CHAPTER V.
SHOPPING As Boxley Hall was a sort of experiment, Mr.Fairfield concluded to rent the place for a year, with the privilege of buying.
By this time Patty was sure that she wished to remain in Vernondale all her life; but her father said that women, even very young ones, were fickle in their tastes, and he thought it wiser to be on the safe side.
"And it doesn't matter," as Patty said to Marian; "for, when the year is up, papa will just buy the house, and then it will be all right." Having found a home, the next thing was to furnish it; and about this Mr.
Fairfield was very decided and methodical.
"To-morrow," he said, as they were talking it over at the Elliotts' one evening, "to-morrow I shall take Patty to New York to select the most important pieces of furniture.

We shall go alone, because it is a very special occasion, and we can't allow ourselves to be hampered by outside advices.

Another day we shall go to buy prosaic things like tablecloths and carpet-sweepers; and then, as we know little about such things, we shall be glad to take with us some experienced advisers." And so the next day Patty and her father started for the city to buy furniture for Boxley Hall.
"You see, Patty," said her father after they were seated in the train, "there is a certain proportion to be observed in furnishing a house, about which, I imagine, you know very little." "Very little, indeed," returned Patty; "but, then, how should I know such things when I've never furnished a house ?" "I understand that," said Mr.Fairfield; "and so, with my advantages of age and experience, and your own natural good taste, I think we shall accomplish this thing successfully.

Now, first, as to what we have on hand." "Why, we haven't anything on hand," said Patty; "at least, I have a few pictures and books, and the afghan grandma's knitting for me; but that's all." "You reckon without your host," said her father, smiling.

"I possess some few objects of value, and during the past year I have added to my collection in anticipation of the time when we should have our own home." "Oh, papa!" cried Patty; "have you a whole lot of new furniture that I don't know about ?" "Yes," said Mr.Fairfield; "except, that, instead of being new, it is mostly old.