PATTY FAIRFIELD

By

CAROLYN WELLS

To My Little Friend

MARION AMES TAGGART

Contents

CHAP. 

 I. Her Father's Plan II. Traveling North III. New Friends IV. Villa Rosa V. A Minuet VI. Purple and Fine Linen. VII. A Sleigh-Ride VIII. An Absent-Minded Cousin IX. The Flemings X. Patty's Pranks XI. The Book Party XII. The Hurly-Burly XIII. Home-Made Music XIV. A Funny Family XV. The Lawn-Party XVI. Unbounded Hospitality XVII. A Hurly-Burly FireXVIII. At Vernondale XIX. A Picnic XX. The Rescue XXI. A Reading-Club XXII. A Welcome Guest

Patty Fairfield

CHAPTER I

HER FATHER'S PLAN

"How old are you, Patty?" asked her father, abruptly. 

"Fourteen, papa, --why?"

"My conscience! what a great girl you're getting to be. Stand up and let melook at you. "

Patty Fairfield, with two twists and a spring, brought herself to her feet, and stood awaiting her father's inspection. 

He saw a slender, graceful girl, a Southern blonde of the purest type. Herpretty golden hair would gladly have hung in curly masses, but it was onlyallowed to have its own sweet will around her temples and at the end of along thick braid. Her eyes were blue, deep and twinkly, and the rest of herface was as pretty and sweet as soft girlish contours and a perfectcomplexion could make it. 

But best of all was the gentle expression and frank, good-natured smilewhich so often broke into mischievous dimples. 

It did on this occasion, and Patty laughed merrily at her father's graveconsideration of her. 

"What is it, papa?" she asked. "Did you think I was still an infant, andwere you going to buy me a new dolls' house? Or were you going to take meto the circus? I'm not a bit too old for the circus. "

"Aren't you? Then I will take you, but what is on my mind at present is amuch more serious matter. Sit down again, Puss, and I'll tell you all aboutit. 

"You know for years I've looked forward to the time when you should grow upto be old enough to keep house for me. And I thought then we'd go backNorth and settle down among my people and your mother's relatives. Ihaven't been North since your mother died, but now I want to go, and I wantyou to spend the rest of your life there. In many ways it will be betterfor you than Virginia. You will have more advantages; your life will bebroader and more varied. Now I can't be ready to leave here for good inless than a year; I want to sell out my lumber interests and settle up mybusiness affairs. 

"But I am continually receiving letters from your aunts, --you have lots ofaunts, Patty, --and they are apparently all anxious that you shall visitthem. So, if you consent, this is my plan. You've never traveled any, haveyou, Puss?"

"Never been out of Virginia in my life, papa. "

"No? Well, you ought to see a little of how the rest of the world lives andmoves. So I think I'll let you visit in the North for a year, --say threemonths with each of your four aunts, --and then next fall I'll be ready tojoin you, and we'll buy a house and you shall be mistress of it. "

"A home of our own? Oh, papa, I'd like that lots!"

"Yes, so would I. As we have always lived in boarding-houses since yourmother's death, you've had no opportunity to learn the details ofhousekeeping, and these four visits will show you four very distinct typesof families. "

"Why, are my aunts all so different, papa?"

"Indeed they are, and though I hope you can make yourself happy with eachone, yet you will find life very different in the various homes. "

"Tell me about them, papa, " said Patty, contentedly settling herself backamong the cushions of the couch, for she dearly loved a long talk with herfather. 

"Well, you will go first to the St. Clairs. You remember Uncle Robert, yourmother's brother, who was here four or five years ago, don't you?"

"Indeed I do; he brought me a French doll nearly as big as I was thenmyself, --and a whole five-pound box of candy. He is a lovely man. But I'venever seen Aunt Isabel or the children, --only their photographs. "

"Your Aunt Isabel is, --but no, --I won't tell you anything about yourrelatives. You may discover their faults and virtues for yourself. Most ofall, my child, you will need to cultivate your sense of proportion. Do youknow what proportion means?"

"Oh, yes, papa, I studied 'ratio and proportion' in arithmetic. "

"Not that kind, " said her father, smiling; "I mean a proportion of humaninterests, of amusements or occupations. I wonder if you _are_ too young tounderstand. "

"No, I'm not too young to understand _anything_, " said Patty, fairlyblinking in her endeavor to look as wise as an owl. 

"Well, then, listen while I put it this way. Suppose you were to make acake, an ordinary sized cake, you know, how much yeast would you put init?"

"Not any, papa, " said Patty, laughing merrily. "I know enough housekeepingnot to put yeast in a cake. I'd use baking-powder. "

"Yes, " said her father, quite undisturbed, "that is what Imeant, --baking-powder. Now how much of it would you use?"

"Well, about two teaspoonfuls, " said Patty, feeling very important andhousewifely. 

"Yes. Now suppose instead of two teaspoonfuls you put in two cupfuls. "

"Why then I wouldn't have any cake at all! I reckon it would rise right upthe chimney and run down on the roof outside. "

"Well, that shows just what I mean. There'd be a too great proportion ofbaking-powder, wouldn't there?"

"Indeed there would, " assented Patty, much interested in the conversation, but a little bewildered. 

"To try again, " her father continued, "suppose your frock was so covered bytrimming that the material could scarcely be seen at all. "

"Then, " said Patty, who was rapidly learning her lesson, "then there'd betoo great a proportion of trimming for the frock. "

"Ah, " said her father, "you begin to see my drift, do you? And if you hadall tables in your house, and no chairs or bedsteads or bureaus, there'd betoo great a proportion of tables, wouldn't there?"

"Yes; and I perceive, " said Patty, slowly and with mock gravity, "thatproportion means to have too many of one thing, when you'd better have alot of others. "

"No, you're all wrong! That is a lack of proportion. Proportion is to haveexactly the right amount of each ingredient. "

"Yes, --and what has all this to do with Aunt Isabel? Does she put too muchbaking-powder in her cake, or has she nothing but tables in her house?"

"Those, my dear, were only figures of speech. But if you're going to make ahome for your old father next year, I want you to learn from observationwhat are the principal ingredients to put into it, and then learn to adjustthe proportions. "

"Papa, I believe I do know what you mean, but it's all out of proportionwhen you call yourself 'my old father, ' for you're not old a bit. You're abeautiful young man, and I'm sure any one who didn't know us would take youfor my brother. "

"Come, come, Puss, you mustn't be so flattering, or I'll keep you here, andnot let you go North at all; and I do believe you're just dying to go. "

"I'd like it lots if you were going too. But to be away from you a wholeyear is no fun at all. Can't I wait until next fall and we'll go together?"

"No, Patsie; your aunts are urging me to let you visit them and I think theexperiences will do you good. And beside, my plans for the next year arevery uncertain. I may have to go to Bermuda to see about my plantationthere, --and all things considered, I think you would be better off in theNorth. I shall miss you, of course, but a year soon slips away, you know, and it will fly very quickly for you, as you will be highly entertainedwith your new experiences. "

Now, Patty Fairfield was a philosophic little girl, so when she found thather father's mind was made up she accepted the situation and offered noobjections of any kind. And, indeed the new plan was not without its charm. Although she knew none of her aunts, she knew a great deal about them, andtheir Northern homes seemed attractive to her in many ways. 

"What about school, papa?" she said, finally. 

"That will be left to the judgment of each aunt in turn. I think AuntIsabel has a governess for her children, and Aunt Hester will probablyteach you herself. But you will learn enough, and if not, you can considerit a year's vacation, and I'll put you back in school when I am with youagain. "

"Well, " said Patty, meditatively, "I think it will be very nice, and I'lllike it, but I'll be awful lonesome for you, " and with a spring she jumpedinto her father's arms. 

"Yes, of course, my baby, we'll be homesick for each other, but we'll bebrave, and when we feel _very_ lonesome, we'll sit down and write eachother nice long letters. "

"Oh, that will be fun, I love letters; and here comes Clara, may I tell herabout it?"

"Yes, and tell her she must come to see me once in a while, and cheer meafter I lose my own little girl. "

Clara Hayden was Patty's intimate friend and both the girls' hearts grewsad at the thought of parting. 

"But, " said Patty, who was determined to look on the bright side, "after ayear, papa and I will have a house of our own, and then you can come andmake us a long, long visit. And we can write letters, Clara, and you musttell me all about the girls, and about school and about the Magnolia Club. "

"Yes, I will; and you write to me about all you do at your aunts' houses. Where do they live, Patty?"

"Well, I shall go first to Aunt Isabel's, and she lives in Elmbridge. That's in New Jersey, but it's quite near New York. Next I'm going to AuntHester's; she lives in Boston. Then I'm going to visit Aunt Grace. Theylive in Philadelphia, but I'll be with them in the summertime, and thenthey're at their country place somewhere on Long Island, wherever that maybe. And the last one is Aunt Alice, and I forget the name of the town whereshe lives. Isn't it nice, Clara, to have so many aunts?"

"Yes, lovely! I suppose you'll go to New York often. "

"I don't know; I think I'm afraid of New York. They say it's an awfuldangerous place. "

"Yes, it is. People get killed there all the time. "

"Fiddlesticks! I don't believe they do. Well, I reckon I won't get killed. Uncle Robert will take better care of me than that. "

CHAPTER II

TRAVELING NORTH

As a result of many letters back and forth between Mr. Fairfield and theNorthern aunts, Patty stood one morning on the platform of the railwaystation, all ready to depart for her new homes. 

It was the first week in December, and the little girl shivered as shethought of the arctic cold to which she imagined herself going. 

"Of course they'll meet me in a sleigh, won't they, papa?" she said. 

"Perhaps so, but I doubt it, " he replied. "They don't have such snowstormsin Jersey now as they used to when I was a boy. Last winter they had nosleighing at all. But here comes Miss Powers; let us go to greet her. " MissPowers was a sharp-faced lady who came marching along the platform with afirm step. 

Patty was to travel in her care, not because she was an especiallydesirable traveling companion, but because she was the only acquaintance ofthe Fairfields who chanced to be going North at that time. 

"Good-morning, " she cried, "are you here already? I was certain you'd belate and miss the train. Not a very pleasant day, is it? I wish we hadplanned to go to-morrow instead. Why, Patty, you are wearing your best hat!You'll spoil it, I'm sure. Have you your trunk check? Give it to me, you'llcertainly lose it else. "

"Here it is, Miss Powers, " said Mr. Fairfield, pleasantly, "and I dare sayyou will prove more responsible than my rattle-pated daughter. "

He squeezed Patty's hand affectionately as he said this, and a great waveof homesickness came over the child's heart. She caught her father roundthe neck, and vainly trying to keep the tears back, she whispered, "Oh, papa, dear, let me stay with you. I don't want to go to AuntIsabel's, --I know she's horrid, and I just want you, you, _you_!"

Miss Powers was shocked at this exhibition of emotion, and said withasperity:

"Come, come, it's too late to talk like that now. And a big girl like youought to be ashamed to act so babyish. "

But Mr. Fairfield kissed Patty tenderly and said: "Dear, we're going to bevery brave, you know, --and besides, you're only going for a visit. Allpeople go visiting at some time in their lives, and next December I'll beshaking the dust of Richmond off of my feet and coming after you, pell-mell. " Patty smiled through her tears, and then the train came tootingalong and they all climbed aboard. 

As the train waited for ten minutes, Mr. Fairfield had ample time to findthe seats engaged for the travelers, and to arrange their hand-luggage inthe racks provided for it. Then he bade Miss Powers good-bye, and, turningto Patty, clasped her in his arms as he said:

"Pattykins, good-bye. The year will soon pass away, and then we'll have ajolly little home together. Be brave and gentle always, and as a partinggift I give you this little box which contains a talisman to help you bearany troubles or difficulties that may come to you. "

As he spoke, he put into Patty's hand a small parcel sealed at each endwith red sealing-wax. 

"Don't open it now, " he continued. "Keep it just as it is until you reachAunt Isabel's. Then after you have gone to your room on the first night ofyour stay with her, open the box and see what is in it. "

Then the warning whistle blew, and with a final embrace of his littledaughter, Mr. Fairfield left the car. 

The train started, and for a moment Patty saw her father waving hishandkerchief, and then he was lost to her sight. She felt just likeindulging in a good cry, but Miss Powers would have none of that. 

The worthy spinster was already opening her bag and preparing to makeherself comfortable for her journey. 

"Now, Patty, " she said, but not unkindly, "you've left your pa behind, andyou're going away from him to stay a year. You've got to go, you can't helpyourself, so you might just as well make the best of it, and be cheerfulinstead of miserable. So now that's settled, and you'd better get out yourbooks and games or whatever you brought along to amuse yourself with. "

Miss Powers had taken off her hat and gloves and arranged a small balsampillow behind her head. She put on her glasses, and opened a book in whichshe at once became absorbed. 

Patty, being thus left to her own devices, became much interested in thenovelty of her surroundings. It was great fun to lean back against thehigh-cushioned seat and look out of the window at the trees and plantationsand towns as they flew by. This kept her amused until noontime, when awaiter came through the car banging a gong. 

Miss Powers shut her book with a snap, and announced that they would go tothe dining-car for their lunch. 

This was even more fun, for it seemed so queer to Patty to sit at a tableand eat, while at the same time she was flying through the country at suchbreak-neck speed. 

"It's like the enchanted carpet, isn't it, Miss Powers?" she said, as theyslid through a thick grove and then out into the sunshine again. 

"What is? what carpet?" asked Miss Powers, looking down at the floor of thecar. 

"Oh, not a real carpet, " said Patty, politely repressing a smile at theelder lady's ignorance of fairy-lore. "I mean, for us to go scooting alongso fast is like the travelers on the magicians" carpet. Don't you know, thecarpet would move of itself wherever he told it to. "

"H'm, " commented Miss Powers, "that would be a good kind of a carpet tohave at housecleaning time, wouldn't it?"

This prosaic disposition of the magic carpet quite shocked Patty, but sheadapted herself to the idea, and said, "Yes, indeed; you could just say, 'Carpet, get up and go out and hang yourself on the clothes-line, and thenshake yourself well and come back again, '--oh, that would be convenient. "

Miss Powers smiled in an absent-minded sort of way, and Patty chattered on, half to herself and half to her companion. 

"But suppose the carpet should be naughty and refuse to go, --that wouldn'tbe so pleasant. "

"Or suppose it should run away and never come back?"

This latter remark was made by a strange voice, and Patty looked up quicklyto see the man who was seated opposite, smiling in a very friendly way. 

He was an elderly gentleman with white hair and beard, and it seemed toPatty's vivid imagination that he looked like Noah, or some other of theancient patriarchs. 

"That would be a great joke on the housekeeper, " Patty answered, feelingalready well acquainted with the pleasant old gentleman, "and I suppose shewould have to get a new carpet. "

"Or have a hard-wood floor laid in her room, " he responded. 

"Or live on a bare floor, " said Miss Powers. "I think it would be a veryslack housekeeper who would let her carpets shake themselves, and she wouldprobably be too lazy or too poor to replace the ones that ran away. "

Mr. Noah, as Patty called the old man in her mind, laughed heartily atthis, and during the rest of the luncheon hour proved himself a genial andentertaining companion. 

The day passed quickly, and at bedtime Patty was quite tired enough towelcome the thought of tucking herself away in one of those queer-lookingbunks that the porter was arranging. 

"I'll sleep on the top shelf, " she said, gleefully, "may I, Miss Powers?"

"I'll be very glad if you will, child, --I've no desire to climb up there. Ugh, I don't think I can sleep anywhere on this bobbety-bobble train. "

Then the porter brought a small step-ladder, and this delighted Pattybeyond measure. 

"Ho!" said she, "now I'm 'Jack and the Beanstalk. ' 'A-hitchet, a-hatchet, a-up I go'!" and with two jumps and a spring she landed in the upper berth. 

"Now, " she said to herself, "I know how Alice felt when she grew so largethat she filled up the whole room. Let me see, what did she do? She put onearm out the window and one foot up the chimney. Well, I can't do that, andI don't see any little cakes to eat, as she did, that will make me growsmaller, so I s'pose I'll just have to scrounch around till I'm ready forbed, and then slide in. I'm sure I shan't sleep, it's all so noisy andexciting. "

But when she finally straightened herself out on the coarse, cinder-sprinkled linen of the Pullman, the chink-a-chunk of the trainchanged to a lullaby, and in about two minutes Patty was sound asleep. 

CHAPTER III

NEW FRIENDS

It was about four o'clock the next afternoon when the train came puffinginto the great train-shed in Jersey City. 

It had passed through Elmbridge about an hour before, but being an expresstrain, it made no stop at such small places. 

So Mr. St. Clair had arranged to meet Patty at Jersey City and take herback home with him. 

Patty recognized her uncle as soon as he entered the car, and ran to greethim. 

"Howdy, Uncle Robert, " she said, in her pretty southern way, "are youlooking for me?"

"I am, if you're little Patty Fairfield. But you've grown so since I sawyou that I think I shall have to ask for your credentials. "

Patty laughed, and answered: "My credentials are that I remember the dolland the candy you brought me five years ago, and I just _know_ you're myUncle Robert. "

"I am indeed, and I've come to carry you off to a lot of other admiringrelatives. "

Then Patty introduced Miss Powers, and after gathering up the various wrapsand bags they all left the train. Miss Powers was to cross the ferry to NewYork, so Patty and Uncle Robert escorted her to the ferry-boat and bade hergood-bye, with many thanks for her kind care of the little girl during thejourney. 

Then Uncle Robert said: "Now we'll go out to Elmbridge as quick as we canskip, but first we must pick up Ethelyn, whom I left in the waiting-room. "

"Oh, is Ethelyn here?" cried Patty. "I am so glad, I'm just crazy to seeher. "

Apparently Ethelyn was crazy too, for she flew at her cousin as soon as sheentered the door. 

"You dear thing!" she exclaimed, "I'm so delighted to see you. Oh, howpretty you are! We'll be awfully good chums, won't we?"

"I'm sure we shall, " replied Patty, who was just a wee bit frightened bythis dashing young cousin. 

Ethelyn was about Patty's age, but somewhat shorter and decidedly lessslender. Her yellow hair was not long, indeed it was cut evenly round justabove her shoulders, but it was crinkled and fluffed out until her head hadthe contour of a yellow pumpkin. 

A huge black hat with a wide rolling brim was perched on top of the yellowmop, and ornamented with feathers and shining buckles. 

Both the girls wore dark blue suits trimmed with fur, but Ethelyn's wasresplendent with wide lace-trimmed collars, and she wore clattering bangleson her wrists, and a fancy little muff hung round her neck by a silverchain. 

Her skirts were as short as Patty's, and she seemed like a little girl, andyet she had a wise, grown-up air, and she began to patronize her cousin atonce. 

"Your frock is nice, " she said, "but it has no style to it. Well, I supposeyou couldn't get much in the way of dressmakers where you lived, but MadameMarsala will soon turn you out all right. Mamma says she'll just enjoyordering new clothes for you, and your papa told her to get whatever shechose. Oh, won't we have fun! We always go to New York for our things, andthe shops are just lovely. "

"Come, come, children, " said Uncle Robert, who had been looking afterPatty's trunks, "the train is made up, let us get aboard. "

They went through one of a whole row of little gates in an iron fence, andPatty wondered at the numerous trains and the crowds of people movingswiftly towards them. 

She wondered if everything at the North were conducted on such a wholesaleand such a hurrying plan. They hurried along the platform and hurried intoa car, then Uncle Robert put the two children into a seat together, whilehe sat behind them and devoted himself to his evening paper. 

The girls chatted gaily and Patty learned much about the home she was goingto, and began to think of it as a very beautiful and attractive place. 

The train stopped at Elmbridge, and without waiting for her father, Ethelynpiloted Patty off the car. 

"Here's our carriage, " she said, as a handsome pair of horses with jinglingchains came prancing up. A footman in livery handed the young ladies in, and Patty felt as if she had come among very grand people indeed. 

While they waited for Mr. St. Clair, who was giving the checks to thebaggage-master, Patty admired the pretty little station of rough graystone, and the neatly kept grounds and paths all about it. 

"Yes, they are pretty, " assented Ethelyn, "but just wait till you see ourgrounds. We have the finest place in Elmbridge. In summer it's justlovely. "

Then Mr. St. Clair came, and giving the coachman the order "Home, " heseated himself opposite the two girls. 

"Well, Patty, how do you like it, so far?" he asked, genially, of hisniece. 

"Oh, Uncle Robert, I think it's beautiful, but I hoped we'd have asleigh-ride. I've never been in a sleigh. "

"Bless you, child, we don't have much sleighing. However, perhaps we canscare up a sleigh-ride before the winter is over. We have a pretty finesleigh, eh, Ethelyn?"

"Yes, indeed, we have a beautiful great big one, and I have a littlecutter, all my own. I'll take you sleighing, Patty, if we get half achance. "

Soon they reached the St. Clair home and drove up the long winding avenueto the house. 

Patty saw a brilliantly lighted mansion, and as they drew near it, sheheard the most piercing shrieks and yells, as of a human being in desperatestraits of some kind. 

Patty wondered if she were about to enter a Bluebeard's castle, but deemingit polite to take no notice of the uproar, she tried to appear unheedingthough the shrieks increased in violence as they came up to the house andthe carriage stopped at the front door. 

CHAPTER IV

VILLA ROSA

"Here we are, chickens, " said Uncle Robert, as the footman threw open thecarriage door, "here's your new home, Patty, and you're very welcome toyour Uncle Robert's house. "

It was almost dark and Patty could distinguish only the outlines of amagnificent house, so large that it seemed like a palace. 

They went up massive stone steps between great stone lions, to a wonderfulveranda bright with electric lights, and lights streamed from every windowand from the wide front doors which flew open as they reached them. 

But though all this beauty and elegance impressed Patty like a dream ofFairyland, she paid little heed to it, for she was so shocked and disturbedby the shrieks from within, which were now distinctly audible as those of achild. 

"Goodness me!" exclaimed Ethelyn, just as Patty could stand it no longerand was about to ask what it meant, "what can be the matter with Florellethis time? I hope you enjoy squealing, Patty, for you'll hear plenty of itin this house. Don't mind it; little sister has a fearful temper, and wehave to let her squeal it out. "

Patty was relieved to learn that it wasn't a case of intentional torture, and by this time she found herself in the great hall. 

The grandeur of her surroundings fairly dazzled her, for Patty was aninexperienced little girl, and had lived simply, though very comfortablyall her life. And so she looked with amazement on the walls frescoed inbrilliant colors, the enormous gilt-framed mirrors, the tall palms andmarble statues, the rich draperies and stained-glass windows. 

If she had been older and more experienced she would have known that it was_too_ gorgeous, the coloring too bright and garish, and the ornamentationover-showy. But to her childish eyes it all seemed wonderfully fine. 

"Oh, Uncle Robert, " she cried, "is this your home? How beautiful it is! Inever saw such a lovely place in my life. "

This speech pleased Mr. St. Clair beyond measure, for he dearly loved tohave his beautiful home appreciated, and he beamed, and rubbed his handstogether with a general air of satisfaction. 

"Yes, yes, " he said, "it is fine, --_fine_! There isn't another such placefor miles around. "

Then they went into the drawing-room and Patty was presented to her AuntIsabel. 

Mrs. St. Clair was a fair, large woman, with golden hair, elaboratelyfrizzed, and kind blue eyes. She was fashionably dressed, and her silksrustled and her bugles tinkled as she came forward to meet her visitor. 

"I am charmed to see you, Patty, my dear, " she said, kissing heraffectionately. 

"And I am very glad to be here, Aunt Isabel, " said Patty, and just then shewas interrupted by the violent entrance of what seemed to be a small pinkcyclone. 

This was the eight year old Florelle, and without a doubt it was she whowas responsible for the shrieks Patty had heard. 

The child wore a short, beruffled dress of pink silk, a huge pink sash, andpink stockings and slippers. Her eyes were reddened with crying and hercheeks were tear-stained, and she ran to Patty, screaming:

"I will! I _will_! She's _my_ cousin, and I'm going to see her _now_. "

Then she threw her arms round Patty's waist, and smiled up into her face. She was a very pretty little girl when she smiled, and Patty couldn't helpadmiring her, though so far she had seemed like anything but a lovablecharacter. 

"Oh, Florelle, " said her mother, mildly, "how naughty you are. I told youto go to bed like a goody girl, and you should see Cousin Patty in themorning. "

"But I wanted to see her to-night. So I made nurse dress me, and I'm goingto stay up to dinner. "

"Let her stay, mamma, " said Ethelyn. "If you don't, she'll yell again, andI'm tired of hearing her. "

"Yes, you can stay, baby, " said Mrs. St. Clair, "and now, Ethelyn, takePatty to her room, and get yourselves ready for dinner. "

The two girls went off together, and Patty discovered that the rest of thehouse was as sumptuous as her first view of it. 

The same brilliant coloring and florid ornamentation appeared everywhere, and when at last Ethelyn stopped before an open door, and said, "This isyour room, " Patty gave a little cry of delight, for she entered what seemeda veritable fairy bower. 

The walls and ceiling were tinted pink and frescoed with garlands of rosesand flying birds. There was a fascinating bay window with latticed panes, and a cozy window-seat with soft cushions. The brass bedstead had a lacecoverlet over pink silk, and the toilet-table had frilled curtains and pinkribbons. There were silver-mounted brushes and bottles and knickknacks ofall kinds. The little work-table was a gem, and there was a lovelywriting-desk with silver appointments and pink blotting-paper. Then therewas a cozy divan, with lots of fluffy pink pillows, and through ahalf-opened door, Patty could see a dear little dressing-room. 

There were beautiful pictures on the walls, and costly vases andbric-a-brac all about, and it all showed such kind thought on the part ofsomebody, that Patty's heart was touched. 

"Is it for me? Who did it all?" she asked, turning to Ethelyn with shiningeyes. 

"Oh, mamma did it; she loves to do such things. That is, she planned it, and the servants did the work. Here's my room right next. It's just likeit, almost. " So it was, or at least it had been, but it showed signs ofcarelessness and disorder. A lamp globe was broken, and there was a largehole burned in one of the pretty rugs. The toilet table, too, was in saddisarray, and some papers were sticking out of the closed desk. 

"Don't look at it, " said Ethelyn, apologetically, "I'm so careless. I brokethat globe when I was swinging my dumb-bells, and I've done it so oftenthat mamma declared she wouldn't get me another. And I upset the alcohollamp on the rug. But I don't care; when we have a party it will all getspruced up; mamma has everything put in order then. Now we'll dress fordinner, Patty. What are you going to wear?"

"I don't know; I haven't many dresses. Aunt Isabel is going to buy me some, you know. "

"Yes, I know. Let's see what you have. "

Ethelyn was already kneeling before Patty's open trunk, and overhauling herbelongings. "Oh, here's a blue crape, " she cried, "you must look sweet inthis. Put it on. "

"Why, that's my best party-frock, Ethelyn. "

"Never mind; wear it to-night, and mamma'll get you some new partyclothes. "

So Patty put on the blue crape, and very becoming it was, though somewhatinappropriate for a quiet family dinner. 

"We only have one maid between us, " explained Ethelyn, calling from her ownroom into Patty's. "Elise will do your hair when you want her, but just nowshe's doing mine. "

To Patty's surprise, when she saw Ethelyn again, she was arrayed in a lightgreen silk dress, and her hair was puffed high on her head. Patty wore hersas usual, and felt as if her cousin had suddenly grown up away from her. 

"Doesn't my hair look nice?" asked Ethelyn, as the girls went down-stairstogether. "Mamma says I'm too young to have it done up this way yet, but Idon't care what she says. I'm fifteen, and I think I'm old enough to do asI choose. To-morrow we'll make Elise do yours up and see how you look. "

"But I'm only fourteen, " protested Patty, "and I don't want to be grown upfor years yet. Your hair looks lovely, but I like you better with it down, as it was this afternoon. "

"Don't say so before mamma, or shell insist on my wearing it so. "

When the girls entered the drawing-room, Mrs. St. Clair smiled amiably ather pretty niece, and bade her come to her side. 

"My dear, " she said, "you are a pretty little girl, and a sweet one, I'veno doubt, but your name I do not like at all. I can't abide nicknames, soI'm going to call you by your full name. What is it, Martha?"

"Martha!" exclaimed Patty in surprise, "oh, no, Aunt Isabel, I was namedfor my great-grandmother. My name is Patricia. "

"Oh, how lovely, " cried Aunt Isabel, kissing her niece in the exuberance ofher delight. "We will all call you Patricia. It is a beautiful name andsuits you extremely well. You must stand very straight, and acquiredignified manners in order to live up to it. "

This made merry Patty laugh, but she offered no objection to her aunt'sdecision, and promised to sign her name Patricia whenever she wrote it, andto make no further use of the despised nickname while staying at VillaRosa. Ethelyn was pleased too, at the change. 

"Oh, " she said, "now your name is as pretty as mine and Florelle's, and wehave the prettiest names in Elmbridge. Here comes Reginald, you haven'tseen him yet. "

Reginald St. Clair, a lad of thirteen, advanced without a trace of shynessand greeted his new cousin. 

"So it is Patricia, " he said, as he took her hand; "I heard themrechristening you. How do you do, Cousin Patricia?"

"Very well, I thank you, " she replied, smiling, "and though I meet you thelast of my new cousins, you are not the least, " and she glanced up at him, for Reginald was a tall boy for his age, taller than either Ethelyn orPatty. 

"Not the least in any way, as you'll soon find out if you stay with us, Cousin Patricia. "

Patty almost laughed at this boastful assumption of importance, but seeingthat the boy was in earnest, she humored him by saying:

"As the only son, I suppose you _are_ the flower of the family. "

Then dinner was announced, and the beautiful dining-room was a new pleasureto the little visitor. She was rapidly making the discovery that riches andluxury were very agreeable, and she viewed with delight the handsome tablesparkling with fine glass and silver. 

"Well, Patricia, " said Uncle Robert, who had been warned against using theobjectionable nickname, "how do you like Villa Rosa so far?"

"Oh, I think it is beautiful, Uncle Robert. Every room is handsomer thanthe last, and my own room I like best of all. You're awfully good, AuntIsabel, to give me such a lovely room, and to spend so much thought andtime arranging it for me. "

"And money, too, " said her aunt, smiling. "That rug in your room, Patricia, cost four hundred dollars. "

"Did it really?" said Patty, with such a look of amazement, almost horror, that they all laughed. 

You see, Patty had never been used to such expensive rugs, still less hadshe been accustomed to hearing the prices of things mentioned so freely. 

"Oh, Aunt Isabel, I'd rather not have it then. Really, I'd much rather havea cheaper one. Suppose I should spoil it in some way. "

"Nonsense, my dear, spoil it if you like, I'll buy you another, " said UncleRobert, grandly. 

"Never mind rugs, " interrupted Reginald. "I say, mother, aren't you goingto give a party for Patricia?"

"Yes, I think so, " answered his mother, "but I haven't decided yet whatkind of an affair it shall be. "

"Oh, have a smashing big party, and invite everybody. "

"No, Reginald, " said Ethelyn, "I hate those big parties, they're no fun atall. It isn't going to be a party anyway. It's going to be a tea. Didn'tyou say so, mamma? A tea is a much nicer way to introduce Patricia than aparty. "

"Ho, ho, " laughed her brother, "a tea! why they're the most stupid thingsin the world. Nobody wants to come to a tea. "

"They do so, " retorted Ethelyn, "you don't know anything about society. Teas are ever so much stylisher than evening entertainments, aren't they, mamma?"

"Well, I don't know, " said Mrs. St. Clair, doubtfully, "the Crandons gave atea when their cousin visited them. "

"Ho, the Crandons, " sneered Ethelyn, "they're nobody at all; why, they'veonly got one horse. "

"I know it, " said her mother, "but they're awfully exclusive. They won'tspeak to hardly anybody. "

"Then don't speak to them, " said Mr. St. Clair. "I just guess we're as goodas the Crandons any day in the week. I don't know as you'd better invitethem, my dear. "

"They wouldn't come if you did, " said Reginald. 

"They would so, " snapped Ethelyn, "they'd jump at the chance. "

"I bet they wouldn't!"

"I bet they would! You don't know everything in the world. "

"Neither do you!"

"Hush, children, " said Mrs. St. Clair, mildly, "your Cousin Patricia willthink you very rude and unmannerly if you quarrel so. Florelle is the onlyone who is behaving nicely, aren't you, darling?"

Florelle beamed at this, and looked like a little cherub, until Reginaldslyly took a cake from her plate. 

"Oh-h-h!" screamed Florelle, bursting into tears, "he took my cakie, hedid, --give it to me!" and she began pounding her brother with her smallfists. 

But Reginald had eaten it, and no other cake on the plate would pacify theangry child. 

"No, no, " she cried, "I want that same one--it had a green nut on it, --andI wa-a-ant it!"

"But brother can't give it to you, baby, he's eaten it, " said her father, vainly trying to console her with other dainties. 

But Florelle continued to scream, and Mrs. St Clair was obliged to summonthe nurse and have her taken up-stairs. 

"Well, that's a relief, " said Ethelyn, as the struggling child was carriedaway. "I told you you'd hear her yell pretty often, Patricia. "

Patty felt rather embarrassed, and didn't know what to say; she wasbeginning to think Villa Rosa had some thorns as well as roses. 

After dinner, as they sat round the great fireplace in the library, Mrs. St. Clair announced:

"I have made up my mind. I will give a tea for Patricia in order that shemay be properly introduced to the Elmbridge people, --the best of them, --andthen later, we will have a large party for her. "

This pleased everybody and amiability was restored, and all fell to makingplans for the future pleasures of their guest. 

When Patty went to her room that night, she was so tired out with theexcitements of the day, that she was glad to go to rest. 

But first of all she opened the little box that her father had given her atparting. Was it possible that she had left her father only the day before?Already it seemed like weeks. 

With eager fingers she broke the seals and tore off the paper wrappings, and found to her great delight an ivory miniature of her mother. 

She had seen the picture often; it had been one of her father's chieftreasures, and she prized it the more highly as she thought what asacrifice it must have been for him to give it up, even to his child. 

It was in a Florentine gold frame, and Patty placed it in the centre of herdressing-table, and then sat down and gazed earnestly at it. 

She saw a sweet, girlish face, which was very like her own, though shedidn't recognize the resemblance. 

"Dear mother, " she said softly, "I will try to be just such a little girlas you would have wished me to be if you had lived to love me. "

CHAPTER V

A MINUET

"Mamma, " said Ethelyn, the next morning at breakfast, "I'm going to take aholiday from lessons to-day, because Patricia has just come, and shedoesn't want to begin to study right away. "

"Indeed, miss, you'll do nothing of the sort, " replied her mother; "you hada holiday yesterday because Patricia was coming; and one the day before, onaccount of Mabel Miller's tea; and you had holiday all last week because ofthe Fancy Bazaar. When do you expect to learn anything?"

"Well, I don't care, " said Ethelyn, tossing her head, "I'm going to staywith Patricia to-day, anyhow; if she goes to the schoolroom, I will, and ifshe don't, I won't. "

"Oh, I'll go to school with you, Ethelyn, " said Patty, anxious to pleaseboth her aunt and cousin if possible. 

But Mrs. St. Clair said, "No, indeed, Patricia, you don't want to beginlessons yet. Why, you're scarcely rested from your journey. I am going toNew York to-day to buy you some new dresses, and if you're not too tired, you may go with me and help select them. "

"Well, I just guess Patricia won't go to New York, unless I go too, " criedEthelyn in great excitement. "Do you think I'll stay at home and grub inthe schoolroom while she's having a good time in the city? Not much, myMary Anne!"

"Ethelyn!" said her mother, reprovingly, "how many times must I tell younot to use slang? It is vulgar and unladylike, and quite out of keepingwith your social position. "

"I don't care; it's expressive if it isn't stylish. "

"Don't say stylish, either. That isn't genteel at all. Say 'correct. '"

"Oh, 'correct. ' Well, mother, I guess it must be correct to use slang, 'cause Gladys Mahoney does, and she's a hummer on style. "

"And I've no doubt her mother reproves her for it, just as I do you. Now goto the schoolroom, it is nearly ten o'clock. "

"I won't go unless Patricia comes too. If she's going to New York with you, I'm going. "

"Ethelyn, " said Mrs. St. Clair, sternly, "do as I bid you. Go to theschoolroom at once, and study your lessons diligently. "

"No, I won't, " replied Ethelyn, stubbornly, "I won't stir a step unlessPatty comes too. "

"But I'm going to take Patricia to New York. "

"Then I'm going to New York, " said Ethelyn, with an air of settling thequestion, and then she began drumming on the table with her fingers. 

"I want to go to New York with you, mamma, " said Florelle; "I want to buy anew dolly. "

"No, baby, " said her mother, "you can't go this time. You stay at home likea good girlie, and I'll bring you a beautiful new doll. "

"But I _want_ to go! I _will_ go!" and Florelle began to cry. 

"Stop that crying, " said her father, "stop it at once, and when I come homeI'll bring you a big box of candy. "

"No, I don't want candy, --I want to go to New York, --I want to go--Ido-o-o, " she wound up with a prolonged wail. 

"Good gracious, Florelle, " said Reginald, "do stop that fearful yowling. Ifyou don't, as soon as I go down town I'll send a bear back here to eat youup. "

At this Florelle screamed louder than ever, and had to be taken away fromthe table. 

Patty felt quite helpless in the midst of this commotion. She had beenaccustomed to obey willingly her father's lightest wish, and Ethelyn'simpertinence amazed her. As for little Florelle, she thought the child wasquite old enough to be reasoned with, and taught not to cry so violentlyover every trifle. 

But she realized it was not her place to criticise her cousins' behavior, so she did the best she could to pour oil on the troubled waters. 

"Aunt Isabel, " she said, "if you don't mind, I'll stay at home and studywith Ethelyn. "

"Well, do as you like, child, " said her aunt, carelessly; "of course I canselect your clothes just as well without you, and I'll take you both to NewYork some Saturday. But you needn't study unless you choose, you know. "

"Well, I'll stay with Ethelyn, anyway, " said Patty, tucking her arm throughher cousin's as they went off to the schoolroom. 

"What a mean old thing you are, " said Ethelyn crossly. "You might just aswell have said you'd go to New York, and then I would have gone too, and wecould have had a lovely time shopping, and lunching at Delmonico's, andperhaps going to a matinée. "

"But your mother said you couldn't go, " said Patty, in surprise. 

"Oh, that's nothing. I would have gone all the same, and now you've spoiledit all and we've got to drudge over our books. Here's the schoolroom. MissMorton, this is my cousin, Patricia Fairfield. She is to begin lessonsto-day. "

While Ethelyn was talking, the girls had mounted to the third floor of thegreat house, and entered the large and attractive-looking schoolroom. 

Miss Morton was a sweet-faced young woman, who greeted Ethelyn pleasantlyand then turned cordially to the stranger. 

"We are glad to have you with us, " she said; "you may sit here at thisdesk, and presently I will ask you some questions about your studies. "

Reginald was already in his place and was studying away for dear life. Hewas naturally a studious boy, and he was anxious to prepare himself toenter a certain school the next year. 

But Ethelyn had no taste for study, and she flounced herself into her chairand unwillingly took up her books. 

"Now, Ethelyn, " said Miss Morton, "you must learn that history lessonto-day. You've dawdled over it so long, that it has become a real bug bearto you. But I'm sure if you determine to conquer it, you can easily do so. Just try it. "

"Ho, " called out Reginald, teasingly, "can't learn a history lesson! Icouldn't wait for you, so I went on ahead. I'm 'way over to the 'Foundingof the German Empire. ' Where are you in history, Patricia?"

"I've only studied United States History, " she replied, a little ashamed ofher small attainments, "but I've been through that twice. "

"Well, " said Miss Morton, kindly, "it's better to know one thing thoroughlythan to have smatterings of a great many. If you are familiar with UnitedStates History, you will enjoy lessons in the history of other countriesfor a change. "

"I'm sure I shall, " said Patty, "and my father told me to study whateveryou thought best for me. But I don't like to study very much. I'd ratherread story books. "

Miss Morton examined Patty in arithmetic, geography, and some otherbranches, and decided that as her attainments in knowledge were about equalto those of her cousins, they might all have the same lessons each day. 

Patty afterwards discovered that Reginald learned these lessons, andEthelyn did not. But she simply skipped them and went on to the next, apparently making the same progress as her brother. 

Patty had become absorbed in her history lesson, which was veryinteresting, when Ethelyn began to chatter. 

"Miss Morton, " she said, "we are going to have a party for my cousin. "

"Are you? That will be very nice, but don't let us discuss it now, for Iwant you to put your whole attention on that history lesson. "

"I will, --but, Miss Morton, it's going to be a very grand party. Everybodyin Elmbridge will be invited. I mean, " she added, tossing her head, "everybody that _is_ anybody. "

"Everybody is somebody, " said Reginald, without looking up from his book, "and I wish you'd keep still, Ethelyn. "

"Well, you know what I mean; everybody that's rich and important, and fitfor us to know. "

"Why, " said Patty, looking at her cousin in surprise, "aren't people fitfor you to know unless they're rich?"

"No, " said Ethelyn, "I wouldn't associate with people unless they wererich, and neither would you, Patricia. "

"Yes, I would, " said Patty, stoutly, "if they were good and wise andrefined, and they often are. "

"Well, you can't associate with them while you're living with us, anyhow;we only go with the swells. "

"Ethelyn, " said Miss Morton, gently, "that isn't the right way to talk. Ithink--"

"Oh, never mind what you think, " said Ethelyn, rudely, "you know the lasttime you preached to me, I nearly made mamma discharge you, and I'll do itfor sure if you try it again. "

Miss Morton bit her lip and said nothing, for she was a poor girl and hadno wish to lose her lucrative position in the St. Clair household, thoughher ideas were widely at variance with those of her employers. But Patty'ssense of justice was roused. 

"Oh, Ethelyn, " she said, "how can you speak to your teacher so? You oughtto be ashamed of yourself. "

"Oh, Miss Morton don't mind, do you?" said Ethelyn, who was really onlycareless, and had no wish to be unkind, "and it's true. I will have hersent away if she preaches at us, 'cause I hate it; but she won't preach anymore, will you, Morty?" and Ethelyn smiled at her governess in awheedlesome way. 

"Go on with your lessons, " said Miss Morton, in a quiet tone, though shewas with difficulty repressing a desire to tell her pupil what she thoughtof her. 

"Yes, do, " growled Reginald; "how can a fellow study when you're chatteringaway with your shrill voice?"

"I haven't got a shrill voice, " retorted Ethelyn, "have I, Patricia? Mammasays a soft, low voice is very stylish, --correct, I mean, and I'm sure mineis low and soft. "

Ethelyn said this in such an affected whisper that Patty had to smile. 

But Reginald said:

"Pooh, of course you have when you put on airs like that, but naturallyyour voice is a cross between a locomotive whistle and scratching on aslate. "

"It isn't!"

"It is!"

"Well, yours isn't a bit better, anyway. "

"I didn't say it was, did I?"

"I didn't say you did say so, did I?"

"I didn't say you said I said so, did I?"

"I didn't say you said, I said--you said, --"

"Children, stop quarreling, " said Miss Morton, half laughing at the angrycombatants whose flushed faces showed signs of coming tears. 

But Patty laughed outright. "What sillies you are, " she said, "to squabbleso over nothing. "

When school was over, it was time for luncheon, and after that Ethelyn toldPatty that it was the afternoon for dancing-class and they were all to go. 

"You must wear your blue crape, Patricia. " she said, "and make yourselflook as pretty as you can, and put on all your jewelry. "

"But I haven't any jewelry, " said Patty; "papa says little girls oughtn'tto wear any. "

"No jewelry? Why, how funny. I have loads of it. Well, no matter, I'll lendyou some of mine; or we'll crib some out of mamma's jewel-case; I knowwhere she hides the key. "

"Thank you, Ethelyn, but I wouldn't wear borrowed ornaments, and I don'twant to wear jewelry anyway. I'm not old enough. "

"Oh, you are too! what silly, old-fashioned notions you have. And besides, while you're with us, mamma said you must do whatever we want you to. "

So Patty reluctantly allowed Ethelyn to clasp a necklace round her throat, and slip several jingling bangles on her wrists. 

"There!" said Ethelyn, adding an emerald brooch, which she had selectedfrom her mother's collection, "now you don't look like a pauper anyhow. "

"But I don't feel comfortable, Ethelyn, and besides, suppose I should losethese things. "

"Oh, you won't lose them; and if you should, I don't believe mamma wouldscold much. She'd like it better than if I let you go looking like anobody, and have the Mahoneys think our cousin was poor. "

Ethelyn herself was resplendent in red silk trimmed with spangled lace. Shewore shining slippers with high French heels, and all the jewelry she couldcram on to her small person. 

Florelle looked like a fairy in a short little white frock, all fine muslinand lace, with ruffles and frills that stood out in every direction. Theoverdressed little midget was delighted with her appearance, and prancedaround in front of the mirror admiring herself. Reginald too, consideredhimself very fine in his black velvet suit, with a great white collar andimmense white silk tie. 

Miss Morton accompanied the children, and the St. Clair carriage carriedthem away to the dancing class. When they arrived, all was bustle andexcitement. About forty gaily dressed children were assembled in a largehall, prettily decorated with flags and flowers. 

Patty was fond of dancing, and danced very gracefully in her slow, Southernway, but she was utterly unfamiliar with the mincing steps and elaboratecontortions attempted by the Elmbridge young people. However, she enjoyedit all from its very novelty, and she was pleasantly impressed with some ofthe boys and girls to whom she was introduced. 

But she was amazed and almost angry at the way her cousin talked about her. 

"Mabel, " said Ethelyn, as she presented Patty to Mabel Miller, "this is mycousin, Patricia Fairfield. She is from Richmond, Virginia, and is visitingus for the winter. Her father is a millionaire, and he has lots of greatplantations of, --of magnolias. "

"Oh, no, Ethelyn, " began Patty. 

"Well, sweet potatoes, then, or something, " went on Ethelyn, nudging hercousin to keep still. "You must excuse her dress, she couldn't get anythingvery nice in Virginia so mamma has gone to New York to-day to buy her somedecent clothes. "

Patty raged inwardly at this slighting and unjust remark about her nativestate, but she was a truly polite little girl and said nothing unkind inreply. 

"Do you like to dance?" said Mabel Miller to Patty later, as they tookplaces in a quadrille just forming. 

"Yes, " said Patty, "and I know these quadrilles, but I never saw fancydances like those you have here. "

"Oh, they're the latest thing, " replied Mabel. "Professor Dodson comes fromNew York, and he teaches us the newest and swellest steps. "

As that day was the last of the quarter the professor had arranged a littleexhibition of his best pupils, and a good-sized audience was gathered inthe galleries above the dancing floor to witness it. 

But it was a surprise to all present when he announced that a friend whosename he was not privileged to mention, had offered a prize to the child whoshould dance most gracefully, either alone or with a partner. 

"You can't get it, Ethelyn, " said Reginald, "for you're as awkward as alame elephant. "

"I am not, " snapped Ethelyn, "and you'd better not try for it, 'cause you'donly make a spectacle of yourself. "

"So would you, " retorted Reginald, "and then we'd be a pair of spectacles. "

Ethelyn said no more, for the dances were beginning. 

Some of the pupils danced very prettily, others affectedly, and otherscleverly, but the dances were of a kicking, romping nature that requiredmuch practice and skill to perform gracefully. 

After all had taken part, Professor Dodson turned politely to Patty, andinvited her, if she would, to dance also. 

"Oh, I couldn't, thank you, " she answered "I don't know any of theseflings. I only know an old-fashioned minuet. "

"Try that, " urged Ethelyn, who delighted to have her cousin madeconspicuous, as that attracted attention towards herself. 

The professor insisted upon it, so Patty obligingly consented, and saying, "I couldn't dance with these things jingling, " she gave Ethelyn the heavynecklace and bangles. 

Then she stepped out on the floor, and as the orchestra played the slow, stately music of the minuet, Patty bowed and swayed like a veritableold-time maiden. Graceful as a reed, she took the pretty steps, smiling andcurtseying, her fair little face calm and unflushed. 

It was such a pretty dance and such a contrast to the acrobatic, out-of-breath performances of the other dancers, that, without a dissentingvoice, the committee of judges awarded the prize to Miss PatriciaFairfield. 

Patty was delighted, for she had no idea that her dancing was speciallymeritorious and she accepted the gold medal with a few words of realgratitude, thinking the while how pleased her father would be, when sheshould write him all about it. On the way home she said to Ethelyn:

"But it doesn't seem right for me to have this prize, as I'm not a memberof the dancing class. "

"Oh bother, " said Ethelyn, "that doesn't matter; they're always giving outprizes, and I'm awfully glad you got this one. People will think you'resomething wonderful. And I'm sure they'd have given it to Belle Crandon ifyou hadn't danced, and mamma will be tickled to death to think you got itahead of her. "

CHAPTER VI

PURPLE AND FINE LINEN

When Mrs. St. Clair's purchases were sent home from New York and spread outon view, Patty could scarcely believe her own eyes. 

Were all those fine clothes really meant for her?

The materials included silks, satins and velvets in bright colorings andsomewhat conspicuous patterns. 

Some of the dresses were already made up, and these were befrilled andbeflounced, with lace and embroidery. As Patty had always worn delicateshades of material, and her dresses had been very simply made, she couldn'thelp protesting at all this bewildering array of finery. But her aunt said:

"Nonsense, child, you don't know what you're talking about. You are theguest of the St. Clairs, and your appearance must do us credit. I am notgiving you these things, you know; your father wrote me to buy for youwhatever was necessary or desirable. I have a lot of new clothes forEthelyn, too, and I want you to look as well as she does. While you arewith us you must be suitably dressed, else I shall feel ashamed of yourappearance. "

Poor Patty began to wonder whether it was so very nice after all, to havefine clothes if she could have no voice in their selection. 

But she thought, what is the use of objecting? Aunt Isabel will do as shepleases anyway, and while I'm staying with her, I ought to agree to whatshe wants. 

Then two dressmakers came to stay a fortnight. Ethelyn and Patty were givena holiday from lessons, the schoolroom was turned into a sewing-room, andMiss Morton and Reginald betook themselves to the library. 

Patty was rather sorry to miss her school hours, for the history lessonshad become interesting, but she soon found that Aunt Isabel's word was law. It was a law often broken by her own children, but Patty was not of amutinous heart, and she amiably obeyed Mrs. St. Clair's commands. But shehad her own opinion of the household, and she did not hesitate to expressit plainly in her letters to her father. 

"I begin to see, " she wrote to him one day, "what you meant when youexplained to me about proportion. In this house, money, and fine clothes, and making a great show, are out of all proportion to everything else. Theynever think of reading books, or doing charity work, or anything butshowing off. And if a thing costs a lot, it's all right, but if it's simpleand not expensive, it's no good at all. I can tell you, Mr. Papa, that whenwe have our home, we'll have less fuss and feathers, and more comfort andcommon sense. And it isn't only that the things cost so much, but they'realways talking about it, and telling how expensive they are. Why, UncleRobert has told me half-a-dozen times how much his horses and carriagescost, and now he says he's going to get an automobile, so I don't know whathe'll do with his horses. Ethelyn is very nice in some ways, but she isaffected and rude, and I don't like her as well as Clara Hayden, if she_is_ my cousin. Reginald is a nice boy, but he's sort of pompous andconceited, and thinks he's better than any one else in the world. LittleFlorelle is a dear, but she cries so easily that I can't have much fun withher. But there, now I've told you all the bads, I'll tell you some of thegoods. Miss Morton, the governess, is a lovely lady, and when Ethelyn is socross I can't stand her, I go to Miss Morton, and we have a walk or a drivetogether, and have nice, pleasant talks. And then I am taking singinglessons twice a week. Aunt Isabel says I have a pretty good voice, and Ilove to sing, and Reginald takes me skating, and that is splendid. I don'tknow how yet, but he says I am learning pretty well. Aunt Isabel gave anafternoon tea for me, and next week we are going to have a big party, and Ithink that will be nice. I like parties and dancing-school, only the girlsand boys all act so grown up. They are about my age and even younger, andthey act as if they were ladies and gentlemen. That isn't good proportion, is it? But I am pretty happy, except that I am often homesick for you. ThenI look at your picture, and at the beautiful picture of dear mamma and ithelps some. And your letters help me too, so write just as often as youcan, won't you?

"From your loving daughter, "PATRICIA FAIRFIELD. "

The party, as Patty had feared, was a very grown-up affair. For severaldays beforehand the servants were getting the house ready for it, and allwas bustle and confusion. 

The furniture and bric-a-brac were all removed from the hall anddrawing-room and library, and carried up to the third floor to be out ofthe way. The portières were taken down from the doorways, and on the day ofthe party they were replaced by simulated curtains of smilax and floweringvines. 

As it was near the Christmas season, the decorations included evergreens, holly and mistletoe, but besides these, quantities of roses and rareflowers of all sorts were used. The florists came early and worked all day, and they transformed the house into a fairy bower. 

Patty was delighted with this, and walked through the luxurious rooms, quite lost in admiration of their floral beauty. 

Carpenters had enclosed the great veranda which was then hung with redsatin and decorated with ropes and wreaths of holly, and, like the rest ofthe house, was fairly ablaze with electric lights. 

The party was to be from eight to twelve, and when Patty went down stairsat a little before eight, she found her uncle berating the musicians, whowere a little late in arriving. 

"I want you to understand, " Mr. St. Clair was saying, "that when _I_ sendfor you, you are to come when I bid you. Don't tell me you couldn't helpit, --if there is danger of detention on the road, you should start earlier. _I_ am accustomed to having _my_ orders obeyed, and all who are employed atVilla Rosa must fully understand that. Go on with your music, and nexttime, see to it that you arrive more promptly. "

Uncle Robert strutted away with such a pompous air, that Patty was almostafraid of him herself. But when he saw her, he beamed kindly, and said:

"Come here, my dear, and tell me what you think of all this. "

"I think the house looks beautiful, uncle, just like Fairyland, with allthe flowers and lights. And I think you are very kind to give this partyfor me. "

"Well, well, child, we have to invite our friends occasionally, you know. Have a good time, and I shall feel amply repaid for my outlay. ThoseAmerican Beauties are fine, aren't they?"

"Indeed they are, " said Patty, sniffing at one that reached its richredness temptingly towards her. 

"Oh, don't do that! You'll spoil them. Those roses cost six dollars adozen. But how fine you look in your new gew-gaws. Turn round, little one. Ah, we have no reason to feel ashamed of our Southern maid to-night. "

Patty was glad her uncle was pleased, for she herself felt ratheruncomfortable. Her dress, which was made with low neck and short sleeves, was of red silk gauze, with multifold short skirts, accordion-plaited, andedged with thick, full ruches. Great golden butterflies were embroidered atintervals all over the dress, while ribbons and flowers were attachedwherever a place could be found for them. 

Ethelyn had coaxed Patty to have her hair dressed high on her head, soElise had arranged a marvelous _coiffure_ which displayed jeweled pins andcombs of many sorts, and a necklace and bracelets rivaled them in glitter. Red silk stockings, and red satin slippers with gilt butterflies on themcompleted this gorgeous costume, and when Patty saw herself in the longmirrors, she thought she looked like one of the paper fairies which sheused to hang on her Christmas trees. 

When the party began, she stood beside her aunt and Ethelyn and receivedthe guests as they arrived. 

About fifty boys and girls came, and to Patty they all seemed likeoverdressed and artificial little puppets. 

The girls put on grown-up airs, walked with mincing steps and giggledbehind their fans, while the boys were affected and absurdly formal. 

Patty had thought there would be games or amusements of some youthful sort, but dancing and promenading alternated throughout the evening. 

However, she was fond of dancing, and as she was quickly becoming a generalfavorite, her card was soon filled with the names of the nicest boys in theroom. 

It was all very pleasant for a short time, but soon Patty grew very tiredand secretly longed for supper to be announced. 

At last this came to pass, and the children marched out to the dining-roomwhere another beautiful sight awaited them. 

The caterers had been as skilful as the decorators, and the table wasfilled with marvelous confections of rich foods. 

Patty had never seen such wonderful things, and she almost thought thepheasants were alive; and the big salmon looked as if it had just beentaken from the water. Then there were salads and croquettes, and funnylittle paper dishes filled with strange, delicious mixtures, and after allthese, came creams and jellies and ices, and cakes and bonbons in all sortsof odd shapes and colors. 

Patty thought these things were too pretty to be eaten, but they werequickly demolished by the young people, who were hearty, hungry boys andgirls, in spite of their affected manners. 

After supper the dancing and promenading began again, and was kept up untilmidnight, and Patty was a very tired little girl after she had saidgood-night to all the guests and the last carriage had rolled away fromVilla Rosa. 

Ethelyn was tired too, and decidedly cross. 

"I didn't have a very good time, " she said; "that horrid old Gladys Mahoneyhad a prettier dress than mine; and I broke my new fan, and my slippers areso tight, they hurt me awfully. " "Pooh, I know what makes you cross, " saidReginald, "just 'cause Bob Burton didn't dance with you as much as he didwith Mabel Miller. "

"I'm not cross, " retorted Ethelyn, "and I didn't want to dance with BobBurton. If I were you, I'd try to learn some manners; Lou Smith says you'rethe rudest boy she ever saw. "

"I don't care what Lou Smith says, little, freckle-faced thing! I don't seewhy she was invited here, anyway. "

"Stop quarreling, children, " said Mrs. St. Clair, "and go to bed at once. Patricia, I hope you enjoyed the party; I'm sure I tried to have it nice, but everything seemed to go wrong, the salad wasn't fit to eat and the icecream was half melted. "

"Why, Aunt Isabel, " said Patty, "I think everything was lovely. I never sawsuch a supper-table in my life, and the decorations were exquisite. "

"Well, I didn't think so. It does seem a shame to pay out so much money, and then not have things to your liking. "

"Oh, the party was good enough, " said Mr. St. Clair, "you're too fussyabout trifles, Isabel. Come, children, scurry off to bed, you'll get nobeauty sleep to-night, I fear. "

Patty went to her room, and taking her mother's picture, sat down to talkto it, as she did nearly every night. 

"Motherdy, " she said, "if you had lived to take care of me, I don't believeyou'd have liked the party we had to-night. The grown-upness of it was allout of proportion for children, I think, and, --as usual in this house, theexpense was out of proportion to everything else. Why, Uncle Robert musthave spent a thousand dollars for it, --maybe more, --he'll probably tell usto-morrow just how much everything cost. I liked some of the party, --thesupper was lovely, but, --well, I reckon I ate out of proportion too. Yousee, little mother, it's very hard always to do just right. Now I'm goingto bed, and I'm so sleepy, I don't know as I'll wake up before to-morrowafternoon. "

She kissed the beautiful face, and putting the picture back where itbelonged, she hopped into bed and was soon fast asleep. 

CHAPTER VII

A SLEIGH-RIDE

The winter slipped away, and as Patty was a little girl who always lookedon the bright side of things, she really had very good times at Ville Rosa. 

She became a favorite with the Elmbridge boys and girls, and her unfailinggood nature kept her from quarreling with her cousins though she was oftensorely tried by them. 

Lessons were a very uncertain quantity. Sometimes there would be none atall for a week or two weeks, and then perhaps school would keep regularlyfor a few days, only to be followed by another interruption. 

Patty found it only too easy to fall into these careless ways, and if shehad stayed all her life at Villa Rosa, I fear she would have becomeindolent and selfish, for the rule of the whole household seemed to be"Pleasure before Duty, " and when that rule is followed it often happensthat the duties are not done at all. 

In January, to Patty's great delight, there came a heavy snowstorm. 

It made fine sleighing, for the roads were in just the right condition andas the weather was clear and cold there was good prospect of many days'fun. 

Uncle Robert, always ready to give the young people a good time, instigateda sleighing parade, in which all the society people of Elmbridge wereinvited to join. 

It was to be a grand affair. Every sleigh was to be decorated in beautifulor unique fashion, and there was great rivalry among the families ofElmbridge as to whose sleigh should present the finest spectacle. 

"Papa, " said Ethelyn, "I shall drive Patricia in my little cutter, ofcourse, and I want you to fix it up, somehow, so that it will beateverybody else all hollow. "

"Ethelyn, " said her mother, "if you don't stop using those slang phrases, you shan't go in the parade at all. Now promise to talk like a lady, andI'll see to it that your sleigh outshines all the rest. "

"All right, " said Ethelyn, "I'll promise. Now, how shall we decorate it?"

"Never mind, " said her mother, "I wouldn't trust you with the secret. You'dtell everybody before the parade, and give them a chance to imitate it. Butjust wait and see. You and Patricia shall drive the most beautiful turnoutin the whole line. "

That day Mrs. St. Clair made a hurried trip to New York and came home withmany mysterious packages, and other larger packages came by express. Mr. St. Clair came home early from his business and spent much of his time inthe barn, and the preparations grew so exciting that both Patty and Ethelynwere on tiptoe with curiosity and anticipation. The parade was to start thenext afternoon at two o'clock. Soon after luncheon, Mrs. St. Clair sent thegirls to their rooms to dress for the great event. 

Ethelyn gave a little scream of delight, as she saw new garments spread outon her bed, and Patty ran on to her own room to find similar ones there. 

Each girl had a long coat of fine white broadcloth, made with a doublecape-collar, and trimmed all round with white fur. A broad-brimmed whitefelt hat, with white ostrich plumes and a fleecy white feather boa, whitegloves, and a white muff were there too; and even white shoes and whitecloth leggings, so that when the cousins were dressed, there was not atouch of color about them, save their rosy faces and golden hair, and theylooked like veritable snow-queens. 

They danced down-stairs to find Cupid awaiting them with a brand-newsleigh. 

Cupid was Ethelyn's pony, and he was pure white, every bit of him, and itwas this fact that had suggested the whole scheme to Mr. St. Clair. 

The new sleigh was pure white too, trimmed here and there with silver. 

Cupid's harness was all white and silver, and waving white plumes andsilver bells were in various places about the sleigh and horse. 

There were big white fur robes, and when Mr. St. Clair tucked the girls in, and Ethelyn took the white reins and white whip, it certainly seemed as ifno sleigh load could be prettier. 

And none was. Everybody agreed that the white sleigh was the pride of theparade. Patty secretly wondered why her aunt was satisfied without moregaudy coloring; as she wrote to her father afterwards, she had halfexpected to see a red sleigh with blue and yellow robes. "But, " she said, "I suppose it was because Cupid happened to be white, and I'm glad he was, for it was all just lovely. "

Mr. And Mrs. St. Clair and Florelle went in the parade also, but theycontented themselves with the family sleigh, which of course was bothhandsome and elaborate. They had spent all their energies on the girls'appearance and they were very proud of the result. 

Reginald, who was of an ingenious turn of mind, had contrived an affairwhich was supposed to look like a Roman chariot, and which was, therefore, a bit incongruous on runners. 

It was very fancy, being almost entirely covered with gilt paper, and ithad two wheels and no back. It jolted fearfully, and Reginald wasoccasionally thrown out. However, he stuck to it pluckily, until hismachine was a total wreck, when he abandoned it, and jumped into hisfather's sleigh for the rest of the parade. 

Patty enjoyed it all hugely. It was such a novel experience to fly along, through the crisp cold air, and over the shining snow roads; and Ethelynwas in such jubilant good-humor, that the whole affair marked a red letterday in the winter calendar. 

The "White Flyer" was the talk of the town for weeks after, and Mr. St. Clair never tired of telling any one who would listen, how much it allcost, and how difficult it was to get the white sleigh and harness on suchshort notice. 

Patty grew very tired of this pompous boasting, and, notwithstanding herenjoyment of the luxury at Villa Rosa, she was not altogether sorry whenthe time drew near for her to go away to Boston to make her next visit. 

She was to leave the St. Clairs about the first of March, and spend thenext three months with her father's sister, Mrs. Fleming. 

As Uncle Robert was her mother's brother, the two families were entirelyunacquainted, and the St. Clairs could tell Patty nothing about the newhome to which she was going. 

"But, " said her Aunt Isabel, "I feel sure you won't like them as well asyou like us. Are they rich, Patricia?"

"I don't know, " answered Patty; "papa never said anything about that. Hesaid that they are a very literary family. "

"Humph, " said Aunt Isabel, "then I guess they haven't very much money;literary people never do have. Poor child, I suppose they'll turn you intoa regular little blue-stocking. "

Patty didn't relish this idea, for at Villa Rosa she had fallen into thehabit of neglecting her lessons, and already study was losing its charm forher. But she was fond of reading, and she felt sure she would enjoy anatmosphere of books. 

On the 14th of February, Aunt Isabel gave a party for the young people, which was a farewell party for Patty, though it was also a festival inhonor of St. Valentine's Day. 

As usual, the girls had new dresses, and they represented Mrs. St. Clair'sidea of valentines. 

Ethelyn's was of blue, and Patty's of pink silk, and they were trimmed withinnumerable lace flutings and garlands of flowers. They were furtherdecorated with gilt hearts pierced by darts, and with skilfully madeartificial doves which perched on the shoulders of the wearers. 

The party was a very pretty one, as Aunt Isabel's parties always were. 

The rooms were decorated with roses and pink ribbons, and gilt hearts anddarts, and feathered doves and wax cupids. At supper the ices and cakeswere heart-shaped, and after the children had returned to the drawing-roomSt. Valentine himself appeared. 

As Patty suspected, it was Uncle Robert dressed up to represent the oldSaint, with flowing white hair and beard and a gilt paper halo. He wore along white robe with red hearts dotted all over it, and carried a gilt bowand arrow. 

He carried also a pack or pouch full of valentines which he distributed tothe guests. 

Of course they were very handsome affairs, and in each was hidden somedainty trifle, handkerchief, fan or bonbons. 

Besides those at the party, Patty received numerous other valentines, someof which came by mail, and others in the good old-fashioned way, under thefront door. 

Many of these were from the Elmbridge young people, while several fromRichmond included a beauty from her father, and a pretty one from ClaraHayden. 

Although the cousins had varying tastes, they had become very good friends, and both felt sad when the day came for Patty to leave Villa Rosa. 

Indeed, the whole family felt sad, for Patty was a very lovable littlegirl, and had endeared herself to them all. Uncle Robert was to take her toNew York and put her on the boat, where Mr. Tom Fleming would meet her andtake her to his mother's house in Boston. 

Aunt Isabel said she, too, would go to New York with Patty, and of courseEthelyn announced her intention of going. 

Then Florelle set up such a howl to go, that Patty begged her aunt to takeher, and the child went. 

Reginald declined to be left out of such a family affair, so Patty wasamply escorted to her destination. 

They went on board the _Priscilla_, a beautiful boat of the Fall RiverLine, and Mr. St. Clair soon found Mr. Fleming, who had agreed to meet himat a certain spot. 

Then Patty was introduced to her Cousin Tom, who was a tall young man ofabout thirty-five, with a pointed beard, and dark, pleasant eyes. 

"So this is my little Southern cousin, " he said, cordially, as he took herhand. 

Then he chatted affably with the whole party until the warning gongannounced that they must go ashore. 

Ethelyn was heart-broken at the thought of parting, and flinging her armsround Patty's neck, burst into tears. 

This was enough for Florelle, who promptly followed suit, and set up one ofher very best howls. 

With a good-bye kiss to his niece, Uncle Robert picked up the screamingchild and marshaled his family off of the boat, and Patty was left alonewith her new-found cousin. 

CHAPTER VIII

AN ABSENT-MINDED COUSIN

"Now, Patty, " said Cousin Tom, as they walked along the saloon, "I am goingto hand you over to the stewardess, who will show you your stateroom. Gowith her, and she will look after you. I think you would better leave offthat heavy coat, as it is too chilly outside to permit of going on deck, and the atmosphere within is quite warm. Ah, here she is. Stewardess, thisis Miss Fairfield and here is her stateroom key. See to it that she is madecomfortable. "

As Mr. Fleming supplemented his request with a pecuniary argument, thestewardess made Patty her especial charge, and assiduously looked after hercomfort. 

"And, Patty, " said her cousin, as she turned away, "when you are ready, come back and you will find me right here. See, just by this staircase. Lock your door and bring the key with you. "

Patty felt as if she had suddenly grown several years younger, for CousinTom talked to her as to a little child. "It's more like Wonderland thanever, " she said to herself. "Only instead of growing big or little, I growold or young. At Aunt Isabel's I was considered a young lady but Cousin Tomseems to think I'm a small child. "

The stewardess, who was a good-natured old colored woman, took Patty to herstateroom, and then helped her to unpack her traveling-bag, and arrange herbelongings for the night. 

As Aunt Isabel had bought her clothes, of course Patty was absurdlyoverdressed. 

When she took off her blue velvet coat with its ermine collar, her bluesilk, lace-trimmed dress looked far more suitable for a grand receptionthan for traveling. 

"Laws, missy, " said the voluble stewardess, "how handsome you is!"

Patty thought this a reference to her dress, but the remark was meant forthe child herself, whose flower-like face looked out from a most becomingbig hat of plaited blue velvet, and her golden hair fell in a loosely tiedbunch of long thick curls. 

When Patty returned to her Cousin Tom, she found him sitting just where hesaid he would be, but so deeply absorbed in a book that he didn't see orhear her approach. 

Not wishing to disturb his reading, she sat down in the large chair next tohim and waited. 

She didn't mind this at all, for it was very interesting to watch thepeople passing up and down, and the saloon itself was beautiful to look at. Patty sat for a long while, but Cousin Tom never moved, except to turn thepages of his book. She did not like to speak to him, as she feared he wouldthink it necessary to lay aside his book and entertain her; she had no wishto trouble him, and beside, she was quite capable of entertaining herself. 

So after she had sat still for a long while, she decided to walk about thecabin a bit, always keeping in sight of Cousin Tom, if he should raise hiseyes. But he didn't, and Patty strayed farther and farther away from him, until she had explored all the available parts of the boat. 

She was much interested in all she saw, and many admiring eyes followed thepretty, graceful child as she walked about. 

When she reached the dining-room she looked in, and the sight of thepassengers sitting at well-filled tables made her feel very hungry, and shewondered if Cousin Tom would finish his book in time to give her anydinner. Somehow she felt sure he never would look up until he _had_finished the book. 

She went back and sat down again beside him with a little sigh. But hedidn't hear the little sigh, and kept on reading. 

Patty looked at him curiously. There was little hope of his finishing thebook, for he was only about half-way through it, and he read very slowly, turning the pages at long intervals. She could see his eyes move eagerlyalong the printed lines, as if delighted with what he found there. 

She waited a while longer, and then said to herself, "I don't care, I'mgoing to speak to him. I've waited a million hours, and the dinner will beall eaten up. "

She didn't speak, but she rose and stood by his side, and then with asudden impulse she laid her hand with outspread fingers upon the page hewas reading. 

Cousin Tom jumped as if a firecracker had exploded in his vicinity, and helooked at Patty with a dazed expression. 

"Bless my soul!" he said, "why, little one, I forgot all about you. Willyou forgive me? Have you been here long? I was reading, you see, and Ididn't hear you come. "

"I've been here an hour, Cousin Tom, " said Patty, demurely. 

"An hour? No! Is it possible? You poor child, why didn't you tell me?"

"Oh, I didn't mind, " said Patty, "and you seemed to be all wrapped up inyour book. "

"Yes, I was, --I was. But I'll try to make amends. Come, let's go and havesome dinner. "

Taking Patty's hand, Cousin Tom strode along the saloon, and down thestairs, and Patty almost had to run to keep up with his long steps. 

"Now, " said he, as they seated themselves at a table and an obsequiouswaiter began to put ice and then water into their glasses. "Now, what wouldyou like to eat?"

"Oh, anything at all, " said Patty, gaily, "I'm hungry enough to eat, --Idon't know what. "

"Yes, yes, of course you are, --poor child, --so sorry I forgot you, --quiteinexcusable of me. "

Mr. Fleming was looking over the bill of fare as he talked, and then helooked doubtfully at Patty, as if uncertain what he ought to order for her. 

"What would you like for your dinner, child? Now don't say you don't care, or that you'll leave it to me, for little girls always say that, and Ideclare I don't know what you ought to have. "

"All right, " said Patty, who was quite equal to the occasion. "Let's havesome lobster mayonnaise, and some mushrooms under glass, and little tinyclams, and tutti-frutti and a Dewey Punch. "

Cousin Tom stared at her in amazement. 

"What are you talking about?" he exclaimed; "you'd be dead if you ate allthose things. Are they on the bill of fare? What is a 'Dewey Punch'?"

"Oh, I don't die so easily as that. Ethelyn and I used to eat worse mixesthan that, whenever we lunched at the New York restaurants, A Dewey Punchis a lovely kind of ice cream with strawberry jam or something poured allover it. I don't see it on the list; perhaps they don't have it. Nevermind, we'll take meringue glacé. "

"Indeed we won't. I've changed my mind and I'll order this dinner myself. You shall have some soup, a broiled chicken, some vegetables and a plainice cream. There, how do you like that?"

Cousin Tom didn't speak crossly at all, but very decidedly, and there was apleasant twinkle in his eye that took away all idea of censure, so Pattysaid, amiably:

"I think it will be very nice and I really don't care what we have, onlyyou told me to suggest something, so I did. "

"Certainly, that's all right, but your suggestions were suicidal. Are youfamiliar with Bacon?"

Oh, thought Patty, he's going to order the breakfast over night, and I hatebacon. 

"Yes, " she said, "but I don't like it at all. "

"You don't? What a perverted taste. But Boston will soon change that. Wehave a Bacon club, which you shall join. It is a most delightful club, andyou will like it, I'm sure. I fancy that in a few weeks I shall see youdevouring Bacon with intense enjoyment. "

Indeed I won't, thought Patty. She was about to say that her Uncle Robertbelonged to a Terrapin Club, but refrained, thinking it might be impoliteto imply disparagement to the more lowly bacon. 

So she changed the subject, and said:

"Please, Cousin Tom, tell me something of your family. It's so queer to goto see people and not know anything about them beforehand. But so far, myrelatives have been very nice. "

"Oh, the Flemings are a wonderful family, " said Cousin Tom, gaily, "we areall going to do something great, but somehow we haven't hit it off yet. "

"Cousin Elizabeth is an author, isn't she?" inquired Patty, a littletimidly, for she had never seen a real, live author. 

"Yes, " said Mr. Fleming, "Elizabeth is an author, that is, she writesnovels when she isn't doing anything else; Barbara is a club woman, but shewrites too, more or less. "

"And what do you do? Are you literary?"

"Yes, I'm writing a book, myself. It's a treatise on The Will, and Iflatter myself I have some novel theories; and then there's Ruth, youknow. "

"Ruth, who is she?"

"Oh, she's our cousin, who lives with us. Not your cousin, you know. She isfather's brother's child, and her people live in the country; so, as shehas a fine mind, she lives with us in order to have the advantage of aBoston education. "

"How old is she?" asked Patty. 

"Fourteen or fifteen, I think. She'll be company for you; I think you'lllike her, though she is very different from you. "

"What is she like?" asked Patty, much interested in this new and unexpectedcomrade. 

"Why, she is quiet, and very studious, and--but you'll see her yourself, to-morrow, so I'll let you form your own opinion. "

After dinner they had a short promenade on deck, but the wind was sostrong, that Patty was glad to return to the warm, light saloon, and theysat down on one of the red velvet sofas. Cousin Tom didn't resume his book, and Patty felt that he was politely trying to entertain her. 

So with a desire to entertain him in return, she asked him to tell herabout the book he was writing. 

This seemed to please him immensely, and he eagerly launched into adescription of its scope and plan. 

As the subject was far above Patty's comprehension, she listened withoutunderstanding it clearly at all, and after a half hour or so, thecontinuous conversation, and the soothing motion of the boat caused thelittle girl quite unintentionally to fall sound asleep. 

Mr. Fleming kept on talking for some time after this, when suddenly itoccurred to him that his cousin sat very still, and peering round thecorner of the big blue velvet hat, he discovered that his audience wasquite oblivious to his learned discourse. 

At first he looked a little annoyed, then he smiled compassionately, forthe tired child seemed to be very peacefully resting, and her pretty headmade a lovely picture against the red velvet sofa. 

Mr. Fleming sent for the stewardess, and then awoke the little sleeper. 

"Come, Patty, " said he, gently tapping her on the shoulder, "it's bedtime, little girl, and you must run away to your bunk. "

Patty opened her eyes and stared about her. 

"Oh, Cousin Tom, " she said, as she remembered the circumstances under whichshe had fallen asleep, "I'm _so_ sorry, --I didn't mean to go to sleep, andI _was_ interested. "

"That's all right, my small cousin, " said Mr. Fleming, "and now go alongwith the stewardess, and go to sleep and get a good night's rest. " Pattydid as Cousin Tom directed, and never wakened until she heard the steamerscraping against the dock early the next morning. 

She rose and dressed quickly, and when the stewardess came for her, she wasquite ready to go to meet Cousin Tom, who awaited her in the cabin. 

"I shall give you a roll and a cup of coffee, " he said, as if half afraidthat Patty would want to order unheard-of dishes, "for they are expectingus home to breakfast, and we have only fifteen minutes before our trainstarts for Boston. "

Patty drank her coffee and ate her roll with a relish, and declared herselfready to start. A short ride in the cars brought them to Boston. They leftthe train and entered the waiting-room, where Cousin Tom placed Patty in aseat, and told her to stay there and not move while he attended to hertrunks. 

Patty obediently sat still, and soon she saw Cousin Tom returning. But justbefore he reached her, he met a man whom he evidently knew, and whom heseemed overjoyed to meet. The two men talked earnestly together, and thenboth turned and walked away. 

Patty had seen instances of her cousin's absent-mindedness, even since hehad neglected to take her to dinner the night before, and she guessed atonce that he had forgotten her existence, and was going away with hisfriend. 

She had no intention of being deserted in this way, so she left the bagsand wraps which she was supposed to be guarding, and ran after him. 

"Cousin Tom!" she cried as she caught up with him, "where are you going?"

"Bless my soul!" he exclaimed, staring at her, "I forgot you were with me. What shall I do? Allow me to present Mr. Harding. Ted, this is my cousin, Miss Patty Fairfield; I am supposed to be escorting her home, but if whatyou tell me is so, I must go at once to see Varian. Wait, I have it, Patty;I'll send you home by a messenger; you don't mind, do you?"

"No, indeed, Cousin Tom, " said Patty; "send me any way you like. "

So Mr. Fleming called a messenger-boy, and giving Patty, and all the wrapsand bags into his charge, he sent them to his mother's house. "Tell them Imet Harding, and had to go away with him on some very important business, "he said to Patty. "I'll be home to-night, --good-bye. "

And with a hasty hand-shake, he turned again to his friend and they walkedrapidly away. 

"Come this way, miss, " said the messenger, who was a tall youth, polite anddeferential, and who appeared not at all surprised at the order given him. "I'll take you along all right. "

He piloted Patty with great care and after riding for some distance on thestreet cars, they arrived at Mrs. Fleming's house. 

CHAPTER IX

THE FLEMINGS

The messenger-boy rang the door bell, and a white-capped maid opened thedoor. When she saw the uniformed youth, she held out her hand for his book, signed it and dismissed him. 

Then turning to Patty, she said, "This way, miss, " and ushered her into asmall reception room. 

As Patty wrote to her father afterwards, she felt like a package sent froma department store, and she looked down, almost expecting to find herselfwrapped in paper and tied with a string. 

After she had waited about ten minutes, a tall young woman came quicklydown-stairs and passed along the hall. She had on a hat and jacket, and wasevidently going away in a great hurry. 

As she went by the reception room, she caught sight of Patty through theopen door, and stopped in surprise. 

"Good-morning, " she said, in a quick, hurried way. "Did you wish to seeme?"

"I don't know, " said Patty, uncertain whether this was a cousin or avisitor at the house. "I am Patty Fairfield. "

"Oh, yes, of course, --our cousin from the South. I'm so glad to seeyou, "--she shook Patty's hand hastily, --"but I must ask you to excuse methis morning, as I am just going to a meeting of the 'Current Events' Club, and I am already five minutes late. "

With an apologetic smile she hastened away, and Patty waited again. 

Then she heard another step on the stairs, and another lady entered theroom. This time it was Aunt Hester. She was a delicate looking little womanwith silver hair, but Patty knew her at once from her resemblance to herfather, who was Mrs. Fleming's brother. 

"My dear child, " said her aunt, as she kissed Patty, affectionately, "weare very glad to have you with us. But where is Tom?"

"He met a friend, Mr. Harding, and went away with him on very importantbusiness. He said to tell you he would be home to-night, and he sent mehere by a messenger-boy. "

"Very well; I am glad you reached here safely. Are you hungry? Have youbreakfasted?"

"I had coffee and rolls on the boat, but I _am_ hungry, " said Patty, frankly. 

"Of course you are; well, you shall have something to eat. Let me look atyou. Yes, you do look a little like brother Fred. How old are you?"

"Fourteen, " replied Patty. 

"Ah, just the age of Ruth Fleming, who lives with us, and who will bepleasant company for you. I hope you will be happy with us, my dear, andyou mustn't mind being left to yourself a bit, for we are very busy people. Life is too short to be wasted in idleness. "

"Yes, " assented Patty, thinking that this aunt was indeed very differentfrom Aunt Isabel. 

"And now, " continued Mrs. Fleming, "I am going to send Molly to you, andshe will show you to your room, and afterwards give you some breakfast. Imust ask you to excuse me this morning, as I have to go to thesewing-class. Ruth is at school, but we will all meet at luncheon which isserved promptly at one. "

Mrs. Fleming went away, not hurriedly, but with a quick, decided step, andin a few moments Molly, the maid appeared. 

She was a merry-looking Irish girl, and her pleasant smile was such acontrast to the preoccupied manners of the ladies, that Patty felt friendlytowards her at once. 

"Come with me, Miss Fairfield, " she said, and taking up Patty'shand-luggage, she led the way to a room on the third floor. It was agood-sized room, very neat and well-furnished, but with none of the luxuryand beauty of Patty's room at Villa Rosa. 

There was a square dressing-table and exactly in the centre of it was asquare pincushion, with a glass toilet bottle on either side and behind ita smaller glass bottle to match. The chairs were stiff and straight, andthere was a haircloth sofa with a small, square pillow at each end and onein the middle. 

In the centre of the room was a table with books on it, and writingmaterials, and a drop-light hung over it from the chandelier above. 

Though plain in its appointments, the room was light and airy andexquisitely neat and well-kept. 

Molly deftly unfastened Patty's bag and shawl-straps, and then said:

"Now, miss, I'll go below, and when you're ready, come down three flightsof stairs to the dining-room, and I'll give you some breakfast. "

Patty thanked her, and when she had left the room, Patty sat down in thesmall, straight-backed rocking-chair to "think herself out, " as shesometimes expressed it. 

She felt a little homesick for the warm-hearted friends at Villa Rosa, andyet she felt sure her Boston relatives were going to be very nice, if onlythey could ever find time to talk to her. 

She wondered if the ladies were always hurrying off to club-meetings, andif Ruth were always studying. She would be glad when Cousin Tom came home, for she was very sure she liked him. 

She looked critically at her surroundings and decided that when her trunkscame, and she could put the pretty things that she owned all about, theroom would look much more cozy and attractive, and so, though her receptionhad chilled her a little, she thought that perhaps she would have a goodtime in Boston after all. 

She jumped up and began to arrange such things as she had brought with her. 

Her pretty silver brushes and trays looked somewhat out of place on theprim dressing-table, but Patty thought them a decided improvement. Then sheunwrapped her mother's portrait, and placed it on the writing-table. 

"It's a funny place, this, motherdy, " she whispered to the picture, "and Idon't know whether we'll like it or not; but we'll be happy together, youand I. And I think we'll like Aunt Hester, for she's papa's sister, youknow, so she must be nice. "

Then Patty went down the three flights of stairs, as directed, in search ofMolly. 

"It's funny, " she said to herself, "to go down cellar to breakfast. But I'msure she said three flights, " and sure enough, when she reached thebasement, Molly met her with a kindly smile, saying, "Come this way, miss, " and Patty found that the front basement was thedining-room. 

Its large windows were protected by iron railings, and the whole room hadan air of solemn dignity rather than cheerfulness, but Molly was sopleasant and cordial that Patty felt cheerful at once. 

The smiling Irish girl brought her some fruit, an omelet, hot rolls anddelicious coffee, and after she had finished her solitary meal, Patty feltbetter able to cope with whatever might be awaiting her. 

But apparently, nothing awaited her. 

It was about ten o'clock, and as luncheon was announced for one, Pattywondered what she was expected to do in the meantime. 

She asked Molly where Miss Elizabeth Fleming was. 

"Laws, miss, " said Molly, rolling her eyes, "don't make no attempt for tosee her. She's writin' a novel, and she's up in her den on the fourthfloor. We don't even call her to her meals. If she wants to come, shecomes; and if she don't, I takes a few things up and sets 'em outside herdoor. "

"Oh, " said Patty, with great interest, "can't you speak to people whenthey're writing novels?"

"Indade, no, miss. It spiles the whole thing, and they has to begin allover again if a word is spoken to them. "

"I think that's wonderful, " said Patty, much impressed, "and I'm just crazyto see my Cousin Elizabeth. And Ruth, where is she?"

"Miss Ruth, she's at her school, miss, around on the next block. She'll behome at one o'clock and then you'll see her. Now why don't ye go and liedown and rest yerself?"

"But I'm not tired, " said Patty, "I just want to get started; get to livinghere, you know. Can't I go into the library and look at some of the books?"

"Yes, miss, sure, if there's nobody there. I'll shlip up an' peep. "

Molly went softly up-stairs, and Patty followed on tiptoe. It seemedstrange to be so quiet, for at Villa Rosa everybody seemed to try to makeall the noise possible. 

"You can go in, " said Molly, after her peep, "nobody's there; but thechairs is all settin' in rows, so I guess a club or somethin' is comin'. But go in, miss, dear, an' amuse yerself. "

So Patty went in the library, which was a large back room on the mainfloor. 

It has been said that a house without a library is like a body without asoul, and surely the library was the soul of the Fleming home. It was abeautiful room, built out behind the rest of the house, with a largeskylight of stained glass, and a wide bay window whose cushioned seatslooked very attractive. 

Patty sat down and looked about her. The room was furnished with manywell-filled bookcases, several small desks and tables, and a number ofreading-chairs, whose broad arms held books and magazines. 

Patty began at once to examine the titles of the books, and was delightedto find a large case full of children's books, containing all her oldfavorites, and many more that she had never read. 

She selected "The Water Babies, " which belonged to the latter class, andcurling herself up on the window-seat, was soon absorbed in the story. 

A little later, she heard the street door open and shut, and then CousinBarbara whisked hurriedly into the library. She didn't see Patty at first, but sat down at a desk at the other end of the room, and hastily sortedover some papers. 

"Ten-thirty to eleven-thirty, pigs, " she murmured; "eleven-thirty totwelve, write paper on Choctaw costumes; twelve to one, attend Bootblacks'dinner. Ten-thirty! Why it's time for the pigs now. "

"Will I interfere with the pigs if I stay here, Cousin Barbara?" saidPatty, curious to see the animals appear, but not wishing to intrude. 

"What! are you there, Patty? Yes, you may stay if you like, but make nonoise or disturbance of any kind. "

"I won't, " said Patty, and then Miss Barbara proceeded to ignore her smallcousin's presence, and in her hurried way, prepared her books and papers, and laid small slips of paper and pencils in various chairs, andoccasionally jotted down something in a small note-book which she took fromher pocket. 

Soon several strange ladies were ushered into the room by Molly, and Pattywas much disappointed by the fact that they brought no pigs with them, andwas just hoping that they would arrive later, when the meeting was calledto order, and she learned that it was a committee from the Town ImprovementAssociation, to consider ways and means for the amelioration of the generalcondition of the Common Pig. 

Patty thought this was very funny, and wanted to laugh when the ladiesdiscussed it seriously and with great enthusiasm. Sometimes several talkedat once, and then Cousin Barbara rapped on her desk with a little hammerand they began all over again. 

At half-past eleven, they all went away, and Cousin Barbara whipped out herpackets of papers once more. Then she selected several books from theshelves, and sat down to write. Presently she looked up, bewildered. 

"Can I help you, Cousin Barbara?" said Patty, eager to be of assistance. 

"No, --yes, --" said her cousin, absent-mindedly. "Yes--if you will pleasehand me the encyclopedia--the one labeled cho--"

Patty easily found the desired volume and carried it to her cousin, whosaid, "Thank you, " and then scribbled away as fast as she could until theclock struck twelve. 

"Now, " she said, thrusting her papers in her desk, "I must go to theBootblacks' Dinner, " and hastily putting on her jacket and gloves, --she hadkept on her hat, --she flew out of the room, and almost instantly the streetdoor closed behind her. 

Then Patty resumed her book and read until one o'clock, when a great gongthat could be heard all over the house announced luncheon. 

Delighted at the thought of seeing the family at last, Patty skippeddown-stairs. 

Aunt Hester was in the dining-room and greeted her niece cordially. 

"Well, my dear, " she said, "I hope you found something to amuse you thismorning. To-morrow, if you wish, you may go to school with Ruth. Ah, hereshe comes now. Ruth, this is Patty Fairfield, my brother's child, fromRichmond. "

"I am very glad to see you, " said Patty pleasantly. "Cousin Tom told me youwere here, and I hope we shall be good friends. "

"I hope so, " said Ruth, a little awkwardly, for she was a trifle confusedby the graceful elegance of Patty's manner. 

Ruth Fleming was a thin slip of a girl, with a very pale face, large grayeyes, and light brown hair which was smoothly brushed back, and tightlybraided. She wore a gray dress and her whole effect was plain andcolorless. 

Her face was pure and intellectual, but so calm and expressionless thatPatty wondered if she ever laughed aloud, and if she ever enjoyed herselfvery much in any way. 

Ruth took her place at the table without another word, and Patty sat downbeside her determined to make her say something, if she had to pinch her. 

But just then Cousin Elizabeth came in, and Patty rose to greet her. 

Miss Elizabeth Fleming was a large, handsome woman with black hair, andsnapping black eyes, and such a winning smile that Patty liked her at once. 

"Well, Patty cousin, have you come at last?" she said. "I've been waitingfor you several years, and I'm very glad to see you. " She gave Patty anaffectionate caress, and kept on talking as she seated herself at thetable. Patty afterwards discovered that Cousin Elizabeth always kept ontalking, no matter what happened, or who else was talking at the time. 

"Yes, " she said, "we've all wanted to see our Southern cousin, and now thatI have seen you, I think you are delightful. Mother, Geraldine has been thehatefullest thing this morning; she just sat down on a blue satin sofa, andshe wouldn't move, nor she wouldn't say a word. I declare I've lost allpatience with her. "

"Who is Geraldine?" said Patty, "is there any one else in the family?"

"Geraldine is the heroine of my new novel, " said Cousin Elizabeth, "and sheis lovely, but so intractable. You wouldn't believe how sulky and stupidshe gets at times. Ah, Barbara, " as her sister bustled into the room, anddropped into a chair at the table, "how are the bootblacks?"

"Oh, they're lovely, " said Barbara, "they ate all the dinner, and thenstole the forks. I rescued some of them, though--Elizabeth, can't you go tosee the Common Council this afternoon about that Statue Fund? I have aMothers' Meeting at two, and after that we rehearse the Greek pantomime, and oh, mother, did you keep that Greek robe of mine, or did you give itaway?"

"I gave it to a peddler, " said Mrs. Fleming; "it was full of moth holes, and soiled besides. He gave me two saucepans for it. "

"Never mind, sis, " said Elizabeth, "you can borrow a Greek robe from MarthaFowler; she has one, I know, and I'll stop there for it, as I return fromthe Authors' Tea. Ruth, what have you on hand for this afternoon?"

"I practice until three, Cousin Elizabeth, then 'The Golden Branch' fromthree till four, and after that my French lesson and the Physical Cultureclass. "

"H'm, well, --somebody ought to entertain Patty. Mother, what are yourplans?"

"I have to go out to Cambridge this afternoon to collect for the Dorcas AidSociety. Patty can go with me if she likes, but I'm afraid she wouldn'tenjoy it very much. "

"No, I'll take Patty with me, " said Cousin Elizabeth, very decidedly. "She'll like the Authors' Tea, I know, and if we have time, we'll look inat the Library. "

When luncheon was over, they all flew away on their respective errands, andCousin Elizabeth told Patty to put on her hat and coat, and meet her in thereception-room in ten minutes. 

CHAPTER X

PATTY'S PRANKS

Somehow the time passed quickly in Boston; in fact, the Fleming familyseemed fairly to push it along, they hurried so. 

At any rate they wasted none of it, and after a few weeks, Patty fell intothe ways of the household, and hurried along with the rest. 

Indeed she had to do so, or be left behind, for her cousins were like Timeand Tide, and waited for no man, or little girl either. 

She went to school with Ruth, but found herself far behind the New Englandgirl in her studies, so she took her place in a lower class, and Ruthkindly helped her with her lessons at home. 

Patty did not know what to make of Ruth; she had never seen a girl like herbefore. Of course Ruth was pleasant and amiable, but she was so very quiet, seldom talked and almost never laughed. 

Patty joked with her, and told her funny stories, but at most she receivedonly a faint smile in response, and sometimes a blank stare. 

She wrote to her father: "Ruth is the queerest girl I ever saw, and Ibelieve she is all out of proportion. She studies so hard that she hascrowded all the fun out of herself. You know 'all work and no play makesJack a dull boy, ' and I verily believe Ruth is the dullest girl in theworld. "

But Ruth almost always won the prizes offered at school, and was accountedthe best of Miss Goodman's pupils. 

Patty liked the school, and she liked Miss Goodman, the principal, but thehours, from nine to one, seemed very long to her, and she would often getrestless and mischievous. 

One day she thought she would clean her ink well. Ruth shared her desk, andas the ink well was intended for the use of both, it was a good-sized one, and chanced to be full of ink. 

So Patty must need find something to hold the ink while she washed theinkstand. Not having anything appropriate, she made a cornucopia of a sheetof stiff writing-paper. 

She turned up the point securely, poured the ink in, and folded down thetop, feeling sure that she could get the ink well ready before the inksoaked through the paper. 

Ruth saw this performance and a look of grave disapproval was on her face, but as communication of any kind during school hours was strictlyforbidden, she made no sign. 

Just as Patty had completed her dangerous little bundle, and held it in herhand, looking at it admiringly, Miss Carter, the teacher, happened tonotice her. 

Now as the strict discipline of the school prohibited anything which wasnot directly an aid to education, Miss Carter felt it her duty toconfiscate the suspicious-looking package, that _might_ be candy, and thatcertainly did not pertain to school work. 

"Patty Fairfield, " said she, in a commanding voice, "you are out of order. You have there something apart from your school duties. Bring it to me atonce. "

"But, Miss Carter, "--began Patty. 

"Silence! not a word! hand me that parcel. "

"Oh, Miss Carter, I can't! it's--"

"One word more, and you will be expelled from school. I require implicitobedience. Bring me that parcel. "

As there was really nothing else to do, Patty walked up to Miss Carter'sdesk, gingerly carrying the package of ink. 

She knew what would happen if Miss Carter took it, but she had tried toexplain, and as she was not allowed to do so, she couldn't help feelingthat the result would serve the teacher right for being so unreasonablytyrannical. But she thought she would attempt one more warning, so shesaid, "You'll be sorry if you take it, Miss Carter. "

Angry at what she considered an impertinent threat, Miss Carter grasped thepaper of ink with an indignant clutch, and a black flood streamed over herhand and dress, and spurted out in various directions. 

Some drops flew in her face, and on her immaculate white collar, whileothers decorated her desk and papers with black blots. 

The pupils, who had watched the scene with interest, though only Ruth knewwhat was in the cornucopia, were horror-stricken at the calamity, and satbreathlessly awaiting the explosion of Miss Carter's wrath. 

But a drop of ink rolled down that lady's august nose, and involuntarilyshe put up her hand to brush it away. This produced such an all-over smudgeon the ink-spotted face that the girls burst into uncontrollable laughter, and the unfortunate teacher rushed out of the room. 

Patty was not expelled from the school, for after hearing Ruth's grave andcarefully exact version of the case, Miss Goodman decided that though Pattywas blameworthy, yet Miss Carter had been too peremptory in her orders, andso had brought the trouble upon herself. 

Patty, who was fun-loving, but not malicious, went to Miss Carterprivately, and made her peace with the irate lady, but it was several daysbefore the ink stains entirely disappeared from the teacher's face; and asfor the blots on the desk and platform, I shouldn't be surprised if theywere there yet. 

When Patty told about the ink episode at home, Aunt Hester was exceedinglyshocked, but Cousin Tom said, "Patty, you're a genius. What made you thinkof wrapping up ink in paper?"

"There was nowhere else to put it, Cousin Tom. "

"I suppose if you hadn't had any paper you would have dumped it into yourpocket, eh?"

"Tom, " said his sister Barbara, "how careless you are in your diction. 'Dumped ink!' One can only dump a powdered or granulated substance. By theway I've joined a new club. It's a Society for the Improvement ofAdvertisers' English, and we work in such a novel and efficacious way. To-day Miss White and I were appointed a committee to go through the shopsin a certain district, and call attention to any errors which we noticed onsigns or placards. Well, we went into a large dry goods house, and thefirst thing that caught my eye was a sign 'Dotted Swisses, twenty-fivecents. ' I sent for the advertising manager and he came. Then I said to him, 'Sir, this is a reliable house, and of course you advertise nothing thatyou cannot supply. A Swiss is a native of Switzerland, and experience hastaught me that a Swiss is often an admirable servant, especially clever asa cook. So if you can sell me a Swiss for twenty-five cents, I'll take one, and I don't care whether he is dotted or not. ' The man looked extremelymortified and stammered something about meaning muslin goods sold by theyard. 'Oh' said I, 'if you mean dotted Swiss muslins, why don't you sayso?' and Miss White and I stalked out of the shop. "

"That club of yours is a good thing, " said Mr. Fleming, meditatively, "Ihope you will banish the signs which announce 'Boots Blacked Inside, ' andthose others which always rouse false hopes in the minds of people who havelost their umbrellas, by promising 'Umbrellas recovered while you wait. '"

"Yes, we will, and we're going to do away with those atrocious doggerelrhymes in the street cars and substitute real poetry. It will cost a greatdeal to get it written, but we have funds, and the public taste must beelevated. " The work of such clubs as this, and constant endeavors towardseducational or literary attainment of one sort or another, engrossed theattention of the whole Fleming family. 

Amusement or recreation not of a literary nature was never indulged in. 

So serious were they in their aims and purposes, that all fun was crowdedout, and to fun-loving Patty this was a sad state of affairs indeed. 

As she wrote to her father, "the worst kind of misproportion is that whichleaves out all fun and jokes and laughing. And I'm going to play a joke onthe whole family, if I can think of a good one, just to stir them up foronce. "

Then Patty tried her best to think of some hoax or trick that would beharmless, and yet would startle all the Flemings out of their usual busyroutine. 

As the first of April drew near, she did think of a plan, and she decidedthat April Fool's Day gave her a legitimate excuse for teasing herserious-minded relatives. 

As a family, their habits were most methodical; meals were served exactlyat the appointed hours, and every one appeared in the dining-room as if bymagic, punctual to the minute. Breakfast was at eight, and Patty had oftenheard Cousin Elizabeth say that she always woke on the stroke of seven. None of the others woke earlier than that, as a rule, and rules in theFleming house had very rare exceptions. 

So Patty decided to try a bold scheme, which was nothing less than to seteverybody's clock two hours ahead on the morning of the first of April, andlet the people waken to find they had apparently overslept. 

She could not have managed this very well, except for the fact that CousinTom had remarked a few days before that he had left his watch at ajeweler's to be cleaned, and was carrying an old one which was veryunreliable. 

So mischievous Patty woke very early on the morning of the first of April. Indeed she had waked several times during the night, so anxious was she forthe success of her trick. 

As soon as the dawn made it light enough for her to see her wayindistinctly round the house, she slipped on her dressing-gown, and creptsoftly down-stairs. 

It was just half-past five by the old grandfather's clock in the hall, andPatty opened its glass door, and pushed the hands around until they stoodat half-past seven. Then she went to the dining-room and kitchen, andchanged those clocks to correspond. 

The library clock was harder to manage, for it was a cuckoo-clock, and shehad to stand on a table to reach it. 

But Patty was a determined little girl, and having set out to fool thefamily she was not to be baffled by small obstacles. Then she went up tothe second floor and into her Aunt Hester's room. She felt a little bitlike a burglar when she saw the dear old lady peacefully asleep in her bed. 

But it was only the work of a moment to change the time of the little clockthat ticked softly on the mantel, and then Patty slipped into the nextroom. Cousin Elizabeth's watch lay on her dressing-table, and as it was alittle stem-winder just like Patty's own, it was easy to turn the tinyhands two hours ahead. 

Cousin Barbara's watch was under her pillow, but as the sound sleep of thatlady was proverbial, audacious Patty slipped her hand under her cousin'shead, took out the watch, changed the time, and replaced it, and MissBarbara Fleming slept on in blissful ignorance. 

Patty was afraid that Cousin Tom would spoil the whole joke. But she knewthat he had no clock in his room, and only awoke when his mother knocked athis door each morning. She hoped that in this case he wouldn't look at hiswatch, or if he did, he would have no faith in the uncertain oldchronometer he was carrying at present, and anyway it wouldn't be believedagainst the testimony of all the other timepieces in the house. 

Last of all, she slipped up to the servants' room and changed the time oftheir alarm clock. 

Bridget, the cook, and Molly were sleeping, each in a narrow bed, andBridget was snoring loud enough to wake them both, but she didn't. 

Then Patty hurried back to her own room and jumped into bed again to awaitresults. 

Ruth had no clock or watch. She seemed to get up at the right time byinstinct, and Patty, after carefully thinking it all over, concluded shehad done her work very thoroughly. 

And so she had, --and her trick was a great success. Of course the alarmclock went off apparently two hours late. Bridget woke with a start, lookedat the clock, rubbed her eyes and looked again, and then she turned toMolly. 

"Arrah, Molly, " she cried, "will yez luke at that now. The alarrum is jistafther goin' off, an' it's eight o'clock! Whativer will happen to us?"

Molly jumped up in great excitement, and the two maids hastily dressed andran down-stairs. Of course it was really only six, but as the sun was nowshining brightly, they had no thought for astronomical calculations, andbesides, they were frightened nearly out of their wits. Such a thing hadnever before happened in the well-regulated Fleming household. 

As no one was astir, they went on down to the kitchen, corroborating thetime by the various clocks, but utterly unable so understand why the familywere still all asleep. 

Patty heard them whispering as they went down, and choking with laughter, she prepared to wait another hour for more fun, --and it came. 

Elizabeth woke just at seven, and rising, glanced as usual at the watch onthe dressing-table. 

"Nine o'clock!" she almost screamed, running to her sister's door. 

"Barbara! what does this mean? It's nine o'clock! Are you asleep?"

Barbara _was_ asleep, but she awoke at her sister's call and drew her watchfrom beneath the pillow. 

"It is, " she cried, "it's nine o'clock! What shall I do? There's arehearsal of the Historical Tableaux at ten, and I have to make three wigsbefore I go. "

"But even that isn't as important as my engagement, " wailed Elizabeth, whowas splashing her face with water. "I have to be at the Authors' Club atnine-thirty, to prepare the room for the reception at eleven, and nothingcan be done until I get there. And I must do several errands on my waythere. Oh, it _can't_ be nine o'clock. Perhaps my watch stopped at ninelast evening. No--it's going. Oh, how unfortunate I am. Mother, mother, "she called. 

But Mrs. Fleming was already up, and came through the hall with a scaredface. 

"Girls, " she said, "it's after nine o'clock, and Tom has to go away on the9:45 train. We have overslept ourselves. "

"I should think we had, " began Elizabeth, but Mrs. Fleming had already goneto her son's room. "Tom, Tom, " she called, as she knocked vigorously at thedoor, "get up, it's after nine o'clock!"

"What!" came from Tom's room, accompanied by a sudden jump out onto thefloor. 

Ruth had heard the commotion, and she and Patty each appeared at theirdoors. 

"What is it, Aunt Hester?" asked Ruth, roused at last, Patty was glad tosee, to some degree of animation. 

"Why, Ruthy, it's nine o'clock! We have all overslept. Hurry down-stairs, children, you'll be late to school. "

Well, such a commotion as there was; everybody compared watches and clocks, and exclaimed in wonderment and dismay. Tom said that his watch said it wasonly half-past seven, but of course, as he had said it didn't keep perfecttime, it was not believed, when all the others said half-past nine. 

After they were all down-stairs and seated at the breakfast table, Pattyremarked quietly, "April Fool! It isn't half-past nine at all; it's only half-past seven. Iset all the clocks forward two hours. "

"What!" said Cousin Elizabeth, looking as if she would annihilate her. "Youlittle witch! You dared to--" and then she felt such a relief to think shewould have ample time to keep her engagement after all, that the ridiculousside of the affair struck her, and she began to laugh. 

"Why, Patty Fairfield, " said Barbara, and then she too laughed; and CousinTom, when he found he could catch his train, thought it all the best jokein the world. 

Bridget and Molly enjoyed it the most of all, perhaps because, being Irish, they had a greater sense of humor than the Bostonians, but all agreed thatPatty had played a very successful April Fool joke on them. All exceptRuth, --she didn't see any fun in it at all, so Patty gave her up as ahopeless case. 

CHAPTER XI

THE BOOK PARTY

One evening as they all sat in the pleasant library, Cousin Elizabethannounced her intention of giving a party for Patty. 

"I am afraid, " she said, kindly, "that you find it dull with us. We are allso busy with our club work and study, that we have really neglected yourentertainment. I am sorry for this, and I mean to give you more youthfulpleasures during the remainder of your stay with us. "

Patty was delighted, for life at the Flemings _was_ a little bit humdrumfor her, though her aunt and cousins were very kind whenever they had timeto remember her existence. 

They all fell in with Elizabeth's plan, and began to discuss what kind of aparty it should be. 

Patty was secretly much amused at the contrast between plans for a party atVilla Rosa, and in Boston. Nothing was said about decorations, and thesupper was not mentioned, except when Cousin Elizabeth said she would ordersome cake and ice cream from a confectioner; and as to dresses, well, _they_ seemed never to be even thought of by the Fleming ladies. Patty worethe plainest of the clothes her Aunt Isabel had bought for her, but eventhose were far finer than Ruth's. 

Apparently the difference was not noticed, for no one paid the slightestattention to what any one wore. 

The Fleming ladies were always dressed neatly and inconspicuously, butPatty concluded they must pick their dresses off of trees, for nothing wasever said about dressmakers or purchase of materials. 

So when the party was talked about, all discussion was concerning theentertainment of the minds of the young guests. 

Intellectual games were proposed, and even Ruth grew almost excited overthe scheme of a "Quotation Salad. "

But Cousin Elizabeth said, "Games are not enough. I want something morelike a character party. Ah, I have it. Let us ask each guest to representsome children's book, or some favorite character in juvenile literature. "

"Just the thing, " exclaimed Barbara; "Eddie can be 'Little LordFauntleroy. '"

Eddie was a neighbor's child, who had long flaxen curls and who would makea perfect counterpart of the pictures of Fauntleroy. The Flemings allentered into the plan of the party with their usual enthusiasm, and foundtime between their numerous engagements to prepare quite a programme ofentertainment. 

A platform was put up in the library, with curtains to draw in front of it, and as this was done very easily and quickly, Patty rightly judged it hadoften been done before. 

At last the time came, and everything was in readiness. The party was tobegin at seven, and promptly at that hour the boys and girls began toarrive. Though seemingly so indifferent to every-day costumes, CousinElizabeth had taken much interest in dressing Patty and Ruth for thisoccasion, and Patty looked very sweet and pretty arrayed as Little Bo-Peep. Cousin Tom had chosen this character for her, and had helped to design thedress. It was, of course, the garb of a dainty little shepherdess, and ithad blue panniers over a quilted white satin petticoat, and a black velvetbodice laced over a white chemisette. 

Then Patty wore a broad brimmed hat trimmed with roses and flutteringribbons. High-heeled slippers with bright buckles and a crook tied withblue ribbons added to the quaint effect, and the whole costume was verybecoming to pretty Patty. 

Ruth looked equally well, though in a very different way. 

She represented the Puritan Maiden, Priscilla; who, though not a juvenilecharacter was one of Ruth's favorite heroines, and the dress suited her sowell, that Cousin Elizabeth said she should wear it. 

A straight, scant gown of Quaker gray silk, a soft white mull kerchieffolded across her breast, and a white muslin cap, transformed Ruth into ademure little Puritan maid. 

Her small, pale face and quiet eyes suited the character, and the modestgarb was very becoming. 

Among the guests were represented, Red Ridinghood, Cinderella, Little BoyBlue, Simple Simon, and many other well-known personages from Fairy Talesor Mother Goose's Melodies. 

Then there were characters from more recent books, such as Little Women, Alice in Wonderland, Master Skylark and even Arabella and Araminta, whowere dressed exactly alike. 

Historical characters were there too; the Princess in the Tower chattedamiably with Joan of Arc, while Lady Jane Grey compared notes withPocahontas. 

Some of the children wore such nondescript costumes that it was difficultto guess whom they intended to represent. 

After all had arrived the programme of entertainment was begun. 

The motley crowd was seated in the library and soon the curtains in frontof the platform were drawn apart revealing a table on which was a largegramophone. 

Cousin Tom manipulated the instrument and the children heard orchestralmusic, plantation songs, comic speeches, and finally the exhibition-dayexercises of a district school, which made them all laugh. After this, several of the guests were called on to recite or to sing, and as they hadbeen notified beforehand, they were prepared for the occasion, and exertedtheir best elocutionary and vocal efforts. 

As her contribution to the entertainment, Patty sang several of RobertLouis Stevenson's child-songs, which are set to such beautiful music, andRuth recited a portion of "The Courtship of Miles Standish. "

Then the curtains were drawn, and soon after the lights in the room wereall turned out. Then the curtains flew open again disclosing a white sheetbrightly illuminated from behind. 

Somebody read aloud the poem by Richard Barham about "The Knight and theLady, " while a shadow pantomime representing the action of the ballad wasshown on the sheet. 

It was very funny. 

Cousin Elizabeth was the Lady Jane, who was "tall and slim, " while the partof Sir Thomas was wonderfully well acted by Cousin Tom, and when thatportly old gentleman, who it seems was a naturalist, went around"unearthing his worms and his grubs, " he looked very funny indeed. 

And then when "Close by the side Of the bank he espied An uncommon fine tadpole, remarkably fat; He stooped, and he thought her his own, he had caught her, Got hold of her tail, and to land almost brought her, When, he plumped head and heels into fifteen feet water, "and the shadow Sir Thomas ducked suddenly into the pond, and a very realsplashing was heard, the delighted audience fairly shouted with laughter. 

And then when the funny old gardener appeared, bringing to the august LadyJane the news of Sir Thomas' fate, and when the jocund Captain McBridetried to console the weeping lady, --but, no, I can't tell it all to you; tosee how funny it all was you will have to read the ballad in the "IngoldsbyLegends" for yourself. 

When that was over, sandwiches, ices and cakes were served and they seemedto be as thoroughly enjoyed by the young people as were Aunt Isabel'selaborate feasts, though by contrast it seemed to Patty a very slightrepast. 

Next came the "Quotation Salad" which was Ruth's pride and delight. 

Cousin Elizabeth passed around a great bowl, which seemed to be full ofleaves of crisp, green lettuce. 

They were, however, made of tissue paper, and each leaf had attached to ita strip of writing paper on which was written a quotation. 

These were from well-known poems or historic speeches, or even from MotherGoose's Melodies and other juvenile classics. 

Each child drew out three leaves, and endeavored to remember or guess thesource of the quotations written thereon. 

Then the roll was called, and all who could give their three answerscorrectly were marked one hundred. 

After this, the unguessed ones were read aloud, and whoever could answerthem received ten more on his or her score for each perfect answer. 

To the child attaining the highest score, a prize of a Dictionary ofQuotations was to be awarded. 

Patty's three questions were easy enough. One was "His cause is marchingon. "

Another was "Twinkle, twinkle little bat, " and the third was "Don't give upthe ship. "

She could place all three, but when the more difficult ones were announced, she found that she knew very little about general literature. 

Ruth, however, could tell the author of nearly every one, and no one wassurprised when her score was declared the highest. 

However, as she was the hostess, she declined to accept the prize, and itwas given to the guest whose score stood the next highest. 

Other intellectual or literary games were played, and at eleven o'clock thechildren were sent home, and Aunt Hester bade Ruth and Patty go to bed atonce, lest they should not feel like getting up at the usual hour the nextmorning. 

Patty heartily thanked Cousin Elizabeth for taking so much pains to makethe party a pleasant one, and ran away to bed, wondering if many littlegirls had such clever relatives. 

The spring flew by, and Patty could scarcely realize that she had been inBoston nearly three months, when a letter came from Mrs. Barlow hermother's sister, at whose house she was to visit next. 

"My dear Patty, " her Aunt Grace wrote, "we are going to our country home onLong Island about the first of June, and we want you to come to us as soonas we get settled there. No, --not settled, we're never that, but as soon aswe get enough things straightened out to live with. Our country-place iscalled 'The Hurly-Burly, ' so you may prepare yourself to see a family thatlives up to that name. But there is plenty of amusement, if you are fond ofboating and bathing, and we will all welcome you with open arms and gladhearts; and the sooner you come, the better we shall like it. Your cousins, Bob and Bumble are very anxious to see you, and are making wonderful plansfor your entertainment. So come as soon as you can, and if you will let usknow at what hour to expect you, Uncle Theodore will meet you at the GrandCentral Station in New York, and bring you over to us at Long Island. 

"Your loving Aunt, "GRACE BARLOW. "

"But I don't want you to go, " said Ruth, when she heard the letter read;"I'd like to have you stay here always. "

Patty was surprised at this, for Ruth had always seemed so cold andunresponsive, that it didn't seem as if she had any affection in hernature. 

The other members of the Fleming family echoed Ruth's sentiments, andthough Patty felt sure their expressions were honestly meant, yet shethought, too, that as soon as she had gone, she would be forgotten in therush of their busy life. 

One morning in early June as they sat at the breakfast-table, Pattyreceived a telegram, which said:

"Come at once before all are drowned. Grand Central five. 

"HELEN BARLOW. "

Although Patty didn't know it, Helen was the real name of her cousin whowas always called Bumble, and Patty, horror-stricken at the import of thismessage, read it aloud, asking what it could mean. 

The Fleming family were entirely unacquainted with the Barlows, and couldgive no clue, but one and all were filled with consternation at theperemptory summons. 

Cousin Tom took the yellow paper and perused it carefully, then said:

"One thing is clear, at any rate, Patty, they expect you to be at the GrandCentral Station in New York to-day at five o'clock, and you shall be there, for I'll take you myself. "

So they all helped with the packing, and succeeded in getting one trunkready for Patty to take with her, promising to send her other belongingsafter her a few days later. 

With hurried good-byes and a promise of another visit to Boston at somefuture time, Patty went away with Cousin Tom, and they took the train forNew York. 

CHAPTER XII

THE HURLY-BURLY

Patty and Cousin Tom reached the Grand Central station in New York aboutsix o'clock, and leaving the train, went in search of any member of theBarlow family who might be there to meet them. 

They hadn't walked a dozen steps before they were confronted by threebroadly smiling faces. 

These faces belonged to a tall, large man with his arms full of bundles, and a boy and girl who seemed both to be about Patty's own age. 

"You're Patty, I know it, --I know it!" cried the girl, and she flung herarms round Patty's neck and kissed her heartily. "I am Bumble, and this isBob, my twin; oh, I'm so glad to get you. "

By this time Bob was shaking Patty's hand vigorously, and Mr. Barlow wastrying to squeeze all of his bundles into one arm, that he might have ahand free to offer his niece. 

Then Patty introduced Cousin Tom, and the party all went into thewaiting-room together. 

"But who sent me that telegram? and who is Helen?" inquired Patty, as shewalked along with one of her twin cousins clinging to either arm. 

"Oh, that's me, " said Bumble. "My real name's Helen, but nobody ever callsme it. "

"Because she's like a bumble-bee, " explained Bob. "She's always tumblingabout and knocking into people, and she's so buzzy and fat. "

"Yes, " said Bumble, good-naturedly, "I am; I'd like to be slim and gracefullike you, but I'm not, so I just put up with myself and have all the fun Ican. "

Mr. Barlow gave Mr. Fleming a cordial invitation to continue his journeywith Patty, and spend the night at "The Hurly-Burly, " as his country-placeon Long Island was called, but Cousin Tom declined, saying he had businessin New York. 

"But, Patty, " he said, "your new-found relatives seem to be in no immediatedanger of drowning. "

"No, " said Patty, who was consumed with curiosity to know what the telegramcould have meant. 

"Drowning!" exclaimed Mr. Barlow, "what are you talking about? The bathingis very safe at our place; there's really no danger at all, unless one ispositively foolhardy. "

"No, " said Patty, "but my telegram said--"

"Oh, I know, " broke in Bumble. "Papa left it to me to send you word to cometo-day, and I didn't get at it until it was too late to write, so Itelegraphed, --and I was so afraid you wouldn't get here before the kittenswere drowned, that I mentioned it to make you hurry up. "

"Kittens!" exclaimed Patty, laughing, "you didn't say kittens. "

"I know it, but the ten words gave out too soon. I just had room to get inthat we'd meet you at five o'clock. Oh, the kittens are such dears! Twoblack ones and a white one and a spotted one--The white one is theprettiest, but she's an idiot, poor thing. "

Cousin Tom was relieved to learn that no human beings were in jeopardy oftheir lives, but he secretly thought that Patty's new home was to be amongvery erratic people. 

He bade his small cousin good-bye with real regret, for he and Patty hadbecome firm friends during her Boston visit. After Mr. Fleming had leftthem, Mr. Barlow picked up all his bundles and packages, and telling thethree children to follow him, he stalked away at a rapid pace. 

Bob took Patty's satchel and Bumble took her umbrella, then they eachgrasped her arm and marched her along after their father. 

"You see, " explained Bob, "dad walks so very fast that we have to scurry tokeep him in sight. So we'll boost you along, --it'll only be a minute. "

And sure enough in a moment Mr. Barlow stopped at a street-car, and turnedaround expecting to find the children at his elbow, and there they were. Heput them on the car, jumped on himself, and they all went over to theferry. 

A ride across the East River on the ferry-boat, and then a short ride inthe cars brought them to the station of Sandy Cove. 

Here Mr. Barlow expected his own carriage to be awaiting them, but nocarriage was in sight. As it was growing dusk, and their home was still twomiles distant, this was very annoying. 

"I'll walk over home, and bring the carriage back for you, " volunteeredBob; "it must be that Dil has forgotten to come for us. "

"No, " said his father, "you needn't do that, --we'll all jog along togetherand probably we'll meet Dil on the way. "

"Dil is the man who takes care of our horse, " said Bumble, as they walkedalong. "That's short for Dilatory, and we call him that 'cause he's soslow. In fact, we never know whether he's coming for us, or not. "

And, apparently, this time Dilatory was not coming, for the travelerswalked all the way without meeting the carriage. As they walked up thepath, Patty was somewhat surprised to see that what Mr. Barlow called acottage was in reality a large house. Wide verandas ran all the way roundit on both the first and second stories, and magnificent trees waved theirbranches around and over it. 

"This is the Hurly-Burly, Patty, " said her uncle, "and if anything isn'tquite in order, you must pardon it, for we're scarcely settled yet, andhaven't had time to get everything to rights; and your Aunt Grace had themisfortune to sprain her ankle yesterday, so she can't attend to things asshe otherwise would. But whatever you want just you come straight and tellyour Uncle Teddy, and you shall have it, if it's a roc's egg. "

Patty laughed, for she well knew what happened once when a roc's egg wasasked for. 

Then they entered the main front door, and Patty found herself in a widehall that ran straight through the house with a door at either end. 

There were large rooms on both sides of the hall, and following her uncleinto one of these rooms, which was the sitting-room or general living-roomof the family, Patty saw a remarkable sight. In a large armchair sat asweet-faced lady, with an ottoman in front of her, on which her bandagedfoot was resting on a pillow. She was reading a book, which she laid downas she heard people approaching, and over her head she held an openumbrella. 

This was a wise precaution, for a drenching rain was pouring on theumbrella, and water dripped steadily from the ends of its ribs. 

"Why, Grace, " exclaimed Mr. Barlow, "what are you doing? What hashappened?"

"The tank must have burst, " returned his wife, placidly, "but fortunately Ihad this umbrella by me, so I opened it, and as you see, I am scarcely wetat all. Is this Patty? Come here, my dear. I am your Aunt Grace, yourmother's sister, and I am prepared to love my little niece very much. "

Patty returned very willingly her aunt's loving caress, and the two nestledtogether under the big umbrella, while Bob and Bumble laughed at the funnypicture they made. 

Uncle Ted had hastily dropped all his bundles on the hall table, and hadrun up-stairs to see what was the matter with the tank. 

"I have a sprained ankle, Patty, " said her aunt, by way of explanation ofher predicament, "and I can't move a step. So I keep a cane near me toknock on the floor when I want anybody to fetch me things, but the cane gotmislaid somehow, so I had this umbrella in its place. And wasn't itfortunate? For when the water began to drip down I just put up the umbrellaand protected myself perfectly. The only trouble was, I couldn't close itto knock on the floor without getting myself drenched, so, as I had aninteresting book I just waited patiently for somebody to come. The servantshave gone on an excursion and Nan is away, too, so there was no one toknock for except old Dilatory, and he wouldn't have heard me anyway. Now, Bob, if you'll get another umbrella to hold over yourself while you move meto dryer quarters I'll be truly grateful. "

"Take mine, " said Patty, running to fetch it, and then she held her openumbrella over Bob while he wheeled his mother's chair across the hall andinto the music-room. 

Bumble moved the ottoman at the same time, and though she meant to be verycareful, she bumped the wounded foot terribly when going over thedoor-sills, but Mrs. Barlow pretended it didn't hurt her, and thanked thechildren lovingly for their assistance. "Now, Bob, " she said, "run and helpyour father, I suppose he's up in the tank-room investigating the source ofthat waterfall. Tell him he'd better send Dil for a plumber at once; andBumble, you go and see if cook has returned yet, for if not, I don't knowwhen we'll get any dinner. Patty, dear, take off your hat and jacket andthen come and sit here by me, and we'll have a little talk. You remind mevery much of your mother at your age. Do you remember her at all?"

"No, Aunt Grace; I wish I could, but she died when I was only three, youknow. I have a beautiful picture of her. "

"Have you? you must show it to me when your trunks come. You are like yourmother in form and feature, and I hope your disposition is like hers. Shewas the loveliest woman I ever knew. So sweet and gentle, and sounselfish. "

"I think you look like her picture, Aunt Grace, " said Patty, gazingearnestly at her aunt. 

"Oh, no, child; she was a hundred times more beautiful than I. And she wasso neat and dainty, and always did the right thing at the right time. I wasthe harum-scarum of the family, and I'm sorry to say, my children seem tohave inherited my traits of character. They are so careless, forgetful andunsystematic. But they're dear sweet children, and I hope, Patty, you willlearn to love your Barlow cousins. "

"I don't need to learn, Aunt Grace, I love them already. Bob is such afrank, pleasant boy, and Bumble is a dear; so witty and bright. "

"Yes, they are intelligent; and if you will be patient with ourshortcomings, I think we will be very happy together. And our household, atpresent, contains another member. Nan Allen, who is visiting here, is aneighbor of ours in Philadelphia, and though several years older than you, she is a most charming young woman, and I'm sure you will like her. Gracious! how the water is pouring down in the sitting-room yet. I wish Icould get up on my feet. Run up-stairs, Patty, and find your Uncle Ted, andask him what is to be done about it?"

Although unacquainted with the house, Patty ran up-stairs, and throughvarious rooms, but without finding her uncle. 

Anxious to do her aunt's bidding, she ran on up to the third story, and ina large attic room she found her uncle standing before a largeold-fashioned bookcase, eagerly reading a volume which he held in hishands. 

"What about the water, Uncle Ted?" said Patty. 

"Yes, --in a minute, --I'm going to attend to it. I'm so surprised to findall these books here. We rented this cottage furnished, you know, and Ihaven't been up here before. I'd no idea these books were here. Yes, --I'llsee about the water at once. "

Patty went with her uncle to what he called the tank-room, and there Mr. Barlow discovered that the leak was in a supply pipe which could easily beshut off. This he did, and the downpour was immediately stopped, althoughno water could be drawn through the house until the plumbers should comeand repair the pipes. 

"Ted, " said Mrs. Barlow, as her husband and Patty returned, "I don'tbelieve Hopalong will be home in time to cook dinner, so suppose we have apick-up supper? It's getting late, and Patty must be nearly starved afterher journey from Boston. "

"All right, " said Uncle Ted, cheerily; "is there anything in the house toeat? Where's Bumble?"

"Go and hunt her up, please, and tell her I want her. And did you get thecheese and fruit as I asked you to?"

"Yes, I bought out the whole market and carried it all home with me. "

"Very well, then we won't starve. Now wheel me into the dining-room andI'll see what we have on hand. "

Just then Bob and Bumble appeared, each carrying two kittens, and thesefour sprawling bits of animal life were deposited in Mrs. Barlow's lap, while Patty was called upon to admire them. 

"They are very cunning, " said she, stroking them rather gingerly, for theyseemed very small and frail. 

"Oh, you can't hurt them, " said Bob; "see, pick 'em up this way, " and hegrasped one by the back of its neck and held it sprawling in the air. 

"No, hold one this way, " said Bumble, cuddling a little ball of fur in thepalm of her hand. "But, mumsey, I'm awful hungry; aren't we going to haveany dinner? Where's Hopalong?"

"She's gone on the excursion, my dear. Poor thing, she works so hard I'mglad for her to have a little outing. "

"H'm, she gets one about twice a week, " said Bob; "Hopalong's the cook, Patty. We call her that 'cause she isn't very lively, and she just shufflesabout. But she's a good-natured old thing, and such a good cook--"

"Here, children, take this flock of cats, " said Mrs. Barlow, "and we'llsoon have something to eat, cook or no cook. "

Bumble gathered up the kittens, beginning with the white one. "This is theidiot, " she said, "but isn't it a pretty cat? You can see she'shalf-witted, 'cause only one eye is open, and she has such a general air ofstupidity. "

"She might turn out to be the smartest of the lot, " said Patty. 

"I wish I could keep her and see, but dad says they must all be drownedto-morrow. I neglected the last kitten I had, and didn't feed herregularly, so the poor thing died. Daddy, if you'll let me keep this one, I'll never, _never_ forget to feed her--honest I won't. Please let me keepjust this one, " and Bumble rubbed the furry ball on her father's cheek. 

"Well, take them away now, and we'll see about it, " said her father, andBumble danced off with the kittens feeling almost sure that she had gainedher point. 

Then Bob and his father moved Mrs. Barlow with her chair and footstool outto the dining-room. 

"I don't know what there is, myself, " she said, "but we'll forage in thesideboard and pantry and see. "

The foraging resulted in a pair of cold roasted ducks, plenty of plum-cakeand a cherry-pie. 

"I'm sorry there isn't any bread, " said Mrs. Barlow, apologetically; "Itold Hopalong to order it as she went by the baker's, but I fear she forgotit. "

"Never mind, " said Bob, "I don't care much for bread, anyhow, do you, Patty? Mother, here's a lot of cold potatoes. Can't you make a salad?"

"Yes, indeed, " said Mrs. Barlow; so the children brought the ingredients, and a fine salad was soon concocted. 

While this was going on, Miss Allen came running in. 

"Oh, " she exclaimed, "I'm as hungry as a hunter. We've been out sailing, and I've _such_ an appetite. Who is this pretty child?"

"This is Patty Fairfield, " said Bumble, "my cousin, from the South. "

"Oh, yes, of course, I knew you expected her to-day. How do you do, Patty?I'm very glad to see you. I am Nan Allen, and I want you to like me betterthan you do any of the Barlows. Do you hear?"

"Yes, " said Patty, "but I'll wait until I see if you like me. "

Miss Allen was a very pretty young lady, of about twenty, with sparklingblack eyes, and a lot of curly golden hair, which she wore massed high onher head. She was extremely vivacious and Patty liked her at once. 

Then Bumble set the silver basket on the table, and Nan brought a pile ofplates and everybody helped himself or herself to such viands as theywished. 

There was much laughter and gay talk, and Patty enjoyed the informal mealimmensely. 

CHAPTER XIII

HOME-MADE MUSIC

"Why do you call this the music-room?" asked Patty; "there's no piano init, nor any musical instrument that I can see. "

"That's just the reason why, " replied Nan. "I christened the room myself, and I called it the music-room because it hasn't anything musical in it. Iget so tired of seeing music-rooms filled with pianos and banjos andmandolins and guitars. This is a refreshing change. And besides, when wewant music we can sing. "

"Then won't you sing now?" said Patty. "I'd like to hear you. "

"Why, of course we will; would you like to hear some of our originalsongs?"

"Yes, indeed! Do you make songs yourself?"

"Oh, we always make our own songs. Home-made songs are ever so much betterthan boughten ones. They fit better and wear longer. We don't make thetunes, though; we just appropriate those. First we'll sing you 'The Song ofthe House. '"

This was sung to the air of "The Kerry Dance, " and the whole family joinedtheir voices with Nan's, and all sang with great spirit. 

 Come, oh, come to the Hurly-Burly, Come and join in the jolly fun That begins in the morning early, And continues till day is done. 

 Sailing, swimming, walking, riding, -- On the land or on the sea; At the Hurly-Burly biding, We're as happy as we can be. 

 Oh, the jollity, oh, the gayety, Just come down and see;

 CHORUS:--Come, oh, come, etc. 

 Sometimes we take sandwiches of chick, And go off on a merry pick-a-nick; Sometimes we in hammocks idly swing, At other times we only sit and si-i-ng--

 CHORUS:--Come, oh, come, etc. 

"That's beautiful, " said Patty when they had finished the song. "I'll learnthe words, and then I can sing it with you. "

"Indeed you must" said Nan, "and now I'll sing you the song of the Barlowfamily; they won't sing it themselves, but when you learn it, you and I canwarble it together. "

 "Sing a song of Barlows, A family full of fun; A father and a mother, A daughter and a son. 

 "When the door is open Hear the family sing! All the people passing by Run like anything. "

"It's a base libel, " said Uncle Ted; "we sing beautifully, and except thatBumble flats, and Bob has no ear, there isn't a flaw in our singing. "

The evening passed merrily by, and when it was bedtime, Bumble showed Pattyto her room. 

When Patty found that a large front room on the second floor had beenallotted to her, she expressed a fear lest she might be inconveniencingsome one else by taking one of the choice rooms of the house. 

"Not a bit, " said Bumble. "Nan has the tower-room, because she likes itbetter, and the house is so big, there are plenty of rooms, anyway. Ofcourse, if a lot of company comes, we may ask you to give up this, and takea smaller room, but you wouldn't mind that, would you?"

"No, indeed, " said Patty. "I'll move out at any time. " Then Bumble kissedher cousin good-night and went away. 

Patty's trunk had been placed in her room, and she found that some one hadkindly unfastened its straps and clasps, so she had only to unlock it. Sheunpacked her clothes, and hung up her dresses in the wardrobe and cupboard, and put things neatly away in the bureau-drawers. 

She placed her mother's picture on a small table, and looking at itcritically, she concluded that it was like Aunt Grace, but much prettier. 

After this, Patty looked round the great room with much interest. It seemedto contain a perfect hodge-podge of furniture. There were threedressing-bureaus, and a huge wash-stand with two bowls and pitchers on it. There were several large easy chairs, and an old haircloth sofa; there weresmall tables, and bookcases, and a cabinet filled with bric-a-brac, but, --and Patty could scarcely believe her eyes, --there was no bed!

When this fact dawned upon her, she concluded that one of the bookcases orbureaus must be a folding-bed. 

She tried to open them, but the bureau-drawers and the bookcase-shelvesproved themselves to be really what they seemed; then she looked for a bedconcealed in an alcove or an anteroom, but the curtains hid only windowsand the doors opened into ordinary closets. 

Patty even looked in the fireplace and up the chimney, but she wasgradually forced to the conclusion that there was no bed at her disposal, and that she must either report this fact to some member of the family orsit up all night. 

As it was now late she hesitated to trouble anybody about the matter, andthought she would rather manage without a bed. 

She did think of asking Bumble to let her share her room, but she didn'tknow where her cousin's room was, and too, there might be only a single bedin it. So Patty decided to try the old sofa. 

As she had no pillow or bed-clothing, she rolled up a dress to put underher head and pinned two skirts together for a coverlet. 

But the old haircloth scratched her bare feet, and poor Patty soon jumpedup and sought another resting-place. 

She cuddled up in a big armchair which was soft and warm, and there shesoon fell asleep. But later, she awoke, so stiff from her cramped position, that she could scarcely move. So then she lay down on the floor and sleptthere the rest of the night. 

Next morning she dressed herself and went down-stairs at about eighto'clock, but nobody was in sight, so Patty went out on the veranda andwatched the waves as they came rolling and tumbling up on the beach. 

Then, with a view to exploring her new home, she walked round the house. 

This brought her to the kitchen, and through the window she saw a fat oldblack woman raking rigorously at the range. 

"Dis yer stove 'll make me lose my 'ligion, " Patty heard her murmur, andshe felt sure she was listening to old Hopalong. "Good-morning, Hopalong, "she cried. 

"'Mawnin', missy; an' who be you?"

"I'm Patty Fairfield, and I'm Mrs. Barlow's niece, and I've come to stayall summer. "

"Dat's good. I see you'se a nice, pretty-behaved little lady. Any ob defam'ly 'round yit?"

"No, I haven't seen anybody. "

"Well, yere comes Massa Ted; now I mus' jes' be spry 'bout gettin' my co'nbrade done. "

Hopalong shuffled away, and Patty turned to see Uncle Ted coming towardsher. 

"Hello, Patty-girl, " he cried, "you're up be times. "

"Yes, " said Patty, "and so are you. Oh, Uncle Teddy, isn't the seagorgeous? I do love it so, and I'm so glad I'm here!"

"That's good, little one; I'm glad you're glad. And now come to breakfast. "

Aunt Grace had been carried down-stairs by her husband and son, and wasalready in her place at the table. 

She called Patty to her and kissed her affectionately, and asked her if sheslept well. Patty hesitated a moment, then breaking into a merry laugh, shesaid:

"Why, Auntie Grace, I _didn't_ sleep very well, for I hadn't any bed. "

"What?" exclaimed her aunt, in horror, "why, Patty, I ordered a littlebrass bed sent from Philadelphia purposely for you, and it arrivedyesterday morning. I told Dil to put it up in your room, and I told Euniceto see that it was properly made. But I confess I did forget to ask if myorders had been carried out, and, --I suppose they weren't. You poor child!How did you manage? Why didn't you tell us?"

"Well, I didn't notice it until quite late, " said Patty. "I was so busyputting my clothes and things away, that I never thought of anything elseat the time. And, anyway, I didn't mind for one night. "

Just then Bumble came in, and when she heard about Patty's experience shelooked astounded. "Why, " said she, "I took Patty to her room myself, and Inever noticed that there was no bed there!"

"You're a rattle-pated goosey, " said her father: "but never mind, Patty, you shall have two beds to-night to make up for it, --I'll promise you that"

"Don't believe him, " cried Nan, gayly, as she ran into the dining-room. "Idon't know what Uncle Ted is saying to you, --but he won't do it. He neverkept a promise in his life!"

"'Oh, promise me, '" began Uncle Ted, and then they all joined in and sang:

 "Oh, promise me that some day you and I Will take a piece of huckleberry pie, Some deviled eggs and strawberry ice cream, And have a picnic down by yonder stream. And then we'll wander through the fields afar, And take a ride upon a trolley car; But we'll come home again in time for tea, -- Oh, promise me--oh, promise me-e-e--"

The last refrain rang out with a prolonged wail that seemed to Patty thefunniest thing she had ever heard, and she fairly shouted with laughter. 

"Oh, dear, you are the funniest family, " she exclaimed; "I think I shallstay here six months instead of three. "

CHAPTER XIV

A FUNNY FAMILY

Patty was right when she called the Barlows a funny family, for theirspirits were irrepressible, and each day, from morning till night wasfilled with jokes and absurdities accompanied or followed by gales oflaughter. 

But they were heedless, forgetful people, and the whole household showed anutter lack of systematic management. 

Nothing was ever to be found in its place; meals were served at any hourwhen old Hopalong got them ready. Sometimes the market orders wereneglected and there was almost nothing to eat, and then again there wassuch an overstock that much had to be wasted. The children were allowed todo exactly as they chose, and were never reproved; but if their ownmischief led them into misfortune, or their pranks turned out disastrously, they were expected to stand the consequences bravely, and look for littleor no sympathy from their elders. 

Patty had not been at the Hurly-Burly many days before she discovered thatits proportion of order and regularity was entirely too small. To be sure, in the Fleming family it had been too large; but she thought there must bea happy medium, a state of things whereby one could expect the ordinaryevents of daily life to come in due course, without, however, living as ifby clockwork. You see Patty was becoming a very wise little girl, for shewas profiting by her varied experiences, and trying to learn the best wayto take care of her father's house and make it a real home for him. Sometimes she felt this responsibility very greatly, and longed for somemotherly, housewifely friend to talk with about it. 

But Aunt Grace, though loving and affectionate, was no help in suchmatters. 

"Nonsense, child, " she would say, "don't worry about your housekeeping;why, the house will keep itself, if you let it alone. And you're too youngto be bothered with a weight of domestic care, anyway. Now run off and playwith Bob and Bumble. Go for a row or a drive and let the breeze blow allsuch worries out of your little noddle. "

So Patty ran away and played with her cousins, and they did have jolly goodtimes. 

There were so many nice things to do; fishing sailing, bathing, boating, driving, golf, tennis, and all sorts of outdoor amusements were at theirdisposal. 

The Barlow twins, Nan Allen and Patty made a gay quartette, and if theydesired a larger party, there were plenty of neighbors ready to join intheir fun. 

One warm afternoon, Patty and Bumble sat in a hammock swung under thetrees, while Bob sprawled on the grass near them. 

"Girls, " said he, "come on, let's go for a swim. The Smiths and theEnfields just went down towards the bath-houses, and there'll be a jollycrowd in the water. "

"All right, let's go, " replied his sister. "Where's Nan?"

"She's in the house somewhere, " said Patty. "I'll go find her. "

Patty ran into the house and looked in at the music-room door, as abeginning of her search, but there she saw such a startling sight that shestood spellbound, unable to go any further. 

At the writing-desk sat a person whose head was entirely bald. Not a spearof hair was anywhere visible on the bare, pinky-white scalp, and the roundhead was smooth and shiny as a billiard-ball. 

Then the head turned round and faced Patty, with rolling eyes and a weirdgrimace. But Patty looked so astounded and frightened that the face brokeinto a reassuring smile, and Nan's voice said:

"Why, Patty, don't be scared; it's only I. Didn't you know I wore a wig?There it is, on that chair. "

And sure enough, there was Nan's mop of frizzed, flaxen hair hanging on achair-back. 

"But, " said Patty, coming nearer, and still unable quite to comprehend itall, "why don't you have any hair yourself?"

"Well, you see, " said Nan, as she sealed and addressed the letter she hadbeen writing, "I had typhoid fever just before I left home, and my haircame out so, that I had to have it all shaved off. So now I am wearing awig until it grows again. But it is so warm to-day, I took my wig off for afew moments to rest my head. "

Patty examined the wig with great interest. 

"I think it's wonderful, " she said, "is it just like your own hair was?"

"No, indeed, I wanted a change. My own hair is very dark, almost black, andperfectly straight. So I bought this Flaxie Frizzle wig for a change. It'sbecoming, don't you think so? I have a red wig too, --of short, curly auburnhair. Sometimes I wear that. "

Patty watched Nan curiously, as she put the wig on, securing it to her headby invisible springs. 

"I never saw anybody with a wig before, " she said, "and it surprises me so;but I came to ask you to go swimming with us. "

"Can't do it, " said Nan; "I have two more letters to write, and then I'mgoing driving with the Perrys. They're to call for me at four o'clock, andit's after three now. You'll have to go without me this time. "

"All right, " said Patty, backing out of the room, for her eyes were stillfixed on the wonderful wig. 

Then she rejoined her cousins, and they all ran to the bath-houses. 

They had a fine bath, and were about ready to come out of the water whenNan appeared. 

She was dressed in a fresh white piqué suit, with blue ribbons at herthroat and belt, and was looking very pretty but decidedly disappointed. 

She walked out to the end of the narrow wooden pier, and the swimmers cameup to talk to her. 

Patty didn't swim very well as yet, but she was learning, and Uncle Ted andBob said she was getting along finely. 

"I thought you were going out with the Perrys, " cried Bumble. 

"I was, --" said Nan, "but they didn't come. I've been dressed and waitingfor them half an hour, then I looked again at the note they sent me, and Imade a mistake; it's to-morrow they asked me to go. So I came down here, and I wish I was in the water with you. "

"Come on in, " said Bob. 

"Too much trouble to get into my bathing-suit. "

"Don't do it, " said Bumble; "we're coming out now, anyway. But the water isfine, to-day, isn't it, Patty?"

"Glorious!" gurgled Patty, as she floundered about in her frantic endeavorsto swim. Suddenly, Nan snatched off her wig, and dropped it down on thedock. 

Then with dramatic gestures, she wrung her hands, waved them above herhead, and cried out in agonized tones:

"I am desperate! No longer can I bear this sad and weary life. I_will_ end it!" Apparently in the last stages of despair, she strode to theend of the dock, and threw herself headlong into the water. 

Patty was aghast, but Bob and Bumble were accustomed to Nan's mad tricks, and they shouted with laughter. 

In a moment the bald head reappeared above the water, for Nan could diveand swim wonderfully well. 

"I'm afraid my dress will get wet, " she said, "but when I saw you allhaving such fun, I just couldn't help jumping in. "

"Crazy Nan, " said Bumble, "you've spoiled your clean dress, and you can'tswim with your shoes on, anyway, can you?"

"Not very well, " said Nan, regretfully, "and they're my best shoes, too. But I don't care; I'll get a bath and have some fun. "

Later on, the four young people, much refreshed and exhilarated, assembledin the music-room to wait for dinner. 

Aunt Grace, whose sprained ankle was getting better, and who could now limparound with the aid of a crutch, was there too. 

"Geranium Blossom! but I'm hungry, " exclaimed Bob. "Mumsey, do you s'posewe're going to have any dinner to-night?"

"I think so, my boy, " returned Mrs. Barlow, placidly, "but go and get abiscuit if you'd like one. "

"I'll tell you what, " said Nan, "let's have tea while we wait. There'll beplenty of time, for Eunice has just begun to lay the table for dinner. "

"All right, " said Bumble. "Patty, if you'll get the hot water, I'll cut upa lemon. "

"But there aren't any lemons, " said her mother. "I looked for one to-day, and they're all out. "

"There aren't any biscuits, either, " said Bob, coming back from a fruitlessquest; "the box is empty. "

"And there doesn't seem to be any sugar, " said Nan, peering into thesugar-bowl on the tea-table. 

"Well, I'll tell you what, " said Bumble, "let's pretend to have tea. Youknow some people say, if you think you have anything, you have it. "

"All right, " said Patty, who dearly loved to pretend, "I'll make the tea. "

So she pretended to measure out some tea from the caddy, and put it in theteapot. Then she poured imaginary water from the teakettle upon it, andcovered the teapot tightly with the cosey. After allowing it a little timeto "draw" she pretended to pour it into cups, in which Bumble had alreadyplaced imaginary sugar-lumps and bits of lemon. 

Bob offered his services as waiter, and passed the cups to his mother andNan, and also to imaginary guests, who, he pretended, were sitting on thechairs and sofa. 

"This tea is delicious, " said Aunt Grace, stirring in her empty cup, andsipping from her empty spoon. 

"Yes, " said Patty, "it is real Russian tea, Do have some more, won't you?"

"Indeed, I will, " said Aunt Grace, and Patty poured her another emptycupful. 

"Pass the biscuit, Bumble, " said Bob, and his sister carried around theempty biscuit-jar, while the guests helped themselves to nothing. 

Uncle Ted came in in the midst of the tea joke, and drank several cups ofair, until Patty finally peeped into the teapot, and said, "You'll all haveto stop, for there isn't any tea left. "

Bob carried the cups back to the tea-table, and all declared they had had avery nice tea-party. 

"But why don't you have a tea-party, girls?" said Uncle Ted, "a real one, Imean. Invite all the neighbors and have a nice spread. I'll decorate a bitwith Japanese lanterns, and we'll make it a general festivity. "

"Oh, lovely!" cried Bumble, "if mamma is well enough to stand theexcitement. "

"Aunt Grace needn't have any of the trouble, " said Nan. "I'll order things, and help get the house ready. We girls will do all the work, and Aunt Gracecan just be an invited guest. "

"Let's make it a lawn-party, " said Bob, "and we'll have supper served in atent. "

"Let me see, " said Uncle Ted, "to-day is Monday. There's no use waiting toolong, and the moon is nearly at its full now. Suppose we have the party onThursday; can you all be ready by that time?"

"Oh, yes, " said Nan, "there's nothing much to do. Let's write theinvitations to-night. "

So during dinner, which was finally announced, they completed their plansfor a garden-party from five o'clock to ten Thursday evening; and afterdinner Nan wrote the invitations, and Patty addressed them, while the restdiscussed and decided who should be invited to the party. 

CHAPTER XV

THE LAWN-PARTY

The next day Patty announced her willingness to do anything she could toassist in the preparations for the lawn-party; and Aunt Grace kissed herfondly, and said she was a dear little helper, and they would be only tooglad to make use of her services. 

But the day passed by and nothing was done. Everybody went for a swim inthe morning, and in the afternoon Nan went driving, and Patty and the twinswere invited to a neighbor's to play tennis. Then in the evening they allwent for a moonlight sail. 

After they returned, Patty ventured to remind her procrastinating relativesthat there was very little time left in which to prepare for the variousentertainments they had suggested. 

"Jumping grasshoppers!" exclaimed Bob whose expletives were often of hisown invention, "I meant to set old Dil at work to-day, clearing a place fora tent. Dad, we must go over to the city to-morrow, and get a tent, andsome lanterns and flags. We want to make the place look gay and festive. "

"Yes, we'll go, " said his father, heartily, "and the girls can go with us, if they like. "

"We _do_ like, " cried Bumble, "and after we buy the things, won't you takeus to the Zoo, to see the baby hippopotamus?"

"But, " said Patty, "I think we ought to stay at home and help Aunt Grace. "

"No, no, " said her aunt, "there's nothing much to do; I'll get somebody into help Hopalong make cakes and jellies, and we can leave the housedecorations until Thursday. "

"Yes, that will be best, " said Nan, "for to-morrow I'm going over toMontauk Point for the day, but I'll help all day Thursday. "

"We'll all work with more enthusiasm when the day of the party comes, " saidAunt Grace, "and now run along to bed, all of you. "

Next day the family rose late, and breakfast was much later, so that it wasnoon before they started for New York. 

Then Bob proposed that they go to the Zoo first, and do the shoppingafterwards. This they did, and the result was, that, as the animals were sointeresting, after they had seen them all it was too late to go to theshops. 

"Whew! I'd no idea it was so late, " said Uncle Ted, looking at his watch;"but never mind. We'll go home now, and I'll telegraph early in themorning, and the tent and lanterns can be sent over at once, and we caneasily get them put up in time. "

When they reached home they found Aunt Grace entertaining some friends whohad come to spend the day. They were delightful people, and Aunt Grace hadfound them so absorbing that she had entirely forgotten to send for anassistant to prepare dainties for the party. 

But nobody seemed to mind, and Patty concluded it was not her place tocomment on the way things were going, at least, not to the Hurly-Burlypeople themselves. 

But when she wrote that night to her father, she said:

"I'm glad you didn't describe my aunts to me, but let me discover theirtraits for myself. For, really, I never would have believed a family_could_ act like the Barlows. They are out of proportion _every_ way, but, after all, I can't help loving them, for they are such dear, kind people, and they _mean_ to do right, only they never do anything. "

But as the next day was Thursday, and some things _had_ to be done, everybody began to hustle and bustle and fly around generally. 

Uncle Ted sent to New York by a special messenger for a tent, and a lot oflanterns and gay bunting, and succeeded in getting them soon after noon. Then he and Bob and old Dil put the tent up, and hung the lanterns alongthe veranda and among the trees. 

Nan drove all around the country trying to find a cook to assist Hopalong, but as none was to be found, Aunt Grace had to go down to the kitchen andmake some of the cakes herself. 

Nan and Bumble made sandwiches and squeezed lemons, and somehow the timeslipped away until it was four o'clock, and the house was not yet decoratedand the ice cream hadn't arrived from New York. "Nan, you and Patty fix theflowers, and I'll take the trap and fly down to the station and see if theice cream isn't there, " said Bumble, who was very warm and tired, but whokindly offered to do the most unpleasant errand. 

"All right, " said Nan, and Bumble drove off in a hurry. That morning thegirls had gathered a quantity of wild flowers and vines for decorations, and Bumble said she had put them in water, but nobody knew where. So theyhunted in every place they could think of, but to no avail. Bob helped themand they searched the kitchen, the cellar, and even the barn, but noflowers could they find. So, as it was nearly five o'clock they gave it upand ran up-stairs to dress for the party. 

And then Patty discovered that the bath tub was filled with the missingflowers. At risk of being caught by the guests in their every-day attire, Nan and Patty flew down-stairs and hastily arranged the flowers as well asthey could, and then returned to make their toilettes. 

It was now after five, but fortunately no guests had yet arrived. 

"Nobody will come before half-past five, anyway, " said Nan, as they hastilyscrambled into their frocks. 

"They may, " replied Patty, "there comes somebody now; oh, it's Bumble. "

Bumble came in, panting and breathless. 

"I had to bring the ice cream home with me, " she said; "there was no oneelse to bring it from the station. Wasn't it lucky I went over?"

"Yes, indeed, " said Patty, "and now, Bumble dear, rest yourself a little. Nan and I will receive the guests. Aunt Grace is still in the kitchen. "

"Yes, " said Bumble, "but the table isn't set yet. We ought to get out theplates and things. Eunice is frosting cakes, and she can't do it. "

"Well, I can do it now, " said Patty. "I'm all ready, if you'll just tie mysash. Nobody is here yet, so I may have a few minutes at least. "

But when Patty reached the dining-room the scene was appalling. In thehurry, nobody had found time to clear away the luncheon dishes, and theextension table must be made longer and really there was an hour's workthere for somebody. 

Patty called Bob to help her, as everybody else was so busy, and thegood-natured boy left what he was doing and came to his cousin'sassistance. 

It was six o'clock before everything was in readiness and the familygathered on the veranda to rest themselves and await their guests. 

"Seems to me they're getting pretty fashionable, " said Bob; "it's an hourafter the time set, and nobody's here yet. "

"Well, it's a warm day, " said Aunt Grace, fanning herself, "and nobodylikes to start out early in the afternoon. " But after another half-hourpassed and still nobody came, they all began to think it rather queer. 

"Perhaps they've boycotted us, " said Uncle Ted, "and don't mean to come atall. "

"I should think the Perrys would be here by this time, " said Nan. "I meantto speak to them about it yesterday, and ask them to be sure to come early, but I forgot it. "

"Did we invite the Harlands?" said Bob. 

"I can't think whether we did or not, " said Bumble. "I know we wereundecided about them. But we asked the Graysons, and here they come now. "

"Well, I'm glad somebody's coming, " said Nan; "but, no, --they aren'tturning in, they're driving by!"

"Sure enough, " said Bob; "mean old things, --if they couldn't come, theymight at least have sent regrets. "

"Here are the Stanton girls, anyway, " said Patty, as two young ladies camewalking towards them. 

Elsie and Mildred Stanton came up to the group on the veranda with aslightly embarrassed air. 

"Good-evening, " said Mildred; "you look as if you were going to have alawn-party. "

"Why, we are, " said Bumble, "if anybody comes to it. I'm glad you'vearrived, anyway, Come in. "

"But, --we weren't invited, " said Elsie, a little stiffly. "We came over onan errand. "

"Indeed you were invited, " said Bumble, warmly. "Do you suppose I'd leaveyou out, my dearest chums? But really, didn't you get an invitation? Howfunny! They were sent out on Tuesday. "

"No, " said Elsie, "but if it was a mistake, and you meant to invite us, it's all right. But we didn't know it, you see, so we're not in partyfrocks. As nobody else is here yet, I think we'll run home and dress up abit, and then come back again. "

"All right, " said Bumble, knowing her guests would feel more comfortable ifsuitably dressed, --and they lived near by. "Skip along, girls, and hurryback. "

After they had gone it was nearly seven o'clock, and nobody else appeared. Great consternation was felt by all, and suddenly Patty said, "Who mailedthose invitations?"

"Bumble did, " said Bob. 

"No, I didn't, " said Bumble, "I thought you attended to it. Why, Bob, Iasked you particularly to look after them. "

"I didn't hear you, " said Bob; "do you suppose--"

But Patty had already run into the house and returned with her hands fullof the invitations to the party. 

"Oh, " groaned everybody, quite overcome by the calamity. 

Nan was the first to recover herself. 

"There's only one thing to do, " she said; "we must go around and pick up asmany guests as we can in a hurry. It won't do to let all this nicegarden-party go to waste. Bob and I will take the runabout, and Bumble, youand Patty can take the trap, and we'll scour the country as far aspossible. "

In a few minutes the two turnouts dashed away in opposite directions, andall the near-by neighbors were bidden to come to the garden-party at once. 

Much laughter and fun was caused by the sudden and peremptory invitations, which were, for the most part, gladly accepted. 

When the guests finally arrived, the party was a grand success, though ofmuch smaller proportions than was originally intended. The gayly-lightedveranda was a fine place for dancing and games, and supper, served in thetent, was very novel and attractive. 

As Nan said, after the party was over, "It was just perfect, except that wecouldn't invite the ones that lived at any distance. "

But Uncle Ted said, "Never mind, we'll have another party, and invite them;and I'll see to mailing the invitations myself. "

"Oh, ho, " laughed Nan, "then we needn't even get ready for the party, foryou'll never remember to post them. "

At which Uncle Ted called her a saucy minx, and sent them all to bed. 

CHAPTER XVI

UNBOUNDED HOSPITALITY

Although life at the Hurly-Burly was full of irritating incidents and evenserious disappointments which were caused by the general forgetfulness andcareless habits of the family, yet there were also many pleasures, andPatty enjoyed the summer very much and became warmly attached to herhappy-go-lucky relatives. 

Uncle Ted was kindness itself, and Aunt Grace was very loving andaffectionate towards her motherless niece. Bob and Bumble were trumps, andNan was so irresistibly funny that she made merry jokes of what wouldotherwise have been real troubles. 

The days flew by and Patty thought she had never known a summer to pass sorapidly. 

She almost lived out of doors, for Uncle Ted said he was determined totransform the little Boston bluestocking into a wild Indian; and so Pattyhad become browned by the sun, and her rowing and swimming had developed afine amount of muscle. But as we are always more or less influenced by thecharacter of those about us, Patty had also imbibed much of the spirit ofthe Hurly-Burly family and lived as if the pleasure of the present momentwere the only thing to be considered. 

"Be careful, my Patty, " her father wrote to her, "you do not send meletters as regularly as you used to, and what you tell me sometimes soundsas if you thought it no harm to break a promise or to fail to keep anengagement you have made. You know I want you to _learn_ by yourexperiences, and imitate only the best qualities of those about you. I'mnot going to have my house run on any Hurly-Burly plan, Miss Pattikins, soif you expect to secure the position of housekeeper, you must be preparedto keep things right up to the mark. We will have an exact proportion ofmethodical regularity, without having so much of it that it will be abugbear. Oh, I tell you, my lady, our home is going to be a veritableParadise on earth, and I am impatient to get it started You have only onemore visit to make, and then I will come and kidnap my own daughter andcarry her off with me for a Christmas present. "

"What a dear, wise father I've got, " mused Patty, after reading thisletter, "and how he understands everything, even without my telling him. I_will_ try not to grow heedless and rattle-pated, though it's hard to beany other way in this house. "

One morning in August, Mrs. Barlow said to her husband, "Ted, you know theCarletons are coming this afternoon to stay several days, and I want you togo over to the three o'clock train to meet them. Don't forget it, will you?And you'll have to engage a stage to bring them over, for there'll be Mr. And Mrs. Carleton and four children, and perhaps a nurse. I don't knowwhere we're going to put them all to sleep, but we must stow them awaysomehow. Patty, would you mind giving up your room for a time?"

"Not a bit, Aunt Grace. Put me wherever you like. "

"That's a good girl. Well, suppose you sleep with Bumble. She has only athree-quarter bed, but if you don't quarrel you won't fall out. "

"All right, " said Patty. "I'll move my things at once. "

"Very well, my dear; then we can give your room to Mr. And Mrs. Carleton, and Gertrude will have to room with Nan, and the other children must go upin the third story; no, --Harry can sleep with Bob. I declare I didn't thinkit would crowd us so, when I invited the whole family. But it will be onlyfor a week, and we'll get along somehow. "

"Many hands make light work, " and with much flurrying and scurrying therooms were made ready for the expected guests. 

About noon the expressman came, bringing two trunks. 

"'Coming events cast their shadows before, '" said Uncle Ted; "here come thewardrobes of the Carleton family. "

"They must have sent them by express yesterday, " said Aunt Grace; "dear me, how forehanded some people are. I wish I had been born that way. But when Igo anywhere I take my trunk with me, and then I always leave it behind. "

They all laughed at this paradoxical statement, and Uncle Ted said, "That'swhere you differ from an elephant. " Then as the trunks were set out on theveranda, he exclaimed, "Good gracious, my dear, these aren't the Carleton'strunks. They're marked "'F. M. T. , '--both of them. "

"'F. M. T. , '" echoed Mrs. Barlow, "why, who can that be?"

"The Carletons have borrowed other people's trunks to come with, " suggestedNan. 

"Not they, " returned Aunt Grace; "they're the most particular people on theface of the earth. Why Kate Carleton would as soon think of borrowing ahouse as a trunk. No, these belong to somebody else. And I know who it is!It's Fanny Todd. Before I left home I asked her to come down here the firstweek in August, and I never thought of it again from that day to this. ButI should think she would have written. "

"Why, mamma, " said Bumble, "there was a letter came for you fromPhiladelphia a day or two ago. Didn't you get it? I saw it on the halltable. "

"No, I didn't get it. Run and look for it, child. "

But the letter couldn't be found. So Mrs. Barlow assumed that it was fromher friend, Miss Todd, and concluded that that lady would shortly arrive. 

"Where _can_ we put her to sleep?" she queried, "every room is alreadyfilled. "

"She can have my room, " said Bob, "and Harry Carleton and I will sleep outin the tent. He's a good fellow and he won't mind. "

"But his mother will, " said Mrs. Barlow; "she's so fussy about such things. Still, I can't see anything else to do. If it doesn't rain, I supposeyou'll be all right. "

The Carletons came first, and Mrs. Barlow welcomed them with a gracioushospitality which gave no hint of the flurried turmoil of preparation thathad been going on all day. 

Gertrude Carleton, the eldest daughter, was one of those spick-and-spanbeings who look as if they ought always to be kept in a bandbox. She had alanguishing die-away sort of air, and after a few moments' conversationwith her, Bumble excused herself and slyly nudged Patty to come outsidewith her. She took her cousin up-stairs and said, "Patsy, I'm sure thatblown-glass girl won't like to room with Nan. She looks as if she alwayshad a whole suite of rooms to herself, parlor and all. I can imagine herfainting away when Nan takes off her wig. Now, how would it do to give MissGertrude our room, and you and I go in with Nan? I'll bunk on the sofa; Idon't mind a bit. "

"Neither do I, " declared Patty. "Yes, let's give your room to the LadyGertrude, and never mind asking Nan about it, either. "

So the girls changed things around in short order, and then wentdown-stairs and conducted Gertrude to her room. 

Aunt Grace gave a little surprised smile, but with her usual tact, saidnothing. 

Harry Carleton seemed to be a very nice boy, and he went off to the tentwith Bob, in great glee, while the two little Carleton children and theirnurse were installed in rooms on the third floor. 

Before the guests had reappeared down-stairs, a carriage drove up to theveranda, and a lady and gentleman got out. 

"Oh, " thought Mrs. Barlow, as she went to greet them, "who _has_ Fannybrought with her?"

"How do you do, Grace?" cried sprightly Miss Todd, "I've come, you see, though I didn't get the telegram I asked you to send me. And I brought Mr. Harris, as I said I would. I know you'll welcome him gladly after what Itold you. "

"Fanny, " said Mrs. Barlow, deeming it best to make a clean breast of thematter, "I didn't get your letter. At least, they say it came, but somehowit was lost before I read it, and it can't be found. However, it doesn'tmatter, and I am very glad to welcome Mr. Harris in any capacity. "

"Then greet me as Miss Todd's future husband, " said Mr. Harris, smiling, and Mrs. Barlow gave him a hearty welcome and congratulations at the sametime. 

But Mr. Harris was a new problem. Although he intended to remain only onenight, yet a room must be provided for him, and poor Mrs. Barlow was at herwits' end. 

But it was at her wits' end that the good lady oftenest found a way out ofher difficulties, and after a glance into Mr. Harris' merry blue eyes, shefelt sure she could ask him to sleep on the couch in the music-room withoutoffending his dignity in the least. And so it turned out that theHurly-Burly was filled with guests, and it goes without saying that theyall had a merry time. 

Uncle Ted was in his element, and he provided fun for the children andentertainment for the older guests, until even languid Gertrude was stirredto enthusiasm. 

It was late when they all retired, and after Mrs. Barlow had insured thecomfort of her guests and her children, she lay down to rest and fellasleep at once. 

CHAPTER XVII

A HURLY-BURLY FIRE

Although Mr. Harris had expressed himself satisfied with his couch in themusic-room, yet as it was hard and narrow, his slumbers were not veryprofound, and at two o'clock in the morning he awoke from a light doze, andbegan to sniff in the darkness. 

"I believe I smell fire, " he said to himself. 

He jumped up and ran into the hall, where he found the whole staircase wasa charred and smouldering mass ready to break into flame at any moment. 

Mr. Harris was a man of quick action, but he paused a moment to consider. 

He couldn't go up the stairs, they were ready to give way at a touch. Hedared not open the front door, or, indeed, any door that might create adraught which would fan the stairs into a flame. 

So he decided he must rouse the sleepers up-stairs, and then jump out ofthe music-room window and run to the tent to get the assistance of the twoboys who were sleeping there. 

Being a stranger in the house, he knew of no other stairway, and knewnothing of the servants or where they might be. 

"Mr. Barlow, --fire! Mr. Barlow!" he screamed. "Fire! Mr. Carleton, Fanny!"but no one answered. 

At last Patty was wakened by his voice and ran out in the upper hall. Thedraught of her opening door started the flames a little, and when shelooked over the banister, it was into a well of fire. 

Before she could say a word, Mr. Harris called up to her. "Patty, " he said, "keep your senses, and help all you can. I think the fire is only in thestaircase, and if so, we can get everybody safely out of their own windows. Tell this to your uncle, and then tell the others. I'm going after Bob. "

Mr. Harris disappeared, and Patty bravely resisted her inclination toscream; instead, she ran into her uncle's room and shook him awake, saying, "Uncle Ted, the stairs are all burnt up, but it doesn't matter, you can getout of the windows. "

Then she ran back and wakened Bumble and Nan, saying, "Girls, the house ison fire, but let's be real sensible and not get burned up. Put on yourdressing-gowns, and then we must go and tell the ethers. "

As she talked Patty was slipping on her dressing-gown, and then she caughtup her mother's picture and wrapped it in a bath-towel, and with the littlebundle in her hand she ran back to the hall where she met Uncle Ted. 

"Which room are the Carletons in, Patty?" She told him, and then Bobshouted up from below, "We've got the old Babcock extinguisher, dad, andwe're making it tell on the fire. Can't you throw on some water up there?And tell all the people to go out on the balconies and we'll take 'em downall right. And I say, Patty, get my camera out of my room, will you? Idon't want anything to happen to that. "

"All right, " said Patty, and she ran for the camera. In Bob's room shefound Miss Todd just waking up. 

"Get up, Miss Todd, " she cried; "the house is on fire and your Mr. Harrisis putting it out, and he says for you to jump out of the window. "

"Oh, " screamed Miss Fanny, hopping out of bed and rushing wildly around theroom, "which window?"

"Any window, " said Patty, who was hunting in the closet for the camera. 

So Miss Todd, half unconscious of what she was doing, but with a blindintention of obeying the orders of her fiancé, climbed over a window silland jumped out. 

As a veranda ran all around the second-story of the Hurly-Burly, she foundherself standing just outside her window on a very substantial balcony andfeeling decidedly chilly in the night air. 

"Here are some clothes, " said Patty, grabbing up whatever came handy, andputting them out the window to Miss Todd. "Is there anything you want savedparticularly?"

For Patty had taken a pillow-case from its pillow, and in it had placed thebundle containing her mother's picture, and Bob's camera. 

"Yes, " said Miss Todd; "that book of poems, --it was Jim's first gift tome, --oh, and my hat. "

"All right, " said Patty, and she put the book in her pillow-case bag, butthe hat, being large and feathery she put on her head. 

Then Patty went to Gertrude Carleton's room. She found that fragile bit ofhumanity sleeping peacefully, and she hated to startle her. 

But the excitement was growing greater. People were running about in alldirections, and the flames, though still confined to the staircase, wereliable to spread further at any moment. So Patty decided to break the newsgently to the frail Gertrude, and she touched her softly on the shoulder. 

"Gertrude, dear, " she said, "if the house _should_ get on fire, what wouldyou want to save most?"

"My shoes, " said Gertrude, promptly, awake and alert in an instant. "Herethey are. "

She reached over the side of the bed, and grasped her dainty littlepatent-leather boots, which she gave to Patty. 

"Very well, " said Patty, putting them in her bag, "and now you'd better getup and dress, for the house may get on fire to-night. Come, I'll help you, for I smell smoke now. "

"Where are you going with your hat on?" asked Gertrude, much bewildered, but still making an expeditious toilette. 

"Nowhere, " said Patty. "I'm collecting valuables; this is Miss Todd's hat. I must go now. When you're ready, step out of your window on to thebalcony, and they'll take you down by ladders or something, I guess. "

Patty went out into the hall, and found that the fire was partly undercontrol. Uncle Ted and Mr. Carleton were pouring buckets of water on it, which they brought from the bathroom where Bumble was helping fill thebuckets. 

Down-stairs, Mr. Harris and the two boys were using hand grenades, an oldfire extinguisher, and sundry other patented means of putting out fires. There was much yelling of orders going on, but very little obeying of thesame, and each man seemed to be working with a will in his own way. 

Patty went into her Aunt Grace's room, and found that lady dressed in herbest attire. 

"I thought I'd put on this gown, " she said. "Ted says we'll all be saved;but then you never can tell how a fire may break out somewhere else andburn up all your wardrobe. So I'll have this, anyway, and it's my bestgown. Ted told me to stay in this room and not move until he came after me. Is the fire burning the hall carpet much?"

"Yes, quite a good deal; but they've spilled so much water on it that it'sall wet, and I reckon that will spoil it more than the fire. But, AuntGrace, what do you want to save? The house may all burn up, you know, andI'm trying to save the most valuable things. I've this pillow-case nearlyfull, now. "

"Oh, what a good idea! Well, I wish you'd put in that photograph album, andmy set of coral jewelry, and my eye-glasses; and please get the box of oldletters that's on the highest shelf in that cupboard. Oh, and here's UncleTed's bank-book, we must save that. "

"Now, Grace, " said Uncle Ted, himself, appearing in the doorway, "the fireis pretty well under control; that Harris is a good fellow, and no mistake. But as the flames may break out again, I mean to put you out of harm's wayat once. Come out on the balcony. "

Uncle Ted had a great coil of rope in his arms, and he stepped through thelong French window onto the balcony, and Aunt Grace and Patty followed. There they discovered quite a party already assembled, and such costumes asthey wore!

Mrs. Carleton had on Turkish bedroom slippers, and she wore a black veiltied over her face for fear of smoke. She had wrapped herself in a largeeider-down quilt and somebody had tied it round with a wide sash, so thatshe looked like a queer foreign personage of some sort. 

Nan, in her hurry, had fastened her wig on insecurely, and had since lostit. Her attire was an old ulster of Uncle Ted's, which she had found in thethird story hall when she ran up to alarm the Carleton children and theirnurse. 

The nurse in great fright had pulled down portières, and wrapped them roundherself and the children, while old Hopalong had shuffled down from herroom in a mackintosh and sun-bonnet. 

To this motley crowd came Aunt Grace in her handsome party gown, and Pattywith her bag of treasures. 

"Hello, there, " cried Uncle Ted, cheerily, "the danger is over, I think, but we have no stairs left to descend upon. The boys are bringing ladders, however, and I think, with care, we can all get down safely. But as mywife's sprained ankle is scarcely sound enough as yet to trust her on aladder, I am going to try to swing her down in this hammock. Patty, I thinkI'll send you down first, for practice. "

"All right, Uncle Ted, " said Patty, and still clasping her bag ofvaluables, and wearing Miss Todd's Paris hat, she seated herself in thehammock, exactly according to Uncle Ted's directions, and he and Mr. Carleton carefully let her down by the long ropes which had been fastenedat each end of the novel elevator. 

Mr. Harris was waiting for her, and he landed her safely on the steps ofthe lower veranda. 

Next Aunt Grace was lowered, and after that another hammock was rigged, andall of the ladies were taken down that way, as they preferred it to theladders. 

The men came down the ladders and brought the little children in theirarms, and then the queer-looking crowd gathered in the sitting-room todiscuss the situation. The men concluded that the fire was occasioned by amouse having nibbled at some matches which were kept in the closet underthe stairs. 

As the shelves and walls and most of the contents of the closet werecharred, it was assumed that the fire had been smouldering for some hours, and if Mr. Harris had not discovered it as soon as he did, it woulddoubtless have been followed by more disastrous consequences. 

The stairs from the first to the second floor were entirely burned away, and except that the walls and carpets of both halls were smoked anddiscolored, no other harm was done. 

But as that staircase was the only one connecting the first and secondfloors, the victims of the fire found themselves in the peculiar positionof not being able to go up-stairs. 

"How perfectly ridiculous, " exclaimed Aunt Grace, "to build a house with noback stairs. I always said that was the greatest flaw about this house. What _can_ we do?"

"As it is nearly five o'clock, " said Uncle Ted, "I propose that we havebreakfast, and consider that the day has begun. Then perhaps I can getsomebody to build stairs or steps of some kind by night"

"But we must go up-stairs, " said Nan, who had covered her wigless head witha bandanna kerchief, bound round like a turban; "we want to dress properlybefore we breakfast. "

"And we want to finish our sleep, " said Gertrude Carleton. "I'm not goingto get up at five o'clock and stay up. "

So the ladders were brought in from outside and put up in the stair-well, and with some difficulty everybody was brought safely up-stairs again. 

With the procrastination which was characteristic of the Barlow household, the new stairs failed to get built that day or the next either; indeed itwas nearly a week before a staircase was put in place, and as it was meantto be only temporary it was made of plain unpainted wood. 

But you will not be surprised to learn that it was not replaced by a moresightly affair until after the Barlows had returned to their city home. 

As the end of her visit at the Hurly-Burly drew near, Patty felt greatregret at the thought of leaving the merry, careless crowd. She invitedthem, one and all, to visit her when she should be established in her ownhome, and she promised to correspond regularly with both Bumble and Nan. 

"Where is it you're going?" said Bumble, "I never can remember. "

"To Vernondale, " answered Patty, "a town in New Jersey. But it's nowherenear Elmbridge, where I visited the St. Clairs. I believe it is on anotherrailroad. I've had a lovely letter from Aunt Alice Elliott, and she wantsme to come the first week in September. She says Uncle Charlie will meet mein New York, or come over here after me, whichever I say. But I think I'dbetter meet him in New York. "

So when the day came Uncle Ted took Patty over to New York, and Bob andBumble and Nan went too, and it was a group of very long-faced young peoplewho met Mr. Elliott at the appointed time and place. But Bob said:

"Brace up, girls, we're not losing our Patty forever. She'll spend nextsummer with us at the Hurly-Burly, and by that time well have beautiful newfire-proof stairs. "

"Yes, " said Bumble, "and she can visit us in Philadelphia in the wintertoo. "

Then after many fond good-byes, the Barlows went away, and Patty was leftwith her Uncle Charlie. 

CHAPTER XVIII

AT VERNONDALE

After the Barlows had left them Mr. Elliott put Patty in a cab to go acrossNew York to the New Jersey ferry, and seating himself beside her, he said:

"Well, my little maid, I am very glad to get you at last; and as there is awhole houseful of people out at Vernondale who are eagerly watching foryour arrival, I am going to get you there as soon as possible. "

"Yes, do, " said Patty; "I am so anxious to see Marian and all the rest. Tell me something about them, Uncle Charlie. I am getting accustomed tomeeting new relatives, but I like to hear about them beforehand, too. "

"Well, " said Uncle Charlie, "to begin with, your Aunt Alice is theloveliest woman on the face of the earth. "

"I am sure she is, " said Patty, heartily, "for she has written me suchbeautiful letters about my coming, and I feel as if I already know her. Andthen, of course, she is papa's sister, so she must be nice. "

"Then there is Grandma Elliott, " her uncle went on; "she is my mother, anda dearer old lady never breathed. You'll love her at first sight. "

"Oh, I know I shall, " said Patty; "there hasn't been a single grandmotherin all my other visits, and as I have none of my own, I shall just adoptyours, if she'll let me. "

"Try it, and see, " said her uncle, smiling. "As to your cousins, they arefour specimens of young America who must be seen to be appreciated. Frankis seventeen and Marian is about your own age. Edith is ten, and littleGilbert is six. They are all moderately good and moderately pretty, but onthe whole, I think you'll like them. "

The travelers crossed the ferry to New Jersey, and after riding nearly anhour in the cars they reached Vernondale. 

Mr. Elliott's carriage met them at the railway station, and a short drivebrought Patty to her new home. The house was a large one, surrounded bybeautiful grounds with fine trees, carefully kept lawns and beds of brightflowers. 

The whole family had assembled on the veranda to greet Patty, and as thecarriage came up the driveway there was a great waving of handkerchiefs andclapping of hands and shouts of "Here she comes, " "Here's our cousin!"

As Uncle Charlie helped Patty out of the carriage, Aunt Alice was the firstto clasp her in her arms, and it was with such a warm loving embrace thatPatty felt the motherliness of it, and loved her Aunt Alice at once. 

Next she was introduced to Grandma Elliott and the dear old lady beamedthrough her spectacles at pretty Patty, and willingly agreed to adopt heras a really, truly granddaughter. 

Cousin Frank proved to be a big, stalwart lad, with merry eyes and a boyishsmile, and he welcomed Patty with hearty good-will. 

Marian was a beautiful girl with fun and intelligence written all over herbright face, and when she said, "Oh, Patty, I'm _so_ glad you've come, "Patty felt sure they would be not only warm friends but congenial chums. Ten-year old Edith clasped Patty's hand in both her own and held it for along while, looking up in her cousin's face with an occasional smile ofhappy confidence. 

Last came little Gilbert, the pet of the household, and a lovely boy hewas. Short dark curls clustered all over his head and his great brown eyesgazed at Patty in rapt contemplation. 

"I'm glad you've come, " he said, finally, "and I love you, and I'll try tobe good all the time you're here. "

"That's right, my boy, " said Uncle Charlie, catching Gilbert up in his armsand setting him on his shoulder, "and after Patty is gone, what then?"

"Then, --I'll see about it, " said the child, gravely, and they all laughedat the carefully considered decision. 

Then Aunt Alice took Patty up to her room, and as they went through thehalls, Patty thought she had never seen such a beautiful house in her life. It was as large as the St. Clairs' house, but the decorations andfurnishings were in subdued tints and quiet effects and there was no loudor garish ornamentation. 

When they entered a room on the second floor, Patty could not repress anexclamation of delight. 

"Oh, Aunt Alice, " she said, "what a lovely room! Is this mine?"

"Yes, dear, " said her aunt, "and I'm glad you like it. It was a greatpleasure for Marian and me to arrange it for you. "

The room was a large one, with windows on two sides, and the coloring wasall pale green and ivory. 

The walls were a beautiful shade of light green, with a few water-colorsand etchings in narrow gilt or ivory frames. 

The carpet was plain green, soft and velvety, like moss; and the furniture, of a light cream-colored wood, was in dainty shapes, with delicatespindle-legged tables and chairs. The dressing-table was furnished withivory-backed brushes and mirrors, and there was a charming littlework-table with sewing materials of all kinds. 

An open desk showed every kind of writing-implement, made of ivory orcut-glass, and the blotting-pad was pale green. 

A couch by a corner window was provided with many ruffly fluffy pillows, covered with green silk, and a knitted afghan of soft green wool lay foldedat the foot. 

Two or three vases of mignonette and ferns harmonized with the generaleffect, and gave the room a delightful fragrance. 

Although unable to appreciate all these details at a first glance, Patty atonce realized that the whole room presented a far more charming and refinedappearance than her more elaborate apartment at Villa Rosa, with its ornatebric-a-brac and expensive rugs. 

"It is lovely, " she said to her aunt. "I never saw a room that I liked aswell. I think a fairy must have touched it with her wand, it is all sofresh and sweet, just like a woodland dell. "

"This is your fairy bower, " said Aunt Alice, and she opened a glass doorleading out on a balcony. 

The balcony was as large as a small room, and it had a roof to it, andrattan shades at the sides that could be rolled up or down at pleasure. 

Vines clambered around the pillars, and on the railings between them, werepalms and bright flowers growing in jars or tiled boxes. 

On the balcony were several easy chairs, a round table and a couch, all ofwicker basket-work, and across the corner was swung a green and whitehammock with pillows of green linen. 

"Oh, Aunt Alice, " cried Patty, "this _is_ fairy-land! Is this _my_balcony?"

"Yes, dear, " said her aunt, kissing her happy, surprised little face, "andI hope you will often enjoy it. I want you to be a happy Patty during yourstay with us. "

"I am happy already, " said Patty, as they went back into her room, "in sucha lovely home, and among such lovely people. "

"May I come in?" said Marian, tapping at the open door. "Mother mine, areyou going to monopolize our Patty? I haven't half seen her yet. "

"You can see me, " said Patty, smiling at her cousin, "but you can't hearme, for I am speechless with delight at this beautiful room, and thatfairy-land place outside. And now I'm going to put my mother's picture onthe desk and then it will be just perfect. "

Patty took the portrait from her traveling-bag, and Aunt Alice looked at ittenderly. Though she had known her brother's young wife but a short time, she had greatly loved and admired her. 

"You are like your mother, Patty, " she said. 

"So every one tells me, Aunt Alice. But I want to be a Fairfield too. Don'tyou think I am like papa?"

"Not very much in appearance. Perhaps you are like him in disposition. I'llwait until I know you better before I judge. Brother Fred was thestubbornest boy I ever saw. But when I told him so, he said it was onlyfirmness of character. "

"I think that's what it is with papa, " said Patty, loyally, "but I've oftenheard him say that I used to be very stubborn when I was little. "

"It's a Fairfield trait, " said Aunt Alice, smiling, and as Patty looked atthe sweet-faced lady she thought she seemed as if perhaps she could be veryfirm if occasion required. 

"Marian, " said Patty, "Aunt Alice says you helped arrange this lovely roomfor me, and I want to thank you and tell you how much I admire it. "

"Oh, I didn't do much, " said Marian. "I only selected the books and stockedthe writing-desk and sewing-table, and made the sofa-pillows and did a fewlittle things like that. Mamma did most of it herself. And grandma knittedthe afghan. Isn't it pretty? We were all glad to get ready for your coming. We've looked forward to it ever since you came North. "

"Come, Marian, " said her mother, "let us run away now, and leave Patty todress for dinner. Unless we can help you unpack, may we? Your trunks havecome, and I will have them sent up here at once. "

"Oh, yes, let me help you put away your things, " said Marian, but Patty, with a slight blush, thanked them for their kind offers but declined theirassistance. And for a very good reason, or at least it seemed so to theembarrassed child. During her stay at the Hurly-Burly, poor Patty'swardrobe had become sadly dilapidated. 

It never occurred to the Barlow family to mend their clothes. Missingbuttons were never replaced except by pins; torn ends of trimming were lefthanging or snipped off; and after a whole summer's carelessness, Patty'sgarments were in a deplorable state. 

So the child really felt ashamed for her aunt and cousin, who seemed to bethe quintessence of neatness, to discover her untidy wardrobe. 

Even her best dresses were soiled and wrinkled. Nan and Bumble had helpedher to pack, and their idea of packing a trunk seemed to be to tosseverything in in a heap, and then jump on the lid to make it shut tight. 

So woful Patty looked over her clothes in dismay. They had seemed all rightdown at the Hurly-Burly, but here, in this immaculate green and white roomthey seemed utterly out of place, and quite unworthy of being put away inthe bureau-drawers or cupboards. 

It was with difficulty that she decided upon a dress to wear down todinner. Her light summer dresses had been bought ready-made during one ofAunt Grace's hurried trips to New York, and with the well-known viciousnessof ready-made clothing, had shrunk and stretched in the wrong places, andshowed occasional rips besides. Then being badly laundered and afterwardscrumpled in the trunk, they presented anything but the fresh, crispappearance that summer dresses ought to have. 

So Patty looked over her other frocks. But the gorgeous ones that shehadn't worn since she was at Aunt Isabel's, seemed more than ever inglaring bad taste, and as she had needed no new clothes at Aunt Hester's, she had bought none while in Boston. 

With a sigh, she selected a pink muslin, that did fairly well, except thatthe lace was gone from one sleeve and two buttons were missing. 

She ripped the lace from the other sleeve, so that they might match, atleast, and was rejoiced to find that there were some buttons in a drawer ofher new work-table. 

Of course needles and thread were there too, which was fortunate, for Pattyhad none in her trunk, and indeed, she scarcely knew how to use themanyway. 

As she dressed, she resolved that she would confide her troubles to AuntAlice, and ask help in replenishing her wardrobe. 

"I'm all out of proportion, " she said to herself, "and papa wouldn't likeit a bit if he knew that I didn't have a decent dress to put on. But downat the Hurly-Burly nobody cared or thought anything about it. "

As all her shoes seemed to lack some buttons or to have broken laces, sheput on her best slippers, and after she had brushed her pretty hair, andimproved the despised pink muslin with some bows of black velvet, shelooked quite presentable, and if Aunt Alice noticed anything amiss she gaveno hint of it to her young guest. 

CHAPTER XIX

A PICNIC

"Aunt Alice, " said Patty, the next morning after breakfast, "I want to havea little talk with you, and won't you come up to my Fairy Bower so we canbe by ourselves, --for it's a sort of secret?"

"I will, my child, " said Aunt Alice, "as soon as I've attended to a fewhousehold duties. I'll meet you there, in about half an hour. Will yoursecret keep that long?"

"Oh, yes indeed; I'm in no hurry at all. "

"I don't seem to be included in the secret, " said Marian; "but come withme, Patty, won't you, until mamma is ready for you? I'm going to water thepalms and plants in the front veranda. That is always part of my morning'swork. "

"Let me help you, " said Patty, and the two girls went off together. 

In a short time Aunt Alice reappeared, saying, "Now, Patty girl, I'm atyour disposal. Marian, dear, remember this is Thursday, and the BasketDrill is at ten. "

"Yes, I know, mamma. I'll be ready for it. "

When Mrs. Elliott was comfortably seated in a rocking-chair on the balcony, Patty drew up a small wicker stool and sat down in front of her. 

"Aunt Alice, " she began, "my secret is just this. I haven't any clothesthat are fit to wear, and I want you to help me get some. When I was atAunt Isabel's she bought me loads of dresses, but they were all winterones, and besides, I don't believe they're the kind you'd like. In Boston, at Aunt Hester's, nobody ever thought much about what they wore, and I gotalong all right, somehow, but this summer down at Aunt Grace's, my clothesseemed to go to pieces all at once. "

"Like the 'One-Hoss-Shay, '" said Aunt Alice, laughing. "Well, this isindeed a sad state of affairs. But perhaps we can find a way out of thedifficulty. "

"Yes, of course we can, " said Patty, eagerly. "Papa sends me money wheneverI ask him for it; so if you'll buy me some clothes, he'll repay you atonce. I want everything. My things are no good at all. "

"Wait, wait, " said Aunt Alice, "don't dispose of your wardrobe in such asummary way. Suppose we look it over together, and see what's best to bedone. "

"All right, " said Patty, "but I'm really ashamed to show you the miserablelot. "

"Why, Patty, " said Aunt Alice, as she looked over the torn and crumpleddresses and under-clothing, "these do seem to be unwearable, but they arenot hopelessly so. You see, the trouble is, they've been neglected, andclothes, like plants or children, won't thrive under neglect. "

"I know it, Aunt Alice, but we never thought of mending things down at theHurly-Burly, and there was no one to do it for us, as there was at AuntIsabel's. "

"Never mind your other aunts, Patty; you have to deal now with your AuntAlice, and you will find her a regular tyrant. "

But the loving smile which accompanied this speech robbed it of alltyrannical effect. 

"Now, " the "tyrant" went on, "we'll put in one pile all the things that aretoo faded or worn to be of use to you, and those we'll give away to someone who can use them. These heavy silk and velvet frocks and these gorgeousparty dresses we'll just lay away for the present, and now we'll put inthis place all that needs mending. It's a shame to see these dainty littlewhite petticoats and nightgowns with their buttons off, and their trimmingstorn. "

"Yes, Aunt Isabel bought me those, and they were lovely when they werenew. "

"And they'll be lovely again, for they only need a few stitches and somegood laundry-work to make them as pretty and fresh as ever. Do you know howto sew, Patty?"

"No, Aunt Alice, I don't. When I was at home, Mrs. Miller, our landlady, always looked after my things, and I never thought of sewing; and sinceI've been North, I haven't, either. "

"Well, Patty, sewing is an old-fashioned accomplishment, I suppose, but Ithink it is something that every woman ought to know; and if you are goingto keep my brother's house for him, I am going to see to it that you arewell equipped for the task, and to that end I'm going to instruct you inboth sewing and housekeeping. There, Miss Patty Fairfield, how do you likethat?"

Patty ran to her aunt's arms, which were open to receive her, and kissedher lovingly. 

"Oh, Aunt Alice, I'll be so glad if you will, for I do want to keep papa'shouse right. But Aunt Grace told me not to worry about it, and the housewould keep itself. "

"Never mind Aunt Grace now, you are under Aunt Alice's orders, as I toldyou. And she was right in telling you not to worry about it; but as to ahouse keeping itself, I haven't heard that the autohome has been inventedyet, and until it is, we'll stand by the old methods of housekeeping. Andso, every morning, my dear Patty, unless something very important calls youelsewhere, you are to spend two hours with me, in studying what the wisepeople call Domestic Science, but I call Domestic Common-sense. "

Patty's little face looked very bright and happy, for she was truly anxiousto learn these things, and there had been no opportunities during her othervisits. 

"I treat Marion in the same way, " said Aunt Alice. "Although we haveseveral servants, Marian has learned and practiced many branches ofhousework and she sews very nicely. But I don't think you will find Marian'worried' or even impatient at the irksome tasks. "

"No, indeed, Aunt Alice, Marian is as bright and cheery as a sunbeam, andI'm sure no task could be irksome if you advised or assisted with it. "

"Oh, you don't know me yet, " laughed Aunt Alice; "didn't I tell you I was atyrant? But you do need some new things, child, and we'll buy them in a dayor two. "

Aunt Alice counted over the dresses which could be made available for use, and then, selecting a number of garments only slightly out of repair, shesaid:

"This morning we'll attack these. Did you hear me tell Marian to rememberthe Basket Drill? Well, that means the sewing or mending basket; and ifyou'll bring yours with you, we'll attend a Ladies' Sewing Society in thesitting-room at once. "

In the sitting-room they found Marian with her basket of work, and grandma, who was darning stockings. 

With kindly care and patience Aunt Alice showed Patty how to mend neatly, and as the pupil was by no means stupid, she did great credit to herteacher. 

After they had sewed for about an hour, Mrs. Elliott said:

"Now, children, put away your baskets and run out to play. You need freshair and sunshine quite as much as buttons and strings. Marian, why don'tyou take Patty down and show her the Falls? You'll have just about timeenough to go and get back to luncheon. "

"We will, " said Marian; "come along, Patty. "

As Patty was by nature adaptable to her surroundings, she followed Marian'sexample and arranged her work-basket tidily and then put it away in itsplace, though down at the Hurly-Burly it would never have occurred to herto do so, and nobody would have set her such an example. 

Patty thought to herself, "Well, these people have the right proportion ofsystem and order, anyhow; I wonder if they're lacking in some otherproportion. I haven't seen it yet, if they are. "

And she didn't discover it later, either; for though not perfect people, byany means, the Elliotts had a true sense of proportion, and no duty orpleasure was pursued to excess, and so allowed to crowd out other duties orpleasures. 

"Mother, " said Frank, as they sat on the veranda, one evening, soon afterPatty's arrival, "I think we might have a picnic in Patty's honor. I wanther to get acquainted with the boys and girls, and that's as good a way asany. And if we could have it on Saturday afternoon, perhaps father couldtake a half-holiday and go with us. "

"That's a fine idea, " said Aunt Alice; "do you agree, Charlie?"

"Yes, " said Mr. Elliott, "I'd like it of all things. Shall we go toFoster's Woods?"

"Yes, " said Marian, "that's the nicest place for a picnic. There's a lovelylake there, Patty, and boats to row about in, and tables for the feast andeverything. "

"How many shall you invite?" said Uncle Charlie. "I'll engage stages totake us all over. "

"I want to go, " said Edith. "Mayn't I, mamma?"

"Of course you may, " said Mrs. Elliott; "we'll take the whole family, fromgrandma down to little Gilbert. "

"Oh, I can't go, " said grandma; "I'm too old for picnics. "

"Not a bit, " said her son; "if you don't care for staging, I'll send youand Alice and the baby over in the carriage. "

And then they all fell to planning the details of the picnic, and Pattysecretly contrasted the occasion with similar ones at her other aunts'. 

There was no quarreling about arrangements as at Villa Rosa; each deferredpolitely to the others' opinions, and yet each frankly expressed his or hermind on any subject. 

And there was no inattention or forgetfulness as at the Hurly-Burly. Eachwas appointed to attend to several different things, and Patty felt surethat their promises would all be fulfilled. 

"Let's have lots of sandwiches, " said Frank; "the last picnic I went to, Ididn't have half enough. And can't we have jam in some of them, as well aschicken and ham?"

"Certainly, my boy, " said his mother; "I'll see that you have jamsandwiches and ham sandwiches and chicken sandwiches, and plenty of them. "

"Those names might be shortened, " said Uncle Charlie, meditatively. "The_sand_ is superfluous, anyway. There's no sand in them. Why don't we sayjamwiches, hamwiches and chickwiches?"

"Oh, that's much better, " cried Marian. "I wonder we never thought of itbefore. I shall never mention a ham sandwich again. A hamwich is so muchnicer. "

"And then there are tonguewiches and eggwiches, " said Patty, delighted withthe new words. 

"And jellywiches, " said Aunt Alice, laughing. "And now what else do youngpeople eat? Cakes and fruit, I suppose. "

"Yes, and little tarts, " said Frank; "they're awfully good on a picnic. "

"And ice cream, " said Marian. 

"I'll order the ice cream, " said her father, "and I'll bring a big box ofcandies from New York. Frank, you must see to the hammocks and swings, andgames if you want them. "

"Yes, sir, " said Frank, "I'll take my shuffleboard and ring-toss. And we'llbuild a fire, and make coffee, shall we mother?"

"Yes, dear; Patty and I will make the coffee, " said Aunt Alice with asidelong smile at her niece. 

"Then I know it will be good, " said Frank. 

Saturday was a beautiful day, clear and bright and not too warm. 

Immediately after luncheon four stages went around and gathered up aboutfifty young people, and a wagon full of provisions for feasting and funfollowed them to Foster's Woods. 

Patty wore a pretty white frock, which, under Aunt Alice's instruction, shehad neatly mended, and Mrs. Elliott's skilful laundress had made clean andcrisp. 

The Vernondale young people proved to be a merry, jolly crowd, and prettyPatty soon became a favorite. 

Frank and Marian introduced her to everybody and took special care that sheshould never lack for companions or amusement. 

And there was so much to do, and Patty enjoyed it all. She was clever atthe games, and owing to her practice at the Hurly-Burly, she could row aswell as any boy. 

The lake was a beautiful bit of water, and in some parts of it pond-liliesgrew in abundance. 

The young people gathered a quantity of these, both white and pink, todecorate the supper-table. 

Then when the feast was ready, Uncle Charlie called the children together, and they came with a will, for their afternoon out of doors had given thema good appetite for the hamwiches and jamwiches. 

After supper was over, it was about seven o'clock, and Uncle Charlie toldhis young guests that they could ramble round for half an hour, and thenthey would start on their homeward ride. 

The path by the side of the lake was a very pretty one, and Mrs. Elliottand her husband walked along there with little Gilbert between them. Thechild was getting sleepy and a little wilful; and while Jane, his nurse, was eating her supper, his parents had him in charge. 

Soon they heard Frank's voice calling, "Father, won't you please come herea minute and help us get this swing down?"

Mr. Elliott went to help the boys, and Mrs. Elliott and Gilbert sat down onthe grassy bank to await his return. 

"Mamma, " said the child, "shall I pick you some pretty flowers?"

"Yes, baby, " said his mother, who was looking at the sunset, and only halflistening, "but don't go far away. "

"No, " said the little fellow, and how it happened, Mrs. Elliott never knew, but seemingly in a moment, Gilbert had climbed into a boat and was afloatalone on the lake. For an instant Mrs. Elliott was too frightened even toscream; and then, she dared not, for the boat was a little, round-bottomedaffair, and Gilbert was jumping about in it so excitedly, that if suddenlystartled he might upset the boat. 

With great presence of mind his mother spoke to him gently. 

"Gilbert, dear, " she said, "sit down in the middle of the boat, and bequiet until I call papa, will you? There's a good boy. "

"I am a good boy, " Gilbert called back; "I'm going to get mamma pretty pinkpond-flowers. "

The boat was drifting farther and farther out, and the child sitting in thebow, rocked it from one side to the other. 

"Gilbert, " said his mother, sternly, "sit right down in the bottom of theboat. Right in the middle, do you hear? Obey me at once!"

"Yes, mamma, " said the boy, and he did as she told him to, but continued torock the boat, so though the danger was lessened, it was still a frightfulscene, and filled the poor mother's heart with terror. 

"Charlie, Charlie, " she called, and then "Frank, " but they could not hearher as they were taking down some hammocks in another part of the grove. 

The boat drifted nearer to the pond-lilies, and Mrs. Elliott saw Gilbertlean over the side of the boat. 

"Now I'll get them for you, mamma, " he called. 

Mrs. Elliott could scarcely hear his words, but she saw, --the boat overturnand her darling child fall into the deep lake. 

CHAPTER XX

THE RESCUE

When Mrs. Elliott called to her husband and son, they could not hear her, but her cries were heard by a small group of half-a-dozen boys and girls, who were walking along the shore of the lake at some distance ahead of her. 

Patty and Marian were in this group, and at the sound of her mother'sfrightened cry, Marian turned pale, and said, "Oh, Patty, somethingdreadful has happened; let us run to mother. "

But one of the boys said, "Look out on the lake! There's your littlebrother in a boat, all alone. "

"Oh, " cried Marian, "he'll be upset! Where's papa? Can any of you boysswim?"

"No, " said two of the boys, and another said, "I can't either, but I'mgoing to try. "

"Don't do it, " said Patty, who was already flinging off her shoes. "I canswim, and I'll save the baby. "

She remembered how Nan jumped into the water with her ordinary clothes onthat day at the Hurly-Burly, and so she ran into the lake, all dressed asshe was, for there was no time to lose, and struck out for the boat. 

She had taken but a few strokes, when she saw the child fall into thewater, and heard Mrs. Elliott give a despairing shriek. 

Patty gave one shout of "All right, Aunt Alice, I'll get him!" and thenswam for dear life. This was literally true, for she was determined to savethe dear life of little Gilbert if she possibly could. 

And she did, for as the baby rose to the surface, Patty was near enough tograsp him, and then managed to reach the overturned boat and by its supportshe easily kept herself and the child afloat. 

"He's all right, " she called to the crowd now gathering on the bank. "I canhold him up; somebody come out after us in a boat. " But two boats hadalready started, and in a few minutes Gilbert was lifted into one and Pattyscrambled into the other, and they were quickly rowed ashore, and when theylanded on the beach, Uncle Charlie, with the tears rolling down his cheeks, tried to embrace both Patty and Gilbert at once. 

Aunt Alice couldn't speak, but the looks of love and gratitude she gavePatty said more than words could, and Patty felt that this was the happiestmoment of her life. And what a fuss the young people made over her! Theboys praised her pluck, and the girls marveled at her skill. 

But as Patty and Gilbert were both dripping wet, and it was alreadynightfall, the question was, what to do to keep them from taking cold. 

"Build up the fire again, " said grandma, "and we'll undress the baby, andwrap him all up in one of the carriage robes. "

"And there's another carriage robe for Patty, " said Marian. 

"I'll fix Patty, " said Uncle Charlie, "haven't some of you girls a bigblanket-shawl that won't be spoiled if it gets wet?"

Several shawls were eagerly offered, and Uncle Charlie selected two bigwarm ones and wrapped Patty, wet clothes and all, tightly in them, leavingonly her face exposed, until she looked like a mummy, and was wound sotight she couldn't stand up without assistance. But Uncle Charlie took thelaughing mummy in his arms and lifted her right into his carriage and thengot in and sat beside her. 

"Now give me the baby, " he said, and Gilbert, equally wrapped up, was putinto his arms. 

"Help your mother and grandma in, Frank, " he said, "and then, my son, youmust look after your guests, and see that the stages are filled and startedoff. We will drive home quickly and I think our Patty and Gilbert willsuffer no harm from their bath. You and Marian must explain all this, andsay good-bye to our guests. It has been a terrible experience, but we areall safe now, and I don't want the young people to feel saddened. "

"Yes, father, " said Frank, "I'll take charge here, and look after Marianand Edith, and attend to getting everything and everybody home safely. "

Then the driver took up his whip, and Mr. Elliott's horses flew over theground at a mad pace. 

Although the sudden fright had shocked Mrs. Elliott terribly, she wasbeginning to recover herself, and by the time the carriage reached home, she was all ready to take charge of affairs in her usual capable way. UncleCharlie deposited the bundle of baby on the sofa, and then went back andcarried in what he called his "mummy niece. "

"Grandma, " said Mrs. Elliott, "I'll give our darling Patty into yourcharge, for the present. Will you see that she has a hot bath, and asteaming hot drink made after one of your good old recipes? And then tuckher into her bed in double-quick time. After I treat baby in a similarfashion, and get him to sleep, I will interview my niece myself. "

And when that interview took place, Patty was made to know how deep amother's gratitude can be, and the bond sealed that night between AuntAlice and her niece was one of lifelong endurance and deep, true love. 

Next day, the Water Babies, as Uncle Charlie called Patty and Gilbert, wereas well as ever, and suffered no ill effects from their dip in the lake. 

Many of the Vernondale boys and girls came to see Patty, and Frank andMarian exhibited her with pride, as if she were an Imperial treasure. 

Patty bore her honors modestly, for it didn't seem to her that she had doneanything specially meritorious. She was glad Bob and Uncle Ted had taughther to swim so well, and even greater than her joy at saving Gilbert's lifewas the thought that she had saved the boy for her dear Aunt Alice whom sheloved so much. 

When Uncle Charlie came home from New York that night, he brought Patty abeautiful gold brooch set with pearls and with a sparkling diamond in thecentre. 

"This isn't a reward, Patty dear, " he said, "for no amount of jewels couldrepresent the value of our baby's life. But I want you to wear it sometimesas heroes wear the Victoria Cross, or as men at the life-saving stationswear their medals. "

Patty's heart was touched at this expression of Uncle Charlie's gratitude, and she was delighted, too, with the beautiful gift. 

"I don't want any reward, uncle, " she said, "but I shall keep this lovelybrooch all my life as one of my choicest treasures. "

CHAPTER XXI

A READING-CLUB

With October came school-days. 

There was a fine school for young ladies in Vernondale, which Marianattended, and Aunt Alice thought it best for Patty to go too. 

The cousins, who had become inseparable companions, enjoyed theirschool-life together, and the added duties which lessons brought, causedAunt Alice to make Patty's household tasks rather fewer. 

That lady was by no means an advocate of "all work and no play, " and thoughsome domestic duties were imposed and a cake or a dessert was taught everySaturday, yet Patty had plenty of time for amusements and plenty ofamusements for her time. 

One October day, Patty and Marian and two of their schoolgirl friends saton Patty's balcony drinking afternoon tea. 

It was getting late in the season to use the pretty balcony, but it chancedto be a bright, sunny autumn day, and the girls had their wraps on. 

Besides, they were talking so busily, that I think they would scarcely havenoticed it, had the mercury suddenly fallen to zero. 

"Yes, " Elsie Morris was saying, "we'll have a real literary club, and we'llhave a president and constitution and everything. But don't let's have toomany members. About twelve girls, I should say. "

"Only girls?" said Marian, "aren't we going to have any boys? I know Frankwould like to join. "

"Oh, boys don't like to read, " said Polly Stevens, "they're nice at partiesand picnics, but we want this club to be really literary, and not justfooling. "

"I know it, " said Marian, "but we thought we'd have little plays andtableaux, and things like that. And how can we manage those without boys?What do you say, Patty?"

"I think it's nice to have the boys, " said Patty, "but they won't come muchin the afternoons. If we have them, it'll have to be an evening affair. Let's ask Aunt Alice. "

"Yes, " said Elsie, "Mrs. Elliott always knows just what to do. "

"I'll go after her, " said Patty, and away she ran, and returned in triumphwith her aunt. 

"Now, my blessed auntie, " she said, as she gave her a seat, and wrapped afleecy shawl about her shoulders, "let me offer you a cup of tea, for weare going to give you a weighty question to decide, and you'll need astimulant. "

"Very well, " said Aunt Alice, laughing, "but you'd better ask the questionquickly, for this tea doesn't look very strong and its effects will soonwear off. "

So the girls all talked at once, or at least, two at a time, and explainedthat they wanted a literary club, and while they all liked the boys andwould be glad of their assistance in plays and tableaux, yet they knew thatif boys came to the meetings, there'd be little or no serious reading done. 

"It may be the effects of your tea, " said Mrs. Elliott, "but the solutionof your problem seems to me so easy that I wonder you didn't think it outfor yourselves. "

"Oh, what is it?" said Elsie and Marian together. 

"Why, have your club of girls only, and have your meetings on Saturdayafternoons, as you proposed, and then occasionally, --say, once amonth, --have an evening meeting and invite the boys and have your dramaticor musical entertainments then. "

"I knew you'd fix it, Aunt Alice, " said Patty, beaming, "won't that be justright, girls?"

They all agreed to this wise plan, and immediately made out a list oftwelve girls, who, if they accepted the invitation, were to attend thefirst club meeting at Elsie Morris's house on the following Saturday. 

Every one did accept, and the club was formed, and the twelve members wentto work with a will to make rules and plans. 

Patty was unanimously elected president. 

She hesitated about undertaking to fill such a responsible office, but thegirls, one and all, insisted upon it in a determined if not veryparliamentary way; and so she accepted the position, feeling sure that AuntAlice would assist and advise her in any difficulties that might arise. 

The Literary Club proved a great success. Patty made a very capable andgraceful little president, and when at a meeting in November, the girlsbegan to discuss an evening entertainment to be held in December, and Pattyremarked that perhaps she wouldn't be in Vernondale then, a general outcrywas raised. 

"What do you mean?"

"Why not?"

"Why, Patty Fairfield, where are you going?"

"I don't know where I'm going, " said Patty, "but my visit at Marian's willbe over the first of December, and then I'm going to have a new home, and Idon't know where it will be. But oh, girls, I wish it could be inVernondale. "

"Why can't it?" said Marian eagerly, "why can't Uncle Fred buy a househere, and then you can live here all your life. Oh, Patty, wouldn't that bejust fine?"

"Oh, Patty, do!" chorused all the girls, and Patty resolved that if she hadany voice in the matter, Vernondale should be her future home. 

CHAPTER XXII

A WELCOME GUEST

"Oh, Aunt Alice, " cried Patty, flying into her aunt's room one morning inthe latter part of November, "I've just had a letter from papa, and he'llbe here for Thanksgiving-day! Isn't that grand?" and catching her auntround the waist, Patty waltzed her up and down the room until the good ladywas nearly breathless. 

"I'm as glad as you are, Patty girl, " she said, when her niece finallyallowed her to come to a standstill, "for I haven't seen brother Fred formany long years. But I can tell you that his coming doesn't by any meansbring your visit to an end; I'm going to keep you both here with me untilafter the holidays, and longer too, if I can. "

"Well, I'll be only too glad to stay as long as papa is willing, and I dohope I can persuade him to settle in Vernondale. _Do_ you believe he will, Aunt Alice?"

"I don't know. I think he is inclined to make his home in New York city. But Vernondale is a pleasant place and so near New York, as to be a sort ofsuburb. "

"Well, I'm going to coax him, anyhow, --and now Aunt Alice, I'm going to askyou a big, big favor, may I?"

"Yes, you may ask, but I won't make any rash promises to grant it, until Ihear what it is. "

"Well, --I'm afraid you'll think I won't make them good enough, --but--I dowant to make the pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving-day. Papa would be sosurprised and pleased. "

"Why, of course you may, child; I'll be very glad to be relieved of thatduty, and cook will have all she can attend to. "

"When is Uncle Fred coming?" said Frank, as they all sat at dinner thatevening. 

"The night before Thanksgiving, " said Patty; "he'll arrive at about nineo'clock. "

"Well, we'll give him a rousing welcome, " said Frank, "a sort of 'HarvestHome, ' you know. "

"All right, " said his father, who was ever ready for a frolic, "what can wedo out of the ordinary?"

"We could decorate the veranda with jack-o'-lanterns, " said Marian, "andhe'll see them as he drives up. "

"Just the thing, " said Frank, "and, oh, --I have a fine plan, but we won'ttell Patty, --at least, not yet. "

The day before Thanksgiving, the children were all allowed to stay homefrom school to make the final preparations for Uncle Fred's reception. 

While Patty was in the kitchen making her pumpkin pies, (and surely, suchbeautiful pies never were made, before or since!) there was much rushing inand out of the parlor; and sounds of hammering and of moving furniturereached Patty's ears, but she was told that she would not be allowed evento peep into the room until evening. 

So after the pies were made, Patty ran up to put the finishing touches toher father's bedroom. 

She filled the vases with fresh flowers, laid out a new book which she hadbought as a welcoming gift for him, and on his dressing-table she placedthe cherished portrait of her mother; and talking to the picture as sheoften did, she said:

"I'm going to lend you to him, motherdy, for a few days; I shall miss you, of course, but we want to give him the very best welcome possible. "

Patty was allowed to help with all the preparations except those in theparlor, and she was extremely curious to know what was going on in there. But she found plenty to occupy her time, for the whole house was to bedecorated. 

On the veranda railing were many "jack-o'-lanterns, " which when theircandles were lighted would flash a welcome from their wide, funny mouthsand round eyes. 

The hall was decorated with boughs of evergreen, among which were tinyyellow squashes and gourds, also cut like jack-o'-lanterns and holdingsmall candles. 

The sitting-room was decorated with bunches of grain, and red peppers, "for, " said Frank, "it won't be a Harvest Home, unless we have grain andwinter vegetables. "

After all was ready, Patty went to don the pretty dress which Aunt Aliceand she had bought for the great occasion. 

It was a dainty little blue and white striped silk, with ruffles edged withnarrow black velvet. The yoke and sleeves were of fine white embroideredmuslin, and very fair and sweet Patty looked as she clasped her "VictoriaCross" at her throat. 

"Now can I go in the parlor, Frank?" she said, as she met her cousin on thestairs. 

"Yes, Patsy, come along, " and the boy threw open the parlor doors with aflourish. The room was elaborately trimmed with palms and chrysanthemums, and at one end was a raised platform, like a throne, on which stood a largearmchair draped with a red velvet portière. Above this was a semicircularcanopy cleverly made of cornstalks and bunches of grain and up on the verytop was the biggest pumpkin you ever saw cut like a jack-o'-lantern. 

More tall cornstalks formed a background to the throne and at each sidestood a noble sheaf of wheat. Thickly scattered over the whole affair weregourds or mock-oranges, which had been hollowed out and held lightedtapers, while across the top was "welcome" in large letters made of giltpaper. 

"Oh, " said Patty, quite awestruck at this bright and novel scene, "what isit all for?"

"Tell her, mother, " said Frank to Aunt Alice, who had just come in, "I mustgo and listen for the carriage. "

"It's for you, Patty, " said her aunt; "you are to sit there and welcomeyour father when he comes, and you'd better jump into the chair now, for hemay be here at any minute. "

"Oh, how kind you all are, " said Patty. "Did Frank do all this for me?Won't papa be pleased?"

Patty flew up the steps and settled herself in the great chair withdelight. 

"That's all right, " said Marian, who had just come in and who gave acritical glance at the whole picture. "Now _stay_ there, Patty; don't jumpdown when you hear us greet Uncle Fred in the hall. "

"I won't, " said Patty, "I'll stay, " and in another minute the carriagedrove up, and Patty heard her father's voice greeting Aunt Alice and hercousins, and then saying, "But where's Patty? Where's my girl?"

"Here, papa, " cried Patty, mindful of her promise to sit still, but unableto resist calling to him, and then Mr. Fairfield hurried into the parlorand saw his pretty daughter enthroned to welcome him. 

But at sight of his dear face, Patty _couldn't_ sit still, and she flew outof her chair and was in her father's arms before he was half-way across theroom. 

Nobody minded, however, for there was such a chattering and laughing andfrolicking as you never saw, and all the time Mr. Fairfield kept his armaround his little daughter as if he would never let her leave him again. 

"But don't think your beautiful work isn't appreciated, my boy, " he said toFrank, as Patty called his attention to the cleverly constructed throne, "indeed, I think now is the time to put it to use, " and Mr. Fairfieldseated himself in the big chair and drew Patty down upon his knee. 

Then Frank led off in three hearty cheers for Uncle Fred and Patty, and theElliott family joined in with a will. 

And what a merry, happy Thanksgiving-day they had on the morrow!

Patty's pies were praised until the little maid blushed at the complimentsshe received. 

It was late in the afternoon before father and daughter found anopportunity for a little talk by themselves; and then Patty told of herlove and admiration for Aunt Alice, and her great desire to spend the restof her life in Vernondale. 

"For you see, papa, " she said, "Aunt Alice is the only one of my aunts whohas a sense of proportion, and she certainly has. She is rich, but shedoesn't talk about it like Aunt Isabel's people; she reads, and knows a lotabout books, but she doesn't seem to think there's nothing else in theworld _but_ books, as Aunt Hester's family does; and as for the Hurly-Burlypeople, they're lovely in some ways, --but, after living with Aunt Alice, Icouldn't stand their forgetfulness and carelessness. And then, Aunt Alicehas everything in her life, and not too much of anything either. Wechildren have lots of fun and good times, but we have to work some, too. And Aunt Alice teaches us to be kind and polite without making any fussabout it. And she does beautiful charity work, and she's so happy and sweetthat everybody loves her. And papa, dear, I do want to continue to livenear Aunt Alice, and let her keep on advising me and teaching me, andso, --don't you think it would be nice for you to buy a house in Vernondaleand live here?"

"Well, my girl, you've made out a pretty strong case, haven't you?" saidher father, "and as my principal object in life is to make you happy, Ithink, Patty, dear, that I'll let you decide where our home shall be, andhow it shall be conducted. "

THE END