"Patty," she said, as they chanced to be alone together, "didn't I hear you tell Willie you were going to ride with Clarence Toxteth this afternoon?"
"Yes, mother. We are going to Samoset to look at those costumes."
"I am glad of it. You haven't treated him very well lately."
"You are losing a hairpin, mother."
"Dear me! Your father's thinking of me, I suppose."
"It ought to please you to have your husband think of you."
"He needn't think all the hairpins out of my head, though," responded Mrs. Sanford. "I'm always losing them."
"Where does the sewing-circle meet next week?" Patty asked, endeavoring to lead the conversation as far as possible from its original theme.
"At Mrs. Brown's; though I doubt she won't be ready for it until a week after it's all over. I declare, I thank the Lord I ain't so shiftless!"