“Look here, my lady,” he said, “there is romance left in this old world, and we’re it!  Now, this telephoning is all very well, but I’m determined to meet you face to face.  And that before long, too.”

“Oh, you’ve been making inquiries about me.  You know I forbade that.”

“No, you didn’t; you only said I mustn’t ask Central who telephoned.  There was surely no harm in asking my cousin who called her up the other night.  And very naturally she told me.  So she’s going to be the Fairy Godmother who will bring us together by the touch of her magic wand.”

“Oh, if you know who I am, the fun is all gone out of our escapade!”

“Not at all; the fun is only about to begin.”

“Then Marie did tell you all about me?” And Patty’s tones betokened disappointment.

“She didn’t need to tell me much about you.  She told me your name, and the rest I want to know about you, I either know already or I shall learn for myself.”

“If you know my name, why don’t you call me by it?” And Patty had great difficulty to stifle her laughter.

“May I call you by your first name?”

“Not as a regular thing, of course.  But if you know it, you may use it just once.  But you can only use it to say good-night.  For this session is over now.”

“But I don’t want to say good-night.  I want to talk to you a long time yet.”

“Alas, that may not be.  It is even now time for my jailers to visit my dungeon, and if they catch me at this foolish trick, they will probably reduce my allowance of bread and water.  And so, if you’re going to call me by name, you must do it quickly, for I’m going to hang up this receiver, as soon as I say good-night!”

Patty’s positive tones apparently carried conviction that she would do just as she said, for Mr. Cameron sighed deeply and responded, “It is such a beautiful name it seems a pity to use it only once.  But I know you mean what you say, so as your liege knight, fair lady, I obey.  Good-night—­Elise—­”

The name came slowly, as if the speaker wished to make the most of it, and Patty fairly thrust the receiver back on its hook as she burst into laughter.  It surely was a joke on the young man!  He had asked Marie who was her pretty brunette friend, and Marie had honestly thought he must mean Elise Farrington.

Patty was still giggling when her parents came in from a concert they had been attending.

“What is the matter, Patty?” asked Nan.  “Why do you sit up here alone, grinning like a Chessy cat, and giggling like a school-girl?  Were the Hepworths so funny that you can’t get over it?”

And then Patty told Nan and her father the whole story of Kit Cameron and the telephone.

Nan laughed in sympathy, but Mr. Fairfield looked a little dubious.

“And I thought you a well-brought up young woman,” he said,—­half in earnest and half in jest.  “Do you think it’s correct to telephone to strange young men?  I’m shocked! that’s what I am,—­shocked.”