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Page 43
"You Western people have a sea, too, I believe," said Patty.
"Yes, but we don't really need it, as you do. We have seas of
land, rolling all over the place. We can get our breath inland;
you have to come to the ocean to get a full breath."
"That's the popular superstition. I mean, that we are cramped and
all that. But, really, I think we all have room enough. I think
the Westerner's idea of wanting several acres to breathe in is
just a habit."
Farnsworth looked at her steadily. "Perhaps you're right," he
said; "at any rate, you seem to know all about it. Do you suppose
I could learn to see it as you do?"
"Of course you could. But why should you? If you like the West,
the big, breezy, long-distance West, there's no reason why you
should cultivate a taste for our little cramped up, stuffy East."
"That's right! But I wish I could show you our country. Wouldn't
you love to go galloping across a great prairie,--tearing ahead
for illimitable miles,--breathing the air that has come, fresh and
clean, straight down from the blue sky?"
"You make it sound well, but after that mad gallop is over, what
then? A shack or ranch, or whatever you call it, with whitewashed
walls, and rush mats and a smoky stove?"
"By George! You're about right! It wouldn't suit YOU, would it?
You couldn't fit into that picture!"
"I'm 'fraid not. But if we're going to fit into the picture soon
to assemble in Mona's dining-room, we must make a start in that
direction. Mr. Farnsworth--"
"Call me Bill, oh, DO call me Bill!"
"Why should I?"
"Because I want you to; and because I think you might make that
much concession to my Western primitiveness and
unceremoniousness."
"But I don't like the name of Bill. It's so,--so--"
"So uncouth? Yes, it is. But I'm not the sort to be called
William. Well, DO call me something pleasant and amiable."
"I'll call you Little Billee. That's Thackeray's, and therefore,
it's all right. Now, can you slip me back into my own apartments
as quietly as you took me away?"
"Of course I can, as it's nearly dark now. Here we go!"
He aided her up the stairs, and along the balcony to her own
windows. Patty sprang lightly over the low sill, and waved her
hand gaily as she pulled down her blinds and flashed on the
electric lights. Then she rang for Janet, and found that a hurried
toilette was necessary if she would be prompt at dinner.
One of Patty's prettiest evening frocks was a dainty French thing
of white chiffon, decked with pale green ribbons and exquisite
artificial apple blossoms made of satin. With a smile at the
memory of Farnsworth's allusion to apple blossoms, she put it on,
and twisted a wreath of the same lovely flowers in her golden
crown of curls.
Then she danced downstairs to find the Western man awaiting her.
He looked very handsome in evening clothes, and the easy
unconsciousness of his pose and manner made him seem to Patty the
most attractive man she had ever seen.
"I've arranged it with Mona," he said, straightforwardly, "and I'm
to take you in to dinner. I want to sit next to you."
But Patty had caught sight of Daisy Dow, and the angry gleam in
that young woman's eyes warned Patty that Farnsworth's plan boded
trouble.
Moreover, perverse Patty objected to being appropriated so calmly,
and with a deliberate intent to pique Farnsworth, she replied,
gaily:
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