CHAPTER III
HAPPY SATURDAYS
As was not to be wondered at, Patty slept late the next morning. Andwhen she awakened, she lay, cozily tucked in her coverlets, thinkingover the occurrences of the night before.
Presently Jane came in with a dainty tray of chocolate and rolls, andthen, with some big, fluffy pillows behind her, Patty sat up in bed,and thoughtfully nibbled away at a crust.
Then Nan came in, in her pretty morning gown, and, drawing up a littlerocker, sat down by Patty's bedside.
"Are you in mood for a gossip, Patty?" she asked, and Patty replied,"Yes, indeedy! I want to talk over the whole thing. In the firstplace, Nan, it was a howling, screaming success, wasn't it?"
"Why, yes, of course; how could it be otherwise? with the nicestpeople and the nicest flowers and the nicest girl in New York City!"
"In the whole United States, you mean," said Patty, complacently, asshe took a spoonful of chocolate. "Yes, the party in all its parts wasall right. There wasn't a flaw. But, oh, Nan, I got into a scrap withthe boys."
"What boys? and what _is_ a scrap? Patty, now that you're out, youmustn't use those slang words you're so fond of."
"Nan," and Patty shook her spoon solemnly at her stepmother, "I'vecome to realise that there is slang and slang. Now, the few littleinnocent bits I use, don't count at all, because I just say them forfun and to help make my meaning clear. But that man last night,--thatLansing man,--why, Nan, his slang is altogether a different matter."
"Well, Patty, he, himself, seems to be an altogether different matterfrom the people we know."
"Yes, doesn't he? And yet, Nan, he isn't so bad. Well, anyway, let metell you what Mr. Galbraith says."
"That's just it!" declared Nan, after Patty had finished her story."That man _is_ a fortune-hunter, and he means to try to marry Mona forthe sake of her father's money!"
"Oh, my!" exclaimed Patty, laughing; "isn't it grand to be grown up! Isee I'm mixed up in a matrimonial tangle already!"
"Nothing of the sort, you foolish child! There won't be any matrimonialtangle. Mr. Galbraith is quite right; this man must be discouraged, andMona must be made to see him in his true light."
"But, Nan, he isn't so awful. You know, sometimes he was quitefascinating."
"Yes, you think that, because he has big dark eyes and rolled them atyou."
"Goodness! it sounds like a game of bowls. No, I don't mean that;but--well, I'll tell you what I do mean. He said we weren't fair tohim, to judge him adversely, not knowing anything about him. And Ithink so, too, Nan; it doesn't seem fair or right to say a man is abounder,--that's what Roger called him,--when we don't know anythingabout him, really."
"Patty, you're a goose! Don't you suppose we'll find out about him? Ofcourse, _we_ can't, but your father and Mr. Galbraith,--yes, and RogerFarrington, will soon find out his standing."
"Well," said Patty, with a relieved sigh, "then I needn't bother about_him_ any more. But, Nan, I have troubles of my own. Philip and Rogerare both mad at me!"
"Goodness! Patty, how awful! Do you suppose they'll stay mad all day?"
"Oh, it isn't just a momentary tiff; they are up and down angry! Why,neither of them danced with me or even spoke to me after supper lastnight!"
"Well, it was probably your own fault."
"My own fault, indeed! It was all because of that horrid Lansing man.Well, if they want to stay mad, they may! _I_ shan't make anyadvances."
"Don't worry, my child. Into each life some little squabbles mustfall,--and though you're fairly good-natured, as a rule, you can'texpect it always to be smooth sailing."
Seeing she could get no sympathy from her stepmother, Patty droppedthe subject of her quarrels, and remarked, with a yawn, "Well, Isuppose I may as well get up, and begin on those flower notes. Whatshall I say, Nan, something like this? 'Miss Patricia Fairfield thanksyou for your kind donation of expensive blossoms, but as it's such abother to write the notes of acknowledgment, she really wishes youhadn't sent them.'"
"What base ingratitude! Patty, I'm ashamed of you! or I would be, if Ithought you meant a word of it, but I know you don't. What are youdoing this afternoon?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. We're going to have a club, just a littleclub,--only four of us girls. And, Nan, you know there are so manyclubs that make an awful fuss and yet don't really _do_ anything.Well, this is going to be a _Doing_ Club. We're going to be real_doers_."
"It sounds lovely, Patty. What are you going to do?"
"We don't know yet, that's what the meeting's for this afternoon. Butwe're going to do good, you know--some kind of good. You know, Nan, Ialways said I didn't want to be just a social butterfly and nothingelse. I want to accomplish something that will give some joy orcomfort to somebody."
Patty's blue eyes looked very earnest and sincere as she said this,and Nan kissed her, saying, "I know you do, Patty, dearest, and I knowyou'll succeed in your doing. If I can help you in any way, be sure toask me; and now I'll run away and let you dress."
Patty made a leisurely toilette; and then, in a trailing blue silknegligee, she went into her boudoir and began to write her notes.
It was not a difficult task, and she did not really mind it, though itwas a long list. But Patty had a knack at writing graceful littlenotes, and although she jested about it, she was really grateful tothe kind friends who had sent the flowers.
"I don't know _why_ I have so many friends," she said to herself, asshe scanned the rows of names. "To be sure, a great many are reallyfriends of father's and Nan's, but there's a lot of our crowd, too,and lots of out of town people. Perhaps it would be a good idea to dothe farthest away first, and so work back to New York."
Patty picked up Mr. Farnsworth's card, and read again the message onit. "H'm," she said to herself, "it sounds to me a trifle formal andconventional--considering all things. Now, Little Billee is a Westernman,--but how different he is from that Lansing person! I wonder whatmakes the difference. Little Billee isn't formal or conventional abit, and yet his manners are as far removed from Horace Lansing's aswhite is from black. Oh, well, I know the reason well enough. It'sbecause Little Billee is a thorough gentleman at heart; and the otherone is,--well, I guess he's what Roger called him. Now, what shall Isay to Mr. William Farnsworth by way of thanks for his truly beautifulpink roses? I'd like to write a nice, every-day letter, and tell himall about the party and everything; but, as he just sent his visitingcard, with a mere line on it, I suppose I must reply very formally."
Patty began her formal note, but tore up half a dozen beginningsbefore she completed one to her satisfaction. This one read, "MissPatricia Fairfield thanks Mr. William Farnsworth sincerely for hisexquisite gift of roses, and for his kind congratulations."
Patty gave a little sigh as she sealed this missive and addressed itto her friend in Arizona.
With the exception of the roses, Patty had never heard a word from BigBill since they were at Spring Beach together. She had told her fatherand Nan of what Mr. Farnsworth had said to her down there, and as theyhad agreed that Patty was altogether too young even to think of such athing as being engaged to anybody, it was wiser to hold nocorrespondence with him at all.
Apparently, this in no way disappointed the young man, for he had madeno effort on his part to recall himself to Patty's remembrance, untilthe occasion of sending the flowers.
Patty had liked Bill extremely, but as Arizona was far away, and shehad no reason to think she would ever see him again, she gave him fewthoughts. However, the thoughts, when she did allow them to come, werepleasant ones. Although she had sealed the note she intended to send,she began another one, and the opening words were "Little Billee."This note she wrote in the first person, and thanked him simply andnaturally for the flowers. Then, for a signature, she made a carefullyand daintily drawn pen-and-ink sketch of an apple blossom. She wasclever at flower-sketching, and she sat a moment admiring her ownhandiwork. Then a flush spread over her pretty face, and she spokesternly to herself, as was her ha
bit when she disapproved of her ownactions.
"Patty Fairfield," she said, reprovingly, "you ought to be ashamed tothink of sending a personal, lettery sort of a note like that, to aman who sent you the formalest kind of a message! He only sent theflowers, because convention demanded it! He never gave you one singlethought after that last time he saw you,--and that's all there isabout _that_!"
And then, to her great surprise, luncheon was announced, and she foundthat her whole morning was gone and only one name on her list crossedoff!
* * * * *
The club that met that afternoon in Mona's pretty sitting-room in thePlaza Hotel, consisted of only four girls--Patty, Mona, Elise, andClementine Morse.
It was thought wiser to start with a few earnest members and thenenlarge the number later if it seemed advisable.
"What a beautiful room!" said Clementine, as she tossed off her furs."Don't you like it, Mona, to live in a big hotel like this, and yethave your own rooms, like a home all to yourself?"
"Yes, I like it in some ways; but I'm alone a great deal. However, Iwould be that, if father and I lived in a house or an apartment."
"You ought to have a companion of some sort, Mona," said Patty, whothought this a good opportunity to urge Mr. Galbraith's wishes.
"No, thank you," and Mona tossed her head, disdainfully; "I know whatcompanions are! Snoopy old maids who won't let you do anything, orcareless, easy-going old ladies who pay no attention to you. If Icould have a companion of my own age and tastes, I'd like that,--but Isuppose that wouldn't do."
"Hardly," said Elise, laughing; "that would only mean your fatherwould have two troublesome girls to look after instead of one. And Idaresay, Mona, you are quite as much as he can handle."
"I suppose I am. But he's so good to me I'm afraid he spoils me. Butcome on, girls, let's organise our club."
"Don't let's have too much organisation," said Clementine. "Do youknow, I think lots of clubs, especially charity clubs, have so muchorganisation that they haven't anything else. One club I joined fell topieces before it was fairly started, because the two vice-presidentssquabbled so."
"If there's anything I hate," declared Patty, "it's a squabble.Whatever else we girls do, let's try not to have any friction. Now, Iknow perfectly well that none of us four is _very_ meek or mild."
"I am," declared Elise, assuming an angelic expression, which madethem all laugh, for Elise was really the one most likely to takeoffence at trifles, or to flare up impulsively if any one disagreedwith her.
Patty knew this only too well, and was trying to forestall it by apreliminary treaty of peace.
"Well, then, let's be an organisation that doesn't organise," saidMona, "but let's be it _now_."
"I think," said Patty, "that our end and aim ought to be to do good tosomebody who doesn't expect it. Now, that isn't quite what I mean,--Imean to people who wouldn't accept it if it seemed like charity, butto whom we could give a pleasure that they would really like."
"Patty, my child," said Clementine, "I think your ideas are all right,but I must say you don't express them very clearly. Let's get down tosomething definite. Do you mean to give material things,--likepresents or money?"
"That's just exactly what I _don't_ mean, Clem! Don't you rememberthat little club we used to have at school,--the Merry Grigs?"
"Indeed I do! All we had to do was to be merry and gay."
"Well, that's what I mean,--in a way,--if you know what I mean."
"Oh, Patty," cried Mona, "I never knew you to be so hopelessly vague.Now, for instance, how would it be if we gave a lovely motor ride tosome poor shop girl, or somebody that never gets into a motor?"
"That's it!" cried Clementine, approvingly; "I was thinking of sendingflowers to hospitals, but that's so general. Now, your suggestion,Mona, is definite, and just the right sort of thing."
"But aren't we going to have a president and treasurer, and thingslike that?" asked Elise.
"No," said Patty; "my mind is clearing now, and I begin to see ourclub. Instead of a president, we'll all four be presidents, andinstead of a treasurer, we'll all four be treasurers. We'll give moneywhen it's necessary, or we'll use our motor cars, or buy flowers, orwhatever we like; but we won't have dues and officers and things."
"But the shop girls are always busy; how can we take them motoring?"asked Elise.
"That was only a suggestion," said Mona; "it needn't be exactly a shopgirl; but anybody we know of, who would enjoy a little unexpectedpleasure."
"The principle is exactly right," said Clementine; "now, let's get itdown to practicability. As Mona says, we needn't necessarily choose ashop girl,--but suppose we do, many of them are free Saturdayafternoon."
"Only in the summer time," objected Elise.
"Yes, perhaps, in the big shops; but there are lots of them, inoffices,--or even school teachers,--who would be free Saturdayafternoons. Well, anyway, here's what I'm thinking of, and you can allsay what you think of it. Suppose we try, every week, to give a happySaturday afternoon to somebody who wouldn't have it otherwise."
"The Happy Saturday Afternoon Club!" cried Patty; "that's a lovelyname! let's do it!"
"But," said Elise, "that would mean giving up our Saturday afternoons.Do we want to do that? What about matinees?"
"I think we ought to be willing to sacrifice something," said Patty,thoughtfully; "but I do love Saturday matinees."
"Oh, if there's anything especial, we needn't consider ourselves boundto give up the afternoon," said Clementine. "For that matter, we couldsend a couple of girls for a motor ride without going ourselves."
"But that's more like charity," objected Patty: "I meant to go withthem, and be real nice and pleasant with them, and make a bright spotin their lives that they would always remember."
"They'd always remember you, Patty, if you were the bright spot,"declared Mona, who idolised her friend. "But I must confess I do liketo be definite about this thing. Now, how's this for a plan? To-day'sThursday. Suppose we begin on Saturday and make a start at something.Suppose we each of us pick out a girl,--or a boy, for that matter,--ora child or anybody, and think what we can do to make them happy onSaturday afternoon."
"Now we're getting somewhere," said Elise, approvingly. "I've pickedmine already. She's a girl who comes to our house quite often to sewfor the children. She's a sweet little thing, but she looks as if shenever had a real good time in all her life. Now, can the rest of youthink of anybody like that?"
"Yes, I have one," said Mona. "Your suggestion made me think of her.She's my manicure girl. She comes here, and sometimes she's so tiredshe's ready to drop! She works awfully hard, and never takes a dayoff, because she has to support two little sisters. But I'll make hertake a holiday Saturday afternoon, somehow."
"There's a girl I'd like to have," said Clementine, thoughtfully;"she's at the ribbon counter in Walker's. She always waits on methere; and she has such a wistful air, I'd like to do her a kindness.I don't suppose she could get off,--but I could go and ask the head ofthe department, and perhaps he'd let her."
"I can't think of anybody," said Patty, "except one person, that Iwould simply _love_ to have. And that's a very tired and cross-lookinglady who gives out embroidery patterns in a dreadful place, way downtown. I believe it would sweeten her up for a year to have a littlespree with us."
"All right," said Mona. "Now we have selected our guests, what shallwe do with them? Say, a motor ride and a cup of tea afterward in somepretty tea room?"
"I think," said Elise, "that we'd better give them luncheon first.They can't enjoy a motor ride if they're hungry, and they probablywill be."
"Luncheon where?" said Patty, looking puzzled; "at one of our houses?"
"I could have them here, easily enough," said Mona. "Our dining-roomhere, would really be better than any of the homes of you girls.Because you all have people, and I haven't. Father would just as lievelunch downstairs, in the main dining-room."
"That's lovely of yo
u, Mona," said Patty. "I was going to suggest somesmall, quiet restaurant, but a luncheon here in your pretty dining-roomwould indeed be a bright spot for them to remember. But suppose theywon't come?"
"Then we must ask someone instead," said Clementine; "let's promiseeach to bring someone with us on Saturday, and if the first one we askdeclines, keep on asking till we get somebody. Of course, Mona, we'llshare the expense of the luncheon equally."
"Nonsense," returned Mona; "I'll be glad to give that."
"No," said Patty, firmly; "we'll each pay a quarter of whatever theluncheon costs. And let's have it good and substantial, and yet havesome pretty, fancy things too. For, you know, this isn't a charity ora soup kitchen,--it's to give those girls a bright and beautiful sceneto look back on."
"Oh, it will be lovely!" cried Mona. "I'll have pretty place cards,and favours, and everything."
"But we mustn't overdo it," said Clementine.
"You know, to the unaccustomed, an elaborate table may proveembarrassing."
"That will be all right," said Patty, smiling. "Mona can fix hertable, and I'll come over before the luncheon, and if she has too manyor too grand flumadiddles, I'll take some of them off. I don't wantour guests struck dumb by too much grandeur, but I do want thingspretty and nice. Suppose we each bring a favor for our own guest."
"Something useful?" said Elise.
"No; _not_ a suit of flannel underwear or a pair of shoes! But apretty necktie or handkerchief, if you like, or even a little goldpin, or a silver one."
"Or a picture or cast," said Clementine.
"Yes," and Patty nodded approval; "but it ought to be a little thingthat would look like a luncheon souvenir and not like a Christmaspresent. I think they ought to be all alike."
"So do I," said Mona, "and I think a little pin in a jeweler's boxwill be the prettiest; and then a lovely bunch of flowers at eachplate, and an awfully pretty place-card."
"Oh, it will be beautiful!" cried Patty, jumping up and dancing aboutthe room; "but I must flit, girls,--I have an engagement at five.Wait, what about motors? I'm sure we can use our big car."
"And ours," said all the rest together.
"Well, we'll need two," said Clementine, "and two of us girls and twoguests can go in each. We'll see which cars can be used mostconveniently; perhaps our fathers may have something to say on thatsubject. But we can arrange all such things by telephone to-morrow.The main thing is to get our guests."
"Oh, we'll do that," said Patty, "if we have to go out into thehighways and hedges after them."