pted Mr. Blaney's escort."

"That's right," said Blaney, heartily. "Oh, there'll be no
trouble,--no trouble at all. I'll take Miss Fairfield home, and if any
comments are made, they'll be made to me."

Patty felt uneasy. She didn't know exactly why, for she had done
nothing wrong, but it was so very late, and she wondered what the
Farringtons would think of her.

She got her wraps and Alla kissed her good-bye.

"Dear little Patricia," she said, affectionately. "It is all right.
It seems unaccustomed, I know, but you are ours now, and your friends
must get used to it."

It was only a few blocks to walk over to Pine Laurel, and Patty started
off with Sam Blaney.

"You're anxious, Miss Fairfield," he said, kindly, "and I'm sorry. Can
I help at all? I assure you I had no thought of your staying with us
longer than you wished. Shall I go in and explain to your friends?"

"No, thank you, Mr. Blaney," Patty said, after an instant's thought.
"I think, if you please, I would rather you would not come in. If I am
'scolded,' I'd rather stand it alone."

There were lights in the Farrington house when they arrived. At sound
of their steps on the veranda, the door opened, and Roger appeared.
"That you, Patty?" he said, pleasantly; "Hello, Blaney, will you come
in?"

"No, thanks; just brought Miss Fairfield home. She seemed to enjoy her
evening."

"That's good," returned Roger. "Good night, then, if you won't come
in."

Roger closed the door, and with his hand still on the knob, whispered
to Patty: "You're going to catch it from Phil! But I'll stand by you."

Patty's eyes flashed. She resented the idea of Van Reypen's authority,
and she was tired and bothered. But Roger's kindly attitude comforted
her, and she smiled at him.

"Good night, Roger," she said, aloud. "Thank you for waiting up for
me. I'm tired, and I'll go straight to my room. The girls have gone
up, I suppose."

"Wait a moment, Patty," and Van Reypen appeared in the doorway from the
sun-parlour, where the two men had been sitting, "wait a moment, I want
to speak to you."

"Not tonight, Phil, please. I'm very tired."

"You ought to be tired! Staying till all hours with that bunch of
trash! I'm ashamed of you!"

Patty was thoroughly angry. It took a good deal to make good-natured
Patty angry, but when her temper was roused, it meant a tempest. Also,
she was worn out mentally and physically and, more than all, she
resented Phili