“But I did promise her——”
“Forget it! In your dealings with me, you’re to deal only with me. There’s no go-between or dictator or even adviser; only just our two selves. But before we begin on our affairs, I want this other matter settled for all time. Promise me that you will never again even think of that promise that she wrung from you. You must, or I can’t have loving memories of Aunty Van. Also, I want you to tell me truly, whether you want to look after the Children’s Home scheme or not. If it’s a burden, you’re not to have anything to do with it. See?”
“How kind you are, Phil. Yes, I do want to help with the Home project, but I don’t want to be at the head of the Board,—or whatever has charge of it. I want to tend to the furnishings and little comforty things for the kiddies, but can’t somebody else build it?”
“Of course they can! You dear Baby, do you think you’re to have all that on your poor little shoulders? It shall all be just as you say. And you are to do as much or as little as you like. Of course, you’re not even to think of it, till you’re all well and strong again. Now, as to your own bequest from Aunty Van. I can’t tell you how glad I am she left you a little pin-money——”
“A little pin-money!” exclaimed Patty, raising her eyes heavenward.
“Well, an enormous fortune,—if you like that better. But at any rate, it’s yours, to do as you please with. I don’t suppose you really need it, but——”
“I don’t need it for myself, Phil, but oh, I’m going to do such lovely things with it for my girls! I shall use it for their vacation trips and—that is, part of it. Part of it, I’m going to spend on myself—oh, I have the delightfullest plans!”
“All right, Pattykins, do what you will, as long as it pleases your own dear self. And now, we come to what interests me most. I decline to have you for my very own, if you consent only because Aunty Van made you promise to do so. Cut that all out,—and let’s begin again. Will you promise me,—me, mind you,—not any one else for me,—to learn to love me?”
And now Patty was her own roguish self again. The release from the bugbear promise was so great, that she considered gaily what Phil was asking now.
“Well,” she began, looking provokingly pretty, “suppose I say I’ll try to learn to love you——”