuriant,&#8221; and Mrs.
+Greene smoothed the neckpiece and muff that
+Mona put on her. &#8220;What is this fur, Miss
+Galbraith?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That is caracul. Do you like it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Like it? Well, I think it&#8217;s just too scrumptious
+for anything. I&#8217;ll remember the feel
+of it for a year. And so genteel looking,
+too.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, it&#8217;s a good fur,&#8221; said Mona, carelessly
+throwing a sable scarf round her own throat.
+&#8220;Now, let us start.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Down went the eight in an elevator, and Mrs.
+Greene was overjoyed to find that she was attended
+with quite as much deference as Mona
+herself. Elise and Clementine took their guests
+in the Farrington car, leaving Patty and Mona,
+with their guests, for the Galbraith car.
+</p>
+<p>Celeste Arleson enjoyed the ride, but she was
+not so openly enthusiastic as Mrs. Greene.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My!&#8221; exclaimed that worthy, as she bobbed
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span>
+up and down on the springy cushions; &#8220;to
+think it&#8217;s come at last! Why, I <i>never</i> expected
+to ride in one of these. I saved up once for a
+taxicab ride, but I had to use my savings
+for a case of grippe, so I never felt to try it
+again.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you have grippe?&#8221; said Patty, sympathetically;
+&#8220;that was too bad.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, no; it wasn&#8217;t <i>my</i> grippe. Leastways,
+I didn&#8217;t have it. It was a lady that lived in the
+same boardin&#8217; house, along with me. But she&#8217;d
+had misfortune, and lost her money, so I
+couldn&#8217;t do no less than to help her. Poor
+thing! she was crossed in love and it made her
+queer. But that Rosy,&mdash;you know, that redhead
+boy, Miss Fairfield?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I do,&#8221; returned Patty, smiling.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, he says she was queered in love, and
+it made her cross! She works in our place, you
+know. Well, cross she is; and, my land! if she
+wasn&#8217;t cross when she had the grippe! You
+know, it ain&#8217;t soothin&#8217; on folks&#8217; nerves.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; said Patty; &#8220;so I&#8217;ve understood.
+Well, Mrs. Greene, now you can see plenty of
+fashionable costumes. Do you enjoy it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My! I&#8217;m just drinkin&#8217; &#8217;em in! Furs is
+worn a lot this year, ain&#8217;t they? Well, I don&#8217;t
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span>
+wonder. Why, I feel real regal in this fur of
+yours, Miss Galbraith. I don&#8217;t know when
+I&#8217;ve had such a pleasure as the wearin&#8217; of this
+fur.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, we&#8217;ll go through the park and up
+Riverside Drive,&#8221; said Mona, as they neared
+Eighty-sixth Street. It was pleasant in the
+Park, and the fine motors, with their smartly-apparelled
+occupants, delighted Mrs. Greene&#8217;s
+very soul.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where would you like to go, Celeste?&#8221;
+asked Mona; &#8220;or do you like the Park and the
+River drive?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If I might, Miss Galbraith, I&#8217;d like to go
+to Grant&#8217;s Tomb. I&#8217;ve always wanted to go
+there, but I never can get a spare hour,&mdash;or if
+I do, I&#8217;m too tired for the trip.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly, you shall. Would you like that,
+Mrs. Greene?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, land, yes! I&#8217;ve never been there,
+either. Quite some few times I&#8217;ve thought to
+go, but something always interferes.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>So to Grant&#8217;s Tomb they went. The other car
+followed, and all went in to look at the impressive
+mausoleum.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Makes you feel kind o&#8217; solemn,&#8221; said Mrs.
+Greene, as they came out. &#8220;Think of lyin&#8217;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span>
+there in that eternal rock, as you might say, and
+the whole nation comin&#8217; to weep over your
+bier.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They don&#8217;t all weep,&#8221; observed Celeste.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, in a manner o&#8217; speakin&#8217;, they do,&#8221; said
+Mrs. Greene, gently. &#8220;Not real tears, maybe;
+but, you know, to weep over a bier, is a figger
+of speech; and so far as its meanin&#8217; goes,
+Grant&#8217;s got it. And, after all, it&#8217;s the meanin&#8217;
+that counts.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was nearing sundown as they started down
+the Drive, and Mona proposed that they go to
+a tea room, and then take their guests to their
+several homes.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, how pretty!&#8221; said Mrs. Greene, as
+they all went into the Marie Jeannette Tea
+Room.
+</p>
+<p>The younger girls chose chocolate, but Mrs.
+Greene said, &#8220;Give me a cup of tea. There&#8217;s
+nothing like it, to my mind. And to think of
+having tea in this beautiful place, all decked
+with posies. I&#8217;ll just throw this fur a little
+open, but keep it over my shoulders. It looks
+so luxuriant that way.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mona ordered dainty sandwiches and little
+fancy cakes&mdash;and after a pleasant half-hour
+they started homeward. They left Celeste at
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span>
+her home first, and then took Mrs. Greene
+to hers.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I live way down on East Eleventh Street,&#8221;
+she said, apologetically; &#8220;and I oughtn&#8217;t to let
+you go clear down there with me. But,&mdash;oh,
+well, I might as well own up,&mdash;I&#8217;d just love to
+roll up to our door in this car!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And so you shall,&#8221; said Mona, appreciating
+this bit of feminine vanity. &#8220;And, Mrs.
+Greene, if you&#8217;ll accept them, I&#8217;d like to make
+you a present of those furs. I don&#8217;t need
+them, for I have several other sets, and you&#8217;re
+very welcome to them.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My land!&#8221; said Mrs. Greene, and then
+could say no more, for her voice choked, and
+two tears rolled down her cheeks.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And to think I thought you ladies were
+stuck up!&#8221; she said, in a voice of contrition.
+&#8220;Why, two angels straight from Heaven
+couldn&#8217;t be more kind or whole-soulder than you
+two are. But, Miss Galbraith, I can&#8217;t accept
+such a gift,&mdash;I&mdash;I ought not to.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mrs. Greene was caressing the fur as she
+spoke, and Mona patted her hand, saying
+laughingly:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I couldn&#8217;t take it away from anybody who
+loves it as you do. Please keep it. I&#8217;m more
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span>
+glad to give it to you than you can possibly be
+to have it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>So Mrs. Greene kept the furs,&mdash;and her
+beaming face proved the depth of thankfulness
+which she tried, all inadequately, to express.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='VI_CONFIDENCES' id='VI_CONFIDENCES'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+<h3>CONFIDENCES</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Mona went home with Patty to dinner,
+as she often did when the girls had
+been together during the afternoon.
+</p>
+<p>At the dinner table the elder Fairfields were
+greatly entertained by the account of the first
+Happy Saturday Afternoon.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But aren&#8217;t you afraid,&#8221; Mr. Fairfield asked,
+&#8220;that such unaccustomed luxuries will make
+those people discontented with their own conditions?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, father Fairfield,&#8221; exclaimed Patty,
+&#8220;you ought to know better than that! you
+might as well say that a man in a prison ought
+never to see a ray of sunlight, because it would
+make him more discontented with his dark
+jail.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s true,&#8221; agreed Nan; &#8220;I think it&#8217;s
+lovely to give these people such a pleasure, and
+if I can help in any way, Patty, I&#8217;ll be glad to.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And then it&#8217;s the memory of it,&#8221; said Mona.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You know yourself how pleasant it is to look
+back and remember any pleasure you may have
+had; and when it&#8217;s only one, and such a big
+one, the pleasure of remembrance is even
+greater.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s good philosophy, Mona,&#8221; said Mr.
+Fairfield, approvingly, &#8220;and I take back what
+I said. I think the plans you girls have made
+are excellent; and I, too, will be glad to help if
+I can.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Other people have offered to help us,&#8221; began
+Mona, but Patty interrupted her, saying: &#8220;We
+don&#8217;t want any help from people individually.
+I mean, father, if you will lend us the car, and
+things like that, we&#8217;ll be glad, of course. But
+we don&#8217;t want any personal assistance in our
+plans.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, chickadee; far be it from me to
+intrude. But I thought perhaps if you wanted
+to make a little excursion, say, to see the Statue
+of Liberty, or even to go to the circus, you
+might like a man along with you as a Courier
+General.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just what Mr. Lansing said!&#8221; exclaimed
+Mona, which was the very remark Patty
+had been fearing.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just what we&#8217;re <i>not</i> going to do!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span>
+she declared. &#8220;We&#8217;re only going to places
+where we can go by ourselves, or if we need a
+chaperon, we&#8217;ll take Nan. But we don&#8217;t want
+any men in on this deal.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see why,&#8221; began Mona, but Patty
+promptly silenced her by saying, &#8220;You <i>do</i> see
+why. Now, Mona, don&#8217;t say anything more
+about it. There isn&#8217;t any circus now, and it&#8217;s
+time enough when it comes, to decide about
+going to it; and I don&#8217;t want to go, anyway.
+There are lots of things nicer than a circus.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Lansing said he&#8217;d send us a box for the
+Hippodrome, some Saturday afternoon,&#8221; said
+Mona, a little diffidently.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s awfully kind of him,&#8221; said Nan. &#8220;I
+should think you girls would be delighted with
+that.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A box,&#8221; and Patty looked scornful. &#8220;Why,
+a box only holds six, so with us four, we could
+only invite two guests. I don&#8217;t think much of
+that scheme!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll donate a box also,&#8221; said Mr. Fairfield.
+&#8220;You can get them adjoining, and with two
+of you girls in one and two in the other, you
+can invite eight guests.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty hesitated. The plan sounded attractive,
+and she quickly thought that she could invite
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span>
+Rosy for one of the guests and give the
+boy a Happy Saturday Afternoon. But she
+didn&#8217;t want to accept anything from Mr. Lansing,
+though she couldn&#8217;t quite bring herself to
+say so, frankly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s the matter, Patty?&#8221; asked Nan.
+&#8220;You don&#8217;t like the idea of the Hippodrome,
+though I don&#8217;t see why.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I <i>do</i> like it,&#8221; said Patty, &#8220;but we can&#8217;t decide
+these things in a minute. We ought to have a
+meeting of the club and talk it over.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense,&#8221; said Mona. &#8220;You know very
+well, Patty, it isn&#8217;t a formal club. I&#8217;m going
+to accept these two Hippodrome boxes, and tell
+the girls that we can each invite two guests.
+The Hippodrome show is lovely this year, and
+anybody would like it, whether children or
+grown-ups. And we&#8217;re much obliged to you,
+Mr. Fairfield.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re taking a great deal upon yourself,
+Mona,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;You&#8217;re not president of
+the club.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Neither are you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, <i>I&#8217;m</i> not dictating how things shall be
+run.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I <i>am</i>! So all you&#8217;ll have to do, is to
+run along with me.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span></p>
+<p>Mona was so laughingly good-natured that
+Patty&#8217;s serious face broke into a smile, too.
+She was annoyed at the idea of being under obligation
+to Mr. Lansing, but, after all, it was
+hardly fair to stand in the way of eight people&#8217;s
+pleasure. So she surrendered gracefully.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, Mona,&#8221; she said; &#8220;we&#8217;ll have the
+Hippodrome party. I know one guest I shall
+invite, who&#8217;s sure to enjoy it. He&#8217;s a boy
+about fourteen, and the funniest thing you ever
+saw.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d like to take children, too,&#8221; said Mona;
+&#8220;but I don&#8217;t know many. I think I&#8217;ll ask
+Celeste&#8217;s two little sisters.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was characteristic of Patty not to dwell on
+anything unpleasant, so having made up her
+mind to accept Mr. Lansing&#8217;s favour, she entered
+heartily into the plan for the next
+party.
+</p>
+<p>But after dinner, when the girls were alone in
+Patty&#8217;s boudoir, she said to Mona, seriously,
+&#8220;You know I didn&#8217;t want to take that box
+from Mr. Lansing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course I know it, Patty,&#8221; and Mona
+smiled, complacently. &#8220;But I made you do it,
+didn&#8217;t I? I knew I should in the end, but your
+father helped me unexpectedly, by offering a
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span>
+second box. Now, Pattikins, you may as well
+stop disliking Mr. Lansing. He&#8217;s my friend,
+and he&#8217;s going to stay my friend. He may
+have some faults, but everybody has.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, Mona, he isn&#8217;t our sort at all. I don&#8217;t
+see <i>why</i> you like him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He mayn&#8217;t be your sort, but he&#8217;s mine; and
+I like him because I like him! That&#8217;s the only
+reason that anybody likes anybody. You think
+nobody&#8217;s any good unless they have all sorts of
+aristocratic ancestry! Like that Van Reypen
+man who&#8217;s always dangling after you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He isn&#8217;t dangling now,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;I
+haven&#8217;t seen him since my party.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You haven&#8217;t! Is he mad at you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; he and Roger are both mad at me; and
+all on account of your old Mr. Lansing!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Roger&#8217;s mad at me, too, on account of
+that same poor, misunderstood young gentleman.
+But they&#8217;ll get over it. Don&#8217;t worry,
+Patty.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mona, I&#8217;d like to shake you! I might just
+as well reason with the Rock of Gibraltar as to
+try to influence <i>you</i>. Don&#8217;t you know that
+your father asked me to try to persuade you to
+drop that Lansing man?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty had not intended to divulge this confidence
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span>
+of Mr. Galbraith, but she was at her wit&#8217;s
+end to find some argument that would carry
+any weight with her headstrong friend.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, daddy!&#8221; said Mona, carelessly. &#8220;He
+talks to me by the hour, and I just laugh at him
+and drum tunes on his dear old bald head. He
+hasn&#8217;t anything, really, against Mr. Lansing,
+you know; it&#8217;s nothing but prejudice.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A very well-founded prejudice, then! Why,
+Mona, that man isn&#8217;t fit to&mdash;to&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;To worship the ground I walk on,&#8221; suggested
+Mona, calmly. &#8220;Well, he does, Patty,
+so you may as well stop interfering.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, if you look upon it as interfering!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I don&#8217;t know what you call it, if not
+that. But I don&#8217;t mind. Go ahead, if it
+amuses you. But I&#8217;m sorry if my affairs make
+trouble between you and your friends. However,
+I don&#8217;t believe Mr. Van Reypen will stay
+angry at you very long. And as for Roger,&mdash;well,
+I wouldn&#8217;t worry about him. Of course,
+you&#8217;re going to Elise&#8217;s dance on Tuesday
+night?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, of course. And I&#8217;ve no doubt I&#8217;ll
+make up with Roger, then; but I don&#8217;t know
+about Philip. I doubt if he&#8217;ll be there.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t the least doubt. Where you are,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span>
+there will Mr. Van Reypen be, also,&mdash;if he can
+possibly get an invitation.&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='tb' />
+
+<p>Mona was right in her opinion. At Elise&#8217;s
+dance on Tuesday night, almost the first man
+Patty saw, as she entered the drawing-room,
+was Philip Van Reypen. He greeted her pleasantly,
+but with a certain reserve quite different
+from his usual eager cordiality.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;May I have a dance, Miss Fairfield?&#8221; he
+said, holding out his hand for her card.
+</p>
+<p>Quick-witted Patty chose just the tone that she
+knew would irritate him. &#8220;Certainly, Mr.
+Van Reypen,&#8221; she said, carelessly, and as she
+handed him her card, she turned to smile at
+another man who was just coming to speak to
+her. When Philip handed back her card, she
+took it without looking at it, or at him,
+and handed it to Mr. Drayton, seemingly
+greatly interested in what dances he might
+select.
+</p>
+<p>Van Reypen looked at her a moment in amazement.
+He had intended to be cool toward her,
+but the tables were turned, and she was decidedly
+cool toward him.
+</p>
+<p>However, his look of surprise was not lost
+upon Miss Patricia Fairfield, who saw him out
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span>
+of the corner of her eye, even though she was
+apparently engrossed with Mr. Drayton.
+</p>
+<p>And then, as usual, Patty was besieged by several
+men at once, all begging for dances, and
+her card was quickly filled.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What <i>can</i> I do with so many suitors?&#8221; she
+cried, raising her hands in pretty bewilderment,
+as her card was passed from one to another.
+&#8220;Don&#8217;t take all the dances, please; I want to
+save some for my special favourites.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Meaning me?&#8221; said Kenneth Harper, who
+had just joined the group in time to hear Patty&#8217;s
+remark.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You, for one,&#8221; said Patty, smiling on him,
+&#8220;but there are seventeen others.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m two or three of the seventeen,&#8221; said
+Roger, gaining possession of the card. &#8220;May
+I have three, Patty?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>One look flashed from Roger&#8217;s dark eyes to
+Patty&#8217;s blue ones, and in that glance their
+foolish little quarrel was forgiven and forgotten.
+</p>
+<p>Roger had a big, generous nature, and so had
+Patty, and with a smile they were good friends
+again.
+</p>
+<p>Patty&#8217;s mind worked quickly. She had no intention
+of giving Roger three dances, but she
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span>
+saw that he and Mona were not yet on speaking
+terms. So she nodded assent, as he scribbled
+his initials in three places, thinking to herself
+that before the evening was over, two of them
+should be transferred to Mona&#8217;s card.
+</p>
+<p>Patty was looking lovely in pale blue chiffon
+with tiny French rosebuds of pink satin adorning
+it here and there. Her golden hair was
+clustered in becoming puffs and curls, tucked
+into a little net of gold mesh, with coquettish
+bunches of rosebuds above each ear.
+</p>
+<p>But, though Patty was pretty and wore lovely
+clothes, her chief charm was her happy, smiling
+face and her gay, good-natured friendliness.
+She smiled on everybody, not with a set smile of
+society, but in a frank, happy enjoyment of the
+good time she was having, and appreciation of
+the good time that everybody else helped her
+to have.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are all so kind to me,&#8221; she was saying
+to Robert Kenton, who had just come in; &#8220;and
+I want to thank you, Mr. Kenton, for the beautiful
+flowers you sent. I do love valley lilies,
+they&#8217;re so&mdash;so&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They&#8217;re so sentimental,&#8221; suggested Rob
+Kenton, smiling.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, yes,&mdash;if you mean them to be,&#8221; said
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span>
+Patty, dimpling at him. &#8220;Any flower is sentimental,
+if the sender means it so.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Or if the receiver wants it to be. Did
+you?&#8221; and Kenton smiled back at her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes, of <i>course</i> I do!&#8221; And Patty put
+on an exaggeratedly soulful look. &#8220;I&#8217;m <i>that</i>
+sentimental you wouldn&#8217;t believe! But I forget
+the language of flowers. What do lilies of
+the valley mean,&mdash;especially with orchids in the
+middle of the bunch?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Undying affection,&#8221; responded Kenton,
+promptly. &#8220;Do you accept it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d be glad to, but I suppose that means it
+lasts for ever and ever,&mdash;so you needn&#8217;t ever
+send me any more flowers!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it isn&#8217;t as undying as all that! It needs
+to be revived sometimes with fresh flowers.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a little too complicated for me to think
+it out now,&#8221; and Patty smiled at him, roguishly.
+&#8220;Besides, here are more suitors approaching;
+so if you&#8217;ll please give me back my card, Mr.
+Kenton,&mdash;though I don&#8217;t believe there&#8217;s room
+for another one.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not one?&#8221; said the man who took it, disappointedly;
+for sure enough, every space was
+filled. &#8220;But there&#8217;ll be an extra or two. May
+I have one of those?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I never arrange those in advance,&#8221; said
+Patty. &#8220;My partners take their chances on
+those. But I&#8217;ll give you half of this dance,&#8221;
+and she calmly cut in two the one dance against
+which Philip Van Reypen had set his aristocratic
+initials.
+</p>
+<p>Then the dancing began, and what with the
+fine music, the perfect floor, and usually good
+partners, Patty enjoyed herself thoroughly.
+She loved dancing, and being accomplished in
+all sorts of fancy dances, could learn any new
+or intricate steps in a moment.
+</p>
+<p>After a few dances she found herself whirling
+about the room with Roger, and she determined
+to carry out her plan of reconciling him
+and Mona. Mr. Lansing was not at the dance,
+for Elise had positively declined to invite him;
+and so, though Mona was there, she was rather
+cool to Elise, and favoured Roger only with a
+distant bow as a greeting.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You and Mona are acting like two silly
+idiots,&#8221; was Patty&#8217;s somewhat definite manner
+of beginning her conversation.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You think so?&#8221; said Roger, as he guided her
+skilfully round another couple who were madly
+dashing toward them.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I do. And, Roger, I want you to take
+my advice and make up with her.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve nothing to make up.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, you have, too. You and Mona are
+good friends, or have been, and there&#8217;s no reason
+why you should act as you do.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s a very good reason; and he has most
+objectionable manners,&#8221; declared Roger, looking
+sulky.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t like his manners, either; but I tell
+you honestly, Roger, you&#8217;re going about it the
+wrong way. I know Mona awfully well,&mdash;better
+than you do. And she&#8217;s proud-spirited,
+and even a little contrary, and if you act
+as you do toward her, you simply throw her
+into the arms of that objectionable-mannered
+man!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good Heavens, Patty, what a speech!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, of course, I don&#8217;t mean literally, but
+if you won&#8217;t speak to her at all, on account of
+Mr. Lansing, why of course she&#8217;s going to feel
+just piqued enough to smile on him all the more.
+Can&#8217;t you understand that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let her!&#8221; growled Roger.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, we won&#8217;t let her,&mdash;any such thing!
+I don&#8217;t like that man a bit better than you do,
+but do you suppose I&#8217;m going to show it by being
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span>
+unkind and mean to Mona? That&#8217;s not
+tactful.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t want to be tactful. I want him to
+let her alone.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you can&#8217;t make him do that, unless you
+shoot him; and that means a lot of bother all
+round.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It might be worth the bother.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t talk nonsense, I&#8217;m in earnest. You&#8217;re
+seriously fond of Mona, aren&#8217;t you, Roger?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I am; or rather, I was until that cad
+came between us.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He isn&#8217;t exactly a cad,&#8221; said Patty, judicially.
+&#8220;I do believe in being fair, and while the man
+hasn&#8217;t all the culture in the world, he is kind-hearted
+and&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And awfully good to his mother, let us
+hope,&#8221; and Roger smiled, a little sourly.
+&#8220;Now, Patty girl, you&#8217;d better keep your pretty
+little fingers out of this pie. It isn&#8217;t like you
+to interfere in other people&#8217;s affairs, and I&#8217;d
+rather you wouldn&#8217;t.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, fiddle-de-fudge, Roger! I&#8217;m not interfering,
+and it <i>is</i> my affair. Mona is my affair,
+and so are you; and now your Aunt Patty is
+going to bring about a reconciliation.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not on my part,&#8221; declared Roger, stoutly;
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='VII_MORE_MAKING_UP' id='VII_MORE_MAKING_UP'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+<h3>MORE MAKING UP</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>After the sixth dance was over, Patty
+asked her partner to bring Mr. Everson
+to her, and then she awaited his coming
+on a little sofa in an alcove.
+</p>
+<p>If Eugene Everson was surprised at the summons,
+he did not show it, but advanced courteously,
+and took a seat by Patty&#8217;s side. He
+had a dance engaged with her much later in the
+evening, so Patty said, pleasantly:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Everson, don&#8217;t think my request strange,
+but won&#8217;t you exchange our later dance for this
+number seven?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I would gladly, Miss Fairfield, but I&#8217;m engaged
+for this.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I know,&#8221; and Patty favoured him with
+one of her most bewitching smiles; &#8220;but the
+lady is Miss Galbraith, as I happen to know,
+and Miss Galbraith is a very dear friend of
+mine, and,&mdash;oh, well, it&#8217;s a matter of &#8216;first aid
+to the injured.&#8217; I don&#8217;t want to tell you all
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span>
+about it, Mr. Everson, but the truth is, I want
+Miss Galbraith to dance this number with another
+man,&mdash;because,&mdash;because&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was not quite so easy as Patty had anticipated.
+She didn&#8217;t want to go so far as to
+explain the real situation, and she became suddenly
+aware that she was somewhat embarrassed.
+Her face flushed rosy pink, and she
+cast an appealing glance from her violet-blue
+eyes into the amused face of the man beside
+her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t an idea of what it is all about, Miss
+Fairfield, but please consider me entirely at the
+orders of yourself and Miss Galbraith. A man
+at a party is at best but a puppet to dance at the
+bidding of any fair lady. And what better fortune
+could I ask than to be allowed to obey your
+decree?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty was greatly relieved when he took the
+matter thus lightly. In whimsical conversation
+she was on her own ground, and she responded
+gaily: &#8220;Let it remain a mystery, then; and
+obey as a noble knight a lady&#8217;s decree. Dance
+with me, and trust it to me that Miss Galbraith
+is also obeying a decree of mine.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;For a small person, you seem to issue decrees
+of surprising number and rapidity,&#8221; and
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span>
+Everson, who was a large man, looked down at
+Patty with an air of amusement.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, sir,&#8221; said Patty, demurely, &#8220;I&#8217;m accustomed
+to it. Decrees are my strong point. I
+issue them &#8217;most all the time.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And are they always obeyed?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Alas, noble sir, not always. Though I&#8217;m
+not sure that your question is as flattering
+as the remarks most young men make to
+me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps not. But when you know me better,
+Miss Fairfield, you&#8217;ll find out that I&#8217;m very
+different from the common herd.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Really? How interesting! I hope I shall
+know you better very soon, for I adore unusual
+people.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And do unusual people adore you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t tell; I&#8217;ve never met one before,&#8221; and
+after the briefest of saucy glances, Patty
+dropped her eyes demurely.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Aren&#8217;t you one yourself?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no!&#8221; And Patty looked up with an
+air of greatest surprise; &#8220;I&#8217;m just a plain little
+every-day girl.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re a plain little coquette, that&#8217;s what
+you are!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are indeed unusual, sir, to call me
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span>
+plain!&#8221; and Patty looked about as indignant as
+an angry kitten.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps, when I know you better, I may
+change my opinion of your plainness. Will
+you dance now?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The music had been playing for some moments,
+and signifying her assent, Patty rose,
+and they joined the dancers who were circling
+the floor. Mr. Everson was a fine dancer, but
+he was all unprepared for Patty&#8217;s exquisite perfection
+in the art.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, Miss Fairfield,&#8221; he said, unable to
+suppress his admiration, &#8220;I didn&#8217;t know anybody
+danced like you, except professionals.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes, I&#8217;m a good dancer,&#8221; said Patty,
+carelessly; &#8220;and so are you, for that matter.
+Do you think they&#8217;ve made up?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Miss Galbraith and Mr. Farrington. See,
+we&#8217;re just passing them. Oh, I&#8217;m afraid they
+haven&#8217;t!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was difficult to judge by the glance they
+obtained in passing, but Patty declared that
+both Mona&#8217;s and Roger&#8217;s faces looked like
+thunder clouds.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Give them a little longer,&#8221; said Mr. Everson,
+who began to see how matters stood.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps another round, and we will find them
+smiling into each other&#8217;s eyes.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But when they next circled the long room,
+Mona and Roger were nowhere to be seen.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Aha,&#8221; said Everson, &#8220;the conservatory for
+theirs! It must be all right! Shall we trail
+&#8217;em?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;I don&#8217;t care if they see
+us. Let&#8217;s walk through the conservatory.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>They did so, and spied Mona and Roger sitting
+under a group of palms, engaged in earnest
+conversation. They were not smiling, but they
+were talking very seriously, with no indication
+of quarrelling.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess it&#8217;s all right,&#8221; said Patty, with a little
+sigh. &#8220;It&#8217;s awfully nice to have friends,
+Mr. Everson, but sometimes they&#8217;re a great
+care; aren&#8217;t they?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If you&#8217;ll let me be your friend, Miss Fairfield,
+I&#8217;ll promise never to be a care, and I&#8217;ll
+help you to care for your other cares.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Goodness, what a complicated offer! If I
+could straighten all those cares you speak of, I
+might decide to take you as a friend. I think
+I will, anyway,&mdash;you were so nice about giving
+me this dance.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I was only too delighted to do so, Miss Fairfield.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you. You know it is in place of our
+other one, number sixteen.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, we must have that also.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, it was a fair exchange. You can get
+another partner for sixteen.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I don&#8217;t want to. If you throw me over,
+I shall sit in a corner and mope.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, don&#8217;t do that! Well, I&#8217;ll tell you what,
+I&#8217;ll give you half of sixteen, and you can mope
+the other half.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And then Patty&#8217;s next partner claimed her,
+and Mr. Everson went away.
+</p>
+<p>Having done all she could in the matter of
+conciliating Mona and Roger, Patty bethought
+herself of her own little tiff with Philip Van
+Reypen. It did not bother her much, for she
+had little doubt that she could soon cajole him
+back to friendship, and she assured herself that
+if she couldn&#8217;t, she didn&#8217;t care.
+</p>
+<p>And so, when he came to claim his dance,
+which was the last before supper, Patty met
+him with an air of cool politeness, which greatly
+irritated the Van Reypen pride.
+</p>
+<p>He had thought, had even hoped, Patty would
+be humble and repentant, but she showed no
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span>
+such attitude, and the young man was slightly
+at a loss as to what manner to assume, himself.
+</p>
+<p>But he followed her lead, and with punctilious
+courtesy asked her to dance, and they stepped
+out on to the floor.
+</p>
+<p>For a few rounds they danced in silence, and
+then Philip said, in a perfunctory way:
+&#8220;You&#8217;re enjoying this party?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have been, up to this dance,&#8221; and Patty
+smiled pleasantly, as she spoke.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you&#8217;re not enjoying yourself now?&#8221;
+Philip said, suppressing his desire to shake her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, <i>no</i>, sir!&#8221; and Patty looked at him with
+big, round eyes.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why not?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t like to dance with a man who doesn&#8217;t
+like me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I <i>do</i> like you, you silly child.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, you don&#8217;t, either! and I&#8217;m <i>not</i> a silly
+child.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you&#8217;re not enjoying this dance with
+me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not a bit!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then there&#8217;s no use going on with it,&#8221; and
+releasing her, Philip tucked one of her hands
+through his arm, and calmly marched her into
+the conservatory. The seat under the palms
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span>
+was vacant, and as she took her place in one
+corner of it, he poked one or two cushions
+deftly behind her back and made her entirely
+comfortable. Then he sat down beside
+her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now,&#8221; he commanded, &#8220;say you&#8217;re sorry.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sorry for what?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That you carried on with that horrid man
+and spoiled our friendship.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Didn&#8217;t carry on, and he isn&#8217;t a horrid man,
+and our friendship isn&#8217;t spoiled, and I&#8217;m not
+sorry.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not sorry that our friendship isn&#8217;t spoiled?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; &#8217;course I&#8217;m not! You don&#8217;t s&#8217;pose I
+want it to be spoiled, do you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you certainly did all in your power to
+spoil it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, look here, Philip Van Reypen, I&#8217;ve
+already exhausted myself this evening patching
+up one spoiled friendship, and it&#8217;s just about
+worn me out! Now if ours needs any patching
+up, you&#8217;ll have to do it yourself. I shan&#8217;t raise
+a finger toward it!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty leaned back among her pillows, looking
+lovely and provoking. She tried to scowl at
+him, but her dimples broke through the scowl
+and turned it into a smile. Whereupon, she
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span>
+dropped her eyes, and tried to assume a look
+of bored indifference.
+</p>
+<p>Van Reypen looked at her. &#8220;So she won&#8217;t
+raise a finger, won&#8217;t she? And I&#8217;ve got to do
+it myself, have I? Well, then, I suppose I&#8217;ll
+have to raise her finger for her.&#8221; Patty&#8217;s hand
+was lying idly in her lap, and he picked up her
+slender pink forefinger slowly, and with an abstracted
+air. &#8220;I don&#8217;t know how raising a finger
+helps to patch up a spoiled friendship,&#8221; he
+went on, as if to himself, &#8220;but she seems to
+think it does, and so, of course, it does! Well,
+now, mademoiselle, your finger is raised,&mdash;is
+our quarrel all patched up?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Philip held her finger in one hand, and clasped
+her whole hand with the other, as he smiled into
+her eyes, awaiting an answer to his question.
+</p>
+<p>Patty looked up suddenly, and quickly drew
+her hand away.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Unhand me, villain!&#8221; she laughed, &#8220;and
+don&#8217;t bother about our friendship! I&#8217;m not
+worrying over it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You needn&#8217;t, little girl,&#8221; and Philip&#8217;s voice
+rang true. &#8220;Nothing can <i>ever</i> shake it! And
+I apologise for my foolish anger. If you want
+to affect the society of men I don&#8217;t like,&mdash;of
+course I&#8217;ve no right to say a word, and I won&#8217;t.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span>
+At any rate, not now, for I don&#8217;t want to spoil
+this blessed making-up with even a thought of
+anything unpleasant.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, that&#8217;s real nice of you, Philip,&#8221; and
+Patty fairly beamed at him. &#8220;It&#8217;s so nice to
+be friends again, after being near-not-friends!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, milady, and you made up just in time.
+Aunty Van is having an opera party to-morrow
+night, and she wants you to go.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are you going?&#8221; and Patty put her fingertip
+in her mouth, and looked babyishly at
+him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, don&#8217;t let that influence you. Decide for
+yourself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, since <i>you</i> don&#8217;t care whether I go or
+not, I believe I won&#8217;t go.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Foolish child! Of course you&#8217;ll go. And
+then, as you know very well, wild horses
+couldn&#8217;t keep me away.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How do wild horses keep people away?
+They must be trained to do it. And <i>then</i>,
+they&#8217;re not wild horses any more.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What foolishness you do talk! Well, will
+you go to the opera with us?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and thank you kindly, sir. Or, rather,
+I thank your august aunt for the invitation.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;No, thank me. As a matter of fact, I made
+up the party. So it&#8217;s really mine, though I
+accept Aunty Van&#8217;s box for the occasion.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8217;Tis well, fair sir. I thank thee greatly.
+What may I do for thee in return?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty clasped her hands and looked a pretty
+suppliant, begging a favour.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Give me half a dozen more dances,&#8221; replied
+Philip, taking her card to look at.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not one left,&#8221; said Patty, calmly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And most of them halves!&#8221; exclaimed
+Philip. &#8220;What a belle you are, Patty!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All the girls are,&#8221; she returned, carelessly,
+which, however, was not quite true. &#8220;But I&#8217;ll
+tell you what I will do. I&#8217;ll give you half of
+number sixteen. That&#8217;s Mr. Everson&#8217;s, but I&#8217;ll
+divide it. I told him I should.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You little witch! Did you save it for me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;M&mdash;m&mdash;&mdash;,&#8221; and Patty slowly wagged her
+head up and down.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That was dear of you! But don&#8217;t you think
+for a minute that&#8217;s all I&#8217;m going to have!
+There&#8217;ll be an extra or two, and I claim them
+all!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hear the man talk!&#8221; exclaimed Patty.
+&#8220;Why, I do believe they&#8217;re beginning an extra
+now! Mr. Van Reypen, won&#8217;t you dance it
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span>
+with me?&#8221; Patty jumped up and stood before
+him, lightly swaying in time to the music.
+</p>
+<p>Philip sat looking at her, entranced by the
+pretty vision; and even before he could rise,
+Kenneth Harper came to Patty, and obeying a
+sudden coquettish impulse, she put her hand
+lightly on Kenneth&#8217;s shoulder and they danced
+away.
+</p>
+<p>Philip Van Reypen sat looking after them,
+smiling.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What a transparent child she is,&#8221; he thought
+to himself. &#8220;Her pretty little coquetries are
+like the gambols of a kitten. Now, she thinks
+I&#8217;m going to be annoyed at losing this dance
+with her. Well,&mdash;I am,&mdash;but I don&#8217;t propose
+to quarrel with her about it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And then Patty and Kenneth came dancing
+back again; and Patty calmly told Mr. Van
+Reypen it was his turn now.
+</p>
+<p>Philip took her hand and they started off, and
+when that dance was finished it was supper-time.
+</p>
+<p>As usual, Patty and her most especial friends
+grouped in some pleasant corner for supper.
+But, looking about, she missed a familiar face.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where is Christine Farley?&#8221; she said.
+&#8220;She always has supper with us. Do you know
+where she is, Mr. Hepworth?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span></p>
+<p>Gilbert Hepworth drew near Patty, and spoke
+in a low voice: &#8220;I think she has gone to the
+dressing-room,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I wish you&#8217;d go up
+and see her, Patty.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>A little startled at his serious face, Patty ran
+upstairs, to Elise&#8217;s room, where she had taken
+off her wraps.
+</p>
+<p>There was Christine, who had thrown herself
+on a couch, and buried her face in the pillows.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, Christine, what is the matter, dear?&#8221;
+and Patty laid her hand gently on Christine&#8217;s
+hair.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Patty, don&#8217;t speak to me! I am not fit
+to have you touch me!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good gracious, Christine, what <i>do</i> you
+mean?&#8221; and Patty began to think her friend
+had suddenly lost her mind.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m a bad, wicked girl! You were my
+friend, and now I&#8217;ve done an awful, dreadful
+thing! But, truly, <i>truly</i>, Patty, I didn&#8217;t mean
+to!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Christine Farley, stop this foolishness! Sit
+up here this minute, and tell me what you&#8217;re
+talking about! I believe you&#8217;re crazy.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Christine sat up, her pale hair falling from its
+bands, and her eyes full of tears.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve&mdash;I&#8217;ve&mdash;stolen&mdash;&mdash;&#8221; she began.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, you goose! <i>do</i> go on! What have you
+stolen? A pin from Elise&#8217;s pin cushion,&mdash;or
+some powder from her puff-box? Another dab
+on your nose would greatly improve your appearance,&mdash;if
+you ask me! It&#8217;s as red as a
+beet!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty, don&#8217;t giggle! I&#8217;m serious. Oh,
+Patty, <i>Patty</i>, <i>do</i> forgive me!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll forgive you <i>anything</i>, if you&#8217;ll tell me
+what&#8217;s the matter, and convince me that you
+haven&#8217;t lost your mind. Now, Christine, don&#8217;t
+you <i>dare</i> ask me to forgive you again, until you
+tell me <i>what for</i>!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you see, you were away all summer.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, so I was,&#8221; agreed Patty, in bewilderment.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you have been so busy socially this fall
+and winter, I haven&#8217;t seen much of you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; agreed Patty, still more deeply mystified.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And&mdash;and&mdash;Gil&mdash;Mr. Hepworth hasn&#8217;t
+either&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh!&#8221; cried Patty, a great light breaking in
+upon her; &#8220;oh,&mdash;oh!&mdash;OH!! Christine, do you
+<i>mean</i> it? Oh, how perfectly <i>lovely</i>! I&#8217;m <i>so</i>
+glad!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re glad?&#8221; and Christine opened her
+eyes in amazement.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, of <i>course</i> I&#8217;m glad, you silly! Did
+you think <i>I</i> wanted him? Oh, you Blessed
+Goose!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Patty, I&#8217;m <i>so</i> relieved. You see, I
+thought you looked upon him as your especial
+property. I know he cared a lot for you,&mdash;he
+still does. But&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But he and I are about as well suited as chalk
+and cheese! Whereas, he&#8217;s just the one for
+you! Oh, Christine, darling, I&#8217;m delighted!
+May I tell? Can we announce it to-night?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no! You see, he just told me to-night.
+And I felt guilty at once. I knew I had stolen
+him from you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Christine, <i>don&#8217;t</i>! Don&#8217;t say such
+things! He wasn&#8217;t mine to steal. We&#8217;ve always
+been friends, but I never cared for him
+<i>that</i> way.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s what he said; but I felt guilty all
+the same.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, stop it, right now! Mr. Hepworth is
+lovely; he&#8217;s one of the best friends I ever had,
+and if I have any claim on his interest or affection,
+I&#8217;m only too glad to hand it over to you.
+Now, brace up, powder your nose, and come
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span>
+down to supper. And you needn&#8217;t think you
+can keep this thing secret! I won&#8217;t tell,&mdash;but
+your two faces will give it away at once.
+Don&#8217;t blame <i>me</i> if people guess it!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t let them, Patty; not to-night. Keep
+me by you, and right after supper I&#8217;ll go
+home.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, girlie; just as you like. But don&#8217;t
+look at G. H. or you&#8217;ll betray your own dear
+little heart.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>However, they reckoned without the other interested
+party.
+</p>
+<p>When the two girls came downstairs, smiling,
+and with their arms about each other, Mr.
+Hepworth went to meet them, and drew Christine&#8217;s
+arm through his own with an unmistakable
+air of proprietorship. Christine&#8217;s blushes,
+and Patty&#8217;s smiles, confirmed Hepworth&#8217;s attitude,
+and a shout of understanding went up
+from their group of intimates.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, it&#8217;s so,&#8221; said Patty; &#8220;but I promised
+Christine I wouldn&#8217;t tell!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And then there were congratulations and good
+wishes from everybody, and the pretty little
+Southern girl was quite overcome at being so
+suddenly the centre of attraction.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s perfectly lovely,&#8221; said Patty, holding out
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span>
+her hand to Hepworth, &#8220;and I&#8217;m as glad for
+you as I can be,&mdash;and for Christine, too.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you, Patty,&#8221; he returned, and for
+a moment he held her eyes with his own. Then
+he said, &#8220;Thank you,&#8221; again, and turned away.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='VIII_A_DELIGHTFUL_INVITATION' id='VIII_A_DELIGHTFUL_INVITATION'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+<h3>A DELIGHTFUL INVITATION</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Patty was singing softly to herself, as
+she fluttered around her boudoir at a
+rather late hour the next morning.
+Robed in a soft blue silk négligée, with her
+golden curls tucked into a little lace breakfast
+cap, she now paused to take a sip of chocolate
+or a bit of a roll from her breakfast tray, then
+danced over to the window to look out, or back
+to her desk to look up her calendar of engagements
+for the day.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What a flutter-budget you are, Patty,&#8221; said
+Nan, appearing at the doorway, and pausing to
+watch Patty&#8217;s erratic movements.
+</p>
+<p>Patty flew across the room and greeted her
+stepmother with an affectionate squeeze, and
+then flew back and dropped comfortably on the
+couch, tucking one foot under her, and thereby
+dropping off a little blue silk boudoir slipper as
+she did so.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Nan!&#8221; she began, &#8220;it was the most exciting
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span>
+party ever! What <i>do</i> you think?
+Christine and Mr. Hepworth are engaged!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Christine! and Gilbert Hepworth!&#8221; and
+Nan was quite as surprised at the news as Patty
+could desire.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, isn&#8217;t it great! and oh, Nan, what <i>do</i>
+you think? Christine was all broken up,&mdash;crying
+in fact,&mdash;because,&mdash;did you ever know anything
+so ridiculous?&mdash;because she thought she
+was taking him away from me!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Nan looked at Patty a little curiously.
+&#8220;Well; you must know, Patty, he certainly
+thought a great deal of you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course he did! And of course he <i>does!</i>&mdash;You
+speak as if he were dead!&mdash;and I think
+a great deal of him, and I think a heap of Christine,
+and I think they are perfectly suited to
+each other, and I think it&#8217;s all just lovely!
+Don&#8217;t you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; said Nan, slowly. &#8220;Then, you didn&#8217;t
+care for him especially, Patty?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good gracious, Nan, if you mean was I in
+love with him, I sure was <i>not!</i> Little girls like
+me don&#8217;t fall in love with elderly gentlemen;
+and this particular little girl isn&#8217;t falling in love
+anyway. Why, Nan, I&#8217;m only just out, and I
+do perfectly adore being out! I want three or
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span>
+four years of good, solid outness before I even
+think of falling in love with anybody. Of
+course I shall marry eventually, and be a beautiful,
+lovely housekeeper, just exactly like you.
+But, if you remember, my lady, you were some
+few years older than nineteen when you married
+my revered father.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s true enough, Patty, and I can tell you
+I&#8217;m glad I didn&#8217;t accept any of the young men
+who asked me before Fred did.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m jolly glad, too; and father was in luck
+when he got you. But you&#8217;re not going to be
+rid of me yet for a long time, I can tell you
+that much. Well, more things happened last
+night. Philip and I made up our quarrel,&mdash;which
+wasn&#8217;t much of a quarrel anyway,&mdash;and
+Roger and Mona are pretty much at peace
+again; though, if Mona keeps on with that Lansing
+idiot, Roger won&#8217;t stand it much longer.
+And I&#8217;m going to the opera to-night in the Van
+Reypen box, and I&#8217;m going skating to-morrow,&mdash;oh,
+there&#8217;s the mail!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty jumped up and ran to take the letters
+from Jane, who brought in a trayful.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Quite a bunch for you, Nansome,&#8221; and Patty
+tossed a lot of letters in Nan&#8217;s lap. &#8220;And a
+whole lot of beautiful, fat envelopes for me.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span>
+&#8217;Most all invitations, as you can see at a glance.
+Two or three requests for charity,&mdash;they show
+on the outside, too. A few bills, a few circulars
+and advertisements, and all the rest invitations.
+Isn&#8217;t it gorgeous, Nan, to be invited to
+such heaps of things?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t wear yourself out, Patty,&#8221; returned
+Nan, a little absent-mindedly, being absorbed in
+a letter from her mother.
+</p>
+<p>Having weeded out the more interesting looking
+letters, Patty returned to her sofa, and
+curled up there with both feet under her, looking
+like a very pretty and very civilised little
+Turk. With a slender paper cutter she slashed
+all the envelopes, and then went through them
+one by one, making running comments of delight
+or indifference as she read the various contents.
+</p>
+<p>But suddenly a more excited exclamation broke
+from her. &#8220;Oh, my goodness, gracious, sakes
+alive!&#8221; she cried. &#8220;Nan, <i>will</i> you listen to
+this!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wait a minute, honey, till I finish this letter,&#8221;
+and Nan went on reading to herself.
+</p>
+<p>Patty dashed through eight pages of sprawly
+penmanship, and as soon as she finished she read
+it all over again.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Miss Fairfield, what&#8217;s it all about?&#8221;
+and Nan folded her own letter and returned it
+to its envelope.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, in a nutshell, it&#8217;s a Christmas Country
+House Party! Could anything be more delightfuller?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who, where, what, when?&#8221; And Nan patiently
+awaited further enlightenment.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Nan, it&#8217;s <i>too</i> gorgeous!&#8221; And Patty&#8217;s
+eyes ran through the letter again. &#8220;You know
+Adèle Kenerley, who was down at Mona&#8217;s last
+summer,&mdash;well, she and Jim have bought a place
+at Fern Falls,&mdash;wherever that may be,&mdash;somewhere
+up in Connecticut,&mdash;in the Berkshires,
+you know. Heavenly in summer, dunno what
+it&#8217;ll be in winter. But all the same that&#8217;s where
+the house party is, Christmas,&mdash;stay two or
+three weeks,&mdash;all our crowd,&mdash;oh, Nan! isn&#8217;t it
+beatific!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty bounded to her feet, and gathering up
+the sides of her accordion-pleated gown, she
+executed a triumphant dance about the room,
+winding up by kicking her little blue silk slipper
+straight over Nan&#8217;s head.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Moderate your transports, my love,&#8221; Nan
+said, calmly. &#8220;I don&#8217;t want concussion of the
+brain, from being hit by a French heel.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Not much of a compliment to my skilful
+ballet dancing,&#8221; and Patty flung herself into the
+cushions again. &#8220;But, Nan, you don&#8217;t understand;
+everybody&#8217;s going! Elise and Mona and
+the boys, and oh, gracious, <i>do</i> show some enthusiasm!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t have to,&#8221; said Nan, smiling, &#8220;when
+you show enough for a dozen.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;ll call up Mona, she&#8217;ll have something
+to say.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty reached for the telephone, and in a few
+moments both girls were talking at once, and
+the conversation ran something like this:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I did, and, Patty&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course I am! Oh, I don&#8217;t know about
+that! If I&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But of course if Daisy is there&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, we can&#8217;t help that, and anyway&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Tuesday, I suppose; but Adèle said&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Monday, Mona, for us, and the
+boys&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not sure that I&#8217;ll go. You see&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, stop such nonsense! Of course he
+isn&#8217;t invited, but I&#8217;ll never speak to you again
+if&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, of course I will, but I&#8217;ll only stay&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, all our best frocks, and lots of presents
+and, oh, Mona, come on over here, do.
+There&#8217;s oceans of things to talk about!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, I will. Good-bye.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good-bye.&#8221; And Patty hung up the receiver.
+&#8220;She&#8217;s coming over here, Nan; there&#8217;s
+so much to plan for, you know. Do help me,
+won&#8217;t you? A regular Christmas tree, and all
+that, you know; and presents for everybody,
+and a dance at the country club, and I don&#8217;t
+know what all.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, you will have a lovely time.&#8221; And Nan
+smiled with sympathy at the excited girl, whose
+sparkling eyes and tumbled hair betokened her
+state of mind.
+</p>
+<p>Mona came over and spent the rest of the
+day, and plans were made and unmade and remade
+with startling rapidity.
+</p>
+<p>Mona began to voice regrets that Mr. Lansing
+was not invited to the house party, but Patty
+interrupted at once:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Mona Galbraith, you stop that!
+Adèle has a lovely party made up, and you&#8217;re
+not going to spoil it by even so much as a reference
+to that man! Roger will be there for
+Christmas, and if that isn&#8217;t enough for you,
+you can stay home!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Isn&#8217;t Elise going?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, she can&#8217;t. She&#8217;s going South next week
+with her mother, and I doubt if Philip Van Reypen
+will go. His aunt won&#8217;t want him to leave
+her at the holidays. Do you know, I&#8217;m a little
+sorry Daisy Dow is up there.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t like her, do you, Patty?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I would, if she&#8217;d like me. But she&#8217;s always
+snippy to me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8217;Cause she&#8217;s jealous of you,&#8221; observed
+Mona, sapiently.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense! She has no reason to be. I
+never interfere with her.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, never mind, don&#8217;t let her bother you.
+Hal Ferris will be there. You don&#8217;t know him,
+do you? He&#8217;s Adèle&#8217;s brother.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, I never met him. She wrote that he&#8217;d
+be there.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s the dearest boy. Well, he&#8217;s older than
+Adèle, but he seems like a boy,&mdash;he&#8217;s so full of
+capers. Adèle says it&#8217;s a beautiful big house,
+just right for a jolly, old-fashioned Christmas
+party.&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='tb' />
+
+<p>The days simply flew by as Christmas drew
+nearer. There was so much to do socially, and
+then there were the Happy Saturday Afternoons
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span>
+to be planned and carried out, and the
+Christmas shopping to be done.
+</p>
+<p>This last was greatly added to because of the
+house party, for Patty knew the generosity of
+her hosts, and she wanted to do her share in the
+presentation festivities.
+</p>
+<p>She undertook to dress a huge doll for baby
+May. Nan helped her with this or she never
+could have finished the elaborate wardrobe.
+She selected a beautiful doll, of goodly size, but
+not big enough to be cumbersome to little two-year-old
+arms. With her knack for dressmaking
+and her taste for colour, she made half a
+dozen dainty and beautiful frocks, and also little
+coats and hats, and all the various accessories of
+a doll&#8217;s outfit.
+</p>
+<p>She bought a doll&#8217;s trunk and suit-case to contain
+these things, and added parasol, furs, jewelry,
+and all the marvellous little trinkets that
+the toy shop afforded.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I spent so much time and thought on this
+doll,&#8221; said Patty, one day, &#8220;that I shall have
+to buy things for the others. I can&#8217;t sew any
+more, Nan; my fingers are all like nutmeg graters
+now.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Poor child,&#8221; sympathised Nan. &#8220;You have
+worked hard, I know, but Adèle will appreciate
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span>
+it more than if you had made something
+for herself. By all means buy the rest of your
+gifts.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>So Patty bought a beautiful luncheon set of
+filet lace and embroidery for Mrs. Kenerley,
+and an Oriental antique paper cutter for her
+husband.
+</p>
+<p>She bought a handsome opera bag for Mona
+and a similar one for Daisy Dow, that there
+might be no rivalry there. She bought a few
+handsome and worth-while books for the men
+who would be at the party, and attractive trinkets
+for the house servants.
+</p>
+<p>Of course, in addition to these, she had to prepare
+a great many gifts for her New York
+friends, as well as for her own family and many
+of her relatives. But both Patty and Nan enjoyed
+shopping, and went about it with method
+and common sense.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t see,&#8221; said Patty, as they started off
+in the car one morning, &#8220;why people make such
+a bugbear of Christmas shopping. I think it&#8217;s
+easy enough.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps it&#8217;s because you have plenty of
+money, Patty. You know, not every one has
+such a liberal father as you have.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span></p>
+<p>Patty looked thoughtful. &#8220;I don&#8217;t think
+it&#8217;s that, Nan; at least, not entirely. I think it&#8217;s
+more common sense, and not being fussy.
+Now, I give lots of presents that cost very little;
+and then, of course, I give a lot of expensive
+ones, too. But it&#8217;s just as easy to buy the cheap
+ones, if not easier. You just make up your
+mind what you want to spend for a certain present,
+and then you buy the nicest thing you see
+for that amount. It&#8217;s when people fuss and
+bother, and can&#8217;t make up their minds among
+half a dozen different things, that they get worried
+and bothered about Christmas. I do believe
+most of their trouble comes from lack of
+decision, which is only another way of saying
+that they haven&#8217;t common sense or even common
+gumption!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, Patty, whatever else you may lack,
+you certainly have common sense and gumption;
+I&#8217;ll give you credit for them.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you, Nan; much obliged, I&#8217;m sure. I
+wish I could return the compliment, but sometimes
+I think you haven&#8217;t much of those things
+yourself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Nan flashed a smile at Patty, entirely unmoved
+by this criticism; for she knew that she was
+vacillating and sometimes undecided, as compared
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span>
+to Patty&#8217;s quick-witted grasp of a subject
+and instantaneous decision.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have I told you,&#8221; said Patty, &#8220;what we&#8217;re
+going to do next Saturday afternoon? I do
+think it&#8217;s going to be lovely. And I do hope
+it won&#8217;t make the girls mad, but I don&#8217;t think
+it will. You know, Nan, what an awful lot of
+things we all get every Christmas that we don&#8217;t
+want and can&#8217;t use, although they&#8217;re awfully
+pretty and nice. We just lay them away in cupboards,
+and there they stay. Well, on Saturday,
+we&#8217;re going to take a lot of these things
+and give them to people.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;For Christmas presents? Why, Christmas
+is two weeks off yet.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just it! Not for presents to themselves,
+but presents for them to give to other
+people.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I begin to see.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; it isn&#8217;t the least bit <i>charity</i>, you see.
+Why, one of the people I&#8217;m going to give things
+to, is Christine. With her work, and being
+engaged and all, she hasn&#8217;t any time to make
+things, or even to go shopping, and she can&#8217;t
+afford to buy much, anyway. So I&#8217;m going to
+give her one or two beautiful silk bags that
+were given to me two or three years ago.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span>
+They&#8217;re perfectly fresh, never been out of their
+boxes. And I&#8217;m going to give her one or two
+beautiful, fine handkerchiefs in boxes, and two
+or three lovely books, and two or three pieces
+of bric-a-brac, and a Japanese ivory carving.
+Don&#8217;t you see, Nan, she can give these to her
+friends for Christmas, and it will save her a lot
+of trouble and expense. And dear knows, <i>I</i>
+don&#8217;t want them! My rooms are chock-a-block
+with just such things, now. And I know she
+won&#8217;t feel offended, when I tell her about it
+straightforwardly.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course she won&#8217;t be offended with you,
+Patty; and I think the idea is lovely. I&#8217;ve a lot
+of things put away I&#8217;ll give you. I never
+thought of such a thing before.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The girls thought at first that maybe it might
+not work, but I talked them around and now
+they&#8217;re all in for it. I&#8217;m going to take some
+things to Mrs. Greene. I&#8217;ve quite a lot for her,
+and I&#8217;ll tell her she can give them all away, or
+keep some herself, just as she likes. And I&#8217;ve
+things for Rosy, that freckled-faced boy, you
+know. I have games and picture-puzzles and
+books that I used to have myself. Of course
+they&#8217;re all perfectly new. I wouldn&#8217;t give anything
+that had been used at all. And we&#8217;re
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span>
+going Saturday afternoon to take these things
+around. Mona has lovely things, and so has
+Elise. You see, we get so many Christmas and
+birthday presents, and card party prizes, and
+such things, and I do think it&#8217;s sensible to make
+use of them for somebody&#8217;s pleasure instead of
+sticking them away in dark cupboards. And,
+Nan, what do you think?&mdash;with each lot of
+things we&#8217;re going to give a dozen sheets of
+white tissue paper and a bolt of holly ribbon
+and some little tags so they can fix up real
+Christmassy presents to give away.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty, you&#8217;re a wonder,&#8221; said Nan, looking
+affectionately at the girl beside her. &#8220;How
+do you think of all these things?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Common sense and general gumption,&#8221; returned
+Patty. &#8220;Very useful traits, <i>I</i> find
+&#8217;em. And here we are at our first shopping
+place.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Assisted by Patty&#8217;s common sense and expeditious
+judgment, they accomplished a great
+deal that morning, and returned home with their
+lists considerably shortened.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It does seem funny,&#8221; said Patty, that same
+afternoon, &#8220;to be tying up these things almost
+two weeks ahead of time. But with all the
+newspapers and magazines urging you to do
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span>
+your shopping early, and send off your parcels
+early, you can&#8217;t really do otherwise.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty was surrounded by presents of all sorts,
+boxes of all sizes, pieces of ribbon, and all sorts
+of cards and tags.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sick and tired of holly ribbon and red
+ribbon,&#8221; she said, as she deftly tied up her
+parcels. &#8220;So, this year, I&#8217;m using white satin
+ribbon and gilt cord. It&#8217;s an awfully pretty
+combination, and these little green and gilt tags
+are lovely, don&#8217;t you think?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Her audience, which consisted of Elise and
+Mona, were watching her work with admiration.
+They had offered to help, but after an
+ineffectual attempt to meet Patty&#8217;s idea of how
+a box should be tied up, they abandoned the
+effort, and sat watching her nimble fingers fly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You ought to get a position in some shop
+where they advertise, &#8216;only experienced parcel
+wrappers need apply,&#8217;&#8221; said Elise. &#8220;I never
+saw such neat parcels.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re evidently going to be an old maid,&#8221;
+said Mona, &#8220;you&#8217;re so fussy and tidy.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I do like things tidy,&#8221; admitted Patty, &#8220;and
+if that interferes with my having a husband,
+why, of course I&#8217;ll have to give him up. For I
+can&#8217;t stand not having things neat about me.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you call this room neat?&#8221; asked Elise,
+smiling as she looked about at the scattered
+boxes and papers, cut strings, and little piles of
+shredded tissue.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I do,&#8221; declared Patty, stoutly. &#8220;This
+kind of stuff can be picked up in a jiffy, and
+then the room is all in order. This is temporary,
+you see. By untidiness, I mean dirt and
+dust, and bureau drawers in a mess, and desks
+in disorder.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s me,&#8221; confessed Mona, cheerfully.
+&#8220;Not the dirt and dust, perhaps,&mdash;the maids
+look after that. But I just <i>can&#8217;t</i> keep my belongings
+in their places.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Neither can I,&#8221; said Elise. &#8220;I don&#8217;t see
+how you do it, Patty.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, pshaw! it&#8217;s no credit to me, I just can&#8217;t
+help it. I&#8217;d have a fit if they weren&#8217;t all nice
+and in order. And if that means I&#8217;m going to
+be an old maid, I can&#8217;t help it,&mdash;and I don&#8217;t
+care!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hoo-hoo!&#8221; said Elise.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='IX_FERN_FALLS' id='IX_FERN_FALLS'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+<h3>FERN FALLS</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Christmas would be on Wednesday,
+and it was arranged that Patty and
+Mona should go up to Fern Falls on
+Monday. Roger and Philip Van Reypen were
+to go up on Tuesday for the Christmas Eve
+celebration; and the rest of the house-party were
+already at the Kenerleys&#8217;.
+</p>
+<p>The girls started off early in the afternoon,
+and a train ride of three hours brought them
+to the pretty little New England village of
+Fern Falls.
+</p>
+<p>Jim Kenerley met them with a motor.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We hoped for snow,&#8221; he said, as he cordially
+greeted the befurred young women who stepped
+off the train at the little station. &#8220;So much
+more Christmassy, you know. But, at any rate,
+we have cold, clear weather, and that&#8217;s something.
+Hop in, now. Adèle didn&#8217;t come to
+meet you,&mdash;sent all kinds of excuses, which I&#8217;ve
+forgotten, but she can tell you herself, when we
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span>
+reach the house. Here, I&#8217;ll sit between you,
+and keep you from shaking around and perhaps
+spilling out.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Cheery Jim Kenerley bustled them into the
+tonneau, looked after their luggage, and then,
+taking his own place, drew up the fur robes
+snugly, and the chauffeur started off. It was
+a four-mile spin to the house, for the village
+itself was distant from the station, and the
+Kenerleys&#8217; house a mile or so beyond.
+</p>
+<p>It was cold, but the girls were warmly wrapped
+up and didn&#8217;t a bit mind the clear, frosty air,
+though in an open car. &#8220;Didn&#8217;t bring the
+limousine,&#8221; Mr. Kenerley rattled on. &#8220;Can&#8217;t
+abide to be shut up in a stuffy glass house, and
+then, you know, people who ride in glass houses
+mustn&#8217;t throw stones.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, you see, we girls couldn&#8217;t hit anything
+if we did throw a stone,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;At
+least, women have that reputation.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s so,&#8221; agreed Jim. &#8220;Can&#8217;t even hit
+the side of a barn, so they say. But I expect
+you girls that grow up with athletics and basket
+ball, and such things, put the old proverbs to
+rout.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How&#8217;s Daisy?&#8221; asked Mona. &#8220;Same as
+ever?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Yep; same as ever. Daisy&#8217;s all right,
+you know, if things go her way. But if
+not&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If not, she makes them go her way,&#8221; said
+Mona, and Jim laughed and agreed, &#8220;She sure
+does!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>At last they reached the house, which Jim informed
+them they had dubbed the Kenerley
+Kennel, for no particular reason, except that it
+sounded well.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you have dogs?&#8221; asked Patty, as they
+rolled up the driveway.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, but we didn&#8217;t exactly name it after them.
+Hello, here are the girls!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Adèle and Daisy appeared in the doorway,
+and greeted the visitors in truly feminine fashion,
+which included much laughter and exclamation.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where do I come in?&#8221; said a laughing voice,
+and a big, laughing man left his seat by the
+fireplace and came toward them.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is my brother,&#8221; said Adèle, &#8220;by name,
+Mr. Harold Ferris,&mdash;but commonly called
+Chub.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The name was not inapt, for Mr. Ferris
+showed a round, chubby face, with big, dancing
+black eyes and ringlets of dark hair clustered on
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span>
+his brow. Only his enormous size prevented
+his appearance being positively infantile, and his
+round, dimpled face was as good-natured as that
+of a laughing baby.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And so you&#8217;re the two girls who are to spend
+Christmas with us,&#8221; he said, beaming down on
+them from his great height. &#8220;Well, you&#8217;ll
+do!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He looked approvingly from Patty&#8217;s flower
+face to Mona&#8217;s glowing beauty, and truly it
+would have been hard to find two more attractive
+looking girls. The sudden transition from
+the cold out-of-doors to the warmth of the blazing
+fire had flushed their cheeks and brightened
+their eyes, and the hearty welcome they received
+brought smiles of delight to their faces.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, come away with me,&#8221; said Adèle, &#8220;and
+get off your furs and wraps, and make yourselves
+pretty for tea.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I know what you&#8217;ll do,&#8221; said Chub, in
+an aggrieved tone. &#8220;You&#8217;ll just go upstairs
+and hob-nob and talk and gossip and chatter and
+babble, and never get down here again! I
+know girls! Why, first thing I know, you&#8217;ll be
+having your tea sent up there!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Great idea!&#8221; exclaimed Patty, twinkling her
+eyes at him. &#8220;Let&#8217;s do that, Adèle; kimono
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span>
+party, you know. We&#8217;ll see you at dinner time,
+Mr. Ferris.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dinner time, nothing! If you&#8217;re not back
+here in fifteen minutes, the whole crowd of you,
+I&#8217;ll&mdash;I&#8217;ll&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, what will you do?&#8221; laughed Mona.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never you mind,&mdash;you&#8217;ll find out all too
+soon. Now, skip, and remember, tea will be
+served in just fifteen minutes.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The girls had really no intention of not returning,
+and it was not much more than the allotted
+time before Patty and Mona were arrayed in
+soft, pretty house-dresses and reappeared in the
+great hall, where tea was already being placed
+for them.
+</p>
+<p>The big fireplace had cosy seats on either side,
+and the crackling logs and flickering blaze made
+all the light that was needed save for a pair of
+tall cathedral candles in their antique standards.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What a duck of a house!&#8221; exclaimed Patty,
+as she came down the broad staircase, her soft,
+rose-coloured chiffon gown shimmering in the
+firelight. She cuddled up in a corner near the
+fire, and Hal Ferris brought a cushion to put behind
+her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It ought to be a rose-coloured one,&#8221; he said,
+apologetically; &#8220;but I didn&#8217;t see one handy to
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span>
+grab, and really this old blue isn&#8217;t half bad for
+a background.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Much obliged for your kind colour-scheme,&#8221;
+said Patty, smiling at him, &#8220;and I&#8217;ll have one
+lump, please, and a bit of lemon.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Big Mr. Ferris proved himself tactful as well
+as kind, for he divided his attentions impartially
+among the four ladies.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A little shy of men; aren&#8217;t we, Adèle?&#8221; he
+said to his sister. &#8220;Even Jim seems to have
+disappeared. Not that I mind being the only
+pebble on the beach,&mdash;far from it,&mdash;but I&#8217;m
+afraid I can&#8217;t prove entertaining enough for
+four.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re doing nobly so far,&#8221; said Patty, cuddling
+into her cushion, for she loved luxurious
+warmth, like a kitten.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Two more men are coming to dinner, girls,&#8221;
+said their hostess; &#8220;and to-morrow, you know,
+we&#8217;ll have two more house-party guests. Don&#8217;t
+worry, Chub, you shan&#8217;t be overworked, I
+promise you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>After a pleasant tea hour, the girls went again
+to their rooms, ostensibly to rest before dinner,
+but really to have what Patty called a kimono
+party.
+</p>
+<p>All in their pretty négligées, they gathered in
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span>
+Adèle&#8217;s room and talked as rapidly and interruptingly
+as any four girls can.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you hear from Bill Farnsworth often?&#8221;
+asked Daisy of Patty, <i>apropos</i> of nothing but
+her own curiosity.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not often, Daisy,&#8221; returned Patty, of no
+mind to pursue the subject.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But don&#8217;t you ever hear from him?&#8221; persisted
+the other.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, sometimes,&#8221; said Patty, carelessly.
+&#8220;He sent me flowers for my coming-out party.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hear from Bill sometimes,&#8221; said Adèle.
+&#8220;I asked him to come to this party, but he
+couldn&#8217;t possibly leave just now. He&#8217;s awfully
+busy.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s he doing?&#8221; asked Mona.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know exactly,&#8221; answered Adèle.
+&#8220;Jim can tell you, but it has something to do
+with prospecting of mines. Say, girls, do you
+want to see the baby before she&#8217;s put to bed?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Of course they did, and they all trooped into
+the nursery to admire the tiny mite of humanity,
+who looked a picture, with her tumbled curls
+and her laughing face, just ready for bed.
+</p>
+<p>She remembered Patty and Mona, and greeted
+them without shyness, clinging to Patty&#8217;s neck
+and begging her to stay and sing her to sleep.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span></p>
+<p>This Patty would have done, but Adèle
+wouldn&#8217;t allow it, and ordered the girls back to
+their rooms to dress for dinner.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Eight o&#8217;clock sharp,&#8221; she warned them, &#8220;and
+don&#8217;t put on your prettiest gowns; save those
+for to-morrow night.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty wandered around her room, singing
+softly, as she dressed. Looking over her dinner
+gowns, she decided upon her second best, a
+white marquisette with a garniture of pearl
+beads and knots of pale blue velvet. When the
+maid came to assist her she was nearly dressed,
+and ten minutes before the dinner hour she was
+quite ready to go downstairs. &#8220;I may as well
+go on down,&#8221; she thought to herself. &#8220;I can
+explore the house a little.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>She looked in at Mona&#8217;s door as she passed,
+but as that young woman was just having her
+gown put over her head, she didn&#8217;t see Patty,
+and so Patty went on downstairs.
+</p>
+<p>There was no one about, so she strolled
+through the various rooms, admiring the big,
+pleasant living-room, the cosy library, and then
+drifted back to the great hall, which was very
+large, even for a modern country house. It
+was wainscoted in dark wood, and contained
+many antique bits of furniture and some fine
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span>
+specimens of old armour and other curios. Jim
+Kenerley&#8217;s father had been rather a noted collector,
+and had left his treasures to his only son.
+They had chosen this house as being roomy and
+well-fitted for their belongings.
+</p>
+<p>Patty came back to the great fireplace, and
+stood there, leaning her golden head against one
+of the massive uprights.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Adèle told me you were a peach,&#8221; exclaimed
+a laughing voice, &#8220;but she didn&#8217;t half tell me
+how much of a one you are!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty turned her head slowly, and looked at
+Mr. Hal Ferris.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I thought you were a mannerly boy!&#8221;
+she said, in a tone of grave reproach.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I beg your pardon,&#8221; he exclaimed. &#8220;I do
+indeed! I&#8217;m almost a stranger to you, I know;
+I ought to have waited until I know you better
+to say anything of that sort to you! May I
+take it back, and then say it to you again after
+I do know you better?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty couldn&#8217;t help smiling at his mock
+dismay.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And how well shall I have to know you,&#8221;
+he went on, &#8220;before I can say it to you properly?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t answer that question at once,&#8221; said
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span>
+Patty. &#8220;We&#8217;ll have to let our acquaintance
+proceed, and see&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And see how the cat jumps,&#8221; he suggested.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; agreed Patty. &#8220;And, by the way,
+what a jumper that cat must be.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Small wonder, with everybody waiting to see
+how she jumps! Oh, pshaw! here comes a
+horde of people, and our pleasant tête-à-tête is
+spoiled!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind; we&#8217;ll have another some time,&#8221;
+and Patty gave him a dimpled smile that quite
+completed the undoing of Mr. Harold Ferris.
+</p>
+<p>The &#8220;horde&#8221; proved to be two young men
+from nearby country houses, Mr. Collins and
+Mr. Hoyt. And then the other members of the
+household appeared, and soon dinner was announced.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We haven&#8217;t any especial guest of honour,&#8221;
+said Mrs. Kenerley, &#8220;for you&#8217;re all so very
+honourable. So pair off just as you like.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Hal Ferris jumped a low chair and two footstools
+to reach Patty before any one else could.
+&#8220;Come in with me,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I know the
+way to the dining-room.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m glad to be shown,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;You
+see, I&#8217;ve never been here before.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know it; that&#8217;s why I&#8217;m being so kind to
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span>
+you. To-morrow I&#8217;ll take you up in the tower&mdash;it&#8217;s
+great.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, is this place a castle?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not exactly, but it&#8217;s modelled after an old
+château. Really, it&#8217;s a most interesting house.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right. To-morrow we&#8217;ll explore it
+thoroughly.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And then they took their seats at the table, and
+as the party was small, conversation became general.
+</p>
+<p>Suddenly Patty became aware that Mr. Collins,
+who sat on the other side of her, was trying
+to attract her attention. He was a mild-mannered
+young man, and he looked at her
+reproachfully.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve asked you a question three times, Miss
+Fairfield,&#8221; he said, &#8220;and you never even
+heard it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then you certainly can&#8217;t expect me to answer
+it, Mr. Collins,&#8221; and Patty laughed gaily.
+&#8220;Won&#8217;t you repeat it for me, please? I&#8217;ll
+promise to hear it this time.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I said, did you ever make a lemon pig?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A lemon pig! No, I never did. How do
+you make it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, they&#8217;re the maddest fun! I say, Mrs.
+Kenerley, mayn&#8217;t we have a lemon?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly, Mr. Collins.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And, oh, I say, Mrs. Kenerley, if it isn&#8217;t
+too much trouble, mayn&#8217;t we have a box of
+matches, and two black pins, and a bit of
+paper?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And a colander and a tack hammer and a bar
+of soap?&#8221; asked Ferris, but Mr. Collins said,
+gravely: &#8220;No, we don&#8217;t want those.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The articles he had asked for were soon provided,
+and in the slow, grave way in which he
+did everything, Mr. Collins began to make the
+strange animal of which he had spoken. The
+lemon formed the whole pig, with four matches
+for his legs, two black pins for his eyes, and a
+narrow strip of paper, first curled round a
+match, for his tail. It was neither artistic nor
+realistic, but it was an exceedingly comical pig,
+and soon it began to squeak in an astonishingly
+pig-like voice. Then a tap at the window was
+heard, and a farmer&#8217;s gruff voice shouted:
+&#8220;Have you my pig in there? My little Lemmy
+pig?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; responded Mr. Collins, &#8220;we have; and
+we mean to keep him, too.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll have the law of ye,&#8221; shouted the farmer.
+&#8220;Me pig escaped from the sty, and I call upon
+ye to give him up!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;We won&#8217;t do it!&#8221; shouted several of the
+men in chorus.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then, kape him!&#8221; returned the voice of the
+farmer, and they heard his heavy tramp as he
+strode away.
+</p>
+<p>Patty looked puzzled. She couldn&#8217;t understand
+what it all meant, until Hal Ferris whispered,
+&#8220;It was only Collins; he&#8217;s a ventriloquist.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh,&#8221; said Patty, turning to Mr. Collins, delightedly,
+&#8220;was it really you? Oh, how do you
+do it? I&#8217;ve always wanted to hear a ventriloquist,
+and I never did before.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes, you did!&#8221; said a voice from the
+other end of the table, and Patty looked up, saying
+earnestly, &#8220;No, I didn&#8217;t!&#8221; when she realised
+that the accusation had really come from
+Mr. Collins.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, what fun!&#8221; she cried, clapping her
+hands. &#8220;Do some more!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d rather he wouldn&#8217;t,&#8221; said Adèle, and
+Patty looked at her in surprise. &#8220;Why not,
+Adèle?&#8221; she asked.
+</p>
+<p>Everybody laughed, and Adèle said: &#8220;You&#8217;re
+too easily fooled, Patty. That was Mr. Collins
+speaking like me. He knows my voice so
+well he can imitate it.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;d better stop it!&#8221; came in a deep growl
+from Jim Kenerley&#8217;s end of the table, and Patty
+was surprised at such a speech from her urbane
+host. Then she realised that that, too, was Mr.
+Collins speaking.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I just love it!&#8221; she exclaimed. &#8220;I&#8217;ve always
+wanted to know how to do it. Won&#8217;t you
+teach me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You couldn&#8217;t learn,&#8221; said Mr. Collins, smiling
+at her.
+</p>
+<p>And then Patty <i>heard herself</i> say: &#8220;I could
+so! I think you&#8217;re real mean!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Her bewildered look changed to admiration at
+his wonderful imitation of her voice, and the
+natural, petulant tone of the remark.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s too wonderful!&#8221; she said. &#8220;Some
+other time, Mr. Collins, after dinner, maybe,
+will you teach me just a little about it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll try,&#8221; he said, kindly; &#8220;but I warn you,
+Miss Fairfield, it isn&#8217;t easy to learn, unless one
+has a natural gift for it, and a peculiar throat
+formation.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t teach her,&#8221; begged Daisy Dow.
+&#8220;She&#8217;ll be keeping us awake all night with her
+practising.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was like Daisy to say something unpleasant;
+but Patty only smiled at her, and said, &#8220;I&#8217;ll
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span>
+practise being an angel, and sing you to sleep,
+Daisy.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You sing like an angel without any practice,&#8221;
+said Mona, who was always irritated when
+Daisy was what Patty called snippy.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, do you sing, Miss Fairfield?&#8221; said Mr.
+Hoyt, from across the table. &#8220;You must join
+our Christmas choir, then. We&#8217;re going to
+have a glorious old carolling time to-morrow
+night.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll be glad to,&#8221; replied Patty, &#8220;if I know
+your music.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But after dinner, when they tried some of
+the music, they discovered that Patty could sing
+readily at sight, and she was gladly welcomed
+to the musical circle of Fern Falls.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How long are you staying here?&#8221; asked Mr.
+Hoyt.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A month, at least,&#8221; Adèle answered for
+Patty.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, not so long as that,&#8221; Patty protested.
+&#8220;A fortnight, at most.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But Adèle only smiled, and said, &#8220;We&#8217;ll see
+about that, my dear.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>After a time, Hal Ferris came to Patty, and
+tried to draw her away from the group around
+the piano.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re neglecting me shamefully,&#8221; he said;
+&#8220;and I&#8217;m the brother of your hostess! Guests
+should always be especially kind to the Brother
+of a Hostess.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What can I do for you?&#8221; asked Patty, smiling,
+as she walked out to the hall with him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Quit talking to the other people, and devote
+yourself to me,&#8221; was the prompt response.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do all your sister&#8217;s guests do that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t want &#8217;em all to; I only want you to.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And what about <i>my</i> wants?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; <i>what</i> about them? You want to talk
+to me, <i>don&#8217;t</i> you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>His tone and smile were so roguishly eager
+that Patty felt a strong liking for this big, boyish
+chap.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll talk for ten minutes,&#8221; she said, &#8220;and then
+we&#8217;re going to dance, I believe.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, and then they&#8217;ll all be after you! I
+say,&#8221; and he drew her toward a window, from
+where the moonlight could be plainly seen,
+&#8220;Let&#8217;s go out and skate. The ice is fine!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Skate! You must be crazy!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; I supposed you&#8217;d say so! But to-morrow
+more people are coming, and I&#8217;ll never
+see anything of you. Say, how about this?
+Are you game to get up and go for an early
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span>
+morning skate, just with me, and not let anybody
+else know?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d like that!&#8221; and Patty&#8217;s eyes sparkled,
+for she dearly loved early morning fresh air.
+&#8220;Of course, we&#8217;ll tell Adèle.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; so she&#8217;ll have some breakfast made for
+us. But nobody else. How about eight
+o&#8217;clock? Regular breakfast will be at nine-thirty.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good! I&#8217;ll be ready at eight.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Meet me in the breakfast-room at eight,
+then. Do you know where it is? Just off the
+big dining-room.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What are you two hob-nobbing about?&#8221;
+asked Daisy, curiously, as she strolled over
+toward them.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m just telling Miss Fairfield about the plan
+of the house,&#8221; said Ferris, innocently. &#8220;It&#8217;s
+well planned, isn&#8217;t it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Very,&#8221; said Patty.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='X_CHRISTMAS_EVE' id='X_CHRISTMAS_EVE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER X</h2>
+<h3>CHRISTMAS EVE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>As Patty stepped out of her room into the
+hall the next morning, at eight o&#8217;clock,
+she found Hal Ferris already tiptoeing
+down the stairs. He put his finger to his lip
+with a great show of secrecy, which made Patty
+laugh.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why must we be so careful?&#8221; she whispered.
+&#8220;We&#8217;re not doing anything wrong.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; but it&#8217;s so much more fun to pretend we
+are. Let&#8217;s pretend we&#8217;re on a mysterious mission,
+and if we are discovered we&#8217;re lost!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>So they crept downstairs silently, and reached
+the breakfast-room, without seeing any one except
+one or two of the maids, who were dusting
+about.
+</p>
+<p>Patty had on a trim, short skirt of white cloth
+and a blouse of soft white silk. Over this she
+wore a scarlet coat, and her golden curls were
+tucked into a little scarlet skating cap with a
+saucy, wagging tassel.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span></p>
+<p>But in the warm, cheery breakfast-room she
+threw off her coat and sat down at the
+table.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t intend to eat anything,&#8221; she said;
+&#8220;but the coffee smells so good, I think I&#8217;ll have
+a cup of it, with a roll.&#8221; She smiled at the
+waitress, who stood ready to attend to her
+wishes, and Hal took a seat beside her, saying
+he would have some coffee also.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We won&#8217;t eat our breakfast now, you know,&#8221;
+he went on; &#8220;but we&#8217;ll come back with raging
+appetites and eat anything we can find. I say,
+this is jolly cosy, having coffee here together
+like this! I s&#8217;pose you won&#8217;t come down every
+morning?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, indeed,&#8221; and Patty laughed. &#8220;I don&#8217;t
+mind admitting I hate to get up early. I usually
+breakfast in my room and dawdle around until
+all hours.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just like a girl!&#8221; said Hal, sniffing a little.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I <i>am</i> a girl,&#8221; retorted Patty.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You sure are! <i>Some</i> girl, I should say!
+Well, now, Girl, if you&#8217;re ready, let&#8217;s start.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He held Patty&#8217;s scarlet coat for her while she
+slipped in her arms.
+</p>
+<p>Then he disappeared for a moment, and returned
+wearing a dark red sweater, which was
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span>
+very becoming to his athletic figure and broad
+shoulders.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on, Girl,&#8221; he said, gathering up their
+skates, and off they started.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s nearly half a mile to the lake. Are you
+good for that much walk?&#8221; Ferris asked, as they
+swung along at a brisk pace.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes, indeed, I like to walk; and I like to
+skate, but I like best of all to dance.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I should think you would,&mdash;you&#8217;re a ripping
+dancer. You know, to-night we&#8217;ll have &#8216;Sir
+Roger de Coverley&#8217; and old-fashioned dances
+like that. You like them?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, for a change; but I like the new ones
+best. Are we going to have any dressing up
+to-night? I do love dressing up.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Glad rags, do you mean?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; I mean fancy costumes.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, that. Well, old Jim&#8217;s going to be Santa
+Claus. I don&#8217;t think anybody else will wear
+uncivilised clothes.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I want to. Can&#8217;t you and I rig up in
+something, just for fun?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I say! that would be fun. What
+can we be? Romeo and Juliet, or Jack and
+Jill?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, nothing like that. Something more
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span>
+like Christmas, you know. Well, I&#8217;ll think it
+over through the day, and we&#8217;ll fix it up.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Skating on the lake so early in the morning
+proved to be glorious exercise. The ice was
+perfect, and the crisp, clear air filled them with
+exhilaration.
+</p>
+<p>Both were good skaters, and though they did
+not attempt fancy figures, they spent nearly an
+hour skating around the lake.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the best skate I ever had!&#8221; declared
+Hal, when they concluded to return home.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It certainly was fine,&#8221; declared Patty, &#8220;and
+by the time we&#8217;ve walked back to the house, I
+shall be quite ready for some eggs and bacon.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And toast and marmalade,&#8221; supplemented
+Ferris.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder if Daisy will be down. Does she
+come down to breakfast usually?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sometimes and sometimes not,&#8221; answered
+Ferris, carelessly. &#8220;She&#8217;s a law unto herself,
+is Daisy Dow.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ve known her a long time, haven&#8217;t
+you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just about all our lives. Used to go to
+school together, and we were always scrapping.
+Daisy&#8217;s a nice girl, and a pretty girl, but she
+sure has got a temper.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;And a good thing to have sometimes. I
+often wish I had more.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense! you&#8217;re perfect just as you are.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, what a pretty speech! If you&#8217;re going
+to talk like that, I shall take the longest way
+home.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d willingly agree to that, but I don&#8217;t believe
+you&#8217;re in need of further exercise just now.
+Come, own up you&#8217;re a little bit tired.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hardly enough to call it tired, but if there
+is a short cut home let&#8217;s take it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And what about the pretty speeches I&#8217;m to
+make to you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Leave those till after breakfast. Or leave
+them till this evening and give them to me for
+a Christmas gift.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Under the mistletoe?&#8221; and Ferris looked
+mischievous.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Certainly not,&#8221; said Patty, with great dignity.
+&#8220;I&#8217;m too grown-up for such foolishness
+as that!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I don&#8217;t know,&#8221; said Ferris.
+</p>
+<hr class='tb' />
+
+<p>The appearance of the two runaways in the
+breakfast-room was greeted with shouts of surprise.
+</p>
+<p>Adèle knew they had gone skating, but no one
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span>
+else did, and it was supposed they hadn&#8217;t yet
+come downstairs.
+</p>
+<p>Patty&#8217;s glowing cheeks were almost as scarlet
+as her coat and cap, while Ferris was grinning
+with boyish enthusiasm.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Top o&#8217; the morning to you all,&#8221; he cried.
+&#8220;Me and Miss Fairfield, we&#8217;ve been skating for
+an hour.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;On the lake?&#8221; cried Daisy, in surprise.
+&#8220;Why, you must have started before sunrise.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, not that,&#8221; declared Patty, as, throwing
+off her wraps, she took a seat next to Adèle;
+&#8220;but long enough to get up a ravenous appetite.
+I hope the Kenerley larder is well stocked.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why didn&#8217;t you let us all in on this game?&#8221;
+asked the host. &#8220;I think a morning skating
+party would be just about right.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;We&#8217;ll have one
+any morning you say. I shall be here for a
+fortnight, and I&#8217;ll go any morning you like.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I won&#8217;t go,&#8221; declared Mona. &#8220;I hate skating,
+and I hate getting up early, so count me
+out.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I doubt if any one goes very soon,&#8221; said
+Adèle, &#8220;for I think there&#8217;s a storm coming. It
+looks bright out of doors, but it feels like snow
+in the air.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;It does,&#8221; agreed her brother; &#8220;and I hope
+it will snow. I&#8217;d like a real good, old-fashioned
+snowstorm for Christmas.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I hope it won&#8217;t begin before night,&#8221;
+said Adèle. &#8220;We&#8217;ve a lot to do to-day. I
+want you all to help me decorate the tree and
+fix the presents.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course we will,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;But, if
+I may, I want to skip over to the village on an
+errand. Can some one take me over, Adèle, or
+must I walk?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll go with you,&#8221; said Daisy, who was of no
+mind to be left out of Patty&#8217;s escapades, if she
+could help it.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, Daisy, but you mustn&#8217;t tell what
+I buy, because it&#8217;s a secret.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Everything&#8217;s a secret at Christmas time,&#8221;
+said Mr. Kenerley; &#8220;but, Patty, you can have
+the small motor, and go over to the village any
+time you like.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>As there was room for them all, Daisy and
+Mona both accompanied Patty on her trip to
+the village, and Hal Ferris volunteered to drive
+the car. But when they reached the country
+shop, Patty laughingly refused to let any of the
+party go inside with her, saying that her purchases
+would be a Christmas secret.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span></p>
+<p>She bought a great many yards of the material
+known as Turkey red, and also a whole piece of
+white illusion. Some gilt paper completed her
+list, and she ran back to the car, the shopkeeper
+following with her bundles. They attended to
+some errands for Adèle, and then whizzed back
+to the house just in time to see the Christmas
+tree being put into place.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re going to have the tree at five o&#8217;clock,&#8221;
+said Adèle, &#8220;on account of baby May. It&#8217;s
+really for her, you know, and so I have it before
+dinner.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Fine!&#8221; declared Patty. &#8220;And where do
+we put our presents?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;On these tables,&#8221; and Adèle pointed to several
+small stands already well heaped with tissue-papered
+parcels.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Very well, I&#8217;ll get mine,&#8221; and Patty went
+flying up to her room. Mona followed, and
+the two girls returned laden with their bundles.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What fascinating looking parcels,&#8221; said
+Adèle, as she helped to place them where they
+belonged. &#8220;Now, Patty, about the tree; would
+you have bayberry candles on it, or only the
+electric lights?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, have the candles. They&#8217;re so nice and
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span>
+traditional, you know. Unless you&#8217;re afraid of
+fire.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; all the decorations are fireproof. Jim
+would have them so. See, we&#8217;ve lots of this
+Niagara Falls stuff.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Adèle referred to a decoration of spun glass,
+which was thrown all over the tree in cascades,
+looking almost like the foam of a waterfall.
+This would not burn, even if the flame of a candle
+were held to it.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s perfectly beautiful!&#8221; exclaimed Patty.
+&#8220;I never saw anything like it before.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>They scattered it all over the tree, the men
+going up on step-ladders to reach the top
+branches.
+</p>
+<p>The tree was set in the great, high-vaulted hall,
+and was a noble specimen of an evergreen.
+Hundreds of electric lights were fastened to its
+branches; and the thick bayberry candles were
+placed by means of holders that clasped the
+tree trunk, and so were held firmly and safe.
+</p>
+<p>Adèle&#8217;s prognostications had been correct.
+For, soon after luncheon, it began to snow.
+Fine flakes at first, but with a steadiness that betokened
+a real snowstorm.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m so glad,&#8221; exclaimed Patty, dancing
+about. &#8220;I do love a white Christmas. It
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span>
+won&#8217;t interfere with your guests, will it,
+Adèle?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; if Mr. Van Reypen and Mr. Farrington
+get up from New York without having their
+trains blocked by snowdrifts, I imagine our Fern
+Falls people will be able to get here for the dinner
+and the dance.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The two men arrived during the afternoon,
+and came in laden with parcels and looking
+almost like Santa Claus himself.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Had to bring all this stuff with us,&#8221; explained
+Roger, &#8220;for fear of delays with expresses and
+things. Presents for everybody,&mdash;and then
+some. Where shall we put them?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Adèle superintended the placing of the parcels,
+and the men threw off their overcoats, and
+they all gathered round the blazing fire in the
+hall.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is right down jolly!&#8221; declared Philip
+Van Reypen. &#8220;I haven&#8217;t had a real country
+Christmas since I was a boy. And this big fire
+and the tree and the snowstorm outside make it
+just perfect.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I ordered the snowstorm,&#8221; said Adèle. &#8220;I
+like to have any little thing that will give my
+guests pleasure.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Awfully good of you, Mrs. Kenerley,&#8221; said
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span>
+Philip. &#8220;I wanted to flatter myself that I
+brought it with me, but it seems not. Have
+you a hill anywhere near? Perhaps we can go
+coasting to-morrow.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Plenty of hills; but I don&#8217;t believe there&#8217;s a
+sled about the place&mdash;is there, Jim?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll find some, somehow, if there&#8217;s any
+coasting. We may have to put one of the
+motor cars on runners and try that.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They had sleds at the country store. I saw
+them this morning,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;And that reminds
+me I have a little work to do on a Christmas
+secret, so if you&#8217;ll excuse me, I&#8217;ll run away.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty ran away to the nursery, where Fräulein,
+the baby&#8217;s governess, was working away at the
+materials Patty had brought home that morning.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, that&#8217;s right,&#8221; said Patty, as she closed
+the door behind her. &#8220;You&#8217;ve caught my idea
+exactly, Fräulein. Now, I&#8217;ll try on mine, and
+then, afterward, we&#8217;ll call up Mr. Ferris to try
+on his.&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='tb' />
+
+<p>At five o&#8217;clock the sounding of a Chinese gong
+called everybody to come to the Christmas tree.
+</p>
+<p>The grown people arrived first, as the principal
+part of the fun was to see the surprise and delight
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span>
+of baby May when she should see the
+tree.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let me sit by you, Patty,&#8221; said Philip Van
+Reypen, as they found a place on one of the
+fireside benches. &#8220;I&#8217;ve missed you awfully
+since you left New York.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Huh,&#8221; said Patty, &#8220;I&#8217;ve only been gone
+twenty-four hours.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Twenty-four hours seems like a lifetime
+when <i>you&#8217;re</i> not in New York.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Hush your foolishness; here comes the
+baby.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The tree had been illuminated; the electric
+lights were shining and the candles twinkling,
+when little May came toddling into the hall.
+She was a dear baby, and her pretty hair lay in
+soft ringlets all over the little head. Her
+dainty white frock was short, and she wore little
+white socks and slippers. She came forward a
+few steps, and then spied the tree and stood
+stock still.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What a booful!&#8221; she exclaimed, &#8220;oh, <i>what</i>
+a booful!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Then she went up near the tree, sat down on
+the floor in front of it, clasped her little fat
+hands in her lap, and just stared at it.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I yike to yook at it!&#8221; she said, turning to
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span>
+smile at Patty, in a friendly way. &#8220;It&#8217;s so booful!&#8221;
+she further explained.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you want something off it?&#8221; asked
+Patty, who was now sitting on the floor beside
+the baby.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Zes; all of ze fings. Zey is all for me! all
+for baby May!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>As a matter of fact, there were no gifts on the
+tree, only decorations and lights, but Patty took
+one or two little trinkets from the branches, and
+put them in the baby&#8217;s lap. &#8220;There,&#8221; she said.
+&#8220;How do you like those, baby May?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Booful, booful,&#8221; said the child, whose vocabulary
+seemed limited by reason of her excited
+delight.
+</p>
+<p>And then a jingle, as of tiny sleighbells, was
+heard outside. The door flew open, and in
+came a personage whom May recognised at
+once.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Santa Claus!&#8221; she cried. &#8220;Oh, Santa
+Claus!&#8221; And jumping up from the floor, she
+ran to meet him as fast as her little fat legs
+could carry her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Down on the floor!&#8221; she cried, tugging at
+his red coat. &#8220;Baby May&#8217;s Santa Claus! Sit
+down on floor by baby May!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Jim Kenerley, who was arrayed in the regulation
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span>
+garb of a St. Nicholas, sat down beside
+his little girl, and taking his pack from his back,
+placed it in front of her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All for baby May!&#8221; she said, appreciating
+the situation at once.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, all for baby May,&#8221; returned her
+mother, for in the pack were only the child&#8217;s
+presents.
+</p>
+<p>One by one the little hands took the gifts from
+their wrappings, and soon the baby herself was
+almost lost sight of in a helter-skelter collection
+of dolls and teddy bears and woolly dogs and
+baa lambs and more dolls. To say nothing of
+kittens and candies, and balls, and every sort of
+a toy that was nice and soft and pleasant.
+</p>
+<p>The doll Patty had brought, with its wonderful
+wardrobe, pleased the baby especially, and
+she declared at once that the doll&#8217;s name should
+be Patty.
+</p>
+<p>Having undone all her treasures, the baby
+elected to have a general romp with Santa
+Claus, whom she well knew to be her father.
+Jim had made no attempt to disguise lest it
+should frighten the child, and so his own gay
+young face looked out from a voluminous snow-white
+wig and long white beard. His costume
+was the conventional red, belted coat, edged
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span>
+with white fur, and a fur-trimmed red cap with
+a bobbing tassel.
+</p>
+<p>Among the toys was a pair of horse lines with
+bells on it, and soon May had her good-natured
+father transformed into a riding-horse and galloping
+madly round the hall.
+</p>
+<p>Then all present must needs play games suited
+to the calibre of the little one, and Ring around
+a Rosy and London Bridge proved to be her
+favourites.
+</p>
+<p>After these unwonted exertions, everybody was
+ready for tea, which was then brought in. As
+a special dispensation, May was allowed to have
+her bread and milk at the same time, with the
+added indulgence of a few little cakes.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Isn&#8217;t she a perfect dear?&#8221; said Patty, as she
+stood with the baby in her arms, after tea was
+finished.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She is,&#8221; declared Philip, who stood near.
+&#8220;I&#8217;m not much up on kiddies, but she&#8217;s about
+the best-natured little piece I ever saw. I
+thought they always cried after a big racket like
+this.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She must say good-night now,&#8221; said Adèle.
+&#8220;It&#8217;s quite time, and beside, I want her to go
+away while her reputation is good. Now,
+Maisie May, go to Fräulein and go beddy.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty take May beddy.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, dear, Patty must stay here with mother.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty take May beddy! <i>Zes!</i>&#8221; The finality
+of this decision was unmistakable. The
+most casual observer could see that unless it
+were complied with the scene might lose something
+of its sunshine and merriment.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I should say,&#8221; judicially observed Philip,
+&#8220;that unless Miss May has her way this time,
+there will be one large and elegant ruction.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I <i>must</i> make her obey me,&#8221; said Adèle,
+a little uncertainly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Fiddlestrings, Adèle,&#8221; returned Patty;
+&#8220;this is no time for discipline. The poor baby
+is about worn out with fatigue and excitement.
+You know, it has been her busy day. Let&#8217;s
+humour her this time. I&#8217;ll take her away, and
+I&#8217;ll return anon.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Anon isn&#8217;t a very long time, is it?&#8221; said
+Adèle, laughing, and Hal remarked, &#8220;If it is,
+we&#8217;ll all come after you, Miss Fairfield.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>So Patty went away, carrying the now smiling
+baby, and Fräulein went along with her, knowing
+the little thing would soon drop to sleep,
+anyway, from sheer fatigue.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XI_THE_CHRISTMAS_SPIRIT' id='XI_THE_CHRISTMAS_SPIRIT'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+<h3>THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Patty soon returned, saying the country
+was saved, and now she was ready for
+her presents.
+</p>
+<p>And then everybody began untying things, and
+soon the whole place was knee-deep in tissue
+papers and ribbons.
+</p>
+<p>All exclaimed with delight at their own gifts,
+and then exclaimed with delight at the others&#8217;
+gifts.
+</p>
+<p>Mr. and Mrs. Kenerley gave Patty one of
+those Oriental garments known as a Mandarin
+coat. It was of pale blue silk, heavy with elaborate
+embroidery and gold braiding, and Patty
+was enchanted with it.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just what I wanted!&#8221; she exclaimed, &#8220;and
+I don&#8217;t care if that <i>is</i> what everybody always
+says, <i>I</i> mean it! I&#8217;ve wanted one a long
+time. They&#8217;re so heavenly for party wraps or
+opera cloaks. Mona has a beauty, but this is
+handsomer still.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, it is,&#8221; admitted Mona; &#8220;and now open
+that box, Patty. It&#8217;s my gift to you, and I
+want to see if you like it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I know I shall like it, of course. Why,
+Mona Galbraith, if it isn&#8217;t a lace scarf! Real
+Brussels point! You generous girl, it&#8217;s <i>too</i>
+beautiful!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Isn&#8217;t it lovely?&#8221; cried Daisy. &#8220;Now, this
+is mine to you, Patty. It isn&#8217;t nearly as handsome;
+it&#8217;s just a bag.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But what a grand one!&#8221; exclaimed Patty, as
+she unwrapped the beautiful French confection.
+&#8220;I simply adore bags. I can&#8217;t have too many
+of them. My goodness! I&#8217;m getting as many
+presents as baby May!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Sure enough, Patty was surrounded with gifts
+and trinkets of all sorts. Philip&#8217;s present was a
+small but exquisite water-color in a gilded
+frame. Roger gave her a glass and silver
+flower-basket.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I gave each of you girls exactly the same
+thing,&#8221; he said, &#8220;because I didn&#8217;t want you
+scrapping over me. Mrs. Kenerley, I included
+you, too, if you will accept one of
+them.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>They were beautiful ornaments, and the four
+together were so effective that Adèle declared
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span>
+she should use them that night for a dinner
+table decoration at their Christmas feast.
+</p>
+<p>Hal Ferris gave each of the girls a beautiful
+book, and everybody had so many presents of
+all sorts that it was almost impossible to remember
+who gave anything.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What I need is a card catalogue,&#8221; said Patty.
+&#8220;I never can remember which is which, I
+know.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I know another thing,&#8221; said Adèle.
+&#8220;If you girls don&#8217;t scamper off and dress, you
+won&#8217;t be ready for dinner at eight o&#8217;clock.
+And there are lots of guests coming. And
+more this evening for the country dance. Now,
+disperse, all of you, and put on your prettiest
+frocks for Christmas Eve.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty had a new gown for the occasion, of an
+exquisite shade of pink chiffon, which just
+matched her cheeks. She did up her hair simply,
+with a pink ribbon around it, and a pink
+rose tucked over one ear.
+</p>
+<p>After she was all dressed, she flew to the
+nursery for a little confab with Fräulein, who
+was working away on the Turkey red.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Will it be done?&#8221; asked Patty, anxiously.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes, indeed, Miss Patty; in ample time.
+And the crowns, too.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Everything all right?&#8221; inquired a voice in
+the doorway, and Hal Ferris stepped into the
+nursery.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; said Patty, her eyes sparkling.
+&#8220;Fräulein will have them all ready by the time
+dinner&#8217;s over. Oh, I do <i>love</i> to dress up!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You can&#8217;t look any sweeter than you do this
+way,&#8221; said Ferris, glancing approvingly at the
+little pink dancing frock.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are so nice and complimentary,&#8221; said
+Patty, flashing a smile at him, and then they
+went downstairs together.
+</p>
+<p>Dinner was a real Christmas feast. The table
+was properly decorated with red ribbons and
+red candles and holly, and everybody had souvenirs
+and Christmassy sort of trinkets, and
+everybody was very gay and festive, and an air
+of Christmas jollity pervaded the atmosphere.
+</p>
+<p>After dinner they all returned to the great
+hall, where the Christmas tree was again lighted
+to add to the holiday effect.
+</p>
+<p>Then Patty and Hal, who had let Adèle into
+their secret, slipped away from the crowd, and
+ran up to the nursery, where Fräulein was awaiting
+them.
+</p>
+<p>The baby was asleep in the next room, so they
+must needs be careful not to awaken her, and
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span>
+they tiptoed about as Fräulein helped them to
+don the robes she had made.
+</p>
+<p>The Turkey red she had fashioned into a
+full-draped cloak, which she adjusted around
+Hal&#8217;s broad shoulders. It was trimmed with
+white fur, and was caught up on one shoulder,
+toga fashion, with a spray of holly. A massive
+gilt pasteboard crown she put on his head, and
+gave him a long wand or sceptre covered with
+gilt paper and topped with a cap and bells.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder if they&#8217;ll know I&#8217;m Lord of Misrule,&#8221;
+whispered Hal, as he stalked up and
+down before the mirror, swishing his draperies
+about in regal fashion.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If they don&#8217;t, I&#8217;ll tell &#8217;em,&#8221; said Patty.
+&#8220;I wonder if they&#8217;ll know what I am.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You look like an angel,&#8221; said Hal, as he
+gazed at her.
+</p>
+<p>The garment Fräulein had made for Patty
+was simply straight, flowing breadths of the
+white illusion, which fell straight from her
+shoulders, her pink gown beneath giving it a
+faint rosy tinge. From her head the illusion
+rippled in a long veil, floating down behind, and
+there were long angel sleeves of the same material.
+</p>
+<p>On her head was a small crown of gilt paper,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span>
+with a large gilt star in front, and she carried
+a gilt wand with a star on the end.
+</p>
+<p>But the masterpiece of the costume, and one
+that did great credit to the ingenuity of Fräulein,
+was a pair of wings that were fastened to
+Patty&#8217;s shoulders. They were made of fine net,
+covered with fringed tissue paper, which had
+the effect of soft white feathers.
+</p>
+<p>Altogether Patty was a lovely vision, and it is
+doubtful if &#8220;The Christmas Spirit&#8221; was represented
+more beautifully anywhere on earth that
+Christmas Eve.
+</p>
+<p>She floated about the room, delighted to be
+&#8220;dressed up.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Then, flying into the hall, she listened over
+the banister till she heard Adèle&#8217;s signal from
+the piano.
+</p>
+<p>Still listening, she heard Adèle begin to sing
+softly a carol called &#8220;The Christmas Spirit.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Slowly, in time to the music, Patty came down
+the great staircase. She paused on the landing,
+which was but a few steps from the bottom, and
+standing there, motionless as a picture, joined
+her voice to Adèle&#8217;s.
+</p>
+<p>She sang the beautiful carol, Adèle now singing
+alto, and the vision of the beautiful Christmas
+Spirit, and the tones of Patty&#8217;s exquisite
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span>
+voice, gave the guests assembled in the hall a
+Christmas memory that they could never forget.
+</p>
+<p>As the last notes died away, there was a significant
+pause, and then a storm of applause
+broke out.
+</p>
+<p>They insisted on another song, but Patty shook
+her head laughingly, and the next moment Adèle
+played a merry, rollicking march on the piano
+and the Lord of Misrule came bounding downstairs.
+He had a long trumpet in his hand,
+upon which he sounded a few notes, and then
+waved his sceptre majestically.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m the Lord of Misrule,&#8221; he announced,
+&#8220;and I have come to direct our Christmas
+revels. To-night my word is law; you are all
+my subjects, and must obey my decrees!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>A shout of applause greeted this gay banter,
+and then as Adèle played a lively strain, the
+Lord of Misrule gave a clever clog dance on
+the staircase landing.
+</p>
+<p>Then he sprang down the steps, and clasping
+the Christmas Spirit, the two tripped away into
+a gay impromptu dance.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Everybody dance!&#8221; shouted the Lord of
+Misrule, brandishing his sceptre aloft, and
+obedient to his orders, the others caught the gay
+spirit, and soon they were all dancing.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span></p>
+<p>Later they had the country dances&mdash;Virginia
+reel, Sir Roger, and others which Patty had
+never heard of before, but which she had no
+difficulty in learning.
+</p>
+<p>It was not long, however, before she laid aside
+her somewhat uncomfortable wings, and also
+the illusion draperies, which did not well survive
+the intricacies of the figure dances.
+</p>
+<p>So, once again in her pretty pink frock, she
+entered into the dances with the zest she always
+felt for that amusement.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think it&#8217;s my turn,&#8221; said Roger, coming up
+to her at last.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I&#8217;m glad to be with a friend again, after
+all these strangers,&#8221; she said, as they danced
+away. &#8220;Though they&#8217;re awfully nice men, and
+some of them are very good dancers. You and
+Mona are all right, aren&#8217;t you, Roger?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty said this so suddenly that he was caught
+off his guard.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not all right,&#8221; he said, &#8220;and never will be
+until she&#8217;ll consent to cut the acquaintance of
+that Lansing!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She&#8217;ll never do that!&#8221; and Patty wagged her
+head positively.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then she can get along without my friendship.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Roger, what&#8217;s the use of acting like
+that? Mona has a right to choose her
+friends.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty, I believe you like that man yourself!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t dislike him; at least, not as much as
+you do. But I don&#8217;t see any reason for you
+to take the matter so seriously. At any rate,
+while you&#8217;re up here, forget it, won&#8217;t you, and
+be good to Mona.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I&#8217;ll be good to her fast enough, if she&#8217;ll
+be good to me. I think a heap of that girl,
+Patty, and I don&#8217;t want to see her in the clutches
+of a bad man like Lansing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t know that he&#8217;s a bad man.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, he&#8217;s a fortune-hunter,&mdash;that&#8217;s bad
+enough.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Pooh, every man that looks at a girl doesn&#8217;t
+want to marry her for her money.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But that man does.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then cut him out! Why, Roger, you&#8217;re
+worth a dozen Lansings, and if you want to
+marry Mona, why don&#8217;t you tell her so?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Patty, do you think I&#8217;d have the ghost
+of a chance?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I certainly do. That is, if Mona has a grain
+of sense in that pretty head of hers.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well,&mdash;say, Patty,&mdash;this sounds queer, I
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span>
+know,&mdash;but you and I are such pals,&mdash;couldn&#8217;t
+you just say a good word for&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Roger Farrington! the idea! I never supposed
+you were <i>bashful</i>!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I never was before,&mdash;but I&#8217;m a little afraid
+of Mona. She&#8217;s so,&mdash;so decided, you know.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Very well. Make her decide in your favour.
+But, mark my words, young man, you&#8217;ll never
+win her by getting grumpy and sour just because
+she smiles on another man. In fact,
+you&#8217;d better praise Mr. Lansing. That would
+be the best way to make her lose interest in
+him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty Fairfield! I&#8217;m ashamed of you. I
+always knew you were a flirt, but anything like
+that would be downright deception.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, fiddle-de-dee! All&#8217;s fair in love and
+war. You&#8217;re too matter-of-fact, Roger,&mdash;too
+staid and practical. Brace up and tease Mona.
+Get her guessing&mdash;and the game will be all in
+your own hands.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How do you know these things, Patty?
+You&#8217;re too young for such worldly wisdom.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, women are born with a spirit of contrariness.
+And, anyway, it&#8217;s human nature.
+Now, you jolly Mona up, and stop looking as
+if you&#8217;d lost your last friend,&mdash;and then see
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span>
+how the cat jumps. Why, what is Hal Ferris
+doing?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The Lord of Misrule had jumped up on a table,
+and was flourishing his sceptre, and announcing
+that he would now issue a few decrees,
+and they must immediately be obeyed.
+</p>
+<p>He said the audience wished to see some well-acted
+plays, and he would ask some of the guests
+present to favour them.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;As these dramas are necessarily impromptu,&#8221;
+he said, &#8220;you will please come forward and do
+your parts as soon as your names are called.
+Any delay, hesitation, or tardiness will be punished
+to the full extent of the Law of Misrule.
+The first play, ladies and gentlemen, will be a
+realistic representation of the great tragedy of
+&#8216;Jack and Jill.&#8217; It will be acted by Mr. Van
+Reypen and Miss Fairfield. Ready! Time!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Philip and Patty went forward at once, for
+though they had had no intimation of this act,
+they were quite ready to take their part in the
+merriment.
+</p>
+<p>Philip caught up one of the glass baskets which
+he had brought up for gifts, and declared that
+represented their pail.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It isn&#8217;t mine!&#8221; cried Daisy. &#8220;I don&#8217;t want
+mine smashed!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;No matter what happens,&#8221; returned Philip,
+&#8220;we must be realistic.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here, take this instead,&#8221; said Jim Kenerley,
+offering an antique copper bucket, which was
+one of his pet pieces.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, it <i>is</i> better. Now, the play begins.
+This is an illustrated ballad, you know. Will
+somebody with a sweet voice kindly recite the
+words?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I will,&#8221; volunteered Hal, himself. &#8220;My
+voice is as sweet as taffy.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He began intoning the nursery rhyme, and
+Patty and Philip strolled through the hall,
+swinging the bucket between them, and acting
+like two country children going for water.
+They climbed the stairs, laboriously, as if clambering
+up a steep hill, and as they went up,
+Philip hastily whispered to Patty how they were
+to come down.
+</p>
+<p>She understood quickly, and as the second line
+was drawled out they stood at the top of the
+stairs. Then when Hal said, &#8220;Jack fell
+down&mdash;&mdash;&#8221; there was a terrific plunge and
+Philip tumbled, head over heels, all the way
+downstairs, with the big copper bucket rolling
+bumpety-bump down beside him. He was a
+trained athlete, and knew how to fall without
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span>
+hurting himself, but his mad pitching made it
+seem entirely an accidental fall. In the screams
+of laughter, the last line could scarcely be heard,
+but when Hal said, &#8220;And Jill came tumbling
+after,&#8221; Patty poised on the top step, leaning
+over so far that it seemed as if in a moment she
+must pitch headlong. Her fancy dance training
+enabled her to hold this precarious position,
+and as she stood, motionless, a beautiful tableau,
+everybody applauded.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All over!&#8221; cried the Lord of Misrule, after
+a moment. &#8220;Curtain&#8217;s down!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>There was only an imaginary curtain, so considering
+herself dismissed, Patty came tripping
+downstairs, and the broken-crowned Jack stood
+waiting to receive her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good work!&#8221; he commented. &#8220;How
+could you stand in that breakneck position?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How could you take that breakneck fall?&#8221;
+she queried back, and then they sought a nearby
+seat to witness the next &#8220;play.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now,&#8221; said the Lord of Misrule, &#8220;we will
+have a thrilling drama by Miss Dow and&mdash;well,
+she may select her own company.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I choose Jim Kenerley,&#8221; said Daisy, suddenly
+remembering a little trick they used to do
+in school. A whispered word was enough to recall
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span>
+it to Jim&#8217;s mind, and in a twinkling he had
+snatched a gay silk lamp-shade from an electrolier
+and clapped it on his head, and draped
+around him a Bagdad couch cover. Then he
+caught up a big bronze dagger from a writing-table,
+and he and Daisy went to the staircase
+landing, which was almost like a stage. Seemingly,
+Jim was a fearful bandit, dragging a lady,
+who hung back with moans and cries.
+</p>
+<p>On the landing, he brandished the dagger fearsomely,
+and Daisy knelt before him, begging
+for mercy. At least, her attitude denoted that,
+but all she said was: &#8220;A B C D,&#8221; in a low,
+pleading voice. &#8220;E F G!&#8221; shouted Jim, dancing
+about in a fierce fury.
+</p>
+<p>Daisy threw out her arms and fairly grovelled
+at his feet, begging, &#8220;H I J K.&#8221; &#8220;L M!&#8221;
+shouted Jim; &#8220;N O!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Then Daisy&#8217;s pretty hair became loosened
+from its pins, and fell, a shining mass, down her
+back.
+</p>
+<p>Jim clutched it. &#8220;P Q R!&#8221; he yelled, as he
+waved the dagger aloft.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;S T!&#8221; moaned Daisy, swaying from side to
+side, as if in an agony of fear.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;U! V! W!&#8221; and the blade of the dagger
+rested against the fair neck, as the dreadful
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span>
+brigand, with a fierce shout, attacked his
+victim.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;X Y!&#8221; Daisy shrieked, and then toppled
+over, as if killed, while Jim, with a frenzied yell
+of &#8220;Z!&#8221; towered, triumphant, above his slain
+captive.
+</p>
+<p>How they all laughed; for it was good acting,
+though of course greatly burlesqued. But
+both had a touch of dramatic genius, and they
+had often given this little exhibition in their
+old school days.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Fine!&#8221; said Adèle, who was shaking with
+laughter. &#8220;You never did it better, Daisy.
+You ought to go on the stage.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Daisy smiled and bowed at the applause, and
+began to twist up her hair.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My beloved subjects,&#8221; said the Lord of Misrule,
+&#8220;you are sure some actors! I didn&#8217;t
+know I had so much talent concealed about my
+kingdom. I shall now aim for a higher touch
+of histrionic art. Let us stop at nothing! Let
+us give the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet.
+I will command Miss Galbraith to play
+the part of Juliet, and if no one volunteers as
+Romeo, I&#8217;ll modestly remark that I&#8217;m a ripping
+good actor myself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Too late,&#8221; said Roger, calmly; &#8220;I&#8217;ve
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span>
+already signed for the part,&#8221; and taking Mona&#8217;s
+hand, he led her toward the staircase.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t!&#8221; protested Mona. &#8220;I don&#8217;t know
+a word of it!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can&#8217;t! Won&#8217;t!&#8221; cried the Lord of Misrule,
+in stentorian tones. &#8220;Those words are
+not allowed in this my Court. Ha, maiden,
+dost desire the dungeon for thine? Dost
+hanker after prison fare? Fie! Get to thy
+place and take thy cue.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mona flung her lace handkerchief on her head
+for a little Juliet cap, and accepting a large lace
+scarf which a lady offered her as she passed, and
+an enormous bunch of roses, which Jim hastily
+took from a vase and gave her, they all agreed
+she was perfectly costumed for Juliet.
+</p>
+<p>Upstairs she went, and drawing a chair to the
+railing, looked over at Roger below. He had
+hastily opened a small cupboard, and caught up
+a broad black hat of Adèle&#8217;s, with a long, willowed
+ostrich plume. He put it on, so that the
+feather hung straight down his face, and he kept
+blowing it out of his eyes. Daisy had offered
+him a gay, flowered chiffon scarf as he passed
+her, and he tied it round his waist like a sash.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Oh, Romeo! Romeo! Romeo!&#8217;&#8221; began
+Mona.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Wherefore,&#8217;&#8221; prompted Roger in a stage
+whisper.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Wherefore,&#8217;&#8221; said Mona, obediently,
+&#8220;whence, whither, why&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind,&#8221; said Roger, calmly. &#8220;I&#8217;ll say
+the lines you forget. &#8216;Wherefore art thou
+Romeo?&#8217; Now for the second act. I wish to
+goodness I could be a glove upon that paw of
+yours.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why?&#8221; queried Mona.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So you wouldn&#8217;t give me the mitten. Pardon,
+good friends, merely an interpolation.
+Back to work now. It was the nightingale
+and not a poll parrot that hit you in the
+ear.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Romeo, Romeo,&#8221; Mona broke in.
+&#8220;I&#8217;d like to cut you up into little bits of stars,
+and decorate the sky with you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Call me but Star, and I&#8217;ll be baptised all over
+again. Friends, as we&#8217;re a little shy on lines,
+the rest of this will be pantomime.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Roger then sneaked cautiously upstairs, motioned
+to Mona to make no sound, picked up
+various impedimenta, including books, vases, a
+statuette, and such things as he could find on the
+hall tables, added a good-sized rug, and then,
+also picking Mona up in his arms, he stealthily
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span>
+made his way downstairs again, and the elopement
+was successful.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Roger, you strong giant!&#8221; cried Patty.
+&#8220;How <i>could</i> you carry all those things downstairs?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My warriors are all strong men!&#8221; said the
+Lord of Misrule. &#8220;They can carry off anything,
+and carry on like everything.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And then, as Christmas Eve was well past, and
+Christmas Day had begun, the merry guests
+went away, and the house party congratulated
+itself all round, wished everybody Merry
+Christmas, and went away to rest.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XII_COASTING' id='XII_COASTING'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2>
+<h3>COASTING</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Christmas morning was as white as the
+most picturesque imagination could desire.
+A heavy snow had fallen in the
+night and lay, sparkling, all over the fields and
+hills, so that now, in the sunshine, the whole
+earth seemed powdered with diamonds.
+</p>
+<p>Patty came dancing downstairs, in a dainty little
+white morning frock.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Merry Christmas, everybody!&#8221; she cried,
+as she found the group gathered round the fireplace
+in the hall. &#8220;Did you ever see such a
+beautiful day? Not for skating,&#8221; and she
+smiled at Hal, &#8220;but for snow-balling or coasting
+or any old kind of fun with snow.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right,&#8221; cried Roger. &#8220;Who&#8217;s for a
+snow frolic? We can build a fort&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And make a snow-man,&#8221; put in Daisy, &#8220;with
+a pipe in his mouth and an old hat on his head.
+Why do snow-men always have to have those
+two things?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;They don&#8217;t,&#8221; said Jim Kenerley. &#8220;That&#8217;s
+an exploded theory. Let&#8217;s make one this morning
+of a modern type, and let him have anything
+he wants except a pipe and a battered stove-pipe
+hat.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll give him a cigarette and a Derby,&#8221;
+said Patty. &#8220;Oh, here comes the mail! Let&#8217;s
+have that before we go after our snow-man.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The chauffeur came in from a trip to the post-office,
+with his hands and arms full of mail,&mdash;parcels,
+papers, and letters,&mdash;which he deposited
+on a table, and Jim Kenerley sorted them
+over.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Heaps of things for everybody,&#8221; he said.
+&#8220;Belated gifts, magazines, letters, and post
+cards. Patty, this big parcel is for you; Daisy,
+here are two for you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;May take letters! Let baby May be postman!&#8221;
+cried the infant Kenerley.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let her, Jim,&mdash;she loves to be postman,&#8221;
+and Adèle put the baby down from her arms,
+and she toddled to her father.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Great scheme!&#8221; said Hal. &#8220;Wait a minute,
+midget; I&#8217;ll make you a cap.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>With a few folds, a newspaper was transformed
+into a three-cornered cap and placed on
+the baby&#8217;s head.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Now you&#8217;re a postman,&#8221; said her uncle.
+&#8220;Go and get the letters from the post-office.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Letters, p&#8217;ease,&#8221; said the baby, holding out
+her fat little hands to her father.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, kiddums; these parcels are too big
+for you; you&#8217;re no parcel-post carrier. But
+here&#8217;s a bunch of letters; pass them around and
+let every one pick out his own.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Obediently, the baby postman started off, and
+passing Daisy first, dumped the whole lot in her
+lap.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wait a minute, Toddles,&#8221; said Daisy.
+&#8220;I&#8217;ll pick out mine, then you take the rest
+on.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Daisy selected half a dozen or more, and gave
+the rest of the lot back to the little one, who
+went on round the circle, letting each pick out
+his own letters.
+</p>
+<p>Patty had about a dozen letters, and cards and
+greetings of various sorts. Some she tore open
+and read aloud, some she read to herself, and
+some she kept to open when she might be alone.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have you opened all your letters, Patty?&#8221;
+asked Jim, looking at her, quizzically.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; I saved father&#8217;s and Nan&#8217;s to read by
+myself, you people are so distracting.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oho! Father&#8217;s and Nan&#8217;s! Oho! aha!
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span>
+And are those the only ones you saved to read
+by yourself, young lady?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I saved Elise&#8217;s, also,&#8221; said Patty, looking at
+him, a little surprised. &#8220;Aren&#8217;t you the inquisitive
+gentleman, anyway!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Elise&#8217;s! Oh, yes, Elise&#8217;s! And how about
+that big blue one,&mdash;what have you done with
+that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t see any big blue one,&#8221; said Patty,
+innocently. &#8220;What do you mean, Jim?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oho! <i>what</i> do I mean? What, <i>indeed</i>!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, stop, Jim,&#8221; said his wife. &#8220;I don&#8217;t
+know what you&#8217;re teasing Patty about, but she
+shan&#8217;t be teased. If she wants to keep her big
+blue letter to herself, she&#8217;s going to keep it,
+that&#8217;s all.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course I shall,&#8221; said Patty, saucily.
+&#8220;That is, I should, if I had any big blue letter,
+but I haven&#8217;t.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind big blue letters,&#8221; said Roger,
+&#8220;let&#8217;s all go out and play in the snow.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>So everybody put on wraps and caps and furs
+and out they went like a parcel of children to
+frolic in the snow. Snow-balling was a matter
+of course, but nobody minded a lump of soft
+snow, and soon they began to build the snow-man.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span></p>
+<p>He turned out to be a marvel of art and architecture,
+and as his heroic proportions were far
+too great for anybody&#8217;s hat or coat, they draped
+an Indian blanket around him and stuck a
+Japanese parasol on the top of his head to protect
+him from the sun.
+</p>
+<p>Roger insisted on the cigarette, and as the snow
+gentleman had been provided with a fine set of
+orange-peel teeth, he held his cigarette jauntily
+and firmly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I want to go coasting,&#8221; said Patty.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And so you shall,&#8221; said Jim. &#8220;I sent for
+a lot of sleds from the village, and I think
+they&#8217;ve arrived.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Sure enough, there were half a dozen new
+sleds ready for them, and snatching the ropes,
+with glee, they dragged them to a nearby
+hill.
+</p>
+<p>It was a long, easy slope, just right for coasting.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Want to be pioneer?&#8221; asked Roger of Patty.
+And ever-ready Patty tucked herself on to a
+sled, grasped the rope, Roger gave her a push,
+and she was half-way down the hill before any
+one knew she had started. The rest followed,
+and soon the whole party stood laughing at the
+bottom of the long hill.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;The worst is walking up again,&#8221; said Patty,
+looking back up the hill.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you say that because it&#8217;s what everybody
+says,&mdash;or because you&#8217;re lazy?&#8221; asked Philip.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Because I&#8217;m lazy,&#8221; returned Patty, promptly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then get on your sled, and I&#8217;ll pull you up.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, I&#8217;m not lazy enough for that, I hope!
+But I&#8217;ll tell you what I&#8217;ll do; I&#8217;ll race you up.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Huh! as if I couldn&#8217;t beat you up, and not
+half try!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I don&#8217;t <i>know</i>! Come on, now, do your
+best! One, two, three, go!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Each pulling a sled, they started to run uphill;
+at least, Philip started to run, and at a good
+rate; but Patty walked,&mdash;briskly and evenly,
+knowing full well that Philip could not keep up
+his gait.
+</p>
+<p>And she was right. Half-way up the hill,
+Philip was forced to slow down, and panting
+and puffing,&mdash;for he was a big man,&mdash;he turned
+to look for Patty. She came along, and swung
+past him with an easy stride, flinging back over
+her shoulder, &#8220;Take another sprint, and you
+may catch me yet!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll catch you, no matter how much I have
+to sprint,&#8221; Philip called after her, but he walked
+slowly for a few paces. Then, having regained
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span>
+his breath, he strode after her, and rapidly
+gained upon her progress. Patty looked over
+her shoulder, saw him coming, and began to
+run. But running uphill is not an easy task,
+and Patty&#8217;s strength began to give out. Philip
+saw this, and fell back a bit on purpose to give
+her an advantage. Then as they were very near
+the top, Patty broke into a desperate run.
+Philip ran swiftly, overtook her, picked her up
+in his arms as he passed, and plumped her down
+into a soft snowbank at the very top of the hill.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There!&#8221; he cried; &#8220;that&#8217;s the goal, and you
+reached it first!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;With your help,&#8221; and Patty pouted a little.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My help is always at your disposal, when
+you can&#8217;t get up a hill.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That would be a fine help, if I ever had hills
+to climb. But I never do. This is a great
+exception.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But there are other hills than snow hills.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I suppose now you&#8217;re talking in allegories.
+I never <i>could</i> understand those.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Some day, when I get a real good chance,
+I&#8217;ll explain them to you. May I?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Philip&#8217;s face was laughing, but there was a
+touch of seriousness in his tone that made Patty
+look up quickly. She found his dark eyes looking
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span>
+straight into her own. She jumped up
+from her snowbank, saying: &#8220;I want to go
+down again. Where&#8217;s a sled?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on this one with me,&#8221; said Hal, who
+had a long, toboggan sort of an affair.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is great!&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;Where did
+you get this double-rigged thing?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s been here all the time, but you&#8217;ve been
+so wrapped up in that Van Reypen chap that
+you had no eyes for anybody else, or anybody
+else&#8217;s sled! I&#8217;m downright jealous of that man,
+and I&#8217;ll be glad when he goes home.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah, now, Chub,&#8221; said Patty, coaxingly,
+&#8220;don&#8217;t talk to me scoldy! Don&#8217;t now; will
+you, Chubsy?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I will, if you like him better than you
+do me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, goodness, gracious, sakes alive! I&#8217;ve
+known him for <i>years</i>, and I&#8217;ve only known you
+a few days!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That doesn&#8217;t matter. I&#8217;ve only known you
+a few days, and I&#8217;m head over heels in love
+with you!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wow!&#8221; exclaimed Patty, &#8220;but this is sudden!
+Do you know, it&#8217;s so awful swift, I don&#8217;t
+believe it can be the real thing!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know what the Real Thing is?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Haven&#8217;t a notion.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mayn&#8217;t I tell you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, sir-ee. You see, I don&#8217;t want to know
+for years yet! <i>Why</i> can&#8217;t people let me
+alone?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who else has been bothering you?&#8221; demanded
+Hal, jealously.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t call it a bother! I supposed it was
+part of the game. Don&#8217;t all girls have nice
+compliments, and flattery kind of speeches from
+the young men they know?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know whether they do or not,&#8221;
+growled Hal.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I know; they do, and they don&#8217;t mean
+a thing; it&#8217;s part of the game, you know. Now,
+I&#8217;ll tell you something. I&#8217;ve known Philip Van
+Reypen ever so much longer than I have you,
+and yet I like you both exactly the same! And
+Roger just the same,&mdash;and Jim just the same!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And Martin, the chauffeur, just the same, I
+suppose; and Mike, the gardener, just the
+same!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yep,&#8221; agreed Patty. &#8220;<i>Everybody</i> just the
+same! I think that&#8217;s the way to do in this
+world, love your neighbour as yourself, and
+look upon all men as free and equal.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I don&#8217;t think all girls are equal,&mdash;not
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span>
+by a long shot. To my mind they&#8217;re divided
+into two classes.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What two?&#8221; said Patty, with some curiosity.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;One class is Patty Fairfield, and the other
+class is everybody else.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>They had reached the bottom of the hill before
+this, and were sitting on the sled, talking.
+Patty jumped up and clapped her hands.
+&#8220;That&#8217;s about the prettiest speech I ever had
+made to me! It&#8217;s a beautiful speech! I&#8217;m going
+right straight up the hill and tell it to everybody!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty, <i>don&#8217;t</i>!&#8221; cried Hal, his honest, boyish
+face turning crimson.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, then you didn&#8217;t mean it!&#8221; and Patty
+was the picture of disappointment.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I did! <i>Of course</i> I did! But girls don&#8217;t
+run and tell everything everybody says to
+them!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t they? Well, then, <i>I</i> won&#8217;t. You
+see, I haven&#8217;t had as much experience in these
+matters as you have! Mustn&#8217;t I <i>ever</i> tell anything
+nice that <i>anybody</i> says to me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not what <i>I</i> say to you, anyhow! You see,
+they&#8217;re confidences.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I don&#8217;t want any more of them just
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span>
+now. I came out here for coasting, not for confidences.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I fear, my dear little girl, you&#8217;re destined
+all through life to get confidences, whatever you
+may go for.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, what a horrible outlook! Well, then,
+let me gather my coasting while I may! Come
+on, Chubsy, let&#8217;s go up the hill.&#8221; And putting
+her hand in Hal&#8217;s, Patty started the upward
+journey.
+</p>
+<p>At the top she declared she was going for one
+more ride downhill, and this time with Jim.
+&#8220;For,&#8221; she said to herself, &#8220;I would like <i>one</i>
+ride without &#8216;confidences.&#8217;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Off we go!&#8221; said Jim, as he arranged her
+snugly on the toboggan sled, and took his place
+in front of her. They had a fine ride down,
+and Jim insisted on pulling Patty up again.
+She rode part way, and then decided it was too
+hard work for him, and jumped off.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess I&#8217;m good for some walk,&#8221; she said,
+as she tucked her arm through his, and they
+climbed the hill slowly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I guess you are, Patty. You&#8217;re strong
+enough, only you&#8217;re not as hardy as Daisy and
+Adèle. I believe our Western girls are heartier
+than you New Yorkers. By the way, Patty,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span>
+speaking of the West at large, what made you
+tell a naughty story this morning?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t!&#8221; and Patty looked at him with
+wide-open eyes. &#8220;I have a few faults, Jim, a
+<i>very</i> few, and <i>very</i> small ones! but truly, storytelling
+isn&#8217;t among them.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you said you didn&#8217;t get a big blue letter,&#8221;
+pursued Jim.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And neither I did,&#8221; protested Patty.
+&#8220;What do you mean, Jim, by that big blue letter?
+I didn&#8217;t see any.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty, it&#8217;s none of my business, but you seem
+to be in earnest in what you say, so I&#8217;ll tell you
+that there certainly was in the mail a big blue
+letter for you, addressed in Bill Farnsworth&#8217;s
+handwriting. I wasn&#8217;t curious, but I couldn&#8217;t
+help seeing it; and I know the dear old boy&#8217;s
+fist so well, that I was moved to tease you
+about it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It didn&#8217;t tease me, Jim, for I didn&#8217;t get any
+such letter.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, where is it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know, I&#8217;m sure. Perhaps baby May
+kept it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps some of the boys got it and kept
+it to tease you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t believe they&#8217;d do that. Perhaps
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span>
+Adèle saved it for me. Well, we&#8217;ll look
+around when we get home, but don&#8217;t say anything
+about it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But when they reached the house, neither Jim
+nor Patty could find the blue letter. Adèle said
+she had not seen it, and Patty insisted that no
+one else should be questioned. Privately, she
+thought that Hal Ferris had received it by mistake
+from baby May, and had kept it, because
+he, too, knew Bill&#8217;s handwriting, and because,&mdash;well,
+of course, it <i>was</i> foolish, she knew,&mdash;but
+Hal had said he was jealous of any other man,
+and he might have suppressed or destroyed Bill&#8217;s
+card for that reason. She felt sure it was not a
+letter, but merely a Christmas card. However,
+she wanted it, but she wanted to ask Hal for it
+herself, instead of letting the Kenerleys ask
+him.
+</p>
+<hr class='tb' />
+
+<p>&#8220;Dinner will be at two o&#8217;clock,&#8221; Adèle made
+announcement. &#8220;It&#8217;s considered the proper
+thing to eat in the middle of the day on a holiday,
+though why, I never could quite understand.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, of course, the reason is, so the children
+can eat once in a while,&#8221; suggested her
+brother.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Baby can&#8217;t come to the table. She&#8217;s too
+little, and her table manners are informal, to
+say the least. However, the tradition still
+holds, so dinner&#8217;s at two o&#8217;clock, and you may
+as well all go and get dressed, for it&#8217;s after one,
+now. There&#8217;ll be a few extra guests, so you
+girls will have somebody to dress up for.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I like that,&#8221; said Roger; &#8220;as if we boys
+weren&#8217;t enough for any girls to dress up
+for!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you&#8217;ve seen all our pretty frocks,&#8221;
+laughed Patty. &#8220;It&#8217;s only strangers we can
+hope to impress with them now. I shall wear
+my most captivating gown, if Mr. Collins is
+coming. Is he, Adèle?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and Mr. Hoyt, too; and two more girls.
+Skip along, now, and don&#8217;t dawdle.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But Patty dawdled on the staircase till Ferris
+came along, and then she spoke to him in a low
+tone. &#8220;Chub, you didn&#8217;t see a stray letter of
+mine this morning, did you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8217;M&mdash;what kind of a letter?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, a blue envelope, with probably a card
+inside. I hadn&#8217;t opened it, so I don&#8217;t know
+what was in it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who was it from?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, how could I tell, when I hadn&#8217;t opened
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span>
+it! In fact, that&#8217;s just what I want to
+know.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What makes you think I know anything
+about it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Chub, don&#8217;t tease me! I haven&#8217;t time,
+now; and truly, I want that letter! Do you
+know anything about it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Patty, I don&#8217;t. I didn&#8217;t see any letters
+addressed to you, except the bunch you had in
+your hand. Have you really lost one?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; said Patty, seeing that Hal was serious.
+&#8220;Jim told me there was one for me from Mr.
+Farnsworth, and I want it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Bill Farnsworth! What&#8217;s he writing to you
+for? I didn&#8217;t know you knew him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know him very well; I only met him
+last summer. And I don&#8217;t know that he did
+write to me; it was probably just a card. But
+I want it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, you seem to. Why, Patty, you&#8217;re
+blushing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I am not any such thing!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are, too! You&#8217;re as pink as a peach.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I only blushed to make you call me a
+peach,&mdash;and now that I&#8217;ve succeeded, I&#8217;ll run
+away.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>So blushing and laughing both, Patty ran upstairs
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span>
+to her own room. Hal had been so frank
+that she was convinced he knew nothing about
+the letter, and she began to fear it must have
+been tossed into the fire, with the many waste
+papers that were scattered about.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XIII_HIDE_AND_SEEK' id='XIII_HIDE_AND_SEEK'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2>
+<h3>HIDE AND SEEK</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>All the time Patty was dressing she wondered
+about that letter; and when Mona,
+ready for dinner, stopped at her door,
+Patty drew her into the room.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mona,&#8221; she said, &#8220;did you get a Christmas
+card from Mr. Farnsworth?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; said Mona, &#8220;in a big blue envelope.
+Daisy had one, too. Didn&#8217;t you get one?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; Jim said there was one for me, but it
+got lost somehow. Thrown in the fire, I
+shouldn&#8217;t wonder.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, don&#8217;t mind,&#8221; said Mona, cheerfully.
+&#8220;You can have mine. It isn&#8217;t very pretty, and
+Daisy&#8217;s isn&#8217;t either, but I suppose they&#8217;re the
+best Bill could find out there in Arizona. Do
+you want it now, Patty?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t want it at all, Mona. What would I
+want with your card, or Daisy&#8217;s either? But if
+Little Billee sent one to me, I&#8217;d like to have it,
+that&#8217;s all.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course you would; but truly, they don&#8217;t
+amount to much.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Jim must have been mistaken about there being
+one for me,&#8221; said Patty, and then the two
+girls went downstairs.
+</p>
+<p>The Christmas dinner was practically a repetition
+of the feast of the night before; but as
+Adèle said, how could that be helped if people
+would have two Christmas celebrations on successive
+days?
+</p>
+<p>There were four extra guests, who proved to
+be merry and jolly young people, and after dinner
+Hal declared that his reign as Lord of Misrule
+was not yet over.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t let&#8217;s do any more stunts like we had
+last night,&#8221; said Mona. &#8220;They wear me out.
+Let&#8217;s play easy games, like blindman&#8217;s buff, or
+something.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Or Copenhagen,&#8221; said Hal, but Patty
+frowned at him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re too grown-up for such things,&#8221;
+she declared, with dignity. &#8220;What do you
+say to a nice, dignified game of hide and
+seek?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All over the house!&#8221; cried Roger. &#8220;May
+we, Mrs. Kenerley?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The house is yours,&#8221; said Adèle. &#8220;I reserve
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span>
+no portion of it. From cellar to attic,
+from drawing-room to kitchen, hide where you
+will and seek where you like,&mdash;if you&#8217;ll only
+promise not to wake the baby. She&#8217;s taking her
+afternoon nap.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She doesn&#8217;t seem to mind noise,&#8221; said
+Roger. &#8220;We do make an awful racket, you
+know.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, I don&#8217;t mean that,&#8221; said Adèle.
+&#8220;I&#8217;ve trained her not to mind noise. But I
+mean if your hiding and seeking takes you into
+the nursery quarters, do go softly.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course we will,&#8221; said Philip. &#8220;I&#8217;m specially
+devoted to that baby, and I&#8217;ll see that
+her nap isn&#8217;t disturbed, even if I have to stand
+sentry at her door. But what larks to have the
+whole house! I&#8217;ve never played it before but
+what they wouldn&#8217;t let you hide in this room
+or that room. Who&#8217;ll be It?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, that&#8217;s an old-fashioned way to play,&#8221;
+said Hal. &#8220;Here&#8217;s a better way. Either all
+the men hide and the girls find them, or else
+the other way around; and, anyway, don&#8217;t you
+know, whoever finds who, has to be her partner
+or something.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;For life?&#8221; asked Jim, looking horrified.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mercy, no!&#8221; said his brother-in-law. &#8220;This
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span>
+is a civilised land, and we don&#8217;t select life partners
+that way!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You mean just partners for a dance,&#8221; said
+Patty, trying to help him out.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you see,&#8221; said Hal, &#8220;it ought to be
+more than just a dance; I mean more like a
+partner for a,&mdash;for a junketing of some kind.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll tell you,&#8221; said Adèle. &#8220;There&#8217;s to be
+a masquerade ball at the Country Club on New
+Year&#8217;s Eve, and we&#8217;re all going.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Just the thing!&#8221; cried Hal. &#8220;Now, whichever
+seeker finds whichever hider, they&#8217;ll go in
+pairs to the ball, don&#8217;t you see? Romeo and
+Juliet, or anything they like, for costumes.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But we won&#8217;t be here,&#8221; and Philip Van Reypen
+looked ruefully at Roger. &#8220;We go back
+to town to-morrow.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you can come up again,&#8221; said Adèle, hospitably.
+&#8220;I hereby invite you both to come
+back the day before New Year&#8217;s, and stay as
+long as you will.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you are <i>some</i> hostess!&#8221; declared
+Roger, looking grateful. &#8220;I accept with pleasure,
+but I doubt if my friend Van Reypen can
+get away.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can he!&#8221; cried Philip. &#8220;Well, I rather
+guess he can! Mrs. Kenerley, you&#8217;re all sorts
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span>
+of a darling, and you&#8217;ll see me back here on the
+first train after your invitation takes effect.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then hurrah for our game of hide and seek,&#8221;
+Hal exclaimed. &#8220;Jim and Adèle, you must be
+in it, too. You needn&#8217;t think you can go as
+Darby and Joan,&mdash;you must take your chances
+with the rest. If you find each other, all right,
+but if you find anybody else, that&#8217;s your fate,&mdash;see?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m willing,&#8221; said Adèle, laughing. &#8220;I&#8217;m
+sure I&#8217;d be glad to go with any of you beautiful
+young men.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, will you listen to <i>that</i>!&#8221; cried her husband.
+&#8220;Well, I won&#8217;t be outdone in generosity.
+I&#8217;ll be proud to escort any one of this
+galaxy of beauty,&#8221; and he looked at the group
+of pretty girls.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, we must do it all up proper,&#8221; said Hal.
+&#8220;In the first place, we must draw lots to see
+whether the girls shall hide or we shall. We
+must have it all very fair.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He tore two strips of paper, one longer than
+the other, and holding them behind him, bade
+Adèle choose.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Right!&#8221; she said, and Hal put forth his right
+hand and gave her a paper on which was written
+&#8220;Girls.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;All right,&#8221; went on the master of ceremonies.
+&#8220;Now you girls must hide. We&#8217;ll give you
+fifteen minutes to tuck yourselves away, and then
+we&#8217;re all coming to look for you. As soon
+as any man finds any girl, he brings her back
+here to the hall to wait for the others. Now,
+there&#8217;s no stipulation, except that you must not
+go out of the house. Scoot! and remember, in
+fifteen minutes we&#8217;ll be after you!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The six girls ran away and made for various
+parts of the house. The two Misses Crosby,
+who had come as dinner guests, looked a little
+surprised at this unusual game, and Patty said to
+them, kindly: &#8220;You don&#8217;t mind, do you?
+You know, you needn&#8217;t really go with the man
+who finds you, if you don&#8217;t want to.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, we don&#8217;t mind,&#8221; said the elder Miss
+Crosby. &#8220;I think it&#8217;s fun,&mdash;only if I should
+draw that dignified Mr. Van Reypen I&#8217;d be
+scared to death!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, he isn&#8217;t so awfully dignified,&#8221; laughed
+Patty. &#8220;That&#8217;s just his manner at first.
+When you know him better, he&#8217;s as jolly as anything.
+But hurry up, girls, the minutes are flying.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The girls scampered away, some running to
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span>
+the attic, others going into wardrobes or behind
+sofas, and Patty ran to her own room.
+</p>
+<p>Then she bethought herself that that was one
+of the most likely places they would look for
+her, and she was seized with an ambition to baffle
+the seekers. With a half-formed plan in her
+mind, she slipped out of a side door of her own
+room that opened on a small passage leading
+to the nursery. In the nursery, she found the
+baby asleep in her crib, and the Fräulein lying
+down on a couch with a slumber-robe thrown
+over her, though she was not asleep.
+</p>
+<p>Like a flash, Patty&#8217;s plan formed itself. She
+whispered to the Fräulein, and with a quick understanding
+the good-natured German girl took
+off her rather voluminous frilled cap, with its
+long muslin streamers, and put it on Patty&#8217;s
+head. Then Patty lay down on the couch, with
+her face toward the wall, and deep buried in the
+pillows. Fräulein tucked the slumber-robe over
+her, and then herself disappeared down into the
+kitchen quarters.
+</p>
+<p>The search was rather a long one, for the
+house was large, and the girls had chosen difficult
+hiding-places.
+</p>
+<p>The two Crosby girls were found first, because
+not knowing the house well, they had simply
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span>
+gone into hall closets, and stood behind some
+hanging dresses. They were discovered by Jim
+Kenerley and Hal; and if the latter was disappointed
+in his quarry, he gave no sign of it.
+</p>
+<p>The four returned to the hall, and after a
+while they were joined by Roger and Mona.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oho,&#8221; said Jim, who loved to tease, &#8220;what
+a coincidence that you two should find each
+other!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Easy enough,&#8221; said Roger. &#8220;I knew Mona
+would choose the very hardest place to find; so I
+went straight to the attic to the very farthest,
+darkest corner, and there she was, waiting for
+me!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There I was,&#8221; said Mona, &#8220;but I wasn&#8217;t
+waiting for <i>you</i>!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, you were waiting for me, I know,&#8221; said
+Jim, ironically. &#8220;But never mind, Mona, we&#8217;ll
+be partners next time. Hello, Adèle, is that
+<i>your</i> terrible fate?&#8221; and they all laughed as
+Adèle and Mr. Hoyt came in together, with
+cobwebs on their hair and smudges of black on
+their faces.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I thought I&#8217;d be so smart, Jim, and I hid
+in the coal-bin; but Mr. Hoyt found me! By
+the way, we must have that place cleaned; it&#8217;s a
+disgrace to the house!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;But you know, my dear, we don&#8217;t often use
+it to receive our guests in.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I don&#8217;t care, it must be cleaned.
+There&#8217;s no excuse for cobwebs. Now I must
+go and tidy up. I hope they haven&#8217;t wakened
+the baby. Oh, here&#8217;s Daisy.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Daisy and Mr. Collins came in, laughing, and
+Mr. Collins declared he had found Miss Dow
+hanging out the third-story window by her finger-tips.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing of the sort,&#8221; said Daisy. &#8220;I was
+out on a kind of little balcony place, that&#8217;s on
+top of a bay-window or something,&mdash;but I put
+my hands over the sill inside, so that I could say
+I was still in the house. Wasn&#8217;t that fair?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, it&#8217;s fair enough, as long as I found
+you,&#8221; said Mr. Collins. &#8220;But when I saw
+your hands, I really thought you were hanging
+from the sill!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where&#8217;s Patty?&#8221; asked Daisy, &#8220;and Mr.
+Van Reypen? Are they still finding each
+other?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I saw Phil,&#8221; said Roger, &#8220;standing guard
+at the nursery door, as he said he would. He
+let us each go in and look around, on condition
+that we wouldn&#8217;t wake the baby. And the
+baby&#8217;s nurse was also asleep on the sofa, so I
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span>
+looked around and sneaked out as fast as I
+could.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Just then Van Reypen came downstairs.
+&#8220;I&#8217;ve been delayed,&#8221; he said, &#8220;because I held
+the fort for the baby, until every man-jack of
+you had been in the nursery. Now I&#8217;m going
+to begin <i>my search</i>. Who is there left to
+find?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, who, <i>indeed</i>?&#8221; said Jim, looking wise.
+&#8220;Oh, <i>nobody</i> in particular! Nobody but that
+little Fairfield girl, and <i>of course</i> you wouldn&#8217;t
+want to find <i>her</i>!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty!&#8221; exclaimed Philip, as he looked
+around at the group. &#8220;Why, she isn&#8217;t here,
+is she? Where can that little rascal be? You
+fellows have been all over the house, I suppose?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Every nook and cranny,&#8221; declared Mr.
+Hoyt. &#8220;It was as a very last resort that I
+went to the coal-bin and captured Mrs. Kenerley.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Been through the kitchens?&#8221; asked Philip,
+looking puzzled.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have,&#8221; said Mr. Collins. &#8220;They&#8217;re full
+of startled-looking servants who seemed to
+think I was a lunatic, or a gentleman burglar,&mdash;I
+don&#8217;t know which.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, of course she&#8217;s got to be found,&#8221; said
+Philip. &#8220;There&#8217;s no use looking in the obvious
+places, for Patty&#8217;s just cute enough to
+pick out a most unexpected hiding-place.
+Come on, Roger; you found your girl,&mdash;help
+me with mine.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, it isn&#8217;t fair to have help,&#8221; said Hal.
+&#8220;Alone upon your quest you go!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here I go, then.&#8221; And Philip ran upstairs
+three at a time. He went first to the attics, and
+made a systematic search of every hall, room,
+and closet. He even peeped into the great
+tank, as if Patty might have been transformed
+into a mermaid. Then followed a thorough
+search of the second story, with all its rambling
+ells and side corridors; he tiptoed through the
+nursery, smiling at the sleeping baby and casting
+a casual glance at the still figure on the
+couch with the long, white cap-strings falling to
+the floor.
+</p>
+<p>On he went, through the various rooms, and
+at last, with slow step, came down into the hall
+again.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think she had one of those contraptions
+like the Peter Pan fairies,&#8221; he said, &#8220;and flew
+right out through the roof and up into the sky!
+But I haven&#8217;t searched this floor yet. May I
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span>
+go into the dining-room and kitchens, Mrs.
+Kenerley?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Everywhere,&#8221; said Adèle. &#8220;You know I
+made no reservations.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Philip strode through the rooms, looked under
+the dining-room table and into the sideboard
+cupboards; on through the butler&#8217;s pantry, and
+into the kitchens. Needless to say, he found
+no Patty, and returned, looking more puzzled
+than ever.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not going down cellar,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Something
+tells me that Patty couldn&#8217;t possibly stay
+down there all this time! It&#8217;s more than an
+hour since she hid.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What are you going to do about it?&#8221; inquired
+Jim. &#8220;Give it up? I&#8217;ll ring the Chinese
+gong for her to come back to us.
+That was to be a signal in case of an emergency.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; said Philip. &#8220;I&#8217;m going to reason
+this thing out. Give me a few minutes to think,
+and I believe I can find her.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t anybody disturb him, let him think!&#8221;
+said Mona, gaily, and going to the piano, she
+began to play &#8220;Alice, where art thou?&#8221; in
+wailing strains that made them all laugh.
+</p>
+<p>All at once Philip jumped up. &#8220;I know
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span>
+where she is!&#8221; he exclaimed. &#8220;Sit still all of
+you, and I&#8217;ll bring her back with me!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Wait a minute,&#8221; said Adèle, curiously.
+&#8220;How did you find it out?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do <i>you</i> know where she is?&#8221; and Philip
+looked at her intently.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, I haven&#8217;t the slightest idea,&#8221; said Adèle,
+honestly. &#8220;But I wondered how you could
+know, just from thinking about it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s clairvoyance,&#8221; said Philip, with a mock
+air of mystery. &#8220;You see, I know all the
+places where she <i>isn&#8217;t</i>, so the one place I have
+in mind must be where she <i>is</i>. By the way,
+Mrs. Kenerley; baby always takes an afternoon
+nap, doesn&#8217;t she?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, always.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And does the Fräulein, her nurse, always
+take a nap at the same time?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no! She never naps in the daytime.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She did to-day,&#8221; began Roger, but Philip
+was already flying upstairs again.
+</p>
+<p>He went softly into the nursery. The baby
+was still asleep, the figure on the couch still lay
+quietly beneath the knitted afghan.
+</p>
+<p>Philip went over and stood beside the couch.
+The face was buried in the pillow, but beneath
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span>
+the edge of the cap he saw some stray golden
+curls.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;H&#8217;m!&#8221; he mused, in a low voice, but entirely
+audible to Patty. &#8220;I thought baby
+May&#8217;s nurse had dark hair. She must have
+bleached it!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty gave no sign that she heard, but cuddled
+her head more deeply in the soft pillows.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, it isn&#8217;t the Fräulein at all!&#8221; said
+Philip, in tones of great surprise. &#8220;It&#8217;s the
+Sleeping Beauty!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Still Patty gave no intimation of being awake,
+though, of course, she was.
+</p>
+<p>Then Philip leaned down over her and murmured:
+&#8220;And I&#8217;m the Prince; and when the
+Prince finds the Sleeping Beauty, there&#8217;s only
+one course for him to pursue.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>At this, Patty opened her eyes and prepared
+to spring up, but she was not quite quick enough,
+and Philip lightly kissed the top of her little
+pink ear, before she could elude him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How dare you!&#8221; she cried, and her eyes
+flashed with indignation.
+</p>
+<p>But Philip stood calmly smiling at her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s entirely permissible,&#8221; he said, &#8220;when
+any Prince finds a Sleeping Beauty, to kiss her
+awake.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;But I wasn&#8217;t asleep!&#8221; stormed Patty, &#8220;and
+you knew it!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You gave such a successful imitation of it,
+that I consider myself justified,&#8221; he returned.
+&#8220;And, anyway, it was only a little bit of a butterfly
+kiss, and it doesn&#8217;t really count.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; agreed Patty, rather relieved, &#8220;it
+doesn&#8217;t count.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But it counts that I have found you,&#8221; went
+on Philip. &#8220;You know the rest of the story,
+after the Prince kissed the Sleeping Beauty?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She had to go to the Country Club ball with
+him,&#8221; said Patty, laughing, as she danced away
+from him. &#8220;Be careful, Philip; we&#8217;ll wake
+baby May. Come on downstairs.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I found her,&#8221; announced Philip, somewhat
+unnecessarily; &#8220;and I was a blooming idiot not
+to know she was there all the time!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You sure were!&#8221; said Roger, when he heard
+the story. &#8220;Did you get a good rest, Patty?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; only it was interrupted so soon,&#8221; and
+Patty returned Philip&#8217;s meaning glance with a
+saucy smile.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; Roger went on, &#8220;now you two will
+have to go to the masquerade together. I suppose
+you&#8217;ll go as Jack and Jill?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; said Philip, &#8220;I think fairy tales are
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span>
+much prettier than Mother Goose rhymes.
+We&#8217;re going as the Sleeping Beauty in the
+Wood, and the Fairy Prince. Only, of course,
+the Sleeping Beauty will be awake for the occasion.
+Shall I bring up your costume when I
+return next week, Patty?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I might like to have a voice in deciding on
+the part I shall take,&#8221; said Patty, with a show
+of spirit.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you <i>did</i> decide it! I never should have
+thought of appearing as &#8216;Prince Charming,&#8217;
+if you hadn&#8217;t&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That will do, Philip!&#8221; said Patty, turning
+very pink.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Go on, Phil!&#8221; cried Roger. &#8220;If she hadn&#8217;t
+what?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;If she hadn&#8217;t said I&#8217;d look so sweet in a light
+blue satin coat,&#8221; replied Philip, pretending to
+look confused.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, pshaw! She didn&#8217;t say that,&#8221; declared
+Roger. &#8220;And beside, you won&#8217;t!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes, he will,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;Those
+court suits are lovely,&mdash;all silver lace and cocked
+hats! Oh, Philip, do wear one of those! And
+I&#8217;ll write to Nan, to get me a costume. What
+are you going to wear, Mona?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But we mustn&#8217;t tell!&#8221; said Adèle, in dismay.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span>
+&#8220;This is a masquerade, not merely a fancy
+dress ball.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh!&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;Then we&#8217;ll have to
+change our plans, Philip. The Sleeping Beauty
+game is all off!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Only for the moment!&#8221; And Philip threw
+her a challenging glance.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XIV_A_PROPOSAL' id='XIV_A_PROPOSAL'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2>
+<h3>A PROPOSAL</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>It was after midnight when the Christmas
+guests went away, and Patty declared
+her intention of going to bed at
+once.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I coasted and danced and played hide and
+seek till I&#8217;m utterly worn out,&#8221; she said, &#8220;and
+I think I shall sleep for a week!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I&#8217;m going away to-morrow,&#8221; said Philip,
+detaining her a moment.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you&#8217;re coming back next week. I&#8217;ll
+promise to be awake by then. But now I&#8217;m
+going to hibernate, like a bear! Good-night,
+everybody!&#8221; and Patty ran upstairs without
+further ceremony.
+</p>
+<p>But as, in her pretty blue négligée, she sat before
+the mirror brushing her long hair, Mona,
+Daisy, and Adèle all came into her room, quite
+evidently with a determination to chat.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re an old sleepy-head, Patty,&#8221; declared
+Adèle. &#8220;You may sleep as late as you like in
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span>
+the morning, but we want to have a little confab
+now, about lots of things.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nicht, nein, non, no!&#8221; cried Patty, jumping
+up and brandishing her hair-brush. &#8220;I know
+perfectly well what your confabs mean,&mdash;an
+hour or more of chattering and giggling!
+Come in the morning,&mdash;I&#8217;m going to have my
+chocolate upstairs to-morrow,&mdash;and I&#8217;ll give you
+all the information you want. But as for to-night,
+skip, scoot, scamper, and vamoose, every
+dear, sweet, pretty little one of you!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Laughingly, Patty pushed the three out of her
+room, and closing the door after them, turned
+its key, unheeding their protests, and returned
+to her hair-brushing.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s no use, Patricia,&#8221; she said, talking to
+herself in the mirror, as she often did, &#8220;letting
+those girls keep you up till all hours! You
+need your beauty sleep, to preserve what small
+pretence to good looks you have left.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty was not really vain of her pretty face,
+but she well knew that her delicate type of
+beauty could not stand continuous late hours
+without showing it, and Patty was not mistaken
+when she claimed for herself a good share of
+common sense.
+</p>
+<p>But as she brushed away at the golden tangle
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span>
+of curls, she heard a light tap at her door, which
+sounded insistent, rather than mischievous.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who is it?&#8221; she asked, as she rose and went
+toward the door.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s Daisy,&#8221; said a low voice. &#8220;Let me in,
+Patty, just for a minute.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>So Patty opened the door, and Daisy Dow
+came in.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I want to tell you something,&#8221; she said, as
+Patty stood waiting, brush in hand. &#8220;I don&#8217;t
+really want to tell you a bit,&mdash;but Jim says I
+must,&#8221; and Daisy looked decidedly cross and
+ill-tempered.
+</p>
+<p>Patty realised that it was a bother of some
+kind, and she said, gently, &#8220;Leave it till morning,
+Daisy; we&#8217;ll both feel brighter then.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; Jim said I must tell you to-night. Oh,
+pshaw, it&#8217;s nothing, anyway! Only there <i>was</i>
+a letter for you from Bill Farnsworth, and I
+took it from May, and kept it for a while, just
+to tease you. I was going to give it to you to-morrow,
+anyway; but Jim came and asked me
+about it, and made <i>such</i> a fuss! Men are so
+<i>silly</i>!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, no, Daisy, it isn&#8217;t anything much; only
+you know people <i>do</i> like to have letters that
+belong to them! But, as you say, it&#8217;s nothing
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span>
+to make a fuss about. Incidentally, I believe
+it&#8217;s a State&#8217;s prison offence,&mdash;or would be if you
+opened it. You didn&#8217;t, did you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course not!&#8221; said Daisy; &#8220;but I knew
+it was only a card, like ours, and I just kept it
+back for fun.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It doesn&#8217;t seem to me an awfully good joke,&mdash;but
+never mind that. Give me the letter, and
+we&#8217;ll call it square, and I won&#8217;t have you arrested
+or anything.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty spoke lightly, but really she was deeply
+annoyed at this foolish trick of Daisy&#8217;s. However,
+since Jim had found out the truth and
+made Daisy own up, there was no great harm
+done.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t got the letter,&#8221; said Daisy. &#8220;I
+left it downstairs, but we can get it in the morning.
+I&#8217;m sure it&#8217;s only a card; it is just the
+same size and shape as ours.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Daisy, what did you do it for?&#8221; And
+Patty looked the girl in the eyes, in a real curiosity
+to know why she should descend to this
+petty meanness.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Because you&#8217;re such a favourite,&#8221; said Daisy,
+truthfully. &#8220;Everybody likes you best, and
+everybody does everything for you, and you get
+everything, and I wanted to tease you!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span></p>
+<p>Patty grasped the girl by her shoulders, and
+shook her good-naturedly, while she laughed
+aloud. &#8220;Daisy, you <i>do</i> beat the dickens!
+You know that foolish little temper of yours
+is too silly for anything, and if you&#8217;d conquer
+it you&#8217;d be a whole lot nicer girl! You&#8217;re just
+as pretty as anybody else, and just as jolly and
+attractive, but you get a notion that you&#8217;re
+slighted when you&#8217;re <i>not</i>; and that makes you
+ill-tempered and you lose half your charm.
+Don&#8217;t you know that if you want people to love
+you and admire you, you must be sunshiny and
+pleasant?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Huh, that isn&#8217;t my nature, I s&#8217;pose. I can&#8217;t
+help my quick temper. But, anyway, Patty,
+you&#8217;re a dear not to get mad,&mdash;and I&#8217;ll give you
+the letter the first thing in the morning.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where is it, Daisy?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I just stuck it between two volumes of
+a cyclopædia, on a shelf in the library. So,
+you see, we can&#8217;t get it till morning; but it will
+be safe there, don&#8217;t worry.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not worrying,&#8221; and Patty smiled, as
+Daisy said a somewhat abrupt good-night, and
+went away.
+</p>
+<p>There were still a few embers of a wood fire
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span>
+glowing on the hearth, and Patty sat down before
+it in a big arm-chair.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know why I&#8217;m so glad,&#8221; she said to
+herself, her weariness all gone now. &#8220;But I
+did feel neglected to have Little Billee send the
+other girls cards, and leave me out. I&#8217;d like to
+see it; I hardly glanced at theirs,&mdash;though I remember,
+they weren&#8217;t very pretty. I&#8217;d like to
+see Little Billee again, but I don&#8217;t suppose I
+ever shall. Well, there are plenty of other nice
+boys in the world, so it doesn&#8217;t matter much.
+All the same, I&#8217;d like to see that card. I believe
+I&#8217;ll go down and get it. There&#8217;s always
+a low light in the hall, and I can feel it between
+the books.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty hesitated for some time, but finally her
+impatience or curiosity got the better of her,
+and she softly opened her door and peeped out.
+There were low lights in the halls, and as she
+listened over the banister and heard no sounds,
+Patty began to creep softly down the stairs.
+Her trailing robe of light blue crêpe de chine
+was edged with swansdown, and she drew it
+about her, as she noiselessly tiptoed along in
+her slippered feet.
+</p>
+<p>The hall light shone dimly into the library,
+through which Patty could see a brighter light in
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span>
+the smoking-room beyond. She listened a moment,
+but hearing no voices, concluded she could
+creep into the library, capture her card, and return
+undiscovered.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And, anyway,&#8221; she thought to herself,
+&#8220;there can&#8217;t be anybody in the smoking-room,
+or I would hear them talking.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was easy to proceed without a sound by stepping
+softly along the thick rugs, and as Patty
+knew exactly where the cyclopædias were
+shelved, she made straight for that bookcase.
+It was next to the smoking-room doorway, and
+as Patty reached it, she peeped around the portière
+to make sure that the next room was unoccupied.
+</p>
+<p>But to her surprise, she saw Philip Van Reypen
+stretched out in a big arm-chair in front of the
+fire. His eyes were closed, but Patty saw he
+was not asleep, as he was slowly smoking a
+cigar. Patty saw him sidewise, and she stood
+for a second contemplating the handsome profile
+and the fine physique of the man, who looked
+especially graceful in his careless and unconscious
+position.
+</p>
+<p>Almost holding her breath, lest he should hear
+her, Patty moved noiselessly to the shelves, being
+then out of sight behind a portière.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span></p>
+<p>By slow, careful movements, it was easy
+enough to move the books silently, and at last
+she discovered the blue envelope, tucked between
+two of them. She drew it out without
+a sound,&mdash;careful lest the paper should crackle,&mdash;and
+started to retrace her stealthy steps upstairs
+again, when she saw the hem of the portière
+move the veriest trifle.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A mouse!&#8221; she thought to herself, with a
+terrified spasm of fear, for Patty was foolishly
+afraid of mice.
+</p>
+<p>Unable to control herself, she sprang up into
+a soft easy-chair and perched on the back of it.
+</p>
+<p>The springs of the chair gave a tiny squeak,
+scarcely as loud as a mouse might make, yet sufficient
+to arouse Van Reypen from his reverie.
+</p>
+<p>He sprang up, and pushing aside the portière,
+switched on the light, to see Patty sitting on the
+low, tufted back of the chair, her hair streaming
+about her shoulders, and her face expressing
+the utmost fear and horror.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well!&#8221; he observed, looking at her with
+a smile,&mdash;&#8220;<i>well</i>!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Philip,&#8221; whispered Patty, in a quaking
+voice, &#8220;it&#8217;s a mouse! an <i>awful</i> mouse!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, what are you going to do about it?&#8221;
+and Philip folded his arms, and stood gazing
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span>
+at the pretty, frightened figure on the chair
+back.
+</p>
+<p>His amused calm quieted Patty&#8217;s nerves, which
+had really been put on edge by her uncontrollable
+aversion to mice, and she returned, cheerfully,
+&#8220;I suppose I shall have to stay up here
+the rest of my life, unless you can attack and
+vanquish the fearsome brute.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I shall not even try,&#8221; said Philip, coolly, as
+he turned to throw away his cigar, &#8220;because I
+like to see you sitting up there. However, as
+there may be danger of another attack from the
+enemy, and as this chair is almost entirely unoccupied,
+I shall camp out here at your feet, and
+keep guard over your safety.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He seated himself on the arm of the same
+chair, while Patty sat on its low, cushioned back.
+She drew her blue gown more closely about her,
+and cast wary glances toward the corner, where
+the enemy was presumably encamped.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think perhaps the danger is over,&#8221; she
+said. &#8220;And if you&#8217;ll go back to the smoking-room,
+I will make a brave effort to get away
+unharmed.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Watch me go,&#8221; said Philip, showing no signs
+of moving. &#8220;However, if it will set your mind
+at rest, I&#8217;ll tell you that it <i>wasn&#8217;t</i> a mouse. I
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span>
+don&#8217;t believe they have such things in this well-regulated
+household.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I <i>saw</i> it!&#8221; declared Patty, positively.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Saw a mouse?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, not <i>exactly</i> that, but I saw that little
+tassel on the portière wiggle, so it <i>must</i> have
+been a mouse.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty, you are the most ridiculous little goose
+on the face of this earth! Your imagination
+is something marvellous! Now I&#8217;ll inform you
+that the reason that tassel moved, was because
+I threw a match at it. I aimed for a waste-basket
+and hit the curtain, but I had no idea
+that I should find myself so surprised at the
+result!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty dimpled and giggled. &#8220;It <i>is</i> surprising,
+isn&#8217;t it?&#8221; she said, feeling much more light-hearted
+since her fears were relieved regarding
+the mouse. &#8220;And I&#8217;m not sure it&#8217;s altogether
+correct, that you and I should be down here
+alone after midnight.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Fiddlestrings!&#8221; exclaimed Philip. &#8220;Don&#8217;t
+be a silly! And besides, Jim is about somewhere,
+and Adèle has been bobbing in and out.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There was no one in the halls when I came
+down. And I think, Philip, I&#8217;d better go
+back.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;What did you come down for, anyhow?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>For some unexplained reason, Patty suddenly
+felt unwilling to tell what she had come for.
+Bill&#8217;s letter was hidden in the folds of her
+voluminous blue gown, and she couldn&#8217;t quite
+bring herself to tell Philip that she came down
+for that.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I was wakeful,&#8221; she said, &#8220;and I came
+down to get a&mdash;a book.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;H&#8217;m; and you thought you&#8217;d take a volume
+of the Britannica back with you, to read yourself
+to sleep?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty had to laugh at this, for in the corner
+where they were, the shelves contained nothing
+but cyclopædias and dictionaries.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But they&#8217;re really very interesting reading,&#8221;
+she declared.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And this is the little girl who was so sleepy
+she had to run off to bed as soon as the party
+was over! Patty, Patty, I&#8217;m afraid you&#8217;re not
+telling me the truth! Try again.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then,&mdash;well, then, I came down because,&mdash;because
+I was hungry!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah, that&#8217;s better. Anybody has a right to
+be hungry, or even afraid of mice,&mdash;but no
+one has a right to lug a whole cyclopædia upstairs
+to read oneself to sleep.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I wasn&#8217;t going to take <i>all</i> the volumes,&#8221; said
+Patty, demurely, and then she jumped down
+from her perch. &#8220;I&#8217;ll just see which one I do
+want,&#8221; and pretending to read the labels, she
+deftly slipped her letter back between the volumes,
+unseen by Van Reypen.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You little goose, you,&#8221; said Philip, laughing.
+&#8220;Stop your nonsense, and let&#8217;s go and forage in
+the dining-room for something to eat. We
+might as well have some good food while we&#8217;re
+about it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I&#8217;m not exactly in proper dinner garb,&#8221;
+said Patty, shaking out her blue folds, and trailing
+her long robe behind her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense! I don&#8217;t know much about millinery,
+but you never wore anything more becoming
+than all that fiddly-faddly conglomeration
+of blue silk and white fur.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It isn&#8217;t fur,&mdash;it&#8217;s down.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I said you were a goose,&mdash;so it&#8217;s most
+appropriate.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But it&#8217;s swansdown.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, be a swan, then! Be anything you
+like. But come on, let&#8217;s make for the dining-room.
+We&#8217;ll probably find Jim there, but don&#8217;t
+make any noise, or everybody upstairs will
+think we&#8217;re burglars and shoot us.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span></p>
+<p>Philip switched off the library light, and taking
+Patty&#8217;s hand, led her through the dim hall
+and into the dining-room. At the end of this
+room was a wide bay window, which let in a
+perfect flood of moonlight.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh,&#8221; exclaimed Patty, &#8220;what a picture!
+From my room you couldn&#8217;t tell it was moonlight
+at all.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The picture from the window was a far sweep
+of hills, white with snow, and glistening in the
+moonlight. In the foreground, evergreen
+trees, laden with snow, stood about like sentinels,&mdash;and
+a big, yellow three-quarter moon was
+nearing the western horizon.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Isn&#8217;t it wonderful, Philip?&#8221; whispered
+Patty, almost awed at the sight.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, dear,&#8221; he said, still holding her hand
+in both his own. &#8220;Patty, you have a wonderful
+appreciation of the beautiful.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nobody could help loving such a sight as
+that.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And nobody could help loving such a girl
+as you!&#8221; exclaimed Philip, drawing her into
+his arms. &#8220;Patty, darling, you know I love
+you! Patty, <i>do</i> care for me a <i>little</i> bit, won&#8217;t
+you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t, Philip,&#8221; and Patty drew gently away
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span>
+from him. &#8220;<i>Please</i> don&#8217;t talk to me like that!
+Oh, I oughtn&#8217;t to be here! Let me go, Philip,&mdash;I
+<i>know</i> this isn&#8217;t right.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It <i>is</i> right, Patty, darling; because I love you,
+and I want you for all my own. Say you love
+me, and that will make <i>everything</i> all right!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I don&#8217;t, Philip.&#8221; And Patty&#8217;s voice carried
+a hint of tears.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you will, dear; you <i>must</i>, because I love
+you <i>so</i>. Patty, I have always loved you, I
+think, since I first saw you on the stairs at Aunty
+Van&#8217;s that evening. Do you remember?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I remember; but please, Philip, let me
+go now, and <i>don&#8217;t</i> talk to me this way. I don&#8217;t
+<i>want</i> you to!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re frightened, Patty, that&#8217;s all; and perhaps
+I ought not to have spoken just now; but
+you looked so sweet, in the moonlight, with that
+wonderful hair of yours curling about your
+shoulders, that I just couldn&#8217;t help it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll forgive you, Philip, if you&#8217;ll forget this
+whole occurrence.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Forget it? Why, Patty, what do you mean?
+I never forget it for a single moment! I was
+sitting there to-night, dreaming of <i>you</i>. I
+wasn&#8217;t asleep, you know, I was just thinking
+about you, and wondering how soon I might tell
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span>
+you my thoughts. You&#8217;re so young, dear,&mdash;I&#8217;m
+half a dozen years older than you are,&mdash;but I
+want you, my little Patty. Mayn&#8217;t I hope?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re quite right, Philip. I <i>am</i> too young
+to think of such things. So cut it out for a
+couple of years, and then I&#8217;ll see about it!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty, you rogue, how <i>can</i> you speak like
+that? Don&#8217;t you love me a least little bit?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not a teenty weenty speck! And if you
+don&#8217;t give me something to eat, I won&#8217;t even
+<i>like</i> you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, here&#8217;s a bargain, then,&mdash;if I find something
+nice for you to eat, will you like me a
+whole lot?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I do like you a whole lot, anyway; but I don&#8217;t
+love you and I&#8217;m not going to love <i>anybody</i>,
+<i>ever</i>! I do think being grown-up is a regular
+nuisance, and I wish I was a little girl again,
+with my hair down my back!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Incidentally, your hair <i>is</i> down your back.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I don&#8217;t care,&#8221; and Patty shook her
+curly mane. &#8220;I wear it that way in tableaux
+and things, so what&#8217;s the difference?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There <i>isn&#8217;t</i> any difference. We&#8217;ll pretend
+you&#8217;re a tableau.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, I&#8217;ll be Patience on a Monument,
+waiting for some supper.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;That was Little Tommy Tucker.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; <i>he</i> sang for his supper. I&#8217;m not going
+to sing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;For Heaven&#8217;s sake, <i>don&#8217;t</i>! Your top notes
+would bring the whole crowd down here!
+Patty, if you&#8217;ll promise to love me <i>some time</i>,
+I&#8217;ll stop teasing you <i>now</i>.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Philip, I&#8217;d do &#8217;most anything to have
+you stop teasing me now! But how <i>can</i> I tell
+who I&#8217;m going to love when I get old enough
+to love anybody?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you don&#8217;t love anybody yet, do you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I do <i>not</i>!&#8221; and Patty shook her head with
+great emphasis.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then I have a fair show, anyway.&#8221; And
+Philip drew the curtain that shut out the moonlight,
+and switched on the electric light.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Exit Romance!&#8221; he said, &#8220;and enter Comedy!
+Now, Patty, you&#8217;re my little playmate;
+we&#8217;re just two kiddies in the pantry, stealing
+jam,&mdash;that is, if we can find any jam.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The pantry&#8217;s the place,&#8221; said Patty; &#8220;there&#8217;s
+nothing in the sideboard but biscuit and raisins.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They don&#8217;t sound very good to me. To
+the pantry!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Into the pantries they went, and there, in
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span>
+cupboards and iceboxes, found all sorts of good
+things.
+</p>
+<p>Cold turkey, game pâté, jellies, custards, cakes,
+and all varieties of food.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is ever so much more fun than moonlight,&#8221;
+said Patty, as she perched herself on a
+table, there being no chair, and held a partridge
+wing in one hand and a macaroon in the other.
+&#8220;Could you find me a glass of milk, Philip?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, indeed; anything you want, my
+Princess.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I thought you said Jim was about,&#8221; Patty
+remarked.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He was,&#8221; returned Philip, calmly. &#8220;I saw
+him go upstairs as we came in the dining-room.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did he see us?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Sure! He grinned at me and I grinned at
+him. I didn&#8217;t invite him to come with us,&mdash;so
+being a polite gentleman, he didn&#8217;t come. He
+doesn&#8217;t mind our eating up his food. He&#8217;s
+awful hospitable, Jim is.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;ve had enough of his food, and now
+I&#8217;m going back to my downy couch. If I don&#8217;t
+see you to-morrow before you leave,&mdash;good-bye,
+Philip.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s a nice, casual way to say good-bye to
+a man who has just proposed to you!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Good gracious! <i>Was</i> that a proposal?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, rather! What did you think it was?
+A sermon, or just a bit of oratory?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know, Philip, truly I didn&#8217;t realise
+it at the time,&#8221; and Patty&#8217;s smile was very provoking,
+as she looked up into his face.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Would your answer have been different if
+you had?&#8221; he asked, eagerly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, not that! But I just want you to
+understand that I don&#8217;t consider it a real proposal,&#8221;
+and Patty laughed and ran away, leaving
+Philip to &#8220;clear up&#8221; the pantry.
+</p>
+<p>She stopped a moment in the library, long
+enough to get her blue letter, and then scuttled
+up the stairs and into her own room.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XV_A_CHRISTMAS_CARD' id='XV_A_CHRISTMAS_CARD'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2>
+<h3>A CHRISTMAS CARD</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Once safely behind her locked door,
+Patty tore open her blue envelope.
+It was only a card,&mdash;but not an ordinary
+printed Christmas card.
+</p>
+<p>In the upper corner was a spray of apple blossoms,
+exquisitely painted; and on the card were
+some verses, written in a hand that was small
+and fine, but unmistakably the same as the address
+on the outside of the envelope.
+</p>
+<p>With a little sigh of pleasure, Patty cuddled
+up in her arm-chair to read the Christmas message.
+</p>
+<p>But it proved to be not very Christmassy, after
+all; for this is what she read:
+</p>
+<div class='ce'>
+<p>&#8220;MY LADY OF DELIGHT</p>
+</div>
+
+<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>&#8220;My Lady of Delight&#8217;s a dainty, winsome thing;</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>She&#8217;s Queen of Summertime, and Princess of the Spring.</p>
+<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span></div>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Her lovely, smiling lips are roses set to rhyme,</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>She has a merry, lilting laugh, like Bluebells all a-chime.</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>The radiance of her smile, the sunshine in her eyes,</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Is like the Dawn of breaking Day upon the summer skies.</p>
+<br />
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>&#8220;With roguish glances bright, all on a Summer Day,</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>My Lady of Delight she stole my heart away;</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>And though I humbly beg and plead with her, alack!</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>My Lady of Delight, she will not give it back.</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>I seem to see her now, with tangled golden curl,</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>With dancing eyes, and smiling lips,&mdash;My Apple Blossom Girl!</p>
+<br />
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>&#8220;Oh, Lady of Delight, I pray you, smile on me;</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Oh, Lady of Delight, your Knight I fain would be;</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Oh, Lady of Delight, you set my heart aglow.</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 12em;'>I only know</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 12em;'>I love you so,</p>
+<p  style='margin: 0 0 0 8em;'>Dear Lady of Delight!&#8221;</p>
+</td></tr></table>
+
+<p>Patty read the verses over twice, with shining
+eyes.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I wonder if he wrote them himself,&#8221; she
+mused. &#8220;I don&#8217;t believe he did; he must have
+copied them. He knows an awful lot of pretty
+poetry like that. And yet it doesn&#8217;t sound like
+a real poet&#8217;s poetry, either. And he used to
+call me Apple Blossom,&mdash;such a pretty name.
+Philip would never think of such a thing as that.
+I wonder if I like Little Billee better than I do
+Philip. I wonder if he likes me better. But
+of course he can&#8217;t, or he would have written
+to me in all this time. I haven&#8217;t seen him since
+August, and he never wrote a word, except the
+stiffest kind of a line with those flowers he sent
+me. I thought he&#8217;d forgotten all about me!
+But I can&#8217;t think so now,&mdash;unless he just came
+across this poem, and it recalled me to his mind.
+Well, I came awfully near not getting it! I
+don&#8217;t see how Daisy <i>could</i> have been so mean;
+I don&#8217;t like that kind of a joke a bit. But of
+course she thought it was just a printed card,
+like hers and Mona&#8217;s. Well, she&#8217;ll never know
+it <i>isn&#8217;t</i>,&mdash;that&#8217;s one thing sure!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And then Patty tucked her card of verses under
+her pillow and went to sleep.
+</p>
+<p>The next morning, as Patty had prophesied,
+she slept late. Daisy peeped into her room two
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span>
+or three times before she finally found Patty&#8217;s
+blue eyes open.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;At last!&#8221; she said, sitting down on the edge
+of the bed. &#8220;I thought you&#8217;d never wake up!
+Patty, what do you think? I&#8217;ve been down
+in the library, and I can&#8217;t find that card! I&#8217;m
+awfully sorry, truly I am; I&#8217;ll give you mine if
+you want it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you, Daisy,&#8221; and Patty smiled at the
+recollection of Mona&#8217;s similar offer. &#8220;Bill&#8217;s
+cards seem to be a drug in the market! But you
+may keep yours, and also set your mind at rest
+about mine; for I sneaked downstairs last night
+in the dark, and fished it out for myself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You did! Oh, Patty, weren&#8217;t you frightened
+to prowl around like that, late at night?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty shook with laughter. &#8220;I <i>was</i> frightened,&#8221;
+she said, &#8220;when I thought I saw a
+mouse,&mdash;but it wasn&#8217;t a mouse, after all.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I wouldn&#8217;t be afraid of a mouse! But
+you might have met a,&mdash;a burglar or something?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; and Patty still grinned. &#8220;I didn&#8217;t
+meet any <i>burglar</i>. But I got the card, Daisy,
+so that&#8217;s all right.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Was it like mine? Let me see it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It wasn&#8217;t exactly like yours, and I won&#8217;t let
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span>
+you see it. You kept it away from me, and
+now it&#8217;s my turn to keep it away from you.
+And by the way, Daisy, that was a mean thing
+to do, and I don&#8217;t want you to do anything like
+that to me again!&#8221; Patty&#8217;s sweet face showed
+an unusually stern expression, and her blue eyes
+looked straight into Daisy&#8217;s as she spoke.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I won&#8217;t, Patty; truly, I won&#8217;t. I&#8217;m awfully
+sorry, but I did it on a sudden impulse.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know it; and, Daisy, I want you to try not
+to give way to those &#8216;sudden impulses&#8217; when
+they&#8217;re mean ones. You have enough good,
+generous impulses to keep you busy. Now, you
+mustn&#8217;t mind if your Aunt Patty lectures you
+a little bit, because as the teachers always say,
+&#8216;it&#8217;s for your own good.&#8217; And if you&#8217;ll please
+take a chair, instead of sitting all over my feet,
+I&#8217;d like to have my breakfast; for I hear my
+pretty little Swedish Hedwig bringing it in.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The smiling maid appeared with Patty&#8217;s breakfast
+tray, followed by Mona and Adèle.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Company already!&#8221; exclaimed Patty, sitting
+up in bed. &#8220;Hedwig, quick, my breakfast cap,&mdash;the
+pink one,&mdash;and the nightingale to match.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The maid threw the silken wrap around Patty&#8217;s
+shoulders, and tucked her hair into the
+lace-frilled cap, which was of a Dutch shape,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span>
+and made Patty look like the pictures of Holland&#8217;s
+pretty queen.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t seem hungry,&#8221; said Mona, as
+Patty toyed with her chocolate. &#8220;Now, I ate
+a most astonishing breakfast, because I forgot
+to eat my supper last night.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you see,&#8221; returned Patty, dropping
+her lashes to hide her twinkling eyes, &#8220;I didn&#8217;t
+forget to eat my supper.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The recollection of that supper in the pantry
+was too much for her, and she burst into laughter.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What <i>is</i> the matter with you, Patty?&#8221; said
+Adèle. &#8220;You&#8217;re acting like a harmless lunatic!
+However, I&#8217;m sent to tell you to hop up and get
+dressed, for one of your admirers below stairs
+wants you to go for a sleighride with him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Jim?&#8221; asked Patty, looking up with a
+smile.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; Mr. Van Reypen.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, good gracious! I don&#8217;t care about going
+riding with Philip; I can see <i>him</i> in New
+York. I hoped it was Hal,&mdash;that&#8217;s why I said
+Jim.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty,&#8221; said her hostess, &#8220;you&#8217;re a born
+coquette, and always will be! But your wiles
+are wasted on me. Save them for your suitors.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_249' name='page_249'></a>249</span>
+But, truly, Mr. Van Reypen is going on an
+errand for me, and he said that he wanted to
+show you <i>some</i> little attention while he was
+here, and he guessed he&#8217;d let you go along with
+him in the cutter.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, a cutter ride,&#8221; and Patty began to scramble
+out of bed. &#8220;That sounds rather good
+fun. But I&#8217;d rather go with Hal.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you&#8217;re candid, at any rate,&#8221; said Daisy.
+&#8220;But as it happens, Hal and I are going to
+practise some music this morning.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, in that case, I&#8217;ve nothing more to say.&#8221;
+And Patty smiled good-naturedly at Daisy.
+&#8220;And I suppose Mona and Roger are going
+somewhere to play by themselves.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing of the sort,&#8221; said Mona. &#8220;Roger&#8217;s
+going back to the city this morning, and I&#8217;m
+going to write letters.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I thought Philip was going back to the
+city,&#8221; said Patty, looking at Adèle.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s going on the afternoon train. Go on
+and get dressed, Patty, and don&#8217;t waste any
+more time.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right,&#8221; and Patty made an expeditious
+toilette and in little more than half an hour
+went downstairs equipped for her ride.
+</p>
+<p>She was enveloped from head to foot in a
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span>
+raccoon fur coat, with a jaunty hat of the same,
+trimmed only with a bright quill feather.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why do we go?&#8221; she demanded, presenting
+herself before Philip, who was waiting in the
+hall.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;To get butter and eggs,&#8221; he returned,
+gravely. &#8220;The Kenerley larder is entirely
+empty of those two very necessary ingredients.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But why do <i>we</i> go for them? Are there no
+servants to send?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Little girls shouldn&#8217;t ask questions,&#8221; and
+without further ceremony Philip tucked her into
+the waiting sleigh, sprang in beside her, and
+took up the lines.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My, this is great!&#8221; exclaimed Patty, as the
+pair of fine horses went dashing down the drive,
+and the clear, keen winter air blew against her
+face.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; I thought the sleighride would brace
+you up. And, really, there seemed to be nobody
+to send on this errand, so I said we&#8217;d
+go.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is it far?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; only about five miles; we&#8217;ll be back for
+luncheon. How did you sleep, after your late
+supper?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right,&#8221; and Patty smiled back into
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_251' name='page_251'></a>251</span>
+Philip&#8217;s face. &#8220;But I wasn&#8217;t hungry for my
+breakfast.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I should say not! You ate enough last
+night for two little girls like you!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There aren&#8217;t two little girls like me!&#8221; said
+Patty, with twinkling eyes, and Philip exclaimed:
+&#8220;Indeed, there aren&#8217;t! I say, Patty, my Princess
+Patty, <i>do</i> be engaged to me, won&#8217;t you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, you ridiculous boy, I won&#8217;t! And if
+you say another word on the subject, I&#8217;ll be real
+downright mad at you!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Very well, I won&#8217;t. Now, see here, Princess,
+do you mean to go to this masquerade ball
+with me? For, if not, I&#8217;m not coming back
+here for New Year&#8217;s.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, of course, I&#8217;m going with you. Who
+else?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know, I&#8217;m sure. But there would
+be plenty glad to take you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Pooh! I know that. But I want to go
+with you. What shall we wear?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I was thinking of some foolish thing, like
+Little Bo-Peep, you know.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I&#8217;d love to be that! A shepherdess
+costume, and a crook with ribbons on. But I
+want you to wear a satin coat and knee-breeches.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_252' name='page_252'></a>252</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;ll be Old King Cole.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, I don&#8217;t like that. I&#8217;ll tell you! You
+be Little Boy Blue.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The Gainsborough picture?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, that won&#8217;t do either. Oh, you be
+Bobby Shafto! He wears &#8216;silver buckles on
+his knee,&#8217; don&#8217;t you know?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I <i>do</i> know! And what&#8217;s the next
+line?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind,&#8221; said Patty, turning pink. &#8220;I
+want you to wear a real Bobby Shafto costume.
+So you will, won&#8217;t you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course, if my Princess commands. I&#8217;ll
+have it made at once. Can I help about
+yours?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you might go to see Nan, and tell her
+what I want, and she&#8217;ll get it and send it up
+here. A shepherdess rig is easy enough, and
+there&#8217;s nothing prettier.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It will be lovely. I say, which way do we
+turn here?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;To go to Hatton&#8217;s Corners? Oh, to the
+right.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think it&#8217;s the left.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, it isn&#8217;t. I remember distinctly, Jim said,
+be sure to take the right road.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He meant right, not wrong.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_253' name='page_253'></a>253</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense! he didn&#8217;t. He meant right, not
+left. Turn right, Philip.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>They turned right, into a wide, straight road.
+The sleighing was fine, though not yet sufficiently
+packed. But, with the light cutter, and
+two good horses, they spun along in great shape.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s something about sleighing that&#8217;s different
+from anything else,&#8221; remarked Patty,
+with the air of one expounding a great truth.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s the exhilaration. Spinning along like
+this, with the snow crunching under us, beats
+motoring, I think.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; for an occasional ride. But for all
+the year round, motoring is best.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s so. Sleighing isn&#8217;t much fun in July
+or August.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Huh! don&#8217;t be silly. But, I say, Philip,
+where are we? Jim said we&#8217;d pass Little Falls,
+and then we must follow the trolley line all the
+way to the butter and egg house. I don&#8217;t see
+any trolley.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Neither do I, yet. But we&#8217;ll soon strike it.
+Ah, here we are!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; this is a railroad,&mdash;a steam railroad, I
+mean. Philip, we&#8217;re off the road.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think we are. I&#8217;m sorry I insisted on turning
+to the right at that corner.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_254' name='page_254'></a>254</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You <i>didn&#8217;t</i> insist. <i>I</i> did! But I thought it
+was right.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It <i>is</i> right, dear. Anything is right, where
+you are.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;d better stop talking foolishness, and
+find the right road.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, if you call that <i>foolishness</i>!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I do! I&#8217;d rather you&#8217;d get to the egg
+house and back before it begins to storm. And
+by the looks of the sky, I&#8217;m sure it <i>is</i> going to
+storm.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no! nothing like that. But I say!
+Princess! it&#8217;s after one o&#8217;clock! Now, who
+would have thought it? And they expect us
+back to luncheon!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;After one! Oh, Philip, it <i>can&#8217;t</i> be!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, it is! Well, Patty Pink, the best thing
+to do, <i>I</i> think, is to go to that house I see in
+the dim distance, and ask our way. The last
+two or three signposts have shown names <i>I</i>
+never heard of.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I either,&#8221; said Patty, in a meek voice. &#8220;I
+noticed them, but I didn&#8217;t say anything, because
+it&#8217;s my fault we went astray.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, never mind. We&#8217;re in for a lark,
+that&#8217;s all. &#8216;Afar in the desert I love to ride&#8217;&mdash;what
+comes next, Patty?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_255' name='page_255'></a>255</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;With the silent Bushboy alone by my
+side&mdash;&mdash;&#8217;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, that&#8217;s it; but thank goodness, you&#8217;re not
+silent&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nor a Bushboy, either. But I don&#8217;t like
+this, Philip. We&#8217;re&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re far frae our hame, and all that. But
+don&#8217;t you worry, my Princess. You&#8217;re with me,
+and so you&#8217;re not lost. You know, it&#8217;s better
+to be loved than lost.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Philip, stop talking about love! It&#8217;s
+bad enough to be lost,&mdash;and we <i>are</i> lost,&mdash;without
+having somebody harping about love all the
+time.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, this isn&#8217;t much of a time or place, is
+it? So, suppose we invade this peaceful
+dwelling, and inquire our latitude and longitude.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>They drove up a winding road to a large, old-fashioned
+house, and Philip jumped out at the
+front door.
+</p>
+<p>His summons on the big, brass knocker was
+answered by a prim little lady, with grey hair
+and bright, dark eyes.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Pardon me, madame,&#8221; said Philip, in his best
+manner. &#8220;We have lost our way. Will you
+tell me how to reach Hatton&#8217;s Corners?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_256' name='page_256'></a>256</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Hatton&#8217;s Corners! Why, that&#8217;s a good ten
+miles from here. Where&#8217;d you come from?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;From Fern Falls.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then you took the wrong road at the Big
+Tree Fork. You&#8217;d oughter &#8216;a&#8217; gone to the
+left.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;H&#8217;m; you may be right. But must we go
+back there, or is there a shorter cut?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; there ain&#8217;t no shorter cut. But your
+young lady looks cold. Won&#8217;t you two come
+in and take a bite o&#8217; dinner, and get warm before
+you go on?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, this is true hospitality, madame.
+What do you say, Patty?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty looked uncertain. &#8220;I don&#8217;t know what
+to say,&#8221; she replied, hesitatingly. &#8220;I <i>am</i> cold;
+but I&#8217;m afraid it would delay us so long that
+Adèle will worry about us. I think we&#8217;d better
+jog along.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But then another old lady appeared. She was
+rounder, rosier, plumper, and jollier than the
+first, and she cried out, heartily: &#8220;Jog along?
+Well, I reckon not! I jest waited to slip into
+my shoes,&mdash;my feet&#8217;s awful tender,&mdash;and then I
+come right out here to see what&#8217;s goin&#8217; on.
+Now, you two young folks come right in, and
+set a spell. &#8217;Tain&#8217;t often we get a chance to
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_257' name='page_257'></a>257</span>
+have comp&#8217;ny,&mdash;and on chicken pie day,
+too!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Whew, chicken pie!&#8221; exclaimed Philip.
+&#8220;How about it, Patty?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have you a telephone?&#8221; asked Patty, with
+a sudden inspiration.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, miss. Now you jest come along.
+&#8217;Kiah, the hired man, he&#8217;ll look after your
+horses, and I&#8217;m free to confess they need a rest
+and a feed, even if you don&#8217;t.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s so,&#8221; said Philip. &#8220;We must have
+come twelve or fifteen miles.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s all o&#8217; that from Fern Falls. My, I&#8217;m
+right down glad to look after you two. You
+do seem to need it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The speaker&#8217;s twinkling dark eyes looked at
+her two visitors with such comprehension that
+Patty blushed and Philip smiled.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re from Mr. Kenerley&#8217;s house,&#8221; he explained,&mdash;&#8220;guests
+there, you know. And we
+started for Hatton&#8217;s Corners to get some butter
+and eggs&mdash;and somehow, we took the wrong
+turn&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It was all my fault,&#8221; confessed Patty. &#8220;I
+insisted on coming this way, though Mr. Van
+Reypen thought the other was right.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, well, never mind! It&#8217;ll jest be a nice,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_258' name='page_258'></a>258</span>
+smart trip back after dinner. I&#8217;m Mrs. Fay,
+and this is my sister, Miss Wilhelmina Winthrop.
+She&#8217;s got a longer name than I have,
+but I&#8217;ve got a longer head.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>They were ushered into the old-fashioned sitting-room,
+with its Brussels carpet showing huge
+baskets of flowers; its heterogeneous furniture,
+some chairs haircloth and black walnut, and
+others cane-seated, with rep cushions tied on;
+marble tables, of course; and an old sofa, with
+well-worn pillows and rugs.
+</p>
+<p>But the place had a hospitable air, and the two
+hostesses were fairly beaming with delight at
+this opportunity for entertainment. Miss Winthrop
+carried Patty off to her own bedroom.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re jest all tuckered out, I can see,&#8221; she
+said, hovering around her like a clucking hen;
+&#8220;but a wash-up and a good dish o&#8217; chicken pie
+will put you all to rights again.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I must telephone before we eat dinner,&#8221;
+said Patty.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So you shall,&mdash;so you shall. Now, don&#8217;t
+you worry the leastest mite about anything.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How kind you are!&#8221; exclaimed Patty, smiling
+on the happy little old lady. &#8220;I suppose
+you belong to the real old New England Winthrops?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_259' name='page_259'></a>259</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and we&#8217;re mighty proud of our name.
+I was so much so that I never would change
+it,&#8221;&mdash;and she chuckled. &#8220;Sister, though, she
+thought Fay was prettier.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Fay <i>is</i> pretty,&#8221; said Patty, cordially, &#8220;and
+now, if I may, I&#8217;ll telephone, for I know our
+people will be wondering where we are.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right, Miss Fairfield; come right along.&#8221;
+But in returning to the sitting-room, Patty
+found Philip was already at the telephone.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yep,&#8221; he was saying, &#8220;lost our way; took
+wrong turning at Big Tree Fork. Brought up,
+somehow, at Mrs. Fay&#8217;s. Accepted invitation
+to dinner,&mdash;chicken pie!&mdash;Start back immediately
+after the E in Pie! See? Expect us
+when we get there. Will accumulate a butter
+and a egg or two, on our way home. Love
+to all. Philip.&#8221; He concluded his harangue,
+and turned to Patty.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All serene on the Potomac, Patty Pink! I
+told them all it was necessary for them to know;
+and if they desire further information, they can
+call us up. They know where we are. Me for
+the chicken pie!&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XVI_STORMBOUND' id='XVI_STORMBOUND'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_260' name='page_260'></a>260</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2>
+<h3>STORMBOUND</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>The two old ladies were not of the quaint
+type, nor was their home picturesque.
+The place and the people were merely
+old-fashioned, and they were almost primitive in
+their ways. They were kind-hearted and hospitable,
+but they were of the rugged New England
+class that has lost the charm of its Colonial
+ancestry.
+</p>
+<p>The dinner was wholesome and plentiful, but
+with no variety, and served in the plainest fashion.
+The chicken pie was delicious, but it had
+no accompaniments except home-made hot
+biscuit and coffee with thick, rich, country
+cream.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I always say,&#8221; said Miss Winthrop, as she
+settled herself at the table, &#8220;that chicken pie is
+a whole meal in itself, without any bothersome
+side-dishes. I say it&#8217;s meat and drink both;
+but sister says she just can&#8217;t enjoy it &#8217;thout she
+has a cup of coffee alongside of it. Well, I&#8217;ve
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_261' name='page_261'></a>261</span>
+no objections to the coffee, I&#8217;m sure, but I&#8217;m
+free to admit it does seem superfluous. Still,
+with company so, it ain&#8217;t so much out of
+place.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sorry if we&#8217;ve made you any extra trouble,&#8221;
+said Patty, giving Miss Winthrop one of
+her best smiles; &#8220;but <i>I&#8217;m</i> free to confess that
+this is the most wonderful coffee that I&#8217;ve ever
+tasted, and I think it goes specially well with
+the pie. And as for these light biscuit,
+they&#8217;re just puffs of lusciousness! Aren&#8217;t they,
+Philip?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They are, indeed! All you say is true, but
+both coffee and biscuit pale beside the glory of
+this chicken pie! There never <i>was</i> such another!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mrs. Fay beamed with delight at these generous
+compliments, and said, complacently,
+&#8220;Yes, they ain&#8217;t many can make chicken pie like
+mine, if I do say it. My, ain&#8217;t it lucky you
+young people happened along, to-day of all
+days! And land knows, I don&#8217;t want you to
+go away right off. I&#8217;d like you to set a spell
+after dinner. But I feel it my bounden duty to
+tell you that &#8217;Kiah says there&#8217;s a storm
+a-brewin&#8217;. But I don&#8217;t think you need start off
+before, say, three o&#8217;clock, anyway.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_262' name='page_262'></a>262</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Three o&#8217;clock will do nicely,&#8221; returned
+Philip, gaily. &#8220;That will give us time to stop
+at Hatton&#8217;s Corners and get home before dark.
+Personally, I&#8217;m not in a bit of a hurry.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No?&#8221; And Mrs. Fay looked quizzically at
+her guests. &#8220;I just reckon, young man, that
+you ain&#8217;t one mite sorry that you lost your way
+and had this little outing with your young
+lady?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Indeed I&#8217;m not sorry, Mrs. Fay; and beside
+our little outing, we&#8217;re having a pleasant visit
+with you, and we&#8217;re enjoying every minute
+of it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Indeed we are,&#8221; said Patty, glancing out of
+the window as she spoke. &#8220;But it&#8217;s beginning
+to snow already, and I don&#8217;t think we&#8217;d better
+wait until three o&#8217;clock.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Land&#8217;s sake!&#8221; and Miss Winthrop turned
+to look out of the window behind her. &#8220;So
+it is snowing! And when it begins that way,
+with fine flakes, slanting crossways, it means
+business! I dunno as you can hardly dare
+venture on a twelve-mile ride in the face of this.
+&#8217;Pears to me it&#8217;s going to be a blizzard.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense, Mina; you do always look on
+the dark side,&#8221; expostulated her sister. &#8220;Now
+<i>I</i> think &#8217;tain&#8217;t nothing but a flurry, and by then
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_263' name='page_263'></a>263</span>
+dinner is over, it&#8217;ll be bright sunshine again.
+Now, have your plates filled up, friends, and
+try and make out a meal.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mrs. Fay fairly beamed with hospitality as
+she urged more viands upon her guests. The
+table appointments were of the plainest, being
+thick white china and coarse table napery, with
+plated silverware. Patty had expected thin little
+old teaspoons of hall-marked silver, and old
+blue or perhaps copper-lustre teacups, but this
+household was not of that sort. Everything
+seemed to date from the early seventies, and
+Patty wondered why there were no old Winthrop
+heirlooms in the family.
+</p>
+<p>She brought the conversation round to antiques,
+and Mrs. Fay remarked, decidedly: &#8220;I
+just can&#8217;t bear old-fashioned things. I come
+into quite a lot of old mahogany furniture and
+pewter and dishes and things when my grandfather
+died. But when I got married, I had
+an auction and sold everything. Then I took
+the money and bought a whole new outfit. I
+believe in going right along with the times.
+&#8217;Course those old things were all right for
+grandfather, but when I married, I&#8217;m free to
+confess, I wanted things that were in style then.
+So I bought a real tasty outfit, and I&#8217;ve kept
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_264' name='page_264'></a>264</span>
+it careful, and it&#8217;s pretty near as good as new
+now.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>She looked around with pride at her dining-room
+furnishings, which seemed to Patty about
+the worst she had ever seen.
+</p>
+<p>But she smiled at her hostess, and said, cordially:
+&#8220;I <i>do</i> think it&#8217;s nice to have just what
+you want; and I think we do get attached to
+our own things. Have you lived here long?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Land, yes! Nearly all my life. Mr. Fay,
+he&#8217;s been dead twenty-five years; so sister and
+me we live here together, as contented as you
+please. We have a telephone and a rural delivery,
+so you see it&#8217;s just the same as if we were
+right in town. Now, if you really won&#8217;t eat
+any more pie, let&#8217;s go into the sittin&#8217;-room a
+spell.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>From the sitting-room windows the view of
+the storm seemed more serious. The sky was
+black, the wind was blowing a gale, and the
+snow-flurry had grown thicker. In fact, it was
+a hard snowstorm, and Miss Winthrop&#8217;s fear
+of a blizzard did not seem entirely unfounded.
+</p>
+<p>The young people took it lightly, however.
+&#8220;There&#8217;s no use worrying,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;We
+ought to be thankful, Philip, that we&#8217;re under
+shelter, and with such kind friends. You&#8217;ll
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_265' name='page_265'></a>265</span>
+keep us till the storm is over, won&#8217;t you, Mrs.
+Fay?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, and glad to. You just can&#8217;t think of
+starting now, so you might as well settle down
+and make the best of it. Want to telephone
+to your people again?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We will after a while; but there&#8217;s no use
+calling them up now. Let&#8217;s wait and see
+whether the storm grows worse or better.
+Why, if it&#8217;s a blizzard, we may have to stay
+here all night!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t let that worry you none,&#8221; and Mrs.
+Fay swung back and forth complacently in her
+plush patent-rocker. &#8220;We got two spare bedrooms,
+and I&#8217;ll just be tickled to death to put
+you up over night. You&#8217;re just like a streak
+of sunshine in the house, Miss Fairfield,
+and I&#8217;m glad to have you as long as you&#8217;ll
+stay.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wish you&#8217;d call me a streak of sunshine,&#8221;
+said Philip. &#8220;I&#8217;d love to be called that.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you&#8217;re bright enough,&#8221; and Mrs. Fay
+looked at him, serenely. &#8220;But you&#8217;re a different
+kind of a streak.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A streak of lightning, I guess, if need be,&#8221;
+said Miss Winthrop, nodding her head at
+Philip, as if she appreciated his capabilities.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_266' name='page_266'></a>266</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m quick at some things,&#8221; said Philip, modestly.
+&#8220;But, jiminy crickets! I don&#8217;t believe
+we&#8217;re going to be very quick getting away from
+here! Just look at the storm, <i>now</i>!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The fury of the elements had increased. The
+wind was a raging northern blast, and the snow
+was already piled in drifts. It was, in fact, a
+blizzard in a small way, and was rapidly growing.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But never mind the weather, so long as
+we&#8217;re together,&#8221; sang Patty with a little trill,
+as she danced about the room. Then she seated
+herself at the old, square piano, and began to
+sing snatches of gay songs.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My land! How pretty you do sing,&#8221; said
+Miss Winthrop, who was leaning on the end
+of the piano, listening delightedly. &#8220;Oh, sing
+more, won&#8217;t you? I don&#8217;t know when I&#8217;ve had
+such a treat.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>So Patty sang several of her prettiest songs,
+and the two old ladies were enchanted. Moreover,
+Eliza, the maid-of-all-work, and &#8217;Kiah,
+the hired man, appeared in the doorway of the
+sitting-room and listened too.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come on, Philip; let&#8217;s give them a duet,&#8221;
+and Patty broke into some rollicking college
+songs, in which Philip joined.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_267' name='page_267'></a>267</span></p>
+<p>Glad to be able to please their kind entertainers,
+they kept on singing for an hour or
+more.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, that was great!&#8221; exclaimed Mrs. Fay,
+as Patty rose at last from the piano stool. &#8220;I
+used to sing some, and he used to sing bass.
+My, but we had nice times singing together
+there at that same piano. You two just made
+me think of it all over again. I think it&#8217;s awful
+nice for two to sing together.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, we&#8217;re awfully fond of singing together,&#8221;
+said Philip, with a glance at Patty,
+half mischievous, half tender, whereat Patty
+blushed.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You needn&#8217;t tell me,&#8221; said Mrs. Fay, nodding
+her head. &#8220;I see just how it is with you
+two. You can&#8217;t hide it, you know, so you
+needn&#8217;t to try.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I don&#8217;t want to hide anything, I&#8217;m sure,&#8221;
+said Philip. But Patty said, &#8220;Don&#8217;t be foolish,
+Philip; there&#8217;s nothing to hide! You&#8217;re mistaken,
+Mrs. Fay, if you think we&#8217;re anything
+more than friends.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, land, child, I know what that means!
+Maybe you ain&#8217;t ready to say yes yet, but you
+will soon. Well, it ain&#8217;t none of my business,
+but I&#8217;m free to confess you are as proper-lookin&#8217;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_268' name='page_268'></a>268</span>
+a young couple as I&#8217;d want to meet; and mighty
+well suited to each other.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s what I think,&#8221; began Philip, but Patty
+turned the subject and went back to the weather,
+which was always a safe ground for conversation,
+if not safe to go out into.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; she said, going to the window for the
+fourteenth time; &#8220;it&#8217;s perfectly hopeless to
+think of starting. And it&#8217;s after four now, and
+it&#8217;s blowing great guns and snowing like all possessed!
+Mrs. Fay, we&#8217;ll simply have to accept
+your hospitality for the night. Now I think
+I&#8217;ll telephone Adèle that we&#8217;re stormbound.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But though Patty called and called, she could
+get no answer from the telephone Central.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Guess the wires must be down,&#8221; said Miss
+Winthrop. &#8220;They broke down last winter
+with a snow that came sudden, just like this,
+and &#8217;twas a week before we got it fixed.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let me try,&#8221; and Philip took the receiver
+from Patty&#8217;s hand. But it made no difference
+who tried, they could get no answer of any kind.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, well,&#8221; said Philip, as he hung up the
+receiver again, &#8220;it doesn&#8217;t matter much. They
+know we&#8217;re safe, and they know where we are,
+and they know we couldn&#8217;t start out in a storm
+like this.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_269' name='page_269'></a>269</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe they&#8217;ll come for us with a motor,&#8221;
+suggested Patty.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They might if we were nearer. But a motor
+would get stalled before it could get over here
+and back again in these drifts. It&#8217;s an awful
+storm, Patty, and the sooner you make up your
+mind that we can&#8217;t go home to-night, the better
+for all concerned.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;My mind&#8217;s made up, then,&#8221; and Patty
+danced about the room. &#8220;I don&#8217;t mind a bit!
+I think it&#8217;s a lark. Do you have feather beds,
+Mrs. Fay?&mdash;I mean the kind you climb up to
+with step-ladders.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Land no, child! We ain&#8217;t old-fashioned
+folks, you know. We have springs and mattresses
+just like you do at home. Well, I&#8217;m
+sorry if your folks are worried, but I&#8217;m glad
+to have you young people stay the night.
+Maybe this evening, you&#8217;ll sing for us some
+more.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We will,&#8221; said Philip. &#8220;We&#8217;ll sing everything
+we know, and then make up some.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Once having made up her mind to the inevitable,
+Patty ceased bothering about it, and
+proceeded to enjoy herself and to entertain
+everybody else. She chatted pleasantly with
+the old lady, she coquetted with Philip, and
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_270' name='page_270'></a>270</span>
+finally wandered out into the kitchen to make
+friends with Eliza.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let me help you get supper,&#8221; she said, for, to
+tell the truth, the novelty of the situation had
+passed, and Patty began to feel a little bored.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Supper ain&#8217;t nothin&#8217; to get, miss,&#8221; returned
+Eliza, a rawboned, countrified girl who was
+shy in the presence of this city lady.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, let me help you, anyway. Mayn&#8217;t I
+set the table?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m afraid you wouldn&#8217;t know where the
+things was. Here, take this dish and go down
+cellar for the butter, if so be&#8217;s you have to
+do somethin&#8217;. It&#8217;s in a kag, underneath the
+swing-shelf.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Swing-shelf?&#8221; said Patty, interested&mdash;&#8220;what
+is a swing-shelf?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, a shelf hanging from the ceiling, to
+keep things on.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But why does it hang from the ceiling? I
+never heard of such a thing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, so the rats or mice can&#8217;t get at the
+things.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Rats or mice!&#8221; and Patty gave a wild
+scream. &#8220;Here, take your plate, Eliza. I
+wouldn&#8217;t go down there for a million billion
+dollars!&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_271' name='page_271'></a>271</span></p>
+<p>Patty ran back to the sitting-room. &#8220;Oh,
+Philip,&#8221; she cried, &#8220;they have rats and mice!
+Can&#8217;t we go home? I don&#8217;t mind the
+storm!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There, there, Patty,&#8221; said Philip, meeting
+her half-way across the room, and taking her
+hand in his. &#8220;Don&#8217;t be silly!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m <i>not</i> silly! But I <i>can&#8217;t</i> stay where they
+keep rats and mice! Why, Philip, they <i>expect</i>
+them. They build high shelves on purpose for
+them.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You must excuse this little girl, Mrs. Fay,&#8221;
+said Philip. &#8220;She&#8217;s really sensible in most
+ways, but she&#8217;s an absolute idiot about mice, and
+she can&#8217;t help it. Why, the other night&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty drew her hand away from Philip&#8217;s clasp,
+and put it over his mouth. &#8220;Stop!&#8221; she said,
+blushing furiously. &#8220;Don&#8217;t you say another
+word! I&#8217;m <i>not</i> afraid of mice, Mrs. Fay.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There, there, child; I know you are, and I
+don&#8217;t blame you a mite. I am, too, or leastways,
+I used to be. I&#8217;ve kinder got over it of
+late years. But I know just how you feel.
+Now, let me tell you; <i>honest</i>, never a mouse
+dares show the tip of his nose outside the cellar!
+If you don&#8217;t go down there, you&#8217;re as safe as
+you would be up in a balloon. And I don&#8217;t
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_272' name='page_272'></a>272</span>
+count none the less on you for acting skittish
+about &#8217;em.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t mind it, either,&#8221; said Philip, who was
+still holding Patty&#8217;s hand by way of reassurance.
+&#8220;I shouldn&#8217;t mind if you acted skittisher yet.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But Patty drew her hand away, declaring that
+Mrs. Fay had quieted her fears entirely, and
+that if Eliza would promise to keep the cellar
+door shut, she wouldn&#8217;t give another thought
+to the dreaded animals.
+</p>
+<p>After supper, the four played a game of old-fashioned
+whist, which delighted the two old
+ladies, though it seemed strange to Patty and
+Philip, who were both good bridge players.
+Then there was more music, and at ten o&#8217;clock
+Miss Winthrop informed them that it was bedtime.
+</p>
+<p>With considerable pride she took Patty up
+to the best spare room.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, I hope you&#8217;ll be comfortable,&#8221; she
+said, &#8220;and I&#8217;m sure you will be. Here&#8217;s my
+best night-gown for you, and a dressing-gown
+and slippers. I don&#8217;t need &#8217;em,&mdash;I can get
+along. And here&#8217;s a brush and comb. And
+now, that&#8217;s everything you want, isn&#8217;t it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty was touched at the kindliness of the old
+lady, and though inwardly amused at the meagerness
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_273' name='page_273'></a>273</span>
+of her night appointments, she said, gratefully,
+&#8220;You&#8217;re so kind to me, Miss Winthrop.
+Truly, I do appreciate it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You sweet little thing,&#8221; returned the old
+lady. &#8220;Now let me unhook you,&mdash;I should
+admire to do so.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>So Miss Winthrop assisted Patty to undress,
+and finally, after minute directions about the
+turning down and blowing out of the kerosene
+lamp, she went away.
+</p>
+<p>When Patty surveyed herself in the mirror,
+she almost laughed aloud. The night-dress was
+of thick, unbleached muslin, made with tight
+bands to button around the neck and wrists.
+These bands were edged with a row of narrow
+tatting; and it was this trimming, Patty felt
+sure, that differentiated Miss Winthrop&#8217;s best
+night-gown from her others. Then Patty tried
+on the dressing-gown, which was of dark grey
+flannel. This, too, was severely plain, though
+voluminous in shape; and the slippers were of
+black felt, and quite large enough for Patty to
+put both feet in one. She arrayed herself in
+these things and gave way to silent laughter as
+she pirouetted across the room. But her
+amusement at the unattractive garments in no
+way lessened her real appreciation of the gentle
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_274' name='page_274'></a>274</span>
+kindliness and hospitality that had been accorded
+to her.
+</p>
+<p>At last she tucked herself into bed, and rolling
+over on the nubbly mattress and creaky springs,
+she almost wished that it had been a feather bed.
+But she was soon asleep, and thought no more
+about anything until morning.
+</p>
+<p>Breakfast was at half-past seven, and after
+that, the long morning dragged. The fun and
+novelty had worn off, and Patty was anxious to
+get back to Fern Falls. She was bright and
+entertaining as ever, but the spontaneous enthusiasm
+of the day before had vanished.
+</p>
+<p>But it was impossible to start that morning,
+Philip said. The roads were piled high with
+drifts, and almost impassable.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But why can&#8217;t we break the roads?&#8221; asked
+Patty. &#8220;Somebody has to do it, and I&#8217;m sure
+Jim&#8217;s horses are as good as anybody&#8217;s.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Little girls mustn&#8217;t advise on matters which
+they know nothing about,&#8221; said Philip, unable
+to resist the temptation to tease her.
+</p>
+<p>Patty pouted a little, and then, with a sudden
+resolution, was her own sunny self again. &#8220;All
+right, Philip,&#8221; she said, smiling at him. &#8220;I
+know you&#8217;ll start as soon as it&#8217;s possible. When
+will that be?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_275' name='page_275'></a>275</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps we can go this afternoon, dear; right
+after dinner, maybe. The man thinks the
+roads will be broken by that time.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The storm had ceased, and it was cloudy most
+of the morning, but about noon the sun came
+out, and by two o&#8217;clock they prepared to start.
+</p>
+<p>The two kind old ladies were sorry to see them
+go, and begged them to come again some time
+to visit them.
+</p>
+<p>Patty said good-bye with expressions of real
+and honestly meant gratitude, for surely Mrs.
+Fay and her sister had been kindness itself to
+their young guests.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But goodness, gracious, Philip,&#8221; Patty exclaimed,
+as they went flying down the road, &#8220;if
+I had had to stay there another night, I should
+have died!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, Patty, it wasn&#8217;t so bad. Of course,
+they are primitive and old-fashioned people;
+but they are true ladies, even if not very highly
+educated. And their hospitality was simply
+unlimited.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I know all that,&#8221; said Patty, impatiently;
+&#8220;but I was bored to death.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you didn&#8217;t show it; you were sweet as
+a peach to those two people, and they&#8217;ll always
+love you for it.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_276' name='page_276'></a>276</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, of course I wouldn&#8217;t be impolite; but
+I&#8217;m glad we&#8217;re started for home.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;m not. Patty, I just enjoyed every
+minute,&mdash;because I was there with you. Dear,
+you don&#8217;t <i>know</i> what it meant to me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, Philip,&#8221; and Patty turned to flash a
+twinkling smile at him, &#8220;we have a twelve-mile
+drive ahead of us, besides gathering the eggs.
+Now, if you&#8217;re going to say things like that to
+me all that twelve miles, I&#8217;m going to jump
+right out into this snowbank and stay there till
+somebody comes along and picks me up.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, Patty, I <i>must</i> say these things to you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then, I <i>must</i> jump.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But wait a minute, dear; before you jump,
+won&#8217;t you just tell me that I may have a little
+hope that some day you&#8217;ll promise to be my own
+little Patty forever?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Philip, I <i>can&#8217;t</i> say anything like that, and I
+<i>wish</i> you wouldn&#8217;t tease me. If those snowbanks
+didn&#8217;t look so dreadfully cold&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But they <i>are</i> cold. If you don&#8217;t believe it,
+I will wait while you try one. But, Patty, anyway,
+tell me this. If I stop teasing you now,
+will you give me an answer when I come back
+at New Year&#8217;s? You know, I must take that
+five-thirty train this afternoon, and I shan&#8217;t see
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_277' name='page_277'></a>277</span>
+you again till next week. Will you give me an
+answer then?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do!&#8217;&#8221;
+sang Patty, with a saucy smile at him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, I don&#8217;t want Daisy&#8217;s answer, I want
+yours. Now, you think it over through the
+week, and when I come up next Tuesday, you
+be ready to say, &#8216;Yes, Philip, you may hope,
+and some day I&#8217;ll make your hope come true.&#8217;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s an awful long speech to learn by
+heart,&#8221; said Patty, musingly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you needn&#8217;t learn it word for word; just
+say something from your own heart that means
+the same.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well,&#8221; said Patty, &#8220;next Tuesday I&#8217;ll look
+into my heart and see what&#8217;s there; and if there&#8217;s
+anything for you, I&#8217;ll tell you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Philip was forced to be content with this,
+for Patty suddenly changed the subject, and
+began to chatter merry nonsense that afforded
+no opportunity for romance. The roads were
+only a little broken, and the going was hard,
+because of occasional big drifts, but along some
+wind-swept stretches they made fairly good
+time.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I say,&#8221; said Philip; &#8220;we&#8217;ll have to cut
+out the butter and egg chapter! I simply <i>must</i>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_278' name='page_278'></a>278</span>
+get that five-thirty, and I can&#8217;t do it if we go
+around by Hatton&#8217;s Corners.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right,&#8221; returned Patty. &#8220;I&#8217;ll put it up
+to Adèle that we just couldn&#8217;t do it; and I&#8217;ll
+tell you what, Philip, we&#8217;ll go right to the station,
+and you take the train there without going
+to the Kenerleys&#8217; at all. They&#8217;ll send your
+things down to-morrow.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That would be the safer way. But how will
+you get home from the station?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I&#8217;ll telephone from the station office,
+and they&#8217;ll send Martin, or somebody, after
+me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you have to wait so long. Here&#8217;s a better
+plan. Let&#8217;s stop at the Barclay Inn, and
+telephone from there. Then when we reach
+the station, Martin or somebody will be there
+for you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty agreed, and when they reached the Barclay
+Inn, a few miles from Fern Falls, they
+went in to telephone.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re on our way home,&#8221; said Patty, after
+she had succeeded in getting a connection.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I should think it was time!&#8221; exclaimed
+Adèle. &#8220;You don&#8217;t know what you&#8217;ve missed!
+Where are you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;At Barclay Inn; and we&#8217;re in an awful hurry.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_279' name='page_279'></a>279</span>
+Philip is going to take the five-thirty from the
+station, and you send somebody there to meet
+me and drive the horses home, will you! And
+what did I miss? And <i>you&#8217;ll</i> miss the butter
+and eggs, because we didn&#8217;t get them.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But where have you been? We tried all
+yesterday to get you on the telephone, and all
+this morning, too.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I know; the wires broke down. But
+everything&#8217;s all right. We stayed at Mrs. Fay&#8217;s.
+I&#8217;ll tell you all about it when I see you. Be
+sure to have me met at the station. Good-bye.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty hung up the receiver and hurried back
+to Philip. &#8220;We&#8217;ll have to hustle to catch that
+train,&#8221; he said, as he tucked her in the sleigh.
+&#8220;Did you get Adèle?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; she&#8217;ll send some one to meet me. She
+says I missed something. Do you suppose they
+had a party last night in all that blizzard?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, it&#8217;s just as well for you to miss a party
+once in a while; you have plenty of them. And
+I like the party I was at better than any I ever
+went to.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The roads were much better where they were
+travelling now, and they reached the station in
+time for Philip&#8217;s train. But it was a close connection,
+for the train was already in the station,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_280' name='page_280'></a>280</span>
+and as Philip swung aboard, he saw Martin and
+Hal Ferris coming in another sleigh.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There they are!&#8221; he called to Patty. &#8220;It&#8217;s
+all right, good-bye.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good-bye,&#8221; she called back, and then the
+train pulled out.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you <i>did</i> cut up a pretty trick!&#8221; exclaimed
+Hal Ferris, as he came up to her.
+&#8220;Now, you jump in here with me, and I&#8217;ll drive
+you home, and let Martin look after your
+horses. They must be pretty well done up. I
+would have brought a motor, but the sleighing&#8217;s
+fine, and the motoring isn&#8217;t. Hop in.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty hopped in, and in a moment they were
+flying along toward home.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What did I miss?&#8221; she asked. &#8220;Did you
+have a party last night?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Party! in that storm! Rather not.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, what <i>did</i> I miss?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What makes you think you missed anything?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Adèle told me so, over the telephone.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, let Adèle tell you what it was.
+How could I possibly know?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But what did you do last night?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing much; sat around, sang a little, and
+talked,&mdash;and I guess that&#8217;s all.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_281' name='page_281'></a>281</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Who was there? Didn&#8217;t Roger go home?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; Roger went down on the morning train,
+just after you started on your wild career.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, who <i>was</i> there? Chub, I know you&#8217;re
+keeping something from me. Now, tell me
+what it is!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you really want to know, Patty? Well,
+Bill Farnsworth was there.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What!&#8221; and Patty nearly fell out of the
+sleigh in astonishment. &#8220;Bill Farnsworth?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes; he came unexpectedly yesterday afternoon.
+Could only stay twenty-four hours, and
+went back to-day on the two o&#8217;clock train.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty wondered to herself why she felt as if
+something awful had happened. She couldn&#8217;t
+realise that Bill had been there, and had gone
+away, and she hadn&#8217;t seen him! What a cruel
+coincidence that it should have been just at the
+time when she was away. But her pride came
+to her rescue. She had no intention of letting
+Hal Ferris or anybody else know that she cared.
+</p>
+<p>So she said, lightly: &#8220;Well, of all things!
+Didn&#8217;t anybody expect him?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; he thought he&#8217;d surprise us. He was
+awfully cut up that you weren&#8217;t there.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, he was! Well, why didn&#8217;t you send
+for me?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_282' name='page_282'></a>282</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Send for you! And you miles away, and a
+blizzard blizzing like fury! But we spent
+hours hanging over the telephone, trying to get
+word to you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The wires were down,&#8221; said Patty, thinking
+of the uninteresting evening she had spent,
+when she might have been talking to Little
+Billee.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;They sure were! We tried and tried, but
+we couldn&#8217;t get a peep out of you. Daisy said
+it was because you were so wrapped up in Philip
+that you wouldn&#8217;t answer the old telephone.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty&#8217;s pretty face hardened a little as she
+thought how Daisy would delight in making
+such a speech as that before Farnsworth.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I say, Patty, are you cut up about this? Did
+you want to see Big Bill, specially?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, no,&#8221; said Patty, smiling again. &#8220;I
+only thought it seemed funny that he happened
+to come when I happened to be away.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I know; but of course nobody could
+help it. He came East on a flying business
+trip. Tried to get here for Christmas, but
+couldn&#8217;t make it. He waited over a day, just
+to skip up here and back; said he wanted to see
+us all. But he had to take the two o&#8217;clock back
+to New York to-day, and I believe he starts to-night
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_283' name='page_283'></a>283</span>
+for Arizona. He&#8217;s a great fellow, Bill
+is. You like him, don&#8217;t you, Patty?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I like him,&#8221; said Patty, simply.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve known him for years, you know. Giant
+Greatheart, we used to call him. So big and
+good, you know. Always doing something for
+somebody, and generous as he can be. Well,
+he&#8217;s making good out in the mines. I don&#8217;t
+know exactly what he&#8217;s doing, but he&#8217;s in a fair
+way to be a rich man. He&#8217;s connected with
+some big company, and he&#8217;s working with all
+his might. And when you say that about Big
+Bill Farnsworth, it means a good deal.&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XVII_THE_COUNTRY_CLUB_BALL' id='XVII_THE_COUNTRY_CLUB_BALL'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_284' name='page_284'></a>284</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2>
+<h3>THE COUNTRY CLUB BALL</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Before her mirror, Patty was putting
+the last touches to her Bo-Peep costume,
+and it must be confessed she was viewing
+the effect with admiration.
+</p>
+<p>The gilt-framed glass gave back a lovely picture.
+The costume was one of the prettiest
+Patty had ever worn, and was exceedingly becoming.
+There was a short, quilted skirt of
+white satin and a panniered overdress of gay,
+flowered silk, caught up with blue bows. A little
+laced bodice and white chemisette completed
+the dress. Then there was a broad-leafed
+shepherdess hat, trimmed with flowers, and under
+this Patty&#8217;s gold curls were bunched up on
+either side and tied with blue ribbons. She
+wore high-heeled, buckled slippers, and carried
+a long, white crook, trimmed with blossoms and
+fluttering ribbons.
+</p>
+<p>She pranced and turned in front of the mirror,
+decidedly satisfied with the whole effect. Then
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_285' name='page_285'></a>285</span>
+she caught up her basket of flowers, which she
+carried because it added a pretty touch, and
+went downstairs.
+</p>
+<p>It was a gay-looking party that waited for her
+in the hall. The two Misses Crosby had been
+there to dinner, and also Mr. Hoyt and Mr.
+Collins, and these, with the house party, were
+now all arrayed in their fancy dress. As they
+had agreed on Christmas Day, they were all in
+pairs, and as of course there could be no secrecy
+among them, they had not yet put on their
+masks.
+</p>
+<p>Mona and Roger were very magnificent as
+Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter Raleigh.
+Though Mona was not at all the type of the red-haired
+queen, she looked very handsome in the
+regal robes and great, flaring collar, while Roger
+was a veritable courtier in his picturesque garb.
+</p>
+<p>Daisy and Mr. Collins were Pierrette and
+Pierrot. Their costumes were black and white,
+Frenchy-looking affairs, with tossing pompons
+and peaked caps.
+</p>
+<p>The elder Miss Crosby and Jim Kenerley were
+Indians; and the warlike brave and the young
+Indian maiden looked as if they might have
+stepped out of the earliest pages of our country&#8217;s
+history.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_286' name='page_286'></a>286</span></p>
+<p>The other Miss Crosby and Hal Ferris were
+Italian peasants in national costume.
+</p>
+<p>Adèle and Mr. Hoyt were the most simply
+dressed of all, but in their plain Puritan garb
+they were effective and distinguished looking.
+</p>
+<p>Perhaps, however, it was Philip Van Reypen
+whose costume received the greatest applause.
+He had copied a picture of Bobby Shafto that
+had been painted by a frivolous-minded artist,
+and his embroidered and belaced coat of light
+blue silk was remindful of the period of the
+gayest Louis. He wore white satin knee-breeches,
+white silk stockings, and black slippers
+with enormous buckles. In accordance with
+the song, there were large silver buckles at his
+knees; and his tri-corne hat was a very marvel
+of gold lace and feathers. Full lace ruffles
+flapped at his throat and wrists, and altogether
+he was an absolute dandy.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You look like a valentine,&#8221; said Patty, &#8220;or
+a birthday cake.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You do look good enough to eat,&#8221; declared
+Adèle, as she took in the gorgeous costume.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I flatter myself it&#8217;s the very last touch
+of Shaftoism,&#8221; said Philip, strutting about with
+an affected gait. &#8220;I say, Patty, you&#8217;re all kinds
+of a peach yourself.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_287' name='page_287'></a>287</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, this frock is all right,&#8221; said Patty, &#8220;but
+you simply take my breath away, Phil. I
+didn&#8217;t know anybody could look so beautiful!
+I wish men dressed that way nowadays.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And then everybody admired everybody else
+until it was time to start. Then each put on
+a little mask, which they were to wear at the ball
+until supper-time. Patty&#8217;s was of light blue
+silk with a short fall of lace, and Philip&#8217;s was
+of black satin.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t wear this thing all the way there,&#8221; declared
+Patty, taking hers off again.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, put it on just before you get there,&#8221;
+enjoined Adèle. &#8220;I&#8217;ve taken great care that
+no one should know a word about our costumes,
+and now if we are well masked they
+won&#8217;t be able to guess who we are. Even
+though they know we all came from our house,
+there are so many of us, they can&#8217;t tell us apart.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The Country Club was a handsome, spacious
+building, well away from the outskirts of the
+town. But the motors took them there swiftly,
+and soon they joined the large party of maskers
+in the Club ballroom. There were perhaps a
+hundred people there, and Patty felt there was
+little risk of being recognised. She did not know
+many of the Fern Falls people, anyway, and
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_288' name='page_288'></a>288</span>
+they would scarcely know her in her disguise.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course the first dance is mine,&#8221; said
+Philip, as the music began.
+</p>
+<p>But after that dance was over, Patty was besieged
+by would-be partners. Historical characters,
+foreigners, clowns, monks, and knights
+in armour begged for dances with Little Bo-Peep.
+Patty was so engrossed in looking at
+these wonderful personages, that she scarcely
+noticed who put their names on her card. And
+in truth it made little difference, as none of the
+men put their real names, and she hadn&#8217;t the
+slightest idea who they were.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Help yourselves,&#8221; she said, laughing, &#8220;to
+the dances before supper; but don&#8217;t touch the
+other side of the card. After the masks are off,
+I shall have some say, myself, as to my partners!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>So the first half of the dances were variously
+signed for by Columbus and Aladdin and
+Brother Sebastian and Jack Pudding and other
+such names.
+</p>
+<p>During each dance Patty would try to discover
+the identity of her partner, but as she only succeeded
+in one or two cases, she gave it up.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;For it doesn&#8217;t make the slightest difference
+who you are,&#8221; she said, as she danced with
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_289' name='page_289'></a>289</span>
+Brother Sebastian, who was garbed as a Friar
+of Orders Grey.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; he returned, in a hollow, sepulchral
+voice, which he seemed to think suited to his
+monk&#8217;s attire.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And you needn&#8217;t try to disguise your voice
+so desperately,&#8221; said Patty, laughing gaily, &#8220;for
+probably I don&#8217;t know you, anyhow. And you
+don&#8217;t know me, do you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know your name,&#8221; said the monk,
+still in hollow tones, &#8220;but I know you&#8217;re a
+dancer from the professional stage, and not just
+a young woman in private life.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good gracious!&#8221; cried Patty, horrified.
+&#8220;I&#8217;m nothing of the sort! I&#8217;m a simple-minded
+little country girl, and I dance because
+I can&#8217;t help it. I love to dance, but I must say
+that a monk&#8217;s robe on one&#8217;s partner is a little
+troublesome. I think all the time I&#8217;m going to
+trip on it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, all right; I&#8217;ll fix that,&#8221; said the monk,
+and he held up the skirts of his long robe until
+they cleared the floor.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s better,&#8221; said Patty, &#8220;but it does spoil
+the picturesqueness of your costume. Let&#8217;s
+promenade for a while, and then you can let
+your robes drag in proper monkian fashion.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_290' name='page_290'></a>290</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Much obliged to you for not saying monkey
+fashion! I certainly do feel foolish, dressed
+up in this rig.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, you ought not to, in that plain gown.
+Just look at the things some of the men have
+on!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know it. Look at that court jester; he
+must feel a fool!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But that&#8217;s his part,&#8221; laughed Patty; &#8220;rather
+clever, I think, to dress as a fool, and then if
+you feel like a fool, you&#8217;re right in your part.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I say, Miss Bo-Peep, you&#8217;re clever, aren&#8217;t
+you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not so very; but when talking to a learned
+monk, I try to be as wise as I can. Oh, look
+at that stunning big man,&mdash;who is he?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Looks like one of the patriarchs; but I guess
+he&#8217;s meant for King Lear. See the wreath of
+flowers on his white hair.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did Lear wear flowers? I thought he wore
+a crown.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Tut! tut! Little Bo-Peep, you must brush up
+your Shakespeare. Don&#8217;t you know King Lear
+became a little troubled in his head, and adorned
+himself with a garland?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, he&#8217;s awfully picturesque,&#8221; said Patty,
+quite undisturbed by her ignorance of the play,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_291' name='page_291'></a>291</span>
+and looking admiringly at Lear&#8217;s magnificent
+court robes of velvet and ermine, and his long,
+flowing white hair and beard, and the garland
+of flowers that lay loosely on the glistening
+white wig and trailed down behind.
+</p>
+<p>As they neared the picturesque figure, King
+Lear bowed low before Patty, and held out his
+hand for her dance card.
+</p>
+<p>It was the rule of the ball not to speak, but
+to indicate invitations by gestures.
+</p>
+<p>However, Patty had no reason to keep silent,
+as they were nearly all strangers, so she laughed,
+and spoke right out: &#8220;I&#8217;d gladly give you a
+dance, King Lear, but I haven&#8217;t one left.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>With another courtly bow, King Lear still
+seemed to insist on his wish, and he took up her
+card, which she had tied to her crook by a narrow
+ribbon. With surprise he saw the whole
+second page blank, and pointed to it with an
+accusing gesture.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ah, yes,&#8221; returned Patty, smiling, &#8220;but those
+are for my friends after I know them. We unmask
+at supper-time, and then I shall use some
+discrimination in bestowing my dances. If you
+want one of those you must ask me for it after
+supper.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>King Lear bowed submissively to Patty&#8217;s decree,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_292' name='page_292'></a>292</span>
+and was about to move away, when a sudden
+thought struck him. He picked up Patty&#8217;s
+card again, and indicated a space between the
+last dance and the supper.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I know what you mean,&#8221; cried Patty.
+&#8220;You mean an &#8216;extra.&#8217; But I don&#8217;t think
+they&#8217;ll have any. And, anyway, I never engage
+for extras. If they do have one, and you happen
+to be around, I&#8217;ll give it to you;&mdash;that&#8217;s all
+I can say.&#8221; And then Patty&#8217;s next partner came,
+and she danced away with him, leaving King
+Lear making his sweeping, impressive bows.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Who is he?&#8221; asked Patty, of Roger, who
+chanced to be her partner this time.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t know, I&#8217;m sure; but I know scarcely
+any of the people up here. They seem to be a
+fine crowd, though. Have you noticed the
+Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra? There she is
+now. Isn&#8217;t she stunning?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty looked round, to see a tall, majestic
+woman, dressed as Zenobia. Her tiny mask
+hid only her eyes, and her beautiful, classic face
+well accorded with the character she had chosen.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She&#8217;s beautiful!&#8221; declared Patty, with heartfelt
+admiration. &#8220;I wish I was big and stunning,
+Roger, instead of a little scrap of humanity.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_293' name='page_293'></a>293</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;What a silly you are, Patty Pink! Now,
+I&#8217;ve no doubt that tall, majestic-looking creature
+wishes she could be a little fairy, like you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But a big woman is so much more graceful
+and dignified.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty, I do believe you&#8217;re fishing! And I
+<i>know</i> you&#8217;re talking nonsense! Dignified isn&#8217;t
+just the term I should apply to you,&mdash;but if
+there&#8217;s anybody more graceful than you are,
+I&#8217;ve yet to see her.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Roger, that&#8217;s dear of you. You know
+very well, I hate flattery or compliments, but
+when a real friend says a nice thing it does me
+good. And, truly, it&#8217;s the regret of my life,
+that I&#8217;m not about six inches taller. There,
+look at Zenobia now. She&#8217;s walking with that
+King Lear. Aren&#8217;t they a stunning couple?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, they are. But if I were you, I wouldn&#8217;t
+be envious of other women&#8217;s attractions. You
+have quite enough of your own.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind about me,&#8221; said Patty, suddenly
+realising that she was talking foolishly. &#8220;Let&#8217;s
+talk about Mona. She&#8217;s looking beautiful to-night,
+Roger.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She always does,&#8221; and Roger had a strange
+thrill in his voice, that struck a sympathetic
+chord in Patty&#8217;s heart.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_294' name='page_294'></a>294</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;What about her, Roger? Isn&#8217;t she good to
+you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not very. She&#8217;s capricious, Patty; sometimes
+awfully kind, and then again she says
+things that cut deep. Patty, do you think she
+really cares for that Lansing man?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know, Roger. I can&#8217;t make Mona
+out at all, lately. She used to be so frank and
+open with me, and now she never talks confidences
+at all.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, I can&#8217;t understand her, either. But
+here comes Mr. Collins, looking for you, Patty.
+Is only half of this dance mine?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Roger. I had to chop up every one,
+to-night. You may have one after supper, if
+you like.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty whirled through the various dances, and
+at the last one before supper she found herself
+again with Philip Van Reypen.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, I didn&#8217;t know this was yours!&#8221; she
+cried, looking at her card, where, sure enough,
+she saw the initials B. S.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It sure is mine,&#8221; returned Bobby Shafto;
+&#8220;but we&#8217;re not going to dance it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why not, and what are we going to do?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re going to wander away into the conservatory.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_295' name='page_295'></a>295</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;There isn&#8217;t any conservatory. This is a
+club-house, you know.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, they&#8217;ve fixed up the gymnasium, so
+it&#8217;s almost a conservatory. It&#8217;s full of palms
+and flowers and things, and it makes a perfectly
+good imitation.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But why do we go there?&#8221; asked Patty, as
+Philip led her away from the dancing-room.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, to settle affairs of state.&#8221; He led her
+to the gymnasium, and sure enough, tall palms
+and flowering plants had been arranged to form
+little nooks and bowers, which were evidently
+intended for tête-à-tête conversations.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You know,&#8221; Philip began, as they found a
+pleasant seat, under some palms, &#8220;you know,
+Patty, you promised me something.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Didn&#8217;t, neither.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, you did, and I&#8217;m going to hold you to
+your promise. You promised&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Rose, you promised!&#8217;&#8221; sang Patty, humming
+a foolish little song that was an old-fashioned
+favourite.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, you <i>did</i> promise, you exasperating little
+Rose, you! And I&#8217;m going to keep you prisoner
+here, until you make it good! Patty, you
+said you&#8217;d look into your heart, and tell me
+what you found there.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_296' name='page_296'></a>296</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Goodness me, Philip, did I really say that?
+Well, it will take me an awful long while to tell
+you all that&#8217;s in it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Really, Patty? Did you find so much?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, heaps of things.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I mean about me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, about you! Why, I don&#8217;t know that
+there&#8217;s anything there at all about you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes, there is; you can&#8217;t fool me that way.
+Now, Patty, do be serious. Look in your heart,
+and see if there isn&#8217;t a little love for me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty sat very still, and closed her eyes, as
+Philip could see through the holes in her blue
+mask.
+</p>
+<p>Then she opened them, and said, with a smile:
+&#8220;I looked and hunted good, Philip, and I can&#8217;t
+find a bit of love for you. But there&#8217;s an awful
+big, nice, warm friendship, if you care about
+that.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I do care about that, Patty. I care very
+much for it, but I want more.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Just at that moment King Lear and Zenobia
+strolled past them, and Patty almost forgot
+Philip as she gazed after the two majestic figures.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty,&#8221; he said, recalling her attention,
+&#8220;Patty, dear, I say I want more.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_297' name='page_297'></a>297</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Piggy-wig!&#8221; exclaimed Patty, with her blue
+eyes twinkling at him through the mask.
+&#8220;More what? I was looking at King Lear,
+and I lost the thread of your discourse, Philip.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty Fairfield, I&#8217;d like to shake you! Don&#8217;t
+you <i>know</i> what I&#8217;m asking of you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, even if I do, I must say, Philip, that I
+can&#8217;t carry on a serious conversation with a mask
+on. Now, you know, they take these things off
+pretty soon, and then&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And then may I ask you again, Patty, and
+will you listen to me and answer me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Dunno. I make no promises. Philip, this
+dance is over. I expect they&#8217;re going to unmask
+now. Come on, let&#8217;s go back to our
+crowd.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But just as they rose to go, Jim Kenerley approached,
+and King Lear was with him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Little Bo-Peep,&#8221; said the big Indian, &#8220;King
+Lear tells me that you half promised him an
+extra, if there should be one.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;As it was only half a promise, then it means
+only half a dance,&#8221; said Patty, turning her
+laughing blue eyes to the majestic, flower-crowned
+King. &#8220;Is there going to be an extra,
+Jim,&mdash;I mean Chief Mudjokivis, or whatever
+your Indian name is?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_298' name='page_298'></a>298</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know, Bo-Peep. I&#8217;ll go and see.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Jim went away, and as Philip had already
+gone, Patty was left alone with the white-haired
+King.
+</p>
+<p>With a slow, majestic air, he touched her
+gently on the arm, and motioned for her to be
+seated. Then he sat down beside her, and
+through the eyeholes of his mask, he looked
+straight into her eyes.
+</p>
+<p>At his intent gaze, Patty felt almost frightened,
+but as her eyes met his own, she became
+conscious of something familiar in the blue eyes
+that looked at her, and then she heard King
+Lear whisper, softly: &#8220;Apple Blossom!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty fairly jumped; then, seeing the smile
+that came into his eyes, she put out both hands
+to King Lear, and said, gladly: &#8220;Bill! Little
+Billee! Oh, I <i>am</i> glad to see you!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are you, really?&#8221; And Bill Farnsworth&#8217;s
+voice had a slight tremor in it. &#8220;Are you sure
+of that, my girl?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course I am,&#8221; and Patty had regained her
+gay demeanour, which she had lost in her moment
+of intense surprise. &#8220;Oh, of course I am!
+I was so sorry to have missed you last week.
+And Jim said you went back to Arizona.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I did expect to, but I was detained in New
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_299' name='page_299'></a>299</span>
+York, and only this morning I found I could
+run up here and stay till to-morrow. I couldn&#8217;t
+get here earlier, and when I reached the house,
+you had all started. So I got into these togs,
+and came along.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Your togs are wonderful, Little Billee. I
+never saw you look so stunning, not even as
+Father Neptune.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That was a great show, wasn&#8217;t it?&#8221; and Big
+Bill smiled at the recollection. &#8220;But I say,
+Little Girl, you&#8217;re looking rather wonderful
+yourself to-night. Oh, Patty, it&#8217;s good to see
+you again!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And it&#8217;s good to see you; though it doesn&#8217;t
+seem as if I had really seen you. That mask
+and beard completely cover up your noble countenance.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And I wish you&#8217;d take off that dinky little
+scrap of blue, so I can see if you are still my
+Apple Blossom Girl.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I thought you wanted the extra dance.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t believe there&#8217;s going to be any extra,
+after all. I think the people are anxious to get
+their masks off, and if so we&#8217;ll have our dance
+after supper.&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XVIII_BACK_TO_NEW_YORK' id='XVIII_BACK_TO_NEW_YORK'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_300' name='page_300'></a>300</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2>
+<h3>BACK TO NEW YORK</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Farnsworth was right. There was no
+extra before supper, and the guests were
+even now flocking to the supper-room.
+</p>
+<p>Philip came toward them, looking for Patty,
+his mask already off.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, can we really take them off now?&#8221; cried
+Patty. &#8220;I&#8217;m so glad. They&#8217;re horridly uncomfortable.
+I&#8217;ll never wear one again. I
+love a fancy dress party, but I don&#8217;t see any
+sense in a masquerade.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>She took off her mask as she spoke, and her
+pretty face was flushed pink and her hair was
+curling in moist ringlets about her temples.
+</p>
+<p>Farnsworth looked down on her as he removed
+his own mask. &#8220;Apple Blossom!&#8221; he exclaimed
+again, and the comparison was very apt,
+for the pink and white of Patty&#8217;s face was just
+the color of the blossoms.
+</p>
+<p>Then the two men looked at each other, and
+Patty suddenly realised that they had never met.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_301' name='page_301'></a>301</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, you don&#8217;t know each other, do you?&#8221;
+she exclaimed. &#8220;And you my two best friends!
+Mr. Farnsworth, this is Mr. Van Reypen. And
+now, which of you is going to take me to supper?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>As each offered an arm at once, Patty accepted
+both, and walked out demurely between
+the two big men. The men were exceedingly
+polite and courteous, but each was annoyed at
+the other&#8217;s presence. As a matter of fact, Farnsworth
+had chanced to overhear a few words
+that Philip said to Patty a short time before.
+It was by merest chance that King Lear and
+Zenobia had walked by just as Philip was asking
+Patty to give him more than friendship. Zenobia,
+uninterested in the two under the palms,
+didn&#8217;t even hear the words; but Farnsworth,
+who had found out from Jim Kenerley all the
+members of the house party, had scarcely taken
+his eyes from Little Bo-Peep since he arrived
+at the ball. With no intention of eavesdropping,
+he had followed her about, hoping to get
+a chance to see her first alone. He managed
+this only with Kenerley&#8217;s help, and meantime he
+had discovered that Van Reypen was very seriously
+interested in Little Bo-Peep.
+</p>
+<p>Philip himself knew little of Farnsworth, save
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_302' name='page_302'></a>302</span>
+for a few chance remarks he had heard at the
+Kenerleys&#8217;, but he realised at once that Patty
+and the big Westerner were great friends, if
+nothing more.
+</p>
+<p>However, the three went to supper together,
+and joined the group in which they were most
+interested.
+</p>
+<p>Great was the surprise of Daisy and Mona
+when Patty appeared with Mr. Farnsworth.
+</p>
+<p>Big Bill was in the merriest of spirits. He
+greeted everybody heartily, he joked and
+laughed, and was at his most entertaining best.
+Patty was very proud of him, for without his
+mask he looked very handsome as King Lear,
+and his stalwart figure seemed to dwarf the
+other men.
+</p>
+<p>After supper he claimed Patty for the promised
+dance.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Would you rather dance with King Lear?&#8221;
+he said, smiling, &#8220;with all these heavy velvet
+draperies bothering us, or shall I go and shed
+this robe, and just be plain Bill?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty looked at him, thoughtfully. &#8220;We&#8217;d
+have a better dance if you took off that flapping
+robe. But then, of course, you&#8217;d have to take
+off your wigs and things, and you wouldn&#8217;t be
+half so beautiful.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_303' name='page_303'></a>303</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, don&#8217;t let&#8217;s dance, but just stroll
+around and talk. And there&#8217;s another reason
+why I&#8217;d rather keep on my wig and wreath.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Because the wreath means that I am mad.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mad at me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, not that kind of mad! I mean crazy,
+demented, loony,&mdash;what was the old King, anyway?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;A little touched?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, that&#8217;s it; and so, you see, he could say
+anything he wanted to. You know, people
+forgive crazy people, no matter what they
+say.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are you going to say crazy things to me?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Very likely; you&#8217;ve completely turned my
+head.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do you know, I didn&#8217;t even know King Lear
+ever went crazy,&#8221; said Patty in an endeavour
+to change the subject.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, fie, fie, Little Girl, I thought you knew
+your Shakespeare; but I suppose you&#8217;re too busy
+socially to read much poetry.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I read one poem this winter that I liked,&#8221;
+said Patty, demurely.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you? What was it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It came to me in a blue envelope.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_304' name='page_304'></a>304</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;It did! Why, Patty, Jim told me you never
+got that.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Jim is mistaken; I did get it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And did you like it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Where did you get it, Bill?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you like it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I liked it lots. Who wrote it?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I did.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Did you, really? You clever man! I
+thought possibly you might have done it, but it
+sounded so,&mdash;so finished.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no, it didn&#8217;t, Patty. It was crude and
+amateurish; but it was written to you and about
+you, so I did the best I could. Patty, are you
+in love with Van Reypen?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What!&#8221; and Patty stood still and looked at
+Farnsworth, indignantly. &#8220;You have no right
+to ask such a question!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know I haven&#8217;t, Patty, and I apologise. I
+can&#8217;t seem to get over my Western bluntness.
+And, Little Girl, I don&#8217;t blame you a bit if you
+do care for him. He&#8217;s a good-looking chap,
+and an all-round good man.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You seem to have sized him up pretty
+quickly. Why, you&#8217;ve only just met him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, but you know I was at the Kenerleys&#8217;
+last week, and Jim told me all about him.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_305' name='page_305'></a>305</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Why did you want to know all about him?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Shall I tell you why?&#8221; And Farnsworth&#8217;s
+blue eyes looked straight into Patty&#8217;s own. &#8220;I
+inquired about him, because Daisy said you were
+just the same as engaged to him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Daisy said that, did she?&#8221; Patty rarely
+lost her temper, but this unwarranted speech of
+Daisy Dow&#8217;s made her exceedingly angry. But
+what hurt her even more, was that Bill should
+believe Daisy&#8217;s assertion, and should take it so
+calmly. His attitude piqued Patty; and she
+said, coldly: &#8220;Well, if Daisy says so, it must
+be so.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know it, Little Girl,&#8221; and Farnsworth&#8217;s
+voice was very tender. &#8220;He can give you
+everything that you ought to have,&mdash;wealth,
+social position, and a life of luxury and pleasure.
+Moreover, he is a thorough gentleman and a
+true man. I hope you will be very happy with
+him, Patty.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>For some reason this speech exasperated
+Patty beyond all measure. It seemed as if her
+friends were settling her affairs for her, without
+giving her any voice in the decision. &#8220;You are
+a little premature, Bill,&#8221; she said, without a
+smile. &#8220;I&#8217;m not engaged to Mr. Van Reypen,
+and I do not know that I shall be.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_306' name='page_306'></a>306</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, yes, you will, Patty; but don&#8217;t be hasty,
+dear child. Think it over before you decide,
+for you know there are other things in the
+world beside wealth and social position.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What, for instance?&#8221; said Patty, in a flippant
+tone.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Love,&#8221; said Farnsworth, very seriously.
+</p>
+<p>And then Patty was moved by a spirit of perversity.
+She thought that if Farnsworth really
+cared for her, he was handing her over to Philip
+very easily, and she resented this attitude.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Are you implying that Mr. Van Reypen is
+not capable of giving me love, as well as the
+other advantages you enumerate?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Patty, I am not implying anything of
+the sort. I only know that you are too young
+yet to be engaged to anybody, and I wish for
+your own sake you would wait,&mdash;at least until
+you are perfectly sure of your own affections.
+But if they are given to Mr. Van Reypen, I shall
+be glad for you that you have chosen so wisely.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty looked at Farnsworth in amazement.
+Remembering what he had said to her last summer,
+it was strange to hear him talk this way.
+She could not know that the honest, big-hearted
+fellow was breaking his own heart at the thought
+of losing her; but that he unselfishly felt that
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_307' name='page_307'></a>307</span>
+Van Reypen, as a man of the world, was more
+fitting for pretty Patty than himself. He knew
+he was Western, and different from Patty&#8217;s
+friends and associates, and he was so lacking in
+egotism or in self-conceit that he couldn&#8217;t recognise
+his own sterling merits. And, too, though
+he was interested in some mining projects, they
+had not yet materialised, and he did not yet
+know whether the near future would bring him
+great wealth, or exactly the reverse of fortune.
+</p>
+<p>But Patty couldn&#8217;t read his heart, and she was
+disappointed and piqued at his manner and
+words. Without even a glance into his earnest
+eyes, she said: &#8220;Thank you, Bill, for your advice;
+I know it is well meant, and I appreciate it.
+Please take me back to Philip now.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Farnsworth gave her a pained look, but without
+a word turned and led her back to the group
+they had left.
+</p>
+<p>Philip was waiting there, and Patty, to hide
+the strange hurt she felt in her own heart, was
+exceedingly kind in her manner toward him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Our dance, Philip,&#8221; she said, gaily, and
+though it hadn&#8217;t been engaged, Philip was only
+too glad to get it.
+</p>
+<p>Soon afterward, the ball was over, and they
+all went home. As Patty came from the cloak
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_308' name='page_308'></a>308</span>
+room, wrapped in her fur coat, Philip stepped
+up to her in such a possessive way, that Farnsworth,
+who had also been waiting for her,
+turned aside.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s a foregone conclusion,&#8221; said Jim Kenerley
+to Farnsworth, as he glanced at Patty and
+Philip.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense,&#8221; said Adèle. &#8220;Patty isn&#8217;t thinking
+of conclusions yet. But I must say it would
+be a very satisfactory match.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Mr. Van Reypen seems to be a fine fellow,&#8221;
+agreed Farnsworth.
+</p>
+<p>When they reached home, Patty said good-night,
+declaring she was weary enough to go
+straight to bed at once.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Will you come down again later, if you&#8217;re
+hungry?&#8221; said Philip, smiling at the recollection
+of Christmas Eve.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No,&#8221; and Patty flashed her dimples at him;
+and knowing that Farnsworth was listening, she
+added, &#8220;There&#8217;s no moonlight to-night!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Moonlight does help,&#8221; said Philip. &#8220;Good-night,
+Little Bo-Peep.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good-night, Bobby Shafto,&#8221; and Patty
+started upstairs, then turned, and holding out
+her hand to Farnsworth, said &#8220;Good-night,
+King Lear; shall I see you in the morning?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_309' name='page_309'></a>309</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;No; I leave on the early train,&#8221; said Farnsworth,
+abruptly. &#8220;Good-night, Patty, and
+good-bye.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He turned away, toward Daisy, and Patty
+went on upstairs.
+</p>
+<p>Farnsworth had spoken in a kind voice, but
+Patty knew that he had heard what she and
+Philip had said about coming down in the moonlight.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think he&#8217;s a horrid, mean old thing!&#8221; said
+Patty to herself, when she reached her own
+room. &#8220;His manners are not half as good as
+Philip&#8217;s, and he&#8217;s rude and unkind, and I just
+hate him!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Whereupon, as if to prove her words, she took
+from her portfolio the poem in the blue envelope,
+and read it all over again; and then put
+it under her pillow and went to sleep.
+</p>
+<hr class='tb' />
+
+<p>A few days later Patty was back in New York.
+She gave her father and Nan glowing accounts
+of the delightful times she had had at Fern
+Falls and the jollities of a country house party
+in the winter time. She told them all about the
+pleasant people she had met up there, about her
+experience at Mrs. Fay&#8217;s, and about Farnsworth&#8217;s
+flying visits.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_310' name='page_310'></a>310</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d like to meet that man,&#8221; said Nan. &#8220;I
+think he sounds attractive, Patty.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He is attractive,&#8221; said Patty, frankly; &#8220;but
+he&#8217;s queer. You never know what mood he&#8217;s
+going to be in. Sometimes he&#8217;s awfully
+friendly, and then again he gets huffy over nothing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m afraid you tease him, Patty,&#8221; said her
+father, smiling at her. &#8220;You&#8217;re getting to be
+such a popular young person that I fear you&#8217;re
+getting spoiled.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not Patty,&#8221; said Nan, kindly. &#8220;Go ahead,
+my child, and have all the fun you can. The
+young men all adore you, and I don&#8217;t wonder.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, Nancy Bell, how complimentary you
+are!&#8221; and Patty gave her stepmother an affectionate
+pat.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But now,&#8221; said Mr. Fairfield, &#8220;if I may have
+the floor for a minute, I&#8217;d like to make an announcement.
+We have a plan, Patty, which we
+made while you were away, and which I hope
+will meet with your approval.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;As if I ever disapproved of any of your
+plans, my dear daddy. Consider my approval
+granted before you begin.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, it&#8217;s this: I think Nan is looking a
+little bit pale, and I feel a trifle pale myself,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_311' name='page_311'></a>311</span>
+so I think we two will run away down South
+for a fortnight or so, and leave you here.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Alone?&#8221; asked Patty, in surprise.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, no; hardly that. But how would you
+like to have Mrs. Allen, Nan&#8217;s mother, come
+and stay with you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think that will be lovely,&#8221; exclaimed Patty.
+&#8220;I&#8217;m awfully fond of Mrs. Allen, and I haven&#8217;t
+seen her for a long time.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She&#8217;s not a very sedate matron,&#8221; said Nan,
+laughing. &#8220;I dare say she&#8217;ll keep you on the
+go, Patty. She&#8217;s fond of opera and concerts,
+and she likes gaiety. But father will come
+over for the week-ends, and look after you
+both.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Nan&#8217;s parents lived in Philadelphia, and as
+they had just returned from a trip abroad, the
+Fairfields hadn&#8217;t seen them lately. But it had
+seemed to them that the arrangement they had
+planned would be satisfactory all round, for
+Mrs. Allen liked to spend a few weeks in New
+York each winter.
+</p>
+<p>About a week later the elder Fairfields departed,
+and Mrs. Allen arrived.
+</p>
+<p>She was a fine-looking lady of a youthful middle
+age, and looked forward with pleasure to
+her visit with Patty.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_312' name='page_312'></a>312</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, you mustn&#8217;t let me be a burden to you
+in any way, my dear,&#8221; Mrs. Allen said, after the
+two were left alone. &#8220;Whenever I can help
+you, or whenever you want a chaperon, I&#8217;m entirely
+at your service; but when I&#8217;m not necessary
+to your plans, don&#8217;t consider me at all,&mdash;and
+don&#8217;t think about entertaining me, for I
+can look after myself. I&#8217;m never lonely or
+bored.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you, Mrs. Allen,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;I&#8217;m
+sure we shall get on most beautifully together,
+and anything you want or want to do, I want
+you to give your own orders, just as if you were
+in your own home.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And so the two had many pleasant times together.
+They went to matinées, teas, and concerts,
+to picture exhibitions, and to card parties.
+Mrs. Allen did not care for dances, but went
+gladly when it was a party where Patty required
+a chaperon.
+</p>
+<p>All of the young people liked Mrs. Allen, and
+she became well acquainted with all of Patty&#8217;s
+friends.
+</p>
+<p>Bill Farnsworth was still in New York. His
+plans were uncertain, and often changed from
+day to day, owing to various details of his business.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_313' name='page_313'></a>313</span></p>
+<p>He called on Patty occasionally, but not often,
+and his calls were short and formal.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I like that big Western chap,&#8221; Mrs. Allen
+said to Patty one day; &#8220;but he seems preoccupied.
+Sometimes he sits as if in a brown study,
+and says nothing for quite some minutes. And
+then, when you speak to him, he answers
+abruptly, as if bringing his mind back from faraway
+thoughts.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I daresay he&#8217;s very much wrapped up in his
+business, Mrs. Allen,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;They say
+he&#8217;s trying to swing a big mining proposition,&mdash;whatever
+that means.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It may mean a great many things,&#8221; said Mrs.
+Allen, thoughtfully. &#8220;I hope he&#8217;s all right,
+Patty.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right! Big Bill Farnsworth all right?
+Well, I rather guess he <i>is</i>!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There, there,&#8221; and Mrs. Allen laughed.
+&#8220;You needn&#8217;t take up the cudgels so desperately.
+I didn&#8217;t mean to accuse him of anything.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, of course you didn&#8217;t,&#8221; and Patty
+laughed, too; &#8220;but whatever big Bill may lack
+in the way of polish or culture, he&#8217;s absolutely
+honest and honourable, even to an absurd degree.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_314' name='page_314'></a>314</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think he lacks culture, Patty. His
+manners are all right.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, they&#8217;re all right, but he hasn&#8217;t quite the
+correct ease of a man like Philip Van Reypen.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know what you mean, and I suppose it&#8217;s
+the effect of the aristocratic Van Reypen ancestry.
+But Mr. Farnsworth has such a splendid
+big air of real nobility about him that I think
+a more formal and conventional demeanour
+would quite spoil him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Maybe it would,&#8221; said Patty, simply.
+</p>
+<p>That very afternoon Farnsworth came to call,
+and told Patty he had come to say good-bye.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I know you think my farewells never mean
+anything,&#8221; he said, smiling; &#8220;and I don&#8217;t wonder,
+for I often say I am going, and then a
+telegram obliges me to change my plan. But
+I think it is positive this time that I shall leave
+to-night for Arizona.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Have you been successful in your undertakings?&#8221;
+asked Patty, with a sympathetic interest.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I believe I have. I don&#8217;t want to be
+over sanguine, and matters are not yet entirely
+settled, but I think I have conquered the obstacles
+which I came to conquer, and I hope
+all will go well.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope so, Little Billee,&#8221; said Patty, looking
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_315' name='page_315'></a>315</span>
+at him with earnest good will. &#8220;I want you
+to succeed.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you for that,&#8221; said Farnsworth, simply.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And when are you coming East again?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t tell; I may have to come back in February;
+but if that is not necessary, I shall not
+come for a year or more. You will be married
+and settled by that time.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Indeed, I shan&#8217;t! In fact, I&#8217;ve about made
+up my mind that I&#8217;ll never marry anybody.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Girls have said that before, and been known
+to change their minds. But whatever you do,
+I wish you all happiness and joy throughout
+your whole life,&mdash;Little Apple Blossom.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Farnsworth had risen to go, and he held
+Patty&#8217;s hands in both his, as he looked straight
+into her eyes.
+</p>
+<p>Patty&#8217;s own eyes fell beneath his gaze, and she
+said, &#8220;And I wish you happiness wherever you
+are, Little Billee.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Thank you, dear,&#8221; he said, and then with a
+final handclasp he went away.
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XIX_AN_EXCITING_CHASE' id='XIX_AN_EXCITING_CHASE'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_316' name='page_316'></a>316</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2>
+<h3>AN EXCITING CHASE</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Farnsworth had left Patty about two
+o&#8217;clock, and it was only a few moments
+later that her telephone rang.
+</p>
+<p>Her response was answered by a tearful, wailing
+voice, that said, &#8220;Oh, Miss Patty, oh, <i>can&#8217;t</i>
+you come here at once? Come right away!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come where? Who are you?&#8221; said Patty,
+bewildered, for she did not recognise the voice,
+and it sounded like some one in deep distress.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, don&#8217;t wait a <i>minute</i>! Every moment
+is precious! Just come <i>at once</i>!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But how can I come, if I don&#8217;t know who you
+are? I can help you better, if you&#8217;ll control
+yourself and tell me something about yourself
+and your trouble. First of all, who are you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m Anne, Miss Galbraith&#8217;s maid. You
+know me, Miss Patty. Oh, come quick; Miss
+Mona has gone!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Gone! Where? Now, listen to me, Anne!
+Stop your crying, and tell me what you mean,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_317' name='page_317'></a>317</span>
+and then I will go to you at once. Where are
+you? And where has Miss Mona gone?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m in her apartment, and I don&#8217;t like to tell
+you over the telephone where she&#8217;s gone. But,&mdash;Miss
+Patty,&mdash;I think,&mdash;Oh, I fear,&mdash;she has
+eloped with Mr. Lansing!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The last sentence came in an explosive burst,
+as if the girl could keep her secret no longer.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What!&#8221; exclaimed Patty. And then, suddenly
+realising that it was a desperate situation,
+she said, &#8220;Don&#8217;t say another word, Anne! I
+will go right straight to you. Stay there till
+I come.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>She knew the excitable character of the girl,
+and feared she might get hysterical if she talked
+further over the telephone. Patty hung up the
+receiver, and sat still for a moment, thinking
+deeply.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I won&#8217;t tell Mrs. Allen,&#8221; she finally decided,
+&#8220;but I must have some one to help me,&mdash;to go
+with me. I believe I&#8217;ll call up Roger.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But she couldn&#8217;t bear to do that. It seemed
+too dreadful to tell Roger what had happened.
+She thought next of Kenneth, who was a standby
+as a loyal friend, but he was far downtown
+in his office, and might be busy with an important
+case.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_318' name='page_318'></a>318</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Philip, of course,&#8221; she said to herself; but
+even with her hand on the receiver, another
+thought flashed through her mind. &#8220;No one
+could help me to save Mona like Big Bill!&#8221; she
+thought, and on a sudden impulse she called up
+his hotel.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Bill,&mdash;it&#8217;s Patty,&#8221; she said, her voice trembling.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, dear; what is it? What is the matter?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The kind, quiet voice, with its deep tones of
+sympathy and capability, made Patty realise that
+she had appealed to the right one. &#8220;Oh, Bill,&#8221;
+she went on, &#8220;there&#8217;s awful trouble, and you
+must help me.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course I will, Little Girl! Steady now;
+tell me what it&#8217;s all about. Do you want me
+to come there?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you&#8217;re just starting for the West,&#8221; cried
+Patty, as she remembered this for the first time.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That doesn&#8217;t matter, if <i>you</i> want me. I&#8217;ll
+be right over.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And wait a minute; tell me what you think
+we ought to do. I&#8217;ve heard from Anne that
+Mona is eloping with that awful Lansing
+man!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then there&#8217;s no time to be lost! Take your
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_319' name='page_319'></a>319</span>
+little car, and go to The Plaza as fast as you
+can spin! I&#8217;ll meet you there, in the Galbraiths&#8217;
+apartment.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Bill hung up the receiver, without even a good-bye,
+and Patty gave a little sigh of relief, for it
+seemed as if he had taken the responsibility
+from her shoulders, and would manage the matter
+himself. She ordered her car, flung on her
+hat and coat, and with a hasty word to Mrs.
+Allen that she was going out, she drove her
+little electric herself down to the hotel.
+</p>
+<p>When she entered the Galbraiths&#8217; apartment,
+she found Farnsworth already there.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s true,&#8221; he said, looking at her with a
+grave face. &#8220;That is, I think it must be.
+Mona went away half an hour ago, and took
+a suit case with her. She went in a motor with
+Mr. Lansing. Anne is worried, because this
+morning she overheard the two telephoning.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I wasn&#8217;t listening, Miss Patty,&#8221; said the tearful
+maid. &#8220;That is, I didn&#8217;t mean to, but Miss
+Mona was excited like, and her voice was so
+loud I couldn&#8217;t help hearing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m glad you did, Anne,&#8221; said Patty, &#8220;it
+may help us to save Miss Mona yet. What
+else can you tell us?&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_320' name='page_320'></a>320</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing, except that Miss Mona left a note
+on her father&#8217;s desk, and I thought maybe it
+might be to tell him she had gone.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Big Bill strode over to the desk, and there,
+under a paperweight, lay a note, addressed to
+Mr. Galbraith. He picked it up, and looked
+at it, thoughtfully.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty,&#8221; he said, &#8220;this isn&#8217;t sealed. Considering
+all things, I think it is our duty to read
+it, but you know more about such matters than
+I do. What do you think?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty hesitated. She had always thought it
+little less than a crime to read a note addressed
+to another, but the circumstances made this case
+seem an exception. &#8220;We might telephone to
+Mr. Galbraith and ask his permission,&#8221; she suggested.
+</p>
+<p>But Big Bill seemed suddenly to have made
+up his mind.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No!&#8221; he declared, &#8220;<i>I&#8217;ll</i> take the responsibility
+of this thing. To telephone would
+frighten Mr. Galbraith, and would delay matters
+too much, beside. I shall read this note,
+and if I can&#8217;t square my action with Mr.
+Galbraith afterward, I&#8217;ll accept the consequences.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>The impressive manner of the big man, his
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_321' name='page_321'></a>321</span>
+stern, set face, and honest, determined blue eyes
+convinced Patty that he was right, and together
+they read the note.
+</p>
+<p>In it, as they had feared, Mona told her
+father that she was going away to marry Mr.
+Lansing, because her father would not allow
+her to marry him otherwise. She expressed
+regret at the sorrow she knew this would bring
+to her father, but she said she was old enough
+to decide for herself whom she wished to marry,
+and she felt sure that after it was over he would
+forgive her, and call his two children back to
+him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Mona never wrote that note of her own accord,&#8221;
+exclaimed Patty, indignantly. &#8220;That
+man made her do it!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course he did!&#8221; agreed Bill, in a stern
+voice. &#8220;I know Lansing,&mdash;and, Patty, the
+man is a scoundrel.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You know him? I didn&#8217;t know you did.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I do! And I ought to have warned
+Mona more against him. I did tell her what
+his real nature is, but she wouldn&#8217;t listen, and I
+never dreamed she was so deeply infatuated
+with him. But we mustn&#8217;t blame her, Patty.
+She was simply under the influence of that man,
+and he persuaded her to go with him against
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_322' name='page_322'></a>322</span>
+her better judgment. But we must go after
+them and bring them back.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But you&#8217;re going West to-night.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not unless we rescue Mona first! Why,
+Patty, she <i>mustn&#8217;t</i> be allowed to marry that
+man! I tell you he&#8217;s a scoundrel, and I never
+say <i>that</i> about a man unless I <i>know</i> it to be true.
+But this is no time to discuss Lansing. We
+must simply fly after them.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But how do you know where they&#8217;ve gone?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know! But we must find out, somehow.
+Perhaps the men at the door can tell us.
+Perhaps Anne can.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I only know this, sir,&#8221; said Anne, who was
+wringing her hands and weeping; &#8220;when Miss
+Mona was telephoning, she said something
+about Greenwich.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course!&#8221; cried Bill. &#8220;That&#8217;s exactly
+where they&#8217;d go! But wait, they would have
+to go for a license first.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Telephone the license man,&#8221; said Patty, inspired
+by Bill&#8217;s manner and tones.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Right-O!&#8221; and after some rather troublesome
+telephoning, Bill announced, &#8220;They did!
+they got a license, and they started in a motor
+for Greenwich about half an hour ago! Come
+on, Patty! Anne, you stay right here, in case
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_323' name='page_323'></a>323</span>
+we telephone. If Mr. Galbraith comes home,
+don&#8217;t tell him a word about it. Leave it to me.
+I&#8217;ll be responsible for this note.&#8221; Bill put the
+note in his pocket, and almost pushing Patty out
+of the door, he had her in the elevator and
+downstairs almost before she knew it.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Shall we take my little car?&#8221; she asked, as
+Bill strode through the lobby, and Patty hurried
+to keep up with him.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Good Heavens, no! We want a racer. I&#8217;ll
+drive it myself.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>By the power of sheer determination, the big
+Western man procured a fast car in an incredibly
+short time, and in a few moments he and
+Patty were flying up Broadway.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now if you want to talk you may,&#8221; said Bill,
+and his voice was quiet and composed, though
+he was alertly threading his swift way through
+the traffic. &#8220;I had to be a little short with you
+while we were hurrying off, because I didn&#8217;t
+want to lose a minute. But now, all I have to
+do is to keep just inside the speed limit while
+we&#8217;re in the city, and then I rather guess there&#8217;ll
+be one big chase!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Bill, you are just splendid!&#8221; exclaimed
+Patty, with shining eyes, unable to repress her
+admiration of his capability and strength.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_324' name='page_324'></a>324</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;But we haven&#8217;t accomplished anything yet,
+Patty; we&#8217;re only starting out to try. You
+know, it&#8217;s a hundred to one shot that we miss
+them,&mdash;for we&#8217;ve very little idea where they&#8217;ve
+gone.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But it&#8217;s a straight road to Greenwich.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, but they may have turned off anywhere.
+They may change their minds a dozen times
+about their destination.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, they won&#8217;t,&#8221; said Patty, positively; &#8220;not
+unless they think they&#8217;re pursued, and of course
+they&#8217;ve no idea of that. Speed her up, Bill;
+the way is clear now! I don&#8217;t believe they&#8217;re
+going at this pace.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty, you&#8217;re a good pal! I don&#8217;t believe
+any other girl would be as plucky as you are in
+such a case.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, I haven&#8217;t done anything,&#8221; and Patty
+opened her eyes wide, in surprise. &#8220;You&#8217;ve
+done it all&mdash;Little Billee.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ve helped me more than you know.
+With you by my side, I&#8217;m bound to succeed.&#8221;
+Big Bill bent to his wheel, and the swift machine
+flew along so fast that conversation became
+impossible.
+</p>
+<p>As they neared Greenwich, Patty&#8217;s sharp eyes
+descried a dark red car ahead of them.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_325' name='page_325'></a>325</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s it!&#8221; she cried. &#8220;That&#8217;s Mona&#8217;s
+car! Chase &#8217;em, Bill!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;The nerve of him, to elope in her own car!&#8221;
+growled Bill, through his clenched teeth. &#8220;I
+told you he was a scoundrel, Patty!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>They were rapidly gaining on the red car,
+when, as it turned the corner, one of its occupants
+saw their pursuers, and Patty heard a
+shriek.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s Mona&#8217;s yell,&#8221; she cried, in dismay.
+&#8220;They&#8217;ve seen us, Bill, and now they&#8217;ll get
+away from us!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Sure enough, the pursuing car was swift, but
+the big Galbraith car was a speed wonder, and
+the elopers darted ahead with renewed determination
+to escape capture.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, what a shame!&#8221; wailed Patty. &#8220;They
+recognised us, and now they&#8217;ll get away.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Not if I know it!&#8221; and Farnsworth set his
+teeth hard. &#8220;Sit tight, Patty; we&#8217;re going to
+go faster!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It didn&#8217;t seem as if they could go any faster,
+but they did, and if it had been anybody driving
+except Farnsworth, Patty would have felt
+frightened. But she knew his skill, and too,
+she knew that he never let excitement or enthusiasm
+run away with his judgment. So she sat
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_326' name='page_326'></a>326</span>
+as still as she could, striving to catch her breath
+in the face of the wind; and refraining from
+speech, lest she distract Bill&#8217;s attention even for
+a second.
+</p>
+<p>At last, when they had a long, clear view
+ahead, and they saw the red car ever increasing
+the distance between them, Bill gave up.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s no use, Patty; we can&#8217;t catch them! I&#8217;ve
+done all I can, but that car they&#8217;re in is a world-beater!
+They went through Greenwich like a
+streak. They would have been arrested, but no
+one could stop them. Oh, I say, My Little
+Girl,&mdash;I have an idea!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is your idea faster than their car, Little
+Billee?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You bet it is! Just you wait and see; Patty,
+we&#8217;ve <i>got</i> &#8217;em!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Farnsworth turned around and drove rapidly
+back to Greenwich, which they had just passed
+through.
+</p>
+<p>At a hotel there, he jumped out, told Patty to
+wait, and rushed into the office.
+</p>
+<p>It was nearly ten minutes before he returned,
+and Patty could scarcely believe that whatever
+plan he had could be of any use after such
+delay.
+</p>
+<p>He jumped in beside her, turned around, and
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_327' name='page_327'></a>327</span>
+in a minute they were again whizzing along,
+following the direction of the other car.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll tell you what I did, Patty,&#8221; he said,
+chuckling. &#8220;I telephoned to the Stamford
+Chief of Police, and asked him to arrest those
+people for speeding as they crossed the city
+limit!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Will they be speeding?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;<i>Will</i> they be speeding? You <i>bet</i> they will!
+And even if they aren&#8217;t, they&#8217;ll be arrested, all
+the same, and held without bail until we get
+there! Oh, Patty, if the situation were not
+so serious, I could laugh at this joke on Lansing!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>On they went, at their highest speed, and
+reached Stamford not very much later than the
+red car they were following.
+</p>
+<p>At the city line, they found this car standing,
+with two or three policemen forbidding its
+further progress.
+</p>
+<p>Horace Lansing was in a violent fit of temper,
+and was alternating bribes with threats of
+vengeance, but the policemen were imperturbable,
+having been told the facts of the case by
+Farnsworth over the telephone.
+</p>
+<p>Mona was weeping bitterly, and though Patty
+went to her with affectionate words, she stormed
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_328' name='page_328'></a>328</span>
+back, &#8220;Go away, Patty Fairfield! You have
+no right to interfere in my affairs! It was your
+prying that found this out. Go away; I won&#8217;t
+speak to you!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;By what right have you followed us, Miss
+Fairfield?&#8221; began Mr. Lansing, looking at
+Patty, angrily.
+</p>
+<p>But Farnsworth strode over to the speaker,
+and spoke to him, sternly but quietly. &#8220;Lansing,&#8221;
+he said, &#8220;it&#8217;s all up, and you know it!
+Now, I don&#8217;t want to have a scene here and
+now, so you have my permission to go away
+wherever you like, on condition that you never
+enter the presence again, of Miss Galbraith or
+Miss Fairfield.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Ho!&#8221; said Lansing, with an attempt at
+bravado. &#8220;You give me your permission, do
+you? Let me tell you that Miss Galbraith is
+my promised wife. We have the license, and
+we&#8217;re about to be married. It will take more
+than you to stop us!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Indeed,&#8221; said Farnsworth, and putting his
+hands in his pockets, he gave Lansing a contemptuous
+glance. &#8220;Well, then, I shall have
+to request assistance. If I tell this constable a
+good reason why he should detain you long
+enough to prevent your marriage to Miss Galbraith,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_329' name='page_329'></a>329</span>
+would such an argument have any
+weight with you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>There was an instantaneous change in Horace
+Lansing&#8217;s demeanour. From a blustering braggart,
+he became a pale and cringing coward.
+But with a desperate attempt to bluff it out, he
+exclaimed, &#8220;What do you mean?&#8221; but even
+as he spoke, he shivered and staggered backward,
+as if dreading a blow.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Since you ask me,&#8221; said Farnsworth, looking
+at him, sternly, &#8220;I&#8217;ll answer frankly, that unless
+you consent to go away and never again enter
+the presence of these ladies, I shall inform these
+policemen of a certain little bank trouble that
+happened in Chicago&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>It was unnecessary to go on. Lansing was
+abject, and begged in pleading tones that Farnsworth
+would say no more. &#8220;I am going,&#8221;
+Lansing stammered, and without a word of
+farewell to Mona or even a glance at Patty, he
+walked rapidly away.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Let him go,&#8221; said Farnsworth. &#8220;I can&#8217;t
+tell you girls about it, but I&#8217;ll explain to Mr.
+Galbraith. Mona, that man is not fit for you
+to know! He is guilty of forgery and robbery.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t believe it!&#8221; declared Mona, angrily.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_330' name='page_330'></a>330</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;You <i>do</i> believe it,&#8221; and Farnsworth looked
+at her steadily, &#8220;because you know I would not
+tell you so unless I knew it to be true.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mona was silent at this, for she did know it.
+She knew Bill Farnsworth well enough to know
+that if he made an accusation of that sort, he
+knew it to be the truth.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But I love him so,&#8221; she said, sobbing.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Mona, you don&#8217;t love him.&#8221; Bill spoke
+very gently, and as he laid his hand on Mona&#8217;s
+shoulder, she raised her eyes to look into his
+kind, serious face. &#8220;You were not much to
+blame, Mona; the man fascinated you, and you
+thought the foolish infatuation you felt for him
+was love. But it wasn&#8217;t, and you&#8217;ll soon forget
+him. You don&#8217;t want to remember a man who
+was a wrong-doer, I&#8217;m sure; nor do you want
+to remember a man who goes away and deserts
+you because he has been found out. Mona, is
+not his going away as he did, enough proof of
+his guilt?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>But Mona was sobbing so that she could not
+speak. Not angry sobs now, but pathetic, repentant
+sorrow.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Now, it&#8217;s up to you, Patty,&#8221; said Farnsworth,
+cheerily. &#8220;You and Mona get into the
+tonneau of this Galbraith car, and I&#8217;ll drive you
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_331' name='page_331'></a>331</span>
+home. You chirk her up, Patty, and tell her
+there&#8217;s no harm done, and that all her friends
+love her just the same. And tell her if she&#8217;ll
+stop her crying and calm herself before she gets
+home, nobody need ever know a thing about
+this whole affair.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Mona looked up at this, and said, eagerly,
+&#8220;Not father?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, Mona dear,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;Sit here by
+me and I&#8217;ll tell you all about it. How we read
+the note and kept it, and everything. And,
+Mona, we won&#8217;t even let Roger know anything
+about all this, because it would hurt him very
+much.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But Anne,&#8221; said Mona, doubtfully. &#8220;You
+say she told you where I went.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll attend to Anne,&#8221; said Farnsworth, decidedly.
+&#8220;Can&#8217;t you go home to dinner with
+Patty, Mona? I think that would do you
+good.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, do,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;And stay over night
+with me. We&#8217;ll telephone your father where
+you are, and then, to-morrow, you can go home
+as if nothing had ever happened.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a justifiable deception, Mona,&#8221; said Bill,
+&#8220;for I know how it would grieve the poor man
+if he knew about your foolish little escapade,&mdash;which
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_332' name='page_332'></a>332</span>
+is all over now. It&#8217;s past history, and
+the incident is closed forever. Don&#8217;t you be
+afraid Lansing will ever appear against you.
+He&#8217;s too thoroughly frightened ever to be seen
+in these parts again.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You come to dinner, too, Bill,&#8221; said Patty,
+as they took their places; &#8220;though I fear we&#8217;ll
+all be rather late.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Farnsworth hesitated a moment, then he said,
+decidedly, &#8220;No, Patty, I can&#8217;t do it. I was to
+take the seven o&#8217;clock train to-night, but though
+I&#8217;ll miss that, I can take the nine o&#8217;clock, and
+I <i>must</i> go.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;But, Little Billee, I want to thank you for
+helping me as you did. I want to thank you,
+not only for Mona&#8217;s sake, but my own.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That would be worth staying for, Little Girl,
+but it is a case of duty, you see. Won&#8217;t you
+write me your thanks,&mdash;Apple Blossom?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; said Patty, softly, &#8220;I will.&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='major' />
+<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'>
+<a name='XX_BRIDESMAID_PATTY' id='XX_BRIDESMAID_PATTY'></a>
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_333' name='page_333'></a>333</span>
+<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2>
+<h3>BRIDESMAID PATTY</h3>
+</div>
+
+<p>Early in February Christine was to be
+married, and the Fairfields had persuaded
+her to accept the use of their
+house for the occasion.
+</p>
+<p>Christine had demurred, for she wanted a simple
+ceremony with no reception at all. But the
+Fairfields finally made her see that Mr. Hepworth&#8217;s
+position as an artist of high repute made
+it desirable that his many friends should be invited
+to his wedding.
+</p>
+<p>So Christine agreed to the plan, and Patty was
+delighted at the thought of the festivities in
+her home.
+</p>
+<p>The elder Fairfields had returned from their
+Southern trip, but Mrs. Allen was still with
+them, and there were other house guests from
+Christine&#8217;s Southern home.
+</p>
+<p>The day of the wedding, Patty, assisted by
+Elise and Mona, was superintending the decorations.
+Christine had insisted that these
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_334' name='page_334'></a>334</span>
+should be simple, and as Mr. Hepworth, too,
+was opposed to the conventional work of a
+florist, the girls had directed it all themselves.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It does look perfectly sweet,&#8221; said Patty, as
+she surveyed the drawing-room. &#8220;Personally,
+I should prefer all those dinky white telegraph
+poles stretched with ribbon and bunched up with
+flowers to make an aisle for the happy couple
+to walk through. But as it isn&#8217;t my wedding,
+I suppose we must let the bride have her own
+way.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m tired of those tied up poles,&#8221; said Elise,
+decidedly. &#8220;I think this is a lot prettier, and
+all this Southern jasmine is beautiful, and just
+like Christine.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She is the sweetest thing!&#8221; said Patty.
+&#8220;Every new present that comes in, she sits and
+looks at it helplessly, as if it were the very last
+straw!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, of course, most of the presents are
+from Mr. Hepworth&#8217;s friends,&#8221; said Mona,
+&#8220;and they are stunning! I don&#8217;t wonder
+Christine is overcome.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She has lots of friends of her own, too,&#8221;
+said Patty. &#8220;All the girls gave her beautiful
+things, and you two quite outdid yourselves.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_335' name='page_335'></a>335</span>
+That lamp of yours, Mona, is a perfect dream;
+and, Elise, I never saw such gems as your silver
+candlesticks. Christine&#8217;s path through life will
+be well lighted! Well, everything&#8217;s finished,
+and I think it&#8217;s about time we went to dress.
+The ceremony&#8217;s at four, and as I&#8217;m going
+to be a bridesmaid for the first time in my
+mad career, I don&#8217;t want to be late at the
+party.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;How beautiful the drawing-room looks,&#8221;
+said Mrs. Allen, coming along just then.
+&#8220;Patty dear, doesn&#8217;t this all remind you of the
+day Nan was married?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Mrs. Allen; only the weddings are
+quite different. But Christine would keep this
+as simple as possible, so of course I let her have
+her own way.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Patty, that&#8217;s the privilege of a bride.
+But some day you can have your own way in
+the direction of your own wedding, and I
+rather fancy it will be an elaborate affair. I
+hope I&#8217;ll be here to see.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I hope you will, Mrs. Allen,&#8221; laughed Patty;
+&#8220;but don&#8217;t look for it very soon. My suitors
+are so bashful, you know; I have to urge them
+on.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense!&#8221; cried Elise. &#8220;Patty&#8217;s greatest
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_336' name='page_336'></a>336</span>
+trouble is to keep her suitors off! She tries to
+hold them at arm&#8217;s length, but they are so insistent
+that it is difficult.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I think you girls are all too young to have
+suitors,&#8221; commented Mrs. Allen, smiling at
+the pretty trio.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Mrs. Allen,&#8221; said Patty; &#8220;suitors
+doesn&#8217;t mean men who want to marry you. I
+suppose it&#8217;s sort of slang, but nowadays, girls
+call all their young men suitors, even the merest
+casual acquaintances.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I see,&#8221; said Mrs. Allen. &#8220;I suppose
+as in my younger days we used to call them
+beaux.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, just that,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;Why, Mr.
+Hepworth used to be one of our favourite
+suitors, until he persuaded Christine to marry
+him; but we have lots of them left.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Is that big one coming to the wedding?&#8221;
+asked Mrs. Allen.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;She means Bill Farnsworth,&#8221; said Patty to
+the others. &#8220;She always calls him &#8216;that big
+one.&#8217; I don&#8217;t know whether he&#8217;s coming or
+not. He said if he possibly could get here,
+he would.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;ll come,&#8221; said Elise, wagging her head,
+sagely. &#8220;He&#8217;ll manage it somehow. Why,
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_337' name='page_337'></a>337</span>
+Mrs. Allen, he worships the ground Patty
+walks on!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So do all my suitors,&#8221; said Patty, complacently.
+&#8220;They&#8217;re awful ground worshippers,
+the whole lot of them! But so long as they
+don&#8217;t worship me, they may adore the ground
+as much as they like. Now, you people must
+excuse me, for I&#8217;m going to get into that flummery
+bridesmaid&#8217;s frock,&mdash;and I can tell you,
+though it looks so simple, it&#8217;s fearfully and
+wonderfully made.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty ran away to her own room, but paused
+on the way to speak to Christine, who
+was already being dressed in her bridal
+robes.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You <i>sweet</i> thing!&#8221; cried Patty, flinging her
+arms round her friend&#8217;s neck. &#8220;Christine
+dear, you know I&#8217;m not much good at sentimental
+expressions, but I <i>do</i> want to wish you
+such a heap of joy that you&#8217;ll just almost break
+down under it!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Christine smiled back into Patty&#8217;s honest eyes,
+and realised the loving friendship that
+prompted the words.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty,&#8221; she said, &#8220;I can&#8217;t begin to thank you
+for all you&#8217;ve done for me this past year, but
+I thank you most,&#8221;&mdash;here she blushed, and
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_338' name='page_338'></a>338</span>
+whispered shyly,&mdash;&#8220;because you didn&#8217;t want
+him, yourself!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Christine!&#8221; said Patty, &#8220;I <i>do</i> want
+him, something dreadful! I shall just <i>pine</i>
+away the rest of my sad life because I can&#8217;t
+have him! But you wrested him from me,
+and I give him to you with my blessing!&#8221;
+And then Patty went away, and Christine
+smiled, knowing that Patty&#8217;s words were merely
+jesting, and knowing too, with a heart full of
+content, that Gilbert Hepworth really wanted
+<i>her</i>, and not the radiant, mischievous Patty.
+</p>
+<hr class='tb' />
+
+<p>Promptly at four o&#8217;clock, the old, well-known
+music sounded forth, and Patty came slowly
+downstairs. Her gown was of white chiffon,
+over pink chiffon, and fell in soft, shimmering
+draperies, that looked like classic simplicity, but
+were in reality rather complicated. Christine
+had designed both their gowns, and they were
+marvels of beauty. On Patty&#8217;s head was
+perched a coquettish little cap of the style most
+approved for bridesmaids, and she carried a
+clustered spray of pink roses. As she entered
+the drawing-room, intent on walking correctly
+in time to the music, she chanced to glance up,
+and saw Bill Farnsworth&#8217;s blue eyes fixed upon
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_339' name='page_339'></a>339</span>
+her. Unthinkingly, she gave him a radiant
+smile, and then, with the pink in her cheeks
+deepened a little, she went on her way toward
+the group of palms, where the wedding party
+would stand.
+</p>
+<p>Not even the bride herself looked prettier
+than Patty; though Christine was very sweet,
+in her soft white chiffon, her misty veil, and
+her shower bouquet of white flowers, which she
+had expressly requested should be without ribbons.
+</p>
+<p>Only the more intimate friends had been invited
+to the ceremony, but immediately after,
+the house was filled with the reception guests.
+Patty was in gay spirits, which was not at all
+unusual for that young woman. She fluttered
+about everywhere, like a big pink butterfly, but
+ever and again hovering back to Christine, to
+caress her, and, as she expressed it, &#8220;To keep
+up her drooping spirits.&#8221; Christine had never
+entirely overcome her natural shyness, and being
+the centre of attraction on this occasion
+greatly embarrassed her, and she was glad of
+Patty&#8217;s gay nonsense to distract attention from
+herself.
+</p>
+<p>Kenneth Harper was best man, and, as he told
+Patty, the responsibility of the whole affair
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_340' name='page_340'></a>340</span>
+rested on himself and her. &#8220;We&#8217;re really of
+far greater importance than the bride and
+groom,&#8221; he said; &#8220;and they depend on us for
+everything. Have you the confetti all ready,
+Patty?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, of course; do you have to go to the
+train with them, Ken?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No; my duties are ended when I once get
+them packed into a motor at the door. But
+Christine looks as if she couldn&#8217;t survive much
+longer, and as for old Gilbert, he&#8217;s as absent-minded
+as the conventional bridegroom.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Christine&#8217;s all right,&#8221; said Patty. &#8220;I&#8217;m going
+to take her off, now, to get into her travelling
+clothes. Oh, Ken, she has the loveliest
+suit! Sort of a taupe colour, you know, and
+the dearest hat&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty! Do you suppose I care what she&#8217;s
+going to wear away? But <i>do</i> see to it that
+she&#8217;s ready on time! You girls will all get to
+weeping,&mdash;that&#8217;s the way they always do,&mdash;and
+you&#8217;ll spin out your farewells so that they&#8217;ll
+lose their train! Run along with Christine,
+now; Hepworth is fidgeting like the dickens.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>So the pretty bridesmaid took the pretty bride
+away, and Patty begged Christine to make haste
+with her dressing, lest she might lose the train.
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_341' name='page_341'></a>341</span></p>
+<p>&#8220;And Mr. Hepworth will go away without
+you,&#8221; Patty threatened. &#8220;Now, you do always
+dawdle, Christine; but this time you&#8217;ve
+got to hustle,&mdash;so be spry,&mdash;Mrs. Hepworth.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Christine smiled at Patty&#8217;s use of the new
+name, and she tried to make the haste Patty
+demanded. But she was slow by nature, and
+Patty danced around her in terror, lest she
+should really be late.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here&#8217;s your coat, Christine,&mdash;put your arms
+in, do! Now the other one. Now sit down,
+and I&#8217;ll put your hat on for you. Oh, Mrs.
+Hepworth, <i>do</i> hold your head still! Here,
+stick this pin in yourself, or I may jab it
+through your brain,&mdash;though I must confess
+you act as if you hadn&#8217;t any! or if you have, it&#8217;s
+addled. And Ken says that husband of yours
+is acting just the same way. My! it&#8217;s lucky
+you two infants had a capable and clever bridesmaid
+and best man to get you off! There!
+take your gloves,&mdash;no, don&#8217;t hold them like
+that! put them on. Wake up, Christine; remember,
+the show isn&#8217;t over yet. You&#8217;ve got
+to go downstairs, and be showered with confetti,
+and, oh, Christine, <i>don&#8217;t</i> forget to throw
+your bouquet!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I won&#8217;t do it!&#8221; and Christine Hepworth
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_342' name='page_342'></a>342</span>
+woke up suddenly from her dreaming, and
+clasped her bridal bouquet to her heart.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nonsense! of course you will! You&#8217;ve simply
+<i>got</i> to! I&#8217;m not going to run this whole
+wedding, and then have the prima donna balk
+in the last act. Now, listen, Christine, you
+throw it over the banister just as you start
+downstairs! Will you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes,&#8221; was the meek response; &#8220;I will.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And wait a minute; don&#8217;t you throw it till
+I get down there myself, for I might catch
+it.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Do catch it, Patty, and then you can give
+it back to me. I want to keep it all my
+life.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, you can&#8217;t, Christine; it isn&#8217;t done!
+You&#8217;ll have to direct your sentimentality in
+some other direction. Or, here, I&#8217;ll give you
+a flower out of it, and that&#8217;s plenty for you to
+keep for a souvenir of this happy occasion.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why do I have to throw it, anyway?&#8221; persisted
+Christine, as she tucked the flower away
+for safe keeping.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;First and foremost, because I tell you to!
+and, incidentally, because it&#8217;s the custom. You
+know, whoever catches it will be married inside
+of a year. Now, I&#8217;m going on down, and then
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_343' name='page_343'></a>343</span>
+you come along with Nan, and I expect you&#8217;ll
+find Mr. Hepworth down there somewhere,&mdash;if
+Ken hasn&#8217;t lost him.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty cast a final critical glance at Christine,
+and seeing that she was all right in every respect,
+she gave her one last kiss, and hurried
+downstairs. She found a group of laughing
+young people standing in the hall, all provided
+with confetti, and the girls all looking upward
+to watch for the descending bouquet.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Here&#8217;s a good place for you, Patty Pink and
+White,&#8221; and Farnsworth guided her to a place
+directly under the banister.
+</p>
+<p>At that moment Christine appeared at the
+head of the stairs. She stood a moment, her
+bouquet held at arm&#8217;s length, and looked at it
+as if she couldn&#8217;t quite bring herself to part
+with it.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;There, <i>now</i> she&#8217;s going to toss it! <i>Quick</i>,
+Patty, catch it!&#8221; Big Bill whispered in her ear,
+and Patty looked upward. Then, seeing the
+direction in which the flowers fell,&mdash;for Christine
+really tossed them straight at her,&mdash;Patty
+whirled round and sprang aside, so that the
+bouquet was picked up by a girl who stood next
+to her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Patty! you muffed it!&#8221; cried Farnsworth;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_344' name='page_344'></a>344</span>
+&#8220;and what&#8217;s more, you did it on purpose!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8217;Course I did!&#8221; declared Patty. &#8220;I don&#8217;t
+want to be married this year, thank you. But
+it was all I could do to dodge it!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>And then the confetti was showered on the
+departing couple, Kenneth tucked them into the
+motor car, Patty jumped in too, for a last rapturous
+hug of Christine, and Kenneth almost
+had to pull her out.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Come, come, Patty,&#8221; he cried. &#8220;Let them
+make their getaway! I think they&#8217;ve missed
+the train as it is. There, now, they&#8217;re off!
+My, a best man&#8217;s lot is not a happy one! But
+our trials are over now, Patty girl, and we can
+take a little rest! Let&#8217;s go back and receive
+the congratulations of the audience on our
+good work.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>They went back to the house, laughing, and
+Patty succeeded in obtaining a few more blossoms
+from the bridal bouquet to save for Christine
+until she came back.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why didn&#8217;t you catch it, Patty?&#8221; said Kenneth.
+&#8220;Do you want to be an old maid?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;Nobody asked me, sir, she said,&#8217;&#8221; and
+Patty dropped her eyes, demurely.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You mean there&#8217;s nobody that hasn&#8217;t asked
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_345' name='page_345'></a>345</span>
+you!&#8221; returned Kenneth. &#8220;I&#8217;m going to ask
+you, myself, some day; but not to-night. I&#8217;ve
+had enough to do with matrimonial alliances
+for one day!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;So have I,&#8221; laughed Patty. &#8220;Let&#8217;s put it
+off for a year, Ken.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right,&#8221; was the laughing response, and
+then they rejoined the other young people.
+</p>
+<p>After the reception was over, a few of Patty&#8217;s
+more intimate friends were invited to remain
+to dinner with the Fairfields.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Can you stay, Little Billee?&#8221; asked Patty,
+dancing up to him, as he seemed about to
+leave.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I have to take a midnight train,&#8221; he said,
+&#8220;and I have some business matters that I must
+attend to first. So if I may, I&#8217;ll run away now,
+and come back this evening for a dance with
+you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;All right; be sure to come,&#8221; and Patty
+flashed him a smiling glance, and danced away
+again.
+</p>
+<p>It was after eleven before Farnsworth returned,
+and Patty had begun to fear he would
+not come at all.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What are you looking at?&#8221; asked Philip
+Van Reypen, as Patty continued to glance over
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_346' name='page_346'></a>346</span>
+her shoulder toward the hall, while they were
+dancing.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Nothing,&#8221; was the non-committal answer.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, then, you may as well look at me.
+At least, I&#8217;m better than nothing.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;<i>Much</i> better!&#8221; said Patty, with exaggerated
+emphasis; &#8220;<i>ever</i> so much better! Oh, say,
+Philip, take me over to the hall, will you?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What for? This dance has just begun.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Never mind!&#8221; said Patty, impatiently.
+&#8220;Lead me over that way!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Patty turned her own dancing steps in that
+direction, and when they reached the hall,
+there was Big Bill Farnsworth, smiling at her.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;This is what I was looking for!&#8221; said Patty,
+gaily. &#8220;Run away now, Philip. Little Billee
+can only stay a minute, and we&#8217;ll finish our
+dance afterward.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>Van Reypen was decidedly annoyed, but he
+didn&#8217;t show it, for he knew Patty&#8217;s caprices
+must be obeyed. So he bowed politely, and
+walked away.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s mad as hops,&#8221; said Patty, calmly; &#8220;but
+I had to see you for a few minutes, if you&#8217;re
+really going on that midnight train. Are you,
+Little Billee?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, Apple Blossom, I am. I&#8217;ve time for
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_347' name='page_347'></a>347</span>
+just one turn round the room. Will you
+dance?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>For answer, Patty put her hand in his, and
+they waltzed slowly round the room.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You are the busiest business man I ever
+saw,&#8221; Patty said, pouting a little.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, I <i>am</i> very busy just now. Indeed, matters
+are rapidly coming to a crisis. It was only
+because I suddenly found that I must be in Boston
+to-morrow, that I could stop here to-day.
+And if matters turn out to-morrow as I hope
+they will, I must start back immediately to Arizona.
+But some day I hope to be less hurried,
+and then&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;And then?&#8221; asked Patty.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then I hope to live in New York, and learn
+good manners and correct customs, and make
+myself fit to be a friend of yours.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, Little Billee, you <i>are</i> a friend of mine.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, something more than a friend, then.
+Patty,&mdash;I <i>must</i> ask you,&mdash;are you engaged to
+Van Reypen?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Goodness, no!&#8221; and Patty flashed a glance
+of surprise.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Then, Patty, mayn&#8217;t <i>I</i> hope?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s a question I <i>never</i> know how to answer,&#8221;
+said Patty, demurely; &#8220;if you mean that
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_348' name='page_348'></a>348</span>
+I&#8217;m to consider myself bound by any sort of a
+promise, I most certainly won&#8217;t!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, I don&#8217;t mean that, dear, but,&mdash;&mdash;well,
+Patty, won&#8217;t you wait?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Of course I&#8217;ll wait. That&#8217;s exactly what I
+mean to do for years and years.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;You mean to,&mdash;but you&#8217;re so capricious.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, no! not <i>that</i>, of all things! And, anyway,
+what does capricious mean?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, it means like a butterfly, hovering
+from one flower to another&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh, you think you&#8217;re like unto a flower?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll be any kind of a flower you wish, if you&#8217;ll
+hover around me like a butterfly.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, be a timid little forget-me-not,&mdash;that
+will be lovely.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll forget-you-not, all right; but I can&#8217;t be
+timid, it isn&#8217;t my nature.&#8221; And now they had
+stopped dancing, and stood in the hall, near
+the door, for it was almost time for Farnsworth
+to go.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;It isn&#8217;t because I&#8217;m timid,&#8221; and the six feet
+three of humanity towered above her, &#8220;that I
+don&#8217;t grab you up and run away with you, but
+because&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Well, because what?&#8221; said Patty, daringly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Because, Apple Blossom,&#8221; and Bill spoke
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_349' name='page_349'></a>349</span>
+slowly, &#8220;when I see you here in your rightful
+setting, and surrounded by your own sort of
+people, I realise that I&#8217;m only a great, big&mdash;&mdash;&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Bear,&#8221; interrupted Patty. &#8220;You <i>are</i> like
+a big bear, Bill! But such a nice, gruff, kind,
+woolly bear,&mdash;and the best friend a girl ever
+had. But I wish you&#8217;d be more of a chum,
+Little Billee. I like to be good chums with
+every one of my suitors! It&#8217;s all very well for
+Christine to marry; she doesn&#8217;t care for society,
+she just only loves Mr. Hepworth.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Some day you&#8217;ll forget your love for society,
+because you&#8217;ll get to love just only one man.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;&#8216;And it might as well be you,&#8217;&#8221; hummed
+Patty, to an old tune.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty!&#8221; cried Farnsworth, his blue eyes
+lighting up with sudden joy; &#8220;do you mean
+that?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, <i>I</i> never mean anything! Of <i>course</i>, I
+don&#8217;t mean it,&mdash;but if I <i>did</i>, I&#8217;d say I didn&#8217;t.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Patty Pink and White! you little scamp! if
+you tease me like this, how do you suppose I&#8217;m
+ever going to tear myself away to catch that
+midnight train to Boston?&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Why, you can&#8217;t get that, Little Billee! it&#8217;s
+too late, now!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;No, it isn&#8217;t; and beside, I <i>must</i> make it.&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_350' name='page_350'></a>350</span>
+He looked at his watch. &#8220;I&#8217;ve just exactly
+two minutes longer to stay with you.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Two minutes is a long time,&#8221; said Patty,
+flippantly.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Yes, it is! it&#8217;s just long enough for two
+things I have to do.&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;What have you to do?&#8221; asked Patty, wonderingly,
+looking up at him, as they stood alone
+in the hall.
+</p>
+<p>Farnsworth&#8217;s strong face wore a determined
+look, but his blue eyes were full of a tender
+light, as he answered:
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Two very important things,&mdash;Apple Blossom,&mdash;this,&mdash;and
+this!&#8221;
+</p>
+<p>He kissed her swiftly on one pink cheek and
+then on the other, and then, like a flash, he was
+gone.
+</p>
+<p>&#8220;Oh!&#8221; said Patty, softly, to herself, &#8220;Oh!&#8221;
+</p>
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>The Carolyn Wells</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>Books for Girls</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Fresh, spirited stories that the modern small girl will take
+to her heart, these well known books by a famous author have
+won an important place in the field of juvenile fiction.
+</p>
+<p>Patty, with her beauty and frank good nature, and Marjorie
+full of vitality and good spirits, are two lovable characters well
+worth knowing, and their adventures will stir the eager
+imaginations of young readers.
+</p>
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>THE FAMOUS &#8220;PATTY&#8221; BOOKS</p>
+</div>
+
+<table summary="">
+<tr><td>Patty Fairfield</td><td>Patty&#8217;s Motor Car</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Patty at Home</td><td>Patty&#8217;s Butterfly Days</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Patty in the City</td><td>Patty&#8217;s Social Season</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Patty&#8217;s Summer Days</td><td>Patty&#8217;s Suitors</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Patty in Paris</td><td>Patty&#8217;s Romance</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Patty&#8217;s Friend</td><td>Patty&#8217;s Fortune</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Patty&#8217;s Pleasure Trip</td><td>Patty Blossom</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Patty&#8217;s Success</td><td>Patty&mdash;Bride</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>THE MARJORIE BOOKS</p>
+</div>
+
+<table summary="">
+<tr><td>Marjorie&#8217;s Vacation</td><td>Marjorie in Command</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Marjorie&#8217;s Busy Days</td><td>Marjorie&#8217;s Maytime</td></tr>
+<tr><td>Marjorie&#8217;s New Friend</td><td>Marjorie at Seacote</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' margin-top:1em;'>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP   <i>Publishers</i>   NEW YORK</p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='silver' />
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'><i>There is the high, happy spirit of youth in these famous</i></p>
+<div style='margin-top:1em'></div>
+<p style=' font-size:1.4em;'>BOOKS FOR GIRLS</p>
+<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1em;'>by JANE D. ABBOTT</p>
+</div>
+
+<div class='ce'>
+<p>APRILLY</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>The charming story of a young girl, child of the circus,
+and the adventures which led to her goal of happiness.
+</p>
+<div class='ce'>
+<p>HIGHACRES</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>A school story of Jerry Travis and her chum Gyp Westley.
+A thread of romance and mystery in Jerry&#8217;s life runs through
+the tale.
+</p>
+<div class='ce'>
+<p>KEINETH</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>How Keineth Randolph kept a secret&mdash;a war secret&mdash;for a
+whole year makes one of the best stories ever written for girls.
+</p>
+<div class='ce'>
+<p>RED ROBIN</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>In attempting to bring happiness into the lives of mill
+workers, Robin Forsythe, heir to a fortune, has many strange
+adventures.
+</p>
+<div class='ce'>
+<p>HEYDAY</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Twenty-three! The heyday of life. Jay, a small town girl,
+finds happiness in New York.
+</p>
+<div class='ce'>
+<p>LARKSPUR</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>Especially interesting to any Girl Scout because it is the
+story of a Girl Scout who is poor and has to help her mother.
+</p>
+<div class='ce'>
+<p>HAPPY HOUSE</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>How an old family quarrel is healed through a misunderstanding
+and an old homestead becomes a &#8220;happy house&#8221; in
+reality.
+</p>
+<div class='ce'>
+<p>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP   <i>Publishers</i>   NEW YORK</p>
+</div>
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON***</p>
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@@ -0,0 +1,9141 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Patty's Social Season, 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 Social Season
+
+
+Author: Carolyn Wells
+
+
+
+Release Date: June 20, 2008  [eBook #25857]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Roger Frank and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON
+
+by
+
+CAROLYN WELLS
+
+Author of
+The TWO LITTLE WOMEN Series
+The MARJORIE Books
+etc.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers
+New York
+
+Copyright, 1913
+By Dodd, Mead and Company
+
+Printed in the United States of America
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+CHAPTER                           PAGE
+      I  Flowers!                    9
+     II  At the Dance               25
+    III  Happy Saturdays            42
+     IV  An Invitation              60
+      V  Happy Guests               76
+     VI  Confidences                94
+    VII  More Making Up            108
+   VIII  A Delightful Invitation   125
+     IX  Fern Falls                141
+      X  Christmas Eve             158
+     XI  The Christmas Spirit      174
+    XII  Coasting                  192
+   XIII  Hide and Seek             208
+    XIV  A Proposal                225
+     XV  A Christmas Card          243
+    XVI  Stormbound                260
+   XVII  The Country Club Ball     284
+  XVIII  Back to New York          300
+    XIX  An Exciting Chase         316
+     XX  Bridesmaid Patty          333
+
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+FLOWERS!
+
+
+"Patty, do come along and get your luncheon before everything grows
+cold!"
+
+"'And the stars are old, And the leaves of the judgment book unfold,'"
+chanted Patty, who had just learned this new song, and was apt to sing
+it at unexpected moments. She sat on the floor in the middle of the
+long drawing-room of her New York home. To say she was surrounded by
+flowers, faintly expresses it. She was hemmed in, barricaded, nearly
+smothered in flowers.
+
+They were or had been in enormous florist's boxes, and as fast as
+Patty opened the boxes and read the cards which accompanied the
+blossoms, Jane took the boxes away.
+
+It was the great occasion of Patty's debut, and in accordance with
+the social custom, all her friends had sent her flowers as a message
+of congratulation.
+
+"You certainly have heaps of friends," said Elise, who was helping
+arrange the bouquets.
+
+"Friends!" cried Patty; "nobody could have as many friends as this!
+These flowers must be also from my enemies, my casual acquaintances,
+and indeed from utter strangers! I think the whole hilarious populace
+of New York has gone mad on the subject of sending flowers!"
+
+Even as she spoke, Jane came in with several more boxes, followed by
+Miller, fairly staggering under an enormous box that was almost too
+much for one man to carry. Behind him was Nan, who went straight to
+Patty and held out both hands to assist her to rise.
+
+"Patty," she said, "if you don't come out this minute, you never _can_
+get out! A few more of these boxes, and the door will be completely
+blocked up."
+
+"That's so, Nan," and Patty scrambled to her feet. "Come on, girls,
+let's gather our foodings while we may. These flowers will keep; but I
+shudder to think of the accumulation when we come back from luncheon!"
+
+"I didn't know there were so many flowers in the world," said Mona
+Galbraith, who paused to look back into the drawing-room.
+
+"There aren't," said Patty solemnly; "it's an optical illusion. Don't
+you know how the Indian jugglers make you see flowers growing, when
+there aren't any flowers there? Well, this is like that."
+
+Following Nan, Patty's pretty stepmother, the three girls, arm in arm,
+danced along to the dining-room, quite hungry enough to do justice to
+the tempting luncheon they found there.
+
+All the morning they had been untying the flower boxes and making a
+list of the donors.
+
+"Just think of the notes of thanks I have to write," said Patty,
+groaning at the outlook.
+
+"Wish we could help you," said Elise, "but I suppose you have to do
+those yourself."
+
+"Yes; and I think it will take me the rest of my natural life! What's
+the use of 'coming out,' if I have got to go right in again, and write
+all those notes? Why, there are hundreds!"
+
+"Thousands!" corrected Elise. And Mona said, "Looks to me like
+millions!"
+
+"Who sent that last big box, Patty?" asked Nan; "the one that just
+came."
+
+"Dunno, Nancy; probably the Czar of Russia or the King of the Cannibal
+Islands. But I mean to take time to eat my luncheon in peace, even if
+the flowers aren't all in place by the time the company comes."
+
+"We can't stay very long," said Elise; "of course, Mona and I have to
+go home and dress and be back here at four o'clock, and it's nearly
+two, now."
+
+"All right," said Patty; "the boys are coming, and they'll do the
+rest. We couldn't hang the flowers on the wall, anyway."
+
+"We ought to have had a florist to attend to it," said Nan,
+thoughtfully; "I had no idea there'd be so many."
+
+"Oh, it'll be all right," returned Patty. "Father's coming home early,
+and Roger and Ken will be over, and Mr. Hepworth will direct
+proceedings."
+
+Even as she spoke the men's voices were heard in the hall, and Patty
+jumped up from the table and ran to the drawing-room.
+
+"Did you ever see anything like it?" she exclaimed, and her visitors
+agreed that they never had.
+
+"It must be awful to be so popular, Patty," said Roger. "If I ever
+come out, I shall ask my friends to send fruit instead of flowers."
+
+"Patty would have to start a canning factory, if she had done that,"
+said Kenneth, laughing. "Let's open this big box, Patty. Who sent it?"
+
+"I haven't an idea, but there must be a card inside."
+
+They opened the immense box, and found it full to the brim with
+exquisite Killarney roses.
+
+After some search, Roger discovered a small envelope, with a card
+inside. The card read, "Mr. William Farnsworth," and written beneath
+the engraved name was the message, "With congratulations and best
+wishes."
+
+"From Big Bill!" exclaimed Mona. "For goodness' sake, Patty, why
+didn't he send you more? But these didn't come all the way from
+Arizona, where he is."
+
+"No," said Patty, looking at the label on the box; "he must have just
+sent an order to a New York florist."
+
+"To two or three florists, I should think," said Mr. Hepworth. "What
+can we do with them all?"
+
+But the crowd of merry young people set to work, and in an hour the
+floral chaos was reduced to a wonderful vision of symmetry and beauty.
+Under Mr. Hepworth's directions, the flowers were banked on the
+mantels and window-seats, and hung in groups on the wall, and
+clustered on the door-frames in a profusion which had behind it a
+methodical and symmetrical intent.
+
+"It's perfectly beautiful!" declared Nan, who, with her husband, was
+taking her first view of the finished effect. "It's a perfect shame to
+spoil this bower of beauty by cramming it with a crowd of people, who
+will jostle your bouquets all to bits."
+
+"Well, we can't help it," said Patty. "You see, we invited the people,
+as well as the flowers, so we must take the consequences. But they
+can't reach those that are up high, and as soon as the party is over,
+I'm going to put them all in fresh water----"
+
+"What! the party?" and Kenneth looked astounded.
+
+"I mean the flowers," said Patty, not deigning to laugh at his
+foolishness. "And then, to-morrow morning, I'm going to send them all
+to the hospital."
+
+"The people?" said Kenneth again. "That's thoughtful of you, Patty! I
+have no doubt they'll be in condition to go. I'm about ready, myself."
+
+"Well, you may go now," and Patty smiled at him. "Your work is done
+here, and I'm going away to dress. Good-bye, Ken; this is the last
+time you'll see me as a little girl. When next we meet, I shall be a
+young lady, a fully-fledged society lady, whose only thoughts will be
+for dancing and gaiety of all sorts."
+
+"Nonsense," said Kenneth; "you can't scare me. You'll be the same old
+Patty, foolish and irresponsible,--but sunshiny and sweet as ever."
+
+"Thank you, Ken," said Patty, for there was a note of earnestness in
+Kenneth's voice that the girl was quick to catch. They had been
+friends since childhood, and while Patty did not take her "coming out"
+very seriously, yet she realised that it meant she was grown up and a
+child no longer.
+
+"Don't let it all spoil you, Patty." It was Mr. Hepworth who said
+this, as he was about to follow Kenneth out. "I have a right to
+lecture you, you know, and I want to warn you----"
+
+"Oh, don't do it now, Mr. Hepworth," said Patty, laughing; "the
+occasion is solemn enough, I'm sure, and if you lecture me, I shall
+burst into large weeps of tears! Do let me 'come out' without being
+lectured, and you can come round to-morrow and give me all the
+warnings you like."
+
+"You're right, little Patty," and Hepworth looked at her kindly. "I
+ought not to spoil one of the happiest days of your life with too
+serious thought. Yours is a butterfly nature----"
+
+"But butterfly natures are nice; aren't they, Mr. Hepworth?" and Patty
+looked up at him with the roguishness that she could never quite
+control.
+
+"Yes,----" and the man hesitated a moment, as he looked into Patty's
+blue eyes. Then, suddenly, "Yes, indeed, _very_ nice." And, turning
+abruptly, he left her.
+
+"Now, you girls, skip," ordered Patty.
+
+"You haven't more than time to fly home and get dressed, for I don't
+want you to be late and delay the ceremony."
+
+"Gracious! it sounds like a wedding," cried Mona, laughing.
+
+"Well, it isn't!" declared Patty. "I may have a wedding some day, but
+that's in the far, far future; why, I'm only just entering society,
+and when I'm married, I suppose I shall leave it. I expect to have
+heaps of fun between this and then."
+
+The programme for the occasion was an afternoon reception, from four
+o'clock until seven. This was really Patty's debut. A dinner at eight
+was to follow, to which were invited about a dozen of her dearest
+friends, and after this would be a dance, to which a goodly number
+more were asked.
+
+"You ought to have time for an hour's rest, Patty," said Nan, as she
+drew the girl away from a last look at the beautiful flowers, and took
+her up to her room.
+
+"Well, I haven't, little steppy-mother. It will be just about all Miss
+Patricia Fairfield can do to get into her purple and fine linen by
+four o'clock p.m., and methinks you'd better begin on your own glad
+toilette, or you'll be late yourself."
+
+"Was I _ever_ late?" asked Nan, scornfully, and as Patty responded,
+"never anything but," she ran away to her own room.
+
+However, four o'clock found all the members of the reception party in
+their places.
+
+Patty looked adorable in soft white chiffon, untrimmed, save for some
+fine lace round the slightly low-cut neck. She wore a string of small
+but perfect pearls which her father had given her for the occasion,
+and she carried a beautiful bouquet of orchids, which was Nan's gift.
+
+Patty had never looked prettier. Her rose-leaf cheeks were slightly
+flushed with excitement, and her big violet eyes were bright and
+sparkling. Her golden hair, which was really unusual in texture and
+quantity, was dressed simply, yet in a manner very becoming to her
+small, prettily poised head. On her brow and temples it rippled in
+natural ringlets, which gave her piquant face a charming, childish
+effect. Patty was certainly a beauty, but she was of such a sweet,
+unspoiled nature, and of such simple, dainty manners, that everybody
+loved her.
+
+Her father looked at her rather thoughtfully, half unable to realise
+that his little Patty had really grown up and was taking her place in
+society. He had no fears for her, he knew her sweet nature too well;
+but he was earnestly hoping that she was starting out on a life of
+happiness and well-being. Though healthy and moderately strong, Patty
+was not of a robust constitution, and there was danger that too much
+gaiety might result in a nervous breakdown. This, Mr. Fairfield
+determined to guard against; and resolved that, while Patty should be
+allowed generally to do as she chose, he should keep a strict eye
+against her overdoing.
+
+Nan had much the same thoughts as she looked at the lovely debutante,
+so exquisite in her fresh young beauty. Nan's gown of heavy white lace
+was very becoming, and though a secondary figure, she ably shared the
+honours of the afternoon with Patty.
+
+Mona and Elise assisted in the capacity of "Floaters," and in their
+pale pink frocks, they were quite in harmony with the floral setting
+of the picture.
+
+And then the guests began to arrive, and Patty learned what it meant
+to stand and shake hands, and receive the same compliments and
+congratulations over and over again. It was interesting at first, but
+she grew very tired as the hours went by.
+
+"Now, I say," exclaimed a cheery voice, suddenly, "it can't be that
+you have to stand here continuously from four to seven! Mrs.
+Fairfield, mayn't I take Patty to get a cup of tea or an ice, and you
+stay here and 'come out' until she returns?"
+
+It was Philip Van Reypen who made this request, and Nan consented
+readily. "Yes, indeed, Philip," she said, "do take her off to rest a
+minute. I think most of the people have arrived; and, anyway, you must
+bring her back shortly."
+
+"I will," and young Van Reypen led Patty through the crowd to the
+dining-room.
+
+"I ought to find you a 'quiet little corner,'" he said, smiling; "but
+I don't see such a thing anywhere about. So I'll just place you on one
+of these gimcrack gilt chairs, and I'll ask you to keep this one next,
+for me, until I make a raid on the table. What will you have?"
+
+"I don't really want anything, Philip, but just to sit here a moment
+and rest. I had no idea coming out was so tiresome! I believe I've
+said, 'oh, thank you!' a billion times!"
+
+"Yes, you said it to me," and Philip laughed at the recollection, "and
+I can tell you, Patty, it had the real society ring! You said it like
+a conventionalised parrot."
+
+"Well, I don't care if I did! It was the proper thing to say, and
+nobody could say it a million times in succession, without sounding
+parrotty! I know now how the President feels when he has to shake
+hands with the whole United States!"
+
+Philip left her, and returned in a moment, followed by a waiter, who
+brought them hot bouillon and tiny sandwiches.
+
+"My, but these are good!" exclaimed Patty, as she nibbled and sipped.
+"Why, Philip, I believe I was hungry and that's what made me tired!
+Oh, hello, Mona! Did you get leave of absence, too?"
+
+"Yes; the mad rush is pretty much over. Only a few late stragglers
+now, and Elise is floating them. Here's Roger. He says you wouldn't
+speak to him this afternoon, except to say, 'oh, thank you!' three
+times."
+
+"I couldn't help it," returned Patty, laughing. "That's all I said to
+anybody. I felt like a rubber stamp--repeating myself. Well, thank
+goodness, I'm out!"
+
+"But you're not a bit more grown up than when you were in," said
+Kenneth, joining the group around Patty.
+
+"Oh, pshaw, I'm never going to be grown up. Now I'm rested, Philip;
+please take me back to Nan. She said we must return soon."
+
+So Patty went back to the drawing-room, and insisted that her
+stepmother should go for a little refreshment. "I can hold the fort
+alone now," she said; "you've no idea how capable I am, now that I'm
+really out. Run along, Nan, and get some of those sandwiches; they're
+awfully good."
+
+"It isn't romantic, Patty, to think about eating when you're
+celebrating an occasion like this," reproved Philip.
+
+"Well, I'm not romantic," declared Patty, "and I never expect to be.
+Oh, how do you do, Mr. Galbraith? It's so late, I feared you weren't
+coming." And Patty held out her hand to Mona's father.
+
+"How d'y'do, Patty?" And Mr. Galbraith shook hands heartily. "I
+suppose I ought to say all sorts of pretty things to you, but you
+know, I'm not much up in social chat."
+
+"I'm glad of it," said Patty, "and then I won't have to say, 'oh,
+thank you!' to you. Mona is looking beautiful this afternoon, isn't
+she?"
+
+"She's a fine girl--a fine girl." Mr. Galbraith's eyes rested on his
+daughter a little thoughtfully. He was a Chicago man, who had made his
+fortune suddenly, and was a little bewildered at his own success. His
+one interest in life, outside of business matters, was his daughter
+Mona, for whom he desired every possible good, and to whose wishes and
+whims he always willingly consented.
+
+At her request, he had closed his Chicago home and come to spend the
+winter in New York, that Mona might be near Patty, whom she adored.
+The Galbraiths were living for the winter at the Plaza Hotel, and
+Patty, who had grown fond of Mona, was glad to have her friend so near
+her.
+
+"She's a fine girl," Mr. Galbraith repeated, "and a good-looking
+girl." He paused a moment, and then added in a sudden burst of
+confidence, "but, Patty, I wish she had a mother. You know how I
+idolise her, but I can't do for her what a mother would do. I've urged
+her to have a chaperon or a companion of some sort, but she won't do
+it. She says a father is chaperon enough for her, and so we live alone
+in that big hotel, and I'm afraid it isn't right. Right for her, I
+mean. I don't care a snap about conventions, but Mona is impulsive,
+even headstrong, and I wish she had an older woman to guide and advise
+her."
+
+"I wish she did, Mr. Galbraith," said Patty, earnestly, for the two
+were chatting by themselves, and no one else was within hearing. "I've
+thought about it, and I've talked with my stepmother about it. Perhaps
+I could persuade Mona to do as you wish her to."
+
+"I hope you can, Patty; I do hope you can. You know, Mona is dignified
+and all that, and as proud as they make them. Nobody would dare to
+speak to her if she didn't want them to; but, Patty, here's the
+trouble. There's a young man at the hotel named Lansing. He's not
+especially attractive, and yet, somehow, he has gained Mona's favour.
+I have told my girl that I do not like him, but she only laughs and
+says carelessly that he's all right. Now, I mustn't detain you longer,
+my child; there are people waiting to speak to you. But, some time, I
+want to have a little talk to you about this, and perhaps you can help
+me in some way. For I believe, Patty, that that Lansing man is trying
+to win my girl for the sake of her money. He has all the appearances
+of a fortune-hunter, and I can't let Mona throw herself away on such."
+
+"I should think not!" exclaimed Patty, indignantly. And then Mr.
+Galbraith moved away to give his place to other guests who were
+arriving.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+AT THE DANCE
+
+
+At eight o'clock that same evening, Patty came down to her own dinner
+party. An hour's rest had freshened her up wonderfully, and she had
+changed her little white frock for a dinner gown of pale green
+chiffon, sparkling with silver embroidery. It trailed behind her in a
+most grown-up fashion, and she entered the drawing-room with an
+exaggerated air of dignity.
+
+"Huh," cried Roger; "look at grown-up Patty! Isn't she the haughty
+lady? Patty, if you put on such airs, you'll be old before your time!"
+
+"Airs, nothing!" retorted Patty, and with a skipping little dance
+step, she crossed the room, picked up a sofa pillow, and aimed it
+deftly at Roger, who caught it on the wing.
+
+"That's better," he said. "We can't have any of these _grande dame_
+airs. Now, who is the lucky man who is to take you out to dinner? Me?"
+
+"No, not you," and Patty looked at him, critically; "you won't do, and
+neither will Kenneth, nor Phil Van Reypen, nor Mr. Hepworth." She
+looked at them each in turn, and smiled so merrily that they could take
+no offence. "I think," she said, "I shall select the best-looking and
+best-natured gentleman, and walk out with him." Whereupon she tucked
+her arm through her father's, and led the way to the dining-room,
+followed by the rest of the merry crowd.
+
+The dinner was a beautiful one, for Nan had spared no pains or thought
+to make it worthy of the occasion. At the girls' places were beautiful
+souvenirs, in the shape of fans of carved ivory with lace mounts,
+while the men received attractive stick-pins.
+
+"Shall you feel like dancing after all this gaiety, Patty?" asked Van
+Reypen.
+
+"Well, rather!" declared Patty. "Why, I'd feel like dancing if I'd
+been through a--civil war! I could scarcely keep still when the
+orchestra was playing this afternoon, and I'm crazy for to-night's
+dance to begin."
+
+"Frivolous young person, very," murmured Philip. "Never saw such
+devotion to the vain follies of life! However, since you're determined
+to dance, will you honour me with the first one to-night?"
+
+"Why, I don't mind, if you don't," said Patty, dimpling at him.
+
+"And give me the second," said Kenneth and Roger simultaneously.
+
+"I can't do these sums in my head," said Patty; "I'll get all mixed
+up. Let's wait till we get our dance orders, and fill them up, hit or
+miss."
+
+"You be the miss and I'll try to make a hit," said Philip.
+
+"What waggery!" exclaimed Patty, shaking her head. "If you're too
+clever, Philip, I can't dance with you. When I dance, I keep my mind
+on my feet, not on my head."
+
+"That explains your good dancing," said Mr. Hepworth, laughing.
+"Perhaps, if I could keep my mind on my feet, I could dance better."
+
+"Oh, you're too highminded for such low levels," laughed Patty, while
+Mona, who was rather practical, said, seriously, "Do you really think
+about your feet all the time you're dancing, Patty?"
+
+"No," returned Patty; "sometimes I have to think about my partner's
+feet, to keep out of the way of them."
+
+When they returned to the drawing-room, they found it had been cleared
+for the dance, and soon the evening guests began to arrive.
+
+Patty again stood by Nan to receive them, and after greeting many
+people she knew, she was surprised to find herself confronted by a
+stranger. He was a thick-set, stockily-built man, several years older
+than most of Patty's friends. He had black hair and eyes and a short
+black moustache and a round, heavy type of face. His black eyes were
+of the audacious sort, and he flashed a glance of admiration at Patty.
+Before she could speak, or even offer her hand, Mona sprang forward,
+saying, "Patty, this is my friend Mr. Lansing. I took the liberty of
+inviting him to your dance. Mrs. Fairfield, may I present Mr.
+Lansing?"
+
+Patty was angry. This, of course, must be the man of whom Mr.
+Galbraith had spoken, and, aside from the fact that he seemed
+undesirable, Patty felt that Mona had no right to invite him without
+asking permission from her hostess.
+
+But Nan knew nothing of all this, and she cordially greeted the
+stranger because he was a friend of Mona's. Patty recovered her
+equilibrium sufficiently to say, "How do you do, Mr. Lansing?" in a
+non-committal sort of way, but she couldn't refrain from giving Mona a
+side glance of reproof, to which, however, that young woman paid no
+attention.
+
+In another moment Mona had drifted away, and had taken Mr. Lansing
+with her. Patty turned to speak to Nan about him, but just then some
+more guests arrived; and then the dancing began, and Patty had no
+further opportunity.
+
+As Patty had promised, she gave the first dance to Philip Van Reypen;
+and after that she was fairly besieged by would-be partners. The fact
+that she was hostess at her own coming-out ball, the fact that she
+danced beautifully, and the fact that she was so pretty and charming,
+all combined to make her, as was not unusual, the most popular girl
+present.
+
+"Anything left for me?" asked Roger, gaily, as he threaded the crowds
+at Patty's side.
+
+"I saved one for you," said Patty, smiling at him; "for I hoped you'd
+ask me, sooner or later."
+
+Roger gratefully accepted the dance Patty had saved for him, and soon
+after he came to claim her for it.
+
+"I say, Patty," he began when they were whirling about the floor, "who
+is that stuff Mona has trailing after her?"
+
+"Moderate your language, Roger," said Patty, smiling up at him, and
+noticing that his expression was very wrathy indeed.
+
+"He doesn't deserve moderate language! He's a bounder, if I ever saw
+one! What's he doing here?"
+
+"He seems to be dancing," said Patty, demurely, "and he doesn't dance
+half badly, either."
+
+"Oh, stop your fooling, Patty; I'm not in the mood for it. Tell me who
+he is."
+
+Patty had never known Roger to be so out of temper, and she resented
+his tone, which was almost rude. Now, for all her sweetness, Patty had
+a touch of perversity in her nature, and Roger had roused it. So she
+said: "I don't know why you speak like that, Roger. He's a friend of
+Mona's, and lives at the Hotel Plaza, where she lives."
+
+"The fact that two people live in the same big hotel doesn't give them
+the right to be friends," growled Roger. "Who introduced them,
+anyhow?"
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure," said Patty, her patience exhausted; "but Mr.
+Galbraith knows him, so it must be all right."
+
+Patty was not quite ingenuous in this speech, for she knew perfectly
+well, from what Mr. Galbraith had said to her, that it was not all
+right. But she was irritated by Roger's demeanour, and perversely
+disagreed with him.
+
+"Well, I don't believe he's all right; I don't like his looks a bit,
+and, Patty, you know as well as I do, that the Galbraiths are not
+quite competent always to select the people best worth knowing."
+
+"Oh, what a fuss you are, Roger; and it's hardly fair when you don't
+know anything at all about Mr. Lansing."
+
+"Do you?"
+
+"No," and then Patty hesitated. She did know something,--she knew what
+Mr. Galbraith had told her. But she was not of a mind to tell this to
+Roger. "I only met him as I was introduced," she said, "and Mona has
+never so much as even mentioned him to me."
+
+"Didn't she ask you if she might bring him to-night?"
+
+"No; I suppose, as an intimate friend, she didn't think that
+necessary."
+
+"It _was_ necessary, Patty, and you know it, if Mona doesn't. Now,
+look here; you and I are Mona's friends; and if there are any social
+matters that she isn't quite familiar with, it's up to us to help her
+out a little. And I, for one, don't believe that man is the right sort
+for her to be acquainted with; and I'm going to find out about him."
+
+"Well, I'm sure I'm willing you should, Roger; but you needn't make
+such a bluster about it."
+
+"I'm not making a bluster, Patty."
+
+"You are so!"
+
+"I am not!"
+
+And then they both realised that they were bickering like two
+children, and they laughed simultaneously as they swept on round the
+dancing-room. The music stopped just then, and as they were near a
+window-seat, Patty sat down for a moment. "You go on, Roger," she
+said, "and hunt up your next partner, or fight a duel with Mr.
+Lansing, or do whatever amuses you. My partner will come to hunt me
+up, I'm sure, and I'll just wait here."
+
+"Who is your next partner, Patty?"
+
+"Haven't looked at my card; but, never mind, he'll come. You run
+along."
+
+As Roger's next partner was Mona, and as he was anxious to talk to her
+about her new friend, Roger obeyed Patty's bidding and strolled away.
+
+Patty sat alone for a moment, knowing full well who was her next
+partner, and then Mr. Lansing appeared and made a low bow before her.
+
+Now, Patty had not chosen to express to Roger her real opinion of this
+new man, but in reality she did not approve of him. Though fairly
+good-looking and correctly dressed, there was about him a certain
+something--or perhaps, rather, he lacked a certain something that
+invariably stamps the well-bred man. He stared at Patty a trifle too
+freely; he sat down beside her with a little too much informality; and
+he began conversation a little too familiarly. All of these things
+Patty saw and resented, but as hostess she could not, of course, be
+openly rude.
+
+"Nice, jolly rooms you've got here for a party," Mr. Lansing remarked,
+rolling his eyes about appreciatively, "and a jolly lot of people,
+too. Some class to 'em!"
+
+Patty looked at him coldly. She was not accustomed to this style of
+expression. Her friends perhaps occasionally used a slang word or
+term, but it was done in a spirit of gaiety or as a jest, whereas this
+man used his expressions as formal conversation.
+
+"Yes, I have many kind and delightful friends," said Patty, a little
+stiffly.
+
+"You sure have! Rich, too, most of 'em."
+
+Patty made no response to this, and Mr. Lansing turned suddenly to
+look at her. "I say, Miss Fairfield, do you know what I think? I think
+you are prejudiced against me, and I think somebody put you up to it,
+and I think I know who. Now, look here, won't you give me a fair show?
+Do you think it's just to judge a man by what other people say about
+him?"
+
+"How do you know I've heard anything about you, Mr. Lansing?"
+
+"Well, you give me the icy glare before I've said half a dozen words
+to you! So, take it from me, somebody's been putting you wise to my
+defects."
+
+He wagged his head so sagaciously at this speech, that Patty was
+forced to smile. On a sudden impulse, she decided to speak frankly.
+"Suppose I tell you the truth, Mr. Lansing, that I'm not accustomed to
+being addressed in such--well, in such slangy terms."
+
+"Oh, is that it? Pooh, I'll bet those chums of yours talk slang to you
+once in a while."
+
+"What my chums may do is no criterion for an absolute stranger,"--and
+now Patty spoke very haughtily indeed.
+
+"That's so, Miss Fairfield; you're dead right,--and I apologise. But,
+truly, it's a habit with me. I'm from Chicago, and I believe people
+use more slang out there."
+
+"The best Chicago people don't," said Patty, seriously.
+
+Mr. Lansing smiled at her, a trifle whimsically.
+
+"I'm afraid I don't class up with the best people," he confessed; "but
+if it will please you better, I'll cut out the slang. Shall we have a
+turn at this two-step?"
+
+Patty rose without a word, and in a moment they were circling the
+floor. Mr. Lansing was a good dancer, and especially skilful in
+guiding his partner. Patty, herself such an expert dancer, was
+peculiarly sensitive to the good points of a partner, and she enjoyed
+the dance with Mr. Lansing, even though she felt she did not like the
+man. And yet he had a certain fascination in his manner, and when the
+dance was over, Patty looked at him with kinder eyes than she had when
+they began. But all that he had won of her favour he lost by his final
+speech, for as the dance ended, he said, brusquely: "Now, I'll tumble
+you into a seat, and chase my next victim."
+
+Patty stood looking after him, almost moved to laughter at what he had
+said, and yet indignant that a man, and a comparative stranger, should
+address her thus.
+
+"What's the matter, Lady Fair?" and Philip Van Reypen came up to her.
+"Methinks thou hast a ruffled brow."
+
+"No, it's my frock that's ruffled," said Patty, demurely. "You men
+know so little of millinery!"
+
+"That's true enough, and if you will smile again, I'll drop the
+subject of ruffles. And now for my errand; will you go out to supper
+with me?"
+
+"Goodness, is it supper time? I thought the evening had scarcely
+begun!"
+
+"Alas! look at the programme," and Van Reypen showed her that it was,
+indeed, time for intermission.
+
+"Intermission is French for supper," he said, gravely, "and I'd like
+to know if you'd rather sit on the stairs in good old orthodox party
+fashion, or if you'd rather go to the dining-room in state?"
+
+"Who are on the stairs?"
+
+"I shall be, if you are. You don't want to know more than that, do
+you?" The young man's gaze was so reproachful that Patty giggled.
+
+"You are a great factor in my happiness, Mr. Van Reypen," she said,
+saucily; "but you are not all the world to me! So, if I flock on the
+stairs with you, I must know what other doves will be perching there."
+
+"Oh, doves!" in a tone of great relief. "I thought you wanted to know
+what men you would find there,--you inveterate coquette, you! Well,
+Elise is there waiting for you, and Miss Farley."
+
+"And Mona Galbraith?"
+
+"I don't know; I didn't see Miss Galbraith. But if you will go with
+me, I will accumulate for you any young ladies you desire."
+
+"And any men?"
+
+"The men I shall have to fight off, not invite!"
+
+Laughing at each other's chaff, they sauntered across to the hall and
+found the stairs already pretty well occupied.
+
+"Why is it," Mr. Hepworth was saying, "that you young people prefer
+the stairs to the nice, comfortable seats at little tables in the
+dining-room?"
+
+"Habit," said Patty, laughing, as she made her way up a few steps;
+"I've always eaten my party suppers on the stairs, and I dare say I
+always shall. When I build a house I shall have a great, broad
+staircase, like they have in palaces, and then everybody can eat on
+the stairs."
+
+"I'm going to give a party," announced Van Reypen, "and it's going to
+be in the new Pennsylvania Station. There are enormous staircases
+there."
+
+"All right, I'll come to it," said Patty, and then Mona and Mr.
+Lansing came strolling along the hall, and demanded room on the stairs
+also.
+
+"Seats all taken," declared Roger, who had had a real tiff with Mona
+on the subject of her new friend. The others, too, did not seem to
+welcome Mr. Lansing, and though one or two moved slightly, they did
+not make room for the newcomers.
+
+Patty was uncertain what she ought to do. She remembered what Mr.
+Galbraith had said, and she felt that to send Mona and Mr. Lansing
+away would be to throw them more exclusively in each other's society;
+and she thought that Mr. Galbraith meant for her to keep Mona under
+her own eye as much as possible. But to call the pair upon the stairs
+and make room for them would annoy, she felt sure, the rest of the
+group.
+
+She looked at Roger and at Philip Van Reypen, and both of them gave
+her an eloquent glance of appeal not to add to their party. Then she
+chanced to glance at Mr. Hepworth and found him smiling at her. She
+thought she knew what he meant, and immediately she said, "Come up
+here by me, Mona; and you come too, Mr. Lansing. We can make room
+easily if we move about a little."
+
+There was considerable moving about, and finally Patty found herself
+at the top of the group with Mona and Mr. Lansing. Christine and Mr.
+Hepworth were directly below them, and then Elise and Kenneth.
+
+Mr. Van Reypen and Roger Farrington declared their intention of making
+a raid on the dining-room and kidnapping waiters with trays of
+supplies. On their return the supper plates were passed up to those on
+the stairs, and Van Reypen and Roger calmly walked away.
+
+Patty knew perfectly well what they meant. They intended her to
+understand that if she and Mona persisted in cultivating the
+acquaintance of the man they considered objectionable, they did not
+care to be of the party.
+
+"Which is perfectly ridiculous!" said Patty to herself, as she
+realised the state of things. "Those boys needn't think they can
+dictate to me at my own party!"
+
+Whereupon, perverse Patty began to make herself extremely and
+especially agreeable to Mr. Lansing, and Mona was greatly delighted at
+the turn things had taken.
+
+Christine and Mr. Hepworth joined in the conversation, and perhaps
+because of what Patty had said earlier in the evening, Mr. Lansing
+avoided to a great extent the use of slang expressions, and made
+himself really interesting and entertaining.
+
+"What a fascinating man he is," said Christine later, to Patty, when
+Mona and her new friend had walked away to the "extra" supper dance.
+
+"Do you think so?" said Patty, looking at Christine in astonishment.
+"He was rather nicer than I thought him at first, but, Christine, I
+never dreamed _you_ would approve of him! But you never can tell when
+a quiet little mouse like you is going to break loose. Why did you
+like him, Christine?"
+
+"I don't know exactly; only he seemed so breezy and unusual."
+
+"Yes, he's that," and Patty wagged her head, knowingly; "but I don't
+like him very much, Christine, and you mustn't, either. Now run away
+and play."
+
+Patty's last direction was because she saw a young man coming to ask
+Christine for this dance; while two others were rapidly coming toward
+herself.
+
+The rest of the evening was danced gaily away, but neither Roger nor
+Philip Van Reypen came near Patty. To be sure, she had plenty of
+partners, but she felt a little offended at her two friends' attitude,
+for she knew she hadn't really deserved it.
+
+But when the dance was over, Patty's good-nights to Roger and Philip
+were quite as gentle and cordial as those she said to any one else.
+She smiled her best smiles at them, and though not as responsive as
+usual, they made polite adieux and departed with no further reference
+to the troublesome matter.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+HAPPY SATURDAYS
+
+
+As was not to be wondered at, Patty slept late the next morning. And
+when she awakened, she lay, cozily tucked in her coverlets, thinking
+over the occurrences of the night before.
+
+Presently Jane came in with a dainty tray of chocolate and rolls, and
+then, with some big, fluffy pillows behind her, Patty sat up in bed,
+and thoughtfully nibbled away at a crust.
+
+Then Nan came in, in her pretty morning gown, and, drawing up a little
+rocker, sat down by Patty's bedside.
+
+"Are you in mood for a gossip, Patty?" she asked, and Patty replied,
+"Yes, indeedy! I want to talk over the whole thing. In the first
+place, Nan, it was a howling, screaming success, wasn't it?"
+
+"Why, yes, of course; how could it be otherwise? with the nicest
+people and the nicest flowers and the nicest girl in New York City!"
+
+"In the whole United States, you mean," said Patty, complacently, as
+she took a spoonful of chocolate. "Yes, the party in all its parts was
+all right. There wasn't a flaw. But, oh, Nan, I got into a scrap with
+the boys."
+
+"What boys? and what _is_ a scrap? Patty, now that you're out, you
+mustn't use those slang words you're so fond of."
+
+"Nan," and Patty shook her spoon solemnly at her stepmother, "I've
+come to realise that there is slang and slang. Now, the few little
+innocent bits I use, don't count at all, because I just say them for
+fun and to help make my meaning clear. But that man last night,--that
+Lansing man,--why, Nan, his slang is altogether a different matter."
+
+"Well, Patty, he, himself, seems to be an altogether different matter
+from the people we know."
+
+"Yes, doesn't he? And yet, Nan, he isn't so bad. Well, anyway, let me
+tell you what Mr. Galbraith says."
+
+"That's just it!" declared Nan, after Patty had finished her story.
+"That man _is_ a fortune-hunter, and he means to try to marry Mona for
+the sake of her father's money!"
+
+"Oh, my!" exclaimed Patty, laughing; "isn't it grand to be grown up! I
+see I'm mixed up in a matrimonial tangle already!"
+
+"Nothing of the sort, you foolish child! There won't be any matrimonial
+tangle. Mr. Galbraith is quite right; this man must be discouraged, and
+Mona must be made to see him in his true light."
+
+"But, Nan, he isn't so awful. You know, sometimes he was quite
+fascinating."
+
+"Yes, you think that, because he has big dark eyes and rolled them at
+you."
+
+"Goodness! it sounds like a game of bowls. No, I don't mean that;
+but--well, I'll tell you what I do mean. He said we weren't fair to
+him, to judge him adversely, not knowing anything about him. And I
+think so, too, Nan; it doesn't seem fair or right to say a man is a
+bounder,--that's what Roger called him,--when we don't know anything
+about him, really."
+
+"Patty, you're a goose! Don't you suppose we'll find out about him? Of
+course, _we_ can't, but your father and Mr. Galbraith,--yes, and Roger
+Farrington, will soon find out his standing."
+
+"Well," said Patty, with a relieved sigh, "then I needn't bother about
+_him_ any more. But, Nan, I have troubles of my own. Philip and Roger
+are both mad at me!"
+
+"Goodness! Patty, how awful! Do you suppose they'll stay mad all day?"
+
+"Oh, it isn't just a momentary tiff; they are up and down angry! Why,
+neither of them danced with me or even spoke to me after supper last
+night!"
+
+"Well, it was probably your own fault."
+
+"My own fault, indeed! It was all because of that horrid Lansing man.
+Well, if they want to stay mad, they may! _I_ shan't make any
+advances."
+
+"Don't worry, my child. Into each life some little squabbles must
+fall,--and though you're fairly good-natured, as a rule, you can't
+expect it always to be smooth sailing."
+
+Seeing she could get no sympathy from her stepmother, Patty dropped
+the subject of her quarrels, and remarked, with a yawn, "Well, I
+suppose I may as well get up, and begin on those flower notes. What
+shall I say, Nan, something like this? 'Miss Patricia Fairfield thanks
+you for your kind donation of expensive blossoms, but as it's such a
+bother to write the notes of acknowledgment, she really wishes you
+hadn't sent them.'"
+
+"What base ingratitude! Patty, I'm ashamed of you! or I would be, if I
+thought you meant a word of it, but I know you don't. What are you
+doing this afternoon?"
+
+"Oh, I forgot to tell you. We're going to have a club, just a little
+club,--only four of us girls. And, Nan, you know there are so many
+clubs that make an awful fuss and yet don't really _do_ anything.
+Well, this is going to be a _Doing_ Club. We're going to be real
+_doers_."
+
+"It sounds lovely, Patty. What are you going to do?"
+
+"We don't know yet, that's what the meeting's for this afternoon. But
+we're going to do good, you know--some kind of good. You know, Nan, I
+always said I didn't want to be just a social butterfly and nothing
+else. I want to accomplish something that will give some joy or
+comfort to somebody."
+
+Patty's blue eyes looked very earnest and sincere as she said this,
+and Nan kissed her, saying, "I know you do, Patty, dearest, and I know
+you'll succeed in your doing. If I can help you in any way, be sure to
+ask me; and now I'll run away and let you dress."
+
+Patty made a leisurely toilette; and then, in a trailing blue silk
+negligee, she went into her boudoir and began to write her notes.
+
+It was not a difficult task, and she did not really mind it, though it
+was a long list. But Patty had a knack at writing graceful little
+notes, and although she jested about it, she was really grateful to
+the kind friends who had sent the flowers.
+
+"I don't know _why_ I have so many friends," she said to herself, as
+she scanned the rows of names. "To be sure, a great many are really
+friends of father's and Nan's, but there's a lot of our crowd, too,
+and lots of out of town people. Perhaps it would be a good idea to do
+the farthest away first, and so work back to New York."
+
+Patty picked up Mr. Farnsworth's card, and read again the message on
+it. "H'm," she said to herself, "it sounds to me a trifle formal and
+conventional--considering all things. Now, Little Billee is a Western
+man,--but how different he is from that Lansing person! I wonder what
+makes the difference. Little Billee isn't formal or conventional a
+bit, and yet his manners are as far removed from Horace Lansing's as
+white is from black. Oh, well, I know the reason well enough. It's
+because Little Billee is a thorough gentleman at heart; and the other
+one is,--well, I guess he's what Roger called him. Now, what shall I
+say to Mr. William Farnsworth by way of thanks for his truly beautiful
+pink roses? I'd like to write a nice, every-day letter, and tell him
+all about the party and everything; but, as he just sent his visiting
+card, with a mere line on it, I suppose I must reply very formally."
+
+Patty began her formal note, but tore up half a dozen beginnings
+before she completed one to her satisfaction. This one read, "Miss
+Patricia Fairfield thanks Mr. William Farnsworth sincerely for his
+exquisite gift of roses, and for his kind congratulations."
+
+Patty gave a little sigh as she sealed this missive and addressed it
+to her friend in Arizona.
+
+With the exception of the roses, Patty had never heard a word from Big
+Bill since they were at Spring Beach together. She had told her father
+and Nan of what Mr. Farnsworth had said to her down there, and as they
+had agreed that Patty was altogether too young even to think of such a
+thing as being engaged to anybody, it was wiser to hold no
+correspondence with him at all.
+
+Apparently, this in no way disappointed the young man, for he had made
+no effort on his part to recall himself to Patty's remembrance, until
+the occasion of sending the flowers.
+
+Patty had liked Bill extremely, but as Arizona was far away, and she
+had no reason to think she would ever see him again, she gave him few
+thoughts. However, the thoughts, when she did allow them to come, were
+pleasant ones. Although she had sealed the note she intended to send,
+she began another one, and the opening words were "Little Billee."
+This note she wrote in the first person, and thanked him simply and
+naturally for the flowers. Then, for a signature, she made a carefully
+and daintily drawn pen-and-ink sketch of an apple blossom. She was
+clever at flower-sketching, and she sat a moment admiring her own
+handiwork. Then a flush spread over her pretty face, and she spoke
+sternly to herself, as was her habit when she disapproved of her own
+actions.
+
+"Patty Fairfield," she said, reprovingly, "you ought to be ashamed to
+think of sending a personal, lettery sort of a note like that, to a
+man who sent you the formalest kind of a message! He only sent the
+flowers, because convention demanded it! He never gave you one single
+thought after that last time he saw you,--and that's all there is
+about _that_!"
+
+And then, to her great surprise, luncheon was announced, and she found
+that her whole morning was gone and only one name on her list crossed
+off!
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+The club that met that afternoon in Mona's pretty sitting-room in the
+Plaza Hotel, consisted of only four girls--Patty, Mona, Elise, and
+Clementine Morse.
+
+It was thought wiser to start with a few earnest members and then
+enlarge the number later if it seemed advisable.
+
+"What a beautiful room!" said Clementine, as she tossed off her furs.
+"Don't you like it, Mona, to live in a big hotel like this, and yet
+have your own rooms, like a home all to yourself?"
+
+"Yes, I like it in some ways; but I'm alone a great deal. However, I
+would be that, if father and I lived in a house or an apartment."
+
+"You ought to have a companion of some sort, Mona," said Patty, who
+thought this a good opportunity to urge Mr. Galbraith's wishes.
+
+"No, thank you," and Mona tossed her head, disdainfully; "I know what
+companions are! Snoopy old maids who won't let you do anything, or
+careless, easy-going old ladies who pay no attention to you. If I
+could have a companion of my own age and tastes, I'd like that,--but I
+suppose that wouldn't do."
+
+"Hardly," said Elise, laughing; "that would only mean your father
+would have two troublesome girls to look after instead of one. And I
+daresay, Mona, you are quite as much as he can handle."
+
+"I suppose I am. But he's so good to me I'm afraid he spoils me. But
+come on, girls, let's organise our club."
+
+"Don't let's have too much organisation," said Clementine. "Do you
+know, I think lots of clubs, especially charity clubs, have so much
+organisation that they haven't anything else. One club I joined fell to
+pieces before it was fairly started, because the two vice-presidents
+squabbled so."
+
+"If there's anything I hate," declared Patty, "it's a squabble.
+Whatever else we girls do, let's try not to have any friction. Now, I
+know perfectly well that none of us four is _very_ meek or mild."
+
+"I am," declared Elise, assuming an angelic expression, which made
+them all laugh, for Elise was really the one most likely to take
+offence at trifles, or to flare up impulsively if any one disagreed
+with her.
+
+Patty knew this only too well, and was trying to forestall it by a
+preliminary treaty of peace.
+
+"Well, then, let's be an organisation that doesn't organise," said
+Mona, "but let's be it _now_."
+
+"I think," said Patty, "that our end and aim ought to be to do good to
+somebody who doesn't expect it. Now, that isn't quite what I mean,--I
+mean to people who wouldn't accept it if it seemed like charity, but
+to whom we could give a pleasure that they would really like."
+
+"Patty, my child," said Clementine, "I think your ideas are all right,
+but I must say you don't express them very clearly. Let's get down to
+something definite. Do you mean to give material things,--like
+presents or money?"
+
+"That's just exactly what I _don't_ mean, Clem! Don't you remember
+that little club we used to have at school,--the Merry Grigs?"
+
+"Indeed I do! All we had to do was to be merry and gay."
+
+"Well, that's what I mean,--in a way,--if you know what I mean."
+
+"Oh, Patty," cried Mona, "I never knew you to be so hopelessly vague.
+Now, for instance, how would it be if we gave a lovely motor ride to
+some poor shop girl, or somebody that never gets into a motor?"
+
+"That's it!" cried Clementine, approvingly; "I was thinking of sending
+flowers to hospitals, but that's so general. Now, your suggestion,
+Mona, is definite, and just the right sort of thing."
+
+"But aren't we going to have a president and treasurer, and things
+like that?" asked Elise.
+
+"No," said Patty; "my mind is clearing now, and I begin to see our
+club. Instead of a president, we'll all four be presidents, and
+instead of a treasurer, we'll all four be treasurers. We'll give money
+when it's necessary, or we'll use our motor cars, or buy flowers, or
+whatever we like; but we won't have dues and officers and things."
+
+"But the shop girls are always busy; how can we take them motoring?"
+asked Elise.
+
+"That was only a suggestion," said Mona; "it needn't be exactly a shop
+girl; but anybody we know of, who would enjoy a little unexpected
+pleasure."
+
+"The principle is exactly right," said Clementine; "now, let's get it
+down to practicability. As Mona says, we needn't necessarily choose a
+shop girl,--but suppose we do, many of them are free Saturday
+afternoon."
+
+"Only in the summer time," objected Elise.
+
+"Yes, perhaps, in the big shops; but there are lots of them, in
+offices,--or even school teachers,--who would be free Saturday
+afternoons. Well, anyway, here's what I'm thinking of, and you can all
+say what you think of it. Suppose we try, every week, to give a happy
+Saturday afternoon to somebody who wouldn't have it otherwise."
+
+"The Happy Saturday Afternoon Club!" cried Patty; "that's a lovely
+name! let's do it!"
+
+"But," said Elise, "that would mean giving up our Saturday afternoons.
+Do we want to do that? What about matinees?"
+
+"I think we ought to be willing to sacrifice something," said Patty,
+thoughtfully; "but I do love Saturday matinees."
+
+"Oh, if there's anything especial, we needn't consider ourselves bound
+to give up the afternoon," said Clementine. "For that matter, we could
+send a couple of girls for a motor ride without going ourselves."
+
+"But that's more like charity," objected Patty: "I meant to go with
+them, and be real nice and pleasant with them, and make a bright spot
+in their lives that they would always remember."
+
+"They'd always remember you, Patty, if you were the bright spot,"
+declared Mona, who idolised her friend. "But I must confess I do like
+to be definite about this thing. Now, how's this for a plan? To-day's
+Thursday. Suppose we begin on Saturday and make a start at something.
+Suppose we each of us pick out a girl,--or a boy, for that matter,--or
+a child or anybody, and think what we can do to make them happy on
+Saturday afternoon."
+
+"Now we're getting somewhere," said Elise, approvingly. "I've picked
+mine already. She's a girl who comes to our house quite often to sew
+for the children. She's a sweet little thing, but she looks as if she
+never had a real good time in all her life. Now, can the rest of you
+think of anybody like that?"
+
+"Yes, I have one," said Mona. "Your suggestion made me think of her.
+She's my manicure girl. She comes here, and sometimes she's so tired
+she's ready to drop! She works awfully hard, and never takes a day
+off, because she has to support two little sisters. But I'll make her
+take a holiday Saturday afternoon, somehow."
+
+"There's a girl I'd like to have," said Clementine, thoughtfully;
+"she's at the ribbon counter in Walker's. She always waits on me
+there; and she has such a wistful air, I'd like to do her a kindness.
+I don't suppose she could get off,--but I could go and ask the head of
+the department, and perhaps he'd let her."
+
+"I can't think of anybody," said Patty, "except one person, that I
+would simply _love_ to have. And that's a very tired and cross-looking
+lady who gives out embroidery patterns in a dreadful place, way down
+town. I believe it would sweeten her up for a year to have a little
+spree with us."
+
+"All right," said Mona. "Now we have selected our guests, what shall
+we do with them? Say, a motor ride and a cup of tea afterward in some
+pretty tea room?"
+
+"I think," said Elise, "that we'd better give them luncheon first.
+They can't enjoy a motor ride if they're hungry, and they probably
+will be."
+
+"Luncheon where?" said Patty, looking puzzled; "at one of our houses?"
+
+"I could have them here, easily enough," said Mona. "Our dining-room
+here, would really be better than any of the homes of you girls.
+Because you all have people, and I haven't. Father would just as lieve
+lunch downstairs, in the main dining-room."
+
+"That's lovely of you, Mona," said Patty. "I was going to suggest some
+small, quiet restaurant, but a luncheon here in your pretty dining-room
+would indeed be a bright spot for them to remember. But suppose they
+won't come?"
+
+"Then we must ask someone instead," said Clementine; "let's promise
+each to bring someone with us on Saturday, and if the first one we ask
+declines, keep on asking till we get somebody. Of course, Mona, we'll
+share the expense of the luncheon equally."
+
+"Nonsense," returned Mona; "I'll be glad to give that."
+
+"No," said Patty, firmly; "we'll each pay a quarter of whatever the
+luncheon costs. And let's have it good and substantial, and yet have
+some pretty, fancy things too. For, you know, this isn't a charity or
+a soup kitchen,--it's to give those girls a bright and beautiful scene
+to look back on."
+
+"Oh, it will be lovely!" cried Mona. "I'll have pretty place cards,
+and favours, and everything."
+
+"But we mustn't overdo it," said Clementine.
+
+"You know, to the unaccustomed, an elaborate table may prove
+embarrassing."
+
+"That will be all right," said Patty, smiling. "Mona can fix her
+table, and I'll come over before the luncheon, and if she has too many
+or too grand flumadiddles, I'll take some of them off. I don't want
+our guests struck dumb by too much grandeur, but I do want things
+pretty and nice. Suppose we each bring a favor for our own guest."
+
+"Something useful?" said Elise.
+
+"No; _not_ a suit of flannel underwear or a pair of shoes! But a
+pretty necktie or handkerchief, if you like, or even a little gold
+pin, or a silver one."
+
+"Or a picture or cast," said Clementine.
+
+"Yes," and Patty nodded approval; "but it ought to be a little thing
+that would look like a luncheon souvenir and not like a Christmas
+present. I think they ought to be all alike."
+
+"So do I," said Mona, "and I think a little pin in a jeweler's box
+will be the prettiest; and then a lovely bunch of flowers at each
+plate, and an awfully pretty place-card."
+
+"Oh, it will be beautiful!" cried Patty, jumping up and dancing about
+the room; "but I must flit, girls,--I have an engagement at five.
+Wait, what about motors? I'm sure we can use our big car."
+
+"And ours," said all the rest together.
+
+"Well, we'll need two," said Clementine, "and two of us girls and two
+guests can go in each. We'll see which cars can be used most
+conveniently; perhaps our fathers may have something to say on that
+subject. But we can arrange all such things by telephone to-morrow.
+The main thing is to get our guests."
+
+"Oh, we'll do that," said Patty, "if we have to go out into the
+highways and hedges after them."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+AN INVITATION
+
+
+The next morning Patty started off in her own little electric runabout
+with Miller, the chauffeur.
+
+She let him drive, and gave the address, as she stepped in, "The
+Monongahela Art Embroidery Company," adding a number in lower
+Broadway.
+
+The correct Miller could not suppress a slight smile as he said,
+"Where I took you once before, Miss Patty?" And Patty smiled, as she
+said, "Yes, Miller."
+
+But it was with a different feeling that she entered the big building
+this time, and she went straight to department B. On her way she met
+the red-headed boy who had so amused her when she was there a year
+ago.
+
+He greeted her with the same lack of formality that had previously
+characterised him.
+
+"Is youse up against it again?" he inquired, grinning broadly. "I
+t'ought youse didn't get no cinch, and had to can de whole projick."
+
+"I'm not on the same 'projick' now," said Patty, smiling at him. "Is
+department B in the same place?"
+
+"Sure it is," and for some reason the boy added, "miss," after a
+momentary pause, which made Patty realise his different attitude
+toward her, now that she wore a more elaborate costume, than when he
+had seen her in a purposely plain little suit.
+
+"And is the same lady still in charge of it?"
+
+"Yep; dey ain't nuttin' lessen dynnimite goin' to boost Mis' Greene
+outen o' here!"
+
+"Then Mrs. Greene is the lady I want to see," and Patty threaded her
+way through the narrow passages between the piled up boxes.
+
+"No pass needed; she's a free show," the boy called after her, and in
+a moment Patty found herself again in the presence of the sharp-faced,
+tired-looking woman whom she had once interviewed regarding her
+embroidery work.
+
+"This is Mrs. Greene, isn't it?" said Patty, pleasantly.
+
+"Yes, I am," snapped the woman. "You don't want work again, do you?"
+
+"No," said Patty, smiling, "I come this time on quite a different
+errand."
+
+"Then you don't want to see _me_. I'm here only to give out work. Did
+Mr. Myers send you?"
+
+"No, I came of my own accord. Now, Mrs. Greene, forget the work for a
+moment, and let me tell you what I want."
+
+"If it's subscribin' to any fund, or belongin' to any working woman's
+club run by you swell ladies, you can count me out. I ain't got time
+for foolishness."
+
+"It isn't anything like that," and Patty laughed so merrily that Mrs.
+Greene's hard face softened in spite of herself. "Well, what is it?"
+she asked, in a less belligerent tone.
+
+"It's only this," and though Patty's errand had seemed to her simple
+enough before she came in, she now began to wonder how Mrs. Greene
+would take it. "Some friends of mine and I are asking three or four
+people to lunch with us and take a little motor ride on Saturday, and
+I want you to come as my guest?"
+
+"What!" and Mrs. Greene's face was blank with amazement, but her
+manner betokened an impending burst of wrath.
+
+Patty realised that the woman's pride was up in arms at the idea of
+patronage, and she was at her wit's end how to make the real spirit of
+her invitation understood.
+
+As it chanced, she unwittingly took the right tack. So earnest was she
+that her lips quivered a little, and her eyes showed a pleading,
+pathetic expression, as she said, "_Please_ don't misunderstand me,
+Mrs. Greene. If you would enjoy it, I want you to come to our party on
+Saturday as our welcome guest. If you wouldn't enjoy it,--just say
+so,--but--but _don't_ scold me!"
+
+Mrs. Greene looked puzzled, and then the hard, stern mouth broke into
+an actual smile.
+
+"Well, I declare," she said, "I do believe you've got a real heart!"
+
+"And I do believe that _you_ have!" exclaimed Patty. "And, now that we
+know the truth about each other, you'll come, won't you?"
+
+"Tell me about it," and the speaker seemed still uncertain, though
+wavering.
+
+So Patty told her, honestly and straightforwardly, the circumstances
+of the party, and wound up by saying, "I truly want you, Mrs. Greene,
+for the simple reason that I want you to enjoy the afternoon,--and for
+no other reason."
+
+"And I'll come, and be awful glad of the chance! Why, I've never had a
+ride in a motor car in my life, and I've never eaten in one of those
+fandangle hotels; and the way you put it, I'm just crazy to go!"
+
+"Do you have holiday Saturday afternoon?"
+
+"Yes, all these downtown places do."
+
+"Very well, then, I shall expect you at the Plaza at one o'clock. Ask
+for Miss Galbraith, and they will show you right up to her rooms."
+
+"Land! it does seem too good to be true! Say, Miss Fairfield, I've
+only got a black mohair to wear,--will that do?"
+
+"Of course it will. Maybe you've a pretty bit of embroidery or
+something to lighten it up a little."
+
+"Yes, I've got a linjerry collar and cuffs that I've just been achin'
+to wear ever since my sister gave them to me last Christmas."
+
+"Then I shall expect you on Saturday, and I'm so glad."
+
+With a smiling bow, Patty started away, but she saw by Mrs. Greene's
+face, there was something left unsaid.
+
+"What is it?" she asked, kindly, stepping back again to the counter.
+
+"Say, Miss Fairfield," and Mrs. Greene twisted her fingers a little
+nervously, "don't think this is queer,--but won't you wear one of your
+real pretty dresses? I do like to see a pretty, stylish dress,--and I
+never get a chance."
+
+"Of course I will," said Patty, heartily; "I've a brand-new one that
+I've never worn, and I'll honour the occasion with it, on Saturday."
+
+And then Patty went away, greatly pleased at her success.
+
+"Had quite a buzz, didn't yer?" observed the red-headed boy, looking
+at Patty with curiosity, as she passed him.
+
+"Yes, I did. By the way, young man, what is your name?"
+
+"Rosy; should think you'd know without askin'," and he grabbed a bunch
+of his red hair with a comical grin.
+
+"Well, I didn't know whether it was that or Freckles," said Patty, who
+was moved to chaff him, by reason of his good-natured _camaraderie_.
+
+"Might just as well 'a' been," and Rosy grinned wider than ever.
+
+Patty nodded a good-bye, and went on, rapidly turning over in her mind
+a new plan that would include Rosy in some future happy Saturday
+afternoon. But this plan must wait for development, as the coming
+Saturday was enough to occupy her thoughts for the present.
+
+"Home, Miller," she said, as she took her seat. Miller gave a relieved
+sigh, for he was always more or less afraid of Patty's escapades; and
+he didn't like to have her go alone into these strange buildings.
+
+They whizzed homeward, and at luncheon time Patty gave Nan a graphic
+account of her interview with Mrs. Greene.
+
+"I think that's the funniest of all," said Nan, "that she should want
+you to wear your elaborate clothes."
+
+"So do I," said Patty. "We girls had planned to wear our plainest
+dresses, thinking to make our guests feel more at ease. And when
+Madame Greene spoke of her black mohair, I thought I'd even rip the
+trimming off my brown waist! But not so,--far otherwise. So I shall
+get me into that new American Beauty satin, and I hope to goodness it
+will suit her taste. I expect she's fearfully critical."
+
+"Perhaps the other girls' guests won't feel as Mrs. Greene does about
+this matter. What then?"
+
+"Now, Nan, don't stir up trouble! I have only my own guest to look
+after, and I shall dress my part. The others will have to do as
+seemeth unto them best. Oh, Nan, it's going to be heaps of fun!"
+
+"Yes, if it turns out right,--without any awkwardness or embarrassment."
+
+"Oh, you old wet blanket! Now, you know perfectly well, we're doing our
+best. And if we're awkward, we can't help it. We're going this
+afternoon to get the favours. What do you think of little pins,--silver
+gilt, or enamel?"
+
+"They'd be all right, or hatpins, either."
+
+"No, hatpins everybody has. And they don't show, anyhow. That amethyst
+one of mine always hides itself behind a bow or a feather. No; I'm
+sure a nice little round brooch is the best thing."
+
+"How about gloves?"
+
+"Or overshoes? or knitted wash-cloths? Nan, can't I bang it into your
+head that this affair is for pleasure, not profit? Would you give
+_your_ luncheon guests gloves as souvenirs?"
+
+"I suppose you're right, Patty. But it _is_ an experiment."
+
+"Of course it is! And it's going to be a successful one, and the
+forerunner of many others!"
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+Half an hour before luncheon time, Patty walked into Mona's dining-room.
+She wore her new gown of American Beauty satin, softly draped with a
+thin black marquisette, and a soft sash of black satin. Her hat was all
+black, with a Beauty rose tucked under the brim, and resting against her
+fair hair.
+
+Mona surveyed her with delight. "You look unusually well, Patty,--but
+that's not saying anything unusual, for you always look unusually
+well."
+
+"Good gracious, Mona, what kind of English is that? And a doubtful
+compliment beside! But I see you're preoccupied, so I shan't expect
+much appreciation of my new costume. Simple but tasty, isn't it?"
+
+As she spoke, Patty was looking at herself in a long mirror and
+craning her neck to get a view of her back. She was fond of pretty
+clothes, and her new gown, though rich, was really simple in line and
+colouring.
+
+"Your table is beautiful, Mona," she said, suddenly bringing her
+attention from her own raiment to the festal preparation.
+
+The girls had decided that, since Christmas was only about a fortnight
+away, it would be attractive to use Christmas decorations for their
+party. And so the round table showed crossed strips of broad red
+ribbon, under bands of lace, and a central decoration of a real
+Christmas tree, with beautiful fancy ornaments and colored electric
+lights. At each place was an elaborate bonbonniere of Christmas red,
+decked with sprays of holly. The place cards were Christmassy; and the
+little brooches they had bought, were in dainty boxes tied with holly
+ribbon.
+
+"It's perfectly lovely, Mona," said Patty, enthusiastically. "There
+isn't a bit too much of anything, and it's just as cheery and jolly as
+it can be."
+
+"I thought I wouldn't have any flowers on the table," Mona explained,
+"for they didn't go with the other things. So, you see, I've these
+four big bunches of red carnations around the room, and I shall give
+them each one to take home. Of course, I have boxes ready for
+them,--and then, Patty, I thought we'd distribute the Christmas tree
+decorations among them,--and I have the boxes big, so we can put those
+and the place-cards and candy-boxes and souvenirs all in them. And
+then, you know, it won't seem like _giving_ them things; for you know
+yourself how keen people are to take away their place cards and such
+things."
+
+"They are, indeed! I've been _surprised_ the people who have
+_everything_ will gather up their cards and trumpery boxes after a
+luncheon! And your thoughtfulness is lovely, Mona. We'll each give
+them our own place-card and box, too."
+
+"Yes; and then, you see, they'll have quite a few little things for
+their own Christmas, and that will make them remember the 'bright
+spot' all the more."
+
+"Of course it will! Mona, you're a perfect _darling_!" And Patty
+grasped Mona's shoulders and swung her about in a mad dance of
+jubilation.
+
+"And, Patty," Mona went on, "Mr. Lansing wants to help us with our
+Happy Saturdays Club. He says he could go with us some afternoon, to
+take a lot of newsboys to the circus."
+
+"Why, Mona Galbraith!" and Patty stared at her friend in astonishment.
+"Have you been telling _him_ about our club?"
+
+"Yes; of course, I have. It's no secret society, is it?"
+
+"No; but we don't want men for members."
+
+"But, Patty, he would be a help. I'd love to give some of those poor
+little newsboys a good time, and we couldn't do it, just by ourselves."
+
+Suddenly, Patty thought of "Rosy," and her idea of including him in
+some of their plans. To be sure, it would be better to have a man to
+help manage such a project. But not Mr. Lansing!
+
+"No, Mona," she said; "our club is made up of just us four girls, and
+we can find plenty to do among girls or women. At least, for this
+winter. If it's all a success, we can do more next winter, and perhaps
+get some men to help us then. If we want to take newsboys to the
+circus, father will go with us. Don't be everlastingly dragging in
+that Mr. Lansing."
+
+"I'm _not_ dragging him in! He kindly offered to help. But of
+course,--if you don't want him----"
+
+"Well, I don't! And, look here, Mona, I wish you'd let him alone,
+yourself. He's not like the men of our set, and I want you to realise
+that. Roger says he's a bounder,--if you know what that is."
+
+"Pooh! Roger is jealous."
+
+"Yes, I think he is. But, aside from that, he's right about Mr.
+Lansing not being the right kind of a friend for you. Philip Van
+Reypen says the same thing."
+
+"Oh, pshaw! Mr. Van Reypen is an old stuck-up! He thinks nobody is any
+good if they don't begin their names with a Van."
+
+"Now, Mona, don't be silly. I'm sure I don't know what you see so
+admirable in Mr. Lansing, but I do think you ought to be advised by
+others who know better than you. Why, your own father doesn't like
+him."
+
+"I know dad doesn't; but--well, all the same, I _do_! Why, Patty, he's
+awfully interesting, and he brings me flowers and candy and books----"
+
+"Now, stop, Mona. You know you don't care for those things! You can
+have all you want, without Mr. Lansing's gifts. You like him, because
+he flatters you, and--well, I must admit that he has a way with him."
+
+"Oh, yes, Patty, he has! Why, when you know him, he's really
+fascinating!"
+
+"Well, don't let him fascinate you. He's loud, Mona. He's not our
+sort. Now, do promise me to see less of him, won't you? He seems to be
+calling on you very often."
+
+"Yes, he does. But how can I stop that? I can't be rude to him."
+
+"Well, you can be cool. Every girl can discourage a man's attentions,
+if she wants to."
+
+"H'm; you seem to know a great deal about it."
+
+"I only know what my common sense tells me. Mona, dear, _do_ drop that
+man! Why, Roger is worth a dozen of him!"
+
+"Roger's all right,--but Mr. Lansing is so,--so,--well, he's
+different."
+
+"He is, indeed! And that's the trouble. The difference is all in
+Roger's favour, if you only could see it."
+
+"Well, I can't! Now, look here, Patty. You know how much I care for
+you, but I won't have you talking to me like a Dutch Aunt. I made
+father bring me to New York this winter, so I could be near you, and
+we could have fun together. But, if you're going to scold me all the
+time, we won't have any fun at all."
+
+Patty began to realise that, though Mona might be coaxed, she could
+never be driven. So she concluded to drop the subject, and use more
+thought and tact in her endeavours to break up Mona's new friendship.
+
+And then Clementine Morse came, so the matter had to be laid aside.
+
+"Is Jenny here?" asked Clementine, as she tossed off her furs.
+
+"Jenny who?"
+
+"My guest, Jenny Bisbee. She's the ribbon girl I told you about. I had
+the greatest time to get her off for the afternoon. I had to go to
+Walker's, you know, and see all sorts of Heads of Departments. My!
+they acted like Crowned Heads! They said it wouldn't do at all,--it
+would establish a precedent,--and all sorts of things like that. But,
+somehow or other, I wheedled them into it, and at last they said Jenny
+might come. She was just crazy about it. She said, she never has any
+fun in her life, except looking at the new ribbons when they come in!
+Oh, girls, isn't it awful _never_ to have any fun? I expect Jenny will
+be embarrassed, but I'm sure she'll enjoy it all. Oh, how lovely the
+table looks! Mona, you are a wonder! I never should have thought of
+all those Christmas fixings."
+
+"I'm glad you like them. Say, Clementine, don't you think it would be
+nice to have men members in our club?"
+
+"Why, I don't know. No, I guess not, though my brother Clifford says
+it's a great game, and he'd like to help us."
+
+"Yes, and I know another man who wants to help," said Mona, eagerly,
+when Clementine interrupted her.
+
+"I hope it isn't that strange being you brought to Patty's party!
+Wherever _did_ you pick up that freak, Mona?"
+
+"He _isn't_ a freak! Mr. Lansing is not a rich man, but he's very
+exclusive. He told me so himself."
+
+"Don't you believe it!" and Clementine laughed merrily. "As a rule,
+people who say themselves that they're exclusive, are _not_. And one
+glance at that man is enough to show his standing."
+
+"What _is_ his standing, then?" said Mona, sulkily.
+
+"Outside the pale of society, if not outside the pale of civilisation,"
+retorted Clementine, who was plain-spoken.
+
+"Don't let's talk about Mr. Lansing now," broke in Patty, who feared
+an unpleasant element in their pleasant occasion. "And, anyway, here
+comes Elise."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+HAPPY GUESTS
+
+
+Elise came in, bringing her guest with her. The three girls waiting in
+the sitting-room were surprised to see the small, dainty person whom
+Elise introduced as Miss Anna Gorman. She had a sweet, sad little
+face, and wore a simple one-piece gown of dove-grey voile. Her hat was
+grey, also; a turban shape, with a small knot of pink roses at one
+side. Anna was not pretty, but she had a refined air, and a gentle
+manner. Though embarrassed, she strove not to show it, and tried to
+appear at ease.
+
+Mona greeted her cordially: "How do you do, Anna?" she said, for they
+had agreed to call the girls informally, by their Christian names. "I
+am glad to see you. Come with me into the boudoir, and lay off your
+coat." Mona herself assisted, for she thought it better not to have
+her maid about.
+
+"I'm well, thank you," said Anna, in response to Mona's inquiry, and
+then she broke out, impulsively: "Oh, I'm so happy to be here! It was
+so heavenly kind of you young ladies to ask me. You don't _know_ what
+it means to me!"
+
+"Why, I'm very glad," said Mona, touched at the girl's gratitude.
+"Now, I hope you'll just have the time of your life!"
+
+"Oh, I shall, indeed! I know it. I'm enjoying every minute, just being
+in these lovely rooms, and seeing you kind ladies."
+
+Then Mona's manicure girl came. Her name was Celeste Arleson, and she
+was a tall, slender young woman, garbed all in black. It was the gown
+she always wore at her work, and, being of French descent, she had an
+air of charm that made her attractive.
+
+"Good-morning, Celeste; come right in," said Mona, and then she
+introduced her to Anna.
+
+The two looked at each other a little shyly, and then Anna said,
+"Good-morning," in a timid way.
+
+Mona felt embarrassed, too, and began to wonder if their party would
+be a failure, after all.
+
+But Patty came in then and, with her ever-ready tact, took the two
+visitors to the drawing-room, and began to show them some pictures and
+curios.
+
+Then Jenny Bisbee came, the girl from the ribbon counter, whom
+Clementine had invited.
+
+"My, isn't this fine!" she exclaimed, as she met the others. "I just
+do think it's fine!"
+
+"I'm glad we could arrange for you to come," said Clementine,
+cordially.
+
+"Glad! My gracious, I guess I'm glad! Well! if you measured ribbon
+from morning till night, I guess you'd be glad to get away from it for
+once. Why, I measure ribbon in my dreams, from night till morning. I
+can't seem to get away from that everlasting stretching out of
+thirty-six inches, over and over again."
+
+"But the ribbons are so pretty," said Clementine, by way of being
+agreeable.
+
+"Yes; when they first come in. But after a few weeks you get so tired
+of the patterns. My, I feel as if I could throw that Dresden sash
+ribbon on the floor and stamp on it, I'm so tired of seeing it! And
+there's one piece of gay brocade that hits me in the eye every
+morning. I can't stand that piece much longer."
+
+"I'll come round some day, and buy it," said Patty, laughing
+good-naturedly. "I didn't know the ribbons were so individual to you."
+
+"Yes, they are. There's one piece of light blue satin ribbon, plain
+and wide, that I just love. It's a real comfort to me."
+
+Jenny gave a little sigh, as she thought of her favourite ribbon, and
+Patty looked at her in wonderment, that she should be so sensitive to
+colour and texture. But her taste in colours did not seem to extend to
+her clothes. Jenny was a pale little thing, with ashy blonde hair, and
+large, light blue eyes. She wore a nondescript tan-coloured dress,
+without tone or shape; and she had a weary, exhausted air, as if
+chronically tired.
+
+Conversation was a little difficult. The four hostesses tried their
+best to be entertaining without being patronising, but it was not an
+easy task. At least, their advances were not easily received, and the
+guests seemed to be on the alert to resent anything that savoured of
+patronage. But help came from an unexpected quarter. Just at one
+o'clock Mrs. Greene arrived.
+
+"My land!" she exclaimed, as she entered the room, "if this isn't grand!
+I wouldn't of missed it for a farm! You see, I waited out on the corner,
+till it was just one o'clock. I know enough to get to a party just on
+the minute. My bringin' up was good, if I have fell off a little since.
+But my folks was always awful particular people,--wouldn't even take
+their pie in their hands. My husband, now, he was different. He wasn't a
+fool, nor he wasn't much else. But I only had him a year, and then he up
+and got killed in a rolling mill. Nice man, John, but not very
+forth-putting. So I've shifted for myself ever since. Not that I've done
+so awful well. I'm slow, I am. I never was one o' those to sew with a
+hot needle and a scorching thread, but I do my stent right along. But,
+my! how I do rattle on! You might think I don't often go in good
+society. Well, I don't! So I must make the most of this chance."
+
+Mrs. Greene's chatter had been broken in upon by introductions and
+greetings, but that bothered her not at all. She nodded her head
+affably at the different ones, but kept right on talking.
+
+So Mona was fairly obliged to interrupt her.
+
+"Now, let us go out to luncheon," she said, after the maid had
+announced it twice.
+
+"Glad to," said Mrs. Greene. "Oh, my land! what a pretty sight!"
+
+She stood stock still in the doorway, and had to be urged forward, in
+order that the others might follow.
+
+"Well, I didn't know a table _could_ look so handsome!" she went on.
+"My land! I s'pose it's been thirty years since I've went to a real
+party feast, and then, I can tell you, it wasn't much like this!"
+
+Probably not, for Mona's table, with the coloured electric lights
+blazing from the pretty Christmas tree, the soft radiance of the room,
+the fragrance of flowers, the exquisite table appointments, and the
+pretty, kindly hostesses, was a scene well worthy of praise.
+
+Anna Gorman trembled a little as she took her seat, and sat,
+wide-eyed, looking almost as if in a trance of delight. Celeste
+Arleson was less embarrassed, as her profession took her into fine
+mansions and in presence of fashionable people every day.
+
+Jenny Bisbee looked rapturous. "Oh," she said, "Oh! I am _so_ happy!"
+
+The guests all looked a trifle awestruck when the first course
+appeared, of grapefruit, served in tall, slender ice-glasses, each
+with a red ribbon tied round its stem, and a sprig of holly in the
+bow.
+
+"Well, did you ever!" exclaimed Mrs. Greene. "And is this the way they
+do things now? Well, well! It does look 'most too good to eat, but I'm
+ready to tackle it."
+
+Anna Gorman looked a little pained, as if this homely enthusiasm
+jarred upon her sense of fitness. But Mona said hospitably, "Yes,
+indeed, Mrs. Greene,--it's here to be eaten."
+
+"Now, I'm free to confess, I don't know what spoon to take," Mrs.
+Greene acknowledged, looking blankly at the row of flat silver before
+her.
+
+"I know," spoke up Jenny Bisbee, eagerly; "I read it in a Sunday
+paper. You begin at the outside of the row, and eat in!"
+
+"Land! are you sure to come out right, that way? S'pose you had a fork
+left for your ice cream!"
+
+"We'll risk it," said Mona, smiling. "Let's use this spoon at the
+outside, as Jenny suggests."
+
+The second course was clam bouillon, and after it was served, a maid
+passed a dish of whipped cream.
+
+Mrs. Greene watched carefully as Mona placed a spoonful on the top of
+her soup, and then she exclaimed:
+
+"Well, if that don't beat all! What is that, might I ask?"
+
+"Whipped cream," said Mona. "Won't you have some?"
+
+"Well, I will,--as you took some. But if that ain't the greatest! Now,
+just let me tell you. A friend of mine,--she has seen some high
+society,--she was telling me a little how to behave. And she told me
+of a country person she knew, who had some soup in a cup once. And he
+thought it was tea, and he ca'mly puts in milk and sugar! Well, he was
+just kerflum-mixed, that poor man, when he found it was soup! So, my
+friend says, says she: 'Now, Almira, whatever you do, _don't_ put milk
+in your soup!' And, I declare to goodness, here you're doin' just that
+very thing!"
+
+"Well, we won't put any sugar in," said Mona, pleasantly; "but I think
+the cream improves it. You like it, don't you, Jenny?"
+
+"Heavenly!" said Jenny, rolling her eyes up with such a comically
+blissful expression that Elise nearly choked.
+
+As Patty had agreed, the luncheon was good and substantial, rather
+than elaborate. The broiled chicken, dainty vegetables, and pretty
+salad all met the guests' hearty approval and appreciation; and when
+the ice cream was served, Mrs. Greene discovered she had both a fork
+and a spoon at her disposal.
+
+"Well, I never!" she observed. "Ain't that handy, now? I s'pose you
+take whichever one you like."
+
+"Yes," said Mona. "You see, there is strawberry sauce for the ice
+cream, and that makes it seem more like a pudding."
+
+"So it does, so it does," agreed Mrs. Greene, "though, land knows, it
+ain't much like the puddin's I'm accustomed to. Cottage, rice, and
+bread is about the variety we get, in the puddin' line. Not but what
+I'm mighty grateful to get those."
+
+"I like chocolate pudding," said Jenny, in a low voice, and apparently
+with great effort. Patty knew she made the remark because she thought
+it her duty to join in the conversation; and she felt such heroism
+deserved recognition.
+
+"So do I," she said, smiling kindly at Jenny. "In fact, I like
+anything with chocolate in it."
+
+"So do I," returned Jenny, a little bolder under this expressed
+sympathy of tastes. "Once I had a whole box of chocolate candies,--a
+pound box it was. I've got the box yet. I'm awful careful of the lace
+paper."
+
+"I often get boxes of candy," said Celeste, unable to repress this bit
+of vanity. "My customers give them to me."
+
+"My," said Jenny, "that must be fine. Is it grand to be a manicure?"
+
+"I like it," said Celeste, "because it takes me among nice people.
+They're mostly good to me."
+
+"My ladies are nice to me, too," observed Anna. "I only sew in nice
+houses. But I don't see the ladies much. It's different with you, Miss
+Arleson."
+
+"Well, I don't see nice ladies," broke in Jenny. "My, how those queens
+of society can snap at you! Seems 'if they blame me for everything:
+the stock, the price, the slow cash boys,--whatever bothers 'em, it's
+all my fault."
+
+"That is unkind," said Clementine. "But shopping does make some people
+cross."
+
+"Indeed it does!" returned Jenny. "But I'm going to forget it just for
+to-day. When I sit here and see these things, all so beautiful and
+sparkly and bright, I pretend there isn't any shop or shopping in all
+the world."
+
+Jenny's smile was almost roguish, and lighted up her pale face till
+she looked almost pretty.
+
+Then they had coffee, and snapping crackers with caps inside, and they
+put on the caps and laughed at each other's grotesque appearance.
+
+Mrs. Greene's cap was a tri-corne, with a gay cockade, which gave her
+a militant air, quite in keeping with her strong face. Patty had a
+ruffled night-cap, which made her look grotesque, and Anna Gorman had
+a frilled sunbonnet.
+
+Celeste had a Tam o' Shanter, which just suited her piquant face, and
+Jenny had a Scotch cap, which became her well.
+
+"Now," said Mona, as she rose from the table, "I'm going to give you
+each a bunch of these carnations----"
+
+"To take home?" broke in Jenny, unable to repress her eagerness.
+
+"Yes; and I'll have them put in boxes for you, along with your cards
+and souvenirs, which, of course, you must take home also. And, if
+there's room, I'll put in some of these Christmas tree thingamajigs,
+and you can use them for something at Christmas time."
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Jenny; "maybe my two kid brothers won't just about go
+crazy over 'em! Says I to myself, just the other day, 'What's going in
+them kids' stockings is more'n I know; but something there must be.'
+And,--here you are!"
+
+"Here you are!" said Mona, tucking an extra snapping cracker or two in
+Jenny's box.
+
+"We plan to go for a motor ride, now," said Mona. "I wonder if you
+girls are dressed warmly enough."
+
+All declared that they were, but Mona provided several extra cloaks
+and wraps, lest any one should take cold.
+
+"We have two cars for our trip," she explained; "Miss Farrington's
+limousine and my own. Has any one any preference which way we shall
+go?"
+
+"Well," said Mrs. Greene, "if you ask me, I'd like best to ride up
+Fifth Avenue. There ought to be some fine show of dress, a bright
+afternoon like this. And there ain't anything I admire like stylish
+clothes. That's a real handsome gown you got on, Miss Fairfield."
+
+"Do you like it?" said Patty, smiling.
+
+"Yes, I do. It's fashionable of cut, and yet it ain't drawed so tight
+as some. And a becomin' colour, too."
+
+"It's a dandy," observed Jenny. "I see lots of good clothes on my
+customers, but they don't all have such taste as Miss Fairfield's. And
+all you other ladies here," she added, politely, glancing round.
+
+"Now, are we all ready?" asked Mona, looking over the group. "Mrs.
+Greene, I fear you won't be warm enough, though your jacket _is_
+thick, isn't it? But I'm going to throw this boa round your neck, by
+way of precaution. Please wear it; I have another."
+
+"My land! if this ain't luxuriant," and Mrs. Greene smoothed the
+neckpiece and muff that Mona put on her. "What is this fur, Miss
+Galbraith?"
+
+"That is caracul. Do you like it?"
+
+"Like it? Well, I think it's just too scrumptious for anything. I'll
+remember the feel of it for a year. And so genteel looking, too."
+
+"Yes, it's a good fur," said Mona, carelessly throwing a sable scarf
+round her own throat. "Now, let us start."
+
+Down went the eight in an elevator, and Mrs. Greene was overjoyed to
+find that she was attended with quite as much deference as Mona
+herself. Elise and Clementine took their guests in the Farrington car,
+leaving Patty and Mona, with their guests, for the Galbraith car.
+
+Celeste Arleson enjoyed the ride, but she was not so openly enthusiastic
+as Mrs. Greene.
+
+"My!" exclaimed that worthy, as she bobbed up and down on the springy
+cushions; "to think it's come at last! Why, I _never_ expected to ride
+in one of these. I saved up once for a taxicab ride, but I had to use
+my savings for a case of grippe, so I never felt to try it again."
+
+"Did you have grippe?" said Patty, sympathetically; "that was too
+bad."
+
+"Well, no; it wasn't _my_ grippe. Leastways, I didn't have it. It was
+a lady that lived in the same boardin' house, along with me. But she'd
+had misfortune, and lost her money, so I couldn't do no less than to
+help her. Poor thing! she was crossed in love and it made her queer.
+But that Rosy,--you know, that redhead boy, Miss Fairfield?"
+
+"Yes, I do," returned Patty, smiling.
+
+"Well, he says she was queered in love, and it made her cross! She
+works in our place, you know. Well, cross she is; and, my land! if she
+wasn't cross when she had the grippe! You know, it ain't soothin' on
+folks' nerves."
+
+"No," said Patty; "so I've understood. Well, Mrs. Greene, now you can
+see plenty of fashionable costumes. Do you enjoy it?"
+
+"My! I'm just drinkin' 'em in! Furs is worn a lot this year, ain't
+they? Well, I don't wonder. Why, I feel real regal in this fur of
+yours, Miss Galbraith. I don't know when I've had such a pleasure as
+the wearin' of this fur."
+
+"Now, we'll go through the park and up Riverside Drive," said Mona, as
+they neared Eighty-sixth Street. It was pleasant in the Park, and the
+fine motors, with their smartly-apparelled occupants, delighted Mrs.
+Greene's very soul.
+
+"Where would you like to go, Celeste?" asked Mona; "or do you like the
+Park and the River drive?"
+
+"If I might, Miss Galbraith, I'd like to go to Grant's Tomb. I've
+always wanted to go there, but I never can get a spare hour,--or if I
+do, I'm too tired for the trip."
+
+"Certainly, you shall. Would you like that, Mrs. Greene?"
+
+"Oh, land, yes! I've never been there, either. Quite some few times
+I've thought to go, but something always interferes."
+
+So to Grant's Tomb they went. The other car followed, and all went in
+to look at the impressive mausoleum.
+
+"Makes you feel kind o' solemn," said Mrs. Greene, as they came out.
+"Think of lyin' there in that eternal rock, as you might say, and the
+whole nation comin' to weep over your bier."
+
+"They don't all weep," observed Celeste.
+
+"Well, in a manner o' speakin', they do," said Mrs. Greene, gently.
+"Not real tears, maybe; but, you know, to weep over a bier, is a
+figger of speech; and so far as its meanin' goes, Grant's got it. And,
+after all, it's the meanin' that counts."
+
+It was nearing sundown as they started down the Drive, and Mona
+proposed that they go to a tea room, and then take their guests to
+their several homes.
+
+"Oh, how pretty!" said Mrs. Greene, as they all went into the Marie
+Jeannette Tea Room.
+
+The younger girls chose chocolate, but Mrs. Greene said, "Give me a
+cup of tea. There's nothing like it, to my mind. And to think of
+having tea in this beautiful place, all decked with posies. I'll just
+throw this fur a little open, but keep it over my shoulders. It looks
+so luxuriant that way."
+
+Mona ordered dainty sandwiches and little fancy cakes--and after a
+pleasant half-hour they started homeward. They left Celeste at her
+home first, and then took Mrs. Greene to hers.
+
+"I live way down on East Eleventh Street," she said, apologetically;
+"and I oughtn't to let you go clear down there with me. But,--oh,
+well, I might as well own up,--I'd just love to roll up to our door in
+this car!"
+
+"And so you shall," said Mona, appreciating this bit of feminine
+vanity. "And, Mrs. Greene, if you'll accept them, I'd like to make you
+a present of those furs. I don't need them, for I have several other
+sets, and you're very welcome to them."
+
+"My land!" said Mrs. Greene, and then could say no more, for her voice
+choked, and two tears rolled down her cheeks.
+
+"And to think I thought you ladies were stuck up!" she said, in a
+voice of contrition. "Why, two angels straight from Heaven couldn't be
+more kind or whole-soulder than you two are. But, Miss Galbraith, I
+can't accept such a gift,--I--I ought not to."
+
+Mrs. Greene was caressing the fur as she spoke, and Mona patted her
+hand, saying laughingly:
+
+"I couldn't take it away from anybody who loves it as you do. Please
+keep it. I'm more glad to give it to you than you can possibly be to
+have it."
+
+So Mrs. Greene kept the furs,--and her beaming face proved the depth
+of thankfulness which she tried, all inadequately, to express.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+CONFIDENCES
+
+
+Mona went home with Patty to dinner, as she often did when the girls
+had been together during the afternoon.
+
+At the dinner table the elder Fairfields were greatly entertained by
+the account of the first Happy Saturday Afternoon.
+
+"But aren't you afraid," Mr. Fairfield asked, "that such unaccustomed
+luxuries will make those people discontented with their own conditions?"
+
+"Now, father Fairfield," exclaimed Patty, "you ought to know better
+than that! you might as well say that a man in a prison ought never to
+see a ray of sunlight, because it would make him more discontented
+with his dark jail."
+
+"That's true," agreed Nan; "I think it's lovely to give these people
+such a pleasure, and if I can help in any way, Patty, I'll be glad
+to."
+
+"And then it's the memory of it," said Mona.
+
+"You know yourself how pleasant it is to look back and remember any
+pleasure you may have had; and when it's only one, and such a big one,
+the pleasure of remembrance is even greater."
+
+"That's good philosophy, Mona," said Mr. Fairfield, approvingly, "and
+I take back what I said. I think the plans you girls have made are
+excellent; and I, too, will be glad to help if I can."
+
+"Other people have offered to help us," began Mona, but Patty
+interrupted her, saying: "We don't want any help from people
+individually. I mean, father, if you will lend us the car, and things
+like that, we'll be glad, of course. But we don't want any personal
+assistance in our plans."
+
+"All right, chickadee; far be it from me to intrude. But I thought
+perhaps if you wanted to make a little excursion, say, to see the
+Statue of Liberty, or even to go to the circus, you might like a man
+along with you as a Courier General."
+
+"That's just what Mr. Lansing said!" exclaimed Mona, which was the
+very remark Patty had been fearing.
+
+"That's just what we're _not_ going to do!" she declared. "We're only
+going to places where we can go by ourselves, or if we need a
+chaperon, we'll take Nan. But we don't want any men in on this deal."
+
+"I don't see why," began Mona, but Patty promptly silenced her by
+saying, "You _do_ see why. Now, Mona, don't say anything more about
+it. There isn't any circus now, and it's time enough when it comes, to
+decide about going to it; and I don't want to go, anyway. There are
+lots of things nicer than a circus."
+
+"Mr. Lansing said he'd send us a box for the Hippodrome, some Saturday
+afternoon," said Mona, a little diffidently.
+
+"That's awfully kind of him," said Nan. "I should think you girls
+would be delighted with that."
+
+"A box," and Patty looked scornful. "Why, a box only holds six, so
+with us four, we could only invite two guests. I don't think much of
+that scheme!"
+
+"I'll donate a box also," said Mr. Fairfield. "You can get them
+adjoining, and with two of you girls in one and two in the other, you
+can invite eight guests."
+
+Patty hesitated. The plan sounded attractive, and she quickly thought
+that she could invite Rosy for one of the guests and give the boy a
+Happy Saturday Afternoon. But she didn't want to accept anything from
+Mr. Lansing, though she couldn't quite bring herself to say so,
+frankly.
+
+"What's the matter, Patty?" asked Nan. "You don't like the idea of the
+Hippodrome, though I don't see why."
+
+"I _do_ like it," said Patty, "but we can't decide these things in a
+minute. We ought to have a meeting of the club and talk it over."
+
+"Nonsense," said Mona. "You know very well, Patty, it isn't a formal
+club. I'm going to accept these two Hippodrome boxes, and tell the
+girls that we can each invite two guests. The Hippodrome show is
+lovely this year, and anybody would like it, whether children or
+grown-ups. And we're much obliged to you, Mr. Fairfield."
+
+"You're taking a great deal upon yourself, Mona," said Patty. "You're
+not president of the club."
+
+"Neither are you."
+
+"Well, _I'm_ not dictating how things shall be run."
+
+"Well, I _am_! So all you'll have to do, is to run along with me."
+
+Mona was so laughingly good-natured that Patty's serious face broke
+into a smile, too. She was annoyed at the idea of being under
+obligation to Mr. Lansing, but, after all, it was hardly fair to stand
+in the way of eight people's pleasure. So she surrendered gracefully.
+
+"All right, Mona," she said; "we'll have the Hippodrome party. I know
+one guest I shall invite, who's sure to enjoy it. He's a boy about
+fourteen, and the funniest thing you ever saw."
+
+"I'd like to take children, too," said Mona; "but I don't know many. I
+think I'll ask Celeste's two little sisters."
+
+It was characteristic of Patty not to dwell on anything unpleasant, so
+having made up her mind to accept Mr. Lansing's favour, she entered
+heartily into the plan for the next party.
+
+But after dinner, when the girls were alone in Patty's boudoir, she
+said to Mona, seriously, "You know I didn't want to take that box from
+Mr. Lansing."
+
+"Of course I know it, Patty," and Mona smiled, complacently. "But I
+made you do it, didn't I? I knew I should in the end, but your father
+helped me unexpectedly, by offering a second box. Now, Pattikins, you
+may as well stop disliking Mr. Lansing. He's my friend, and he's going
+to stay my friend. He may have some faults, but everybody has."
+
+"But, Mona, he isn't our sort at all. I don't see _why_ you like him."
+
+"He mayn't be your sort, but he's mine; and I like him because I like
+him! That's the only reason that anybody likes anybody. You think
+nobody's any good unless they have all sorts of aristocratic ancestry!
+Like that Van Reypen man who's always dangling after you."
+
+"He isn't dangling now," said Patty. "I haven't seen him since my
+party."
+
+"You haven't! Is he mad at you?"
+
+"Yes; he and Roger are both mad at me; and all on account of your old
+Mr. Lansing!"
+
+"Yes, Roger's mad at me, too, on account of that same poor,
+misunderstood young gentleman. But they'll get over it. Don't worry,
+Patty."
+
+"Mona, I'd like to shake you! I might just as well reason with the
+Rock of Gibraltar as to try to influence _you_. Don't you know that
+your father asked me to try to persuade you to drop that Lansing man?"
+
+Patty had not intended to divulge this confidence of Mr. Galbraith,
+but she was at her wit's end to find some argument that would carry
+any weight with her headstrong friend.
+
+"Oh, daddy!" said Mona, carelessly. "He talks to me by the hour, and I
+just laugh at him and drum tunes on his dear old bald head. He hasn't
+anything, really, against Mr. Lansing, you know; it's nothing but
+prejudice."
+
+"A very well-founded prejudice, then! Why, Mona, that man isn't fit
+to--to----"
+
+"To worship the ground I walk on," suggested Mona, calmly. "Well, he
+does, Patty, so you may as well stop interfering."
+
+"Oh, if you look upon it as interfering!"
+
+"Well, I don't know what you call it, if not that. But I don't mind.
+Go ahead, if it amuses you. But I'm sorry if my affairs make trouble
+between you and your friends. However, I don't believe Mr. Van Reypen
+will stay angry at you very long. And as for Roger,--well, I wouldn't
+worry about him. Of course, you're going to Elise's dance on Tuesday
+night?"
+
+"Yes, of course. And I've no doubt I'll make up with Roger, then; but
+I don't know about Philip. I doubt if he'll be there."
+
+"I haven't the least doubt. Where you are, there will Mr. Van Reypen
+be, also,--if he can possibly get an invitation."
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+Mona was right in her opinion. At Elise's dance on Tuesday night,
+almost the first man Patty saw, as she entered the drawing-room, was
+Philip Van Reypen. He greeted her pleasantly, but with a certain
+reserve quite different from his usual eager cordiality.
+
+"May I have a dance, Miss Fairfield?" he said, holding out his hand
+for her card.
+
+Quick-witted Patty chose just the tone that she knew would irritate
+him. "Certainly, Mr. Van Reypen," she said, carelessly, and as she
+handed him her card, she turned to smile at another man who was just
+coming to speak to her. When Philip handed back her card, she took it
+without looking at it, or at him, and handed it to Mr. Drayton,
+seemingly greatly interested in what dances he might select.
+
+Van Reypen looked at her a moment in amazement. He had intended to be
+cool toward her, but the tables were turned, and she was decidedly
+cool toward him.
+
+However, his look of surprise was not lost upon Miss Patricia
+Fairfield, who saw him out of the corner of her eye, even though she
+was apparently engrossed with Mr. Drayton.
+
+And then, as usual, Patty was besieged by several men at once, all
+begging for dances, and her card was quickly filled.
+
+"What _can_ I do with so many suitors?" she cried, raising her hands
+in pretty bewilderment, as her card was passed from one to another.
+"Don't take all the dances, please; I want to save some for my special
+favourites."
+
+"Meaning me?" said Kenneth Harper, who had just joined the group in
+time to hear Patty's remark.
+
+"You, for one," said Patty, smiling on him, "but there are seventeen
+others."
+
+"I'm two or three of the seventeen," said Roger, gaining possession of
+the card. "May I have three, Patty?"
+
+One look flashed from Roger's dark eyes to Patty's blue ones, and in
+that glance their foolish little quarrel was forgiven and forgotten.
+
+Roger had a big, generous nature, and so had Patty, and with a smile
+they were good friends again.
+
+Patty's mind worked quickly. She had no intention of giving Roger
+three dances, but she saw that he and Mona were not yet on speaking
+terms. So she nodded assent, as he scribbled his initials in three
+places, thinking to herself that before the evening was over, two of
+them should be transferred to Mona's card.
+
+Patty was looking lovely in pale blue chiffon with tiny French
+rosebuds of pink satin adorning it here and there. Her golden hair was
+clustered in becoming puffs and curls, tucked into a little net of
+gold mesh, with coquettish bunches of rosebuds above each ear.
+
+But, though Patty was pretty and wore lovely clothes, her chief charm
+was her happy, smiling face and her gay, good-natured friendliness. She
+smiled on everybody, not with a set smile of society, but in a frank,
+happy enjoyment of the good time she was having, and appreciation of
+the good time that everybody else helped her to have.
+
+"You are all so kind to me," she was saying to Robert Kenton, who had
+just come in; "and I want to thank you, Mr. Kenton, for the beautiful
+flowers you sent. I do love valley lilies, they're so--so----"
+
+"They're so sentimental," suggested Rob Kenton, smiling.
+
+"Well, yes,--if you mean them to be," said Patty, dimpling at him.
+"Any flower is sentimental, if the sender means it so."
+
+"Or if the receiver wants it to be. Did you?" and Kenton smiled back
+at her.
+
+"Oh, yes, of _course_ I do!" And Patty put on an exaggeratedly soulful
+look. "I'm _that_ sentimental you wouldn't believe! But I forget the
+language of flowers. What do lilies of the valley mean,--especially
+with orchids in the middle of the bunch?"
+
+"Undying affection," responded Kenton, promptly. "Do you accept it?"
+
+"I'd be glad to, but I suppose that means it lasts for ever and
+ever,--so you needn't ever send me any more flowers!"
+
+"Oh, it isn't as undying as all that! It needs to be revived sometimes
+with fresh flowers."
+
+"It's a little too complicated for me to think it out now," and Patty
+smiled at him, roguishly. "Besides, here are more suitors approaching;
+so if you'll please give me back my card, Mr. Kenton,--though I don't
+believe there's room for another one."
+
+"Not one?" said the man who took it, disappointedly; for sure enough,
+every space was filled. "But there'll be an extra or two. May I have
+one of those?"
+
+"Oh, I never arrange those in advance," said Patty. "My partners take
+their chances on those. But I'll give you half of this dance," and she
+calmly cut in two the one dance against which Philip Van Reypen had
+set his aristocratic initials.
+
+Then the dancing began, and what with the fine music, the perfect
+floor, and usually good partners, Patty enjoyed herself thoroughly.
+She loved dancing, and being accomplished in all sorts of fancy
+dances, could learn any new or intricate steps in a moment.
+
+After a few dances she found herself whirling about the room with
+Roger, and she determined to carry out her plan of reconciling him and
+Mona. Mr. Lansing was not at the dance, for Elise had positively
+declined to invite him; and so, though Mona was there, she was rather
+cool to Elise, and favoured Roger only with a distant bow as a
+greeting.
+
+"You and Mona are acting like two silly idiots," was Patty's somewhat
+definite manner of beginning her conversation.
+
+"You think so?" said Roger, as he guided her skilfully round another
+couple who were madly dashing toward them.
+
+"Yes, I do. And, Roger, I want you to take my advice and make up with
+her."
+
+"I've nothing to make up."
+
+"Yes, you have, too. You and Mona are good friends, or have been, and
+there's no reason why you should act as you do."
+
+"There's a very good reason; and he has most objectionable manners,"
+declared Roger, looking sulky.
+
+"I don't like his manners, either; but I tell you honestly, Roger,
+you're going about it the wrong way. I know Mona awfully well,--better
+than you do. And she's proud-spirited, and even a little contrary, and
+if you act as you do toward her, you simply throw her into the arms of
+that objectionable-mannered man!"
+
+"Good Heavens, Patty, what a speech!"
+
+"Well, of course, I don't mean literally, but if you won't speak to
+her at all, on account of Mr. Lansing, why of course she's going to
+feel just piqued enough to smile on him all the more. Can't you
+understand that?"
+
+"Let her!" growled Roger.
+
+"No, we won't let her,--any such thing! I don't like that man a bit
+better than you do, but do you suppose I'm going to show it by being
+unkind and mean to Mona? That's not tactful."
+
+"I don't want to be tactful. I want him to let her alone."
+
+"Well, you can't make him do that, unless you shoot him; and that
+means a lot of bother all round."
+
+"It might be worth the bother."
+
+"Don't talk nonsense, I'm in earnest. You're seriously fond of Mona,
+aren't you, Roger?"
+
+"Yes, I am; or rather, I was until that cad came between us."
+
+"He isn't exactly a cad," said Patty, judicially. "I do believe in
+being fair, and while the man hasn't all the culture in the world, he
+is kind-hearted and----"
+
+"And awfully good to his mother, let us hope," and Roger smiled, a
+little sourly. "Now, Patty girl, you'd better keep your pretty little
+fingers out of this pie. It isn't like you to interfere in other
+people's affairs, and I'd rather you wouldn't."
+
+"Oh, fiddle-de-fudge, Roger! I'm not interfering, and it _is_ my
+affair. Mona is my affair, and so are you; and now your Aunt Patty is
+going to bring about a reconciliation."
+
+"Not on my part," declared Roger, stoutly;
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+MORE MAKING UP
+
+
+After the sixth dance was over, Patty asked her partner to bring Mr.
+Everson to her, and then she awaited his coming on a little sofa in an
+alcove.
+
+If Eugene Everson was surprised at the summons, he did not show it,
+but advanced courteously, and took a seat by Patty's side. He had a
+dance engaged with her much later in the evening, so Patty said,
+pleasantly:
+
+"Mr. Everson, don't think my request strange, but won't you exchange
+our later dance for this number seven?"
+
+"I would gladly, Miss Fairfield, but I'm engaged for this."
+
+"Yes, I know," and Patty favoured him with one of her most bewitching
+smiles; "but the lady is Miss Galbraith, as I happen to know, and Miss
+Galbraith is a very dear friend of mine, and,--oh, well, it's a matter
+of 'first aid to the injured.' I don't want to tell you all about it,
+Mr. Everson, but the truth is, I want Miss Galbraith to dance this
+number with another man,--because,--because----"
+
+It was not quite so easy as Patty had anticipated. She didn't want to
+go so far as to explain the real situation, and she became suddenly
+aware that she was somewhat embarrassed. Her face flushed rosy pink,
+and she cast an appealing glance from her violet-blue eyes into the
+amused face of the man beside her.
+
+"I haven't an idea of what it is all about, Miss Fairfield, but please
+consider me entirely at the orders of yourself and Miss Galbraith. A
+man at a party is at best but a puppet to dance at the bidding of any
+fair lady. And what better fortune could I ask than to be allowed to
+obey your decree?"
+
+Patty was greatly relieved when he took the matter thus lightly. In
+whimsical conversation she was on her own ground, and she responded
+gaily: "Let it remain a mystery, then; and obey as a noble knight a
+lady's decree. Dance with me, and trust it to me that Miss Galbraith
+is also obeying a decree of mine."
+
+"For a small person, you seem to issue decrees of surprising number
+and rapidity," and Everson, who was a large man, looked down at Patty
+with an air of amusement.
+
+"Yes, sir," said Patty, demurely, "I'm accustomed to it. Decrees are
+my strong point. I issue them 'most all the time."
+
+"And are they always obeyed?"
+
+"Alas, noble sir, not always. Though I'm not sure that your question
+is as flattering as the remarks most young men make to me."
+
+"Perhaps not. But when you know me better, Miss Fairfield, you'll find
+out that I'm very different from the common herd."
+
+"Really? How interesting! I hope I shall know you better very soon,
+for I adore unusual people."
+
+"And do unusual people adore you?"
+
+"I can't tell; I've never met one before," and after the briefest of
+saucy glances, Patty dropped her eyes demurely.
+
+"Aren't you one yourself?"
+
+"Oh, no!" And Patty looked up with an air of greatest surprise; "I'm
+just a plain little every-day girl."
+
+"You're a plain little coquette, that's what you are!"
+
+"You are indeed unusual, sir, to call me plain!" and Patty looked
+about as indignant as an angry kitten.
+
+"Perhaps, when I know you better, I may change my opinion of your
+plainness. Will you dance now?"
+
+The music had been playing for some moments, and signifying her
+assent, Patty rose, and they joined the dancers who were circling the
+floor. Mr. Everson was a fine dancer, but he was all unprepared for
+Patty's exquisite perfection in the art.
+
+"Why, Miss Fairfield," he said, unable to suppress his admiration, "I
+didn't know anybody danced like you, except professionals."
+
+"Oh, yes, I'm a good dancer," said Patty, carelessly; "and so are you,
+for that matter. Do you think they've made up?"
+
+"Who?"
+
+"Miss Galbraith and Mr. Farrington. See, we're just passing them. Oh,
+I'm afraid they haven't!"
+
+It was difficult to judge by the glance they obtained in passing, but
+Patty declared that both Mona's and Roger's faces looked like thunder
+clouds.
+
+"Give them a little longer," said Mr. Everson, who began to see how
+matters stood.
+
+"Perhaps another round, and we will find them smiling into each
+other's eyes."
+
+But when they next circled the long room, Mona and Roger were nowhere
+to be seen.
+
+"Aha," said Everson, "the conservatory for theirs! It must be all
+right! Shall we trail 'em?"
+
+"Yes," said Patty. "I don't care if they see us. Let's walk through
+the conservatory."
+
+They did so, and spied Mona and Roger sitting under a group of palms,
+engaged in earnest conversation. They were not smiling, but they were
+talking very seriously, with no indication of quarrelling.
+
+"I guess it's all right," said Patty, with a little sigh. "It's
+awfully nice to have friends, Mr. Everson, but sometimes they're a
+great care; aren't they?"
+
+"If you'll let me be your friend, Miss Fairfield, I'll promise never
+to be a care, and I'll help you to care for your other cares."
+
+"Goodness, what a complicated offer! If I could straighten all those
+cares you speak of, I might decide to take you as a friend. I think I
+will, anyway,--you were so nice about giving me this dance."
+
+"I was only too delighted to do so, Miss Fairfield."
+
+"Thank you. You know it is in place of our other one, number sixteen."
+
+"Oh, we must have that also."
+
+"No, it was a fair exchange. You can get another partner for sixteen."
+
+"But I don't want to. If you throw me over, I shall sit in a corner
+and mope."
+
+"Oh, don't do that! Well, I'll tell you what, I'll give you half of
+sixteen, and you can mope the other half."
+
+And then Patty's next partner claimed her, and Mr. Everson went away.
+
+Having done all she could in the matter of conciliating Mona and
+Roger, Patty bethought herself of her own little tiff with Philip Van
+Reypen. It did not bother her much, for she had little doubt that she
+could soon cajole him back to friendship, and she assured herself that
+if she couldn't, she didn't care.
+
+And so, when he came to claim his dance, which was the last before
+supper, Patty met him with an air of cool politeness, which greatly
+irritated the Van Reypen pride.
+
+He had thought, had even hoped, Patty would be humble and repentant,
+but she showed no such attitude, and the young man was slightly at a
+loss as to what manner to assume, himself.
+
+But he followed her lead, and with punctilious courtesy asked her to
+dance, and they stepped out on to the floor.
+
+For a few rounds they danced in silence, and then Philip said, in a
+perfunctory way: "You're enjoying this party?"
+
+"I have been, up to this dance," and Patty smiled pleasantly, as she
+spoke.
+
+"And you're not enjoying yourself now?" Philip said, suppressing his
+desire to shake her.
+
+"Oh, _no_, sir!" and Patty looked at him with big, round eyes.
+
+"Why not?"
+
+"I don't like to dance with a man who doesn't like me."
+
+"I _do_ like you, you silly child."
+
+"Oh, no, you don't, either! and I'm _not_ a silly child."
+
+"And you're not enjoying this dance with me?"
+
+"Not a bit!"
+
+"Then there's no use going on with it," and releasing her, Philip
+tucked one of her hands through his arm, and calmly marched her into
+the conservatory. The seat under the palms was vacant, and as she took
+her place in one corner of it, he poked one or two cushions deftly
+behind her back and made her entirely comfortable. Then he sat down
+beside her.
+
+"Now," he commanded, "say you're sorry."
+
+"Sorry for what?"
+
+"That you carried on with that horrid man and spoiled our friendship."
+
+"Didn't carry on, and he isn't a horrid man, and our friendship isn't
+spoiled, and I'm not sorry."
+
+"Not sorry that our friendship isn't spoiled?"
+
+"No; 'course I'm not! You don't s'pose I want it to be spoiled, do
+you?"
+
+"Well, you certainly did all in your power to spoil it."
+
+"Now, look here, Philip Van Reypen, I've already exhausted myself this
+evening patching up one spoiled friendship, and it's just about worn
+me out! Now if ours needs any patching up, you'll have to do it
+yourself. I shan't raise a finger toward it!"
+
+Patty leaned back among her pillows, looking lovely and provoking. She
+tried to scowl at him, but her dimples broke through the scowl and
+turned it into a smile. Whereupon, she dropped her eyes, and tried to
+assume a look of bored indifference.
+
+Van Reypen looked at her. "So she won't raise a finger, won't she? And
+I've got to do it myself, have I? Well, then, I suppose I'll have to
+raise her finger for her." Patty's hand was lying idly in her lap, and
+he picked up her slender pink forefinger slowly, and with an
+abstracted air. "I don't know how raising a finger helps to patch up a
+spoiled friendship," he went on, as if to himself, "but she seems to
+think it does, and so, of course, it does! Well, now, mademoiselle,
+your finger is raised,--is our quarrel all patched up?"
+
+Philip held her finger in one hand, and clasped her whole hand with
+the other, as he smiled into her eyes, awaiting an answer to his
+question.
+
+Patty looked up suddenly, and quickly drew her hand away.
+
+"Unhand me, villain!" she laughed, "and don't bother about our
+friendship! I'm not worrying over it."
+
+"You needn't, little girl," and Philip's voice rang true. "Nothing can
+_ever_ shake it! And I apologise for my foolish anger. If you want to
+affect the society of men I don't like,--of course I've no right to
+say a word, and I won't. At any rate, not now, for I don't want to
+spoil this blessed making-up with even a thought of anything
+unpleasant."
+
+"Now, that's real nice of you, Philip," and Patty fairly beamed at
+him. "It's so nice to be friends again, after being near-not-friends!"
+
+"Yes, milady, and you made up just in time. Aunty Van is having an
+opera party to-morrow night, and she wants you to go."
+
+"Are you going?" and Patty put her fingertip in her mouth, and looked
+babyishly at him.
+
+"Oh, don't let that influence you. Decide for yourself."
+
+"Well, since _you_ don't care whether I go or not, I believe I won't
+go."
+
+"Foolish child! Of course you'll go. And then, as you know very well,
+wild horses couldn't keep me away."
+
+"How do wild horses keep people away? They must be trained to do it.
+And _then_, they're not wild horses any more."
+
+"What foolishness you do talk! Well, will you go to the opera with
+us?"
+
+"Yes, and thank you kindly, sir. Or, rather, I thank your august aunt
+for the invitation."
+
+"No, thank me. As a matter of fact, I made up the party. So it's
+really mine, though I accept Aunty Van's box for the occasion."
+
+"'Tis well, fair sir. I thank thee greatly. What may I do for thee in
+return?"
+
+Patty clasped her hands and looked a pretty suppliant, begging a
+favour.
+
+"Give me half a dozen more dances," replied Philip, taking her card to
+look at.
+
+"Not one left," said Patty, calmly.
+
+"And most of them halves!" exclaimed Philip. "What a belle you are,
+Patty!"
+
+"All the girls are," she returned, carelessly, which, however, was not
+quite true. "But I'll tell you what I will do. I'll give you half of
+number sixteen. That's Mr. Everson's, but I'll divide it. I told him I
+should."
+
+"You little witch! Did you save it for me?"
+
+"M--m----," and Patty slowly wagged her head up and down.
+
+"That was dear of you! But don't you think for a minute that's all I'm
+going to have! There'll be an extra or two, and I claim them all!"
+
+"Hear the man talk!" exclaimed Patty. "Why, I do believe they're
+beginning an extra now! Mr. Van Reypen, won't you dance it with me?"
+Patty jumped up and stood before him, lightly swaying in time to the
+music.
+
+Philip sat looking at her, entranced by the pretty vision; and even
+before he could rise, Kenneth Harper came to Patty, and obeying a
+sudden coquettish impulse, she put her hand lightly on Kenneth's
+shoulder and they danced away.
+
+Philip Van Reypen sat looking after them, smiling.
+
+"What a transparent child she is," he thought to himself. "Her pretty
+little coquetries are like the gambols of a kitten. Now, she thinks
+I'm going to be annoyed at losing this dance with her. Well,--I
+am,--but I don't propose to quarrel with her about it."
+
+And then Patty and Kenneth came dancing back again; and Patty calmly
+told Mr. Van Reypen it was his turn now.
+
+Philip took her hand and they started off, and when that dance was
+finished it was supper-time.
+
+As usual, Patty and her most especial friends grouped in some pleasant
+corner for supper. But, looking about, she missed a familiar face.
+
+"Where is Christine Farley?" she said. "She always has supper with us.
+Do you know where she is, Mr. Hepworth?"
+
+Gilbert Hepworth drew near Patty, and spoke in a low voice: "I think
+she has gone to the dressing-room," he said. "I wish you'd go up and
+see her, Patty."
+
+A little startled at his serious face, Patty ran upstairs, to Elise's
+room, where she had taken off her wraps.
+
+There was Christine, who had thrown herself on a couch, and buried her
+face in the pillows.
+
+"Why, Christine, what is the matter, dear?" and Patty laid her hand
+gently on Christine's hair.
+
+"Oh, Patty, don't speak to me! I am not fit to have you touch me!"
+
+"Good gracious, Christine, what _do_ you mean?" and Patty began to
+think her friend had suddenly lost her mind.
+
+"I'm a bad, wicked girl! You were my friend, and now I've done an
+awful, dreadful thing! But, truly, _truly_, Patty, I didn't mean to!"
+
+"Christine Farley, stop this foolishness! Sit up here this minute, and
+tell me what you're talking about! I believe you're crazy."
+
+Christine sat up, her pale hair falling from its bands, and her eyes
+full of tears.
+
+"I've--I've--stolen----" she began.
+
+"Oh, you goose! _do_ go on! What have you stolen? A pin from Elise's
+pin cushion,--or some powder from her puff-box? Another dab on your
+nose would greatly improve your appearance,--if you ask me! It's as
+red as a beet!"
+
+"Patty, don't giggle! I'm serious. Oh, Patty, _Patty_, _do_ forgive
+me!"
+
+"I'll forgive you _anything_, if you'll tell me what's the matter, and
+convince me that you haven't lost your mind. Now, Christine, don't you
+_dare_ ask me to forgive you again, until you tell me _what for_!"
+
+"Well, you see, you were away all summer."
+
+"Yes, so I was," agreed Patty, in bewilderment.
+
+"And you have been so busy socially this fall and winter, I haven't
+seen much of you."
+
+"No," agreed Patty, still more deeply mystified.
+
+"And--and--Gil--Mr. Hepworth hasn't either----"
+
+"Oh!" cried Patty, a great light breaking in upon her; "oh,--oh!--OH!!
+Christine, do you _mean_ it? Oh, how perfectly _lovely_! I'm _so_
+glad!"
+
+"You're glad?" and Christine opened her eyes in amazement.
+
+"Why, of _course_ I'm glad, you silly! Did you think _I_ wanted him?
+Oh, you Blessed Goose!"
+
+"Oh, Patty, I'm _so_ relieved. You see, I thought you looked upon him
+as your especial property. I know he cared a lot for you,--he still
+does. But----"
+
+"But he and I are about as well suited as chalk and cheese! Whereas,
+he's just the one for you! Oh, Christine, darling, I'm delighted! May
+I tell? Can we announce it to-night?"
+
+"Oh, no! You see, he just told me to-night. And I felt guilty at once.
+I knew I had stolen him from you."
+
+"Oh, Christine, _don't_! Don't say such things! He wasn't mine to
+steal. We've always been friends, but I never cared for him _that_
+way."
+
+"That's what he said; but I felt guilty all the same."
+
+"Well, stop it, right now! Mr. Hepworth is lovely; he's one of the
+best friends I ever had, and if I have any claim on his interest or
+affection, I'm only too glad to hand it over to you. Now, brace up,
+powder your nose, and come down to supper. And you needn't think you
+can keep this thing secret! I won't tell,--but your two faces will
+give it away at once. Don't blame _me_ if people guess it!"
+
+"Don't let them, Patty; not to-night. Keep me by you, and right after
+supper I'll go home."
+
+"All right, girlie; just as you like. But don't look at G. H. or
+you'll betray your own dear little heart."
+
+However, they reckoned without the other interested party.
+
+When the two girls came downstairs, smiling, and with their arms about
+each other, Mr. Hepworth went to meet them, and drew Christine's arm
+through his own with an unmistakable air of proprietorship. Christine's
+blushes, and Patty's smiles, confirmed Hepworth's attitude, and a shout
+of understanding went up from their group of intimates.
+
+"Yes, it's so," said Patty; "but I promised Christine I wouldn't
+tell!"
+
+And then there were congratulations and good wishes from everybody,
+and the pretty little Southern girl was quite overcome at being so
+suddenly the centre of attraction.
+
+"It's perfectly lovely," said Patty, holding out her hand to Hepworth,
+"and I'm as glad for you as I can be,--and for Christine, too."
+
+"Thank you, Patty," he returned, and for a moment he held her eyes
+with his own. Then he said, "Thank you," again, and turned away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+A DELIGHTFUL INVITATION
+
+
+Patty was singing softly to herself, as she fluttered around her
+boudoir at a rather late hour the next morning. Robed in a soft blue
+silk negligee, with her golden curls tucked into a little lace
+breakfast cap, she now paused to take a sip of chocolate or a bit of a
+roll from her breakfast tray, then danced over to the window to look
+out, or back to her desk to look up her calendar of engagements for
+the day.
+
+"What a flutter-budget you are, Patty," said Nan, appearing at the
+doorway, and pausing to watch Patty's erratic movements.
+
+Patty flew across the room and greeted her stepmother with an
+affectionate squeeze, and then flew back and dropped comfortably on
+the couch, tucking one foot under her, and thereby dropping off a
+little blue silk boudoir slipper as she did so.
+
+"Oh, Nan!" she began, "it was the most exciting party ever! What _do_
+you think? Christine and Mr. Hepworth are engaged!"
+
+"Christine! and Gilbert Hepworth!" and Nan was quite as surprised at
+the news as Patty could desire.
+
+"Yes, isn't it great! and oh, Nan, what _do_ you think? Christine was
+all broken up,--crying in fact,--because,--did you ever know anything
+so ridiculous?--because she thought she was taking him away from me!"
+
+Nan looked at Patty a little curiously. "Well; you must know, Patty,
+he certainly thought a great deal of you."
+
+"Of course he did! And of course he _does!_--You speak as if he were
+dead!--and I think a great deal of him, and I think a heap of
+Christine, and I think they are perfectly suited to each other, and I
+think it's all just lovely! Don't you?"
+
+"Yes," said Nan, slowly. "Then, you didn't care for him especially,
+Patty?"
+
+"Good gracious, Nan, if you mean was I in love with him, I sure was
+_not!_ Little girls like me don't fall in love with elderly gentlemen;
+and this particular little girl isn't falling in love anyway. Why,
+Nan, I'm only just out, and I do perfectly adore being out! I want
+three or four years of good, solid outness before I even think of
+falling in love with anybody. Of course I shall marry eventually, and
+be a beautiful, lovely housekeeper, just exactly like you. But, if you
+remember, my lady, you were some few years older than nineteen when
+you married my revered father."
+
+"That's true enough, Patty, and I can tell you I'm glad I didn't
+accept any of the young men who asked me before Fred did."
+
+"I'm jolly glad, too; and father was in luck when he got you. But
+you're not going to be rid of me yet for a long time, I can tell you
+that much. Well, more things happened last night. Philip and I made up
+our quarrel,--which wasn't much of a quarrel anyway,--and Roger and
+Mona are pretty much at peace again; though, if Mona keeps on with
+that Lansing idiot, Roger won't stand it much longer. And I'm going to
+the opera to-night in the Van Reypen box, and I'm going skating
+to-morrow,--oh, there's the mail!"
+
+Patty jumped up and ran to take the letters from Jane, who brought in
+a trayful.
+
+"Quite a bunch for you, Nansome," and Patty tossed a lot of letters in
+Nan's lap. "And a whole lot of beautiful, fat envelopes for me. 'Most
+all invitations, as you can see at a glance. Two or three requests for
+charity,--they show on the outside, too. A few bills, a few circulars
+and advertisements, and all the rest invitations. Isn't it gorgeous,
+Nan, to be invited to such heaps of things?"
+
+"Don't wear yourself out, Patty," returned Nan, a little
+absent-mindedly, being absorbed in a letter from her mother.
+
+Having weeded out the more interesting looking letters, Patty returned
+to her sofa, and curled up there with both feet under her, looking
+like a very pretty and very civilised little Turk. With a slender
+paper cutter she slashed all the envelopes, and then went through them
+one by one, making running comments of delight or indifference as she
+read the various contents.
+
+But suddenly a more excited exclamation broke from her. "Oh, my
+goodness, gracious, sakes alive!" she cried. "Nan, _will_ you listen
+to this!"
+
+"Wait a minute, honey, till I finish this letter," and Nan went on
+reading to herself.
+
+Patty dashed through eight pages of sprawly penmanship, and as soon as
+she finished she read it all over again.
+
+"Now, Miss Fairfield, what's it all about?" and Nan folded her own
+letter and returned it to its envelope.
+
+"Well, in a nutshell, it's a Christmas Country House Party! Could
+anything be more delightfuller?"
+
+"Who, where, what, when?" And Nan patiently awaited further
+enlightenment.
+
+"Oh, Nan, it's _too_ gorgeous!" And Patty's eyes ran through the letter
+again. "You know Adele Kenerley, who was down at Mona's last
+summer,--well, she and Jim have bought a place at Fern Falls,--wherever
+that may be,--somewhere up in Connecticut,--in the Berkshires, you
+know. Heavenly in summer, dunno what it'll be in winter. But all the
+same that's where the house party is, Christmas,--stay two or three
+weeks,--all our crowd,--oh, Nan! isn't it beatific!"
+
+Patty bounded to her feet, and gathering up the sides of her
+accordion-pleated gown, she executed a triumphant dance about the
+room, winding up by kicking her little blue silk slipper straight over
+Nan's head.
+
+"Moderate your transports, my love," Nan said, calmly. "I don't want
+concussion of the brain, from being hit by a French heel."
+
+"Not much of a compliment to my skilful ballet dancing," and Patty
+flung herself into the cushions again. "But, Nan, you don't understand;
+everybody's going! Elise and Mona and the boys, and oh, gracious, _do_
+show some enthusiasm!"
+
+"Don't have to," said Nan, smiling, "when you show enough for a
+dozen."
+
+"Well, I'll call up Mona, she'll have something to say."
+
+Patty reached for the telephone, and in a few moments both girls were
+talking at once, and the conversation ran something like this:
+
+"Yes, I did, and, Patty----"
+
+"Of course I am! Oh, I don't know about that! If I----"
+
+"But of course if Daisy is there----"
+
+"Well, we can't help that, and anyway----"
+
+"Tuesday, I suppose; but Adele said----"
+
+"No, Monday, Mona, for us, and the boys----"
+
+"I'm not sure that I'll go. You see----"
+
+"Now, stop such nonsense! Of course he isn't invited, but I'll never
+speak to you again if----"
+
+"Oh, of course I will, but I'll only stay----"
+
+"Yes, all our best frocks, and lots of presents and, oh, Mona, come on
+over here, do. There's oceans of things to talk about!"
+
+"All right, I will. Good-bye."
+
+"Good-bye." And Patty hung up the receiver. "She's coming over here,
+Nan; there's so much to plan for, you know. Do help me, won't you? A
+regular Christmas tree, and all that, you know; and presents for
+everybody, and a dance at the country club, and I don't know what
+all."
+
+"Yes, you will have a lovely time." And Nan smiled with sympathy at
+the excited girl, whose sparkling eyes and tumbled hair betokened her
+state of mind.
+
+Mona came over and spent the rest of the day, and plans were made and
+unmade and remade with startling rapidity.
+
+Mona began to voice regrets that Mr. Lansing was not invited to the
+house party, but Patty interrupted at once:
+
+"Now, Mona Galbraith, you stop that! Adele has a lovely party made
+up, and you're not going to spoil it by even so much as a reference to
+that man! Roger will be there for Christmas, and if that isn't enough
+for you, you can stay home!"
+
+"Isn't Elise going?"
+
+"No, she can't. She's going South next week with her mother, and I
+doubt if Philip Van Reypen will go. His aunt won't want him to leave
+her at the holidays. Do you know, I'm a little sorry Daisy Dow is up
+there."
+
+"You don't like her, do you, Patty?"
+
+"I would, if she'd like me. But she's always snippy to me."
+
+"'Cause she's jealous of you," observed Mona, sapiently.
+
+"Nonsense! She has no reason to be. I never interfere with her."
+
+"Well, never mind, don't let her bother you. Hal Ferris will be there.
+You don't know him, do you? He's Adele's brother."
+
+"No, I never met him. She wrote that he'd be there."
+
+"He's the dearest boy. Well, he's older than Adele, but he seems like
+a boy,--he's so full of capers. Adele says it's a beautiful big
+house, just right for a jolly, old-fashioned Christmas party."
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+The days simply flew by as Christmas drew nearer. There was so much to
+do socially, and then there were the Happy Saturday Afternoons to be
+planned and carried out, and the Christmas shopping to be done.
+
+This last was greatly added to because of the house party, for Patty
+knew the generosity of her hosts, and she wanted to do her share in
+the presentation festivities.
+
+She undertook to dress a huge doll for baby May. Nan helped her with
+this or she never could have finished the elaborate wardrobe. She
+selected a beautiful doll, of goodly size, but not big enough to be
+cumbersome to little two-year-old arms. With her knack for dressmaking
+and her taste for colour, she made half a dozen dainty and beautiful
+frocks, and also little coats and hats, and all the various accessories
+of a doll's outfit.
+
+She bought a doll's trunk and suit-case to contain these things, and
+added parasol, furs, jewelry, and all the marvellous little trinkets
+that the toy shop afforded.
+
+"I spent so much time and thought on this doll," said Patty, one day,
+"that I shall have to buy things for the others. I can't sew any more,
+Nan; my fingers are all like nutmeg graters now."
+
+"Poor child," sympathised Nan. "You have worked hard, I know, but
+Adele will appreciate it more than if you had made something for
+herself. By all means buy the rest of your gifts."
+
+So Patty bought a beautiful luncheon set of filet lace and embroidery
+for Mrs. Kenerley, and an Oriental antique paper cutter for her
+husband.
+
+She bought a handsome opera bag for Mona and a similar one for Daisy
+Dow, that there might be no rivalry there. She bought a few handsome
+and worth-while books for the men who would be at the party, and
+attractive trinkets for the house servants.
+
+Of course, in addition to these, she had to prepare a great many gifts
+for her New York friends, as well as for her own family and many of
+her relatives. But both Patty and Nan enjoyed shopping, and went about
+it with method and common sense.
+
+"I can't see," said Patty, as they started off in the car one morning,
+"why people make such a bugbear of Christmas shopping. I think it's
+easy enough."
+
+"Perhaps it's because you have plenty of money, Patty. You know, not
+every one has such a liberal father as you have."
+
+Patty looked thoughtful. "I don't think it's that, Nan; at least, not
+entirely. I think it's more common sense, and not being fussy. Now, I
+give lots of presents that cost very little; and then, of course, I
+give a lot of expensive ones, too. But it's just as easy to buy the
+cheap ones, if not easier. You just make up your mind what you want to
+spend for a certain present, and then you buy the nicest thing you see
+for that amount. It's when people fuss and bother, and can't make up
+their minds among half a dozen different things, that they get worried
+and bothered about Christmas. I do believe most of their trouble comes
+from lack of decision, which is only another way of saying that they
+haven't common sense or even common gumption!"
+
+"Well, Patty, whatever else you may lack, you certainly have common
+sense and gumption; I'll give you credit for them."
+
+"Thank you, Nan; much obliged, I'm sure. I wish I could return the
+compliment, but sometimes I think you haven't much of those things
+yourself."
+
+Nan flashed a smile at Patty, entirely unmoved by this criticism; for
+she knew that she was vacillating and sometimes undecided, as compared
+to Patty's quick-witted grasp of a subject and instantaneous decision.
+
+"Have I told you," said Patty, "what we're going to do next Saturday
+afternoon? I do think it's going to be lovely. And I do hope it won't
+make the girls mad, but I don't think it will. You know, Nan, what an
+awful lot of things we all get every Christmas that we don't want and
+can't use, although they're awfully pretty and nice. We just lay them
+away in cupboards, and there they stay. Well, on Saturday, we're going
+to take a lot of these things and give them to people."
+
+"For Christmas presents? Why, Christmas is two weeks off yet."
+
+"That's just it! Not for presents to themselves, but presents for them
+to give to other people."
+
+"Oh, I begin to see."
+
+"Yes; it isn't the least bit _charity_, you see. Why, one of the people
+I'm going to give things to, is Christine. With her work, and being
+engaged and all, she hasn't any time to make things, or even to go
+shopping, and she can't afford to buy much, anyway. So I'm going to give
+her one or two beautiful silk bags that were given to me two or three
+years ago. They're perfectly fresh, never been out of their boxes. And
+I'm going to give her one or two beautiful, fine handkerchiefs in boxes,
+and two or three lovely books, and two or three pieces of bric-a-brac,
+and a Japanese ivory carving. Don't you see, Nan, she can give these to
+her friends for Christmas, and it will save her a lot of trouble and
+expense. And dear knows, _I_ don't want them! My rooms are chock-a-block
+with just such things, now. And I know she won't feel offended, when I
+tell her about it straightforwardly."
+
+"Of course she won't be offended with you, Patty; and I think the idea
+is lovely. I've a lot of things put away I'll give you. I never
+thought of such a thing before."
+
+"The girls thought at first that maybe it might not work, but I talked
+them around and now they're all in for it. I'm going to take some
+things to Mrs. Greene. I've quite a lot for her, and I'll tell her she
+can give them all away, or keep some herself, just as she likes. And
+I've things for Rosy, that freckled-faced boy, you know. I have games
+and picture-puzzles and books that I used to have myself. Of course
+they're all perfectly new. I wouldn't give anything that had been used
+at all. And we're going Saturday afternoon to take these things
+around. Mona has lovely things, and so has Elise. You see, we get so
+many Christmas and birthday presents, and card party prizes, and such
+things, and I do think it's sensible to make use of them for
+somebody's pleasure instead of sticking them away in dark cupboards.
+And, Nan, what do you think?--with each lot of things we're going to
+give a dozen sheets of white tissue paper and a bolt of holly ribbon
+and some little tags so they can fix up real Christmassy presents to
+give away."
+
+"Patty, you're a wonder," said Nan, looking affectionately at the girl
+beside her. "How do you think of all these things?"
+
+"Common sense and general gumption," returned Patty. "Very useful
+traits, _I_ find 'em. And here we are at our first shopping place."
+
+Assisted by Patty's common sense and expeditious judgment, they
+accomplished a great deal that morning, and returned home with their
+lists considerably shortened.
+
+"It does seem funny," said Patty, that same afternoon, "to be tying up
+these things almost two weeks ahead of time. But with all the
+newspapers and magazines urging you to do your shopping early, and
+send off your parcels early, you can't really do otherwise."
+
+Patty was surrounded by presents of all sorts, boxes of all sizes,
+pieces of ribbon, and all sorts of cards and tags.
+
+"I'm sick and tired of holly ribbon and red ribbon," she said, as she
+deftly tied up her parcels. "So, this year, I'm using white satin
+ribbon and gilt cord. It's an awfully pretty combination, and these
+little green and gilt tags are lovely, don't you think?"
+
+Her audience, which consisted of Elise and Mona, were watching her
+work with admiration. They had offered to help, but after an
+ineffectual attempt to meet Patty's idea of how a box should be tied
+up, they abandoned the effort, and sat watching her nimble fingers
+fly.
+
+"You ought to get a position in some shop where they advertise, 'only
+experienced parcel wrappers need apply,'" said Elise. "I never saw
+such neat parcels."
+
+"You're evidently going to be an old maid," said Mona, "you're so
+fussy and tidy."
+
+"I do like things tidy," admitted Patty, "and if that interferes with
+my having a husband, why, of course I'll have to give him up. For I
+can't stand not having things neat about me."
+
+"Do you call this room neat?" asked Elise, smiling as she looked about
+at the scattered boxes and papers, cut strings, and little piles of
+shredded tissue.
+
+"Yes, I do," declared Patty, stoutly. "This kind of stuff can be
+picked up in a jiffy, and then the room is all in order. This is
+temporary, you see. By untidiness, I mean dirt and dust, and bureau
+drawers in a mess, and desks in disorder."
+
+"That's me," confessed Mona, cheerfully. "Not the dirt and dust,
+perhaps,--the maids look after that. But I just _can't_ keep my
+belongings in their places."
+
+"Neither can I," said Elise. "I don't see how you do it, Patty."
+
+"Oh, pshaw! it's no credit to me, I just can't help it. I'd have a fit
+if they weren't all nice and in order. And if that means I'm going to
+be an old maid, I can't help it,--and I don't care!"
+
+"Hoo-hoo!" said Elise.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+FERN FALLS
+
+
+Christmas would be on Wednesday, and it was arranged that Patty and
+Mona should go up to Fern Falls on Monday. Roger and Philip Van Reypen
+were to go up on Tuesday for the Christmas Eve celebration; and the
+rest of the house-party were already at the Kenerleys'.
+
+The girls started off early in the afternoon, and a train ride of
+three hours brought them to the pretty little New England village of
+Fern Falls.
+
+Jim Kenerley met them with a motor.
+
+"We hoped for snow," he said, as he cordially greeted the befurred
+young women who stepped off the train at the little station. "So much
+more Christmassy, you know. But, at any rate, we have cold, clear
+weather, and that's something. Hop in, now. Adele didn't come to meet
+you,--sent all kinds of excuses, which I've forgotten, but she can
+tell you herself, when we reach the house. Here, I'll sit between you,
+and keep you from shaking around and perhaps spilling out."
+
+Cheery Jim Kenerley bustled them into the tonneau, looked after their
+luggage, and then, taking his own place, drew up the fur robes snugly,
+and the chauffeur started off. It was a four-mile spin to the house,
+for the village itself was distant from the station, and the
+Kenerleys' house a mile or so beyond.
+
+It was cold, but the girls were warmly wrapped up and didn't a bit
+mind the clear, frosty air, though in an open car. "Didn't bring the
+limousine," Mr. Kenerley rattled on. "Can't abide to be shut up in a
+stuffy glass house, and then, you know, people who ride in glass
+houses mustn't throw stones."
+
+"But, you see, we girls couldn't hit anything if we did throw a
+stone," said Patty. "At least, women have that reputation."
+
+"That's so," agreed Jim. "Can't even hit the side of a barn, so they
+say. But I expect you girls that grow up with athletics and basket
+ball, and such things, put the old proverbs to rout."
+
+"How's Daisy?" asked Mona. "Same as ever?"
+
+"Yep; same as ever. Daisy's all right, you know, if things go her way.
+But if not----"
+
+"If not, she makes them go her way," said Mona, and Jim laughed and
+agreed, "She sure does!"
+
+At last they reached the house, which Jim informed them they had
+dubbed the Kenerley Kennel, for no particular reason, except that it
+sounded well.
+
+"But you have dogs?" asked Patty, as they rolled up the driveway.
+
+"Yes, but we didn't exactly name it after them. Hello, here are the
+girls!"
+
+Adele and Daisy appeared in the doorway, and greeted the visitors in
+truly feminine fashion, which included much laughter and exclamation.
+
+"Where do I come in?" said a laughing voice, and a big, laughing man
+left his seat by the fireplace and came toward them.
+
+"This is my brother," said Adele, "by name, Mr. Harold Ferris,--but
+commonly called Chub."
+
+The name was not inapt, for Mr. Ferris showed a round, chubby face,
+with big, dancing black eyes and ringlets of dark hair clustered on
+his brow. Only his enormous size prevented his appearance being
+positively infantile, and his round, dimpled face was as good-natured
+as that of a laughing baby.
+
+"And so you're the two girls who are to spend Christmas with us," he
+said, beaming down on them from his great height. "Well, you'll do!"
+
+He looked approvingly from Patty's flower face to Mona's glowing
+beauty, and truly it would have been hard to find two more attractive
+looking girls. The sudden transition from the cold out-of-doors to the
+warmth of the blazing fire had flushed their cheeks and brightened
+their eyes, and the hearty welcome they received brought smiles of
+delight to their faces.
+
+"Now, come away with me," said Adele, "and get off your furs and
+wraps, and make yourselves pretty for tea."
+
+"Oh, I know what you'll do," said Chub, in an aggrieved tone. "You'll
+just go upstairs and hob-nob and talk and gossip and chatter and
+babble, and never get down here again! I know girls! Why, first thing
+I know, you'll be having your tea sent up there!"
+
+"Great idea!" exclaimed Patty, twinkling her eyes at him. "Let's do
+that, Adele; kimono party, you know. We'll see you at dinner time,
+Mr. Ferris."
+
+"Dinner time, nothing! If you're not back here in fifteen minutes, the
+whole crowd of you, I'll--I'll----"
+
+"Well, what will you do?" laughed Mona.
+
+"Never you mind,--you'll find out all too soon. Now, skip, and
+remember, tea will be served in just fifteen minutes."
+
+The girls had really no intention of not returning, and it was not
+much more than the allotted time before Patty and Mona were arrayed in
+soft, pretty house-dresses and reappeared in the great hall, where tea
+was already being placed for them.
+
+The big fireplace had cosy seats on either side, and the crackling
+logs and flickering blaze made all the light that was needed save for
+a pair of tall cathedral candles in their antique standards.
+
+"What a duck of a house!" exclaimed Patty, as she came down the broad
+staircase, her soft, rose-coloured chiffon gown shimmering in the
+firelight. She cuddled up in a corner near the fire, and Hal Ferris
+brought a cushion to put behind her.
+
+"It ought to be a rose-coloured one," he said, apologetically; "but I
+didn't see one handy to grab, and really this old blue isn't half bad
+for a background."
+
+"Much obliged for your kind colour-scheme," said Patty, smiling at
+him, "and I'll have one lump, please, and a bit of lemon."
+
+Big Mr. Ferris proved himself tactful as well as kind, for he divided
+his attentions impartially among the four ladies.
+
+"A little shy of men; aren't we, Adele?" he said to his sister. "Even
+Jim seems to have disappeared. Not that I mind being the only pebble
+on the beach,--far from it,--but I'm afraid I can't prove entertaining
+enough for four."
+
+"You're doing nobly so far," said Patty, cuddling into her cushion,
+for she loved luxurious warmth, like a kitten.
+
+"Two more men are coming to dinner, girls," said their hostess; "and
+to-morrow, you know, we'll have two more house-party guests. Don't
+worry, Chub, you shan't be overworked, I promise you."
+
+After a pleasant tea hour, the girls went again to their rooms,
+ostensibly to rest before dinner, but really to have what Patty called
+a kimono party.
+
+All in their pretty negligees, they gathered in Adele's room and
+talked as rapidly and interruptingly as any four girls can.
+
+"Do you hear from Bill Farnsworth often?" asked Daisy of Patty,
+_apropos_ of nothing but her own curiosity.
+
+"Not often, Daisy," returned Patty, of no mind to pursue the subject.
+
+"But don't you ever hear from him?" persisted the other.
+
+"Oh, sometimes," said Patty, carelessly. "He sent me flowers for my
+coming-out party."
+
+"I hear from Bill sometimes," said Adele. "I asked him to come to
+this party, but he couldn't possibly leave just now. He's awfully
+busy."
+
+"What's he doing?" asked Mona.
+
+"I don't know exactly," answered Adele. "Jim can tell you, but it has
+something to do with prospecting of mines. Say, girls, do you want to
+see the baby before she's put to bed?"
+
+Of course they did, and they all trooped into the nursery to admire
+the tiny mite of humanity, who looked a picture, with her tumbled
+curls and her laughing face, just ready for bed.
+
+She remembered Patty and Mona, and greeted them without shyness,
+clinging to Patty's neck and begging her to stay and sing her to
+sleep.
+
+This Patty would have done, but Adele wouldn't allow it, and ordered
+the girls back to their rooms to dress for dinner.
+
+"Eight o'clock sharp," she warned them, "and don't put on your
+prettiest gowns; save those for to-morrow night."
+
+Patty wandered around her room, singing softly, as she dressed.
+Looking over her dinner gowns, she decided upon her second best, a
+white marquisette with a garniture of pearl beads and knots of pale
+blue velvet. When the maid came to assist her she was nearly dressed,
+and ten minutes before the dinner hour she was quite ready to go
+downstairs. "I may as well go on down," she thought to herself. "I can
+explore the house a little."
+
+She looked in at Mona's door as she passed, but as that young woman
+was just having her gown put over her head, she didn't see Patty, and
+so Patty went on downstairs.
+
+There was no one about, so she strolled through the various rooms,
+admiring the big, pleasant living-room, the cosy library, and then
+drifted back to the great hall, which was very large, even for a
+modern country house. It was wainscoted in dark wood, and contained
+many antique bits of furniture and some fine specimens of old armour
+and other curios. Jim Kenerley's father had been rather a noted
+collector, and had left his treasures to his only son. They had chosen
+this house as being roomy and well-fitted for their belongings.
+
+Patty came back to the great fireplace, and stood there, leaning her
+golden head against one of the massive uprights.
+
+"Adele told me you were a peach," exclaimed a laughing voice, "but
+she didn't half tell me how much of a one you are!"
+
+Patty turned her head slowly, and looked at Mr. Hal Ferris.
+
+"And I thought you were a mannerly boy!" she said, in a tone of grave
+reproach.
+
+"I beg your pardon," he exclaimed. "I do indeed! I'm almost a stranger
+to you, I know; I ought to have waited until I know you better to say
+anything of that sort to you! May I take it back, and then say it to
+you again after I do know you better?"
+
+Patty couldn't help smiling at his mock dismay.
+
+"And how well shall I have to know you," he went on, "before I can say
+it to you properly?"
+
+"I can't answer that question at once," said Patty. "We'll have to let
+our acquaintance proceed, and see----"
+
+"And see how the cat jumps," he suggested.
+
+"Yes," agreed Patty. "And, by the way, what a jumper that cat must
+be."
+
+"Small wonder, with everybody waiting to see how she jumps! Oh, pshaw!
+here comes a horde of people, and our pleasant tete-a-tete is
+spoiled!"
+
+"Never mind; we'll have another some time," and Patty gave him a
+dimpled smile that quite completed the undoing of Mr. Harold Ferris.
+
+The "horde" proved to be two young men from nearby country houses, Mr.
+Collins and Mr. Hoyt. And then the other members of the household
+appeared, and soon dinner was announced.
+
+"We haven't any especial guest of honour," said Mrs. Kenerley, "for
+you're all so very honourable. So pair off just as you like."
+
+Hal Ferris jumped a low chair and two footstools to reach Patty before
+any one else could. "Come in with me," he said. "I know the way to the
+dining-room."
+
+"I'm glad to be shown," said Patty. "You see, I've never been here
+before."
+
+"I know it; that's why I'm being so kind to you. To-morrow I'll take
+you up in the tower--it's great."
+
+"Why, is this place a castle?"
+
+"Not exactly, but it's modelled after an old chateau. Really, it's a
+most interesting house."
+
+"All right. To-morrow we'll explore it thoroughly."
+
+And then they took their seats at the table, and as the party was
+small, conversation became general.
+
+Suddenly Patty became aware that Mr. Collins, who sat on the other side
+of her, was trying to attract her attention. He was a mild-mannered
+young man, and he looked at her reproachfully.
+
+"I've asked you a question three times, Miss Fairfield," he said, "and
+you never even heard it."
+
+"Then you certainly can't expect me to answer it, Mr. Collins," and
+Patty laughed gaily. "Won't you repeat it for me, please? I'll promise
+to hear it this time."
+
+"I said, did you ever make a lemon pig?"
+
+"A lemon pig! No, I never did. How do you make it?"
+
+"Oh, they're the maddest fun! I say, Mrs. Kenerley, mayn't we have a
+lemon?"
+
+"Certainly, Mr. Collins."
+
+"And, oh, I say, Mrs. Kenerley, if it isn't too much trouble, mayn't
+we have a box of matches, and two black pins, and a bit of paper?"
+
+"And a colander and a tack hammer and a bar of soap?" asked Ferris,
+but Mr. Collins said, gravely: "No, we don't want those."
+
+The articles he had asked for were soon provided, and in the slow,
+grave way in which he did everything, Mr. Collins began to make the
+strange animal of which he had spoken. The lemon formed the whole pig,
+with four matches for his legs, two black pins for his eyes, and a
+narrow strip of paper, first curled round a match, for his tail. It
+was neither artistic nor realistic, but it was an exceedingly comical
+pig, and soon it began to squeak in an astonishingly pig-like voice.
+Then a tap at the window was heard, and a farmer's gruff voice
+shouted: "Have you my pig in there? My little Lemmy pig?"
+
+"Yes," responded Mr. Collins, "we have; and we mean to keep him, too."
+
+"I'll have the law of ye," shouted the farmer. "Me pig escaped from
+the sty, and I call upon ye to give him up!"
+
+"We won't do it!" shouted several of the men in chorus.
+
+"Then, kape him!" returned the voice of the farmer, and they heard his
+heavy tramp as he strode away.
+
+Patty looked puzzled. She couldn't understand what it all meant, until
+Hal Ferris whispered, "It was only Collins; he's a ventriloquist."
+
+"Oh," said Patty, turning to Mr. Collins, delightedly, "was it really
+you? Oh, how do you do it? I've always wanted to hear a ventriloquist,
+and I never did before."
+
+"Oh, yes, you did!" said a voice from the other end of the table, and
+Patty looked up, saying earnestly, "No, I didn't!" when she realised
+that the accusation had really come from Mr. Collins.
+
+"Oh, what fun!" she cried, clapping her hands. "Do some more!"
+
+"I'd rather he wouldn't," said Adele, and Patty looked at her in
+surprise. "Why not, Adele?" she asked.
+
+Everybody laughed, and Adele said: "You're too easily fooled, Patty.
+That was Mr. Collins speaking like me. He knows my voice so well he
+can imitate it."
+
+"He'd better stop it!" came in a deep growl from Jim Kenerley's end of
+the table, and Patty was surprised at such a speech from her urbane
+host. Then she realised that that, too, was Mr. Collins speaking.
+
+"I just love it!" she exclaimed. "I've always wanted to know how to do
+it. Won't you teach me?"
+
+"You couldn't learn," said Mr. Collins, smiling at her.
+
+And then Patty _heard herself_ say: "I could so! I think you're real
+mean!"
+
+Her bewildered look changed to admiration at his wonderful imitation
+of her voice, and the natural, petulant tone of the remark.
+
+"It's too wonderful!" she said. "Some other time, Mr. Collins, after
+dinner, maybe, will you teach me just a little about it?"
+
+"I'll try," he said, kindly; "but I warn you, Miss Fairfield, it isn't
+easy to learn, unless one has a natural gift for it, and a peculiar
+throat formation."
+
+"Don't teach her," begged Daisy Dow. "She'll be keeping us awake all
+night with her practising."
+
+It was like Daisy to say something unpleasant; but Patty only smiled
+at her, and said, "I'll practise being an angel, and sing you to
+sleep, Daisy."
+
+"You sing like an angel without any practice," said Mona, who was
+always irritated when Daisy was what Patty called snippy.
+
+"Oh, do you sing, Miss Fairfield?" said Mr. Hoyt, from across the
+table. "You must join our Christmas choir, then. We're going to have a
+glorious old carolling time to-morrow night."
+
+"I'll be glad to," replied Patty, "if I know your music."
+
+But after dinner, when they tried some of the music, they discovered
+that Patty could sing readily at sight, and she was gladly welcomed to
+the musical circle of Fern Falls.
+
+"How long are you staying here?" asked Mr. Hoyt.
+
+"A month, at least," Adele answered for Patty.
+
+"Oh, no, not so long as that," Patty protested. "A fortnight, at
+most."
+
+But Adele only smiled, and said, "We'll see about that, my dear."
+
+After a time, Hal Ferris came to Patty, and tried to draw her away
+from the group around the piano.
+
+"You're neglecting me shamefully," he said; "and I'm the brother of
+your hostess! Guests should always be especially kind to the Brother
+of a Hostess."
+
+"What can I do for you?" asked Patty, smiling, as she walked out to
+the hall with him.
+
+"Quit talking to the other people, and devote yourself to me," was the
+prompt response.
+
+"Do all your sister's guests do that?"
+
+"I don't want 'em all to; I only want you to."
+
+"And what about _my_ wants?"
+
+"Yes; _what_ about them? You want to talk to me, _don't_ you?"
+
+His tone and smile were so roguishly eager that Patty felt a strong
+liking for this big, boyish chap.
+
+"I'll talk for ten minutes," she said, "and then we're going to dance,
+I believe."
+
+"Oh, and then they'll all be after you! I say," and he drew her toward
+a window, from where the moonlight could be plainly seen, "Let's go
+out and skate. The ice is fine!"
+
+"Skate! You must be crazy!"
+
+"Yes; I supposed you'd say so! But to-morrow more people are coming,
+and I'll never see anything of you. Say, how about this? Are you game
+to get up and go for an early morning skate, just with me, and not let
+anybody else know?"
+
+"I'd like that!" and Patty's eyes sparkled, for she dearly loved early
+morning fresh air. "Of course, we'll tell Adele."
+
+"Yes; so she'll have some breakfast made for us. But nobody else. How
+about eight o'clock? Regular breakfast will be at nine-thirty."
+
+"Good! I'll be ready at eight."
+
+"Meet me in the breakfast-room at eight, then. Do you know where it
+is? Just off the big dining-room."
+
+"What are you two hob-nobbing about?" asked Daisy, curiously, as she
+strolled over toward them.
+
+"I'm just telling Miss Fairfield about the plan of the house," said
+Ferris, innocently. "It's well planned, isn't it?"
+
+"Very," said Patty.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+CHRISTMAS EVE
+
+
+As Patty stepped out of her room into the hall the next morning, at
+eight o'clock, she found Hal Ferris already tiptoeing down the stairs.
+He put his finger to his lip with a great show of secrecy, which made
+Patty laugh.
+
+"Why must we be so careful?" she whispered. "We're not doing anything
+wrong."
+
+"No; but it's so much more fun to pretend we are. Let's pretend we're
+on a mysterious mission, and if we are discovered we're lost!"
+
+So they crept downstairs silently, and reached the breakfast-room,
+without seeing any one except one or two of the maids, who were
+dusting about.
+
+Patty had on a trim, short skirt of white cloth and a blouse of soft
+white silk. Over this she wore a scarlet coat, and her golden curls
+were tucked into a little scarlet skating cap with a saucy, wagging
+tassel.
+
+But in the warm, cheery breakfast-room she threw off her coat and sat
+down at the table.
+
+"I didn't intend to eat anything," she said; "but the coffee smells so
+good, I think I'll have a cup of it, with a roll." She smiled at the
+waitress, who stood ready to attend to her wishes, and Hal took a seat
+beside her, saying he would have some coffee also.
+
+"We won't eat our breakfast now, you know," he went on; "but we'll
+come back with raging appetites and eat anything we can find. I say,
+this is jolly cosy, having coffee here together like this! I s'pose
+you won't come down every morning?"
+
+"No, indeed," and Patty laughed. "I don't mind admitting I hate to get
+up early. I usually breakfast in my room and dawdle around until all
+hours."
+
+"Just like a girl!" said Hal, sniffing a little.
+
+"Well, I _am_ a girl," retorted Patty.
+
+"You sure are! _Some_ girl, I should say! Well, now, Girl, if you're
+ready, let's start."
+
+He held Patty's scarlet coat for her while she slipped in her arms.
+
+Then he disappeared for a moment, and returned wearing a dark red
+sweater, which was very becoming to his athletic figure and broad
+shoulders.
+
+"Come on, Girl," he said, gathering up their skates, and off they
+started.
+
+"It's nearly half a mile to the lake. Are you good for that much
+walk?" Ferris asked, as they swung along at a brisk pace.
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed, I like to walk; and I like to skate, but I like best
+of all to dance."
+
+"I should think you would,--you're a ripping dancer. You know,
+to-night we'll have 'Sir Roger de Coverley' and old-fashioned dances
+like that. You like them?"
+
+"Yes, for a change; but I like the new ones best. Are we going to have
+any dressing up to-night? I do love dressing up."
+
+"Glad rags, do you mean?"
+
+"No; I mean fancy costumes."
+
+"Oh, that. Well, old Jim's going to be Santa Claus. I don't think
+anybody else will wear uncivilised clothes."
+
+"But I want to. Can't you and I rig up in something, just for fun?"
+
+"Oh, I say! that would be fun. What can we be? Romeo and Juliet, or
+Jack and Jill?"
+
+"Oh, no, nothing like that. Something more like Christmas, you know.
+Well, I'll think it over through the day, and we'll fix it up."
+
+Skating on the lake so early in the morning proved to be glorious
+exercise. The ice was perfect, and the crisp, clear air filled them
+with exhilaration.
+
+Both were good skaters, and though they did not attempt fancy figures,
+they spent nearly an hour skating around the lake.
+
+"That's the best skate I ever had!" declared Hal, when they concluded
+to return home.
+
+"It certainly was fine," declared Patty, "and by the time we've walked
+back to the house, I shall be quite ready for some eggs and bacon."
+
+"And toast and marmalade," supplemented Ferris.
+
+"I wonder if Daisy will be down. Does she come down to breakfast
+usually?"
+
+"Sometimes and sometimes not," answered Ferris, carelessly. "She's a
+law unto herself, is Daisy Dow."
+
+"You've known her a long time, haven't you?"
+
+"Just about all our lives. Used to go to school together, and we were
+always scrapping. Daisy's a nice girl, and a pretty girl, but she sure
+has got a temper."
+
+"And a good thing to have sometimes. I often wish I had more."
+
+"Nonsense! you're perfect just as you are."
+
+"Oh, what a pretty speech! If you're going to talk like that, I shall
+take the longest way home."
+
+"I'd willingly agree to that, but I don't believe you're in need of
+further exercise just now. Come, own up you're a little bit tired."
+
+"Hardly enough to call it tired, but if there is a short cut home
+let's take it."
+
+"And what about the pretty speeches I'm to make to you?"
+
+"Leave those till after breakfast. Or leave them till this evening and
+give them to me for a Christmas gift."
+
+"Under the mistletoe?" and Ferris looked mischievous.
+
+"Certainly not," said Patty, with great dignity. "I'm too grown-up for
+such foolishness as that!"
+
+"Oh, I don't know," said Ferris.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+The appearance of the two runaways in the breakfast-room was greeted
+with shouts of surprise.
+
+Adele knew they had gone skating, but no one else did, and it was
+supposed they hadn't yet come downstairs.
+
+Patty's glowing cheeks were almost as scarlet as her coat and cap,
+while Ferris was grinning with boyish enthusiasm.
+
+"Top o' the morning to you all," he cried. "Me and Miss Fairfield,
+we've been skating for an hour."
+
+"On the lake?" cried Daisy, in surprise. "Why, you must have started
+before sunrise."
+
+"Oh, no, not that," declared Patty, as, throwing off her wraps, she
+took a seat next to Adele; "but long enough to get up a ravenous
+appetite. I hope the Kenerley larder is well stocked."
+
+"Why didn't you let us all in on this game?" asked the host. "I think
+a morning skating party would be just about right."
+
+"All right," said Patty. "We'll have one any morning you say. I shall
+be here for a fortnight, and I'll go any morning you like."
+
+"I won't go," declared Mona. "I hate skating, and I hate getting up
+early, so count me out."
+
+"I doubt if any one goes very soon," said Adele, "for I think there's
+a storm coming. It looks bright out of doors, but it feels like snow
+in the air."
+
+"It does," agreed her brother; "and I hope it will snow. I'd like a
+real good, old-fashioned snowstorm for Christmas."
+
+"Well, I hope it won't begin before night," said Adele. "We've a lot
+to do to-day. I want you all to help me decorate the tree and fix the
+presents."
+
+"Of course we will," said Patty. "But, if I may, I want to skip over
+to the village on an errand. Can some one take me over, Adele, or
+must I walk?"
+
+"I'll go with you," said Daisy, who was of no mind to be left out of
+Patty's escapades, if she could help it.
+
+"All right, Daisy, but you mustn't tell what I buy, because it's a
+secret."
+
+"Everything's a secret at Christmas time," said Mr. Kenerley; "but,
+Patty, you can have the small motor, and go over to the village any
+time you like."
+
+As there was room for them all, Daisy and Mona both accompanied Patty
+on her trip to the village, and Hal Ferris volunteered to drive the
+car. But when they reached the country shop, Patty laughingly refused
+to let any of the party go inside with her, saying that her purchases
+would be a Christmas secret.
+
+She bought a great many yards of the material known as Turkey red, and
+also a whole piece of white illusion. Some gilt paper completed her
+list, and she ran back to the car, the shopkeeper following with her
+bundles. They attended to some errands for Adele, and then whizzed
+back to the house just in time to see the Christmas tree being put
+into place.
+
+"We're going to have the tree at five o'clock," said Adele, "on
+account of baby May. It's really for her, you know, and so I have it
+before dinner."
+
+"Fine!" declared Patty. "And where do we put our presents?"
+
+"On these tables," and Adele pointed to several small stands already
+well heaped with tissue-papered parcels.
+
+"Very well, I'll get mine," and Patty went flying up to her room. Mona
+followed, and the two girls returned laden with their bundles.
+
+"What fascinating looking parcels," said Adele, as she helped to
+place them where they belonged. "Now, Patty, about the tree; would you
+have bayberry candles on it, or only the electric lights?"
+
+"Oh, have the candles. They're so nice and traditional, you know.
+Unless you're afraid of fire."
+
+"No; all the decorations are fireproof. Jim would have them so. See,
+we've lots of this Niagara Falls stuff."
+
+Adele referred to a decoration of spun glass, which was thrown all
+over the tree in cascades, looking almost like the foam of a
+waterfall. This would not burn, even if the flame of a candle were
+held to it.
+
+"It's perfectly beautiful!" exclaimed Patty. "I never saw anything
+like it before."
+
+They scattered it all over the tree, the men going up on step-ladders
+to reach the top branches.
+
+The tree was set in the great, high-vaulted hall, and was a noble
+specimen of an evergreen. Hundreds of electric lights were fastened to
+its branches; and the thick bayberry candles were placed by means of
+holders that clasped the tree trunk, and so were held firmly and safe.
+
+Adele's prognostications had been correct. For, soon after luncheon,
+it began to snow. Fine flakes at first, but with a steadiness that
+betokened a real snowstorm.
+
+"I'm so glad," exclaimed Patty, dancing about. "I do love a white
+Christmas. It won't interfere with your guests, will it, Adele?"
+
+"No; if Mr. Van Reypen and Mr. Farrington get up from New York without
+having their trains blocked by snowdrifts, I imagine our Fern Falls
+people will be able to get here for the dinner and the dance."
+
+The two men arrived during the afternoon, and came in laden with
+parcels and looking almost like Santa Claus himself.
+
+"Had to bring all this stuff with us," explained Roger, "for fear of
+delays with expresses and things. Presents for everybody,--and then
+some. Where shall we put them?"
+
+Adele superintended the placing of the parcels, and the men threw off
+their overcoats, and they all gathered round the blazing fire in the
+hall.
+
+"This is right down jolly!" declared Philip Van Reypen. "I haven't had
+a real country Christmas since I was a boy. And this big fire and the
+tree and the snowstorm outside make it just perfect."
+
+"I ordered the snowstorm," said Adele. "I like to have any little
+thing that will give my guests pleasure."
+
+"Awfully good of you, Mrs. Kenerley," said Philip. "I wanted to
+flatter myself that I brought it with me, but it seems not. Have you a
+hill anywhere near? Perhaps we can go coasting to-morrow."
+
+"Plenty of hills; but I don't believe there's a sled about the
+place--is there, Jim?"
+
+"We'll find some, somehow, if there's any coasting. We may have to put
+one of the motor cars on runners and try that."
+
+"They had sleds at the country store. I saw them this morning," said
+Patty. "And that reminds me I have a little work to do on a Christmas
+secret, so if you'll excuse me, I'll run away."
+
+Patty ran away to the nursery, where Fraeulein, the baby's governess,
+was working away at the materials Patty had brought home that morning.
+
+"Yes, that's right," said Patty, as she closed the door behind her.
+"You've caught my idea exactly, Fraeulein. Now, I'll try on mine, and
+then, afterward, we'll call up Mr. Ferris to try on his."
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+At five o'clock the sounding of a Chinese gong called everybody to
+come to the Christmas tree.
+
+The grown people arrived first, as the principal part of the fun was
+to see the surprise and delight of baby May when she should see the
+tree.
+
+"Let me sit by you, Patty," said Philip Van Reypen, as they found a
+place on one of the fireside benches. "I've missed you awfully since
+you left New York."
+
+"Huh," said Patty, "I've only been gone twenty-four hours."
+
+"Twenty-four hours seems like a lifetime when _you're_ not in New
+York."
+
+"Hush your foolishness; here comes the baby."
+
+The tree had been illuminated; the electric lights were shining and
+the candles twinkling, when little May came toddling into the hall.
+She was a dear baby, and her pretty hair lay in soft ringlets all over
+the little head. Her dainty white frock was short, and she wore little
+white socks and slippers. She came forward a few steps, and then spied
+the tree and stood stock still.
+
+"What a booful!" she exclaimed, "oh, _what_ a booful!"
+
+Then she went up near the tree, sat down on the floor in front of it,
+clasped her little fat hands in her lap, and just stared at it.
+
+"I yike to yook at it!" she said, turning to smile at Patty, in a
+friendly way. "It's so booful!" she further explained.
+
+"Don't you want something off it?" asked Patty, who was now sitting on
+the floor beside the baby.
+
+"Zes; all of ze fings. Zey is all for me! all for baby May!"
+
+As a matter of fact, there were no gifts on the tree, only decorations
+and lights, but Patty took one or two little trinkets from the
+branches, and put them in the baby's lap. "There," she said. "How do
+you like those, baby May?"
+
+"Booful, booful," said the child, whose vocabulary seemed limited by
+reason of her excited delight.
+
+And then a jingle, as of tiny sleighbells, was heard outside. The door
+flew open, and in came a personage whom May recognised at once.
+
+"Santa Claus!" she cried. "Oh, Santa Claus!" And jumping up from the
+floor, she ran to meet him as fast as her little fat legs could carry
+her.
+
+"Down on the floor!" she cried, tugging at his red coat. "Baby May's
+Santa Claus! Sit down on floor by baby May!"
+
+Jim Kenerley, who was arrayed in the regulation garb of a St.
+Nicholas, sat down beside his little girl, and taking his pack from
+his back, placed it in front of her.
+
+"All for baby May!" she said, appreciating the situation at once.
+
+"Yes, all for baby May," returned her mother, for in the pack were
+only the child's presents.
+
+One by one the little hands took the gifts from their wrappings, and
+soon the baby herself was almost lost sight of in a helter-skelter
+collection of dolls and teddy bears and woolly dogs and baa lambs and
+more dolls. To say nothing of kittens and candies, and balls, and
+every sort of a toy that was nice and soft and pleasant.
+
+The doll Patty had brought, with its wonderful wardrobe, pleased the
+baby especially, and she declared at once that the doll's name should
+be Patty.
+
+Having undone all her treasures, the baby elected to have a general
+romp with Santa Claus, whom she well knew to be her father. Jim had
+made no attempt to disguise lest it should frighten the child, and so
+his own gay young face looked out from a voluminous snow-white wig and
+long white beard. His costume was the conventional red, belted coat,
+edged with white fur, and a fur-trimmed red cap with a bobbing tassel.
+
+Among the toys was a pair of horse lines with bells on it, and soon
+May had her good-natured father transformed into a riding-horse and
+galloping madly round the hall.
+
+Then all present must needs play games suited to the calibre of the
+little one, and Ring around a Rosy and London Bridge proved to be her
+favourites.
+
+After these unwonted exertions, everybody was ready for tea, which was
+then brought in. As a special dispensation, May was allowed to have
+her bread and milk at the same time, with the added indulgence of a
+few little cakes.
+
+"Isn't she a perfect dear?" said Patty, as she stood with the baby in
+her arms, after tea was finished.
+
+"She is," declared Philip, who stood near. "I'm not much up on
+kiddies, but she's about the best-natured little piece I ever saw. I
+thought they always cried after a big racket like this."
+
+"She must say good-night now," said Adele. "It's quite time, and
+beside, I want her to go away while her reputation is good. Now,
+Maisie May, go to Fraeulein and go beddy."
+
+"Patty take May beddy."
+
+"No, dear, Patty must stay here with mother."
+
+"Patty take May beddy! _Zes!_" The finality of this decision was
+unmistakable. The most casual observer could see that unless it were
+complied with the scene might lose something of its sunshine and
+merriment.
+
+"I should say," judicially observed Philip, "that unless Miss May has
+her way this time, there will be one large and elegant ruction."
+
+"But I _must_ make her obey me," said Adele, a little uncertainly.
+
+"Fiddlestrings, Adele," returned Patty; "this is no time for
+discipline. The poor baby is about worn out with fatigue and
+excitement. You know, it has been her busy day. Let's humour her this
+time. I'll take her away, and I'll return anon."
+
+"Anon isn't a very long time, is it?" said Adele, laughing, and Hal
+remarked, "If it is, we'll all come after you, Miss Fairfield."
+
+So Patty went away, carrying the now smiling baby, and Fraeulein went
+along with her, knowing the little thing would soon drop to sleep,
+anyway, from sheer fatigue.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
+
+
+Patty soon returned, saying the country was saved, and now she was
+ready for her presents.
+
+And then everybody began untying things, and soon the whole place was
+knee-deep in tissue papers and ribbons.
+
+All exclaimed with delight at their own gifts, and then exclaimed with
+delight at the others' gifts.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Kenerley gave Patty one of those Oriental garments known
+as a Mandarin coat. It was of pale blue silk, heavy with elaborate
+embroidery and gold braiding, and Patty was enchanted with it.
+
+"Just what I wanted!" she exclaimed, "and I don't care if that _is_
+what everybody always says, _I_ mean it! I've wanted one a long time.
+They're so heavenly for party wraps or opera cloaks. Mona has a
+beauty, but this is handsomer still."
+
+"Yes, it is," admitted Mona; "and now open that box, Patty. It's my
+gift to you, and I want to see if you like it."
+
+"Oh, I know I shall like it, of course. Why, Mona Galbraith, if it
+isn't a lace scarf! Real Brussels point! You generous girl, it's _too_
+beautiful!"
+
+"Isn't it lovely?" cried Daisy. "Now, this is mine to you, Patty. It
+isn't nearly as handsome; it's just a bag."
+
+"But what a grand one!" exclaimed Patty, as she unwrapped the
+beautiful French confection. "I simply adore bags. I can't have too
+many of them. My goodness! I'm getting as many presents as baby May!"
+
+Sure enough, Patty was surrounded with gifts and trinkets of all
+sorts. Philip's present was a small but exquisite water-color in a
+gilded frame. Roger gave her a glass and silver flower-basket.
+
+"I gave each of you girls exactly the same thing," he said, "because I
+didn't want you scrapping over me. Mrs. Kenerley, I included you, too,
+if you will accept one of them."
+
+They were beautiful ornaments, and the four together were so effective
+that Adele declared she should use them that night for a dinner table
+decoration at their Christmas feast.
+
+Hal Ferris gave each of the girls a beautiful book, and everybody had
+so many presents of all sorts that it was almost impossible to
+remember who gave anything.
+
+"What I need is a card catalogue," said Patty. "I never can remember
+which is which, I know."
+
+"And I know another thing," said Adele. "If you girls don't scamper
+off and dress, you won't be ready for dinner at eight o'clock. And
+there are lots of guests coming. And more this evening for the country
+dance. Now, disperse, all of you, and put on your prettiest frocks for
+Christmas Eve."
+
+Patty had a new gown for the occasion, of an exquisite shade of pink
+chiffon, which just matched her cheeks. She did up her hair simply,
+with a pink ribbon around it, and a pink rose tucked over one ear.
+
+After she was all dressed, she flew to the nursery for a little confab
+with Fraeulein, who was working away on the Turkey red.
+
+"Will it be done?" asked Patty, anxiously.
+
+"Oh, yes, indeed, Miss Patty; in ample time. And the crowns, too."
+
+"Everything all right?" inquired a voice in the doorway, and Hal
+Ferris stepped into the nursery.
+
+"Yes," said Patty, her eyes sparkling. "Fraeulein will have them all
+ready by the time dinner's over. Oh, I do _love_ to dress up!"
+
+"You can't look any sweeter than you do this way," said Ferris,
+glancing approvingly at the little pink dancing frock.
+
+"You are so nice and complimentary," said Patty, flashing a smile at
+him, and then they went downstairs together.
+
+Dinner was a real Christmas feast. The table was properly decorated
+with red ribbons and red candles and holly, and everybody had
+souvenirs and Christmassy sort of trinkets, and everybody was very gay
+and festive, and an air of Christmas jollity pervaded the atmosphere.
+
+After dinner they all returned to the great hall, where the Christmas
+tree was again lighted to add to the holiday effect.
+
+Then Patty and Hal, who had let Adele into their secret, slipped away
+from the crowd, and ran up to the nursery, where Fraeulein was
+awaiting them.
+
+The baby was asleep in the next room, so they must needs be careful
+not to awaken her, and they tiptoed about as Fraeulein helped them to
+don the robes she had made.
+
+The Turkey red she had fashioned into a full-draped cloak, which she
+adjusted around Hal's broad shoulders. It was trimmed with white fur,
+and was caught up on one shoulder, toga fashion, with a spray of
+holly. A massive gilt pasteboard crown she put on his head, and gave
+him a long wand or sceptre covered with gilt paper and topped with a
+cap and bells.
+
+"I wonder if they'll know I'm Lord of Misrule," whispered Hal, as he
+stalked up and down before the mirror, swishing his draperies about in
+regal fashion.
+
+"If they don't, I'll tell 'em," said Patty. "I wonder if they'll know
+what I am."
+
+"You look like an angel," said Hal, as he gazed at her.
+
+The garment Fraeulein had made for Patty was simply straight, flowing
+breadths of the white illusion, which fell straight from her
+shoulders, her pink gown beneath giving it a faint rosy tinge. From
+her head the illusion rippled in a long veil, floating down behind,
+and there were long angel sleeves of the same material.
+
+On her head was a small crown of gilt paper, with a large gilt star in
+front, and she carried a gilt wand with a star on the end.
+
+But the masterpiece of the costume, and one that did great credit to
+the ingenuity of Fraeulein, was a pair of wings that were fastened to
+Patty's shoulders. They were made of fine net, covered with fringed
+tissue paper, which had the effect of soft white feathers.
+
+Altogether Patty was a lovely vision, and it is doubtful if "The
+Christmas Spirit" was represented more beautifully anywhere on earth
+that Christmas Eve.
+
+She floated about the room, delighted to be "dressed up."
+
+Then, flying into the hall, she listened over the banister till she
+heard Adele's signal from the piano.
+
+Still listening, she heard Adele begin to sing softly a carol called
+"The Christmas Spirit."
+
+Slowly, in time to the music, Patty came down the great staircase. She
+paused on the landing, which was but a few steps from the bottom, and
+standing there, motionless as a picture, joined her voice to Adele's.
+
+She sang the beautiful carol, Adele now singing alto, and the vision
+of the beautiful Christmas Spirit, and the tones of Patty's exquisite
+voice, gave the guests assembled in the hall a Christmas memory that
+they could never forget.
+
+As the last notes died away, there was a significant pause, and then a
+storm of applause broke out.
+
+They insisted on another song, but Patty shook her head laughingly,
+and the next moment Adele played a merry, rollicking march on the
+piano and the Lord of Misrule came bounding downstairs. He had a long
+trumpet in his hand, upon which he sounded a few notes, and then waved
+his sceptre majestically.
+
+"I'm the Lord of Misrule," he announced, "and I have come to direct
+our Christmas revels. To-night my word is law; you are all my
+subjects, and must obey my decrees!"
+
+A shout of applause greeted this gay banter, and then as Adele played
+a lively strain, the Lord of Misrule gave a clever clog dance on the
+staircase landing.
+
+Then he sprang down the steps, and clasping the Christmas Spirit, the
+two tripped away into a gay impromptu dance.
+
+"Everybody dance!" shouted the Lord of Misrule, brandishing his
+sceptre aloft, and obedient to his orders, the others caught the gay
+spirit, and soon they were all dancing.
+
+Later they had the country dances--Virginia reel, Sir Roger, and
+others which Patty had never heard of before, but which she had no
+difficulty in learning.
+
+It was not long, however, before she laid aside her somewhat
+uncomfortable wings, and also the illusion draperies, which did not
+well survive the intricacies of the figure dances.
+
+So, once again in her pretty pink frock, she entered into the dances
+with the zest she always felt for that amusement.
+
+"I think it's my turn," said Roger, coming up to her at last.
+
+"And I'm glad to be with a friend again, after all these strangers,"
+she said, as they danced away. "Though they're awfully nice men, and
+some of them are very good dancers. You and Mona are all right, aren't
+you, Roger?"
+
+Patty said this so suddenly that he was caught off his guard.
+
+"Not all right," he said, "and never will be until she'll consent to
+cut the acquaintance of that Lansing!"
+
+"She'll never do that!" and Patty wagged her head positively.
+
+"Then she can get along without my friendship."
+
+"Now, Roger, what's the use of acting like that? Mona has a right to
+choose her friends."
+
+"Patty, I believe you like that man yourself!"
+
+"I don't dislike him; at least, not as much as you do. But I don't see
+any reason for you to take the matter so seriously. At any rate, while
+you're up here, forget it, won't you, and be good to Mona."
+
+"Oh, I'll be good to her fast enough, if she'll be good to me. I think
+a heap of that girl, Patty, and I don't want to see her in the
+clutches of a bad man like Lansing."
+
+"You don't know that he's a bad man."
+
+"Well, he's a fortune-hunter,--that's bad enough."
+
+"Pooh, every man that looks at a girl doesn't want to marry her for
+her money."
+
+"But that man does."
+
+"Then cut him out! Why, Roger, you're worth a dozen Lansings, and if
+you want to marry Mona, why don't you tell her so?"
+
+"Oh, Patty, do you think I'd have the ghost of a chance?"
+
+"I certainly do. That is, if Mona has a grain of sense in that pretty
+head of hers."
+
+"Well,--say, Patty,--this sounds queer, I know,--but you and I are
+such pals,--couldn't you just say a good word for----"
+
+"Roger Farrington! the idea! I never supposed you were _bashful_!"
+
+"I never was before,--but I'm a little afraid of Mona. She's so,--so
+decided, you know."
+
+"Very well. Make her decide in your favour. But, mark my words, young
+man, you'll never win her by getting grumpy and sour just because she
+smiles on another man. In fact, you'd better praise Mr. Lansing. That
+would be the best way to make her lose interest in him."
+
+"Patty Fairfield! I'm ashamed of you. I always knew you were a flirt,
+but anything like that would be downright deception."
+
+"Oh, fiddle-de-dee! All's fair in love and war. You're too
+matter-of-fact, Roger,--too staid and practical. Brace up and tease
+Mona. Get her guessing--and the game will be all in your own hands."
+
+"How do you know these things, Patty? You're too young for such
+worldly wisdom."
+
+"Oh, women are born with a spirit of contrariness. And, anyway, it's
+human nature. Now, you jolly Mona up, and stop looking as if you'd
+lost your last friend,--and then see how the cat jumps. Why, what is
+Hal Ferris doing?"
+
+The Lord of Misrule had jumped up on a table, and was flourishing his
+sceptre, and announcing that he would now issue a few decrees, and
+they must immediately be obeyed.
+
+He said the audience wished to see some well-acted plays, and he would
+ask some of the guests present to favour them.
+
+"As these dramas are necessarily impromptu," he said, "you will please
+come forward and do your parts as soon as your names are called. Any
+delay, hesitation, or tardiness will be punished to the full extent of
+the Law of Misrule. The first play, ladies and gentlemen, will be a
+realistic representation of the great tragedy of 'Jack and Jill.' It
+will be acted by Mr. Van Reypen and Miss Fairfield. Ready! Time!"
+
+Philip and Patty went forward at once, for though they had had no
+intimation of this act, they were quite ready to take their part in
+the merriment.
+
+Philip caught up one of the glass baskets which he had brought up for
+gifts, and declared that represented their pail.
+
+"It isn't mine!" cried Daisy. "I don't want mine smashed!"
+
+"No matter what happens," returned Philip, "we must be realistic."
+
+"Here, take this instead," said Jim Kenerley, offering an antique
+copper bucket, which was one of his pet pieces.
+
+"All right, it _is_ better. Now, the play begins. This is an
+illustrated ballad, you know. Will somebody with a sweet voice kindly
+recite the words?"
+
+"I will," volunteered Hal, himself. "My voice is as sweet as taffy."
+
+He began intoning the nursery rhyme, and Patty and Philip strolled
+through the hall, swinging the bucket between them, and acting like
+two country children going for water. They climbed the stairs,
+laboriously, as if clambering up a steep hill, and as they went up,
+Philip hastily whispered to Patty how they were to come down.
+
+She understood quickly, and as the second line was drawled out they
+stood at the top of the stairs. Then when Hal said, "Jack fell
+down----" there was a terrific plunge and Philip tumbled, head over
+heels, all the way downstairs, with the big copper bucket rolling
+bumpety-bump down beside him. He was a trained athlete, and knew how
+to fall without hurting himself, but his mad pitching made it seem
+entirely an accidental fall. In the screams of laughter, the last line
+could scarcely be heard, but when Hal said, "And Jill came tumbling
+after," Patty poised on the top step, leaning over so far that it
+seemed as if in a moment she must pitch headlong. Her fancy dance
+training enabled her to hold this precarious position, and as she
+stood, motionless, a beautiful tableau, everybody applauded.
+
+"All over!" cried the Lord of Misrule, after a moment. "Curtain's
+down!"
+
+There was only an imaginary curtain, so considering herself dismissed,
+Patty came tripping downstairs, and the broken-crowned Jack stood
+waiting to receive her.
+
+"Good work!" he commented. "How could you stand in that breakneck
+position?"
+
+"How could you take that breakneck fall?" she queried back, and then
+they sought a nearby seat to witness the next "play."
+
+"Now," said the Lord of Misrule, "we will have a thrilling drama by
+Miss Dow and--well, she may select her own company."
+
+"I choose Jim Kenerley," said Daisy, suddenly remembering a little
+trick they used to do in school. A whispered word was enough to recall
+it to Jim's mind, and in a twinkling he had snatched a gay silk
+lamp-shade from an electrolier and clapped it on his head, and draped
+around him a Bagdad couch cover. Then he caught up a big bronze dagger
+from a writing-table, and he and Daisy went to the staircase landing,
+which was almost like a stage. Seemingly, Jim was a fearful bandit,
+dragging a lady, who hung back with moans and cries.
+
+On the landing, he brandished the dagger fearsomely, and Daisy knelt
+before him, begging for mercy. At least, her attitude denoted that,
+but all she said was: "A B C D," in a low, pleading voice. "E F G!"
+shouted Jim, dancing about in a fierce fury.
+
+Daisy threw out her arms and fairly grovelled at his feet, begging, "H
+I J K." "L M!" shouted Jim; "N O!"
+
+Then Daisy's pretty hair became loosened from its pins, and fell, a
+shining mass, down her back.
+
+Jim clutched it. "P Q R!" he yelled, as he waved the dagger aloft.
+
+"S T!" moaned Daisy, swaying from side to side, as if in an agony of
+fear.
+
+"U! V! W!" and the blade of the dagger rested against the fair neck,
+as the dreadful brigand, with a fierce shout, attacked his victim.
+
+"X Y!" Daisy shrieked, and then toppled over, as if killed, while Jim,
+with a frenzied yell of "Z!" towered, triumphant, above his slain
+captive.
+
+How they all laughed; for it was good acting, though of course greatly
+burlesqued. But both had a touch of dramatic genius, and they had
+often given this little exhibition in their old school days.
+
+"Fine!" said Adele, who was shaking with laughter. "You never did it
+better, Daisy. You ought to go on the stage."
+
+Daisy smiled and bowed at the applause, and began to twist up her
+hair.
+
+"My beloved subjects," said the Lord of Misrule, "you are sure some
+actors! I didn't know I had so much talent concealed about my kingdom.
+I shall now aim for a higher touch of histrionic art. Let us stop at
+nothing! Let us give the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. I will
+command Miss Galbraith to play the part of Juliet, and if no one
+volunteers as Romeo, I'll modestly remark that I'm a ripping good
+actor myself."
+
+"Too late," said Roger, calmly; "I've already signed for the part,"
+and taking Mona's hand, he led her toward the staircase.
+
+"I can't!" protested Mona. "I don't know a word of it!"
+
+"Can't! Won't!" cried the Lord of Misrule, in stentorian tones. "Those
+words are not allowed in this my Court. Ha, maiden, dost desire the
+dungeon for thine? Dost hanker after prison fare? Fie! Get to thy
+place and take thy cue."
+
+Mona flung her lace handkerchief on her head for a little Juliet cap,
+and accepting a large lace scarf which a lady offered her as she
+passed, and an enormous bunch of roses, which Jim hastily took from a
+vase and gave her, they all agreed she was perfectly costumed for
+Juliet.
+
+Upstairs she went, and drawing a chair to the railing, looked over at
+Roger below. He had hastily opened a small cupboard, and caught up a
+broad black hat of Adele's, with a long, willowed ostrich plume. He
+put it on, so that the feather hung straight down his face, and he
+kept blowing it out of his eyes. Daisy had offered him a gay, flowered
+chiffon scarf as he passed her, and he tied it round his waist like a
+sash.
+
+"'Oh, Romeo! Romeo! Romeo!'" began Mona.
+
+"'Wherefore,'" prompted Roger in a stage whisper.
+
+"'Wherefore,'" said Mona, obediently, "whence, whither, why----"
+
+"Never mind," said Roger, calmly. "I'll say the lines you forget.
+'Wherefore art thou Romeo?' Now for the second act. I wish to goodness
+I could be a glove upon that paw of yours."
+
+"Why?" queried Mona.
+
+"So you wouldn't give me the mitten. Pardon, good friends, merely an
+interpolation. Back to work now. It was the nightingale and not a poll
+parrot that hit you in the ear."
+
+"Oh, Romeo, Romeo," Mona broke in. "I'd like to cut you up into little
+bits of stars, and decorate the sky with you."
+
+"Call me but Star, and I'll be baptised all over again. Friends, as
+we're a little shy on lines, the rest of this will be pantomime."
+
+Roger then sneaked cautiously upstairs, motioned to Mona to make no
+sound, picked up various impedimenta, including books, vases, a
+statuette, and such things as he could find on the hall tables, added
+a good-sized rug, and then, also picking Mona up in his arms, he
+stealthily made his way downstairs again, and the elopement was
+successful.
+
+"Roger, you strong giant!" cried Patty. "How _could_ you carry all
+those things downstairs?"
+
+"My warriors are all strong men!" said the Lord of Misrule. "They can
+carry off anything, and carry on like everything."
+
+And then, as Christmas Eve was well past, and Christmas Day had begun,
+the merry guests went away, and the house party congratulated itself
+all round, wished everybody Merry Christmas, and went away to rest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+COASTING
+
+
+Christmas morning was as white as the most picturesque imagination
+could desire. A heavy snow had fallen in the night and lay, sparkling,
+all over the fields and hills, so that now, in the sunshine, the whole
+earth seemed powdered with diamonds.
+
+Patty came dancing downstairs, in a dainty little white morning frock.
+
+"Merry Christmas, everybody!" she cried, as she found the group
+gathered round the fireplace in the hall. "Did you ever see such a
+beautiful day? Not for skating," and she smiled at Hal, "but for
+snow-balling or coasting or any old kind of fun with snow."
+
+"All right," cried Roger. "Who's for a snow frolic? We can build a
+fort----"
+
+"And make a snow-man," put in Daisy, "with a pipe in his mouth and an
+old hat on his head. Why do snow-men always have to have those two
+things?"
+
+"They don't," said Jim Kenerley. "That's an exploded theory. Let's
+make one this morning of a modern type, and let him have anything he
+wants except a pipe and a battered stove-pipe hat."
+
+"We'll give him a cigarette and a Derby," said Patty. "Oh, here comes
+the mail! Let's have that before we go after our snow-man."
+
+The chauffeur came in from a trip to the post-office, with his hands
+and arms full of mail,--parcels, papers, and letters,--which he
+deposited on a table, and Jim Kenerley sorted them over.
+
+"Heaps of things for everybody," he said. "Belated gifts, magazines,
+letters, and post cards. Patty, this big parcel is for you; Daisy,
+here are two for you."
+
+"May take letters! Let baby May be postman!" cried the infant
+Kenerley.
+
+"Let her, Jim,--she loves to be postman," and Adele put the baby down
+from her arms, and she toddled to her father.
+
+"Great scheme!" said Hal. "Wait a minute, midget; I'll make you a
+cap."
+
+With a few folds, a newspaper was transformed into a three-cornered
+cap and placed on the baby's head.
+
+"Now you're a postman," said her uncle. "Go and get the letters from
+the post-office."
+
+"Letters, p'ease," said the baby, holding out her fat little hands to
+her father.
+
+"All right, kiddums; these parcels are too big for you; you're no
+parcel-post carrier. But here's a bunch of letters; pass them around
+and let every one pick out his own."
+
+Obediently, the baby postman started off, and passing Daisy first,
+dumped the whole lot in her lap.
+
+"Wait a minute, Toddles," said Daisy. "I'll pick out mine, then you
+take the rest on."
+
+Daisy selected half a dozen or more, and gave the rest of the lot back
+to the little one, who went on round the circle, letting each pick out
+his own letters.
+
+Patty had about a dozen letters, and cards and greetings of various
+sorts. Some she tore open and read aloud, some she read to herself,
+and some she kept to open when she might be alone.
+
+"Have you opened all your letters, Patty?" asked Jim, looking at her,
+quizzically.
+
+"No; I saved father's and Nan's to read by myself, you people are so
+distracting."
+
+"Oho! Father's and Nan's! Oho! aha! And are those the only ones you
+saved to read by yourself, young lady?"
+
+"I saved Elise's, also," said Patty, looking at him, a little
+surprised. "Aren't you the inquisitive gentleman, anyway!"
+
+"Elise's! Oh, yes, Elise's! And how about that big blue one,--what
+have you done with that?"
+
+"I don't see any big blue one," said Patty, innocently. "What do you
+mean, Jim?"
+
+"Oho! _what_ do I mean? What, _indeed_!"
+
+"Now, stop, Jim," said his wife. "I don't know what you're teasing
+Patty about, but she shan't be teased. If she wants to keep her big
+blue letter to herself, she's going to keep it, that's all."
+
+"Of course I shall," said Patty, saucily. "That is, I should, if I had
+any big blue letter, but I haven't."
+
+"Never mind big blue letters," said Roger, "let's all go out and play
+in the snow."
+
+So everybody put on wraps and caps and furs and out they went like a
+parcel of children to frolic in the snow. Snow-balling was a matter of
+course, but nobody minded a lump of soft snow, and soon they began to
+build the snow-man.
+
+He turned out to be a marvel of art and architecture, and as his
+heroic proportions were far too great for anybody's hat or coat, they
+draped an Indian blanket around him and stuck a Japanese parasol on
+the top of his head to protect him from the sun.
+
+Roger insisted on the cigarette, and as the snow gentleman had been
+provided with a fine set of orange-peel teeth, he held his cigarette
+jauntily and firmly.
+
+"I want to go coasting," said Patty.
+
+"And so you shall," said Jim. "I sent for a lot of sleds from the
+village, and I think they've arrived."
+
+Sure enough, there were half a dozen new sleds ready for them, and
+snatching the ropes, with glee, they dragged them to a nearby hill.
+
+It was a long, easy slope, just right for coasting.
+
+"Want to be pioneer?" asked Roger of Patty. And ever-ready Patty
+tucked herself on to a sled, grasped the rope, Roger gave her a push,
+and she was half-way down the hill before any one knew she had
+started. The rest followed, and soon the whole party stood laughing at
+the bottom of the long hill.
+
+"The worst is walking up again," said Patty, looking back up the hill.
+
+"Do you say that because it's what everybody says,--or because you're
+lazy?" asked Philip.
+
+"Because I'm lazy," returned Patty, promptly.
+
+"Then get on your sled, and I'll pull you up."
+
+"No, I'm not lazy enough for that, I hope! But I'll tell you what I'll
+do; I'll race you up."
+
+"Huh! as if I couldn't beat you up, and not half try!"
+
+"Oh, I don't _know_! Come on, now, do your best! One, two, three, go!"
+
+Each pulling a sled, they started to run uphill; at least, Philip
+started to run, and at a good rate; but Patty walked,--briskly and
+evenly, knowing full well that Philip could not keep up his gait.
+
+And she was right. Half-way up the hill, Philip was forced to slow
+down, and panting and puffing,--for he was a big man,--he turned to
+look for Patty. She came along, and swung past him with an easy
+stride, flinging back over her shoulder, "Take another sprint, and you
+may catch me yet!"
+
+"I'll catch you, no matter how much I have to sprint," Philip called
+after her, but he walked slowly for a few paces. Then, having regained
+his breath, he strode after her, and rapidly gained upon her progress.
+Patty looked over her shoulder, saw him coming, and began to run. But
+running uphill is not an easy task, and Patty's strength began to give
+out. Philip saw this, and fell back a bit on purpose to give her an
+advantage. Then as they were very near the top, Patty broke into a
+desperate run. Philip ran swiftly, overtook her, picked her up in his
+arms as he passed, and plumped her down into a soft snowbank at the
+very top of the hill.
+
+"There!" he cried; "that's the goal, and you reached it first!"
+
+"With your help," and Patty pouted a little.
+
+"My help is always at your disposal, when you can't get up a hill."
+
+"That would be a fine help, if I ever had hills to climb. But I never
+do. This is a great exception."
+
+"But there are other hills than snow hills."
+
+"Oh, I suppose now you're talking in allegories. I never _could_
+understand those."
+
+"Some day, when I get a real good chance, I'll explain them to you.
+May I?"
+
+Philip's face was laughing, but there was a touch of seriousness in
+his tone that made Patty look up quickly. She found his dark eyes
+looking straight into her own. She jumped up from her snowbank,
+saying: "I want to go down again. Where's a sled?"
+
+"Come on this one with me," said Hal, who had a long, toboggan sort of
+an affair.
+
+"This is great!" said Patty. "Where did you get this double-rigged
+thing?"
+
+"It's been here all the time, but you've been so wrapped up in that
+Van Reypen chap that you had no eyes for anybody else, or anybody
+else's sled! I'm downright jealous of that man, and I'll be glad when
+he goes home."
+
+"Ah, now, Chub," said Patty, coaxingly, "don't talk to me scoldy!
+Don't now; will you, Chubsy?"
+
+"Yes, I will, if you like him better than you do me."
+
+"Why, goodness, gracious, sakes alive! I've known him for _years_, and
+I've only known you a few days!"
+
+"That doesn't matter. I've only known you a few days, and I'm head
+over heels in love with you!"
+
+"Wow!" exclaimed Patty, "but this is sudden! Do you know, it's so
+awful swift, I don't believe it can be the real thing!"
+
+"Do you know what the Real Thing is?"
+
+"Haven't a notion."
+
+"Mayn't I tell you?"
+
+"No, sir-ee. You see, I don't want to know for years yet! _Why_ can't
+people let me alone?"
+
+"Who else has been bothering you?" demanded Hal, jealously.
+
+"I don't call it a bother! I supposed it was part of the game. Don't
+all girls have nice compliments, and flattery kind of speeches from
+the young men they know?"
+
+"I don't know whether they do or not," growled Hal.
+
+"Well, I know; they do, and they don't mean a thing; it's part of the
+game, you know. Now, I'll tell you something. I've known Philip Van
+Reypen ever so much longer than I have you, and yet I like you both
+exactly the same! And Roger just the same,--and Jim just the same!"
+
+"And Martin, the chauffeur, just the same, I suppose; and Mike, the
+gardener, just the same!"
+
+"Yep," agreed Patty. "_Everybody_ just the same! I think that's the
+way to do in this world, love your neighbour as yourself, and look
+upon all men as free and equal."
+
+"Well, I don't think all girls are equal,--not by a long shot. To my
+mind they're divided into two classes."
+
+"What two?" said Patty, with some curiosity.
+
+"One class is Patty Fairfield, and the other class is everybody else."
+
+They had reached the bottom of the hill before this, and were sitting
+on the sled, talking. Patty jumped up and clapped her hands. "That's
+about the prettiest speech I ever had made to me! It's a beautiful
+speech! I'm going right straight up the hill and tell it to everybody!"
+
+"Patty, _don't_!" cried Hal, his honest, boyish face turning crimson.
+
+"Oh, then you didn't mean it!" and Patty was the picture of
+disappointment.
+
+"I did! _Of course_ I did! But girls don't run and tell everything
+everybody says to them!"
+
+"Don't they? Well, then, _I_ won't. You see, I haven't had as much
+experience in these matters as you have! Mustn't I _ever_ tell
+anything nice that _anybody_ says to me?"
+
+"Not what _I_ say to you, anyhow! You see, they're confidences."
+
+"Well, I don't want any more of them just now. I came out here for
+coasting, not for confidences."
+
+"I fear, my dear little girl, you're destined all through life to get
+confidences, whatever you may go for."
+
+"Oh, what a horrible outlook! Well, then, let me gather my coasting
+while I may! Come on, Chubsy, let's go up the hill." And putting her
+hand in Hal's, Patty started the upward journey.
+
+At the top she declared she was going for one more ride downhill, and
+this time with Jim. "For," she said to herself, "I would like _one_
+ride without 'confidences.'"
+
+"Off we go!" said Jim, as he arranged her snugly on the toboggan sled,
+and took his place in front of her. They had a fine ride down, and Jim
+insisted on pulling Patty up again. She rode part way, and then
+decided it was too hard work for him, and jumped off.
+
+"I guess I'm good for some walk," she said, as she tucked her arm
+through his, and they climbed the hill slowly.
+
+"I guess you are, Patty. You're strong enough, only you're not as
+hardy as Daisy and Adele. I believe our Western girls are heartier
+than you New Yorkers. By the way, Patty, speaking of the West at
+large, what made you tell a naughty story this morning?"
+
+"I didn't!" and Patty looked at him with wide-open eyes. "I have a few
+faults, Jim, a _very_ few, and _very_ small ones! but truly,
+storytelling isn't among them."
+
+"But you said you didn't get a big blue letter," pursued Jim.
+
+"And neither I did," protested Patty. "What do you mean, Jim, by that
+big blue letter? I didn't see any."
+
+"Patty, it's none of my business, but you seem to be in earnest in
+what you say, so I'll tell you that there certainly was in the mail a
+big blue letter for you, addressed in Bill Farnsworth's handwriting. I
+wasn't curious, but I couldn't help seeing it; and I know the dear old
+boy's fist so well, that I was moved to tease you about it."
+
+"It didn't tease me, Jim, for I didn't get any such letter."
+
+"Well, then, where is it?"
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure. Perhaps baby May kept it."
+
+"Perhaps some of the boys got it and kept it to tease you."
+
+"I don't believe they'd do that. Perhaps Adele saved it for me. Well,
+we'll look around when we get home, but don't say anything about it."
+
+But when they reached the house, neither Jim nor Patty could find the
+blue letter. Adele said she had not seen it, and Patty insisted that
+no one else should be questioned. Privately, she thought that Hal
+Ferris had received it by mistake from baby May, and had kept it,
+because he, too, knew Bill's handwriting, and because,--well, of
+course, it _was_ foolish, she knew,--but Hal had said he was jealous
+of any other man, and he might have suppressed or destroyed Bill's
+card for that reason. She felt sure it was not a letter, but merely a
+Christmas card. However, she wanted it, but she wanted to ask Hal for
+it herself, instead of letting the Kenerleys ask him.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Dinner will be at two o'clock," Adele made announcement. "It's
+considered the proper thing to eat in the middle of the day on a
+holiday, though why, I never could quite understand."
+
+"Why, of course, the reason is, so the children can eat once in a
+while," suggested her brother.
+
+"Baby can't come to the table. She's too little, and her table manners
+are informal, to say the least. However, the tradition still holds, so
+dinner's at two o'clock, and you may as well all go and get dressed,
+for it's after one, now. There'll be a few extra guests, so you girls
+will have somebody to dress up for."
+
+"I like that," said Roger; "as if we boys weren't enough for any girls
+to dress up for!"
+
+"But you've seen all our pretty frocks," laughed Patty. "It's only
+strangers we can hope to impress with them now. I shall wear my most
+captivating gown, if Mr. Collins is coming. Is he, Adele?"
+
+"Yes, and Mr. Hoyt, too; and two more girls. Skip along, now, and
+don't dawdle."
+
+But Patty dawdled on the staircase till Ferris came along, and then
+she spoke to him in a low tone. "Chub, you didn't see a stray letter
+of mine this morning, did you?"
+
+"'M--what kind of a letter?"
+
+"Oh, a blue envelope, with probably a card inside. I hadn't opened it,
+so I don't know what was in it."
+
+"Who was it from?"
+
+"Why, how could I tell, when I hadn't opened it! In fact, that's just
+what I want to know."
+
+"What makes you think I know anything about it?"
+
+"Oh, Chub, don't tease me! I haven't time, now; and truly, I want that
+letter! Do you know anything about it?"
+
+"No, Patty, I don't. I didn't see any letters addressed to you, except
+the bunch you had in your hand. Have you really lost one?"
+
+"Yes," said Patty, seeing that Hal was serious. "Jim told me there was
+one for me from Mr. Farnsworth, and I want it."
+
+"Bill Farnsworth! What's he writing to you for? I didn't know you knew
+him."
+
+"I don't know him very well; I only met him last summer. And I don't
+know that he did write to me; it was probably just a card. But I want
+it."
+
+"Yes, you seem to. Why, Patty, you're blushing."
+
+"I am not any such thing!"
+
+"You are, too! You're as pink as a peach."
+
+"Well, I only blushed to make you call me a peach,--and now that I've
+succeeded, I'll run away."
+
+So blushing and laughing both, Patty ran upstairs to her own room. Hal
+had been so frank that she was convinced he knew nothing about the
+letter, and she began to fear it must have been tossed into the fire,
+with the many waste papers that were scattered about.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+HIDE AND SEEK
+
+
+All the time Patty was dressing she wondered about that letter; and
+when Mona, ready for dinner, stopped at her door, Patty drew her into
+the room.
+
+"Mona," she said, "did you get a Christmas card from Mr. Farnsworth?"
+
+"Yes," said Mona, "in a big blue envelope. Daisy had one, too. Didn't
+you get one?"
+
+"No; Jim said there was one for me, but it got lost somehow. Thrown in
+the fire, I shouldn't wonder."
+
+"Well, don't mind," said Mona, cheerfully. "You can have mine. It
+isn't very pretty, and Daisy's isn't either, but I suppose they're the
+best Bill could find out there in Arizona. Do you want it now, Patty?"
+
+"I don't want it at all, Mona. What would I want with your card, or
+Daisy's either? But if Little Billee sent one to me, I'd like to have
+it, that's all."
+
+"Of course you would; but truly, they don't amount to much."
+
+"Jim must have been mistaken about there being one for me," said
+Patty, and then the two girls went downstairs.
+
+The Christmas dinner was practically a repetition of the feast of the
+night before; but as Adele said, how could that be helped if people
+would have two Christmas celebrations on successive days?
+
+There were four extra guests, who proved to be merry and jolly young
+people, and after dinner Hal declared that his reign as Lord of
+Misrule was not yet over.
+
+"Don't let's do any more stunts like we had last night," said Mona.
+"They wear me out. Let's play easy games, like blindman's buff, or
+something."
+
+"Or Copenhagen," said Hal, but Patty frowned at him.
+
+"We're too grown-up for such things," she declared, with dignity.
+"What do you say to a nice, dignified game of hide and seek?"
+
+"All over the house!" cried Roger. "May we, Mrs. Kenerley?"
+
+"The house is yours," said Adele. "I reserve no portion of it. From
+cellar to attic, from drawing-room to kitchen, hide where you will and
+seek where you like,--if you'll only promise not to wake the baby.
+She's taking her afternoon nap."
+
+"She doesn't seem to mind noise," said Roger. "We do make an awful
+racket, you know."
+
+"Oh, no, I don't mean that," said Adele. "I've trained her not to
+mind noise. But I mean if your hiding and seeking takes you into the
+nursery quarters, do go softly."
+
+"Of course we will," said Philip. "I'm specially devoted to that baby,
+and I'll see that her nap isn't disturbed, even if I have to stand
+sentry at her door. But what larks to have the whole house! I've never
+played it before but what they wouldn't let you hide in this room or
+that room. Who'll be It?"
+
+"Oh, that's an old-fashioned way to play," said Hal. "Here's a better
+way. Either all the men hide and the girls find them, or else the
+other way around; and, anyway, don't you know, whoever finds who, has
+to be her partner or something."
+
+"For life?" asked Jim, looking horrified.
+
+"Mercy, no!" said his brother-in-law. "This is a civilised land, and
+we don't select life partners that way!"
+
+"You mean just partners for a dance," said Patty, trying to help him
+out.
+
+"Well, you see," said Hal, "it ought to be more than just a dance; I
+mean more like a partner for a,--for a junketing of some kind."
+
+"I'll tell you," said Adele. "There's to be a masquerade ball at the
+Country Club on New Year's Eve, and we're all going."
+
+"Just the thing!" cried Hal. "Now, whichever seeker finds whichever
+hider, they'll go in pairs to the ball, don't you see? Romeo and
+Juliet, or anything they like, for costumes."
+
+"But we won't be here," and Philip Van Reypen looked ruefully at
+Roger. "We go back to town to-morrow."
+
+"But you can come up again," said Adele, hospitably. "I hereby invite
+you both to come back the day before New Year's, and stay as long as
+you will."
+
+"Well, you are _some_ hostess!" declared Roger, looking grateful. "I
+accept with pleasure, but I doubt if my friend Van Reypen can get
+away."
+
+"Can he!" cried Philip. "Well, I rather guess he can! Mrs. Kenerley,
+you're all sorts of a darling, and you'll see me back here on the
+first train after your invitation takes effect."
+
+"Then hurrah for our game of hide and seek," Hal exclaimed. "Jim and
+Adele, you must be in it, too. You needn't think you can go as Darby
+and Joan,--you must take your chances with the rest. If you find each
+other, all right, but if you find anybody else, that's your fate,--see?"
+
+"I'm willing," said Adele, laughing. "I'm sure I'd be glad to go with
+any of you beautiful young men."
+
+"Now, will you listen to _that_!" cried her husband. "Well, I won't be
+outdone in generosity. I'll be proud to escort any one of this galaxy
+of beauty," and he looked at the group of pretty girls.
+
+"Now, we must do it all up proper," said Hal. "In the first place, we
+must draw lots to see whether the girls shall hide or we shall. We
+must have it all very fair."
+
+He tore two strips of paper, one longer than the other, and holding
+them behind him, bade Adele choose.
+
+"Right!" she said, and Hal put forth his right hand and gave her a
+paper on which was written "Girls."
+
+"All right," went on the master of ceremonies. "Now you girls must
+hide. We'll give you fifteen minutes to tuck yourselves away, and then
+we're all coming to look for you. As soon as any man finds any girl,
+he brings her back here to the hall to wait for the others. Now,
+there's no stipulation, except that you must not go out of the house.
+Scoot! and remember, in fifteen minutes we'll be after you!"
+
+The six girls ran away and made for various parts of the house. The
+two Misses Crosby, who had come as dinner guests, looked a little
+surprised at this unusual game, and Patty said to them, kindly: "You
+don't mind, do you? You know, you needn't really go with the man who
+finds you, if you don't want to."
+
+"Oh, we don't mind," said the elder Miss Crosby. "I think it's
+fun,--only if I should draw that dignified Mr. Van Reypen I'd be
+scared to death!"
+
+"Oh, he isn't so awfully dignified," laughed Patty. "That's just his
+manner at first. When you know him better, he's as jolly as anything.
+But hurry up, girls, the minutes are flying."
+
+The girls scampered away, some running to the attic, others going into
+wardrobes or behind sofas, and Patty ran to her own room.
+
+Then she bethought herself that that was one of the most likely places
+they would look for her, and she was seized with an ambition to baffle
+the seekers. With a half-formed plan in her mind, she slipped out of a
+side door of her own room that opened on a small passage leading to
+the nursery. In the nursery, she found the baby asleep in her crib,
+and the Fraeulein lying down on a couch with a slumber-robe thrown
+over her, though she was not asleep.
+
+Like a flash, Patty's plan formed itself. She whispered to the
+Fraeulein, and with a quick understanding the good-natured German girl
+took off her rather voluminous frilled cap, with its long muslin
+streamers, and put it on Patty's head. Then Patty lay down on the couch,
+with her face toward the wall, and deep buried in the pillows. Fraeulein
+tucked the slumber-robe over her, and then herself disappeared down into
+the kitchen quarters.
+
+The search was rather a long one, for the house was large, and the
+girls had chosen difficult hiding-places.
+
+The two Crosby girls were found first, because not knowing the house
+well, they had simply gone into hall closets, and stood behind some
+hanging dresses. They were discovered by Jim Kenerley and Hal; and if
+the latter was disappointed in his quarry, he gave no sign of it.
+
+The four returned to the hall, and after a while they were joined by
+Roger and Mona.
+
+"Oho," said Jim, who loved to tease, "what a coincidence that you two
+should find each other!"
+
+"Easy enough," said Roger. "I knew Mona would choose the very hardest
+place to find; so I went straight to the attic to the very farthest,
+darkest corner, and there she was, waiting for me!"
+
+"There I was," said Mona, "but I wasn't waiting for _you_!"
+
+"No, you were waiting for me, I know," said Jim, ironically. "But
+never mind, Mona, we'll be partners next time. Hello, Adele, is that
+_your_ terrible fate?" and they all laughed as Adele and Mr. Hoyt
+came in together, with cobwebs on their hair and smudges of black on
+their faces.
+
+"I thought I'd be so smart, Jim, and I hid in the coal-bin; but Mr.
+Hoyt found me! By the way, we must have that place cleaned; it's a
+disgrace to the house!"
+
+"But you know, my dear, we don't often use it to receive our guests
+in."
+
+"Well, I don't care, it must be cleaned. There's no excuse for
+cobwebs. Now I must go and tidy up. I hope they haven't wakened the
+baby. Oh, here's Daisy."
+
+Daisy and Mr. Collins came in, laughing, and Mr. Collins declared he
+had found Miss Dow hanging out the third-story window by her
+finger-tips.
+
+"Nothing of the sort," said Daisy. "I was out on a kind of little
+balcony place, that's on top of a bay-window or something,--but I put
+my hands over the sill inside, so that I could say I was still in the
+house. Wasn't that fair?"
+
+"Well, it's fair enough, as long as I found you," said Mr. Collins.
+"But when I saw your hands, I really thought you were hanging from the
+sill!"
+
+"Where's Patty?" asked Daisy, "and Mr. Van Reypen? Are they still
+finding each other?"
+
+"I saw Phil," said Roger, "standing guard at the nursery door, as he
+said he would. He let us each go in and look around, on condition that
+we wouldn't wake the baby. And the baby's nurse was also asleep on the
+sofa, so I looked around and sneaked out as fast as I could."
+
+Just then Van Reypen came downstairs. "I've been delayed," he said,
+"because I held the fort for the baby, until every man-jack of you had
+been in the nursery. Now I'm going to begin _my search_. Who is there
+left to find?"
+
+"Oh, who, _indeed_?" said Jim, looking wise. "Oh, _nobody_ in
+particular! Nobody but that little Fairfield girl, and _of course_ you
+wouldn't want to find _her_!"
+
+"Patty!" exclaimed Philip, as he looked around at the group. "Why, she
+isn't here, is she? Where can that little rascal be? You fellows have
+been all over the house, I suppose?"
+
+"Every nook and cranny," declared Mr. Hoyt. "It was as a very last
+resort that I went to the coal-bin and captured Mrs. Kenerley."
+
+"Been through the kitchens?" asked Philip, looking puzzled.
+
+"I have," said Mr. Collins. "They're full of startled-looking servants
+who seemed to think I was a lunatic, or a gentleman burglar,--I don't
+know which."
+
+"Well, of course she's got to be found," said Philip. "There's no use
+looking in the obvious places, for Patty's just cute enough to pick
+out a most unexpected hiding-place. Come on, Roger; you found your
+girl,--help me with mine."
+
+"Oh, it isn't fair to have help," said Hal. "Alone upon your quest you
+go!"
+
+"Here I go, then." And Philip ran upstairs three at a time. He went
+first to the attics, and made a systematic search of every hall, room,
+and closet. He even peeped into the great tank, as if Patty might have
+been transformed into a mermaid. Then followed a thorough search of
+the second story, with all its rambling ells and side corridors; he
+tiptoed through the nursery, smiling at the sleeping baby and casting
+a casual glance at the still figure on the couch with the long, white
+cap-strings falling to the floor.
+
+On he went, through the various rooms, and at last, with slow step,
+came down into the hall again.
+
+"I think she had one of those contraptions like the Peter Pan
+fairies," he said, "and flew right out through the roof and up into
+the sky! But I haven't searched this floor yet. May I go into the
+dining-room and kitchens, Mrs. Kenerley?"
+
+"Everywhere," said Adele. "You know I made no reservations."
+
+Philip strode through the rooms, looked under the dining-room table
+and into the sideboard cupboards; on through the butler's pantry, and
+into the kitchens. Needless to say, he found no Patty, and returned,
+looking more puzzled than ever.
+
+"I'm not going down cellar," he said. "Something tells me that Patty
+couldn't possibly stay down there all this time! It's more than an
+hour since she hid."
+
+"What are you going to do about it?" inquired Jim. "Give it up? I'll
+ring the Chinese gong for her to come back to us. That was to be a
+signal in case of an emergency."
+
+"No," said Philip. "I'm going to reason this thing out. Give me a few
+minutes to think, and I believe I can find her."
+
+"Don't anybody disturb him, let him think!" said Mona, gaily, and
+going to the piano, she began to play "Alice, where art thou?" in
+wailing strains that made them all laugh.
+
+All at once Philip jumped up. "I know where she is!" he exclaimed.
+"Sit still all of you, and I'll bring her back with me!"
+
+"Wait a minute," said Adele, curiously. "How did you find it out?"
+
+"Do _you_ know where she is?" and Philip looked at her intently.
+
+"No, I haven't the slightest idea," said Adele, honestly. "But I
+wondered how you could know, just from thinking about it."
+
+"It's clairvoyance," said Philip, with a mock air of mystery. "You
+see, I know all the places where she _isn't_, so the one place I have
+in mind must be where she _is_. By the way, Mrs. Kenerley; baby always
+takes an afternoon nap, doesn't she?"
+
+"Yes, always."
+
+"And does the Fraeulein, her nurse, always take a nap at the same
+time?"
+
+"Oh, no! She never naps in the daytime."
+
+"She did to-day," began Roger, but Philip was already flying upstairs
+again.
+
+He went softly into the nursery. The baby was still asleep, the figure
+on the couch still lay quietly beneath the knitted afghan.
+
+Philip went over and stood beside the couch. The face was buried in
+the pillow, but beneath the edge of the cap he saw some stray golden
+curls.
+
+"H'm!" he mused, in a low voice, but entirely audible to Patty. "I
+thought baby May's nurse had dark hair. She must have bleached it!"
+
+Patty gave no sign that she heard, but cuddled her head more deeply in
+the soft pillows.
+
+"Why, it isn't the Fraeulein at all!" said Philip, in tones of great
+surprise. "It's the Sleeping Beauty!"
+
+Still Patty gave no intimation of being awake, though, of course, she
+was.
+
+Then Philip leaned down over her and murmured: "And I'm the Prince;
+and when the Prince finds the Sleeping Beauty, there's only one course
+for him to pursue."
+
+At this, Patty opened her eyes and prepared to spring up, but she was
+not quite quick enough, and Philip lightly kissed the top of her
+little pink ear, before she could elude him.
+
+"How dare you!" she cried, and her eyes flashed with indignation.
+
+But Philip stood calmly smiling at her.
+
+"It's entirely permissible," he said, "when any Prince finds a
+Sleeping Beauty, to kiss her awake."
+
+"But I wasn't asleep!" stormed Patty, "and you knew it!"
+
+"You gave such a successful imitation of it, that I consider myself
+justified," he returned. "And, anyway, it was only a little bit of a
+butterfly kiss, and it doesn't really count."
+
+"No," agreed Patty, rather relieved, "it doesn't count."
+
+"But it counts that I have found you," went on Philip. "You know the
+rest of the story, after the Prince kissed the Sleeping Beauty?"
+
+"She had to go to the Country Club ball with him," said Patty,
+laughing, as she danced away from him. "Be careful, Philip; we'll wake
+baby May. Come on downstairs."
+
+"I found her," announced Philip, somewhat unnecessarily; "and I was a
+blooming idiot not to know she was there all the time!"
+
+"You sure were!" said Roger, when he heard the story. "Did you get a
+good rest, Patty?"
+
+"Yes; only it was interrupted so soon," and Patty returned Philip's
+meaning glance with a saucy smile.
+
+"Well," Roger went on, "now you two will have to go to the masquerade
+together. I suppose you'll go as Jack and Jill?"
+
+"No," said Philip, "I think fairy tales are much prettier than Mother
+Goose rhymes. We're going as the Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, and the
+Fairy Prince. Only, of course, the Sleeping Beauty will be awake for
+the occasion. Shall I bring up your costume when I return next week,
+Patty?"
+
+"I might like to have a voice in deciding on the part I shall take,"
+said Patty, with a show of spirit.
+
+"But you _did_ decide it! I never should have thought of appearing as
+'Prince Charming,' if you hadn't----"
+
+"That will do, Philip!" said Patty, turning very pink.
+
+"Go on, Phil!" cried Roger. "If she hadn't what?"
+
+"If she hadn't said I'd look so sweet in a light blue satin coat,"
+replied Philip, pretending to look confused.
+
+"Oh, pshaw! She didn't say that," declared Roger. "And beside, you
+won't!"
+
+"Oh, yes, he will," said Patty. "Those court suits are lovely,--all
+silver lace and cocked hats! Oh, Philip, do wear one of those! And
+I'll write to Nan, to get me a costume. What are you going to wear,
+Mona?"
+
+"But we mustn't tell!" said Adele, in dismay. "This is a masquerade,
+not merely a fancy dress ball."
+
+"Oh!" said Patty. "Then we'll have to change our plans, Philip. The
+Sleeping Beauty game is all off!"
+
+"Only for the moment!" And Philip threw her a challenging glance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+A PROPOSAL
+
+
+It was after midnight when the Christmas guests went away, and Patty
+declared her intention of going to bed at once.
+
+"I coasted and danced and played hide and seek till I'm utterly worn
+out," she said, "and I think I shall sleep for a week!"
+
+"But I'm going away to-morrow," said Philip, detaining her a moment.
+
+"But you're coming back next week. I'll promise to be awake by then.
+But now I'm going to hibernate, like a bear! Good-night, everybody!"
+and Patty ran upstairs without further ceremony.
+
+But as, in her pretty blue negligee, she sat before the mirror
+brushing her long hair, Mona, Daisy, and Adele all came into her
+room, quite evidently with a determination to chat.
+
+"You're an old sleepy-head, Patty," declared Adele. "You may sleep as
+late as you like in the morning, but we want to have a little confab
+now, about lots of things."
+
+"Nicht, nein, non, no!" cried Patty, jumping up and brandishing her
+hair-brush. "I know perfectly well what your confabs mean,--an hour or
+more of chattering and giggling! Come in the morning,--I'm going to
+have my chocolate upstairs to-morrow,--and I'll give you all the
+information you want. But as for to-night, skip, scoot, scamper, and
+vamoose, every dear, sweet, pretty little one of you!"
+
+Laughingly, Patty pushed the three out of her room, and closing the
+door after them, turned its key, unheeding their protests, and
+returned to her hair-brushing.
+
+"It's no use, Patricia," she said, talking to herself in the mirror,
+as she often did, "letting those girls keep you up till all hours! You
+need your beauty sleep, to preserve what small pretence to good looks
+you have left."
+
+Patty was not really vain of her pretty face, but she well knew that
+her delicate type of beauty could not stand continuous late hours
+without showing it, and Patty was not mistaken when she claimed for
+herself a good share of common sense.
+
+But as she brushed away at the golden tangle of curls, she heard a light
+tap at her door, which sounded insistent, rather than mischievous.
+
+"Who is it?" she asked, as she rose and went toward the door.
+
+"It's Daisy," said a low voice. "Let me in, Patty, just for a minute."
+
+So Patty opened the door, and Daisy Dow came in.
+
+"I want to tell you something," she said, as Patty stood waiting,
+brush in hand. "I don't really want to tell you a bit,--but Jim says I
+must," and Daisy looked decidedly cross and ill-tempered.
+
+Patty realised that it was a bother of some kind, and she said,
+gently, "Leave it till morning, Daisy; we'll both feel brighter then."
+
+"No; Jim said I must tell you to-night. Oh, pshaw, it's nothing,
+anyway! Only there _was_ a letter for you from Bill Farnsworth, and I
+took it from May, and kept it for a while, just to tease you. I was
+going to give it to you to-morrow, anyway; but Jim came and asked me
+about it, and made _such_ a fuss! Men are so _silly_!"
+
+"Why, no, Daisy, it isn't anything much; only you know people _do_
+like to have letters that belong to them! But, as you say, it's
+nothing to make a fuss about. Incidentally, I believe it's a State's
+prison offence,--or would be if you opened it. You didn't, did you?"
+
+"Of course not!" said Daisy; "but I knew it was only a card, like
+ours, and I just kept it back for fun."
+
+"It doesn't seem to me an awfully good joke,--but never mind that.
+Give me the letter, and we'll call it square, and I won't have you
+arrested or anything."
+
+Patty spoke lightly, but really she was deeply annoyed at this foolish
+trick of Daisy's. However, since Jim had found out the truth and made
+Daisy own up, there was no great harm done.
+
+"I haven't got the letter," said Daisy. "I left it downstairs, but we
+can get it in the morning. I'm sure it's only a card; it is just the
+same size and shape as ours."
+
+"Daisy, what did you do it for?" And Patty looked the girl in the
+eyes, in a real curiosity to know why she should descend to this petty
+meanness.
+
+"Because you're such a favourite," said Daisy, truthfully. "Everybody
+likes you best, and everybody does everything for you, and you get
+everything, and I wanted to tease you!"
+
+Patty grasped the girl by her shoulders, and shook her good-naturedly,
+while she laughed aloud. "Daisy, you _do_ beat the dickens! You know
+that foolish little temper of yours is too silly for anything, and if
+you'd conquer it you'd be a whole lot nicer girl! You're just as
+pretty as anybody else, and just as jolly and attractive, but you get
+a notion that you're slighted when you're _not_; and that makes you
+ill-tempered and you lose half your charm. Don't you know that if you
+want people to love you and admire you, you must be sunshiny and
+pleasant?"
+
+"Huh, that isn't my nature, I s'pose. I can't help my quick temper.
+But, anyway, Patty, you're a dear not to get mad,--and I'll give you
+the letter the first thing in the morning."
+
+"Where is it, Daisy?"
+
+"Oh, I just stuck it between two volumes of a cyclopaedia, on a shelf
+in the library. So, you see, we can't get it till morning; but it will
+be safe there, don't worry."
+
+"I'm not worrying," and Patty smiled, as Daisy said a somewhat abrupt
+good-night, and went away.
+
+There were still a few embers of a wood fire glowing on the hearth,
+and Patty sat down before it in a big arm-chair.
+
+"I don't know why I'm so glad," she said to herself, her weariness all
+gone now. "But I did feel neglected to have Little Billee send the
+other girls cards, and leave me out. I'd like to see it; I hardly
+glanced at theirs,--though I remember, they weren't very pretty. I'd
+like to see Little Billee again, but I don't suppose I ever shall.
+Well, there are plenty of other nice boys in the world, so it doesn't
+matter much. All the same, I'd like to see that card. I believe I'll
+go down and get it. There's always a low light in the hall, and I can
+feel it between the books."
+
+Patty hesitated for some time, but finally her impatience or curiosity
+got the better of her, and she softly opened her door and peeped out.
+There were low lights in the halls, and as she listened over the
+banister and heard no sounds, Patty began to creep softly down the
+stairs. Her trailing robe of light blue crepe de chine was edged with
+swansdown, and she drew it about her, as she noiselessly tiptoed along
+in her slippered feet.
+
+The hall light shone dimly into the library, through which Patty could
+see a brighter light in the smoking-room beyond. She listened a
+moment, but hearing no voices, concluded she could creep into the
+library, capture her card, and return undiscovered.
+
+"And, anyway," she thought to herself, "there can't be anybody in the
+smoking-room, or I would hear them talking."
+
+It was easy to proceed without a sound by stepping softly along the
+thick rugs, and as Patty knew exactly where the cyclopaedias were
+shelved, she made straight for that bookcase. It was next to the
+smoking-room doorway, and as Patty reached it, she peeped around the
+portiere to make sure that the next room was unoccupied.
+
+But to her surprise, she saw Philip Van Reypen stretched out in a big
+arm-chair in front of the fire. His eyes were closed, but Patty saw he
+was not asleep, as he was slowly smoking a cigar. Patty saw him
+sidewise, and she stood for a second contemplating the handsome
+profile and the fine physique of the man, who looked especially
+graceful in his careless and unconscious position.
+
+Almost holding her breath, lest he should hear her, Patty moved
+noiselessly to the shelves, being then out of sight behind a
+portiere.
+
+By slow, careful movements, it was easy enough to move the books
+silently, and at last she discovered the blue envelope, tucked between
+two of them. She drew it out without a sound,--careful lest the paper
+should crackle,--and started to retrace her stealthy steps upstairs
+again, when she saw the hem of the portiere move the veriest trifle.
+
+"A mouse!" she thought to herself, with a terrified spasm of fear, for
+Patty was foolishly afraid of mice.
+
+Unable to control herself, she sprang up into a soft easy-chair and
+perched on the back of it.
+
+The springs of the chair gave a tiny squeak, scarcely as loud as a
+mouse might make, yet sufficient to arouse Van Reypen from his
+reverie.
+
+He sprang up, and pushing aside the portiere, switched on the light,
+to see Patty sitting on the low, tufted back of the chair, her hair
+streaming about her shoulders, and her face expressing the utmost fear
+and horror.
+
+"Well!" he observed, looking at her with a smile,--"_well_!"
+
+"Oh, Philip," whispered Patty, in a quaking voice, "it's a mouse! an
+_awful_ mouse!"
+
+"Well, what are you going to do about it?" and Philip folded his arms,
+and stood gazing at the pretty, frightened figure on the chair back.
+
+His amused calm quieted Patty's nerves, which had really been put on
+edge by her uncontrollable aversion to mice, and she returned,
+cheerfully, "I suppose I shall have to stay up here the rest of my
+life, unless you can attack and vanquish the fearsome brute."
+
+"I shall not even try," said Philip, coolly, as he turned to throw
+away his cigar, "because I like to see you sitting up there. However,
+as there may be danger of another attack from the enemy, and as this
+chair is almost entirely unoccupied, I shall camp out here at your
+feet, and keep guard over your safety."
+
+He seated himself on the arm of the same chair, while Patty sat on its
+low, cushioned back. She drew her blue gown more closely about her,
+and cast wary glances toward the corner, where the enemy was
+presumably encamped.
+
+"I think perhaps the danger is over," she said. "And if you'll go back
+to the smoking-room, I will make a brave effort to get away unharmed."
+
+"Watch me go," said Philip, showing no signs of moving. "However, if
+it will set your mind at rest, I'll tell you that it _wasn't_ a mouse.
+I don't believe they have such things in this well-regulated
+household."
+
+"But I _saw_ it!" declared Patty, positively.
+
+"Saw a mouse?"
+
+"Well, not _exactly_ that, but I saw that little tassel on the
+portiere wiggle, so it _must_ have been a mouse."
+
+"Patty, you are the most ridiculous little goose on the face of this
+earth! Your imagination is something marvellous! Now I'll inform you
+that the reason that tassel moved, was because I threw a match at it.
+I aimed for a waste-basket and hit the curtain, but I had no idea that
+I should find myself so surprised at the result!"
+
+Patty dimpled and giggled. "It _is_ surprising, isn't it?" she said,
+feeling much more light-hearted since her fears were relieved
+regarding the mouse. "And I'm not sure it's altogether correct, that
+you and I should be down here alone after midnight."
+
+"Fiddlestrings!" exclaimed Philip. "Don't be a silly! And besides, Jim
+is about somewhere, and Adele has been bobbing in and out."
+
+"There was no one in the halls when I came down. And I think, Philip,
+I'd better go back."
+
+"What did you come down for, anyhow?"
+
+For some unexplained reason, Patty suddenly felt unwilling to tell
+what she had come for. Bill's letter was hidden in the folds of her
+voluminous blue gown, and she couldn't quite bring herself to tell
+Philip that she came down for that.
+
+"Oh, I was wakeful," she said, "and I came down to get a--a book."
+
+"H'm; and you thought you'd take a volume of the Britannica back with
+you, to read yourself to sleep?"
+
+Patty had to laugh at this, for in the corner where they were, the
+shelves contained nothing but cyclopaedias and dictionaries.
+
+"But they're really very interesting reading," she declared.
+
+"And this is the little girl who was so sleepy she had to run off to
+bed as soon as the party was over! Patty, Patty, I'm afraid you're not
+telling me the truth! Try again."
+
+"Well, then,--well, then, I came down because,--because I was hungry!"
+
+"Ah, that's better. Anybody has a right to be hungry, or even afraid
+of mice,--but no one has a right to lug a whole cyclopaedia upstairs
+to read oneself to sleep."
+
+"I wasn't going to take _all_ the volumes," said Patty, demurely, and
+then she jumped down from her perch. "I'll just see which one I do
+want," and pretending to read the labels, she deftly slipped her
+letter back between the volumes, unseen by Van Reypen.
+
+"You little goose, you," said Philip, laughing. "Stop your nonsense,
+and let's go and forage in the dining-room for something to eat. We
+might as well have some good food while we're about it."
+
+"But I'm not exactly in proper dinner garb," said Patty, shaking out
+her blue folds, and trailing her long robe behind her.
+
+"Nonsense! I don't know much about millinery, but you never wore
+anything more becoming than all that fiddly-faddly conglomeration of
+blue silk and white fur."
+
+"It isn't fur,--it's down."
+
+"Well, I said you were a goose,--so it's most appropriate."
+
+"But it's swansdown."
+
+"Well, be a swan, then! Be anything you like. But come on, let's make
+for the dining-room. We'll probably find Jim there, but don't make any
+noise, or everybody upstairs will think we're burglars and shoot us."
+
+Philip switched off the library light, and taking Patty's hand, led
+her through the dim hall and into the dining-room. At the end of this
+room was a wide bay window, which let in a perfect flood of moonlight.
+
+"Oh," exclaimed Patty, "what a picture! From my room you couldn't tell
+it was moonlight at all."
+
+The picture from the window was a far sweep of hills, white with snow,
+and glistening in the moonlight. In the foreground, evergreen trees,
+laden with snow, stood about like sentinels,--and a big, yellow
+three-quarter moon was nearing the western horizon.
+
+"Isn't it wonderful, Philip?" whispered Patty, almost awed at the
+sight.
+
+"Yes, dear," he said, still holding her hand in both his own. "Patty,
+you have a wonderful appreciation of the beautiful."
+
+"Nobody could help loving such a sight as that."
+
+"And nobody could help loving such a girl as you!" exclaimed Philip,
+drawing her into his arms. "Patty, darling, you know I love you!
+Patty, _do_ care for me a _little_ bit, won't you?"
+
+"Don't, Philip," and Patty drew gently away from him. "_Please_ don't
+talk to me like that! Oh, I oughtn't to be here! Let me go, Philip,--I
+_know_ this isn't right."
+
+"It _is_ right, Patty, darling; because I love you, and I want you for
+all my own. Say you love me, and that will make _everything_ all
+right!"
+
+"But I don't, Philip." And Patty's voice carried a hint of tears.
+
+"But you will, dear; you _must_, because I love you _so_. Patty, I
+have always loved you, I think, since I first saw you on the stairs at
+Aunty Van's that evening. Do you remember?"
+
+"Yes, I remember; but please, Philip, let me go now, and _don't_ talk
+to me this way. I don't _want_ you to!"
+
+"You're frightened, Patty, that's all; and perhaps I ought not to have
+spoken just now; but you looked so sweet, in the moonlight, with that
+wonderful hair of yours curling about your shoulders, that I just
+couldn't help it."
+
+"I'll forgive you, Philip, if you'll forget this whole occurrence."
+
+"Forget it? Why, Patty, what do you mean? I never forget it for a
+single moment! I was sitting there to-night, dreaming of _you_. I
+wasn't asleep, you know, I was just thinking about you, and wondering
+how soon I might tell you my thoughts. You're so young, dear,--I'm
+half a dozen years older than you are,--but I want you, my little
+Patty. Mayn't I hope?"
+
+"You're quite right, Philip. I _am_ too young to think of such things.
+So cut it out for a couple of years, and then I'll see about it!"
+
+"Patty, you rogue, how _can_ you speak like that? Don't you love me a
+least little bit?"
+
+"Not a teenty weenty speck! And if you don't give me something to eat,
+I won't even _like_ you."
+
+"Well, here's a bargain, then,--if I find something nice for you to
+eat, will you like me a whole lot?"
+
+"I do like you a whole lot, anyway; but I don't love you and I'm not
+going to love _anybody_, _ever_! I do think being grown-up is a
+regular nuisance, and I wish I was a little girl again, with my hair
+down my back!"
+
+"Incidentally, your hair _is_ down your back."
+
+"Well, I don't care," and Patty shook her curly mane. "I wear it that
+way in tableaux and things, so what's the difference?"
+
+"There _isn't_ any difference. We'll pretend you're a tableau."
+
+"All right, I'll be Patience on a Monument, waiting for some supper."
+
+"That was Little Tommy Tucker."
+
+"No; _he_ sang for his supper. I'm not going to sing."
+
+"For Heaven's sake, _don't_! Your top notes would bring the whole
+crowd down here! Patty, if you'll promise to love me _some time_, I'll
+stop teasing you _now_."
+
+"Oh, Philip, I'd do 'most anything to have you stop teasing me now!
+But how _can_ I tell who I'm going to love when I get old enough to
+love anybody?"
+
+"Well, you don't love anybody yet, do you?"
+
+"I do _not_!" and Patty shook her head with great emphasis.
+
+"Then I have a fair show, anyway." And Philip drew the curtain that
+shut out the moonlight, and switched on the electric light.
+
+"Exit Romance!" he said, "and enter Comedy! Now, Patty, you're my
+little playmate; we're just two kiddies in the pantry, stealing
+jam,--that is, if we can find any jam."
+
+"The pantry's the place," said Patty; "there's nothing in the
+sideboard but biscuit and raisins."
+
+"They don't sound very good to me. To the pantry!"
+
+Into the pantries they went, and there, in cupboards and iceboxes,
+found all sorts of good things.
+
+Cold turkey, game pate, jellies, custards, cakes, and all varieties
+of food.
+
+"This is ever so much more fun than moonlight," said Patty, as she
+perched herself on a table, there being no chair, and held a partridge
+wing in one hand and a macaroon in the other. "Could you find me a
+glass of milk, Philip?"
+
+"Yes, indeed; anything you want, my Princess."
+
+"I thought you said Jim was about," Patty remarked.
+
+"He was," returned Philip, calmly. "I saw him go upstairs as we came
+in the dining-room."
+
+"Did he see us?"
+
+"Sure! He grinned at me and I grinned at him. I didn't invite him to
+come with us,--so being a polite gentleman, he didn't come. He doesn't
+mind our eating up his food. He's awful hospitable, Jim is."
+
+"Well, I've had enough of his food, and now I'm going back to my downy
+couch. If I don't see you to-morrow before you leave,--good-bye,
+Philip."
+
+"That's a nice, casual way to say good-bye to a man who has just
+proposed to you!"
+
+"Good gracious! _Was_ that a proposal?"
+
+"Well, rather! What did you think it was? A sermon, or just a bit of
+oratory?"
+
+"Do you know, Philip, truly I didn't realise it at the time," and
+Patty's smile was very provoking, as she looked up into his face.
+
+"Would your answer have been different if you had?" he asked, eagerly.
+
+"Oh, no, not that! But I just want you to understand that I don't
+consider it a real proposal," and Patty laughed and ran away, leaving
+Philip to "clear up" the pantry.
+
+She stopped a moment in the library, long enough to get her blue
+letter, and then scuttled up the stairs and into her own room.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV
+
+A CHRISTMAS CARD
+
+
+Once safely behind her locked door, Patty tore open her blue envelope.
+It was only a card,--but not an ordinary printed Christmas card.
+
+In the upper corner was a spray of apple blossoms, exquisitely
+painted; and on the card were some verses, written in a hand that was
+small and fine, but unmistakably the same as the address on the
+outside of the envelope.
+
+With a little sigh of pleasure, Patty cuddled up in her arm-chair to
+read the Christmas message.
+
+But it proved to be not very Christmassy, after all; for this is what
+she read:
+
+                         "MY LADY OF DELIGHT
+
+    "My Lady of Delight's a dainty, winsome thing;
+    She's Queen of Summertime, and Princess of the Spring.
+    Her lovely, smiling lips are roses set to rhyme,
+    She has a merry, lilting laugh, like Bluebells all a-chime.
+    The radiance of her smile, the sunshine in her eyes,
+    Is like the Dawn of breaking Day upon the summer skies.
+
+    "With roguish glances bright, all on a Summer Day,
+    My Lady of Delight she stole my heart away;
+    And though I humbly beg and plead with her, alack!
+    My Lady of Delight, she will not give it back.
+    I seem to see her now, with tangled golden curl,
+    With dancing eyes, and smiling lips,--My Apple Blossom Girl!
+
+    "Oh, Lady of Delight, I pray you, smile on me;
+    Oh, Lady of Delight, your Knight I fain would be;
+    Oh, Lady of Delight, you set my heart aglow.
+                I only know
+                I love you so,
+            Dear Lady of Delight!"
+
+Patty read the verses over twice, with shining eyes.
+
+"I wonder if he wrote them himself," she mused. "I don't believe he
+did; he must have copied them. He knows an awful lot of pretty poetry
+like that. And yet it doesn't sound like a real poet's poetry, either.
+And he used to call me Apple Blossom,--such a pretty name. Philip
+would never think of such a thing as that. I wonder if I like Little
+Billee better than I do Philip. I wonder if he likes me better. But of
+course he can't, or he would have written to me in all this time. I
+haven't seen him since August, and he never wrote a word, except the
+stiffest kind of a line with those flowers he sent me. I thought he'd
+forgotten all about me! But I can't think so now,--unless he just came
+across this poem, and it recalled me to his mind. Well, I came awfully
+near not getting it! I don't see how Daisy _could_ have been so mean;
+I don't like that kind of a joke a bit. But of course she thought it
+was just a printed card, like hers and Mona's. Well, she'll never know
+it _isn't_,--that's one thing sure!"
+
+And then Patty tucked her card of verses under her pillow and went to
+sleep.
+
+The next morning, as Patty had prophesied, she slept late. Daisy
+peeped into her room two or three times before she finally found
+Patty's blue eyes open.
+
+"At last!" she said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I thought
+you'd never wake up! Patty, what do you think? I've been down in the
+library, and I can't find that card! I'm awfully sorry, truly I am;
+I'll give you mine if you want it."
+
+"Thank you, Daisy," and Patty smiled at the recollection of Mona's
+similar offer. "Bill's cards seem to be a drug in the market! But you
+may keep yours, and also set your mind at rest about mine; for I
+sneaked downstairs last night in the dark, and fished it out for
+myself."
+
+"You did! Oh, Patty, weren't you frightened to prowl around like that,
+late at night?"
+
+Patty shook with laughter. "I _was_ frightened," she said, "when I
+thought I saw a mouse,--but it wasn't a mouse, after all."
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't be afraid of a mouse! But you might have met a,--a
+burglar or something?"
+
+"No," and Patty still grinned. "I didn't meet any _burglar_. But I got
+the card, Daisy, so that's all right."
+
+"Was it like mine? Let me see it."
+
+"It wasn't exactly like yours, and I won't let you see it. You kept it
+away from me, and now it's my turn to keep it away from you. And by
+the way, Daisy, that was a mean thing to do, and I don't want you to
+do anything like that to me again!" Patty's sweet face showed an
+unusually stern expression, and her blue eyes looked straight into
+Daisy's as she spoke.
+
+"I won't, Patty; truly, I won't. I'm awfully sorry, but I did it on a
+sudden impulse."
+
+"I know it; and, Daisy, I want you to try not to give way to those
+'sudden impulses' when they're mean ones. You have enough good,
+generous impulses to keep you busy. Now, you mustn't mind if your Aunt
+Patty lectures you a little bit, because as the teachers always say,
+'it's for your own good.' And if you'll please take a chair, instead
+of sitting all over my feet, I'd like to have my breakfast; for I hear
+my pretty little Swedish Hedwig bringing it in."
+
+The smiling maid appeared with Patty's breakfast tray, followed by
+Mona and Adele.
+
+"Company already!" exclaimed Patty, sitting up in bed. "Hedwig, quick,
+my breakfast cap,--the pink one,--and the nightingale to match."
+
+The maid threw the silken wrap around Patty's shoulders, and tucked
+her hair into the lace-frilled cap, which was of a Dutch shape, and
+made Patty look like the pictures of Holland's pretty queen.
+
+"You don't seem hungry," said Mona, as Patty toyed with her chocolate.
+"Now, I ate a most astonishing breakfast, because I forgot to eat my
+supper last night."
+
+"Well, you see," returned Patty, dropping her lashes to hide her
+twinkling eyes, "I didn't forget to eat my supper."
+
+The recollection of that supper in the pantry was too much for her,
+and she burst into laughter.
+
+"What _is_ the matter with you, Patty?" said Adele. "You're acting
+like a harmless lunatic! However, I'm sent to tell you to hop up and
+get dressed, for one of your admirers below stairs wants you to go for
+a sleighride with him."
+
+"Jim?" asked Patty, looking up with a smile.
+
+"No; Mr. Van Reypen."
+
+"Oh, good gracious! I don't care about going riding with Philip; I can
+see _him_ in New York. I hoped it was Hal,--that's why I said Jim."
+
+"Patty," said her hostess, "you're a born coquette, and always will
+be! But your wiles are wasted on me. Save them for your suitors. But,
+truly, Mr. Van Reypen is going on an errand for me, and he said that
+he wanted to show you _some_ little attention while he was here, and
+he guessed he'd let you go along with him in the cutter."
+
+"Oh, a cutter ride," and Patty began to scramble out of bed. "That
+sounds rather good fun. But I'd rather go with Hal."
+
+"Well, you're candid, at any rate," said Daisy. "But as it happens,
+Hal and I are going to practise some music this morning."
+
+"Oh, in that case, I've nothing more to say." And Patty smiled
+good-naturedly at Daisy. "And I suppose Mona and Roger are going
+somewhere to play by themselves."
+
+"Nothing of the sort," said Mona. "Roger's going back to the city this
+morning, and I'm going to write letters."
+
+"But I thought Philip was going back to the city," said Patty, looking
+at Adele.
+
+"He's going on the afternoon train. Go on and get dressed, Patty, and
+don't waste any more time."
+
+"All right," and Patty made an expeditious toilette and in little more
+than half an hour went downstairs equipped for her ride.
+
+She was enveloped from head to foot in a raccoon fur coat, with a
+jaunty hat of the same, trimmed only with a bright quill feather.
+
+"Why do we go?" she demanded, presenting herself before Philip, who
+was waiting in the hall.
+
+"To get butter and eggs," he returned, gravely. "The Kenerley larder
+is entirely empty of those two very necessary ingredients."
+
+"But why do _we_ go for them? Are there no servants to send?"
+
+"Little girls shouldn't ask questions," and without further ceremony
+Philip tucked her into the waiting sleigh, sprang in beside her, and
+took up the lines.
+
+"My, this is great!" exclaimed Patty, as the pair of fine horses went
+dashing down the drive, and the clear, keen winter air blew against
+her face.
+
+"Yes; I thought the sleighride would brace you up. And, really, there
+seemed to be nobody to send on this errand, so I said we'd go."
+
+"Is it far?"
+
+"No; only about five miles; we'll be back for luncheon. How did you
+sleep, after your late supper?"
+
+"All right," and Patty smiled back into Philip's face. "But I wasn't
+hungry for my breakfast."
+
+"I should say not! You ate enough last night for two little girls like
+you!"
+
+"There aren't two little girls like me!" said Patty, with twinkling
+eyes, and Philip exclaimed: "Indeed, there aren't! I say, Patty, my
+Princess Patty, _do_ be engaged to me, won't you?"
+
+"No, you ridiculous boy, I won't! And if you say another word on the
+subject, I'll be real downright mad at you!"
+
+"Very well, I won't. Now, see here, Princess, do you mean to go to
+this masquerade ball with me? For, if not, I'm not coming back here
+for New Year's."
+
+"Why, of course, I'm going with you. Who else?"
+
+"I don't know, I'm sure. But there would be plenty glad to take you."
+
+"Pooh! I know that. But I want to go with you. What shall we wear?"
+
+"I was thinking of some foolish thing, like Little Bo-Peep, you know."
+
+"Oh, I'd love to be that! A shepherdess costume, and a crook with
+ribbons on. But I want you to wear a satin coat and knee-breeches."
+
+"Well, I'll be Old King Cole."
+
+"No, I don't like that. I'll tell you! You be Little Boy Blue."
+
+"The Gainsborough picture?"
+
+"No, that won't do either. Oh, you be Bobby Shafto! He wears 'silver
+buckles on his knee,' don't you know?"
+
+"Yes, I _do_ know! And what's the next line?"
+
+"Never mind," said Patty, turning pink. "I want you to wear a real
+Bobby Shafto costume. So you will, won't you?"
+
+"Of course, if my Princess commands. I'll have it made at once. Can I
+help about yours?"
+
+"Well, you might go to see Nan, and tell her what I want, and she'll
+get it and send it up here. A shepherdess rig is easy enough, and
+there's nothing prettier."
+
+"It will be lovely. I say, which way do we turn here?"
+
+"To go to Hatton's Corners? Oh, to the right."
+
+"I think it's the left."
+
+"No, it isn't. I remember distinctly, Jim said, be sure to take the
+right road."
+
+"He meant right, not wrong."
+
+"Nonsense! he didn't. He meant right, not left. Turn right, Philip."
+
+They turned right, into a wide, straight road. The sleighing was fine,
+though not yet sufficiently packed. But, with the light cutter, and
+two good horses, they spun along in great shape.
+
+"There's something about sleighing that's different from anything
+else," remarked Patty, with the air of one expounding a great truth.
+
+"It's the exhilaration. Spinning along like this, with the snow
+crunching under us, beats motoring, I think."
+
+"Yes; for an occasional ride. But for all the year round, motoring is
+best."
+
+"That's so. Sleighing isn't much fun in July or August."
+
+"Huh! don't be silly. But, I say, Philip, where are we? Jim said we'd
+pass Little Falls, and then we must follow the trolley line all the
+way to the butter and egg house. I don't see any trolley."
+
+"Neither do I, yet. But we'll soon strike it. Ah, here we are!"
+
+"No; this is a railroad,--a steam railroad, I mean. Philip, we're off
+the road."
+
+"I think we are. I'm sorry I insisted on turning to the right at that
+corner."
+
+"You _didn't_ insist. _I_ did! But I thought it was right."
+
+"It _is_ right, dear. Anything is right, where you are."
+
+"You'd better stop talking foolishness, and find the right road."
+
+"Oh, if you call that _foolishness_!"
+
+"Well, I do! I'd rather you'd get to the egg house and back before it
+begins to storm. And by the looks of the sky, I'm sure it _is_ going
+to storm."
+
+"Oh, no! nothing like that. But I say! Princess! it's after one
+o'clock! Now, who would have thought it? And they expect us back to
+luncheon!"
+
+"After one! Oh, Philip, it _can't_ be!"
+
+"Yes, it is! Well, Patty Pink, the best thing to do, _I_ think, is to
+go to that house I see in the dim distance, and ask our way. The last
+two or three signposts have shown names _I_ never heard of."
+
+"I either," said Patty, in a meek voice. "I noticed them, but I didn't
+say anything, because it's my fault we went astray."
+
+"Well, never mind. We're in for a lark, that's all. 'Afar in the
+desert I love to ride'--what comes next, Patty?"
+
+"'With the silent Bushboy alone by my side----'"
+
+"Yes, that's it; but thank goodness, you're not silent----"
+
+"Nor a Bushboy, either. But I don't like this, Philip. We're----"
+
+"We're far frae our hame, and all that. But don't you worry, my
+Princess. You're with me, and so you're not lost. You know, it's
+better to be loved than lost."
+
+"Now, Philip, stop talking about love! It's bad enough to be
+lost,--and we _are_ lost,--without having somebody harping about love
+all the time."
+
+"Well, this isn't much of a time or place, is it? So, suppose we invade
+this peaceful dwelling, and inquire our latitude and longitude."
+
+They drove up a winding road to a large, old-fashioned house, and
+Philip jumped out at the front door.
+
+His summons on the big, brass knocker was answered by a prim little
+lady, with grey hair and bright, dark eyes.
+
+"Pardon me, madame," said Philip, in his best manner. "We have lost
+our way. Will you tell me how to reach Hatton's Corners?"
+
+"Hatton's Corners! Why, that's a good ten miles from here. Where'd you
+come from?"
+
+"From Fern Falls."
+
+"Then you took the wrong road at the Big Tree Fork. You'd oughter 'a'
+gone to the left."
+
+"H'm; you may be right. But must we go back there, or is there a
+shorter cut?"
+
+"No; there ain't no shorter cut. But your young lady looks cold. Won't
+you two come in and take a bite o' dinner, and get warm before you go
+on?"
+
+"Why, this is true hospitality, madame. What do you say, Patty?"
+
+Patty looked uncertain. "I don't know what to say," she replied,
+hesitatingly. "I _am_ cold; but I'm afraid it would delay us so long
+that Adele will worry about us. I think we'd better jog along."
+
+But then another old lady appeared. She was rounder, rosier, plumper,
+and jollier than the first, and she cried out, heartily: "Jog along?
+Well, I reckon not! I jest waited to slip into my shoes,--my feet's
+awful tender,--and then I come right out here to see what's goin' on.
+Now, you two young folks come right in, and set a spell. 'Tain't often
+we get a chance to have comp'ny,--and on chicken pie day, too!"
+
+"Whew, chicken pie!" exclaimed Philip. "How about it, Patty?"
+
+"Have you a telephone?" asked Patty, with a sudden inspiration.
+
+"Yes, miss. Now you jest come along. 'Kiah, the hired man, he'll look
+after your horses, and I'm free to confess they need a rest and a
+feed, even if you don't."
+
+"That's so," said Philip. "We must have come twelve or fifteen miles."
+
+"It's all o' that from Fern Falls. My, I'm right down glad to look
+after you two. You do seem to need it."
+
+The speaker's twinkling dark eyes looked at her two visitors with such
+comprehension that Patty blushed and Philip smiled.
+
+"We're from Mr. Kenerley's house," he explained,--"guests there, you
+know. And we started for Hatton's Corners to get some butter and
+eggs--and somehow, we took the wrong turn----"
+
+"It was all my fault," confessed Patty. "I insisted on coming this
+way, though Mr. Van Reypen thought the other was right."
+
+"Well, well, never mind! It'll jest be a nice, smart trip back after
+dinner. I'm Mrs. Fay, and this is my sister, Miss Wilhelmina Winthrop.
+She's got a longer name than I have, but I've got a longer head."
+
+They were ushered into the old-fashioned sitting-room, with its
+Brussels carpet showing huge baskets of flowers; its heterogeneous
+furniture, some chairs haircloth and black walnut, and others
+cane-seated, with rep cushions tied on; marble tables, of course; and
+an old sofa, with well-worn pillows and rugs.
+
+But the place had a hospitable air, and the two hostesses were fairly
+beaming with delight at this opportunity for entertainment. Miss
+Winthrop carried Patty off to her own bedroom.
+
+"You're jest all tuckered out, I can see," she said, hovering around
+her like a clucking hen; "but a wash-up and a good dish o' chicken pie
+will put you all to rights again."
+
+"But I must telephone before we eat dinner," said Patty.
+
+"So you shall,--so you shall. Now, don't you worry the leastest mite
+about anything."
+
+"How kind you are!" exclaimed Patty, smiling on the happy little old
+lady. "I suppose you belong to the real old New England Winthrops?"
+
+"Yes, and we're mighty proud of our name. I was so much so that I
+never would change it,"--and she chuckled. "Sister, though, she
+thought Fay was prettier."
+
+"Fay _is_ pretty," said Patty, cordially, "and now, if I may, I'll
+telephone, for I know our people will be wondering where we are."
+
+"All right, Miss Fairfield; come right along." But in returning to the
+sitting-room, Patty found Philip was already at the telephone.
+
+"Yep," he was saying, "lost our way; took wrong turning at Big Tree
+Fork. Brought up, somehow, at Mrs. Fay's. Accepted invitation to
+dinner,--chicken pie!--Start back immediately after the E in Pie! See?
+Expect us when we get there. Will accumulate a butter and a egg or
+two, on our way home. Love to all. Philip." He concluded his harangue,
+and turned to Patty.
+
+"All serene on the Potomac, Patty Pink! I told them all it was
+necessary for them to know; and if they desire further information,
+they can call us up. They know where we are. Me for the chicken pie!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+STORMBOUND
+
+
+The two old ladies were not of the quaint type, nor was their home
+picturesque. The place and the people were merely old-fashioned, and
+they were almost primitive in their ways. They were kind-hearted and
+hospitable, but they were of the rugged New England class that has
+lost the charm of its Colonial ancestry.
+
+The dinner was wholesome and plentiful, but with no variety, and
+served in the plainest fashion. The chicken pie was delicious, but it
+had no accompaniments except home-made hot biscuit and coffee with
+thick, rich, country cream.
+
+"I always say," said Miss Winthrop, as she settled herself at the
+table, "that chicken pie is a whole meal in itself, without any
+bothersome side-dishes. I say it's meat and drink both; but sister
+says she just can't enjoy it 'thout she has a cup of coffee alongside
+of it. Well, I've no objections to the coffee, I'm sure, but I'm free
+to admit it does seem superfluous. Still, with company so, it ain't so
+much out of place."
+
+"I'm sorry if we've made you any extra trouble," said Patty, giving
+Miss Winthrop one of her best smiles; "but _I'm_ free to confess that
+this is the most wonderful coffee that I've ever tasted, and I think
+it goes specially well with the pie. And as for these light biscuit,
+they're just puffs of lusciousness! Aren't they, Philip?"
+
+"They are, indeed! All you say is true, but both coffee and biscuit
+pale beside the glory of this chicken pie! There never _was_ such
+another!"
+
+Mrs. Fay beamed with delight at these generous compliments, and said,
+complacently, "Yes, they ain't many can make chicken pie like mine, if
+I do say it. My, ain't it lucky you young people happened along,
+to-day of all days! And land knows, I don't want you to go away right
+off. I'd like you to set a spell after dinner. But I feel it my
+bounden duty to tell you that 'Kiah says there's a storm a-brewin'.
+But I don't think you need start off before, say, three o'clock,
+anyway."
+
+"Three o'clock will do nicely," returned Philip, gaily. "That will
+give us time to stop at Hatton's Corners and get home before dark.
+Personally, I'm not in a bit of a hurry."
+
+"No?" And Mrs. Fay looked quizzically at her guests. "I just reckon,
+young man, that you ain't one mite sorry that you lost your way and
+had this little outing with your young lady?"
+
+"Indeed I'm not sorry, Mrs. Fay; and beside our little outing, we're
+having a pleasant visit with you, and we're enjoying every minute of
+it."
+
+"Indeed we are," said Patty, glancing out of the window as she spoke.
+"But it's beginning to snow already, and I don't think we'd better
+wait until three o'clock."
+
+"Land's sake!" and Miss Winthrop turned to look out of the window
+behind her. "So it is snowing! And when it begins that way, with fine
+flakes, slanting crossways, it means business! I dunno as you can
+hardly dare venture on a twelve-mile ride in the face of this. 'Pears
+to me it's going to be a blizzard."
+
+"Nonsense, Mina; you do always look on the dark side," expostulated
+her sister. "Now _I_ think 'tain't nothing but a flurry, and by then
+dinner is over, it'll be bright sunshine again. Now, have your plates
+filled up, friends, and try and make out a meal."
+
+Mrs. Fay fairly beamed with hospitality as she urged more viands upon
+her guests. The table appointments were of the plainest, being thick
+white china and coarse table napery, with plated silverware. Patty had
+expected thin little old teaspoons of hall-marked silver, and old blue
+or perhaps copper-lustre teacups, but this household was not of that
+sort. Everything seemed to date from the early seventies, and Patty
+wondered why there were no old Winthrop heirlooms in the family.
+
+She brought the conversation round to antiques, and Mrs. Fay remarked,
+decidedly: "I just can't bear old-fashioned things. I come into quite
+a lot of old mahogany furniture and pewter and dishes and things when
+my grandfather died. But when I got married, I had an auction and sold
+everything. Then I took the money and bought a whole new outfit. I
+believe in going right along with the times. 'Course those old things
+were all right for grandfather, but when I married, I'm free to
+confess, I wanted things that were in style then. So I bought a real
+tasty outfit, and I've kept it careful, and it's pretty near as good
+as new now."
+
+She looked around with pride at her dining-room furnishings, which
+seemed to Patty about the worst she had ever seen.
+
+But she smiled at her hostess, and said, cordially: "I _do_ think it's
+nice to have just what you want; and I think we do get attached to our
+own things. Have you lived here long?"
+
+"Land, yes! Nearly all my life. Mr. Fay, he's been dead twenty-five
+years; so sister and me we live here together, as contented as you
+please. We have a telephone and a rural delivery, so you see it's just
+the same as if we were right in town. Now, if you really won't eat any
+more pie, let's go into the sittin'-room a spell."
+
+From the sitting-room windows the view of the storm seemed more
+serious. The sky was black, the wind was blowing a gale, and the
+snow-flurry had grown thicker. In fact, it was a hard snowstorm, and
+Miss Winthrop's fear of a blizzard did not seem entirely unfounded.
+
+The young people took it lightly, however. "There's no use worrying,"
+said Patty. "We ought to be thankful, Philip, that we're under
+shelter, and with such kind friends. You'll keep us till the storm is
+over, won't you, Mrs. Fay?"
+
+"Yes, and glad to. You just can't think of starting now, so you might
+as well settle down and make the best of it. Want to telephone to your
+people again?"
+
+"We will after a while; but there's no use calling them up now. Let's
+wait and see whether the storm grows worse or better. Why, if it's a
+blizzard, we may have to stay here all night!"
+
+"Don't let that worry you none," and Mrs. Fay swung back and forth
+complacently in her plush patent-rocker. "We got two spare bedrooms,
+and I'll just be tickled to death to put you up over night. You're
+just like a streak of sunshine in the house, Miss Fairfield, and I'm
+glad to have you as long as you'll stay."
+
+"I wish you'd call me a streak of sunshine," said Philip. "I'd love to
+be called that."
+
+"Well, you're bright enough," and Mrs. Fay looked at him, serenely.
+"But you're a different kind of a streak."
+
+"A streak of lightning, I guess, if need be," said Miss Winthrop,
+nodding her head at Philip, as if she appreciated his capabilities.
+
+"I'm quick at some things," said Philip, modestly. "But, jiminy
+crickets! I don't believe we're going to be very quick getting away
+from here! Just look at the storm, _now_!"
+
+The fury of the elements had increased. The wind was a raging northern
+blast, and the snow was already piled in drifts. It was, in fact, a
+blizzard in a small way, and was rapidly growing.
+
+"But never mind the weather, so long as we're together," sang Patty
+with a little trill, as she danced about the room. Then she seated
+herself at the old, square piano, and began to sing snatches of gay
+songs.
+
+"My land! How pretty you do sing," said Miss Winthrop, who was leaning
+on the end of the piano, listening delightedly. "Oh, sing more, won't
+you? I don't know when I've had such a treat."
+
+So Patty sang several of her prettiest songs, and the two old ladies
+were enchanted. Moreover, Eliza, the maid-of-all-work, and 'Kiah, the
+hired man, appeared in the doorway of the sitting-room and listened
+too.
+
+"Come on, Philip; let's give them a duet," and Patty broke into some
+rollicking college songs, in which Philip joined.
+
+Glad to be able to please their kind entertainers, they kept on
+singing for an hour or more.
+
+"Well, that was great!" exclaimed Mrs. Fay, as Patty rose at last from
+the piano stool. "I used to sing some, and he used to sing bass. My,
+but we had nice times singing together there at that same piano. You
+two just made me think of it all over again. I think it's awful nice
+for two to sing together."
+
+"Yes, we're awfully fond of singing together," said Philip, with a
+glance at Patty, half mischievous, half tender, whereat Patty blushed.
+
+"You needn't tell me," said Mrs. Fay, nodding her head. "I see just
+how it is with you two. You can't hide it, you know, so you needn't to
+try."
+
+"Oh, I don't want to hide anything, I'm sure," said Philip. But Patty
+said, "Don't be foolish, Philip; there's nothing to hide! You're
+mistaken, Mrs. Fay, if you think we're anything more than friends."
+
+"Oh, land, child, I know what that means! Maybe you ain't ready to say
+yes yet, but you will soon. Well, it ain't none of my business, but
+I'm free to confess you are as proper-lookin' a young couple as I'd
+want to meet; and mighty well suited to each other."
+
+"That's what I think," began Philip, but Patty turned the subject and
+went back to the weather, which was always a safe ground for
+conversation, if not safe to go out into.
+
+"Well," she said, going to the window for the fourteenth time; "it's
+perfectly hopeless to think of starting. And it's after four now, and
+it's blowing great guns and snowing like all possessed! Mrs. Fay,
+we'll simply have to accept your hospitality for the night. Now I
+think I'll telephone Adele that we're stormbound."
+
+But though Patty called and called, she could get no answer from the
+telephone Central.
+
+"Guess the wires must be down," said Miss Winthrop. "They broke down
+last winter with a snow that came sudden, just like this, and 'twas a
+week before we got it fixed."
+
+"Let me try," and Philip took the receiver from Patty's hand. But it
+made no difference who tried, they could get no answer of any kind.
+
+"Oh, well," said Philip, as he hung up the receiver again, "it doesn't
+matter much. They know we're safe, and they know where we are, and
+they know we couldn't start out in a storm like this."
+
+"Maybe they'll come for us with a motor," suggested Patty.
+
+"They might if we were nearer. But a motor would get stalled before it
+could get over here and back again in these drifts. It's an awful
+storm, Patty, and the sooner you make up your mind that we can't go
+home to-night, the better for all concerned."
+
+"My mind's made up, then," and Patty danced about the room. "I don't
+mind a bit! I think it's a lark. Do you have feather beds, Mrs.
+Fay?--I mean the kind you climb up to with step-ladders."
+
+"Land no, child! We ain't old-fashioned folks, you know. We have
+springs and mattresses just like you do at home. Well, I'm sorry if
+your folks are worried, but I'm glad to have you young people stay the
+night. Maybe this evening, you'll sing for us some more."
+
+"We will," said Philip. "We'll sing everything we know, and then make
+up some."
+
+Once having made up her mind to the inevitable, Patty ceased bothering
+about it, and proceeded to enjoy herself and to entertain everybody
+else. She chatted pleasantly with the old lady, she coquetted with
+Philip, and finally wandered out into the kitchen to make friends with
+Eliza.
+
+"Let me help you get supper," she said, for, to tell the truth, the
+novelty of the situation had passed, and Patty began to feel a little
+bored.
+
+"Supper ain't nothin' to get, miss," returned Eliza, a rawboned,
+countrified girl who was shy in the presence of this city lady.
+
+"Well, let me help you, anyway. Mayn't I set the table?"
+
+"I'm afraid you wouldn't know where the things was. Here, take this
+dish and go down cellar for the butter, if so be's you have to do
+somethin'. It's in a kag, underneath the swing-shelf."
+
+"Swing-shelf?" said Patty, interested--"what is a swing-shelf?"
+
+"Why, a shelf hanging from the ceiling, to keep things on."
+
+"But why does it hang from the ceiling? I never heard of such a
+thing."
+
+"Why, so the rats or mice can't get at the things."
+
+"Rats or mice!" and Patty gave a wild scream. "Here, take your plate,
+Eliza. I wouldn't go down there for a million billion dollars!"
+
+Patty ran back to the sitting-room. "Oh, Philip," she cried, "they
+have rats and mice! Can't we go home? I don't mind the storm!"
+
+"There, there, Patty," said Philip, meeting her half-way across the
+room, and taking her hand in his. "Don't be silly!"
+
+"I'm _not_ silly! But I _can't_ stay where they keep rats and mice!
+Why, Philip, they _expect_ them. They build high shelves on purpose
+for them."
+
+"You must excuse this little girl, Mrs. Fay," said Philip. "She's
+really sensible in most ways, but she's an absolute idiot about mice,
+and she can't help it. Why, the other night----"
+
+Patty drew her hand away from Philip's clasp, and put it over his
+mouth. "Stop!" she said, blushing furiously. "Don't you say another
+word! I'm _not_ afraid of mice, Mrs. Fay."
+
+"There, there, child; I know you are, and I don't blame you a mite. I
+am, too, or leastways, I used to be. I've kinder got over it of late
+years. But I know just how you feel. Now, let me tell you; _honest_,
+never a mouse dares show the tip of his nose outside the cellar! If
+you don't go down there, you're as safe as you would be up in a
+balloon. And I don't count none the less on you for acting skittish
+about 'em."
+
+"I don't mind it, either," said Philip, who was still holding Patty's
+hand by way of reassurance. "I shouldn't mind if you acted skittisher
+yet."
+
+But Patty drew her hand away, declaring that Mrs. Fay had quieted her
+fears entirely, and that if Eliza would promise to keep the cellar
+door shut, she wouldn't give another thought to the dreaded animals.
+
+After supper, the four played a game of old-fashioned whist, which
+delighted the two old ladies, though it seemed strange to Patty and
+Philip, who were both good bridge players. Then there was more music,
+and at ten o'clock Miss Winthrop informed them that it was bedtime.
+
+With considerable pride she took Patty up to the best spare room.
+
+"Now, I hope you'll be comfortable," she said, "and I'm sure you will
+be. Here's my best night-gown for you, and a dressing-gown and
+slippers. I don't need 'em,--I can get along. And here's a brush and
+comb. And now, that's everything you want, isn't it?"
+
+Patty was touched at the kindliness of the old lady, and though
+inwardly amused at the meagerness of her night appointments, she said,
+gratefully, "You're so kind to me, Miss Winthrop. Truly, I do
+appreciate it."
+
+"You sweet little thing," returned the old lady. "Now let me unhook
+you,--I should admire to do so."
+
+So Miss Winthrop assisted Patty to undress, and finally, after minute
+directions about the turning down and blowing out of the kerosene
+lamp, she went away.
+
+When Patty surveyed herself in the mirror, she almost laughed aloud.
+The night-dress was of thick, unbleached muslin, made with tight bands
+to button around the neck and wrists. These bands were edged with a
+row of narrow tatting; and it was this trimming, Patty felt sure, that
+differentiated Miss Winthrop's best night-gown from her others. Then
+Patty tried on the dressing-gown, which was of dark grey flannel.
+This, too, was severely plain, though voluminous in shape; and the
+slippers were of black felt, and quite large enough for Patty to put
+both feet in one. She arrayed herself in these things and gave way to
+silent laughter as she pirouetted across the room. But her amusement
+at the unattractive garments in no way lessened her real appreciation
+of the gentle kindliness and hospitality that had been accorded to
+her.
+
+At last she tucked herself into bed, and rolling over on the nubbly
+mattress and creaky springs, she almost wished that it had been a
+feather bed. But she was soon asleep, and thought no more about
+anything until morning.
+
+Breakfast was at half-past seven, and after that, the long morning
+dragged. The fun and novelty had worn off, and Patty was anxious to
+get back to Fern Falls. She was bright and entertaining as ever, but
+the spontaneous enthusiasm of the day before had vanished.
+
+But it was impossible to start that morning, Philip said. The roads
+were piled high with drifts, and almost impassable.
+
+"But why can't we break the roads?" asked Patty. "Somebody has to do
+it, and I'm sure Jim's horses are as good as anybody's."
+
+"Little girls mustn't advise on matters which they know nothing
+about," said Philip, unable to resist the temptation to tease her.
+
+Patty pouted a little, and then, with a sudden resolution, was her own
+sunny self again. "All right, Philip," she said, smiling at him. "I
+know you'll start as soon as it's possible. When will that be?"
+
+"Perhaps we can go this afternoon, dear; right after dinner, maybe.
+The man thinks the roads will be broken by that time."
+
+The storm had ceased, and it was cloudy most of the morning, but about
+noon the sun came out, and by two o'clock they prepared to start.
+
+The two kind old ladies were sorry to see them go, and begged them to
+come again some time to visit them.
+
+Patty said good-bye with expressions of real and honestly meant
+gratitude, for surely Mrs. Fay and her sister had been kindness itself
+to their young guests.
+
+"But goodness, gracious, Philip," Patty exclaimed, as they went flying
+down the road, "if I had had to stay there another night, I should
+have died!"
+
+"Why, Patty, it wasn't so bad. Of course, they are primitive and
+old-fashioned people; but they are true ladies, even if not very
+highly educated. And their hospitality was simply unlimited."
+
+"Yes, I know all that," said Patty, impatiently; "but I was bored to
+death."
+
+"Well, you didn't show it; you were sweet as a peach to those two
+people, and they'll always love you for it."
+
+"Oh, of course I wouldn't be impolite; but I'm glad we're started for
+home."
+
+"Well, I'm not. Patty, I just enjoyed every minute,--because I was
+there with you. Dear, you don't _know_ what it meant to me."
+
+"Now, Philip," and Patty turned to flash a twinkling smile at him, "we
+have a twelve-mile drive ahead of us, besides gathering the eggs. Now,
+if you're going to say things like that to me all that twelve miles,
+I'm going to jump right out into this snowbank and stay there till
+somebody comes along and picks me up."
+
+"But, Patty, I _must_ say these things to you."
+
+"Then, I _must_ jump."
+
+"But wait a minute, dear; before you jump, won't you just tell me that
+I may have a little hope that some day you'll promise to be my own
+little Patty forever?"
+
+"Philip, I _can't_ say anything like that, and I _wish_ you wouldn't
+tease me. If those snowbanks didn't look so dreadfully cold----"
+
+"But they _are_ cold. If you don't believe it, I will wait while you
+try one. But, Patty, anyway, tell me this. If I stop teasing you now,
+will you give me an answer when I come back at New Year's? You know, I
+must take that five-thirty train this afternoon, and I shan't see you
+again till next week. Will you give me an answer then?"
+
+"'Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do!'" sang Patty, with a saucy
+smile at him.
+
+"No, I don't want Daisy's answer, I want yours. Now, you think it over
+through the week, and when I come up next Tuesday, you be ready to
+say, 'Yes, Philip, you may hope, and some day I'll make your hope come
+true.'"
+
+"That's an awful long speech to learn by heart," said Patty, musingly.
+
+"But you needn't learn it word for word; just say something from your
+own heart that means the same."
+
+"Well," said Patty, "next Tuesday I'll look into my heart and see
+what's there; and if there's anything for you, I'll tell you."
+
+Philip was forced to be content with this, for Patty suddenly changed
+the subject, and began to chatter merry nonsense that afforded no
+opportunity for romance. The roads were only a little broken, and the
+going was hard, because of occasional big drifts, but along some
+wind-swept stretches they made fairly good time.
+
+"But I say," said Philip; "we'll have to cut out the butter and egg
+chapter! I simply _must_ get that five-thirty, and I can't do it if we
+go around by Hatton's Corners."
+
+"All right," returned Patty. "I'll put it up to Adele that we just
+couldn't do it; and I'll tell you what, Philip, we'll go right to the
+station, and you take the train there without going to the Kenerleys'
+at all. They'll send your things down to-morrow."
+
+"That would be the safer way. But how will you get home from the
+station?"
+
+"Oh, I'll telephone from the station office, and they'll send Martin,
+or somebody, after me."
+
+"But you have to wait so long. Here's a better plan. Let's stop at the
+Barclay Inn, and telephone from there. Then when we reach the station,
+Martin or somebody will be there for you."
+
+Patty agreed, and when they reached the Barclay Inn, a few miles from
+Fern Falls, they went in to telephone.
+
+"We're on our way home," said Patty, after she had succeeded in
+getting a connection.
+
+"Well, I should think it was time!" exclaimed Adele. "You don't know
+what you've missed! Where are you?"
+
+"At Barclay Inn; and we're in an awful hurry. Philip is going to take
+the five-thirty from the station, and you send somebody there to meet
+me and drive the horses home, will you! And what did I miss? And
+_you'll_ miss the butter and eggs, because we didn't get them."
+
+"But where have you been? We tried all yesterday to get you on the
+telephone, and all this morning, too."
+
+"Yes, I know; the wires broke down. But everything's all right. We
+stayed at Mrs. Fay's. I'll tell you all about it when I see you. Be
+sure to have me met at the station. Good-bye."
+
+Patty hung up the receiver and hurried back to Philip. "We'll have to
+hustle to catch that train," he said, as he tucked her in the sleigh.
+"Did you get Adele?"
+
+"Yes; she'll send some one to meet me. She says I missed something. Do
+you suppose they had a party last night in all that blizzard?"
+
+"Well, it's just as well for you to miss a party once in a while; you
+have plenty of them. And I like the party I was at better than any I
+ever went to."
+
+The roads were much better where they were travelling now, and they
+reached the station in time for Philip's train. But it was a close
+connection, for the train was already in the station, and as Philip
+swung aboard, he saw Martin and Hal Ferris coming in another sleigh.
+
+"There they are!" he called to Patty. "It's all right, good-bye."
+
+"Good-bye," she called back, and then the train pulled out.
+
+"Well, you _did_ cut up a pretty trick!" exclaimed Hal Ferris, as he
+came up to her. "Now, you jump in here with me, and I'll drive you
+home, and let Martin look after your horses. They must be pretty well
+done up. I would have brought a motor, but the sleighing's fine, and
+the motoring isn't. Hop in."
+
+Patty hopped in, and in a moment they were flying along toward home.
+
+"What did I miss?" she asked. "Did you have a party last night?"
+
+"Party! in that storm! Rather not."
+
+"Well, what _did_ I miss?"
+
+"What makes you think you missed anything?"
+
+"Adele told me so, over the telephone."
+
+"Well, then, let Adele tell you what it was. How could I possibly
+know?"
+
+"But what did you do last night?"
+
+"Nothing much; sat around, sang a little, and talked,--and I guess
+that's all."
+
+"Who was there? Didn't Roger go home?"
+
+"Yes; Roger went down on the morning train, just after you started on
+your wild career."
+
+"Well, who _was_ there? Chub, I know you're keeping something from me.
+Now, tell me what it is!"
+
+"Do you really want to know, Patty? Well, Bill Farnsworth was there."
+
+"What!" and Patty nearly fell out of the sleigh in astonishment. "Bill
+Farnsworth?"
+
+"Yes; he came unexpectedly yesterday afternoon. Could only stay
+twenty-four hours, and went back to-day on the two o'clock train."
+
+Patty wondered to herself why she felt as if something awful had
+happened. She couldn't realise that Bill had been there, and had gone
+away, and she hadn't seen him! What a cruel coincidence that it should
+have been just at the time when she was away. But her pride came to
+her rescue. She had no intention of letting Hal Ferris or anybody else
+know that she cared.
+
+So she said, lightly: "Well, of all things! Didn't anybody expect
+him?"
+
+"No; he thought he'd surprise us. He was awfully cut up that you
+weren't there."
+
+"Oh, he was! Well, why didn't you send for me?"
+
+"Send for you! And you miles away, and a blizzard blizzing like fury!
+But we spent hours hanging over the telephone, trying to get word to
+you."
+
+"The wires were down," said Patty, thinking of the uninteresting
+evening she had spent, when she might have been talking to Little
+Billee.
+
+"They sure were! We tried and tried, but we couldn't get a peep out of
+you. Daisy said it was because you were so wrapped up in Philip that
+you wouldn't answer the old telephone."
+
+Patty's pretty face hardened a little as she thought how Daisy would
+delight in making such a speech as that before Farnsworth.
+
+"I say, Patty, are you cut up about this? Did you want to see Big
+Bill, specially?"
+
+"Oh, no, no," said Patty, smiling again. "I only thought it seemed
+funny that he happened to come when I happened to be away."
+
+"Yes, I know; but of course nobody could help it. He came East on a
+flying business trip. Tried to get here for Christmas, but couldn't
+make it. He waited over a day, just to skip up here and back; said he
+wanted to see us all. But he had to take the two o'clock back to New
+York to-day, and I believe he starts to-night for Arizona. He's a
+great fellow, Bill is. You like him, don't you, Patty?"
+
+"Yes, I like him," said Patty, simply.
+
+"I've known him for years, you know. Giant Greatheart, we used to call
+him. So big and good, you know. Always doing something for somebody,
+and generous as he can be. Well, he's making good out in the mines. I
+don't know exactly what he's doing, but he's in a fair way to be a
+rich man. He's connected with some big company, and he's working with
+all his might. And when you say that about Big Bill Farnsworth, it
+means a good deal."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+THE COUNTRY CLUB BALL
+
+
+Before her mirror, Patty was putting the last touches to her Bo-Peep
+costume, and it must be confessed she was viewing the effect with
+admiration.
+
+The gilt-framed glass gave back a lovely picture. The costume was one
+of the prettiest Patty had ever worn, and was exceedingly becoming.
+There was a short, quilted skirt of white satin and a panniered
+overdress of gay, flowered silk, caught up with blue bows. A little
+laced bodice and white chemisette completed the dress. Then there was
+a broad-leafed shepherdess hat, trimmed with flowers, and under this
+Patty's gold curls were bunched up on either side and tied with blue
+ribbons. She wore high-heeled, buckled slippers, and carried a long,
+white crook, trimmed with blossoms and fluttering ribbons.
+
+She pranced and turned in front of the mirror, decidedly satisfied
+with the whole effect. Then she caught up her basket of flowers, which
+she carried because it added a pretty touch, and went downstairs.
+
+It was a gay-looking party that waited for her in the hall. The two
+Misses Crosby had been there to dinner, and also Mr. Hoyt and Mr.
+Collins, and these, with the house party, were now all arrayed in
+their fancy dress. As they had agreed on Christmas Day, they were all
+in pairs, and as of course there could be no secrecy among them, they
+had not yet put on their masks.
+
+Mona and Roger were very magnificent as Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter
+Raleigh. Though Mona was not at all the type of the red-haired queen,
+she looked very handsome in the regal robes and great, flaring collar,
+while Roger was a veritable courtier in his picturesque garb.
+
+Daisy and Mr. Collins were Pierrette and Pierrot. Their costumes were
+black and white, Frenchy-looking affairs, with tossing pompons and
+peaked caps.
+
+The elder Miss Crosby and Jim Kenerley were Indians; and the warlike
+brave and the young Indian maiden looked as if they might have stepped
+out of the earliest pages of our country's history.
+
+The other Miss Crosby and Hal Ferris were Italian peasants in national
+costume.
+
+Adele and Mr. Hoyt were the most simply dressed of all, but in their
+plain Puritan garb they were effective and distinguished looking.
+
+Perhaps, however, it was Philip Van Reypen whose costume received the
+greatest applause. He had copied a picture of Bobby Shafto that had
+been painted by a frivolous-minded artist, and his embroidered and
+belaced coat of light blue silk was remindful of the period of the
+gayest Louis. He wore white satin knee-breeches, white silk stockings,
+and black slippers with enormous buckles. In accordance with the song,
+there were large silver buckles at his knees; and his tri-corne hat
+was a very marvel of gold lace and feathers. Full lace ruffles flapped
+at his throat and wrists, and altogether he was an absolute dandy.
+
+"You look like a valentine," said Patty, "or a birthday cake."
+
+"You do look good enough to eat," declared Adele, as she took in the
+gorgeous costume.
+
+"Yes, I flatter myself it's the very last touch of Shaftoism," said
+Philip, strutting about with an affected gait. "I say, Patty, you're
+all kinds of a peach yourself."
+
+"Yes, this frock is all right," said Patty, "but you simply take my
+breath away, Phil. I didn't know anybody could look so beautiful! I
+wish men dressed that way nowadays."
+
+And then everybody admired everybody else until it was time to start.
+Then each put on a little mask, which they were to wear at the ball
+until supper-time. Patty's was of light blue silk with a short fall of
+lace, and Philip's was of black satin.
+
+"I can't wear this thing all the way there," declared Patty, taking
+hers off again.
+
+"Well, put it on just before you get there," enjoined Adele. "I've
+taken great care that no one should know a word about our costumes,
+and now if we are well masked they won't be able to guess who we are.
+Even though they know we all came from our house, there are so many of
+us, they can't tell us apart."
+
+The Country Club was a handsome, spacious building, well away from the
+outskirts of the town. But the motors took them there swiftly, and
+soon they joined the large party of maskers in the Club ballroom.
+There were perhaps a hundred people there, and Patty felt there was
+little risk of being recognised. She did not know many of the Fern
+Falls people, anyway, and they would scarcely know her in her
+disguise.
+
+"Of course the first dance is mine," said Philip, as the music began.
+
+But after that dance was over, Patty was besieged by would-be
+partners. Historical characters, foreigners, clowns, monks, and
+knights in armour begged for dances with Little Bo-Peep. Patty was so
+engrossed in looking at these wonderful personages, that she scarcely
+noticed who put their names on her card. And in truth it made little
+difference, as none of the men put their real names, and she hadn't
+the slightest idea who they were.
+
+"Help yourselves," she said, laughing, "to the dances before supper;
+but don't touch the other side of the card. After the masks are off, I
+shall have some say, myself, as to my partners!"
+
+So the first half of the dances were variously signed for by Columbus
+and Aladdin and Brother Sebastian and Jack Pudding and other such
+names.
+
+During each dance Patty would try to discover the identity of her
+partner, but as she only succeeded in one or two cases, she gave it
+up.
+
+"For it doesn't make the slightest difference who you are," she said,
+as she danced with Brother Sebastian, who was garbed as a Friar of
+Orders Grey.
+
+"No," he returned, in a hollow, sepulchral voice, which he seemed to
+think suited to his monk's attire.
+
+"And you needn't try to disguise your voice so desperately," said
+Patty, laughing gaily, "for probably I don't know you, anyhow. And you
+don't know me, do you?"
+
+"I don't know your name," said the monk, still in hollow tones, "but I
+know you're a dancer from the professional stage, and not just a young
+woman in private life."
+
+"Good gracious!" cried Patty, horrified. "I'm nothing of the sort! I'm
+a simple-minded little country girl, and I dance because I can't help
+it. I love to dance, but I must say that a monk's robe on one's
+partner is a little troublesome. I think all the time I'm going to
+trip on it."
+
+"Oh, all right; I'll fix that," said the monk, and he held up the
+skirts of his long robe until they cleared the floor.
+
+"That's better," said Patty, "but it does spoil the picturesqueness of
+your costume. Let's promenade for a while, and then you can let your
+robes drag in proper monkian fashion."
+
+"Much obliged to you for not saying monkey fashion! I certainly do
+feel foolish, dressed up in this rig."
+
+"Why, you ought not to, in that plain gown. Just look at the things
+some of the men have on!"
+
+"I know it. Look at that court jester; he must feel a fool!"
+
+"But that's his part," laughed Patty; "rather clever, I think, to
+dress as a fool, and then if you feel like a fool, you're right in
+your part."
+
+"I say, Miss Bo-Peep, you're clever, aren't you?"
+
+"Not so very; but when talking to a learned monk, I try to be as wise
+as I can. Oh, look at that stunning big man,--who is he?"
+
+"Looks like one of the patriarchs; but I guess he's meant for King
+Lear. See the wreath of flowers on his white hair."
+
+"Did Lear wear flowers? I thought he wore a crown."
+
+"Tut! tut! Little Bo-Peep, you must brush up your Shakespeare. Don't
+you know King Lear became a little troubled in his head, and adorned
+himself with a garland?"
+
+"Well, he's awfully picturesque," said Patty, quite undisturbed by her
+ignorance of the play, and looking admiringly at Lear's magnificent
+court robes of velvet and ermine, and his long, flowing white hair and
+beard, and the garland of flowers that lay loosely on the glistening
+white wig and trailed down behind.
+
+As they neared the picturesque figure, King Lear bowed low before
+Patty, and held out his hand for her dance card.
+
+It was the rule of the ball not to speak, but to indicate invitations
+by gestures.
+
+However, Patty had no reason to keep silent, as they were nearly all
+strangers, so she laughed, and spoke right out: "I'd gladly give you a
+dance, King Lear, but I haven't one left."
+
+With another courtly bow, King Lear still seemed to insist on his
+wish, and he took up her card, which she had tied to her crook by a
+narrow ribbon. With surprise he saw the whole second page blank, and
+pointed to it with an accusing gesture.
+
+"Ah, yes," returned Patty, smiling, "but those are for my friends
+after I know them. We unmask at supper-time, and then I shall use some
+discrimination in bestowing my dances. If you want one of those you
+must ask me for it after supper."
+
+King Lear bowed submissively to Patty's decree, and was about to move
+away, when a sudden thought struck him. He picked up Patty's card
+again, and indicated a space between the last dance and the supper.
+
+"Oh, I know what you mean," cried Patty. "You mean an 'extra.' But I
+don't think they'll have any. And, anyway, I never engage for extras.
+If they do have one, and you happen to be around, I'll give it to
+you;--that's all I can say." And then Patty's next partner came, and
+she danced away with him, leaving King Lear making his sweeping,
+impressive bows.
+
+"Who is he?" asked Patty, of Roger, who chanced to be her partner this
+time.
+
+"Don't know, I'm sure; but I know scarcely any of the people up here.
+They seem to be a fine crowd, though. Have you noticed the Zenobia,
+Queen of Palmyra? There she is now. Isn't she stunning?"
+
+Patty looked round, to see a tall, majestic woman, dressed as Zenobia.
+Her tiny mask hid only her eyes, and her beautiful, classic face well
+accorded with the character she had chosen.
+
+"She's beautiful!" declared Patty, with heartfelt admiration. "I wish
+I was big and stunning, Roger, instead of a little scrap of humanity."
+
+"What a silly you are, Patty Pink! Now, I've no doubt that tall,
+majestic-looking creature wishes she could be a little fairy, like
+you."
+
+"But a big woman is so much more graceful and dignified."
+
+"Patty, I do believe you're fishing! And I _know_ you're talking
+nonsense! Dignified isn't just the term I should apply to you,--but if
+there's anybody more graceful than you are, I've yet to see her."
+
+"Oh, Roger, that's dear of you. You know very well, I hate flattery or
+compliments, but when a real friend says a nice thing it does me good.
+And, truly, it's the regret of my life, that I'm not about six inches
+taller. There, look at Zenobia now. She's walking with that King Lear.
+Aren't they a stunning couple?"
+
+"Yes, they are. But if I were you, I wouldn't be envious of other
+women's attractions. You have quite enough of your own."
+
+"Never mind about me," said Patty, suddenly realising that she was
+talking foolishly. "Let's talk about Mona. She's looking beautiful
+to-night, Roger."
+
+"She always does," and Roger had a strange thrill in his voice, that
+struck a sympathetic chord in Patty's heart.
+
+"What about her, Roger? Isn't she good to you?"
+
+"Not very. She's capricious, Patty; sometimes awfully kind, and then
+again she says things that cut deep. Patty, do you think she really
+cares for that Lansing man?"
+
+"I don't know, Roger. I can't make Mona out at all, lately. She used
+to be so frank and open with me, and now she never talks confidences
+at all."
+
+"Well, I can't understand her, either. But here comes Mr. Collins,
+looking for you, Patty. Is only half of this dance mine?"
+
+"Yes, Roger. I had to chop up every one, to-night. You may have one
+after supper, if you like."
+
+Patty whirled through the various dances, and at the last one before
+supper she found herself again with Philip Van Reypen.
+
+"Why, I didn't know this was yours!" she cried, looking at her card,
+where, sure enough, she saw the initials B. S.
+
+"It sure is mine," returned Bobby Shafto; "but we're not going to
+dance it."
+
+"Why not, and what are we going to do?"
+
+"We're going to wander away into the conservatory."
+
+"There isn't any conservatory. This is a club-house, you know."
+
+"Well, they've fixed up the gymnasium, so it's almost a conservatory.
+It's full of palms and flowers and things, and it makes a perfectly
+good imitation."
+
+"But why do we go there?" asked Patty, as Philip led her away from the
+dancing-room.
+
+"Oh, to settle affairs of state." He led her to the gymnasium, and sure
+enough, tall palms and flowering plants had been arranged to form little
+nooks and bowers, which were evidently intended for tete-a-tete
+conversations.
+
+"You know," Philip began, as they found a pleasant seat, under some
+palms, "you know, Patty, you promised me something."
+
+"Didn't, neither."
+
+"Yes, you did, and I'm going to hold you to your promise. You
+promised----"
+
+"'Rose, you promised!'" sang Patty, humming a foolish little song that
+was an old-fashioned favourite.
+
+"Yes, you _did_ promise, you exasperating little Rose, you! And I'm
+going to keep you prisoner here, until you make it good! Patty, you
+said you'd look into your heart, and tell me what you found there."
+
+"Goodness me, Philip, did I really say that? Well, it will take me an
+awful long while to tell you all that's in it."
+
+"Really, Patty? Did you find so much?"
+
+"Yes, heaps of things."
+
+"But I mean about me."
+
+"Oh, about you! Why, I don't know that there's anything there at all
+about you."
+
+"Oh, yes, there is; you can't fool me that way. Now, Patty, do be
+serious. Look in your heart, and see if there isn't a little love for
+me?"
+
+Patty sat very still, and closed her eyes, as Philip could see through
+the holes in her blue mask.
+
+Then she opened them, and said, with a smile: "I looked and hunted
+good, Philip, and I can't find a bit of love for you. But there's an
+awful big, nice, warm friendship, if you care about that."
+
+"I do care about that, Patty. I care very much for it, but I want
+more."
+
+Just at that moment King Lear and Zenobia strolled past them, and
+Patty almost forgot Philip as she gazed after the two majestic
+figures.
+
+"Patty," he said, recalling her attention, "Patty, dear, I say I want
+more."
+
+"Piggy-wig!" exclaimed Patty, with her blue eyes twinkling at him
+through the mask. "More what? I was looking at King Lear, and I lost
+the thread of your discourse, Philip."
+
+"Patty Fairfield, I'd like to shake you! Don't you _know_ what I'm
+asking of you?"
+
+"Well, even if I do, I must say, Philip, that I can't carry on a
+serious conversation with a mask on. Now, you know, they take these
+things off pretty soon, and then----"
+
+"And then may I ask you again, Patty, and will you listen to me and
+answer me?"
+
+"Dunno. I make no promises. Philip, this dance is over. I expect
+they're going to unmask now. Come on, let's go back to our crowd."
+
+But just as they rose to go, Jim Kenerley approached, and King Lear
+was with him.
+
+"Little Bo-Peep," said the big Indian, "King Lear tells me that you
+half promised him an extra, if there should be one."
+
+"As it was only half a promise, then it means only half a dance," said
+Patty, turning her laughing blue eyes to the majestic, flower-crowned
+King. "Is there going to be an extra, Jim,--I mean Chief Mudjokivis,
+or whatever your Indian name is?"
+
+"I don't know, Bo-Peep. I'll go and see."
+
+Jim went away, and as Philip had already gone, Patty was left alone
+with the white-haired King.
+
+With a slow, majestic air, he touched her gently on the arm, and
+motioned for her to be seated. Then he sat down beside her, and
+through the eyeholes of his mask, he looked straight into her eyes.
+
+At his intent gaze, Patty felt almost frightened, but as her eyes met
+his own, she became conscious of something familiar in the blue eyes
+that looked at her, and then she heard King Lear whisper, softly:
+"Apple Blossom!"
+
+Patty fairly jumped; then, seeing the smile that came into his eyes,
+she put out both hands to King Lear, and said, gladly: "Bill! Little
+Billee! Oh, I _am_ glad to see you!"
+
+"Are you, really?" And Bill Farnsworth's voice had a slight tremor in
+it. "Are you sure of that, my girl?"
+
+"Of course I am," and Patty had regained her gay demeanour, which she
+had lost in her moment of intense surprise. "Oh, of course I am! I was
+so sorry to have missed you last week. And Jim said you went back to
+Arizona."
+
+"I did expect to, but I was detained in New York, and only this
+morning I found I could run up here and stay till to-morrow. I
+couldn't get here earlier, and when I reached the house, you had all
+started. So I got into these togs, and came along."
+
+"Your togs are wonderful, Little Billee. I never saw you look so
+stunning, not even as Father Neptune."
+
+"That was a great show, wasn't it?" and Big Bill smiled at the
+recollection. "But I say, Little Girl, you're looking rather wonderful
+yourself to-night. Oh, Patty, it's good to see you again!"
+
+"And it's good to see you; though it doesn't seem as if I had really
+seen you. That mask and beard completely cover up your noble
+countenance."
+
+"And I wish you'd take off that dinky little scrap of blue, so I can
+see if you are still my Apple Blossom Girl."
+
+"But I thought you wanted the extra dance."
+
+"I don't believe there's going to be any extra, after all. I think the
+people are anxious to get their masks off, and if so we'll have our
+dance after supper."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+
+BACK TO NEW YORK
+
+
+Farnsworth was right. There was no extra before supper, and the guests
+were even now flocking to the supper-room.
+
+Philip came toward them, looking for Patty, his mask already off.
+
+"Oh, can we really take them off now?" cried Patty. "I'm so glad.
+They're horridly uncomfortable. I'll never wear one again. I love a
+fancy dress party, but I don't see any sense in a masquerade."
+
+She took off her mask as she spoke, and her pretty face was flushed
+pink and her hair was curling in moist ringlets about her temples.
+
+Farnsworth looked down on her as he removed his own mask. "Apple
+Blossom!" he exclaimed again, and the comparison was very apt, for the
+pink and white of Patty's face was just the color of the blossoms.
+
+Then the two men looked at each other, and Patty suddenly realised
+that they had never met.
+
+"Oh, you don't know each other, do you?" she exclaimed. "And you my
+two best friends! Mr. Farnsworth, this is Mr. Van Reypen. And now,
+which of you is going to take me to supper?"
+
+As each offered an arm at once, Patty accepted both, and walked out
+demurely between the two big men. The men were exceedingly polite and
+courteous, but each was annoyed at the other's presence. As a matter
+of fact, Farnsworth had chanced to overhear a few words that Philip
+said to Patty a short time before. It was by merest chance that King
+Lear and Zenobia had walked by just as Philip was asking Patty to give
+him more than friendship. Zenobia, uninterested in the two under the
+palms, didn't even hear the words; but Farnsworth, who had found out
+from Jim Kenerley all the members of the house party, had scarcely
+taken his eyes from Little Bo-Peep since he arrived at the ball. With
+no intention of eavesdropping, he had followed her about, hoping to
+get a chance to see her first alone. He managed this only with
+Kenerley's help, and meantime he had discovered that Van Reypen was
+very seriously interested in Little Bo-Peep.
+
+Philip himself knew little of Farnsworth, save for a few chance
+remarks he had heard at the Kenerleys', but he realised at once that
+Patty and the big Westerner were great friends, if nothing more.
+
+However, the three went to supper together, and joined the group in
+which they were most interested.
+
+Great was the surprise of Daisy and Mona when Patty appeared with Mr.
+Farnsworth.
+
+Big Bill was in the merriest of spirits. He greeted everybody
+heartily, he joked and laughed, and was at his most entertaining best.
+Patty was very proud of him, for without his mask he looked very
+handsome as King Lear, and his stalwart figure seemed to dwarf the
+other men.
+
+After supper he claimed Patty for the promised dance.
+
+"Would you rather dance with King Lear?" he said, smiling, "with all
+these heavy velvet draperies bothering us, or shall I go and shed this
+robe, and just be plain Bill?"
+
+Patty looked at him, thoughtfully. "We'd have a better dance if you
+took off that flapping robe. But then, of course, you'd have to take
+off your wigs and things, and you wouldn't be half so beautiful."
+
+"Well, then, don't let's dance, but just stroll around and talk. And
+there's another reason why I'd rather keep on my wig and wreath."
+
+"What's that?"
+
+"Because the wreath means that I am mad."
+
+"Mad at me?"
+
+"Oh, not that kind of mad! I mean crazy, demented, loony,--what was
+the old King, anyway?"
+
+"A little touched?"
+
+"Yes, that's it; and so, you see, he could say anything he wanted to.
+You know, people forgive crazy people, no matter what they say."
+
+"Are you going to say crazy things to me?"
+
+"Very likely; you've completely turned my head."
+
+"Do you know, I didn't even know King Lear ever went crazy," said
+Patty in an endeavour to change the subject.
+
+"Why, fie, fie, Little Girl, I thought you knew your Shakespeare; but
+I suppose you're too busy socially to read much poetry."
+
+"I read one poem this winter that I liked," said Patty, demurely.
+
+"Did you? What was it?"
+
+"It came to me in a blue envelope."
+
+"It did! Why, Patty, Jim told me you never got that."
+
+"Jim is mistaken; I did get it."
+
+"And did you like it?"
+
+"Where did you get it, Bill?"
+
+"Did you like it?"
+
+"Yes, I liked it lots. Who wrote it?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"Did you, really? You clever man! I thought possibly you might have
+done it, but it sounded so,--so finished."
+
+"Oh, no, it didn't, Patty. It was crude and amateurish; but it was
+written to you and about you, so I did the best I could. Patty, are
+you in love with Van Reypen?"
+
+"What!" and Patty stood still and looked at Farnsworth, indignantly.
+"You have no right to ask such a question!"
+
+"I know I haven't, Patty, and I apologise. I can't seem to get over my
+Western bluntness. And, Little Girl, I don't blame you a bit if you do
+care for him. He's a good-looking chap, and an all-round good man."
+
+"You seem to have sized him up pretty quickly. Why, you've only just
+met him."
+
+"Yes, but you know I was at the Kenerleys' last week, and Jim told me
+all about him."
+
+"Why did you want to know all about him?"
+
+"Shall I tell you why?" And Farnsworth's blue eyes looked straight
+into Patty's own. "I inquired about him, because Daisy said you were
+just the same as engaged to him."
+
+"Daisy said that, did she?" Patty rarely lost her temper, but this
+unwarranted speech of Daisy Dow's made her exceedingly angry. But what
+hurt her even more, was that Bill should believe Daisy's assertion,
+and should take it so calmly. His attitude piqued Patty; and she said,
+coldly: "Well, if Daisy says so, it must be so."
+
+"I know it, Little Girl," and Farnsworth's voice was very tender. "He
+can give you everything that you ought to have,--wealth, social
+position, and a life of luxury and pleasure. Moreover, he is a
+thorough gentleman and a true man. I hope you will be very happy with
+him, Patty."
+
+For some reason this speech exasperated Patty beyond all measure. It
+seemed as if her friends were settling her affairs for her, without
+giving her any voice in the decision. "You are a little premature,
+Bill," she said, without a smile. "I'm not engaged to Mr. Van Reypen,
+and I do not know that I shall be."
+
+"Oh, yes, you will, Patty; but don't be hasty, dear child. Think it
+over before you decide, for you know there are other things in the
+world beside wealth and social position."
+
+"What, for instance?" said Patty, in a flippant tone.
+
+"Love," said Farnsworth, very seriously.
+
+And then Patty was moved by a spirit of perversity. She thought that
+if Farnsworth really cared for her, he was handing her over to Philip
+very easily, and she resented this attitude.
+
+"Are you implying that Mr. Van Reypen is not capable of giving me
+love, as well as the other advantages you enumerate?"
+
+"No, Patty, I am not implying anything of the sort. I only know that
+you are too young yet to be engaged to anybody, and I wish for your
+own sake you would wait,--at least until you are perfectly sure of
+your own affections. But if they are given to Mr. Van Reypen, I shall
+be glad for you that you have chosen so wisely."
+
+Patty looked at Farnsworth in amazement. Remembering what he had said
+to her last summer, it was strange to hear him talk this way. She
+could not know that the honest, big-hearted fellow was breaking his
+own heart at the thought of losing her; but that he unselfishly felt
+that Van Reypen, as a man of the world, was more fitting for pretty
+Patty than himself. He knew he was Western, and different from Patty's
+friends and associates, and he was so lacking in egotism or in
+self-conceit that he couldn't recognise his own sterling merits. And,
+too, though he was interested in some mining projects, they had not
+yet materialised, and he did not yet know whether the near future
+would bring him great wealth, or exactly the reverse of fortune.
+
+But Patty couldn't read his heart, and she was disappointed and piqued
+at his manner and words. Without even a glance into his earnest eyes,
+she said: "Thank you, Bill, for your advice; I know it is well meant,
+and I appreciate it. Please take me back to Philip now."
+
+Farnsworth gave her a pained look, but without a word turned and led
+her back to the group they had left.
+
+Philip was waiting there, and Patty, to hide the strange hurt she felt
+in her own heart, was exceedingly kind in her manner toward him.
+
+"Our dance, Philip," she said, gaily, and though it hadn't been
+engaged, Philip was only too glad to get it.
+
+Soon afterward, the ball was over, and they all went home. As Patty
+came from the cloak room, wrapped in her fur coat, Philip stepped up
+to her in such a possessive way, that Farnsworth, who had also been
+waiting for her, turned aside.
+
+"That's a foregone conclusion," said Jim Kenerley to Farnsworth, as he
+glanced at Patty and Philip.
+
+"Nonsense," said Adele. "Patty isn't thinking of conclusions yet. But
+I must say it would be a very satisfactory match."
+
+"Yes, Mr. Van Reypen seems to be a fine fellow," agreed Farnsworth.
+
+When they reached home, Patty said good-night, declaring she was weary
+enough to go straight to bed at once.
+
+"Will you come down again later, if you're hungry?" said Philip,
+smiling at the recollection of Christmas Eve.
+
+"No," and Patty flashed her dimples at him; and knowing that
+Farnsworth was listening, she added, "There's no moonlight to-night!"
+
+"Moonlight does help," said Philip. "Good-night, Little Bo-Peep."
+
+"Good-night, Bobby Shafto," and Patty started upstairs, then turned,
+and holding out her hand to Farnsworth, said "Good-night, King Lear;
+shall I see you in the morning?"
+
+"No; I leave on the early train," said Farnsworth, abruptly.
+"Good-night, Patty, and good-bye."
+
+He turned away, toward Daisy, and Patty went on upstairs.
+
+Farnsworth had spoken in a kind voice, but Patty knew that he had
+heard what she and Philip had said about coming down in the moonlight.
+
+"I think he's a horrid, mean old thing!" said Patty to herself, when
+she reached her own room. "His manners are not half as good as
+Philip's, and he's rude and unkind, and I just hate him!"
+
+Whereupon, as if to prove her words, she took from her portfolio the
+poem in the blue envelope, and read it all over again; and then put it
+under her pillow and went to sleep.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+A few days later Patty was back in New York. She gave her father and
+Nan glowing accounts of the delightful times she had had at Fern Falls
+and the jollities of a country house party in the winter time. She
+told them all about the pleasant people she had met up there, about
+her experience at Mrs. Fay's, and about Farnsworth's flying visits.
+
+"I'd like to meet that man," said Nan. "I think he sounds attractive,
+Patty."
+
+"He is attractive," said Patty, frankly; "but he's queer. You never
+know what mood he's going to be in. Sometimes he's awfully friendly,
+and then again he gets huffy over nothing."
+
+"I'm afraid you tease him, Patty," said her father, smiling at her.
+"You're getting to be such a popular young person that I fear you're
+getting spoiled."
+
+"Not Patty," said Nan, kindly. "Go ahead, my child, and have all the
+fun you can. The young men all adore you, and I don't wonder."
+
+"Why, Nancy Bell, how complimentary you are!" and Patty gave her
+stepmother an affectionate pat.
+
+"But now," said Mr. Fairfield, "if I may have the floor for a minute,
+I'd like to make an announcement. We have a plan, Patty, which we made
+while you were away, and which I hope will meet with your approval."
+
+"As if I ever disapproved of any of your plans, my dear daddy.
+Consider my approval granted before you begin."
+
+"Well, it's this: I think Nan is looking a little bit pale, and I feel
+a trifle pale myself, so I think we two will run away down South for a
+fortnight or so, and leave you here."
+
+"Alone?" asked Patty, in surprise.
+
+"Well, no; hardly that. But how would you like to have Mrs. Allen,
+Nan's mother, come and stay with you?"
+
+"I think that will be lovely," exclaimed Patty. "I'm awfully fond of
+Mrs. Allen, and I haven't seen her for a long time."
+
+"She's not a very sedate matron," said Nan, laughing. "I dare say
+she'll keep you on the go, Patty. She's fond of opera and concerts,
+and she likes gaiety. But father will come over for the week-ends, and
+look after you both."
+
+Nan's parents lived in Philadelphia, and as they had just returned
+from a trip abroad, the Fairfields hadn't seen them lately. But it had
+seemed to them that the arrangement they had planned would be
+satisfactory all round, for Mrs. Allen liked to spend a few weeks in
+New York each winter.
+
+About a week later the elder Fairfields departed, and Mrs. Allen
+arrived.
+
+She was a fine-looking lady of a youthful middle age, and looked
+forward with pleasure to her visit with Patty.
+
+"Now, you mustn't let me be a burden to you in any way, my dear," Mrs.
+Allen said, after the two were left alone. "Whenever I can help you,
+or whenever you want a chaperon, I'm entirely at your service; but
+when I'm not necessary to your plans, don't consider me at all,--and
+don't think about entertaining me, for I can look after myself. I'm
+never lonely or bored."
+
+"Thank you, Mrs. Allen," said Patty. "I'm sure we shall get on most
+beautifully together, and anything you want or want to do, I want you
+to give your own orders, just as if you were in your own home."
+
+And so the two had many pleasant times together. They went to
+matinees, teas, and concerts, to picture exhibitions, and to card
+parties. Mrs. Allen did not care for dances, but went gladly when it
+was a party where Patty required a chaperon.
+
+All of the young people liked Mrs. Allen, and she became well
+acquainted with all of Patty's friends.
+
+Bill Farnsworth was still in New York. His plans were uncertain, and
+often changed from day to day, owing to various details of his
+business.
+
+He called on Patty occasionally, but not often, and his calls were
+short and formal.
+
+"I like that big Western chap," Mrs. Allen said to Patty one day; "but
+he seems preoccupied. Sometimes he sits as if in a brown study, and
+says nothing for quite some minutes. And then, when you speak to him,
+he answers abruptly, as if bringing his mind back from faraway
+thoughts."
+
+"I daresay he's very much wrapped up in his business, Mrs. Allen,"
+said Patty. "They say he's trying to swing a big mining
+proposition,--whatever that means."
+
+"It may mean a great many things," said Mrs. Allen, thoughtfully. "I
+hope he's all right, Patty."
+
+"All right! Big Bill Farnsworth all right? Well, I rather guess he
+_is_!"
+
+"There, there," and Mrs. Allen laughed. "You needn't take up the
+cudgels so desperately. I didn't mean to accuse him of anything."
+
+"No, of course you didn't," and Patty laughed, too; "but whatever big
+Bill may lack in the way of polish or culture, he's absolutely honest
+and honourable, even to an absurd degree."
+
+"I don't think he lacks culture, Patty. His manners are all right."
+
+"Yes, they're all right, but he hasn't quite the correct ease of a man
+like Philip Van Reypen."
+
+"I know what you mean, and I suppose it's the effect of the aristocratic
+Van Reypen ancestry. But Mr. Farnsworth has such a splendid big air of
+real nobility about him that I think a more formal and conventional
+demeanour would quite spoil him."
+
+"Maybe it would," said Patty, simply.
+
+That very afternoon Farnsworth came to call, and told Patty he had
+come to say good-bye.
+
+"I know you think my farewells never mean anything," he said, smiling;
+"and I don't wonder, for I often say I am going, and then a telegram
+obliges me to change my plan. But I think it is positive this time
+that I shall leave to-night for Arizona."
+
+"Have you been successful in your undertakings?" asked Patty, with a
+sympathetic interest.
+
+"Yes, I believe I have. I don't want to be over sanguine, and matters
+are not yet entirely settled, but I think I have conquered the
+obstacles which I came to conquer, and I hope all will go well."
+
+"I hope so, Little Billee," said Patty, looking at him with earnest
+good will. "I want you to succeed."
+
+"Thank you for that," said Farnsworth, simply.
+
+"And when are you coming East again?"
+
+"I can't tell; I may have to come back in February; but if that is not
+necessary, I shall not come for a year or more. You will be married
+and settled by that time."
+
+"Indeed, I shan't! In fact, I've about made up my mind that I'll never
+marry anybody."
+
+"Girls have said that before, and been known to change their minds.
+But whatever you do, I wish you all happiness and joy throughout your
+whole life,--Little Apple Blossom."
+
+Farnsworth had risen to go, and he held Patty's hands in both his, as
+he looked straight into her eyes.
+
+Patty's own eyes fell beneath his gaze, and she said, "And I wish you
+happiness wherever you are, Little Billee."
+
+"Thank you, dear," he said, and then with a final handclasp he went
+away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+AN EXCITING CHASE
+
+
+Farnsworth had left Patty about two o'clock, and it was only a few
+moments later that her telephone rang.
+
+Her response was answered by a tearful, wailing voice, that said, "Oh,
+Miss Patty, oh, _can't_ you come here at once? Come right away!"
+
+"Come where? Who are you?" said Patty, bewildered, for she did not
+recognise the voice, and it sounded like some one in deep distress.
+
+"Oh, don't wait a _minute_! Every moment is precious! Just come _at
+once_!"
+
+"But how can I come, if I don't know who you are? I can help you
+better, if you'll control yourself and tell me something about
+yourself and your trouble. First of all, who are you?"
+
+"I'm Anne, Miss Galbraith's maid. You know me, Miss Patty. Oh, come
+quick; Miss Mona has gone!"
+
+"Gone! Where? Now, listen to me, Anne! Stop your crying, and tell me
+what you mean, and then I will go to you at once. Where are you? And
+where has Miss Mona gone?"
+
+"I'm in her apartment, and I don't like to tell you over the telephone
+where she's gone. But,--Miss Patty,--I think,--Oh, I fear,--she has
+eloped with Mr. Lansing!"
+
+The last sentence came in an explosive burst, as if the girl could
+keep her secret no longer.
+
+"What!" exclaimed Patty. And then, suddenly realising that it was a
+desperate situation, she said, "Don't say another word, Anne! I will
+go right straight to you. Stay there till I come."
+
+She knew the excitable character of the girl, and feared she might get
+hysterical if she talked further over the telephone. Patty hung up the
+receiver, and sat still for a moment, thinking deeply.
+
+"I won't tell Mrs. Allen," she finally decided, "but I must have some
+one to help me,--to go with me. I believe I'll call up Roger."
+
+But she couldn't bear to do that. It seemed too dreadful to tell Roger
+what had happened. She thought next of Kenneth, who was a standby as a
+loyal friend, but he was far downtown in his office, and might be busy
+with an important case.
+
+"Philip, of course," she said to herself; but even with her hand on
+the receiver, another thought flashed through her mind. "No one could
+help me to save Mona like Big Bill!" she thought, and on a sudden
+impulse she called up his hotel.
+
+"Bill,--it's Patty," she said, her voice trembling.
+
+"Yes, dear; what is it? What is the matter?"
+
+The kind, quiet voice, with its deep tones of sympathy and capability,
+made Patty realise that she had appealed to the right one. "Oh, Bill,"
+she went on, "there's awful trouble, and you must help me."
+
+"Of course I will, Little Girl! Steady now; tell me what it's all
+about. Do you want me to come there?"
+
+"But you're just starting for the West," cried Patty, as she
+remembered this for the first time.
+
+"That doesn't matter, if _you_ want me. I'll be right over."
+
+"And wait a minute; tell me what you think we ought to do. I've heard
+from Anne that Mona is eloping with that awful Lansing man!"
+
+"Then there's no time to be lost! Take your little car, and go to The
+Plaza as fast as you can spin! I'll meet you there, in the Galbraiths'
+apartment."
+
+Bill hung up the receiver, without even a good-bye, and Patty gave a
+little sigh of relief, for it seemed as if he had taken the
+responsibility from her shoulders, and would manage the matter
+himself. She ordered her car, flung on her hat and coat, and with a
+hasty word to Mrs. Allen that she was going out, she drove her little
+electric herself down to the hotel.
+
+When she entered the Galbraiths' apartment, she found Farnsworth
+already there.
+
+"It's true," he said, looking at her with a grave face. "That is, I
+think it must be. Mona went away half an hour ago, and took a suit
+case with her. She went in a motor with Mr. Lansing. Anne is worried,
+because this morning she overheard the two telephoning."
+
+"I wasn't listening, Miss Patty," said the tearful maid. "That is, I
+didn't mean to, but Miss Mona was excited like, and her voice was so
+loud I couldn't help hearing."
+
+"I'm glad you did, Anne," said Patty, "it may help us to save Miss
+Mona yet. What else can you tell us?"
+
+"Nothing, except that Miss Mona left a note on her father's desk, and
+I thought maybe it might be to tell him she had gone."
+
+Big Bill strode over to the desk, and there, under a paperweight, lay
+a note, addressed to Mr. Galbraith. He picked it up, and looked at it,
+thoughtfully.
+
+"Patty," he said, "this isn't sealed. Considering all things, I think
+it is our duty to read it, but you know more about such matters than I
+do. What do you think?"
+
+Patty hesitated. She had always thought it little less than a crime to
+read a note addressed to another, but the circumstances made this case
+seem an exception. "We might telephone to Mr. Galbraith and ask his
+permission," she suggested.
+
+But Big Bill seemed suddenly to have made up his mind.
+
+"No!" he declared, "_I'll_ take the responsibility of this thing. To
+telephone would frighten Mr. Galbraith, and would delay matters too
+much, beside. I shall read this note, and if I can't square my action
+with Mr. Galbraith afterward, I'll accept the consequences."
+
+The impressive manner of the big man, his stern, set face, and honest,
+determined blue eyes convinced Patty that he was right, and together
+they read the note.
+
+In it, as they had feared, Mona told her father that she was going
+away to marry Mr. Lansing, because her father would not allow her to
+marry him otherwise. She expressed regret at the sorrow she knew this
+would bring to her father, but she said she was old enough to decide
+for herself whom she wished to marry, and she felt sure that after it
+was over he would forgive her, and call his two children back to him.
+
+"Mona never wrote that note of her own accord," exclaimed Patty,
+indignantly. "That man made her do it!"
+
+"Of course he did!" agreed Bill, in a stern voice. "I know
+Lansing,--and, Patty, the man is a scoundrel."
+
+"You know him? I didn't know you did."
+
+"Yes, I do! And I ought to have warned Mona more against him. I did
+tell her what his real nature is, but she wouldn't listen, and I never
+dreamed she was so deeply infatuated with him. But we mustn't blame
+her, Patty. She was simply under the influence of that man, and he
+persuaded her to go with him against her better judgment. But we must
+go after them and bring them back."
+
+"But you're going West to-night."
+
+"Not unless we rescue Mona first! Why, Patty, she _mustn't_ be allowed
+to marry that man! I tell you he's a scoundrel, and I never say _that_
+about a man unless I _know_ it to be true. But this is no time to
+discuss Lansing. We must simply fly after them."
+
+"But how do you know where they've gone?"
+
+"I don't know! But we must find out, somehow. Perhaps the men at the
+door can tell us. Perhaps Anne can."
+
+"I only know this, sir," said Anne, who was wringing her hands and
+weeping; "when Miss Mona was telephoning, she said something about
+Greenwich."
+
+"Of course!" cried Bill. "That's exactly where they'd go! But wait,
+they would have to go for a license first."
+
+"Telephone the license man," said Patty, inspired by Bill's manner and
+tones.
+
+"Right-O!" and after some rather troublesome telephoning, Bill
+announced, "They did! they got a license, and they started in a motor
+for Greenwich about half an hour ago! Come on, Patty! Anne, you stay
+right here, in case we telephone. If Mr. Galbraith comes home, don't
+tell him a word about it. Leave it to me. I'll be responsible for this
+note." Bill put the note in his pocket, and almost pushing Patty out
+of the door, he had her in the elevator and downstairs almost before
+she knew it.
+
+"Shall we take my little car?" she asked, as Bill strode through the
+lobby, and Patty hurried to keep up with him.
+
+"Good Heavens, no! We want a racer. I'll drive it myself."
+
+By the power of sheer determination, the big Western man procured a
+fast car in an incredibly short time, and in a few moments he and
+Patty were flying up Broadway.
+
+"Now if you want to talk you may," said Bill, and his voice was quiet
+and composed, though he was alertly threading his swift way through
+the traffic. "I had to be a little short with you while we were
+hurrying off, because I didn't want to lose a minute. But now, all I
+have to do is to keep just inside the speed limit while we're in the
+city, and then I rather guess there'll be one big chase!"
+
+"Oh, Bill, you are just splendid!" exclaimed Patty, with shining eyes,
+unable to repress her admiration of his capability and strength.
+
+"But we haven't accomplished anything yet, Patty; we're only starting
+out to try. You know, it's a hundred to one shot that we miss
+them,--for we've very little idea where they've gone."
+
+"But it's a straight road to Greenwich."
+
+"Yes, but they may have turned off anywhere. They may change their
+minds a dozen times about their destination."
+
+"No, they won't," said Patty, positively; "not unless they think
+they're pursued, and of course they've no idea of that. Speed her up,
+Bill; the way is clear now! I don't believe they're going at this
+pace."
+
+"Patty, you're a good pal! I don't believe any other girl would be as
+plucky as you are in such a case."
+
+"Why, I haven't done anything," and Patty opened her eyes wide, in
+surprise. "You've done it all--Little Billee."
+
+"You've helped me more than you know. With you by my side, I'm bound
+to succeed." Big Bill bent to his wheel, and the swift machine flew
+along so fast that conversation became impossible.
+
+As they neared Greenwich, Patty's sharp eyes descried a dark red car
+ahead of them.
+
+"That's it!" she cried. "That's Mona's car! Chase 'em, Bill!"
+
+"The nerve of him, to elope in her own car!" growled Bill, through his
+clenched teeth. "I told you he was a scoundrel, Patty!"
+
+They were rapidly gaining on the red car, when, as it turned the
+corner, one of its occupants saw their pursuers, and Patty heard a
+shriek.
+
+"That's Mona's yell," she cried, in dismay. "They've seen us, Bill,
+and now they'll get away from us!"
+
+Sure enough, the pursuing car was swift, but the big Galbraith car was
+a speed wonder, and the elopers darted ahead with renewed determination
+to escape capture.
+
+"Oh, what a shame!" wailed Patty. "They recognised us, and now they'll
+get away."
+
+"Not if I know it!" and Farnsworth set his teeth hard. "Sit tight,
+Patty; we're going to go faster!"
+
+It didn't seem as if they could go any faster, but they did, and if it
+had been anybody driving except Farnsworth, Patty would have felt
+frightened. But she knew his skill, and too, she knew that he never
+let excitement or enthusiasm run away with his judgment. So she sat as
+still as she could, striving to catch her breath in the face of the
+wind; and refraining from speech, lest she distract Bill's attention
+even for a second.
+
+At last, when they had a long, clear view ahead, and they saw the red
+car ever increasing the distance between them, Bill gave up.
+
+"It's no use, Patty; we can't catch them! I've done all I can, but
+that car they're in is a world-beater! They went through Greenwich
+like a streak. They would have been arrested, but no one could stop
+them. Oh, I say, My Little Girl,--I have an idea!"
+
+"Is your idea faster than their car, Little Billee?"
+
+"You bet it is! Just you wait and see; Patty, we've _got_ 'em!"
+
+Farnsworth turned around and drove rapidly back to Greenwich, which
+they had just passed through.
+
+At a hotel there, he jumped out, told Patty to wait, and rushed into
+the office.
+
+It was nearly ten minutes before he returned, and Patty could scarcely
+believe that whatever plan he had could be of any use after such
+delay.
+
+He jumped in beside her, turned around, and in a minute they were
+again whizzing along, following the direction of the other car.
+
+"I'll tell you what I did, Patty," he said, chuckling. "I telephoned
+to the Stamford Chief of Police, and asked him to arrest those people
+for speeding as they crossed the city limit!"
+
+"Will they be speeding?"
+
+"_Will_ they be speeding? You _bet_ they will! And even if they
+aren't, they'll be arrested, all the same, and held without bail until
+we get there! Oh, Patty, if the situation were not so serious, I could
+laugh at this joke on Lansing!"
+
+On they went, at their highest speed, and reached Stamford not very
+much later than the red car they were following.
+
+At the city line, they found this car standing, with two or three
+policemen forbidding its further progress.
+
+Horace Lansing was in a violent fit of temper, and was alternating
+bribes with threats of vengeance, but the policemen were imperturbable,
+having been told the facts of the case by Farnsworth over the
+telephone.
+
+Mona was weeping bitterly, and though Patty went to her with
+affectionate words, she stormed back, "Go away, Patty Fairfield! You
+have no right to interfere in my affairs! It was your prying that
+found this out. Go away; I won't speak to you!"
+
+"By what right have you followed us, Miss Fairfield?" began Mr.
+Lansing, looking at Patty, angrily.
+
+But Farnsworth strode over to the speaker, and spoke to him, sternly
+but quietly. "Lansing," he said, "it's all up, and you know it! Now, I
+don't want to have a scene here and now, so you have my permission to
+go away wherever you like, on condition that you never enter the
+presence again, of Miss Galbraith or Miss Fairfield."
+
+"Ho!" said Lansing, with an attempt at bravado. "You give me your
+permission, do you? Let me tell you that Miss Galbraith is my promised
+wife. We have the license, and we're about to be married. It will take
+more than you to stop us!"
+
+"Indeed," said Farnsworth, and putting his hands in his pockets, he
+gave Lansing a contemptuous glance. "Well, then, I shall have to
+request assistance. If I tell this constable a good reason why he
+should detain you long enough to prevent your marriage to Miss
+Galbraith, would such an argument have any weight with you?"
+
+There was an instantaneous change in Horace Lansing's demeanour. From
+a blustering braggart, he became a pale and cringing coward. But with
+a desperate attempt to bluff it out, he exclaimed, "What do you mean?"
+but even as he spoke, he shivered and staggered backward, as if
+dreading a blow.
+
+"Since you ask me," said Farnsworth, looking at him, sternly, "I'll
+answer frankly, that unless you consent to go away and never again
+enter the presence of these ladies, I shall inform these policemen of
+a certain little bank trouble that happened in Chicago----"
+
+It was unnecessary to go on. Lansing was abject, and begged in
+pleading tones that Farnsworth would say no more. "I am going,"
+Lansing stammered, and without a word of farewell to Mona or even a
+glance at Patty, he walked rapidly away.
+
+"Let him go," said Farnsworth. "I can't tell you girls about it, but
+I'll explain to Mr. Galbraith. Mona, that man is not fit for you to
+know! He is guilty of forgery and robbery."
+
+"I don't believe it!" declared Mona, angrily.
+
+"You _do_ believe it," and Farnsworth looked at her steadily, "because
+you know I would not tell you so unless I knew it to be true."
+
+Mona was silent at this, for she did know it. She knew Bill Farnsworth
+well enough to know that if he made an accusation of that sort, he
+knew it to be the truth.
+
+"But I love him so," she said, sobbing.
+
+"No, Mona, you don't love him." Bill spoke very gently, and as he laid
+his hand on Mona's shoulder, she raised her eyes to look into his
+kind, serious face. "You were not much to blame, Mona; the man
+fascinated you, and you thought the foolish infatuation you felt for
+him was love. But it wasn't, and you'll soon forget him. You don't
+want to remember a man who was a wrong-doer, I'm sure; nor do you want
+to remember a man who goes away and deserts you because he has been
+found out. Mona, is not his going away as he did, enough proof of his
+guilt?"
+
+But Mona was sobbing so that she could not speak. Not angry sobs now,
+but pathetic, repentant sorrow.
+
+"Now, it's up to you, Patty," said Farnsworth, cheerily. "You and Mona
+get into the tonneau of this Galbraith car, and I'll drive you home.
+You chirk her up, Patty, and tell her there's no harm done, and that
+all her friends love her just the same. And tell her if she'll stop
+her crying and calm herself before she gets home, nobody need ever
+know a thing about this whole affair."
+
+Mona looked up at this, and said, eagerly, "Not father?"
+
+"No, Mona dear," said Patty. "Sit here by me and I'll tell you all
+about it. How we read the note and kept it, and everything. And, Mona,
+we won't even let Roger know anything about all this, because it would
+hurt him very much."
+
+"But Anne," said Mona, doubtfully. "You say she told you where I
+went."
+
+"I'll attend to Anne," said Farnsworth, decidedly. "Can't you go home
+to dinner with Patty, Mona? I think that would do you good."
+
+"Yes, do," said Patty. "And stay over night with me. We'll telephone
+your father where you are, and then, to-morrow, you can go home as if
+nothing had ever happened."
+
+"It's a justifiable deception, Mona," said Bill, "for I know how it
+would grieve the poor man if he knew about your foolish little
+escapade,--which is all over now. It's past history, and the incident
+is closed forever. Don't you be afraid Lansing will ever appear
+against you. He's too thoroughly frightened ever to be seen in these
+parts again."
+
+"You come to dinner, too, Bill," said Patty, as they took their
+places; "though I fear we'll all be rather late."
+
+Farnsworth hesitated a moment, then he said, decidedly, "No, Patty, I
+can't do it. I was to take the seven o'clock train to-night, but
+though I'll miss that, I can take the nine o'clock, and I _must_ go."
+
+"But, Little Billee, I want to thank you for helping me as you did. I
+want to thank you, not only for Mona's sake, but my own."
+
+"That would be worth staying for, Little Girl, but it is a case of
+duty, you see. Won't you write me your thanks,--Apple Blossom?"
+
+"Yes," said Patty, softly, "I will."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+BRIDESMAID PATTY
+
+
+Early in February Christine was to be married, and the Fairfields had
+persuaded her to accept the use of their house for the occasion.
+
+Christine had demurred, for she wanted a simple ceremony with no
+reception at all. But the Fairfields finally made her see that Mr.
+Hepworth's position as an artist of high repute made it desirable that
+his many friends should be invited to his wedding.
+
+So Christine agreed to the plan, and Patty was delighted at the
+thought of the festivities in her home.
+
+The elder Fairfields had returned from their Southern trip, but Mrs.
+Allen was still with them, and there were other house guests from
+Christine's Southern home.
+
+The day of the wedding, Patty, assisted by Elise and Mona, was
+superintending the decorations. Christine had insisted that these
+should be simple, and as Mr. Hepworth, too, was opposed to the
+conventional work of a florist, the girls had directed it all
+themselves.
+
+"It does look perfectly sweet," said Patty, as she surveyed the
+drawing-room. "Personally, I should prefer all those dinky white
+telegraph poles stretched with ribbon and bunched up with flowers to
+make an aisle for the happy couple to walk through. But as it isn't my
+wedding, I suppose we must let the bride have her own way."
+
+"I'm tired of those tied up poles," said Elise, decidedly. "I think
+this is a lot prettier, and all this Southern jasmine is beautiful,
+and just like Christine."
+
+"She is the sweetest thing!" said Patty. "Every new present that comes
+in, she sits and looks at it helplessly, as if it were the very last
+straw!"
+
+"Well, of course, most of the presents are from Mr. Hepworth's
+friends," said Mona, "and they are stunning! I don't wonder Christine
+is overcome."
+
+"She has lots of friends of her own, too," said Patty. "All the girls
+gave her beautiful things, and you two quite outdid yourselves. That
+lamp of yours, Mona, is a perfect dream; and, Elise, I never saw such
+gems as your silver candlesticks. Christine's path through life will
+be well lighted! Well, everything's finished, and I think it's about
+time we went to dress. The ceremony's at four, and as I'm going to be
+a bridesmaid for the first time in my mad career, I don't want to be
+late at the party."
+
+"How beautiful the drawing-room looks," said Mrs. Allen, coming along
+just then. "Patty dear, doesn't this all remind you of the day Nan was
+married?"
+
+"Yes, Mrs. Allen; only the weddings are quite different. But Christine
+would keep this as simple as possible, so of course I let her have her
+own way."
+
+"Yes, Patty, that's the privilege of a bride. But some day you can
+have your own way in the direction of your own wedding, and I rather
+fancy it will be an elaborate affair. I hope I'll be here to see."
+
+"I hope you will, Mrs. Allen," laughed Patty; "but don't look for it
+very soon. My suitors are so bashful, you know; I have to urge them
+on."
+
+"Nonsense!" cried Elise. "Patty's greatest trouble is to keep her
+suitors off! She tries to hold them at arm's length, but they are so
+insistent that it is difficult."
+
+"I think you girls are all too young to have suitors," commented Mrs.
+Allen, smiling at the pretty trio.
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Allen," said Patty; "suitors doesn't mean men who want to
+marry you. I suppose it's sort of slang, but nowadays, girls call all
+their young men suitors, even the merest casual acquaintances."
+
+"Oh, I see," said Mrs. Allen. "I suppose as in my younger days we used
+to call them beaux."
+
+"Yes, just that," said Patty. "Why, Mr. Hepworth used to be one of our
+favourite suitors, until he persuaded Christine to marry him; but we
+have lots of them left."
+
+"Is that big one coming to the wedding?" asked Mrs. Allen.
+
+"She means Bill Farnsworth," said Patty to the others. "She always
+calls him 'that big one.' I don't know whether he's coming or not. He
+said if he possibly could get here, he would."
+
+"He'll come," said Elise, wagging her head, sagely. "He'll manage it
+somehow. Why, Mrs. Allen, he worships the ground Patty walks on!"
+
+"So do all my suitors," said Patty, complacently. "They're awful
+ground worshippers, the whole lot of them! But so long as they don't
+worship me, they may adore the ground as much as they like. Now, you
+people must excuse me, for I'm going to get into that flummery
+bridesmaid's frock,--and I can tell you, though it looks so simple,
+it's fearfully and wonderfully made."
+
+Patty ran away to her own room, but paused on the way to speak to
+Christine, who was already being dressed in her bridal robes.
+
+"You _sweet_ thing!" cried Patty, flinging her arms round her friend's
+neck. "Christine dear, you know I'm not much good at sentimental
+expressions, but I _do_ want to wish you such a heap of joy that
+you'll just almost break down under it!"
+
+Christine smiled back into Patty's honest eyes, and realised the
+loving friendship that prompted the words.
+
+"Patty," she said, "I can't begin to thank you for all you've done for
+me this past year, but I thank you most,"--here she blushed, and
+whispered shyly,--"because you didn't want him, yourself!"
+
+"Oh, Christine!" said Patty, "I _do_ want him, something dreadful! I
+shall just _pine_ away the rest of my sad life because I can't have
+him! But you wrested him from me, and I give him to you with my
+blessing!" And then Patty went away, and Christine smiled, knowing
+that Patty's words were merely jesting, and knowing too, with a heart
+full of content, that Gilbert Hepworth really wanted _her_, and not
+the radiant, mischievous Patty.
+
+                  *       *       *       *       *
+
+Promptly at four o'clock, the old, well-known music sounded forth, and
+Patty came slowly downstairs. Her gown was of white chiffon, over pink
+chiffon, and fell in soft, shimmering draperies, that looked like
+classic simplicity, but were in reality rather complicated. Christine
+had designed both their gowns, and they were marvels of beauty. On
+Patty's head was perched a coquettish little cap of the style most
+approved for bridesmaids, and she carried a clustered spray of pink
+roses. As she entered the drawing-room, intent on walking correctly in
+time to the music, she chanced to glance up, and saw Bill Farnsworth's
+blue eyes fixed upon her. Unthinkingly, she gave him a radiant smile,
+and then, with the pink in her cheeks deepened a little, she went on
+her way toward the group of palms, where the wedding party would
+stand.
+
+Not even the bride herself looked prettier than Patty; though
+Christine was very sweet, in her soft white chiffon, her misty veil,
+and her shower bouquet of white flowers, which she had expressly
+requested should be without ribbons.
+
+Only the more intimate friends had been invited to the ceremony, but
+immediately after, the house was filled with the reception guests.
+Patty was in gay spirits, which was not at all unusual for that young
+woman. She fluttered about everywhere, like a big pink butterfly, but
+ever and again hovering back to Christine, to caress her, and, as she
+expressed it, "To keep up her drooping spirits." Christine had never
+entirely overcome her natural shyness, and being the centre of
+attraction on this occasion greatly embarrassed her, and she was glad
+of Patty's gay nonsense to distract attention from herself.
+
+Kenneth Harper was best man, and, as he told Patty, the responsibility
+of the whole affair rested on himself and her. "We're really of far
+greater importance than the bride and groom," he said; "and they
+depend on us for everything. Have you the confetti all ready, Patty?"
+
+"Yes, of course; do you have to go to the train with them, Ken?"
+
+"No; my duties are ended when I once get them packed into a motor at
+the door. But Christine looks as if she couldn't survive much longer,
+and as for old Gilbert, he's as absent-minded as the conventional
+bridegroom."
+
+"Christine's all right," said Patty. "I'm going to take her off, now,
+to get into her travelling clothes. Oh, Ken, she has the loveliest
+suit! Sort of a taupe colour, you know, and the dearest hat----"
+
+"Patty! Do you suppose I care what she's going to wear away? But _do_
+see to it that she's ready on time! You girls will all get to
+weeping,--that's the way they always do,--and you'll spin out your
+farewells so that they'll lose their train! Run along with Christine,
+now; Hepworth is fidgeting like the dickens."
+
+So the pretty bridesmaid took the pretty bride away, and Patty begged
+Christine to make haste with her dressing, lest she might lose the
+train.
+
+"And Mr. Hepworth will go away without you," Patty threatened. "Now,
+you do always dawdle, Christine; but this time you've got to
+hustle,--so be spry,--Mrs. Hepworth."
+
+Christine smiled at Patty's use of the new name, and she tried to make
+the haste Patty demanded. But she was slow by nature, and Patty danced
+around her in terror, lest she should really be late.
+
+"Here's your coat, Christine,--put your arms in, do! Now the other
+one. Now sit down, and I'll put your hat on for you. Oh, Mrs.
+Hepworth, _do_ hold your head still! Here, stick this pin in yourself,
+or I may jab it through your brain,--though I must confess you act as
+if you hadn't any! or if you have, it's addled. And Ken says that
+husband of yours is acting just the same way. My! it's lucky you two
+infants had a capable and clever bridesmaid and best man to get you
+off! There! take your gloves,--no, don't hold them like that! put them
+on. Wake up, Christine; remember, the show isn't over yet. You've got
+to go downstairs, and be showered with confetti, and, oh, Christine,
+_don't_ forget to throw your bouquet!"
+
+"I won't do it!" and Christine Hepworth woke up suddenly from her
+dreaming, and clasped her bridal bouquet to her heart.
+
+"Nonsense! of course you will! You've simply _got_ to! I'm not going
+to run this whole wedding, and then have the prima donna balk in the
+last act. Now, listen, Christine, you throw it over the banister just
+as you start downstairs! Will you?"
+
+"Yes," was the meek response; "I will."
+
+"And wait a minute; don't you throw it till I get down there myself,
+for I might catch it."
+
+"Do catch it, Patty, and then you can give it back to me. I want to
+keep it all my life."
+
+"Well, you can't, Christine; it isn't done! You'll have to direct your
+sentimentality in some other direction. Or, here, I'll give you a
+flower out of it, and that's plenty for you to keep for a souvenir of
+this happy occasion."
+
+"Why do I have to throw it, anyway?" persisted Christine, as she
+tucked the flower away for safe keeping.
+
+"First and foremost, because I tell you to! and, incidentally, because
+it's the custom. You know, whoever catches it will be married inside
+of a year. Now, I'm going on down, and then you come along with Nan,
+and I expect you'll find Mr. Hepworth down there somewhere,--if Ken
+hasn't lost him."
+
+Patty cast a final critical glance at Christine, and seeing that she
+was all right in every respect, she gave her one last kiss, and
+hurried downstairs. She found a group of laughing young people
+standing in the hall, all provided with confetti, and the girls all
+looking upward to watch for the descending bouquet.
+
+"Here's a good place for you, Patty Pink and White," and Farnsworth
+guided her to a place directly under the banister.
+
+At that moment Christine appeared at the head of the stairs. She stood
+a moment, her bouquet held at arm's length, and looked at it as if she
+couldn't quite bring herself to part with it.
+
+"There, _now_ she's going to toss it! _Quick_, Patty, catch it!" Big
+Bill whispered in her ear, and Patty looked upward. Then, seeing the
+direction in which the flowers fell,--for Christine really tossed them
+straight at her,--Patty whirled round and sprang aside, so that the
+bouquet was picked up by a girl who stood next to her.
+
+"Oh, Patty! you muffed it!" cried Farnsworth; "and what's more, you
+did it on purpose!"
+
+"'Course I did!" declared Patty. "I don't want to be married this
+year, thank you. But it was all I could do to dodge it!"
+
+And then the confetti was showered on the departing couple, Kenneth
+tucked them into the motor car, Patty jumped in too, for a last
+rapturous hug of Christine, and Kenneth almost had to pull her out.
+
+"Come, come, Patty," he cried. "Let them make their getaway! I think
+they've missed the train as it is. There, now, they're off! My, a best
+man's lot is not a happy one! But our trials are over now, Patty girl,
+and we can take a little rest! Let's go back and receive the
+congratulations of the audience on our good work."
+
+They went back to the house, laughing, and Patty succeeded in
+obtaining a few more blossoms from the bridal bouquet to save for
+Christine until she came back.
+
+"Why didn't you catch it, Patty?" said Kenneth. "Do you want to be an
+old maid?"
+
+"'Nobody asked me, sir, she said,'" and Patty dropped her eyes,
+demurely.
+
+"You mean there's nobody that hasn't asked you!" returned Kenneth.
+"I'm going to ask you, myself, some day; but not to-night. I've had
+enough to do with matrimonial alliances for one day!"
+
+"So have I," laughed Patty. "Let's put it off for a year, Ken."
+
+"All right," was the laughing response, and then they rejoined the
+other young people.
+
+After the reception was over, a few of Patty's more intimate friends
+were invited to remain to dinner with the Fairfields.
+
+"Can you stay, Little Billee?" asked Patty, dancing up to him, as he
+seemed about to leave.
+
+"I have to take a midnight train," he said, "and I have some business
+matters that I must attend to first. So if I may, I'll run away now,
+and come back this evening for a dance with you."
+
+"All right; be sure to come," and Patty flashed him a smiling glance,
+and danced away again.
+
+It was after eleven before Farnsworth returned, and Patty had begun to
+fear he would not come at all.
+
+"What are you looking at?" asked Philip Van Reypen, as Patty continued
+to glance over her shoulder toward the hall, while they were dancing.
+
+"Nothing," was the non-committal answer.
+
+"Well, then, you may as well look at me. At least, I'm better than
+nothing."
+
+"_Much_ better!" said Patty, with exaggerated emphasis; "_ever_ so
+much better! Oh, say, Philip, take me over to the hall, will you?"
+
+"What for? This dance has just begun."
+
+"Never mind!" said Patty, impatiently. "Lead me over that way!"
+
+Patty turned her own dancing steps in that direction, and when they
+reached the hall, there was Big Bill Farnsworth, smiling at her.
+
+"This is what I was looking for!" said Patty, gaily. "Run away now,
+Philip. Little Billee can only stay a minute, and we'll finish our
+dance afterward."
+
+Van Reypen was decidedly annoyed, but he didn't show it, for he knew
+Patty's caprices must be obeyed. So he bowed politely, and walked
+away.
+
+"He's mad as hops," said Patty, calmly; "but I had to see you for a
+few minutes, if you're really going on that midnight train. Are you,
+Little Billee?"
+
+"Yes, Apple Blossom, I am. I've time for just one turn round the room.
+Will you dance?"
+
+For answer, Patty put her hand in his, and they waltzed slowly round
+the room.
+
+"You are the busiest business man I ever saw," Patty said, pouting a
+little.
+
+"Yes, I _am_ very busy just now. Indeed, matters are rapidly coming to
+a crisis. It was only because I suddenly found that I must be in
+Boston to-morrow, that I could stop here to-day. And if matters turn
+out to-morrow as I hope they will, I must start back immediately to
+Arizona. But some day I hope to be less hurried, and then----"
+
+"And then?" asked Patty.
+
+"Then I hope to live in New York, and learn good manners and correct
+customs, and make myself fit to be a friend of yours."
+
+"Oh, Little Billee, you _are_ a friend of mine."
+
+"Well, something more than a friend, then. Patty,--I _must_ ask
+you,--are you engaged to Van Reypen?"
+
+"Goodness, no!" and Patty flashed a glance of surprise.
+
+"Then, Patty, mayn't _I_ hope?"
+
+"That's a question I _never_ know how to answer," said Patty,
+demurely; "if you mean that I'm to consider myself bound by any sort
+of a promise, I most certainly won't!"
+
+"No, I don't mean that, dear, but,----well, Patty, won't you wait?"
+
+"Of course I'll wait. That's exactly what I mean to do for years and
+years."
+
+"You mean to,--but you're so capricious."
+
+"Oh, no! not _that_, of all things! And, anyway, what does capricious
+mean?"
+
+"Well, it means like a butterfly, hovering from one flower to
+another----"
+
+"Oh, you think you're like unto a flower?"
+
+"I'll be any kind of a flower you wish, if you'll hover around me like
+a butterfly."
+
+"Well, be a timid little forget-me-not,--that will be lovely."
+
+"I'll forget-you-not, all right; but I can't be timid, it isn't my
+nature." And now they had stopped dancing, and stood in the hall, near
+the door, for it was almost time for Farnsworth to go.
+
+"It isn't because I'm timid," and the six feet three of humanity
+towered above her, "that I don't grab you up and run away with you,
+but because----"
+
+"Well, because what?" said Patty, daringly.
+
+"Because, Apple Blossom," and Bill spoke slowly, "when I see you here
+in your rightful setting, and surrounded by your own sort of people, I
+realise that I'm only a great, big----"
+
+"Bear," interrupted Patty. "You _are_ like a big bear, Bill! But such
+a nice, gruff, kind, woolly bear,--and the best friend a girl ever
+had. But I wish you'd be more of a chum, Little Billee. I like to be
+good chums with every one of my suitors! It's all very well for
+Christine to marry; she doesn't care for society, she just only loves
+Mr. Hepworth."
+
+"Some day you'll forget your love for society, because you'll get to
+love just only one man."
+
+"'And it might as well be you,'" hummed Patty, to an old tune.
+
+"Patty!" cried Farnsworth, his blue eyes lighting up with sudden joy;
+"do you mean that?"
+
+"No, _I_ never mean anything! Of _course_, I don't mean it,--but if I
+_did_, I'd say I didn't."
+
+"Patty Pink and White! you little scamp! if you tease me like this,
+how do you suppose I'm ever going to tear myself away to catch that
+midnight train to Boston?"
+
+"Why, you can't get that, Little Billee! it's too late, now!"
+
+"No, it isn't; and beside, I _must_ make it." He looked at his watch.
+"I've just exactly two minutes longer to stay with you."
+
+"Two minutes is a long time," said Patty, flippantly.
+
+"Yes, it is! it's just long enough for two things I have to do."
+
+"What have you to do?" asked Patty, wonderingly, looking up at him, as
+they stood alone in the hall.
+
+Farnsworth's strong face wore a determined look, but his blue eyes
+were full of a tender light, as he answered:
+
+"Two very important things,--Apple Blossom,--this,--and this!"
+
+He kissed her swiftly on one pink cheek and then on the other, and
+then, like a flash, he was gone.
+
+"Oh!" said Patty, softly, to herself, "Oh!"
+
+
+
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+
+
+
+THE CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS FOR GIRLS
+
+Fresh, spirited stories that the modern small girl will take to her
+heart, these well known books by a famous author have won an important
+place in the field of juvenile fiction.
+
+Patty, with her beauty and frank good nature, and Marjorie full of
+vitality and good spirits, are two lovable characters well worth
+knowing, and their adventures will stir the eager imaginations of
+young readers.
+
+THE FAMOUS "PATTY" BOOKS
+
+Patty Fairfield               Patty's Motor Car
+Patty at Home                 Patty's Butterfly Days
+Patty in the City             Patty's Social Season
+Patty's Summer Days           Patty's Suitors
+Patty in Paris                Patty's Romance
+Patty's Friend                Patty's Fortune
+Patty's Pleasure Trip         Patty Blossom
+Patty's Success               Patty--Bride
+
+THE MARJORIE BOOKS
+
+Marjorie's Vacation           Marjorie in Command
+Marjorie's Busy Days          Marjorie's Maytime
+Marjorie's New Friend         Marjorie at Seacote
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP   _Publishers_   NEW YORK
+
+      *      *      *      *      *      *
+
+There is the high, happy spirit of youth in these famous
+
+BOOKS FOR GIRLS
+by JANE D. ABBOTT
+
+APRILLY
+
+The charming story of a young girl, child of the circus, and the
+adventures which led to her goal of happiness.
+
+HIGHACRES
+
+A school story of Jerry Travis and her chum Gyp Westley. A thread of
+romance and mystery in Jerry's life runs through the tale.
+
+KEINETH
+
+How Keineth Randolph kept a secret--a war secret--for a whole year
+makes one of the best stories ever written for girls.
+
+RED ROBIN
+
+In attempting to bring happiness into the lives of mill workers, Robin
+Forsythe, heir to a fortune, has many strange adventures.
+
+HEYDAY
+
+Twenty-three! The heyday of life. Jay, a small town girl, finds
+happiness in New York.
+
+LARKSPUR
+
+Especially interesting to any Girl Scout because it is the story of a
+Girl Scout who is poor and has to help her mother.
+
+HAPPY HOUSE
+
+How an old family quarrel is healed through a misunderstanding and an
+old homestead becomes a "happy house" in reality.
+
+GROSSET & DUNLAP   _Publishers_   NEW YORK
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON***
+
+
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