"You don't know anything that I want to know."

"Then _I_'ll ask a question of YOU."

Philip's voice was full of meaning, so Patty said hastily: "No, no;
it isn't polite to ask questions in society; one should make
observations."

"All right, observe me. That's what I'm here for. Observe me early
and often, and I'll be only too well pleased."

"But that isn't what _I_'m here for. Your aunt invited me to be a
pleasant dinner guest and so I have to make myself entertaining to
my Aztec friend."

And then Patty turned again to Mr. Crosby, and by a few skilful
hints she soon had him started on another description of his
travelling experiences, and this time it proved so thrilling that
all at the table were glad to listen to it.

After dinner the whole party went to the opera and occupied Mrs. Van
Reypen's box.

Patty was passionately fond of music, and never talked during a
performance. Between the acts, she was a smiling chatterbox, but
while the curtain was up, she behaved in most exemplary fashion.
Mrs. Van Reypen knew this, or she would not have asked her, for that
lady was old-fashioned in her ways, and had no patience with people
who chattered while the great singers were pouring forth their