Patty Blossom

by Carolyn Wells

  CHAPTER XVII

  PATTY'S DECISION

  "You see, Nan, it isn't fair. I don't feel honest to keep Phil inuncertainty, when I don't think--no, I really _don't_ think I'm goingto marry him."

  "But good gracious, Patty, you ought to know by this time! Either youcare for him or you don't."

  "Nan, I've only learned of late that when people say 'care for' theymean love. I think it's a silly phrase,--why, I care for lots ofthings----"

  "There are a good many things you've only learned of late, Patty, and agood many more you've still to learn. But I really think you ought tomake up your mind about Phil Van Reypen."

  "Well, amn't I making it up as fast as I can? I'm going right at itnow, in dead earnest, and you've got to help me."

  Nan smiled at the anxious face that looked into her own.

  They were in Patty's boudoir, the morning after the Christmas party. Abreakfast tray, with contents only partly demolished, was pushed away,as the importance of the discussion made food seem an intrusive factor.

  Patty's cap was askew on her hastily knotted-up curls, and she gatheredabout her the voluminous folds of a billowy, blue silk affair, that washer latest acquisition in the way of negligees.

  "My child," said Nan, "you have given yourself away. If you want anyhelp in making up your mind, you are not in love with that young man.You don't 'care for' him, in the technical sense of the term."

  "But he's very nice, Nancy. He's a big-hearted, fine-minded----"

  "Upstanding, clean-cut American gentleman. Let me help you out. Yes,Patty, he's all those things and more. But if you don't love him youmustn't marry him. You're old enough to know your own mind."

  "I'm not such an ancient!"

  "Don't be silly! You're nearly twenty-one----"

  "Just twenty and a half."

  "Well, all right, twenty and a half. But that's not like seventeen.You're young for your years, I think. But anyway, you've seen enoughof men to know if Phil Van Reypen is 'Lord of your life,--yourKing,--your Star!' Is he?"

  "Not much he isn't! Why, Nan, he's an awfully nice chap, but no'Philip, My King!' There, you see I can quote poetry as well as you.Oh, Nan, Bill Farnsworth knows an awful lot about poetry! Would youthink he would?"

  "Now, Patty, keep to the subject in hand. Fred and I both think youought to be engaged to Philip, or else tell him you won't be. It isn'tfair to him, to act as you do."

  "I know it, you angel stepmother, and so, I'm going to decide, rightnow,--with much quickness. Heigho! Which shall it be? Patty VanReypen,--or stay an old maid all my life."

  "Oh, I dare say there are others. You may possibly have another chanceat matrimony."

  "Nan," and Patty turned suddenly grave, "I don't like that--a chance atmatrimony. I mean, if one gets engaged, it ought to be to a man sheloves so much that she doesn't think of it as a 'chance.' It ought tobe the one and only."

  "Why, that's just what I'm trying to say, dear. Now, is Phil the oneand only?"

  "No, ma'am. Not by no manner of means, he isn't. Nixie, he is not!"

  "That mass of negatives sounds rather conclusive to me. So, with thatas a premise, I'm going to advise you, even urge you to tell him sowith unmistakable definiteness."

  "But, Nan, it makes him feel so bad."

  "That is the trouble, Patty. Every true woman hates to disappoint theman who truly loves her. And Phil adores you. His love is deep andsincere. He would make you very happy--if you loved him. If not, itwould only mean unhappiness for you both. And, so, it is really kinderto him to tell him so frankly and let him give up any false hopes."

  "I know it, and I'm going to do it. But I don't know just how. Yousee, Nan, he is so persistent,--and in such a nice, kind way. When Itell him that, he'll only say that he won't consider it final, andwe'll wait and see. Then the argument begins all over again."

  "And so, I tell you, at the risk of repeating myself, that you mustmake up your own mind positively first; then, if an adverse decision,you must tell him, so positively that he can't misunderstand. _Then_,if he refuses to give up all hope, it isn't your fault."

  "That's good, sound talk, Nan, and I will try to do just as you say.But--well, here's the thing in a nutshell. I like Phil so much that Ihate to tell him I can't love him."

  "Then get that out of the nutshell, and put this in. If you like himso much, it's your duty to tell him you can't love him. Heavens,Patty, have you no idea of other people's rights?"

  "I don't believe I have, Nan. I'm a spoiled child, I admit it. Youand Dad spoil me, and all my friends do, too. I'm made to believe thatthe sun rises and sets in silly little Patty Fairfield, and it has mademe a vain, conceited, selfish, insufferable _Pig_! That's what it hasdone!"

  "Oh, Patty, you little idiot! Nothing of the sort. You're,--since youdoubtless meant to be contradicted,--you're a dear thing, and thereisn't a selfish bone in your body. If people adore you, it's becauseof your sunny, sweet nature, and your absolute thoughtfulness andkindness to others. Don't be foolish _that_ way. But regarding thismatter of Philip, I know you see it as I do. And it's really your kindheart and your dislike of hurting anybody's feelings that makes youhate so to tell him what you must tell him."

  "Yes, Nan, I must tell him. I know it myself. I know that I like himlots, and I'd be awfully sorry not to be friends with him, but I don'twant to marry him."

  "Do you want to marry anybody else?"

  "I hardly know how to answer that. I suppose every girl would ratherbe married than not, if it's to just the right man. But one thing iscertain, Philip isn't the right man."

  Patty sighed, and the far-away look in her eyes made Nan wonder ifthere was a "right man" whose image was enshrined in the girl's heart.But she only said, "Then, dear, tell him so."

  "I will," said Patty, but she looked very serious and troubled over it.

  However, she did tell him so. When Van Reypen called that eveningPatty answered his plea with a decisive No. She was very gentle andkindly, but she gave him no ray of hope, no suggestion of a change ofdecision.

  Philip took it gravely, but was unwilling to admit it was final. Heknew from Patty's demeanour that she meant it to be, but he hoped hecould yet win her by further devotion and patience. She told him thiswas impossible, but he only smiled and expressed his determination totry it.

  "I take your word for it, dear," he said. "I know you mean just whatyou say, that you don't love me enough to give yourself to me. And Iwon't urge you, or tease you. Just let me remain your friend, and letme see you, occasionally. I promise not to intrude when I'm notwanted. And though I expect nothing, there's no law against hoping,you know."

  Phil's winsome smile was so cheery and yet so wistful, that Patty'sheart was touched anew. But she said, "It must be just friends, Phil.I like you lots, you know that, but I can't be always fearful that----"

  "That I'll break loose and become unmanageable! You needn't, dear. Ipromise to abide by your decision, unless I can make you want to changeit. Now, forget it all, for the present, and let's be friends andchums and comrades and all those nice things, that don't bothercurly-headed little girls and make them look troubled and sad. But, Iwant to thank you and bless you, dear, for your sweet kindliness to me.Why, you might have sent me flying about my business with nothing morethan a curt No. I'm glad you didn't do that!"

  "I don't treat my friends like that," and Patty smiled, relieved thatthe ordeal was practically over. "Now, will you help us with the HouseSale?"

  "In a _minute_! But tell me what house is to be sold?"

  "Oh, no, we don't sell any house. It's really a sort of Bazaar, butinstead of holding it in a hall or any big place, we have it in ahouse,--this house, in fact."

  "Here?"

  "Yes, next week. It's a horrid nuisance,--the getting ready andclearing up afterward, I mean,--but we want to make money for thelibrary of our working girls' club."

  "Let me give you the money you'd make, and then don
't have the Bazaarthing."

  "You're awfully good, Phil, and I'd like to do that. But it wouldn'twork. The Club would just take your contribution and then go calmly onand have a Bazaar or something beside."

  "But it would let _you_ out. You needn't have it here."

  "That would be selfish. I'm too selfish as it is. No, I'll have thesale here. Of course, the committee will help, and all that, but well,you know what committees are."

  "Yes, they let the chairman do everything and then they criticise. AndI'll bet you're chairman, aren't you?"

  "Yes," Patty laughed. "How you do catch on! But I'm not shiftingresponsibility. Indeed, I'd rather do it all, if I could do it my ownway. But they all tell me what to do, and then whatever's wrong is myfault."

  "I know. All committees are like that. Well, just do the best you canand let me help all I can. Is there much I can do?"

  "Why, yes, I think so. At least there will be on the day of the Sale.Come round then and we'll set you to work."

  "Glad to. What is to be sold? Can't I buy some things?"

  "Yes, indeed. It's a novel sale, in this way: There are wares all overthe house. In the library we'll sell books, and in the dining-room,food, and, also, china and glass and fancy linens."

  "And in the drawing-room here?"

  "Oh, here we'll have the bric-a-brac and pictures and small pieces offurniture,--all these things have been donated, you know. And up inthe bedrooms we're to have things to wear, and lace pillows and dresserscarfs and all such things; oh, and hats! And in my boudoir there'llbe wonderful kimonos and breakfast caps, and work-baskets and bags andreally lovely things."

  "I believe you'll enjoy it all. You're enthusiastic already. Let megive you some things for it. Wouldn't you like a few curios and bronzebits from Aunty Van's collections?"

  "Oh, we would! But you oughtn't to spare them."

  "I've such quantities, a few will never be missed. Come over and pickthem out yourself. Bring Elise or whoever is on the committee withyou."

  "Thank you, Phil, you're awfully good. It will be an immense help.It's easy enough to get fancy things, and even dining-room things; andwe've oceans of books and desk fittings and such things. But it'shardest of all to get the very things you offer. And they'll sell,splendidly."

  "And you girls dress appropriately, I suppose."

  "Yes, of course we never lose a chance of dressing up. Elise will bein cap and gown, in the library. Marie Homer, in full evening regalia,in here. Several as waitresses in the dining-room; flower-girls in thehalls; oh, yes, we even use the kitchen. We have cooks there, andthey'll sell all sorts of aluminum cook dishes and laundry things.It's really very well planned and I s'pose it will be fun. In thelittle reception room we have all sorts of motor things,--robes, coats,lunch-baskets, cushions, all the best and newest motor accessories.General Sports goods, too, I believe. Daisy's running that."

  "And where are you?"

  "Up in my own boudoir. I'm to wear a gorgeous Chinese kimono and onefascinating cap after another, selling them off of my head to the eagerthrongs of purchasers!"

  "Fine! You'll do a rushing business. I'll give you some wares to sellup there, too. Say, some Oriental couch cushions, and some Persianslippers, and things from Auntie's wardrobe."

  "Do you think you ought to?"

  "Why, of course. All her things are mine, and there are suchquantities of really valuable stuffs and trinkets I don't know what todo with them. And as to Aunty Van's own wishes, I know she would havebeen glad to have them used in this way,--especially for you."

  Patty looked up at him, quickly. She well remembered Mrs. Van Reypen'saffection for her, and what form it took.

  "Phil," she said, "I don't want you to give these things for mysake----"

  "Now, don't you worry, Curlyhead, I give them solely and wholly for thegood of the cause. Indeed, if you weren't connected with the affair,I'd give twice as many!"

  Philip's smile contradicted this awful taradiddle, and Patty rejoicedat his nonsense. Much as she wanted his gifts for the Sale, she didn'twant to feel that it placed her under special obligations to him.

  Just then the doorbell sounded, and in a moment Daisy Dow and BillFarnsworth appeared. They were in gay spirits, having been to see anew comic opera, which proved such a bore that they left before it wasover.

  "Such rubbish!" Daisy exclaimed. "Old jokes, old music, old dances.So I proposed we leave it to its fate and run up here. Glad to see us,Patty?"

  "Yes, indeed! Just listen while I tell you of all the things I'vewheedled out of Philip for our Sale."

  "Gorgeous!" cried Daisy, after hearing the list. "Haven't you some formy room, Mr. Van Reypen?"

  "I'm sure I have. You can use anything sporty?"

  "Anything."

  "Then I'll give you a first-class tennis set. I'll order it sent upfrom Ball and Bat's, or you can pick it out there yourself."

  Daisy noticed that Van Reypen did not give her any of his aunt'sheirlooms, but she gratefully accepted the offered gift.

  "What shall I give you, Patty?" asked Bill. "What's your specialty?"

  "Negligees and boudoir caps," said Patty, demurely; "have you any?"

  "Something just as good. Want some Indian moccasins and Navajoblankets----"

  "Now, Bill," said Daisy, "you promised me the Navajo, for a motor robe."

  "All right. I'll give each good little girl one. Then Patty, how'dyou like some real Hopi baskets?"

  "Beautiful! You boys are awfully good to us. We'll have a wonderfulsale."

  "If only people come to buy," demurred Daisy.

  "Oh, they'll come fast enough. We'll make oceans of money! I'm justbeginning to get into the notion of the thing."

  "Will those queer friends of yours be here?"

  "What queer friends?"

  "Those soully ones. I've never seen them, but I've heard a lot aboutthem."

  "From Chick Channing, I suppose," said Patty, coolly. "How that boydoes love to exaggerate. I don't know, Daisy, whether they'll be hereor not. If they are, use your wiles to sell them a lot of things outof your room, won't you?"

  "Yes, I will, for I don't believe they'll care for your lace caps andpillows."