As each offered an arm at once, Patty accepted both, and walked out demurely between the two big men. The men were exceedingly polite and courteous, but each was annoyed at the other's presence. As a matter of fact, Farnsworth had chanced to overhear a few words that Philip said to Patty a short time before. It was by merest chance that King Lear and Zenobia had walked by just as Philip was asking Patty to give him more than friendship. Zenobia, uninterested in the two under the palms, didn't even hear the words; but Farnsworth, who had found out from Jim Kenerley all the members of the house party, had scarcely taken his eyes from Little Bo-Peep since he arrived at the ball. With no intention of eavesdropping, he had followed her about, hoping to get a chance to see her first alone. He managed this only with Kenerley's help, and meantime he had discovered that Van Reypen was very seriously interested in Little Bo-Peep. Philip himself knew little of Farnsworth, save for a few chance remarks he had heard at the Kenerleys', but he realised at once that Patty and the big Westerner were great friends, if nothing more. However, the three went to supper together, and joined the group in which they were most interested. Great was the surprise of Daisy and Mona when Patty appeared with Mr. Farnsworth. Big Bill was in the merriest of spirits. He greeted everybody heartily, he joked and laughed, and was at his most entertaining best. Patty was very proud of him, for without his mask he looked very handsome as King Lear, and his stalwart figure seemed to dwarf the other men. After supper he claimed Patty for the promised dance. "Would you rather dance with King Lear?" he said, smiling, "with all these heavy velvet draperies bothering us, or shall I go and shed this robe, and just be plain Bill?" Patty looked at him, thoughtfully. "We'd have a better dance if you took off that flapping robe. But then, of course, you'd have to take off your wigs and things, and you wouldn't be half so beautiful." "Well, then, don't let's dance, but just stroll around and talk. And there's another reason why I'd rather keep on my wig and wreath." "What's that?" "Because the wreath means that I am mad." "Mad at me?" "Oh, not that kind of mad! I mean crazy, demented, loony,--what was the old King, anyway?" "A little touched?" "Yes, that's it; and so, you see, he could say anything he wanted to. You know, people forgive crazy people, no matter what they say." "Are you going to say crazy things to me?" "Very likely; you've completely turned my head." "Do you know, I didn't even know King Lear ever went crazy," said Patty in an endeavour to change the subject. "Why, fie, fie, Little Girl, I thought you knew your Shakespeare; but I suppose you're too busy socially to read much poetry." "I read one poem this winter that I liked," said Patty, demurely. "Did you? What was it?" "It came to me in a blue envelope."