our coming so unexpectedly."

"Oh, my dear, how good you are!" said Mrs. Roland in a burst of
gratitude. "I cannot tell you how I appreciate your kindness! Are you
sure your parents won't mind?"

"I'm not at all sure of that," said Patty, smiling, "but I don't see as
they can help themselves; when they come home, you will probably be in
possession, and your guests will be here, so there'll be nothing for my
people to do but to fall in with my plans."

"Oh, how good you are," said Mrs. Roland. "I will surely make this up to
you in some way, and now, will you just show me about the house a bit, as
I've never been here before?"

So Patty piloted Mrs. Roland about the house, showed her the various
rooms, and told the servants that they were at Mrs. Roland's orders for
that night and the next morning.

After Mrs. Roland had gone back home, made happy by Patty's kindness,
Patty began to think that she had done a very extraordinary thing, and
wondered what her father and Nan would say.

"But," she thought to herself, "I'm in for it now, and they'll have to
abide by my decision, whatever they think. Now I must pack some things
for our visit. But first I must telephone to Aunt Grace."

"Hello, Auntie," said Patty, at the telephone, a few moments later. "Papa
and Nan and I want to come over to the Hurly-Burly to dinner, and to stay
all night. Will you have us?"

"Why, of course, Patty, child, we're glad to have you. Come right along
and stay as long as you like. But what's the matter? Has your cook left,
or is the house on fire?"

"Neither, Aunt Grace, but I'll explain when I get there. Can you send
somebody after me in a carriage? Papa and Nan have gone off in the cart,
and I have two suit cases to bring."

"Certainly, Patty, I'll send old Dill after you right away, and I'll make
him hurry, too, as you seem to be anxious to start."

"I am," said Patty, laughing. "Good-bye."

Then she gathered together such clothing and belongings as were necessary
for their visit, and had two suit cases ready packed when her aunt's
carriage came for her.

Patty looked a little dubious as she left the house, but she didn't feel
that she could have acted otherwise than as she had done, and, too, since
their own trusty servants were to stay there, certainly no harm could
come to the place.

So, giggling at the whole performance, Patty jumped into the Barlow
carriage and went to the Hurly-Burly.

"Well, of all things!" said her Au