The Senior Clerk laughed.
“You probably won’t because she went home Christmas to be married. And her room is empty.”
“Is it a nice room?”
“Miss Amelia’s house is special.” Elsie smiled. “All of us have been there for ages. John and I both lived there when we—Naturally, afterward, when I came back I went straight to Miss Amelia. But she doesn’t take new people. She isn’t able to get about much any more. Mr. Haley’s really the boss, and she doesn’t have to do anything. So you see, it isn’t a lodging house at all. You’d love it.”
“It sounds wonderful!”
“Why not come home with me tonight for supper? We could sound Miss Amelia out.”
They sat around the big table in the dining room—eight of them when a chair was placed for Helen—with the nicest little blue-eyed lady smiling at them from behind a tall teapot. Helen knew that the call, stoop-shouldered Mr. Haley was city editor of one of the daily papers. He didn’t talk much, but he was a pleasant host.
“Where are you from, Miss Pitts?”
Her reply brought Miss Amelia’s full attention.
“Rochester!” Miss Amelia exclaimed. “We have a very distinguished friend who lives—or rather used to live—in Rochester. He’s in Washington now. You’ve heard of Frederick Douglass?” She leaned forward, her eyes bright.