“You were a brick, Patty! I didn’t think you’d dare do it.”
“I couldn’t have, if I’d stopped to think. But you dared me—and I never could refuse a dare!”
“Then I claim some of the credit of the success of our scheme.”
“All of it, Chick. I never should have dreamed of such an unheard of performance! What will Nan say?”
“Let’s go in and see; may I come in?”
“Yes, do. I want you to back me up, if they jump on me.”
But they didn’t. Though Nan and Mr. Fairfield were utterly astounded at the story they heard, they had only praise for the result.
“The very one!” declared Nan. “Mrs. Colton is a lovely woman, and her wealth and education and refined tastes will insure Milly exactly the right kind of a home for life. Oh, Patty, it’s fine! But what did Mrs. Meredith think?”
“Oh,” said Patty, airily, “as it was the illustrious Me, she was overjoyed to have her house turned into an auction room! She would have been equally delighted if I’d made a bear garden of it.”
“You conceited little rascal,” said her father, shocked at this self-esteem.