this old brass stuff would be lovely if it were
cleaned up. And look at that copper kettle! It's positively blue!"

"But that's what they want, dear," said Van Reypen, smiling at her.
"Howsumever, I'm glad you don't like it. We won't model our home on a
Bohemian plan."

"And look at the people," went on Patty, in an awe-struck whisper.
"Some of them are decent, like our crowd,--but look at that girl in
orange!"

The girl in question wore a costume of flame-coloured woolen material
that was indeed striking. Her black hair was in two long braids, and
she was carrying a small musical instrument that Philip said was a
zithern.

"I don't know," he went on, "but I fancy she will play a sort of
accompaniment to our host's poems. They generally work it that way."

"Stop making fun, Phil," reproved Patty; "perhaps the poems will be
lovely,--with musical setting."

"Perhaps," said Philip.

CHAPTER III

PHILIP OBJECTS

The place became crowded. The two rooms occupied by the guests were
small, and the party was a large one. Though not greatly attracted by
the unusual sights and strange people, Patty was interested and
curious. She wanted to see the affair in its entirety, and was glad
when Sam Blaney came over to where she sat by Philip on the divan.

"I've come to carry you off," Blaney said to her; "you must mingle with
the crowd, if you want to become one of us."

"I'd like to mingle a little," Patty replied, "but I can't hope to
become one of such a talented bunch as this."

"They're not all so talented," Blaney assured her, as he led her away,
leaving Philip a bit moody and disapproving.

"It's their clothes that astound me," said Patty. "Why do they wear
such queer rigs? Almost like a masquerade or fancy-dress ball. You,
for instance; why do you wear this Oriental robe and turban?"

"Now that you ask me, I don't believe I know! But it's habit, I think.
Yes, that's it, it's just habit. We who possess higher intellect than
our fellows must differentiate ourselves in some way from them, and how
else but by a difference of raiment?"

"Well, that does explain it, but why such queer raiment? Why not
beautiful garments instead of eccentric ones?"

"Ah, that's just it! They are beautiful, only you're not of sufficient
intelligence to appreciate their beauty."

"What!" cried Patty, scarcely able to believe she had heard aright,
"I'm not intelligent enough----"

"Oh, don't get miffed. Your