charm, the aplomb, without the--what you call--the--the freshness. Is it
not so? But I do not mean the freshness of the cheek; and yet, in the
argot do you not say freshness is cheek? Ah, I am bewildered; I am mixup
with your strange words; but I will learn them! They shall not conquer
me! And you will help me; is it not so?"

"I will help you with pleasure, madame," replied Patty, dimpling with
fun as she heard the old lady's unsuccessful attempts in American slang.
"My name is Patty Fairfield; and though I seldom use the slang of my
country, I'm more or less familiar with its terms, and can enlighten you
concerning them, at least to a degree. To me your language is difficult;
but perhaps we may by conversation help each other."

"Patty Fairfield; a pleasant name for a pleasant child. But I'm not
madame; pray call me ma'amselle. I am Ma'amselle Labesse."

"You are a Frenchwoman, of course?" inquired Patty.

"A Frenchwoman, yes; but of an admiration for your strange American
country. I go home now, but I shall return again. Your country is of an
interest."

As Patty looked around at the others at their table, she felt that she
had been fortunate in sitting next to the old ma'amselle. For though she
could not judge entirely by appearances, no one else at the table seemed
to be so quaintly interesting as the old French lady.

Patty soon discovered that even a "few miles of dancing upon the blue
water" had decidedly sharpened her appetite, and she did full justice to
the delicate viands and delicious French cookery placed before her. She