“Certainly; I always pay my just debts.”

“May I come and collect the debt this evening?”

“No, that’s too soon; come to-morrow night, if you like.  This evening I devote to a reunion with my family.”

“Nobody else?”

“Possibly somebody else,—­somebody who was defrauded by your precious joke.”  And then a sudden light dawned upon Patty.  “Was your quarantine idea worked up in order to keep me away from New York last night?”

“Partly,” said Cameron, honestly; “I didn’t see any other way to cut out Van Reypen, and it fitted in with my whole plan, so why not?”

“It wasn’t very nice of you.”

“All’s fair in love and war,” and Cameron laughed so gaily, that Patty concluded it was wiser to drop the subject.

“I think it was awfully hard for poor Mr. Van Reypen to lose Patty from the party, because of your old joke!” exclaimed Marie.

“I don’t mind that part of it,” said Kenneth; “he might as well have a little corner of the joke, as the rest of us.  But if I’ve lost a five thousand dollar deal on this, I’ll sue you for damages, Cameron.”

“Sue ahead,” said the irrepressible Kit; “I’ve danced, and I’m willing to pay the piper.”

Kenneth and Marie were left at their homes, and the car went on to Patty’s house.

“May I come in?” said Cameron, as they reached it.

“No, indeed!” said Patty, and then she added, “I don’t know—­yes—­ perhaps you’d better.  If father storms about this thing, I think you ought to be there and face the music.”

“I think so, too,” said Cameron, with alacrity; “I’d rather be there, and help my little Princess weather the storm.”

They found Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield both at home, and they created an immense surprise by suddenly appearing before them.

“Why, Patty Fairfield!” cried Nan, “you dear child!” She wrapped Patty in her embrace as if welcoming one long lost.  Nor was Mr. Fairfield less fervent in his demonstrations of welcome.

They shook Cameron warmly by the hand, and Nan rang for tea and said:  “Tell us all about it!  How did you get out?  Was it a false alarm?  Wasn’t it diphtheria?  Oh, Mr. Cameron, you relieved us so greatly last night, when you told us it might be a mistaken diagnosis!  What is the matter with you two?  What are you giggling about?”

And then the whole story came out.  Cameron and Patty both talked at once, Cameron making a clean breast of the matter, and assuming all the blame, while Patty made excuses for him, and offered conciliatory explanations.

Nan went off in peals of laughter and declared it was the best joke she had ever heard.

But Mr. Fairfield hesitated as to his verdict.  He asked many questions, to which he received straightforward answers.