"
"But it's real, Patty; it's life and not mummery."
"I don't know," doubtfully; "from what I have read, there are more
puppets in and about a City Hall than ever dangled in the puppet
booth. Did I give you permission to call me Patty?" demurely.
"Not that I recollect." The boat came sweeping up to the dock, and he
tossed the senator's letter to the boy. The boat went on with a
musical gurgle. "But when I especially like anything, I usually
appropriate it."
"I can see that you will make a good politician."
He laughed happily.
"Evidently you like the name. You have applied it to me three times
this morning."
"Like it? Why, I think it is the most charming name I ever heard. It
smells of primroses, garden-walls, soldiers in ragged regimentals, of
the time when they built houses with big-columned porches."
"My!"
"May I not call you Patty?"
"Oh, if you ask my permission, you may."
"I do."
"That is better."
"Patty?"
"Well."
"Do you ever look in your mirror?"
"The idea! Of course I do. I look in it every morning and every night.
And as often as I find the time.
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