BETTY GALE
Seated at the head of her own dinner table that evening, Patty felt
decidedly in her element. Always of a hospitable nature, always
efficient in household matters, she played her rôle of hostess with a
sweet simplicity and a winning grace that charmed all her guests.
Farnsworth, opposite her at the big, round table, was a quiet, dignified
and well-mannered host. He had not Patty's native ability to entertain,
but he was honestly anxious that his guests should be pleased and he did
all in his power to help along. Patty had coached him on many minor
points, for Little Billee had been brought up in simple surroundings and
unaccustomed to what he at first called Patty's frills and fal-lals.
But she had convinced him that dainty laces and shining silver were to be
used for his daily fare and not merely as "company fixings," and being
adaptable, the good-natured man obediently fell in with her wishes.
And now he was as deft and handy with his table appointments as Patty
herself, and quite free from self-consciousness or awkwardness.
"You've made me all over, Patty," he would sometimes say; "now, I really
like these dinky doo-daddles better than the 'old oaken bucket' effects
on which I was brought up!"
And then Patty would beg him to tell her more about his early days and
his wild Western life in the years before she knew him.
It was her great regret that Bill had no parents, nor indeed any near
relatives. An only child, and early orphaned, he had lived a few years
with a cousin and then had shifted for himself. A self-made man,--as
they are styled,--he had developed fine business ability, and had also
managed to acquire a familiarity with the best in literature. Patty was
continually astonished by his ready references and his quotations from
the works of the best authors.
Indeed, the room he took the deepest interest in furnishing in their new
home was the library.
For the purpose he selected the largest room in the house. It had been
designed as a drawing-room or ballroom; but Farnsworth said that its
location and outlook made it an ideal library. He had an enormous window
cut, that filled almost the whole of one side of the room, and which
looked out upon a beautiful view, especially at sunset.
Then the furnishings were chosen for comfort and ease as well as
preserving the dignified effect that should belong to a library. The book
cases were filled with the books already owned by the two and new ones
were chosen and bought by degrees as they were desired or needed.
The reference portion was complete and the cases devoted to poetry and
essays well filled. Fiction, too, of the lasting kind, and delightful
books of travel, biography and humour.
There were reading chairs, arranged near windows and with handy tables;
there were desks, perfectly appointed; racks of new books and magazines;
portfolios of pictures, and cosy window seats and _tête-à-têtes_.
There were a few fine pictures, and many little intimate sketches by
worth-while pencils or brushes. And there were treasured books, valuable
intrinsically or because of their inscriptions, that Farnsworth had
collected here and there.
Small wonder, then, that the library was the favourite room in the house
and that after dinner Patty proposed they go there for their coffee.
"Some room!" ejaculated Chick Channing, as they sauntered in and stood
about, gazing at the wealth of books.
"Glorious!" agreed Mona, who had a mere pretence of a library in her own
home. "I didn't know you were so literary, Patty."
"Oh, I'm not. It's Little Billee's gigantic intellect that planned this
room, and he's the power that keeps it going. Every week he sends up a
cartload of new books--"
"Oh, come, now, Patty,--I haven't bought a book for a fortnight!" laughed
Farnsworth. "But I've just heard of a fine old edition of Ike Walton that
I can get at--"
"There, there, my son, don't get started on your hobby," implored
Channing. "We're ignoramuses, Mona and I, and we want to talk about
less highbrow subjects."
"Count me on your side," said a smiling girl, whose big gray eyes took
on a look of awe at the turn the conversation had taken. "I don't know
if Ike Walton is a book or a steamboat!"
The speaker was Beatrice Gale, a neighbour of the Farnsworths. She was
pretty and saucy looking,--a graceful sprite, with a dimpled chin, and
soft brown hair, worn in moppy bunches over her ears. She was called
Betty by her friends, and Patty and Bill had already acquired that
privilege.
"Now, Betty," and Patty shook her head at her, "you are a college
graduate as well as a débutante,--you _must_ know old Ike!"
"But I don't! You see, my début meant so much more to me than my
commencement, that all I ever learned at college flew out of my head
to make room for all I'm going to learn in society."
"Have you much left to learn?" asked Elise, looking at the piquant face
that seemed to show its owner decidedly conversant with the ways of the
world,--at least, her own part in it.
"Oh, indeed, yes! I only know how to smile and dance. I'm going to learn
flirting, coquetry and getting engaged!"
"You're ambitious, little one," remarked Van Reypen. "Have you chosen
your instructors?"
"I'm sure you won't need any," put in Elise, who was already jealous of
Philip's interested looks at the new girl. "I think you could pass an
efficiency examination already!"
"You ought to know," said Betty, with such an innocent and demure look
at Elise, that it was difficult to determine whether she meant to be
impertinent or not.
"Let me conduct the examination," said Philip; "shall it be public,--or
will you go with me into a--a classroom?" and he looked toward the small
"den" that opened from the library.
"Oh, have it public!" exclaimed Mona. "Let us all hear it"
"All right," and pretty Betty smiled, non-chalantly. "Go ahead,
Professor."
"I will. You know these examinations begin by matching words. I say one
word, and you say whatever word pops into your head first."
"That's easy enough. Proceed."
"Arden."
"Forest. I always thought this place ought to have been named the Forest
of Arden, because--"
"Don't talk so much. You must say one word only. Concentrate."
"Silence."
"Oh, concentrate wasn't the _word_! I said that to you--"
"I thought you were talking to me _all_ the time!"
"I am. Now be still! Horse."
"How can I pass my examination if I'm to be still? Wagon."
"Aeroplane."
"You."
"How did you know that I was an aviator?"
"Never mind; go on with the game."
"All right. Beaux."
"Flattery."
"Chaperon."
"Hoodwink."
"Oh, you rascal! Mother."
"Father."
"Father."
"Money."
"Soft-boiled egg."
"Messy."
"American Beauties."
"Mr. Grant,--he often sends them to me."
"Music."
"Dancing."
"You pass. Now for to see if you're thoroughly grounded in the common
branches. Grammar, first. What's a noun, and give examples."
"A noun's a name. As, candy, heart, slipper."
"What's a compound noun?"
"Two names,--as chicken salad,--Philip Van Reypen,--moonlight."
"What's a mood?"
"Something you fall into,--as a ditch,--or love."
"What is an article?"
"A piece of fancy work for sale at a fair."
"What's a conjunction?"
"Anything that joins,--as the marriage ceremony, or hooks and eyes."
"Good. Now for arithmetic. If you are at home of an evening, and a chap
calls on you, and then I come to call, and take half your attention
from him, what is left?"
"The chap!"
"Right! Now, definitions. What do you mean by forever?"
"Until to-morrow!" returned Betty, laughing.
"Never?"
"Not until to-morrow!"
"How do you spell No?"
"Y-e-s."
"Oh, Betty," exclaimed Patty, laughing, "I didn't know you were so
witty!"
"Good gracious! don't call me _that!_ Here, stop this examination right
now! I _won't_ be called witty. Why, don't you know--
"'Though you're sweet and though you're pretty,
Men won't love you if you're witty!'
"I'm _always_ afraid of not being loved!"
Miss Gale looked so frightened at this very idea, that they all broke
into laughter.
"You should worry!" declared Bill. "You haven't enough wit to do any
great harm. Or, at least, if you have, you've compensating foolishness--I
mean--that is--"
"There, there, Billee," counselled Patty, "you'd better stop,--you're
just getting in deeper with every word."
"Oh, it's all right," and Beatrice shrugged her shoulders, "I need to
be brought up with a round turn now and then. I'm too intellectual,--I
know."
She purposely assumed a vacant, stupid expression and folded her hands
helplessly in her lap.
"She's a hummer," Channing remarked in an aside to Patty, as further
hilarity followed Betty's fooling.
"I like her lots," Patty returned. "She's a frivolous little thing, but
thoroughly sweet and dear. She adores Fleurette."
"Aha, little mother! So that's the way to your good graces, is it? I too
adore Fleurette."
"But you're already in my good graces,--and have been for years."
"So? Then,"--Chick's tone grew wheedlesome,--"invite me up here
often,--won't you?"
"Now I _should_ have thought you meant because of my daughter's charms,
if your glance hadn't wandered toward Miss Gale, even as you spoke!"
"Both, fair lady,--both. I adore Fleurette as the delightful daughter of
a delightful mother. May I not also admire the delightful neighbour?"
"Indeed, you may. And you have a standing invitation to come up here
as often as you like. I'm going to entertain a lot this spring and
summer,--and you're a really useful house guest"
"Thanks, indeed! How do I qualify?"
"By your nice, kind, entertaining qualities. You're an all-round nice
man, Chick,--and I don't care who knows my opinion. And now, do you go
and make up to Elise."
"Yes, ma'am. Between you and me, ma'am,--she's a bit miffed--not?"
"Hush! Run along and make yourself so agreeable that she'll forget
everybody else."
Of a truth Elise was a little disturbed. For she was of a jealous and
self-seeking disposition, and resented any attentions that were not given
to her. The advent of this bright and sparkling young girl,--probably
three or four years younger than herself, made her suddenly feel
neglected, and it displeased her.
Mona noticed it, and smiled to herself. But Patty truly regretted it,
for she had taken a decided fancy to Beatrice Gale, and as they were
neighbours, she knew the girl would be often at Wistaria Porch. And as
she had planned to have Elise with her often, also, she saw breakers
ahead, unless the two could be reconciled.
Patty was a born peacemaker, but she also knew that a jealous nature is
not easily placated. And she foresaw that Philip Van Reypen would be the
"bone of contention."
After Patty's marriage, Philip, a disappointed suitor, had declared
himself a confirmed bachelor. And though Elise would have looked with
satisfaction on his change of heart, it had not yet occurred.
Patty had hoped,--and thought,--that Philip would marry her cousin, Helen
Barlow; but neither of the parties had seen it in that light, and Helen
had since married her long persistent wooer, Chester Wilde.
This left Van Reypen entirely unattached, and Elise,--it could be seen by
any onlooker,--was not at all averse to his company.
And Van Reypen liked her, for Elise was pretty and charming. But when
things didn't go as she wished them to, she had a habit of sulking which
was far from attractive.
So, the very apparent interest that Philip showed in this new chit of a
girl,--as Elise dubbed Betty to herself,--was as iron entering her soul.
However, she was clever enough to hide her real feelings, and she
welcomed Chick Channing with a cordial smile.
"Let's go for a stroll round the verandahs," he proposed, and Elise
consented.
"Want a wrap? though it's warm for April," he said, as they went out the
door.
"No, thank you, I love the fresh air," and Elise waved her white arm
upward, and entwined it in the wistaria blossoms. "I've adopted this
porch,--I shall probably be with Patty a lot this summer. You'll come
up--now and then?"
"Oh, yes; it's the most charming house to visit, don't you think?"
"Great! Patty is an ideal hostess, and Bill's a dear!"
"And the kiddy,--don't leave her out"
"Oh, she's an angel. But a bit unfledged, as yet."
"Of course. But such a darling! By the way, I'm her godfather."
"Oh, are you? Then I'll be her godmother! She ought to have both."
"Certainly. Though I think I heard that Miss Gale has the position."
"Of course she has! That girl appropriates everything! I think she's too
fresh!"
"You mean that for a compliment, I'm sure. Yes, she is,--she's like a
dewy daisy--"
"Dewy daisy, nothing! She isn't so childlike as she wants to appear!"
"There now, Elise, don't talk like that! It doesn't sound pretty,--and
goodness knows _you've_ no reason to be jealous."
"What?" asked Elise, already mollified.
"Why, you, with your established place in this household, and in our
set,--mustn't stoop to be--jealous--of a little schoolgirl!"
"Oh, I'm _not_! How dare you hint it?"
"Then don't act so. Take my advice, Lisa, and don't show even the
appearance of that sort of thing. It reacts,--you know."
Elise did know,--she knew Chick was telling her the truth, and telling
it, too, only in the kindest spirit of real friendship.
She bit her lip in annoyance, and said, sharply, "Don't abuse the
privilege of an old friend, Chick."
"I don't mean to,--honest I don't, Elise. Forgive me if I've offended
you."
"Oh, you haven't. That's all right. Have you ever met this Gale girl
before?"
"No; but she sat next me at dinner, and she told me about herself. It
seems she has a wonderful brother--"
"She has!" It was amazing how Elise brightened up. "Why wasn't he invited
this evening?"
"He's away from home just now,--will return next week,--I think she said.
Get on your warpaint and feathers! See, the conquering heroine comes!"
"Stop teasing, Chick. I do like to meet strangers, and if Patty's
neighbour is attractive--"
"Patty's neighbour's brother,--you mean?"
"I do! If he's attractive, it'll add to my pleasure when visiting
Patty,--won't it?"
"It sure will,--and, may I say it? You'll add to his pleasure, I've no
doubt."
"Very pretty, Chick. You _are_ a nice boy."
"Thank you, ma'am. But I won't be in it, when the brother appears on the
scene, I fear! So, to make hay while the sun shines, won't you go in and
dance with me? I hear the light fantastics tripping in the hall."
They went in and found all of the party keeping time to the gay music of
the big victrola, and they joined the swaying couples.
As they passed Betty Gale and Van Reypen, Elise overheard her saying,
"You're awfully good to me,--and you've only just met me to-night!"
Phil's reply was lost as they danced away, but Elise realised that it was
an eager expression of his desire that they should meet again, and soon,
and her demon of jealousy once more up-reared his ugly head.
But she concealed it,--outwardly, at least,--and when the time came, she
was so cordial and sweet to Miss Gale that a friendship pact was sealed
between them.