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Page 3
"Yes," chimed in Lora Sayre, "we can't get along without our
Pitty-Pat. DO don't go away, Sunshine!"
"But suppose I want to go," said Patty, bravely trying to treat the
subject lightly; "suppose I'm just crazy to go to that stunning big hotel
up in the White Mountains, and have the time of my life!"
"Suppose the moon is made of green pumpkins!" scoffed Jack. "You
don't want to go at all, and you know it! And then, think of the
girls,--and boys,--you leave behind you! Your departure is a
national calamity. We mourn our loss!"
"We do so!" agreed Beatrice. "Why, Patty, I'm going to have a
house party next week, and we'll have lots of fun going on. Can't
you wait over for that?"
"No, I can't," and Patty spoke a little shortly, for these gay
plans made her long more than ever to stay at Spring Beach. "So
don't let's talk any more about me. Tell me about the Pageant,--
will it be fine?"
"Oh, yes," said Jack, "the biggest thing ever. Sort of like a
Durbar, you know, with elephants and--"
"No, it isn't going to be like that," said Lora. "They've given up
that plan. It's going to be ever so much nicer than that! They're
going to have--"
"Don't tell me!" cried Patty, laughing, as she clapped her hands
over her ears. "I'd rather not hear about it! I suppose you'll be
queen of it, whatever it is, Lora?"
"I'll have a chance at it, if you're not here! That's the only
comfort about your going away. Somebody else can be the Belle of
Spring Beach for a time."
The good-natured laughter in Lora's eyes took all sting from her
words, and, indeed, it was an acknowledged fact that Pretty Patty
was the belle of the little seashore colony.
"I'm awfully sorry about it," began Nan, but Patty stopped her at
once.
"There's nothing to be sorry about, Madame Nan," she cried, gaily;
"these provincial young people don't appreciate the advantages of
travel. They'd rather stay here in one place than jog about the
country, seeing all sorts of grand scenery and sights! Once I'm
away from this place I shall forget all about its petty frolics
and its foolish parties."
"Yes, you WILL!" exclaimed Jack, not at all impressed by Patty's
statements, for he knew how untrue they were.
"And the Country Club summer dance!" said Beatrice, regretfully.
"Patty, how can you be reconciled to missing that? It's the event
of the season! A fancy dance, you know. A sort of Kirmess. Oh,
DON'T go away!"
"Don't go away!" echoed Lora, and Jack broke into one of the
improvised songs for which he was famous:
"Don't go away from us, Patty, Patty,
We can't part with the likes of you!
Stay, and be Queen of the Pageant, Patty,
Patty, Patty, tender and true.
Though you are not very pretty, Patty,
Though you are liked by a very few;
We will put up with you, Patty, Patty,--
Patty, Patty, stay with us, do!"
The rollicking voice and twinkling eyes, which were Jack's chief
charms, made Patty laugh outright at his song. But, not to be
outdone in fun, and also, to keep herself from growing serious,
she sang back at him:
"I don't want to stay at this place,
I don't like it any more!
I am going to the mountains,
Where I've never been before.
I shall tramp the mountain pathways,
I shall climb the mountain's peak;
I don't want to stay in this place,
So I'll go away next week!"
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