CHAPTER IV
A PERFECTLY GOOD CHAPERON
It was nearly six o'clock when Patty reached "Red Chimneys." Shecarried a bandbox, and Miller, who followed her, carried a largesuitcase, and various other parcels.
Mona met them at the door, and, directing that the luggage be sent toPatty's rooms, she carried her visitor off to her own boudoir.
"Patty," she began, "I can't let you carry out that ridiculous scheme!I'm going to telephone to the young people not to come."
"Haven't telephoned yet, have you?" enquired Patty, carelessly, as sheflung herself into an easy-chair, and made vigorous use of a large fan.
"No; I waited to tell you. But I'm going to begin now," and Mona lifteda telephone receiver from its hook.
"Oh, I wouldn't," said Patty, smiling at her hostess. "You see, I'veset my heart on having this party, and I'd hate to have you upset it."
"But, Patty, consider how--"
"Consider,--cow--consider! Well, my fair lady, I have considered, and Imust request you to hang up that telephone, and trust all to me."
When Patty adopted this tone, playful but decided, Mona knew she coulddo nothing with her. So she hung up the receiver, but she still showeda troubled expression as she looked questioningly at pretty Patty.
But that provoking young person only smiled at her, and slowly wavedher big fan.
"Awfully warm, even yet, isn't it?" she said. "What time is dinner,Mona? I've a lot to do before that party of yours comes off."
"I ordered dinner early, so we'd have time to dress afterward. Come,Patty, I'll show you your rooms."
The two girls rose, and standing in front of Mona, Patty began tosmooth the lines from the other's brow, with her own finger tips.
"There there," she said; "don't worry. Trust all to Smarty-Patty!She'll do the trick. And just turn up the corners of your mouth alittle, so!"
Patty poked her forefingers into Mona's cheeks till she made her smile,and then Mona gave up.
"All right, Patty," she said. "I said you should have your own way, andso you shall! Get Miller to chaperon us, if you want to,--I won't say aword! Now, come on with me."
She led Patty across the hall to the suite of rooms prepared for her.Like everything else at "Red Chimneys," it was on a far grander scalethan Patty's own home.
There was a boudoir, bedroom, dressing-room, and bath, all fitted up inthe prettiest, daintiest manner.
The ivory-tinted walls showed panels of rose-coloured brocade, ornatewith gilded decorations in Empire style. The marquetry furniture andbisque ornaments carried out the scheme, and though elaborate, therooms were most attractive and comfortable.
Patty herself preferred simpler furnishings, but she knew that Monadidn't, and she exclaimed with delight at the beauty of appointments.
"It's out best suite," said Mona, complacently, "and I've had it fixedup freshly for you."
"It's charming," declared Patty, "and I know I shall be very happyhere,--IF I can have my own way!" She smiled as she spoke, but she wasin earnest, too, for Mona was dictatorial by nature, and Patty by nomeans proposed to be tyrannised over.
"You shall, Patty! All the time you are here, your word shall be law inthis house, both over the servants and myself."
"Oh, I can manage the servants," cried Patty, gaily. "I'm rather goodat that. Now, if I can only manage you!"
"You can! I'll prove so manageable and docile, you'll scarcely know me!"
So, having flown her colours, Patty wagged her head sagaciously as Monawent away. "I think, Miss Fairfield," she observed to her reflection ina gold-garlanded mirror, "that you're in for a pleasant summer.Firmness tempered with kindness must be your plan; and I'm pretty sureyou can, in that way, manage Mona without friction."
Humming snatches of song to herself, Patty continued to explore her newdomain. The rose-coloured boudoir opened into a dainty bedroom done inwhite and gold. Everywhere white silk or lace curtains were looped backwith Frenchy pink satin rosebuds, and the gilded furniture, with itsembroidered satin cushions, made the room look fit for a princess.Patty laughed with glee, for she loved dainty prettiness and this was anovel change from her own simpler belongings.
From the bedroom she went on to the dressing-room and bathroom; theformer replete with all known appurtenances to Milady's toilette, andthe latter a bewildering vista of marble, silver, and glass.
Dinner was a gay little feast. Although Patty had dined once or twicebefore at "Red Chimneys," it had been with her parents at formaldinners, and they had been examples of the unrestrained elegance whichMr. Galbraith deemed the correct way of displaying his wealth.
The Fairfields had assumed that the overelaborateness was due to thefestive occasion, but Patty now perceived that the same formality ofservice was observed with only the two girls at the table. And the menuwas long and varied enough to have served a dinner party.
Of course, it all appealed to Patty's sense of humour, but as it wasMona's habit to dine under the supervision of three or fourserving-men, Patty was quite willing to accept the situation placidly.The servants, however, were no bar to their gay chatter. Except thatthey did not refer to the expected temporary chaperon, they discussedall the details of the evening's party.
Many of the courses of the dinner they dismissed without tasting, andso, by half-past seven, Patty was back in her own rooms, and Mrs.Hastings appeared promptly at the hour. A maid named Janet had beenappointed to look after Patty personally, but she was dismissed, withinstructions to return at eight, and then Patty began hertransformation scene.
It was not accomplished without some few difficulties, and muchgiggling, but by eight o'clock, Patty and Mona surveyed a mostacceptable looking chaperon, due to their own handiwork. Susan, or Mrs.Hastings, as they called her, looked the picture of a kindly, dignifiedmatron. Her grey hair was done in a simple, becoming fashion, andornamented with a spray of silver tinsel leaves. The grey satin gown ofMrs. Allen's, which Patty had appropriated without compunction, fittedfairly well, and a fichu of old lace, prettily draped, concealed anydeficiencies. Though possessing no elegance of manner, Susan had quietways, and being observant by nature, she remembered the demeanour ofladies she had worked for, and carried herself so well that Patty andMona were satisfied as to her ability to carry out their purpose.
Patty provided Mrs. Hastings with a black feather fan, and gave her aquick lesson in the art of using it. The piece of white knitting workproved satisfactory on inspection, and after a few final injunctions,Patty pronounced the "chaperon" complete.
Then she called for Janet, and hastily proceeded to make her owntoilette. She chose a white silk muslin, dotted with tiny pinkrosebuds, and further ornamented with fluttering ends of pale pinkribbon. The frock was cut a little low at the throat, and had shortsleeves, and very cool and sweet Patty looked in it. Her gold curlswere piled high on her head, and kept there by a twist of pink ribbon.She wore no jewelry, and the simple attire was very becoming to thesoft, babyish curves of her neck and dimpled arms.
Mona appeared in rose-coloured chiffon, richly embroidered. The gown,though beautiful of itself, was not appropriate for such a warm night;but Mona had not Patty's sense of harmony, and had added a heavynecklace and bracelets of wrought Roman gold.
"You'll melt in all that toggery!" said Patty, bluntly, and Mona sighedas she saw Patty's diaphanous frock. Then, led by Mrs. Hastings, theywent down to the drawing-room. They put Susan through a few lessons inintroductions, practised calling her "Aunt Rachel," and bolstered upher failing courage by telling her how well she looked.
The first guest to arrive was Jack Pennington. Being a gracefulmannered boy he acknowledged his introduction to Mrs. Hastings withjust the correct blending of deference and cordiality. "Isn't it warm?"he said, and as this required no answer save, "It is, indeed," Susanacquitted herself creditably, and even refrained from saying "indade."Then the others came, and being a merry crowd of young people, theymerely paused for a word or two with the elderly stranger, beforeturning a
way to their own interests. And, if by chance, one or twoshowed a tendency to linger and converse with her, Patty and Mona wereat hand to take up the burden of the conversation.
After all had arrived, Patty conducted Susan to a pleasant seat near anopen window, provided her with her knitting and a book, and gave her awhispered permission to doze a little if she wished to.
So far as the girls could see, not one of the guests had suspected thatMrs. Hastings was other than an aunt of Mona's, nor had they given hera second thought. To their minds a chaperon was a necessary piece offurniture, but of only a momentary interest. She must be greeted, andlater, she must be bidden farewell, but no conversation with herbetween times was necessary.
The party was a pretty one. Usually, the Spring Beach people didn'tcare much to go to "Red Chimneys," for Mona was not a favourite. ButPatty was, and, invited to meet her, every one accepted. And the largerooms, cooled by electric fans, and decorated with lovely flowers andsoftly shaded lights, looked somehow more attractive, now that PattyFairfield's graceful figure was flitting through them.
After one of the dances, Patty drifted across the room and stood nearSusan. That worthy was dutifully looking over her book, andoccasionally glancing thoughtfully round the room.
"Keep it up, Susan!" whispered Patty. "You're a howling success!Everything's all right."
"Come for a stroll on the veranda, Patty," said Jack Pennington, comingup to her. "Mayn't I take her, Mrs. Hastings, if I'll be very carefulof her?"
"Shure an' ye may, sir," said Susan, heartily, caught off her guard bythis sudden request.
Jack Pennington stared at her, and Susan's eyes fell and her faceturned red in deepest dismay lest she had disgraced her beloved MissPatty. In a despairing effort to remedy her indiscretion she assumed ahaughty tone and said, "You have my permission. Go with the younggentleman, Miss Patty." And with an air of having accomplished her dutysuccessfully, Susan picked up her knitting.
Patty's twitching lips and flushed cheeks made quick-witted JackPennington suspect a joke somewhere, but he gravely offered his arm,and as they reached the broad veranda and walked toward a moonlightedcorner of it, he said, "Interesting lady, that new aunt of Mona's,isn't she?"
"Very," said Patty, trying not to laugh.
"I always like that foreign accent," went on Jack; "is it,--er--French?"
"Well, no," opined Patty. "I don't think Mrs. Hastings IS French."
"Ah, German, then, perhaps. I've heard that particular accent before,but I can't just place it."
"I think it's sort of,--of Scotch, don't you?"
"Faith, an' I don't, thin! I'm afther thinkin' she's a daughter av ouldIreland, arrah."
Jack's imitation of Susan's brogue was so funny that Patty laughedoutright.
"Perhaps the lady IS Irish," she said; "but she looks charming, and sowell-dressed."
"That's so. She IS much better dressed than when I saw her last."
"Saw her last! What do you mean?"
"Well, of course I MAY be mistaken, but do you know, she looks likea--like a lady I saw once in the kitchen garden at 'The Pebbles.'"
"And pray what were you doing in that kitchen garden?"
"Well, I was helping Miller look after your motor one day, and Istrolled around the house, back to the front veranda that way.And,"--Jack's voice sank to an impressive whisper,--"there in the midstof the cabbages and eggplants,--there stood Mrs. Hastings,--I'm SURE itwas she,--in a calico gown and checked apron!"
"Oh, Jack!" and Patty burst into laughter. "She IS our cook! Don't giveit away, will you?"
"Never! Never! But WHAT a joke! Does no one know it?"
"No one at all but Mona and myself. You see--" And then Patty told thewhole story.
"Well, that's the best ever!" declared Jack as she finished. "Patty,you do beat all! No one else will guess, I'm sure,--and I'LL nevertell. But it's most too good a joke to keep, now, isn't it?"
"But it's going to BE kept! Why, if some people knew of it, they'd drumme out of Spring Beach. And anyway, Jack, I wouldn't have done it, ifSusan hadn't been such a dear respectable person herself."
"I'm sure she is, and to show I believe it, I'll take her out tosupper."
"Gracious, goodness, Jack! I never thought of supper! Will she have toeat with us?"
"Of course she will! And, as I say, I'll take her out, so there'll beno danger of further discovery."
Patty giggled again. The idea of SUSAN being escorted out to thedining-room of "Red Chimneys"! And by Jack Pennington, the mostaristocratic young man in their set!
"All right," she said. "But I must sit the other side of you. I want tokeep my eye on her."
And so it came to pass that when supper was announced, Jack went upgallantly and offered his arm to the chaperon.
This seemed quite natural and proper to the other guests, and they paidlittle attention as Mrs. Hastings rose with dignity, and, with herescort, led the procession.
Susan was resolved to make up for her blunder, and she carried herselfwith an air of hauteur, and trailed the grey satin gown after her quiteas if she were used to such.
"It is a beautiful home, is it not, Mrs. Hastings?" said Jack, by wayof making conversation.
"It is, sir," returned Susan, careful of speech and accent, but unableto forget her deference. "Such airy rooms and fine, high ceilings."
Jack couldn't help admiring her aplomb, and he chatted away easily inan endeavour to put her at her ease.
"Will you sit here, Mrs. Hastings?" he said, offering her the seat atthe head of the table, as became the chaperon of the party.
Susan hesitated, but catching Mona's nod of acquiescence, she sankgracefully into the armchair Jack held for her.