med more than willing that Philip should chat
socially with her. Soon she explained to him the cause of her sudden
change of attitude.

Philip laughed heartily. "I suspected something of the sort," he said.
"Miss Fairfield didn't strike me as being of the 'thankful and willin' to
please' variety. She tried her best, but her deference was forced and her
meekness assumed."

"But she did it well," said Mrs. Van Reypen.

"Oh, yes; very well. Still I like her better in her natural role 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 s