"He is awfully nice," Patty said to Nan, afterward, "when he isn't proposing. There's something about Ken you can't help liking."
And Nan smiled and said, "That's so."
The days flew along, the spring frocks materialised and the grass and flowers began to be beautiful up at Fern Falls.
Patty went up there a few days before the first of May, and was welcomed by the Kenerleys with vigorous and jubilant greetings.
"You dear!" exclaimed Adele, as after a rapturous hug she held Patty off to look at her. "I do believe you're prettier than ever!"
"It's the happiness of coming up here," said Patty, smiling. "I'm so glad to come, Adele. The country in spring,—and all that, you know."
"Yes," said Adele, laughing. "You know what the Boston girl said: 'Oh,
I just LOVE nature! It ADDS so!' You're like that, aren't you, Patty?"
"Exactly! but spring is all over the city, too. They're selling flowers on every street corner, and all the pedestrians wear big bunches of violets or daffodils or magnolias or something. Daisy, you're looking fine! How long have you been here?"
"I came last week," said Daisy Dow, "and I'm awfully glad to see you again, Patty."
And then Patty was whisked off to her room, and not until tea-time did she see the rest of the house party.