"
"Don't do it to-day, will you, Patty?" besought Ethelyn, with a
ridiculous air of solicitude.
"No, I won't," said Patty; "I'll be real good and do just as you
want me to."
"Noble girl!" said Kenneth Harper. "I know how hard it is for you
to be good."
"It is, indeed," said Patty, laughing; "and I insist upon having
due credit."
As a rule the Vernondale parties were exciting affairs. The route was
down the river to the sound; from the sound to the bay; and, if the
day were very favourable, out into the ocean, and perhaps around
Staten Island.
Patty had hoped for this most extended trip today, in order that Ethelyn
and Reginald might see a sailing party at its very best.
But after they had been on board an hour they had covered only the few
miles of river, and found themselves well out into the sound, but with no
seeming prospect of going any farther. The breeze had died away entirely,
and as the sun rose higher the heat was becoming decidedly uncomfortable.
Ethelyn began to fidget. Her pretty white serge frock had come in contact
with some muddy ropes and some oily screws, and several unsightly spots
were the result. This made her cross, for she hated to have her costume
spoiled so early in the day; and besides she was unpleasantly conscious
that her fair complexion was rapidly taking on a deep shade of red. She
knew this was unbecoming, but when Reginald, with brotherly frankness,
informed her that her nose looked like a poppy bud, she lost her temper
and relapsed into a sulky fit.
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