n as
much as formerly."

"Pooh! I know that! I didn't mean to,--but I forgot. I guess I know how
to behave,--if I don't always do it!"

"I'm glad you do, Zaly,--and, listen, dear, you're my relative, you know,
and I'm going to ask you to try to _use_ your knowledge,--for Patty is
too polite to mention such subjects!"

"Oh, I don't mind! Pick on me all you like,--either of you. I suppose
there are some frills I'm not onto,--but I'm quick at catchin' on,--and
I'll get there, Eli!"

Norah returned then, and the subject was not continued. Coffee was served
in the library and the small cups excited Azalea's scorn.

"Skimpy, I call it!" she cried. "And where's the milk?"

"You may have cream if you wish it, Azalea," said Patty, a little tired
of smiling. "Norah will bring some."

"Oh, let me get it," and Azalea jumped up. "I remember, Patty, you told
me not to trouble the servants too much."

"Sit down!" Farnsworth said, in a tone that made Azalea jump. "Wait for
Norah to bring it."

"Oho! _you_ believe in making the lazy things work, don't you! What's the
use of hiring a dog, and doing your own barking? That's right!"

Patty struggled with her annoyance, overcame it, and making a gesture to
Bill to keep quiet, she warded off his angry explanations, and took the
situation in her own hands.

"Here's cream, Azalea," she said, as the maid reappeared, "many people
like it in after dinner coffee, and you're very welcome to it."

"Licking good!" was the verdict, as Azalea stirred her coffee, and drank
the tiny cupful at one draught. "The sample's fine! I'll take a regular
sized cup, please."

"For breakfast," smiled Patty. "That's all we serve at night. Are you
fond of music, Azalea?"

"You bet! Why, we've got some records that are just bang-up!"

"I remember Uncle Thorpe was quite a singer," said Bill; "do you sing,
too?"

"Not so's you'd notice it! My voice is like--"

But the description of Azalea's singing voice was interrupted by the
entrance of two young people. Betty Gale and her brother Raymond stepped
in at the open French window, and laughingly announced themselves as
daring intruders.

"Very welcome ones," declared Patty, jumping up to greet them, and then
Farnsworth introduced Azalea.

"You're the real purpose of our visit," said Betty, her charming little
face alight with gay welcome. "We adore our neighbours, and they simply
worship us,--so we're quite prepared to take any friends or relatives