Part 2 (1/2)

There was a little pause in the animated talk at the other end of the table where Bruce and Marian Todd were discussing architecture with Tom Hughes, and Bruce bent an anxious glance at his rebellious sister-in-law.

”Humph, listen to that, will you?” said Ted, appealing to Margaret. ”She isn't a bit grateful--not she. She turns down a real thorough-going opera singer without a spasm. Time was when she groveled--fairly groveled--at Milano's lightest suggestion. At Leeuwarden, for instance----”

Patricia had caught the look in Bruce's eye and she flung her petulance from her with her usual energy.

”Never mind preaching any more, St. Francis-Edward-David Carson-Kendall, I'll be good,” she said lightly. ”Tell me the worst, Elinor, so that I may have it over. I always did think I'd like to expire among lights and flowers.”

It was an effort to put her own feelings to one side, but she had her reward in Bruce's look and in Elinor's sigh of relief, and she instantly determined to put up with whatever Milano decreed with as joyful a spirit as she could summon.

”It really isn't so very dreadful. Many girls would love it,” explained Elinor. ”You are to study with Madame Milano's friend, Madame Tancredi, and to live at the new students' club, Artemis Lodge----”

”I thought Ted called it something else,” began Patricia puzzled.

Ted laughed. ”That's the name the fellows have for it,” he explained in a hasty aside.

Elinor went gently on with the rules. ”And you are to come home on Sunday evenings,” she said brightly, ”and to be very particular about your diet and physical exercises. I think that's all.”

Patricia, in spite or her good resolves, could not repress a sigh at the program which was so very different from that she had planned for herself. Afternoons at the studio, morning chats with Elinor, music lessons for the aspiring Marty, who was to be put to school as soon as she came from Rockham, and a host of other idle, pleasant doings had been in her catalogue.

”I suppose it will be very nice,” she said in a half-hearted manner that showed her feelings as clearly as any words could have. ”Have you seen the place, Elinor?”

Elinor had not, but Margaret Howes had stopped there before settling in her new studio apartment, and she declared it as delightful as one could wish. Ted and Tom added their hopeful prophecy that she'd find a dandy bunch of girls there, and even Judith put in a word for Patricia's future abode by saying in her most conclusive fas.h.i.+on:

”I suppose they'll be fearfully nice to you there, since they will all know that Madame Milano made you come there. You're always so very lucky, Miss Pat. Everybody makes things so easy for you.”

Patricia gave a gurgle of amus.e.m.e.nt at Judith's grown-up air. Her soaring spirits began to color the picture of Artemis Lodge with brighter hue and she saw that it really was fortunate to have the interest of a prominent and popular opera singer as an introduction to the world of musical endeavor.

”That's true enough, Judith-Minerva, my dear,” she retorted gayly. ”I'll try to live up to the great Milano's recommendation. But if I fail, I'll get my literary sister, the auth.o.r.ess of----”

Here Judith, for some reason unknown to Patricia, looked so very hurt and agitated that she dropped her teasing manner and said with genuine satisfaction, ”I'm awfully glad that you pointed out what a card Madame Milano's introduction will be, Judy. They'll put up with me for her sake and I'll have a good time, even if it is in borrowed plumage.”

Judith, however, was not going to allow that her admired Miss Pat needed any other recommendation than her own pleasant self, and she defended Patricia so stoutly against this statement that Ted declared he was green with jealousy and began a counter-charge of neglect of his talents, which moved Judith to swift retort and afforded great diversion to their end of the table.

The talk hung on the charms of Artemis Lodge, and then slipped to the changes which had come into each of their lives since their last meeting. Margaret Howes confessed to being at work on a large decorative scheme for a woman's club, although she would not divulge the whereabouts of the club nor the length of her stay in the metropolis.

Elinor showed the photograph of her finished cartoon for the stained gla.s.s window she had been at work on before and during the holidays, while Bruce promised a view of his partly finished panel for the Historical Society. Hiram Todd sketched lightly the prospects which were opening to him in additional work in Was.h.i.+ngton. Ted and Tom had little to add to their openly avowed intentions to capture honors in the same course, each declaring that the other stood little show beside himself.

Judith was very quiet and, as the youngest, was not pressed for any definite account of her aims and accomplishments, and though Patricia knew well that her silence covered great determinations, the memory of her agitated manner when she had spoken jestingly of her literary ambitions kept her from further open questioning.

The intimate hospitality of the studio made a good setting for their gay sociability and the dinner progressed without any more drags on the wheels of its merry-making. Mrs. Nat told funny stories, and the boys gave impromptu imitations of cla.s.smates and professors; Margaret Howes sparkled with quaint tales of the remote mountain village where she had been spending the summer. Elinor's gentle wit flashed; and Bruce's ready laughter followed every one of his own clever jokes, while Patricia and Marian made their mark as an appreciative audience, enjoying everything that was meant for humor and applauding even the feeblest joke.

Altogether it was a great success as a celebration and a happy augury of the future into which it ushered the expectant Patricia.

The guests were slow to leave and if it had not been necessary for Ted and Tom to make a certain train in order to get back to college at the required time, while Hiram was also due at a midnight conference of geologists at his hotel, they might have gone on with the merriment long after the last waiter had disappeared and the violets were fading.

”I simply hate to go,” confessed Margaret Howes as she stood waiting for her taxi after the rest had departed. ”I've had a gorgeous time and I am sorry to leave you. Remember you are to meet me in the tea-room at Artemis Lodge at four-fifteen tomorrow to look over the ground before Miss Pat plunges in. Wait for me in the corner near the door. I'll be on time--if I can.”

After the elevator had clanged its way down with Bruce and Margaret, Patricia turned with a pa.s.sionate gesture to the others.

”Oh, my dears, to think it has really begun!” she cried as though just realizing the great fact. ”Oh, Mrs. Nat, and Judy, and Elinor, you dear, adorable angels, I'm so happy I don't know what to do.”