The Washington herald., 1914-10-05

threw himself into
- cushioned chair anc
glanced critically around the room
with its high ceiling. heavy English
furniture and hangingS
But dear, sixteen shiIingS = day
for the roomI"
War rates Whzfd you expect ?
with a shrug.
Listen to this" and Helen read
aloud notice on the door:
Owing to the shortage of help,
guests will be expected to make up
their own beds until further notice" ="
Good stuff ehuekled Warren.
DO 'em good to make EN- work"
Heres another" going over to a
sign by the washstand:
Guests will kindly use as few
towels as possible. LaundrieS are
now running only part time and de-
liveries are uncertain"
Better 60 slow on our own laun-
dry, too. Now let's wash up and
get down to breakfast. Ring for
some hot water, there"
Helen started to touch the button
by the door, but over it was still an
other typewriter notice:
Please make as few calls on the
attendants as possible. The hotel is
now being run with less than half its
former staff"
But dear, we must have hot wa
ter. feel positively grimy. That
was the flthiest trainr"
Punch away therel I want hot
water to shave. Get me out a clean
collar, will your"
Warren unstrapped the suit cases,
and Helen began taking out the most
needed things.
Dear, I'm going to give you this
side of the dresser-this small
drawer and the bottom one. Here's
your toothbrush and shaving soap.
III put them on this end of the
washstand."
1t was the inevitable long Eng
lish washstand with the two massive
bowls and pitchers. A single basin
with running water would have been
more convenient than all this double
array, but their previous trip had
reconciled Helen to the lack of Eng
lish baths and running water.
Oh. these shelves are thick with
Dust" as she started to put some
things into the wardrobe.
Hold on therel Don't take that
towel! What'd that sign say?"
Helen put back the towel and
wiped off the shelves with some
crunpled tissue paper from her
trunk.
The maid brought the hot water
and Warren, who could shave with
astonishing rapidity, was soon ready
Dear, don't wait for me; you go
on down and order the breakfast"
Nothing doing-we're going down
together" decisively. Come on,
rattling the doorlnob; you look
good enough"
Helen thrust in a few more hair
pins, her fingers nervously incapa-
bic under Warren's impatient glare.
Got the key?"
They went down the broad red
carpeted hall to the cage-like lift"
That rooms closed, sir" a page
informed them as theys crossed the
rotunds to the main dining room.
The breakfast rooms just beyond"
Even the breakfast room had a
cherries, deserted air. A waiter ran
forward eagerly and seated them at
a table by the window.
Let's see your breakfast card,
demanded Warren.
we don't have any now, sir"
We're serving only one breakfast
coffee, bacon and eggs, toast and
marmalade."
How much?"
Five shillings, sir"
That's a hold-up," growled War
ren, but bring it along"
Five shillings," exclaimed Helen.
"for just coffee and eggs' Why
that's"
Now cut all that" ssvagely.
Make up your mind they're going
to soak US right and left. We're
here, and we've got to eat. No use
putting up a howl every meal" and
Warren retired behind the war news
of the London Times.
When the breakfast was served,
he threw down the paper and peered
frowningiy into the coffee POT.
Cant get a decent cup of cof-
fee in England" touring out the
black chiceTy mixture.
But this disgruntled mood was
somewhat Modified by the delicious
Wiltshire bacon and the delicately
Favored English eggs.
'T'li not have time to go back to
the room" when they left the table.
Now what're you going to do to-
day? Got any English money!"
why, yes, dear, you gave me
three pounds on the train"
We'll take care of yourself. I'll
meet you here about seven"
Helen watched him hurry out
through the revolving doors. Vague
ly depressed, she went back to the
room alone.
The next hour she spent in TN
packing. in going over her clothes
which needed attention after the
week on the steamer. There was
a button of her shoe, a rip in a too