I can’t. If I do, I’ll cry. Come along.”
So both girls ran down stairs, and shrieked with delight at the sight of Farnsworth in uniform.
“I knew you’d be stunning,” said Helen, “but I didn’t know you’d look like a Herculean statue!”
“He doesn’t,” cried Patty, “he looks like a – a General! He ought to be – oh, what do you call it when you have your statue taken?”
“Sculped,” said Helen.
“Yes, that’s it! He ought to be sculped in marble or bronze or whatever is most used for statues this year!”
“There, now, kiddies, run away and play,” said Farnsworth, towering to his full height and looking every inch a soldier.
“No sir,” declared Patty, “we want to look at you. Turn around.”
Then Channing came, and he, too, was resplendent in his new khaki, and the girls praised his appearance.
“Drink it in, Bill,” Chick said. “It’ll be a long time before we get any more of this sort of thing! Somepin tells me the people we’re going amongst won’t pay any special attention to our uniforms.”
“How can they help it?” cried Helen; “why, I don’t believe any of the United States Army will look half as well as you two! You’re – you’re superb!”
A bit embarrassed, Channing tried to turn the subject, but Farnsworth laughed good-humouredly.
“Let ’em rave, Channing. They enjoy it, and I guess we can stand it – ”
“Pooh,” Patty said, “you’re tickled to death to be so admired! Here comes Elise, now you’ll get more flattery.”
And then the other guests came and the party soon was in full swing.
Patty was among the gayest there. Her eyes shone and her smile was merry and sweet. But a flush showed on each pink cheek, and Farnsworth kept watch of her as she danced or engaged in light banter with the young people.
Helen Barlow was frankly delighted with the party. She was a belle, indeed, for she was a charming dancer and her never-failing fund of fun and laughter kept her partners enchanted.
“I like to dance with you,” she said to Farnsworth, “’cause you’re so big. It’s like dancing with one of the statues in the park.”
“Why do you girls look on me as a statue?” he returned, laughing. “There’s nothing statuesque about me.”
“No; not that, it’s your heroic size – ”
“I hope that’s not all my heroism!”
“I hope so, too. But are you going to need heroism? Bravery, I mean, and courage and all that. I thought you were only going to teach the young engineers how to shoot.”
“That’s part of my duty, but there may be other work cut out for me.”
“That’s what Patty thinks. She thinks, – because you can’t tell her all about it, – that you’re going to be called to some fearful danger – ”
“Oh, come now, Helen, she doesn’t think that, does she?”
“Yes she does. She didn’t exactly tell me so, but she can’t hide it from me. I can read that girl pretty well.”
“So can I.”
“Yes, but you don’t see her off her guard.”
“I know what you mean. Just now, she is trying her best to be gay; trying so hard, indeed, that she’s overdoing it.”
“Yes, that’s what I mean. You can tell by the way she laughs. A little hysterical giggle, – that’s not like Patty’s own hearty chuckle!”
“You’re right, Helen; and you’re a good friend to Patty. I’m so glad you’re here with her. Can you stay some time?”
“Yes, as long as she wants me.”
“Then look out for her, won’t you? She’s a frail little thing, and her heart and her energies are too big for her physique.”
“That’s so, Bill. But I’ll look after her, – all she’ll let me. She has a strong will, I can tell you.”
“You two are talking about me, I can sense it!” cried Patty herself, coming up to them.
“We are,” said Bill, “and I’m going to talk to you, instead. Helen, I see your next partner coming hot haste to claim you, so I’m going to take Pattibelle aside and treat her to a small lecture.”
Willingly Patty went with him, and he led her to the little room which was her father’s den.
There chanced to be no one there, so Farnsworth closed the door after them, and then gently took her in his arms.
“Dearest,” he said, “you must be careful of my own little Patty girl while I am away.”
“But I don’t want you to go,” she whispered, her lip trembling.
“I know it, dear, and I don’t want to leave you. But we’re always going to obey the call of duty, aren’t we, Patty mine?”
“Y-yes, – ”
“Then listen, sweetheart. You mustn’t exaggerate our parting. I’m only going to Washington – ”
“I know – but – you may be sent to France – ”
“Don’t cross that bridge until you come to it. Now, my own, – my blessed little girl, I’m going now.”
“Now?”
“Yes, if I stay here you’ll go all to pieces pretty soon. So I’m going now, and I’m going to say good-bye, cheerfully, even calmly, – because it’s better so. Then you go back to the party and be as gay as you like, and forget our case entirely. Trust me, dear little girl, – it’s better so.”
Patty realised the truth of Farnsworth’s words. She was under great nervous strain, and after his departure, she knew she could regain her poise and better conceal and control her feelings.
“You’re right, you dear old Billee. I’m a little fool, but I can’t help it. I oughtn’t to have planned this affair the way I did, but I didn’t realise, – ”
“Of course you didn’t, and you overestimated your own power of will. Now, my love, my little sweetheart, kiss me once, for soldier’s luck, and then I’ll go, – and you must bid me good-bye with a smile, – a smile that I’ll carry with me always.”
Silently, solemnly, Patty raised her face to his, and bending down, Farnsworth kissed the sweet lips that quivered beneath his touch.
It almost unnerved him, but, determinedly, he smiled at her, and said, cheerily, “I’ll write often and so must you, and, – why, my goodness, Patty, – I’ll be back soon on leave, and we’ll laugh at this tragic parting.”
“No;
