Patty And Azalea by Carolyn Wells

"I refuse to go a step further! This porch of wistaria is the most / wonderful thing I ever saw in all my life! When I heard the name of the / place, I thought it was crazy, -- but of course I see now it's the only / possible name! I don't care what's inside the house, -- here I am, -- and / here I stay!"

Elise Farrington threw off her motor coat, and settling herself on the / side seat of the porch, under the drooping bunches of purple bloom, / looked quite as if she meant what she said.

Patty stepped out from the doorway and smiled at her visitor.

"All right, Elise," she said, "you may. I'll send out your dinner, and / you can sleep here, too, if you like."

"No, I'll come in for my board and lodging, but all the rest of the time / look for me here! I'm going to have some lavender frocks made, -- dimities / and organdies, and then I'll be part of the picture."

"Oh, do! I can't wear lavender or purple," Patty sighed.

"Nonsense! Of course you can. You only mean you've never tried. That / bisque doll complexion of yours will stand any color. Let's both get / wisteria-coloured frocks, and -- "

Elise's plans were interrupted by the appearance of Farnsworth and two / men who had arrived for the house party. These were our old friends, / Philip Van Reypen and Chickering Channing.

Still a devoted admirer of pretty Patty, Van Reypen had become reconciled / to his fate, and moreover had discovered his ability to take pleasure in / the society of other charming young women.

Channing was the same old merry Chick, and he was exuberant in his praise / of the beautiful home of the Farnsworths which he now saw for the first / time.

"Great little old place! " he exclaimed, enthusiastically. "But why such / an enormousness? Are you going to keep boarders?"

"Yes, if you'll stay," laughed Patty. "But, you see it was a bargain, -- so / we snapped it up."

"The old story," put in Bill. "Man built it, -- went bankrupt, -- had to sell / at sacrifice. Along came we, -- bought it, -- everybody happy!"

"I am," declared Elise; "this is the sort of place I've dreamed of. / Beautiful nearby effects, and a long distance view beside. This / porch for mine, -- all the time I'm here."

"But you haven't seen the other places yet," Patty demurred. "There's a / tea-porch -- "

"Wistaria, too?"

"Yes, of course."

"Lead me to it! " and Elise jumped up, and made for the house.

Then they all strolled through the wide hall and out at the back door on / to the tea-porch. This was furnished with white wicker tables and chairs, / and indeed, was prepared for immediate use, for a maid was just bringing / the cakes and crumpets as the party arrived.

"Goody! " cried Elise, "can we have tea now, Patty? I'm famished."