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Show Nettie, Page 97 "wouldn't that look just lovely hanging next to the brocade I bought last time?" And Rose would smile and agree and Nettie's paycheck would soon be spent. There was little opportunity to wear most of the creations Nettie spent her hard-earned money on, as there were no paid vacations from the work at the hotel and no days off. Her only free time was between meals, and there were many days when she was too exhausted to do more than lay on her bed, massage her feet and see that her next uniform was ready. Between the Colonel, Tex and Mrs. Holms, and Rose, Nettie's world was still a protected one, but one which was rapidly expanding. She often served the Colonel in his small private dining room where she had dined with him and the Holms. He continued to compliment her and encourage her and she grew confident in her abilities as a waitress. One day a gentleman came in, surveyed the dining room and chose a table in Nettie's station. She approached him and asked him for his order, greeting him in her usual forthright and friendly way. The man looked at her oddly, she thought, grinning at nothing that Nettie could see. "I haven't seen you around here before, Red," he eyed her. "I just started this spring, sir. What will you have?" He turned his attention to his order briefly, then continued looking at Nettie. She felt his eyes on her as she turned to the kitchen and they were fastened on her again on her emergence. Nettie enjoyed friendly people but this man was unnerving her. As she unloaded his tray and served his meal he slipped his arm |