"Come for a ride, Patty _Maman_?" asked her husband, as they left the
little Fleurette's presence.
"No; let's go for a walk. I want to look over the west glade, and see if
it will stand a Japanese tea-house there."
"All right, come ahead. You've not forgotten your dinky tea-porch?"
"No; but this is different. A tea-house is lovely, and--"
"All right, Madame Butterfly, have one if you like. Come down this way."
They went along a picturesque path, between two rocky ravines,--a bit
of real scenic effect that made, indeed, a fine setting for a little
structure for a pleasure house of any kind.
"Lovely spot!" and Patty stood still and gazed about over her domain.
"Seems to me I've heard you remark that before."
"And will again,--so long as we both shall live! Oh, Little Billee, I'm
so glad I picked you out for my mate--"
"_I_ picked _you_ out, you mean. Why, the first moment I saw you, I--"
"You kissed me! Yes, you did,--you bad man! I wonder I ever spoke to you
again!"
"But I kissed you by mistake that time. I'd no idea who you were."
"I know it. And you've no idea who I am, now!"
"That's true, sweetheart. For you've as many moods and personalities as a
chameleon,--and each more dear and sweet than the last."
"Look here, my friend, haven't we been married long enough for you to
cease to feel the necessity for those pretty speeches?"
"Tired of 'em?"
"No; but I don't want you to think you must--"
"Now, now, don't be Patty Simpleton! When I make forced or perfunctory
speeches, you'll know it! Don't you think so, Patty Mine?"
"Yep.
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