they that the two recipients donned them at once, and
posed side by side before the mirror, admiring themselves and each other.
Then, with a simultaneous impulse they turned to thank the donor, and Mr.
Fairfield found himself suddenly entangled in four arms and two boas,
while two immense muffs met at the back of his neck and enveloped his
head and ears.

"Have mercy!" he cried; "come one at a time, can't you? Yes, yes, I'm
glad you're pleased, but do get this fur out of my mouth! I feel as if I
were attacked by polar bears!"

"Oh, Fathery Fairfield," Patty cried, "you are the dearest thing in the
world! How _did_ you know I wanted furs? And white fox, of all things!
And ermine for Nan! Oh, but you _are_ a good gentleman! Isn't he,
stepmother?"

"He'll do," said Nan, smiling roguishly at her husband, who, somehow,
seemed satisfied with this faint praise.

"Now, scamper, Nan-girl," he cried, "if you would see your mother to-day,
you must leave here in less than an hour. Can you be ready?"

"I can't, but I will," replied Nan, gaily, as she ran away to prepare for
her journey.

Patty, too, went to her room to get ready for her visit at the
Farringtons'. She was to stay three days, and as there were several
parties planned for her entertainment, she packed a small trunk with
several of her prettiest gowns. Also, she had a suitcase full of gifts
for the Christmas tree, which was to be part of the festivities.

She bade her parents good-by when they started, and watched the new
motor-car disappear round the corner, then returned to her own
preparations.

"I do have lovely things," she thought to herself, as she folded her
dainty garments and laid them in their places.

Then she glanced again at her new furs.

"I have too much," she thought; "it isn't fair for one girl to have so
much, when so many poor people have nothing. I wonder what I ought to do
about it."

Poor Patty was confronting the problem that has troubled and baffled so
many honest hearts, but the more she thought about it, the more it seemed
insoluble.

"At any rate, it would be absurd to give my white furs, or my chiffon
frocks to poor people," she concluded, "for they couldn't use them. Well,
after the holidays, I'm going to see what I can do. But now, I must
hurry, or I'll be late."

An hour or two later, she found herself in the Farringtons' home.

"What lovely furs, Patty," exclaimed Mrs. Farrington, "and how well they
suit you!"

They