"I'm awfully sorry about it," began Nan, but Patty stopped her at
once.

"There's nothing to be sorry about, Madame Nan," she cried, gaily;
"these provincial young people don't appreciate the advantages of
travel. They'd rather stay here in one place than jog about the
country, seeing all sorts of grand scenery and sights! Once I'm
away from this place I shall forget all about its petty frolics
and its foolish parties."

"Yes, you WILL!" exclaimed Jack, not at all impressed by Patty's
statements, for he knew how untrue they were.

"And the Country Club summer dance!" said Beatrice, regretfully.
"Patty, how can you be reconciled to missing that? It's the event
of the season! A fancy dance, you know. A sort of Kirmess. Oh,
DON'T go away!"

"Don't go away!" echoed Lora, and Jack broke into one of the
improvised songs for which he was famous:

"Don't go away from us, Patty, Patty,
We can't part with the likes of you!
Stay, and be Queen of the Pageant, Patty,
Patty, Patty, tender and true.
Though you are not very pretty, Patty,
Though you are liked by a very few;
We will put up with you, Patty, Patty,--
Patty, Patty, stay with us, do!"