Margaret Cameron

“ Blaisdell demanded, "that you think running an engine is a job for a woman?"
"Anything she wants to do is a job for a woman, provided she can do it successfully," Howard replied. "That's the proof of the pudding."
"Hear! Hear!" cried two or three of the guests, laughing; but Mrs. Yarnell arched delicate eyebrows and shrugged dainty shoulders as she smiled up at Bob, perceiving which, Patty promptly flung him a challenge. ”

“ The wire vibrated to a warning note. "Don't make any mistake about Patricia Carlyle, Cousin Julia. Bob may be a lucky kid, but he's not that lucky! She won't marry him. And you can't be too cordial to her. She's all right in every way—and a brick, besides!"
"But—Ned!" wailed Bob's distracted parent. "She'll be sure to get him interested in aviation!"
"All right! Let him marry the Yarnell woman, then."
"No, no! But Mr. Blaisdell's so devoted to her—and he's a diplomat and all— Oh, Ned, don't you think she'll marry him?"
"Give it up," said Davenport. ”

“ But she did not underestimate the strength of the forces that would be brought to bear upon him in that trying period between betrothal and marriage, and she wished to make sure of her power to hold him against any inducements to leap back over those lowered walls before escape should be impossible. To this end nothing could be more effective than a little active rivalry—and what rivalry more effective than that of a middle-aged and attractive diplomat? ”

“ Fairweather that Blaisdell might have no more serious intention than to renew his acquaintance with an old friend, she demolished doubt with logic.
"What else could have brought him flying out here in that precipitate fashion? It's an old affair—and there must be some good reason why so attractive a man is still a bachelor. He'd never heard that she was a widow until just before he telephoned yesterday afternoon, and he broke any number of important engagements to come out here this morning. ”

“ Blaisdell smiled down at her quizzically, adding, with enjoyment: "All she needs is a stimulant. Oh, by the way," he suggested, as Bob dropped to the ground, "there's another woman up there. You might come back and help get her down. Janet's gone for a ladder."
"All right." Bob ran toward the house, angrily muttering: "Just my darn luck! He's gone and hogged the whole show again! I never even had a look-in! Heroism! Huh! Anybody could have done that!"
After one eloquent glance at Blaisdell, whose eyes alone betrayed his humor, Patricia commanded, "Kate!" ”

“ Lots of men have married their nurses."
"Very well. Suppose I do marry him. What business is it of yours?"
"Well—this isn't just the moment I should have chosen to tell you, but if you must have it—I want to marry you myself." ”

“ I haven't known her very long, but she and your friend the minister are old pals," he added, his face darkening a little. "He plays a corking game of tennis."
"He always did. We used to play together a lot. I wonder whether he goes in at all for aviation?" was her next move. "You do?"
"N-no, I haven't—yet. I'm going to take it up, though."
"Oh, you must! It's wonderful sport! I'm sorry my plane's temporarily out of commission, but perhaps my mechanic will get it in shape so I can take you up this afternoon before I leave. That is—would you trust my driving?" ”

“ Fairweather, a pretty, faded, worldly woman, although cherishing no sentimental prejudices against marriage for revenue only, felt strongly that for a woman of Elise Yarnell's age to risk yoking herself with a boy of twenty-four would be too perilous a venture, even with the Chamberlain fortune to lubricate the wheels of their apple-cart. Therefore she hoped Blaisdell's eagerness to see her guest might augur the renewal of an early attachment, and an opportunity for Elise to make a more suitable marriage—an impression Mrs. ”

“ Blaisdell burst forth. "Haven't you a man with you?"
"A man?" Patricia repeated. "Why should I have a man with me?"
"Does Ned Davenport let you go out in that devilish thing without a man?"
"My good sir, would you have me travel for a week with one?" she inquired. "And in any event, what has Ned to do with it?" Even as she uttered the words she unexpectedly toppled against him, nearly tipping him off the branch.
"Patty! Patty, you are hurt!" he exclaimed, before he, too, caught sight of Bob running toward them under the trees. "Oh, I see!" he said, laughing. "You imp!" ”

“ No merely friendly interest accounts for that, you know—especially in a man of his position!"
Rumors of this even reached Mrs. Chamberlain by telephone, through interested friends, and she immediately called up Mrs. Fairweather, obtaining her promise to bring her guests over to High Haven for tennis and luncheon the following day. That night, for the first time since the beginning of Mrs, Yarnell's campaign, Bob's mother closed her eyes with something approaching thanksgiving and a glimmer of hope. ”