"Pansy," she called, as she heard the girl in the dining-room, "do, for mercy's sake, come up and help me. I can't find my shoe-buttoner, and I can't button the yoke of this crazy dress without it." Pansy came to the rescue, and just as the Elliott family came in at the front gate, Patty completely attired, but very flushed and breathless from her rapid exertions--flew downstairs and tucked her arm through her father's, as he stood in the hall. "I'm here," she said demurely, and trying to speak calmly. "Oh, so you are," he said. "I thought a white cashmere whirlwind had struck me. I _hope_ you didn't hurry yourself." "Oh, no!" said Patty, meeting his merry smile with another. "I just dawdled through my dressing to kill time." "Yes, you look so," said her father, and just then the doorbell rang. "Oh, papa," cried Patty, her eyes dancing with excitement, "_isn't_ it just grand! That's the first ring at our own doorbell, our _own_ doorbell, you know; and hasn't it a musical ring? And now it will be answered by our own Pansy." Without a trace of the hurry and fluster that had so affected her young mistress, Pansy Potts, in neat white cap and apron, opened the door to the guests. Patty nudged her father's arm in glee, as they noted the correct demeanour of their own waitress, and then all such considerations were drowned in the outburst of enthusiasm that accompanied the entrance of the Elliotts. The younger members of the family announced themselves with wild war-whoops of delight, and the older ones, though less noisy, were no less enthusiastic. "I like Cousin Patty's house," announced Gilbert, sitting down in the middle of the floor. "I will stay here always. Where is the Pudgy kitty-cat?" "I'll get her for you, right away," said Patty. "She is fatter than ever; but, first, let me make grandma comfortable." Taking Mrs. Elliott's bonnet and wraps, Patty led the old lady to a large easy-chair, and announced that she must sit there for a few moments and rest, before she made a tour of inspection around the house. Grandma Elliott had not been allowed in the new house while it was being arranged, lest she should take cold, and so to-day it burst upon her in all its glory. By this time Frank and Marian were investigating the conservatory, and little Edith was announcing that Cousin Patty had a "Crimson Gambler." "She means Crimson Rambler!" exclaimed Patty; "or, as Pansy calls it, 'that bunchy rosebush.'" Although the guests had been invited to a two-o'clock dinner, yet when the clock hands pointed to nearly three, the meal had not been announced. There was so much to be talked about that the time did not drag, but Aunt Alice looked at Patty a little curiously. Patty caught the glance, and excusing herself, went out into the kitchen. "Mancy!" she exclaimed; "it's almost three o'clock. Why don't you have dinner?"