“But it’s too cold,” objected Patty.

“I’ll get you a wrap,” and Kit flew into the house and procured a long cloak, in which he enveloped Patty, and they sat in the swing together.

“What became of the Colossal Cowboy?” said Kit; “I thought he was here for the weekend.”

“I thought so, too,” returned Patty, “but it seems he had another engagement.”

“I’m glad of it.  You’re altogether too fond of him.”

“Fond of him!  What do you mean?  I’m nothing of the sort.  Why, I scarcely spoke to him.”

“I know it.  That’s what gave you away.”

“Don’t be a silly!  I haven’t the slightest interest in Mr. William Farnsworth, or his comings and goings.”

“You’d rather have me here, wouldn’t you?”

“Oh, ever so much rather!” And Patty spoke with such intense enthusiasm that she was very evidently joking.

“But really, Patty, let’s be in earnest just for a minute.  Wouldn’t you rather have me around than anybody?”

“Why, I don’t know; I never thought about it.”

“Think about it now, then.  Honest, I mean it.”

“Oh, don’t mean things.  It’s too heavenly a night to talk seriously.”

“Isn’t it a wonderful night?  Do you know a house party like this and moonlight on a veranda, like this, always goes to my head.  I think week-ending is apt to go to one’s head, anyway.  But let it go.  Let it go to your head, too.”

“I don’t think I’d better,” and Patty spoke hesitatingly; “I might say something foolish.”

“Oh, do, Patty!  Do say something foolish!  If you don’t, I shall.”

“Well, go on, then.”

“May I, Patty?  May I tell you that I’ve simply lost my heart to you,—­you beautiful little May Queen!”

“And is that what you call foolish?” Patty pouted, adorably.

“Yes, it’s foolish, because I know there’s no hope for me.  I know you don’t care one least scrap of a speck for me!  Now, do you?”

“If you’re so positive yourself, why ask me?”

“Oh, I might be mistaken, you know.  Oh, if I only might!  Patty, dear little Patty, couldn’t you be my princess?  My own Princess Poppycheek.”

“I’ve been your Belle,” and Patty laughed merrily at the recollection.

“There you go, laughing at me!  I knew you would.  That shows you don’t care anything for me.  If you did, you wouldn’t laugh at me!”

“Oh, yes, I would! the more I care for people the more I laugh at them,—­always.”

“You must be simply crazy over me then!  If you don’t stop laughing I won’t swing you any more.”

“Oh, yes, do, it’s lovely to swing back and forth in the moonlight like this.  The May party was pretty, wasn’t it?”

“You’re just trying to change the subject.  But I won’t have it changed.  Let’s go back to it.  Patty, couldn’t you stop laughing at me long enough to learn to care for me a little?”