"Many, many times!" and Patty sighed in mock despair. "But my love affairs always end tragically."
"Your suitors drown themselves, I suppose?"
"Do you mean if I encourage them?"
"Do you know what a silly you are?"
"Do you know what a goose YOU are?"
"Children, stop quarrelling," and Mrs. Perry smiled at the chattering pair. "Miss Fairfield, several amiable young men of my acquaintance desire to be presented to you. May I?"
Patty smilingly acquiesced, and in a moment half a dozen would-be partners were asking for dances.
They looked rather taken aback at sight of Patty's card, but she calmly explained to them the true condition of things, and they accepted the situation with smiles of admiration for a girl who could command such an arrangement. Patty would not give more than one dance to each, as she wanted to find out which ones she liked best.
Mr. Perry brought up some of his acquaintances, too, and shortly Patty's programme showed an astonishing lot of hieroglyphics scribbled over Kit's initials.
"Here are twelve dances you may have for your other friends," said Patty, to Mr. Cameron. "Take the numbers as I call them off: one, two, three——"