Patty smiled.  “Miss Daggett told me that herself,” she said; “in fact, she was quite emphatic on the subject.”

“I can well believe it,” said Kenneth, “but I’m sure you’ll win her heart yet.”

“I’m sure she will too,” said Mr. Fairfield, with an approving glance at his pretty daughter; “and whenever you are in Vernondale, Mr. Harper, I hope you will come to see us.”

“I shall be very glad to,” answered the young man, “and I hope to run out there soon.”

“Come out when we have our play,” said Patty; “it’s going to be beautiful.”

“What play is that?”

“We don’t know yet, we haven’t decided on it.”

“I know an awfully good play.  One of the fellows up at college wrote it, and so it isn’t hackneyed yet.”

“Oh, tell me about it,” said Patty.  “Papa, can’t we take the next later train home?”

“Yes, chick, I don’t mind if you don’t; or, better still, if Mr. Harper can go with us, I’ll take both of you children out to dinner in some great, glittering, noisy hotel.”

“Oh, gorgeous!” cried Patty.  “Can you go, Mr. Harper?”

“Indeed I can, and I shall be only too glad.  College boys are not overcrowded with invitations, and I am glad to say I have no other for to-night.”

“You’ll have to telephone to Emancipation Proclamation, papa,” said Patty, “or she’ll get out all the bell-ringers, and drag the river for us.”

“So she will,” said Mr. Fairfield.  “I’ll set her mind at rest the first thing.”

“That’s our cook,” explained Patty.

“It’s a lovely name,” observed Kenneth, “but just a bit lengthy for every-day use.”

“Oh, it’s only for Sundays and holidays,” said Patty; “other days we contract it to Mancy.”

Seated at table in a bright and beautiful restaurant, Patty and her new friend began to chatter like magpies while Mr. Fairfield ordered dinner.

“Now tell me all about your friend’s play,” said Patty, “for I feel sure it’s going to be just what we want”

“Well, the scene,” said Kenneth, “is on Mount Olympus, and the characters are all the gods and goddesses, you know, but they’re brought up to date.  In fact, that’s the name of the play, ‘Mount Olympus Up to Date.’  Aurora, you know, has an automobile instead of her old-fashioned car.”

“But you don’t have the automobile on the stage?”

“Oh, no!  Aurora just comes in in her automobile rig and talks about her ‘bubble.’  Mercury has a bicycle; he’s a trick rider, and does all sorts of stunts.  And Venus is a summer girl, dressed up in a stunning gown and a Paris hat.  And Hercules has a punching-bag—­to make himself stronger, you know.  And Niobe has quantities of handkerchiefs, dozens and dozens of them; she’s an awfully funny character.”

“Oh, I think it would be lovely!” said Patty.  “Where can we get the book?”

“I’ll send you one to-morrow, and you can see if you like it; and then if you do, you can get more.”