n the place was the
red-headed boy; and he talked such fearful slang it cured me of ever
using it again! Father will be glad of that, anyway. Hereafter I shall
converse in Henry James diction. Why, Nan, he said, 'Pipe de guy wit' de
goggles'!"

"What did he mean?" asked Nan, puzzled.

"Oh, he meant, 'observe the gentleman wearing spectacles.'"

"How did you know?"

"Intuition, I suppose. And then, he pointed to the man in question."

"Patty, you'll get more slangy still, if you go among such people."

"No, I won't. There's no cure like an awful example. Watch the elegance
of my conversation from now on. And besides, Nan, you mustn't act as if I
associated with them socially. I assure you I was quite the haughty lady.
But that slangy boy was an angel unawares. I'd probably be there yet but
for his kindly aid."

"Well, I suppose you'll have to carry this absurd scheme through. And,
Patty, I'll help you in any way I can. Don't you want me to wind silks,
or something?"

"No, ducky stepmother of mine. The only way you can help is to head off
callers. I can do the work if I can keep at it. But if the girls come
bothering round, I'll never get it done. Now, this afternoon, I want to
do a lot, so if any one asks for me, won't you gently but firmly refuse
to let them see me? Make yourself so entertaining that they'll forget my
existence."

"I'll try," said Nan, dubiously; "but if it's Elise or Clementine,
they'll insist on seeing you."

"Let 'em insist. Tell 'em I have a sick headache,--for I feel sure I
shall before the afternoon's over."

"Now, Patty, I won't have that sort of thing! You may work an hour or so,
then you must rest, or go for a drive, or chat with the girls, or
something."

"I will, other days, Nan. But to-day I want to put in the solid afternoon
working, so I'll know how much I can accomplish."

"Have you really a dozen of those things to do, Patty?"

"Yes, I have." Patty didn't dare say she had three dozen. "And if I do
well this afternoon, I can calculate how long the work will take. Oh,
Nan, I do want to succeed. It isn't only the work, you know, it's the
principle. I hate to be baffled; and I _won't_ be!"

A stubborn look came into Patty's pretty eyes,--a look which Nan knew
well. A look which meant that the indomitable will might be broken but
not bent, and that Patty would persevere in her chosen course until she
conquered or was herself defeated.

So, after luncheon, she returned to