A quick side glance at the stern face beside her showed Patty that there was no chance of her going back to the Blaneys', so she said, with great dignity, "I'll go to Elise's, then. But I want you to understand that I resent your treatment, that I detest you for using your strength to interfere with my pleasure, and that I absolutely sever all friendship or acquaintance with you, now and forever!" "Bad as that? Well, well, you _must_ be annoyed." "Annoyed! _annoyed_! why, I----" "There now, Posy Face, quiet down a bit, we're almost at the house. You don't want to go in looking like a--a weeping willow! You'll spoil the effect of that red frock, if your eyes are red, too, and your cheeks all tear-stained. Here, have a fresh handkerchief." Farnsworth produced another big white linen affair, and unfolding it with a flourish, held it up to Patty's face. "I never saw anybody have so many clean handkerchiefs! Do you carry a dozen?" "Always glad to help ladies in distress. Are you often so lachrymose?" "Oh Little Billee, _don't_ be so everlasting good-natured, when I feel so cross. _Why_ did you bring me away from that place, when I was having such a good time? And the best part was just about to begin!" "Now, Patty, listen--while the listening's good. Here we are at Elise's; I want you to go in, gay and smiling, and not cause any curious comment. So let the Blaney discussion wait, and I'll tell you all about it, first chance we get. You don't want everybody to know that you left the Cosmic Club a--er,--a bit unintentionally, do you? Then, forget it, for the moment, and put on a Merry Christmas manner. You'll be glad you did, afterward." Farnsworth's talk was sound sense, and Patty knew it. She already felt a little relieved at getting away from Sam Blaney and back with her own crowd. So she shook off her petulance and her anger, and when she entered the Farringtons' drawing-room, no smile that greeted her was brighter than her own in response. "Why, Pattibelle," cried Chick Channing, "welcome home! I feared we had lost you to the high-geared Highbrows. Merry Christmas and many of 'em! Come sit by my side, little darling----" "No, come sit by us," insisted Elise, from the other side of the room. "You're a dear, to come so early, Patty. How did it happen?" "Oh, I just _couldn't_ stay there any longer," said Patty, very truthfully. "Am I in time for the Christmas tree?" "Indeed you are," returned Elise; "also for the feast and the dancing and the Mistletoe Bough." "Good!" and Patty joined the laughing group, of which she immediately became the centre. Her red velvet gown, though unusual, was not so eccentric as to appear peculiar in this setting, and the girls began to express admiration. Nor were the men unappreciative. "A real Yuletide frock, Patty," said Phil Van Reypen, approvingly. "Didn't know you could wear that colour."