'"
"And pray what were you doing in that kitchen garden?"
"Well, I was helping Miller look after your motor one day, and I
strolled around the house, back to the front veranda that way.
And,"--Jack's voice sank to an impressive whisper,--"there in the
midst of the cabbages and eggplants,--there stood Mrs. Hastings,--
I'm SURE it was she,--in a calico gown and checked apron!"
"Oh, Jack!" and Patty burst into laughter. "She IS our cook! Don't
give it away, will you?"
"Never! Never! But WHAT a joke! Does no one know it?"
"No one at all but Mona and myself. You see--" And then Patty told
the whole story.
"Well, that's the best ever!" declared Jack as she finished.
"Patty, you do beat all! No one else will guess, I'm sure,--and
I'LL never tell. But it's most too good a joke to keep, now, isn't
it?"
"But it's going to BE kept! Why, if some people knew of it, they'd
drum me out of Spring Beach. And anyway, Jack, I wouldn't have
done it, if Susan hadn't been such a dear respectable person
herself."
"I'm sure she is, and to show I believe it, I'll take her out to
supper."
"Gracious, goodness, Jack! I never thought of supper! Will she
have to eat with us?"
"Of course she will! And, as I say, I'll take her out, so there'll
be no danger of further discovery.
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