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Show Nettie, Page 79 "And . . .?" he raised his eyebrows. "And go to work," Nettie finished for him. "Do you have something in mind? Do you know what you want to do?" Papa sounded skeptical. Nettie took a deep breath and blurted, "I want to go to Cody and work for the Colonel." The day the Colonel made his offer returned to Papa's mind. He remembered only too clearly now his feelings at the time that Nettie would never be able to take him up on it. But Nettie was walking now and he recognized that the determination which had driven her to walking again was also strong enough to drive her away from home with or without his blessing. "You're sure of this, Nettie?" Papa knew the answer, but had to ask. Nettie nodded. "You'll speak to Mama?" Nettie pleaded. Her father nodded, too, and sighed. His brood was fast diminishing. Brig, Will and Robert were now well on their own. Only Nettie, Clarence and Alice were left, and Papa grieved at Nettie's wanting to leave. After Nettie's nightly ritual, rubbing her legs, knees and feet, she climbed into bed, sighed and turned to the wall. Tired though she was, sleep did not come right away and as a result, snatches of Papa's conversation with Mama came to her-or rather it was Mama's sharp voice which Nettie heard. Only a low murmur told Nettie when Papa was speaking. " . . . leave school?" was the first shrill reaction from Mama. Then " . . . go to work... . . Col. Cody . . . hotel . . ." reached |
