an, and then she realised that if she knew where Patty
was going, they could go and bring her home at any time, if Mr. Fairfield
wished.

"Well," she went on, "who's your lovely lady?"

"Mrs. Van Reypen."

"Patty Fairfield! Not _the_ Mrs. Van Reypen?"

"Yes, the very one! Isn't it gay? She's a bit eccentric, and she
advertised for a companion, saying the application must be a written one.
So I pranced up to her house this morning, and secured the position."

"But she said to apply by letter."

"Yes; that's why I went myself! I sent up my card, and a message that I
had come in answer to her advertisement. She sent back word that I could
go home and write to her. I said I'd write then and there. So I helped
myself to her library desk, and wrote out a regular application. In less
than five minutes, I was summoned to her august presence, and after
looking me over, she engaged me at once. How's that for quick action?"

"But does she know who you are?"

"Why, she knows my name, and that's all."

"But she's a,--why, she's sort of an institution."

"Yes; I know she's a public benefactor, and all that. But, really, she's
very interesting; though, I fancy she has a quick temper. However, we've
made the agreement for a week. Then if either of us wants to back out,
we're at liberty to do so."

"She was willing to arrange it that way?"

"She insisted on it. She never takes anybody until after a week's trial."

"What are your duties?"

"Oh, almost nothing. I'm not a social secretary, or anything like that.
Merely a companion, to be with her, and read to her occasionally, or
perhaps sing to her, and go to drive with her,--and that's about all."

"No one else in the family?"

"I don't think so. She didn't speak of any one, except her secretary and
servants. She's rather old-fashioned, and the house is dear. All crystal
chandeliers, and old frescoed walls and ceilings, and elaborate
door-frames. Why, Nan, it'll be fun to be there a week, and it's
so,--well, so safe and pleasant, you know, and so correct and seemly.
Why, if I really had to earn my own living, I couldn't do better than to
be companion to Mrs. Van Reypen."

"No; I suppose not. What is the salary?"

"Ah, that's the beauty of it! It's just fifteen dollars a week. And as I
get 'board and lodging' beside, I'm really doing better than I agreed
to."

"I don't like it, Patty," said Nan, after a few moments' thought. "But
it's better, in some ways, than the