CHAPTER V
A DINNER PARTY
As Patty expressed it afterward, she felt as limp as a jelly-fish
with the grippe when she saw Susan at the head of Mona's table!
Mrs. Hastings herself seemed in no way appalled at the sparkling
array of glass and silver, of lights and flowers, but she was
secretly alarmed lest her ignorance of etiquette should lead her
into blunders that might shame Miss Patty.
But Jack Pennington proved himself a trump. Without attracting
attention, he touched or indicated which spoon or fork Mrs.
Hastings should use. Or he gave her valuable advice regarding the
viands.
"I say," he whispered, "you'd better duck the artichoke
Hollandaise. You mightn't manage it just right. Or--well--take it,
but don't attempt to eat it. You'd sure get into trouble."
Irish Susan had both quick wit and a warm heart, and she
appreciated gratefully the young man's good-natured assistance,
and adroitly followed his instructions. But Jack was a daring
rogue, and the temptation to have a little fun was too strong to
resist.
"Are you fond of motoring, Mrs. Hastings?" he asked, innocently,
while Patty, on his other side, felt her heart beat madly and her
cheeks grow red.
But Susan wasn't caught napping this time.
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