Patty's Friends

milton, as Patty gleefully described gi

self-control in not really doing it. But what eyes he has! So gray and steely, they cut right through me! And he

o you

idn't even throw them on the stone floor of the Terrace, and gr-r-rind them 'neath his iron heel! I

mily feud of the Marklehams. But you haven't. My father gave the whole episo

doggedly, "and if I ever get anoth

u don't know father's disposition. If he thought you

n politely; "I'm not going to make any t

id at Patty's funny American phrases,

when Patty told him about it. "Your motive is a good one, but an Englishman

ct is a match for any English temper, and if she could bring abou

hen you two are against

, smiling fondly at her father. "You're on

d Nan, "and she grows cleverer ev

at Nan in mock adoration; "since I have y

hing at their nonsense, "and in a vain endeavour to

ear Mr. Fairfield read. "And mayn't I ask Lady Kit

ou see any people in the corridors, bring them b

Patty, indignantly. "I just wa

e, and did indeed sit still as a mouse, l

ngs, and then Nan declared they must all go

y Hamilton agreed. So the evening proved a merry little festivi

sk Patty to the Garden Party at Regent's Pa

y Garden Party there are so many ways to spend, that I fear I'll be a burden to them. It makes me awfully uncomfortable

. Invite them all to be your guests at some especial s

partment in London, and their country place is fine. They have old servants, and

ing up of an establishment comes first with t

ather spend all I want on flowers and books and pretty hats, a

ause you've always ha

has plenty of money. But if he hadn't, I'd

girl affectionately. "Well, do your best to help the Ha

dfully proud they won't accept so much as a g

t may not be so dif

artley called for her in her carriage. Mabel was wi

a, along the busy streets of the city, and th

rty was gay with booths and flower-stands, tents

hman, whom Bob introduced as Mr. Lawton. The latter was a typical Bri

aimed, as he shook Mrs. Hartley's ha

ited to hear him say "Bah Jove!" But he didn't say it, he contented himself with "My word!" by

; "Mrs. Hartley and I will lead and the rest of you wil

re sauntering along a board walk, on either

lowed the leaders, and Ma

nds seated alongside, and stopped to speak to them. Patty was introduced so of

, suddenly noticing her expression. "Now, we'll sto

e soon comfortably sea

n't seen half of it yet. There's fortune-telling, and Punch and J

bill, before Mr. Lawton could

I'll get even with you! I hereby invi

u all to the play, or whatever it is, given by the Stagefright Club. I t

ard the tent where the play was to be given. Patty managed to walk ahead with Mr. Lawton, this time, and when they rea

ts for them all. It was gracefully done, and they all went in in gay

harity, and was played by the clever amateurs who had chosen such an odd name for their club. The situations in

figure in a sepulchral voice, as h

she c

obody

r: "Hist, she comes!" As the expected entrance was still delayed, he only said: "Well, she ought to b

ith laughter, the party went out again into the beautiful

hairs yonder, for I see some people I know over there. You can amuse yourselves with Punch and Judy, or Ring To

more grave and dignified than Bob and Grace. Mrs. Hartley often declared she could even trust him to match samples for her, so careful w

harity, she bought pretty souvenirs for Mabel and Mrs. Hartley, and

nce was made to look as much like a fiend as possible. With outlandish hoots and yel

to Mrs. Hartley, Patty noticed a gentleman who st

Patty?" asked Mabe

, slowly. "He's S

ve seen him often, but I

ty, took a few steps toward he

to the others, "I think I'll

ton; "we'll wait f

directly toward Sir Otho, who loo

she said, pleasan

was no responsiveness in his mann

ty, this was a strange question, but she b

im prettily; "I want to ask you how

e returned, but his face wa

involuntarily, "and you have

ow that, Miss

ther the tone in which it was said, but she

healthy, hearty-looking man; you

you see I never have

tty laughe

of things to laugh at,

on't feel li

er even feel

oft

it of a happy smile, when I gave you those fl

's face

ame to me?" he cried. "You

haughty now. "I'm no child to be scolded for nothing. Ho

ed and stammered and looked like a cho

pertinent Yankee. Wha

n the eye. Her chance had c

y at him, "I think you're an obstinate,

irate old man to strike her. But he did not. Instead, he looked at

unable to resist the infectiou

nishing. The strange part is, you are quite right. I am a stubborn old Pighe

tty, so gravely that Sir Oth

ness pleased the old man, "and yet, no one with such a

comfort; I always thought I was. But your friends are

ho,-won't you-please-send a flower

y gravely, and taking a few steps to a nearby flower stand, he bought a

ack to her friends, he raised h