"I'm so glad to have you here," she said to Patty; "for now I know my party will be a success."
"I'm sure your parties always are," returned Patty, kindly, for Marie was a shy sort of girl, and Patty was glad to encourage her.
As soon as the guests had all arrived St. Valentine appeared in the doorway.
It was Mr. Homer, but he was scarcely recognisable in his garb of the good old Saint.
He wore a red gown, trimmed with ermine, and a long white beard and wig.
He carried an enormous letter-bag, from which he distributed valentines to all. They were of the old-fashioned lace paper variety, and beautiful of their kind.
Mrs. Homer explained that on the valentine of every young man was a question, and the girl whose valentine had an answer to rhyme with it, was his partner for the first dance.
The young men were requested to read their valentines aloud in turn, and the girls to read their responsive answers.
This proceeding caused much hilarity, for the lines were exceedingly sentimental, and often affectionate.
When it was Roger Farrington's turn, he read out boldly: