to do in France. Perhaps you will allow me to see you later. I do not
wish our acquaintance to end with our voyage, and it may be I can
persuade you to additional tasks. But in any case I hope you will talk
personally with many of my country people, men and women; there is no
one so well adapted to make our nations understand each other as a
gifted and charming American woman. I have many friends in Paris and
before you leave I trust I may be allowed the privilege of presenting at
least a few of them to you."

Feeling agreeably flattered, as any woman is flattered by the homage of
a clever man, Mrs. Burton was about to reply, when suddenly the tall
figure of Miss Patricia Lord appeared, rising before her like a pillar
of darkness.

She gave Monsieur Duval a curt nod; except for this she made no
explanation of her presence, continuing standing until the courteous
Frenchman felt constrained to offer her his chair.

However, not until he had walked away did she condescend to accept his
place and then she managed to sit perfectly upright, which is a
_difficult_ feat in a reclining chair.

"What is the matter, Aunt Patricia?" Mrs. Burton at once demanded,
feeling suddenly disturbed by Miss Patricia's severe expression. "Surely
nothing has happened to any one of the Camp Fire girls! I think I have
noticed nearly all of them strolling about on deck in the past half
hour."

Gloomily Miss Patricia frowned. "I am not here to discuss with you the
girls whom you are suppose to be chaperoning. I wish to speak of your
conduct, Polly Burton. I have been considering the subject for the past
twenty-four hours. Under the circumstances you might as well know
_first as last_ that I do not approve of your present intimacy with
this unknown Frenchman, this _Mr._ Duval." Miss Patricia scorned
the use of the French title. "I have no idea of attempting to pronounce
the foolish word the French employ for plain 'Mister.' However, you
realize perfectly well that from the day following our sailing you have
spent the greater part of your time in his society. Sorry as I am to
speak of this, my respect for your husband compels me to warn you----"

Here Aunt Patricia was interrupted by an explosion of laughter as fresh
and ingenuous as a girl's.

"My dear Aunt Patricia, really I beg your pardon, but I supposed you
were coming with me to France to help me chaperon my Camp Fire girls! I
never dreamed of your also feeling obliged to chaperon me.