so I'm glad to have her. Let's telegraph at once,--shall us?"

"Yes; but I don't like that haste of hers. It strikes me queer."

"Queer, how? She's impatient to start,--that's all. What else could it
mean?"

"I don't know, I'm sure. But the whole letter's queer,--if you ask me!"

"I _do_ ask you,--and I ask you _how_ it's queer."

"It's so,--so jumbly,--incoherent,--choppy."

"Pooh! don't criticise the lack of style in that poor country child. I'll
teach her to write letters,--and I won't let her know I'm teaching her,
either."

"You'll teach her lots of things,--I know,--and in that dear, gentle way
of yours, that couldn't hurt or offend anybody. Well, I'll telegraph,
then, for her to come ahead. What else shall I say?"

"Tell her what road to take, and all directions you can think of. Though
it sounds to me, as if she thought she would have no difficulty as to
travel."

"Sounds that way to me, too; but I suppose her father can look after such
details. Queer message from her father."

"Not at all. You said he wasn't overfond of you, so as he sends his
respects to you, I don't think you need ask for more."

"If she does start right off,--and I'm pretty sure she will,--she'll be
here in a week or so."

"Of course; but I'll be ready for her. I'll give her the yellow room.
It's big and sunny and has a lovely bath and dressing-room. It's all in
order, too, I'll just make some soft lacy pillows and give it some little
personal touches and it will be all ready for her. Oh, Billee,--think
what a lot we can do for her!"

Patty's eyes glowed with the anticipation of aiding the little country
girl, but Farnsworth was not so sanguine.

"You're running a risk, girlie," he said. "Suppose she turns out
impossible. The fact of her being my relative doesn't quite canonise
her, you know. Perhaps she _isn't_ a saint."

"Now, now, old calamity howler,--I don't want her to be a saint! I hope
and expect she'll be a sweet, docile nature, and her lack of culture,
if any, I shall try to remedy. Her lack of familiarity with social
customs and all that, I _know_ I can remedy. Oh, I expect a busy time
with her,--and I know I shall have to be tactful and kind,--but don't
you think I can be?"

Farnsworth kissed the wistful, questioning face upturned to his and
assured her that she most certainly could!

So Patty gaily set about her preparations of the pretty guest chamber.
She hoped Azalea liked yellow,--most girls did,--but i