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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..3e1d64d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #52964 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/52964) diff --git a/old/52964-0.txt b/old/52964-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3e12d1c..0000000 --- a/old/52964-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7635 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Patty's Motor Car, by Carolyn Wells - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Patty's Motor Car - -Author: Carolyn Wells - -Release Date: September 2, 2016 [EBook #52964] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S MOTOR CAR *** - - - - -Produced by Mardi Desjardins & the online Distributed -Proofreaders Canada team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net from -page images generously made available by The HathiTrust -Digital Library (https://www.hathitrust.org/) - - - - - - Patty’s - Motor Car - - - - BY - - CAROLYN WELLS - - - AUTHOR OF - - TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES, - THE MARJORIE SERIES, ETC. - -[Illustration] - - GROSSET & DUNLAP - PUBLISHERS NEW YORK - - - - - COPYRIGHT, 1911 - BY DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY - Published, September, 1911 - - - Printed in U.S.A. - - - - - DEDICATED - WITH LOVE - TO - KATHARINE CARLETON - - * * * * * - - - - - CONTENTS - - - CHAPTER PAGE - - I AFTERNOON TEA 9 - - II AN ABLE HELPER 24 - - III A LECTURE 40 - - IV THE HUNDREDTH QUESTION 52 - - V A SUMMER HOME 66 - - VI THE AWARD 81 - - VII A NEIGHBOUR 97 - - VIII SWIFT CAMILLA 110 - - IX MONA AT HOME 124 - - X THE COURTESY OF THE ROAD 137 - - XI THE FIRST ARRIVALS 152 - - XII A MOONLIGHT RIDE 165 - - XIII PATTY’S INGENUITY 177 - - XIV A BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST 190 - - XV A MORNING SWIM 203 - - XVI A CHANGE OF PARTNERS 216 - - XVII A DINNER AND A DANCE 229 - - XVIII MONA INTERFERES 242 - - XIX PHILIP’S PICNIC 254 - - XX A NARROW ESCAPE 267 - - Transcriber’s Notes can be found at the end of this eBook. - - * * * * * - - - - - CHAPTER I - - - AFTERNOON TEA - - -Patty was curled up in her favourite big easy-chair in her own study. - -Though called a study, because it had been used as such during her -schooldays, the pretty room was really more like a _boudoir_. Her desk -was still there, but was now filled with programmes, friendly letters, -and social correspondence instead of school themes or problems. The -general colouring of the room was green, but the sash curtains of thin -yellow silk, and the heap of yellow sofa cushions, did much to lighten -the effect, and gave the room a sunshiny air, even on a dull day. The -couch, and the two big, soft, cuddly chairs were upholstered in -yellow-flowered chintz, and on the pale green walls hung Patty’s -favourite pictures, and many curios or souvenirs of her year spent -abroad. - -It was the first of March, so the room was brightened both by a big -bowlful of yellow daffodils and a blazing wood fire. The two things -Patty liked best in life were warmth and colour, and so to-day she was -sitting near the fire, with the splendid yellow glory of the daffodils -in full view. - -But she was not looking at them, for she was poring over a book. When -Patty read she usually pored, for she was eager and enthusiastic over -any story in which she was interested. - -But to-day, she was not reading a story. She pored intently, and then, -throwing back her head, she would stare blankly at the ceiling, thinking -hard. - -Then, perhaps, she would fly to her bookcase, tumble out two or three -books, swiftly turn their pages, and then back to her big chair and the -original book. - -It was a very small book, with a paper cover, but it seemed to be most -engrossing. - -Two or three hours passed, and still Patty pored over the little book, -rarely turning a page. Absent-mindedly, she rubbed her head until the -hairpins fell out, and her golden hair fell around her shoulders, as -bright a glory as the daffodils. Vacantly she stared into the fire or -out of the window, and at last she flung her little book across the room -and exclaimed aloud: - -“It’s no use! I can’t do it!” - -And then Nan, her pretty stepmother, appeared at the open door. - -“Patty!” she cried; “in a kimono! And it’s nearly four o’clock! Don’t -you know it’s my day?” - -“Nan,” said Patty, with an anxious look in her eyes, “what is it, of -which the poor have two and the rich have none?” - -“Gracious, Patty! What a question! I don’t know, I’m sure. Are you going -in for more philanthropy? Because, if so, do wait for a more convenient -season.” - -“No; it isn’t philanthropy. It’s——I say, Nan, how could a headless man -write a letter?” - -“He couldn’t.” - -“And does a bookworm eat straight through a book, or zigzag?” - -“I don’t know. I’ve heard the Bookworm is only a fabled animal, like a -griffin. Or, no; I think it’s an extinct species, like the Dodo.” - -“Oh, Nan! You are so deliciously ignorant.” - -“No more so than you, or why do you ask me these things? Now, Patty, -stop this nonsense, and get dressed. What _are_ you doing, anyway?” - -“Oh, Nan, the loveliest scheme ever! Let me tell you about it.” - -“No, not now. I must go down to the drawing-room. And you must follow -just as soon as you can. Do you hear?” - -“Yes, I hear, you old Loveliness. But just tell me when London——” - -But Nan had run away from the fire of questions, and Patty drew herself -up out of her chair, stretched and yawned like a sleepy kitten, and then -proceeded to make her toilette with expedition and despatch. - -But as she sat in front of her dressing table, piling her gold hair into -a soft crown above her pretty face, she frowned at her own reflection. - -“You’re a stupid idiot,” she informed herself. “You don’t know anything! -And you haven’t an ounce of brains! Now, _what_ is it of which the poor -have two, the rich have none, schoolboys have several, and you have one. -Well, I can’t think of a thing but mumps or measles; and, of course, -they’re not the answer, and you couldn’t have one measle, anyhow.” - -As she dressed, Patty took hasty glances in the little book, and finally -she left her room and walked slowly downstairs, murmuring, “Divide nine -into two equal parts, which, added together, make ten.” - -But when she reached the drawing-room door, all the puzzling problems -flew out of her mind, and she went in gracefully to greet Nan’s guests. - -As Patty was not yet out in society, she did not have her name on the -card with her stepmother’s, but she always assisted Nan in receiving, -and informally asked a number of her own friends to call, too. - -This was Nan’s last reception day for the season, so it was a little -more elaborate than others had been. - -Patty wore an embroidered white _chiffon_, which delicate material -clouded bows and bands of pale-blue satin. It was a lovely frock, and -just suited Patty’s blonde fairness. She went around among her mother’s -friends, greeting them with pretty courtesy, and chatting easily with -them. But, after a time, her own young friends came, and, with the two -Farringtons and Kenneth Harper, Patty went to the library, where they -could be by themselves. - -Soon, Mr. Hepworth came, bringing Christine Farley. - -Christine had been in New York only a few weeks, but already she had -lost much of her painful shyness, and, though still easily embarrassed -by the presence of strangers, she usually managed to preserve her poise -and self-control. - -She greeted Patty with shining eyes, for the Southern girl was warmly -affectionate, and adored Patty. - -“And are you all settled, now, Christine, and ready to receive callers?” -Patty asked. - -“Yes, I am. I have a lovely room; not large, but sunny and pleasant, and -I will gladly welcome you there at any time. And Mr. and Mrs. Bosworth -are such kind people. Oh, I shall be very happy there.” - -“And the work?” asked Mr. Hepworth. “How does that come on?” - -“It’s all right,” said Christine, soberly, but nodding her head with -satisfaction. - -Though shy in society, she was most practical and unembarrassed about -her art study. Not over-conceited, but perfectly aware of the extent of -her own talent, and also of her own ignorance. And she had a calm -determination to improve the one and conquer the other. - -Christine was pretty, in her soft Southern way. She was small, and -dainty in all her effects. Her oval face was serious, almost sad in its -expression, but, if she were interested in a subject, it would light up -into sudden beauty. - -Her clothes betokened her artistic tastes, and she never wore dresses of -the fashionable type, but soft, clinging gowns in dull, pastel colours. -A bit of old embroidery or unusual jewelry added an effective touch, and -Christine always looked well dressed, though her clothes cost far less -than Patty’s. The two girls were absolutely unlike, and yet they were -fast becoming great friends. But Christine possessed almost no sense of -humour, and Patty feared she could never be really chummy with any one -who lacked that. - -Elise was not very fond of Christine, for she didn’t understand her at -all, and secretly thought her rather stupid. But the boys, Roger and -Kenneth, liked the Southern maiden, with her soft, pretty accent, and, -of course, Mr. Hepworth was her friend. - -So the whole group was fairly congenial, and they formed a pleasant -little circle in the library, to drink their tea. - -“Sorry I’m late,” said a cheery voice, and Philip Van Reypen joined -them. - -“Oh! how do you do?” cried Patty, jumping up to greet him. “Miss Farley, -may I present Mr. Van Reypen? I think the rest are all acquainted.” - -There were general greetings all round, and then Philip took his place -with the rest. - -“My aunt is here,” he said, to Patty. “A little later, perhaps, she -wants to meet Miss Farley.” - -“So she shall,” said Patty, remembering Miss Van Reypen’s offer to help -Christine in some way. “Will you have tea?” - -“Will I have tea?” echoed Philip. “That’s exactly what I’m here for. -Please, yes.” - -“Then here you are,” said Patty, handing him a cup; “and, incidentally, -do you know how a bookworm goes through a book?” - -“Ugh! what an unpleasant subject,” said Elise, with a shrug of her -shoulders. “Patty, do talk of something else.” - -“I can’t,” said Patty, solemnly; “I _must_ know about the manners and -customs of a well-conducted bookworm.” - -“Do you mean a real bookworm, or a studious person?” asked Mr. Hepworth, -who often took Patty’s questions very seriously. - -“I mean the—the entomological sort,” said Patty, “and I’m in dead -earnest. Who knows anything about the bookworms that really destroy -books?” - -“I do,” announced Kenneth, “but nothing would induce me to tell. Theirs -is a secret history, and not to be made known to a curious world.” - -“Pooh!” said Roger, “that’s all bluff. Patty, he doesn’t really know -anything about the beasts. Now, I do. A bookworm is a grub.” - -“No,” said Philip, “the book is the bookworm’s grub. And pretty dry -fodder he must often find it.” - -“I know what you’re going to do, Patty,” said Kenneth, in an aggrieved -voice; “you’re going to set up a pair of pet bookworms in place of Darby -and Juliet. Please understand that I am distinctly offended, and I -prophesy that your new pets won’t be half as interesting as the -goldfish.” - -“Wrong again, Ken,” returned Patty; “no new pets could ever be so dear -to my heart as those sweet, lovely goldfish. But, if you people don’t -tell me about bookworms, I’ll have to look in the Encyclopædia; and, if -there’s anything I do hate, it’s that. Christine, aren’t you up on -bookworms?” - -“No,” said Christine, in a shy whisper. She couldn’t yet become -accustomed to the quick repartee and merry nonsense of these Northern -young people. - -“I used to have a pet bookworm,” began Roger, “but he got into a -cook-book and died of dyspepsia.” - -“Tell us what it’s all about, Patty?” said Mr. Hepworth, seeing she was -really serious in her questioning. - -“Why, it’s a puzzle,—a sort of conundrum. This is it. Suppose a history -in three volumes is placed upon a bookshelf. Suppose each volume -contains just one hundred pages. And suppose a bookworm, starting at -page one of volume one, bores right straight through the books, covers -and all, to the last page of volume three. How many leaves does he go -through, not counting fly-leaves, or covers?” - -“Patty, I’m surprised at you,” said Roger. “That’s too easy. He goes -through the three hundred pages, of course.” - -“It does seem so,” said Patty, with a perplexed look, “but, as you say, -that’s too easy. There must be a catch or a quibble somewhere.” - -“Well,” said Elise, “I never could do a puzzle. I don’t know why a hen -goes across the road, or when is a door not a door. But you’re a born -puzzlist, Patty, and, if you can’t guess it, nobody can.” - -“Elise, you’re a sweet thing, and most complimentary. But I know you -have no talent for puzzles, so, my dear child, I’m not asking you. But, -you men of brains and intellect, can’t you help me out? I’m sure there’s -another answer, but I can’t think what it would be.” - -“Why, Patty,” said Mr. Hepworth, thoughtfully, “I think Roger is right. -If the bookworm goes through all three volumes, he must go through three -hundred pages, mustn’t he?” - -“No, indeed!” cried Christine, her shyness forgotten, and her eyes -shining as she constructed the picture of the books in her mind’s eye. -“Wait a minute; yes, I’m sure I’m right! He only goes through one -hundred pages. He goes only through the second volume, you see!” - -Elise looked at Christine a little disdainfully. - -“You don’t seem to have heard the conditions,” she said. “The bookworm -begins at the first page of the first volume and goes through to the end -of the last one.” - -“Yes, I heard that,” said Christine, flushing at Elise’s tone, which was -distinctly supercilious. “But, don’t you see, when the books are set up -on a shelf, in the usual manner, the first page of the first volume is -on the right, just up against the last page of the second volume.” - -“Nonsense!” cried Elise. - -“But it is so, Miss Farley!” exclaimed Philip Van Reypen. “You’ve struck -it! Look, people!” - -He turned to a bookcase, and indicated three volumes of a set of books. - -“Now, see, the first page of volume one is right against the last page -of volume two. So the first page of volume two is up against the last -page of volume three. Now, what does Mr. Bookworm do? He starts here, at -the first page of volume one. He doesn’t go backward, so he doesn’t go -through volume one at all! He goes through volume two, and, as soon as -he strikes volume three, he strikes it at the last page, and his task is -done, his journey is over. He has fulfilled the conditions of the -original question. See?” - -They did see, after awhile, but it was only the ocular demonstration -that proved it, for the facts were hard to describe in words. - -Elise flatly refused to see it, saying it made her head ache to try to -understand it. - -“But it was very clever of Miss Farley to reason it out so soon,” said -Philip. - -“Yes, wasn’t it?” agreed Patty. “I didn’t know you had a bent for -puzzles, Christine.” - -“I haven’t. But that doesn’t seem to me like a puzzle. I can’t do -arithmetical problems, or guess charades at all. But this seems to me a -picture of still life. I can see the insides of the books in my mind, -and they are wrong end to,—that is, compared to the way we read them. -You see, they really stand in the bookcase with the pages numbered -backward.” - -“Bravo, Christine; so they do!” said Mr. Hepworth. “Patty, that’s the -answer, but, I confess, I was ’way off myself.” - -“So say we all of us,” chimed in Roger. “I can only see through it, part -of the time, even now.” - -“I think it a most clever catch question,” said Philip Van Reypen. -“Where did you find it, Miss Fairfield?” - -“In a little book of puzzles; I’m trying to guess them all.” - -“Let me help you, won’t you? I’m a shark on puzzles. I slipped up on -this one, I admit; but I can do the ‘transposed, I am a fish’ kind, just -lovely.” - -“Ah, but my bookful isn’t that kind. They’re all of a catchy or -difficult sort.” - -“Well, let me try to help, mayn’t I?” Mr. Van Reypen’s voice was gay and -wheedlesome, and Patty responded by saying, “Perhaps; some time. But now -I must take Miss Farley in to see Mrs. Van Reypen.” - -These two were mutually pleased with each other, as Patty felt sure they -would be. - -Mrs. Van Reypen assumed her kindest demeanour, for she saw Christine was -excessively shy. She talked pleasantly to her, drawing her out -concerning her life work and her life plans, and ended by asking the -girl to call on her some afternoon, soon. - -Then she went away, and Patty drew Christine into a corner to -congratulate her. - -“It’s fine!” she declared. “If Mrs. Van Reypen takes you up, she’ll do -lovely things for you. She’ll have you at her house, and you’ll meet -lovely people, and she’ll take you to the opera! Oh, Christine, do be -nice to her.” - -“Of course I shall. I liked her at once. She isn’t a bit patronising. -But, Patty, your friend Elise is. I don’t know why, but she doesn’t like -me.” - -“Nonsense, Christine, don’t you go around with thinks like that under -your pompadour! Elise is all right. She isn’t such a sunny bunny as I -am, but she’s a lot wiser and better in many ways.” - -“No, she isn’t! She’s selfish and jealous. But I’m going to be nice to -her, and, perhaps, I can make her like me, after all.” - -“I should say you could! Everybody likes you, and anybody who doesn’t -soon will!” - - - - - CHAPTER II - - - AN ABLE HELPER - - -Nearly all the guests had left the Fairfield house, after Nan’s pleasant -afternoon tea. Philip Van Reypen had escorted his aunt out to her -carriage, and she had driven away, while the young man returned for a -few moments’ further chat with his hostess. - -Though he and Nan had met but a few times, they had become rather -chummy, which, however, was not unusual for him, if he liked anybody. - -Young Van Reypen was of a gay and social nature, and made friends easily -by his sheer good-humour. He admired Mrs. Fairfield very much, but, even -more, he admired Patty. Ever since he had met her unexpectedly on his -aunt’s staircase, he had thought her the prettiest and sweetest girl he -had ever seen. So he was making every endeavour to cultivate her -acquaintance, and, being of rather astute observation, he concluded it -wise to make friends with the whole Fairfield family. - -So the big, handsome chap went back to the drawing-room, and dropped on -a sofa beside Nan. - -“It’s awfully cold out,” he observed, plaintively. - -“Is it?” returned his hostess, innocently. - -“Yes; I hate to go out in the cold.” - -“But you have to go, sooner or later.” - -“Yes; but it may be warmer later.” - -“On the contrary, it will probably grow colder.” - -“Oh! do you think so? But, then again, it may not, and I’m quite willing -to take the chance.” - -“Mr. Van Reypen, I do believe you’re hinting for an invitation to stay -here to dinner!” - -“Oh, Mrs. Fairfield, how clever you are! How could you possibly guess -that, now?” - -Nan laughed and hesitated. She liked the young man, but she wasn’t sure -that Patty wanted him there. Patty was developing into a somewhat -decided young person, and liked to make her own plans. And Nan well knew -that Patty was the real magnet that drew Mr. Van Reypen so often to the -house. - -“What do you think?” she said, as the girl came into the room; “this -plain-spoken young man is giving me to understand that, if he were -urged, he would dine here to-night.” - -“Of course, it would require a great deal of most insistent urging,” put -in Philip. - -“Don’t let’s urge him,” said Patty, but the merry smile she flashed at -the young man belied her words. - -“If you smile like that, I’ll do the urging myself,” he cried. “Please, -Mrs. Fairfield, _do_ let me stay; I’ll be as good as gold.” - -“What say you, Patty?” asked Nan. - -“He may stay,” rejoined Patty, “if he’ll help me with my work on those -puzzles.” - -“Puzzles? Well, I just guess I will! I’ll do them all for you. Where’s -your slate and pencil?” - -“Oh, not yet!” laughed Patty. “We won’t do those until after dinner.” - -“Why do you do them at all?” asked Nan; “and what are they, anyway?” - -“I’ll tell you,” began Patty; “no, I won’t, either. At least, not now. -It’s a grand project,—a really great scheme. And I’ll unfold it at -dinner, then father can hear about it, too.” - -So, later, when the quartette were seated around the dinner table, Patty -announced that she would tell of her great project. - -“You see,” she began, “it’s a sort of advertisement for a big motor-car -company.” - -“Don’t try to float a motor-car company, Patty,” advised her father; -“it’s too big a project for a young girl.” - -“I’m not going to do that, Daddy Fairfield; but I begin to think that -what I am going to do is almost as hard. You see, this big company has -issued a book of a hundred puzzles. Now, whoever guesses all those -puzzles correctly will get the prize. And,—the prize is a lovely -electric runabout. And I want it!” - -“Hevings! hevings!” murmured Mr. Van Reypen. “She wants an Electric -Runabout! Why, Infant, you’ll break your blessed neck!” - -“Indeed, I won’t! I guess I’ve brains enough to run an electric car! If -I guess those puzzles, that’ll prove it. They’re fearfully hard! Listen -to this one. ‘When did London begin with an L and end with an E?’” - -“That is hard,” said Nan. “It must be some foreign name for London. But -_Londres_ won’t do.” - -“No,” said Patty, “I thought of that. I expect it’s some old Anglo-Saxon -or Hardicanute name.” - -“I expect it’s rubbish,” said her father. “Patty, don’t begin on these -things. You’ll wear yourself out. I know how you hammer at anything, -once you begin it, and you’ll be sitting up nights with these foolish -questions until you’re really ill.” - -“Oh, no, I won’t, father. And beside, Mr. Van Reypen is going to help -me, lots.” - -“Angel Child,” said Philip, looking at her with a patronising air, “if -all your questions are as easy as that one you just quoted, your task is -already accomplished.” - -“Why, do you know the answer?” cried Patty. “Oh, tell it to me! I’ve -puzzled so hard over it!” - -“It’s a quibble, of course,—a sort of catch, do you see? And the answer -is that London always began with an L, and _End_ always began with an -E.” - -“Oh,” said Patty, catching the point at once, “I should have known that! -I pride myself on guessing those catch questions.” - -“You were clever to guess it so quickly, Mr. Van Reypen,” said Mr. -Fairfield; “or have you heard it before?” - -“Not exactly in that form, no. But so many quibbles are built like -that.” - -“They are,” agreed Patty; “I ought to have known it. Well, I rather -think there are some others you won’t guess so easily.” - -“How many have you done?” asked Nan. - -“I’ve done about twenty-five out of the hundred. Some were dead easy, -and some I had to work on like the mischief.” - -“But, Patty,” began her father, “what could you do with a motor car of -your own? You don’t want it.” - -“Indeed, I do! Why, I’ll have perfectly elegant times scooting around by -myself.” - -“But you can’t go by yourself in the New York streets! I won’t allow -it.” - -“No, daddy dear, not here in the city, perhaps. But, if we go away for -the summer to some nice country place, where there’s nothing in the road -but cows, then I could run it alone. Or with some nice girl by my side.” - -“Or with some nice boy by your side,” put in Philip. “I’m an awfully -nice boy,—they all say.” - -“If you help me win it, I’ll give you a ride in it,” said Patty. “But I -haven’t won it yet.” - -“No, and you won’t,” said her father. “Those contests are just planned -for an advertisement. The prize goes to the daughter of the chief -director.” - -“Oh, Father Fairfield! What a mean thing to say! You don’t know that -that’s so at all. Now, I believe in their honesty.” - -“So do I,” said Nan. “That isn’t like you, Fred, to express such an -unfounded suspicion.” - -“Well, perhaps I spoke too hastily. But still, Patty, I don’t think you -want the thing. If you get it, I’ll sell it for you, and give you the -money.” - -“No, sir-ee! I want it for itself alone. Oh, father, think what fun I’d -have spinning around the country! Wouldn’t we, Nan?” - -“Yes, indeed! I think it would be great fun. And they say those -electrics are easy to manage.” - -“Pooh! as easy as pie,” declared Patty. “And, anyway, I ran a big -touring car once, in France. A big gasoline one. An electric is nothing -to that.” - -“What do you do to make it go?” asked her father, smiling. - -“Oh, you just release the pawl that engages the clutch that holds the -lever that sustains the spring that lets go the brake—and there you -are!” - -“Patty! where did you learn all that jargon?” - -“’Tisn’t jargon; it’s sense. And now, my dear ones, will you all help me -in my stupendous undertaking? For, when I engage in a contest, I want to -win.” - -“Is it winning, if you have so much help?” teased her father. - -“Yes, it is. The contest is to get the answers to those hundred -questions and send them in. It doesn’t matter where you get your -answers. You don’t want to enter the contest yourself, do you, Mr. Van -Reypen?” - -“No, no, fair lady. I would but be thy humble knight, and render such -poor assistance as I may.” - -“All right, then; right after dinner, we’ll tackle that book of posers.” - -And so, for a couple of hours that evening, Patty and Philip Van Reypen -exerted the full force of their intellects to unravel the knotty tangles -propounded by the little paper-covered book. - -Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield tried for a time, but soon grew weary of the -difficult game. - -“Now, take this one,” said Patty to her colleague; “‘How do you swallow -a door?’” - -“Bolt it,” he replied, promptly. “That’s an old one.” - -“I ought to have guessed that myself,” said Patty, “I’m so fond of -slang.” - -“‘Bolt it,’ isn’t exactly slang.” - -“No,—I s’pose not. It’s just rude diction. Now, answer this. ‘The poor -have two, the rich have none. Schoolboys have several, you have one.’” - -“Well, that’s one of a class of puzzles to which the answer is usually -some letter of the alphabet.” - -“Oh, of course!” cried Patty, quickly; “it is _O_. There, I guessed -that! Don’t you claim it!” - -“Of course, you did! Now, you know this one about the headless man, -don’t you? It’s a classic.” - -“No, I don’t. I can’t see any sense to it at all.” - -“Read it.” - -So Patty read aloud: - - “‘A headless man had a letter to write - It was read by one who had lost his sight, - The dumb repeated it, word for word, - And he who was deaf both listened and heard.’” - -“And you don’t know that?” asked Philip. - -“No; the conditions are impossible.” - -“Oh, no, they’re not. They only seem so. The answer is, ‘Nothing.’ You -see the headless man could write nothing, that’s naught, zero, or the -_letter O_. Then the blind man, of course, could read nothing; the dumb -man could repeat nothing; and the deaf man heard nothing.” - -“Pooh! I don’t think that’s very clever.” - -“Not modernly clever, but it’s a good example of the old-time enigmas.” - -“Gracious! What a lot you know about puzzles. Have you always studied -them.” - -“Yes; I loved them as a child, and I love them still. I think this whole -book is great fun. But we’ll strike some really difficult ones yet. -Here’s one I’ve never seen before. I’ll read it, and see if we, either -of us, get a clue. - - “‘What is it men and women all despise, - Yet one and all alike as highly prize? - What kings possess not; yet full sure am I - That for that luxury they often sigh. - What never was for sale; yet any day - The thrifty housewife will give some away - The farmer needs it for his growing corn. - The tired husbandman delights to own. - The very thing for any sick friend’s room. - It coming, silent as Spring’s early bloom. - A great, soft, yielding thing, that no one fears. - A tiny thing, oft wet with mother’s tears. - A thing so holy that we often wear - It carefully hidden from the world’s cold stare.’” - -“Well,” remarked Patty, complacently, as he finished reading, “I’ve -guessed that.” - -“You have! You bright little thing! I haven’t. Now, don’t tell me. Wait -a minute! No, I can’t catch it. Tell me the answer.” - -“Why, it’s An Old Shoe,” said Patty, laughing. “See how it all fits in.” - -“Yes; it’s rattling clever. I like that one. Did you guess it as I -read?” - -“Yes; it seemed to dawn on me as you went along. They often do that, if -I read them slowly. Now, here’s another old one. I’ll read, and you -guess. - - “‘If it be true, as Welshmen say, - Honour depends on pedigree, - Then stand by—clear the way— - And let me have fair play. - For, though you boast thro’ ages dark - Your pedigree from Noah’s ark, - I, too, was with him there. - For I was Adam, Adam I, - And I was Eve, and Eve was I, - In spite of wind and weather; - But mark me—Adam was not I, - Neither was Mrs. Adam I, - Unless they were together. - Suppose, then, Eve and Adam talking— - With all my heart, but if they’re walking - There ends all simile. - For, tho’ I’ve tongue and often talk, - And tho’ I’ve feet, yet when I walk - There is an end of me! - Not such an end but I have breath, - Therefore to such a kind of death - I have but small objection. - I may be Turk, I may be Jew, - And tho’ a Christian, yet ’tis true - I die by Resurrection!’” - -“Oh, I know that one! It’s a very old one and it’s capital. The answer -is A Bedfellow. See how clever it is; if I walk, it puts an end to me! -and I die by resurrection! Oh, that’s a good one. But you see this one?” - -The golden head and the close-cropped dark one bent over the book -together and read these lines: - - “I sit stern as a rock when I’m raising the wind, - But the storm once abated I’m gentle and kind; - I have kings at my feet who await but my nod - To kneel down in the dust, on the ground I have trod. - Though seen by the world, I am known but to few, - The Gentile deserts me, I am pork to the Jew. - I never have passed but one night in the dark, - And that was like Noah alone in the ark. - My weight is three pounds, my length is one mile, - And when you have guessed me you’ll say with a smile, - That my first and my last are the best of this isle.” - -“Now that’s an old favourite with all puzzle-lovers,” said Philip, as -they finished reading it. “And it has never been satisfactorily guessed. -The usual answer is The Crown of England. But that doesn’t seem right to -me. However, I know no other.” - -“But how does the Crown of England fit all the requirements?” said -Patty, looking over the text. - -“Well, ‘this isle’ is supposed to mean Great Britain. And I believe it -is a historic fact that the Crown spent one night in a big chest called -the Ark.” - -“What was it there for?” - -“Oh, between the two reigns of William IV. and Victoria, there was a -delay of some hours in the night before she really received the crown, -and it was then placed in the ‘Ark.’ The weight of the crown is about -three pounds, and they say, if drawn out into gold wire, it would -stretch a mile.” - -“It would depend on the thickness of the wire,” commented Patty, sagely. - -“So it would. I don’t like the answer, anyway. But I can’t think of a -better one. Let’s try some easy ones.” - -“Take this mathematical one, then. ‘Divide nine into two equal parts -that, added together, will make ten.’” - -For some time Philip worked over this. He tried arabic figures, printed -words, and Roman numerals. At last, he exclaimed, “Ah, now we have it!” - -“Have you really done it?” cried Patty. - -“Yes. Look. I write the Roman nine, IX, you know. Then I fold the paper -crosswise, right through the middle. Now, what do you read on this -side?” - -“IV,” said Patty; “that’s four.” - -“Yes. Now I turn the folded paper over, and what do you read?” - -“VI; that’s six.” - -“Yes, and six and four are ten. Though, as you know, we divided our nine -into exactly equal parts by that crossways fold through the middle.” - -“That’s a good one,” said Patty, with a little sigh; “but I don’t see -how you guessed it.” - -“But _I_ see that you’re not to guess any more to-night,” said Mr. -Fairfield, coming into the library, and looking at the absorbed -puzzlers. “I’m going to take you both to the dining-room, where Mrs. -Fairfield will give you a very small bit of very light supper, and then, -Mr. Van Reypen, I shall send my daughter to her much-needed and -well-earned rest.” - -“But I’m not a bit sleepy, father dear,” protested Patty. - -“No matter, my child; if you go into this ridiculous game, you must -promise me not to overdo it. I will not allow you to work late at night -on these problems.” - -“All right, Daddykins, I promise. Wow! but I’m hungry! Come on, Mr. Van -Reypen, let’s see what Nan will give us to support our famishing -frames.” - -To the dining-room they went, and Nan’s gay little supper soon brushed -the cobwebs out of Patty’s brain. But she was well satisfied with her -first evening of real work on her “Puzzle Contest.” - - - - - CHAPTER III - - - A LECTURE - - -“Patricia,” said Mr. Fairfield, one morning at the breakfast-table. - -Patty gave a great jump, clasped her hands to her breast dramatically, -and exclaimed: - -“Oh, my gracious goodness! _What_ do you call me that for?” - -“Because,” went on her father, “I’m going to lecture you, and I’m in a -very serious mood.” - -“Proceed, Mr. Frederick Fairfield, Esquire;” and Patty assumed an -expression of rapt attention and excessive meekness. - -“Well, to put it in a few words, I won’t have that young Van Reypen -hanging around here so much!” - -“Oh! is that all? Well, you’re barking up the wrong tree! You should -advise him of that fact, not me.” - -“Incidentally, as I go along, consider yourself reproved for that awful -bit of slang. But now I’m concerned with this other subject. It won’t be -necessary for me to speak to the young man, for I’m telling you that you -must discourage his attentions somewhat. He comes too often.” - -“I think so, too,” agreed Patty, calmly. “But it isn’t me—I, he comes -to see. It’s Nan.” - -“Oh, Patty, how silly!” exclaimed Nan, laughing and blushing a little. - -“Yes, it is, daddy. Nan encourages him something scan’lous! I don’t -wonder you kick!” - -“Object, Patty, not kick.” - -“Yes, sir; object is just what I mean.” Patty’s demure air made her -father laugh, but he returned to his theme. - -“As you know, child, I like to have you amused and happy, and I like to -have your young friends come to see you. But this chap has already been -here three evenings this week, and it’s only Thursday.” - -“That leaves him just three more to come, doesn’t it?” said Patty, -counting on her fingers. - -“Indeed, it does not! If he keeps this up, he’ll be forbidden the house -altogether.” - -“Oh, what a pity! And he such a nice young man, with rosy cheeks and -curly hair! Father, you’re cruel to your only child!” - -“Now, Patty, behave yourself. You’re too young to have a man calling on -you so often, and I really object to it.” - - “‘I will be good, dear mother, - I heard a sweet child say,’” - -hummed Patty, “and I’ll tell you frankly, my stern parent, that, if -you’ll only let the Van Reypen villain stay by me until I get these -puzzles done, I don’t care if I never see him again after that.” - -“Oh, Patty,” cried Nan, “how ungrateful!” - -“Ungrateful, perhaps, to that bold, bad young man, but obedient to my -dear, kind, old father.” - -When Patty was in this amiably foolish mood, she was incorrigible, so -Mr. Fairfield said: - -“All right, my lady. Let him come a few times to work out those -pestilential puzzles, and then I shall hold you to your promise, to cut -his acquaintance.” - -“Is he really as bad as all that, father?” asked Patty, in awestruck -tones. - -“He isn’t bad at all. He’s a most estimable and exemplary young man. But -I won’t have anybody calling on you three nights in one week, at your -age. It’s out of the question! Kenneth doesn’t.” - -“But Ken is so busy.” - -“No, it’s because he has some idea of the proprieties.” - -“And hasn’t Mr. Van Reypen _any_ idea of the proprieties?” Patty’s eyes -opened wide at this awful suggestion. - -“Yes, he has;” and Mr. Fairfield smiled in spite of himself. “Or, he -would have, if you’d let him! It’s all your fault, Patty; you drag him -here, to mull over those idiotic questions!” - -“I drag him here! Oh, father, what a rudeness! Well, I simply _must_ -have his help on the rest of those puzzles. How would it be if you -engaged him as my assistant, and paid him a salary? Would that help -matters?” - -“How many of your precious puzzles are done?” - -“Sixty-nine out of the hundred.” - -“How many have you solved yourself?” - -“About fifty.” - -“Then that man did nineteen for you?” - -“Yes; and, if he hadn’t, I _never_ could have guessed them! Oh, he _is_ -clever!” - -“And when do the answers have to be sent in?” - -“April first.” - -“H’m! an appropriate day! Well, Patty, as your heart is so set on this -thing, carry it through; but don’t ever begin on such a task again. Now, -Mr. Van Reypen may help you, if you wish, but I mean it when I say he -must not come here to call more than twice in one week.” - -“All right,” agreed Patty, cheerfully. “May I send him some puzzles to -guess, father?” - -“Well, I won’t have you writing to him. Not letters, I mean. But, if you -can’t guess a puzzle, you may send it to him, and I trust you not to let -this permission develop into a correspondence.” - -“No, sir; I won’t,” said Patty. - -But, after Mr. Fairfield had gone away, the girl turned to Nan, with a -perplexed look. - -“Whatever ails father,” she said, “to talk to me like that?” - -“He’s right, Patty. You don’t see the difference, but there is a great -difference between your friendship for Kenneth and Roger, which dates -from your schooldays, and your sudden acquaintance with Mr. Van Reypen, -who is older, and who is a far more experienced man of the world.” - -“But Mr. Hepworth is a lot older than Mr. Van Reypen, and nobody objects -to his coming here.” - -“Mr. Hepworth is an old friend of your father’s, and has always been in -the habit of coming here often.” - -“Well, these distinctions are too much for me,” declared Patty. “But I -don’t care a snip-jack about Philip Van Reypen, personally. If I can -just have his help on my thirty-one remaining problems, I’ll cheerfully -bid him farewell forevermore.” - -There was no mistaking Patty’s sincerity, and Nan felt decidedly -relieved, for she and her husband had feared that Patty was taking too -deep a personal interest in the attractive young millionaire. - -“All right, girlie. Suppose, then, you send him two or three of your -brain-rackers, and ask him to come around, say, on Monday next. That -will convey a gentle hint not to come sooner.” - -“That’s a long time,” said Patty, dubiously; “but, if I need to, I can -send him more puzzles before that.” - -Patty ran away to her study, and spent the morning working on her -puzzles. It was by no means drudgery, for she enjoyed it all. The -puzzles were of all sorts, from charades and square words, to the most -abstruse problems. She solved several, and four she gave up as -impossible for her ever to guess. These she concluded to send to Mr. Van -Reypen. - -But it was more difficult than she anticipated, to compose a note to go -with them. - -She had no wish to disobey her father’s commands, even in spirit, and -wanted to write an impersonal letter, such as he would approve. - -But, for some reason, she couldn’t accomplish it. Philip Van Reypen was -himself so straightforward, and so quick to see through any subterfuge, -that all the notes she wrote seemed to her artificial and insincere. She -tore them up one after another, and at last, seizing her pen again, she -wrote rapidly: - - “DEAR MR. VAN REYPEN: - - “It’s no use. I’ve written a dozen notes and torn them up, - trying to imply, or hint politely, what I prefer to say right - out. It seems my parents think you come here too often, and, I - daresay, you think so, too. So, at their command, you’re not to - come again till next Monday. Come at four o’clock, and _don’t_ - ask to stay to dinner. I enclose some puzzles that I hope you - can solve. I can’t. - - “Sincerely yours, - “PATRICIA FAIRFIELD.” - -“There!” said Patty, to herself, as she read it over, “I think that -would do credit to a ‘Young Lady’s Model Letter Writer.’ It tells the -truth without subterfuge, and it certainly does not invite the -correspondence father is so afraid of. Now, I’m not going to touch these -old puzzles again, to-day, or I’ll have brain failure. I think I’ll go -and practise some new songs. Music hath charms to sooth a puzzled -breast.” - -So Patty warbled away for an hour or so, in her clear, sweet voice, and -Nan came down to the music room to listen. - -“Oh, Patty,” she said, “if you’d put half the time and pains on your -music that you do on those foolish puzzles, you’d be a great singer!” - -“Think so, Nannikins? I doubt it.” - -“Yes, you would. You have a lovely voice, but it needs more training and -lots of practice.” - -“Well, it won’t get it. Life’s too short; and, too, nobody cares for -parlour tricks of a musical nature. I sing well enough to entertain the -Fairfield family, and that’s all I care for.” - -“Patty, have you no ambition?” - -“Yes; but my ambitions are sensible. If I practised four hours a day, -I’d still have only a small parlour voice,—not a concert voice. And -there’d be four hours a day wasted. And days are _so_ short, anyway. I’m -going to Christine’s this afternoon; do you want the motor?” - -“Why, yes; I did expect to make some calls.” - -“Oh, well, you can drop me on the way. But, won’t it be fun, Nan, when I -get my own little runabout? I’ll be quite independent of Miller and the -big car.” - -“You can’t use it alone in the city.” - -“Oh, yes, I could! Just to fly over to Christine’s in the afternoon, or -something like that. Father would kick at first, but he’d soon get used -to it.” - -“You do wind that poor man around your finger, Patty.” - -“Good thing, too. If I didn’t, he’d wind me around his finger. So, as it -is, I have the best of it. But I’m not at all sure I’ll catch that -runabout, after all. The first of April draweth near, and many of those -silly problems refuse to let themselves be solved.” - -“I hope you will get it, after you’ve worked so hard.” - -“I hope so, too. But hopes don’t solve anagrams and enigmas.” - -“Oh, well, if you don’t get it, there’s always room for you in the big -car. What time do you want to go to Christine’s?” - -“About four. She won’t be home till then. Does that suit your plans?” - -“Perfectly, my child.” - -So, at four o’clock, Nan left Patty at Christine’s new home. - -It was not a typical boarding-house, but an apartment occupied by two -elderly people, who had a room to spare, which seemed just right for the -young art student. - -Even in the short time she had been there, Christine had done much to -make the plain room more attractive. And Patty had helped, for many of -the comforts that had been added had been her gifts. A growing palm, and -a smaller bowl of ferns looked thrifty and well-kept; and a large jar of -exquisite pink roses gave the place a gala air. - -“What lovely roses!” exclaimed Patty, sniffing daintily at one of them. - -“Yes, aren’t they?” said Christine. “Mr. Hepworth sent them. He sends -them every week. Isn’t he kind?” - -“Yes, but no kinder than he ought to be. Everybody ought to be good to -you, Christine.” - -“Why?” - -“Oh, because you’re so sweet and good, yourself. And you work so hard, -and you never complain,—and you’re so pretty.” - -Patty added the last clause, because her former words brought a pink -glow to Christine’s cheeks, and a shining light to her dark eyes, and -she looked indeed beautiful. - -“I do work hard; but, Patty, I’m winning out! I’ve already had some -illustrations accepted by a good magazine; and I’ve orders for two -magazine covers.” - -“Fine! Why, Christine, you’ve arrived!” - -“Not quite that; but I’m steadily going ahead. I say that quite without -conceit. It’s simply that I’m learning how to use the talent I have.” - -“You dear!” cried Patty. “As if any one could imagine _you_ conceited! -And, of course, you’re going ahead,—fast!” - -“And, Patty, Mrs. Van Reypen is so good to me. I don’t understand it. -Why, she fairly showers me with kindnesses.” - -“I understand it. Mrs. Van Reypen is very eccentric. If she dislikes -people, she can’t be caustic enough to them or about them. But, if she -takes a fancy to any one, then she just adores her. And I’m so glad -she’s taken a fancy to you,—for she surely has.” - -“Yes, she has. But sometimes it embarrasses me, for she invites me to -see her so often, or to go to entertainments with her, and I _have_ to -refuse, for I mustn’t neglect my work.” - -“Oh, she understands that. You stand by your work, and I know her well -enough to know she’ll respect and admire you all the more for it.” - - - - - CHAPTER IV - - - THE HUNDREDTH QUESTION - - -It was the very last day of March. The next day Patty must send in her -answers to the hundred puzzles, and she still had four of them unsolved. -She had worked on these all day, and her brain was weary. Kenneth came -in late in the afternoon, but he couldn’t help, as he had no knack for -puzzles. - -“I don’t like them, Patty,” he declared. “You see acrostics have cross -words to them, and cross words always irritate me. I like kind words.” - -“All right, Ken,” said Patty, laughing; “I’ll invent a new kind of -acrostic that has only kind words in it, some day. But can’t you help me -with this one? A train of six cars is to be pulled up a steep incline. -The engine provided can pull only three cars. Another engine of equal -power is brought and put behind the train, to push it up the hill. The -two engines, working together, get the train uphill. Supposing the cars -coupled with chains, are the chains taut, or hanging loosely? I’ve -puzzled over that for hours. You see, half the weight of the train is -pulled and half is pushed, so how do those stupid chains know whether -they’re to hang loose, or pull taut?” - -“H’m,” said Kenneth, “there must be an answer to that. Where’s your Van -Reypen satellite? Can’t he do it?” - -“You needn’t speak of Mr. Van Reypen in that tone,” said Patty, annoyed; -“he’s helped me a lot more than you have!” - -“There, there, Patsy, don’t be an acrostic! Don’t give cross words to -your poor old chum, who lives but for to please you.” - -Patty laughed at Kenneth’s mock tragic tones, but she went on: - -“I do think you might do one for me, Ken. You haven’t even tried.” - -“All right, girlie; I’ll do this one about the cars and chains. Do you -mind if I go off by myself to think it out?” - -Kenneth went into another room, and Patty looked after him in -wonderment. She didn’t guess that he was longing to help her, and, -though he couldn’t guess conundrums, he hoped he might puzzle out this -question of mechanical power. - -And then Mr. Hepworth came, and also Philip Van Reypen. They knew it was -the last day, and they wanted to hear what Patty’s final report might -be. - -Philip Van Reypen had been greatly amused at the letter Patty wrote him, -and, being an exceedingly sensible young man, he had not answered or -referred to it definitely, but had accepted its dictum, and had called -at the Fairfield house far less often. Nor had he again hinted for an -invitation to dinner, but awaited one which should be freely given. - -“How many yet to do?” he asked, blithely. - -“Four,” answered Patty, disconsolately. - -“Out with ’em! What are they? Not charades, I hope; I simply _can’t_ do -charades.” - -“There’s one charade left, but here’s an enigma, which is about as bad. -Oh, Mr. Hepworth, can’t _you_ guess it?” - -Appealed to thus, Hepworth made up his mind to help, if he possibly -could, and both he and Van Reypen listened attentively as Patty read: - -“‘I am intangible, yet I may be felt, seen, and heard. I exist from two -to six feet above the ground. I have neither shape nor substance, and, -though a natural production, I am neither animal, vegetable, or mineral. -I am neither male nor female, but something between both. I am told of -in the Scriptures, in history, in song, and in story. I am sad or merry; -loving or treacherous. I am given or bought, and, because of my great -value, I am sometimes stolen. I am used by men who swear, and by -innocent children. Of late, there has been a prejudice against me, but I -shall probably be in vogue as long as the world shall stand.’” - -They all thought and pondered. Nan came in, and, as Patty read it slowly -over again, even she tried to guess it. But they could not. - -At last Philip Van Reypen gave a whoop of triumph, and exclaimed: - -“I have it! Miss Fairfield, I’ve guessed it! Will you give it to me, if -I tell you what it is?” - -“Your speech sounds like an enigma, too,” said Patty, a little -bewildered. - -“But I’ve guessed it, I tell you. And, if you’ll promise to give it to -me, I’ll tell you the answer.” - -“No, I won’t promise,” said Patty. “It might be the motor car itself!” - -“But it isn’t! It’s far more valuable than that! It’s a kiss!” - -“Oh!” said Patty, “so it is! How _did_ you guess it? It’s fearfully -hard!” - -Mr. Hepworth looked distinctly chagrined. Why, he thought, couldn’t he -have guessed the foolish thing! It was easy enough,—after one knew it! - -“Ken, come in here!” cried Patty; “we have guessed another! That is, Mr. -Van Reypen did. Now, there are only three left.” - -“Only two!” announced Kenneth, as with a beaming face he came in, -bringing a dozen sheets of paper, scrawled all over with sketches of -trains of cars going uphill. - -“Oh, have you done that one?” - -“Yes; I’m sure I’m right. The three first cars would have taut chains, -being pulled by the front engine; and the three last cars would be -pushed up close together, with their chains hanging limp, because they -are pushed by the back engine.” - -“Oh, Ken, of course that’s right! Thank you, heaps! Now I’ll get the -other two, if I have to sit up all night to do it!” - -“What are they?” asked Mr. Hepworth, conscious of a faint hope that he -might yet be of assistance. - -“One’s a charade,” answered Patty. “Here it is: - - “‘’Tis futile, Son, my first to use - To change to yours another’s views; - For one convinced against his will - Is of the same opinion still. - - “‘If e’er a letter you receive - From maiden fair; pray don’t believe - All that the note itself may say,— - But to my last attention pay. - - “‘My total may be well employed - To still a molar’s aching void, - When stopping has not stopped the pain; - That tooth will never ache again!’ - -“I’ve worked on that a solid week, but I can’t get it.” - -“Count me out, too,” said Philip Van Reypen; “charades are too many for -me.” - -“I’ll do that one for you, Patty,” said Mr. Hepworth, quietly. “Give me -a copy to take home with me, and I’ll send you the answer to-night, or -early in the morning.” - -“Bless you, my angel!” cried Patty. “Will you, really? Why, Mr. -Hepworth, I didn’t know you _could_ guess charades.” - -“I can’t!” said he, a little grimly; “but I’m going to, all the same. -Good-bye, for now.” - -And, with a do-or-die expression, Mr. Hepworth took leave of the group. - -“Poor man!” said Nan, “he can’t guess it. He just wants to help you out, -Patty.” - -But Patty smiled and shook her head. - -“Nay, nay, Nan,” she said; “if Mr. Hepworth says he’ll guess that thing, -he will! It’s as good as done!” - -“What faith!” murmured Van Reypen. - -“Yes, indeed!” declared Patty. “Why, if I lost faith in Mr. Hepworth, -I’d lose faith in the,—in the,—universe! I’ve known him for years, and -he _never_ fails me!” - -“I guessed one!” said Kenneth, proudly. - -“You did,” returned Patty, smiling on him; “and just for that I’m going -to take you a whole block in my motor car!” - -“Oh! how lovely. But, first, catch your car.” - -“Now, what’s the only one left?” asked Philip, who wanted to distinguish -himself again. - -“Oh, just a simple conundrum,” said Patty. “What is lower with a head on -it than without one?” - -“That sounds simple, but it isn’t easy,” said Philip, after a few -moments’ thoughts. “Nails,—pins,—cabbage heads,—nothing seems to be -the right idea.” - -And, try as they would, they couldn’t think of anything that led to the -right answer. - -The boys went home, declaring they’d think it up, and Patty mulled it -over in her mind all the evening, without result. - -Then she went to bed, declaring she’d dream of the answer. - -The next morning she overslept, and Nan, fearing she would be late with -her list of answers, went to waken her. - -“Wake up, you little April Fool,” she cried, gently pulling Patty’s gold -curls. - -“Oh, Nan! is it morning? I’m so sleepy!” - -“But you must wake up! It’s the First of April, and you must win that -motor car to-day or never!” - -Patty raised her head, and then dropped it back on the pillow. - -“I can’t get my head up,” she said; “it’s too heavy. I guess I’ll give -up the motor car. I’d rather keep my head on the pillow. Oh, Nan!” and -suddenly Patty sprang up, with a wild yell. - -“That’s it! I’ve got it! Hurrah!” - -“Mercy, Patty, do keep quiet. _What’s_ the matter?” - -“Why, that’s it! the last puzzle! What is lower with a head on it than -without one? Answer: a Pillow! See?” - -“Patty, you’re crazy! I suppose that is the answer, but _I_ think it’s -silly.” - -“No, it isn’t; not as puzzles go! Oh, Nan, now I have them all!” - -“Not the one Mr. Hepworth took away.” - -“He’ll get it back in time. You see if he doesn’t! Oh, Nan, Hooray with -me!” - -“I won’t. You’ve made noise enough to frighten the whole block now! Do -quiet down, Patty, and get dressed.” - -“All right, I will,” said Patty, in a whisper, and Nan went away, -laughing. - -Patty went down to breakfast in a very happy frame of mind, and -announced to her father that the motor car was as good as won. - -“Why do you feel so sure of Mr. Hepworth’s puzzle?” asked her father, a -little curiously. “He never solved a charade before.” - -“It doesn’t matter,” said Patty, with supreme confidence. “He said he’d -do it. If he hadn’t _known_ he could do it, he wouldn’t have said he -_would_ do it.” - -“Oh, stop, Patty!” cried Nan. “You talk like a puzzle, yourself. Don’t -get the habit, I beg.” - -“I won’t. But now I must go and copy my answers neatly, and by that time -Mr. Hepworth’s will be here, and I’ll send ’em off about noon.” - -Patty spent a happy morning copying her answers in her neat script, and -looking with pride at her complete list. - -At last it was all done, and she had left a vacant space to insert the -answer to the charade when Mr. Hepworth should send it. But at noon it -had not arrived, and she had had no word from him. - -“Telephone, and ask him about it,” suggested Nan, as they sat at -luncheon. - -“No,” said Patty, “he said he’d send it, and I’ll wait for him.” - -“How long can you wait?” - -“Why, the only stipulation is that the list of answers shall be -postmarked not later than April first; but I hate to wait till the last -mail.” - -“So should I; do telephone, Patty.” - -“No, not yet. He’ll send it.” - -The afternoon dragged by, with no word from Mr. Hepworth. At four -o’clock, Nan went to Patty’s room. - -“Dearie,” she said, “don’t lose your whole effort by a bit of -stubbornness. Mr. Hepworth must have forgotten to send his answer—or, -perhaps, he sent it by a messenger, and it went to the wrong place.” - -“He wouldn’t do that,” said Patty, shaking her head. “He’ll guess it, -and, as soon as he does, he’ll telephone me. I know him.” - -“I know him, too, and I know his faithfulness. But mistakes do happen -sometimes. If you’d only telephone,—or let me.” - -“No, Nannie,” said Patty, gently. “This is my picnic, and I shall -conduct it in my own way. And I won’t telephone Mr. Hepworth, if I have -to send the answers with one missing.” - -And then the telephone bell rang! - -And it was Mr. Hepworth calling. - -“I’ve guessed it!” he said, breathlessly, but triumphant. “But it’s -rather complicated, and I can’t explain it very well over the telephone. -I’ll come right over. Is there time?” - -“Yes,” returned Patty; “come on. Good-bye.” - -She hung up the receiver, and turned to Nan with an “I told you so” -expression on her face. - -“But it was a narrow escape,” said Nan. - -“Not at all,” said Patty. - -Then Mr. Hepworth came. - -He looked calm and smiling as ever, and showed no trace of his sleepless -night and anxious hard-working day. - -“It’s ‘Forceps,’” he said, as soon as he had greeted them; “but it isn’t -a fair charade at all. A charade should be divided into its two or more -legitimate syllables. But this one is divided ‘Force’ and ‘P.S.’ You -see, the P.S. is referred to as the principal part of a lady’s letter.” - -“Oh, that old joke!” cried Nan. - -“Yes. But, if it hadn’t been for that old joke, I never could have -guessed it. For that was what put me on the right track. But the whole -charade is distinctly unfair in its construction.” - -“I think so, too,” said Patty, who had been looking it over. “Oh! Mr. -Hepworth, how did you ever guess it?” - -“I told you I would,” he answered, simply. - -“Yes; and so I knew you would,” she returned, with a glance as -straightforward as his own. - -“Now, I’ll add it to my list,” she went on, “and then we’ll go out to -the box together, to mail it.” - -In a moment, Patty was ready, with the big, fat envelope, clearly -addressed and much bestamped. - -Throwing a light wrap round her, she went with Mr. Hepworth the -half-block to the lamp-post letter-box. But the large envelope would not -go in the box. - -“Never mind, Patty,” he said; “I’ll take it to the post-office for you. -That will be better, anyway, as it may be postmarked a little sooner. -And it’s my fault that it’s delayed so late, anyway.” - -“It is not!” exclaimed Patty. “If it hadn’t been for you, I couldn’t -have sent the list at all! I mean, not a complete list.” - -“Van Reypen helped you far more than I did,” said Mr. Hepworth, a little -bitterly. - -Patty noticed his tone, and, with her ready tact, she ignored it. - -“Mr. Van Reypen did help me,” she said; “but, with all his help, the -list would not have been perfect but for you. I thank you, very much.” - -Patty held out her hand, and Hepworth took it slowly, almost reverently. - -“Patty,” he said, “I wonder if you know how much I would do for you?” - -“How much?” said Patty, not really thinking of what she was saying, for -her mind was still on her puzzles. - -“Shall I tell you?” and the intense note in his voice brought her back -to a realising sense of the situation. - -“Not now,” she cried, gaily; “you promised to get those answers to the -post-office in double-quick time. That would be the nicest thing you -could do for me.” - -“Then I’ll do it, you little witch;” and, with a quick bow, Hepworth -turned and strode down the street. - - - - - CHAPTER V - - - A SUMMER HOME - - -“If I were sure Patty would get her motor car,” said Nan, “I’d vote for -the seashore. But, if she doesn’t, I’d rather go to the mountains.” - -“’Course I’ll get it,” declared Patty. “I’m sure, certain, positive, -convinced, satisfied beyond all shadow of doubt that I’ve cinched that -car! It only remains to get the formal notice.” - -“And to get the car,” added her father. - -They were discussing, in family conclave, their plans for the coming -summer. - -Patty liked the seashore, and Nan, the mountains, but each wanted the -other to be pleased, so there was a generous rivalry going on. - -“But I can use it in the mountains,” went on Patty; “mountain roads are -pretty much civilised nowadays. And, anyway, it’s sure to be a perfect -hill-climber.” - -“Oh, _sure_ to be!” said Mr. Fairfield, who never could bring himself to -believe seriously that Patty would get the car. - -“Well, let’s divide the time,” suggested Nan. “Let’s go to the seashore -first, and spend, say, May, June, and July. Then go to the mountains for -August and September.” - -“That would be lovely!” declared Patty, enthusiastically, “if I didn’t -know you were planning it that way for my benefit. And I can’t—no, I -can_not_ bring myself to accept such a sackerry-fice!” - -“You can’t help yourself, you mean,” said Nan. “And, now that part of -it’s settled, where shall we go?” - -“I like the New Jersey shore,” said Mr. Fairfield, “because I can run up -to New York so easily from there. But I was thinking of buying a house, -so we could go to it each summer, and so do away with this yearly -discussion of where to go. Even if we have a summer home, we can go on a -trip to the mountains as well, later in the season.” - -“That’s so,” agreed Nan. “No one wants to go to the mountains before -August.” - -“Oh, won’t it be gay!” cried Patty. “A home of our own, at the seashore! -With little white curtains blowing out of its windows, and box trees at -the entrance to the drive!” - -“That sounds attractive,” agreed Nan. “And wide verandas all round, and -the ocean dashing over them, sometimes.” - -“It wouldn’t be a bad investment,” said Mr. Fairfield. “We wouldn’t -build, you know, but buy a house, and then fix it up to suit ourselves. -And, whenever we tired of it, we could sell it.” - -“Good business, Mr. Fairfield,” said Patty, nodding her head at him -approvingly. “Now, I know the spot I’d like best. And that’s at Spring -Beach. It’s the prettiest part of the whole Jersey coast.” - -“I think so, too,” said Nan. “It’s not a large enough place to be -rackety and noisy, but it has beautiful homes and charming people. I’ve -been there several times, though not to stay long.” - -“Be sure to buy a house with a garage, father,” put in Patty. “For I -must have a place to keep my car.” - -“Well, as we’ll have our own car there, I fancy we’ll have a garage, -Puss. But we may have to add an ell, to accommodate your toy wagon. When -do you expect to get it, by the way?” - -“The winner will be announced on the twentieth of April, and the car -delivered about May first. So I’ll take you both for a May-day ride. Not -both at once, of course.” - -“You’ll take Miller on your first few rides, my girl; until you’ve -thoroughly learned how to manage the thing.” - -“All right, I will. For I don’t want to make any stupid mistakes through -ignorance. Accidents may happen, but, if so, I expect to be able to use -my skill and knowledge to repair them.” - -“Patty, you have a sublime self-confidence,” said her father, laughing; -“but I’m glad of it. For it will probably carry you through when your -vaunted skill and knowledge give out.” - -A few nights later, Mr. Fairfield came home with several photographs of -Spring Beach houses that were for sale. Each was accompanied with a -description, and the Fairfield trio looked them over with great -interest. Two seemed more desirable than the rest, and it was decided -that, next day, they should all go down to the shore to look at them. - -“Let’s take Christine,” suggested Patty; “a day at the seashore will do -her good.” - -So, next morning, the quartette started for Spring Beach. - -Christine had never seen the ocean before, and Patty greatly enjoyed -seeing the Southern girl’s delight. - -It was a fine April day, the air clear and cool, and the blue sky -cloudless, save for some cotton-wool masses near the horizon. The waves -were deep, translucent blue, with brilliantly white crests, and they -rolled and tumbled in to shore, as if anxious to greet Christine. - -“Is it like you thought it would be?” asked Patty, as Christine stood, -with clasped hands, gazing. - -“Yes; in its lines. For, of course, I’ve seen pictures of it. But I -didn’t know it was so _alive_.” - -“Yes,” said Patty, with a nod of comprehension, “that’s the way it seems -to me. Really alive, and always responsive to my moods and thoughts.” - -“I didn’t know you had moods and thoughts,” said Christine, smiling at -Patty a little quizzically. - -“’Deed I have! Perhaps not such subtle and temperamental ones as yours -or Mr. Hepworth’s, but perfectly good moods and thoughts, all the same.” - -“Why do you class mine with Mr. Hepworth’s?” - -“Because you’re both artists. Aren’t artists supposed to have most -impressive and unspeakable thoughts at sight of the ocean or the moon or -the purple shadows on the distant hills?” - -“Patty, I suppose you’re making fun of me, but I don’t mind a bit. And, -of one thing I’m sure, whatever your thoughts may be, they’re never -unspeakable!” - -“Right you are, Christine! I’m glad you appreciate my talent for -volubility! That’s why I like the sea. I can talk to it all day, and it -is most appreciative, but it never talks back.” - -“Oh, it talks back to me! It has told me lots of things already.” - -“That’s because you’re an artist. But this must be the new house! -Father’s turning in here. Oh, isn’t it lovely!” - -It was a most beautiful place, though its somewhat dense shrubbery -partly hid the view of the ocean. - -But the house was delightful. Large, roomy, and well-built, it seemed -all any one could desire for a summer home. - -They went through it, with many comments, and then went on a block -farther, to look at the other one they had in mind. - -This was equally desirable, in every way, as a dwelling, but the large -grounds had very few trees or tall shrubs, so that the sea-view was -unobstructed. - -“This is my choose!” declared Patty, sitting down on the steps of the -front veranda. “What’s the use of coming to the seashore and living in a -forest? Oh, my fond parents, do decide to take this one, for your little -Patty’s sake!” - -“Will there be shade enough?” asked Mr. Fairfield. - -“Yes, indeed!” declared Patty. “If not, we can go inside and draw the -curtains. But I do love a house where you can see out. And I think this -is the finest ocean view on the beach.” - -“It is,” corroborated the agent, who was showing them the house. “And -the sunrise view is grand.” - -“I don’t often see the sun rise,” admitted Patty, laughing; “but perhaps -I shall, down here, for I’m going to sleep out of doors.” - -“In your motor car?” enquired her father. - -“No, sir! I’m going to have a veranda bedroom. There, you see it, -between those two front towers. I’ve always wanted to try that sort of a -fresh-air fund scheme.” - -“Well, whatever you and Nan decide on, I’ll agree to,” said Mr. -Fairfield, who lived but to please his wife and daughter. - -So, after some further serious consideration of rooms and outlooks, Nan -and Patty agreed that the second house they had visited was the one for -them, and Christine commended their choice. - -“It’s rather large for just us three,” said Nan, but Patty replied: -“Never mind, we’ll have lots of company. I expect to have house parties -a great deal of the time; we’ve never had room for much company in New -York. What shall we name the place?” - -“‘Sea View,’” said her father, and Patty laughed. - -“Yes,” she said; “or ‘Ocean View,’ or ‘Fair View,’ or ‘Beach View’! No, -let’s get something descriptive and unhackneyed. Help us, Christine.” - -“I like a name like ‘The Breakers,’” said Nan. “It’s so dignified.” - -“How about ‘The Pebbles’?” asked Christine, looking at the pebbled walks -that led through the lawn. - -“That’s just right!” said Patty, “and it’s seashorey, too. We’ll call -the place ‘The Pebbles’; shall us, Nan?” - -“Yes; I like that. It’s simple and yet expressive.” - -“And now,” said Mr. Fairfield, “let us go over to the hotel for -luncheon, and then, while I have a little business talk with the agent, -you ladies can rave over the sea, the sea, the open sea.” - -“What good times you do have, don’t you, Patty?” said Christine, as they -strolled along the board walk to the hotel. - -“Yes, Christine, I do. And I often feel as if I didn’t deserve so much -happiness; and perhaps it’s wrong for me to have so much, when many -other girls have so little.” - -“No, Patty; that isn’t the way to look at it. You ought to be glad and -thankful, but never feel any doubt about its being all right. Myself, I -have so much to be thankful for, sometimes my heart almost bursts with -gratitude. But I know it’s all right, and that I _ought_ to have it. -Whatever is, is right, Patty.” - -“Yes; I s’pose so. But, Christine, what do you mean, about yourself? Are -you glad you have to earn your own living?” - -“Oh, that’s merely incidental. Since I have to earn my own living, I’m -glad I can, of course. Or, at least, I shall soon be able to. But I -mean, I’m so glad that I have such talent as I have, and such a love of -my life work, and such dear friends, and such a happy outlook -generally.” - -“Christine, you’re a darling. I don’t believe many people know how fine -and lovely you are. Do they?” - -“I don’t know many people,” said Christine, smiling; “but those I do -know don’t all share your views. Elise doesn’t.” - -“Bother Elise! Don’t let her bother you! Why think of her at all? -Christine, if your philosophy of happiness is any good, it ought to -teach you to cut out anything unpleasant. And, if Elise is unpleasant, -cut her out.” - -“No, girlie; not that. If Elise is unpleasant,—and it may be only my -imagination,—I shall try to make her become pleasant.” - -“I wish you joy of your task,” said Patty, grinning, for she knew Elise -better than Christine did, and, while she liked her herself, she felt -sure her two friends could never be very congenial. - -The well-selected and well-served luncheon proved most acceptable to -appetites sharpened by sea air, and, during its course, enthusiastic -plans were made for improving and furnishing “The Pebbles.” - -“Christine will help us with the ‘artistic values,’—I think that’s what -you call ’em,” said Patty. “Nan can look after chairs and tables and -such prosaic things; and I’ll sew the curtains and sofa-cushions. I love -to make soft, silky, frilly things,—and I’m just going to have fun with -this house.” - -“What’s my part in this universal plan?” asked Mr. Fairfield. - -“Oh, you can just pay the bills, and say ‘perfectly lovely, my dear,’ -whenever we ask you how you like anything!” - -As this was just the rôle Mr. Fairfield had laid out for himself, he -acquiesced graciously, and then, luncheon being over, they all went back -to the house again. - -“We’ll have to come down several times,” said Nan, “but we may as well -measure for some of the hangings and rugs now.” - -So Mr. Fairfield filled many pages of his memorandum book with notes and -measurements, and, after an hour or so, they all felt they had made -quite a beginning on the furnishing of the new house. - -One delightful room, with a full sea view, Patty declared was -Christine’s room, and she was to occupy it just whenever she chose, and -she was to select its furnishings herself. The girl’s eyes filled with -tears at this new proof of loving friendship, and, though she knew she -should take but few vacation days from her work that summer, yet she -willingly consented to select the fittings, on condition that it be used -as a guest room when she was not present. - -Patty’s own rooms were delightful. A bedroom and dressing-room, opening -on a half-enclosed balcony, gave her the opportunity for sleeping out of -doors that she so much desired. Her father insisted that she should have -what he called a “civilised bedchamber,” and then, if she chose to play -gipsy occasionally, she might do so. - -So she and Christine planned all her furniture and decorations, and made -notes and lists, and, before they knew it, it was time to return to New -York. - -“You know a lot about house decoration, Christine; don’t you?” said -Patty, as they sat in the homeward-bound train. - -“No, not a lot. But it comes natural to me to know what things harmonise -in a household. Of course, I’ve never studied it,—it’s a science; now, -you know. But, if I didn’t want to take up illustrating seriously, I -would try decorating.” - -“Oh, illustrating is lots nicer,—and it pays better, too.” - -“I don’t know about that. But Mr. Hepworth says I will make a name for -myself as an illustrator, and so I know I shall.” - -Patty laughed. “You have as much faith in that man as I have,” she said. - -“Yes; I’ve implicit faith in his judgment, and in his technical -knowledge.” - -“Well, I’ve faith in him in every way. I think he’s a fine character.” - -“You ought to think so, Patty. Why, he worships the ground you walk on.” - -“Oh, Christine, what nonsense!” Patty blushed rosy-red, but tried to -laugh it off. “Why, he’s old enough to be my father.” - -“No, he isn’t. He’s thirty-five,—that’s a lot older than you,—but, all -the same, he adores you.” - -“I wish you wouldn’t talk like that, Christine,” said Patty, with a new -note of hauteur in her voice. “Mr. Hepworth is my very good friend, and -I look up to him in every way, but there is no affection or any such -foolishness between us.” - -“Not on your side, perhaps; but there is on his.” - -“Well, if you think so, I don’t want to hear about it. When you talk -like that, it just goes to spoil the nice pleasant friendship that Mr. -Hepworth and I have had for years.” - -“It isn’t the same as you have for Roger Farrington and Kenneth Harper.” - -“It is! Just the same. Except that Mr. Hepworth is so much older that I -never call him by his first name. The others were my school chums. Look -here, Christine, we’re going to be very good friends, you and I,—but, -if you talk to me like that about Mr. Hepworth, you’ll queer our -friendship at its very beginning. Now, quit it,—will you?” - -“Yes, I will, Patty. And I didn’t mean any harm. I only wanted you to -know Mr. Hepworth’s attitude toward you.” - -“Well, when I want to know it, I’ll discover it for myself, or let him -tell me. You must know, Christine, that I’m not bothering about such -things. I don’t want affection, as you call it, from any man. I like my -boy friends, or my men friends, but there’s no sentiment or -sentimentality between me and any one of them? Are you on?” - -“On what?” asked Christine, a little bewildered at Patty’s emphatic -speech. - -“On deck,” said Patty, laughing at Christine’s blank expression and -changing the subject with promptness and dexterity. - - - - - CHAPTER VI - - - THE AWARD - - -Patty was in high spirits. It was the twentieth of April, and it was -almost time for the postman to call on his afternoon round. The two -Farringtons and Kenneth were present, and all eagerly awaited the -expected letter, telling the result of the Prize Contest. - -“Just think,” said Patty, “how many anxious hearts all over this broad -land are even now waiting for the postman, and every one is to be -disappointed, except me!” - -“I believe you enjoy their disappointment,” said Elise. - -“You know better, my child. You know I _hate_ to have people -disappointed. But, in this case, only one can win. I’m glad I’m that -one, and I’m sorry for the others.” - -“S’pose you don’t win,” observed Roger; “what will you do?” - -“There’s no use s’posin’ that, for it can’t happen,” declared Patty, -turning from the window, where she had been flattening her nose against -the glass, in a frantic endeavour to catch a first glimpse of the -belated postman. - -“But, just for fun,” urged Kenneth, “just for argument’s sake, if you -didn’t get that prize, what would you do?” - -“I wouldn’t do anything. I’d know the company that offered it was a -fake, and had gone back on its own promise.” - -“Patty, you’re incorrigible!” said Ken. “I give you up. You’re the most -self-assured, self-reliant, cocksure young person I ever saw.” - -“Thank you, sir, for them kind words! Oh! sit still, my heart! _Do_ I -hear that familiar whistle at last?” - -“You do!” shouted Kenneth, making a spring for the front door. - -They all followed, but Kenneth first reached it, and fairly grabbed the -letters from the astonished letter-carrier. - -Returning to the library with his booty, he ran them over slowly and -tantalisingly. - -“One for Mrs. Fairfield,” he said. “From a fashionable tailor. Do you -suppose it’s a dun? Or, perhaps, merely an announcement of new spring -furbelows. Next, one for Mr. Fairfield. Unmistakably a circular! No -good! Ha! another for Mrs. Fairfield. Now, this——” - -“Oh, Ken, stop!” begged Patty. “Have pity on me! Is there one for me?” - -“Yes, yes, child. I didn’t know you wanted it. Yes, here’s one for you. -It is postmarked ‘Vernondale.’ Take it, dear one!” - -“Nonsense, Ken. Not that one! But isn’t there one from the Rhodes and -Geer Motor Company?” - -“Why, yes; since you mention it, I notice there is such a one! Do you -want it?” - -Kenneth held it high above Patty’s head, but she sprang and caught it, -and waved it triumphantly in the air. - -“I told you so!” she cried. - -“But you haven’t opened it yet,” said Elise. “Maybe it only tells you -you’ve failed.” - -“Hush, hush, little one!” said Patty. “I’ll show it to you in a minute.” - -Accepting the letter-opener Kenneth proffered, she cut open the -envelope, and read the few lines on the typewritten sheet enclosed. She -read them again, and then slowly refolded the sheet and returned it to -its envelope. - -“After all,” she said, calmly, “it is well to be of a philosophical -nature in a time of disappointment.” - -“Oh, Patty, you didn’t win!” cried Kenneth, springing to her side, and -grasping her hand. - -“No, I haven’t won,” said Patty, with a heart-rending sigh. - -“I thought you were terribly positive,” said Elise, not very kindly. - -“I was,” sighed Patty. “I was terribly positive. I am, still!” - -“What are you talking about, Patty?” said Roger, who began to think she -was fooling them. “Let me see that letter.” - -“Take it!” said Patty, holding it out with a despairing gesture. “Read -it aloud, and let them all know the worst!” - -So Roger read the few lines, which were to the effect that, owing to the -unexpected number of answers received, the decision must be delayed -until May first. - -“Oh, Patty!” exclaimed Kenneth, greatly relieved. “How you scared me! Of -course you’ll get it yet.” - -“Of course I shall,” said Patty, serenely, “but I hate to wait.” - -Since it was not failure, after all, the young people felt greatly -relieved, and congratulated Patty upon her narrow escape. - -“But the situation is too dramatic for my nerves,” declared Kenneth. -“When the real letter comes, I prefer not to be here. I can’t stand such -harrowing scenes.” - -“It won’t be harrowing when the real letter comes,” said Patty. “It will -be just one grand, triumphant jubilee.” - -“Well, jubilees are nerve-racking,” said Kenneth. “I think I’ll stay -away until the shouting is over.” - -“You can’t,” said Patty, saucily. “You’ll be the first one here, the day -the letter is due.” - -“Oh, I suppose so! Curiosity has always been my besetting sin. But -to-day’s entertainment seems to be over, so I may as well go home.” - -“Us, too,” said Roger. “Come on, Elise.” - -So good-byes were said, and Patty’s friends went laughing away. - -Then Patty took up the letter and read it again. - -“Ten days to wait,” she said, to herself. “And suppose I shouldn’t get -it, after all? But I will,—I know I will. Something inside my brain -makes me feel sure of it. And, when I have that sort of sureness, it -never goes back on me!” - -She went upstairs, singing merrily, and without a shadow of doubt in her -mind as to her success in the contest. - -The ten days passed quickly, for Patty was so absorbed in the -furnishings for the new summer home that she was occupied every moment -from morning till night. - -She went with Nan to all sorts of fascinating shops, where they selected -wall-papers, rugs, furniture, and curtains. Not much bric-a-brac, and -very few pictures, for they were keeping the house simple in tone, but -comfortable and cheerful of atmosphere. Christine gladly gave her advice -when needed, but she was very busy with her work, and they interrupted -her as seldom as possible. - -Patty bought lovely things for her own rooms,—chairs of blue and white -wicker; curtains of loose-meshed, blue silky stuff, over ruffled dimity -ones; a regulation brass bedstead for her bedroom, but a couch that -opened into a bed for her out-of-door dormitory. By day, this could be a -chintz-covered couch with chintz pillows; by night, a dainty, white nest -of downy comfort. Several times they went down to Spring Beach, to -inspect the work going on there, and always returned with satisfactory -reports. - -As the time of departure drew near, Elise began to realise how much she -would miss Patty, and lamented accordingly. - -“I think you might have arranged to go where we’re going,” she said. -“You know you could make your people go wherever you wanted to.” - -“But you go to the Adirondacks, Elise; I couldn’t run my motor car much -up there.” - -“Oh, that motor car! Even if you do get it, Patty, you won’t use it more -than a few times. Nobody does.” - -“P’raps not. But, somehow, it just seems to me I shall. It just _seems_ -to me so. But, Elise, you’ll come down to visit me?” - -“Yes; for a few days. But you’ll have Christine there most of the time, -I suppose.” - -“I’ll have Christine whenever she’ll come,” said Patty, a little -sharply; “and, Elise, if you care anything for my friendship, I wish -you’d show a little more friendliness toward her.” - -“Oh, yes; just because Mr. Hepworth thinks she’s a prodigy, and Mrs. Van -Reypen has taken her up socially, you think she’s something great!” - -Patty looked at Elise a moment in astonishment at this outburst, and -then she broke into a hearty laugh. - -“I think you’re something great, Elise! I think you’re a great goose! -What kind of talk are you talking? Christine is a dear, sweet, brave -girl,—and you know it. Now, drop it, and never, never, never talk like -that again.” - -Elise was a little ashamed of her unjust speech, and only too glad to -turn it off by joining in Patty’s laughter. So she only said, “Oh, -Christine’s all right!” and dropped the subject. - -By the first of May, everything was ready for occupancy at “The -Pebbles.” The lawn and grounds were in fine condition, and the house in -perfect order. - -But Patty begged that they shouldn’t start until she had received word -about her prize car. - -“Why, Puss, all the mail will be forwarded,” said her father. “You’ll -get your precious missive there just as well as here.” - -“I know that, daddy dear,—but, well,—I can’t seem to feel like going, -until I know that car is my very own. Just wait until the third of May, -can’t you?” - -She was so persuasive that Nan went over to her side, and then, of -course, Mr. Fairfield had to give his consent to wait. Not that he -cared, particularly, but he was a little afraid that Patty would not get -the prize, and thought she might bear her disappointment better if away -from her young friends. - -But they waited, and again the group of those most interested gathered -in the Fairfield library to await the letter. - -Christine and Mr. Hepworth were there, too, this time; also Philip Van -Reypen. - -Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield, though outwardly calm and even gay, were perhaps -the most anxious of all, for they knew how keenly a disappointment would -affect Patty. - -The whistle sounded. The postman’s step was heard. Instead of rushing to -the door, Patty felt a strange inertia, and sank back in her chair. - -“Go, Ken,” she said, faintly, and Kenneth went. - -Silently he took the mail from the carrier, silently he returned with it -to the library. There was none of the gay chaffing they had had before, -and all because Patty, the moving spirit, was grave and quiet, with a -scared, drawn look on her sweet face. - -Hastily running over the letters, Kenneth laid aside all but one, and -slowly extended that to Patty. - -She took it, opened it, and read it with a dazed expression. - -The eager ones circled round, with faces tense and waiting. - -Again Patty read her letter. Then, still with that dazed look on her -face, she glanced from one to another. As her eyes met Mr. Hepworth’s, -she suddenly held the paper out to him. - -“I’ve won,” she said, simply, and gave him the letter. - -Then she drew a short little sigh, almost a sob of relief, and then the -colour came back to her face, the light to her eyes, and she smiled -naturally. - -“I’ve won!” she cried again. “It’s all right!” - -Then there was jubilation, indeed! Everybody congratulated everybody -else. Everybody had to read the wonderful letter, and see for himself -that the prize, the Electric Runabout, had indeed been awarded to Miss -Patricia Fairfield, for the best and most complete list of answers to -the puzzles in the contest. - -Only the girls’ parents and Gilbert Hepworth knew how tightly the -tension of Patty’s nerves had been strained, but they had been alertly -watching for any sign of collapse, and were thankful and relieved that -the danger was over. - -Hepworth didn’t stop then to wonder why Patty had handed him the letter -first. And, indeed, she didn’t know herself. But she felt his sensitive -sympathy so keenly, and saw such deep anxiety in his eyes, that -involuntarily she turned to him in her moment of triumph. - -“I told you so!” Philip Van Reypen was shouting. “I knew we’d win! -Hepworth, old man, you did it, with that last charade! Bully for you!” - -“Yes, he did!” cried Patty, holding out her hand to Mr. Hepworth, with a -smile of gratitude; “but you all helped me. Oh, isn’t it splendid! I -didn’t so much care for the car, but I wanted to _win_!” - -“Oh, _listen_ to that!” exclaimed Kenneth. “She didn’t care for the car! -Oh, Patty, what _are_ you saying? Give me the car, then!” - -“Oh, of course I want the car, you goose! But I mean I really cared more -for the _game_,—the winning of it!” - -“Of course you did!” declared Van Reypen. “That’s the true sportsman -spirit: ‘not the quarry, but the chase!’ I’m proud of you, Miss -Fairfield! Your sentiments are the right sort.” - -Patty smiled and dimpled, quite her roguish self again, now that the -exciting crisis was past. - -“Nan,” she cried, “we must celebrate! Will you invite all this hilarious -populace to dinner, or give them an impromptu tea-fight right now?” - -“Dinner!” cried Philip Van Reypen; and “Dinner!” took up the other -voices, in gay insistence. - -“Very well,” said Nan; “but, if it’s to be dinner, you must all run away -now and come back later. I can’t order a celebration dinner at a -moment’s notice.” - -“All right, we will.” And obediently the guests went away, to return -later for a gala dinner. - -And a real celebration it was. Mr. Fairfield himself went out to the -florist’s and returned with a centrepiece for the table, consisting of a -wicker automobile filled with flowers. - -By dint of much telephoning, Nan provided place cards and favours of -little motor cars; and the ices were shaped like tiny automobiles; and -the cakes like tires. And all the viands were so delicious, and the -guests so gay and merry, that the feast was one long to be remembered by -all. - -“When will you get the car, Patty?” asked Elise. - -“I don’t know exactly. In a fortnight, perhaps. But we’ll be down at -Spring Beach then, so whoever wants a ride in it will have to come down -there.” - -“I want a ride in it,” said Philip Van Reypen, “and I will come down -there. May I ask you to set the date?” - -“You’ll get a notification in due season,” said Patty, smiling at the -eager youth. “I’m not sure it’s your turn first. No, Elise must be -first.” - -“Why, I didn’t help you at all,” said Elise, greatly pleased, however, -at Patty’s remark. - -“No, but you’re my lady friend, and so you come first. Perhaps your -brother will come with you.” - -“_Perhaps_ he _will_!” said Roger, with emphasis. - -“And who comes next?” asked Kenneth, with great interest. - -“Christine, of course,” said Patty, smiling at the Southern girl, who -was enjoying all the fun, though quiet herself. - -“Just as I guessed,” said Kenneth. “And, _then_, who next? Don’t keep me -in suspense!” - -“Owing to the unexpected number of applicants, decision is delayed for -ten days,” said Patty, laughing at Ken’s disappointed face. “We’ll let -you know when you’re due, Ken. Don’t you worry.” - -“Need _I_ worry?” asked Van Reypen, and then Hepworth said, “Need I?” - -“No, you needn’t any of you worry. But I’m not going to take anybody -riding until I learn how to manage the frisky steed myself.” - -“But I can show you,” said Philip, insinuatingly. - -“So can I,” said Roger. - -“No, you can’t,” said Patty. “Miller is going to teach me, and -then,—well, then, we’ll see about it.” - -And, with this somewhat unsatisfactory invitation to “The Pebbles,” they -were forced to be content. - -After dinner, Kenneth remarked that it looked like a shower. - -“What do you mean?” asked Patty. “It’s a still, clear night.” - -“You come here, and I’ll show you,” said Kenneth, mysteriously. Then, -taking Patty’s hand, he led her to a large davenport sofa, and seated -her in the centre of it. - -“Now,” he said, “let it shower!” - -As if by magic, a half a dozen or more parcels of all shapes and sizes -fell into Patty’s lap. - -“It’s a shower, for you!” explained Elise, dancing about in glee. “Open -them!” - -“Oh! I see,” said Patty. “How gorgeous!” - -The parcels were in tissue paper, ribbon-tied, and Patty was not long in -exposing their contents. One and all, they were gifts selected with -reference to her new motor car. - -Elise gave her a most fetching blue silk hood, with quaint shirring, and -draw-strings, and wide blue ribbon ties. - -Christine gave her a lovely motor-veil, of the newest style and -flimsiest material. - -Roger gave her gauntleted motor-gloves, of new and correct make. - -Kenneth gave a motor-clock, of the most approved sort; and Philip Van -Reypen presented a clever little “vanity case,” which shut up into small -compass, but held many dainty toilette accessories. - -Mr. Hepworth’s gift was an exquisite flower vase, of gold and glass, to -be attached to her new car. - -Patty was more than surprised; she was almost overcome by this “shower” -of gifts, and she exclaimed: - -“You are the _dearest_ people! And you needn’t wait for invitations. -Come down to ‘The Pebbles’ whenever you want to, and I’ll take you all -riding at once! I don’t see where you ever found such beautiful things! -Nor _why_ you gave them to me!” - -“Because we love you, Patty dear,” said Christine, so softly that she -thought no one heard. - -But Kenneth heard, and he smiled as he looked at Patty, and said, “Yes, -that’s why.” - - - - - CHAPTER VII - - - A NEIGHBOUR - - -Two days later the Fairfields went down to Spring Beach. - -The intervening day was a busy one. Mr. Fairfield went with Patty to -select her motor car, for some details of equipment and upholstery were -left to her choice. As the car had been built especially for the Prize -Contest, it was a beautiful specimen of the finisher’s art. It was a -Stanhope, of graceful design and fine lines. The body was Royal Blue, -with cushions of broadcloth of the same colour. - -Patty was informed she could have any other colour if she wished, but -she said the blue suited her best. - -There was a top which could be put up or down at will, wide -skirt-protecting mudguards, and a full equipment of all necessary -paraphernalia, such as storm-apron, odometer, and a complete set of -tools. - -Patty had carried with her her flower vase and clock, and the man in -charge agreed to have them fastened in place. The flower vase, he said, -was unusual on a Stanhope, but, when Patty said it _must_ be attached -somewhere, he promised to have it done. - -The steering gear was a bar, fitted with a hand grip, and both this and -the controller were exceedingly simple and easily operated. - -The demonstrator offered to give Patty a driving lesson then and there, -but Mr. Fairfield preferred that she should be taught by himself, or his -experienced chauffeur, the trusty Miller. - -Of course, the men in charge of the salesroom where the car was on -exhibition were greatly interested in seeing Patty, because she was the -winner of the contest. One young man stepped forward with a camera, and -asked the privilege of taking a picture of Patty seated in her own car. - -But this Mr. Fairfield would not allow, and, after making the necessary -arrangements about shipping the motor to Spring Beach, he took Patty -away. - -“Isn’t it fun, father?” she exclaimed, as she went off with him, her -hands full of descriptive catalogues and circulars, telling of the -marvellous superiority of the Rhodes and Geer cars over all competitors. - -“It’s lots more interesting than if you had just bought a car and given -it to me.” - -“And lots less expensive, too,” said Mr. Fairfield, smiling. “Why, -Patty, girl, that whole affair, as it stands, is worth nearly three -thousand dollars.” - -“Goodness gracious! Is it really? I had no idea they were so expensive! -Why, your big car didn’t cost much more than that, did it?” - -“But, you see, this Stanhope of yours is a special car, in every way, -and all its fittings and accessories are of the most up-to-date and -extravagant type. You must do all you can for the company, by praising -it to your friends. I don’t think you can do any more than that to -further their interests.” - -“Oh, I don’t feel under any obligation to the company. It was a business -enterprise on their part. They offered a prize and I won it. Now we’re -quits. Of course, I shall praise the car to my friends, but only because -it’s such a beauty, and not because I feel that I owe anything to the -company.” - -“You are rather a logical young woman, after all, Patty. Sometimes you -seem a feather-headed butterfly, and then again you appear to have sound -sense.” - -“A ‘feather-headed butterfly’ sounds pretty, I think. I guess I’ll be -that, mostly.” - -“You won’t have to try very hard,” remarked her father. - -“But sometimes I have spells of being very serious: for instance, wasn’t -I serious when I tried so hard to earn fifteen dollars in one week?” - -“Yes, serious enough; but it was largely your stubborn determination to -succeed.” - -“Well, that’s a good trait to have, then. It’s what Mr. Hepworth calls -steadfastness of purpose.” - -“Yes; they’re about the same thing. And I’m glad you have it; it’s what -won the car for you.” - -“That, and my helpful friends.” - -“Oh, the helpful friends were incidental, like text-books or -cyclopædias. I truly congratulate you, Patty, girl, on your real success -in this instance. But I also ask of you not to go into anything of such -a public nature again, without consulting me first.” - -“All right, Father Fairfield, I promise.” - -And then they were at home again, and the luncheon hour was enlivened by -Patty’s descriptions to Nan of her wonderful new toy. - -“Are you going to give it a name, Patty?” Nan asked, after hearing of -its glories. - -“Yes; but not until after I’ve used it. I can’t tell, you see, just what -sort of a name it needs until I try it. And, Nan, let’s do a little -shopping this afternoon. I want a new motor-coat, and a few other -trifles, to live up to the appearance of that thing of beauty.” - -The shopping was done, some marvellous motor-apparel was purchased, and -then, the next day, the departure from New York was made. - -They reached “The Pebbles” in mid-afternoon, and the ocean and sky were -a glowing mass of blue and white and gold. - -Nan’s well-trained servants had the house open and ready for them, and -Patty flew up the steps and into the great hall with a whoop of delight. - -“Isn’t it great, Nan! Isn’t it fine! More fun than travelling abroad or -touristing through Sunny It.! For, you see, this is our own home and we -own it!” - -“Patty, your enthusiasm will wear you out some day. Do take it more -quietly.” - -“Can’t do it! I’m of a nervous temperament and exuberant disposition, -and I have to express my thinks!” - -The big hall was in reality a living-room. It extended straight through -the house, with wide doors at either end. It had alcoves with cushioned -seats, a huge fireplace, deep-seated windows, and from one side a broad -staircase curved upward, with a landing and balcony halfway. - -The wicker furniture was well-chosen and picturesque, besides being very -comfortable and inviting. - -“Just as soon as I can get a few things flung around, it will be -perfect,” announced Patty. “At present, it’s too everlastingly -cleared-up-looking.” - -She tossed on a table the magazines she had bought on the train, and -flung her long veil over a chair back. - -“There, you see!” she said. “Watch that veil flutter in the -seabreeze,—our own seabreeze, coming in at our own front door, and then -tell me if ‘The Pebbles’ is a success!” - -“Yes; and, unless you shut that door, you’ll have a most successful cold -in your head,” observed her father. “It’s May, to be sure, but it -doesn’t seem to be very thoroughly May, as yet.” - -So Patty shut the door, and then, opening the piano, she sang “Home, -Sweet Home,” and then some gayer songs to express her enthusiasm. - -Her own rooms, Patty concluded, were the gem of the house. From her -balcony, on which she proposed to sleep, she had not only a wide view of -the sea, but an attractive panorama of the beautiful estates along the -shore. A hammock was slung between two of the pillars, and, throwing -herself into this, with an Indian blanket over her, Patty swayed gently -back and forth, and indulged in daydreams of the coming summer. An hour -later, Nan found her still there. - -“Come to tea, Patty,” she said; “we’re having it indoors, as the wind is -rising.” - -“Yes, it’s breezing up quite some;” and Patty looked out at the waves, -now so darkly blue as to be almost black. - -She followed Nan downstairs to the hall, and looked approvingly at the -tea-table, set out near the blazing wood-fire. - -“Lovely!” she cried. “I believe I am chilly, after all. But the air is -fine. Buttered muffins, oh, goody! Father, the table bills will be a lot -bigger down here than in the city.” - -“I daresay; but I won’t begrudge them, if you will put some more flesh -on that willowy frame of yours. You’re not strong, Patty, and I want you -to devote this summer to building yourself up physically. No study, not -much reading, no ‘Puzzle Contest’ work. Just rest, and exercise -moderately, and spend most of your time out-of-doors.” - -“Why, daddy dear, your plans and specifications exactly suit me! How -strange that our ideas should be the same on this subject! You see, with -my new Stanhope, I’ll be out-of-doors all day, and, as I propose to -sleep in the open, I’ll be out-of-doors all night. Can I do more?” - -“I’m not sure about this sleeping outside. You must never do it on damp -or foggy nights.” - -“Now, father, the sanitariums advise it for everybody—every night. -Well, I’ll agree not to sleep out in a thunderstorm, for I’m scared to -death of them.” - -“And you mustn’t begin it yet, anyway. It’s too cold. Wait until June, -and then we’ll see about it.” - -“All right, I’ll agree to that. Why, somebody’s coming up the front -walk! Nan, here comes our first caller. Wow! She’s a dasher!” - -In a few moments, Jane, the new parlour maid, admitted the visitor, and -she came in with a self-important flutter. - -“How do you do?” she said, cordially. “I’m Miss Galbraith,—Mona -Galbraith, your next-door neighbour. At least, we live in the house with -red chimneys, two blocks down, but there’s no house between us.” - -“How do you do, Miss Galbraith,” said Nan, rising to greet the guest, -and followed by the others. - -“You see,” went on the young woman, volubly, after she had accepted the -seat offered by Mr. Fairfield, “I thought I’d just run right in, -informally, for you might feel a bit lonesome or homesick this first -day. So many people do.” - -“No,” said Patty, smiling, “we’re not lonesome or homesick, but it was -nice of you to come to see us in this neighbourly fashion. Have a -muffin, won’t you?” - -“Indeed, I will; what delicious muffins! Did you bring your servants -with you?” - -“Some of them,” said Nan. “We’re simple people, and haven’t a large -retinue.” - -“Well, we have,” said Miss Galbraith. “And I’m at the head of the whole -bunch. Just father and I; we live alone, you know. Will you come to see -us? Come to dinner, soon, won’t you?” - -“We’ll see about it,” said Nan, who scarcely knew how to take this -self-possessed and somewhat forward young person. - -Miss Galbraith wore a costume of embroidered white linen, but the -embroidery was too elaborate, and the style of the gown rather extreme. -She wore a long gold chain, with what Patty afterward called half a peck -of “junk” dangling from it. There were a lorgnette, a purse, a cardcase, -a pencil, a vinaigrette, a well-filled key-ring, and several other -trifles, all attached to the chain, and Miss Galbraith played with the -trinkets incessantly. - -“I hope we’ll be real good friends,” she said, earnestly, to Patty. “I -want an intimate friend awfully, and I like your looks.” - -As Patty couldn’t honestly return the compliment, she said nothing in -reply. Miss Galbraith’s personal appearance was comely, and yet it was -not of the type with which Patty was accustomed to be friendly. Her -sandy hair was too much curled and puffed, piled too high on her head, -and held with too many jewelled pins; while her rather large hands -showed too many rings for a young girl. - -Her high-heeled, white shoes were too tight for her, and her easy -attitudes and frank speech were too informal for a first call on -strangers. - -“Of course, we shall be friends,” said Nan, with just enough absence of -enthusiasm in her tones to convey to a sensitive mind her reservations. - -But Miss Galbraith hadn’t a sensitive mind. - -“Dear Mrs. Fairfield,” she said, effusively, “how good you are! I see -you have the neighbourly instinct. Isn’t it nice that we’ll all be down -here together for the whole summer? Do you swim, Miss Fairfield? and do -you love to dance?” - -“Yes,” began Patty, “but——” - -As she hesitated, Mr. Fairfield came to his daughter’s rescue. - -“To be frank, Miss Galbraith,” he said, “I am trying to keep my daughter -rather quiet this summer. I want her to exercise only moderately, and I -must positively forbid much dancing, and late hours, and all that sort -of thing.” - -“Oh, that’s all right,” returned the visitor; “nobody keeps very late -hours at Spring Beach. Well, I must run away now,—and I give you fair -warning! If you don’t come and return my call soon, I’ll come straight -over here and return it myself!” - -She shook a playful finger at Patty, and, after voluble leave-takings, -she went away, tripping down the walk with the satisfied air of one who -has accomplished her object. - -“Well!” said Patty, with an air of utter exasperation. - -“_Well!_” exclaimed Nan. - -Mr. Fairfield smiled grimly. - -“It’s our own fault,” he said. “We should have enquired as to the -character of the neighbours before we bought the house.” - -“How soon can you sell it, father?” asked Patty. “One more visitation -like that would give me nervous prostration! Mona! Mona, indeed! I never -saw a Mona before, but I might have known they were like that.” - -“But can’t you really stay here?” asked Mr. Fairfield, in alarm. - -“Nonsense, daddy, of course we can! Do you think I’d let myself be -dispossessed by a mere Mona? No, sir; Nan and I can manage her.” - -“I don’t quite see how,” said Nan, thoughtfully. “She’s that impossible -sort. Oblivious to manner, impervious to hints. Patty, she’s dreadful!” - -“Of course she is, Sweet Nancy. She isn’t our sort. But I’ll attend to -her. I don’t know how, just yet, but I’ll find out. She’s a problem to -be coped with, a difficulty to be overcome. But did you ever see such a -gown? There was just enough embroidery on it for three self-respecting -frocks. And her hair! Looked like the wax ladies’ coiffures in the -hair-store windows!” - -“Don’t make rude personal remarks, Patty, girl.” - -“Oh, father, as if one could be rude to an object like that! Well, -people dear, let’s put her out of our minds and hearts for the rest of -to-day, anyway. I won’t have the birthday of ‘The Pebbles’ spoiled by a -slight incident like that. Forget it!” - -And so the impossible Miss Galbraith was voluntarily ignored. - - - - - CHAPTER VIII - - - SWIFT CAMILLA - - -At last the car came. Patty was in a flutter of joyous expectation, and, -as Miller came whirring up the drive in it, the whole family assembled -on the veranda to admire it. - -“Isn’t it a beauty, Nan! Oh, isn’t it?” Patty exclaimed, as the sunlight -flashed gold sparkles on the shining paint. - -“It is, indeed, Patty. I never saw such a pretty one. Are you sure you -can run it?” - -“Oh, yes! I know how already. You just stick in a key and turn it, and -grab the brake-handle, and take hold of the steering bar, and push and -pull whenever you think you ought to.” - -“Not very technical language,” said Mr. Fairfield, smiling, “but I think -you understand the operation. Jump in, Puss; I’m going with you for your -first spin.” - -But, though Mr. Fairfield was an interested spectator, Patty manipulated -the car all by herself, and seemed to know intuitively a great many of -the minor details. - -“There’s only one trouble, dad,” she said, as they went spinning along -the smooth, hard road, “I can’t take you and Nan with me both at once.” - -“Never mind, girlie; when we feel as sociable as that, we’ll go in the -big car. Now, Patty, let me see you change the speed.” - -Then followed a careful lesson, in speed changing, stopping suddenly, -turning, going backward, and all the various emergencies that occur in -driving. - -“You certainly are a born motorist, Patty,” said her father, at last. -“You are unusually clever and quick-witted about knowing what to do, and -doing it swiftly and cleanly. Hesitation in motoring often means -trouble.” - -“It’s because I love it, father. I’d rather motor than go driving or -boating or even flying. Aren’t you glad I don’t want an aëroplane, -daddy?” - -“You wouldn’t get it, if you did. Not even if you earned it yourself, as -you did this car. Now, Patty, turn around and let’s go home.” - -Skilfully, Patty turned around, and they sped on their homeward way. - -“Some things you must promise me, Patty,” said her father, seriously, as -they drew near the house. “Never start out without knowing pretty -definitely how long it will take you, and when you’ll return. Never go -without being sure you have enough current for the trip. Of course, -Miller will look after this for you, but I want you to understand it -thoroughly yourself.” - -“Yes, I want to learn all about the working parts, and how to repair -them, if necessary.” - -“That will come later. Learn to run it perfectly, first. And, too, I -want you to promise never to start anywhere so late that there’s even a -possibility of your being out after dark. I wouldn’t let you go out -alone, or with a girl friend, in the city, but down here you may do so, -if you never travel except by daylight. You understand, Patty?” - -“Yes, father, and I promise. As you know, I only want to go on little, -short drives, two or three hours, usually.” - -“Very well. I trust you not to do anything of which I would disapprove. -You’re a good girl, Patty; at least, you mean to be. But sometimes your -enthusiasms and inclinations run away with you, and you have no sense of -moderation.” - -“H’m,” said Patty, smiling; “now I’ve been lectured enough for one -lesson, father dear. Save the rest for another day, and watch me whiz up -this drive to the house like an expert.” - -She did so, and Nan, awaiting them, exclaimed with pride at Patty’s -skilful driving. - -“Your turn now, Nan,” the girl called out; then, mindful of her promise, -she looked at her watch. “It’s just three,” she said. “Let’s go over to -the Arbutus Inn Tea Room, have a cup of tea, and get back home before -six? How’s that, father?” - -“That’s all right, my good little girl. I don’t believe you’ll have any -trouble running it, do you?” - -“No, indeed! It’s as easy as pie! I just love to run it.” - -Soon Nan was ready, and the two started off in great glee. - -“I can hardly believe you really have the car, Patty; didn’t you learn -to run it very quickly?” - -“Well, you see, I have driven cars before. Big ones, I mean. And this is -different, but so much simpler, that it’s no trouble at all. Oh! Nan, -isn’t the scenery gorgeous?” - -Gorgeous wasn’t at all the right word, but a tamer one would not have -suited Patty’s mood. They were rolling along the coast: on one side the -ocean; on the other, an ever-changing panorama of seashore settlements -with their hotels and cottages, interspersed with stretches of fine -woods, or broad, level vistas with distant horizons. - -“It’s beautiful, Patty. We’ll have a lovely time this summer.” - -“Yes; don’t let’s have too much company. I’d like to have Christine down -for a few weeks, and of course Elise will make us a visit; but I don’t -want that horde of boys.” - -“Why not?” asked Nan, in amazement, for Patty greatly enjoyed the boys’ -calls in New York. - -“Oh, I don’t know! It’s so quiet and peaceful, just with us; and, if -they come, they’ll stir up picnics and dances and all sorts of things.” - -“I know what’s the matter with you, Patty,” said Nan, laughing; “you’ve -got automobile fever! You just want to ride and ride in this pretty car -of yours, along these good roads, and just give yourself up to indolent -enjoyment of it.” - -“That’s just it! How did you know, Nan?” - -“Oh, everybody feels that way when they first own a car. I’ve often -noticed it. Sometimes they want to ride entirely alone, and just revel -in automobility.” - -“Gracious, Nan! What a word! Well, I might want to go all alone once in -a while; but usually I want some one to rave about it all with me.” - -“Well, I’m ready to rave at any time. Isn’t that the Inn, off there to -the right?” - -“Yes, so it is. How quickly we’ve come! Nan, there’s a line of poetry in -my mind, and I can’t think of it.” - -“Oh, what a catastrophe! Is it the only line you know?” - -“Don’t be silly. But, truly, I do want to think of it, for it’s about -the name of this car.” - -“Perhaps a cup of tea will quicken your wits.” - -“Perhaps. Well, we’ll try. Jump out, Nan; here we are.” - -By a clever little contrivance, Patty could lock her car, and so feel -sure it would not be tampered with. In a country place, like this -somewhat primitive roadhouse where they now were, this was a decided -satisfaction. - -The Tea Room, though small, was dainty and attractive. It was kept by -two pleasant-faced spinsters, and, though their clientèle was not large, -they sometimes served guests at several tables. - -“Only a little after four,” said Patty, looking at her watch. “We can -stay till five, Nan, and then get home by six.” - -“All right,” returned Nan, who was walking along the narrow garden -paths, admiring the old-fashioned flowers and tiny box borders. - -Patty went into the little Inn, ordered tea and hot waffles and cakes, -and then returned to Nan. - -“It’s a dear little place,” she said. “I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never -been here before. Tea will be ready in twenty minutes.” - -When served, the little repast was delightful. Old-time silver and -old-fashioned china made it all seem quaint and interesting. - -They dawdled over their tea, sometimes chatting, sometimes sitting -silent. It was a bit of good fortune that these two were so congenial, -for, Fate having thrown them together, they were much in each other’s -company. As there was but six years’ difference in their ages, their -relation was far more like sisters than like mother and daughter. And, -though Nan never dictated to Patty, she taught her much by example, and, -at the same time, she herself learned some things from her stepdaughter. - -“S’pect we’d better move on, Nannie,” said Patty, at last, as it was -nearly five. “I’ll pay the reckoning for this feast, and then we’ll -start. Oh, it has just come to me!” - -“What has?” - -“That line of poetry that I couldn’t think of! This is it, ‘When swift -Camilla scours the plain.’” - -“Well, what of it?” - -“Why, it’s the name for my car! Swift Camilla! See?” - -“A pretty name enough. But is she swift?” - -“I’ll speed her going home, and just show you!” - -“Patty, don’t you dare! You know I’m only going to motor with you if you -go with great moderation.” - -“All right; I won’t scare you. But that’s her name, all the same.” - -Soon the Swift Camilla was once more skimming along the country roads. -Patty went only at moderate speed, for she had no wish to frighten Nan, -and, too, she had promised her father to be very careful. - -They were about halfway home, when Patty saw a cow in the road ahead. - -“I wish that old cow would get out of the way,” she said. “A cow has no -business to be in the middle of the road like that.” - -She slowed down, and the car crawled along behind the cow, but the -indifferent animal paid no heed to the motor or the horn, and ambled -along in mild indifference. - -“Oh, get out of the way!” cried Patty, exasperatedly. Then, more -coaxingly, “Please, cow, nice cow, do get out of the way.” - -This brought no response, and Patty grew angry again. - -“Shoo! Cow! Shoo! Get out of the road! If you don’t, I’ll—I’ll——” But -she could think of no direful deed that would affect the cow, so she -paused. Then she resorted to sarcasm: “A nice sort of cow you are, -anyway! Alone and unattended on a country road! Why, anybody might -kidnap you! Where’s your cow-herd, or whatever you call him?” - -“Patty, don’t be silly,” said Nan, choking with laughter. “Get out and -chase the cow away. Hit her with a stick, or something. Throw a little -stone at her,—just a very little one. Don’t hurt her!” - -Patty’s eyes grew round with horror. - -“Why, Nan Fairfield, I’m more afraid of that cow than of all the -automobiles in the world! I’m _terribly_ afraid of cows! I’m more afraid -of cows than of _anything_, except a mouse! But a mouse wouldn’t block -up the road so dreadfully. Nan, you get out and chase the cow.” - -“No,—no,” said Nan, shuddering. “I’m afraid of cows, too. Patty, I’ll -tell you what! Steer _around_ the cow!” - -“Just the thing! I believe there’s just about room enough. If she’ll -only stay in the middle, now. Which side do you think there’s more room, -Nan?” - -“On the right. Go round her on the right.” - -There was plenty of room, and Patty steered carefully out toward the -right, and passed the cow safely enough. - -“Hurrah!” she cried, but she hurrahed a trifle too soon. - -As she directed her car back to the hard road, she discovered that she -had sidetracked into a very sandy place. The front wheels of her car -were all right, but the hind wheels were stuck in the sand,—one but a -little, the other deeply. - -“Put on more speed!” cried Nan. “Hurry, before it sinks in deeper!” - -Patty put on more speed, which, contrary to her intent, made the hind -wheels sink lower and lower in the soft sand. The car had stopped, and -no effort of Patty’s could start it. - -She looked at Nan with a comical smile. - -“Adventure No. 1!” she said. “Oh, Nan, we can’t get home by six! Indeed, -I don’t see how we can ever get home.” - -“Are you frightened, Patty?” - -“No; there’s nothing to be frightened about. But I’m—well, hopping mad -just about expresses my feelings! You see, Nan, it’s like a quicksand; -the more we struggle to get out, the deeper we get in.” - -“H’m; what are you going to do?” - -“Just plain nothing, my lady; for the simple reason that there’s nothing -to do.” - -“And do you propose to sit here all night?” - -“That’s as Fate wills it! Do you suppose father will come to look for -us,—say, along toward midnight?” - -“Patty, don’t be a goose! Fred will be scared to death!” - -“Because I’m a goose? Oh, no! he knows I am, already. But, Nan, I’ve an -idea. If I were only strong enough,—or if you were,—we could lift out -one of those fence rails, and stick it in the sand in front of that -deepest wheel, and get her out.” - -“Patty, how clever you are! How do you know that?” - -“Oh, I know it well enough. My general gumption tells me it. But,—we’re -neither of us strong enough to boost it out of the fence and under the -wheel in the right way.” - -“But we might do it together.” - -“We might try. Come on, Nan, let’s make the effort. Bother that old cow, -anyway! But for her, we’d be almost home now.” - -They got out of the car, and, with plucky effort, tried to dislodge a -fence rail. But it was a fairly new and a well-made fence, and the rails -would not come out easily. They tried one after another, but with no -success. - -“Well, Nan, here’s my only solution to this perplexing situation. We -can’t sit here and let father lose his mind worrying about it, and -thinking we’re ground under our own chariot wheels. So one of us must -stay here with the car, and the other walk home and tell him about it.” - -“Walk home! Why, Patty, it must be five miles!” - -“I daresay it is, and I’d just as lieve walk it, but I hate to leave you -here alone. So you can take your choice, and I’ll take the other.” - -“But, Patty, that’s absurd! Why not let one of us walk to some nearby -house and ask for help?” - -“Capital idea, but where’s the nearby house? There’s none in sight.” - -“No, but there must be one nearer than home.” - -“Yes; and, when you go trailing off to look for it, you’ll get lost. -Better go straight home, Nan.” - -“And leave you here alone? I won’t do it!” - -“Then there seems to be a deadlock. Oh, hey! Hi! Mister!! I say! -Whoo-oo-ee!” - -Nan turned, frightened at Patty’s hullabaloo, to see a man just -disappearing round a fork in the road. He had not seen them, and, unless -Patty’s quick eyes had spied him, and her sudden call had reached his -ears, he would have been gone in a moment. As it was, he turned, stared -at them, and then came slowly over to them. He was a rough, but not -unkindly-looking fellow, probably a farm labourer, and apparently a -foreigner. He spoke no English, but Patty made him understand by -gestures what she wanted him to do. A look of admiration came into his -stolid eyes, at the idea of Patty knowing enough to use the fence rail, -and his powerful strength soon removed a rail, and placed it endwise -under the wheel of the captive car. Another was placed under the other -hind wheel, and, after much endeavour and slipping and coaxing, the car -was once again freed from the sand, and stood proudly on the hard road. - -Patty thanked the man prettily, and, though he couldn’t understand a -word, he understood her grateful smiles. More clearly, perhaps, he -understood a banknote, which she drew from her purse and gave him, and, -with a grateful, if uncouth bow of his awkward head, he trudged away. - -Patty started her car, and soon, at a good rate of speed, they were -flying along in the gathering dusk. - - - - - CHAPTER IX - - - MONA AT HOME - - -When they reached home it was really after dark, and Patty was prepared -for an expected reproof. But Mr. Fairfield came out smilingly to meet -them. - -“Accident No. 1?” he asked. “What was it? Power gave out, punctured -tire, or misjudged distance?” - -“None of those,” cried Patty, gaily; “but it was a real accident, and a -real unavoidable and unforeseeable one!” - -“Oh, of course!” chaffed her father; “accidents are always unavoidable, -and never the fault of the person driving!” - -“I’m glad you’ve learned that,” said Patty, saucily, “for, if you have -that theory firmly fixed in your mind, you have learned the main -principle of motor adventures!” - -And then the three sat down on the veranda, and Patty and Nan detailed -the whole experience to Mr. Fairfield. - -“You were certainly in no way to blame, Patty,” he said, heartily, “for, -of course, you’ve had no experience with sand, and had no reason to -suspect that the wheels would sink. But you’ve learned the lesson, and -now that particular trouble is not likely to occur again, for you will -remember to stick to the hard roads.” - -“But, you see, the particular trouble was really the cow, and, of -course, she’s likely to occur again at any time.” - -“Then the only remedy that I can suggest is to have a cow-catcher built -on the front of your car.” - -“No; I’m not going to spoil the perfect lines of my beautiful Camilla by -any unsightly device. You see, father, the lines of that car are simply -perfect. I know this, because it says so in the booklet the company gave -me. And it speaks quite highly of the car’s various points, and -accessories, and really goes so far as to state that it is superior to -any other car in the market! And the longer I use it, the more fully I -agree with the booklet.” - -“I’m glad your long experience justifies the company’s claims. Have you -named the car Camilla?” - -“Yes, because she scours the plain; don’t you remember how swift Camilla -scoured the plain?” - -“Yes, I remember, but it seems a more appropriate name for some patent -cleaning powder.” - -“Nonsense, daddy! Have you no poetry or romance in your soul? Swift -Camilla is a lovely name for my car, and I mean to scour the plain for -miles around. Come on, Nan, let’s go and tidy up for dinner. It’s -getting late.” - -“It is so,” said her father, “and, though I sha’n’t be too severe with -you this time, I must mildly repeat that I want you hereafter to get -home from your scouring expeditions before dark.” - -“Sure!” cried Patty, gaily, blowing him a kiss from the tips of her -fingers as she ran away. - - * * * * * - -The days flew by, and, as the weather was almost always fine, Patty went -scouring with Camilla every day. Sometimes she took Nan, sometimes her -father, and sometimes she went all alone for short drives up and down -the coast. She had no trouble with the car’s mechanism, for it was -really of superior make, and its management was simple. But one -afternoon, when she asked Nan to go for a little spin, Nan replied: “I -will later, Patty, but first I think we ought to go and call on Miss -Galbraith. It is more than a week since she was here, and, in common -courtesy, we ought to return her call.” - -“But I don’t like her, and I don’t want to go to see her,” declared -Patty, a little petulantly. - -“Don’t act like an infant! Your not liking her has nothing to do with -the case. We’ve had other calls down here, and we’ve returned them -properly; now this is a social duty that must be attended to, so come -along.” - -“Oh, Nan, you go without me! Make excuses for me, can’t you?” - -“No, I can’t; and I won’t! So go and put on a pretty frock and come -right along. We needn’t stay long, and we can go for a short motor ride -after.” - -So Patty went away to dress, for she realised that she must go, however -unwillingly. She put on a pretty calling costume of white serge, with -black velvet collar and cuffs, and a large black hat. - -“You look lovely,” said Nan, as Patty joined her in the hall. - -“Yes, I like this frock,” said Patty, “but I’m sure Miss Galbraith -won’t; you know, her taste runs to more elaborate costumes.” - -“Oh, well, you can’t expect to suit everybody! Come along.” - -Nan herself was in pale-grey cloth, with hat to match, and the two -strolled along the short distance to “Red Chimneys,” which they had -learned was the name of the Galbraith home. - -They turned in at the entrance gate, and saw a large and massive stone -house, with many red chimneys. It was a handsome building, but -over-ornate in its architecture and decoration. - -“Looks exactly like Mona,” said Patty, as they drew near. “It’s just a -mass of heavy embroidery!” - -A footman answered their ring, and, taking their cards on his silver -tray, ushered them into a drawing-room, and departed. - -There was a rather long interval before Miss Galbraith appeared, and -Patty fidgeted. The golden hours of her afternoon were slipping away, -and she was impatient to go out with Camilla. - -But presently Mona Galbraith came downstairs, and greeted them -effusively. As she had been when they saw her before, she was -overdressed and over-jewelled. She wore a house dress of blue satin, but -so befrilled and bedecked with jabots of lace that it was not only -unbeautiful, but no way did it resemble the accepted fashion of the day. -An expensive and complicated necklace of turquoises surmounted the blue -satin, and large-headed pins of the same blue stone adorned the piled-up -masses of hair. - -Patty’s secret impulse was one of regret that a fairly pretty girl could -make such a dowdy of herself, and she resolved, if ever they became -sufficiently well acquainted, she would try to tone down Miss -Galbraith’s frantic wardrobe. - -“I’m so glad to see you,” their hostess said, “and, if you hadn’t come -to-day, I was going straight over to your house to tell you what I -thought of you! Oh, you naughty people, to keep me waiting so long! Why -didn’t you come sooner?” - -“Oh there’s been much to do,” said Nan, “fitting ourselves into our new -home; and, too, I think we’re fairly prompt returning your call.” - -“Oh, we mustn’t make calls and return calls; that’s too formal. We’re -neighbours, you know, and we must just run in and out without ceremony. -Don’t you think so, Miss Fairfield? Or, mayn’t I call you Patty? Please -let me.” - -Patty was good-natured and kind-hearted, but she began to think that -Miss Galbraith’s unwelcomed familiarity must be checked. - -“Isn’t it a little soon for first names, Miss Galbraith?” she asked, -with a merry smile that took the rudeness from her question. “I like to -win my friendships by degrees, and not jump into them suddenly.” - -But Miss Galbraith was not so easily baffled. “Oh, are you like that?” -she said. “Now I’m just the opposite! I know at once if I like anybody, -and I do like you, and so I’m going to call you Patty. Of course, if -you’re so cautious about making friends, you’ll have to adopt me more -slowly. But I’ll warrant it won’t be long before you’ll call me Mona in -spite of yourself. And you, too, Mrs. Fairfield,” she added, turning to -Nan. - -Patty gasped, for she almost thought the forward girl was going to call -Nan by her first name, but Mona did not go quite so far as that. - -“You have a beautiful home here,” said Nan, in order to change the -subject. “Have you lived here long?” - -“This is the fourth summer,” said Mona; “my father built it, and he said -he didn’t care what it cost, if only it was the most expensive house at -Spring Beach.” - -“I fancy he achieved his desire,” said Nan, politely. - -“Oh, yes, indeed! There’s no other house been put up yet that cost -nearly as much, and I don’t believe there will be.” - -“Probably not,” said Patty. “But it seems large for only two of you.” - -“Yes, but we have a great many servants; and, then, we like to have -company. We invite a great deal of company, though they don’t always -come. It’s strange how few people enjoy the seashore.” - -Patty privately thought that there might be other reasons for the -guests’ refusals than a dislike for the seashore, but she only said, -“Yes, I like to have company, too; but I’m never lonely, even if I’m -entirely alone.” - -“Yes, I can see that’s your disposition,—sunshiny and sweet always. Oh, -I’m so glad you’ve come to Spring Beach! I’ve wanted just such a -friend.” - -As Patty said afterward, she felt herself being drawn into a net, from -which there seemed to be no escape. But she determined to make one more -effort. - -“I don’t want to seem ungrateful,” she said, “but, to tell the truth, -I’m not very sociable.” Then, like a flash, she realised that this was -not true, and endeavoured to amend it. “I mean,” she went on, “in the -summer time, when I’m away from home. That is,—don’t you know,—I think -one likes a sort of vacation from society during the summer; don’t you?” - -“Oh, yes! But, of course, the social doings down here are not like those -in the city. I’m not much in society down here, myself; so we can have -real good times with each other, and give society the go-by.” - -Patty gave up in despair. She couldn’t make this girl understand that -she did not desire her intimate friendship, without being positively -rude; and, though of an independent nature, Patty was always unwilling -to hurt the feelings of others. - -But very soon Nan rose to take leave, and the call was over. - -“What can I do?” exclaimed Patty, as they were safely out of hearing -distance of “Red Chimneys.” “That girl is the limit! She’ll be over to -our house all the time, if I don’t do something to stop her!” - -“Oh, don’t take it too seriously!” advised Nan. “Sometimes these -troubles that loom up so darkly fade away of themselves.” - -“She won’t fade away,” declared Patty; “Mona is no fader! But some day I -shall take her out in my motor car, way, way out beyond civilisation, -and come back without her!” - -“That’s a splendid plan!” said Nan, approvingly; “practical, sensible, -and easily carried out!” - -“Yes, isn’t it,” said Patty, grinning. And then they were at “The -Pebbles” again, and were soon arrayed in their motor toggery, and -starting away in the Swift Camilla. - -“Which way?” asked Patty, as she grasped the steering bar. - -“Straight along the coast,” answered Nan; “the ocean is so beautiful -to-day, I don’t want to get out of sight of it.” - -“All right, here we go;” and Patty headed the car south along the line, -continuous shore drive. - -“Nan,” she observed, as they flew along, “do you happen to know of any -remarkable, important, and very-much-to-be-celebrated day that is going -to occur soon?” - -“Day?” repeated Nan, looking blank,—so exceedingly blank that it seemed -an assumed expression. - -“Yes, day! _A_ day,—_one_ day,—an _especial_ day! Do try to think. It -may occur next week!” - -“Let me see,” said Nan, in a deeply thoughtful tone, “this is May,—so -you can’t mean Washington’s Birthday or Lincoln’s Birthday.” - -“No! nor Christmas Day, nor St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning! But, all -the same, it’s one of the most important dates in the annals of Time, -and I’ll give you one more chance to save your reputation by guessing -what it is, before I tell you.” - -“Well, of course I have no idea when it occurs, but, if I’m merely -guessing, I’ll guess that you refer to Mona Galbraith’s birthday.” - -“Oh, Nan! you are too exasperating! Another speech like that and I’ll -put you out of this car and let you walk home! Now the occasion to which -I refer, and which you know well enough, only you think it’s roguish to -pretend you don’t, is the birthday of one Miss Patricia Fairfield! a -clever and charming young girl, who will on that day achieve the dignity -of being nineteen years old!” - -“Why, sure enough, it _will_ be your birthday soon, won’t it?” exclaimed -Nan, in affected surprise, which by no means deceived Patty. - -“Yes, and what are you going to do about it?” - -“Well, you ask me so suddenly, I scarce know what to say! What do you -want done?” - -“Well, you ask me suddenly, too, but I know exactly what to say! I want -a celebration of the event.” - -“Oh, you do! brass band, and torch-light parade?” - -“Not exactly that, but something just as good. I want a -house-party,—quite a large one,—to come the day before the birthday, -and stay several days after, and celebrate all the time.” - -“You’re so modest in your demands, Patty! Why don’t you have something -really worth while?” - -“Don’t be sarcastic, Nan; you’re too pretty to say such things! Now take -a deep interest in my plans, won’t you, and help me decide things?” - -“All right, Patty, I will, indeed. But I thought you didn’t want company -down here, especially the boys, because you wanted to enjoy your -scouring the plain, all alone.” - -“Well, I did feel that way for a time, but I’m getting over it. Anyway, -I want to try having company, and, if I don’t like it, I’ll try solitude -again. Now you see, Nan, my birthday is next week, Thursday. I’d like to -ask the people to come Wednesday, and then stay over the weekend.” - -“All right, Patty, I’ll do all I can to make it pleasant for you. But, -you know, we have only four guest rooms. How big did you mean your house -party to be?” - -“Well, of course the two Farringtons and Christine and Kenneth would be -about all we could accommodate. Then I thought, if Mr. Hepworth and Mr. -Van Reypen cared to come, they could stay at the hotel.” - -“It doesn’t seem very hospitable to invite them that way,” said Nan, -demurring. - -“Then they’ll have to stay home,” said Patty, cheerfully, “for, as you -say, we have only the four rooms to give them. I thought our house was -large, but it doesn’t seem so when you begin to invite guests.” - -“Well, we’ll see about it,” said Nan. - - - - - CHAPTER X - - - THE COURTESY OF THE ROAD - - -That evening they discussed the project with Mr. Fairfield. - -“I heartily approve of the plan,” he said. “It’s time we had some young -life down here to stir Patty up. She’s getting too sentimental from -gazing at the sea and sky. And I think it will be quite all right to -invite two of the men to lodge at the hotel. They can come over here for -all their meals, and so they will practically be part of the house -party. But, Patty, are you sure you want this house party for several -days? You may find it more of a burden than you think, to entertain -guests so long.” - -“Oh, they’re not formal guests; it’s just a young people’s frolic. We’ll -go motoring and swimming and picnicking just as we like. But, of course, -on my birthday I shall have a party,—a real party.” - -“You don’t know enough people down here to make an evening party,” said -Nan. - -“Oh, well, I know several,” said Patty; “and if we have eight or ten in -the house, and get eight or ten more from among the Spring Beach -cottagers, that will be enough for a small dance.” - -“And there’s Mona,” put in her father, mischievously. - -“Oh, _Mona_! I’m not going to ask _her_!” - -“Why, Patty,” said Nan, “you’ll have to ask her,—your very next -neighbour!” - -“No, I won’t have to, either! I’m not going to spoil my whole birthday -just because she happens to live next-door to me!” - -“Patty,” said her father, “I think you must be a little more generous in -your attitude toward that girl. You may not like her altogether, but you -must be kind and polite to her, because, in a country place like this, -we do owe a certain duty to our neighbours such as is never recognised -in New York. And I want you to grow up an unselfish, generous woman, who -would sacrifice her own feelings to those of her neighbour.” - -“Of course you’re right, father, and I will try to conquer my dislike -for that girl. But you know what she is.” - -“Yes, I know what she is; she is uncongenial, and her manner irritates -you. But there must be some good in her, Patty, and suppose you set -yourself to work to find it.” - -“All right, daddy, I’ll go you; but won’t you please let me wait until -after my birthday is over?” - -“No, child; I quite agree with Nan that you must invite Miss Mona to -your party: that is, if you invite other cottagers. If you have only -your own house party, of course you needn’t ask her.” - -“Well, then, I won’t ever ask her over here while the house party is on, -except the night of my birthday, when I have the dance.” - -“It may not be necessary to invite her,” said Nan, smiling; “she’ll very -likely invite herself.” - -“Well, we’ll hope she won’t,” said Patty, with a little sigh. “Now I’ll -write to the others to-night, and I hope they can all come. I think they -all will, unless maybe Christine will think she cannot leave her work. -But I’ll urge her to come for a few days, anyway.” - -Patty went off to the library to write her notes, and so interested did -she become in her party, and her plans for her birthday celebration, -that she quite forgot her unpleasant and unwelcome neighbour. Nor did -she think of her again until the next afternoon, when, as she swung in a -hammock on the front veranda, she saw Mona Galbraith come walking up the -drive. - -“Here you are, Patty,” called out the hearty and irrepressible voice of -her neighbour; “I hoped I’d find you at home. I felt sort of lonely, and -I said to myself I’ll just run over to Patty’s, and perhaps, if I ask -her very prettily, she’ll give me a ride in that little gem of a motor -car that she runs so well.” - -Patty arose from the hammock, politely hiding her annoyance at Mona’s -arrival, and said: “How do you do, Miss Galbraith? Sit down, won’t you? -I’m not sure that I’m going to have the car out this afternoon.” - -“Oh, that’s all right; never mind. Don’t get it out purposely for me. -I’ll sit here and chat this afternoon, and we can take the ride -to-morrow.” - -So Patty saw at once that she must either take her visitor motoring that -afternoon, or merely defer the occasion, in which case she would have -her on her hands for the rest of the afternoon, anyway. Of the two evils -she concluded to choose the less. And she also concluded that, as her -father had requested, she would be pleasant to this girl, and try to -find some likable qualities in her. - -So it was with a shade more cordiality that she said: “Oh, yes, we can -just as well go this afternoon as any other! It’s a good day, except -that there’s a pretty stiff breeze blowing. Are you dressed to go?” - -“Oh, yes, this gown is all right, and you can lend me a hood and cloak -or something. Haven’t you extra ones?” - -“Yes, of course,” said Patty, wondering if this girl had no idea of -social formalities. “But perhaps she never had anybody to teach her -things,” thought Patty, who, now that she was trying to be -generous-minded toward Mona, found it easier than she had thought. - -Patty rang for Miller, and ordered the car; then she asked Mona to come -into the house, that she might fit her out with proper wraps. It was a -warm, pleasant day, so a dust cloak of Nan’s, and a silk hood belonging -to that same amiable lady, were borrowed for Miss Galbraith’s use. - -“Of course I have all these things at home,” she said, as she tied the -ribbons under her chin; and Patty wanted to say, “Why don’t you go and -get them, then?” but she well knew it was because of Mona’s unwarranted -feeling of intimacy in the Fairfield household that she borrowed their -wraps instead of going for her own. - -This whole principle was foreign to Patty’s nature. Systematic and -methodical herself, she always used her own belongings, and never would -have dreamed of borrowing those of another, unless through sheer -necessity. - -“There’s one thing,” she thought to herself, “if I give her this ride -and get it over with, she may keep away while those other people are -here. I must be careful not to let her know they are coming.” - -The car was at the door and they were soon started. Patty determined to -be kind and pleasant to her guest, but to avoid personalities, and to -say nothing which could be construed as an invitation to further -acquaintance. - -One point she conceded, however, and concluded to call Miss Galbraith by -her first name. This she did, only because Mona persisted in calling her -Patty, and it sounded so purposely stilted and ungracious to persist in -saying Miss Galbraith. - -Patty asked her guest to choose the road they should take, and was -surprised to find that Mona knew of a great many lovely drives which -Patty had not yet discovered. Though, of course, it was not surprising, -as Mona had spent four summers at Spring Beach, and it was Patty’s first -one. - -Mona chose a route called the Blue Lake Drive, which took them through a -lovely stretch of pine woods, and out into an orchard-dotted country, -the goal being a small and very blue lake. On the shore was a tiny Tea -House, which proved a pleasant resting-place for a half-hour. - -The girls sat sipping tea and eating crumpets, and Patty began to think -that Mona was not nearly as unlikable as she had thought. Her -shortcomings were more those of an impulsive and untrained nature than -any more serious faults. She was well educated and well read, and Patty -found that they had many favourite books and authors in common. But she -was pushing, and she continually asserted her intention of being Patty’s -intimate friend, until Patty lost her patience and broke out, rather -sharply. - -“Look here, Mona,” she said, “I like you, or at least I think I’m going -to like you, but I won’t be pushed or pulled into a friendship so -suddenly. You don’t know me at all, but once in a while I have a way of -speaking my mind right straight out, and I tell you frankly that, if you -want to be friends with me, you’ll upset the whole kettle of fish by -rushing it too hard!” - -Mona looked utterly amazed. “What are you talking about?” she said. “Do -you call me pushing?” - -“I do that!” declared Patty; “just exactly that! and you know it as well -as I do! I shouldn’t talk to anybody like this on such short -acquaintance, but you brought it on yourself, and, if you want to get -angry, you may!” - -“Angry!” echoed Mona. “Why, I like you all the better for such -straightforward talk! I’m sorry I seem pushing, but,—well,—‘you -brought it on yourself’!” - -Patty had to laugh at this, for it was really a subtle compliment to her -own attractiveness. Also, she decided she could do little by scolding -Mona. So she began to talk of other things, leaving the question of -friendship to be settled some other time. - -Soon they started homeward again, for, as Patty explained to her guest, -she was under promise to get home before dark. - -“How beautifully your car runs,” said Mona, as they skimmed smoothly -along. “Do you never have an accident?” - -“Nothing of any account,” returned Patty, and then she told Mona of the -day when her wheels got stuck in the sand. “But I have never had -anything more serious than that,” she went on, “and I hope I never -shall. Have you never run a car yourself?” - -“No, it never occurred to me to do so. We have several cars, of course, -and lots of chauffeurs and grooms, but only since I’ve seen you in your -car have I thought of driving one myself. But I’m going to; I’ve already -asked father to get me one exactly like this.” - -“Will he do it?” - -“Of course; he gets me anything I want. And when I get it, Patty, we can -go out together in our two cars. Won’t that be fun?” - -“H’m, h’m!” murmured Patty, who wasn’t overjoyed at the proposition. -“Gracious! what’s the matter?” - -“Oh, my! what _is_ the matter? Did something burst?” - -“It did so,” said Patty, cheerfully; “the inner tube of this front wheel -has burst, and now, if you want to see a successful imitation of a young -lady mending her own motor car, just watch me while I get out my little -kit of tools, and put my reserve tube in place of this burst one.” - -“Can you do it yourself?” enquired Mona, with a look of surprised -admiration. “I didn’t know a girl could do things like that!” - -“This girl can,” returned Patty, opening her tool-box with a capable -air. But the next moment her capable air completely vanished, and she -turned to Mona with a comical expression of dismay. “What do you think?” -she said. “I’m always so careful to have my car and my tools and my -accessories all in perfect order, and now see what’s happened! I had -this same experience the other day. The inner tube burst, and I put in -my reserve tube and then I put the burst tube away in my kit, and here -it is yet. I utterly forgot to have it replaced by a new one!” - -“Oh, then the reserve tube that you want to put in is as burst as that -one you have just taken out!” - -“You’ve struck it right! that’s the situation. Now what’s the solution? -There isn’t any answer!” - -“Then, what do we do?” asked Mona, looking scared. - -“Oh, we just sit here,” said Patty, returning to her seat in the -runabout. “It isn’t a question of doing anything, because we can’t do -anything. We can sit here, or we can walk home. Or, rather, you can walk -home, if you want to. I sha’n’t leave my car, if I sit here all night.” - -“And I sha’n’t leave you, if we sit here all night! But if I can walk -anywhere, and get assistance for you, I’ll gladly do so.” - -“Mona, you’re a good deal of a trump,” said Patty, looking into the -girl’s earnest face; “but I don’t know of any place you could get -assistance nearer than home, and that’s ten miles away. You see, Mona, -when motor cars do break down, they invariably choose a place far away -from any garage or repair shop. The farther away it is, the better the -car likes it. Can’t you hear Camilla chuckling at our discomfiture?” - -“How can you joke, Patty? I think it’s awful! What can we do?” - -“We can’t do anything, but, if we’re patient, some one may come along -who can help us. You know, there’s a certain courtesy of the road among -motorists that makes them help each other whenever they can. At least, -this courtesy is said to exist, but I’ve never seen much of it, myself. -However, I’ve had very few occasions to desire it. Now we’ll sit and -wait for courtesy.” - -Nor did they wait long. Very soon a good-sized motor came by, and the -polite driver of it stopped and asked the girls if he could be of any -assistance. - -Patty liked his quiet, courteous manner, and she explained her -difficulty. - -But the man, though willing, was unable to help her, for his tires were -not the same size as those on Patty’s ear. He would have been glad, he -said, to tow her car, but he was going in the other direction. So Patty -thanked him for his interest in the matter, and he went on his way. - -“Now, you see,” observed Patty, “that there _is_ a courtesy of the road. -I’ve no doubt some more courtesy will come along soon, and we’ll get -fixed up somehow.” - -But courtesy seemed to be scant that afternoon, for half a dozen cars, -both large and small, whizzed past them apparently without noticing -their plight. - -At last, however, a man came by alone in a small electric runabout, not -unlike Patty’s own. - -“Hi! there!” he called out, “you in trouble?” - -Patty did not like his mode of address, nor did she like the looks of -the man himself. And even though she greatly desired his help, and felt -sure that he might have a reserve inner tube which would fit her tire, -she hesitated to ask him for it, as she so distrusted and disliked his -general appearance. He looked good-natured, but he did not look to be a -man of refinement. But while she hesitated, Mona, greatly to Patty’s -surprise, took the situation in hand, and called back to the man: “Yes, -we’re in a dreadful fix! Can’t you help us out?” - -“You bet I can!” cried the man, and, springing from his own car, he came -over to Patty’s side. - -“What’s wrong, little one?” he said, looking boldly into Patty’s face. - -Patty was thoroughly annoyed at his manner, but now that things had gone -so far, of course she must carry it through. Sitting up very straight, -and assuming an air of severe dignity, she said: “The inner tube of a -front wheel has burst, and I have no good one with which to replace it. -If you have one you could spare, I should be glad to have it, and I will -send you a duplicate one, if you will give me your address, or my father -will send you a cheque for the price of it.” - -The man looked at Patty and smiled. “You needn’t be so crusty about it,” -he said; “the other young miss ain’t so crusty.” - -Patty was becoming a little frightened. The man was so easy-mannered, -and, though she felt sure she could manage all right by herself, she had -a fear that Mona might say something foolish at any moment. - -“I don’t mean to be crusty,” said Patty, smiling pleasantly, but without -friendliness. “I’m simply asking the courtesy of the road from a -fellow-motorist, and I feel sure, if you can, you will give it to me.” - -The man backed away a little and looked at Patty with unmistakable -admiration. “Well, I just guess I will!” he replied, and went straight -to his own tool-box for implements. - -Patty took this opportunity to whisper to Mona, “Don’t you say another -word to him! You mustn’t speak to strangers so familiarly. You came near -making serious trouble for us!” - -Now Mona was of such a peculiar disposition that, instead of realising -the truth of Patty’s words, she became incensed at the idea of being -scolded, and made no reply, save to pout her lips and assume a very -angry expression of countenance. - -The man returned from his own car, and in a short time had inserted a -new inner tube, and Camilla was in perfect order for a fresh start. - -“I thank you very much,” said Patty, with a calm, gracious politeness; -“and, if you’ll give me your card, or your address, my father will send -you a cheque for the tire, and a note of thanks for your kindness to his -daughter.” - -“’Taint worth mentioning,” said the man, looking a little sheepish -before Patty’s courteous dignity; “and I haven’t a card, but here’s my -name, and I’ll be glad to hear from your father, miss.” - -He scribbled on a bit of paper and gave the address to Patty, who put it -in her cardcase, and, bowing civilly to the man, she started her car and -drove swiftly away. - - - - - CHAPTER XI - - - THE FIRST ARRIVALS - - -“Mona,” said Patty, severely, as they drove along, “you ought to know -better than to talk to a strange man in that familiar way! He wasn’t a -nice man at all.” - -“Well, he helped us out of our difficulty.” - -“Yes, and he’ll be paid for it. But there was no occasion to talk to him -as you would to an acquaintance.” - -“Oh, I’m not so awful stuck-up as all that!” - -“It isn’t a question of stuck-upness! Or, if you do call it that, it was -just the time to be stuck-up. Proper civility is all very well, but you -needn’t be chummy with a stranger. And I give you fair warning, Mona, -that, if you want to be friends with me, you must never do that sort of -thing again.” - -“I do want to be friends with you, Patty, and I think I see what you -mean now, but I didn’t think I was doing any harm. I’m glad to have you -scold me, Patty, for I do want to do what’s right. You see, I never had -much bringing-up. My mother died when I was a little girl, and since -then father has indulged me in everything I wanted, but I’ve really had -none of what you may call social training.” - -Patty was amazed at the sudden humility of the girl whom she had -considered arrogant and self-satisfied. She began to think that she -might do a good work in teaching Mona some things of which she seemed to -have no idea, but which came to Patty by instinct. - -“My mother died when I was very little, too,” she said; “but I think my -father brought me up as well as any woman could have done. And, then, I -have the dearest stepmother. She’s just the perfection of all that’s -sweet and gentle and refined.” - -“You’re a lucky girl, Patty, and I envy you.” - -“Now, that’s silly! You’re a lucky girl to have such an indulgent -father, and oceans of money, and freedom to do exactly as you choose. -Why, you have all sorts of possibilities, Mona. You could make yourself -anything you want to.” - -“Will you help me, Patty?” - -“Why, yes, as far as I can.” Though Patty felt kindly disposed toward -the girl, and wanted to help her, she didn’t care to take the entire -responsibility of shaping her future, and she knew Mona’s pushing spirit -would demand this, if given a chance. So she dropped the subject for the -present, and they chatted gaily of all sorts of things. And, when at -last Patty set Mona down at her own door, she had not mentioned the -subject of her birthday, or said that she was expecting a house party of -young people to visit her. - -On reaching her own home, Patty related to her father and Nan the -experience she had had. - -“You did exactly right, Patty, girl,” said her father, “and I will send -the man a cheque for the tube, and a letter of thanks for his kindness -to my daughter, just as you told him I would do. I’m surprised that Mona -should have acted as she did, for I supposed any young girl of the -present day would know better than to speak familiarly to a stranger.” - -“It wasn’t so much what she said, father, as her gay and easy manner, -and the way she smiled at him. She showed no reserve or dignity.” - -“Yes, I understand, and I am glad you reproved her. You may do her some -good, Patty, by your influence and example.” - -Patty sighed a little. “I’m willing to help her, but I don’t want to -take the whole burden of her social education on my shoulders.” - -“Patty,” laughed Nan, “don’t take it so seriously. You’re not employed -as nursery governess at ‘Red Chimneys’ yet, and the few occasions when -you have opportunity to drop a good seed on Mona Galbraith’s thorny -soil, it won’t hurt you a bit to do it.” - -“Hurray for Nan!” cried Patty; “she always hits the nail on the head and -rings the bull’s-eye! Well, anyway, I didn’t tell Mona about my -birthday, or that I expect company.” - -“It wasn’t really necessary,” said Nan, drily; “she’ll probably be over -here a good deal of the time, anyway.” - -“Not if I see her first!” retorted Patty, though she knew in her heart, -if Mona chose to come, she couldn’t help herself. - -“Well,” said her father, “now that we’ve all denounced Mona -sufficiently, I’ll express my opinion of Miss Patricia Fairfield. Any -little girl who pretends to keep her motor accessories in order, and -then blithely rides away with an old burst tube in her repair kit, is, -to my mind, as I’ve had occasion to tell her before, a feather-headed -butterfly!” - -“Oh, don’t call me such dreadful names!” pleaded Patty, wringing her -hands in mock despair. “Do let me down more easily than that! I’ve never -done such a thing before, and I’m perfectly certain I never shall -again!” - -“I don’t believe you ever will,” returned her father, kindly, and he -said no more about what was really somewhat culpable carelessness. - - * * * * * - -The next day the guests arrived. It was Wednesday, and the birthday was -on Thursday. - -Elise and Roger were due at three o’clock. Mr. Hepworth was to bring -Christine down a little later, and they were expected at five; while -Kenneth and Mr. Van Reypen could not reach Spring Beach until seven. - -So, a little before three, Patty started in her car to go to the station -to meet the Farringtons. As Elise and Roger stepped off the train, they -saw her sitting smiling at them, and they made a rush for the Stanhope. - -“What a ducky little motor!” cried Elise. “Oh, Patty, it’s the prettiest -one I ever saw! and it’s so becoming to you! Shall I get in?” - -“Yes,” answered Patty, as she gaily greeted them both. “I’ll take you -over to the house, Elise, but I can’t take you both. Roger, if you don’t -mind, will you go in that stage vehicle, and I’ll give you a ride in my -car some other time.” - -“Yes, of course, Patty; and I’ll look after the luggage. You two girls -go on, and I’ll see you later. Where do I go to, Patty?” - -“Oh, just tell the driver to take you to Mr. Fairfield’s house. He knows -where it is. We call it ‘The Pebbles,’ but he may not know it by that -name. But you’ll get there, somehow.” - -“Oh, I’ll get there!” declared Roger, and, with laughing good-byes, the -two girls drove away. - -“Don’t you love your car, Patty?” asked Elise, as they went swiftly -along. - -“Yes, I do, Elise. I love it almost as I would a human being. I’ve never -told any one this, because it seems sort of silly. But sometimes, when -I’m out alone in it, I talk to it just as I would to a person, and she -seems to understand. I’ve named her the Swift Camilla, and somehow -Camilla seems to understand everything I say to her, and she almost -talks back. Then, when I take other people with me, Camilla likes or -dislikes them. If she dislikes them, she shows it by not running quite -so smoothly. She jumps and balks and shies, for no reason at all, except -petulance. Isn’t that so, Camilla?” and Patty patted the side of the car -with a caressing gesture. - -“Does she like me?” asked Elise, anxiously. - -“Yes, indeed! Don’t you see she’s flying along like a bird! She knows -you understand her, Elise, and you don’t think she’s merely an inanimate -object.” - -“Inanimate object! No, indeed! With her pulses thrilling and her -sensitive nature alive to every passing incident, she’s far from -inanimate!” - -Patty looked at Elise in surprise. “Why, girlie,” she said, “I didn’t -know you had so much imagination in your make-up.” - -“I’ve always felt that way about motor cars, Patty. Our great big car is -lumberly and fat, and a little bit stolid of disposition; but father has -a little runabout that’s the nervousest thing you ever saw. But this -Stanhope! Well, I’ve simply got to have one like it, that’s all! -Father’ll give it to me in a minute, if I only could persuade mother to -let me run it alone. But I’m ’most sure she never will.” - -“This car of mine seems to sell others for the company,” said Patty, -laughing. “There’s a girl down here, next door to me, who says she’s -going to get one, too. And I know the boys will all fall in love with -this little beauty!” - -“Meaning the car or the girl next door?” asked Elise, smiling. - -“Oh, the car! The girl next door isn’t a little beauty! Well, that is, I -suppose she is good-looking in her own way, but——” - -“But you don’t like her, isn’t that it?” and Elise smiled at her own -intuition. - -“No, I don’t like her,” declared Patty, honestly; “but I’m trying to. -I’ll tell you all about it some other time, and, anyway, you’ll probably -see her for yourself while you’re here. This is her home we’re passing -now.” - -“Gorgeous place,” said Elise, as she looked at the imposing “Red -Chimneys.” “But I like this next place better. This big white house is -lovely.” - -“Good for you, Elise! This is ‘The Pebbles,’ and your own destination.” - -Patty turned into the drive, and stopped at the broad steps of the front -veranda. Nan was there to welcome them, and the two girls sprang out as -Miller appeared to take the car away. - -“Roger will be here soon!” exclaimed Patty, while Nan greeted Elise -warmly. “He’s coming over in the stage, and he’ll bring the luggage. -Come on, Elise, I’ll show you your room.” - -The two girls went off, and Patty took Elise to one of the pretty guest -rooms. They stayed there chatting until Elise’s trunk came, and then -Patty declared she must run down and entertain Roger, while Elise -unpacked her things. - -She found the boy still on the front veranda talking to Nan, with whom -he was a great favourite. Indeed, all Patty’s boy friends were -favourites with Nan, and she was so charming and attractive herself that -they all liked to chat with her. - -Kenneth Harper she looked upon as her especial protégé, for he was alone -in the city; and Mr. Hepworth, of course, was one of her old friends. - -As for Philip Van Reypen, Nan had liked him from the first, and they had -established a very chummy acquaintance. So, on the whole, the house -party bade fair to be a great success, and Nan expected to enjoy its fun -almost as much as Patty herself. - -“You’re getting brown, Patty,” said Roger, looking admiringly at the -tanned face. - -“Yes, it’s outdoorsiness as does it! I swim and walk, and play tennis -and go motoring all day long, and I sleep on a veranda at night.” - -“So you get tanned by the moon as well as by the sun,” said Roger. -“Well, it’s very becoming, and you look a whole lot healthier than you -did in the city.” - -“Yes, I am. Come on out and see my car, Roger, and I’ll give you a -little spin, if you like. Elise is unpacking her finery and won’t miss -us.” - -Like every one else, Roger was enthusiastic in his praise of the -wonderful car, and gladly accepted Patty’s invitation to go for a short -ride. He complimented Patty on her skilful driving, and they went for -some distance along the coast road. - -“Let me drive back,” said Roger, as they turned homeward, and so they -changed seats for the return trip. - -“Beautiful car!” he repeated; “and perfect mechanism. Patty, I -congratulate you on winning the thing, and it’s wonderful to think you -did win it all yourself!” - -“Oh, I had a lot of help, you know!” - -“Well, it was your own enterprise, and you worked pretty hard yourself.” - -“Yes, I did;” and Patty smiled at the recollection. “I sat up nights -with those hundred questions, and lots of times I thought I should -fail.” - -“But still you persevered. That’s where you’re such a brick, Patty. If -you set your heart on anything, you never give up.” - -“Well, I’m glad I persevered this time, anyway, for this car is a -perfect joy to me. I suppose father would have given me one, if I had -asked for it, but somehow it never occurred to me that I wanted one. I -had no idea I’d love it as I do.” - -“Oh, they’re great things, and I’m jolly glad you’ve got this one. -You’ll enjoy it more every day you own it. Now here we are at ‘The -Pebbles.’ Do you want to turn in?” - -“Yes; and I’m going to turn you out. Then I’m going to take the car and -go back to the station to meet Christine. She’s coming down with Mr. -Hepworth.” - -“Let me go over with you, then I can give Christine my place, and I’ll -tote old Hepworth over here.” - -“All right; but I must see Elise before I go, and tell her where I’m -going.” - -To Patty’s surprise, Elise seemed a little annoyed to learn that she was -going to the train for Christine. Patty had almost forgotten the foolish -jealousy that Elise had of her own friendship with Christine. But, as -always, she thought the best way to treat it was to ignore it; she -simply repeated her statement. “Yes, Elise,” she said, “I’m going over -to the station to bring Christine home with me. Mr. Hepworth will come -over in the stage. He’s going to stay at the hotel, anyway; we haven’t -room for him here. But, of course, he’ll be over here most of the time. -Roger is going over with me, and then he’ll get out, and give Christine -his place, and he’ll come back with Mr. Hepworth. What will you do while -I’m gone? Will you dress for dinner, or will you take a little rest?” - -They were in Elise’s room, and her pretty gowns and other finery were -lying about, as she had unpacked them. - -“Oh, it doesn’t matter about me,” she said, ungraciously; “you go on and -meet your friend Christine, and I’ll look after myself.” - -“Elise, stop being a goose!” cried Patty, grasping her by the shoulders -and kissing her on both cheeks. “If you talk like that, you’ll spoil my -whole house party and my birthday and everything! Now, you’re my friend, -and Christine is my friend, and you two girls have simply got to be -friends with each other; so make your mind up to that! If you say -another snippy word on the subject, I’ll go and lock myself in my own -room, and stay there until you go home!” - -Elise laughed, for she was always a little ashamed of herself after an -exhibition of her petty jealousy, and Patty knew that she wouldn’t -repeat the offence, for the present at least. - -“You ring for Louise,” Patty went on, “to help you put away these pretty -frocks and things, and then you make yourself at home, and do just what -you want to until I come back with Christine. And then, milady, you will -be just as sweet and charming to Christine as you can possibly be! Catch -on?” - -“Yes,” said Elise, smiling, and Patty kissed her again and ran away. - - - - - CHAPTER XII - - - A MOONLIGHT RIDE - - -Patty seemed a little quiet as she and Roger drove to the station, for -she was thinking how foolish Elise was, and what a lot of trouble she -could stir up, if she chose to indulge in that stupid jealousy of -Christine. If Christine had been more able to resent it, and take her -own part, it would not have been so bad, but she was so sensitive to the -slightest coldness, and so afraid of seeming to impose on Patty’s -friendship, that it made the situation a little difficult. - -But Roger’s gay banter revived Patty’s drooping spirits, and, when they -reached the station, they were in a gale of laughter over some joking -nonsense. - -The train soon arrived, and they saw Christine and Mr. Hepworth step -down on to the station platform. - -Roger met them, and conducted them to Patty. Then there were more -compliments and congratulations on the new car, and soon Christine was -tucked in beside Patty, and the two men waved them farewell. - -“How are you, Christine?” asked Patty, looking anxiously at the girl’s -pale cheeks. - -“Oh, I’m all right. A little tired, but a day or two down here will set -me up wonderfully, I know.” - -“A day or two! You must stay a week, at least.” - -“No, I can’t possibly, Patty. My work is very important just now, and I -must go back day after to-morrow.” - -“We’ll see about that;” and Patty wagged her head, positively. “And look -here, Christine, while I have you by yourself, I want to tell you -something. Elise Farrington is here, you know, and she has a silly -notion of some sort that makes her resent my friendship for you. Now I -want to ask you, as a special favour to me, not to pay any attention to -her foolishness. If she snubs you right out, I’ll attend to her case -myself; but, if she just flings little bits of hateful allusions at you, -don’t mind them, will you, dear?” - -“I can’t help it, Patty. Unkind speeches shrivel me all up somehow; I -just can’t stand them!” - -“Well, stand them for my sake, please. You know _I_ can’t help it, and, -if I had thought you wouldn’t have a good time, I wouldn’t have asked -you here when Elise is here. But, you see, it’s my birthday house party, -and I want all of my dearest friends with me.” - -“And you count me among them? Oh, Patty, how good you are to me! Truly, -I will try not to be foolishly sensitive, and I promise not to notice -anything Elise may do or say, if I can possibly help it.” - -“That’s a good girl,” said Patty, giving Christine’s arm a little -squeeze. “But isn’t it funny, Christine, that I have these little petty -troubles among my girl friends, and never among my boy friends. The boys -are all so nice to me, and they never get jealous of each other or -anything silly like that. But you see this place we’re just passing? -It’s called ‘Red Chimneys,’ and I have a girl friend in there,—at -least, she’s an acquaintance,—who makes me a lot of trouble, too.” - -“I don’t make you trouble, Patty, do I?” - -“Well, of course, it’s mostly Elise’s fault, but, if you’ll just ignore -it, and stand up for your own rights, you can help me a whole lot.” - -“I will, Patty; indeed, I will!” said Christine, earnestly, and then -they arrived at “The Pebbles.” - -Dinner that night was a gay and jolly feast. It was the eve of the -birthday, and the house party had already assumed an air of festivity. - -Mr. Van Reypen and Kenneth Harper had come down later than the others, -and Philip Van Reypen had established himself at the hotel where Mr. -Hepworth was, while Kenneth was a house guest at “The Pebbles.” - -But the men from the hotel came over to dinner, and announced their -intention of staying as late as they would be allowed. - -Also, to Patty’s dismay, Mona Galbraith had come over just before -dinner, and, as she was still there when dinner was announced, Nan felt -herself really obliged to ask the girl to dine with them. - -Patty didn’t like it at all, but there was no help for it, and so Mona -stayed. She looked very pretty that night, and was not quite so -overdressed as usual. Moreover, she made herself bright and -entertaining, without showing any of her less desirable traits of -character. - -Seated between Roger and Mr. Van Reypen, she ingratiated herself with -both, and, when Patty saw that the boys seemed to like Mona, she felt -rather glad she was there. - -After dinner they all drifted out to the verandas, and, as it was a -moonlight night and high breakers were dashing in on the beach, there -was the usual chorus of admiration for the glories of the seashore. - -There was much gay chatter and laughter, there was some desultory -singing of songs, and at last Elise jumped up, saying: “I just can’t -stand it any longer! I simply _must_ go down to the beach! Will anybody -go with me?” - -“I will,” said Kenneth, gallantly. “I was just thinking about that -myself. Anybody else want to go?” - -“I want to go,” said Christine, a little timidly, and Patty looked up in -surprise, at the idea of Christine wanting to go with Elise anywhere. - -But Christine was longing to get down to the water, and see the ocean -nearer by, for it was about two blocks from “The Pebbles,” though no -buildings intervened. - -“Mayn’t I go with you, Christine?” said Mr. Hepworth; and, with a glance -of gratitude, Christine said, “Yes, indeed.” - -“Come on, then,” sung out Kenneth. “All ashore that’s going! Let’s all -go.” - -But Roger said that the ocean must wait for him until next day, for he -was going over to “Red Chimneys” with Miss Galbraith, just then. - -“What for?” asked Patty, in amazement. - -“He wants to see father’s birds,” explained Mona. “You know, my father -has a really wonderful collection of stuffed birds,—and he’ll be -delighted to show them to Mr. Farrington, who says he is interested in -them.” - -“All right,” said Patty; “run along, you two. But don’t stay late, -Roger; we keep early hours down here.” - -“All right, Patty, I won’t;” and Roger walked away with Miss Galbraith, -while Patty looked after them with a puzzled glance. - -The four who wanted to walk to the beach had already started, leaving -the two senior Fairfields and Patty and Mr. Van Reypen on the veranda. - -“It’s perfectly heavenly to get away from the city, and down to this -beautiful, quiet, peaceful spot,” said Philip Van Reypen, as he seated -himself on the veranda railing, and leaned against a pillar. - -“Is your life in the city so full of strife that you welcome peace?” -asked Patty, smiling. - -“Oh, the city itself is full of strife,” returned Van Reypen; “isn’t it, -Mr. Fairfield?” - -“Yes; compared to the seashore, it certainly is. This expanse of blue -ocean is much more peaceful and calm than a scene in Wall Street, for -instance.” - -“Yes, that’s what I mean; and to get down here and just bask in the -calmness and peace is a great delight to me. It was awfully good of you -people to ask me.” - -“We like to have you here,” said Nan, smiling at the young man’s frank -and heartfelt gratitude. - -“And I think it’s good of you to come,” said Patty; “for you must have -lots of invitations to grander houses than this.” - -“My child,” said Philip Van Reypen, looking at her, gravely, “it is not -the grandeur of a house that attracts me; it’s the grandeur of the -people. And I think you people are just grand! But, tell me, how do you -like the motor car which you won by such strenuous exertion?” - -“Which you helped me to win,” said Patty. “I never could have won it -without your help. And to think you haven’t seen it! Come out to the -garage now, and take a look at it. I’ve never seen it by moonlight -myself; and I know it must look lovely.” - -Catching up a light wrap, Patty flung it around her, and, with Mr. Van -Reypen, walked around the house to the garage. The full moon was so very -bright that, when the young man opened the big doors, Patty’s car showed -as clearly and plainly as if it had been daylight. - -“Isn’t she a beauty!” said Patty, in a voice almost awestruck, for the -moonlight touched up the car with a sort of magic lustre never seen by -day. - -“She sure is!” declared young Van Reypen, with emphasis. “Wow! what -perfection of detail, and what beautiful finish! Can you run it?” - -“Can I run it? Well, rather! Why, I’ve run it hundreds of miles since -I’ve had it!” - -“Let’s get her out now, and just circle the drive once.” - -“Oh, it’s too late now! I’ll take you out in it to-morrow.” - -“Nonsense! it’s only about ten o’clock, and it’s as light as noonday. -Come on, let’s do it.” - -“All right, I don’t mind. But just around the drive; we won’t go out of -the gate.” - -“All right, then; hop in. Let me drive.” - -“But I want to show off my driving.” - -“Oh, wait until to-morrow for that, Miss Vanity. I know you drive -beautifully, but I want to see how this thing works, myself. You know I -guessed some few of those puzzles.” - -“Yes, I know you did. All right, then, you drive.” - -Philip assisted Patty in, and then took his own place and grasped the -steering-bar and the controller. - -“My, but she is a daisy! All the modern kinks in the way of mechanism!” - -They circled the driveway twice, and, when passing the veranda, Patty -turned to wave her hand to her father and Nan, she discovered they were -not there. “Why, they must have gone in!” she said, in surprise. - -“Perhaps they went down to the beach,” suggested Van Reypen. “Let’s go -and see.” - -They were near the gateway then, and, before Patty knew it, Philip had -swung the car through, and they were spinning along the shore road. - -The top of the car was down, and they had an unobstructed view of sea -and shore. The night was still, save for the pounding of the surf, and -the crested billows frothed and dashed on the white sand. The moon -touched everything with its magic, and the sea, the beach, and the -inland were alike shining with a silver glory. The smooth, hard road -stretched ahead of them like a white ribbon, and it was small wonder -that Philip Van Reypen did not stifle the impulse to send the car -spinning ahead. - -“Oh!” breathed Patty, entranced by the wonderful beauty of the night, -and the exhilaration of that swift, soundless, gliding motion through -it. - -“Isn’t it great!” whispered Philip. “Did you _ever_ know anything like -it?” - -“No, I _never_ did! It’s like being in some enchanted place! I’ve never -before been out at night.” - -“And there never was such a night as this! Are you afraid?” - -“Oh, no, not a bit! I know my car too well, and I know you are not -driving recklessly, though we are going pretty fast.” - -Philip slowed down his speed a little, and they went steadily on. - -“We oughtn’t to be doing this,” said Patty, laughing like a gleeful -child. - -“Why not?” asked her companion, in an aggrieved tone. - -“Oh, lots of reasons! For one thing, I’m a hostess.” - -“Yes, but you haven’t any guests. They’ve all scooted off by themselves -in different directions; even your father and mother deserted the -veranda, so I’m the only guest you have for the moment, and, I assure -you, I’m being very pleasantly entertained.” - -“So am I,” said Patty, demurely. “But somehow I have an uneasy feeling -that I’ll catch a scolding for this! I’m not accustomed to going out -with a young man late at night.” - -“Oh, well, I’m not very young, and it isn’t very late, so don’t bother -about that. And anyway, if you’re going to catch a scolding, you may as -well have the fun first. And it _is_ fun, isn’t it?” - -“Oh, it’s gorgeous fun! I never enjoyed anything more! But we mustn’t go -any further. We’re about three miles beyond Spring Beach now.” - -Sure enough, they had gone beyond all signs of habitation, and were on a -long, straight stretch of road, with the ocean on one side and pine -woods on the other. It was weirdly beautiful,—the dark shadows of the -pines, darker than ever by contrast with the moonlighted spaces. There -was no boardwalk here, and the sea dashed almost up to the road they -were on. - -“All right,” said Philip, in answer to Patty’s suggestion, “we will turn -around in a minute. We’ll just go to that next clump of pines, and then -we’ll turn back.” - -He lowered the speed, and they crawled slowly along toward the trees he -had indicated. - -“It’s perfect,” sighed Patty, drinking in the beauty all around her. -“I’m glad you helped me guess those questions, or I never should have -had this experience. Except for one moonlight night in Venice, I’ve -never seen anything so lovely.” - -“Then you’re glad I brought you, if it _was_ a case of kidnapping?” - -“Yes,” said Patty, while a demure smile dimpled at the corners of her -mouth. “I think I like being kidnapped. Are you going to hold me for -ransom?” - -“I’d like to, but nobody could offer a ransom big enough to get you -back!” - -“Now _that’s_ a pretty speech;” and Patty nodded her head approvingly. -“So, as there’s no ransom to be considered, please take me back to my -fond parents, for I have no doubt they’re scared to death wondering -where I am.” - - - - - CHAPTER XIII - - - PATTY’S INGENUITY - - -Philip turned the car around, and, in a few moments, they were swiftly -speeding toward home. - -“It’s awfully good of you,” he said, “to give me this little bit of your -time all to myself.” - -“I don’t think I gave it,” observed Patty, smiling; “I think you took it -when I wasn’t looking.” - -“Yes, and when no one else was looking, or I mightn’t have succeeded so -well. But it’s been a gorgeous ride, and now I’m going to take you right -back to home and mother. Do you suppose those people who went to see the -ocean are still looking at it? If so, it will be fun to drive right down -to them.” - -“Oh, don’t try it! Camilla cuts up dreadfully if she gets stuck in the -sand. It’s the one thing she won’t stand!” - -“All right, we’ll go right, straight, bang home, then. Whew! We have -come farther than I thought! We can’t see the lights of Spring Beach -yet.” - -“No; but I know where we are. It’s about three miles to Spring Beach. -Put on a good speed, and we’ll soon do it. There’s not a thing in the -road, and I’ll trust your fast driving.” - -“All right, my lady; here goes!” Van Reypen flung in the highest speed -and they fairly flew. And then, quite suddenly and without any jar or -jolt, or warning of any kind, they found themselves sitting quite still. -Camilla had stopped of her own accord, and seemed absolutely disinclined -to proceed. There was no noise and no fuss, the car simply stood -motionless. - -“What did you stop for?” asked Patty, turning an enquiring face toward -Van Reypen. - -“I didn’t stop; she stopped herself. Your friend Camilla is not in such -haste to get home as you are, and she wants to see the moonlight on the -sea once again.” - -“Nonsense! Didn’t you truly stop the car?” - -“No, truly I didn’t, and, what’s more, I can’t make it go on.” - -“Then something has happened!” - -“Right-o! How clever of you to guess that! But it’s your car, and you -know its tricks and its manners. What does it mean when she stops like -this, gently but firmly?” - -“I don’t know;” and Patty looked blankly bewildered. “She’s never done -such a thing before. Of course something must be out of order,—but I -can’t think what. The tires are all right.” - -“Yes, of course; it isn’t a puncture. But I can’t think myself what it -can be. Well, I’ll have to overhaul the engine and see what I can see.” - -Van Reypen got out and began to investigate, but he could find nothing -wrong in any part. “Has the charge given out?” he asked. - -“No, the batteries are all right. It was fully charged this morning, and -I used it very little to-day. She’s good for eighty or ninety miles -easily, and I haven’t run twenty to-day.” - -“Then, I give it up. I do know something about cars, but I’m much more -experienced with the gasoline motors. However, this is so beautifully -made, and yet so really simple of construction, that I feel I ought to -understand it. You get out, and take a look.” - -Philip held the lamp while Patty peered anxiously into the motor. - -She didn’t understand fully all the complicated parts, but she had a -fair working knowledge of its main principles, and she, too, was unable -to discover anything wrong or out of order. - -“We’re in a lovely mess,” she observed, cheerfully, as she stood looking -at Philip. - -“Yes, we’re up against it,” he rejoined, but his tone was as cheerful as -her own, and they both laughed as they looked at each other. For, given -a moonlight night, and two merry young people, it is not difficult to -look on the bright side of a motor misfortune. - -“Now,” said Patty, philosophically, “what do we do next?” - -“I’m not very familiar with this locality, but, if there were any chance -of a big car coming along, we’d ask them to tow us. The running gear of -this car is all right.” - -“Yes, and so is the steering gear. And the batteries seem to be in -perfect order. I can’t imagine what’s the matter. However, I can inform -you there’s precious little chance of any car coming along this way now. -Seashore people always go to bed early, and they never ride at night, -anyhow. No, we’ll have to walk home.” - -“And leave the car here?” - -“Yes; I hate to do it. But nobody can steal her, for she won’t go.” - -“But somebody might steal her and tow her away. That is, if a car -_should_ come along, and we weren’t here.” - -“Oh, I can’t bear to think of that! I don’t want to lose my beautiful -car! What can we do?” - -“I don’t see anything to do but to sit here in the car all night, and of -course we can’t do that. Nor can one of us go and one stay, for I -wouldn’t let you go alone, and I’m sure I wouldn’t let you stay here -alone.” - -“I think I’ll go,” said Patty, slowly. “You stay with the car, and I’ll -walk home alone. It’s only three miles, and I’m sure it’s perfectly -safe; there’s no one abroad at this time of night.” - -“Patty, I can’t let you do it;” and Philip Van Reypen looked deeply -troubled. “I can’t let you walk those three miles, alone, late at -night.” - -“But you don’t want to go and leave me here, sitting alone in a -broken-down motor car?” - -“No; I can’t do that, either.” - -“And we can’t both go,—and we can’t both stay! So it’s a dead—what do -you call those things?” - -“A deadlock?” - -“Yes, that’s what I mean. If neither of us can go, and neither of us can -stay, and we can’t both go, and we can’t both stay, isn’t that a pretty -good imitation of a deadlock?” - -“It certainly is! Now, in those lovely motor car novels that people -write, somebody would come along just in the nick of time, and fix -everything all right, and we’d all live happy ever after.” - -“Yes; but we’re not in a novel, and I’m positive nobody will come along -so late. What time is it?” - -“A little after eleven,” said Philip, looking at his watch. “Patty, I -can’t tell you how sorry I am that I got you into this scrape, and I -must figure some way to get you out! But it hasn’t come to me yet.” - -Philip’s face was a picture of despair. He suddenly realised his -responsibility in bringing Patty out here at night. It was done on a -sudden impulse, a mere frolicsome whim, and, if the car hadn’t broken -down, all would have been well. - -“Don’t take it too seriously, Philip,” said Patty, in a pleading voice, -for, now that she saw how he felt, she was sorry for him. “We’ll get out -of this somehow! But, truly, I think the only way is for me to walk home -and send father’s big car back for you and Camilla. I sha’n’t mind the -walk half as much as I should mind sitting here, and waiting while you -go.” - -“But, Patty, you can’t walk three miles in those little, high-heeled -slippers.” - -Patty looked down at her little evening shoes, with their French heels. -They were not suitable for a three-mile walk, but that was a secondary -consideration. “I _must_ go,” she said; “there is no other way.” - -“Then I’m going with you,” declared Philip, stoutly. “And, if anybody -steals that car, I’ll give you another one exactly like it! I’ll have it -built to order, with the same specifications! This whole affair is my -fault, and I’m going to get you out of it the best way I can.” - -“It isn’t your fault! I won’t have you say so, just because that stupid -old car chose the worst possible moment to break down! But, all the -same, I don’t know how I can walk three miles in these high-heeled -slippers with you any better than I could without you.” - -Philip grinned. “When you get tired, I’ll carry you,” he declared. “I -tell you I’m going to get you out of this scrape, if it takes all -summer!” - -“Well, it will, unless we start pretty soon. Come on, then.” - -“Wait a minute. Suppose I take those heels off your shoes. Couldn’t you -walk better then?” - -“Oh, fiddlesticks! I’m accustomed to high heels. I can walk in them all -right.” - -“Yes; and, first thing you know, they’ll throw you, and you’ll twist -your foot, and sprain your ankle——” - -“Well, then you _will_ have to carry me,” said Patty, laughing. “But, -before we start, do let’s try once more to make the car go. Maybe it’s -nothing but perverseness.” - -But their efforts were unavailing, and Camilla stood stock-still in the -middle of the road, as if she never intended to move again. - -“It would be like the One-Hoss-Shay,” said Patty, “only in that, you -know, every part dropped to pieces; and here nothing’s the matter with -any part.” - -“But there _must_ be something the matter,” declared Philip, who was -once again examining the batteries; “and, by jingo, Patty,—I’ve found -it!” - -“You have! What is it?” - -“Why, the battery strap has separated, that’s all!” - -“What is the battery strap? I don’t see any strap.” - -“Oh, it isn’t a leather strap; it’s this band of lead that goes around -the battery, but they call it a strap. See this crack across it?” - -“Oh, that little crack! Does that do any harm?” - -“Why, yes, of course; it completely stops the current. You see, the two -ends of the strap almost touch; if they did touch, we’d be all right. -Now, if I had a little piece of lead to connect those two parts where -they are separated, I could fix it in a jiffy! Got any lead?” - -“I don’t know. Look in the tool-box.” - -“Just a little piece of lead wire, or anything that’s lead.” - -“Try a lead pencil,” said Patty, but Philip was poking in the tool-box -and paid little attention to her mild joke. - -“There isn’t a lead thing here!” he exclaimed. “Your tool-box is too -everlastingly cleared up! Every tool in a little pocket by itself! Why -don’t you have a whole lot of old rubbishy junk; then we might find -something for an emergency?” - -“Can’t you find anything that will do?” - -“Not a thing! To think that, now we’ve found out what the trouble is, we -can’t mend it! and such an easy break to mend, if I just had a scrap of -lead. Well, we may as well make up our minds to walk.” - -“Oh, dear!” sighed Patty; “I didn’t mind walking so much when I thought -the car had really broken down. But just that little bit of a crevice in -the battery strap! Oh, can’t we mend it, somehow? Can’t you pull the -strap out longer or something?” - -“No, angel child, there’s nothing doing without some lead. After this, -always bring some lead in your pocket.” - -“But I haven’t any pocket.” - -“Ah, that explains the absence of the lead! If you had had a pocket, of -course you would have brought some lead. You’re excused.” - -“Well, next time I’ll bring lead with me, you may be sure of that.” - -“I hope you will, fair lady, and may I be here to use it! Now, shall we -start for our moonlight stroll?” - -“Wait a minute; I have a idea!” - -“Something tells me your idea is a good one!” - -“I don’t know whether it is or not. I’m afraid it isn’t. And I’m afraid -to tell you what it is, for fear you’ll laugh at me.” - -“I laugh? I, a man in charge of a broken-down motor, and a fair young -girl with French heels, and midnight drawing nearer and nearer! _I_ -laugh! Nay, nay, I’m in no laughing mood!” - -“Well, if you’ll promise not to laugh, I’ll tell you,—or, rather, I’ll -show you.” - -From a little utility case, which was tucked away under the seat of the -motor, Patty drew out a good-sized package of sweet chocolate. “I always -carry chocolate with me,” she said, “because it tastes so good when it’s -dusty.” - -“When the chocolate’s dusty?” - -“No, of course not; when the road’s dusty, and your throat’s -dusty,—chocolate’s awful good then.” - -As she talked, Patty had torn off the outer wrapper, and showed the -chocolate neatly wrapped in tinfoil. She took this off carefully, and, -tossing the chocolate aside, folded the tinfoil into a long strip, while -Philip gazed at her with dawning admiration in his eyes. - -“There’s your lead,” she said, simply, as she handed him the strip. - -“Patty, you’re a genius!” he exclaimed; “a perfect genius! How did you -_ever_ think of that?” - -“Will it do?” - -“Do? Of course it will do! It’s just the very thing. I’ll wrap it around -that separated battery strap, and we’ll be off in two minutes!” - -In really less than two minutes, Van Reypen had wound the strip of -tinfoil in its place, had jumped into the car beside Patty, who was -already in, and they were flying along at top speed. - -“How _did_ you think of it?” he asked again, as they skimmed along. “It -was terribly clever of you!” - -“Why, I knew you wanted lead, and I knew tinfoil was lead. I was stupid -not to think of it sooner.” - -“You’re a marvel to think of it at all! It was wonderful!” - -“Oh, not at all; that’s nothing to what I can do when I really try! Have -some chocolate?” - -Patty was in gay spirits now, for they were flying homeward through the -moonlight, and she was spared the three-mile walk and her beloved car -was safe in her own possession. - -“Yes, I will have some chocolate, thank you. We may as well take all the -goods the gods provide, while we can. I’m glad to get you home safely, -but I can’t honestly say that I haven’t enjoyed this whole escapade. Can -you?” - -“No,” said Patty, looking at him with a demure smile, “not _honestly_, I -can’t. But, all the same, I’m glad we could manage to ride home instead -of walk.” - -“Yes, so am I; and it’s astonishing how hungry I am! Can you spare a -little more of that chocolate?” - -“Yes, indeed;” and Patty broke off a generous bit; “but we’ll give you -some supper at ‘The Pebbles.’ I fancy they’ll be rather glad to see us!” - -“Yes,” said Philip, grinning; “and I rather fancy we’ll get a warm -reception,—and I’m not sure but we deserve it!” - - - - - CHAPTER XIV - - - A BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST - - -It was not quite twelve o’clock when the Swift Camilla swung through the -gateway of “The Pebbles,” and around the long drive to the house. As -might have been expected, the waiting group on the veranda greeted the -returned runaways with various but vociferous exclamations. - -Several of them said, “Why, Patty Fairfield!” Several others said, -“Where have you been?” - -Roger called out, cheerily: “You must have had a ripping good time! Wish -I’d been along!” - -Mr. Fairfield said only, “Patty!” and Mr. Hepworth said nothing at all, -but looked at Patty with an unmistakable expression of reproof. - -Philip Van Reypen took the brunt of the situation upon himself. He -jumped out of the car, assisted Patty out, and led her straight to her -father. - -“Mr. Fairfield,” he said, “here’s your daughter, safe and sound, I’m -happy to say. But I want you to decorate her with the Victoria Cross, or -something just as good, for to-night she has proved herself a genius,—a -wonderful genius! But for her ingenuity we should still be sitting in -her little motor car, high and dry on a moonlit beach, listening to the -wild waves. To her all the honour and glory, and, if there is any blame -attached to our little excursion, it is mine. I kidnapped your daughter, -but I fully meant to return her in ten or fifteen minutes, without -ransom. I am no villain! But, owing to an accident, we were delayed.” - -“I should think you were!” broke in Mr. Fairfield. “It is nearly -midnight, and I am——” - -“Papa,” interrupted Patty, “I know exactly what you are! You are -surprised, astounded, amazed, astonished, dumfounded, taken aback, -struck all of a heap, and completely flabbergasted! If you are anything -else, you can let me know to-morrow. Meantime, we are two heroes, who -returned with our shield, and on it, both! Incidentally we are starving, -and, if we had some supper, we could relate our experiences in fine -shape.” - -Patty’s arms were round her father’s neck, and, with a wheedlesome -expression, her eyes looked up into his, and somehow Mr. Fairfield’s -indignation melted away. - -“Patty’s quite right,” declared Nan, taking sides with the culprits. -“Let’s all go to the dining-room, and then later we’ll hear about -Patty’s heroism.” - -“Mr. Van Reypen was just as much of a hero as I,” declared Patty, as, -with her arm tucked through her father’s, she led the way to the -dining-room, where a dainty little supper had been waiting for the -return of the missing ones. - -“It really wasn’t a matter of heroics,” said Philip Van Reypen; “it was -only a simple, plain, everyday breakdown, caused by a separated battery -strap. But the glorious part of it all was Miss Fairfield’s cleverness -in finding a remedy for the trouble, when it seemed at first there was -absolutely none.” - -And then, while they ate salad and sandwiches, the interested audience -listened to a full description of the breakdown, told in Philip Van -Reypen’s most graphic style. In no way did he try to evade the blame for -the escapade; he frankly admitted that he ought not to have taken Patty -off without permission, but so winning was his frank manner, and so -gleeful his enjoyment of the whole recital, that he won the sympathy of -all present. - -“It’s all right, Philip, my boy,” declared Mr. Fairfield, heartily. “I -don’t blame you a bit for yielding to the temptation to slip out of the -gate, and of course you could not foresee that peculiar accident. And I -am proud of my girl for thinking of a way to fix the thing up! Tinfoil! -Well, well! I doubt if I should have thought of that myself!” - -Patty smiled and dimpled at the praises showered upon her from all -sides, and she caught an approving smile from Mr. Hepworth, which showed -his appreciation of what she had done. - -“But I’m very sorry to have failed in my duty as hostess,” she said, -demurely. “Did you manage to get along without me?” - -“Oh, I was here,” said Nan, gaily, “and I kept the young people in -order.” - -“We did have a lovely time, Patty,” said Elise; “the walk along the -beach was delightful; wasn’t it, Christine?” - -“Yes,” replied Christine, slowly; “I never saw anything like it. I -didn’t know there was so much beauty in the world.” - -Mr. Hepworth smiled at the rapturous expression on the face of the -Southern girl; and then he declared that it was quite time he and Mr. -Van Reypen should depart for their own domicile. - -“But you’re to come back here to-morrow morning for breakfast,” said -Nan, hospitably. “We’ll breakfast at nine, and inaugurate Patty’s -birthday, which I can assure you is going to be a pretty busy day for -all concerned.” - -“It’s lovely to have a birthday,” sighed Patty as, a few moments later, -she went up the broad staircase with her arms around Elise and -Christine, who were on either side of her. - -“And this is such a lovely continuous performance,” said Elise. “We’ve -had a lot of fun already, and the birthday isn’t really begun yet.” - -“Well, it has really begun,” said Patty, “because it’s after midnight, -and so it’s already to-morrow; but we won’t have any more celebration -until breakfast is ready. So good-night, girls, and be sure to be up on -time for my birthday breakfast.” - - * * * * * - -The girls obeyed this parting injunction, but Patty herself overslept, -and it was half-past eight in the morning when she opened her eyes to -find her two girl friends hovering over her. - -“Wake up, sleepy-head!” said Elise, pulling Patty’s curls. “I say, -Patty, how jolly it is for you to sleep out here! But don’t you almost -freeze?” - -“Oh, no, indeed! I have so much bed-covering that I sleep warm as toast; -but I love to feel the sea air blow on my face.” - -Patty’s sleeping veranda was almost like a room. Partially enclosed on -three sides, the front was open to the sea. There were broad wicker -blinds to be drawn at will, but, unless in case of a very strong sea -breeze, they were seldom drawn. - -The girls were in their kimonos, and Patty sent them flying as she -sprang up herself. - -“Go on, you two, and finish dressing; I’ll be ready before you are, -now!” - -Elise and Christine scampered away, and Patty began to dress with all -speed. And by nine o’clock she went downstairs, fresh and dainty, in a -white, embroidered muslin frock, with knots of light-blue ribbon. - -Elise and Christine also wore white _lingerie_ dresses; Elise’s being -much befrilled and adorned, while Christine’s was far more simple. But -each was suited to the type of girl who wore it, and when Nan appeared, -also in a white gown, it was a picturesque quartette that stood on the -veranda looking at the sunlit sea. - -“Here they come!” cried Elise, as Mr. Hepworth and Mr. Van Reypen -appeared round the corner. “And, Patty, see! They’re bringing presents -to you! Just look at their arms full of tissue paper!” - -Sure enough, both the men carried large parcels elaborately done up in -tissue paper and bright ribbons. They came up laughing, and with merry -birthday greetings to the queen of the occasion. - -“Breakfast is ready,” said Nan. “We were just waiting for you. Bring -those impressive-looking paper affairs with you, to the table; there’s -quite a collection there already.” - -And, indeed, there was! The whole party took their seats at the large -round table, and at Patty’s place was a veritable mountain of -white-wrapped parcels. - -“I’m overcame!” she exclaimed. “It’s quite enough to have all you lovely -people come to visit me, without having gifts besides!” - -“Do open them, Patty!” cried Elise. “I’m crazy to see what they are!” - -“Just for that I’ll open yours first, Elise,” said Patty, laughing. -“Which is it?” - -“This one,” replied Elise, touching a large parcel; “and it’s perfectly -heavenly, Patty! I did it, every stitch, myself!” - -“I did every stitch of mine, too,” murmured Roger, “if that makes a -present more acceptable.” - -Patty untied Elise’s gift, and it proved to be an embroidered muslin -hat, very frilly as to brim, and ornamented with tiny, pink-satin -rose-buds. - -“How lovely!” cried Patty. “Thank you, a thousand times, Elise. The idea -of your making those billions of stitches for poor, wuthless me!” - -“Wouldn’t you make one for me?” asked Kenneth, “if it’s a mark of such -devoted friendship?” - -“I’ll make you two,” declared Elise, with a smiling glance at him. “Put -it on, Patty; let’s see how it looks.” - -So Patty put on the pretty frilled hat, and it formed a most appropriate -frame around her golden halo of hair, and her flushed rose-leaf face. -She had never looked prettier, and everybody present gave back an -answering smile to the dancing eyes and dimpled mouth that challenged -it. - -Philip Van Reypen said, “By Jove!” under his breath, and Roger, who -overheard, murmured, “Yes, and then some!” - -Then Patty unwrapped her other gifts. Christine’s came next, and it was -a beautiful water colour of her own, in a simple, appropriate frame. - -“It’s exquisite, Christine dear,” said Patty, “and I just love it! How -you are getting on! This is a real work of art, isn’t it, Mr. Hepworth?” - -“It is truly good work,” replied Gilbert Hepworth, and the approving -glance he gave Christine brought the colour to her cheeks, and made her -drop her eyes. - -“Don’t tell her how lovely it is,” said Patty, laughing; “Christine -can’t stand praise in public. Wait till I get you alone, girlie, and -then you’ll see if I have a grateful nature!” - -“Oh, open mine next!” cried Roger. “If you’re going to take us apart and -tell us of your gratitude alone, I want to go right now!” - -“You can’t,” said Patty. “You have to be thanked right before all the -rest of the people! But this is great! You know I love these crazy -things.” - -Patty had opened Roger’s gift, and it was a grotesque bronze figure, -representing some strange Japanese god. It was fascinating in its very -ugliness, and was a really beautiful specimen of Japanese craft. - -“You’re not eating any breakfast, Patty,” said Mr. Hepworth, suddenly. -“Let me undo the next parcel, while you try some of this delicious -omelette. I can vouch for its quality.” - -“All right,” said Patty, “I _am_ starving. And as a reward of merit, Mr. -Hepworth, I’ll let you untie your own gift.” - -“Good! I love to be in the limelight! Now this is mine, and may you -enjoy it many times when I am far away.” - -Then Mr. Hepworth displayed a very beautiful and complete automobile -lunch basket, with fittings for two. It was of the finest design and -workmanship, and the appointments were of the newest and best. - -“Just what I want!” cried Patty. “Now I can go out for a whole-day -picnic. And it’s such a lovely picnic basket! Mr. Hepworth, you do think -of the loveliest things!” - -The grateful glance that Patty gave him was met by one equally friendly, -and, in order to escape drawing further attention to himself, Mr. -Hepworth quickly opened the next parcel. - -This proved to be Philip Van Reypen’s gift, and, as it was being opened, -he said: “I, too, should have liked to bring you a really worthwhile -gift; but I felt, Miss Fairfield, that I’m too much of a stranger to -indulge in anything but the conventional ‘books, candy, or flowers.’ So -I have brought you only a box of candy, but I hope you will have many -happy returns of to-day, when I shall be an old friend, and can give you -anything I choose.” - -He looked enviously at the other men present, who had known Patty so -much longer than he had; but, when his box of candy was finally released -from its wrappings, everybody exclaimed in admiration. For it was by no -means a simple box, but was really a French jewel case, whose various -compartments were lined with tufted blue satin, and, though now filled -with bonbons, were intended to hold trinkets. The outside was of French -brocade, decorated with gold filigree and tiny French flowers. -Altogether it was an exquisite piece of handicraft, and yet Mr. Van -Reypen had, after all, only presented the conventional “box of candy.” - -Nan was greatly pleased at his cleverness. She had liked Philip Van -Reypen from the first, and he had proved himself a cultured and -intelligent gentleman in every respect. - -Kenneth’s gift was a fan; a point-lace mount, with pearl sticks. He had -showed taste in the selection, and Patty was greatly pleased with it. -Indeed, she was enraptured with all her lovely gifts, and fairly bubbled -over with enthusiastic thanks. - -“This is my present, Patty,” said Nan, producing a very long box. “It -was too big to put on the table with the others, so please accept it, -with the wish that it may prove useful some day.” - -The long box contained a white-lace parasol, which was just the thing to -be carried with Patty’s pretty summer costumes. - -“Oh, Nan, what a duck you are!” she cried. “I suppose this is from you -and father both, as I don’t see anything else from him.” - -“Not so, not so, my child,” said Mr. Fairfield, taking a small box from -his pocket. “On your nineteenth birthday I want to give you a gift all -by myself.” - -He handed Patty the box, and in it was a pearl ring. It was a beautiful -pearl, and not too large for a young girl to wear. Everybody admired it, -and Patty slipped it on her finger, and then, holding her lace parasol -open above her head, she fanned herself with Kenneth’s fan. As she still -wore Elise’s embroidered hat, she made a pretty picture of a typical -summer girl. - -“You look like a girl on a calendar,” said Roger; “rather fussily gotten -up, but picturesque in a way!” - -They all laughed at Roger’s speech, which really fitted the case, and -then, breakfast being over, they gathered up Patty’s treasures and -adjourned to the hall. - - - - - CHAPTER XV - - - A MORNING SWIM - - -“Now,” said Nan, “we must lay our plans. We’re going to celebrate -Patty’s birthday, all day long; but there isn’t very much time in a day, -after all, so you must all choose what you think would be the most fun -to do. We’re going to the Country Club for luncheon, which is a motor -trip of about twenty miles. Then we’ll come back, and this evening there -will be a little dinner dance, which is, of course, the real birthday -party. Now you’ve about two hours before we start this morning. What do -you want to do?” - -“I’m for a dip in the ocean,” declared Philip Van Reypen. “Does that hit -anybody else?” - -“Me!” exclaimed Roger, and, “Me, too,” declared Elise. - -“I’d love to bathe,” said Christine, “if it isn’t too cold. Is the water -chilly, now, Patty?” - -“It is a little,” admitted Patty; “at least, it was day before -yesterday. I haven’t been in since. But to-day is a whole lot warmer. I -don’t believe it will be too cold, Christine.” - -“Let’s all go in,” proposed Elise, “and then, if it is too chilly, we -can turn around and come right out again.” - -This plan suited, and the girls ran away for their bathing suits. - -Patty’s was white, trimmed with light blue, and was exceedingly -becoming. Her gold curls were tied up in a light-blue silk handkerchief, -from which a few ringlets persisted in escaping, though she kept tucking -them back. - -“Let them hang down, Patty,” said Roger; “the salt water won’t take the -curl out!” - -“No,” said Patty, laughing, “it makes it curl tighter than ever!” - -“I envy you that,” said Christine. “I always wanted curly hair.” - -“You needn’t,” said Patty. “Your soft, sleek bands are much better -suited to your face than my corkscrews would be.” - -Mr. Hepworth laughed at this, for Patty’s curls when wet turned into -veritable corkscrews, which hung from her temples like those of an -old-fashioned belle. - -Christine’s rather plain bathing suit was of navy blue, trimmed with -white braid, but Elise was gorgeous in a suit of scarlet and black, with -her hair tied up in a red bandanna. - -Nan’s suit was entirely of black, and was both pretty and becoming; and, -as Mr. Van Reypen surveyed the group, he said: “Well, you _are_ a bunch -of naiads! You look like one of Sorolla’s pictures, except that we -haven’t any of his pumpkin-coloured light and purply-green shadows.” - -“H’m!” commented Hepworth; “much you know about Sorolla’s work, if you -express it in those terms.” - -“Well, you see I’m not an artist,” said Van Reypen, for Mr. Hepworth’s -tone was so good-natured he couldn’t feel annoyed. - -“Who can swim?” Philip went on. “I’m for a long dash out to that -farthest buoy.” - -“I can swim,” returned Patty, “but I won’t go as far out as that buoy. -I’ll swim part way.” - -“Come on, then;” and the two splashed into the breakers. Patty was a -good swimmer, and there was not much surf that morning, so she had no -trouble in keeping up with Philip for a fairly good distance. Then she -said: “Now I’m going to turn back, Mr. Van Reypen. I’ve learned by -experience that it is better to turn back while we can.” - -Van Reypen looked at her reproachfully as they swam slowly side by side. -“You called me Philip, last night,” he said. - -“I know it;” and Patty smiled roguishly; “but, you see, that was under -stress of a great emergency. I scarcely realised what I was doing,—and -I hope you’ll forgive me.” - -“I’ll forgive you only on condition that you never call me Mr. Van -Reypen again, and that you give me permission to call you Patty.” - -“Aren’t you demanding a great deal?” - -“Yes, I am, indeed; but you are so generous-minded that I have a hope of -your consent.” - -“I’ll race you to shore for it,” said Patty. “If you win, first names -go; if I win, we shall continue with the more formal names.” - -“All right; it’s an unfair advantage, but I’m going to take it. Of -course, I can beat you swimming to shore, but I’ll lag behind a little, -and let you think you’re winning, and then pass you with a grand -finish.” - -“Oh, I don’t know!” said Patty, teasingly, and then they both headed -toward shore and swam rapidly. - -As he had proposed, Philip kept a few lengths behind her, meanwhile -gasping and shouting that he was almost exhausted, and that he feared he -could never reach land. - -Patty knew this was merely joking, and that soon, with a few strong -strokes, he would pass her and come in a long distance ahead. But she -had no intention of being beaten so easily. When nearly halfway to land, -she saw Kenneth swimming toward her. As they met, she said, “Turn round -and swim with me, Ken; quick!” - -He did so, and Patty went on, talking rapidly: “I want you to do -something for me, Ken. Let me go on, and you turn and delay Mr. Van -Reypen. I don’t care what you do,—talk to him, duck him, or tease him -in any way,—but somehow or other keep him back until I reach shore, and -don’t let him know you’re doing it purposely.” - -“All right, count on me;” and Kenneth turned, and circled leisurely -around, until he came face to face with Philip Van Reypen. “Hello!” he -said. “You’re a ripping good swimmer! I want to show you a new stunt I -learned lately. Mighty few could appreciate it, as I know you can.” - -“Some other time, Harper,” hastily spoke Mr. Van Reypen. “I want to -speak to Miss Fairfield just now.” - -“Oh, she won’t mind,” said Kenneth, taking care to keep directly in Van -Reypen’s way. “You see, you start sideways and then——” - -“Oh, I say, Harper, wait till some other time! Let me pass, please. I’ll -be back in ten minutes, and glad to learn your new trick.” - -“Well, you needn’t be stuffy about it!” - -“Oh, I’m not stuffy, my boy, only——” - -“Then I’ll show you now. You see, you swim on one side;” and, before Van -Reypen realised what was happening to him, Kenneth had grasped his arm -and gently but steadily pushed him around until he was headed out to sea -again. - -At this moment Patty reached the beach, as Kenneth saw out of the corner -of his eye, and, suddenly changing his tone, he said: “By George! Van -Reypen, I believe you were in earnest! In that case, I’m sorry I -insisted. Of course, I’ll teach you the trick some other time! Go ahead, -if you want to speak to Miss Fairfield. She’s right over there.” - -Thus disarmed, Philip couldn’t answer Kenneth angrily, and, suppressing -his chagrin, he said: “All right, old chap, and thank you. We’ll go for -a swim together, to-morrow morning, and then I’ll be glad to learn your -new stunt.” - -Kenneth felt a little ashamed of his subterfuge, for he was of a frank, -honest nature. But he had done it for Patty, and he felt sure that the -whole thing was some merry jest. - -Freed from his tormentor, Van Reypen struck out swiftly for the shore, -and the next moment, throwing himself on to a big breaker, he was washed -up on the beach at Patty’s side. - -“How do you do, Mr. Van Reypen?” said that mischievous damsel, smiling -at him under her corkscrew curls. - -“It wasn’t fair!” growled Philip; “I was delayed. Harper stopped me, and -I couldn’t get away from him!” - -“Oh, that’s a pretty excuse,” chaffed Patty. “I heard you say that you -were almost exhausted and out of breath, and you _were_ puffing like a -whale!” - -“Oh, that was mere foolery! I didn’t mean a word of it! I’m not a bit -blown. I could swim for miles!” - -“That all sounds very well, but I think you’ll have to admit that I won -the race.” - -“The race is not always to the swift,—but I admit gracefully that you -did reach the beach first, and I herewith relinquish all hope of ever -being allowed the privilege I had requested.” - -“Oh, don’t give up too easily!” said Patty, though she well knew that -his speech was not made in earnest. - -“Come along, Patty!” cried Nan. “Unless you want to go motoring in a wet -bathing suit, you must scamper into some dry clothes. Come along with -us, we’re all going now.” - -The crowd of bathers dispersed, and, as there was need for expedition, -in less than a half an hour they reassembled, clad in civilian’s garb -and all ready for the picnic. - -The girls’ light frocks were covered with voluminous motor-coats, and -they all wore pretty motor-hoods or bonnets of soft-coloured silks. - -Three cars were necessary to accommodate the luncheon party, and it was -quite a gala procession that started from “The Pebbles.” - -First was Mr. Fairfield’s own big car, driven by Miller, and containing -Mr. Fairfield and Nan, Christine and Mr. Hepworth. - -This was followed by a runabout, which Mr. Fairfield had engaged for the -occasion, and which was driven by Roger. - -This car held two in front, with a small rear seat for another. Philip -Van Reypen sat next to Roger, and Elise sat alone in the small back -seat, saying she had always wanted to try such a position, but had never -before had opportunity. - -“Hang on, then, Sis,” warned Roger, as they started, “for I don’t want -to stop and run back to pick you up all the time.” - -“No danger,” said Elise, merrily; “but it is fun! I feel like an -enthroned princess.” - -“You look like one, too,” said Van Reypen, getting in beside Roger; “and -we are your two Gold-sticks in Waiting.” - -The Swift Camilla brought up the rear of the procession, and in it were -Patty and Kenneth. Kenneth had begged for this arrangement, as he said -he had not yet had a ride in Patty’s new car. - -“Neither have I,” declared Mr. Hepworth, and, after a moment’s -consideration, Patty said that she would take Kenneth half the way and -then exchange him for Mr. Hepworth. - -“And nothing could be fairer nor that,” declared Kenneth, as he accepted -his fate. - -It was a perfect day for motoring—bright, clear, and not too cool. -Spring flowers were in bloom in the gardens, and palms and shrubbery, -carefully kept, made the lawns picturesque. - -“Ideal place to spend a summer,” said Kenneth to Patty, as they flew -along, “and great roads for motoring.” - -“Yes, it is,” agreed Patty. “The others want to go to the mountains in -August, but I’m just crazy to stay here all summer. Perhaps I can -persuade them to go off by themselves, and leave me here. I could have -some one to chaperon me.” - -“Of course you could; that would be gay. I expect Aunt Rachel would -come, if you wanted her.” - -“She’s a dear old thing,—nobody I’d like better! But I haven’t dared -broach the subject yet. Don’t say anything about it.” - -“All right, I won’t. But I say, Patty, what was that deal you had on -with Van Reypen? He was awful mad when I held him up out in the water.” - -“Oh, it was nothing but foolishness!” said Patty, laughing at the -recollection. “I promised him that, if he beat me to the shore, we’d -call each other by our first names,—otherwise not.” - -“That was a _nice_ wager!” exclaimed Kenneth, in disgruntled tones. -“Why, Patty, you don’t know that chap well enough to call him by his -first name!” - -“Nonsense, Ken; I’m not grown-up and formal.” - -“Well, he is!” - -Patty laughed mischievously. “He is grown-up, but he isn’t a bit -formal.” - -“I should say not! I can tell you I didn’t like the way he carted you -off last night!” - -“Oh, Kenneth, what a goose you are! You know the whole story of that -performance. He couldn’t help the strap breaking, and, if my father -didn’t bother about it, I don’t think you need to!” - -“That’s the same as telling me it’s none of my business.” - -“Well, I didn’t mean it exactly that way, but, all the same, it isn’t! -Don’t you like Mr. Van Reypen?” - -“Yes, I do; he’s a rattling good chap. But I don’t want him coming down -here and monopolising you for motoring and swimming and everything else. -I s’pose you’ll give him every other dance, to-night.” - -Patty drew down the corners of her lips and made a sobbing sound in her -throat, as if she were on the verge of bursting into tears. - -“D-don’t sco-o-ld me, K-kenneth!” she pleaded, in a voice which she -meant to sound tearful, but which was choking with laughter, and didn’t -fool Kenneth a bit. - -“You’re a little coquette, that’s what you are, Patty; and I won’t stand -it! I knew you long before Van Reypen did, and he’s not going to cut me -out, I can tell you!” - -“Good gracious, Kenneth! I should say he wasn’t! Why, he’s only an -acquaintance, and you’re one of my oldest friends!” - -“Of course I am;” and Patty’s hearty tone made Kenneth feel a little -ashamed of his flash of jealousy. - -“Well, then, don’t let me hear any more such foolish talk! Here I am -taking you ridy-by in my dear little car, and, instead of appreciating -it, you scold me all to pieces!” - -“Forgive me, Patty; I am a brute. But somehow Van Reypen has such a way -with him. He acts as if he owned you and this car——” - -“And ‘The Pebbles’ and father and Nan,” supplemented Patty, going off -into a peal of laughter. “Well, Ken, I can’t see any way for you to get -even with him but to act as if you owned us all yourself.” - -“I can’t do it,” said Kenneth; “I haven’t that arrogance of nature.” - -“What a pity!” said Patty, looking at him, with laughing eyes. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI - - - A CHANGE OF PARTNERS - - -Their foolish little squabble over, Patty and Kenneth were as good chums -as ever, and they skimmed along in the same satisfied friendliness they -always felt when together. - -All too soon, in Kenneth’s opinion, they had traversed half their -journey, and reached the place where it had been arranged that Patty was -to change her companion and give Mr. Hepworth his ride. - -The big car was waiting for them as they came along, and, though Kenneth -said “Confound it!” to Patty, under his breath, no one else heard it, -and he exchanged places with Hepworth with a smiling, agreeable -countenance. - -The transfer being effected, the two cars started on again. - -Patty drove, and Mr. Hepworth watched her with admiration and interest. - -“You’re a wonderful child,” he said; “you can do almost anything you -turn your hand to.” - -“Indeed, I can’t,” returned Patty; “I can’t paint like Christine.” - -“Oh, well, that’s a special talent of hers. Your special talent is your -singing. But I mean you can do all sorts of other things, like guessing -puzzles and running motor cars.” - -“Yes, so I can; but don’t forget that, if you hadn’t guessed that last -charade for me, and an unfair one at that, I never should have had this -car. So you see the car is partly yours.” - -“Well, I’ll take out my share in going riding with you.” - -“Wouldn’t you like to drive it yourself, some day, Mr. Hepworth? You -could take Christine out.” - -“Christine! I’d rather take you.” - -“Rather take _me_ than Christine Farley?” Patty’s blue eyes opened wide, -and it was plain to be seen that her surprise at this statement was -unfeigned, and by no means a bit of coquetry. But it piqued Gilbert -Hepworth, and he answered, a little shortly: - -“You know I would! Why do you pretend otherwise?” - -“I don’t know any such thing! Christine is your special friend.” - -“And aren’t you my special friend?” - -“Why, not exactly;” and Patty’s cheeks dimpled as she smiled. “I’m your -special friend’s daughter. Isn’t daddy your special friend?” - -“Yes, of course;” and Mr. Hepworth looked decidedly cross, as he always -did when reminded of the difference of age between himself and Patty,—a -thing which Patty never seemed to forget. - -“But just now,” he went on, “you’re so absorbed in your special friend, -Van Reypen, that you have no thought of anybody else.” - -“For the land’s sake!” exclaimed Patty; “and that’s an expression I use -only on the strongest provocation! But I’ll tell you something, Mr. -Hepworth,”—and she looked at him squarely,—“when Kenneth Harper was -with me just now, he held me up on account of what he called my -friendship for Mr. Van Reypen! Now, if you’re going to do the same -thing, I give you fair warning, I’ll put you out and I’ll take Philip -Van Reypen in this car! So there, now!” - -Mr. Hepworth laughed at the flashing eyes, and the rose-flushed cheeks -that faced him, very much like an angry kitten. - -“Forgive us both, Patty,” he said, smiling in spite of himself at the -ridiculous situation. “You see, the truth is Kenneth and I are both -jealous of your new friend. And you’ll probably find that Roger is in -the same unenviable frame of mind.” - -“Fiddle-de-dee, and fiddlesticks, and fiddle-strings!” exclaimed Patty; -“you people all make me tired, you do. As you know, I adore all my -friends, and I want them all to adore me, and, when I make new friends, -they’ve all got to adore each other, too, and that’s all there is about -that! But don’t you worry over old Roger. He’s fallen a victim to the -charms of Mona Galbraith. I never was so surprised in my life! You know, -I don’t like that girl very much, and last night, as soon as Roger met -her, they immediately fell into a deep friendship!” - -“Why don’t you like her?” - -“Oh, she isn’t exactly our sort. She’s a little forward, a little -pushing, and a little lacking in certain varieties of good taste. But -she’s warm-hearted and generous, and, if she had had proper training, -would have been an awfully nice girl.” - -“Can’t you help her, Patty?” - -“Yes, Mr. Hepworth, I can; but I don’t want to.” - -“Why don’t you want to?” - -“Only because I’m a horrid thing! I know that, if I begin to help her, -she’ll want to be helped every minute in the day, and I’ll have my hands -full. I suppose I’m lazy and selfish, but I do hate to take that girl’s -bringing-up on my shoulders.” - -“I don’t blame you altogether, Patty;” and Gilbert Hepworth smiled at -her gravely, yet kindly. “But don’t you exaggerate a little bit? I know -what you mean. I saw last night what insistent ways Miss Galbraith has, -and I know her demands on your time and attention would be incessant. -But, Patty, think how much you have!—not only worldly goods, but love -and care and protection and interested sympathy. Isn’t it your duty to -do what you can for this strange girl, thrown so definitely in your -way?” - -“She _is_ in my way,” said Patty, pouting; “very much so!” - -“And do you realise,” went on Mr. Hepworth, very seriously now, “that, -just because of all this love and praise and appreciation you receive, -you run a pretty strong chance of becoming selfish and self-centred?” - -“Mr. Hepworth! I do believe you are lecturing me!” - -“That’s exactly what I’m doing. I’ve done it before, and never has it -failed to produce a good effect. I’m very fond of you, Patty, as you -know perfectly well; and I cannot bear to see your sunny and generous -nature spoiled by indolence or thoughtlessness on your part. Now I’m -going to drop this lecture right straight now. I’ve said all that is -necessary, and I know it has sunk in your heart deeply, as I intended it -to. And I know that you will overcome your dislike and disinclination -for the work, but that you will honestly and definitely try to do all -you can for that girl, and be all you can to her.” - -For a moment Patty was silent, and then she said, in a low voice: “You -are right, Mr. Hepworth, as you always are. I understand all you have -said, and all you have meant, and I make you no promises; but I promise -myself to do all I can for Mona Galbraith, to help her in the way she -needs help.” - -“That’s my little trump!” exclaimed Mr. Hepworth, in a voice which -betrayed a thrill of real emotion, and then he quickly changed the -subject and called Patty’s attention to a picturesque bit of landscape -in the middle distance. - -The rest of their ride they chatted in a lighter key, with no reference -to duty, and, when they reached the Country Club, they were both -laughing merrily as they joined the rest of the party. - -“I’m as hungry as a hunter!” cried Patty, springing from her car. “I -wish I’d brought Mr. Hepworth’s luncheon basket, well filled, along with -me.” - -“You’ll have luncheon enough, Puss,” said her father, “and, as we’re a -little later than I expected, we’ll have it served right away.” - -The Country Club House was an elaborate one, with broad verandas and -large, high-ceilinged halls and rooms. The walls bore the usual -decorations of antlers and other trophies of the chase, and the -appointments were luxurious and comfortable. - -Patty had never been to just such a place before, and was interested in -it all. - -“Can’t we become members, father?” she asked, as its plan and scope were -explained to her. - -“Next year, perhaps, my dear. But this summer we’ll content ourselves -with coming over here occasionally, by the courtesy of my friends.” - -Luncheon was served in a small dining-room, which they had quite to -themselves. The viands were most attractive and proved more than -acceptable to the hungry motorists. - -After luncheon, they wandered about the beautiful grounds, and some of -them went for a row on the lake, while some others had a short game of -tennis. - -Patty had such a good time that she was sorry when her father called -them to go home. - -“We just fly from one kind of fun to another!” exclaimed Elise, as they -made ready to start. “Mayn’t I ride home with you, Patty?” - -“No, no, Miss Farrington,” said Philip Van Reypen, overhearing her; -“it’s my turn to ride with Miss Fairfield. We’re going to put you and -Mr. Harper in the roadster, with Mr. Hepworth behind to see that you -don’t fall out.” - -As usual, Mr. Van Reypen’s audacity carried the day; and, too, Elise had -no objections to driving home with Kenneth. This left Roger and -Christine to go in the big car with the two elder Fairfields, and the -arrangement was fairly satisfactory all around. - -But, as Patty and Mr. Van Reypen were about to start, Roger came up to -speak to them. - -“You must play fair and square, Patty,” he said. “You divvied up the -ride, coming over, and you must do the same, going back. You take Mr. -Van Reypen as far as that halfway place, and then you’ve got to exchange -him for me.” - -“All right, Roger, I will; it’s only fair that all you boys should have -a spin with Camilla in turn.” - -“Oh, I don’t know,” said Philip Van Reypen, as they sped away. “I don’t -think you need to change partners on this short trip.” - -“’Deed I will!” declared Patty. “I’ve had enough of being scolded -because I don’t play fair. Now when we get to that halfway place, you -know where I mean, that tumble-down house with the vines all over it, -I’m going to put you out and take Roger in.” - -“All right,” said Philip, humbly. “But you won’t do it until we do reach -the tumble-down old house, will you?” - -“No, I won’t,” agreed Patty. - -After a while, Philip asked that he be allowed to drive, and, as Patty -was quite willing to be an idle passenger, they changed seats. - -“I’m sorry that I have to call you Miss Fairfield,” said Philip, -resignedly, as they were once more spinning along. “It’s so formal it -takes away all the pleasure of our conversation.” - -“Too bad,” said Patty, demurely; “but do you know I rather like -formality, Mr. Van Reypen.” - -“I’m glad you do, Miss Fairfield. It’s a charming day, isn’t it?” - -“Yes, Mr. Van Reypen; delightful,” returned Patty, and then the -conversation lagged. - -“I want to tell you something,” said Patty, suddenly. “I don’t feel -quite honest, and I want to ’fess up.” - -“What is it, Miss Fairfield?” - -“Why, it’s just this. You know this morning, when Kenneth delayed you, -and you lost our race?” - -“Yes.” - -“Well, I asked him to delay you, on purpose.” - -“You did? You little rascal! Why, that was downright dishonesty! Aren’t -you ashamed of yourself?” - -“Yes, I am,” said Patty, hanging her head, and looking like a lovely -penitent. “Can you ever forgive me?” - -“No, I never can!” Van Reypen’s tone was very stern, and Patty was -amazed at the serious way he took what she thought was a joke. - -“Oh, truly! can’t you forgive me?” - -“No! I _never_ shall!” and he glared into Patty’s upturned face with an -expression so savage that it suddenly dawned on Patty that he was -fooling, after all! - -With a beseeching glance and a drooping curve to her lips, Patty then -murmured, in low tones, “Can’t you ever forgive me,—Philip?” - -“Patty! Of course I can! And there’s nothing to forgive, you little -rogue! But now you’re going to call me Philip, all the time, aren’t -you?” - -“I thpothe I am,” said Patty, foolishly, and in an idiotic tone, and -then they both giggled. - -“And now can you be entertaining?” asked Patty, briskly; “and not just -sit up and remark that it is a charming day?” - -“But the day is more charming than ever!” declared Philip. “And I must -emphasise the fact.” - -“But, goodness gracious me! wherever is that halfway place? Have we -passed the tumble-down old house with vines clambering all over it?” - -“No, we haven’t passed it yet,” said Philip, innocently. - -“We ought to reach it soon,—I’m sure it’s time.” - -“How complimentary you are! Does the way seem so long?” - -“It doesn’t seem so long, but it seems strange. I don’t remember these -houses. Did we pass them on the way over?” - -“You must have been so busy driving the car you didn’t see them.” - -“Nonsense! I’ve never been this way before in my life! You’ve taken the -wrong road, and you’ve done it on purpose,—Philip!” - -“So I have, Patty! At least it’s a different road, but it isn’t a wrong -road. It’s just as direct to ‘The Pebbles’ as the other road, but it has -the advantage of not passing by the clambering house with the -tumble-down vines!” - -“Oh, you’ve done it, so we’d slip Roger!” - -“Of course I did! Clever of me, wasn’t it? Oh, you haven’t the entire -monopoly of clever ideas, if you _did_ mend your motor car with -chocolate!” - -Philip was gleefully chuckling at his successful ruse, and, when Patty -realised that she couldn’t help herself, she laughed, too. - -“Roger won’t mind, anyway,” she said; “he’s such a good-natured old -duck. And I’ll make it up to him by taking him out for the whole day -to-morrow, on a picnic with my new lunch basket. I’ve been wanting to -try that lovely basket, and see if it will carry a picnic for two.” - -Philip’s face suddenly lost its jovial smile. “There’ll _be_ a ‘picnic -for two,’ if you cut up any such trick as that! And you and young -Farrington will see what kind of a picnic I mean! Why, Patty, you’re -hostess of this house party of yours. You can’t desert all your other -guests,—and go skylarking off with only one of them.” - -“Unless it’s you,” said Patty, with a demure glance at him. - -“Yes, unless it’s me,” said Philip, smiling broadly. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII - - - A DINNER AND A DANCE - - -When Patty and Philip reached home, a little later than the others, -Roger was nowhere to be seen. - -“Where’s Roger?” asked Patty, as she jumped out of the car, for she -wanted to make peace with him at once. - -“He’s gone over to ‘Red Chimneys,’” said Elise, laughing. “He’s taken a -terrible fancy to that Galbraith girl.” - -“I told you we needn’t mind about Roger,” said Patty to Philip. “I’m -glad he does like Mona, though I confess I was a little surprised at -first.” - -Very soon Roger came back to “The Pebbles,” bringing Mona with him. - -“Hello, people!” the girl called out, as she neared the veranda. “You -kept terribly sly about your birthday, didn’t you, Patty? But Mr. -Farrington told me last night, and father telegraphed to New York for a -present for me to give you, and it’s just arrived by special messenger. -How do you like it?” and Mona tossed a small box into Patty’s lap. - -The others crowded round to see, and Patty opened the box, to find a -beautiful jewel pendant hung on a slender thread of a platinum -neck-chain. The pendant was a fair-sized sapphire, surrounded by tiny -diamonds, and was of fine design and workmanship. - -“Mona! How lovely!” cried Patty. “But I can’t accept such a valuable -present from you.” - -“Nonsense! It’s a mere trinket. I’m delighted to give it to you, and -father was delighted to get it for me, so you’ll simply have to take it. -I was only afraid you wouldn’t think it pretty!” - -“Pretty? Why, it’s perfectly beautiful!” and Patty clasped the chain -around her neck at once. She was a little uncertain how to take the -gift, but she could not so hurt Mona’s feelings as to refuse it, and, if -she accepted it, she might as well do it gracefully. She cast an -enquiring glance at Nan, who, as usual, came to her aid. - -“It’s a lovely present, Patty; and Mona is most kind and generous to -give it to you. I’m sure we all appreciate it.” - -Thus tacitly advised, Patty thanked Mona prettily, and then Nan declared -it was time to think about dressing for dinner. - -“You’re coming, Mona, aren’t you?” said Patty, for she knew Nan had -invited her. - -“Oh, yes, indeed; I’ll be the first one here and the last one to leave. -Trust me for that!” and, with a merry laugh, Mona ran away across the -two lawns to her own house. - -“She’s all right!” said Roger, looking after her. - -“Yes, she is,” said Patty, generously; and, indeed, Mona had risen in -her estimation since Roger showed such approval of her. - -And then the group separated, to meet again at the birthday dinner. - -The three girls gathered in Patty’s room for a short chat first. - -“What are you going to wear, Patty?” asked Elise. - -“Oh, I have a new blue affair that’s perfectly dear. What’s yours, -Christine?” - -“White,” said Christine, simply. “I can’t wear many colours.” - -“You don’t need to, you angel person,” said Patty, kissing her. “You’ll -look heavenly in white. I’ve never seen you in evening dress. It is -evening dress, isn’t it, Christine?” - -“Yes; that is, it’s a round neck, but it’s very simple.” - -“You’re simple yourself,” said Patty; “simply sweet! Isn’t she, Elise?” - -It was Patty’s delight to make Elise admire Christine, and of course it -wasn’t possible, when thus appealed to, for Elise to do anything but -acquiesce in Patty’s opinion. - -“And now, honey, what’s your gorgeous creation that’s to dazzle the eyes -of the country people down here?” said Patty. - -“Mine is green,” returned Elise; “and it’s a good enough frock, but I -know it won’t be in it with yours, Patsy.” - -“Nonsense! It’s probably far handsomer. Aren’t we all getting grown-up, -to have dinner parties and low-neck gowns! Though mine isn’t exactly low -neck, it’s just cut out sort of round.” - -“Yes, a Dutch neck,” said Elise; “that’s what mine is.” - -“But still it does seem grown-up,” went on Patty, musingly, “to have a -birthday dinner and dance, instead of just an ordinary party.” - -“Well, you are grown-up when you’re nineteen,” said Christine. “I’m -twenty, and I think I’m grown-up.” - -“That’s because you’re Southern,” said Patty. “We stay little girls a -lot longer up here. And I’m glad of it, for I hate being grown-up. I -wish I could wear pig-tails and hair ribbons! Anyway, I’m not going to -act grown-up to-night; my party’s going to be a frolic, not a formal -affair.” - -“How many are coming?” asked Christine, who had not entirely overcome -her shyness with strangers. - -“Well, there’s about ten of our own crowd, and Nan has invited about ten -more of the Spring Beach people. The two Sayre girls are awfully jolly; -you’ll like them. And Jack Pennington is a dear boy, and so is Guy -Martin. And then there’s Dorothy Dennison and her brother,—and Phyllis -Norton,—oh, quite a bunch of them! And, Christine, don’t you go cutting -up any of your shrinking violet tricks! I want you to be the belle of -the ball!” - -Elise looked up in surprise, but, seeing the determined expression on -Patty’s face, she said nothing; and, if she had her own opinion as to -who should be belle of the ball, she expressed it only to herself. - -An hour later, the three girls went downstairs together. Patty in the -middle, with her sky-blue chiffon frock, was looking her best. The pale -blue suited her golden hair and pink cheeks, and the semi-low-cut neck -was exceedingly becoming to her rounded throat and chin. - -Elise’s green dress was far more elaborate, but her brilliant beauty -seemed to call for an ornate setting. - -Christine’s gown was perhaps the prettiest of all. Of white -crêpe-de-chine, it hung in soft, straight folds, and around the throat -was a delicate pearl embroidery. A girdle of pearl-work, with long ends, -gave a finishing touch; and on Christine’s willowy figure, and with her -Madonna face, the gown was appropriate and effective. - -The boys, who were waiting in the hall, exclaimed in vociferous -compliment as the girls came slowly down the staircase, and declared -that such a trio of beauty had never before been seen. - -“Nonsense!” cried Patty. “Don’t you talk to us as if we were grown-up -young ladies! We’re only a little bit more than schoolgirls. Just -because I’m nineteen, I’m not going to be treated with dignity! Roger, -will you dance the first dance with me?” - -Roger looked embarrassed, and, though he tried to speak, he hesitated -and stammered. - -“Why, Patty,—that is,—I’d be only too delighted,—but——” - -“But you’ve already asked Mona!” cried Patty, with a teasing laugh. “I -knew it perfectly well, Roger, and I only asked you to tease you. And -I’ll be perfectly content with the second, so save that for me.” - -“Indeed I will, and thank you kindly,” said Roger, and then Philip Van -Reypen and Kenneth both said at once, “May I have the first dance, -Patty?” - -“No, indeed,” she returned, laughing gaily at them; “I’m not going to -give my first dance to any of my house party. There are several Spring -Beach boys coming, and I shall dance with whichever one of those asks me -first.” - -Patty’s own particular decided wag of the head accompanied this speech, -and the men knew it would be of no use to coax her. - -And then the other guests began to arrive, and the great entrance hall -of “The Pebbles” was a scene of merry laughter and chatter, and -greetings and introductions on all sides. - -Under Nan’s orders, the whole place had been beautifully decorated. In -the hall and rooms were garlands and banks of flowers, and tall palms -shading alcoved nooks. The verandas were hung with Japanese lanterns, -and a few of these were scattered among the shrubbery, to light the way -for any who might be inclined to stroll on the lawn. - -At eight o’clock, Patty, taking her father’s arm, led the way to the -dining-room. Nan and Mr. Hepworth followed, and then the others in merry -procession. - -Dinner was served at small tables, as the number of guests was too large -to be accommodated at one. Each table was beautifully decorated with -flowers and candles, and pretty place-cards as souvenirs of the -occasion. - -Of course there was a birthday cake, and when at last Patty cut it, and -each guest had partaken of it, the dinner was over, and the dance about -to begin. - -Several musicians were on the broad landing, halfway upstairs, and -played just the right kind of music for young people’s merry dancing. - -Jack Pennington asked Patty for the first dance, and, a little to his -surprise, she graciously granted it. He had hardly hoped for this -honour, but he didn’t know that Patty had planned it thus in order to -avoid selecting one of her house party in preference to the others. So -she danced with Jack Pennington, and afterward, as they sauntered out on -the veranda, all the other men clustered around Patty, begging for -dances, until her programme was full, and many of the dances had been -divided. Of course, as Patty was hostess, she would naturally receive -much attention, but her own merry and charming personality made her -easily the most popular girl present, though the others were almost -equally so. Handsome Elise was a general favourite, and Christine’s -delicate Southern beauty attracted many admirers. - -Mona was resplendent in bright pink silk, elaborately ornamented. She -wore too many jewels, as always, but her whole-souled, good-tempered -gaiety, and her hearty enjoyment of the occasion, made her attractive to -many. - -After a dance with Philip, Patty and he wandered out on to the veranda, -and sat for a moment on the railing. - -“Beautiful show, Patty,” he said; “one of the prettiest parties I ever -saw. These lanterns are gorgeous. Why don’t you keep them here all the -time? Sets off the house wonderfully. Come down on the lawn for a little -stroll.” - -“I’m afraid you’ll kidnap me,” said Patty, mischievously. - -“No; honest I won’t. Though I’d like to. Say, let’s get Camilla out, and -go for a little spin. Will you?” - -“Indeed, I won’t! We got out of that other scrape pretty well. But I’m -not going to take any chances again! Beside, the next dance is -Kenneth’s. I’d better get back where he can find me.” - -“Oh, he’ll hunt you up, all right! Hello! Who’s this?” - -Some one came running toward them through the semi-darkness. It was -Mona, out of breath and laughing. “Hide me!” she cried. “Hide me! I’m -running away from Roger!” - -“How extraordinary,” laughed Patty. “You _are_ a coquettish young thing, -aren’t you, Mona?” - -“Hide me, Patty,” urged Mona. “That’s a dear. Let me get behind you -two.” - -Mona slipped around behind Patty and Philip, but, anxious to help her, -Patty said: “Back into the arbour, Mona; we’ll keep in front of you. -Hurry! here comes Roger.” - -“Have you seen Miss Galbraith?” asked Roger, coming up to them, entirely -unsuspicious of Mona’s whereabouts. - -“We’ve just strolled out here,” said Patty, innocently. “Why don’t you -look on the veranda, Roger? Does she know you’re looking for her?” - -“Of course she does! On the veranda, you say?” and Roger was off like a -shot. - -Patty and Philip, stifling with laughter, turned back to Mona, who stood -with her finger on her lips, cautioning silence. - -And as, in obedience to her gesture, they were still, they all -distinctly heard a voice speaking on the other side of the arbour. The -speaker could not be seen, and the hearers had no intention of -eavesdropping, but it was Kenneth’s voice, and his tone was tense and -angry. - -“I tell you, Elise,” he said, “I don’t believe Patty ever said that!” - -“She did,” said Elise, with the accent of one who reiterates. - -It was Philip Van Reypen’s impulse to walk round the arbour at once, and -make their presence known, but Patty silently put her hand on his arm -and led him toward the house. - -Mona followed, also silently, for she realised at once that Patty was -disturbed at what she had heard. The words in themselves might mean a -mere trifle or nothing at all; but the seriousness of Kenneth’s voice, -and the petulant insistence of Elise, seemed to forebode trouble. - -“What does it mean?” whispered Philip, as they neared the house. - -“Nothing,—nothing at all,” said Patty, but she spoke in a low voice and -her lip was quivering. She had divined intuitively that Elise had told -Kenneth something to make him angry, and she felt sure that Elise had -done it purposely, and that she had misrepresented the facts. - -“Shall I take you into the house?” asked Philip, gently. “I think you -said your next dance is Harper’s.” - -“Not just yet,” said Patty, who was so hurt by Elise’s treachery that -she could not fully control her quivering lip and the tears that came to -her eyes. - -Mona had disappeared, and so Philip said, “Let us stroll once more round -the drive, and then it will be all right.” - -His voice was so pleasant, and his manner so quiet, that it acted as a -balm to Patty’s shattered nerves, and she looked up gratefully, and -smiled at him through two teardrops that trembled in her blue eyes. - -“You’re awfully good,” she said, “and I’m not going to be silly. Never -mind it. But aren’t you engaged for this dance?” - -“Yes, to Miss Galbraith,” he replied, smiling; “but I feel quite sure -she has forgotten it in her game of hide-and-seek with young -Farrington.” - -“But you must go and find her, all the same,” said Patty, suddenly -mindful of etiquette. “Come! let us hurry to the house. I’m all right -now.” - -They quickened their pace, and Philip talked with a cheery banter, so -that, when they reached the veranda, Patty was her own smiling, merry -self, and she felt profoundly grateful to Philip because he had not -again referred to the bit of conversation they had overheard. - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII - - - MONA INTERFERES - - -Patty found Kenneth in the doorway, awaiting her. - -“Here you are,” he called out, cheerily enough, and Patty hoped it was -only her imagination that made her think his manner a little -constrained. He was gentle and kindly as ever, but he was not in merry -mood, and Patty felt this at once. - -They began to dance. Their steps suited perfectly, and, though Patty -herself was such an accomplished dancer that she could adapt her step to -any one, yet she always specially enjoyed a turn with Kenneth. But now -he seemed different, and, though he danced as perfectly as usual, and so -did Patty, there was a certain constraint in his manner and he spoke -only occasionally, and then the merest commonplaces. Patty realised -fully that there was something wrong, but she also knew she could do -nothing then and there to set it right. She couldn’t ask Kenneth what -Elise had said to him, and she couldn’t think of any other way to open -the subject. - -So, after a few turns round the room, she was really glad that another -partner claimed her, for this was one of the dances that she had -divided. - -Kenneth left her, with a simple “Thank you, Patty,” and, turning on his -heel, went out of the dancing-room. In the hall he met Mona, who said, -abruptly and impulsively: “Oh, Mr. Harper! I haven’t any partner for -this dance. Come for a walk round the lawn, won’t you?” - -“Wouldn’t you rather dance?” asked Kenneth, who was in no mood for -conversation. - -“No,” said Mona, smiling wilfully, “I want to walk out under the -lanterns on the lawn. They’re so lovely and Japanesy.” - -Mona had a wheedling way with her, and Kenneth smiled a little as he -escorted her down the steps and along a side path through the grounds. - -“You think I’m a queer girl, don’t you, Mr. Harper?” she began, as they -strolled along under the trees. - -“If I did, you couldn’t expect me to tell you so, Miss Galbraith,” he -parried. - -“Well, even if you haven’t thought so before, you will now;” and Mona -gave a determined shake of her head. “But I don’t care if you do. I want -you to answer me a question. What did Miss Farrington tell you that -Patty Fairfield had said, and you returned that you didn’t believe Patty -said it?” - -Now Kenneth was an exceedingly well-mannered young man, but he was -certainly taken aback by this question flung at him so suddenly by a -comparative stranger, and he was tempted to reply so plainly that she -must think him rude. But, after a moment’s hesitation, he modified his -intentions, and only said: - -“I’m sorry to have you think _me_ queer, Miss Galbraith, but, even at -that risk, I must decline to answer such a very personal question. And, -too——” - -“And, too,” repeated Mona, stopping and turning to look squarely at him, -“you were going to say, that I’m an eavesdropper, and, except for your -inability to be so rude, you would tell me so.” - -Kenneth was amazed at the girl’s intuition, but he said honestly, “You -are very nearly right, Miss Galbraith.” - -“Very nearly right? I’m exactly right, and you know it! Now let me tell -you, Mr. Kenneth Harper, I don’t care one snip-jack for your opinion of -me, and you may think just exactly what you choose! But I have another’s -interest at heart, and I’m perfectly justified in asking you the -question I did ask. Please tell me.” - -At the last words Mona’s voice sank to a pleading whisper, and there was -such heartfelt urgency in her voice that he was moved against his will. - -“Why do you want to know, Miss Galbraith?” he asked, more gently. - -They were walking on again now, and Mona looked straight before her as -she replied: “I cannot tell you that, but I beg of you to tell me what I -ask. Was it anything about me?” Mona had no idea that it was, and this -was a purely strategic enquiry. - -“No, it was not about you,—and now I hope you’re satisfied.” - -“No, I’m not satisfied. Was it about you?” - -“Yes, it was.” - -“And was it something mean Patty had said about you?” - -“Yes, it was.” - -“Mr. Harper, you are not a true friend. You know Patty Fairfield -couldn’t say a mean thing to save her life! And especially about you, -one of her best friends!” - -“Oh, I don’t think I’m that,” said Kenneth, in a cynical tone. - -“You are, too! Now, are you sure Patty said this thing?” - -“Elise said so,” muttered Kenneth, who had forgotten he was talking to a -stranger, because Mona had assumed such compelling intimacy. - -“And are you sure it was mean?” - -“Well, rather! You can judge for yourself!” Kenneth’s indignation got -the better of his self-restraint, and he told Mona frankly the truth. - -“Once, when Patty went away, I gave her a little locket as a parting -gift, and she thanked me and said she liked it. Now, Elise tells me that -Patty told her she didn’t care a snap about that locket, and she only -wore it once or twice.” - -“And you told Miss Farrington that you didn’t believe Patty said that?” - -“Yes; but Elise insisted that she did say it, and somehow I believe -Elise. Her words had the ring of truth.” - -“Thank you, Mr. Harper, for your confidence;” Mona spoke very earnestly. -“Believe me, you have done no harm in telling me this. You think it is -none of my business, but it is. You think me a queer girl, and I am. But -let me tell you one thing, Patty Fairfield is a true, sweet, loyal -nature, sound to the core; and Elise Farrington is not above a trifling -deception, now and then, if she wishes to gain a point. Please take me -back to the house.” - -They walked the short distance in silence, Kenneth secretly thinking -that Miss Galbraith was certainly queer; and at the same time wondering -if Elise could have made up that story. But, as he had said, there was -something in the tone of Elise’s voice, as she repeated Patty’s words, -that convinced him they were true. With a sigh, he went up the steps by -Miss Galbraith’s side, and then they separated, to join other partners. - -The dance went on, with its merriment and gaiety, and of course no one -would have known that either Patty or Kenneth had a troubled mind. Elise -was in specially gay spirits, and Mona seemed to be enjoying herself -thoroughly. - - * * * * * - -“It was a lovely party!” declared Elise, after it was over and the last -guest gone. “It was just perfect. There wasn’t a flaw! Isn’t that so, -Patty?” - -“I had a good time,” said Patty, a little wearily; “but I’m awfully -tired, and I’m going right straight to bed. Good-night, everybody; -good-night, Roger,—good-night, Ken.” - -She nodded pleasantly to the young men, and started up the stairs at -once. Elise and Christine followed, and, when they reached the upper -hall, Patty bade them a brief but pleasant good-night and went straight -to her own room. - -“I don’t know what to do,” she thought to herself, as she took off her -pretty blue frock. “I can’t let the matter go without saying a -word,—and I can’t say anything, because that would put Elise in the -wrong, and she is my guest! I’ll just have to live it down, I suppose.” - -But it wasn’t so easily lived down. The next morning, though Patty tried -to be especially cordial to Kenneth, he avoided her whenever possible. -Not noticeably to the others,—but Patty realised that he did not seek -her company, or sit by her on the veranda, or ask to ride with her in -the motor. - -The morning dragged along, nobody seeming to have energy enough to -propose any sort of fun. - -“Patty’s birthday seems to have been too much for this crowd,” said Nan, -laughingly. “I propose that you men all go for a swim, and let these -exhausted girlies take a little nap. I think they danced too late, and I -sha’n’t allow such dissipation again.” - -“I feel fine, Mrs. Fairfield,” declared Elise. “I never get tired -dancing. Do you, Christine?” - -“No, I didn’t get tired,—I thought it was a lovely party. I very seldom -have an opportunity to be in such gaieties.” - -“But you’re tired, aren’t you, Patty?” asked Elise, as Patty sat on the -veranda rail, leaning listlessly against a pillar. Before she had time -to answer, however, a servant came walking along the drive, whom Patty -recognised as one of the “Red Chimneys” footmen. He brought a note, -which he handed to Patty, and then, with a deferential bow, he went -away. - -Patty asked permission to read the note, glanced it over, and then -tossed it to Roger, saying, “We seem to be especially favoured!” - -The note was an invitation for Patty and Roger to come over to “Red -Chimneys” at once, but no one else was asked. - -“Come on, Patty,” said Roger; “the others will excuse us for a little -while, I’m sure.” - -So Patty and Roger walked away by the shortcut across the two lawns, and -found Mona in the doorway awaiting them. - -She smiled as she put her arm around Patty, and said, “You’re the one I -want,—I asked Mr. Farrington for a blind.” - -“Well, I like that!” exclaimed Roger, looking incredulous. - -“Well, I’ll tell you,” went on Mona, smiling at him; “the truth is, I -want to see Patty privately on a _very_ important matter. I didn’t want -to send for her alone, because it looked so conspicuous. But our private -conference won’t last more than ten minutes, and, if you can entertain -yourself that long, I’ll take care of you afterward. Here’s the morning -paper, and do try to be patient.” - -Mona didn’t wait for Roger’s response, but, with her arm still around -Patty, led her to the library, took her in, and closed the door. - -“Patty,” she began, “I’m a queer girl, and you know it,—and I know it. -You don’t like me very much, but I like you, and I’d do anything for -you.” - -“Good gracious, Mona! What _are_ you getting at?” - -“I’ll tell you exactly what I’m getting at,—and I’ll tell you right -now. I may be queer, but I can see a hole through a millstone when -anybody I love is concerned. Now, you know when you and Mr. Van Reypen -and I were in the little arbour last night, we overheard somebody -talking on the other side of the thick vines.” - -“Really, Mona, I must beg of you not to go too far, or I may lose my -temper!” - -“Oh, no, you won’t, Patty Fairfield! You just sit still and listen. Now -you know, as well as I do, we weren’t eavesdropping,—any of us,—but we -all heard what Mr. Harper said to Miss Farrington.” - -“Well, what of it?” Patty’s face was pale and her lips were set hard -together. She was thoroughly angry at what she considered Mona’s -unwarrantable interference, and she felt she could stand but little -more. - -“Just this of it! I asked Mr. Harper what it was that Miss Farrington -told him about you.” - -“Mona Galbraith! You didn’t!” - -“I certainly did; and, what’s more, he told me.” - -“Kenneth told you?” said Patty, incredulously. - -“Yes, he did. And this was it. But perhaps you don’t want to know what -it was.” - -“Of course I do! Mona, tell me, quick!” - -“Well, he said that Miss Farrington told him that you didn’t care a snap -about the locket he gave you and that you only wore it once or twice.” - -“What?” exclaimed Patty. “I don’t quite understand. The locket Kenneth -gave me?” - -“That’s what she said.” - -“Oh, for goodness’ sake! I understand now! That locket! Why, the idea! -Say, Mona, you’re a trump to find this all out!” - -“You didn’t think so at first.” - -“No, I didn’t; and I’m sorry! You have played the part of a real friend, -and you’ve done more for me than you realise! But, oh, Mona! how _could_ -Elise do a thing like that?” - -“She’s that sort, that’s all. You know as well as I do she likes Kenneth -Harper an awful lot, and she knows that he likes you better than he does -her, so she’s trying to set him against you.” - -“Set Kenneth against me? She couldn’t do it! Dear old Ken, we’re too -good friends for that! But, Mona, how did you find out all this? You -scarcely know these people.” - -“Oh, I sized up that Farrington girl the minute I saw her! She isn’t a -bit like her brother. He’s an all-round, good sort. And the poor chappie -is still out there reading the paper! He must be devouring the -advertisements by this time. Now, Patty, forget _my_ part in this -affair, skip over home, make it up with Mr. Harper, and do whatever you -think best with that Farrington girl.” - -“I can’t do anything with her, because she’s my guest; but I can make it -up with Ken in just about two minutes! And, as for you, Mona, I don’t -know how to thank you!” - -“Oh, cut it out! I’d do heaps more than that for you, if I only had the -chance! Fly now, for you must know how impatient I am to go and talk to -my new beau, Mr. Farrington.” - -So, after an embrace that was hearty enough at least to indicate her -gratitude, Patty flew. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX - - - PHILIP’S PICNIC - - -On Patty’s return she found the veranda almost deserted. Christine and -Mr. Hepworth, Elise and Mr. Van Reypen had gone down to the beach. Mr. -Fairfield had gone to the city, and Nan was chatting with Kenneth. - -“Ducky stepmother of mine,” said Patty, as she wound her arm around -Nan’s neck, “if you don’t want to monopolise this young man, I’d like to -borrow him for a short time.” - -“You may take him, Patty,” said Nan, with a resigned sigh. “But I -suppose you know you will leave me alone in a cold world! Your father -has gone to New York.” - -“But, Nan, you ought to have some time to yourself. Solitude is an -awfully good thing once in a while. Don’t you sort of feel the need of -it now?” - -“Yes, I think I do,” said Nan, laughing; “so you may have Kenneth for a -while. What are you going to do with him?” - -“Take him for a spin,” said Patty, “Come on, Ken.” - -Kenneth hesitated for a moment. “Don’t you want to go spinning with -Patty, Mrs. Fairfield?” he said. - -“No, thank you; I have some household matters to attend to. One can’t -have a house party without occasionally having an eye on domestic -affairs. So, good-bye. Be home in time for luncheon.” - -Soon Patty and Kenneth were flying along the beach road, and the Swift -Camilla was living up to her highest reputation. Patty was driving, and -Kenneth was polite and amiable, but not merry. - -After a time, Patty slowed down speed a little. - -“Kenneth,” she said, abruptly, “I’ve something to say to you, and I’m -going to say it right straight out. You know what Elise told you that I -said about you, or rather about the locket you gave me?” - -“Yes, I know; and, by the way, it seems that just about everybody else -knows, too.” - -“Never mind that,” said Patty, knowing that the boy was annoyed because -Mona had interfered in the matter. “The point is, Ken, that what Elise -told you I said wasn’t entirely true.” - -“Not entirely true? How much of it was true? Since you seem to know all -about her conversation with me, I suppose she told you.” - -“No, she didn’t. Now listen, Ken; I hate, awfully, to talk against -Elise, but I’ve simply got to stand up for my own rights in this thing. -I did tell her that I only wore that locket once or twice, but I -_didn’t_ tell her that I didn’t care anything about it. For I do. I care -a great deal about it.” - -“Then, why don’t you wear it oftener?” - -“I’ll be perfectly frank with you, Ken. It’s just because that locket -with your picture in it was too,—well, too personal a sort of present -for you to give me, or for me to wear.” - -“You took it!” - -“Yes; after I’d asked father, and he told me I might, but you know I -went away with Elise then, to Paris, and every time she saw it she -pretended that it meant a great deal more than it did. Of course, it was -only a token of our boy and girl friendship, but she chose to pretend it -meant romance and sentiment and all those things.” - -“But since it meant and still means our boy and girl friendship, I think -you might wear it sometimes.” - -“I see I’ll have to tell you the whole story,” said Patty, with a little -sigh. “Well, last Christmas Elise bought a seal ring for Roger, and -then, at the last minute, she decided she’d like to give it to you, and -she asked my advice about it. I told her it was too personal a present -for a girl to give a young man, and I didn’t think she ought to do it. -It wasn’t that I didn’t want her to give you a nice present, but I -didn’t think it looked right for her to give you that kind of a one. I -told her to get you books, or something like that.” - -“What’s all this got to do with the locket?” - -“Why, Elise said that I needn’t talk about personal presents, after I -had accepted from you a locket with your picture in it. And so I told -her that that was very different, as we were old friends, and, anyhow, I -had only worn it once or twice. But I didn’t say I didn’t care anything -for it.” - -Kenneth’s face cleared, and he turned toward Patty with an honest, -beaming smile. - -“It’s all right, Patty; I see through it now. Elise did try to make me -think you had said something mean, but you didn’t, and I felt sure you -hadn’t.” - -“You didn’t feel _quite_ sure, Ken.” - -“No, I’m ashamed to say I didn’t, at first, but that was because I was -so hurt at what I was told you had said. But it’s all right now, and I -know you’ll forgive me, like the trump you are. I’d grasp your strong -right hand, if I weren’t afraid that would make you steer us both into -the ocean.” - -“I’ll consider it grasped. And I’m downright glad that we’re good chums -again, for I hate to have squabbles with anybody, and I almost never -do.” - -“I know it, Patty; you’re a sweet-tempered little thing, and I was a -mean-spirited coward to believe for a minute that you’d say anything -unkind about any of your friends.” - -“Especially you, Ken;” and Patty flashed him a glance of comradeship. -“But it was Mona who fixed this thing up for us.” - -“Isn’t she a queer girl? She’s so blunt, and yet very few girls could -have done what she did for you, Patty.” - -“I know it; and I do appreciate it, and I shall always love her for it. -But, Ken, what can I say to Elise?” - -“Don’t say anything, Patty; that’s the best way.” - -“And, if she ever tries again to lower me in your esteem, what then?” - -“She won’t succeed! I’ve had my little lesson.” - -“Good for you, Ken! If you ever have reason to think that I said -anything mean about you, you come and ask me about it,—because Mona may -not be around next time.” - -“I will, indeed, Patty.” - -And then, peace being thoroughly established, the trouble passed out of -their minds forever, and the old chummy relations were resumed. They had -a beautiful drive along the coast, and, when they got back to “The -Pebbles,” it was nearly lunch time. They found the whole crowd assembled -on the veranda, and Mr. Van Reypen seemed to be spokesman at a very -important conference. - -“It’ll be the most fun of anything you ever saw!” he declared. “A real -old-fashioned picnic! None of your modern country-club affairs. But a -tablecloth spread on the ground, and sandwiches and devilled eggs, and a -campfire to boil the coffee, and lemonade, and hopper-grasses hopping in -the pie, and everything just as it should be! Oh, gorgeous!” - -“Why sit on the ground?” asked Christine. “Aren’t there any benches in -the picnic place?” - -“We’re not going to a picnic grounds, little girl,” Mr. Van Reypen -informed her; “we’re going to a real, live woods; to the darksome depths -of a dingley dell.” - -“Tell us all about it!” cried Patty, as she and Kenneth joined the -group. - -“Entirely my own invention!” cried Philip; “it’s a picnic I’m arranging -for to-morrow, and I’d be honoured if you two would deign to attend.” - -“We will that!” exclaimed Patty; “but I heard something about -grasshoppers. Do we have to have those?” - -“No; if you prefer, you can have ants or spiders. But you can’t have a -real picnic without some such attachments. Now listen to what I’ve -planned! It’s just too lovely! I’ve engaged three runabouts from the -amiable garage man over forninst. Camilla will make four, and, if Mr. -and Mrs. Fairfield will lead the parade in their own car, we’ll have an -imposing procession.” - -“Not I!” cried Nan, gaily. “If you young people want to go on this -entomological picnic, I’ve not the slightest objection. And I’ll see -that you have enough sandwiches and devilled eggs to feed both -yourselves and the grasshoppers, but I’ll have to ask you to excuse my -husband and myself from attending.” - -“The only regrets I’ve had so far,” said Philip; “anybody else who don’t -want to go?” - -But the others all declared that the plan was perfect, and they wouldn’t -miss the picnic for anything. - -“Now, I’ll run the whole show,” went on Philip. “You understand it’s my -picnic entirely, and I’m host, and master of ceremonies, and chief -engineer. I shall provide the entire luncheon, and, with due respects -and thanks to Mrs. Fairfield for her offer of hard-boiled eggs, I must -decline it, as I shall get all those things from the pleasant-faced and -generously proportioned lady who is queen of the kitchen over at my -hotel.” - -They all professed themselves satisfied to let Mr. Van Reypen take full -charge of his own picnic, and all expressed perfect willingness to be -merely passengers. Mona was present, as usual, and was of course -included in the invitation. She was enthusiastic in her delight at the -prospect, and, quite forgetting to go home to luncheon, she accepted -Nan’s invitation to lunch at “The Pebbles.” - - * * * * * - -The next day proved an ideal one for Philip’s picnic. They were to start -about ten o’clock, for he informed them the particular dingley dell he -had in mind was a fairly long distance off. - -So, promptly at ten o’clock, he came over to “The Pebbles” in a -runabout, accompanied by a chauffeur. He was followed by two other -runabouts, each in charge of a chauffeur. - -The picnic party stood on the veranda, not quite sure what the -arrangements were to be, but laughingly declaring they were ready to -follow orders. - -“First,” said Mr. Van Reypen, “I’ll load up this car;” and into the -first runabout he assisted Miss Galbraith, and bade Roger Farrington get -in beside her. Needless to say, these two were well satisfied, and went -spinning off down the road. - -Next, turning to Mr. Hepworth, he asked him if he could drive a car. - -“An electric? Yes,” said Mr. Hepworth. - -“Because, if you don’t want to drive it, this car will hold three, and -you can take a chauffeur,” said Philip, who had provided for every -emergency. - -“No, I prefer to drive,” said Mr. Hepworth, quietly, and then Philip -said: “All right; and I give you Miss Farley for a companion. Don’t -quarrel on the way.” - -And so, with Christine, Mr. Hepworth drove away, and Philip turned to -the others. - -“I hardly know how to divide up the rest of us,” he said, stroking his -chin, thoughtfully, “but I’ll try it this way. Harper, will you take -Miss Farrington in this very pretty-looking new runabout?” - -It was an awkward situation, though Philip didn’t know it. Elise was -delighted with the plan, and beamed all over her face as she took the -seat indicated. Kenneth was not at all pleased, and it was really with -difficulty that he refrained from showing it. But Patty gave him a -pleading look, as if begging him to make the best of the situation, and -so, with what was apparently hearty good-will, he took his seat beside -Elise, saying, “All right, here goes for a fine ride!” - -Kenneth was fond of driving a car, and, not owning one himself, he -rarely had the opportunity; so Patty felt sure he would enjoy the trip -quite irrespective of who might be beside him. And, as Patty realised, -there was no other way to arrange the couples from Mr. Van Reypen’s -viewpoint, for she knew from the beginning that he intended to ride with -her. - -“I declare, I’m a car short!” exclaimed Philip, as Kenneth and Elise -drove away. “I should have ordered four cars, and I only engaged three! -We’ll have to stay at home! Shall you mind?” - -“No,” said Patty, mischievously, “I don’t mind. I’ll read aloud to you, -if you like.” - -“It seems too bad for me not to go when it’s my own picnic,” said -Philip, musingly. “You don’t happen to know of any little motor car we -could use, do you?” - -“We might take Camilla,” suggested Patty, in a dubious tone. - -“Just the thing! Say we do? How clever of you to think of that!” and, as -Patty broke into peals of laughter at his foolishness, Philip flew down -the steps and around to the garage, returning in a moment with Camilla, -which Miller was impatiently holding in readiness. - -“I’m going to drive,” Philip announced, calmly. - -“All right, I don’t care; but, then, you must let me drive coming home. -I declare, with a house party, I almost never get a chance to drive my -own car!” - -“Never mind! Your horrid old house party will soon be going, and then -you can drive all you like.” - -“It isn’t a horrid old house party! It’s a lovely, sweet, delicious -house party, and I wish it would stay forever!” - -“This part of it will, if you give him the slightest encouragement.” - -“Oh, I don’t want part of it unless I have it all! I had no idea house -parties were such fun. I think we’re having beautiful times, don’t you?” - -“Yes; since you’ve made up with young Harper;” and Philip’s eyes -twinkled. - -“Why, what do you mean?” exclaimed Patty, blushing pink. “How did you -know anything about it?” - -“I didn’t, and I don’t, and I don’t want to! But when I see my little -hostess going around with a sad and forlorn expression on her face, and -one of her guests looking as if he’d lost his last friend, and then they -both go for a motor ride and come back jubilantly chummy,—why, then,—I -Sherlock it out that they’ve had a squabble and a make-up! Am I -altogether wrong?” - -“Not altogether,” said Patty, demurely. - - - - - CHAPTER XX - - - A NARROW ESCAPE - - -The picnic was the real thing. That is, it was the real old-fashioned -sort of a picnic, and it was therefore a novelty to most of its -participants. - -Patty had been on many motor picnics, where elaborate luncheons were -served by white-garbed waiters, with the same appointments of silver, -glass, and china that she would use at home. But not since her -Vernondale days had she attended this sort of picnic. There were no -servants. The simple but appetising luncheon was spread on a tablecloth -laid on the grass, and, true to tradition, a grasshopper now and then -leaped in among the viands, or an audacious spider attempted to approach -the feast. But these were few and easily vanquished by the brave and -valiant men of the party. - -The men, too, proved themselves capable in the arts of fire-building and -coffee-making, so that Patty, who was a born cook and loved it, found no -use for her talent. So she and the other girls set the table as daintily -as they could with the primitive means at their command, and decorated -it prettily with wild flowers. - -“As a rule,” said Elise, as she sat with a sandwich in one hand and a -glass of lemonade in the other, “I like silver forks and china plates at -a picnic, but, for once, I do think these wooden butter plates and paper -napkins are rather fun. What do you think, Patty?” - -“Far be it from me to cast reflections on the goods my host provides, -but, generally speaking, I confess I like my table a few feet above the -over-attentive population of Mother Earth.” - -“Oh, pshaw, Patty!” exclaimed Philip. “You’re no kind of a sport! You’re -a pampered darling of luxurious modernity.” - -“Gracious! What an awful thing to be!” cried Patty, in mock dismay. - -“And, anyway, Patty,” said the blunt Mona, “if you hadn’t put all those -old weedy flowers on the tablecloth, there wouldn’t be any ants and -things. They’ve mostly come out of your decorations.” - -“I believe you’re right,” said Patty, laughing. “So the picnic is a -success after all, and it’s only our decorations that made any trouble.” - -Then they all ate heartily of the feast, and there was much laughter and -merriment, and afterward they sat round the fire and told stories and -sang songs, and they all declared it was the very nicest picnic ever -was, and they were sorry when it was time to go home. - -“But we must be going,” Patty said, “for I promised Nan we’d be home in -ample time to dress for dinner, and it’s a fairly long ride.” - -“Do we go back the same way we came?” asked Elise, looking at Philip -with an arch air of enquiry. - -“Go back any way you please, fair lady,” he replied. “The way we came is -the shortest, but there is a longer way round, if you prefer it.” - -“I don’t mean that,” said Elise. “I mean do we go with the same -partners?” - -“I do,” declared Philip, “and Miss Fairfield does. The rest of you may -do just as you choose.” - -“Then I think we’ll go as we came,” said Elise, with an air of -satisfaction. - -The simplicity of Philip’s picnic made it an easy matter to pack up to -go home, as there was little beside the tablecloth to take with them, -and so they were soon ready for the homeward trip. - -As host, Philip sent off the other cars first, and, after they were all -started, he stepped into the Swift Camilla, beside Patty, who was -already in the driving seat. - -“I’m going to drive home, you know,” she said. “I’m simply dying to get -hold of this steering bar once more.” - -“All right; you may drive, but let’s go round the other route; it’s only -a little bit longer.” - -“How much longer?” - -“Not more than a mile or two,—two at the most.” - -“Are you sure of that?” - -“Positive!” - -“All right; then we’ve time enough. Where do we turn off?” - -“At this next turn to the left. That takes us around past Berry Hill, -and so on around by Blue Lake.” - -“Oh, yes, I know the way after we reach Blue Lake. Here we go, then!” - -Patty took the turn Philip had indicated, and, as she did so, she caught -the last glimpse of the other three cars disappearing in the distance as -they went home by the same road they came. - -The road she had turned into was far more picturesque and beautiful, -and, as this portion of it was new to her, she was delighted to see it. - -“What high hills!” she exclaimed. “Why, they’re almost mountains!” - -“Hardly that; but they are fairly high hills, to be so near the -seashore. Don’t you want me to drive, Patty? This road has sharp -corners, and around these hills it’s hard to see anybody coming.” - -“No, I’ll drive and you keep a watch out. We haven’t met a car yet.” - -“No, and I wonder at it. Usually there are lots of racers and touring -cars along here. But, of course, it’s early in the season for them.” - -“How is that you are so familiar with this locality? You seem to know -all about it.” - -“I spent a summer down here some years ago. That’s how I knew where that -picnic ground is. Look out, there’s a bad place in the road!” - -But Patty had already seen it, and was skilfully steering so as to avoid -it. - -“You see everything,” said Philip, admiringly; “you’re a wonderful -little motorist! I never saw anybody drive better than you do; and so -easily, too. Merciful Heavens!” - -Patty gave a jump at Philip’s excited exclamation, and saw, straight in -front of her, an immense red car at full speed. It had swung around a -sharp angle, and could not possibly have been seen by them until it -burst on their vision not twenty yards away. They had heard no signal, -which was culpable carelessness on the part of the driver of the big -car, and perhaps Patty was equally culpable in not having sounded her -own horn. - -But this was no time to think of such matters, for they were really in -perilous danger. The driver of the big car did nothing to avert -disaster. It could not be he was indifferent to the awful situation; he -looked more as if he were stunned by the sudden realisation of it. - -Patty was absolutely paralysed with fear. She realised fully their -plight, she knew that nothing could save them from instant and terrible -collision, and her muscles were absolutely powerless to move. - -The short distance between the two cars diminished like lightning, and -neither car had swerved from a straight line leading to the other. - -Patty tried to shriek, but her stiffened tongue gave forth no sound. - -At sight of the big car, Philip Van Reypen was stunned also. But, in an -instant, he recovered his senses, and, in another instant, he had shot -out his right hand and, seizing the controller handle, pushed it -backward with a force that nearly crushed Patty’s hand that held it. -Then, grasping the steering bar with his other hand, he swerved the car -over to the right, blindly trying to find the reverse lever with his -foot. - -Then happened what Philip knew would happen. The Camilla banged into a -sheer cliff of rock, but took it sideways. He grasped Patty as the car -stopped, and they were both jolted backward. - -By presence of mind and quick action, he had run the car into the cliff, -causing thereby a minor smash-up, instead of meeting the big red car in -a head-on collision, which would surely have meant fatality. - -Patty was very white, but she did not faint. The shock restored her -numbed senses, and she turned to Philip with a glance of perfect -understanding of what he had done. - -“Oh, Patty,” he whispered, in a tense voice, “thank Heaven you’re safe!” - -“It was a miracle, Philip; but you did it yourself! I knew it at the -time, my brain worked perfectly, but my muscles were paralysed by fear. -Oh, suppose yours had been, too!” - -“I could have done better if I could have sensed the thing an instant -sooner. For a second my brain wouldn’t work, and then I saw my way -clear, like a flash, but it was too late! I hadn’t time to back or to -get across in front of the car. It was either to run into this cliff, or -have that immense machine run into us.” - -“It was splendid!” said Patty, the tears coming to her eyes; and then -the reaction from the shock came, and she burst into violent sobbing. - -“Don’t, Patty; don’t do that,” said Philip, in a pained voice, and Patty -looked up, smiling through her tears. - -“I’m not really crying,” she said; “it’s just a foolish reaction, and I -can’t help it. I’m sorry to be so silly, but I’m just a little -hysterical from,—from joy, you know.” - -“You behaved splendidly, Patty! If you had moved hand or foot, we would -have been dashed to pieces. It was only because I could get full command -of the controller and the steering bar that I could manage at all. If -you had given a convulsive push the other way,—well, never mind that! -But I expect I crushed your hand when I grasped the controller. I had -to, to make sure that you didn’t jerk it the other way unintentionally.” - -“I guess you did hurt my hand;” and Patty held it up to see. Sure -enough, black and blue bruises already appeared on fingers and palm. - -“Poor little hand,” said Philip, taking it in his own. “I’m so sorry, -Patty.” - -“Don’t talk to me like that!” exclaimed Patty, “as if I were a -molly-coddle! I’m glad you smashed my hand, as that was the only way to -save us from——” - -“From certain death,” said Philip, gravely. - -And then they heard a motor coming behind them, and, looking up, found a -good-sized touring car, which was about to pass them, but had stopped at -their side. - -“Want help?” called out a cheery voice, and Philip answered, “Indeed, we -do!” - -The stranger jumped out of his car, and came over to inspect the -Camilla. - -“I ought to get out,” whispered Philip. “Are you brave enough to sit -here alone, Patty?” - -“Of course; Camilla can’t run away now!” - -Philip and the other man looked about to see what had really happened to -Patty’s car. There was not so much damage as it seemed at first, for, -with the exception of a smashed mudguard, and some dents and bruises, -nothing was broken, except the shaft drive axle. But this, of course, -rendered the car helpless as to her motor, though her running gear was -all right. - -“I’ll give you a tow,” said the stranger heartily. “Where do you want to -go?” - -“To Spring Beach,” answered Philip. “Are you going that way?” - -“I can go that way as well as not, and, when people come as near death -and destruction as you people did, I think it’s only human to take you -home. Perfect marvel, though, how you escaped with so little injury to -the car!” - -“Perfect marvel how we escaped at all!” said Philip. “I did what I -could, but, when I see the narrow margin we had on either side, I wonder -we weren’t smashed to bits, anyway.” - -“It is a wonder!” said the stranger. “Most marvellous thing I ever -saw,—and I’ve seen lots of motor accidents. My name’s Hampton,—Henry -Hampton,—and now, if you’ll help me rig up the tow, I’ll pull you -home.” - -And so, after a short time, Philip and Patty, still seated in the -damaged Camilla, went swiftly along, towed by kind-hearted Henry -Hampton’s powerful car. - -Of course, when they reached “The Pebbles,” an anxious crowd awaited -them. - -“It’s getting to be sort of a habit, our getting home late, with an -accident to report,” said Philip, as they turned in the gate, and Patty -couldn’t help smiling, though her nerves were still tingling from the -recent shock, and from the realisation of their wonderful escape. - -The laughing crowd on the veranda grew suddenly still as they saw a -strange motor enter the gate with the Camilla in tow. - -“What has happened?” cried Nan, as they came within hearing distance. - -“We’re all right, father!” called out Patty, anxious to allay the look -of fear and consternation on her father’s face. - -“Patty, dear child, what is it?” exclaimed Mr. Fairfield, as he lifted -Patty, still white and trembling, out of the car. - -“An accident, father,—an awful accident! And Philip was the hero this -time; he saved my life, and he did it in a most wonderful way! I’ll tell -you about it sometime, but I can’t now;” and Patty fell limply into her -father’s arms. - -“Never mind, darling, it’s all right,” said Mr. Fairfield, soothingly, -as he kissed the pale brow, and carried Patty up the steps and into the -house. He laid her on a couch, and, under Nan’s gentle ministrations, -she soon revived. - -Meantime, Henry Hampton was telling the tale as he had understood it. - -“Mighty slick piece of work!” he said. “Never saw anything like it in my -life! That young fellow ought to have medals pinned all over him.” - -“There, there, Mr. Hampton, that’ll be about all,” said Philip, trying -to shut off the tide of compliments from the stranger. - -“No, ’taint about all!” declared Mr. Hampton, wagging his head, “but I -guess the little lady can tell you the story, once she feels like -herself again. I must be gettin’ along now, but I just want to remark, -edgewise, that I’ve seen lots of pluck and bravery in my day, but for -hair-trigger intellect, coolheadedness, pluck, and plumb bravery, I -never saw such an exhibition as this here chap put up to-day! -Good-afternoon, all;” and, with a wave of his hand, Mr. Hampton went -away. - -Philip was the hero of the hour, but he would not admit that he had done -anything praiseworthy or unusual. - -“There was only one thing to do,” he said; “only one possible chance to -take, and of course I took it; and almost by a miracle it went through -all right, and we smashed the car, but saved our lives.” - -“Don’t you listen to him!” called out Patty. “You people come in here, -and I’ll tell you all about it! I was driving, and it was next to -impossible for Philip to get hold of the bars, across _me_. But he did -it! and he did it in time! and he did it exactly right! And I just sat -there paralysed with fear, and unable to move. But I suppose you don’t -expect a girl to be very brave,—and I sort of collapsed, I know. But -Philip is a hero, and I want him appreciated as such.” - -“He is, Patty dear,” said her father; “and, though he’s awfully modest -himself about his brave deed, he has the honour and respect and -gratitude of all of us for his wonderful quickness of brain and hand -that saved his own life,—and that of my little girl.” - -Mr. Fairfield’s voice broke as he folded Patty in his arms, and he -kissed her with all of a father’s love for the treasure he had so nearly -lost. - - * * * * * - - Melody Lane Mystery Stories - - By LILIAN GARIS - -Thrills, secrets, ghosts—adventures that will fascinate you seem to -surround pretty Carol Duncan. A vivid, plucky girl, her cleverness at -solving mysteries will captivate and thrill every mystery fan. - -The author has written many popular mystery stories for girls and in -this new series Mrs. Garis is at her best. - - THE GHOST OF MELODY LANE - - Mystery surrounds the great organ in the home of the “Cameo - Lady”—beloved friend of Carol and sponsor of the girls’ Choral - Club. Three people see the “ghost” that wanders in the grove - carrying a waxy white rose. And Carol finds the rose! In the end - she finds the ghost too! - - THE FORBIDDEN TRAIL - - There was a tradition at “Splatter Castle” on Melody Lane, and - Marah Splartier, eccentric aunt of Veronica Flint determined to - protect Vera from following the long line of family tragedies - that had had their beginning on the “forbidden trail.” Carol has - several bad frights before she clears up the mystery that keeps - the little family at Splatter Castle unhappy and afraid. - - THE TOWER SECRET - - The winking lights flashing from the old tower on the grounds of - the Bonds’ new home defy explanation. There is no one in the - tower—and no electric power or connections! Had the engaging - circus family that Carol befriended anything to do with the - mystery? And what interest had Parsnips, the queer old farmer, - in the “ghost” tower? - - GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - * * * * * - - DANA GIRLS MYSTERY STORIES - - By CAROLYN KEENE - -Impetuous, delightful Jean Dana and her charming, serious minded sister -Louise find themselves in the midst of several mysteries, when they -attempt to aid people who are in trouble. Thrilling moments come to the -girls as they follow up clue after clue in an endeavor to untangle the -knotty problems in which they become enmeshed. - - BY THE LIGHT OF THE STUDY LAMP - - A stolen study lamp, a fortune teller, and a distressed - schoolmate provide plenty of excitement for the Dana girls - before they locate the persons responsible for many mysterious - happenings. - - THE SECRET AT LONE TREE COTTAGE - - While the girls are at Starhurst School, they learn that their - beloved English teacher has vanished in a strange manner. In - tracing her, Jean and Louise are able to aid the frantic - relatives of a dear little curly-haired tot, but not before they - themselves are in danger of disappearing. - - IN THE SHADOW OF THE TOWER - - The mingling of unusual characters, who have life interests very - different from one another, lends excitement and intrigue to a - Christmas vacation of the Dana girls. Their ability to fit - together the pieces of a strange puzzle brings happiness to - several persons. - - GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK - - * * * * * - - THE JUDY BOLTON - MYSTERY STORIES - - By MARGARET SUTTON - -Here is a new series of mystery stories for girls by an author who knows -the kind of stories every girl wants to read—mystery of the “shivery” -sort, adventure that makes the nerves tingle, clever “detecting” and a -new lovable heroine, Judy Bolton, whom all girls will take to their -hearts at once. - - THE VANISHING SHADOW - - Judy’s safety is threatened by a gang of crooks who think she - knows too much about their latest “deal.” She is constantly - pursued by a mysterious shadow which vanishes before she can get - a glimpse of its owner. - - THE HAUNTED ATTIC - - The Boltons move into a large rambling house reputed to be - haunted. Even the brave Judy who has looked forward to “spooky” - goings on is thoroughly frightened at the strange scrapings and - rappings and the eery “crying ghost.” - - THE INVISIBLE CHIMES - - Through an automobile accident a strange girl is taken into the - Bolton household—the whole family becomes attached to her and - interested in her story. Judy tracks down many clues before she - finally uncovers the real identity of “Honey.” - - SEVEN STRANGE CLUES - - Judy gets to the bottom of a mystery that centers around a prize - poster contest and a fire in the school building—through seven - baffling clues that hold the key to the answer. - - THE GHOST PARADE - - Seven monster heads—Indian totems—provide mystery and humor - and adventure in this thrilling story. - - THE YELLOW PHANTOM - - With her quick thinking and courage Judy rescues a lost friend - and solves the mystery of “Golden Girl.” - - THE MYSTIC BALL - - Irene, the “engaged girl,” is frightened by a crystal-gazer but - Judy exposes the trickery and saves her friend’s romance. - - GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - * * * * * - - THE NANCY DREW MYSTERY - STORIES - - By CAROLYN KEENE - - Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself. - -Here is a thrilling series of mystery stories for girls. Nancy Drew, -ingenious, alert, is the daughter of a famous criminal lawyer and she -herself is deeply interested in his mystery cases. Her interest involves -her often in some very dangerous and exciting situations. - - THE SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK - - Nancy, unaided, seeks to locate a missing will and finds herself - in the midst of adventure. - - THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE - - Mysterious happenings in an old stone mansion lead to an - investigation by Nancy. - - THE BUNGALOW MYSTERY - - Nancy has some perilous experiences around a deserted bungalow. - - THE MYSTERY AT LILAC INN - - Quick thinking and quick action were needed for Nancy to - extricate herself from a dangerous situation. - - THE SECRET AT SHADOW RANCH - - On a vacation in Arizona Nancy uncovers an old mystery and - solves it. - - THE SECRET OF RED GATE FARM - - Nancy exposes the doings of a secret society on an isolated - farm. - - THE CLUE IN THE DIARY - - A fascinating and exciting story of a search for a clue to a - surprising mystery. - - NANCY’S MYSTERIOUS LETTER - - Nancy receives a letter informing her that she is heir to a - fortune. This story tells of her search for another Nancy Drew. - - THE SIGN OF THE TWISTED CANDLES - - Nancy, as mediator in a generation-old feud, divulges an unknown - birthright. - - THE PASSWORD TO LARKSPUR LANE - - A carrier pigeon furnishes Nancy with a clue to a mysterious - retreat. - - GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK - - * * * * * - - THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS - By LAURA LEE HOPE - - Author of The Outdoor Girls Series - - Illustrated by Thelma Gooch - -The Blythe Girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City. -Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while -Margy, just out of business school, obtained a position as secretary and -Rose, plain-spoken and business like, took what she called a “job” in a -department store. The experiences of these girls make fascinating -reading—life in the great metropolis is thrilling and full of strange -adventures and surprises. - -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY’S QUEER INHERITANCE -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE’S GREAT PROBLEM -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN’S STRANGE BOARDER -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY’S SECRET MISSION -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE’S ODD DISCOVERY -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HELEN -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: SNOWBOUND IN CAMP -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY’S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE’S HIDDEN TALENT -THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN’S WONDERFUL MISTAKE - - GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - * * * * * - - THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES - By LAURA LEE HOPE - - Author of “The Blythe Girls Books.” - - Every Volume Complete in Itself. - -These are the adventures of a group of bright, fun-loving, up-to-date -girls who have a common bond in their fondness for outdoor life, -camping, travel and adventure. There is excitement and humor in these -stories and girls will find in them the kind of pleasant associations -that they seek to create among their own friends and chums. - -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD -THE OUTDOOR GULLS AT FOAMING FALLS -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ALONG THE COAST -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT SPRING HILL FARM -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT NEW MOON RANCH -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A HIKE -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A CANOE TRIP -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT CEDAR RIDGE -THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE AIR - - GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - * * * * * - - THE LILIAN GARIS BOOKS - Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself. - -Among her “fan” letters Lilian Garis receives some flattering -testimonials of her girl readers’ interest in her stories. From a class -of thirty comes a vote of twenty-five naming her as their favorite -author. Perhaps it is the element of live mystery that Mrs. Garis always -builds her stories upon, or perhaps it is because the girls easily can -translate her own sincere interest in themselves from the stories. At -any rate her books prosper through the changing conditions of these -times, giving pleasure, satisfaction, and, incidentally, that tactful -word of inspiration, so important in literature for young girls. Mrs. -Garis prefers to call her books “juvenile novels” and in them romance is -never lacking. - -JUDY JORDAN -JUDY JORDAN’S DISCOVERY -SALLY FOR SHORT -SALLY FOUND OUT -A GIRL CALLED TED -TED AND TONY, TWO GIRLS OF TODAY -CLEO’S MISTY RAINBOW -CLEO’S CONQUEST -BARBARA HALE -BARBARA HALE’S MYSTERY FRIEND -NANCY BRANDON -NANCY BRANDON’S MYSTERY -CONNIE LORING -CONNIE LORING’S GYPSY FRIEND -JOAN: JUST GIRL -JOAN’S GARDEN OF ADVENTURE -GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DAD -GLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL - - GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - * * * * * - - The Children’s Favorite Series - FOR BOYS AND GIRLS OF EVERY AGE - - These books belong in every home where there are children - -Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The _Mark Twain_ -Alice in Wonderland _Lewis Carroll_ -America _Robert W. Chambers_ -Black Beauty _Anna Sewell_ -Eight Cousins _Louisa May Alcott_ -Hans Brinker _Mary Mapes Dodge_ -Heidi _Johanna Spyri_ -Helen’s Babies _John Habberton_ -Last of the Mohicans, The _James F. Cooper_ -Light House at the End of the World, The _Jules Verne_ -Little Lame Prince, The _Miss Mullock_ -Little Men _Louisa M. Alcott_ -Little Minister _Sir James Barrie_ -Little Women _Louisa May Alcott_ -Mr. Midshipman Easy _Captain Marryat_ -Mysterious Island, The _Jules Verne_ -Old Fashioned Girl, An _Louisa May Alcott_ -Oliver Twist _Charles Dickens_ -Oregon Trail, The _Francis Parkman_ -Pilgrim’s Progress, The _John Bunyan_ -Pinocchio _C. Collodi_ -Robinson Crusoe _Daniel Defoe_ -Rose in Bloom _Louisa May Alcott_ -Scarlet Letter _Nathaniel Hawthorne_ -Spy, The _James F. Cooper_ -Story of a Bad Boy, The _Thomas Bailey Aldrich_ -Swiss Family Robinson _Johann R. Wyss_ -Tales from Shakespeare _Charles and Mary Lamb_ -Tom Brown’s School Days _Thomas Hughes_ -Treasure Island _Robert Louis Stevenson_ -Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea _Jules Verne_ -Two Years Before the Mast _Richard Henry Dana_ -Uncle Tom’s Cabin _Harriet Beecher Stowe_ -Under the Lilacs _Louisa May Alcott_ -The White Company _Arthur Conan Doyle_ - - GROSSET & DUNLAP, _Publishers_, NEW YORK - - * * * * * - -Transcriber’s Notes: - -Hyphenation has been retained as in the original. Punctuation has been -corrected without note. Other errors have been corrected as noted below: - -page 106, many jewelled pines; ==> many jewelled pins; -page 138, you’re right, fathery ==> you’re right, father -page 267, spider attemped to ==> spider attempted to - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Patty's Motor Car, by Carolyn Wells - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S MOTOR CAR *** - -***** This file should be named 52964-0.txt or 52964-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/9/6/52964/ - -Produced by Mardi Desjardins & the online Distributed -Proofreaders Canada team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net from -page images generously made available by The HathiTrust -Digital Library (https://www.hathitrust.org/) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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text-align:right; vertical-align:top; -} - .tdStyle1 { -padding: 2px 5px; text-align:left; vertical-align:top; -} - .pindent { margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-indent:1.5em; } - .noindent { margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-indent:0; } - .hang { padding-left:1.5em; text-indent:-1.5em; } - </style> - <style type="text/css"> - h1 { font-size: 1.3em; font-weight:bold;} - </style> - </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Patty's Motor Car, by Carolyn Wells - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Patty's Motor Car - -Author: Carolyn Wells - -Release Date: September 2, 2016 [EBook #52964] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S MOTOR CAR *** - - - - -Produced by Mardi Desjardins & the online Distributed -Proofreaders Canada team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net from -page images generously made available by The HathiTrust -Digital Library (https://www.hathitrust.org/) - - - - - - -</pre> - -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0000' style='width:375px;height:auto;'/> -</div> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line' style='font-size:2.5em;font-weight:bold;'>Patty’s</p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:2.5em;font-weight:bold;'>Motor Car</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:0.9em;'>BY</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:1.3em;font-weight:bold;'>CAROLYN WELLS</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:0.9em;'>AUTHOR OF</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'>TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES,</p> -<p class='line'>THE MARJORIE SERIES, <span class='sc'>Etc.</span></p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<div class='figcenter'> -<img src='images/i003.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0001' style='width:100px;height:auto;'/> -</div> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line' style='font-size:1.1em;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP</p> -<p class='line'>PUBLISHERS NEW YORK</p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'><span class='sc'>Copyright, 1911</span></p> -<p class='line'><span class='sc'>By Dodd, Mead and Company</span></p> -<p class='line'>Published, September, 1911</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'>Printed in U.S.A.</p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<hr class='pbk'/> - -<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'>DEDICATED</p> -<p class='line'>WITH LOVE</p> -<p class='line'>TO</p> -<p class='line' style='font-size:1.1em;'>KATHARINE CARLETON</p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -<hr class='tbk100'/> - -<div><h1>CONTENTS</h1></div> - -<table id='tab1' summary='' class='center'> -<colgroup> -<col span='1' style='width: 2em;'/> -<col span='1' style='width: 0em;'/> -<col span='1' style='width: 17em;'/> -<col span='1' style='width: 0em;'/> -<col span='1' style='width: 2em;'/> -<col span='1' style='width: 1em;'/> -</colgroup> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>CHAPTER</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>PAGE</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>I</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>Afternoon Tea</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_9'>9</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>II</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>An Able Helper</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_24'>24</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>III</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Lecture</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_40'>40</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>IV</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>The Hundredth Question</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_52'>52</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>V</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Summer Home</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_66'>66</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>VI</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>The Award</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_81'>81</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>VII</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Neighbour</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_97'>97</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>VIII</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>Swift Camilla</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_110'>110</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>IX</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>Mona at Home</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_124'>124</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>X</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>The Courtesy of the Road</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_137'>137</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XI</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>The First Arrivals</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_152'>152</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XII</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Moonlight Ride</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_165'>165</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XIII</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>Patty’s Ingenuity</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_177'>177</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XIV</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Birthday Breakfast</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_190'>190</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XV</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Morning Swim</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_203'>203</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XVI</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Change of Partners</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_216'>216</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XVII</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Dinner and a Dance</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_229'>229</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XVIII</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>Mona Interferes</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_242'>242</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XIX</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>Philip’s Picnic</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_254'>254</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XX</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Narrow Escape</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_267'>267</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr> -<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'> </td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'> </td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'> </td></tr> -</table> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'><a href='#notes'>Transcriber’s Notes</a> can be found at the end of this eBook.</p> - -<hr class='tbk101'/> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='9' id='Page_9'></span><h1>CHAPTER I</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>AFTERNOON TEA</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty was curled up in her favourite big -easy-chair in her own study.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Though called a study, because it had -been used as such during her schooldays, the -pretty room was really more like a <span class='it'>boudoir</span>. -Her desk was still there, but was now filled with -programmes, friendly letters, and social correspondence -instead of school themes or problems. -The general colouring of the room was -green, but the sash curtains of thin yellow silk, -and the heap of yellow sofa cushions, did much -to lighten the effect, and gave the room a sunshiny -air, even on a dull day. The couch, and -the two big, soft, cuddly chairs were upholstered -in yellow-flowered chintz, and on the pale green -walls hung Patty’s favourite pictures, and many -curios or souvenirs of her year spent abroad.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was the first of March, so the room was -brightened both by a big bowlful of yellow -daffodils and a blazing wood fire. The two -things Patty liked best in life were warmth and -colour, and so to-day she was sitting near the -fire, with the splendid yellow glory of the daffodils -in full view.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But she was not looking at them, for she -was poring over a book. When Patty read -she usually pored, for she was eager and -enthusiastic over any story in which she was -interested.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But to-day, she was not reading a story. She -pored intently, and then, throwing back her -head, she would stare blankly at the ceiling, -thinking hard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then, perhaps, she would fly to her bookcase, -tumble out two or three books, swiftly turn their -pages, and then back to her big chair and the -original book.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was a very small book, with a paper cover, -but it seemed to be most engrossing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Two or three hours passed, and still Patty -pored over the little book, rarely turning a page. -Absent-mindedly, she rubbed her head until the -hairpins fell out, and her golden hair fell -around her shoulders, as bright a glory as the -daffodils. Vacantly she stared into the fire or -out of the window, and at last she flung her -little book across the room and exclaimed aloud:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s no use! I can’t do it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And then Nan, her pretty stepmother, appeared -at the open door.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty!” she cried; “in a kimono! And it’s -nearly four o’clock! Don’t you know it’s my -day?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nan,” said Patty, with an anxious look in -her eyes, “what is it, of which the poor have -two and the rich have none?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Gracious, Patty! What a question! I -don’t know, I’m sure. Are you going in for -more philanthropy? Because, if so, do wait -for a more convenient season.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No; it isn’t philanthropy. It’s——I say, -Nan, how could a headless man write a letter?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He couldn’t.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And does a bookworm eat straight through -a book, or zigzag?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know. I’ve heard the Bookworm is -only a fabled animal, like a griffin. Or, no; I -think it’s an extinct species, like the Dodo.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Nan! You are so deliciously ignorant.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No more so than you, or why do you ask -me these things? Now, Patty, stop this nonsense, -and get dressed. What <span class='it'>are</span> you doing, -anyway?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Nan, the loveliest scheme ever! Let -me tell you about it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, not now. I must go down to the drawing-room. -And you must follow just as soon -as you can. Do you hear?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I hear, you old Loveliness. But just -tell me when London——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Nan had run away from the fire of questions, -and Patty drew herself up out of her -chair, stretched and yawned like a sleepy kitten, -and then proceeded to make her toilette -with expedition and despatch.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But as she sat in front of her dressing table, -piling her gold hair into a soft crown above her -pretty face, she frowned at her own reflection.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re a stupid idiot,” she informed herself. -“You don’t know anything! And you haven’t -an ounce of brains! Now, <span class='it'>what</span> is it of which -the poor have two, the rich have none, schoolboys -have several, and you have one. Well, I -can’t think of a thing but mumps or measles; -and, of course, they’re not the answer, and you -couldn’t have one measle, anyhow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As she dressed, Patty took hasty glances in -the little book, and finally she left her room -and walked slowly downstairs, murmuring, -“Divide nine into two equal parts, which, -added together, make ten.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But when she reached the drawing-room door, -all the puzzling problems flew out of her mind, -and she went in gracefully to greet Nan’s -guests.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As Patty was not yet out in society, she did -not have her name on the card with her stepmother’s, -but she always assisted Nan in receiving, -and informally asked a number of her -own friends to call, too.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This was Nan’s last reception day for the season, -so it was a little more elaborate than others -had been.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty wore an embroidered white <span class='it'>chiffon</span>, -which delicate material clouded bows and bands -of pale-blue satin. It was a lovely frock, and -just suited Patty’s blonde fairness. She went -around among her mother’s friends, greeting -them with pretty courtesy, and chatting easily -with them. But, after a time, her own young -friends came, and, with the two Farringtons -and Kenneth Harper, Patty went to the library, -where they could be by themselves.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon, Mr. Hepworth came, bringing Christine -Farley.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Christine had been in New York only a few -weeks, but already she had lost much of her -painful shyness, and, though still easily embarrassed -by the presence of strangers, she -usually managed to preserve her poise and -self-control.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She greeted Patty with shining eyes, for the -Southern girl was warmly affectionate, and -adored Patty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And are you all settled, now, Christine, and -ready to receive callers?” Patty asked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I am. I have a lovely room; not large, -but sunny and pleasant, and I will gladly welcome -you there at any time. And Mr. and Mrs. -Bosworth are such kind people. Oh, I shall be -very happy there.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And the work?” asked Mr. Hepworth. -“How does that come on?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s all right,” said Christine, soberly, but -nodding her head with satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Though shy in society, she was most practical -and unembarrassed about her art study. Not -over-conceited, but perfectly aware of the extent -of her own talent, and also of her own -ignorance. And she had a calm determination -to improve the one and conquer the other.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Christine was pretty, in her soft Southern way. -She was small, and dainty in all her effects. Her -oval face was serious, almost sad in its expression, -but, if she were interested in a subject, it -would light up into sudden beauty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Her clothes betokened her artistic tastes, and -she never wore dresses of the fashionable type, -but soft, clinging gowns in dull, pastel colours. -A bit of old embroidery or unusual jewelry -added an effective touch, and Christine always -looked well dressed, though her clothes cost -far less than Patty’s. The two girls were absolutely -unlike, and yet they were fast becoming -great friends. But Christine possessed almost -no sense of humour, and Patty feared she -could never be really chummy with any one who -lacked that.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Elise was not very fond of Christine, for she -didn’t understand her at all, and secretly -thought her rather stupid. But the boys, Roger -and Kenneth, liked the Southern maiden, with -her soft, pretty accent, and, of course, Mr. -Hepworth was her friend.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the whole group was fairly congenial, and -they formed a pleasant little circle in the library, -to drink their tea.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sorry I’m late,” said a cheery voice, and -Philip Van Reypen joined them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh! how do you do?” cried Patty, jumping -up to greet him. “Miss Farley, may I -present Mr. Van Reypen? I think the rest -are all acquainted.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There were general greetings all round, and -then Philip took his place with the rest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My aunt is here,” he said, to Patty. “A -little later, perhaps, she wants to meet Miss -Farley.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So she shall,” said Patty, remembering Miss -Van Reypen’s offer to help Christine in some -way. “Will you have tea?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Will I have tea?” echoed Philip. “That’s -exactly what I’m here for. Please, yes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then here you are,” said Patty, handing -him a cup; “and, incidentally, do you -know how a bookworm goes through a -book?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ugh! what an unpleasant subject,” said Elise, -with a shrug of her shoulders. “Patty, do -talk of something else.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can’t,” said Patty, solemnly; “I <span class='it'>must</span> know -about the manners and customs of a well-conducted -bookworm.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Do you mean a real bookworm, or a studious -person?” asked Mr. Hepworth, who often -took Patty’s questions very seriously.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I mean the—the entomological sort,” said -Patty, “and I’m in dead earnest. Who knows -anything about the bookworms that really destroy -books?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I do,” announced Kenneth, “but nothing -would induce me to tell. Theirs is a secret history, -and not to be made known to a curious -world.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pooh!” said Roger, “that’s all bluff. -Patty, he doesn’t really know anything about -the beasts. Now, I do. A bookworm is a -grub.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Philip, “the book is the bookworm’s -grub. And pretty dry fodder he must -often find it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I know what you’re going to do, Patty,” -said Kenneth, in an aggrieved voice; “you’re -going to set up a pair of pet bookworms in -place of Darby and Juliet. Please understand -that I am distinctly offended, and I prophesy -that your new pets won’t be half as interesting -as the goldfish.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wrong again, Ken,” returned Patty; “no -new pets could ever be so dear to my heart as -those sweet, lovely goldfish. But, if you people -don’t tell me about bookworms, I’ll have -to look in the Encyclopædia; and, if there’s anything -I do hate, it’s that. Christine, aren’t you -up on bookworms?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Christine, in a shy whisper. She -couldn’t yet become accustomed to the quick -repartee and merry nonsense of these Northern -young people.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I used to have a pet bookworm,” began -Roger, “but he got into a cook-book and died -of dyspepsia.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Tell us what it’s all about, Patty?” said -Mr. Hepworth, seeing she was really serious in -her questioning.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, it’s a puzzle,—a sort of conundrum. -This is it. Suppose a history in three volumes -is placed upon a bookshelf. Suppose each volume -contains just one hundred pages. And -suppose a bookworm, starting at page one of -volume one, bores right straight through the -books, covers and all, to the last page of volume -three. How many leaves does he go through, -not counting fly-leaves, or covers?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty, I’m surprised at you,” said Roger. -“That’s too easy. He goes through the three -hundred pages, of course.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It does seem so,” said Patty, with a perplexed -look, “but, as you say, that’s too -easy. There must be a catch or a quibble -somewhere.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well,” said Elise, “I never could do a puzzle. -I don’t know why a hen goes across the -road, or when is a door not a door. But you’re -a born puzzlist, Patty, and, if you can’t guess -it, nobody can.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Elise, you’re a sweet thing, and most complimentary. -But I know you have no talent -for puzzles, so, my dear child, I’m not asking -you. But, you men of brains and intellect, -can’t you help me out? I’m sure there’s another -answer, but I can’t think what it would -be.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, Patty,” said Mr. Hepworth, thoughtfully, -“I think Roger is right. If the bookworm -goes through all three volumes, he must -go through three hundred pages, mustn’t he?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, indeed!” cried Christine, her shyness -forgotten, and her eyes shining as she constructed -the picture of the books in her mind’s -eye. “Wait a minute; yes, I’m sure I’m right! -He only goes through one hundred pages. -He goes only through the second volume, -you see!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Elise looked at Christine a little disdainfully.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You don’t seem to have heard the conditions,” -she said. “The bookworm begins at -the first page of the first volume and goes -through to the end of the last one.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I heard that,” said Christine, flushing -at Elise’s tone, which was distinctly supercilious. -“But, don’t you see, when the books are set -up on a shelf, in the usual manner, the first page -of the first volume is on the right, just up -against the last page of the second volume.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense!” cried Elise.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But it is so, Miss Farley!” exclaimed Philip -Van Reypen. “You’ve struck it! Look, -people!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He turned to a bookcase, and indicated three -volumes of a set of books.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, see, the first page of volume one is -right against the last page of volume two. -So the first page of volume two is up against -the last page of volume three. Now, what -does Mr. Bookworm do? He starts here, at -the first page of volume one. He doesn’t go -backward, so he doesn’t go through volume -one at all! He goes through volume two, and, -as soon as he strikes volume three, he strikes -it at the last page, and his task is done, his -journey is over. He has fulfilled the conditions -of the original question. See?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They did see, after awhile, but it was only the -ocular demonstration that proved it, for the -facts were hard to describe in words.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Elise flatly refused to see it, saying it made -her head ache to try to understand it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But it was very clever of Miss Farley to -reason it out so soon,” said Philip.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, wasn’t it?” agreed Patty. “I didn’t -know you had a bent for puzzles, Christine.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I haven’t. But that doesn’t seem to me like -a puzzle. I can’t do arithmetical problems, or -guess charades at all. But this seems to me a -picture of still life. I can see the insides of -the books in my mind, and they are wrong end -to,—that is, compared to the way we read them. -You see, they really stand in the bookcase with -the pages numbered backward.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Bravo, Christine; so they do!” said Mr. Hepworth. -“Patty, that’s the answer, but, I confess, -I was ’way off myself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So say we all of us,” chimed in Roger. “I -can only see through it, part of the time, even -now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I think it a most clever catch question,” said -Philip Van Reypen. “Where did you find it, -Miss Fairfield?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“In a little book of puzzles; I’m trying to -guess them all.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let me help you, won’t you? I’m a shark -on puzzles. I slipped up on this one, I admit; -but I can do the ‘transposed, I am a fish’ kind, -just lovely.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ah, but my bookful isn’t that kind. -They’re all of a catchy or difficult sort.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, let me try to help, mayn’t I?” Mr. -Van Reypen’s voice was gay and wheedlesome, -and Patty responded by saying, “Perhaps; -some time. But now I must take Miss Farley -in to see Mrs. Van Reypen.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>These two were mutually pleased with each -other, as Patty felt sure they would be.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Van Reypen assumed her kindest demeanour, -for she saw Christine was excessively -shy. She talked pleasantly to her, drawing her -out concerning her life work and her life plans, -and ended by asking the girl to call on her -some afternoon, soon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then she went away, and Patty drew Christine -into a corner to congratulate her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s fine!” she declared. “If Mrs. Van -Reypen takes you up, she’ll do lovely things -for you. She’ll have you at her house, and -you’ll meet lovely people, and she’ll take you -to the opera! Oh, Christine, do be nice to her.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course I shall. I liked her at once. She -isn’t a bit patronising. But, Patty, your friend -Elise is. I don’t know why, but she doesn’t like -me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense, Christine, don’t you go around -with thinks like that under your pompadour! -Elise is all right. She isn’t such a sunny bunny -as I am, but she’s a lot wiser and better in -many ways.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, she isn’t! She’s selfish and jealous. But -I’m going to be nice to her, and, perhaps, I -can make her like me, after all.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I should say you could! Everybody likes -you, and anybody who doesn’t soon will!”</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='24' id='Page_24'></span><h1>CHAPTER II</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>AN ABLE HELPER</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nearly all the guests had left the -Fairfield house, after Nan’s pleasant -afternoon tea. Philip Van Reypen had -escorted his aunt out to her carriage, and she -had driven away, while the young man returned -for a few moments’ further chat with his -hostess.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Though he and Nan had met but a few times, -they had become rather chummy, which, however, -was not unusual for him, if he liked anybody.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Young Van Reypen was of a gay and social -nature, and made friends easily by his sheer -good-humour. He admired Mrs. Fairfield very -much, but, even more, he admired Patty. Ever -since he had met her unexpectedly on his aunt’s -staircase, he had thought her the prettiest and -sweetest girl he had ever seen. So he was making -every endeavour to cultivate her acquaintance, -and, being of rather astute observation, he -concluded it wise to make friends with the -whole Fairfield family.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So the big, handsome chap went back to the -drawing-room, and dropped on a sofa beside -Nan.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s awfully cold out,” he observed, -plaintively.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is it?” returned his hostess, innocently.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; I hate to go out in the cold.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But you have to go, sooner or later.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; but it may be warmer later.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“On the contrary, it will probably grow -colder.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh! do you think so? But, then again, it -may not, and I’m quite willing to take the -chance.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mr. Van Reypen, I do believe you’re hinting -for an invitation to stay here to dinner!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Mrs. Fairfield, how clever you are! -How could you possibly guess that, now?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nan laughed and hesitated. She liked the -young man, but she wasn’t sure that Patty -wanted him there. Patty was developing into -a somewhat decided young person, and liked to -make her own plans. And Nan well knew that -Patty was the real magnet that drew Mr. Van -Reypen so often to the house.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What do you think?” she said, as the girl -came into the room; “this plain-spoken young -man is giving me to understand that, if he were -urged, he would dine here to-night.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course, it would require a great deal -of most insistent urging,” put in Philip.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t let’s urge him,” said Patty, but the -merry smile she flashed at the young man belied -her words.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If you smile like that, I’ll do the urging myself,” -he cried. “Please, Mrs. Fairfield, <span class='it'>do</span> -let me stay; I’ll be as good as gold.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What say you, Patty?” asked Nan.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He may stay,” rejoined Patty, “if he’ll help -me with my work on those puzzles.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Puzzles? Well, I just guess I will! I’ll do -them all for you. Where’s your slate and -pencil?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, not yet!” laughed Patty. “We won’t -do those until after dinner.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why do you do them at all?” asked Nan; -“and what are they, anyway?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll tell you,” began Patty; “no, I won’t, -either. At least, not now. It’s a grand project,—a -really great scheme. And I’ll unfold -it at dinner, then father can hear about it, too.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, later, when the quartette were seated -around the dinner table, Patty announced that -she would tell of her great project.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You see,” she began, “it’s a sort of advertisement -for a big motor-car company.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t try to float a motor-car company, -Patty,” advised her father; “it’s too big a project -for a young girl.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m not going to do that, Daddy Fairfield; -but I begin to think that what I am going to -do is almost as hard. You see, this big company -has issued a book of a hundred puzzles. Now, -whoever guesses all those puzzles correctly will -get the prize. And,—the prize is a lovely electric -runabout. And I want it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hevings! hevings!” murmured Mr. Van -Reypen. “She wants an Electric Runabout! -Why, Infant, you’ll break your blessed neck!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indeed, I won’t! I guess I’ve brains -enough to run an electric car! If I guess -those puzzles, that’ll prove it. They’re fearfully -hard! Listen to this one. ‘When did -London begin with an L and end with an -E?’”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That is hard,” said Nan. “It must be some -foreign name for London. But <span class='it'>Londres</span> won’t -do.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Patty, “I thought of that. I -expect it’s some old Anglo-Saxon or Hardicanute -name.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I expect it’s rubbish,” said her father. -“Patty, don’t begin on these things. You’ll -wear yourself out. I know how you hammer at -anything, once you begin it, and you’ll be sitting -up nights with these foolish questions until -you’re really ill.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, no, I won’t, father. And beside, Mr. -Van Reypen is going to help me, lots.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Angel Child,” said Philip, looking at her -with a patronising air, “if all your questions -are as easy as that one you just quoted, your -task is already accomplished.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, do you know the answer?” cried -Patty. “Oh, tell it to me! I’ve puzzled so -hard over it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s a quibble, of course,—a sort of catch, -do you see? And the answer is that London always -began with an L, and <span class='it'>End</span> always began -with an E.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh,” said Patty, catching the point at once, -“I should have known that! I pride myself -on guessing those catch questions.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You were clever to guess it so quickly, Mr. -Van Reypen,” said Mr. Fairfield; “or have you -heard it before?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not exactly in that form, no. But so many -quibbles are built like that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“They are,” agreed Patty; “I ought to have -known it. Well, I rather think there are some -others you won’t guess so easily.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How many have you done?” asked Nan.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ve done about twenty-five out of the hundred. -Some were dead easy, and some I had to -work on like the mischief.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, Patty,” began her father, “what could -you do with a motor car of your own? You -don’t want it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indeed, I do! Why, I’ll have perfectly elegant -times scooting around by myself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But you can’t go by yourself in the New -York streets! I won’t allow it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, daddy dear, not here in the city, perhaps. -But, if we go away for the summer to -some nice country place, where there’s nothing -in the road but cows, then I could run it alone. -Or with some nice girl by my side.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Or with some nice boy by your side,” put -in Philip. “I’m an awfully nice boy,—they -all say.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If you help me win it, I’ll give you a ride -in it,” said Patty. “But I haven’t won it yet.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, and you won’t,” said her father. -“Those contests are just planned for an advertisement. -The prize goes to the daughter of -the chief director.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Father Fairfield! What a mean thing -to say! You don’t know that that’s so at all. -Now, I believe in their honesty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So do I,” said Nan. “That isn’t like -you, Fred, to express such an unfounded -suspicion.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, perhaps I spoke too hastily. But still, -Patty, I don’t think you want the thing. If you -get it, I’ll sell it for you, and give you the -money.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, sir-ee! I want it for itself alone. Oh, -father, think what fun I’d have spinning around -the country! Wouldn’t we, Nan?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, indeed! I think it would be great fun. -And they say those electrics are easy to manage.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pooh! as easy as pie,” declared Patty. -“And, anyway, I ran a big touring car once, -in France. A big gasoline one. An electric is -nothing to that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What do you do to make it go?” asked -her father, smiling.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, you just release the pawl that engages -the clutch that holds the lever that sustains the -spring that lets go the brake—and there you -are!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty! where did you learn all that jargon?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“’Tisn’t jargon; it’s sense. And now, my dear -ones, will you all help me in my stupendous undertaking? -For, when I engage in a contest, I -want to win.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is it winning, if you have so much help?” -teased her father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, it is. The contest is to get the answers -to those hundred questions and send them in. -It doesn’t matter where you get your answers. -You don’t want to enter the contest yourself, -do you, Mr. Van Reypen?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, no, fair lady. I would but be thy humble -knight, and render such poor assistance as -I may.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, then; right after dinner, we’ll -tackle that book of posers.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And so, for a couple of hours that evening, -Patty and Philip Van Reypen exerted the full -force of their intellects to unravel the knotty -tangles propounded by the little paper-covered -book.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield tried for a time, but -soon grew weary of the difficult game.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, take this one,” said Patty to her colleague; -“‘How do you swallow a door?’”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Bolt it,” he replied, promptly. “That’s an -old one.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I ought to have guessed that myself,” said -Patty, “I’m so fond of slang.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“‘Bolt it,’ isn’t exactly slang.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No,—I s’pose not. It’s just rude diction. -Now, answer this. ‘The poor have two, the -rich have none. Schoolboys have several, you -have one.’”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, that’s one of a class of puzzles to -which the answer is usually some letter of the -alphabet.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, of course!” cried Patty, quickly; “it -is <span class='it'>O</span>. There, I guessed that! Don’t you claim -it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course, you did! Now, you know this -one about the headless man, don’t you? It’s a -classic.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I don’t. I can’t see any sense to it -at all.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Read it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So Patty read aloud:</p> - -<div class='poetry-container' style=''><div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0'>“‘A headless man had a letter to write</p> -<p class='line0'> It was read by one who had lost his sight,</p> -<p class='line0'> The dumb repeated it, word for word,</p> -<p class='line0'> And he who was deaf both listened and heard.’”</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>“And you don’t know that?” asked Philip.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No; the conditions are impossible.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, no, they’re not. They only seem so. -The answer is, ‘Nothing.’ You see the headless -man could write nothing, that’s naught, -zero, or the <span class='it'>letter O</span>. Then the blind man, of -course, could read nothing; the dumb man could -repeat nothing; and the deaf man heard nothing.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pooh! I don’t think that’s very clever.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not modernly clever, but it’s a good example -of the old-time enigmas.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Gracious! What a lot you know about puzzles. -Have you always studied them.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; I loved them as a child, and I love -them still. I think this whole book is great -fun. But we’ll strike some really difficult ones -yet. Here’s one I’ve never seen before. I’ll -read it, and see if we, either of us, get a -clue.</p> - -<div class='poetry-container' style=''><div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0'>“‘What is it men and women all despise,</p> -<p class='line0'>Yet one and all alike as highly prize?</p> -<p class='line0'>What kings possess not; yet full sure am I</p> -<p class='line0'>That for that luxury they often sigh.</p> -<p class='line0'>What never was for sale; yet any day</p> -<p class='line0'>The thrifty housewife will give some away</p> -<p class='line0'>The farmer needs it for his growing corn.</p> -<p class='line0'>The tired husbandman delights to own.</p> -<p class='line0'>The very thing for any sick friend’s room.</p> -<p class='line0'>It coming, silent as Spring’s early bloom.</p> -<p class='line0'>A great, soft, yielding thing, that no one fears.</p> -<p class='line0'>A tiny thing, oft wet with mother’s tears.</p> -<p class='line0'>A thing so holy that we often wear</p> -<p class='line0'>It carefully hidden from the world’s cold stare.’”</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well,” remarked Patty, complacently, as he -finished reading, “I’ve guessed that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You have! You bright little thing! I -haven’t. Now, don’t tell me. Wait a -minute! No, I can’t catch it. Tell me the -answer.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, it’s An Old Shoe,” said Patty, laughing. -“See how it all fits in.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; it’s rattling clever. I like that one. -Did you guess it as I read?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; it seemed to dawn on me as you went -along. They often do that, if I read them -slowly. Now, here’s another old one. I’ll read, -and you guess.</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='line'>“‘If it be true, as Welshmen say,</p> -<p class='line'>Honour depends on pedigree,</p> -<p class='line'>Then stand by—clear the way—</p> -<p class='line'>And let me have fair play.</p> -<p class='line'>For, though you boast thro’ ages dark</p> -<p class='line'>Your pedigree from Noah’s ark,</p> -<p class='line'>I, too, was with him there.</p> -<p class='line'>For I was Adam, Adam I,</p> -<p class='line'>And I was Eve, and Eve was I,</p> -<p class='line'>In spite of wind and weather;</p> -<p class='line'>But mark me—Adam was not I,</p> -<p class='line'>Neither was Mrs. Adam I,</p> -<p class='line'>Unless they were together.</p> -<p class='line'>Suppose, then, Eve and Adam talking—</p> -<p class='line'>With all my heart, but if they’re walking</p> -<p class='line'>There ends all simile.</p> -<p class='line'>For, tho’ I’ve tongue and often talk,</p> -<p class='line'>And tho’ I’ve feet, yet when I walk</p> -<p class='line'>There is an end of me!</p> -<p class='line'>Not such an end but I have breath,</p> -<p class='line'>Therefore to such a kind of death</p> -<p class='line'>I have but small objection.</p> -<p class='line'>I may be Turk, I may be Jew,</p> -<p class='line'>And tho’ a Christian, yet ’tis true</p> -<p class='line'>I die by Resurrection!’”</p> - -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I know that one! It’s a very old one -and it’s capital. The answer is A Bedfellow. -See how clever it is; if I walk, it puts an end -to me! and I die by resurrection! Oh, that’s a -good one. But you see this one?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The golden head and the close-cropped dark -one bent over the book together and read these -lines:</p> - -<div class='poetry-container' style=''><div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0'>“I sit stern as a rock when I’m raising the wind,</p> -<p class='line0'>But the storm once abated I’m gentle and kind;</p> -<p class='line0'>I have kings at my feet who await but my nod</p> -<p class='line0'>To kneel down in the dust, on the ground I have trod.</p> -<p class='line0'>Though seen by the world, I am known but to few,</p> -<p class='line0'>The Gentile deserts me, I am pork to the Jew.</p> -<p class='line0'>I never have passed but one night in the dark,</p> -<p class='line0'>And that was like Noah alone in the ark.</p> -<p class='line0'>My weight is three pounds, my length is one mile,</p> -<p class='line0'>And when you have guessed me you’ll say with a smile,</p> -<p class='line0'>That my first and my last are the best of this isle.”</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now that’s an old favourite with all puzzle-lovers,” -said Philip, as they finished reading it. -“And it has never been satisfactorily guessed. -The usual answer is The Crown of England. -But that doesn’t seem right to me. However, -I know no other.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But how does the Crown of England fit all -the requirements?” said Patty, looking over -the text.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, ‘this isle’ is supposed to mean Great -Britain. And I believe it is a historic fact that -the Crown spent one night in a big chest called -the Ark.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What was it there for?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, between the two reigns of William IV. -and Victoria, there was a delay of some hours -in the night before she really received the -crown, and it was then placed in the ‘Ark.’ -The weight of the crown is about three pounds, -and they say, if drawn out into gold wire, it -would stretch a mile.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It would depend on the thickness of the -wire,” commented Patty, sagely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So it would. I don’t like the answer, anyway. -But I can’t think of a better one. Let’s -try some easy ones.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Take this mathematical one, then. ‘Divide -nine into two equal parts that, added together, -will make ten.’”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For some time Philip worked over this. He -tried arabic figures, printed words, and Roman -numerals. At last, he exclaimed, “Ah, now we -have it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Have you really done it?” cried Patty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes. Look. I write the Roman nine, IX, -you know. Then I fold the paper crosswise, -right through the middle. Now, what do you -read on this side?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“IV,” said Patty; “that’s four.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes. Now I turn the folded paper over, and -what do you read?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“VI; that’s six.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, and six and four are ten. Though, as -you know, we divided our nine into exactly equal -parts by that crossways fold through the middle.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s a good one,” said Patty, with a little -sigh; “but I don’t see how you guessed it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But <span class='it'>I</span> see that you’re not to guess any more -to-night,” said Mr. Fairfield, coming into the -library, and looking at the absorbed puzzlers. -“I’m going to take you both to the dining-room, -where Mrs. Fairfield will give you a very -small bit of very light supper, and then, Mr. -Van Reypen, I shall send my daughter to her -much-needed and well-earned rest.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But I’m not a bit sleepy, father dear,” protested -Patty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No matter, my child; if you go into this -ridiculous game, you must promise me not to -overdo it. I will not allow you to work late -at night on these problems.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, Daddykins, I promise. Wow! but -I’m hungry! Come on, Mr. Van Reypen, let’s -see what Nan will give us to support our famishing -frames.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>To the dining-room they went, and Nan’s gay -little supper soon brushed the cobwebs out of -Patty’s brain. But she was well satisfied with -her first evening of real work on her “Puzzle -Contest.”</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='40' id='Page_40'></span><h1>CHAPTER III</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>A LECTURE</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patricia,” said Mr. Fairfield, one -morning at the breakfast-table.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty gave a great jump, clasped her -hands to her breast dramatically, and exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, my gracious goodness! <span class='it'>What</span> do you -call me that for?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Because,” went on her father, “I’m going -to lecture you, and I’m in a very serious mood.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Proceed, Mr. Frederick Fairfield, Esquire;” -and Patty assumed an expression of rapt attention -and excessive meekness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, to put it in a few words, I won’t have -that young Van Reypen hanging around here so -much!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh! is that all? Well, you’re barking up -the wrong tree! You should advise him of -that fact, not me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Incidentally, as I go along, consider yourself -reproved for that awful bit of slang. But -now I’m concerned with this other subject. It -won’t be necessary for me to speak to the young -man, for I’m telling you that you must discourage -his attentions somewhat. He comes too -often.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I think so, too,” agreed Patty, calmly. -“But it isn’t me—I, he comes to see. It’s -Nan.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Patty, how silly!” exclaimed Nan, -laughing and blushing a little.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, it is, daddy. Nan encourages him -something scan’lous! I don’t wonder you -kick!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Object, Patty, not kick.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, sir; object is just what I mean.” -Patty’s demure air made her father laugh, but -he returned to his theme.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“As you know, child, I like to have you -amused and happy, and I like to have your -young friends come to see you. But this chap -has already been here three evenings this week, -and it’s only Thursday.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That leaves him just three more to come, -doesn’t it?” said Patty, counting on her fingers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indeed, it does not! If he keeps this up, -he’ll be forbidden the house altogether.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, what a pity! And he such a nice young -man, with rosy cheeks and curly hair! Father, -you’re cruel to your only child!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, Patty, behave yourself. You’re too -young to have a man calling on you so often, -and I really object to it.”</p> - -<div class='poetry-container' style=''><div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line0'>“‘I will be good, dear mother,</p> -<p class='line0'>    I heard a sweet child say,’”</p> -<p class='line'> </p> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -<p class='noindent'>hummed Patty, “and I’ll tell you frankly, my -stern parent, that, if you’ll only let the Van -Reypen villain stay by me until I get these puzzles -done, I don’t care if I never see him again -after that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Patty,” cried Nan, “how ungrateful!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ungrateful, perhaps, to that bold, bad young -man, but obedient to my dear, kind, old -father.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When Patty was in this amiably foolish mood, -she was incorrigible, so Mr. Fairfield said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, my lady. Let him come a few -times to work out those pestilential puzzles, and -then I shall hold you to your promise, to cut -his acquaintance.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is he really as bad as all that, father?” -asked Patty, in awestruck tones.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He isn’t bad at all. He’s a most estimable -and exemplary young man. But I won’t have -anybody calling on you three nights in one -week, at your age. It’s out of the question! -Kenneth doesn’t.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But Ken is so busy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, it’s because he has some idea of the -proprieties.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And hasn’t Mr. Van Reypen <span class='it'>any</span> idea of the -proprieties?” Patty’s eyes opened wide at this -awful suggestion.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, he has;” and Mr. Fairfield smiled in -spite of himself. “Or, he would have, if you’d -let him! It’s all your fault, Patty; you drag -him here, to mull over those idiotic questions!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I drag him here! Oh, father, what a rudeness! -Well, I simply <span class='it'>must</span> have his help on the -rest of those puzzles. How would it be if you -engaged him as my assistant, and paid him a -salary? Would that help matters?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How many of your precious puzzles are -done?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sixty-nine out of the hundred.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How many have you solved yourself?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“About fifty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then that man did nineteen for you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; and, if he hadn’t, I <span class='it'>never</span> could have -guessed them! Oh, he <span class='it'>is</span> clever!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And when do the answers have to be sent -in?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“April first.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“H’m! an appropriate day! Well, Patty, as -your heart is so set on this thing, carry it -through; but don’t ever begin on such a task -again. Now, Mr. Van Reypen may help you, -if you wish, but I mean it when I say he must -not come here to call more than twice in one -week.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right,” agreed Patty, cheerfully. “May -I send him some puzzles to guess, father?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I won’t have you writing to him. Not -letters, I mean. But, if you can’t guess a puzzle, -you may send it to him, and I trust you -not to let this permission develop into a correspondence.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, sir; I won’t,” said Patty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But, after Mr. Fairfield had gone away, the -girl turned to Nan, with a perplexed look.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Whatever ails father,” she said, “to talk -to me like that?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s right, Patty. You don’t see the difference, -but there is a great difference between your -friendship for Kenneth and Roger, which dates -from your schooldays, and your sudden acquaintance -with Mr. Van Reypen, who is older, -and who is a far more experienced man of the -world.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But Mr. Hepworth is a lot older than Mr. -Van Reypen, and nobody objects to his coming -here.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mr. Hepworth is an old friend of your father’s, -and has always been in the habit of coming -here often.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, these distinctions are too much for -me,” declared Patty. “But I don’t care a snip-jack -about Philip Van Reypen, personally. If -I can just have his help on my thirty-one remaining -problems, I’ll cheerfully bid him farewell -forevermore.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was no mistaking Patty’s sincerity, and -Nan felt decidedly relieved, for she and her -husband had feared that Patty was taking too -deep a personal interest in the attractive young -millionaire.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, girlie. Suppose, then, you send -him two or three of your brain-rackers, and ask -him to come around, say, on Monday next. -That will convey a gentle hint not to come -sooner.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s a long time,” said Patty, dubiously; -“but, if I need to, I can send him more puzzles -before that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty ran away to her study, and spent the -morning working on her puzzles. It was by -no means drudgery, for she enjoyed it all. The -puzzles were of all sorts, from charades and -square words, to the most abstruse problems. -She solved several, and four she gave up as -impossible for her ever to guess. These she -concluded to send to Mr. Van Reypen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But it was more difficult than she anticipated, -to compose a note to go with them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She had no wish to disobey her father’s commands, -even in spirit, and wanted to write an -impersonal letter, such as he would approve.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But, for some reason, she couldn’t accomplish -it. Philip Van Reypen was himself so straightforward, -and so quick to see through any subterfuge, -that all the notes she wrote seemed to -her artificial and insincere. She tore them up -one after another, and at last, seizing her pen -again, she wrote rapidly:</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='noindent'>“<span class='sc'>Dear Mr. Van Reypen</span>:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s no use. I’ve written a dozen notes and -torn them up, trying to imply, or hint politely, -what I prefer to say right out. It seems my -parents think you come here too often, and, I -daresay, you think so, too. So, at their command, -you’re not to come again till next Monday. -Come at four o’clock, and <span class='it'>don’t</span> ask to -stay to dinner. I enclose some puzzles that I -hope you can solve. I can’t.</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:6em;margin-top:0.5em;'>“Sincerely yours,</p> -<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:2em;margin-top:0.5em;'>“<span class='sc'>Patricia Fairfield</span>.”</p> - -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“There!” said Patty, to herself, as she read -it over, “I think that would do credit to a -‘Young Lady’s Model Letter Writer.’ It tells -the truth without subterfuge, and it certainly -does not invite the correspondence father is so -afraid of. Now, I’m not going to touch these -old puzzles again, to-day, or I’ll have brain -failure. I think I’ll go and practise some new -songs. Music hath charms to sooth a puzzled -breast.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So Patty warbled away for an hour or so, in -her clear, sweet voice, and Nan came down to -the music room to listen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Patty,” she said, “if you’d put half -the time and pains on your music that you do -on those foolish puzzles, you’d be a great -singer!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Think so, Nannikins? I doubt it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, you would. You have a lovely voice, -but it needs more training and lots of practice.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, it won’t get it. Life’s too short; and, -too, nobody cares for parlour tricks of a musical -nature. I sing well enough to entertain the Fairfield -family, and that’s all I care for.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty, have you no ambition?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; but my ambitions are sensible. If I -practised four hours a day, I’d still have only -a small parlour voice,—not a concert voice. -And there’d be four hours a day wasted. And -days are <span class='it'>so</span> short, anyway. I’m going to Christine’s -this afternoon; do you want the motor?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, yes; I did expect to make some calls.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, well, you can drop me on the way. But, -won’t it be fun, Nan, when I get my own little -runabout? I’ll be quite independent of Miller -and the big car.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You can’t use it alone in the city.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes, I could! Just to fly over to Christine’s -in the afternoon, or something like that. -Father would kick at first, but he’d soon get -used to it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You do wind that poor man around your -finger, Patty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good thing, too. If I didn’t, he’d wind me -around his finger. So, as it is, I have the best -of it. But I’m not at all sure I’ll catch that -runabout, after all. The first of April draweth -near, and many of those silly problems refuse -to let themselves be solved.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I hope you will get it, after you’ve worked so -hard.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I hope so, too. But hopes don’t solve anagrams -and enigmas.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, well, if you don’t get it, there’s always -room for you in the big car. What time do -you want to go to Christine’s?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“About four. She won’t be home till then. -Does that suit your plans?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Perfectly, my child.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, at four o’clock, Nan left Patty at Christine’s -new home.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was not a typical boarding-house, but an -apartment occupied by two elderly people, who -had a room to spare, which seemed just right -for the young art student.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Even in the short time she had been there, -Christine had done much to make the plain -room more attractive. And Patty had helped, -for many of the comforts that had been added -had been her gifts. A growing palm, and a -smaller bowl of ferns looked thrifty and well-kept; -and a large jar of exquisite pink roses -gave the place a gala air.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What lovely roses!” exclaimed Patty, -sniffing daintily at one of them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, aren’t they?” said Christine. “Mr. -Hepworth sent them. He sends them every -week. Isn’t he kind?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, but no kinder than he ought to be. -Everybody ought to be good to you, Christine.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, because you’re so sweet and good, yourself. -And you work so hard, and you never -complain,—and you’re so pretty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty added the last clause, because her former -words brought a pink glow to Christine’s cheeks, -and a shining light to her dark eyes, and she -looked indeed beautiful.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I do work hard; but, Patty, I’m winning -out! I’ve already had some illustrations accepted -by a good magazine; and I’ve orders -for two magazine covers.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Fine! Why, Christine, you’ve arrived!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not quite that; but I’m steadily going ahead. -I say that quite without conceit. It’s simply that -I’m learning how to use the talent I have.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You dear!” cried Patty. “As if any one -could imagine <span class='it'>you</span> conceited! And, of course, -you’re going ahead,—fast!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And, Patty, Mrs. Van Reypen is so good to -me. I don’t understand it. Why, she fairly -showers me with kindnesses.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I understand it. Mrs. Van Reypen is very -eccentric. If she dislikes people, she can’t be -caustic enough to them or about them. But, -if she takes a fancy to any one, then she just -adores her. And I’m so glad she’s taken a fancy -to you,—for she surely has.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, she has. But sometimes it embarrasses -me, for she invites me to see her so often, -or to go to entertainments with her, and I <span class='it'>have</span> -to refuse, for I mustn’t neglect my work.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, she understands that. You stand by -your work, and I know her well enough to know -she’ll respect and admire you all the more for -it.”</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='52' id='Page_52'></span><h1>CHAPTER IV</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>THE HUNDREDTH QUESTION</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was the very last day of March. The -next day Patty must send in her answers -to the hundred puzzles, and she still had -four of them unsolved. She had worked on -these all day, and her brain was weary. Kenneth -came in late in the afternoon, but he -couldn’t help, as he had no knack for puzzles.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t like them, Patty,” he declared. -“You see acrostics have cross words to them, -and cross words always irritate me. I like kind -words.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, Ken,” said Patty, laughing; “I’ll -invent a new kind of acrostic that has only kind -words in it, some day. But can’t you help me -with this one? A train of six cars is to be -pulled up a steep incline. The engine provided -can pull only three cars. Another engine -of equal power is brought and put behind the -train, to push it up the hill. The two engines, -working together, get the train uphill. Supposing -the cars coupled with chains, are the -chains taut, or hanging loosely? I’ve puzzled -over that for hours. You see, half the weight -of the train is pulled and half is pushed, so -how do those stupid chains know whether -they’re to hang loose, or pull taut?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“H’m,” said Kenneth, “there must be an -answer to that. Where’s your Van Reypen -satellite? Can’t he do it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You needn’t speak of Mr. Van Reypen in -that tone,” said Patty, annoyed; “he’s helped -me a lot more than you have!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There, there, Patsy, don’t be an acrostic! -Don’t give cross words to your poor old chum, -who lives but for to please you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty laughed at Kenneth’s mock tragic tones, -but she went on:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I do think you might do one for me, Ken. -You haven’t even tried.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, girlie; I’ll do this one about the -cars and chains. Do you mind if I go off by -myself to think it out?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kenneth went into another room, and Patty -looked after him in wonderment. She didn’t -guess that he was longing to help her, and, -though he couldn’t guess conundrums, he hoped -he might puzzle out this question of mechanical -power.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And then Mr. Hepworth came, and also -Philip Van Reypen. They knew it was the -last day, and they wanted to hear what Patty’s -final report might be.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Philip Van Reypen had been greatly amused -at the letter Patty wrote him, and, being an -exceedingly sensible young man, he had not answered -or referred to it definitely, but had accepted -its dictum, and had called at the Fairfield -house far less often. Nor had he again hinted -for an invitation to dinner, but awaited one -which should be freely given.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How many yet to do?” he asked, blithely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Four,” answered Patty, disconsolately.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Out with ’em! What are they? Not -charades, I hope; I simply <span class='it'>can’t</span> do charades.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There’s one charade left, but here’s an -enigma, which is about as bad. Oh, Mr. Hepworth, -can’t <span class='it'>you</span> guess it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Appealed to thus, Hepworth made up his -mind to help, if he possibly could, and both he -and Van Reypen listened attentively as Patty -read:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“‘I am intangible, yet I may be felt, seen, and -heard. I exist from two to six feet above the -ground. I have neither shape nor substance, -and, though a natural production, I am neither -animal, vegetable, or mineral. I am neither -male nor female, but something between both. -I am told of in the Scriptures, in history, in -song, and in story. I am sad or merry; loving -or treacherous. I am given or bought, and, because -of my great value, I am sometimes stolen. -I am used by men who swear, and by innocent -children. Of late, there has been a prejudice -against me, but I shall probably be in vogue as -long as the world shall stand.’”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They all thought and pondered. Nan came -in, and, as Patty read it slowly over again, even -she tried to guess it. But they could not.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At last Philip Van Reypen gave a whoop of -triumph, and exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I have it! Miss Fairfield, I’ve guessed it! -Will you give it to me, if I tell you what it -is?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Your speech sounds like an enigma, too,” -said Patty, a little bewildered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But I’ve guessed it, I tell you. And, if you’ll -promise to give it to me, I’ll tell you the -answer.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I won’t promise,” said Patty. “It -might be the motor car itself!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But it isn’t! It’s far more valuable than -that! It’s a kiss!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh!” said Patty, “so it is! How <span class='it'>did</span> you -guess it? It’s fearfully hard!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Hepworth looked distinctly chagrined. -Why, he thought, couldn’t he have guessed the -foolish thing! It was easy enough,—after one -knew it!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ken, come in here!” cried Patty; “we -have guessed another! That is, Mr. Van -Reypen did. Now, there are only three -left.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Only two!” announced Kenneth, as with a -beaming face he came in, bringing a dozen -sheets of paper, scrawled all over with sketches -of trains of cars going uphill.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, have you done that one?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; I’m sure I’m right. The three first -cars would have taut chains, being pulled by the -front engine; and the three last cars would be -pushed up close together, with their chains -hanging limp, because they are pushed by the -back engine.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Ken, of course that’s right! Thank -you, heaps! Now I’ll get the other two, if I -have to sit up all night to do it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What are they?” asked Mr. Hepworth, -conscious of a faint hope that he might yet be -of assistance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“One’s a charade,” answered Patty. “Here -it is:</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<div class='poetry-container' style=''><div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line0'>“‘’Tis futile, Son, my first to use</p> -<p class='line0'>To change to yours another’s views;</p> -<p class='line0'>For one convinced against his will</p> -<p class='line0'>Is of the same opinion still.</p> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -</div> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<div class='poetry-container' style=''><div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line0'>“‘If e’er a letter you receive</p> -<p class='line0'>From maiden fair; pray don’t believe</p> -<p class='line0'>All that the note itself may say,—</p> -<p class='line0'>But to my last attention pay.</p> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -</div> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<div class='poetry-container' style=''><div class='lgp'> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line0'>“‘My total may be well employed</p> -<p class='line0'>To still a molar’s aching void,</p> -<p class='line0'>When stopping has not stopped the pain;</p> -<p class='line0'>That tooth will never ache again!’</p> -</div></div> <!-- end poetry block --><!-- end rend --> - -</div> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ve worked on that a solid week, but I can’t -get it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Count me out, too,” said Philip Van Reypen; -“charades are too many for me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll do that one for you, Patty,” said Mr. -Hepworth, quietly. “Give me a copy to take -home with me, and I’ll send you the answer -to-night, or early in the morning.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Bless you, my angel!” cried Patty. “Will -you, really? Why, Mr. Hepworth, I didn’t -know you <span class='it'>could</span> guess charades.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can’t!” said he, a little grimly; “but I’m -going to, all the same. Good-bye, for now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, with a do-or-die expression, Mr. Hepworth -took leave of the group.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Poor man!” said Nan, “he can’t guess it. -He just wants to help you out, Patty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Patty smiled and shook her head.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nay, nay, Nan,” she said; “if Mr. Hepworth -says he’ll guess that thing, he will! It’s -as good as done!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What faith!” murmured Van Reypen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, indeed!” declared Patty. “Why, if -I lost faith in Mr. Hepworth, I’d lose faith -in the,—in the,—universe! I’ve known him for -years, and he <span class='it'>never</span> fails me!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I guessed one!” said Kenneth, proudly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You did,” returned Patty, smiling on him; -“and just for that I’m going to take you a -whole block in my motor car!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh! how lovely. But, first, catch your car.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, what’s the only one left?” asked -Philip, who wanted to distinguish himself again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, just a simple conundrum,” said Patty. -“What is lower with a head on it than without -one?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That sounds simple, but it isn’t easy,” said -Philip, after a few moments’ thoughts. “Nails,—pins,—cabbage -heads,—nothing seems to be -the right idea.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, try as they would, they couldn’t think of -anything that led to the right answer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boys went home, declaring they’d think -it up, and Patty mulled it over in her mind all -the evening, without result.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then she went to bed, declaring she’d dream -of the answer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The next morning she overslept, and Nan, -fearing she would be late with her list of answers, -went to waken her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wake up, you little April Fool,” she cried, -gently pulling Patty’s gold curls.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Nan! is it morning? I’m so sleepy!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But you must wake up! It’s the First of -April, and you must win that motor car to-day -or never!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty raised her head, and then dropped it -back on the pillow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can’t get my head up,” she said; “it’s -too heavy. I guess I’ll give up the motor car. -I’d rather keep my head on the pillow. Oh, -Nan!” and suddenly Patty sprang up, with a -wild yell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s it! I’ve got it! Hurrah!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mercy, Patty, do keep quiet. <span class='it'>What’s</span> the -matter?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, that’s it! the last puzzle! What is -lower with a head on it than without one? -Answer: a Pillow! See?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty, you’re crazy! I suppose that is the -answer, but <span class='it'>I</span> think it’s silly.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, it isn’t; not as puzzles go! Oh, Nan, -now I have them all!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not the one Mr. Hepworth took away.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’ll get it back in time. You see if he -doesn’t! Oh, Nan, Hooray with me!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I won’t. You’ve made noise enough to -frighten the whole block now! Do quiet down, -Patty, and get dressed.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, I will,” said Patty, in a whisper, -and Nan went away, laughing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty went down to breakfast in a very -happy frame of mind, and announced to her -father that the motor car was as good as -won.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why do you feel so sure of Mr. Hepworth’s -puzzle?” asked her father, a little curiously. -“He never solved a charade before.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It doesn’t matter,” said Patty, with supreme -confidence. “He said he’d do it. If he hadn’t -<span class='it'>known</span> he could do it, he wouldn’t have said he -<span class='it'>would</span> do it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, stop, Patty!” cried Nan. “You talk -like a puzzle, yourself. Don’t get the habit, -I beg.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I won’t. But now I must go and copy my -answers neatly, and by that time Mr. Hepworth’s -will be here, and I’ll send ’em off about -noon.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty spent a happy morning copying her answers -in her neat script, and looking with pride -at her complete list.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At last it was all done, and she had left a -vacant space to insert the answer to the charade -when Mr. Hepworth should send it. But at -noon it had not arrived, and she had had no -word from him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Telephone, and ask him about it,” suggested -Nan, as they sat at luncheon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Patty, “he said he’d send it, and -I’ll wait for him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How long can you wait?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, the only stipulation is that the list -of answers shall be postmarked not later than -April first; but I hate to wait till the last mail.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So should I; do telephone, Patty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, not yet. He’ll send it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The afternoon dragged by, with no word from -Mr. Hepworth. At four o’clock, Nan went -to Patty’s room.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dearie,” she said, “don’t lose your whole -effort by a bit of stubbornness. Mr. Hepworth -must have forgotten to send his answer—or, -perhaps, he sent it by a messenger, and it went -to the wrong place.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He wouldn’t do that,” said Patty, shaking -her head. “He’ll guess it, and, as soon as he -does, he’ll telephone me. I know him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I know him, too, and I know his faithfulness. -But mistakes do happen sometimes. If -you’d only telephone,—or let me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, Nannie,” said Patty, gently. “This is -my picnic, and I shall conduct it in my own -way. And I won’t telephone Mr. Hepworth, if -I have to send the answers with one missing.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And then the telephone bell rang!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And it was Mr. Hepworth calling.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ve guessed it!” he said, breathlessly, but -triumphant. “But it’s rather complicated, and -I can’t explain it very well over the telephone. -I’ll come right over. Is there time?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” returned Patty; “come on. Good-bye.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She hung up the receiver, and turned to Nan -with an “I told you so” expression on her -face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But it was a narrow escape,” said Nan.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not at all,” said Patty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then Mr. Hepworth came.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He looked calm and smiling as ever, and -showed no trace of his sleepless night and -anxious hard-working day.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s ‘Forceps,’” he said, as soon as he had -greeted them; “but it isn’t a fair charade at all. -A charade should be divided into its two or -more legitimate syllables. But this one is divided -‘Force’ and ‘P.S.’ You see, the P.S. is -referred to as the principal part of a lady’s -letter.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, that old joke!” cried Nan.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes. But, if it hadn’t been for that old -joke, I never could have guessed it. For that -was what put me on the right track. But the -whole charade is distinctly unfair in its construction.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I think so, too,” said Patty, who had been -looking it over. “Oh! Mr. Hepworth, how did -you ever guess it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I told you I would,” he answered, simply.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; and so I knew you would,” she returned, -with a glance as straightforward as his -own.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, I’ll add it to my list,” she went on, -“and then we’ll go out to the box together, -to mail it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In a moment, Patty was ready, with the big, -fat envelope, clearly addressed and much bestamped.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Throwing a light wrap round her, she went -with Mr. Hepworth the half-block to the lamp-post -letter-box. But the large envelope would -not go in the box.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never mind, Patty,” he said; “I’ll take it -to the post-office for you. That will be better, -anyway, as it may be postmarked a little sooner. -And it’s my fault that it’s delayed so late, anyway.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is not!” exclaimed Patty. “If it -hadn’t been for you, I couldn’t have sent -the list at all! I mean, not a complete -list.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Van Reypen helped you far more than I -did,” said Mr. Hepworth, a little bitterly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty noticed his tone, and, with her ready -tact, she ignored it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mr. Van Reypen did help me,” she said; -“but, with all his help, the list would not have -been perfect but for you. I thank you, very -much.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty held out her hand, and Hepworth took -it slowly, almost reverently.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty,” he said, “I wonder if you know how -much I would do for you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How much?” said Patty, not really thinking -of what she was saying, for her mind was -still on her puzzles.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Shall I tell you?” and the intense note in -his voice brought her back to a realising sense -of the situation.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not now,” she cried, gaily; “you promised -to get those answers to the post-office in double-quick -time. That would be the nicest thing you -could do for me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then I’ll do it, you little witch;” and, with -a quick bow, Hepworth turned and strode down -the street.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='66' id='Page_66'></span><h1>CHAPTER V</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>A SUMMER HOME</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If I were sure Patty would get her motor -car,” said Nan, “I’d vote for the seashore. -But, if she doesn’t, I’d rather -go to the mountains.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“’Course I’ll get it,” declared Patty. “I’m -sure, certain, positive, convinced, satisfied beyond -all shadow of doubt that I’ve cinched that -car! It only remains to get the formal notice.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And to get the car,” added her father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They were discussing, in family conclave, their -plans for the coming summer.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty liked the seashore, and Nan, the mountains, -but each wanted the other to be pleased, -so there was a generous rivalry going on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But I can use it in the mountains,” went on -Patty; “mountain roads are pretty much civilised -nowadays. And, anyway, it’s sure to be -a perfect hill-climber.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, <span class='it'>sure</span> to be!” said Mr. Fairfield, who -never could bring himself to believe seriously -that Patty would get the car.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, let’s divide the time,” suggested Nan. -“Let’s go to the seashore first, and spend, say, -May, June, and July. Then go to the mountains -for August and September.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That would be lovely!” declared Patty, enthusiastically, -“if I didn’t know you were planning -it that way for my benefit. And I can’t—no, -I can<span class='it'>not</span> bring myself to accept such a -sackerry-fice!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You can’t help yourself, you mean,” said -Nan. “And, now that part of it’s settled, where -shall we go?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I like the New Jersey shore,” said Mr. Fairfield, -“because I can run up to New York so -easily from there. But I was thinking of buying -a house, so we could go to it each summer, -and so do away with this yearly discussion -of where to go. Even if we have a summer -home, we can go on a trip to the mountains as -well, later in the season.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s so,” agreed Nan. “No one wants -to go to the mountains before August.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, won’t it be gay!” cried Patty. “A -home of our own, at the seashore! With little -white curtains blowing out of its windows, -and box trees at the entrance to the drive!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That sounds attractive,” agreed Nan. -“And wide verandas all round, and the ocean -dashing over them, sometimes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It wouldn’t be a bad investment,” said Mr. -Fairfield. “We wouldn’t build, you know, but -buy a house, and then fix it up to suit ourselves. -And, whenever we tired of it, we could sell -it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good business, Mr. Fairfield,” said Patty, -nodding her head at him approvingly. “Now, -I know the spot I’d like best. And that’s at -Spring Beach. It’s the prettiest part of the -whole Jersey coast.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I think so, too,” said Nan. “It’s not a -large enough place to be rackety and noisy, but -it has beautiful homes and charming people. -I’ve been there several times, though not to stay -long.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Be sure to buy a house with a garage, father,” -put in Patty. “For I must have a place -to keep my car.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, as we’ll have our own car there, I -fancy we’ll have a garage, Puss. But we may -have to add an ell, to accommodate your toy -wagon. When do you expect to get it, by the -way?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The winner will be announced on the twentieth -of April, and the car delivered about May -first. So I’ll take you both for a May-day ride. -Not both at once, of course.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’ll take Miller on your first few rides, -my girl; until you’ve thoroughly learned how -to manage the thing.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, I will. For I don’t want to make -any stupid mistakes through ignorance. Accidents -may happen, but, if so, I expect to be able -to use my skill and knowledge to repair them.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty, you have a sublime self-confidence,” -said her father, laughing; “but I’m glad of -it. For it will probably carry you through -when your vaunted skill and knowledge give -out.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A few nights later, Mr. Fairfield came home -with several photographs of Spring Beach -houses that were for sale. Each was accompanied -with a description, and the Fairfield trio -looked them over with great interest. Two -seemed more desirable than the rest, and it was -decided that, next day, they should all go down -to the shore to look at them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let’s take Christine,” suggested Patty; “a -day at the seashore will do her good.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, next morning, the quartette started for -Spring Beach.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Christine had never seen the ocean before, and -Patty greatly enjoyed seeing the Southern girl’s -delight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was a fine April day, the air clear and cool, -and the blue sky cloudless, save for some cotton-wool -masses near the horizon. The waves were -deep, translucent blue, with brilliantly white -crests, and they rolled and tumbled in to shore, -as if anxious to greet Christine.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is it like you thought it would be?” asked -Patty, as Christine stood, with clasped hands, -gazing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; in its lines. For, of course, I’ve seen -pictures of it. But I didn’t know it was so -<span class='it'>alive</span>.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Patty, with a nod of comprehension, -“that’s the way it seems to me. Really -alive, and always responsive to my moods and -thoughts.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I didn’t know you had moods and thoughts,” -said Christine, smiling at Patty a little quizzically.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“’Deed I have! Perhaps not such subtle and -temperamental ones as yours or Mr. Hepworth’s, -but perfectly good moods and thoughts, -all the same.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why do you class mine with Mr. Hepworth’s?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Because you’re both artists. Aren’t artists -supposed to have most impressive and unspeakable -thoughts at sight of the ocean or the moon -or the purple shadows on the distant hills?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty, I suppose you’re making fun of me, -but I don’t mind a bit. And, of one thing I’m -sure, whatever your thoughts may be, they’re -never unspeakable!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Right you are, Christine! I’m glad you -appreciate my talent for volubility! That’s -why I like the sea. I can talk to it all day, -and it is most appreciative, but it never talks -back.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, it talks back to me! It has told me lots -of things already.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s because you’re an artist. But this -must be the new house! Father’s turning in -here. Oh, isn’t it lovely!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was a most beautiful place, though its somewhat -dense shrubbery partly hid the view of the -ocean.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the house was delightful. Large, roomy, -and well-built, it seemed all any one could desire -for a summer home.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They went through it, with many comments, -and then went on a block farther, to look at the -other one they had in mind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This was equally desirable, in every way, as a -dwelling, but the large grounds had very few -trees or tall shrubs, so that the sea-view was -unobstructed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is my choose!” declared Patty, sitting -down on the steps of the front veranda. -“What’s the use of coming to the seashore and -living in a forest? Oh, my fond parents, do -decide to take this one, for your little Patty’s -sake!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Will there be shade enough?” asked Mr. -Fairfield.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, indeed!” declared Patty. “If not, we -can go inside and draw the curtains. But I do -love a house where you can see out. And I -think this is the finest ocean view on the beach.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is,” corroborated the agent, who was -showing them the house. “And the sunrise -view is grand.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t often see the sun rise,” admitted -Patty, laughing; “but perhaps I shall, down -here, for I’m going to sleep out of doors.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“In your motor car?” enquired her father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, sir! I’m going to have a veranda bedroom. -There, you see it, between those two -front towers. I’ve always wanted to try that -sort of a fresh-air fund scheme.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, whatever you and Nan decide on, I’ll -agree to,” said Mr. Fairfield, who lived but to -please his wife and daughter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, after some further serious consideration -of rooms and outlooks, Nan and Patty agreed -that the second house they had visited was the -one for them, and Christine commended their -choice.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s rather large for just us three,” said -Nan, but Patty replied: “Never mind, we’ll -have lots of company. I expect to have -house parties a great deal of the time; -we’ve never had room for much company -in New York. What shall we name the -place?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“‘Sea View,’” said her father, and Patty -laughed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” she said; “or ‘Ocean View,’ or ‘Fair -View,’ or ‘Beach View’! No, let’s get something -descriptive and unhackneyed. Help us, -Christine.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I like a name like ‘The Breakers,’” said -Nan. “It’s so dignified.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How about ‘The Pebbles’?” asked Christine, -looking at the pebbled walks that led -through the lawn.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s just right!” said Patty, “and it’s -seashorey, too. We’ll call the place ‘The Pebbles’; -shall us, Nan?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; I like that. It’s simple and yet expressive.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And now,” said Mr. Fairfield, “let us go -over to the hotel for luncheon, and then, while -I have a little business talk with the agent, you -ladies can rave over the sea, the sea, the open -sea.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What good times you do have, don’t you, -Patty?” said Christine, as they strolled along -the board walk to the hotel.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Christine, I do. And I often feel as -if I didn’t deserve so much happiness; and perhaps -it’s wrong for me to have so much, when -many other girls have so little.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, Patty; that isn’t the way to look at it. -You ought to be glad and thankful, but never -feel any doubt about its being all right. Myself, -I have so much to be thankful for, sometimes -my heart almost bursts with gratitude. -But I know it’s all right, and that I <span class='it'>ought</span> to -have it. Whatever is, is right, Patty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; I s’pose so. But, Christine, what do -you mean, about yourself? Are you glad you -have to earn your own living?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, that’s merely incidental. Since I have -to earn my own living, I’m glad I can, of course. -Or, at least, I shall soon be able to. But I -mean, I’m so glad that I have such talent as I -have, and such a love of my life work, and -such dear friends, and such a happy outlook -generally.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Christine, you’re a darling. I don’t believe -many people know how fine and lovely you are. -Do they?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know many people,” said Christine, -smiling; “but those I do know don’t all share -your views. Elise doesn’t.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Bother Elise! Don’t let her bother you! -Why think of her at all? Christine, if your -philosophy of happiness is any good, it ought -to teach you to cut out anything unpleasant. -And, if Elise is unpleasant, cut her out.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, girlie; not that. If Elise is unpleasant,—and -it may be only my imagination,—I shall -try to make her become pleasant.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I wish you joy of your task,” said Patty, -grinning, for she knew Elise better than Christine -did, and, while she liked her herself, she -felt sure her two friends could never be very -congenial.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The well-selected and well-served luncheon -proved most acceptable to appetites sharpened -by sea air, and, during its course, enthusiastic -plans were made for improving and furnishing -“The Pebbles.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Christine will help us with the ‘artistic values,’—I -think that’s what you call ’em,” said -Patty. “Nan can look after chairs and tables -and such prosaic things; and I’ll sew the curtains -and sofa-cushions. I love to make soft, -silky, frilly things,—and I’m just going to have -fun with this house.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s my part in this universal plan?” -asked Mr. Fairfield.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, you can just pay the bills, and say ‘perfectly -lovely, my dear,’ whenever we ask you -how you like anything!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As this was just the rôle Mr. Fairfield had laid -out for himself, he acquiesced graciously, and -then, luncheon being over, they all went back -to the house again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll have to come down several times,” -said Nan, “but we may as well measure for -some of the hangings and rugs now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So Mr. Fairfield filled many pages of his -memorandum book with notes and measurements, -and, after an hour or so, they all felt -they had made quite a beginning on the furnishing -of the new house.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>One delightful room, with a full sea view, -Patty declared was Christine’s room, and she -was to occupy it just whenever she chose, and -she was to select its furnishings herself. The -girl’s eyes filled with tears at this new proof -of loving friendship, and, though she knew she -should take but few vacation days from her -work that summer, yet she willingly consented -to select the fittings, on condition that it be -used as a guest room when she was not present.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty’s own rooms were delightful. A bedroom -and dressing-room, opening on a half-enclosed -balcony, gave her the opportunity for -sleeping out of doors that she so much desired. -Her father insisted that she should have -what he called a “civilised bedchamber,” and -then, if she chose to play gipsy occasionally, -she might do so.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So she and Christine planned all her furniture -and decorations, and made notes and lists, and, -before they knew it, it was time to return to -New York.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You know a lot about house decoration, -Christine; don’t you?” said Patty, as they sat -in the homeward-bound train.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, not a lot. But it comes natural to me -to know what things harmonise in a household. -Of course, I’ve never studied it,—it’s a science; -now, you know. But, if I didn’t want to take -up illustrating seriously, I would try decorating.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, illustrating is lots nicer,—and it pays -better, too.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know about that. But Mr. Hepworth -says I will make a name for myself as an -illustrator, and so I know I shall.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty laughed. “You have as much faith in -that man as I have,” she said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; I’ve implicit faith in his judgment, and -in his technical knowledge.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I’ve faith in him in every way. I -think he’s a fine character.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You ought to think so, Patty. Why, he worships -the ground you walk on.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Christine, what nonsense!” Patty -blushed rosy-red, but tried to laugh it off. -“Why, he’s old enough to be my father.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, he isn’t. He’s thirty-five,—that’s a lot -older than you,—but, all the same, he adores -you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I wish you wouldn’t talk like that, Christine,” -said Patty, with a new note of hauteur in -her voice. “Mr. Hepworth is my very good -friend, and I look up to him in every way, but -there is no affection or any such foolishness between -us.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not on your side, perhaps; but there is on -his.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, if you think so, I don’t want to hear -about it. When you talk like that, it just goes -to spoil the nice pleasant friendship that Mr. -Hepworth and I have had for years.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It isn’t the same as you have for Roger Farrington -and Kenneth Harper.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is! Just the same. Except that Mr. Hepworth -is so much older that I never call him -by his first name. The others were my school -chums. Look here, Christine, we’re going to -be very good friends, you and I,—but, if you -talk to me like that about Mr. Hepworth, you’ll -queer our friendship at its very beginning. Now, -quit it,—will you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I will, Patty. And I didn’t mean any -harm. I only wanted you to know Mr. Hepworth’s -attitude toward you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, when I want to know it, I’ll discover it -for myself, or let him tell me. You must know, -Christine, that I’m not bothering about such -things. I don’t want affection, as you call it, -from any man. I like my boy friends, or my -men friends, but there’s no sentiment or sentimentality -between me and any one of them? -Are you on?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“On what?” asked Christine, a little bewildered -at Patty’s emphatic speech.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“On deck,” said Patty, laughing at Christine’s -blank expression and changing the subject with -promptness and dexterity.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='81' id='Page_81'></span><h1>CHAPTER VI</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>THE AWARD</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty was in high spirits. It was the -twentieth of April, and it was almost -time for the postman to call on his afternoon -round. The two Farringtons and Kenneth -were present, and all eagerly awaited the -expected letter, telling the result of the Prize -Contest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just think,” said Patty, “how many anxious -hearts all over this broad land are even now -waiting for the postman, and every one is to -be disappointed, except me!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I believe you enjoy their disappointment,” -said Elise.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You know better, my child. You know I -<span class='it'>hate</span> to have people disappointed. But, in this -case, only one can win. I’m glad I’m that one, -and I’m sorry for the others.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“S’pose you don’t win,” observed Roger; -“what will you do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There’s no use s’posin’ that, for it can’t happen,” -declared Patty, turning from the window, -where she had been flattening her nose against -the glass, in a frantic endeavour to catch a first -glimpse of the belated postman.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, just for fun,” urged Kenneth, “just for -argument’s sake, if you didn’t get that prize, -what would you do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I wouldn’t do anything. I’d know the company -that offered it was a fake, and had gone -back on its own promise.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty, you’re incorrigible!” said Ken. “I -give you up. You’re the most self-assured, self-reliant, -cocksure young person I ever saw.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Thank you, sir, for them kind words! Oh! -sit still, my heart! <span class='it'>Do</span> I hear that familiar -whistle at last?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You do!” shouted Kenneth, making a spring -for the front door.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They all followed, but Kenneth first reached -it, and fairly grabbed the letters from the astonished -letter-carrier.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Returning to the library with his booty, he -ran them over slowly and tantalisingly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“One for Mrs. Fairfield,” he said. “From a -fashionable tailor. Do you suppose it’s a dun? -Or, perhaps, merely an announcement of new -spring furbelows. Next, one for Mr. Fairfield. -Unmistakably a circular! No good! -Ha! another for Mrs. Fairfield. Now, -this——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Ken, stop!” begged Patty. “Have -pity on me! Is there one for me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, yes, child. I didn’t know you wanted -it. Yes, here’s one for you. It is postmarked -‘Vernondale.’ Take it, dear one!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense, Ken. Not that one! But isn’t -there one from the Rhodes and Geer Motor -Company?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, yes; since you mention it, I notice there -is such a one! Do you want it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kenneth held it high above Patty’s head, but -she sprang and caught it, and waved it triumphantly -in the air.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I told you so!” she cried.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But you haven’t opened it yet,” said -Elise. “Maybe it only tells you you’ve -failed.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hush, hush, little one!” said Patty. “I’ll -show it to you in a minute.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Accepting the letter-opener Kenneth proffered, -she cut open the envelope, and read the few -lines on the typewritten sheet enclosed. She -read them again, and then slowly refolded the -sheet and returned it to its envelope.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“After all,” she said, calmly, “it is well to -be of a philosophical nature in a time of disappointment.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Patty, you didn’t win!” cried Kenneth, -springing to her side, and grasping her -hand.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I haven’t won,” said Patty, with a heart-rending -sigh.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I thought you were terribly positive,” said -Elise, not very kindly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I was,” sighed Patty. “I was terribly positive. -I am, still!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What are you talking about, Patty?” said -Roger, who began to think she was fooling -them. “Let me see that letter.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Take it!” said Patty, holding it out with a -despairing gesture. “Read it aloud, and let -them all know the worst!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So Roger read the few lines, which were to the -effect that, owing to the unexpected number of -answers received, the decision must be delayed -until May first.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Patty!” exclaimed Kenneth, greatly relieved. -“How you scared me! Of course -you’ll get it yet.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course I shall,” said Patty, serenely, “but -I hate to wait.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Since it was not failure, after all, the young -people felt greatly relieved, and congratulated -Patty upon her narrow escape.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But the situation is too dramatic for my -nerves,” declared Kenneth. “When the real -letter comes, I prefer not to be here. I can’t -stand such harrowing scenes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It won’t be harrowing when the real letter -comes,” said Patty. “It will be just one grand, -triumphant jubilee.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, jubilees are nerve-racking,” said Kenneth. -“I think I’ll stay away until the shouting -is over.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You can’t,” said Patty, saucily. “You’ll be -the first one here, the day the letter is due.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I suppose so! Curiosity has always been -my besetting sin. But to-day’s entertainment -seems to be over, so I may as well go -home.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Us, too,” said Roger. “Come on, Elise.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So good-byes were said, and Patty’s friends -went laughing away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then Patty took up the letter and read it -again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ten days to wait,” she said, to herself. -“And suppose I shouldn’t get it, after all? But -I will,—I know I will. Something inside my -brain makes me feel sure of it. And, when I -have that sort of sureness, it never goes back -on me!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She went upstairs, singing merrily, and without -a shadow of doubt in her mind as to her -success in the contest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The ten days passed quickly, for Patty was so -absorbed in the furnishings for the new summer -home that she was occupied every moment from -morning till night.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She went with Nan to all sorts of fascinating -shops, where they selected wall-papers, rugs, -furniture, and curtains. Not much bric-a-brac, -and very few pictures, for they were keeping the -house simple in tone, but comfortable and cheerful -of atmosphere. Christine gladly gave her -advice when needed, but she was very busy with -her work, and they interrupted her as seldom -as possible.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty bought lovely things for her own -rooms,—chairs of blue and white wicker; curtains -of loose-meshed, blue silky stuff, over ruffled -dimity ones; a regulation brass bedstead -for her bedroom, but a couch that opened into -a bed for her out-of-door dormitory. By day, -this could be a chintz-covered couch with chintz -pillows; by night, a dainty, white nest of downy -comfort. Several times they went down to -Spring Beach, to inspect the work going on -there, and always returned with satisfactory -reports.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As the time of departure drew near, Elise began -to realise how much she would miss Patty, -and lamented accordingly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I think you might have arranged to go where -we’re going,” she said. “You know you could -make your people go wherever you wanted to.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But you go to the Adirondacks, Elise; I -couldn’t run my motor car much up there.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, that motor car! Even if you do get -it, Patty, you won’t use it more than a few times. -Nobody does.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“P’raps not. But, somehow, it just seems to -me I shall. It just <span class='it'>seems</span> to me so. But, Elise, -you’ll come down to visit me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; for a few days. But you’ll have Christine -there most of the time, I suppose.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll have Christine whenever she’ll come,” -said Patty, a little sharply; “and, Elise, if you -care anything for my friendship, I wish you’d -show a little more friendliness toward her.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes; just because Mr. Hepworth thinks -she’s a prodigy, and Mrs. Van Reypen has taken -her up socially, you think she’s something -great!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty looked at Elise a moment in astonishment -at this outburst, and then she broke into a -hearty laugh.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I think you’re something great, Elise! I -think you’re a great goose! What kind of talk -are you talking? Christine is a dear, sweet, -brave girl,—and you know it. Now, drop it, -and never, never, never talk like that again.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Elise was a little ashamed of her unjust speech, -and only too glad to turn it off by joining in -Patty’s laughter. So she only said, “Oh, Christine’s -all right!” and dropped the subject.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>By the first of May, everything was ready for -occupancy at “The Pebbles.” The lawn and -grounds were in fine condition, and the house -in perfect order.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Patty begged that they shouldn’t start until -she had received word about her prize car.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, Puss, all the mail will be forwarded,” -said her father. “You’ll get your precious missive -there just as well as here.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I know that, daddy dear,—but, well,—I -can’t seem to feel like going, until I know that -car is my very own. Just wait until the third -of May, can’t you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She was so persuasive that Nan went over to -her side, and then, of course, Mr. Fairfield had -to give his consent to wait. Not that he cared, -particularly, but he was a little afraid that -Patty would not get the prize, and thought she -might bear her disappointment better if away -from her young friends.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But they waited, and again the group of those -most interested gathered in the Fairfield library -to await the letter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Christine and Mr. Hepworth were there, too, -this time; also Philip Van Reypen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield, though outwardly -calm and even gay, were perhaps the most -anxious of all, for they knew how keenly a disappointment -would affect Patty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The whistle sounded. The postman’s step was -heard. Instead of rushing to the door, Patty -felt a strange inertia, and sank back in her -chair.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Go, Ken,” she said, faintly, and Kenneth -went.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Silently he took the mail from the carrier, silently -he returned with it to the library. There -was none of the gay chaffing they had had before, -and all because Patty, the moving spirit, -was grave and quiet, with a scared, drawn look -on her sweet face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hastily running over the letters, Kenneth laid -aside all but one, and slowly extended that to -Patty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She took it, opened it, and read it with a dazed -expression.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The eager ones circled round, with faces tense -and waiting.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Again Patty read her letter. Then, still with -that dazed look on her face, she glanced from -one to another. As her eyes met Mr. Hepworth’s, -she suddenly held the paper out to him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ve won,” she said, simply, and gave him -the letter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then she drew a short little sigh, almost a sob -of relief, and then the colour came back to her -face, the light to her eyes, and she smiled -naturally.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ve won!” she cried again. “It’s all -right!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then there was jubilation, indeed! Everybody -congratulated everybody else. Everybody -had to read the wonderful letter, and see for -himself that the prize, the Electric Runabout, -had indeed been awarded to Miss Patricia Fairfield, -for the best and most complete list of answers -to the puzzles in the contest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Only the girls’ parents and Gilbert Hepworth -knew how tightly the tension of Patty’s nerves -had been strained, but they had been alertly -watching for any sign of collapse, and were -thankful and relieved that the danger was over.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Hepworth didn’t stop then to wonder why -Patty had handed him the letter first. And, indeed, -she didn’t know herself. But she felt his -sensitive sympathy so keenly, and saw such deep -anxiety in his eyes, that involuntarily she turned -to him in her moment of triumph.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I told you so!” Philip Van Reypen was -shouting. “I knew we’d win! Hepworth, old -man, you did it, with that last charade! Bully -for you!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, he did!” cried Patty, holding out her -hand to Mr. Hepworth, with a smile of gratitude; -“but you all helped me. Oh, isn’t it -splendid! I didn’t so much care for the car, but -I wanted to <span class='it'>win</span>!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, <span class='it'>listen</span> to that!” exclaimed Kenneth. -“She didn’t care for the car! Oh, Patty, what -<span class='it'>are</span> you saying? Give me the car, then!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, of course I want the car, you goose! But -I mean I really cared more for the <span class='it'>game</span>,—the -winning of it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course you did!” declared Van Reypen. -“That’s the true sportsman spirit: ‘not the -quarry, but the chase!’ I’m proud of you, -Miss Fairfield! Your sentiments are the -right sort.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty smiled and dimpled, quite her roguish -self again, now that the exciting crisis was past.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nan,” she cried, “we must celebrate! Will -you invite all this hilarious populace to dinner, -or give them an impromptu tea-fight right -now?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dinner!” cried Philip Van Reypen; and -“Dinner!” took up the other voices, in gay -insistence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Very well,” said Nan; “but, if it’s to be dinner, -you must all run away now and come back -later. I can’t order a celebration dinner at a -moment’s notice.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, we will.” And obediently the -guests went away, to return later for a gala -dinner.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And a real celebration it was. Mr. Fairfield -himself went out to the florist’s and returned -with a centrepiece for the table, consisting of -a wicker automobile filled with flowers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>By dint of much telephoning, Nan provided -place cards and favours of little motor cars; -and the ices were shaped like tiny automobiles; -and the cakes like tires. And all the viands -were so delicious, and the guests so gay and -merry, that the feast was one long to be remembered -by all.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“When will you get the car, Patty?” asked -Elise.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know exactly. In a fortnight, perhaps. -But we’ll be down at Spring Beach then, -so whoever wants a ride in it will have to come -down there.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I want a ride in it,” said Philip Van Reypen, -“and I will come down there. May I ask -you to set the date?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’ll get a notification in due season,” said -Patty, smiling at the eager youth. “I’m not -sure it’s your turn first. No, Elise must be -first.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, I didn’t help you at all,” said Elise, -greatly pleased, however, at Patty’s remark.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, but you’re my lady friend, and so you -come first. Perhaps your brother will come -with you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Perhaps</span> he <span class='it'>will</span>!” said Roger, with emphasis.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And who comes next?” asked Kenneth, with -great interest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Christine, of course,” said Patty, smiling at -the Southern girl, who was enjoying all the fun, -though quiet herself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just as I guessed,” said Kenneth. “And, -<span class='it'>then</span>, who next? Don’t keep me in suspense!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Owing to the unexpected number of applicants, -decision is delayed for ten days,” said -Patty, laughing at Ken’s disappointed face. -“We’ll let you know when you’re due, Ken. -Don’t you worry.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Need <span class='it'>I</span> worry?” asked Van Reypen, and -then Hepworth said, “Need I?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, you needn’t any of you worry. But -I’m not going to take anybody riding until I -learn how to manage the frisky steed myself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But I can show you,” said Philip, insinuatingly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So can I,” said Roger.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, you can’t,” said Patty. “Miller is going -to teach me, and then,—well, then, we’ll see -about it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, with this somewhat unsatisfactory invitation -to “The Pebbles,” they were forced to be -content.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After dinner, Kenneth remarked that it looked -like a shower.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What do you mean?” asked Patty. “It’s a -still, clear night.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You come here, and I’ll show you,” said -Kenneth, mysteriously. Then, taking Patty’s -hand, he led her to a large davenport sofa, and -seated her in the centre of it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now,” he said, “let it shower!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As if by magic, a half a dozen or more parcels -of all shapes and sizes fell into Patty’s lap.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s a shower, for you!” explained Elise, -dancing about in glee. “Open them!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh! I see,” said Patty. “How gorgeous!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The parcels were in tissue paper, ribbon-tied, -and Patty was not long in exposing their contents. -One and all, they were gifts selected -with reference to her new motor car.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Elise gave her a most fetching blue silk hood, -with quaint shirring, and draw-strings, and wide -blue ribbon ties.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Christine gave her a lovely motor-veil, of the -newest style and flimsiest material.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roger gave her gauntleted motor-gloves, of -new and correct make.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kenneth gave a motor-clock, of the most approved -sort; and Philip Van Reypen presented -a clever little “vanity case,” which shut up into -small compass, but held many dainty toilette -accessories.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Hepworth’s gift was an exquisite flower -vase, of gold and glass, to be attached to her -new car.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty was more than surprised; she was almost -overcome by this “shower” of gifts, and -she exclaimed:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are the <span class='it'>dearest</span> people! And you -needn’t wait for invitations. Come down to -‘The Pebbles’ whenever you want to, and I’ll -take you all riding at once! I don’t see where -you ever found such beautiful things! Nor -<span class='it'>why</span> you gave them to me!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Because we love you, Patty dear,” said Christine, -so softly that she thought no one heard.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Kenneth heard, and he smiled as he looked -at Patty, and said, “Yes, that’s why.”</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='97' id='Page_97'></span><h1>CHAPTER VII</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>A NEIGHBOUR</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Two days later the Fairfields went down -to Spring Beach.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The intervening day was a busy one. -Mr. Fairfield went with Patty to select her -motor car, for some details of equipment and -upholstery were left to her choice. As the car -had been built especially for the Prize Contest, -it was a beautiful specimen of the finisher’s art. -It was a Stanhope, of graceful design and fine -lines. The body was Royal Blue, with cushions -of broadcloth of the same colour.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty was informed she could have any other -colour if she wished, but she said the blue suited -her best.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was a top which could be put up or -down at will, wide skirt-protecting mudguards, -and a full equipment of all necessary paraphernalia, -such as storm-apron, odometer, and a complete -set of tools.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty had carried with her her flower vase -and clock, and the man in charge agreed to have -them fastened in place. The flower vase, he -said, was unusual on a Stanhope, but, when -Patty said it <span class='it'>must</span> be attached somewhere, he -promised to have it done.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The steering gear was a bar, fitted with a hand -grip, and both this and the controller were exceedingly -simple and easily operated.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The demonstrator offered to give Patty a driving -lesson then and there, but Mr. Fairfield preferred -that she should be taught by himself, or -his experienced chauffeur, the trusty Miller.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Of course, the men in charge of the salesroom -where the car was on exhibition were greatly -interested in seeing Patty, because she was the -winner of the contest. One young man stepped -forward with a camera, and asked the privilege -of taking a picture of Patty seated in her -own car.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But this Mr. Fairfield would not allow, and, -after making the necessary arrangements about -shipping the motor to Spring Beach, he took -Patty away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Isn’t it fun, father?” she exclaimed, as she -went off with him, her hands full of descriptive -catalogues and circulars, telling of the marvellous -superiority of the Rhodes and Geer cars -over all competitors.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s lots more interesting than if you had just -bought a car and given it to me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And lots less expensive, too,” said Mr. Fairfield, -smiling. “Why, Patty, girl, that whole -affair, as it stands, is worth nearly three thousand -dollars.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Goodness gracious! Is it really? I had no -idea they were so expensive! Why, your big -car didn’t cost much more than that, did it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, you see, this Stanhope of yours is a special -car, in every way, and all its fittings and accessories -are of the most up-to-date and extravagant -type. You must do all you can for -the company, by praising it to your friends. I -don’t think you can do any more than that to -further their interests.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I don’t feel under any obligation to the -company. It was a business enterprise on their -part. They offered a prize and I won it. Now -we’re quits. Of course, I shall praise the car -to my friends, but only because it’s such a -beauty, and not because I feel that I owe anything -to the company.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are rather a logical young woman, after -all, Patty. Sometimes you seem a feather-headed -butterfly, and then again you appear to -have sound sense.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A ‘feather-headed butterfly’ sounds pretty, -I think. I guess I’ll be that, mostly.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You won’t have to try very hard,” remarked -her father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But sometimes I have spells of being very -serious: for instance, wasn’t I serious when I -tried so hard to earn fifteen dollars in one -week?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, serious enough; but it was largely your -stubborn determination to succeed.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, that’s a good trait to have, then. It’s -what Mr. Hepworth calls steadfastness of purpose.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; they’re about the same thing. And I’m -glad you have it; it’s what won the car for -you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That, and my helpful friends.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, the helpful friends were incidental, like -text-books or cyclopædias. I truly congratulate -you, Patty, girl, on your real success in this -instance. But I also ask of you not to go into -anything of such a public nature again, without -consulting me first.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, Father Fairfield, I promise.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And then they were at home again, and the -luncheon hour was enlivened by Patty’s descriptions -to Nan of her wonderful new toy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Are you going to give it a name, Patty?” -Nan asked, after hearing of its glories.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; but not until after I’ve used it. I can’t -tell, you see, just what sort of a name it needs -until I try it. And, Nan, let’s do a little shopping -this afternoon. I want a new motor-coat, -and a few other trifles, to live up to the appearance -of that thing of beauty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The shopping was done, some marvellous -motor-apparel was purchased, and then, the next -day, the departure from New York was made.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They reached “The Pebbles” in mid-afternoon, -and the ocean and sky were a glowing -mass of blue and white and gold.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nan’s well-trained servants had the house open -and ready for them, and Patty flew up the -steps and into the great hall with a whoop of -delight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Isn’t it great, Nan! Isn’t it fine! More -fun than travelling abroad or touristing through -Sunny It.! For, you see, this is our own home -and we own it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty, your enthusiasm will wear you out -some day. Do take it more quietly.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Can’t do it! I’m of a nervous temperament -and exuberant disposition, and I have to express -my thinks!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The big hall was in reality a living-room. It -extended straight through the house, with wide -doors at either end. It had alcoves with cushioned -seats, a huge fireplace, deep-seated windows, -and from one side a broad staircase -curved upward, with a landing and balcony halfway.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The wicker furniture was well-chosen and picturesque, -besides being very comfortable and -inviting.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just as soon as I can get a few things flung -around, it will be perfect,” announced Patty. -“At present, it’s too everlastingly cleared-up-looking.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She tossed on a table the magazines she had -bought on the train, and flung her long veil over -a chair back.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There, you see!” she said. “Watch that -veil flutter in the seabreeze,—our own seabreeze, -coming in at our own front door, and -then tell me if ‘The Pebbles’ is a success!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; and, unless you shut that door, you’ll -have a most successful cold in your head,” observed -her father. “It’s May, to be sure, but -it doesn’t seem to be very thoroughly May, as -yet.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So Patty shut the door, and then, opening the -piano, she sang “Home, Sweet Home,” and -then some gayer songs to express her enthusiasm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Her own rooms, Patty concluded, were the gem -of the house. From her balcony, on which she -proposed to sleep, she had not only a wide view -of the sea, but an attractive panorama of the -beautiful estates along the shore. A hammock -was slung between two of the pillars, and, -throwing herself into this, with an Indian -blanket over her, Patty swayed gently back and -forth, and indulged in daydreams of the coming -summer. An hour later, Nan found her -still there.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come to tea, Patty,” she said; “we’re having -it indoors, as the wind is rising.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, it’s breezing up quite some;” and Patty -looked out at the waves, now so darkly blue as -to be almost black.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She followed Nan downstairs to the hall, and -looked approvingly at the tea-table, set out near -the blazing wood-fire.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Lovely!” she cried. “I believe I am chilly, -after all. But the air is fine. Buttered muffins, -oh, goody! Father, the table bills will be a -lot bigger down here than in the city.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I daresay; but I won’t begrudge them, if -you will put some more flesh on that willowy -frame of yours. You’re not strong, Patty, and -I want you to devote this summer to building -yourself up physically. No study, not much -reading, no ‘Puzzle Contest’ work. Just rest, -and exercise moderately, and spend most of your -time out-of-doors.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, daddy dear, your plans and specifications -exactly suit me! How strange that our -ideas should be the same on this subject! You -see, with my new Stanhope, I’ll be out-of-doors -all day, and, as I propose to sleep in the open, -I’ll be out-of-doors all night. Can I do more?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m not sure about this sleeping outside. You -must never do it on damp or foggy nights.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, father, the sanitariums advise it for -everybody—every night. Well, I’ll agree not -to sleep out in a thunderstorm, for I’m scared -to death of them.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And you mustn’t begin it yet, anyway. It’s -too cold. Wait until June, and then we’ll see -about it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, I’ll agree to that. Why, somebody’s -coming up the front walk! Nan, here -comes our first caller. Wow! She’s a dasher!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In a few moments, Jane, the new parlour maid, -admitted the visitor, and she came in with a self-important -flutter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How do you do?” she said, cordially. “I’m -Miss Galbraith,—Mona Galbraith, your next-door -neighbour. At least, we live in the house -with red chimneys, two blocks down, but there’s -no house between us.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How do you do, Miss Galbraith,” said Nan, -rising to greet the guest, and followed by the -others.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You see,” went on the young woman, volubly, -after she had accepted the seat offered by -Mr. Fairfield, “I thought I’d just run right -in, informally, for you might feel a bit lonesome -or homesick this first day. So many people -do.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Patty, smiling, “we’re not lonesome -or homesick, but it was nice of you to -come to see us in this neighbourly fashion. Have -a muffin, won’t you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indeed, I will; what delicious muffins! Did -you bring your servants with you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Some of them,” said Nan. “We’re simple -people, and haven’t a large retinue.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, we have,” said Miss Galbraith. “And -I’m at the head of the whole bunch. Just father -and I; we live alone, you know. Will -you come to see us? Come to dinner, soon, -won’t you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll see about it,” said Nan, who scarcely -knew how to take this self-possessed and somewhat -forward young person.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Miss Galbraith wore a costume of embroidered -white linen, but the embroidery was too elaborate, -and the style of the gown rather extreme. -She wore a long gold chain, with what Patty -afterward called half a peck of “junk” dangling -from it. There were a lorgnette, a purse, -a cardcase, a pencil, a vinaigrette, a well-filled -key-ring, and several other trifles, all attached -to the chain, and Miss Galbraith played with -the trinkets incessantly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I hope we’ll be real good friends,” she said, -earnestly, to Patty. “I want an intimate friend -awfully, and I like your looks.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As Patty couldn’t honestly return the compliment, -she said nothing in reply. Miss Galbraith’s -personal appearance was comely, and -yet it was not of the type with which Patty -was accustomed to be friendly. Her sandy hair -was too much curled and puffed, piled too high -on her head, and held with too many jewelled -<a id='pin'></a>pins; while her rather large hands showed too -many rings for a young girl.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Her high-heeled, white shoes were too tight -for her, and her easy attitudes and frank -speech were too informal for a first call on -strangers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course, we shall be friends,” said Nan, -with just enough absence of enthusiasm in her -tones to convey to a sensitive mind her reservations.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Miss Galbraith hadn’t a sensitive mind.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Dear Mrs. Fairfield,” she said, effusively, -“how good you are! I see you have the neighbourly -instinct. Isn’t it nice that we’ll all be -down here together for the whole summer? Do -you swim, Miss Fairfield? and do you love to -dance?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” began Patty, “but——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As she hesitated, Mr. Fairfield came to his -daughter’s rescue.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“To be frank, Miss Galbraith,” he said, “I -am trying to keep my daughter rather quiet this -summer. I want her to exercise only moderately, -and I must positively forbid much dancing, -and late hours, and all that sort of thing.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, that’s all right,” returned the visitor; -“nobody keeps very late hours at Spring Beach. -Well, I must run away now,—and I give you -fair warning! If you don’t come and return my -call soon, I’ll come straight over here and return -it myself!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She shook a playful finger at Patty, and, after -voluble leave-takings, she went away, tripping -down the walk with the satisfied air of one who -has accomplished her object.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well!” said Patty, with an air of utter -exasperation.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Well!</span>” exclaimed Nan.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Fairfield smiled grimly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s our own fault,” he said. “We should -have enquired as to the character of the neighbours -before we bought the house.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How soon can you sell it, father?” asked -Patty. “One more visitation like that would -give me nervous prostration! Mona! Mona, -indeed! I never saw a Mona before, but I -might have known they were like that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But can’t you really stay here?” asked Mr. -Fairfield, in alarm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense, daddy, of course we can! Do -you think I’d let myself be dispossessed by a -mere Mona? No, sir; Nan and I can manage -her.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t quite see how,” said Nan, thoughtfully. -“She’s that impossible sort. Oblivious -to manner, impervious to hints. Patty, she’s -dreadful!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course she is, Sweet Nancy. She isn’t our -sort. But I’ll attend to her. I don’t know how, -just yet, but I’ll find out. She’s a problem to -be coped with, a difficulty to be overcome. But -did you ever see such a gown? There was just -enough embroidery on it for three self-respecting -frocks. And her hair! Looked like the -wax ladies’ coiffures in the hair-store windows!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t make rude personal remarks, Patty, -girl.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, father, as if one could be rude to an -object like that! Well, people dear, let’s put -her out of our minds and hearts for the rest of -to-day, anyway. I won’t have the birthday of -‘The Pebbles’ spoiled by a slight incident like -that. Forget it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And so the impossible Miss Galbraith was -voluntarily ignored.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='110' id='Page_110'></span><h1>CHAPTER VIII</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>SWIFT CAMILLA</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At last the car came. Patty was in a flutter -of joyous expectation, and, as Miller -came whirring up the drive in it, the -whole family assembled on the veranda to admire -it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Isn’t it a beauty, Nan! Oh, isn’t it?” Patty -exclaimed, as the sunlight flashed gold sparkles -on the shining paint.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is, indeed, Patty. I never saw such a -pretty one. Are you sure you can run it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes! I know how already. You just -stick in a key and turn it, and grab the brake-handle, -and take hold of the steering bar, and -push and pull whenever you think you ought -to.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not very technical language,” said Mr. -Fairfield, smiling, “but I think you understand -the operation. Jump in, Puss; I’m going with -you for your first spin.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But, though Mr. Fairfield was an interested -spectator, Patty manipulated the car all by herself, -and seemed to know intuitively a great -many of the minor details.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There’s only one trouble, dad,” she said, as -they went spinning along the smooth, hard road, -“I can’t take you and Nan with me both at -once.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never mind, girlie; when we feel as sociable -as that, we’ll go in the big car. Now, -Patty, let me see you change the speed.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then followed a careful lesson, in speed changing, -stopping suddenly, turning, going backward, -and all the various emergencies that occur -in driving.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You certainly are a born motorist, Patty,” -said her father, at last. “You are unusually -clever and quick-witted about knowing what to -do, and doing it swiftly and cleanly. Hesitation -in motoring often means trouble.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s because I love it, father. I’d rather motor -than go driving or boating or even flying. -Aren’t you glad I don’t want an aëroplane, -daddy?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You wouldn’t get it, if you did. Not even -if you earned it yourself, as you did this car. -Now, Patty, turn around and let’s go home.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Skilfully, Patty turned around, and they sped -on their homeward way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Some things you must promise me, Patty,” -said her father, seriously, as they drew near the -house. “Never start out without knowing -pretty definitely how long it will take you, and -when you’ll return. Never go without being -sure you have enough current for the trip. Of -course, Miller will look after this for you, but -I want you to understand it thoroughly yourself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I want to learn all about the working -parts, and how to repair them, if necessary.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That will come later. Learn to run it perfectly, -first. And, too, I want you to promise -never to start anywhere so late that there’s even -a possibility of your being out after dark. I -wouldn’t let you go out alone, or with a girl -friend, in the city, but down here you may do -so, if you never travel except by daylight. You -understand, Patty?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, father, and I promise. As you know, -I only want to go on little, short drives, two -or three hours, usually.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Very well. I trust you not to do anything -of which I would disapprove. You’re a good -girl, Patty; at least, you mean to be. But sometimes -your enthusiasms and inclinations run -away with you, and you have no sense of moderation.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“H’m,” said Patty, smiling; “now I’ve been -lectured enough for one lesson, father dear. -Save the rest for another day, and watch me -whiz up this drive to the house like an expert.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She did so, and Nan, awaiting them, exclaimed -with pride at Patty’s skilful driving.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Your turn now, Nan,” the girl called out; -then, mindful of her promise, she looked at her -watch. “It’s just three,” she said. “Let’s go -over to the Arbutus Inn Tea Room, have a cup -of tea, and get back home before six? How’s -that, father?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s all right, my good little girl. I don’t -believe you’ll have any trouble running it, do -you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, indeed! It’s as easy as pie! I just love -to run it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon Nan was ready, and the two started off -in great glee.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can hardly believe you really have the car, -Patty; didn’t you learn to run it very quickly?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, you see, I have driven cars before. -Big ones, I mean. And this is different, but so -much simpler, that it’s no trouble at all. Oh! -Nan, isn’t the scenery gorgeous?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Gorgeous wasn’t at all the right word, but a -tamer one would not have suited Patty’s mood. -They were rolling along the coast: on one side -the ocean; on the other, an ever-changing panorama -of seashore settlements with their hotels -and cottages, interspersed with stretches of fine -woods, or broad, level vistas with distant -horizons.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s beautiful, Patty. We’ll have a lovely -time this summer.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; don’t let’s have too much company. -I’d like to have Christine down for a few weeks, -and of course Elise will make us a visit; but I -don’t want that horde of boys.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why not?” asked Nan, in amazement, for -Patty greatly enjoyed the boys’ calls in New -York.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I don’t know! It’s so quiet and peaceful, -just with us; and, if they come, they’ll stir -up picnics and dances and all sorts of things.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I know what’s the matter with you, Patty,” -said Nan, laughing; “you’ve got automobile -fever! You just want to ride and ride in this -pretty car of yours, along these good roads, and -just give yourself up to indolent enjoyment -of it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s just it! How did you know, Nan?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, everybody feels that way when they first -own a car. I’ve often noticed it. Sometimes -they want to ride entirely alone, and just revel -in automobility.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Gracious, Nan! What a word! Well, I -might want to go all alone once in a while; but -usually I want some one to rave about it all -with me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I’m ready to rave at any time. Isn’t -that the Inn, off there to the right?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, so it is. How quickly we’ve come! -Nan, there’s a line of poetry in my mind, and I -can’t think of it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, what a catastrophe! Is it the only line -you know?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t be silly. But, truly, I do want to think -of it, for it’s about the name of this car.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps a cup of tea will quicken your wits.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps. Well, we’ll try. Jump out, Nan; -here we are.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>By a clever little contrivance, Patty could lock -her car, and so feel sure it would not be tampered -with. In a country place, like this somewhat -primitive roadhouse where they now were, -this was a decided satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Tea Room, though small, was dainty and -attractive. It was kept by two pleasant-faced -spinsters, and, though their clientèle was not -large, they sometimes served guests at several -tables.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Only a little after four,” said Patty, looking -at her watch. “We can stay till five, Nan, and -then get home by six.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right,” returned Nan, who was walking -along the narrow garden paths, admiring the -old-fashioned flowers and tiny box borders.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty went into the little Inn, ordered tea and -hot waffles and cakes, and then returned to -Nan.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s a dear little place,” she said. “I’ve -heard of it, but I’ve never been here before. -Tea will be ready in twenty minutes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When served, the little repast was delightful. -Old-time silver and old-fashioned china made -it all seem quaint and interesting.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They dawdled over their tea, sometimes chatting, -sometimes sitting silent. It was a bit of -good fortune that these two were so congenial, -for, Fate having thrown them together, they -were much in each other’s company. As there -was but six years’ difference in their ages, their -relation was far more like sisters than like -mother and daughter. And, though Nan never -dictated to Patty, she taught her much by example, -and, at the same time, she herself learned -some things from her stepdaughter.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“S’pect we’d better move on, Nannie,” -said Patty, at last, as it was nearly five. -“I’ll pay the reckoning for this feast, and -then we’ll start. Oh, it has just come to -me!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What has?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That line of poetry that I couldn’t think of! -This is it, ‘When swift Camilla scours the -plain.’”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, what of it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, it’s the name for my car! Swift Camilla! -See?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A pretty name enough. But is she swift?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll speed her going home, and just show -you!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty, don’t you dare! You know I’m only -going to motor with you if you go with great -moderation.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right; I won’t scare you. But that’s her -name, all the same.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon the Swift Camilla was once more skimming -along the country roads. Patty went only -at moderate speed, for she had no wish to -frighten Nan, and, too, she had promised her -father to be very careful.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They were about halfway home, when Patty -saw a cow in the road ahead.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I wish that old cow would get out of the -way,” she said. “A cow has no business to be -in the middle of the road like that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She slowed down, and the car crawled along -behind the cow, but the indifferent animal paid -no heed to the motor or the horn, and ambled -along in mild indifference.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, get out of the way!” cried Patty, exasperatedly. -Then, more coaxingly, “Please, -cow, nice cow, do get out of the way.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This brought no response, and Patty grew -angry again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Shoo! Cow! Shoo! Get out of the road! -If you don’t, I’ll—I’ll——” But she could -think of no direful deed that would affect the -cow, so she paused. Then she resorted to sarcasm: -“A nice sort of cow you are, anyway! -Alone and unattended on a country road! Why, -anybody might kidnap you! Where’s your cow-herd, -or whatever you call him?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty, don’t be silly,” said Nan, choking -with laughter. “Get out and chase the cow -away. Hit her with a stick, or something. -Throw a little stone at her,—just a very little -one. Don’t hurt her!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty’s eyes grew round with horror.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, Nan Fairfield, I’m more afraid of -that cow than of all the automobiles in the -world! I’m <span class='it'>terribly</span> afraid of cows! I’m more -afraid of cows than of <span class='it'>anything</span>, except a -mouse! But a mouse wouldn’t block up the -road so dreadfully. Nan, you get out and chase -the cow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No,—no,” said Nan, shuddering. “I’m -afraid of cows, too. Patty, I’ll tell you what! -Steer <span class='it'>around</span> the cow!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just the thing! I believe there’s just about -room enough. If she’ll only stay in the middle, -now. Which side do you think there’s more -room, Nan?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“On the right. Go round her on the right.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was plenty of room, and Patty steered -carefully out toward the right, and passed the -cow safely enough.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hurrah!” she cried, but she hurrahed a -trifle too soon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As she directed her car back to the hard road, -she discovered that she had sidetracked into a -very sandy place. The front wheels of her -car were all right, but the hind wheels were -stuck in the sand,—one but a little, the other -deeply.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Put on more speed!” cried Nan. “Hurry, -before it sinks in deeper!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty put on more speed, which, contrary -to her intent, made the hind wheels sink -lower and lower in the soft sand. The car -had stopped, and no effort of Patty’s could -start it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She looked at Nan with a comical smile.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Adventure No. 1!” she said. “Oh, Nan, -we can’t get home by six! Indeed, I don’t see -how we can ever get home.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Are you frightened, Patty?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No; there’s nothing to be frightened about. -But I’m—well, hopping mad just about expresses -my feelings! You see, Nan, it’s like a -quicksand; the more we struggle to get out, the -deeper we get in.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“H’m; what are you going to do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just plain nothing, my lady; for the simple -reason that there’s nothing to do.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And do you propose to sit here all night?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s as Fate wills it! Do you suppose -father will come to look for us,—say, along toward -midnight?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty, don’t be a goose! Fred will be scared -to death!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Because I’m a goose? Oh, no! he knows I -am, already. But, Nan, I’ve an idea. If I were -only strong enough,—or if you were,—we could -lift out one of those fence rails, and stick it in -the sand in front of that deepest wheel, and get -her out.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty, how clever you are! How do you -know that?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I know it well enough. My general -gumption tells me it. But,—we’re neither of us -strong enough to boost it out of the fence and -under the wheel in the right way.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But we might do it together.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We might try. Come on, Nan, let’s make -the effort. Bother that old cow, anyway! But -for her, we’d be almost home now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They got out of the car, and, with plucky effort, -tried to dislodge a fence rail. But it was -a fairly new and a well-made fence, and the -rails would not come out easily. They tried one -after another, but with no success.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, Nan, here’s my only solution to this -perplexing situation. We can’t sit here and let -father lose his mind worrying about it, and -thinking we’re ground under our own chariot -wheels. So one of us must stay here with the -car, and the other walk home and tell him -about it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Walk home! Why, Patty, it must be five -miles!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I daresay it is, and I’d just as lieve walk it, -but I hate to leave you here alone. So you can -take your choice, and I’ll take the other.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, Patty, that’s absurd! Why not let one -of us walk to some nearby house and ask for -help?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Capital idea, but where’s the nearby house? -There’s none in sight.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, but there must be one nearer than -home.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; and, when you go trailing off to look -for it, you’ll get lost. Better go straight home, -Nan.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And leave you here alone? I won’t do it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then there seems to be a deadlock. Oh, hey! -Hi! Mister!! I say! Whoo-oo-ee!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nan turned, frightened at Patty’s hullabaloo, -to see a man just disappearing round a fork in -the road. He had not seen them, and, unless -Patty’s quick eyes had spied him, and her sudden -call had reached his ears, he would have -been gone in a moment. As it was, he turned, -stared at them, and then came slowly over to -them. He was a rough, but not unkindly-looking -fellow, probably a farm labourer, and apparently -a foreigner. He spoke no English, but -Patty made him understand by gestures what -she wanted him to do. A look of admiration -came into his stolid eyes, at the idea of Patty -knowing enough to use the fence rail, and his -powerful strength soon removed a rail, and -placed it endwise under the wheel of the captive -car. Another was placed under the other -hind wheel, and, after much endeavour and -slipping and coaxing, the car was once again -freed from the sand, and stood proudly on the -hard road.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty thanked the man prettily, and, though -he couldn’t understand a word, he understood -her grateful smiles. More clearly, perhaps, he -understood a banknote, which she drew from -her purse and gave him, and, with a grateful, -if uncouth bow of his awkward head, he trudged -away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty started her car, and soon, at a good rate -of speed, they were flying along in the gathering -dusk.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='124' id='Page_124'></span><h1>CHAPTER IX</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>MONA AT HOME</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When they reached home it was really -after dark, and Patty was prepared -for an expected reproof. But Mr. -Fairfield came out smilingly to meet them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Accident No. 1?” he asked. “What was -it? Power gave out, punctured tire, or misjudged -distance?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“None of those,” cried Patty, gaily; “but it -was a real accident, and a real unavoidable and -unforeseeable one!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, of course!” chaffed her father; “accidents -are always unavoidable, and never the -fault of the person driving!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m glad you’ve learned that,” said Patty, -saucily, “for, if you have that theory firmly -fixed in your mind, you have learned the main -principle of motor adventures!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And then the three sat down on the veranda, -and Patty and Nan detailed the whole experience -to Mr. Fairfield.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You were certainly in no way to blame, -Patty,” he said, heartily, “for, of course, you’ve -had no experience with sand, and had no reason -to suspect that the wheels would sink. But -you’ve learned the lesson, and now that particular -trouble is not likely to occur again, -for you will remember to stick to the hard -roads.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, you see, the particular trouble was really -the cow, and, of course, she’s likely to occur -again at any time.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then the only remedy that I can suggest is -to have a cow-catcher built on the front of your -car.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No; I’m not going to spoil the perfect lines -of my beautiful Camilla by any unsightly device. -You see, father, the lines of that car -are simply perfect. I know this, because it says -so in the booklet the company gave me. And -it speaks quite highly of the car’s various points, -and accessories, and really goes so far as to -state that it is superior to any other car in the -market! And the longer I use it, the more fully -I agree with the booklet.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m glad your long experience justifies the -company’s claims. Have you named the car -Camilla?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, because she scours the plain; don’t you -remember how swift Camilla scoured the -plain?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I remember, but it seems a more appropriate -name for some patent cleaning powder.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense, daddy! Have you no poetry or -romance in your soul? Swift Camilla is a lovely -name for my car, and I mean to scour the plain -for miles around. Come on, Nan, let’s go and -tidy up for dinner. It’s getting late.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is so,” said her father, “and, though I -sha’n’t be too severe with you this time, I must -mildly repeat that I want you hereafter to get -home from your scouring expeditions before -dark.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Sure!” cried Patty, gaily, blowing him a -kiss from the tips of her fingers as she ran -away.</p> - -<hr class='tbk102'/> - -<p class='pindent'>The days flew by, and, as the weather was almost -always fine, Patty went scouring with Camilla -every day. Sometimes she took Nan, -sometimes her father, and sometimes she went -all alone for short drives up and down the coast. -She had no trouble with the car’s mechanism, -for it was really of superior make, and its management -was simple. But one afternoon, when -she asked Nan to go for a little spin, Nan replied: -“I will later, Patty, but first I think we -ought to go and call on Miss Galbraith. It is -more than a week since she was here, and, -in common courtesy, we ought to return her -call.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But I don’t like her, and I don’t want to -go to see her,” declared Patty, a little petulantly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t act like an infant! Your not liking -her has nothing to do with the case. We’ve -had other calls down here, and we’ve returned -them properly; now this is a social duty that -must be attended to, so come along.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Nan, you go without me! Make excuses -for me, can’t you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I can’t; and I won’t! So go and put on -a pretty frock and come right along. We -needn’t stay long, and we can go for a short -motor ride after.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So Patty went away to dress, for she realised -that she must go, however unwillingly. She put -on a pretty calling costume of white serge, with -black velvet collar and cuffs, and a large black -hat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You look lovely,” said Nan, as Patty joined -her in the hall.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I like this frock,” said Patty, “but I’m -sure Miss Galbraith won’t; you know, her taste -runs to more elaborate costumes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, well, you can’t expect to suit everybody! -Come along.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nan herself was in pale-grey cloth, with hat -to match, and the two strolled along the short -distance to “Red Chimneys,” which they had -learned was the name of the Galbraith home.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They turned in at the entrance gate, and saw -a large and massive stone house, with many red -chimneys. It was a handsome building, but -over-ornate in its architecture and decoration.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Looks exactly like Mona,” said Patty, as -they drew near. “It’s just a mass of heavy -embroidery!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>A footman answered their ring, and, taking -their cards on his silver tray, ushered them into -a drawing-room, and departed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was a rather long interval before Miss -Galbraith appeared, and Patty fidgeted. The -golden hours of her afternoon were slipping -away, and she was impatient to go out with -Camilla.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But presently Mona Galbraith came downstairs, -and greeted them effusively. As she had -been when they saw her before, she was overdressed -and over-jewelled. She wore a house -dress of blue satin, but so befrilled and bedecked -with jabots of lace that it was not only unbeautiful, -but no way did it resemble the accepted -fashion of the day. An expensive and complicated -necklace of turquoises surmounted the blue -satin, and large-headed pins of the same blue -stone adorned the piled-up masses of hair.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty’s secret impulse was one of regret that -a fairly pretty girl could make such a dowdy -of herself, and she resolved, if ever they became -sufficiently well acquainted, she would try to -tone down Miss Galbraith’s frantic wardrobe.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m so glad to see you,” their hostess said, -“and, if you hadn’t come to-day, I was going -straight over to your house to tell you what I -thought of you! Oh, you naughty people, to -keep me waiting so long! Why didn’t you come -sooner?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh there’s been much to do,” said Nan, -“fitting ourselves into our new home; and, too, -I think we’re fairly prompt returning your -call.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, we mustn’t make calls and return calls; -that’s too formal. We’re neighbours, you -know, and we must just run in and out without -ceremony. Don’t you think so, Miss Fairfield? -Or, mayn’t I call you Patty? Please let me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty was good-natured and kind-hearted, but -she began to think that Miss Galbraith’s unwelcomed -familiarity must be checked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Isn’t it a little soon for first names, Miss Galbraith?” -she asked, with a merry smile that -took the rudeness from her question. “I like -to win my friendships by degrees, and not jump -into them suddenly.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Miss Galbraith was not so easily baffled. -“Oh, are you like that?” she said. “Now -I’m just the opposite! I know at once if I like -anybody, and I do like you, and so I’m going to -call you Patty. Of course, if you’re so cautious -about making friends, you’ll have to adopt me -more slowly. But I’ll warrant it won’t be long -before you’ll call me Mona in spite of yourself. -And you, too, Mrs. Fairfield,” she added, turning -to Nan.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty gasped, for she almost thought the forward -girl was going to call Nan by her first -name, but Mona did not go quite so far as -that.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You have a beautiful home here,” said Nan, -in order to change the subject. “Have you -lived here long?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is the fourth summer,” said Mona; -“my father built it, and he said he didn’t care -what it cost, if only it was the most expensive -house at Spring Beach.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I fancy he achieved his desire,” said Nan, -politely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes, indeed! There’s no other house -been put up yet that cost nearly as much, and -I don’t believe there will be.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Probably not,” said Patty. “But it seems -large for only two of you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, but we have a great many servants; -and, then, we like to have company. We invite -a great deal of company, though they don’t always -come. It’s strange how few people enjoy -the seashore.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty privately thought that there might be -other reasons for the guests’ refusals than a dislike -for the seashore, but she only said, “Yes, -I like to have company, too; but I’m never -lonely, even if I’m entirely alone.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I can see that’s your disposition,—sunshiny -and sweet always. Oh, I’m so glad you’ve -come to Spring Beach! I’ve wanted just such a -friend.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As Patty said afterward, she felt herself being -drawn into a net, from which there seemed -to be no escape. But she determined to make -one more effort.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t want to seem ungrateful,” she said, -“but, to tell the truth, I’m not very sociable.” -Then, like a flash, she realised that this was -not true, and endeavoured to amend it. “I -mean,” she went on, “in the summer time, when -I’m away from home. That is,—don’t you -know,—I think one likes a sort of vacation from -society during the summer; don’t you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes! But, of course, the social doings -down here are not like those in the city. I’m -not much in society down here, myself; so we -can have real good times with each other, and -give society the go-by.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty gave up in despair. She couldn’t make -this girl understand that she did not desire her -intimate friendship, without being positively -rude; and, though of an independent nature, -Patty was always unwilling to hurt the feelings -of others.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But very soon Nan rose to take leave, and the -call was over.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What can I do?” exclaimed Patty, as they -were safely out of hearing distance of “Red -Chimneys.” “That girl is the limit! She’ll -be over to our house all the time, if I don’t do -something to stop her!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, don’t take it too seriously!” advised -Nan. “Sometimes these troubles that loom up -so darkly fade away of themselves.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She won’t fade away,” declared Patty; -“Mona is no fader! But some day I shall -take her out in my motor car, way, way out -beyond civilisation, and come back without -her!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s a splendid plan!” said Nan, approvingly; -“practical, sensible, and easily carried -out!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, isn’t it,” said Patty, grinning. And -then they were at “The Pebbles” again, and -were soon arrayed in their motor toggery, and -starting away in the Swift Camilla.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Which way?” asked Patty, as she grasped -the steering bar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Straight along the coast,” answered Nan; -“the ocean is so beautiful to-day, I don’t want -to get out of sight of it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, here we go;” and Patty headed -the car south along the line, continuous shore -drive.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nan,” she observed, as they flew along, “do -you happen to know of any remarkable, important, -and very-much-to-be-celebrated day that -is going to occur soon?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Day?” repeated Nan, looking blank,—so -exceedingly blank that it seemed an assumed -expression.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, day! <span class='it'>A</span> day,—<span class='it'>one</span> day,—an <span class='it'>especial</span> -day! Do try to think. It may occur next -week!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let me see,” said Nan, in a deeply thoughtful -tone, “this is May,—so you can’t mean -Washington’s Birthday or Lincoln’s Birthday.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No! nor Christmas Day, nor St. Patrick’s -Day in the Morning! But, all the same, it’s -one of the most important dates in the annals -of Time, and I’ll give you one more chance to -save your reputation by guessing what it is, before -I tell you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, of course I have no idea when it occurs, -but, if I’m merely guessing, I’ll guess that -you refer to Mona Galbraith’s birthday.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Nan! you are too exasperating! Another -speech like that and I’ll put you out of -this car and let you walk home! Now the occasion -to which I refer, and which you know -well enough, only you think it’s roguish to pretend -you don’t, is the birthday of one Miss -Patricia Fairfield! a clever and charming young -girl, who will on that day achieve the dignity -of being nineteen years old!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, sure enough, it <span class='it'>will</span> be your birthday -soon, won’t it?” exclaimed Nan, in affected -surprise, which by no means deceived Patty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, and what are you going to do about -it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, you ask me so suddenly, I scarce know -what to say! What do you want done?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, you ask me suddenly, too, but I know -exactly what to say! I want a celebration of -the event.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, you do! brass band, and torch-light -parade?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not exactly that, but something just as good. -I want a house-party,—quite a large one,—to -come the day before the birthday, and stay several -days after, and celebrate all the time.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re so modest in your demands, Patty! -Why don’t you have something really worth -while?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t be sarcastic, Nan; you’re too pretty -to say such things! Now take a deep interest in -my plans, won’t you, and help me decide -things?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, Patty, I will, indeed. But I -thought you didn’t want company down here, -especially the boys, because you wanted to enjoy -your scouring the plain, all alone.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I did feel that way for a time, but I’m -getting over it. Anyway, I want to try having -company, and, if I don’t like it, I’ll try solitude -again. Now you see, Nan, my birthday is next -week, Thursday. I’d like to ask the people to -come Wednesday, and then stay over the weekend.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, Patty, I’ll do all I can to make -it pleasant for you. But, you know, we have -only four guest rooms. How big did you mean -your house party to be?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, of course the two Farringtons and -Christine and Kenneth would be about all we -could accommodate. Then I thought, if Mr. -Hepworth and Mr. Van Reypen cared to come, -they could stay at the hotel.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It doesn’t seem very hospitable to invite -them that way,” said Nan, demurring.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then they’ll have to stay home,” said Patty, -cheerfully, “for, as you say, we have only the -four rooms to give them. I thought our house -was large, but it doesn’t seem so when you begin -to invite guests.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, we’ll see about it,” said Nan.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='137' id='Page_137'></span><h1>CHAPTER X</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>THE COURTESY OF THE ROAD</p> - -<p class='pindent'>That evening they discussed the project -with Mr. Fairfield.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I heartily approve of the plan,” he -said. “It’s time we had some young life down -here to stir Patty up. She’s getting too sentimental -from gazing at the sea and sky. And -I think it will be quite all right to invite two -of the men to lodge at the hotel. They can -come over here for all their meals, and so they -will practically be part of the house party. But, -Patty, are you sure you want this house party -for several days? You may find it more of a -burden than you think, to entertain guests so -long.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, they’re not formal guests; it’s just a -young people’s frolic. We’ll go motoring and -swimming and picnicking just as we like. But, -of course, on my birthday I shall have a party,—a -real party.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You don’t know enough people down here -to make an evening party,” said Nan.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, well, I know several,” said Patty; “and -if we have eight or ten in the house, and get -eight or ten more from among the Spring Beach -cottagers, that will be enough for a small -dance.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And there’s Mona,” put in her father, mischievously.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, <span class='it'>Mona</span>! I’m not going to ask <span class='it'>her</span>!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, Patty,” said Nan, “you’ll have to ask -her,—your very next neighbour!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I won’t have to, either! I’m not going -to spoil my whole birthday just because she happens -to live next-door to me!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty,” said her father, “I think you must -be a little more generous in your attitude toward -that girl. You may not like her altogether, -but you must be kind and polite to her, because, -in a country place like this, we do owe a certain -duty to our neighbours such as is never recognised -in New York. And I want you to grow -up an unselfish, generous woman, who would -sacrifice her own feelings to those of her neighbour.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course you’re right, <a id='fat'></a>father, and I will -try to conquer my dislike for that girl. But -you know what she is.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I know what she is; she is uncongenial, -and her manner irritates you. But there must -be some good in her, Patty, and suppose you -set yourself to work to find it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, daddy, I’ll go you; but won’t you -please let me wait until after my birthday is -over?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, child; I quite agree with Nan that you -must invite Miss Mona to your party: that is, -if you invite other cottagers. If you have only -your own house party, of course you needn’t ask -her.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, then, I won’t ever ask her over here -while the house party is on, except the night of -my birthday, when I have the dance.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It may not be necessary to invite her,” said -Nan, smiling; “she’ll very likely invite herself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, we’ll hope she won’t,” said Patty, with -a little sigh. “Now I’ll write to the others -to-night, and I hope they can all come. I think -they all will, unless maybe Christine will think -she cannot leave her work. But I’ll urge her -to come for a few days, anyway.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty went off to the library to write her notes, -and so interested did she become in her party, -and her plans for her birthday celebration, that -she quite forgot her unpleasant and unwelcome -neighbour. Nor did she think of her again -until the next afternoon, when, as she swung in -a hammock on the front veranda, she saw Mona -Galbraith come walking up the drive.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Here you are, Patty,” called out the hearty -and irrepressible voice of her neighbour; “I -hoped I’d find you at home. I felt sort of -lonely, and I said to myself I’ll just run over -to Patty’s, and perhaps, if I ask her very prettily, -she’ll give me a ride in that little gem of a -motor car that she runs so well.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty arose from the hammock, politely hiding -her annoyance at Mona’s arrival, and said: -“How do you do, Miss Galbraith? Sit down, -won’t you? I’m not sure that I’m going to -have the car out this afternoon.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, that’s all right; never mind. Don’t get -it out purposely for me. I’ll sit here and chat -this afternoon, and we can take the ride to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So Patty saw at once that she must either take -her visitor motoring that afternoon, or merely -defer the occasion, in which case she would have -her on her hands for the rest of the afternoon, -anyway. Of the two evils she concluded to -choose the less. And she also concluded that, as -her father had requested, she would be pleasant -to this girl, and try to find some likable qualities -in her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So it was with a shade more cordiality that -she said: “Oh, yes, we can just as well go this -afternoon as any other! It’s a good day, except -that there’s a pretty stiff breeze blowing. -Are you dressed to go?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes, this gown is all right, and you can -lend me a hood and cloak or something. Haven’t -you extra ones?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, of course,” said Patty, wondering if this -girl had no idea of social formalities. “But -perhaps she never had anybody to teach her -things,” thought Patty, who, now that she was -trying to be generous-minded toward Mona, -found it easier than she had thought.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty rang for Miller, and ordered the car; -then she asked Mona to come into the house, -that she might fit her out with proper wraps. -It was a warm, pleasant day, so a dust cloak of -Nan’s, and a silk hood belonging to that same -amiable lady, were borrowed for Miss Galbraith’s -use.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course I have all these things at -home,” she said, as she tied the ribbons under -her chin; and Patty wanted to say, “Why don’t -you go and get them, then?” but she well knew -it was because of Mona’s unwarranted feeling -of intimacy in the Fairfield household that she -borrowed their wraps instead of going for her -own.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This whole principle was foreign to Patty’s -nature. Systematic and methodical herself, she -always used her own belongings, and never -would have dreamed of borrowing those of another, -unless through sheer necessity.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There’s one thing,” she thought to herself, -“if I give her this ride and get it over with, -she may keep away while those other people are -here. I must be careful not to let her know they -are coming.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The car was at the door and they were soon -started. Patty determined to be kind and pleasant -to her guest, but to avoid personalities, and -to say nothing which could be construed as an -invitation to further acquaintance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>One point she conceded, however, and concluded -to call Miss Galbraith by her first name. -This she did, only because Mona persisted in -calling her Patty, and it sounded so purposely -stilted and ungracious to persist in saying Miss -Galbraith.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty asked her guest to choose the road they -should take, and was surprised to find that -Mona knew of a great many lovely drives -which Patty had not yet discovered. Though, -of course, it was not surprising, as Mona had -spent four summers at Spring Beach, and it was -Patty’s first one.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mona chose a route called the Blue Lake -Drive, which took them through a lovely stretch -of pine woods, and out into an orchard-dotted -country, the goal being a small and very blue -lake. On the shore was a tiny Tea House, -which proved a pleasant resting-place for a half-hour.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girls sat sipping tea and eating crumpets, -and Patty began to think that Mona was not -nearly as unlikable as she had thought. Her -shortcomings were more those of an impulsive -and untrained nature than any more serious -faults. She was well educated and well read, -and Patty found that they had many favourite -books and authors in common. But she was -pushing, and she continually asserted her intention -of being Patty’s intimate friend, until -Patty lost her patience and broke out, rather -sharply.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Look here, Mona,” she said, “I like you, -or at least I think I’m going to like you, but -I won’t be pushed or pulled into a friendship -so suddenly. You don’t know me at all, but -once in a while I have a way of speaking my -mind right straight out, and I tell you frankly -that, if you want to be friends with me, you’ll -upset the whole kettle of fish by rushing it too -hard!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mona looked utterly amazed. “What are you -talking about?” she said. “Do you call me -pushing?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I do that!” declared Patty; “just exactly -that! and you know it as well as I do! I -shouldn’t talk to anybody like this on such short -acquaintance, but you brought it on yourself, -and, if you want to get angry, you may!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Angry!” echoed Mona. “Why, I like you -all the better for such straightforward talk! -I’m sorry I seem pushing, but,—well,—‘you -brought it on yourself’!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty had to laugh at this, for it was really -a subtle compliment to her own attractiveness. -Also, she decided she could do little by scolding -Mona. So she began to talk of other -things, leaving the question of friendship to -be settled some other time.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon they started homeward again, for, as -Patty explained to her guest, she was under -promise to get home before dark.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How beautifully your car runs,” said Mona, -as they skimmed smoothly along. “Do you -never have an accident?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nothing of any account,” returned Patty, -and then she told Mona of the day when her -wheels got stuck in the sand. “But I have -never had anything more serious than that,” -she went on, “and I hope I never shall. Have -you never run a car yourself?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, it never occurred to me to do so. We -have several cars, of course, and lots of -chauffeurs and grooms, but only since I’ve seen -you in your car have I thought of driving one -myself. But I’m going to; I’ve already asked -father to get me one exactly like this.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Will he do it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course; he gets me anything I want. And -when I get it, Patty, we can go out together in -our two cars. Won’t that be fun?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“H’m, h’m!” murmured Patty, who wasn’t -overjoyed at the proposition. “Gracious! -what’s the matter?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, my! what <span class='it'>is</span> the matter? Did something -burst?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It did so,” said Patty, cheerfully; “the inner -tube of this front wheel has burst, and now, if -you want to see a successful imitation of a young -lady mending her own motor car, just watch me -while I get out my little kit of tools, and put -my reserve tube in place of this burst one.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Can you do it yourself?” enquired Mona, -with a look of surprised admiration. “I didn’t -know a girl could do things like that!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This girl can,” returned Patty, opening her -tool-box with a capable air. But the next moment -her capable air completely vanished, and -she turned to Mona with a comical expression of -dismay. “What do you think?” she said. -“I’m always so careful to have my car and my -tools and my accessories all in perfect order, -and now see what’s happened! I had this same -experience the other day. The inner tube burst, -and I put in my reserve tube and then I put -the burst tube away in my kit, and here it is -yet. I utterly forgot to have it replaced by a -new one!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, then the reserve tube that you want to -put in is as burst as that one you have just taken -out!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’ve struck it right! that’s the situation. -Now what’s the solution? There isn’t any answer!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then, what do we do?” asked Mona, looking -scared.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, we just sit here,” said Patty, returning -to her seat in the runabout. “It isn’t a question -of doing anything, because we can’t do anything. -We can sit here, or we can walk home. -Or, rather, you can walk home, if you want to. -I sha’n’t leave my car, if I sit here all night.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And I sha’n’t leave you, if we sit here all -night! But if I can walk anywhere, and get -assistance for you, I’ll gladly do so.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mona, you’re a good deal of a trump,” said -Patty, looking into the girl’s earnest face; “but -I don’t know of any place you could get assistance -nearer than home, and that’s ten miles -away. You see, Mona, when motor cars do -break down, they invariably choose a place far -away from any garage or repair shop. The -farther away it is, the better the car likes it. -Can’t you hear Camilla chuckling at our discomfiture?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How can you joke, Patty? I think it’s -awful! What can we do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We can’t do anything, but, if we’re patient, -some one may come along who can help us. You -know, there’s a certain courtesy of the road -among motorists that makes them help each -other whenever they can. At least, this courtesy -is said to exist, but I’ve never seen much -of it, myself. However, I’ve had very few occasions -to desire it. Now we’ll sit and wait for -courtesy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nor did they wait long. Very soon a good-sized -motor came by, and the polite driver of -it stopped and asked the girls if he could be -of any assistance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty liked his quiet, courteous manner, and -she explained her difficulty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the man, though willing, was unable to -help her, for his tires were not the same size -as those on Patty’s ear. He would have been -glad, he said, to tow her car, but he was going -in the other direction. So Patty thanked him -for his interest in the matter, and he went on -his way.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, you see,” observed Patty, “that there -<span class='it'>is</span> a courtesy of the road. I’ve no doubt some -more courtesy will come along soon, and we’ll -get fixed up somehow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But courtesy seemed to be scant that afternoon, -for half a dozen cars, both large and small, -whizzed past them apparently without noticing -their plight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At last, however, a man came by alone in -a small electric runabout, not unlike Patty’s -own.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hi! there!” he called out, “you in trouble?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty did not like his mode of address, nor did -she like the looks of the man himself. And -even though she greatly desired his help, and -felt sure that he might have a reserve inner tube -which would fit her tire, she hesitated to ask -him for it, as she so distrusted and disliked his -general appearance. He looked good-natured, -but he did not look to be a man of refinement. -But while she hesitated, Mona, greatly to -Patty’s surprise, took the situation in hand, and -called back to the man: “Yes, we’re in a dreadful -fix! Can’t you help us out?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You bet I can!” cried the man, and, springing -from his own car, he came over to Patty’s -side.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s wrong, little one?” he said, looking -boldly into Patty’s face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty was thoroughly annoyed at his manner, -but now that things had gone so far, of course -she must carry it through. Sitting up very -straight, and assuming an air of severe dignity, -she said: “The inner tube of a front wheel has -burst, and I have no good one with which to -replace it. If you have one you could spare, I -should be glad to have it, and I will send you -a duplicate one, if you will give me your address, -or my father will send you a cheque for -the price of it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The man looked at Patty and smiled. “You -needn’t be so crusty about it,” he said; “the -other young miss ain’t so crusty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty was becoming a little frightened. The -man was so easy-mannered, and, though she felt -sure she could manage all right by herself, she -had a fear that Mona might say something foolish -at any moment.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t mean to be crusty,” said Patty, smiling -pleasantly, but without friendliness. “I’m -simply asking the courtesy of the road from a -fellow-motorist, and I feel sure, if you can, you -will give it to me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The man backed away a little and looked at -Patty with unmistakable admiration. “Well, I -just guess I will!” he replied, and went straight -to his own tool-box for implements.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty took this opportunity to whisper to -Mona, “Don’t you say another word to him! -You mustn’t speak to strangers so familiarly. -You came near making serious trouble for -us!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now Mona was of such a peculiar disposition -that, instead of realising the truth of -Patty’s words, she became incensed at the idea -of being scolded, and made no reply, save to -pout her lips and assume a very angry expression -of countenance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The man returned from his own car, and in -a short time had inserted a new inner tube, and -Camilla was in perfect order for a fresh start.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I thank you very much,” said Patty, with -a calm, gracious politeness; “and, if you’ll give -me your card, or your address, my father will -send you a cheque for the tire, and a note of -thanks for your kindness to his daughter.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“’Taint worth mentioning,” said the man, -looking a little sheepish before Patty’s courteous -dignity; “and I haven’t a card, but here’s my -name, and I’ll be glad to hear from your father, -miss.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He scribbled on a bit of paper and gave the -address to Patty, who put it in her cardcase, -and, bowing civilly to the man, she started her -car and drove swiftly away.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='152' id='Page_152'></span><h1>CHAPTER XI</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>THE FIRST ARRIVALS</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mona,” said Patty, severely, as they -drove along, “you ought to know better -than to talk to a strange man in -that familiar way! He wasn’t a nice man at -all.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, he helped us out of our difficulty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, and he’ll be paid for it. But there was -no occasion to talk to him as you would to an -acquaintance.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I’m not so awful stuck-up as all -that!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It isn’t a question of stuck-upness! Or, if -you do call it that, it was just the time to be -stuck-up. Proper civility is all very well, but -you needn’t be chummy with a stranger. And -I give you fair warning, Mona, that, if you -want to be friends with me, you must never do -that sort of thing again.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I do want to be friends with you, Patty, and -I think I see what you mean now, but I didn’t -think I was doing any harm. I’m glad to have -you scold me, Patty, for I do want to do what’s -right. You see, I never had much bringing-up. -My mother died when I was a little girl, and -since then father has indulged me in everything -I wanted, but I’ve really had none of what you -may call social training.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty was amazed at the sudden humility of -the girl whom she had considered arrogant and -self-satisfied. She began to think that she might -do a good work in teaching Mona some things -of which she seemed to have no idea, but which -came to Patty by instinct.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My mother died when I was very little, too,” -she said; “but I think my father brought me -up as well as any woman could have done. And, -then, I have the dearest stepmother. She’s just -the perfection of all that’s sweet and gentle and -refined.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re a lucky girl, Patty, and I envy you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, that’s silly! You’re a lucky girl to -have such an indulgent father, and oceans of -money, and freedom to do exactly as you -choose. Why, you have all sorts of possibilities, -Mona. You could make yourself anything -you want to.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Will you help me, Patty?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, yes, as far as I can.” Though Patty -felt kindly disposed toward the girl, and wanted -to help her, she didn’t care to take the entire -responsibility of shaping her future, and she -knew Mona’s pushing spirit would demand this, -if given a chance. So she dropped the subject -for the present, and they chatted gaily of all -sorts of things. And, when at last Patty set -Mona down at her own door, she had not mentioned -the subject of her birthday, or said that -she was expecting a house party of young people -to visit her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On reaching her own home, Patty related to -her father and Nan the experience she had had.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You did exactly right, Patty, girl,” said her -father, “and I will send the man a cheque for -the tube, and a letter of thanks for his kindness -to my daughter, just as you told him I -would do. I’m surprised that Mona should -have acted as she did, for I supposed any young -girl of the present day would know better than -to speak familiarly to a stranger.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It wasn’t so much what she said, father, as -her gay and easy manner, and the way she smiled -at him. She showed no reserve or dignity.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I understand, and I am glad you reproved -her. You may do her some good, Patty, -by your influence and example.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty sighed a little. “I’m willing to help -her, but I don’t want to take the whole burden -of her social education on my shoulders.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty,” laughed Nan, “don’t take it so seriously. -You’re not employed as nursery governess -at ‘Red Chimneys’ yet, and the few occasions -when you have opportunity to drop a -good seed on Mona Galbraith’s thorny soil, it -won’t hurt you a bit to do it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hurray for Nan!” cried Patty; “she always -hits the nail on the head and rings the -bull’s-eye! Well, anyway, I didn’t tell Mona -about my birthday, or that I expect company.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It wasn’t really necessary,” said Nan, drily; -“she’ll probably be over here a good deal of -the time, anyway.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not if I see her first!” retorted Patty, -though she knew in her heart, if Mona chose to -come, she couldn’t help herself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well,” said her father, “now that we’ve all -denounced Mona sufficiently, I’ll express my -opinion of Miss Patricia Fairfield. Any little -girl who pretends to keep her motor accessories -in order, and then blithely rides away with an -old burst tube in her repair kit, is, to my mind, -as I’ve had occasion to tell her before, a feather-headed -butterfly!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, don’t call me such dreadful names!” -pleaded Patty, wringing her hands in mock -despair. “Do let me down more easily than -that! I’ve never done such a thing before, and -I’m perfectly certain I never shall again!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t believe you ever will,” returned her -father, kindly, and he said no more about what -was really somewhat culpable carelessness.</p> - -<hr class='tbk103'/> - -<p class='pindent'>The next day the guests arrived. It was -Wednesday, and the birthday was on Thursday.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Elise and Roger were due at three o’clock. -Mr. Hepworth was to bring Christine down a -little later, and they were expected at five; while -Kenneth and Mr. Van Reypen could not reach -Spring Beach until seven.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, a little before three, Patty started in her -car to go to the station to meet the Farringtons. -As Elise and Roger stepped off the train, they -saw her sitting smiling at them, and they made -a rush for the Stanhope.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What a ducky little motor!” cried Elise. -“Oh, Patty, it’s the prettiest one I ever saw! -and it’s so becoming to you! Shall I get in?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” answered Patty, as she gaily greeted -them both. “I’ll take you over to the house, -Elise, but I can’t take you both. Roger, if you -don’t mind, will you go in that stage vehicle, -and I’ll give you a ride in my car some other -time.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, of course, Patty; and I’ll look after the -luggage. You two girls go on, and I’ll see you -later. Where do I go to, Patty?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, just tell the driver to take you to Mr. -Fairfield’s house. He knows where it is. We -call it ‘The Pebbles,’ but he may not know it -by that name. But you’ll get there, somehow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I’ll get there!” declared Roger, and, -with laughing good-byes, the two girls drove -away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t you love your car, Patty?” asked -Elise, as they went swiftly along.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I do, Elise. I love it almost as I would -a human being. I’ve never told any one this, -because it seems sort of silly. But sometimes, -when I’m out alone in it, I talk to it just as I -would to a person, and she seems to understand. -I’ve named her the Swift Camilla, and somehow -Camilla seems to understand everything I -say to her, and she almost talks back. Then, -when I take other people with me, Camilla likes -or dislikes them. If she dislikes them, she shows -it by not running quite so smoothly. She jumps -and balks and shies, for no reason at all, except -petulance. Isn’t that so, Camilla?” and Patty -patted the side of the car with a caressing -gesture.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Does she like me?” asked Elise, anxiously.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, indeed! Don’t you see she’s flying along -like a bird! She knows you understand her, -Elise, and you don’t think she’s merely an inanimate -object.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Inanimate object! No, indeed! With her -pulses thrilling and her sensitive nature alive -to every passing incident, she’s far from inanimate!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty looked at Elise in surprise. “Why, -girlie,” she said, “I didn’t know you had so -much imagination in your make-up.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ve always felt that way about motor cars, -Patty. Our great big car is lumberly and fat, -and a little bit stolid of disposition; but father -has a little runabout that’s the nervousest thing -you ever saw. But this Stanhope! Well, I’ve -simply got to have one like it, that’s all! Father’ll -give it to me in a minute, if I only could -persuade mother to let me run it alone. But -I’m ’most sure she never will.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This car of mine seems to sell others for the -company,” said Patty, laughing. “There’s a -girl down here, next door to me, who says she’s -going to get one, too. And I know the boys will -all fall in love with this little beauty!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Meaning the car or the girl next door?” -asked Elise, smiling.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, the car! The girl next door isn’t a little -beauty! Well, that is, I suppose she is -good-looking in her own way, but——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But you don’t like her, isn’t that it?” and -Elise smiled at her own intuition.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I don’t like her,” declared Patty, honestly; -“but I’m trying to. I’ll tell you all -about it some other time, and, anyway, you’ll -probably see her for yourself while you’re here. -This is her home we’re passing now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Gorgeous place,” said Elise, as she looked -at the imposing “Red Chimneys.” “But I -like this next place better. This big white house -is lovely.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good for you, Elise! This is ‘The Pebbles,’ -and your own destination.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty turned into the drive, and stopped at -the broad steps of the front veranda. Nan was -there to welcome them, and the two girls sprang -out as Miller appeared to take the car away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Roger will be here soon!” exclaimed Patty, -while Nan greeted Elise warmly. “He’s coming -over in the stage, and he’ll bring the luggage. -Come on, Elise, I’ll show you your -room.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The two girls went off, and Patty took Elise -to one of the pretty guest rooms. They stayed -there chatting until Elise’s trunk came, and -then Patty declared she must run down and -entertain Roger, while Elise unpacked her -things.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She found the boy still on the front veranda -talking to Nan, with whom he was a great favourite. -Indeed, all Patty’s boy friends were -favourites with Nan, and she was so charming -and attractive herself that they all liked to chat -with her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kenneth Harper she looked upon as her especial -protégé, for he was alone in the city; and -Mr. Hepworth, of course, was one of her old -friends.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As for Philip Van Reypen, Nan had liked him -from the first, and they had established a very -chummy acquaintance. So, on the whole, the -house party bade fair to be a great success, and -Nan expected to enjoy its fun almost as much -as Patty herself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re getting brown, Patty,” said Roger, -looking admiringly at the tanned face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, it’s outdoorsiness as does it! I swim -and walk, and play tennis and go motoring all -day long, and I sleep on a veranda at night.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So you get tanned by the moon as well as by -the sun,” said Roger. “Well, it’s very becoming, -and you look a whole lot healthier than -you did in the city.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I am. Come on out and see my car, -Roger, and I’ll give you a little spin, if you -like. Elise is unpacking her finery and won’t -miss us.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Like every one else, Roger was enthusiastic -in his praise of the wonderful car, and gladly -accepted Patty’s invitation to go for a short -ride. He complimented Patty on her skilful -driving, and they went for some distance along -the coast road.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let me drive back,” said Roger, as they -turned homeward, and so they changed seats -for the return trip.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Beautiful car!” he repeated; “and perfect -mechanism. Patty, I congratulate you on winning -the thing, and it’s wonderful to think you -did win it all yourself!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I had a lot of help, you know!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, it was your own enterprise, and you -worked pretty hard yourself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I did;” and Patty smiled at the recollection. -“I sat up nights with those hundred -questions, and lots of times I thought I should -fail.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But still you persevered. That’s where -you’re such a brick, Patty. If you set your -heart on anything, you never give up.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I’m glad I persevered this time, anyway, -for this car is a perfect joy to me. I suppose -father would have given me one, if I had -asked for it, but somehow it never occurred -to me that I wanted one. I had no idea I’d -love it as I do.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, they’re great things, and I’m jolly glad -you’ve got this one. You’ll enjoy it more every -day you own it. Now here we are at ‘The -Pebbles.’ Do you want to turn in?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; and I’m going to turn you out. Then -I’m going to take the car and go back to the -station to meet Christine. She’s coming down -with Mr. Hepworth.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let me go over with you, then I can give -Christine my place, and I’ll tote old Hepworth -over here.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right; but I must see Elise before I go, -and tell her where I’m going.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>To Patty’s surprise, Elise seemed a little annoyed -to learn that she was going to the train -for Christine. Patty had almost forgotten the -foolish jealousy that Elise had of her own -friendship with Christine. But, as always, she -thought the best way to treat it was to ignore -it; she simply repeated her statement. “Yes, -Elise,” she said, “I’m going over to the station -to bring Christine home with me. Mr. Hepworth -will come over in the stage. He’s going -to stay at the hotel, anyway; we haven’t room -for him here. But, of course, he’ll be over here -most of the time. Roger is going over with me, -and then he’ll get out, and give Christine his -place, and he’ll come back with Mr. Hepworth. -What will you do while I’m gone? Will you -dress for dinner, or will you take a little rest?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They were in Elise’s room, and her pretty -gowns and other finery were lying about, as she -had unpacked them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, it doesn’t matter about me,” she said, -ungraciously; “you go on and meet your friend -Christine, and I’ll look after myself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Elise, stop being a goose!” cried Patty, -grasping her by the shoulders and kissing her -on both cheeks. “If you talk like that, you’ll -spoil my whole house party and my birthday -and everything! Now, you’re my friend, and -Christine is my friend, and you two girls have -simply got to be friends with each other; so -make your mind up to that! If you say another -snippy word on the subject, I’ll go and -lock myself in my own room, and stay there until -you go home!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Elise laughed, for she was always a little -ashamed of herself after an exhibition of her -petty jealousy, and Patty knew that she wouldn’t -repeat the offence, for the present at least.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You ring for Louise,” Patty went on, “to -help you put away these pretty frocks and -things, and then you make yourself at home, and -do just what you want to until I come back with -Christine. And then, milady, you will be just -as sweet and charming to Christine as you can -possibly be! Catch on?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Elise, smiling, and Patty kissed -her again and ran away.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='165' id='Page_165'></span><h1>CHAPTER XII</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>A MOONLIGHT RIDE</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty seemed a little quiet as she and -Roger drove to the station, for she was -thinking how foolish Elise was, and what -a lot of trouble she could stir up, if she chose -to indulge in that stupid jealousy of Christine. -If Christine had been more able to resent it, -and take her own part, it would not have been -so bad, but she was so sensitive to the slightest -coldness, and so afraid of seeming to impose on -Patty’s friendship, that it made the situation a -little difficult.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Roger’s gay banter revived Patty’s drooping -spirits, and, when they reached the station, -they were in a gale of laughter over some joking -nonsense.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The train soon arrived, and they saw Christine -and Mr. Hepworth step down on to the -station platform.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roger met them, and conducted them to -Patty. Then there were more compliments and -congratulations on the new car, and soon Christine -was tucked in beside Patty, and the two -men waved them farewell.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How are you, Christine?” asked Patty, looking -anxiously at the girl’s pale cheeks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I’m all right. A little tired, but a day -or two down here will set me up wonderfully, I -know.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A day or two! You must stay a week, at -least.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I can’t possibly, Patty. My work is -very important just now, and I must go back day -after to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ll see about that;” and Patty wagged her -head, positively. “And look here, Christine, -while I have you by yourself, I want to tell you -something. Elise Farrington is here, you know, -and she has a silly notion of some sort that -makes her resent my friendship for you. Now -I want to ask you, as a special favour to me, -not to pay any attention to her foolishness. If -she snubs you right out, I’ll attend to her case -myself; but, if she just flings little bits of hateful -allusions at you, don’t mind them, will you, -dear?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can’t help it, Patty. Unkind speeches -shrivel me all up somehow; I just can’t stand -them!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, stand them for my sake, please. You -know <span class='it'>I</span> can’t help it, and, if I had thought you -wouldn’t have a good time, I wouldn’t have -asked you here when Elise is here. But, you -see, it’s my birthday house party, and I want -all of my dearest friends with me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And you count me among them? Oh, Patty, -how good you are to me! Truly, I will try not -to be foolishly sensitive, and I promise not to -notice anything Elise may do or say, if I can -possibly help it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s a good girl,” said Patty, giving -Christine’s arm a little squeeze. “But isn’t it -funny, Christine, that I have these little petty -troubles among my girl friends, and never -among my boy friends. The boys are all so -nice to me, and they never get jealous of each -other or anything silly like that. But you see -this place we’re just passing? It’s called ‘Red -Chimneys,’ and I have a girl friend in there,—at -least, she’s an acquaintance,—who makes me -a lot of trouble, too.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t make you trouble, Patty, do I?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, of course, it’s mostly Elise’s fault, but, -if you’ll just ignore it, and stand up for your -own rights, you can help me a whole lot.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will, Patty; indeed, I will!” said Christine, -earnestly, and then they arrived at “The -Pebbles.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Dinner that night was a gay and jolly feast. -It was the eve of the birthday, and the -house party had already assumed an air of -festivity.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Van Reypen and Kenneth Harper had -come down later than the others, and Philip Van -Reypen had established himself at the hotel -where Mr. Hepworth was, while Kenneth was -a house guest at “The Pebbles.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the men from the hotel came over to dinner, -and announced their intention of staying -as late as they would be allowed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Also, to Patty’s dismay, Mona Galbraith had -come over just before dinner, and, as she was -still there when dinner was announced, Nan felt -herself really obliged to ask the girl to dine -with them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty didn’t like it at all, but there was no -help for it, and so Mona stayed. She looked -very pretty that night, and was not quite so -overdressed as usual. Moreover, she made -herself bright and entertaining, without showing -any of her less desirable traits of character.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Seated between Roger and Mr. Van Reypen, -she ingratiated herself with both, and, when -Patty saw that the boys seemed to like Mona, -she felt rather glad she was there.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After dinner they all drifted out to the verandas, -and, as it was a moonlight night and high -breakers were dashing in on the beach, there -was the usual chorus of admiration for the -glories of the seashore.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>There was much gay chatter and laughter, -there was some desultory singing of songs, and -at last Elise jumped up, saying: “I just -can’t stand it any longer! I simply <span class='it'>must</span> -go down to the beach! Will anybody go with -me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will,” said Kenneth, gallantly. “I was -just thinking about that myself. Anybody else -want to go?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I want to go,” said Christine, a little timidly, -and Patty looked up in surprise, at the -idea of Christine wanting to go with Elise anywhere.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Christine was longing to get down to the -water, and see the ocean nearer by, for it was -about two blocks from “The Pebbles,” though -no buildings intervened.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mayn’t I go with you, Christine?” said Mr. -Hepworth; and, with a glance of gratitude, -Christine said, “Yes, indeed.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come on, then,” sung out Kenneth. “All -ashore that’s going! Let’s all go.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Roger said that the ocean must wait for -him until next day, for he was going over to -“Red Chimneys” with Miss Galbraith, just -then.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What for?” asked Patty, in amazement.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He wants to see father’s birds,” explained -Mona. “You know, my father has a really -wonderful collection of stuffed birds,—and he’ll -be delighted to show them to Mr. Farrington, -who says he is interested in them.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Patty; “run along, you two. -But don’t stay late, Roger; we keep early hours -down here.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, Patty, I won’t;” and Roger walked -away with Miss Galbraith, while Patty looked -after them with a puzzled glance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The four who wanted to walk to the beach -had already started, leaving the two senior -Fairfields and Patty and Mr. Van Reypen on -the veranda.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s perfectly heavenly to get away from the -city, and down to this beautiful, quiet, peaceful -spot,” said Philip Van Reypen, as he seated -himself on the veranda railing, and leaned -against a pillar.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Is your life in the city so full of strife that -you welcome peace?” asked Patty, smiling.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, the city itself is full of strife,” returned -Van Reypen; “isn’t it, Mr. Fairfield?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; compared to the seashore, it certainly -is. This expanse of blue ocean is much more -peaceful and calm than a scene in Wall Street, -for instance.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, that’s what I mean; and to get down -here and just bask in the calmness and peace -is a great delight to me. It was awfully good -of you people to ask me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We like to have you here,” said Nan, smiling -at the young man’s frank and heartfelt gratitude.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And I think it’s good of you to come,” said -Patty; “for you must have lots of invitations -to grander houses than this.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My child,” said Philip Van Reypen, looking -at her, gravely, “it is not the grandeur of a -house that attracts me; it’s the grandeur of the -people. And I think you people are just grand! -But, tell me, how do you like the motor car -which you won by such strenuous exertion?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Which you helped me to win,” said Patty. -“I never could have won it without your help. -And to think you haven’t seen it! Come out -to the garage now, and take a look at it. I’ve -never seen it by moonlight myself; and I know -it must look lovely.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Catching up a light wrap, Patty flung it around -her, and, with Mr. Van Reypen, walked around -the house to the garage. The full moon was -so very bright that, when the young man opened -the big doors, Patty’s car showed as clearly and -plainly as if it had been daylight.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Isn’t she a beauty!” said Patty, in a voice -almost awestruck, for the moonlight touched -up the car with a sort of magic lustre never -seen by day.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She sure is!” declared young Van Reypen, -with emphasis. “Wow! what perfection of -detail, and what beautiful finish! Can you run -it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Can I run it? Well, rather! Why, I’ve -run it hundreds of miles since I’ve had it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let’s get her out now, and just circle the -drive once.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, it’s too late now! I’ll take you out in -it to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense! it’s only about ten o’clock, and -it’s as light as noonday. Come on, let’s do it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, I don’t mind. But just around the -drive; we won’t go out of the gate.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, then; hop in. Let me drive.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But I want to show off my driving.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, wait until to-morrow for that, Miss Vanity. -I know you drive beautifully, but I want -to see how this thing works, myself. You know -I guessed some few of those puzzles.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I know you did. All right, then, you -drive.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Philip assisted Patty in, and then took his own -place and grasped the steering-bar and the controller.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“My, but she is a daisy! All the modern -kinks in the way of mechanism!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They circled the driveway twice, and, when -passing the veranda, Patty turned to wave her -hand to her father and Nan, she discovered -they were not there. “Why, they must have -gone in!” she said, in surprise.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps they went down to the beach,” suggested -Van Reypen. “Let’s go and see.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They were near the gateway then, and, before -Patty knew it, Philip had swung the car through, -and they were spinning along the shore road.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The top of the car was down, and they had -an unobstructed view of sea and shore. The -night was still, save for the pounding of the -surf, and the crested billows frothed and dashed -on the white sand. The moon touched everything -with its magic, and the sea, the beach, -and the inland were alike shining with a silver -glory. The smooth, hard road stretched ahead -of them like a white ribbon, and it was small -wonder that Philip Van Reypen did not stifle -the impulse to send the car spinning ahead.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh!” breathed Patty, entranced by the -wonderful beauty of the night, and the exhilaration -of that swift, soundless, gliding motion -through it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Isn’t it great!” whispered Philip. “Did -you <span class='it'>ever</span> know anything like it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I <span class='it'>never</span> did! It’s like being in some -enchanted place! I’ve never before been out -at night.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And there never was such a night as this! -Are you afraid?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, no, not a bit! I know my car too well, -and I know you are not driving recklessly, -though we are going pretty fast.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Philip slowed down his speed a little, and they -went steadily on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We oughtn’t to be doing this,” said Patty, -laughing like a gleeful child.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why not?” asked her companion, in an aggrieved -tone.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, lots of reasons! For one thing, I’m a -hostess.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, but you haven’t any guests. They’ve -all scooted off by themselves in different directions; -even your father and mother deserted the -veranda, so I’m the only guest you have for -the moment, and, I assure you, I’m being very -pleasantly entertained.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So am I,” said Patty, demurely. “But -somehow I have an uneasy feeling that I’ll catch -a scolding for this! I’m not accustomed to going -out with a young man late at night.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, well, I’m not very young, and it isn’t -very late, so don’t bother about that. And anyway, -if you’re going to catch a scolding, you -may as well have the fun first. And it <span class='it'>is</span> fun, -isn’t it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, it’s gorgeous fun! I never enjoyed -anything more! But we mustn’t go any -further. We’re about three miles beyond Spring -Beach now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sure enough, they had gone beyond all signs -of habitation, and were on a long, straight -stretch of road, with the ocean on one side and -pine woods on the other. It was weirdly beautiful,—the -dark shadows of the pines, darker -than ever by contrast with the moonlighted -spaces. There was no boardwalk here, and the -sea dashed almost up to the road they were on.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Philip, in answer to Patty’s -suggestion, “we will turn around in a minute. -We’ll just go to that next clump of pines, and -then we’ll turn back.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He lowered the speed, and they crawled -slowly along toward the trees he had indicated.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s perfect,” sighed Patty, drinking in the -beauty all around her. “I’m glad you helped -me guess those questions, or I never should have -had this experience. Except for one moonlight -night in Venice, I’ve never seen anything so -lovely.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then you’re glad I brought you, if it <span class='it'>was</span> a -case of kidnapping?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Patty, while a demure smile dimpled -at the corners of her mouth. “I think -I like being kidnapped. Are you going to hold -me for ransom?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’d like to, but nobody could offer a ransom -big enough to get you back!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now <span class='it'>that’s</span> a pretty speech;” and Patty -nodded her head approvingly. “So, as there’s -no ransom to be considered, please take me back -to my fond parents, for I have no doubt they’re -scared to death wondering where I am.”</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='177' id='Page_177'></span><h1>CHAPTER XIII</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>PATTY’S INGENUITY</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Philip turned the car around, and, in a -few moments, they were swiftly speeding -toward home.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s awfully good of you,” he said, “to -give me this little bit of your time all to myself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t think I gave it,” observed Patty, -smiling; “I think you took it when I wasn’t -looking.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, and when no one else was looking, or -I mightn’t have succeeded so well. But it’s -been a gorgeous ride, and now I’m going to -take you right back to home and mother. Do -you suppose those people who went to see the -ocean are still looking at it? If so, it will be -fun to drive right down to them.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, don’t try it! Camilla cuts up dreadfully -if she gets stuck in the sand. It’s the one -thing she won’t stand!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, we’ll go right, straight, bang -home, then. Whew! We have come farther -than I thought! We can’t see the lights of -Spring Beach yet.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No; but I know where we are. It’s about -three miles to Spring Beach. Put on a good -speed, and we’ll soon do it. There’s not a -thing in the road, and I’ll trust your fast driving.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, my lady; here goes!” Van Reypen -flung in the highest speed and they fairly -flew. And then, quite suddenly and without -any jar or jolt, or warning of any kind, they -found themselves sitting quite still. Camilla -had stopped of her own accord, and seemed -absolutely disinclined to proceed. There was -no noise and no fuss, the car simply stood -motionless.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What did you stop for?” asked Patty, turning -an enquiring face toward Van Reypen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I didn’t stop; she stopped herself. Your -friend Camilla is not in such haste to get home -as you are, and she wants to see the moonlight -on the sea once again.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense! Didn’t you truly stop the car?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, truly I didn’t, and, what’s more, I can’t -make it go on.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then something has happened!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Right-o! How clever of you to guess that! -But it’s your car, and you know its tricks and -its manners. What does it mean when she stops -like this, gently but firmly?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know;” and Patty looked blankly bewildered. -“She’s never done such a thing -before. Of course something must be out of -order,—but I can’t think what. The tires are -all right.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, of course; it isn’t a puncture. But I -can’t think myself what it can be. Well, I’ll -have to overhaul the engine and see what I can -see.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Van Reypen got out and began to investigate, -but he could find nothing wrong in any part. -“Has the charge given out?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, the batteries are all right. It was fully -charged this morning, and I used it very little -to-day. She’s good for eighty or ninety miles -easily, and I haven’t run twenty to-day.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then, I give it up. I do know something -about cars, but I’m much more experienced with -the gasoline motors. However, this is so beautifully -made, and yet so really simple of construction, -that I feel I ought to understand it. -You get out, and take a look.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Philip held the lamp while Patty peered -anxiously into the motor.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She didn’t understand fully all the complicated -parts, but she had a fair working knowledge -of its main principles, and she, too, was unable -to discover anything wrong or out of order.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’re in a lovely mess,” she observed, cheerfully, -as she stood looking at Philip.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, we’re up against it,” he rejoined, but -his tone was as cheerful as her own, and they -both laughed as they looked at each other. -For, given a moonlight night, and two merry -young people, it is not difficult to look on the -bright side of a motor misfortune.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now,” said Patty, philosophically, “what do -we do next?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m not very familiar with this locality, but, -if there were any chance of a big car coming -along, we’d ask them to tow us. The running -gear of this car is all right.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, and so is the steering gear. And the -batteries seem to be in perfect order. I can’t -imagine what’s the matter. However, I can -inform you there’s precious little chance of any -car coming along this way now. Seashore people -always go to bed early, and they never ride -at night, anyhow. No, we’ll have to walk -home.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And leave the car here?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; I hate to do it. But nobody can steal -her, for she won’t go.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But somebody might steal her and tow her -away. That is, if a car <span class='it'>should</span> come along, and -we weren’t here.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I can’t bear to think of that! I don’t -want to lose my beautiful car! What can we -do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t see anything to do but to sit here -in the car all night, and of course we can’t do -that. Nor can one of us go and one stay, for -I wouldn’t let you go alone, and I’m sure I -wouldn’t let you stay here alone.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I think I’ll go,” said Patty, slowly. “You -stay with the car, and I’ll walk home alone. -It’s only three miles, and I’m sure it’s perfectly -safe; there’s no one abroad at this time of -night.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty, I can’t let you do it;” and Philip Van -Reypen looked deeply troubled. “I can’t let -you walk those three miles, alone, late at -night.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But you don’t want to go and leave me -here, sitting alone in a broken-down motor -car?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No; I can’t do that, either.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And we can’t both go,—and we can’t both -stay! So it’s a dead—what do you call those -things?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A deadlock?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, that’s what I mean. If neither of us -can go, and neither of us can stay, and we can’t -both go, and we can’t both stay, isn’t that a -pretty good imitation of a deadlock?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It certainly is! Now, in those lovely motor car -novels that people write, somebody would -come along just in the nick of time, and fix -everything all right, and we’d all live happy -ever after.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; but we’re not in a novel, and I’m positive -nobody will come along so late. What -time is it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“A little after eleven,” said Philip, looking -at his watch. “Patty, I can’t tell you how -sorry I am that I got you into this scrape, and -I must figure some way to get you out! But it -hasn’t come to me yet.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Philip’s face was a picture of despair. He -suddenly realised his responsibility in bringing -Patty out here at night. It was done on a -sudden impulse, a mere frolicsome whim, and, -if the car hadn’t broken down, all would have -been well.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t take it too seriously, Philip,” said -Patty, in a pleading voice, for, now that she -saw how he felt, she was sorry for him. “We’ll -get out of this somehow! But, truly, I think -the only way is for me to walk home and send -father’s big car back for you and Camilla. I -sha’n’t mind the walk half as much as I -should mind sitting here, and waiting while you -go.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, Patty, you can’t walk three miles in -those little, high-heeled slippers.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty looked down at her little evening shoes, -with their French heels. They were not suitable -for a three-mile walk, but that was a secondary -consideration. “I <span class='it'>must</span> go,” she said; “there -is no other way.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then I’m going with you,” declared Philip, -stoutly. “And, if anybody steals that car, I’ll -give you another one exactly like it! I’ll have -it built to order, with the same specifications! -This whole affair is my fault, and I’m going to -get you out of it the best way I can.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It isn’t your fault! I won’t have you say -so, just because that stupid old car chose the -worst possible moment to break down! But, -all the same, I don’t know how I can walk -three miles in these high-heeled slippers with -you any better than I could without you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Philip grinned. “When you get tired, I’ll -carry you,” he declared. “I tell you I’m going -to get you out of this scrape, if it takes all -summer!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, it will, unless we start pretty soon. -Come on, then.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wait a minute. Suppose I take those heels -off your shoes. Couldn’t you walk better -then?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, fiddlesticks! I’m accustomed to high -heels. I can walk in them all right.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; and, first thing you know, they’ll throw -you, and you’ll twist your foot, and sprain your -ankle——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, then you <span class='it'>will</span> have to carry me,” said -Patty, laughing. “But, before we start, do -let’s try once more to make the car go. Maybe -it’s nothing but perverseness.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But their efforts were unavailing, and Camilla -stood stock-still in the middle of the road, as -if she never intended to move again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It would be like the One-Hoss-Shay,” said -Patty, “only in that, you know, every part -dropped to pieces; and here nothing’s the matter -with any part.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But there <span class='it'>must</span> be something the matter,” -declared Philip, who was once again examining -the batteries; “and, by jingo, Patty,—I’ve -found it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You have! What is it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, the battery strap has separated, that’s -all!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is the battery strap? I don’t see any -strap.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, it isn’t a leather strap; it’s this band -of lead that goes around the battery, but they -call it a strap. See this crack across it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, that little crack! Does that do any -harm?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, yes, of course; it completely stops the -current. You see, the two ends of the strap -almost touch; if they did touch, we’d be all -right. Now, if I had a little piece of lead to -connect those two parts where they are separated, -I could fix it in a jiffy! Got any lead?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know. Look in the tool-box.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just a little piece of lead wire, or anything -that’s lead.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Try a lead pencil,” said Patty, but Philip -was poking in the tool-box and paid little attention -to her mild joke.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There isn’t a lead thing here!” he exclaimed. -“Your tool-box is too everlastingly cleared up! -Every tool in a little pocket by itself! Why -don’t you have a whole lot of old rubbishy -junk; then we might find something for an -emergency?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Can’t you find anything that will do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not a thing! To think that, now we’ve -found out what the trouble is, we can’t mend -it! and such an easy break to mend, if I just had -a scrap of lead. Well, we may as well make up -our minds to walk.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, dear!” sighed Patty; “I didn’t mind -walking so much when I thought the car had -really broken down. But just that little bit -of a crevice in the battery strap! Oh, can’t -we mend it, somehow? Can’t you pull the strap -out longer or something?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, angel child, there’s nothing doing without -some lead. After this, always bring some -lead in your pocket.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But I haven’t any pocket.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ah, that explains the absence of the lead! -If you had had a pocket, of course you would -have brought some lead. You’re excused.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, next time I’ll bring lead with me, you -may be sure of that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I hope you will, fair lady, and may I be here -to use it! Now, shall we start for our moonlight -stroll?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wait a minute; I have a idea!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Something tells me your idea is a good one!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know whether it is or not. I’m -afraid it isn’t. And I’m afraid to tell you what -it is, for fear you’ll laugh at me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I laugh? I, a man in charge of a broken-down -motor, and a fair young girl with French -heels, and midnight drawing nearer and nearer! -<span class='it'>I</span> laugh! Nay, nay, I’m in no laughing mood!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, if you’ll promise not to laugh, I’ll tell -you,—or, rather, I’ll show you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>From a little utility case, which was tucked -away under the seat of the motor, Patty drew -out a good-sized package of sweet chocolate. -“I always carry chocolate with me,” she -said, “because it tastes so good when it’s -dusty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“When the chocolate’s dusty?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, of course not; when the road’s dusty, -and your throat’s dusty,—chocolate’s awful -good then.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As she talked, Patty had torn off the outer -wrapper, and showed the chocolate neatly -wrapped in tinfoil. She took this off carefully, -and, tossing the chocolate aside, folded the tinfoil -into a long strip, while Philip gazed at her -with dawning admiration in his eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There’s your lead,” she said, simply, as she -handed him the strip.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty, you’re a genius!” he exclaimed; “a -perfect genius! How did you <span class='it'>ever</span> think of -that?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Will it do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Do? Of course it will do! It’s just the -very thing. I’ll wrap it around that separated -battery strap, and we’ll be off in two minutes!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>In really less than two minutes, Van Reypen -had wound the strip of tinfoil in its place, had -jumped into the car beside Patty, who was already -in, and they were flying along at top -speed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How <span class='it'>did</span> you think of it?” he asked again, -as they skimmed along. “It was terribly clever -of you!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, I knew you wanted lead, and I knew -tinfoil was lead. I was stupid not to think of -it sooner.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re a marvel to think of it at all! It was -wonderful!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, not at all; that’s nothing to what I can -do when I really try! Have some chocolate?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty was in gay spirits now, for they were -flying homeward through the moonlight, and -she was spared the three-mile walk and her beloved -car was safe in her own possession.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I will have some chocolate, thank you. -We may as well take all the goods the gods -provide, while we can. I’m glad to get you -home safely, but I can’t honestly say that I -haven’t enjoyed this whole escapade. Can -you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Patty, looking at him with a demure -smile, “not <span class='it'>honestly</span>, I can’t. But, all the -same, I’m glad we could manage to ride home -instead of walk.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, so am I; and it’s astonishing how hungry -I am! Can you spare a little more of that -chocolate?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, indeed;” and Patty broke off a generous -bit; “but we’ll give you some supper at -‘The Pebbles.’ I fancy they’ll be rather glad -to see us!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Philip, grinning; “and I rather -fancy we’ll get a warm reception,—and I’m not -sure but we deserve it!”</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='190' id='Page_190'></span><h1>CHAPTER XIV</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>A BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was not quite twelve o’clock when the -Swift Camilla swung through the gateway -of “The Pebbles,” and around the long -drive to the house. As might have been expected, -the waiting group on the veranda -greeted the returned runaways with various but -vociferous exclamations.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Several of them said, “Why, Patty Fairfield!” -Several others said, “Where have you -been?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roger called out, cheerily: “You must have -had a ripping good time! Wish I’d been -along!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Fairfield said only, “Patty!” and Mr. -Hepworth said nothing at all, but looked at -Patty with an unmistakable expression of reproof.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Philip Van Reypen took the brunt of the situation -upon himself. He jumped out of the car, -assisted Patty out, and led her straight to her -father.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mr. Fairfield,” he said, “here’s your daughter, -safe and sound, I’m happy to say. But I -want you to decorate her with the Victoria -Cross, or something just as good, for to-night -she has proved herself a genius,—a wonderful -genius! But for her ingenuity we should still -be sitting in her little motor car, high and dry -on a moonlit beach, listening to the wild waves. -To her all the honour and glory, and, if there is -any blame attached to our little excursion, it -is mine. I kidnapped your daughter, but I fully -meant to return her in ten or fifteen minutes, -without ransom. I am no villain! But, owing -to an accident, we were delayed.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I should think you were!” broke in Mr. -Fairfield. “It is nearly midnight, and I -am——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Papa,” interrupted Patty, “I know exactly -what you are! You are surprised, astounded, -amazed, astonished, dumfounded, taken aback, -struck all of a heap, and completely flabbergasted! -If you are anything else, you can -let me know to-morrow. Meantime, we are -two heroes, who returned with our shield, and -on it, both! Incidentally we are starving, and, -if we had some supper, we could relate our experiences -in fine shape.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty’s arms were round her father’s neck, and, -with a wheedlesome expression, her eyes looked -up into his, and somehow Mr. Fairfield’s indignation -melted away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty’s quite right,” declared Nan, taking -sides with the culprits. “Let’s all go to the -dining-room, and then later we’ll hear about -Patty’s heroism.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mr. Van Reypen was just as much of a -hero as I,” declared Patty, as, with her arm -tucked through her father’s, she led the way -to the dining-room, where a dainty little supper -had been waiting for the return of the missing -ones.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It really wasn’t a matter of heroics,” said -Philip Van Reypen; “it was only a simple, -plain, everyday breakdown, caused by a separated -battery strap. But the glorious part of -it all was Miss Fairfield’s cleverness in finding -a remedy for the trouble, when it seemed at -first there was absolutely none.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And then, while they ate salad and sandwiches, -the interested audience listened to a -full description of the breakdown, told in Philip -Van Reypen’s most graphic style. In no way -did he try to evade the blame for the escapade; -he frankly admitted that he ought not to have -taken Patty off without permission, but so winning -was his frank manner, and so gleeful his -enjoyment of the whole recital, that he won the -sympathy of all present.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s all right, Philip, my boy,” declared Mr. -Fairfield, heartily. “I don’t blame you a bit -for yielding to the temptation to slip out of the -gate, and of course you could not foresee that -peculiar accident. And I am proud of my girl -for thinking of a way to fix the thing up! Tinfoil! -Well, well! I doubt if I should have -thought of that myself!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty smiled and dimpled at the praises showered -upon her from all sides, and she caught -an approving smile from Mr. Hepworth, which -showed his appreciation of what she had done.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But I’m very sorry to have failed in my duty -as hostess,” she said, demurely. “Did you -manage to get along without me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I was here,” said Nan, gaily, “and I -kept the young people in order.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We did have a lovely time, Patty,” said -Elise; “the walk along the beach was delightful; -wasn’t it, Christine?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” replied Christine, slowly; “I never -saw anything like it. I didn’t know there was -so much beauty in the world.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Hepworth smiled at the rapturous expression -on the face of the Southern girl; and -then he declared that it was quite time he and -Mr. Van Reypen should depart for their own -domicile.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But you’re to come back here to-morrow -morning for breakfast,” said Nan, hospitably. -“We’ll breakfast at nine, and inaugurate -Patty’s birthday, which I can assure you is going -to be a pretty busy day for all concerned.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s lovely to have a birthday,” sighed -Patty as, a few moments later, she went up the -broad staircase with her arms around Elise and -Christine, who were on either side of her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And this is such a lovely continuous performance,” -said Elise. “We’ve had a lot of fun -already, and the birthday isn’t really begun -yet.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, it has really begun,” said Patty, “because -it’s after midnight, and so it’s already -to-morrow; but we won’t have any more celebration -until breakfast is ready. So good-night, -girls, and be sure to be up on time for my birthday -breakfast.”</p> - -<hr class='tbk104'/> - -<p class='pindent'>The girls obeyed this parting injunction, but -Patty herself overslept, and it was half-past -eight in the morning when she opened her eyes -to find her two girl friends hovering over her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wake up, sleepy-head!” said Elise, pulling -Patty’s curls. “I say, Patty, how jolly it is -for you to sleep out here! But don’t you almost -freeze?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, no, indeed! I have so much bed-covering -that I sleep warm as toast; but I love to -feel the sea air blow on my face.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty’s sleeping veranda was almost like a -room. Partially enclosed on three sides, the -front was open to the sea. There were broad -wicker blinds to be drawn at will, but, unless in -case of a very strong sea breeze, they were seldom -drawn.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girls were in their kimonos, and Patty sent -them flying as she sprang up herself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Go on, you two, and finish dressing; I’ll be -ready before you are, now!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Elise and Christine scampered away, and Patty -began to dress with all speed. And by nine -o’clock she went downstairs, fresh and dainty, -in a white, embroidered muslin frock, with knots -of light-blue ribbon.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Elise and Christine also wore white <span class='it'>lingerie</span> -dresses; Elise’s being much befrilled and -adorned, while Christine’s was far more simple. -But each was suited to the type of girl -who wore it, and when Nan appeared, also in a -white gown, it was a picturesque quartette that -stood on the veranda looking at the sunlit sea.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Here they come!” cried Elise, as Mr. Hepworth -and Mr. Van Reypen appeared round the -corner. “And, Patty, see! They’re bringing -presents to you! Just look at their arms full -of tissue paper!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Sure enough, both the men carried large parcels -elaborately done up in tissue paper and -bright ribbons. They came up laughing, and -with merry birthday greetings to the queen of -the occasion.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Breakfast is ready,” said Nan. “We were -just waiting for you. Bring those impressive-looking -paper affairs with you, to the table; -there’s quite a collection there already.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And, indeed, there was! The whole party -took their seats at the large round table, and -at Patty’s place was a veritable mountain of -white-wrapped parcels.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m overcame!” she exclaimed. “It’s quite -enough to have all you lovely people come to -visit me, without having gifts besides!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Do open them, Patty!” cried Elise. “I’m -crazy to see what they are!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just for that I’ll open yours first, Elise,” -said Patty, laughing. “Which is it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This one,” replied Elise, touching a large -parcel; “and it’s perfectly heavenly, Patty! I -did it, every stitch, myself!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I did every stitch of mine, too,” murmured -Roger, “if that makes a present more acceptable.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty untied Elise’s gift, and it proved to be -an embroidered muslin hat, very frilly as to -brim, and ornamented with tiny, pink-satin rose-buds.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How lovely!” cried Patty. “Thank you, -a thousand times, Elise. The idea of your making -those billions of stitches for poor, wuthless -me!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wouldn’t you make one for me?” asked -Kenneth, “if it’s a mark of such devoted friendship?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll make you two,” declared Elise, with a -smiling glance at him. “Put it on, Patty; let’s -see how it looks.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So Patty put on the pretty frilled hat, and -it formed a most appropriate frame around her -golden halo of hair, and her flushed rose-leaf -face. She had never looked prettier, and everybody -present gave back an answering smile to -the dancing eyes and dimpled mouth that challenged -it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Philip Van Reypen said, “By Jove!” under -his breath, and Roger, who overheard, murmured, -“Yes, and then some!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then Patty unwrapped her other gifts. -Christine’s came next, and it was a beautiful -water colour of her own, in a simple, appropriate -frame.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s exquisite, Christine dear,” said Patty, -“and I just love it! How you are getting on! -This is a real work of art, isn’t it, Mr. Hepworth?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is truly good work,” replied Gilbert Hepworth, -and the approving glance he gave Christine -brought the colour to her cheeks, and made -her drop her eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t tell her how lovely it is,” said Patty, -laughing; “Christine can’t stand praise in public. -Wait till I get you alone, girlie, and then -you’ll see if I have a grateful nature!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, open mine next!” cried Roger. “If -you’re going to take us apart and tell us of -your gratitude alone, I want to go right -now!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You can’t,” said Patty. “You have to be -thanked right before all the rest of the people! -But this is great! You know I love these crazy -things.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty had opened Roger’s gift, and it was a -grotesque bronze figure, representing some -strange Japanese god. It was fascinating in its -very ugliness, and was a really beautiful specimen -of Japanese craft.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re not eating any breakfast, Patty,” said -Mr. Hepworth, suddenly. “Let me undo the -next parcel, while you try some of this delicious -omelette. I can vouch for its quality.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Patty, “I <span class='it'>am</span> starving. And -as a reward of merit, Mr. Hepworth, I’ll let -you untie your own gift.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good! I love to be in the limelight! Now -this is mine, and may you enjoy it many times -when I am far away.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then Mr. Hepworth displayed a very beautiful -and complete automobile lunch basket, with -fittings for two. It was of the finest design -and workmanship, and the appointments were -of the newest and best.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just what I want!” cried Patty. “Now -I can go out for a whole-day picnic. And it’s -such a lovely picnic basket! Mr. Hepworth, -you do think of the loveliest things!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The grateful glance that Patty gave him was -met by one equally friendly, and, in order to -escape drawing further attention to himself, -Mr. Hepworth quickly opened the next parcel.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This proved to be Philip Van Reypen’s gift, -and, as it was being opened, he said: “I, too, -should have liked to bring you a really worthwhile -gift; but I felt, Miss Fairfield, that I’m -too much of a stranger to indulge in anything -but the conventional ‘books, candy, or flowers.’ -So I have brought you only a box of candy, but -I hope you will have many happy returns of -to-day, when I shall be an old friend, and can -give you anything I choose.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He looked enviously at the other men present, -who had known Patty so much longer than he -had; but, when his box of candy was finally -released from its wrappings, everybody exclaimed -in admiration. For it was by no means -a simple box, but was really a French jewel case, -whose various compartments were lined with -tufted blue satin, and, though now filled with -bonbons, were intended to hold trinkets. The -outside was of French brocade, decorated with -gold filigree and tiny French flowers. Altogether -it was an exquisite piece of handicraft, -and yet Mr. Van Reypen had, after all, only -presented the conventional “box of candy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nan was greatly pleased at his cleverness. She -had liked Philip Van Reypen from the first, and -he had proved himself a cultured and intelligent -gentleman in every respect.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kenneth’s gift was a fan; a point-lace mount, -with pearl sticks. He had showed taste in the -selection, and Patty was greatly pleased with -it. Indeed, she was enraptured with all her -lovely gifts, and fairly bubbled over with enthusiastic -thanks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This is my present, Patty,” said Nan, producing -a very long box. “It was too big to -put on the table with the others, so please accept -it, with the wish that it may prove useful -some day.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The long box contained a white-lace parasol, -which was just the thing to be carried with -Patty’s pretty summer costumes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Nan, what a duck you are!” she cried. -“I suppose this is from you and father both, as -I don’t see anything else from him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not so, not so, my child,” said Mr. Fairfield, -taking a small box from his pocket. “On your -nineteenth birthday I want to give you a gift -all by myself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He handed Patty the box, and in it was a pearl -ring. It was a beautiful pearl, and not too large -for a young girl to wear. Everybody admired -it, and Patty slipped it on her finger, and then, -holding her lace parasol open above her head, -she fanned herself with Kenneth’s fan. As she -still wore Elise’s embroidered hat, she made a -pretty picture of a typical summer girl.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You look like a girl on a calendar,” said -Roger; “rather fussily gotten up, but picturesque -in a way!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They all laughed at Roger’s speech, which -really fitted the case, and then, breakfast being -over, they gathered up Patty’s treasures and -adjourned to the hall.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='203' id='Page_203'></span><h1>CHAPTER XV</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>A MORNING SWIM</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now,” said Nan, “we must lay our plans. -We’re going to celebrate Patty’s birthday, -all day long; but there isn’t very -much time in a day, after all, so you must all -choose what you think would be the most fun -to do. We’re going to the Country Club for -luncheon, which is a motor trip of about twenty -miles. Then we’ll come back, and this evening -there will be a little dinner dance, which is, -of course, the real birthday party. Now you’ve -about two hours before we start this morning. -What do you want to do?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m for a dip in the ocean,” declared -Philip Van Reypen. “Does that hit anybody -else?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Me!” exclaimed Roger, and, “Me, too,” -declared Elise.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’d love to bathe,” said Christine, “if it isn’t -too cold. Is the water chilly, now, Patty?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is a little,” admitted Patty; “at least, -it was day before yesterday. I haven’t been in -since. But to-day is a whole lot warmer. I -don’t believe it will be too cold, Christine.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let’s all go in,” proposed Elise, “and then, -if it is too chilly, we can turn around and come -right out again.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This plan suited, and the girls ran away for -their bathing suits.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty’s was white, trimmed with light blue, -and was exceedingly becoming. Her gold curls -were tied up in a light-blue silk handkerchief, -from which a few ringlets persisted -in escaping, though she kept tucking them -back.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Let them hang down, Patty,” said Roger; -“the salt water won’t take the curl out!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Patty, laughing, “it makes it curl -tighter than ever!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I envy you that,” said Christine. “I always -wanted curly hair.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You needn’t,” said Patty. “Your soft, sleek -bands are much better suited to your face than -my corkscrews would be.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Hepworth laughed at this, for Patty’s -curls when wet turned into veritable corkscrews, -which hung from her temples like those of an -old-fashioned belle.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Christine’s rather plain bathing suit was of -navy blue, trimmed with white braid, but Elise -was gorgeous in a suit of scarlet and black, with -her hair tied up in a red bandanna.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Nan’s suit was entirely of black, and was both -pretty and becoming; and, as Mr. Van Reypen -surveyed the group, he said: “Well, you <span class='it'>are</span> a -bunch of naiads! You look like one of -Sorolla’s pictures, except that we haven’t any -of his pumpkin-coloured light and purply-green -shadows.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“H’m!” commented Hepworth; “much you -know about Sorolla’s work, if you express it in -those terms.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, you see I’m not an artist,” said Van -Reypen, for Mr. Hepworth’s tone was so good-natured -he couldn’t feel annoyed.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Who can swim?” Philip went on. “I’m -for a long dash out to that farthest buoy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can swim,” returned Patty, “but I won’t -go as far out as that buoy. I’ll swim part -way.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come on, then;” and the two splashed into -the breakers. Patty was a good swimmer, and -there was not much surf that morning, so she -had no trouble in keeping up with Philip for -a fairly good distance. Then she said: “Now -I’m going to turn back, Mr. Van Reypen. I’ve -learned by experience that it is better to turn -back while we can.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Van Reypen looked at her reproachfully as -they swam slowly side by side. “You called -me Philip, last night,” he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I know it;” and Patty smiled roguishly; -“but, you see, that was under stress of a great -emergency. I scarcely realised what I was doing,—and -I hope you’ll forgive me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll forgive you only on condition that you -never call me Mr. Van Reypen again, and that -you give me permission to call you Patty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Aren’t you demanding a great deal?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I am, indeed; but you are so generous-minded -that I have a hope of your consent.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll race you to shore for it,” said Patty. -“If you win, first names go; if I win, we shall -continue with the more formal names.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right; it’s an unfair advantage, but I’m -going to take it. Of course, I can beat you -swimming to shore, but I’ll lag behind a little, -and let you think you’re winning, and then pass -you with a grand finish.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I don’t know!” said Patty, teasingly, -and then they both headed toward shore and -swam rapidly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As he had proposed, Philip kept a few lengths -behind her, meanwhile gasping and shouting -that he was almost exhausted, and that he feared -he could never reach land.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty knew this was merely joking, and that -soon, with a few strong strokes, he would pass -her and come in a long distance ahead. But -she had no intention of being beaten so easily. -When nearly halfway to land, she saw Kenneth -swimming toward her. As they met, she -said, “Turn round and swim with me, Ken; -quick!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>He did so, and Patty went on, talking rapidly: -“I want you to do something for me, Ken. -Let me go on, and you turn and delay Mr. Van -Reypen. I don’t care what you do,—talk to -him, duck him, or tease him in any way,—but -somehow or other keep him back until I reach -shore, and don’t let him know you’re doing it -purposely.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, count on me;” and Kenneth turned, -and circled leisurely around, until he came face -to face with Philip Van Reypen. “Hello!” he -said. “You’re a ripping good swimmer! I -want to show you a new stunt I learned lately. -Mighty few could appreciate it, as I know you -can.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Some other time, Harper,” hastily spoke Mr. -Van Reypen. “I want to speak to Miss Fairfield -just now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, she won’t mind,” said Kenneth, taking -care to keep directly in Van Reypen’s way. -“You see, you start sideways and then——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I say, Harper, wait till some other time! -Let me pass, please. I’ll be back in ten minutes, -and glad to learn your new trick.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, you needn’t be stuffy about it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I’m not stuffy, my boy, only——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then I’ll show you now. You see, you swim -on one side;” and, before Van Reypen realised -what was happening to him, Kenneth had -grasped his arm and gently but steadily pushed -him around until he was headed out to sea -again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At this moment Patty reached the beach, as -Kenneth saw out of the corner of his eye, and, -suddenly changing his tone, he said: “By -George! Van Reypen, I believe you were in -earnest! In that case, I’m sorry I insisted. Of -course, I’ll teach you the trick some other time! -Go ahead, if you want to speak to Miss Fairfield. -She’s right over there.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus disarmed, Philip couldn’t answer Kenneth -angrily, and, suppressing his chagrin, he -said: “All right, old chap, and thank you. -We’ll go for a swim together, to-morrow morning, -and then I’ll be glad to learn your new -stunt.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kenneth felt a little ashamed of his subterfuge, -for he was of a frank, honest nature. But -he had done it for Patty, and he felt sure that -the whole thing was some merry jest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Freed from his tormentor, Van Reypen struck -out swiftly for the shore, and the next moment, -throwing himself on to a big breaker, he -was washed up on the beach at Patty’s side.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How do you do, Mr. Van Reypen?” said -that mischievous damsel, smiling at him under -her corkscrew curls.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It wasn’t fair!” growled Philip; “I was -delayed. Harper stopped me, and I couldn’t -get away from him!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, that’s a pretty excuse,” chaffed Patty. -“I heard you say that you were almost exhausted -and out of breath, and you <span class='it'>were</span> puffing -like a whale!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, that was mere foolery! I didn’t mean -a word of it! I’m not a bit blown. I could -swim for miles!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That all sounds very well, but I think you’ll -have to admit that I won the race.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The race is not always to the swift,—but -I admit gracefully that you did reach the beach -first, and I herewith relinquish all hope of ever -being allowed the privilege I had requested.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, don’t give up too easily!” said Patty, -though she well knew that his speech was not -made in earnest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come along, Patty!” cried Nan. “Unless -you want to go motoring in a wet bathing suit, -you must scamper into some dry clothes. Come -along with us, we’re all going now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The crowd of bathers dispersed, and, as there -was need for expedition, in less than a half an -hour they reassembled, clad in civilian’s garb -and all ready for the picnic.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The girls’ light frocks were covered with voluminous -motor-coats, and they all wore pretty -motor-hoods or bonnets of soft-coloured silks.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Three cars were necessary to accommodate the -luncheon party, and it was quite a gala procession -that started from “The Pebbles.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>First was Mr. Fairfield’s own big car, driven -by Miller, and containing Mr. Fairfield and -Nan, Christine and Mr. Hepworth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This was followed by a runabout, which Mr. -Fairfield had engaged for the occasion, and -which was driven by Roger.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>This car held two in front, with a small rear -seat for another. Philip Van Reypen sat next -to Roger, and Elise sat alone in the small back -seat, saying she had always wanted to try such -a position, but had never before had opportunity.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hang on, then, Sis,” warned Roger, as they -started, “for I don’t want to stop and run back -to pick you up all the time.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No danger,” said Elise, merrily; “but it is -fun! I feel like an enthroned princess.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You look like one, too,” said Van Reypen, -getting in beside Roger; “and we are your -two Gold-sticks in Waiting.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Swift Camilla brought up the rear of the -procession, and in it were Patty and Kenneth. -Kenneth had begged for this arrangement, as -he said he had not yet had a ride in Patty’s -new car.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Neither have I,” declared Mr. Hepworth, -and, after a moment’s consideration, Patty said -that she would take Kenneth half the way and -then exchange him for Mr. Hepworth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And nothing could be fairer nor that,” declared -Kenneth, as he accepted his fate.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was a perfect day for motoring—bright, -clear, and not too cool. Spring flowers were -in bloom in the gardens, and palms and shrubbery, -carefully kept, made the lawns picturesque.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ideal place to spend a summer,” said Kenneth -to Patty, as they flew along, “and great -roads for motoring.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, it is,” agreed Patty. “The others want -to go to the mountains in August, but I’m just -crazy to stay here all summer. Perhaps I can -persuade them to go off by themselves, and -leave me here. I could have some one to -chaperon me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course you could; that would be gay. I -expect Aunt Rachel would come, if you wanted -her.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She’s a dear old thing,—nobody I’d like -better! But I haven’t dared broach the subject -yet. Don’t say anything about it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, I won’t. But I say, Patty, what -was that deal you had on with Van Reypen? -He was awful mad when I held him up out in -the water.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, it was nothing but foolishness!” said -Patty, laughing at the recollection. “I promised -him that, if he beat me to the shore, we’d -call each other by our first names,—otherwise -not.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That was a <span class='it'>nice</span> wager!” exclaimed Kenneth, -in disgruntled tones. “Why, Patty, you -don’t know that chap well enough to call him -by his first name!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense, Ken; I’m not grown-up and -formal.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, he is!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty laughed mischievously. “He is -grown-up, but he isn’t a bit formal.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I should say not! I can tell you I -didn’t like the way he carted you off last -night!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Kenneth, what a goose you are! You -know the whole story of that performance. He -couldn’t help the strap breaking, and, if my father -didn’t bother about it, I don’t think you -need to!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s the same as telling me it’s none of my -business.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I didn’t mean it exactly that way, but, -all the same, it isn’t! Don’t you like Mr. Van -Reypen?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I do; he’s a rattling good chap. But -I don’t want him coming down here and monopolising -you for motoring and swimming and -everything else. I s’pose you’ll give him every -other dance, to-night.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty drew down the corners of her lips and -made a sobbing sound in her throat, as if she -were on the verge of bursting into tears.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“D-don’t sco-o-ld me, K-kenneth!” she -pleaded, in a voice which she meant to sound -tearful, but which was choking with laughter, -and didn’t fool Kenneth a bit.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re a little coquette, that’s what you are, -Patty; and I won’t stand it! I knew you long -before Van Reypen did, and he’s not going to -cut me out, I can tell you!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good gracious, Kenneth! I should say he -wasn’t! Why, he’s only an acquaintance, and -you’re one of my oldest friends!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course I am;” and Patty’s hearty tone -made Kenneth feel a little ashamed of his flash -of jealousy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, then, don’t let me hear any more such -foolish talk! Here I am taking you ridy-by in -my dear little car, and, instead of appreciating -it, you scold me all to pieces!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Forgive me, Patty; I am a brute. But -somehow Van Reypen has such a way with -him. He acts as if he owned you and this -car——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And ‘The Pebbles’ and father and Nan,” -supplemented Patty, going off into a peal of -laughter. “Well, Ken, I can’t see any way for -you to get even with him but to act as if you -owned us all yourself.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can’t do it,” said Kenneth; “I haven’t that -arrogance of nature.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What a pity!” said Patty, looking at him, -with laughing eyes.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='216' id='Page_216'></span><h1>CHAPTER XVI</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>A CHANGE OF PARTNERS</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Their foolish little squabble over, Patty -and Kenneth were as good chums as -ever, and they skimmed along in the -same satisfied friendliness they always felt when -together.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>All too soon, in Kenneth’s opinion, they had -traversed half their journey, and reached the -place where it had been arranged that Patty -was to change her companion and give Mr. -Hepworth his ride.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The big car was waiting for them as they -came along, and, though Kenneth said “Confound -it!” to Patty, under his breath, no one -else heard it, and he exchanged places with -Hepworth with a smiling, agreeable countenance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The transfer being effected, the two cars -started on again.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty drove, and Mr. Hepworth watched her -with admiration and interest.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re a wonderful child,” he said; “you -can do almost anything you turn your hand -to.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indeed, I can’t,” returned Patty; “I can’t -paint like Christine.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, well, that’s a special talent of hers. -Your special talent is your singing. But I mean -you can do all sorts of other things, like guessing -puzzles and running motor cars.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, so I can; but don’t forget that, if you -hadn’t guessed that last charade for me, and -an unfair one at that, I never should have -had this car. So you see the car is partly -yours.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I’ll take out my share in going riding -with you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wouldn’t you like to drive it yourself, some -day, Mr. Hepworth? You could take Christine -out.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Christine! I’d rather take you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Rather take <span class='it'>me</span> than Christine Farley?” -Patty’s blue eyes opened wide, and it was plain -to be seen that her surprise at this statement -was unfeigned, and by no means a bit of coquetry. -But it piqued Gilbert Hepworth, and -he answered, a little shortly:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You know I would! Why do you pretend -otherwise?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know any such thing! Christine is -your special friend.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And aren’t you my special friend?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, not exactly;” and Patty’s cheeks dimpled -as she smiled. “I’m your special friend’s -daughter. Isn’t daddy your special friend?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, of course;” and Mr. Hepworth looked -decidedly cross, as he always did when reminded -of the difference of age between himself -and Patty,—a thing which Patty never -seemed to forget.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But just now,” he went on, “you’re so -absorbed in your special friend, Van Reypen, -that you have no thought of anybody -else.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“For the land’s sake!” exclaimed Patty; -“and that’s an expression I use only on the -strongest provocation! But I’ll tell you something, -Mr. Hepworth,”—and she looked at him -squarely,—“when Kenneth Harper was with -me just now, he held me up on account of what -he called my friendship for Mr. Van Reypen! -Now, if you’re going to do the same thing, I -give you fair warning, I’ll put you out and I’ll -take Philip Van Reypen in this car! So there, -now!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Hepworth laughed at the flashing eyes, -and the rose-flushed cheeks that faced him, very -much like an angry kitten.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Forgive us both, Patty,” he said, smiling -in spite of himself at the ridiculous situation. -“You see, the truth is Kenneth and I are both -jealous of your new friend. And you’ll probably -find that Roger is in the same unenviable -frame of mind.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Fiddle-de-dee, and fiddlesticks, and fiddle-strings!” -exclaimed Patty; “you people all -make me tired, you do. As you know, I adore -all my friends, and I want them all to adore -me, and, when I make new friends, they’ve all -got to adore each other, too, and that’s all there -is about that! But don’t you worry over old -Roger. He’s fallen a victim to the charms of -Mona Galbraith. I never was so surprised in -my life! You know, I don’t like that girl very -much, and last night, as soon as Roger met her, -they immediately fell into a deep friendship!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why don’t you like her?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, she isn’t exactly our sort. She’s a little -forward, a little pushing, and a little lacking -in certain varieties of good taste. But she’s -warm-hearted and generous, and, if she had had -proper training, would have been an awfully -nice girl.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Can’t you help her, Patty?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Mr. Hepworth, I can; but I don’t want -to.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why don’t you want to?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Only because I’m a horrid thing! I know -that, if I begin to help her, she’ll want to be -helped every minute in the day, and I’ll have my -hands full. I suppose I’m lazy and selfish, but -I do hate to take that girl’s bringing-up on my -shoulders.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t blame you altogether, Patty;” and -Gilbert Hepworth smiled at her gravely, yet -kindly. “But don’t you exaggerate a little bit? -I know what you mean. I saw last night what -insistent ways Miss Galbraith has, and I know -her demands on your time and attention would -be incessant. But, Patty, think how much you -have!—not only worldly goods, but love and -care and protection and interested sympathy. -Isn’t it your duty to do what you can for -this strange girl, thrown so definitely in your -way?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She <span class='it'>is</span> in my way,” said Patty, pouting; -“very much so!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And do you realise,” went on Mr. Hepworth, -very seriously now, “that, just because -of all this love and praise and appreciation you -receive, you run a pretty strong chance of becoming -selfish and self-centred?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mr. Hepworth! I do believe you are lecturing -me!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s exactly what I’m doing. I’ve done -it before, and never has it failed to produce a -good effect. I’m very fond of you, Patty, as -you know perfectly well; and I cannot bear to -see your sunny and generous nature spoiled by -indolence or thoughtlessness on your part. Now -I’m going to drop this lecture right straight -now. I’ve said all that is necessary, and I know -it has sunk in your heart deeply, as I intended -it to. And I know that you will overcome your -dislike and disinclination for the work, but that -you will honestly and definitely try to do all -you can for that girl, and be all you can to -her.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>For a moment Patty was silent, and then she -said, in a low voice: “You are right, Mr. Hepworth, -as you always are. I understand all you -have said, and all you have meant, and I make -you no promises; but I promise myself to do all -I can for Mona Galbraith, to help her in the -way she needs help.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s my little trump!” exclaimed Mr. -Hepworth, in a voice which betrayed a thrill -of real emotion, and then he quickly changed -the subject and called Patty’s attention to a -picturesque bit of landscape in the middle distance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The rest of their ride they chatted in a lighter -key, with no reference to duty, and, when they -reached the Country Club, they were both -laughing merrily as they joined the rest of the -party.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m as hungry as a hunter!” cried Patty, -springing from her car. “I wish I’d brought -Mr. Hepworth’s luncheon basket, well filled, -along with me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’ll have luncheon enough, Puss,” said her -father, “and, as we’re a little later than I expected, -we’ll have it served right away.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Country Club House was an elaborate -one, with broad verandas and large, high-ceilinged -halls and rooms. The walls bore the -usual decorations of antlers and other trophies -of the chase, and the appointments were luxurious -and comfortable.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty had never been to just such a place before, -and was interested in it all.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Can’t we become members, father?” she -asked, as its plan and scope were explained to -her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Next year, perhaps, my dear. But this summer -we’ll content ourselves with coming over -here occasionally, by the courtesy of my -friends.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Luncheon was served in a small dining-room, -which they had quite to themselves. The viands -were most attractive and proved more than acceptable -to the hungry motorists.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After luncheon, they wandered about the beautiful -grounds, and some of them went for a -row on the lake, while some others had a short -game of tennis.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty had such a good time that she was sorry -when her father called them to go home.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We just fly from one kind of fun to another!” -exclaimed Elise, as they made ready -to start. “Mayn’t I ride home with you, -Patty?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, no, Miss Farrington,” said Philip Van -Reypen, overhearing her; “it’s my turn to ride -with Miss Fairfield. We’re going to put you -and Mr. Harper in the roadster, with Mr. Hepworth -behind to see that you don’t fall out.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As usual, Mr. Van Reypen’s audacity carried -the day; and, too, Elise had no objections to -driving home with Kenneth. This left Roger -and Christine to go in the big car with the -two elder Fairfields, and the arrangement was -fairly satisfactory all around.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But, as Patty and Mr. Van Reypen were about -to start, Roger came up to speak to them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You must play fair and square, Patty,” he -said. “You divvied up the ride, coming over, -and you must do the same, going back. You -take Mr. Van Reypen as far as that halfway -place, and then you’ve got to exchange him for -me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, Roger, I will; it’s only fair that -all you boys should have a spin with Camilla -in turn.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I don’t know,” said Philip Van Reypen, -as they sped away. “I don’t think you need -to change partners on this short trip.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“’Deed I will!” declared Patty. “I’ve had -enough of being scolded because I don’t play -fair. Now when we get to that halfway place, -you know where I mean, that tumble-down house -with the vines all over it, I’m going to put you -out and take Roger in.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Philip, humbly. “But you -won’t do it until we do reach the tumble-down -old house, will you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I won’t,” agreed Patty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After a while, Philip asked that he be allowed -to drive, and, as Patty was quite willing -to be an idle passenger, they changed seats.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m sorry that I have to call you Miss Fairfield,” -said Philip, resignedly, as they were once -more spinning along. “It’s so formal it takes -away all the pleasure of our conversation.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Too bad,” said Patty, demurely; “but do -you know I rather like formality, Mr. Van -Reypen.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m glad you do, Miss Fairfield. It’s a -charming day, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Mr. Van Reypen; delightful,” returned -Patty, and then the conversation lagged.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I want to tell you something,” said Patty, -suddenly. “I don’t feel quite honest, and I -want to ’fess up.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What is it, Miss Fairfield?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, it’s just this. You know this morning, -when Kenneth delayed you, and you lost -our race?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I asked him to delay you, on purpose.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You did? You little rascal! Why, that was -downright dishonesty! Aren’t you ashamed of -yourself?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I am,” said Patty, hanging her head, -and looking like a lovely penitent. “Can you -ever forgive me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I never can!” Van Reypen’s tone was -very stern, and Patty was amazed at the serious -way he took what she thought was a joke.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, truly! can’t you forgive me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No! I <span class='it'>never</span> shall!” and he glared into -Patty’s upturned face with an expression so -savage that it suddenly dawned on Patty that -he was fooling, after all!</p> - -<p class='pindent'>With a beseeching glance and a drooping -curve to her lips, Patty then murmured, in low -tones, “Can’t you ever forgive me,—Philip?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty! Of course I can! And there’s nothing -to forgive, you little rogue! But now you’re -going to call me Philip, all the time, aren’t -you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I thpothe I am,” said Patty, foolishly, and -in an idiotic tone, and then they both giggled.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And now can you be entertaining?” asked -Patty, briskly; “and not just sit up and remark -that it is a charming day?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But the day is more charming than ever!” -declared Philip. “And I must emphasise the -fact.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, goodness gracious me! wherever is that -halfway place? Have we passed the tumble-down -old house with vines clambering all over -it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, we haven’t passed it yet,” said Philip, -innocently.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We ought to reach it soon,—I’m sure it’s -time.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How complimentary you are! Does the way -seem so long?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It doesn’t seem so long, but it seems strange. -I don’t remember these houses. Did we pass -them on the way over?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You must have been so busy driving the car -you didn’t see them.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense! I’ve never been this way before -in my life! You’ve taken the wrong road, and -you’ve done it on purpose,—Philip!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“So I have, Patty! At least it’s a different -road, but it isn’t a wrong road. It’s just as -direct to ‘The Pebbles’ as the other road, but -it has the advantage of not passing by the clambering -house with the tumble-down vines!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, you’ve done it, so we’d slip Roger!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course I did! Clever of me, wasn’t it? -Oh, you haven’t the entire monopoly of clever -ideas, if you <span class='it'>did</span> mend your motor car with -chocolate!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Philip was gleefully chuckling at his successful -ruse, and, when Patty realised that she -couldn’t help herself, she laughed, too.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Roger won’t mind, anyway,” she said; “he’s -such a good-natured old duck. And I’ll make -it up to him by taking him out for the whole -day to-morrow, on a picnic with my new lunch -basket. I’ve been wanting to try that lovely -basket, and see if it will carry a picnic for -two.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Philip’s face suddenly lost its jovial smile. -“There’ll <span class='it'>be</span> a ‘picnic for two,’ if you cut up -any such trick as that! And you and young -Farrington will see what kind of a picnic I -mean! Why, Patty, you’re hostess of this -house party of yours. You can’t desert all your -other guests,—and go skylarking off with only -one of them.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Unless it’s you,” said Patty, with a demure -glance at him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, unless it’s me,” said Philip, smiling -broadly.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='229' id='Page_229'></span><h1>CHAPTER XVII</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>A DINNER AND A DANCE</p> - -<p class='pindent'>When Patty and Philip reached home, -a little later than the others, Roger -was nowhere to be seen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Where’s Roger?” asked Patty, as she -jumped out of the car, for she wanted to make -peace with him at once.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He’s gone over to ‘Red Chimneys,’” said -Elise, laughing. “He’s taken a terrible fancy -to that Galbraith girl.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I told you we needn’t mind about Roger,” -said Patty to Philip. “I’m glad he does like -Mona, though I confess I was a little surprised -at first.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Very soon Roger came back to “The Pebbles,” -bringing Mona with him.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hello, people!” the girl called out, as she -neared the veranda. “You kept terribly sly -about your birthday, didn’t you, Patty? But -Mr. Farrington told me last night, and father -telegraphed to New York for a present for me -to give you, and it’s just arrived by special -messenger. How do you like it?” and Mona -tossed a small box into Patty’s lap.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The others crowded round to see, and Patty -opened the box, to find a beautiful jewel pendant -hung on a slender thread of a platinum -neck-chain. The pendant was a fair-sized -sapphire, surrounded by tiny diamonds, and -was of fine design and workmanship.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mona! How lovely!” cried Patty. “But -I can’t accept such a valuable present from -you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense! It’s a mere trinket. I’m delighted -to give it to you, and father was -delighted to get it for me, so you’ll simply have -to take it. I was only afraid you wouldn’t think -it pretty!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Pretty? Why, it’s perfectly beautiful!” -and Patty clasped the chain around her neck -at once. She was a little uncertain how to -take the gift, but she could not so hurt Mona’s -feelings as to refuse it, and, if she accepted it, -she might as well do it gracefully. She cast an -enquiring glance at Nan, who, as usual, came -to her aid.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s a lovely present, Patty; and Mona is -most kind and generous to give it to you. I’m -sure we all appreciate it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thus tacitly advised, Patty thanked Mona -prettily, and then Nan declared it was time to -think about dressing for dinner.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re coming, Mona, aren’t you?” said -Patty, for she knew Nan had invited her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes, indeed; I’ll be the first one here and -the last one to leave. Trust me for that!” -and, with a merry laugh, Mona ran away -across the two lawns to her own house.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She’s all right!” said Roger, looking after -her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, she is,” said Patty, generously; and, -indeed, Mona had risen in her estimation -since Roger showed such approval of -her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And then the group separated, to meet again -at the birthday dinner.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The three girls gathered in Patty’s room for -a short chat first.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What are you going to wear, Patty?” asked -Elise.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I have a new blue affair that’s perfectly -dear. What’s yours, Christine?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“White,” said Christine, simply. “I can’t -wear many colours.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You don’t need to, you angel person,” said -Patty, kissing her. “You’ll look heavenly in -white. I’ve never seen you in evening dress. -It is evening dress, isn’t it, Christine?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; that is, it’s a round neck, but it’s very -simple.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re simple yourself,” said Patty; “simply -sweet! Isn’t she, Elise?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was Patty’s delight to make Elise admire -Christine, and of course it wasn’t possible, when -thus appealed to, for Elise to do anything but -acquiesce in Patty’s opinion.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And now, honey, what’s your gorgeous -creation that’s to dazzle the eyes of the country -people down here?” said Patty.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mine is green,” returned Elise; “and it’s -a good enough frock, but I know it won’t be -in it with yours, Patsy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense! It’s probably far handsomer. -Aren’t we all getting grown-up, to have dinner -parties and low-neck gowns! Though mine -isn’t exactly low neck, it’s just cut out sort of -round.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, a Dutch neck,” said Elise; “that’s what -mine is.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But still it does seem grown-up,” went on -Patty, musingly, “to have a birthday dinner -and dance, instead of just an ordinary party.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, you are grown-up when you’re nineteen,” -said Christine. “I’m twenty, and I think -I’m grown-up.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s because you’re Southern,” said Patty. -“We stay little girls a lot longer up here. And -I’m glad of it, for I hate being grown-up. I -wish I could wear pig-tails and hair ribbons! -Anyway, I’m not going to act grown-up to-night; -my party’s going to be a frolic, not a formal -affair.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How many are coming?” asked Christine, -who had not entirely overcome her shyness with -strangers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, there’s about ten of our own crowd, -and Nan has invited about ten more of the -Spring Beach people. The two Sayre girls are -awfully jolly; you’ll like them. And Jack Pennington -is a dear boy, and so is Guy Martin. -And then there’s Dorothy Dennison and her -brother,—and Phyllis Norton,—oh, quite a -bunch of them! And, Christine, don’t you -go cutting up any of your shrinking violet -tricks! I want you to be the belle of the ball!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Elise looked up in surprise, but, seeing the determined -expression on Patty’s face, she said -nothing; and, if she had her own opinion as to -who should be belle of the ball, she expressed -it only to herself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>An hour later, the three girls went downstairs -together. Patty in the middle, with her sky-blue -chiffon frock, was looking her best. The -pale blue suited her golden hair and pink -cheeks, and the semi-low-cut neck was exceedingly -becoming to her rounded throat and -chin.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Elise’s green dress was far more elaborate, -but her brilliant beauty seemed to call for an -ornate setting.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Christine’s gown was perhaps the prettiest of -all. Of white crêpe-de-chine, it hung in soft, -straight folds, and around the throat was a -delicate pearl embroidery. A girdle of pearl-work, -with long ends, gave a finishing touch; -and on Christine’s willowy figure, and with her -Madonna face, the gown was appropriate and -effective.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The boys, who were waiting in the hall, exclaimed -in vociferous compliment as the girls -came slowly down the staircase, and declared -that such a trio of beauty had never before -been seen.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense!” cried Patty. “Don’t you talk -to us as if we were grown-up young ladies! -We’re only a little bit more than schoolgirls. -Just because I’m nineteen, I’m not going to be -treated with dignity! Roger, will you dance -the first dance with me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Roger looked embarrassed, and, though he -tried to speak, he hesitated and stammered.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, Patty,—that is,—I’d be only too delighted,—but——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But you’ve already asked Mona!” cried -Patty, with a teasing laugh. “I knew it perfectly -well, Roger, and I only asked you to -tease you. And I’ll be perfectly content with -the second, so save that for me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indeed I will, and thank you kindly,” said -Roger, and then Philip Van Reypen and Kenneth -both said at once, “May I have the first -dance, Patty?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, indeed,” she returned, laughing gaily at -them; “I’m not going to give my first dance -to any of my house party. There are several -Spring Beach boys coming, and I shall dance -with whichever one of those asks me first.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty’s own particular decided wag of the -head accompanied this speech, and the men -knew it would be of no use to coax her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And then the other guests began to arrive, and -the great entrance hall of “The Pebbles” was -a scene of merry laughter and chatter, and -greetings and introductions on all sides.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Under Nan’s orders, the whole place had been -beautifully decorated. In the hall and rooms -were garlands and banks of flowers, and tall -palms shading alcoved nooks. The verandas -were hung with Japanese lanterns, and a few -of these were scattered among the shrubbery, -to light the way for any who might be inclined -to stroll on the lawn.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At eight o’clock, Patty, taking her father’s -arm, led the way to the dining-room. Nan -and Mr. Hepworth followed, and then the -others in merry procession.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Dinner was served at small tables, as the number -of guests was too large to be accommodated -at one. Each table was beautifully decorated -with flowers and candles, and pretty place-cards -as souvenirs of the occasion.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Of course there was a birthday cake, and when -at last Patty cut it, and each guest had partaken -of it, the dinner was over, and the dance about -to begin.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Several musicians were on the broad landing, -halfway upstairs, and played just the right kind -of music for young people’s merry dancing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Jack Pennington asked Patty for the first -dance, and, a little to his surprise, she graciously -granted it. He had hardly hoped for this honour, -but he didn’t know that Patty had planned -it thus in order to avoid selecting one of her -house party in preference to the others. So -she danced with Jack Pennington, and afterward, -as they sauntered out on the veranda, all -the other men clustered around Patty, begging -for dances, until her programme was full, and -many of the dances had been divided. Of -course, as Patty was hostess, she would naturally -receive much attention, but her own -merry and charming personality made her -easily the most popular girl present, though -the others were almost equally so. Handsome -Elise was a general favourite, and Christine’s -delicate Southern beauty attracted many admirers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mona was resplendent in bright pink silk, -elaborately ornamented. She wore too many -jewels, as always, but her whole-souled, good-tempered -gaiety, and her hearty enjoyment of -the occasion, made her attractive to many.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After a dance with Philip, Patty and he wandered -out on to the veranda, and sat for a moment -on the railing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Beautiful show, Patty,” he said; “one of the -prettiest parties I ever saw. These lanterns are -gorgeous. Why don’t you keep them here all -the time? Sets off the house wonderfully. -Come down on the lawn for a little stroll.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m afraid you’ll kidnap me,” said Patty, -mischievously.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No; honest I won’t. Though I’d like to. -Say, let’s get Camilla out, and go for a little -spin. Will you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Indeed, I won’t! We got out of that other -scrape pretty well. But I’m not going to take -any chances again! Beside, the next dance is -Kenneth’s. I’d better get back where he can -find me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, he’ll hunt you up, all right! Hello! -Who’s this?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Some one came running toward them through -the semi-darkness. It was Mona, out of breath -and laughing. “Hide me!” she cried. “Hide -me! I’m running away from Roger!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How extraordinary,” laughed Patty. “You -<span class='it'>are</span> a coquettish young thing, aren’t you, -Mona?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hide me, Patty,” urged Mona. “That’s a -dear. Let me get behind you two.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mona slipped around behind Patty and Philip, -but, anxious to help her, Patty said: “Back into -the arbour, Mona; we’ll keep in front of you. -Hurry! here comes Roger.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Have you seen Miss Galbraith?” asked -Roger, coming up to them, entirely unsuspicious -of Mona’s whereabouts.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’ve just strolled out here,” said Patty, -innocently. “Why don’t you look on the -veranda, Roger? Does she know you’re looking -for her?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course she does! On the veranda, you -say?” and Roger was off like a shot.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty and Philip, stifling with laughter, turned -back to Mona, who stood with her finger on her -lips, cautioning silence.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And as, in obedience to her gesture, they were -still, they all distinctly heard a voice speaking -on the other side of the arbour. The speaker -could not be seen, and the hearers had no intention -of eavesdropping, but it was Kenneth’s -voice, and his tone was tense and angry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I tell you, Elise,” he said, “I don’t believe -Patty ever said that!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She did,” said Elise, with the accent of one -who reiterates.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was Philip Van Reypen’s impulse to walk -round the arbour at once, and make their presence -known, but Patty silently put her hand on -his arm and led him toward the house.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mona followed, also silently, for she realised -at once that Patty was disturbed at what she -had heard. The words in themselves might -mean a mere trifle or nothing at all; but the -seriousness of Kenneth’s voice, and the petulant -insistence of Elise, seemed to forebode trouble.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What does it mean?” whispered Philip, as -they neared the house.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Nothing,—nothing at all,” said Patty, but -she spoke in a low voice and her lip was quivering. -She had divined intuitively that Elise -had told Kenneth something to make him angry, -and she felt sure that Elise had done it purposely, -and that she had misrepresented the -facts.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Shall I take you into the house?” asked -Philip, gently. “I think you said your next -dance is Harper’s.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not just yet,” said Patty, who was so hurt -by Elise’s treachery that she could not fully control -her quivering lip and the tears that came -to her eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mona had disappeared, and so Philip said, -“Let us stroll once more round the drive, and -then it will be all right.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>His voice was so pleasant, and his manner so -quiet, that it acted as a balm to Patty’s shattered -nerves, and she looked up gratefully, and -smiled at him through two teardrops that trembled -in her blue eyes.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You’re awfully good,” she said, “and I’m -not going to be silly. Never mind it. But -aren’t you engaged for this dance?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, to Miss Galbraith,” he replied, smiling; -“but I feel quite sure she has forgotten -it in her game of hide-and-seek with young -Farrington.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But you must go and find her, all the same,” -said Patty, suddenly mindful of etiquette. -“Come! let us hurry to the house. I’m all -right now.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They quickened their pace, and Philip talked -with a cheery banter, so that, when they reached -the veranda, Patty was her own smiling, merry -self, and she felt profoundly grateful to Philip -because he had not again referred to the bit of -conversation they had overheard.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='242' id='Page_242'></span><h1>CHAPTER XVIII</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>MONA INTERFERES</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty found Kenneth in the doorway, -awaiting her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Here you are,” he called out, cheerily -enough, and Patty hoped it was only her -imagination that made her think his manner -a little constrained. He was gentle and kindly -as ever, but he was not in merry mood, and -Patty felt this at once.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They began to dance. Their steps suited perfectly, -and, though Patty herself was such an -accomplished dancer that she could adapt her -step to any one, yet she always specially enjoyed -a turn with Kenneth. But now he seemed different, -and, though he danced as perfectly as -usual, and so did Patty, there was a certain constraint -in his manner and he spoke only occasionally, -and then the merest commonplaces. -Patty realised fully that there was something -wrong, but she also knew she could do nothing -then and there to set it right. She couldn’t ask -Kenneth what Elise had said to him, and she -couldn’t think of any other way to open the -subject.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, after a few turns round the room, she was -really glad that another partner claimed her, -for this was one of the dances that she had -divided.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kenneth left her, with a simple “Thank you, -Patty,” and, turning on his heel, went out of -the dancing-room. In the hall he met Mona, -who said, abruptly and impulsively: “Oh, Mr. -Harper! I haven’t any partner for this dance. -Come for a walk round the lawn, won’t you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Wouldn’t you rather dance?” asked Kenneth, -who was in no mood for conversation.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Mona, smiling wilfully, “I want -to walk out under the lanterns on the lawn. -They’re so lovely and Japanesy.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mona had a wheedling way with her, and -Kenneth smiled a little as he escorted her down -the steps and along a side path through the -grounds.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You think I’m a queer girl, don’t you, Mr. -Harper?” she began, as they strolled along under -the trees.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“If I did, you couldn’t expect me to tell you -so, Miss Galbraith,” he parried.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, even if you haven’t thought so before, -you will now;” and Mona gave a determined -shake of her head. “But I don’t care if you -do. I want you to answer me a question. What -did Miss Farrington tell you that Patty Fairfield -had said, and you returned that you didn’t -believe Patty said it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Now Kenneth was an exceedingly well-mannered -young man, but he was certainly taken -aback by this question flung at him so suddenly -by a comparative stranger, and he was tempted -to reply so plainly that she must think him rude. -But, after a moment’s hesitation, he modified -his intentions, and only said:</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m sorry to have you think <span class='it'>me</span> queer, Miss -Galbraith, but, even at that risk, I must decline -to answer such a very personal question. -And, too——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And, too,” repeated Mona, stopping and -turning to look squarely at him, “you were -going to say, that I’m an eavesdropper, and, -except for your inability to be so rude, you -would tell me so.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kenneth was amazed at the girl’s intuition, -but he said honestly, “You are very nearly -right, Miss Galbraith.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Very nearly right? I’m exactly right, and -you know it! Now let me tell you, Mr. Kenneth -Harper, I don’t care one snip-jack for -your opinion of me, and you may think just -exactly what you choose! But I have another’s -interest at heart, and I’m perfectly justified in -asking you the question I did ask. Please tell -me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At the last words Mona’s voice sank to a -pleading whisper, and there was such heartfelt -urgency in her voice that he was moved against -his will.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why do you want to know, Miss Galbraith?” -he asked, more gently.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They were walking on again now, and Mona -looked straight before her as she replied: “I -cannot tell you that, but I beg of you to tell -me what I ask. Was it anything about me?” -Mona had no idea that it was, and this was a -purely strategic enquiry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, it was not about you,—and now I hope -you’re satisfied.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I’m not satisfied. Was it about you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, it was.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And was it something mean Patty had said -about you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, it was.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mr. Harper, you are not a true friend. You -know Patty Fairfield couldn’t say a mean thing -to save her life! And especially about you, one -of her best friends!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I don’t think I’m that,” said Kenneth, -in a cynical tone.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You are, too! Now, are you sure Patty said -this thing?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Elise said so,” muttered Kenneth, who had -forgotten he was talking to a stranger, because -Mona had assumed such compelling intimacy.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And are you sure it was mean?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, rather! You can judge for yourself!” -Kenneth’s indignation got the better of -his self-restraint, and he told Mona frankly the -truth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Once, when Patty went away, I gave her a -little locket as a parting gift, and she thanked -me and said she liked it. Now, Elise tells me -that Patty told her she didn’t care a snap about -that locket, and she only wore it once or -twice.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And you told Miss Farrington that you -didn’t believe Patty said that?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; but Elise insisted that she did say it, -and somehow I believe Elise. Her words had -the ring of truth.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Thank you, Mr. Harper, for your confidence;” -Mona spoke very earnestly. “Believe -me, you have done no harm in telling me this. -You think it is none of my business, but it is. -You think me a queer girl, and I am. But let -me tell you one thing, Patty Fairfield is a true, -sweet, loyal nature, sound to the core; and Elise -Farrington is not above a trifling deception, -now and then, if she wishes to gain a point. -Please take me back to the house.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They walked the short distance in silence, -Kenneth secretly thinking that Miss Galbraith -was certainly queer; and at the same time wondering -if Elise could have made up that story. -But, as he had said, there was something in -the tone of Elise’s voice, as she repeated Patty’s -words, that convinced him they were true. -With a sigh, he went up the steps by Miss Galbraith’s -side, and then they separated, to join -other partners.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The dance went on, with its merriment and -gaiety, and of course no one would have known -that either Patty or Kenneth had a troubled -mind. Elise was in specially gay spirits, and -Mona seemed to be enjoying herself thoroughly.</p> - -<hr class='tbk105'/> - -<p class='pindent'>“It was a lovely party!” declared Elise, after -it was over and the last guest gone. “It was -just perfect. There wasn’t a flaw! Isn’t that -so, Patty?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I had a good time,” said Patty, a little -wearily; “but I’m awfully tired, and I’m going -right straight to bed. Good-night, everybody; -good-night, Roger,—good-night, Ken.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She nodded pleasantly to the young men, and -started up the stairs at once. Elise and Christine -followed, and, when they reached the upper -hall, Patty bade them a brief but pleasant -good-night and went straight to her own -room.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know what to do,” she thought to -herself, as she took off her pretty blue frock. -“I can’t let the matter go without saying a -word,—and I can’t say anything, because that -would put Elise in the wrong, and she is my -guest! I’ll just have to live it down, I suppose.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But it wasn’t so easily lived down. The next -morning, though Patty tried to be especially -cordial to Kenneth, he avoided her whenever -possible. Not noticeably to the others,—but -Patty realised that he did not seek her company, -or sit by her on the veranda, or ask to -ride with her in the motor.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The morning dragged along, nobody seeming -to have energy enough to propose any sort of -fun.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty’s birthday seems to have been too -much for this crowd,” said Nan, laughingly. -“I propose that you men all go for a swim, -and let these exhausted girlies take a little nap. -I think they danced too late, and I sha’n’t allow -such dissipation again.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I feel fine, Mrs. Fairfield,” declared Elise. -“I never get tired dancing. Do you, Christine?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I didn’t get tired,—I thought it was -a lovely party. I very seldom have an opportunity -to be in such gaieties.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But you’re tired, aren’t you, Patty?” asked -Elise, as Patty sat on the veranda rail, leaning -listlessly against a pillar. Before she had -time to answer, however, a servant came walking -along the drive, whom Patty recognised as -one of the “Red Chimneys” footmen. He -brought a note, which he handed to Patty, -and then, with a deferential bow, he went -away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty asked permission to read the note, -glanced it over, and then tossed it to Roger, -saying, “We seem to be especially favoured!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The note was an invitation for Patty and -Roger to come over to “Red Chimneys” at -once, but no one else was asked.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Come on, Patty,” said Roger; “the others -will excuse us for a little while, I’m sure.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So Patty and Roger walked away by the shortcut -across the two lawns, and found Mona in -the doorway awaiting them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>She smiled as she put her arm around Patty, -and said, “You’re the one I want,—I asked -Mr. Farrington for a blind.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I like that!” exclaimed Roger, looking -incredulous.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, I’ll tell you,” went on Mona, smiling -at him; “the truth is, I want to see Patty privately -on a <span class='it'>very</span> important matter. I didn’t -want to send for her alone, because it looked -so conspicuous. But our private conference -won’t last more than ten minutes, and, if you -can entertain yourself that long, I’ll take care -of you afterward. Here’s the morning paper, -and do try to be patient.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mona didn’t wait for Roger’s response, but, -with her arm still around Patty, led her -to the library, took her in, and closed the -door.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty,” she began, “I’m a queer girl, and -you know it,—and I know it. You don’t like -me very much, but I like you, and I’d do anything -for you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good gracious, Mona! What <span class='it'>are</span> you getting -at?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll tell you exactly what I’m getting at,—and -I’ll tell you right now. I may be queer, -but I can see a hole through a millstone when -anybody I love is concerned. Now, you know -when you and Mr. Van Reypen and I were in -the little arbour last night, we overheard somebody -talking on the other side of the thick -vines.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Really, Mona, I must beg of you not to go -too far, or I may lose my temper!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, no, you won’t, Patty Fairfield! You -just sit still and listen. Now you know, as well -as I do, we weren’t eavesdropping,—any of us,—but -we all heard what Mr. Harper said to -Miss Farrington.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, what of it?” Patty’s face was pale -and her lips were set hard together. She was -thoroughly angry at what she considered -Mona’s unwarrantable interference, and she felt -she could stand but little more.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just this of it! I asked Mr. Harper what -it was that Miss Farrington told him about -you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mona Galbraith! You didn’t!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I certainly did; and, what’s more, he told -me.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Kenneth told you?” said Patty, incredulously.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, he did. And this was it. But perhaps -you don’t want to know what it was.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course I do! Mona, tell me, quick!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Well, he said that Miss Farrington told -him that you didn’t care a snap about the locket -he gave you and that you only wore it once -or twice.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What?” exclaimed Patty. “I don’t quite -understand. The locket Kenneth gave me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“That’s what she said.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, for goodness’ sake! I understand now! -That locket! Why, the idea! Say, Mona, -you’re a trump to find this all out!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You didn’t think so at first.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I didn’t; and I’m sorry! You have -played the part of a real friend, and you’ve -done more for me than you realise! But, oh, -Mona! how <span class='it'>could</span> Elise do a thing like -that?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She’s that sort, that’s all. You know as well -as I do she likes Kenneth Harper an awful lot, -and she knows that he likes you better than -he does her, so she’s trying to set him against -you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Set Kenneth against me? She couldn’t do -it! Dear old Ken, we’re too good friends for -that! But, Mona, how did you find out all -this? You scarcely know these people.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I sized up that Farrington girl the minute -I saw her! She isn’t a bit like her brother. -He’s an all-round, good sort. And the poor -chappie is still out there reading the paper! -He must be devouring the advertisements by -this time. Now, Patty, forget <span class='it'>my</span> part in this -affair, skip over home, make it up with Mr. -Harper, and do whatever you think best with -that Farrington girl.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can’t do anything with her, because she’s -my guest; but I can make it up with Ken in -just about two minutes! And, as for you, -Mona, I don’t know how to thank you!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, cut it out! I’d do heaps more than -that for you, if I only had the chance! Fly -now, for you must know how impatient I am -to go and talk to my new beau, Mr. Farrington.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, after an embrace that was hearty enough -at least to indicate her gratitude, Patty flew.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='254' id='Page_254'></span><h1>CHAPTER XIX</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>PHILIP’S PICNIC</p> - -<p class='pindent'>On Patty’s return she found the veranda -almost deserted. Christine and Mr. -Hepworth, Elise and Mr. Van Reypen -had gone down to the beach. Mr. Fairfield had -gone to the city, and Nan was chatting with -Kenneth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Ducky stepmother of mine,” said Patty, as -she wound her arm around Nan’s neck, “if -you don’t want to monopolise this young man, -I’d like to borrow him for a short time.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You may take him, Patty,” said Nan, with -a resigned sigh. “But I suppose you know you -will leave me alone in a cold world! Your -father has gone to New York.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But, Nan, you ought to have some time to -yourself. Solitude is an awfully good thing -once in a while. Don’t you sort of feel the -need of it now?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I think I do,” said Nan, laughing; “so -you may have Kenneth for a while. What are -you going to do with him?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Take him for a spin,” said Patty, “Come -on, Ken.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kenneth hesitated for a moment. “Don’t -you want to go spinning with Patty, Mrs. Fairfield?” -he said.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, thank you; I have some household matters -to attend to. One can’t have a house party -without occasionally having an eye on domestic -affairs. So, good-bye. Be home in time for -luncheon.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Soon Patty and Kenneth were flying along the -beach road, and the Swift Camilla was living -up to her highest reputation. Patty was driving, -and Kenneth was polite and amiable, but -not merry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>After a time, Patty slowed down speed a -little.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Kenneth,” she said, abruptly, “I’ve something -to say to you, and I’m going to say it -right straight out. You know what Elise told -you that I said about you, or rather about the -locket you gave me?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I know; and, by the way, it seems that -just about everybody else knows, too.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never mind that,” said Patty, knowing that -the boy was annoyed because Mona had interfered -in the matter. “The point is, Ken, that -what Elise told you I said wasn’t entirely -true.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not entirely true? How much of it was -true? Since you seem to know all about her -conversation with me, I suppose she told you.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, she didn’t. Now listen, Ken; I hate, -awfully, to talk against Elise, but I’ve simply -got to stand up for my own rights in this thing. -I did tell her that I only wore that locket once -or twice, but I <span class='it'>didn’t</span> tell her that I didn’t care -anything about it. For I do. I care a great -deal about it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then, why don’t you wear it oftener?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll be perfectly frank with you, Ken. It’s -just because that locket with your picture in -it was too,—well, too personal a sort of present -for you to give me, or for me to wear.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You took it!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; after I’d asked father, and he told me -I might, but you know I went away with Elise -then, to Paris, and every time she saw it she -pretended that it meant a great deal more than -it did. Of course, it was only a token of our -boy and girl friendship, but she chose to pretend -it meant romance and sentiment and all -those things.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But since it meant and still means our boy -and girl friendship, I think you might wear it -sometimes.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I see I’ll have to tell you the whole story,” -said Patty, with a little sigh. “Well, last -Christmas Elise bought a seal ring for Roger, -and then, at the last minute, she decided she’d -like to give it to you, and she asked my advice -about it. I told her it was too personal a -present for a girl to give a young man, and -I didn’t think she ought to do it. It wasn’t -that I didn’t want her to give you a nice present, -but I didn’t think it looked right for -her to give you that kind of a one. I -told her to get you books, or something like -that.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What’s all this got to do with the locket?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, Elise said that I needn’t talk about -personal presents, after I had accepted from -you a locket with your picture in it. And so I -told her that that was very different, as we were -old friends, and, anyhow, I had only worn it -once or twice. But I didn’t say I didn’t care -anything for it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kenneth’s face cleared, and he turned toward -Patty with an honest, beaming smile.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s all right, Patty; I see through it now. -Elise did try to make me think you had said -something mean, but you didn’t, and I felt -sure you hadn’t.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You didn’t feel <span class='it'>quite</span> sure, Ken.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I’m ashamed to say I didn’t, at first, -but that was because I was so hurt at what I -was told you had said. But it’s all right now, -and I know you’ll forgive me, like the trump -you are. I’d grasp your strong right hand, -if I weren’t afraid that would make you steer -us both into the ocean.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll consider it grasped. And I’m downright -glad that we’re good chums again, for I -hate to have squabbles with anybody, and I -almost never do.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I know it, Patty; you’re a sweet-tempered -little thing, and I was a mean-spirited coward -to believe for a minute that you’d say anything -unkind about any of your friends.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Especially you, Ken;” and Patty flashed him -a glance of comradeship. “But it was Mona -who fixed this thing up for us.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Isn’t she a queer girl? She’s so blunt, and -yet very few girls could have done what she -did for you, Patty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I know it; and I do appreciate it, and I shall -always love her for it. But, Ken, what can I -say to Elise?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t say anything, Patty; that’s the best -way.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And, if she ever tries again to lower me in -your esteem, what then?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“She won’t succeed! I’ve had my little -lesson.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Good for you, Ken! If you ever have -reason to think that I said anything mean -about you, you come and ask me about -it,—because Mona may not be around next -time.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I will, indeed, Patty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And then, peace being thoroughly established, -the trouble passed out of their minds forever, -and the old chummy relations were resumed. -They had a beautiful drive along the coast, -and, when they got back to “The Pebbles,” it -was nearly lunch time. They found the whole -crowd assembled on the veranda, and Mr. Van -Reypen seemed to be spokesman at a very important -conference.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’ll be the most fun of anything you ever -saw!” he declared. “A real old-fashioned -picnic! None of your modern country-club affairs. -But a tablecloth spread on the ground, -and sandwiches and devilled eggs, and a campfire -to boil the coffee, and lemonade, and hopper-grasses -hopping in the pie, and everything just -as it should be! Oh, gorgeous!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why sit on the ground?” asked Christine. -“Aren’t there any benches in the picnic place?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’re not going to a picnic grounds, little -girl,” Mr. Van Reypen informed her; “we’re -going to a real, live woods; to the darksome -depths of a dingley dell.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Tell us all about it!” cried Patty, as she -and Kenneth joined the group.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Entirely my own invention!” cried Philip; -“it’s a picnic I’m arranging for to-morrow, -and I’d be honoured if you two would deign -to attend.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We will that!” exclaimed Patty; “but I -heard something about grasshoppers. Do we -have to have those?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No; if you prefer, you can have ants or -spiders. But you can’t have a real picnic without -some such attachments. Now listen to what -I’ve planned! It’s just too lovely! I’ve engaged -three runabouts from the amiable garage -man over forninst. Camilla will make four, -and, if Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield will lead the -parade in their own car, we’ll have an imposing -procession.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not I!” cried Nan, gaily. “If you young -people want to go on this entomological picnic, -I’ve not the slightest objection. And I’ll see -that you have enough sandwiches and devilled -eggs to feed both yourselves and the grasshoppers, -but I’ll have to ask you to excuse my husband -and myself from attending.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“The only regrets I’ve had so far,” said -Philip; “anybody else who don’t want to -go?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But the others all declared that the plan was -perfect, and they wouldn’t miss the picnic for -anything.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Now, I’ll run the whole show,” went on -Philip. “You understand it’s my picnic entirely, -and I’m host, and master of ceremonies, -and chief engineer. I shall provide the entire -luncheon, and, with due respects and thanks to -Mrs. Fairfield for her offer of hard-boiled eggs, -I must decline it, as I shall get all those things -from the pleasant-faced and generously proportioned -lady who is queen of the kitchen over -at my hotel.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>They all professed themselves satisfied to let -Mr. Van Reypen take full charge of his own -picnic, and all expressed perfect willingness to -be merely passengers. Mona was present, as -usual, and was of course included in the invitation. -She was enthusiastic in her delight at the -prospect, and, quite forgetting to go home to -luncheon, she accepted Nan’s invitation to lunch -at “The Pebbles.”</p> - -<hr class='tbk106'/> - -<p class='pindent'>The next day proved an ideal one for Philip’s -picnic. They were to start about ten o’clock, -for he informed them the particular dingley -dell he had in mind was a fairly long distance -off.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>So, promptly at ten o’clock, he came over to -“The Pebbles” in a runabout, accompanied by -a chauffeur. He was followed by two other -runabouts, each in charge of a chauffeur.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The picnic party stood on the veranda, not -quite sure what the arrangements were to be, -but laughingly declaring they were ready to follow -orders.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“First,” said Mr. Van Reypen, “I’ll load up -this car;” and into the first runabout he assisted -Miss Galbraith, and bade Roger Farrington -get in beside her. Needless to say, these two -were well satisfied, and went spinning off down -the road.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Next, turning to Mr. Hepworth, he asked him -if he could drive a car.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“An electric? Yes,” said Mr. Hepworth.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Because, if you don’t want to drive it, this -car will hold three, and you can take a -chauffeur,” said Philip, who had provided for -every emergency.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I prefer to drive,” said Mr. Hepworth, -quietly, and then Philip said: “All right; and -I give you Miss Farley for a companion. Don’t -quarrel on the way.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And so, with Christine, Mr. Hepworth drove -away, and Philip turned to the others.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I hardly know how to divide up the rest -of us,” he said, stroking his chin, thoughtfully, -“but I’ll try it this way. Harper, will you -take Miss Farrington in this very pretty-looking -new runabout?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>It was an awkward situation, though Philip -didn’t know it. Elise was delighted with the -plan, and beamed all over her face as she took -the seat indicated. Kenneth was not at all -pleased, and it was really with difficulty that -he refrained from showing it. But Patty gave -him a pleading look, as if begging him to make -the best of the situation, and so, with what was -apparently hearty good-will, he took his seat -beside Elise, saying, “All right, here goes for -a fine ride!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Kenneth was fond of driving a car, and, not -owning one himself, he rarely had the opportunity; -so Patty felt sure he would enjoy the -trip quite irrespective of who might be beside -him. And, as Patty realised, there was no other -way to arrange the couples from Mr. Van -Reypen’s viewpoint, for she knew from the -beginning that he intended to ride with -her.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I declare, I’m a car short!” exclaimed -Philip, as Kenneth and Elise drove away. “I -should have ordered four cars, and I only engaged -three! We’ll have to stay at home! -Shall you mind?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Patty, mischievously, “I don’t -mind. I’ll read aloud to you, if you like.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It seems too bad for me not to go when it’s -my own picnic,” said Philip, musingly. “You -don’t happen to know of any little motor car -we could use, do you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We might take Camilla,” suggested Patty, -in a dubious tone.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Just the thing! Say we do? How clever -of you to think of that!” and, as Patty broke -into peals of laughter at his foolishness, Philip -flew down the steps and around to the garage, -returning in a moment with Camilla, which -Miller was impatiently holding in readiness.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m going to drive,” Philip announced, -calmly.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right, I don’t care; but, then, you must -let me drive coming home. I declare, with a -house party, I almost never get a chance to -drive my own car!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never mind! Your horrid old house party -will soon be going, and then you can drive all -you like.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It isn’t a horrid old house party! It’s a -lovely, sweet, delicious house party, and I wish -it would stay forever!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“This part of it will, if you give him the -slightest encouragement.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I don’t want part of it unless I have it -all! I had no idea house parties were such -fun. I think we’re having beautiful times, don’t -you?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Yes; since you’ve made up with young Harper;” -and Philip’s eyes twinkled.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Why, what do you mean?” exclaimed Patty, -blushing pink. “How did you know anything -about it?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I didn’t, and I don’t, and I don’t want to! -But when I see my little hostess going around -with a sad and forlorn expression on her face, -and one of her guests looking as if he’d lost his -last friend, and then they both go for a motor -ride and come back jubilantly chummy,—why, -then,—I Sherlock it out that they’ve had a -squabble and a make-up! Am I altogether -wrong?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not altogether,” said Patty, demurely.</p> - -<div><span class='pageno' title='267' id='Page_267'></span><h1>CHAPTER XX</h1></div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:0.9em;'>A NARROW ESCAPE</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The picnic was the real thing. That is, -it was the real old-fashioned sort of a -picnic, and it was therefore a novelty -to most of its participants.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty had been on many motor picnics, where -elaborate luncheons were served by white-garbed -waiters, with the same appointments of -silver, glass, and china that she would use at -home. But not since her Vernondale days had -she attended this sort of picnic. There were -no servants. The simple but appetising luncheon -was spread on a tablecloth laid on the grass, -and, true to tradition, a grasshopper now and -then leaped in among the viands, or an audacious -spider <a id='att'></a>attempted to approach the feast. -But these were few and easily vanquished by -the brave and valiant men of the party.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The men, too, proved themselves capable in -the arts of fire-building and coffee-making, so -that Patty, who was a born cook and loved it, -found no use for her talent. So she and the -other girls set the table as daintily as they -could with the primitive means at their command, -and decorated it prettily with wild -flowers.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“As a rule,” said Elise, as she sat with a -sandwich in one hand and a glass of lemonade -in the other, “I like silver forks and china -plates at a picnic, but, for once, I do think -these wooden butter plates and paper napkins -are rather fun. What do you think, Patty?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Far be it from me to cast reflections on the -goods my host provides, but, generally speaking, -I confess I like my table a few feet above -the over-attentive population of Mother -Earth.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, pshaw, Patty!” exclaimed Philip. -“You’re no kind of a sport! You’re a pampered -darling of luxurious modernity.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Gracious! What an awful thing to be!” -cried Patty, in mock dismay.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“And, anyway, Patty,” said the blunt Mona, -“if you hadn’t put all those old weedy flowers -on the tablecloth, there wouldn’t be any ants -and things. They’ve mostly come out of your -decorations.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I believe you’re right,” said Patty, laughing. -“So the picnic is a success after all, -and it’s only our decorations that made any -trouble.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then they all ate heartily of the feast, and -there was much laughter and merriment, and -afterward they sat round the fire and told -stories and sang songs, and they all declared -it was the very nicest picnic ever was, and they -were sorry when it was time to go home.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“But we must be going,” Patty said, “for I -promised Nan we’d be home in ample time to -dress for dinner, and it’s a fairly long ride.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Do we go back the same way we came?” -asked Elise, looking at Philip with an arch air -of enquiry.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Go back any way you please, fair lady,” he -replied. “The way we came is the shortest, but -there is a longer way round, if you prefer it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I don’t mean that,” said Elise. “I mean -do we go with the same partners?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I do,” declared Philip, “and Miss Fairfield -does. The rest of you may do just as you -choose.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Then I think we’ll go as we came,” said -Elise, with an air of satisfaction.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The simplicity of Philip’s picnic made it an -easy matter to pack up to go home, as there -was little beside the tablecloth to take with -them, and so they were soon ready for the -homeward trip.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>As host, Philip sent off the other cars first, -and, after they were all started, he stepped into -the Swift Camilla, beside Patty, who was already -in the driving seat.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m going to drive home, you know,” she -said. “I’m simply dying to get hold of this -steering bar once more.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right; you may drive, but let’s go round -the other route; it’s only a little bit longer.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How much longer?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Not more than a mile or two,—two at the -most.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Are you sure of that?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Positive!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“All right; then we’ve time enough. Where -do we turn off?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“At this next turn to the left. That takes -us around past Berry Hill, and so on around -by Blue Lake.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes, I know the way after we reach -Blue Lake. Here we go, then!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty took the turn Philip had indicated, and, -as she did so, she caught the last glimpse of the -other three cars disappearing in the distance -as they went home by the same road they came.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The road she had turned into was far more -picturesque and beautiful, and, as this portion -of it was new to her, she was delighted to -see it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What high hills!” she exclaimed. “Why, -they’re almost mountains!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Hardly that; but they are fairly high hills, -to be so near the seashore. Don’t you want me -to drive, Patty? This road has sharp corners, -and around these hills it’s hard to see anybody -coming.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, I’ll drive and you keep a watch out. -We haven’t met a car yet.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, and I wonder at it. Usually there are -lots of racers and touring cars along here. But, -of course, it’s early in the season for them.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“How is that you are so familiar with this -locality? You seem to know all about it.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I spent a summer down here some years ago. -That’s how I knew where that picnic ground is. -Look out, there’s a bad place in the road!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But Patty had already seen it, and was skilfully -steering so as to avoid it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You see everything,” said Philip, admiringly; -“you’re a wonderful little motorist! I -never saw anybody drive better than you do; -and so easily, too. Merciful Heavens!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty gave a jump at Philip’s excited exclamation, -and saw, straight in front of her, an immense -red car at full speed. It had swung -around a sharp angle, and could not possibly -have been seen by them until it burst on their -vision not twenty yards away. They had -heard no signal, which was culpable carelessness -on the part of the driver of the big car, -and perhaps Patty was equally culpable in not -having sounded her own horn.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>But this was no time to think of such matters, -for they were really in perilous danger. -The driver of the big car did nothing to avert -disaster. It could not be he was indifferent to -the awful situation; he looked more as if he -were stunned by the sudden realisation of it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty was absolutely paralysed with fear. She -realised fully their plight, she knew that nothing -could save them from instant and terrible -collision, and her muscles were absolutely powerless -to move.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The short distance between the two cars diminished -like lightning, and neither car had -swerved from a straight line leading to the -other.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty tried to shriek, but her stiffened tongue -gave forth no sound.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>At sight of the big car, Philip Van Reypen -was stunned also. But, in an instant, he recovered -his senses, and, in another instant, he had -shot out his right hand and, seizing the controller -handle, pushed it backward with a force -that nearly crushed Patty’s hand that held it. -Then, grasping the steering bar with his other -hand, he swerved the car over to the right, -blindly trying to find the reverse lever with his -foot.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Then happened what Philip knew would happen. -The Camilla banged into a sheer cliff -of rock, but took it sideways. He grasped -Patty as the car stopped, and they were both -jolted backward.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>By presence of mind and quick action, he had -run the car into the cliff, causing thereby a -minor smash-up, instead of meeting the big red -car in a head-on collision, which would surely -have meant fatality.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Patty was very white, but she did not faint. -The shock restored her numbed senses, and -she turned to Philip with a glance of perfect -understanding of what he had done.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Patty,” he whispered, in a tense voice, -“thank Heaven you’re safe!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It was a miracle, Philip; but you did it yourself! -I knew it at the time, my brain worked -perfectly, but my muscles were paralysed by -fear. Oh, suppose yours had been, too!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I could have done better if I could have -sensed the thing an instant sooner. For a -second my brain wouldn’t work, and then I saw -my way clear, like a flash, but it was too late! -I hadn’t time to back or to get across in front -of the car. It was either to run into this cliff, -or have that immense machine run into us.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It was splendid!” said Patty, the tears coming -to her eyes; and then the reaction from the -shock came, and she burst into violent sobbing.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t, Patty; don’t do that,” said Philip, -in a pained voice, and Patty looked up, smiling -through her tears.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’m not really crying,” she said; “it’s just -a foolish reaction, and I can’t help it. I’m sorry -to be so silly, but I’m just a little hysterical -from,—from joy, you know.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“You behaved splendidly, Patty! If you had -moved hand or foot, we would have been -dashed to pieces. It was only because I could -get full command of the controller and the -steering bar that I could manage at all. If you -had given a convulsive push the other way,—well, -never mind that! But I expect I crushed -your hand when I grasped the controller. I -had to, to make sure that you didn’t jerk it the -other way unintentionally.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I guess you did hurt my hand;” and Patty -held it up to see. Sure enough, black and blue -bruises already appeared on fingers and palm.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Poor little hand,” said Philip, taking it in -his own. “I’m so sorry, Patty.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t talk to me like that!” exclaimed -Patty, “as if I were a molly-coddle! I’m glad -you smashed my hand, as that was the only -way to save us from——”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“From certain death,” said Philip, gravely.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And then they heard a motor coming behind -them, and, looking up, found a good-sized touring -car, which was about to pass them, but had -stopped at their side.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Want help?” called out a cheery voice, and -Philip answered, “Indeed, we do!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The stranger jumped out of his car, and came -over to inspect the Camilla.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I ought to get out,” whispered Philip. “Are -you brave enough to sit here alone, Patty?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Of course; Camilla can’t run away now!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Philip and the other man looked about to see -what had really happened to Patty’s car. There -was not so much damage as it seemed at first, -for, with the exception of a smashed mudguard, -and some dents and bruises, nothing was broken, -except the shaft drive axle. But this, of course, -rendered the car helpless as to her motor, -though her running gear was all right.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I’ll give you a tow,” said the stranger heartily. -“Where do you want to go?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“To Spring Beach,” answered Philip. “Are -you going that way?”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“I can go that way as well as not, and, when -people come as near death and destruction as -you people did, I think it’s only human to take -you home. Perfect marvel, though, how you -escaped with so little injury to the car!”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Perfect marvel how we escaped at all!” said -Philip. “I did what I could, but, when I see -the narrow margin we had on either side, I -wonder we weren’t smashed to bits, anyway.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It is a wonder!” said the stranger. “Most -marvellous thing I ever saw,—and I’ve seen -lots of motor accidents. My name’s Hampton,—Henry -Hampton,—and now, if you’ll help me -rig up the tow, I’ll pull you home.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>And so, after a short time, Philip and Patty, -still seated in the damaged Camilla, went swiftly -along, towed by kind-hearted Henry Hampton’s -powerful car.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Of course, when they reached “The Pebbles,” -an anxious crowd awaited them.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“It’s getting to be sort of a habit, our getting -home late, with an accident to report,” said -Philip, as they turned in the gate, and Patty -couldn’t help smiling, though her nerves were -still tingling from the recent shock, and from -the realisation of their wonderful escape.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The laughing crowd on the veranda grew suddenly -still as they saw a strange motor enter the -gate with the Camilla in tow.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“What has happened?” cried Nan, as they -came within hearing distance.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“We’re all right, father!” called out Patty, -anxious to allay the look of fear and consternation -on her father’s face.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Patty, dear child, what is it?” exclaimed -Mr. Fairfield, as he lifted Patty, still white -and trembling, out of the car.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“An accident, father,—an awful accident! -And Philip was the hero this time; he saved -my life, and he did it in a most wonderful way! -I’ll tell you about it sometime, but I can’t now;” -and Patty fell limply into her father’s arms.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Never mind, darling, it’s all right,” said Mr. -Fairfield, soothingly, as he kissed the pale brow, -and carried Patty up the steps and into the -house. He laid her on a couch, and, under -Nan’s gentle ministrations, she soon revived.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Meantime, Henry Hampton was telling the -tale as he had understood it.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Mighty slick piece of work!” he said. -“Never saw anything like it in my life! That -young fellow ought to have medals pinned all -over him.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There, there, Mr. Hampton, that’ll be about -all,” said Philip, trying to shut off the tide of -compliments from the stranger.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“No, ’taint about all!” declared Mr. Hampton, -wagging his head, “but I guess the little -lady can tell you the story, once she feels like -herself again. I must be gettin’ along now, -but I just want to remark, edgewise, that I’ve -seen lots of pluck and bravery in my day, but -for hair-trigger intellect, coolheadedness, pluck, -and plumb bravery, I never saw such an exhibition -as this here chap put up to-day! Good-afternoon, -all;” and, with a wave of his hand, -Mr. Hampton went away.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Philip was the hero of the hour, but he would -not admit that he had done anything praiseworthy -or unusual.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“There was only one thing to do,” he said; -“only one possible chance to take, and of course -I took it; and almost by a miracle it went -through all right, and we smashed the car, but -saved our lives.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“Don’t you listen to him!” called out Patty. -“You people come in here, and I’ll tell you all -about it! I was driving, and it was next to -impossible for Philip to get hold of the bars, -across <span class='it'>me</span>. But he did it! and he did it in time! -and he did it exactly right! And I just sat there -paralysed with fear, and unable to move. But -I suppose you don’t expect a girl to be very -brave,—and I sort of collapsed, I know. But -Philip is a hero, and I want him appreciated -as such.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>“He is, Patty dear,” said her father; “and, -though he’s awfully modest himself about his -brave deed, he has the honour and respect and -gratitude of all of us for his wonderful quickness -of brain and hand that saved his own life,—and -that of my little girl.”</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Mr. Fairfield’s voice broke as he folded Patty -in his arms, and he kissed her with all of a father’s -love for the treasure he had so nearly -lost.</p> - -<hr class='tbk107'/> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.5em;'>Melody Lane Mystery Stories</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>By LILIAN GARIS</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Thrills, secrets, ghosts—adventures that will fascinate -you seem to surround pretty Carol Duncan. A vivid, plucky -girl, her cleverness at solving mysteries will captivate and -thrill every mystery fan.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The author has written many popular mystery stories -for girls and in this new series Mrs. Garis is at her best.</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE GHOST OF MELODY LANE</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>Mystery surrounds the great organ in the home of the “Cameo -Lady”—beloved friend of Carol and sponsor of the girls’ Choral -Club. Three people see the “ghost” that wanders in the grove -carrying a waxy white rose. And Carol finds the rose! In the end -she finds the ghost too!</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE FORBIDDEN TRAIL</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>There was a tradition at “Splatter Castle” on Melody Lane, -and Marah Splartier, eccentric aunt of Veronica Flint determined -to protect Vera from following the long line of family tragedies -that had had their beginning on the “forbidden trail.” Carol has -several bad frights before she clears up the mystery that keeps the -little family at Splatter Castle unhappy and afraid.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE TOWER SECRET</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>The winking lights flashing from the old tower on the grounds -of the Bonds’ new home defy explanation. There is no one in the -tower—and no electric power or connections! Had the engaging -circus family that Carol befriended anything to do with the mystery? -And what interest had Parsnips, the queer old farmer, in -the “ghost” tower?</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class='it'>Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> - -<hr class='tbk108'/> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.5em;'>DANA GIRLS MYSTERY STORIES</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>By CAROLYN KEENE</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Impetuous, delightful Jean Dana and her charming, -serious minded sister Louise find themselves in the midst -of several mysteries, when they attempt to aid people who -are in trouble. Thrilling moments come to the girls as -they follow up clue after clue in an endeavor to untangle -the knotty problems in which they become enmeshed.</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>BY THE LIGHT OF THE STUDY LAMP</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>A stolen study lamp, a fortune teller, and a distressed schoolmate -provide plenty of excitement for the Dana girls before they -locate the persons responsible for many mysterious happenings.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE SECRET AT LONE TREE COTTAGE</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>While the girls are at Starhurst School, they learn that their -beloved English teacher has vanished in a strange manner. In -tracing her, Jean and Louise are able to aid the frantic relatives of a -dear little curly-haired tot, but not before they themselves are in -danger of disappearing.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>IN THE SHADOW OF THE TOWER</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>The mingling of unusual characters, who have life interests -very different from one another, lends excitement and intrigue to a -Christmas vacation of the Dana girls. Their ability to fit together -the pieces of a strange puzzle brings happiness to several persons.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class='sc'>Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> - -<hr class='tbk109'/> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.5em;'>THE JUDY BOLTON</p> -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.5em;'>MYSTERY STORIES</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>By MARGARET SUTTON</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Here is a new series of mystery stories for girls by an -author who knows the kind of stories every girl wants to -read—mystery of the “shivery” sort, adventure that makes -the nerves tingle, clever “detecting” and a new lovable -heroine, Judy Bolton, whom all girls will take to their -hearts at once.</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE VANISHING SHADOW</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>Judy’s safety is threatened by a gang of crooks who think she -knows too much about their latest “deal.” She is constantly pursued -by a mysterious shadow which vanishes before she can get a -glimpse of its owner.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE HAUNTED ATTIC</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>The Boltons move into a large rambling house reputed to be -haunted. Even the brave Judy who has looked forward to “spooky” -goings on is thoroughly frightened at the strange scrapings and -rappings and the eery “crying ghost.”</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE INVISIBLE CHIMES</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>Through an automobile accident a strange girl is taken into the -Bolton household—the whole family becomes attached to her and -interested in her story. Judy tracks down many clues before she -finally uncovers the real identity of “Honey.”</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>SEVEN STRANGE CLUES</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>Judy gets to the bottom of a mystery that centers around a -prize poster contest and a fire in the school building—through -seven baffling clues that hold the key to the answer.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE GHOST PARADE</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>Seven monster heads—Indian totems—provide mystery and -humor and adventure in this thrilling story.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE YELLOW PHANTOM</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>With her quick thinking and courage Judy rescues a lost friend -and solves the mystery of “Golden Girl.”</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE MYSTIC BALL</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>Irene, the “engaged girl,” is frightened by a crystal-gazer but -Judy exposes the trickery and saves her friend’s romance.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class='it'>Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> - -<hr class='tbk110'/> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.5em;'>THE NANCY DREW MYSTERY</p> -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.5em;'>STORIES</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>By CAROLYN KEENE</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;'>Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Here is a thrilling series of mystery stories for girls. -Nancy Drew, ingenious, alert, is the daughter of a -famous criminal lawyer and she herself is deeply interested -in his mystery cases. Her interest involves her -often in some very dangerous and exciting situations.</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>Nancy, unaided, seeks to locate a missing will and finds herself -in the midst of adventure.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>Mysterious happenings in an old stone mansion lead to an investigation -by Nancy.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE BUNGALOW MYSTERY</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>Nancy has some perilous experiences around a deserted bungalow.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE MYSTERY AT LILAC INN</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>Quick thinking and quick action were needed for Nancy to extricate -herself from a dangerous situation.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE SECRET AT SHADOW RANCH</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>On a vacation in Arizona Nancy uncovers an old mystery and -solves it.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE SECRET OF RED GATE FARM</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>Nancy exposes the doings of a secret society on an isolated farm.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE CLUE IN THE DIARY</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>A fascinating and exciting story of a search for a clue to a surprising -mystery.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>NANCY’S MYSTERIOUS LETTER</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>Nancy receives a letter informing her that she is heir to a fortune. -This story tells of her search for another Nancy Drew.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE SIGN OF THE TWISTED CANDLES</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>Nancy, as mediator in a generation-old feud, divulges an unknown -birthright.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>THE PASSWORD TO LARKSPUR LANE</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<p class='pindent'>A carrier pigeon furnishes Nancy with a clue to a mysterious -retreat.</p> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK</p> - -<hr class='tbk111'/> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.5em;'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>By LAURA LEE HOPE</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;'>Author of The Outdoor Girls Series</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;'>Illustrated by Thelma Gooch</p> - -<p class='pindent'>The Blythe Girls, three in number, were left alone in -New York City. Helen, who went in for art and music, -kept the little flat uptown, while Margy, just out of business -school, obtained a position as secretary and Rose, -plain-spoken and business like, took what she called a -“job” in a department store. The experiences of these -girls make fascinating reading—life in the great metropolis -is thrilling and full of strange adventures and surprises.</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<div class='lgl' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE</p> -<p class='line'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY’S QUEER INHERITANCE</p> -<p class='line'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE’S GREAT PROBLEM</p> -<p class='line'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN’S STRANGE BOARDER</p> -<p class='line'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION</p> -<p class='line'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY’S SECRET MISSION</p> -<p class='line'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE’S ODD DISCOVERY</p> -<p class='line'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HELEN</p> -<p class='line'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: SNOWBOUND IN CAMP</p> -<p class='line'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY’S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR</p> -<p class='line'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE’S HIDDEN TALENT</p> -<p class='line'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN’S WONDERFUL MISTAKE</p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class='it'>Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> - -<hr class='tbk112'/> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.5em;'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>By LAURA LEE HOPE</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;'>Author of “The Blythe Girls Books.”</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;'>Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>These are the adventures of a group of bright, -fun-loving, up-to-date girls who have a common -bond in their fondness for outdoor life, camping, -travel and adventure. There is excitement and -humor in these stories and girls will find in them -the kind of pleasant associations that they seek to -create among their own friends and chums.</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<div class='lgl' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GULLS AT FOAMING FALLS</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ALONG THE COAST</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT SPRING HILL FARM</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT NEW MOON RANCH</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A HIKE</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A CANOE TRIP</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT CEDAR RIDGE</p> -<p class='line'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE AIR</p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class='it'>Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> - -<hr class='tbk113'/> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.5em;'>THE LILIAN GARIS BOOKS</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;'>Illustrated. Every Volume Complete in Itself.</p> - -<p class='pindent'>Among her “fan” letters Lilian Garis receives some flattering -testimonials of her girl readers’ interest in her stories. -From a class of thirty comes a vote of twenty-five naming -her as their favorite author. Perhaps it is the element of -live mystery that Mrs. Garis always builds her stories upon, -or perhaps it is because the girls easily can translate her -own sincere interest in themselves from the stories. At -any rate her books prosper through the changing conditions -of these times, giving pleasure, satisfaction, and, -incidentally, that tactful word of inspiration, so important -in literature for young girls. Mrs. Garis prefers to call her -books “juvenile novels” and in them romance is never -lacking.</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<div class='lgl' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'>JUDY JORDAN</p> -<p class='line'>JUDY JORDAN’S DISCOVERY</p> -<p class='line'>SALLY FOR SHORT</p> -<p class='line'>SALLY FOUND OUT</p> -<p class='line'>A GIRL CALLED TED</p> -<p class='line'>TED AND TONY, TWO GIRLS OF TODAY</p> -<p class='line'>CLEO’S MISTY RAINBOW</p> -<p class='line'>CLEO’S CONQUEST</p> -<p class='line'>BARBARA HALE</p> -<p class='line'>BARBARA HALE’S MYSTERY FRIEND</p> -<p class='line'>NANCY BRANDON</p> -<p class='line'>NANCY BRANDON’S MYSTERY</p> -<p class='line'>CONNIE LORING</p> -<p class='line'>CONNIE LORING’S GYPSY FRIEND</p> -<p class='line'>JOAN: JUST GIRL</p> -<p class='line'>JOAN’S GARDEN OF ADVENTURE</p> -<p class='line'>GLORIA: A GIRL AND HER DAD</p> -<p class='line'>GLORIA AT BOARDING SCHOOL</p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class='it'>Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> - -<hr class='tbk114'/> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.5em;'>The Children’s Favorite Series</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>FOR BOYS AND GIRLS OF EVERY AGE</p> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;'>These books belong in every home where there are children</p> - -<div class='blockquote'> - -<div class='lgl' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'>Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The <span class='it'>Mark Twain</span></p> -<p class='line'>Alice in Wonderland <span class='it'>Lewis Carroll</span></p> -<p class='line'>America <span class='it'>Robert W. Chambers</span></p> -<p class='line'>Black Beauty <span class='it'>Anna Sewell</span></p> -<p class='line'>Eight Cousins <span class='it'>Louisa May Alcott</span></p> -<p class='line'>Hans Brinker <span class='it'>Mary Mapes Dodge</span></p> -<p class='line'>Heidi <span class='it'>Johanna Spyri</span></p> -<p class='line'>Helen’s Babies <span class='it'>John Habberton</span></p> -<p class='line'>Last of the Mohicans, The <span class='it'>James F. Cooper</span></p> -<p class='line'>Light House at the End of the World, The <span class='it'>Jules Verne</span></p> -<p class='line'>Little Lame Prince, The <span class='it'>Miss Mullock</span></p> -<p class='line'>Little Men <span class='it'>Louisa M. Alcott</span></p> -<p class='line'>Little Minister <span class='it'>Sir James Barrie</span></p> -<p class='line'>Little Women <span class='it'>Louisa May Alcott</span></p> -<p class='line'>Mr. Midshipman Easy <span class='it'>Captain Marryat</span></p> -<p class='line'>Mysterious Island, The <span class='it'>Jules Verne</span></p> -<p class='line'>Old Fashioned Girl, An <span class='it'>Louisa May Alcott</span></p> -<p class='line'>Oliver Twist <span class='it'>Charles Dickens</span></p> -<p class='line'>Oregon Trail, The <span class='it'>Francis Parkman</span></p> -<p class='line'>Pilgrim’s Progress, The <span class='it'>John Bunyan</span></p> -<p class='line'>Pinocchio <span class='it'>C. Collodi</span></p> -<p class='line'>Robinson Crusoe <span class='it'>Daniel Defoe</span></p> -<p class='line'>Rose in Bloom <span class='it'>Louisa May Alcott</span></p> -<p class='line'>Scarlet Letter <span class='it'>Nathaniel Hawthorne</span></p> -<p class='line'>Spy, The <span class='it'>James F. Cooper</span></p> -<p class='line'>Story of a Bad Boy, The <span class='it'>Thomas Bailey Aldrich</span></p> -<p class='line'>Swiss Family Robinson <span class='it'>Johann R. Wyss</span></p> -<p class='line'>Tales from Shakespeare <span class='it'>Charles and Mary Lamb</span></p> -<p class='line'>Tom Brown’s School Days <span class='it'>Thomas Hughes</span></p> -<p class='line'>Treasure Island <span class='it'>Robert Louis Stevenson</span></p> -<p class='line'>Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea <span class='it'>Jules Verne</span></p> -<p class='line'>Two Years Before the Mast <span class='it'>Richard Henry Dana</span></p> -<p class='line'>Uncle Tom’s Cabin <span class='it'>Harriet Beecher Stowe</span></p> -<p class='line'>Under the Lilacs <span class='it'>Louisa May Alcott</span></p> -<p class='line'>The White Company <span class='it'>Arthur Conan Doyle</span></p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - -</div> - -<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>GROSSET & DUNLAP, <span class='it'>Publishers</span>, NEW YORK</p> - -<hr class='tbk115'/> - -<p class='line' style='margin-top:2em;font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;'><a id='notes'></a>Transcriber’s Notes:</p> - -<p class='noindent'>Hyphenation has been retained as in the original. Punctuation -has been corrected without note. Other errors have been corrected as noted -below:</p> - -<div class='lgl' style=''> <!-- rend=';' --> -<p class='line'> </p> -<p class='line'>page 106, many jewelled pines; ==> many jewelled <a href='#pin'>pins</a>;</p> -<p class='line'>page 138, you’re right, fathery ==> you’re right, <a href='#fat'>father</a></p> -<p class='line'>page 267, spider attemped to ==> spider <a href='#att'>attempted</a> to</p> -</div> <!-- end rend --> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Patty's Motor Car, by Carolyn Wells - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PATTY'S MOTOR CAR *** - -***** This file should be named 52964-h.htm or 52964-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/9/6/52964/ - -Produced by Mardi Desjardins & the online Distributed -Proofreaders Canada team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net from -page images generously made available by The HathiTrust -Digital Library (https://www.hathitrust.org/) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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