As for Philip Van Reypen, Nan had liked him from the first, and they had established a very chummy acquaintance. So, on the whole, the house party bade fair to be a great success, and Nan expected to enjoy its fun almost as much as Patty herself.
“You’re getting brown, Patty,” said Roger, looking admiringly at the tanned face.
“Yes, it’s outdoorsiness as does it! I swim and walk, and play tennis and go motoring all day long, and I sleep on a veranda at night.”
“So you get tanned by the moon as well as by the sun,” said Roger. “Well, it’s very becoming, and you look a whole lot healthier than you did in the city.”
“Yes, I am. Come on out and see my car, Roger, and I’ll give you a little spin, if you like. Elise is unpacking her finery and won’t miss us.”
Like every one else, Roger was enthusiastic in his praise of the wonderful car, and gladly accepted Patty’s invitation to go for a short ride. He complimented Patty on her skilful driving, and they went for some distance along the coast road.
“Let me drive back,” said Roger, as they turned homeward, and so they changed seats for the return trip.
“Beautiful car!” he repeated; “and perfect mechanism. Patty, I congratulate you on winning the thing, and it’s wonderful to think you did win it all yourself!”
“Oh, I had a lot of help, you know!”
“Well, it was your own enterprise, and you worked pretty hard yourself.”