r thing.
Betty has met Azalea now,--she knows just what she is. If she still
cares to ask her to her house, I shall approve of her going. I want to do
all I can for our cousin, and there's no better way to teach people to
swim, than to throw them into the water!"

"Bully for you, Cousin Patty!" Azalea cried, her eyes snapping at Bill.
"I'm not so bad as I might be, and I'll do just what you tell me."

"I'm sure you will," agreed Betty, and Farnsworth looked at her
appreciatively, feeling a deep sense of gratitude at the way she was
helping Patty out.

"It seems hard on you, Azalea," he went on, "to talk of you like
this,--as if you were not present,--but it is so. You need,--I'm not
going to hesitate to tell you,--you need a thorough training in matters
pertaining to polite society. Unless you are willing to accept our
teachings and do your best to profit by them,--I am going to send you
back home! For much as I want to be kind and helpful to my young
cousin,--I will not even try, if it makes my wife any trouble or
embarrassment."

"Oh, pshaw, Little Billee,--leave Azalea to me,--I can manage her."

"You can't, Patty, without her cooperation and willingness. Will you
promise those, Azalea?"

"Sure I will! I'm a great little old promiser,--I am!"

"And will you keep your promises?"

"You bet! I don't want to go home when I've just got here! And if my
learning things is my meal ticket,--then I'm ready to learn."

Farnsworth sighed. He had had, as yet, no chance to talk to Patty alone,
since their misfit visitor had arrived. He had been firmly resolved to
send her home again,--until now, that Patty and Betty seemed willing to
take her in hand. If they were, it would be a great injustice to the
Western girl not to give her the chance to learn refinement and culture
from those two who were so well fitted to teach her.

And, anyway,--he continued to muse,--perhaps Azalea's worst faults were
superficial. If she could be persuaded to amend her style of talk and
her _gauche_ manners, perhaps she was of a true fine nature underneath.
His Uncle,--so-called,--and his Aunt Amanda, he remembered as kindly,
good-hearted people, of fair education, though lacking in elegance.

"Oh, don't take it so seriously," cried the vivacious Betty, as she noted
Farnsworth's thoughtful face: "leave the little girl to us for a few
weeks,--and you will be surprised at the result! You'll do just as I tell
you,--won't you, Azalea?"

"If y