Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-04-23

glanced critically around the room
with its high ceiling, heavy English
furniture and hangings.
"But, dear, 16 shillings day for the
room!"
war rates. What'd 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" chuckled Warren. DO
'em good to make 'em work. Here's
another" going over to sign by the
washstand:
Guests will kindly use as few
towels as possible. Laundries are now
running only part time and deliveries
are uncertain"
Better go slow on your 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
ether 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. 1 feel positively grimy. That
was the filthiest train!"
Punch away there! want hot
water to shave. Get me out a.clean
collar. will you?"
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. I'll put
them on this end of the washstand."
It was the inevitable long English
washstand with the two massive bowls
and pitchers. A single basin with run
ming water would have been more con-
venient than all this double array, but
their previous trip had reconciled
Helen to the lack of English baths
and running water.
"Oh, these shelves are thick with
Dust" as she started to put some
things into the wardrobe.
Hold on there! 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 doorknob; you look good
enough"
Helen thrust in a few more hair
pins. her fingers nervously incapable
under Warren's impatient glare.
Got the key?"
They went down the broad red-car-
peted hall to the cage-like lift"
THAT rooms closed. SIR page
informed them as they crossed the
rotunda to the main dining room.
THE breakfast rooms just beyond"
Even the breakfast room had a
cheerless, deserted air. A waiter ran
forward eagerly and seated them at
table by the window.
Lets see your breakfast card,' de-
manded Warren.
1--WE don't have any now. sir"
We're serving only one breakfast
coffee. bacon and eggs, toast and
marmalade."
How much?"
give shillings, sir
That's hold-up," growled Warren,
but bring it along"
Five shillings," exclaimed Helen,
"for just coffee and eggs? Why
that's"
Now cut all that" savagely.
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 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
frowningly into the coffee pot
Cant get a decent cup of coffee
in England, pouring out the black
chicory mixture.
somewhat Modified by the delicious
Wiltshire bacon and the delicately
favored English eggs.
"Tll not have time to go back to
the room," when they left the table.
Now what're you going to do today?
Got any English money!"
why, yes, dear, you gave me three
pounds on the train"
well, take care of yourself. I'll
meet you here about seven"
Helen watched him hurry out
through the revolving doors. Vaguely
depressed, she went back to the room
alone.
The next hour she spent in unpack-