"Patty,—don't,—let me tell you—"
"Oh, I know you'd hate the fuss and feathers, but Betty'll love it and—"
"But it isn't Betty!" Van Reypen managed to get in.
"Not Betty!" Patty stopped short and turned to face him.
"Oh,—Phil,—Elise?"
"You've one more guess coming," he smiled.
"Oh, who? Somebody in New York? Where is she? I'll invite her here!"
"You needn't,—she's here already. Why, Patty, it's Azalea."
"Azalea!" Patty's surprise was greater than Bill's had been, and she stood looking at Van Reypen with an absolutely incredulous gaze.
"Azalea!" she said, again.
"Yes,—and I want you to help me. When I spoke to her, this afternoon, she—she acted—well, strange—"