"Belle," he murmured, "MY Belle! Look at me, please!"
Suddenly Patty lifted her head, and smiled into Kit Cameron's face.
He took a step backward, and staggered almost as if he would fall.
"Patty Fairfield!" he exclaimed, "what does this mean? Why are you here? I expected—oh, I beg your pardon—I—I'm aw-awfully glad to see you."
Adele and Daisy, watching them, were convulsed at Cameron's baffled surprise. They could almost hear what he said. They could see how he tried to pull himself together, and they could see Patty speechless with laughter, as she enjoyed the joke on Kit.
"What are YOU doing in Maple Bank?" she said, as soon as she could speak for laughing.
Kit looked at her gravely. "I came expressly to meet a girl in a white frock and pink roses. I don't see any other around, so—it might as well be you!"
"You needn't try to turn it off so carelessly," said Patty. "Own up that you're caught! What was your girl's name?"
"Belle—My Belle—" And Cameron rolled his eyes in such soulful manner, that Patty went off in another paroxysm.
"Oh, you Joke King, you! Nobody can trick you, can they? Do you own up?"