tween them
they managed to tip over some small pots of valuable plants, but the
music and laughter in the drawing-room prevented any sounds in the
conservatory from being heard. At last Arabella was disgusted.

"I don't believe there's two fountains," she said.

"Then I'll _show_ you," said Patricia, "and I'll tell you how I know.
Just see here," and she pointed to the jet of water which flew high in
air, letting fall a veil of mist and spray.

"That's where the butler turns the water on to set the fountain playing.
I was in here once when I saw him turn that little thing round, and I
saw the water fly right up in a minute."

Arabella watched Patricia closely.

"But where's the _other_ fountain?" she asked impatiently.

"Oh, you'll see in a second. Come over here," Patricia said, laughing
softly.

[Illustration: "There! that's another fountain."]

"There!" she said, pointing to a pipe that ran along the floor beneath a
shelf filled with flowering plants; "that's _another_ fountain, and I
should think they'd have both playing when they have a party."

"That's _not_ a fountain!" said Arabella.

"Well, I guess I know, and so will you in a second, for I'm going to set
it going. See here!"

"Fizz-z-sss!"

A cloud of steam filled the little conservatory, and the two frightened
girls screamed with terror, believing that nothing less than an
explosion had happened. The servants rushed in and quickly turned off
the steam, while Mrs. Dainty and Aunt Charlotte, who had hastened to the
rescue, tried to quiet the fear of the mischief-makers.

Not a word was said of the beautiful plants which were now completely
ruined, and Mrs. Dainty's kindness made Patricia feel ashamed.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, and no one had ever before heard her say
that. Arabella was fairly hysterical, laughing and crying at the same
time, but Aunt Charlotte at last succeeded in calming her, and when the
little banquet was announced, they joined the other children, and were
as happy as any of the merry party that marched out to the great
dining-room.

CHAPTER IX

TWO SLEIGHRIDES

In the centre of the table was a huge round cake encrusted with
gorgeous frosting in the forms of beautiful flowers. Around its sides
were festoons of buds and blossoms, while here and there a sugar
butterfly was poised as if ready for flight.

There were flowers beside every plate, there were ices in wonderful
shapes, there were bonbons and nuts in