I'm fancy-free, and I mean to stay so. So don't
try to tease me, for you won't get any fun out of it."
"That's so; you're too straightforward to be teased successfully.
Patty, you've been a real lesson to me this summer. I've learned a
lot from you. I don't mean to gush, but I DO want to tell you how
I appreciate and cherish all the kindness you've shown me."
"Dear old Mona, I'm glad if I've said or done anything to make you
feel like that! You're a trump, girl, and I'm glad to have you for
a friend. Now, vanish, my lady, and as soon as I can scrabble into
a costume, I'll meet you below stairs, and solve all your kitchen
problems for you."
"But, Patty, I CAN'T let you go into the kitchen!"
"You can't keep me out, you mean! I'm delighted to have the
chance. Aprons are terribly becoming to me."
"Do you want one of the parlourmaid's aprons?"
"I do not! I want a big, all-enveloping cook's apron."
"Well, I suppose you don't want a man's. I'll find you one of
Marie's."
"I don't care whose it is, if it's big. Skip, now!"
Mona vanished, and Patty jumped out of bed, and dressed for her
new work. She chose a pink-sprigged dimity, simply made, with
short sleeves and collarless neck.
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