“Tell me about the hotel, Sarah,” said Patty, as she crunched the crisp toast between her white teeth, and smiled at the maid.
“What about it, ma’am?”
“Well, let me see; how did you maids feel when you found the guests were leaving?”
“At first we feared we’d lose our money, miss; then we were told that our contracts held till the end of this month, and if we would stay as long as we were asked to, we’d get paid in full.”
“Wasn’t that nice?”
“Fine, ma’am. I’m using mine for my little sister’s schooling, and I’d sore miss it.”
“So all the servants were willing to stay?”
“Oh, yes, ma’am. You see, none could get good places up here. The hotels all have their own, and many of them will close the first of October.”
“I see. Isn’t it funny to have a dozen guests, and the rest of this big place empty?”
“It is, indeed, miss. Shall I get you some hotter chocolate?”