"Patty, you little goose, stop your nonsense! What's the matter with
you to-night, anyway?"

"Honestly, Philip," said Patty, very low, "your aunt's parties
always make me want to giggle. They're heavenly parties, and I
simply ADORE to be at them, but her friends are so--well, so aged,
you know, and they seem to--well, to be so interested in their
dinner."

"_I_'m my aunt's guest, and _I_'m not a bit interested in my
dinner."

"Well, you may as well be, for I'm going to talk to Mr. Crosby now."

Seeing that Mr. Crosby's attention was unclaimed for the moment,
Patty turned to him, saying, with great animation: "Oh, Mr. Crosby,
MAY I ask you something? I'm AWFULLY ignorant, you know, and you're
so wise."

"Yes, yes, what is it?" And the great Oriental scholar looked
benignly at her over his glasses.

Now naughty Patty hadn't any question to ask, and she had only
turned to her neighbour to tease Philip, so she floundered a little
as she tried to think of some intelligent enquiry.

"What is it. Miss Fairfield?" prompted Mr. Crosby.

Patty cast a fleeting glance toward Philip, as if appealing for