"You don't, eh?" observed Kenneth. "Well, there's the Metropolitan tower,--I guess you'll say that's pretty fine, if you have seen the Campanile in Venice." "But I didn't," returned Patty. "I was too late for the old one and too soon for the new. But is this a Campanile, father? What _is_ a Campanile, pure and simple?" "A Campanile ought always to be pure and simple, of line," said Mr. Fairfield; "but if you mean what is it specifically, it's a bell tower. Listen, you'll hear the quarter-hour now." "Oh, what lovely chimes!" cried Patty. "Let's move, father, and take a house beneath the shadow of a great clock." "I've moved enough for a while, my child; if I once get seated at my own fireside, I shall stay there." "How Christmassy things look," went on Patty, gazing out of the cab window. "It's only the middle of December, but the streets are crowded and there are holly wreaths in some of the windows." "You won't have to buy many Christmas presents, will you, Patty?" said Elise. "I suppose you brought home enough Italian trinkets to supply all your friends." "Yes, we did," laughed Patty. "I daresay my friends will get tired of busts of Dante, and models of the Forum." "Don't give those to me. If you have a Roman scarf nobody else wants, I'll thank you kindly." "All right, Elise; I'll remember that. And if I haven't, I daresay I can buy one in the New York shops." "Wicked girl! Don't attempt any such deception on your tried and true friend. Oh, Patty, do you remember the day we got lost in Paris?" And then the two girls plunged into a flood of reminiscences that lasted all the way home. "Come in? of course we'll come in!" said Roger, as he assisted them from the cab, and Patty graciously invited him. "That's what we're here for! We're all coming in, and if we're heartily urged, we may stay to dinner." In reality, Mrs. Allen, who was temporarily hostess in her daughter's house, had invited Kenneth and the two Farringtons to dine, in order to make a gay home-coming for Patty. Very cosy and attractive the house looked, as, after more than a year's absence, Patty once again stepped inside. It had been closed while Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield were away, but a few days before their return, Mrs. Allen, Nan's mother, had come over from Philadelphia and opened the house and made it cheery and livable. A bright fire glowed in the library, flowers were all about, and holly-wreaths hung in the windows. "It's good to be home again," said Patty, as she sank into an easy-chair and threw aside her furs. "It's good to have you here," responded Elise. "I've missed you terribly." "Me, too," said Roger, while Kenneth added, "So say we all of us." Always a favourite, wherever she went, Patty was specially beloved by her young friends in New York, and so the reunion was a happy one to all concerned. Before dinner was announced, Patty flew up to her own room to change her travelling costume for a pretty little house-dress.