Patty's Social Season Page 7

  CHAPTER VII

  MORE MAKING UP

  After the sixth dance was over, Patty asked her partner to bring Mr.Everson to her, and then she awaited his coming on a little sofa in analcove.

  If Eugene Everson was surprised at the summons, he did not show it,but advanced courteously, and took a seat by Patty's side. He had adance engaged with her much later in the evening, so Patty said,pleasantly:

  "Mr. Everson, don't think my request strange, but won't you exchangeour later dance for this number seven?"

  "I would gladly, Miss Fairfield, but I'm engaged for this."

  "Yes, I know," and Patty favoured him with one of her most bewitchingsmiles; "but the lady is Miss Galbraith, as I happen to know, and MissGalbraith is a very dear friend of mine, and,--oh, well, it's a matterof 'first aid to the injured.' I don't want to tell you all about it,Mr. Everson, but the truth is, I want Miss Galbraith to dance thisnumber with another man,--because,--because----"

  It was not quite so easy as Patty had anticipated. She didn't want togo so far as to explain the real situation, and she became suddenlyaware that she was somewhat embarrassed. Her face flushed rosy pink,and she cast an appealing glance from her violet-blue eyes into theamused face of the man beside her.

  "I haven't an idea of what it is all about, Miss Fairfield, but pleaseconsider me entirely at the orders of yourself and Miss Galbraith. Aman at a party is at best but a puppet to dance at the bidding of anyfair lady. And what better fortune could I ask than to be allowed toobey your decree?"

  Patty was greatly relieved when he took the matter thus lightly. Inwhimsical conversation she was on her own ground, and she respondedgaily: "Let it remain a mystery, then; and obey as a noble knight alady's decree. Dance with me, and trust it to me that Miss Galbraithis also obeying a decree of mine."

  "For a small person, you seem to issue decrees of surprising numberand rapidity," and Everson, who was a large man, looked down at Pattywith an air of amusement.

  "Yes, sir," said Patty, demurely, "I'm accustomed to it. Decrees aremy strong point. I issue them 'most all the time."

  "And are they always obeyed?"

  "Alas, noble sir, not always. Though I'm not sure that your questionis as flattering as the remarks most young men make to me."

  "Perhaps not. But when you know me better, Miss Fairfield, you'll findout that I'm very different from the common herd."

  "Really? How interesting! I hope I shall know you better very soon,for I adore unusual people."

  "And do unusual people adore you?"

  "I can't tell; I've never met one before," and after the briefest ofsaucy glances, Patty dropped her eyes demurely.

  "Aren't you one yourself?"

  "Oh, no!" And Patty looked up with an air of greatest surprise; "I'mjust a plain little every-day girl."

  "You're a plain little coquette, that's what you are!"

  "You are indeed unusual, sir, to call me plain!" and Patty lookedabout as indignant as an angry kitten.

  "Perhaps, when I know you better, I may change my opinion of yourplainness. Will you dance now?"

  The music had been playing for some moments, and signifying herassent, Patty rose, and they joined the dancers who were circling thefloor. Mr. Everson was a fine dancer, but he was all unprepared forPatty's exquisite perfection in the art.

  "Why, Miss Fairfield," he said, unable to suppress his admiration, "Ididn't know anybody danced like you, except professionals."

  "Oh, yes, I'm a good dancer," said Patty, carelessly; "and so are you,for that matter. Do you think they've made up?"

  "Who?"

  "Miss Galbraith and Mr. Farrington. See, we're just passing them. Oh,I'm afraid they haven't!"

  It was difficult to judge by the glance they obtained in passing, butPatty declared that both Mona's and Roger's faces looked like thunderclouds.

  "Give them a little longer," said Mr. Everson, who began to see howmatters stood.

  "Perhaps another round, and we will find them smiling into eachother's eyes."

  But when they next circled the long room, Mona and Roger were nowhereto be seen.

  "Aha," said Everson, "the conservatory for theirs! It must be allright! Shall we trail 'em?"

  "Yes," said Patty. "I don't care if they see us. Let's walk throughthe conservatory."

  They did so, and spied Mona and Roger sitting under a group of palms,engaged in earnest conversation. They were not smiling, but they weretalking very seriously, with no indication of quarrelling.

  "I guess it's all right," said Patty, with a little sigh. "It'sawfully nice to have friends, Mr. Everson, but sometimes they're agreat care; aren't they?"

  "If you'll let me be your friend, Miss Fairfield, I'll promise neverto be a care, and I'll help you to care for your other cares."

  "Goodness, what a complicated offer! If I could straighten all thosecares you speak of, I might decide to take you as a friend. I think Iwill, anyway,--you were so nice about giving me this dance."

  "I was only too delighted to do so, Miss Fairfield."

  "Thank you. You know it is in place of our other one, number sixteen."

  "Oh, we must have that also."

  "No, it was a fair exchange. You can get another partner for sixteen."

  "But I don't want to. If you throw me over, I shall sit in a cornerand mope."

  "Oh, don't do that! Well, I'll tell you what, I'll give you half ofsixteen, and you can mope the other half."

  And then Patty's next partner claimed her, and Mr. Everson went away.

  Having done all she could in the matter of conciliating Mona andRoger, Patty bethought herself of her own little tiff with Philip VanReypen. It did not bother her much, for she had little doubt that shecould soon cajole him back to friendship, and she assured herself thatif she couldn't, she didn't care.

  And so, when he came to claim his dance, which was the last beforesupper, Patty met him with an air of cool politeness, which greatlyirritated the Van Reypen pride.

  He had thought, had even hoped, Patty would be humble and repentant,but she showed no such attitude, and the young man was slightly at aloss as to what manner to assume, himself.

  But he followed her lead, and with punctilious courtesy asked her todance, and they stepped out on to the floor.

  For a few rounds they danced in silence, and then Philip said, in aperfunctory way: "You're enjoying this party?"

  "I have been, up to this dance," and Patty smiled pleasantly, as shespoke.

  "And you're not enjoying yourself now?" Philip said, suppressing hisdesire to shake her.

  "Oh, _no_, sir!" and Patty looked at him with big, round eyes.

  "Why not?"

  "I don't like to dance with a man who doesn't like me."

  "I _do_ like you, you silly child."

  "Oh, no, you don't, either! and I'm _not_ a silly child."

  "And you're not enjoying this dance with me?"

  "Not a bit!"

  "Then there's no use going on with it," and releasing her, Philiptucked one of her hands through his arm, and calmly marched her intothe conservatory. The seat under the palms was vacant, and as she tookher place in one corner of it, he poked one or two cushions deftlybehind her back and made her entirely comfortable. Then he sat downbeside her.

  "Now," he commanded, "say you're sorry."

  "Sorry for what?"

  "That you carried on with that horrid man and spoiled our friendship."

  "Didn't carry on, and he isn't a horrid man, and our friendship isn'tspoiled, and I'm not sorry."

  "Not sorry that our friendship isn't spoiled?"

  "No; 'course I'm not! You don't s'pose I want it to be spoiled, doyou?"

  "Well, you certainly did all in your power to spoil it."

  "Now, look here, Philip Van Reypen, I've already exhausted myself thisevening patching up one spoiled friendship, and it's just about wornme out! Now if ours needs any patching up, you'll have to do ityourself. I shan't raise a finger toward it!"

  Pat
ty leaned back among her pillows, looking lovely and provoking. Shetried to scowl at him, but her dimples broke through the scowl andturned it into a smile. Whereupon, she dropped her eyes, and tried toassume a look of bored indifference.

  Van Reypen looked at her. "So she won't raise a finger, won't she? AndI've got to do it myself, have I? Well, then, I suppose I'll have toraise her finger for her." Patty's hand was lying idly in her lap, andhe picked up her slender pink forefinger slowly, and with anabstracted air. "I don't know how raising a finger helps to patch up aspoiled friendship," he went on, as if to himself, "but she seems tothink it does, and so, of course, it does! Well, now, mademoiselle,your finger is raised,--is our quarrel all patched up?"

  Philip held her finger in one hand, and clasped her whole hand withthe other, as he smiled into her eyes, awaiting an answer to hisquestion.

  Patty looked up suddenly, and quickly drew her hand away.

  "Unhand me, villain!" she laughed, "and don't bother about ourfriendship! I'm not worrying over it."

  "You needn't, little girl," and Philip's voice rang true. "Nothing can_ever_ shake it! And I apologise for my foolish anger. If you want toaffect the society of men I don't like,--of course I've no right tosay a word, and I won't. At any rate, not now, for I don't want tospoil this blessed making-up with even a thought of anythingunpleasant."

  "Now, that's real nice of you, Philip," and Patty fairly beamed athim. "It's so nice to be friends again, after being near-not-friends!"

  "Yes, milady, and you made up just in time. Aunty Van is having anopera party to-morrow night, and she wants you to go."

  "Are you going?" and Patty put her fingertip in her mouth, and lookedbabyishly at him.

  "Oh, don't let that influence you. Decide for yourself."

  "Well, since _you_ don't care whether I go or not, I believe I won'tgo."

  "Foolish child! Of course you'll go. And then, as you know very well,wild horses couldn't keep me away."

  "How do wild horses keep people away? They must be trained to do it.And _then_, they're not wild horses any more."

  "What foolishness you do talk! Well, will you go to the opera withus?"

  "Yes, and thank you kindly, sir. Or, rather, I thank your august auntfor the invitation."

  "No, thank me. As a matter of fact, I made up the party. So it'sreally mine, though I accept Aunty Van's box for the occasion."

  "'Tis well, fair sir. I thank thee greatly. What may I do for thee inreturn?"

  Patty clasped her hands and looked a pretty suppliant, begging afavour.

  "Give me half a dozen more dances," replied Philip, taking her card tolook at.

  "Not one left," said Patty, calmly.

  "And most of them halves!" exclaimed Philip. "What a belle you are,Patty!"

  "All the girls are," she returned, carelessly, which, however, was notquite true. "But I'll tell you what I will do. I'll give you half ofnumber sixteen. That's Mr. Everson's, but I'll divide it. I told him Ishould."

  "You little witch! Did you save it for me?"

  "M--m----," and Patty slowly wagged her head up and down.

  "That was dear of you! But don't you think for a minute that's all I'mgoing to have! There'll be an extra or two, and I claim them all!"

  "Hear the man talk!" exclaimed Patty. "Why, I do believe they'rebeginning an extra now! Mr. Van Reypen, won't you dance it with me?"Patty jumped up and stood before him, lightly swaying in time to themusic.

  Philip sat looking at her, entranced by the pretty vision; and evenbefore he could rise, Kenneth Harper came to Patty, and obeying asudden coquettish impulse, she put her hand lightly on Kenneth'sshoulder and they danced away.

  Philip Van Reypen sat looking after them, smiling.

  "What a transparent child she is," he thought to himself. "Her prettylittle coquetries are like the gambols of a kitten. Now, she thinksI'm going to be annoyed at losing this dance with her. Well,--Iam,--but I don't propose to quarrel with her about it."

  And then Patty and Kenneth came dancing back again; and Patty calmlytold Mr. Van Reypen it was his turn now.

  Philip took her hand and they started off, and when that dance wasfinished it was supper-time.

  As usual, Patty and her most especial friends grouped in some pleasantcorner for supper. But, looking about, she missed a familiar face.

  "Where is Christine Farley?" she said. "She always has supper with us.Do you know where she is, Mr. Hepworth?"

  Gilbert Hepworth drew near Patty, and spoke in a low voice: "I thinkshe has gone to the dressing-room," he said. "I wish you'd go up andsee her, Patty."

  A little startled at his serious face, Patty ran upstairs, to Elise'sroom, where she had taken off her wraps.

  There was Christine, who had thrown herself on a couch, and buried herface in the pillows.

  "Why, Christine, what is the matter, dear?" and Patty laid her handgently on Christine's hair.

  "Oh, Patty, don't speak to me! I am not fit to have you touch me!"

  "Good gracious, Christine, what _do_ you mean?" and Patty began tothink her friend had suddenly lost her mind.

  "I'm a bad, wicked girl! You were my friend, and now I've done anawful, dreadful thing! But, truly, _truly_, Patty, I didn't mean to!"

  "Christine Farley, stop this foolishness! Sit up here this minute, andtell me what you're talking about! I believe you're crazy."

  Christine sat up, her pale hair falling from its bands, and her eyesfull of tears.

  "I've--I've--stolen----" she began.

  "Oh, you goose! _do_ go on! What have you stolen? A pin from Elise'spin cushion,--or some powder from her puff-box? Another dab on yournose would greatly improve your appearance,--if you ask me! It's asred as a beet!"

  "Patty, don't giggle! I'm serious. Oh, Patty, _Patty_, _do_ forgiveme!"

  "I'll forgive you _anything_, if you'll tell me what's the matter, andconvince me that you haven't lost your mind. Now, Christine, don't you_dare_ ask me to forgive you again, until you tell me _what for_!"

  "Well, you see, you were away all summer."

  "Yes, so I was," agreed Patty, in bewilderment.

  "And you have been so busy socially this fall and winter, I haven'tseen much of you."

  "No," agreed Patty, still more deeply mystified.

  "And--and--Gil--Mr. Hepworth hasn't either----"

  "Oh!" cried Patty, a great light breaking in upon her; "oh,--oh!--OH!!Christine, do you _mean_ it? Oh, how perfectly _lovely_! I'm _so_glad!"

  "You're glad?" and Christine opened her eyes in amazement.

  "Why, of _course_ I'm glad, you silly! Did you think _I_ wanted him?Oh, you Blessed Goose!"

  "Oh, Patty, I'm _so_ relieved. You see, I thought you looked upon himas your especial property. I know he cared a lot for you,--he stilldoes. But----"

  "But he and I are about as well suited as chalk and cheese! Whereas,he's just the one for you! Oh, Christine, darling, I'm delighted! MayI tell? Can we announce it to-night?"

  "Oh, no! You see, he just told me to-night. And I felt guilty at once.I knew I had stolen him from you."

  "Oh, Christine, _don't_! Don't say such things! He wasn't mine tosteal. We've always been friends, but I never cared for him _that_way."

  "That's what he said; but I felt guilty all the same."

  "Well, stop it, right now! Mr. Hepworth is lovely; he's one of thebest friends I ever had, and if I have any claim on his interest oraffection, I'm only too glad to hand it over to you. Now, brace up,powder your nose, and come down to supper. And you needn't think youcan keep this thing secret! I won't tell,--but your two faces willgive it away at once. Don't blame _me_ if people guess it!"

  "Don't let them, Patty; not to-night. Keep me by you, and right aftersupper I'll go home."

  "All right, girlie; just as you like. But don't look at G. H. oryou'll betray your own dear little heart."

  However, they reckoned without the other interested party.

  When the two girls came downstairs, smiling, and with their arms abou
teach other, Mr. Hepworth went to meet them, and drew Christine's armthrough his own with an unmistakable air of proprietorship. Christine'sblushes, and Patty's smiles, confirmed Hepworth's attitude, and a shoutof understanding went up from their group of intimates.

  "Yes, it's so," said Patty; "but I promised Christine I wouldn'ttell!"

  And then there were congratulations and good wishes from everybody,and the pretty little Southern girl was quite overcome at being sosuddenly the centre of attraction.

  "It's perfectly lovely," said Patty, holding out her hand to Hepworth,"and I'm as glad for you as I can be,--and for Christine, too."

  "Thank you, Patty," he returned, and for a moment he held her eyeswith his own. Then he said, "Thank you," again, and turned away.