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Page 38
Then Roger Farrington came. Not all of Patty's New York friends
had liked Mona, but Roger had always declared the girl was a fine
nature, spoiled by opulent surroundings. He had gladly accepted
the invitation to the house party, and came in anticipation of an
all-round good time.
"Hooray! Patty! Here's me!" was his salutation, as he ran up the
steps.
"Oh, Roger!" cried Patty, and she grasped his hand and showed
unfeigned gladness at seeing him. Patty was devoted to her
friends, and Roger was one of her schoolday chums. Mona came
forward and greeted the new guest, and introduced him to the
strangers.
"Isn't this just too downright jolly!" Roger exclaimed, as he
looked at the sea and shore, and then brought his gaze back to the
merry group on the veranda. "Haven't you any chaperon person? Or
are we all kids together?"
"We have two chaperons," announced Patty, proudly. "One, you may
see, just down that rose path. The lady in trailing lavender is
our house chaperon, Mrs. Parsons. The impressive looking personage
beside her is an artist of high degree. But our other chaperon,--
ah, here she comes! Mrs. Kenerley."
Adele Kenerley appeared then, looking very sweet and dainty in her
fresh summer frock, and laughingly expressed her willingness to
keep the house party in order and decorum.
"It won't be so very easy, Mrs. Kenerley," said Roger. "My word
for it, these are wilful and prankish girls. I've known Miss
Fairfield for years, and she's capable of any mischief. Miss
Galbraith, now, is more sedate."
"Nonsense!" cried Patty. "I'm the sedate one."
"You don't look it," observed Mona. "Your hair is a sight!"
"It is," said Laurence Cromer, coming up and catching the last
remark; "a sight for gods and men! Miss Fairfield, I beseech you,
don't do it up in fillets and things; leave it just as it is, DO!"
"Indeed I won't," said Patty, and she ran away to her own room to
put her curly locks in order. She was quite shocked at the
mirrored picture of tousled tresses, and did it all up a little
more severely than usual, by way of amends.
"May I come in?" and Daisy Dow, after a quick tap at the door,
walked in, without waiting for an answer.
"What lovely hair!" she exclaimed, as Patty pushed in more and
more hairpins. "You're a perfect duck, anyway. I foresee I shall
be terribly jealous of you. But I say, Patty,--I MAY call you
Patty, mayn't I?--don't you dare to steal Big Bill Farnsworth away
from me! He's my own particular property and I don't allow
trespassing."
There was an earnest tone underlying Daisy's gay words that made
Patty look up at her quickly. "Are you engaged to him?" she asked.
"No,--not exactly. At least, it isn't announced. But--"
"Oh, pshaw, don't trouble to explain. I won't bother your big
adorer. But if he chooses to speak to me, I shan't be purposely
rude to him. I like boys and young men, Miss Dow, and I like to
talk and play and dance with them. But I've no SPECIAL interest in
any ONE, and if you have, I shall certainly respect it,--be sure
of that."
"You're a brick, Patty! I was sure you were the minute I laid my
two honest grey eyes on you. But you're 'most too pretty for my
peace of mind. Bill adores pretty girls."
"Oh, don't cross bridges before you come to them. Probably he'll
never look at little me, and if he should, I'll be too busy to see
him. There ARE others, you know."
Reassured by Patty's indifference, Daisy vowed her everlasting
friendship and adoration, and the two went downstairs arm in arm.
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