“Yes, that is a truer statement of the case,” agreed Kitty.
CHAPTER IV
A FAREWELL PARTY
MR. and Mrs. Fairfield arrived duly at Markleham Grange, and in response to urgent invitation consented to stay there for a few days before taking Patty away with them.
But the last evening had come and the party that gathered on the terrace after dinner showed that subdued air that last evenings usually compel.
The party was not a small one, for there had been guests at dinner, and several of the young people from the neighbouring country-houses had come over later, to say good-by to Patty.
“I’m so sorry to have you go,” said Flo Carrington, as she possessed herself of Patty’s hand and caressed it.
“I’m sorry to go,” replied Patty; “somehow it seems as if I were always saying good-by to somebody. I’ve visited so much this summer, and every visit means a regretful parting.”
“At the heartrending pathos of Miss Fairfield’s tones, everybody burst into tears,” declaimed Floyd Austin, burying his face in a voluminous handkerchief. But so burlesque was his woe that everybody burst into laughter instead.