Patty's Suitors. Wells Carolyn

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СКАЧАТЬ to him, saying, with great animation: "Oh, Mr. Crosby, MAY I ask you something? I'm AWFULLY ignorant, you know, and you're so wise."

      "Yes, yes, what is it?" And the great Oriental scholar looked benignly at her over his glasses.

      Now naughty Patty hadn't any question to ask, and she had only turned to her neighbour to tease Philip, so she floundered a little as she tried to think of some intelligent enquiry.

      "What is it. Miss Fairfield?" prompted Mr. Crosby.

      Patty cast a fleeting glance toward Philip, as if appealing for help, and that young man, though engaged in a desultory conversation, whispered under his breath, "Ask him about the Aztecs."

      "Oh, yes, Mr. Crosby," said Patty, "it's about the—the Aztecs,—you know."

      "Ah, yes, the Aztecs,—a most interesting race, MOST interesting, indeed. And what do you want to know about them, Miss Fairfield?"

      Patty was tempted to say ALL about them, for her knowledge of the ancient people was practically nothing.

      "Did they—did they—"

      "Eat snails," said Philip, in a whisper.

      "Did they eat snails, Mr. Crosby?" And Patty's big blue eyes were innocent of anything, save an intense desire to know about the Aztec diet.

      "Snails?—snails?—well, bless my soul! I don't believe I know.

      Important, too,—most important. I'll look it up, and let you know.

      Snails—queer I DON'T know. I made a study of the Aztecs, and they are most interesting,—but as to snails—"

      Apparently Mr. Crosby's mind was wrestling with the question.

      "He's gone 'way back and sat down with the Aztecs," Philip murmured to

      Patty, "so you ask questions of me."

      "You don't know anything that I want to know."

      "Then I'll ask a question of YOU."

      Philip's voice was full of meaning, so Patty said hastily: "No, no; it isn't polite to ask questions in society; one should make observations."

      "All right, observe me. That's what I'm here for. Observe me early and often, and I'll be only too well pleased."

      "But that isn't what I'm here for. Your aunt invited me to be a pleasant dinner guest and so I have to make myself entertaining to my Aztec friend."

      And then Patty turned again to Mr. Crosby, and by a few skilful hints she soon had him started on another description of his travelling experiences, and this time it proved so thrilling that all at the table were glad to listen to it.

      After dinner the whole party went to the opera and occupied Mrs. Van

      Reypen's box.

      Patty was passionately fond of music, and never talked during a performance. Between the acts, she was a smiling chatterbox, but while the curtain was up, she behaved in most exemplary fashion. Mrs. Van Reypen knew this, or she would not have asked her, for that lady was old-fashioned in her ways, and had no patience with people who chattered while the great singers were pouring forth their marvellous notes.

      [Illustration: After dinner the whole party went to the opera]

      When the final curtain fell, Mrs. Van Reypen invited her guests to return to her house for supper, but Patty declined.

      "Very well, my dear," said her hostess, "I think, myself, you're too young to be out any later than this. We will set you down at your own door, and you must hop right into bed and get your beauty sleep. Young things like you can't stay young unless you take good care of your pinky cheeks."

      "But I don't want Patty to go home," Philip grumbled, to his aunt.

      "Your wishes are not consulted, my boy; this is my party. You're merely my guest, and, if you don't behave yourself, you won't get invited again."

      "That scares me dreadfully," and Philip lightly pinched his aunt's cheek. "I will be good, so I'll be asked again."

      The big limousine stopped at Patty's door, and Philip escorted her up the steps.

      "I think you might have come to supper," he said, reproachfully, as he touched the bell.

      "It's too late," said Patty, decidedly; "and, besides, I have other plans for the rest of the evening."

      And with this enigmatical announcement Philip was forced to be content, for Patty said good-night and vanished through the doorway.

      "And, indeed, I HAVE other plans," Patty said, to herself. "I'm simply consumed with curiosity to know which of those three beauties that ridiculous Kit man likes the best. I'm going to call him up and see. I wish he could call me up,—it would suit me far better. But I suppose nobody can call anybody else up if nobody knows anybody else's name."

      "Do you want any supper, Miss Patty?" asked Louise, as she unhooked

      Patty's frock.

      "No, thank you, I'm not a bit hungry. You might bring me a cup of milk and a biscuit, and then give me a kimono. I'm not going to bed just yet."

      So Louise arranged everything just as Patty wanted it, and finally went away.

      "May as well be comfortable," said Patty, as she tucked herself into a favourite big chair, with the telephone on a little stand beside her. "I suppose I'll run up a fine bill for extra time, but, after all, it's less extravagant than a good many other things. Wonder how much they charge for overtime. I must ask Daddy."

      With a smile of anticipation Patty picked up the telephone.

      "Hello!" said Mr. Cameron's eager voice. "I thought you'd never come.

      I've been waiting since ten."

      "I've been to the opera," said Patty, nonchalantly. "And you've NO reason to sit and wait for me! I'm not a dead certainty, like the sunrise or the postman."

      "You're more welcome than either."

      "Now that's a real pretty speech. Are you a poet?"

      "Only to you."

      "Did you get the pictures?" Patty was unable longer to restrain her impatience.

      "Of course I got the pictures. I knew yours at once! You needn't think you can fool ME."

      "Which was mine? The girl with the black curls?"

      "Mercy, no! I know you're not THAT type. She looks like an actress, and hasn't a brain in her silly head. And you're not that lackadaisical lily-like one, either. Oh, I know YOU! You're that delightful, sensible, really brainy girl with the smooth black hair."

      "Oh, I AM, am I?"

      "Yes; and I'm SO glad you're not a rattle-pated beauty! What's a pretty face compared to real mind and intellect!"

      Patty was furious. She didn't aspire to nor desire this great mind and intellect, and she was quite satisfied with the amount of brains in her pretty, curly head.

      "I don't think СКАЧАТЬ