"You are very welcome, Azalea. Will you sit here a few minutes before we
go in the house?"

"Sure! I'll spill myself right into this double-decker!"

She threw herself into a long wicker lounging-seat, of the steamer-chair
type, and stretched out her feet in evident enjoyment of the relaxation.

"Well, this is comfort, after travelling cross country for days and days!
I say, Cousin, it was awful good of you to ask me."

"Think so?" and Patty tried to smile pleasantly. She avoided catching
Bill's eye, for the poor man was overcome with shame and consternation
that his relative should be so impossible.

"Yep,--I do. My! this place of yours is swell. I never saw such a grand
house--close to. You're rich, ain't you, Cousin William?"

"So, so," Farnsworth replied, gazing at the girl in a sort of horrified
fascination. "You've changed since last we met," he went on, in an
endeavour to make casual conversation.

"Well, yes, I s'pose so. They tell me I was a squalling young one when
you were at the Corners. Was I a terror?"

"Not then!" Bill wanted to answer, but of course he didn't.

"Not at all," he said, pleasantly. "You were a pretty baby--"

"But greatly changed,--hey?"