at once together in such disagreeable, twangy voices. The scene reminded her of a rogue elephant stampede of which once she had been an involuntary witness in India. She had quite lost count of the number of people to whom she was being presented; she could recall no names. Automatically she held herself ready to make some pleasant remark concerning the water-works. She was even contemplating the possibility of flight when Lou brought forward a woman with a fine, high forehead, green, intellectual eyes, a rather faded skin (how awful, Ella reflected, women looked without make-up!) and brown hair, neatly and simply arranged. She wore a rather threadbare, brown checked suit, and a brown sailor. This was Lennie Colman, who taught English literature in the Maple Valley High School.
It's such a great pleasure to meet you, Countess, she said. There are so many questions I want to ask you about Europe.
But Maple Valley is making such headway.
O, I know. In the direction of water-works.
And the new High School. . . .
I'll have to teach in it.
And the depot? The Countess was smiling.
I never have money enough to go away.
And the new brick pavement?
I haven't a carriage.
Leaning forward, the Countess patted Lennie
