on they went to the dressmaker's.

Patty put on a smart tailored costume, and almost regretted that she had
left her white furs at home. But she and Nan had agreed that they were
too elaborate for her use as a companion, so she wore a small neckpiece
and muff of chinchilla. But it suited well her dark-blue cloth suit and
plain but chic black velvet hat.

The dressmaker, an ultra-fashionable modiste, looked at Patty with
interest, recognising in her costume the work of adept hands.

Moreover, Patty's praise and criticism of Mrs. Van Reypen's new gowns
showed her to be a young woman of taste and knowledge in such matters.

Both the modiste and her aristocratic patron were a little puzzled at
Patty's attitude, which, though modest and deferential, was yet sure and
true in its judgments and opinions.

At last, when Mrs. Van Reypen was undergoing some tedious fitting, Patty
had an inspiration.

"May I be excused long enough to telephone?" she asked.

"Certainly," said Mrs. Van Reypen, who was in high good humour, because
of her new finery. "Take all the time you like."

Patty had noticed a telephone booth in the hall, and, shutting herself in
it, she called up Nan.

By good fortune Nan was at home, and answered at once.

"Oh!" began Patty, giggling, "I've so much to tell you, and it's all so
funny, I can't say a word. We're at the dressmaker's now, and I took this
chance to call you up, because I won't be overheard. Oh, Nan, it's great
fun!"

"Tell me the principal facts, Patty. And stop giggling. Is she kind to
you? Is she patronising? Have you a pleasant room? Do you want to come
home? Are you happy there?"

"Oh, Nan, wait a minute, for goodness' sake! Yes, she's patronising--she
won't let me speak to her grand nephew. Oh--I don't mean her grand
nephew! I mean her grand, gorgeous, extraordinary nephew. But I don't
care; I've no desire to speak to him."

"Does he live there?"

"No; and never mind about him, anyway. How are you all? Is father well?
Oh, Nan, it seems as if I'd been away from home a year! And what do you
think? I have to dance for her to amuse her!"

"Patty! Not really? Well, you can do that all right."

"Sure I can! Oh, she's a peach! Don't reprove my slang, Nan; I have to be
so precise when I'm on duty. Well, I must say good-by now. I'll write you
a long letter as soon as I get a chance. To-night we're going to see
Mlle. Thingamajig dance, and to-morrow night, to the opera. So you see
I'm