Then Mr. Fairfield went on:
"For one thing, Patty has always lived in a city, and, like myself, is accustomed to city life. It is more congenial to both of us, and I sometimes fear we should miss certain city privileges which may not be found in a suburban town."
"But we have other things that you can't get in the city," broke in Marian.
"And I am very sure that they will be enthusiastically enumerated when it is your turn to speak," said Mr. Fairfield, smiling.
"The gentleman has the floor," remarked Patty, "the others will please keep their seats. Proceed, Mr. Fairfield."
So Mr. Fairfield proceeded:
"Other advantages, perhaps, will be found in the superior schools which the city is said to contain. I am making no allusion to the school that our honourable judge is at present attending, but I am speaking merely on general principles. And not only schools, but masters of the various arts. I have been led to believe by the assertions of some people, who, however, may be prejudiced, that Miss Fairfield has a voice which requires only training and practise to rival the voice of Adelina Patti, when that lady was Miss Fairfield's age."
"Quite true," said the judge, nodding gravely at the speaker.
"This phenomenal voice, then, might—mind; I say might—be cultivated to better purpose by metropolitan teachers."
"We have a fine singing-master here," exclaimed Frank, but Patty rapped him to silence.