“I beg your pardon for that unconventional note of admiration, but I trust you will accept it as the tribute for which it was meant.”
This was an easy opening, and Patty was quite ready to respond gaily, when she suddenly remembered her position in the house and wondered if a companion ought to speak to a strange young man in the same language a young person in society might use.
“Thank you,” she said, uncertainly, and her shy hesitation completely captured the heart of Philip Van Reypen.
“Come on down; I won’t eat you,” he said, reassuringly. “You are, I assume, a guest of my aunt’s.”
“I am Mrs. Van Reypen’s companion,” said Patty, but though she made the announcement demurely enough, the funny side of it all struck her so forcibly that she had difficulty to keep the corners of her mouth from showing her amusement.
“By Jove!” exclaimed the young man, “Aunty Van always is lucky! Now, I’m her nephew.”
“Does that prove her good luck?” said Patty, unable to be prim in the face of this light gaiety.
“Yes, indeed! Come on down, and get acquainted, and you’ll agree with me.”
“I don’t believe I ought to,” said Patty, hesitatingly placing one little satin-slippered foot on the next step below, and then pausing again. “You see, I’ve never been a companion before, but I don’t think it’s right for me to precede Mrs. Van Reypen into the drawing-room.”
“Ah, well, perhaps not. Stay on the stairs, then, if you think that’s the proper place. I daresay it is,—I never was a companion, either; so I’m not sure. But sit down, won’t you? I’ll sit here, if I may.”