“That was dear of you! But don’t you think for a minute that’s all I’m going to have! There’ll be an extra or two, and I claim them all!”
“Hear the man talk!” exclaimed Patty. “Why, I do believe they’re beginning an extra now! Mr. Van Reypen, won’t you dance it with me?” Patty jumped up and stood before him, lightly swaying in time to the music.
Philip sat looking at her, entranced by the pretty vision; and even before he could rise, Kenneth Harper came to Patty, and obeying a sudden coquettish impulse, she put her hand lightly on Kenneth’s shoulder and they danced away.
Philip Van Reypen sat looking after them, smiling.
“What a transparent child she is,” he thought to himself. “Her pretty little coquetries are like the gambols of a kitten. Now, she thinks I’m going to be annoyed at losing this dance with her. Well,—I am,—but I don’t propose to quarrel with her about it.”
And then Patty and Kenneth came dancing back again; and Patty calmly told Mr. Van Reypen it was his turn now.
Philip took her hand and they started off, and when that dance was finished it was supper-time.
As usual, Patty and her most especial friends grouped in some pleasant corner for supper. But, looking about, she missed a familiar face.
“Where is Christine Farley?” she said. “She always has supper with us. Do you know where she is, Mr. Hepworth?”
Gilbert Hepworth drew near Patty, and spoke in a low voice: “I think she has gone to the dressing-room,” he said. “I wish you’d go up and see her, Patty.”