. "Did you have a
good time?"

"Fine," said Patty. "The Hartleys are lovely people; I like them better
than any I've met in London, so far. And they do puzzles, and ask
riddles, and they're just as clever and quick as Americans. I've heard
that English people were heavy and stupid, and they're not, a bit."

"You mustn't believe all you hear. Are they a large family?" "Not very.
Two sons, one daughter, and the mother and grandmother. Mabel's father
has been dead for years. And they want me to visit them at their home in
Leicester this summer. Can't I go?"

"Desert your own family for foreigners!"

"Yes; I do want to go there and to some other country places while you
and Nan go touristing about. Mayn't I?"

"We won't decide now. It's too near midnight for important matters to be
discussed. Skip to bed, chickabiddy, and dream of the Stars and Stripes,
lest you forget them entirely."

"Never!" cried Patty, striking a dramatic attitude.

"Though English people may be grand,
My heart is in my native land!"

And humming the Star-spangled Banner, she went away to her own room.

CHAPTER III

THE WHITE LADY

"I feel in a gay mood," said Nan, as she clasped Patty round the waist,
and always ready for a dance, Patty fell into step, and the two waltzed
round the room, while Patty sang tum-te-tum to the air of a popular song.

"As if you two ever felt any other way!" exclaimed Mr. Fairfield, smiling
at them from the depths of his easy chair. "But what does this gay mood
betoken? I suppose you want to drag me out to the theatre or opera
to-night."

Mr. Fairfield's pleasant smile belied his pretense at sharpness, and he
waited to hear a reply.

"That would be lovely," said Nan, "and we'll go if you invite us. But
what I had in mind is this: I'd like to dine in the Restaurant."

"Good!" cried Mr. Fairfield. "I feel gay enough for that, myself, and we
haven't dined there for nearly a week."

The Fairfields had a complete apartment of their own, and when not
invited out, usually dined quietly in their own dining-room. But
occasionally, when the mood took them, they dined in the great Savoy
Restaurant, which was a festive pageant indeed.

Patty loved to sit at a table there, and watch the beautiful women in
their elaborate gowns, and their handsome, stalwart escorts, who were
sometimes in brave uniforms.

The splendid scene would have palled upon them, had they dined there