"Oh, I'm peaceful!" declared Philip, crossing his hands on his breast and rolling up his eyes with an angelic expression.
"Good-by, Philip," said his aunt, so icily that the young man rose from the table and stalked out of the room.
"Now," said Mrs. Van Reypen, "we are rid of him."
But in a few moments the smiling face again appeared at the door.
"I forgot to say good-by to Miss Fairfield," he announced, cheerfully. "Mayn't I do that, aunty?"
Mrs. Van Reypen gave an annoyed "Humph!" and Patty, taking her cue, bowed very coldly, and said "Good-morning, Mr. Van Reypen" in an utterly impersonal tone.
Philip chuckled, and went away, slamming the street door behind him, as a final annoyance to his aunt.
"You mustn't think him a rude boy, Miss Fairfield," she said. "But he delights to tease me, and unless I am positively cross to him he never lets up. But he is really devoted to me, and, I assure you, he scarcely noted your presence at all."
"Of course not," said Patty, with great difficulty restraining a burst of laughter. "No one could dream of Mr. Philip Van Reypen observing a companion." Patty did not mean this for sarcasm; she desired only to set Mrs. Van Reypen's mind at rest, and then the subject of Philip was dropped.
Soon after breakfast Mrs. Van Reypen conducted Patty to a pleasant morning room, and asked her to read the newspaper aloud.
"And do try to read slower," she added. "I hate rapid gabbling."
Patty had resolved not to take offence at the brusque remarks, which she knew would be hurled at her, so, somewhat meekly, she took up the paper and began.
It was a trying task. If she read an account of anything unpleasant she was peremptorily stopped; if the news was dry or prosy, that was also cut off short.
"Read me the fashion notes," said Mrs. Van Reypen, at last.
So Patty read a whole page about the latest modes, and her hearer was greatly interested.
She then told Patty of some new gowns she was having made, and seemed pleased at Patty's intelligent comments on them.
"Why, you have good taste!" she exclaimed, as if making a surprising discovery. "I will take you with me this afternoon when I go to Madame Leval's to try on my gowns."
"Very well," said Patty. "And now, Mrs. Van Reypen, I'm sure there's nothing more of interest in the paper; what shall I do next?"