she said. "Do wait until to-morrow."

"There's no prospect of its being any better to-morrow," said Mr.
Fairfield, looking anxious; "and I think the sooner Nan gets away,
the better. She needs cool, bracing mountain air. The seashore
doesn't agree with her as it does with you, Patty."

"I know it," said Patty, who loved hot weather. "Well, perhaps
you'd better go, then; but it will be just BOILING on the train."

"No more so than here," said Nan, smiling. She wore a light pongee
silk travelling gown, which was the coolest garb she could think
of. "But what's bothering me is that Mrs. Parsons hasn't arrived
yet."

"Oh, she'll come to-day," said Patty. "Mona says she telegraphed
yesterday that it was too hot to travel, but she'd surely come to-
day."

Mrs. Parsons was the aunt who was to chaperon the two girls at
"Red Chimneys," and Nan wanted to see the lady before she gave
Patty into her charge.

"But it's going to be just as warm to-day," went on Nan. "Suppose
she can't travel to-day, either?"

"Oh, she'll have to," said Patty, lightly. "If you can travel, I
guess she can. Now, Nan, don't bother about her. You've enough to
do to think of yourself and try to keep cool. I'm glad Louise is
going with you. She's a good nurse, and you must let her take care