CHAPTER XV
PATTY’S FUTURE
One day Patty was at a matinée with some of the girls, when Mrs. VanReypen called at the Fairfield home. It being Saturday afternoon, Mr.Fairfield was at home, and the visitor asked to see him as well as hiswife.
After greetings were exchanged, the straight-forward old lady went atonce to her subject.
“I’ve come to see you about Patty,” she began, “and if you choose totell me I’m a meddlesome old woman and concerning myself with what isnone of my business, you will be quite within your rights.”
“I doubt we shall do that, Mrs. Van Reypen,” said Fred Fairfield,pleasantly. “What is it about Patty?”
“Only this. To put it in plain words, I want her to marry my nephewPhilip.”
“I should make no objections to that. Indeed, I should be glad and proudto have my daughter become the wife of your nephew. He is a fine man. Ifeel that I know him well and there is no one to whom I would ratherentrust Patty’s happiness.”
“Thank you, Mr. Fairfield. Phil _is_ a good boy, and I have yet to learna mean or ignoble thing about him. What is your opinion, Mrs.Fairfield?”
“I quite agree with my husband,” returned Nan. “Philip has always beenone of my favourites among Patty’s friends, and I, too, should hear oftheir engagement with pleasure. But, Mrs. Van Reypen, we cannot answerfor Patty herself. She is, as you perhaps know, a self-willed youngperson, and not to be driven or even advised, against her will.”
“But that’s just it. Patty doesn’t know her own will. She takes forgranted all the attentions and favours of the young men, and, goodnessknows she gets enough of them, but it never seems to occur to her thatit’s time she thought about making a choice of one in particular.”
“Oh, come, now, Mrs. Van Reypen, Patty is not yet climbing up on thetraditional shelf.”
“I know that, Mr. Fairfield, but the point is, that she is heart-wholeand fancy-free, and while she is, I desire to influence her mind towardPhilip. Yes, just that. It is not wrong; on the contrary, it is a wisething to do. In France the girls’ betrothals are always arranged bytheir elders. In England they frequently are. And there is no reason theplan shouldn’t obtain in our country. We all have Patty’s best interestsat heart, and if we can help this thing along,—without letting thechild know it, of course,—it is our duty as well as our pleasure to doit.”
“But how, Mrs. Van Reypen?” asked Nan. “Patty would quickly resent anyinterference or dictation in her affairs; and, too, any hint that wewere helping Philip’s cause along, would, I assure you, reactdisastrously to our effort.”
“Oh, certainly, if she _knew_ it,” and Mrs. Van Reypen spokeimpatiently; “but she needn’t know it.”
“How, then, shall it be done?”
“In lots of ways. Let us throw them together whenever possible. See toit that she accepts his invitations here and there. Place them next eachother at dinners; in a word, make it clear to the other members of theircircle, that they are definitely _for_ each other, and it will shortlybe recognized and accepted as a fact. I will give opera parties anddinner parties, and I will see to it, that they are conspicuously pairedas partners.”
“That sounds plausible, Mrs. Van Reypen,” and Nan shook her head; “butit is not so easy. You, of course, see them together often, but Pattygoes to many parties where Philip is not invited, or if he _is_ there,where she is escorted by some one else.”
“That’s just it!” and the old lady’s tone was vibrant with enthusiasm;“we must see to it that she is invited everywhere first by Philip, andthen she can’t accept these other invitations.”
Nan smiled at the thought of thus ordering headstrong Patty’s engagementcalendar, but she only said, “I’m sure if you can accomplish this, Ishall be but too glad. For I, too, want to see Patty happily married. Iam in no haste for the event to occur, but I would like to rest assuredthat her choice will be a wise one, and one that will mean her lifelonghappiness.”
“All that would be insured by her betrothal to Philip,” and Philip’saunt looked complacent. “And I am sure the dear girl would be willing tosay yes to him, if she were convinced that it was time for her to make achoice. Will you not, both of you, do all you can to bring this about?”
“With pleasure,” said Mr. Fairfield, “but, as my wife says, it is noteasy to force or coerce my daughter.”
“Oh, not force or coerce! Have you people no idea of diplomacy? Ofstrategy, even, if necessary?”
“Just how may diplomacy be directly employed?”
“Principally, perhaps, by inducing propinquity. The more they aretogether, the more they will care for one another. Though to be sure,Philip is deeply in love with Patty, now. He has, I am sure, asked herto marry him already.”
“Then if he has, and she has refused him,” said Nan, “what more can wedo?”
“Refused him? Nothing of the sort! She hasn’t accepted him, of course,or we would know of it; but you know how girls, nowadays, play fast andloose with a man, if they are sure of his devotion. Indeed, if Philipcould be persuaded to slight Patty a little, now and then, it would soonpique her into an acceptance. But he will never do that,—I know him toowell. Philip is a dear boy, but a straightforward nature, with nothought of trifling or deception. No, we must devote our efforts towardPatty’s attitude, not Philip’s. He is all right as he is. If Patty willconsent to marry my nephew, I am considering making her my heiress.”
“Mrs. Van Reypen!” Fred Fairfield exclaimed in indignation, “I beg youwill not use any such argument or bribe in connection with my daughter’sname!”
“Hoity-toity, now! Don’t get excited. ’Tis no bribe. ’Tis but the fact;if so be that Patty will become my niece, I shall divide my wealthequally between her and my nephew. She shall have half in her own right.If she will not, half is still Philip’s and the other half will go to acharity. I don’t want to give it all to Philip. He is already a richman, and I don’t approve of too big fortunes for young men.”
“Never mind about the money part of it,” said Nan. “I am quite willingto espouse Mrs. Van Reypen’s cause, irrespective of her will. And, too,if Patty does marry Philip, it is quite right and proper that she shouldinherit this wealth. If not, there is no question of her having it. Sothe fortune element settles itself. But what I can’t see is how we’regoing about this thing. I’m somewhat practical, Mrs. Van Reypen, and Iconfess I can see no practical way to bring these two hearts to beat asone. If you can instruct me, I shall be glad to obey orders.”
Nan looked very pretty and sweet as she spoke in earnest on the subject.She meant just what she said. She would be very glad to have Patty marryPhilip, very glad to do anything she could to help bring it about, butfor the life of her she couldn’t see anything to do.
“Well,” Mrs. Van Reypen defended her stand, “when I took them on thatmotor trip together with me, that was a step in the right direction.They were thrown so much in one another’s company, that it becameinevitable to them to be together. I always thought if that Mr.Farnsworth hadn’t joined us up at Lake Sunapee, the matter would havebeen settled then and there.”
“You think Mr. Farnsworth interfered?” asked Nan.
“I’m not sure. Do you think Patty cares for him?”
“No, I think not,” said Fred Fairfield. “They seem to have little tiffswhen they’re together, and I doubt they are very congenial.”
“I used to like Bill Farnsworth,” said Nan, “but since I learned that hetried to bring about Patty’s going on the stage, I’ve not cared so muchfor him. You see, he’s a Westerner, and he has different ideas fromours. Imagine Patty on the stage! And it was unpardonable in him to putthe idea in her head.”
“Did he do that?”
“Yes, Philip said he heard that Mr. Farnsworth took Patty over to thehotel where that actress was staying, to talk the matter over. And hesays that Patty herself said that Bill said she was good-looking enoughto go on t
he stage! Fancy!”
“It’s an outrage! That whole stage business makes my blood boil!” andMrs. Van Reypen’s very bonnet strings shook in righteous indignation.“That’s what you get for letting her associate with a man like that.”
“Oh, come now,” said Mr. Fairfield, “Farnsworth is a good sort. I thinkhe’s very much of a man.”
“A fine type of a man to try to get a nice girl like Patty to become acommon actress!” The aristocratic visitor’s face expressed the deepestscorn of the theatrical profession as a whole. “But she’s all over that,isn’t she?”
“Yes, thank goodness!” answered Nan. “Well, all I can see to do, is, toincline Patty toward Philip in any subtle way we can. Praise him to her,judiciously, not too much. Compare him favourably with other men,especially Mr. Farnsworth, for I’m not sure that Patty doesn’t like himquite a little. Then let Philip come here often and we will make himvery welcome, and the rest I think he will have to accomplish himself.”
“You have expressed it very well, Mrs. Fairfield,” and the visitor roseto go. “And I’m sure other ways and means will suggest themselves to youas time goes on. If you would sometimes ask him to dinner quite _enfamille_, I will do the same by Patty. Such things,—letting them bealone together of an evening now and then,—will do wonders.”
* * * * *
And so the plans were made, and the schemers, who were all actuated byan honest desire for Patty’s happiness, began to watch foropportunities.
As Mrs. Van Reypen had surmised, in her wise, canny mind, there wereways, unobtrusive and delicate, by which the two young people could bethrown together more frequently and none of these was neglected. Nothinginsistent or noticeable was ever attempted, but after a time, Pattyfound herself relying on Philip’s advice and judgment, and unconsciouslyreferring questions to him for settlement.
Mrs. Van Reypen and the elder Fairfields noted this approvingly, and thewhole circle of young people came gradually to look on Philip as Patty’sspecial property.
Van Reypen was by no means averse to this, and he adopted an attitude ofownership, which, as it became definite, was quickly resented by Patty.
“Look here, Phil,” she said one day; “you needn’t act as if I belongedto you. Don’t decide things for me without my consent.”
“Forgive me, Patty. I’ve no wish to offend. But you will belong to mesome day, and I suppose I’m too impatient for the day to come.”
“How do you know I will?”
“It’s written in the stars. We were made for each other. You’ll wake upto the fact some day, perhaps soon.”
“I ha’e me doots,” said Patty, in roguish mood, and her light laughterchecked the more serious words that rose to Philip’s lips. He wascontent to bide his time.
One day he telephoned to Patty that Mrs. Van Reypen was not well andbegged she would come over.
“Is she ill?” asked Patty in surprise, for the hale old lady was avaletudinarian.
“Not quite that, but she has a cold, and she wants cheering up.”
So Patty ordered the car and went right over. She found that Mrs. VanReypen did, indeed, have a cold, and a severe one. Patty was alarmed andinsisted on calling the doctor, who pronounced it a case of grip, andordered the patient to bed.
Patty remained over night, for Mrs. Van Reypen was feverish and toonervous and worried about herself to be left to the care of servants.Late in the evening, however, she became quieter, and begged Patty toleave her to herself for a time, and go downstairs and sit with Philipand cheer up the poor boy.
So, having made the sick lady as comfortable as she could, Patty randownstairs for a while.
She was garbed in a boudoir robe of Mrs. Van Reypen’s. She had discardedher street gown as being out of place in the sick room, and had rummagedin her hostess’ wardrobe until she selected one of the many house gownsand negligées that hung there.
It was utterly inappropriate for the girl, being made of purple silk,with a wide berthé of Duchess lace. But it made Patty look very quaintand sweet,—like a maid of olden time. She had twisted her curls uphigh, and added a large carved ivory comb, from the dressing table.
“The Puritan Maiden, Priscilla,” she had said, laughingly as shepirouetted before her hostess.
“A very fetching garb,” remarked the old lady. “You may have it to keep.You can use it in your amateur theatricals, or such dressings up, andthe berthé is of valuable old lace.”
Patty thanked her kind friend, but to tell the truth, she was soaccustomed to receiving gifts from Mrs. Van Reypen that one more was butas a drop in the bucket.
So, on being dismissed from the sick room, Patty ran lightly downstairs,and into the library. Only a shaded table light was turned on, and inthe glow of the firelight Philip sat, in an easy chair, smoking. When heheard Patty enter, he threw his cigar in the fire, and holding out hisarm, he drew her down to the broad tufted arm of the great chair he satin.
“How goes it upstairs?” he asked, casually.
“Not very well,” said Patty, soberly. “I don’t want to be a ‘calamityhowler,’ but I think Lady Van is more ill than she knows. This grip is atreacherous thing, and liable to take sudden turns for the worse. And,too, she is not as young as she once was, and so, Philip, I want you totake all precautions. I will look after her tonight, but tomorrow youmust get a nurse.”
“Of course I will. Send for one now, if you say so.”
“No, I can manage for tonight. She is resting quietly now. She is brightand cheery, you understand, but she is weak, and the disease has astrong hold on her.”
“Patty, what a dear girl you are!” Philip spoke in a fine, honest, manlyway, and Patty thrilled at his so sincere praise. “You are one in athousand! Indeed, I’m sure there never was another like you.”
“Go ’way wid yer blarney,” laughed Patty, a least bit embarrassedbecause she knew it was not mere blarney.
“It’s the truth, dear, and you know it. Oh, Patty, wouldn’t it be niceif you lived here all the time?”
“So I could take care of Lady Van?” and her light laugh rang out.
“Yes, and so you could take care of me. I need taking care of,—that is,I need you to take care of me.”
“Why, Philip, you’re the most capable person I know. You can take careof yourself.”
“Well, then, I wish you lived here so I could take care of you. Wouldyou like that, you little Colonial Dame?”
“I’m pretty independent. I’m not sure I’d take kindly to being takencare of.”
“You would like the way _I’d_ take care of you, I promise you that!”
“Why, how would it be?”
Patty knew she was playing with fire. She knew that unless she meant toencourage Philip Van Reypen, she ought not to lead him on in this way.But Patty was very feminine, and the temptation to know just what hemeant was very strong.
“Well,” Philip laid his warm hand gently on hers, “in the first place,you should never know a care or a trouble that I could bear for you.”
“H’m,” said Patty, “that’s comforting, but not so very entertaining.”
“You little witch! Do you want entertainment? Well, then, I’d make it mylife work to invent new entertainments for you every day. How’s that?”
“That’s better,” and naughty Patty showed animated delight at theprospect. “What would the entertainments be like?”
“That’s telling. They’d be surprises, and I can’t divulge their secretstill you do come to live here?”
“I did live here once,” said Patty, smiling at the recollection. “AsLady Van’s companion.”
“And now won’t you come and live here as my companion?”
“Oh, are you getting old enough to need a companion?”
“I sure am! I’m twenty-six, and that’s the very exact age when a manwants a companion, or, at any rate, this man does. Will you, PattyPrecious?”
“I dunno. Tell me more about these entert
ainments.”
“Well, they should comprise all the best ones that are to be found onthe face of the earth. And when you tired of them, I would make up newones.”
“Parties?”
“Yes, parties of every sort. Dances, theatre parties, motor parties,dinner parties,——”
“And little twosy parties,—just you and me all alone?”
“Patty! you witch! do you want to drive me crazy? Now, just for that,you’ve got to say yes, and live here with me, and have all the littletwosy parties you want!”
“But, Philip, _I_ proposed them, you didn’t!” and Patty pouted until herscarlet lips looked like a cleft cherry.
“Because I didn’t dare. Do you suppose I let myself think that you wouldcare for such?”
“Well, I don’t know as I do. I’ve never tried them!” And Patty ran outof the room.