He sat down by Daisy Dow, and said abruptly: 

“What’s the matter with Patty, that she doesn’t like me any more?”

“Nonsense, Bill; she does like you.”

“No, she doesn’t.  She’s cool as a cucumber.  She used to like me, but she’s changed all through.  I s’pose she likes those other fellows better—­and I don’t blame her.”

“They’re both awfully gone on her,” and Daisy looked at Cameron and Van Reypen hovering around Patty, who seemed to be sharing her favours equally between them.

“I don’t belong here,” said Farnsworth, gloomily.  “I’m out of my element.  I belong out West, riding over the plains and untrammelled by conventions.”

“Don’t be a goose, Bill,” and Daisy looked at him kindly.  “You’ve better manners than lots of these Eastern men, and you have a whole lot more innate kindliness.”

“That’s good of you, Daisy,” and Bill flashed her a grateful look.  “But I know the difference myself; I’m uncouth and awkward where those chaps are correct and elegant.  I’m going back to Arizona and stay there.”

“All because Patty Fairfield didn’t welcome you with open arms!”

A flush rose to Big Bill’s handsome face.  “It is partly that, Daisy, but I can’t blame her.  There’s no reason why that exquisite little piece of humanity should want to have anything to do with me,—­a big bear of a man.”

“Honestly, Bill, you ought not to belittle yourself like that.  I’m ashamed of you.  But I’ll tell you one thing:  Patty is sometimes a little perverse.  She can’t seem to help it.  She’s a perfect dear, but she is a coquette.  If you ask me, I think the more glad she is to see you, the more likely she is to be cool to you.”

“Nonsense, Daisy! what sort of talk is that!  Why should she act that way?”

Bill’s straightforward gaze of blank amazement made Daisy laugh, but she only said:  “I can’t tell you why she does such things, but she does all the same.”

Just then Hal Ferris came up and monopolised Daisy’s attention, and Farnsworth, imagining himself in the way, strolled off.  He joined the laughing group that was gathered around Patty, but he stood moodily silent, listening while she chaffed the others.

“It’s getting chilly,” Patty said, at last, “and I think it’s too late to stay outdoors any longer.  May parties are all very well while the sun shines.  But as queen, I issue a royal mandate that now we all go in the house and dance.”

“And as First Goldstick-in-Waiting, I claim the first dance with the queen,” and Philip Van Reypen tucked Patty’s hand through his arm and led her away to the house.

“And I claim the Maid of Honour,” and Kit Cameron led Daisy away.

“Hold on,” cried Hal Ferris, “the Maid of Honour is my partner.”

“Possession is nine points of the law,” and Hal gaily retained Daisy’s hand in his own, lest she should escape him.

But there were plenty of other gay and merry maidens of the court, and soon several couples were whirling up and down through the great hall.