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Show Nettie, Page 88 woman stood before him. He took Nettie's hand and patted it, then gave instructions regarding accommodations for his newest employee to the desk clerk and left the room. Nettie's room was small, but pleasant, clean. It had only a bed, one chair, and a dresser in it, in addition to a moderately sized wardrobe. The wardrobe was larger than Nettie had ever seen, though, and she thought it would probably hold all Papa's and Mama's clothes as well as her own. She unpacked her meager supply of clothes and personal effects. Wilbur had carried them in for her and they looked ridiculous sitting so singly in the drawers. Nettie shuffled back and forth settling and resettling her things in the dresser and wardrobe. Her shawl was the only thing she hung up, and she thought she probably should put that in a drawer, but at least it was one thing she could hang in the wardrobe. Soon her empty and growling stomach told her it was nearly dinnertime. She took the basin and pitcher down the hall to the bathroom and filled it with warm water. That was a novelty-indoor plumbing and warm water right from a tap! In her room she washed her hands and face, ran a comb through her red curls and brushed the road dust off her clothes as best she could. Feeling herself ready as she could be, she went back down the long hall to the lobby, walking slowly. She paused uncertainly at the doorway of the main dining room. Her anxious glances darted around the room, looking desperately for the Colonel's familiar face. Nettie began to realize that she knew no one |
