“And that don't count the chauffeur, the chap that runs the automobiles,” said Alonzo Black. “He's the tenth. Say, Ros,” turning to me, “how many is there, altogether?” “How many what?” I asked. It was my first opportunity to speak. “Why, hired help--servants, you know. How many does Mr. Colton keep?” “I don't know how many he keeps,” I said. “Why should I?” The group looked at me in amazement. Thoph Newcomb voiced the general astonishment. “Why should you!” he repeated. “Why shouldn't you, you mean! You're livin' right next door to 'em, as you might say! My soul! If I was you I cal'late I'd know afore this time.” “No doubt you would, Thoph. But I don't. I didn't know the Coltons had arrived until I came by just now. They have arrived, I take it.” Arrived! There was no question of the arrival, nor of its being witnessed by everyone present, myself and the South Denboro delegates excepted. Newcomb and Baker and Mullet and Black began talking all together. I learned that the Colton invasion of Denboro was a spectacle only equaled by the yearly coming of the circus to Hyannis, or the opening of the cattle show at Ostable. The carriages and horses had arrived by freight the morning before; the servants and the family on the afternoon train. “I see 'em myself,” affirmed Alonzo. “I was as nigh to 'em as I be to you. Mrs. Colton is sort of fleshy, but as handsome a woman as you'd want to see. I spoke to her, too. 'It's a nice day,' I says, 'ain't it?'” “What did she say?” asked Newcomb. “She didn't say nothin'. Engine was makin' such a noise she didn't hear, I presume likely.” “Humph!” sniffed Baker, evidently envious; “I guess she heard you, all right. Fellers like you make me tired. Grabbin' every chance to curry favor with rich folks! Wonder you didn't tell her you drove a fish-cart and wanted her trade! As for me, I'm independent. Don't make no difference to me how well-off a person is. They're human, just the same as I am, and _I_ don't toady to 'em. If they want to talk they can send for me. I'll wait till they do.” “Hope you've got lots of patience, Alvin,” observed Mullet drily. During the hilarity which followed, and while the offended apostle of independence was trying to think of a sufficiently cutting reply, I walked to the rear of the store.