Patty At Home

 BY CAROLYN WELLS

 AUTHOR OF TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES, THE MARJORIE SERIES, ETC. 

 1904

_To My very good friend, Ruth Pilling_

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

 I. THE DEBATE

 II. THE DECISION

 III. THE TEA CLUB

 IV. BOXLEY HALL

 V. SHOPPING

 VI. SERVANTS

 VII. DIFFERING TASTES

 VIII. AN UNATTAINED AMBITION

 IX. A CALLER

 X. A PLEASANT EVENING

 XI. PREPARATIONS

 XII. A TEA CLUB TEA

 XIII. A NEW FRIEND

 XIV. THE NEIGHBOUR AGAIN

 XV. BILLS

 XVI. A SUCCESSFUL PLAY

 XVII. ENTERTAINING RELATIVES

 XVIII. A SAILING PARTY

 XIX. MORE COUSINS

 XX. A FAIR EXCHANGE

 XXI. A GOOD SUGGESTION

 XXII. AT THE SEASHORE

 XXIII. AMBITIONS

 XXIV. AN AFTERNOON DRIVE

CHAPTER I

THE DEBATE

In Mrs. Elliott's library at Vernondale a great discussion was going on. It was an evening in early December, and the room was bright withfirelight and electric light, and merry with the laughter and talk ofpeople who were trying to decide a great and momentous question. 

For the benefit of those who are not acquainted with Patty Fairfield andher relatives, it may be well to say that Mrs. Elliott was Patty's AuntAlice, at whose home Patty and her father were now visiting. Of the othermembers of the Elliott family, Uncle Charley, grandma, Marian, and Frankwere present, and these with Mr. Fairfield and Patty were debating a noless important subject than the location of Patty's future home. 

"You know, papa, " said Patty, "you said that if I wanted to live inVernondale you'd buy a house here, and I do want to live here, --at least, I am almost sure I do. "

"Oh, Patty, " said Marian, "why aren't you quite sure? You're president ofthe club, and the girls are all so fond of you, and you're getting alongso well in school. I don't see where else you could want to live. "

"I know, " said Frank. "Patty wants to live in New York. Her soul yearnsfor the gay and giddy throng, and the halls of dazzling lights. 'Ah, Patricia, beware! the rapids are below you!' as it says in that thrillingtale in the Third Reader. "

"I think papa would rather live in New York, " said Patty, looking veryundecided. 

"I'll tell you what we'll do, " exclaimed Frank, "let's debate thequestion. A regular, honest debate, I mean, and we'll have all thearguments for and against clearly stated and ably discussed. Uncle Fredshall be the judge, and his decision must be final. "

"No, " said Mr. Fairfield, "we'll have the debate, but Patty must be thejudge. She is the one most interested, and I am ready to give her a homewherever she wants it; in Greenland's icy mountains, or India's coralstrand, if she chooses. "

"You certainly are a disinterested member, " said Uncle Charley, laughing, "but that won't do in debate. Here, I'll organise this thing, and for thepresent we won't consider either Greenland or India. The question, as Iunderstand it, is between Vernondale and New York. Now, to bring thismighty matter properly before the house, I will put it in the form of aresolution, thus:

"RESOLVED, That Miss Patty Fairfield shall take up her permanent abode inNew York City. "

Patty gave a little cry of dismay, and Marian exclaimed, "Oh, father, that isn't fair!"

"Of course it's fair, " said Mr. Elliott, with a twinkle in his eye. "Itdoesn't really mean she's going, but it's the only way to find out whatshe is going to do. Now, Fred shall be captain on the affirmative side, and I will take the negative. We will each choose our colleagues. Fred, you may begin. "

"All right, " said Mr. Fairfield "As a matter of social etiquette, I thinkit right to compliment my hostess, so I choose Mrs. Elliott on my side. "

"Oh, you choose me, father, " cried Marian, "do choose me. "

"Owing to certain insidious wire-pulling I'm forced to choose Miss MarianElliott, " said Uncle Charley, pinching his daughter's ear. 

"If one Mrs. Elliott is a good thing, " said Mr. Fairfield, "I am sure twowould be better, and so I choose Grandma Elliott to add to my collectionof great minds. "

"Frank, my son, " said Uncle Charley, "don't think for a moment that I amchoosing you merely because you are the Last of the Mohicans. Far fromit. I have wanted you from the beginning, and I'm proud to impress yournoble intellect in my cause. "

"Thank you, sir, " said Frank, "and if our side can't induce Patty to stayin Vernondale, it won't be for lack of good strong arguments forciblypresented. "

"Modest boy!" said his mother, "You seem quite to forget your wise andclever opponents. "

In great glee the debaters took their places on either side of thelibrary table, while Patty, being judge, was escorted with much ceremonyto a seat at the head. An old parlour-croquet mallet was found for her, with which she rapped on the table after the manner of a grave anddignified chairman. 

"The meeting will please come to order, " she said, "and the secretarywill please read the minutes of the last meeting. "

"The secretary regrets to report, " said Frank, rising, "that the minutesof the last meeting fell down the well. Although rescued, they wereafterward chewed up by the puppy, and are at present somewhat illegible. If the honourable judge will excuse the reading of the minutes, thesecretary will be greatly obliged. "

"The minutes are excused, " said Patty, "and we will proceed at once tomore important business. Mr. Frederick Fairfield, we shall be glad tohear from you. "

Mr. Fairfield rose and said, "Your honour, ladies, and gentlemen: I wouldbe glad to speak definitely on this burning question, but the truth is, Idon't know myself which way I want it to be decided. For, you see, myonly desire in the matter is that the wise and honourable judge, whom wesee before us, should have a home of such a character and in such a placeas best pleases her; but, before she makes her decision, I hope she willallow herself to be thoroughly convinced as to what will please her. Andas, by force of circumstance, I am obliged to uphold the New York side ofthis argument, I will now set forth some of its advantages, feeling surethat my worthy opponents are quite able to uphold the Vernondale side. "

"Hear, hear!" exclaimed Frank, but Patty rapped with her mallet andcommanded silence. 

Then Mr. Fairfield went on:

"For one thing, Patty has always lived in a city, and, like myself, isaccustomed to city life. It is more congenial to both of us, and Isometimes fear we should miss certain city privileges which may not befound in a suburban town. "

"But we have other things that you can't get in the city, " brokein Marian. 

"And I am very sure that they will be enthusiastically enumerated when itis your turn to speak, " said Mr. Fairfield, smiling. 

"The gentleman has the floor, " remarked Patty, "the others will pleasekeep their seats. Proceed, Mr. Fairfield. "

So Mr. Fairfield proceeded:

"Other advantages, perhaps, will be found in the superior schools whichthe city is said to contain. I am making no allusion to the school thatour honourable judge is at present attending, but I am speaking merely ongeneral principles. And not only schools, but masters of the variousarts. I have been led to believe by the assertions of some people, who, however, may be prejudiced, that Miss Fairfield has a voice whichrequires only training and practise to rival the voice of Adelina Patti, when that lady was Miss Fairfield's age. "

"Quite true, " said the judge, nodding gravely at the speaker. 

"This phenomenal voice, then, might--mind; I say might--be cultivated tobetter purpose by metropolitan teachers. "

"We have a fine singing-master here, " exclaimed Frank, but Patty rappedhim to silence. 

"What's one singing-master among a voice like Miss Fairfield's?" demandedthe speaker, "and another thing, " he continued, "that ought to affect youVernondale people very strongly, is the fact that you would have adelightful place to visit in New York City. Now, don't deny it. You knowyou'd be glad to come and visit Patty and me in our brown-stone mansion, and we would take you around to see all the sights, from Grant's tomb tothe Aquarium. "

"We've seen those, " murmured Frank. 

"They're still there, " said Mr. Fairfield, "and there will probably besome other and newer entertainments that you haven't yet seen. "

"It does sound nice, " said Frank. 

"And finally, " went on Mr. Fairfield, "though I do not wish thisargument to have undue weight, it certainly would be more convenientfor me to live in the city. I am about to start in business there, andthough I could go in and out every day, as the honourable gentleman onthe other side of the table does, yet he is accustomed to it, and, as Iam not, it seems to me an uninteresting performance. However, I dare sayI could get used to a commutation ticket, and I am certainly willing totry. All of which is respectfully submitted, " and with a bow the speakerresumed his seat. 

"That was a very nice speech, " said the judge approvingly, "and now wewould be pleased to hear from the captain gentleman on the other side. "

Uncle Charley rose. 

"Without wishing to be discourteous, " he said, "I must say that I thinkthe arguments just set forth are exceedingly flimsy. There can be noquestion but that Vernondale would be a far better and more appropriatehome for the young lady in question than any other spot on the globe. Here we have wide streets, green lawns, fresh air, and bright sunshine;all conducive to that blooming state of health which our honourablejudge now, apparently, enjoys. City life would doubtless soon reduce herto a thin, pale, peaked specimen of humanity, unrecognisable by herfriends. The rose-colour in her cheeks would turn to ashen grey; herstarry eyes would become dim and lustreless. Her robust flesh woulddwindle to skin and bone, and probably her hair would all fall out, andshe'd have to wear a wig. "

Even Patty's mallet was not able to check the burst of laughter caused bythe horrible picture which Uncle Charley drew, but after it had subsided, he continued: "As to the wonderful masters and teachers in the city, farbe it from me to deny their greatness and power. But the beautifulvillage of Vernondale is less than an hour from New York; no mosquitoes, no malaria; boating, bathing, and fishing. Miss Fairfield could, therefore, go to New York for her instructions in the various arts andsciences, and return again to her Vernondale home on a local train. Addto this the fact that here she has relatives, friends, and acquaintances, who already know and love her, while, in New York, she would have toacquire a whole new set, probably have to advertise for them. As to thecommuting gentleman: before his first ticket was all punched up, he wouldbe ready to vow that the commuter's life is the only ideal existence. Having thus offered unattackable arguments, I deem a decision in ourfavour a foregone conclusion, and I take pleasure in sitting down. "

"A very successful speech, " said Patty, smiling at her uncle. "We willnow be pleased to hear from the next speaker on the affirmative side. Mrs. Charles Elliott, will you kindly speak what is on your mind?"

"I will, " said Mrs. Elliott, with a nod of her head that betokenedFairfield decision of character. "I will say exactly what is on my mindwithout regard to which side I am on. "

"Oh, that isn't fair!" cried Patty. "A debate is a debate, you know, and you must make up opinions for your own side, whether you thinkthem or not. "

"Very well, " said Aunt Alice, smiling a little, "then it beingthoroughly understood that I am not speaking the truth, I will say that Ithink it better for Patty to live in New York. As her father will be awayall day at his business, she will enjoy the loneliness of a bigbrown-stone city house; she will enjoy the dark rooms and the entireabsence of grass and flowers and trees, which she hates anyway; insteadof picnics and boating parties, she can go to stiff and formal afternoonteas; and, instead of attending her young people's club here, she canbecome a member of the Society of Social Economics. "

With an air of having accomplished her intention, Aunt Alice sat downamid great cheers and handclappings from the opposite side. 

Patty looked a little sober as she began to think the Vernondale homewould win; and, though for many reasons she wished it would be so, yet, at the same time, she realised very strongly the attractions of life inNew York City. 

However, she only said:

"The meeting will please come to order, in order to listen to theopinions of Miss Elliott. "

Marian rose with great dignity, and addressed the chair and the ladiesand gentlemen with true parliamentary punctiliousness. 

"Though personally interested in this matter, " she began, "it is not myintention to allow my own wishes or prejudices to blind me to the bestinterests of our young friend who is now under discussion. Far be it fromme to blight her career for the benefit of my own unworthy self, but Iwill say that if Patty Fairfield goes to live in New York, or anywhereexcept Vernondale, I think she's just the horridest, meanest old thing onthe face of the earth! Why, I wouldn't _let_ her go! I'd lock her in herroom, and poke bread and water to her through the keyhole, if she daredto think of such a thing! Go to New York, indeed! A nice time she'd have, hanging on straps in the trolley-cars, and getting run over byautomobiles! The whole thing is so perfectly absurd that there's noearthly chance of its ever coming to pass. Why, she _wouldn't_ go, shecouldn't be _hired_ to go; she wouldn't be happy there a minute; but ifshe _does_ go, I'll go, too!"

CHAPTER II

THE DECISION

"Hooray for our side!" cried Frank, as Marian dropped into a chair afterher outburst of enthusiasm. 

"Oh, I haven't finished yet, " said Marian, jumping up again. "I want toremark further that not only is Patty going to live in Vernondale, butshe's going to have a house very near this one. I've picked it out, " andMarian wagged her head with the air of a mysterious sibyl. "I won't tellyou where it is just yet, but it's a lovely house, and big enough toaccommodate Uncle Fred and Patty, and a guest or two besides. I'veselected the room that I prefer, and I hope you will furnish it in blue. "

"The speaker is a bit hasty, " said Patty as Marian sat down again; "wecan't furnish any rooms before this debate is concluded; and, though wedeeply regret it, Miss Elliott will be obliged to wait for her blue roomuntil the other speakers have had their speak. "

But Patty smiled at Marian understandingly, and began to have a veryattractive mental picture of her cousin's blue room next her own. 

"The next speaker, " announced the judge, "will be Mrs. Elliott, Senior, --the Dowager Duchess. Your Grace, we would be pleased to hearfrom you. "

"I don't know, " said Grandma Elliott, looking rather seriously into thesmiling faces before her, "that I am entirely in favour of the countryhome. I think our Patty would greatly enjoy the city atmosphere. She is aschoolgirl now, but in a year or two she will be a young woman, and onewell deserving of the best that can be given to her. I am city-bredmyself, and though at my age I prefer the quiet of the country, yet for ayoung girl I well know the charm of a city life. Of course, we would allregret the loss of our Patty, who has grown to be a part of our dailylife, but, nevertheless, were I to vote on this matter, I shouldunhesitatingly cast my ballot in favour of New York. "

"Bravo for grandma!" cried Frank. "Give me a lady who fearlessly speaksher mind even in the face of overwhelming opposition. All the same, Ihaven't spoken my piece yet, and I believe it is now my turn. "

"It is, " said Patty, "and we eagerly await your sapient andauthoritative remarks. "

"Ahem!" said Frank pompously, as he arose. "My remarks shall be brief, but very much to the point. Patty's home must be in Vernondale because welive here. If ever we go to live in New York, or Oshkosh, or Kalamazoo, Patty can pick up her things and go along. Just get that idea firmlyfixed in your heads, my friends. Where we live, Patty lives; whither shegoeth, we goeth. Therefore, if Patty should go to New York, the Elliottswill take up bag and baggage, sell the farm, and go likewise to New York. Now I'm sure our Patty, being of proper common-sense and sound judgment, wouldn't put the Elliott family to such inconvenience, --for moving is alarge and fearsome proposition. Thus we see that as the Mountain insistson following Mahomet whithersoever she goest, the only decently politething for Mahomet to do is to settle in Vernondale. I regret exceedinglythat I am forced to express an opinion so diametrically opposed to theadvices of Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess, but I'm quite sure she didn'trealise what a bother it would be for the Elliotts to move. And now, having convinced you all to my way of thinking, I will leave the case inthe hands of our wise and competent judge. "

"Wait, " said Uncle Charley; "I believe the captains are usually allowed asort of summing-up speech, are they not?"

"They are in this case, anyway, " said Patty. "Mr. Elliott will please goahead with his summing-up. "

"Well, " said Uncle Charley, "the sum of the whole matter seems to be thatwe all want Fred and Patty to live here because we want them to; but, ofcourse, it's only fair that they consult their own wishes in the matter, and if they conclude that they prefer New York, why, --we'll have anotherdebate, that's all. "

Uncle Charley sat down, and Mr. Fairfield rose. "I have listened withgreat interest to the somewhat flattering remarks of my esteemed fellowmembers, and have come to the conclusion that, if agreeable to HerJudgeship, a compromise might be effected. It would seem to me that if adecision should be arrived at for the Vernondale home, the Fairfieldscould manage to reap some few of those mysterious advantages said to befound in city life, by going to New York and staying a few months everywinter. This, too, would give them an opportunity to receive visits fromthe Elliott family, which would, I'm sure, be a pleasure and profit toall concerned. With this suggestion I am quite ready to hear a positiveand final decision from Her Honour, the Judge. "

"And it won't take her long to make up her mind, either, " cried Patty. "Iknew you'd fix it somehow, papa; you are the best and wisest man! Solomonwasn't in it with you, nor Solon, nor Socrates, nor anybody! Thatarrangement is exactly what I choose, and suits me perfectly, I do wantto stay in New York sometimes, but I would much rather live inVernondale; so the judge hereby announces that, on the merits of thecase, the question is decided in the negative. The Fairfields will buy ahouse in Vernondale, and the judge hopes that they will buy it quick. "

"Three cheers for Patty and Uncle Fred, " cried Frank, and while they werebeing given with a will, Marian flew to the telephone, and, when thecheers subsided, she was engaged in a conversation of which the debatingclub heard only one side. 

"Is this you, Elsie?"

"What do you think? Patty's going to stay in Vernondale!"

"Yes, indeed, perfectly gorgeous. "

"Just this evening; just now. "

"I guess I am! I'm so glad I don't know what to do!"

"Oh, yes, of course she'll keep on being president. "

"No, they haven't decided yet, but I want them to take the Bigelowhouse. "

"Yes; wouldn't it be fine!"

"Oh, it isn't very late. "

"Well, come over early to-morrow morning, then. "

"Good-by. "

"Elsie Morris is delighted, " said Marian, as she hung up the receiver, "and Polly Stevens will just dance jigs of joy when she hears about it. I'd call her up now, only I'm afraid she'd break the telephone trying toexpress her enthusiasm; she flutters so. "

"You can tell her about it to-morrow, " said Frank, "and now let'stalk about where the house shall be. Would you rather buy or build, Uncle Fred?"

"Perhaps it would be better to rent, " said Mr. Fairfield. "Suppose myfickle daughter should change her mind, and after a visit in the citydecide that she prefers it for her home. "

"I'm not fickle, papa, " said Patty, "and it's all arranged all right justas it is; but I don't want a rented house, they won't let you drive tacksin the walls, or anything like that. Let's buy a house, and then, if youturn fickle and want to move away, we can sell it again. "

"All right, " said Mr. Fairfield obligingly, "what house shall we buy?"

"I know just the one, " cried Marian; "guess where it is. "

"Would you, by any chance, refer to the Bigelow house?" inquiredFrank politely. 

"How did you know?" exclaimed Marian. "I only heard to-day that it is forsale, and I wanted to surprise you. "

"Well, next time you have a surprise in store for us, " said Frank, "don'tannounce it to Elsie Morris over the telephone. "

"Oh, did you hear that?"

"As a rule, sister dear, unless you are the matron of a deaf and dumbasylum, you must expect those present to hear your end of a telephoneconversation. "

"Of course, " said Marian; "I didn't think. But, really, wouldn't theBigelow house be fine? Only a few blocks away from here, and such alovely house, with a barn and a conservatory, and a little arbour inthe garden. "

Patty began to look frightened. 

"Goodness, gracious me!" she exclaimed; "I don't believe I realise whatI'm coming to. I could take care of the little arbour in the garden; butI wonder if I could manage a house, and a barn, and a conservatory!"

"And go to school every day, besides, " said her father, laughing. "Ithink, my child, that at least until your school days are over, we willengage the services of a responsible housekeeper. "

"Oh, papa!" cried Patty, in dismay, "you said I could keep house foryou; and Aunt Alice has taught me lots about it; and she'll teach melots more; and you know I can make good pumpkin pies; and, of course, I can dust and fly 'round; and that's about all there is tohousekeeping, anyway. "

"Oh, Patty, " said Aunt Alice, "my lessons must have fallen on stonyground if you think that's all there is to housekeeping. "

"That's merely a figure of speech, Aunt Alice, " replied Patty. "You wellknow I am a thoroughly capable and experienced housekeeper; honest, steady, good-tempered, and with a fine reference from my last place. "

"You're certainly a clever little housekeeper for your age, " said heraunt, "but I'm not sure you could keep house successfully, and go toschool, and practice your music, and attend to your club all at thesame time. "

"But I wouldn't do them all at the same time, Aunt Alice. I'd have a timefor everything, and everything in it place. I would go to school, andpractise, and housekeep, and club; all in their proper proportions--"Here Patty glanced at her father. "You see, if I had the proportionsright, all would go well. "

"Well, perhaps, " said Mr. Fairfield, "if we had a competent cook and atidy little waitress, we could get along without a professionalhousekeeper. I admit I had hoped to have Patty keep house for me andpreside at my table, and at any rate, it would do no harm to try it as anexperiment; then, if it failed, we could make some other arrangement. "

"I guess I do want to sit at the head of our table, papa, " said Patty;"I'd just like to see a housekeeper there! A prim, sour-faced old ladywith a black silk dress and dangling ear-rings! No, I thank you. If Ihave my way I will keep that house myself, and when I get into anytrouble, I will fly to Aunt Alice for rest and refreshment. "

"We'll all help, " said Marian; "I'll make lovely sofa-pillows for you, and I'm sure grandma will knit you an afghan. "

"That isn't much towards housekeeping, " said Frank. "I'll come over nextsummer and swing your hammock for you, and put up your tennis-net. "

"And meantime, " said Uncle Charley, "until the house is bought andfurnished, the Fairfield family will be the welcome guests of theElliotts. It's almost the middle of December now, and I don't think, MissPatty Fairfield, that you'll get your home settled in time to make avisit in New York _this_ winter; and now, you rattle-pated youngsters, run to bed, while I discuss some plans sensibly with my brother-in-lawand fellow townsman. "

CHAPTER III

THE TEA CLUB

"Well I should think you'd better stay in Vernondale, Patty Fairfield, ifyou know what's good for yourself! Why, if you had attempted to leavethis town, we would have mobbed you with tar and feathers, or whateverthose dreadful things are that they do to the most awful criminals. "

"Oh, if I had gone, Polly, I should have taken this club with me, ofcourse. I'm so used to it now, I'm sure I couldn't live a day, andknow that we should meet no more, as the Arab remarked to hisbeautiful horse. "

"It would be rather fun to be transported bodily to New York as a club, but I'd want to be transported home again after the meeting, " saidHelen Preston. 

"Why shouldn't we do that?" cried Florence Douglass. "It would be lots offun for the whole club to go to New York some day together. "

"I'm so glad Patty is going to stay with us, I don't care what we do, "said Ethel Holmes, who was drawing pictures on Patty's white shirt-waistcuffs as a mark of affection. 

"I'm glad, too, " said Patty; "and, Ethel, your kittens are perfectlylovely, but this is my last clean shirt-waist, and those pencil-marks areawfully hard to wash out. "

"I don't mean them to be washed out, " said Ethel, calmly going on withher art work; "they're not wash drawings, they're permanent decorationsfor your cuffs, and are offered as a token of deep regard and esteem. "

The Tea Club was holding a Saturday afternoon meeting at Polly Stevens'shouse, and the conversation, as yet, had not strayed far from theall-engrossing subject of Patty's future plans. 

The Tea Club had begun its existence with lofty and noble aims in aliterary direction, to be supplemented and assisted by an occasionalsocial cup of tea. But if you have had any experience with merry, healthyyoung girls of about sixteen, you will not be surprised to learn thatthe literary element had softly and suddenly vanished away, much afterthe manner of a Boojum. Then, somehow, the social interest grew stronger, and the tea element held its own, and the result was a most satisfactoryclub, if not an instructive one. 

"But, " as Polly Stevens had said, "we are instructed all day long inschool, and a good deal out of school, too, for that matter; and what weneed most is absolutely foolish recreation; the foolisher the better. "

And so the Saturday afternoon meetings had developed into merely merryfrolics, with a cup of tea, which was often a figure of speech forchocolate or lemonade, at the close. 

There were no rules, and the girls took pleasure in calling themselvesunruly members. There were no dues, and consequently no occasion for asecretary or treasures. Patty continued to be called the president, butthe title meant nothing more than the fact that she was really a chieffavourite among the girls. No one was bound, or even expected to attendthe meetings unless she chose; but, as a rule, a large majority of theclub was present. 

And so to-day, in the library at Polly Stevens's house, nine members ofthe Tea Club were chattering like nine large and enthusiastic magpies. 

"Now we can go on with the entertainment, " said Lillian Desmond, as shesat on the arm of Patty's chair, curling wisps of the presidential hairover her fingers. "If Patty had gone away, I should have resigned my partin the show and gone into a convent. Where are you going to live, Patty?"

"I don't know, I am sure; we haven't selected a house yet; and if wedon't find one we like, papa may build one, though I believe Marian hasone all picked out for us. "

"Yes, I have, " said Marian. "It's the Bigelow house on our street. I dowant to keep Patty near us. "

"The Bigelow house? Why, that's too large for two people. Patty and Mr. Fairfield would get lost in it. Now, I know a much nicer one. There's alittle house next-door to us, a lovely, little cottage that would suityou a lot better. Tell your father about it, Patty. It's for sale orrent, and it's just the dearest place. "

"Why, Laura Russell, " cried Marian, "that little snip of a house! Itwouldn't hold Patty, let alone Uncle Fred. You only proposed it becauseyou want Patty to live next-door to you. "

"Yes; that's it, " said Laura, quite unabashed; "I know it's too little, but you could add ells and bay-windows and wings and things, and then itwould be big enough. "

"Would it hold the Tea Club?" said Patty. "I must have room for them, you know. "

"Oh, won't it be fun to have the Tea Club at Patty's house!" criedElsie. "I hadn't thought of that. "

"What's a home without a Tea Club?" said Patty. "I shall select the housewith an eye single to the glory and comfort of you girls. "

"Then I know of a lovely house, " said Christine Converse. "It's awfullybig, and it's pretty old, but I guess it could be fixed up. I mean theold Warner place. "

"Good gracious!" cried Ethel; "'way out there! and it's nothing but atumble-down old barn, anyhow. "

"Oh, I think it's lovely; and it's Colonial, or Revolutionary, orsomething historic; and they're going to put the trolley out there thisspring, --my father said so. "

"It is a nice old house, " said Patty; "and it could be made awfullypretty and quaint. I can see it, now, in my mind's eye, with dimitycurtains at the windows, and roses growing over the porch. "

"I hope you will never see those dimity curtains anywhere but in yourmind's eye, " said Marian. "It's a heathenish old place, and, anyway, it'stoo far away from our house. "

"Papa says I can have a pony and cart, " said Patty; "and I could driveover every day. "

"A pony and cart!" exclaimed Helen Preston. "Won't that be perfectlylovely! I've always wanted one of my own. And shall you haveman-servants, and maid-servants? Oh, Patty, you never could run a bigestablishment like that. You'll have to have a housekeeper. "

"I'm going to try it, " said Patty, laughing. "It will be anexperiment, and, of course, I shall make lots of blunders at first; butI think it's a pity if a girl nearly sixteen years old can't keep housefor her own father. "

"So do I, " said Laura. "And, anyhow, if you get into any dilemmas we'llall come over and help you out. "

The girls laughed at this; for Laura Russell was a giddy littlefeather-head, and couldn't have kept house for ten minutes to save herlife. 

"Much good it would do Patty to have the Tea Club help her keep house, "said Florence Douglass. "But we'll all make her lovely things to go tohousekeeping with. I shall be real sensible, and make her sweeping-capsand ironing-holders. "

"Oh, I can beat that for sensibleness, " cried Ethel Holmes. "I read aboutit the other day, and it's a broom-bag. I haven't an idea what it's for;but I'll find out, and I'll make one. "

"One's no good, " said Marian sagely. "Make her a dozen while you'reabout it. "

"Oh, do they come by dozens?" said Ethel, in an awestruck voice. "Well, I guess I won't make them then. I'll make her something pretty. Apincushion all over lace and pin ribbons, or something like that. "

"That will be lovely, " said Laura. "I shall embroider her a tablecloth. "

"You'll never finish it, " said Patty, who well knew how soon Laura'sbursts of enthusiasm spent themselves. "You'd better decide on a doily. Better a doily done than a tablecloth but begun. "

"Oh, I'll tell you-what we can do, girls, " said Polly Stevens. "Let'smake Patty a tea-cloth, and we'll each write our name on it, and thenembroider it, you know. "

"Lovely!" cried Christine. "Just the thing. Who'll hemstitch it? I won't. I'll embroider my name all right, but I hate to hemstitch. "

"I'll hemstitch it, " said Elsie Morris. "I do beautiful hemstitching. "

"So do I, " said Helen Preston. "Let me do half. "

"Ethel and I hemstitch like birds, " said Lillian Desmond. "Let's each doa side, --there'll be four sides, I suppose. "

"Well, the tea-cloth seems in a fair way to get hemstitched, " saidPatty. "You can put a double row around it, if you like, and I'll beawfully glad to have it. I'll use it the first Saturday afternoon afterI get settled. "

"I wish I knew where you're going to live, " said Ethel. "I'd like to havea correct mental picture of that first Saturday afternoon. "

"It's a beautiful day for walking, " said Polly Stevens. "Let's all goout, and take a look at the Warner place. Something tells me that you'lldecide to live there. "

"I hope something else will tell you differently, soon, " said Marian, "for I'll never give my consent to that arrangement. However, I'd justas lieve walk out there, if only to convince you what a forlorn oldplace it is. "

"Come on; let's go, then. We can be back in an hour, and have teaafterwards. I'll get the key from Mr. Martin, as we go by. "

Like a bombarding army the Tea Club stormed the old Warner house, andonce inside its Colonial portal, they made the old walls ring with theirlaughter. The wide hall was dark and gloomy until Elsie Morris flung openthe door at the other end, and let in the December sunshine. 

"Seek no farther, " she cried dramatically. "We have crossed the Rubiconand found the Golden Fleece! This is the place of all others for our TeaClub meeting, and it doesn't matter what the rest of the house may belike. Patty, you will kindly consider the matter settled. "

"I'll consider anything you like, " said Patty; "and before breakfast, too, if you'll only hurry up and get out of this damp, musty old place. I'm shivering myself to pieces. "

"Oh, it isn't cold, " said Laura Russell; "and while we're here, let's gothrough the house. "

"Yes, " said Marian; "examine it carefully, lest some of its numerousadvantages should escape your notice. Observe the hardwood floors, themagnificent mahogany stair-rail, and the lofty ceilings!"

The old floors were creaky, worm-eaten, and dusty; the stair-rail was ina most dilapidated condition, and the ceilings were low and smoky; soMarian scored her points. 

"But it is antique, " said Ethel Holmes, with the air of an auctioneer. "Ah, ladies, what would you have? It is a fine specimen of the ColonialEmpire period, picked out here and there with Queen Anne. The mantels, ah, --the mantels are dreams in marble. "

"Nightmares in painted wood, you mean, " said Lillian. 

"But so roomy and expansive, " went on Ethel. "And the wall-papers!Note the fine stage of complete dilapidation left by the movingfinger of Time. "

"The wall-papers are all right, " said Patty. "They look as if they'd peeloff easily. Come on upstairs. "

The chambers were large, low, and rambling; and the house, in its bestdays, must have been an interesting specimen of its type. But after ashort investigation, Patty was as firmly convinced as Marian that itscharms could not offset its drawbacks. 

"I've seen enough of this moated grange, " cried Patty. "Come on, girls, we're going back to tea, right, straight, smack off. "

"There's no pleasing some folks, " grumbled Ethel. "Here's an ancestralpile only waiting for somebody to ancestralise it. You could make it oneof the Historic Homes of Vernondale, and you won't even consider it fora minute. "

"I'll consider it for a minute, " said Patty, "if that will do youany good, but not a bit longer; and as the minute is nearly up, Imove we start. "

CHAPTER IV

BOXLEY HALL

After consultation with various real estate agents, and after dueconsideration of the desirable houses they had to offer, Mr. Fairfieldcame to the conclusion that the Bigelow house, which Marian hadsuggested, was perhaps the most attractive of any. 

And so, one afternoon, a party of very interested people went over tolook at it. 

The procession was headed by Patty and Marian, followed by Mr. Fairfieldand Aunt Alice, while Frank and his father brought up the rear. But asthey were going out of the Elliotts' front gate, Laura Russell cameflying across the street. 

"Where are all you people going?" she cried. "I know you're going to lookat a house. Which one?"

"The Bigelow house, " said Marian, "and I'm almost sure Uncle Fred willdecide to take it. Come on with us; we're going all through it. "

"No, " said Laura, looking disappointed, "I don't want to go; and I don'twant the Fairfields to live in that house anyway. If they would only lookat that little cottage next-door to us, I know they'd like it ever somuch better. Oh, please, Mr. Fairfield, won't you come over and look atit now? It's so pretty and cunning, and it has the loveliest garden andchicken-coop and everything. "

"I don't want a chicken-coop, " said Patty, laughing; "I've no chickens, and I don't want any. "

"Our chickens are over there most of the time, " said Laura. 

"Then, of course, we ought to have a coop to keep our neighbours'chickens in, " said Mr. Fairfield; "and if this cottage is as delightfulas Miss Russell makes it out, I think it's our duty at least to go andlook at it. If the rest of you are willing, suppose we go over therefirst, and then if we _should_ decide not to take it, we'll have time toinvestigate the Bigelow afterward"

Marian looked so woe-begone that Patty laughed. 

"Cheer up, girl, " she said; "there isn't one chance in a million of ourtaking that doll's house, but Laura will never give us a minute's peaceuntil we go and look at it; so we may as well go now, and get it over. "

"All right, " said Marian; and Patty, with her two girl friends on eitherside of her, started in the direction of the cottage. 

But when they reached it, Mr. Fairfield exclaimed in amazement. "Thatlittle house?" he said. "Oh, I see; that's the chicken-coop you spoke of. Well, where is the house?"

"This is the house, " said Laura; "but, somehow, it does look smaller thanusual; still, it's a great deal bigger inside. "

"No doubt, " said Frank. "I've often noticed that the inside of a house ismuch larger than the outside. Of course, we can't all go in at once, butI'm willing to wait my turn. Who will go first?"

"Very well, you may stay outside, " said Laura. "I think the rest of uscan all squeeze in at once, if we try. "

But Frank followed the rest of the party, and, passing through the narrowhall, they entered the tiny parlour. 

"I never was in such a crowded room, " said Marian. "I can scarcely get mybreath. I had no idea there were so many of us. "

"Well, you're not going to live here, " said Laura. "There's room enoughfor just Patty and her father. "

"There is, if we each take a room to ourself, " said Mr. Fairfield. "Youmay have this parlour, my daughter, and I'll take the library. Where isthe library, Miss Russell?"

"I think it has just stepped out, " said Frank; "at any rate, it isn't onthis floor; there's only this room, and the dining-room, and a kitchencupboard. "

"Very likely the library is on the third floor, " said Marian; "that wouldbe convenient. "

"There isn't any third floor, " explained Laura. "This is what they calla story-and-a-half house. "

"It would have to be expanded into a serial story, then, before it woulddo for us, " said Mr. Fairfield. "We may not be such big people, but Pattyand I have a pretty large estimate of ourselves, and I am sure we nevercould live in such a short-story-and-a-half as this seems to be. "

"Indeed, we couldn't, papa, " said Patty. "Just look at this dining-room. I'm sure it's only big enough for one. We would have to have our mealsalternately; you could have breakfast, and I would have dinner one day, and the next day we'd reverse the order. "

"Come, look at the kitchen, Patty, " called out Frank; "or at least stickyour head in; there isn't room for all of you. See the stationary tubs. Two of them, you see; each just the size of a good comfortablecoffee-cup. "

"Just exactly, " said Patty, laughing; "why, I never saw such a house. Laura Russell, what were you thinking of?"

"Oh, of course, you could add to it, " said Laura. "You could build onas many more rooms as you wanted, and you could run it up another storyand a half, and that would make three stories; and I do want you tolive near me. "

"We're sorry not to live near you, Miss Laura, " said Mr. Fairfield; "butI can't see my way clear to do it unless you would move into thisbandbox, and let us have your roomy and comfortable mansion next door. "

"Oh, there wouldn't be room for our family here, " said Laura. 

"But you could build on a whole lot of rooms, " said Frank, "and addenough stories to make it a sky-scraper; and put in an elevator, and itwould be perfectly lovely. "

Laura laughed with the rest, and then, at Mrs. Elliott's suggestion, theyall started back to the Bigelow house. 

"Now, this is something like, " said Marian, as they went in at the gateand up the broad front walk. 

"Like what?" said Frank. 

"Like a home for the Fairfields. What shall you call it--Fairfield Hall, Fairfield Place, or what?"

"I don't know, " cried Patty, dashing up the veranda steps. "But isn't ita dear house! I feel at home here already. This big piazza will be lovelyin warm weather. There's room for hammocks, and big chairs, and littletables, and everything. "

Inside, the house proved very attractive. The large square hall openedinto a parlour on one side and a library on the other. Back of thelibrary was a little conservatory, and beyond that a large, lightdining-room with an open fireplace. 

"Here's a kitchen worth having, " said Aunt Alice, who was investigatingahead of the rest; "and such convenient pantries and cupboards. "

"And this back veranda is great, " said Frank, opening the door from alittle hall. 

"Oh, yes, " said Patty; "see the dead vines. In the summer it must havehoneysuckles all over it. And there's the little arbour at the foot ofthe garden. I'm going down to see it. "

Marian started to follow her, but Laura called her back to show her somenew attraction, and Patty ran alone down the veranda steps, and throughthe box-bordered paths to the little rustic arbour. 

"Goodness!" she exclaimed, as she reached it. "Who in the world are you?"

For inside the arbour sat a strange-looking girl of about Patty's ownage. She was a tall, thin child, with a pale face, large black eyes, andstraight black hair, which hung in wisps about her ears. 

"I'm Pansy, " she said, clasping her hands in front of her, and lookingstraight into Patty's face. 

"You're Pansy, are you?" said Patty, looking puzzled. "And what are youdoing here, Pansy?"

"Well, miss, you see it's this way. I want to go out to service; and whenI heard you was going to have a house of your own, I thought maybe you'dtake me to work for you. "

"Oh, you did! Well, why didn't you come and apply to me, then, in properfashion, and not sit out here waiting for me to come to you? Suppose Ihadn't come?"

"I was sure you'd come, miss. Everybody who looks at this house comes outto look at the arbour; but there hasn't been anybody before that I wantedto work for. Please take me, miss; I'll be faithful and true. "

"What can you do?" asked Patty, half laughing, and half pitying thestrange-looking girl. "Can you cook?"

"No, ma'am, I can't cook; but I might learn it. But I didn't mean that. Ithought you'd have a cook, and you'd take me for a table girl, you know;and to tidy up after you. "

"I do want a waitress; but have you had any experience?"

"No, ma'am, " said the girl very earnestly, "I haven't, but I'm just sureI could learn. If you just tell me a thing once, you needn't ever tell itto me again. That's something, isn't it?"

"Indeed it is, " said Patty, remembering a certain careless waitress atMrs. Elliott's. "Have you any references?"

"No, " said the girl, smiling; "you see, I've never lived anywhere excepthome, and I suppose mother's reference wouldn't count. "

"It would with me, " said Patty decidedly. "I think your mother oughtto know more about you than anybody else. What would she say if Iasked her?"

"She'd say I was careless and heedless and thoughtless, and didn't knowanything, " replied the girl cheerfully; "and I am that way at home, but Iwouldn't be if I worked for you, because I want to be a waitress, and agood one; and you'd see how quick I'd learn. Oh, do take me, miss. You'llnever be sorry, and that's sure!"

This statement was accompanied by such decided gestures of head and handsthat Patty was very nearly convinced to the contrary, but she only said, "I'm sorry, Pansy, --you said your name was Pansy, didn't you?"

"Yes, miss, --Pansy Potts. "

"What an extraordinary name!"

"Is it, miss? Well, you see, my father's name was Potts; and mother namedme Pansy, because she's so fond of the flower. You don't think the namewill interfere with my being a waitress, do you?"

"Not so far as I'm concerned, " said Patty, laughing; "but, you see, Ishall be a very inexperienced housekeeper, and if I have an inexperiencedwaitress also, I don't know what might happen. "

"Why, now, miss; it seems to me that that would work out just right. You're a young housekeeper, but I expect you know just about what awaitress ought to do, and you could teach me; and I know a lot abouthousekeeping, and I could teach you. "

The sincerity in Pansy's voice and manner impressed Patty, and she lookedat her closely, as she said:

"It does seem good proportion. "

"It is, " said Pansy; "and you've no idea how quickly I can learn. "

"Can you?" said Patty. "Well, then, learn first to call me Miss Patty. Itwould suit me much better than to hear you say 'miss' so often. "

"Yes, Miss Patty. "

"And don't wring your hands in that absurd fashion, and don't standfirst on one foot and then on the other, as if you were scared out ofyour wits. "

"No, Miss Patty. "

Pansy ceased shuffling, dropped her hands naturally to her sides, andstood in the quiet, respectful attitude that Patty had unconsciouslyassumed while speaking. 

Delighted at this quick-witted mimicry, Patty exclaimed:

"I believe you will do. I believe you are just the one; but I can'tdecide positively, now. You go home, Pansy, and come to-morrow afternoonto see me at Mrs. Elliott's. Do you know where I live?"

"Yes, Miss Patty, " and, with a respectful little bob of her head, PansyPotts disappeared, and Patty ran back to the house. 

"Well, chickadee, " said Mr. Fairfield, "I have about decided thatyou and I can make ourselves comfortable within these four walls, and, if it suits your ladyship, I think we'll consider that we havetaken the house. "

"It does suit me, " said Patty. "I'm perfectly satisfied; and _I_ havetaken a house-maid. "

"Where did you get her?" exclaimed Frank. "Do they grow on trees in thegarden? I saw you out in the arbour with one. "

"Yes, " said Patty; "I picked her off a tree. She isn't quite ripe, butshe's not so very green; and I think she'll do. Never mind about her now. I can't decide until I've had a talk with Aunt Alice. I'm so glad youdecided on this house, papa. Oh, isn't it lovely to have a home! It looksrather bare, to be sure, but, be it ever so empty, there's no place likehome. Now, what shall we name it? I do like a nice name for a place. "

"It has so many of those little boxwood Hedges, " said Aunt Alice, lookingout of the window, "that you might call it The Boxwood House. "

"Oh, don't call it a wood-house, " said Uncle Charley. 

"Call it the wood-box, and be done with it, " Frank. 

"I like 'Hall, '" said Patty. "How is Boxwood Hall?"

"Sounds like Locksley Hall, " said Marian. 

"More like Boxley Hall, " said Frank. 

"Boxley Hall!" cried Patty. "That's just the thing! I like that. "

"Rather a pretentious name to live up to, " said Mr. Fairfield. 

"Never mind, " said Patty. "With Pansy Potts for a waitress, we can liveup to any name. "

And so Patty's new home was chosen, and its name was Boxley Hall. 

CHAPTER V

SHOPPING

As Boxley Hall was a sort of experiment, Mr. Fairfield concluded to rentthe place for a year, with the privilege of buying. 

By this time Patty was sure that she wished to remain in Vernondale allher life; but her father said that women, even very young ones, werefickle in their tastes, and he thought it wiser to be on the safe side. 

"And it doesn't matter, " as Patty said to Marian; "for, when the year isup, papa will just buy the house, and then it will be all right. "

Having found a home, the next thing was to furnish it; and about this Mr. Fairfield was very decided and methodical. 

"To-morrow, " he said, as they were talking it over at the Elliotts' oneevening, "to-morrow I shall take Patty to New York to select the mostimportant pieces of furniture. We shall go alone, because it is a veryspecial occasion, and we can't allow ourselves to be hampered by outsideadvices. Another day we shall go to buy prosaic things like tableclothsand carpet-sweepers; and then, as we know little about such things, weshall be glad to take with us some experienced advisers. "

And so the next day Patty and her father started for the city to buyfurniture for Boxley Hall. 

"You see, Patty, " said her father after they were seated in the train, "there is a certain proportion to be observed in furnishing a house, about which, I imagine, you know very little. "

"Very little, indeed, " returned Patty; "but, then, how should I know suchthings when I've never furnished a house?"

"I understand that, " said Mr. Fairfield; "and so, with my advantagesof age and experience, and your own natural good taste, I think weshall accomplish this thing successfully. Now, first, as to what wehave on hand. "

"Why, we haven't anything on hand, " said Patty; "at least, I have afew pictures and books, and the afghan grandma's knitting for me; butthat's all. "

"You reckon without your host, " said her father, smiling. "I possess somefew objects of value, and during the past year I have added to mycollection in anticipation of the time when we should have our own home. "

"Oh, papa!" cried Patty; "have you a whole lot of new furniture that Idon't know about?"

"Yes, " said Mr. Fairfield; "except, that, instead of being new, it ismostly old. I had opportunities in the South to pick up bits of fine oldmahogany, and I have a number of really good pieces that will help tomake Boxley Hall attractive. "

"What are they, papa? Tell me all about them. I can't wait anotherminute!"

"To begin with, child, I have several heirlooms; the old sideboard thatwas your grandfather Fairfield's, and several old bureaus and tables thatcame from the Fairfield estate. Then I have, also, two or three beautifulbook-cases, and an old desk for our library; and to-day we will hunt upsome sort of a big roomy table that will do to go with them. "

"Let's make the library the nicest room in the house, papa. "

"It will make itself that, if you give it half a chance, though we'll doall we can to help. But I'm so prosaic I would like to have specialattention paid to the comforts of the dining-room; and as to your ownbedroom, Patty, I want you to see to it that it fulfills exactly yourideal of what a girl's room ought to be. "

"Oh, I know just how I want that; almost exactly like my room at AuntAlice's, but with a few more of the sort of things I had in my room atAunt Isabel's. I do like pretty things, papa. "

"That's right, my child, I'm glad you do; and I think your idea of prettythings is not merely a taste for highfalutin gimcracks. "

"No, I don't think it is, " said Patty slowly; "but, all the same, you'dbetter keep pretty close to me when I pick out the traps for my room. Doyou know, papa, I think Aunt Isabel wants to help us furnish our house. She wrote that she would meet us in New York some time. "

"That's kind of her, " said Mr. Fairfield; "but, do _you_ know, it justseems to me that we'll be able to manage it by ourselves. Our house isnot of the era of Queen Isabella, but of the Princess Patricia. "

"That sounds like Aunt Isabel. They always called me Patricia there. Don't you think, papa, now that I'm getting so grown up, I ought to becalled Patricia? Patty is such a baby name. "

"Patty is good enough for me, " said Mr. Fairfield. "If you want to becalled Patricia, you must get somebody else to do it. I dare say youcould hire somebody for a small sum per week to call you Patricia for agiven number of times every day. "

"Now, you're making fun of me, papa; but I do want to grow up dignified, and not be a silly schoolgirl all my life. "

"Take care of your common sense, and your dignity will take careof itself. "

After they crossed the ferry, and reached the New York side, Mr. Fairfield took a cab, and they made a round of the various shops, buyingsuch beautiful things that Patty grew fairly ecstatic with delight. 

"I do think you're wonderful, papa, " she exclaimed, after they hadselected the dining-room furnishings. "You know exactly what you want, and when you describe it, it seems to be the only possible thing thatanybody could want for that particular place. "

"That is a result of decision of character, my child. It is a Fairfieldtrait, and I hope you possess it; though I cannot say I have seen anymarked development of it, as yet. But you must have noticed it in yourAunt Alice. "

"Yes, I have, " said Patty; "she is so decided that, with all hersweetness, I have sometimes been tempted to call her stubborn. "

"Stubbornness and decision of character are very closely allied; butnow, we're going to select the furniture for your own bedroom, and ifyou have any decision of character, you will have ample opportunity toexercise it. "

"Oh, I'll have plenty of decision of character when it comes to that, "said Patty; "you will find me a true Fairfield. "

Aided by her father's judgment and advice, Patty selected the furnishingsfor her own room. She had chosen green as the predominant colour, and thecouch and easy-chairs were upholstered in a lovely design of green andwhite. The rug was green and white, and for the brass bedstead with itswhite fittings, a down comfortable with a pale green cover was found. Thedainty dressing-table was of bird's-eye maple; and for this Mr. Fairfieldordered a bewildering array of fittings, all in ivory, with Patty'smonogram on them. 

"And I want a little book-case, papa, " she said; "a little one, you know, just for my favouritest books; for, of course, the most of my books willbe down in the library. "

So a dear little book-case was bought, also of bird's-eye maple, and apretty little work-table, with a low chair to match. 

"That's very nice, " said Patty, with an air of satisfaction, "for, thoughI hate to sew, yet sometimes it must be done; and with that littlework-table, I think I could sew even in an Indian wigwam!"

Patty hadn't much to say regarding the furniture of her father'sbedroom, for Mr. Fairfield attended to that himself, and selected thethings with such rapidity and certainty that it was all done almostbefore Patty knew it. 

"Now, " said Mr. Fairfield, "there are two guest-chambers to be furnished;the one you call Marian's room, and the other for the general strangerwithin our gates. "

Marian's room was done up in blue, as she had requested, and the otherguest-room was furnished in yellow. 

It was great fun to pick out the furniture, rugs, and curtains forthese rooms; and Patty tried very hard to select such things as herfather would approve of, for she dearly loved to have him commend hertaste and judgment. 

As they were sitting at luncheon, Mr. Fairfield said: "This afternoon, Ithink, we will devote to pictures. I'm not sure we will buy any, but wewill look at them, and I will learn what is your taste in art, and youwill leant what is mine. "

"I haven't any, " said Patty cheerfully. "I don't know anything about artand never did. "

"You still have some time, I hope, in which to learn. "

"I've time enough, but I don't believe I could learn. The only pictures Ilike are pretty ones. "

"You _are_ hopeless, and that's a fact, " said Mr. Fairfield. "Of alldiscouraging people, the worst are those who like pretty pictures!"

"But I'm sure I can learn, " said Patty, "if you will teach me. "

"You are more flattering than convincing, " said Mr. Fairfield, "but Iwill try. "

And so after luncheon they visited several picture shops, and Mr. Fairfield imported to his daughter what was at least a foundation for aneducation in art. 

Back in Vernondale, Patty confided to Marian that she had had a perfectlylovely time all the morning, but the afternoon wasn't so much fun. "Infact, " she said, "it was very much like that little book we had to studyin school called 'How to Judge a Picture. '"

The following Saturday another shopping tour was undertaken. This timeAunt Alice and Marian accompanied the Fairfields, and there was more funand less responsibility for Patty. 

Her father insisted upon her undivided attention while Mrs. Elliottselected table-linen, bed-linen, towels, and other household fittings;but, as these things were chosen with Fairfield promptness and decision, Patty had nothing to do but admire and acquiesce. 

"And now, " she remarked, after they had chosen two sets of china and aquantity of glass for the dining-room; "now, if you please, we will buyme some tea-things to entertain the Tea Club. "

"We will, indeed, " said Mr. Fairfield, and both he and Aunt Alice enteredinto the selection of the tea-table fittings with as much zest as theyhad shown in the other china. 

Dainty Dresden cups were found, lovely plates, and a tea-pot, andcracker-jar, which made Marian and Patty fairly shriek with delight. 

A three-storied wicker tea-table was found, to hold these treasures, andMr. Fairfield added the most fascinating little silver tea-caddy andtea-ball and strainer. 

"Oh, " exclaimed Marian, made quite breathless by the glory of itall, "the Tea Club will never want to meet anywhere except at yourhouse, Patty. "

"They'll have to, " said Patty. "I don't propose to have them every time. "

"Well, you'll have to have them every other time, anyway, " said Marian. 

After the fun of picking out the tea-things, it was hard to come down tothe plainer claims of the kitchen, but Aunt Alice grew so interested inthe selection of granite saucepans and patent coffee-mills that Patty, too, became enthusiastic. 

"And we must get a rolling-pin, " she cried, "for I shall make pumpkinpies every day. Oh, and I want a farina-kettle and a colander, and a_bain-marie, _ and a larding-needle, and a syllabub-churn. "

"Why, Patty, child!" exclaimed her father; "what are all those thingsfor? Are you going to have a French _chef_?"

"No, papa, but I expect to do a great deal of fancy cooking myself. "

"Oh, you do! Well, then, buy all the contraptions that are necessary, butdon't omit the plain gridirons and frying-pans. "

Then Aunt Alice and Patty put their heads together in a most sensiblefashion, and ordered a kitchen outfit that would have delighted the heartof any well-organised housekeeper. Not only kitchen utensils, but laundryfittings, and household furnishings generally; including patentlabour-saving devices, and newly invented contrivances which weresupposed to be of great aid to any housewife. 

"If I can only live up to it all, " sighed Patty, as she looked at theenormous collection of iron, tin, wood, and granite. 

"Or down to it, " said Marian. 

CHAPTER VI

SERVANTS

"I did think, " said Patty, in a disgusted tone, "that we could getsettled in the house in time to eat our Christmas dinner there, but itdoesn't look a bit like it. I was over there this afternoon, and such ahopeless-looking mess of papering and painting and plumbing I never sawin my life. I don't believe it will _ever_ be done!"

"I don't either, " said Marian; "those men work as slow as mud-turtles. "

The conversation was taking place at the Elliotts' dinner-table, andUncle Charley looked up from his carving to say:

"It's an ill wind that blows nobody good, and the slower the mud-turtlesare, the longer we shall have our guests with us. For my part, I shall bevery sorry to see pretty Patty go out of this house. "

Patty smiled gaily at her uncle, for they were great friends, and said:

"Then I shall expect you to visit me very often in my new home, --that is, if I ever get there. "

"I can't see our way clear to a Christmas dinner in Boxley Hall, " saidMr. Fairfield; "but I think I can promise you, chick, that you caninvite your revered uncle and his family to dine with you there on NewYear's day. "

There were general exclamations of delight at this from all except Patty, who looked a little bewildered. 

"What's the matter, Patsie?" said her uncle. "Don't you want to entertainyour admiring relatives?"

"Yes, " said Patty, "of course I do; but it scares me to death to think ofit! How can I have a dinner party, when I don't know anything aboutanything?"

"Aunt Alice will tell you something about something, " said her father;"and I'll tell you the rest about the rest. "

"Oh, I know it will be all right, " said Patty, quickly regainingconfidence, as she looked at her father. "If papa says the house will beready, I know it will be, and if he says we'll have a dinner party on NewYear's day, I know we will; and so I now invite you all, and I expect youall to accept; and I hope Aunt Alice will come early. "

"I shall come the night before, " said Marian, "so as to be sure to bethere in time. "

"I'm not sure that any of us will be there the night before, " said Mr. Fairfield, laughing. "I've guaranteed the house for the dinner, but Ididn't say we would be living there at the time. "

"That's a good idea, " said Aunt Alice; "let Patty entertain her firstcompany there, and then come back here for the reaction. "

"Well, we'll see, " said Patty; "but I'd like to go there the first day ofJanuary, and stay there. "

By some unknown methods, Mr. Fairfield managed to stir up the mud-turtleworkmen to greater activity, and the work went rapidly on. Thewall-papers seemed to get themselves into place, and the floors took ona beautiful polish; bustling men came out from the city and put upwindow-shades, and curtains, and draperies; and, under Mr. Fairfield'ssupervision, laid rugs and hung pictures. 

The ladies of the Elliott household organised themselves into a mostactive sewing-society. 

Grandma, Aunt Alice, Marian, and Patty hemmed tablecloths and napkinswith great diligence, and even little Edith was allowed to help with thekitchen towels. 

Everybody was so kind that Patty began to feel weighed down withgratitude. The girls of the Tea Club made the tea-cloth that they hadproposed, and they also brought offerings of pin-cushions, and doiliesand centre-pieces, until Patty's room began to look like a booth at afancy bazaar. 

One Saturday morning, as the sewing-circle was hard at work, littleGilbert came in carrying a paper bag, which evidently containedsomething valuable. 

"It's for you, Patty, " he said. "I brought it for you, to help keephouse; and its name is Pudgy. "

Depositing the bag in his cousin's lap, little Gilbert knelt beside her. "You needn't open it, " he cried; "it will open itself!"

And, sure enough, the mouth of the bag untwisted, and a little grey headcame poking out. 

"A kitten!" exclaimed Patty; "a Maltese kitten. Why, that's just the verything I wanted! Where did you get it, Gilbert, dear?"

"From the milkman, " said Gilbert proudly. "We always get kittiesfrom him, and I telled him to pick out a nice pretty one for you. Doyou like it?"

"I love it, " said Patty, cuddling the little bunch of grey fur; "andPudgy is just the right name for it. It's the fattest little cat Iever saw. "

"Yes, " said Gilbert gravely; "don't let it get thin, will you?"

"No, indeed, " said Patty; "I'll feed it on strawberries and cream all theyear round!"

That same afternoon Patty and Aunt Alice started out on a cook-huntingexpedition. A Cook's Tour, Frank called it; and the tourists took it veryseriously. 

"Much of the success of your home, Patty, " said Aunt Alice, as they weregoing to the Intelligence Office, "depends upon your cook; for she willbe not only a cook, but, in part, housekeeper, and overseer of the wholeplace. And while you must, of course, exercise your authority and demandrespect, yet at the same time you will find it necessary to defer to herjudgment and experience on many occasions. "

"I know it, Aunt Alice, " said Patty very earnestly; "and I do want to dowhat is right. I want to be the head of papa's home, and yet there are agreat many things that my servants will know more about than I do. Ishall have to be very careful about my proportion; but if you and papawill help me, I think I'll come out all right. "

"I think you will, " said Aunt Alice, but she smiled a little at theassured toss of her niece's head. 

The Intelligence Office proved to be as much misnamed as thoseinstitutions usually are, and varying degrees of unintelligence wereshown in the candidates offered for the position of cook at Boxley Hall;though, if the applicants seemed unsatisfactory to Patty, in many casesshe was no less so to them. 

One tall, rawboned Irishwoman seemed hopefully good-tempered and capable, but when she discovered that Patty was to be her mistress, instead ofMrs. Elliott, as she had supposed, she exclaimed:

"Go 'way wid yez! Wud I be workin' for the likes of a child like that?No, mum, I ain't no nurse; I'm a cook, and I want a mistress as has gotpast playing wid dolls. "

"I hope you'll find one, " said Patty politely; "and I'm afraid wewouldn't suit each other. "

Another Irish girl, with a merry rosy face and frizzled blonde hair, wasvery anxious to go to work for Patty. 

"Sure, it will be fun!" she said. "I'd like to work for such a prettylittle lady; and, sure, we'd have the good times. Could I have all meafternoons out, miss?"

"Not if you lived with me, " said Patty, laughing. "My house is large, and there's a great deal of work to be done by somebody. I think my cookcouldn't do her share if she went out every afternoon. "

Many others were interviewed, but each seemed to have more or lessobjectionable traits. One would not come unless she were the onlyservant; another would not come unless Patty kept five. Most of themshowed such a decided lack of respect to so young a mistress that AuntAlice began to despair of finding the kind, capable woman she hadimagined. They went home feeling rather discouraged, but when Patty toldher troubles to her father, he only laughed. 

"Bless your heart, child, " he said; "you couldn't expect to engage awhole cook in one afternoon! It's a long and serious process. "

"But, papa, you said we'd be all settled and ready by the first ofJanuary. "

"Yes, I know, but I didn't say which January. "

"Now, you're teasing, " said Patty; but she ran away with a light heart, feeling sure that somehow a cook would be provided. 

That evening, according to appointment, Pansy Potts appeared forinspection. The whole Elliott family was present, and observed with muchinterest the strange-looking girl. 

But, though ignorant and awkward, Pansy was not embarrassed, and, seemingto realise that her fate lay in the hands of Mrs. Elliott, Mr. Fairfield, and Patty, she addressed herself to them. 

Her manner, though untrained, showed respectful deference, and herexpressive black eyes showed quick perception and clever adaptability. 

"She is all right at heart, " thought Mr. Fairfield to himself, "but sheknows next to nothing. I wonder if it would be a good plan to let the twogirls help each other out. "

"Have you ever waited at table, Pansy?" he asked, so pleasantly thatPansy Potts felt encouragement rather than alarm. 

"No, sir; but I could learn, and I would do exactly as I was told. "

"That's the right spirit, " said Mr. Fairfield "I think perhaps we'llhave to give you a trial. "

"But don't you know anything of a housemaid's duties?" inquired AuntAlice, who was a little dubious in the face of such absolute ignorance. "For instance, if the door-bell should ring, what would you do?"

"I would have asked Miss Patty beforehand, ma'am, and I would do whatevershe had told me to. "

"Good enough!" exclaimed Mr. Fairfield. "I think you'll do, Pansy; at anyrate, you'll have nothing to unlearn, and that's a great deal. "

So the waitress was engaged, and it was not long after this that a cook"dropped from the skies, " as Patty expressed it. 

One afternoon a large and amiable-looking coloured woman appeared at Mrs. Elliott's house, with a note from Mrs. Stevens recommending her as a cookfor Patty. As soon as Patty saw her she liked her, but, rememberingprevious experiences, she said:

"Do you understand that you are to work for me? I'm a very younghousekeeper, you know. "

"Laws, missy, dat's all right. Til do de housekeepin' and you can do debossin'. I reckon we'll get along mos' beautiful. "

"That sounds attractive, I'm sure, " said Patty, laughing. "What isyour name?"

"Emancipation Proclamation Jackson, " announced the owner of thename proudly. 

"That's a big name, " said Patty; "I couldn't call you all that at once. "

"Co'se I shouldn't expect it. Mancy, mos' folks calls me, and dat's goodenough for me; but I likes my name, my whole name, and it does lookbeautiful, wrote. "

"I should think it might, " said Aunt Alice. "Can you cook, Mancy?"

"Oh, yas'm, I kin cook everything what there is to cook, and I can makethings besides. Oh, they won't be no trouble about my cookin'. I knowdat much!"

"Are you a good laundress?" asked Aunt Alice. 

"Yas'm, I am! Ef I do say it dat shouldn't, you jes' ought to see declothes I sends up! Dey's jes' like druvven snow. Oh, dey won't be notrouble about de laundry work!"

"And can you sweep?" said Patty. 

"Can I sweep? Law, chile, co'se I kin sweep! What yo' s'pose I want tohire out for, ef I can't do all dem things? Oh, dey won't be no troubleabout sweepin'!"

"Well, where _will_ the trouble be, Mancy?" said Patty. 

"Dey moughtn't be any trouble, miss, " said the black woman earnestly;"but if dey is, it'll be 'count o' my bein' spoke cross to. I jes'nachelly can't stand bein' spoke cross to. It riles me all up. "

"I don't believe there will be any trouble on that score, " said Patty, laughing. "My father and I are the best-natured people in the world. "

"I believe yo', missy; an' dat's why I wants to come. "

"There will be another servant, Mancy, " said Aunt Alice; "a young girlwho will be a waitress. She is ignorant and inexperienced, but Verywilling to learn. Do you think you could get along with her?"

"Is she good-natured?" asked Mancy. 

"I don't know her very well, " said Patty; "but I think she is. I'm sureshe will be, if we are. "

"Den dat's all right, " said Mancy. "I kin look after you two chilluns, I'spect, and get my work done, too. When shall I come?"

"The house isn't quite ready yet, " said Patty; "but I hope to go thereto live on New Year's day. "

"I think we'd be glad of Mancy's help a few days before that, " saidAunt Alice. 

And so, subject to Mr. Fairfield's final sanction, Mancy was engaged. Andnow Patty's whole establishment, including Pudgy the cat, was made up. 

CHAPTER VII

DIFFERING TASTES

A few days before the close of the old year, Patty sat at her desk in thelibrary of Boxley Hall. 

She was making lists of good things to be ordered for the feast onNew Year's day; and, as it was her first unaided experience withsuch memoranda, she wore an air of great importance and a deeplypuckered brow. 

Mancy, with her arms comfortably akimbo, stood before her young mistressready to suggest, but tactfully chary of advice. 

They were not yet living in the new home, but all the furniture was inplace, the furnace fire had been started, and the palms arranged in thelittle conservatory. 

So Patty spent most of her time there, and some of the Elliotts wereusually there with her. 

But this morning she was alone with Mancy, struggling with theall-important lists. 

"I'll make the salad myself, " she remarked, as she wrote "olive oil" onher slip of paper. 

"Yas'm, " answered Mancy, rolling her eyes with an expression of dubiousapproval. "Does yo' know how, missy?"

"Oh, yes, " said Patty confidently; "I can make most beautiful saladdressing. Only it does take quite a long time, and I shall have a lot todo Thursday morning. Perhaps I'd better leave it to you this time, Mancy. Can you make it?"

"Laws, yes, honey; and yo'd better leave it to me. Yo'll have enough todo with yo' flowers and fixin's, and dressin' yourself up pretty. I'll'tend to the food. "

"Well, all right, Mancy; I wish you would. And, now, just help me withthis list. I'll read it to you, and see if you think of anything thatI've forgotten. "

"Yas'm, " said Mancy, who was most anxious to help, but who had alreadylearned that Patty was a little inclined to resent unasked advice. 

They were deep in the fascinating bewilderments of grocers' andgreengrocers' wares, when Pansy Potts appeared in the doorway. 

"Miss Patty, " she said, "I've done all the things you told me to do; andI watered the palms, and I've poked around that bunchy rosebush, but I'm'most sure it's going to die; and now, if you please, when can I be letto fix up my own room?"

"Sure enough, Pansy, " said Patty; "we must get at that room of yours, andwe'll fix it up as pretty as we can. "

"Mine, too, " said Mancy; "I wants my room fixed up nice. I fetched a lotof pictures to liven it up some, but I reckon I ain't got no time to put'em up to-day. "

"Oh, yes, you have, Mancy, " said Patty, rising; "and, anyway, we'll goright up and look at those rooms; then I can tell what we need to getfor them. "

"Mine won't need anything, " said Pansy, "except what's in it already, and what I've got to put in it myself. I brought my decorations overthis morning. "

"Oh, you did?" said Patty. "Well, bring them along, and we'll all goupstairs together. "

"I'll get mine, too, " said Mancy, shuffling toward the kitchen. 

The servants' rooms were in the third story. They had been freshlypapered and neatly and appropriately furnished, though Patty had not, asyet, added any pictures or ornaments. 

And, apparently, she would have no occasion to do so; for, as she went upto these rooms, she was immediately followed by their future occupants, each of whom came with her arms full of what looked like the mostworthless rubbish. 

"What _is_ all that stuff, Pansy?" exclaimed Patty, as she beheld heryoung waitress fairly staggering under her load. 

"They're lovely things, Miss Patty, and I hope you don't mind. This is ahornet's nest, and this is a branch of an apple tree, with a swing-bird'snest on it. "

"A branch! It's a big limb, --a bough, I should call it. What _are_ yougoing to do with it?"

"I thought I'd put it on the wall, Miss Patty. It makes the room lookoutdoorsy. "

"It does, indeed! Put it up, if you like; but will you have room then toget in yourself?"

"Oh, yes, " said Pansy cheerfully; "and I've got a big tub over home thatI want to bring; it has an orange tree planted in it. "

"With oranges on?"

"Oh, no, not oranges; indeed, it hasn't any leaves on, but I think maybethey'll come. "

"It must be beautiful!" said Patty. "But if it hasn't any leaves on, it'sprobably dead. "

"Oh, no, Miss Patty, it isn't dead; and it had leaves a-plenty, but mylittle brother he picked the leaves all off. That's one reason I wantedto come here, so's to get my orange tree away from Jack. "

"Well, bring it along, " said Patty good-naturedly. "What else are yougoing to have? A grape-vine, I suppose, trained over the headboard ofyour bed. "

"No, Miss Patty, I haven't got no grapevine, but I've got awandering-jew-vine in a pot, that I want to set on the mantel. "

"All right, " said Patty, "bring your wandering-jew, and let him wanderwherever he likes. You'll have to keep your door shut, or he'll wanderout and run downstairs. What's in that bag?"

"Rocks, Miss Patty. "

"Rocks? What in the world are you going to do with those?"

"I'm going to make a rockery, ma'am, by the window. They're justbeautiful. Miss Powers has one in her parlour, and I always wanted one, but mother wouldn't let me have it, 'cause she says it clutters. "

"But, what is it?" said Patty. "How do you make it?"

"Oh, you just pile the stones up in a heap, and you stick dried grasses, and autumn leaves and things, in them; and, if ever you have any flowers, you know, you stick them in, too. "

"I see; it must be very effective; and sometimes I can give you flowersfor it, I'm sure. "

"Thank you, Miss Patty; I hope you will. Oh, I'll be so glad to have it;I've been saving these stones for it for years. You see, they'rebeautiful stones. "

Pansy Potts was on her knees arranging the stones, many of which werejagged pieces of quartz shining here and there with mica scales, into asymmetrical pile, which somehow had the effect of a Pagan altar. 

"Well, " said Patty, as she watched her, "I don't think you'll need any ofthe decorations I expected to give you. "

"Oh, Miss Patty, " said Pansy earnestly, "please don't make me havepictures, and pincushions, and vases, and all those things; I like my ownthings so much better. "

"You shall fix your room just as you choose, " said Patty kindly; "and ifI can help you in any way, I'll be glad to do so. How are _you_progressing, Mancy?"

Patty stepped across the hall to her cook's room, and found its stoutoccupant rather precariously perched on a chair, tacking up a picture. She had evidently improved her time, for many other pictures were alreadyin place, and, what is unusual in either a public or private art-gallery, the pictures were all exactly alike. They were large, very highlycoloured, unframed, and, in fact, were nothing more or less thanadvertisements of a popular soap. The subject was a broadly-grinning oldcoloured woman, washing clothes, that were already snow-white, in a seaof soapsuds. 

"For goodness' sake, Mancy!" exclaimed Patty. "Who said you might drivetacks all over these new walls, and where did you get all those picturesof yourself?"

"They does favour me, don't they, missy?" exclaimed Mancy, beaming withdelight, as she took another tack from her mouth, and pounded it intoplace. "I got 'em from de grocer man, and co'se I has to tack 'em, elsehow would dey stay up?"

"But you have so many of them. "

"Laws, chile, only a dozen; youse got mo'n that on the libr'y wall. "

"But ours are different; these are all alike. "

"Co'se dey's all alike! I des nachelly gets tired of lookin' at differentpitchers. It 'stracts my head. "

"I should think these would distract your head. I feel as if I were in akinetoscope. "

"Does that mean art-gal'ry?"

"Not exactly; but tell me, Mancy, did you get all these pictures becausethey looked like you? And was the grocer willing to give you so many?"

"Yas'm. But I 'spects I'll hab to confess a little about dat, Miss Patty. You see, I dun tole him I was gwine t' work for yo', and dat's huccome heguv 'em to me. "

"That's all right, Mancy. After he gets that long order we made out thismorning, I'm sure he'll feel he was justified in favouring us; but getdown out of that chair. In the first place, you'll fall and break yourneck, and if you don't, you'll break the chair. Get down, and I'll tackup the rest of your pictures. "

"Thank you, missy, do; and I'll hand you the tacks. There's only sixmore, anyhow. I 'llowed to have three over the mantel, and two over thatwindow, and one behind the door. "

"But you can't see it; that door is usually open. "

"No'm; but I'll know it's there jes' the same. "

"All right; here goes, then, " and soon Patty had the rest of the gaudylithographs tacked into their designated places. 

"Now, Mancy, " she said, as she jumped down from the chair for the lasttime, "you don't want any other pictures, do you? It would interfere withthe artistic unities to introduce any other school. "

"Laws 'a' massy, chile; I don't want to go to school! Miss Patty, sometimes you does cert'nly talk like a Choctaw Injun. Leastways, _I_can't understand you. "

"It doesn't really matter, " said Patty, "and we're even, anyway; for Ican't understand why _you_ want those fearful posters in your room, instead of the nice little pictures I had planned to give you. "

"Oh, yes; I knows yo' nice little pictures! with a narrow black ban', jes' about the size ob a sheet of mo'nin' paper! No, thank you, missy, no black-bordered envelopes hanging on my wall! Give me good reds andyallers and blues; the kind you can hear with yo' eyes shut. That is, ef yo' don't mind, missy. Ef yo' does, I'll take 'em all rightslam-bang down. "

"No, no, Mancy; it's all right. In your own room I want you to have justexactly what you want, and nothing else. Now, let's go and see howPansy's getting along. "

The rockery was completed, and was a most imposing structure. Wheat earsand dried oats were sticking out from between the stones, and pressedautumn leaves added a touch of colour. At the base of the rockery were alarge pink-lined conch-shell and several smaller shells. On the wallswere various branches of different species of vegetation; among others atangle of twigs of the cotton plant, from which depended numerous bolls. 

Pansy was struggling with a lot of evergreen boughs, which she was tryingto crowd into a strange-looking receptacle. 

"How do you like it, Miss Patty?" she asked, as Patty stood in thedoorway and gazed in. 

"I like it very much, for you, Pansy, " replied Patty. "If this is thekind of room you want, I'm very glad for you to have it; only, I don'tknow whether to call it 'First Course in Mineralogy, ' or 'How to Tell theWild Flowers, '"

CHAPTER VIII

AN UNATTAINED AMBITION

To say that Boxley Hall was in readiness for the party would be statingit very mildly. It was overflowing, --yes, fairly bursting with readiness. 

New Year's day was on Thursday, and Patty had decreed that on that daynone of the Elliotts should go to Boxley Hall until they came as guests. 

Dinner was to be at two o'clock, and in the morning Patty and her fatherwent over to their new home together. 

"Just think, papa, " said Patty, squeezing his hand as they went along, "how many times we have walked--and run, too, for that matter--from AuntAlice's over to our house; but this time it's different. We're going tostay, to live, really to _reside_ in our own home; and whenever we go toAunt Alice's again, it will be to visit or to call. Oh, isn't itperfectly lovely! If I can only live up to it, and do things just as youwant me to. "

"Don't take it too seriously, Pattikins; I don't expect you to become anold and experienced housewife all at once. And I don't want you to wearyourself out trying to become such a personage. Indeed, I shall beterribly disappointed if you don't make ridiculous mistakes, and give mesome opportunity to laugh at you. "

"You are the dearest thing, papa; that's just the way I want you to feelabout it; and I think I can safely promise to make enough blunders tokeep you giggling a good portion of the time. "

"Oh, don't go out of your way to furnish me with amusement. And now, howabout your party to-day? Is everything in tip-top order?"

"Yes, except a few thousand things that I have to do this morning, and afew hundred that I want you to do. "

"I shall see to it, first, that the carving-knife is well sharpened. It'sthe first time that I have carved at my own table for a great many years, and I want the performance to be marked by grace and skill. "

"It will be, if you do it, papa; I'm sure of that, " and by this time theyhad reached the gate, and Patty was skipping along the path and up thesteps, and into the door of her own home. 

Mancy and Pansy Potts were already there, and, to a casual observer, itlooked as if there was nothing more to do except to admit the guests. 

Patty had set the table the day before, and, to the awestruck admirationof Pansy Potts, had arranged the beautiful new glass and china with mostsatisfactory effects. Pansy had watched the proceedings with intelligentscrutiny and, when it was finished, had told Patty that the next time shewould be able to do it herself. 

"You'll have a chance to try, " Patty had answered, "for in the eveningwe'll have supper, and you may set the table all by yourself; and I'llcome out and look it over to make sure it's all right. "

But, as Patty had said, there was yet much to be done on Thursdaymorning, even though there were eight hands to make the work light. 

Boxes of flowers had arrived from the florist's, and these had to bearranged in the various rooms; also, a few potted plants in full bloomhad come for the conservatory, and these so delighted the soul of PansyPotts that Patty feared the girl would spend the whole day nursing them. 

"Come, Pansy, " she called; "let them grow by themselves for a while; Iwant your help in the kitchen. "

"But, oh, Miss Patty, they're daisies! Real white daisies, withyellow centres!"

"Well, they'll still be daisies to-morrow, and you'll have more time toadmire them then. "

Patty's ambitions in the culinary line ran to the fanciful and elaborateconfections which were pictured in the cook-books and in the householdperiodicals; especially did she incline toward marvellous desserts whichcalled for spun sugar, and syllabubs, and rare sweetmeats, and patentfreezing processes. 

For her New Year's dinner party she had decided to try the mostcomplicated recipe of all, and, moreover, intended to surpriseeverybody with it. 

Warning her father to keep out of the kitchen on pain of excommunication, she rolled up her sleeves and tied on a white apron; and with her openbook on the table before her, began her proceedings. 

Pansy Potts was set to whipping cream with a new-fangled syllabub-churn, and Mancy was requested to blanch some almonds and pound them to a pastein a very new and very large mortar. 

Though the good-natured Mancy was more than willing to help her youngmistress through what threatened to be somewhat troubled waters, yet shehad the more substantial portions of the dinner to prepare, and there wasnone too much time. 

As Patty went on with her work, difficulties of all sorts presentedthemselves. The cream wouldn't whip, but remained exasperatingly fluid;the sugar refused to "spin a thread, " and obstinately crystalliseditself into a hard crust; the almonds persisted in becoming a lumpy mass, instead of a smooth paste; and the gelatine, as Patty despairinglyremarked, "acted like all possessed!"

But, having attempted the thing, she was bound to carry it through, though it was with some misgivings that she finally poured a queer andsticky-looking substance into the patent freezer. 

Pansy Potts had declared herself quite able to accomplish the freezingprocess; but, as she was about to begin, she announced in tragic tonesthat the extra ice hadn't come. 

"Oh!" exclaimed Patty, in desperation, "everything seems to go wrongabout that dessert! Well, Pansy, you use what ice there is, and I'lltelephone for some more, right away. "

But when Patty called up the ice company she found that their office wasclosed for the day, and, hanging up the receiver with an angry littlejerk, she turned to find her father smiling at her. 

"I see you have begun to amuse me, " he said; "but never mind about myentertainment now, Puss; run away and get dressed, or you won't be readyto receive your guests. It's half-past one now. "

"Oh, papa, is it so late? And I have to get into that new frock!"

"Well, scuttle along, then, and make all the haste you can. "

Patty scuttled, but during the process of making all the haste she could, she very nearly lost her temper. 

The new white frock was complicated; the broad white hair-ribbons weredifficult to tie; and, as it was the first time that she had made atoilette in her new home, it is not at all surprising that many useful orindispensable little articles were missing. 

"Pansy, " she called, as she heard the girl in the dining-room, "do, formercy's sake, come up and help me. I can't find my shoe-buttoner, and Ican't button the yoke of this crazy dress without it. "

Pansy came to the rescue, and just as the Elliott family came in at thefront gate, Patty completely attired, but very flushed and breathlessfrom her rapid exertions--flew downstairs and tucked her arm through herfather's, as he stood in the hall. 

"I'm here, " she said demurely, and trying to speak calmly. 

"Oh, so you are, " he said. "I thought a white cashmere whirlwind hadstruck me. I _hope_ you didn't hurry yourself. "

"Oh, no!" said Patty, meeting his merry smile with another. "I justdawdled through my dressing to kill time. "

"Yes, you look so, " said her father, and just then the doorbell rang. 

"Oh, papa, " cried Patty, her eyes dancing with excitement, "_isn't_ itjust grand! That's the first ring at our own doorbell, our _own_doorbell, you know; and hasn't it a musical ring? And now it will beanswered by our own Pansy. "

Without a trace of the hurry and fluster that had so affected her youngmistress, Pansy Potts, in neat white cap and apron, opened the door tothe guests. 

Patty nudged her father's arm in glee, as they noted the correctdemeanour of their own waitress, and then all such considerations weredrowned in the outburst of enthusiasm that accompanied the entrance ofthe Elliotts. The younger members of the family announced themselves withwild war-whoops of delight, and the older ones, though less noisy, wereno less enthusiastic. 

"I like Cousin Patty's house, " announced Gilbert, sitting down in themiddle of the floor. "I will stay here always. Where is the Pudgykitty-cat?"

"I'll get her for you, right away, " said Patty. "She is fatter than ever;but, first, let me make grandma comfortable. "

Taking Mrs. Elliott's bonnet and wraps, Patty led the old lady to a largeeasy-chair, and announced that she must sit there for a few moments andrest, before she made a tour of inspection around the house. 

Grandma Elliott had not been allowed in the new house while it was beingarranged, lest she should take cold, and so to-day it burst upon her inall its glory. By this time Frank and Marian were investigating theconservatory, and little Edith was announcing that Cousin Patty had a"Crimson Gambler. "

"She means Crimson Rambler!" exclaimed Patty; "or, as Pansy calls it, 'that bunchy rosebush. '"

Although the guests had been invited to a two-o'clock dinner, yet whenthe clock hands pointed to nearly three, the meal had not been announced. 

There was so much to be talked about that the time did not drag, but AuntAlice looked at Patty a little curiously. 

Patty caught the glance, and excusing herself, went out into the kitchen. 

"Mancy!" she exclaimed; "it's almost three o'clock. Why don't youhave dinner?"

"Well, honey, yo' took so much of my time mashin' your old nuts dat mywork got put behind. Dinner'll come on after a while; it's mos' ready. "

Patty went back to the parlour, laughing. 

"If anybody can hurry up Mancy, " she said, "they're welcome to try it. Ididn't realise it was so late, and I'm awfully sorry; but I guess we'llhave dinner pretty soon, now. "

"Don't be sorry we're going to have it soon, " said Frank; "none of therest of us are, I assure you. "

Although served about an hour late, the dinner was a great success. It had been carefully planned; Mancy's cooking was beyond reproach, and Pansy Potts proved a neat-handed and quick-witted, ifinexperienced, Phyllis. 

Encouraged by the general excellence of the courses, as they succeededone another, Patty began to hope that her gorgeous dessert would turn outall right after all. 

Seated at the head of her own table, she made a charming little hostess, and many a glance of happy understanding passed between her and thegentleman who presided at the other end. 

"I say, Patty, it's right down jolly, you having a house of your own, "said Frank. 

"Except that we miss you awfully over home, " added Uncle Charley. 

"I don't see how you can, " said Patty, smiling; "as I took breakfastthere this morning, you haven't yet gathered round your lonely boardwithout me. "

"No, but we shall have to, " said Uncle Charley, "and it is that which isbreaking my young heart. "

"Well, _this_ is what's breaking _my_ young heart, " said Patty, as shewatched Pansy Potts, who was just entering the room with a dishcontaining a most unattractive-looking failure. 

"I may as well own up, " she said bravely, as the dessert was placed infront of her. "My ambition was greater than my ability. "

"Don't say another word, " said Aunt Alice. "_I_ understand; thosespun-sugar things are monuments of total depravity. "

Patty gave her aunt a grateful glance, and said, "They certainly are, Aunt Alice; and I'll never attempt one again until I've made myselfperfect by long practice. "

"Good for you, my Irish Pat, " said Frank; "but, do you know, I like thembetter this way. There's an attraction about that general conglomerationthat appeals to me more strongly than those over-neat concoctions thatlook as if they had sat in a caterer's window for weeks. "

But, notwithstanding Frank's complimentary impulses, the dessert proveduneatable, and had to be replaced with crackers and cheese and fruitand bonbons. 

CHAPTER IX

A CALLER

It was quite late in the evening before the Elliotts left Boxley Hall;but after they had gone, Patty and her father still lingered in thelibrary for a bit of cosey chat. 

"Isn't it lovely, " said Patty, with a little sigh of extreme content, "tosit down in our own library, and talk over our own party? And, by theway, papa, how do you like our library; is it all your fancy painted it?"

"Yes, " said Mr. Fairfield, looking around critically, "the library is allright; but, of course, as yet it is young and inexperienced. It remainsfor us to train it up in the way it should go; and I feel sure, under ourministrations and loving care, it will grow better as it grows older. "

"We've certainly got good material to work on, " said Patty, giving asatisfied glance around the pretty room. "And now, Mr. Man, tell me whatyou think of our first effort at hospitality? How did the dinner party gooff today?"

"It went off with flying colours, and you certainly deserve a great dealof credit for your very successful first appearance as a hostess. Ofcourse, if one were disposed to be critical--"

"One would say that one's elaborate dessert--"

"Was a very successful imitation of a complete failure, " interrupted Mr. Fairfield, laughing. "And this is where I shall take an opportunity topoint a moral. It is not good proportion to undertake a difficult andcomplicated recipe for the first time, when you are expecting guests. "

"No, I know it, " said Patty; "and yet, papa, you wouldn't expect me tohave that gorgeous French mess for dinner when we're all alone, wouldyou? And so, when could we have it?"

"Your implication does seem to bar the beautiful confection from ourtable entirely; and yet, do you know, it wouldn't alarm me a bit to havethat dessert attack us some night when you and I are at dinner quitealone and unprotected. "

"All right, papa, we'll have it, and I'm sure, after another trial, I canmake it just as it should be made. "

"Don't be too sure, my child. Self-confidence is a good thing in itsplace, but self-assurance is a quality not nearly so attractive. I think, Patty, girl, " and here Mr. Fairfield put his arm around his daughter andlooked very kindly into her eyes; "I think every New Year's day I shallgive you a bit of good advice by way of correcting whatever seems to me, at the time, to be your besetting sin. "

Patty smiled back at her father with loving confidence. 

"But if you only reform me at the rate of one sin per year, it will be along while before I become a good girl, " she said. 

"You're a good girl, now, " said her father, patting her head. "You'rereally a very good girl for your age, and if I correct your faults at therate of one a year, I don't think I can keep up with the performance forvery many years. But, seriously, Pattikins, what I want to speak to youabout now is your apparent inclination toward a certain kind of filigreeelaborateness, which is out of proportion to our simple mode of living. Ihave noticed that you have a decided admiration for appointments andservices that are only appropriate in houses run on a really magnificentscale; where the corps of servants includes a butler and other trainedfunctionaries. Now, you know, my child, that with your present retinueyou cannot achieve startling effects in the way of household glories. AmI making myself clear?"

"Well, you're not so awfully clear; but I gather that you thought thatridiculous pudding I tried to make was out of proportion to Pansy Pottsas waitress. "

"You have grasped my meaning wonderfully well, " said her father; "but itwas not only the pudding I had in mind, but several ambitious attempts atan over-display of grandeur and elegance. "

"Well, but, papa, I like to have things nice. "

"Yes, but be careful not to have them more nice than wise. However, there is no necessity for dwelling on this subject. I see you understandwhat I mean; and I know, now that I have called your attention to it, your own sense of proportion will guide you right, if you remember tofollow its dictates. "

"But do you imagine, " said Patty roguishly, "that such a mild scolding asthat is going to do a hardened reprobate like me any good?"

"Yes, " said her father decidedly, "I think it will. "

"So do I, " said Patty. 

Next morning at breakfast Patty could scarcely eat, so enthusiastic wasshe over the delightful sensation of breakfasting alone with her fatherin their own dining-room. 

Very carefully she poured his coffee for him, and very carefully PansyPotts carried the cup to its destination. 

"I didn't ask Marian to stay last night, " slid Patty, "because I wantedour first night and our first breakfast all alone by ourselves. "

"You're a sentimental little puss, " said her father. 

"Yes, I think I am, " said Patty. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all; if you keep your sentiment in its proper place, and don'tlet it interfere with the somewhat prosaic duties that have of late comeinto your life. "

"Gracious goodness' sakes!" said Patty; "that reminds me. What shall Iorder from the butcher this morning?"

"Don't ask me, " said Mr. Fairfield. "I object to being implicated inmatters so entirely outside my own domain. "

"Oh, certainly, " said Patty; "that's all right. I beg your pardon, I'm sure. And don't feel alarmed; I'll promise you shall have atip-top dinner. "

"I've no doubt of it, and now good-bye, Baby, I must be off to catch mytrain. Don't get lonesome; have a good time; and forget that your fatherscolded you. "

"As if I minded that little feathery scolding! Come home early, and bringme something nice from the city. Good-bye. "

Left to herself, Patty began to keep house with great diligence. Sheplanned the meals for the day, made out orders for market, gave theflowers in the vases fresh water, and looking in at the conservatory, shefound Pansy Potts digging around the potted daisies with a hairpin. 

"Pansy, " she said kindly, "I'm glad to have you take care of the flowers;but you mustn't spend all your time in here. Have you straightened up inthe dining-room yet?"

"No, ma'am, " said Pansy; "but these little daisies cried so loud to belooked after that I just couldn't neglect them another minute. See howthey laugh when I tickle up the dirt around their toes. "

"That's all very well, Pansy, " said Patty, laughing herself; "but I wantyou to do your work properly and at the right time; now leave the daisiesuntil the dining-room and bedrooms are all in order. "

"Yes, Miss Patty, " said Pansy, and, though she cast a lingering farewellglance at the beloved posies, she went cheerfully about her duties. 

"Now, " thought Pansy, "I'll telephone to Marian to come over thisafternoon and stay to dinner, and stay all night; then we can arrangeabout having the Tea Club to-morrow. Why, there's the doorbell; perhapsthat's Marian now. I don't know who else it could be, I'm sure. "

In a few moments Pansy Potts appeared, and offered Patty a card on a verynew and very shiny tray. 

"For goodness' sake, who is it, Pansy?" asked Patty, reading the card, which only said, "Miss Rachel Daggett. "

"I don't know, Miss Patty, I'm sure. She asked for you, and I said you'dgo right down. "

"Very well; I will, " said Patty. 

A glance in the mirror showed a crisp fresh shirt-waist, and neatlybrushed hair, so Patty ran down to the library to welcome her guest. 

The guest proved to be a large, tall, and altogether impressive-lookinglady, who spoke with a great deal of firmness and decision. 

"I am Miss Daggett, " she said, "and I am your neighbour. "

"Are you?" said Patty pleasantly. "I am very glad to meet you, and Ihope you will like me for a neighbour. "

"I don't know whether I shall or not, " said Miss Daggett; "it dependsentirely on how you behave. "

Although Patty was extremely good-natured, she couldn't help feeling alittle inclined to resent the tone taken by her guest, and she returnedrather crisply:

"I shall try to behave as a lady and a neighbour. "

"Humph!" said Miss Daggett. "You're promising a good deal. If youaccomplish what you've mentioned, I shall consider you the best neighbourI've ever experienced in my life. "

Patty began to think her strange guest was eccentric rather thanimpolite, and began to take a fancy to the somewhat brusque visitor. 

"I live next-door, " said Miss Daggett, "and I am by no means social in myhabits. Indeed, I prefer to let my neighbours alone; and I am not in thehabit of asking them to call upon me. "

"I will do just as you like, " said Patty politely; "call upon you ornot. It is not my habit to call on people who do not care to see me. But, on the other hand, I shall be happy to call upon such of my neighbours asask me to do so. "

"Oh, people don't have to call upon each other merely because they areneighbours, " said Miss Daggett; "and that's why I came in here to-day, tolet you understand my ideas on this matter. I have lived next-door tothis house for many years, and I have never cared to associate with thepeople who have lived in it. I have no reason to think that you willprove of any more interest to me that any of the others who have livedhere. Indeed, I have reason to believe that you will prove of lessinterest to me, because you are so young and inexperienced that I feelsure you will be a regular nuisance. And I would like you to understandonce for all, that you are not to come to me for advice or assistancewhen you make absurd and ridiculous mistakes, as you're bound to do. "

At first Patty had grown indignant at Miss Daggett's conversation, butsoon she felt rather amused at what was doubtless the idiosyncrasy of aneccentric mind, and she answered:

"I will promise not to come to you for advice or warning, no matter howmuch I may need assistance. "

"That's right, " said Miss Daggett very earnestly; "and remember, please, that your cook is not to come over to my house to borrow anything; noteven eggs, butter, or lemons. "

"I'll promise that, too, " said Patty, trying not to laugh; though shecouldn't help thinking that her first caller was an extraordinary one. 

"Well, you really behave quite well, " said Miss Daggett; "I am very muchsurprised at you. I came over here partly to warn you against interferingwith myself and my household, but also because I wanted to see whatyou're like. I had heard that you were going to live in this house, andthat you were going to keep house yourself; and, though I was muchsurprised that your father would let you do such a thing, yet I can'thelp thinking that you're really quite sensible. Yet, I want you tounderstand that you are not to borrow things from my kitchen. "

"I am glad that you think I'm sensible, " said Patty, looking earnestly ather visitor, toward whom she felt somehow drawn in despite of her queermanners. "And I'll promise not to borrow anything from you under anycircumstances. "

"That is all right, " said Miss Daggett, rising; "and that is all I cameto say to you. I will now go home, and if I ever feel that I want you toreturn this call, I will let you know. Otherwise, please remember that Ido not care to have it returned. "

Patty showed her guest to the door, and dismissed her with a polite"Good-bye. "

"Well!" she exclaimed to herself, as Miss Daggett walked out of the frontgate with an air of stalwart dignity. "That's a delightful specimen of acaller, but I hope I won't have many more like that. She's a queer kindof a neighbour, but somehow I rather think if I saw her more I shouldlike her better. "

CHAPTER X

A PLEASANT EVENING

Marian came to dinner, and Frank came with her. As he announced when heentered, he had had no invitation, but he said he did not hesitate onthat account. 

"I should think not, " said Patty. "I expect all the Elliott family tolive at my house, and only go home occasionally to visit. "

So Frank proceeded to make himself at home, and when Mr. Fairfieldarrived a little later and dinner was served, it was a very merry partyof four that sat down to the table. 

As Patty had promised her father, the dinner was excellent, and itwas with a pardonable pride that she dispensed the hospitality of herown table. 

"What's the dessert going to be, Patty?" asked Frank. "Nightingales'tongues, I suppose, served on rose-leaves. "

"Don't be rude, Frank, " said his sister. "You're probably causing yourhostess great embarrassment. "

"Not at all, " said Patty; "I am now such an old, experienced housekeeper, that I'm not disturbed by such insinuations. I'm sorry to disappoint you, Frank, but the dessert is a very simple one. However, you are now aboutto have a most marvellous concoction called 'Russian Salad. ' I was alittle uncertain as to how it would turn out, so I thought I'd try ittonight, as I knew my guests would be both good-natured and hungry. "

"That's a combination of virtues that don't always go together, " said Mr. Fairfield. "I hope the young people appreciate the compliment. To begood-natured and hungry at the same time implies a disposition littleshort of angelic. "

"So you see, " said Marian, "you're not entertaining these angelsunawares. "

"Bravo! pretty good for Mally, " said Frank, applauding his sister'sspeech. "And if I may be allowed to remark on such a delicate subject, your salad is also pretty good, Patty. "

"It's more than pretty good, " said Marian. "It's a howling, screaming, shouting success. I am endeavouring to find out what it's made of. "

"You can't do it, " said Mr. Fairfield. "I have tried, too; and it seemsto include everything that ever grew on the earth beneath, or in thewaters under the earth. "

"Your guesses are not far out of the way, " said Patty composedly. "I willnot attempt to deny that that complicated and exceedingly Frenchifiedsalad is concocted from certain remainders that were set away in therefrigerator after yesterday's dinner. "

"Who would have believed it?" exclaimed Frank, looking at his plate withmock awe and reverence. 

"Materials count for very little in a salad, " said Marian, with a wiseand didactic air. "Its whole success depends on the way it is puttogether. "

"Now, that's a true compliment, " said Patty; "and it is mine, for I madethis salad all myself. "

After dinner they adjourned to the library, and the girls fell to makingplans for the Tea Club, which was to meet there next day. 

"I do think, " said Marian, "it's awfully mean of Helen Preston to insiston having a bazaar. They're so old-fashioned and silly; and we could getup some novel entertainment that would make just as much money, and be alot more fun besides. "

"I know it, " said Patty. "I just hate bazaars; with their everlastingRebeccas at the Well, and flower-girls, and fish-ponds, and gipsy-tents. But, then, what could we have?"

"Why, there are two or three of those little acting shows that ElsieMorris told us about. I think they would be a great deal nicer. "

"What sort of acting shows are you talking about, my children; and whatis it all to be?" asked Mr. Fairfield, who was always interested inPatty's plans. 

"Why, papa, it's the Tea Club, you know; and we're going to have anentertainment to make money for the Day Nursery--oh, you just ought tosee those cunning little babies! And they haven't room enough, or nursesenough, or anything. And you know the Tea Club never has done any good inthe world; we've never done a thing but sit around and giggle; and so wethought, if we could make a hundred dollars, wouldn't it be nice?"

"The hundred dollars would be very nice, indeed; but just how are yougoing to make it? What's this about an acting play?"

"Oh, not a regular play, --just a sort of dialogue thing, you know; andwe'd have it in Library Hall, and Aunt Alice and a lot of her friendswould be patronesses. "

"It would seem to me, " said Frank, "that Miss Patty Fairfield, nowbeing an old and experienced housekeeper, could qualify as apatroness herself. "

"No, thank you, " said Patty. "I'm housekeeper for my father, and in myfather's house, but to the great outside world I'm still a shy andbashful young miss. "

"You don't look the part, " said Frank; "you ought to go around with yourfinger in your mouth. "

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" said Patty. "I shall begin to cultivatethe habit at once. "

"Do, " said Marian; "I'm sure it would be becoming to you, but perhapshard on your gloves. "

"Well, there's one thing certain, " said Patty:

"I would really rather put my finger in my mouth than to crook out mylittle finger in that absurd way that so many people do. Why, FlorenceDouglass never lifts a cup of tea that she doesn't crook out her littlefinger, and then think she's a very pattern of all that's elegant. "

"I know it, " said Marian. "I think it's horrid, too; it's nothing butairs. I know lots of people who do it when they're all dressed up, butwho never think of such a thing when they are alone at home. "

"I wonder what the real reason is?" said Patty thoughtfully. 

"It is an announcement of refinement, " said Mr. Fairfield, falling inwith his daughter's train of thought; "and, as we all know, therefinement that needs to be announced is no refinement at all. Wetherefore see that the conspicuously curved little finger is but anadvertisement of a specious and flimsy imitation of aristocracy. "

"Papa, you certainly do know it all, " said Patty. "I haven't any words byme just now, long enough to answer you with, but I quite agree with youin spirit. "

"That's all very well, " said Frank, "for a modern, twentieth-centuryexplanation, but the real root of the matter goes far back into theobscure ages of antiquity. The whole habit is a relic of barbarism. Probably, in the early ages, only the great had cups to drink from. Thesefew, to protect themselves from their envious and covetous brethren, stuck out their little fingers to ward off possible assaults upon theirporcelain property. This ingrained impulse the ages have been unable toeradicate. Hence we find the Little Finger Crooks upon the earth to-day. "

"What an ingenious boy you are, " said Patty, looking at her cousin withmock admiration. "How did you ever think of all that?"

"That isn't ingenuity, miss, it's historic research, and you'll probablyfind that Florence Douglass can trace her ancestry right back to theaforesaid barbarians. "

"I suppose most of us are descended from primitive people, " said Marian. 

And then the entrance of Elsie Morris and her brother Guy put an end tothe discussion of little fingers. 

"I'm so glad to see you, " said Patty, welcoming her callers. "Come rightinto the library, you are our first real guests. "

"Then I think we ought to have the Prize for Promptness, " said Elsie, asshe took off her wraps. "But don't you count Frank and Marian?"

"Not as guests, " replied Patty; "they're relatives, and you know yourrelatives--"

"Are like the poor, " interrupted Frank, "because they're alwayswith you. "

"Then, we are really your first callers?" said Guy Morris. 

"No, not quite, " said Patty, laughing. "I spoke too hastily when I saidthat, and forgot entirely a very distinguished personage who visited methis morning. "

"Who was it?"

"My next-door neighbour, Miss Daggett. "

"What! Not Locky Ann Daggett!" exclaimed Elsie, laughing merrily. 

"It was Miss Rachel Daggett. I don't know why you call her by that queername, " said Patty. 

"Oh, I've known her ever since I was a baby, and mother always calls herLocky Ann Daggett, and grandmother did before her. You know Locky is anickname for Rachel. "

"I didn't know it, " said Patty. "What an absurd nickname. "

"Yes, isn't it? How did you like her?"

"It isn't a question of liking, " answered Patty. "She doesn't want me tolike her. All she seemed to care about was to have me promise not tointerfere with her. "

"Oh, she's afraid of you, " said Guy. "You don't seem so very terrifying, now, but I suppose when you're engaged in the housekeeping of your houseyou're an imposing and awe-inspiring sight. "

"I dare say I am, " said Patty; "but my neighbour, Miss Daggett, I'm sure, would be imposing at any hour of the day or night. "

"She's a queer character, " said Elsie. "Have you never seen her before?"

"No; I never even heard of her until she sent up her card. "

"Why, how funny, " said Marian; "I've always heard of Locky Ann Daggett, but I never knew anything about her, except that she's very old andvery queer. "

"She's a sort of humourous character, " said Guy Morris; "strong-minded, you know, and eccentric, but not half bad. I quite like the old lady, though I almost never see her. "

"No; she doesn't seem to care to see people, " said Patty. "She seems tohave no taste for society. Why, I don't suppose she'd care to take partin our play, even if we invited her. "

"Oh, what about the play?" said Elsie. "Have you really decided to havea play, instead of that stupid old fair?"

"We haven't decided anything, " said Patty, "we can't until the club meetsto-morrow. "

"Oh, do have a play, " said Frank, "and then us fellows can take part. Wecouldn't do anything at a bazaar, except stand around and buy things. "

"And we're chuck-full of histrionic talent, " put in Guy. "You ought tosee me do Hamlet. "

"Yes, " said Frank, "Guy's Hamlet is quite the funniest thing on the faceof the earth. I do love comedy. "

"So do I, " said Guy, "I just love to play a side-splitting partlike Hamlet. "

"Then you may have a chance, " said Marian, "for one of the plays we'rethinking about--and it isn't exactly a play either--brings in a whole lotof tragic characters in a humourous way. It's a general mix-up, you know:Hamlet, and Sairy Gamp, and Rip Van Winkle, and Old Mother Hubbard, andeverybody. "

"Yes, that's a good one, " said Marian; "it's called 'Shakespeare at theSeashore. '"

"The name is enough to condemn that piece, " said Mr. Fairfield; "not oneof you can say it straight. "

And sure enough, though numerous attempts were made, and much laughterensued, none entirely successful. 

CHAPTER XI

PREPARATIONS

With the instincts of a true hostess, Patty had slipped from the roomunobserved, and had held a short Confab with her two trusty servitors inthe kitchen. 

"But, Miss Patty, " expostulated Mancy, "dey ain't nuffin' fit to setbefo' dem fren's ob yo's. Dey ain't nuffin' skacely in de house, ceptin'some bits ob candies an' cakaroons le' from yo' las' night's supper. "

"Well, that's all right, " said Patty; "let Pansy arrange those nicely onthe dining-room table. Use the silver dishes, Pansy, and fix them just asI told you. "

"Yes, Miss Patty, " said Pansy, "but there aren't very many left. "

"Well, then, Mancy, I'll tell you what: you make us a nice pot ofchocolate, and fix us some thin bread and butter, and cut up some of thefruit cake to put with those little fancy cakes; won't that do?"

"Yas'm, I spec' so; but it's a mighty slim layout, 'specially for demhearty young chaps. But you go 'long, honey, I'll fix it somehow. "

And, sure enough, she did fix it somehow; for when, a little later, Pattyinvited her young friends out into the dining-room, the thin bread andbutter had doubled itself up into most attractive and satisfyingchicken-sandwiches, and there was also a plate of delicious toastedcrackers and cheese. 

Mr. Fairfield added a box of candy which he had brought home from NewYork, and the unpretentious little feast proved most enjoyable to allconcerned. 

"I should think you would feel all the time as if you were acting a playyourself, Patty, " said Elsie Morris, taking her seat at the prettilylaid table. 

"I do, " said Patty as she took her own place at the head; "it's awfullyhard to realise that I am monarch of all I survey. "

"But you have someone to dispute your right, " said her father. 

"And I'm glad of it, " said Patty. "Whatever should I do living here allalone just with my rights?"

"By her rights, she means her cousins, " put in Frank. 

"Yes, " said Patty; "they're about as right as anything I know. "

And so the evening passed in merry chaff and good-natured fun; and at itsclose the young guests all went away except Marian, who was going tospend the night at Boxley Hall. 

After her cousin had gone upstairs to her pretty blue bedroom, Pattylingered a moment in the library for a word with her father. 

"How am I getting along, papa?" she said. "How about the proportionto-night?"

"The market seems pretty strong on proportion to-day, Patty, dear; yourhousekeeping is beginning wonderfully well. That little dinner you gaveus was first-class in every respect, and the simple refreshments you hadthis evening were very pretty and graceful. "

"Don't praise me too much, papa, or I'll grow conceited. "

"You'll get praise from me, my lady, just when you deserve it, and at noother time. Now, skip along to bed, or you'll have too great a proportionof late hours. "

With a good-night kiss Patty went singing upstairs, feeling sure that shewas the happiest and most fortunate little girl in the world. 

So impressed was she with her realisation of this fact that she announcedit to Marian. 

Marian looked at her curiously. 

"You _are_ fortunate in some ways, " she said; "but the real reasonyou're always so happy, I think, is because of your happy disposition. Agreat many girls with no mother or brother or sister, who had all thecare and responsibility of a big house, and whose father was away allday, would think they had a pretty miserable life. But that never seemsto occur to you. "

"No, " said Patty contentedly; "and I don't believe it ever will. "

The next morning Patty devoted all her energy to getting ready for theTea Club. She declined Marian's offers of help, saying:

"No, I really don't need any help. If I can keep Pansy out of theconservatory, we three can accomplish all there is to be done; so you goand sit by the library fire, and toast your toes and read, or play withthe cat, or do whatever you please. Remember, whenever you come here, you're one of the family. "

So Marian went off by herself and played on the piano, and read, and hadvarious kinds of good times, scrupulously keeping out of the way of herbusy and preoccupied cousin. 

"Now, Pansy, " said Patty, as she captured that culprit in theconservatory, and led her off to the kitchen, "I want you to tryespecially hard to-day to do just as I want you to, and to help me inevery possible way. "

"Can I fix the flowers, Miss Patty?" said Pansy Potts, her eyes sparklingwith delight. 

"Where are there any flowers to fix? You've fussed over those in theconservatory until you've nearly worn them all out. "

"Oh, Miss Patty, they're thriving beautifully. But I mean that big boxof flowers that just came up from the flower man's. He said Mr. Fairfield sent it. "

"Oh!" exclaimed Patty, "did papa really send me up flowers for the TeaClub? How perfectly lovely! I meant to order some myself, but I know hiswill be nicer. "

By this time Patty was diving into the big box and scattering tissuepaper all about. 

"They're beautiful, " she exclaimed, "and what lots of them! Yes, Pansy, you may arrange them; you really do it better than I do. Keep all thepink ones for the dining-room, and put the others wherever you like. Now, Mancy, " she went on, "we'll discuss what to eat. "

"Yas'm, and I s'pose it'll be some ob dem highfalutin fandangoes ob yo's, what nobody can't eat. "

"You guessed right the very first time, " said Patty, smiling back atthe good-natured old cook, whose bark was so much worse than her bite. "You see, Mancy, this is my own party, and so I can have just what Ilike at it. Not even papa can object to the things that I have for myown Tea Club. "

"Dat's so, chile, but co'se yo' knows you'se mighty likely to spoil demgood t'ings befo' yo' get 'em made. "

"Oh, I don't think I will this time, " said Patty, with that assuredlittle toss of her head which always meant perfect confidence in herown ability. 

Mancy said nothing, but grunted somewhat doubtfully as Patty went on todescribe the beautiful things she intended to have. 

"I want rissoles, " she said, as she turned over the cookery-book, andlooked in the index for R. "They're awfully good. "

"What's dem, missy? I never heard tell of 'em. "

"I forget what they are, " said Patty, "but we had them at Delmonico's oneday, when papa and I were there at lunch, and I remember thinking thenthey'd be nice for the Tea Club. They were either some little kind of acake, or else a sort of croquette. Either would be nice, you know. Why, they're not here. What a silly book not to have them in! Oh, well, nevermind, here's 'Richmond Maids of Honour. ' We used to have those at AuntIsabel's, and they're the loveliest things. I'll make those, Mancy; andwhile I'm doing it you make me some wine jelly and some Bavarian cream, and then I can put them together with _marrons_ and candied cherries andwhipped cream and things, and make a Royal Diplomatic Pudding. "

"'Pears like yo's makin' things fine enough for a weddin', "growled Mancy. 

"Well, now, look here, last night you thought the things I had for myevening company were too plain, and now you're grumbling because they'retoo fancy. "

"Laws, honey, can't you see no diffunce 'tween plain bread and butter anda lot of pernicketty gimcracks that never turns out right nohow?"

A haunting doubt regarding the proportion between her elaborate plans andthe simple Tea Club hovered round Patty's mind, but she resolutely put itaside, thinking to herself, "I don't care, it's my first function, andI'm going to have it just as nice as I can. "

Patty always felt particularly grand and grown up when she used the word_function_, and now that she had mentally applied it to the Tea Clubmeeting, that simple affair seemed to take on a gigantic amplitude andfairly seemed to cry out for elaborate devices of all sorts. 

"Never you mind, Mancy, " she said, "you just go ahead and do as I tellyou. Get the jelly and cream ready, and I'll do the rest. "

"But ain't yo' gwine to have no solidstantial kind o' food?"

"Oh, yes, of course. I want a _croustade_ of chicken andclub-sandwiches. "

"Humph, " said Mancy, her patience giving out at this, "ef yo' does, yo'llhab to talk English. "

Patty laughed. "You must get used to these names, Mancy, because theseare the kind of things I like. Well, you just boil a couple of chickens, and cut them up small, and see that there are two loaves of bread ready, those long round, crimply ones, you know, and then I'll put it alltogether and all you'll have to do is to brown it. And I'll show you howto make the club-sandwiches after lunch. You might as well learn once forall, you know. There's bacon in the house, isn't there?"

"No, dey ain't; is yo' fren's gwine stay ter breakfus'?"

"Oh, no, I'd want the bacon for the club-sandwiches. Don't worry, Mancy, they'll all come out right. "

"Dey mought and den again dey moughtn't, " grumbled the old woman, butundaunted Patty went on measuring and weighing with a surety of successthat is found only in the young and inexperienced. 

At one o'clock Marian walked out into the kitchen. 

"Good gracious, Patty Fairfield, " she exclaimed, "what are you doing? Andwhat are all those things? Do you expect the Democratic Convention to beentertained here, or are you going to give the Sunday-school a picnic?And are we never to have lunch? I'm simply starving!"

Patty turned a flushed face to her cousin, and looked dazed andbewildered. 

"Two and five-eighths ounces of sugar, " she said, "spun to a thread; addchopped nuts and the well-beaten whites of six eggs; brown with asalamander. Marian, I haven't any salamander!"

The tragic tone of Patty's awful avowal was too much for Marian, and shedropped into a kitchen chair and went off into peals of laughter. 

"Patty, " she cried, "you goose! What are you doing? Just making up thewhole recipe-book, page by page? I believe you're crazy!"

"It's for the Tea Club, " exclaimed Patty, "and I want things to be nice. "

"H'm, " said Marian, "and _are_ they nice?"

She glanced at some of the completed delicacies on the table, and Patty, seeing the look, turned red again, but this time it was not the effect ofthe kitchen range. 

"Well, " she said, "some of them aren't quite right, but I think theothers will be. "

"And I think you're working too hard, " said Marian kindly. "You comeaway with me now, and rest a little bit; and, Mancy, you put a littlelunch for us on the dining-room table, won't you? Just anything will do, you know. "

CHAPTER XII

A TEA CLUB TEA

Patty rebelled at being overruled in this manner, but Marian had someFairfield firmness of her own, and taking her cousin's arm led her to thelibrary and plumped her down upon the couch in a reclining position, while she vigorously jammed pillows under her head. 

"There, miss, " she announced, "you will please stay there until luncheonis announced. "

"But, Marian, " pleaded Patty, seeing that resistance was useless, "I'vesuch a lot of things to do, and the girls will be here before I get themall done. "

"Let them come, " said the hard-hearted Marian, "it won't hurt them a bit, and you've got enough things done now to feed the Russian army. "

"But they're not finished, " said Patty, "and they'll spoil standing. "

"You'll more likely spoil them by finishing them. Now you stay rightwhere you are. "

So Patty rested, until Pansy came and called them to a most appetisinglittle lunch spread very simply on the dining-table. 

The two hungry girls did full justice to it, and then Patty said:

"Now, Marian, you're a duck, and you mean well, I know; but this is myhouse and my tea-party, and now you must clear out and leave me to fix itup pretty in my own way. "

"All right, " said Marian, "I rescued you once, now this time I'llleave you to your fate; but I'll give you fair warning that those TeaClub girls would rather have a few nice little things like we had atlunch, than all those ridiculous contraptions that you've got outthere half baked. "

"Oh me, oh me!" sighed Patty, in mock despair. "Nobody appreciates me;nobody realises or cares for my one great talent. I believe I'll go anddrown myself. "

"Do, " said Marian, "drown yourself in that tub of wine-jelly, for itwill never stiffen. I can tell that by looking at it. "

"Bye, bye, " said Patty, pushing Marian out of the dining-room, "run alongnow, and take a little nap like a good little girl. Cousin Patty must setthe table all nice for the pretty ladies. "

"Goose!" was the only comment Marian vouchsafed as she walked away. 

Then Patty, with the assistance of Pansy Potts, proceeded to lay thetable. Elaborate decoration was her keynote and she kept well in tune. Along the centre of the table over the damask cloth, she spread a richlace "runner" and over this, crossed bands of wide, pink, satin ribbonran the entire diagonal length of the table. In the centre was a largecut-glass bowl of pink roses, and at each corner slender vases of asingle rose in each. Also single roses with long stems and leaves werelaid at intervals on the cloth. Asparagus fern was lavishly used, andpink-shaded candles in silver candlesticks adorned the table. Smallsilver dishes of almonds, olives, and confectionery were dotted about, and finger-bowls with plates were set out on the side-table. 

Certainly it was all very beautiful, and Patty surveyed it with feelingsof absolute satisfaction. 

"We will have tea at five o'clock, Pansy, " she said, "and just beforethat, you light the candles and fill the glasses and see that everythingis ready. "

"Yes, Miss Patty, " said Pansy, who adored her young mistress, and who wasespecially quick in learning to do exactly what was expected of her. 

The afternoon was slipping away, and Patty suddenly discovered that shehad only time to get dressed before the girls would arrive. 

So she announced to Mancy that she must finish up such things as were notfinished, and without waiting to hear the old woman's remarks ofdisapproval, Patty ran up to her room. 

There she found that Marian had kindly laid out her dress and ribbons forher, and was ready to help do her hair. 

"You're a good old thing, Marian, " she said, as she dropped into a chairin front of her toilet mirror, "I'm as tired as a bicycle wheel, andbesides, I do love to have somebody do my hair. Sometimes Pansy does it, but to-day she's too busy. "

"Taking days as they go, " said Marian in an impersonal manner, "I don'tthink I ever saw a more busy one than to-day has seemed to be. The TeaClub does seem to make a most awful amount of fluster in a new house. "

"Yes, it _is_ exacting, isn't it?" said Patty, who caught her cousin'seye in the mirror and looked very demure, though she refused to smile. 

"There are some of the girls coming in at the front gate now, " saidMarian as she tied the big white bow on Patty's pretty, fluffy hair. "Didn't I time this performance just right?"

"You did indeed, " said Patty, and kissing her cousin, she ran gailydownstairs. 

How the Tea Club girls did chatter that afternoon! there was so much tosee and talk about in Patty's new home, and there were also other weightymatters to be discussed. 

The proposed entertainment was an engrossing subject, and as variousopinions were held, the arguments were lively and outspoken. 

"You can talk all you like, " said Helen Preston, "but you'll find that abazaar will be the most sensible thing after all. You're sure to make alot of money, and the boys will help, and we all know exactly what to doand how to go about it. "

"It may be sensible, " said Laura Russell, "but it won't be a bit of fun. Stupid, poky, old chestnut; nobody wants to come to buy things, they onlycome because they think they have to. Now if we had a play--"

"Yes, " said Elsie Morris, "a play would be the very nicest thing. I'vebrought two books for us to look over. One's that Shakespeare thing, andthe other is called 'A Reunion at Mother Goose's. ' It's awfully funny; Ithink it's better than the Shakespeare. "

"I think Mother Goose things are silly, " said Ethel Holmes. "Who wants togo around dressed up like Little Bo-peep, and say 'Ba, ba, black sheep, 'all the time?"

"Yes, or who wants to be Red Riding Hood's wolf and eat up Mary'slittle lamb?"

"Oh, it isn't like that; it's a reunion, you know, and all the MotherGoose children are grown up, and they talk about old times. "

"It does sound nice, " said Patty, "let's read it. "

They read both the plays, and so interested were they in the reading anddiscussing them that before they knew it the afternoon slipped away, andPansy Potts came in to announce that the tea was ready. 

"Goodness, " cried Patty, "I forgot all about it! Come on, girls, we candiscuss the play just as well at the table. "

"Yes, and better, " said Elsie. 

Such a shout of exclamation as went up from the Tea Club girls when theysaw Patty's table. 

"Why didn't you tell us there was to be a wedding?" said Ethel, "and wewould have brought presents. "

"Is it an African jungle?" said Laura, "or is it only Smith's flowerstore moved up here bodily?"

"I think it looks like a page out of the _Misses' Home Guide_" saidPolly Stevens. "You ought to have this table photographed, it would takethe first prize! But where are we going to eat? Surely you don't expectus to sit down at this Louis XlV. Gimcrack?"

"Nonsense, " said Patty. "I fixed it up pretty because I thought it wouldplease you. If you don't like it--"

"Oh, we like it, " cried Christine Converse, "we love it! We want to takeit home with us and put it under a glass case. "

"Stop your nonsense, girls, " said Marian, who had noticed Patty's risingcolour, "and take your places. It's a beautiful party, and a lot too goodfor such ungrateful wretches! If you can read writing, you'll find yournames on your cards. "

"I can read writing, " said Lillian Desmond, "but not such elegant goldcurlycues as these. Won't you please spell it out for me, MissFairfield?"

"Oh, take any place you choose, " said Patty, laughing good-naturedly. Shedidn't really mind their chaff, but she began to think herself that shehad been a little absurd. 

Then Pansy brought in the various dishes that Patty had worked so hardover, and perhaps you will not be surprised to learn that they werealmost uneatable, or, at least, very far from the dainty perfection theyought to have shown. 

On discovering this, the girls, who were really well-bred, in spite oftheir love of chaffing, quite changed their manner and, ignoring thesituation, began merrily to discuss the play. 

But as the various viands proved a continuous succession of failures, Patty became really embarrassed and began to make apologies. 

"Don't say a word, " said Marian; "it was all my fault. I insisted onspending the day here, and I nearly bothered the life out of my poorcousin. Indeed, I carried her off bodily from the kitchen just at a dozencritical moments. "

"No, it wasn't that, " said honest Patty, "but I did just what I'm alwaysdoing, trying to make a lot of things I don't know anything about"

"Well, " said Elsie, "if you couldn't try them on us girls, I don't knowwho you could try them on; I'm more than willing to be a martyr to thecause, and I say three cheers for our noble President!"

The cheers were given with a will, and Patty's equanimity being restored, she was her own merry self again, and they all laughed and chatted asonly a lot of happy girls can. 

And that's how it happened that when Mr. Fairfield reached home at aboutsix o'clock he heard what sounded like a general pandemonium in thedining-room. As he appeared in the doorway he was greeted by a merryovation, for most of the Tea Club members knew and liked Patty's pleasantand genial father. 

Then the girls, realising how late it was, began to take their leave. Marian went with them, and Patty, after the last one had gone, returnedto the dining-room, to find her father regarding the table with a look ofcomical dismay. 

It was indeed a magnificent ruin. Besides the dishes of almost untasteddelicacies, the flowers had been pushed into disarray, one small vase hadbeen upset and broken; owing to improper adjustment the candles haddripped pink wax on the table-cloth; and the ice cream, which Pansy hadmistakenly served on open-work plates, had melted and run through. 

Patty didn't say a word, indeed there was nothing to say. She went andstood very close to her father, as if expecting him to put his arm aroundher, which he promptly did. 

"You see, Pitty-Pat, " he said, "it wouldn't have made any difference atall--not _any_ difference at all, _except_ that I have brought my friendMr. Hepworth, the artist, home to dinner; and you see, misled by theexperiences of last night, I promised him we would find a tidy littledinner awaiting us. "

"Oh, papa, " cried Patty, "I _am_ sorry. If I had only known! I wouldn'thave failed you for worlds. "

"I know it, my girl, and though this Lucullus feast does seem out ofproportion to a young misses' Tea Club, yet we won't say a word aboutthat now. We'll just get snow shovels and set to work and clear thistable and let Mancy get a simple little dinner as quickly as she can. "

"But, papa, " and here Patty met what was, perhaps, so far, the hardestexperience of her life, "I forgot to order anything for dinner at all!"

"Why, Patty Fairfield! consider yourself discharged, and I shall suitmyself at once with another housekeeperess!"

"You are the dearest, best, sweetest father!" she exclaimed. "How can yoube so good-natured and gay when my heart is breaking?"

"Oh, don't let your heart break over such prosaic things as dinners!We'll crawl out of this hole somehow. "

"But what can we do, papa? It's after six o'clock, and all the marketsare shut up, and there isn't a thing in the house except those horriblethings I tried to make. "

"Patty, " said her father, struck by a sudden thought, "to-morrow isSunday. Do you mean to say you haven't ordered for over Sunday?"

"No, I haven't, " said Patty, aghast at the enormity of her offence. 

Mr. Fairfield laughed at the horror-stricken look on his daughter's face. 

"I always thought you couldn't keep house, " he said, with an air ofresignation. "On Monday I shall advertise for a housekeeper. "

"Oh, please don't, " pleaded Patty. "Give me one more trial. I've had agood lesson, and truly I'll profit by it. Let me try again. "

"But you can't try again before Monday, and by that time we'll all bedead of starvation. "

"Of course we will, " said Patty despairingly. "I wish we were RobinsonCrusoes and could eat bark or something. "

"Well, baby, I think you _have_ had a pretty good lesson, and we can'tput old heads on young shoulders all at once, so I'll help you out thistime, and then, the next time you go back on me in this heartlessfashion, I'll discharge you. "

"Papa, you're a _dear_! But what can we do?"

"Well, the first thing for you to do is to go and brush your hair andmake yourself tidy, then come down and meet Mr. Hepworth; and then we'llall go over to the hotel for dinner. Meanwhile I'll call in the StreetCleaning Department to attend to this dining-room. "

CHAPTER XIII

A NEW FRIEND

"Patty, " said her father, a week or two later, "Mr. Hepworth has invitedus to a tea in his studio in New York tomorrow afternoon, and if you careto go, I'll take you. "

"Yes, I'd love to go; I've always wanted to go to a studio tea. It's verykind of Mr. Hepworth to ask us after the way he was treated here. "

Mr. Fairfield laughed, but Patty looked decidedly sober. She still feltvery much crestfallen to think that the first guest her father broughthome should be obliged to dine at the hotel, or at a neighbour's. AuntAlice had invited them to dinner on that memorable Sunday, and though shesaid she had expected to ask the Fairfields anyway, still Patty feltthat, as a housekeeper, she had been weighed in the balances and foundsadly wanting. 

According to arrangement, she met her father in New York the day of thetea, and together they went to Mr. Hepworth's studio. 

It gave Patty a very grown-up feeling to find herself amongst suchstrange and unaccustomed surroundings. 

The studio was a large room, on the top floor of a high building. It wasfinished in dark wood and decorated with many unframed pictures and dustycasts. Bits of drapery were flung here and there, quaint old-fashionedchairs and couches were all about, and at one side of the room was araised platform. A group of ladies and gentlemen sat in one corner, another group surrounded a punch bowl, and many wise and learned-lookingpeople were discussing the pictures and drawings. 

Patty was enchanted. She had never been in a scene like this before, andthe whole atmosphere appealed to her very strongly. 

The guests, though kind and polite to her, treated her as a child, andPatty was glad of this, for she felt sure she never could talk orunderstand the artistic jargon in which they were conversing. But sheenjoyed the pictures in her own way, and was standing in delightedadmiration before a large marine, which was nothing but the varyingblues of the sea and sky, when she heard a pleasant, frank young voicebeside her say:

"You seem to like that picture. "

"Oh, I do!" she exclaimed, and turning, saw a pleasant-faced boy of aboutnineteen smiling at her. 

"It is so real, " she said. "I never saw a realer scene, not even down atSandy Hook; why, you can fairly feel the dampness from it. "

"Yes, I know just what you mean, " said the boy; "it's a jolly picture, isn't it? They say it's one of Hepworth's best. "

"I don't know anything about pictures, " said Patty frankly, "and so Idon't like to express definite opinions. "

"It's always wiser not to, " said the boy, still smiling. 

"That's true, " said Patty, "I only did express an opinion once thisafternoon, and then that lady over there, in a greenish-blue gown, lookedat me through her lorgnette and said:

"Oh, I thought you were temperamental, but you're only animaginative realist. "

"Now, what could she have meant by that?" said the boy, laughing. "Butyou're very imprudent. How do you know that lady isn't my--my sister, orcousin, or something?"

"Well, even if she is, " said Patty, "I haven't said anythingunkind, have I?"

"No more you haven't; but as I don't see anyone just now at leisure tointroduce us, suppose we introduce ourselves? They say the roof is anintroduction, but I notice it never pronounces names very distinctly. Mine is Kenneth Harper. "

"And mine is Patricia Fairfield, but I'm usually called Patty. "

"I should think you would be, it suits you to a dot. Of course the boyscall me Ken. I'm a Columbia student. "

"Oh, are you?" said Patty. "I've never known a college boy, and I'vealways wanted to meet one. "

"Well, you see in me a noble specimen of my kind, " said young Harper, straightening up his broad shoulders and looking distinctly athletic. 

"You must be, " said Patty; "you look just like all the pictures ofcollege boys I've ever seen. "

"And I flattered myself that my beauty was something especial andindividual. "

"You ought to be thankful that you're beautiful, " said Patty, "and not beso particular about what kind of beauty it is. "

"But some kinds of beauty are not worth having, " went on young Harper;"look at that man over there with a lean pale face and long lank hair. That's beauty, but I must say I prefer a strong, brave, manly type, likethis good-looking chap just coming toward us. "

"Oh, you do?" said Patty. "Well, as that good-looking chap happens to bemy father, I'll take pleasure in introducing you. "

"I am glad to see you, sir, " said Kenneth Harper, as Patty presented himto her father, "and I may as well own up that I was just making remarkson your personal appearance, which accounts for my blushingembarrassment. "

"I won't inquire what they were, " said Mr. Fairfield, "lest I, too, should become embarrassed. But, Patty, my girl, if we're going back toVernondale on the six-o'clock train, it's time we were starting. "

"Oh, do you live in Vernondale?" inquired Kenneth. "I have anaunt there. I wonder if you know her. Her name is Daggett--MissRachel Daggett. "

"Indeed I do know her, " said Patty. "She is my next-door neighbour. "

"Is she really? How jolly! And don't you think she's an old dear? I'mawfully fond of her. I run out to see her every chance I can get, thoughI haven't been much this winter, I've been digging so hard. "

"She _is_ a dear, " said Patty. "I've only seen her once, but I know Ishall like her as a neighbour. "

"Yes, I'm sure you will, but let me give you a bit of confidentialadvice. Don't take the initiative, let her do that; and the game will befar more successful than if _you_ make the overtures. "

Patty smiled. "Miss Daggett told me that herself, " she said; "in fact, she was quite emphatic on the subject. "

"I can well believe it, " said Kenneth, "but I'm sure you'll win herheart yet. "

"I'm sure she will too, " said Mr. Fairfield, with an approving glance athis pretty daughter; "and whenever you are in Vernondale, Mr. Harper, Ihope you will come to see us. "

"I shall be very glad to, " answered the young man, "and I hope to run outthere soon. "

"Come out when we have our play, " said Patty; "it's going to bebeautiful. "

"What play is that?"

"We don't know yet, we haven't decided on it. "

"I know an awfully good play. One of the fellows up at college wrote it, and so it isn't hackneyed yet. "

"Oh, tell me about it, " said Patty. "Papa, can't we take the next latertrain home?"

"Yes, chick, I don't mind if you don't; or, better still, if Mr. Harpercan go with us, I'll take both of you children out to dinner in somegreat, glittering, noisy hotel. "

"Oh, gorgeous!" cried Patty. "Can you go, Mr. Harper?"

"Indeed I can, and I shall be only too glad. College boys are notovercrowded with invitations, and I am glad to say I have no other forto-night. "

"You'll have to telephone to Emancipation Proclamation, papa, "said Patty, "or she'll get out all the bell-ringers, and drag theriver for us. "

"So she will, " said Mr. Fairfield. "I'll set her mind at rest thefirst thing. "

"That's our cook, " explained Patty. 

"It's a lovely name, " observed Kenneth, "but just a bit lengthy forevery-day use. "

"Oh, it's only for Sundays and holidays, " said Patty; "other days wecontract it to Mancy. "

Seated at table in a bright and beautiful restaurant, Patty and her newfriend began to chatter like magpies while Mr. Fairfield ordered dinner. 

"Now tell me all about your friend's play, " said Patty, "for I feel sureit's going to be just what we want"

"Well, the scene, " said Kenneth, "is on Mount Olympus, and the charactersare all the gods and goddesses, you know, but they're brought up to date. In fact, that's the name of the play, 'Mount Olympus Up to Date. ' Aurora, you know, has an automobile instead of her old-fashioned car. "

"But you don't have the automobile on the stage?"

"Oh, no! Aurora just comes in in her automobile rig and talks about her'bubble. ' Mercury has a bicycle; he's a trick rider, and does all sortsof stunts. And Venus is a summer girl, dressed up in a stunning gown anda Paris hat. And Hercules has a punching-bag--to make himself stronger, you know. And Niobe has quantities of handkerchiefs, dozens and dozens ofthem; she's an awfully funny character. "

"Oh, I think it would be lovely!" said Patty. "Where can we getthe book?"

"I'll send you one to-morrow, and you can see if you like it; and then ifyou do, you can get more. "

"Oh, I'm sure the girls will all like it; and will you come out to seeit?"

"Yes, I'd be glad to. I was in it last winter. I was Mercury. "

"Oh, can you do trick work on bicycles?"

"Yes, a little, " said Kenneth modestly. 

"I wish you'd come out and be Mercury in our play. "

"Aren't you going ahead rather fast, Patty, child?" said her father. "Your club hasn't decided to use this play yet. "

"I know it, papa, and of course I mean if we _do_ use it; but anyway, I'mpresident of the club, and somehow, if I want a thing, the rest of thegirls generally seem to want it too. "

"That's a fine condition of affairs that any president might be glad tobring about. You ought to be a college president. "

"Perhaps I shall be some day, " said Patty. 

The dinner hour flew by all too quickly. Patty greatly enjoyed thesights and sounds of the brilliant, crowded room. She loved the lightsand the music, the flowers and the palms, and the throngs of gailydressed people. 

Kenneth Harper enjoyed it too, and thought he had rarely met suchattractive people as the Fairfields. 

When he took his leave he thanked Mr. Fairfield courteously for hispleasant evening, and promised soon to call upon them at Boxley Hall. 

They reached home by a late train, and Patty went up to her prettybedroom, with her usual happy conviction that she was a very fortunatelittle girl and had the best father in the world. 

CHAPTER XIV

THE NEIGHBOUR AGAIN

Kenneth Harper did send the book, and, as Patty confidently expected, thegirls of the club quite agreed with her that it was the best play forthem to use. 

At a meeting at Marian's, plans were made and parts were chosen. Thegoddesses were allotted to the members of the club, and the gods weredistributed among their brothers and friends. 

Guy Morris, being of gigantic mould, was cast for Hercules, and FrankElliott for Ajax. When Patty told the girls that Kenneth Harper could dotrick riding on a bicycle, they unanimously voted to invite him to takepart in their entertainment. 

It was decided to have the play about the middle of February, and thewhole Tea Club grew enthusiastic over the plans for the wonderfulperformance. 

One morning Patty sat in the library studying her part. She was veryhappy. Of course, Patty always was happy, but this morning she wasunusually so. Her housekeeping was going on smoothly; the night beforeher father had expressed himself as being greatly pleased with the systemand order which seemed everywhere noticeable in the house. It wasSaturday morning, and she didn't have to go to school. 

Moreover, she was very much interested in the play and in her own part init, and had already planned a most beautiful gown, which the dressmaker, Madame LaFayette, was to make for her. 

Patty's part in the play was that of Diana, and her costume was to be abeautiful one of hunter's green cloth with russet leather leggings and ajaunty cap. Being up-to-date, instead of being a huntress she was torepresent an agent of the S. P. C. A. 

This suited Patty exactly, for she had a horror of killing live things, and very much preferred doing all she could to prevent such slaughter. Moreover, the humour of the thing appealed to her, and the funny effectof the huntress Diana going around distributing S. P. C. A. Leaflets, andbegging her fellow-Olympians not to shoot, seemed to Patty very humourousand attractive. 

This Saturday, then, she had settled down in the library to study herlines all through the long cosey morning, when, to her annoyance, thedoorbell rang. 

"I hope it's none of the girls, " she thought. "I did want this morningto myself. "

It wasn't any of the girls, but Pansy announced that a messenger had comefrom Miss Daggett's, and that Miss Daggett wished Miss Fairfield toreturn her call at once. 

Patty smiled at the unusual message, but groaned at the thought of herinterrupted holiday. 

However, Miss Daggett was not one to be ignored or lightly set aside, soPatty put on her things and started. 

Although Miss Daggett's house was next door to Boxley Hall, yet it wasset in the middle of such a large lot, and was so far back from thestreet, and so surrounded by tall, thick trees, that Patty had never hada really good view of it. 

She was surprised, therefore, to find it a very large, old-fashionedstone house, with broad veranda and steps guarded by two stone lions. 

Patty rang the bell, and the door was opened very slightly. A small, quaint-looking old coloured man peeped out. 

"Go 'way, " he said, "go 'way at once! We don't want no tickets. "

"I'm not selling tickets, " said Patty, half angry and half amused. 

"Well, we don't want no shoelacers, nor lead pencils, nor nuffin! You_must_ be selling something. "

"I am not selling anything, " said Patty. "I came over because MissDaggett sent for me. "

"Laws 'a' massy, child, why didn't you say so before you spoke? Be youMiss Fairfield?"

"Yes, " said Patty; "here's my card. "

"Oh, never mind the ticket; if so be you's Miss Fairfield, jes' comeright in, come right in. "

The door was flung open wide and Patty entered a dark, old-fashionedhall. From that she was led into a parlour, so dark that she couldscarcely see the outline of a lady on the sofa. 

"How do you do, Miss Daggett?" she said, guessing that it was probablyher hostess who seemed to be sitting there. 

"How do you do?" said Miss Daggett, putting out her hand, withoutrising. 

"I'm quite well, thank you, " said Patty, and her eyes having grown alittle accustomed to the dark, she grasped the old lady's hand, although, as she told her father afterwards, she was awfully afraid she would tweakher nose by mistake. 

"And how are you, Miss Daggett?"

"Not very well, child, not very well, but you won't stay long, will you?I sent for you, yes, I sent for you on an impulse. I thought I'd like tosee you, but I'd no sooner sent than I wished I hadn't. But you won'tstay long, will you, dearie?"

"No, " said Patty, feeling really sorry for the queer old lady. "No, Iwon't stay long, I'll go very soon; in fact, I'll go just as soon as youtell me to. I'll go now, if you say so. "

"Oh, don't be silly. I wouldn't have sent for you if I'd wanted you to goright away again. Sit down, turn your toes out, and answer my questions. "

"What are your questions?" said Patty, not wishing to make anyrash promises. 

"Well, first, are you really keeping that big house over there all aloneby yourself?"

"I'm keeping house there, yes, but I'm not all alone by myself. Myfather's there, and two servants. "

"Don't you keep a man?"

"No; a man comes every day to do the hard work, but he doesn'tlive with us. "

"Humph, I suppose you think you're pretty smart, don't you?"

"I don't know, " said Patty slowly, as if considering; "yes, I think I'mpretty smart in some ways, and in other ways I'm as stupid as an owl. "

"Well, you must be pretty smart, because you haven't had to borrowanything over here yet. "

"But I wouldn't borrow anything here, anyway, Miss Daggett; youspecially asked me not to. "

Miss Daggett's old wrinkled face broke into a smile. 

"And so you remember that. Well, well, you are a nice little girl; youmust have had a good mother, and a good bringing-up. "

"My mother died when I was three, and my father brought me up. "

"He did, hey? Well, he made a fairly good job of it. Now, I guess you cango; I'm about tired of talking to you. "

"Then I will go. But, first, Miss Daggett, let me tell you that I metyour nephew the other day. "

"Kenneth! For the land's sake! Well, well, sit down again. I don't wantyou to go yet; tell me all about him. Isn't he a nice boy? Hasn't he fineeyes? And gentlemanly manners? And oh, the lovely ways with him!"

"Yes, Miss Daggett, he is indeed a nice boy; my father and I both thinkso. His eyes and his manners are fine. He says he wants to come out tosee you soon. "

"Bless his heart, I hope he'll come! I do hope he'll come. "

"Then you like to have him come to see you?" said Patty, a littleroguishly. 

"Yes, and I like to have you, too. Land, child! you mustn't mind myquick ways. "

"I don't mind how quick you are, " said Patty; "but when you tell me to besure and not come to see you, of course I don't come. "

"Oh, that's all right, " said Miss Daggett, "that's all right; I'll alwayssend for you when I want you. 

"But perhaps I can't always come, " said Patty. "I may be busy with myhousekeeping. "

"Now, wouldn't that be annoying!" said Miss Daggett. "I declare thatwould be just my luck. I always do have bad luck. "

"Perhaps it's the way you look at it, " said Patty. "Now, I have somethings that seem like bad luck, at least, other people think they do; butif I look at them right--happy and cheerful, you know--why, they justseem like good luck. "

"Really, " said Miss Daggett, with a curious smile; "well now, you _are_ aqueer child, and I'm not at all sure but I'd like to have you come again. Do you want to see around my house?"

"I'd like to very much, but it's so dark a bat couldn't see things inthis room. "

"But I can't open the shades, the sun would fade all the furniturecoverings. "

"Well, then, you could buy new ones, " said Patty; "that would be betterthan living in the dark. "

"Dark can't hurt anybody, " said Miss Daggett gloomily. 

"Oh, indeed it can, " said Patty earnestly. "Why, darkness--I meandarkness in the daytime--makes you all stewed up and fidgety and horrid;and sunshine makes you all gay and cheerful and glad. "

"Like you, " said Miss Daggett. 

"Yes, like me, " said Patty; "I am cheerful and glad always. I like tobe. "

"I would like to be, too, " said Miss Daggett. 

"Do you suppose if I opened the shutters I would be?"

"Let's try it and see, " said Patty, and running to the windows, she flungopen the inside blinds and flooded the room with sunshine. 

"Oh, what a beautiful room!" she exclaimed, as she turned around. "Why, Miss Daggett, to think of keeping all these lovely things shut up in thedark. I believe they cry about it when you aren't looking. "

Already the old lady's face seemed to show a gentler and sunnierexpression, and she said:

"Yes, I have some beautiful things, child. Would you like to look throughthis cabinet of East Indian curiosities?"

"I would very much, " said Patty, "but I fear I can't take the time thismorning; I have to study my part in a play we're going to give. It's aplay your nephew told us about, " she added quickly, feeling sure thatthis would rouse the old lady's interest in it. 

"One of Kenneth's college plays?" she said eagerly. 

"Yes, that's just what it is. A chum of his wrote it, and oh, MissDaggett, we're going to invite Mr. Harper to come to Vernondale the nightof the play, and take the same part that he took at college last year;you see, he'll know it, and he can just step right in. "

"Good for you! I hope he'll come. I'll write at once and tell him howmuch I want him. He can stay here, of course, and perhaps he can comesooner, so as to be here for one or two rehearsals. "

"That would be a good help. I hope he will do that; he could coach therest of us. "

"I don't know just what coach means, but I'm sure Kenneth can do it, he'sa very clever boy; he says he can run an automobile, but I don't believeit. Run away home now, child, I'm tired of having company; and besides Iwant to compose my mind so I can write a letter to Kenneth. "

"And will you leave your blinds open till afternoon?" said Patty, who wasbeginning to learn her queer old neighbour. 

"Yes, I will, if I don't forget it. Clear out, child, clear out now; runaway home and mind you're not to borrow anything and you're not to comeback till I send for you. "

"All right, " said Patty. "Good-bye, and mind, you're to keep bright andcheerful, and let the sunlight in all the time. "

CHAPTER XV

BILLS

Patty's plans for systematic housekeeping included a number of smallRussia-leather account books, and she looked forward with some eagernessto the time when the first month's bills should come in, and she couldpresent to her father a neat and accurate statement of the householdexpenses for the month. 

The 1st of February was Sunday, but on Monday morning the postman broughta sheaf of letters which were evidently bills. 

Patty had no time to look at these before she went to school, so sheplaced them carefully in her desk, determined to hurry home thatafternoon and get her accounts into apple-pie order before her fathercame home. After school she returned to find a supplementary lot of billshad been left by the postman, and also Mancy presented her with a numberof bills which the tradesmen had left that morning. 

Patty took the whole lot to her desk, and with methodical exactness notedthe amounts on the pages of her little books. She and her father hadtalked the matter over, more or less, and Patty knew just about what Mr. Fairfield expected the bills to amount to. 

But to her consternation she discovered, as she went along, that eachbill was proving to be about twice as large as she had anticipated. 

"There must be some mistake, " she said to herself, "we simply _can't_have eaten all those groceries. Anybody would think we ran a branchstore. And that butcher's bill is big enough for the Central Parkmenagerie! They must have added it wrong. "

But a careful verification of the figures proved that they were addedright, and Patty's heart began to sink as she looked at the enormoussum-totals. 

"To think of all that for flowers! Well, papa bought some of them, that'sa comfort; but I had no idea I had ordered so many myself. I think billsare perfectly horrid! And here's my dressmaker's bill. Gracious, howMadame LaFayette has gone up in her prices! I believe I'll make my ownclothes after this; but the market bills are the worst I don't see how we_could_ have eaten all these things. Mancy must be a dreadful waster, butit isn't fair to blame her; if that's where the trouble is, I ought tohave looked after it myself. Hello, Marian, is that you? I didn't hearyou come in. Do come here, I'm in the depths of despair!"

"What's the matter, Patsie? and what a furious lot of bills! You looklike a clearinghouse. "

"Oh, Marian, it's perfectly fearful! Every bill is two or three times asmuch as I thought it would be, and I'm so sorry, for I meant to be such athrifty housekeeper. "

"Jiminetty Christmas!" exclaimed Marian, looking at some of the papers, "I should think these bills _were_ big! Why, that's more than we pay amonth for groceries, and look at the size of our family. "

"I know it, " said Patty hopelessly. "I don't see how it happened. "

"You are an extravagant little wretch, Patty, there's no doubt about it. "

"I suppose I am; at least, I suppose I have been, but I'm not going to beany more. I'm going to reform, suddenly and all at once and verythoroughly! Now, you watch me. We're not going to have any more fancythings, no more ice cream from Pacetti's. Why, that caterer's bill issomething fearful. "

"And so you're going to starve poor Uncle Fred?"

"No, that wouldn't be fair, would it? The economy ought to fall entirelyon me. Well, I've decided to make my own clothes after this, anyway. "

"Oh, Patty, what a goose you are! You couldn't make them to save yourneck, and after you made them you couldn't wear them. "

"I could, too, Marian Elliott! Just you wait and see me make my summerdresses. I'm going to sew all through vacation. "

"All right, " said Marian, "I'll come over and help you, but you can'tmake any dresses this afternoon, so put away those old bills and getready for a sleigh ride. It's lovely out, and father said he'd call forus here at four o'clock. "

"All right, I will, if we can get back by six. I want to be here whenpapa comes home. "

"Yes, we'll be back by six. I expect Uncle Fred will shut you up in adark room and keep you on bread and water for a week when he seesthose bills. "

"That's just the worst of it, " said Patty forlornly. "He's so good andkind, and spoils me so dreadfully that it makes me feel all the worsewhen I don't do things right. "

A good long sleigh ride in the fresh, crisp winter air quite revivedPatty's despondent spirits. She sat in front with Uncle Charley, and helet her drive part of the way, for it was Patty's great delight to drivetwo horses, and she had already become a fairly accomplished littlehorsewoman. 

"Fred tells me he's going to get horses for you this spring, " said UncleCharley. "You'll enjoy them a lot, won't you, Patty?"

"Yes, indeed--that is--I don't know whether we'll have them or not. "

For it just occurred to Patty that, having run her father into suchunexpected expense in the household, a good way to economise would be togive up all hopes of horses. 

"Oh, yes, you'll have them all right, " said Uncle Charley, in his gay, cheery way, having no idea, of course, what was in Patty's mind. "And youmust have a little pony and cart of your own. It would give you a greatdeal of pleasure to go out driving in the spring weather. "

"I just guess it would, " said Patty, "and I'm sure I hope I'll have it. "

She began to wonder if she couldn't find some other way to economiserather than on the horses, for she certainly did love to drive. 

Promptly at six o'clock Uncle Charley left her at Boxley Hall, and as sheentered the door Patty felt that strange sinking of the heart that alwaysaccompanies the resuming of a half-forgotten mental burden. 

"I know just how thieves and defaulters and forgers feel, " she said toherself, as she took off her wraps. "I haven't exactly stolen, but I'vebetrayed a trust, and that's just as bad. I wonder what papa will say?"

At dinner Patty was subdued and a little nervous. 

Mr. Fairfield, quick to notice anything unusual in his daughter, surmisedthat she was bothered, but felt sure that in her own time she would tellhim all about it, so he endeavoured to set her at her ease by chattingpleasantly about the events of his day in the city, and sustaining theburden of the conversation himself. 

But after dinner, when they had gone into the library, as they usuallydid in the evening, Patty brought out her fearful array of paper bugbearsand laid them before her father. 

"What are these?" said Mr. Fairfield cheerily. "Ah, yes, I see. The 1stof the month has brought its usual crop of bills. "

"I do hope it isn't the usual crop, papa; for if they always come in likethis, we'll have to give up Boxley Hall and go to live in thepoor-house. "

"Oh, I don't know. We haven't overdrawn our bank account yet Whew!Pacetti's is a stunner, isn't it?"

"Yes, " said Patty, in a meek little voice. 

"And Fisher & Co. Seem to have summed up quite a total; and Smith'sflower bill looks like a good old summer time. "

"Oh, papa, please scold me; I know I deserve it. I ought to have lookedafter these things and kept the expenses down more. "

"Why ought you to have done so, Patty? We have to have food, don't we?"

"Yes; but, papa, you know we estimated in the beginning, and these oldbills come up to about twice as much as our estimate. "

"That's a fact, baby, they do, " said Mr. Fairfield, looking over thestatements with a more serious air. "These are pretty big figures torepresent a month's living for just you and me and our small retinue ofservants. "

"Yes; and, papa, I think Mancy is rather wasteful. I don't say this toblame her. I know it is my place to see about it, and be careful thatshe utilises all that is possible of the kitchen waste. "

Patty said this so exactly with the air of a _Young Housekeeper's Guide_or _Cooking School Manual_, that Mr. Fairfield laughed outright. 

"Chickadee, " he said, "you'll come out all right. You have the trueelements of success. You see where you've fallen into error, you'rewilling to admit it, and you're ready to use every means to improve inthe future. I'm not quite so surprised as you are at the size of thesebills; for, though we made our estimates rationally, yet we have beenbuying a great many things and having a pretty good time generally. Iforesaw this experience at the end of the month, but I preferred to waitand see how we came out rather than interfere with the proceedings; andanother thing, Patty, which may comfort you some, is the fact that Iquite believe that some of these tradespeople have taken advantage ofyour youth and inexperience and padded their bills a little bit inconsequence. "

"But, papa, just look at Madame LaFayette's bill. I don't think sheought to charge so much. "

"These do seem high prices for the simple little frocks you wear; butthey are always so daintily made, and in such good taste, that I thinkwe'll have to continue to employ her. Dressmakers, you know, areacknowledged vampires. "

"I like the clothes she makes, too, " said Patty, "but I had concludedthat that was the best way for me to economise, and I thought after thisI would make my own dresses. "

"I don't think you will, my child, " said Mr. Fairfield decidedly. "Youcouldn't make dresses fit to be seen, unless you took a course ofinstruction in dressmaking, and I'm not sure that you could then; and youhave quite enough to do with your school work and your practising. Whendid you propose to do this wonderful sewing?"

"Oh, I mean in vacation--to make my summer dresses. "

"No; in vacation you're to run out of doors and play. Don't let me hearany more about sewing. "

"All right, " said Patty, with a sigh of relief. "I'm awfully glad not to, but I wanted to help somehow. I thought I'd make my green cloth costumefor Diana in the play. "

"Yes, that would be a good thing to begin on, " said Mr. Fairfield. "Broadcloth is so tractable, so easy to fit; and that tailor-made effectcan, of course, be attained by any well-meaning beginner. "

Patty laughed. "I know it would look horrid, papa, " she said, "but as Iam to blame for all this outrageous extravagance, I want to economisesomewhere to make up for it. "

"And do you call it good proportion to buy a great deal too much to eatand then go around in botchy, home-made clothes to make up for it?"

"No, " said Patty, "I don't believe it is. What can I do? I want to dosomething, and I don't--oh, papa, I _don't_ want to give up those horsesthat you said you'd buy. "

"Well, we'll fix it up this way, Patty, girl; we'll just pay off allthese bills and start fresh. The extra expense we'll charge to experienceaccount--experience is an awfully high-priced commodity, you know--andnext month, while we won't exactly scrimp ourselves, we'll keep our eyeon the accounts and watch them as they progress. As I've told you before, my darling, I don't expect you to become perfect, or even proficient, inthese things all at once. You will need years of experience before thetime can come when your domestic machinery will run without a flaw, if, indeed, it ever does. Now, never think of these January bills again. Theyare things of the past. Go and get your play-book, and let me hear youspeak your piece. "

CHAPTER XVI

A SUCCESSFUL PLAY

Mr. Hepworth came again to visit Boxley Hall, and while there heard aboutthe play, and became so interested in the preparations that he offered topaint some scenery for it. 

Patty jumped for joy at this, for the scenery had been their greateststumbling-block. 

And so the Saturday morning before the performance the renowned New Yorkartist, Mr. Egerton Hepworth, walked over to Library Hall, escorted by adozen merry young people of both sexes. 

As a scenic artist Mr. Hepworth proved a great success and a rapidworkman beside, for by mid-afternoon he had completed the one scenethat was necessary--a view of Mount Olympus as supposed to be at thepresent date. 

Though the actual work was sketchily done, yet the general effect wasthat of a beautiful Grecian grove with marble temple and steps, andsurrounding trees and flowers, the whole of which seemed to be a sort ofan island set in a sea of blue sky and fleecy clouds. 

At least, that is the way Elsie Morris declared it looked, and though Mr. Hepworth confessed that that was not the idea he had intended to convey, yet if they were satisfied, he was. The young people declared themselvesmore than satisfied, and urged Mr. Hepworth so heartily to attend theperformance--offering him the choicest seats in the house and as many ashe wanted--that he finally consented to come if he could persuade hisfriends at Boxley Hall to put him up for the night. Patty demurelypromised to try her best to coax her father to agree to this arrangement, and though she said she had little hope of succeeding, Mr. Hepworthseemed willing to take his chances. 

At last the great day arrived, and Patty rose early that morning, forthere were many last things to be attended to; and being a capable littlemanager, it somehow devolved on Patty to see that all the loose endswere gathered up and all the minor matters looked after. 

Kenneth Harper had been down twice to rehearsals, and had already becomea favourite with the Vernondale young people. Indeed, the cheery, willing, capable young man couldn't help getting himself liked whereverhe went. He stayed with his aunt, Miss Daggett, when in Vernondale, whichgreatly delighted the heart of the old lady. 

The play was to be on Friday night, because then there would be no schoolnext day; and Friday morning Patty was as busy as a bee sorting tickets, counting out programmes, making lists, and checking off memoranda, whenPansy appeared at her door with the unwelcome announcement that MissDaggett had sent word she would like to have Patty call on her. Unwelcome, only because Patty was so busy, otherwise she would have beenglad of a summons to the house next-door, for she had taken a decidedfancy to her erratic neighbour. 

Determining she would return quickly, and smiling to herself as shethought that probably she would be asked to do so, she ran over to MissDaggett's. 

"Come in, child, come in, " called the old lady from the upper hall, "comeright up here. I'm in a terrible quandary!"

Patty went upstairs, and then followed Miss Daggett into her bedroom. 

"I've decided, " said the old lady, with the air of one announcing adecision the importance of which would shake at least two continents, "I've decided to go to that ridiculous show of yours. "

"Oh, have you?" said Patty, "that's very nice, I'm sure. "

"I'm glad you're pleased, " said the old lady grimly, "though I'm notgoing for the sake of pleasing you. "

"Are you going to please your nephew, Mr. Harper?" said Patty, not beingexactly curious, but feeling that she was expected to inquire. 

"No, I'm not, " said Miss Daggett curtly. "I'm going to please myself; andI called you over here to advise me what to wear. Here are all my bestdresses, but there's none of them made in the fashions people wearnowadays, and it's too late to have them fixed over. I wish you'd tellme which one you think comes nearest to being right. "

Patty looked in amazement at the great heap of beautiful gowns that layupon the bed. They were made of the richest velvets and satins andlaces, but were all of such an antiquated mode that it seemed impossibleto advise anyone to wear them without remodeling. But, as Miss Daggettwas very much in earnest, Patty concluded that she must necessarily makesome choice. 

Accordingly, she picked out a lavender moiré silk, trimmed with softwhite lace at the throat and wrist. Although old-fashioned, it was plainand very simply made, and would, Patty thought, be less conspicuous thanthe more elaborate gowns. 

"That's just the one I had decided on myself, " said Miss Daggett, "and Ishould have worn that anyway, whatever you had said. "

"Then why did you call me over?" said Patty, moved to impatience by thisinconsistency. 

"Oh, because I wanted your opinion, and I wanted to ask you about someother things. Kenneth is coming to-night, you know. "

"Yes, I know it, " said Patty, "and I am very glad. "

This frank statement and the clear, unembarrassed light in Patty's eyesseemed to please Miss Daggett, and she kissed the pretty face upturned tohers, but she only said: "Run along now, child, go home, I don't wantcompany now. "

"I'm glad of it, " Patty thought to herself, but she only said: "Good-bye, then, Miss Daggett; I'll see you this evening. "

"Wait a minute, child; come back here, I'm not through with you yet. "

Patty groaned in spirit, but went back with a smiling face. 

Miss Daggett regarded her steadily. 

"You're pretty busy, I suppose, to-day, " she said, "getting ready foryour play. "

"Yes, I am, " said Patty frankly. 

"And you didn't want to take the time to come over here to see me, didyou?"

"Oh, I shall have time enough to do all I want to do, " said Patty. 

"Don't evade my question, child. You didn't want to come, did you?"

"Well, Miss Daggett, " said Patty, "you are often quite frank with me, sonow I'll be frank with you, and confess that when your message came I didwish you had chosen some other day to send for me; for I certainly have alot of little things to do, but I shall get them all done, I know, and Iam very glad to learn that you are coming to the entertainment. "

"You are a good girl, " said Miss Daggett; "you are a good girl, and Ilike you very much. Good-bye. "

"Good-bye, " said Patty, and she ran downstairs and over home, determinedto work fast enough to make up for the time she had lost. 

She succeeded in this, and when her father came home at night, bringingMr. Hepworth with him, they found a very charming little hostess awaitingthem and Boxley Hall imbued throughout with an air of comfortablehospitality. 

After dinner Patty donned her Diana costume and came down to ask herfather's opinion of it. He declared it was most jaunty and becoming, and Mr. Hepworth said it was especially well adapted to Patty's style, and that he would like to paint her portrait in that garb. This seemedto Mr. Fairfield a good idea, and they at once made arrangements forfuture sittings. 

Patty was greatly pleased. 

"Won't it be fine, papa?" she said. "It will be an ancestral portrait tohang in Boxley Hall and keep till I'm an old lady like Miss Daggett. "

When they reached Library Hall, where the play was to be given, Patty, going in at the stage entrance, was met by a crowd of excited girls whoannounced that Florence Douglass had gone all to pieces. 

"What do you mean?" cried Patty. "What's the matter with her?"

"Oh, hysterics!" said Elsie Morris, in great disgust. "First she gigglesand then she bursts into tears, and nobody can do anything with her. "

"Well, she's going to be Niobe, anyway, " said Patty, "so let her go onthe stage and cut up those tricks, and the audience will think it'sall right. "

"Oh, no, Patty, we can't let her go on the stage, " said Frank Elliott;"she'd queer the whole show. "

"Well, then, we'll have to leave that part out, " said Patty. 

"Oh, dear!" wailed Elsie, "that's the funniest part of all. I hate toleave that part out. "

"I know it, " said Patty; "and Florence does it so well. I wish she'dbehave herself. Well, I can't think of anything else to do but omit it. Imight ask papa; he can think of things when nobody else can. "

"That's so, " said Marian, "Uncle Fred has a positive genius forsuggestion. "

"I'll step down in the audience and ask him, " said Frank. 

In five minutes Frank was back again, broadly smiling, and Mr. Hepworthwas with him. 

"It's all right, " said Frank. "I knew Uncle Fred would fix it. All hesaid was, 'Hepworth, you're a born actor, take the part yourself'; andMr. Hepworth, like the brick he is, said he'd do it. "

"I fairly jumped at the chance, " said the young artist, smiling down intoPatty's bright face. "I was dying to be in this thing anyway. And theytell me the costume is nothing but several hundred yards of Greekdraperies, so I think it will fit me all right. "

"But you don't know the lines, " said Patty, delighted at this solution ofthe dilemma, but unable to see how it could be accomplished. 

"Oh, that's all right, " said Mr. Hepworth merrily. "I shall make up mylines as I go along, and when I see that anyone else wants to talk, Ishall stop and give them a chance. "

It sounded a little precarious, but as there was nothing else to do, and Florence Douglass begged them to put somebody--anybody--in herplace and let her go home, they all agreed to avail themselves of Mr. Hepworth's services. 

And it was fortunate they did, for though the rest of the characters werebright and clever representations, yet it was Mr. Hepworth's funnyimpromptu jokes and humourous actions in the character of Niobe thatmade the hit of the evening. Indeed, he and Kenneth Harper quite carriedoff the laurels from the other amateurs; but so delighted were theVernondale young people at the success of the whole play that they weremore than willing to give the praise where it belonged. 

Perhaps the only one in the audience who failed to appreciate Mr. Hepworth's clever work was Miss Rachel Daggett. She had eyes only for herbeloved nephew, with an occasional side glance for her pretty youngneighbour. 

After the entertainment there was a little dance for the young people;and Patty, as president of the club, received so many compliments and somuch congratulation that it's a wonder her curly head was not turned. But as she walked home between her father and Mr. Hepworth, she declaredthat the success of the evening was in no way consequent upon herefforts, but depended entirely on the talents of the two travellingcomedians from the city. 

CHAPTER XVII

ENTERTAINING RELATIVES

Spring and summer followed one another in their usual succession, andas the months went by, Boxley Hall became more beautiful and moreattractively homelike, both inside and out. Mr. Fairfield bought apair of fine carriage horses and a pony and cart for Patty's own use. A man was engaged to take care of these and also to look after thelawn and garden. 

Patty, learning much from experience and also from Aunt Alice'soccasional visits, developed into a sensible and capable littlehousekeeper. So determined was she to make the keeping of her father'shouse a real success that she tried most diligently to correct all hererrors and improve her powers. 

Patty had a natural aptitude for domestic matters, and after some roughplaces were made smooth and some sharp corners rounded off, things wentquite as smoothly as in many houses where the presiding genius numberedtwice Patty's years. 

With June came vacation, and Patty was more than glad, for she wasnever fond of school, and now could have all her time to devote to herbeloved home. 

And, too, she wanted very much to invite her cousins to visit her, whichwas only possible in vacation time. 

"I think, papa, " she said, as they sat on the veranda one June eveningafter dinner, "I think I shall have a house party. I shall invite all mycousins from Elmbridge and Philadelphia and Boston and we'll have a grandgeneral reunion that will be most beautiful. "

"You'll invite your aunts and uncles, too?" said Mr. Fairfield. 

"Why, I don't see how we'd have room for so many, " said Patty. 

"And, of course, " went on her father, "you'd invite the whole Elliottfamily. It wouldn't be fair to leave them out of your house-party justbecause they happen to live in Vernondale. "

Then Patty saw that her father was laughing at her. 

"I know you're teasing me now, papa, " she said, "but I don't see why. Just because I want to ask my cousins to come here and return the visitsI made to them last year. "

"But you didn't visit them all at once, my child, and you certainly couldnot expect to entertain them here all at once. Your list of cousins is avery long one, and even if there were room for them in the house, thecare and responsibility of such a house party would be enough to land youin a sanitarium when it was over, if not before. "

"There are an awful lot of them, " said Patty. 

"And they're not altogether congenial, " said her father. "Although Ihaven't seen them as lately as you have, yet I can't help thinking, fromwhat you told me, that the Barlows and the St. Clairs would enjoythemselves better if they visited here at different times, and I'm surethe same is true of your Boston cousins. "

"You're right, " said Patty, "as you always are, and I don't believe I'dhave much fun with all that company at once, either. So I think we'llhave them in detachments, and first I'll just invite Ethelyn and Reginalddown for a week or two. I don't really care much about having them, butEthelyn has written so often that she wants to come that I don't see howI can very well get out of it. "

"If she wants to come, you certainly ought to ask her. You visited therethree months, you know. "

"Yes, I know it, and they were very kind to me. Aunt Isabel had parties, and did things for my pleasure all the time. Well, I'll invite them rightaway. Perhaps I ought to ask Aunt Isabel, too. "

"Yes, you might ask her, " said Mr. Fairfield, "and she can bring thechildren down, but she probably will not stay as long as they do. "

So Patty wrote for her aunt and cousins, and the first day of Julythey arrived. 

Mrs. St. Clair, who was Patty's aunt only by marriage, was a veryfashionable woman of a pretty, but somewhat artificial, type. She likedyoung people, and had spared no pains to make Patty's visit to her ahappy one. But it was quite evident that she expected Patty to return herhospitality in kind, and she had been at Boxley Hall but a few hoursbefore she began to inquire what plans Patty had made for herentertainment. 

Now, though Patty had thought out several little pleasures for hercousins, it hadn't occurred to her that Aunt Isabel would expect partiesmade for her. 

She evaded her aunt's questions, however, and waited for an opportunityto speak alone with her father about it. 

"Why, papa, " she exclaimed that evening after their guests had gone totheir rooms, "Aunt Isabel expects me to have a tea or reception orsomething for her. "

"Nonsense, child, she can't think of such a thing. "

"Yes, she does, papa, and what's more, I want to do it. She was verykind to me and I'd rather please her than Ethelyn. I don't care much forEthelyn anyway. "

"She isn't just your kind, is she, my girl?"

"No, she isn't like Marian nor any of the club girls. She has her headfull of fashions, and beaux, and grown-up things of all sorts. She isjust my age, but you'd think she was about twenty, wouldn't you?"

"Yes, she does look almost as old as that, and she acts quite as old. Reginald is a nice boy. "

"Yes, but he's pompous and stuck-up. He always did put on grand airs. Aunt Isabel does, too, but she's so kind-hearted and generous nobody canhelp liking her. "

"Well, have a party for her if you want to, chicken. But don't take theresponsibility of it entirely on yourself. I should think you might makeit a pretty little afternoon tea. Get Aunt Alice to make out theinvitation list; she knows better than you what ladies to invite, andthen let Pacetti send up whatever you want for the feast. I've no doubtPansy will be willing to attend to the floral decoration of the house. "

"I've no doubt she will, " said Patty, laughing. "The trouble will be tostop her before she turns the whole place into a horticultural exhibit. "

"Well, go ahead with it, Patty. I think it will please your aunt verymuch, but don't wear yourself out over it. "

Next morning at breakfast Patty announced her plan for an afternoon tea, and Aunt Isabel was delighted. 

"You dear child, " she exclaimed, "how sweet of you! I hate to have you goto any trouble on my account, but I shall be so pleased to meet theVernondale ladies. I want to know what kind of people my niece is growingup among. "

"I'm sure you'll like them, Aunt Isabel. Aunt Alice's friends are lovely. And then I'll ask the mothers of the Tea Club girls, and my neighbour, Miss Daggett, but I don't believe she'll come. "

"Is that the rich Miss Daggett?" asked Aunt Isabel curiously; "thequeer one?"

"I don't know whether she's rich or not, " said Patty. "I dare say sheis, though, because she has lovely things; but she certainly can becalled queer. I'm very fond of her, though; she's awfully nice to me, andI like her in spite of her queerness. "

"But you'll ask some young ladies, too, won't you?" said Ethelyn. "Idon't care very much for queer old maids and middle-aged married ladies. "

"Oh, this isn't for you, Ethel, " said Patty. "I'll have a children'sparty for you and Reginald some other day. "

"Children's party, indeed, " said Ethelyn, turning up her haughty littlenose. "You know very well, Patty, I haven't considered myself a childfor years. "

"Nor I, " said Reginald. 

"Well, I consider myself one, " said Patty. "I'm not in a bit of hurry tobe grown-up; but we're going to have a lovely sailing party, Ethelyn, onFourth of July, and I'm sure you'll enjoy that. "

"Are any young men going?" said Ethelyn. 

"There are a lot of boys going, " said Patty. "But the only young menwill be my father and Uncle Charley and Mr. Hepworth. "

"Who is Mr. Hepworth?"

"He's an artist friend of papa's, who comes out quite often, and whoalways goes sailing with us when we have sailing parties. "

Aunt Alice was more than willing to help Patty with her project, and theresult was a very pretty little afternoon tea at Boxley Hall. 

"I'm so glad I brought my white crêpe-de-chine, " said Aunt Isabel, as shedressed for the occasion. 

"I'm glad, too, " said Patty; "for it's a lovely gown and you looksweet in it. "

"I've brought a lot of pretty dresses, too, " said Ethelyn, "and I supposeI may as well put on one of the prettiest to-day, as there's no use inwasting them on those children's parties you're talking about. "

"Do just as you like, Ethelyn, " said Patty, knowing that her cousin wasalways overdressed on all occasions, and therefore it made littledifference what she wore. 

And, sure enough, Ethelyn arrayed herself in a most resplendent gownwhich, though very beautiful, was made in a style more suited to a belleof several seasons than a young miss of sixteen. 

Patty wore one of her pretty little white house dresses; and Aunt Alice, in a lovely gray gown, assisted her to receive the guests, and tointroduce Mrs. St. Clair and her children. 

Among the late arrivals was Miss Daggett. Her coming created a sensation, for, as was well known in Vernondale, she rarely attended social affairsof any sort. But, for some unknown reason, she chose to accept Patty'sinvitation, and, garbed in an old-fashioned brown velvet, she waspresented to Mrs. St. Clair. 

"I'm so glad to see you, " said the latter, shaking hands effusively. 

"Humph!" said Miss Daggett. "Why should you be glad to see me, pray?"

"Why, because--because--" Mrs. St. Clair floundered a little, andseemed really unable to give any reason. 

"Because you've heard that I'm rich and old and queer?" said MissDaggett. 

This was exactly true, but Mrs. St. Clair did not care to admit it, soshe said: "Why, no, not that; but I've heard my niece speak of you sooften that I felt anxious to meet you. "

"Well, I'm not afraid of anything Patty Fairfield said about me; she's adear little girl; I'm very fond of her. "

"Why do you call her little girl?" said Mrs. St. Clair. "Patty is in herseventeenth year; surely that is not quite a child. "

"But she is a child at heart, " said Miss Daggett, "and I am glad of it. Iwould far rather see her with her pretty, sunshiny childish ways than tosee her like that overdressed little minx standing over there beside her, whoever she may be. "

"That's my daughter, " said Mrs. St. Clair, without, however, looking asdeeply offended as she might have done. 

"Oh, is it?" said Miss Daggett, sniffing. "Well, I see no reason tochange my opinion of her, if she is. "

"No, " said Mrs. St. Clair, "of course we are each entitled to our ownopinion. Now, I think my daughter more appropriately dressed than myniece. And I think your nephew will agree with me, " she added, smiling. 

"My nephew!" snapped Miss Daggett. "Do you know him?"

"Oh, yes, indeed; we met Mr. Harper at a reception in New York not longago, and he was very much charmed with my daughter Ethelyn. "

"He may have seemed so, " said Miss Daggett scornfully. "He is a verypolite young man. But let me tell you, he admires Patty Fairfield morethan any other girl he has ever seen. He told me so himself. And now, goaway, if you please, I'm tired of talking to you. "

Mrs. St. Clair was not very much surprised at this speech, for Patty hadtold her of Miss Daggett's summary method of dismissing people; and so, with a sweet smile and a bow, the fashionable matron left the eccentricand indignant spinster. 

CHAPTER XVIII

A SAILING PARTY

After Aunt Isabel had gone home, Patty devoted herself to theentertainment of her young cousins. And they seemed to require a greatdeal of entertainment--both Ethelyn and Reginald wanted something donefor their pleasure all the time. They did not hesitate to express veryfreely their opinions of the pleasures planned for them, and as they weresophisticated young persons, they frequently scorned the simple gaietiesin which Patty and her Vernondale companions found pleasure. However, they condescended to be pleased at the idea of a sailing party, for, asthere was no water near their own home, a yacht was a novelty to them. Atfirst Ethelyn thought to appear interesting by expressing timid doubts asto the safety of the picnic party, but she soon found that theVernondale young people had no foolish fears of that sort. 

Fourth of July was a bright, clear day, warm, but very pleasant, with agood stiff breeze blowing. Patty was up early, and when Ethelyn camedownstairs, she found her cousin, with the aid of Mancy and Pansy, packing up what seemed to be luncheon enough for the whole party. 

"Doesn't anybody else take anything?" she inquired. 

"Oh, yes, " said Patty, "they all do. I'm only taking cold chicken andstuffed eggs. You've no idea what an appetite sailing gives you. "

Ethelyn looked very pretty in a yachting suit of white serge, whilePatty's sailor gown was of more prosaic blue flannel, trimmed withwhite braid. 

"That's a sweet dress, Ethelyn, " said Patty, "but I'm awfully afraidyou'll spoil it. You know we don't go in a beautiful yacht, all whitepaint and polished brass; we go in a big old schooner that's roomy andsafe but not overly clean. "

"Oh, it doesn't matter, " said Ethelyn; "I dare say I shall spoil it, butI've nothing else that's just right to wear. "

"All aboard!" shouted a cheery voice, and Kenneth Harper's laughing faceappeared in the doorway. 

"Oh, good-morning!" cried Patty, smiling gaily back at him; "I'm so gladto see you. This is my cousin, Miss St. Clair. Ethelyn, may I presentMr. Harper?"

Immediately Ethelyn assumed a coquettish and simpering demeanour. 

"I've met Mr. Harper before, " she said; "though I dare say he doesn'tremember me. "

"Oh, yes, indeed I do, " said Kenneth gallantly. "We met at a reception inthe city, and I am delighted to see you again, especially on such a jollyoccasion as I feel sure to-day is going to be. "

"Do you think it is quite safe?" said Ethelyn, with what she considereda charming timidity. "I've never been sailing, you know, and I'm notvery brave. "

"Oh, pshaw! of course it's safe, barring accidents; but you're alwaysliable to those, even in an automobile. Hello! here comes Hepworth. Gladto see you, old chap. "

Mr. Hepworth received a general storm of glad greetings, was presented tothe strangers, and announced himself as ready to carry baskets, boxes, rugs, wraps, or whatever was to be transported. 

Mr. Fairfield, as general manager, portioned out the luggage, and then, each picking up his individual charge, they started off. On the way theymet the Elliott family similarly equipped and equally enthusiastic, andthe whole crowd proceeded down to the wharf. There they found aboutthirty young people awaiting them. All the girls of the Tea Club werethere; and all the boys, who insisted on calling themselves honorarymembers of the club. 

"It's a beautiful day, " said Guy Morris, "but no good at all for sailing. The breeze has died down entirely, and I don't believe it will come upagain all day. "

"That's real cheerful, isn't it?" said Frank Elliott. "I should beinclined to doubt it myself, but Guy is such a weatherwise genius, and healmost never makes a mistake in his prognostications. "

"Well, it remains to be seen what the day will bring forth, " said UncleCharley; "but in the meantime we'll get aboard. "

The laughing crowd piled themselves on board the big schooner, stowedaway all the baskets and bundles, and settled themselves comfortably invarious parts of the boat; some sat in the stern, others climbed to thetop of the cabin, while others preferred the bow, and one or twoadventurous spirits clambered out to the end of the long bowsprit and satwith their feet dangling above the water. Ethelyn gave some affectedlittle cries of horror at this, but Frank Elliott reassured her bytelling her that it was always a part of the performance. 

"Why, I have seen your dignified cousin Patty do it; in fact, shegenerally festoons herself along the edge of the boat in some precariousposition. "

"Don't do it to-day, will you, Patty?" besought Ethelyn, with aridiculous air of solicitude. 

"No, I won't, " said Patty; "I'll be real good and do just as youwant me to. "

"Noble girl!" said Kenneth Harper. "I know how hard it is for youto be good. "

"It is, indeed, " said Patty, laughing; "and I insist upon havingdue credit. "

As a rule the Vernondale parties were exciting affairs. The route wasdown the river to the sound; from the sound to the bay; and, if theday were very favourable, out into the ocean, and perhaps aroundStaten Island. 

Patty had hoped for this most extended trip today, in order that Ethelynand Reginald might see a sailing party at its very best. 

But after they had been on board an hour they had covered only the fewmiles of river, and found themselves well out into the sound, but with noseeming prospect of going any farther. The breeze had died away entirely, and as the sun rose higher the heat was becoming decidedly uncomfortable. 

Ethelyn began to fidget. Her pretty white serge frock had come in contactwith some muddy ropes and some oily screws, and several unsightly spotswere the result. This made her cross, for she hated to have her costumespoiled so early in the day; and besides she was unpleasantly consciousthat her fair complexion was rapidly taking on a deep shade of red. Sheknew this was unbecoming, but when Reginald, with brotherly frankness, informed her that her nose looked like a poppy bud, she lost her temperand relapsed into a sulky fit. 

"I don't see any fun in a sailing party, if this is one, " she said. 

"Oh, this isn't one, " said Guy Morris good-humoredly; "this is just afirst-class fizzle. We often have them, and though they're not as muchfun as a real good sailing party, yet we manage to get a good time out ofthem some way. "

"I don't see how, " said Ethelyn, who was growing very ill-tempered. 

"We'll show you, " said Frank Elliott kindly; "there are lots of things todo on board a boat besides sail. "

There did seem to be, and notwithstanding the heat and the sunburn--yes, even the mosquitoes--those happy-go-lucky young people found ways to havea real good time. They sang songs and told stories and jokes, and showedeach other clever little games and tricks. One of the boys had a cameraand he took pictures of the whole crowd, both singly and in groups. Mr. Hepworth drew caricature portraits, and Kenneth Harper gave some of hisfunny impersonations. 

Except for the responsibility of her cousin's entertainment, Pattyenjoyed herself exceedingly; but then she was always a happy little girl, and never allowed herself to be discomfited by trifles. 

Everybody was surprised when Aunt Alice announced that it was time forluncheon, and though all were disappointed at the failure of the sail, everybody seemed to take it philosophically and even merrily. 

"What is the matter?" said Ethelyn. "Why don't we go?"

"The matter is, " said Mr. Fairfield, "we are becalmed. There is nobreeze and consequently nothing to make our bonny ship move, so shestands still. "

"And are we going to stay right here all day?" asked Ethelyn. 

"It looks very much like it, unless an ocean steamer comes along andgives us a tow. "

Aunt Alice and the girls of the party soon had the luncheon ready, andthe merry feast was made. As Frank remarked, it was a very differentthing to sit there in the broiling sun and eat sandwiches and devilledeggs, or to consume the same viands with the yacht madly flying along inrolling waves and dashing spray. 

The afternoon palled a little. Youthful enthusiasm and determined goodtemper could make light of several hours of discomfort, but toward threeo'clock the sun's rays grew unbearably hot, the glare from the water wasvery trying, and the mosquitoes were something awful. 

Guy Morris, who probably spent more of his time in a boat than any of theothers, declared that he had never seen such a day. 

Mr. Fairfield felt sorry for Ethelyn, who had never had such anexperience before, and so he exerted himself to entertain her, but sheresisted all his attempts, and even though Patty came to her father'sassistance, they found it impossible to make their guest happy. 

Reginald was no better. He growled and fretted about the heat and otherdiscomforts and he was so pompous and overbearing in his manner that itis not surprising that the boys of Vernondale cordially disliked him. 

"As long as we can't go sailing, " said Ethelyn, "I should think wewould go home. "

"We can't get home, " said Patty patiently. She had already explained thisseveral times to her cousin. "There is no breeze to take us anywhere. "

"Well, what will happen to us, then? Shall we stay here forever?"

"There ought to be a breeze in two or three days, " said Kenneth Harper, who could not resist the temptation to chaff this ill-tempered youngperson. "Say by Tuesday or Wednesday, I should think a capful of windmight puff up in some direction. "

"It is coming now, " said Frank Elliott suddenly; "I certainly feela draught. "

"Put something around you, my boy, " said his mother, "I don't want youto take cold. "

"Let me get you a wrap, " said Frank, smiling back at his mother, who wasfanning herself with a folded newspaper. 

"The wind is coming, " said Guy Morris, and his serious face was a sharpcontrast to the merry ones about him, "and it's no joke this time. Withinten minutes there'll be a stiff breeze, and within twenty a howling gale, or I'm no sailor. "

As he spoke he was busily preparing to reef the mainsail, and heconsulted hurriedly with the sailors. 

At first no one could believe Guy's prophecies would come true, but in afew moments the cool breeze was distinctly felt, the sun went under acloud, and the boat began to move. It was a sudden squall, and the cloudsthickened and massed themselves into great hills of blackness; the waterturned dark and began to rise in little threatening billows, the windgrew stronger and stronger, and then without warning the rain came. Thunder and lightning added to the excitement of the occasion, and inless than fifteen minutes the smooth sunny glare of water was at themercy of a fearful storm. 

The occupants of the boat seemed to know exactly how to behave in thesecircumstances. Mrs. Elliott and the girls of the party went down into thelittle cabin, which held them all, but which was very crowded. 

Guy Morris took command, and the other boys, and men, too, for thatmatter, did exactly as he told them. 

Ethelyn began to cry. This was really not surprising, as the girl hadnever before had such an experience and was exceedingly nervous as wellas very much frightened. 

Mrs. Elliott appreciated this, and putting her arm around the sobbingchild, comforted her with great tact and patience. 

The storm passed as quickly as it came. There had been danger, both realand plentiful, but no bad results attended, except that everybody wasmore or less wet with the rain. 

The boys were more and the girls less, but to Ethelyn's surprise, theyall seemed to view the whole performance quite as a matter of course, andaccepted the situation with the same merry philosophy that they had shownin the morning. 

The thermometer had fallen many degrees, and the cold wind against dampclothing caused a most unpleasant sensation. 

"It's an ill wind that blows nobody good, " said Guy. "This breeze willtake us home, spinning. "

"I'm glad of it, " said Ethelyn snappishly; "I've had quite enough of thesailing party. "

Frank confided to Patty afterward that he felt like responding that thesailing party had had quite enough of her, but instead he said politely:

"Oh, don't be so easily discouraged! Better luck next time. "

To which Ethelyn replied, still crossly, "There'll be no next time forme. "

CHAPTER XIX

MORE COUSINS

Patty was not sorry when her Elmbridge cousins concluded their visit, andthe evening after their departure she sat on the veranda with her father, talking about them. 

"It's a pity, " she said, "that Ethelyn is so ill-tempered; for she's sopretty and graceful, and she's really very bright and entertaining whenshe is pleased. But so much of the time she is displeased, and thenthere's no doing anything with her. "

"She's selfish, Patty, " said her father; "and selfishness is just aboutthe worst fault in the catalogue. A selfish person cannot be happy. Youprobably learned something to that effect from your early copybooks, butit is none the less true. "

"I know it, papa, and I do think that selfish ness is the worst faultthere is; and though I fight against it, do you know I sometimes thinkthat living here alone with you, and having my own way in everything, ismaking me rather a selfish individual myself. "

"I don't think you need worry about that, " said a hearty voice, andKenneth Harper appeared at the veranda steps. "Pardon me, I wasn'teavesdropping, but I couldn't help overhearing your last remark, and Ithink it my duty to set your mind at rest on that score. Selfishness isnot your besetting sin, Miss Patty Fairfield, and I can't allow you tolibel yourself. "

"I quite agree with you, Ken, " said Mr. Fairfield. "My small daughter maynot be absolutely perfect, but selfishness is not one of her faults. Atleast, that's the conclusion I've come to, after observing her prettycarefully through her long and checkered career. "

"Well, if I'm not selfish, I will certainly become vain if so manycompliments are heaped upon me, " said Patty, laughing; "and I'm sure Ivalue very highly the opinions of two such wise men. "

"Oh, say a man and a boy, " said young Harper modestly. 

"All right, I will, " said Patty, "but I'm not sure which is which. Sometimes I think papa more of a boy than you are, Ken. "

"Now you've succeeded in complimenting us both at once, " said Mr. Fairfield, "which proves you clever as well as unselfish. "

"Well, never mind me for the present, " said Patty; "I want to talk aboutsome other people, and they are some more of my cousins. "

"A commodity with which you seem to be well supplied, " said Kenneth. 

"Indeed I am; I have a large stock yet in reserve, and I think, papa, that I'll ask Bob and Bumble to visit me for a few weeks. "

"Do, " said Mr. Fairfield, "if you would enjoy having them, but nototherwise. You've just been through a siege of entertaining cousins, andI think you deserve a vacation. "

"Oh, but these are so different, " said Patty. "Bob and Bumble are nothinglike the St. Clairs. They enjoy everything, and they're always happy. "

"I like their name, " said Kenneth. "Bumble isn't exactly romantic, butit sounds awfully jolly. "

"She is jolly, " said Patty, "and so is Bob. They're twins, about sixteen, and they're just brimming over with fun and mischief. Bumble's real nameis Helen, but I guess no one ever called her that. Helen seems to mean afair, tall girl, slender and graceful, and rather willowy; and Bumble isjust the opposite of that: she's round and solid, and always tumblingdown; at least she used to be, but she may have outgrown that habit now. Anyway, she's a dear. "

"And what is Bob like?" asked her father. "I haven't seen him since hewas a baby. "

"Bob? Oh, he's just plain boy; awfully nice and obliging and good-heartedand unselfish, but I don't believe he'll ever be President. "

"I think I shall like your two cousins, " said Kenneth, with an air ofconviction. "When are they coming?"

"I shall ask them right away, and I hope they'll soon come. How muchlonger shall you be in Vernondale?"

"Oh, I think I'm a fixture for the summer. Aunt Locky wants me to spendmy whole vacation here, and I don't know of any good reason why Ishouldn't. "

"I'm very glad; it will be awfully nice to have you here when thetwins are, and perhaps somebody else will be here, too. I'm going toask Nan Allen. "

"Who is she?" inquired Mr. Fairfield. 

"Oh, papa, don't you remember about her? She is a friend of the Barlows, and lives near them in Philadelphia, and she was visiting them down atLong Island when I was there last summer. She's perfectly lovely. She's agrown-up young lady, compared to Bumble and me--she's about twenty-two, Ithink--and I know Kenneth will lose his heart to her. He'll have no moreuse for schoolgirls. "

"Probably not, " said Kenneth; "but I'm afraid the adorable young ladywill have no use for me. She won't if Hepworth's around, and he usuallyis. He's always cutting me out. "

"Nothing of the sort, " said Patty staunchly. "Mr. Hepworth is very nice, but he's papa's friend, "

"And whose friend am I?" said young Harper. 

"You're everybody's friend, " said Patty, smiling at him. "You're just'Our Ken. '"

Miss Nan Allen was delighted to accept an invitation to Boxley Hall, andit was arranged that she and the Barlow twins should spend August there. 

"A month is quite a long visit, Pattikins, " said her father. 

"Yes, but you see, papa, I stayed there three months. Now, if three ofthem stay here one month, it will be the same proportion. And, besides, I like them, and I want them to stay a good while. I shan'tget tired of them. "

"I don't believe you will, but you may get tired of the care ofhousekeeping, with guests for so long a time. But if you do, I shall pickup the whole tribe of you and bundle off for a trip of some sort. "

"Oh, papa, I wish you would do that. I'd be perfectly delighted. I'll domy best to get tired, just so you'll take us. "

"But if I remember your reports of your Barlow cousins, it seems to methey would not make the most desirable travelling companions. Aren't theythe ones who were so helter-skelter, never were ready on time, never knewwhere things were, and, in fact, had never learned the meaning of thephrase 'Law and order'?"

"Yes, they're the ones, and truly they are something dreadful. Don't youremember they had a party and forgot to send out the invitations? And thefirst night I reached there, when I went to visit them, they forgot tohave any bed in my room. "

"Yes, I thought I remembered your writing to me about some such doings;and do you think you can enjoy a month with such visitors as that?"

"Oh, yes, papa, because they won't upset _my_ house; and, really, they'rethe dearest people. Oh, I'm awfully fond of Bob and Bumble I And NanAllen is lovely. Nobody can help liking her. She's not so helter-skelteras the others, but down at the Hurly-Burly nobody could help losingtheir things. Why, I even grew careless myself. "

"Well, have your company, child, and I'll do all I can to make itpleasant for you and for them. "

"I know you will, you dear old pearl of a father. Sometimes I think youenjoy my company as much as I do myself, but I suppose you don't really. I suppose you entertain the young people and pretend to enjoy it just tomake me happy. "

"I am happy, dear, in anything that makes you happy; though sixteen isnot exactly an age contemporary with my own. But I enjoy having Hepworthdown, and I like young Harper a great deal. Then, of course, I have mylittle friends, Mr. And Mrs. Elliott, to play with--so I am not entirelydependent on the kindergarten. "

The Barlow twins and Nan Allen were expected to arrive on Thursdayafternoon at four o'clock, and everything at Boxley Hall was in readinessfor the arrival of the guests. 

"Not that it's worth while to have everything in such spick-and-spanorder, " said Patty to herself, "for the Barlows won't appreciate it, andwhat's more they'll turn everything inside out and upside down beforethey've been in the house an hour. "

But, notwithstanding her conviction, she made her preparations ascarefully as if for the most fastidious visitors and viewed the resultwith great satisfaction after it was finished. 

She went down in the carriage to meet the train, delighted at the thoughtof seeing again her Barlow cousins, of whom she was really very fond. 

"I wish Aunt Grace and Uncle Ted were coming, too, " she said to herself;"but I suppose I couldn't take care of so many people at once. It wouldbe like running a hotel. "

The train had not arrived when they reached the station, so, telling thecoachman to wait, Patty left the carriage and walked up and down thestation platform. 

"Hello, Patty, haven't your cousins come yet?"

"Why, Kenneth, is that you? No, they haven't come; I think the trainmust be late. "

"Yes, it is a little, but there it is now, just coming into sight aroundthe curve. May I stay and meet them? Or would you rather fall on theirnecks alone?"

"Oh, stay, I'd be glad to have you; but you'll have to walk back, there'sno room in the carriage for you. "

"Oh, that's all right. I have my wheel, thank you. "

The train stopped, and a number of passengers alighted. But as the trainwent on and the small crowd dispersed, Patty remarked in a mostexasperated tone:

"Well, they didn't come on that train. I just knew they wouldn't. Theyare the most aggravating people! Now, nobody knows whether they were onthat train and didn't know enough to get off, or whether they missed itat the New York end. What time is the next train?"

"I'm not sure, " said Kenneth; "let's go in the station and find out. "

The next train was due at 4. 30, but the expected guests did not arriveon that either. 

"There's no use in getting annoyed, " said Patty, laughing, "for it'sreally nothing more nor less than I expected. The Barlows never catch thetrain they intend to take. "

"And Miss Allen? Is she the same kind of an 'Old Reliable'?"

"No, Nan is different; and I believe that, left to herself, she'd be ontime, though probably not ahead of time. But I've never seen her exceptwith the Barlows, and when she was down at the Hurly-Burly she was justabout as uncertain as the rest of them. "

"Is the Hurly-Burly the Barlow homestead?"

"Well, it's their summer home, and it's really a lovely place. But itsname just expresses it. I spent three months there last summer, and I hadan awfully good time, but no one ever knew what was going to happen nextor when it would come off. But everybody was so good-natured that theydidn't mind a bit. Well, I suppose we may as well drive back home. There's no telling when these people will come. Very likely not untilto-morrow. "

Just then a small messenger boy came up to Patty and handed her atelegram. 

"Just as I thought!" exclaimed Patty. "They've done some crazy thing. "

Opening the yellow envelope, she read:

"Took wrong train. Carried through to Philadelphia. Back thisevening. BOB. "

"Well, then, they can't get here until that nine-o'clock train comes in, "said Kenneth, "so there's no use in your waiting any longer now. "

"No, I suppose not, " said Patty; "I'm awfully disappointed. I wish theyhad come. "

An east-bound train had just come into the station, and Patty and Kennethstood idly watching it, when suddenly Patty exclaimed:

"There they are now! Did you ever know such ridiculous people?"

CHAPTER XX

A FAIR EXCHANGE

"We didn't have to go to Philadelphia after all, " explained Bob, aftergreetings had been exchanged. "We found we could get off at New Brunswickand come back from there. "

"Why didn't you find out that before telegraphing?" laughed Patty. 

"Never once thought of it, " said Bob, "You know the Barlows are not notedfor ingenuity. "

"Well, they're noted for better things than that, " said Patty, as sheaffectionately squeezed Bumble's plump arm. 

"We wouldn't have thought of it at all, " said honest Bob, "if it hadn'tbeen for Nan. She suggested it. "

"Well, I was sent along with instructions to look after you tworattle-pated youngsters, " said Nan, "and so I had to do something to liveup to my privileges; and now, Bob, you look after the luggage, will you?"

"Let me help, " said Kenneth. "Where are your checks, Miss Allen?"

"Here are the checks for the trunks, and there are three suit-cases; theone that hasn't any name on is mine, and you tell it by the fact that ithas an extra handle on the end. I'm very proud of that handle; I had itput on by special order, and it's so convenient, and it is identificationbesides. I didn't want my name painted on. I think it spoils a brand-newsuit-case to have letters all over it. "

"We'll find them all right; come on, Barlow, " said Kenneth, and the twoyoung men started off. 

They returned in a few moments with the three suit-cases, Bob bringinghis own and his sister's, while Kenneth Harper carefully carried theimmaculate leather case with the handle on the end. These were depositedin the Fairfield carriage. Patty and her guests were also tucked in, andthey started for the house, while Kenneth followed on his wheel. 

"Come over to-night, " Patty called back to him, as they left him behind;and though his answer was lost in the distance, she had little doubt asto its tenor. 

"What a nice young fellow!" said Nan. "Who is he?"

"He's the nephew of our next-door neighbour, " said Patty; "and he'sspending his vacation with his aunt. "

"He's a jolly all-round chap, " said Bob. 

"Yes, he's just that, " said Patty. "I thought you'd like him. You'll likeall the young people here. They're an awfully nice crowd. "

"I'm so glad to see _you_ again, " said Bumble, "I don't care whether Ilike the other young people or not. And I want to see Uncle Fred, too. Ihaven't seen him for years and years. "

"Oh, he's one of the young people, " said Patty, laughing; "he goes 'mosteverywhere with us. I tell him he's more of a boy than Ken. "

As they drove up to the house, Bumble exclaimed with delight at thebeautiful flowers and the well-kept appearance of the whole place. 

"What a lovely home!" she cried. "I don't see how you ever put up withour tumble-down old place, Patty. "

"Nonsense!" said Patty. "I had the time of my life down at theHurly-Burly last summer. "

"Well, we're going to have the time of our life at Boxley Hall thissummer, I feel sure of that, " said Bob, as he sprang out of the carriageand then helped the others out. 

"I hope you will, " said Patty. "You are very welcome to Boxley Hall, andI want you just to look upon it as your home and conduct yourselvesaccordingly. "

"Nan can do that, " said Bumble, "but I'm afraid, if Bob and I did it, your beautiful home would soon lose its present spick-and-span effect. "

"All right, let it lose, " said Patty. "We'll have a good time anyhow. Andnow, " she went on, as she took the guests to their rooms, "there'll bejust about an hour before dinner time but if you get ready before thatcome down. You'll probably find me on the front veranda, if I'm not inthe kitchen. "

Bob was the first one to reappear, and he found Patty and her fatherchatting on the front veranda. 

"How do you do, Uncle Fred?" he said. "You may know my name, but I doubtif you remember my features. "

"Hello, Bob, my boy, " said Mr. Fairfield, cordially grasping the handheld out to him. "As I last saw you with features of infantile vacancy, Iam glad to start fresh and make your acquaintance all over again. "

"Thank you, sir, " said Bob, as he seated himself on the veranda railing. "I didn't know you as an infant, but I dare say you were a veryattractive one. "

"I think I was, " said Mr. Fairfield; "at least I remember hearing mymother say so, and surely she ought to know. "

Just then Bumble came out on the porch with her hair-ribbon in her hand. 

"Please tie this for me, Patty, " she said. "I cannot manage it myself, and get it on quick before Uncle Fred sees me. "

"But I am so glad to see you, my dear Bumble, " said Mr. Fairfield, "thateven that piece of pretty blue ribbon can't make me any gladder. "

Bumble smiled back at him in her winning way, and Patty tied her cousin'shair-ribbon with a decided feeling of relief that in all other respectsBumble's costume was tidy and complete. 

"Where's Nan?" she inquired; "isn't she ready yet?"

"Why, it's the funniest thing, " said Bumble, "I tapped at her door as Icame by, but she told me to go on and not wait for her, she would comedown in a few minutes. "

Just as Pansy appeared to announce dinner, Nan did come down, and Pattystared at her in amazement. Bob whistled, and Bumble exclaimed:

"Well, for goodness gracious sakes! What are you up to now?"

For Nan, instead of wearing the pretty gown which Bumble knew she hadbrought in her suitcase, was garbed in the complete costume of a trainednurse. A white piqué skirt and linen shirt-waist of immaculate andstarched whiteness, an apron with regulation shoulder-straps, and a capthat betokened a graduate of St. Luke's Hospital, formed her surprising, but not at all unbecoming, outfit. 

Nan's roguish face looked very demure under the white cap, and she smiledpleasantly when Patty at last recovered her wits sufficiently tointroduce her father. 

"Nan, " she said, "if this is really you, let me present my father; and, papa, this is supposed to be Miss Nan Allen, but I never saw her looklike this before. "

"I am very glad to meet you, Miss Allen, " said Mr. Fairfield, "and thoughwe are all apparently very well at present, one can never tell how soonthere may be need of your professional services. "

"I hope not very soon, " said Nan, laughing; "for my professionalknowledge is scarcely sufficient to enable me to adjust this costumeproperly. "

"It seems to be on all right, " said Patty, looking at it critically; "butwhere in the world did you get it? And what have you got it on for? We'renot going to a masquerade. "

"I put it on, " said Nan, "because I couldn't help myself. I wanted tochange my travelling gown, and when I opened my suit-case this is allthere was in it, except some combs and brushes and bottles. "

"Whew!" said Bob. "When I picked up that suit-case I wasn't quite sure Ihad the right one. You know I went back for it after we left the train atNew Brunswick, and you said it was the only one in the world with ahandle on the end. "

"I thought it was, " said Nan, "but it seems somebody else was cleverenough to have an end-handle too, and she was a trained nurse, apparently. "

"Many of the new suit-cases have handles on the end, " said Mr. Fairfield, "though not common as yet I have seen a number of them. But just imaginehow the nurse feels who is obliged to wear your dinner gown instead ofher uniform. "

"I hope she won't spoil it, " exclaimed Bumble. "It was that lovely lightblue thing, one of the prettiest frocks you own. "

"I can imagine her now, " said Bob: "she is probably bathing the brow of asleepless patient, and the lace ruffles and turquoise bugles are helpingalong a lot. In fact, I think she's looking rather nice going around asick-room in that blue bombazine. "

"It isn't bombazine, Bob, " said his sister; "it's beautiful, lovelylight-blue chiffon. "

"Well, beautiful, lovely light-blue chiffon, then; but anyway, I'msure the nurse is glad of a chance to wear it instead of her ownplain clothes. "

"But her own plain clothes are not at all unpicturesque, and are verybecoming to Miss Allen, " said Mr. Fairfield. "But haven't your trunkscome?" he added, as they all went out to dinner. 

"No, " said Bob; "Mr. Harper and I investigated the baggage-room, butthey weren't there. "

"Oh, call him Kenneth, " said Patty. "You boys are too young for suchformality. "

"I may be, " said Bob, "but he isn't. He's a college man. "

"He's a college boy, " said Patty; "he's only nineteen, and you're sixteenyourself. "

"Going on seventeen, " said Bob proudly, "and so is Bumble. "

"Twins often are the same age, " observed Mr. Fairfield, "and after a fewyears, Bob, you'll have to be careful how you announce your own age, because it will reveal your sister's. "

"Pooh! I don't care, " said Bumble. "I'd just as lieve people would knowhow old I am. Nan is twenty-two, and she doesn't care who knows it. "

"You look about fifty in those ridiculous clothes, " said Patty. 

"Do I?" said Nan, quite unconcernedly. "I don't mind that a bit, but Idon't think I can keep them at this stage of whiteness for many days. Can anything be done to coax our trunks this way?"

"We might do some telephoning after dinner, " said Mr. Fairfield. "What isthe situation up to the present time?"

"Why, you see it was this way, " said Bumble. "When the carriage came totake us to the station, the trunks weren't quite ready, and mamma saidfor us to go on and she'd finish packing them and send them down in timeto get that train or the next. "

"And did they come for that train?"

"No, they didn't, and so, of course, they must have been sent on the nextone; but even so, they ought to be here now, because, you know, we wenton through and came back. "

"But how did you get your checks if your trunks weren't put on thetrain?"

"Oh, the baggageman knows us, " explained Bob, "and he gave us our checksand kept the duplicates to put on our trunks when they came down to thestation. He often does that. "

"Yes, " said Bumble, "we've never had our trunks ready yet when the mancame for them. "

"Nan's was ready, " put in Bob, who was a great stickler for justice, "but, of course, hers couldn't go till ours did. Oh, I guess they'll turnup all right. "

They did turn up all right twenty-four hours later, but the exchange ofsuit-cases was not so easily effected. 

However, after more or less correspondence between Nan and the nurse whoowned the uniform, the transfer was finally made, and Nan recovered herpretty blue gown, which certainly bore no evidence of having been worn ina sickroom. 

"But I bet she wore it, all the same, " said Bob. "She probablyneglected her patient and went to a party that night just because shehad the frock. "

CHAPTER XXI

A GOOD SUGGESTION

August at Boxley Hall proved to be a month of fun and frolic. The Barlowcousins were much easier to entertain than the St. Clairs. In fact, theyentertained themselves, and as for Nan Allen, she entertained everybodywith whom she came in contact. Mr. Fairfield expressed himself as beingdelighted to have Patty under the influence of such a gracious andcharming young woman, and Aunt Alice quite agreed with him. Marian adoredNan, and though she liked Bumble very much indeed, she took more realpleasure in the society of the older girl. 

But they were a congenial crowd of merry young people, and when Mr. Hepworth came down from the city, as he often did, and Kenneth Harperdrifted in from next-door, as he very often did, the house party atBoxley Hall waxed exceeding merry. 

And there was no lack of social entertainment. The Vernondale youngpeople were quite ready to provide pleasures for Patty's guests, and theappreciation shown by Nan and the Barlows was a decided and very pleasantcontrast to the attitude of Ethelyn and Reginald. 

Sailing parties occurred often, and these Nan enjoyed especially, for shewas passionately fond of the water, and dearly loved sailing or rowing. 

The Tea Club girls all liked Nan, and though she was older than most ofthem, she enjoyed their meetings quite as much as Bumble, Marian, orPatty herself. 

Bob soon made friends with the "Tea Club Annex, " as the boys of Patty'sset chose to call themselves. Though not a club of any sort, they werealways invited when the Tea Club had anything special going on, and manytimes when it hadn't. 

One afternoon the Tea Club was holding its weekly meeting at Marian's. 

"Do you know, " Elsie Morris was saying, "that the Babies' Hospital is inneed of funds again? Those infants are perfect gormandisers. I don't seehow they can eat so much or wear so many clothes. "

"Babies always wear lots of clothes, " said Lillian Desmond, with an airof great wisdom. "I've seen them; they just bundle them up in everythingthey can find, and then wrap more things around them. "

"Well, they've used up all their wrappings, " said Elsie Morris, "andthey want more. I met Mrs. Greenleaf this morning in the street, andshe stopped me to ask if we girls wouldn't raise some more money forthem somehow. "

"Oh, dear!" said Florence Douglass. "They just want us to work all thetime for the old hospital; I'm tired of it. "

"Why, Florence!" said Patty. "We haven't done a thing since we had thatplay last winter. I think it would be very nice to have someentertainment or something and make some money for them again. We couldhave some summery outdoorsy kind of a thing like a lawn party, you know. "

"Yes, " said Laura Russell, "and have it rain and spoil everything; andsoak all the Chinese lanterns, and drench all the people's clothes, andeverybody would run into the house and track mud all over. Oh, it wouldbe lovely!"

"What a cheerful view you do take of things, Laura, " said Elsie Morris. "Now, you know it's just as likely not to rain as to rain. "

"More likely, " said Nan. "It doesn't rain twice as often as it rains. NowI believe it would be a beautiful bright day, or moonlight night, whichever you have the party, and nobody will get their clothes spoiled, and the lanterns will burn lovely, and you will have a big crowd, and itwould be a howling success, and you'd make an awful lot of money. "

"That picture sounds very attractive, " said Polly Stevens, "and I saylet's do it. But somehow I don't like a lawn party--it's so tame. Let'shave something real novel and original. Nan, you must know of something. "

"I don't, " said Nan. "I'm stupid as an owl about such things. But if youcan decide on something to have, I'll help all I can with it. "

"And Nan's awful good help!" put in Bumble. "She works and works andworks, and never gets tired. I'll help, too; I'd love to, only I'm notmuch good. "

"We'll take all the help that's offered, " said Elsie Morris, "of anyquality whatsoever. But what can the show be?"

No amount of thinking or discussion seemed to suggest any novelenterprise by which a fortune could be made at short notice, and at lastNan said: "I should think, Patty, that Mr. Hepworth could help. He'salways having queer sorts of performances in his studio. Don't you knowthe Mock Art exhibition he told us about?"

"Oh, yes, " said Patty; "he'd be sure to know of something for us to do;and I think he's coming out with papa to-night. I'll ask him. "

"Do, " said Elsie; "and tell him it must be something that's heaps of fun, and that we'll all like, and that's never been done here before. "

"All right, " said Patty. "Anything else?"

"Yes; it must be something to appeal to the popular taste and draw a bigcrowd, so we can make a lot of money for the babies. "

"Very well, " said Patty; "I'll tell him all that, and I'm sure he'llsuggest just the right thing. "

Mr. Hepworth did come down that night, and when the girls asked him forsuggestions he very willingly began to think up plans for them. 

"I should think you might make a success, " he said, "of an entertainmentlike one I attended up in the mountains last summer. It was called a'County Fair, ' and was a sort of burlesque on the county fairs or statefairs that used to be held annually, and are still, I believe, in somesections of the country. "

"It sounds all right so far, " said Patty. "Tell us more about it. "

"Well, you know you get everybody interested, and you have a committeefor all the different parts of it. "

"What are the different parts of it?"

"Oh, they're the domestic department, where you exhibit pies andbed-quilts and spatter-work done by the ladies in charge. "

"Of course, these exhibits aren't real, you know, Patty, " said herfather; "and you girls would probably be tempted to put up gay jokes oneach other. For instance, that rockery arrangement of Pansy's might beexhibited as your idea of art work. "

"I wouldn't mind the joke on myself, papa, " said Patty, "but it might notplease Pansy. But we can get plenty of things to exhibit in the domesticdepartment. That will be easy enough. I'll borrow Miss Daggett's pumpkinbed-quilt to exhibit as my latest achievement in the line of applied art, and I'll make a pie and label it Laura Russell's, which will take thefirst prize; but what other departments are there, Mr. Hepworth?"

"Well, the horticulture department can be made very humourous, as well aslucrative. At this fair I went to, the ladies had a beautiful table fullof pin-cushions and other gimcracks, in the shape of fruits andvegetables. "

"Oh, yes, " said Bumble, "I know how to make those. I can make bananas andpotatoes and Nan can make lovely strawberries. "

"And I can make paper flowers, " said Bob, "honest, I can! Great bigsunflowers and tiger lilies, and you can use them for lampshades ifyou like. "

"Yes, the horticulture booth will be easy enough, " said Nan. "I'll help alot with that. Now, what else?"

"Then you can have an art gallery, if you like. Burlesque, of course, with ridiculous pictures and statues. I know where I can borrow a lot foryou in New York. "

"Gorgeous!" cried Patty, clapping her hands. "What a trump you are!What else?"

"A loan exhibition is of real interest, " said Mr. Hepworth. "If you'venever had one of those here, I think one or two of your members couldarrange a very effective little exhibit by borrowing objects of interestfrom their friends about town. "

"I'm sure of it, " said Patty. "Miss Daggett has lovely things, and so hasMrs. Greenleaf, and Aunt Alice, and lots of people. We'll let FlorenceDouglass and Lillian Desmond look after that. It's just in their line. "

"And then you must have side shows, you know; funny performances, like'Punch and Judy, ' and a fortune-telling gipsy. And then all the peoplewho take part in it must wear fancy or grotesque costumes. And the greatfeature of the whole show is a parade of these people in their eccentricgarb. Some walk, while others ride on decorated steeds, or in queervehicles. Of course, there's lots of detail and lots of work about it, but if you go into the thing with any sort of enthusiasm, I'm sure youcan make a big success of it. "

They did go into the thing with all sorts of enthusiasm, and they didmake a big success of it. 

The Tea Club girls declared the scheme a fine one, and the Boys' Annexannounced themselves as ready to help in any and every possible way. Committees were appointed to attend to the different departments, and asthese committees were carefully selected with a view to giving each whathe or she liked best to do, the whole work went on harmoniously. 

The site chosen for the county fair was the old Warner place. As this wasstill unoccupied, it made a most appropriate setting for the projectedentertainment. When Mr. Hepworth saw it he declared it was ideal for thepurpose, and immediately began to make plans for utilising the differentrooms of the old house. 

A loan exhibition was to be held in one; and, as Patty had foreseen, manyold relics and heirlooms of great interest were borrowed from willinglenders around town. In another room was the domestic exhibition, and inanother the horticultural show was held. 

One room was devoted to amusing the children, and contained a Punch andJudy show, fish pond, and various games. 

There was a candy kitchen, where white-capped cooks could make candy andsell it to immediate purchasers. 

It had been decided to hold the fair during the afternoon and evening oftwo consecutive days. As Nan had prophesied, these days showed weatherbeyond all criticism. Not too warm to be pleasant, but with brightsunshine and a gentle breeze. 

At three o'clock the grand parade began, and the spectators watched withglee the grotesque figures that passed them in line. 

Patty, whose special department was the candy kitchen, was dressed as theQueen of Hearts who made the renowned tarts. Mr. Hepworth had designedher dress, and though it was of simple white cheese-cloth, trimmed withred-and-gold hearts, it was very effective and becoming. She wore a giltcrown, and carried a gilt sceptre, and rode in her own little pony cart, which had been so gaily decorated for the occasion that it was quiteunrecognisable. Kenneth Harper, as the Knave of Hearts, who wickedlystole the tarts, sat by her side and drove the little chariot. 

Nan was dressed as a gipsy. She had a marvellous tent in which to tellfortunes, and in the parade she rode on a much-bedecked donkey. 

Marian was a dame of olden time, and Bumble was a Japanese lady ofhigh degree. 

There were quaint and curious costumes of all sorts, each of whichprovoked much mirth or admiration from the enthusiastic audience. 

After the parade, the fair was announced open, and the patrons wererequested to spend their money freely for the benefit of the hospital. 

So well did they respond that, as a result of their efforts, the Tea Clubgirls were able to present Mrs. Greenleaf with the sum of five hundreddollars toward her good work. 

CHAPTER XXII

AT THE SEASHORE

Toward the end of August the Barlows' visit drew toward its close. Although Patty was sorry to have her cousins go, yet she looked forwardwith a certain sense of relief to being once more alone with her father. 

"It's lovely to have company, " she confided to her Aunt Alice one day, "and I do enjoy it ever so much, only somehow I get tired of ordering andlooking after things day after day. "

"All housekeepers have that experience, Patty, dear, " said Aunt Alice, "but they're usually older than you before they begin. It is a great dealof care for a girl of sixteen, and though you get along beautifully, I'msure it has been rather a hard summer for you. "

So impressed was Mrs. Elliott with these facts that she talked to Mr. Fairfield about the matter, and advised him to take Patty away somewherefor a little rest and change before beginning her school year again. 

Mr. Fairfield agreed heartily to this plan, expressed himself as willingto take Patty anywhere, and suggested that some of the Elliotts go, too. 

When Patty's opinion was asked, she said she would be delighted to goaway for a vacation, and that she had the place all picked out. 

"Well, you are an expeditious young woman, " said her father. "And whereis it that you want to go?"

"Why, you see, papa, the 1st of September, when Bob and Bumble go homefrom here, Nan isn't going back with them; she's going down to SpringLake. That's a place down on the New Jersey coast, and I've never beenthere, and she says it's lovely, and so I want to go there. "

"Well, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't, " said Mr. Fairfield. "Itwould suit me well enough, if Nan is willing we should follow in herfootsteps. "

"I'm delighted to have you, " said Nan, who was in a hammock at the otherend of the veranda when this conclave was taking place. 

"I wish we could go with the crowd, " said Bob, who was perched on theveranda railing. 

"I wish so, too, " said Bumble; "but wishing doesn't do any good. Afterthat letter father wrote yesterday, I think the best thing for us to dois to scurry home as fast as we can. "

So the plans were made according to Patty's wish, and a few days afterthe Barlow twins returned to their home, a merry party left Vernondalefor Spring Lake. 

This party consisted of Mr. And Mrs. Elliott and Marian, Mr. Fairfield, Patty, and Nan. 

They had all arranged for rooms in the same hotel to which Nan was going, and where her parents were awaiting her. 

Marlborough House was its name, and very attractive and comfortable itlooked to the Vernondale people as they arrived about four o'clock oneafternoon in early September. 

Mr. And Mrs. Allen proved to be charming people who were more than readyto show any courtesies in their power to the Fairfields, who had sokindly entertained Nan. 

Although an older couple than the Elliotts, they proved to be congenialcompanions, and after a day or two the whole party felt as if they hadknown each other all their lives. Acquaintances ripen easily at theseashore, and Patty soon came to the conclusion that she was beginningwhat was to be one of the pleasantest experiences of her life. 

And so it proved; although Mr. Fairfield announced that Patty had comedown for a rest, and that there was to be very little, if any, gaietyallowed, yet somehow there was always something pleasant going on. 

Every day there was salt-water bathing, and this was a great delight toPatty. The summer before, at her uncle's home on Long Island, she hadlearned to swim, and though it was more difficult to swim in the surf, yet it was also more fun. Nan was an expert swimmer, and Marian knewnothing of the art, but the three girls enjoyed splashing about in thewater, and were never quite ready to come out when Aunt Alice or Mrs. Allen called to them from the beach. 

In the afternoons there were long walks or drives along the shore, andthe exercise and salt air soon restored to Patty the robust health andstrength which her father feared she had lost during the summer. 

In the evening there was dancing--sometimes hops, but more often informaldancing among the young people staying at the hotel. All three of ourgirls were fond of dancing, and excelled in the art, but Patty wasespecially graceful and skillful. 

The first Saturday night after their arrival at Marlborough House, alarge dance was to be held, and this was really Patty's first experienceat what might be termed a ball. 

She was delighted with the prospect, and her father had ordered her abeautiful new frock from New York, which proved to be rather longer thanany she had as yet worn. 

"I feel so grown up in it, " she exclaimed, as she tried it on to show herfather. "I think I'll have to do up my hair when I wear this grandcostume; It doesn't seem just right to have it tied up with a littlegirl hair-ribbon. "

"Patty, my child, I do believe you're growing up!" said her father. 

"I do believe I am, papa; I'm almost seventeen, and I'm taller than AuntAlice now, and a lot taller than Marian. "

"It isn't only your height, child, you always were a big girl. But youseem to be growing up in other ways, and I don't believe I like it Iwas glad when you were no longer a child, but I like to have you alittle girl, and I don't believe I'll care for you a bit when you're ayoung woman. "

"Now, isn't that too bad!" said Patty, pinching her father's cheek. "Isuppose I'll have to suit myself with another father--I'm sure I couldn'tlive with anybody who didn't like me a bit. Well, perhaps Uncle Charleywill adopt me; he seems to like me at any age. "

"Oh, I'll try and put up with you, " said her father, kissing her. "Andmeantime, what's this talk about piling up your hair on top of your head. Is it really absolutely necessary to do so, if you wear this fripperyconfection of dry-goods?"

"Oh, not necessary, perhaps, but I think it would look better. At anyrate, I'll just try it. "

"Well, you don't seem to be standing with very _reluctant_ feet, " saidher father. "I believe you're rather anxious to grow up, after all; butrun along, chicken, and dress your hair any way you please. I want you tohave a good time at your first ball. "

As Frank Elliott and Kenneth Harper and Mr. Hepworth came down to SpringLake to stay over Sunday, the party of friends at Marlborough House wasconsiderably augmented. When the young men arrived the girls were lazilybasking on the sand, and Nan was pretending to read a book to the othertwo. Only pretending, however, for Patty kept interrupting her withnonsensical remarks, and Marian teased her by slowly sifting sand throughher fingers onto the pages of the book. 

"I might as well try to read to a tribe of wild Indians as to you twogirls, " said Nan at last. "Don't you _want_ your minds improved?"

"Do you think our superior minds _can_ be improved by that trash you'rereading?" said Patty. "I really think some of your instructiveconversation would benefit us more greatly. "

"You're an ungrateful pair, " said Nan, "and you don't deserve that Ishould waste my valuable conversation upon you. And you don't deserve, either, that I should tell you to turn your heads around to see who'scoming--but I will. "

Her hearers looked round quickly, and saw three familiar figures comingalong the board walk. 

"Goody!" cried Patty, and scrambling to her feet, she ran withoutstretched hands to meet them. 

She didn't look very grown up then, in her blue-serge beach dress and herhair in a long thick braid down her back, and curling round her templesin windblown locks; but to Mr. Hepworth's artist eye she looked morebeautiful than he had ever seen her. 

Kenneth Harper, too, looked admiringly at the graceful figure flyingtoward them across the sand, but Frank shouted:

"Hello, Patty, don't break your neck! we're coming down there. Where's Marian?"

"She's right here, " answered Patty; "we're all right here. Your mother'sup on the veranda. Oh, I'm so glad to see you! This is the loveliestplace, and we're having the beautifullest time; and now that you boyshave come, it will be better than ever. And there's going to be a hoptonight! Isn't that gay? Oh, how do you do, Mr. Hepworth?"

Though Patty's manner took on a shade more of dignity in addressing theolder man, it lost nothing in cordiality, and he responded with words ofglad greeting. 

Hearing the laughter and excitement, Aunt Alice and Mrs. Allen came downfrom the veranda to sit on the sand by the young people. Soon Mr. Fairfield and Mr. Allen and Mr. Elliott, returning from a stroll, joinedthe party. 

The newcomers produced divers and sundry parcels, which they turned overto the ladies, and which proved to contain various new books andmagazines and delicious candies and fruits. 

"It's just like Christmas!" exclaimed Patty. "I do love to have thingsbrought to me. "

"You're certainly in your element now, then, " said Mr. Fairfield, lookingat his daughter, who sat with a fig in one hand and a chocolate in theother, trying to open a book with her elbows. 

"I certainly am, " she responded. "The only flaw is that I suppose it'sabout time to go in to dinner. I wish we could all sit here on thesand forever. "

"You'd change your mind when you reached my age, " said Mrs. Allen. "I'mquite ready to go in now and find a more comfortable chair. "

Later that evening Patty, completely arrayed for the dance, came to herfather for inspection. 

"You look very sweet, my child, " he said after gazing at her long andearnestly; "and with your hair dressed that way you look very much likeyour mother. I'm sorry you're growing up, my baby, I certainly am; but Isuppose it can't be helped unless the world stops turning around. And ifit's any satisfaction to you, I'd like to have you know that your fatherthinks you the prettiest and sweetest girl in all the country round. "

"And aren't you going to tell me that if I only behave as well as I look, I'll do very nicely?"

"You seem to know that already, so I hardly think it's necessary. "

"Well, I'll tell it to you, then; for you do look so beautiful inevening clothes that I don't believe you _can_ behave as well as youlook. Nobody could. "

"I see your growing up has taught you flattery, " said her father, "ahabit you must try to overcome. "

But Patty was already dancing down the long hall to Aunt Alice's room, and a few moments later they all went down to the parlours. 

When Kenneth first saw Patty that evening, he stood looking at her with afunny, stupefied expression on his face. 

"What's the matter?" said Patty, laughing. "Just because I'm wearing afew extra hairpins you needn't look as if you'd lost your last friend. "

"I--I feel as if I ought to call you Miss Fairfield. "

"Well, call me that if you like, I don't mind. Call me Miss Smith or MissBrown, if you want to--I don't care what you call me, if you'll only askme to dance. "

"Come on, then, " said Kenneth; and in a moment they were whirling in thewaltz, and the boy's momentary embarrassment was entirely forgotten. 

CHAPTER XXIII

AMBITIONS

"There!" said Kenneth, after the dance was over, "you look more like yourold self now. "

"I haven't lost any hairpins, have I?" said Patty, putting up her handsto her fluffy topknot. 

"No, but you've lost that absurd dressed-up look. "

"I'm getting used to my new frock. Don't you like it?"

"Yes, of course I do. I like everything you wear, because I like you. Infact, I think I like you better than any girl I ever saw. "

Kenneth said this in such a frank, boyish way that he seemed to beannouncing a mere casual preference for some matter-of-fact thing. 

At least it seemed so to Patty, and she answered carelessly:

"You _think_ you do! I'd like you to be sure of it, sir. "

"I am sure of it, " said Ken, and then, a little more diffidently: "Do youlike me best?"

"Why, yes, of course I do, " said Patty, smiling, "that is, after papa andAunt Alice and Marian and Uncle Charley and Frank and Mancy andPansy--and Mr. Hepworth. "

Patty might not have added the last name if she had not just then seenthat gentleman coming toward her. 

He looked at Patty with an especial kindliness in his eyes, andsaid gently:

"Miss Fairfield, may I see your card?"

Patty flushed a little and her eyes fell. 

"Please don't talk like that, " she said. "I'm not grown up, if I amdressed up. I'm only Patty, and if you call me anything else I'llrun away. "

"Don't run away, " said Mr. Hepworth, still looking at her with that gravekindliness that seemed to have about it a touch of sadness. "I will callyou Patty as long as you will stay with me. "

Then Patty smiled again, quite her own merry little self, and gave himher card, saying:

"Put your name down a lot of times, please; you are a beautiful dancer, and I like best to dance with the people I know best. "

"I wish I had a rubber stamp, " said Mr. Hepworth; "it's very fatiguing towrite one's name on every line. "

"Oh, good gracious!" cried Patty, "don't take them all. I want to save alot for Frank and Ken--"

"And your father, " said Mr. Hepworth. 

"Papa? He doesn't dance--at least, I never saw him. "

"But he did dance that last waltz, with Miss Allen. "

"With Nan? Well, then, I rather think he can dance with his owndaughter. Don't take any more; I want all the rest for him, and pleasetake me to him. "

"Here he comes now. Mr. Fairfield, your daughter wishes a word with you. "

"Papa Fairfield!" exclaimed Patty, "you never told me you could dance!"

"You never asked me; you took it for granted that I was too old to friskaround the ballroom. "

"And aren't you?" asked Patty teasingly. 

"Try me and see, " said her father, as he took her card. 

The trial proved very satisfactory, and Patty declared that she must haveinherited her own taste for dancing from her father. 

The evening passed all too swiftly. Pretty Patty, with her merry ways andgraceful manners, was a real belle, and Aunt Alice was besieged byrequests for introductions to her niece and daughter. But Marian, thougha sweet and charming girl, had a certain shyness which always kept herfrom becoming an immediate favourite. Patty's absolute lack ofself-consciousness and her ready friendliness made her popular at once. 

Mr. Fairfield and Nan Allen were speaking of this, as they stood out onthe veranda and looked at Patty through the window. 

"She's the most perfect combination, " Miss Allen was saying, "of thechild and the girl. She has none of the silly affectations ofyoung-ladyhood, and yet she has in her nature all the elements that go tomake a wise and sensible woman. "

"I think you're right, " said Mr. Fairfield, as he looked fondly at hisdaughter. "She is growing up just as I want her to, and developing thetraits I most want her to possess. A frank simplicity of manner, a happy, fun-loving disposition, and a gentle, unselfish soul. "

Meantime Patty and Mr. Hepworth were sitting on the stairs. 

"Now my cup of happiness is full, " remarked Patty. "I have always thoughtit must be perfect bliss to sit on the stairs at a party. I don't knowwhy, I'm sure, but all the information I have gathered from art andliterature have led me to consider it the height of earthly joy. "

"And is it proving all your fancy painted it?" asked Mr. Hepworth, whowas sitting a step below. 

"Yes--that is, it's almost perfect. "

"And what is the lacking element?"

"Oh, I wouldn't like to tell you, " said Patty, and Mr. Hepworth was notquite certain whether her confusion were real or simulated. 

"May I guess?" he asked. 

"Yes, if you'll promise not to guess true, " said Patty. "If you did, Ishould be overcome with blushing embarrassment. "

"But I am going to guess, and if I guess true I will promise to go andbring you the element that will complete your happiness. "

"That sounds so tempting, " said Patty, "that now I hope you _will_ guesstrue. What is the missing joy?"

"Kenneth Harper, " said Mr. Hepworth, looking at Patty curiously. 

Without a trace of a blush Patty broke into gay laughter. 

"Oh, you are ridiculous!" she said. "I have _you_ here, why should Iwant him?"

"Then what is it you do want?" and Mr. Hepworth looked away as he evadedher question. 

"Since you make me confess my very prosaic desires, I'll own up that I'dlike a strawberry ice. "

"Well, that's just what I'm dying for myself, " said Mr. Hepworth gaily;"and if you'll reserve this orchestra chair for me, I'll go and foragefor it. It looks almost impossible to get through that crowd, but I'llreturn either with my shield or on it. Unless you'd rather I'd sendHarper back with the ice?"

"Do just as you please, " said Patty, with a sudden touch of coquetry inher smiling eyes; "it doesn't matter a bit to me. "

But though a willing messenger, Mr. Hepworth found it impossible toaccomplish his errand with any degree of rapidity, and when hereturned, successful but tardy, he found young Harper waiting where hehad left Patty. 

"She's gone off to dance with Frank Elliott, " explained the boycheerfully, "and she said you and I could divide the ices between us. "

"All right, " said the artist; "here's your share. "

The next morning Patty, Nan, and Marian went down to the beach for aquiet chat. 

"Let's shake everybody, " said Patty, "and just go off by ourselves. I'mtired of a lot of people. "

"You're becoming such a belle, Patty, " said Nan, "that I'm afraid you'llbe bothered with a lot of people the rest of your life. "

"No, I won't, " said Patty. "Lots of people are all very well when youwant them, but I'm going to cultivate a talent for getting rid of themwhen you don't want them. "

"Can you cultivate a talent, if you have only a taste to start with?"said Marian, with more seriousness than Patty's careless remark seemedto call for. 

"If you have the least little scrap of a mustard-seed of taste, andplenty of will-power, you can cultivate all the talents you want, "said Patty, with the air of an oracle, "Why, what do you want to donow, Marian?"

Marian's ambitions were a good deal of a joke in the Elliott family. Atone time she had determined to become a musician, and had spent, unsuccessfully, many hours and much money in her endeavours, but at lastshe was obliged to admit that her talents did not lie in thatdirection. Later on she had tried painting, and notwithstandingdiscouraging results, she had felt sure of her artistic ability for along time, until at last she had proved to her own satisfaction that shewas not meant to make pictures; and now, when she asked the abovequestion in a serious tone, Patty felt sure that some new scheme wasfermenting in her cousin's brain. 

"What's up, Marian?" she said. "Out with it, and we'll promise to helpyou, if it's only by wise discouragement. "

"I think, " said Marian, unmoved by her cousin's attitude, "I think Ishould like to be an author. "

"Do, " said Patty; "that's the best line you've struck yet, because it'sthe cheapest. You see, Nan, when Marian goes in for painting andsculpture and music, her whims cost Uncle Charley fabulous sums of money. But this new scheme is great! The outlay for a fountain pen and a fewsheets of stamps can't be so very much, and the scheme will keep you outof other mischief all winter. "

"It does sound attractive, " said Nan. "Tell us more about it. Are yougoing to write books or stories?"

"Books, " said Marian calmly. 

"Lovely!" cried Patty. "Do two at once, won't you? So you can dedicateone to Nan and one to me at the same time; I won't share my dedicationwith anybody. "

"You can laugh all you like, " said Marian; "I don't mind a speck, for I'msure I can do it; I've been talking to Miss Fischer, she's written lotsof books, you know, and stories, too, and she says it's awfully easy ifyou have a taste for it. "

"Of course it is, " said Patty; "that's just what I told you. If you havea taste--good taste, you know--and plenty of will-power and stamps, youcan write anything you want to; and I believe you'll do it. Go in andwin, Marian! You can put me in your book, if you want to. "

"Willpower isn't everything, Patty, " said Nan, whose face had assumed acurious and somewhat wistful look; "at least, it may be in literature, but it won't do all I want it to. "

"What do you want, girlie?" said Patty. "I never knew you had anungratified ambition gnawing at your heart-strings. "

"Well, I have; I want to be a singer. "

"You do sing beautifully, " said Marian. "I've heard you. "

"Yes, but I mean a great singer. "

"On the stage?" inquired Patty. 

"Yes, or in concerts; I don't care where, but I mean to sing wonderfully;to sing as I feel I could sing, if I had the opportunity. "

"You mean a musical education and foreign study and all those things?"said Patty. 

"Yes, " said Nan. 

"But after all that you might fail, " said Marian, remembering her ownexperiences. 

"Yes, I might, and probably I should. It's only a dream, you know, but wewere talking about ambitions, and that's mine. "

"And can't you accomplish it?"

"I don't see how I can; my parents are very much opposed to it. They hateanything like a public career, and they think I sing quite well enoughnow without further instructions. "

"I think so, too, " said Patty. "I'd rather hear you sing those quaintlittle songs of yours than to hear the most elaborate trills and frillsthat any prima donna ever accomplished. "

"Your opinion is worth a great deal to me, Patty, as a friend, buttechnically, I can't value it so highly. "

"Of course, I don't know much about music, " said Patty, quite unabashed;"but papa thinks so too. He said your voice is the sweetest voice heever heard. "

"Did he?" said Nan. 

"What is your ambition, Patty?" said Marian, after a moment's pause. "Nanand I have expressed ourselves so frankly you might tell us yours. "

"My ambition?" said Patty. "Why, I never thought of it before, but Idon't believe I have any. I feel rather ashamed, for I suppose everyproperly equipped young woman ought to have at least one ambition, and Idon't seem to have a shadow of one. Really great ones, I mean. Of course, I can sing a little; not much, but it seems to be enough for me. And Ican play a little on the piano and on the banjo, and I suppose it'sshocking; but really I don't care to play any better than I do. I can'tpaint, and I can't write stories, but I don't want to do either. "

"You can keep house, " said Marian. 

Patty's eyes lighted up. 

"Yes, " she said; "isn't it ridiculous? But I do really believe that's myambition. To keep house just perfectly, you know, and have everything gonot only smoothly but happily. "

"You ought to have been a _chatelaine_ of the fourteenth century, " saidNan. 

"Yes, " said Patty eagerly; "that's just my ambition. What a pity it'slooking backward instead of forward. But I would love to live in a greatstone castle, all my own, with a moat and drawbridge and outriders, andgo around in a damask gown with a pointed bodice and big puffy sleevesand a ruff and a little cap with pearls on it, and a bunch of keysjingling at my side. "

"They usually carry the keys in a basket, " observed Marian; "and youforgot to mention the falcon on your wrist. "

"So I did, " said Patty, "but I think the falcon would be a regularnuisance while I was housekeeping, so I'd put him in the basket, and setit up on the mantelpiece, and keep my keys jingling from my belt. "

"Well, it seems, " said Nan, "that Patty has more hopes of realising herambition than either of us. "

"Speak for yourself, " said Marian. 

"I think I have, " said Patty. "I have all the keys I want, and I'm quitesure papa would buy me a falcon if I asked him to. "

CHAPTER XXIV

AN AFTERNOON DRIVE

The next Saturday Mr. Fairfield proposed that they all go for a driveto Allaire. 

"What's Allaire?" said Patty. 

"It's a deserted village, " replied her father. "The houses are empty, theold mill is silent, the streets are overgrown; in fact, it's nothing buta picturesque ruin of a once busy hamlet. "

"They say it's a lovely drive, " said Nan. "I've always wanted togo there. "

"The boys will be down by noon, " said Mr. Elliott, "and we can get offsoon after luncheon. Do you suppose, Fred, we can get conveyances enoughfor our large and flourishing family?"

"We can try, " said Mr. Fairfield. "I'll go over to the stables now andsee what I can secure. "

On his return he found that Hepworth, Kenneth, and Frank had arrived. 

"Well, Saturday's children, " he said, "I'm glad to see you. I alwaysknow it's the last day of the week when this illustrious trio burstsupon my vision. "

"We're awfully glad to burst, " said Frank; "and we hope your vision canstand it. "

"Oh, yes, " said Mr. Fairfield; "the sight of you is good for the eyes. And now I'll tell you the plans for the afternoon. "

"What luck did you have with the carriages, papa?" asked impatient Patty. 

"That's what I'm about to tell you, my child, if you'll give me half achance. I secured four safe, and more or less commodious, vehicles. "

"Four!" exclaimed Marian. "We'll be a regular parade. "

"Shall we have a band?" asked Nan. 

"Of course, " said Kenneth; "and a fife-and-drum corps besides. "

"You won't need that, " said Patty, "for there'll be no 'Girl I LeftBehind Me. ' We're all going. "

"Of course we're all going, " said Mr. Fair-field; "and as we shallhave one extra seat, you can invite some girl who otherwise would beleft behind. "

"If Frank doesn't mind, " said Patty, with a mischievous glance at hercousin, "I'd like to ask Miss Kitty Nelson. "

They all laughed, for Frank's admiration for the charming Kitty was anopen secret. 

Frank blushed a little, but he held his own and said:

"Are they all double carriages, Uncle Fred?"

"No, my boy; there are two traps and two victorias. "

"All right, then, I'll take one of the traps and drive Miss Nelson. "

"Bravo, boy! if you don't see what you want, ask for it. Miss Allen, willyou trust yourself to me in the other trap?"

"With great pleasure, Mr. Fairfield, " replied Nan; "and pleaseappreciate my amiability, for I think they're most jolty anduncomfortable things to ride in. "

"I speak for a seat in one of the victorias, " said Aunt Alice; "and Ithink it wise to get my claim in quickly, as the bids are being madeso rapidly. "

"I don't care how I go, " said Patty, "or what I go in. I'm so amiable, achild can play with me to-day. I'll go in a wheelbarrow, if necessary. "

"I had hoped to drive you over myself, " said Mr. Hepworth, who sat nextto her, speaking in a low tone; "but I'll push you in a wheelbarrow, ifyou prefer. "

"You go with me, Patty, in one of the traps, won't you?" said Kenneth, who sat on the veranda railing at her other side. 

Patty's face took on a comical smile of amusement at these two requests, but she answered both at once by merrily saying:

"Then it all adjusts itself. Mr. And Mrs. Allen and Mr. And Mrs. Elliottshall have the most comfortable carriage, and Marian and Mr. Hepworth andKen and I will go in the other. "

That seemed to be the, best possible arrangement, and about threeo'clock the procession started. 

Patty and Marian took the back seat of the open carriage, Mr. Hepworthand Kenneth Harper sat facing them. 

As Marian had already become very much interested in her new fad ofauthorship, and as under Miss Fischer's tuition she was rapidlydeveloping into a real little blue-stocking, it is not strange that theconversation turned in that direction. 

"I looked in all the bookshops in the city for your latest works, MissMarian, " said Mr. Hepworth, "but they must have been all sold out, for Icouldn't find any. "

"Too bad, " said Marian. "I'm afraid you'll have to wait until a newedition is printed. "

"You're not to tease Marian, " said Patty reprovingly. "She's been aspatient as an angel under a perfect storm of chaff, and I'm not going toallow any more of it. "

"I don't mind, " said Marian. "I think, if one is really in earnest, oneoughtn't to be annoyed by good-natured fun. "

"Quite right, " said Kenneth; "and ambition, if it's worth anything, ought to rise above comment of any sort. "

"It ought to be strengthened by comment of any sort, " said Mr. Hepworth. 

"Of any sort?" asked Marian thoughtfully. 

"Yes, for comment always implies recognition, and that in itself meansprogress. "

"Have you an ambition, Mr. Hepworth?" said Patty suddenly. "But you havealready achieved yours. You are a successful artist. "

"A man may have more than one ambition, " said Mr. Hepworth slowly, "and Ihave _not_ achieved my dearest one. "

"I suppose you want to paint even better than you do, " said Patty. 

"Yes, " said the artist, smiling a little, "I hope I shall always want topaint better than I do. What's your ambition, Harper?"

"To build bridges, " said Kenneth. "I'm going to be a civil engineer, butmy ambition is to be a bridge-builder. And I'll get there yet, " he added, with a determined nod of his head. 

"I think you will, " said Mr. Hepworth, "and I'm sure I hope so. "

Then the talk turned to lighter themes than ambition, and merry laughterand jest filled up the miles to Allaire. 

All were delighted with the place. Aside from the picturesque ruinedbuildings and the eerie mysterious-looking old mill, there was a novelinterest in the strange silent air of desertion that seemed to invest theplace with an almost palpable loneliness. 

"I don't like it, " said Patty. "Come on, let's go home. "

But to Marian's more romantic imagination it all seemed most attractive, so different was her temperament from that of her sunshiny, merry-hearted cousin. 

At last they did go home, and Patty chattered gaily all the way inorder, as she said, to drive away the musty recollections of thatforlorn old place. 

"How did you like it, Nan?" she asked, when they were all back atthe hotel. 

"I thought it beautiful, " said Nan, smiling. 

That evening there was a small informal dance in the parlours. Not alarge hop, like the one given the week before, but Patty declared thesmall affair was just as much fun as the other. 

"I always have all the fun I can possibly hold, anyway, " she said; "andwhat more can anybody have?"

Toward the close of the evening Mr. Fairfield came up to Patty, whowas sitting, with a crowd of merry young people, in a cosey corner ofthe veranda. 

"Patty, " he said, "don't you want to come for a little stroll on theboard walk?"

"Yes, of course I do, " said Patty, wondering a little, but always readyto go with her father. "Is Nan going?"

"No, I just want you, " said Mr. Fairfield. 

"All right, " said Patty, "I'm glad to go. "

They joined the crowd of promenaders on the board walk, and as theypassed Patty's favourite bit of beach she said:

"That's where we girls sit and talk about our ambitions. "

"Yes, so I've heard, " said Mr. Fairfield. "And what are yourambitions, baby?"

"Oh, mine aren't half so grand and gorgeous as the other girls'. Theywant to do great things, like singing in grand opera and writing immortalbooks and things like that. "

"And your modest ambition is to be a good housekeeper, isn't it?"

"Well, yes, papa; but not only that. I was thinking about it afterward bymyself, and I think that the housekeeping is the practical part ofit--and that's a good big part too--but what I really want to be is alovely, good, _womanly_ woman, like Aunt Alice, you know. I don't believeshe ever wanted to write books or paint pictures. "

"No she never did, " said Mr. Fairfield, "and I quite agree with you thather ambitions are just as high and noble as those others you mentioned. "

"Well, I'm glad you think so, papa, for I was afraid I might seem to youvery small and petty to have all my ambitions bounded by the four wallsof my own home. "

"No, Patty, girl, I think those are far better than unbounded ambitions, far more easily realised, and will bring you greater and betterhappiness. But don't you see, my child, that the very fact of your havinga talent--which you certainly have--for housekeeping and home-making, implies that some day, in the far future, I hope, you will go away fromme and make a home of your own?"

"Very likely I shall, papa; but that's so far in the future that it's notworth while bothering about it now. "

"But I'm going to bother about it now to a certain extent. Do yourealise that when this does come to pass, be it ever so far hence, thatyou're going to leave your poor old father all alone, and that, too, after I have so carefully brought you up for the express purpose ofmaking a home for me?"

"Well, what are you going to do about it?" said Patty, who was by nomeans taking her father's remarks seriously. 

"Do? Why, I'm going to do just this. I'm going to get somebody else tokeep my house for me, and I'm going to get her now, so that I'll haveher ready against the time you leave me. "

Patty turned, and by the light of an electric lamp which they werepassing, saw the smile on her father's face, and with a sudden intuitionshe exclaimed:

"Nan!"

"Yes, " replied her father, "Nan. How do you like it?"

"Like it?" exclaimed Patty. "I _love_ it! I think it's perfectlygorgeous! I'm just as delighted as I can be! How does Nan like it?"

"She seems delighted too, " said Mr. Fairfield, smiling. 

THE END