. But, he didn't strike me as very
erudite. Why, Patty, he didn't know who those poets _were_, I asked
him about!"

"Oh, yes, he did. He didn't want to discuss 'em, that's all."

"Nonsense! I saw his expression. He didn't know them, I tell you. He
has never read a word of them."

"Well, he doesn't have to. He can write his own poems."

"Does he? Is he a poet, really?"

"Yes, Nan, he is. And he's all right, and Alla is, too. I don't like
all their associate souls, but I like a lot of them, and you would too,
if you saw them in their proper setting. Anyhow, their old symposium
has tired my little brain all up, and with many thanks for your kind
charity,--what there was of it--I'll let you go, if you really feel you
must."

Nan laughed, for there was deep good feeling between these two, then
she kissed Patty good night and went off with the empty tray.

CHAPTER XII

AN ODD DINNER PARTY

A few nights later, Patty invited the two Blaneys to dinner. Nan
wanted to meet Alla, and Mr. Fairfield, too, expressed a desire to see
these new friends of Patty's.

"Me and the two companies is three," said Patty, making up her party,
"and you and Dad are five. Who'd make a good sixth?"

"Only six?" asked Nan. "Why not a big dinner?"

"No; I don't think so. You see, the Blaneys don't fit in with
everybody, and I want them to have a good time."

"Oh, I mean ask their own sort of people."

Patty looked up, quickly. "Now, Nan, don't be unpleasant. You're
implying that their kind of people are not as nice as our kind, and
that hurts my feelinks, and you know it. I want you wid me on
this,--not agin me."

"I am, Patty. I don't mean to be horrid. Well, have six, if you like.
Who else?"

"Chick Channing, I think. He's so adaptable and all-round nice with
everybody. Phil hates the Blaneys, and----"

"Mr. Farnsworth?"

"I don't think he'd like them, either. And,--too,--Bill isn't very
chummy with me lately."

"Why not?"

"Dunno."

"Did you quarrel?"

"Now, Nan, don't ask such leading questions. We didn't exactly
quarrel, and yet again, I suppose we did quarrel,--at least, I did,--he
didn't. I sort of snubbed him, and he took it more seriously than I
meant, if you call that a quarrel. But anyway, he wouldn't stand for
the Blaney crowd, I'm sure of that."

"All right, ask Chick. As you say, he'll chum with anybody. He's a
splendid dinner guest."

Channing accepted the invitation wi