d Roger's devotion."

"What's the matter with you, Elise? Where'd you get these crazy notions
about devotion and worship? If you'll excuse my French,--you make me
tired!"

"Don't you like to have the boys devoted to you, Patty?"

"No, I don't! I like their jolly friendship, of course. I like to talk to
Ken and Roger, or to Clifford Morse, or any of the boys of our set; but
as for _devotion_, I don't see any."

"None so blind as those who won't see," said Elise, who had finished
brushing her hair, and now sank down on an ottoman by Patty's side.

"Well, then, I'll stay blind, for I don't want to see devoted swains
worshipping the Persian rugs I walk on! Though if you mean these
beautiful rugs that are on all the floors of your house, Elise, I don't
know that I blame the swains so much. By the way, I suppose some of them
are 'prayer rugs' anyway, so that makes it all the more appropriate."

"Oh, Patty, you're such a silly! You're not like other girls."

"You surprise me, Elise! Also you flatter me! I had an idea I belonged to
the common herd."

"Patty, _will_ you be serious? Roger is terribly in love with you."

"Really, Elise? How interesting! Now, what would you do in a case like
that?"

"I'd consider it seriously, at any rate."

Patty put one finger to her forehead, frowned deeply, and gazed into the
fire for fully half a minute. Then she said:

"I've considered, Elise, and all I can think of is the 'Cow who
considered very well and gave the piper a penny.' Do you suppose Roger
would care for a penny?"

"He would, if you gave it to him," returned Elise, who was almost
petulant at Patty's continued raillery.

"Then he shall have it! Rich as the Farringtons are, if the son of the
house wants a penny of my fortune, it shall not be denied him!"

Patty had risen, and was stalking up and down the room with jerky
strides, and dramatic waving of her arms. Her golden hair hung in a curly
cloud over her blue silk kimono, and her voice thrilled with a tragic
intensity, though, of course, exaggerated to a ludicrous degree.

Having finished her speech, Patty retained her dramatic pose, and glared
at Elise like a very young and pretty Lady Macbeth.

"Oh, Patty," cried Elise, forgetting the subject in hand, "you ought to
be an actress! Do you know, you were quite stunning when you flung
yourself round so. And, Patty, with your voice,--your singing voice, I
mean,--you ought to go on the stage! _Do_, will you, Patty