“I hate to have it go to New York now,” said Patty, “for I want it with me while I’m over here.”
So it was arranged to send the picture to Sir Otho’s house in London, there to remain until the Fairfields returned to America.
The departure from Cromarty was made next morning directly after breakfast. It was fortunate that the last details of luggage preparations, and the packing of luncheon and so forth, made a bustle and hurry that left little time for actual farewells. And, too, they were all too sensible to mar Patty’s last memory of Cromarty with futile regrets.
So after good-byes were said, and the party stowed away in the big car, Sinclair started one of their favourite nonsense songs.
The others joined in, and Patty sang too, and handkerchiefs were waved, and as the car slid out of sight among the trees, those who were left could still hear Patty’s high, sweet soprano ringing back to them.