“Oh, I like it,—I love it! But, nearly as many people call me that as Chick!”
“And I thought it was original with me! All right, I’ll think up another, and I shan’t speak to you again until I’ve thought of it.”
Nonchalantly turning aside, Patty walked across the great hall to where a few of the others had already gathered.
“Pretty Patty,” said Kit Cameron, in his wheedling way; “wilt thou stroll with me, after dinner, through the moonlight?”
“She wilt not,” answered Adele, for her. “Look here, young folks, if I’m to chaperon you, I’m going to be pretty strict about it. No strollings in moonlights for yours! If you want gaiety, you may have a dance in the ballroom. The strolling can wait till tomorrow, and then we’ll all go for a nice walk round the lake.”
“A dance!” cried Patty, “better yet! Who would go mooning if there’s a dance on? I’ll give you the first one, Kit. Oh, you haven’t asked for it, have you?”
“But I have, Patty,” said Farnsworth’s voice over her shoulder, “will you give it to me?”
“I promised Kit,” said Patty, shortly, and then she turned to speak to Bob Peyton about a golf game next day.
CHAPTER III
A MIDNIGHT MESSAGE