“Not more than two months,” answered her father, “and you know, chickabiddy, if ever you want to join us, I’ll send for you, or come for you myself, whenever you say the word. Just telegraph me, and I’ll respond at once.”
“All right; I will if I want to. But there’s too much fun for me in civilization to want to go wandering off to the ends of the earth.”
“And you may decide to go to Herenden Hall for a time.”
“Yes, I may. I’d love to visit Lady Herenden again, if I thought that Earl gentleman wouldn’t be there.”
“He probably won’t be,” said Nan. “I daresay you scared him away from there forever.”
“Even so, I didn’t scare him as much as he scared me,” returned Patty, “but I do hope there won’t be any Earls at Cromarty. I like plain, big boys better.”
“Those Hartley boys are fine fellows,” observed Mr. Fairfield. “Young Meredith has more fun and jollity, but the Hartleys are of a sterling good sort. I like the whole family, and I’m glad, Patty girl, that you’ve decided to go there. I’ll willingly leave you in Mrs. Hartley’s care, and I’m sure you’ll have a good time.”
“Of course I shall, Daddy, and I’ll write you every day, if you want me to.”
“Not quite so often, my dear. Twice a week, will be all you’ll find time for, I’m certain.”
“Quite likely,” said Patty, who was not very fond of writing letters.