20
water from the well, wiped down the table, and washed a
tub full of dishes, Miss Bradford seemed satisfied. The old
woman’s twisted hands painfully unknotted a threadbare
handkerchief, and several coins dropped into Hattie’s palm.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Hattie said. She knew without
looking that the pay didn’t include all the extra housework.
But all she could do was grit her teeth and remember her
father’s words.
We can use every penny.
It was almost completely dark by the time Hattie was
on the street, flying home as fast as her legs could carry her.
It was at least a mile, through parts of town she’d rather
not go through in daylight, let alone at night.
Tonight, though, the city was quiet. She rounded the
last corner and sped through the back alley and up the
stairs. Wonderful smells of fresh-baked biscuits and fried
meat filled the apartment as she closed the door behind
her.
“Hattie!” Papa was already at the table, feeding
Abraham a piece of biscuit. “We was getting mighty
worried. Miss Bradford keep you late again?”
