After luncheon the visitor departed for her own rooms, saying, “I hope, my dears, you will excuse me now.  I always take a nap at this hour, and as it is so warm I will not reappear until about dinner time.”

“Very well, Aunt Adelaide,” said Mona, greatly pleased at the plan.  “Ring for Mary when you want her.  Patty and I are going out this afternoon, so we’ll all meet at dinner time.”

“Yes, my dear.  And will you please order iced tea sent to me at four o’clock, and have the house kept as quiet as possible during my nap hour?”

CHAPTER VII

A GARDEN PARTY

During the afternoon, an ocean breeze had the politeness to arrive on the scene, and it was pleasantly cool when the girls started for the garden party.

“Let’s walk,” said Patty, when Mona proposed the motor-car.  “It’s not far, and its lovely and cool now.”

So the two girls strolled along the boardwalk, and then turned inland toward the Sayres’ place.

Patty wore a white, lacy, frilly frock, with touches of pale yellow ribbon here and there.  Her hat was of the broad-leafed, flapping variety, circled with a wreath of yellow flowers.  Patty could wear any colour, and the dainty, cool-looking costume was very becoming.

Mona looked very well in light green chiffon, but she hadn’t Patty’s liking for simplicity of detail, and her heavy satin sash and profusion of jingling ornaments detracted from the airiness of her light gown.  Her hat was of triangular shape, with a green cockade, and perched jauntily on her befrizzed hair, gave her a somewhat stunning effect.

“You’d look a lot better, Mona,” said Patty, straightforwardly, “if you didn’t curl your hair so tightly.”

“That’s all very well for you to say,” returned Mona, a little pettishly, “for your hair is naturally curly, and you don’t have to use hot tongs.”

“Some day I’ll show you how to wave it more loosely; it’ll be prettier than those kinky frizzes.”

“Well, these won’t last long.  The curl comes out of my hair as soon as it’s in.  And it leaves straight wisps sticking out all over.”

“That’s just it.  To-morrow I’ll show you a wiser and a better plan of curling it.”

“I wish you would, Patty.  There are lots of things I want you to advise me about, if you will.”

This showed an unusually docile spirit in Mona, and Patty began to think that she might help the girl in many ways during their stay together.

They turned in at the Sayres’ beautiful home, and found the grounds gaily decked for the garden party.  Bunting and banners of various nations were streaming here and there.  Huge Japanese umbrellas shaded rustic settees, and gay little tents dotted the lawn.

The girls went to the veranda, where Mrs. Sayre and her two daughters were receiving their guests.  There they were introduced to several out-of-town visitors who were staying with the Sayres.