Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan, and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team.
Patty At Home
1904
To My very good friend, Ruth Pilling
In Mrs. Elliott's library at Vernondale a great discussion was going on.It was an evening in early December, and the room was bright withfirelight and electric light, and merry with the laughter and talk ofpeople who were trying to decide a great and momentous question.
For the benefit of those who are not acquainted with Patty Fairfield andher relatives, it may be well to say that Mrs. Elliott was Patty's AuntAlice, at whose home Patty and her father were now visiting. Of the othermembers of the Elliott family, Uncle Charley, grandma, Marian, and Frankwere present, and these with Mr. Fairfield and Patty were debating a noless important subject than the location of Patty's future home.
"You know, papa," said Patty, "you said that if I wanted to live in
Vernondale you'd buy a house here, and I do want to live here,—at least,
I am almost sure I do."
"Oh, Patty," said Marian, "why aren't you quite sure? You're president ofthe club, and the girls are all so fond of you, and you're getting alongso well in school. I don't see where else you could want to live."
"I know," said Frank. "Patty wants to live in New York. Her soul yearnsfor the gay and giddy throng, and the halls of dazzling lights. 'Ah,Patricia, beware! the rapids are below you!' as it says in that thrillingtale in the Third Reader."
"I think papa would rather live in New York," said Patty, looking veryundecided.
"I'll tell you what we'll do," exclaimed Frank, "let's debate thequestion. A regular, honest debate, I mean, and we'll have all thearguments for and against clearly stated and ably discussed. Uncle Fredshall be the judge, and his decision must be final."
"No," said Mr. Fairfield, "we'll have the debate, but Patty must be thejudge. She is the one most interested, and I am ready to give her a homewherever she wants it; in Gr