"There is no privacy at Galvin House," murmured Patricia, "except in the bathroom." "Patricia, don't be indelicate," snapped Miss Brent. "I'm not indelicate, Aunt Adelaide, I'm merely being accurate," said Patricia wearily. "Cannot we go to your room?" enquired Miss Brent. "Impossible!" announced Patricia. "It's like an oven by now. The sun is on it all the afternoon. Besides," continued Patricia, "my affairs are public property here. We are quite a commune. We have everything in common--except our toothbrushes," she added as an afterthought. "Well! Let us get over there." Miss Brent rose and made for the corner farthest from Miss Wangle and Mrs. Mosscrop-Smythe. Patricia followed her wearily. "I've just snubbed those two women," announced Miss Brent, as she seated herself in a basket-chair that squeaked protestingly. "There were indications of electricity in the air," remarked Patricia calmly. "I want to have a serious talk with you, Patricia," said Miss Brent in her best it's-my-duty-cost-it-what-it-may manner. "How can anyone be serious in this heat?" protested Patricia. "I owe it to your poor dear father to----" "This debtor and creditor business is killing romance," murmured Patricia. "I have your welfare to consider," proceeded Miss Brent. "I----" "Don't you think you've done enough mischief already, Aunt Adelaide?" enquired Patricia coolly. "Mischief! I?" exclaimed Miss Brent in astonishment. Patricia nodded. "As your sole surviving relative it is my duty----" "Don't you think," interrupted Patricia, "that just for once you could neglect your duty? Sin is wonderfully exhilarating." "Patricia!" almost shrieked Miss Brent, horror in her eyes. "Are you mad?" "No," replied Patricia, "only a little weary." "You must have a tonic," announced Miss Brent. Patricia shuddered. She still remembered her childish sufferings resulting from Miss Brent's interpretation and application of The Doctor at Home. She was convinced that she had swallowed every remedy the book contained, and been rubbed with every liniment its pages revealed. "No, Aunt Adelaide," she said evenly. "All I require is that you should cease interfering in my affairs." "How dare you! How----" Miss Brent paused wordless. "I am prepared to accept you as an aunt," continued Patricia, outwardly calm; but almost stifled by the pounding of her heart. "It is God's will; but if you persist in assuming the mantle of Mrs. Grundy, combined with the Infallibility of the Pope, then I must protest." "Protest!" repeated Miss Brent, repeating the word as if not fully comprehending its meaning. "If I am able to earn my own living, then I am able to conduct my own love affairs." "But----" began Miss Brent.