"Oh, no. Write him a note. It's loads easier."
"No," said Patty, with dignity; "I think I owe him a personal
explanation. Is my hair all right? If you girls reveal this to a single
person before I come back, I'll not tell you a thing he says," she added
as she closed the door.
Patty returned half an hour later, just as they were finally settling
down to tea. She peered around the darkening room; finding only four
expectant faces, she leisurely seated herself on a cushion on the floor
and stretched out her hand for a steaming cup.
"What did he say? What kept you so long?"
"Oh, I stopped in the office to change my electives, and it delayed me."
"You don't mean to tell me that man made you elect astronomy?"
Priscilla asked indignantly.
"Certainly not," said Patty. "I shouldn't have done it if he had."
"Oh, Patty, I know you like to tease, but I think it's odious. You know
we're in suspense. Tell us what happened."
"Well," said Patty, placidly gathering her skirts about her, "I told him
exactly how it was. I didn't hide anything--not even the bride with the
mumps."
"Was he cross, or did he laugh?"
"He laughed," said Patty, "till I thought he was going to fall off his
chair, and I looked anxiously around for some water and a call-bell. He
really has a surprising sense of humor for a member of the faculty."
"Was he nice?"
"Yes," said Patty; "he was a dear. When he got through discussing
Universal Truth, I asked him if I might elect astronomy, and he said I
would find it pretty hard the second semester; but I told him I was
willing to work, and he said I really showed a remarkable aptitude for
explaining phenomena, and that if I were in earnest he would be glad to
have me in the class."
"I think a man as forgiving as that _ought_ to be elected," said
Priscilla.
"You certainly have more courage than I gave you credit for," said
Bonnie. "I never could have gone over and explained to that man in the
wide world."
Patty smiled discreetly. "When you have to explain to a woman," she said
in the tone of one who is stating a natural law, "it is better to write
a note; but when it is a man, always explain in person."