"
"Now, what could she have meant by that?" said the boy, laughing. "But
you're very imprudent. How do you know that lady isn't my--my sister, or
cousin, or something?"
"Well, even if she is," said Patty, "I haven't said anything
unkind, have I?"
"No more you haven't; but as I don't see anyone just now at leisure to
introduce us, suppose we introduce ourselves? They say the roof is an
introduction, but I notice it never pronounces names very distinctly.
Mine is Kenneth Harper."
"And mine is Patricia Fairfield, but I'm usually called Patty."
"I should think you would be, it suits you to a dot. Of course the boys
call me Ken. I'm a Columbia student."
"Oh, are you?" said Patty. "I've never known a college boy, and I've
always wanted to meet one."
"Well, you see in me a noble specimen of my kind," said young Harper,
straightening up his broad shoulders and looking distinctly athletic.
"You must be," said Patty; "you look just like all the pictures of
college boys I've ever seen."
"And I flattered myself that my beauty was something especial and
individual."
"You ought to be thankful that you're beautiful," said Patty, "and not be
so particular about what kind of beauty it is."
"But some kinds of beauty are not worth having," went on young Harper;
"look at that man over there with a lean pale face and long lank hair.
That's beauty, but I must say I prefer a strong, brave, manly type, like
this good-looking chap just coming toward us.
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