"I mean that I am your aunt's companion, and trying to earn my living thereby. Now if you persist in secretly coming to the house,--pardon me if I am frank,--and if you persist in sending foolish notes to me, your aunt will not let me stay here, and I shall lose a good position through your unkindness." Patty was very much in earnest, and her words were sincere, but her innate sense of humour couldn't fail to see the ridiculous side of it all, and the corners of her mouth dimpled though she kept her eyes resolutely cast down. "It's a shame the way she keeps you tied to her apron string," he blurted out, uncertain whether Patty was coquetting, or really distressed. "Not at all," she replied. "I'm here to attend on her pleasure, and my place is by her side whenever she wants me there." "How can any one help wanting you there?" broke out Philip, so explosively that Patty, instead of being offended, burst into a ringing laugh. "Oh, you are too funny!" she exclaimed. "Mrs. Van Reypen said you were given to saying things like that to everybody." "I don't say them to everybody!" "Yes, you do; your aunt says so. But now that you've said it to me, won't you go away and stay away?" "How long?" Patty thought quickly. "Till next Friday--a week from to-day." "Oh, you want to get acclimatised, all by yourself!" "Yes," said Patty, demurely, "I do. And if you'll only keep away,--you know your aunt asked you not to come back for a week,--if you'll keep away till next Friday, I'll never ask you another favour." "Huh! that's no inducement. I love to have you ask me favours." "Well, then, I never shall if you don't grant this first one." "And if I do?" "If you do I'll promise you almost anything you ask." "That's a large order! Well, if I stay away from this house until you get solid with Aunty Van----" "I said a week." "Well, to-day's Friday. If I stay away a week will you persuade aunty to invite me to dinner next Friday night?" "I will." "Can you persuade her to do that?" "I'm sure I can by that time." Patty's eyes were dancing. She had come to Mrs. Van Reypen's on Thursday. She would, therefore, leave on Thursday, and she was sure that lady would have no objections to inviting her nephew to dinner after her "companion's" departure. "Are you going to stay?" demanded Philip suspiciously. "I'm here a week on trial," said Patty, demurely. "Your aunt needn't keep me longer if I don't suit her. And I know I won't suit her if she thinks I receive notes from her nephew." "Oh, I see! You're here a week on trial, and if I am chummy with you Aunty Van won't keep you! Oh, yes! Why, of course! To be sure! Well, Miss Fairfield, I make this sacrifice for your benefit. I will keep away from here during your trial week. Then, in return, you promise to use your influence to get me an invitation to dine here next Friday." "I do," returned Patty. "But do you need an invitation to a house where you seem to feel so much at home?"