iting her nephew to dinner after her
"companion's" departure.

"Are you going to stay?" demanded Philip suspiciously.

"I'm here a week on trial," said Patty, demurely. "Your aunt needn't keep
me longer if I don't suit her. And I know I won't suit her if she thinks
I receive notes from her nephew."

"Oh, I see! You're here a week on trial, and if I am chummy with you
Aunty Van won't keep you! Oh, yes! Why, of course! To be sure! Well, Miss
Fairfield, I make this sacrifice for your benefit. I will keep away from
here during your trial week. Then, in return, you promise to use your
influence to get me an invitation to dine here next Friday."

"I do," returned Patty. "But do you need an invitation to a house where
you seem to feel so much at home?"

"Only when you're in it," declared the young man, frankly. "I think Aunty
Van fears I mean to kidnap you. I don't."

"I'm sure you don't," said Patty, flashing a smile at him. "I think we
could be good friends, and I hope we shall be. But not until after next
Friday."

CHAPTER XVI

AN INVITATION DECLINED

Philip Van Reypen went away, and his aunt never knew that he had been to
her house on that occasion.

"I'm glad that boy has sense enough to keep away when I tell him to," she
remarked at luncheon, and Patty hastily took a sip of water to hide her
uncontrollable smile.

"Yes, he seems to obey you," she said, by way of being agreeable.

"He does. He's a good boy, but too impressionable. He's captivated by
every girl he meets, so I warn you again, Miss Fairfield, not to notice
his pretended interest in you."

Patty tossed her head a little haughtily.

"Do not be alarmed, Mrs. Van Reypen," she said, "I have no interest
whatever in your nephew."

She was a little annoyed at the absurd speeches of the old lady, and
determined to put a stop to them.

"I should hope not," was the reply. "A person in your position should not
aspire to association with young gentlemen like my nephew."

Patty was really angry at this, but her common sense came to her aid. If
she elected to play the part of a dependent, she must accept the
consequences. But she allowed herself a pointed rejoinder.

"Perhaps not," she said. "Yet I suppose a companion of Mrs. Van Reypen's
would meet only the best people."

"That, of course. But you cannot meet them as an equal."

"No," agreed Patty, meekly. Then to herself she said: "Only a week of
this! Only six days now."

That afterno