Patty and Azalea | Page 4

"No, not now. Some time we'll have Mona and Roger, of course; and
some time Daisy--"
"Yes, when we have Adèle and Jim. Oh, won't we have lots of jolly
parties! Thank goodness we've plenty of guest rooms."
"Are they all in order?"
"Not quite. I have to make lace things and fiddle-de-fads for some of
them."
"Can't you buy those?"

"Some I do, but some I like to make. It's no trouble, and they're
prettier."
"Let's go back around by the garage, I want to see Larry."
They strolled around through the well-kept vegetable gardens and
chicken yards, and came to the garage. Here were the big cars and
Patty's own little runabout. Larry, the chauffeur, touched his cap with a
respectful smile at Patty, and as Farnsworth talked to the man, Patty
stood looking off across the grounds and wondering if any one in the
whole world loved a home as she did.
Then they went on, strolling by the flower beds and formal gardens.
"And through the land at eve they went," quoted Bill, softly.
"And on her lover's arm she leant," Patty took up the verse.
"And round her waist she felt it fold," continued he:
"And far across the hills they went To that new world which is the old.
And far across the dying day, Beyond its utmost purple rim: Beyond
the night, across the day The happy Princess followed him."
"Through all the world she followed him," added Patty; "I think our
quotations are a bit inaccurate, but we have the gist of Tennyson's
ideas."
"And the gist is--?"
"That I'm a happy Princess," she smiled.
"Well, you're in your element, that's certain. I never saw anybody enjoy
fixing up a house as you do!"
"Did you ever see anybody fix up a house, anyway?"
"I'm not sure I ever did. I had very little home life, dear."

"Well, you're going to make up for that now. You're going to have so
much home life from now on, that you can hardly stagger under it. And
I'm going to make it!"
"Then it will be a real true home-made home! Sometimes, Patty, I fear
that with all your tea-houses and formal gardens you'll lose the real
homey effect--"
"Lose your grandmother! Why, in the right hands, all those faddy
things melt into one big bundle of hominess, and you feel as if you'd
always had 'em. Soon you'll declare you've never lived without a
Japanese tea-garden in your back yard!"
"I believe you! You'd make a home feeling in the Parthenon,--if you
chose to live there!"
"Of course I should! Or in the Coliseum, or in the Taj Mahal."
"There, there, that will do! Don't carry your vaunts further! Now come
around the house, and let's go in under the wistaria. It's a purple glory
now!"
"So it is! What a stunning old vine it is. I did think I'd change the name
of the place, but that wistaria over that porch is too fine to be discarded.
Let's get Mr. Hepworth up here to paint it."
"It must be painted, and soon, while it's in its prime. If Hepworth can't
come, I'll get somebody else. I want that picture."
"And let's have some photographs of it. It's so perfect."
"All right, I'll take those myself,--to-morrow,--it's too late now."
"And me and Baby will sit in the middle of the composition! Won't that
be touching!"
Patty laughed merrily, but Farnsworth said, "You bet you will! Be
ready in the morning, for I'll want a lot of poses."

CHAPTER II
GUESTS ARRIVE
"I refuse to go a step further! This porch of wistaria is the most
wonderful thing I ever saw in all my life! When I heard the name of the
place, I thought it was crazy,--but of course I see now it's the only
possible name! I don't care what's inside the house,--here I am,--and
here I stay!"
Elise Farrington threw off her motor coat, and settling herself on the
side seat of the porch, under the drooping bunches of purple bloom,
looked quite as if she meant what she said.
Patty stepped out from the doorway and smiled at her visitor.
"All right, Elise," she said, "you may. I'll send out your dinner, and you
can sleep here, too, if you like."
"No, I'll come in for my board and lodging, but all the rest of the time
look for me here! I'm going to have some lavender frocks
made,--dimities and organdies, and then I'll be part of the picture."
"Oh, do! I can't wear lavender or purple," Patty sighed.
"Nonsense! Of course you can. You only mean you've never tried. That
bisque doll complexion of yours will stand any color. Let's both get
wisteria-coloured frocks, and--"
Elise's plans were interrupted by the appearance