On seeing these
additional men-servants, Barnes began figuratively to count on his
fingers the retainers he had so far encountered on the place. Already
he has seen six, all of them powerful, rugged fellows. It struck him.
as extraordinary, and in a way significant, that there should be so
many men at Green Fancy.
Somewhere back in his mind was the impression that O'Dowd had spoken
of Pierre the cook, a private secretary and male attendant who looked
after Mr. Curtis. Then there was Peter, the regular chauffeur, whom he
had not seen, and doubtless there were able-bodied woodchoppers and
foresters besides. Not forgetting the little book-agent! It suddenly
occurred to him that he was surrounded by a company of the most
formidable character: no less than twenty men would be a reasonable
guess if he were to include O'Dowd, De Soto and Van Dyke.
Much to his disappointment, he was not placed near Miss Cameron at
table. Indeed, she was seated as far away from him as possible. He sat
at Mrs. Collier's right. On his left was Mrs. Van Dyke, with Miss
Cameron at the foot of the table flanked by O'Dowd and De Soto. Van
Dyke had nearly the whole of the opposite side of the table to
himself.
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