Page:The Tattooed Countess (1924).pdf/76

 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