you
going to do on Christmas, Patty?"

"I don't know. Nan hasn't planned yet. She waited to see her mother
first. But I know Mrs. Allen will invite us to Philadelphia to spend
Christmas with her."

"You don't want to go, do you? Can't you spend Christmas with me,
instead?"

"Oh, I'd love to, Elise! It would be lots more fun. We'll ask father
to-night. How are all the girls?"

"They're all well, and crazy to see you. Hilda is making you the
loveliest Christmas present you ever saw. But, of course, I promised not
to tell you about it."

"No, don't tell me; I'd rather be surprised. Come on, I'm ready; let's go
down and talk to the boys."

Patty had done up her pretty hair in the prevailing fashion of the day;
but though the soft braids encircled her head, many little golden curls
escaped and made a soft outline round her face. Her frock, of pale rose
colour, had a collarless lace yoke, and was very becoming.

"You can wear any colour, Patty," declared Elise. "Of course, blue is
yours, by right, but you're dear in that pinky thing."

"Ah, sweet chub, I hoped I should be dear to thee in any old thing,"
remarked Patty, as, slipping her arm through that of Elise, the two girls
went downstairs.

"Ha, Patty resplendent!" exclaimed Roger, as they entered the library.
"Don't you dare to be a grown-up young lady, Patty Fairfield, or I shall
cut your acquaintance."

"Not I! Don't be alarmed, Roger. I am still childlike and bland."

"Your cousin Ethelyn is going to make her debut next week. I have a bid
to the ceremonies."

"Yes, so have I. Well, let her 'come out,' if she likes. I prefer to
'stay in' for another year, anyway."

"So do I," said Elise. "Mother says I ought to come out next winter, but
I'm not bothering about it yet."

"Let's have a good time this winter, then," said Kenneth, "while we're
all children. If you girls come out next winter, you'll be so gay with
dances and parties, I can't play with you at all."

"All right," agreed Patty. "But have you time to play, yourself, Ken? I
thought you were fearfully busy absorbing the laws of the United States."

"Oh, I do have to hammer at that all day, and some evenings, too. But
it's an unwritten law that a fellow must have some fun; so I'll take an
afternoon off now and then, to come round and tease you girls."

Then dinner was announced and, following their elders, the young people
went out to the dining-room.

"Oh, how pretty!" cried Patty, as she s