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Page 33
Remonstrance with Aunt Adelaide did no good at all. She assumed an
air of injured innocence, asserted her entire indifference to the
details of Mona's housekeeping,--and then, proceeded to interfere
just the same.
As far as possible, the girls had arranged the house party without
consulting her; but, even so, she continually offered her advice
and obtruded her opinions until Mona lost patience.
"Aunt Adelaide," she said, when Mrs. Parsons insisted that Patty
should give up the suite of rooms she occupied to some of the
arriving guests, "when Patty came to me I gave her the best rooms,
and she's going to stay in them. I know Mrs. Kenerley is bringing
her baby and nurse, and that's why I gave her rooms on the third
floor, that the baby might not disturb any one."
"It's too high up for the dear child," argued Aunt Adelaide. "I'd
like to have her nearer me."
"You wouldn't, if she's in the habit of crying all night," said
Patty. "I'm quite willing to give up my pretty rooms, but Mona
won't let me, and I never quarrel with my hostess' decisions."
"Meaning, I suppose, that I do," said Aunt Adelaide, querulously.
"Of course, you girls know more than I do. I'm only a poor, old,
set aside nobody. I couldn't expect to be listened to, even when I
advise you for your own good."
Patty well knew that any response to this sort of talk was
useless, so she said, lightly, "We want you mostly for ornament,
Aunt Adelaide. If you'll put on one of your prettiest dresses, and
some of that lovely old lace of yours, and your amethyst
jewellery, and be on hand to welcome our guests this afternoon,
Mona and I will relieve you of all bother about household
arrangements."
This mollified Mrs. Parsons somewhat, for she dearly loved to
"dress up" and receive company, so she went away to select her
costume.
Patty had been at "Red Chimneys" little more than a week, but
already the influence of her taste could be seen in the household.
Some of the more gaudy and heavy ornaments, which had been
provided by a professional decorator, had been removed, and their
places filled by palms, or large plain bowls of fresh flowers.
The cook's extravagant ideas were curbed, and the meals were now
less heavily elaborate, and the viands more delicate and carefully
chosen. The service was simpler, and the whole household had lost
much of its atmosphere of vulgar ostentation. Mona, too, was
improved. Her frocks were more dainty and becoming, and Patty had
persuaded her to wear less jewellery and ornamentation. Patty had
also taught her to wave her hair in pretty, loose curls that were
far more effective than the tight frizzes she had worn. The plans
for the house party were complete, and, to the girls, entirely
satisfactory.
Adele Kenerley had been a school friend of Mona's, and was coming
with her husband and baby girl. Daisy Dow, another of Mona's
schoolmates, was coming from Chicago, and Roger Farrington and two
other young men would complete the party, which had been invited
for a week.
Patty had not accomplished all her wishes, without some
difficulties. Several times Mona had balked at Patty's decrees,
and had insisted on following her own inclinations. But by tactful
persuasion Patty had usually won out, and in all important matters
had carried the day. It was, therefore, with honest pride and
satisfaction that she looked over the house just before the
arrival of the guests.
She had herself superintended the arrangement of the beautiful
flowers for which the Galbraiths' garden was famous, and she had,
in a moment of victory, persuaded Mona to put the men servants
into white duck instead of their ornate, gilt-braided livery, and
the maids into white linen uniforms.
"In this weather," she said, "let's make our keynote 'coolness,'
and your guests will have a better time than if we overpower them
with your winter splendour."
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