Read A New Beginning for Free Online Page B

ladies’ dormitory?”
    Miss Hampton suppressed a smile. “I’ll show you the way. At some point, we’ll need to conduct a grand tour and get everyone acquainted with the property.”
    Miss Martin picked up her satchel and followed Elizabeth and Miss Hampton into the hotel. “This will be a lovely place,” she exclaimed as they entered the main lobby.
    “I’m glad you can see it. I’m afraid my eye stops on the dust and grime,” Miss Hampton said as she guided them over to the staircase.
    “Grime can’t stop something from being beautiful. It just covers it up,” Miss Martin replied.
    They climbed the stairs to the second floor, then took a smaller staircase to an attic. The room was very large, running the length of the entire building, and while the ceiling was sloped, it left room for them to stand easily.
    “This area will be the quarters for the female employees,” Miss Hampton explained. “We’ll bring in cots and freshen it up with a coat of paint, but first, it must be swept and mopped.”
    “Oh, I’m sure I can do that,” Miss Martin exclaimed. “I mean, if someone will show me how. I know it’s terrible—I’m eighteen and don’t even know how to mop—but I’m willing to learn.”
    Miss Hampton nodded. “Very well. I’ll leave Miss Caldwell here to assist you.”
    Elizabeth waited until she heard Miss Hampton’s footsteps recede down the hall, then turned to Miss Martin. “Please, call me Elizabeth. We’re going to be working closely together, and I’d like us to be friends.”
    Miss Martin stepped forward and offered Elizabeth the same kind of eager handshake she’d given Mr. Brody. “And you must call me Harriet. Tell me, is Miss Hampton always so . . . austere?”
    “I just met her yesterday, so I’m afraid I can’t tell you. I do believe she has a sense of humor, though. I’ve seen her hold back a smile a few times, mostly at Mr. Brody’s expense.”
    Harriet threw back her head and laughed. “Are all of you so serious? Gracious, with all these solemn faces, I feel like I’ve walked into a funeral parlor.”
    Elizabeth wasn’t quite sure how to respond. She supposed they all were rather serious, but that was just her nature, and Mr. Brody and Miss Hampton were quite concerned over getting the hotel ready on time. “Perhaps you can liven us up a bit,” she suggested.
    “I’ll certainly do my best.” Harriet removed her hat and draped it over the banister, then reached in her bag and pulled out an apron. “I say there’s no time like the present. Let’s get to work, shall we, and you can give me pointers on how to use the broom and mop.”
    Harriet chattered merrily while she worked, asking questions about Topeka and Kansas and the West and Indians and all sorts of things that Elizabeth knew nothing about. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to notice Elizabeth’s short answers, but moved on to the next observation or question. The room was swept and mopped in record time, and Elizabeth was surprised to see how quickly the task had been accomplished. But then, work always went more quickly with friends.
    “And now we’re ready for the whitewash, right?” Harriet said, wiping her forehead on her sleeve. “I’m quite sure that housework was never meant to be done while wearing petticoats.”
    Elizabeth was startled. “What should we be wearing?” she asked.
    “I don’t know. I think a pair of trousers would be a marvelous idea, though.” Harriet gave her brow another swipe, then turned and caught Elizabeth’s expression. “I’ve scandalized you, haven’t I? I’m sorry. I just do that sometimes.”
    “No, no, I’m not scandalized,” Elizabeth protested, even though she was. “I’ve never thought of wearing trousers before, that’s all. I’d feel rather indecent.”
    “Why? You’d still be covered from stem to stern, and you’d be free from these yards and yards of fabric.” Harriet grabbed her skirts and shook them, and dust flew up in the air.