I let myself go like
that. But you do stir me up,--you and Elise."

"Glad of it," said Elise, "you ought to be stirred up once in a while.
But don't go, Patty. Here comes Daisy,--and, well, if it isn't Bill
Farnsworth with her! I didn't know he was in town. He's in and out so
much, it's hard to keep track of him. Come in, Daisy, take off your
furs. Glad to see you, Bill. Here's Patty Fairfield."

"So I see," laughed Farnsworth, as he held out his hand. "Going? Why
go yet? Hello, Van Reypen."

"Hello, Bill. Thought you were on your way to or from Arizona. How do
you know where to vote, anyhow?"

"Guess at it. But I'm not going to live on the road so much as
formerly. I've cleaned things up a bit, and shall sort of settle in
New York from now on."

"Good! Glad to give you the freedom of our city. And you, Daisy? Are
you going to live East, also?"

"Haven't decided yet," and Daisy glanced coquettishly at Farnsworth.
"Maybe so."

"Don't you go yet, Patty," begged Elise. "Stay a while longer, and
we'll have tea,--chocolate, too, which I know you like better."

"'Course I'll stay," said Patty; "your chocolate is always the best
ever. Order it up. What beautiful violets, Daisy."

"Yes, Bill bought them for me as we passed a florist's shop. I adore
violets."

"What girl doesn't?" laughed Patty. "At least she adores having them
bought for her."

"I don't," said Elise. "I'd rather have one rose than all the violets
that ever bloomed in the spring, tra-la."

"What's your favourite flower, Patty?" asked Farnsworth.

"Sunflowers, but nobody ever sends me any. I just get old orchids and
things."

"Poor kiddy! I wish I could get a sunflower or two for you. But I
fancy, at this season of the year, they're about as scarce as blue
roses."

"'It is but an idle quest, Roses red and white are best,'"

sang Patty, with a smile at Big Bill.

"Do you know that?" he asked, interestedly. "I never heard you sing
it."

"Oh, it's one of her best songs," cried Elise; "sing it now,
Patty,--you'll have time before the chocolate comes."

"Too much bother," said Patty; "we'd have to go in the music room and
all. I'll sing it for you some other time, Little Billee."

"All right," he responded, carelessly, and again Patty felt a slight
chagrin that he cared so little about the matter.

Other people drifted in, as the young folks were apt to do at tea time,
and then the chocolate arrived, and Patty f