n the reporters always allow themselves that pleasure."

"Oh, but that was before I knew you! I think now that you have perfectly
beautiful manners."

He bowed his thanks.

"I shall endeavor to have better in the future. It will be my pleasure
to put my greenhouses at the disposal of the young ladies of St.
Ursula's some afternoon soon."

"Really?" she smiled. "That's awfully nice of you!"

They repacked the hamper and divided the crumbs among the goldfish in
the fountain.

"And now," he inquired, "which will you visit first--the picture gallery
or the orchids?"

Patty emerged from the orchid house at four o'clock, her arms filled
with an unprecedented collection for Conny's book. The big yellow
four-in-hand coach was standing outside the stable being washed. She
examined it interestedly.

"Should you like to have me drive you home on that?"

"Oh, I'd love it!" Patty dimpled. "But I'm afraid it wouldn't be wise,"
she added on second thought. "No, I am sure it wouldn't be wise," she
firmly turned her back. Her eyes fell on the road, and an apprehensive
light sprang to her face.

"There's the hearse!"

"The hearse?"

"Yes, the school wagonette. I think I'd better be going."

He accompanied her back, through the vegetable garden and the enchanted
wood, and held her flowers while she crawled under the fence, tearing a
hole in the other shoulder of her blouse.

They shook hands through the barbed wire.

"I've enjoyed both the onions and the orchids," said Patty politely,
"and particularly the gingerbread. And if I ever have any convict
friends in need of employment, I may send them to you?"

"Do so," he urged. "I will find them a job here."

She started off, then turned to wave good-by to him.

"I've had a perfectly bully time!"

"A penny!" he called.

Patty laughed and ran.

XI

The Lemon Pie and the Monkey-Wrench

Evalina Smith was a morbid young person who loved to dabble in the
supernatural. Her taste in literature was for Edgar A. Poe. In religion
she inclined toward spiritualism. Her favorite amusement was to gather a
few shuddering friends about her, turn out the gas, and tell ghost
stories. She had an extensive repertoire of ghoulish incidents, that
were not fiction but the actual experience of people she knew. She had
even had one or two spiritual adventures herself; and she would set
forth the details with wide eyes and lowered voice, while her auditors
held one another's han