“That’s a good child,” said Nan, soothingly, “and now first we’ll go right up to your own room.”
Then Nan helped Patty into a soft dressing gown, made her lie down upon her bed, and threw a light afghan over her.
Then sitting beside her, Nan talked a little on unimportant matters and then began to sing softly. In less than half an hour Patty was sound asleep, and Nan breathed a sigh of relief at finding her efforts had been successful.
But there was not much time to spare, for the commencement exercises began at three o’clock.
So at two o’clock Patty found herself gently awakened, to see Nan at her bedside, arranging a dainty tray of luncheon which a maid had brought in.
“Here you are, girlie,” said the cheery voice, “sit up now, and see what we have for you here.”
Patty awoke a little bewildered, but soon gathered her scattered senses, and viewed with pleasure the broiled chicken and crisp salad before her.
Exhaustion had made her hungry, and while she ate, Nan busied herself in getting out the pretty costume that Patty was to wear at commencement.
But the sight of the white organdie frock with its fluffy ruffles and soft laces brought back Patty’s apprehensions.
“Oh, Nan,” she cried in dismay, “I’m not nearly ready for commencement! I haven’t copied my poem yet, and I haven’t had a minute to practice reading it for the last two weeks. What shall I do?”