Patty's Butterfly Days

Patty's Butterfly Days by Carolyn Wells

Patty Fairfield reluctantly agrees to give up her beloved Spring Beach summer to accompany her father and stepmother Nan to the White Mountains, since Nan spent three months at the shore for Patty's sake. Just before departure, Mona Galbraith proposes that Patty stay behind and live with her at Red Chimneys, chaperoned by Mona's Aunt Adelaide, while Mona's father goes to Europe. Mr. Fairfield consents, and Patty moves to Red Chimneys, taking her motor-car, Camilla. When Aunt Adelaide's arrival is delayed and Mona's welcome party for Patty is already arranged, Patty persuades the family's cook, Susan (Mrs. Hastings), to masquerade as the chaperon for the evening, coached in manners and knitting. The ruse succeeds, aided by Jack Pennington, who recognizes Susan but keeps her secret and helps her through supper. Aunt Adelaide finally arrives — a frail, fussy hypochondriac devoted to patent "health" cures, who dictates constantly but exercises little real oversight. Patty and Mona resolve to manage her with patience. Patty then helps Mona prepare for a house party, softening the mansion's ostentatious decor and Mona's own style, and works to get Spring Beach society to accept Mona, notably enlisting Jack Pennington's friendliness toward her. Guests arrive: the Kenerleys with their baby, artist Laurence Cromer (who wants to paint Patty), brash Daisy Dow from Chicago, Roger Farrington, and the enormous, good-natured Westerner Bill Farnsworth, who mistakes Patty for his cousin Mona and kisses her before realizing his error. Farnsworth and Patty banter and grow close, to Daisy's visible jealousy, since she considers Bill her own. The town is preparing an elaborate charity Pageant of floats representing bodies of water, and Patty helps draw Mona into a good role (Cleopatra on the Nile float) despite others' snobbery. After a night ride, Farnsworth drives Patty, Jack, and Daisy too far and too fast; a violent thunderstorm strands them when the car runs out of gasoline. The two men walk miles back for help after breaking into an empty house for shelter, leaving Patty and Daisy safe till morning rescue. Daisy schemes to take the coveted "Spirit of the Sea" role opposite Farnsworth's Neptune by tricking Patty into unknowingly dictating a note (meant to look like Patty's own refusal) that hands the part to Daisy. Farnsworth suspects deceit and confronts both girls; Patty, discovering the trick, still protects Daisy rather than expose her, prompting Daisy's genuine confession and remorse. Patty generously arranges to swap parts with Daisy, taking a different role (Maid of the Mist becomes Daisy's; Patty becomes the Water Sprite on Neptune's float) while swearing everyone to secrecy. On the night of the Pageant, Patty appears in a striking sea-spirit costume alongside Farnsworth's Neptune; he "crowns" her with a wreath of silver and apple-blossom filigree, and their mutual attraction becomes increasingly evident to the delight — and mild envy — of onlookers. The floats parade through Spring Beach to great admiration as Patty, tired from the moving float's jolting, exchanges tender banter with Farnsworth from his throne.

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.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Good citation fit

Similar titles

Genres

Tags

childhood · imagination · nature · friendship · growth · adventure · self-discovery · family · innocence · exploration · butterflies · seasons

Contents

More by Carolyn Wells