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diff --git a/25869-h/25869-h.htm b/25869-h/25869-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a0e78a1 --- /dev/null +++ b/25869-h/25869-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10326 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Patty's Success, by Carolyn Wells</title> +<style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p {margin-top: 0.5em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 0.5em;} + body {margin-left: 11%; margin-right: 10%;} + a {text-decoration: none;} + h3 {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em} + h3.pg {text-align:center; font-weight: bold; font-size: 110%; } + .figcenter {margin: 2em auto 2em auto; text-align: center;} + div.ce p {text-align: center; margin: auto 0;} + .caption {font-size: 90%; text-align:center;} + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + .blockquot {margin-left:5%; margin-right:5%;} + .pagenum {display: inline; font-size: x-small; text-align: right; position: absolute; right: 2%; padding: 1px 3px; font-style: normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; text-decoration: none; color: silver; background-color: inherit; border:1px solid #eee;} + div.ra p {text-align: right; margin: auto 0;} + hr.major {width: 65%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid black; clear:both;} + hr.silver {width: 100%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; border:none; border-bottom:1px solid silver;} + h2 {text-align:center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em} + + h1 { text-align: center; } + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ +</style> +</head> +<body> +<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Patty's Success, by Carolyn Wells</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: Patty's Success</p> +<p>Author: Carolyn Wells</p> +<p>Release Date: June 21, 2008 [eBook #25869]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S SUCCESS***</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 class="pg">E-text prepared by Roger Frank<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (http://www.pgdp.net)</h3> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:2em; margin-top:2em;'>Patty’s Success</p> +<div style='margin-top:1em'></div> +<p style=' font-size:1em;'>BY</p> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em; margin-bottom:1em;'>CAROLYN WELLS</p> +<div style='margin-top:1em'></div> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>AUTHOR OF</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em;'>TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES,</p> +<p style=' font-size:0.8em; margin-bottom:2em;'>THE MARJORIE SERIES, <span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Etc.</span></p> +</div> + +<div class='figcenter'> +<img src='images/illus-emb.png' alt='' title='' /><br /> +<p class='caption' style='text-align:center;'> + +<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1em;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> +<p style=' font-size:1em; margin-bottom:1em;'>PUBLISHERS NEW YORK</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>Copyright, 1910</span></p> +<p style=' margin-bottom:1em;'><span style='font-variant: small-caps'>by Dodd, Mead and Company</span></p> +<p>Printed in U.S.A.</p> +</div> + +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.2em;'>CONTENTS</p> +</div> + +<table border='0' width='400' cellpadding='2' cellspacing='0' summary='Contents' style='margin:1em auto;'> +<tr> + <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small;'>CHAPTER</span></td> + <td></td> + <td align='right'><span style='font-size:small;'>PAGE</span></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>I </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Welcome Home </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#I_WELCOME_HOME'>9</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>II </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>An Advance Christmas Gift </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#II_AN_ADVANCE_CHRISTMAS_GIFT'>23</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>III </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>The Day Before Christmas </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#III_THE_DAY_BEFORE_CHRISTMAS'>36</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>IV </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>A Splendid Tree </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IV_A_SPLENDID_TREE'>50</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>V </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Skating and Dancing </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#V_SKATING_AND_DANCING'>65</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VI </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>A Fair Proposition </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VI_A_FAIR_PROPOSITION'>80</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Department G </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VII_DEPARTMENT_G'>93</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>VIII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Embroidered Blossoms </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#VIII_EMBROIDERED_BLOSSOMS'>109</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>IX </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Slips and Sleeves </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#IX_SLIPS_AND_SLEEVES'>124</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>X </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>The Clever Goldfish </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#X_THE_CLEVER_GOLDFISH'>139</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XI </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>A Busy Morning </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XI_A_BUSY_MORNING'>154</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Three Hats </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XII_THREE_HATS'>169</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>The Thursday Club </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIII_THE_THURSDAY_CLUB'>181</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIV </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Mrs. Van Reypen </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIV_MRS_VAN_REYPEN'>197</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XV </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Persistent Philip </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XV_PERSISTENT_PHILIP'>211</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVI </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>An Invitation Declined </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVI_AN_INVITATION_DECLINED'>227</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>The Road to Success </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVII_THE_ROAD_TO_SUCCESS'>243</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XVIII </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Home Again </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XVIII_HOME_AGAIN'>257</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XIX </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>Christine Comes </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XIX_CHRISTINE_COMES'>271</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td valign='top' align='right'>XX </td> + <td valign='top' align='left'>A Satisfactory Conclusion </td> + <td valign='bottom' align='right'><a href='#XX_A_SATISFACTORY_CONCLUSION'>284</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +<hr class='silver' /> + +<div><span class='pagenum'><a id='page_9' name='page_9'></a>9</span></div> +<div class='ce'> +<p style=' font-size:1.8em;'>Patty’s Success</p> +</div> + +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 0em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='I_WELCOME_HOME' id='I_WELCOME_HOME'></a> +<h2>CHAPTER I</h2> +<h3>WELCOME HOME</h3> +</div> + +<p>“I do think waiting for a steamer is the +horridest, pokiest performance in the +world! You never know when they’re +coming, no matter how much they sight them +and signal them and wireless them!” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Allen was not pettish, and she spoke half +laughingly, but she was wearied with her long +wait for the <i>Mauretania</i>, in which she expected +her daughter, Nan, and, incidentally, Mr. +Fairfield and Patty. +</p> +<p>“There, there, my dear,” said her husband, +soothingly, “I think it will soon arrive now.” +</p> +<p>“I think so, too,” declared Kenneth Harper, +who was looking down the river through field-glasses. +“I’m just sure I see that whale of a +boat in the dim distance, and I think I see +Patty’s yellow head sticking over the bow.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_10' name='page_10'></a>10</span></p> +<p>“Do you?” cried Mrs. Allen eagerly; “do +you see Nan?” +</p> +<p>“I’m not positive that I do, but we soon shall +know, for that’s surely the <i>Mauretania</i>.” +</p> +<p>It surely was, and though the last quarter +hour of waiting seemed longer than all the rest, +at last the big ship was in front of them, and +swinging around in midstream. They could see +the Fairfields clearly now, but not being within +hearing distance, they could only express their +welcome by frantic wavings of hands, handkerchiefs, +and flags. But at last the gangplank +was put in place, and at last the Fairfields +crossed it, and then an enthusiastic and somewhat +incoherent scene of reunion followed. +</p> +<p>Beside Mr. and Mrs. Allen and Kenneth +Harper, Roger and Elise Farrington were there +to meet the home-comers, and the young people +seized on Patty as if they would never let her +go again. +</p> +<p>“My! but you’ve grown!” said Kenneth, +looking at her admiringly; “I mean you’re +grown-up looking, older, you know.” +</p> +<p>“I’m only a year older,” returned Patty, +laughing, “and you’re that, yourself!” +</p> +<p>“Why, so I am. But you’ve changed somehow,—I +don’t know just how.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_11' name='page_11'></a>11</span></p> +<p>Honest Kenneth looked so puzzled that Elise +laughed at him and said: +</p> +<p>“Nonsense, Ken, it’s her clothes. She has a +foreign effect, but it will soon wear off in New +York. I <i>am</i> glad to see you again, Patty; we +didn’t think it would be so long when we parted +in Paris last Spring.” +</p> +<p>“No, indeed; and I’m glad to be home again, +though I have had a terribly good time. Now, +I suppose we must see about our luggage.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Roger, “you’ll be sorry you +brought so many fine clothes when you have to +pay duty on them.” +</p> +<p>“Well, duty first, and pleasure afterward,” +said Kenneth. “Come on, Patty, I’ll help you.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, dear,” said Mrs. Allen, “must we wait +for all this custom-house botheration? I’m so +tired of waiting.” +</p> +<p>“No, you needn’t,” said Mr. Fairfield, kindly. +“You and Nan and Mr. Allen jump in a taxicab +and go home. I’ll keep Patty with me, and +any other of the young people who care to stay, +and we’ll settle matters here in short order.” +</p> +<p>The young people all cared to stay, and +though they had to wait some time, when at +last they did get a customs inspector he proved +to be both courteous and expeditious. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_12' name='page_12'></a>12</span></p> +<p>“Oh, don’t spoil my best hat!” cried Patty, +in dismay, as he laid thoughtless hands on a befeathered +creation. +</p> +<p>“That I won’t, ma’am,” was the hearty response, +and the hat was laid back in its box as +carefully as an infant in its cradle. “I have +ladies in my own family, ma’am, and I know +just how you feel about it.” +</p> +<p>“I’m perfectly willing to declare all my dutiable +goods,” went on Patty, “but I do hate +to have my nice things all tumbled up.” +</p> +<p>“Quite right, ma’am, quite right,” amiably +agreed the inspector, who had fallen a victim +to Patty’s pretty face and bright smiles. +</p> +<p>“Well, you did get through easily, Patty,” +said Elise, after it was over and the trunks despatched +by express. “When we came home, +mother was half a day fussing over customs.” +</p> +<p>“It’s Patty’s winning ways as does it,” said +Kenneth. “She hypnotised that fat inspector +with a mere glance of her eye.” +</p> +<p>“Nonsense!” said Patty, laughing; “it’s an +easy trick. They’re always nice and kind if you +jolly them a little bit.” +</p> +<p>“Jolly me,” said Kenneth, “and see how nice +and kind I’ll be.” +</p> +<p>“You’re kind enough as you are,” returned +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_13' name='page_13'></a>13</span> +Patty. “If you were any kinder, I’d be overwhelmed +with obligations. But how are we all +going to get into this taxicab? Five into one +won’t go.” +</p> +<p>“That’s easy,” said Roger. “I’ll perch outside +with the chauffeur.” +</p> +<p>“No, let me,” said Kenneth. +</p> +<p>But after a good-natured controversy, Roger +won the day, and climbed into the front seat. +Mr. Fairfield, Kenneth, and the two girls settled +themselves inside, and off they started for +the Fairfields’ home in Seventy-second street. +</p> +<p>“I don’t see much change in the old town,” +remarked Patty, as they neared the Flatiron. +</p> +<p>“You don’t, eh?” observed Kenneth. “Well, +there’s the Metropolitan tower,—I guess you’ll +say that’s pretty fine, if you have seen the Campanile +in Venice.” +</p> +<p>“But I didn’t,” returned Patty. “I was too +late for the old one and too soon for the new. +But is this a Campanile, father? What <i>is</i> a +Campanile, pure and simple?” +</p> +<p>“A Campanile ought always to be pure and +simple, of line,” said Mr. Fairfield; “but if you +mean what is it specifically, it’s a bell tower. +Listen, you’ll hear the quarter-hour now.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, what lovely chimes!” cried Patty. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_14' name='page_14'></a>14</span> +“Let’s move, father, and take a house beneath +the shadow of a great clock.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve moved enough for a while, my child; +if I once get seated at my own fireside, I shall +stay there.” +</p> +<p>“How Christmassy things look,” went on +Patty, gazing out of the cab window. “It’s +only the middle of December, but the streets +are crowded and there are holly wreaths in +some of the windows.” +</p> +<p>“You won’t have to buy many Christmas presents, +will you, Patty?” said Elise. “I suppose +you brought home enough Italian trinkets to +supply all your friends.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, we did,” laughed Patty. “I daresay +my friends will get tired of busts of Dante, and +models of the Forum.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t give those to me. If you have a Roman +scarf nobody else wants, I’ll thank you +kindly.” +</p> +<p>“All right, Elise; I’ll remember that. And +if I haven’t, I daresay I can buy one in the New +York shops.” +</p> +<p>“Wicked girl! Don’t attempt any such deception +on your tried and true friend. Oh, +Patty, do you remember the day we got lost in +Paris?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_15' name='page_15'></a>15</span></p> +<p>And then the two girls plunged into a flood of +reminiscences that lasted all the way home. +</p> +<p>“Come in? of course we’ll come in!” said +Roger, as he assisted them from the cab, and +Patty graciously invited him. “That’s what +we’re here for! We’re all coming in, and if +we’re heartily urged, we may stay to dinner.” +</p> +<p>In reality, Mrs. Allen, who was temporarily +hostess in her daughter’s house, had invited +Kenneth and the two Farringtons to dine, +in order to make a gay home-coming for +Patty. +</p> +<p>Very cosy and attractive the house looked, as, +after more than a year’s absence, Patty once +again stepped inside. It had been closed while +Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield were away, but a few +days before their return, Mrs. Allen, Nan’s +mother, had come over from Philadelphia and +opened the house and made it cheery and livable. +A bright fire glowed in the library, flowers +were all about, and holly-wreaths hung in +the windows. +</p> +<p>“It’s good to be home again,” said Patty, as +she sank into an easy-chair and threw aside her +furs. +</p> +<p>“It’s good to have you here,” responded +Elise. “I’ve missed you terribly.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_16' name='page_16'></a>16</span></p> +<p>“Me, too,” said Roger, while Kenneth added, +“So say we all of us.” +</p> +<p>Always a favourite, wherever she went, Patty +was specially beloved by her young friends in +New York, and so the reunion was a happy one +to all concerned. +</p> +<p>Before dinner was announced, Patty flew up +to her own room to change her travelling costume +for a pretty little house-dress. +</p> +<p>“Come on, Elise,” she said, and soon the two +girls were cosily chatting in Patty’s dressing-room. +</p> +<p>“You look so different with your hair done +up,” said Elise. “Weren’t you sorry to give up +hair-ribbons?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I was; I hate to feel grown-up. Just +think, I’ll be nineteen next May.” +</p> +<p>“Well, May’s a long way off yet. It’s only +December now. What are you going to do on +Christmas, Patty?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know. Nan hasn’t planned yet. She +waited to see her mother first. But I know Mrs. +Allen will invite us to Philadelphia to spend +Christmas with her.” +</p> +<p>“You don’t want to go, do you? Can’t you +spend Christmas with me, instead?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I’d love to, Elise! It would be lots more +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_17' name='page_17'></a>17</span> +fun. We’ll ask father to-night. How are all +the girls?” +</p> +<p>“They’re all well, and crazy to see you. Hilda +is making you the loveliest Christmas present +you ever saw. But, of course, I promised not +to tell you about it.” +</p> +<p>“No, don’t tell me; I’d rather be surprised. +Come on, I’m ready; let’s go down and talk to +the boys.” +</p> +<p>Patty had done up her pretty hair in the +prevailing fashion of the day; but though the +soft braids encircled her head, many little +golden curls escaped and made a soft outline +round her face. Her frock, of pale rose colour, +had a collarless lace yoke, and was very becoming. +</p> +<p>“You can wear any colour, Patty,” declared +Elise. “Of course, blue is yours, by right, +but you’re dear in that pinky thing.” +</p> +<p>“Ah, sweet chub, I hoped I should be dear to +thee in any old thing,” remarked Patty, as, slipping +her arm through that of Elise, the two +girls went downstairs. +</p> +<p>“Ha, Patty resplendent!” exclaimed Roger, +as they entered the library. “Don’t you dare +to be a grown-up young lady, Patty Fairfield, or +I shall cut your acquaintance.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_18' name='page_18'></a>18</span></p> +<p>“Not I! Don’t be alarmed, Roger. I am +still childlike and bland.” +</p> +<p>“Your cousin Ethelyn is going to make her +début next week. I have a bid to the ceremonies.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, so have I. Well, let her ‘come out,’ if +she likes. I prefer to ‘stay in’ for another year, +anyway.” +</p> +<p>“So do I,” said Elise. “Mother says I ought +to come out next winter, but I’m not bothering +about it yet.” +</p> +<p>“Let’s have a good time this winter, then,” +said Kenneth, “while we’re all children. If you +girls come out next winter, you’ll be so gay with +dances and parties, I can’t play with you at all.” +</p> +<p>“All right,” agreed Patty. “But have you +time to play, yourself, Ken? I thought you +were fearfully busy absorbing the laws of the +United States.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I do have to hammer at that all day, and +some evenings, too. But it’s an unwritten law +that a fellow must have some fun; so I’ll take +an afternoon off now and then, to come round +and tease you girls.” +</p> +<p>Then dinner was announced and, following +their elders, the young people went out to the +dining-room. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_19' name='page_19'></a>19</span></p> +<p>“Oh, how pretty!” cried Patty, as she saw +the table, for the decoration, though simple, was +most effective. +</p> +<p>Along the centre of the white cloth, lay a long +bed of holly leaves, on which the word “Welcome” +was outlined in holly berries. +</p> +<p>There were no other flowers, and the glossy +green and vivid scarlet made a charming centrepiece, +surrounded, as it was, by dainty silver, +glass, and china. +</p> +<p>“It’s good to be here once more,” said Nan, +as she took her place at the head of her own +table. +</p> +<p>“Right you are,” said Mr. Fairfield, as he +sat opposite her. “Mother Allen, it was kind +of you to arrange this hearty Welcome Home +for us.” +</p> +<p>“It doesn’t half express my joy at having you +here again,” said Mrs. Allen, as she looked affectionately +at her daughter. +</p> +<p>Then the conversation turned upon Christmas +and Christmas plans. +</p> +<p>“I must have Nan with me at Christmas,” +said Mrs. Allen. “And I shall count on Fred, +also, of course. Patty, dear, I want you, too, if +you care to come; but——” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Mrs. Allen,” broke in Elise, “divide the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_20' name='page_20'></a>20</span> +family with me, won’t you? If you have Mr. +and Mrs. Fairfield, won’t you let me take +Patty?” +</p> +<p>As Elise had hinted this to Mrs. Allen while +they were at the steamer dock waiting for Patty, +the good lady was not greatly surprised. And +she knew that Patty would prefer to be in New +York with her young friends, rather than in +Philadelphia. +</p> +<p>So it was settled that Patty should spend +Christmas with Elise, much to the joy of both +girls, and also to the satisfaction of the two +boys. +</p> +<p>“We’ll have a gay old time,” said Roger. +“We’ll have a tree and a dance and a boar’s +head,—whatever that thing is,—I never did +know.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know either,” confessed Patty; “but +we’ll find out. For we must have all the modern +improvements.” +</p> +<p>“I shouldn’t call a boar’s head a modern improvement,” +said Mr. Fairfield, smiling. +</p> +<p>“But ours will be,” said saucy Patty, “for it +will be such an improvement on the sort they +used to have. And we’ll have carols and +waits——” +</p> +<p>“What are waits?” said Elise. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_21' name='page_21'></a>21</span></p> +<p>“Why, waits,” said Patty, “don’t you know +what waits are? Why, they’re just <i>waits</i>.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes,” said Elise, “<i>now</i> I understand <i>perfectly!</i> +You explain things so clearly, Patty!” +</p> +<p>“Yes, doesn’t she!” agreed Kenneth. “Never +mind, Elise, I’ll be a wait and show you.” +</p> +<p>“Do,” said Elise, “I’d much rather see than +be one. Just think, Patty, Christmas is only ten +days off! Can you be ready?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes,” said Patty, smiling. “Why, I +could get ready for two Christmases in ten +days.” +</p> +<p>“Wonderful girl!” commented Roger. “I +thought ladies were always behind time with +their Christmas preparations. I thought they +always said, ‘It doesn’t seem <i>possible</i> Christmas +is so near!’ and things like that.” +</p> +<p>“I haven’t half my presents ready,” said Kenneth, +in an exaggerated feminine voice. “I +haven’t finished that pink pincushion for Sadie, +nor the blue bedroom slippers for Bella.” +</p> +<p>Roger took the cue. +</p> +<p>“Nor I,” he said, also mimicking a fussy, +womanish manner. “But I never get into the +spirit of the thing until near Christmas Day. +Then I run round and try to do everything at +once.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_22' name='page_22'></a>22</span></p> +<p>“Do you tie up your presents in tissue paper +and holly-ribbon?” asked Kenneth, turning to +Roger as if in earnest. +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes; and I stick on those foolish little +seals, and holly tags. Anything to make it fussy +and fluttery.” +</p> +<p>“Gracious,” said Patty, “that reminds me. I +suppose I must get that holly ribbon and tissue +paper flummery. I forgot all about it. What +do they use this year, Elise? White tissue +paper?” +</p> +<p>“No, red. It’s so nice and cheery.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Roger. “Most Christmas presents +need a cheery paper. It counteracts the depressing +effect of an unwelcome gift.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t pay any attention to him,” said Elise, +“he’s putting on airs. He thinks it’s funny to +talk like that, but you just ought to see him on +Christmas! He simply adores his presents, and +fairly gloats over every one!” +</p> +<p>“Sure I do!” said Roger, heartily. “But +when you get a purple necktie, or a hand-crocheted +watch-chain, it’s nice to have a cheery red +paper round it.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I have a lovely present for you,” said +Patty, “but I shall take the precaution of wrapping +it in red paper.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='II_AN_ADVANCE_CHRISTMAS_GIFT' id='II_AN_ADVANCE_CHRISTMAS_GIFT'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_23' name='page_23'></a>23</span> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> +<h3>AN ADVANCE CHRISTMAS GIFT</h3> +</div> + +<p>The ten days before Christmas flew by +like Bandersnatches. Patty had a long +list of friends to whom she wanted to +give presents, and though she had brought +home a lot of what Kenneth called “foreign +junk,” she had no notion of giving it all away. +</p> +<p>Of course, the lovely fans, beads, and scarves +she brought made lovely gifts for the girls, and +the little curios and souvenirs were all right for +the boys, but there were so many friends, and +her relatives beside, that she soon realised she +would have little left for herself. And, though +unselfish, she did want to retain some mementos +of her foreign trip. +</p> +<p>So shopping was necessary, and nearly every +day she went with Nan or Elise to buy the +Christmas wares that the city shops displayed. +</p> +<p>“And I do think,” she said, “that things are +just as pretty and just as cheap here as over +there.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_24' name='page_24'></a>24</span></p> +<p>“Some things,” agreed Nan. +</p> +<p>“Yes; I mean just the regular wares. Of +course, for Roman silks and Florentine mosaics +it’s better to shop where they grow. What’s +father going to give me, Nan?” +</p> +<p>“Inquisitive creature! I shouldn’t tell you if +I knew, but as I don’t know, and he doesn’t +either, I may as well tell you that he’d be glad +of a hint. What would you like?” +</p> +<p>“Honestly, I don’t know of a thing! Isn’t +it awful to have everything you want?” +</p> +<p>“You’re a contented little girl, Patty. And +that’s a noble trait, I admit. But just at Christmas +time it’s trying. Now, if you only wanted +a watch, or a diamond ring, or some trifle like +that, I’d be glad to give your father a hint.” +</p> +<p>“Thank you, stepmamma,” said Patty, smiling; +“but I have a watch, and I’m too young +for diamonds. I can’t help it if I’m amply supplied +with this world’s goods. And think of +the lots of gifts I’ll get, anyway! Perhaps +father’d better just give me the money and let +me put it in the bank against a rainy day.” +</p> +<p>“Why, Patty, you’re not getting mercenary, I +hope! What do you want of money in the +bank?” +</p> +<p>Patty looked earnest. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_25' name='page_25'></a>25</span></p> +<p>“No, I don’t think I’m mercenary,” she said, +slowly, “but, Nan, you never know what may +happen. Suppose father should lose all his +money.” +</p> +<p>“Nonsense! he can’t do that. It’s most carefully +invested, and you know, Patty, he thinks +of retiring from business in a year or two more.” +</p> +<p>“I know it,” said Patty, with a little sigh. “I +know we’re rich. Not wealthy, like the Farringtons, +but plenty rich enough. Only, you +often hear of rich men losing their money, and +sometimes I think I ought to save up some.” +</p> +<p>“Goosie!” said Nan, smiling fondly at her; +“don’t bother your curly head about such things +before it’s necessary.” +</p> +<p>“All right, then, I won’t,” said Patty, shaking +the curly head and smiling back. +</p> +<p>That afternoon she went to see Clementine +Morse. Clementine had called one day when +Patty was not at home, so this was the first time +the girls had met since Patty’s return. +</p> +<p>The maid asked Patty to go right up to Clementine’s +own room, and there Patty found her +friend surrounded by what looked like a whirlwind +of rainbow-coloured rags. +</p> +<p>On tables, chairs, and even on the floor, were +scraps and bits of silks, satins, ribbons, and laces, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_26' name='page_26'></a>26</span> +and in a low chair sat Clementine, sewing rapidly, +as if for dear life. +</p> +<p>But at sight of Patty, she jumped up, upsetting +her work-basket, and flew to greet her +guest. +</p> +<p>“You dear thing!” she cried, as she embraced +her; “I was so sorry not to see you when I +called. I should have come again, but I’m so +rushed with Christmas work, that I can’t go +anywhere until Christmas is over. Do take off +your things and sit down, and don’t mind if I +go on sewing, will you? I can talk just as well, +you know.” +</p> +<p>“Apparently you can!” said Patty, laughing, +for as she chatted, Clementine had already resumed +her work, and her fingers flew nimbly +along the satin seams. “What <i>are</i> you doing?” +</p> +<p>“Dressing dolls,” said Clementine, as she +threaded her needle; “and I’ve forty-five still +to do,—but their underclothing is done, so it’s +only a matter of frocks, and some hats. Did +you have a good time in Europe?” +</p> +<p>Clementine talked very fast, apparently to keep +time with her flying fingers, and as Patty picked +up a lot of dry goods in order that she might +occupy the chair they were in, her hostess rattled +on. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_27' name='page_27'></a>27</span></p> +<p>“How did you like Venice? Was it lovely by +moonlight? Oh, would you put this scarlet +velvet on the spangled lace,—or save it for this +white chiffon?” +</p> +<p>“Clementine! do keep still a minute!” cried +Patty; “you’ll drive me frantic! What <i>are</i> you +doing with all these dolls?” +</p> +<p>“Dressing them. How did you like Paris? +Was it very gay? And was London smoky,—foggy, +I mean?” +</p> +<p>“Yes; everything was gay or smoky or lovely +by moonlight, or just what it ought to be. Now +tell me <i>why</i> you dress four hundred million dolls +all at once.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, they’re for the Sunshine Babies. Was +Naples very dirty? How did you like——” +</p> +<p>“Clementine, you leave the map of Europe +alone. I’m talking now! What are Sunshine +Babies?” +</p> +<p>“Why, the babies that the Sunshine Society +gives a Christmas to. And there’s oceans of +babies, and they all want dolls,—I guess the +boys must like dolls, too, they want so many. +And, oh, Patty, they’re the dearest little things,—the +babies, I mean,—and I just <i>love</i> to dress +dolls for them. I’d rather do it than to make +presents for my rich friends.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_28' name='page_28'></a>28</span></p> +<p>Suddenly Patty felt a great wave of self-compunction. +She had planned and prepared gifts +for all her friends, and for most of her relatives, +but for the poor she had done nothing! To +charity she had given no thought! And at +Christmas, when all the world should feel the +spirit of good will to men, she had utterly neglected +to remember those less fortunate than +herself. +</p> +<p>“What’s the matter?” said Clementine, dismayed +by Patty’s expression of remorse. +</p> +<p>“I’m a pig!” said Patty; “there’s no other +word for such a horrid thing as I am! Why, +Clementine, I’ve made presents for nearly everybody +I know, and I haven’t done a thing for +charity! Did you ever know such an ungrateful +wretch?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, it isn’t too late, yet,” said Clementine, +not quite understanding why Patty was so serious +about it; “here, help me sew these.” +</p> +<p>She tossed her some tiny satin sleeves, already +cut and basted, and offered a furnished work-basket. +</p> +<p>“’Deed I will!” said Patty, and in a few moments +she too was sewing, as deftly, if not quite +so rapidly, as Clementine. +</p> +<p>“You see, Clem,” she went on, “I’ve been so +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_29' name='page_29'></a>29</span> +busy ever since I came home, that I simply forgot +the poor people. And now it’s too late.” +</p> +<p>“It’s too late to make things,” agreed Clementine, +“but not too late to buy them.” +</p> +<p>“But I’ve spent all my Christmas money,” +said Patty, contritely. “Father gives me a liberal +allowance, and then extra, for Christmas +money. And it’s just about all gone, and I hate +to ask him for more.” +</p> +<p>“Well, never mind, Patsy, you can make up +for it next year. And if you help me dress these +dolls, that will square up your conscience.” +</p> +<p>“No, it won’t. But I’ll find a way to do something, +somehow. Are these Sunshine people all +babies?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no; the society helps all sorts of poor +people, children and grown-ups too. Mother +is one of the directors, and we do a lot of this +doll-dressing every year.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I’ll help you a while this afternoon, +but I won’t have another chance. You see just +about every moment is taken up from now till +Christmas.” +</p> +<p>“You’re going to the Farringtons’, aren’t +you?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, for three or four days, while Nan and +father are in Philadelphia at Nan’s mother’s. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_30' name='page_30'></a>30</span> +You’re coming to the Christmas Eve dance, of +course?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed. It’s to be a lovely party. The +Farringtons always have such beautiful entertainments. +Now, Patty, do tell me about your +trip.” +</p> +<p>So Patty told many tales of her stay in Paris +and in England, and of her pleasure trip through +Italy, and as she talked, her fingers flew, and +she had soon completed three doll dresses, that +were quite as pretty and well-made as Clementine’s. +</p> +<p>“Now, I must go,” she said, at last. “I’m +glad to have been of a little help, and next year +I’ll help you a lot. Though, I suppose your +Sunshine Babies <i>could</i> have dolls when it isn’t +Christmas.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes; these are for their Tree, you +know.” +</p> +<p>“Well, Clem, if I should have some money +left me unexpectedly, is it too late to buy some +toys for the Tree?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know,” said Clementine, “but we +can ask mother. She’ll know.” +</p> +<p>They found Mrs. Morse in her sitting-room, +tying up parcels and addressing them. +</p> +<p>Patty soon discovered that these were all charitable +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_31' name='page_31'></a>31</span> +gifts, and not presents to Mrs. Morse’s +own friends. +</p> +<p>“I’m so glad I came here to-day,” she said, +after the welcoming greetings were over, +“for it has roused my charitable instincts. +I am quite sure, Mrs. Morse, I can send +some toys for your society’s tree, if you want +them.” +</p> +<p>“Want them? Indeed we do! Why, Patty, +there are forty little boys who want drums or +trumpets and we can only give them candy and +an orange. It’s harder than you’d think to get +subscriptions to our funds at Christmas time, +and though we’ve dolls enough, we do so want +toys for the boys.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I’ll send you some, Mrs. Morse. I’ll +send them to-morrow. Do you care what they +are?” +</p> +<p>“No, indeed. Drums, or balls, or tin carts,—anything +that a boy-child can play with.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you may depend on me for the forty,” +said Patty, smiling, for she had formed a sudden, +secret resolve. +</p> +<p>“Why, Patty, dear, how kind of you! I am +so glad, for those children were on my mind, +and I’ve already asked every one I know to give +to our fund. You are a generous little girl, and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_32' name='page_32'></a>32</span> +I know it will gladden your own heart as well as +the children’s.” +</p> +<p>Patty ran away, and all the way home her heart +was full of her project. +</p> +<p>“If he will only consent,” she thought. “If +not, I don’t know how I shall keep my promise. +Oh, well, I know I can coax him to say yes.” +</p> +<p>After dinner that evening, Patty put her plan +into action. +</p> +<p>“Father Fairfield,” she said, “what are you +going to give me for a Christmas gift?” +</p> +<p>“Well, Pattykins, that’s not considered a correct +question in polite society.” +</p> +<p>“Then let’s be impolite, just for this once. Do +tell me, daddy.” +</p> +<p>“You embarrass me exceedingly, young lady,” +said Mr. Fairfield, smiling at her, “for, to tell +you the truth, I haven’t bought you anything.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I’m so glad!” exclaimed Patty, “for, +father, I want to ask you a great favour. +Won’t you give me the money instead, and let +me spend it as I like?” +</p> +<p>“That would be a funny Christmas gift. I +thought you liked some pretty trinket, tied up +in holly paper and red ribbons and Santa Claus +seals, and served to you on a silver salver.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I do, from other people. But from +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_33' name='page_33'></a>33</span> +you, I just want the money that my present +would cost, and—I want it now!” +</p> +<p>“Bless my soul! She wants it now! Why, +Patsy, what are you going to do? Buy stock?” +</p> +<p>“No, but I do want it, father. Won’t you give +it to me, and I’ll tell you afterward what I’m +going to do with it.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll tell you now,” said Nan, smiling at the +pair. “She’s going to put it in the bank, because +she’s afraid she’ll be poor some day.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t wonder you think that, stepmothery,” +said Patty, her eyes twinkling at Nan, “for I +did tell you so. But since then I’ve changed my +mind, and though I want my present from +father in cash, I’m going to spend it before +Christmas, and not put it in the bank at all.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you are a weathercock, Patty. But before +morning you will have changed your mind +again!” +</p> +<p>“No, indeedy! It’s made up to stay this time. +So give me the money like a duck of a daddy, +won’t you?” +</p> +<p>Patty was very wheedlesome, as she caressed +her father’s cheek, and smiled into his eyes. +</p> +<p>“Well, as you don’t often make a serious request, +and as you seem to be in dead earnest +this time, I rather think I shall have to say yes.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_34' name='page_34'></a>34</span></p> +<p>“Oh, you dear, good, lovely father!” cried +Patty, embracing him. “Will you give it to +me now, and how much will it be?” +</p> +<p>“Patty,” said Nan, laughing, “you’re positively +sordid! I never saw you so greedy for +money before.” +</p> +<p>Patty laughed outright. Now that she had +gained her point she felt in gay spirits. +</p> +<p>“Friends,” she said, “you see before you a +pauper,—a penniless pauper! Therefore, and +because of which, and by reason of the fact that +I am in immediate need of money, I stoop to +this means of obtaining it, and, as aforesaid, I’d +like it now!” +</p> +<p>She held out her rosy palm to her father, and +stood waiting expectantly. +</p> +<p>“Only one hand!” exclaimed Mr. Fairfield, +in surprise. “I thought such a grasping young +woman would expect both hands filled.” +</p> +<p>“All right,” said Patty, and she promptly extended +her other palm, too. +</p> +<p>Putting both his hands in his pockets, Mr. +Fairfield drew them out again, and then laid a +ten-dollar goldpiece on each of Patty’s outstretched +palms. +</p> +<p>“Oh, you dear daddy!” she cried, as she +clasped the gold in her fingers; “you lovely +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_35' name='page_35'></a>35</span> +parent! This is the nicest Christmas gift I +ever had, and now I’ll tell you all about it.” +</p> +<p>So she told them, quite seriously, how she had +really forgotten to give the poor and the suffering +any share of her own Christmas cheer, and +how this was the only way she could think of to +remedy her neglect. +</p> +<p>“And it’s so lovely,” she concluded; “for +there are forty little boy-children. And with +this money I can get them each a fifty-cent +present.” +</p> +<p>“So you can,” said Nan. “I’ll go with you +to-morrow to select them. And if we can get +some cheaper than fifty cents, and I think we +can, you’ll have a little left for extras.” +</p> +<p>“That’s so,” agreed Patty. “They often +have lovely toys for about thirty-nine cents, and +I could get some marbles or something to fill +up.” +</p> +<p>“To fill up what?” asked her father. +</p> +<p>“Oh, to fill up the tree. Or I’ll get some ornaments, +or some tinsel to decorate it. Oh, +father, you are so good to me! This is a lovely +Christmas present.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='III_THE_DAY_BEFORE_CHRISTMAS' id='III_THE_DAY_BEFORE_CHRISTMAS'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_36' name='page_36'></a>36</span> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> +<h3>THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS</h3> +</div> + +<p>Mr. Fairfield’s gift to his wife was +a beautiful motor-car, and as they were +going away for the holiday, he presented +it to her the day before Christmas. +</p> +<p>It was practically a gift to Patty as well, for +the whole family could enjoy it. +</p> +<p>“It’s perfectly lovely,” said Nan, as they all +started out for a little spin, to try it. “I’ve had +so much trouble of late with taxicabs, that it’s a +genuine comfort to have my own car at my beck +and call. It’s a lovely car, Fred, and Patty and +I shall just about live in it.” +</p> +<p>“I want you to enjoy it,” returned Mr. Fairfield, +“and you may have every confidence in +the chauffeur. He’s most highly recommended +by a man I know well, and he’s both careful +and skilful.” +</p> +<p>“A nice-mannered man, too,” observed Patty. +“I like his looks, and his mode of address. But +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_37' name='page_37'></a>37</span> +if this car is partly my present, then I ought not +to have had that gold money to buy drums +with.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, you ought,” said her father. “That +was your individual gift. In this car you and +Nan are partners. By the way, Puss, did you +ever get your forty drums? I didn’t hear about +them.” +</p> +<p>“You’re lucky that you didn’t hear them,” +laughed Patty. “Yes, I did get them,—not all +drums, some other toys,—and I took them down +to the Sunshine place yesterday. I went with +Mrs. Morse and Clementine. You know the +kiddywids had their Christmas tree, the little +poor children, and such a noise you never heard! +They yelled and shouted for glee, and they +banged drums and tooted horns, and then they +sang songs, and I think I never knew such a +noisy celebration, even on the fourth of July.” +</p> +<p>“And were they glad to get your gifts?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, indeed! Why, just think, father, +the little girls all had dolls, but if I hadn’t taken +the gifts for the boys, they would only have had +candy or an orange. Next Christmas I’m +going to do more for them.” +</p> +<p>“I’m glad to see your charitable spirit waking +up, Patty-girl. I don’t want you to be a mere +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_38' name='page_38'></a>38</span> +social butterfly. But, you know, you needn’t +wait for Christmas to make the poor babies +happy.” +</p> +<p>“No; I know it, daddy, dear; and after Christmas +is over, I’m going to try to do some good +in the world.” +</p> +<p>“Now, Patty,” said Nan, “don’t you go in +for settlement work, and that sort of thing. I +won’t let you. You’re not strong enough for it.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know exactly what settlement work +is,” said Patty, “but I do know I’m not going +to be a mere butterfly. I’m going to accomplish +something worth while.” +</p> +<p>“Well, wait till the holiday season is over,” +advised Mr. Fairfield. “You’ve made forty +boys happy, now turn your attention to making +your family and friends happy. What are you +going to give your poor old father for a Christmas +gift, I should like to know.” +</p> +<p>“I haven’t any such relative as you describe,” +returned Patty, smiling at him affectionately. +“I have a young and handsome father, and I +think he seems to be rather a rich gentleman. +Also I have a gift awaiting him at home, and I +think we’d better be going there.” +</p> +<p>“I do, too,” said Nan. “We’ve none too +much time to get our luncheon and go to the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_39' name='page_39'></a>39</span> +train. Oh! what a comfort it will be to go to +the train in our own motor-car.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, “and then Miller can come +back and take me over to Elise’s.” +</p> +<p>So home they went, and had their own little +Christmas celebration, before they went their +separate ways. +</p> +<p>“This is a make-believe Christmas feast,” said +Patty, as they sat at their own luncheon table. +</p> +<p>She had placed a sprig of holly at each plate, +and a vase of poinsettia blossoms graced the +centre of the table. +</p> +<p>“This ox-tail soup is in place of the boar’s +head,” she went on, gaily; “and I know we are +going to have chicken croquettes, which we will +pretend are the roast turkey. And then we’ll +have our presents, as I know you two will fly for +your train as soon as you leave the table.” +</p> +<p>So Patty gave Nan her present, which was a +lovely white couch pillow of lace and embroidery. +And Nan gave Patty a picture to hang in +her own room. It was a beautiful water-colour, +a Venetian scene, and Patty was delighted +with it. +</p> +<p>Then Patty gave her father a gold penholder, +which she had had made expressly for him, and +engraved with his name. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_40' name='page_40'></a>40</span></p> +<p>“Why, that’s fine, Pattykins!” he exclaimed. +“I can only write poems with a pen like that. +It’s not made for business letters, I’m sure.” +</p> +<p>“Of course it isn’t,” said Patty, gaily; “it’s +to keep on your desk in the library here at home. +And you must use it just for social correspondence +or——” +</p> +<p>“Or to sign checks for us,” suggested Nan, +smiling. +</p> +<p>“That’s just what I’ll do with it,” declared +Mr. Fairfield. “It’s a gem of a pen; Patty, +you know my weakness for fine desk appointments, +don’t you?” +</p> +<p>Nan gave her husband a watch fob, on which +hung a locket containing a miniature of her own +sweet face. Neither Patty nor her father had +seen this before, as Nan had been careful to +keep the matter secret in order to surprise +them. +</p> +<p>It was a real work of art, and so winsome was +the pictured face that Patty cried out in admiration: +“What a stunner you are, Nan! I didn’t +realise you were so good-looking,—but it’s exactly +like you.” +</p> +<p>“That’s a mixed-up compliment, Patty,” +laughed Nan, “but I’ll surmise that you mean +well.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_41' name='page_41'></a>41</span></p> +<p>“I do so! I think it’s a lovely picture of a +lovely lady! There, how’s that?” +</p> +<p>“Much better,” said Nan, as Patty caught her +round the shoulders and kissed her affectionately. +</p> +<p>“Give me the lady,” said Mr. Fairfield, taking +Nan into his own arms. “As the portrait +is a gift to me, I will kiss her for it, myself.” +</p> +<p>“Do,” said Patty, “but if you give her more +than three kisses, you’ll lose your train; it’s getting +pretty late.” +</p> +<p>“Is it?” cried Mr. Fairfield. “Then, Jane, +bring in those two boxes I left in your charge, +will you?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, sir,” cried the waitress, and, leaving the +room, she returned in a moment with two large +white boxes. +</p> +<p>“These are Christmas gifts to the two loveliest +ladies I know,” said Mr. Fairfield, gallantly +tendering a box to each. +</p> +<p>“But I’ve had my Christmas gift from you!” +exclaimed Patty, and “So have I!” cried +Nan. +</p> +<p>“Nevertheless these are laid at your feet,” +said Mr. Fairfield, calmly depositing the boxes +on the floor in front of them. +</p> +<p>“Oh, well, we may as well see what they are,” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_42' name='page_42'></a>42</span> +said Patty, untying the white ribbons that fastened +her box. +</p> +<p>Nan did likewise, and in a moment they were +both rapturously exclaiming over two sets of +white furs that nestled in billows of white tissue +paper. +</p> +<p>Nan’s furs were ermine, and Patty’s were +soft, fluffy, white fox, and so beautiful were they +that the two recipients donned them at once, and +posed side by side before the mirror, admiring +themselves and each other. Then, with a simultaneous +impulse they turned to thank the donor, +and Mr. Fairfield found himself suddenly entangled +in four arms and two boas, while two +immense muffs met at the back of his neck and +enveloped his head and ears. +</p> +<p>“Have mercy!” he cried; “come one at a +time, can’t you? Yes, yes, I’m glad you’re +pleased, but do get this fur out of my +mouth! I feel as if I were attacked by polar +bears!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Fathery Fairfield,” Patty cried, “you +are the dearest thing in the world! How <i>did</i> +you know I wanted furs? And white fox, of all +things! And ermine for Nan! Oh, but you +<i>are</i> a good gentleman! Isn’t he, stepmother?” +</p> +<p>“He’ll do,” said Nan, smiling roguishly at +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_43' name='page_43'></a>43</span> +her husband, who, somehow, seemed satisfied +with this faint praise. +</p> +<p>“Now, scamper, Nan-girl,” he cried, “if you +would see your mother to-day, you must leave +here in less than an hour. Can you be ready?” +</p> +<p>“I can’t, but I will,” replied Nan, gaily, as she +ran away to prepare for her journey. +</p> +<p>Patty, too, went to her room to get ready for +her visit at the Farringtons’. She was to stay +three days, and as there were several parties +planned for her entertainment, she packed a +small trunk with several of her prettiest gowns. +Also, she had a suitcase full of gifts for the +Christmas tree, which was to be part of the +festivities. +</p> +<p>She bade her parents good-by when they +started, and watched the new motor-car disappear +round the corner, then returned to her own +preparations. +</p> +<p>“I do have lovely things,” she thought to herself, +as she folded her dainty garments and laid +them in their places. +</p> +<p>Then she glanced again at her new furs. +</p> +<p>“I have too much,” she thought; “it isn’t fair +for one girl to have so much, when so many +poor people have nothing. I wonder what I +ought to do about it.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_44' name='page_44'></a>44</span></p> +<p>Poor Patty was confronting the problem that +has troubled and baffled so many honest hearts, +but the more she thought about it, the more it +seemed insoluble. +</p> +<p>“At any rate, it would be absurd to give my +white furs, or my chiffon frocks to poor people,” +she concluded, “for they couldn’t use them. +Well, after the holidays, I’m going to see what +I can do. But now, I must hurry, or I’ll be +late.” +</p> +<p>An hour or two later, she found herself in the +Farringtons’ home. +</p> +<p>“What lovely furs, Patty,” exclaimed Mrs. +Farrington, “and how well they suit you!” +</p> +<p>They were extremely becoming, and Patty’s +pretty face, with its soft colour and smiling +eyes, rose like a flower from the white fur at +her throat. +</p> +<p>“Yes, aren’t they beautiful?” Patty responded. +“Father just gave them to me, and +I’m so pleased with them.” +</p> +<p>“And well you may be. Now, you girls run +away and play, for I’ve a thousand things to +do.” +</p> +<p>Indeed, Mrs. Farrington was in a whirlpool of +presents that she was both sending and receiving. +Maids and footmen were running hither and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_45' name='page_45'></a>45</span> +thither, bringing messages or carrying out orders, +and as the whole house was full of warmth +and light, and the spicy fragrance of Christmas +greens, Patty fairly revelled in the pleasant +atmosphere. +</p> +<p>She was of a nature very susceptible to surroundings. +Like a cat, she loved to bask in +warm sunshine, or in a luxurious, softly-furnished +place. Moreover, she was fond of Elise, +and so looked forward to her three days’ visit +with glad anticipation. +</p> +<p>After Patty had laid aside her things, the two +girls sat down to chat in the big hall on the second +floor of the mansion. A wood-fire was +blazing, and soft, red-shaded lights cast a delightful +glow. +</p> +<p>“Elise,” said Patty, somewhat suddenly, +“don’t you think we have too much riches and +things?” +</p> +<p>Elise stared at her. +</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” she asked. +</p> +<p>Patty laughed at her friend’s blank expression, +but she went on. +</p> +<p>“I mean just what I say. Of course, you have +lots more riches and things than I have; but I +think we all have too much when we think of +the poor people who haven’t any.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_46' name='page_46'></a>46</span></p> +<p>“Oh, you mean Socialism,” exclaimed Elise, +suddenly enlightened. +</p> +<p>“No, I don’t mean Socialism. I mean plain, +every-day charity. Don’t you think we ought +to give away more?” +</p> +<p>“Why, yes, if you like,” said Elise, who was +greatly puzzled. “Do you want me to subscribe +to some charity? I will.” +</p> +<p>“Well, perhaps I’ll hold you to that,” said +Patty, slowly; “for after the holidays I’m going +to try to do something in the matter. I don’t +know just what; I haven’t thought it out yet. +But I’m not going to be what my father calls a +‘mere social butterfly,’ and I don’t believe you +want to, either.” +</p> +<p>“No, I don’t; but do leave it all till after the +holidays, Patty, for now I want you to help me +with some Christmas presents.” +</p> +<p>Elise looked so worried and so beseeching that +Patty laughed. Then she kissed her, and said: +“All right, Lisa mine. Command me. My +services are at your disposal.” +</p> +<p>So the girls went up to the Sun Parlour, where +Elise had all her choicest belongings, and where +she now had her array of Christmas gifts. +</p> +<p>The room was entirely of glass, and by a careful +arrangement of double panes and concealed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_47' name='page_47'></a>47</span> +heat-pipes, was made comfortable even in the +coldest weather. Flowers and plants were round +the sides; birds in gilt cages sang and twittered; +and gilt wicker furniture gave the place a dainty +French effect that was charming. On the tables +were strewn Christmas gifts of all sorts. +</p> +<p>“I’m just tying up the last ones,” said Elise. +“Don’t be afraid to look; yours is safely hidden +away. Now, here’s what I want to know.” +</p> +<p>She picked up a gold seal ring, which, however, +had no crest or monogram cut on it,—and +a bronze paper cutter. +</p> +<p>“They’re lovely,” said Patty, as she looked +at them. “Who catches these?” +</p> +<p>“That’s just what I don’t know. I bought the +ring for Roger and the paper cutter for Kenneth +Harper; he’s coming to-night. But I’d like to +change them about and give the ring to Ken, +and the paper knife to Roger. Would you?” +</p> +<p>“No, I wouldn’t,” said Patty, bluntly. “Why +do you want to do such a thing?” +</p> +<p>“The ring is much the handsomer gift,” said +Elise, who had turned a trifle pink. +</p> +<p>“Of course it is,” said Patty, “and that’s +why you should give it to your brother. It’s +too personal a gift to give to a boy friend.” +</p> +<p>“That’s what I was afraid of,” said Elise, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_48' name='page_48'></a>48</span> +with a little sigh. “But Roger won’t care for it +at all, and Kenneth would like it heaps.” +</p> +<p>“<i>Because</i> you gave it to him?” asked Patty, +quickly. +</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t know. Yes, perhaps so.” +</p> +<p>“Nonsense, Elise! You’re too young to give +rings to young men.” +</p> +<p>“Ken isn’t a young man, he’s only a boy.” +</p> +<p>“Well, he’s over twenty-one; and anyway, I +know it wouldn’t be right for you to give him a +ring. Your mother wouldn’t like it at all.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, she wouldn’t care.” +</p> +<p>“Well, she ought to, and I think she would. +Now, don’t be silly; give the ring to Roger, +and if you want something grander than this +bronze jig for Ken, get him a book. As handsome +a book as you choose; but a book. Or +something that’s impersonal. Not a ring or a +watch-fob, or anything like that.” +</p> +<p>“But he gave you a necklace,—the day we +sailed for Paris.” +</p> +<p>“Fiddle-de-dee! It was only a locket, with +the merest thread of a gold chain; and anyway, +I never wore it but once or twice.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you oughtn’t to have accepted it, if a +personal gift is so reprehensible.” +</p> +<p>“Elise, you’re a goose!” said Patty, losing +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_49' name='page_49'></a>49</span> +her patience at last. “A gift like that is not in +very good taste from a boy to a girl; but from a +girl to a boy, it’s very much worse. And, anyway, +it was different in my case; for Ken and I +are old friends, which you and he are not. And, +beside, father knew about it, and he said as a +parting keepsake it was all right. But at a +Christmas tree, in your own house,—Elise, +you’ll make a great mistake if you give Kenneth +Harper a seal ring.” +</p> +<p>“All right, Patty, you know I always do just +as you say, so I’ll give it to Roger.” +</p> +<p>Patty knew she had judged rightly in the matter, +but she also knew that Elise was greatly +disappointed at her decision. +</p> +<p>She had already noticed that Elise liked handsome +Kenneth, but if she did, that was only an +added reason why she should not make him a +present of a ring. +</p> +<p>“She ought to have had more sense!” Patty +said to herself, indignantly. “And I’m sorry +if she’s sorry; but I couldn’t let her do such a +foolish thing!” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='IV_A_SPLENDID_TREE' id='IV_A_SPLENDID_TREE'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_50' name='page_50'></a>50</span> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> +<h3>A SPLENDID TREE</h3> +</div> + +<p>The Christmas Eve dinner was set for an +early hour, that the younger Farrington +children might take part in the festivities. +</p> +<p>Beside Elise and Roger, there were two +younger girls, Louise and Hester, and Bobby, +aged ten. +</p> +<p>When Patty went down to the drawing-room, +she found these three eager with anticipation of +the Christmas frolic about to begin. +</p> +<p>Kenneth Harper was there too, but there were +no other guests, as this evening was to be a +family celebration. Soon the other members of +the household appeared, and then dinner was +announced, and they all went to the dining-room. +</p> +<p>Mr. Farrington offered his arm to Patty, and +escorted her out first, as guest of honour. Mrs. +Farrington followed with Kenneth, and then +the five Farrington children came out less formally. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_51' name='page_51'></a>51</span></p> +<p>A burst of applause greeted their first +sight of the dinner table. It was indeed +a Christmas feast to the eye as well as to the +palate. +</p> +<p>In the centre of the table was a Christmas tree, +decorated with tinsel and gay ornaments, and +lighted by tiny electric bulbs. +</p> +<p>At each plate also, was a tiny Christmas tree, +whose box-shaped standards bore the names of +the diners. +</p> +<p>“Here’s mine!” cried Bobby, as he slid into +his chair. “Oh, what a jolly dinner!” +</p> +<p>On the little place trees hung nuts and bonbons +which were to be eaten, “at the pleasure +of the performer,” as Roger expressed it. +</p> +<p>The table was also decked with holly and red +ribbons, and the various viands, as they were +served, were shaped or decorated in keeping +with the occasion. +</p> +<p>The Farrington household was conducted on +a most elaborate plan, and their dinners were +usually very formal and conventional. But to-night +was an exception, and, save for the solemn +butler and grave footmen, everybody in the +room was bubbling over with laughter and merriment. +</p> +<p>“I’m not hungry any more,” declared Bobby, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_52' name='page_52'></a>52</span> +after he had done full justice to several courses; +“let’s hurry up, and have the tree.” +</p> +<p>“Wait, Bobs,” advised Hester; “we haven’t +had the ice cream yet.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, that’s so,” said Bobby; “can’t we have +it now, mother, and skip these flummerydiddles?” +</p> +<p>He looked scornfully at the dainty salad that +had just been placed before him, but Mrs. Farrington +only smiled, not caring to remind him +of the laws of table etiquette on a festive occasion. +</p> +<p>“Have patience, Bobby, dear,” she said; “the +ice cream will come next; and, too, you know the +longer the dinner, the later you can sit up.” +</p> +<p>“That’s so!” agreed Bobby. “My, but Christmas Eve is fun! +Wish I could sit up late every night.” +</p> +<p>“But it wouldn’t be Christmas Eve every +night,” said Patty, smiling at the chubby-faced +boy. +</p> +<p>“That’s so! Neither no more it wouldn’t! +Well, I wish it was Christmas Eve every night, +then!” +</p> +<p>“That’s right,” laughed Patty. “Make a +good big wish while you’re about it.” +</p> +<p>Then the ice cream was served and of course +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_53' name='page_53'></a>53</span> +it was in shapes of Christmas trees, and Santa +Clauses, and sprigs of holly, and Christmas +bells, and Patty’s portion was a lovely spray +of mistletoe bough. +</p> +<p>“Ho, ho!” laughed Kenneth, seeing it across +the table; “another good chance lost! You +know the penalty, Patty, if you’re caught under +the mistletoe. But of course if you eat mistletoe, +the charm fails.” +</p> +<p>“I’m willing it should,” said Patty, as she took +up her spoon. “I’m not pining for a rustic +swain to kiss me ’neath the mistletoe bough.” +</p> +<p>Patty looked very roguish and provoking as +she said this, and Mr. Farrington said, gallantly: +</p> +<p>“Ah, no, perhaps not. But the swains are +doing the pining, without doubt.” +</p> +<p>Now Roger sat on the other side of Patty, and +as his father finished speaking, he said, apparently +apropos of nothing: +</p> +<p>“Mother, are these your Spode plates, or are +they Cauldon ware?” +</p> +<p>“They’re Spode, Roger; why do you want to +know? Are you suddenly becoming interested +in China?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” he replied; “are you sure, mother, +these are Spode?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_54' name='page_54'></a>54</span></p> +<p>He lifted the handsome plate in front of him, +and gazed intently at the mark on its under +side, as he held it just above the level of his +eyes. +</p> +<p>“Be careful, Roger, you’ll spill your ice +cream,” admonished his father. +</p> +<p>“No, I won’t, sir,” he said, as he replaced his +plate. “But I never saw Spode with this decoration +before. Let me look at yours, Patty.” +</p> +<p>He took up Patty’s plate of ice cream, and +lifting it quite high studied the stamp on +that. +</p> +<p>Suddenly he moved it, until the dish of mistletoe +ice cream was directly over Patty’s head. +</p> +<p>“Fairly caught!” he cried; “under the mistletoe!” +And before Patty caught the jest, Roger +had kissed her pretty pink cheek, and then +calmly restored her plate of ice cream to its +place in front of her. +</p> +<p>“You villain!” she cried, glaring at him, and +pretending to be greatly offended, but smiling in +spite of herself at his clever ruse. +</p> +<p>“Good for you, my boy!” cried Mr. Farrington, +clapping his hands. “I wish I had +thought of that myself. But it’s a game that +won’t work twice.” +</p> +<p>“Indeed it won’t!” said Patty, “I’ll take care +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_55' name='page_55'></a>55</span> +of that!” and she began to eat her mistletoe ice +cream in proof of her words. +</p> +<p>“It never can happen again,” said Kenneth, in +sad tones, as he watched the “mistletoe” disappear. +“But I’ll not give up all hope. It’s +still Christmas Eve, and there are other mistletoes +and other manners.” +</p> +<p>“And other girls,” said Patty, glancing mischievously +at Elise. +</p> +<p>“Yes, there are four of us,” said Louise, so +innocently that they all laughed. +</p> +<p>“All right, Louise,” said Kenneth, “you find +a nice, big spray of mistletoe, after dinner, and +wear it in that big topknot bow of yours, and +I’ll promise to kiss you on both cheeks.” +</p> +<p>But Louise was too shy to respond to this +repartee, and she dropped her eyes in confusion. +</p> +<p>“Now,” said Mrs. Farrington, as she rose +from the table, “we’ll have our Christmas +Waits sing carols, and then we’ll have our tree.” +</p> +<p>The children understood this, and Hester and +Bobby at once ran out of the room. A few moments +later they returned, dressed in trailing +white robes, like surplices, and before they +reached the drawing-room, their childish voices +could be heard singing old-fashioned carols. +</p> +<p>They had been well trained, and sang very +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_56' name='page_56'></a>56</span> +prettily, and as they appeared in the doorway, +Patty could scarcely believe that these demure +little white-robed figures were the two merry +children. +</p> +<p>After two or three carols by the “Waits,” the +whole party joined in a Christmas chorus, and +Patty’s clear soprano rang out sweetly in the +harmony. +</p> +<p>“What a lovely voice you have, Patty, dear,” +said Mrs. Farrington, as the song was done; +“it has improved greatly since I heard you last. +Are you taking lessons?” +</p> +<p>“I shall, Mrs. Farrington, after we get fairly +settled. Father wants me to begin as soon as +he can find the right teacher.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed; you must do so. It would be a +shame not to cultivate such a talent as that.” +</p> +<p>“You <i>have</i> improved, Patty!” declared Kenneth. +“My! but your voice is stunning. I expect +we’ll see you on the concert stage yet.” +</p> +<p>“More likely on a Fifth Avenue stage,” said +Patty, laughing. +</p> +<p>“Now for the tree!” exclaimed Bobby, who +had thrown aside his white robe, and was ready +for the fun to begin. +</p> +<p>The tree had been set up in the indoor tennis-court, +which was in the Casino. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_57' name='page_57'></a>57</span></p> +<p>This Casino, practically another house, opened +from the great hall of the Farrington mansion, +and its various apartments were devoted to different +sorts of amusements. +</p> +<p>The tennis court made a fine setting for the +Christmas celebration, and had been carefully +prepared for the great event. +</p> +<p>The floor was covered with white canton flannel, +so arranged over slight ridges and hummocks +that it looked exactly like a field of +drifted snow. +</p> +<p>The tree, at the end of the room, was the +largest that could be obtained, and was loaded +with beautiful ornaments and decorations, and +glittering with electric lights of all colours. +</p> +<p>Patty had seen many Christmas trees, but +never such a large or splendid one, and it almost +took her breath away. +</p> +<p>“I didn’t know trees ever grew so big,” she +said. “How <i>did</i> you get it into the house?” +</p> +<p>“It <i>was</i> difficult,” said Mr. Farrington. “I +had to engineer the job myself. But Bobby +asked for a big tree, and as the children are +growing up so fast, I wanted to humour him.” +</p> +<p>As Patty had often said, “for a millionaire, +Mr. Farrington was the kindest man she ever +knew.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_58' name='page_58'></a>58</span></p> +<p>Though wealthy, he had no desire for display +or ostentatious extravagance, but he loved to +please his children, and was sufficiently rewarded +by their enjoyment of the pleasures he provided. +</p> +<p>Now, he was as frankly delighted with Bobby’s +enthusiasm as Bobby was with his tree. +</p> +<p>“Come on, old chappie,” he cried; “you shall +be Santa Claus, and distribute the gifts.” +</p> +<p>Meantime, the older ones were admiring the +decorations of the room. Round the walls were +smaller evergreen trees of varying heights, giving +the effect of a clearing in a grove of evergreens. +The ceiling had been draped across with +dark blue material, and was studded with stars, +made of tiny electric lights. +</p> +<p>Bunches and wreaths of holly, tied with red +ribbons, gave a touch of colour to the general +effect, and in one corner beneath a green arched +bower, a chime of bells pealed softly at intervals. +</p> +<p>Altogether, the whole place breathed the very +spirit of Christmas, and so perfect were the appointments, +that no false note marred the harmony +of it all. +</p> +<p>“Now for the presents!” cried Bobby. “Oh, +daddy, there’s my ’lectric railroad! Won’t you +other people wait till I see how it works?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_59' name='page_59'></a>59</span></p> +<p>The others all laughed at the eager, apologetic +little face, as Bobby found it impossible to curb +his impatience to see his new toy. +</p> +<p>It was indeed a fine electric railway, and every +one became interested as Mr. Farrington began +to take it from its box and put the parts together. +</p> +<p>“This is the way it goes, dad,” said Roger, +kneeling on the floor beside his father. +</p> +<p>“No, this way,” said Kenneth, as he adjusted +some of the parts. +</p> +<p>Quite content to wait for their gifts, Mrs. +Farrington and the girls stood round watching +the proceedings with interest, and soon Patty +and Elise were down on the floor, too, breathlessly +waiting the completion of the structure, +and cheering gaily as the first train went successfully +round the long track. Other trains +followed, switches were set, signals opened or +closed, bridges crossed, and all the manœuvres +of a real railroad repeated in miniature. +</p> +<p>“I haven’t had so much fun since I was a +kid,” said Kenneth, rising from the floor +and mopping his heated brow with his handkerchief. +</p> +<p>“Nor I!” declared Mr. Farrington. “I’d +rather rig up that toy for that boy of mine than—than +to own a real railroad!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_60' name='page_60'></a>60</span></p> +<p>“I believe you would!” said his wife, laughing. +“And now, suppose you see what Santa +Claus has for the rest of us.” +</p> +<p>“Father’s all in,” said Roger. “You sit on +that heap of snow, dad, and Kenneth and I will +unload these groaning branches.” +</p> +<p>Bobby was too absorbed in his cars to think of +anything else, so the little girls acted as messengers +to distribute the gifts from the tree. +</p> +<p>And this performance was a lengthy one. +</p> +<p>Parcel after parcel, daintily wrapped and tied, +was given to Patty, and, of course, the Farringtons +had many more. +</p> +<p>But Patty had a great quantity, for knowing +where she was to spend her Christmas, all her +young friends had sent gifts to her at the Farringtons’, +and the accumulation was almost as +great as Elise’s. +</p> +<p>“I’m helpless,” said Patty, as she sat with her +lap full of gifts, boxes and papers strewn all +about her on the floor, and Louise or Hester still +bringing her more parcels. +</p> +<p>“Let me help you,” said Kenneth, as he picked +up a lot of her belongings. +</p> +<p>As he was only a dinner guest, of course Kenneth +had no such array of gifts, though the +Farringtons had given him some pretty trifles, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_61' name='page_61'></a>61</span> +and Patty gave him a charming little Tanagra +statuette she had brought from Florence. +</p> +<p>“See what Elise gave me,” he remarked, as he +showed the bronze paper-knife. “Jolly, isn’t +it?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed,” returned Patty, relieved to see +that Elise had not given him the ring after all. +“It’ll be fine to cut your briefs when you’re a +real out-and-out lawyer. What are briefs, anyway?” +</p> +<p>“Little girls shouldn’t use words of which they +don’t know the meaning,” said Kenneth, reprovingly. +</p> +<p>“Well, anyway, if they’re brief enough, they +won’t need cutting,” returned Patty, saucily, and +then returned to the opening of her own presents. +</p> +<p>She had pretty little gifts from Hilda Henderson, +Lorraine Hamilton, Clementine Morse, and +many of the other girls, some of whom she had +not seen since her return to New York. +</p> +<p>“Isn’t it lovely to have so many friends?” said +she, looking over her pile of gifts at Kenneth. +</p> +<p>“Do you love them all?” he asked, smiling +back at her happy face. +</p> +<p>“Oh, indeed I do. Not exactly because they’ve +given me all these pretty things, for I love the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_62' name='page_62'></a>62</span> +girls just as much in the summer time as at +Christmas. But because they’re my friends, and +so,—I love them.” +</p> +<p>“Boys are your friends, too,” suggested Kenneth. +</p> +<p>“Of course they are!” Patty agreed; “and I +love them, too. I guess I love everybody.” +</p> +<p>“Rather a big order,” said Roger, coming up +just then. “Loving everybody, you can’t give +a very large portion to each one.” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty, pretending to look downcast. +“Now, isn’t that <i>too</i> bad! Well, never +mind, I’ve plenty of gratitude to go round, anyway. +And I offer you a big share of that, Roger, +for this silver box.” +</p> +<p>“Do you like it? Oh, please like it, +Patty.” +</p> +<p>“Of course I do; it’s exquisite workmanship, +and I shall use it for,—well, it seems most too +prosaic,—but it’s exactly the right shape and +size for hairpins!” +</p> +<p>“Then use it for ’em! Why not?” cried +Roger, evidently pleased that Patty could find +a use for his gift. +</p> +<p>“And see what Ken gave me,” went on Patty, +as she held up a small crystal ball. “I’ve long +wanted a crystal, and this is a beauty.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_63' name='page_63'></a>63</span></p> +<p>“What’s it for?” asked Roger, curiously; “it +looks like a marble.” +</p> +<p>“Marble, indeed! Why, Roger, it’s a crystal, +a Japanese rock crystal.” +</p> +<p>“Isn’t it glass?” +</p> +<p>“No, ignorant one! ’Tis not glass, but a +curio of rare and occult value. In it I read the +future, the past, and the present.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, it is a present, I know,” said Roger, and +in the laugh at this sally the subject was +dropped, but Roger secretly vowed to look up +the subject of crystals and find out why Patty +was so pleased with a marble. +</p> +<p>“Elise is simply snowed under,” said Kenneth, +as they heard rapturous exclamations from the +other side of the room, where Elise was examining +her gifts. +</p> +<p>“Think of it!” cried Patty; “she had everything +a girl could possibly want yesterday, and +now to-day she has a few bushels more!” +</p> +<p>It was literally true. Getting free, somehow, +of her own impedimenta, Patty ran over to see +Elise’s things. +</p> +<p>“You look like a fancy bazaar gone to smash,” +she declared, as she saw Elise in the midst of her +Christmas portion. +</p> +<p>“I feel like an International Exhibition,” returned +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_64' name='page_64'></a>64</span> +Elise. “I’ve gifts from all parts of the +known world!” +</p> +<p>“And unknown!” said Kenneth, picking up +various gimcracks of whose name or use he had +no idea. +</p> +<p>“But this is what I like best,” she went on, +smiling at Kenneth, as she held up the dainty +little card-case he had given her. “I shall use +this only when calling on my dearest friends.” +</p> +<p>“Good for you!” he returned. “Glad you +like it. And as I know you’ve lots of dearest +friends, I’ll promise, when it’s worn out, to give +you another.” +</p> +<p>Elise looked a trifle disappointed at this offhand +response to her more earnest speech, but +she only smiled gaily, and turned the subject. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='V_SKATING_AND_DANCING' id='V_SKATING_AND_DANCING'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_65' name='page_65'></a>65</span> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> +<h3>SKATING AND DANCING</h3> +</div> + +<p>“Kenneth thinks an awful lot of you, +Patty,” said Elise, as, after the Christmas +party was all over, the girls were +indulging in a good-night chat. +</p> +<p>“Pooh,” said Patty, who, in kimono and bedroom +slippers, nestled in a big easy-chair in front +of the wood-fire in Elise’s dressing-room. “I’ve +known Ken for years, and we do think a lot of +each other. But you needn’t take that tone, +Elise. It’s a boy and girl chumminess, and you +know it. Why, Ken doesn’t think any more of +me than Roger does.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Roger! Why, he’s perfectly gone on +you. He worships the ground you walk on. +Surely, Patty, you’ve noticed Roger’s devotion.” +</p> +<p>“What’s the matter with you, Elise? Where’d +you get these crazy notions about devotion and +worship? If you’ll excuse my French,—you +make me tired!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_66' name='page_66'></a>66</span></p> +<p>“Don’t you like to have the boys devoted to +you, Patty?” +</p> +<p>“No, I don’t! I like their jolly friendship, +of course. I like to talk to Ken and Roger, or +to Clifford Morse, or any of the boys of our +set; but as for <i>devotion</i>, I don’t see any.” +</p> +<p>“None so blind as those who won’t see,” said +Elise, who had finished brushing her hair, and +now sank down on an ottoman by Patty’s side. +</p> +<p>“Well, then, I’ll stay blind, for I don’t want to +see devoted swains worshipping the Persian +rugs I walk on! Though if you mean these +beautiful rugs that are on all the floors of your +house, Elise, I don’t know that I blame the +swains so much. By the way, I suppose some of +them are ‘prayer rugs’ anyway, so that makes +it all the more appropriate.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Patty, you’re such a silly! You’re not +like other girls.” +</p> +<p>“You surprise me, Elise! Also you flatter me! +I had an idea I belonged to the common herd.” +</p> +<p>“Patty, <i>will</i> you be serious? Roger is terribly +in love with you.” +</p> +<p>“Really, Elise? How interesting! Now, what +would you do in a case like that?” +</p> +<p>“I’d consider it seriously, at any rate.” +</p> +<p>Patty put one finger to her forehead, frowned +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_67' name='page_67'></a>67</span> +deeply, and gazed into the fire for fully half a +minute. Then she said: +</p> +<p>“I’ve considered, Elise, and all I can think of +is the ‘Cow who considered very well and gave +the piper a penny.’ Do you suppose Roger +would care for a penny?” +</p> +<p>“He would, if you gave it to him,” returned +Elise, who was almost petulant at Patty’s continued +raillery. +</p> +<p>“Then he shall have it! Rich as the Farringtons +are, if the son of the house wants a +penny of my fortune, it shall not be denied +him!” +</p> +<p>Patty had risen, and was stalking up and down +the room with jerky strides, and dramatic waving +of her arms. Her golden hair hung in a +curly cloud over her blue silk kimono, and her +voice thrilled with a tragic intensity, though, of +course, exaggerated to a ludicrous degree. +</p> +<p>Having finished her speech, Patty retained her +dramatic pose, and glared at Elise like a very +young and pretty Lady Macbeth. +</p> +<p>“Oh, Patty,” cried Elise, forgetting the subject +in hand, “you ought to be an actress! Do +you know, you were quite stunning when you +flung yourself round so. And, Patty, with +your voice,—your singing voice, I mean,—you +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_68' name='page_68'></a>68</span> +ought to go on the stage! <i>Do</i>, will you, Patty? +I’d love to see you an opera singer!” +</p> +<p>“Elise, you’re crazy to-night! Suppose I +should go on the stage, what would become of +all these devoted swains who are worshipping +my feetsteps?” +</p> +<p>“Bother the swains! Patty, my heart is set +upon it. You must be an actress. I mean a +really nice, gentle, refined one, like Maude +Adams, or Eleanor Robson. Oh, they are so +sweet! and such noble, grand women.” +</p> +<p>“Elise, you have lovely ambitions for your +friends. What about yourself? Won’t you be +a circus-rider, dear? I want you to be as ambitious +for you as you are for me.” +</p> +<p>“Patty, stop your fooling. I was quite in +earnest.” +</p> +<p>“Then you’d better begin fooling. It’s more +sensible than your earnestness. Now, I’m going +to run away to bed and leave you to dream that +you’re a circus-rider, whizzing round a ring on +a snow-white Arab steed. Good-night, girlie.” +</p> +<p>Alone in her room, Patty smiled to herself at +Elise’s foolishness. And yet, though she had no +desire to be an actress, Patty had sometimes +dreamed of herself as a concert singer, enchanting +her audiences with her clear, sweet voice, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_69' name='page_69'></a>69</span> +which was fine and true, if not great. She was +ambitious, though as yet not definitely so, and +Elise’s words had roused a dormant desire to be +or to do something worth while, and not, as she +thought to herself, be a mere social butterfly. +</p> +<p>Then she smiled again as she thought of Elise’s +talk about Ken and Roger. +</p> +<p>But here no answering chord was touched. As +chums, she thoroughly liked both boys, but the +thought of any more serious liking only roused +a feeling of amusement in her mind. +</p> +<p>“Perhaps I may be glad to have somebody in +love with me some day,” she thought; “but it +will be many years from now, and meantime I +want to do a whole lot of things that are really +worth doing.” +</p> +<p>Then, with a whimsical thought that to sleep +was the thing most worth doing at the present +moment, Patty tumbled into the soft, white +nest prepared for her and was soon sound +asleep. +</p> +<p>Christmas Day was one of the finest. No +snow, but a clear, cold, bracing air, that was exhilarating +to breathe. +</p> +<p>“Skating this afternoon?” said Roger, after +the Merry Christmas greetings had been exchanged. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_70' name='page_70'></a>70</span></p> +<p>“Yes, indeed,” cried Patty and Elise in one +breath. +</p> +<p>“Let’s get up a party, shall us?” went on +Roger, “and skate till dusk, and then all come +back here and have tea under the Christmas +tree?” +</p> +<p>“Lovely!” cried Elise, but Patty hesitated. +</p> +<p>“You know we have the dance on for to-night,” +she said. +</p> +<p>Patty was not robust, and continuous exertions +often tired her. Nan had cautioned her not to +attempt too much gaiety during this visit, and +she wanted to rest before the evening’s dance. +</p> +<p>“Oh, pshaw!” said Elise, “there’ll be lots +of time. The dance won’t begin till nine, anyway.” +</p> +<p>So Patty agreed, and Roger went off to invite +his skating party by telephone. +</p> +<p>He secured Kenneth, and the two Morses, and +then he hung up the receiver. +</p> +<p>“That’s enough,” he declared. “I don’t like +a big skating party. Slip away, girls, and get +your bonnets and shawls; the car’ll be here in +half an hour.” +</p> +<p>The girls went off to dress, and Patty viewed +her new skating costume with decided approval. +</p> +<p>It was all of white. A white cloth frock, with +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_71' name='page_71'></a>71</span> +short skirt; white broadcloth coat and a Russian +turban of white cloth and fur; long white leather +leggings, and her Christmas furs, which +added a charming touch to the costume. +</p> +<p>As being more comfortable for skating, she had +returned to her former mode of hair-dressing, +and so two big white ribbon bows bloomed at +the back of her head. These, and the short +skirt, quite took away Patty’s grown-up air, and +made her seem a little girl again. +</p> +<p>“Hello, Baby,” said Roger, as he saw her +come downstairs, with rosy cheeks and eyes +sparkling with pleasurable anticipation, for +Patty loved to skate. +</p> +<p>“Mam-ma!” said Patty, putting her finger in +her mouth, and assuming a vacant, babyish +stare. +</p> +<p>Roger laughed at her foolishness, and then +Elise came along and they all went out to the +car. +</p> +<p>Elise’s suit was of crimson cloth, bordered with +dark fur, and as a consequence the two girls +together made a pretty picture. +</p> +<p>“You’re such a comfort, Patty,” Elise said, +as they climbed into the big car. “You always +dress just right to harmonise with my clothes.” +</p> +<p>“Sure you do!” said Roger, looking at the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_72' name='page_72'></a>72</span> +two girls admiringly. “No fellow on the ice +will escort such beautiful ladies as I have in my +charge. Now, we’ll pick up Ken and the +Morses, and then make a dash for the Pole.” +</p> +<p>They reached the Park by three o’clock, so had +nearly two hours of skating before the dusk +fell. +</p> +<p>Patty was a superior skater, and so were most +of the others, for Roger had chosen his party +with care. +</p> +<p>“Skate with me, Patty, will you?” said Roger, +just at the same moment that Kenneth said, “Of +course you’ll skate with me, Patty.” +</p> +<p>Patty looked at both boys with a comical smile. +“Thank you,” she said; “but I always like to +pick out my own escort.” Then, turning to Clifford +Morse, she said: +</p> +<p>“Skate with me, won’t you, Cliff? We’re a +good team.” +</p> +<p>“We are that!” he replied, greatly pleased, if +a little surprised at Patty’s invitation. +</p> +<p>Kenneth and Roger grinned at each other, and +then turned quickly to the other girls, who had +not heard the little parley. +</p> +<p>Of course Roger skated with Clementine +Morse, and Kenneth with Elise, which arrangement +quite satisfied the dark-eyed beauty. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_73' name='page_73'></a>73</span></p> +<p>“You look like Little Red Riding-hood,” said +Kenneth, as they started off, with long, gliding +strokes. +</p> +<p>“Don’t be a wolf, and eat me up,” laughed +Elise, for Kenneth had fur on his cap and overcoat, +and with his big fur gloves, seemed almost +like some big, good-natured animal. +</p> +<p>“You skate beautifully, Elise,” said Kenneth, +“and all you girls do. Look at Clementine; +isn’t she graceful?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” agreed Elise, “and so is Patty.” +</p> +<p>“Patty,” echoed Kenneth. “She is a poem on +ice!” +</p> +<p>She was, and Elise knew it, but a naughty little +jealousy burned in her heart at Ken’s words. +</p> +<p>She bravely tried to down it, however, and +said: “Yes, she is. She’s a poem in every +way.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I don’t know about that. In some +ways she’s more of a jolly, merry jingle.” +</p> +<p>“A nonsense rhyme,” suggested Elise, falling +in with his metaphor. +</p> +<p>“Yes; how quick you are to see what I mean. +Now, Clementine is a lyric,—she glides so +gracefully along.” +</p> +<p>“And I?” asked Elise, laughing at his witty +characterisation. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_74' name='page_74'></a>74</span></p> +<p>“You? Well, I can’t judge unless I see you. +Skate off by yourself.” +</p> +<p>Elise did so, and Kenneth watched the scarlet-clad +figure gracefully pirouetting and skilfully +executing difficult steps. +</p> +<p>“Well?” she said, as she returned to him, +and again they joined hands and glided along in +unison. +</p> +<p>“Well, you’re delightful on ice. You’re a +will o’ the wisp.” +</p> +<p>“But I want to be a poem of some sort. The +other girls are.” +</p> +<p>Kenneth smiled at the pretty, anxious +face. +</p> +<p>“You are a poem. You’re one of those little +French forms. A virelay or a triolet.” +</p> +<p>Elise was a little uncertain as to what these +were, exactly, but she resolved to look them up +as soon as she reached home. At any rate, she +knew Kenneth meant to be complimentary, and +she smiled with pleasure. +</p> +<p>Then the others joined them and they all +skated together for a time, and then the sun set, +and Roger said they must go home. +</p> +<p>He was a most reliable boy, and always took +charge of their little expeditions or outings. +Elise never thought of questioning his authority, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_75' name='page_75'></a>75</span> +so again they all bundled into the car, and +started homeward. +</p> +<p>“I ought to go right home,” said Clementine. +</p> +<p>“Oh, come round for a cup of Christmas tea,” +said Roger, “and I’ll take you home in half an +hour.” +</p> +<p>So the Morses consented, and the six merry +young people had tea under the Christmas tree, +and told stories by the firelight, and laughed and +chatted until Clementine declared she must +go, or she’d never get back in time for the +dance. +</p> +<p>“What are you going to wear, Patsy?” asked +Elise, as they went upstairs, arm in arm. +</p> +<p>“I’ve a new frock, of course. Did you think +I’d come to your dance in one I’d worn before? +Nay, I hold Miss Farrington in too high esteem +for that!” +</p> +<p>“Well, scurry into it, for I’m crazy to see it. +If it’s prettier than mine, I won’t let you go +down to the ballroom!” +</p> +<p>“It won’t be,” returned Patty; “don’t worry +about that!” +</p> +<p>But when the two girls were dressed, Patty’s +frock, though not so expensive, was quite as +attractive as Elise’s. +</p> +<p>Patty’s was of apricot-coloured satin, veiled all +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_76' name='page_76'></a>76</span> +over with a delicate thin material of the same +shade. A pearl trimming encircled the slightly +low-cut throat and the short sleeves. It was +very becoming to pretty Patty, and she knew +herself that she had never looked better. +</p> +<p>Elise’s gown was of white silk, draped with +silvered lace. It was lovely, and suited Elise’s +dark hair and eyes, and really both girls were +pictures. But Patty’s face was sunny and happy, +while Elise’s red mouth drooped in a little curve +of discontent. +</p> +<p>The girl was discontented by nature, and +though she had everything that heart could +wish, she was never brimming over with content +and happiness, as Patty always was. +</p> +<p>The dance was in the tennis court, where a +smooth crash had replaced the snowy floor of +the Christmas Eve celebration. The Christmas +tree still stood there, as it formed a beautiful +decoration for that end of the ballroom. +</p> +<p>It was not a large party, for Mrs. Farrington +would not allow Elise to act like a young lady +out in society. About thirty young people were +asked, and the hours were from nine till twelve. +</p> +<p>But the music was of the finest, and as Patty’s +favourite amusement was dancing, she had a +most enjoyable time. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_77' name='page_77'></a>77</span></p> +<p>An exquisite dancer, she was, of course, besieged +by partners, but in her merry, wholehearted +way, she treated them all alike, showing +favouritism to none, and dancing with less desirable +partners as pleasantly and happily as +with those she liked better. +</p> +<p>Roger grumbled at this. +</p> +<p>“You’re wasted on a fellow like Harry Barr,” +he said, as he and Patty started for a turn. “He +dances like a grain-thresher, and yet you bob +along with him as smilingly as if you were dancing +with a decent tripper.” +</p> +<p>“Why not?” returned Patty; “he’s pleasant +and kind. He doesn’t <i>talk</i> like a grain-thresher, +and he can’t help his dancing. Or rather, his +lack of it, for you can’t call those gymnastics of +his dancing. Oh, Roger, there’s Mr. Hepworth!” +</p> +<p>Sure enough, Mr. Hepworth had just come in, +and as Patty spoke, he caught her eye and +smiled. +</p> +<p>She smiled back, and when the dance was over +asked Roger to take her to him. +</p> +<p>“Old Hepworth?” said Roger, in surprise. +“You can’t waste time on him, Patty; your +dance card is full, you know.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t care, I must just speak to him. I +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_78' name='page_78'></a>78</span> +haven’t seen him since I came home. Whoever +belongs to my next dance can wait a few minutes.” +</p> +<p>“All right; come on, then.” Roger led her +across the room, and with a smiling face, and +in tones of glad welcome, she said: +</p> +<p>“Oh, Mr. Hepworth, how do you do?” +</p> +<p>“Patty!” he exclaimed, taking her hands in +his. “I’m so glad to see you again.” +</p> +<p>There was a thrill in his voice that startled +her, but she only said, “And so am I glad to +see you. Why haven’t you been to call on +me?” +</p> +<p>“I’ve just returned from a Southern trip. +Only reached New York to-night,—and here I +am.” +</p> +<p>“Here I am, too, but I can’t talk to you now. +My programme is full, and I make it a point always +to keep my engagements.” +</p> +<p>“Not one dance left?” said Mr. Hepworth, +looking over the scribbled card. +</p> +<p>“Not one! I’m so sorry,—but, of course, I +didn’t know you were coming.” +</p> +<p>“Of course not. Run along now, and enjoy +yourself, and I’ll call on you, if I may, some +time when you are at home.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, do,” said Patty, realising that Mr. Hepworth +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_79' name='page_79'></a>79</span> +was the same kind, thoughtful friend he +had always been. +</p> +<p>“I wonder why I’m so glad to see him,” she +thought to herself, as she walked away with her +new partner; “but I am, all the same.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VI_A_FAIR_PROPOSITION' id='VI_A_FAIR_PROPOSITION'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_80' name='page_80'></a>80</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> +<h3>A FAIR PROPOSITION</h3> +</div> + +<p>It was on the afternoon of New Year’s Day +that Mr. Hepworth came to call on Patty. +She was at home again, having returned +from her visit to Elise a few days after Christmas. +</p> +<p>“You know I am old-fashioned,” he said, as +he greeted the Fairfield family, and joined their +circle round the library fire. “But I don’t suppose +you thought I was quite so old-fashioned +as to make calls on New Year’s Day. However, +I’m not quite doing that, as this is the only call +I shall make to-day.” +</p> +<p>“We’re glad to see you any day in the year,” +said Nan, cordially, and Patty added: +</p> +<p>“Indeed we are. I’ve been wondering why +you didn’t come round.” +</p> +<p>“Busy,” said Mr. Hepworth, smiling at her. +“An artist’s life is not a leisure one.” +</p> +<p>“Is anybody’s now-a-days?” asked Mr. Fairfield. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_81' name='page_81'></a>81</span> +“The tendency of the age is to rush and +hurry all the time. What a contrast to a hundred +years ago!” +</p> +<p>“And a good contrast, too,” declared Nan. +“If the world still jogged along at a hundred +years ago rate, we would have no motor-cars, no +aëroplanes, no——” +</p> +<p>“No North Pole,” suggested her husband. +“True enough, Nan, to accomplish things we +must be busy.” +</p> +<p>“I want to get busy,” said Patty. “No, I +don’t mean that for slang,”—as her father +looked at her reprovingly,—“but I want to do +something that is really worth while.” +</p> +<p>“The usual ambition of extreme youth,” said +Mr. Hepworth, looking at her kindly, if quizzically. +“Do you want to reform the world, and +in what way?” +</p> +<p>“Not exactly reform it,” said Patty, smiling +back at him; “reform has such a serious sound. +But I do want to make it brighter and +better.” +</p> +<p>“That’s a good phrase, too,” observed Mr. +Hepworth, still teasingly. “But, Patty, you do +make the world brighter and better, just by being +in it.” +</p> +<p>“That’s too easy; and, anyway, I expect to remain +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_82' name='page_82'></a>82</span> +in it for some several years yet; and I want +to do something beside just <i>be</i>.” +</p> +<p>“Ah, well, you can doubtless find some outlet +for your enthusiasms.” +</p> +<p>“What she really wants,” said her father, “is +to be an operatic star.” +</p> +<p>“And sing into phonographs,” added Nan, +mischievously. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” smiled Patty, “and have my picture +in the backs of magazines!” +</p> +<p>“That’s right,” said Mr. Hepworth, “aim +high, while you’re about it.” +</p> +<p>“I can aim high enough,” returned Patty, +“but I’m not sure I can sing high enough.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, you only need to come high enough, to +be an operatic star,” said Mr. Hepworth, who +was in merry mood to-day. +</p> +<p>“But, seriously,” said Patty, who was in +earnest mood, “I do want to do good. I don’t +mean in a public way, but in a charity way.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, soup-kitchens and bread-lines?” +</p> +<p>“No; not exactly. I mean to help people who +have no sweetness and light in their lives.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Patty,” groaned Nan, “if you’re on that +tack, you’re hopeless. What have you been +reading? ‘The Young Maiden’s Own Ruskin,’ +or ‘Look Up and Not Down’?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_83' name='page_83'></a>83</span></p> +<p>“And lend a ten,” supplemented Mr. Fairfield. +</p> +<p>“You needn’t laugh,” began Patty, pouting a +little. Then she laughed herself, and went on: +“Yes, you may laugh if you want to,—I know I +sound ridiculous. But I tell you, people, I’m +going to make good!” +</p> +<p>“You may make good,” said her father, “but +you’ll never be good until you stop using slang. +How often, my daughter, have I told you——” +</p> +<p>“Oh, cut it out, daddy,” said Patty, dimpling +with laughter, for she knew her occasional slang +phrases amused her father, even though they annoyed +him. “If you’ll help me ‘do noble +things, not dream them all day long,’ I’ll promise +to talk only in purest English undefiled.” +</p> +<p>“Goodness, Patty!” said Nan, “you’re a +walking cyclopćdia of poetical quotations to-day.” +</p> +<p>“And you’re a running commentary on them,” +returned Patty, promptly, which remark sent +Mr. Hepworth off in peals of laughter. +</p> +<p>“Oh, Patty!” he exclaimed, “I’m afraid +you’re going to grow up clever! That would be +fatal to your ambition! Be good, sweet child, +and let who will be clever. Nobody can be +both.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_84' name='page_84'></a>84</span></p> +<p>“I can,” declared Patty; “I’ll show you Missouri +people yet!” +</p> +<p>Mr. Fairfield groaned at this new burst of +slang, but Mr. Hepworth only laughed. +</p> +<p>“She’ll get over it,” he said. “A few years of +these ‘noble aims’ of hers will make her so +serious-minded that she won’t even see the +meaning of a slang phrase. Though, I must +admit, I think some of them very apt, myself.” +</p> +<p>“They sure are!” said irrepressible Patty, +giggling at her father’s frown. +</p> +<p>“But I’ll tell you one thing,” went on Mr. +Hepworth: “Whatever line you decide upon, +let it be something that needs no training. I +mean, if you choose to go in for organised charity +or settlement work, well and good. But +don’t attempt Red Cross nursing or kindergarten +teaching, or anything that requires technical +knowledge. For in these days, only trained +labour succeeds, and only expert, at that.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, pshaw,” said Patty; “I don’t mean to +earn money. Though if I wanted to, I’m sure +I could. Why, if I <i>had</i> to earn my own living, +I could do it as easy as anything!” +</p> +<p>“I’m not so sure of that,” said Mr. Hepworth, +gravely. “It isn’t so easy for a young woman +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_85' name='page_85'></a>85</span> +to earn her living without a technical education +in some line.” +</p> +<p>“Well, Patty, you’ll never have to earn your +own living,” said her father, smiling; “so don’t +worry about that. But I agree with our friend, +that you couldn’t do it, if you did have to.” +</p> +<p>“That sounds so Irish, daddy, that I think it’s +as bad as slang. However, I see you are all of +unsympathetic nature, so I won’t confide in you +further as to my aims or ambitions.” +</p> +<p>“I haven’t noticed any confidences yet,” murmured +Nan; “only appeals for help.” +</p> +<p>Patty gave her a withering glance. +</p> +<p>“The subject is dropped,” she said; “let us +now talk about the weather.” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Hepworth; “let me tell you a +story. Let me tell you of a girl I met down +South, who, if she only had Patty’s determination +and force of character, might achieve success, +and even renown.” +</p> +<p>“Do tell us about her,” said Nan, for Mr. +Hepworth was always an interesting talker. +</p> +<p>“She lives in Virginia, and her name is Christine +Farley. A friend of mine, down there, +asked me to look at some of her drawings, and +I saw at once that the girl has real talent, if not +genius.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_86' name='page_86'></a>86</span></p> +<p>“Of course you would know,” said Nan, for +Mr. Hepworth himself was a portrait painter +of high repute. +</p> +<p>“Yes, she really has done some remarkable +work. But she is poor and lives in a small +country town. She has already learned all the +local teachers can give her, and needs the technical +training of a good art school. With a year +of such training she could easily become, I am +sure, a successful illustrator. At least, after a +year’s study, I know she could get good work +to do, and then she would rapidly become +known.” +</p> +<p>“Can’t she manage to do this, in some way?” +asked Mr. Fairfield. +</p> +<p>“No; she is ambitious in her work, but in +no other way. She is shy and timid; a country +girl, inexperienced in the ways of the world, +ignorant of city life, and desperately afraid of +New York, which to her is a name for all unknown +terrors.” +</p> +<p>“Goose!” said Patty. “Oh, I’m sorry for +her, of course; but as an American girl, she +ought to have more spunk.” +</p> +<p>“Southern girls don’t have spunk, Patty,” +said her father, with a merry twinkle in his +eye. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_87' name='page_87'></a>87</span></p> +<p>“Don’t they! Well, I guess I ought to know! +I’m a Southern girl, myself. At least, I was +until I was fourteen.” +</p> +<p>“Perhaps you’ve achieved your spunk since +you came North, then,” said Hepworth; “for I +agree with your father, Southern girls do not +have much energy of character. At least, Miss +Farley hasn’t. She’s about nineteen or twenty, +but she’s as childish as a girl of fourteen,—except +in her work; there she excels any one of her +age I’ve ever known.” +</p> +<p>“Can nothing be done in the matter?” asked +Nan. +</p> +<p>“I don’t know. I’m told they’re very proud +people, and would not accept charity. Of course +she never can earn anything by her work if she +stays at home; and as she can’t get away, it +seems to be a deadlock.” +</p> +<p>“I’d like to help her,” said Patty, slowly. “I +do think she ought to have ingenuity enough to +help herself, but if she hasn’t, I’d like to help +her.” +</p> +<p>“How can you?” asked Nan. +</p> +<p>“I don’t know. But the way to find out how +to do things is to do them.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, dear,” moaned Mr. Hepworth, in mock +despair. “I said I feared you were clever. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_88' name='page_88'></a>88</span> +Don’t say those things, Patty, you’ll ruin your +reputation as a beauty.” +</p> +<p>“Pooh!” said Patty, who sometimes didn’t +know whether Mr. Hepworth was teasing her +or not, “that isn’t a clever thing to say.” +</p> +<p>“Well, if you don’t mean it for an epigram, +I’ll forgive you,—but don’t let it happen again. +Now, as to Christine Farley. I’ll let you be +clever for once, if you’ll turn your cleverness to +devising some way to aid her to an art education. +Can you think of any way?” +</p> +<p>“I can think of dozens,” returned Patty, “but +the only thing to do is for her to come to New +York, get a scholarship at the Art School, and +then board in a hall bedroom,—art students always +do that,—and they have jolly good times +with chafing dishes and palette knives, and such +things. I’ve read about ’em.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Mr. Hepworth, “but how is she +to pay the board for the hall bedroom? They +are really quite poor, I’m told.” +</p> +<p>“Well!” said Patty, scornfully, “anybody,—the +merest infant,—could earn enough money +outside class hours to pay a small sum like that, +I should hope! Why, how much would such +board cost?” +</p> +<p>“Patty, child,” said her father, “you don’t +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_89' name='page_89'></a>89</span> +know much of social economics, do you? I +fancy the young woman could board properly +for about twelve or fifteen dollars a week; eh, +Hepworth?” +</p> +<p>“Yes; I daresay fifteen dollars a week would +cover her expenses, including her art materials. +Of course this would mean literally the +‘hall bedroom’ in a very modest boarding-house.” +</p> +<p>“Well!” went on Patty, “and do you mean +to say that this girl couldn’t earn fifteen dollars +a week, and attend her classes, too?” +</p> +<p>“I mean to say just that,” said Mr. Hepworth, +seriously. +</p> +<p>“I agree with you,” said Nan. “Why, I +couldn’t earn fifteen dollars a week, and stay at +home from the classes.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Nan!” cried Patty, “you could! I’m +sure you could! Why, I’ll bet I could earn fifteen +dollars a week, and have plenty of time left +for my practising, my club meetings, motoring, +skating, and all the things I want to do beside. +Fifteen dollars a week is <i>nothing</i>!” +</p> +<p>“Gently, gently, my girl,” said her father, for +Patty’s cheeks were pink with the earnestness of +her argument. “Fifteen dollars a week seems +nothing to you, because you have all the money +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_90' name='page_90'></a>90</span> +you want. But where is your sense of proportion? +Your idea of relative values? The value +of fifteen dollars handed out to you willingly by +a loving father, or the value of fifteen dollars +earned from a grudging employer, are totally +different matters.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t care,” said Patty. “I know I could +earn that much a week, and I believe this other +girl could do so, if she had somebody to make +her think she could.” +</p> +<p>“There’s a good deal in that,” said Hepworth, +thoughtfully. “Miss Farley does need somebody +to make her think she can do things. But +the life of an art student is a busy one, and I’m +sure she couldn’t earn much money while she’s +studying.” +</p> +<p>“But fifteen dollars a week isn’t much,” persisted +Patty. “Anybody could earn that.” +</p> +<p>“Look here, Puss,” said her father: “sometimes +you show a bravery of assertion that ought +to be put to the test. Now I’ll make a proposition +to you in the presence of these two witnesses. +If you’ll earn fifteen dollars in one +week,—any week,—I’ll agree to pay the board +of this Miss Farley in New York, for a year, +while she pursues her art studies.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, father, will you?” cried Patty. “What +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_91' name='page_91'></a>91</span> +a duck you are! Of course I can earn the +money, easily.” +</p> +<p>“Wait a moment; there are conditions, or +rather stipulations. You must not do anything +unbecoming a quiet, refined girl,—but I know +you wouldn’t do that, anyway. You must not +engage in any pursuit that keeps you away from +your home after five o’clock in the afternoon——” +</p> +<p>“Oh,” interrupted Patty, “I don’t propose to +go out washing! I shall do light work of some +sort at home. But never you mind what I do,—of +course it will be nothing you could possibly +object to,—I’ll earn fifteen dollars in less than +a week.” +</p> +<p>“A week, though, is the proposition. When +you bring me fifteen dollars, earned by yourself, +unassisted, in the space of seven days, I’ll carry +out my part of the bargain.” +</p> +<p>“But the girl won’t accept it,” said Patty, regretfully. +</p> +<p>“I’m trusting to your tact, and Nan’s, to offer +the opportunity to her in such a way that she +will accept it. Couldn’t that be done, Hepworth?” +</p> +<p>“Why, yes; I daresay it could be managed. +And you are very generous, Mr. Fairfield, but +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_92' name='page_92'></a>92</span> +I can’t say I have much hope of Patty’s success.” +</p> +<p>“‘Patty’s success’ is always a foregone conclusion,” +said that young woman, saucily; “and +now, at last, I have an aim in life! I shall begin +to-morrow,—and we’ll see!” +</p> +<p>The others laughed, for no one could take +pretty Patty very seriously, except herself. +</p> +<p>“But don’t tell anybody,” she added, as the +doorbell rang. +</p> +<p>They all promised they wouldn’t, and then +Elise and Roger came in to bring New Year’s +greetings, and the conversation took a lighter +and merrier turn. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VII_DEPARTMENT_G' id='VII_DEPARTMENT_G'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_93' name='page_93'></a>93</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> +<h3>DEPARTMENT G</h3> +</div> + +<p>Alone in her own room that same night, +Patty thought out her great project. +She was not at all doubtful of her success, +she was only choosing among the various +methods of earning money that occurred to her. +</p> +<p>All were easy, and some of them even seemed +delightful occupations. +</p> +<p>“Father is an angel,” she thought to herself; +“a big, splendid angel. He knew I could do +my part easily enough, and he only made it a +stipulation because he didn’t want to shoulder +the whole affair outright. He wanted me to +feel I had a hand in it. He’s so tactful and +dear. Well, I’ll do my part so well, he’ll have +nothing to complain of. Then I’ll get Nan to +write to the girl, and invite her here for a few +days or a week. Then I rather guess we can +gently persuade her to accept the goods the gods +provide.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_94' name='page_94'></a>94</span></p> +<p>Considering the matter as settled, Patty went +to sleep and dreamed happily of her coming +triumphs as a wage-earner. +</p> +<p>“Do you go to business to-day, Miss Fairfield?” +asked her father, at the breakfast table. +</p> +<p>“Yes, Mr. Fairfield. That is, I shall occupy +myself with my—with my occupation.” +</p> +<p>“Indeed! that is logical, at any rate. Would +it be indiscreet to inquire the nature of said occupation?” +</p> +<p>“It would be not only indiscreet, but useless, +for I decline to tell. But it is work I shall do +at home. I’ve no desire to enter an office. And, +you don’t need a stenographer, anyway, do +you?” +</p> +<p>“No, and if I did, I shouldn’t take you. +You’re too young and too self-assured,—not desirable +traits in office work.” +</p> +<p>“I may get over them both,” said Patty, smiling +at him. +</p> +<p>“You probably will,” said Nan, “before +you’ve succeeded in this ridiculous scheme you’ve +undertaken.” +</p> +<p>“Now, Nannikins, don’t desert Mr. Micawber +in that cruel fashion,” Patty flung back, +gaily; “the game’s never out till it’s played out, +you know; and this game isn’t even yet begun.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_95' name='page_95'></a>95</span></p> +<p>“You’ll be played out before the game is,” +said her father. +</p> +<p>“Oh, daddy, I’m ’fraid that’s slang! I am +truly ’fraid so!” +</p> +<p>“Well, mind now, Puss; you’re not to tire +yourself too much. Remember when you ’most +worked yourself to death, at your Commencement +celebration.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, but I’ve had a lot of experience since +that. And I’m much weller and stronger.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, you’re well; but you’re not of a very +strong constitution, and never will be. So remember, +and don’t overdo.” +</p> +<p>“Not I. I can earn fifteen dollars a week, and +more too, I know, without overdoing myself.” +</p> +<p>“Good-by, then; I must be off. I’ll hear to-night +the report of your first day’s work.” +</p> +<p>The family separated, and Patty ran singing +away to make her preparations for the campaign. +</p> +<p>“What <i>are</i> you doing?” asked Nan, as she +went rummaging in the linen closet. +</p> +<p>“Nothing naughty,” replied Patty, giggling. +“Curb your curiosity, stepmothery, for it won’t +be gratified.” +</p> +<p>Nan laughed and went away, and Patty proceeded +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_96' name='page_96'></a>96</span> +to select certain very pretty embroidered +doilies and centrepieces,—two of each. +</p> +<p>These she laid carefully in a flat box, which +she tied up into a neat parcel. Then she put +on her plainest cloth suit, and a small, dark +hat, and was ready to start. +</p> +<p>“Nan,” she said, looking in at the library +door, “what time do you want the motor?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, about eleven or twelve. Keep it as long +as you like.” +</p> +<p>“It’s only ten now. I’ll be back in less than +an hour, I’m sure. Good-by.” +</p> +<p>“Good-by,” returned Nan. “Good luck to +you!” +</p> +<p>She thought Patty’s scheme ridiculous, but +harmless, for she knew the girl well enough to +know she wouldn’t do anything that might lead +her into an unpleasant position; but she feared +that her boundless enthusiasm would urge her +on beyond the bounds of her nervous strength. +</p> +<p>Though soundly healthy, Patty was high-strung, +and stopped at no amount of exertion to +attain a desired end. More than once this +nervous energy of hers had caused physical collapse, +which was what Nan feared for her now. +</p> +<p>But Patty feared nothing for herself, and going +out to the waiting motor-car, she gave the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_97' name='page_97'></a>97</span> +chauffeur an address down in the lower part of +Broadway. +</p> +<p>It was so unusual, that Miller hesitated a moment +and then said, deferentially: “This is +’way downtown, Miss Patty; are you sure the +number is right?” +</p> +<p>“Yes; that’s all right,” she returned, smiling; +“go ahead.” +</p> +<p>So he went ahead, and after a long ride southward, +the car stopped in the crowded mercantile +portion of lower Broadway. +</p> +<p>Patty got out, and looked a little apprehensively +at the unfamiliar surroundings. “Wait +for me,” she said to Miller, and then turned determinedly +to the door. +</p> +<p>Yes, the number was right. There was the +sign, “Monongahela Art Embroidery Company,” +on the window. Patty opened the big +door, and went in. +</p> +<p>She had fancied it would be like the shops to +which she was accustomed, where polite floor-walkers +stepped up and asked her wishes, but it +was not at all like that. +</p> +<p>It was more like a large warehouse. Partitions +that rose only part way to the ceiling divided +off small rooms or departments, all of +which were piled high with boxes or crates. The +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_98' name='page_98'></a>98</span> +aisles between these were narrow, and the whole +place was rather dark. Moreover, there seemed +to be nobody about. +</p> +<p>Patty sat down in a chair and waited a few +moments, but no one appeared, so she got up +again. +</p> +<p>“Here’s where I need my pluck,” she said to +herself, not frightened, but wondering at the +situation. “I’ll go ahead, but I feel like Alice +in Wonderland. I know I’ll fall into a treacle +well.” +</p> +<p>She traversed half the length of the long building, +when she saw a man, writing in one of the +small compartments. +</p> +<p>He looked up at her, and then, apparently +without interest in her presence there, resumed +his work. +</p> +<p>Patty was a little annoyed at what she thought +discourtesy, and said: +</p> +<p>“I’ve come to answer your advertisement.” +</p> +<p>“Fourth floor,” said the man, indicating the +direction by pointing his penholder across the +room, but not looking up. +</p> +<p>“Thank you,” said Patty, in a tone intended to +rebuke his own lack of manners. +</p> +<p>But he only went on writing, and she turned +to look for the elevator. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_99' name='page_99'></a>99</span></p> +<p>She could see none, however, so she walked on, +thinking how like a maze was this succession of +small rooms and little cross aisles. When she +saw another man writing in another coop, she +said politely: +</p> +<p>“Will you please direct me to the elevator?” +</p> +<p>“What?” said the man, looking at her. +</p> +<p>Patty repeated her request. +</p> +<p>“Ain’t none,” he said. “Want work?” +</p> +<p>Though unpolished, he was not rude, and after +a moment’s hesitation, Patty said, “Yes, I +do.” +</p> +<p>“Have to hoof it, then. Three flights up; +Department G.” +</p> +<p>“All right,” said Patty, whose spirits always +rose when she encountered difficulties. She saw +the staircase, now; a rough, wooden structure of +unplaned boards, and no balusters. But she +trudged up the long flight hopefully. +</p> +<p>The next floor seemed to be full of whirring +looms, and the noise was, as Patty described it +afterward, like the buzzing of a billion bees! +But, asking no further directions, she ascended +the next staircase and the next, until she found +herself on the fourth floor. +</p> +<p>Several people were bustling about here, all +seeming to be very busy and preoccupied. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_100' name='page_100'></a>100</span></p> +<p>“Where is Department G?” she inquired of a +man hurrying by. +</p> +<p>“Ask at the desk,” he replied, without pausing. +</p> +<p>This was ambiguous, as there were more than +a score of desks about, each tenanted by a busy +man, more often than not accompanied by a +stenographer. +</p> +<p>“Oh, dear, what a place!” thought Patty. +No one would attend to her wants; no one +seemed to notice her. She believed she could +stand there all day if she chose, without being +spoken to. +</p> +<p>Clearly, she must take the initiative. +</p> +<p>She saw a pleasant-faced woman at a desk, and +decided to address her. +</p> +<p>“Where is Department G, please?” she +asked. +</p> +<p>“G?” said the woman, looking blank. +</p> +<p>“Yes, G. The man downstairs told me it was +on the fourth floor. Isn’t this the fourth floor?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, it is.” +</p> +<p>“Then, where is Department G?” +</p> +<p>“G?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, <i>G</i>!” +</p> +<p>“I don’t know, I’m sure.” +</p> +<p>“Who does know?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_101' name='page_101'></a>101</span></p> +<p>“I don’t know.” +</p> +<p>The absurdity of this conversation made Patty +smile, which seemed to irritate the other. +</p> +<p>“I can’t help it if I don’t know,” she snapped +out. “I’m new here, myself; only came yesterday. +I don’t know where G is, I’m sure.” +</p> +<p>“Excuse me,” said Patty, sorry that she had +smiled, and she turned away. +</p> +<p>She caught a red-headed boy, as he passed, +whistling, and said: +</p> +<p>“Do <i>you</i> know where Department G is?” +</p> +<p>“Sure!” said the boy, grinning at her. +“Sashay straight acrost de room. Pipe de guy +wit’ de goggles?” +</p> +<p>“Thank you,” said Patty, restraining her desire +to smile at the funny little chap. +</p> +<p>She went over to the desk indicated. The man +seated there looked at her over his glasses, and +said: +</p> +<p>“To embroider?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty. +</p> +<p>“Take a chair. Wait a few moments. I’m +busy.” +</p> +<p>Relieved at having reached her goal, Patty sat +down in the chair indicated and waited. She +waited five minutes and then ten, and then fifteen. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_102' name='page_102'></a>102</span></p> +<p>The man was busy; there was no doubt of +that. He dashed off memoranda, gave them to +messengers, telephoned, whisked drawers open +and shut, and seemed to be in a very whirl of +business. +</p> +<p>As there was no indication of a cessation, +Patty grew impatient, at last, and said: +</p> +<p>“Can you attend to my business soon? If not, +I’ll call some other day.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said the man, passing his hand across +his brow a little wearily. He looked tired, and +overworked, and Patty felt sorry for him. +</p> +<p>But he whirled round in his office chair and +asked her quite civilly what she wanted. +</p> +<p>“You advertised for embroiderers,” began +Patty, feeling rather small and worthless, “so +I came——” +</p> +<p>“Yes, yes,” said the man, as she paused. “Can +you embroider? We use only the best. Have +you samples of your work?” +</p> +<p>“I have,” said Patty, beginning to untie her +box. +</p> +<p>But her fingers trembled, and she couldn’t unknot +the cord. +</p> +<p>The man took it from her, not rudely, but as +if every moment were precious. Deftly he +opened the parcel, and gave a quick glance at +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_103' name='page_103'></a>103</span> +Patty’s exquisite needlework on the doilies and +centrepieces she had brought. +</p> +<p>“Do it yourself?” he asked, already closing +the box again. +</p> +<p>“Yes, of course,” said Patty, indignant at the +implication. +</p> +<p>“No offence; that’s all right. Your work goes. +Report at Department B. Good-day.” +</p> +<p>He handed her the box, whirled round to his +desk, and was immediately at his work again. +</p> +<p>Patty realised she was dismissed, and, taking +her box, she started for the stairs. +</p> +<p>She passed the red-headed boy again, and feeling +almost as if she were meeting an old friend +in a strange land, she said: “Where is Department +B?” +</p> +<p>“Caught on, didjer?” he grinned. “Good +fer youse! B, first floor,—that way.” +</p> +<p>He pointed a grimy finger in the direction she +should take, and went on, whistling. Down the +three flights of stairs went Patty, and thanks to +the clarity of the red-headed one’s direction, she +soon found Department B. +</p> +<p>This was in charge of a sharp-faced woman, +rather past middle age. +</p> +<p>“Sent by Mr. Myers?” she inquired, looking +at Patty coldly. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_104' name='page_104'></a>104</span></p> +<p>“I was sent by the man in Department G,” returned +Patty. “He said my work would do, +and that I was to report to you.” +</p> +<p>“All right; how much do you want?” said +the woman. +</p> +<p>“How much do you pay?” returned Patty. +</p> +<p>“Don’t be impertinent, miss! I mean how +much work do you want?” +</p> +<p>“Oh,” said Patty, who was quite innocent of +any intent to offend. “Why, I want enough to +last a week.” +</p> +<p>“Well, that depends on how fast you work,” +said the woman, speaking with some asperity. +“Come now, do you want a dozen, or two +dozen, or what?” +</p> +<p>Patty was strongly tempted to say: “What, +thank you!” but she refrained, knowing it was +no occasion for foolery. +</p> +<p>“I don’t know till I see them,” she replied. +“Are they elaborate pieces?” +</p> +<p>“Here they are,” said the woman, taking some +pieces of work from a box. Her tone seemed +to imply that she was conferring an enormous +favour on Patty by showing them. +</p> +<p>They were rather large centrepieces, all of the +same pattern, which was stamped, but not embroidered. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_105' name='page_105'></a>105</span></p> +<p>“There’s a lot of work on those,” remarked +Patty. +</p> +<p>“Oh, you <i>are</i> green!” said the woman. She +jerked out another similar centrepiece, on which +a small section, perhaps one-eighth of the whole, +was worked in silks. +</p> +<p>“This is what you’re to do,” she explained, in +a tired, cross voice. “You work this corner, +and that’s all.” +</p> +<p>“Who works the rest?” asked Patty, amazed +at this plan. +</p> +<p>“Why, the buyer. We sell these to the shops; +they sell them to people who use this finished +corner as a guide to do the rest of the piece. +Can’t you understand?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I can, now that you explain it,” returned +Patty. “Then if I take a dozen, I’m to +work just that little corner on each one; is that +it?” +</p> +<p>“That’s it,” said the woman, wearily, as if she +were making the explanation for the thousandth +time,—as she probably was. +</p> +<p>“You can take this as a guide for yourself,” +she went on, a little more kindly, “and here’s +the silks. Did you say a dozen?” +</p> +<p>“Wait a minute,” said Patty; “how much do +you pay?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_106' name='page_106'></a>106</span></p> +<p>“Five dollars.” +</p> +<p>“Apiece, I suppose. Yes, I’ll take a dozen.” +The woman gave a hard little laugh. +</p> +<p>“Five dollars apiece!” she said. “Not much! +We pay five dollars a dozen.” +</p> +<p>“A dozen? Five dollars for all that work! +Why, each of those corners is as much work as +a whole doily.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, just about; do you work fast?” +</p> +<p>“Yes; pretty fast.” +</p> +<p>Patty was doing some mental calculation. +Three dozen of those pieces meant an interminable +lot of work. But it also meant fifteen dollars, +and Patty’s spirit was now fully roused. +</p> +<p>“I’ll take three dozen,” she said, decidedly; +“and I’ll bring them back, finished, a week from +to-day.” +</p> +<p>“My, you must be a swift worker,” said the +woman, in a disinterested voice. +</p> +<p>She was already sorting out silks, as with a +practised hand, and making all into a parcel. +</p> +<p>Patty was about to offer her a visiting card, as +she assumed she must give her address, when the +woman said: +</p> +<p>“Eighteen dollars, please.” +</p> +<p>“What?” said Patty. “What for?” +</p> +<p>“Security. You don’t suppose we let everybody +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_107' name='page_107'></a>107</span> +walk off with our materials, and never +come back, do you?” +</p> +<p>“Do you doubt my honesty?” said Patty, +haughtily. +</p> +<p>“Don’t doubt anybody’s honesty,” was the +reply. “Some folks don’t have any to doubt. +But it’s the rule of the house. Six dollars a +dozen is the deposit price for that pattern.” +</p> +<p>“But eighteen dollars is more than you’re +going to pay me for the work,” said Patty. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said the woman, “but can’t you understand? +This is a deposit to protect ourselves +if you never return, or if you spoil the work. If +you bring it back in satisfactory condition, at the +appointed time, we return your deposit, and pay +you the price agreed upon for the work.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I see,” said Patty, taking out her purse. +“And it does seem fair. But isn’t it hard for +poor girls to put up that deposit?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, it is.” The woman’s face softened a +little. “But they get it back,—if they do the +work right.” +</p> +<p>“And suppose I bring it back unfinished, or +only part done?” +</p> +<p>“If what you do is done right, you’ll get paid. +And if the pieces you don’t do are unsoiled and +in good condition, we redeem them. But if you +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_108' name='page_108'></a>108</span> +care for steady work here, you’d better not take +more’n you can accomplish.” +</p> +<p>“Thank you,” said Patty, slowly. “I’ll keep +the three dozen. Good-morning.” +</p> +<p>“Good-day,” said the woman, curtly, and +turned away with a tired sigh. +</p> +<p>Patty went out to the street, and found Miller +looking exceedingly anxious about the prolonged +absence of his young mistress. +</p> +<p>A look of relief overspread his face as she appeared, +and when she got into the car and said: +“Home, Miller,” he started with an air of decided +satisfaction. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='VIII_EMBROIDERED_BLOSSOMS' id='VIII_EMBROIDERED_BLOSSOMS'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_109' name='page_109'></a>109</span> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> +<h3>EMBROIDERED BLOSSOMS</h3> +</div> + +<p>It was after twelve o’clock when Patty +reached home, and she found Nan, with her +wraps on, rather anxiously awaiting her. +</p> +<p>“Patty! Wherever have you been all this +time?” she cried, as Patty came in with her big +bundle. +</p> +<p>“Laying the foundations of my great career; +and, oh, Nan, it was pretty awful! I’m in for +it, I can tell you!” +</p> +<p>“What a goose you are!” But Nan smiled +affectionately at the rosy, excited face of her +stepdaughter. +</p> +<p>“Well, I’m going out on a short errand, Patty. +I’ll be home to luncheon at one, and then you +must tell me all about it.” +</p> +<p>Patty ran up to her own room, and, flinging +off her hat and coat, sat down to open her +bundle of work. +</p> +<p>It was appalling. The portion to be embroidered +looked larger than it had done in the shop, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_110' name='page_110'></a>110</span> +and the pattern was one of the most intricate and +elaborate she had ever seen. +</p> +<p>“Thank goodness, they’re all alike,” thought +poor Patty. “After I do one, the others will be +easier.” +</p> +<p>She flew for her embroidery hoops and work-basket, +and began at once on one of the centrepieces. +</p> +<p>The pattern was a floral design, tied with bow-knots +and interlaced with a conventional lattice-work. +The shading of the blossoms was complicated, +and showed many shades of each colour. +The bow-knots were of a solid colour, but +required close, fine stitches of a tedious nature, +while the lattice-work part seemed to present +an interminable task. +</p> +<p>Patty was a skilful embroiderer, and realised +at her first glance that she had a fearful amount +of work before her. +</p> +<p>But as yet she was undismayed, and cheerfully +started in on the flowers. +</p> +<p>She selected the right silks, cut the skeins +neatly, and put them in thread papers. +</p> +<p>“For,” she thought, “if I allow my silks to +get tangled or mixed up, it will delay me, of +course.” +</p> +<p>At one o’clock, Nan came to her room. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_111' name='page_111'></a>111</span></p> +<p>“Didn’t you hear the luncheon gong?” she +said. +</p> +<p>“No,” replied Patty, looking up. “Is it one +o’clock already?” +</p> +<p>“For goodness’, gracious’ sake, Patty! What +<i>are</i> you doing? Is <i>that</i> your ‘occupation’?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, proudly displaying a wild +rose, beautifully worked, and carefully tinted. +“Don’t I do it nicely?” +</p> +<p>“Indeed you do! Your embroidery is always +exquisite. But are you going to work that whole +centrepiece?” +</p> +<p>“No, only a section,—see, just this much.” +</p> +<p>Patty indicated the portion she was to work, +but she didn’t say that she had thirty-five more, +carefully laid away in a box, to do within the +week. +</p> +<p>“Well,” agreed Nan, “that’s not such a terrific +task. But will they give you fifteen dollars +for that piece?” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty, smiling a little grimly; “but +there are others.” +</p> +<p>“Oho! A lot of them! A dozen, I suppose. +They always give out work by dozens. +Well, girlie, I don’t want to be discouraging, +but you can’t do a dozen in a week. Come on +down to luncheon.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_112' name='page_112'></a>112</span></p> +<p>At the table, Patty gave Nan a graphic description +of her morning’s experiences. +</p> +<p>Though more or less shocked at the whole performance, +Nan couldn’t help laughing at Patty’s +dramatic recital, and the way in which she mimicked +the various people. +</p> +<p>“And yet, Nan,” she said, “it’s really pathetic; +they all seemed so busy and so tired. The +woman who gave me the work was like a machine,—as +if she just fed out centrepieces to +people who came for them. I’m sure she hasn’t +smiled for fourteen years. The only gay one +in the place was the red-headed boy; and he +talked such fearful slang it cured me of ever +using it again! Father will be glad of that, +anyway. Hereafter I shall converse in Henry +James diction. Why, Nan, he said, ‘Pipe de +guy wit’ de goggles’!” +</p> +<p>“What did he mean?” asked Nan, puzzled. +</p> +<p>“Oh, he meant, ‘observe the gentleman wearing +spectacles.’” +</p> +<p>“How did you know?” +</p> +<p>“Intuition, I suppose. And then, he pointed +to the man in question.” +</p> +<p>“Patty, you’ll get more slangy still, if you go +among such people.” +</p> +<p>“No, I won’t. There’s no cure like an awful +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_113' name='page_113'></a>113</span> +example. Watch the elegance of my conversation +from now on. And besides, Nan, you +mustn’t act as if I associated with them socially. +I assure you I was quite the haughty lady. But +that slangy boy was an angel unawares. I’d +probably be there yet but for his kindly +aid.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I suppose you’ll have to carry this absurd +scheme through. And, Patty, I’ll help you +in any way I can. Don’t you want me to wind +silks, or something?” +</p> +<p>“No, ducky stepmother of mine. The only +way you can help is to head off callers. I can do +the work if I can keep at it. But if the girls +come bothering round, I’ll never get it done. +Now, this afternoon, I want to do a lot, so if +any one asks for me, won’t you gently but firmly +refuse to let them see me? Make yourself so +entertaining that they’ll forget my existence.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll try,” said Nan, dubiously; “but if it’s +Elise or Clementine, they’ll insist on seeing +you.” +</p> +<p>“Let ’em insist. Tell ’em I have a sick headache,—for +I feel sure I shall before the afternoon’s +over.” +</p> +<p>“Now, Patty, I won’t have that sort of thing! +You may work an hour or so, then you must +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_114' name='page_114'></a>114</span> +rest, or go for a drive, or chat with the girls, +or something.” +</p> +<p>“I will, other days, Nan. But to-day I want +to put in the solid afternoon working, so I’ll +know how much I can accomplish.” +</p> +<p>“Have you really a dozen of those things to +do, Patty?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I have.” Patty didn’t dare say she had +three dozen. “And if I do well this afternoon, +I can calculate how long the work will take. +Oh, Nan, I do want to succeed. It isn’t only +the work, you know, it’s the principle. I hate +to be baffled; and I <i>won’t</i> be!” +</p> +<p>A stubborn look came into Patty’s pretty +eyes,—a look which Nan knew well. A look +which meant that the indomitable will might be +broken but not bent, and that Patty would persevere +in her chosen course until she conquered or +was herself defeated. +</p> +<p>So, after luncheon, she returned to her task, a +little less certain of success than she had been, +but no less persevering. +</p> +<p>The work was agreeable to her. She loved +to embroider, and the dainty design and exquisite +colouring appealed to her ćsthetic +sense. +</p> +<p>Had it been only one centrepiece, and had she +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_115' name='page_115'></a>115</span> +not felt hurried, it would have been a happy +outlook. +</p> +<p>But as she carefully matched the shades of +silk to the sample piece, she found that it took +a great deal of time to get the tints exactly +right. +</p> +<p>“But that’s only for the first one,” she +thought hopefully; “for all the others, I shall +know just which silks to use. I’ll lay them in +order, so there’ll be no doubt about it.” +</p> +<p>Her habits of method and system stood her in +good stead now, and her skeins, carefully +marked, were laid in order on her little work-table. +</p> +<p>But though her fingers fairly flew, the pattern +progressed slowly. She even allowed herself +to leave long stitches on the wrong side,—a +thing she never did in her own embroidery. She +tried to do all the petals of one tint at once, to +avoid delay of changing the silks. She used +every effort to make “her head save her hands,” +but the result was that both head and hands became +heated and nervous. +</p> +<p>“This won’t do,” she said to herself, as the +silk frazzled between her trembling fingers. +“If I get nervous, I’ll never accomplish anything!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_116' name='page_116'></a>116</span></p> +<p>She forced herself to be calm, and to move +more slowly, but the mental strain of hurry, +and the physical strain of eyes and muscles, +made her jerky, and the stitches began to be +less true and correct. +</p> +<p>“I’ll be sensible,” she thought; “I’ll take ten +minutes off and relax.” +</p> +<p>She went downstairs, singing, and trying to +assume a careless demeanour. +</p> +<p>Going into Nan’s sitting-room, she said: +</p> +<p>“Work’s going on finely. I came down for a +glass of water, and to rest a minute. Any one +been here?” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Nan, pleasantly, pretending not +to notice Patty’s flushed cheeks and tired eyes. +Really, she had several times stolen on tiptoe +to Patty’s door, and anxiously looked at her +bending over her work. But Patty didn’t know +this, and wise Nan concluded the time to speak +was not yet. +</p> +<p>“No, no one came in to disturb you, which is +fortunate. You’re sensible, dear, to rest a bit. +Jane will bring you some water. Polly want a +cracker?” +</p> +<p>“No, thank you; I’m not hungry. Nan, +that’s awfully fine work.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I know it, Patsy. But remember, you +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_117' name='page_117'></a>117</span> +don’t <i>have</i> to do it. Give the thing a fair trial, +and if it doesn’t go easily, give it up and try +something else.” +</p> +<p>“It goes easily enough; it isn’t that. But you +know yourself, you can’t do really good embroidery +if you do it too rapidly.” +</p> +<p>“‘Deed you can’t! But you do such wonderfully +perfect work, that I should think you +could afford to slight it a little, and still have it +better than other people’s.” +</p> +<p>“Nan, you’re such a comfort!” cried Patty, +jumping up to embrace her stepmother. “You +always say just the very right thing. Now, I’m +going back to work. I feel all rested now, and +I’m sure I can finish a lot to-day. Why, Nan +Fairfield! for goodness’ sake! Is it really four +o’clock?” +</p> +<p>Patty had just noticed the time, and was +aghast! Two solid hours she had worked, and +only a small portion of one piece was done! +She hadn’t dreamed the time had flown so, and +thought it about three o’clock. +</p> +<p>Slightly disheartened at this discovery, she +went back to work. At first, the silks went +smoothly enough, then hurry and close application +brought on the fidgets again. +</p> +<p>Before five o’clock, she had to turn on the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_118' name='page_118'></a>118</span> +electric lights, and then, to her dismay, the +tints of the silks changed, and she couldn’t tell +yellow from pink; or green from gray. +</p> +<p>“Well,” she thought, “I’ll work the bow-knots. +They’re of one solid colour, and it’s +straight sailing.” +</p> +<p>Straight sailing it was,—but very tedious. +An untrue stitch spoiled the smooth continuance +of the embroidery that was to represent tied ribbon +bows. An untrue stitch—and she made +several—had to be picked out and done over, +and this often meant frayed silk, or an unsightly +needle hole in the linen. +</p> +<p>Long before Patty thought it was time, the +dressing-gong for dinner sounded. +</p> +<p>She jumped, greatly surprised at the flight of +time, but also relieved, that now she <i>must</i> lay +aside her work. She longed to throw herself +down on her couch and rest, but there was no +time for that. +</p> +<p>However, after she bathed and dressed, she +felt refreshed, and it was a bright, merry-faced +Patty who danced downstairs to greet her +father. +</p> +<p>If he thought her cheeks unusually pink, or +her eyes nervously bright, he made no allusion +to it. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_119' name='page_119'></a>119</span></p> +<p>“Well, Puss, how goes the ‘occupation’?” +he said, patting her shoulder. +</p> +<p>“It’s progressing, father,” she replied, “but +if you’d just as leave, we won’t talk about it +to-night. I’ll tell you all about it, after I finish +it.” +</p> +<p>“All right, Pattykins; we business people +never like to ‘talk shop.’” +</p> +<p>And then Mr. Fairfield, who had been somewhat +enlightened by Nan as to how matters +stood, chatted gaily of other things, and Patty +forgot her troublesome work, and was quite +her own gay, saucy self again. +</p> +<p>Kenneth dropped in in the evening, to bring +a song which he had promised Patty. They +tried it over together, and then Patty said: +</p> +<p>“Would you mind, Ken, if I ask you not to +stay any longer, to-night? I’ve something I +want to do, and——” +</p> +<p>“Mind? Of course not. I rather fancy we’re +good enough friends not to misunderstand each +other. If you’ll let me come and make up my +time some other night, I’ll skip out now, so +quick you can’t see me fly!” +</p> +<p>“All right,” said Patty, smiling at his hearty, +chummy manner. “I do wish you would. I’m +not often busy, as you know.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_120' name='page_120'></a>120</span></p> +<p>“’Course I know it. Good-night, lady, I’m +going to leave you now,” and with a hearty +handshake and a merry smile, Kenneth went +away, and Patty went to her own room. +</p> +<p>“I can work on that bow-knot part, to-night,” +she said to herself; “and then to-morrow, I’ll +get up early and do the rest of the flowers before +breakfast.” +</p> +<p>Her task had begun to look hopeless, but she +was not yet ready to admit it, and she assured +herself that, of course, the others would go +much more rapidly than the first. +</p> +<p>She took down her hair and braided it into a +long pigtail; then she put on a comfortable +kimono and sat down to work. +</p> +<p>She stitched, and she stitched, and she stitched, +at the monotonous over and over bow-knots. +Doggedly she kept on, though her shoulders +ached, her eyes smarted, and her fingers trembled. +</p> +<p>With a kind of whimsical pathos, she repeated +to herself Hood’s “Song of the Shirt,” +and said, under her breath, “‘Stitch, stitch, +stitch, till the cock is crowing aloof,’ or whatever +it is!” +</p> +<p>Then she saw by her watch that it was eleven +o’clock. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_121' name='page_121'></a>121</span></p> +<p>“I’ll just finish this bow,” she thought, “and +then, I’ll stop.” +</p> +<p>But before the bow was finished, there was a +tap at her door. +</p> +<p>“Who’s there?” said Patty, in a voice which +carried no invitation to enter. +</p> +<p>“It’s us,” said Nan, firmly, if ungrammatically, +“and we’re coming in!” +</p> +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield entered, and Patty, +trying to make the best of it, looked up and +smiled. +</p> +<p>“How do you do?” she said. “Take seats, +won’t you? I’m just amusing myself, you see.” +</p> +<p>But the tired voice had a quiver in it, for all +at once Patty saw that she had failed. She +had worked hard all the afternoon and evening, +and had not finished one of her thirty-six pieces! +It was this discovery that upset her, rather than +the unexpected visit from her parents. +</p> +<p>“Girlie, this won’t do,” began her father, in +his kindest tones. +</p> +<p>“I know it!” cried Patty, throwing down her +work, and flinging herself into her father’s +arms. “I can’t do it, daddy, I can’t! I haven’t +done one yet, and I never can do thirty-six!” +</p> +<p>“Thirty-six!” exclaimed Nan. “Patty, are +you crazy?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_122' name='page_122'></a>122</span></p> +<p>“I think I must have been,” said Patty, laughing +a little hysterically, as she took the great +pile of centrepieces from a wardrobe, and threw +them into Nan’s lap. +</p> +<p>“But,—but you said a dozen!” said Nan, bewildered. +</p> +<p>“Oh, no, I didn’t,” returned Patty. “<i>You</i> +said, did I bring a dozen, and I said yes. Also, +I brought two dozen more.” +</p> +<p>“To do in a week!” said Nan, in an awe struck +voice. +</p> +<p>“Yes, to do in a week!” said Patty, mimicking +Nan’s tones; and then they both laughed. +</p> +<p>But Mr. Fairfield didn’t laugh. His limited +knowledge of embroidery made him ignorant of +how much work “three dozen” might mean, +but he knew the effect it had already had on +Patty, and he knew it was time to interfere. +</p> +<p>“My child——” he began, but Patty interrupted +him. +</p> +<p>“Don’t waste words, daddy, dear,” she said. +“It’s all over. I’ve tried and failed; but remember, +this is only my first attempt.” +</p> +<p>The fact that she realised her failure was in +a way a relief, for the strain of effort was over, +and she could now see the absurdity of the task +she had undertaken. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_123' name='page_123'></a>123</span></p> +<p>She had reached what some one has called +“the peace of defeat,” and her spirits reacted +as after an escape from peril. +</p> +<p>“I must have been crazy, Nan,” she said, sitting +down beside her on the couch. “Just +think; I’ve worked about six hours, and I’ve +done about half of one piece. And I brought +thirty-six!” +</p> +<p>This statement of the case gave Mr. Fairfield +a clearer idea, and he laughed, too. +</p> +<p>“No, Patty; I think I need say nothing more. +I see you know when you’re beaten, and I fancy +you won’t touch needle to that pile of work +again! I hope you can settle matters with your +‘employer’; if not, I’ll help you out. But I +want to congratulate you on your pluck and +perseverance, even if,—well, even if they +were——” +</p> +<p>“Crazy,” supplemented Patty. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='IX_SLIPS_AND_SLEEVES' id='IX_SLIPS_AND_SLEEVES'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_124' name='page_124'></a>124</span> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> +<h3>SLIPS AND SLEEVES</h3> +</div> + +<p>The next morning Nan went with Patty +to take the centrepieces back to the embroidery +company. +</p> +<p>“I shall really like to see that woman,” said +Nan, as they reached the shop. +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry for her,” said Patty; “she’s so +pathetically weary and hopeless-looking.” +</p> +<p>So she was, and when Nan saw her, she felt +sorry for her, too. +</p> +<p>“Couldn’t work as fast as you thought?” she +said to Patty, not unkindly, but with the hard +smile that seemed to be permanently fastened to +her face. +</p> +<p>“No, I couldn’t,” confessed Patty. “I only +worked part of one piece. I’ve brought all the +rest back, in good order, and I want you to +redeem them.” +</p> +<p>In her mechanical way, the woman took the +untouched centrepieces, looked at them critically, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_125' name='page_125'></a>125</span> +and laid them aside. Then she took up +the piece Patty had worked on. +</p> +<p>“I’ll have to deduct for this,” she said; “a +dollar and a half.” +</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” asked Nan, angry at +what she considered gross injustice. “Miss +Fairfield does not ask payment; she is giving +you all that work.” +</p> +<p>“She has spoiled this piece for our use. She +works nicely enough, but no two people work +exactly alike, so no one else could now take this +and complete the corner. So, you see the piece +is valueless, and we must charge for it. Moreover, +I should have to deduct fifty cents if it +had been finished, because long stitches show on +the wrong side.” +</p> +<p>“And you don’t allow that?” said Nan. +</p> +<p>“Never. We deduct for that, or for soiling +the work, or for using wrong colours.” +</p> +<p>“Well,” said Patty, “return me as much of +my deposit as is due me, and we’ll consider the +incident closed.” +</p> +<p>Stolidly, the woman opened a drawer, counted +out sixteen dollars and a half, and gave it to +Patty, who said good-day, and stalked out of +the shop. +</p> +<p>Nan followed, and when they were seated in +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_126' name='page_126'></a>126</span> +the motor-car, both broke into peals of laughter. +</p> +<p>“Oh, Patty,” cried Nan, “what a financier +you are! You nearly killed yourself working +yesterday, and now you’ve paid a dollar and a +half for the privilege!” +</p> +<p>“Pooh!” said Patty. “Nothing of the sort. +I paid a dollar and a half for some valuable +experience, and I think I got it cheap enough!” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I suppose you did. Well, what are you +going to do next? For I know you well enough +to know you’re not going to give up your scheme +entirely.” +</p> +<p>“Indeed I’m not! But to-day I’m going to +frivol. I worked hard enough yesterday to deserve +a rest, and I’m going to take it. Come +on, let’s go somewhere nice to luncheon, and +then go to a matinée; it’s Wednesday.” +</p> +<p>“Very well; I think you do need recreation. +I’ll take you to Cherry’s for luncheon, and then +we’ll go to see a comic opera, or some light +comedy.” +</p> +<p>“You’re a great comfort, Nan,” said Patty. +“You always do just the right thing. But you +needn’t think you can divert my mind to the extent +of making me give up this plan of mine. +For I won’t do that.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_127' name='page_127'></a>127</span></p> +<p>“I know you won’t. But next time do try +something easier.” +</p> +<p>“I shall. I’ve already made up my mind what +it’s to be; and truly, it’s dead easy.” +</p> +<p>“I thought your red-headed friend cured you +of using slang,” said Nan, smiling. +</p> +<p>“I thought so, too,” said Patty, with an air +of innocent surprise. “Isn’t it queer how one +can be mistaken?” +</p> +<p>True to her determination, Patty started out +again the following morning to get an “occupation,” +as they all termed it. +</p> +<p>Again Miller was amazed at the address given +him, but he said nothing, and proceeded to drive +Patty to it. +</p> +<p>It was even less attractive than the former +shop, being nothing more or less than an establishment +where “white work” was given out. +</p> +<p>“How many?” asked the woman in charge, +and, profiting by past experience, Patty said: +</p> +<p>“One dozen.” +</p> +<p>The woman took her name and address, in a +quick, business-like way. +</p> +<p>“One dollar a dozen,” she said. “Must be +returned within the week. Deductions made +for all imperfections.” +</p> +<p>She handed Patty a large bundle done up in +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_128' name='page_128'></a>128</span> +newspaper, and, with flaming cheeks, Patty +walked out of the shop. +</p> +<p>“Home, Miller,” she said, and though the +man was too well trained to look surprised, he +couldn’t keep an expression of astonishment out +of his eyes when he saw Patty’s burden. +</p> +<p>On the way home she opened the parcel. +</p> +<p>There were in it twelve infants’ slips, of rather +coarse muslin. They were cut out, but not +basted. +</p> +<p>Patty looked a little doubtful, then she +thought: +</p> +<p>“Oh, pshaw! It’s very different from that +fine embroidery. I can swish these through the +sewing-machine in no time at all.” +</p> +<p>Reaching home, she threw the lap-robe over +her bundle, and hurried into the house with it. +</p> +<p>“Patty,” called Nan, as she whisked upstairs +to her own room, “come here, won’t you?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, in a minute,” Patty called back, flying +on upstairs, and depositing the bundle in a +wardrobe. +</p> +<p>She locked the door, and hid the key, then +went demurely downstairs. +</p> +<p>“Occupation all right?” asked Nan, smiling. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, jauntily. “Good work +this time; not so fine and fussy.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_129' name='page_129'></a>129</span></p> +<p>“Well; I only wanted to tell you that Elise +telephoned, and wants you to go to a concert +with her this afternoon. I forget where it is; +she said for you to call her up as soon as you +came home.” +</p> +<p>“All right, I will,” said Patty, and she went +to the telephone at once. +</p> +<p>“It’s a lovely concert, Nan,” she said, as she +returned. “Jigamarigski is going to sing, and +afterward I’m to go home with Elise to dinner, +and they’ll bring me home. What shall I +wear?” +</p> +<p>“Wear your light green cloth suit, and your +furs,” said Nan, after a moment’s consideration. +“And your big white beaver hat. It’s +too dressy an affair for your black hat.” +</p> +<p>Apparently the “occupation” was forgotten, +for during luncheon time, Patty chatted about +the concert and other matters, and at two +o’clock she went away. +</p> +<p>“You look lovely,” said Nan, as, in her pretty +cloth suit, and white hat and furs, Patty came +to say good-by. +</p> +<p>The concert proved most enjoyable. Dinner +at the Farringtons’ was equally so, and when +Patty reached home at about nine o’clock, +she had much to tell Nan and her father, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_130' name='page_130'></a>130</span> +who were always glad to hear of her social +pleasures. +</p> +<p>“And the occupation?” asked Mr. Fairfield. +“How is it progressing?” +</p> +<p>“Nicely, thank you,” returned Patty. “I’ve +picked an easy one this time. One has to learn, +you know.” +</p> +<p>Smiling, she went to her room that night, determined +to attack the work next morning and +hurry it through. +</p> +<p>But next morning came a note from Clementine, +asking Patty to go to the photographer’s +with her at ten, and as Patty had promised to +do this when called on, she didn’t like to refuse. +</p> +<p>“And, anyway,” she thought, “a week is a +week. Whatever day I begin this new work, I +shall have a week from that day to earn the +fifteen dollars in.” +</p> +<p>Then, that afternoon was so fine, she went for +a motor-ride with Nan. +</p> +<p>And the next day, some guests came to luncheon, +and naturally, Patty couldn’t absent herself +without explanation. +</p> +<p>And then came Sunday. And so it was Monday +morning before Patty began her new work. +</p> +<p>“Excuse me to any one who comes, Nan,” she +said, as she left the breakfast table. “I have +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_131' name='page_131'></a>131</span> +to work to-day, and I mustn’t be interrupted.” +</p> +<p>“Very well,” said Nan. “I think, myself, +it’s time you began, if you’re going to accomplish +anything.” +</p> +<p>Armed with her pile of work, and her basket +of sewing materials, Patty went up to the +fourth floor, where a small room was set apart +as a sewing-room. It was rarely used, save by +the maids, for Nan was not fond of sewing; +but there was a good sewing-machine there, and +ample light and space. +</p> +<p>Full of enthusiasm, Patty seated herself at the +sewing-machine, and picked up the cut-out work. +</p> +<p>“I’ll be very systematic,” she thought. “I’ll +do all the side seams first; then all the hems; +then I’ll stitch up all the little sleeves at once.” +</p> +<p>The plan worked well. The simple little garments +had but two seams, and setting the machine +stitch rather long, Patty whizzed the little +white slips through, one after the other, singing +in time to her treadle. +</p> +<p>“Oh, it’s too easy!” she thought, as in a +short time the twenty-four seams were neatly +stitched. +</p> +<p>“Now, for the hems.” +</p> +<p>These were a little more troublesome, as they +had to be folded and basted; but still, it was an +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_132' name='page_132'></a>132</span> +easy task, and Patty worked away like a busy +bee. +</p> +<p>“Now for the babykins’ sleeves,” she said, +but just then the luncheon gong sounded. +</p> +<p>“Not really!” cried Patty, aloud, as she +glanced at her watch. +</p> +<p>But in very truth it was one o’clock, and it +was a thoughtful Patty who walked slowly +downstairs. +</p> +<p>“Nan,” she exclaimed, “the trouble with an +occupation is, that there’s not time enough in a +day, or a half-day, to do anything.” +</p> +<p>Nan nodded her head sagaciously. +</p> +<p>“I’ve always noticed that,” she said. “It’s +only when you’re playing, that there’s any time. +If you try to work, there’s no time at all.” +</p> +<p>“Not a bit!” echoed Patty, “and what there +is, glides through your fingers before you know +it.” +</p> +<p>She hurried through her luncheon, and returned +to the sewing-room. She was not tired, +but there was a great deal yet to do. +</p> +<p>The tiny sleeves she put through the machine, +one after another, until she had twenty-four in +a long chain, linked by a single stitch. +</p> +<p>“Oh, method and system accomplish wonders,” +she thought, as she snipped the sleeves +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_133' name='page_133'></a>133</span> +apart, and rapidly folded hems round the little +wrists. +</p> +<p>But even with method and system, twenty-four +is a large number, and as Patty turned the last +hem, twilight fell, and she turned on the lights. +</p> +<p>“Goodness, gracious!” she thought. “I’ve +yet all these sleeves to set, and stitch in, and the +fronts to finish off; and a buttonhole to work in +each neckband.” +</p> +<p>But it was only half-past four, and by half-past +six they were all finished but the buttonholes. +</p> +<p>And Patty was nearly finished, too! +</p> +<p>She had not realised how physically tired she +was. Running the sewing-machine all day was +an unusual exertion, and when she reached her +own room, with her arms full of the little white +garments, she threw them on the bed, and threw +herself on the couch, weary in every bone and +muscle. +</p> +<p>“Well, what luck?” said Nan, appearing at +Patty’s doorway, herself all dressed for dinner. +</p> +<p>“Oh, Nan,” cried Patty, laughing, “me +legs is broke; and me arms is broke; and me +back is broke. But I’m not nervous or worried, +and I’m going to win out this time! But, Nan, +I just <i>can’t</i> go down to dinner. Send Jane up +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_134' name='page_134'></a>134</span> +with a tray,—there’s a dear. And tell father +I’m all right, but I don’t care to mingle in +society to-night.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I’m glad you’re in good spirits,” +said Nan, half annoyed, half laughing, as she +saw the pile of white work on the bed. +</p> +<p>“Run along, Nan, there’s a good lady,” said +Patty, jumping up, and urging Nan out the +door. “Skippy-skip, before father comes up +to learn the latest news from the seat of war. +Tell him everything is all right, and I’m earning +my living with neatness and despatch, only +working girls simply can’t get into chiffons and +dine with the ‘quality.’” +</p> +<p>Reassured by Patty’s gay air, Nan went downstairs, +laughing, and told her husband that +she believed Patty would yet accomplish her +project. +</p> +<p>“These experiences will do her no harm,” said +Mr. Fairfield, after hearing Nan’s story. “So +long as she doesn’t get nervous or mentally upset, +we’ll let her go on with her experiment. +She’s a peculiar nature, and has a wonderful +amount of will-power for one so young.” +</p> +<p>“I’ve always heard you were called stubborn,” +said Nan, smiling, “though I’ve never seen it +specially exemplified in your case.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_135' name='page_135'></a>135</span></p> +<p>“One doesn’t need to be stubborn with +such an angelic disposition as yours in the +house,” he returned, and Nan smiled happily, +for she knew the words were lovingly in +earnest. +</p> +<p>Meantime, Patty was sitting luxuriously in a +big easy-chair, eating her dinner from the tray +Jane had brought her. +</p> +<p>“This is rather fun,” she thought; “and my, +but running a sewing-machine does give one an +appetite! I could eat two trays-full, I verily +believe. Thank goodness, I’ve no more stitching +to do.” +</p> +<p>Having despatched her dinner, perhaps a trifle +hastily, Patty reluctantly left her big easy-chair +for a small rocker by the drop-light. +</p> +<p>She wearily picked up a little gown, cut a buttonhole +at the throat, and proceeded to work it. +As she was so skilful at embroidery, of course +this was easy work; but Patty was tired, and her +fingers almost refused to push the needle +through the cloth. About ten o’clock Nan +came upstairs. +</p> +<p>Patty was just sewing on the last button, the +buttonholes being all done. +</p> +<p>This fact made her jubilant. +</p> +<p>“Nan!” she cried; “what <i>do</i> you think! +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_136' name='page_136'></a>136</span> +I’ve made a whole dozen of these baby-slips +to-day!” +</p> +<p>“Patty! You don’t mean it! Why, my dear +child, how could you?” +</p> +<p>“On the machine. And they’re done neatly, +aren’t they?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, they are, indeed. But Patty——” +</p> +<p>“What?” +</p> +<p>“I hate to tell you,—but——” +</p> +<p>“Oh, what is it, Nan? Is the material wrong +side out?” +</p> +<p>“No, you goosie, there’s no right or wrong +side to cotton cloth, but——” +</p> +<p>“Well, tell me!” +</p> +<p>“Every one of these little sleeves is made upside +down!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Nan! It can’t be!” +</p> +<p>“Yes, they are, dearie. See, this wider part +should have been at the top.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Nan, what shall I do? I thought they +were sort of flowing sleeves, you know. Kimono-shaped +ones, I mean.” +</p> +<p>“No; they’re set wrong. Oh, Patty, why +didn’t you let me help you? But you told me +to keep away.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I know I did. Now, I’ve spoiled the +whole dozen! I like them just as well that +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_137' name='page_137'></a>137</span> +way, myself, but I know they’ll ‘deduct’ for +it.” +</p> +<p>“Patty, I don’t think you ought to do ‘white +work’ anyway. How much are they going to +pay you?” +</p> +<p>“A dollar a dozen.” +</p> +<p>“And you’ve done a dozen in a day. That +won’t bring you fifteen dollars in a week.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I thought the second dozen would go +faster, and it probably will. And, of course, +I shan’t make that mistake with the sleeves +again. Truly, Nan, it’s a heap easier than embroidery.” +</p> +<p>“Well, don’t worry over it to-night,” said +Nan, kissing her. “Take a hot bath and hop +into bed. Perhaps you have found the right +work after all.” +</p> +<p>Nan didn’t really think she had, but Patty had +begun to look worried, and Nan feared she +wouldn’t be able to sleep. +</p> +<p>But sleep she did, from sheer physical exhaustion. +</p> +<p>And woke next morning, almost unable to +move! Every muscle in her body was lame +from her strenuous machine work. She couldn’t +rise from her bed, and could scarcely raise her +head from the pillow. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_138' name='page_138'></a>138</span></p> +<p>When Catherine, Nan’s maid, came to her +room, Patty said, faintly: +</p> +<p>“Ask Mrs. Fairfield to come up, please.” +</p> +<p>Nan came, and Patty looked at her comically, +as she said: +</p> +<p>“Nan, I’m vanquished, but not subdued. I’m +just one mass of lameness and ache, but if you +think I’ve given up my plan, you’re greatly +mistaken. However, I’m through with ‘white +work,’ and I’ve sewed my last sew on a +machine.” +</p> +<p>“Why, Patty girl, you’re really ill,” said Nan, +sympathetically. +</p> +<p>“No, I’m not! I’m perfectly well. Just a +trifle lame from over-exercise yesterday. I’ll +stay in bed to-day, and Nan, dear, if you +love me, take those slips back to the kind +lady who let me have them to play with. +Make her pay you a dollar for the dozen, +and don’t let her deduct more than a dollar for +the upside-downness of the sleeves. Tell her +they’re prettier that way, anyway. And, Catharine, +do please rub me with some healing lotion +or something,—for I’m as lame as a jelly-fish!” +</p> +<p>“Patty,” said Nan, solemnly, “the occasion +requires strong language. So I will remark in +all seriousness, that, you do beat all!” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='X_THE_CLEVER_GOLDFISH' id='X_THE_CLEVER_GOLDFISH'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_139' name='page_139'></a>139</span> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> +<h3>THE CLEVER GOLDFISH</h3> +</div> + +<p>FINANCIALLY, Patty came out just +even on her ‘white work,’ for though the +woman paid Nan the dollar for the +dozen finished garments, she deducted the same +amount for the wrongly placed sleeves. +</p> +<p>She also grumbled at the long machine stitch +Patty had used, but Nan’s patience was exhausted, +and giving the woman a calm stare, +she walked out of the shop. +</p> +<p>“It’s perfectly awful,” she said to Patty, +when relating her adventure, “to think of the +poor girls who are really trying to earn their +living by white work. It’s all very well for +you, who are only experimenting, but suppose a +real worker gets all her pay deducted!” +</p> +<p>“There’s hardly enough pay to pay for deducting +it, anyway,” said Patty. “Oh, Nan, it +is dreadful! I suppose lots of poor girls who +feel as tired and lame as I do this morning, have +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_140' name='page_140'></a>140</span> +to go straight back to their sewing-machine and +run it all day.” +</p> +<p>“Of course they do; and often they’re of delicate +constitutions, and insufficiently nourished.” +</p> +<p>“It makes me feel awful. Things are unevenly +divided in this world, aren’t they, Nan?” +</p> +<p>“They are, my dear; but as that problem has +baffled wiser heads than yours, it’s useless for +you to worry over it. You can’t reform the +world.” +</p> +<p>“No; and I don’t intend to try. But I can +do something to help. I know I can. That’s +where people show their lack of a sense of proportion. +I know I can’t do anything for the +world, as a world, but if I can help in a few +individual cases, that will be my share. For +instance, if I can help this Christine Farley to +an art education, and so to a successful career, +why that’s so much to the good. And though +father has set me a hard task to bring it about, +I’m going to do it yet.” +</p> +<p>“Your father wouldn’t have set you such a +task if you hadn’t declared it was no task at +all! You said you could earn your living easily +in a dozen different ways. Already you’ve discarded +two.” +</p> +<p>“That leaves me ten!” said Patty, airily. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_141' name='page_141'></a>141</span> +“Ten ways of earning a living is a fair show. +I can discard nine more and still have a chance.” +</p> +<p>“All right, Patsy. I’m glad you’re not disheartened. +And I suppose you are learning +something of the conditions of our social economy.” +</p> +<p>“Gracious, Nan! How you <i>do</i> talk! Are +you quite sure you know what you mean?” +</p> +<p>“No, but I thought you would,” said Nan, +and with that parting shot, she left the room. +</p> +<p>It was late in the afternoon before Patty +dawdled downstairs. +</p> +<p>Her shoulders and the back of her neck still +ached, but otherwise she felt all right again, +and her spirits had risen proportionately. +</p> +<p>About four o’clock Kenneth called, bringing a +mysterious burden, which he carried with great +care. +</p> +<p>He knew of Patty’s scheme, and though he +appreciated the nobility of her endeavour, he +could not feel very sanguine hopes of her +success. +</p> +<p>“You’re not cut out for a wage-earner, +Patty,” he had said to her; “it’s like a butterfly +making bread.” +</p> +<p>“But I don’t want to be a butterfly,” Patty +had pouted. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_142' name='page_142'></a>142</span></p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t mean butterfly,—as so many +people do,—to represent a frivolous, useless +person. I have a great respect for butterflies, +myself. And you radiate the same effect of joy, +happiness, gladness, and beauty, as a butterfly +does when hovering around in the golden sunshine +of a summer day.” +</p> +<p>“Why, Ken, I didn’t know you were a poet. +But you haven’t proved your case.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I have. It’s your mission in life to be +happy, and so to make others happy. This you +can do without definite effort, so stick to your +calling, and let the more prosaic people, the +plodders,—earn wages.” +</p> +<p>“Let me earn the wages of my country, and +I care not who makes it smile,” Patty had rejoined, +and there the subject had dropped. +</p> +<p>To-day, when he arrived, carrying what was +evidently something fragile, Patty greeted him +gaily. +</p> +<p>“I’m not working to-day,” she said; “so you +can stay ’most an hour if you like.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I will; and if you’ll wait till I set +down this precious burden, I’ll shake hands +with you. I come, like the Greeks, bearing +gifts.” +</p> +<p>“A gift? Oh, what is it? I’m crazy to see it.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_143' name='page_143'></a>143</span></p> +<p>“Well, it’s a gift; but, incidentally, it’s a +plan for wage-earning. If you really want to +wage-earn, you may as well do it in an interesting +way.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, demurely, for she well +knew he was up to some sort of foolery. “My +attempts so far, though absorbing, were not +really interesting.” +</p> +<p>“Well, this is!” declared Kenneth, who was +carefully taking the tissue papers from his gift, +which proved to be a glass globe, containing +two goldfish. +</p> +<p>“They are Darby and Juliet,” he remarked, +as he looked anxiously into the bowl. “I am +so tired of hackneyed pairs of names, that I’ve +varied these. But, won’t you send for some +more water? I had to bring them with only a +little, for fear I’d spill it, and they seem to +have drunk it nearly all up.” +</p> +<p>“Nonsense! they don’t drink the water; they +only swim in it.” +</p> +<p>“That’s the trouble. There isn’t enough for +them to swim in. And yet there’s too much for +them to drink.” +</p> +<p>Patty rang for Jane, who then brought them +a pitcher of ice water. +</p> +<p>Kenneth poured it in, but at the sudden cold +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_144' name='page_144'></a>144</span> +deluge, Darby and Juliet began to behave in +an extraordinary manner. They flew madly +round and round the bowl, hitting each other, +and breathing in gasps. +</p> +<p>“The water’s too cold,” cried Patty. +</p> +<p>“Of course it is,” said Kenneth; “get some +hot water, won’t you?” +</p> +<p>Patty ran herself for the hot water, and returned +with a pitcher full. +</p> +<p>“Don’t you want a little mustard?” she said, +giggling. “I know they’ve taken cold. A hot +mustard foot-bath is fine for colds.” +</p> +<p>“And that is very odd, because they haven’t +any feet,” quoted Kenneth, as he poured the hot +water in very slowly. +</p> +<p>“Do you want a bath thermometer?” went +on Patty. +</p> +<p>“No; when they stop wriggling it’s warm +enough. There, now they’re all right.” +</p> +<p>Kenneth set down the hot water pitcher and +looked with pride on the two fish, who had certainly +stopped wriggling. +</p> +<p>“They’re awful quiet,” said Patty. “Are +you sure they’re all right? I think you’ve boiled +them.” +</p> +<p>“Nothing of the sort. They like warmth, +only it makes them sort of——” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_145' name='page_145'></a>145</span></p> +<p>“Dormant,” suggested Patty. +</p> +<p>“Yes, clever child, dormant. And now while +they sleep, I’ll tell you my plan. You see, these +are extra intelligent goldfish,—especially Juliet, +the one with a black spot on her shoulder. +Well, you’ve only to train them a bit, and then +give exhibitions of your trained goldfish! +You’ve no idea what a hit it will make.” +</p> +<p>“Kenneth, you’re a genius!” cried Patty, +meeting his fun halfway. “It’s lots easier than +white work. Come on, help me train them, +won’t you? How do we begin?” +</p> +<p>“They’re still sleepy,” said Kenneth, looking +at the inert fish. “They need stirring up.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll get a spoon,” said Patty, promptly. +</p> +<p>“No, just waggle the water with your finger. +They’ll come up.” +</p> +<p>Patty waggled the water with her finger, but +Darby only blinked at her, while Juliet flounced +petulantly. +</p> +<p>“She’s high-strung,” observed Kenneth, “and +a trifle bad-tempered. But she won’t stand +scolding. Let’s take her out and pet her a +little.” +</p> +<p>“How do you get her out? With a hook and +line?” +</p> +<p>“No, silly! You must be kind to them. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_146' name='page_146'></a>146</span> +Here, puss, puss, puss! Come, Jooly-ooly-et! +Come!” +</p> +<p>But Juliet haughtily ignored the invitation and +huddled in the bottom of the bowl. +</p> +<p>“Try this,” said Patty, running to the dining-room, +and returning with a silver fish server. +</p> +<p>This worked beautifully, and Kenneth scooped +up Juliet, who lay quietly on the broad silver +blade, blinking at them reproachfully. +</p> +<p>“She’s hungry, Ken; see how she opens and +shuts her mouth.” +</p> +<p>“No; she’s trying to talk. I told you she was +clever. I daresay you can teach her to sing. +She looks just as you do when you take a high +note.” +</p> +<p>“You horrid boy! But she does, really. Anyway, +let’s feed them. What do they eat?” +</p> +<p>“I brought their food with me; it’s some +patent stuff, very well advertised. Here, +Julie!” +</p> +<p>Gently slipping Juliet back into the water, Ken +scattered some food on the surface. +</p> +<p>Both fish rose to the occasion and greedily ate +the floating particles. +</p> +<p>“That’s the trouble,” said Ken. “They have +no judgment. They overeat, and then they die +of apoplexy. And, too, if they eat too much, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_147' name='page_147'></a>147</span> +you can’t train them to stand on their tails and +beg.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, will they learn to do that? And what +else can we teach them?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, anything acrobatic; trapeze work and +that. But they’re sleepy now; you fed them +too much for just an afternoon tea. Let’s +leave them to their nap, and train them after +they wake up.” +</p> +<p>“All right; let’s sit down and talk seriously.” +</p> +<p>“Patty, you’re always ready to talk seriously +of late. That’s why I brought you some Nonsense +Fish, to lighten your mood a little.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t you worry about my mood, Ken; it’s +light enough. But I want you to help me earn +my living for a week. Will you?” +</p> +<p>“That I will not! I’ll be no party to your +foolishness.” +</p> +<p>“Now, Ken,” went on Patty, for she knew +his “bark was worse than his bite,” “I don’t +want you to do anything much. But, in your +law office, where you’re studying, aren’t there +some papers I can copy, or something like +that?” +</p> +<p>“Patty, you’re a back number. That ‘copying’ +that you mean is all out of date. In these +days of typewriters and manifold thigamajigs, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_148' name='page_148'></a>148</span> +we lawyers don’t have much copying done by +hand. Except, perhaps, engrossing. Can you +do that?” +</p> +<p>“How prettily you say ‘we lawyers,’” teased +Patty. +</p> +<p>“Of course I do. I’m getting in practice +against the time it’ll be true. But if you really +want to copy, buy a nice Spencerian Copy-book, +and fill up its pages. It’ll be about as valuable +as any other work of the sort.” +</p> +<p>“Ken, you’re horrid. So unsympathetic.” +</p> +<p>“I’m crool only to be kind! You must know, +Patty, that copying is out of the question.” +</p> +<p>“Well, never mind then; let’s talk of something +else.” +</p> +<p>“‘Let’s sit upon the ground and tell strange +stories of the death of kings.’” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Ken, that reminds me. You know my +crystal ball?” +</p> +<p>“I do indeed; I selected it with utmost care.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, it’s a gem. Perfectly flawless. Well, +I’ll get it, and see if we can see things in it.” +</p> +<p>Patty ran for her crystal, and returning to the +library held it up to the fading sunlight, and +tried to look into it. +</p> +<p>“That isn’t the way, Patty; you have to lay +it on black velvet, or something dark.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_149' name='page_149'></a>149</span></p> +<p>“Oh, do you? Well, here’s a dark mat on +this table. Try that.” +</p> +<p>They gazed intently into the ball, and though +they could see nothing, Patty felt a weird sense +of uncanniness. +</p> +<p>Ken laughed when she declared this, and said: +</p> +<p>“Nothing in the world but suggestion. You +think a Japanese crystal <i>ought</i> to make you feel +supernatural, and so you imagine it does. But +it doesn’t any such nonsense. Now, I’ll tell +you why I like them. Only because they’re so +flawlessly perfect. In shape, colour, texture,—if +you can call it texture,—but I mean material +or substance. There isn’t an attribute that +they possess, except in perfection. That’s a +great thing, Patty; and you can’t say it of anything +else.” +</p> +<p>“The stars,” said Patty, trying to look wise. +</p> +<p>“Oh, pshaw! I mean things made by man.” +</p> +<p>“Great pictures,” she suggested. +</p> +<p>“Their perfection is a matter of opinion. One +man deems a picture perfect, another man does +not. But a crystal ball is indubitably perfect.” +</p> +<p>“Indubitably is an awful big word,” said +Patty. “I’m afraid of it.” +</p> +<p>“Never mind,” said Kenneth, kindly, “I +won’t let it hurt you.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_150' name='page_150'></a>150</span></p> +<p>Then the doorbell rang, and in a moment in +came Elise and Roger. +</p> +<p>“Hello, Ken,” said Elise. “We came for +Patty to go skating. Will you go, too?” +</p> +<p>“I can’t go to-day,” said Patty, “I’m too +tired. And it’s too late, anyway. You stay +here, and we’ll have tea.” +</p> +<p>“All right, I don’t care,” said Elise, taking +off her furs. +</p> +<p>The quartette gathered round the library fire, +and Jane brought in the tea things. +</p> +<p>Patty made tea very prettily, for she excelled +in domestic accomplishments, and as she handed +Kenneth his cup, she said, roguishly, “There’s +a perfect cup of tea, I can assure you.” +</p> +<p>“Perfect tea, all right,” returned Ken, sipping +it, “but a cup of tea can’t be a perfect +thing, as it hasn’t complete symmetry of form.” +</p> +<p>“What are you two talking about?” demanded +Elise, who didn’t want Ken and Patty +to have secrets from which she was excluded. +</p> +<p>“Speaking of crystal balls,” said Patty, “I’ll +show you one, Elise; a big one, too! Get Darby +and Juliet, won’t you please, Ken?” +</p> +<p>Kenneth obligingly brought the glass globe in +from the dining-room, where they had left the +goldfish to be by themselves. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_151' name='page_151'></a>151</span></p> +<p>“How jolly!” cried Elise. “And what lovely +goldfish! These are the real Japanese ones, +aren’t they?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, smiling at Ken. “Being +Japanese, they’re perfect of their kind. Make +them stand on their tails and beg, Kenneth.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, will they do that?” said Elise. +</p> +<p>“Only on Wednesdays and Saturdays,” said +Kenneth, gravely. “And on Fridays they sing. +To-day is their rest day.” +</p> +<p>“They look morbid,” said Roger. “Shall I +jolly them up a bit?” +</p> +<p>“Let’s give them tea,” said Elise, tilting her +spoon until a few drops fell into the water. +</p> +<p>“You’ll make them nervous,” warned Patty, +“and Juliet is high-strung, anyway.” +</p> +<p>Then Nan came in from her afternoon’s round +of calls, and then Mr. Fairfield arrived, and +they too were called upon to make friends with +Darby and Juliet. +</p> +<p>“Goldfish always make me think of a story +about Whistler,” said Mr. Fairfield. “It +seems, Whistler once had a room in a house in +Florence, directly over a person who had some +pet goldfish in a bowl. Every pleasant day the +bowl was set out on the balcony, which was exactly +beneath Whistler’s balcony. For days he +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_152' name='page_152'></a>152</span> +resisted the temptation to fish for them with a +bent pin and a string; but at last he succumbed +to his angling instincts, and caught them all. +Then, remorseful at what he had done, he fried +them to a fine golden brown, and returned them +to their owner on a platter.” +</p> +<p>“Ugh!” cried Nan, “what a horrid story! +Why do they always tack unpleasant stories on +poor old Whistler? Now, I know a lovely +story about a goldfish, which I will relate. It +is said to be the composition of a small Boston +schoolchild. +</p> +<table summary='poetry' style='margin:0 auto'><tr><td> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>“‘Oh, Robin, lovely goldfish!</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>Who teached you how to fly?</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 0em;'>Who sticked the fur upon your breast?</p> +<p style='margin: 0 0 0 2em;'>’Twas God, ’twas God what done it.’</p> +</td></tr></table> + +<p>Isn’t that lovely?” +</p> +<p>“It is, indeed,” agreed Kenneth. “If that’s +Boston precocity, it’s more attractive than I +thought.” +</p> +<p>“But it doesn’t rhyme,” said Elise. +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty; “that’s the beauty of it. +It’s blank verse, as the greatest poetry often is. +Don’t go yet, Elise. Stay to dinner, can’t +you?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_153' name='page_153'></a>153</span></p> +<p>“No, I can’t stay to-night, Patty, dear. Will +you go skating to-morrow?” +</p> +<p>Patty hesitated. She wanted to go, but also +she wanted to get at that “occupation” of +hers, for she had a new one in view. +</p> +<p>She was about to say she would go skating, +however, when she saw a twinkle in her father’s +eye that made her change her mind. +</p> +<p>“Can’t, Elise,” she said. “I’ve an engagement +to-morrow. Will telephone you some day +when I can go.” +</p> +<p>“Well, don’t wait too long; the ice will be all +gone.” +</p> +<p>Then the young people went away, and Patty +went thoughtfully upstairs to her room to dress +for dinner. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XI_A_BUSY_MORNING' id='XI_A_BUSY_MORNING'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_154' name='page_154'></a>154</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> +<h3>A BUSY MORNING</h3> +</div> + +<p>The next morning, Patty came down to +breakfast, wearing a plain street costume, +a small, but very well made hat, +and a look of determination. +</p> +<p>“Fresh start?” said her father, smiling +kindly at her. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she replied; “and this time I conquer. +I see success already perching on my +banners.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I don’t then!” declared Nan. “I +see you coming home, not with your shield, but +on it.” +</p> +<p>“Now, don’t be a wet blanket and throw +cold water on my plans,” said Patty, a little +mixed in her metaphor, but smiling placidly at +her stepmother. “This time it’s really a most +sensible undertaking that I’m going to undertake.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_155' name='page_155'></a>155</span></p> +<p>“Sounds as if you were going into the undertaking +business,” said her father, “but I assume +you don’t mean that.” +</p> +<p>“No, I go into a pleasanter atmosphere than +that suggests, and one in which I feel sure I can +accomplish good work.” +</p> +<p>“Well, Patty,” said Mr. Fairfield, “it’s lucky +you’re of a sanguine temperament. I’m glad +to see you’re not disheartened by failure.” +</p> +<p>“Not I! To me a failure only means a more +vigorous attempt next time. Now, Nan, I +shall be away all day,—until about five o’clock. +Won’t you play with Darby and Juliet a little, +so they won’t get lonesome?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes; I’ll amuse them. But, Patty, where +are you going?” +</p> +<p>“Never mind, pretty stepmothery; don’t ask +questions, for they won’t be answered. If all +goes well, I’ll tell you on my return.” +</p> +<p>Mr. Fairfield looked serious. +</p> +<p>“Patty,” he said, “you know you’re not to +do anything unbecoming or ridiculous. Don’t +you go and sell goods behind a counter, or anything +extreme like that.” +</p> +<p>“No, sir; I won’t. I promise not to put myself +in the public eye in any such fashion. And +you may trust me, father, not to do anything of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_156' name='page_156'></a>156</span> +which you’d disapprove, if you knew all about +it.” +</p> +<p>“That’s a good Patty-girl! Well, go ahead +in your mad career, and if you keep your part +of the bargain, I’ll keep mine.” +</p> +<p>Patty started off, and this time she gave Miller +an address not so far away as before. When +he brought the motor-car to a standstill, before +a fashionable millinery shop, he felt none of +the surprise that he had when he took Patty to +what he considered inappropriate places. +</p> +<p>“Now, Miller,” said Patty, as she got out +of the car, “you are not to wait for me, but I +want you to return here for me at five o’clock.” +</p> +<p>“Here, Miss Fairfield?” +</p> +<p>“Yes; right here. Come exactly at five, and +wait for me to come out.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, Miss Fairfield,” said Miller, and Patty +turned and entered the shop. +</p> +<p>“I’m ’most sorry I sent him away,” she +thought to herself, “for I may not want to +stay. Well, I can go home in a street-car.” +</p> +<p>Though Patty’s costume was plain and inconspicuous, +it bore so evidently the stamp of taste +and refinement, that the saleswoman who met +her assumed she had come to buy a hat. +</p> +<p>But it was early for fashionable ladies to be +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_157' name='page_157'></a>157</span> +out shopping, so the rather supercilious young +woman greeted Patty with a cautious air of +reserve. It was so different from the effusive +manner usually shown to Nan and Patty when +they really went shopping, that Patty was +secretly much amused. But as she was also +secretly greatly embarrassed, it was with an uncertain +air that she said: +</p> +<p>“I am not shopping; I wish to see Madame +Villard.” +</p> +<p>“Madame is not here. What can I do for +you?” +</p> +<p>“I have come in answer to her advertisement +for an assistant milliner.” +</p> +<p>“Oh,” said the young woman, raising her +eyebrows, and at once showing an air of +haughty condescension. “You should have +asked for the forewoman, not Madame.” +</p> +<p>Patty’s sense of humour got the better of her +resentment, and it was with difficulty she repressed +a smile, as she answered: +</p> +<p>“Indeed? Well, it is not yet too late to correct +my error. Will you show me to the forewoman?” +</p> +<p>Patty’s inflections were not in the least sarcastic, +in fact her whole manner was gentle and +gracious, but something in her tone, perhaps +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_158' name='page_158'></a>158</span> +the note of amusement, made the saleswoman +look at her suddenly and sharply. +</p> +<p>But Patty’s face was demure and showed +only a desire to be conducted to the right +person. +</p> +<p>“Come this way,” said the young woman, +shortly, and she led Patty, between some heavy +curtains, to a back room. +</p> +<p>“This is our forewoman, Miss O’Flynn,” she +said, as she ushered Patty into her presence. +</p> +<p>Miss O’Flynn was an important looking woman +who took in every detail of Patty’s appearance +in a series of careful and systematic +glances. +</p> +<p>She seemed puzzled at what she saw, and said, +inquiringly: +</p> +<p>“Miss——?” +</p> +<p>“Miss Fairfield,” said Patty, pleasantly, +“and I have come in answer to your advertisement.” +</p> +<p>“For assistant milliner? You.” +</p> +<p>Miss O’Flynn was surprised out of her usual +calm by the amazing proposition of the young +stranger. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, quite calm herself. “I +can trim hats very prettily.” +</p> +<p>“Did you trim the one you have on?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_159' name='page_159'></a>159</span></p> +<p>“Well, no,” admitted Patty. “I brought +this from Paris. But I am sure I can trim hats +to suit you. May I try?” +</p> +<p>“What experience have you had?” +</p> +<p>“Well,—not any professional experience. +You see, it is only recently that I have desired +to earn my own living.” +</p> +<p>“Oh,—sudden reverses,” murmured Miss +O’Flynn, thinking she had solved the problem. +“Well, my dear, you have evidently been +brought up a lady, so it will be hard for you to +find work. I am sorry to say I cannot employ +you, as I engage only skilled workwomen.” +</p> +<p>“But trimming hats doesn’t require professional +skill,” said Patty. “Only good taste +and a,—a sort of knack at bows and things.” +</p> +<p>Miss O’Flynn laughed. +</p> +<p>“Everything requires professional skill,” she +returned. “A course of training is necessary +for any position.” +</p> +<p>“But if you’d try me,” said Patty, quite unconscious +that her tone was pleading. “Just +give me a day’s trial, and if I don’t make good, +you needn’t pay me anything.” +</p> +<p>Miss O’Flynn was more puzzled than ever. +Insistent though Patty was, it didn’t seem to +her the insistence of a poor girl wanting to earn +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_160' name='page_160'></a>160</span> +her bread; it was more like the determination +of a wilful child to attain its desire. +</p> +<p>So, moved rather by curiosity to see how it +would turn out, than a belief in Patty’s ability, +she said, coldly: +</p> +<p>“I will do as you ask. You may go to the +workroom for to-day; but on the understanding +that unless you show unusual skill or aptitude +to learn, you are not to be paid anything, nor +are you to come to-morrow.” +</p> +<p>“All right,” said Patty, smiling jubilantly at +having received her opportunity, at least. +</p> +<p>Miss O’Flynn took her to a workroom, where +several girls were busily engaged in various +sorts of millinery work. +</p> +<p>“Sit here, Miss Fairfield,” and Miss O’Flynn +indicated a chair at one end of a long table. +“You may line this hat.” +</p> +<p>Then she gave Patty an elaborate velvet hat, +trimmed with feathers, and materials for sewing. +She also gave her white silk for the lining +of the hat, and a piece stamped with gilt letters, +which Patty knew must be placed inside the +crown. +</p> +<p>It all seemed easy,—too easy, in fact, for +Patty aspired to making velvet rosettes, and +placing ostrich plumes. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_161' name='page_161'></a>161</span></p> +<p>But she knew she was being tested, and she set +to work at her task with energy. +</p> +<p>Though she had never lined a hat before, she +knew in a general way how it should be done, +and she tried to go about it with an air of experience. +The other girls at the table cast +furtive glances at her. +</p> +<p>Though they were not rude, they showed that +air of hostile criticism, so often shown by habitués +to a newcomer, though based on nothing +but prejudiced curiosity. +</p> +<p>But as Patty began to cut the lining, she saw +involuntary smiles spring to their faces. She +knew that she must be cutting it wrongly, but it +seemed to her the only way to cut it, so she went +on. +</p> +<p>The girls began to nudge each other, and to +smile more openly, and, to her own chagrin, +Patty felt her cheeks growing red with embarrassment. +</p> +<p>She was tempted to speak pleasantly to them, +and ask what her mistake was, but a strange +notion of honesty forbade this. +</p> +<p>She had said at home that she believed it +would be possible for her to earn her living +without special instruction, and it seemed to her, +that if she now asked for advice it would be +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_162' name='page_162'></a>162</span> +like getting special training, though in a small +degree. +</p> +<p>So she went calmly on with her work; cut and +fitted the hat lining, and carefully sewed it in +the hat. +</p> +<p>Remembering that the stitch she used on her +“white work” had been criticised as too long, +she now was careful to take very short stitches, +and she used her utmost endeavour to make her +work neat and dainty. +</p> +<p>Miss O’Flynn passed her chair two or three +times while the work was in progress, but she +made no comment of any sort. +</p> +<p>It was perhaps eleven o’clock when Patty +completed the task. Next time Miss O’Flynn +came by her she handed her the hat with an +unmistakable air of triumph. +</p> +<p>“I’ve done it,” Patty thought to herself, +exultantly. “I’ve lined that hat, and, if I +do say it that shouldn’t, it’s done perfectly; +neat, smooth, and correct in every particular.” +</p> +<p>While Patty was indulging in these self-congratulatory +thoughts, Miss O’Flynn took the +hat from her hand. She gave it a quick glance, +then she looked at Patty. +</p> +<p>Had Patty looked more meek, had she seemed +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_163' name='page_163'></a>163</span> +to await Miss O’Flynn’s opinion of her work, +the result might have been different. +</p> +<p>But Patty’s expression was so plainly that of +a conquering hero, she showed so palpably +her pride in her own achievement, that Miss +O’Flynn’s eyes narrowed, and her face hardened. +Without a word to Patty, she handed +the hat to a sad-eyed young woman at another +table, and said: +</p> +<p>“Line this hat, Miss Harrigan.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, ma’am,” said the girl; and even as +Patty watched her, she began to snip deftly at +Patty’s small, careful stitches, and in a few moments +the lining was out, and the girl was +shaping and cutting a new one, with a quick, +sure touch, and with not so much as a glance in +Patty’s direction. +</p> +<p>The other girls,—the ones at Patty’s table,—looked +horrified, but they did not look openly +at Patty. Furtively, they darted glances at her +from beneath half-closed lids, and then as furtively +glanced at each other. +</p> +<p>It all struck Patty humorously. To have her +careful work discarded and snipped out, to be +replaced by “skilled labour,” seemed so funny +that she wanted to laugh aloud. +</p> +<p>But she was also deeply chagrined at her failure, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_164' name='page_164'></a>164</span> +and so it was an uncertain attitude of mind +that showed upon her face as Miss O’Flynn +again approached her. +</p> +<p>Without making any reference to the work +she had already done, Miss O’Flynn gave Patty +a hat frame and some thick, soft satin. +</p> +<p>“Cover the frame neatly, Miss Fairfield,” +was all she said, and walked away. +</p> +<p>Patty understood. +</p> +<p>It was her own independent and assured attitude +that had led Miss O’Flynn to pursue this +course. She didn’t for a moment think that all +beginners were treated like this. But she had +asked to be given a fair trial—and she was getting +it. +</p> +<p>Moreover, she half suspected that Miss +O’Flynn knew she was not really under the necessity +of earning her own living. +</p> +<p>Though wearing her plainest clothes, all the +details of her costume betokened an affluence +that couldn’t be concealed. +</p> +<p>Astute Patty began to think that Miss +O’Flynn saw through her, and that she was +cleverly getting even with her. +</p> +<p>However, she took the hat frame and the +satin, and set to work in thorough earnest. +Though not poor, she could not have tried any +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_165' name='page_165'></a>165</span> +harder to succeed had she been in direst want. +</p> +<p>But as to her work, she was very much at sea. +</p> +<p>She knew she had to get the satin on to the +frame, without crease or wrinkle. She knew +exactly how it ought to look when done, for she +had a hat of that sort herself, and the material +covered the foundation as creaselessly as paint. +</p> +<p>“I’m sure it only needs gumption,” thought +Patty, hopefully. “Here’s my real chance to +prove that it doesn’t need a series of lessons to +get some satin smoothly on a crinoline frame. +If I do it neatly, she won’t ask some other girl +to do it over.” +</p> +<p>Paying no attention to the covert glances of +her companions, Patty set to work. She cut +carefully, she fitted neatly; she pinned and she +basted; she smoothed and she patted; and finally +she sewed, with tiny, close stitches, placed +evenly and with great precision. +</p> +<p>So absorbed did she become in her task that +she failed to notice the departure of the others +at noon. Alone she sat there at the table, snipping, +sewing, pinning, and patting the somewhat +refractory satin. +</p> +<p>It was almost one o’clock when she finished, +and looked up suddenly to see Miss O’Flynn +standing watching her. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_166' name='page_166'></a>166</span></p> +<p>“Why are you doing this?” she said to Patty, +as she took the hat from the girl’s hands. +</p> +<p>Patty sat up, all at once, conscious of great +pain in the back of her neck, from her continued +cramped position at work. +</p> +<p>“Because I want to earn money,” replied +Patty, not pertly, but in a tone of obstinate intent. +“Is it done right?” +</p> +<p>Miss O’Flynn looked at Patty, with an air of +kindliness and willingness to help her. +</p> +<p>“Tell me all about it,” she said. +</p> +<p>But Patty was in no mood for confidences, and +with a shade of hauteur in her manner, she +said again: “Is it done right? Does it suit +you?” +</p> +<p>At Patty’s rejection of her advances, Miss +O’Flynn also became reserved again, and said, +simply: “I cannot use it.” +</p> +<p>“Why not?” demanded Patty. “It is covered +smoothly and neatly. It shows no crease +nor fold.” +</p> +<p>“It is not right,” said Miss O’Flynn. “It is +not done right, because you do not know how to +do it. You have never been taught how to +cover hats or how to line them; consequently +you cannot do them right.” +</p> +<p>The other girls had gone to luncheon, so the +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_167' name='page_167'></a>167</span> +two were alone in the room. Patty knew that +Miss O’Flynn was telling her the truth, and yet +she resented it. A red spot burned in each cheek +as she answered: +</p> +<p>“But the hat is covered perfectly. What matter, +then, whether I have been taught or not?” +</p> +<p>“Excuse me, it is <i>not</i> covered perfectly. The +stitches are too small——” +</p> +<p>“Too small!” exclaimed Patty. “Why, I +didn’t know stitches could be too <i>small</i>!” +</p> +<p>The other smiled. “That is my argument,” +she said. “You <i>don’t know</i>. Of course stitches +should be small for ordinary sewing, and for +many sorts of work. But not for millinery. +Here long stitches are wanted, but they must +be rightly set,—not careless long stitches.” +</p> +<p>“Why?” said Patty, somewhat subdued now. +</p> +<p>“Because a better effect can be produced with +long stitches. You see, your stitches are small +and true, but every one shows. With a skilful +long stitch, no stitch is seen at all. It is what +we call a blind stitch, and can only be successfully +done by skilled workers, who have been +taught, and who have also had practice.” +</p> +<p>Patty was silent a moment, then she said: +</p> +<p>“Miss O’Flynn, we agreed that I was to have +a day’s trial.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_168' name='page_168'></a>168</span></p> +<p>“Yes, Miss Fairfield; I will stand by my +word.” +</p> +<p>“Then may I select my own work for the +afternoon?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Miss O’Flynn, wondering +whether, after all, this pretty, young girl could +be a harmless lunatic. +</p> +<p>“Then I want to trim hats. Make bows, you +know; sew on flowers or feathers; or adjust +lace. May I do such things as that?” +</p> +<p>Miss O’Flynn hesitated. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she said, finally; “if you will be careful +not to injure the materials. You see, if your +work should have to be done over, I don’t want +the materials spoiled.” +</p> +<p>“I promise,” said Patty, slowly. +</p> +<p>“But, first, will you not go out for your +lunch?” +</p> +<p>“No, thank you; I’m not hungry. Please +bring me my work at once.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XII_THREE_HATS' id='XII_THREE_HATS'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_169' name='page_169'></a>169</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> +<h3>THREE HATS</h3> +</div> + +<p>But Miss O’Flynn sent Patty a cup of hot +bouillon, and some biscuit, which she ate +right there at her work-table. +</p> +<p>And it was a kindly act, for, though Patty +didn’t realise it, she was really faint for want +of food and also for fresh air. +</p> +<p>The room, though large, had many occupants, +and now the girls began to come back from +their luncheon, and their chatter made Patty’s +head ache. +</p> +<p>But she was doing some deep thinking. Her +theories about unskilled labour had received a +hard blow; and she was beginning to think her +millinery efforts were not going to be successful. +</p> +<p>“But I’ve a chance yet,” she thought, as Miss +O’Flynn came, bringing two hats, and a large +box of handsome trimmings. +</p> +<p>The other girls stared at this, for they knew +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_170' name='page_170'></a>170</span> +that Patty’s morning efforts had been far from +successful. +</p> +<p>But Patty only smiled at them in a pleasant, +but impersonal manner, as she took up her new +work. +</p> +<p>Her confidence returned. She knew she could +do what she was now about to attempt, for, +added to her natural taste and love of colour, she +had been critically interested in hats while in +Paris, and while visiting her friend, Lady Kitty, +who was especially extravagant in her millinery +purchases. +</p> +<p>After a period of thought, Patty decided on +her scheme of trimming for the two hats before +her, and then set blithely to work. +</p> +<p>One was to be a simple style of decoration, the +other, much more complicated. Taking up the +elaborate one first, Patty went at it with energy, +and with an assured touch, for she had the effect +definitely pictured in her imagination and +was sure she could materialise it. +</p> +<p>And she did. After about two hours’ hard +work, Patty achieved a triumph. She held up +the finished hat, and every girl at the table +uttered an “ah!” of admiration at the beautiful +sight. +</p> +<p>Without response, other than a quiet smile, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_171' name='page_171'></a>171</span> +Patty took up the second hat. This was simple, +but daring in its very simplicity. A black velvet +Gainsborough, with broad, rolling brim. Patty +turned it smartly up, at one side, and fastened +it with a rosette of dull blue velvet and +a silver buckle. Just then, Miss O’Flynn +came in. +</p> +<p>“Where did that hat come from?” she said, +pointing to Patty’s finished confection. +</p> +<p>“I trimmed it,” said Patty, nonchalantly. +“Have you some silver hatpins, Miss +O’Flynn?” +</p> +<p>“You trimmed it!” exclaimed the forewoman, +ignoring Patty’s question, and taking up the +trimmed hat. +</p> +<p>“Yes; do you like it?” +</p> +<p>“It’s a marvel! It looks like a French hat. +How did you know enough to trim it like +this?” +</p> +<p>“I thought it would look well that way.” +</p> +<p>“But these twists of velvet; they have a +touch!” +</p> +<p>“Yes?” said Patty, inwardly exultant, but +outwardly calm. +</p> +<p>“And now,” she went on, “this hat is of another +type.” +</p> +<p>“It’s not finished?” asked Miss O’Flynn, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_172' name='page_172'></a>172</span> +eyeing the hat in uncertainty, “and yet,—any +other trimming would spoil its lines.” +</p> +<p>“Just so,” said Patty, placidly. “You see, +all it needs now, is two large silver hatpins, like +this,—see.” +</p> +<p>Patty pulled two hatpins from her own +hat, which she still had on, and placed +them carefully in the hat she held in her +hand. +</p> +<p>“These pins are too small,—but you see what +I mean.” +</p> +<p>Miss O’Flynn did see. She saw that two +larger pins would finish the hat with just +the right touch, while any other decoration +would spoil it. +</p> +<p>She looked at Patty curiously. +</p> +<p>“You’re a genius, Miss Fairfield,” she said. +“Will you trim another hat?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, looking at her watch. +“It’s only four o’clock. May I have an evening +hat, please?” +</p> +<p>“You may have whatever you like. Come and +select for yourself.” +</p> +<p>Patty went to the cases, and chose a large +white beaver, with soft, broad brim. +</p> +<p>“I will make you a picture hat, to put in your +window,” she said, smiling. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_173' name='page_173'></a>173</span></p> +<p>She selected some trimmings and returned to +her seat at the table. +</p> +<p>It was rather more than half an hour later +when she showed Miss O’Flynn her work. +</p> +<p>“There’s not much work on it,” Patty said, +slowly. “I spent the time thinking it +out.” +</p> +<p>There was not much work on it, to be sure; +and yet it was a hat of great distinction. +</p> +<p>The white brim rolled slightly back, and where +it touched the low crown it met two immense +roses, one black and one of palest pink. Two +slight sprays of foliage, made of black velvet +leaves, nestled between the roses, and completed +the trimming. +</p> +<p>The roses were of abnormal size and great +beauty, but it was the mode of their adjustment +that secured the extremely <i>chic</i> effect. +</p> +<p>Miss O’Flynn’s eyes sparkled. +</p> +<p>“It’s a masterpiece,” she said, clasping her +hands in admiration. “You have trimmed hats +before, Miss Fairfield?” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty, “but I always knew I +could do it.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, you can,” said Miss O’Flynn. “Will +you come now, and talk to Madame?” +</p> +<p>Ushered into the presence of Madame Villard, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_174' name='page_174'></a>174</span> +Patty suddenly experienced a revulsion of feeling. +</p> +<p>Her triumph over Miss O’Flynn seemed small +and petty. She was conscious of a revolt against +the whole atmosphere of the place. The suavity +of Miss O’Flynn’s manner, the artificial grandeur +of Madame Villard, filled her with aversion, +and she wanted only to get away, and get +back to her own home. +</p> +<p>Not for any amount per week would she come +again to this dreadful place. +</p> +<p>She knew it was unreasonable; she knew that +if she were to earn her living it could not be in +a sheltered, luxurious home, but must, perforce, +be in some unattractive workroom. +</p> +<p>“But rather a department store,” thought +poor Patty, “than in this place, with these +overdressed, overmannered women, who ape +fine ladies’ manners.” +</p> +<p>Patty was overwrought and nervous. Her +long, hard day had worn her out, and it was no +wonder she felt a distaste for the whole thing. +</p> +<p>“You are certainly clever,” said Madame +Villard, patronisingly, as she looked at the hats +Miss O’Flynn held up for her inspection. “I +am glad to offer you a permanent position +here. You will have to learn the rudiments of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_175' name='page_175'></a>175</span> +the work, as the most gifted genius should always +be familiar with the foundations of his +own art. Will you agree to come to me every +day?” +</p> +<p>Patty hesitated. She hated the thought of +coming every day, even if but for a week. And +yet, here was the opportunity she was in search +of. Trimming hats was easy enough work; +probably they wouldn’t make her learn lining +and covering at once. +</p> +<p>Then the thought occurred to her that it +wouldn’t be honest to pretend she was coming +regularly, when she meant to do so only for a +week. +</p> +<p>“Suppose I try it for a week,” she suggested. +“Then if either of us wishes to do so, we can +terminate the contract.” +</p> +<p>“Very well,” said Madame, who thought to +herself she could make this young genius trim a +great many hats in a week. “Do you agree to +that?” +</p> +<p>“At what salary?” asked Patty, faintly, for +she felt as if she were condemning herself to a +week of torture. +</p> +<p>“Well,” said Madame Villard, “as you are +so ignorant of the work, I ought not to give +you any recompense at all; but as you evince +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_176' name='page_176'></a>176</span> +such an aptitude for trimming I am willing to +say, five dollars a week.” +</p> +<p>“Five dollars a week,” repeated Patty, slowly. +“You ought to be ashamed of yourself!” +</p> +<p>Patty did not mean to be rude or impertinent. +Indeed, for the moment she was not even thinking +of herself. She was thinking how a poor +girl, who had her living to earn, would feel at +an offer of five dollars for six long days of work +in that dreadful atmosphere. +</p> +<p>“I beg your pardon,” she said, mechanically, +and she said it more because of Madame Villard’s +look of amazement, than because of any +regret at her own blunt speech. “I shouldn’t +have spoken so frankly. But the compensation +you offer is utterly inadequate.” +</p> +<p>Patty glanced at her watch, and then began +drawing on her gloves with an air of finality. +</p> +<p>“But wait,—wait, Miss Fairfield,” exclaimed +the Madame, who had no wish to let her new-found +genius thus slip away from her. “I like +your work. I may say I think it shows touches +of real talent. Also, you have unusually good +taste. In view of these things, I will overlook +still further your ignorance of the details of +the work, and I will give you seven dollars a +week.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_177' name='page_177'></a>177</span></p> +<p>“Madame,” said Patty, “I am inexperienced +in the matter of wages, but I feel sure that you +either employ inferior workwomen or that you +underpay them. I don’t know which, but I +assure you that I could not think of accepting +your offer of seven dollars a week.” +</p> +<p>“Would you come for ten?” asked Madame +Villard, eagerly. +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty, shortly. +</p> +<p>“For twelve, then? This is my ultimate +offer, and you would do well to consider it carefully. +I have never paid so much to any workwoman, +and I offer it to you only because I +chance to like your style of work.” +</p> +<p>“And that is your ultimate offer?” said +Patty, looking at her squarely. +</p> +<p>“Yes, and I am foolish to offer that; but, as +we agreed, it is only for one week, and so——” +</p> +<p>“Spare your arguments, madame; I do not +accept your proposal. Twelve dollars a week is +not enough. And now, I will bid you good-afternoon. +Am I entitled to pay for my day’s +work?” +</p> +<p>With Patty’s final refusal, the manner of +Madame Villard had changed. No longer +placating and bland, she frowned angrily as +she said: +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_178' name='page_178'></a>178</span></p> +<p>“Pay, indeed! You should be charged for +the materials you spoiled in your morning’s +work.” +</p> +<p>“But in the afternoon,” said Patty, “I +trimmed three hats that will bring you big +profits.” +</p> +<p>“Nothing of the sort,” snapped Madame. +“The hats you trimmed are nothing of any moment. +Any of my girls could have done as +well.” +</p> +<p>“Then why don’t you pay them twelve dollars +a week?” cried Patty, whose harassed +nerves were making her irritable. “I will call +our financial account even, but if any of your +workwomen can trim hats that you like as well +as those that I trimmed, I trust you will give +them the salary you offered me. Good-afternoon.” +</p> +<p>Patty bowed politely, and then, with a more +kindly bow and smile to Miss O’Flynn, she +went through the draperies, through the front +salesroom, and out at the front door. The +milliner and her forewoman followed her with +a dignified slowness, but reached the window in +time to see Patty get into an elaborately-appointed +motor-car which rolled rapidly away. +</p> +<p>“She’s one of those society women who spy +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_179' name='page_179'></a>179</span> +out what wages we pay,” said Madame Villard, +with conviction. +</p> +<p>“She’s not old enough for that,” returned +Miss O’Flynn, “but she’s not looking for real +work, either. I can’t make her out.” +</p> +<p>“Well, we have three stunning hats, anyway. +Put them in the window to-morrow. And you +may as well put Paris labels inside; they have +an air of the real thing.” +</p> +<p>That evening Patty regaled her parents with +a truthful account of her day. +</p> +<p>“I’m ‘foiled again’!” she said, laughing. +“But the whole performance was so funny I +must tell you about it.” +</p> +<p>“Couldn’t you have coaxed fifteen dollars a +week out of her?” asked Mr. Fairfield, after +Patty had told how Madame Villard’s price +had gradually increased. +</p> +<p>“Oh, father, I was so afraid she <i>would</i> say +fifteen! Then I should have felt that I ought +to go to her for a week; for I may not get +another such chance. But I couldn’t live in that +place a week, I <i>know</i> I couldn’t!” +</p> +<p>“Why?” asked Nan, curiously. +</p> +<p>“I don’t know exactly why,” returned Patty, +thoughtfully. “But it’s mostly because it’s all +so artificial and untrue. Miss O’Flynn talks as +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_180' name='page_180'></a>180</span> +if she were a superior being; Madame Villard +talks as if she were a Royal personage. They +talk about their customers and each other in a +sort of make-believe grandiose way, that is as +sickening as it is absurd. I don’t know how to +express it, but I’d rather work in a place where +everybody is real, and claims only such honour +and glory as absolutely belong to them. I hate +pretence!” +</p> +<p>“Good little Patty!” said her father, heartily; +“I’m glad you do. Oh, I tell you, my girl, +you’ll learn some valuable lessons, even if you +don’t achieve your fifteen dollars.” +</p> +<p>“But I shall do that, too, father. You +needn’t think I’m conquered yet. Pooh! +What’s three failures to a determined nature +like mine?” +</p> +<p>“What, indeed!” laughed Mr. Fairfield. +“Go ahead, my plucky little heroine; you’ll +strike it right yet.” +</p> +<p>“I’m sure I shall,” declared Patty, with such +a self-satisfied air of complacency that both her +hearers laughed. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIII_THE_THURSDAY_CLUB' id='XIII_THE_THURSDAY_CLUB'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_181' name='page_181'></a>181</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> +<h3>THE THURSDAY CLUB</h3> +</div> + +<p>As Patty was temporarily out of an “occupation,” +she went skating the next day +with the Farringtons and Kenneth. Indeed, +the four were so often together that they +began to call themselves the Quartette. +</p> +<p>After a jolly skate, which made their cheeks +rosy, they all went back to Patty’s, as they +usually did after skating. +</p> +<p>“I think you might come to my house, sometimes,” +said Elise. +</p> +<p>“Oh, I have to go to Patty’s to look after the +goldfish,” said Kenneth. “I thought Darby +swam lame, the last time I saw him. Does he, +Patty?” +</p> +<p>“No, not now. But Juliet has a cold, and I’m +afraid of rheumatism setting in.” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Kenneth; “she’s too young for +rheumatism. But she may have ‘housemaid’s +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_182' name='page_182'></a>182</span> +knee.’ You must be very careful about +draughts.” +</p> +<p>The goldfish were a never-failing source of +fun for the Quartette. The fish themselves +were quiet, inoffensive little creatures, but the +ready imagination of the young people invested +them with all sorts of strange qualities, both +physical and mental. +</p> +<p>“Juliet’s still sulky about that thimble,” said +Roger, as they all looked into the fishes’ globe. +“I gave her Patty’s thimble yesterday to +wear for a hat, and it didn’t suit her at +all.” +</p> +<p>“I should say not!” cried Patty. “She +thought it was a helmet. You must take her for +Joan of Arc.” +</p> +<p>“She didn’t wear a helmet,” said Elise, laughing. +</p> +<p>“Well, she wore armour. They belong together. +Anyway, Juliet doesn’t know but that +Joan of Arc wore a helmet.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, is that what made her so sulky?” said +Roger. “Nice disposition, I must say.” +</p> +<p>“She’s nervous,” put in Kenneth, “and a little +morbid, poor thing. Patty, I think a little iron +in the water would do her good.” +</p> +<p>“Send for a flatiron, Patty,” said Roger. “I +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_183' name='page_183'></a>183</span> +know it would help her, if you set it carefully +on top of her.” +</p> +<p>“I won’t do it!” said Patty. “Poor Juliet is +flat enough now. She doesn’t eat enough to +keep a bird alive. Let’s go away and leave her +to sleep. That will fatten her, maybe.” +</p> +<p>“Lullaby, Julie, in the fish-bowl,” sang Roger. +</p> +<p>“When the wind blows, the billows will roll,” +continued Elise, fanning the water in the globe +with a newspaper. +</p> +<p>“When the bowl breaks, the fishes will fall,” +contributed Patty, and Ken wound up by singing: +</p> +<p>“And the Cat will eat Juliet, Darby, and all!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, horrible!” cried Patty. “Indeed she +won’t! My beautiful pets shall never meet that +cruel fate.” +</p> +<p>Leaving Juliet to her much needed nap, they +all strolled into the library. +</p> +<p>“Let’s be a club,” said Elise. “Just us four, +you know.” +</p> +<p>“All right,” said Patty, who loved clubs. +“What sort of a club?” +</p> +<p>“Musical,” said Elise. “We all sing.” +</p> +<p>“Musical clubs are foolish,” said Roger. +“Let’s be a dramatic club.” +</p> +<p>“Dramatic clubs are too much work,” said +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_184' name='page_184'></a>184</span> +Patty; “and four isn’t enough for that, anyway. +Let’s do good.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Patty,” groaned Kenneth, “you’re +getting so eleemosynary there’s no fun in +you!” +</p> +<p>“Mercy, gracious!” cried Patty. “<i>What</i> +was that fearful word you said, Ken? No! +don’t say it over again! I can’t stand all of it +at once!” +</p> +<p>“Well, we have to stand you!” grumbled +Kenneth, “and you’re <i>that</i> all the time, now. +What foolishness are you going to fly at next, +trying to earn a dishonest penny?” +</p> +<p>“I’m thinking of going out as a cook,” said +Patty, her eyes twinkling. “Cooking is the +only thing I really know how to do. But I can +do that.” +</p> +<p>“You’ll be fine as cook,” said Roger. “May +I come round Thursday afternoons and take +you out?” +</p> +<p>“I s’pose I’ll only have every other Thursday,” +said Patty, demurely. +</p> +<p>“And the other Thursday you won’t be +there! But what about this club we’re organising?” +</p> +<p>“Make it musical,” said Kenneth, “and then +while one of us is playing or singing some +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_185' name='page_185'></a>185</span> +classical selection, the others can indulge in +merry conversation.” +</p> +<p>“You may as well make it the Patty Club,” +said Elise, “as I suppose it will always meet +here.” +</p> +<p>Though not really jealous of her friend’s popularity, +Elise always resented the fact that the +young people would rather be at Patty’s than +at her own home. +</p> +<p>The reason was, that the Fairfield house, +though handsomely appointed, was not so formally +grand as the Farringtons’, and there was +always an atmosphere of cordiality and hospitality +at Patty’s, while at Elise’s it was oppressively +formal and dignified. +</p> +<p>“Oh, pshaw,” said Patty, ignoring Elise’s unkind +intent; “I won’t have you always here. +We’ll take turns, of course.” +</p> +<p>“All right,” said Elise; “every other week at +my house and every other week here. But don’t +you think we ought to have more than four +members?” +</p> +<p>“No, I don’t,” declared Kenneth, promptly. +“And we don’t want any musical nonsense, or +any dramatic foolishness, either. Let’s just +have fun; if it’s pleasant weather, we’ll go skating, +or sleighing, or motoring, or whatever you +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_186' name='page_186'></a>186</span> +like; if it isn’t, we’ll stay indoors, or go to a +matinée or concert, or something like that.” +</p> +<p>“Lovely!” cried Elise. “But if we’re to go +to matinées, we’ll have to meet Saturdays.” +</p> +<p>“Or Wednesdays,” amended Patty. “Let’s +meet Wednesdays. I ’most always have engagements +on Saturdays.” +</p> +<p>“All right; shall we call it the Wednesday +Club, then?” +</p> +<p>“No, Elise,” said Roger, gravely. “That’s +too obvious; we will call it the Thursday Club, +because we meet on Wednesday; see?” +</p> +<p>“No, I don’t see,” said Elise, looking puzzled. +</p> +<p>“Why,” explained Roger, “you see we’ll +spend all day Thursday thinking over the good +time we had on Wednesday!” +</p> +<p>“But that isn’t the real reason,” said Patty, +giggling. “The real reason we call it the +Thursday Club is because it meets on Wednesday!” +</p> +<p>“That’s it, Patsy!” said Ken, approvingly, +for he and Patty had the same love for nonsense, +though more practical Elise couldn’t always +understand it. +</p> +<p>“Well, then, the Thursday Club will meet +here next Wednesday,” said Patty; “unless I +am otherwise engaged.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_187' name='page_187'></a>187</span></p> +<p>For she just happened to think, that on that +day she might be again attempting to earn her +fifteen dollars. +</p> +<p>“What’s the Thursday Club? Mayn’t I +belong?” said a pleasant voice, and Mr. Hepworth +came in. +</p> +<p>“Oh, how do you do?” cried Patty, jumping +up, and offering both hands. “I’m so glad to +see you. Do sit down.” +</p> +<p>“I came round,” said Mr. Hepworth, after +greeting the others, “in hopes I could corral +a cup of tea. I thought you ran a five-o’clock +tea-room.” +</p> +<p>“We do,” said Patty, ringing a bell nearby. +“That is, we always have tea when Nan is +home; and we can just as well have it when she +isn’t.” +</p> +<p>“I suppose you young people don’t care for +tea,” went on Mr. Hepworth, looking a little +enviously at the merry group, who, indeed, +didn’t care whether they had tea or not. +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, we do,” said Patty. “We love it. +But we,—we just forgot it. We were so engrossed +in organising a club.” +</p> +<p>But the others did not follow up this conversational +beginning, and even before the tea was +brought, Elise said she must go. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_188' name='page_188'></a>188</span></p> +<p>“Nonsense!” said Patty; “don’t go yet.” +</p> +<p>But Elise was decided, so away she went, and +of course, Roger went too. +</p> +<p>“And I’m going,” said Kenneth, as Patty, +having followed Elise out into the hall, he +joined them there. +</p> +<p>“Oh; don’t you go, Ken,” said Patty. +</p> +<p>“Yes, I’d rather. When Hepworth comes +you get so grown-up all of a sudden. +With your ‘Oh, how do you do?’ and your +<i>tea</i>.” +</p> +<p>Kenneth mimicked Patty’s voice, which did +sound different when she spoke to Mr. Hepworth. +</p> +<p>“Ken, you’re very unjust,” said Patty, her +cheeks flushing; “of course I have to give Mr. +Hepworth tea when he asks for it; and if I seem +more ‘grown-up’ with him, it’s because he’s so +much older than you are.” +</p> +<p>“He is, indeed! About twelve years older! +Too old to be your friend. He ought to be calling +on Mrs. Fairfield.” +</p> +<p>“He is. He calls on us both. I think you’re +very silly!” +</p> +<p>This conversation had been in undertones, +while Elise was donning her hat and furs, and +great was her curiosity when Patty turned from +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_189' name='page_189'></a>189</span> +Kenneth, with an offended or hurt expression on +her face. +</p> +<p>“What’s the matter with you two?” she +asked, bluntly. +</p> +<p>“Nothing,” said Ken, looking humble. +“Patty’s been begging me to be more polite to +the goldfish.” +</p> +<p>“Nonsense!” laughed Patty; “your manners +are above reproach, Ken.” +</p> +<p>“Thanks, fair lady,” he replied, with a Chesterfieldian +bow, and then the three went +away. +</p> +<p>“Did I drive off your young friends, Patty?” +said Mr. Hepworth, as she returned to the +library, where Jane was already setting forth +the tea things. +</p> +<p>Patty was nonplussed. He certainly had driven +them away, but she couldn’t exactly tell him so. +</p> +<p>“You needn’t answer,” he said, laughing at +her dismayed expression. “I am sorry they +don’t like me, but until you show that you don’t, +I shall continue to come here.” +</p> +<p>“I hope you will,” said Patty, earnestly. “It +isn’t that they don’t like you, Mr. Hepworth; +it’s that they think you don’t like them.” +</p> +<p>“What?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I don’t mean exactly that; but they think +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_190' name='page_190'></a>190</span> +that you think they’re children,—almost, and +you’re bored by them.” +</p> +<p>“I’m not bored by you, and you’re a child,—almost.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I don’t know how it is,” said Patty, +throwing off all responsibility in the matter; +“but I like them and I like you, and yet, I’d +rather have you at different times.” +</p> +<p>“Which do you like better?” asked Mr. Hepworth. +He knew it was a foolish question, +but it was uttered almost involuntarily. +</p> +<p>“Them!” said Patty, but she gave him such +a roguish smile as she said it, that he almost +thought she meant the opposite. +</p> +<p>“Still,” she went on, with what was palpably +a mock regret, “I shall have to put up with +you for the present; so be as young as you can. +How many lumps, please?” +</p> +<p>“Two; you see I can be very young.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, approvingly; “it is young +to take two lumps. But now tell me something +about Miss Farley. Have you heard from her +or of her lately?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I have,” said Mr. Hepworth, as he +stirred his tea. “That is, I’ve heard of her. +My friend, down in Virginia, who knows Miss +Farley, has sent me another of her sketches, and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_191' name='page_191'></a>191</span> +it proves more positively than ever that the girl +has real genius. But, Patty, I want you to give +up this scheme of yours to help her. It was +good of your father to make the offer he did, +but I don’t want you racing around to these +dreadful places looking for work. I’m going +to get some other people interested in Miss +Farley, and I’m sure her art education can be +managed in some way. I’d willingly subscribe +the whole sum needed, myself, but it would be +impossible to arrange it that way. She’d never +accept it, if she knew; and it’s difficult to deceive +her.” +</p> +<p>Patty looked serious. +</p> +<p>“I don’t wonder you think I can’t do what I +set out to do,” she said slowly, “for I’ve made +so many ridiculous failures already. But please +don’t lose faith in me, yet. Give me one or two +more chances.” +</p> +<p>Mr. Hepworth looked kindly into Patty’s +earnest eyes. +</p> +<p>“Don’t take this thing too seriously,” he +said. +</p> +<p>“But I want to take it seriously. You think +I’m a child,—a butterfly. I assure you I am +neither.” +</p> +<p>“I think you’re adorable, whatever you are!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_192' name='page_192'></a>192</span> +was on the tip of Gilbert Hepworth’s tongue; +but he did not say it. +</p> +<p>Though he cared more for Patty than for anything +on earth, he had vowed to himself the +girl should never know it. He was thirty-five, +and Patty but eighteen, and he knew that was +too great a discrepancy in years for him ever +to hope to win her affections. +</p> +<p>So he contented himself with an occasional +evening call, or once in a while dropping in at +tea time, resolved never to show to Patty herself +the high regard he had for her. +</p> +<p>She had told him of her various unsuccessful +attempts at “earning her living,” and he deeply +regretted that he had been the means of bringing +about the situation. +</p> +<p>He did not share Mr. Fairfield’s opinion that +the experience was a good one for Patty, and +would broaden her views of humanity in general, +and teach her a few worth-while lessons. +</p> +<p>“Please give up the notion,” he urged, after +they had talked the matter over. +</p> +<p>“Indeed I won’t,” returned Patty. “At least, +not until I’ve proved to my own satisfaction +that my theories are wrong. And I don’t think +yet that they are. I still believe I can earn fifteen +dollars a week, without having had special +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_193' name='page_193'></a>193</span> +training for any work. Surely I ought to have +time to prove myself right.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, you ought to have time,” said Mr. Hepworth, +gently, “but you ought not to do it at +all. It’s an absurd proposition, the whole thing. +And as I, unfortunately, brought it about, I +want to ask you, please, to drop it.” +</p> +<p>“No, sir!” said Patty, gravely, but wagging +a roguish forefinger at him; “people can’t undo +their mistakes so easily. If, as you say, you +brought about this painful situation, then you +must sit patiently by and watch me as I flounder +about in the various sloughs of despond.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Patty, don’t! Please drop it all,—for +my sake!” +</p> +<p>Patty looked up in surprise at his earnest tones, +but she only laughed gaily, and said: +</p> +<p>“Nixy! Not I! Not by no means! But I’ll +give in to this extent. I’ll agree not to make +more than three more attempts. If I can’t succeed +in three more efforts, I’ll give up the game, +and confess myself a butterfly and an idiot.” +</p> +<p>“The only symptoms of idiocy are shown in +your making three more attempts,” said Mr. +Hepworth, who was almost angry at Patty’s +persistence. +</p> +<p>“Oh, pooh! I probably shan’t make three +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_194' name='page_194'></a>194</span> +more! I just somehow feel sure I’ll succeed +the very next time.” +</p> +<p>“A sanguine idiot is the most hopeless sort,” +said Mr. Hepworth, with a resigned air. “May +I ask what you intend to attempt next?” +</p> +<p>“You may ask, but you can’t be answered, for +I don’t yet know, myself. I’ve two or three +tempting plans, but I don’t know which to +choose. I’ve thought of taking a place as +cook.” +</p> +<p>“Patty! don’t you dare do such a thing! To +think of you in a kitchen,—under orders! Oh, +child, how <i>can</i> you?” +</p> +<p>Patty laughed outright at Mr. Hepworth’s +dismay. +</p> +<p>“Cheer up!” she cried; “I didn’t mean it! +But you think skilled labour is necessary, and +truly, I’m skilled in cooking. I really am.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, chafing-dish trifles; and fancy desserts.” +</p> +<p>“Well, those are good things for a cook to +know.” +</p> +<p>“Patty, promise me you won’t take any sort of +a servant’s position.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I can’t promise that. I fancy I’d make +a rather good lady’s-maid or parlour-maid. But +I promise you I won’t be a cook. Much as I +like to fuss with a chafing-dish, I shouldn’t like +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_195' name='page_195'></a>195</span> +to be kept in a kitchen and boil and roast things +all the time.” +</p> +<p>“I should say not! Well, since I can’t persuade +you to give up your foolish notion, do go +on, and get through with your three attempts as +soon as possible. Remember, you’ve promised +not more than three.” +</p> +<p>“I promise,” said Patty, with much solemnity, +and then Nan and Mr. Fairfield came in. +</p> +<p>Mr. Hepworth appealed at once to Mr. Fairfield, +telling him what he had already told +Patty. +</p> +<p>“Nonsense, Hepworth,” said Patty’s father, +“I’m glad you started the ball rolling. It +hasn’t done Patty a bit of harm, so far, and it +will be an experience she’ll always remember. +Let her go ahead; she can’t succeed, but she +can have the satisfaction of knowing she tried.” +</p> +<p>“I’m not so sure she can’t succeed,” said Nan, +standing up for Patty, who looked a little crestfallen +at the remarks of her father. +</p> +<p>“Good for you, Nan!” cried Patty; “I’ll +justify your faith in me yet. I know Mr. Hepworth +thinks I’m good for nothing, but Daddy +ought to know me better.” +</p> +<p>Mr. Hepworth seemed not to notice this petulant +outburst, and only said: +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_196' name='page_196'></a>196</span></p> +<p>“Remember, you’ve promised to withdraw +from the arena after three more conflicts.” +</p> +<p>“They won’t be conflicts,” said Patty, “and +there won’t be but one, anyway!” +</p> +<p>“So much the better,” said Mr. Hepworth, +calmly. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIV_MRS_VAN_REYPEN' id='XIV_MRS_VAN_REYPEN'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_197' name='page_197'></a>197</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> +<h3>MRS. VAN REYPEN</h3> +</div> + +<p>It was about a week later. Nothing further +had been said or done in the matter of +Patty’s “occupation,” and Mr. and Mrs. +Fairfield wondered what plan was slowly brewing +under the mop of golden curls. +</p> +<p>Mr. Hepworth began to hope his words had +had an effect after all, and was about to lay the +case of Miss Farley before some other true and +tried friends. +</p> +<p>But he had practically promised Patty to give +her time for three more attempts; so he waited. +</p> +<p>One day Patty came into the house just in +time for luncheon. +</p> +<p>“Nan,” she said, as they sat down at the +table, “I’ve struck it right this time!” +</p> +<p>“<i>In</i>-deed!” said Nan, raising her eyebrows, +quizzically. +</p> +<p>“Yes, I have! You needn’t laugh like that.” +</p> +<p>“I didn’t laugh.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_198' name='page_198'></a>198</span></p> +<p>“Yes, you did,—behind your eyes, but I saw +you! Now, as I tell you, this time conquers!” +</p> +<p>“Good for you, Patsy! Let me congratulate +you. Let me do it now, lest I shouldn’t be able +to do it later.” +</p> +<p>“Huh! I thought you had faith in me.” +</p> +<p>“And so I have, Patty girl,” said Nan, growing +serious all at once. “I truly have. Also, +I’ll help you, if I can.” +</p> +<p>“That’s just it, Nan. You can help me this +time, and I’m going to tell you all about it, before +I start in.” +</p> +<p>“Going to tell me now?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, because I go this afternoon.” +</p> +<p>“Go where?” +</p> +<p>“That’s just it. I go to take a position as a +companion to an elderly lady. And I shall stay +a week. I’ll take some clothes in a suitcase, or +small trunk, and after I’m gone, you must tell +father, and make it all right with him.” +</p> +<p>“But, Patty, he said at the outset, you must +be home by five o’clock every day, whatever +you were doing.” +</p> +<p>“Yes; but that referred to occupations by the +day. Now, that I’ve decided to take this sort +of a position, which is really more appropriate +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_199' name='page_199'></a>199</span> +to a lady of my ‘social standing,’ you must explain +to him that I can’t come home at five +o’clock, because I have to stay all the time, +nights and all.” +</p> +<p>“Patty, you’re crazy!” +</p> +<p>“No, I’m not. I’m determined; I’m even +stubborn, if you like; but I’m <i>going</i>! So, that’s +settled. Now, you said you’d help me. Are +you going to back out?” +</p> +<p>“No; I’m not. But I can’t approve of it.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, you can, if you try hard enough. Just +think how much properer it is for me to be companion +to a lovely lady in her own house, than +to be racing around lower Broadway for patchwork!” +</p> +<p>“That’s so,” said Nan, and then she realised +that if she knew where Patty was going, they +could go and bring her home at any time, if +Mr. Fairfield wished. +</p> +<p>“Well,” she went on, “who’s your lovely +lady?” +</p> +<p>“Mrs. Van Reypen.” +</p> +<p>“Patty Fairfield! Not <i>the</i> Mrs. Van Reypen?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, the very one! Isn’t it gay? She’s a +bit eccentric, and she advertised for a companion, +saying the application must be a written +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_200' name='page_200'></a>200</span> +one. So I pranced up to her house this morning, +and secured the position.” +</p> +<p>“But she said to apply by letter.” +</p> +<p>“Yes; that’s why I went myself! I sent up +my card, and a message that I had come in answer +to her advertisement. She sent back word +that I could go home and write to her. I said +I’d write then and there. So I helped myself to +her library desk, and wrote out a regular application. +In less than five minutes, I was summoned +to her august presence, and after looking +me over, she engaged me at once. How’s that +for quick action?” +</p> +<p>“But does she know who you are?” +</p> +<p>“Why, she knows my name, and that’s all.” +</p> +<p>“But she’s a,—why, she’s sort of an institution.” +</p> +<p>“Yes; I know she’s a public benefactor, and +all that. But, really, she’s very interesting; +though, I fancy she has a quick temper. However, +we’ve made the agreement for a week. +Then if either of us wants to back out, we’re at +liberty to do so.” +</p> +<p>“She was willing to arrange it that way?” +</p> +<p>“She insisted on it. She never takes anybody +until after a week’s trial.” +</p> +<p>“What are your duties?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_201' name='page_201'></a>201</span></p> +<p>“Oh, almost nothing. I’m not a social secretary, +or anything like that. Merely a companion, +to be with her, and read to her occasionally, +or perhaps sing to her, and go to drive +with her,—and that’s about all.” +</p> +<p>“No one else in the family?” +</p> +<p>“I don’t think so. She didn’t speak of any +one, except her secretary and servants. She’s +rather old-fashioned, and the house is dear. +All crystal chandeliers, and old frescoed walls +and ceilings, and elaborate door-frames. Why, +Nan, it’ll be fun to be there a week, and it’s so,—well, +so safe and pleasant, you know, and so +correct and seemly. Why, if I really had to +earn my own living, I couldn’t do better than +to be companion to Mrs. Van Reypen.” +</p> +<p>“No; I suppose not. What is the salary?” +</p> +<p>“Ah, that’s the beauty of it! It’s just fifteen +dollars a week. And as I get ‘board and lodging’ +beside, I’m really doing better than I +agreed to.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t like it, Patty,” said Nan, after a few +moments’ thought. “But it’s better, in some +ways, than the other things you’ve done. Go +on, and I’ll truly do all I can to talk your father +into letting you stay there a week; but if he +won’t consent, I can’t help it.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_202' name='page_202'></a>202</span></p> +<p>“Why, of course he’ll consent, Nan, if you +put it to him right. You can make him see anything +as you see it, if you try. You know you +can.” +</p> +<p>“Well, go ahead. I suppose a week will pass; +and anyway, you’ll probably come flying home +after a couple of days.” +</p> +<p>“No; I’m going to stay the week, if it finishes +me. I’m tired of defeats; this time I conquer. +You may help me pack, if you like.” +</p> +<p>“You won’t need many frocks, will you?” +said Nan, as they went up to Patty’s room. +</p> +<p>“No; just some light, dressy things for evening,—she’s +rather formal,—and some plain +morning gowns.” +</p> +<p>Nan helped Patty with her selection, and a +small trunk was filled with what they considered +an appropriate wardrobe for a companion. +</p> +<p>At about four o’clock Patty started, in the +motor-car. +</p> +<p>Mrs. Van Reypen received her pleasantly, and +as they sat chatting over a cup of tea, Patty felt +more like an honoured guest than a subordinate. +</p> +<p>Then Mrs. Van Reypen dismissed her, saying: +</p> +<p>“Go to your room now, my dear, and occupy +yourself as you choose until dinner-time. Dinner +is at seven. There will be no guests, but +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_203' name='page_203'></a>203</span> +you will wear a light, pretty gown, if you please. +I am punctilious in such matters.” +</p> +<p>Patty went to her room, greatly pleased with +the turn events had taken. She wished she +could telephone home how pleasantly she was +getting along; but she thought wiser not to do +that so soon. +</p> +<p>As it neared dinner-time, she put on one of her +prettiest dresses, a light blue chiffon, with a +touch of silver embroidery round the half-low +throat and short sleeves. +</p> +<p>A few minutes before seven, she went slowly +down the dark, old staircase, with its massive +newels and balusters. +</p> +<p>As she reached the middle steps, she observed +an attractive, but bored-looking young man in +the hall. +</p> +<p>He had not noticed her light steps, and Patty +paused a moment to look at him. As she stood, +wondering who he might be, he chanced to turn, +and saw her. +</p> +<p>The young man ran his eyes swiftly, from the +cloud of blue chiffon, up to the smiling face, +with its crown of massed golden hair, which a +saucy bow of blue ribbon did its best to hold in +place. +</p> +<p>His face promptly lost its bored expression, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_204' name='page_204'></a>204</span> +and with his hands still in his pockets, he involuntarily +breathed a long, low whistle. +</p> +<p>The sound seemed to bring back his lost wits, +and quickly drawing his hands into view, he +stepped forward, saying: +</p> +<p>“I beg your pardon for that unconventional +note of admiration, but I trust you will accept +it as the tribute for which it was meant.” +</p> +<p>This was an easy opening, and Patty was quite +ready to respond gaily, when she suddenly remembered +her position in the house and wondered +if a companion ought to speak to a strange +young man in the same language a young person +in society might use. +</p> +<p>“Thank you,” she said, uncertainly, and her +shy hesitation completely captured the heart of +Philip Van Reypen. +</p> +<p>“Come on down; I won’t eat you,” he said, +reassuringly. “You are, I assume, a guest of +my aunt’s.” +</p> +<p>“I am Mrs. Van Reypen’s companion,” said +Patty, but though she made the announcement +demurely enough, the funny side of it all struck +her so forcibly that she had difficulty to keep +the corners of her mouth from showing her +amusement. +</p> +<p>“By Jove!” exclaimed the young man, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_205' name='page_205'></a>205</span> +“Aunty Van always is lucky! Now, I’m her +nephew.” +</p> +<p>“Does that prove her good luck?” said Patty, +unable to be prim in the face of this light gaiety. +</p> +<p>“Yes, indeed! Come on down, and get acquainted, +and you’ll agree with me.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t believe I ought to,” said Patty, hesitatingly +placing one little satin-slippered foot on +the next step below, and then pausing again. +“You see, I’ve never been a companion before, +but I don’t think it’s right for me to precede +Mrs. Van Reypen into the drawing-room.” +</p> +<p>“Ah, well, perhaps not. Stay on the stairs, +then, if you think that’s the proper place. I +daresay it is,—I never was a companion, either; +so I’m not sure. But sit down, won’t you? I’ll +sit here, if I may.” +</p> +<p>Young Van Reypen dropped onto a stair a few +steps below Patty, who sat down, too, feeling +decidedly at her ease, for, upon occasion, a staircase +was one of her favourite haunts. +</p> +<p>“It’s like a party,” she said, smiling. “I love +to sit on a staircase at a party, don’t you?” +</p> +<p>And so provocative of sociability did the staircase +prove, that when Mrs. Van Reypen came +down, in all the glory of her black velvet and +old lace, she nearly tumbled over two chatting +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_206' name='page_206'></a>206</span> +young people, who seemed to be very good +friends. +</p> +<p>“Philip! You here?” she exclaimed, and a +casual observer would have said she was not +too well pleased. +</p> +<p>“Yes, Aunty Van; aren’t you as glad to see +me as I am to see you? I’ve been making Miss +Fairfield’s acquaintance. You may introduce +us if you like, but it isn’t really necessary.” +</p> +<p>“So it seems,” said the old lady, drily; “but +as I have some regard for the conventions, I +will present to you, Miss Fairfield, my scape-grace +and ne’er-do-well nephew, Philip Van +Reypen.” +</p> +<p>“What an awful reputation to live up to,” +said Patty, smiling at the debonair Philip, who +quite looked the part his aunt assigned to him. +</p> +<p>“Awful, but not at all difficult,” he responded, +gaily, and Patty followed as he escorted his +aunt to the dining-room. +</p> +<p>The little dinner-party was a gay one; Mrs. +Van Reypen became mildly amiable under the +influence of the young people’s merry chatter, +and Patty felt that so far, at least, a companion’s +lot was not such a very unhappy one. +</p> +<p>After dinner, however, the young man was +sent peremptorily away. He begged to stay, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_207' name='page_207'></a>207</span> +but his aunt ordered him off, declaring that she +had seen enough of him, and he was not to return +for a week at least. Philip went away, +sulkily, declaring that he would call the very +next morning to inquire after his aunt’s health. +</p> +<p>“I trust you are not flirtatiously inclined, Miss +Fairfield,” said Mrs. Van Reypen, as the two +sat alone in the large and rather sombre drawing-room. +</p> +<p>“I am not,” said Patty, honestly. “I like gay +and merry conversation, but as your companion, +I consider myself entirely at your orders, and +have no mind to chatter if you do not wish me +to do so.” +</p> +<p>“That is right,” said Mrs. Van Reypen, approvingly. +“You cannot have many friends in +your present position, of course. And you must +not feel flattered at Mr. Philip’s apparent admiration +of you. He is a most impressionable +youth, and is caught by every new face he sees.” +</p> +<p>Patty smiled at the idea of her being unduly +impressed by Mr. Van Reypen’s glances. She +had given him no thought, save as a good-natured, +well-bred young man. +</p> +<p>But she pleasantly assured Mrs. Van Reypen +that she would give her nephew no further consideration, +and though Mrs. Van Reypen looked +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_208' name='page_208'></a>208</span> +sharply at Patty’s face, she saw only an honest +desire to please her employer. +</p> +<p>The evening was long and uninteresting. +</p> +<p>At Mrs. Van Reypen’s request, Patty read to +her, and then sang for her. +</p> +<p>But the lady was critical, and declared that the +reading was too fast, and the singing too loud, +so that when at last it was bedtime, Patty wondered +whether she was giving satisfaction or not. +</p> +<p>But she was engaged for a week, anyway, and +whether satisfactory or not, Mrs. Van Reypen +must keep her for that length of time, and that +was all Patty wanted. +</p> +<p>She woke next morning with a pang of homesickness. +It was a bit forlorn, to wake up as a +hired companion, instead of as a beloved daughter +in her own father’s house. +</p> +<p>But resolutely putting aside such thoughts, she +forced herself to think of her good fortune in +securing her present position. +</p> +<p>“I’m glad I’m here!” she assured herself, as +she dashed cold water into her suspiciously reddened +eyes. “I know I shall have all sorts of +odd and interesting adventures here; and I’m +determined to be happy whatever happens. +And, anyway, it will be over soon. A week isn’t +long.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_209' name='page_209'></a>209</span></p> +<p>Putting on a trim morning dress, of soft old +rose cashmere, with a fine embroidered white +yoke, she went sedately down to the breakfast +room. She had been told to come to breakfast +at nine o’clock, and the clock struck the hour +just as she crossed the threshold. +</p> +<p>Instead of her employer, she was astounded +to see Philip Van Reypen calmly seated at the +table. +</p> +<p>“Jolly to see you again!” he cried, as he +jumped up to greet her. “Just thought I’d run +in for a bite of breakfast, and to inquire how +Aunty Van’s cold is.” +</p> +<p>“I didn’t know she had a cold,” said Patty, +primly, trying to act as she thought a companion +ought to act. +</p> +<p>“Neither did I,” said the irrepressible Philip. +“But I didn’t know but she might have caught +one in the night. A germ flying in at the window, +or something.” +</p> +<p>Mindful of Mrs. Van Reypen’s admonitions, +Patty tried not to appear interested in the +young man’s remarks, but it was impossible +to ignore the fact that he was interested in +her. +</p> +<p>She responded to his gay banter in monosyllables, +and kept her dancing eyes veiled by their +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_210' name='page_210'></a>210</span> +own long-fringed lids, but this only served to +pique Philip’s curiosity. +</p> +<p>“I’ve a notion to spend the day here, with +Aunty Van,” he said, and then Patty glanced +up at him in positive alarm. +</p> +<p>“Don’t!” she cried, and her face betokened a +genuine distress. +</p> +<p>“Why not?” said the surprised young man; +“have you learned to dislike me so cordially +already?” +</p> +<p>Amiable Patty couldn’t stand for this misinterpretation +of her attitude, and her involuntary, +smiling glance was a sufficient disclaimer. +</p> +<p>But she was saved the necessity of a verbal +reply, for just at that moment Mrs. Van +Reypen came into the room. +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XV_PERSISTENT_PHILIP' id='XV_PERSISTENT_PHILIP'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_211' name='page_211'></a>211</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> +<h3>PERSISTENT PHILIP</h3> +</div> + +<p>“Why, Philip!” Mrs. Van Reypen exclaimed; +“you are indeed growing +attentive to your aged aunt!” +</p> +<p>“Middle-aged aunt!” he returned, gallantly; +“and belonging to the early middle-ages at +that! I told you I should call this morning, and +I’d like another egg, please, aunty.” +</p> +<p>“You may have all the eggs you want, but I +am not at all pleased with your presence here +after I expressly forbade it.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, it isn’t a crime to call on one’s own +aunt, is it?” +</p> +<p>“It’s extremely rude. I have a busy day before +me, and I don’t want a bothersome nephew +around.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Van Reypen was exceedingly fond of +Philip, and loved to have him at her house, but +it was easy to be seen, now, that she considered +him far too much interested in pretty Patty. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_212' name='page_212'></a>212</span></p> +<p>And partly because he was interested, and +partly to tease his long-suffering aunt, the young +man declared his intention of spending the day +with them. +</p> +<p>“I can’t have you, Philip,” said Mrs. Van +Reypen, decidedly. “I want you to go away +immediately after breakfast.” +</p> +<p>“Just my luck!” grumbled her nephew. “I +never can do anything I want to. Well, I’ll go +downtown, but I’ll be back here to luncheon.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t talk nonsense,” said Mrs. Van Reypen, +shortly; “you’ll do nothing of the sort.” +</p> +<p>The rest of the meal was not very enjoyable. +Mrs. Van Reypen was clearly displeased at her +nephew’s presence; Patty did not think it wise +to take any active part in the conversation; and, +though Philip was in gay spirits, it was not easy +to be merry alone. +</p> +<p>Patty couldn’t help smiling at his audacious +speeches, but she kept her eyes down on her +plate, and endeavoured to ignore the young +man’s presence, for she knew this was what +Mrs. Reypen wished her to do. +</p> +<p>“Now you may go,” said the hostess, as +Philip finished his egg. “I’d like to enjoy a +cup of coffee in peace.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I’m peaceful!” declared Philip, crossing +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_213' name='page_213'></a>213</span> +his hands on his breast and rolling up his +eyes with an angelic expression. +</p> +<p>“Good-by, Philip,” said his aunt, so icily that +the young man rose from the table and stalked +out of the room. +</p> +<p>“Now,” said Mrs. Van Reypen, “we are rid +of him.” +</p> +<p>But in a few moments the smiling face again +appeared at the door. +</p> +<p>“I forgot to say good-by to Miss Fairfield,” +he announced, cheerfully. “Mayn’t I do that, +aunty?” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Van Reypen gave an annoyed “Humph!” +and Patty, taking her cue, bowed very coldly, +and said “Good-morning, Mr. Van Reypen” +in an utterly impersonal tone. +</p> +<p>Philip chuckled, and went away, slamming the +street door behind him, as a final annoyance +to his aunt. +</p> +<p>“You mustn’t think him a rude boy, Miss +Fairfield,” she said. “But he delights to tease +me, and unless I am positively cross to him he +never lets up. But he is really devoted to me, +and, I assure you, he scarcely noted your presence +at all.” +</p> +<p>“Of course not,” said Patty, with great difficulty +restraining a burst of laughter. “No one +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_214' name='page_214'></a>214</span> +could dream of Mr. Philip Van Reypen observing +a companion.” Patty did not mean this +for sarcasm; she desired only to set Mrs. Van +Reypen’s mind at rest, and then the subject of +Philip was dropped. +</p> +<p>Soon after breakfast Mrs. Van Reypen conducted +Patty to a pleasant morning room, and +asked her to read the newspaper aloud. +</p> +<p>“And do try to read slower,” she added. “I +hate rapid gabbling.” +</p> +<p>Patty had resolved not to take offence at the +brusque remarks, which she knew would be +hurled at her, so, somewhat meekly, she took +up the paper and began. +</p> +<p>It was a trying task. If she read an account +of anything unpleasant she was peremptorily +stopped; if the news was dry or prosy, that +was also cut off short. +</p> +<p>“Read me the fashion notes,” said Mrs. Van +Reypen, at last. +</p> +<p>So Patty read a whole page about the latest +modes, and her hearer was greatly interested. +</p> +<p>She then told Patty of some new gowns she +was having made, and seemed pleased at Patty’s +intelligent comments on them. +</p> +<p>“Why, you have good taste!” she exclaimed, +as if making a surprising discovery. “I will +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_215' name='page_215'></a>215</span> +take you with me this afternoon when I go to +Madame Leval’s to try on my gowns.” +</p> +<p>“Very well,” said Patty. “And now, Mrs. +Van Reypen, I’m sure there’s nothing more of +interest in the paper; what shall I do next?” +</p> +<p>“Heavens! Miss Fairfield, don’t ask such a +question as that! You are here to entertain me. +I am not to provide amusement for you! Why +do you suppose I have you here, if not to make +my time pass pleasantly?” +</p> +<p>Patty was bewildered at this outburst. Though +she knew her duties would be light, she supposed +they would be clearly defined, and not left to +her own invention. +</p> +<p>But she was anxious to please, and she said, +pleasantly: +</p> +<p>“I think that’s really what I meant, but I +didn’t express myself very well. And, you see, +I don’t yet quite know your tastes. Do you like +fancy work? I know a lovely new crochet +stitch I could show you.” +</p> +<p>“No; I hate crocheting. The wool gets all +snarled up, and the pattern gets wrong every +few stitches.” +</p> +<p>“Then we’ll dismiss that. Do you like to play +cards? I know cribbage, and some other games +that two can play.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_216' name='page_216'></a>216</span></p> +<p>“No; I detest cards. I think it is very foolish +to sit and fumble with bits of painted pasteboard!” +</p> +<p>Poor Patty was at her wits’ end. She had not +expected to be a professional entertainer, and +she didn’t know what to suggest next. +</p> +<p>She felt sure Mrs. Van Reypen wouldn’t care +to listen to any more reading just then. She +hesitated to propose music, as it had not been +very successful the night before. On a sudden +impulse, she said: +</p> +<p>“Do you like to see dancing? I can do some +pretty fancy dances.” +</p> +<p>It seemed an absurd thing to say, but Patty +had ransacked her brain to think what professional +entertainers did, and that was all she +could think of, except recitations, and those she +hated herself. +</p> +<p>“Yes, I do!” cried Mrs. Van Reypen, so emphatically +that Patty jumped. “I love to see +dancing! If you can do it, which I doubt, I +wish you would dance for me. And this evening +we’ll go to see that new dancer that the town +is wild over. If you really can dance, you’ll +appreciate it as I do. To me dancing is a fine +art, and should be considered so—but it rarely +is. Do you require music?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_217' name='page_217'></a>217</span></p> +<p>“Of course, I prefer it, but I can dance +without.” +</p> +<p>“We’ll try it without, first; then, if I wish to, +I’ll ask Delia, my parlour-maid, to play for you. +She plays fairly well. Or, if it suits me, I may +play myself.” +</p> +<p>Patty made no response to these suggestions, +but followed Mrs. Van Reypen to the great +drawing-room, at one end of which was a grand +piano. +</p> +<p>“Try it without music, first,” was the order, +and Patty walked to the other end of the long +room, while Mrs. Van Reypen seated herself on +a sofa. Serenely conscious of her proficiency in +the art, Patty felt no embarrassment, and, swaying +gently, as if listening to rhythm, she began +a pretty little fancy dance that she had learned +some years ago. +</p> +<p>She danced beautifully, and she loved to dance, +so she made a most effective picture, as she +pirouetted back and forth, or from side to side +of the long room. +</p> +<p>“Beautiful!” said Mrs. Van Reypen, as Patty +paused in front of her and bowed. “You are +a charming dancer. I don’t know when I’ve +enjoyed anything so much. Are you tired? Will +you dance again?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_218' name='page_218'></a>218</span></p> +<p>“I’m not at all tired,” said Patty. “I like +to dance, and I’m very glad it pleases you.” +</p> +<p>“Can you do a minuet?” asked the old lady, +after Patty had finished another dance, a gay +little Spanish fandango. +</p> +<p>“Yes; but I like music for that.” +</p> +<p>“Good! I will play myself.” With great +dignity, Mrs. Van Reypen rose and walked to +the piano. +</p> +<p>Patty adjusted the music-stool for her, and she +ran her delicate old fingers lightly over the +keys. +</p> +<p>“I’m sadly out of practice,” she said, “but I +can play a tinkling minuet and you may dance +to it.” +</p> +<p>She began a melodious little air, and Patty, +after listening a moment, nodded her head, and +ran to take her place. +</p> +<p>Mrs. Van Reypen was so seated at the piano +that she could watch Patty’s dance, and in a +moment the two were in harmony, and Patty +was gliding and bowing in a charming minuet, +while Mrs. Van Reypen played in perfect +sympathy. +</p> +<p>The dance was nearly over when Patty discovered +the smiling face of Mr. Philip Van +Reypen in the doorway. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_219' name='page_219'></a>219</span></p> +<p>His aunt could not see him, and Patty saw +only his reflection in the mirror. He gave her +a pleading glance, and put his finger on his lip, +entreating her silence. +</p> +<p>So she went on, without seeming to see him. +But she wondered what his aunt would say +after the dance was over. +</p> +<p>Indeed, the funny side of the situation struck +her so forcibly that she unconsciously smiled +broadly at her own thoughts. +</p> +<p>“That’s right,” said Mrs. Van Reypen, as the +dancing and music both came to an end; “I am +glad to see you smile as you dance. I have seen +some dancers who look positively agonised as +they do difficult steps.” +</p> +<p>Patty smiled again, remembering that she had +had a reason to smile as she danced, and she +wondered why Philip didn’t appear. +</p> +<p>But he didn’t, and, except that she had seen +him so clearly in the mirror, and he had asked +her, silently but unmistakably, not to divulge the +fact of his presence, she would have thought +she only imagined him there in the doorway. +</p> +<p>“You dance wonderfully well,” went on Mrs. +Van Reypen. “You have had very good training. +I shall be glad to have you dance for me +often. But—and please remember this—never +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_220' name='page_220'></a>220</span> +when any one else is here. I wish you to dance +for me only. If I have guests, or if my nephew +is here, you are not to dance.” +</p> +<p>This was almost too much for Patty’s gravity. +For she well knew the old lady was foolishly +alarmed lest her nephew should fall in love with +a humble “companion,” and, knowing that the +said nephew had gleefully watched the dance, +it was difficult not to show her amusement. +</p> +<p>But she only said, “I will remember, Mrs. +Van Reypen.” She couldn’t tell of the intruder +after his frantic appeal to her for silence, +so she determined to ignore the episode. +</p> +<p>“Now, you may do as you like until luncheon +time,” said Mrs. Van Reypen, “for I shall go +to my room and lie down for a rest. My maid +will attend me, so I will bid you adieu until one +o’clock. Wander round the house if you +choose. You will find much to interest you.” +</p> +<p>“Right you are!” thought Patty to herself. +“I don’t believe I’d have to wander far to find +a jolly comrade to interest me!” But she well +knew if Mr. Philip Van Reypen was still in +the house, and if she should encounter him and +chat with him, it would greatly enrage the old +lady. +</p> +<p>“And,” thought Patty, “since I’ve made good +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_221' name='page_221'></a>221</span> +with my dancing it’s a shame to spoil my +record by talking to Sir Philip. But he is +pleasant.” +</p> +<p>Determined to do her duty, she went straight +to her own room, though tempted to “wander +round the house.” +</p> +<p>And sure enough, though she didn’t know it, +Mr. Van Reypen was watching her from behind +the drawing-room draperies. His face fell as +he saw her go up the stairs, and, though he +waited some time, she did not return. +</p> +<p>“Saucy Puss!” he thought. “But I’ll have +a chat with her yet.” +</p> +<p>Going to the library he scribbled a note, and +sent it by a servant to Miss Fairfield’s room. +The note said: +</p> +<div class='blockquot'> +<p>“Do come down and talk to a lonely, neglected +waif, if only for a few minutes. +</p> +<div class='ra'> +<p style='text-align: right; '>“P. V. R.”</p> +</div> + +</div> +<p>Patty laughed as she read it, but she only said +to the maid who brought it: +</p> +<p>“Please say to Mr. Van Reypen that there +is no answer.” +</p> +<p>The maid departed, but, in less than ten minutes, +returned with another note: +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_222' name='page_222'></a>222</span></p> +<div class='blockquot'> +<p>“You’re afraid of Aunty Van! Come on. I +will protect you. Just for a few moments’ chat +on the stairs. +</p> +<div class='ra'> +<p style='text-align: right; '>“P. V. R.”</p> +</div> + +</div> +<p>Again Patty sent the message, “There is no +answer.” +</p> +<p>Soon came a third note: +</p> +<div class='blockquot'> +<p>“I think you are horrid! And you don’t dance +prettily at all!” +</p> +</div> +<p>“Oho!” thought Patty. “Getting saucy, is +he?” +</p> +<p>She made no response whatever to the maid +this time, but she was not greatly surprised +when another note came: +</p> +<div class='blockquot'> +<p>“If you don’t come down, I’m going out to +drown myself. P.” +</p> +</div> +<p>Patty began to be annoyed. The servants +must think all this very strange, and yet surely +she could not help it. +</p> +<p>“Wait a moment, Delia,” she said. “Please +say to Mr. Van Reypen that I will see him in +the library, at once.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_223' name='page_223'></a>223</span></p> +<p>After a moment she followed the maid +downstairs, and went straight to the library, +where the young man awaited her. His face +lighted up with gladness, as he held out his +hand. +</p> +<p>“Forgive me if I was impertinent,” he said, +with such a charming air of apology that Patty +had to smile. +</p> +<p>“I forgive the impertinence,” she returned, +“but you are making real trouble for +me.” +</p> +<p>“What do you mean?” he cried, looking +dismayed. +</p> +<p>“I mean that I am your aunt’s companion, +and trying to earn my living thereby. Now if +you persist in secretly coming to the house,—pardon +me if I am frank,—and if you persist +in sending foolish notes to me, your aunt will +not let me stay here, and I shall lose a good +position through your unkindness.” +</p> +<p>Patty was very much in earnest, and her words +were sincere, but her innate sense of humour +couldn’t fail to see the ridiculous side of +it all, and the corners of her mouth dimpled +though she kept her eyes resolutely cast +down. +</p> +<p>“It’s a shame the way she keeps you tied to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_224' name='page_224'></a>224</span> +her apron string,” he blurted out, uncertain +whether Patty was coquetting, or really +distressed. +</p> +<p>“Not at all,” she replied. “I’m here to attend +on her pleasure, and my place is by her +side whenever she wants me there.” +</p> +<p>“How can any one help wanting you there?” +broke out Philip, so explosively that Patty, instead +of being offended, burst into a ringing +laugh. +</p> +<p>“Oh, you are too funny!” she exclaimed. +“Mrs. Van Reypen said you were given to saying +things like that to everybody.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t say them to everybody!” +</p> +<p>“Yes, you do; your aunt says so. But now +that you’ve said it to me, won’t you go away +and stay away?” +</p> +<p>“How long?” +</p> +<p>Patty thought quickly. “Till next Friday—a +week from to-day.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, you want to get acclimatised, all by +yourself!” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, demurely, “I do. And if +you’ll only keep away,—you know your aunt +asked you not to come back for a week,—if +you’ll keep away till next Friday, I’ll never ask +you another favour.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_225' name='page_225'></a>225</span></p> +<p>“Huh! that’s no inducement. I love to have +you ask me favours.” +</p> +<p>“Well, then, I never shall if you don’t grant +this first one.” +</p> +<p>“And if I do?” +</p> +<p>“If you do I’ll promise you almost anything +you ask.” +</p> +<p>“That’s a large order! Well, if I stay away +from this house until you get solid with Aunty +Van——” +</p> +<p>“I said a week.” +</p> +<p>“Well, to-day’s Friday. If I stay away a week +will you persuade aunty to invite me to dinner +next Friday night?” +</p> +<p>“I will.” +</p> +<p>“Can you persuade her to do that?” +</p> +<p>“I’m sure I can by that time.” +</p> +<p>Patty’s eyes were dancing. She had come to +Mrs. Van Reypen’s on Thursday. She would, +therefore, leave on Thursday, and she was sure +that lady would have no objections to inviting +her nephew to dinner after her “companion’s” +departure. +</p> +<p>“Are you going to stay?” demanded Philip +suspiciously. +</p> +<p>“I’m here a week on trial,” said Patty, demurely. +“Your aunt needn’t keep me longer +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_226' name='page_226'></a>226</span> +if I don’t suit her. And I know I won’t suit +her if she thinks I receive notes from her +nephew.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I see! You’re here a week on trial, and +if I am chummy with you Aunty Van won’t +keep you! Oh, yes! Why, of course! To be +sure! Well, Miss Fairfield, I make this sacrifice +for your benefit. I will keep away from +here during your trial week. Then, in return, +you promise to use your influence to get me an +invitation to dine here next Friday.” +</p> +<p>“I do,” returned Patty. “But do you need +an invitation to a house where you seem to feel +so much at home?” +</p> +<p>“Only when you’re in it,” declared the young +man, frankly. “I think Aunty Van fears I +mean to kidnap you. I don’t.” +</p> +<p>“I’m sure you don’t,” said Patty, flashing a +smile at him. “I think we could be good +friends, and I hope we shall be. But not until +after next Friday.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVI_AN_INVITATION_DECLINED' id='XVI_AN_INVITATION_DECLINED'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_227' name='page_227'></a>227</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVI</h2> +<h3>AN INVITATION DECLINED</h3> +</div> + +<p>Philip Van Reypen went away, and +his aunt never knew that he had been to +her house on that occasion. +</p> +<p>“I’m glad that boy has sense enough to keep +away when I tell him to,” she remarked at +luncheon, and Patty hastily took a sip of water +to hide her uncontrollable smile. +</p> +<p>“Yes, he seems to obey you,” she said, by +way of being agreeable. +</p> +<p>“He does. He’s a good boy, but too impressionable. +He’s captivated by every girl he +meets, so I warn you again, Miss Fairfield, not +to notice his pretended interest in you.” +</p> +<p>Patty tossed her head a little haughtily. +</p> +<p>“Do not be alarmed, Mrs. Van Reypen,” she +said, “I have no interest whatever in your +nephew.” +</p> +<p>She was a little annoyed at the absurd speeches +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_228' name='page_228'></a>228</span> +of the old lady, and determined to put a stop to +them. +</p> +<p>“I should hope not,” was the reply. “A person +in your position should not aspire to association +with young gentlemen like my nephew.” +</p> +<p>Patty was really angry at this, but her common +sense came to her aid. If she elected to +play the part of a dependent, she must accept +the consequences. But she allowed herself a +pointed rejoinder. +</p> +<p>“Perhaps not,” she said. “Yet I suppose a +companion of Mrs. Van Reypen’s would meet +only the best people.” +</p> +<p>“That, of course. But you cannot meet them +as an equal.” +</p> +<p>“No,” agreed Patty, meekly. Then to herself +she said: “Only a week of this! Only six +days now.” +</p> +<p>That afternoon they went to the dressmaker’s. +</p> +<p>Patty put on a smart tailored costume, and +almost regretted that she had left her white +furs at home. But she and Nan had agreed +that they were too elaborate for her use as a +companion, so she wore a small neckpiece and +muff of chinchilla. But it suited well her dark-blue +cloth suit and plain but chic black velvet +hat. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_229' name='page_229'></a>229</span></p> +<p>The dressmaker, an ultra-fashionable modiste, +looked at Patty with interest, recognising in her +costume the work of adept hands. +</p> +<p>Moreover, Patty’s praise and criticism of Mrs. +Van Reypen’s new gowns showed her to be a +young woman of taste and knowledge in such +matters. +</p> +<p>Both the modiste and her aristocratic patron +were a little puzzled at Patty’s attitude, which, +though modest and deferential, was yet sure +and true in its judgments and opinions. +</p> +<p>At last, when Mrs. Van Reypen was undergoing +some tedious fitting, Patty had an +inspiration. +</p> +<p>“May I be excused long enough to telephone?” +she asked. +</p> +<p>“Certainly,” said Mrs. Van Reypen, who was +in high good humour, because of her new finery. +“Take all the time you like.” +</p> +<p>Patty had noticed a telephone booth in the +hall, and, shutting herself in it, she called up +Nan. +</p> +<p>By good fortune Nan was at home, and +answered at once. +</p> +<p>“Oh!” began Patty, giggling, “I’ve so much +to tell you, and it’s all so funny, I can’t say a +word. We’re at the dressmaker’s now, and I +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_230' name='page_230'></a>230</span> +took this chance to call you up, because I won’t +be overheard. Oh, Nan, it’s great fun!” +</p> +<p>“Tell me the principal facts, Patty. And stop +giggling. Is she kind to you? Is she patronising? +Have you a pleasant room? Do you +want to come home? Are you happy there?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Nan, wait a minute, for goodness’ sake! +Yes, she’s patronising—she won’t let me speak +to her grand nephew. Oh—I don’t mean her +grand nephew! I mean her grand, gorgeous, +extraordinary nephew. But I don’t care; I’ve +no desire to speak to him.” +</p> +<p>“Does he live there?” +</p> +<p>“No; and never mind about him, anyway. +How are you all? Is father well? Oh, Nan, +it seems as if I’d been away from home a year! +And what do you think? I have to dance for +her to amuse her!” +</p> +<p>“Patty! Not really? Well, you can do that +all right.” +</p> +<p>“Sure I can! Oh, she’s a peach! Don’t reprove +my slang, Nan; I have to be so precise +when I’m on duty. Well, I must say good-by +now. I’ll write you a long letter as soon as +I get a chance. To-night we’re going to see +Mlle. Thingamajig dance, and to-morrow night, +to the opera. So you see I’m not dull.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_231' name='page_231'></a>231</span></p> +<p>“Oh, Patty, I wish you’d drop it all and come +home! I don’t like it, and Fred doesn’t +either.” +</p> +<p>“Tra-la-la! ’Twill all be over soon! Only +six days more. Expect me home next Thursday +afternoon. Love to all. Good-by. Patty!” +</p> +<p>Patty hung up the receiver, for she knew if +she talked any longer she’d get homesick. The +sound of Nan’s familiar voice made her long +for her home and her people. But Patty was +plucky, and, also, she was doggedly determined +to succeed this time. +</p> +<p>So she went back to Mrs. Van Reypen with +a placid countenance, and sat for an hour or +more complimenting and admiring the costumes +in process of construction. +</p> +<p>Somehow the afternoon dragged itself away, +and the evening, at the theatre, passed pleasantly +enough. +</p> +<p>But the succeeding days went slowly. +</p> +<p>Mrs. Van Reypen was difficult to please. She +was fretty, irritable, inconsequent, and unjust. +</p> +<p>What suited her one day displeased her highly +the next. +</p> +<p>So long as Patty praised, complimented, and +flattered her all went fairly well. +</p> +<p>But if Patty inadvertently disagreed with her, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_232' name='page_232'></a>232</span> +or expressed a contrary opinion, there was a +scene. +</p> +<p>And again, if Patty seemed especially meek +and mild Mrs. Van Reypen would say: +</p> +<p>“Don’t sit there and assent to everything I +say! Do have some mind of your own! Express +an honest opinion, even though it may +differ from mine.” +</p> +<p>Then, if Patty did this, it would bring down +vials of wrath on her inoffensive head. Often +she was at her wits’ end to know what to say. +But her sense of humour never deserted her, +and if she said something, feeling sure she was +going to get sorely berated for saying it, she +was able to smile inwardly when the scathing +retort was uttered. +</p> +<p>Sunday was an especially hard day. It was +stormy, so they could not go out. +</p> +<p>So Mrs. Van Reypen bade Patty read sermons +to her. +</p> +<p>When Patty did so she either fell asleep and +then, waking suddenly, declared that Patty had +been skipping, or else she argued contrary to +the doctrines expressed in the sermons and expected +Patty to combat her arguments. +</p> +<p>“I’m tired of hearing you read,” she said, at +last. “You do read abominably. First you go +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_233' name='page_233'></a>233</span> +along in staccato jerks, then you drone in a +monotone. Philip is a fine reader. I love to +hear Philip read. I wish he’d come in to-day. +I wonder why he doesn’t? Probably because +you’re here. He must have taken a violent dislike +to you, Miss Fairfield.” +</p> +<p>“Do you think so?” said Patty, almost choking +with suppressed laughter at this version of +Philip’s attitude toward her. +</p> +<p>“Yes, I’m sure he did. For usually he likes +my companions—especially if they’re pretty. +And you’re pretty, Miss Fairfield. Not the +type I admire myself,—I prefer brunettes,—but +still you are pretty in your own way.” +</p> +<p>“Thank you,” said Patty, meekly. +</p> +<p>“And you’re especially pretty when you dance. +I wish you could dance for me now; but, of +course, I wouldn’t let you dance on Sunday. +That’s the worst of Sundays. There’s so little +one can do.” +</p> +<p>“Shall I sing hymns to you?” inquired Patty, +gently, for she really felt sorry for the discontented +old lady. +</p> +<p>“Yes, if you like,” was the not very gracious +rejoinder, and, without accompaniment, Patty +sang the old, well-known hymns in her true, +sweet voice. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_234' name='page_234'></a>234</span></p> +<p>The twilight was falling, and, as Patty’s soothing +music continued, Mrs. Van Reypen fell +asleep in her chair. +</p> +<p>Exhausted by a really difficult day Patty also +dropped into a doze, and the two slept peacefully +in their chairs in front of the dying embers +of the wood fire. +</p> +<p>It was thus that Philip Van Reypen found +them as he came softly in at five o’clock. +</p> +<p>“Well, I’ll be excused,” he said, to himself, +“if I ever saw anything to beat that!” +</p> +<p>His gaze had wandered from his sleeping aunt +to Patty, now sound asleep in a big armchair. +</p> +<p>The crimson velvet made a perfect background +for her golden curls, a bit tumbled by +her afternoon exertions at being entertaining. +</p> +<p>Her posture was one of graceful relaxation, +and pretty Patty had never looked prettier than +she did then, asleep in the faint firelight. +</p> +<p>“By Jove!” exclaimed the young man, but +not aloud, “if that isn’t the prettiest sight ever. +I believe there’s a tradition that one may kiss +a lady whom one finds asleep in her chair, but +I won’t. She’s a dear little girl, and she shan’t +be teased.” +</p> +<p>Then Mr. Philip Van Reypen deliberately, +and noiselessly, lifted another large armchair +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_235' name='page_235'></a>235</span> +and, carefully disposing his own goodly proportioned +frame within it, proceeded to fall +asleep himself—or if not really asleep, he gave +an exceedingly good imitation of it. +</p> +<p>Patty woke first. As she slowly opened her +eyes she saw Philip dimly through the now +rapidly gathering dusk. +</p> +<p>Quick as a flash she took in the situation, and +shut her eyes again, though not until Philip +had seen her from beneath his own quivering +lids. +</p> +<p>After a time she peeped again. +</p> +<p>“Why play hide-and-seek?” he whispered. +</p> +<p>“What about your promise?” she returned, +also under her breath. +</p> +<p>“Had to come. Aunty telephoned for me.” +</p> +<p>“Oh!” +</p> +<p>Then Mrs. Van Reypen awoke. +</p> +<p>“Who’s here?” she cried out. “Oh, Philip, +you!” +</p> +<p>She heartily kissed her nephew, and then rang +for lights and tea. +</p> +<p>“Miss Fairfield,” she said, not untimidly, but +with decision, “you are weary and I’m not surprised +at it. Go to your room and rest until +dinner time! I will send your tea to you +there.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_236' name='page_236'></a>236</span></p> +<p>“Yes, Mrs. Van Reypen,” said Patty, demurely, +and, with a slight impersonal bow to +Philip, she left the room. +</p> +<p>“Oh, I say! Aunty Van!” exclaimed the +young man, as Patty disappeared, “don’t send +her away.” +</p> +<p>“Be quiet, Philip,” said his aunt. “You +know you don’t like her, and she needs a +rest.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t like her!” echoed Philip. “Does a +cat like cream? Aunty Van, what’s the matter +with you, anyway? Who is she?” +</p> +<p>“She’s my companion,” was the stern response, +“my hired companion, and I do not +wish you to treat her as an equal.” +</p> +<p>“Equal! She’s superior to anything I’ve ever +seen yet.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, you rogue! You say that, or its equivalent, +about every girl you meet.” +</p> +<p>“Pooh! Nonsense! But I say, aunty, she’ll +come down to dinner, won’t she?” +</p> +<p>“Yes—I suppose so. But mind now, Philip, +you’re not to talk to her as if she were of your +own class.” +</p> +<p>“No’m; I won’t.” +</p> +<p>Reassured by the knowledge that he should see +her again, Philip was most affable and agreeable, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_237' name='page_237'></a>237</span> +and chatted with his aunt in a happy frame +of mind. +</p> +<p>Patty, exiled to her own room, decided to write +to Nan. +</p> +<p>She filled several sheets with accounts of her +doings at Mrs. Van Reypen’s, and gloated over +the fact that there were now but four days of +her week left. +</p> +<p>“I shall win this time,” she wrote, “and, +though life here is not a bed of roses, yet it +is not so very bad, and when the week is over +I shall look back at it with lots of funny +thoughts. Oh, Nan, prepare a fatted calf for +Thursday night, for I shall come home a veritable +Prodigal Son! Of course, I don’t mean this +literally; we have lovely things to eat here, but +it’s ‘hame, hame, fain wad I be.’ I won’t write +again, I’ll probably get no chance, but send +Miller for me at four o’clock on Thursday +afternoon.” +</p> +<p>After writing the letter Patty felt less homesick. +It seemed, somehow, to bring Thursday +nearer, to write about it. She began to +dress for dinner, and, in a spirit of mischief, +she took pains to make a most fetching +toilette. +</p> +<p>Her frock was of white mousseline de soie +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_238' name='page_238'></a>238</span> +that twinkled into foolish little ruffles all round +the hem. +</p> +<p>More tiny frills gambolled around the low-cut +circular neck and nestled against Patty’s soft, +round arms. +</p> +<p>Her curly hair was parted, and massed low +at the back of her neck, and behind one ear she +tucked a half-blown pink rosebud. +</p> +<p>The long, dreamy day had roused in Patty a +contrary wilfulness, and she was quite ready for +fun if any came her way. +</p> +<p>At dinner Mrs. Van Reypen monopolised the +conversation. She talked mostly to Philip, +but occasionally addressed a remark to Patty. +She was exceedingly polite to her, but made +her feel that her share of the conversation +must be formal and conventional. Then she +would chatter to her nephew about matters +unknown to Patty, and then perhaps again +throw an observation about the weather at her +“companion.” +</p> +<p>Patty accepted all this willingly enough, but +Philip didn’t. +</p> +<p>He couldn’t keep his eyes off Patty, who was +looking her very prettiest, and whose own +eyes, when she raised them, were full of +smiles. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_239' name='page_239'></a>239</span></p> +<p>But in vain he endeavoured to make her talk +to him. +</p> +<p>Patty remembered Mrs. Van Reypen’s injunctions, +and, though her bewitching personality +made such effort useless, she tried to be absolutely +and uninterestingly silent. +</p> +<p>“Aunty Van,” said Philip, at last, giving up +his attempts to make Patty converse, “let’s have +a little theatre party to-morrow night. Shall +us? I’ll get a box, and if you and Miss Fairfield +will go, I’ll be delighted.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll go, with pleasure,” replied his aunt, “but +Miss Fairfield will be obliged to decline. She +has been out late too often since she has been +here, and she needs rest. So invite the Delafields +instead, and that will make a pleasant +quartette.” +</p> +<p>For an instant Patty was furiously angry at +this summary disposal of herself, but when she +saw Philip’s face she almost screamed with +laughter. +</p> +<p>Crestfallen faintly expressed his appearance. +He was crushed, and looked absolutely stunned. +</p> +<p>“How he is under his aunt’s thumb!” thought +Patty, secretly disgusted at his lack of self-assertion, +but she suddenly changed her mind. +</p> +<p>“Thank you, Aunty Van,” she heard him saying, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_240' name='page_240'></a>240</span> +in a cool, determined voice, “but I prefer +to choose my own guests. I do not care to ask +the Delafields—unless you especially desire it. +I am sorry Miss Fairfield cannot go, but I trust +you will honour me with your presence.” +Philip had scored. +</p> +<p>Mrs. Van Reypen well knew if she went alone +with her nephew, under such conditions, he +would be sulky all the evening. Nor could she +insist on having the Delafields asked after the +way he had put it. +</p> +<p>She then nobly endeavoured to undo the mischief +she had wrought. +</p> +<p>“No, Philip, I don’t care especially about the +Delafields. And if Miss Fairfield thinks it will +not tire her too much I shall be glad to have +her accept your kindness.” +</p> +<p>His kindness, indeed! Patty felt like saying, +“Do you know I am Patricia Fairfield, and it +is I who confer an honour when I accept an +invitation?” +</p> +<p>It wasn’t exactly pride, but Patty had been +brought up in an atmosphere of somewhat old-fashioned +chivalry, and it jarred on her sense +of the fitness of things to have Philip’s invitation +to her referred to as a “kindness.” +</p> +<p>So she decided to take a stand herself. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_241' name='page_241'></a>241</span></p> +<p>“I thank you for your <i>kindness</i>, Mr. Van Reypen,” +she said, with just the slightest emphasis +on <i>kindness</i>, “but I cannot accept it. I quite +agree with Mrs. Van Reypen that I need +rest.” +</p> +<p>The speech was absurd on the face of it, for +Patty’s rosy, dimpled cheeks and sparkling eyes +betokened no weariness or lassitude. +</p> +<p>But Mrs. Van Reypen accepted this evidence +of the girl’s obedience to her wishes, and said: +</p> +<p>“You are right, Miss Fairfield, and my +nephew will excuse you from his party.” +</p> +<p>Philip sent her a reproachful glance, and Patty +dropped her eyes again, wishing dinner was +over. +</p> +<p>At last the ladies left the table, and Philip +rose and held aside the portičre while his aunt +passed through. +</p> +<p>As Patty followed, he detained her a moment, +and whispered: +</p> +<p>“It is cruel of you to punish me for my aunt’s +unkindness.” +</p> +<p>“I can’t help it,” said Patty, and as her +troubled eyes met his angry ones they both +smiled, and peace was restored. +</p> +<p>“After Friday,” whispered Patty, as she went +through the doorway. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_242' name='page_242'></a>242</span></p> +<p>“After Friday,” he repeated, puzzled by her +words, but reassured by her smiles. +</p> +<p>And then Mrs. Van Reypen sent Patty to her +room for the night, and when Philip came to +the drawing-room he found he was destined to +be entertained by his aunt alone. +</p> +<p>“Of course,” said Patty, to her own reflection +in her mirror, “a companion can’t expect to +sit with ‘the quality,’ but it does seem a shame +to dress up pretty like this and then be sent to +bed at nine o’clock! Never mind, only three +evenings more in this house, and then victory +for Patty Fairfield!” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVII_THE_ROAD_TO_SUCCESS' id='XVII_THE_ROAD_TO_SUCCESS'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_243' name='page_243'></a>243</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVII</h2> +<h3>THE ROAD TO SUCCESS</h3> +</div> + +<p>Patty adhered to her resolution not to +go to the theatre on Monday night, but +when she saw Mrs. Van Reypen and +Philip start off she secretly regretted her +decision. +</p> +<p>She loved fun and gaiety, and it suddenly +seemed to her that she had been foolishly sensitive +about Mrs. Van Reypen’s attitude toward +her. +</p> +<p>However, it couldn’t be helped now, so she +prepared to spend the evening reading in the +library. +</p> +<p>She would have liked to hold a long telephone +conversation with Nan and her father, but she +thought she had better not, for there were so +many house servants on duty that a maid or a +footman would be likely to overhear her. +</p> +<p>She played the piano and sang a little, then +she wandered about the large and lonely rooms. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_244' name='page_244'></a>244</span> +Patty was a sociable creature, and had never +before spent an evening entirely alone, unless +when engaged in some important and engrossing +work. +</p> +<p>But after a while the telephone rang, and +when the parlour-maid told her the call was for +her she flew to the instrument with glad +anticipation. +</p> +<p>“Hello!” she cried, and “Hello!” returned +a familiar voice. +</p> +<p>“Oh, Ken! of all people. How <i>did</i> you know +I was here?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, I found it out! How are you? May +I come to see you?” +</p> +<p>“No, indeed! I’m a companion. I’m not +expected to have callers. But I’m glad to talk +to you this way. I’m alone in the house, except +for the servants.” +</p> +<p>“Alone! Then let me come up for a few +minutes, and chat.” +</p> +<p>“No; Mrs. Van Reypen wouldn’t like it, I’m +sure. But, oh, Ken, I’m making good this time! +On Thursday the week will be up, and I’ll get +my fifteen dollars. Isn’t that gay?” +</p> +<p>“You’re a plucky girl, Patty, and I congratulate +you. Is it very horrid?” +</p> +<p>“No, it isn’t exactly horrid, but I’m fearfully +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_245' name='page_245'></a>245</span> +homesick. But it’s only three more days now, +and won’t I be glad to get home!” +</p> +<p>“And we’ll be glad to have you. The goldfish +are dull and moping, and we all want our +Patty back again.” +</p> +<p>“That’s nice of you. But, Ken, how did you +know where to find me? I made Nan and +father promise not to tell.” +</p> +<p>“Well, I may as well confess: I basely worried +it out of Miller. I asked him where he +took you to last Thursday afternoon.” +</p> +<p>“Oh! I meant to tell him not to tell, but I +forgot it. Well, it doesn’t matter much, as you +chanced to strike a time when I’m alone. But +don’t call me up again. I’m not supposed to +have any social acquaintances.” +</p> +<p>“Good for you, Patty! If you play the game, +play it well. I expect you’re a prim, demure +companion as ever was.” +</p> +<p>“Of course I am. And if the lady didn’t +have such a fishy nephew I’d get along +beautifully.” +</p> +<p>“Oho! A nephew, eh? And he’s smitten +with your charms, as they always are in +novels.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, in a simpering tone. +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes! I can’t see you, but I know you +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_246' name='page_246'></a>246</span> +have your finger in your mouth and your eyes +shyly cast down.” +</p> +<p>“You’re <i>so</i> clever!” murmured Patty, giggling. +“But now you may go, Ken, for I don’t +want to talk to you any more. Come round +Thursday night, can’t you, and welcome me +home?” +</p> +<p>“Pooh, you’re late with your invitation. Mrs. +Fairfield has already invited me to dinner that +very evening.” +</p> +<p>“Good! Well, good-by for now. I have +reasons for wishing to discontinue this conversation.” +</p> +<p>“And I have reasons for wishing to keep on. +If you’re tired talking, sing to me.” +</p> +<p>“‘Thou art so near and yet so far,’” +hummed Patty, in her clear, sweet voice. +</p> +<p>“No, don’t sing. Central will think you’re a +concert. Well, good-by till Thursday.” +</p> +<p>“Good-by,” said Patty, and hung up the +receiver. +</p> +<p>But she felt much more cheerful at having +talked with Kenneth, and the coming days +seemed easier to bear. +</p> +<p>They proved, however, to be quite hard +enough. +</p> +<p>The very next day, when Patty went down to +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_247' name='page_247'></a>247</span> +the breakfast room, determined to do her best +to please Mrs. Van Reypen, she found that lady +suffering from an attack of neuralgia. +</p> +<p>Though not a serious one, it seriously affected +her temper, and she was cross and irritable +to a degree that Patty had never seen +equalled. +</p> +<p>She snapped at the servants; she was short of +speech to Patty; she found fault with everything, +from the coffee to the cat. +</p> +<p>After breakfast they went to the sunny, pleasant +morning room, and Patty made up her mind +to a hard day. +</p> +<p>Then she had an inspiration. She remembered +how susceptible Mrs. Van Reypen was to flattery, +and she determined to see if large doses +of it wouldn’t cure her ill temper. +</p> +<p>“How lovely your hair is,” said Patty, apropos +of nothing. “I do so admire white hair, +and yours is so abundant and of such fine +texture.” +</p> +<p>As she had hoped, Mrs. Van Reypen smiled +in a pleased way. +</p> +<p>“Ah, Miss Fairfield, you should have seen +it when I was a girl. It was phenomenal. But +of late years it has come out sadly.” +</p> +<p>“You still have quantities,” said Patty, and +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_248' name='page_248'></a>248</span> +very truthfully, too, “and its silvery whiteness +is so becoming to your complexion.” +</p> +<p>“Do you think so?” said Mrs. Van Reypen, +smiling most amiably. “I think it’s much +wiser not to colour one’s hair, for now-a-days +so many people turn gray quite young.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, they do. I’ve several friends with gray +hair who are very young women indeed.” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” agreed the other, comfortably, “white +hair no longer indicates that a woman is advanced +in years. You speak very sensibly, Miss +Fairfield.” +</p> +<p>Patty smiled to herself at the success of her +little ruse, “And, after all,” she thought, “I’m +telling her only the truth. Her hair is lovely, +and she may as well know I appreciate it.” +</p> +<p>“Have you ever tried,” she went on, “wearing +it in a coronet braid?” +</p> +<p>“No; I’ve thought I should like to, but I’ve +worn puffs so long I don’t know how to change.” +</p> +<p>“Let me do it for you,” said Patty. “I’m +sure I could dress it to please you. At any rate, +it would do no harm to try.” +</p> +<p>So up they went to Mrs. Van Reypen’s dressing +room, and Patty spent most of the morning +trying and discussing different modes of +hair-dressing. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_249' name='page_249'></a>249</span></p> +<p>Mrs. Van Reypen’s maid was present, and she +admired Patty’s cleverness and deftness at the +work. +</p> +<p>“You have a touch,” declared Mrs. Van Reypen, +as she surveyed herself by the aid of a +hand-mirror. “You’re positively Frenchy in +your touch. Where did you learn it? Have +you ever been a lady’s-maid?” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty, suppressing her smiles, “I +never have. But I’ve spent a winter in Paris, +and I picked up some French notions, I +suppose.” +</p> +<p>“You certainly did. You are clever with your +fingers, I can see that. Can you trim hats?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I can,” said Patty, smiling to herself +at the recollection of her experiences with Mme. +Villard. +</p> +<p>“Humph! You seem pretty sure of yourself. +I wish you’d trim one for me, then; but I don’t +want you to spoil the materials.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll do my best,” said Patty, meekly, and +Mrs. Van Reypen instructed her maid to bring +out some boxes. +</p> +<p>“This,” she said, taking up a finished hat, “is +one my milliner has just sent home, and I think +it a fright. Now here’s a last year’s hat, but +the plumes are lovely. If you could untrim this +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_250' name='page_250'></a>250</span> +first one, and transfer these plumes, and then +add these roses—what do you think?” +</p> +<p>Secretly Patty thought the new hat was lovely +just as it was, but her plan that morning was to +humour the testy old lady and, if possible, make +her forget her neuralgic pains. +</p> +<p>So she took the hats, and sat down to rip and +retrim them. +</p> +<p>Meantime, Mrs. Van Reypen instructed her +maid to practise dressing her hair in the fashion +Patty had done it. +</p> +<p>But the maid was not very deft in the art, and +soon Patty heard Mrs. Van Reypen shrilly +exclaiming: +</p> +<p>“Stupid! Not that way! You have neither +taste nor brains! Place the braid higher. No, +not so high as that! Oh, you <i>are</i> an idiot!” +</p> +<p>Deeming it best not to interfere, Patty went +on with her work. +</p> +<p>Also, Mrs. Van Reypen went on with her +scolding, which so upset the long-suffering maid +that she fell to weeping and thereby roused her +mistress to still greater ire. +</p> +<p>“Crying, are you!” she exclaimed. “If you +had such a painful neck and shoulder as I have +you well might cry. But to cry about nothing! +Bah! Leave me, and do not return until you +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_251' name='page_251'></a>251</span> +can be pleasant. Miss Fairfield, will you please +finish putting up my hair?” +</p> +<p>Patty laid down her work, and did as she was +requested. She was sorry for the maid and incensed +at Mrs. Van Reypen’s injustice and disagreeableness, +but she felt intuitively that it was +the best plan to be, herself, kind and affable. +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes, I’ll do it!” she said, pleasantly. +“Your hat is almost finished, and we can try +it on with your hair done this way. I’m sure +the effect will be charming.” +</p> +<p>Mollified at this, Mrs. Van Reypen smiled +benignly on her companion, and also smiled +admiringly at her own mirrored reflection. +</p> +<p>“Now,” said Patty, as, a little later, she +brought the completed hat for inspection, “I +will try this on and see how it looks.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Van Reypen seated herself again in front +of her dressing mirror, and with gestures +worthy of Madame Villard herself, Patty +placed the hat on her head. +</p> +<p>“It’s most becoming,” began Patty, when +Mrs. Van Reypen interrupted her. +</p> +<p>“Becoming?” she cried. “It is dreadful! +It is <i>fearful</i>. It makes me look like an old +woman!” +</p> +<p>With an angry jerk she snatched the offending +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_252' name='page_252'></a>252</span> +hat from her head and threw it across the +room. +</p> +<p>Patty was about to give a horrified exclamation +when the funny side of it struck her, and +she burst into laughter. Mrs. Van Reypen was +really an elderly lady, and her angry surprise +at being made to look like one seemed very +funny to Patty. +</p> +<p>But in a moment she understood the case. +</p> +<p>She had thought the hat in question of too +youthful a type for Mrs. Van Reypen, and in +retrimming it had made it more subdued and +of a quieter, more elderly fashion. +</p> +<p>But she now realised that she had been expected +to make it of even gayer effect than it +had shown at first. This was an easy matter, +and picking up the hat she straightened it out, +and hastily catching up a bunch of pink roses +and a glittering buckle, she said: +</p> +<p>“Oh, it isn’t finished yet; these other trimmings +I want to put in place while the hat is +on your head.” +</p> +<p>“Oh,” said Mrs. Van Reypen, only half-convinced. +</p> +<p>But she sat down again, and Patty replaced the +hat, and then adjusted the roses and the buckle, +giving the whole a dainty, pretty effect, which +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_253' name='page_253'></a>253</span> +though over-youthful, perhaps, was really very +becoming to the fine-looking old lady. +</p> +<p>“Charming!” she exclaimed, letting her recent +display of bad temper go without apology. +“I felt sure you could do it. This afternoon we +will go out to the shops and buy some materials, +and you shall make me another hat.” +</p> +<p>They did so, and, though it meant an afternoon +of rather strenuous shopping, Patty didn’t +mind it much, for Mrs. Van Reypen couldn’t +fly into a rage in the presence of the salespeople. +</p> +<p>And so the days dragged by. Patty had hard +work to keep her own temper when her employer +was unreasonably cross and snappish, +but she stuck to her plan of flattering her, and +it worked well more often than not. +</p> +<p>Nor was she insincere. There were so many +admirable qualities and traits of Mrs. Van Reypen +that she really admired, it was easy enough +to tell her so, and invariably the lady was +pleased. +</p> +<p>But she often broke out into foolish, unjustifiable +rages, and then Patty had to wait meekly +until they passed over. +</p> +<p>But when, at last, Wednesday evening had +gone by, and she went to her room, knowing +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_254' name='page_254'></a>254</span> +it was the last night she should spend under that +roof, she was glad indeed. +</p> +<p>“Another week of this would give me nervous +prostration!” she said to herself. “But +to-morrow my week is up, and that means Success! +I have really and truly succeeded in earning +my own living for a week, and I’m glad and +proud of it. I knew I should succeed, but I +confess I didn’t think I’d score so many failures +first. But perhaps that makes my success all +the sweeter. Anyway, I’m jolly glad I’m going +home to-morrow. Wow! but I’m homesick.” +</p> +<p>Then she tumbled into bed, and soon forgot +her homesickness in a sound, dreamless sleep. +</p> +<p>Patty had been uncertain whether to tell Mrs. +Van Reypen the true story of her week of companionship +or not; but on Thursday morning +she decided she would do so. +</p> +<p>And, as it chanced, after breakfast Mrs. Van +Reypen herself opened the way for Patty’s +confidences. +</p> +<p>“Miss Fairfield,” she said, as they sat down +in the library, “you know our trial week is up +to-day.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, Mrs. Van Reypen, and you remember +that either of us has the privilege of terminating +our engagement to-day.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_255' name='page_255'></a>255</span></p> +<p>“I do remember, and, though I fear you will +be greatly disappointed, I must tell you that I +have decided that I cannot keep you as my +companion.” +</p> +<p>As Patty afterward told Nan, she was “struck +all of a heap.” +</p> +<p>She had been wondering how she should persuade +Mrs. Van Reypen to let her go, and now +the lady was voluntarily dismissing her! It +was so sudden and so unexpected that Patty +showed her surprise by her look of blank +amazement. +</p> +<p>“I knew you’d feel dreadful about it,” went +on Mrs. Van Reypen, with real regret in her +tone, “but I cannot help it. You are not, by +nature, fitted for the position. You are—I +don’t exactly know how to express it, but you +are not of a subservient disposition.” +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty, “I’m not. But I have +tried to do as you wanted me to.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I could see that. But you are too +high-strung to be successful in a position of this +kind. You should be more deferential in spirit +as well as in manner. Do I make myself +clear?” +</p> +<p>“You do, Mrs. Van Reypen,” said Patty, +smiling; “so clear that I am going to tell you +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_256' name='page_256'></a>256</span> +the truth about this whole business. I’m not +really obliged to earn my own living. I have a +happy home and loving parents. My father, +though not a millionaire, is wealthy and generous +enough to supply all my wants, and the +reason I took this position with you is a special +and peculiar one, which I will tell you about +if you care to hear.” +</p> +<p>“You sly puss!” cried Mrs. Van Reypen, +with a smile that indicated relief rather than +dismay at Patty’s revelation. “Then you’ve +been only masquerading as a companion?” +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, smiling back at her, “that’s +about the size of it.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XVIII_HOME_AGAIN' id='XVIII_HOME_AGAIN'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_257' name='page_257'></a>257</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> +<h3>HOME AGAIN</h3> +</div> + +<p>After Patty had told Mrs. Van Reypen +the whole story of her efforts to earn +her living for a week, and why she had +undertaken such a thing, she found herself occupying +a changed place in that lady’s regard. +</p> +<p>“It was fine of you, perfectly fine!” Mrs. Van +Reypen declared, “to sacrifice yourself, your +tastes, and your time for a noble end like +that.” +</p> +<p>“Don’t praise me more than I deserve,” said +Patty, smiling. “I did begin the game with +a charitable motive, but I thought it was going +to be easy. When I found it difficult I fear I +kept on rather from stubbornness than anything +else.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t call it stubbornness, Miss Fairfield; +I call it commendable perseverance, and I’m +glad you’ve told me your story. Of course, I +wouldn’t have wished you to tell me at first, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_258' name='page_258'></a>258</span> +for had I known it I wouldn’t have taken you. +But you have honestly tried to do your work +well, and you succeeded as well as you could. +But, as I told you, you are not made for that +sort of thing. Your disposition is not that of +a subordinate, and I am glad you do not really +have to be one. You have earned your salary +this week, however, and I gladly pay you the +fifteen dollars we agreed upon.” +</p> +<p>Mrs. Van Reypen handed Patty the money, +and as the girl took it she said, earnestly: “As +you may well believe, Mrs. Van Reypen, this +money means more to me than any I have ever +before received in my life. It is the first I have +ever earned by my own exertions, and, unless +I meet with reverses of fortune, it will probably +be the last. But, more than that, it proves my +success in the somewhat doubtful enterprise I +undertook and it assures a chance, at least, of +another girl’s success in life.” +</p> +<p>“I am greatly interested in your young art +student,” went on Mrs. Van Reypen. “Can +you not bring her to see me when she comes, +and perhaps I may be of use to her in some +friendly way?” +</p> +<p>“How good you are!” exclaimed Patty. +</p> +<p>She was surprised at the complete change of +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_259' name='page_259'></a>259</span> +demeanour in Mrs. Van Reypen, though of +course she realised it was due to the fact that +she was now looked upon as a social equal and +not a dependent. +</p> +<p>“It is all so uncertain yet,” Patty went on. +“I don’t know exactly how we are to persuade +the girl to come North at all. She is of a proud +and sensitive nature that would reject anything +like charity.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you will doubtless arrange the matter +somehow, and when you do, remember that I +shall be glad to help in any way I can.” +</p> +<p>“Thank you very much,” said Patty. “It +may be that you can indeed help us. And now, +Mrs. Van Reypen, mayn’t I read to you, or +something? You know my week isn’t up until +this afternoon.” +</p> +<p>“Not literally, perhaps; but for the few hours +that are left of your stay with me I shall look +upon you as a guest, not a ‘companion.’ And +as I always like to entertain my guests pleasantly, +I shall, if you agree, telephone for Philip +to come to luncheon with us.” +</p> +<p>The old lady’s eyes twinkled at the idea of +Philip’s surprise at the changed conditions, +and Patty smiled, too, as she expressed her +assent. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_260' name='page_260'></a>260</span></p> +<p>When Philip arrived he was, of course, +amazed at his aunt’s demeanour. She not only +seemed to approve of Miss Fairfield, but treated +her as an honoured guest and seemed more than +willing that Philip should chat socially with her. +Soon she explained to him the cause of her sudden +change of attitude. +</p> +<p>Philip laughed heartily. “I suspected something +of the sort,” he said. “Miss Fairfield +didn’t strike me as being of the ‘thankful and +willin’ to please’ variety. She tried her best, +but her deference was forced and her meekness +assumed.” +</p> +<p>“But she did it well,” said Mrs. Van Reypen. +</p> +<p>“Oh, yes; very well. Still I like her better in +her natural rôle of society lady.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, not that!” protested Patty. “I’m not +really a society lady. In fact, I’m not ‘out’ +yet. I’m just a New York girl.” +</p> +<p>“Were you born here?” asked Mrs. Van +Reypen. +</p> +<p>“No,” said Patty, laughing; “I was born +South, and I’ve only lived North about five +years. One of those I’ve spent abroad, and one +or two outside of New York. So when I say +I’m a New York girl I only mean that I live +here now.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_261' name='page_261'></a>261</span></p> +<p>“Mayn’t I come to see you?” asked Philip. +“Where do you live?” +</p> +<p>“I live on Seventy-second Street,” said Patty, +“and you may come to tea some Wednesday +if you like. That’s my mother’s ‘day,’ and I +often receive with her.” +</p> +<p>“I see you’re well brought up,” said Mrs. Van +Reypen, nodding her head approvingly. “I’m +a bit surprised though that your mother allowed +you to undertake this escapade.” +</p> +<p>“Well, you see, she’s my stepmother—she’s +only six years older than I am. So she hasn’t +much jurisdiction over me; and as for my father—well, +really, I ran away!” +</p> +<p>The luncheon was a merry feast, for Mrs. Van +Reypen made a gala affair of it, and, though +there were but the three at table, there was +extra elaboration of viands and decorations. +</p> +<p>Philip Van Reypen was in his gayest humour, +and his aunt was beaming and affable. +</p> +<p>So they were really sorry when it was time for +Patty to say good-by. +</p> +<p>At four o’clock Miller came for her, and when +Patty saw the familiar motor-car her homesickness +came back like a big wave, and with farewells, +speedy though cordial, she gladly let +Philip hand her into the limousine. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_262' name='page_262'></a>262</span></p> +<p>“Home, Miller!” she said, with a glad ring +in her voice, and then, with a final bow and +smile to the Van Reypens, she started off. +</p> +<p>“Discharged!” she thought, smiling to herself. +“Didn’t give satisfaction! Too high-falutin +to be a companion! Huh, Patty Fairfield, +I don’t think you’re much of a success!” +</p> +<p>She was talking to the reflection of herself in +the small mirror opposite her face, but the +happy and smiling countenance she saw there +didn’t tally with her remarks. “Oh, well,” +she thought, “I only agreed to earn my living +for a week, and I’ve done it—I’ve done +it!” +</p> +<p>She opened her purse to make sure the precious +fifteen dollars was still there, and she looked +at it proudly. She had more money than that +in another part of her purse, but no bills could +ever look so valuable as the ten and five Mrs. +Van Reypen had paid her. +</p> +<p>At last she reached home, and as she ran up +the steps the door flew open, and she saw Nan +and her father, with smiling faces, awaiting her. +</p> +<p>“Oh, people!” she cried. “Oh, you <i>dear</i> +people!” +</p> +<p>She flung herself indiscriminately into their +open arms, embracing both at once. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_263' name='page_263'></a>263</span></p> +<p>Then she produced her precious bills, and, +waving them aloft, cried: +</p> +<p>“I’ve succeeded! I’ve really succeeded! Behold +the proofs of Patty’s success!” +</p> +<p>“Good for you, girlie!” cried her father. +“You have succeeded, indeed! But don’t you +ever dare cut up such a prank again!” +</p> +<p>“No, don’t!” implored Nan. “I’ve had the +most awful time the whole week! Every night +Fred vowed he was going to bring you home, +and I had to beg him not to. I wanted you +to win,—and I felt sure you would this time,—but +you owe it to me. For if I hadn’t worked +so hard to prevent it your father would have +gone after you long ago——” +</p> +<p>“Good for you, Nan!” cried Patty. “You’ve +been a trump! You’ve helped me through +every time, in all my failures and in my one +success. Oh, I’ve so much to tell you of my +experiences! They were awfully funny.” +</p> +<p>“They’ll keep till later,” said Nan. “You +must run and dress now; Ken and the Farringtons +are coming to dinner to help us celebrate +your success.” +</p> +<p>So Patty went dancing away to her own room, +singing gaily in her delight at being once more +at home. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_264' name='page_264'></a>264</span></p> +<p>“Oh, you booful room!” she cried, aloud, +as she reached her own door. “All full of +pretty <i>homey</i> things, and fresh flowers, and +my own dear books and pictures, and—and +everything!” +</p> +<p>She threw herself on the couch and kissed the +very sofa cushions in her joy at seeing them +again. +</p> +<p>Then she made her toilette, and put on one +of her prettiest and most becoming frocks. +</p> +<p>“Oh, daddy, dear,” she cried, meeting him +in the hall on her way down, “it has done me +lots of good to be homeless for a week! I +appreciate my own dear home so much more.” +</p> +<p>“But you were away from it for a year.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, that’s different! Travelling or visiting +is one thing, but working for your living is quite +another! Oh, <i>don’t</i> lose all your fortune, will +you, father? I don’t want to have to go out +into the cold world and earn my own support.” +</p> +<p>“Then it isn’t as easy as you thought it was?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, dear no! It isn’t easy at all! It’s +dreadful! Every way I tried was worse than +every other. But I succeeded, didn’t I?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, you did. You fulfilled your part of the +contract, and when the time comes I’m ready +to fulfil mine.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_265' name='page_265'></a>265</span></p> +<p>“We’ll have to see Mr. Hepworth about +that,” replied Patty. +</p> +<p>Then Kenneth and the two Farringtons came, +and the wonderful fifteen dollars had to be +shown to them, and they had to be told all +about Patty’s harrowing experiences. +</p> +<p>“I’ll never again express an opinion on matters +I don’t know anything about,” declared +Patty. “Just think! I only said I thought it +would be <i>easy</i> to earn fifteen dollars a week, and +look what I’ve been through in consequence! +But I’ve won at last!” +</p> +<p>“Plucky Patty!” said Kenneth, appreciatively. +“I knew you’d win if it took all +summer!” +</p> +<p>“But it wasn’t a complete triumph,” confessed +Patty, “for she wouldn’t have kept me another +week. She practically discharged me to-day.” +</p> +<p>“Fired?” cried Roger, in glee. “Fired from +your last place! Wanted, a situation! Oh, +Patty, you do beat all!” +</p> +<p>Then Patty told them of her own surprise +when Mrs. Van Reypen told her she would not +do as a permanent companion, and they all +laughed heartily at the funny description she +gave of the scene. +</p> +<p>“Never mind,” said her father, “you fulfilled +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_266' name='page_266'></a>266</span> +the conditions. A week was the stipulated time, +and nothing was said about your outlook for a +second week.” +</p> +<p>The next night Mr. Hepworth came, and the +whole story was told over again to him. He +didn’t take it so lightly as the young people +had done, but looked at Patty sympathetically, +and said: +</p> +<p>“Poor little girl, you did have a hard time, +didn’t you?” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I did,” replied Patty, “though nobody +else seems to realise that.” +</p> +<p>The kindness in Mr. Hepworth’s glance +seemed to bring back to her all those long, +lonely, weary hours, and she felt grateful +that one, at least, understood what she had +suffered. +</p> +<p>“It was worth spending that awful week to +achieve your purpose,” he went on, “but I well +know how hard it was for a home-loving girl +like you. And I fancy it was none too easy to +find yourself at the beck and call of another +woman.” +</p> +<p>“No, it wasn’t,” said Patty, surprised at his +insight. “How did you know that?” +</p> +<p>“Because you are an independent young person, +and accustomed to ordering your own times +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_267' name='page_267'></a>267</span> +and seasons. So I’m sure to be obedient to +another’s orders was somewhat galling.” +</p> +<p>“It was <i>so</i>!” and Patty’s emphatic nod of her +head proved to Mr. Hepworth that he had +struck a true chord. +</p> +<p>“And now,” said Mr. Fairfield, “when can +I make my offer good? How can we induce +the rising young artist to come to the metropolis +to seek fame and fortune?” +</p> +<p>“It will be difficult,” said Mr. Hepworth, “as +she is not only proud and sensitive, but very +shy. I think if Mrs. Fairfield would write one +of her kind and tactful letters that Miss Farley +would be persuaded by it.” +</p> +<p>“Why can’t I write a kind and tactful letter?” +asked Patty. “It’s my picnic.” +</p> +<p>“You couldn’t write a tactful letter to save +your life,” said Mr. Hepworth, looking at her +with a grave smile. +</p> +<p>Patty returned his look, and she wondered to +herself why she wasn’t angry with him for making +such a speech. +</p> +<p>But, as she well knew, when Mr. Hepworth +made a seemingly rude speech it wasn’t really +rude, but it was usually true. +</p> +<p>She knew herself she couldn’t write such a letter +as this occasion required, and she knew that +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_268' name='page_268'></a>268</span> +Nan could. So she smiled meekly at Mr. Hepworth, +and said: +</p> +<p>“No, I couldn’t. But Nan can be tactful to +beat the band!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Patty!” said her father. “Did you +talk like that to Mrs. Van Reypen? No wonder +she discharged you!” +</p> +<p>“No, I didn’t, daddy; truly I didn’t. I never +used a word of slang that whole week, except +one day when I talked to Nan over the +telephone.” +</p> +<p>“Soon you’ll be old enough to begin to think +it’s time to stop using it at all,” observed Mr. +Hepworth, and again Patty took his mild reproof +in good part. +</p> +<p>“Well, I’ll write,” said Nan. “Shall I ask +Miss Farley to come to visit us? Won’t she +think that rather queer?” +</p> +<p>“Don’t put it just that way,” advised Mr. +Hepworth. “Say that you, as a friend of mine, +are interested in her career. And say that if +she will come to New York for a week and +stay with you, you think you can help her make +arrangements for a course in the Art School. +Your own tact will dress up the idea so as to +make it palatable to her pride.” +</p> +<p>“Won’t it be fun?” exclaimed Patty. “It +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_269' name='page_269'></a>269</span> +will be almost like adopting a sister. What +is she like, Mr. Hepworth? Like me?” +</p> +<p>“She is about as unlike you as it is possible +for a girl to be. She is very slender, dark, and +timid, with the air of a frightened animal.” +</p> +<p>“I’ll scare her to death,” declared Patty, with +conviction. “I’m sure I shall! I don’t mean +on purpose, but I’m so—so <i>sudden</i>, you know.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, you are,” agreed Mr. Hepworth, as he +joined in the general laughter. “But that +‘suddenness’ of yours is a quality that I wish +Miss Farley possessed. It is really a sort of +brave impulse and quick determination that +makes you dash into danger or enterprise of +any kind.” +</p> +<p>“And win!” added Patty saucily. +</p> +<p>“Yes, and win—after a time.” +</p> +<p>“Oh well,” she replied, tossing her head, +“Mr. Bruce’s spider made seven attempts before +he succeeded. So I think my record’s +pretty fair.” +</p> +<p>“I think so, too,” said Mr. Hepworth, heartily. +“And I congratulate you on your plucky +perseverance and your indomitable will. You +put up a brave fight, and you won. I know how +you suffered under that petty tyranny, and your +success in such circumstances was a triumph!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_270' name='page_270'></a>270</span></p> +<p>“Thank you,” said Patty, greatly pleased at +this sincere praise from one whom she so greatly +respected. “It would have been harder still +if I hadn’t had a good sense of humour. Lots +of times when I wanted to cry I laughed +instead.” +</p> +<p>“Hurrah for you, Patty girl!” cried her father. +“I’d rather you’d have a good sense of +humour than a talent for spatter-work!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, you back number!” exclaimed Patty. +“They don’t do spatter-work now, daddy.” +</p> +<p>“Well, china painting—or whatever the present +fad is.” +</p> +<p>But Mr. Hepworth seemed not to place so +high a value on a sense of humour, for he said, +gravely: +</p> +<p>“I congratulate you on your steadfastness of +purpose, which is one of the finest traits of your +character.” +</p> +<p>“Thank you,” said Patty, with dancing eyes. +“You give it a nice name. But it is a family +trait with us Fairfields, and has usually been +called ‘stubbornness.’” +</p> +<p>“Well,” supplemented her father, “I’m sure +that’s just as good a name.” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XIX_CHRISTINE_COMES' id='XIX_CHRISTINE_COMES'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_271' name='page_271'></a>271</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XIX</h2> +<h3>CHRISTINE COMES</h3> +</div> + +<p>With her usual tact and cleverness, +Nan managed the whole matter successfully. +She wrote to the friends +of Mr. Hepworth in the South who were interested +in Miss Farley, and they persuaded the +girl to go North for a week and see if she could +see her way clear to staying there. +</p> +<p>As it turned out, Miss Farley had some acquaintances +in New York, and when their invitation +was added to that of Mrs. Fairfield, +she decided to make the trip. +</p> +<p>Patty and Nan made ready for her with great +care and kindness. A guest room was specially +prepared for her use, and Patty adorned it with +some of her own pet pictures, a few good casts, +and certain bits of bric-ŕ-brac that she thought +would appeal to an “art student.” +</p> +<p>“If Mr. Hepworth hadn’t said the girl had +real talent I’d be hopeless of the whole thing,” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_272' name='page_272'></a>272</span> +said Nan, “for I do think the most futile sort +of young woman is the one who dabbles in Art, +with a big A.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, Christine Farley isn’t that sort,” declared +Patty. “I don’t believe she wears her +hair tumbling down and a Byron collar with a +big, black ribbon bow at her throat. I used to +see that sort copying in the art galleries in Paris, +and they <i>are</i> hopeless. But I imagine Miss +Farley is a tidy little thing and her genius is too +real for those near-art effects.” +</p> +<p>“Well, then, I’ll put this photograph of the +Hermes in here in place of this fiddle-de-dee +Art Calendar. She’ll like it better.” +</p> +<p>“Of course she will. And I’m going to put a +pretty kimono and slippers in the wardrobe. +Probably she won’t have pretty ones, and I +know she’ll love ’em.” +</p> +<p>“If you owned a white elephant, Patty, you’d +get a kimono for it, wouldn’t you?” +</p> +<p>“’Course I would. I love kimonos—pretty +ones. And besides, it would fit an elephant better +than a Directoire gown would.” +</p> +<p>“Patty! What a goose you are! There, now +the room looks lovely! The flowers are just +right—not too many and just in the right +places.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_273' name='page_273'></a>273</span></p> +<p>“Yes,” agreed Patty; “if she doesn’t like this +room I wash my hands of her. But she will.” +</p> +<p>And she did. When the small, shy Southern +girl arrived that afternoon, and Patty herself +showed her up to her room, she seemed to respond +at once to the warm cosiness of the +place. +</p> +<p>“It’s just such a room as I’ve often imagined, +but I’ve never seen,” she said, smiling round +upon the dainty, attractive appointments. +</p> +<p>“You dear!” cried Patty, throwing her arms +round her guest and kissing her. +</p> +<p>When she had first met Christine downstairs +she was embarrassed herself at the Southern +girl’s painful shyness. +</p> +<p>When Miss Farley had tried to speak words +of greeting a lump came into her throat and +she couldn’t speak at all. +</p> +<p>To put her more at her ease Patty had led her +at once upstairs, and now the presence of only +warm-hearted Patty and the view of the welcoming +room made her forget her embarrassment +and seem more like her natural self. +</p> +<p>“I cannot thank you,” she began. “I am a +bit bewildered by it all.” +</p> +<p>“Of course you are,” said Patty, cheerily. +“Don’t bother about thanks. And don’t feel +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_274' name='page_274'></a>274</span> +shy. Let’s pretend we’ve known each other for +years—long enough to use first names. May +I take your hat off, Christine?” +</p> +<p>Tears sprang to Christine Farley’s eyes at this +whole-souled welcome, and she said: +</p> +<p>“You make me ashamed of my stupid shyness. +Really I’ll try to overcome it—Patty.” +</p> +<p>And soon the two girls were chatting cosily and +veritably as if they had been acquainted a long +time. +</p> +<p>Presently Nan came in. “If you prefer, Miss +Farley,” she said, “you needn’t come down to +dinner to-night. I’ll have a tray sent up here. +I know you’re tired with your journey.” +</p> +<p>“No, thank you, Mrs. Fairfield; I’m not +tired—and I think I’ll go down.” +</p> +<p>The girl would have greatly preferred to accept +the offer of dining in her own room, but +she felt it her duty to conquer the absurd +timidity which made her dread facing strangers +at dinner. +</p> +<p>“I’ll be glad if you will,” said Nan, simply. +“Mr. Fairfield will like to welcome you, and +Mr. Hepworth will be the only other guest. +You are not afraid of him?” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no,” said Christine, her face lighting up +at thought of her kind friend. “He has +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_275' name='page_275'></a>275</span> +been so good to me. His criticisms of my work +helped me more than any of my teachers’.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, he is an able artist and a man of true +kindness and worth,” agreed Nan. “Very well, +Miss Farley, we dine at seven.” +</p> +<p>“Now, Nan,” began Patty, smiling, “that’s +the wrong tone. We’re going to make this +girlie feel homelike and comfortable and omit +all formality. We’re going to call her by her +first name, and we’re going to treat her as one +of ourselves. Now you just revise that little +speech of ‘We dine at seven, Miss Farley.’” +</p> +<p>“All right,” said Nan, quickly catching Patty’s +idea. “I’m glad to revise it. How’s this? +Dinner’s at seven, Christine, but you hop into +your clothes and come on down earlier.” +</p> +<p>“That’s a lot better,” said Patty, approvingly +patting her stepmother’s shoulder, while Christine +Farley, who was all unaccustomed to this +sort of raillery, looked on in admiration. +</p> +<p>“You see,” she said, “I’ve only very plain +clothes. I’m not at all familiar with the ways +of society, or even of well-to-do people.” +</p> +<p>“Oh, pooh!” said Patty, emphatically, if not +very elegantly. “Don’t you bother about that +in this house. Trot out your frocks and I’ll tell +you what to put on.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_276' name='page_276'></a>276</span></p> +<p>After some consideration she selected a frock +of that peculiar shade known as “ashes of +roses.” It was of soft merino and made very +simply, with long, straight lines. +</p> +<p>“Do you like that?” said Christine, looking +pleased. “That’s my newest one, and I designed +it myself. See, I wear this with it.” +</p> +<p>She took from her box a dull silver girdle and +chatelaine of antique, carved silver, and a comb +for her hair of similar style. +</p> +<p>“Lovely!” cried Patty. “Oh, you’re an +artist, all right! Dress your hair low—in a +soft coil; but of course you know how to do +that. I’ll send Louise to hook you up, and I’ll +come back for you when I’m dressed. Good-by +for now.” +</p> +<p>Waving her hand gaily, laughing Patty ran +away to her own room, and Christine sank down +in a big chair to collect her senses. +</p> +<p>It was all so new and strange to her. Brought +up in the plainest circumstances, the warmth +and light and fragrance of this home seemed +to her like fairyland. +</p> +<p>And Nan and Patty, in their gay moods and +their happy self-assuredness, seemed as if of a +different race of beings from herself. +</p> +<p>“But I’ll learn it,” she thought, with a +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_277' name='page_277'></a>277</span> +determination which she had rarely felt and scarce +knew she possessed. Her nature was one that +needed a spur or help from another, and then +she was ready to do her part, too. +</p> +<p>But she could not take the initiative. And +now, realising the disinterested kindness of +these good people, her sense of gratitude made +her resolve to meet their kindness with +appreciation. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” she said to herself, as she deftly +dressed her hair in front of the mirror, “I’ll +conquer this silly timidity if it kills me! I’ll +take Patty Fairfield for a model, and I’ll acquire +that very same ease and grace that she +has.” +</p> +<p>Christine was imitative by nature, and it +seemed to her now that she could never feel +stupidly embarrassed again. +</p> +<p>But after Patty came to take her downstairs, +and as they neared the drawing-room door, the +foolish shyness all returned, and she was white +and trembling as she crossed the hall. +</p> +<p>“Brace up,” whispered Patty, understanding, +“you’re looking lovely, Christine. Now be gay +and chattery.” +</p> +<p>“Chattery,” indeed! Her tongue seemed +paralysed, her very neck felt strained and stiff, +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_278' name='page_278'></a>278</span> +and she stumbled over the rug in her effort to +stop trembling. In her own room, alone with +Patty and Nan, she had overcome this, but now, +in the brilliantly lighted drawing-room and the +presence of other people, the terrible timidity +returned, and Christine made a most unsuccessful +entrance. +</p> +<p>But Mr. Fairfield ignored the girl’s embarrassment, +and said, cordially but quietly: “How +do you do, Miss Farley? I am very glad to +welcome you here.” +</p> +<p>His kind handclasp reassured her even more +than his pleasant words, and then Mr. Hepworth +greeted her. +</p> +<p>“You did well to come,” he said. “I am glad +to see you in New York at last.” +</p> +<p>But Christine couldn’t recover herself, and so, +as the kindest thing to do, the rest rather let +her alone and chatted on other subjects. +</p> +<p>Gradually she grew less agitated, and as their +merry chit-chat waxed gay and frivolous, her +determination returned, that she, too, would acquire +this accomplishment. +</p> +<p>Then dinner was announced, and, though outwardly +calm, the Southern girl was inwardly +in great trepidation lest she commit some ignorant +error in etiquette. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_279' name='page_279'></a>279</span></p> +<p>But she was of gentle birth and breeding, and +innately refined, so she knew intuitively regarding +all points, save perhaps some modern trifles +of conventional usage. +</p> +<p>Nan, who was watching her, though unobserved, +led the conversation around to subjects +in which Christine might be likely to be interested, +and was rewarded at last by seeing the +girl’s face light up with an enjoyment unmarred +by self-consciousness. +</p> +<p>Gradually she was induced to take some part +in their talk, and once she told an anecdote of +her own experience without seeming aware of +her unusual surroundings. +</p> +<p>“She’ll do,” thought Patty. “It isn’t ignorance +or inexperience that’s the greatest trouble; +it’s just ingrowing shyness, and she’s got to get +over it; I’ll see that she does, too!” +</p> +<p>Mr. Hepworth read Patty’s unspoken thoughts +in her eyes and nodded approval. +</p> +<p>Patty nodded back with a dimpling smile, and +Christine, seeing it, vowed afresh to gain the +ability to do that sort of thing herself. +</p> +<p>For all Southern girls have a touch of the +coquette in their natures, but poor Christine’s +was nearly choked out by the weeds of timidity +and self-consciousness. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_280' name='page_280'></a>280</span></p> +<p>After dinner it was easier. They went to the +cosy library, and the atmosphere seemed more +informal. +</p> +<p>Mr. Hepworth brought up the subject of Miss +Farley’s work, and she was persuaded to fetch +some sketches to show them. +</p> +<p>Though not able to appreciate the fine points +of promise as Mr. Hepworth did, they were all +greatly pleased with them, and Mr. Fairfield +declared them wonderful. +</p> +<p>In her own field Christine was fearless and +quite sure of herself. +</p> +<p>She talked intelligently about pictures, and +many pleasant plans were made for taking her +to see several collections then on exhibition, as +well as to the Metropolitan and other art +galleries. +</p> +<p>Nan and Patty exchanged pleased glances as +Christine talked eagerly, and with shining eyes +and pink cheeks, about her own aims and +ambitions. +</p> +<p>Mr. Hepworth was responsive, and advised +her on some minor points, but the great question +of her art education in New York was not +touched upon that first evening. +</p> +<p>Christine had grown almost gay in her chatter, +when Kenneth was announced. Like a sensitive +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_281' name='page_281'></a>281</span> +plant at a human touch, she lost all her poise, +her face turned white, and her lips quivered as +she braced herself for the ordeal of meeting a +stranger. +</p> +<p>“Oh!” thought Patty, almost disgusted at +this foolishness, “she is the limit!” +</p> +<p>But Nan appreciated more truly the real state +of the case, and knew that Christine had borne +just about all she could, and that owing to +physical fatigue and mental strain her nerves +were just about ready to give way. +</p> +<p>“How do you do, Kenneth?” said Nan, +airily. “Too bad you didn’t come earlier. I +am just taking our little guest away from this +admiring crowd, who are tiring her all out with +their admiration. She may just say ‘howdy’ +to you, and then I’m going to carry her off. +Miss Farley, this is our Kenneth—Mr. +Harper.” +</p> +<p>Stimulated by Nan’s support and by the sudden +chance for release, Christine managed to +acknowledge the introduction prettily enough, +and then gladly let Nan take her upstairs +to bed. +</p> +<p>“I’m sorry I’m so horrid,” said the girl, as +Nan helped her take off her gown. +</p> +<p>“Nonsense!” replied Nan, cheerily. “You +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_282' name='page_282'></a>282</span> +weren’t horrid a bit. You looked lovely and +behaved like a little lady. Your nerves are +overwrought, and I don’t wonder. Just tumble +into bed, dearie, and forget everything in all +the world, except that you’re among warm +friends.” +</p> +<p>Nan had most comforting ways, and soon +Christine forgot her troubles in a happy sleep. +</p> +<p>Meantime, Kenneth was admiring her sketches. +“Whew!” he said, “she’s a genius all right. +But such a shy little mouse never can succeed +as an artist.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, she will!” declared Patty. “Her shyness +will wear off in New York. I’m going to +eradicate it from her make-up somehow, and +then we’re going to make a famous artist +of her.” +</p> +<p>“You can be a great help to her, Patty,” said +Mr. Hepworth. “If any one makes Christine +think she can do things, she can do them.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, I see that already,” agreed Patty, “and +I’m going to be the one to make her think she +can do them.” +</p> +<p>“Huh!” teased Kenneth. “You think you +can make anybody think they think anything!” +</p> +<p>“Sure!” said Patty, complacently. +</p> +<p>“Well, don’t teach Miss Farley to talk slang,” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_283' name='page_283'></a>283</span> +said Mr. Fairfield, laughing, “for it would be +too incongruous with that Madonna face of +hers.” +</p> +<p>“She is like a Madonna, isn’t she?” said +Patty, thoughtfully. “I’ve been trying to think +what her face reminded me of.” +</p> +<p>“Yes, she is,” said Mr. Hepworth, “and as +I feel pretty sure you can’t teach her to use +slang, why don’t you take this occasion to discontinue +the use of it yourself?” +</p> +<p>“Can’t do it,” returned Patty. “There are +times in my mad career when nothing expresses +what I want to say so well as a mild bit of slang. +I never say anything very dreadful.” +</p> +<p>“Of course you don’t,” declared Kenneth, +who loved to take Patty’s part against Mr. +Hepworth. “Why, you wouldn’t be ‘Our +Patty’ if you used only dictionary English. All +the slang Miss Farley gets from you will do her +good rather than harm. She needs it in her +make-up.” +</p> +<p>“I agree with the spirit of that, if not the +letter,” said Mr. Hepworth, kindly; and Patty +said: +</p> +<p>“Yes, she needs to be jollied; and, you take it +from me, she’s going to get jollied!” +</p> +<hr class='major' /> +<div style='margin: auto; text-align: center; padding-top: 2em; padding-bottom: 1em'> +<a name='XX_A_SATISFACTORY_CONCLUSION' id='XX_A_SATISFACTORY_CONCLUSION'></a> +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_284' name='page_284'></a>284</span> +<h2>CHAPTER XX</h2> +<h3>A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION</h3> +</div> + +<p>As Nan had surmised, Christine was worn +out by her day of fatigue and excitement, +and the next morning found her +possessed of better mental poise and a more +placid manner. +</p> +<p>And as more days went by the girl improved +greatly in demeanour and bearing, and lost, to +a great degree, her look of startled fear and +painful self-consciousness. Of course this was +not accomplished completely, or all at once, but +helped by the kind gentleness of Nan and affectionate +chaffing of Patty, Christine grew +more accustomed to the pleasant social atmosphere +into which she had been so suddenly +thrown. +</p> +<p>They visited picture galleries and went to the +shops, and went driving and motoring, and +though Christine could not be persuaded to go +to afternoon teas, or to formal luncheons, yet +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_285' name='page_285'></a>285</span> +she enjoyed the pleasures she had and grew +every day more at her ease in society. +</p> +<p>Her own determination helped her greatly. +She purposed to yet become as unaffected and +un-self-conscious as Patty, and, though she knew +she could never acquire Patty’s inborn gaiety +of spirit, she resolved to come as near to it as +she could with her naturally quiet disposition. +</p> +<p>The two girls became fast friends, and, after +a few days, Patty ventured to broach the subject +of Christine’s career. +</p> +<p>To her surprise, Christine was quite ready to +talk about it, and asked Patty’s advice as to +ways and means. +</p> +<p>“I’ve already learned,” she said, “that I have +some talent and that I need the instruction and +experience that I can get here and cannot get +at home. When I once make up my mind to +a thing I spare no effort to achieve it, and now +I’m determined to get an art education by some +manner or means!” +</p> +<p>“Hooray for you!” cried Patty, for Christine’s +cheeks glowed and her eyes sparkled with +the force of her speech. “That’s the way to +talk! Christine, you do me proud! Now, go +on; what have you in mind? Tell your Aunt +Patty all about it.” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_286' name='page_286'></a>286</span></p> +<p>Christine smiled at Patty’s funny little ways, +but she went on bravely: +</p> +<p>“I want to stay in New York for a year, at +least. I’m afraid of it—desperately so. The +very sound of the traffic scares me out of my +wits. But I’m going to conquer that, and I’m +going to conquer my shyness and timidity and +all the foolish things that stand in my way.” +</p> +<p>“That’s the ticket!” cried Patty, clapping +her hands. “Good old Christine! Go in and +win!” +</p> +<p>“Wait a bit, Patty. That’s all very well so +far as determination and will are concerned. +And I can do it. My will is strong, and I know +I’m started now on the right track. But—there +are many hard facts to face. There’s a sordid +side to the question that can’t be solved by will-power +and determination. Mr. Hepworth +thinks I can get a scholarship practically without +cost; but, in addition to that, I have to pay +my board, you know, and I have very little +money. My dear old father can send me a +small allowance, but we are a large family, and +he is not rich. So I want to know if you think +I could earn enough by some work outside my +classes to pay my board—say, about fifteen dollars +a week. Do you?” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_287' name='page_287'></a>287</span></p> +<p>Patty couldn’t help it. This question from +Christine was too much! +</p> +<p>She was sitting on a couch, and she put her +head down into a big, soft pillow, and shook +with laughter. Did <i>she</i> think a girl could earn +fifteen dollars a week? <i>Did</i> she, indeed? With +a strange sound between a gurgle and a choke, +she ran out of the room. +</p> +<p>Not for worlds would she have Christine +think she was laughing at her, so in a moment +she had straightened her grinning face, smothered +her giggles, and returned, saying: +</p> +<p>“Excuse me, please; I had a sudden choking +spell. What were you saying?” +</p> +<p>“You poor dear! Mayn’t I get you a glass +of water?” +</p> +<p>“No, thanks; I’m all right now. As to your +question—no, Christine, I do <i>not</i> think you +could earn fifteen dollars a week! No, nor fifteen +cents a week, while you’re occupied with your +lessons.” +</p> +<p>Christine looked aghast. “Oh, Patty!” she +said. “Then what am I to do? I thought +you’d say, yes, I could earn that sum easily.” +</p> +<p>Again Patty wanted to laugh. A month ago +she would have said that very thing. +</p> +<p>“Christine,” she said, gently, “listen to me. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_288' name='page_288'></a>288</span> +We Fairfields and Mr. Hepworth all take an +interest in you and in your career. We all feel +sure you will yet be a great artist. Of course, +our belief is founded on Mr. Hepworth’s assertions, +but we know he is capable of judging. +Now you must have that year of study, and by +that time Mr. Hepworth feels sure you can +earn quite a lot of money by illustrating, and +whatever he thinks goes!” +</p> +<p>“Well,” said Christine, as Patty paused, uncertain +how to proceed. +</p> +<p>“Well, you see,” went on Patty, suddenly deciding +that the plain, outspoken facts were +best, “father has offered to pay your board for +a year at some nice, pleasant boarding-house, +and——Mercy! <i>What’s</i> the matter?” +</p> +<p>For Christine had turned first a blazing, fiery +red, and then as white as chalk, and seemed +about to tumble off her chair. +</p> +<p>“Brace up there!” cried Patty, shaking her +by the shoulder. “Don’t you faint or do anything +silly! I take it all back. Father wouldn’t +do such a thing!” +</p> +<p>“You misunderstand!” said Christine, smiling +faintly through now rapidly falling tears. +“I almost fainted from sheer gladness.” +</p> +<p>“Oh! I thought you were angry and offended +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_289' name='page_289'></a>289</span> +and insulted and mad as hops, and everything +like that!” +</p> +<p>“Oh, no!” cried the other. “Why, Patty, +it isn’t charity; it’s great, big, splendid kindness, +and it’s just a loan, you understand. I can pay +it back in a couple of years after I once begin +to earn money. Patty, you don’t know how +sure I am of my own ability now that I understand +my limitations. I can’t explain it, but I +see success ahead as surely as I see the blue +sky out of that window!” +</p> +<p>Christine gazed out of the window with rapt +eyes, as if she saw visions of the fame and glory +that were yet to be her portion. +</p> +<p>“You duck!” cried Patty, embracing her. +“You’re just splendiferous! That’s the loveliest +way you could have taken father’s offer. +He is great, big, splendid kindness personified, +and I’m so glad you see it.” +</p> +<p>That evening Mr. Fairfield ratified Patty’s +statements and definitely offered to pay Christine’s +board bills for a year. +</p> +<p>To Patty’s surprise, Christine showed no shyness +or agitation as she answered him. +</p> +<p>Only Nan understood that the girl’s gratitude +was too real and too deep for any troublesome +self-consciousness to disturb it. +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_290' name='page_290'></a>290</span></p> +<p>“Mr. Fairfield,” she said, “I accept your offer +with unspeakable thankfulness. It means +my whole career, and I assure you I shall reach +my goal. Of course, it is a financial loan, but +after a year I shall be in a position to begin to +pay it back, and it shall be promptly paid. Do +not think I have unfounded faith in my success. +I know what I already possess, and what more +I need, and though my progress to fame may be +slow, and take many long years, yet after a +year’s tuition I shall be able to command a comfortable +income in return for my work.” +</p> +<p>Christine’s eyes shone with earnestness and +steadfast purpose, and her face seemed to be +fairly transfigured. Hers was no idle boasting. +It was clear to be seen she spoke from a positive +knowledge of herself, and indeed she only corroborated +what Mr. Hepworth had said of her. +</p> +<p>“Put it that way if you like,” said Mr. Fairfield, +kindly; “we need not talk now about repayment. +Just go ahead and find a cosy, pleasant +abiding-place, and then, ho, for brushes and +mahl-stick! And hurrah for our artist!” +</p> +<p>So genial were his words and manner that +Christine caught his spirit of vivacity, and +responded: +</p> +<p>“Hurrah for the Fairfields!” +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_291' name='page_291'></a>291</span></p> +<p>So it was all settled, and Mr. Hepworth was +more than delighted when he learned all +about it. +</p> +<p>Patty gave a little afternoon tea for Christine +the last day of her stay, and though Christine +would have greatly preferred not to be present, +she yielded to Patty’s entreaties and did her best +to overcome her shyness and be a satisfactory +“guest of honour.” +</p> +<p>“She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” said Roger to +Patty, as they stood looking at Christine while +the tea was in progress. +</p> +<p>“Yes,” said Patty, “when she is talking to her +own sort of people. See, those are really big +artists, and she isn’t a bit afraid or embarrassed. +But put some society girls near her +and she crumples all up.” +</p> +<p>“She’ll get over it,” said Roger; “and I say, +Patty, you did a big thing getting her here. +For of course it’s all due to you and your plucky +perseverance in that foolish scheme of earning +your living.” +</p> +<p>“Huh! it wasn’t foolish since it succeeded,” +said Patty, airily. +</p> +<p>“Well, the success isn’t foolish, but your first +attempts were.” +</p> +<p>“I don’t care; it was good experience. I +<span class='pagenum'><a id='page_292' name='page_292'></a>292</span> +learned a lot, and I’m not sorry for my part +of it.” +</p> +<p>“Not even the part that made you acquainted +with me?” said a merry voice, and Patty +turned to see Philip Van Reypen holding out a +hand in greeting. +</p> +<p>“No!” cried Patty, as she cordially shook +hands with the young man. “No, <i>especially</i> +not sorry for that part—for that was the +Success!” +</p> +<p>“I don’t want to be over-confident,” returned +Philip, gaily, “but that sounds as if meeting me +were the success!” +</p> +<p>“That wasn’t what I meant,” said Patty, smiling +and dimpling, “but it remains to be seen. +Perhaps we can make that a success also.” +</p> +<p>“Do let us try!” said Philip. +</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S SUCCESS***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 25869-h.txt or 25869-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/5/8/6/25869">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/8/6/25869</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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