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Page 12
"And so it would! You're a dear to think of it. I suppose your
things are all ordered?"
"Yes; a caterer will bring the supper. I don't know what it will
be,--cook looked after it."
"Cook! Cook! Mona--I have an idea! No, I haven't, either! It's too
crazy! Oh, DO you suppose we could? LET'S!"
"Patty, are YOU crazy? What ARE you talking about? And it's almost
five o'clock. I suppose I must telephone them not to come! Well,
I'll go home and do it, and you come on over as soon as you're
ready. We'll spend the evening alone in my boudoir, and we'll
amuse ourselves somehow."
"Wait a minute, Mona. Let me think. Yes, I do believe I'll do it!
Mona, suppose I provide a chaperon. Will it be all right to have
the party then?"
"Why, yes, if it's a proper kind of a lady,--of course it will."
Patty's eyes twinkled. "I don't know whether you'll think her a
proper lady or not," she said, "but I do."
She rang a nearby bell, and when Jane answered, she asked her to
send Susan, the cook, in.
Susan came, and stood respectfully awaiting Patty's orders.
"Susan," Patty began, "you're married, aren't you?"
"Yes, Miss Patty; me name is Hastings. Me husband is dead this
four years, rist his sowl."
"Well, Susan, I want you to do something for me, and you may think
it's very queer, but you'll do it, won't you?"
"Nothin's quare, Miss Patty, if you bid me do it. What is it,
ma'am?"
Mona began to look a little scared, but Patty seemed now quite
sure of her own mind, and she began, in a kind but firm voice:
"Susan, Miss Mona and I expected to have a party at her house to-
night, but her aunt, who was to chaperon us, hasn't arrived. So I
want you, Susan, to let me fix you up, and dress you in a proper
gown, and then I want you to act as a lady who is visiting at 'Red
Chimneys.' Can you do this?"
It was funny to see the varying expressions on Susan's face.
Wonder, amusement, and docility followed each other in quick
succession, and then she said:
"Is it a masqueradin', belike, you want, Miss Patty?"
"Yes; just that, Susan. Could you do it?"
"Av coorse I cud do it, if you be wantin' me to; but wud I look
good enough, Miss?"
"You'd look all right, after I dressed you; but, Susan, could you
talk with less,--less accent?"
"Me brogue, is it, Miss? Faith, an' I fear I can't be after
conquerin' that! It's born in me."
"Patty," said Mona, "I think your scheme is crazy,--perfectly
CRAZY! But--if you really mean it, I'll tell you that I HAVE an
Irish aunt,--at least, sort of Scotch-Irish,--and if we pass Susan
off for her, the--the ACCENT won't matter."
"Just the thing!" cried Patty, gleefully. "I see my way clear now!
It IS a crazy plan, Mona, I admit that,--but do you know of any
better?"
"No; but, Patty, think a minute. Of course, the truth will leak
out, and what will people say?"
"No, it won't leak out,--and, if it did, what harm? Susan is a
nice, respectable woman, and as a member of my family is capable
of chaperoning me in her own personality. But I choose this other
game because it's more fun. I shall dress her up in,--in,--Susan,
you couldn't wear a gown of Mrs. Fairfield's, could you?"
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