"I beg your pardon," he exclaimed. "I do indeed! I'm almost a stranger to you, I know; I ought to have waited until I know you better to say anything of that sort to you! May I take it back, and then say it to you again after I do know you better?" Patty couldn't help smiling at his mock dismay. "And how well shall I have to know you," he went on, "before I can say it to you properly?" "I can't answer that question at once," said Patty. "We'll have to let our acquaintance proceed, and see----" "And see how the cat jumps," he suggested. "Yes," agreed Patty. "And, by the way, what a jumper that cat must be." "Small wonder, with everybody waiting to see how she jumps! Oh, pshaw! here comes a horde of people, and our pleasant tete-a-tete is spoiled!" "Never mind; we'll have another some time," and Patty gave him a dimpled smile that quite completed the undoing of Mr. Harold Ferris. The "horde" proved to be two young men from nearby country houses, Mr. Collins and Mr. Hoyt. And then the other members of the household appeared, and soon dinner was announced. "We haven't any especial guest of honour," said Mrs. Kenerley, "for you're all so very honourable. So pair off just as you like." Hal Ferris jumped a low chair and two footstools to reach Patty before any one else could. "Come in with me," he said. "I know the way to the dining-room." "I'm glad to be shown," said Patty. "You see, I've never been here before." "I know it; that's why I'm being so kind to you. To-morrow I'll take you up in the tower--it's great." "Why, is this place a castle?" "Not exactly, but it's modelled after an old chateau. Really, it's a most interesting house." "All right. To-morrow we'll explore it thoroughly." And then they took their seats at the table, and as the party was small, conversation became general. Suddenly Patty became aware that Mr. Collins, who sat on the other side of her, was trying to attract her attention. He was a mild-mannered young man, and he looked at her reproachfully. "I've asked you a question three times, Miss Fairfield," he said, "and you never even heard it." "Then you certainly can't expect me to answer it, Mr. Collins," and Patty laughed gaily. "Won't you repeat it for me, please? I'll promise to hear it this time." "I said, did you ever make a lemon pig?" "A lemon pig! No, I never did. How do you make it?" "Oh, they're the maddest fun! I say, Mrs. Kenerley, mayn't we have a lemon?" "Certainly, Mr. Collins." "And, oh, I say, Mrs. Kenerley, if it isn't too much trouble, mayn't we have a box of matches, and two black pins, and a bit of paper?" "And a colander and a tack hammer and a bar of soap?" asked Ferris, but Mr. Collins said, gravely: "No, we don't want those."