Patty's Social Season by Carolyn Wells

Patty soon returned, saying the country was saved, and now she was / ready for her presents.

And then everybody began untying things, and soon the whole place was / knee-deep in tissue papers and ribbons.

All exclaimed with delight at their own gifts, and then exclaimed with / delight at the others' gifts.

Mr. and Mrs. Kenerley gave Patty one of those Oriental garments known / as a Mandarin coat. It was of pale blue silk, heavy with elaborate / embroidery and gold braiding, and Patty was enchanted with it.

"Just what I wanted! " she exclaimed, "and I don't care if that _is_ / what everybody always says, _I_ mean it! I've wanted one a long time. / They're so heavenly for party wraps or opera cloaks. Mona has a / beauty, but this is handsomer still."

"Yes, it is," admitted Mona; "and now open that box, Patty. It's my / gift to you, and I want to see if you like it."

"Oh, I know I shall like it, of course. Why, Mona Galbraith, if it / isn't a lace scarf! Real Brussels point! You generous girl, it's _too_ / beautiful!"

"Isn't it lovely? " cried Daisy. "Now, this is mine to you, Patty. It / isn't nearly as handsome; it's just a bag."

"But what a grand one! " exclaimed Patty, as she unwrapped the / beautiful French confection. "I simply adore bags. I can't have too / many of them. My goodness! I'm getting as many presents as baby May!"

Sure enough, Patty was surrounded with gifts and trinkets of all / sorts. Philip's present was a small but exquisite water-color in a / gilded frame. Roger gave her a glass and silver flower-basket.

"I gave each of you girls exactly the same thing," he said, "because I / didn't want you scrapping over me. Mrs. Kenerley, I included you, too, / if you will accept one of them."

They were beautiful ornaments, and the four together were so effective / that Adele declared she should use them that night for a dinner table / decoration at their Christmas feast.

Hal Ferris gave each of the girls a beautiful book, and everybody had / so many presents of all sorts that it was almost impossible to / remember who gave anything.

"What I need is a card catalogue," said Patty. "I never can remember / which is which, I know."

"And I know another thing," said Adele. "If you girls don't scamper / off and dress, you won't be ready for dinner at eight o'clock. And / there are lots of guests coming. And more this evening for the country / dance. Now, disperse, all of you, and put on your prettiest frocks for / Christmas Eve."

Patty had a new gown for the occasion, of an exquisite shade of pink / chiffon, which just matched her cheeks. She did up her hair simply, / with a pink ribbon around it, and a pink rose tucked over one ear.

After she was all dressed, she flew to the nursery for a little confab / with Fraeulein, who was working away on the Turkey red.

"Will it be done? " asked Patty, anxiously.

"Oh, yes, indeed, Miss Patty; in ample time. And the crowns, too."

"Everything all right? " inquired a voice in the doorway, and Hal / Ferris stepped into the nursery.