“It will be somewhat expensive, my dear, but I can afford it, for, as I told you, my finances are looking up.  And, too, I consider this a part of your education, and so look upon it as a necessary outlay.  But you must remember that the Farringtons are far more wealthy people than we, and though you can afford the necessary travelling expenses, you probably cannot be as extravagant in the matter of personal expenditure as they.  I shall give you what I consider an ample allowance of pin money, and then you must be satisfied with the number of pins it will buy.”

“That doesn’t worry me,” declared Patty.  “I’m so delighted to go that I don’t care if I don’t buy a thing over there.”

“You’ll change your mind when you get there and get into the wonderful Paris shops,” said her father, smiling; “but never fear, puss; you’ll have enough francs to buy all the pretty dresses and gewgaws and knick-knacks that it’s proper for a little girl like you to have.  How old are you now, Patty?”

“Almost eighteen, papa.”

“Almost eighteen, indeed!  You mean you’re only fairly well past seventeen.  But it doesn’t matter.  Remember you’re a little girl, and not a society young lady, and conduct yourself accordingly.”

“Mrs. Farrington will look out for that,” said Nan; “she has the best possible ideas about such things, and she brings up Elise exactly in accordance with my notions of what is right.”

“That settles it,” said Mr. Fairfield; “I shall have no further anxiety on that score since Nan approves of the outlook.  But, Patty girl, we’re going to miss you here.”

“Yes, indeed,” cried Nan.  “I hadn’t realised that side of it.  Oh, Patty, we had planned so many things for this winter, and now I shall be alone all day and every day!”

“Come on, and go with me,” said Patty, mischievously.

“No,” said Nan, smiling at her husband; “I have a stronger tie here even than your delightful companionship.  But truly we shall miss you awfully.”

“Of course you will,” said Patty, “and I’ll miss you, too.  But we’ll write each other long letters, and oh!  I do think the whole game is perfectly lovely.”

“So do I,” agreed Nan; and then followed such a lot of feminine planning and chatter that Mr. Fairfield declared his advice seemed not to be needed.

The next morning Nan and Patty went over to the Farringtons to discuss the great subject.  They expressed to Mrs. Farrington their hearty thanks for her kind invitation, but she insisted that the kindness was all on Patty’s side, as her company would be a great delight, not only to Elise, but also to the elder members of the party.

“Isn’t Roger going?” asked Patty.