Kenneth hesitated for a moment. “Don’t you want to go spinning with Patty, Mrs. Fairfield?” he said.
“No, thank you; I have some household matters to attend to. One can’t have a house party without occasionally having an eye on domestic affairs. So, good-bye. Be home in time for luncheon.”
Soon Patty and Kenneth were flying along the beach road, and the Swift Camilla was living up to her highest reputation. Patty was driving, and Kenneth was polite and amiable, but not merry.
After a time, Patty slowed down speed a little.
“Kenneth,” she said, abruptly, “I’ve something to say to you, and I’m going to say it right straight out. You know what Elise told you that I said about you, or rather about the locket you gave me?”
“Yes, I know; and, by the way, it seems that just about everybody else knows, too.”
“Never mind that,” said Patty, knowing that the boy was annoyed because Mona had interfered in the matter. “The point is, Ken, that what Elise told you I said wasn’t entirely true.”
“Not entirely true? How much of it was true? Since you seem to know all about her conversation with me, I suppose she told you.”
“No, she didn’t. Now listen, Ken; I hate, awfully, to talk against Elise, but I’ve simply got to stand up for my own rights in this thing. I did tell her that I only wore that locket once or twice, but I didn’t tell her that I didn’t care anything about it. For I do. I care a great deal about it.”
“Then, why don’t you wear it oftener?”