Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan, and the Online DistributedProofreading Team.
Patty At Home
BY CAROLYN WELLS
AUTHOR OF TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES, THE MARJORIE SERIES, ETC.
1904
_To My very good friend, Ruth Pilling_
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I. THE DEBATE
II. THE DECISION
III. THE TEA CLUB
IV. BOXLEY HALL
V. SHOPPING
VI. SERVANTS
VII. DIFFERING TASTES
VIII. AN UNATTAINED AMBITION
IX. A CALLER
X. A PLEASANT EVENING
XI. PREPARATIONS
XII. A TEA CLUB TEA
XIII. A NEW FRIEND
XIV. THE NEIGHBOUR AGAIN
XV. BILLS
XVI. A SUCCESSFUL PLAY
XVII. ENTERTAINING RELATIVES
XVIII. A SAILING PARTY
XIX. MORE COUSINS
XX. A FAIR EXCHANGE
XXI. A GOOD SUGGESTION
XXII. AT THE SEASHORE
XXIII. AMBITIONS
XXIV. AN AFTERNOON DRIVE
CHAPTER I
THE DEBATE
In Mrs. Elliott's library at Vernondale a great discussion was going on.It was an evening in early December, and the room was bright withfirelight and electric light, and merry with the laughter and talk ofpeople who were trying to decide a great and momentous question.
For the benefit of those who are not acquainted with Patty Fairfield andher relatives, it may be well to say that Mrs. Elliott was Patty's AuntAlice, at whose home Patty and her father were now visiting. Of the othermembers of the Elliott family, Uncle Charley, grandma, Marian, and Frankwere present, and these with Mr. Fairfield and Patty were debating a noless important subject than the location of Patty's future home.
"You know, papa," said Patty, "you said that if I wanted to live inVernondale you'd buy a house here, and I do want to live here,--at least,I am almost sure I do."
"Oh, Patty," said Marian, "why aren't you quite sure? You're president ofthe club, and the girls are all so fond of you, and you're getting alongso well in school. I don't see where else you could want to live."
"I know," said Frank. "Patty wants to live in New York. Her soul yearnsfor the gay and giddy throng, and the halls of dazzling lights. 'Ah,Patricia, beware! the rapids are below you!' as it says in that thrillingtale in the Third Reader."
"I think papa would rather live in New York," said Patty, looking veryundecided.
"I'll tell you what we'll do," exclaimed Frank, "let's debate thequestion. A regular, honest debate, I mean, and we'll have all thearguments for and against clearly stated and ably discussed. Uncle Fredshall be the judge, and his decision must be final."
"No," said Mr. Fairfield, "we'll have the debate, but Patty must be thejudge. She is the one most interested, and I am ready to give her a homewherever she wants it; in Greenland's icy mountains, or India's coralstrand, if she chooses."
"You certainly are a disinterested member," said Uncle Charley, laughing,"but that won't do in debate. Here, I'll organise this thing, and for thepresent we won't consider either Greenland or India. The question, as Iunderstand it, is between Vernondale and New York. Now, to bring thismighty matter properly before the house, I will put it in the form of aresolution, thus:
"RESOLVED, That Miss Patty Fairfield shall take up her permanent abode inNew York City."
Patty gave a little cry of dismay, and Marian exclaimed, "Oh, father,that isn't fair!"
"Of course it's fair," said Mr. Elliott, with a twinkle in his eye. "Itdoesn't really mean she's going, but it's the only way to find out whatshe is going to do. Now, Fred shall be captain on the affirmative side,and I will take the negative. We will each choose our colleagues. Fred,you may begin."
"All right," said Mr. Fairfield "As a matter of social etiquette, I thinkit right to compliment my hostess, so I choose Mrs. Elliott on my side."
"Oh, you choose me, father," cried Marian, "do choose me."
"Owing to certain insidious wire-pulling I'm forced to choose Miss MarianElliott," said Uncle Charley, pinching his daughter's ear.
"If one Mrs. Elliott is a good thing," said Mr. Fairfield, "I am sure twowould be better, and so I choose Grandma Elliott to add to my collectionof great minds."
"Frank, my son," said Uncle Charley, "don't think for a moment that I amchoosing you merely because you are the Last of the Mohicans. Far fromit. I have wanted you from the beginning, and I'm proud to impress yournoble intellect in my cause."
"Thank you, sir," said Frank, "and if our side can't induce Patty to stayin Vernondale, it won't be for lack of good strong arguments forciblypresented."
"Modest boy!" said his mother, "You seem quite to forget your wise andclever opponents."
In great glee the debaters took their places on either side of thelibrary table, while Patty, being judge, was escorted with much ceremonyto a seat at the head. An old parlour-croquet mallet was found for her,with which she rapped on the table after the manner of a grave anddignified chairman.
"The meeting will please come to order," she said, "and the secretarywill please read the minutes of the last meeting."
"The secretary regrets to report," said Frank, rising, "that the minutesof the last meeting fell down the well. Although rescued, they wereafterward chewed up by the puppy, and are at present somewhat illegible.If the honourable judge will excuse the reading of the minutes, thesecretary will be greatly obliged."
"The minutes are excused," said Patty, "and we will proceed at once tomore important business. Mr. Frederick Fairfield, we shall be glad tohear from you."
Mr. Fairfield rose and said, "Your honour, ladies, and gentlemen: I wouldbe glad to speak definitely on this burning question, but the truth is, Idon't know myself which way I want it to be decided. For, you see, myonly desire in the matter is that the wise and honourable judge, whom wesee before us, should have a home of such a character and in such a placeas best pleases her; but, before she makes her decision, I hope she willallow herself to be thoroughly convinced as to what will please her. Andas, by force of circumstance, I am obliged to uphold the New York side ofthis argument, I will now set forth some of its advantages, feeling surethat my worthy opponents are quite able to uphold the Vernondale side."
"Hear, hear!" exclaimed Frank, but Patty rapped with her mallet andcommanded silence.
Then Mr. Fairfield went on:
"For one thing, Patty has always lived in a city, and, like myself, isaccustomed to city life. It is more congenial to both of us, and Isometimes fear we should miss certain city privileges which may not befound in a suburban town."
"But we have other things that you can't get in the city," brokein Marian.
"And I am very sure that they will be enthusiastically enumerated when itis your turn to speak," said Mr. Fairfield, smiling.
"The gentleman has the floor," remarked Patty, "the others will pleasekeep their seats. Proceed, Mr. Fairfield."
So Mr. Fairfield proceeded:
"Other advantages, perhaps, will be found in the superior schools whichthe city is said to contain. I am making no allusion to the school thatour honourable judge is at present attending, but I am speaking merely ongeneral principles. And not only schools, but masters of the variousarts. I have been led to believe by the assertions of some people, who,however, may be prejudiced, that Miss Fairfield has a voice whichrequires only training and practise to rival the voice of Adelina Patti,when that lady was Miss Fairfield's age."
; "Quite true," said the judge, nodding gravely at the speaker.
"This phenomenal voice, then, might--mind; I say might--be cultivated tobetter purpose by metropolitan teachers."
"We have a fine singing-master here," exclaimed Frank, but Patty rappedhim to silence.
"What's one singing-master among a voice like Miss Fairfield's?" demandedthe speaker, "and another thing," he continued, "that ought to affect youVernondale people very strongly, is the fact that you would have adelightful place to visit in New York City. Now, don't deny it. You knowyou'd be glad to come and visit Patty and me in our brown-stone mansion,and we would take you around to see all the sights, from Grant's tomb tothe Aquarium."
"We've seen those," murmured Frank.
"They're still there," said Mr. Fairfield, "and there will probably besome other and newer entertainments that you haven't yet seen."
"It does sound nice," said Frank.
"And finally," went on Mr. Fairfield, "though I do not wish thisargument to have undue weight, it certainly would be more convenientfor me to live in the city. I am about to start in business there, andthough I could go in and out every day, as the honourable gentleman onthe other side of the table does, yet he is accustomed to it, and, as Iam not, it seems to me an uninteresting performance. However, I dare sayI could get used to a commutation ticket, and I am certainly willing totry. All of which is respectfully submitted," and with a bow the speakerresumed his seat.
"That was a very nice speech," said the judge approvingly, "and now wewould be pleased to hear from the captain gentleman on the other side."
Uncle Charley rose.
"Without wishing to be discourteous," he said, "I must say that I thinkthe arguments just set forth are exceedingly flimsy. There can be noquestion but that Vernondale would be a far better and more appropriatehome for the young lady in question than any other spot on the globe.Here we have wide streets, green lawns, fresh air, and bright sunshine;all conducive to that blooming state of health which our honourablejudge now, apparently, enjoys. City life would doubtless soon reduce herto a thin, pale, peaked specimen of humanity, unrecognisable by herfriends. The rose-colour in her cheeks would turn to ashen grey; herstarry eyes would become dim and lustreless. Her robust flesh woulddwindle to skin and bone, and probably her hair would all fall out, andshe'd have to wear a wig."
Even Patty's mallet was not able to check the burst of laughter caused bythe horrible picture which Uncle Charley drew, but after it had subsided,he continued: "As to the wonderful masters and teachers in the city, farbe it from me to deny their greatness and power. But the beautifulvillage of Vernondale is less than an hour from New York; no mosquitoes,no malaria; boating, bathing, and fishing. Miss Fairfield could,therefore, go to New York for her instructions in the various arts andsciences, and return again to her Vernondale home on a local train. Addto this the fact that here she has relatives, friends, and acquaintances,who already know and love her, while, in New York, she would have toacquire a whole new set, probably have to advertise for them. As to thecommuting gentleman: before his first ticket was all punched up, he wouldbe ready to vow that the commuter's life is the only ideal existence.Having thus offered unattackable arguments, I deem a decision in ourfavour a foregone conclusion, and I take pleasure in sitting down."
"A very successful speech," said Patty, smiling at her uncle. "We willnow be pleased to hear from the next speaker on the affirmative side.Mrs. Charles Elliott, will you kindly speak what is on your mind?"
"I will," said Mrs. Elliott, with a nod of her head that betokenedFairfield decision of character. "I will say exactly what is on my mindwithout regard to which side I am on."
"Oh, that isn't fair!" cried Patty. "A debate is a debate, you know,and you must make up opinions for your own side, whether you thinkthem or not."
"Very well," said Aunt Alice, smiling a little, "then it beingthoroughly understood that I am not speaking the truth, I will say that Ithink it better for Patty to live in New York. As her father will be awayall day at his business, she will enjoy the loneliness of a bigbrown-stone city house; she will enjoy the dark rooms and the entireabsence of grass and flowers and trees, which she hates anyway; insteadof picnics and boating parties, she can go to stiff and formal afternoonteas; and, instead of attending her young people's club here, she canbecome a member of the Society of Social Economics."
With an air of having accomplished her intention, Aunt Alice sat downamid great cheers and handclappings from the opposite side.
Patty looked a little sober as she began to think the Vernondale homewould win; and, though for many reasons she wished it would be so, yet,at the same time, she realised very strongly the attractions of life inNew York City.
However, she only said:
"The meeting will please come to order, in order to listen to theopinions of Miss Elliott."
Marian rose with great dignity, and addressed the chair and the ladiesand gentlemen with true parliamentary punctiliousness.
"Though personally interested in this matter," she began, "it is not myintention to allow my own wishes or prejudices to blind me to the bestinterests of our young friend who is now under discussion. Far be it fromme to blight her career for the benefit of my own unworthy self, but Iwill say that if Patty Fairfield goes to live in New York, or anywhereexcept Vernondale, I think she's just the horridest, meanest old thing onthe face of the earth! Why, I wouldn't _let_ her go! I'd lock her in herroom, and poke bread and water to her through the keyhole, if she daredto think of such a thing! Go to New York, indeed! A nice time she'd have,hanging on straps in the trolley-cars, and getting run over byautomobiles! The whole thing is so perfectly absurd that there's noearthly chance of its ever coming to pass. Why, she _wouldn't_ go, shecouldn't be _hired_ to go; she wouldn't be happy there a minute; but ifshe _does_ go, I'll go, too!"