CHAPTER III.
NEW FRIENDS It was about four o'clock the next afternoon when the train came puffing into the great train-shed in Jersey City.
It had passed through Elmbridge about an hour before, but being an express train, it made no stop at such small places.
So Mr.St.Clair had arranged to meet Patty at Jersey City and take her back home with him.
Patty recognized her uncle as soon as he entered the car, and ran to greet him.
"Howdy, Uncle Robert," she said, in her pretty southern way, "are you looking for me ?" "I am, if you're little Patty Fairfield.

But you've grown so since I saw you that I think I shall have to ask for your credentials." Patty laughed, and answered: "My credentials are that I remember the doll and the candy you brought me five years ago, and I just _know_ you're my Uncle Robert." "I am indeed, and I've come to carry you off to a lot of other admiring relatives." Then Patty introduced Miss Powers, and after gathering up the various wraps and bags they all left the train.

Miss Powers was to cross the ferry to New York, so Patty and Uncle Robert escorted her to the ferry-boat and bade her good-bye, with many thanks for her kind care of the little girl during the journey.
Then Uncle Robert said: "Now we'll go out to Elmbridge as quick as we can skip, but first we must pick up Ethelyn, whom I left in the waiting-room." "Oh, is Ethelyn here ?" cried Patty.

"I am so glad, I'm just crazy to see her." Apparently Ethelyn was crazy too, for she flew at her cousin as soon as she entered the door.
"You dear thing!" she exclaimed, "I'm so delighted to see you.

Oh, how pretty you are! We'll be awfully good chums, won't we ?" "I'm sure we shall," replied Patty, who was just a wee bit frightened by this dashing young cousin.
Ethelyn was about Patty's age, but somewhat shorter and decidedly less slender.