The yoke and sleeves were of fine white embroidered muslin, and very fair and sweet Patty looked as she clasped her "Victoria Cross" at her throat.
"Now can I go in the parlor, Frank ?" she said, as she met her cousin on the stairs.
"Yes, Patsy, come along," and the boy threw open the parlor doors with a flourish.

The room was elaborately trimmed with palms and chrysanthemums, and at one end was a raised platform, like a throne, on which stood a large armchair draped with a red velvet portiere.

Above this was a semicircular canopy cleverly made of cornstalks and bunches of grain and up on the very top was the biggest pumpkin you ever saw cut like a jack-o'-lantern.
More tall cornstalks formed a background to the throne and at each side stood a noble sheaf of wheat.

Thickly scattered over the whole affair were gourds or mock-oranges, which had been hollowed out and held lighted tapers, while across the top was "welcome" in large letters made of gilt paper.
"Oh," said Patty, quite awestruck at this bright and novel scene, "what is it all for ?" "Tell her, mother," said Frank to Aunt Alice, who had just come in, "I must go and listen for the carriage." "It's for you, Patty," said her aunt; "you are to sit there and welcome your father when he comes, and you'd better jump into the chair now, for he may be here at any minute." "Oh, how kind you all are," said Patty.

"Did Frank do all this for me?
Won't papa be pleased ?" Patty flew up the steps and settled herself in the great chair with delight.
"That's all right," said Marian, who had just come in and who gave a critical glance at the whole picture.