Description

---

"Hooray for our side " cried Frank, as Marian dropped into a chair after her outburst ofenthusiasm."Oh, I haven't finished yet," said Marian, jumping up again. "I want to remark further thatnot only is Patty going to live in Vernondale, but she's going to have a house very near thisone. I've picked it out," and Marian wagged her head with the air of a mysterious sibyl. "Iwon't tell you where it is just yet, but it's a lovely house, and big enough to accommodateUncle Fred and Patty, and a guest or two besides. I've selected the room that I prefer, and Ihope you will furnish it in blue.""The speaker is a bit hasty," said Patty as Marian sat down again; "we can't furnish anyrooms before this debate is concluded; and, though we deeply regret it, Miss Elliott will beobliged to wait for her blue room until the other speakers have had their speak."But Patty smiled at Marian understandingly, and began to have a very attractive mentalpicture of her cousin's blue room next her own."The next speaker," announced the judge, "will be Mrs. Elliott, Senior, -the DowagerDuchess. Your Grace, we would be pleased to hear from you.""I don't know," said Grandma Elliott, looking rather seriously into the smiling faces beforeher, "that I am entirely in favour of the country home. I think our Patty would greatly enjoythe city atmosphere. She is a schoolgirl now, but in a year or two she will be a youngwoman, and one well deserving of the best that can be given to her. I am city-bred myself, and though at my age I prefer the quiet of the country, yet for a young girl I well know thecharm of a city life. Of course, we would all regret the loss of our Patty, who has grown tobe a part of our daily life, but, nevertheless, were I to vote on this matter, I shouldunhesitatingly cast my ballot in favour of New York.""Bravo for grandma " cried Frank. "Give me a lady who fearlessly speaks her mind even inthe face of overwhelming opposition. All the same, I haven't spoken my piece yet, and Ibelieve it is now my turn.