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Page 18
Susan hesitated, but catching Mona's nod of acquiescence, she sank
gracefully into the armchair Jack held for her.
CHAPTER V
A DINNER PARTY
As Patty expressed it afterward, she felt as limp as a jelly-fish
with the grippe when she saw Susan at the head of Mona's table!
Mrs. Hastings herself seemed in no way appalled at the sparkling
array of glass and silver, of lights and flowers, but she was
secretly alarmed lest her ignorance of etiquette should lead her
into blunders that might shame Miss Patty.
But Jack Pennington proved himself a trump. Without attracting
attention, he touched or indicated which spoon or fork Mrs.
Hastings should use. Or he gave her valuable advice regarding the
viands.
"I say," he whispered, "you'd better duck the artichoke
Hollandaise. You mightn't manage it just right. Or--well--take it,
but don't attempt to eat it. You'd sure get into trouble."
Irish Susan had both quick wit and a warm heart, and she
appreciated gratefully the young man's good-natured assistance,
and adroitly followed his instructions. But Jack was a daring
rogue, and the temptation to have a little fun was too strong to
resist.
"Are you fond of motoring, Mrs. Hastings?" he asked, innocently,
while Patty, on his other side, felt her heart beat madly and her
cheeks grow red.
But Susan wasn't caught napping this time.
"Oh, I like it," she said, "but I'm not fair crazy about it, like
some." She smiled benignly at Patty, and the few guests who
overheard the remarks thought nothing of it.
But naughty Jack went on.
"Oh, then you know of Miss Fairfield's fad. I didn't know you knew
her so well. I thought you had just arrived here. Have you been to
Spring Beach before?"
Susan looked at Jack with twinkling eyes. She well knew he was
saying these things to tease Patty, and she looked kindly at the
embarrassed girl as she replied:
"Oh, my niece, Mona, has told me so much about her friend, Miss
Fairfield, that I feel as if I had known her a long time."
Patty gasped. Surely Susan could take care of herself, after that
astounding speech!
Jack chuckled silently, and as the game promised rare sport, he
kept on.
"Are you fond of bridge, Mrs. Hastings?"
Susan looked at him. So far all had gone well, but she didn't know
how long she could match his banter. So she favoured him with a
deliberate gaze, and said, "Bridge, is it? I'm fond of the game,
but I play only with expayrienced players,--so don't ask me."
"Ho! ho! Jack, that's a good one on you!" said Guy Martin, who sat
within hearing. "You're right, Mrs. Hastings; he's no sort of a
player, but I'm an expert. May I hope for a game with you some
time?"
"We'll see about it, young sir," said Susan, with cold dignity,
and then turned her attention to her plate.
In response to a desperate appeal from Patty, Jack stopped
teasing, and made general conversation, which interested the young
people, to the exclusion of Susan.
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