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diff --git a/25857.txt b/25857.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..72afae5 --- /dev/null +++ b/25857.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9141 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, Patty's Social Season, by Carolyn Wells + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: Patty's Social Season + + +Author: Carolyn Wells + + + +Release Date: June 20, 2008 [eBook #25857] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON*** + + +E-text prepared by Roger Frank and the Project Gutenberg Online +Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) + + + +PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON + +by + +CAROLYN WELLS + +Author of +The TWO LITTLE WOMEN Series +The MARJORIE Books +etc. + + + + + + + +Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers +New York + +Copyright, 1913 +By Dodd, Mead and Company + +Printed in the United States of America + + + + +CONTENTS + +CHAPTER PAGE + I Flowers! 9 + II At the Dance 25 + III Happy Saturdays 42 + IV An Invitation 60 + V Happy Guests 76 + VI Confidences 94 + VII More Making Up 108 + VIII A Delightful Invitation 125 + IX Fern Falls 141 + X Christmas Eve 158 + XI The Christmas Spirit 174 + XII Coasting 192 + XIII Hide and Seek 208 + XIV A Proposal 225 + XV A Christmas Card 243 + XVI Stormbound 260 + XVII The Country Club Ball 284 + XVIII Back to New York 300 + XIX An Exciting Chase 316 + XX Bridesmaid Patty 333 + + + + + + +CHAPTER I + +FLOWERS! + + +"Patty, do come along and get your luncheon before everything grows +cold!" + +"'And the stars are old, And the leaves of the judgment book unfold,'" +chanted Patty, who had just learned this new song, and was apt to sing +it at unexpected moments. She sat on the floor in the middle of the +long drawing-room of her New York home. To say she was surrounded by +flowers, faintly expresses it. She was hemmed in, barricaded, nearly +smothered in flowers. + +They were or had been in enormous florist's boxes, and as fast as +Patty opened the boxes and read the cards which accompanied the +blossoms, Jane took the boxes away. + +It was the great occasion of Patty's debut, and in accordance with +the social custom, all her friends had sent her flowers as a message +of congratulation. + +"You certainly have heaps of friends," said Elise, who was helping +arrange the bouquets. + +"Friends!" cried Patty; "nobody could have as many friends as this! +These flowers must be also from my enemies, my casual acquaintances, +and indeed from utter strangers! I think the whole hilarious populace +of New York has gone mad on the subject of sending flowers!" + +Even as she spoke, Jane came in with several more boxes, followed by +Miller, fairly staggering under an enormous box that was almost too +much for one man to carry. Behind him was Nan, who went straight to +Patty and held out both hands to assist her to rise. + +"Patty," she said, "if you don't come out this minute, you never _can_ +get out! A few more of these boxes, and the door will be completely +blocked up." + +"That's so, Nan," and Patty scrambled to her feet. "Come on, girls, +let's gather our foodings while we may. These flowers will keep; but I +shudder to think of the accumulation when we come back from luncheon!" + +"I didn't know there were so many flowers in the world," said Mona +Galbraith, who paused to look back into the drawing-room. + +"There aren't," said Patty solemnly; "it's an optical illusion. Don't +you know how the Indian jugglers make you see flowers growing, when +there aren't any flowers there? Well, this is like that." + +Following Nan, Patty's pretty stepmother, the three girls, arm in arm, +danced along to the dining-room, quite hungry enough to do justice to +the tempting luncheon they found there. + +All the morning they had been untying the flower boxes and making a +list of the donors. + +"Just think of the notes of thanks I have to write," said Patty, +groaning at the outlook. + +"Wish we could help you," said Elise, "but I suppose you have to do +those yourself." + +"Yes; and I think it will take me the rest of my natural life! What's +the use of 'coming out,' if I have got to go right in again, and write +all those notes? Why, there are hundreds!" + +"Thousands!" corrected Elise. And Mona said, "Looks to me like +millions!" + +"Who sent that last big box, Patty?" asked Nan; "the one that just +came." + +"Dunno, Nancy; probably the Czar of Russia or the King of the Cannibal +Islands. But I mean to take time to eat my luncheon in peace, even if +the flowers aren't all in place by the time the company comes." + +"We can't stay very long," said Elise; "of course, Mona and I have to +go home and dress and be back here at four o'clock, and it's nearly +two, now." + +"All right," said Patty; "the boys are coming, and they'll do the +rest. We couldn't hang the flowers on the wall, anyway." + +"We ought to have had a florist to attend to it," said Nan, +thoughtfully; "I had no idea there'd be so many." + +"Oh, it'll be all right," returned Patty. "Father's coming home early, +and Roger and Ken will be over, and Mr. Hepworth will direct +proceedings." + +Even as she spoke the men's voices were heard in the hall, and Patty +jumped up from the table and ran to the drawing-room. + +"Did you ever see anything like it?" she exclaimed, and her visitors +agreed that they never had. + +"It must be awful to be so popular, Patty," said Roger. "If I ever +come out, I shall ask my friends to send fruit instead of flowers." + +"Patty would have to start a canning factory, if she had done that," +said Kenneth, laughing. "Let's open this big box, Patty. Who sent it?" + +"I haven't an idea, but there must be a card inside." + +They opened the immense box, and found it full to the brim with +exquisite Killarney roses. + +After some search, Roger discovered a small envelope, with a card +inside. The card read, "Mr. William Farnsworth," and written beneath +the engraved name was the message, "With congratulations and best +wishes." + +"From Big Bill!" exclaimed Mona. "For goodness' sake, Patty, why +didn't he send you more? But these didn't come all the way from +Arizona, where he is." + +"No," said Patty, looking at the label on the box; "he must have just +sent an order to a New York florist." + +"To two or three florists, I should think," said Mr. Hepworth. "What +can we do with them all?" + +But the crowd of merry young people set to work, and in an hour the +floral chaos was reduced to a wonderful vision of symmetry and beauty. +Under Mr. Hepworth's directions, the flowers were banked on the +mantels and window-seats, and hung in groups on the wall, and +clustered on the door-frames in a profusion which had behind it a +methodical and symmetrical intent. + +"It's perfectly beautiful!" declared Nan, who, with her husband, was +taking her first view of the finished effect. "It's a perfect shame to +spoil this bower of beauty by cramming it with a crowd of people, who +will jostle your bouquets all to bits." + +"Well, we can't help it," said Patty. "You see, we invited the people, +as well as the flowers, so we must take the consequences. But they +can't reach those that are up high, and as soon as the party is over, +I'm going to put them all in fresh water----" + +"What! the party?" and Kenneth looked astounded. + +"I mean the flowers," said Patty, not deigning to laugh at his +foolishness. "And then, to-morrow morning, I'm going to send them all +to the hospital." + +"The people?" said Kenneth again. "That's thoughtful of you, Patty! I +have no doubt they'll be in condition to go. I'm about ready, myself." + +"Well, you may go now," and Patty smiled at him. "Your work is done +here, and I'm going away to dress. Good-bye, Ken; this is the last +time you'll see me as a little girl. When next we meet, I shall be a +young lady, a fully-fledged society lady, whose only thoughts will be +for dancing and gaiety of all sorts." + +"Nonsense," said Kenneth; "you can't scare me. You'll be the same old +Patty, foolish and irresponsible,--but sunshiny and sweet as ever." + +"Thank you, Ken," said Patty, for there was a note of earnestness in +Kenneth's voice that the girl was quick to catch. They had been +friends since childhood, and while Patty did not take her "coming out" +very seriously, yet she realised that it meant she was grown up and a +child no longer. + +"Don't let it all spoil you, Patty." It was Mr. Hepworth who said +this, as he was about to follow Kenneth out. "I have a right to +lecture you, you know, and I want to warn you----" + +"Oh, don't do it now, Mr. Hepworth," said Patty, laughing; "the +occasion is solemn enough, I'm sure, and if you lecture me, I shall +burst into large weeps of tears! Do let me 'come out' without being +lectured, and you can come round to-morrow and give me all the +warnings you like." + +"You're right, little Patty," and Hepworth looked at her kindly. "I +ought not to spoil one of the happiest days of your life with too +serious thought. Yours is a butterfly nature----" + +"But butterfly natures are nice; aren't they, Mr. Hepworth?" and Patty +looked up at him with the roguishness that she could never quite +control. + +"Yes,----" and the man hesitated a moment, as he looked into Patty's +blue eyes. Then, suddenly, "Yes, indeed, _very_ nice." And, turning +abruptly, he left her. + +"Now, you girls, skip," ordered Patty. + +"You haven't more than time to fly home and get dressed, for I don't +want you to be late and delay the ceremony." + +"Gracious! it sounds like a wedding," cried Mona, laughing. + +"Well, it isn't!" declared Patty. "I may have a wedding some day, but +that's in the far, far future; why, I'm only just entering society, +and when I'm married, I suppose I shall leave it. I expect to have +heaps of fun between this and then." + +The programme for the occasion was an afternoon reception, from four +o'clock until seven. This was really Patty's debut. A dinner at eight +was to follow, to which were invited about a dozen of her dearest +friends, and after this would be a dance, to which a goodly number +more were asked. + +"You ought to have time for an hour's rest, Patty," said Nan, as she +drew the girl away from a last look at the beautiful flowers, and took +her up to her room. + +"Well, I haven't, little steppy-mother. It will be just about all Miss +Patricia Fairfield can do to get into her purple and fine linen by +four o'clock p.m., and methinks you'd better begin on your own glad +toilette, or you'll be late yourself." + +"Was I _ever_ late?" asked Nan, scornfully, and as Patty responded, +"never anything but," she ran away to her own room. + +However, four o'clock found all the members of the reception party in +their places. + +Patty looked adorable in soft white chiffon, untrimmed, save for some +fine lace round the slightly low-cut neck. She wore a string of small +but perfect pearls which her father had given her for the occasion, +and she carried a beautiful bouquet of orchids, which was Nan's gift. + +Patty had never looked prettier. Her rose-leaf cheeks were slightly +flushed with excitement, and her big violet eyes were bright and +sparkling. Her golden hair, which was really unusual in texture and +quantity, was dressed simply, yet in a manner very becoming to her +small, prettily poised head. On her brow and temples it rippled in +natural ringlets, which gave her piquant face a charming, childish +effect. Patty was certainly a beauty, but she was of such a sweet, +unspoiled nature, and of such simple, dainty manners, that everybody +loved her. + +Her father looked at her rather thoughtfully, half unable to realise +that his little Patty had really grown up and was taking her place in +society. He had no fears for her, he knew her sweet nature too well; +but he was earnestly hoping that she was starting out on a life of +happiness and well-being. Though healthy and moderately strong, Patty +was not of a robust constitution, and there was danger that too much +gaiety might result in a nervous breakdown. This, Mr. Fairfield +determined to guard against; and resolved that, while Patty should be +allowed generally to do as she chose, he should keep a strict eye +against her overdoing. + +Nan had much the same thoughts as she looked at the lovely debutante, +so exquisite in her fresh young beauty. Nan's gown of heavy white lace +was very becoming, and though a secondary figure, she ably shared the +honours of the afternoon with Patty. + +Mona and Elise assisted in the capacity of "Floaters," and in their +pale pink frocks, they were quite in harmony with the floral setting +of the picture. + +And then the guests began to arrive, and Patty learned what it meant +to stand and shake hands, and receive the same compliments and +congratulations over and over again. It was interesting at first, but +she grew very tired as the hours went by. + +"Now, I say," exclaimed a cheery voice, suddenly, "it can't be that +you have to stand here continuously from four to seven! Mrs. +Fairfield, mayn't I take Patty to get a cup of tea or an ice, and you +stay here and 'come out' until she returns?" + +It was Philip Van Reypen who made this request, and Nan consented +readily. "Yes, indeed, Philip," she said, "do take her off to rest a +minute. I think most of the people have arrived; and, anyway, you must +bring her back shortly." + +"I will," and young Van Reypen led Patty through the crowd to the +dining-room. + +"I ought to find you a 'quiet little corner,'" he said, smiling; "but +I don't see such a thing anywhere about. So I'll just place you on one +of these gimcrack gilt chairs, and I'll ask you to keep this one next, +for me, until I make a raid on the table. What will you have?" + +"I don't really want anything, Philip, but just to sit here a moment +and rest. I had no idea coming out was so tiresome! I believe I've +said, 'oh, thank you!' a billion times!" + +"Yes, you said it to me," and Philip laughed at the recollection, "and +I can tell you, Patty, it had the real society ring! You said it like +a conventionalised parrot." + +"Well, I don't care if I did! It was the proper thing to say, and +nobody could say it a million times in succession, without sounding +parrotty! I know now how the President feels when he has to shake +hands with the whole United States!" + +Philip left her, and returned in a moment, followed by a waiter, who +brought them hot bouillon and tiny sandwiches. + +"My, but these are good!" exclaimed Patty, as she nibbled and sipped. +"Why, Philip, I believe I was hungry and that's what made me tired! +Oh, hello, Mona! Did you get leave of absence, too?" + +"Yes; the mad rush is pretty much over. Only a few late stragglers +now, and Elise is floating them. Here's Roger. He says you wouldn't +speak to him this afternoon, except to say, 'oh, thank you!' three +times." + +"I couldn't help it," returned Patty, laughing. "That's all I said to +anybody. I felt like a rubber stamp--repeating myself. Well, thank +goodness, I'm out!" + +"But you're not a bit more grown up than when you were in," said +Kenneth, joining the group around Patty. + +"Oh, pshaw, I'm never going to be grown up. Now I'm rested, Philip; +please take me back to Nan. She said we must return soon." + +So Patty went back to the drawing-room, and insisted that her +stepmother should go for a little refreshment. "I can hold the fort +alone now," she said; "you've no idea how capable I am, now that I'm +really out. Run along, Nan, and get some of those sandwiches; they're +awfully good." + +"It isn't romantic, Patty, to think about eating when you're +celebrating an occasion like this," reproved Philip. + +"Well, I'm not romantic," declared Patty, "and I never expect to be. +Oh, how do you do, Mr. Galbraith? It's so late, I feared you weren't +coming." And Patty held out her hand to Mona's father. + +"How d'y'do, Patty?" And Mr. Galbraith shook hands heartily. "I +suppose I ought to say all sorts of pretty things to you, but you +know, I'm not much up in social chat." + +"I'm glad of it," said Patty, "and then I won't have to say, 'oh, +thank you!' to you. Mona is looking beautiful this afternoon, isn't +she?" + +"She's a fine girl--a fine girl." Mr. Galbraith's eyes rested on his +daughter a little thoughtfully. He was a Chicago man, who had made his +fortune suddenly, and was a little bewildered at his own success. His +one interest in life, outside of business matters, was his daughter +Mona, for whom he desired every possible good, and to whose wishes and +whims he always willingly consented. + +At her request, he had closed his Chicago home and come to spend the +winter in New York, that Mona might be near Patty, whom she adored. +The Galbraiths were living for the winter at the Plaza Hotel, and +Patty, who had grown fond of Mona, was glad to have her friend so near +her. + +"She's a fine girl," Mr. Galbraith repeated, "and a good-looking +girl." He paused a moment, and then added in a sudden burst of +confidence, "but, Patty, I wish she had a mother. You know how I +idolise her, but I can't do for her what a mother would do. I've urged +her to have a chaperon or a companion of some sort, but she won't do +it. She says a father is chaperon enough for her, and so we live alone +in that big hotel, and I'm afraid it isn't right. Right for her, I +mean. I don't care a snap about conventions, but Mona is impulsive, +even headstrong, and I wish she had an older woman to guide and advise +her." + +"I wish she did, Mr. Galbraith," said Patty, earnestly, for the two +were chatting by themselves, and no one else was within hearing. "I've +thought about it, and I've talked with my stepmother about it. Perhaps +I could persuade Mona to do as you wish her to." + +"I hope you can, Patty; I do hope you can. You know, Mona is dignified +and all that, and as proud as they make them. Nobody would dare to +speak to her if she didn't want them to; but, Patty, here's the +trouble. There's a young man at the hotel named Lansing. He's not +especially attractive, and yet, somehow, he has gained Mona's favour. +I have told my girl that I do not like him, but she only laughs and +says carelessly that he's all right. Now, I mustn't detain you longer, +my child; there are people waiting to speak to you. But, some time, I +want to have a little talk to you about this, and perhaps you can help +me in some way. For I believe, Patty, that that Lansing man is trying +to win my girl for the sake of her money. He has all the appearances +of a fortune-hunter, and I can't let Mona throw herself away on such." + +"I should think not!" exclaimed Patty, indignantly. And then Mr. +Galbraith moved away to give his place to other guests who were +arriving. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +AT THE DANCE + + +At eight o'clock that same evening, Patty came down to her own dinner +party. An hour's rest had freshened her up wonderfully, and she had +changed her little white frock for a dinner gown of pale green +chiffon, sparkling with silver embroidery. It trailed behind her in a +most grown-up fashion, and she entered the drawing-room with an +exaggerated air of dignity. + +"Huh," cried Roger; "look at grown-up Patty! Isn't she the haughty +lady? Patty, if you put on such airs, you'll be old before your time!" + +"Airs, nothing!" retorted Patty, and with a skipping little dance +step, she crossed the room, picked up a sofa pillow, and aimed it +deftly at Roger, who caught it on the wing. + +"That's better," he said. "We can't have any of these _grande dame_ +airs. Now, who is the lucky man who is to take you out to dinner? Me?" + +"No, not you," and Patty looked at him, critically; "you won't do, and +neither will Kenneth, nor Phil Van Reypen, nor Mr. Hepworth." She +looked at them each in turn, and smiled so merrily that they could take +no offence. "I think," she said, "I shall select the best-looking and +best-natured gentleman, and walk out with him." Whereupon she tucked +her arm through her father's, and led the way to the dining-room, +followed by the rest of the merry crowd. + +The dinner was a beautiful one, for Nan had spared no pains or thought +to make it worthy of the occasion. At the girls' places were beautiful +souvenirs, in the shape of fans of carved ivory with lace mounts, +while the men received attractive stick-pins. + +"Shall you feel like dancing after all this gaiety, Patty?" asked Van +Reypen. + +"Well, rather!" declared Patty. "Why, I'd feel like dancing if I'd +been through a--civil war! I could scarcely keep still when the +orchestra was playing this afternoon, and I'm crazy for to-night's +dance to begin." + +"Frivolous young person, very," murmured Philip. "Never saw such +devotion to the vain follies of life! However, since you're determined +to dance, will you honour me with the first one to-night?" + +"Why, I don't mind, if you don't," said Patty, dimpling at him. + +"And give me the second," said Kenneth and Roger simultaneously. + +"I can't do these sums in my head," said Patty; "I'll get all mixed +up. Let's wait till we get our dance orders, and fill them up, hit or +miss." + +"You be the miss and I'll try to make a hit," said Philip. + +"What waggery!" exclaimed Patty, shaking her head. "If you're too +clever, Philip, I can't dance with you. When I dance, I keep my mind +on my feet, not on my head." + +"That explains your good dancing," said Mr. Hepworth, laughing. +"Perhaps, if I could keep my mind on my feet, I could dance better." + +"Oh, you're too highminded for such low levels," laughed Patty, while +Mona, who was rather practical, said, seriously, "Do you really think +about your feet all the time you're dancing, Patty?" + +"No," returned Patty; "sometimes I have to think about my partner's +feet, to keep out of the way of them." + +When they returned to the drawing-room, they found it had been cleared +for the dance, and soon the evening guests began to arrive. + +Patty again stood by Nan to receive them, and after greeting many +people she knew, she was surprised to find herself confronted by a +stranger. He was a thick-set, stockily-built man, several years older +than most of Patty's friends. He had black hair and eyes and a short +black moustache and a round, heavy type of face. His black eyes were +of the audacious sort, and he flashed a glance of admiration at Patty. +Before she could speak, or even offer her hand, Mona sprang forward, +saying, "Patty, this is my friend Mr. Lansing. I took the liberty of +inviting him to your dance. Mrs. Fairfield, may I present Mr. +Lansing?" + +Patty was angry. This, of course, must be the man of whom Mr. +Galbraith had spoken, and, aside from the fact that he seemed +undesirable, Patty felt that Mona had no right to invite him without +asking permission from her hostess. + +But Nan knew nothing of all this, and she cordially greeted the +stranger because he was a friend of Mona's. Patty recovered her +equilibrium sufficiently to say, "How do you do, Mr. Lansing?" in a +non-committal sort of way, but she couldn't refrain from giving Mona a +side glance of reproof, to which, however, that young woman paid no +attention. + +In another moment Mona had drifted away, and had taken Mr. Lansing +with her. Patty turned to speak to Nan about him, but just then some +more guests arrived; and then the dancing began, and Patty had no +further opportunity. + +As Patty had promised, she gave the first dance to Philip Van Reypen; +and after that she was fairly besieged by would-be partners. The fact +that she was hostess at her own coming-out ball, the fact that she +danced beautifully, and the fact that she was so pretty and charming, +all combined to make her, as was not unusual, the most popular girl +present. + +"Anything left for me?" asked Roger, gaily, as he threaded the crowds +at Patty's side. + +"I saved one for you," said Patty, smiling at him; "for I hoped you'd +ask me, sooner or later." + +Roger gratefully accepted the dance Patty had saved for him, and soon +after he came to claim her for it. + +"I say, Patty," he began when they were whirling about the floor, "who +is that stuff Mona has trailing after her?" + +"Moderate your language, Roger," said Patty, smiling up at him, and +noticing that his expression was very wrathy indeed. + +"He doesn't deserve moderate language! He's a bounder, if I ever saw +one! What's he doing here?" + +"He seems to be dancing," said Patty, demurely, "and he doesn't dance +half badly, either." + +"Oh, stop your fooling, Patty; I'm not in the mood for it. Tell me who +he is." + +Patty had never known Roger to be so out of temper, and she resented +his tone, which was almost rude. Now, for all her sweetness, Patty had +a touch of perversity in her nature, and Roger had roused it. So she +said: "I don't know why you speak like that, Roger. He's a friend of +Mona's, and lives at the Hotel Plaza, where she lives." + +"The fact that two people live in the same big hotel doesn't give them +the right to be friends," growled Roger. "Who introduced them, +anyhow?" + +"I don't know, I'm sure," said Patty, her patience exhausted; "but Mr. +Galbraith knows him, so it must be all right." + +Patty was not quite ingenuous in this speech, for she knew perfectly +well, from what Mr. Galbraith had said to her, that it was not all +right. But she was irritated by Roger's demeanour, and perversely +disagreed with him. + +"Well, I don't believe he's all right; I don't like his looks a bit, +and, Patty, you know as well as I do, that the Galbraiths are not +quite competent always to select the people best worth knowing." + +"Oh, what a fuss you are, Roger; and it's hardly fair when you don't +know anything at all about Mr. Lansing." + +"Do you?" + +"No," and then Patty hesitated. She did know something,--she knew what +Mr. Galbraith had told her. But she was not of a mind to tell this to +Roger. "I only met him as I was introduced," she said, "and Mona has +never so much as even mentioned him to me." + +"Didn't she ask you if she might bring him to-night?" + +"No; I suppose, as an intimate friend, she didn't think that +necessary." + +"It _was_ necessary, Patty, and you know it, if Mona doesn't. Now, +look here; you and I are Mona's friends; and if there are any social +matters that she isn't quite familiar with, it's up to us to help her +out a little. And I, for one, don't believe that man is the right sort +for her to be acquainted with; and I'm going to find out about him." + +"Well, I'm sure I'm willing you should, Roger; but you needn't make +such a bluster about it." + +"I'm not making a bluster, Patty." + +"You are so!" + +"I am not!" + +And then they both realised that they were bickering like two +children, and they laughed simultaneously as they swept on round the +dancing-room. The music stopped just then, and as they were near a +window-seat, Patty sat down for a moment. "You go on, Roger," she +said, "and hunt up your next partner, or fight a duel with Mr. +Lansing, or do whatever amuses you. My partner will come to hunt me +up, I'm sure, and I'll just wait here." + +"Who is your next partner, Patty?" + +"Haven't looked at my card; but, never mind, he'll come. You run +along." + +As Roger's next partner was Mona, and as he was anxious to talk to her +about her new friend, Roger obeyed Patty's bidding and strolled away. + +Patty sat alone for a moment, knowing full well who was her next +partner, and then Mr. Lansing appeared and made a low bow before her. + +Now, Patty had not chosen to express to Roger her real opinion of this +new man, but in reality she did not approve of him. Though fairly +good-looking and correctly dressed, there was about him a certain +something--or perhaps, rather, he lacked a certain something that +invariably stamps the well-bred man. He stared at Patty a trifle too +freely; he sat down beside her with a little too much informality; and +he began conversation a little too familiarly. All of these things +Patty saw and resented, but as hostess she could not, of course, be +openly rude. + +"Nice, jolly rooms you've got here for a party," Mr. Lansing remarked, +rolling his eyes about appreciatively, "and a jolly lot of people, +too. Some class to 'em!" + +Patty looked at him coldly. She was not accustomed to this style of +expression. Her friends perhaps occasionally used a slang word or +term, but it was done in a spirit of gaiety or as a jest, whereas this +man used his expressions as formal conversation. + +"Yes, I have many kind and delightful friends," said Patty, a little +stiffly. + +"You sure have! Rich, too, most of 'em." + +Patty made no response to this, and Mr. Lansing turned suddenly to +look at her. "I say, Miss Fairfield, do you know what I think? I think +you are prejudiced against me, and I think somebody put you up to it, +and I think I know who. Now, look here, won't you give me a fair show? +Do you think it's just to judge a man by what other people say about +him?" + +"How do you know I've heard anything about you, Mr. Lansing?" + +"Well, you give me the icy glare before I've said half a dozen words +to you! So, take it from me, somebody's been putting you wise to my +defects." + +He wagged his head so sagaciously at this speech, that Patty was +forced to smile. On a sudden impulse, she decided to speak frankly. +"Suppose I tell you the truth, Mr. Lansing, that I'm not accustomed to +being addressed in such--well, in such slangy terms." + +"Oh, is that it? Pooh, I'll bet those chums of yours talk slang to you +once in a while." + +"What my chums may do is no criterion for an absolute stranger,"--and +now Patty spoke very haughtily indeed. + +"That's so, Miss Fairfield; you're dead right,--and I apologise. But, +truly, it's a habit with me. I'm from Chicago, and I believe people +use more slang out there." + +"The best Chicago people don't," said Patty, seriously. + +Mr. Lansing smiled at her, a trifle whimsically. + +"I'm afraid I don't class up with the best people," he confessed; "but +if it will please you better, I'll cut out the slang. Shall we have a +turn at this two-step?" + +Patty rose without a word, and in a moment they were circling the +floor. Mr. Lansing was a good dancer, and especially skilful in +guiding his partner. Patty, herself such an expert dancer, was +peculiarly sensitive to the good points of a partner, and she enjoyed +the dance with Mr. Lansing, even though she felt she did not like the +man. And yet he had a certain fascination in his manner, and when the +dance was over, Patty looked at him with kinder eyes than she had when +they began. But all that he had won of her favour he lost by his final +speech, for as the dance ended, he said, brusquely: "Now, I'll tumble +you into a seat, and chase my next victim." + +Patty stood looking after him, almost moved to laughter at what he had +said, and yet indignant that a man, and a comparative stranger, should +address her thus. + +"What's the matter, Lady Fair?" and Philip Van Reypen came up to her. +"Methinks thou hast a ruffled brow." + +"No, it's my frock that's ruffled," said Patty, demurely. "You men +know so little of millinery!" + +"That's true enough, and if you will smile again, I'll drop the +subject of ruffles. And now for my errand; will you go out to supper +with me?" + +"Goodness, is it supper time? I thought the evening had scarcely +begun!" + +"Alas! look at the programme," and Van Reypen showed her that it was, +indeed, time for intermission. + +"Intermission is French for supper," he said, gravely, "and I'd like +to know if you'd rather sit on the stairs in good old orthodox party +fashion, or if you'd rather go to the dining-room in state?" + +"Who are on the stairs?" + +"I shall be, if you are. You don't want to know more than that, do +you?" The young man's gaze was so reproachful that Patty giggled. + +"You are a great factor in my happiness, Mr. Van Reypen," she said, +saucily; "but you are not all the world to me! So, if I flock on the +stairs with you, I must know what other doves will be perching there." + +"Oh, doves!" in a tone of great relief. "I thought you wanted to know +what men you would find there,--you inveterate coquette, you! Well, +Elise is there waiting for you, and Miss Farley." + +"And Mona Galbraith?" + +"I don't know; I didn't see Miss Galbraith. But if you will go with +me, I will accumulate for you any young ladies you desire." + +"And any men?" + +"The men I shall have to fight off, not invite!" + +Laughing at each other's chaff, they sauntered across to the hall and +found the stairs already pretty well occupied. + +"Why is it," Mr. Hepworth was saying, "that you young people prefer +the stairs to the nice, comfortable seats at little tables in the +dining-room?" + +"Habit," said Patty, laughing, as she made her way up a few steps; +"I've always eaten my party suppers on the stairs, and I dare say I +always shall. When I build a house I shall have a great, broad +staircase, like they have in palaces, and then everybody can eat on +the stairs." + +"I'm going to give a party," announced Van Reypen, "and it's going to +be in the new Pennsylvania Station. There are enormous staircases +there." + +"All right, I'll come to it," said Patty, and then Mona and Mr. +Lansing came strolling along the hall, and demanded room on the stairs +also. + +"Seats all taken," declared Roger, who had had a real tiff with Mona +on the subject of her new friend. The others, too, did not seem to +welcome Mr. Lansing, and though one or two moved slightly, they did +not make room for the newcomers. + +Patty was uncertain what she ought to do. She remembered what Mr. +Galbraith had said, and she felt that to send Mona and Mr. Lansing +away would be to throw them more exclusively in each other's society; +and she thought that Mr. Galbraith meant for her to keep Mona under +her own eye as much as possible. But to call the pair upon the stairs +and make room for them would annoy, she felt sure, the rest of the +group. + +She looked at Roger and at Philip Van Reypen, and both of them gave +her an eloquent glance of appeal not to add to their party. Then she +chanced to glance at Mr. Hepworth and found him smiling at her. She +thought she knew what he meant, and immediately she said, "Come up +here by me, Mona; and you come too, Mr. Lansing. We can make room +easily if we move about a little." + +There was considerable moving about, and finally Patty found herself +at the top of the group with Mona and Mr. Lansing. Christine and Mr. +Hepworth were directly below them, and then Elise and Kenneth. + +Mr. Van Reypen and Roger Farrington declared their intention of making +a raid on the dining-room and kidnapping waiters with trays of +supplies. On their return the supper plates were passed up to those on +the stairs, and Van Reypen and Roger calmly walked away. + +Patty knew perfectly well what they meant. They intended her to +understand that if she and Mona persisted in cultivating the +acquaintance of the man they considered objectionable, they did not +care to be of the party. + +"Which is perfectly ridiculous!" said Patty to herself, as she +realised the state of things. "Those boys needn't think they can +dictate to me at my own party!" + +Whereupon, perverse Patty began to make herself extremely and +especially agreeable to Mr. Lansing, and Mona was greatly delighted at +the turn things had taken. + +Christine and Mr. Hepworth joined in the conversation, and perhaps +because of what Patty had said earlier in the evening, Mr. Lansing +avoided to a great extent the use of slang expressions, and made +himself really interesting and entertaining. + +"What a fascinating man he is," said Christine later, to Patty, when +Mona and her new friend had walked away to the "extra" supper dance. + +"Do you think so?" said Patty, looking at Christine in astonishment. +"He was rather nicer than I thought him at first, but, Christine, I +never dreamed _you_ would approve of him! But you never can tell when +a quiet little mouse like you is going to break loose. Why did you +like him, Christine?" + +"I don't know exactly; only he seemed so breezy and unusual." + +"Yes, he's that," and Patty wagged her head, knowingly; "but I don't +like him very much, Christine, and you mustn't, either. Now run away +and play." + +Patty's last direction was because she saw a young man coming to ask +Christine for this dance; while two others were rapidly coming toward +herself. + +The rest of the evening was danced gaily away, but neither Roger nor +Philip Van Reypen came near Patty. To be sure, she had plenty of +partners, but she felt a little offended at her two friends' attitude, +for she knew she hadn't really deserved it. + +But when the dance was over, Patty's good-nights to Roger and Philip +were quite as gentle and cordial as those she said to any one else. +She smiled her best smiles at them, and though not as responsive as +usual, they made polite adieux and departed with no further reference +to the troublesome matter. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +HAPPY SATURDAYS + + +As was not to be wondered at, Patty slept late the next morning. And +when she awakened, she lay, cozily tucked in her coverlets, thinking +over the occurrences of the night before. + +Presently Jane came in with a dainty tray of chocolate and rolls, and +then, with some big, fluffy pillows behind her, Patty sat up in bed, +and thoughtfully nibbled away at a crust. + +Then Nan came in, in her pretty morning gown, and, drawing up a little +rocker, sat down by Patty's bedside. + +"Are you in mood for a gossip, Patty?" she asked, and Patty replied, +"Yes, indeedy! I want to talk over the whole thing. In the first +place, Nan, it was a howling, screaming success, wasn't it?" + +"Why, yes, of course; how could it be otherwise? with the nicest +people and the nicest flowers and the nicest girl in New York City!" + +"In the whole United States, you mean," said Patty, complacently, as +she took a spoonful of chocolate. "Yes, the party in all its parts was +all right. There wasn't a flaw. But, oh, Nan, I got into a scrap with +the boys." + +"What boys? and what _is_ a scrap? Patty, now that you're out, you +mustn't use those slang words you're so fond of." + +"Nan," and Patty shook her spoon solemnly at her stepmother, "I've +come to realise that there is slang and slang. Now, the few little +innocent bits I use, don't count at all, because I just say them for +fun and to help make my meaning clear. But that man last night,--that +Lansing man,--why, Nan, his slang is altogether a different matter." + +"Well, Patty, he, himself, seems to be an altogether different matter +from the people we know." + +"Yes, doesn't he? And yet, Nan, he isn't so bad. Well, anyway, let me +tell you what Mr. Galbraith says." + +"That's just it!" declared Nan, after Patty had finished her story. +"That man _is_ a fortune-hunter, and he means to try to marry Mona for +the sake of her father's money!" + +"Oh, my!" exclaimed Patty, laughing; "isn't it grand to be grown up! I +see I'm mixed up in a matrimonial tangle already!" + +"Nothing of the sort, you foolish child! There won't be any matrimonial +tangle. Mr. Galbraith is quite right; this man must be discouraged, and +Mona must be made to see him in his true light." + +"But, Nan, he isn't so awful. You know, sometimes he was quite +fascinating." + +"Yes, you think that, because he has big dark eyes and rolled them at +you." + +"Goodness! it sounds like a game of bowls. No, I don't mean that; +but--well, I'll tell you what I do mean. He said we weren't fair to +him, to judge him adversely, not knowing anything about him. And I +think so, too, Nan; it doesn't seem fair or right to say a man is a +bounder,--that's what Roger called him,--when we don't know anything +about him, really." + +"Patty, you're a goose! Don't you suppose we'll find out about him? Of +course, _we_ can't, but your father and Mr. Galbraith,--yes, and Roger +Farrington, will soon find out his standing." + +"Well," said Patty, with a relieved sigh, "then I needn't bother about +_him_ any more. But, Nan, I have troubles of my own. Philip and Roger +are both mad at me!" + +"Goodness! Patty, how awful! Do you suppose they'll stay mad all day?" + +"Oh, it isn't just a momentary tiff; they are up and down angry! Why, +neither of them danced with me or even spoke to me after supper last +night!" + +"Well, it was probably your own fault." + +"My own fault, indeed! It was all because of that horrid Lansing man. +Well, if they want to stay mad, they may! _I_ shan't make any +advances." + +"Don't worry, my child. Into each life some little squabbles must +fall,--and though you're fairly good-natured, as a rule, you can't +expect it always to be smooth sailing." + +Seeing she could get no sympathy from her stepmother, Patty dropped +the subject of her quarrels, and remarked, with a yawn, "Well, I +suppose I may as well get up, and begin on those flower notes. What +shall I say, Nan, something like this? 'Miss Patricia Fairfield thanks +you for your kind donation of expensive blossoms, but as it's such a +bother to write the notes of acknowledgment, she really wishes you +hadn't sent them.'" + +"What base ingratitude! Patty, I'm ashamed of you! or I would be, if I +thought you meant a word of it, but I know you don't. What are you +doing this afternoon?" + +"Oh, I forgot to tell you. We're going to have a club, just a little +club,--only four of us girls. And, Nan, you know there are so many +clubs that make an awful fuss and yet don't really _do_ anything. +Well, this is going to be a _Doing_ Club. We're going to be real +_doers_." + +"It sounds lovely, Patty. What are you going to do?" + +"We don't know yet, that's what the meeting's for this afternoon. But +we're going to do good, you know--some kind of good. You know, Nan, I +always said I didn't want to be just a social butterfly and nothing +else. I want to accomplish something that will give some joy or +comfort to somebody." + +Patty's blue eyes looked very earnest and sincere as she said this, +and Nan kissed her, saying, "I know you do, Patty, dearest, and I know +you'll succeed in your doing. If I can help you in any way, be sure to +ask me; and now I'll run away and let you dress." + +Patty made a leisurely toilette; and then, in a trailing blue silk +negligee, she went into her boudoir and began to write her notes. + +It was not a difficult task, and she did not really mind it, though it +was a long list. But Patty had a knack at writing graceful little +notes, and although she jested about it, she was really grateful to +the kind friends who had sent the flowers. + +"I don't know _why_ I have so many friends," she said to herself, as +she scanned the rows of names. "To be sure, a great many are really +friends of father's and Nan's, but there's a lot of our crowd, too, +and lots of out of town people. Perhaps it would be a good idea to do +the farthest away first, and so work back to New York." + +Patty picked up Mr. Farnsworth's card, and read again the message on +it. "H'm," she said to herself, "it sounds to me a trifle formal and +conventional--considering all things. Now, Little Billee is a Western +man,--but how different he is from that Lansing person! I wonder what +makes the difference. Little Billee isn't formal or conventional a +bit, and yet his manners are as far removed from Horace Lansing's as +white is from black. Oh, well, I know the reason well enough. It's +because Little Billee is a thorough gentleman at heart; and the other +one is,--well, I guess he's what Roger called him. Now, what shall I +say to Mr. William Farnsworth by way of thanks for his truly beautiful +pink roses? I'd like to write a nice, every-day letter, and tell him +all about the party and everything; but, as he just sent his visiting +card, with a mere line on it, I suppose I must reply very formally." + +Patty began her formal note, but tore up half a dozen beginnings +before she completed one to her satisfaction. This one read, "Miss +Patricia Fairfield thanks Mr. William Farnsworth sincerely for his +exquisite gift of roses, and for his kind congratulations." + +Patty gave a little sigh as she sealed this missive and addressed it +to her friend in Arizona. + +With the exception of the roses, Patty had never heard a word from Big +Bill since they were at Spring Beach together. She had told her father +and Nan of what Mr. Farnsworth had said to her down there, and as they +had agreed that Patty was altogether too young even to think of such a +thing as being engaged to anybody, it was wiser to hold no +correspondence with him at all. + +Apparently, this in no way disappointed the young man, for he had made +no effort on his part to recall himself to Patty's remembrance, until +the occasion of sending the flowers. + +Patty had liked Bill extremely, but as Arizona was far away, and she +had no reason to think she would ever see him again, she gave him few +thoughts. However, the thoughts, when she did allow them to come, were +pleasant ones. Although she had sealed the note she intended to send, +she began another one, and the opening words were "Little Billee." +This note she wrote in the first person, and thanked him simply and +naturally for the flowers. Then, for a signature, she made a carefully +and daintily drawn pen-and-ink sketch of an apple blossom. She was +clever at flower-sketching, and she sat a moment admiring her own +handiwork. Then a flush spread over her pretty face, and she spoke +sternly to herself, as was her habit when she disapproved of her own +actions. + +"Patty Fairfield," she said, reprovingly, "you ought to be ashamed to +think of sending a personal, lettery sort of a note like that, to a +man who sent you the formalest kind of a message! He only sent the +flowers, because convention demanded it! He never gave you one single +thought after that last time he saw you,--and that's all there is +about _that_!" + +And then, to her great surprise, luncheon was announced, and she found +that her whole morning was gone and only one name on her list crossed +off! + + * * * * * + +The club that met that afternoon in Mona's pretty sitting-room in the +Plaza Hotel, consisted of only four girls--Patty, Mona, Elise, and +Clementine Morse. + +It was thought wiser to start with a few earnest members and then +enlarge the number later if it seemed advisable. + +"What a beautiful room!" said Clementine, as she tossed off her furs. +"Don't you like it, Mona, to live in a big hotel like this, and yet +have your own rooms, like a home all to yourself?" + +"Yes, I like it in some ways; but I'm alone a great deal. However, I +would be that, if father and I lived in a house or an apartment." + +"You ought to have a companion of some sort, Mona," said Patty, who +thought this a good opportunity to urge Mr. Galbraith's wishes. + +"No, thank you," and Mona tossed her head, disdainfully; "I know what +companions are! Snoopy old maids who won't let you do anything, or +careless, easy-going old ladies who pay no attention to you. If I +could have a companion of my own age and tastes, I'd like that,--but I +suppose that wouldn't do." + +"Hardly," said Elise, laughing; "that would only mean your father +would have two troublesome girls to look after instead of one. And I +daresay, Mona, you are quite as much as he can handle." + +"I suppose I am. But he's so good to me I'm afraid he spoils me. But +come on, girls, let's organise our club." + +"Don't let's have too much organisation," said Clementine. "Do you +know, I think lots of clubs, especially charity clubs, have so much +organisation that they haven't anything else. One club I joined fell to +pieces before it was fairly started, because the two vice-presidents +squabbled so." + +"If there's anything I hate," declared Patty, "it's a squabble. +Whatever else we girls do, let's try not to have any friction. Now, I +know perfectly well that none of us four is _very_ meek or mild." + +"I am," declared Elise, assuming an angelic expression, which made +them all laugh, for Elise was really the one most likely to take +offence at trifles, or to flare up impulsively if any one disagreed +with her. + +Patty knew this only too well, and was trying to forestall it by a +preliminary treaty of peace. + +"Well, then, let's be an organisation that doesn't organise," said +Mona, "but let's be it _now_." + +"I think," said Patty, "that our end and aim ought to be to do good to +somebody who doesn't expect it. Now, that isn't quite what I mean,--I +mean to people who wouldn't accept it if it seemed like charity, but +to whom we could give a pleasure that they would really like." + +"Patty, my child," said Clementine, "I think your ideas are all right, +but I must say you don't express them very clearly. Let's get down to +something definite. Do you mean to give material things,--like +presents or money?" + +"That's just exactly what I _don't_ mean, Clem! Don't you remember +that little club we used to have at school,--the Merry Grigs?" + +"Indeed I do! All we had to do was to be merry and gay." + +"Well, that's what I mean,--in a way,--if you know what I mean." + +"Oh, Patty," cried Mona, "I never knew you to be so hopelessly vague. +Now, for instance, how would it be if we gave a lovely motor ride to +some poor shop girl, or somebody that never gets into a motor?" + +"That's it!" cried Clementine, approvingly; "I was thinking of sending +flowers to hospitals, but that's so general. Now, your suggestion, +Mona, is definite, and just the right sort of thing." + +"But aren't we going to have a president and treasurer, and things +like that?" asked Elise. + +"No," said Patty; "my mind is clearing now, and I begin to see our +club. Instead of a president, we'll all four be presidents, and +instead of a treasurer, we'll all four be treasurers. We'll give money +when it's necessary, or we'll use our motor cars, or buy flowers, or +whatever we like; but we won't have dues and officers and things." + +"But the shop girls are always busy; how can we take them motoring?" +asked Elise. + +"That was only a suggestion," said Mona; "it needn't be exactly a shop +girl; but anybody we know of, who would enjoy a little unexpected +pleasure." + +"The principle is exactly right," said Clementine; "now, let's get it +down to practicability. As Mona says, we needn't necessarily choose a +shop girl,--but suppose we do, many of them are free Saturday +afternoon." + +"Only in the summer time," objected Elise. + +"Yes, perhaps, in the big shops; but there are lots of them, in +offices,--or even school teachers,--who would be free Saturday +afternoons. Well, anyway, here's what I'm thinking of, and you can all +say what you think of it. Suppose we try, every week, to give a happy +Saturday afternoon to somebody who wouldn't have it otherwise." + +"The Happy Saturday Afternoon Club!" cried Patty; "that's a lovely +name! let's do it!" + +"But," said Elise, "that would mean giving up our Saturday afternoons. +Do we want to do that? What about matinees?" + +"I think we ought to be willing to sacrifice something," said Patty, +thoughtfully; "but I do love Saturday matinees." + +"Oh, if there's anything especial, we needn't consider ourselves bound +to give up the afternoon," said Clementine. "For that matter, we could +send a couple of girls for a motor ride without going ourselves." + +"But that's more like charity," objected Patty: "I meant to go with +them, and be real nice and pleasant with them, and make a bright spot +in their lives that they would always remember." + +"They'd always remember you, Patty, if you were the bright spot," +declared Mona, who idolised her friend. "But I must confess I do like +to be definite about this thing. Now, how's this for a plan? To-day's +Thursday. Suppose we begin on Saturday and make a start at something. +Suppose we each of us pick out a girl,--or a boy, for that matter,--or +a child or anybody, and think what we can do to make them happy on +Saturday afternoon." + +"Now we're getting somewhere," said Elise, approvingly. "I've picked +mine already. She's a girl who comes to our house quite often to sew +for the children. She's a sweet little thing, but she looks as if she +never had a real good time in all her life. Now, can the rest of you +think of anybody like that?" + +"Yes, I have one," said Mona. "Your suggestion made me think of her. +She's my manicure girl. She comes here, and sometimes she's so tired +she's ready to drop! She works awfully hard, and never takes a day +off, because she has to support two little sisters. But I'll make her +take a holiday Saturday afternoon, somehow." + +"There's a girl I'd like to have," said Clementine, thoughtfully; +"she's at the ribbon counter in Walker's. She always waits on me +there; and she has such a wistful air, I'd like to do her a kindness. +I don't suppose she could get off,--but I could go and ask the head of +the department, and perhaps he'd let her." + +"I can't think of anybody," said Patty, "except one person, that I +would simply _love_ to have. And that's a very tired and cross-looking +lady who gives out embroidery patterns in a dreadful place, way down +town. I believe it would sweeten her up for a year to have a little +spree with us." + +"All right," said Mona. "Now we have selected our guests, what shall +we do with them? Say, a motor ride and a cup of tea afterward in some +pretty tea room?" + +"I think," said Elise, "that we'd better give them luncheon first. +They can't enjoy a motor ride if they're hungry, and they probably +will be." + +"Luncheon where?" said Patty, looking puzzled; "at one of our houses?" + +"I could have them here, easily enough," said Mona. "Our dining-room +here, would really be better than any of the homes of you girls. +Because you all have people, and I haven't. Father would just as lieve +lunch downstairs, in the main dining-room." + +"That's lovely of you, Mona," said Patty. "I was going to suggest some +small, quiet restaurant, but a luncheon here in your pretty dining-room +would indeed be a bright spot for them to remember. But suppose they +won't come?" + +"Then we must ask someone instead," said Clementine; "let's promise +each to bring someone with us on Saturday, and if the first one we ask +declines, keep on asking till we get somebody. Of course, Mona, we'll +share the expense of the luncheon equally." + +"Nonsense," returned Mona; "I'll be glad to give that." + +"No," said Patty, firmly; "we'll each pay a quarter of whatever the +luncheon costs. And let's have it good and substantial, and yet have +some pretty, fancy things too. For, you know, this isn't a charity or +a soup kitchen,--it's to give those girls a bright and beautiful scene +to look back on." + +"Oh, it will be lovely!" cried Mona. "I'll have pretty place cards, +and favours, and everything." + +"But we mustn't overdo it," said Clementine. + +"You know, to the unaccustomed, an elaborate table may prove +embarrassing." + +"That will be all right," said Patty, smiling. "Mona can fix her +table, and I'll come over before the luncheon, and if she has too many +or too grand flumadiddles, I'll take some of them off. I don't want +our guests struck dumb by too much grandeur, but I do want things +pretty and nice. Suppose we each bring a favor for our own guest." + +"Something useful?" said Elise. + +"No; _not_ a suit of flannel underwear or a pair of shoes! But a +pretty necktie or handkerchief, if you like, or even a little gold +pin, or a silver one." + +"Or a picture or cast," said Clementine. + +"Yes," and Patty nodded approval; "but it ought to be a little thing +that would look like a luncheon souvenir and not like a Christmas +present. I think they ought to be all alike." + +"So do I," said Mona, "and I think a little pin in a jeweler's box +will be the prettiest; and then a lovely bunch of flowers at each +plate, and an awfully pretty place-card." + +"Oh, it will be beautiful!" cried Patty, jumping up and dancing about +the room; "but I must flit, girls,--I have an engagement at five. +Wait, what about motors? I'm sure we can use our big car." + +"And ours," said all the rest together. + +"Well, we'll need two," said Clementine, "and two of us girls and two +guests can go in each. We'll see which cars can be used most +conveniently; perhaps our fathers may have something to say on that +subject. But we can arrange all such things by telephone to-morrow. +The main thing is to get our guests." + +"Oh, we'll do that," said Patty, "if we have to go out into the +highways and hedges after them." + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +AN INVITATION + + +The next morning Patty started off in her own little electric runabout +with Miller, the chauffeur. + +She let him drive, and gave the address, as she stepped in, "The +Monongahela Art Embroidery Company," adding a number in lower +Broadway. + +The correct Miller could not suppress a slight smile as he said, +"Where I took you once before, Miss Patty?" And Patty smiled, as she +said, "Yes, Miller." + +But it was with a different feeling that she entered the big building +this time, and she went straight to department B. On her way she met +the red-headed boy who had so amused her when she was there a year +ago. + +He greeted her with the same lack of formality that had previously +characterised him. + +"Is youse up against it again?" he inquired, grinning broadly. "I +t'ought youse didn't get no cinch, and had to can de whole projick." + +"I'm not on the same 'projick' now," said Patty, smiling at him. "Is +department B in the same place?" + +"Sure it is," and for some reason the boy added, "miss," after a +momentary pause, which made Patty realise his different attitude +toward her, now that she wore a more elaborate costume, than when he +had seen her in a purposely plain little suit. + +"And is the same lady still in charge of it?" + +"Yep; dey ain't nuttin' lessen dynnimite goin' to boost Mis' Greene +outen o' here!" + +"Then Mrs. Greene is the lady I want to see," and Patty threaded her +way through the narrow passages between the piled up boxes. + +"No pass needed; she's a free show," the boy called after her, and in +a moment Patty found herself again in the presence of the sharp-faced, +tired-looking woman whom she had once interviewed regarding her +embroidery work. + +"This is Mrs. Greene, isn't it?" said Patty, pleasantly. + +"Yes, I am," snapped the woman. "You don't want work again, do you?" + +"No," said Patty, smiling, "I come this time on quite a different +errand." + +"Then you don't want to see _me_. I'm here only to give out work. Did +Mr. Myers send you?" + +"No, I came of my own accord. Now, Mrs. Greene, forget the work for a +moment, and let me tell you what I want." + +"If it's subscribin' to any fund, or belongin' to any working woman's +club run by you swell ladies, you can count me out. I ain't got time +for foolishness." + +"It isn't anything like that," and Patty laughed so merrily that Mrs. +Greene's hard face softened in spite of herself. "Well, what is it?" +she asked, in a less belligerent tone. + +"It's only this," and though Patty's errand had seemed to her simple +enough before she came in, she now began to wonder how Mrs. Greene +would take it. "Some friends of mine and I are asking three or four +people to lunch with us and take a little motor ride on Saturday, and +I want you to come as my guest?" + +"What!" and Mrs. Greene's face was blank with amazement, but her +manner betokened an impending burst of wrath. + +Patty realised that the woman's pride was up in arms at the idea of +patronage, and she was at her wit's end how to make the real spirit of +her invitation understood. + +As it chanced, she unwittingly took the right tack. So earnest was she +that her lips quivered a little, and her eyes showed a pleading, +pathetic expression, as she said, "_Please_ don't misunderstand me, +Mrs. Greene. If you would enjoy it, I want you to come to our party on +Saturday as our welcome guest. If you wouldn't enjoy it,--just say +so,--but--but _don't_ scold me!" + +Mrs. Greene looked puzzled, and then the hard, stern mouth broke into +an actual smile. + +"Well, I declare," she said, "I do believe you've got a real heart!" + +"And I do believe that _you_ have!" exclaimed Patty. "And, now that we +know the truth about each other, you'll come, won't you?" + +"Tell me about it," and the speaker seemed still uncertain, though +wavering. + +So Patty told her, honestly and straightforwardly, the circumstances +of the party, and wound up by saying, "I truly want you, Mrs. Greene, +for the simple reason that I want you to enjoy the afternoon,--and for +no other reason." + +"And I'll come, and be awful glad of the chance! Why, I've never had a +ride in a motor car in my life, and I've never eaten in one of those +fandangle hotels; and the way you put it, I'm just crazy to go!" + +"Do you have holiday Saturday afternoon?" + +"Yes, all these downtown places do." + +"Very well, then, I shall expect you at the Plaza at one o'clock. Ask +for Miss Galbraith, and they will show you right up to her rooms." + +"Land! it does seem too good to be true! Say, Miss Fairfield, I've +only got a black mohair to wear,--will that do?" + +"Of course it will. Maybe you've a pretty bit of embroidery or +something to lighten it up a little." + +"Yes, I've got a linjerry collar and cuffs that I've just been achin' +to wear ever since my sister gave them to me last Christmas." + +"Then I shall expect you on Saturday, and I'm so glad." + +With a smiling bow, Patty started away, but she saw by Mrs. Greene's +face, there was something left unsaid. + +"What is it?" she asked, kindly, stepping back again to the counter. + +"Say, Miss Fairfield," and Mrs. Greene twisted her fingers a little +nervously, "don't think this is queer,--but won't you wear one of your +real pretty dresses? I do like to see a pretty, stylish dress,--and I +never get a chance." + +"Of course I will," said Patty, heartily; "I've a brand-new one that +I've never worn, and I'll honour the occasion with it, on Saturday." + +And then Patty went away, greatly pleased at her success. + +"Had quite a buzz, didn't yer?" observed the red-headed boy, looking +at Patty with curiosity, as she passed him. + +"Yes, I did. By the way, young man, what is your name?" + +"Rosy; should think you'd know without askin'," and he grabbed a bunch +of his red hair with a comical grin. + +"Well, I didn't know whether it was that or Freckles," said Patty, who +was moved to chaff him, by reason of his good-natured _camaraderie_. + +"Might just as well 'a' been," and Rosy grinned wider than ever. + +Patty nodded a good-bye, and went on, rapidly turning over in her mind +a new plan that would include Rosy in some future happy Saturday +afternoon. But this plan must wait for development, as the coming +Saturday was enough to occupy her thoughts for the present. + +"Home, Miller," she said, as she took her seat. Miller gave a relieved +sigh, for he was always more or less afraid of Patty's escapades; and +he didn't like to have her go alone into these strange buildings. + +They whizzed homeward, and at luncheon time Patty gave Nan a graphic +account of her interview with Mrs. Greene. + +"I think that's the funniest of all," said Nan, "that she should want +you to wear your elaborate clothes." + +"So do I," said Patty. "We girls had planned to wear our plainest +dresses, thinking to make our guests feel more at ease. And when +Madame Greene spoke of her black mohair, I thought I'd even rip the +trimming off my brown waist! But not so,--far otherwise. So I shall +get me into that new American Beauty satin, and I hope to goodness it +will suit her taste. I expect she's fearfully critical." + +"Perhaps the other girls' guests won't feel as Mrs. Greene does about +this matter. What then?" + +"Now, Nan, don't stir up trouble! I have only my own guest to look +after, and I shall dress my part. The others will have to do as +seemeth unto them best. Oh, Nan, it's going to be heaps of fun!" + +"Yes, if it turns out right,--without any awkwardness or embarrassment." + +"Oh, you old wet blanket! Now, you know perfectly well, we're doing our +best. And if we're awkward, we can't help it. We're going this +afternoon to get the favours. What do you think of little pins,--silver +gilt, or enamel?" + +"They'd be all right, or hatpins, either." + +"No, hatpins everybody has. And they don't show, anyhow. That amethyst +one of mine always hides itself behind a bow or a feather. No; I'm +sure a nice little round brooch is the best thing." + +"How about gloves?" + +"Or overshoes? or knitted wash-cloths? Nan, can't I bang it into your +head that this affair is for pleasure, not profit? Would you give +_your_ luncheon guests gloves as souvenirs?" + +"I suppose you're right, Patty. But it _is_ an experiment." + +"Of course it is! And it's going to be a successful one, and the +forerunner of many others!" + + * * * * * + +Half an hour before luncheon time, Patty walked into Mona's dining-room. +She wore her new gown of American Beauty satin, softly draped with a +thin black marquisette, and a soft sash of black satin. Her hat was all +black, with a Beauty rose tucked under the brim, and resting against her +fair hair. + +Mona surveyed her with delight. "You look unusually well, Patty,--but +that's not saying anything unusual, for you always look unusually +well." + +"Good gracious, Mona, what kind of English is that? And a doubtful +compliment beside! But I see you're preoccupied, so I shan't expect +much appreciation of my new costume. Simple but tasty, isn't it?" + +As she spoke, Patty was looking at herself in a long mirror and +craning her neck to get a view of her back. She was fond of pretty +clothes, and her new gown, though rich, was really simple in line and +colouring. + +"Your table is beautiful, Mona," she said, suddenly bringing her +attention from her own raiment to the festal preparation. + +The girls had decided that, since Christmas was only about a fortnight +away, it would be attractive to use Christmas decorations for their +party. And so the round table showed crossed strips of broad red +ribbon, under bands of lace, and a central decoration of a real +Christmas tree, with beautiful fancy ornaments and colored electric +lights. At each place was an elaborate bonbonniere of Christmas red, +decked with sprays of holly. The place cards were Christmassy; and the +little brooches they had bought, were in dainty boxes tied with holly +ribbon. + +"It's perfectly lovely, Mona," said Patty, enthusiastically. "There +isn't a bit too much of anything, and it's just as cheery and jolly as +it can be." + +"I thought I wouldn't have any flowers on the table," Mona explained, +"for they didn't go with the other things. So, you see, I've these +four big bunches of red carnations around the room, and I shall give +them each one to take home. Of course, I have boxes ready for +them,--and then, Patty, I thought we'd distribute the Christmas tree +decorations among them,--and I have the boxes big, so we can put those +and the place-cards and candy-boxes and souvenirs all in them. And +then, you know, it won't seem like _giving_ them things; for you know +yourself how keen people are to take away their place cards and such +things." + +"They are, indeed! I've been _surprised_ the people who have +_everything_ will gather up their cards and trumpery boxes after a +luncheon! And your thoughtfulness is lovely, Mona. We'll each give +them our own place-card and box, too." + +"Yes; and then, you see, they'll have quite a few little things for +their own Christmas, and that will make them remember the 'bright +spot' all the more." + +"Of course it will! Mona, you're a perfect _darling_!" And Patty +grasped Mona's shoulders and swung her about in a mad dance of +jubilation. + +"And, Patty," Mona went on, "Mr. Lansing wants to help us with our +Happy Saturdays Club. He says he could go with us some afternoon, to +take a lot of newsboys to the circus." + +"Why, Mona Galbraith!" and Patty stared at her friend in astonishment. +"Have you been telling _him_ about our club?" + +"Yes; of course, I have. It's no secret society, is it?" + +"No; but we don't want men for members." + +"But, Patty, he would be a help. I'd love to give some of those poor +little newsboys a good time, and we couldn't do it, just by ourselves." + +Suddenly, Patty thought of "Rosy," and her idea of including him in +some of their plans. To be sure, it would be better to have a man to +help manage such a project. But not Mr. Lansing! + +"No, Mona," she said; "our club is made up of just us four girls, and +we can find plenty to do among girls or women. At least, for this +winter. If it's all a success, we can do more next winter, and perhaps +get some men to help us then. If we want to take newsboys to the +circus, father will go with us. Don't be everlastingly dragging in +that Mr. Lansing." + +"I'm _not_ dragging him in! He kindly offered to help. But of +course,--if you don't want him----" + +"Well, I don't! And, look here, Mona, I wish you'd let him alone, +yourself. He's not like the men of our set, and I want you to realise +that. Roger says he's a bounder,--if you know what that is." + +"Pooh! Roger is jealous." + +"Yes, I think he is. But, aside from that, he's right about Mr. +Lansing not being the right kind of a friend for you. Philip Van +Reypen says the same thing." + +"Oh, pshaw! Mr. Van Reypen is an old stuck-up! He thinks nobody is any +good if they don't begin their names with a Van." + +"Now, Mona, don't be silly. I'm sure I don't know what you see so +admirable in Mr. Lansing, but I do think you ought to be advised by +others who know better than you. Why, your own father doesn't like +him." + +"I know dad doesn't; but--well, all the same, I _do_! Why, Patty, he's +awfully interesting, and he brings me flowers and candy and books----" + +"Now, stop, Mona. You know you don't care for those things! You can +have all you want, without Mr. Lansing's gifts. You like him, because +he flatters you, and--well, I must admit that he has a way with him." + +"Oh, yes, Patty, he has! Why, when you know him, he's really +fascinating!" + +"Well, don't let him fascinate you. He's loud, Mona. He's not our +sort. Now, do promise me to see less of him, won't you? He seems to be +calling on you very often." + +"Yes, he does. But how can I stop that? I can't be rude to him." + +"Well, you can be cool. Every girl can discourage a man's attentions, +if she wants to." + +"H'm; you seem to know a great deal about it." + +"I only know what my common sense tells me. Mona, dear, _do_ drop that +man! Why, Roger is worth a dozen of him!" + +"Roger's all right,--but Mr. Lansing is so,--so,--well, he's +different." + +"He is, indeed! And that's the trouble. The difference is all in +Roger's favour, if you only could see it." + +"Well, I can't! Now, look here, Patty. You know how much I care for +you, but I won't have you talking to me like a Dutch Aunt. I made +father bring me to New York this winter, so I could be near you, and +we could have fun together. But, if you're going to scold me all the +time, we won't have any fun at all." + +Patty began to realise that, though Mona might be coaxed, she could +never be driven. So she concluded to drop the subject, and use more +thought and tact in her endeavours to break up Mona's new friendship. + +And then Clementine Morse came, so the matter had to be laid aside. + +"Is Jenny here?" asked Clementine, as she tossed off her furs. + +"Jenny who?" + +"My guest, Jenny Bisbee. She's the ribbon girl I told you about. I had +the greatest time to get her off for the afternoon. I had to go to +Walker's, you know, and see all sorts of Heads of Departments. My! +they acted like Crowned Heads! They said it wouldn't do at all,--it +would establish a precedent,--and all sorts of things like that. But, +somehow or other, I wheedled them into it, and at last they said Jenny +might come. She was just crazy about it. She said, she never has any +fun in her life, except looking at the new ribbons when they come in! +Oh, girls, isn't it awful _never_ to have any fun? I expect Jenny will +be embarrassed, but I'm sure she'll enjoy it all. Oh, how lovely the +table looks! Mona, you are a wonder! I never should have thought of +all those Christmas fixings." + +"I'm glad you like them. Say, Clementine, don't you think it would be +nice to have men members in our club?" + +"Why, I don't know. No, I guess not, though my brother Clifford says +it's a great game, and he'd like to help us." + +"Yes, and I know another man who wants to help," said Mona, eagerly, +when Clementine interrupted her. + +"I hope it isn't that strange being you brought to Patty's party! +Wherever _did_ you pick up that freak, Mona?" + +"He _isn't_ a freak! Mr. Lansing is not a rich man, but he's very +exclusive. He told me so himself." + +"Don't you believe it!" and Clementine laughed merrily. "As a rule, +people who say themselves that they're exclusive, are _not_. And one +glance at that man is enough to show his standing." + +"What _is_ his standing, then?" said Mona, sulkily. + +"Outside the pale of society, if not outside the pale of civilisation," +retorted Clementine, who was plain-spoken. + +"Don't let's talk about Mr. Lansing now," broke in Patty, who feared +an unpleasant element in their pleasant occasion. "And, anyway, here +comes Elise." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +HAPPY GUESTS + + +Elise came in, bringing her guest with her. The three girls waiting in +the sitting-room were surprised to see the small, dainty person whom +Elise introduced as Miss Anna Gorman. She had a sweet, sad little +face, and wore a simple one-piece gown of dove-grey voile. Her hat was +grey, also; a turban shape, with a small knot of pink roses at one +side. Anna was not pretty, but she had a refined air, and a gentle +manner. Though embarrassed, she strove not to show it, and tried to +appear at ease. + +Mona greeted her cordially: "How do you do, Anna?" she said, for they +had agreed to call the girls informally, by their Christian names. "I +am glad to see you. Come with me into the boudoir, and lay off your +coat." Mona herself assisted, for she thought it better not to have +her maid about. + +"I'm well, thank you," said Anna, in response to Mona's inquiry, and +then she broke out, impulsively: "Oh, I'm so happy to be here! It was +so heavenly kind of you young ladies to ask me. You don't _know_ what +it means to me!" + +"Why, I'm very glad," said Mona, touched at the girl's gratitude. +"Now, I hope you'll just have the time of your life!" + +"Oh, I shall, indeed! I know it. I'm enjoying every minute, just being +in these lovely rooms, and seeing you kind ladies." + +Then Mona's manicure girl came. Her name was Celeste Arleson, and she +was a tall, slender young woman, garbed all in black. It was the gown +she always wore at her work, and, being of French descent, she had an +air of charm that made her attractive. + +"Good-morning, Celeste; come right in," said Mona, and then she +introduced her to Anna. + +The two looked at each other a little shyly, and then Anna said, +"Good-morning," in a timid way. + +Mona felt embarrassed, too, and began to wonder if their party would +be a failure, after all. + +But Patty came in then and, with her ever-ready tact, took the two +visitors to the drawing-room, and began to show them some pictures and +curios. + +Then Jenny Bisbee came, the girl from the ribbon counter, whom +Clementine had invited. + +"My, isn't this fine!" she exclaimed, as she met the others. "I just +do think it's fine!" + +"I'm glad we could arrange for you to come," said Clementine, +cordially. + +"Glad! My gracious, I guess I'm glad! Well! if you measured ribbon +from morning till night, I guess you'd be glad to get away from it for +once. Why, I measure ribbon in my dreams, from night till morning. I +can't seem to get away from that everlasting stretching out of +thirty-six inches, over and over again." + +"But the ribbons are so pretty," said Clementine, by way of being +agreeable. + +"Yes; when they first come in. But after a few weeks you get so tired +of the patterns. My, I feel as if I could throw that Dresden sash +ribbon on the floor and stamp on it, I'm so tired of seeing it! And +there's one piece of gay brocade that hits me in the eye every +morning. I can't stand that piece much longer." + +"I'll come round some day, and buy it," said Patty, laughing +good-naturedly. "I didn't know the ribbons were so individual to you." + +"Yes, they are. There's one piece of light blue satin ribbon, plain +and wide, that I just love. It's a real comfort to me." + +Jenny gave a little sigh, as she thought of her favourite ribbon, and +Patty looked at her in wonderment, that she should be so sensitive to +colour and texture. But her taste in colours did not seem to extend to +her clothes. Jenny was a pale little thing, with ashy blonde hair, and +large, light blue eyes. She wore a nondescript tan-coloured dress, +without tone or shape; and she had a weary, exhausted air, as if +chronically tired. + +Conversation was a little difficult. The four hostesses tried their +best to be entertaining without being patronising, but it was not an +easy task. At least, their advances were not easily received, and the +guests seemed to be on the alert to resent anything that savoured of +patronage. But help came from an unexpected quarter. Just at one +o'clock Mrs. Greene arrived. + +"My land!" she exclaimed, as she entered the room, "if this isn't grand! +I wouldn't of missed it for a farm! You see, I waited out on the corner, +till it was just one o'clock. I know enough to get to a party just on +the minute. My bringin' up was good, if I have fell off a little since. +But my folks was always awful particular people,--wouldn't even take +their pie in their hands. My husband, now, he was different. He wasn't a +fool, nor he wasn't much else. But I only had him a year, and then he up +and got killed in a rolling mill. Nice man, John, but not very +forth-putting. So I've shifted for myself ever since. Not that I've done +so awful well. I'm slow, I am. I never was one o' those to sew with a +hot needle and a scorching thread, but I do my stent right along. But, +my! how I do rattle on! You might think I don't often go in good +society. Well, I don't! So I must make the most of this chance." + +Mrs. Greene's chatter had been broken in upon by introductions and +greetings, but that bothered her not at all. She nodded her head +affably at the different ones, but kept right on talking. + +So Mona was fairly obliged to interrupt her. + +"Now, let us go out to luncheon," she said, after the maid had +announced it twice. + +"Glad to," said Mrs. Greene. "Oh, my land! what a pretty sight!" + +She stood stock still in the doorway, and had to be urged forward, in +order that the others might follow. + +"Well, I didn't know a table _could_ look so handsome!" she went on. +"My land! I s'pose it's been thirty years since I've went to a real +party feast, and then, I can tell you, it wasn't much like this!" + +Probably not, for Mona's table, with the coloured electric lights +blazing from the pretty Christmas tree, the soft radiance of the room, +the fragrance of flowers, the exquisite table appointments, and the +pretty, kindly hostesses, was a scene well worthy of praise. + +Anna Gorman trembled a little as she took her seat, and sat, +wide-eyed, looking almost as if in a trance of delight. Celeste +Arleson was less embarrassed, as her profession took her into fine +mansions and in presence of fashionable people every day. + +Jenny Bisbee looked rapturous. "Oh," she said, "Oh! I am _so_ happy!" + +The guests all looked a trifle awestruck when the first course +appeared, of grapefruit, served in tall, slender ice-glasses, each +with a red ribbon tied round its stem, and a sprig of holly in the +bow. + +"Well, did you ever!" exclaimed Mrs. Greene. "And is this the way they +do things now? Well, well! It does look 'most too good to eat, but I'm +ready to tackle it." + +Anna Gorman looked a little pained, as if this homely enthusiasm +jarred upon her sense of fitness. But Mona said hospitably, "Yes, +indeed, Mrs. Greene,--it's here to be eaten." + +"Now, I'm free to confess, I don't know what spoon to take," Mrs. +Greene acknowledged, looking blankly at the row of flat silver before +her. + +"I know," spoke up Jenny Bisbee, eagerly; "I read it in a Sunday +paper. You begin at the outside of the row, and eat in!" + +"Land! are you sure to come out right, that way? S'pose you had a fork +left for your ice cream!" + +"We'll risk it," said Mona, smiling. "Let's use this spoon at the +outside, as Jenny suggests." + +The second course was clam bouillon, and after it was served, a maid +passed a dish of whipped cream. + +Mrs. Greene watched carefully as Mona placed a spoonful on the top of +her soup, and then she exclaimed: + +"Well, if that don't beat all! What is that, might I ask?" + +"Whipped cream," said Mona. "Won't you have some?" + +"Well, I will,--as you took some. But if that ain't the greatest! Now, +just let me tell you. A friend of mine,--she has seen some high +society,--she was telling me a little how to behave. And she told me +of a country person she knew, who had some soup in a cup once. And he +thought it was tea, and he ca'mly puts in milk and sugar! Well, he was +just kerflum-mixed, that poor man, when he found it was soup! So, my +friend says, says she: 'Now, Almira, whatever you do, _don't_ put milk +in your soup!' And, I declare to goodness, here you're doin' just that +very thing!" + +"Well, we won't put any sugar in," said Mona, pleasantly; "but I think +the cream improves it. You like it, don't you, Jenny?" + +"Heavenly!" said Jenny, rolling her eyes up with such a comically +blissful expression that Elise nearly choked. + +As Patty had agreed, the luncheon was good and substantial, rather +than elaborate. The broiled chicken, dainty vegetables, and pretty +salad all met the guests' hearty approval and appreciation; and when +the ice cream was served, Mrs. Greene discovered she had both a fork +and a spoon at her disposal. + +"Well, I never!" she observed. "Ain't that handy, now? I s'pose you +take whichever one you like." + +"Yes," said Mona. "You see, there is strawberry sauce for the ice +cream, and that makes it seem more like a pudding." + +"So it does, so it does," agreed Mrs. Greene, "though, land knows, it +ain't much like the puddin's I'm accustomed to. Cottage, rice, and +bread is about the variety we get, in the puddin' line. Not but what +I'm mighty grateful to get those." + +"I like chocolate pudding," said Jenny, in a low voice, and apparently +with great effort. Patty knew she made the remark because she thought +it her duty to join in the conversation; and she felt such heroism +deserved recognition. + +"So do I," she said, smiling kindly at Jenny. "In fact, I like +anything with chocolate in it." + +"So do I," returned Jenny, a little bolder under this expressed +sympathy of tastes. "Once I had a whole box of chocolate candies,--a +pound box it was. I've got the box yet. I'm awful careful of the lace +paper." + +"I often get boxes of candy," said Celeste, unable to repress this bit +of vanity. "My customers give them to me." + +"My," said Jenny, "that must be fine. Is it grand to be a manicure?" + +"I like it," said Celeste, "because it takes me among nice people. +They're mostly good to me." + +"My ladies are nice to me, too," observed Anna. "I only sew in nice +houses. But I don't see the ladies much. It's different with you, Miss +Arleson." + +"Well, I don't see nice ladies," broke in Jenny. "My, how those queens +of society can snap at you! Seems 'if they blame me for everything: +the stock, the price, the slow cash boys,--whatever bothers 'em, it's +all my fault." + +"That is unkind," said Clementine. "But shopping does make some people +cross." + +"Indeed it does!" returned Jenny. "But I'm going to forget it just for +to-day. When I sit here and see these things, all so beautiful and +sparkly and bright, I pretend there isn't any shop or shopping in all +the world." + +Jenny's smile was almost roguish, and lighted up her pale face till +she looked almost pretty. + +Then they had coffee, and snapping crackers with caps inside, and they +put on the caps and laughed at each other's grotesque appearance. + +Mrs. Greene's cap was a tri-corne, with a gay cockade, which gave her +a militant air, quite in keeping with her strong face. Patty had a +ruffled night-cap, which made her look grotesque, and Anna Gorman had +a frilled sunbonnet. + +Celeste had a Tam o' Shanter, which just suited her piquant face, and +Jenny had a Scotch cap, which became her well. + +"Now," said Mona, as she rose from the table, "I'm going to give you +each a bunch of these carnations----" + +"To take home?" broke in Jenny, unable to repress her eagerness. + +"Yes; and I'll have them put in boxes for you, along with your cards +and souvenirs, which, of course, you must take home also. And, if +there's room, I'll put in some of these Christmas tree thingamajigs, +and you can use them for something at Christmas time." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Jenny; "maybe my two kid brothers won't just about go +crazy over 'em! Says I to myself, just the other day, 'What's going in +them kids' stockings is more'n I know; but something there must be.' +And,--here you are!" + +"Here you are!" said Mona, tucking an extra snapping cracker or two in +Jenny's box. + +"We plan to go for a motor ride, now," said Mona. "I wonder if you +girls are dressed warmly enough." + +All declared that they were, but Mona provided several extra cloaks +and wraps, lest any one should take cold. + +"We have two cars for our trip," she explained; "Miss Farrington's +limousine and my own. Has any one any preference which way we shall +go?" + +"Well," said Mrs. Greene, "if you ask me, I'd like best to ride up +Fifth Avenue. There ought to be some fine show of dress, a bright +afternoon like this. And there ain't anything I admire like stylish +clothes. That's a real handsome gown you got on, Miss Fairfield." + +"Do you like it?" said Patty, smiling. + +"Yes, I do. It's fashionable of cut, and yet it ain't drawed so tight +as some. And a becomin' colour, too." + +"It's a dandy," observed Jenny. "I see lots of good clothes on my +customers, but they don't all have such taste as Miss Fairfield's. And +all you other ladies here," she added, politely, glancing round. + +"Now, are we all ready?" asked Mona, looking over the group. "Mrs. +Greene, I fear you won't be warm enough, though your jacket _is_ +thick, isn't it? But I'm going to throw this boa round your neck, by +way of precaution. Please wear it; I have another." + +"My land! if this ain't luxuriant," and Mrs. Greene smoothed the +neckpiece and muff that Mona put on her. "What is this fur, Miss +Galbraith?" + +"That is caracul. Do you like it?" + +"Like it? Well, I think it's just too scrumptious for anything. I'll +remember the feel of it for a year. And so genteel looking, too." + +"Yes, it's a good fur," said Mona, carelessly throwing a sable scarf +round her own throat. "Now, let us start." + +Down went the eight in an elevator, and Mrs. Greene was overjoyed to +find that she was attended with quite as much deference as Mona +herself. Elise and Clementine took their guests in the Farrington car, +leaving Patty and Mona, with their guests, for the Galbraith car. + +Celeste Arleson enjoyed the ride, but she was not so openly enthusiastic +as Mrs. Greene. + +"My!" exclaimed that worthy, as she bobbed up and down on the springy +cushions; "to think it's come at last! Why, I _never_ expected to ride +in one of these. I saved up once for a taxicab ride, but I had to use +my savings for a case of grippe, so I never felt to try it again." + +"Did you have grippe?" said Patty, sympathetically; "that was too +bad." + +"Well, no; it wasn't _my_ grippe. Leastways, I didn't have it. It was +a lady that lived in the same boardin' house, along with me. But she'd +had misfortune, and lost her money, so I couldn't do no less than to +help her. Poor thing! she was crossed in love and it made her queer. +But that Rosy,--you know, that redhead boy, Miss Fairfield?" + +"Yes, I do," returned Patty, smiling. + +"Well, he says she was queered in love, and it made her cross! She +works in our place, you know. Well, cross she is; and, my land! if she +wasn't cross when she had the grippe! You know, it ain't soothin' on +folks' nerves." + +"No," said Patty; "so I've understood. Well, Mrs. Greene, now you can +see plenty of fashionable costumes. Do you enjoy it?" + +"My! I'm just drinkin' 'em in! Furs is worn a lot this year, ain't +they? Well, I don't wonder. Why, I feel real regal in this fur of +yours, Miss Galbraith. I don't know when I've had such a pleasure as +the wearin' of this fur." + +"Now, we'll go through the park and up Riverside Drive," said Mona, as +they neared Eighty-sixth Street. It was pleasant in the Park, and the +fine motors, with their smartly-apparelled occupants, delighted Mrs. +Greene's very soul. + +"Where would you like to go, Celeste?" asked Mona; "or do you like the +Park and the River drive?" + +"If I might, Miss Galbraith, I'd like to go to Grant's Tomb. I've +always wanted to go there, but I never can get a spare hour,--or if I +do, I'm too tired for the trip." + +"Certainly, you shall. Would you like that, Mrs. Greene?" + +"Oh, land, yes! I've never been there, either. Quite some few times +I've thought to go, but something always interferes." + +So to Grant's Tomb they went. The other car followed, and all went in +to look at the impressive mausoleum. + +"Makes you feel kind o' solemn," said Mrs. Greene, as they came out. +"Think of lyin' there in that eternal rock, as you might say, and the +whole nation comin' to weep over your bier." + +"They don't all weep," observed Celeste. + +"Well, in a manner o' speakin', they do," said Mrs. Greene, gently. +"Not real tears, maybe; but, you know, to weep over a bier, is a +figger of speech; and so far as its meanin' goes, Grant's got it. And, +after all, it's the meanin' that counts." + +It was nearing sundown as they started down the Drive, and Mona +proposed that they go to a tea room, and then take their guests to +their several homes. + +"Oh, how pretty!" said Mrs. Greene, as they all went into the Marie +Jeannette Tea Room. + +The younger girls chose chocolate, but Mrs. Greene said, "Give me a +cup of tea. There's nothing like it, to my mind. And to think of +having tea in this beautiful place, all decked with posies. I'll just +throw this fur a little open, but keep it over my shoulders. It looks +so luxuriant that way." + +Mona ordered dainty sandwiches and little fancy cakes--and after a +pleasant half-hour they started homeward. They left Celeste at her +home first, and then took Mrs. Greene to hers. + +"I live way down on East Eleventh Street," she said, apologetically; +"and I oughtn't to let you go clear down there with me. But,--oh, +well, I might as well own up,--I'd just love to roll up to our door in +this car!" + +"And so you shall," said Mona, appreciating this bit of feminine +vanity. "And, Mrs. Greene, if you'll accept them, I'd like to make you +a present of those furs. I don't need them, for I have several other +sets, and you're very welcome to them." + +"My land!" said Mrs. Greene, and then could say no more, for her voice +choked, and two tears rolled down her cheeks. + +"And to think I thought you ladies were stuck up!" she said, in a +voice of contrition. "Why, two angels straight from Heaven couldn't be +more kind or whole-soulder than you two are. But, Miss Galbraith, I +can't accept such a gift,--I--I ought not to." + +Mrs. Greene was caressing the fur as she spoke, and Mona patted her +hand, saying laughingly: + +"I couldn't take it away from anybody who loves it as you do. Please +keep it. I'm more glad to give it to you than you can possibly be to +have it." + +So Mrs. Greene kept the furs,--and her beaming face proved the depth +of thankfulness which she tried, all inadequately, to express. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +CONFIDENCES + + +Mona went home with Patty to dinner, as she often did when the girls +had been together during the afternoon. + +At the dinner table the elder Fairfields were greatly entertained by +the account of the first Happy Saturday Afternoon. + +"But aren't you afraid," Mr. Fairfield asked, "that such unaccustomed +luxuries will make those people discontented with their own conditions?" + +"Now, father Fairfield," exclaimed Patty, "you ought to know better +than that! you might as well say that a man in a prison ought never to +see a ray of sunlight, because it would make him more discontented +with his dark jail." + +"That's true," agreed Nan; "I think it's lovely to give these people +such a pleasure, and if I can help in any way, Patty, I'll be glad +to." + +"And then it's the memory of it," said Mona. + +"You know yourself how pleasant it is to look back and remember any +pleasure you may have had; and when it's only one, and such a big one, +the pleasure of remembrance is even greater." + +"That's good philosophy, Mona," said Mr. Fairfield, approvingly, "and +I take back what I said. I think the plans you girls have made are +excellent; and I, too, will be glad to help if I can." + +"Other people have offered to help us," began Mona, but Patty +interrupted her, saying: "We don't want any help from people +individually. I mean, father, if you will lend us the car, and things +like that, we'll be glad, of course. But we don't want any personal +assistance in our plans." + +"All right, chickadee; far be it from me to intrude. But I thought +perhaps if you wanted to make a little excursion, say, to see the +Statue of Liberty, or even to go to the circus, you might like a man +along with you as a Courier General." + +"That's just what Mr. Lansing said!" exclaimed Mona, which was the +very remark Patty had been fearing. + +"That's just what we're _not_ going to do!" she declared. "We're only +going to places where we can go by ourselves, or if we need a +chaperon, we'll take Nan. But we don't want any men in on this deal." + +"I don't see why," began Mona, but Patty promptly silenced her by +saying, "You _do_ see why. Now, Mona, don't say anything more about +it. There isn't any circus now, and it's time enough when it comes, to +decide about going to it; and I don't want to go, anyway. There are +lots of things nicer than a circus." + +"Mr. Lansing said he'd send us a box for the Hippodrome, some Saturday +afternoon," said Mona, a little diffidently. + +"That's awfully kind of him," said Nan. "I should think you girls +would be delighted with that." + +"A box," and Patty looked scornful. "Why, a box only holds six, so +with us four, we could only invite two guests. I don't think much of +that scheme!" + +"I'll donate a box also," said Mr. Fairfield. "You can get them +adjoining, and with two of you girls in one and two in the other, you +can invite eight guests." + +Patty hesitated. The plan sounded attractive, and she quickly thought +that she could invite Rosy for one of the guests and give the boy a +Happy Saturday Afternoon. But she didn't want to accept anything from +Mr. Lansing, though she couldn't quite bring herself to say so, +frankly. + +"What's the matter, Patty?" asked Nan. "You don't like the idea of the +Hippodrome, though I don't see why." + +"I _do_ like it," said Patty, "but we can't decide these things in a +minute. We ought to have a meeting of the club and talk it over." + +"Nonsense," said Mona. "You know very well, Patty, it isn't a formal +club. I'm going to accept these two Hippodrome boxes, and tell the +girls that we can each invite two guests. The Hippodrome show is +lovely this year, and anybody would like it, whether children or +grown-ups. And we're much obliged to you, Mr. Fairfield." + +"You're taking a great deal upon yourself, Mona," said Patty. "You're +not president of the club." + +"Neither are you." + +"Well, _I'm_ not dictating how things shall be run." + +"Well, I _am_! So all you'll have to do, is to run along with me." + +Mona was so laughingly good-natured that Patty's serious face broke +into a smile, too. She was annoyed at the idea of being under +obligation to Mr. Lansing, but, after all, it was hardly fair to stand +in the way of eight people's pleasure. So she surrendered gracefully. + +"All right, Mona," she said; "we'll have the Hippodrome party. I know +one guest I shall invite, who's sure to enjoy it. He's a boy about +fourteen, and the funniest thing you ever saw." + +"I'd like to take children, too," said Mona; "but I don't know many. I +think I'll ask Celeste's two little sisters." + +It was characteristic of Patty not to dwell on anything unpleasant, so +having made up her mind to accept Mr. Lansing's favour, she entered +heartily into the plan for the next party. + +But after dinner, when the girls were alone in Patty's boudoir, she +said to Mona, seriously, "You know I didn't want to take that box from +Mr. Lansing." + +"Of course I know it, Patty," and Mona smiled, complacently. "But I +made you do it, didn't I? I knew I should in the end, but your father +helped me unexpectedly, by offering a second box. Now, Pattikins, you +may as well stop disliking Mr. Lansing. He's my friend, and he's going +to stay my friend. He may have some faults, but everybody has." + +"But, Mona, he isn't our sort at all. I don't see _why_ you like him." + +"He mayn't be your sort, but he's mine; and I like him because I like +him! That's the only reason that anybody likes anybody. You think +nobody's any good unless they have all sorts of aristocratic ancestry! +Like that Van Reypen man who's always dangling after you." + +"He isn't dangling now," said Patty. "I haven't seen him since my +party." + +"You haven't! Is he mad at you?" + +"Yes; he and Roger are both mad at me; and all on account of your old +Mr. Lansing!" + +"Yes, Roger's mad at me, too, on account of that same poor, +misunderstood young gentleman. But they'll get over it. Don't worry, +Patty." + +"Mona, I'd like to shake you! I might just as well reason with the +Rock of Gibraltar as to try to influence _you_. Don't you know that +your father asked me to try to persuade you to drop that Lansing man?" + +Patty had not intended to divulge this confidence of Mr. Galbraith, +but she was at her wit's end to find some argument that would carry +any weight with her headstrong friend. + +"Oh, daddy!" said Mona, carelessly. "He talks to me by the hour, and I +just laugh at him and drum tunes on his dear old bald head. He hasn't +anything, really, against Mr. Lansing, you know; it's nothing but +prejudice." + +"A very well-founded prejudice, then! Why, Mona, that man isn't fit +to--to----" + +"To worship the ground I walk on," suggested Mona, calmly. "Well, he +does, Patty, so you may as well stop interfering." + +"Oh, if you look upon it as interfering!" + +"Well, I don't know what you call it, if not that. But I don't mind. +Go ahead, if it amuses you. But I'm sorry if my affairs make trouble +between you and your friends. However, I don't believe Mr. Van Reypen +will stay angry at you very long. And as for Roger,--well, I wouldn't +worry about him. Of course, you're going to Elise's dance on Tuesday +night?" + +"Yes, of course. And I've no doubt I'll make up with Roger, then; but +I don't know about Philip. I doubt if he'll be there." + +"I haven't the least doubt. Where you are, there will Mr. Van Reypen +be, also,--if he can possibly get an invitation." + + * * * * * + +Mona was right in her opinion. At Elise's dance on Tuesday night, +almost the first man Patty saw, as she entered the drawing-room, was +Philip Van Reypen. He greeted her pleasantly, but with a certain +reserve quite different from his usual eager cordiality. + +"May I have a dance, Miss Fairfield?" he said, holding out his hand +for her card. + +Quick-witted Patty chose just the tone that she knew would irritate +him. "Certainly, Mr. Van Reypen," she said, carelessly, and as she +handed him her card, she turned to smile at another man who was just +coming to speak to her. When Philip handed back her card, she took it +without looking at it, or at him, and handed it to Mr. Drayton, +seemingly greatly interested in what dances he might select. + +Van Reypen looked at her a moment in amazement. He had intended to be +cool toward her, but the tables were turned, and she was decidedly +cool toward him. + +However, his look of surprise was not lost upon Miss Patricia +Fairfield, who saw him out of the corner of her eye, even though she +was apparently engrossed with Mr. Drayton. + +And then, as usual, Patty was besieged by several men at once, all +begging for dances, and her card was quickly filled. + +"What _can_ I do with so many suitors?" she cried, raising her hands +in pretty bewilderment, as her card was passed from one to another. +"Don't take all the dances, please; I want to save some for my special +favourites." + +"Meaning me?" said Kenneth Harper, who had just joined the group in +time to hear Patty's remark. + +"You, for one," said Patty, smiling on him, "but there are seventeen +others." + +"I'm two or three of the seventeen," said Roger, gaining possession of +the card. "May I have three, Patty?" + +One look flashed from Roger's dark eyes to Patty's blue ones, and in +that glance their foolish little quarrel was forgiven and forgotten. + +Roger had a big, generous nature, and so had Patty, and with a smile +they were good friends again. + +Patty's mind worked quickly. She had no intention of giving Roger +three dances, but she saw that he and Mona were not yet on speaking +terms. So she nodded assent, as he scribbled his initials in three +places, thinking to herself that before the evening was over, two of +them should be transferred to Mona's card. + +Patty was looking lovely in pale blue chiffon with tiny French +rosebuds of pink satin adorning it here and there. Her golden hair was +clustered in becoming puffs and curls, tucked into a little net of +gold mesh, with coquettish bunches of rosebuds above each ear. + +But, though Patty was pretty and wore lovely clothes, her chief charm +was her happy, smiling face and her gay, good-natured friendliness. She +smiled on everybody, not with a set smile of society, but in a frank, +happy enjoyment of the good time she was having, and appreciation of +the good time that everybody else helped her to have. + +"You are all so kind to me," she was saying to Robert Kenton, who had +just come in; "and I want to thank you, Mr. Kenton, for the beautiful +flowers you sent. I do love valley lilies, they're so--so----" + +"They're so sentimental," suggested Rob Kenton, smiling. + +"Well, yes,--if you mean them to be," said Patty, dimpling at him. +"Any flower is sentimental, if the sender means it so." + +"Or if the receiver wants it to be. Did you?" and Kenton smiled back +at her. + +"Oh, yes, of _course_ I do!" And Patty put on an exaggeratedly soulful +look. "I'm _that_ sentimental you wouldn't believe! But I forget the +language of flowers. What do lilies of the valley mean,--especially +with orchids in the middle of the bunch?" + +"Undying affection," responded Kenton, promptly. "Do you accept it?" + +"I'd be glad to, but I suppose that means it lasts for ever and +ever,--so you needn't ever send me any more flowers!" + +"Oh, it isn't as undying as all that! It needs to be revived sometimes +with fresh flowers." + +"It's a little too complicated for me to think it out now," and Patty +smiled at him, roguishly. "Besides, here are more suitors approaching; +so if you'll please give me back my card, Mr. Kenton,--though I don't +believe there's room for another one." + +"Not one?" said the man who took it, disappointedly; for sure enough, +every space was filled. "But there'll be an extra or two. May I have +one of those?" + +"Oh, I never arrange those in advance," said Patty. "My partners take +their chances on those. But I'll give you half of this dance," and she +calmly cut in two the one dance against which Philip Van Reypen had +set his aristocratic initials. + +Then the dancing began, and what with the fine music, the perfect +floor, and usually good partners, Patty enjoyed herself thoroughly. +She loved dancing, and being accomplished in all sorts of fancy +dances, could learn any new or intricate steps in a moment. + +After a few dances she found herself whirling about the room with +Roger, and she determined to carry out her plan of reconciling him and +Mona. Mr. Lansing was not at the dance, for Elise had positively +declined to invite him; and so, though Mona was there, she was rather +cool to Elise, and favoured Roger only with a distant bow as a +greeting. + +"You and Mona are acting like two silly idiots," was Patty's somewhat +definite manner of beginning her conversation. + +"You think so?" said Roger, as he guided her skilfully round another +couple who were madly dashing toward them. + +"Yes, I do. And, Roger, I want you to take my advice and make up with +her." + +"I've nothing to make up." + +"Yes, you have, too. You and Mona are good friends, or have been, and +there's no reason why you should act as you do." + +"There's a very good reason; and he has most objectionable manners," +declared Roger, looking sulky. + +"I don't like his manners, either; but I tell you honestly, Roger, +you're going about it the wrong way. I know Mona awfully well,--better +than you do. And she's proud-spirited, and even a little contrary, and +if you act as you do toward her, you simply throw her into the arms of +that objectionable-mannered man!" + +"Good Heavens, Patty, what a speech!" + +"Well, of course, I don't mean literally, but if you won't speak to +her at all, on account of Mr. Lansing, why of course she's going to +feel just piqued enough to smile on him all the more. Can't you +understand that?" + +"Let her!" growled Roger. + +"No, we won't let her,--any such thing! I don't like that man a bit +better than you do, but do you suppose I'm going to show it by being +unkind and mean to Mona? That's not tactful." + +"I don't want to be tactful. I want him to let her alone." + +"Well, you can't make him do that, unless you shoot him; and that +means a lot of bother all round." + +"It might be worth the bother." + +"Don't talk nonsense, I'm in earnest. You're seriously fond of Mona, +aren't you, Roger?" + +"Yes, I am; or rather, I was until that cad came between us." + +"He isn't exactly a cad," said Patty, judicially. "I do believe in +being fair, and while the man hasn't all the culture in the world, he +is kind-hearted and----" + +"And awfully good to his mother, let us hope," and Roger smiled, a +little sourly. "Now, Patty girl, you'd better keep your pretty little +fingers out of this pie. It isn't like you to interfere in other +people's affairs, and I'd rather you wouldn't." + +"Oh, fiddle-de-fudge, Roger! I'm not interfering, and it _is_ my +affair. Mona is my affair, and so are you; and now your Aunt Patty is +going to bring about a reconciliation." + +"Not on my part," declared Roger, stoutly; + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +MORE MAKING UP + + +After the sixth dance was over, Patty asked her partner to bring Mr. +Everson to her, and then she awaited his coming on a little sofa in an +alcove. + +If Eugene Everson was surprised at the summons, he did not show it, +but advanced courteously, and took a seat by Patty's side. He had a +dance engaged with her much later in the evening, so Patty said, +pleasantly: + +"Mr. Everson, don't think my request strange, but won't you exchange +our later dance for this number seven?" + +"I would gladly, Miss Fairfield, but I'm engaged for this." + +"Yes, I know," and Patty favoured him with one of her most bewitching +smiles; "but the lady is Miss Galbraith, as I happen to know, and Miss +Galbraith is a very dear friend of mine, and,--oh, well, it's a matter +of 'first aid to the injured.' I don't want to tell you all about it, +Mr. Everson, but the truth is, I want Miss Galbraith to dance this +number with another man,--because,--because----" + +It was not quite so easy as Patty had anticipated. She didn't want to +go so far as to explain the real situation, and she became suddenly +aware that she was somewhat embarrassed. Her face flushed rosy pink, +and she cast an appealing glance from her violet-blue eyes into the +amused face of the man beside her. + +"I haven't an idea of what it is all about, Miss Fairfield, but please +consider me entirely at the orders of yourself and Miss Galbraith. A +man at a party is at best but a puppet to dance at the bidding of any +fair lady. And what better fortune could I ask than to be allowed to +obey your decree?" + +Patty was greatly relieved when he took the matter thus lightly. In +whimsical conversation she was on her own ground, and she responded +gaily: "Let it remain a mystery, then; and obey as a noble knight a +lady's decree. Dance with me, and trust it to me that Miss Galbraith +is also obeying a decree of mine." + +"For a small person, you seem to issue decrees of surprising number +and rapidity," and Everson, who was a large man, looked down at Patty +with an air of amusement. + +"Yes, sir," said Patty, demurely, "I'm accustomed to it. Decrees are +my strong point. I issue them 'most all the time." + +"And are they always obeyed?" + +"Alas, noble sir, not always. Though I'm not sure that your question +is as flattering as the remarks most young men make to me." + +"Perhaps not. But when you know me better, Miss Fairfield, you'll find +out that I'm very different from the common herd." + +"Really? How interesting! I hope I shall know you better very soon, +for I adore unusual people." + +"And do unusual people adore you?" + +"I can't tell; I've never met one before," and after the briefest of +saucy glances, Patty dropped her eyes demurely. + +"Aren't you one yourself?" + +"Oh, no!" And Patty looked up with an air of greatest surprise; "I'm +just a plain little every-day girl." + +"You're a plain little coquette, that's what you are!" + +"You are indeed unusual, sir, to call me plain!" and Patty looked +about as indignant as an angry kitten. + +"Perhaps, when I know you better, I may change my opinion of your +plainness. Will you dance now?" + +The music had been playing for some moments, and signifying her +assent, Patty rose, and they joined the dancers who were circling the +floor. Mr. Everson was a fine dancer, but he was all unprepared for +Patty's exquisite perfection in the art. + +"Why, Miss Fairfield," he said, unable to suppress his admiration, "I +didn't know anybody danced like you, except professionals." + +"Oh, yes, I'm a good dancer," said Patty, carelessly; "and so are you, +for that matter. Do you think they've made up?" + +"Who?" + +"Miss Galbraith and Mr. Farrington. See, we're just passing them. Oh, +I'm afraid they haven't!" + +It was difficult to judge by the glance they obtained in passing, but +Patty declared that both Mona's and Roger's faces looked like thunder +clouds. + +"Give them a little longer," said Mr. Everson, who began to see how +matters stood. + +"Perhaps another round, and we will find them smiling into each +other's eyes." + +But when they next circled the long room, Mona and Roger were nowhere +to be seen. + +"Aha," said Everson, "the conservatory for theirs! It must be all +right! Shall we trail 'em?" + +"Yes," said Patty. "I don't care if they see us. Let's walk through +the conservatory." + +They did so, and spied Mona and Roger sitting under a group of palms, +engaged in earnest conversation. They were not smiling, but they were +talking very seriously, with no indication of quarrelling. + +"I guess it's all right," said Patty, with a little sigh. "It's +awfully nice to have friends, Mr. Everson, but sometimes they're a +great care; aren't they?" + +"If you'll let me be your friend, Miss Fairfield, I'll promise never +to be a care, and I'll help you to care for your other cares." + +"Goodness, what a complicated offer! If I could straighten all those +cares you speak of, I might decide to take you as a friend. I think I +will, anyway,--you were so nice about giving me this dance." + +"I was only too delighted to do so, Miss Fairfield." + +"Thank you. You know it is in place of our other one, number sixteen." + +"Oh, we must have that also." + +"No, it was a fair exchange. You can get another partner for sixteen." + +"But I don't want to. If you throw me over, I shall sit in a corner +and mope." + +"Oh, don't do that! Well, I'll tell you what, I'll give you half of +sixteen, and you can mope the other half." + +And then Patty's next partner claimed her, and Mr. Everson went away. + +Having done all she could in the matter of conciliating Mona and +Roger, Patty bethought herself of her own little tiff with Philip Van +Reypen. It did not bother her much, for she had little doubt that she +could soon cajole him back to friendship, and she assured herself that +if she couldn't, she didn't care. + +And so, when he came to claim his dance, which was the last before +supper, Patty met him with an air of cool politeness, which greatly +irritated the Van Reypen pride. + +He had thought, had even hoped, Patty would be humble and repentant, +but she showed no such attitude, and the young man was slightly at a +loss as to what manner to assume, himself. + +But he followed her lead, and with punctilious courtesy asked her to +dance, and they stepped out on to the floor. + +For a few rounds they danced in silence, and then Philip said, in a +perfunctory way: "You're enjoying this party?" + +"I have been, up to this dance," and Patty smiled pleasantly, as she +spoke. + +"And you're not enjoying yourself now?" Philip said, suppressing his +desire to shake her. + +"Oh, _no_, sir!" and Patty looked at him with big, round eyes. + +"Why not?" + +"I don't like to dance with a man who doesn't like me." + +"I _do_ like you, you silly child." + +"Oh, no, you don't, either! and I'm _not_ a silly child." + +"And you're not enjoying this dance with me?" + +"Not a bit!" + +"Then there's no use going on with it," and releasing her, Philip +tucked one of her hands through his arm, and calmly marched her into +the conservatory. The seat under the palms was vacant, and as she took +her place in one corner of it, he poked one or two cushions deftly +behind her back and made her entirely comfortable. Then he sat down +beside her. + +"Now," he commanded, "say you're sorry." + +"Sorry for what?" + +"That you carried on with that horrid man and spoiled our friendship." + +"Didn't carry on, and he isn't a horrid man, and our friendship isn't +spoiled, and I'm not sorry." + +"Not sorry that our friendship isn't spoiled?" + +"No; 'course I'm not! You don't s'pose I want it to be spoiled, do +you?" + +"Well, you certainly did all in your power to spoil it." + +"Now, look here, Philip Van Reypen, I've already exhausted myself this +evening patching up one spoiled friendship, and it's just about worn +me out! Now if ours needs any patching up, you'll have to do it +yourself. I shan't raise a finger toward it!" + +Patty leaned back among her pillows, looking lovely and provoking. She +tried to scowl at him, but her dimples broke through the scowl and +turned it into a smile. Whereupon, she dropped her eyes, and tried to +assume a look of bored indifference. + +Van Reypen looked at her. "So she won't raise a finger, won't she? And +I've got to do it myself, have I? Well, then, I suppose I'll have to +raise her finger for her." Patty's hand was lying idly in her lap, and +he picked up her slender pink forefinger slowly, and with an +abstracted air. "I don't know how raising a finger helps to patch up a +spoiled friendship," he went on, as if to himself, "but she seems to +think it does, and so, of course, it does! Well, now, mademoiselle, +your finger is raised,--is our quarrel all patched up?" + +Philip held her finger in one hand, and clasped her whole hand with +the other, as he smiled into her eyes, awaiting an answer to his +question. + +Patty looked up suddenly, and quickly drew her hand away. + +"Unhand me, villain!" she laughed, "and don't bother about our +friendship! I'm not worrying over it." + +"You needn't, little girl," and Philip's voice rang true. "Nothing can +_ever_ shake it! And I apologise for my foolish anger. If you want to +affect the society of men I don't like,--of course I've no right to +say a word, and I won't. At any rate, not now, for I don't want to +spoil this blessed making-up with even a thought of anything +unpleasant." + +"Now, that's real nice of you, Philip," and Patty fairly beamed at +him. "It's so nice to be friends again, after being near-not-friends!" + +"Yes, milady, and you made up just in time. Aunty Van is having an +opera party to-morrow night, and she wants you to go." + +"Are you going?" and Patty put her fingertip in her mouth, and looked +babyishly at him. + +"Oh, don't let that influence you. Decide for yourself." + +"Well, since _you_ don't care whether I go or not, I believe I won't +go." + +"Foolish child! Of course you'll go. And then, as you know very well, +wild horses couldn't keep me away." + +"How do wild horses keep people away? They must be trained to do it. +And _then_, they're not wild horses any more." + +"What foolishness you do talk! Well, will you go to the opera with +us?" + +"Yes, and thank you kindly, sir. Or, rather, I thank your august aunt +for the invitation." + +"No, thank me. As a matter of fact, I made up the party. So it's +really mine, though I accept Aunty Van's box for the occasion." + +"'Tis well, fair sir. I thank thee greatly. What may I do for thee in +return?" + +Patty clasped her hands and looked a pretty suppliant, begging a +favour. + +"Give me half a dozen more dances," replied Philip, taking her card to +look at. + +"Not one left," said Patty, calmly. + +"And most of them halves!" exclaimed Philip. "What a belle you are, +Patty!" + +"All the girls are," she returned, carelessly, which, however, was not +quite true. "But I'll tell you what I will do. I'll give you half of +number sixteen. That's Mr. Everson's, but I'll divide it. I told him I +should." + +"You little witch! Did you save it for me?" + +"M--m----," and Patty slowly wagged her head up and down. + +"That was dear of you! But don't you think for a minute that's all I'm +going to have! There'll be an extra or two, and I claim them all!" + +"Hear the man talk!" exclaimed Patty. "Why, I do believe they're +beginning an extra now! Mr. Van Reypen, won't you dance it with me?" +Patty jumped up and stood before him, lightly swaying in time to the +music. + +Philip sat looking at her, entranced by the pretty vision; and even +before he could rise, Kenneth Harper came to Patty, and obeying a +sudden coquettish impulse, she put her hand lightly on Kenneth's +shoulder and they danced away. + +Philip Van Reypen sat looking after them, smiling. + +"What a transparent child she is," he thought to himself. "Her pretty +little coquetries are like the gambols of a kitten. Now, she thinks +I'm going to be annoyed at losing this dance with her. Well,--I +am,--but I don't propose to quarrel with her about it." + +And then Patty and Kenneth came dancing back again; and Patty calmly +told Mr. Van Reypen it was his turn now. + +Philip took her hand and they started off, and when that dance was +finished it was supper-time. + +As usual, Patty and her most especial friends grouped in some pleasant +corner for supper. But, looking about, she missed a familiar face. + +"Where is Christine Farley?" she said. "She always has supper with us. +Do you know where she is, Mr. Hepworth?" + +Gilbert Hepworth drew near Patty, and spoke in a low voice: "I think +she has gone to the dressing-room," he said. "I wish you'd go up and +see her, Patty." + +A little startled at his serious face, Patty ran upstairs, to Elise's +room, where she had taken off her wraps. + +There was Christine, who had thrown herself on a couch, and buried her +face in the pillows. + +"Why, Christine, what is the matter, dear?" and Patty laid her hand +gently on Christine's hair. + +"Oh, Patty, don't speak to me! I am not fit to have you touch me!" + +"Good gracious, Christine, what _do_ you mean?" and Patty began to +think her friend had suddenly lost her mind. + +"I'm a bad, wicked girl! You were my friend, and now I've done an +awful, dreadful thing! But, truly, _truly_, Patty, I didn't mean to!" + +"Christine Farley, stop this foolishness! Sit up here this minute, and +tell me what you're talking about! I believe you're crazy." + +Christine sat up, her pale hair falling from its bands, and her eyes +full of tears. + +"I've--I've--stolen----" she began. + +"Oh, you goose! _do_ go on! What have you stolen? A pin from Elise's +pin cushion,--or some powder from her puff-box? Another dab on your +nose would greatly improve your appearance,--if you ask me! It's as +red as a beet!" + +"Patty, don't giggle! I'm serious. Oh, Patty, _Patty_, _do_ forgive +me!" + +"I'll forgive you _anything_, if you'll tell me what's the matter, and +convince me that you haven't lost your mind. Now, Christine, don't you +_dare_ ask me to forgive you again, until you tell me _what for_!" + +"Well, you see, you were away all summer." + +"Yes, so I was," agreed Patty, in bewilderment. + +"And you have been so busy socially this fall and winter, I haven't +seen much of you." + +"No," agreed Patty, still more deeply mystified. + +"And--and--Gil--Mr. Hepworth hasn't either----" + +"Oh!" cried Patty, a great light breaking in upon her; "oh,--oh!--OH!! +Christine, do you _mean_ it? Oh, how perfectly _lovely_! I'm _so_ +glad!" + +"You're glad?" and Christine opened her eyes in amazement. + +"Why, of _course_ I'm glad, you silly! Did you think _I_ wanted him? +Oh, you Blessed Goose!" + +"Oh, Patty, I'm _so_ relieved. You see, I thought you looked upon him +as your especial property. I know he cared a lot for you,--he still +does. But----" + +"But he and I are about as well suited as chalk and cheese! Whereas, +he's just the one for you! Oh, Christine, darling, I'm delighted! May +I tell? Can we announce it to-night?" + +"Oh, no! You see, he just told me to-night. And I felt guilty at once. +I knew I had stolen him from you." + +"Oh, Christine, _don't_! Don't say such things! He wasn't mine to +steal. We've always been friends, but I never cared for him _that_ +way." + +"That's what he said; but I felt guilty all the same." + +"Well, stop it, right now! Mr. Hepworth is lovely; he's one of the +best friends I ever had, and if I have any claim on his interest or +affection, I'm only too glad to hand it over to you. Now, brace up, +powder your nose, and come down to supper. And you needn't think you +can keep this thing secret! I won't tell,--but your two faces will +give it away at once. Don't blame _me_ if people guess it!" + +"Don't let them, Patty; not to-night. Keep me by you, and right after +supper I'll go home." + +"All right, girlie; just as you like. But don't look at G. H. or +you'll betray your own dear little heart." + +However, they reckoned without the other interested party. + +When the two girls came downstairs, smiling, and with their arms about +each other, Mr. Hepworth went to meet them, and drew Christine's arm +through his own with an unmistakable air of proprietorship. Christine's +blushes, and Patty's smiles, confirmed Hepworth's attitude, and a shout +of understanding went up from their group of intimates. + +"Yes, it's so," said Patty; "but I promised Christine I wouldn't +tell!" + +And then there were congratulations and good wishes from everybody, +and the pretty little Southern girl was quite overcome at being so +suddenly the centre of attraction. + +"It's perfectly lovely," said Patty, holding out her hand to Hepworth, +"and I'm as glad for you as I can be,--and for Christine, too." + +"Thank you, Patty," he returned, and for a moment he held her eyes +with his own. Then he said, "Thank you," again, and turned away. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +A DELIGHTFUL INVITATION + + +Patty was singing softly to herself, as she fluttered around her +boudoir at a rather late hour the next morning. Robed in a soft blue +silk negligee, with her golden curls tucked into a little lace +breakfast cap, she now paused to take a sip of chocolate or a bit of a +roll from her breakfast tray, then danced over to the window to look +out, or back to her desk to look up her calendar of engagements for +the day. + +"What a flutter-budget you are, Patty," said Nan, appearing at the +doorway, and pausing to watch Patty's erratic movements. + +Patty flew across the room and greeted her stepmother with an +affectionate squeeze, and then flew back and dropped comfortably on +the couch, tucking one foot under her, and thereby dropping off a +little blue silk boudoir slipper as she did so. + +"Oh, Nan!" she began, "it was the most exciting party ever! What _do_ +you think? Christine and Mr. Hepworth are engaged!" + +"Christine! and Gilbert Hepworth!" and Nan was quite as surprised at +the news as Patty could desire. + +"Yes, isn't it great! and oh, Nan, what _do_ you think? Christine was +all broken up,--crying in fact,--because,--did you ever know anything +so ridiculous?--because she thought she was taking him away from me!" + +Nan looked at Patty a little curiously. "Well; you must know, Patty, +he certainly thought a great deal of you." + +"Of course he did! And of course he _does!_--You speak as if he were +dead!--and I think a great deal of him, and I think a heap of +Christine, and I think they are perfectly suited to each other, and I +think it's all just lovely! Don't you?" + +"Yes," said Nan, slowly. "Then, you didn't care for him especially, +Patty?" + +"Good gracious, Nan, if you mean was I in love with him, I sure was +_not!_ Little girls like me don't fall in love with elderly gentlemen; +and this particular little girl isn't falling in love anyway. Why, +Nan, I'm only just out, and I do perfectly adore being out! I want +three or four years of good, solid outness before I even think of +falling in love with anybody. Of course I shall marry eventually, and +be a beautiful, lovely housekeeper, just exactly like you. But, if you +remember, my lady, you were some few years older than nineteen when +you married my revered father." + +"That's true enough, Patty, and I can tell you I'm glad I didn't +accept any of the young men who asked me before Fred did." + +"I'm jolly glad, too; and father was in luck when he got you. But +you're not going to be rid of me yet for a long time, I can tell you +that much. Well, more things happened last night. Philip and I made up +our quarrel,--which wasn't much of a quarrel anyway,--and Roger and +Mona are pretty much at peace again; though, if Mona keeps on with +that Lansing idiot, Roger won't stand it much longer. And I'm going to +the opera to-night in the Van Reypen box, and I'm going skating +to-morrow,--oh, there's the mail!" + +Patty jumped up and ran to take the letters from Jane, who brought in +a trayful. + +"Quite a bunch for you, Nansome," and Patty tossed a lot of letters in +Nan's lap. "And a whole lot of beautiful, fat envelopes for me. 'Most +all invitations, as you can see at a glance. Two or three requests for +charity,--they show on the outside, too. A few bills, a few circulars +and advertisements, and all the rest invitations. Isn't it gorgeous, +Nan, to be invited to such heaps of things?" + +"Don't wear yourself out, Patty," returned Nan, a little +absent-mindedly, being absorbed in a letter from her mother. + +Having weeded out the more interesting looking letters, Patty returned +to her sofa, and curled up there with both feet under her, looking +like a very pretty and very civilised little Turk. With a slender +paper cutter she slashed all the envelopes, and then went through them +one by one, making running comments of delight or indifference as she +read the various contents. + +But suddenly a more excited exclamation broke from her. "Oh, my +goodness, gracious, sakes alive!" she cried. "Nan, _will_ you listen +to this!" + +"Wait a minute, honey, till I finish this letter," and Nan went on +reading to herself. + +Patty dashed through eight pages of sprawly penmanship, and as soon as +she finished she read it all over again. + +"Now, Miss Fairfield, what's it all about?" and Nan folded her own +letter and returned it to its envelope. + +"Well, in a nutshell, it's a Christmas Country House Party! Could +anything be more delightfuller?" + +"Who, where, what, when?" And Nan patiently awaited further +enlightenment. + +"Oh, Nan, it's _too_ gorgeous!" And Patty's eyes ran through the letter +again. "You know Adele Kenerley, who was down at Mona's last +summer,--well, she and Jim have bought a place at Fern Falls,--wherever +that may be,--somewhere up in Connecticut,--in the Berkshires, you +know. Heavenly in summer, dunno what it'll be in winter. But all the +same that's where the house party is, Christmas,--stay two or three +weeks,--all our crowd,--oh, Nan! isn't it beatific!" + +Patty bounded to her feet, and gathering up the sides of her +accordion-pleated gown, she executed a triumphant dance about the +room, winding up by kicking her little blue silk slipper straight over +Nan's head. + +"Moderate your transports, my love," Nan said, calmly. "I don't want +concussion of the brain, from being hit by a French heel." + +"Not much of a compliment to my skilful ballet dancing," and Patty +flung herself into the cushions again. "But, Nan, you don't understand; +everybody's going! Elise and Mona and the boys, and oh, gracious, _do_ +show some enthusiasm!" + +"Don't have to," said Nan, smiling, "when you show enough for a +dozen." + +"Well, I'll call up Mona, she'll have something to say." + +Patty reached for the telephone, and in a few moments both girls were +talking at once, and the conversation ran something like this: + +"Yes, I did, and, Patty----" + +"Of course I am! Oh, I don't know about that! If I----" + +"But of course if Daisy is there----" + +"Well, we can't help that, and anyway----" + +"Tuesday, I suppose; but Adele said----" + +"No, Monday, Mona, for us, and the boys----" + +"I'm not sure that I'll go. You see----" + +"Now, stop such nonsense! Of course he isn't invited, but I'll never +speak to you again if----" + +"Oh, of course I will, but I'll only stay----" + +"Yes, all our best frocks, and lots of presents and, oh, Mona, come on +over here, do. There's oceans of things to talk about!" + +"All right, I will. Good-bye." + +"Good-bye." And Patty hung up the receiver. "She's coming over here, +Nan; there's so much to plan for, you know. Do help me, won't you? A +regular Christmas tree, and all that, you know; and presents for +everybody, and a dance at the country club, and I don't know what +all." + +"Yes, you will have a lovely time." And Nan smiled with sympathy at +the excited girl, whose sparkling eyes and tumbled hair betokened her +state of mind. + +Mona came over and spent the rest of the day, and plans were made and +unmade and remade with startling rapidity. + +Mona began to voice regrets that Mr. Lansing was not invited to the +house party, but Patty interrupted at once: + +"Now, Mona Galbraith, you stop that! Adele has a lovely party made +up, and you're not going to spoil it by even so much as a reference to +that man! Roger will be there for Christmas, and if that isn't enough +for you, you can stay home!" + +"Isn't Elise going?" + +"No, she can't. She's going South next week with her mother, and I +doubt if Philip Van Reypen will go. His aunt won't want him to leave +her at the holidays. Do you know, I'm a little sorry Daisy Dow is up +there." + +"You don't like her, do you, Patty?" + +"I would, if she'd like me. But she's always snippy to me." + +"'Cause she's jealous of you," observed Mona, sapiently. + +"Nonsense! She has no reason to be. I never interfere with her." + +"Well, never mind, don't let her bother you. Hal Ferris will be there. +You don't know him, do you? He's Adele's brother." + +"No, I never met him. She wrote that he'd be there." + +"He's the dearest boy. Well, he's older than Adele, but he seems like +a boy,--he's so full of capers. Adele says it's a beautiful big +house, just right for a jolly, old-fashioned Christmas party." + + * * * * * + +The days simply flew by as Christmas drew nearer. There was so much to +do socially, and then there were the Happy Saturday Afternoons to be +planned and carried out, and the Christmas shopping to be done. + +This last was greatly added to because of the house party, for Patty +knew the generosity of her hosts, and she wanted to do her share in +the presentation festivities. + +She undertook to dress a huge doll for baby May. Nan helped her with +this or she never could have finished the elaborate wardrobe. She +selected a beautiful doll, of goodly size, but not big enough to be +cumbersome to little two-year-old arms. With her knack for dressmaking +and her taste for colour, she made half a dozen dainty and beautiful +frocks, and also little coats and hats, and all the various accessories +of a doll's outfit. + +She bought a doll's trunk and suit-case to contain these things, and +added parasol, furs, jewelry, and all the marvellous little trinkets +that the toy shop afforded. + +"I spent so much time and thought on this doll," said Patty, one day, +"that I shall have to buy things for the others. I can't sew any more, +Nan; my fingers are all like nutmeg graters now." + +"Poor child," sympathised Nan. "You have worked hard, I know, but +Adele will appreciate it more than if you had made something for +herself. By all means buy the rest of your gifts." + +So Patty bought a beautiful luncheon set of filet lace and embroidery +for Mrs. Kenerley, and an Oriental antique paper cutter for her +husband. + +She bought a handsome opera bag for Mona and a similar one for Daisy +Dow, that there might be no rivalry there. She bought a few handsome +and worth-while books for the men who would be at the party, and +attractive trinkets for the house servants. + +Of course, in addition to these, she had to prepare a great many gifts +for her New York friends, as well as for her own family and many of +her relatives. But both Patty and Nan enjoyed shopping, and went about +it with method and common sense. + +"I can't see," said Patty, as they started off in the car one morning, +"why people make such a bugbear of Christmas shopping. I think it's +easy enough." + +"Perhaps it's because you have plenty of money, Patty. You know, not +every one has such a liberal father as you have." + +Patty looked thoughtful. "I don't think it's that, Nan; at least, not +entirely. I think it's more common sense, and not being fussy. Now, I +give lots of presents that cost very little; and then, of course, I +give a lot of expensive ones, too. But it's just as easy to buy the +cheap ones, if not easier. You just make up your mind what you want to +spend for a certain present, and then you buy the nicest thing you see +for that amount. It's when people fuss and bother, and can't make up +their minds among half a dozen different things, that they get worried +and bothered about Christmas. I do believe most of their trouble comes +from lack of decision, which is only another way of saying that they +haven't common sense or even common gumption!" + +"Well, Patty, whatever else you may lack, you certainly have common +sense and gumption; I'll give you credit for them." + +"Thank you, Nan; much obliged, I'm sure. I wish I could return the +compliment, but sometimes I think you haven't much of those things +yourself." + +Nan flashed a smile at Patty, entirely unmoved by this criticism; for +she knew that she was vacillating and sometimes undecided, as compared +to Patty's quick-witted grasp of a subject and instantaneous decision. + +"Have I told you," said Patty, "what we're going to do next Saturday +afternoon? I do think it's going to be lovely. And I do hope it won't +make the girls mad, but I don't think it will. You know, Nan, what an +awful lot of things we all get every Christmas that we don't want and +can't use, although they're awfully pretty and nice. We just lay them +away in cupboards, and there they stay. Well, on Saturday, we're going +to take a lot of these things and give them to people." + +"For Christmas presents? Why, Christmas is two weeks off yet." + +"That's just it! Not for presents to themselves, but presents for them +to give to other people." + +"Oh, I begin to see." + +"Yes; it isn't the least bit _charity_, you see. Why, one of the people +I'm going to give things to, is Christine. With her work, and being +engaged and all, she hasn't any time to make things, or even to go +shopping, and she can't afford to buy much, anyway. So I'm going to give +her one or two beautiful silk bags that were given to me two or three +years ago. They're perfectly fresh, never been out of their boxes. And +I'm going to give her one or two beautiful, fine handkerchiefs in boxes, +and two or three lovely books, and two or three pieces of bric-a-brac, +and a Japanese ivory carving. Don't you see, Nan, she can give these to +her friends for Christmas, and it will save her a lot of trouble and +expense. And dear knows, _I_ don't want them! My rooms are chock-a-block +with just such things, now. And I know she won't feel offended, when I +tell her about it straightforwardly." + +"Of course she won't be offended with you, Patty; and I think the idea +is lovely. I've a lot of things put away I'll give you. I never +thought of such a thing before." + +"The girls thought at first that maybe it might not work, but I talked +them around and now they're all in for it. I'm going to take some +things to Mrs. Greene. I've quite a lot for her, and I'll tell her she +can give them all away, or keep some herself, just as she likes. And +I've things for Rosy, that freckled-faced boy, you know. I have games +and picture-puzzles and books that I used to have myself. Of course +they're all perfectly new. I wouldn't give anything that had been used +at all. And we're going Saturday afternoon to take these things +around. Mona has lovely things, and so has Elise. You see, we get so +many Christmas and birthday presents, and card party prizes, and such +things, and I do think it's sensible to make use of them for +somebody's pleasure instead of sticking them away in dark cupboards. +And, Nan, what do you think?--with each lot of things we're going to +give a dozen sheets of white tissue paper and a bolt of holly ribbon +and some little tags so they can fix up real Christmassy presents to +give away." + +"Patty, you're a wonder," said Nan, looking affectionately at the girl +beside her. "How do you think of all these things?" + +"Common sense and general gumption," returned Patty. "Very useful +traits, _I_ find 'em. And here we are at our first shopping place." + +Assisted by Patty's common sense and expeditious judgment, they +accomplished a great deal that morning, and returned home with their +lists considerably shortened. + +"It does seem funny," said Patty, that same afternoon, "to be tying up +these things almost two weeks ahead of time. But with all the +newspapers and magazines urging you to do your shopping early, and +send off your parcels early, you can't really do otherwise." + +Patty was surrounded by presents of all sorts, boxes of all sizes, +pieces of ribbon, and all sorts of cards and tags. + +"I'm sick and tired of holly ribbon and red ribbon," she said, as she +deftly tied up her parcels. "So, this year, I'm using white satin +ribbon and gilt cord. It's an awfully pretty combination, and these +little green and gilt tags are lovely, don't you think?" + +Her audience, which consisted of Elise and Mona, were watching her +work with admiration. They had offered to help, but after an +ineffectual attempt to meet Patty's idea of how a box should be tied +up, they abandoned the effort, and sat watching her nimble fingers +fly. + +"You ought to get a position in some shop where they advertise, 'only +experienced parcel wrappers need apply,'" said Elise. "I never saw +such neat parcels." + +"You're evidently going to be an old maid," said Mona, "you're so +fussy and tidy." + +"I do like things tidy," admitted Patty, "and if that interferes with +my having a husband, why, of course I'll have to give him up. For I +can't stand not having things neat about me." + +"Do you call this room neat?" asked Elise, smiling as she looked about +at the scattered boxes and papers, cut strings, and little piles of +shredded tissue. + +"Yes, I do," declared Patty, stoutly. "This kind of stuff can be +picked up in a jiffy, and then the room is all in order. This is +temporary, you see. By untidiness, I mean dirt and dust, and bureau +drawers in a mess, and desks in disorder." + +"That's me," confessed Mona, cheerfully. "Not the dirt and dust, +perhaps,--the maids look after that. But I just _can't_ keep my +belongings in their places." + +"Neither can I," said Elise. "I don't see how you do it, Patty." + +"Oh, pshaw! it's no credit to me, I just can't help it. I'd have a fit +if they weren't all nice and in order. And if that means I'm going to +be an old maid, I can't help it,--and I don't care!" + +"Hoo-hoo!" said Elise. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +FERN FALLS + + +Christmas would be on Wednesday, and it was arranged that Patty and +Mona should go up to Fern Falls on Monday. Roger and Philip Van Reypen +were to go up on Tuesday for the Christmas Eve celebration; and the +rest of the house-party were already at the Kenerleys'. + +The girls started off early in the afternoon, and a train ride of +three hours brought them to the pretty little New England village of +Fern Falls. + +Jim Kenerley met them with a motor. + +"We hoped for snow," he said, as he cordially greeted the befurred +young women who stepped off the train at the little station. "So much +more Christmassy, you know. But, at any rate, we have cold, clear +weather, and that's something. Hop in, now. Adele didn't come to meet +you,--sent all kinds of excuses, which I've forgotten, but she can +tell you herself, when we reach the house. Here, I'll sit between you, +and keep you from shaking around and perhaps spilling out." + +Cheery Jim Kenerley bustled them into the tonneau, looked after their +luggage, and then, taking his own place, drew up the fur robes snugly, +and the chauffeur started off. It was a four-mile spin to the house, +for the village itself was distant from the station, and the +Kenerleys' house a mile or so beyond. + +It was cold, but the girls were warmly wrapped up and didn't a bit +mind the clear, frosty air, though in an open car. "Didn't bring the +limousine," Mr. Kenerley rattled on. "Can't abide to be shut up in a +stuffy glass house, and then, you know, people who ride in glass +houses mustn't throw stones." + +"But, you see, we girls couldn't hit anything if we did throw a +stone," said Patty. "At least, women have that reputation." + +"That's so," agreed Jim. "Can't even hit the side of a barn, so they +say. But I expect you girls that grow up with athletics and basket +ball, and such things, put the old proverbs to rout." + +"How's Daisy?" asked Mona. "Same as ever?" + +"Yep; same as ever. Daisy's all right, you know, if things go her way. +But if not----" + +"If not, she makes them go her way," said Mona, and Jim laughed and +agreed, "She sure does!" + +At last they reached the house, which Jim informed them they had +dubbed the Kenerley Kennel, for no particular reason, except that it +sounded well. + +"But you have dogs?" asked Patty, as they rolled up the driveway. + +"Yes, but we didn't exactly name it after them. Hello, here are the +girls!" + +Adele and Daisy appeared in the doorway, and greeted the visitors in +truly feminine fashion, which included much laughter and exclamation. + +"Where do I come in?" said a laughing voice, and a big, laughing man +left his seat by the fireplace and came toward them. + +"This is my brother," said Adele, "by name, Mr. Harold Ferris,--but +commonly called Chub." + +The name was not inapt, for Mr. Ferris showed a round, chubby face, +with big, dancing black eyes and ringlets of dark hair clustered on +his brow. Only his enormous size prevented his appearance being +positively infantile, and his round, dimpled face was as good-natured +as that of a laughing baby. + +"And so you're the two girls who are to spend Christmas with us," he +said, beaming down on them from his great height. "Well, you'll do!" + +He looked approvingly from Patty's flower face to Mona's glowing +beauty, and truly it would have been hard to find two more attractive +looking girls. The sudden transition from the cold out-of-doors to the +warmth of the blazing fire had flushed their cheeks and brightened +their eyes, and the hearty welcome they received brought smiles of +delight to their faces. + +"Now, come away with me," said Adele, "and get off your furs and +wraps, and make yourselves pretty for tea." + +"Oh, I know what you'll do," said Chub, in an aggrieved tone. "You'll +just go upstairs and hob-nob and talk and gossip and chatter and +babble, and never get down here again! I know girls! Why, first thing +I know, you'll be having your tea sent up there!" + +"Great idea!" exclaimed Patty, twinkling her eyes at him. "Let's do +that, Adele; kimono party, you know. We'll see you at dinner time, +Mr. Ferris." + +"Dinner time, nothing! If you're not back here in fifteen minutes, the +whole crowd of you, I'll--I'll----" + +"Well, what will you do?" laughed Mona. + +"Never you mind,--you'll find out all too soon. Now, skip, and +remember, tea will be served in just fifteen minutes." + +The girls had really no intention of not returning, and it was not +much more than the allotted time before Patty and Mona were arrayed in +soft, pretty house-dresses and reappeared in the great hall, where tea +was already being placed for them. + +The big fireplace had cosy seats on either side, and the crackling +logs and flickering blaze made all the light that was needed save for +a pair of tall cathedral candles in their antique standards. + +"What a duck of a house!" exclaimed Patty, as she came down the broad +staircase, her soft, rose-coloured chiffon gown shimmering in the +firelight. She cuddled up in a corner near the fire, and Hal Ferris +brought a cushion to put behind her. + +"It ought to be a rose-coloured one," he said, apologetically; "but I +didn't see one handy to grab, and really this old blue isn't half bad +for a background." + +"Much obliged for your kind colour-scheme," said Patty, smiling at +him, "and I'll have one lump, please, and a bit of lemon." + +Big Mr. Ferris proved himself tactful as well as kind, for he divided +his attentions impartially among the four ladies. + +"A little shy of men; aren't we, Adele?" he said to his sister. "Even +Jim seems to have disappeared. Not that I mind being the only pebble +on the beach,--far from it,--but I'm afraid I can't prove entertaining +enough for four." + +"You're doing nobly so far," said Patty, cuddling into her cushion, +for she loved luxurious warmth, like a kitten. + +"Two more men are coming to dinner, girls," said their hostess; "and +to-morrow, you know, we'll have two more house-party guests. Don't +worry, Chub, you shan't be overworked, I promise you." + +After a pleasant tea hour, the girls went again to their rooms, +ostensibly to rest before dinner, but really to have what Patty called +a kimono party. + +All in their pretty negligees, they gathered in Adele's room and +talked as rapidly and interruptingly as any four girls can. + +"Do you hear from Bill Farnsworth often?" asked Daisy of Patty, +_apropos_ of nothing but her own curiosity. + +"Not often, Daisy," returned Patty, of no mind to pursue the subject. + +"But don't you ever hear from him?" persisted the other. + +"Oh, sometimes," said Patty, carelessly. "He sent me flowers for my +coming-out party." + +"I hear from Bill sometimes," said Adele. "I asked him to come to +this party, but he couldn't possibly leave just now. He's awfully +busy." + +"What's he doing?" asked Mona. + +"I don't know exactly," answered Adele. "Jim can tell you, but it has +something to do with prospecting of mines. Say, girls, do you want to +see the baby before she's put to bed?" + +Of course they did, and they all trooped into the nursery to admire +the tiny mite of humanity, who looked a picture, with her tumbled +curls and her laughing face, just ready for bed. + +She remembered Patty and Mona, and greeted them without shyness, +clinging to Patty's neck and begging her to stay and sing her to +sleep. + +This Patty would have done, but Adele wouldn't allow it, and ordered +the girls back to their rooms to dress for dinner. + +"Eight o'clock sharp," she warned them, "and don't put on your +prettiest gowns; save those for to-morrow night." + +Patty wandered around her room, singing softly, as she dressed. +Looking over her dinner gowns, she decided upon her second best, a +white marquisette with a garniture of pearl beads and knots of pale +blue velvet. When the maid came to assist her she was nearly dressed, +and ten minutes before the dinner hour she was quite ready to go +downstairs. "I may as well go on down," she thought to herself. "I can +explore the house a little." + +She looked in at Mona's door as she passed, but as that young woman +was just having her gown put over her head, she didn't see Patty, and +so Patty went on downstairs. + +There was no one about, so she strolled through the various rooms, +admiring the big, pleasant living-room, the cosy library, and then +drifted back to the great hall, which was very large, even for a +modern country house. It was wainscoted in dark wood, and contained +many antique bits of furniture and some fine specimens of old armour +and other curios. Jim Kenerley's father had been rather a noted +collector, and had left his treasures to his only son. They had chosen +this house as being roomy and well-fitted for their belongings. + +Patty came back to the great fireplace, and stood there, leaning her +golden head against one of the massive uprights. + +"Adele told me you were a peach," exclaimed a laughing voice, "but +she didn't half tell me how much of a one you are!" + +Patty turned her head slowly, and looked at Mr. Hal Ferris. + +"And I thought you were a mannerly boy!" she said, in a tone of grave +reproach. + +"I beg your pardon," he exclaimed. "I do indeed! I'm almost a stranger +to you, I know; I ought to have waited until I know you better to say +anything of that sort to you! May I take it back, and then say it to +you again after I do know you better?" + +Patty couldn't help smiling at his mock dismay. + +"And how well shall I have to know you," he went on, "before I can say +it to you properly?" + +"I can't answer that question at once," said Patty. "We'll have to let +our acquaintance proceed, and see----" + +"And see how the cat jumps," he suggested. + +"Yes," agreed Patty. "And, by the way, what a jumper that cat must +be." + +"Small wonder, with everybody waiting to see how she jumps! Oh, pshaw! +here comes a horde of people, and our pleasant tete-a-tete is +spoiled!" + +"Never mind; we'll have another some time," and Patty gave him a +dimpled smile that quite completed the undoing of Mr. Harold Ferris. + +The "horde" proved to be two young men from nearby country houses, Mr. +Collins and Mr. Hoyt. And then the other members of the household +appeared, and soon dinner was announced. + +"We haven't any especial guest of honour," said Mrs. Kenerley, "for +you're all so very honourable. So pair off just as you like." + +Hal Ferris jumped a low chair and two footstools to reach Patty before +any one else could. "Come in with me," he said. "I know the way to the +dining-room." + +"I'm glad to be shown," said Patty. "You see, I've never been here +before." + +"I know it; that's why I'm being so kind to you. To-morrow I'll take +you up in the tower--it's great." + +"Why, is this place a castle?" + +"Not exactly, but it's modelled after an old chateau. Really, it's a +most interesting house." + +"All right. To-morrow we'll explore it thoroughly." + +And then they took their seats at the table, and as the party was +small, conversation became general. + +Suddenly Patty became aware that Mr. Collins, who sat on the other side +of her, was trying to attract her attention. He was a mild-mannered +young man, and he looked at her reproachfully. + +"I've asked you a question three times, Miss Fairfield," he said, "and +you never even heard it." + +"Then you certainly can't expect me to answer it, Mr. Collins," and +Patty laughed gaily. "Won't you repeat it for me, please? I'll promise +to hear it this time." + +"I said, did you ever make a lemon pig?" + +"A lemon pig! No, I never did. How do you make it?" + +"Oh, they're the maddest fun! I say, Mrs. Kenerley, mayn't we have a +lemon?" + +"Certainly, Mr. Collins." + +"And, oh, I say, Mrs. Kenerley, if it isn't too much trouble, mayn't +we have a box of matches, and two black pins, and a bit of paper?" + +"And a colander and a tack hammer and a bar of soap?" asked Ferris, +but Mr. Collins said, gravely: "No, we don't want those." + +The articles he had asked for were soon provided, and in the slow, +grave way in which he did everything, Mr. Collins began to make the +strange animal of which he had spoken. The lemon formed the whole pig, +with four matches for his legs, two black pins for his eyes, and a +narrow strip of paper, first curled round a match, for his tail. It +was neither artistic nor realistic, but it was an exceedingly comical +pig, and soon it began to squeak in an astonishingly pig-like voice. +Then a tap at the window was heard, and a farmer's gruff voice +shouted: "Have you my pig in there? My little Lemmy pig?" + +"Yes," responded Mr. Collins, "we have; and we mean to keep him, too." + +"I'll have the law of ye," shouted the farmer. "Me pig escaped from +the sty, and I call upon ye to give him up!" + +"We won't do it!" shouted several of the men in chorus. + +"Then, kape him!" returned the voice of the farmer, and they heard his +heavy tramp as he strode away. + +Patty looked puzzled. She couldn't understand what it all meant, until +Hal Ferris whispered, "It was only Collins; he's a ventriloquist." + +"Oh," said Patty, turning to Mr. Collins, delightedly, "was it really +you? Oh, how do you do it? I've always wanted to hear a ventriloquist, +and I never did before." + +"Oh, yes, you did!" said a voice from the other end of the table, and +Patty looked up, saying earnestly, "No, I didn't!" when she realised +that the accusation had really come from Mr. Collins. + +"Oh, what fun!" she cried, clapping her hands. "Do some more!" + +"I'd rather he wouldn't," said Adele, and Patty looked at her in +surprise. "Why not, Adele?" she asked. + +Everybody laughed, and Adele said: "You're too easily fooled, Patty. +That was Mr. Collins speaking like me. He knows my voice so well he +can imitate it." + +"He'd better stop it!" came in a deep growl from Jim Kenerley's end of +the table, and Patty was surprised at such a speech from her urbane +host. Then she realised that that, too, was Mr. Collins speaking. + +"I just love it!" she exclaimed. "I've always wanted to know how to do +it. Won't you teach me?" + +"You couldn't learn," said Mr. Collins, smiling at her. + +And then Patty _heard herself_ say: "I could so! I think you're real +mean!" + +Her bewildered look changed to admiration at his wonderful imitation +of her voice, and the natural, petulant tone of the remark. + +"It's too wonderful!" she said. "Some other time, Mr. Collins, after +dinner, maybe, will you teach me just a little about it?" + +"I'll try," he said, kindly; "but I warn you, Miss Fairfield, it isn't +easy to learn, unless one has a natural gift for it, and a peculiar +throat formation." + +"Don't teach her," begged Daisy Dow. "She'll be keeping us awake all +night with her practising." + +It was like Daisy to say something unpleasant; but Patty only smiled +at her, and said, "I'll practise being an angel, and sing you to +sleep, Daisy." + +"You sing like an angel without any practice," said Mona, who was +always irritated when Daisy was what Patty called snippy. + +"Oh, do you sing, Miss Fairfield?" said Mr. Hoyt, from across the +table. "You must join our Christmas choir, then. We're going to have a +glorious old carolling time to-morrow night." + +"I'll be glad to," replied Patty, "if I know your music." + +But after dinner, when they tried some of the music, they discovered +that Patty could sing readily at sight, and she was gladly welcomed to +the musical circle of Fern Falls. + +"How long are you staying here?" asked Mr. Hoyt. + +"A month, at least," Adele answered for Patty. + +"Oh, no, not so long as that," Patty protested. "A fortnight, at +most." + +But Adele only smiled, and said, "We'll see about that, my dear." + +After a time, Hal Ferris came to Patty, and tried to draw her away +from the group around the piano. + +"You're neglecting me shamefully," he said; "and I'm the brother of +your hostess! Guests should always be especially kind to the Brother +of a Hostess." + +"What can I do for you?" asked Patty, smiling, as she walked out to +the hall with him. + +"Quit talking to the other people, and devote yourself to me," was the +prompt response. + +"Do all your sister's guests do that?" + +"I don't want 'em all to; I only want you to." + +"And what about _my_ wants?" + +"Yes; _what_ about them? You want to talk to me, _don't_ you?" + +His tone and smile were so roguishly eager that Patty felt a strong +liking for this big, boyish chap. + +"I'll talk for ten minutes," she said, "and then we're going to dance, +I believe." + +"Oh, and then they'll all be after you! I say," and he drew her toward +a window, from where the moonlight could be plainly seen, "Let's go +out and skate. The ice is fine!" + +"Skate! You must be crazy!" + +"Yes; I supposed you'd say so! But to-morrow more people are coming, +and I'll never see anything of you. Say, how about this? Are you game +to get up and go for an early morning skate, just with me, and not let +anybody else know?" + +"I'd like that!" and Patty's eyes sparkled, for she dearly loved early +morning fresh air. "Of course, we'll tell Adele." + +"Yes; so she'll have some breakfast made for us. But nobody else. How +about eight o'clock? Regular breakfast will be at nine-thirty." + +"Good! I'll be ready at eight." + +"Meet me in the breakfast-room at eight, then. Do you know where it +is? Just off the big dining-room." + +"What are you two hob-nobbing about?" asked Daisy, curiously, as she +strolled over toward them. + +"I'm just telling Miss Fairfield about the plan of the house," said +Ferris, innocently. "It's well planned, isn't it?" + +"Very," said Patty. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +CHRISTMAS EVE + + +As Patty stepped out of her room into the hall the next morning, at +eight o'clock, she found Hal Ferris already tiptoeing down the stairs. +He put his finger to his lip with a great show of secrecy, which made +Patty laugh. + +"Why must we be so careful?" she whispered. "We're not doing anything +wrong." + +"No; but it's so much more fun to pretend we are. Let's pretend we're +on a mysterious mission, and if we are discovered we're lost!" + +So they crept downstairs silently, and reached the breakfast-room, +without seeing any one except one or two of the maids, who were +dusting about. + +Patty had on a trim, short skirt of white cloth and a blouse of soft +white silk. Over this she wore a scarlet coat, and her golden curls +were tucked into a little scarlet skating cap with a saucy, wagging +tassel. + +But in the warm, cheery breakfast-room she threw off her coat and sat +down at the table. + +"I didn't intend to eat anything," she said; "but the coffee smells so +good, I think I'll have a cup of it, with a roll." She smiled at the +waitress, who stood ready to attend to her wishes, and Hal took a seat +beside her, saying he would have some coffee also. + +"We won't eat our breakfast now, you know," he went on; "but we'll +come back with raging appetites and eat anything we can find. I say, +this is jolly cosy, having coffee here together like this! I s'pose +you won't come down every morning?" + +"No, indeed," and Patty laughed. "I don't mind admitting I hate to get +up early. I usually breakfast in my room and dawdle around until all +hours." + +"Just like a girl!" said Hal, sniffing a little. + +"Well, I _am_ a girl," retorted Patty. + +"You sure are! _Some_ girl, I should say! Well, now, Girl, if you're +ready, let's start." + +He held Patty's scarlet coat for her while she slipped in her arms. + +Then he disappeared for a moment, and returned wearing a dark red +sweater, which was very becoming to his athletic figure and broad +shoulders. + +"Come on, Girl," he said, gathering up their skates, and off they +started. + +"It's nearly half a mile to the lake. Are you good for that much +walk?" Ferris asked, as they swung along at a brisk pace. + +"Oh, yes, indeed, I like to walk; and I like to skate, but I like best +of all to dance." + +"I should think you would,--you're a ripping dancer. You know, +to-night we'll have 'Sir Roger de Coverley' and old-fashioned dances +like that. You like them?" + +"Yes, for a change; but I like the new ones best. Are we going to have +any dressing up to-night? I do love dressing up." + +"Glad rags, do you mean?" + +"No; I mean fancy costumes." + +"Oh, that. Well, old Jim's going to be Santa Claus. I don't think +anybody else will wear uncivilised clothes." + +"But I want to. Can't you and I rig up in something, just for fun?" + +"Oh, I say! that would be fun. What can we be? Romeo and Juliet, or +Jack and Jill?" + +"Oh, no, nothing like that. Something more like Christmas, you know. +Well, I'll think it over through the day, and we'll fix it up." + +Skating on the lake so early in the morning proved to be glorious +exercise. The ice was perfect, and the crisp, clear air filled them +with exhilaration. + +Both were good skaters, and though they did not attempt fancy figures, +they spent nearly an hour skating around the lake. + +"That's the best skate I ever had!" declared Hal, when they concluded +to return home. + +"It certainly was fine," declared Patty, "and by the time we've walked +back to the house, I shall be quite ready for some eggs and bacon." + +"And toast and marmalade," supplemented Ferris. + +"I wonder if Daisy will be down. Does she come down to breakfast +usually?" + +"Sometimes and sometimes not," answered Ferris, carelessly. "She's a +law unto herself, is Daisy Dow." + +"You've known her a long time, haven't you?" + +"Just about all our lives. Used to go to school together, and we were +always scrapping. Daisy's a nice girl, and a pretty girl, but she sure +has got a temper." + +"And a good thing to have sometimes. I often wish I had more." + +"Nonsense! you're perfect just as you are." + +"Oh, what a pretty speech! If you're going to talk like that, I shall +take the longest way home." + +"I'd willingly agree to that, but I don't believe you're in need of +further exercise just now. Come, own up you're a little bit tired." + +"Hardly enough to call it tired, but if there is a short cut home +let's take it." + +"And what about the pretty speeches I'm to make to you?" + +"Leave those till after breakfast. Or leave them till this evening and +give them to me for a Christmas gift." + +"Under the mistletoe?" and Ferris looked mischievous. + +"Certainly not," said Patty, with great dignity. "I'm too grown-up for +such foolishness as that!" + +"Oh, I don't know," said Ferris. + + * * * * * + +The appearance of the two runaways in the breakfast-room was greeted +with shouts of surprise. + +Adele knew they had gone skating, but no one else did, and it was +supposed they hadn't yet come downstairs. + +Patty's glowing cheeks were almost as scarlet as her coat and cap, +while Ferris was grinning with boyish enthusiasm. + +"Top o' the morning to you all," he cried. "Me and Miss Fairfield, +we've been skating for an hour." + +"On the lake?" cried Daisy, in surprise. "Why, you must have started +before sunrise." + +"Oh, no, not that," declared Patty, as, throwing off her wraps, she +took a seat next to Adele; "but long enough to get up a ravenous +appetite. I hope the Kenerley larder is well stocked." + +"Why didn't you let us all in on this game?" asked the host. "I think +a morning skating party would be just about right." + +"All right," said Patty. "We'll have one any morning you say. I shall +be here for a fortnight, and I'll go any morning you like." + +"I won't go," declared Mona. "I hate skating, and I hate getting up +early, so count me out." + +"I doubt if any one goes very soon," said Adele, "for I think there's +a storm coming. It looks bright out of doors, but it feels like snow +in the air." + +"It does," agreed her brother; "and I hope it will snow. I'd like a +real good, old-fashioned snowstorm for Christmas." + +"Well, I hope it won't begin before night," said Adele. "We've a lot +to do to-day. I want you all to help me decorate the tree and fix the +presents." + +"Of course we will," said Patty. "But, if I may, I want to skip over +to the village on an errand. Can some one take me over, Adele, or +must I walk?" + +"I'll go with you," said Daisy, who was of no mind to be left out of +Patty's escapades, if she could help it. + +"All right, Daisy, but you mustn't tell what I buy, because it's a +secret." + +"Everything's a secret at Christmas time," said Mr. Kenerley; "but, +Patty, you can have the small motor, and go over to the village any +time you like." + +As there was room for them all, Daisy and Mona both accompanied Patty +on her trip to the village, and Hal Ferris volunteered to drive the +car. But when they reached the country shop, Patty laughingly refused +to let any of the party go inside with her, saying that her purchases +would be a Christmas secret. + +She bought a great many yards of the material known as Turkey red, and +also a whole piece of white illusion. Some gilt paper completed her +list, and she ran back to the car, the shopkeeper following with her +bundles. They attended to some errands for Adele, and then whizzed +back to the house just in time to see the Christmas tree being put +into place. + +"We're going to have the tree at five o'clock," said Adele, "on +account of baby May. It's really for her, you know, and so I have it +before dinner." + +"Fine!" declared Patty. "And where do we put our presents?" + +"On these tables," and Adele pointed to several small stands already +well heaped with tissue-papered parcels. + +"Very well, I'll get mine," and Patty went flying up to her room. Mona +followed, and the two girls returned laden with their bundles. + +"What fascinating looking parcels," said Adele, as she helped to +place them where they belonged. "Now, Patty, about the tree; would you +have bayberry candles on it, or only the electric lights?" + +"Oh, have the candles. They're so nice and traditional, you know. +Unless you're afraid of fire." + +"No; all the decorations are fireproof. Jim would have them so. See, +we've lots of this Niagara Falls stuff." + +Adele referred to a decoration of spun glass, which was thrown all +over the tree in cascades, looking almost like the foam of a +waterfall. This would not burn, even if the flame of a candle were +held to it. + +"It's perfectly beautiful!" exclaimed Patty. "I never saw anything +like it before." + +They scattered it all over the tree, the men going up on step-ladders +to reach the top branches. + +The tree was set in the great, high-vaulted hall, and was a noble +specimen of an evergreen. Hundreds of electric lights were fastened to +its branches; and the thick bayberry candles were placed by means of +holders that clasped the tree trunk, and so were held firmly and safe. + +Adele's prognostications had been correct. For, soon after luncheon, +it began to snow. Fine flakes at first, but with a steadiness that +betokened a real snowstorm. + +"I'm so glad," exclaimed Patty, dancing about. "I do love a white +Christmas. It won't interfere with your guests, will it, Adele?" + +"No; if Mr. Van Reypen and Mr. Farrington get up from New York without +having their trains blocked by snowdrifts, I imagine our Fern Falls +people will be able to get here for the dinner and the dance." + +The two men arrived during the afternoon, and came in laden with +parcels and looking almost like Santa Claus himself. + +"Had to bring all this stuff with us," explained Roger, "for fear of +delays with expresses and things. Presents for everybody,--and then +some. Where shall we put them?" + +Adele superintended the placing of the parcels, and the men threw off +their overcoats, and they all gathered round the blazing fire in the +hall. + +"This is right down jolly!" declared Philip Van Reypen. "I haven't had +a real country Christmas since I was a boy. And this big fire and the +tree and the snowstorm outside make it just perfect." + +"I ordered the snowstorm," said Adele. "I like to have any little +thing that will give my guests pleasure." + +"Awfully good of you, Mrs. Kenerley," said Philip. "I wanted to +flatter myself that I brought it with me, but it seems not. Have you a +hill anywhere near? Perhaps we can go coasting to-morrow." + +"Plenty of hills; but I don't believe there's a sled about the +place--is there, Jim?" + +"We'll find some, somehow, if there's any coasting. We may have to put +one of the motor cars on runners and try that." + +"They had sleds at the country store. I saw them this morning," said +Patty. "And that reminds me I have a little work to do on a Christmas +secret, so if you'll excuse me, I'll run away." + +Patty ran away to the nursery, where Fraeulein, the baby's governess, +was working away at the materials Patty had brought home that morning. + +"Yes, that's right," said Patty, as she closed the door behind her. +"You've caught my idea exactly, Fraeulein. Now, I'll try on mine, and +then, afterward, we'll call up Mr. Ferris to try on his." + + * * * * * + +At five o'clock the sounding of a Chinese gong called everybody to +come to the Christmas tree. + +The grown people arrived first, as the principal part of the fun was +to see the surprise and delight of baby May when she should see the +tree. + +"Let me sit by you, Patty," said Philip Van Reypen, as they found a +place on one of the fireside benches. "I've missed you awfully since +you left New York." + +"Huh," said Patty, "I've only been gone twenty-four hours." + +"Twenty-four hours seems like a lifetime when _you're_ not in New +York." + +"Hush your foolishness; here comes the baby." + +The tree had been illuminated; the electric lights were shining and +the candles twinkling, when little May came toddling into the hall. +She was a dear baby, and her pretty hair lay in soft ringlets all over +the little head. Her dainty white frock was short, and she wore little +white socks and slippers. She came forward a few steps, and then spied +the tree and stood stock still. + +"What a booful!" she exclaimed, "oh, _what_ a booful!" + +Then she went up near the tree, sat down on the floor in front of it, +clasped her little fat hands in her lap, and just stared at it. + +"I yike to yook at it!" she said, turning to smile at Patty, in a +friendly way. "It's so booful!" she further explained. + +"Don't you want something off it?" asked Patty, who was now sitting on +the floor beside the baby. + +"Zes; all of ze fings. Zey is all for me! all for baby May!" + +As a matter of fact, there were no gifts on the tree, only decorations +and lights, but Patty took one or two little trinkets from the +branches, and put them in the baby's lap. "There," she said. "How do +you like those, baby May?" + +"Booful, booful," said the child, whose vocabulary seemed limited by +reason of her excited delight. + +And then a jingle, as of tiny sleighbells, was heard outside. The door +flew open, and in came a personage whom May recognised at once. + +"Santa Claus!" she cried. "Oh, Santa Claus!" And jumping up from the +floor, she ran to meet him as fast as her little fat legs could carry +her. + +"Down on the floor!" she cried, tugging at his red coat. "Baby May's +Santa Claus! Sit down on floor by baby May!" + +Jim Kenerley, who was arrayed in the regulation garb of a St. +Nicholas, sat down beside his little girl, and taking his pack from +his back, placed it in front of her. + +"All for baby May!" she said, appreciating the situation at once. + +"Yes, all for baby May," returned her mother, for in the pack were +only the child's presents. + +One by one the little hands took the gifts from their wrappings, and +soon the baby herself was almost lost sight of in a helter-skelter +collection of dolls and teddy bears and woolly dogs and baa lambs and +more dolls. To say nothing of kittens and candies, and balls, and +every sort of a toy that was nice and soft and pleasant. + +The doll Patty had brought, with its wonderful wardrobe, pleased the +baby especially, and she declared at once that the doll's name should +be Patty. + +Having undone all her treasures, the baby elected to have a general +romp with Santa Claus, whom she well knew to be her father. Jim had +made no attempt to disguise lest it should frighten the child, and so +his own gay young face looked out from a voluminous snow-white wig and +long white beard. His costume was the conventional red, belted coat, +edged with white fur, and a fur-trimmed red cap with a bobbing tassel. + +Among the toys was a pair of horse lines with bells on it, and soon +May had her good-natured father transformed into a riding-horse and +galloping madly round the hall. + +Then all present must needs play games suited to the calibre of the +little one, and Ring around a Rosy and London Bridge proved to be her +favourites. + +After these unwonted exertions, everybody was ready for tea, which was +then brought in. As a special dispensation, May was allowed to have +her bread and milk at the same time, with the added indulgence of a +few little cakes. + +"Isn't she a perfect dear?" said Patty, as she stood with the baby in +her arms, after tea was finished. + +"She is," declared Philip, who stood near. "I'm not much up on +kiddies, but she's about the best-natured little piece I ever saw. I +thought they always cried after a big racket like this." + +"She must say good-night now," said Adele. "It's quite time, and +beside, I want her to go away while her reputation is good. Now, +Maisie May, go to Fraeulein and go beddy." + +"Patty take May beddy." + +"No, dear, Patty must stay here with mother." + +"Patty take May beddy! _Zes!_" The finality of this decision was +unmistakable. The most casual observer could see that unless it were +complied with the scene might lose something of its sunshine and +merriment. + +"I should say," judicially observed Philip, "that unless Miss May has +her way this time, there will be one large and elegant ruction." + +"But I _must_ make her obey me," said Adele, a little uncertainly. + +"Fiddlestrings, Adele," returned Patty; "this is no time for +discipline. The poor baby is about worn out with fatigue and +excitement. You know, it has been her busy day. Let's humour her this +time. I'll take her away, and I'll return anon." + +"Anon isn't a very long time, is it?" said Adele, laughing, and Hal +remarked, "If it is, we'll all come after you, Miss Fairfield." + +So Patty went away, carrying the now smiling baby, and Fraeulein went +along with her, knowing the little thing would soon drop to sleep, +anyway, from sheer fatigue. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT + + +Patty soon returned, saying the country was saved, and now she was +ready for her presents. + +And then everybody began untying things, and soon the whole place was +knee-deep in tissue papers and ribbons. + +All exclaimed with delight at their own gifts, and then exclaimed with +delight at the others' gifts. + +Mr. and Mrs. Kenerley gave Patty one of those Oriental garments known +as a Mandarin coat. It was of pale blue silk, heavy with elaborate +embroidery and gold braiding, and Patty was enchanted with it. + +"Just what I wanted!" she exclaimed, "and I don't care if that _is_ +what everybody always says, _I_ mean it! I've wanted one a long time. +They're so heavenly for party wraps or opera cloaks. Mona has a +beauty, but this is handsomer still." + +"Yes, it is," admitted Mona; "and now open that box, Patty. It's my +gift to you, and I want to see if you like it." + +"Oh, I know I shall like it, of course. Why, Mona Galbraith, if it +isn't a lace scarf! Real Brussels point! You generous girl, it's _too_ +beautiful!" + +"Isn't it lovely?" cried Daisy. "Now, this is mine to you, Patty. It +isn't nearly as handsome; it's just a bag." + +"But what a grand one!" exclaimed Patty, as she unwrapped the +beautiful French confection. "I simply adore bags. I can't have too +many of them. My goodness! I'm getting as many presents as baby May!" + +Sure enough, Patty was surrounded with gifts and trinkets of all +sorts. Philip's present was a small but exquisite water-color in a +gilded frame. Roger gave her a glass and silver flower-basket. + +"I gave each of you girls exactly the same thing," he said, "because I +didn't want you scrapping over me. Mrs. Kenerley, I included you, too, +if you will accept one of them." + +They were beautiful ornaments, and the four together were so effective +that Adele declared she should use them that night for a dinner table +decoration at their Christmas feast. + +Hal Ferris gave each of the girls a beautiful book, and everybody had +so many presents of all sorts that it was almost impossible to +remember who gave anything. + +"What I need is a card catalogue," said Patty. "I never can remember +which is which, I know." + +"And I know another thing," said Adele. "If you girls don't scamper +off and dress, you won't be ready for dinner at eight o'clock. And +there are lots of guests coming. And more this evening for the country +dance. Now, disperse, all of you, and put on your prettiest frocks for +Christmas Eve." + +Patty had a new gown for the occasion, of an exquisite shade of pink +chiffon, which just matched her cheeks. She did up her hair simply, +with a pink ribbon around it, and a pink rose tucked over one ear. + +After she was all dressed, she flew to the nursery for a little confab +with Fraeulein, who was working away on the Turkey red. + +"Will it be done?" asked Patty, anxiously. + +"Oh, yes, indeed, Miss Patty; in ample time. And the crowns, too." + +"Everything all right?" inquired a voice in the doorway, and Hal +Ferris stepped into the nursery. + +"Yes," said Patty, her eyes sparkling. "Fraeulein will have them all +ready by the time dinner's over. Oh, I do _love_ to dress up!" + +"You can't look any sweeter than you do this way," said Ferris, +glancing approvingly at the little pink dancing frock. + +"You are so nice and complimentary," said Patty, flashing a smile at +him, and then they went downstairs together. + +Dinner was a real Christmas feast. The table was properly decorated +with red ribbons and red candles and holly, and everybody had +souvenirs and Christmassy sort of trinkets, and everybody was very gay +and festive, and an air of Christmas jollity pervaded the atmosphere. + +After dinner they all returned to the great hall, where the Christmas +tree was again lighted to add to the holiday effect. + +Then Patty and Hal, who had let Adele into their secret, slipped away +from the crowd, and ran up to the nursery, where Fraeulein was +awaiting them. + +The baby was asleep in the next room, so they must needs be careful +not to awaken her, and they tiptoed about as Fraeulein helped them to +don the robes she had made. + +The Turkey red she had fashioned into a full-draped cloak, which she +adjusted around Hal's broad shoulders. It was trimmed with white fur, +and was caught up on one shoulder, toga fashion, with a spray of +holly. A massive gilt pasteboard crown she put on his head, and gave +him a long wand or sceptre covered with gilt paper and topped with a +cap and bells. + +"I wonder if they'll know I'm Lord of Misrule," whispered Hal, as he +stalked up and down before the mirror, swishing his draperies about in +regal fashion. + +"If they don't, I'll tell 'em," said Patty. "I wonder if they'll know +what I am." + +"You look like an angel," said Hal, as he gazed at her. + +The garment Fraeulein had made for Patty was simply straight, flowing +breadths of the white illusion, which fell straight from her +shoulders, her pink gown beneath giving it a faint rosy tinge. From +her head the illusion rippled in a long veil, floating down behind, +and there were long angel sleeves of the same material. + +On her head was a small crown of gilt paper, with a large gilt star in +front, and she carried a gilt wand with a star on the end. + +But the masterpiece of the costume, and one that did great credit to +the ingenuity of Fraeulein, was a pair of wings that were fastened to +Patty's shoulders. They were made of fine net, covered with fringed +tissue paper, which had the effect of soft white feathers. + +Altogether Patty was a lovely vision, and it is doubtful if "The +Christmas Spirit" was represented more beautifully anywhere on earth +that Christmas Eve. + +She floated about the room, delighted to be "dressed up." + +Then, flying into the hall, she listened over the banister till she +heard Adele's signal from the piano. + +Still listening, she heard Adele begin to sing softly a carol called +"The Christmas Spirit." + +Slowly, in time to the music, Patty came down the great staircase. She +paused on the landing, which was but a few steps from the bottom, and +standing there, motionless as a picture, joined her voice to Adele's. + +She sang the beautiful carol, Adele now singing alto, and the vision +of the beautiful Christmas Spirit, and the tones of Patty's exquisite +voice, gave the guests assembled in the hall a Christmas memory that +they could never forget. + +As the last notes died away, there was a significant pause, and then a +storm of applause broke out. + +They insisted on another song, but Patty shook her head laughingly, +and the next moment Adele played a merry, rollicking march on the +piano and the Lord of Misrule came bounding downstairs. He had a long +trumpet in his hand, upon which he sounded a few notes, and then waved +his sceptre majestically. + +"I'm the Lord of Misrule," he announced, "and I have come to direct +our Christmas revels. To-night my word is law; you are all my +subjects, and must obey my decrees!" + +A shout of applause greeted this gay banter, and then as Adele played +a lively strain, the Lord of Misrule gave a clever clog dance on the +staircase landing. + +Then he sprang down the steps, and clasping the Christmas Spirit, the +two tripped away into a gay impromptu dance. + +"Everybody dance!" shouted the Lord of Misrule, brandishing his +sceptre aloft, and obedient to his orders, the others caught the gay +spirit, and soon they were all dancing. + +Later they had the country dances--Virginia reel, Sir Roger, and +others which Patty had never heard of before, but which she had no +difficulty in learning. + +It was not long, however, before she laid aside her somewhat +uncomfortable wings, and also the illusion draperies, which did not +well survive the intricacies of the figure dances. + +So, once again in her pretty pink frock, she entered into the dances +with the zest she always felt for that amusement. + +"I think it's my turn," said Roger, coming up to her at last. + +"And I'm glad to be with a friend again, after all these strangers," +she said, as they danced away. "Though they're awfully nice men, and +some of them are very good dancers. You and Mona are all right, aren't +you, Roger?" + +Patty said this so suddenly that he was caught off his guard. + +"Not all right," he said, "and never will be until she'll consent to +cut the acquaintance of that Lansing!" + +"She'll never do that!" and Patty wagged her head positively. + +"Then she can get along without my friendship." + +"Now, Roger, what's the use of acting like that? Mona has a right to +choose her friends." + +"Patty, I believe you like that man yourself!" + +"I don't dislike him; at least, not as much as you do. But I don't see +any reason for you to take the matter so seriously. At any rate, while +you're up here, forget it, won't you, and be good to Mona." + +"Oh, I'll be good to her fast enough, if she'll be good to me. I think +a heap of that girl, Patty, and I don't want to see her in the +clutches of a bad man like Lansing." + +"You don't know that he's a bad man." + +"Well, he's a fortune-hunter,--that's bad enough." + +"Pooh, every man that looks at a girl doesn't want to marry her for +her money." + +"But that man does." + +"Then cut him out! Why, Roger, you're worth a dozen Lansings, and if +you want to marry Mona, why don't you tell her so?" + +"Oh, Patty, do you think I'd have the ghost of a chance?" + +"I certainly do. That is, if Mona has a grain of sense in that pretty +head of hers." + +"Well,--say, Patty,--this sounds queer, I know,--but you and I are +such pals,--couldn't you just say a good word for----" + +"Roger Farrington! the idea! I never supposed you were _bashful_!" + +"I never was before,--but I'm a little afraid of Mona. She's so,--so +decided, you know." + +"Very well. Make her decide in your favour. But, mark my words, young +man, you'll never win her by getting grumpy and sour just because she +smiles on another man. In fact, you'd better praise Mr. Lansing. That +would be the best way to make her lose interest in him." + +"Patty Fairfield! I'm ashamed of you. I always knew you were a flirt, +but anything like that would be downright deception." + +"Oh, fiddle-de-dee! All's fair in love and war. You're too +matter-of-fact, Roger,--too staid and practical. Brace up and tease +Mona. Get her guessing--and the game will be all in your own hands." + +"How do you know these things, Patty? You're too young for such +worldly wisdom." + +"Oh, women are born with a spirit of contrariness. And, anyway, it's +human nature. Now, you jolly Mona up, and stop looking as if you'd +lost your last friend,--and then see how the cat jumps. Why, what is +Hal Ferris doing?" + +The Lord of Misrule had jumped up on a table, and was flourishing his +sceptre, and announcing that he would now issue a few decrees, and +they must immediately be obeyed. + +He said the audience wished to see some well-acted plays, and he would +ask some of the guests present to favour them. + +"As these dramas are necessarily impromptu," he said, "you will please +come forward and do your parts as soon as your names are called. Any +delay, hesitation, or tardiness will be punished to the full extent of +the Law of Misrule. The first play, ladies and gentlemen, will be a +realistic representation of the great tragedy of 'Jack and Jill.' It +will be acted by Mr. Van Reypen and Miss Fairfield. Ready! Time!" + +Philip and Patty went forward at once, for though they had had no +intimation of this act, they were quite ready to take their part in +the merriment. + +Philip caught up one of the glass baskets which he had brought up for +gifts, and declared that represented their pail. + +"It isn't mine!" cried Daisy. "I don't want mine smashed!" + +"No matter what happens," returned Philip, "we must be realistic." + +"Here, take this instead," said Jim Kenerley, offering an antique +copper bucket, which was one of his pet pieces. + +"All right, it _is_ better. Now, the play begins. This is an +illustrated ballad, you know. Will somebody with a sweet voice kindly +recite the words?" + +"I will," volunteered Hal, himself. "My voice is as sweet as taffy." + +He began intoning the nursery rhyme, and Patty and Philip strolled +through the hall, swinging the bucket between them, and acting like +two country children going for water. They climbed the stairs, +laboriously, as if clambering up a steep hill, and as they went up, +Philip hastily whispered to Patty how they were to come down. + +She understood quickly, and as the second line was drawled out they +stood at the top of the stairs. Then when Hal said, "Jack fell +down----" there was a terrific plunge and Philip tumbled, head over +heels, all the way downstairs, with the big copper bucket rolling +bumpety-bump down beside him. He was a trained athlete, and knew how +to fall without hurting himself, but his mad pitching made it seem +entirely an accidental fall. In the screams of laughter, the last line +could scarcely be heard, but when Hal said, "And Jill came tumbling +after," Patty poised on the top step, leaning over so far that it +seemed as if in a moment she must pitch headlong. Her fancy dance +training enabled her to hold this precarious position, and as she +stood, motionless, a beautiful tableau, everybody applauded. + +"All over!" cried the Lord of Misrule, after a moment. "Curtain's +down!" + +There was only an imaginary curtain, so considering herself dismissed, +Patty came tripping downstairs, and the broken-crowned Jack stood +waiting to receive her. + +"Good work!" he commented. "How could you stand in that breakneck +position?" + +"How could you take that breakneck fall?" she queried back, and then +they sought a nearby seat to witness the next "play." + +"Now," said the Lord of Misrule, "we will have a thrilling drama by +Miss Dow and--well, she may select her own company." + +"I choose Jim Kenerley," said Daisy, suddenly remembering a little +trick they used to do in school. A whispered word was enough to recall +it to Jim's mind, and in a twinkling he had snatched a gay silk +lamp-shade from an electrolier and clapped it on his head, and draped +around him a Bagdad couch cover. Then he caught up a big bronze dagger +from a writing-table, and he and Daisy went to the staircase landing, +which was almost like a stage. Seemingly, Jim was a fearful bandit, +dragging a lady, who hung back with moans and cries. + +On the landing, he brandished the dagger fearsomely, and Daisy knelt +before him, begging for mercy. At least, her attitude denoted that, +but all she said was: "A B C D," in a low, pleading voice. "E F G!" +shouted Jim, dancing about in a fierce fury. + +Daisy threw out her arms and fairly grovelled at his feet, begging, "H +I J K." "L M!" shouted Jim; "N O!" + +Then Daisy's pretty hair became loosened from its pins, and fell, a +shining mass, down her back. + +Jim clutched it. "P Q R!" he yelled, as he waved the dagger aloft. + +"S T!" moaned Daisy, swaying from side to side, as if in an agony of +fear. + +"U! V! W!" and the blade of the dagger rested against the fair neck, +as the dreadful brigand, with a fierce shout, attacked his victim. + +"X Y!" Daisy shrieked, and then toppled over, as if killed, while Jim, +with a frenzied yell of "Z!" towered, triumphant, above his slain +captive. + +How they all laughed; for it was good acting, though of course greatly +burlesqued. But both had a touch of dramatic genius, and they had +often given this little exhibition in their old school days. + +"Fine!" said Adele, who was shaking with laughter. "You never did it +better, Daisy. You ought to go on the stage." + +Daisy smiled and bowed at the applause, and began to twist up her +hair. + +"My beloved subjects," said the Lord of Misrule, "you are sure some +actors! I didn't know I had so much talent concealed about my kingdom. +I shall now aim for a higher touch of histrionic art. Let us stop at +nothing! Let us give the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet. I will +command Miss Galbraith to play the part of Juliet, and if no one +volunteers as Romeo, I'll modestly remark that I'm a ripping good +actor myself." + +"Too late," said Roger, calmly; "I've already signed for the part," +and taking Mona's hand, he led her toward the staircase. + +"I can't!" protested Mona. "I don't know a word of it!" + +"Can't! Won't!" cried the Lord of Misrule, in stentorian tones. "Those +words are not allowed in this my Court. Ha, maiden, dost desire the +dungeon for thine? Dost hanker after prison fare? Fie! Get to thy +place and take thy cue." + +Mona flung her lace handkerchief on her head for a little Juliet cap, +and accepting a large lace scarf which a lady offered her as she +passed, and an enormous bunch of roses, which Jim hastily took from a +vase and gave her, they all agreed she was perfectly costumed for +Juliet. + +Upstairs she went, and drawing a chair to the railing, looked over at +Roger below. He had hastily opened a small cupboard, and caught up a +broad black hat of Adele's, with a long, willowed ostrich plume. He +put it on, so that the feather hung straight down his face, and he +kept blowing it out of his eyes. Daisy had offered him a gay, flowered +chiffon scarf as he passed her, and he tied it round his waist like a +sash. + +"'Oh, Romeo! Romeo! Romeo!'" began Mona. + +"'Wherefore,'" prompted Roger in a stage whisper. + +"'Wherefore,'" said Mona, obediently, "whence, whither, why----" + +"Never mind," said Roger, calmly. "I'll say the lines you forget. +'Wherefore art thou Romeo?' Now for the second act. I wish to goodness +I could be a glove upon that paw of yours." + +"Why?" queried Mona. + +"So you wouldn't give me the mitten. Pardon, good friends, merely an +interpolation. Back to work now. It was the nightingale and not a poll +parrot that hit you in the ear." + +"Oh, Romeo, Romeo," Mona broke in. "I'd like to cut you up into little +bits of stars, and decorate the sky with you." + +"Call me but Star, and I'll be baptised all over again. Friends, as +we're a little shy on lines, the rest of this will be pantomime." + +Roger then sneaked cautiously upstairs, motioned to Mona to make no +sound, picked up various impedimenta, including books, vases, a +statuette, and such things as he could find on the hall tables, added +a good-sized rug, and then, also picking Mona up in his arms, he +stealthily made his way downstairs again, and the elopement was +successful. + +"Roger, you strong giant!" cried Patty. "How _could_ you carry all +those things downstairs?" + +"My warriors are all strong men!" said the Lord of Misrule. "They can +carry off anything, and carry on like everything." + +And then, as Christmas Eve was well past, and Christmas Day had begun, +the merry guests went away, and the house party congratulated itself +all round, wished everybody Merry Christmas, and went away to rest. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +COASTING + + +Christmas morning was as white as the most picturesque imagination +could desire. A heavy snow had fallen in the night and lay, sparkling, +all over the fields and hills, so that now, in the sunshine, the whole +earth seemed powdered with diamonds. + +Patty came dancing downstairs, in a dainty little white morning frock. + +"Merry Christmas, everybody!" she cried, as she found the group +gathered round the fireplace in the hall. "Did you ever see such a +beautiful day? Not for skating," and she smiled at Hal, "but for +snow-balling or coasting or any old kind of fun with snow." + +"All right," cried Roger. "Who's for a snow frolic? We can build a +fort----" + +"And make a snow-man," put in Daisy, "with a pipe in his mouth and an +old hat on his head. Why do snow-men always have to have those two +things?" + +"They don't," said Jim Kenerley. "That's an exploded theory. Let's +make one this morning of a modern type, and let him have anything he +wants except a pipe and a battered stove-pipe hat." + +"We'll give him a cigarette and a Derby," said Patty. "Oh, here comes +the mail! Let's have that before we go after our snow-man." + +The chauffeur came in from a trip to the post-office, with his hands +and arms full of mail,--parcels, papers, and letters,--which he +deposited on a table, and Jim Kenerley sorted them over. + +"Heaps of things for everybody," he said. "Belated gifts, magazines, +letters, and post cards. Patty, this big parcel is for you; Daisy, +here are two for you." + +"May take letters! Let baby May be postman!" cried the infant +Kenerley. + +"Let her, Jim,--she loves to be postman," and Adele put the baby down +from her arms, and she toddled to her father. + +"Great scheme!" said Hal. "Wait a minute, midget; I'll make you a +cap." + +With a few folds, a newspaper was transformed into a three-cornered +cap and placed on the baby's head. + +"Now you're a postman," said her uncle. "Go and get the letters from +the post-office." + +"Letters, p'ease," said the baby, holding out her fat little hands to +her father. + +"All right, kiddums; these parcels are too big for you; you're no +parcel-post carrier. But here's a bunch of letters; pass them around +and let every one pick out his own." + +Obediently, the baby postman started off, and passing Daisy first, +dumped the whole lot in her lap. + +"Wait a minute, Toddles," said Daisy. "I'll pick out mine, then you +take the rest on." + +Daisy selected half a dozen or more, and gave the rest of the lot back +to the little one, who went on round the circle, letting each pick out +his own letters. + +Patty had about a dozen letters, and cards and greetings of various +sorts. Some she tore open and read aloud, some she read to herself, +and some she kept to open when she might be alone. + +"Have you opened all your letters, Patty?" asked Jim, looking at her, +quizzically. + +"No; I saved father's and Nan's to read by myself, you people are so +distracting." + +"Oho! Father's and Nan's! Oho! aha! And are those the only ones you +saved to read by yourself, young lady?" + +"I saved Elise's, also," said Patty, looking at him, a little +surprised. "Aren't you the inquisitive gentleman, anyway!" + +"Elise's! Oh, yes, Elise's! And how about that big blue one,--what +have you done with that?" + +"I don't see any big blue one," said Patty, innocently. "What do you +mean, Jim?" + +"Oho! _what_ do I mean? What, _indeed_!" + +"Now, stop, Jim," said his wife. "I don't know what you're teasing +Patty about, but she shan't be teased. If she wants to keep her big +blue letter to herself, she's going to keep it, that's all." + +"Of course I shall," said Patty, saucily. "That is, I should, if I had +any big blue letter, but I haven't." + +"Never mind big blue letters," said Roger, "let's all go out and play +in the snow." + +So everybody put on wraps and caps and furs and out they went like a +parcel of children to frolic in the snow. Snow-balling was a matter of +course, but nobody minded a lump of soft snow, and soon they began to +build the snow-man. + +He turned out to be a marvel of art and architecture, and as his +heroic proportions were far too great for anybody's hat or coat, they +draped an Indian blanket around him and stuck a Japanese parasol on +the top of his head to protect him from the sun. + +Roger insisted on the cigarette, and as the snow gentleman had been +provided with a fine set of orange-peel teeth, he held his cigarette +jauntily and firmly. + +"I want to go coasting," said Patty. + +"And so you shall," said Jim. "I sent for a lot of sleds from the +village, and I think they've arrived." + +Sure enough, there were half a dozen new sleds ready for them, and +snatching the ropes, with glee, they dragged them to a nearby hill. + +It was a long, easy slope, just right for coasting. + +"Want to be pioneer?" asked Roger of Patty. And ever-ready Patty +tucked herself on to a sled, grasped the rope, Roger gave her a push, +and she was half-way down the hill before any one knew she had +started. The rest followed, and soon the whole party stood laughing at +the bottom of the long hill. + +"The worst is walking up again," said Patty, looking back up the hill. + +"Do you say that because it's what everybody says,--or because you're +lazy?" asked Philip. + +"Because I'm lazy," returned Patty, promptly. + +"Then get on your sled, and I'll pull you up." + +"No, I'm not lazy enough for that, I hope! But I'll tell you what I'll +do; I'll race you up." + +"Huh! as if I couldn't beat you up, and not half try!" + +"Oh, I don't _know_! Come on, now, do your best! One, two, three, go!" + +Each pulling a sled, they started to run uphill; at least, Philip +started to run, and at a good rate; but Patty walked,--briskly and +evenly, knowing full well that Philip could not keep up his gait. + +And she was right. Half-way up the hill, Philip was forced to slow +down, and panting and puffing,--for he was a big man,--he turned to +look for Patty. She came along, and swung past him with an easy +stride, flinging back over her shoulder, "Take another sprint, and you +may catch me yet!" + +"I'll catch you, no matter how much I have to sprint," Philip called +after her, but he walked slowly for a few paces. Then, having regained +his breath, he strode after her, and rapidly gained upon her progress. +Patty looked over her shoulder, saw him coming, and began to run. But +running uphill is not an easy task, and Patty's strength began to give +out. Philip saw this, and fell back a bit on purpose to give her an +advantage. Then as they were very near the top, Patty broke into a +desperate run. Philip ran swiftly, overtook her, picked her up in his +arms as he passed, and plumped her down into a soft snowbank at the +very top of the hill. + +"There!" he cried; "that's the goal, and you reached it first!" + +"With your help," and Patty pouted a little. + +"My help is always at your disposal, when you can't get up a hill." + +"That would be a fine help, if I ever had hills to climb. But I never +do. This is a great exception." + +"But there are other hills than snow hills." + +"Oh, I suppose now you're talking in allegories. I never _could_ +understand those." + +"Some day, when I get a real good chance, I'll explain them to you. +May I?" + +Philip's face was laughing, but there was a touch of seriousness in +his tone that made Patty look up quickly. She found his dark eyes +looking straight into her own. She jumped up from her snowbank, +saying: "I want to go down again. Where's a sled?" + +"Come on this one with me," said Hal, who had a long, toboggan sort of +an affair. + +"This is great!" said Patty. "Where did you get this double-rigged +thing?" + +"It's been here all the time, but you've been so wrapped up in that +Van Reypen chap that you had no eyes for anybody else, or anybody +else's sled! I'm downright jealous of that man, and I'll be glad when +he goes home." + +"Ah, now, Chub," said Patty, coaxingly, "don't talk to me scoldy! +Don't now; will you, Chubsy?" + +"Yes, I will, if you like him better than you do me." + +"Why, goodness, gracious, sakes alive! I've known him for _years_, and +I've only known you a few days!" + +"That doesn't matter. I've only known you a few days, and I'm head +over heels in love with you!" + +"Wow!" exclaimed Patty, "but this is sudden! Do you know, it's so +awful swift, I don't believe it can be the real thing!" + +"Do you know what the Real Thing is?" + +"Haven't a notion." + +"Mayn't I tell you?" + +"No, sir-ee. You see, I don't want to know for years yet! _Why_ can't +people let me alone?" + +"Who else has been bothering you?" demanded Hal, jealously. + +"I don't call it a bother! I supposed it was part of the game. Don't +all girls have nice compliments, and flattery kind of speeches from +the young men they know?" + +"I don't know whether they do or not," growled Hal. + +"Well, I know; they do, and they don't mean a thing; it's part of the +game, you know. Now, I'll tell you something. I've known Philip Van +Reypen ever so much longer than I have you, and yet I like you both +exactly the same! And Roger just the same,--and Jim just the same!" + +"And Martin, the chauffeur, just the same, I suppose; and Mike, the +gardener, just the same!" + +"Yep," agreed Patty. "_Everybody_ just the same! I think that's the +way to do in this world, love your neighbour as yourself, and look +upon all men as free and equal." + +"Well, I don't think all girls are equal,--not by a long shot. To my +mind they're divided into two classes." + +"What two?" said Patty, with some curiosity. + +"One class is Patty Fairfield, and the other class is everybody else." + +They had reached the bottom of the hill before this, and were sitting +on the sled, talking. Patty jumped up and clapped her hands. "That's +about the prettiest speech I ever had made to me! It's a beautiful +speech! I'm going right straight up the hill and tell it to everybody!" + +"Patty, _don't_!" cried Hal, his honest, boyish face turning crimson. + +"Oh, then you didn't mean it!" and Patty was the picture of +disappointment. + +"I did! _Of course_ I did! But girls don't run and tell everything +everybody says to them!" + +"Don't they? Well, then, _I_ won't. You see, I haven't had as much +experience in these matters as you have! Mustn't I _ever_ tell +anything nice that _anybody_ says to me?" + +"Not what _I_ say to you, anyhow! You see, they're confidences." + +"Well, I don't want any more of them just now. I came out here for +coasting, not for confidences." + +"I fear, my dear little girl, you're destined all through life to get +confidences, whatever you may go for." + +"Oh, what a horrible outlook! Well, then, let me gather my coasting +while I may! Come on, Chubsy, let's go up the hill." And putting her +hand in Hal's, Patty started the upward journey. + +At the top she declared she was going for one more ride downhill, and +this time with Jim. "For," she said to herself, "I would like _one_ +ride without 'confidences.'" + +"Off we go!" said Jim, as he arranged her snugly on the toboggan sled, +and took his place in front of her. They had a fine ride down, and Jim +insisted on pulling Patty up again. She rode part way, and then +decided it was too hard work for him, and jumped off. + +"I guess I'm good for some walk," she said, as she tucked her arm +through his, and they climbed the hill slowly. + +"I guess you are, Patty. You're strong enough, only you're not as +hardy as Daisy and Adele. I believe our Western girls are heartier +than you New Yorkers. By the way, Patty, speaking of the West at +large, what made you tell a naughty story this morning?" + +"I didn't!" and Patty looked at him with wide-open eyes. "I have a few +faults, Jim, a _very_ few, and _very_ small ones! but truly, +storytelling isn't among them." + +"But you said you didn't get a big blue letter," pursued Jim. + +"And neither I did," protested Patty. "What do you mean, Jim, by that +big blue letter? I didn't see any." + +"Patty, it's none of my business, but you seem to be in earnest in +what you say, so I'll tell you that there certainly was in the mail a +big blue letter for you, addressed in Bill Farnsworth's handwriting. I +wasn't curious, but I couldn't help seeing it; and I know the dear old +boy's fist so well, that I was moved to tease you about it." + +"It didn't tease me, Jim, for I didn't get any such letter." + +"Well, then, where is it?" + +"I don't know, I'm sure. Perhaps baby May kept it." + +"Perhaps some of the boys got it and kept it to tease you." + +"I don't believe they'd do that. Perhaps Adele saved it for me. Well, +we'll look around when we get home, but don't say anything about it." + +But when they reached the house, neither Jim nor Patty could find the +blue letter. Adele said she had not seen it, and Patty insisted that +no one else should be questioned. Privately, she thought that Hal +Ferris had received it by mistake from baby May, and had kept it, +because he, too, knew Bill's handwriting, and because,--well, of +course, it _was_ foolish, she knew,--but Hal had said he was jealous +of any other man, and he might have suppressed or destroyed Bill's +card for that reason. She felt sure it was not a letter, but merely a +Christmas card. However, she wanted it, but she wanted to ask Hal for +it herself, instead of letting the Kenerleys ask him. + + * * * * * + +"Dinner will be at two o'clock," Adele made announcement. "It's +considered the proper thing to eat in the middle of the day on a +holiday, though why, I never could quite understand." + +"Why, of course, the reason is, so the children can eat once in a +while," suggested her brother. + +"Baby can't come to the table. She's too little, and her table manners +are informal, to say the least. However, the tradition still holds, so +dinner's at two o'clock, and you may as well all go and get dressed, +for it's after one, now. There'll be a few extra guests, so you girls +will have somebody to dress up for." + +"I like that," said Roger; "as if we boys weren't enough for any girls +to dress up for!" + +"But you've seen all our pretty frocks," laughed Patty. "It's only +strangers we can hope to impress with them now. I shall wear my most +captivating gown, if Mr. Collins is coming. Is he, Adele?" + +"Yes, and Mr. Hoyt, too; and two more girls. Skip along, now, and +don't dawdle." + +But Patty dawdled on the staircase till Ferris came along, and then +she spoke to him in a low tone. "Chub, you didn't see a stray letter +of mine this morning, did you?" + +"'M--what kind of a letter?" + +"Oh, a blue envelope, with probably a card inside. I hadn't opened it, +so I don't know what was in it." + +"Who was it from?" + +"Why, how could I tell, when I hadn't opened it! In fact, that's just +what I want to know." + +"What makes you think I know anything about it?" + +"Oh, Chub, don't tease me! I haven't time, now; and truly, I want that +letter! Do you know anything about it?" + +"No, Patty, I don't. I didn't see any letters addressed to you, except +the bunch you had in your hand. Have you really lost one?" + +"Yes," said Patty, seeing that Hal was serious. "Jim told me there was +one for me from Mr. Farnsworth, and I want it." + +"Bill Farnsworth! What's he writing to you for? I didn't know you knew +him." + +"I don't know him very well; I only met him last summer. And I don't +know that he did write to me; it was probably just a card. But I want +it." + +"Yes, you seem to. Why, Patty, you're blushing." + +"I am not any such thing!" + +"You are, too! You're as pink as a peach." + +"Well, I only blushed to make you call me a peach,--and now that I've +succeeded, I'll run away." + +So blushing and laughing both, Patty ran upstairs to her own room. Hal +had been so frank that she was convinced he knew nothing about the +letter, and she began to fear it must have been tossed into the fire, +with the many waste papers that were scattered about. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +HIDE AND SEEK + + +All the time Patty was dressing she wondered about that letter; and +when Mona, ready for dinner, stopped at her door, Patty drew her into +the room. + +"Mona," she said, "did you get a Christmas card from Mr. Farnsworth?" + +"Yes," said Mona, "in a big blue envelope. Daisy had one, too. Didn't +you get one?" + +"No; Jim said there was one for me, but it got lost somehow. Thrown in +the fire, I shouldn't wonder." + +"Well, don't mind," said Mona, cheerfully. "You can have mine. It +isn't very pretty, and Daisy's isn't either, but I suppose they're the +best Bill could find out there in Arizona. Do you want it now, Patty?" + +"I don't want it at all, Mona. What would I want with your card, or +Daisy's either? But if Little Billee sent one to me, I'd like to have +it, that's all." + +"Of course you would; but truly, they don't amount to much." + +"Jim must have been mistaken about there being one for me," said +Patty, and then the two girls went downstairs. + +The Christmas dinner was practically a repetition of the feast of the +night before; but as Adele said, how could that be helped if people +would have two Christmas celebrations on successive days? + +There were four extra guests, who proved to be merry and jolly young +people, and after dinner Hal declared that his reign as Lord of +Misrule was not yet over. + +"Don't let's do any more stunts like we had last night," said Mona. +"They wear me out. Let's play easy games, like blindman's buff, or +something." + +"Or Copenhagen," said Hal, but Patty frowned at him. + +"We're too grown-up for such things," she declared, with dignity. +"What do you say to a nice, dignified game of hide and seek?" + +"All over the house!" cried Roger. "May we, Mrs. Kenerley?" + +"The house is yours," said Adele. "I reserve no portion of it. From +cellar to attic, from drawing-room to kitchen, hide where you will and +seek where you like,--if you'll only promise not to wake the baby. +She's taking her afternoon nap." + +"She doesn't seem to mind noise," said Roger. "We do make an awful +racket, you know." + +"Oh, no, I don't mean that," said Adele. "I've trained her not to +mind noise. But I mean if your hiding and seeking takes you into the +nursery quarters, do go softly." + +"Of course we will," said Philip. "I'm specially devoted to that baby, +and I'll see that her nap isn't disturbed, even if I have to stand +sentry at her door. But what larks to have the whole house! I've never +played it before but what they wouldn't let you hide in this room or +that room. Who'll be It?" + +"Oh, that's an old-fashioned way to play," said Hal. "Here's a better +way. Either all the men hide and the girls find them, or else the +other way around; and, anyway, don't you know, whoever finds who, has +to be her partner or something." + +"For life?" asked Jim, looking horrified. + +"Mercy, no!" said his brother-in-law. "This is a civilised land, and +we don't select life partners that way!" + +"You mean just partners for a dance," said Patty, trying to help him +out. + +"Well, you see," said Hal, "it ought to be more than just a dance; I +mean more like a partner for a,--for a junketing of some kind." + +"I'll tell you," said Adele. "There's to be a masquerade ball at the +Country Club on New Year's Eve, and we're all going." + +"Just the thing!" cried Hal. "Now, whichever seeker finds whichever +hider, they'll go in pairs to the ball, don't you see? Romeo and +Juliet, or anything they like, for costumes." + +"But we won't be here," and Philip Van Reypen looked ruefully at +Roger. "We go back to town to-morrow." + +"But you can come up again," said Adele, hospitably. "I hereby invite +you both to come back the day before New Year's, and stay as long as +you will." + +"Well, you are _some_ hostess!" declared Roger, looking grateful. "I +accept with pleasure, but I doubt if my friend Van Reypen can get +away." + +"Can he!" cried Philip. "Well, I rather guess he can! Mrs. Kenerley, +you're all sorts of a darling, and you'll see me back here on the +first train after your invitation takes effect." + +"Then hurrah for our game of hide and seek," Hal exclaimed. "Jim and +Adele, you must be in it, too. You needn't think you can go as Darby +and Joan,--you must take your chances with the rest. If you find each +other, all right, but if you find anybody else, that's your fate,--see?" + +"I'm willing," said Adele, laughing. "I'm sure I'd be glad to go with +any of you beautiful young men." + +"Now, will you listen to _that_!" cried her husband. "Well, I won't be +outdone in generosity. I'll be proud to escort any one of this galaxy +of beauty," and he looked at the group of pretty girls. + +"Now, we must do it all up proper," said Hal. "In the first place, we +must draw lots to see whether the girls shall hide or we shall. We +must have it all very fair." + +He tore two strips of paper, one longer than the other, and holding +them behind him, bade Adele choose. + +"Right!" she said, and Hal put forth his right hand and gave her a +paper on which was written "Girls." + +"All right," went on the master of ceremonies. "Now you girls must +hide. We'll give you fifteen minutes to tuck yourselves away, and then +we're all coming to look for you. As soon as any man finds any girl, +he brings her back here to the hall to wait for the others. Now, +there's no stipulation, except that you must not go out of the house. +Scoot! and remember, in fifteen minutes we'll be after you!" + +The six girls ran away and made for various parts of the house. The +two Misses Crosby, who had come as dinner guests, looked a little +surprised at this unusual game, and Patty said to them, kindly: "You +don't mind, do you? You know, you needn't really go with the man who +finds you, if you don't want to." + +"Oh, we don't mind," said the elder Miss Crosby. "I think it's +fun,--only if I should draw that dignified Mr. Van Reypen I'd be +scared to death!" + +"Oh, he isn't so awfully dignified," laughed Patty. "That's just his +manner at first. When you know him better, he's as jolly as anything. +But hurry up, girls, the minutes are flying." + +The girls scampered away, some running to the attic, others going into +wardrobes or behind sofas, and Patty ran to her own room. + +Then she bethought herself that that was one of the most likely places +they would look for her, and she was seized with an ambition to baffle +the seekers. With a half-formed plan in her mind, she slipped out of a +side door of her own room that opened on a small passage leading to +the nursery. In the nursery, she found the baby asleep in her crib, +and the Fraeulein lying down on a couch with a slumber-robe thrown +over her, though she was not asleep. + +Like a flash, Patty's plan formed itself. She whispered to the +Fraeulein, and with a quick understanding the good-natured German girl +took off her rather voluminous frilled cap, with its long muslin +streamers, and put it on Patty's head. Then Patty lay down on the couch, +with her face toward the wall, and deep buried in the pillows. Fraeulein +tucked the slumber-robe over her, and then herself disappeared down into +the kitchen quarters. + +The search was rather a long one, for the house was large, and the +girls had chosen difficult hiding-places. + +The two Crosby girls were found first, because not knowing the house +well, they had simply gone into hall closets, and stood behind some +hanging dresses. They were discovered by Jim Kenerley and Hal; and if +the latter was disappointed in his quarry, he gave no sign of it. + +The four returned to the hall, and after a while they were joined by +Roger and Mona. + +"Oho," said Jim, who loved to tease, "what a coincidence that you two +should find each other!" + +"Easy enough," said Roger. "I knew Mona would choose the very hardest +place to find; so I went straight to the attic to the very farthest, +darkest corner, and there she was, waiting for me!" + +"There I was," said Mona, "but I wasn't waiting for _you_!" + +"No, you were waiting for me, I know," said Jim, ironically. "But +never mind, Mona, we'll be partners next time. Hello, Adele, is that +_your_ terrible fate?" and they all laughed as Adele and Mr. Hoyt +came in together, with cobwebs on their hair and smudges of black on +their faces. + +"I thought I'd be so smart, Jim, and I hid in the coal-bin; but Mr. +Hoyt found me! By the way, we must have that place cleaned; it's a +disgrace to the house!" + +"But you know, my dear, we don't often use it to receive our guests +in." + +"Well, I don't care, it must be cleaned. There's no excuse for +cobwebs. Now I must go and tidy up. I hope they haven't wakened the +baby. Oh, here's Daisy." + +Daisy and Mr. Collins came in, laughing, and Mr. Collins declared he +had found Miss Dow hanging out the third-story window by her +finger-tips. + +"Nothing of the sort," said Daisy. "I was out on a kind of little +balcony place, that's on top of a bay-window or something,--but I put +my hands over the sill inside, so that I could say I was still in the +house. Wasn't that fair?" + +"Well, it's fair enough, as long as I found you," said Mr. Collins. +"But when I saw your hands, I really thought you were hanging from the +sill!" + +"Where's Patty?" asked Daisy, "and Mr. Van Reypen? Are they still +finding each other?" + +"I saw Phil," said Roger, "standing guard at the nursery door, as he +said he would. He let us each go in and look around, on condition that +we wouldn't wake the baby. And the baby's nurse was also asleep on the +sofa, so I looked around and sneaked out as fast as I could." + +Just then Van Reypen came downstairs. "I've been delayed," he said, +"because I held the fort for the baby, until every man-jack of you had +been in the nursery. Now I'm going to begin _my search_. Who is there +left to find?" + +"Oh, who, _indeed_?" said Jim, looking wise. "Oh, _nobody_ in +particular! Nobody but that little Fairfield girl, and _of course_ you +wouldn't want to find _her_!" + +"Patty!" exclaimed Philip, as he looked around at the group. "Why, she +isn't here, is she? Where can that little rascal be? You fellows have +been all over the house, I suppose?" + +"Every nook and cranny," declared Mr. Hoyt. "It was as a very last +resort that I went to the coal-bin and captured Mrs. Kenerley." + +"Been through the kitchens?" asked Philip, looking puzzled. + +"I have," said Mr. Collins. "They're full of startled-looking servants +who seemed to think I was a lunatic, or a gentleman burglar,--I don't +know which." + +"Well, of course she's got to be found," said Philip. "There's no use +looking in the obvious places, for Patty's just cute enough to pick +out a most unexpected hiding-place. Come on, Roger; you found your +girl,--help me with mine." + +"Oh, it isn't fair to have help," said Hal. "Alone upon your quest you +go!" + +"Here I go, then." And Philip ran upstairs three at a time. He went +first to the attics, and made a systematic search of every hall, room, +and closet. He even peeped into the great tank, as if Patty might have +been transformed into a mermaid. Then followed a thorough search of +the second story, with all its rambling ells and side corridors; he +tiptoed through the nursery, smiling at the sleeping baby and casting +a casual glance at the still figure on the couch with the long, white +cap-strings falling to the floor. + +On he went, through the various rooms, and at last, with slow step, +came down into the hall again. + +"I think she had one of those contraptions like the Peter Pan +fairies," he said, "and flew right out through the roof and up into +the sky! But I haven't searched this floor yet. May I go into the +dining-room and kitchens, Mrs. Kenerley?" + +"Everywhere," said Adele. "You know I made no reservations." + +Philip strode through the rooms, looked under the dining-room table +and into the sideboard cupboards; on through the butler's pantry, and +into the kitchens. Needless to say, he found no Patty, and returned, +looking more puzzled than ever. + +"I'm not going down cellar," he said. "Something tells me that Patty +couldn't possibly stay down there all this time! It's more than an +hour since she hid." + +"What are you going to do about it?" inquired Jim. "Give it up? I'll +ring the Chinese gong for her to come back to us. That was to be a +signal in case of an emergency." + +"No," said Philip. "I'm going to reason this thing out. Give me a few +minutes to think, and I believe I can find her." + +"Don't anybody disturb him, let him think!" said Mona, gaily, and +going to the piano, she began to play "Alice, where art thou?" in +wailing strains that made them all laugh. + +All at once Philip jumped up. "I know where she is!" he exclaimed. +"Sit still all of you, and I'll bring her back with me!" + +"Wait a minute," said Adele, curiously. "How did you find it out?" + +"Do _you_ know where she is?" and Philip looked at her intently. + +"No, I haven't the slightest idea," said Adele, honestly. "But I +wondered how you could know, just from thinking about it." + +"It's clairvoyance," said Philip, with a mock air of mystery. "You +see, I know all the places where she _isn't_, so the one place I have +in mind must be where she _is_. By the way, Mrs. Kenerley; baby always +takes an afternoon nap, doesn't she?" + +"Yes, always." + +"And does the Fraeulein, her nurse, always take a nap at the same +time?" + +"Oh, no! She never naps in the daytime." + +"She did to-day," began Roger, but Philip was already flying upstairs +again. + +He went softly into the nursery. The baby was still asleep, the figure +on the couch still lay quietly beneath the knitted afghan. + +Philip went over and stood beside the couch. The face was buried in +the pillow, but beneath the edge of the cap he saw some stray golden +curls. + +"H'm!" he mused, in a low voice, but entirely audible to Patty. "I +thought baby May's nurse had dark hair. She must have bleached it!" + +Patty gave no sign that she heard, but cuddled her head more deeply in +the soft pillows. + +"Why, it isn't the Fraeulein at all!" said Philip, in tones of great +surprise. "It's the Sleeping Beauty!" + +Still Patty gave no intimation of being awake, though, of course, she +was. + +Then Philip leaned down over her and murmured: "And I'm the Prince; +and when the Prince finds the Sleeping Beauty, there's only one course +for him to pursue." + +At this, Patty opened her eyes and prepared to spring up, but she was +not quite quick enough, and Philip lightly kissed the top of her +little pink ear, before she could elude him. + +"How dare you!" she cried, and her eyes flashed with indignation. + +But Philip stood calmly smiling at her. + +"It's entirely permissible," he said, "when any Prince finds a +Sleeping Beauty, to kiss her awake." + +"But I wasn't asleep!" stormed Patty, "and you knew it!" + +"You gave such a successful imitation of it, that I consider myself +justified," he returned. "And, anyway, it was only a little bit of a +butterfly kiss, and it doesn't really count." + +"No," agreed Patty, rather relieved, "it doesn't count." + +"But it counts that I have found you," went on Philip. "You know the +rest of the story, after the Prince kissed the Sleeping Beauty?" + +"She had to go to the Country Club ball with him," said Patty, +laughing, as she danced away from him. "Be careful, Philip; we'll wake +baby May. Come on downstairs." + +"I found her," announced Philip, somewhat unnecessarily; "and I was a +blooming idiot not to know she was there all the time!" + +"You sure were!" said Roger, when he heard the story. "Did you get a +good rest, Patty?" + +"Yes; only it was interrupted so soon," and Patty returned Philip's +meaning glance with a saucy smile. + +"Well," Roger went on, "now you two will have to go to the masquerade +together. I suppose you'll go as Jack and Jill?" + +"No," said Philip, "I think fairy tales are much prettier than Mother +Goose rhymes. We're going as the Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, and the +Fairy Prince. Only, of course, the Sleeping Beauty will be awake for +the occasion. Shall I bring up your costume when I return next week, +Patty?" + +"I might like to have a voice in deciding on the part I shall take," +said Patty, with a show of spirit. + +"But you _did_ decide it! I never should have thought of appearing as +'Prince Charming,' if you hadn't----" + +"That will do, Philip!" said Patty, turning very pink. + +"Go on, Phil!" cried Roger. "If she hadn't what?" + +"If she hadn't said I'd look so sweet in a light blue satin coat," +replied Philip, pretending to look confused. + +"Oh, pshaw! She didn't say that," declared Roger. "And beside, you +won't!" + +"Oh, yes, he will," said Patty. "Those court suits are lovely,--all +silver lace and cocked hats! Oh, Philip, do wear one of those! And +I'll write to Nan, to get me a costume. What are you going to wear, +Mona?" + +"But we mustn't tell!" said Adele, in dismay. "This is a masquerade, +not merely a fancy dress ball." + +"Oh!" said Patty. "Then we'll have to change our plans, Philip. The +Sleeping Beauty game is all off!" + +"Only for the moment!" And Philip threw her a challenging glance. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +A PROPOSAL + + +It was after midnight when the Christmas guests went away, and Patty +declared her intention of going to bed at once. + +"I coasted and danced and played hide and seek till I'm utterly worn +out," she said, "and I think I shall sleep for a week!" + +"But I'm going away to-morrow," said Philip, detaining her a moment. + +"But you're coming back next week. I'll promise to be awake by then. +But now I'm going to hibernate, like a bear! Good-night, everybody!" +and Patty ran upstairs without further ceremony. + +But as, in her pretty blue negligee, she sat before the mirror +brushing her long hair, Mona, Daisy, and Adele all came into her +room, quite evidently with a determination to chat. + +"You're an old sleepy-head, Patty," declared Adele. "You may sleep as +late as you like in the morning, but we want to have a little confab +now, about lots of things." + +"Nicht, nein, non, no!" cried Patty, jumping up and brandishing her +hair-brush. "I know perfectly well what your confabs mean,--an hour or +more of chattering and giggling! Come in the morning,--I'm going to +have my chocolate upstairs to-morrow,--and I'll give you all the +information you want. But as for to-night, skip, scoot, scamper, and +vamoose, every dear, sweet, pretty little one of you!" + +Laughingly, Patty pushed the three out of her room, and closing the +door after them, turned its key, unheeding their protests, and +returned to her hair-brushing. + +"It's no use, Patricia," she said, talking to herself in the mirror, +as she often did, "letting those girls keep you up till all hours! You +need your beauty sleep, to preserve what small pretence to good looks +you have left." + +Patty was not really vain of her pretty face, but she well knew that +her delicate type of beauty could not stand continuous late hours +without showing it, and Patty was not mistaken when she claimed for +herself a good share of common sense. + +But as she brushed away at the golden tangle of curls, she heard a light +tap at her door, which sounded insistent, rather than mischievous. + +"Who is it?" she asked, as she rose and went toward the door. + +"It's Daisy," said a low voice. "Let me in, Patty, just for a minute." + +So Patty opened the door, and Daisy Dow came in. + +"I want to tell you something," she said, as Patty stood waiting, +brush in hand. "I don't really want to tell you a bit,--but Jim says I +must," and Daisy looked decidedly cross and ill-tempered. + +Patty realised that it was a bother of some kind, and she said, +gently, "Leave it till morning, Daisy; we'll both feel brighter then." + +"No; Jim said I must tell you to-night. Oh, pshaw, it's nothing, +anyway! Only there _was_ a letter for you from Bill Farnsworth, and I +took it from May, and kept it for a while, just to tease you. I was +going to give it to you to-morrow, anyway; but Jim came and asked me +about it, and made _such_ a fuss! Men are so _silly_!" + +"Why, no, Daisy, it isn't anything much; only you know people _do_ +like to have letters that belong to them! But, as you say, it's +nothing to make a fuss about. Incidentally, I believe it's a State's +prison offence,--or would be if you opened it. You didn't, did you?" + +"Of course not!" said Daisy; "but I knew it was only a card, like +ours, and I just kept it back for fun." + +"It doesn't seem to me an awfully good joke,--but never mind that. +Give me the letter, and we'll call it square, and I won't have you +arrested or anything." + +Patty spoke lightly, but really she was deeply annoyed at this foolish +trick of Daisy's. However, since Jim had found out the truth and made +Daisy own up, there was no great harm done. + +"I haven't got the letter," said Daisy. "I left it downstairs, but we +can get it in the morning. I'm sure it's only a card; it is just the +same size and shape as ours." + +"Daisy, what did you do it for?" And Patty looked the girl in the +eyes, in a real curiosity to know why she should descend to this petty +meanness. + +"Because you're such a favourite," said Daisy, truthfully. "Everybody +likes you best, and everybody does everything for you, and you get +everything, and I wanted to tease you!" + +Patty grasped the girl by her shoulders, and shook her good-naturedly, +while she laughed aloud. "Daisy, you _do_ beat the dickens! You know +that foolish little temper of yours is too silly for anything, and if +you'd conquer it you'd be a whole lot nicer girl! You're just as +pretty as anybody else, and just as jolly and attractive, but you get +a notion that you're slighted when you're _not_; and that makes you +ill-tempered and you lose half your charm. Don't you know that if you +want people to love you and admire you, you must be sunshiny and +pleasant?" + +"Huh, that isn't my nature, I s'pose. I can't help my quick temper. +But, anyway, Patty, you're a dear not to get mad,--and I'll give you +the letter the first thing in the morning." + +"Where is it, Daisy?" + +"Oh, I just stuck it between two volumes of a cyclopaedia, on a shelf +in the library. So, you see, we can't get it till morning; but it will +be safe there, don't worry." + +"I'm not worrying," and Patty smiled, as Daisy said a somewhat abrupt +good-night, and went away. + +There were still a few embers of a wood fire glowing on the hearth, +and Patty sat down before it in a big arm-chair. + +"I don't know why I'm so glad," she said to herself, her weariness all +gone now. "But I did feel neglected to have Little Billee send the +other girls cards, and leave me out. I'd like to see it; I hardly +glanced at theirs,--though I remember, they weren't very pretty. I'd +like to see Little Billee again, but I don't suppose I ever shall. +Well, there are plenty of other nice boys in the world, so it doesn't +matter much. All the same, I'd like to see that card. I believe I'll +go down and get it. There's always a low light in the hall, and I can +feel it between the books." + +Patty hesitated for some time, but finally her impatience or curiosity +got the better of her, and she softly opened her door and peeped out. +There were low lights in the halls, and as she listened over the +banister and heard no sounds, Patty began to creep softly down the +stairs. Her trailing robe of light blue crepe de chine was edged with +swansdown, and she drew it about her, as she noiselessly tiptoed along +in her slippered feet. + +The hall light shone dimly into the library, through which Patty could +see a brighter light in the smoking-room beyond. She listened a +moment, but hearing no voices, concluded she could creep into the +library, capture her card, and return undiscovered. + +"And, anyway," she thought to herself, "there can't be anybody in the +smoking-room, or I would hear them talking." + +It was easy to proceed without a sound by stepping softly along the +thick rugs, and as Patty knew exactly where the cyclopaedias were +shelved, she made straight for that bookcase. It was next to the +smoking-room doorway, and as Patty reached it, she peeped around the +portiere to make sure that the next room was unoccupied. + +But to her surprise, she saw Philip Van Reypen stretched out in a big +arm-chair in front of the fire. His eyes were closed, but Patty saw he +was not asleep, as he was slowly smoking a cigar. Patty saw him +sidewise, and she stood for a second contemplating the handsome +profile and the fine physique of the man, who looked especially +graceful in his careless and unconscious position. + +Almost holding her breath, lest he should hear her, Patty moved +noiselessly to the shelves, being then out of sight behind a +portiere. + +By slow, careful movements, it was easy enough to move the books +silently, and at last she discovered the blue envelope, tucked between +two of them. She drew it out without a sound,--careful lest the paper +should crackle,--and started to retrace her stealthy steps upstairs +again, when she saw the hem of the portiere move the veriest trifle. + +"A mouse!" she thought to herself, with a terrified spasm of fear, for +Patty was foolishly afraid of mice. + +Unable to control herself, she sprang up into a soft easy-chair and +perched on the back of it. + +The springs of the chair gave a tiny squeak, scarcely as loud as a +mouse might make, yet sufficient to arouse Van Reypen from his +reverie. + +He sprang up, and pushing aside the portiere, switched on the light, +to see Patty sitting on the low, tufted back of the chair, her hair +streaming about her shoulders, and her face expressing the utmost fear +and horror. + +"Well!" he observed, looking at her with a smile,--"_well_!" + +"Oh, Philip," whispered Patty, in a quaking voice, "it's a mouse! an +_awful_ mouse!" + +"Well, what are you going to do about it?" and Philip folded his arms, +and stood gazing at the pretty, frightened figure on the chair back. + +His amused calm quieted Patty's nerves, which had really been put on +edge by her uncontrollable aversion to mice, and she returned, +cheerfully, "I suppose I shall have to stay up here the rest of my +life, unless you can attack and vanquish the fearsome brute." + +"I shall not even try," said Philip, coolly, as he turned to throw +away his cigar, "because I like to see you sitting up there. However, +as there may be danger of another attack from the enemy, and as this +chair is almost entirely unoccupied, I shall camp out here at your +feet, and keep guard over your safety." + +He seated himself on the arm of the same chair, while Patty sat on its +low, cushioned back. She drew her blue gown more closely about her, +and cast wary glances toward the corner, where the enemy was +presumably encamped. + +"I think perhaps the danger is over," she said. "And if you'll go back +to the smoking-room, I will make a brave effort to get away unharmed." + +"Watch me go," said Philip, showing no signs of moving. "However, if +it will set your mind at rest, I'll tell you that it _wasn't_ a mouse. +I don't believe they have such things in this well-regulated +household." + +"But I _saw_ it!" declared Patty, positively. + +"Saw a mouse?" + +"Well, not _exactly_ that, but I saw that little tassel on the +portiere wiggle, so it _must_ have been a mouse." + +"Patty, you are the most ridiculous little goose on the face of this +earth! Your imagination is something marvellous! Now I'll inform you +that the reason that tassel moved, was because I threw a match at it. +I aimed for a waste-basket and hit the curtain, but I had no idea that +I should find myself so surprised at the result!" + +Patty dimpled and giggled. "It _is_ surprising, isn't it?" she said, +feeling much more light-hearted since her fears were relieved +regarding the mouse. "And I'm not sure it's altogether correct, that +you and I should be down here alone after midnight." + +"Fiddlestrings!" exclaimed Philip. "Don't be a silly! And besides, Jim +is about somewhere, and Adele has been bobbing in and out." + +"There was no one in the halls when I came down. And I think, Philip, +I'd better go back." + +"What did you come down for, anyhow?" + +For some unexplained reason, Patty suddenly felt unwilling to tell +what she had come for. Bill's letter was hidden in the folds of her +voluminous blue gown, and she couldn't quite bring herself to tell +Philip that she came down for that. + +"Oh, I was wakeful," she said, "and I came down to get a--a book." + +"H'm; and you thought you'd take a volume of the Britannica back with +you, to read yourself to sleep?" + +Patty had to laugh at this, for in the corner where they were, the +shelves contained nothing but cyclopaedias and dictionaries. + +"But they're really very interesting reading," she declared. + +"And this is the little girl who was so sleepy she had to run off to +bed as soon as the party was over! Patty, Patty, I'm afraid you're not +telling me the truth! Try again." + +"Well, then,--well, then, I came down because,--because I was hungry!" + +"Ah, that's better. Anybody has a right to be hungry, or even afraid +of mice,--but no one has a right to lug a whole cyclopaedia upstairs +to read oneself to sleep." + +"I wasn't going to take _all_ the volumes," said Patty, demurely, and +then she jumped down from her perch. "I'll just see which one I do +want," and pretending to read the labels, she deftly slipped her +letter back between the volumes, unseen by Van Reypen. + +"You little goose, you," said Philip, laughing. "Stop your nonsense, +and let's go and forage in the dining-room for something to eat. We +might as well have some good food while we're about it." + +"But I'm not exactly in proper dinner garb," said Patty, shaking out +her blue folds, and trailing her long robe behind her. + +"Nonsense! I don't know much about millinery, but you never wore +anything more becoming than all that fiddly-faddly conglomeration of +blue silk and white fur." + +"It isn't fur,--it's down." + +"Well, I said you were a goose,--so it's most appropriate." + +"But it's swansdown." + +"Well, be a swan, then! Be anything you like. But come on, let's make +for the dining-room. We'll probably find Jim there, but don't make any +noise, or everybody upstairs will think we're burglars and shoot us." + +Philip switched off the library light, and taking Patty's hand, led +her through the dim hall and into the dining-room. At the end of this +room was a wide bay window, which let in a perfect flood of moonlight. + +"Oh," exclaimed Patty, "what a picture! From my room you couldn't tell +it was moonlight at all." + +The picture from the window was a far sweep of hills, white with snow, +and glistening in the moonlight. In the foreground, evergreen trees, +laden with snow, stood about like sentinels,--and a big, yellow +three-quarter moon was nearing the western horizon. + +"Isn't it wonderful, Philip?" whispered Patty, almost awed at the +sight. + +"Yes, dear," he said, still holding her hand in both his own. "Patty, +you have a wonderful appreciation of the beautiful." + +"Nobody could help loving such a sight as that." + +"And nobody could help loving such a girl as you!" exclaimed Philip, +drawing her into his arms. "Patty, darling, you know I love you! +Patty, _do_ care for me a _little_ bit, won't you?" + +"Don't, Philip," and Patty drew gently away from him. "_Please_ don't +talk to me like that! Oh, I oughtn't to be here! Let me go, Philip,--I +_know_ this isn't right." + +"It _is_ right, Patty, darling; because I love you, and I want you for +all my own. Say you love me, and that will make _everything_ all +right!" + +"But I don't, Philip." And Patty's voice carried a hint of tears. + +"But you will, dear; you _must_, because I love you _so_. Patty, I +have always loved you, I think, since I first saw you on the stairs at +Aunty Van's that evening. Do you remember?" + +"Yes, I remember; but please, Philip, let me go now, and _don't_ talk +to me this way. I don't _want_ you to!" + +"You're frightened, Patty, that's all; and perhaps I ought not to have +spoken just now; but you looked so sweet, in the moonlight, with that +wonderful hair of yours curling about your shoulders, that I just +couldn't help it." + +"I'll forgive you, Philip, if you'll forget this whole occurrence." + +"Forget it? Why, Patty, what do you mean? I never forget it for a +single moment! I was sitting there to-night, dreaming of _you_. I +wasn't asleep, you know, I was just thinking about you, and wondering +how soon I might tell you my thoughts. You're so young, dear,--I'm +half a dozen years older than you are,--but I want you, my little +Patty. Mayn't I hope?" + +"You're quite right, Philip. I _am_ too young to think of such things. +So cut it out for a couple of years, and then I'll see about it!" + +"Patty, you rogue, how _can_ you speak like that? Don't you love me a +least little bit?" + +"Not a teenty weenty speck! And if you don't give me something to eat, +I won't even _like_ you." + +"Well, here's a bargain, then,--if I find something nice for you to +eat, will you like me a whole lot?" + +"I do like you a whole lot, anyway; but I don't love you and I'm not +going to love _anybody_, _ever_! I do think being grown-up is a +regular nuisance, and I wish I was a little girl again, with my hair +down my back!" + +"Incidentally, your hair _is_ down your back." + +"Well, I don't care," and Patty shook her curly mane. "I wear it that +way in tableaux and things, so what's the difference?" + +"There _isn't_ any difference. We'll pretend you're a tableau." + +"All right, I'll be Patience on a Monument, waiting for some supper." + +"That was Little Tommy Tucker." + +"No; _he_ sang for his supper. I'm not going to sing." + +"For Heaven's sake, _don't_! Your top notes would bring the whole +crowd down here! Patty, if you'll promise to love me _some time_, I'll +stop teasing you _now_." + +"Oh, Philip, I'd do 'most anything to have you stop teasing me now! +But how _can_ I tell who I'm going to love when I get old enough to +love anybody?" + +"Well, you don't love anybody yet, do you?" + +"I do _not_!" and Patty shook her head with great emphasis. + +"Then I have a fair show, anyway." And Philip drew the curtain that +shut out the moonlight, and switched on the electric light. + +"Exit Romance!" he said, "and enter Comedy! Now, Patty, you're my +little playmate; we're just two kiddies in the pantry, stealing +jam,--that is, if we can find any jam." + +"The pantry's the place," said Patty; "there's nothing in the +sideboard but biscuit and raisins." + +"They don't sound very good to me. To the pantry!" + +Into the pantries they went, and there, in cupboards and iceboxes, +found all sorts of good things. + +Cold turkey, game pate, jellies, custards, cakes, and all varieties +of food. + +"This is ever so much more fun than moonlight," said Patty, as she +perched herself on a table, there being no chair, and held a partridge +wing in one hand and a macaroon in the other. "Could you find me a +glass of milk, Philip?" + +"Yes, indeed; anything you want, my Princess." + +"I thought you said Jim was about," Patty remarked. + +"He was," returned Philip, calmly. "I saw him go upstairs as we came +in the dining-room." + +"Did he see us?" + +"Sure! He grinned at me and I grinned at him. I didn't invite him to +come with us,--so being a polite gentleman, he didn't come. He doesn't +mind our eating up his food. He's awful hospitable, Jim is." + +"Well, I've had enough of his food, and now I'm going back to my downy +couch. If I don't see you to-morrow before you leave,--good-bye, +Philip." + +"That's a nice, casual way to say good-bye to a man who has just +proposed to you!" + +"Good gracious! _Was_ that a proposal?" + +"Well, rather! What did you think it was? A sermon, or just a bit of +oratory?" + +"Do you know, Philip, truly I didn't realise it at the time," and +Patty's smile was very provoking, as she looked up into his face. + +"Would your answer have been different if you had?" he asked, eagerly. + +"Oh, no, not that! But I just want you to understand that I don't +consider it a real proposal," and Patty laughed and ran away, leaving +Philip to "clear up" the pantry. + +She stopped a moment in the library, long enough to get her blue +letter, and then scuttled up the stairs and into her own room. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +A CHRISTMAS CARD + + +Once safely behind her locked door, Patty tore open her blue envelope. +It was only a card,--but not an ordinary printed Christmas card. + +In the upper corner was a spray of apple blossoms, exquisitely +painted; and on the card were some verses, written in a hand that was +small and fine, but unmistakably the same as the address on the +outside of the envelope. + +With a little sigh of pleasure, Patty cuddled up in her arm-chair to +read the Christmas message. + +But it proved to be not very Christmassy, after all; for this is what +she read: + + "MY LADY OF DELIGHT + + "My Lady of Delight's a dainty, winsome thing; + She's Queen of Summertime, and Princess of the Spring. + Her lovely, smiling lips are roses set to rhyme, + She has a merry, lilting laugh, like Bluebells all a-chime. + The radiance of her smile, the sunshine in her eyes, + Is like the Dawn of breaking Day upon the summer skies. + + "With roguish glances bright, all on a Summer Day, + My Lady of Delight she stole my heart away; + And though I humbly beg and plead with her, alack! + My Lady of Delight, she will not give it back. + I seem to see her now, with tangled golden curl, + With dancing eyes, and smiling lips,--My Apple Blossom Girl! + + "Oh, Lady of Delight, I pray you, smile on me; + Oh, Lady of Delight, your Knight I fain would be; + Oh, Lady of Delight, you set my heart aglow. + I only know + I love you so, + Dear Lady of Delight!" + +Patty read the verses over twice, with shining eyes. + +"I wonder if he wrote them himself," she mused. "I don't believe he +did; he must have copied them. He knows an awful lot of pretty poetry +like that. And yet it doesn't sound like a real poet's poetry, either. +And he used to call me Apple Blossom,--such a pretty name. Philip +would never think of such a thing as that. I wonder if I like Little +Billee better than I do Philip. I wonder if he likes me better. But of +course he can't, or he would have written to me in all this time. I +haven't seen him since August, and he never wrote a word, except the +stiffest kind of a line with those flowers he sent me. I thought he'd +forgotten all about me! But I can't think so now,--unless he just came +across this poem, and it recalled me to his mind. Well, I came awfully +near not getting it! I don't see how Daisy _could_ have been so mean; +I don't like that kind of a joke a bit. But of course she thought it +was just a printed card, like hers and Mona's. Well, she'll never know +it _isn't_,--that's one thing sure!" + +And then Patty tucked her card of verses under her pillow and went to +sleep. + +The next morning, as Patty had prophesied, she slept late. Daisy +peeped into her room two or three times before she finally found +Patty's blue eyes open. + +"At last!" she said, sitting down on the edge of the bed. "I thought +you'd never wake up! Patty, what do you think? I've been down in the +library, and I can't find that card! I'm awfully sorry, truly I am; +I'll give you mine if you want it." + +"Thank you, Daisy," and Patty smiled at the recollection of Mona's +similar offer. "Bill's cards seem to be a drug in the market! But you +may keep yours, and also set your mind at rest about mine; for I +sneaked downstairs last night in the dark, and fished it out for +myself." + +"You did! Oh, Patty, weren't you frightened to prowl around like that, +late at night?" + +Patty shook with laughter. "I _was_ frightened," she said, "when I +thought I saw a mouse,--but it wasn't a mouse, after all." + +"Oh, I wouldn't be afraid of a mouse! But you might have met a,--a +burglar or something?" + +"No," and Patty still grinned. "I didn't meet any _burglar_. But I got +the card, Daisy, so that's all right." + +"Was it like mine? Let me see it." + +"It wasn't exactly like yours, and I won't let you see it. You kept it +away from me, and now it's my turn to keep it away from you. And by +the way, Daisy, that was a mean thing to do, and I don't want you to +do anything like that to me again!" Patty's sweet face showed an +unusually stern expression, and her blue eyes looked straight into +Daisy's as she spoke. + +"I won't, Patty; truly, I won't. I'm awfully sorry, but I did it on a +sudden impulse." + +"I know it; and, Daisy, I want you to try not to give way to those +'sudden impulses' when they're mean ones. You have enough good, +generous impulses to keep you busy. Now, you mustn't mind if your Aunt +Patty lectures you a little bit, because as the teachers always say, +'it's for your own good.' And if you'll please take a chair, instead +of sitting all over my feet, I'd like to have my breakfast; for I hear +my pretty little Swedish Hedwig bringing it in." + +The smiling maid appeared with Patty's breakfast tray, followed by +Mona and Adele. + +"Company already!" exclaimed Patty, sitting up in bed. "Hedwig, quick, +my breakfast cap,--the pink one,--and the nightingale to match." + +The maid threw the silken wrap around Patty's shoulders, and tucked +her hair into the lace-frilled cap, which was of a Dutch shape, and +made Patty look like the pictures of Holland's pretty queen. + +"You don't seem hungry," said Mona, as Patty toyed with her chocolate. +"Now, I ate a most astonishing breakfast, because I forgot to eat my +supper last night." + +"Well, you see," returned Patty, dropping her lashes to hide her +twinkling eyes, "I didn't forget to eat my supper." + +The recollection of that supper in the pantry was too much for her, +and she burst into laughter. + +"What _is_ the matter with you, Patty?" said Adele. "You're acting +like a harmless lunatic! However, I'm sent to tell you to hop up and +get dressed, for one of your admirers below stairs wants you to go for +a sleighride with him." + +"Jim?" asked Patty, looking up with a smile. + +"No; Mr. Van Reypen." + +"Oh, good gracious! I don't care about going riding with Philip; I can +see _him_ in New York. I hoped it was Hal,--that's why I said Jim." + +"Patty," said her hostess, "you're a born coquette, and always will +be! But your wiles are wasted on me. Save them for your suitors. But, +truly, Mr. Van Reypen is going on an errand for me, and he said that +he wanted to show you _some_ little attention while he was here, and +he guessed he'd let you go along with him in the cutter." + +"Oh, a cutter ride," and Patty began to scramble out of bed. "That +sounds rather good fun. But I'd rather go with Hal." + +"Well, you're candid, at any rate," said Daisy. "But as it happens, +Hal and I are going to practise some music this morning." + +"Oh, in that case, I've nothing more to say." And Patty smiled +good-naturedly at Daisy. "And I suppose Mona and Roger are going +somewhere to play by themselves." + +"Nothing of the sort," said Mona. "Roger's going back to the city this +morning, and I'm going to write letters." + +"But I thought Philip was going back to the city," said Patty, looking +at Adele. + +"He's going on the afternoon train. Go on and get dressed, Patty, and +don't waste any more time." + +"All right," and Patty made an expeditious toilette and in little more +than half an hour went downstairs equipped for her ride. + +She was enveloped from head to foot in a raccoon fur coat, with a +jaunty hat of the same, trimmed only with a bright quill feather. + +"Why do we go?" she demanded, presenting herself before Philip, who +was waiting in the hall. + +"To get butter and eggs," he returned, gravely. "The Kenerley larder +is entirely empty of those two very necessary ingredients." + +"But why do _we_ go for them? Are there no servants to send?" + +"Little girls shouldn't ask questions," and without further ceremony +Philip tucked her into the waiting sleigh, sprang in beside her, and +took up the lines. + +"My, this is great!" exclaimed Patty, as the pair of fine horses went +dashing down the drive, and the clear, keen winter air blew against +her face. + +"Yes; I thought the sleighride would brace you up. And, really, there +seemed to be nobody to send on this errand, so I said we'd go." + +"Is it far?" + +"No; only about five miles; we'll be back for luncheon. How did you +sleep, after your late supper?" + +"All right," and Patty smiled back into Philip's face. "But I wasn't +hungry for my breakfast." + +"I should say not! You ate enough last night for two little girls like +you!" + +"There aren't two little girls like me!" said Patty, with twinkling +eyes, and Philip exclaimed: "Indeed, there aren't! I say, Patty, my +Princess Patty, _do_ be engaged to me, won't you?" + +"No, you ridiculous boy, I won't! And if you say another word on the +subject, I'll be real downright mad at you!" + +"Very well, I won't. Now, see here, Princess, do you mean to go to +this masquerade ball with me? For, if not, I'm not coming back here +for New Year's." + +"Why, of course, I'm going with you. Who else?" + +"I don't know, I'm sure. But there would be plenty glad to take you." + +"Pooh! I know that. But I want to go with you. What shall we wear?" + +"I was thinking of some foolish thing, like Little Bo-Peep, you know." + +"Oh, I'd love to be that! A shepherdess costume, and a crook with +ribbons on. But I want you to wear a satin coat and knee-breeches." + +"Well, I'll be Old King Cole." + +"No, I don't like that. I'll tell you! You be Little Boy Blue." + +"The Gainsborough picture?" + +"No, that won't do either. Oh, you be Bobby Shafto! He wears 'silver +buckles on his knee,' don't you know?" + +"Yes, I _do_ know! And what's the next line?" + +"Never mind," said Patty, turning pink. "I want you to wear a real +Bobby Shafto costume. So you will, won't you?" + +"Of course, if my Princess commands. I'll have it made at once. Can I +help about yours?" + +"Well, you might go to see Nan, and tell her what I want, and she'll +get it and send it up here. A shepherdess rig is easy enough, and +there's nothing prettier." + +"It will be lovely. I say, which way do we turn here?" + +"To go to Hatton's Corners? Oh, to the right." + +"I think it's the left." + +"No, it isn't. I remember distinctly, Jim said, be sure to take the +right road." + +"He meant right, not wrong." + +"Nonsense! he didn't. He meant right, not left. Turn right, Philip." + +They turned right, into a wide, straight road. The sleighing was fine, +though not yet sufficiently packed. But, with the light cutter, and +two good horses, they spun along in great shape. + +"There's something about sleighing that's different from anything +else," remarked Patty, with the air of one expounding a great truth. + +"It's the exhilaration. Spinning along like this, with the snow +crunching under us, beats motoring, I think." + +"Yes; for an occasional ride. But for all the year round, motoring is +best." + +"That's so. Sleighing isn't much fun in July or August." + +"Huh! don't be silly. But, I say, Philip, where are we? Jim said we'd +pass Little Falls, and then we must follow the trolley line all the +way to the butter and egg house. I don't see any trolley." + +"Neither do I, yet. But we'll soon strike it. Ah, here we are!" + +"No; this is a railroad,--a steam railroad, I mean. Philip, we're off +the road." + +"I think we are. I'm sorry I insisted on turning to the right at that +corner." + +"You _didn't_ insist. _I_ did! But I thought it was right." + +"It _is_ right, dear. Anything is right, where you are." + +"You'd better stop talking foolishness, and find the right road." + +"Oh, if you call that _foolishness_!" + +"Well, I do! I'd rather you'd get to the egg house and back before it +begins to storm. And by the looks of the sky, I'm sure it _is_ going +to storm." + +"Oh, no! nothing like that. But I say! Princess! it's after one +o'clock! Now, who would have thought it? And they expect us back to +luncheon!" + +"After one! Oh, Philip, it _can't_ be!" + +"Yes, it is! Well, Patty Pink, the best thing to do, _I_ think, is to +go to that house I see in the dim distance, and ask our way. The last +two or three signposts have shown names _I_ never heard of." + +"I either," said Patty, in a meek voice. "I noticed them, but I didn't +say anything, because it's my fault we went astray." + +"Well, never mind. We're in for a lark, that's all. 'Afar in the +desert I love to ride'--what comes next, Patty?" + +"'With the silent Bushboy alone by my side----'" + +"Yes, that's it; but thank goodness, you're not silent----" + +"Nor a Bushboy, either. But I don't like this, Philip. We're----" + +"We're far frae our hame, and all that. But don't you worry, my +Princess. You're with me, and so you're not lost. You know, it's +better to be loved than lost." + +"Now, Philip, stop talking about love! It's bad enough to be +lost,--and we _are_ lost,--without having somebody harping about love +all the time." + +"Well, this isn't much of a time or place, is it? So, suppose we invade +this peaceful dwelling, and inquire our latitude and longitude." + +They drove up a winding road to a large, old-fashioned house, and +Philip jumped out at the front door. + +His summons on the big, brass knocker was answered by a prim little +lady, with grey hair and bright, dark eyes. + +"Pardon me, madame," said Philip, in his best manner. "We have lost +our way. Will you tell me how to reach Hatton's Corners?" + +"Hatton's Corners! Why, that's a good ten miles from here. Where'd you +come from?" + +"From Fern Falls." + +"Then you took the wrong road at the Big Tree Fork. You'd oughter 'a' +gone to the left." + +"H'm; you may be right. But must we go back there, or is there a +shorter cut?" + +"No; there ain't no shorter cut. But your young lady looks cold. Won't +you two come in and take a bite o' dinner, and get warm before you go +on?" + +"Why, this is true hospitality, madame. What do you say, Patty?" + +Patty looked uncertain. "I don't know what to say," she replied, +hesitatingly. "I _am_ cold; but I'm afraid it would delay us so long +that Adele will worry about us. I think we'd better jog along." + +But then another old lady appeared. She was rounder, rosier, plumper, +and jollier than the first, and she cried out, heartily: "Jog along? +Well, I reckon not! I jest waited to slip into my shoes,--my feet's +awful tender,--and then I come right out here to see what's goin' on. +Now, you two young folks come right in, and set a spell. 'Tain't often +we get a chance to have comp'ny,--and on chicken pie day, too!" + +"Whew, chicken pie!" exclaimed Philip. "How about it, Patty?" + +"Have you a telephone?" asked Patty, with a sudden inspiration. + +"Yes, miss. Now you jest come along. 'Kiah, the hired man, he'll look +after your horses, and I'm free to confess they need a rest and a +feed, even if you don't." + +"That's so," said Philip. "We must have come twelve or fifteen miles." + +"It's all o' that from Fern Falls. My, I'm right down glad to look +after you two. You do seem to need it." + +The speaker's twinkling dark eyes looked at her two visitors with such +comprehension that Patty blushed and Philip smiled. + +"We're from Mr. Kenerley's house," he explained,--"guests there, you +know. And we started for Hatton's Corners to get some butter and +eggs--and somehow, we took the wrong turn----" + +"It was all my fault," confessed Patty. "I insisted on coming this +way, though Mr. Van Reypen thought the other was right." + +"Well, well, never mind! It'll jest be a nice, smart trip back after +dinner. I'm Mrs. Fay, and this is my sister, Miss Wilhelmina Winthrop. +She's got a longer name than I have, but I've got a longer head." + +They were ushered into the old-fashioned sitting-room, with its +Brussels carpet showing huge baskets of flowers; its heterogeneous +furniture, some chairs haircloth and black walnut, and others +cane-seated, with rep cushions tied on; marble tables, of course; and +an old sofa, with well-worn pillows and rugs. + +But the place had a hospitable air, and the two hostesses were fairly +beaming with delight at this opportunity for entertainment. Miss +Winthrop carried Patty off to her own bedroom. + +"You're jest all tuckered out, I can see," she said, hovering around +her like a clucking hen; "but a wash-up and a good dish o' chicken pie +will put you all to rights again." + +"But I must telephone before we eat dinner," said Patty. + +"So you shall,--so you shall. Now, don't you worry the leastest mite +about anything." + +"How kind you are!" exclaimed Patty, smiling on the happy little old +lady. "I suppose you belong to the real old New England Winthrops?" + +"Yes, and we're mighty proud of our name. I was so much so that I +never would change it,"--and she chuckled. "Sister, though, she +thought Fay was prettier." + +"Fay _is_ pretty," said Patty, cordially, "and now, if I may, I'll +telephone, for I know our people will be wondering where we are." + +"All right, Miss Fairfield; come right along." But in returning to the +sitting-room, Patty found Philip was already at the telephone. + +"Yep," he was saying, "lost our way; took wrong turning at Big Tree +Fork. Brought up, somehow, at Mrs. Fay's. Accepted invitation to +dinner,--chicken pie!--Start back immediately after the E in Pie! See? +Expect us when we get there. Will accumulate a butter and a egg or +two, on our way home. Love to all. Philip." He concluded his harangue, +and turned to Patty. + +"All serene on the Potomac, Patty Pink! I told them all it was +necessary for them to know; and if they desire further information, +they can call us up. They know where we are. Me for the chicken pie!" + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +STORMBOUND + + +The two old ladies were not of the quaint type, nor was their home +picturesque. The place and the people were merely old-fashioned, and +they were almost primitive in their ways. They were kind-hearted and +hospitable, but they were of the rugged New England class that has +lost the charm of its Colonial ancestry. + +The dinner was wholesome and plentiful, but with no variety, and +served in the plainest fashion. The chicken pie was delicious, but it +had no accompaniments except home-made hot biscuit and coffee with +thick, rich, country cream. + +"I always say," said Miss Winthrop, as she settled herself at the +table, "that chicken pie is a whole meal in itself, without any +bothersome side-dishes. I say it's meat and drink both; but sister +says she just can't enjoy it 'thout she has a cup of coffee alongside +of it. Well, I've no objections to the coffee, I'm sure, but I'm free +to admit it does seem superfluous. Still, with company so, it ain't so +much out of place." + +"I'm sorry if we've made you any extra trouble," said Patty, giving +Miss Winthrop one of her best smiles; "but _I'm_ free to confess that +this is the most wonderful coffee that I've ever tasted, and I think +it goes specially well with the pie. And as for these light biscuit, +they're just puffs of lusciousness! Aren't they, Philip?" + +"They are, indeed! All you say is true, but both coffee and biscuit +pale beside the glory of this chicken pie! There never _was_ such +another!" + +Mrs. Fay beamed with delight at these generous compliments, and said, +complacently, "Yes, they ain't many can make chicken pie like mine, if +I do say it. My, ain't it lucky you young people happened along, +to-day of all days! And land knows, I don't want you to go away right +off. I'd like you to set a spell after dinner. But I feel it my +bounden duty to tell you that 'Kiah says there's a storm a-brewin'. +But I don't think you need start off before, say, three o'clock, +anyway." + +"Three o'clock will do nicely," returned Philip, gaily. "That will +give us time to stop at Hatton's Corners and get home before dark. +Personally, I'm not in a bit of a hurry." + +"No?" And Mrs. Fay looked quizzically at her guests. "I just reckon, +young man, that you ain't one mite sorry that you lost your way and +had this little outing with your young lady?" + +"Indeed I'm not sorry, Mrs. Fay; and beside our little outing, we're +having a pleasant visit with you, and we're enjoying every minute of +it." + +"Indeed we are," said Patty, glancing out of the window as she spoke. +"But it's beginning to snow already, and I don't think we'd better +wait until three o'clock." + +"Land's sake!" and Miss Winthrop turned to look out of the window +behind her. "So it is snowing! And when it begins that way, with fine +flakes, slanting crossways, it means business! I dunno as you can +hardly dare venture on a twelve-mile ride in the face of this. 'Pears +to me it's going to be a blizzard." + +"Nonsense, Mina; you do always look on the dark side," expostulated +her sister. "Now _I_ think 'tain't nothing but a flurry, and by then +dinner is over, it'll be bright sunshine again. Now, have your plates +filled up, friends, and try and make out a meal." + +Mrs. Fay fairly beamed with hospitality as she urged more viands upon +her guests. The table appointments were of the plainest, being thick +white china and coarse table napery, with plated silverware. Patty had +expected thin little old teaspoons of hall-marked silver, and old blue +or perhaps copper-lustre teacups, but this household was not of that +sort. Everything seemed to date from the early seventies, and Patty +wondered why there were no old Winthrop heirlooms in the family. + +She brought the conversation round to antiques, and Mrs. Fay remarked, +decidedly: "I just can't bear old-fashioned things. I come into quite +a lot of old mahogany furniture and pewter and dishes and things when +my grandfather died. But when I got married, I had an auction and sold +everything. Then I took the money and bought a whole new outfit. I +believe in going right along with the times. 'Course those old things +were all right for grandfather, but when I married, I'm free to +confess, I wanted things that were in style then. So I bought a real +tasty outfit, and I've kept it careful, and it's pretty near as good +as new now." + +She looked around with pride at her dining-room furnishings, which +seemed to Patty about the worst she had ever seen. + +But she smiled at her hostess, and said, cordially: "I _do_ think it's +nice to have just what you want; and I think we do get attached to our +own things. Have you lived here long?" + +"Land, yes! Nearly all my life. Mr. Fay, he's been dead twenty-five +years; so sister and me we live here together, as contented as you +please. We have a telephone and a rural delivery, so you see it's just +the same as if we were right in town. Now, if you really won't eat any +more pie, let's go into the sittin'-room a spell." + +From the sitting-room windows the view of the storm seemed more +serious. The sky was black, the wind was blowing a gale, and the +snow-flurry had grown thicker. In fact, it was a hard snowstorm, and +Miss Winthrop's fear of a blizzard did not seem entirely unfounded. + +The young people took it lightly, however. "There's no use worrying," +said Patty. "We ought to be thankful, Philip, that we're under +shelter, and with such kind friends. You'll keep us till the storm is +over, won't you, Mrs. Fay?" + +"Yes, and glad to. You just can't think of starting now, so you might +as well settle down and make the best of it. Want to telephone to your +people again?" + +"We will after a while; but there's no use calling them up now. Let's +wait and see whether the storm grows worse or better. Why, if it's a +blizzard, we may have to stay here all night!" + +"Don't let that worry you none," and Mrs. Fay swung back and forth +complacently in her plush patent-rocker. "We got two spare bedrooms, +and I'll just be tickled to death to put you up over night. You're +just like a streak of sunshine in the house, Miss Fairfield, and I'm +glad to have you as long as you'll stay." + +"I wish you'd call me a streak of sunshine," said Philip. "I'd love to +be called that." + +"Well, you're bright enough," and Mrs. Fay looked at him, serenely. +"But you're a different kind of a streak." + +"A streak of lightning, I guess, if need be," said Miss Winthrop, +nodding her head at Philip, as if she appreciated his capabilities. + +"I'm quick at some things," said Philip, modestly. "But, jiminy +crickets! I don't believe we're going to be very quick getting away +from here! Just look at the storm, _now_!" + +The fury of the elements had increased. The wind was a raging northern +blast, and the snow was already piled in drifts. It was, in fact, a +blizzard in a small way, and was rapidly growing. + +"But never mind the weather, so long as we're together," sang Patty +with a little trill, as she danced about the room. Then she seated +herself at the old, square piano, and began to sing snatches of gay +songs. + +"My land! How pretty you do sing," said Miss Winthrop, who was leaning +on the end of the piano, listening delightedly. "Oh, sing more, won't +you? I don't know when I've had such a treat." + +So Patty sang several of her prettiest songs, and the two old ladies +were enchanted. Moreover, Eliza, the maid-of-all-work, and 'Kiah, the +hired man, appeared in the doorway of the sitting-room and listened +too. + +"Come on, Philip; let's give them a duet," and Patty broke into some +rollicking college songs, in which Philip joined. + +Glad to be able to please their kind entertainers, they kept on +singing for an hour or more. + +"Well, that was great!" exclaimed Mrs. Fay, as Patty rose at last from +the piano stool. "I used to sing some, and he used to sing bass. My, +but we had nice times singing together there at that same piano. You +two just made me think of it all over again. I think it's awful nice +for two to sing together." + +"Yes, we're awfully fond of singing together," said Philip, with a +glance at Patty, half mischievous, half tender, whereat Patty blushed. + +"You needn't tell me," said Mrs. Fay, nodding her head. "I see just +how it is with you two. You can't hide it, you know, so you needn't to +try." + +"Oh, I don't want to hide anything, I'm sure," said Philip. But Patty +said, "Don't be foolish, Philip; there's nothing to hide! You're +mistaken, Mrs. Fay, if you think we're anything more than friends." + +"Oh, land, child, I know what that means! Maybe you ain't ready to say +yes yet, but you will soon. Well, it ain't none of my business, but +I'm free to confess you are as proper-lookin' a young couple as I'd +want to meet; and mighty well suited to each other." + +"That's what I think," began Philip, but Patty turned the subject and +went back to the weather, which was always a safe ground for +conversation, if not safe to go out into. + +"Well," she said, going to the window for the fourteenth time; "it's +perfectly hopeless to think of starting. And it's after four now, and +it's blowing great guns and snowing like all possessed! Mrs. Fay, +we'll simply have to accept your hospitality for the night. Now I +think I'll telephone Adele that we're stormbound." + +But though Patty called and called, she could get no answer from the +telephone Central. + +"Guess the wires must be down," said Miss Winthrop. "They broke down +last winter with a snow that came sudden, just like this, and 'twas a +week before we got it fixed." + +"Let me try," and Philip took the receiver from Patty's hand. But it +made no difference who tried, they could get no answer of any kind. + +"Oh, well," said Philip, as he hung up the receiver again, "it doesn't +matter much. They know we're safe, and they know where we are, and +they know we couldn't start out in a storm like this." + +"Maybe they'll come for us with a motor," suggested Patty. + +"They might if we were nearer. But a motor would get stalled before it +could get over here and back again in these drifts. It's an awful +storm, Patty, and the sooner you make up your mind that we can't go +home to-night, the better for all concerned." + +"My mind's made up, then," and Patty danced about the room. "I don't +mind a bit! I think it's a lark. Do you have feather beds, Mrs. +Fay?--I mean the kind you climb up to with step-ladders." + +"Land no, child! We ain't old-fashioned folks, you know. We have +springs and mattresses just like you do at home. Well, I'm sorry if +your folks are worried, but I'm glad to have you young people stay the +night. Maybe this evening, you'll sing for us some more." + +"We will," said Philip. "We'll sing everything we know, and then make +up some." + +Once having made up her mind to the inevitable, Patty ceased bothering +about it, and proceeded to enjoy herself and to entertain everybody +else. She chatted pleasantly with the old lady, she coquetted with +Philip, and finally wandered out into the kitchen to make friends with +Eliza. + +"Let me help you get supper," she said, for, to tell the truth, the +novelty of the situation had passed, and Patty began to feel a little +bored. + +"Supper ain't nothin' to get, miss," returned Eliza, a rawboned, +countrified girl who was shy in the presence of this city lady. + +"Well, let me help you, anyway. Mayn't I set the table?" + +"I'm afraid you wouldn't know where the things was. Here, take this +dish and go down cellar for the butter, if so be's you have to do +somethin'. It's in a kag, underneath the swing-shelf." + +"Swing-shelf?" said Patty, interested--"what is a swing-shelf?" + +"Why, a shelf hanging from the ceiling, to keep things on." + +"But why does it hang from the ceiling? I never heard of such a +thing." + +"Why, so the rats or mice can't get at the things." + +"Rats or mice!" and Patty gave a wild scream. "Here, take your plate, +Eliza. I wouldn't go down there for a million billion dollars!" + +Patty ran back to the sitting-room. "Oh, Philip," she cried, "they +have rats and mice! Can't we go home? I don't mind the storm!" + +"There, there, Patty," said Philip, meeting her half-way across the +room, and taking her hand in his. "Don't be silly!" + +"I'm _not_ silly! But I _can't_ stay where they keep rats and mice! +Why, Philip, they _expect_ them. They build high shelves on purpose +for them." + +"You must excuse this little girl, Mrs. Fay," said Philip. "She's +really sensible in most ways, but she's an absolute idiot about mice, +and she can't help it. Why, the other night----" + +Patty drew her hand away from Philip's clasp, and put it over his +mouth. "Stop!" she said, blushing furiously. "Don't you say another +word! I'm _not_ afraid of mice, Mrs. Fay." + +"There, there, child; I know you are, and I don't blame you a mite. I +am, too, or leastways, I used to be. I've kinder got over it of late +years. But I know just how you feel. Now, let me tell you; _honest_, +never a mouse dares show the tip of his nose outside the cellar! If +you don't go down there, you're as safe as you would be up in a +balloon. And I don't count none the less on you for acting skittish +about 'em." + +"I don't mind it, either," said Philip, who was still holding Patty's +hand by way of reassurance. "I shouldn't mind if you acted skittisher +yet." + +But Patty drew her hand away, declaring that Mrs. Fay had quieted her +fears entirely, and that if Eliza would promise to keep the cellar +door shut, she wouldn't give another thought to the dreaded animals. + +After supper, the four played a game of old-fashioned whist, which +delighted the two old ladies, though it seemed strange to Patty and +Philip, who were both good bridge players. Then there was more music, +and at ten o'clock Miss Winthrop informed them that it was bedtime. + +With considerable pride she took Patty up to the best spare room. + +"Now, I hope you'll be comfortable," she said, "and I'm sure you will +be. Here's my best night-gown for you, and a dressing-gown and +slippers. I don't need 'em,--I can get along. And here's a brush and +comb. And now, that's everything you want, isn't it?" + +Patty was touched at the kindliness of the old lady, and though +inwardly amused at the meagerness of her night appointments, she said, +gratefully, "You're so kind to me, Miss Winthrop. Truly, I do +appreciate it." + +"You sweet little thing," returned the old lady. "Now let me unhook +you,--I should admire to do so." + +So Miss Winthrop assisted Patty to undress, and finally, after minute +directions about the turning down and blowing out of the kerosene +lamp, she went away. + +When Patty surveyed herself in the mirror, she almost laughed aloud. +The night-dress was of thick, unbleached muslin, made with tight bands +to button around the neck and wrists. These bands were edged with a +row of narrow tatting; and it was this trimming, Patty felt sure, that +differentiated Miss Winthrop's best night-gown from her others. Then +Patty tried on the dressing-gown, which was of dark grey flannel. +This, too, was severely plain, though voluminous in shape; and the +slippers were of black felt, and quite large enough for Patty to put +both feet in one. She arrayed herself in these things and gave way to +silent laughter as she pirouetted across the room. But her amusement +at the unattractive garments in no way lessened her real appreciation +of the gentle kindliness and hospitality that had been accorded to +her. + +At last she tucked herself into bed, and rolling over on the nubbly +mattress and creaky springs, she almost wished that it had been a +feather bed. But she was soon asleep, and thought no more about +anything until morning. + +Breakfast was at half-past seven, and after that, the long morning +dragged. The fun and novelty had worn off, and Patty was anxious to +get back to Fern Falls. She was bright and entertaining as ever, but +the spontaneous enthusiasm of the day before had vanished. + +But it was impossible to start that morning, Philip said. The roads +were piled high with drifts, and almost impassable. + +"But why can't we break the roads?" asked Patty. "Somebody has to do +it, and I'm sure Jim's horses are as good as anybody's." + +"Little girls mustn't advise on matters which they know nothing +about," said Philip, unable to resist the temptation to tease her. + +Patty pouted a little, and then, with a sudden resolution, was her own +sunny self again. "All right, Philip," she said, smiling at him. "I +know you'll start as soon as it's possible. When will that be?" + +"Perhaps we can go this afternoon, dear; right after dinner, maybe. +The man thinks the roads will be broken by that time." + +The storm had ceased, and it was cloudy most of the morning, but about +noon the sun came out, and by two o'clock they prepared to start. + +The two kind old ladies were sorry to see them go, and begged them to +come again some time to visit them. + +Patty said good-bye with expressions of real and honestly meant +gratitude, for surely Mrs. Fay and her sister had been kindness itself +to their young guests. + +"But goodness, gracious, Philip," Patty exclaimed, as they went flying +down the road, "if I had had to stay there another night, I should +have died!" + +"Why, Patty, it wasn't so bad. Of course, they are primitive and +old-fashioned people; but they are true ladies, even if not very +highly educated. And their hospitality was simply unlimited." + +"Yes, I know all that," said Patty, impatiently; "but I was bored to +death." + +"Well, you didn't show it; you were sweet as a peach to those two +people, and they'll always love you for it." + +"Oh, of course I wouldn't be impolite; but I'm glad we're started for +home." + +"Well, I'm not. Patty, I just enjoyed every minute,--because I was +there with you. Dear, you don't _know_ what it meant to me." + +"Now, Philip," and Patty turned to flash a twinkling smile at him, "we +have a twelve-mile drive ahead of us, besides gathering the eggs. Now, +if you're going to say things like that to me all that twelve miles, +I'm going to jump right out into this snowbank and stay there till +somebody comes along and picks me up." + +"But, Patty, I _must_ say these things to you." + +"Then, I _must_ jump." + +"But wait a minute, dear; before you jump, won't you just tell me that +I may have a little hope that some day you'll promise to be my own +little Patty forever?" + +"Philip, I _can't_ say anything like that, and I _wish_ you wouldn't +tease me. If those snowbanks didn't look so dreadfully cold----" + +"But they _are_ cold. If you don't believe it, I will wait while you +try one. But, Patty, anyway, tell me this. If I stop teasing you now, +will you give me an answer when I come back at New Year's? You know, I +must take that five-thirty train this afternoon, and I shan't see you +again till next week. Will you give me an answer then?" + +"'Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do!'" sang Patty, with a saucy +smile at him. + +"No, I don't want Daisy's answer, I want yours. Now, you think it over +through the week, and when I come up next Tuesday, you be ready to +say, 'Yes, Philip, you may hope, and some day I'll make your hope come +true.'" + +"That's an awful long speech to learn by heart," said Patty, musingly. + +"But you needn't learn it word for word; just say something from your +own heart that means the same." + +"Well," said Patty, "next Tuesday I'll look into my heart and see +what's there; and if there's anything for you, I'll tell you." + +Philip was forced to be content with this, for Patty suddenly changed +the subject, and began to chatter merry nonsense that afforded no +opportunity for romance. The roads were only a little broken, and the +going was hard, because of occasional big drifts, but along some +wind-swept stretches they made fairly good time. + +"But I say," said Philip; "we'll have to cut out the butter and egg +chapter! I simply _must_ get that five-thirty, and I can't do it if we +go around by Hatton's Corners." + +"All right," returned Patty. "I'll put it up to Adele that we just +couldn't do it; and I'll tell you what, Philip, we'll go right to the +station, and you take the train there without going to the Kenerleys' +at all. They'll send your things down to-morrow." + +"That would be the safer way. But how will you get home from the +station?" + +"Oh, I'll telephone from the station office, and they'll send Martin, +or somebody, after me." + +"But you have to wait so long. Here's a better plan. Let's stop at the +Barclay Inn, and telephone from there. Then when we reach the station, +Martin or somebody will be there for you." + +Patty agreed, and when they reached the Barclay Inn, a few miles from +Fern Falls, they went in to telephone. + +"We're on our way home," said Patty, after she had succeeded in +getting a connection. + +"Well, I should think it was time!" exclaimed Adele. "You don't know +what you've missed! Where are you?" + +"At Barclay Inn; and we're in an awful hurry. Philip is going to take +the five-thirty from the station, and you send somebody there to meet +me and drive the horses home, will you! And what did I miss? And +_you'll_ miss the butter and eggs, because we didn't get them." + +"But where have you been? We tried all yesterday to get you on the +telephone, and all this morning, too." + +"Yes, I know; the wires broke down. But everything's all right. We +stayed at Mrs. Fay's. I'll tell you all about it when I see you. Be +sure to have me met at the station. Good-bye." + +Patty hung up the receiver and hurried back to Philip. "We'll have to +hustle to catch that train," he said, as he tucked her in the sleigh. +"Did you get Adele?" + +"Yes; she'll send some one to meet me. She says I missed something. Do +you suppose they had a party last night in all that blizzard?" + +"Well, it's just as well for you to miss a party once in a while; you +have plenty of them. And I like the party I was at better than any I +ever went to." + +The roads were much better where they were travelling now, and they +reached the station in time for Philip's train. But it was a close +connection, for the train was already in the station, and as Philip +swung aboard, he saw Martin and Hal Ferris coming in another sleigh. + +"There they are!" he called to Patty. "It's all right, good-bye." + +"Good-bye," she called back, and then the train pulled out. + +"Well, you _did_ cut up a pretty trick!" exclaimed Hal Ferris, as he +came up to her. "Now, you jump in here with me, and I'll drive you +home, and let Martin look after your horses. They must be pretty well +done up. I would have brought a motor, but the sleighing's fine, and +the motoring isn't. Hop in." + +Patty hopped in, and in a moment they were flying along toward home. + +"What did I miss?" she asked. "Did you have a party last night?" + +"Party! in that storm! Rather not." + +"Well, what _did_ I miss?" + +"What makes you think you missed anything?" + +"Adele told me so, over the telephone." + +"Well, then, let Adele tell you what it was. How could I possibly +know?" + +"But what did you do last night?" + +"Nothing much; sat around, sang a little, and talked,--and I guess +that's all." + +"Who was there? Didn't Roger go home?" + +"Yes; Roger went down on the morning train, just after you started on +your wild career." + +"Well, who _was_ there? Chub, I know you're keeping something from me. +Now, tell me what it is!" + +"Do you really want to know, Patty? Well, Bill Farnsworth was there." + +"What!" and Patty nearly fell out of the sleigh in astonishment. "Bill +Farnsworth?" + +"Yes; he came unexpectedly yesterday afternoon. Could only stay +twenty-four hours, and went back to-day on the two o'clock train." + +Patty wondered to herself why she felt as if something awful had +happened. She couldn't realise that Bill had been there, and had gone +away, and she hadn't seen him! What a cruel coincidence that it should +have been just at the time when she was away. But her pride came to +her rescue. She had no intention of letting Hal Ferris or anybody else +know that she cared. + +So she said, lightly: "Well, of all things! Didn't anybody expect +him?" + +"No; he thought he'd surprise us. He was awfully cut up that you +weren't there." + +"Oh, he was! Well, why didn't you send for me?" + +"Send for you! And you miles away, and a blizzard blizzing like fury! +But we spent hours hanging over the telephone, trying to get word to +you." + +"The wires were down," said Patty, thinking of the uninteresting +evening she had spent, when she might have been talking to Little +Billee. + +"They sure were! We tried and tried, but we couldn't get a peep out of +you. Daisy said it was because you were so wrapped up in Philip that +you wouldn't answer the old telephone." + +Patty's pretty face hardened a little as she thought how Daisy would +delight in making such a speech as that before Farnsworth. + +"I say, Patty, are you cut up about this? Did you want to see Big +Bill, specially?" + +"Oh, no, no," said Patty, smiling again. "I only thought it seemed +funny that he happened to come when I happened to be away." + +"Yes, I know; but of course nobody could help it. He came East on a +flying business trip. Tried to get here for Christmas, but couldn't +make it. He waited over a day, just to skip up here and back; said he +wanted to see us all. But he had to take the two o'clock back to New +York to-day, and I believe he starts to-night for Arizona. He's a +great fellow, Bill is. You like him, don't you, Patty?" + +"Yes, I like him," said Patty, simply. + +"I've known him for years, you know. Giant Greatheart, we used to call +him. So big and good, you know. Always doing something for somebody, +and generous as he can be. Well, he's making good out in the mines. I +don't know exactly what he's doing, but he's in a fair way to be a +rich man. He's connected with some big company, and he's working with +all his might. And when you say that about Big Bill Farnsworth, it +means a good deal." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +THE COUNTRY CLUB BALL + + +Before her mirror, Patty was putting the last touches to her Bo-Peep +costume, and it must be confessed she was viewing the effect with +admiration. + +The gilt-framed glass gave back a lovely picture. The costume was one +of the prettiest Patty had ever worn, and was exceedingly becoming. +There was a short, quilted skirt of white satin and a panniered +overdress of gay, flowered silk, caught up with blue bows. A little +laced bodice and white chemisette completed the dress. Then there was +a broad-leafed shepherdess hat, trimmed with flowers, and under this +Patty's gold curls were bunched up on either side and tied with blue +ribbons. She wore high-heeled, buckled slippers, and carried a long, +white crook, trimmed with blossoms and fluttering ribbons. + +She pranced and turned in front of the mirror, decidedly satisfied +with the whole effect. Then she caught up her basket of flowers, which +she carried because it added a pretty touch, and went downstairs. + +It was a gay-looking party that waited for her in the hall. The two +Misses Crosby had been there to dinner, and also Mr. Hoyt and Mr. +Collins, and these, with the house party, were now all arrayed in +their fancy dress. As they had agreed on Christmas Day, they were all +in pairs, and as of course there could be no secrecy among them, they +had not yet put on their masks. + +Mona and Roger were very magnificent as Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter +Raleigh. Though Mona was not at all the type of the red-haired queen, +she looked very handsome in the regal robes and great, flaring collar, +while Roger was a veritable courtier in his picturesque garb. + +Daisy and Mr. Collins were Pierrette and Pierrot. Their costumes were +black and white, Frenchy-looking affairs, with tossing pompons and +peaked caps. + +The elder Miss Crosby and Jim Kenerley were Indians; and the warlike +brave and the young Indian maiden looked as if they might have stepped +out of the earliest pages of our country's history. + +The other Miss Crosby and Hal Ferris were Italian peasants in national +costume. + +Adele and Mr. Hoyt were the most simply dressed of all, but in their +plain Puritan garb they were effective and distinguished looking. + +Perhaps, however, it was Philip Van Reypen whose costume received the +greatest applause. He had copied a picture of Bobby Shafto that had +been painted by a frivolous-minded artist, and his embroidered and +belaced coat of light blue silk was remindful of the period of the +gayest Louis. He wore white satin knee-breeches, white silk stockings, +and black slippers with enormous buckles. In accordance with the song, +there were large silver buckles at his knees; and his tri-corne hat +was a very marvel of gold lace and feathers. Full lace ruffles flapped +at his throat and wrists, and altogether he was an absolute dandy. + +"You look like a valentine," said Patty, "or a birthday cake." + +"You do look good enough to eat," declared Adele, as she took in the +gorgeous costume. + +"Yes, I flatter myself it's the very last touch of Shaftoism," said +Philip, strutting about with an affected gait. "I say, Patty, you're +all kinds of a peach yourself." + +"Yes, this frock is all right," said Patty, "but you simply take my +breath away, Phil. I didn't know anybody could look so beautiful! I +wish men dressed that way nowadays." + +And then everybody admired everybody else until it was time to start. +Then each put on a little mask, which they were to wear at the ball +until supper-time. Patty's was of light blue silk with a short fall of +lace, and Philip's was of black satin. + +"I can't wear this thing all the way there," declared Patty, taking +hers off again. + +"Well, put it on just before you get there," enjoined Adele. "I've +taken great care that no one should know a word about our costumes, +and now if we are well masked they won't be able to guess who we are. +Even though they know we all came from our house, there are so many of +us, they can't tell us apart." + +The Country Club was a handsome, spacious building, well away from the +outskirts of the town. But the motors took them there swiftly, and +soon they joined the large party of maskers in the Club ballroom. +There were perhaps a hundred people there, and Patty felt there was +little risk of being recognised. She did not know many of the Fern +Falls people, anyway, and they would scarcely know her in her +disguise. + +"Of course the first dance is mine," said Philip, as the music began. + +But after that dance was over, Patty was besieged by would-be +partners. Historical characters, foreigners, clowns, monks, and +knights in armour begged for dances with Little Bo-Peep. Patty was so +engrossed in looking at these wonderful personages, that she scarcely +noticed who put their names on her card. And in truth it made little +difference, as none of the men put their real names, and she hadn't +the slightest idea who they were. + +"Help yourselves," she said, laughing, "to the dances before supper; +but don't touch the other side of the card. After the masks are off, I +shall have some say, myself, as to my partners!" + +So the first half of the dances were variously signed for by Columbus +and Aladdin and Brother Sebastian and Jack Pudding and other such +names. + +During each dance Patty would try to discover the identity of her +partner, but as she only succeeded in one or two cases, she gave it +up. + +"For it doesn't make the slightest difference who you are," she said, +as she danced with Brother Sebastian, who was garbed as a Friar of +Orders Grey. + +"No," he returned, in a hollow, sepulchral voice, which he seemed to +think suited to his monk's attire. + +"And you needn't try to disguise your voice so desperately," said +Patty, laughing gaily, "for probably I don't know you, anyhow. And you +don't know me, do you?" + +"I don't know your name," said the monk, still in hollow tones, "but I +know you're a dancer from the professional stage, and not just a young +woman in private life." + +"Good gracious!" cried Patty, horrified. "I'm nothing of the sort! I'm +a simple-minded little country girl, and I dance because I can't help +it. I love to dance, but I must say that a monk's robe on one's +partner is a little troublesome. I think all the time I'm going to +trip on it." + +"Oh, all right; I'll fix that," said the monk, and he held up the +skirts of his long robe until they cleared the floor. + +"That's better," said Patty, "but it does spoil the picturesqueness of +your costume. Let's promenade for a while, and then you can let your +robes drag in proper monkian fashion." + +"Much obliged to you for not saying monkey fashion! I certainly do +feel foolish, dressed up in this rig." + +"Why, you ought not to, in that plain gown. Just look at the things +some of the men have on!" + +"I know it. Look at that court jester; he must feel a fool!" + +"But that's his part," laughed Patty; "rather clever, I think, to +dress as a fool, and then if you feel like a fool, you're right in +your part." + +"I say, Miss Bo-Peep, you're clever, aren't you?" + +"Not so very; but when talking to a learned monk, I try to be as wise +as I can. Oh, look at that stunning big man,--who is he?" + +"Looks like one of the patriarchs; but I guess he's meant for King +Lear. See the wreath of flowers on his white hair." + +"Did Lear wear flowers? I thought he wore a crown." + +"Tut! tut! Little Bo-Peep, you must brush up your Shakespeare. Don't +you know King Lear became a little troubled in his head, and adorned +himself with a garland?" + +"Well, he's awfully picturesque," said Patty, quite undisturbed by her +ignorance of the play, and looking admiringly at Lear's magnificent +court robes of velvet and ermine, and his long, flowing white hair and +beard, and the garland of flowers that lay loosely on the glistening +white wig and trailed down behind. + +As they neared the picturesque figure, King Lear bowed low before +Patty, and held out his hand for her dance card. + +It was the rule of the ball not to speak, but to indicate invitations +by gestures. + +However, Patty had no reason to keep silent, as they were nearly all +strangers, so she laughed, and spoke right out: "I'd gladly give you a +dance, King Lear, but I haven't one left." + +With another courtly bow, King Lear still seemed to insist on his +wish, and he took up her card, which she had tied to her crook by a +narrow ribbon. With surprise he saw the whole second page blank, and +pointed to it with an accusing gesture. + +"Ah, yes," returned Patty, smiling, "but those are for my friends +after I know them. We unmask at supper-time, and then I shall use some +discrimination in bestowing my dances. If you want one of those you +must ask me for it after supper." + +King Lear bowed submissively to Patty's decree, and was about to move +away, when a sudden thought struck him. He picked up Patty's card +again, and indicated a space between the last dance and the supper. + +"Oh, I know what you mean," cried Patty. "You mean an 'extra.' But I +don't think they'll have any. And, anyway, I never engage for extras. +If they do have one, and you happen to be around, I'll give it to +you;--that's all I can say." And then Patty's next partner came, and +she danced away with him, leaving King Lear making his sweeping, +impressive bows. + +"Who is he?" asked Patty, of Roger, who chanced to be her partner this +time. + +"Don't know, I'm sure; but I know scarcely any of the people up here. +They seem to be a fine crowd, though. Have you noticed the Zenobia, +Queen of Palmyra? There she is now. Isn't she stunning?" + +Patty looked round, to see a tall, majestic woman, dressed as Zenobia. +Her tiny mask hid only her eyes, and her beautiful, classic face well +accorded with the character she had chosen. + +"She's beautiful!" declared Patty, with heartfelt admiration. "I wish +I was big and stunning, Roger, instead of a little scrap of humanity." + +"What a silly you are, Patty Pink! Now, I've no doubt that tall, +majestic-looking creature wishes she could be a little fairy, like +you." + +"But a big woman is so much more graceful and dignified." + +"Patty, I do believe you're fishing! And I _know_ you're talking +nonsense! Dignified isn't just the term I should apply to you,--but if +there's anybody more graceful than you are, I've yet to see her." + +"Oh, Roger, that's dear of you. You know very well, I hate flattery or +compliments, but when a real friend says a nice thing it does me good. +And, truly, it's the regret of my life, that I'm not about six inches +taller. There, look at Zenobia now. She's walking with that King Lear. +Aren't they a stunning couple?" + +"Yes, they are. But if I were you, I wouldn't be envious of other +women's attractions. You have quite enough of your own." + +"Never mind about me," said Patty, suddenly realising that she was +talking foolishly. "Let's talk about Mona. She's looking beautiful +to-night, Roger." + +"She always does," and Roger had a strange thrill in his voice, that +struck a sympathetic chord in Patty's heart. + +"What about her, Roger? Isn't she good to you?" + +"Not very. She's capricious, Patty; sometimes awfully kind, and then +again she says things that cut deep. Patty, do you think she really +cares for that Lansing man?" + +"I don't know, Roger. I can't make Mona out at all, lately. She used +to be so frank and open with me, and now she never talks confidences +at all." + +"Well, I can't understand her, either. But here comes Mr. Collins, +looking for you, Patty. Is only half of this dance mine?" + +"Yes, Roger. I had to chop up every one, to-night. You may have one +after supper, if you like." + +Patty whirled through the various dances, and at the last one before +supper she found herself again with Philip Van Reypen. + +"Why, I didn't know this was yours!" she cried, looking at her card, +where, sure enough, she saw the initials B. S. + +"It sure is mine," returned Bobby Shafto; "but we're not going to +dance it." + +"Why not, and what are we going to do?" + +"We're going to wander away into the conservatory." + +"There isn't any conservatory. This is a club-house, you know." + +"Well, they've fixed up the gymnasium, so it's almost a conservatory. +It's full of palms and flowers and things, and it makes a perfectly +good imitation." + +"But why do we go there?" asked Patty, as Philip led her away from the +dancing-room. + +"Oh, to settle affairs of state." He led her to the gymnasium, and sure +enough, tall palms and flowering plants had been arranged to form little +nooks and bowers, which were evidently intended for tete-a-tete +conversations. + +"You know," Philip began, as they found a pleasant seat, under some +palms, "you know, Patty, you promised me something." + +"Didn't, neither." + +"Yes, you did, and I'm going to hold you to your promise. You +promised----" + +"'Rose, you promised!'" sang Patty, humming a foolish little song that +was an old-fashioned favourite. + +"Yes, you _did_ promise, you exasperating little Rose, you! And I'm +going to keep you prisoner here, until you make it good! Patty, you +said you'd look into your heart, and tell me what you found there." + +"Goodness me, Philip, did I really say that? Well, it will take me an +awful long while to tell you all that's in it." + +"Really, Patty? Did you find so much?" + +"Yes, heaps of things." + +"But I mean about me." + +"Oh, about you! Why, I don't know that there's anything there at all +about you." + +"Oh, yes, there is; you can't fool me that way. Now, Patty, do be +serious. Look in your heart, and see if there isn't a little love for +me?" + +Patty sat very still, and closed her eyes, as Philip could see through +the holes in her blue mask. + +Then she opened them, and said, with a smile: "I looked and hunted +good, Philip, and I can't find a bit of love for you. But there's an +awful big, nice, warm friendship, if you care about that." + +"I do care about that, Patty. I care very much for it, but I want +more." + +Just at that moment King Lear and Zenobia strolled past them, and +Patty almost forgot Philip as she gazed after the two majestic +figures. + +"Patty," he said, recalling her attention, "Patty, dear, I say I want +more." + +"Piggy-wig!" exclaimed Patty, with her blue eyes twinkling at him +through the mask. "More what? I was looking at King Lear, and I lost +the thread of your discourse, Philip." + +"Patty Fairfield, I'd like to shake you! Don't you _know_ what I'm +asking of you?" + +"Well, even if I do, I must say, Philip, that I can't carry on a +serious conversation with a mask on. Now, you know, they take these +things off pretty soon, and then----" + +"And then may I ask you again, Patty, and will you listen to me and +answer me?" + +"Dunno. I make no promises. Philip, this dance is over. I expect +they're going to unmask now. Come on, let's go back to our crowd." + +But just as they rose to go, Jim Kenerley approached, and King Lear +was with him. + +"Little Bo-Peep," said the big Indian, "King Lear tells me that you +half promised him an extra, if there should be one." + +"As it was only half a promise, then it means only half a dance," said +Patty, turning her laughing blue eyes to the majestic, flower-crowned +King. "Is there going to be an extra, Jim,--I mean Chief Mudjokivis, +or whatever your Indian name is?" + +"I don't know, Bo-Peep. I'll go and see." + +Jim went away, and as Philip had already gone, Patty was left alone +with the white-haired King. + +With a slow, majestic air, he touched her gently on the arm, and +motioned for her to be seated. Then he sat down beside her, and +through the eyeholes of his mask, he looked straight into her eyes. + +At his intent gaze, Patty felt almost frightened, but as her eyes met +his own, she became conscious of something familiar in the blue eyes +that looked at her, and then she heard King Lear whisper, softly: +"Apple Blossom!" + +Patty fairly jumped; then, seeing the smile that came into his eyes, +she put out both hands to King Lear, and said, gladly: "Bill! Little +Billee! Oh, I _am_ glad to see you!" + +"Are you, really?" And Bill Farnsworth's voice had a slight tremor in +it. "Are you sure of that, my girl?" + +"Of course I am," and Patty had regained her gay demeanour, which she +had lost in her moment of intense surprise. "Oh, of course I am! I was +so sorry to have missed you last week. And Jim said you went back to +Arizona." + +"I did expect to, but I was detained in New York, and only this +morning I found I could run up here and stay till to-morrow. I +couldn't get here earlier, and when I reached the house, you had all +started. So I got into these togs, and came along." + +"Your togs are wonderful, Little Billee. I never saw you look so +stunning, not even as Father Neptune." + +"That was a great show, wasn't it?" and Big Bill smiled at the +recollection. "But I say, Little Girl, you're looking rather wonderful +yourself to-night. Oh, Patty, it's good to see you again!" + +"And it's good to see you; though it doesn't seem as if I had really +seen you. That mask and beard completely cover up your noble +countenance." + +"And I wish you'd take off that dinky little scrap of blue, so I can +see if you are still my Apple Blossom Girl." + +"But I thought you wanted the extra dance." + +"I don't believe there's going to be any extra, after all. I think the +people are anxious to get their masks off, and if so we'll have our +dance after supper." + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +BACK TO NEW YORK + + +Farnsworth was right. There was no extra before supper, and the guests +were even now flocking to the supper-room. + +Philip came toward them, looking for Patty, his mask already off. + +"Oh, can we really take them off now?" cried Patty. "I'm so glad. +They're horridly uncomfortable. I'll never wear one again. I love a +fancy dress party, but I don't see any sense in a masquerade." + +She took off her mask as she spoke, and her pretty face was flushed +pink and her hair was curling in moist ringlets about her temples. + +Farnsworth looked down on her as he removed his own mask. "Apple +Blossom!" he exclaimed again, and the comparison was very apt, for the +pink and white of Patty's face was just the color of the blossoms. + +Then the two men looked at each other, and Patty suddenly realised +that they had never met. + +"Oh, you don't know each other, do you?" she exclaimed. "And you my +two best friends! Mr. Farnsworth, this is Mr. Van Reypen. And now, +which of you is going to take me to supper?" + +As each offered an arm at once, Patty accepted both, and walked out +demurely between the two big men. The men were exceedingly polite and +courteous, but each was annoyed at the other's presence. As a matter +of fact, Farnsworth had chanced to overhear a few words that Philip +said to Patty a short time before. It was by merest chance that King +Lear and Zenobia had walked by just as Philip was asking Patty to give +him more than friendship. Zenobia, uninterested in the two under the +palms, didn't even hear the words; but Farnsworth, who had found out +from Jim Kenerley all the members of the house party, had scarcely +taken his eyes from Little Bo-Peep since he arrived at the ball. With +no intention of eavesdropping, he had followed her about, hoping to +get a chance to see her first alone. He managed this only with +Kenerley's help, and meantime he had discovered that Van Reypen was +very seriously interested in Little Bo-Peep. + +Philip himself knew little of Farnsworth, save for a few chance +remarks he had heard at the Kenerleys', but he realised at once that +Patty and the big Westerner were great friends, if nothing more. + +However, the three went to supper together, and joined the group in +which they were most interested. + +Great was the surprise of Daisy and Mona when Patty appeared with Mr. +Farnsworth. + +Big Bill was in the merriest of spirits. He greeted everybody +heartily, he joked and laughed, and was at his most entertaining best. +Patty was very proud of him, for without his mask he looked very +handsome as King Lear, and his stalwart figure seemed to dwarf the +other men. + +After supper he claimed Patty for the promised dance. + +"Would you rather dance with King Lear?" he said, smiling, "with all +these heavy velvet draperies bothering us, or shall I go and shed this +robe, and just be plain Bill?" + +Patty looked at him, thoughtfully. "We'd have a better dance if you +took off that flapping robe. But then, of course, you'd have to take +off your wigs and things, and you wouldn't be half so beautiful." + +"Well, then, don't let's dance, but just stroll around and talk. And +there's another reason why I'd rather keep on my wig and wreath." + +"What's that?" + +"Because the wreath means that I am mad." + +"Mad at me?" + +"Oh, not that kind of mad! I mean crazy, demented, loony,--what was +the old King, anyway?" + +"A little touched?" + +"Yes, that's it; and so, you see, he could say anything he wanted to. +You know, people forgive crazy people, no matter what they say." + +"Are you going to say crazy things to me?" + +"Very likely; you've completely turned my head." + +"Do you know, I didn't even know King Lear ever went crazy," said +Patty in an endeavour to change the subject. + +"Why, fie, fie, Little Girl, I thought you knew your Shakespeare; but +I suppose you're too busy socially to read much poetry." + +"I read one poem this winter that I liked," said Patty, demurely. + +"Did you? What was it?" + +"It came to me in a blue envelope." + +"It did! Why, Patty, Jim told me you never got that." + +"Jim is mistaken; I did get it." + +"And did you like it?" + +"Where did you get it, Bill?" + +"Did you like it?" + +"Yes, I liked it lots. Who wrote it?" + +"I did." + +"Did you, really? You clever man! I thought possibly you might have +done it, but it sounded so,--so finished." + +"Oh, no, it didn't, Patty. It was crude and amateurish; but it was +written to you and about you, so I did the best I could. Patty, are +you in love with Van Reypen?" + +"What!" and Patty stood still and looked at Farnsworth, indignantly. +"You have no right to ask such a question!" + +"I know I haven't, Patty, and I apologise. I can't seem to get over my +Western bluntness. And, Little Girl, I don't blame you a bit if you do +care for him. He's a good-looking chap, and an all-round good man." + +"You seem to have sized him up pretty quickly. Why, you've only just +met him." + +"Yes, but you know I was at the Kenerleys' last week, and Jim told me +all about him." + +"Why did you want to know all about him?" + +"Shall I tell you why?" And Farnsworth's blue eyes looked straight +into Patty's own. "I inquired about him, because Daisy said you were +just the same as engaged to him." + +"Daisy said that, did she?" Patty rarely lost her temper, but this +unwarranted speech of Daisy Dow's made her exceedingly angry. But what +hurt her even more, was that Bill should believe Daisy's assertion, +and should take it so calmly. His attitude piqued Patty; and she said, +coldly: "Well, if Daisy says so, it must be so." + +"I know it, Little Girl," and Farnsworth's voice was very tender. "He +can give you everything that you ought to have,--wealth, social +position, and a life of luxury and pleasure. Moreover, he is a +thorough gentleman and a true man. I hope you will be very happy with +him, Patty." + +For some reason this speech exasperated Patty beyond all measure. It +seemed as if her friends were settling her affairs for her, without +giving her any voice in the decision. "You are a little premature, +Bill," she said, without a smile. "I'm not engaged to Mr. Van Reypen, +and I do not know that I shall be." + +"Oh, yes, you will, Patty; but don't be hasty, dear child. Think it +over before you decide, for you know there are other things in the +world beside wealth and social position." + +"What, for instance?" said Patty, in a flippant tone. + +"Love," said Farnsworth, very seriously. + +And then Patty was moved by a spirit of perversity. She thought that +if Farnsworth really cared for her, he was handing her over to Philip +very easily, and she resented this attitude. + +"Are you implying that Mr. Van Reypen is not capable of giving me +love, as well as the other advantages you enumerate?" + +"No, Patty, I am not implying anything of the sort. I only know that +you are too young yet to be engaged to anybody, and I wish for your +own sake you would wait,--at least until you are perfectly sure of +your own affections. But if they are given to Mr. Van Reypen, I shall +be glad for you that you have chosen so wisely." + +Patty looked at Farnsworth in amazement. Remembering what he had said +to her last summer, it was strange to hear him talk this way. She +could not know that the honest, big-hearted fellow was breaking his +own heart at the thought of losing her; but that he unselfishly felt +that Van Reypen, as a man of the world, was more fitting for pretty +Patty than himself. He knew he was Western, and different from Patty's +friends and associates, and he was so lacking in egotism or in +self-conceit that he couldn't recognise his own sterling merits. And, +too, though he was interested in some mining projects, they had not +yet materialised, and he did not yet know whether the near future +would bring him great wealth, or exactly the reverse of fortune. + +But Patty couldn't read his heart, and she was disappointed and piqued +at his manner and words. Without even a glance into his earnest eyes, +she said: "Thank you, Bill, for your advice; I know it is well meant, +and I appreciate it. Please take me back to Philip now." + +Farnsworth gave her a pained look, but without a word turned and led +her back to the group they had left. + +Philip was waiting there, and Patty, to hide the strange hurt she felt +in her own heart, was exceedingly kind in her manner toward him. + +"Our dance, Philip," she said, gaily, and though it hadn't been +engaged, Philip was only too glad to get it. + +Soon afterward, the ball was over, and they all went home. As Patty +came from the cloak room, wrapped in her fur coat, Philip stepped up +to her in such a possessive way, that Farnsworth, who had also been +waiting for her, turned aside. + +"That's a foregone conclusion," said Jim Kenerley to Farnsworth, as he +glanced at Patty and Philip. + +"Nonsense," said Adele. "Patty isn't thinking of conclusions yet. But +I must say it would be a very satisfactory match." + +"Yes, Mr. Van Reypen seems to be a fine fellow," agreed Farnsworth. + +When they reached home, Patty said good-night, declaring she was weary +enough to go straight to bed at once. + +"Will you come down again later, if you're hungry?" said Philip, +smiling at the recollection of Christmas Eve. + +"No," and Patty flashed her dimples at him; and knowing that +Farnsworth was listening, she added, "There's no moonlight to-night!" + +"Moonlight does help," said Philip. "Good-night, Little Bo-Peep." + +"Good-night, Bobby Shafto," and Patty started upstairs, then turned, +and holding out her hand to Farnsworth, said "Good-night, King Lear; +shall I see you in the morning?" + +"No; I leave on the early train," said Farnsworth, abruptly. +"Good-night, Patty, and good-bye." + +He turned away, toward Daisy, and Patty went on upstairs. + +Farnsworth had spoken in a kind voice, but Patty knew that he had +heard what she and Philip had said about coming down in the moonlight. + +"I think he's a horrid, mean old thing!" said Patty to herself, when +she reached her own room. "His manners are not half as good as +Philip's, and he's rude and unkind, and I just hate him!" + +Whereupon, as if to prove her words, she took from her portfolio the +poem in the blue envelope, and read it all over again; and then put it +under her pillow and went to sleep. + + * * * * * + +A few days later Patty was back in New York. She gave her father and +Nan glowing accounts of the delightful times she had had at Fern Falls +and the jollities of a country house party in the winter time. She +told them all about the pleasant people she had met up there, about +her experience at Mrs. Fay's, and about Farnsworth's flying visits. + +"I'd like to meet that man," said Nan. "I think he sounds attractive, +Patty." + +"He is attractive," said Patty, frankly; "but he's queer. You never +know what mood he's going to be in. Sometimes he's awfully friendly, +and then again he gets huffy over nothing." + +"I'm afraid you tease him, Patty," said her father, smiling at her. +"You're getting to be such a popular young person that I fear you're +getting spoiled." + +"Not Patty," said Nan, kindly. "Go ahead, my child, and have all the +fun you can. The young men all adore you, and I don't wonder." + +"Why, Nancy Bell, how complimentary you are!" and Patty gave her +stepmother an affectionate pat. + +"But now," said Mr. Fairfield, "if I may have the floor for a minute, +I'd like to make an announcement. We have a plan, Patty, which we made +while you were away, and which I hope will meet with your approval." + +"As if I ever disapproved of any of your plans, my dear daddy. +Consider my approval granted before you begin." + +"Well, it's this: I think Nan is looking a little bit pale, and I feel +a trifle pale myself, so I think we two will run away down South for a +fortnight or so, and leave you here." + +"Alone?" asked Patty, in surprise. + +"Well, no; hardly that. But how would you like to have Mrs. Allen, +Nan's mother, come and stay with you?" + +"I think that will be lovely," exclaimed Patty. "I'm awfully fond of +Mrs. Allen, and I haven't seen her for a long time." + +"She's not a very sedate matron," said Nan, laughing. "I dare say +she'll keep you on the go, Patty. She's fond of opera and concerts, +and she likes gaiety. But father will come over for the week-ends, and +look after you both." + +Nan's parents lived in Philadelphia, and as they had just returned +from a trip abroad, the Fairfields hadn't seen them lately. But it had +seemed to them that the arrangement they had planned would be +satisfactory all round, for Mrs. Allen liked to spend a few weeks in +New York each winter. + +About a week later the elder Fairfields departed, and Mrs. Allen +arrived. + +She was a fine-looking lady of a youthful middle age, and looked +forward with pleasure to her visit with Patty. + +"Now, you mustn't let me be a burden to you in any way, my dear," Mrs. +Allen said, after the two were left alone. "Whenever I can help you, +or whenever you want a chaperon, I'm entirely at your service; but +when I'm not necessary to your plans, don't consider me at all,--and +don't think about entertaining me, for I can look after myself. I'm +never lonely or bored." + +"Thank you, Mrs. Allen," said Patty. "I'm sure we shall get on most +beautifully together, and anything you want or want to do, I want you +to give your own orders, just as if you were in your own home." + +And so the two had many pleasant times together. They went to +matinees, teas, and concerts, to picture exhibitions, and to card +parties. Mrs. Allen did not care for dances, but went gladly when it +was a party where Patty required a chaperon. + +All of the young people liked Mrs. Allen, and she became well +acquainted with all of Patty's friends. + +Bill Farnsworth was still in New York. His plans were uncertain, and +often changed from day to day, owing to various details of his +business. + +He called on Patty occasionally, but not often, and his calls were +short and formal. + +"I like that big Western chap," Mrs. Allen said to Patty one day; "but +he seems preoccupied. Sometimes he sits as if in a brown study, and +says nothing for quite some minutes. And then, when you speak to him, +he answers abruptly, as if bringing his mind back from faraway +thoughts." + +"I daresay he's very much wrapped up in his business, Mrs. Allen," +said Patty. "They say he's trying to swing a big mining +proposition,--whatever that means." + +"It may mean a great many things," said Mrs. Allen, thoughtfully. "I +hope he's all right, Patty." + +"All right! Big Bill Farnsworth all right? Well, I rather guess he +_is_!" + +"There, there," and Mrs. Allen laughed. "You needn't take up the +cudgels so desperately. I didn't mean to accuse him of anything." + +"No, of course you didn't," and Patty laughed, too; "but whatever big +Bill may lack in the way of polish or culture, he's absolutely honest +and honourable, even to an absurd degree." + +"I don't think he lacks culture, Patty. His manners are all right." + +"Yes, they're all right, but he hasn't quite the correct ease of a man +like Philip Van Reypen." + +"I know what you mean, and I suppose it's the effect of the aristocratic +Van Reypen ancestry. But Mr. Farnsworth has such a splendid big air of +real nobility about him that I think a more formal and conventional +demeanour would quite spoil him." + +"Maybe it would," said Patty, simply. + +That very afternoon Farnsworth came to call, and told Patty he had +come to say good-bye. + +"I know you think my farewells never mean anything," he said, smiling; +"and I don't wonder, for I often say I am going, and then a telegram +obliges me to change my plan. But I think it is positive this time +that I shall leave to-night for Arizona." + +"Have you been successful in your undertakings?" asked Patty, with a +sympathetic interest. + +"Yes, I believe I have. I don't want to be over sanguine, and matters +are not yet entirely settled, but I think I have conquered the +obstacles which I came to conquer, and I hope all will go well." + +"I hope so, Little Billee," said Patty, looking at him with earnest +good will. "I want you to succeed." + +"Thank you for that," said Farnsworth, simply. + +"And when are you coming East again?" + +"I can't tell; I may have to come back in February; but if that is not +necessary, I shall not come for a year or more. You will be married +and settled by that time." + +"Indeed, I shan't! In fact, I've about made up my mind that I'll never +marry anybody." + +"Girls have said that before, and been known to change their minds. +But whatever you do, I wish you all happiness and joy throughout your +whole life,--Little Apple Blossom." + +Farnsworth had risen to go, and he held Patty's hands in both his, as +he looked straight into her eyes. + +Patty's own eyes fell beneath his gaze, and she said, "And I wish you +happiness wherever you are, Little Billee." + +"Thank you, dear," he said, and then with a final handclasp he went +away. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +AN EXCITING CHASE + + +Farnsworth had left Patty about two o'clock, and it was only a few +moments later that her telephone rang. + +Her response was answered by a tearful, wailing voice, that said, "Oh, +Miss Patty, oh, _can't_ you come here at once? Come right away!" + +"Come where? Who are you?" said Patty, bewildered, for she did not +recognise the voice, and it sounded like some one in deep distress. + +"Oh, don't wait a _minute_! Every moment is precious! Just come _at +once_!" + +"But how can I come, if I don't know who you are? I can help you +better, if you'll control yourself and tell me something about +yourself and your trouble. First of all, who are you?" + +"I'm Anne, Miss Galbraith's maid. You know me, Miss Patty. Oh, come +quick; Miss Mona has gone!" + +"Gone! Where? Now, listen to me, Anne! Stop your crying, and tell me +what you mean, and then I will go to you at once. Where are you? And +where has Miss Mona gone?" + +"I'm in her apartment, and I don't like to tell you over the telephone +where she's gone. But,--Miss Patty,--I think,--Oh, I fear,--she has +eloped with Mr. Lansing!" + +The last sentence came in an explosive burst, as if the girl could +keep her secret no longer. + +"What!" exclaimed Patty. And then, suddenly realising that it was a +desperate situation, she said, "Don't say another word, Anne! I will +go right straight to you. Stay there till I come." + +She knew the excitable character of the girl, and feared she might get +hysterical if she talked further over the telephone. Patty hung up the +receiver, and sat still for a moment, thinking deeply. + +"I won't tell Mrs. Allen," she finally decided, "but I must have some +one to help me,--to go with me. I believe I'll call up Roger." + +But she couldn't bear to do that. It seemed too dreadful to tell Roger +what had happened. She thought next of Kenneth, who was a standby as a +loyal friend, but he was far downtown in his office, and might be busy +with an important case. + +"Philip, of course," she said to herself; but even with her hand on +the receiver, another thought flashed through her mind. "No one could +help me to save Mona like Big Bill!" she thought, and on a sudden +impulse she called up his hotel. + +"Bill,--it's Patty," she said, her voice trembling. + +"Yes, dear; what is it? What is the matter?" + +The kind, quiet voice, with its deep tones of sympathy and capability, +made Patty realise that she had appealed to the right one. "Oh, Bill," +she went on, "there's awful trouble, and you must help me." + +"Of course I will, Little Girl! Steady now; tell me what it's all +about. Do you want me to come there?" + +"But you're just starting for the West," cried Patty, as she +remembered this for the first time. + +"That doesn't matter, if _you_ want me. I'll be right over." + +"And wait a minute; tell me what you think we ought to do. I've heard +from Anne that Mona is eloping with that awful Lansing man!" + +"Then there's no time to be lost! Take your little car, and go to The +Plaza as fast as you can spin! I'll meet you there, in the Galbraiths' +apartment." + +Bill hung up the receiver, without even a good-bye, and Patty gave a +little sigh of relief, for it seemed as if he had taken the +responsibility from her shoulders, and would manage the matter +himself. She ordered her car, flung on her hat and coat, and with a +hasty word to Mrs. Allen that she was going out, she drove her little +electric herself down to the hotel. + +When she entered the Galbraiths' apartment, she found Farnsworth +already there. + +"It's true," he said, looking at her with a grave face. "That is, I +think it must be. Mona went away half an hour ago, and took a suit +case with her. She went in a motor with Mr. Lansing. Anne is worried, +because this morning she overheard the two telephoning." + +"I wasn't listening, Miss Patty," said the tearful maid. "That is, I +didn't mean to, but Miss Mona was excited like, and her voice was so +loud I couldn't help hearing." + +"I'm glad you did, Anne," said Patty, "it may help us to save Miss +Mona yet. What else can you tell us?" + +"Nothing, except that Miss Mona left a note on her father's desk, and +I thought maybe it might be to tell him she had gone." + +Big Bill strode over to the desk, and there, under a paperweight, lay +a note, addressed to Mr. Galbraith. He picked it up, and looked at it, +thoughtfully. + +"Patty," he said, "this isn't sealed. Considering all things, I think +it is our duty to read it, but you know more about such matters than I +do. What do you think?" + +Patty hesitated. She had always thought it little less than a crime to +read a note addressed to another, but the circumstances made this case +seem an exception. "We might telephone to Mr. Galbraith and ask his +permission," she suggested. + +But Big Bill seemed suddenly to have made up his mind. + +"No!" he declared, "_I'll_ take the responsibility of this thing. To +telephone would frighten Mr. Galbraith, and would delay matters too +much, beside. I shall read this note, and if I can't square my action +with Mr. Galbraith afterward, I'll accept the consequences." + +The impressive manner of the big man, his stern, set face, and honest, +determined blue eyes convinced Patty that he was right, and together +they read the note. + +In it, as they had feared, Mona told her father that she was going +away to marry Mr. Lansing, because her father would not allow her to +marry him otherwise. She expressed regret at the sorrow she knew this +would bring to her father, but she said she was old enough to decide +for herself whom she wished to marry, and she felt sure that after it +was over he would forgive her, and call his two children back to him. + +"Mona never wrote that note of her own accord," exclaimed Patty, +indignantly. "That man made her do it!" + +"Of course he did!" agreed Bill, in a stern voice. "I know +Lansing,--and, Patty, the man is a scoundrel." + +"You know him? I didn't know you did." + +"Yes, I do! And I ought to have warned Mona more against him. I did +tell her what his real nature is, but she wouldn't listen, and I never +dreamed she was so deeply infatuated with him. But we mustn't blame +her, Patty. She was simply under the influence of that man, and he +persuaded her to go with him against her better judgment. But we must +go after them and bring them back." + +"But you're going West to-night." + +"Not unless we rescue Mona first! Why, Patty, she _mustn't_ be allowed +to marry that man! I tell you he's a scoundrel, and I never say _that_ +about a man unless I _know_ it to be true. But this is no time to +discuss Lansing. We must simply fly after them." + +"But how do you know where they've gone?" + +"I don't know! But we must find out, somehow. Perhaps the men at the +door can tell us. Perhaps Anne can." + +"I only know this, sir," said Anne, who was wringing her hands and +weeping; "when Miss Mona was telephoning, she said something about +Greenwich." + +"Of course!" cried Bill. "That's exactly where they'd go! But wait, +they would have to go for a license first." + +"Telephone the license man," said Patty, inspired by Bill's manner and +tones. + +"Right-O!" and after some rather troublesome telephoning, Bill +announced, "They did! they got a license, and they started in a motor +for Greenwich about half an hour ago! Come on, Patty! Anne, you stay +right here, in case we telephone. If Mr. Galbraith comes home, don't +tell him a word about it. Leave it to me. I'll be responsible for this +note." Bill put the note in his pocket, and almost pushing Patty out +of the door, he had her in the elevator and downstairs almost before +she knew it. + +"Shall we take my little car?" she asked, as Bill strode through the +lobby, and Patty hurried to keep up with him. + +"Good Heavens, no! We want a racer. I'll drive it myself." + +By the power of sheer determination, the big Western man procured a +fast car in an incredibly short time, and in a few moments he and +Patty were flying up Broadway. + +"Now if you want to talk you may," said Bill, and his voice was quiet +and composed, though he was alertly threading his swift way through +the traffic. "I had to be a little short with you while we were +hurrying off, because I didn't want to lose a minute. But now, all I +have to do is to keep just inside the speed limit while we're in the +city, and then I rather guess there'll be one big chase!" + +"Oh, Bill, you are just splendid!" exclaimed Patty, with shining eyes, +unable to repress her admiration of his capability and strength. + +"But we haven't accomplished anything yet, Patty; we're only starting +out to try. You know, it's a hundred to one shot that we miss +them,--for we've very little idea where they've gone." + +"But it's a straight road to Greenwich." + +"Yes, but they may have turned off anywhere. They may change their +minds a dozen times about their destination." + +"No, they won't," said Patty, positively; "not unless they think +they're pursued, and of course they've no idea of that. Speed her up, +Bill; the way is clear now! I don't believe they're going at this +pace." + +"Patty, you're a good pal! I don't believe any other girl would be as +plucky as you are in such a case." + +"Why, I haven't done anything," and Patty opened her eyes wide, in +surprise. "You've done it all--Little Billee." + +"You've helped me more than you know. With you by my side, I'm bound +to succeed." Big Bill bent to his wheel, and the swift machine flew +along so fast that conversation became impossible. + +As they neared Greenwich, Patty's sharp eyes descried a dark red car +ahead of them. + +"That's it!" she cried. "That's Mona's car! Chase 'em, Bill!" + +"The nerve of him, to elope in her own car!" growled Bill, through his +clenched teeth. "I told you he was a scoundrel, Patty!" + +They were rapidly gaining on the red car, when, as it turned the +corner, one of its occupants saw their pursuers, and Patty heard a +shriek. + +"That's Mona's yell," she cried, in dismay. "They've seen us, Bill, +and now they'll get away from us!" + +Sure enough, the pursuing car was swift, but the big Galbraith car was +a speed wonder, and the elopers darted ahead with renewed determination +to escape capture. + +"Oh, what a shame!" wailed Patty. "They recognised us, and now they'll +get away." + +"Not if I know it!" and Farnsworth set his teeth hard. "Sit tight, +Patty; we're going to go faster!" + +It didn't seem as if they could go any faster, but they did, and if it +had been anybody driving except Farnsworth, Patty would have felt +frightened. But she knew his skill, and too, she knew that he never +let excitement or enthusiasm run away with his judgment. So she sat as +still as she could, striving to catch her breath in the face of the +wind; and refraining from speech, lest she distract Bill's attention +even for a second. + +At last, when they had a long, clear view ahead, and they saw the red +car ever increasing the distance between them, Bill gave up. + +"It's no use, Patty; we can't catch them! I've done all I can, but +that car they're in is a world-beater! They went through Greenwich +like a streak. They would have been arrested, but no one could stop +them. Oh, I say, My Little Girl,--I have an idea!" + +"Is your idea faster than their car, Little Billee?" + +"You bet it is! Just you wait and see; Patty, we've _got_ 'em!" + +Farnsworth turned around and drove rapidly back to Greenwich, which +they had just passed through. + +At a hotel there, he jumped out, told Patty to wait, and rushed into +the office. + +It was nearly ten minutes before he returned, and Patty could scarcely +believe that whatever plan he had could be of any use after such +delay. + +He jumped in beside her, turned around, and in a minute they were +again whizzing along, following the direction of the other car. + +"I'll tell you what I did, Patty," he said, chuckling. "I telephoned +to the Stamford Chief of Police, and asked him to arrest those people +for speeding as they crossed the city limit!" + +"Will they be speeding?" + +"_Will_ they be speeding? You _bet_ they will! And even if they +aren't, they'll be arrested, all the same, and held without bail until +we get there! Oh, Patty, if the situation were not so serious, I could +laugh at this joke on Lansing!" + +On they went, at their highest speed, and reached Stamford not very +much later than the red car they were following. + +At the city line, they found this car standing, with two or three +policemen forbidding its further progress. + +Horace Lansing was in a violent fit of temper, and was alternating +bribes with threats of vengeance, but the policemen were imperturbable, +having been told the facts of the case by Farnsworth over the +telephone. + +Mona was weeping bitterly, and though Patty went to her with +affectionate words, she stormed back, "Go away, Patty Fairfield! You +have no right to interfere in my affairs! It was your prying that +found this out. Go away; I won't speak to you!" + +"By what right have you followed us, Miss Fairfield?" began Mr. +Lansing, looking at Patty, angrily. + +But Farnsworth strode over to the speaker, and spoke to him, sternly +but quietly. "Lansing," he said, "it's all up, and you know it! Now, I +don't want to have a scene here and now, so you have my permission to +go away wherever you like, on condition that you never enter the +presence again, of Miss Galbraith or Miss Fairfield." + +"Ho!" said Lansing, with an attempt at bravado. "You give me your +permission, do you? Let me tell you that Miss Galbraith is my promised +wife. We have the license, and we're about to be married. It will take +more than you to stop us!" + +"Indeed," said Farnsworth, and putting his hands in his pockets, he +gave Lansing a contemptuous glance. "Well, then, I shall have to +request assistance. If I tell this constable a good reason why he +should detain you long enough to prevent your marriage to Miss +Galbraith, would such an argument have any weight with you?" + +There was an instantaneous change in Horace Lansing's demeanour. From +a blustering braggart, he became a pale and cringing coward. But with +a desperate attempt to bluff it out, he exclaimed, "What do you mean?" +but even as he spoke, he shivered and staggered backward, as if +dreading a blow. + +"Since you ask me," said Farnsworth, looking at him, sternly, "I'll +answer frankly, that unless you consent to go away and never again +enter the presence of these ladies, I shall inform these policemen of +a certain little bank trouble that happened in Chicago----" + +It was unnecessary to go on. Lansing was abject, and begged in +pleading tones that Farnsworth would say no more. "I am going," +Lansing stammered, and without a word of farewell to Mona or even a +glance at Patty, he walked rapidly away. + +"Let him go," said Farnsworth. "I can't tell you girls about it, but +I'll explain to Mr. Galbraith. Mona, that man is not fit for you to +know! He is guilty of forgery and robbery." + +"I don't believe it!" declared Mona, angrily. + +"You _do_ believe it," and Farnsworth looked at her steadily, "because +you know I would not tell you so unless I knew it to be true." + +Mona was silent at this, for she did know it. She knew Bill Farnsworth +well enough to know that if he made an accusation of that sort, he +knew it to be the truth. + +"But I love him so," she said, sobbing. + +"No, Mona, you don't love him." Bill spoke very gently, and as he laid +his hand on Mona's shoulder, she raised her eyes to look into his +kind, serious face. "You were not much to blame, Mona; the man +fascinated you, and you thought the foolish infatuation you felt for +him was love. But it wasn't, and you'll soon forget him. You don't +want to remember a man who was a wrong-doer, I'm sure; nor do you want +to remember a man who goes away and deserts you because he has been +found out. Mona, is not his going away as he did, enough proof of his +guilt?" + +But Mona was sobbing so that she could not speak. Not angry sobs now, +but pathetic, repentant sorrow. + +"Now, it's up to you, Patty," said Farnsworth, cheerily. "You and Mona +get into the tonneau of this Galbraith car, and I'll drive you home. +You chirk her up, Patty, and tell her there's no harm done, and that +all her friends love her just the same. And tell her if she'll stop +her crying and calm herself before she gets home, nobody need ever +know a thing about this whole affair." + +Mona looked up at this, and said, eagerly, "Not father?" + +"No, Mona dear," said Patty. "Sit here by me and I'll tell you all +about it. How we read the note and kept it, and everything. And, Mona, +we won't even let Roger know anything about all this, because it would +hurt him very much." + +"But Anne," said Mona, doubtfully. "You say she told you where I +went." + +"I'll attend to Anne," said Farnsworth, decidedly. "Can't you go home +to dinner with Patty, Mona? I think that would do you good." + +"Yes, do," said Patty. "And stay over night with me. We'll telephone +your father where you are, and then, to-morrow, you can go home as if +nothing had ever happened." + +"It's a justifiable deception, Mona," said Bill, "for I know how it +would grieve the poor man if he knew about your foolish little +escapade,--which is all over now. It's past history, and the incident +is closed forever. Don't you be afraid Lansing will ever appear +against you. He's too thoroughly frightened ever to be seen in these +parts again." + +"You come to dinner, too, Bill," said Patty, as they took their +places; "though I fear we'll all be rather late." + +Farnsworth hesitated a moment, then he said, decidedly, "No, Patty, I +can't do it. I was to take the seven o'clock train to-night, but +though I'll miss that, I can take the nine o'clock, and I _must_ go." + +"But, Little Billee, I want to thank you for helping me as you did. I +want to thank you, not only for Mona's sake, but my own." + +"That would be worth staying for, Little Girl, but it is a case of +duty, you see. Won't you write me your thanks,--Apple Blossom?" + +"Yes," said Patty, softly, "I will." + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +BRIDESMAID PATTY + + +Early in February Christine was to be married, and the Fairfields had +persuaded her to accept the use of their house for the occasion. + +Christine had demurred, for she wanted a simple ceremony with no +reception at all. But the Fairfields finally made her see that Mr. +Hepworth's position as an artist of high repute made it desirable that +his many friends should be invited to his wedding. + +So Christine agreed to the plan, and Patty was delighted at the +thought of the festivities in her home. + +The elder Fairfields had returned from their Southern trip, but Mrs. +Allen was still with them, and there were other house guests from +Christine's Southern home. + +The day of the wedding, Patty, assisted by Elise and Mona, was +superintending the decorations. Christine had insisted that these +should be simple, and as Mr. Hepworth, too, was opposed to the +conventional work of a florist, the girls had directed it all +themselves. + +"It does look perfectly sweet," said Patty, as she surveyed the +drawing-room. "Personally, I should prefer all those dinky white +telegraph poles stretched with ribbon and bunched up with flowers to +make an aisle for the happy couple to walk through. But as it isn't my +wedding, I suppose we must let the bride have her own way." + +"I'm tired of those tied up poles," said Elise, decidedly. "I think +this is a lot prettier, and all this Southern jasmine is beautiful, +and just like Christine." + +"She is the sweetest thing!" said Patty. "Every new present that comes +in, she sits and looks at it helplessly, as if it were the very last +straw!" + +"Well, of course, most of the presents are from Mr. Hepworth's +friends," said Mona, "and they are stunning! I don't wonder Christine +is overcome." + +"She has lots of friends of her own, too," said Patty. "All the girls +gave her beautiful things, and you two quite outdid yourselves. That +lamp of yours, Mona, is a perfect dream; and, Elise, I never saw such +gems as your silver candlesticks. Christine's path through life will +be well lighted! Well, everything's finished, and I think it's about +time we went to dress. The ceremony's at four, and as I'm going to be +a bridesmaid for the first time in my mad career, I don't want to be +late at the party." + +"How beautiful the drawing-room looks," said Mrs. Allen, coming along +just then. "Patty dear, doesn't this all remind you of the day Nan was +married?" + +"Yes, Mrs. Allen; only the weddings are quite different. But Christine +would keep this as simple as possible, so of course I let her have her +own way." + +"Yes, Patty, that's the privilege of a bride. But some day you can +have your own way in the direction of your own wedding, and I rather +fancy it will be an elaborate affair. I hope I'll be here to see." + +"I hope you will, Mrs. Allen," laughed Patty; "but don't look for it +very soon. My suitors are so bashful, you know; I have to urge them +on." + +"Nonsense!" cried Elise. "Patty's greatest trouble is to keep her +suitors off! She tries to hold them at arm's length, but they are so +insistent that it is difficult." + +"I think you girls are all too young to have suitors," commented Mrs. +Allen, smiling at the pretty trio. + +"Oh, Mrs. Allen," said Patty; "suitors doesn't mean men who want to +marry you. I suppose it's sort of slang, but nowadays, girls call all +their young men suitors, even the merest casual acquaintances." + +"Oh, I see," said Mrs. Allen. "I suppose as in my younger days we used +to call them beaux." + +"Yes, just that," said Patty. "Why, Mr. Hepworth used to be one of our +favourite suitors, until he persuaded Christine to marry him; but we +have lots of them left." + +"Is that big one coming to the wedding?" asked Mrs. Allen. + +"She means Bill Farnsworth," said Patty to the others. "She always +calls him 'that big one.' I don't know whether he's coming or not. He +said if he possibly could get here, he would." + +"He'll come," said Elise, wagging her head, sagely. "He'll manage it +somehow. Why, Mrs. Allen, he worships the ground Patty walks on!" + +"So do all my suitors," said Patty, complacently. "They're awful +ground worshippers, the whole lot of them! But so long as they don't +worship me, they may adore the ground as much as they like. Now, you +people must excuse me, for I'm going to get into that flummery +bridesmaid's frock,--and I can tell you, though it looks so simple, +it's fearfully and wonderfully made." + +Patty ran away to her own room, but paused on the way to speak to +Christine, who was already being dressed in her bridal robes. + +"You _sweet_ thing!" cried Patty, flinging her arms round her friend's +neck. "Christine dear, you know I'm not much good at sentimental +expressions, but I _do_ want to wish you such a heap of joy that +you'll just almost break down under it!" + +Christine smiled back into Patty's honest eyes, and realised the +loving friendship that prompted the words. + +"Patty," she said, "I can't begin to thank you for all you've done for +me this past year, but I thank you most,"--here she blushed, and +whispered shyly,--"because you didn't want him, yourself!" + +"Oh, Christine!" said Patty, "I _do_ want him, something dreadful! I +shall just _pine_ away the rest of my sad life because I can't have +him! But you wrested him from me, and I give him to you with my +blessing!" And then Patty went away, and Christine smiled, knowing +that Patty's words were merely jesting, and knowing too, with a heart +full of content, that Gilbert Hepworth really wanted _her_, and not +the radiant, mischievous Patty. + + * * * * * + +Promptly at four o'clock, the old, well-known music sounded forth, and +Patty came slowly downstairs. Her gown was of white chiffon, over pink +chiffon, and fell in soft, shimmering draperies, that looked like +classic simplicity, but were in reality rather complicated. Christine +had designed both their gowns, and they were marvels of beauty. On +Patty's head was perched a coquettish little cap of the style most +approved for bridesmaids, and she carried a clustered spray of pink +roses. As she entered the drawing-room, intent on walking correctly in +time to the music, she chanced to glance up, and saw Bill Farnsworth's +blue eyes fixed upon her. Unthinkingly, she gave him a radiant smile, +and then, with the pink in her cheeks deepened a little, she went on +her way toward the group of palms, where the wedding party would +stand. + +Not even the bride herself looked prettier than Patty; though +Christine was very sweet, in her soft white chiffon, her misty veil, +and her shower bouquet of white flowers, which she had expressly +requested should be without ribbons. + +Only the more intimate friends had been invited to the ceremony, but +immediately after, the house was filled with the reception guests. +Patty was in gay spirits, which was not at all unusual for that young +woman. She fluttered about everywhere, like a big pink butterfly, but +ever and again hovering back to Christine, to caress her, and, as she +expressed it, "To keep up her drooping spirits." Christine had never +entirely overcome her natural shyness, and being the centre of +attraction on this occasion greatly embarrassed her, and she was glad +of Patty's gay nonsense to distract attention from herself. + +Kenneth Harper was best man, and, as he told Patty, the responsibility +of the whole affair rested on himself and her. "We're really of far +greater importance than the bride and groom," he said; "and they +depend on us for everything. Have you the confetti all ready, Patty?" + +"Yes, of course; do you have to go to the train with them, Ken?" + +"No; my duties are ended when I once get them packed into a motor at +the door. But Christine looks as if she couldn't survive much longer, +and as for old Gilbert, he's as absent-minded as the conventional +bridegroom." + +"Christine's all right," said Patty. "I'm going to take her off, now, +to get into her travelling clothes. Oh, Ken, she has the loveliest +suit! Sort of a taupe colour, you know, and the dearest hat----" + +"Patty! Do you suppose I care what she's going to wear away? But _do_ +see to it that she's ready on time! You girls will all get to +weeping,--that's the way they always do,--and you'll spin out your +farewells so that they'll lose their train! Run along with Christine, +now; Hepworth is fidgeting like the dickens." + +So the pretty bridesmaid took the pretty bride away, and Patty begged +Christine to make haste with her dressing, lest she might lose the +train. + +"And Mr. Hepworth will go away without you," Patty threatened. "Now, +you do always dawdle, Christine; but this time you've got to +hustle,--so be spry,--Mrs. Hepworth." + +Christine smiled at Patty's use of the new name, and she tried to make +the haste Patty demanded. But she was slow by nature, and Patty danced +around her in terror, lest she should really be late. + +"Here's your coat, Christine,--put your arms in, do! Now the other +one. Now sit down, and I'll put your hat on for you. Oh, Mrs. +Hepworth, _do_ hold your head still! Here, stick this pin in yourself, +or I may jab it through your brain,--though I must confess you act as +if you hadn't any! or if you have, it's addled. And Ken says that +husband of yours is acting just the same way. My! it's lucky you two +infants had a capable and clever bridesmaid and best man to get you +off! There! take your gloves,--no, don't hold them like that! put them +on. Wake up, Christine; remember, the show isn't over yet. You've got +to go downstairs, and be showered with confetti, and, oh, Christine, +_don't_ forget to throw your bouquet!" + +"I won't do it!" and Christine Hepworth woke up suddenly from her +dreaming, and clasped her bridal bouquet to her heart. + +"Nonsense! of course you will! You've simply _got_ to! I'm not going +to run this whole wedding, and then have the prima donna balk in the +last act. Now, listen, Christine, you throw it over the banister just +as you start downstairs! Will you?" + +"Yes," was the meek response; "I will." + +"And wait a minute; don't you throw it till I get down there myself, +for I might catch it." + +"Do catch it, Patty, and then you can give it back to me. I want to +keep it all my life." + +"Well, you can't, Christine; it isn't done! You'll have to direct your +sentimentality in some other direction. Or, here, I'll give you a +flower out of it, and that's plenty for you to keep for a souvenir of +this happy occasion." + +"Why do I have to throw it, anyway?" persisted Christine, as she +tucked the flower away for safe keeping. + +"First and foremost, because I tell you to! and, incidentally, because +it's the custom. You know, whoever catches it will be married inside +of a year. Now, I'm going on down, and then you come along with Nan, +and I expect you'll find Mr. Hepworth down there somewhere,--if Ken +hasn't lost him." + +Patty cast a final critical glance at Christine, and seeing that she +was all right in every respect, she gave her one last kiss, and +hurried downstairs. She found a group of laughing young people +standing in the hall, all provided with confetti, and the girls all +looking upward to watch for the descending bouquet. + +"Here's a good place for you, Patty Pink and White," and Farnsworth +guided her to a place directly under the banister. + +At that moment Christine appeared at the head of the stairs. She stood +a moment, her bouquet held at arm's length, and looked at it as if she +couldn't quite bring herself to part with it. + +"There, _now_ she's going to toss it! _Quick_, Patty, catch it!" Big +Bill whispered in her ear, and Patty looked upward. Then, seeing the +direction in which the flowers fell,--for Christine really tossed them +straight at her,--Patty whirled round and sprang aside, so that the +bouquet was picked up by a girl who stood next to her. + +"Oh, Patty! you muffed it!" cried Farnsworth; "and what's more, you +did it on purpose!" + +"'Course I did!" declared Patty. "I don't want to be married this +year, thank you. But it was all I could do to dodge it!" + +And then the confetti was showered on the departing couple, Kenneth +tucked them into the motor car, Patty jumped in too, for a last +rapturous hug of Christine, and Kenneth almost had to pull her out. + +"Come, come, Patty," he cried. "Let them make their getaway! I think +they've missed the train as it is. There, now, they're off! My, a best +man's lot is not a happy one! But our trials are over now, Patty girl, +and we can take a little rest! Let's go back and receive the +congratulations of the audience on our good work." + +They went back to the house, laughing, and Patty succeeded in +obtaining a few more blossoms from the bridal bouquet to save for +Christine until she came back. + +"Why didn't you catch it, Patty?" said Kenneth. "Do you want to be an +old maid?" + +"'Nobody asked me, sir, she said,'" and Patty dropped her eyes, +demurely. + +"You mean there's nobody that hasn't asked you!" returned Kenneth. +"I'm going to ask you, myself, some day; but not to-night. I've had +enough to do with matrimonial alliances for one day!" + +"So have I," laughed Patty. "Let's put it off for a year, Ken." + +"All right," was the laughing response, and then they rejoined the +other young people. + +After the reception was over, a few of Patty's more intimate friends +were invited to remain to dinner with the Fairfields. + +"Can you stay, Little Billee?" asked Patty, dancing up to him, as he +seemed about to leave. + +"I have to take a midnight train," he said, "and I have some business +matters that I must attend to first. So if I may, I'll run away now, +and come back this evening for a dance with you." + +"All right; be sure to come," and Patty flashed him a smiling glance, +and danced away again. + +It was after eleven before Farnsworth returned, and Patty had begun to +fear he would not come at all. + +"What are you looking at?" asked Philip Van Reypen, as Patty continued +to glance over her shoulder toward the hall, while they were dancing. + +"Nothing," was the non-committal answer. + +"Well, then, you may as well look at me. At least, I'm better than +nothing." + +"_Much_ better!" said Patty, with exaggerated emphasis; "_ever_ so +much better! Oh, say, Philip, take me over to the hall, will you?" + +"What for? This dance has just begun." + +"Never mind!" said Patty, impatiently. "Lead me over that way!" + +Patty turned her own dancing steps in that direction, and when they +reached the hall, there was Big Bill Farnsworth, smiling at her. + +"This is what I was looking for!" said Patty, gaily. "Run away now, +Philip. Little Billee can only stay a minute, and we'll finish our +dance afterward." + +Van Reypen was decidedly annoyed, but he didn't show it, for he knew +Patty's caprices must be obeyed. So he bowed politely, and walked +away. + +"He's mad as hops," said Patty, calmly; "but I had to see you for a +few minutes, if you're really going on that midnight train. Are you, +Little Billee?" + +"Yes, Apple Blossom, I am. I've time for just one turn round the room. +Will you dance?" + +For answer, Patty put her hand in his, and they waltzed slowly round +the room. + +"You are the busiest business man I ever saw," Patty said, pouting a +little. + +"Yes, I _am_ very busy just now. Indeed, matters are rapidly coming to +a crisis. It was only because I suddenly found that I must be in +Boston to-morrow, that I could stop here to-day. And if matters turn +out to-morrow as I hope they will, I must start back immediately to +Arizona. But some day I hope to be less hurried, and then----" + +"And then?" asked Patty. + +"Then I hope to live in New York, and learn good manners and correct +customs, and make myself fit to be a friend of yours." + +"Oh, Little Billee, you _are_ a friend of mine." + +"Well, something more than a friend, then. Patty,--I _must_ ask +you,--are you engaged to Van Reypen?" + +"Goodness, no!" and Patty flashed a glance of surprise. + +"Then, Patty, mayn't _I_ hope?" + +"That's a question I _never_ know how to answer," said Patty, +demurely; "if you mean that I'm to consider myself bound by any sort +of a promise, I most certainly won't!" + +"No, I don't mean that, dear, but,----well, Patty, won't you wait?" + +"Of course I'll wait. That's exactly what I mean to do for years and +years." + +"You mean to,--but you're so capricious." + +"Oh, no! not _that_, of all things! And, anyway, what does capricious +mean?" + +"Well, it means like a butterfly, hovering from one flower to +another----" + +"Oh, you think you're like unto a flower?" + +"I'll be any kind of a flower you wish, if you'll hover around me like +a butterfly." + +"Well, be a timid little forget-me-not,--that will be lovely." + +"I'll forget-you-not, all right; but I can't be timid, it isn't my +nature." And now they had stopped dancing, and stood in the hall, near +the door, for it was almost time for Farnsworth to go. + +"It isn't because I'm timid," and the six feet three of humanity +towered above her, "that I don't grab you up and run away with you, +but because----" + +"Well, because what?" said Patty, daringly. + +"Because, Apple Blossom," and Bill spoke slowly, "when I see you here +in your rightful setting, and surrounded by your own sort of people, I +realise that I'm only a great, big----" + +"Bear," interrupted Patty. "You _are_ like a big bear, Bill! But such +a nice, gruff, kind, woolly bear,--and the best friend a girl ever +had. But I wish you'd be more of a chum, Little Billee. I like to be +good chums with every one of my suitors! It's all very well for +Christine to marry; she doesn't care for society, she just only loves +Mr. Hepworth." + +"Some day you'll forget your love for society, because you'll get to +love just only one man." + +"'And it might as well be you,'" hummed Patty, to an old tune. + +"Patty!" cried Farnsworth, his blue eyes lighting up with sudden joy; +"do you mean that?" + +"No, _I_ never mean anything! Of _course_, I don't mean it,--but if I +_did_, I'd say I didn't." + +"Patty Pink and White! you little scamp! if you tease me like this, +how do you suppose I'm ever going to tear myself away to catch that +midnight train to Boston?" + +"Why, you can't get that, Little Billee! it's too late, now!" + +"No, it isn't; and beside, I _must_ make it." He looked at his watch. +"I've just exactly two minutes longer to stay with you." + +"Two minutes is a long time," said Patty, flippantly. + +"Yes, it is! it's just long enough for two things I have to do." + +"What have you to do?" asked Patty, wonderingly, looking up at him, as +they stood alone in the hall. + +Farnsworth's strong face wore a determined look, but his blue eyes +were full of a tender light, as he answered: + +"Two very important things,--Apple Blossom,--this,--and this!" + +He kissed her swiftly on one pink cheek and then on the other, and +then, like a flash, he was gone. + +"Oh!" said Patty, softly, to herself, "Oh!" + + + + + * * * * * * + + + + +THE CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS FOR GIRLS + +Fresh, spirited stories that the modern small girl will take to her +heart, these well known books by a famous author have won an important +place in the field of juvenile fiction. + +Patty, with her beauty and frank good nature, and Marjorie full of +vitality and good spirits, are two lovable characters well worth +knowing, and their adventures will stir the eager imaginations of +young readers. + +THE FAMOUS "PATTY" BOOKS + +Patty Fairfield Patty's Motor Car +Patty at Home Patty's Butterfly Days +Patty in the City Patty's Social Season +Patty's Summer Days Patty's Suitors +Patty in Paris Patty's Romance +Patty's Friend Patty's Fortune +Patty's Pleasure Trip Patty Blossom +Patty's Success Patty--Bride + +THE MARJORIE BOOKS + +Marjorie's Vacation Marjorie in Command +Marjorie's Busy Days Marjorie's Maytime +Marjorie's New Friend Marjorie at Seacote + +GROSSET & DUNLAP _Publishers_ NEW YORK + + * * * * * * + +There is the high, happy spirit of youth in these famous + +BOOKS FOR GIRLS +by JANE D. ABBOTT + +APRILLY + +The charming story of a young girl, child of the circus, and the +adventures which led to her goal of happiness. + +HIGHACRES + +A school story of Jerry Travis and her chum Gyp Westley. A thread of +romance and mystery in Jerry's life runs through the tale. + +KEINETH + +How Keineth Randolph kept a secret--a war secret--for a whole year +makes one of the best stories ever written for girls. + +RED ROBIN + +In attempting to bring happiness into the lives of mill workers, Robin +Forsythe, heir to a fortune, has many strange adventures. + +HEYDAY + +Twenty-three! The heyday of life. Jay, a small town girl, finds +happiness in New York. + +LARKSPUR + +Especially interesting to any Girl Scout because it is the story of a +Girl Scout who is poor and has to help her mother. + +HAPPY HOUSE + +How an old family quarrel is healed through a misunderstanding and an +old homestead becomes a "happy house" in reality. + +GROSSET & DUNLAP _Publishers_ NEW YORK + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON*** + + +******* This file should be named 25857.txt or 25857.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/5/8/5/25857 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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