Patty's Success Part 5

It was a real work of art, and so winsome was the pictured face that Patty cried out in admiration: "What a stunner you are, Nan! I didn't realise you were so good-looking,--but it's exactly like you."

"That's a mixed-up compliment, Patty," laughed Nan, "but I'll surmise that you mean well."

"I do so! I think it's a lovely picture of a lovely lady! There, how's that?"

"Much better," said Nan, as Patty caught her round the shoulders and kissed her affectionately.

"Give me the lady," said Mr. Fairfield, taking Nan into his own arms. "As the portrait is a gift to me, I will kiss her for it, myself."

"Do," said Patty, "but if you give her more than three kisses, you'll lose your train; it's getting pretty late."

"Is it?" cried Mr. Fairfield. "Then, Jane, bring in those two boxes I left in your charge, will you?"

"Yes, sir," cried the waitress, and, leaving the room, she returned in a moment with two large white boxes.

"These are Christmas gifts to the two loveliest ladies I know," said Mr.

Fairfield, gallantly tendering a box to each.

"But I've had my Christmas gift from you!" exclaimed Patty, and "So have I!" cried Nan.

"Nevertheless these are laid at your feet," said Mr. Fairfield, calmly depositing the boxes on the floor in front of them.

"Oh, well, we may as well see what they are," said Patty, untying the white ribbons that fastened her box.

Nan did likewise, and in a moment they were both rapturously exclaiming over two sets of white furs that nestled in billows of white tissue paper.

Nan's furs were ermine, and Patty's were soft, fluffy, white fox, and so beautiful were they that the two recipients donned them at once, and posed side by side before the mirror, admiring themselves and each other.

Then, with a simultaneous impulse they turned to thank the donor, and Mr.

Fairfield found himself suddenly entangled in four arms and two boas, while two immense m.u.f.fs met at the back of his neck and enveloped his head and ears.

"Have mercy!" he cried; "come one at a time, can't you? Yes, yes, I'm glad you're pleased, but do get this fur out of my mouth! I feel as if I were attacked by polar bears!"

"Oh, Fathery Fairfield," Patty cried, "you are the dearest thing in the world! How _did_ you know I wanted furs? And white fox, of all things!

And ermine for Nan! Oh, but you _are_ a good gentleman! Isn't he, stepmother?"

"He'll do," said Nan, smiling roguishly at her husband, who, somehow, seemed satisfied with this faint praise.

"Now, scamper, Nan-girl," he cried, "if you would see your mother to-day, you must leave here in less than an hour. Can you be ready?"

"I can't, but I will," replied Nan, gaily, as she ran away to prepare for her journey.

Patty, too, went to her room to get ready for her visit at the Farringtons'. She was to stay three days, and as there were several parties planned for her entertainment, she packed a small trunk with several of her prettiest gowns. Also, she had a suitcase full of gifts for the Christmas tree, which was to be part of the festivities.

She bade her parents good-by when they started, and watched the new motor-car disappear round the corner, then returned to her own preparations.

"I do have lovely things," she thought to herself, as she folded her dainty garments and laid them in their places.

Then she glanced again at her new furs.

"I have too much," she thought; "it isn't fair for one girl to have so much, when so many poor people have nothing. I wonder what I ought to do about it."

Poor Patty was confronting the problem that has troubled and baffled so many honest hearts, but the more she thought about it, the more it seemed insoluble.

"At any rate, it would be absurd to give my white furs, or my chiffon frocks to poor people," she concluded, "for they couldn't use them. Well, after the holidays, I'm going to see what I can do. But now, I must hurry, or I'll be late."

An hour or two later, she found herself in the Farringtons' home.

"What lovely furs, Patty," exclaimed Mrs. Farrington, "and how well they suit you!"

They were extremely becoming, and Patty's pretty face, with its soft colour and smiling eyes, rose like a flower from the white fur at her throat.

"Yes, aren't they beautiful?" Patty responded. "Father just gave them to me, and I'm so pleased with them."

"And well you may be. Now, you girls run away and play, for I've a thousand things to do."

Indeed, Mrs. Farrington was in a whirlpool of presents that she was both sending and receiving. Maids and footmen were running hither and thither, bringing messages or carrying out orders, and as the whole house was full of warmth and light, and the spicy fragrance of Christmas greens, Patty fairly revelled in the pleasant atmosphere.

She was of a nature very susceptible to surroundings. Like a cat, she loved to bask in warm sunshine, or in a luxurious, softly-furnished place. Moreover, she was fond of Elise, and so looked forward to her three days' visit with glad antic.i.p.ation.

After Patty had laid aside her things, the two girls sat down to chat in the big hall on the second floor of the mansion. A wood-fire was blazing, and soft, red-shaded lights cast a delightful glow.

"Elise," said Patty, somewhat suddenly, "don't you think we have too much riches and things?"

Elise stared at her.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

Patty laughed at her friend's blank expression, but she went on.

"I mean just what I say. Of course, you have lots more riches and things than I have; but I think we all have too much when we think of the poor people who haven't any."

"Oh, you mean Socialism," exclaimed Elise, suddenly enlightened.

"No, I don't mean Socialism. I mean plain, every-day charity. Don't you think we ought to give away more?"

"Why, yes, if you like," said Elise, who was greatly puzzled. "Do you want me to subscribe to some charity? I will."

"Well, perhaps I'll hold you to that," said Patty, slowly; "for after the holidays I'm going to try to do something in the matter. I don't know just what; I haven't thought it out yet. But I'm not going to be what my father calls a 'mere social b.u.t.terfly,' and I don't believe you want to, either."

"No, I don't; but do leave it all till after the holidays, Patty, for now I want you to help me with some Christmas presents."

Elise looked so worried and so beseeching that Patty laughed. Then she kissed her, and said: "All right, Lisa mine. Command me. My services are at your disposal."

So the girls went up to the Sun Parlour, where Elise had all her choicest belongings, and where she now had her array of Christmas gifts.

The room was entirely of gla.s.s, and by a careful arrangement of double panes and concealed heat-pipes, was made comfortable even in the coldest weather. Flowers and plants were round the sides; birds in gilt cages sang and twittered; and gilt wicker furniture gave the place a dainty French effect that was charming. On the tables were strewn Christmas gifts of all sorts.

"I'm just tying up the last ones," said Elise. "Don't be afraid to look; yours is safely hidden away. Now, here's what I want to know."