“Don’t!” she cried, and her face betokened a genuine distress.
“Why not?” said the surprised young man; “have you learned to dislike me so cordially already?”
Amiable Patty couldn’t stand for this misinterpretation of her attitude, and her involuntary, smiling glance was a sufficient disclaimer.
But she was saved the necessity of a verbal reply, for just at that moment Mrs. Van Reypen came into the room.
CHAPTER XV
PERSISTENT PHILIP
“Why, Philip!” Mrs. Van Reypen exclaimed; “you are indeed growing attentive to your aged aunt!”
“Middle-aged aunt!” he returned, gallantly; “and belonging to the early middle-ages at that! I told you I should call this morning, and I’d like another egg, please, aunty.”