They were in Patty's boudoir, the morning after the Christmas party. A breakfast tray, with contents only partly demolished, was pushed away, as the importance of the discussion made food seem an intrusive factor. Patty's cap was askew on her hastily knotted-up curls, and she gathered about her the voluminous folds of a billowy, blue silk affair, that was her latest acquisition in the way of negligees. "My child," said Nan, "you have given yourself away. If you want any help in making up your mind, you are not in love with that young man. You don't 'care for' him, in the technical sense of the term." "But he's very nice, Nancy. He's a big-hearted, fine-minded----" "Upstanding, clean-cut American gentleman. Let me help you out. Yes, Patty, he's all those things and more. But if you don't love him you mustn't marry him. You're old enough to know your own mind." "I'm not such an ancient!" "Don't be silly! You're nearly twenty-one----" "Just twenty and a half." "Well, all right, twenty and a half. But that's not like seventeen. You're young for your years, I think. But anyway, you've seen enough of men to know if Phil Van Reypen is 'Lord of your life,--your King,--your Star!' Is he?" "Not much he isn't! Why, Nan, he's an awfully nice chap, but no 'Philip, My King!' There, you see I can quote poetry as well as you. Oh, Nan, Bill Farnsworth knows an awful lot about poetry! Would you think he would?" "Now, Patty, keep to the subject in hand. Fred and I both think you ought to be engaged to Philip, or else tell him you won't be. It isn't fair to him, to act as you do." "I know it, you angel stepmother, and so, I'm going to decide, right now,--with much quickness. Heigho! Which shall it be? Patty Van Reypen,--or stay an old maid all my life." "Oh, I dare say there are others. You may possibly have another chance at matrimony." "Nan," and Patty turned suddenly grave, "I don't like that--a chance at matrimony. I mean, if one gets engaged, it ought to be to a man she loves so much that she doesn't think of it as a 'chance.' It ought to be the one and only." "Why, that's just what I'm trying to say, dear. Now, is Phil the one and only?" "No, ma'am. Not by no manner of means, he isn't. Nixie, he is not!" "That mass of negatives sounds rather conclusive to me. So, with that as a premise, I'm going to advise you, even urge you to tell him so with unmistakable definiteness." "But, Nan, it makes him feel so bad." "That is the trouble, Patty. Every true woman hates to disappoint the man who truly loves her. And Phil adores you. His love is deep and sincere. He would make you very happy--if you loved him. If not, it would only mean unhappiness for you both. And, so, it is really kinder to him to tell him so frankly and let him give up any false hopes."