gether they sauntered to the supper room, and, as they had expected,
were met by a storm of chaff.

"Where have you two been? 'Fess up, now!"

"Flirting," replied Van Reypen, coolly. "Haven't we, Patty?"

"Yes, if you call such a mild affair worthy of the name," and Patty's
nonchalant air and unembarrassed manner gave no further inducement for
teasing.

"Let's sit here," Phil went on, selecting seats at a small table, with
some casual friends, and then his resources of conversation and Patty's
gay chatter did away with all chance for personal allusions.

CHAPTER XVI

A STOLEN POEM

After supper there was dancing, and Patty was besieged by would-be
partners. Good-naturedly she fractioned her dances, and even divided
the short intermissions between them. Everybody wanted to dance with
the smiling little person in red velvet, and her pretty gaiety salved
the wounds of those whom she was obliged to refuse.

At last, Farnsworth came to her, and his determined expression told
Patty he was about to lay down the law.

Sure enough, he took her hand in his, drew it through his arm, and led
her out of the dancing room.

"Without even a 'by your leave?'" and Patty looked up at him,
inquiringly.

"Without it or with it. But you can't dance any more tonight. You're
so tired you can scarcely stand up now."

"That's so, now that you speak of it. But I hadn't realised it."

"Of course you hadn't. You're crazy, when it comes to dancing!"

"Well, you're not. You haven't danced with me once tonight, except
that old country dance."

"Did you want me to? Were you lacking for partners?"

"_Me_! Lacking for partners! Am I, usually?"

"Oh, Patty, what a little Vanity Box you are! No, you never lack for
partners or attention or flattery,--all you ever lack is a little
common sense."

"Why-ee! Little Billee! I've always prided myself on my common sense.
But where are you taking me?"

"Not very far. There's a comfy window-seat in this little reception
room, where you can rest a bit, then I'm going to send you home."

"Oh, you are! And who constituted you my Major Domo, or Commanding
Officer, or Father Superior, or whoever it is that orders people about?"

"I don't order; I persuade, or induce, by power of my irresistible
charm." Farnsworth's blue eyes twinkled, and Patty laughed outright,
as she said, "Yes, I noticed the irresistibility as I left the Blaneys'
tonight!"

"And, that's the very sub