"Yes," and Patty assumed her old mischievous smile. "Carry things off with a high hand, Phil. That's the way to meet them."
Together they sauntered to the supper room, and, as they had expected, were met by a storm of chaff.
"Where have you two been? 'Fess up, now!"
"Flirting," replied Van Reypen, coolly. "Haven't we, Patty?"
"Yes, if you call such a mild affair worthy of the name," and Patty's nonchalant air and unembarrassed manner gave no further inducement for teasing.
"Let's sit here," Phil went on, selecting seats at a small table, with some casual friends, and then his resources of conversation and Patty's gay chatter did away with all chance for personal allusions.
CHAPTER XVI
A STOLEN POEM
After supper there was dancing, and Patty was besieged by would-be partners. Good-naturedly she fractioned her dances, and even divided the short intermissions between them. Everybody wanted to dance with the smiling little person in red velvet, and her pretty gaiety salved the wounds of those whom she was obliged to refuse.
At last, Farnsworth came to her, and his determined expression told
Patty he was about to lay down the law.