"But she did it well," said Mrs. Van Reypen.
"Oh, yes; very well. Still I like her better in her natural rôle of society lady."
"Oh, not that!" protested Patty. "I'm not really a society lady. In fact, I'm not 'out' yet. I'm just a New York girl."
"Were you born here?" asked Mrs. Van Reypen.
"No," said Patty, laughing; "I was born South, and I've only lived North about five years. One of those I've spent abroad, and one or two outside of New York. So when I say I'm a New York girl I only mean that I live here now."
"Mayn't I come to see you?" asked Philip. "Where do you live?"
"I live on Seventy-second Street," said Patty, "and you may come to tea some Wednesday if you like. That's my mother's 'day,' and I often receive with her."
"I see you're well brought up," said Mrs. Van Reypen, nodding her head approvingly. "I'm a bit surprised though that your mother allowed you to undertake this escapade."
"Well, you see, she's my stepmother--she's only six years older than I am. So she hasn't much jurisdiction over me; and as for my father--well, really, I ran away!"
The luncheon was a merry feast, for Mrs. Van Reypen made a gala affair of it, and, though there were but the three at table, there was extra elaboration of viands and decorations.
Philip Van Reypen was in his gayest humour, and his aunt was beaming and affable.
So they were really sorry when it was time for Patty to say good-by.
At four o'clock Miller came for her, and when Patty saw the familiar motor-car her homesickness came back like a big wave, and with farewells, speedy though cordial, she gladly let Philip hand her into the limousine.
"Home, Miller!" she said, with a glad ring in her voice, and then, with a final bow and smile to the Van Reypens, she started off.
"Discharged!" she thought, smiling to herself. "Didn't give satisfaction! Too high-falutin to be a companion! Huh, Patty Fairfield, I don't think you're much of a success!"
She was talking to the reflection of herself in the small mirror opposite her face, but the happy and smiling countenance she saw there didn't tally with her remarks. "Oh, well," she thought, "I only agreed to earn my living for a week, and I've done it--I've done it!"
She opened her purse to make sure the precious fifteen dollars was still there, and she looked at it proudly. She had more money than that in another part of her purse, but no bills could ever look so valuable as the ten and five Mrs. Van Reypen had paid her.