ter
another!"

"Well, cactuses are all right,--in their place," said Patty, smiling.
"They're as much verdure as maples or redwoods."

"Quite different kind of verdure," said Betty. "Now, Patty, I want to do
something for your cousin,--right away, I mean, to help you launch her."

"Oh, no, Betty; you're awfully kind, but--"

"Yes, I shall, too. I'm your nearest neighbour, and it's my right. I
suppose you'll give her a luncheon or something, first, and then I'll
follow it with a tea, or a dance, or whatever you like. There'll be lots
of things for her later on, so I want to get my bid in first. How pretty
she is."

"You're a darling, Betty," cried Patty, enthusiastically, touched by her
friend's kindness, "but,--well, there's no use mincing matters,--I'm not
sure Azalea is quite ready to be presented to society."

"Oh, but your cousin--"

"Indeed she isn't!" put in Farnsworth, "I want you to understand that
she's _my_ cousin,--not Patty's. And, also my wife's quite right,--Azalea
is not ready for social functions,--of any sort. You see, Betty, we can't
blink the facts,--she's of the West, western,--in the least attractive
sense. I'm fond of my home, and unashamed of my people, but all the same,
I'm not going to have Patty embarrassed by the ignorance and awkwardness
of an untutored guest. And so here's where I set my foot down. We accept
no invitations for Azalea until we think she is in trim to make a correct
appearance in society."

"Oh, Cousin Bill, I overheard you and I think you're just horrid!" Azalea
came running back into the room, while Raymond Gale followed, evidently
in a dilemma how to act.

"Cousin Patty would let me go, I know, and I _want_ to go to Miss Gale's
to a party! Just because I upset a glass of water at dinner, you're mad
at me! It isn't fair! I think you're real mean!"

The girl went up to Farnsworth and almost scowled at him as she awaited
his response.

But he looked at her steadily,--even sternly.

"Of course it must be as Patty says," he told her, at last, "but I will
say, Azalea, that I'm surprised at you--"

"Why should you be surprised at me? You invited me to come and see you.
If I'm not good enough to visit you, I'll go home again. You didn't ask
me any questions,--you just said come along,--and I came. I ain't a
swell,--like these friends of yours,--but I am your cousin, and you've
got no right to scorn me!"

"That's so, Bill," Patty said, seriously; "and here's anothe