“Aha,” said Everson, “the conservatory for theirs! It must be all right! Shall we trail ’em?”
“Yes,” said Patty. “I don’t care if they see us. Let’s walk through the conservatory.”
They did so, and spied Mona and Roger sitting under a group of palms, engaged in earnest conversation. They were not smiling, but they were talking very seriously, with no indication of quarrelling.
“I guess it’s all right,” said Patty, with a little sigh. “It’s awfully nice to have friends, Mr. Everson, but sometimes they’re a great care; aren’t they?”
“If you’ll let me be your friend, Miss Fairfield, I’ll promise never to be a care, and I’ll help you to care for your other cares.”
“Goodness, what a complicated offer! If I could straighten all those cares you speak of, I might decide to take you as a friend. I think I will, anyway,—you were so nice about giving me this dance.”
“I was only too delighted to do so, Miss Fairfield.”
“Thank you. You know it is in place of our other one, number sixteen.”
“Oh, we must have that also.”
“No, it was a fair exchange. You can get another partner for sixteen.”