"Then I don't like the way. This is Denboro, not New York. He will
expect me at any time after ten, will he? Well, as Mullet said to Alvin
Baker just now at the post-office, I hope he has lots of patience. He'll
need it."

"But what can he want of you?"

"I don't know. Wants to look over his nearest jay neighbor, I should
imagine, and see what sort of a curio he is. He thinks it may be
necessary to put up barbed wire fences, I suppose."

"Roscoe, don't be narrow-minded. Mr. Colton's ways aren't ours and we
must make allowances."

"Let him make a few, for a change."

"Aren't you going to see him?"

"No. At least not until I get good and ready."

Dorinda came in just then to ask Mother some questions concerning
dinner, for, though Mother had not seen the dining room since that day,
six years ago, when she was carried from it to her bedroom, she kept
her interest in household affairs and insisted on being consulted on all
questions of management and internal economy. I rose from my chair and
started toward the door.

"Are you going, Roscoe?" asked Mother.