Patty took this opportunity to whisper to Mona, “Don’t you say another word to him! You mustn’t speak to strangers so familiarly. You came near making serious trouble for us!”
Now Mona was of such a peculiar disposition that, instead of realising the truth of Patty’s words, she became incensed at the idea of being scolded, and made no reply, save to pout her lips and assume a very angry expression of countenance.
The man returned from his own car, and in a short time had inserted a new inner tube, and Camilla was in perfect order for a fresh start.
“I thank you very much,” said Patty, with a calm, gracious politeness; “and, if you’ll give me your card, or your address, my father will send you a cheque for the tire, and a note of thanks for your kindness to his daughter.”
“’Taint worth mentioning,” said the man, looking a little sheepish before Patty’s courteous dignity; “and I haven’t a card, but here’s my name, and I’ll be glad to hear from your father, miss.”
He scribbled on a bit of paper and gave the address to Patty, who put it in her cardcase, and, bowing civilly to the man, she started her car and drove swiftly away.
CHAPTER XI
THE FIRST ARRIVALS
“Mona,” said Patty, severely, as they drove along, “you ought to know better than to talk to a strange man in that familiar way! He wasn’t a nice man at all.”
“Well, he helped us out of our difficulty.”