Mr. Fairfield, not without some difficulty, had been induced to represent Neptune.  False flowing white hair and beard, a shining crown and trident, and a voluminous sea-green robe made him a gorgeous sight.

The three stood near the North Pole to receive their guests, and formality was almost lost sight of in the hilarity caused by the procession of picturesque costumes.

There were pirates of fierce and bloodthirsty mien; there were jolly Jack Tars and natty ship officers; there were water babies, mermaids, fishermen, and many dainty yachting costumes.  Then there were queer and grotesque figures, such as a frog, a lobster, and a huge crab.

Altogether the motley procession presented a most interesting appearance, and Patty was glad when the guests had all arrived and she could leave her post and mingle with the crowd.

It was not long before a group of Patty’s most intimate friends had gathered on the Upper Deck to chat.  Patty herself had been snugly tucked into a deck chair by Kenneth, who insisted on showing her just how the proceeding should be accomplished.

“Nothing shows your ignorance, my child, on board ship,” he was saying, “like not knowing how to manage your steamer rug and pillow.”

“But,” said Patty, “I shall then have on a suitable gown that will stand rough usage; but I beg of you, Ken, stop tucking that rug around my delicate kelpie decorations.

“Oh,” said Kenneth, “you’re a kelpie, then!  Strange I didn’t recognise you at once, but I so rarely meet kelpies in the best society.  Now I’m Captain Kidd.”

“Are you?” cried Elise gaily; “now I had an idea you were Admiral Farragut; but then one so rarely meets Captain Kidd in the best society.”

“That’s so,” said Kenneth; “and think how long it will be, girls, before you have the pleasure of meeting this particular Captain Kidd in any society.  I tell you, I envy you.  You’re going to have the time of your life in Paris, and I wish to goodness I could go along with you.”

“Oh, do, Kenneth,” cried Patty; “we’d have just the best time ever!  Can’t you give up college and put in a lot of study over there?”

“No, indeed, I can’t; I’m only just wishing I could.  There’s no harm in wishing, you know.  But if you’ll stay until next summer, perhaps I’ll come over and see you during vacation, and then we can all come home together.”

“That would be fine,” said Elise, “and we’re just as likely to stay until summer as not.  But then, on the other hand, we’re just as likely to come home as soon as we get there.  You never can tell what those absurd parents of mine are going to do.”

Meantime a strange-looking figure was walking across the Upper Deck toward the group that surrounded Patty.  It was impossible not to recognise the character, which was meant to be a representation of Noah.  But it was the well-known Noah of the children’s Noah’s ark, and the straight-up-and-down, tightly fitting brown garment, with yellow buttons down the front, was exactly like the patriarch as shown in the wooden toys.  A flat, broad-brimmed hat sat squarely on his head, and as he held his arms straight down at his side, and as his cheeks bore little round daubs of red paint, Mr. Hepworth was exactly like a gigantic specimen of the nursery Noah.