THE HEPWORTHS AT HOME
It was the day of Christine's home-coming, and Patty was busy as a bee
preparing for the great event. The pretty apartment where the Hepworths
were to live was all furnished and equipped, but Patty was looking
after the dainty appointments of a party.
Not a large party, only about a dozen of their own set. Nan was there,
too, and Elise Farrington, and they were arranging flowers in bowls and
jars and vases, till the rooms were a bower of blossoms.
"What time will they arrive?" said Elise.
"We expected them about six o'clock," returned Patty; "but I had a
telegram, and their train is delayed, so they can't get here until
nine. So I want the party all assembled when they come. It's five now,
and everything's about done, so we can scoot home and get some dinner
and get dressed, and be back here before they arrive. I'll be here by
half-past eight, for the caterers are coming then, and I want to see
about the table."
So they all went home to dress, and before half-past eight Patty was
back again.
There were two maids already installed, but Patty found plenty to do in
superintending matters, and she hadn't much more than completed the
decorations of the table, when the guests began to come.
"Isn't the apartment lovely?" exclaimed Mona Galbraith, as she went
through the rooms. "This music-room, or living-room, or whatever you
call it, is just dear! Who selected the furnishings?"
"Oh, Mr. Hepworth and Christine," said Patty; "two artists, you know;
of course the rooms ought to be beautiful. It is a lovely place, and
just the right setting for that darling of a Christine."
The whole merry crowd were assembled in the living-room, when the bride
and groom arrived. A shout of welcome went up from the young people,
and Christine was smothered in girlish embraces, while the men
vigorously shook Mr. Hepworth's hand, or clapped him on the shoulder,
in their masculine way of congratulation.
Christine looked very sweet and smiling, in a pretty travelling gown,
but Patty carried her off at once and insisted that she get into a
house gown.
"The idea," said Patty, "of a hostess in a high-collared frock and all
her guests in evening dress!"
So Christine quickly changed to a little chiffon gown of pale green and
Patty tucked a pink rose in her hair and some more in her belt.
"Now you look like a bride," said Patty, nodding approval at her, and
leading her to a mirror; "look at that vision of beauty! Aren't you
glad I made you change?"
"Yes, ma'am," said Christine, in mock humility; "it's much better so."
The evening was a merry one. They danced and they sang and they chatted
and finally they had the delightful supper that Patty had ordered.
Christine, blushing prettily, took the head of the table, while Gilbert
Hepworth, with a proud air of proprietorship, sat at the other end.
Patty, as guest of honour, sat at the right hand of her host.
"It has always been my aspiration," she said, with a beaming smile at
Christine, "to have a married friend to visit. I warn you, Christine, I
shall spend most of my time here. There's one little nook of a bedroom
I claim as my own and I expect to occupy it very frequently. And,
besides, I have to give you lessons in housekeeping. You're a great
artist, I know, but you must learn to do lots of other things beside
paint."
"I wish you would, Patty," and the little bride looked very much in
earnest; "I truly want to keep house, but being an artist and a
Southern girl both, I don't believe I'm very capable."
"You're a blessed dear, that's what YOU are"; and Patty turned to
Hepworth, saying, "Isn't she?"
"Yes, indeed," he returned; "I've only just begun to realise the
beautiful qualities in her nature. And it is to you, Patty, that I owe
my happiness. I shall never forget what you did in order that Christine
might come to New York."
"And now we are surprised at the result," said Patty, who never could
be serious for long at a time. "Come on, people, you've had enough
supper, let's have one more dance and then we must go home and leave
these turtledoves to their own nest."
But the one dance proved to mean several, until at last Patty said,
"This will never do! Christine is all tired out, and as the
superintendent of this party I order you all to go home at once."
The others laughingly agreed, except Philip Van Reypen, who came near
Patty and murmured, "You haven't danced with me once to-night, and
you've been awful cruel to me lately, anyway. Now let us have one more
dance in honour of the bride's home-coming."
"No," said Patty, firmly, "not another dance to-night."
"Just a part of one, then," begged Philip; but Patty was inexorable.
And so the merry crowd dispersed, Patty lingering a moment to give
Christine a good-night kiss and wish her every blessing and happiness
in her new home.
"And I have you to thank for it all, Patty dear," said Christine, her
blue eyes looking lovingly into Patty's own.
"Nonsense, thank your own sweet self. You well deserve the happiness
that has come to you. And now good-night, dear; I'll be over some time
to-morrow."
The laughing group went away, and as it had been planned, Mona took
Patty home in her car.
"I wish you'd go on home with me, Patsy," said Mona, as they rolled
along toward Patty's house.
"Can't possibly do it. I've a thousand and one things to look after
to-morrow morning."
"But it isn't late; really it's awfully early. And I'll send you home
early to-morrow morning."
"No, I mustn't, really, Mona. I have to look after some things for the
Happy Saturday Club, which it won't do to neglect. And I want to run
over to Christine's to-morrow morning, too. I have some things to take
to her."
"Do you know, Patty, I think they're an awfully humdrum couple."
"Who? The Hepworths? Oh, I don't think humdrum is the right
word,--they're just serious-minded."
"But Mr. Hepworth is so old and prosy, and Christine seems to me just a
little nonentity."
"Now, Mona, that isn't fair. Just because you are a frivolous-headed
butterfly of fashion, you oughtn't to disdain people who happen to have
one or two ideas in their heads."
"Well, the only ideas they have are about pictures."
"Pictures are good ideas."
"Yes, good enough, of course. But there's no fun in them."
"That's the whole trouble with the Hepworths. They haven't any fun in
them. Neither of them has a sense of humour. But that's good, too; for
if one had and the other hadn't, they'd be miserable for life. But as
it is they don't know what they miss."
"No, they don't. Patty, don't ever marry a man without a sense of
humour."
"Trust your Aunt Patty for that. But I don't propose to marry anybody."
"Of course not; he'd propose to you."
"Funny Mona! Don't let your sense of humour run away with you. Well,
this facetious 'he' that you conjured up in your imagination may
propose all he likes; I sha'n't accept him,--at least not for many
years. I mean to have a lot of fun before I get engaged. Can you
imagine me settled down in a little apartment like Christine's,
devoting myself to domestic duties?"
"No; but I can fancy you married to a millionaire with two or three
country houses and yachts and all sorts of things."
"Good gracious, Mona. I don't aspire to all that! Just because YOU're a
millionairess, yourself, you needn't think everybody else longs for
untold wealth. After I get pretty well along in years,--I think I shall
marry a college professor, or a great scientist. I do love brainy men."
"Well, there are no brainy men in our set."
"Oh, Mona, what a libel! Our boys,--somehow I never can think of them
as men,--are quite brainy enough for their age. And at the present day,
I'd rather have fun with Ken or Roger, just talking foolishness, than
to discourse with this wise professor I'm talking about. But of course,
I wouldn't marry Ken or Roger even if they wanted me to, which they
don't."
"Oh, yes, they do, Patty; everybody wants to marry you."
"Don't be a goose, Mona; you know perfectly well that Roger is over
head and ears in love with you. Of course, I'm mortally jealous, for he
was my friend first, and you stole him away from me. But I'll forgive
you if you'll let up on this foolish subject and talk about something
interesting."
"I will, Patty, if you'll tell me one thing. Don't you like Mr. Van
Reypen very much?"
"Phil Van Reypen? Of course I do! I adore him,--I worship the ground he
walks on! I think he's the dearest, sweetest chap I ever knew!"
"Would you marry him?"
"Not on your life! Excuse my French, Mona, but you do make me tired!
NOW will you be good? We're nearly home and I had a lot of things I
wanted to ask you, and here you've been and went and gone and wasted
all our time! Foolish girl! Here we are at my house, and I thank you,
kind lady, for bringing me safely home. If you'll let your statuesque
footman see me in at my own door, I'll promise to dream of you all
night."
The girls exchanged affectionate good-nights, and Patty ran up the
steps and Louise let her in.
"Nobody home?" asked Patty, noting the dim lights in the rooms.
"No, Miss Patty," answered Louise, "Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield are not in
yet."
"Well, I'm not a bit sleepy, Louise, and I'm not going to bed now. I
shall stay in the library for awhile,--perhaps until they come home."
Louise took Patty's wraps and went away, and Patty wandered around the
library selecting a book to read. The girl was a light sleeper, and she
often liked to read a while before retiring.
But after she had selected a book and arranged a cosy corner in a big
easy-chair by a reading light, she still sat idle, with her book
unopened.
"I don't feel a bit like reading," she thought to herself; "I do hate
to come home from a party so early. Of course I could write some
letters, but I don't feel like that, either. I feel like doing
something frisky."
She jumped up and turned on more lights. Then, chancing to see herself
in the long mirror, she bowed profoundly to the pretty reflected
figure, saying: "Good-evening, Miss Fairfield, how well you're looking
this evening. Won't you sing a little for us?"
Then she danced into the music-room, and sitting down at the piano,
sang a gay little song.
Then she sang another, and then looking over some old music she came
across the little song, "Beware," that she had sung over the telephone
to Kit Cameron. Naturally her thoughts turned to that young man, whom
she had almost forgotten, and she wondered if he had met Elise yet.
"That was quite a jolly little escapade," she said to herself; "that
young man certainly thought I was a little black-eyed beauty, and when
he does see Elise, of course he'll think she's the one. I believe I'll
call him up and mystify him a little more. It's all right, because I've
really been introduced to him, and if he doesn't remember me, _I_ can't
help it! Probably he'll be out anyway; but I'll have a try at it."
Returning to the library, Patty sat down at the telephone and called up
Mr. Cameron's number.
His own gay, cheery self answered "Hello," and Patty said in a shy
little voice, "Is this you, Mr. Cameron?"
"Bless my soul! if it isn't my fair Unknown, again!"
"Why do you call me, fair, when you know I'm dark?"
"Oh, fair in this case means bewitching and lovely. It doesn't stand
for tow hair and light blue eyes! and neither do I!"
"But you said you liked blondes."
"I used to, before I knew you."
"But you don't know me."
"Oh, but I do! I know you a whole heap better than lots of people who
have seen you. There's something in a telephone conversation that
discloses the real inner nature. It was dear of you to call me up
to-night. You don't know how it pleases me!"
"Oh, I didn't do it to please you. But I'm all alone in my dungeon
tower--"
"Wait a minute; what IS a dungeon tower?"
"Oh, don't quibble. Anyway, I'm all alone, and I simply had to have
some one to speak to."
"How did you know I'd be here?"
"Be there! Why, I assumed that you sat at your telephone every evening,
waiting to see if I would call you!"
"You little rascal! That's exactly what I have done, but I don't see
how you knew it. Are you still a captive princess?"
"Yes; they keep me on bread and water, and not very much of that."
"Couldn't I come and try to liberate you?"
"No, Sir Knight. Alas, you would but be captured yourself."
"But to be captured in such a cause, would be a glorious fate!"
"Oh, aren't you romantic! I really wish it were the Fifteenth Century,
and you could come on a dashing charger, and rescue me with a rope
ladder! I'm simply dying for an escapade!"
"All right; I'll be there in a few minutes!"
"No, no! it's just five centuries too late. Now, one can only meet
people in humdrum drawing-rooms."
"And do you think there's no romance left in the world?"
"_I_ can't find any." Naughty Patty put a most pathetic inflection in
her voice, which touched Mr. Cameron's heart.
"Look here, my lady," he said, "there IS romance left in this old
world, and we're IT! Now, this telephoning is all very well, but I'm
determined to meet you face to face. And that before long, too."
"Oh, you've been making inquiries about me. You know I forbade that."
"No, you didn't; you only said I mustn't ask Central who telephoned.
There was surely no harm in asking my cousin who called her up the
other night. And very naturally she told me. So she's going to be the
Fairy Godmother who will bring us together by the touch of her magic
wand."
"Oh, if you know who I am, the fun is all gone out of our escapade!"
"Not at all; the fun is only about to begin."
"Then Marie did tell you all about me?" And Patty's tones betokened
disappointment.
"She didn't need to tell me much about you. She told me your name, and
the rest I want to know about you, I either know already or I shall
learn for myself."
"If you know my name, why don't you call me by it?" And Patty had great
difficulty to stifle her laughter.
"May I call you by your first name?"
"Not as a regular thing, of course. But if you know it, you may use it
just once. But you can only use it to say good-night. For this session
is over now."
"But I don't WANT to say good-night. I want to talk to you a long time
yet."
"Alas, that may not be. It is even now time for my jailers to visit my
dungeon, and if they catch me at this foolish trick, they will probably
reduce my allowance of bread and water. And so, if you're going to call
me by name, you must do it quickly, for I'm going to hang up this
receiver, as soon as I say good-night!"
Patty's positive tones apparently carried conviction that she would do
just as she said, for Mr. Cameron sighed deeply and responded, "It is
such a beautiful name it seems a pity to use it only once. But I know
you mean what you say, so as your liege knight, fair lady, I obey.
Good-night--Elise--"
The name came slowly, as if the speaker wished to make the most of it,
and Patty fairly thrust the receiver back on its hook as she burst into
laughter. It surely was a joke on the young man! He had asked Marie who
was her pretty brunette friend, and Marie had honestly thought he must
mean Elise Farrington.
Patty was still giggling when her parents came in from a concert they
had been attending.
"What IS the matter, Patty?" asked Nan. "Why do you sit up here alone,
grinning like a Chessy cat, and giggling like a school-girl? Were the
Hepworths so funny that you can't get over it?"
And then Patty told Nan and her father the whole story of Kit Cameron
and the telephone.
Nan laughed in sympathy, but Mr. Fairfield looked a little dubious.
"And I thought you a well-brought up young woman," he said,--half in
earnest and half in jest. "Do you think it's correct to telephone to
strange young men? I'm shocked! that's what I am,--SHOCKED."
"Fiddlesticks, Fred," said Nan; "it's perfectly all right. In the first
place, the man HAS been introduced to Patty. She met him at Miss
Homer's."
"But she telephoned BEFORE she met him," stormed Mr. Fairfield, for
Patty had told the whole story.
"But she didn't do it purposely," said Nan, impatiently. "She got him
on the wire by mistake. She couldn't help THAT. And, anyway, when he
said he was Miss Homer's cousin, that made it all right. I think it's a
gay little joke, and I'd like to see that young man's face when he
meets Patty!"
"I shan't meet him," said Patty, pretending to look doleful; "he hates
tow-headed girls."
"Well, you're certainly that," said her father, looking at her with
pretended disapproval. "I have to tell you the truth once in awhile,
because everybody else flatters you until you're a spoiled baby."
"Tow-headed, am I?" and Patty ran to her father, and rubbed her golden
curls against his own blond head. "And, if you please, where did I
inherit my tow? If I hadn't had a tow-headed father I might have been
the poppy-cheeked brunette that everybody admires. It isn't fair for
YOU to comment on MY tow-head!"
"That's so, Pattikins; and I take it all back," for Mr. Fairfield could
never resist his pretty daughter's cajolery. "You are a pretty little
doll-faced thing, and I expect I'll have to forgive your very
reprehensible behaviour."
"I'm NOT a doll-face," said Patty, pouting; "I shan't let you go until
you take THAT back."
As Patty had her arms tightly round her father's neck, he considered it
the better part of valour to take back his words. "All right," he said,
"rather than be garroted,--I retract! You're a beautiful and dignified
lady, and your notions of convention and etiquette are above reproach."
"They're above YOUR reproaches, anyhow," returned Patty, saucily, and
then she ran away to her own room.