"I'm not on the same 'projick' now," said Patty, smiling at him. "Is department B in the same place?" "Sure it is," and for some reason the boy added, "miss," after a momentary pause, which made Patty realise his different attitude toward her, now that she wore a more elaborate costume, than when he had seen her in a purposely plain little suit. "And is the same lady still in charge of it?" "Yep; dey ain't nuttin' lessen dynnimite goin' to boost Mis' Greene outen o' here!" "Then Mrs. Greene is the lady I want to see," and Patty threaded her way through the narrow passages between the piled up boxes. "No pass needed; she's a free show," the boy called after her, and in a moment Patty found herself again in the presence of the sharp-faced, tired-looking woman whom she had once interviewed regarding her embroidery work. "This is Mrs. Greene, isn't it?" said Patty, pleasantly. "Yes, I am," snapped the woman. "You don't want work again, do you?" "No," said Patty, smiling, "I come this time on quite a different errand." "Then you don't want to see _me_. I'm here only to give out work. Did Mr. Myers send you?" "No, I came of my own accord. Now, Mrs. Greene, forget the work for a moment, and let me tell you what I want." "If it's subscribin' to any fund, or belongin' to any working woman's club run by you swell ladies, you can count me out. I ain't got time for foolishness." "It isn't anything like that," and Patty laughed so merrily that Mrs. Greene's hard face softened in spite of herself. "Well, what is it?" she asked, in a less belligerent tone. "It's only this," and though Patty's errand had seemed to her simple enough before she came in, she now began to wonder how Mrs. Greene would take it. "Some friends of mine and I are asking three or four people to lunch with us and take a little motor ride on Saturday, and I want you to come as my guest?" "What!" and Mrs. Greene's face was blank with amazement, but her manner betokened an impending burst of wrath. Patty realised that the woman's pride was up in arms at the idea of patronage, and she was at her wit's end how to make the real spirit of her invitation understood. As it chanced, she unwittingly took the right tack. So earnest was she that her lips quivered a little, and her eyes showed a pleading, pathetic expression, as she said, "_Please_ don't misunderstand me, Mrs. Greene. If you would enjoy it, I want you to come to our party on Saturday as our welcome guest. If you wouldn't enjoy it,--just say so,--but--but _don't_ scold me!" Mrs. Greene looked puzzled, and then the hard, stern mouth broke into an actual smile. "Well, I declare," she said, "I do believe you've got a real heart!" "And I do believe that _you_ have!" exclaimed Patty. "And, now that we know the truth about each other, you'll come, won't you?" "Tell me about it," and the speaker seemed still uncertain, though wavering.