This was ambiguous, as there were more than a score of desks about, each tenanted by a busy man, more often than not accompanied by a stenographer.
“Oh, dear, what a place!” thought Patty. No one would attend to her wants; no one seemed to notice her. She believed she could stand there all day if she chose, without being spoken to.
Clearly, she must take the initiative.
She saw a pleasant-faced woman at a desk, and decided to address her.
“Where is Department G, please?” she asked.
“G?” said the woman, looking blank.
“Yes, G. The man downstairs told me it was on the fourth floor. Isn’t this the fourth floor?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Then, where is Department G?”
“G?”