Patty's Friends

ld approved of the intimacy, for the elder woman's influence was in every way good for

e exhibitions, but Patty could rarely per

o shut yourself up as you do! All London wants you, a

o you know, Patty, I think it's time you dropped my formal titl

r first name is, but I haven'

t name do you t

cons

I think it must be either Et

ourself for a sudden shock," she said. "I

You're not even a Kate. But you are Lady

e Kitty, when I was a child, but as I

. Now, listen, the reason for my invasion of your premises this morning is that I

so daintily attractive in her fresh morning gown th

d looking over her letters when Patty had interrupted the process. She lo

ix

ad learned the slangy word from herself. "You'd have a lovely time. It'

on't wan

young to give up the pomps and vanitie

can

le with you. I never saw such a s

head

bstinate thing as yo

Hamilton said more seriously, "

f you know,

to the Terrace because I'm afr

the real reason? But you wa

of hundreds of people, so if I did see him, I should have to bow slightly, or cut him dead; it would depend on his atti

at odds with my father, and I can't even imagine such a thing, I'd rush at hi

. My father is an austere, unbending man, and if I were on the Terrace and we

" said Patty, gravely; "the

e outside your experience. Father and I are both too proud to make the first advance, and yet I really believe he w

ain," said Patty, thoug

Now, never mind about my troubles, tell me

e Member's table; I don't know whose. The Merediths will be

htly. Patty, some day I'll give a party for y

e it! You'd have to come

t's have a children's party. All dress as ch

see a party like that. I've only h

, and I think I can coax her 'round to it; th

Lady Kitty, do you think it's right for me to lead such a butterfly life? I just fly about from one entertainment to another;

d kindly. "How old

ighteen ne

is it necessary that you should work to earn your bread, like a teacher or a stenographer. But it is your duty, or rather your privilege, to shed sunshine wherever you go. I think I've never known any one with such a talent for spontaneous and unconscious giving-out of happiness. It is involuntary, which is its chiefest charm, but

ectionately; "if that's all true, and of course it is, since you say so

ield of benefaction, simply know more people. Whether you know them socially or as casual acquaintances, you will almost invariably add happiness to their lives

ck indignation, "you may t

what is known as Yankee good s

o very ancient, yourself," retorted Patty; "but I'

ernoon, Patty stopped at Lady H

at frilly, flowered muslin is just right for the Terrac

al about the T

clothes, and the lamb-lik

your fath

-like ones. Here, let me put these valley lilie

. If I see your father, I'll give

in the Thames together." "Well, at least we'll caus

good time, and come in to tell

ough the Houses of Parliament before, but this was her first

s were crowded with people. Merry, chatting, laughing Londoners,

host, Mr. Pauncefote, and escorted to a ta

een Grace and Tom Meredith, and listened with interest as the

, "Dukes and Duchesses don't look v

ent," said Tom. "Indeed, Miss Fairfield, I've vanity enough to

f I were introduced to a real Duke, I'd b

ith an aggrieved look. "And, pray, why are

miled at him, "only I'm successfully s

onger you know me, the more

" calmly inqui

confessed Tom, good-naturedly;

tones that are sometimes called stentorian, and Patt

all at the table upon her, she answered,

cefote, who seemed unable to moderate his voice. "And

sight of in a flash of mischief. "I like the Me

s fist until the cups rattled; "that's true Yankee cleverness.

atty, demurely; "are they

speech of all effect of pertness, and the

land? No, my child, no! Heaven be prais

Patty. "I think your

e statesmen after Mr. Pauncefote's pattern

other guests, and the host said, loudly: "P

Mr. Pauncefote detained Patty for a moment's chat, while

e was saying; "the young lady in gr

uickly, forgetting to respond

ith gold-rimmed glasses. She is my youngest da

d Patty, but her attent

k so obstinate as she had imagined him, but as she drew nearer, sh

d his smoothly brushed hair was li

tered as he looked through his glasses. The introduction to Miss Pauncefote implied also an introduction

efote, while the two gentlemen talked together. But as they were all about to separate, and even after Sir Ot

" she said

as the response as he turned

ty, and as soon as the words were utte

very unresponsive, and showed in his face that he tho

t on, "because I know your

am, the red blood dyeing his large face crim

ved now to plunge in desperately,

ettiest sprays of the lilies of the valley, and now

to pitch the American girl and her flowers into the river, and t

said, in a hard voice: "I have no daughter,"