Mr. Fairfield rose and said, "Your honour, ladies, and gentlemen: I would be glad to speak definitely on this burning question, but the truth is, I don't know myself which way I want it to be decided. For, you see, my only desire in the matter is that the wise and honourable judge, whom we see before us, should have a home of such a character and in such a place as best pleases her; but, before she makes her decision, I hope she will allow herself to be thoroughly convinced as to what will please her. And as, by force of circumstance, I am obliged to uphold the New York side of this argument, I will now set forth some of its advantages, feeling sure that my worthy opponents are quite able to uphold the Vernondale side." "Hear, hear!" exclaimed Frank, but Patty rapped with her mallet and commanded silence. Then Mr. Fairfield went on: "For one thing, Patty has always lived in a city, and, like myself, is accustomed to city life. It is more congenial to both of us, and I sometimes fear we should miss certain city privileges which may not be found in a suburban town." "But we have other things that you can't get in the city," broke in Marian. "And I am very sure that they will be enthusiastically enumerated when it is your turn to speak," said Mr. Fairfield, smiling. "The gentleman has the floor," remarked Patty, "the others will please keep their seats. Proceed, Mr. Fairfield." So Mr. Fairfield proceeded: "Other advantages, perhaps, will be found in the superior schools which the city is said to contain. I am making no allusion to the school that our honourable judge is at present attending, but I am speaking merely on general principles. And not only schools, but masters of the various arts. I have been led to believe by the assertions of some people, who, however, may be prejudiced, that Miss Fairfield has a voice which requires only training and practise to rival the voice of Adelina Patti, when that lady was Miss Fairfield's age." "Quite true," said the judge, nodding gravely at the speaker. "This phenomenal voice, then, might--mind; I say might--be cultivated to better purpose by metropolitan teachers." "We have a fine singing-master here," exclaimed Frank, but Patty rapped him to silence. "What's one singing-master among a voice like Miss Fairfield's?" demanded the speaker, "and another thing," he continued, "that ought to affect you Vernondale people very strongly, is the fact that you would have a delightful place to visit in New York City. Now, don't deny it. You know you'd be glad to come and visit Patty and me in our brown-stone mansion, and we would take you around to see all the sights, from Grant's tomb to the Aquarium." "We've seen those," murmured Frank. "They're still there," said Mr. Fairfield, "and there will probably be some other and newer entertainments that you haven't yet seen." "It does sound nice," said Frank.