“Don’t, Princess! don’t talk to me like that, or I shall faint away from sheer delight!  But as we both are such miraculous steppers, we might give exhibitions or something.”

“Yes, or teach, and make our everlasting fortune.”

“Well, I think we won’t do either.  We’ll just reserve our glorious genius for our own enjoyment.  Just think of dancing with you every night, for goodness knows how long!” said Kit.

“But you won’t.”

“Won’t?  Why not?”

“Because before we’ve been here many days we shall quarrel.  I know we will.  Four people can’t be shut up inside four walls without quarrelling sooner or later.”

“Well, let’s make it later.  And, anyway, I’m so good-natured, you couldn’t quarrel with me if you tried.”

“I couldn’t quarrel with you while I’m dancing with you, anyway.  But now this dance is over and there’s not to be another one to-night.  Good-night, everybody.  Come, Marie,” and taking Marie by the hand, Patty led her upstairs at once.

“Oh, don’t go!” cried the two young men, but Patty and Marie only leaned over the banisters, and called down laughing good-nights, and ran away to their rooms.

Next morning, Patty declared they must adhere to the policy of keeping more or less to themselves.

“I can put in a lovely morning,” she said; “I shall visit the baby in the nursery and I shall read for awhile, and I’ll have a long telephone conversation with Nan and perhaps some other people, and I’m not going downstairs till luncheon time.  You do as you like, Marie.”

Marie declared her intention of doing whatever Patty did, so the two girls spent a pleasant morning upstairs.

Mrs. Perry reported that Babette was no worse, and that the doctor had said nothing further than that.

At luncheon time, the girls went downstairs and were greeted with reproofs for being so late.

“We’ll play with you this afternoon,” said Patty, kindly, “but you can’t expect to have our company all day.  I’ve had a lovely time this morning; Baby Boo is an entertainment in herself.”

“Why didn’t you let me come up to the nursery?” said Kit.  “That Kiddy-baby loves me.”

“She does, indeed,” said Patty, serenely; “she’s been asking for Uncle Kit all the morning.”

“Cruel Princess!” said Cameron; “you’re not a bit nice to your Knight!”

“I’ll make up for it this afternoon,” and Patty flashed him a glance that seemed greatly to cheer him.

After lunch they all went into the library.  Patty threw herself into a big arm-chair.

“Now, I want to be entertained,” she said; “I’m perfectly amiable and affable and good-natured, but I wish to be amused.  Will you do it, my Knight?”

“Ay, Princess, that will I!” and Cameron made a flourishing and obsequious bow before her.  “Would it amuse your Royal Highness to learn that you’re going home this afternoon?”