“H’m,—­and you’ve guests for luncheon!”

“Yes, the whole Sayre tribe.  The captain just can’t keep away from you!  Patty, do you know you’re a real belle?  Everybody was crazy about you last night.”

“Fiddlesticks!  Just because I had on a green frock and let my hair hang down.”

“Your hair is wonderful.  But I didn’t come up here to tell you of your own attractions!  I want your able advice on how to have a luncheon party without a cook.”

“Oh, pooh! that’s too easy!  Give me a helper of some sort, and I’ll cook your old luncheon.  And I’ll promise you it will be just grand!”

“Cook!  You?  I won’t let you.  What do you take me for?  No, you come with me, and we’ll go somewhere where cooks grow and buy one.”

“There won’t be time, Mona.  What time is luncheon to be?”

“Half-past one; and it’s about ten now.”

“Oceans of time, then; I tell you, I’ll see to the kitchen for luncheon.  But of course, you must have a cook, for permanent use.”

“Well, rather.  But I’ll get one from New York by to-morrow morning.  And you know Adele Kenerley’s friends are coming to dinner to-night.  What about that?”

“Leave all to me.  I will arrange.  But I want somebody to help me.  How about Daisy?”

“Daisy’s no good at that sort of thing.  And I don’t like to ask Adele.  Say, Patty, let Bill help you; he’s a fine cook, I’ve been on camp picnics with him, and I know.  And maybe he wouldn’t be glad to help you in anything!  Ah, there, Patty, you’re blushing!  I feared as much!  Oh, Patty, do you like him?”

“’Course I like him.  He’s a jolly chap, and we’re good chums.”

“But is that all?  Patty, tell me; I won’t tell.”

“There’s nothing to tell, Mona.  I like Little Billee a whole lot, but I’m not in love with him, if that’s what you mean.”

“Yes, that’s what I mean.  I hoped you were.”

“Well, I’m not.  And I’m not going to be in love with anybody for years and years.  I’m fancy-free, and I mean to stay so.  So don’t try to tease me, for you won’t get any fun out of it.”

“That’s so; you’re too straightforward to be teased successfully.  Patty, you’ve been a real lesson to me this summer.  I’ve learned a lot from you.  I don’t mean to gush, but I do want to tell you how I appreciate and cherish all the kindness you’ve shown me.”

“Dear old Mona, I’m glad if I’ve said or done anything to make you feel like that!  You’re a trump, girl, and I’m glad to have you for a friend.  Now, vanish, my lady, and as soon as I can scrabble into a costume, I’ll meet you below stairs, and solve all your kitchen problems for you.”

“But, Patty, I can’t let you go into the kitchen!”

“You can’t keep me out, you mean!  I’m delighted to have the chance.  Aprons are terribly becoming to me.”

“Do you want one of the parlourmaid’s aprons?”