“Well, of course, it’s mostly Elise’s fault, but, if you’ll just ignore it, and stand up for your own rights, you can help me a whole lot.”
“I will, Patty; indeed, I will!” said Christine, earnestly, and then they arrived at “The Pebbles.”
Dinner that night was a gay and jolly feast. It was the eve of the birthday, and the house party had already assumed an air of festivity.
Mr. Van Reypen and Kenneth Harper had come down later than the others, and Philip Van Reypen had established himself at the hotel where Mr. Hepworth was, while Kenneth was a house guest at “The Pebbles.”
But the men from the hotel came over to dinner, and announced their intention of staying as late as they would be allowed.
Also, to Patty’s dismay, Mona Galbraith had come over just before dinner, and, as she was still there when dinner was announced, Nan felt herself really obliged to ask the girl to dine with them.
Patty didn’t like it at all, but there was no help for it, and so Mona stayed. She looked very pretty that night, and was not quite so overdressed as usual. Moreover, she made herself bright and entertaining, without showing any of her less desirable traits of character.
Seated between Roger and Mr. Van Reypen, she ingratiated herself with both, and, when Patty saw that the boys seemed to like Mona, she felt rather glad she was there.
After dinner they all drifted out to the verandas, and, as it was a moonlight night and high breakers were dashing in on the beach, there was the usual chorus of admiration for the glories of the seashore.
There was much gay chatter and laughter, there was some desultory singing of songs, and at last Elise jumped up, saying: “I just can’t stand it any longer! I simply must go down to the beach! Will anybody go with me?”