"But they're not finished," said Patty, "and they'll spoil standing."
"You'll more likely spoil them by finishing them. Now you stay right where you are."
So Patty rested, until Pansy came and called them to a most appetising little lunch spread very simply on the dining-table.
The two hungry girls did full justice to it, and then Patty said:
"Now, Marian, you're a duck, and you mean well, I know; but this is my house and my tea-party, and now you must clear out and leave me to fix it up pretty in my own way."
"All right," said Marian, "I rescued you once, now this time I'll leave you to your fate; but I'll give you fair warning that those Tea Club girls would rather have a few nice little things like we had at lunch, than all those ridiculous contraptions that you've got out there half baked."
"Oh me, oh me!" sighed Patty, in mock despair. "Nobody appreciates me; nobody realises or cares for my one great talent. I believe I'll go and drown myself."
"Do," said Marian, "drown yourself in that tub of wine-jelly, for it will never stiffen. I can tell that by looking at it."
"Bye, bye," said Patty, pushing Marian out of the dining-room, "run along now, and take a little nap like a good little girl. Cousin Patty must set the table all nice for the pretty ladies."
"Goose!" was the only comment Marian vouchsafed as she walked away.