human
Keep it up, Susan! whispered Patty.
gpt
You're a howling success! Everything's all right.
human
Come for a stroll on the veranda, Patty, said Jack Pennington, coming up to her.
gpt
Mayn't I take her, Mrs. Hastings, if I'll be very careful of her?
human
Shure an' ye may, sir,
gpt
You have my permission. Go with the young gentleman, Miss Patty.
human
Interesting lady, that new aunt of Mona's, isn't she?
gpt
Very,
human
I always like that foreign accent, went on Jack;
gpt
Well, no, opined Patty.
human
I don't think Mrs. Hastings IS French.
gpt
Ah, German, then, perhaps. I've heard that particular accent before, but I can't just place it.
human
I think it's sort of,--of Scotch, don't you?
gpt
Faith, an' I don't, thin! I'm afther thinkin' she's a daughter av ould Ireland, arrah.
human
Perhaps the lady IS Irish, she said;
gpt
That's so. She IS much better dressed than when I saw her last.
human
Saw her last! What do you mean?
gpt
Well, of course I MAY be mistaken, but do you know, she looks like a--like a lady I saw once in the kitchen garden at 'The Pebbles.'
human
And pray what were you doing in that kitchen garden?
gpt
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,--
human
Oh, Jack! and Patty burst into laughter.
gpt
She IS our cook! Don't give it away, will you?
human
Never! Never! But WHAT a joke! Does no one know it?
gpt
No one at all but Mona and myself. You see--
human
Well, that's the best ever! declared Jack as she finished.
gpt
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?
human
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.
gpt
I'm sure she is, and to show I believe it, I'll take her out to supper.
human
Gracious, goodness, Jack! I never thought of supper! Will she have to eat with us?
gpt
Of course she will! And, as I say, I'll take her out, so there'll be no danger of further discovery.
human
Red Chimneys
gpt
All right, she said.
human
But I must sit the other side of you. I want to keep my eye on her.