"Really? How interesting! I hope I shall know you better very soon, for I adore unusual people." "And do unusual people adore you?" "I can't tell; I've never met one before," and after the briefest of saucy glances, Patty dropped her eyes demurely. "Aren't you one yourself?" "Oh, no!" And Patty looked up with an air of greatest surprise; "I'm just a plain little every-day girl." "You're a plain little coquette, that's what you are!" "You are indeed unusual, sir, to call me plain!" and Patty looked about as indignant as an angry kitten. "Perhaps, when I know you better, I may change my opinion of your plainness. Will you dance now?" The music had been playing for some moments, and signifying her assent, Patty rose, and they joined the dancers who were circling the floor. Mr. Everson was a fine dancer, but he was all unprepared for Patty's exquisite perfection in the art. "Why, Miss Fairfield," he said, unable to suppress his admiration, "I didn't know anybody danced like you, except professionals." "Oh, yes, I'm a good dancer," said Patty, carelessly; "and so are you, for that matter. Do you think they've made up?" "Who?" "Miss Galbraith and Mr. Farrington. See, we're just passing them. Oh, I'm afraid they haven't!" It was difficult to judge by the glance they obtained in passing, but Patty declared that both Mona's and Roger's faces looked like thunder clouds. "Give them a little longer," said Mr. Everson, who began to see how matters stood. "Perhaps another round, and we will find them smiling into each other's eyes." But when they next circled the long room, Mona and Roger were nowhere to be seen. "Aha," said Everson, "the conservatory for theirs! It must be all right! Shall we trail 'em?" "Yes," said Patty. "I don't care if they see us. Let's walk through the conservatory." They did so, and spied Mona and Roger sitting under a group of palms, engaged in earnest conversation. They were not smiling, but they were talking very seriously, with no indication of quarrelling. "I guess it's all right," said Patty, with a little sigh. "It's awfully nice to have friends, Mr. Everson, but sometimes they're a great care; aren't they?" "If you'll let me be your friend, Miss Fairfield, I'll promise never to be a care, and I'll help you to care for your other cares." "Goodness, what a complicated offer! If I could straighten all those cares you speak of, I might decide to take you as a friend. I think I will, anyway,--you were so nice about giving me this dance." "I was only too delighted to do so, Miss Fairfield." "Thank you. You know it is in place of our other one, number sixteen." "Oh, we must have that also." "No, it was a fair exchange. You can get another partner for sixteen." "But I don't want to. If you throw me over, I shall sit in a corner and mope." "Oh, don't do that! Well, I'll tell you what, I'll give you half of sixteen, and you can mope the other half."