"No, I don't; but that's no reason you should go over to them so entirely, and forsake all of your old set. I never liked the Blaneys; I only wanted you to meet them, to see how queer and eccentric they were. But I never supposed you'd join their ranks, and become so infatuated with Sam Blaney----" "I'm not infatuated with Sam Blaney!" "You are so! You think he's a genius and a poet and a little tin god on wheels!" "Well, all right, Elise, then I do think so. And I've got a right to think so, if I want to. Now, listen, and stop your foolishness. I said I'd give you my decision, and this is it. I'll come round here Christmas Eve after the party at the Blaneys'. I've got to go to that, for I'm going to dance, and I'm going to be in some 'Living Pictures,' but I can get away by eleven, or soon after, and that will be in time for your dance." "Well, half a loaf is better than no bread,--I'll have the tree late, then. After you get here." "Oh, no, don't put off your tree! I might not be able to get here much before midnight." "Yes, you will. You've promised me for eleven, and you always keep a promise,--I know that. I'll send for you, and you must come." "All right, I will. Truly, Elise, I want to be at the tree here,--but I couldn't help the two engagements clashing. Now, also, to show you that I haven't lost interest in the Girls' Club, I'll have the House Sale after the holidays are over." "Oh, will you, Patty? You're a dear old thing!" "And amn't I mean and horrid, and a deserter?" "Well, you're a bit of a deserter, and I suppose you'll rush off to a Cosmic meeting the night of the Sale, and leave me to run it!" "_You're_ mean, now, Elise. You know I wouldn't do such a thing,--unless----" "Unless what?" "Unless it happened to be on a night of a special meeting of the Cosmic Centre. In that case, I'd have to go for a little while." Just then Van Reypen came in. "You here, Patty?" he said. "I've been looking you up. How are you, Elise? What are you girls confabbing about?" "I'm scolding Patty for her desertion of us and her infatuation for those Blaney people." "Confound those Blaney people! I wish they were in Timbuctoo!" "Why, Philip, how unkind!" and Patty smiled at him in an exasperating way. "You _know_ you admire Sam Blaney immensely,--only you're jealous of him." "Admire him! Jealous of him!" Van Reypen fairly glowered with indignation. "That nincompoop! with long hair and a green neck-tie! He's a half-witted farmer!" Patty's laugh rang out. "Oh, Phil," she cried, "don't be a silly, yourself! His worst enemy couldn't call Sam a farmer! And I can assure you, he's far from half-witted." "Yes, far less than half," growled Van Reypen. "Oh, Patty, drop 'em, cut 'em out, give 'em the go-by, won't you?" "Thank you, no. I still reserve the right to choose my friends, and I confess to a liking for those who are kindly disposed toward me."