CHAPTER XIX
IN THE RUNABOUT
When they reached the house, Patty went straight up to Mr. Kenerley,and said in a low tone, "Jim, I want to ask a favour of you."
"Anything at all, Patty Pink; anything, to the half of my kingdom!"
"Well, I want the little car, the runabout; and I want to go off for alittle while, all by myself."
"Patty! You amaze me! Does this mean a clandestine meeting with arustic swain? Oh, my child, I thought you were well brought up!"
"Don't tease me, Jim," and Patty looked really serious. "If you mustknow, though, it's because I want to get away from the rustic swains. Iwant a little time to myself. And if I stay here, the boys are allaround; and if I go to my room, the girls won't give me any peace, and,oh, Jim, DO help me out!"
"Why, of course, you Blessed Infant. Trust all to your Uncle Jim! Comealong with me."
The two started down the walk toward the garage, and Adele called out,"Where are you going?"
"Going to elope," Kenerley returned gaily over his shoulder, and theywent on.
He took out the little car, which Patty could easily run herself, andputting her in, he jumped in beside her.
"I'll go with you, past the porch," he said, "and see you outside thegate."
So they dashed by the group on the veranda, not heeding their chaff andonce outside the grounds, Jim said, "Are you sure you want to go alone,Patty?"
"Yes, please, Jim. I want to think a little."
"Oh, you GIRL! you needn't tell ME! some chap's been making love toyou!"
"Nonsense!" but Patty's blush belied her words.
"I hope it IS nonsense, Patty, dear. You're too young to have a seriousaffair yet awhile. Take an old friend's advice and say no this time."
"Of course I shall. Don't worry about me, Jim."
"No, indeed. You've good common sense in that curly golden pate ofyours. I'll get out here, and you go along, Patty, and have a nicelittle maiden meditation all to yourself, and come back fancy free, butdon't stay out too late."
Kenerley got out of the car and went back to the house, and Patty droveon alone.
It was just what she wanted, an opportunity to think over what Philiphad said. And she was fond of motoring alone, and an experienceddriver. She went slowly at first, enjoying the beautiful country withits serene air of Sunday afternoon calm.
The trend of her thoughts was not a question of whether or not sheshould accept Van Reypen; but more a dreamy recollection and livingover the scene at the Falls.
She pictured in her mind how really noble and handsome he looked, andshe almost wondered at herself why she had only a friendly feelingtoward him.
"But I like him better than Kenneth," she assured herself; "that is, Ilike him MORE than I do Kenneth. Ken is an old dear, but he IS slow;and Philip has all the nice ways and mannerisms that I do like in aman. He's always equal to any occasion, without any effort. He's justborn so. He's an aristocrat like his aunt, but he hasn't a bit ofher,--well,--it is really a kind of snobbishness. She's intolerant ofpeople not in her own set. But Phil is kind and courteous to everybody.And he has a sense of humour. I suppose that's what's the matter withKen. The poor boy hasn't a spark of fun in him except what I've bangedinto his blessed old head. There's Kit Cameron now, he has too much funin him. He'd make anybody's life a practical joke. I don't believe hehalf meant what he said to me in the swing last night. I think he wouldhave said the same to any girl, sitting there in the moonlight. Well, Ido seem to be growing up. I wish I had Nan here. She's so nice to talkthings over with. Not that I want to talk anything over. I believe itisn't considered correct to tell about the proposals you have, but Iguess a mother wouldn't count,--even if she is a stepmother. And Nan issuch a duck of a stepmother! I'll certainly tell her about theseproposals I've had. I don't believe I'll ever have any more. But allthe same, I'm not going to get engaged yet! I'd rather be an old maidthan to take the first man who asks me. But there's one thing certain,I do like Philip the best of the bunch!"
Patty went on along the highway, stopping now and then to gather aparticularly beautiful branch of wild rose, or a few spring beauties.
She had on a simple little frock of pink linen, with a sailor collar offine white embroidery, and a big black velvet bow at her throat. Shewore no hat but her golden hair was partly confined by a band of blackvelvet. She had a light dust coat of pongee silk, though Jim had toldher there was a warmer coat in the car if she should want it.
When Kenerley returned to the group on the veranda a wild shout greetedhim, inquiring where Patty was.
"I told you she was going to elope," returned Jim; "I was merelyhelping her along. I left her just outside the gate on her way to meether rustic swain."
"Nonsense, Jim," said his wife, "where did she go? Over to theCrosbys'?"
"She didn't say anything to me about the Crosbys. In fact, Adele, shedidn't tell me where she was going, and I wasn't so inquisitive as toask her. I let my guests do as they like and go where they choose.Patty asked me for the runabout and I gave it to her. If she had wantedthe touring car she could have had it,--or the limousine,--or thewheelbarrow."
A smile passed over Van Reypen's face at the chance reference to thelast-named vehicle, and his intuitions told him that Patty had gone fora solitary drive to get away from other people for a little while.
"Oh, LOOK who's here!" cried Daisy, suddenly, as a motor car camewhizzing up the steps and out jumped Bill Farnsworth.
"I just stopped for a minute," he said to Adele, "to see how you allare after your party."
"All quite well," said Adele, "but sorry you couldn't stay here with usinstead of going on."
"Sorry, too," said Farnsworth. "Where's Miss Fairfield?" and he lookedabout inquiringly.
"Gone for a drive," replied Adele, and Farnsworth made no furtherreference to Patty. But his call was short and soon he was againstarting his car.
"Which way did Miss Fairfield go?" he murmured in a low voice toKenerley, as his car moved off.
"East," said Jim, with a teasing smile at Farnsworth, and then Bill wasgone.
He swung out on to the broad highway and turned east. There were nobypaths near and he had an intention of following and overtaking Patty.He wanted to see her, and with Bill Farnsworth to want to do anythingwas to do it.
Now it chanced that Patty had had a detention. Though an expert driver,and a fairly good mechanician for her own car, she was not entirelyfamiliar with the car she was driving, and when it stopped stock-stillat the side of the road, she found herself unable to discover the exactdifficulty.
She was not overanxious, for it was a frequented road and she felt suresome car would come along, in whose driver she might feel sufficientconfidence to ask help. But it so chanced that she sat for some timebefore any car came. The sun was warm and she threw off her coat,really enjoying basking in the sunshine while she waited.
And it was this sudden apparition of a golden head shining in thesunlight that gave Farnsworth a shock of surprise as he came up behindPatty's car.
"By Jove!" he exclaimed, "there she is! In trouble, too. Jolly well Icame along, bless her heart! But it's funny if she can't manage thecar. I believe she's sitting there purposely."
For a few moments Bill sat looking at the yellow head and smilinggently at it. Then he had an inspiration to drive right past her andsee if she would speak to him. She had been far from cordial the daybefore and Farnsworth was uncertain whether she wanted to see him ornot.
So, driving slowly, he passed by Patty in her motionless car.
Patty jumped at the sound of some one coming, and intending to askhelp, held out her hand and said, "Please--" before she realised who itwas.
Farnsworth turned his head, stopped his car, whipped off his cap andjumped out, saying, as he walked toward Patty's car, "An accident,ma'am? Can I help you?"
A spirit of perversity rose in Patty's heart. Without knowing why, shedesired to inflict a hurt on the man who was smiling at her.
"I beg your pardon," she said, coldly, "I thought you were a stranger."
"I'll be a stranger, if you like," and Farnsworth bowed profoundly.
"Very well, I wish you would. Pray proceed with your journey," andPatty bowed, and turned her head toward the opposite landscape.
"But you would ask a stranger to help you," said Farnsworth, feeling astrong desire to shake the exasperating little pink figure.
"Not every stranger," said Patty. "I am waiting to select the one Iwant."
"Oh, DO select me! I'm an awfully nice stranger, and incidentally, Icould fix that car of yours in a jiffy."
"Did Adele order you to fix this car?" and Patty's blue eyes gave Billa look of withering scorn.
"No, she did not."
"Then I can't think of allowing you to do it. I don't want you to doANYTHING for me except at Adele's orders!"
"You little goose! I've a notion to kidnap you, wild roses and all, andtake you off in my car."
"Did Adele order you to do THAT?"
"Patty, stop this nonsense! Of course I know what you mean, that Iasked you to dance in Adele's name, instead of in my own."
"Yes; I admit I prefer to be asked to dance, personally, and notvi-vike--"
"Vicariously is the word you are floundering over," said Farnsworthwith utmost gravity; "well, now, I'll fix your car vicariously, orpersonally, or any old way you like,--if you'll just behave yourselfand smile upon me."
"I don't want my car fixed."
"You prefer to stay here?"
"I do."
"Alone?"
"Alone." Patty tried very hard to look like a stone image but onlysucceeded in looking like a very pretty pink-cheeked girl.
However, at her last word, and when Patty was just about to break intoa dimpled smile, Farnsworth achieved a most dignified and conventionalbow, replaced his cap, and without another glance at Patty,deliberately got into his car and drove away. He passed Patty,continuing east, and in a few moments was lost to sight, as he flewdown the road at a swift pace.
"Well!" remarked Miss Patricia Fairfield, aloud. "Well! Hooray for you,Little Billee! I didn't know you had it in you to act like that!But"--and her face clouded a little--"I suppose your head is so full ofKitty Morton that you don't care what becomes of Patty Fairfield! H'm."
Patty sat still for some time, thinking over this new episode. She hadbeen rude to Farnsworth, and she had done it purposely. But she wasaccustomed to having young men laugh at her pertness and chuckle overher sauciness.
One or two cars passed her, but as she scrutinised the drivers, theydid not seem to be just the type of whom she cared to ask help; butpresently a small car came toward her, driven by a frank-looking,pleasant-faced young man.
"Hello," he called out with the camaraderie of the road; "had abreakdown? Want some help?"
"Yes, sir," and Patty spoke in a timid, subdued voice.
"Then I'm your man," he said, as he jumped out and came over to hercar. "My name's Peyton," he went on, "Bob Peyton, and very much at yourservice. What's the matter?"
"I don't know, sir," and Patty surrendered to a mischievous impulse;"I'm Mrs. Hemingway's maid; Mrs. Hemingway, sir, she can run the car,but I can't."
"Where is Mrs. Hemingway?"
"When the car broke down, sir, she said she would go for help. I thinkshe went to that house over there."
"H'm! And so you're her maid. Personal maid, do you mean?"
"Not exactly, sir. I'm her new waitress, she was just taking me home,sir."
Patty didn't know why she was talking this rubbish, but it popped intoher head, and the young man's eyes were so twinkly and gay, she feltlike playing a joke on him. She thought he would fix her car, and thenshe would thank him and ride away, without having given her real name.
"Ah, my good girl," Mr. Peyton said, "and so you are a waitress. Whatis your name?"
"Suzette, sir. I'm French."
"Yes, I can see that by looking at you! Well, Suzerte, are you anexperienced waitress?"
"Oh, yes, sir. I've worked in the best families and in,--and in hotelsand--and--"
"And on oceans liners, I presume! Well, Suzette, here's a proposition.My sister wants a waitress, awfully. Hers has just left. If you will goalong with me to my sister's house, she will pay you twice what yourprevious mistress did."
Patty appeared to consider the question.
"Who is your sister, sir?"
"Mrs. Brewster; she lives in that next place, where you see the redbrick chimneys."
Now Patty knew all about the Brewsters, although she had never metthem. They were great friends of the Kenerleys, and indeed the wholehouse party was invited to dine at the Brewsters' the next night.Adele, too, had spoken about Bob Brewster's brother, and Patty realisedthey were friends and neighbours.
In her present mood, Patty was simply aching for an escapade. And shethought it would be a pretty good practical joke if she should go toMrs. Brewster's and pretend to be a waitress. She would telephone Adelewhat she was up to, and they would send another car for her thatevening. Perhaps if she had thought another moment she wouldn't havedone it, but on the impulse she said. "I'd love to get double wages,sir, and I will go to your sister's, but what about Mrs. Hemingway'scar?"
"I will take you over to my sister's first,--it's only a short jump,and then I'll come back and see about this car."
So Patty got out of her own car and into Bob Peyton's, and in a momentthey were spinning along toward the red chimneys.
The young man said not a word on the way, and Patty's spirits fell asshe began to think she had undertaken a foolish prank, with no fun init. But she realised that in her role of waitress she could not expectthe young man of the house to talk to her, so she sat demurely silent,trying to look as much like a waitress as possible, and succeeding notat all.
On reaching the house, which proved to be a large and elaborate affair,Mr. Peyton drove around to a side door. He ushered Patty into a smallwaiting-room, and went in search of his sister. Patty heard much gaylaughter from the drawing-rooms, and suddenly felt that her joke wasnot as funny as she had expected. But she determined to carry it alittle further and see what might happen.
A charming young woman soon came to her, and said with a pleasantsmile, "Is this Suzette?"
"Yes, madame," and Patty's manner was quite all that was to be desiredin a waitress.
"I am Mrs. Brewster. My brother has told me the circumstances of hisfinding you. I am not sure that I'm doing right in taking you away fromyour present employer, but I'm going to be selfish enough to ask you tohelp me out for a short time, anyway. I have guests for dinner, and mywaitress has gone. My guests are really important people and I was atmy wits' end how to manage, until you appeared. If you will only stayand wait on my table at dinner, I will let you do as you chooseafterwards,--return to Mrs. Hemingway or remain with me."
The plan seemed to promise some fun to Patty. She would privatelytelephone Adele, who would tell Jim. It was to be a joke on the rest ofthem, especially Kit who had said Patty could never fool him. And eversince the Belle Harcourt joke, which had not fooled Kit after all, shewanted to try again. She would make Adele pretend she thought Patty waslost, and both Kit and Philip would be greatly alarmed.
"I will stay for dinner, madame," she said, at last, "and afterward wecan decide. You may not like my work."
"I'm sure I shall; you seem capable, and my brother tells me you areexperienced. I fear though, your gown is a little,--a little--"
"I understand, madame. You see, this is my Sunday afternoon frock. If Istay with you, I will send for my black ones. Perhaps, if I took offthe lace collar now."
"Yes, and the black bow. It is those things that make your garbinappropriate. I will, of course, provide you with an apron and cap.Will you come with me now to the dining-room, and I will show you aboutyour duties."
Mrs. Brewster gave Patty full directions about the serving of thedinner and then provided her with a cap and apron. The trifle of muslinand lace, w
hen perched on Patty's gold curls, was really most becoming;and though she removed her collar and bow, the frilled bretelles of thedainty apron were quite as effective, and Patty looked like the kind ofwaitress that is seen in amateur plays.
"If not asking too much, madame," she said, "may I telephone to afriend?"
"Is it necessary?" and Mrs. Brewster looked a little surprised.
"It would be polite, I think, madame," returned Patty, with eyes castdown, "as it is to some people with whom I expected to take supper.They will wait for me, I fear?"
"Ah, yes, Suzette, you are right. You may telephone, but I will tellyou frankly, I do not like to have my servants make a practice oftelephoning to their friends."
"No, madame," and Patty's tone was most humble.
To her great delight the telephone was in a small booth by itself, andPatty soon made Adele acquainted with the whole story.
Adele was not altogether pleased with the prank, but as she couldn'thelp herself, she accepted the situation with a good grace, andpromised to send for Patty later in the evening.
CHAPTER XX
THE RIDE HOME
Patty stood in the butler's pantry when the guests entered thedining-room for dinner.
She was determined to do her part perfectly, for she knew quite wellhow everything should be done, and she entered into the spirit of it asif it were a play.
There were eight at the table, and as Patty tripped in to serve thesoup she caught the approving glance of Mr. Bob Peyton. She quicklydropped her eyes and proceeded with her duties quietly and correctly.But as she set down the third soup plate, she chanced to look acrossthe table, and met the calm, straightforward gaze of Bill Farnsworth!
She didn't drop the soup-plate or make any awkward movement. Patty wasnot that sort. She looked down quickly, though it was with difficultythat she prevented the corners of her mouth from breaking into a smile.Immediately she suspected the whole truth. Farnsworth was a guest atthis house,--of course he had sent Bob Peyton to her rescue! Or, hadn'the? Could it have been possible that Mr. Peyton found her unexpectedly?She didn't think so. She believed that Little Billee had sent Peyton toher aid, because she had refused his assistance. Of course, Bill hadnot foreseen the waitress joke, and doubtless he was as much surprisedto see her now as she was to see him. Unless Mr. Peyton had told allthe guests that he had found a waitress along the road in a stalledmotor-car!
Well, at any rate, Patty determined to go on with the farce to the bestof her ability. If Farnsworth thought he could rattle her, he was verymuch mistaken. But she would not look at him again. If he should smileat her, she knew she should smile, for she was on the verge of laughinganyway. So the dinner proceeded. Patty did her part beautifully,serving everything just exactly right and doing everything just as itshould be done. And not once during the long dinner, did she catch theeye of either Farnsworth or Mr. Peyton. Once or twice she looked atMrs. Brewster with a note of inquiry in her eyes, and that lady gave analmost imperceptible nod of approval, so that Patty knew everything wasgoing all right.
At last it was time for Patty to bring in the finger bowls. They stoodneatly ranged in readiness for her, and in each one was a pansy blossom.
On the table near the doorway through which Patty went in and out ofthe dining-room, chanced to be a big bowl of apple blossoms, and Pattyappropriated one of these and substituted it for the pansy in thefinger bowl which she subsequently placed before Farnsworth.
She did not glance at him, but she had the satisfaction of seeing himstart with surprise, and then let his glance travel around the table asif assuring himself that he was the only one thus honoured.
He tried to catch Patty's eye, but she resolutely refrained fromlooking at him.
After dinner was over, and the guests returned to the drawing-room,Patty remained in the dining-room, wondering what would happen next.
In a few moments Mrs. Brewster came running out to her.
"You little brick!" she cried; "but, my DEAR child, what MADE you doit?"
"What do you mean, madame?" asked Patty, in her most waitress-likevoice.
"What do I mean? You rogue! You scamp! Mr. Farnsworth has told us allabout it! I don't know what you mean by this masquerade. But it's overnow, and you must come into the drawing-room at once! Take off thatapron and cap, and put on your collar and bow again."
"Oh, Mrs. Brewster, I can't go into the drawing-room. All your guestshave on their evening things, and this is a morning frock!"
"Nonsense, child, come right along in. You look as sweet as a peach."
"But I say, Ethel," and Bob Peyton bounced out into the dining-room,"Miss Fairfield hasn't had any dinner, herself," and he smiled atPatty. "You see I know all about you. Farnsworth told the whole story.You are miffed with him, I believe, and wouldn't let him help you. Sohe came right over here and sent me back to help a fair lady indistress. Why you got up that waitress jargon _I_ don't know."
"I don't either," and Patty dimpled roguishly at him. "I have an awfulway of cutting up any jinks that happen to pop into my head! You'llforgive me, won't you?"
"I never should have forgiven you if you HADN'T!" and Peyton smiledadmiringly into the big blue eyes that implored his forgiveness sosweetly.
"You DEAR child," Mrs. Brewster rattled on, "to think you haven't had amite of dinner! Now I will get you something."
"No, no, thank you," laughed Patty, "I will confess that I ate all Iwanted here in the pantry while the dinner was going on. Cook sent upspecial portions for me, and I had plenty of time to do justice tothem."
"I'm glad of that," said Mrs. Brewster, cordially, "and now, MissFairfield, come into the drawing-room. I want my guests to know what alittle heroine it is who waited on us at dinner. What a girl you are!I've often heard Adele Kenerley speak of you, and I'm so glad to knowyou. You must come and make me a visit, won't you, to prove that youforgive me for letting you wait on my table?"
"The pleasure was mine," returned Patty, dropping a pretty curtsy. Thenthey all went to the drawing-room, where Patty was praised andapplauded till she blushed with confusion.
Farnsworth stood leaning against the mantel as she entered the room. Hewaited till the introductions were over and until the hubbub roused byPatty's story had subsided. Then, as she stood beside her hostess, hewent over to her, and said, "What is your greeting for me, MissFairfield?"
"I gave you my greeting at the table," said Patty, and she flashed aglance at him from beneath her long lashes.
"WAS it a greeting?"
But before Patty could answer, Mrs. Brewster came to her and said inher enthusiastic way, "Oh, Miss Fairfield, I've been telephoning Mrs.Kenerley and telling her all about it! And what DO you think? She saysthat she and Jim are the only ones over there who know where you are,and they're pretending they don't know, and all the young people arecrazy with anxiety!"
"I suppose I ought to go right home," said Patty, "and relieve theiranxiety. But I'd like to stay a little while longer. And, yet, I don'twant them to know where I've been, until I get there, and tell themmyself."
"Let them wait," said Bob Peyton. "It won't hurt them to worry alittle. Now, Miss Fairfield, we're going to have some music, andperhaps,--as you're such an angel of goodness to us anyway,--perhapsyou'll sing for us."
They all sang in chorus, and some sang solos, and after awhile it wasPatty's turn.
She had none of her elaborate music with her, so she told Mrs. Brewstershe would sing any songs or ballads that she might happen to have.
They found a book of old songs, which Mr. Brewster declared were hisfavourites, and Patty sang two or three of those.
Among them was the old Scotch song of "Loch Lomond." Patty had neverseen this, but as Mr. Brewster was fond of it he urged her to try it.The song was not difficult and Patty read easily, so she made a successof it. As she came to the lines, "I'll take the high road and you takethe low road," she glanced at Farnsworth, with a half-smile.
He did not return the smile, but looked at her steadil
y and with aslightly puzzled expression.
When the song was over, Farnsworth crossed the room and stood byPatty's side.
"Why do you want to take the high road, if I take the low road?" heasked her, abruptly. He took no pains to lower his tones, and BobPeyton who stood near heard what he said.
"Because I'm taking the low road, and Miss Fairfield will ride with me,though she won't with you."
Peyton's manner was so light and his smile so gay, that Patty answeredin the same key, ignoring Farnsworth's serious face.
"I like to take the road with Mr. Peyton," she answered gaily, "becauseit leads to such pleasant places," and she smiled at Mrs. Brewster.
"You dear child! You are perfectly fascinating," Mrs. Brewster declared.
"There, there, Ethel, you mustn't tell Miss Fairfield what we all thinkabout her," Peyton interrupted.
And then Patty was called to the telephone.
"You must come home, Patty," Adele's voice said.
"All right, I will, Adele," Patty replied; "but tell me this, does Kitthink I'm lost, or anything?"
"No, Patty, he doesn't; but all the rest do. Kit pretends he thinkssomething has happened to you, but he told me privately that he knewperfectly well that you were all right, and that Jim and I know whereyou are! Oh, you can't fool HIM. But Mr. Van Reypen is nearly crazy. Hesays he doesn't think anything dreadful has happened to you, but hethinks you've had a breakdown and can't get home, and he insists onstarting out to look for you. If you don't come right away, Patty dear,I can't keep him here much longer!"
"All right, Adele, I'll start at once; truly, I will! Don't send forme. Somebody here will take me over. You know your little runabout ishere. I'll come home in that."
"Don't drive it yourself."
"Of course not. Somebody will drive me. I'll be over in fifteenminutes. Good-bye."
Patty hung up the receiver and returned to the drawing-room.
"I must go right straight away," she said, smiling at her hostess. "Myjoke worked a little too well, and unless I appear they're going tosend out a search party after me! I told Adele her little car was here.How did it get here, Mr. Peyton?"
"I went after it and brought it here; instead of taking it to Mrs.Hammersmith's or whatever her name was!"
"You mean Mrs. Hemingway," said Patty, laughing, "my former mistress,who left me in her car to go in search of help."
"Yes," said Peyton. "Wasn't it lucky I came along? You little thoughtFarnsworth sent me, did you?"
"Indeed I didn't!" and Patty smiled at him, "and will you take me homein that little car? for I promised Adele I'd go at once."
"Of course I will," said Bob Peyton, "if you must go."
So Patty was made ready for her drive and Mrs. Brewster insisted sheshould wear the warm coat as the evening had grown chilly.
The whole crowd went out on the steps to see Patty off, and Mr.Brewster tucked her in, while Bob Peyton cranked the car.
"All aboard," said Peyton, straightening himself up, at last; and then,somehow,--and Patty never knew how it happened,--somebody jumped intothe seat beside her, somebody grasped the steering-wheel, and thelittle car flew down the road and out at the gate, and even beforePatty looked up to see the face of the man beside her, she KNEW it wasnot Mr. Peyton!
She looked up, and saw smiling at her the blue eyes of Bill Farnsworth.
Mrs. Brewster had tied a chiffon scarf over Patty's hair, and as Pattylooked up in Farnsworth's face, the moonlight illumined her own faceuntil she looked more like a fairy than a human being.
"Apple Blossom!" said Big Bill, under his breath. "I never shall find amore perfect name for you than that! Now, tell me what it's all about.Hurry up, we haven't much time."
"But--but I'm so surprised! Why are YOU here, instead of Mr. Peyton?"
"Because I wanted to ride home with you."
"So did he."
Farnsworth shrugged his broad shoulders, as if to say that what Peytonwanted was a matter of utter indifference to him. "Go on," he saidbriefly, "tell me what it's all about."
"I don't know what you mean! What's all WHAT about?"
"The way you're treating me. The last time I saw you was last winter;at the Hepworths' wedding, to be exact. We were friends then,--goodfriends. Then I came up here,--yesterday. I threw your own flowers inat your window, and you came and smiled at me and said you were glad tosee me. Didn't you?"
"Yes," said Patty, in a faint little voice.
"Yes, you DID. And then,--then, Apple Blossom, when you came downstairs later, playing May Queen, you scarcely looked at me! youscarcely spoke to me! You wouldn't dance with me!"
"But you only asked me because--"
"Don't tell that story again! Because Adele told me to ask you, isutter rubbish, and you know it! That isn't why you wouldn't dance withme. No-sir-ee! You had some other reason, some foolish crazy reason, inyour foolish crazy little noddle! Now out with it! Tell me what it is!Own up, Posy-Face. You heard something or imagined something about me,that doesn't please your ladyship, and I have a right to know what itis. At least, I'm going to know, whether I have a right or not. What isit or who is it that has interfered with our friendship?"
Patty looked up at Bill and read determination in his face. She knew itwas no time for chaffing or foolishness. So she only said, as shelooked straight at him,--"Miss Morton."
"Miss Morton! for Heaven's sake, what DO you mean?"
"The girl you're engaged to."
"The girl I'm engaged to! Patty, HAVE you taken leave of your senses?"
"Well, anyway, if you're not engaged to her, you're terribly in lovewith her! Your whole life and love is bound up in her!"
"Patty, I've heard there is a lunatic asylum over near Scottsville, andI'm going to take you right straight over there, unless you stoptalking this rubbish! Now, if you're still possessed of the power ofrational conversation, tell me who is this Miss Morton!"
"Miss Kate Morton,--the lady you're in love with."
Patty's spirits had begun to rise, and as she said this she looked upat Farnsworth, with demure face, but with a mouth dimpling intolaughter.
"Kate Morton! Why, I haven't seen her for ten years!"
"Was it a hopeless affection, then? Are you only true to her memory?"
"Patty, BEHAVE yourself! Who mentioned Kate Morton's name to you?"
"Kitty! You always call her Kitty."
Farnsworth chuckled. "Call her KITTY! why, I'd sooner call the FlatironBuilding 'Kitty.' It would be about as appropriate."
"Well, anyway, you told Adele that you loved Kitty with all your heartand soul."
A great light seemed to break upon Farnsworth. He looked at Patty for amoment, with slowly broadening smile, and then he burst intoirrepressible laughter.
"Oh, Patty!" he exclaimed, between his spasms of mirth; "Kitty! oh,Kitty! Patty!"
Patty sat looking at him in stern silence.
"I should think, Mr. Farnsworth, if any one ought to go to a lunaticasylum it might as well be you! You sit there like an imbecile saying,oh, Patty! oh, Kitty!"
"I don't know which I love most, you or Kitty!" and again Farnsworthwent off in a roar of laughter.
"I don't care to be mentioned in connection with Miss Morton," andPatty tried her best to look like a tragedy queen.
"But it ISN'T Miss Morton, it's Kitty CLIVE."
"Adele said she couldn't remember her last name. But it doesn't matterto ME whether it's Miss Morton or Miss Clive."
"Oh, DON'T, Patty! You'll be the death of me! Why, Apple Blossom, MissClive,--Kitty Clive,--is--my horse!"
Patty hesitated a moment, and then gave in, and laughed too.
"You must be AWFULLY fond of your horse," she said at last.
"I am; Kitty Clive is a wonder, and last summer we rode thousands ofmiles over the prairies. There NEVER was such a horse as my Kitty! AndI remember I DID rave about her to Adele. But Adele MUST have knownwhat I was talking about."
"No, she didn't. She thought it was a gir
l, and she told me not to--notto--" Patty floundered a little, and then concluded her sentence, "notto interfere."
"And, so, Apple Blossom, you were cool to me,--you were cruel tome,--you had no more use for me whatever; because you thought I likedanother girl?"
"Well--I didn't want to interfere."
"You BLESSED Posy-Face! do you know what this MEANS to me? It meansthat you CARE--"
"No, I DON'T, Bill! I don't care if you like all the girls in theworld. Only, you mustn't like them better than you do me."
"As if I COULD like anybody better than I do you!"
"And then we're friends again?"
"Friends!"
"Yes, friends. Don't you want to be friends with me, Little Billee?"
"Apple Blossom, I want to be to you anything and everything that youwill let me be."
"Then we will be friends. Chums and comrades and good, GOOD friends."
Patty put a little pink hand out from the big coat sleeve and Billclasped it in his great warm hand.
"Chums,--Apple Blossom,--and comrades, and good, GOOD friends!"
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