Penny was at a loss to know how to aid the old man. As she stood debating, the cleaning woman whom she had seen upon another occasion, came down the hall. The girl determined upon a bold move.
“I wonder if you could help me?” she said, going to meet the woman. “I’ve locked myself out of my room. Do you have a master key?”
“Yes, it will unlock most of the bedrooms.”
“The doors on this floor?”
“All except number 27.”
Penny took a two dollar bill from her jacket pocket and thrust it into the woman’s hand.
“Here, take this, and let me have the key.”
“I can’t give it to you,” the woman protested. “Show me your room and I’ll unlock it for you.”
“We’re standing in front of it now. Number 29.”
The woman stared. “But these rooms aren’t usually given out, Miss.”