“Yes,” said Chick. “It’s all right. M’lle Farini has occasion to use different names in her profession. Which booth?”
“This way, sir.”
Channing, beckoning to Patty, followed the man, and whispered to her to take the message, as it must be from some of the Freedom Castle people.
Patty went into the booth, and to her surprise was greeted by Philip Van Reypen.
“Well,” she exclaimed, a little annoyed, “is this a habit? Do you expect to call me up every night at midnight?”
“Now, Pattykins, don’t get mad. I called you up to apologize for what I said last night. I take this hour, ’cause I know you’re all wrapped up in people all day, and only at night do you have a moment to waste on me, and I must tell you how sorry I am that I was rude to you.”
“Rude, how?”
“Why, telling you I was coming up there whether you asked me or not. You don’t want me to, do you?”
“No, Phil, since you ask me plainly, I don’t. Not but that I’d like to see you, but I’m here on Bill Farnsworth’s invitation, and since he didn’t ask you,——”
“Yes, I know. And it’s all right. I don’t want to butt in where I’m not asked. And I’m sorry I called you up, if it bothered you. And——”