You can't tell by looks; my sister looks like a strong, hearty girl,
but she's as fragile as a spring crocus."

"There's nothing fragiler than that," Patty remarked; "I've often tried
to keep the flimsy little things for a few hours, and even in water
they droop and peak and pine all to pieces."

"That's just like Alla," said Blaney. "She's psychic, you see----"

"Oh, is she!" cried Patty. "I've always wanted to know a real psychic.
Mayn't I meet her?"

"Indeed you may, she'll be pleased. Will you come round to the studio
today, while we're out sleighing?"

"No, not today," said Elise, positively. "Roger wouldn't stand for it.
He'll want to put in all the time there is on the road. And he's going
to New York tonight, I think."

"Oh, yes," and Blaney remembered. "Let's see, his wedding day is--when
is it?"

"Not till the fifteenth of December. But he and Mona have so much to
look after and attend to, that he spends most of his time on the road
between here and New York."

"Isn't Mona coming down here while I'm here?" asked Patty.

"She promised to," Elise replied, "but Mona's promises are not to be
implicitly depended on just now. She's getting married with all her
time and attention."

"Well, a wedding like hers is to be does take a lot of planning. And
Mona's looking after everything herself. She's a genius at that sort
of thing, but it seems as if she ought to have some one to help
her,--some relative, I mean."

"Her father's a big help," said Roger, who had returned just in time to
hear Patty's remark.

"Yes, I know it, but I mean a woman relative."

"I know," agreed Roger. "You're right, in a way. But Mona is so
accustomed to managing for herself that I'm pretty sure a meddling
relative would bother her to death."

"Probably would," agreed Patty. "Do we go sleigh-ridy, Roger?"

"We do. The fiery steeds will be here in fifteen minutes. Get warm
wraps, for it's blowing like blazes. Shall we go 'round by your
studio, Sam, and drop in on Alla?"

"No, please. I don't want to seem inhospitable, but I've decided I
want Miss Fairfield to see the studio first under proper conditions. I
want Alla to know when she's coming and----"

"And have her hair frizzed. I get you. All right. We'll drive 'round
the lake, and see how the going is, and then decide whether to keep on,
or go to some friend's for a cup of tea."

"You mustn't think my sister is a fuss," said Blaney to Patty, as she