"Sorry.

Shall I go back and dress ?" Patty hesitated.

It would, of course, delay dinner, which was already announced,--and, too, in Azalea's present state of pre-occupation, she might fall to work again, and not come to dinner at all.
So Patty said, "No, come as you are," and she gave Azalea's hair a touch, and pulled her collar straight.
Farnsworth watched the "queer" girl all through dinner.

Azalea had improved somewhat in manners, though her notions of table etiquette still left much to be desired.
To-night she was unlike herself.

She answered in monosyllables when spoken to, and paid no attention to the conversation of the others.
"I expect my friend Elise Farrington to-morrow," said Patty; "I'm sure you'll like her, Azalea." "Will she like me ?" said the girl, indifferently.
"If she doesn't, it will be your own fault," and Patty took advantage of the opportunity for a word of warning.