d with work
month in and month out, and the years were hurrying him fast on into old
age.

And so Tattine was fond of Patrick, for what (child though she was) she
knew him to be, and they spent many a delightful hour in each other's
company.

"Patrick," said Tattine, on this particular morning, when they were
raking away side by side, "does Mrs. Kirk ever have a day at home?" and
she glanced at Patrick a little mischievously, doubting if he would know
just what she meant.

"Shure she has all her days at home, Miss Tattine, save on a holiday,
when we go for a day's drive to some of our neighbors', but I doubt if
I'm catching just what you're maning."

"Oh! I mean does she have a day sometimes when she gets ready for
company and expects to have people come and see her, the way ladies do
in town?"

"Well, no, miss; she don't do that, for, tin to one, nobody'd come if
she did. We belongs to the workin' classes, Molly and I, and we has no
time for the doing of the loikes of city people."

"I'm sorry she hasn't a day," said Tattine, "because--because--"

"If ye're maning that you'd like to give us a call, miss," said Patrick,
beginning to take in the situation, "shure she could have a day at home
as aisy as the foinest lady, and proud indeed she'd be to have it with
your little self for the guest of honor."

"I would like to bring Rudolph and Mabel, Patrick."

"And what should hinder, miss?"

"And I'd like to have it an all-day-at-home, say from eleven in the
morning until five in the afternoon, and not make just a little call,
Patrick."

"Of course, miss, a regular long day, with your donkey put into a stall
in the barn, and yourselves and the donkey biding for the best dinner we
can give ye."

"And I'd like to have you there, Patrick, because we might not feel AT
HOME just with Mrs. Kirk."

"Well, I don't know, miss; do you suppose your Father could spare me?"
and Patrick thought a little regretfully of the dollar and a half he
would insist upon foregoing if he took a day off, but at the same
moment he berated himself soundly for having such an ungenerous thought.
"Indade, miss, if you'll manage for me to have the day I'll gladly stay
to home to make ye welcome."

"Then it's settled, Patrick, and we'll make it the very first day Papa
can spare you." They had raked down, while they had been having this
conversation, to close proximity to two pretty rows of apple-trees that
had been left on the front lawn,