"
"But, Aunt Adelaide," broke in Mona, "if you're somewhat of an
invalid, how did you come to promise father that you'd look after
us girls this summer?"
"I'm not an invalid, my dear. I'm sure a few more weeks, or
perhaps less, of this cure I am trying now will make me a strong,
hearty woman."
Patty looked at the weak little creature, and concluded that if
any medicine could make her strong and hearty, it must indeed be a
cure-all.
"May I call you Aunt Adelaide, too?" she said, gently, for she
wanted to be on the pleasantest possible terms with Mrs. Parsons,
and hoped to be able to help her in some way.
"Yes, yes, my dear. I seem to take to you at once. I look upon you
and Mona both as my nieces and my loved charges. I had a little
daughter once, but she died in infancy. Had she lived, I think she
would have looked like you. You are very pretty, my dear."
"You mustn't tell me so, Aunt Adelaide," said Patty, smiling at
her. "It isn't good chaperonage to make your girls vain."
"Mona is pretty, too," went on Mrs. Parsons, unheeding Patty's
words. "But of a different type. She hasn't your air of
refinement,--of class."
"Oh, don't discuss us before each other," laughed Mona, good-
naturedly.
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