Patty's Friends

by Carolyn Wells

“I’m glad of it,” said Patty, heartily, “and I like you too. After Sinclair and Bob, you’re the nicest boy in England.”

“There’s luck in odd numbers,” said Tom, a little ruefully, “so I’m glad I’m number three. But I’d like to be number one.”

“Well, you’re a number one dancer,” said Patty, as the music ceased, and with that Tom had to be content.

And now the hour was getting late and the young people began to go home.

It was really an ordeal for Patty to say good-bye, for she had many friends among them, and they all seemed truly regretful to part with her.

But after they had gone, and only those staying in the house remained, another surprise was in waiting for Patty. They were gathered in the great hall, talking over for the last time the mystery of the hidden fortune, and Patty’s clever solution of it.

“And now,” said Sinclair, “I’ve a little speech to make.”

He went and stood on the “stair across the hall,” in front of the old chimney-piece, and so, just beneath the picture of the fir trees. The painting was a fine one, and represented a landscape with firs in the foreground. It had hung there since the days of the earlier Cromartys, and was a valuable work of art.

Patty had always loved the picture, even before the added interest of learning the truth about the fir trees, and they all knew it was one of her favourites among the many art treasures of the old house.

“I was going to make this speech when the party was here,” proceeded Sinclair, “but I didn’t, partly because I feared it might embarrass Patty, and partly because I like it better to have only our own people here. But the speech itself is this: We, the Cromartys of Cromarty Manor, realising that we can never liquidate the great debt of gratitude we owe to our beautiful and beloved friend, Miss Patty Fairfield, wish, at least, to give her a token of our affection and a memento of her noble deed. We, therefore, one and all of the household of Cromarty, offer her this picture of fir trees, this painting by Hobbema, and we trust that she will accept it in the spirit it is tendered.”