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diff --git a/25857-h/25857-h.htm b/25857-h/25857-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..606ef66 --- /dev/null +++ b/25857-h/25857-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12174 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Patty's Social Season, by Carolyn Wells</title> +<style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em} + h3.pg {text-align:center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 110%; } + .figcenter {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center;} + div.ce p {text-align: center; margin: auto 0;} + .caption {font-size: 90%; text-align:center;} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + hr.tb {width: 35%; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; color: silver; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + hr.major {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + hr.silver {width: 100%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver;} + h2 {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.6em} + + h1 { text-align: center; } + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ +</style> +</head> +<body> +<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> </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> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:2em; margin-top:1em;'>Patty’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 & 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 </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Flowers! </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#I_FLOWERS'>9</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>II </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>At the Dance </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#II_AT_THE_DANCE'>25</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>III </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Happy Saturdays </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#III_HAPPY_SATURDAYS'>42</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>IV </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>An Invitation </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IV_AN_INVITATION'>60</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>V </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Happy Guests </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#V_HAPPY_GUESTS'>76</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VI </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Confidences </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VI_CONFIDENCES'>94</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>More Making Up </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VII_MORE_MAKING_UP'>108</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VIII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>A Delightful Invitation </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VIII_A_DELIGHTFUL_INVITATION'>125</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>IX </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Fern Falls </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IX_FERN_FALLS'>141</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>X </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Christmas Eve </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#X_CHRISTMAS_EVE'>158</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XI </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>The Christmas Spirit </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XI_THE_CHRISTMAS_SPIRIT'>174</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Coasting </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XII_COASTING'>192</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Hide and Seek </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIII_HIDE_AND_SEEK'>208</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIV </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>A Proposal </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIV_A_PROPOSAL'>225</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XV </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>A Christmas Card </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XV_A_CHRISTMAS_CARD'>243</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVI </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Stormbound </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVI_STORMBOUND'>260</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>The Country Club Ball </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVII_THE_COUNTRY_CLUB_BALL'>284</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVIII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Back to New York </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVIII_BACK_TO_NEW_YORK'>300</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIX </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>An Exciting Chase </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIX_AN_EXCITING_CHASE'>316</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XX </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Bridesmaid Patty </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>“Patty, do come along and get your +luncheon before everything grows +cold!” +</p> +<p>“‘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. +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>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. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span></p> +<p>“You certainly have heaps of friends,” said +Elise, who was helping arrange the bouquets. +</p> +<p>“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!” +</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>“Patty,” she said, “if you don’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.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“I didn’t know there were so many flowers +in the world,” said Mona Galbraith, who +paused to look back into the drawing-room. +</p> +<p>“There aren’t,” said Patty solemnly; “it’s an +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span> +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.” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>All the morning they had been untying the +flower boxes and making a list of the donors. +</p> +<p>“Just think of the notes of thanks I have to +write,” said Patty, groaning at the outlook. +</p> +<p>“Wish we could help you,” said Elise, “but +I suppose you have to do those yourself.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Thousands!” corrected Elise. And Mona +said, “Looks to me like millions!” +</p> +<p>“Who sent that last big box, Patty?” asked +Nan; “the one that just came.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“All right,” said Patty; “the boys are coming, +and they’ll do the rest. We couldn’t hang +the flowers on the wall, anyway.” +</p> +<p>“We ought to have had a florist to attend to +it,” said Nan, thoughtfully; “I had no idea +there’d be so many.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“Did you ever see anything like it?” she exclaimed, +and her visitors agreed that they never +had. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span></p> +<p>“I haven’t an idea, but there must be a card +inside.” +</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, +“Mr. William Farnsworth,” and written beneath +the engraved name was the message, +“With congratulations and best wishes.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty, looking at the label on +the box; “he must have just sent an order to +a New York florist.” +</p> +<p>“To two or three florists, I should think,” +said Mr. Hepworth. “What can we do with +them all?” +</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’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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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——” +</p> +<p>“What! the party?” and Kenneth looked astounded. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span> +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.” +</p> +<p>“Nonsense,” said Kenneth; “you can’t scare +me. You’ll be the same old Patty, foolish and +irresponsible,—but sunshiny and sweet as ever.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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——” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“You’re right, little Patty,” and Hepworth +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span> +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——” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“Yes,——” and the man hesitated a moment, +as he looked into Patty’s blue eyes. Then, suddenly, +“Yes, indeed, <i>very</i> nice.” And, turning +abruptly, he left her. +</p> +<p>“Now, you girls, skip,” ordered Patty. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Gracious! it sounds like a wedding,” cried +Mona, laughing. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>The programme for the occasion was an afternoon +reception, from four o’clock until seven. +This was really Patty’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>“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. +</p> +<p>“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 <span style='font-variant: small-caps'>p.m.</span>, and methinks you’d better begin +on your own glad toilette, or you’ll be late +yourself.” +</p> +<p>“Was I <i>ever</i> late?” asked Nan, scornfully, +and as Patty responded, “never anything but,” +she ran away to her own room. +</p> +<p>However, four o’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’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’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 +“Floaters,” 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>“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?” +</p> +<p>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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span> +arrived; and, anyway, you must bring her back +shortly.” +</p> +<p>“I will,” and young Van Reypen led Patty +through the crowd to the dining-room. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</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>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“But you’re not a bit more grown up than +when you were in,” said Kenneth, joining the +group around Patty. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span></p> +<p>“It isn’t romantic, Patty, to think about eating +when you’re celebrating an occasion like +this,” reproved Philip. +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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. +</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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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’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.” +</p> +<p>“I should think not!” 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’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. +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“That’s better,” he said. “We can’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?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span></p> +<p>“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. +</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’ places were beautiful +souvenirs, in the shape of fans of carved +ivory with lace mounts, while the men received +attractive stick-pins. +</p> +<p>“Shall you feel like dancing after all this +gaiety, Patty?” asked Van Reypen. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Frivolous young person, very,” murmured +Philip. “Never saw such devotion to the vain +follies of life! However, since you’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?” +</p> +<p>“Why, I don’t mind, if you don’t,” said Patty, +dimpling at him. +</p> +<p>“And give me the second,” said Kenneth and +Roger simultaneously. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“You be the miss and I’ll try to make a hit,” +said Philip. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“That explains your good dancing,” said Mr. +Hepworth, laughing. “Perhaps, if I could +keep my mind on my feet, I could dance better.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“No,” returned Patty; “sometimes I have to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span> +think about my partner’s feet, to keep out of the +way of them.” +</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’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?” +</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’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. +</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>“Anything left for me?” asked Roger, gaily, +as he threaded the crowds at Patty’s side. +</p> +<p>“I saved one for you,” said Patty, smiling at +him; “for I hoped you’d ask me, sooner or +later.” +</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>“I say, Patty,” he began when they were +whirling about the floor, “who is that stuff +Mona has trailing after her?” +</p> +<p>“Moderate your language, Roger,” said +Patty, smiling up at him, and noticing that his +expression was very wrathy indeed. +</p> +<p>“He doesn’t deserve moderate language! +He’s a bounder, if I ever saw one! What’s he +doing here?” +</p> +<p>“He seems to be dancing,” said Patty, demurely, +“and he doesn’t dance half badly, +either.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, stop your fooling, Patty; I’m not in +the mood for it. Tell me who he is.” +</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: “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.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know, I’m sure,” said Patty, her patience +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span> +exhausted; “but Mr. Galbraith knows +him, so it must be all right.” +</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’s demeanour, +and perversely disagreed with him. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, what a fuss you are, Roger; and it’s +hardly fair when you don’t know anything at +all about Mr. Lansing.” +</p> +<p>“Do you?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Didn’t she ask you if she might bring him +to-night?” +</p> +<p>“No; I suppose, as an intimate friend, she +didn’t think that necessary.” +</p> +<p>“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’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.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I’m sure I’m willing you should, +Roger; but you needn’t make such a bluster +about it.” +</p> +<p>“I’m not making a bluster, Patty.” +</p> +<p>“You are so!” +</p> +<p>“I am not!” +</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. “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.” +</p> +<p>“Who is your next partner, Patty?” +</p> +<p>“Haven’t looked at my card; but, never mind, +he’ll come. You run along.” +</p> +<p>As Roger’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’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—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>“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!” +</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>“Yes, I have many kind and delightful +friends,” said Patty, a little stiffly. +</p> +<p>“You sure have! Rich, too, most of ’em.” +</p> +<p>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?” +</p> +<p>“How do you know I’ve heard anything +about you, Mr. Lansing?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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. +“Suppose I tell you the truth, Mr. Lansing, +that I’m not accustomed to being addressed in +such—well, in such slangy terms.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, is that it? Pooh, I’ll bet those chums +of yours talk slang to you once in a while.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span></p> +<p>“What my chums may do is no criterion for +an absolute stranger,”—and now Patty spoke +very haughtily indeed. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“The best Chicago people don’t,” said Patty, +seriously. +</p> +<p>Mr. Lansing smiled at her, a trifle whimsically. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</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: “Now, I’ll tumble you into a seat, +and chase my next victim.” +</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>“What’s the matter, Lady Fair?” and Philip +Van Reypen came up to her. “Methinks thou +hast a ruffled brow.” +</p> +<p>“No, it’s my frock that’s ruffled,” said Patty, +demurely. “You men know so little of millinery!” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Goodness, is it supper time? I thought the +evening had scarcely begun!” +</p> +<p>“Alas! look at the programme,” and Van +Reypen showed her that it was, indeed, time for +intermission. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Who are on the stairs?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span></p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“And Mona Galbraith?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“And any men?” +</p> +<p>“The men I shall have to fight off, not invite!” +</p> +<p>Laughing at each other’s chaff, they sauntered +across to the hall and found the stairs already +pretty well occupied. +</p> +<p>“Why is it,” Mr. Hepworth was saying, +“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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. +</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’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, “Come up here by me, Mona; and you +come too, Mr. Lansing. We can make room +easily if we move about a little.” +</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>“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!” +</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>“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. +</p> +<p>“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 <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?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know exactly; only he seemed so +breezy and unusual.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>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. +</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’ attitude, for she knew she hadn’t +really deserved it. +</p> +<p>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. +</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’s bedside. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“What boys? and what <i>is</i> a scrap? Patty, +now that you’re out, you mustn’t use those slang +words you’re so fond of.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Well, Patty, he, himself, seems to be an altogether +different matter from the people we +know.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, doesn’t he? And yet, Nan, he isn’t +so bad. Well, anyway, let me tell you what +Mr. Galbraith says.” +</p> +<p>“That’s just it!” declared Nan, after Patty +had finished her story. “That man <i>is</i> a fortune-hunter, +and he means to try to marry +Mona for the sake of her father’s money!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, my!” exclaimed Patty, laughing; “isn’t +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span> +it grand to be grown up! I see I’m mixed up +in a matrimonial tangle already!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“But, Nan, he isn’t so awful. You know, +sometimes he was quite fascinating.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, you think that, because he has big dark +eyes and rolled them at you.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Patty, you’re a goose! Don’t you suppose +we’ll find out about him? Of course, <i>we</i> can’t, +but your father and Mr. Galbraith,—yes, and +Roger Farrington, will soon find out his standing.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” said Patty, with a relieved sigh, +“then I needn’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!” +</p> +<p>“Goodness! Patty, how awful! Do you suppose +they’ll stay mad all day?” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Well, it was probably your own fault.” +</p> +<p>“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’t make any +advances.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>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.’” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span></p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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 <i>do</i> anything. Well, this is going to be +a <i>Doing</i> Club. We’re going to be real +<i>doers</i>.” +</p> +<p>“It sounds lovely, Patty. What are you going +to do?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>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.” +</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>“I don’t know <i>why</i> 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.” +</p> +<p>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 +<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,—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.” +</p> +<p>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.” +</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’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 “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. +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span> +thought after that last time he saw you,—and +that’s all there is about <i>that</i>!” +</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’s +pretty sitting-room in the Plaza Hotel, consisted +of only four girls—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>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“You ought to have a companion of some +sort, Mona,” said Patty, who thought this a +good opportunity to urge Mr. Galbraith’s +wishes. +</p> +<p>“No, thank you,” and Mona tossed her head, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span> +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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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 <i>very</i> +meek or mild.” +</p> +<p>“I am,” 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>“Well, then, let’s be an organisation that +doesn’t organise,” said Mona, “but let’s be it +<i>now</i>.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“That’s just exactly what I <i>don’t</i> mean, Clem! +Don’t you remember that little club we used to +have at school,—the Merry Grigs?” +</p> +<p>“Indeed I do! All we had to do was to be +merry and gay.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span></p> +<p>“Well, that’s what I mean,—in a way,—if +you know what I mean.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“But aren’t we going to have a president and +treasurer, and things like that?” asked Elise. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“But the shop girls are always busy; how +can we take them motoring?” asked Elise. +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Only in the summer time,” objected Elise. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“The Happy Saturday Afternoon Club!” +cried Patty; “that’s a lovely name! let’s do it!” +</p> +<p>“But,” said Elise, “that would mean giving +up our Saturday afternoons. Do we want to +do that? What about matinées?” +</p> +<p>“I think we ought to be willing to sacrifice +something,” said Patty, thoughtfully; “but I +do love Saturday matinées.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span> +she has to support two little sisters. But I’ll +make her take a holiday Saturday afternoon, +somehow.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I can’t think of anybody,” said Patty, “except +one person, that I would simply <i>love</i> 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.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Luncheon where?” said Patty, looking puzzled; +“at one of our houses?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Nonsense,” returned Mona; “I’ll be glad to +give that.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span></p> +<p>“Oh, it will be lovely!” cried Mona. “I’ll +have pretty place cards, and favours, and everything.” +</p> +<p>“But we mustn’t overdo it,” said Clementine. +</p> +<p>“You know, to the unaccustomed, an elaborate +table may prove embarrassing.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Something useful?” said Elise. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Or a picture or cast,” said Clementine. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“So do I,” said Mona, “and I think a little +pin in a jeweler’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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“And ours,” said all the rest together. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, we’ll do that,” said Patty, “if we have +to go out into the highways and hedges after +them.” +</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, “The Monongahela Art Embroidery +Company,” adding a number in lower +Broadway. +</p> +<p>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.” +</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>“Is youse up against it again?” he inquired, +grinning broadly. “I t’ought youse didn’t get +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span> +no cinch, and had to can de whole projick.” +</p> +<p>“I’m not on the same ‘projick’ now,” said +Patty, smiling at him. “Is department B in +the same place?” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“And is the same lady still in charge of +it?” +</p> +<p>“Yep; dey ain’t nuttin’ lessen dynnimite goin’ +to boost Mis’ Greene outen o’ here!” +</p> +<p>“Then Mrs. Greene is the lady I want to see,” +and Patty threaded her way through the narrow +passages between the piled up boxes. +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“This is Mrs. Greene, isn’t it?” said Patty, +pleasantly. +</p> +<p>“Yes, I am,” snapped the woman. “You +don’t want work again, do you?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span></p> +<p>“No,” said Patty, smiling, “I come this time +on quite a different errand.” +</p> +<p>“Then you don’t want to see <i>me</i>. I’m here +only to give out work. Did Mr. Myers send +you?” +</p> +<p>“No, I came of my own accord. Now, Mrs. +Greene, forget the work for a moment, and let +me tell you what I want.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“What!” and Mrs. Greene’s face was blank +with amazement, but her manner betokened an +impending burst of wrath. +</p> +<p>Patty realised that the woman’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’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, “<i>Please</i> 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 <i>don’t</i> scold me!” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Greene looked puzzled, and then the +hard, stern mouth broke into an actual smile. +</p> +<p>“Well, I declare,” she said, “I do believe +you’ve got a real heart!” +</p> +<p>“And I do believe that <i>you</i> have!” exclaimed +Patty. “And, now that we know the truth +about each other, you’ll come, won’t you?” +</p> +<p>“Tell me about it,” 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, “I truly want you, Mrs. +Greene, for the simple reason that I want you to +enjoy the afternoon,—and for no other reason.” +</p> +<p>“And I’ll come, and be awful glad of the +chance! Why, I’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’ve never eaten in one of +those fandangle hotels; and the way you put +it, I’m just crazy to go!” +</p> +<p>“Do you have holiday Saturday afternoon?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, all these downtown places do.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Land! it does seem too good to be true! +Say, Miss Fairfield, I’ve only got a black mohair +to wear,—will that do?” +</p> +<p>“Of course it will. Maybe you’ve a pretty +bit of embroidery or something to lighten it up +a little.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Then I shall expect you on Saturday, and +I’m so glad.” +</p> +<p>With a smiling bow, Patty started away, but +she saw by Mrs. Greene’s face, there was something +left unsaid. +</p> +<p>“What is it?” she asked, kindly, stepping +back again to the counter. +</p> +<p>“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 +<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,—and I never get a chance.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>And then Patty went away, greatly pleased at +her success. +</p> +<p>“Had quite a buzz, didn’t yer?” observed the +red-headed boy, looking at Patty with curiosity, +as she passed him. +</p> +<p>“Yes, I did. By the way, young man, what +is your name?” +</p> +<p>“Rosy; should think you’d know without +askin’,” and he grabbed a bunch of his red hair +with a comical grin. +</p> +<p>“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 <i>camaraderie</i>. +</p> +<p>“Might just as well ‘a’ been,” 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>“Home, Miller,” 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’s escapades; +and he didn’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>“I think that’s the funniest of all,” said Nan, +“that she should want you to wear your elaborate +clothes.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps the other girls’ guests won’t feel as +Mrs. Greene does about this matter. What +then?” +</p> +<p>“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!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span></p> +<p>“Yes, if it turns out right,—without any awkwardness +or embarrassment.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“They’d be all right, or hatpins, either.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“How about gloves?” +</p> +<p>“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 <i>your</i> luncheon guests gloves as souvenirs?” +</p> +<p>“I suppose you’re right, Patty. But it <i>is</i> an +experiment.” +</p> +<p>“Of course it is! And it’s going to be a successful +one, and the forerunner of many +others!” +</p> +<hr class='tb' /> + +<p>Half an hour before luncheon time, Patty +walked into Mona’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. “You look +unusually well, Patty,—but that’s not saying +anything unusual, for you always look unusually +well.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</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>“Your table is beautiful, Mona,” 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 +bonbonničre 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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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 <i>giving</i> them things; for you +know yourself how keen people are to take +away their place cards and such things.” +</p> +<p>“They are, indeed! I’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’ll each give them our own place-card +and box, too.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Of course it will! Mona, you’re a perfect +<i>darling</i>!” And Patty grasped Mona’s shoulders +and swung her about in a mad dance of +jubilation. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Why, Mona Galbraith!” and Patty stared +at her friend in astonishment. “Have you +been telling <i>him</i> about our club?” +</p> +<p>“Yes; of course, I have. It’s no secret society, +is it?” +</p> +<p>“No; but we don’t want men for members.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span></p> +<p>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! +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I’m <i>not</i> dragging him in! He kindly offered +to help. But of course,—if you don’t +want him——” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Pooh! Roger is jealous.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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’t begin their names with a Van.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I know dad doesn’t; but—well, all the same, +I <i>do</i>! Why, Patty, he’s awfully interesting, +and he brings me flowers and candy and +books——” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, Patty, he has! Why, when you +know him, he’s really fascinating!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, he does. But how can I stop that? I +can’t be rude to him.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you can be cool. Every girl can +discourage a man’s attentions, if she wants +to.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span></p> +<p>“H’m; you seem to know a great deal about +it.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Roger’s all right,—but Mr. Lansing is so,—so,—well, +he’s different.” +</p> +<p>“He is, indeed! And that’s the trouble. +The difference is all in Roger’s favour, if you +only could see it.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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’s new friendship. +</p> +<p>And then Clementine Morse came, so the matter +had to be laid aside. +</p> +<p>“Is Jenny here?” asked Clementine, as she +tossed off her furs. +</p> +<p>“Jenny who?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span></p> +<p>“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 <i>never</i> +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.” +</p> +<p>“I’m glad you like them. Say, Clementine, +don’t you think it would be nice to have men +members in our club?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, and I know another man who wants to +help,” said Mona, eagerly, when Clementine interrupted +her. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span></p> +<p>“I hope it isn’t that strange being you brought +to Patty’s party! Wherever <i>did</i> you pick up +that freak, Mona?” +</p> +<p>“He <i>isn’t</i> a freak! Mr. Lansing is not a rich +man, but he’s very exclusive. He told me so +himself.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t you believe it!” and Clementine +laughed merrily. “As a rule, people who say +themselves that they’re exclusive, are <i>not</i>. +And one glance at that man is enough to show +his standing.” +</p> +<p>“What <i>is</i> his standing, then?” said Mona, +sulkily. +</p> +<p>“Outside the pale of society, if not outside the +pale of civilisation,” retorted Clementine, who +was plain-spoken. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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: “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. +</p> +<p>“I’m well, thank you,” said Anna, in response +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span> +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 <i>know</i> what it means to +me!” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I shall, indeed! I know it. I’m enjoying +every minute, just being in these lovely +rooms, and seeing you kind ladies.” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“Good-morning, Celeste; come right in,” said +Mona, and then she introduced her to Anna. +</p> +<p>The two looked at each other a little shyly, +and then Anna said, “Good-morning,” 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>“My, isn’t this fine!” she exclaimed, as she +met the others. “I just do think it’s fine!” +</p> +<p>“I’m glad we could arrange for you to come,” +said Clementine, cordially. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“But the ribbons are so pretty,” said Clementine, +by way of being agreeable. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</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’clock Mrs. Greene +arrived. +</p> +<p>“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. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span> +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.” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>So Mona was fairly obliged to interrupt her. +</p> +<p>“Now, let us go out to luncheon,” she said, +after the maid had announced it twice. +</p> +<p>“Glad to,” said Mrs. Greene. “Oh, my +land! what a pretty sight!” +</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>“Well, I didn’t know a table <i>could</i> 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!” +</p> +<p>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. +</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. “Oh,” she +said, “Oh! I am <i>so</i> happy!” +</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>“Well, did you ever!” exclaimed Mrs. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span> +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.” +</p> +<p>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.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Land! are you sure to come out right, that +way? S’pose you had a fork left for your ice +cream!” +</p> +<p>“We’ll risk it,” said Mona, smiling. “Let’s +use this spoon at the outside, as Jenny suggests.” +</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>“Well, if that don’t beat all! What is that, +might I ask?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span></p> +<p>“Whipped cream,” said Mona. “Won’t you +have some?” +</p> +<p>“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, <i>don’t</i> put milk in +your soup!’ And, I declare to goodness, here +you’re doin’ just that very thing!” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Heavenly!” 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’ 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>“Well, I never!” she observed. “Ain’t that +handy, now? I s’pose you take whichever one +you like.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Mona. “You see, there is strawberry +sauce for the ice cream, and that makes it +seem more like a pudding.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“So do I,” she said, smiling kindly at Jenny. +“In fact, I like anything with chocolate in it.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I often get boxes of candy,” said Celeste, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span> +unable to repress this bit of vanity. “My customers +give them to me.” +</p> +<p>“My,” said Jenny, “that must be fine. Is +it grand to be a manicure?” +</p> +<p>“I like it,” said Celeste, “because it takes me +among nice people. They’re mostly good to +me.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“That is unkind,” said Clementine. “But +shopping does make some people cross.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>Jenny’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’s grotesque appearance. +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>Celeste had a Tam o’ Shanter, which just +suited her piquant face, and Jenny had a Scotch +cap, which became her well. +</p> +<p>“Now,” said Mona, as she rose from the +table, “I’m going to give you each a bunch of +these carnations——” +</p> +<p>“To take home?” broke in Jenny, unable to +repress her eagerness. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span></p> +<p>“Here you are!” said Mona, tucking an extra +snapping cracker or two in Jenny’s box. +</p> +<p>“We plan to go for a motor ride, now,” said +Mona. “I wonder if you girls are dressed +warmly enough.” +</p> +<p>All declared that they were, but Mona provided +several extra cloaks and wraps, lest any +one should take cold. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Do you like it?” said Patty, smiling. +</p> +<p>“Yes, I do. It’s fashionable of cut, and yet +it ain’t drawed so tight as some. And a becomin’ +colour, too.” +</p> +<p>“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. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span></p> +<p>“Now, are we all ready?” asked Mona, looking +over the group. “Mrs. Greene, I fear you +won’t be warm enough, though your jacket <i>is</i> +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.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“That is caracul. Do you like it?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, it’s a good fur,” said Mona, carelessly +throwing a sable scarf round her own throat. +“Now, let us start.” +</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>“My!” 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; “to +think it’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.” +</p> +<p>“Did you have grippe?” said Patty, sympathetically; +“that was too bad.” +</p> +<p>“Well, no; it wasn’t <i>my</i> 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?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I do,” returned Patty, smiling. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty; “so I’ve understood. +Well, Mrs. Greene, now you can see plenty of +fashionable costumes. Do you enjoy it?” +</p> +<p>“My! I’m just drinkin’ ’em in! Furs is +worn a lot this year, ain’t they? Well, I don’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’t know when +I’ve had such a pleasure as the wearin’ of this +fur.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“Where would you like to go, Celeste?” +asked Mona; “or do you like the Park and the +River drive?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Certainly, you shall. Would you like that, +Mrs. Greene?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, land, yes! I’ve never been there, +either. Quite some few times I’ve thought to +go, but something always interferes.” +</p> +<p>So to Grant’s Tomb they went. The other car +followed, and all went in to look at the impressive +mausoleum. +</p> +<p>“Makes you feel kind o’ solemn,” said Mrs. +Greene, as they came out. “Think of lyin’ +<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’ to weep over your +bier.” +</p> +<p>“They don’t all weep,” observed Celeste. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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>“Oh, how pretty!” said Mrs. Greene, as +they all went into the Marie Jeannette Tea +Room. +</p> +<p>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.” +</p> +<p>Mona ordered dainty sandwiches and little +fancy cakes—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>“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!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“My land!” said Mrs. Greene, and then +could say no more, for her voice choked, and +two tears rolled down her cheeks. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Greene was caressing the fur as she +spoke, and Mona patted her hand, saying +laughingly: +</p> +<p>“I couldn’t take it away from anybody who +loves it as you do. Please keep it. I’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.” +</p> +<p>So Mrs. Greene kept the furs,—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>“But aren’t you afraid,” Mr. Fairfield asked, +“that such unaccustomed luxuries will make +those people discontented with their own conditions?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“And then it’s the memory of it,” said Mona. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“That’s just what Mr. Lansing said!” exclaimed +Mona, which was the very remark Patty +had been fearing. +</p> +<p>“That’s just what we’re <i>not</i> going to do!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span> +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.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t see why,” began Mona, but Patty +promptly silenced her by saying, “You <i>do</i> 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.” +</p> +<p>“Mr. Lansing said he’d send us a box for the +Hippodrome, some Saturday afternoon,” said +Mona, a little diffidently. +</p> +<p>“That’s awfully kind of him,” said Nan. “I +should think you girls would be delighted with +that.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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’t want to accept anything from Mr. Lansing, +though she couldn’t quite bring herself to +say so, frankly. +</p> +<p>“What’s the matter, Patty?” asked Nan. +“You don’t like the idea of the Hippodrome, +though I don’t see why.” +</p> +<p>“I <i>do</i> 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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“You’re taking a great deal upon yourself, +Mona,” said Patty. “You’re not president of +the club.” +</p> +<p>“Neither are you.” +</p> +<p>“Well, <i>I’m</i> not dictating how things shall be +run.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I <i>am</i>! So all you’ll have to do, is to +run along with me.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span></p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>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.” +</p> +<p>“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 +<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’s my friend, +and he’s going to stay my friend. He may +have some faults, but everybody has.” +</p> +<p>“But, Mona, he isn’t our sort at all. I don’t +see <i>why</i> you like him.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“He isn’t dangling now,” said Patty. “I +haven’t seen him since my party.” +</p> +<p>“You haven’t! Is he mad at you?” +</p> +<p>“Yes; he and Roger are both mad at me; and +all on account of your old Mr. Lansing!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Mona, I’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’t you know that +your father asked me to try to persuade you to +drop that Lansing man?” +</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’s +end to find some argument that would carry +any weight with her headstrong friend. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“A very well-founded prejudice, then! Why, +Mona, that man isn’t fit to—to——” +</p> +<p>“To worship the ground I walk on,” suggested +Mona, calmly. “Well, he does, Patty, +so you may as well stop interfering.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, if you look upon it as interfering!” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I haven’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,—if he can +possibly get an invitation.” +</p> +<hr class='tb' /> + +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“May I have a dance, Miss Fairfield?” he +said, holding out his hand for her card. +</p> +<p>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. +</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>“What <i>can</i> 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.” +</p> +<p>“Meaning me?” said Kenneth Harper, who +had just joined the group in time to hear Patty’s +remark. +</p> +<p>“You, for one,” said Patty, smiling on him, +“but there are seventeen others.” +</p> +<p>“I’m two or three of the seventeen,” said +Roger, gaining possession of the card. “May +I have three, Patty?” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>Roger had a big, generous nature, and so had +Patty, and with a smile they were good friends +again. +</p> +<p>Patty’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’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>“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——” +</p> +<p>“They’re so sentimental,” suggested Rob +Kenton, smiling. +</p> +<p>“Well, yes,—if you mean them to be,” said +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span> +Patty, dimpling at him. “Any flower is sentimental, +if the sender means it so.” +</p> +<p>“Or if the receiver wants it to be. Did +you?” and Kenton smiled back at her. +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, of <i>course</i> I do!” And Patty put +on an exaggeratedly soulful look. “I’m <i>that</i> +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?” +</p> +<p>“Undying affection,” responded Kenton, +promptly. “Do you accept it?” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, it isn’t as undying as all that! It needs +to be revived sometimes with fresh flowers.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span></p> +<p>“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. +</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>“You and Mona are acting like two silly +idiots,” was Patty’s somewhat definite manner +of beginning her conversation. +</p> +<p>“You think so?” 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>“Yes, I do. And, Roger, I want you to take +my advice and make up with her.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve nothing to make up.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“There’s a very good reason; and he has most +objectionable manners,” declared Roger, looking +sulky. +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Good Heavens, Patty, what a speech!” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Let her!” growled Roger. +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span> +unkind and mean to Mona? That’s not +tactful.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t want to be tactful. I want him to +let her alone.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you can’t make him do that, unless you +shoot him; and that means a lot of bother all +round.” +</p> +<p>“It might be worth the bother.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t talk nonsense, I’m in earnest. You’re +seriously fond of Mona, aren’t you, Roger?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I am; or rather, I was until that cad +came between us.” +</p> +<p>“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——” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, fiddle-de-fudge, Roger! I’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.” +</p> +<p>“Not on my part,” 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’s side. He +had a dance engaged with her much later in the +evening, so Patty said, pleasantly: +</p> +<p>“Mr. Everson, don’t think my request strange, +but won’t you exchange our later dance for this +number seven?” +</p> +<p>“I would gladly, Miss Fairfield, but I’m engaged +for this.” +</p> +<p>“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 +<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,—because,—because——” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</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: “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.” +</p> +<p>“For a small person, you seem to issue decrees +of surprising number and rapidity,” 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>“Yes, sir,” said Patty, demurely, “I’m accustomed +to it. Decrees are my strong point. I +issue them ’most all the time.” +</p> +<p>“And are they always obeyed?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps not. But when you know me better, +Miss Fairfield, you’ll find out that I’m very +different from the common herd.” +</p> +<p>“Really? How interesting! I hope I shall +know you better very soon, for I adore unusual +people.” +</p> +<p>“And do unusual people adore you?” +</p> +<p>“I can’t tell; I’ve never met one before,” and +after the briefest of saucy glances, Patty +dropped her eyes demurely. +</p> +<p>“Aren’t you one yourself?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no!” And Patty looked up with an +air of greatest surprise; “I’m just a plain little +every-day girl.” +</p> +<p>“You’re a plain little coquette, that’s what +you are!” +</p> +<p>“You are indeed unusual, sir, to call me +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span> +plain!” and Patty looked about as indignant as +an angry kitten. +</p> +<p>“Perhaps, when I know you better, I may +change my opinion of your plainness. Will +you dance now?” +</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’s exquisite perfection +in the art. +</p> +<p>“Why, Miss Fairfield,” he said, unable to +suppress his admiration, “I didn’t know anybody +danced like you, except professionals.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, I’m a good dancer,” said Patty, +carelessly; “and so are you, for that matter. +Do you think they’ve made up?” +</p> +<p>“Who?” +</p> +<p>“Miss Galbraith and Mr. Farrington. See, +we’re just passing them. Oh, I’m afraid they +haven’t!” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“Give them a little longer,” 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>“Perhaps another round, and we will find them +smiling into each other’s eyes.” +</p> +<p>But when they next circled the long room, +Mona and Roger were nowhere to be seen. +</p> +<p>“Aha,” said Everson, “the conservatory for +theirs! It must be all right! Shall we trail +’em?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty. “I don’t care if they see +us. Let’s walk through the conservatory.” +</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>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span></p> +<p>“I was only too delighted to do so, Miss Fairfield.” +</p> +<p>“Thank you. You know it is in place of our +other one, number sixteen.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, we must have that also.” +</p> +<p>“No, it was a fair exchange. You can get +another partner for sixteen.” +</p> +<p>“But I don’t want to. If you throw me over, +I shall sit in a corner and mope.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>And then Patty’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’t, she didn’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: +“You’re enjoying this party?” +</p> +<p>“I have been, up to this dance,” and Patty +smiled pleasantly, as she spoke. +</p> +<p>“And you’re not enjoying yourself now?” +Philip said, suppressing his desire to shake her. +</p> +<p>“Oh, <i>no</i>, sir!” and Patty looked at him with +big, round eyes. +</p> +<p>“Why not?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t like to dance with a man who doesn’t +like me.” +</p> +<p>“I <i>do</i> like you, you silly child.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no, you don’t, either! and I’m <i>not</i> a silly +child.” +</p> +<p>“And you’re not enjoying this dance with +me?” +</p> +<p>“Not a bit!” +</p> +<p>“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 +<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>“Now,” he commanded, “say you’re sorry.” +</p> +<p>“Sorry for what?” +</p> +<p>“That you carried on with that horrid man +and spoiled our friendship.” +</p> +<p>“Didn’t carry on, and he isn’t a horrid man, +and our friendship isn’t spoiled, and I’m not +sorry.” +</p> +<p>“Not sorry that our friendship isn’t spoiled?” +</p> +<p>“No; ’course I’m not! You don’t s’pose I +want it to be spoiled, do you?” +</p> +<p>“Well, you certainly did all in your power to +spoil it.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</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. “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?” +</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>“Unhand me, villain!” she laughed, “and +don’t bother about our friendship! I’m not +worrying over it.” +</p> +<p>“You needn’t, little girl,” and Philip’s voice +rang true. “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’t like,—of +course I’ve no right to say a word, and I won’t. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span> +At any rate, not now, for I don’t want to spoil +this blessed making-up with even a thought of +anything unpleasant.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Are you going?” and Patty put her fingertip +in her mouth, and looked babyishly at +him. +</p> +<p>“Oh, don’t let that influence you. Decide for +yourself.” +</p> +<p>“Well, since <i>you</i> don’t care whether I go or +not, I believe I won’t go.” +</p> +<p>“Foolish child! Of course you’ll go. And +then, as you know very well, wild horses +couldn’t keep me away.” +</p> +<p>“How do wild horses keep people away? +They must be trained to do it. And <i>then</i>, +they’re not wild horses any more.” +</p> +<p>“What foolishness you do talk! Well, will +you go to the opera with us?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, and thank you kindly, sir. Or, rather, +I thank your august aunt for the invitation.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“’Tis well, fair sir. I thank thee greatly. +What may I do for thee in return?” +</p> +<p>Patty clasped her hands and looked a pretty +suppliant, begging a favour. +</p> +<p>“Give me half a dozen more dances,” replied +Philip, taking her card to look at. +</p> +<p>“Not one left,” said Patty, calmly. +</p> +<p>“And most of them halves!” exclaimed +Philip. “What a belle you are, Patty!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“You little witch! Did you save it for me?” +</p> +<p>“M—m——,” and Patty slowly wagged her +head up and down. +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Hear the man talk!” exclaimed Patty. +“Why, I do believe they’re beginning an extra +now! Mr. Van Reypen, won’t you dance it +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span> +with me?” 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’s shoulder and they danced +away. +</p> +<p>Philip Van Reypen sat looking after them, +smiling. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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>“Where is Christine Farley?” she said. +“She always has supper with us. Do you know +where she is, Mr. Hepworth?” +<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: “I think she has gone to the +dressing-room,” he said. “I wish you’d go up +and see her, Patty.” +</p> +<p>A little startled at his serious face, Patty ran +upstairs, to Elise’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>“Why, Christine, what is the matter, dear?” +and Patty laid her hand gently on Christine’s +hair. +</p> +<p>“Oh, Patty, don’t speak to me! I am not fit +to have you touch me!” +</p> +<p>“Good gracious, Christine, what <i>do</i> you +mean?” and Patty began to think her friend +had suddenly lost her mind. +</p> +<p>“I’m a bad, wicked girl! You were my +friend, and now I’ve done an awful, dreadful +thing! But, truly, <i>truly</i>, Patty, I didn’t mean +to!” +</p> +<p>“Christine Farley, stop this foolishness! Sit +up here this minute, and tell me what you’re +talking about! I believe you’re crazy.” +</p> +<p>Christine sat up, her pale hair falling from its +bands, and her eyes full of tears. +</p> +<p>“I’ve—I’ve—stolen——” she began. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span></p> +<p>“Oh, you goose! <i>do</i> 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!” +</p> +<p>“Patty, don’t giggle! I’m serious. Oh, +Patty, <i>Patty</i>, <i>do</i> forgive me!” +</p> +<p>“I’ll forgive you <i>anything</i>, if you’ll tell me +what’s the matter, and convince me that you +haven’t lost your mind. Now, Christine, don’t +you <i>dare</i> ask me to forgive you again, until you +tell me <i>what for</i>!” +</p> +<p>“Well, you see, you were away all summer.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, so I was,” agreed Patty, in bewilderment. +</p> +<p>“And you have been so busy socially this fall +and winter, I haven’t seen much of you.” +</p> +<p>“No,” agreed Patty, still more deeply mystified. +</p> +<p>“And—and—Gil—Mr. Hepworth hasn’t +either——” +</p> +<p>“Oh!” cried Patty, a great light breaking in +upon her; “oh,—oh!—OH!! Christine, do you +<i>mean</i> it? Oh, how perfectly <i>lovely</i>! I’m <i>so</i> +glad!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span></p> +<p>“You’re glad?” and Christine opened her +eyes in amazement. +</p> +<p>“Why, of <i>course</i> I’m glad, you silly! Did +you think <i>I</i> wanted him? Oh, you Blessed +Goose!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Patty, I’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,—he +still does. But——” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no! You see, he just told me to-night. +And I felt guilty at once. I knew I had stolen +him from you.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Christine, <i>don’t</i>! Don’t say such +things! He wasn’t mine to steal. We’ve always +been friends, but I never cared for him +<i>that</i> way.” +</p> +<p>“That’s what he said; but I felt guilty all +the same.” +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span> +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 <i>me</i> if people guess it!” +</p> +<p>“Don’t let them, Patty; not to-night. Keep +me by you, and right after supper I’ll go +home.” +</p> +<p>“All right, girlie; just as you like. But don’t +look at G. H. or you’ll betray your own dear +little heart.” +</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’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. +</p> +<p>“Yes, it’s so,” said Patty; “but I promised +Christine I wouldn’t tell!” +</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>“It’s perfectly lovely,” said Patty, holding out +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span> +her hand to Hepworth, “and I’m as glad for +you as I can be,—and for Christine, too.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</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>“What a flutter-budget you are, Patty,” said +Nan, appearing at the doorway, and pausing to +watch Patty’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>“Oh, Nan!” she began, “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!” +</p> +<p>“Christine! and Gilbert Hepworth!” and +Nan was quite as surprised at the news as Patty +could desire. +</p> +<p>“Yes, isn’t it great! and oh, Nan, what <i>do</i> +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!” +</p> +<p>Nan looked at Patty a little curiously. +“Well; you must know, Patty, he certainly +thought a great deal of you.” +</p> +<p>“Of course he did! And of course he <i>does!</i>—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?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Nan, slowly. “Then, you didn’t +care for him especially, Patty?” +</p> +<p>“Good gracious, Nan, if you mean was I in +love with him, I sure was <i>not!</i> 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 +<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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>Patty jumped up and ran to take the letters +from Jane, who brought in a trayful. +</p> +<p>“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. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span> +’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?” +</p> +<p>“Don’t wear yourself out, Patty,” 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. “Oh, my goodness, gracious, sakes +alive!” she cried. “Nan, <i>will</i> you listen to +this!” +</p> +<p>“Wait a minute, honey, till I finish this letter,” +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>“Now, Miss Fairfield, what’s it all about?” +and Nan folded her own letter and returned it +to its envelope. +</p> +<p>“Well, in a nutshell, it’s a Christmas Country +House Party! Could anything be more delightfuller?” +</p> +<p>“Who, where, what, when?” And Nan patiently +awaited further enlightenment. +</p> +<p>“Oh, Nan, it’s <i>too</i> gorgeous!” And Patty’s +eyes ran through the letter again. “You know +Adčle 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!” +</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’s head. +</p> +<p>“Moderate your transports, my love,” Nan +said, calmly. “I don’t want concussion of the +brain, from being hit by a French heel.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span></p> +<p>“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, <i>do</i> show some enthusiasm!” +</p> +<p>“Don’t have to,” said Nan, smiling, “when +you show enough for a dozen.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I’ll call up Mona, she’ll have something +to say.” +</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>“Yes, I did, and, Patty——” +</p> +<p>“Of course I am! Oh, I don’t know about +that! If I——” +</p> +<p>“But of course if Daisy is there——” +</p> +<p>“Well, we can’t help that, and anyway——” +</p> +<p>“Tuesday, I suppose; but Adčle said——” +</p> +<p>“No, Monday, Mona, for us, and the +boys——” +</p> +<p>“I’m not sure that I’ll go. You see——” +</p> +<p>“Now, stop such nonsense! Of course he +isn’t invited, but I’ll never speak to you again +if——” +</p> +<p>“Oh, of course I will, but I’ll only stay——” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span></p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“All right, I will. Good-bye.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</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>“Now, Mona Galbraith, you stop that! +Adčle 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!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span></p> +<p>“Isn’t Elise going?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“You don’t like her, do you, Patty?” +</p> +<p>“I would, if she’d like me. But she’s always +snippy to me.” +</p> +<p>“’Cause she’s jealous of you,” observed +Mona, sapiently. +</p> +<p>“Nonsense! She has no reason to be. I +never interfere with her.” +</p> +<p>“Well, never mind, don’t let her bother you. +Hal Ferris will be there. You don’t know him, +do you? He’s Adčle’s brother.” +</p> +<p>“No, I never met him. She wrote that he’d +be there.” +</p> +<p>“He’s the dearest boy. Well, he’s older than +Adčle, but he seems like a boy,—he’s so full of +capers. Adčle says it’s a beautiful big house, +just right for a jolly, old-fashioned Christmas +party.” +</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’s outfit. +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Poor child,” sympathised Nan. “You have +worked hard, I know, but Adčle 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.” +</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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps it’s because you have plenty of +money, Patty. You know, not every one has +such a liberal father as you have.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span></p> +<p>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!” +</p> +<p>“Well, Patty, whatever else you may lack, +you certainly have common sense and gumption; +I’ll give you credit for them.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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’s quick-witted grasp of a subject +and instantaneous decision. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“For Christmas presents? Why, Christmas +is two weeks off yet.” +</p> +<p>“That’s just it! Not for presents to themselves, +but presents for them to give to other +people.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I begin to see.” +</p> +<p>“Yes; it isn’t the least bit <i>charity</i>, 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. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span> +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>I</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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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 +<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’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.” +</p> +<p>“Patty, you’re a wonder,” said Nan, looking +affectionately at the girl beside her. “How +do you think of all these things?” +</p> +<p>“Common sense and general gumption,” returned +Patty. “Very useful traits, <i>I</i> find +’em. And here we are at our first shopping +place.” +</p> +<p>Assisted by Patty’s common sense and expeditious +judgment, they accomplished a great +deal that morning, and returned home with their +lists considerably shortened. +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span> +your shopping early, and send off your parcels +early, you can’t really do otherwise.” +</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>“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?” +</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’s idea of how +a box should be tied up, they abandoned the +effort, and sat watching her nimble fingers fly. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“You’re evidently going to be an old maid,” +said Mona, “you’re so fussy and tidy.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span></p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“That’s me,” confessed Mona, cheerfully. +“Not the dirt and dust, perhaps,—the maids +look after that. But I just <i>can’t</i> keep my belongings +in their places.” +</p> +<p>“Neither can I,” said Elise. “I don’t see +how you do it, Patty.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Hoo-hoo!” 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’. +</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>“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. Adčle didn’t come to +meet you,—sent all kinds of excuses, which I’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’ll sit between you, +and keep you from shaking around and perhaps +spilling out.” +</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’ house a mile or so beyond. +</p> +<p>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.” +</p> +<p>“But, you see, we girls couldn’t hit anything +if we did throw a stone,” said Patty. “At +least, women have that reputation.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“How’s Daisy?” asked Mona. “Same as +ever?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span></p> +<p>“Yep; same as ever. Daisy’s all right, +you know, if things go her way. But if +not——” +</p> +<p>“If not, she makes them go her way,” said +Mona, and Jim laughed and agreed, “She sure +does!” +</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>“But you have dogs?” asked Patty, as they +rolled up the driveway. +</p> +<p>“Yes, but we didn’t exactly name it after them. +Hello, here are the girls!” +</p> +<p>Adčle and Daisy appeared in the doorway, +and greeted the visitors in truly feminine fashion, +which included much laughter and exclamation. +</p> +<p>“Where do I come in?” said a laughing voice, +and a big, laughing man left his seat by the +fireplace and came toward them. +</p> +<p>“This is my brother,” said Adčle, “by name, +Mr. Harold Ferris,—but commonly called +Chub.” +</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>“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!” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“Now, come away with me,” said Adčle, “and +get off your furs and wraps, and make yourselves +pretty for tea.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Great idea!” exclaimed Patty, twinkling her +eyes at him. “Let’s do that, Adčle; kimono +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span> +party, you know. We’ll see you at dinner time, +Mr. Ferris.” +</p> +<p>“Dinner time, nothing! If you’re not back +here in fifteen minutes, the whole crowd of you, +I’ll—I’ll——” +</p> +<p>“Well, what will you do?” laughed Mona. +</p> +<p>“Never you mind,—you’ll find out all too +soon. Now, skip, and remember, tea will be +served in just fifteen minutes.” +</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>“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. +</p> +<p>“It ought to be a rose-coloured one,” he said, +apologetically; “but I didn’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’t half bad for +a background.” +</p> +<p>“Much obliged for your kind colour-scheme,” +said Patty, smiling at him, “and I’ll have one +lump, please, and a bit of lemon.” +</p> +<p>Big Mr. Ferris proved himself tactful as well +as kind, for he divided his attentions impartially +among the four ladies. +</p> +<p>“A little shy of men; aren’t we, Adčle?” 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.” +</p> +<p>“You’re doing nobly so far,” said Patty, cuddling +into her cushion, for she loved luxurious +warmth, like a kitten. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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> +Adčle’s room and talked as rapidly and interruptingly +as any four girls can. +</p> +<p>“Do you hear from Bill Farnsworth often?” +asked Daisy of Patty, <i>apropos</i> of nothing but +her own curiosity. +</p> +<p>“Not often, Daisy,” returned Patty, of no +mind to pursue the subject. +</p> +<p>“But don’t you ever hear from him?” persisted +the other. +</p> +<p>“Oh, sometimes,” said Patty, carelessly. +“He sent me flowers for my coming-out party.” +</p> +<p>“I hear from Bill sometimes,” said Adčle. +“I asked him to come to this party, but he +couldn’t possibly leave just now. He’s awfully +busy.” +</p> +<p>“What’s he doing?” asked Mona. +</p> +<p>“I don’t know exactly,” answered Adčle. +“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?” +</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’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 Adčle +wouldn’t allow it, and ordered the girls back to +their rooms to dress for dinner. +</p> +<p>“Eight o’clock sharp,” she warned them, “and +don’t put on your prettiest gowns; save those +for to-morrow night.” +</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. “I may as well +go on down,” she thought to herself. “I can +explore the house a little.” +</p> +<p>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. +</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’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>“Adčle told me you were a peach,” exclaimed +a laughing voice, “but she didn’t half tell me +how much of a one you are!” +</p> +<p>Patty turned her head slowly, and looked at +Mr. Hal Ferris. +</p> +<p>“And I thought you were a mannerly boy!” +she said, in a tone of grave reproach. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>Patty couldn’t help smiling at his mock +dismay. +</p> +<p>“And how well shall I have to know you,” +he went on, “before I can say it to you properly?” +</p> +<p>“I can’t answer that question at once,” said +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span> +Patty. “We’ll have to let our acquaintance +proceed, and see——” +</p> +<p>“And see how the cat jumps,” he suggested. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” agreed Patty. “And, by the way, +what a jumper that cat must be.” +</p> +<p>“Small wonder, with everybody waiting to see +how she jumps! Oh, pshaw! here comes a +horde of people, and our pleasant tęte-ŕ-tęte is +spoiled!” +</p> +<p>“Never mind; we’ll have another some time,” +and Patty gave him a dimpled smile that quite +completed the undoing of Mr. Harold Ferris. +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>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.” +</p> +<p>“I’m glad to be shown,” said Patty. “You +see, I’ve never been here before.” +</p> +<p>“I know it; that’s why I’m being so kind to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span> +you. To-morrow I’ll take you up in the tower—it’s +great.” +</p> +<p>“Why, is this place a castle?” +</p> +<p>“Not exactly, but it’s modelled after an old +château. Really, it’s a most interesting house.” +</p> +<p>“All right. To-morrow we’ll explore it +thoroughly.” +</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>“I’ve asked you a question three times, Miss +Fairfield,” he said, “and you never even +heard it.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I said, did you ever make a lemon pig?” +</p> +<p>“A lemon pig! No, I never did. How do +you make it?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, they’re the maddest fun! I say, Mrs. +Kenerley, mayn’t we have a lemon?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span></p> +<p>“Certainly, Mr. Collins.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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’s gruff voice shouted: +“Have you my pig in there? My little Lemmy +pig?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” responded Mr. Collins, “we have; and +we mean to keep him, too.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span></p> +<p>“We won’t do it!” shouted several of the +men in chorus. +</p> +<p>“Then, kape him!” returned the voice of the +farmer, and they heard his heavy tramp as he +strode away. +</p> +<p>Patty looked puzzled. She couldn’t understand +what it all meant, until Hal Ferris whispered, +“It was only Collins; he’s a ventriloquist.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“Oh, what fun!” she cried, clapping her +hands. “Do some more!” +</p> +<p>“I’d rather he wouldn’t,” said Adčle, and +Patty looked at her in surprise. “Why not, +Adčle?” she asked. +</p> +<p>Everybody laughed, and Adčle said: “You’re +too easily fooled, Patty. That was Mr. Collins +speaking like me. He knows my voice so +well he can imitate it.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span></p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“I just love it!” she exclaimed. “I’ve always +wanted to know how to do it. Won’t you +teach me?” +</p> +<p>“You couldn’t learn,” said Mr. Collins, smiling +at her. +</p> +<p>And then Patty <i>heard herself</i> say: “I could +so! I think you’re real mean!” +</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>“It’s too wonderful!” she said. “Some +other time, Mr. Collins, after dinner, maybe, +will you teach me just a little about it?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t teach her,” begged Daisy Dow. +“She’ll be keeping us awake all night with her +practising.” +</p> +<p>It was like Daisy to say something unpleasant; +but Patty only smiled at her, and said, “I’ll +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span> +practise being an angel, and sing you to sleep, +Daisy.” +</p> +<p>“You sing like an angel without any practice,” +said Mona, who was always irritated when +Daisy was what Patty called snippy. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll be glad to,” replied Patty, “if I know +your music.” +</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>“How long are you staying here?” asked Mr. +Hoyt. +</p> +<p>“A month, at least,” Adčle answered for +Patty. +</p> +<p>“Oh, no, not so long as that,” Patty protested. +“A fortnight, at most.” +</p> +<p>But Adčle only smiled, and said, “We’ll see +about that, my dear.” +</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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“What can I do for you?” asked Patty, smiling, +as she walked out to the hall with him. +</p> +<p>“Quit talking to the other people, and devote +yourself to me,” was the prompt response. +</p> +<p>“Do all your sister’s guests do that?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t want ’em all to; I only want you to.” +</p> +<p>“And what about <i>my</i> wants?” +</p> +<p>“Yes; <i>what</i> about them? You want to talk +to me, <i>don’t</i> you?” +</p> +<p>His tone and smile were so roguishly eager +that Patty felt a strong liking for this big, boyish +chap. +</p> +<p>“I’ll talk for ten minutes,” she said, “and then +we’re going to dance, I believe.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Skate! You must be crazy!” +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span> +morning skate, just with me, and not let anybody +else know?” +</p> +<p>“I’d like that!” and Patty’s eyes sparkled, +for she dearly loved early morning fresh air. +“Of course, we’ll tell Adčle.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Good! I’ll be ready at eight.” +</p> +<p>“Meet me in the breakfast-room at eight, +then. Do you know where it is? Just off the +big dining-room.” +</p> +<p>“What are you two hob-nobbing about?” +asked Daisy, curiously, as she strolled over +toward them. +</p> +<p>“I’m just telling Miss Fairfield about the plan +of the house,” said Ferris, innocently. “It’s +well planned, isn’t it?” +</p> +<p>“Very,” 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’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>“Why must we be so careful?” she whispered. +“We’re not doing anything wrong.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</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>“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. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Just like a girl!” said Hal, sniffing a little. +</p> +<p>“Well, I <i>am</i> a girl,” retorted Patty. +</p> +<p>“You sure are! <i>Some</i> girl, I should say! +Well, now, Girl, if you’re ready, let’s start.” +</p> +<p>He held Patty’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>“Come on, Girl,” he said, gathering up their +skates, and off they started. +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, indeed, I like to walk; and I like to +skate, but I like best of all to dance.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Glad rags, do you mean?” +</p> +<p>“No; I mean fancy costumes.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, that. Well, old Jim’s going to be Santa +Claus. I don’t think anybody else will wear +uncivilised clothes.” +</p> +<p>“But I want to. Can’t you and I rig up in +something, just for fun?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I say! that would be fun. What +can we be? Romeo and Juliet, or Jack and +Jill?” +</p> +<p>“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’ll think it +over through the day, and we’ll fix it up.” +</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>“That’s the best skate I ever had!” declared +Hal, when they concluded to return home. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“And toast and marmalade,” supplemented +Ferris. +</p> +<p>“I wonder if Daisy will be down. Does she +come down to breakfast usually?” +</p> +<p>“Sometimes and sometimes not,” answered +Ferris, carelessly. “She’s a law unto herself, +is Daisy Dow.” +</p> +<p>“You’ve known her a long time, haven’t +you?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span></p> +<p>“And a good thing to have sometimes. I +often wish I had more.” +</p> +<p>“Nonsense! you’re perfect just as you are.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, what a pretty speech! If you’re going +to talk like that, I shall take the longest way +home.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Hardly enough to call it tired, but if there +is a short cut home let’s take it.” +</p> +<p>“And what about the pretty speeches I’m to +make to you?” +</p> +<p>“Leave those till after breakfast. Or leave +them till this evening and give them to me for +a Christmas gift.” +</p> +<p>“Under the mistletoe?” and Ferris looked +mischievous. +</p> +<p>“Certainly not,” said Patty, with great dignity. +“I’m too grown-up for such foolishness +as that!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t know,” 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>Adčle 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’t yet +come downstairs. +</p> +<p>Patty’s glowing cheeks were almost as scarlet +as her coat and cap, while Ferris was grinning +with boyish enthusiasm. +</p> +<p>“Top o’ the morning to you all,” he cried. +“Me and Miss Fairfield, we’ve been skating for +an hour.” +</p> +<p>“On the lake?” cried Daisy, in surprise. +“Why, you must have started before sunrise.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no, not that,” declared Patty, as, throwing +off her wraps, she took a seat next to Adčle; +“but long enough to get up a ravenous appetite. +I hope the Kenerley larder is well stocked.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I won’t go,” declared Mona. “I hate skating, +and I hate getting up early, so count me +out.” +</p> +<p>“I doubt if any one goes very soon,” said +Adčle, “for I think there’s a storm coming. It +looks bright out of doors, but it feels like snow +in the air.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span></p> +<p>“It does,” agreed her brother; “and I hope +it will snow. I’d like a real good, old-fashioned +snowstorm for Christmas.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I hope it won’t begin before night,” +said Adčle. “We’ve a lot to do to-day. I +want you all to help me decorate the tree and +fix the presents.” +</p> +<p>“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, Adčle, or +must I walk?” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“All right, Daisy, but you mustn’t tell what +I buy, because it’s a secret.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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 Adčle, and then whizzed back +to the house just in time to see the Christmas +tree being put into place. +</p> +<p>“We’re going to have the tree at five o’clock,” +said Adčle, “on account of baby May. It’s +really for her, you know, and so I have it before +dinner.” +</p> +<p>“Fine!” declared Patty. “And where do +we put our presents?” +</p> +<p>“On these tables,” and Adčle pointed to several +small stands already well heaped with tissue-papered +parcels. +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“What fascinating looking parcels,” said +Adčle, 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?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, have the candles. They’re so nice and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span> +traditional, you know. Unless you’re afraid of +fire.” +</p> +<p>“No; all the decorations are fireproof. Jim +would have them so. See, we’ve lots of this +Niagara Falls stuff.” +</p> +<p>Adčle 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>“It’s perfectly beautiful!” exclaimed Patty. +“I never saw anything like it before.” +</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>Adčle’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>“I’m so glad,” exclaimed Patty, dancing +about. “I do love a white Christmas. It +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span> +won’t interfere with your guests, will it, +Adčle?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>The two men arrived during the afternoon, +and came in laden with parcels and looking +almost like Santa Claus himself. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>Adčle 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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I ordered the snowstorm,” said Adčle. “I +like to have any little thing that will give my +guests pleasure.” +</p> +<p>“Awfully good of you, Mrs. Kenerley,” said +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span> +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.” +</p> +<p>“Plenty of hills; but I don’t believe there’s a +sled about the place—is there, Jim?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>Patty ran away to the nursery, where Fräulein, +the baby’s governess, was working away at the +materials Patty had brought home that morning. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<hr class='tb' /> + +<p>At five o’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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Huh,” said Patty, “I’ve only been gone +twenty-four hours.” +</p> +<p>“Twenty-four hours seems like a lifetime +when <i>you’re</i> not in New York.” +</p> +<p>“Hush your foolishness; here comes the +baby.” +</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>“What a booful!” she exclaimed, “oh, <i>what</i> +a booful!” +</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>“I yike to yook at it!” she said, turning to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span> +smile at Patty, in a friendly way. “It’s so booful!” +she further explained. +</p> +<p>“Don’t you want something off it?” asked +Patty, who was now sitting on the floor beside +the baby. +</p> +<p>“Zes; all of ze fings. Zey is all for me! all +for baby May!” +</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’s lap. “There,” she said. +“How do you like those, baby May?” +</p> +<p>“Booful, booful,” 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>“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. +</p> +<p>“Down on the floor!” she cried, tugging at +his red coat. “Baby May’s Santa Claus! Sit +down on floor by baby May!” +</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>“All for baby May!” she said, appreciating +the situation at once. +</p> +<p>“Yes, all for baby May,” returned her +mother, for in the pack were only the child’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’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>“Isn’t she a perfect dear?” said Patty, as she +stood with the baby in her arms, after tea was +finished. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“She must say good-night now,” said Adčle. +“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span></p> +<p>“Patty take May beddy.” +</p> +<p>“No, dear, Patty must stay here with mother.” +</p> +<p>“Patty take May beddy! <i>Zes!</i>” 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>“I should say,” judicially observed Philip, +“that unless Miss May has her way this time, +there will be one large and elegant ruction.” +</p> +<p>“But I <i>must</i> make her obey me,” said Adčle, +a little uncertainly. +</p> +<p>“Fiddlestrings, Adčle,” 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.” +</p> +<p>“Anon isn’t a very long time, is it?” said +Adčle, laughing, and Hal remarked, “If it is, +we’ll all come after you, Miss Fairfield.” +</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’ +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>“Just what I wanted!” she exclaimed, “and +I don’t care if that <i>is</i> what everybody always +says, <i>I</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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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 <i>too</i> +beautiful!” +</p> +<p>“Isn’t it lovely?” cried Daisy. “Now, this +is mine to you, Patty. It isn’t nearly as handsome; +it’s just a bag.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>They were beautiful ornaments, and the four +together were so effective that Adčle 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>“What I need is a card catalogue,” said Patty. +“I never can remember which is which, I +know.” +</p> +<p>“And I know another thing,” said Adčle. +“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.” +</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>“Will it be done?” asked Patty, anxiously. +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, indeed, Miss Patty; in ample time. +And the crowns, too.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span></p> +<p>“Everything all right?” inquired a voice in +the doorway, and Hal Ferris stepped into the +nursery. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, her eyes sparkling. +“Fräulein will have them all ready by the time +dinner’s over. Oh, I do <i>love</i> to dress up!” +</p> +<p>“You can’t look any sweeter than you do this +way,” said Ferris, glancing approvingly at the +little pink dancing frock. +</p> +<p>“You are so nice and complimentary,” 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 Adčle 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’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>“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. +</p> +<p>“If they don’t, I’ll tell ’em,” said Patty. +“I wonder if they’ll know what I am.” +</p> +<p>“You look like an angel,” 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’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 “The Christmas Spirit” was represented +more beautifully anywhere on earth that +Christmas Eve. +</p> +<p>She floated about the room, delighted to be +“dressed up.” +</p> +<p>Then, flying into the hall, she listened over +the banister till she heard Adčle’s signal from +the piano. +</p> +<p>Still listening, she heard Adčle begin to sing +softly a carol called “The Christmas Spirit.” +</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 Adčle’s. +</p> +<p>She sang the beautiful carol, Adčle now singing +alto, and the vision of the beautiful Christmas +Spirit, and the tones of Patty’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 Adčle +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>“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!” +</p> +<p>A shout of applause greeted this gay banter, +and then as Adčle 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>“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. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span></p> +<p>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. +</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>“I think it’s my turn,” said Roger, coming up +to her at last. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>Patty said this so suddenly that he was caught +off his guard. +</p> +<p>“Not all right,” he said, “and never will be +until she’ll consent to cut the acquaintance of +that Lansing!” +</p> +<p>“She’ll never do that!” and Patty wagged her +head positively. +</p> +<p>“Then she can get along without my friendship.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span></p> +<p>“Now, Roger, what’s the use of acting like +that? Mona has a right to choose her +friends.” +</p> +<p>“Patty, I believe you like that man yourself!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“You don’t know that he’s a bad man.” +</p> +<p>“Well, he’s a fortune-hunter,—that’s bad +enough.” +</p> +<p>“Pooh, every man that looks at a girl doesn’t +want to marry her for her money.” +</p> +<p>“But that man does.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Patty, do you think I’d have the ghost +of a chance?” +</p> +<p>“I certainly do. That is, if Mona has a grain +of sense in that pretty head of hers.” +</p> +<p>“Well,—say, Patty,—this sounds queer, I +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span> +know,—but you and I are such pals,—couldn’t +you just say a good word for——” +</p> +<p>“Roger Farrington! the idea! I never supposed +you were <i>bashful</i>!” +</p> +<p>“I never was before,—but I’m a little afraid +of Mona. She’s so,—so decided, you know.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Patty Fairfield! I’m ashamed of you. I +always knew you were a flirt, but anything like +that would be downright deception.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“How do you know these things, Patty? +You’re too young for such worldly wisdom.” +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span> +how the cat jumps. Why, what is Hal Ferris +doing?” +</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>“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!” +</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>“It isn’t mine!” cried Daisy. “I don’t want +mine smashed!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span></p> +<p>“No matter what happens,” returned Philip, +“we must be realistic.” +</p> +<p>“Here, take this instead,” said Jim Kenerley, +offering an antique copper bucket, which was +one of his pet pieces. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“I will,” volunteered Hal, himself. “My +voice is as sweet as taffy.” +</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, “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 +<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, “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. +</p> +<p>“All over!” cried the Lord of Misrule, after +a moment. “Curtain’s down!” +</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>“Good work!” he commented. “How +could you stand in that breakneck position?” +</p> +<p>“How could you take that breakneck fall?” +she queried back, and then they sought a nearby +seat to witness the next “play.” +</p> +<p>“Now,” said the Lord of Misrule, “we will +have a thrilling drama by Miss Dow and—well, +she may select her own company.” +</p> +<p>“I choose Jim Kenerley,” 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’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: “A B C D,” in a low, +pleading voice. “E F G!” shouted Jim, dancing +about in a fierce fury. +</p> +<p>Daisy threw out her arms and fairly grovelled +at his feet, begging, “H I J K.” “L M!” +shouted Jim; “N O!” +</p> +<p>Then Daisy’s pretty hair became loosened +from its pins, and fell, a shining mass, down her +back. +</p> +<p>Jim clutched it. “P Q R!” he yelled, as he +waved the dagger aloft. +</p> +<p>“S T!” moaned Daisy, swaying from side to +side, as if in an agony of fear. +</p> +<p>“U! V! W!” 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>“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. +</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>“Fine!” said Adčle, who was shaking with +laughter. “You never did it better, Daisy. +You ought to go on the stage.” +</p> +<p>Daisy smiled and bowed at the applause, and +began to twist up her hair. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Too late,” said Roger, calmly; “I’ve +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span> +already signed for the part,” and taking Mona’s +hand, he led her toward the staircase. +</p> +<p>“I can’t!” protested Mona. “I don’t know +a word of it!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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 Adčle’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>“‘Oh, Romeo! Romeo! Romeo!’” began +Mona. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span></p> +<p>“‘Wherefore,’” prompted Roger in a stage +whisper. +</p> +<p>“‘Wherefore,’” said Mona, obediently, +“whence, whither, why——” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Why?” queried Mona. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Romeo, Romeo,” Mona broke in. +“I’d like to cut you up into little bits of stars, +and decorate the sky with you.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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>“Roger, you strong giant!” cried Patty. +“How <i>could</i> you carry all those things downstairs?” +</p> +<p>“My warriors are all strong men!” said the +Lord of Misrule. “They can carry off anything, +and carry on like everything.” +</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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“All right,” cried Roger. “Who’s for a +snow frolic? We can build a fort——” +</p> +<p>“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?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“May take letters! Let baby May be postman!” +cried the infant Kenerley. +</p> +<p>“Let her, Jim,—she loves to be postman,” +and Adčle put the baby down from her arms, +and she toddled to her father. +</p> +<p>“Great scheme!” said Hal. “Wait a minute, +midget; I’ll make you a cap.” +</p> +<p>With a few folds, a newspaper was transformed +into a three-cornered cap and placed on +the baby’s head. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span></p> +<p>“Now you’re a postman,” said her uncle. +“Go and get the letters from the post-office.” +</p> +<p>“Letters, p’ease,” said the baby, holding out +her fat little hands to her father. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>Obediently, the baby postman started off, and +passing Daisy first, dumped the whole lot in her +lap. +</p> +<p>“Wait a minute, Toddles,” said Daisy. +“I’ll pick out mine, then you take the rest +on.” +</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>“Have you opened all your letters, Patty?” +asked Jim, looking at her, quizzically. +</p> +<p>“No; I saved father’s and Nan’s to read by +myself, you people are so distracting.” +</p> +<p>“Oho! Father’s and Nan’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?” +</p> +<p>“I saved Elise’s, also,” said Patty, looking at +him, a little surprised. “Aren’t you the inquisitive +gentleman, anyway!” +</p> +<p>“Elise’s! Oh, yes, Elise’s! And how about +that big blue one,—what have you done with +that?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t see any big blue one,” said Patty, +innocently. “What do you mean, Jim?” +</p> +<p>“Oho! <i>what</i> do I mean? What, <i>indeed</i>!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Of course I shall,” said Patty, saucily. +“That is, I should, if I had any big blue letter, +but I haven’t.” +</p> +<p>“Never mind big blue letters,” said Roger, +“let’s all go out and play in the snow.” +</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’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>“I want to go coasting,” said Patty. +</p> +<p>“And so you shall,” said Jim. “I sent for +a lot of sleds from the village, and I think +they’ve arrived.” +</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>“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. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span></p> +<p>“The worst is walking up again,” said Patty, +looking back up the hill. +</p> +<p>“Do you say that because it’s what everybody +says,—or because you’re lazy?” asked Philip. +</p> +<p>“Because I’m lazy,” returned Patty, promptly. +</p> +<p>“Then get on your sled, and I’ll pull you up.” +</p> +<p>“No, I’m not lazy enough for that, I hope! +But I’ll tell you what I’ll do; I’ll race you up.” +</p> +<p>“Huh! as if I couldn’t beat you up, and not +half try!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t <i>know</i>! Come on, now, do your +best! One, two, three, go!” +</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,—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,—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!” +</p> +<p>“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 +<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’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>“There!” he cried; “that’s the goal, and you +reached it first!” +</p> +<p>“With your help,” and Patty pouted a little. +</p> +<p>“My help is always at your disposal, when +you can’t get up a hill.” +</p> +<p>“That would be a fine help, if I ever had hills +to climb. But I never do. This is a great +exception.” +</p> +<p>“But there are other hills than snow hills.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I suppose now you’re talking in allegories. +I never <i>could</i> understand those.” +</p> +<p>“Some day, when I get a real good chance, +I’ll explain them to you. May I?” +</p> +<p>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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span> +straight into her own. She jumped up +from her snowbank, saying: “I want to go +down again. Where’s a sled?” +</p> +<p>“Come on this one with me,” said Hal, who +had a long, toboggan sort of an affair. +</p> +<p>“This is great!” said Patty. “Where did +you get this double-rigged thing?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Ah, now, Chub,” said Patty, coaxingly, +“don’t talk to me scoldy! Don’t now; will +you, Chubsy?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I will, if you like him better than you +do me.” +</p> +<p>“Why, goodness, gracious, sakes alive! I’ve +known him for <i>years</i>, and I’ve only known you +a few days!” +</p> +<p>“That doesn’t matter. I’ve only known you +a few days, and I’m head over heels in love +with you!” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Do you know what the Real Thing is?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span></p> +<p>“Haven’t a notion.” +</p> +<p>“Mayn’t I tell you?” +</p> +<p>“No, sir-ee. You see, I don’t want to know +for years yet! <i>Why</i> can’t people let me +alone?” +</p> +<p>“Who else has been bothering you?” demanded +Hal, jealously. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know whether they do or not,” +growled Hal. +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“And Martin, the chauffeur, just the same, I +suppose; and Mike, the gardener, just the +same!” +</p> +<p>“Yep,” agreed Patty. “<i>Everybody</i> 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.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I don’t think all girls are equal,—not +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span> +by a long shot. To my mind they’re divided +into two classes.” +</p> +<p>“What two?” said Patty, with some curiosity. +</p> +<p>“One class is Patty Fairfield, and the other +class is everybody else.” +</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. +“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!” +</p> +<p>“Patty, <i>don’t</i>!” cried Hal, his honest, boyish +face turning crimson. +</p> +<p>“Oh, then you didn’t mean it!” and Patty +was the picture of disappointment. +</p> +<p>“I did! <i>Of course</i> I did! But girls don’t +run and tell everything everybody says to +them!” +</p> +<p>“Don’t they? Well, then, <i>I</i> won’t. You +see, I haven’t had as much experience in these +matters as you have! Mustn’t I <i>ever</i> tell anything +nice that <i>anybody</i> says to me?” +</p> +<p>“Not what <i>I</i> say to you, anyhow! You see, +they’re confidences.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I don’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.” +</p> +<p>“I fear, my dear little girl, you’re destined +all through life to get confidences, whatever you +may go for.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>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 <i>one</i> +ride without ‘confidences.’” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“I guess I’m good for some walk,” she said, +as she tucked her arm through his, and they +climbed the hill slowly. +</p> +<p>“I guess you are, Patty. You’re strong +enough, only you’re not as hardy as Daisy and +Adčle. 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?” +</p> +<p>“I didn’t!” and Patty looked at him with +wide-open eyes. “I have a few faults, Jim, a +<i>very</i> few, and <i>very</i> small ones! but truly, storytelling +isn’t among them.” +</p> +<p>“But you said you didn’t get a big blue letter,” +pursued Jim. +</p> +<p>“And neither I did,” protested Patty. +“What do you mean, Jim, by that big blue letter? +I didn’t see any.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“It didn’t tease me, Jim, for I didn’t get any +such letter.” +</p> +<p>“Well, then, where is it?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know, I’m sure. Perhaps baby May +kept it.” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps some of the boys got it and kept +it to tease you.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t believe they’d do that. Perhaps +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span> +Adčle saved it for me. Well, we’ll look +around when we get home, but don’t say anything +about it.” +</p> +<p>But when they reached the house, neither Jim +nor Patty could find the blue letter. Adčle 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 <i>was</i> 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. +</p> +<hr class='tb' /> + +<p>“Dinner will be at two o’clock,” Adčle 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.” +</p> +<p>“Why, of course, the reason is, so the children +can eat once in a while,” suggested her +brother. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I like that,” said Roger; “as if we boys +weren’t enough for any girls to dress up +for!” +</p> +<p>“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, Adčle?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, and Mr. Hoyt, too; and two more girls. +Skip along, now, and don’t dawdle.” +</p> +<p>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?” +</p> +<p>“’M—what kind of a letter?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, a blue envelope, with probably a card +inside. I hadn’t opened it, so I don’t know +what was in it.” +</p> +<p>“Who was it from?” +</p> +<p>“Why, how could I tell, when I hadn’t opened +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span> +it! In fact, that’s just what I want to +know.” +</p> +<p>“What makes you think I know anything +about it?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Chub, don’t tease me! I haven’t time, +now; and truly, I want that letter! Do you +know anything about it?” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, seeing that Hal was serious. +“Jim told me there was one for me from Mr. +Farnsworth, and I want it.” +</p> +<p>“Bill Farnsworth! What’s he writing to you +for? I didn’t know you knew him.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, you seem to. Why, Patty, you’re +blushing.” +</p> +<p>“I am not any such thing!” +</p> +<p>“You are, too! You’re as pink as a peach.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I only blushed to make you call me a +peach,—and now that I’ve succeeded, I’ll run +away.” +</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>“Mona,” she said, “did you get a Christmas +card from Mr. Farnsworth?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Mona, “in a big blue envelope. +Daisy had one, too. Didn’t you get one?” +</p> +<p>“No; Jim said there was one for me, but it +got lost somehow. Thrown in the fire, I +shouldn’t wonder.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span></p> +<p>“Of course you would; but truly, they don’t +amount to much.” +</p> +<p>“Jim must have been mistaken about there being +one for me,” 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 +Adčle 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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Or Copenhagen,” said Hal, but Patty +frowned at him. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“All over the house!” cried Roger. “May +we, Mrs. Kenerley?” +</p> +<p>“The house is yours,” said Adčle. “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,—if you’ll only +promise not to wake the baby. She’s taking her +afternoon nap.” +</p> +<p>“She doesn’t seem to mind noise,” said +Roger. “We do make an awful racket, you +know.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no, I don’t mean that,” said Adčle. +“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.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“For life?” asked Jim, looking horrified. +</p> +<p>“Mercy, no!” said his brother-in-law. “This +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span> +is a civilised land, and we don’t select life partners +that way!” +</p> +<p>“You mean just partners for a dance,” said +Patty, trying to help him out. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you,” said Adčle. “There’s to be +a masquerade ball at the Country Club on New +Year’s Eve, and we’re all going.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“But we won’t be here,” and Philip Van Reypen +looked ruefully at Roger. “We go back +to town to-morrow.” +</p> +<p>“But you can come up again,” said Adčle, hospitably. +“I hereby invite you both to come +back the day before New Year’s, and stay as +long as you will.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you are <i>some</i> hostess!” declared +Roger, looking grateful. “I accept with pleasure, +but I doubt if my friend Van Reypen can +get away.” +</p> +<p>“Can he!” cried Philip. “Well, I rather +guess he can! Mrs. Kenerley, you’re all sorts +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span> +of a darling, and you’ll see me back here on the +first train after your invitation takes effect.” +</p> +<p>“Then hurrah for our game of hide and seek,” +Hal exclaimed. “Jim and Adčle, 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?” +</p> +<p>“I’m willing,” said Adčle, laughing. “I’m +sure I’d be glad to go with any of you beautiful +young men.” +</p> +<p>“Now, will you listen to <i>that</i>!” 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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>He tore two strips of paper, one longer than +the other, and holding them behind him, bade +Adčle choose. +</p> +<p>“Right!” she said, and Hal put forth his right +hand and gave her a paper on which was written +“Girls.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span></p> +<p>“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!” +</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: “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.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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’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. +</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>“Oho,” said Jim, who loved to tease, “what +a coincidence that you two should find each +other!” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“There I was,” said Mona, “but I wasn’t +waiting for <i>you</i>!” +</p> +<p>“No, you were waiting for me, I know,” said +Jim, ironically. “But never mind, Mona, we’ll +be partners next time. Hello, Adčle, is that +<i>your</i> terrible fate?” and they all laughed as +Adčle and Mr. Hoyt came in together, with +cobwebs on their hair and smudges of black on +their faces. +</p> +<p>“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!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span></p> +<p>“But you know, my dear, we don’t often use +it to receive our guests in.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Where’s Patty?” asked Daisy, “and Mr. +Van Reypen? Are they still finding each +other?” +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span> +looked around and sneaked out as fast as I +could.” +</p> +<p>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 <i>my search</i>. Who is there left to +find?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, who, <i>indeed</i>?” said Jim, looking wise. +“Oh, <i>nobody</i> in particular! Nobody but that +little Fairfield girl, and <i>of course</i> you wouldn’t +want to find <i>her</i>!” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Been through the kitchens?” asked Philip, +looking puzzled. +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, it isn’t fair to have help,” said Hal. +“Alone upon your quest you go!” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>On he went, through the various rooms, and +at last, with slow step, came down into the hall +again. +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span> +go into the dining-room and kitchens, Mrs. +Kenerley?” +</p> +<p>“Everywhere,” said Adčle. “You know I +made no reservations.” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>All at once Philip jumped up. “I know +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span> +where she is!” he exclaimed. “Sit still all of +you, and I’ll bring her back with me!” +</p> +<p>“Wait a minute,” said Adčle, curiously. +“How did you find it out?” +</p> +<p>“Do <i>you</i> know where she is?” and Philip +looked at her intently. +</p> +<p>“No, I haven’t the slightest idea,” said Adčle, +honestly. “But I wondered how you could +know, just from thinking about it.” +</p> +<p>“It’s clairvoyance,” said Philip, with a mock +air of mystery. “You see, I know all the +places where she <i>isn’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’t she?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, always.” +</p> +<p>“And does the Fräulein, her nurse, always +take a nap at the same time?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no! She never naps in the daytime.” +</p> +<p>“She did to-day,” 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>“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!” +</p> +<p>Patty gave no sign that she heard, but cuddled +her head more deeply in the soft pillows. +</p> +<p>“Why, it isn’t the Fräulein at all!” said +Philip, in tones of great surprise. “It’s the +Sleeping Beauty!” +</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: +“And I’m the Prince; and when the +Prince finds the Sleeping Beauty, there’s only +one course for him to pursue.” +</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>“How dare you!” she cried, and her eyes +flashed with indignation. +</p> +<p>But Philip stood calmly smiling at her. +</p> +<p>“It’s entirely permissible,” he said, “when +any Prince finds a Sleeping Beauty, to kiss her +awake.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span></p> +<p>“But I wasn’t asleep!” stormed Patty, “and +you knew it!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“No,” agreed Patty, rather relieved, “it +doesn’t count.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I found her,” announced Philip, somewhat +unnecessarily; “and I was a blooming idiot not +to know she was there all the time!” +</p> +<p>“You sure were!” said Roger, when he heard +the story. “Did you get a good rest, Patty?” +</p> +<p>“Yes; only it was interrupted so soon,” and +Patty returned Philip’s meaning glance with a +saucy smile. +</p> +<p>“Well,” Roger went on, “now you two will +have to go to the masquerade together. I suppose +you’ll go as Jack and Jill?” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Philip, “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’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?” +</p> +<p>“I might like to have a voice in deciding on +the part I shall take,” said Patty, with a show +of spirit. +</p> +<p>“But you <i>did</i> decide it! I never should have +thought of appearing as ‘Prince Charming,’ +if you hadn’t——” +</p> +<p>“That will do, Philip!” said Patty, turning +very pink. +</p> +<p>“Go on, Phil!” cried Roger. “If she hadn’t +what?” +</p> +<p>“If she hadn’t said I’d look so sweet in a light +blue satin coat,” replied Philip, pretending to +look confused. +</p> +<p>“Oh, pshaw! She didn’t say that,” declared +Roger. “And beside, you won’t!” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“But we mustn’t tell!” said Adčle, in dismay. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span> +“This is a masquerade, not merely a fancy +dress ball.” +</p> +<p>“Oh!” said Patty. “Then we’ll have to +change our plans, Philip. The Sleeping Beauty +game is all off!” +</p> +<p>“Only for the moment!” 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>“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!” +</p> +<p>“But I’m going away to-morrow,” said Philip, +detaining her a moment. +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>But as, in her pretty blue négligée, she sat before +the mirror brushing her long hair, Mona, +Daisy, and Adčle all came into her room, quite +evidently with a determination to chat. +</p> +<p>“You’re an old sleepy-head, Patty,” declared +Adčle. “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.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</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>“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.” +</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>“Who is it?” she asked, as she rose and went +toward the door. +</p> +<p>“It’s Daisy,” said a low voice. “Let me in, +Patty, just for a minute.” +</p> +<p>So Patty opened the door, and Daisy Dow +came in. +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>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.” +</p> +<p>“No; Jim said I must tell you to-night. Oh, +pshaw, it’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>!” +</p> +<p>“Why, no, Daisy, it isn’t anything much; only +you know people <i>do</i> like to have letters that +belong to them! But, as you say, it’s nothing +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span> +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?” +</p> +<p>“Of course not!” said Daisy; “but I knew +it was only a card, like ours, and I just kept it +back for fun.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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!” +<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. “Daisy, you <i>do</i> 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 <i>not</i>; 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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Where is it, Daisy?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I just stuck it between two volumes of +a cyclopćdia, 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.” +</p> +<p>“I’m not worrying,” 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>“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.” +</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 crępe 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>“And, anyway,” she thought to herself, +“there can’t be anybody in the smoking-room, +or I would hear them talking.” +</p> +<p>It was easy to proceed without a sound by stepping +softly along the thick rugs, and as Patty +knew exactly where the cyclopćdias 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 portičre +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 portičre. +<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,—careful lest the paper should crackle,—and +started to retrace her stealthy steps upstairs +again, when she saw the hem of the portičre +move the veriest trifle. +</p> +<p>“A mouse!” 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 portičre, +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>“Well!” he observed, looking at her with +a smile,—“<i>well</i>!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Philip,” whispered Patty, in a quaking +voice, “it’s a mouse! an <i>awful</i> mouse!” +</p> +<p>“Well, what are you going to do about it?” +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’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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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 <i>wasn’t</i> a mouse. I +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span> +don’t believe they have such things in this well-regulated +household.” +</p> +<p>“But I <i>saw</i> it!” declared Patty, positively. +</p> +<p>“Saw a mouse?” +</p> +<p>“Well, not <i>exactly</i> that, but I saw that little +tassel on the portičre wiggle, so it <i>must</i> have +been a mouse.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>Patty dimpled and giggled. “It <i>is</i> 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.” +</p> +<p>“Fiddlestrings!” exclaimed Philip. “Don’t +be a silly! And besides, Jim is about somewhere, +and Adčle has been bobbing in and out.” +</p> +<p>“There was no one in the halls when I came +down. And I think, Philip, I’d better go +back.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span></p> +<p>“What did you come down for, anyhow?” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“Oh, I was wakeful,” she said, “and I came +down to get a—a book.” +</p> +<p>“H’m; and you thought you’d take a volume +of the Britannica back with you, to read yourself +to sleep?” +</p> +<p>Patty had to laugh at this, for in the corner +where they were, the shelves contained nothing +but cyclopćdias and dictionaries. +</p> +<p>“But they’re really very interesting reading,” +she declared. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Well, then,—well, then, I came down because,—because +I was hungry!” +</p> +<p>“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 cyclopćdia upstairs +to read oneself to sleep.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span></p> +<p>“I wasn’t going to take <i>all</i> 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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“But I’m not exactly in proper dinner garb,” +said Patty, shaking out her blue folds, and trailing +her long robe behind her. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“It isn’t fur,—it’s down.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I said you were a goose,—so it’s most +appropriate.” +</p> +<p>“But it’s swansdown.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span></p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“Oh,” exclaimed Patty, “what a picture! +From my room you couldn’t tell it was moonlight +at all.” +</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,—and +a big, yellow three-quarter moon was +nearing the western horizon. +</p> +<p>“Isn’t it wonderful, Philip?” whispered +Patty, almost awed at the sight. +</p> +<p>“Yes, dear,” he said, still holding her hand +in both his own. “Patty, you have a wonderful +appreciation of the beautiful.” +</p> +<p>“Nobody could help loving such a sight as +that.” +</p> +<p>“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, <i>do</i> care for me a <i>little</i> bit, won’t +you?” +</p> +<p>“Don’t, Philip,” and Patty drew gently away +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span> +from him. “<i>Please</i> don’t talk to me like that! +Oh, I oughtn’t to be here! Let me go, Philip,—I +<i>know</i> this isn’t right.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“But I don’t, Philip.” And Patty’s voice carried +a hint of tears. +</p> +<p>“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’s that evening. Do you remember?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I remember; but please, Philip, let me +go now, and <i>don’t</i> talk to me this way. I don’t +<i>want</i> you to!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll forgive you, Philip, if you’ll forget this +whole occurrence.” +</p> +<p>“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’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’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?” +</p> +<p>“You’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’ll see about it!” +</p> +<p>“Patty, you rogue, how <i>can</i> you speak like +that? Don’t you love me a least little bit?” +</p> +<p>“Not a teenty weenty speck! And if you +don’t give me something to eat, I won’t even +<i>like</i> you.” +</p> +<p>“Well, here’s a bargain, then,—if I find something +nice for you to eat, will you like me a +whole lot?” +</p> +<p>“I do like you a whole lot, anyway; but I don’t +love you and I’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!” +</p> +<p>“Incidentally, your hair <i>is</i> down your back.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“There <i>isn’t</i> any difference. We’ll pretend +you’re a tableau.” +</p> +<p>“All right, I’ll be Patience on a Monument, +waiting for some supper.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span></p> +<p>“That was Little Tommy Tucker.” +</p> +<p>“No; <i>he</i> sang for his supper. I’m not going +to sing.” +</p> +<p>“For Heaven’s sake, <i>don’t</i>! Your top notes +would bring the whole crowd down here! +Patty, if you’ll promise to love me <i>some time</i>, +I’ll stop teasing you <i>now</i>.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Philip, I’d do ’most anything to have +you stop teasing me now! But how <i>can</i> I tell +who I’m going to love when I get old enough +to love anybody?” +</p> +<p>“Well, you don’t love anybody yet, do you?” +</p> +<p>“I do <i>not</i>!” and Patty shook her head with +great emphasis. +</p> +<p>“Then I have a fair show, anyway.” And +Philip drew the curtain that shut out the moonlight, +and switched on the electric light. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“The pantry’s the place,” said Patty; “there’s +nothing in the sideboard but biscuit and raisins.” +</p> +<p>“They don’t sound very good to me. To +the pantry!” +</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>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed; anything you want, my +Princess.” +</p> +<p>“I thought you said Jim was about,” Patty +remarked. +</p> +<p>“He was,” returned Philip, calmly. “I saw +him go upstairs as we came in the dining-room.” +</p> +<p>“Did he see us?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“That’s a nice, casual way to say good-bye to +a man who has just proposed to you!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span></p> +<p>“Good gracious! <i>Was</i> that a proposal?” +</p> +<p>“Well, rather! What did you think it was? +A sermon, or just a bit of oratory?” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“Would your answer have been different if +you had?” he asked, eagerly. +</p> +<p>“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. +</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,—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>“MY LADY OF DELIGHT</p> +</div> + +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“My Lady of Delight’s a dainty, winsome thing;</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>She’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;'>“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,—My Apple Blossom Girl!</p> +<br /> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“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!”</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>“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 <i>could</i> 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 <i>isn’t</i>,—that’s one thing sure!” +</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’s +blue eyes open. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“You did! Oh, Patty, weren’t you frightened +to prowl around like that, late at night?” +</p> +<p>Patty shook with laughter. “I <i>was</i> frightened,” +she said, “when I thought I saw a +mouse,—but it wasn’t a mouse, after all.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I wouldn’t be afraid of a mouse! But +you might have met a,—a burglar or something?” +</p> +<p>“No,” and Patty still grinned. “I didn’t +meet any <i>burglar</i>. But I got the card, Daisy, +so that’s all right.” +</p> +<p>“Was it like mine? Let me see it.” +</p> +<p>“It wasn’t exactly like yours, and I won’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’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. +</p> +<p>“I won’t, Patty; truly, I won’t. I’m awfully +sorry, but I did it on a sudden impulse.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>The smiling maid appeared with Patty’s breakfast +tray, followed by Mona and Adčle. +</p> +<p>“Company already!” exclaimed Patty, sitting +up in bed. “Hedwig, quick, my breakfast cap,—the +pink one,—and the nightingale to match.” +</p> +<p>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, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span> +and made Patty look like the pictures of Holland’s +pretty queen. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you see,” returned Patty, dropping +her lashes to hide her twinkling eyes, “I didn’t +forget to eat my supper.” +</p> +<p>The recollection of that supper in the pantry +was too much for her, and she burst into laughter. +</p> +<p>“What <i>is</i> the matter with you, Patty?” said +Adčle. “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.” +</p> +<p>“Jim?” asked Patty, looking up with a +smile. +</p> +<p>“No; Mr. Van Reypen.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, good gracious! I don’t care about going +riding with Philip; I can see <i>him</i> in New +York. I hoped it was Hal,—that’s why I said +Jim.” +</p> +<p>“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. +<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’d let you go along with +him in the cutter.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, a cutter ride,” and Patty began to scramble +out of bed. “That sounds rather good +fun. But I’d rather go with Hal.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you’re candid, at any rate,” said Daisy. +“But as it happens, Hal and I are going to +practise some music this morning.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Nothing of the sort,” said Mona. “Roger’s +going back to the city this morning, and I’m +going to write letters.” +</p> +<p>“But I thought Philip was going back to the +city,” said Patty, looking at Adčle. +</p> +<p>“He’s going on the afternoon train. Go on +and get dressed, Patty, and don’t waste any +more time.” +</p> +<p>“All right,” 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>“Why do we go?” she demanded, presenting +herself before Philip, who was waiting in the +hall. +</p> +<p>“To get butter and eggs,” he returned, +gravely. “The Kenerley larder is entirely +empty of those two very necessary ingredients.” +</p> +<p>“But why do <i>we</i> go for them? Are there no +servants to send?” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Is it far?” +</p> +<p>“No; only about five miles; we’ll be back for +luncheon. How did you sleep, after your late +supper?” +</p> +<p>“All right,” and Patty smiled back into +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_251' name='page_251'></a>251</span> +Philip’s face. “But I wasn’t hungry for my +breakfast.” +</p> +<p>“I should say not! You ate enough last +night for two little girls like you!” +</p> +<p>“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, <i>do</i> be engaged to me, won’t you?” +</p> +<p>“No, you ridiculous boy, I won’t! And if +you say another word on the subject, I’ll be real +downright mad at you!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Why, of course, I’m going with you. Who +else?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know, I’m sure. But there would +be plenty glad to take you.” +</p> +<p>“Pooh! I know that. But I want to go +with you. What shall we wear?” +</p> +<p>“I was thinking of some foolish thing, like +Little Bo-Peep, you know.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_252' name='page_252'></a>252</span></p> +<p>“Well, I’ll be Old King Cole.” +</p> +<p>“No, I don’t like that. I’ll tell you! You +be Little Boy Blue.” +</p> +<p>“The Gainsborough picture?” +</p> +<p>“No, that won’t do either. Oh, you be +Bobby Shafto! He wears ‘silver buckles on +his knee,’ don’t you know?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I <i>do</i> know! And what’s the next +line?” +</p> +<p>“Never mind,” said Patty, turning pink. “I +want you to wear a real Bobby Shafto costume. +So you will, won’t you?” +</p> +<p>“Of course, if my Princess commands. I’ll +have it made at once. Can I help about +yours?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“It will be lovely. I say, which way do we +turn here?” +</p> +<p>“To go to Hatton’s Corners? Oh, to the +right.” +</p> +<p>“I think it’s the left.” +</p> +<p>“No, it isn’t. I remember distinctly, Jim said, +be sure to take the right road.” +</p> +<p>“He meant right, not wrong.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_253' name='page_253'></a>253</span></p> +<p>“Nonsense! he didn’t. He meant right, not +left. Turn right, Philip.” +</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>“There’s something about sleighing that’s different +from anything else,” remarked Patty, +with the air of one expounding a great truth. +</p> +<p>“It’s the exhilaration. Spinning along like +this, with the snow crunching under us, beats +motoring, I think.” +</p> +<p>“Yes; for an occasional ride. But for all +the year round, motoring is best.” +</p> +<p>“That’s so. Sleighing isn’t much fun in July +or August.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Neither do I, yet. But we’ll soon strike it. +Ah, here we are!” +</p> +<p>“No; this is a railroad,—a steam railroad, I +mean. Philip, we’re off the road.” +</p> +<p>“I think we are. I’m sorry I insisted on turning +to the right at that corner.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_254' name='page_254'></a>254</span></p> +<p>“You <i>didn’t</i> insist. <i>I</i> did! But I thought it +was right.” +</p> +<p>“It <i>is</i> right, dear. Anything is right, where +you are.” +</p> +<p>“You’d better stop talking foolishness, and +find the right road.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, if you call that <i>foolishness</i>!” +</p> +<p>“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 <i>is</i> going to +storm.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“After one! Oh, Philip, it <i>can’t</i> be!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Well, never mind. We’re in for a lark, +that’s all. ‘Afar in the desert I love to ride’—what +comes next, Patty?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_255' name='page_255'></a>255</span></p> +<p>“‘With the silent Bushboy alone by my +side——’” +</p> +<p>“Yes, that’s it; but thank goodness, you’re not +silent——” +</p> +<p>“Nor a Bushboy, either. But I don’t like +this, Philip. We’re——” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Now, Philip, stop talking about love! It’s +bad enough to be lost,—and we <i>are</i> lost,—without +having somebody harping about love all the +time.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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>“Pardon me, madame,” said Philip, in his best +manner. “We have lost our way. Will you +tell me how to reach Hatton’s Corners?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_256' name='page_256'></a>256</span></p> +<p>“Hatton’s Corners! Why, that’s a good ten +miles from here. Where’d you come from?” +</p> +<p>“From Fern Falls.” +</p> +<p>“Then you took the wrong road at the Big +Tree Fork. You’d oughter ‘a’ gone to the +left.” +</p> +<p>“H’m; you may be right. But must we go +back there, or is there a shorter cut?” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Why, this is true hospitality, madame. +What do you say, Patty?” +</p> +<p>Patty looked uncertain. “I don’t know what +to say,” she replied, hesitatingly. “I <i>am</i> cold; +but I’m afraid it would delay us so long that +Adčle will worry about us. I think we’d better +jog along.” +</p> +<p>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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_257' name='page_257'></a>257</span> +have comp’ny,—and on chicken pie day, +too!” +</p> +<p>“Whew, chicken pie!” exclaimed Philip. +“How about it, Patty?” +</p> +<p>“Have you a telephone?” asked Patty, with +a sudden inspiration. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“That’s so,” said Philip. “We must have +come twelve or fifteen miles.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>The speaker’s twinkling dark eyes looked at +her two visitors with such comprehension that +Patty blushed and Philip smiled. +</p> +<p>“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——” +</p> +<p>“It was all my fault,” confessed Patty. “I +insisted on coming this way, though Mr. Van +Reypen thought the other was right.” +</p> +<p>“Well, well, never mind! It’ll jest be a nice, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_258' name='page_258'></a>258</span> +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.” +</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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“But I must telephone before we eat dinner,” +said Patty. +</p> +<p>“So you shall,—so you shall. Now, don’t +you worry the leastest mite about anything.” +</p> +<p>“How kind you are!” exclaimed Patty, smiling +on the happy little old lady. “I suppose +you belong to the real old New England Winthrops?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_259' name='page_259'></a>259</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Fay <i>is</i> pretty,” said Patty, cordially, “and +now, if I may, I’ll telephone, for I know our +people will be wondering where we are.” +</p> +<p>“All right, Miss Fairfield; come right along.” +But in returning to the sitting-room, Patty +found Philip was already at the telephone. +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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!” +</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>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_261' name='page_261'></a>261</span> +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.” +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry if we’ve made you any extra trouble,” +said Patty, giving Miss Winthrop one of +her best smiles; “but <i>I’m</i> 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?” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_262' name='page_262'></a>262</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Nonsense, Mina; you do always look on +the dark side,” expostulated her sister. “Now +<i>I</i> think ’tain’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’ll be bright sunshine again. +Now, have your plates filled up, friends, and +try and make out a meal.” +</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: “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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_264' name='page_264'></a>264</span> +it careful, and it’s pretty near as good as new +now.” +</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: +“I <i>do</i> 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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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’s fear +of a blizzard did not seem entirely unfounded. +</p> +<p>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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_265' name='page_265'></a>265</span> +keep us till the storm is over, won’t you, Mrs. +Fay?” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I wish you’d call me a streak of sunshine,” +said Philip. “I’d love to be called that.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you’re bright enough,” and Mrs. Fay +looked at him, serenely. “But you’re a different +kind of a streak.” +</p> +<p>“A streak of lightning, I guess, if need be,” +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>“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, <i>now</i>!” +</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>“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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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 ’Kiah, +the hired man, appeared in the doorway of the +sitting-room and listened too. +</p> +<p>“Come on, Philip; let’s give them a duet,” +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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, we’re awfully fond of singing together,” +said Philip, with a glance at Patty, +half mischievous, half tender, whereat Patty +blushed. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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’ +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_268' name='page_268'></a>268</span> +a young couple as I’d want to meet; and mighty +well suited to each other.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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 Adčle that we’re stormbound.” +</p> +<p>But though Patty called and called, she could +get no answer from the telephone Central. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_269' name='page_269'></a>269</span></p> +<p>“Maybe they’ll come for us with a motor,” +suggested Patty. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“We will,” said Philip. “We’ll sing everything +we know, and then make up some.” +</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>“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. +</p> +<p>“Supper ain’t nothin’ to get, miss,” returned +Eliza, a rawboned, countrified girl who was +shy in the presence of this city lady. +</p> +<p>“Well, let me help you, anyway. Mayn’t I +set the table?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Swing-shelf?” said Patty, interested—“what +is a swing-shelf?” +</p> +<p>“Why, a shelf hanging from the ceiling, to +keep things on.” +</p> +<p>“But why does it hang from the ceiling? I +never heard of such a thing.” +</p> +<p>“Why, so the rats or mice can’t get at the +things.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_271' name='page_271'></a>271</span></p> +<p>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!” +</p> +<p>“There, there, Patty,” said Philip, meeting +her half-way across the room, and taking her +hand in his. “Don’t be silly!” +</p> +<p>“I’m <i>not</i> silly! But I <i>can’t</i> stay where they +keep rats and mice! Why, Philip, they <i>expect</i> +them. They build high shelves on purpose for +them.” +</p> +<p>“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——” +</p> +<p>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 <i>not</i> afraid of mice, Mrs. Fay.” +</p> +<p>“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; <i>honest</i>, 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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_272' name='page_272'></a>272</span> +count none the less on you for acting skittish +about ’em.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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’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’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>“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?” +</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, +“You’re so kind to me, Miss Winthrop. +Truly, I do appreciate it.” +</p> +<p>“You sweet little thing,” returned the old +lady. “Now let me unhook you,—I should +admire to do so.” +</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’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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Little girls mustn’t advise on matters which +they know nothing about,” 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. “All +right, Philip,” she said, smiling at him. “I +know you’ll start as soon as it’s possible. When +will that be?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_275' name='page_275'></a>275</span></p> +<p>“Perhaps we can go this afternoon, dear; right +after dinner, maybe. The man thinks the +roads will be broken by that time.” +</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’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>“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!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I know all that,” said Patty, impatiently; +“but I was bored to death.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you didn’t show it; you were sweet as +a peach to those two people, and they’ll always +love you for it.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_276' name='page_276'></a>276</span></p> +<p>“Oh, of course I wouldn’t be impolite; but +I’m glad we’re started for home.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I’m not. Patty, I just enjoyed every +minute,—because I was there with you. Dear, +you don’t <i>know</i> what it meant to me.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“But, Patty, I <i>must</i> say these things to you.” +</p> +<p>“Then, I <i>must</i> jump.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Philip, I <i>can’t</i> say anything like that, and I +<i>wish</i> you wouldn’t tease me. If those snowbanks +didn’t look so dreadfully cold——” +</p> +<p>“But they <i>are</i> 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 +<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?” +</p> +<p>“‘Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do!’” +sang Patty, with a saucy smile at him. +</p> +<p>“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.’” +</p> +<p>“That’s an awful long speech to learn by +heart,” said Patty, musingly. +</p> +<p>“But you needn’t learn it word for word; just +say something from your own heart that means +the same.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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>“But I say,” said Philip; “we’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’t do it if we go +around by Hatton’s Corners.” +</p> +<p>“All right,” returned Patty. “I’ll put it up +to Adčle 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.” +</p> +<p>“That would be the safer way. But how will +you get home from the station?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I’ll telephone from the station office, +and they’ll send Martin, or somebody, after +me.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>Patty agreed, and when they reached the Barclay +Inn, a few miles from Fern Falls, they +went in to telephone. +</p> +<p>“We’re on our way home,” said Patty, after +she had succeeded in getting a connection. +</p> +<p>“Well, I should think it was time!” exclaimed +Adčle. “You don’t know what you’ve missed! +Where are you?” +</p> +<p>“At Barclay Inn; and we’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’ll</i> miss the butter +and eggs, because we didn’t get them.” +</p> +<p>“But where have you been? We tried all +yesterday to get you on the telephone, and all +this morning, too.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>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 Adčle?” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>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, +<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>“There they are!” he called to Patty. “It’s +all right, good-bye.” +</p> +<p>“Good-bye,” she called back, and then the +train pulled out. +</p> +<p>“Well, you <i>did</i> 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.” +</p> +<p>Patty hopped in, and in a moment they were +flying along toward home. +</p> +<p>“What did I miss?” she asked. “Did you +have a party last night?” +</p> +<p>“Party! in that storm! Rather not.” +</p> +<p>“Well, what <i>did</i> I miss?” +</p> +<p>“What makes you think you missed anything?” +</p> +<p>“Adčle told me so, over the telephone.” +</p> +<p>“Well, then, let Adčle tell you what it was. +How could I possibly know?” +</p> +<p>“But what did you do last night?” +</p> +<p>“Nothing much; sat around, sang a little, and +talked,—and I guess that’s all.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_281' name='page_281'></a>281</span></p> +<p>“Who was there? Didn’t Roger go home?” +</p> +<p>“Yes; Roger went down on the morning train, +just after you started on your wild career.” +</p> +<p>“Well, who <i>was</i> there? Chub, I know you’re +keeping something from me. Now, tell me +what it is!” +</p> +<p>“Do you really want to know, Patty? Well, +Bill Farnsworth was there.” +</p> +<p>“What!” and Patty nearly fell out of the +sleigh in astonishment. “Bill Farnsworth?” +</p> +<p>“Yes; he came unexpectedly yesterday afternoon. +Could only stay twenty-four hours, and +went back to-day on the two o’clock train.” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>So she said, lightly: “Well, of all things! +Didn’t anybody expect him?” +</p> +<p>“No; he thought he’d surprise us. He was +awfully cut up that you weren’t there.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, he was! Well, why didn’t you send +for me?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_282' name='page_282'></a>282</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“The wires were down,” said Patty, thinking +of the uninteresting evening she had spent, +when she might have been talking to Little +Billee. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>Patty’s pretty face hardened a little as she +thought how Daisy would delight in making +such a speech as that before Farnsworth. +</p> +<p>“I say, Patty, are you cut up about this? Did +you want to see Big Bill, specially?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no, no,” said Patty, smiling again. “I +only thought it seemed funny that he happened +to come when I happened to be away.” +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_283' name='page_283'></a>283</span> +for Arizona. He’s a great fellow, Bill +is. You like him, don’t you, Patty?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I like him,” said Patty, simply. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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’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’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>Adčle 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>“You look like a valentine,” said Patty, “or +a birthday cake.” +</p> +<p>“You do look good enough to eat,” declared +Adčle, as she took in the gorgeous costume. +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_287' name='page_287'></a>287</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</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’s was of light blue +silk with a short fall of lace, and Philip’s was +of black satin. +</p> +<p>“I can’t wear this thing all the way there,” declared +Patty, taking hers off again. +</p> +<p>“Well, put it on just before you get there,” +enjoined Adčle. “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.” +</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>“Of course the first dance is mine,” 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’t the +slightest idea who they were. +</p> +<p>“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!” +</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>“For it doesn’t make the slightest difference +who you are,” 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>“No,” he returned, in a hollow, sepulchral +voice, which he seemed to think suited to his +monk’s attire. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_290' name='page_290'></a>290</span></p> +<p>“Much obliged to you for not saying monkey +fashion! I certainly do feel foolish, dressed +up in this rig.” +</p> +<p>“Why, you ought not to, in that plain gown. +Just look at the things some of the men have +on!” +</p> +<p>“I know it. Look at that court jester; he +must feel a fool!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I say, Miss Bo-Peep, you’re clever, aren’t +you?” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Looks like one of the patriarchs; but I guess +he’s meant for King Lear. See the wreath of +flowers on his white hair.” +</p> +<p>“Did Lear wear flowers? I thought he wore +a crown.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Well, he’s awfully picturesque,” 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’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: “I’d gladly give you a +dance, King Lear, but I haven’t one left.” +</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>“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.” +</p> +<p>King Lear bowed submissively to Patty’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’s +card again, and indicated a space between the +last dance and the supper. +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“Who is he?” asked Patty, of Roger, who +chanced to be her partner this time. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</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>“She’s beautiful!” declared Patty, with heartfelt +admiration. “I wish I was big and stunning, +Roger, instead of a little scrap of humanity.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_293' name='page_293'></a>293</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“But a big woman is so much more graceful +and dignified.” +</p> +<p>“Patty, I do believe you’re fishing! And I +<i>know</i> 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.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“She always does,” and Roger had a strange +thrill in his voice, that struck a sympathetic +chord in Patty’s heart. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_294' name='page_294'></a>294</span></p> +<p>“What about her, Roger? Isn’t she good to +you?” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I can’t understand her, either. But +here comes Mr. Collins, looking for you, Patty. +Is only half of this dance mine?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, Roger. I had to chop up every one, +to-night. You may have one after supper, if +you like.” +</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>“Why, I didn’t know this was yours!” she +cried, looking at her card, where, sure enough, +she saw the initials B. S. +</p> +<p>“It sure is mine,” returned Bobby Shafto; +“but we’re not going to dance it.” +</p> +<p>“Why not, and what are we going to do?” +</p> +<p>“We’re going to wander away into the conservatory.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_295' name='page_295'></a>295</span></p> +<p>“There isn’t any conservatory. This is a +club-house, you know.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“But why do we go there?” asked Patty, as +Philip led her away from the dancing-room. +</p> +<p>“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 tęte-ŕ-tęte conversations. +</p> +<p>“You know,” Philip began, as they found a +pleasant seat, under some palms, “you know, +Patty, you promised me something.” +</p> +<p>“Didn’t, neither.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, you did, and I’m going to hold you to +your promise. You promised——” +</p> +<p>“‘Rose, you promised!’” sang Patty, humming +a foolish little song that was an old-fashioned +favourite. +</p> +<p>“Yes, you <i>did</i> 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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_296' name='page_296'></a>296</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Really, Patty? Did you find so much?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, heaps of things.” +</p> +<p>“But I mean about me.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, about you! Why, I don’t know that +there’s anything there at all about you.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</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: +“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.” +</p> +<p>“I do care about that, Patty. I care very +much for it, but I want more.” +</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>“Patty,” he said, recalling her attention, +“Patty, dear, I say I want more.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_297' name='page_297'></a>297</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Patty Fairfield, I’d like to shake you! Don’t +you <i>know</i> what I’m asking of you?” +</p> +<p>“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——” +</p> +<p>“And then may I ask you again, Patty, and +will you listen to me and answer me?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>But just as they rose to go, Jim Kenerley approached, +and King Lear was with him. +</p> +<p>“Little Bo-Peep,” said the big Indian, “King +Lear tells me that you half promised him an +extra, if there should be one.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_298' name='page_298'></a>298</span></p> +<p>“I don’t know, Bo-Peep. I’ll go and see.” +</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: “Apple Blossom!” +</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: “Bill! Little +Billee! Oh, I <i>am</i> glad to see you!” +</p> +<p>“Are you, really?” And Bill Farnsworth’s +voice had a slight tremor in it. “Are you sure +of that, my girl?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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’t +get here earlier, and when I reached the house, +you had all started. So I got into these togs, +and came along.” +</p> +<p>“Your togs are wonderful, Little Billee. I +never saw you look so stunning, not even as +Father Neptune.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“But I thought you wanted the extra dance.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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>“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.” +</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. “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. +</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>“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?” +</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’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. +</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’, 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>“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?” +</p> +<p>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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_303' name='page_303'></a>303</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“What’s that?” +</p> +<p>“Because the wreath means that I am mad.” +</p> +<p>“Mad at me?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, not that kind of mad! I mean crazy, +demented, loony,—what was the old King, anyway?” +</p> +<p>“A little touched?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Are you going to say crazy things to me?” +</p> +<p>“Very likely; you’ve completely turned my +head.” +</p> +<p>“Do you know, I didn’t even know King Lear +ever went crazy,” said Patty in an endeavour +to change the subject. +</p> +<p>“Why, fie, fie, Little Girl, I thought you knew +your Shakespeare; but I suppose you’re too busy +socially to read much poetry.” +</p> +<p>“I read one poem this winter that I liked,” +said Patty, demurely. +</p> +<p>“Did you? What was it?” +</p> +<p>“It came to me in a blue envelope.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_304' name='page_304'></a>304</span></p> +<p>“It did! Why, Patty, Jim told me you never +got that.” +</p> +<p>“Jim is mistaken; I did get it.” +</p> +<p>“And did you like it?” +</p> +<p>“Where did you get it, Bill?” +</p> +<p>“Did you like it?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I liked it lots. Who wrote it?” +</p> +<p>“I did.” +</p> +<p>“Did you, really? You clever man! I +thought possibly you might have done it, but it +sounded so,—so finished.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“What!” and Patty stood still and looked at +Farnsworth, indignantly. “You have no right +to ask such a question!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“You seem to have sized him up pretty +quickly. Why, you’ve only just met him.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, but you know I was at the Kenerleys’ +last week, and Jim told me all about him.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_305' name='page_305'></a>305</span></p> +<p>“Why did you want to know all about him?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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. “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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_306' name='page_306'></a>306</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“What, for instance?” said Patty, in a flippant +tone. +</p> +<p>“Love,” 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>“Are you implying that Mr. Van Reypen is +not capable of giving me love, as well as the +other advantages you enumerate?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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’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. +</p> +<p>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.” +</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>“Our dance, Philip,” she said, gaily, and +though it hadn’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>“That’s a foregone conclusion,” said Jim Kenerley +to Farnsworth, as he glanced at Patty and +Philip. +</p> +<p>“Nonsense,” said Adčle. “Patty isn’t thinking +of conclusions yet. But I must say it would +be a very satisfactory match.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, Mr. Van Reypen seems to be a fine fellow,” +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>“Will you come down again later, if you’re +hungry?” said Philip, smiling at the recollection +of Christmas Eve. +</p> +<p>“No,” and Patty flashed her dimples at him; +and knowing that Farnsworth was listening, she +added, “There’s no moonlight to-night!” +</p> +<p>“Moonlight does help,” said Philip. “Good-night, +Little Bo-Peep.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_309' name='page_309'></a>309</span></p> +<p>“No; I leave on the early train,” said Farnsworth, +abruptly. “Good-night, Patty, and +good-bye.” +</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>“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!” +</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’s, and about Farnsworth’s +flying visits. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_310' name='page_310'></a>310</span></p> +<p>“I’d like to meet that man,” said Nan. “I +think he sounds attractive, Patty.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Why, Nancy Bell, how complimentary you +are!” and Patty gave her stepmother an affectionate +pat. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“As if I ever disapproved of any of your +plans, my dear daddy. Consider my approval +granted before you begin.” +</p> +<p>“Well, it’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.” +</p> +<p>“Alone?” asked Patty, in surprise. +</p> +<p>“Well, no; hardly that. But how would you +like to have Mrs. Allen, Nan’s mother, come +and stay with you?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>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. +</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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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’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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“It may mean a great many things,” said Mrs. +Allen, thoughtfully. “I hope he’s all right, +Patty.” +</p> +<p>“All right! Big Bill Farnsworth all right? +Well, I rather guess he <i>is</i>!” +</p> +<p>“There, there,” and Mrs. Allen laughed. +“You needn’t take up the cudgels so desperately. +I didn’t mean to accuse him of anything.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_314' name='page_314'></a>314</span></p> +<p>“I don’t think he lacks culture, Patty. His +manners are all right.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, they’re all right, but he hasn’t quite the +correct ease of a man like Philip Van Reypen.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Maybe it would,” said Patty, simply. +</p> +<p>That very afternoon Farnsworth came to call, +and told Patty he had come to say good-bye. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Have you been successful in your undertakings?” +asked Patty, with a sympathetic interest. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I hope so, Little Billee,” said Patty, looking +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_315' name='page_315'></a>315</span> +at him with earnest good will. “I want you +to succeed.” +</p> +<p>“Thank you for that,” said Farnsworth, simply. +</p> +<p>“And when are you coming East again?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Indeed, I shan’t! In fact, I’ve about made +up my mind that I’ll never marry anybody.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>Farnsworth had risen to go, and he held +Patty’s hands in both his, as he looked straight +into her eyes. +</p> +<p>Patty’s own eyes fell beneath his gaze, and she +said, “And I wish you happiness wherever you +are, Little Billee.” +</p> +<p>“Thank you, dear,” 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’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, “Oh, Miss Patty, oh, <i>can’t</i> +you come here at once? Come right away!” +</p> +<p>“Come where? Who are you?” said Patty, +bewildered, for she did not recognise the voice, +and it sounded like some one in deep distress. +</p> +<p>“Oh, don’t wait a <i>minute</i>! Every moment +is precious! Just come <i>at once</i>!” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“I’m Anne, Miss Galbraith’s maid. You +know me, Miss Patty. Oh, come quick; Miss +Mona has gone!” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>The last sentence came in an explosive burst, +as if the girl could keep her secret no longer. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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>“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.” +</p> +<p>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. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_318' name='page_318'></a>318</span></p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“Bill,—it’s Patty,” she said, her voice trembling. +</p> +<p>“Yes, dear; what is it? What is the matter?” +</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. “Oh, Bill,” +she went on, “there’s awful trouble, and you +must help me.” +</p> +<p>“Of course I will, Little Girl! Steady now; +tell me what it’s all about. Do you want me +to come there?” +</p> +<p>“But you’re just starting for the West,” cried +Patty, as she remembered this for the first time. +</p> +<p>“That doesn’t matter, if <i>you</i> want me. I’ll +be right over.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Then there’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’ll meet you there, in the Galbraiths’ +apartment.” +</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’ apartment, +she found Farnsworth already there. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I’m glad you did, Anne,” said Patty, “it +may help us to save Miss Mona yet. What +else can you tell us?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_320' name='page_320'></a>320</span></p> +<p>“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.” +</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>“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?” +</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. “We might telephone to +Mr. Galbraith and ask his permission,” she suggested. +</p> +<p>But Big Bill seemed suddenly to have made +up his mind. +</p> +<p>“No!” he declared, “<i>I’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’t square my action with Mr. +Galbraith afterward, I’ll accept the consequences.” +</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>“Mona never wrote that note of her own accord,” +exclaimed Patty, indignantly. “That +man made her do it!” +</p> +<p>“Of course he did!” agreed Bill, in a stern +voice. “I know Lansing,—and, Patty, the +man is a scoundrel.” +</p> +<p>“You know him? I didn’t know you did.” +</p> +<p>“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 +<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.” +</p> +<p>“But you’re going West to-night.” +</p> +<p>“Not unless we rescue Mona first! Why, +Patty, she <i>mustn’t</i> be allowed to marry that +man! I tell you he’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.” +</p> +<p>“But how do you know where they’ve gone?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know! But we must find out, somehow. +Perhaps the men at the door can tell us. +Perhaps Anne can.” +</p> +<p>“I only know this, sir,” said Anne, who was +wringing her hands and weeping; “when Miss +Mona was telephoning, she said something +about Greenwich.” +</p> +<p>“Of course!” cried Bill. “That’s exactly +where they’d go! But wait, they would have +to go for a license first.” +</p> +<p>“Telephone the license man,” said Patty, inspired +by Bill’s manner and tones. +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_323' name='page_323'></a>323</span> +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. +</p> +<p>“Shall we take my little car?” she asked, as +Bill strode through the lobby, and Patty hurried +to keep up with him. +</p> +<p>“Good Heavens, no! We want a racer. I’ll +drive it myself.” +</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>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Bill, you are just splendid!” 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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“But it’s a straight road to Greenwich.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, but they may have turned off anywhere. +They may change their minds a dozen times +about their destination.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Patty, you’re a good pal! I don’t believe +any other girl would be as plucky as you are in +such a case.” +</p> +<p>“Why, I haven’t done anything,” and Patty +opened her eyes wide, in surprise. “You’ve +done it all—Little Billee.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>As they neared Greenwich, Patty’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>“That’s it!” she cried. “That’s Mona’s +car! Chase ’em, Bill!” +</p> +<p>“The nerve of him, to elope in her own car!” +growled Bill, through his clenched teeth. “I +told you he was a scoundrel, Patty!” +</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>“That’s Mona’s yell,” she cried, in dismay. +“They’ve seen us, Bill, and now they’ll get +away from us!” +</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>“Oh, what a shame!” wailed Patty. “They +recognised us, and now they’ll get away.” +</p> +<p>“Not if I know it!” and Farnsworth set his +teeth hard. “Sit tight, Patty; we’re going to +go faster!” +</p> +<p>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 +<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’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>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Is your idea faster than their car, Little +Billee?” +</p> +<p>“You bet it is! Just you wait and see; Patty, +we’ve <i>got</i> ’em!” +</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>“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!” +</p> +<p>“Will they be speeding?” +</p> +<p>“<i>Will</i> they be speeding? You <i>bet</i> 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!” +</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, “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!” +</p> +<p>“By what right have you followed us, Miss +Fairfield?” began Mr. Lansing, looking at +Patty, angrily. +</p> +<p>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.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“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, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_329' name='page_329'></a>329</span> +would such an argument have any +weight with you?” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“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——” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t believe it!” declared Mona, angrily. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_330' name='page_330'></a>330</span></p> +<p>“You <i>do</i> believe it,” and Farnsworth looked +at her steadily, “because you know I would not +tell you so unless I knew it to be true.” +</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>“But I love him so,” she said, sobbing. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>But Mona was sobbing so that she could not +speak. Not angry sobs now, but pathetic, repentant +sorrow. +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_331' name='page_331'></a>331</span> +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.” +</p> +<p>Mona looked up at this, and said, eagerly, +“Not father?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“But Anne,” said Mona, doubtfully. “You +say she told you where I went.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_332' name='page_332'></a>332</span> +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.” +</p> +<p>“You come to dinner, too, Bill,” said Patty, +as they took their places; “though I fear we’ll +all be rather late.” +</p> +<p>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 <i>must</i> go.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, softly, “I will.” +</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’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’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>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“She has lots of friends of her own, too,” +said Patty. “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’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.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Nonsense!” cried Elise. “Patty’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’s length, but they are so insistent +that it is difficult.” +</p> +<p>“I think you girls are all too young to have +suitors,” commented Mrs. Allen, smiling at +the pretty trio. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I see,” said Mrs. Allen. “I suppose +as in my younger days we used to call them +beaux.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Is that big one coming to the wedding?” +asked Mrs. Allen. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“He’ll come,” said Elise, wagging her head, +sagely. “He’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!” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</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>“You <i>sweet</i> 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 <i>do</i> want to wish you +such a heap of joy that you’ll just almost break +down under it!” +</p> +<p>Christine smiled back into Patty’s honest eyes, +and realised the loving friendship that +prompted the words. +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_338' name='page_338'></a>338</span> +whispered shyly,—“because you didn’t want +him, yourself!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Christine!” said Patty, “I <i>do</i> want +him, something dreadful! I shall just <i>pine</i> +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 +<i>her</i>, and not the radiant, mischievous Patty. +</p> +<hr class='tb' /> + +<p>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 +<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, “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. +</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. “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?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, of course; do you have to go to the +train with them, Ken?” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“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——” +</p> +<p>“Patty! Do you suppose I care what she’s +going to wear away? But <i>do</i> 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.” +</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>“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.” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“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, <i>do</i> 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, <i>don’t</i> forget to throw +your bouquet!” +</p> +<p>“I won’t do it!” 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>“Nonsense! of course you will! You’ve simply +<i>got</i> 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?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” was the meek response; “I will.” +</p> +<p>“And wait a minute; don’t you throw it till +I get down there myself, for I might catch +it.” +</p> +<p>“Do catch it, Patty, and then you can give +it back to me. I want to keep it all my +life.” +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Why do I have to throw it, anyway?” persisted +Christine, as she tucked the flower away +for safe keeping. +</p> +<p>“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 +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_343' name='page_343'></a>343</span> +you come along with Nan, and I expect you’ll +find Mr. Hepworth down there somewhere,—if +Ken hasn’t lost him.” +</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>“Here’s a good place for you, Patty Pink and +White,” 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’s length, and looked at it +as if she couldn’t quite bring herself to part +with it. +</p> +<p>“There, <i>now</i> she’s going to toss it! <i>Quick</i>, +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. +</p> +<p>“Oh, Patty! you muffed it!” cried Farnsworth; +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_344' name='page_344'></a>344</span> +“and what’s more, you did it on purpose!” +</p> +<p>“’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!” +</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>“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.” +</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>“Why didn’t you catch it, Patty?” said Kenneth. +“Do you want to be an old maid?” +</p> +<p>“‘Nobody asked me, sir, she said,’” and +Patty dropped her eyes, demurely. +</p> +<p>“You mean there’s nobody that hasn’t asked +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_345' name='page_345'></a>345</span> +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!” +</p> +<p>“So have I,” laughed Patty. “Let’s put it +off for a year, Ken.” +</p> +<p>“All right,” was the laughing response, and +then they rejoined the other young people. +</p> +<p>After the reception was over, a few of Patty’s +more intimate friends were invited to remain +to dinner with the Fairfields. +</p> +<p>“Can you stay, Little Billee?” asked Patty, +dancing up to him, as he seemed about to +leave. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“All right; be sure to come,” 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>“What are you looking at?” 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>“Nothing,” was the non-committal answer. +</p> +<p>“Well, then, you may as well look at me. +At least, I’m better than nothing.” +</p> +<p>“<i>Much</i> better!” said Patty, with exaggerated +emphasis; “<i>ever</i> so much better! Oh, say, +Philip, take me over to the hall, will you?” +</p> +<p>“What for? This dance has just begun.” +</p> +<p>“Never mind!” said Patty, impatiently. +“Lead me over that way!” +</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>“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.” +</p> +<p>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. +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, Apple Blossom, I am. I’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?” +</p> +<p>For answer, Patty put her hand in his, and +they waltzed slowly round the room. +</p> +<p>“You are the busiest business man I ever +saw,” Patty said, pouting a little. +</p> +<p>“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——” +</p> +<p>“And then?” asked Patty. +</p> +<p>“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.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Little Billee, you <i>are</i> a friend of mine.” +</p> +<p>“Well, something more than a friend, then. +Patty,—I <i>must</i> ask you,—are you engaged to +Van Reypen?” +</p> +<p>“Goodness, no!” and Patty flashed a glance +of surprise. +</p> +<p>“Then, Patty, mayn’t <i>I</i> hope?” +</p> +<p>“That’s a question I <i>never</i> know how to answer,” +said Patty, demurely; “if you mean that +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_348' name='page_348'></a>348</span> +I’m to consider myself bound by any sort of a +promise, I most certainly won’t!” +</p> +<p>“No, I don’t mean that, dear, but,——well, +Patty, won’t you wait?” +</p> +<p>“Of course I’ll wait. That’s exactly what I +mean to do for years and years.” +</p> +<p>“You mean to,—but you’re so capricious.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no! not <i>that</i>, of all things! And, anyway, +what does capricious mean?” +</p> +<p>“Well, it means like a butterfly, hovering +from one flower to another——” +</p> +<p>“Oh, you think you’re like unto a flower?” +</p> +<p>“I’ll be any kind of a flower you wish, if you’ll +hover around me like a butterfly.” +</p> +<p>“Well, be a timid little forget-me-not,—that +will be lovely.” +</p> +<p>“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. +</p> +<p>“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——” +</p> +<p>“Well, because what?” said Patty, daringly. +</p> +<p>“Because, Apple Blossom,” and Bill spoke +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_349' name='page_349'></a>349</span> +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——” +</p> +<p>“Bear,” interrupted Patty. “You <i>are</i> 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.” +</p> +<p>“Some day you’ll forget your love for society, +because you’ll get to love just only one man.” +</p> +<p>“‘And it might as well be you,’” hummed +Patty, to an old tune. +</p> +<p>“Patty!” cried Farnsworth, his blue eyes +lighting up with sudden joy; “do you mean +that?” +</p> +<p>“No, <i>I</i> never mean anything! Of <i>course</i>, I +don’t mean it,—but if I <i>did</i>, I’d say I didn’t.” +</p> +<p>“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?” +</p> +<p>“Why, you can’t get that, Little Billee! it’s +too late, now!” +</p> +<p>“No, it isn’t; and beside, I <i>must</i> make it.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_350' name='page_350'></a>350</span> +He looked at his watch. “I’ve just exactly +two minutes longer to stay with you.” +</p> +<p>“Two minutes is a long time,” said Patty, +flippantly. +</p> +<p>“Yes, it is! it’s just long enough for two +things I have to do.” +</p> +<p>“What have you to do?” asked Patty, wonderingly, +looking up at him, as they stood alone +in the hall. +</p> +<p>Farnsworth’s strong face wore a determined +look, but his blue eyes were full of a tender +light, as he answered: +</p> +<p>“Two very important things,—Apple Blossom,—this,—and +this!” +</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>“Oh!” said Patty, softly, to herself, “Oh!” +</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 “PATTY” BOOKS</p> +</div> + +<table summary=""> +<tr><td>Patty Fairfield</td><td>Patty’s Motor Car</td></tr> +<tr><td>Patty at Home</td><td>Patty’s Butterfly Days</td></tr> +<tr><td>Patty in the City</td><td>Patty’s Social Season</td></tr> +<tr><td>Patty’s Summer Days</td><td>Patty’s Suitors</td></tr> +<tr><td>Patty in Paris</td><td>Patty’s Romance</td></tr> +<tr><td>Patty’s Friend</td><td>Patty’s Fortune</td></tr> +<tr><td>Patty’s Pleasure Trip</td><td>Patty Blossom</td></tr> +<tr><td>Patty’s Success</td><td>Patty—Bride</td></tr> +</table> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>THE MARJORIE BOOKS</p> +</div> + +<table summary=""> +<tr><td>Marjorie’s Vacation</td><td>Marjorie in Command</td></tr> +<tr><td>Marjorie’s Busy Days</td><td>Marjorie’s Maytime</td></tr> +<tr><td>Marjorie’s New Friend</td><td>Marjorie at Seacote</td></tr> +</table> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' margin-top:1em;'>GROSSET & 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’s life runs through +the tale. +</p> +<div class='ce'> +<p>KEINETH</p> +</div> + +<p>How Keineth Randolph kept a secret—a war secret—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 “happy house” in +reality. +</p> +<div class='ce'> +<p>GROSSET & DUNLAP <i>Publishers</i> NEW YORK</p> +</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 25857-h.txt or 25857-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/5/8/5/25857">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/8/5/25857</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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