"Oh!" began Patty, giggling, "I've so much to tell you, and it's all so funny, I can't say a word. We're at the dressmaker's now, and I took this chance to call you up, because I won't be overheard. Oh, Nan, it's great fun!" "Tell me the principal facts, Patty. And stop giggling. Is she kind to you? Is she patronising? Have you a pleasant room? Do you want to come home? Are you happy there?" "Oh, Nan, wait a minute, for goodness' sake! Yes, she's patronising--she won't let me speak to her grand nephew. Oh--I don't mean her grand nephew! I mean her grand, gorgeous, extraordinary nephew. But I don't care; I've no desire to speak to him." "Does he live there?" "No; and never mind about him, anyway. How are you all? Is father well? Oh, Nan, it seems as if I'd been away from home a year! And what do you think? I have to dance for her to amuse her!" "Patty! Not really? Well, you can do that all right." "Sure I can! Oh, she's a peach! Don't reprove my slang, Nan; I have to be so precise when I'm on duty. Well, I must say good-by now. I'll write you a long letter as soon as I get a chance. To-night we're going to see Mlle. Thingamajig dance, and to-morrow night, to the opera. So you see I'm not dull." "Oh, Patty, I wish you'd drop it all and come home! I don't like it, and Fred doesn't either." "Tra-la-la! 'Twill all be over soon! Only six days more. Expect me home next Thursday afternoon. Love to all. Good-by. Patty!" Patty hung up the receiver, for she knew if she talked any longer she'd get homesick. The sound of Nan's familiar voice made her long for her home and her people. But Patty was plucky, and, also, she was doggedly determined to succeed this time. So she went back to Mrs. Van Reypen with a placid countenance, and sat for an hour or more complimenting and admiring the costumes in process of construction. Somehow the afternoon dragged itself away, and the evening, at the theatre, passed pleasantly enough. But the succeeding days went slowly. Mrs. Van Reypen was difficult to please. She was fretty, irritable, inconsequent, and unjust. What suited her one day displeased her highly the next. So long as Patty praised, complimented, and flattered her all went fairly well. But if Patty inadvertently disagreed with her, or expressed a contrary opinion, there was a scene. And again, if Patty seemed especially meek and mild Mrs. Van Reypen would say: "Don't sit there and assent to everything I say! Do have some mind of your own! Express an honest opinion, even though it may differ from mine." Then, if Patty did this, it would bring down vials of wrath on her inoffensive head. Often she was at her wits' end to know what to say. But her sense of humour never deserted her, and if she said something, feeling sure she was going to get sorely berated for saying it, she was able to smile inwardly when the scathing retort was uttered. Sunday was an especially hard day. It was stormy, so they could not go out.