Mr. Fairfield spoke in a tone that Patty had not heard since she was a little girl, but she well remembered it. She rose without a word and did as she was bid.
“Be very gentle with her, Fred,” Nan murmured, as soon as Patty was out of hearing.
“I will,” and Mr. Fairfield flashed a glance of amused understanding at his wife. “Did you know about this thing?”
“Only vaguely. I’ll tell you some other time. But quash the scheme decidedly, won’t you?”
“Rather!”
Patty came back, her face a little flushed, her lips a little pouting, but quite evidently ready for the fray.
“I did as you told me, Father,” she began, “but I think you’ll be sorry for the stand you’ve taken.”
“Perhaps so, girlie, but I don’t want my sorrow to interfere with my digestion. So let’s drop the whole subject till after dinner.”
It had always been a rule in the Fairfield household never to discuss unpleasant subjects at table. So Patty tacitly agreed and during the rest of the meal there was only gay conversation on light matters.
“Now, then,” said Mr. Fairfield, when dinner was over, and the three were cosily settled in the pleasant library, “tell me over again and tell me slow.”