“I will.”
“Can you persuade her to do that?”
“I’m sure I can by that time.”
Patty’s eyes were dancing. She had come to Mrs. Van Reypen’s on Thursday. She would, therefore, leave on Thursday, and she was sure that lady would have no objections to inviting her nephew to dinner after her “companion’s” departure.
“Are you going to stay?” demanded Philip suspiciously.
“I’m here a week on trial,” said Patty, demurely. “Your aunt needn’t keep me longer if I don’t suit her. And I know I won’t suit her if she thinks I receive notes from her nephew.”
“Oh, I see! You’re here a week on trial, and if I am chummy with you Aunty Van won’t keep you! Oh, yes! Why, of course! To be sure! Well, Miss Fairfield, I make this sacrifice for your benefit. I will keep away from here during your trial week. Then, in return, you promise to use your influence to get me an invitation to dine here next Friday.”
“I do,” returned Patty. “But do you need an invitation to a house where you seem to feel so much at home?”
“Only when you’re in it,” declared the young man, frankly. “I think Aunty Van fears I mean to kidnap you. I don’t.”
“I’m sure you don’t,” said Patty, flashing a smile at him. “I think we could be good friends, and I hope we shall be. But not until after next Friday.”