ience found Sextoness Jane standing in mute
astonishment.
"Betsy looks like she was just going to say--'take your hands out of
the dish!' doesn't she?" Patience commented. Betsy had once helped out
at the parsonage, during a brief illness of Miranda's, and the young
lady knew whereof she spoke.
"I'd never've thought," Jane said slowly, "that anyone'd get that fond
of Sister Todd--as to want a picture of her!"
"Oh, it's because she's such a character, you know," Patience explained
serenely. Jane was so good about letting one explain things. "'A
perfect character,' I heard one of those artist men say so."
Jane shook her head dubiously. "Not what I'd call a 'perfect'
character--not that I've got anything against Sister Todd; but she's
too fond of finding out a body's faults."
Patience went off then in search of empty tea-cups. She was having a
beautiful time; at present only one cloud overshadowed her horizon.
Already some tiresome folks were beginning to think about going. There
was the talk of chores to be done, suppers to get, and with the
breaking up, must come an end to her share in the party. For mother,
though approached in the most delicate fashion, had proved obdurate
regarding the further festivity to follow. Had mother been willing to
consider the matter, Patience would have cheerfully undertaken to
procure the necessary invitation. Shirley was a very obliging girl.
"And really, my dears," she said, addressing the three P's
collectively, "it does seem a pity to have to go home before the fun's
all over. And I could manage it--Bob would take me out rowing--if I
coaxed--he rows very slowly. I don't suppose, for one moment, that we
would get back in time. I believe--" For fully three minutes,
Patience sat quite still in one of the studio window seats, oblivious
of the chatter going on all about her; then into her blue eyes came a
look not seen there very often--"No," she said sternly, shaking her
head at Phil, much to his surprise, for he wasn't doing anything.
"No--it wouldn't be _square_--and there would be the most awful to-do
afterwards."
When a moment or two later, Mrs. Shaw called to her to come, that
father was waiting, Patience responded with a very good grace. But Mr.
Dayre caught the wistful look in the child's face. "Bless me," he said
heartily. "You're not going to take Patience home with you, Mrs. Shaw?
Let her stay for the tea--the young people won't keep late hours, I
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