“Gosh! it's Ros,” he exclaimed, in his mysterious whisper. “I hadn't seen you afore; just got here myself. But I'm glad you ARE here. I'll see that you and him get a chance to talk private.”
“Who?” I asked, trying to pull my arm free.
“Why, Mr. Colton. Didn't you know? Yes, sir, that's his car. He's come and so's his daughter and that young Carver feller. I believe they've come to take in the sociable. There they be! See 'em! See 'em!”
I saw them. Colton and Victor had already alighted and Miss Colton was descending from the tonneau. There were two other men in the car, beside Oscar, the chauffeur.
“Who are those other people?” I asked.
“I don't know,” whispered Sim, excitedly. “Stay where you be and I'll find out. I'll be right back, now. Don't you move.”
I did not move, not because he had ordered me to stay where I was, but because I was curious. The spot where I stood was in shadow and I knew they could not see me.
Colton and his daughter were talking with Victor, who remained by the step of the auto.
“Well, Mabel,” observed “Big Jim,” “here we are, though why I don't know. I hope you enjoy this thing more than I am likely to.”
“Of course I shall enjoy it, Father. Look at the decorations. Aren't they perfectly WONDERFUL!”