AN UNATTAINED AMBITION To say that Boxley Hall was in readiness for the party would be stating it very mildly.

It was overflowing,--yes, fairly bursting with readiness.
New Year's day was on Thursday, and Patty had decreed that on that day none of the Elliotts should go to Boxley Hall until they came as guests.
Dinner was to be at two o'clock, and in the morning Patty and her father went over to their new home together.
"Just think, papa," said Patty, squeezing his hand as they went along, "how many times we have walked--and run, too, for that matter--from Aunt Alice's over to our house; but this time it's different.

We're going to stay, to live, really to _reside_ in our own home; and whenever we go to Aunt Alice's again, it will be to visit or to call.

Oh, isn't it perfectly lovely! If I can only live up to it, and do things just as you want me to." "Don't take it too seriously, Pattikins; I don't expect you to become an old and experienced housewife all at once.

And I don't want you to wear yourself out trying to become such a personage.