"
At the foot of the staircase Bill Farnsworth waited to greet Patty.
He came forward with an eager smile and took her two hands in his.
"Little Apple Blossom!" he exclaimed; "Patty Pink-and-White!"
For the life of her, Patty could not be as cordial as she would have
been if Adele had not told her what she did. But though she tried to
speak a genuine welcome, she only succeeded in saying, "How do you
do, Mr. Farnsworth?" in a cool little voice.
Big Bill looked at her in amazement.
"You gave me a better greeting than that from your window," he said,
in laughing reproach. "I still have an apple blossom left. May I
give it to you?" and Bill produced a small but perfect spray which
he proceeded to pin on the shoulder of Patty's gown.
"My costume is complete," said Patty, with a smiling dissent; "it
doesn't need any additional flower."
"It needs this one to make it perfect," said Farnsworth, calmly, and
indeed the pretty blossom was no detriment to the effect.
"Oh, Phil, how gorgeous you look!" and Patty abruptly turned from
Farnsworth to admire Van Reypen's get-up.
"Me, too!" exclaimed Hal Ferris, stepping up to be admired. The
men's decorations consisted of garlands draped across their
shoulders and tied with huge bows of ribbon.
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