Who sticked the fur upon your breast?
'Twas God, 'twas God what done it.'

Isn't that lovely?"

"It is, indeed," agreed Kenneth. "If that's Boston precocity, it's more
attractive than I thought."

"But it doesn't rhyme," said Elise.

"No," said Patty; "that's the beauty of it. It's blank verse, as the
greatest poetry often is. Don't go yet, Elise. Stay to dinner, can't
you?"

"No, I can't stay to-night, Patty, dear. Will you go skating to-morrow?"

Patty hesitated. She wanted to go, but also she wanted to get at that
"occupation" of hers, for she had a new one in view.

She was about to say she would go skating, however, when she saw a
twinkle in her father's eye that made her change her mind.

"Can't, Elise," she said. "I've an engagement to-morrow. Will telephone
you some day when I can go."

"Well, don't wait too long; the ice will be all gone."

Then the young people went away, and Patty went thoughtfully upstairs to
her room to dress for dinner.

CHAPTER XI

A BUSY MORNING

The next morning, Patty came down to breakfast, wearing a plain street
costume, a small, but very well made hat, and a look of determination.

"Fresh start?" said her father, smiling kindly at her.

"Yes," she replied; "and this time I conquer. I see success already
perching on my banners."

"Well, I don't then!" declared Nan. "I see you coming home, not with your
shield, but on it."

"Now, don't be a wet blanket and throw cold water on my plans," said
Patty, a little mixed in her metaphor, but smiling placidly at her
stepmother. "This time it's really a most sensible undertaking that I'm
going to undertake."

"Sounds as if you were going into the undertaking business," said her
father, "but I assume you don't mean that."

"No, I go into a pleasanter atmosphere than that suggests, and one in
which I feel sure I can accomplish good work."

"Well, Patty," said Mr. Fairfield, "it's lucky you're of a sanguine
temperament. I'm glad to see you're not disheartened by failure."

"Not I! To me a failure only means a more vigorous attempt next time.
Now, Nan, I shall be away all day,--until about five o'clock. Won't you
play with Darby and Juliet a little, so they won't get lonesome?"

"Oh, yes; I'll amuse them. But, Patty, where are you going?"

"Never mind, pretty stepmothery; don't ask questions, for they won't be
answered. If all goes well, I'll tell you on my return."

Mr. Fairfield lo