So suddenly World War I is part of Patty's story. I'm actually a little surprised that it didn't make it into any earlier books, because it looks like at least three previous ones were published after the outbreak of the war. Anyway, Patty is engaged, but the threat of young men being sent overseas sort of puts a damper on future plans. Also, there are evidently spies everywhere and Patty and friends have some narrow escapes that actually seem a little silly.
Airplanes are a relatively new phenomenon, and since they could be used in the war, there is mention made of an aviation school where some of the young soldiers are trained. The characters talk about how dangerous it is and what a high proportion of people get injured while trying to fly. Patty, against her will, is even taken up in an airplane, and her hair gets caught in part of the machinery. Yikes!

One thing I have yet to understand in these books is the chaperoning rules. It's backward from what I would think: evidently it's okay for a young man and woman (of the same social class) to spend time alone together while driving a car, taking a walk, canoeing to an uninhabited island, etc., etc., etc. BUT it is definitely not okay for young unmarried women to be in some public place like a restaurant without a married woman hovering over them. Clearly I'm missing something.

Only one more Patty book to go! ( )