to like her much better than at first. Nor did she like Mona's
home, with its ostentatiously expensive appointments, both indoors
and out. And yet, it was exceedingly comfortable and luxurious,
and Patty knew she could do exactly as she chose in every respect.

But, again, Patty was a favourite in Spring Beach society, and
Mona was not. This might cause complications in the matter of
invitations to entertainments. But Patty knew this would mostly
redound to Mona's benefit. She would be asked on Patty's account
to places where otherwise she would not have been invited. And
Patty well knew SHE would be left out of nothing just because she
was visiting Mona.

And yet, to accept her hospitality for two months meant to
acknowledge her as an intimate friend,--a chosen companion. Was it
quite honest to do this when, privately, Patty disapproved of many
of Mona's ways and tastes? Then, it occurred to Patty that Mr.
Hepworth had urged her to do what she could to help Mona,--to
improve her manners, her dress, her tastes. Patty jumped at this
idea, and then as suddenly paused to scrutinise her own motives,
and make sure she was not pretending to herself that she did for
Mona's sake what she was really doing for her own. But being quick
at decisions, she saw at once that it was about evenly divided.
She was willing, if she could, to help Mona in any way, and she
felt that this justified her in accepting the offered hospitality
of one whom she couldn't emulate.

Mr. Fairfield watched Patty's face closely, and knew pretty well
what sort of a mental controversy she was holding with herself. He
was not surprised when she said at last: