was this discovery that
upset her, rather than the unexpected visit from her parents.

"Girlie, this won't do," began her father, in his kindest tones.

"I know it!" cried Patty, throwing down her work, and flinging herself
into her father's arms. "I can't do it, daddy, I can't! I haven't done
one yet, and I never can do thirty-six!"

"Thirty-six!" exclaimed Nan. "Patty, are you crazy?"

"I think I must have been," said Patty, laughing a little hysterically,
as she took the great pile of centrepieces from a wardrobe, and threw
them into Nan's lap.

"But,--but you said a dozen!" said Nan, bewildered.

"Oh, no, I didn't," returned Patty. "_You_ said, did I bring a dozen, and
I said yes. Also, I brought two dozen more."

"To do in a week!" said Nan, in an awe struck voice.

"Yes, to do in a week!" said Patty, mimicking Nan's tones; and then they
both laughed.

But Mr. Fairfield didn't laugh. His limited knowledge of embroidery made
him ignorant of how much work "three dozen" might mean, but he knew the
effect it had already had on Patty, and he knew it was time to interfere.

"My child----" he began, but Patty interrupted him.

"Don't waste words, daddy, dear," she said. "It's all over. I've tried
and failed; but remember, this is only my first attempt."

The fact that she realised her failure was in a way a relief, for the
strain of effort was over, and she could now see the absurdity of the
task she had undertaken.

She had reached what some one has called "the peace of defeat," and her
spirits reacted as after an escape from peril.

"I must have been crazy, Nan," she said, sitting down beside her on the
couch. "Just think; I've worked about six hours, and I've done about half
of one piece. And I brought thirty-six!"

This statement of the case gave Mr. Fairfield a clearer idea, and he
laughed, too.

"No, Patty; I think I need say nothing more. I see you know when you're
beaten, and I fancy you won't touch needle to that pile of work again! I
hope you can settle matters with your 'employer'; if not, I'll help you
out. But I want to congratulate you on your pluck and perseverance, even
if,--well, even if they were----"

"Crazy," supplemented Patty.

CHAPTER IX

SLIPS AND SLEEVES

The next morning Nan went with Patty to take the centrepieces back to the
embroidery company.

"I shall really like to see that woman," said Nan, as they reached the
shop.

"I'm sorry for her," said Patty; "sh