CHAPTER VII A QUEER CHAPERON
When Mrs. Doremus was introduced, Patty’s thoughts ran somewhat likethis:
“Nice old lady; apple-cheeked, white-haired and quiet-mannered. A littleshy, but well-bred and kindly. Old-fashioned dress,—or, rather it looksso, because it’s so long. Why, it almost touches the floor. But, she’sall right, and her big, tortoise-rimmed glasses give her quite an air ofdistinction.”
Helen, on the other hand, paid little attention to the chaperon, save togreet her pleasantly and thank her for her presence.
The five went to the Club dining-room for luncheon. There were a fewothers at various tables, but no one with whom the girls wereacquainted.
“I’m fairly brimming with happiness,” Helen announced; “I’ve alwayslonged to be at a big country club in winter, and I’ve never achieved itbefore.”
“It’s winter, all right,” said Herron, looking out at the steadysnowfall. “But the palms and flowers make this seem like an oasis ofsummer, screened in.”
“Awful pretty room,” and Helen looked round contentedly, as she finishedher grape fruit. “And of a just-right temperature. I’d like to stay herea week.”
“You _may_ get your wish,” and Mrs. Doremus smiled at her, “if this snowkeeps on, I don’t see how you _can_ go back to the city today.”
“Oh, my goodness!” cried Patty, “don’t say such a thing! Remember, Phil,when we were snowbound at that queer old house in the country?”
“Do I remember! Why, we had the time of our sweet young life up there! Inever ate such chicken pie!”
“Nor I. And those two quaint old ladies were a whole show themselves.”
“Oh, this storm isn’t going to be so very bad,” Herron said; “I thinkit’s lessening now. We’ll go down this afternoon, all right, all right.I think, Miss Fairfield, you’re anxious to get a letter from somebody!”
Patty blushed prettily. “Well, perhaps I am. I came away beforemailtime, you know.”
“But you had one yesterday,” Helen told, “a big, fat one! That ought tolast you for a while!”
“But that was yesterday! I want today’s bulletin.”
“Aha! A letter every day?”
“Yes, Mr. Herron, that’s the way engaged people keep alive, whenseparated by this cruel war!”
“Never mind letters now,” begged Van Reypen, “let’s forget everybody whoisn’t here.”
“And are you engaged to a soldier, my child?” Mrs. Doremus asked ofPatty. The old lady had a low, gentle voice, and though she said little,she had a delightful manner and a smile that betokened a keen sense ofhumour.
“Yes, to Captain Farnsworth; but he isn’t exactly a soldier. I mean, hedoesn’t expect to fight. He is an expert mining engineer, and hiscountry seems to find a lot of work for him, without sending him to thefront.”
“Bill Farnsworth, the Westerner!”
“Yes; do you know him?”
“No; not at all. But I saw something about him in the paper,——”
“You did! Oh, what was it? I’m interested, of course, in anythingpertaining to him or his work.”
“I can’t seem to remember; I can’t exactly place it; but I recollectseeing his name. And are you, too, engaged to an enlisted man, MissBarlow?”
“No,” said Helen, “but I hope to be.”
“Quite right! Next to serving one’s country, is being the helpmeet ofone who does. Have you,—ah,—selected——”
“No, my selective draft hasn’t yet been made,” and Bumble’s jolly littleface smiled broadly; “you see, there are so many fascinating men in theservice,—indeed, ’most any man is fascinating in uniform.”
“I wear uniform,” said Herron.
“I know, but lots of others do, too, and every time I meet a new one Ilose my heart to him.”
“I fear me you’re a sad coquette, Miss Barlow,” and the chaperon beamedon her.
“I am a coquette,” Helen admitted, calmly, “but not at all a sad one!Indeed, I’m as merry as a grig. Why, I get letters from lots of the boysin camp. Miss Fairfield is content with only one correspondent, while Ihave a dozen! I just adore to get their letters, and to send themthings, and to write to them. The war is terrible, but it does give one_some_ new and pleasant experiences. And I don’t feel it my duty tolament all the time. My mission is cheering people up and cheeringsoldiers on.”
“I make no doubt you’re a grand success at it, too. And some day you’lldecide to send all your letters to the same address, as Miss Fairfielddoes. Where is Mr. Farnsworth now, may I ask?”
“In Washington,” Patty replied.
“And is he coming to New York soon?”
“I don’t know, I’m sure.” Patty spoke a little coldly, for Bill hadcautioned her over and over again, never on any account to tell any oneof his plans or to repeat anything he might write, which concernedmilitary matters or might give war information of any sort.
“How you must long to know! I don’t mean definitely, of course, butcan’t you hope to see him soon?”
An insistent tone in Mrs. Doremus’ voice caused Patty to look upquickly, and she saw the keen eyes regarding her intently through thebig glasses.
But though the old lady’s interest might have been a bit strong for suchshort acquaintance, Patty was too polite to resent that, and she laughedand said, “It’s impossible to tell, with a soldier boy. One can onlyhope,—one may not expect.”
“That’s a philosophical attitude, my dear, and does you credit. IsCaptain Farnsworth in the Engineers’ Camp?”
“Yes,” said Patty, this time with decided shortness; “how very nice thissweetbread is! I’ve always been so fond of them. But one oughtn’t toserve them on a sweetless day, ought one?”
“Oh, Patty, what a silly joke!” chided Helen. “You mean a meatless day!”
“Both ought to be barred,” smiled Patty; “also they ought not to beserved on a breadless day!”
“It looks as if they wouldn’t be served at all any more,” said Herron;“let’s gather these sweetbreads while we may!”
“And perhaps the war will soon be over, and then we can eat what welike,” Helen suggested. “It will be over soon, you know, because of theeagles.”
“What do you mean?”
“Yes, it’s a true omen. You know down at Beverly, New Jersey, longago,—oh, during the Revolution,——”
“Is this a real honest-to-goodness, once-upon-a-time story?” asked VanReypen.
“Yes, it is.”
“Then I move we move to the sun-parlour, and have our coffee there.We’ll take our coffee,—sugarless, if Patty says so,—and then we can hearthe story, and then we must see about going home.”
“Fine,” Patty agreed. “Will you join us in this desperate scheme, Mrs.Doremus?”
“Don’t think you must, if you’re busy,” interposed Herron. “I’m sure theladies will excuse you if you have duties to attend to.”
“I haven’t,” returned the chaperon, calmly. “I’ll be glad to have thecoffee and the story, if I am permitted.”
“Surely,” said Helen, jumping up, “come along, Mrs. Doremus; you and Iwill pick out the sunniest spot. Philip, bring Patty; and Mr. Herron,will you order the coffee served there?”
Helen slipped her arm through that of the grey-haired lady, and theywalked away together.
Philip detained Patty as she was about to follow.
“Queer old party,” he said, very low.
“Who? Mrs. Doremus? I rather like her.”
“Well, I don’t! Be careful what you say before her, and we must get awayas soon as we can.”
“Why, Phil, what do you mean?”
“Nothing particular. Only, don’t let Helen persuade you to stay all theafternoon. It’s nearly three now, and we must get away by four, atlatest.”
“All right, Phil, but I never knew you to look so scared. Why?”
“Don’t fuss, Patty; go ahead and join t
he crowd; but remember not toanswer personal questions.”
Patty wondered what had come over Philip’s mind, but she thought no moreabout it, rather glad than otherwise, that he was determined to go homeso early.
They crossed the big foyer, and across a chair there, was a fur stole ofPatty’s which she had left there in case of need while in the house. Shepicked it up, exclaiming: “Why, here’s my fur! I might have forgottenit!”
“Lend it to me, won’t you, if you’re not wearing it?” asked Mrs.Doremus. “I feel a bit chilly,—but, perhaps you do too?”
“Oh, no; I’m warm as toast. Use it, by all means. Let me put it roundyou.”
Patty draped the long stole round the shivering shoulders, and Mrs.Doremus said, apologetically, “I’m not really cold, but I takeprecaution for fear of rheumatism.”
“Certainly,” Patty acquiesced, and then the coffee tray was brought andPatty did the honours.
“Sugar?” she asked of the chaperon.
“One, please; and may I be excused for a few moments? I’ve just thoughtof an order I meant to give, and the gaiety of our little party made meforget it. I don’t mind if my coffee gets a little cool,—I like itbetter so.”
Mrs. Doremus went off toward the housekeeping quarters, and the othersmade merry over their coffee cups.
“I don’t see why you want to start right off, Philip,” Helen demurred.“I think it’s going to stop snowing just about now.”
“Do you, my child?” said Van Reypen, serenely; “be that as it may, westand not on the order of our going, but go atonce,—instanter,—immejit,—all-in-a-hurry,—so soon as your coffee isdespatched.”
“But why?” and Helen pouted.
“Yours not to put that direct question. Yours not to make remarks. Yoursbut to get into your befurments and hie away to town.”
“I’m not at all sure we can make it,” said Herron, pouring himselfanother cup of the rich brown beverage.
“Oh, yes, you can,” and the cheery voice of Mrs. Doremus sounded in thedoorway. “This my cup? Fine! I like it a lot better not so bloominghot!”
Patty looked up suddenly, for the lapse into slang made her think thatthe pastry cook had been on her guard at lunch time, and had now fallenback to what must be her usual diction.
The old lady was smiling, and as she took her cup and sat down near thegirls, Patty felt a sudden aversion.
But she reproached herself for such a feeling toward one who had notonly been kind and polite but had helped them out of a real predicament.
By way of salving her conscience, she assumed a kinder manner, andgently readjusted the fur stole.
“What a dear girl you are!” said Mrs. Doremus, in a burst of admiration.“I don’t wonder Little Billee loves you.”
Patty stared at her in astonishment.
“You do know Captain Farnsworth, then!” she exclaimed, “or how would youknow he is called that by his intimate friends?”
The chaperon looked confused.
“I think I have heard you call him that since you’ve been here.”
“Indeed you haven’t! I never speak of him that way to strangers!”
“Come, come, Patty, don’t get wrathy!” said Philip, smiling at thelifted chin and tossed head.
“No, I won’t,” and Patty realised her own foolishness. “Forgive me, Mrs.Doremus, I suppose I’m a silly young thing. But you see, I’ve never beenengaged before and I’m a little fussy about it!”
“Oh, that’s all right, young folks ought to be like that. My, when I wasengaged, I flew off my head if anybody so much as looked at my youngman!”
“It couldn’t have been so very long ago,” smiled Patty, who had suddenlycome to the conclusion that Mrs. Doremus was not so very old, and was,doubtless, prematurely grey-haired.
“Oh yes, many and many a year. But memory is still green, and the sightof young lovers makes my mind turn back, as to a well-remembered page.”
Again, Patty caught the strange inflection, as if Mrs. Doremus’ wordswere not quite sincere.
“Come, girls,” said Philip, “as you’ve finished your coffee, let’s bethinking about starting.”
“I don’t want to go!” protested Helen; “it’s perfectly lovely here, andwe can just as well stay an hour longer as not. Can’t we, Mr. Herron?”
“So far as I am concerned, yes. But, unless you start soon, you may findthe roads impassable, and be obliged to remain here over night.”
“Oh, I’ve the idea!” Helen cried, “you men go back to town, and leave usgirls here to stay the night with Mrs. Doremus! I do think that would befine! You’d take care of us, wouldn’t you?”
She turned her bright, coaxing face to the apple-cheeked old lady, withmute appeal.
To her surprise, Mrs. Doremus was suddenly afflicted with a hardcoughing spell. She choked and nearly strangled, growing red in theface, and gasping for breath.
Herron jumped up and quickly led her from the room, with some hastywords about fresh air.
Van Reypen looked angry and a bit puzzled, but Patty was deeplyconcerned for the old lady’s comfort.
“Let me go, too,” she exclaimed, rising, “she needs me,—not Mr. Herron.”
“Sit down, Patty,” Philip ordered, somewhat gruffly. “Stay where youare. There are plenty of women servants to look after her.”
“But she’s so nice, Phil! Too nice to have only servants’ care.”
“Sit down, I tell you. You can’t go to her. Remember, Patty, you’re nota member of this Club.”
“Oh, that’s so,” and Patty sat down.
“All right,” said Herron, returning; “she just choked a little, that’sall. And she has chronic throat trouble, so it rather strangled her. Shesends you her adieux, and begs to be excused from further appearance.”
“Why, of course,” said Patty, “she mustn’t think of returning. And we’regoing now, anyhow. Stop your nonsense, Helen, and come, let’s get ourcoats.”
“Don’t wanna!”
“I know you don’t, you old goose, but you must.” Patty took her cousin’sarm and led her off to the cloak-room.
“Be goody-girl,” Herron called after her, “and we’ll stop at any placeyou like for afternoon tea.”
“Oh, will you?” and Helen brightened up suddenly. “At the SunsetTea-room?”
“Yes, wherever you say.”
The sleigh came to the door,—horses prancing, bells jingling, and thedriver cracking his whip, in true old-time style.
“Oh, wait a minute,” Patty cried, as they were about to get in, “where’smy stole? Mrs. Doremus still has it! I’m so glad I remembered.”
“I’ll get it,” volunteered Herron. “You others wait here.”
He was gone so long that Philip suggested Mrs. Doremus had decamped withthe fur.
“Was it valuable, Patty?”
“Yes; that is, it’s a perfectly good piece of kolinski.”
“Better make up your mind to order another. Something tells me you’llnever see that particular animal again.”
“How silly, Phil, of course I will. They don’t have kleptomaniacs in aClub like this.”
“People of acquisitive tendencies are to be found everywhere. However,here comes Herron with the pelt, but he looks as if he’d had to fightfor it!”
Sure enough, Herron appeared, greatly ruffled. His face was red, hiseyes glowering, and his whole aspect that of a man who has been througha war of words.
“All right,” he said, with a very evident effort to seem at ease,“here’s your fur cape,—or whatever you call it.”
“Stole,” corrected Philip.
“No it wasn’t!” cried Herron. “Mrs. Doremus had mislaid it, in herexcitement, and couldn’t remember for the moment where it was. But shefound it at once.”
He put the fur round Patty’s neck, and assisted her into the sleigh insilence.
“Something’s up!” that astute young woman remarked to herself. “I mustfind out about it,—that is, if it concerns me, a
nd I pretty much thinkit does.”
But she was far too canny to ask questions of Herron then. She chattedgaily and smiled brightly, telling herself the while, that there couldbe nothing really wrong.
The snow had almost ceased falling, and before they had gone more than amile, the sun came straggling through the clouds, as it sometimes doeswhen anxious to finish off a snowstorm quickly.
And Helen was delighted, for she knew that meant they would stop at herfavourite tea-room, and she could have the chocolate and sweet cakeswhich were her beloved though “forbidden fruit.”