Patty's Suitors Page 10

  CHAPTER X

  QUARANTINED

  "Tired?" asked Mrs. Perry, as she welcomed Patty to her side.

  "A little; I love to dance, but a long program does weary me. Are wegoing home soon?"

  "Whenever you like, dear."

  "Oh, not until the others are ready. There goes Marie. She's having alovely time to-night. Isn't she a pretty thing?--and so popular."

  Patty's admiration was sincere and honest, and Marie's dark, glowingbeauty was well worthy of commendation.

  But seeing Patty sitting by Mrs. Perry, Marie came to them, when thedance ended, and declared that she was quite ready to go home, althoughthe program wasn't finished.

  "What's all this about?" inquired Kit Cameron, coming up to them. "Gohome? Not a bit of it! There are a lot of dances yet."

  "Well, you stay for them if you like, Kit," said his sister, rising."I'm going to take these girls away. They've danced quite enough, andit's time they went home."

  "Whither thou all goest, I will go also," said Cameron. "Where'sHarper?"

  Kenneth and Dick Perry came along then, and both men expressed theirwillingness to go home.

  Patty was rather silent during the homeward way, and indeed, as allwere more or less weary, there was little gay conversation.

  As they entered the house, Nora, the parlour-maid, appeared to taketheir wraps.

  "Where is Babette?" asked Mrs. Perry, surprised to see Nora in place ofher French maid.

  "Sure she's sick, Mrs. Perry; she do be feelin' that bad, she had to goto bed. So she bid me do the best I can for the young ladies."

  "I'm sorry to hear Babette is ill; I must go and see her at once." AndMrs. Perry went away toward the servants' quarters.

  She returned shortly, saying Babette had a bad cold and a slight fever,but that her symptoms were not alarming.

  "But I'm sorry you girls can't have her services to-night," Mrs. Perrywent on.

  "It doesn't matter a bit," said Patty; "I'd be sorry for myself, if Icouldn't get in and out of my own clothes! Don't think of it, Mrs.Perry."

  They all went up to their rooms, and though Nora did her best to assistPatty, her unskilful help bothered more than it aided. So she kindlydismissed the girl, and catching up a kimono went across to Marie'sroom.

  "You get me out of this frock, won't you, Marie?" she said. "It fidgetsme to have Nora fumbling with the hooks. It's a complicated arrangementand I know she'd tear the lace."

  Marie willingly acquiesced, and then Patty slipped off the prettyyellow gown, and got into her blue silk kimono.

  "Stay here and brush out your hair, Patty," said Marie, "and we canhave a 'kimono chat,' all by ourselves."

  So Patty sat down at Marie's toilet table, and began to brush out hergolden curls.

  "Did you like the ball, Patty?" asked Marie, as she braided her owndark hair.

  "Lovely! Everybody was so nice to me. And you had a good time yourself,I know. I saw you breaking hearts, one after another, you little siren."

  "Siren, yourself! How did you like that Bell boy?"

  "Gracious! That sounds like a hotel attendant! In fact I think'bellhop,' as I believe they call them, wouldn't be a bad name forEddie Bell. I liked him ever so much, but he was alittle,--well,--fresh is the only word that expresses it."

  "He is cheeky; but he doesn't mean anything. He's a nice boy; I'veknown him for years. He's an awful flirt,--but he admired you likeeverything. Though as to that, who doesn't?"

  "Oh, I don't think so much of this general admiration. I think if ayoung girl isn't admired, it's her own fault. She only has to be gayand pleasant and good-natured, and people are bound to like her."

  "Yes," agreed Marie; "but there are degrees. I'll tell you who likesyou an awful lot,--and that's Mr. Harper."

  "Oh, Kenneth;" Patty spoke carelessly, but she couldn't prevent arising blush. "Why, Marie, we've been chums for years. I used to knowKen Harper when I was a little girl and lived in Vernondale. He's adear boy, but we're just good friends."

  "I like him," and Marie said this so ingenuously, that Patty gave her aquick look. "Don't you like anybody ESPECIALLY, Patty?"

  "No, I don't. All boys look alike to me. I like to have them to dancewith, and to send me flowers and candy; and I don't mind make-believeflirting with them; but the minute they get serious, I want to runaway."

  "Aren't you ever going to be engaged, Patty?"

  "Nonsense! Marie, we're too young to think about such things. After afew years I shall begin to consider the matter; and if I find anybodythat I simply can't live without, I shall proceed to marry him. Now,curiosity-box, is there anything else you want to know?"

  "I didn't mean to be curious," and Marie's pretty face looked troubled;"but, Patty, I will ask you one more question: Couldn't you,--couldn'tyou like,--specially, I mean,--my cousin Kit?"

  "Marie, I've a notion to shake you! You little match-maker,--ormischief-maker,--stop getting notions into your head! In the firstplace, I've known your paragon of a cousin only a few weeks; and in thesecond place, there's no use going any further than the first place!Now, you go to sleep, and dream about birds and flowers and sunshine,and don't fill your pretty head with grown-up notions."

  "You're a funny girl, Patty," and Marie looked at her with big, seriouseyes.

  "If it's funny to be a common-sense, rational human being, then I AMfunny! Now, good-night, chickabiddy. Mrs. Perry says she'll send up ourbreakfast about nine to-morrow morning. Hop into my room and have itwith me, won't you?"

  Marie agreed to this arrangement, and gathering up her belongings,Patty slipped across the hall to her own room.

  The wood fire had burnt down to red embers, and lowering the lights,Patty sat down for a few moments in a big fireside chair to think.

  She had told the truth, that she did not want to think seriously ofwhat Marie called "an especial liking" for anybody; but what Kennethhad said that evening troubled her.

  Her friendship for Kenneth was so firm and strong, her real regard forhim so deep and sincere, that she hated to have it intruded upon by aquestion of a more serious feeling. And she had never suspected thatany such question would arise. But she could not mistake the meaning ofKenneth's spoken wish that he might be capable of the gay conversationin which Patty delighted.

  "Dear old Ken," she said to herself, "he's so nice just as he is, butwhen he tries to be funny, he--well, he CAN'T, that's all. It isn't hisfault. All the boys can't be alike. And I s'pose Ken IS the nicest ofthem, after all. He's so true and reliable. But I hope to gracious heisn't going to fall in love with me. That would spoil everything I Oh,well, I won't cross that bridge until I come to it. And if I have cometo it,--well, I won't cross it, even then. I'll just stand stock-still,and wait. I believe there's a poem somewhere, that says:

  "'Standing with reluctant feet Where the brook and river meet,-- Womanhood and childhood sweet.'

  "I s'pose I HAVE left childhood behind, but I feel a long way off fromwomanhood. And yet, in a couple of months I'll be twenty. That doesbegin to sound aged! But I know one thing, sure and certain: I'll waittill I AM twenty, before I think about a serious love affair. Suitorsare all very well, but I wouldn't be engaged to a man for anything!Why, I don't suppose he'd let me dance with anybody else, or have anyfun at all! No, sir-ee, Patricia Fairfield, you're going to have two orthree years of your present satisfactory existence, before you wearanybody's diamond ring. And now, my Lady Gay, you'd better skip to bed,for to-morrow night you have a theatre party in prospect, and you wantto look fairly decent for that."

  The fire was burnt out now, and Patty was so sleepy that her head hadscarcely touched the pillow before she fell asleep.

  A light tap at her door awakened her the next morning, and Marieappeared, followed by Nora, with a breakfast tray.

  "Wake up, curly-head-sleepy-head," and Marie playfully tweaked Patty'scurls. "Here, I'll be your maid. Here's your nightingale, and here'syour breakfast cap."

  Marie deftly arrayed Patty in the
pretty trifles, and poked pillowsbehind her back until she was comfortable.

  "Goodness gracious sakes! Marie," said Patty, rubbing her eyes, "youwaked me out of the soundest sleep I have ever known! WHY bother mewith breakfast?"

  "Had to do it," returned Marie, calmly, drawing up a big chair forherself. "Now keep your eyes open and behave like a lady. Yourchocolate is getting cool and your toast is spoiling."

  The two girls were still discussing their breakfast, when Mrs. Perrycame in.

  "How are you getting on?" she asked, cheerily; "Babette is still ill,so I had to send Nora to you."

  "Everything is lovely," said Patty, smiling at her hostess. "We'redelightfully looked after. Nora is a jewel. But I hope your maid isn'tseriously ill."

  "I'm afraid she is," and Mrs. Perry looked troubled. "She has a badsore throat and she's quite feverish. Now you girlies dawdle around asmuch as you like. Although I'm commissioned to tell you that there aretwo young men downstairs just pining for you, and they asked me to coaxyou to come down at once."

  "Let them wait," said Patty; "we'll be down after a while. Mayn't wesee the baby?"

  "Yes, indeed, if you like. I'll send her in."

  Soon a dainty little morsel of fragrant humanity appeared, accompaniedby her nurse.

  The tot was a trifle shy, but Patty's merry smile soon put her at herease.

  "Tell the lady your name, dear," said Marie.

  "Pitty Yady!" said the baby, caressing Patty's cheek.

  "Yes," said Marie, "now tell the pretty lady your name."

  "Baby Boo," said the child.

  "Baby Boo! What a dear name!" said Patty.

  "Her name is Beulah," Marie explained, "but she always calls herselfBaby Boo, so every one else does."

  "It's just the name for her," said Patty, catching up the midget in herarms and cuddling her.

  "Pitty Yady," repeated the baby, gazing at Patty.

  "She's struck with your beauty, Patty, like everybody else," saidMarie, laughing.

  "It's mutual, then," returned Patty, "for I think she's the prettiestbaby I ever saw. And she does smell so good! I love a violet baby." AndPatty kissed the back of the soft little neck and squeezed the baby upin her arms.

  "Now Baby Boo must go away," said Marie, at last, "for the Pitty Yadymust get dressed and go downstairs."

  Patty had brought a morning frock, of pink linen with a black velvetsash, and she looked very trim and sweet as she at last declaredherself ready.

  The two girls went downstairs, and found two very impatient young menawaiting them.

  "Whatever HAVE you girls been doing all the morning?" exclaimedCameron; "you CAN'T have been sleeping until this time!"

  "Playing with the baby, and exchanging confidences," said Patty,smiling.

  "Both of which you might as well have done down here," Camerondeclared. "I adore my baby niece, and Mr. Harper and I would have beenmore than glad to listen to your exchange of confidences."

  "Oh, they weren't intended for your ears!" exclaimed Marie, with mockhorror. "Kimono confidences are very, VERY sacred. But it may well bethat your ears burn."

  "Which ear?" asked Kenneth, feeling of both of his.

  "Fair exchange," said Marie, gaily. "Tell us what you said about us,and we'll tell you what we said about you."

  "We said you were the two prettiest and sweetest girls in the world,"said Cameron.

  "And we said," declared Patty, "that you were the two handsomest andmost delightful men in the world."

  "But we said you had some faults," said Kenneth, gravely.

  "And we said you had," retorted Marie. "Let's tell each other ourfaults. That's always an interesting performance, for it always windsup with a quarrel."

  "I love a quarrel," said Cameron, enthusiastically. "I dare anybody totell me my greatest faults!"

  "Conceit," said Marie, smiling at her cousin.

  "That isn't a fault; it's a virtue," Kit retorted.

  "That's so," and Marie nodded her head; "if you didn't have thatvirtue, you wouldn't have any."

  "That's a facer!" said Kit. "Well, Marie, my dear, as you haven't THATvirtue, am I to conclude you haven't any?"

  "That's very pretty," and Patty nodded, approvingly; "but I want tostop this game before it's my turn, for I'm too sensitive to have myfaults held up to the public eye."

  "But we haven't quarrelled yet," said Kit, who looked disappointed."Why do you like to quarrel so much?" asked Patty.

  "Because it's such fun to kiss and make up."

  "Is it?" asked Patty; "I'd like to see it done, then. You and Kenquarrel, and then let us see you kiss and make up."

  "Harper is too good-natured to quarrel and I'm not good-natured enoughto kiss him," said Kit. "I guess I won't quarrel to-day, after all. Ican't seem to get the right partner. Let's try some other game. Want togo over to the club and bowl?"

  "Yes, indeed," cried Patty; "I'd love to."

  So the four young people bundled into fur coats, and motored over tothe country club.

  They were all good players and enjoyed their game till Kit remindedthem that it was nearly luncheon time, and they went back to the house.

  "How is Babette?" Patty inquired, as their hostess appeared at luncheon.

  "She's worse;" and Mrs. Perry looked very anxious. "I don't want toworry you girls, but I think you would better go home this afternoon,for I don't know what Babette's case may develop into. The doctor washere this morning, and he has sent a trained nurse to take care of thegirl. I confess I am worried."

  "Oh, we were going this afternoon, anyway," said Patty. "I have to, asI have an engagement this evening. But I'm sorry for you, Mrs. Perry.It is awful to have illness in the house. What is it you are afraid of?"

  "I hate to mention it, but the doctor fears diphtheria. Now don't bealarmed, for there is positively no danger, if you go this afternoon.But I can't risk your staying an hour longer than is necessary. Norawill help you pack your things. And I'm going to send you off rightafter lunch."

  After luncheon the doctor came again, and Mrs. Perry went off to conferwith him.

  "Excuse me," said Kit Cameron, as his sister left the room, "I muststand by Lora, and I want to find out from the doctor if there isreally any danger. Perhaps my sister's fears are exaggerated."

  It was nearly half an hour before Kit came back, and then he lookedextremely serious.

  "I have bad news for you," he said; "Babette's illness isdiphtheria,--a severe case."

  "Oh, the poor girl!" said Patty, with impulsive sympathy.

  "Yes, indeed, little Babette is pretty sick. And, too, it's awfullyhard on Lora. But that isn't all of it."

  "What else?" said Marie, breathless with suspense.

  "I hardly know how to tell you," and Cameron's face was very troubled."But I suppose the best way is to tell you straight out. The truth is,we are all quarantined. We can't go away from here."

  "Quarantined!" cried Patty, who knew that this meant several weeks'imprisonment; "oh, NO!"

  "Yes," and Kit looked at her with pained eyes; "can you ever forgiveme, Miss Fairfield, for bringing you here? But of course I could notforesee this awful climax to our pleasant party."

  "Of course you couldn't!" cried Patty;--"don't think for a moment thatwe blame you, Mr. Cameron. But,--you must excuse me if I feelrather--rather--"

  "Flabbergasted," put in Kenneth; "it's an awful thing, Cameron, but wemust take it philosophically. Brace up, Patty girl, don't let thisthing floor you."

  Patty gave one look into Kenneth's eyes, and read there so muchsympathy, courage, and strong helpfulness, that she was ashamed ofherself.

  "Forgive me for being so selfish," she said, as the tears came into hereyes. "Of course we must stay, if the doctor orders; I know how strictthey have to be about these things. And we will stay cheerfully, aslong as we must. It's dreadful to impose on Mrs. Perry so, but we can'thelp it, and we must simply make the best of it. We'll help her all wecan, and I'm sure Marie and I can do a lot."

 
"You're a brick!" and Cameron gave her a look of appreciation. "PoorLora is heart-broken at the trouble it makes for you girls, and forHarper. She quite loses sight of her own anxieties in worrying aboutyou all."

  "Tell her to stop it," said Marie; "I rather think that we can bear ourpart of it, considering what Cousin Lora has to suffer. Can Cousin Dickcome home?"

  "I hadn't thought of that!" exclaimed Cameron. "Why, no; that is, if hecan't go back to his office again. We'll have to telephone him to stayin New York until the siege is raised. There are many things to thinkof, but as I am responsible for bringing you people up here, naturallythat worries me the most. I'm not to blame for the maid's illness orfor Dick's enforced absence from home. But I AM to blame for bringingyou girls up here at all."

  "Don't talk of blame, Mr. Cameron, please," said Patty's soft voice;"you kindly brought us here to give us pleasure and you did so. Thefact that this emergency has arisen is of no blame to anybody. The onlyone to be blamed is the one who cannot meet it bravely!"