r a fortnight or more in the beautiful home
of the Warners, and with so many means of pleasure at her disposal, Patty
looked forward to a delightful period of both rest and recreation.

One morning, Bertha declared her intention of taking the girls to call on
Miss Aurora Bender.

"Who is she?" inquired Patty, as the three started off in Bertha's
pony-cart.

"She's a character," said Bertha, "but I won't tell you anything about
her; you can see her, and judge for yourself."

A drive of several miles brought them to a quaint old-fashioned
farmhouse.

The house, which had the appearance of being very old, was built of stone
and painted a light yellow, with white trimmings. Everything about the
place was in perfect repair and exquisite order, and as they drove in
around the gravel circle that surrounded a carefully kept bit of green
lawn, Bertha stopped the cart at an old-fashioned carriage-block, and the
girls got out. Running up the steps, Bertha clanged the old brass knocker
at what seemed to Patty to be the kitchen door. It was opened by a tall,
gaunt woman, with sharp features and angular figure.

"Well, I declare to goodness, Bertha Warner, if you aren't here again!
Who's that you've got with you this time? City folks, I s'pose. Well come
in, all of you, but wipe your feet first. As you've been riding, I s'pose
they ain't muddy much, but it's well to be on the safe side. So wipe 'em
good and then troop in."

Miss Aurora Bender had pushed her heavy gold-bowed glasses up on the top
of her head, and her whole-souled smile of welcome belied the gruffness
of her tone, and the seeming inhospitality of her words.

The girls took pains to wipe their dainty boots on the gaily-coloured
braided rug which lay just outside the door.

Then they entered a spacious low-ceiled room, which seemed to partake of
the qualities of both kitchen and dining-room. At one end was an immense
fireplace, with an old-fashioned swinging crane, from which depended many
skillets and kettles of highly polished brass or copper.

On either side of the room was a large dresser, with glass doors, through
which showed quantities of rare old china that made Patty's eyes shine
with delight. A quaint old settle and various old chairs of Windsor
pattern stood round the walls. The floor was painted yellow, and here and
there were braided mats of various designs.

"Sit down, girls, sit down," said Miss Bender, cordially, "and now
Bertha, tell me thes