The quartet started off in high spirits at the prospect of a jolly day. The big limousine was most comfortable and well equipped. An ample luncheon was stowed away in hampers, and a skilful and careful chauffeur drove them at a speedy gait. It was a glorious, clear, cold, sunshiny day, and the open windows gave them plenty of fresh air. Patty, enveloped in furs, nestled in one corner of the wide back seat, and Mona was in the other. The two men faced them. Not a word had passed between Patty and Philip about the night before, and Patty wondered if he intended to let the matter go by without further reference. "You see it's this way," Philip began, addressing Patty; "I haven't really had an opportunity of telling you about it yet. We don't want to do anything much in the matter of the Home before Spring. But as Mona's house is in the market, and as it seems like an ideal place to have for the children, I thought we'd better look into it, and, if advisable, buy it and then wait a few months before doing anything further." "I think so, too, Phil," Patty agreed. "I counted up the rooms and it will easily accommodate twenty or twenty-five kiddies, and that's as many as we can take care of, isn't it?" "I think so; for the present, anyway. And you know, Patty, all you have to do is to approve or disapprove of the purchase, and what you say, goes." "What an important personage you are, Patty," said Roger. "Your lightest word is law." "It won't be a light word," and Patty looked serious. "I shall consider the matter carefully, and with all the wisdom and forethought I can find in my brain. This matter was left to me as a trust, and I'm not taking it lightly, I can tell you. This purchase of a house is a permanent move, not a trifling, temporary question. And unless the place is the very right place,--righter than any other place,--why, we don't want it, that's all." "Bravo, Patty!" and Philip looked at her, admiringly. "You've got a lot of good sense and judgment under that fur headpiece of yours." "Fur headpiece!" cried Patty; "my new chinchilla toque! This is my dearest possession, if you please." "It looks dear," observed Roger. "I believe that chinchilla animal is quite expensive." "It is indeed," declared Mona, "my travelling suit is trimmed with it." "Travelling suit?" asked Patty, innocently, "are you going away?" "She says so," Roger answered for her. "She says she's going to----" "Hush!" cried Mona, "isn't that just like a man! Why, you mustn't tell where you're going on your wedding trip! It isn't done." "No, of course not," chimed in Patty; "but, all the same, after you reach Palm Beach, let us know, won't you?" "I will," declared Roger, "but, do you know, it seems as if the time would never come!" "Nice boy," said Mona, approvingly; "doesn't he make pretty speeches, Patty?" "Lovely. You'll have a beautiful time on your trip. I 'most wish I was going with you?"