Yes, I can. It doesn't matter what time it is, so long as she's out.
I'll go just as I am."

"Not in a golf-cape!"

Patty hesitated an instant. "Well," she admitted, "I suppose the butler
might tell her. I'll put on a hat"--this with the air of one who is
making a really great concession. Some more banging of bureau drawers,
and she appeared in a black velvet hat trimmed with lace, with the brown
jacket of her suit over her red blouse, and a blue golf-skirt and very
muddy boots showing below.

"Patty, you're a disgrace to the room!" cried Priscilla. "Do you mean to
tell me that you are going to Mrs. Millard's in a short skirt and those
awful skating-shoes?"

"The butler won't look at my feet; I'm so beautiful above"; and Patty
banged the door behind her.

Georgie and Priscilla flattened themselves against the window to watch
the progress of the call.

"Look," gasped Priscilla. "There's Mrs. Millard going in at the back
door."

"And there's Patty. My, but she looks funny!"

"Call her back," cried Priscilla, wildly trying to open the window.

"Let her alone," laughed Georgie; "it will be such fun to gloat over
her."

The window came up with a jerk. "Patty! Patty!" shrieked Priscilla.

Patty turned and waved her hand airily. "Can't stop now--will be back in
a moment"; and she sped on around the corner.

The two stood watching the house for several minutes, vaguely expecting
an explosion of some sort to occur. But nothing happened. Patty was
swallowed as if by the grave, and the house gave no sign. They
accordingly shrugged their shoulders and dressed for dinner with the
philosophy which a life fraught with alarms and surprises gives.

* * * * *

DINNER was half over, and the table had finished discussing Patty's
demise, when that young lady trailed placidly in, smiled on the
expectant faces, and inquired what kind of soup they had had.

"Bean soup; it wasn't any good," said Georgie, impatiently. "What
happened? Did you have a nice call?"

"No, Maggie, I don't care for any soup to-night. Just bring me some
steak, please."

"Patty!" in a pleading chorus, "what happened?"

"Oh, I beg your pardon," said Patty, sweetly. "Yes, thank you, I had a
very pleasant call. May I trouble you for the bread, Lucille?"

"Patty, I think you're obnoxious," said Georgie. "Tell us what
happened."

"Well," began Patty, in a leisurely manner, "I said to the butler, 'Is
Mrs. Millard in?' an