"but I haven't a minute to spare all day
long. I'm going to the photographer's, and then to Mrs. Stuart's
luncheon, and after that to a musicale."

"Never mind," said Patty, "it won't be much fun. I just have to pick out
the costumes for Joan of Arc and Queen Elizabeth."

"Your play seems to include a variety of characters," said Mr. Fairfield.

"Yes, it does," said Patty, "and most of the dresses we've contrived
ourselves; but these two are beyond us, so we're going to hire them.
Good-bye, now, people; I must fly over to see Elise before I go down
town."

"Who's going with you, Patty, to the costumer's?" asked her father.

"Miss Sinclair, Papa; one of the teachers in our school. I am to meet her
at the school at eleven o'clock. We are going to the costume place, and
then to the shops to buy a few things for the play. I'll be home to
luncheon, Nan, at one o'clock."

Patty flew away on her numerous errands, going first to Elise
Farrington's to consult on some important matters. Hilda and Clementine
were there, and there was so much to be decided that the time passed by
unnoticed, until Patty exclaimed, "Why, girls, it's half-past eleven now,
and I was to meet Miss Sinclair at eleven! Oh, I'm so sorry! I make it a
point never to keep anybody waiting. I don't know when I ever missed an
engagement before. Now, you must finish up about the programmes and
things, and I'll scurry right along. She must be there waiting for me."

The school was only two blocks away, and Patty covered the ground as
rapidly as possible. But when she reached there Miss Sinclair had gone.
Another teacher who was there told Patty that Miss Sinclair had waited
until twenty minutes after eleven, and then she had concluded that she
must have mistaken the appointment, and that probably Patty had meant she
would meet her at the costumer's. So she had gone on, leaving word for
Patty to follow her there, if by any chance she should come to the school
looking for her.

Patty didn't know what to do. The costumer's shop was a considerable
distance away, and Patty was not in the habit of going around the city
alone. But this seemed to her a special occasion, and, too, there was no
time to hesitate.

She thought of telephoning to Nan, but of course she had already gone
out. She couldn't call her father up from down town, and it wouldn't help
matters any to ask Elise or any of the other girls to go with her. So,
having to make a hasty decision, Patty de