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ready to sleep, just pull down on that latch, and it will release the bed.”
    “It’s in the wall?” She could hardly believe such a thing.
    The porter chuckled. “Yes. Let me show you.” He proceeded to demonstrate, and seconds later a bed emerged from the wall, just as he’d said. He then lifted it back into place and it disappeared from view. “Will you require my assistance in unpacking your bags?”
    She quickly declined his offer, convinced she needed no such help, especially from a perfect stranger. The very idea of someone seeing her garments—especially the underclothes—made her uneasy.
    He took a few steps toward the door. “Well, then, is there anything I can bring you, miss? Something from the dining car, perhaps?”
    When she shook her head, he paused in the doorway. Rena quickly came to her senses, fumbled through her purse, and came up with a coin to tip the fellow. He nodded and then left, closing the door behind him.
    The next few minutes were spent familiarizing herself with her car and peering through the window. She couldn’t get over the beautiful red, velvet-covered cushioned benches and other fineries. Yes, this would be just fine. Perhaps the journey wouldn’t be as nerve-racking as she’d secretly feared.
    Feared. There was that word again.
    For whatever reason, she thought of Reuben. From this side of the train, she could no longer see him. Perhaps he and Virginia had already returned home.
    No, knowing her brother, they would stay until the train was out of sight. He would be praying all the while—and probably hoping she would change her mind and return home where she belonged.
    Home. Strange, that Gulfport would no longer be her home. From the age of fourteen, it had been the only home she’d known.
    Through the open window, ash and cinders swirled about in the air, creating a dizzying haze. Rena closed the window and the dust soon settled. She sat in one of the cushioned chairs and looked down at her once-white gloves. They were smudged with soot. By the time she arrived in Daisy, they would be absolutely ruined.
    Oh well. No bother. She could always buy another pair. Surely Daisy had an adequately stocked department store. And a dressmaker.
    Rena turned her attention to the menu on the side table. Her stomach grumbled as she read over it. “Mmm. Steak…grilled lamb chops…and asparagus with hollandaise sauce?” She hadn’t expected such a fine menu.
    Rena’s mouth began to water—until she thought about those people in the regular cars with their bag lunches. All those mothers and their children she had passed by on her way to her private car wouldn’t be eating steak or lamb chops, would they? Suddenly Rena didn’t feel so hungry.
    Moments later, another shrill whistle rang out and the train jolted. Rena watched as thick black smoke and white steam filled the air on the other side of the window. The train lurched forward, and she very nearly toppled off the bench. She managed to hold on tight, but the high collar on her gray dress very nearly choked the life out of her in the process.
    Why, oh, why, had she worn this particular dress? The heavy fabric bound her. Still, as one who wanted to present herself as both polished and chaste, she’d chosen what felt right in the moment. Right now she would gladly trade this constrictive dress for one of Sadie’s flowing gowns.
    A loud clack-clacking began, slowly at first, then faster, faster, faster.... Rena closed her eyes and held on as the car jerked and swayed back and forth from side to side. Nausea kicked in, so she took a few deep breaths. Hopefully she wouldn’t meet with fiasco this near the beginning of her trip.
    When the nausea passed, she eased her eyes open. Through the window, the crowded train station disappeared from view. Leaning back, she decided to rest for a few minutes. Before long, her eyes grew heavy and she drifted off to sleep.

Chapter Five
    T IPS FOR D EALING WITH U NRULY Y OUNG ’ UNS — From