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Page 32
Others gathered about to watch the pretty sight, and Patty soon
discovered that, though she was an accomplished dancer, the
captain was far more familiar with the latest styles and steps.
But he suited his mood to hers, and they advanced, retreated, and
bowed, almost as if they had practised together for the purpose.
Loud applause greeted them as the band ceased playing, and they
were urged to repeat the dance.
"No," said Captain Sayre, laughing; "you forget it is a summer's
day, and that sort of prancing is better suited to a winter
evening. I'm going to take Miss Fairfield away to the lemonade
tent, before she faints from utter exhaustion."
"I'm not tired," protested Patty, but her cheeks were pink from
the exercise, and she went gladly for the refreshing lemonade.
"You're a wonderful dancer," said Captain Sayre. "Who taught you?"
Patty mentioned the name of the teacher she had had in New York.
"But," she said, "I haven't had any lessons of late, and I don't
know the new fancy dances."
"Some of them are beautiful; you really ought to know them. Mayn't
I call on you, and teach you a few new steps?"
"I'd love to have you do so. I'm staying with Miss Galbraith, you
know. But you're not here for long, are you?"
"I'll be here about a week, and I may return later for a short
time. At any rate we can have a few dances. I never saw any one so
quick to catch the spirit of the music. You love dancing, don't
you?"
"Yes, I do. But I love it more in cooler weather."
"Oh, this hot spell won't last long. And it's so cool mornings.
Suppose I run over to see you to-morrow morning. May I?"
"Do," said Patty, cordially. "Mona and I will be glad to have
you."
"But I'm coming to see YOU" said the captain, a little pointedly.
"You're coming to see us both," said Patty, very decidedly.
CHAPTER VIII
THE HOUSE PARTY ARRIVES
"Red Chimneys" was in a turmoil. The house party had been invited,
and the house party had accepted their invitations, and all would
have been well had it not been for Aunt Adelaide. Somehow or other
she managed to upset every plan, throw cold water on every
pleasure, and acted as a general wet blanket on all the doings of
Patty and Mona.
She was not an over strict chaperon; indeed, she was more than
ready to let the girls do whatever they chose; but she dictated
the way it should be done and continually put forth not only
suggestions but commands directly opposed to the wishes of the
young people.
Often these dictates concerned the merest details. If the girls
had a merry luncheon party invited, that was the very day Aunt
Adelaide chose for a special rest-cure treatment, and demanded
that the whole house be kept quiet as a church. On the other hand,
if the girls were going off for the day, that was the occasion
Aunt Adelaide felt lonesome, and declared herself cruelly
neglected to be left at home alone.
But it was Mona's nature to submit to the inevitable,--though not
always gracefully. And it was Patty's nature to smooth away rough
places by her never-failing tact and good nature. The greatest
trouble was with the servants. Those who came in contact with the
nervous, fussy lady were harassed beyond endurance by her
querulous and contradictory orders. The cook declared herself
unable to prepare Mrs. Parson's "messes" acceptably, and
threatened every other day to leave. But Patty's coaxing
persuasions, and Mona's promise of increased wages induced her to
remain.
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