"They all took themselves so seriously." "Why shouldn't they ?" said Patty, coming up out of her fur cave; "it might be better if we all took ourselves more seriously,--such a lot of triflers and sillyheads as we are!" "And such a lot of piffle-peddlers and hard-boiled eggs as they are!" said Philip, fairly snorting in disgust.
"Oh, very well!" and Patty sank again into the chinchilla cavern.
Roger touched Mona's foot with his own, and gave her an urgent, significant glance, as he said, with a determination to change the subject, "We'll just about get to Red Chimneys in time for luncheon.
Shall we have our picnic before we explore the house?
I'm as hungry as three bears and a hunter." "So'm I," agreed Van Reypen, taking the cue.

"What's in the hampers?
Unless something pretty substantial, I vote we go to a hotel to feast." "No," said Mona, "that wouldn't be half as much fun.

It's the picnicking that's so jolly.

If you agree, Patty," she added, for if Patty had any intention of sulking, there would be little fun in a picnic.
But Patty Fairfield was no spoilsport.

She was annoyed at Philip, but that was no reason for her to make the others uncomfortable, and she responded gaily, "Oh, yes, the picnic is lots more fun.