So Patty went back to the drawing-room, and insisted that her stepmother should go for a little refreshment. "I can hold the fort alone now," she said; "you've no idea how capable I am, now that I'm really out. Run along, Nan, and get some of those sandwiches; they're awfully good." "It isn't romantic, Patty, to think about eating when you're celebrating an occasion like this," reproved Philip. "Well, I'm not romantic," declared Patty, "and I never expect to be. Oh, how do you do, Mr. Galbraith? It's so late, I feared you weren't coming." And Patty held out her hand to Mona's father. "How d'y'do, Patty?" And Mr. Galbraith shook hands heartily. "I suppose I ought to say all sorts of pretty things to you, but you know, I'm not much up in social chat." "I'm glad of it," said Patty, "and then I won't have to say, 'oh, thank you!' to you. Mona is looking beautiful this afternoon, isn't she?" "She's a fine girl--a fine girl." Mr. Galbraith's eyes rested on his daughter a little thoughtfully. He was a Chicago man, who had made his fortune suddenly, and was a little bewildered at his own success. His one interest in life, outside of business matters, was his daughter Mona, for whom he desired every possible good, and to whose wishes and whims he always willingly consented. At her request, he had closed his Chicago home and come to spend the winter in New York, that Mona might be near Patty, whom she adored. The Galbraiths were living for the winter at the Plaza Hotel, and Patty, who had grown fond of Mona, was glad to have her friend so near her. "She's a fine girl," Mr. Galbraith repeated, "and a good-looking girl." He paused a moment, and then added in a sudden burst of confidence, "but, Patty, I wish she had a mother. You know how I idolise her, but I can't do for her what a mother would do. I've urged her to have a chaperon or a companion of some sort, but she won't do it. She says a father is chaperon enough for her, and so we live alone in that big hotel, and I'm afraid it isn't right. Right for her, I mean. I don't care a snap about conventions, but Mona is impulsive, even headstrong, and I wish she had an older woman to guide and advise her." "I wish she did, Mr. Galbraith," said Patty, earnestly, for the two were chatting by themselves, and no one else was within hearing. "I've thought about it, and I've talked with my stepmother about it. Perhaps I could persuade Mona to do as you wish her to."