Patty and Azalea | Page 9

asked Elise, looking at the piquant face that seemed to show its owner decidedly conversant with the ways of the world,--at least, her own part in it.
"Oh, indeed, yes! I only know how to smile and dance. I'm going to learn flirting, coquetry and getting engaged!"
"You're ambitious, little one," remarked Van Reypen. "Have you chosen your instructors?"
"I'm sure you won't need any," put in Elise, who was already jealous of Philip's interested looks at the new girl. "I think you could pass an efficiency examination already!"
"You ought to know," said Betty, with such an innocent and demure look at Elise, that it was difficult to determine whether she meant to be impertinent or not.
"Let me conduct the examination," said Philip; "shall it be public,--or will you go with me into a--a classroom?" and he looked toward the small "den" that opened from the library.
"Oh, have it public!" exclaimed Mona. "Let us all hear it"
"All right," and pretty Betty smiled, non-chalantly. "Go ahead, Professor."
"I will. You know these examinations begin by matching words. I say one word, and you say whatever word pops into your head first."
"That's easy enough. Proceed."
"Arden."
"Forest. I always thought this place ought to have been named the Forest of Arden, because--"
"Don't talk so much. You must say one word only. Concentrate."
"Silence."
"Oh, concentrate wasn't the word! I said that to you--"
"I thought you were talking to me all the time!"
"I am. Now be still! Horse."
"How can I pass my examination if I'm to be still? Wagon."
"Aeroplane."
"You."
"How did you know that I was an aviator?"
"Never mind; go on with the game."
"All right. Beaux."
"Flattery."
"Chaperon."
"Hoodwink."
"Oh, you rascal! Mother."
"Father."
"Father."
"Money."
"Soft-boiled egg."
"Messy."
"American Beauties."
"Mr. Grant,--he often sends them to me."
"Music."
"Dancing."
"You pass. Now for to see if you're thoroughly grounded in the common branches. Grammar, first. What's a noun, and give examples."
"A noun's a name. As, candy, heart, slipper."
"What's a compound noun?"
"Two names,--as chicken salad,--Philip Van Reypen,--moonlight."
"What's a mood?"
"Something you fall into,--as a ditch,--or love."
"What is an article?"
"A piece of fancy work for sale at a fair."
"What's a conjunction?"
"Anything that joins,--as the marriage ceremony, or hooks and eyes."
"Good. Now for arithmetic. If you are at home of an evening, and a chap calls on you, and then I come to call, and take half your attention from him, what is left?"
"The chap!"
"Right! Now, definitions. What do you mean by forever?"
"Until to-morrow!" returned Betty, laughing.
"Never?"
"Not until to-morrow!"
"How do you spell No?"
"Y-e-s."
"Oh, Betty," exclaimed Patty, laughing, "I didn't know you were so witty!"
"Good gracious! don't call me that! Here, stop this examination right now! I won't be called witty. Why, don't you know--
"'Though you're sweet and though you're pretty, Men won't love you if you're witty!'
"I'm always afraid of not being loved!"
Miss Gale looked so frightened at this very idea, that they all broke into laughter.
"You should worry!" declared Bill. "You haven't enough wit to do any great harm. Or, at least, if you have, you've compensating foolishness--I mean--that is--"
"There, there, Billee," counselled Patty, "you'd better stop,--you're just getting in deeper with every word."
"Oh, it's all right," and Beatrice shrugged her shoulders, "I need to be brought up with a round turn now and then. I'm too intellectual,--I know."
She purposely assumed a vacant, stupid expression and folded her hands helplessly in her lap.
"She's a hummer," Channing remarked in an aside to Patty, as further hilarity followed Betty's fooling.
"I like her lots," Patty returned. "She's a frivolous little thing, but thoroughly sweet and dear. She adores Fleurette."
"Aha, little mother! So that's the way to your good graces, is it? I too adore Fleurette."
"But you're already in my good graces,--and have been for years."
"So? Then,"--Chick's tone grew wheedlesome,--"invite me up here often,--won't you?"
"Now I should have thought you meant because of my daughter's charms, if your glance hadn't wandered toward Miss Gale, even as you spoke!"
"Both, fair lady,--both. I adore Fleurette as the delightful daughter of a delightful mother. May I not also admire the delightful neighbour?"
"Indeed, you may. And you have a standing invitation to come up here as often as you like. I'm going to entertain a lot this spring and summer,--and you're a really useful house guest"
"Thanks, indeed! How do I qualify?"
"By your nice, kind, entertaining qualities. You're an all-round nice man, Chick,--and I don't care who knows my opinion. And now, do you go and make up to Elise."
"Yes, ma'am. Between you and me, ma'am,--she's a bit miffed--not?"
"Hush! Run along and make yourself so agreeable that she'll forget everybody else."
Of a truth Elise was a little disturbed. For she was of a jealous and self-seeking disposition, and resented any attentions that were not given to her. The advent of this bright and sparkling young girl,--probably three or four years younger than herself, made her suddenly feel neglected, and it displeased her.
Mona noticed it, and smiled to herself. But Patty truly regretted it, for she had taken