"I don't know what there is, myself," she said, "but we'll forage in the sideboard and pantry and see." The foraging resulted in a pair of cold roasted ducks, plenty of plum-cake and a cherry-pie. "I'm sorry there isn't any bread," said Mrs. Barlow, apologetically; "I told Hopalong to order it as she went by the baker's, but I fear she forgot it." "Never mind," said Bob, "I don't care much for bread, anyhow, do you, Patty? Mother, here's a lot of cold potatoes. Can't you make a salad?" "Yes, indeed," said Mrs. Barlow; so the children brought the ingredients, and a fine salad was soon concocted. While this was going on, Miss Allen came running in. "Oh," she exclaimed, "I'm as hungry as a hunter. We've been out sailing, and I've _such_ an appetite. Who is this pretty child?" "This is Patty Fairfield," said Bumble, "my cousin, from the South." "Oh, yes, of course, I knew you expected her to-day. How do you do, Patty? I'm very glad to see you. I am Nan Allen, and I want you to like me better than you do any of the Barlows. Do you hear?" "Yes," said Patty, "but I'll wait until I see if you like me." Miss Allen was a very pretty young lady, of about twenty, with sparkling black eyes, and a lot of curly golden hair, which she wore massed high on her head. She was extremely vivacious and Patty liked her at once. Then Bumble set the silver basket on the table, and Nan brought a pile of plates and everybody helped himself or herself to such viands as they wished. There was much laughter and gay talk, and Patty enjoyed the informal meal immensely. CHAPTER XIII HOME-MADE MUSIC "Why do you call this the music-room?" asked Patty; "there's no piano in it, nor any musical instrument that I can see." "That's just the reason why," replied Nan. "I christened the room myself, and I called it the music-room because it hasn't anything musical in it. I get so tired of seeing music-rooms filled with pianos and banjos and mandolins and guitars. This is a refreshing change. And besides, when we want music we can sing." "Then won't you sing now?" said Patty. "I'd like to hear you." "Why, of course we will; would you like to hear some of our original songs?" "Yes, indeed! Do you make songs yourself?" "Oh, we always make our own songs. Home-made songs are ever so much better than boughten ones. They fit better and wear longer. We don't make the tunes, though; we just appropriate those. First we'll sing you 'The Song of the House.'" This was sung to the air of "The Kerry Dance," and the whole family joined their voices with Nan's, and all sang with great spirit. Come, oh, come to the Hurly-Burly, Come and join in the jolly fun That begins in the morning early, And continues till day is done. Sailing, swimming, walking, riding,-- On the land or on the sea; At the Hurly-Burly biding, We're as happy as we can be. Oh, the jollity, oh, the gayety, Just come down and see; CHORUS:--Come, oh, come, etc.