"Suzette, sir. I'm French."
"Yes, I can see that by looking at you! Well, Suzerte, are you an experienced waitress?"
"Oh, yes, sir. I've worked in the best families and in,—and in hotels and—and—"
"And on oceans liners, I presume! Well, Suzette, here's a proposition. My sister wants a waitress, awfully. Hers has just left. If you will go along with me to my sister's house, she will pay you twice what your previous mistress did."
Patty appeared to consider the question.
"Who is your sister, sir?"
"Mrs. Brewster; she lives in that next place, where you see the red brick chimneys."
Now Patty knew all about the Brewsters, although she had never met them. They were great friends of the Kenerleys, and indeed the whole house party was invited to dine at the Brewsters' the next night. Adele, too, had spoken about Bob Brewster's brother, and Patty realised they were friends and neighbours.
In her present mood, Patty was simply aching for an escapade. And she thought it would be a pretty good practical joke if she should go to Mrs. Brewster's and pretend to be a waitress. She would telephone Adele what she was up to, and they would send another car for her that evening. Perhaps if she had thought another moment she wouldn't have done it, but on the impulse she said. "I'd love to get double wages, sir, and I will go to your sister's, but what about Mrs. Hemingway's car?"
"I will take you over to my sister's first,—it's only a short jump, and then I'll come back and see about this car."