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Page 17
Jack's imitation of Susan's brogue was so funny that Patty laughed
outright.
"Perhaps the lady IS Irish," she said; "but she looks charming,
and so well-dressed."
"That's so. She IS much better dressed than when I saw her last."
"Saw her last! What do you mean?"
"Well, of course I MAY be mistaken, but do you know, she looks
like a--like a lady I saw once in the kitchen garden at 'The
Pebbles.'"
"And pray what were you doing in that kitchen garden?"
"Well, I was helping Miller look after your motor one day, and I
strolled around the house, back to the front veranda that way.
And,"--Jack's voice sank to an impressive whisper,--"there in the
midst of the cabbages and eggplants,--there stood Mrs. Hastings,--
I'm SURE it was she,--in a calico gown and checked apron!"
"Oh, Jack!" and Patty burst into laughter. "She IS our cook! Don't
give it away, will you?"
"Never! Never! But WHAT a joke! Does no one know it?"
"No one at all but Mona and myself. You see--" And then Patty told
the whole story.
"Well, that's the best ever!" declared Jack as she finished.
"Patty, you do beat all! No one else will guess, I'm sure,--and
I'LL never tell. But it's most too good a joke to keep, now, isn't
it?"
"But it's going to BE kept! Why, if some people knew of it, they'd
drum me out of Spring Beach. And anyway, Jack, I wouldn't have
done it, if Susan hadn't been such a dear respectable person
herself."
"I'm sure she is, and to show I believe it, I'll take her out to
supper."
"Gracious, goodness, Jack! I never thought of supper! Will she
have to eat with us?"
"Of course she will! And, as I say, I'll take her out, so there'll
be no danger of further discovery."
Patty giggled again. The idea of SUSAN being escorted out to the
dining-room of "Red Chimneys"! And by Jack Pennington, the most
aristocratic young man in their set!
"All right," she said. "But I must sit the other side of you. I
want to keep my eye on her."
And so it came to pass that when supper was announced, Jack went
up gallantly and offered his arm to the chaperon.
This seemed quite natural and proper to the other guests, and they
paid little attention as Mrs. Hastings rose with dignity, and,
with her escort, led the procession.
Susan was resolved to make up for her blunder, and she carried
herself with an air of hauteur, and trailed the grey satin gown
after her quite as if she were used to such.
"It is a beautiful home, is it not, Mrs. Hastings?" said Jack, by
way of making conversation.
"It is, sir," returned Susan, careful of speech and accent, but
unable to forget her deference. "Such airy rooms and fine, high
ceilings."
Jack couldn't help admiring her aplomb, and he chatted away easily
in an endeavour to put her at her ease.
"Will you sit here, Mrs. Hastings?" he said, offering her the seat
at the head of the table, as became the chaperon of the party.
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