"Why, so they are!"
"As if he didn't know that!" exclaimed one of the girls to Elise, as
Farnsworth sauntered away. "Why, he gave that set to the sale!"
"He did! And then bought them back again!"
"Yes, that's just what he has done."
"Oh, well, then, he does mean to give them to somebody,—somebody in particular."
And Farnsworth certainly did mean to give them to somebody in particular. He designed them as a gift for Patty. He knew she would enjoy the poems, and he chose the edition with great care. Then, to enhance the value, he made it a present to the Club Sale, and promptly bought it back.
The big Westerner made his way through the crowds, stopping here and there to buy a flower or a trinket from the beguiling vendors. He looked in at the dining-room, and saw the long table set with marvelous confections, each to be sold with its dish of fine china or crystal. Also, on side tables were center-pieces, doilies, and napkins of all varieties of embroidery and decoration. A large back veranda had been arranged as a refreshment room, and here Farnsworth discovered Nan and Mr. Fairfield eating ice cream.
"Join us," they begged, but a smiling headshake was the negative reply.
"I'm on a still hunt for Patty. I'm told she's upstairs."
"Yes, in her own rooms," said Nan. "But you can't get in, the place is jammed. Wait till she has sold off a lot of stuff, then there'll be at least standing room. I've just come down from there and I never saw such a crowd."