Patty's Friends

"no, that wouldn't do, either. I wish I we

ed Nan. "But why do you want to

his afternoon, and I don't know which I want to accept most. One is a musicale

tful. Can't you ma

o'clock, anyway. I think I'll choose the musicale, fo

an, a little absently, for she was

was April, and though they intended to travel later in the summer, their plans were as

inments which Patty was too young to attend, but her time was pleasantly filled with

ept so utterly secluded as English girls of her age. Sometimes she would go all alone to Westminster Abbey or to the National

in every mail. For, during the season, Londoners are hospitable folk, and give entertainments morning, noon, and night. At first, the Fairfields had thought they would take a house, and so have a home of their own

hat they soon began to feel quite at home there. And Patty, as we

ccepted everything as it came, and enjoyed everything

e the differences between he

or enjoyment, while Patty enjoyed every experience that came to her, whether a visit

d to Nan, one day. "In New York I was almost a full-fledge

at you are, and if the different countries choose to

But it does amuse me, the way the Londoners think we live at home. They really believe American ladies go

ut then I never go to market myself, and I don't know many people who do. I think that

e absurd than the way they dress to go shopping in the morning. Long, trailing, frilly gowns of pink a

ising them as unfairly

em lots. I just love the London ladies, they're so kind to me, and invite me to such lovely things. Of course

ade costume when shopping. At first, Nan had exercised a supervision over her purchases, but Patty had shown such good taste, and such quick

s, buying things they wanted, looking at things they did not want, or

e unmade. Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield wanted to go to Germany, Switzerland, and other countries, but Patty didn't care so much for that as fo

ith the doings of the moment, and they

o to the musicale," said P

on of yours, with the lace

eafed chip hat, with the

m, and after a time returned

" she asked, sm

a mild and innocent sort, and was rather a childish delight in

girlish way, and not the least of her charms was her natur

the light, filmy dress, and the

Nan. "That's a duck of a frock, and su

e to any afternoon thing. The Hartleys will bring m

a or two, and then we're dining out. You'

e schoolroom tea. Mabel Hartley is sixteen,

, then, if they're sending you ho

end somebody.

atty. Have a

s; I al

ched Chesterton Mansions, she was soon establish

she introduced Patty to so many people that it was almost bewildering. Bu

atty thoroughly enjoyed the singing and the violin-playing. She was a little afraid that Mrs.

at once made her way to Patt

she said, "and it's so lovely

ned Patty, "it was lov

ed, and perhaps for this reason the two were very good friends. Although they had met only a few

that told of past generations of good-breeding. Her complexion was of that pure pink and white seen only on English faces, but her pale, sandy hair and light blue eyes failed to

the her, in some pretty clea

music was going on, but in the intervals

just coming in," said Mabel. "I hope they'l

over, and were prompt

ook hands in cordial, boyish fashion, "you

always wear our diamonds to market, for truly the Ame

have you tell me it isn't true. I'm perfectly unprejudiced about America, though. I'm

I'm ready to acknowledge that I l

n here long?"

y, and I know I shall love the English country. Just the gli

, with enthusiasm. "It's a ripping old house, two hundred

Mabel, a little wistfully, and Patty wondered

stings asked them to go to the tea-room, and

a jolly-looking alcove, with window-seats

ed by a waiter, who brought a tray o

triumphantly a co

jubilant voice. "Hot, buttered

eed delicious, and England and America seemed at

tty, surveying her bit of muffin with adm

r have sandwich

r wonderful bread and butter is too good to be

bserved Tom. "Somehow, at five o'clock I'm always so hung

aid Patty. "You seem to have it naturally, even when y

ent. "Why, we'd as soon think of o

r last crumb of muffin disappeared. "Such good things to eat, and then it's s

"The open air and the trees and birds and flowers are ev

said Patty. "I'm invited to several country h

gain Patty thought she detected a sh

She was full of fun and laughter, and both she and Tom made comic

artley, coming to collect her y

here," explained Grace. "Tell Mrs. Ha

n't meant to be. But for that classic-browed genius, with his chrysanthem

ur latest

dest, he's try

iling, "and I daresay Professor Prendergast

ut musicians rarely have a sense of

ley, "and now, Mabel and Miss F

artleys' carriage Patty was taken away