"Tuesday, I suppose; but Adele said----" "No, Monday, Mona, for us, and the boys----" "I'm not sure that I'll go. You see----" "Now, stop such nonsense! Of course he isn't invited, but I'll never speak to you again if----" "Oh, of course I will, but I'll only stay----" "Yes, all our best frocks, and lots of presents and, oh, Mona, come on over here, do. There's oceans of things to talk about!" "All right, I will. Good-bye." "Good-bye." And Patty hung up the receiver. "She's coming over here, Nan; there's so much to plan for, you know. Do help me, won't you? A regular Christmas tree, and all that, you know; and presents for everybody, and a dance at the country club, and I don't know what all." "Yes, you will have a lovely time." And Nan smiled with sympathy at the excited girl, whose sparkling eyes and tumbled hair betokened her state of mind. Mona came over and spent the rest of the day, and plans were made and unmade and remade with startling rapidity. Mona began to voice regrets that Mr. Lansing was not invited to the house party, but Patty interrupted at once: "Now, Mona Galbraith, you stop that! Adele has a lovely party made up, and you're not going to spoil it by even so much as a reference to that man! Roger will be there for Christmas, and if that isn't enough for you, you can stay home!" "Isn't Elise going?" "No, she can't. She's going South next week with her mother, and I doubt if Philip Van Reypen will go. His aunt won't want him to leave her at the holidays. Do you know, I'm a little sorry Daisy Dow is up there." "You don't like her, do you, Patty?" "I would, if she'd like me. But she's always snippy to me." "'Cause she's jealous of you," observed Mona, sapiently. "Nonsense! She has no reason to be. I never interfere with her." "Well, never mind, don't let her bother you. Hal Ferris will be there. You don't know him, do you? He's Adele's brother." "No, I never met him. She wrote that he'd be there." "He's the dearest boy. Well, he's older than Adele, but he seems like a boy,--he's so full of capers. Adele says it's a beautiful big house, just right for a jolly, old-fashioned Christmas party." * * * * * The days simply flew by as Christmas drew nearer. There was so much to do socially, and then there were the Happy Saturday Afternoons to be planned and carried out, and the Christmas shopping to be done. This last was greatly added to because of the house party, for Patty knew the generosity of her hosts, and she wanted to do her share in the presentation festivities.