"Nobody else?"
"Possibly somebody else,—somebody who was defrauded by your precious joke." And then a sudden light dawned upon Patty. "WAS your quarantine idea worked up in order to keep me away from New York last night?"
"Partly," said Cameron, honestly; "I didn't see any other way to cut out Van Reypen, and it fitted in with my whole plan, so why not?"
"It wasn't very nice of you."
"All's fair in love and war," and Cameron laughed so gaily, that Patty concluded it was wiser to drop the subject.
"I think it was awfully hard for poor Mr. Van Reypen to lose Patty from the party, because of your old joke!" exclaimed Marie.
"I don't mind that part of it," said Kenneth; "he might as well have a little corner of the joke, as the rest of us. But if I've lost a five thousand dollar deal on this, I'll sue you for damages, Cameron."
"Sue ahead," said the irrepressible Kit; "I've danced, and I'm willing to pay the piper."
Kenneth and Marie were left at their homes, and the car went on to
Patty's house.
"May I come in?" said Cameron, as they reached it.