Patty was not robust, and continuous exertions often tired her. Nan had cautioned her not to attempt too much gaiety during this visit, and she wanted to rest before the evening’s dance.
“Oh, pshaw!” said Elise, “there’ll be lots of time. The dance won’t begin till nine, anyway.”
So Patty agreed, and Roger went off to invite his skating party by telephone.
He secured Kenneth, and the two Morses, and then he hung up the receiver.
“That’s enough,” he declared. “I don’t like a big skating party. Slip away, girls, and get your bonnets and shawls; the car’ll be here in half an hour.”
The girls went off to dress, and Patty viewed her new skating costume with decided approval.
It was all of white. A white cloth frock, with short skirt; white broadcloth coat and a Russian turban of white cloth and fur; long white leather leggings, and her Christmas furs, which added a charming touch to the costume.
As being more comfortable for skating, she had returned to her former mode of hair-dressing, and so two big white ribbon bows bloomed at the back of her head. These, and the short skirt, quite took away Patty’s grown-up air, and made her seem a little girl again.
“Hello, Baby,” said Roger, as he saw her come downstairs, with rosy cheeks and eyes sparkling with pleasurable anticipation, for Patty loved to skate.
“Mam-ma!” said Patty, putting her finger in her mouth, and assuming a vacant, babyish stare.