Bell, as they began to
dance.
Patty laughed outright at this apt expression of their resemblance,
and said: "I have already told some one that you looked exactly like
me. So, in that case, I'm a comic valentine, too. But, truly, you're
enough like me to be my brother."
"May I be? Not that I want to, in the least, but of course that is
the obvious thing to say. I'd rather be most any relation to you
than a brother."
"Why?"
"Oh, it's such a prosaic relationship. I have three sisters,--and
they're the dearest girls in the world,--but I don't really feel the
need of any more."
"What would you like to be?" And Patty flashed him a dangerous
glance of her pansy-blue eyes.
But Mr. Bell kept his equanimity. "How about second cousin, once
removed?"
"I suppose you'll be removed at the end of this dance."
"Then, may this dance last for ever!"
"Oh, what a pretty speech! Of course, you wouldn't make that to a
sister! I think a second cousinship is very pleasant."
"Then, that's settled. And I may call you Cousin Patty, I suppose?"
"It would seem absurd to say Cousin Miss Fairfield, wouldn't it? And
yet our acquaintance is entirely too short for first names."
"But it's growing longer every minute; and, if you would grant me
another dance after I'm removed from this one, I'm sure we could
reach the stage of first names.
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