he'll probably bob back and forth. He doesn't think any more of crossing
the ocean than of crossing the street. Have you much to do to get ready
to go?"

"No, not much. Nan says for me not to get a lot of clothes, for it's
better to buy them over there; and papa says I can buy all I want, only
of course I can't be as extravagant as you are."

"Oh, pshaw, I'm not extravagant! I don't care much about spending money,
only of course I like to have some nice things. And I do love to buy
pictures and books. But we'll have an awful lot of fun together. I think
it's fun just to be with you, Patty. And the idea of having you all to
myself for a whole winter, without Hilda, or Lorraine, or anybody
claiming a part of you, is the best of it all. I do love you a lot,
Patty, more than you realise, I think."

"You've set your affections on a worthless object, then; and I warn you
that before the winter is over you're likely to discover that for
yourself. You always did overestimate me, Elise."

"Indeed I didn't; but as you well know, from that first day at the
Oliphant school, when you were so kind to me, I've never liked anybody
half as much as I do you."

"You're extremely flattering," said Patty, as she kissed her friend,
"and I only hope this winter won't prove a disillusion."

"I'm not at all afraid," returned Elise gaily; "and oh, Patty, won't we
have a jolly time on board the steamer! It's a long trip, you know, and
we must take books to read and games to play, for as there'll probably