y judge, my dear, since I have to superintend all
these things, I'll really get along better without you. Now, you get
dressed, and run right along to the Barlows'. James will take you over in
the pony cart, and he'll come for you again at eight o'clock this
evening. Mind, now, you're not to stay a minute after eight o'clock, for
I have invited some young people here to see you. I'll send the carriage
to-night, and then you can bring your Barlow cousins back with you."

As Mrs. Allen rattled on, she had been fussing around the room getting
out Patty's clothes to wear that day, and acting in such a generally
motherly manner that Patty felt sure she must be missing Nan, and she
couldn't help feeling very sorry for her, and told her so.

"Yes," said Mrs. Allen, "it's awful. I've only just begun to realise that
I've lost my girl; still it had to come, I suppose, sooner or later, and
I wouldn't put a straw in the way of Nan's happiness. Well, I shall get
used to it in time, I suppose, and then sometimes I shall expect Nan to
come and visit me."

CHAPTER III

ATLANTIC CITY

Patty's day at the Barlows' was a decided contrast to her visit at Mrs.
Allen's.

In the Allen home every detail of housekeeping was complete and very
carefully looked after, while at the Barlows' everything went along in a
slipshod, hit-or-miss fashion.

Patty well remembered her visit at their summer home which they called
the Hurly-Burly, and she could not see that their city residence was any
less deserving of the name. Her Aunt Grace and Uncle Ted were jolly,
good-natured people, who cared little about system or method in their
home. The result was that things often went wrong, but nobody cared
especially if they did.

"I meant to have a nicer luncheon for you, Patty," said her aunt, as they
sat down at the table, "but the cook forgot to order lobsters, and when I
telephoned for fresh peas the grocer said I was too late, for they were
all sold. I'm so sorry, for I do love hothouse peas, don't you?"

"I don't care what I have to eat, Aunt Grace. I just came to visit you
people, you know, and the luncheon doesn't matter a bit."

"That's nice of you to say so, child. I remember what an adaptable little
thing you were when you were with us down in the country, and really, you
did us quite a lot of good that summer. You taught Bumble how to keep her
bureau drawers in order. She's forgotten it now, but it was nice while it
lasted."

"_