Pattys Butterfly Days | Page 8

think of.
"But what's bothering me is that Mrs. Parsons hasn't arrived yet."
"Oh, she'll come to-day," said Patty. "Mona says she telegraphed
yesterday that it was too hot to travel, but she'd surely come to- day."
Mrs. Parsons was the aunt who was to chaperon the two girls at "Red
Chimneys," and Nan wanted to see the lady before she gave Patty into
her charge.
"But it's going to be just as warm to-day," went on Nan. "Suppose she
can't travel to-day, either?"
"Oh, she'll have to," said Patty, lightly. "If you can travel, I guess she

can. Now, Nan, don't bother about her. You've enough to do to think of
yourself and try to keep cool. I'm glad Louise is going with you. She's a
good nurse, and you must let her take care of you."
Louise was the lady's maid who looked after the welfare of both Nan
and Patty. But as Patty was going to a house where servants were more
than plentiful, it had been arranged that Louise should accompany Nan.
"Don't talk as if I were an invalid, Patty. I'm sensitive to the heat, I
admit, and this weather is excessive. But I'm not ill, and once I get a
whiff of mountain air I'll be all right."
"I know it, Nancy; and so fly away and get it. And don't waste a
thought on poor, worthless me, for I shall be as happy as a clam. I just
love broiling, sizzling weather, and I'm sure my experiences at Mona's
will be novel--if nothing else,--and novelty is always interesting."
"I hope you will have a good time, Patty, but it all seems so queer. To
go off and leave you with that girl, and an aunt whom we have never
even seen!"
"Well, I'll see her this afternoon, and if she won't give me a photograph
of herself for you, I'll draw you a pen portrait of the Dragon Lady."
"I hope she will be a Dragon, for you need some one to keep you steady.
You mean to do right, but you're so thoughtless and impulsive of late.
I'm afraid it's growing on you, Patty."
"And I'm afraid you're a dear old goose! The heat has gone to your
head. Now, forget me and my vagaries, and devote all your time and
attention to the consideration of Mrs. Frederick Fairfield."
"Ready, Nan?" called her husband from the doorway, and then there
was a flurry of leave-takings, and final advices, and last words, and
good-bye embraces; and then the motor-car rolled down the drive
carrying the travellers away, and Patty dropped into a veranda chair to
realise that she was her own mistress.

Not that her father or Nan were over strict with her; they merely
exercised the kind and gentle supervision that every young girl ought to
have. But sometimes, of late, Patty had chafed a little at their
restrictions, and though she had no desire to do anything they would
disapprove of, she enjoyed the novel sense of entire freedom of action.
However, to be responsible to nobody at all seemed to make Patty feel
an added responsibility of her own behaviour, so she went into the
house, determined to do all she ought to do as mistress there. Though
her time for such duties was short. The Fairfields had been obliged to
leave on an early morning train, and Patty was not to go to Mona's until
late in the afternoon. She had, therefore, several hours, and she went
systematically to work, looking through each room to make sure all
was in order for closing the house. She put away some books and some
bits of choice bric-a-brac, and then went out to interview the cook.
"Yes, Miss Patty," said that worthy, in answer to her enquiries, "I've
enough av food for yer luncheon, an' thin I'll dispose av the schraps,
and lave the refrigerators clane an' empty."
"That's right, Susan," said Patty, in most housekeeperly tones; "and will
you go away in time for me to lock up the house after you?"
"Yes, Miss; Mrs. Fairfield said we was all to go at five o'clock. Thin
Miller will lock up, and give yersilf the keys."
Patty knew these matters had all been arranged by her parents, but it
pleased her to assume an authority.
"Very well, Susan," she said. "And where are you all going?" "Jane,
she's going to take another place, Miss; but I'm going to me sister's for
a time. It's a rest I'm nadin'."
Patty looked kindly at the cook. She had never really talked with her
before, as Nan a capable and sufficient housewife, and Patty was a little
surprised to see what a fine-looking woman Susan was. She was Irish,
but of the best type. A large,