Patty in Paris | Page 3

really so. Now what
Patty needs in the way of education, is the best possible instruction in
music, which she can have better here in New York than in any college;
then she ought to go on with her French, in which she is already
remarkably proficient. Then perhaps an hour a day of reading well-
selected literature with a competent teacher, and I'll guarantee that a
year at home will do more for Patty than any school full of masters."
Mr. Fairfield looked at his young wife in admiration. "Why, Nan, I
believe you're right," he said, "though I don't believe it because of any
change in my own opinions, but because you put it so convincingly that
I haven't an argument left."
Nan only smiled, and went on.
"You said yourself, Fred, that Patty disliked the routine and restraint of
school life, and so I think it would be cruel to force her into it when she
can be so much happier at home. Here she will have ample time for all
the study I have mentioned, and still have leisure for the pleasures that
she needs and deserves. I shall look after her singing lessons myself,
and make sure that she practises properly. Then I shall take her to the
opera and to concerts, which, though really a part of her musical
education, may also afford her some slight pleasure."
Patty flew over to Nan and threw her arms about her neck. "You dear
old duck," she cried; "there never was such a dear, lovely, beautiful

stepmother on the face of the earth! And now it's all settled, isn't it,
papa?"
"It seems to be," said Mr. Fairfield, smiling. "But on your own heads be
the consequences. I put Patty into your hands now, so far as her future
education is concerned, and you can fix it up between you. To tell the
truth, I'm delighted myself at the thought of having Patty stay home
with us, but my sense of duty made me feel that I must at least put the
matter before her."
"And you did," cried Patty gleefully, "and now I've put it behind me,
and that's all there is about that. And I'll promise, papa, to study
awfully hard on my French and music; and as for reading, that will be
no hardship, for I'd rather read than eat any day."
Mr. Fairfield had really acquiesced to the wishes of the others out of his
sheer kind-heartedness. For he did not think that the lessons at home
would be as definite and regular as at a school, and he still held his
original opinions in the matter. But having waived his theories for
theirs, he raised no further objection and seemed to consider the
question settled.
After a moment, however, he said thoughtfully: "What you really ought
to have, Patty, is a year abroad. That would do more for you in the way
of general information and liberal education than anything else."
"Now THAT would be right down splendid," said Patty. "Come on,
papa, let's all go."
"I would in a minute, dear, but I can't leave my business just now. It
has increased alarmingly of late and it needs my constant attention to
keep up with it. Indeed it is becoming so ridiculously successful that
unless I can check it we shall soon be absurdly rich people."
"Then you can retire," said Nan, "and we can all go abroad for Patty's
benefit."
"Yes," said Mr. Fairfield seriously, "after a year or two we can do that.

I sha'n't exactly retire, but I shall get the business into such shape that I
can take a long vacation, and then we'll all go out and see the world.
But that doesn't seem to have anything to do with Patty's immediate
future. I have thought over this a great deal, and if you don't go to
college, Patty, I should like very much to have you go abroad sooner
than I can take you. But I can't see any way for you to go. I can't spare
Nan to go with you, and I'm not sure you would care to go with one of
those parties of personally conducted young ladies."
"No, indeed!" cried Patty. "I'm crazy to go to Europe, but I don't want
to go with six other girls and a chaperon, and go flying along from one
country to the next, with a Baedeker in one hand and a suit case in the
other. I'd much rather wait and go with you and Nan, later on."
"Well, I haven't finished thinking it out yet," said Mr. Fairfield, who, in
spite of his apparent pliability, had a strong will of his own. "I may
send you across in charge of a reliable guardian, and put