eld
determined to guard against; and resolved that, while Patty should be
allowed generally to do as she chose, he should keep a strict eye
against her overdoing.

Nan had much the same thoughts as she looked at the lovely debutante,
so exquisite in her fresh young beauty. Nan's gown of heavy white lace
was very becoming, and though a secondary figure, she ably shared the
honours of the afternoon with Patty.

Mona and Elise assisted in the capacity of "Floaters," and in their
pale pink frocks, they were quite in harmony with the floral setting
of the picture.

And then the guests began to arrive, and Patty learned what it meant
to stand and shake hands, and receive the same compliments and
congratulations over and over again. It was interesting at first, but
she grew very tired as the hours went by.

"Now, I say," exclaimed a cheery voice, suddenly, "it can't be that
you have to stand here continuously from four to seven! Mrs.
Fairfield, mayn't I take Patty to get a cup of tea or an ice, and you
stay here and 'come out' until she returns?"

It was Philip Van Reypen who made this request, and Nan consented
readily. "Yes, indeed, Philip," she said, "do take her off to rest a
minute. I think most of the people have arrived; and, anyway, you must
bring her back shortly."

"I will," and young Van Reypen led Patty through the crowd to the
dining-room.

"I ought to find you a 'quiet little corner,'" he said, smiling; "but
I don't see such a thing anywhere about. So I'll just place you on one
of these gimcrack gilt chairs, and I'll ask you to keep this one next,
for me, until I make a raid on the table. What will you have?"

"I don't really want anything, Philip, but just to sit here a moment
and rest. I had no idea coming out was so tiresome! I believe I've
said, 'oh, thank you!' a billion times!"

"Yes, you said it to me," and Philip laughed at the recollection, "and
I can tell you, Patty, it had the real society ring! You said it like
a conventionalised parrot."

"Well, I don't care if I did! It was the proper thing to say, and
nobody could say it a million times in succession, without sounding
parrotty! I know now how the President feels when he has to shake
hands with the whole United States!"

Philip left her, and returned in a moment, followed by a waiter, who
brought them hot bouillon and tiny sandwiches.

"My, but these are good!" exclaimed Patty, as she nibbled and sipped.
"Why, Philip, I believe I wa