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IX. A Question of Color
RogerPyeandJohnAndrewhadbungledthematterbetweenthem;andasforJoshuaPye,hemustbeabornfoolnottosuspecttherewassomethingwrongwhenheopenedthecansandsawthecolorofthepaint.JoshuaPye,whenthusanimadvertedupon,retortedthattheAvonleatasteincolorswasnobusinessofhis,whateverhisprivateopinionmightbe;hehadbeenhiredtopaintthehall,nottotalkaboutit;andhemeanttohavehismoneyforit.
TheImproverspaidhimhismoneyinbitternessofspirit,afterconsultingMr.PeterSloane,whowasamagistrate.
“You’llhavetopayit,”Petertoldhim.“Youcan’tholdhimresponsibleforthemistake,sinceheclaimshewasnevertoldwhatthecolorwassupposedtobebutjustgiventhecansandtoldtogoahead.Butit’saburningshameandthathallcertainlydoeslookawful.”
ThelucklessImproversexpectedthatAvonleawouldbemoreprejudicedthaneveragainstthem;butinstead,publicsympathyveeredaroundintheirfavor.Peoplethoughttheeager,enthusiasticlittlebandwhohadworkedsohardfortheirobjecthadbeenbadlyused.Mrs.LyndetoldthemtokeeponandshowthePyesthattherereallywerepeopleintheworldwhocoulddothingswithoutmakingamuddleofthem.Mr.MajorSpencersentthemwordthathewouldcleanoutallthestumpsalongtheroadfrontofhisfarmandseeditdownwithgrassathisownexpense;andMrs
