“I beg your pardon,” he exclaimed. “I do indeed! I’m almost a stranger to you, I know; I ought to have waited until I know you better to say anything of that sort to you! May I take it back, and then say it to you again after I do know you better?”
Patty couldn’t help smiling at his mock dismay.
“And how well shall I have to know you,” he went on, “before I can say it to you properly?”
“I can’t answer that question at once,” said Patty. “We’ll have to let our acquaintance proceed, and see——”
“And see how the cat jumps,” he suggested.
“Yes,” agreed Patty. “And, by the way, what a jumper that cat must be.”
“Small wonder, with everybody waiting to see how she jumps! Oh, pshaw! here comes a horde of people, and our pleasant tête-à-tête is spoiled!”
“Never mind; we’ll have another some time,” and Patty gave him a dimpled smile that quite completed the undoing of Mr. Harold Ferris.
The “horde” proved to be two young men from nearby country houses, Mr. Collins and Mr. Hoyt. And then the other members of the household appeared, and soon dinner was announced.
“We haven’t any especial guest of honour,” said Mrs. Kenerley, “for you’re all so very honourable. So pair off just as you like.”