hed, had been converted into
a funny sort of a sitting-room. On the floor was spread a large white
floor-cloth, whose original use had been for a dancing crash.

The chairs and sofas were all of wicker, and though in various stages of
dilapidation, were cool and comfortable. A table in the center was
covered with a white cloth, and the sofa pillows were in white ruffled
cases.

Bumble explained that the intent was to have everything white, but they
hadn't been able to carry out that idea fully, as they had so few white
things.

"The cat is all right," said Patty, looking at a large white cat that lay
curled up on a white fur rug.

"Yes, isn't she a beautiful cat? Her name is The Countess, and when she's
awake, she's exceedingly aristocratic and dignified looking, but she's
almost never awake. Oh, here comes Hopalong, with our lemonade."

The old negro lumbered down the steps, and Bumble took the tray from her,
and setting it on the table, served the guests to iced lemonade and tiny
thin cakes of Hopalong's concoction.

"Now isn't this nice?" said Mrs. Barlow, as they sat chatting and
feasting; "you see how cool and comfortable it is, although it's so warm
out of doors. I dare say I shall get rheumatism, as it seems a little
damp here, but when I feel it coming on, I'm going to move my chair over
onto that fur rug, and then I think there will be no danger."

"It is delightfully cool," said Patty, "and I think it a most ingenious
idea. If we had only known sooner that you were here, though, we could
have had a much longer visit."

"It's so fortunate," said Bumble, whom Patty couldn't remember to call
Helen, "that you chanced to be dressed in white. You fit right in to the
colour scheme. Mother and I meant to wear white down here, but all our
white frocks have gone to the laundry. But if you'll come over again
after a day or two, we'll have this place all fixed up fine. You see we
only thought of it this morning. It was so unbearably hot, we really had
to do something."

Soon Uncle Ted and Bob came in, and after a while Mr. Fairfield arrived.

The merry party still stayed in the cellar room, and one and all
pronounced it a most clever idea for a hot day.

The Barlows were delighted that the Fairfields were to be near them for
the summer, and many good times were planned for.

Patty was very fond of her Barlow cousins, but after returning to her own
home, which Nan with the special pride of a young housekeeper