"Why, Philip, how unkind!" and Patty smiled at him in an exasperating way. "You know you admire Sam Blaney immensely,—only you're jealous of him."
"Admire him! Jealous of him!" Van Reypen fairly glowered with indignation. "That nincompoop! with long hair and a green neck-tie! He's a half-witted farmer!"
Patty's laugh rang out. "Oh, Phil," she cried, "don't be a silly, yourself! His worst enemy couldn't call Sam a farmer! And I can assure you, he's far from half-witted."
"Yes, far less than half," growled Van Reypen. "Oh, Patty, drop 'em, cut 'em out, give 'em the go-by, won't you?"
"Thank you, no. I still reserve the right to choose my friends, and I confess to a liking for those who are kindly disposed toward me."
"Oh, I'm kindly disposed toward you, very much so," declared Phil, "but your new friends are not included in my kindly disposition."
"So I gathered," and Patty laughed again. "But, do you know, they feel that they can struggle along without your admiration and affection."
"Don't be sarcastic, Patty," and Van Reypen smiled at the haughty little face turned toward his.
"No, I won't, Phil. I hate it. And I'm sorry I let myself go like that. But you do stir me up,—you and Elise."
"Glad of it," said Elise, "you ought to be stirred up once in a while. But don't go, Patty. Here comes Daisy,—and, well, if it isn't Bill Farnsworth with her! I didn't know he was in town. He's in and out so much, it's hard to keep track of him. Come in, Daisy, take off your furs. Glad to see you, Bill. Here's Patty Fairfield."