Chapter 14

           ItwasbrightsunlightintheroomwhenIwoke.IthoughtIwasbackatthefrontandstretchedoutinbed.MylegshurtmeandIlookeddownatthemstillinthedirtybandages,andseeingthemknewwhereIwas.Ireachedupforthebell-cordandpushedthebutton.Ihearditbuzzdownthehallandthensomeonecomingonrubbersolesalongthehall.ItwasMissGageandshelookedalittleolderinthebrightsunlightandnotsopretty.

           "Good-morning,"shesaid."Didyouhaveagoodnight?"

           "Yes.Thanksverymuch,"Isaid."CanIhaveabarber?"

           "Icameintoseeyouandyouwereasleepwiththisinthebedwithyou."

           Sheopenedthearmoiredoorandheldupthevermouthbottle.Itwasnearlyempty."Iputtheotherbottlefromunderthebedintheretoo,"shesaid."Whydidn’tyouaskmeforaglass?"

           "Ithoughtmaybeyouwouldn’tletmehaveit."

           "I’dhavehadsomewithyou."

           "You’reafinegirl."

           "Itisn’tgoodforyoutodrinkalone,"shesaid."Youmustn’tdoit."

           "Allright."

           "YourfriendMissBarkley’scome,"shesaid.

           "Really?"

           "Yes.Idon’tlikeher."

           "Youwilllikeher.She’sawfullynice."

           Sheshookherhead."I’msureshe’sfine.Canyoumovejustalittletothisside?That’sfine.I’llcleanyouupforbreakfast."Shewashedmewithaclothandsoapandwarmwater."Holdyourshoulderup,"shesaid."That’sfine."

           "CanIhavethebarberbeforebreakfast?"

           "I’llsendtheporterforhim."Shewentoutandcameback.