The next morning, Patty came down to breakfast, wearing a plain street costume, a small, but very well made hat, and a look of determination.
“Fresh start?” said her father, smiling kindly at her.
“Yes,” she replied; “and this time I conquer. I see success already perching on my banners.”
“Well, I don’t then!” declared Nan. “I see you coming home, not with your shield, but on it.”
“Now, don’t be a wet blanket and throw cold water on my plans,” said Patty, a little mixed in her metaphor, but smiling placidly at her stepmother. “This time it’s really a most sensible undertaking that I’m going to undertake.”
“Sounds as if you were going into the undertaking business,” said her father, “but I assume you don’t mean that.”
“No, I go into a pleasanter atmosphere than that suggests, and one in which I feel sure I can accomplish good work.”
“Well, Patty,” said Mr. Fairfield, “it’s lucky you’re of a sanguine temperament. I’m glad to see you’re not disheartened by failure.”
“Not I! To me a failure only means a more vigorous attempt next time. Now, Nan, I shall be away all day,—until about five o’clock. Won’t you play with Darby and Juliet a little, so they won’t get lonesome?”
“Oh, yes; I’ll amuse them. But, Patty, where are you going?”