tion.

"That I won't, ma'am," was the hearty response, and the hat was laid back
in its box as carefully as an infant in its cradle. "I have ladies in my
own family, ma'am, and I know just how you feel about it."

"I'm perfectly willing to declare all my dutiable goods," went on Patty,
"but I do hate to have my nice things all tumbled up."

"Quite right, ma'am, quite right," amiably agreed the inspector, who had
fallen a victim to Patty's pretty face and bright smiles.

"Well, you did get through easily, Patty," said Elise, after it was over
and the trunks despatched by express. "When we came home, mother was half
a day fussing over customs."

"It's Patty's winning ways as does it," said Kenneth. "She hypnotised
that fat inspector with a mere glance of her eye."

"Nonsense!" said Patty, laughing; "it's an easy trick. They're always
nice and kind if you jolly them a little bit."

"Jolly me," said Kenneth, "and see how nice and kind I'll be."

"You're kind enough as you are," returned Patty. "If you were any kinder,
I'd be overwhelmed with obligations. But how are we all going to get into
this taxicab? Five into one won't go."

"That's easy," said Roger. "I'll perch outside with the chauffeur."

"No, let me," said Kenneth.

But after a good-natured controversy, Roger won the day, and climbed into
the front seat. Mr. Fairfield, Kenneth, and the two girls settled
themselves inside, and off they started for the Fairfields' home in
Seventy-second street.

"I don't see much change in the old town," remarked Patty, as they neared
the Flatiron.

"You don't, eh?" observed Kenneth. "Well, there's the Metropolitan
tower,--I guess you'll say that's pretty fine, if you have seen the
Campanile in Venice."

"But I didn't," returned Patty. "I was too late for the old one and too
soon for the new. But is this a Campanile, father? What _is_ a Campanile,
pure and simple?"

"A Campanile ought always to be pure and simple, of line," said Mr.
Fairfield; "but if you mean what is it specifically, it's a bell tower.
Listen, you'll hear the quarter-hour now."

"Oh, what lovely chimes!" cried Patty. "Let's move, father, and take a
house beneath the shadow of a great clock."

"I've moved enough for a while, my child; if I once get seated at my own
fireside, I shall stay there."

"How Christmassy things look," went on Patty, gazing out of the cab
window. "It's only the middle of December, but the streets are crowded
and there