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Show Nettie, Page 102 "How about 'Adeste Fidelis'?" Everyone crowded near her and clammered for more. Col. Cody drew her close and hugged her, then kissed her gruffly and affectionately. Nettie exulted in the attention and the opportunity to sing again. She responded gaily with several more carols, then encouraged everyone to sing, "We wish you a Merry Christmas." At last it felt like Christmas Eve. Someone passed around a hat for donations and it soon held over $300. Nettie thanked them all, graciously and guilelessly. The diners dispersed, returning to their various conversations once more, livelier now. Nettie stood by the organ. Col. Cody asked her about the money. "What do you want to do with this, angel?" "I don't know. You keep it. I don't really need it," Nettie answered simply. The big buckskin-frocked man turned the money over to the night clerk, who counted it, then put it in the safe. "I'm going to Lovell in a few days, want me to take it to your mother?" "Yes, that's fine. Ask her to pay my tithing on it, and tell her to keep the rest," Nettie yawned. "Colonel, I'm tired. I think I'll go to my room now." The walk was long for Nettie. After a fifteen-hour day, most of which was spent on her feet, she could hardly hobble to her room. Painfully she reached her room, grasped a large pitcher, limped to the bathroom filled the pitcher with hot water and took it back to her room. |
