But Jack Pennington proved himself a trump.  Without attracting attention, he touched or indicated which spoon or fork Mrs. Hastings should use.  Or he gave her valuable advice regarding the viands.

“I say,” he whispered, “you’d better duck the artichoke Hollandaise.  You mightn’t manage it just right.  Or—­well—­take it, but don’t attempt to eat it.  You’d sure get into trouble.”

Irish Susan had both quick wit and a warm heart, and she appreciated gratefully the young man’s good-natured assistance, and adroitly followed his instructions.  But Jack was a daring rogue, and the temptation to have a little fun was too strong to resist.

“Are you fond of motoring, Mrs. Hastings?” he asked, innocently, while Patty, on his other side, felt her heart beat madly and her cheeks grow red.

But Susan wasn’t caught napping this time.

“Oh, I like it,” she said, “but I’m not fair crazy about it, like some.”  She smiled benignly at Patty, and the few guests who overheard the remarks thought nothing of it.

But naughty Jack went on.

“Oh, then you know of Miss Fairfield’s fad.  I didn’t know you knew her so well.  I thought you had just arrived here.  Have you been to Spring Beach before?”

Susan looked at Jack with twinkling eyes.  She well knew he was saying these things to tease Patty, and she looked kindly at the embarrassed girl as she replied: 

“Oh, my niece, Mona, has told me so much about her friend, Miss Fairfield, that I feel as if I had known her a long time.”

Patty gasped.  Surely Susan could take care of herself, after that astounding speech!

Jack chuckled silently, and as the game promised rare sport, he kept on.

“Are you fond of bridge, Mrs. Hastings?”

Susan looked at him.  So far all had gone well, but she didn’t know how long she could match his banter.  So she favoured him with a deliberate gaze, and said, “Bridge, is it?  I’m fond of the game, but I play only with expayrienced players,—­so don’t ask me.”

“Ho! ho!  Jack, that’s a good one on you!” said Guy Martin, who sat within hearing.  “You’re right, Mrs. Hastings; he’s no sort of a player, but I’m an expert.  May I hope for a game with you some time?”

“We’ll see about it, young sir,” said Susan, with cold dignity, and then turned her attention to her plate.

In response to a desperate appeal from Patty, Jack stopped teasing, and made general conversation, which interested the young people, to the exclusion of Susan.

Then, supper over, he escorted the chaperon from the table, talking to her in low tones.

“I hope I didn’t bother you,” he said.  “You see, I know all about it, and I think it’s fine of you to help the girls out in this way.”

“You helped me far more than you bothered me, sir,” Susan replied with a grateful glance.  “Will it soon be over now, sir?”

“Well, they’ll have a few more dances, and probably they’ll sing a little.  They’ll go home before midnight.  But, I say, Mrs. Hastings, I won’t let ’em trouble you.  You sit in this cosy corner, and if you’ll take my advice, you’ll nod a bit now and then,—­but don’t go really to sleep.  Then they’ll let you alone.”