"Tow-headed, am I?" and Patty ran to her father, and rubbed her
golden curls against his own blond head. "And, if you please, where
did I inherit my tow? If I hadn't had a tow-headed father I might
have been the poppy-cheeked brunette that everybody admires. It
isn't fair for YOU to comment on MY tow-head!"

"That's so, Pattikins; and I take it all back," for Mr. Fairfield
could never resist his pretty daughter's cajolery. "You are a pretty
little doll-faced thing, and I expect I'll have to forgive your very
reprehensible behaviour."

"I'm NOT a doll-face," said Patty, pouting; "I shan't let you go
until you take THAT back."

As Patty had her arms tightly round her father's neck, he considered
it the better part of valour to take back his words. "All right," he
said, "rather than be garroted,--I retract! You're a beautiful and
dignified lady, and your notions of convention and etiquette are
above reproach."

"They're above YOUR reproaches, anyhow," returned Patty, saucily,
and then she ran away to her own room.




CHAPTER IV

A PERFECTLY GOOD JOKE