I insisted on spending the day here, and I nearly bothered the life out of my poor cousin.

Indeed, I carried her off bodily from the kitchen just at a dozen critical moments." "No, it wasn't that," said honest Patty, "but I did just what I'm always doing, trying to make a lot of things I don't know anything about" "Well," said Elsie, "if you couldn't try them on us girls, I don't know who you could try them on; I'm more than willing to be a martyr to the cause, and I say three cheers for our noble President!" The cheers were given with a will, and Patty's equanimity being restored, she was her own merry self again, and they all laughed and chatted as only a lot of happy girls can.
And that's how it happened that when Mr.Fairfield reached home at about six o'clock he heard what sounded like a general pandemonium in the dining-room.

As he appeared in the doorway he was greeted by a merry ovation, for most of the Tea Club members knew and liked Patty's pleasant and genial father.
Then the girls, realising how late it was, began to take their leave.
Marian went with them, and Patty, after the last one had gone, returned to the dining-room, to find her father regarding the table with a look of comical dismay.
It was indeed a magnificent ruin.

Besides the dishes of almost untasted delicacies, the flowers had been pushed into disarray, one small vase had been upset and broken; owing to improper adjustment the candles had dripped pink wax on the table-cloth; and the ice cream, which Pansy had mistakenly served on open-work plates, had melted and run through.
Patty didn't say a word, indeed there was nothing to say.

She went and stood very close to her father, as if expecting him to put his arm around her, which he promptly did.
"You see, Pitty-Pat," he said, "it wouldn't have made any difference at all--not _any_ difference at all, _except_ that I have brought my friend Mr.Hepworth, the artist, home to dinner; and you see, misled by the experiences of last night, I promised him we would find a tidy little dinner awaiting us." "Oh, papa," cried Patty, "I _am_ sorry.