Carolyn Wells

“ Why, Christine, you’ve arrived!”
“Not quite that; but I’m steadily going ahead. I say that quite without conceit. It’s simply that I’m learning how to use the talent I have.”
“You dear!” cried Patty. “As if any one could imagine you conceited! And, of course, you’re going ahead,—fast!”
“And, Patty, Mrs. Van Reypen is so good to me. I don’t understand it. Why, she fairly showers me with kindnesses.”
“I understand it. Mrs. Van Reypen is very eccentric. If she dislikes people, she can’t be caustic enough to them or about them. But, if she takes a fancy to any one, then she just adores her. ”

“ Catching up a light wrap, Patty flung it around her, and, with Mr. Van Reypen, walked around the house to the garage. The full moon was so very bright that, when the young man opened the big doors, Patty’s car showed as clearly and plainly as if it had been daylight.
“Isn’t she a beauty!” said Patty, in a voice almost awestruck, for the moonlight touched up the car with a sort of magic lustre never seen by day.
“She sure is!” declared young Van Reypen, with emphasis. “Wow! what perfection of detail, and what beautiful finish! Can you run it?” ”

“ Oh, Christine, do be nice to her.”
“Of course I shall. I liked her at once. She isn’t a bit patronising. But, Patty, your friend Elise is. I don’t know why, but she doesn’t like me.”
“Nonsense, Christine, don’t you go around with thinks like that under your pompadour! Elise is all right. She isn’t such a sunny bunny as I am, but she’s a lot wiser and better in many ways.”
“No, she isn’t! She’s selfish and jealous. But I’m going to be nice to her, and, perhaps, I can make her like me, after all.”
“I should say you could! Everybody likes you, and anybody who doesn’t soon will!” ”

“ But not since her Vernondale days had she attended this sort of picnic. There were no servants. The simple but appetising luncheon was spread on a tablecloth laid on the grass, and, true to tradition, a grasshopper now and then leaped in among the viands, or an audacious spider attempted to approach the feast. But these were few and easily vanquished by the brave and valiant men of the party.
The men, too, proved themselves capable in the arts of fire-building and coffee-making, so that Patty, who was a born cook and loved it, found no use for her talent. ”

“ It was awfully good of you people to ask me.”
“We like to have you here,” said Nan, smiling at the young man’s frank and heartfelt gratitude.
“And I think it’s good of you to come,” said Patty; “for you must have lots of invitations to grander houses than this.”
“My child,” said Philip Van Reypen, looking at her, gravely, “it is not the grandeur of a house that attracts me; it’s the grandeur of the people. And I think you people are just grand! But, tell me, how do you like the motor car which you won by such strenuous exertion?” ”

“ Aren’t we all getting grown-up, to have dinner parties and low-neck gowns! Though mine isn’t exactly low neck, it’s just cut out sort of round.”
“Yes, a Dutch neck,” said Elise; “that’s what mine is.”
“But still it does seem grown-up,” went on Patty, musingly, “to have a birthday dinner and dance, instead of just an ordinary party.”
“Well, you are grown-up when you’re nineteen,” said Christine. “I’m twenty, and I think I’m grown-up.”
“That’s because you’re Southern,” said Patty. “We stay little girls a lot longer up here. And I’m glad of it, for I hate being grown-up. ”

“ But Miss Galbraith was not so easily baffled. “Oh, are you like that?” she said. “Now I’m just the opposite! I know at once if I like anybody, and I do like you, and so I’m going to call you Patty. Of course, if you’re so cautious about making friends, you’ll have to adopt me more slowly. But I’ll warrant it won’t be long before you’ll call me Mona in spite of yourself. And you, too, Mrs. Fairfield,” she added, turning to Nan.
Patty gasped, for she almost thought the forward girl was going to call Nan by her first name, but Mona did not go quite so far as that. ”

“ What do you think, Patty?”
“Far be it from me to cast reflections on the goods my host provides, but, generally speaking, I confess I like my table a few feet above the over-attentive population of Mother Earth.”
“Oh, pshaw, Patty!” exclaimed Philip. “You’re no kind of a sport! You’re a pampered darling of luxurious modernity.”
“Gracious! What an awful thing to be!” cried Patty, in mock dismay.
“And, anyway, Patty,” said the blunt Mona, “if you hadn’t put all those old weedy flowers on the tablecloth, there wouldn’t be any ants and things. They’ve mostly come out of your decorations.” ”

“ Christine was pretty, in her soft Southern way. She was small, and dainty in all her effects. Her oval face was serious, almost sad in its expression, but, if she were interested in a subject, it would light up into sudden beauty.
Her clothes betokened her artistic tastes, and she never wore dresses of the fashionable type, but soft, clinging gowns in dull, pastel colours. A bit of old embroidery or unusual jewelry added an effective touch, and Christine always looked well dressed, though her clothes cost far less than Patty’s. ”

“ One delightful room, with a full sea view, Patty declared was Christine’s room, and she was to occupy it just whenever she chose, and she was to select its furnishings herself. The girl’s eyes filled with tears at this new proof of loving friendship, and, though she knew she should take but few vacation days from her work that summer, yet she willingly consented to select the fittings, on condition that it be used as a guest room when she was not present. ”

“ The boys, who were waiting in the hall, exclaimed in vociferous compliment as the girls came slowly down the staircase, and declared that such a trio of beauty had never before been seen.
“Nonsense!” cried Patty. “Don’t you talk to us as if we were grown-up young ladies! We’re only a little bit more than schoolgirls. Just because I’m nineteen, I’m not going to be treated with dignity! Roger, will you dance the first dance with me?” ”

“ Proper civility is all very well, but you needn’t be chummy with a stranger. And I give you fair warning, Mona, that, if you want to be friends with me, you must never do that sort of thing again.”
“I do want to be friends with you, Patty, and I think I see what you mean now, but I didn’t think I was doing any harm. I’m glad to have you scold me, Patty, for I do want to do what’s right. You see, I never had much bringing-up. My mother died when I was a little girl, and since then father has indulged me in everything I wanted, but I’ve really had none of what you may call social training.” ”

“ You’re not strong, Patty, and I want you to devote this summer to building yourself up physically. No study, not much reading, no ‘Puzzle Contest’ work. Just rest, and exercise moderately, and spend most of your time out-of-doors.”
“Why, daddy dear, your plans and specifications exactly suit me! How strange that our ideas should be the same on this subject! You see, with my new Stanhope, I’ll be out-of-doors all day, and, as I propose to sleep in the open, I’ll be out-of-doors all night. Can I do more?” ”

“ Patty’s eyes grew round with horror.
“Why, Nan Fairfield, I’m more afraid of that cow than of all the automobiles in the world! I’m terribly afraid of cows! I’m more afraid of cows than of anything, except a mouse! But a mouse wouldn’t block up the road so dreadfully. Nan, you get out and chase the cow.” ”

“ As you know, I adore all my friends, and I want them all to adore me, and, when I make new friends, they’ve all got to adore each other, too, and that’s all there is about that! But don’t you worry over old Roger. He’s fallen a victim to the charms of Mona Galbraith. I never was so surprised in my life! You know, I don’t like that girl very much, and last night, as soon as Roger met her, they immediately fell into a deep friendship! ”

“ Patty had such a good time that she was sorry when her father called them to go home.
“We just fly from one kind of fun to another!” exclaimed Elise, as they made ready to start. “Mayn’t I ride home with you, Patty?”
“No, no, Miss Farrington,” said Philip Van Reypen, overhearing her; “it’s my turn to ride with Miss Fairfield. We’re going to put you and Mr. Harper in the roadster, with Mr. Hepworth behind to see that you don’t fall out.”
As usual, Mr. Van Reypen’s audacity carried the day; and, too, Elise had no objections to driving home with Kenneth. ”

“ Hepworth’s, but perfectly good moods and thoughts, all the same.”
“Why do you class mine with Mr. Hepworth’s?”
“Because you’re both artists. Aren’t artists supposed to have most impressive and unspeakable thoughts at sight of the ocean or the moon or the purple shadows on the distant hills?”
“Patty, I suppose you’re making fun of me, but I don’t mind a bit. And, of one thing I’m sure, whatever your thoughts may be, they’re never unspeakable!”
“Right you are, Christine! I’m glad you appreciate my talent for volubility! That’s why I like the sea. ”

“ But I know you have no talent for puzzles, so, my dear child, I’m not asking you. But, you men of brains and intellect, can’t you help me out? I’m sure there’s another answer, but I can’t think what it would be.”
“Why, Patty,” said Mr. Hepworth, thoughtfully, “I think Roger is right. If the bookworm goes through all three volumes, he must go through three hundred pages, mustn’t he?”
“No, indeed!” cried Christine, her shyness forgotten, and her eyes shining as she constructed the picture of the books in her mind’s eye. “Wait a minute; yes, I’m sure I’m right! ”

“ CHAPTER VIII SWIFT CAMILLA
At last the car came. Patty was in a flutter of joyous expectation, and, as Miller came whirring up the drive in it, the whole family assembled on the veranda to admire it.
“Isn’t it a beauty, Nan! Oh, isn’t it?” Patty exclaimed, as the sunlight flashed gold sparkles on the shining paint.
“It is, indeed, Patty. I never saw such a pretty one. Are you sure you can run it?”
“Oh, yes! I know how already. You just stick in a key and turn it, and grab the brake-handle, and take hold of the steering bar, and push and pull whenever you think you ought to.” ”

“ Solitude is an awfully good thing once in a while. Don’t you sort of feel the need of it now?”
“Yes, I think I do,” said Nan, laughing; “so you may have Kenneth for a while. What are you going to do with him?”
“Take him for a spin,” said Patty, “Come on, Ken.”
Kenneth hesitated for a moment. “Don’t you want to go spinning with Patty, Mrs. Fairfield?” he said.
“No, thank you; I have some household matters to attend to. One can’t have a house party without occasionally having an eye on domestic affairs. So, good-bye. Be home in time for luncheon.” ”

“ Patty sighed a little. “I’m willing to help her, but I don’t want to take the whole burden of her social education on my shoulders.”
“Patty,” laughed Nan, “don’t take it so seriously. You’re not employed as nursery governess at ‘Red Chimneys’ yet, and the few occasions when you have opportunity to drop a good seed on Mona Galbraith’s thorny soil, it won’t hurt you a bit to do it.”
“Hurray for Nan!” cried Patty; “she always hits the nail on the head and rings the bull’s-eye! Well, anyway, I didn’t tell Mona about my birthday, or that I expect company.” ”

“ CHAPTER XV A MORNING SWIM
“Now,” said Nan, “we must lay our plans. We’re going to celebrate Patty’s birthday, all day long; but there isn’t very much time in a day, after all, so you must all choose what you think would be the most fun to do. We’re going to the Country Club for luncheon, which is a motor trip of about twenty miles. Then we’ll come back, and this evening there will be a little dinner dance, which is, of course, the real birthday party. Now you’ve about two hours before we start this morning. What do you want to do?”
“I’m for a dip in the ocean,” declared Philip Van Reypen. ”

“ But if I can walk anywhere, and get assistance for you, I’ll gladly do so.”
“Mona, you’re a good deal of a trump,” said Patty, looking into the girl’s earnest face; “but I don’t know of any place you could get assistance nearer than home, and that’s ten miles away. You see, Mona, when motor cars do break down, they invariably choose a place far away from any garage or repair shop. The farther away it is, the better the car likes it. Can’t you hear Camilla chuckling at our discomfiture?” ”

“ Patty put on more speed, which, contrary to her intent, made the hind wheels sink lower and lower in the soft sand. The car had stopped, and no effort of Patty’s could start it.
She looked at Nan with a comical smile.
“Adventure No. 1!” she said. “Oh, Nan, we can’t get home by six! Indeed, I don’t see how we can ever get home.”
“Are you frightened, Patty?”
“No; there’s nothing to be frightened about. But I’m—well, hopping mad just about expresses my feelings! You see, Nan, it’s like a quicksand; the more we struggle to get out, the deeper we get in.” ”

“ I don’t want to lose my beautiful car! What can we do?”
“I don’t see anything to do but to sit here in the car all night, and of course we can’t do that. Nor can one of us go and one stay, for I wouldn’t let you go alone, and I’m sure I wouldn’t let you stay here alone.”
“I think I’ll go,” said Patty, slowly. “You stay with the car, and I’ll walk home alone. It’s only three miles, and I’m sure it’s perfectly safe; there’s no one abroad at this time of night.”
“Patty, I can’t let you do it;” and Philip Van Reypen looked deeply troubled. ”

“ Patty liked the seashore, and Nan, the mountains, but each wanted the other to be pleased, so there was a generous rivalry going on.
“But I can use it in the mountains,” went on Patty; “mountain roads are pretty much civilised nowadays. And, anyway, it’s sure to be a perfect hill-climber.”
“Oh, sure to be!” said Mr. Fairfield, who never could bring himself to believe seriously that Patty would get the car.
“Well, let’s divide the time,” suggested Nan. “Let’s go to the seashore first, and spend, say, May, June, and July. Then go to the mountains for August and September.” ”

“ I may be queer, but I can see a hole through a millstone when anybody I love is concerned. Now, you know when you and Mr. Van Reypen and I were in the little arbour last night, we overheard somebody talking on the other side of the thick vines.”
“Really, Mona, I must beg of you not to go too far, or I may lose my temper!”
“Oh, no, you won’t, Patty Fairfield! You just sit still and listen. Now you know, as well as I do, we weren’t eavesdropping,—any of us,—but we all heard what Mr. Harper said to Miss Farrington.” ”

“ Mona, tell me, quick!”
“Well, he said that Miss Farrington told him that you didn’t care a snap about the locket he gave you and that you only wore it once or twice.”
“What?” exclaimed Patty. “I don’t quite understand. The locket Kenneth gave me?”
“That’s what she said.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake! I understand now! That locket! Why, the idea! Say, Mona, you’re a trump to find this all out!”
“You didn’t think so at first.”
“No, I didn’t; and I’m sorry! You have played the part of a real friend, and you’ve done more for me than you realise! But, oh, Mona! how could Elise do a thing like that?” ”

“ I’ve named her the Swift Camilla, and somehow Camilla seems to understand everything I say to her, and she almost talks back. Then, when I take other people with me, Camilla likes or dislikes them. If she dislikes them, she shows it by not running quite so smoothly. She jumps and balks and shies, for no reason at all, except petulance. Isn’t that so, Camilla?” and Patty patted the side of the car with a caressing gesture. ”

“ And, then, I have the dearest stepmother. She’s just the perfection of all that’s sweet and gentle and refined.”
“You’re a lucky girl, Patty, and I envy you.”
“Now, that’s silly! You’re a lucky girl to have such an indulgent father, and oceans of money, and freedom to do exactly as you choose. Why, you have all sorts of possibilities, Mona. You could make yourself anything you want to.” ”

“ Give me the car, then!”
“Oh, of course I want the car, you goose! But I mean I really cared more for the game,—the winning of it!”
“Of course you did!” declared Van Reypen. “That’s the true sportsman spirit: ‘not the quarry, but the chase!’ I’m proud of you, Miss Fairfield! Your sentiments are the right sort.”
Patty smiled and dimpled, quite her roguish self again, now that the exciting crisis was past.
“Nan,” she cried, “we must celebrate! Will you invite all this hilarious populace to dinner, or give them an impromptu tea-fight right now?”
“Dinner!” cried Philip Van Reypen; and “Dinner!” ”

“ From a little utility case, which was tucked away under the seat of the motor, Patty drew out a good-sized package of sweet chocolate. “I always carry chocolate with me,” she said, “because it tastes so good when it’s dusty.”
“When the chocolate’s dusty?”
“No, of course not; when the road’s dusty, and your throat’s dusty,—chocolate’s awful good then.”
As she talked, Patty had torn off the outer wrapper, and showed the chocolate neatly wrapped in tinfoil. ”

“ Hepworth, of course, was one of her old friends.
As for Philip Van Reypen, Nan had liked him from the first, and they had established a very chummy acquaintance. So, on the whole, the house party bade fair to be a great success, and Nan expected to enjoy its fun almost as much as Patty herself.
“You’re getting brown, Patty,” said Roger, looking admiringly at the tanned face.
“Yes, it’s outdoorsiness as does it! I swim and walk, and play tennis and go motoring all day long, and I sleep on a veranda at night.” ”

“ Power gave out, punctured tire, or misjudged distance?”
“None of those,” cried Patty, gaily; “but it was a real accident, and a real unavoidable and unforeseeable one!”
“Oh, of course!” chaffed her father; “accidents are always unavoidable, and never the fault of the person driving!”
“I’m glad you’ve learned that,” said Patty, saucily, “for, if you have that theory firmly fixed in your mind, you have learned the main principle of motor adventures!”
And then the three sat down on the veranda, and Patty and Nan detailed the whole experience to Mr. Fairfield. ”