“Indeed you will,” said Mabel, and again Patty thought she detected a shade of sadness in her friend’s eyes.
But if Mabel was not exactly gay, Grace Meredith made up for it. She was full of fun and laughter, and both she and Tom made comical speeches until Patty feared she would disgrace herself laughing.
“What’s the joke?” asked Mrs. Hartley, coming to collect her young people and take them home.
“Tom is making verses about the people here,” explained Grace. “Tell Mrs. Hartley the one about the violinist, Tom.”
“Don’t think it’s rude, Mrs. Hartley,” said young Meredith; “truly, it isn’t meant to be. But for that classic-browed genius, with his chrysanthemum of tawny-colored hair, isn’t this a pleasant token of regard and esteem?
| “This is our latest social lion, So, to look modest, he’s tryin’ and tryin’.” |
“It’s very beautiful,” said Mrs. Hartley, smiling, “and I daresay Professor Prendergast would enjoy it himself, were he to hear it.”
“He might,” said Tom, doubtfully, “but musicians rarely have a sense of humour, at least, about themselves.”
“That’s true,” agreed Mrs. Hartley, “and now, Mabel and Miss Fairfield, we must be going on.”
Good-byes were soon said, and in the Hartleys’ carriage Patty was taken away to her first visit in an English home.