nsider Bill a
rustic,--uncultured, and all that, I mean?"

Patty looked serious. "No, Adele, I don't. He hasn't a certain
polish, that some men have, but he is a thorough gentleman and a
splendid man. I must say that, in all honesty. But he is a
domineering, head-strong nature, and he couldn't make any girl happy!"

"Oh, couldn't he!" said Adele, but she said it to herself, not aloud.

The subject was really dropped then, and Patty began to dress for
luncheon.

"I'm going to put on this white crepe de chine," she said. "I found it
hanging in the wardrobe, left from last summer. I'd almost forgotten I
had it. It's a pretty frock, isn't it?"

"Yes. But, I grieve to state, Pattibelle, we'll be alone at lunch, you
and I. Jim has gone miles off in the country, and won't be back before
six or so."

"Whatever for?"

"Oh,--on some business."

"Business! On Sunday?"

"He's looking at a car he's thinking of buying. The man could only see
him today."

"Oh, well, all right. But I'll dress up anyway, for my own
self-respect. I like myself better in a pretty gown, and I'm not going
to take naps all day today, I can tell you."

Patty flew around, making her toilette, and humming little snatches of
song. Adele thought she had never seen her look so pretty. The white
frock was soft and filmy; the round neck a trifle low, the frilled
sleeves showing her dimpled arms, and a soft sash made of a breadth of
palest pink silk, round the waist.

"You're a dream!" declared Adele. "It's a shame to waste such a vision
of beauty on me. I believe I'll telephone for Bob Peyton to come over
to lunch."

"No, don't. I'd rather not have him. I like to be alone with you much
better. Ask him over for dinner, if you like."

So the two lunched alone, and then came the difficult crisis.

Patty flatly rebelled against Adele's suggestion that she take an
afternoon nap to be fresh for the evening.

"What's the matter with you, Adele?" she laughed. "Do you think I'm a
dormouse? Or a bear who wants to hibernate? I'm as wide-awake as you
are!"

"It isn't that, Patty," and poor Adele was at her wits' end, "but
you're really run down--er--nerve exhaustion, you know----"

"Well, _your_ nerve isn't exhausted! To make me go to bed by day,--all
the whole time!"

"Now, Patsy, don't be stubborn. Give me my way, this once. If you'll
go to your room, and stay there and rest quietly till five o'clock, I
won't say another wo