“I don’t know,” said Grandma Elliott, looking rather seriously into the smiling faces before her, “that I am entirely in favour of the country home.  I think our Patty would greatly enjoy the city atmosphere.  She is a schoolgirl now, but in a year or two she will be a young woman, and one well deserving of the best that can be given to her.  I am city-bred myself, and though at my age I prefer the quiet of the country, yet for a young girl I well know the charm of a city life.  Of course, we would all regret the loss of our Patty, who has grown to be a part of our daily life, but, nevertheless, were I to vote on this matter, I should unhesitatingly cast my ballot in favour of New York.”

“Bravo for grandma!” cried Frank.  “Give me a lady who fearlessly speaks her mind even in the face of overwhelming opposition.  All the same, I haven’t spoken my piece yet, and I believe it is now my turn.”

“It is,” said Patty, “and we eagerly await your sapient and authoritative remarks.”

“Ahem!” said Frank pompously, as he arose.  “My remarks shall be brief, but very much to the point.  Patty’s home must be in Vernondale because we live here.  If ever we go to live in New York, or Oshkosh, or Kalamazoo, Patty can pick up her things and go along.  Just get that idea firmly fixed in your heads, my friends.  Where we live, Patty lives; whither she goeth, we goeth.  Therefore, if Patty should go to New York, the Elliotts will take up bag and baggage, sell the farm, and go likewise to New York.  Now I’m sure our Patty, being of proper common-sense and sound judgment, wouldn’t put the Elliott family to such inconvenience,—­for moving is a large and fearsome proposition.  Thus we see that as the Mountain insists on following Mahomet whithersoever she goest, the only decently polite thing for Mahomet to do is to settle in Vernondale.  I regret exceedingly that I am forced to express an opinion so diametrically opposed to the advices of Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess, but I’m quite sure she didn’t realise what a bother it would be for the Elliotts to move.  And now, having convinced you all to my way of thinking, I will leave the case in the hands of our wise and competent judge.”

“Wait,” said Uncle Charley; “I believe the captains are usually allowed a sort of summing-up speech, are they not?”

“They are in this case, anyway,” said Patty.  “Mr. Elliott will please go ahead with his summing-up.”

“Well,” said Uncle Charley, “the sum of the whole matter seems to be that we all want Fred and Patty to live here because we want them to; but, of course, it’s only fair that they consult their own wishes in the matter, and if they conclude that they prefer New York, why,—­we’ll have another debate, that’s all.”