wares that the city shops displayed.

"And I do think," she said, "that things are just as pretty and just as
cheap here as over there."

"Some things," agreed Nan.

"Yes; I mean just the regular wares. Of course, for Roman silks and
Florentine mosaics it's better to shop where they grow. What's father
going to give me, Nan?"

"Inquisitive creature! I shouldn't tell you if I knew, but as I don't
know, and he doesn't either, I may as well tell you that he'd be glad of
a hint. What would you like?"

"Honestly, I don't know of a thing! Isn't it awful to have everything you
want?"

"You're a contented little girl, Patty. And that's a noble trait, I
admit. But just at Christmas time it's trying. Now, if you only wanted a
watch, or a diamond ring, or some trifle like that, I'd be glad to give
your father a hint."

"Thank you, stepmamma," said Patty, smiling; "but I have a watch, and I'm
too young for diamonds. I can't help it if I'm amply supplied with this
world's goods. And think of the lots of gifts I'll get, anyway! Perhaps
father'd better just give me the money and let me put it in the bank
against a rainy day."

"Why, Patty, you're not getting mercenary, I hope! What do you want of
money in the bank?"

Patty looked earnest.

"No, I don't think I'm mercenary," she said, slowly, "but, Nan, you never
know what may happen. Suppose father should lose all his money."

"Nonsense! he can't do that. It's most carefully invested, and you know,
Patty, he thinks of retiring from business in a year or two more."

"I know it," said Patty, with a little sigh. "I know we're rich. Not
wealthy, like the Farringtons, but plenty rich enough. Only, you often
hear of rich men losing their money, and sometimes I think I ought to
save up some."

"Goosie!" said Nan, smiling fondly at her; "don't bother your curly head
about such things before it's necessary."

"All right, then, I won't," said Patty, shaking the curly head and
smiling back.

That afternoon she went to see Clementine Morse. Clementine had called
one day when Patty was not at home, so this was the first time the girls
had met since Patty's return.

The maid asked Patty to go right up to Clementine's own room, and there
Patty found her friend surrounded by what looked like a whirlwind of
rainbow-coloured rags.

On tables, chairs, and even on the floor, were scraps and bits of silks,
satins, ribbons, and laces, and in a low chair sat Clementine, sewing
rapid