Pattys Butterfly Days | Page 5

the mirror. "Well, I think you're a monster of selfishness!
You're a dragon of ingratitude! And a griffin of cross-patchedness!
Now, Miss, WILL you drop this attitude of injured innocence, and act
like a civilised human being?"
Patty was a little over hard on herself. She hadn't at all exhibited such
traits as she charged herself with, but she was not a girl to do things by
halves. She sat, calmly looking at her own face, until the lines
smoothed themselves out of her forehead, the dimples came back to her
cheeks, and the laughter to her blue eyes.
"That's better!" she said, wagging her head at the pretty, smiling face.
"Now, never again, Patty Fairfield, let me see you looking mopy or
peevish about anything! Mind, not about anything at all! You have
enough blessings and pleasures to make up for any disappointments
that may come to you. So, now that you've braced up, just STAY
braced up! See?"
The scolding, though self-inflicted, did Patty good, and humming a
lively tune, she busied herself with arranging some fans and frills in
boxes to take away with her.
If stray thoughts of the Pageant or the Fancy Dance crept into her mind,
she determinedly thrust them out, and forced her anticipations to the
unknown fun and gaiety she would enjoy at the big Mountain Houses.
And when at last, ready for bed, she stood in front of her long cheval
glass, the folds of her blue dressing gown trailing away from her pretty,
lace-frilled nightgown, she shook her forefinger warningly at the
smiling reflection.
"Now, mind you, Patricia, not a whimper out of you to-morrow! Not a
shadow of a shade of disappointment on your fair young brow? Only
happy smiles and pleasant words, and just MAKE yourself enjoy the
prospect of those poky, gloomy, horrid old mountains!"
It will be easily seen that Patty was amenable to discipline, for next

morning she went dancing downstairs, looking like amiability
personified. Even Nan came to the conclusion that Patty was reconciled
to the mountain trip, and had begun to see the pleasanter side of it.
Mr. Fairfield regarded his daughter approvingly. Though Patty had not
been cross or glum the day before, she had been silent, and now she
treated her hearers to a flood of gay and merry chatter.
Only a fleeting shadow across her face, or a sudden, pained look in her
eyes when Spring Beach matters were mentioned, revealed to her
watchful father the fact that Patty's gaiety was the result of brave and
honest will-power. But such shadows passed as quickly as they came,
and the girl's pleasant and sweet demeanour was not unappreciated by
her elders.
She joined heartily in the plans for the mountain trip; discussed
itineraries with her father, and costumes with Nan.
As the three sat on the veranda, thus engaged, a flying figure came
through the gate like a whirlwind, and Mona Galbraith precipitated
herself into the family group.
"Why, Mona, you look a little,--er,--hasty!" exclaimed Patty as, out of
breath, their visitor plumped herself into a swing and twirled its
tasselled ropes, while she regained her breath.
"Yes,--yes,--and well I may!" she panted. "What DO you think, Patty?
Oh, Mr. Fairfield, DO say yes! Coax him to, won't you, Mrs. Fairfield!
Oh, I can't tell you,--I daren't! I just KNOW you won't do it! Oh, Patty,
do,--DO!"
Impetuous Mona had swayed out of the swing in her eagerness, and
was now kneeling by Patty's side, stroking her hand, and gazing into
her face with imploring eyes.
"Mona Galbraith," said Patty, laughing, "are you rehearsing for
melodrama, or what? For, if so, you don't know your lines, and you're
'way off on your gestures, and--and, as a whole, your act is not

convincing."
"Oh, don't say that, Patty!" exclaimed Mona, laughing herself.
"ANYTHING but that! It must be convincing,--it must,--it MUST!"
"Is it meant for a roaring farce?" asked Mr. Fairfield, politely, "or
merely high comedy?"
"I think it's a problem play," said Nan, laughing anew at the excited
visitor, who had returned to the swing, and was vigorously pushing
herself back and forth with her slippered toe.
"Let me help you, Mona," said Mr. Fairfield, kindly. "Is it something
you have to tell us,--or ask us?"
"Yes, sir, yes! That's it!"
"Well, tell us, then. But take your time and tell us quietly. Then you
won't get incoherent."
The quiet friendliness of his tones seemed to reassure the girl, and
letting the swing stand still, Mona began:
"You see, Mr. Fairfield,--and Mrs. Fairfield, my father is going to
Europe next week. It's on a business trip, and he only just found out
that he had to go. He will take me with him if I want to go, but I don't!
So I