Patty's Butterfly Days

Name: Patty's Butterfly Days
Author: Carolyn Wells

Patty Fairfield, heroine of Carolyn Wells's "Patty's Butterfly Days," faces the end of her family's summer at Spring Beach when her father and stepmother Nan plan to leave for the White Mountains, since Nan has waited her turn after Patty enjoyed three months by the sea with her beloved motor-car, Camilla. Patty resigns herself cheerfully to the move, scolding herself out of self-pity, but rescue arrives when Mona Galbraith proposes that Patty stay with her at "Red Chimneys" for two months while Mona's father goes to Europe, chaperoned by his sister, Mrs. Adelaide Parsons. Mr. Fairfield consents, and Patty and Nan depart for the mountains while Patty settles in with Mona. Before the chaperon arrives, Mona has already invited guests for a welcome party, so Patty persuades the Fairfields' cook, Susan (Mrs. Hastings), to masquerade as an aunt for the evening—a scheme that succeeds delightfully, aided by Jack Pennington, who discovers the ruse but keeps it secret. The real Aunt Adelaide turns out to be a frail, fussy hypochondriac devoted to quack "health" remedies, whom Patty and Mona learn to manage with patience. Patty works to refine Mona's tastes and to win her social acceptance among the Spring Beach set, softening the household's ostentation and drawing reluctant friends like Jack Pennington toward Mona. A house party assembles at "Red Chimneys," bringing Adele and Jim Kenerley and their baby, Daisy Dow, Roger Farrington, artist Laurence Cromer, and the boisterous Westerner Bill Farnsworth, who mistakes Patty for his cousin Mona and kisses her by accident, beginning a growing attachment between them despite Daisy's proprietary claims on Bill. Preparations proceed for a grand town Pageant of floats representing bodies of water; Patty is drawn into planning meetings and various suitors compete for her attention, including Captain Sayre, Cromer, and Farnsworth. One evening, Farnsworth drives Patty, Jack, and Daisy too far in a borrowed motor, and they're caught in a violent thunderstorm and stranded when the gasoline runs out; the party takes shelter by breaking into an empty house, and the men walk miles back for help while Patty and Daisy wait out the night, an adventure Patty faces with good humor despite her fear of storms. Daisy, jealous over the Pageant's "Spirit of the Sea" role opposite Farnsworth's Neptune, tricks Patty into unknowingly writing a note (under dictation, believing it was Daisy's own business) that gets used to make it appear Patty refused the part, letting Daisy claim it. Farnsworth suspects foul play and confronts both girls; Daisy breaks down and confesses, but Patty generously forgives her and insists the matter be dropped, ultimately trading parts so Daisy becomes "Maid of the Mist" and Patty resumes "Spirit of the Sea" alongside Farnsworth's Neptune. On the night of the Pageant, Farnsworth crowns Patty with a wreath of silver and enamel apple blossoms as they take their places on the elaborately decorated Ocean Float, and the text breaks off mid-parade as the floats process through the illuminated, star-strewn night of Spring Beach.

By Carolyn Wells · First published 1927 · Genre: Children's Literature, Coming-of-Age, Family · 20 chapters · 81,771 words

First lines

"Different men are of different opinions; some like apples, some like inions," sang Patty, as she swayed herself idly back and forth in the veranda swing; "but, truly-ooly, Nan," she went on, "I don't care a snipjack. I'm quite ready and willing to go to the White Mountains, -- or the Blue or Pink or even Lavender Mountains, if you like."

"You're willing, Patty, only because you're so good-natured and unselfish; but, really, you don't want to go one bit."

What this Textopian page supports

Patty's Butterfly Days is listed on Textopian as a novel by Carolyn Wells, dated 1927 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Carolyn Wells
Date: 1927 CE
Language: English
Genres: Children's Literature, Coming-of-Age, Family, Adventure
Length: 81,771 words
Structure: 20 chapters, 2,021 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Work identity for Patty's Butterfly Days by Carolyn Wells
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Similar titles

Genres

Children's Literature — The book features a child protagonist in Patty, exploring her growth and experiences in a manner relatable to a young audience.
Coming-of-Age — The book focuses on Patty's transition from childhood into adolescence, with emphasis on her emotional and moral growth.
Family — The story heavily incorporates themes of family and relationships within a family structure.
Adventure — Patty goes on several day-to-day adventures, providing elements of the adventure genre.