You don't have much in the way of personal belongings. Just a coat and a change of socks for colder weather, really. ▓▓▓▓▓ has a little more, the coat and extra socks but also this thick book of fairy stories from the orphanage — Hanks insisted he take it with him, none of the other kids were half as interested in books like that with no pictures — and a simple copper necklace you know belonged to his mom.
But it's nowhere near enough stuff for such a big room, and you still can't quite believe you're really being given all this space.
You want to ask again if the grown-ups who run this inn are really sure about giving up one of their rooms for two five-year-olds, but the words lodge in your throat. You're more than a little afraid that if you ask again, Ms. Owen will realize what a dumb mistake they're making. And it doesn't help to have her standing in the doorway, watching the two of you get settled in.
▓▓▓▓▓'s feeling a little braver. He goes to set his book down on the end table, then stops, his face all scrunched up in thought. "Is this really all right? You rent this room."
He leaves the bit where neither of you have any money unsaid. It's not like it's not obvious.
Ms. Owen raises her big bushy eyebrows. "Oh, you're not putting us out any. This room's never been all that popular. Right off the stairs, you know? Makes it drafty in the winter."
▓▓▓▓▓ is gaping at her. You're not, because you know grown-ups are allowed to tell lies. But you are a little worried about what ▓▓▓▓▓ might say next.
Quickly, you put on your best manners. "Thank you, Ms. Owen." You even bow as you're saying it, flourishy, to hopefully make her laugh.
It works, but her laugh is a lot louder than you were expecting. When she can talk again, she waves a hand at you. "You're welcome, but it's Tillie, dear. Tillie and Owen Mason, but Tillie and Owen will do just fine. My goodness."
▓▓▓▓▓'s bright red from being embarrassed for you, but you're feeling a lot less nervous and shy, so you just grin up at her. "Ms. Tillie?" you suggest, and this sets her laughing so hard that she has to sit down.
You still don't really get why they're doing this, and you're already thinking up different things you could do to help out around the Comet — maybe they don't mind doing this and getting nothing in return, but you mind it and you're sure ▓▓▓▓▓ will too — but you start to let yourself believe it's not a terrible mistake.
Memory #14
You don't have much in the way of personal belongings. Just a coat and a change of socks for colder weather, really. ▓▓▓▓▓ has a little more, the coat and extra socks but also this thick book of fairy stories from the orphanage — Hanks insisted he take it with him, none of the other kids were half as interested in books like that with no pictures — and a simple copper necklace you know belonged to his mom.
But it's nowhere near enough stuff for such a big room, and you still can't quite believe you're really being given all this space.
You want to ask again if the grown-ups who run this inn are really sure about giving up one of their rooms for two five-year-olds, but the words lodge in your throat. You're more than a little afraid that if you ask again, Ms. Owen will realize what a dumb mistake they're making. And it doesn't help to have her standing in the doorway, watching the two of you get settled in.
▓▓▓▓▓'s feeling a little braver. He goes to set his book down on the end table, then stops, his face all scrunched up in thought. "Is this really all right? You rent this room."
He leaves the bit where neither of you have any money unsaid. It's not like it's not obvious.
Ms. Owen raises her big bushy eyebrows. "Oh, you're not putting us out any. This room's never been all that popular. Right off the stairs, you know? Makes it drafty in the winter."
▓▓▓▓▓ is gaping at her. You're not, because you know grown-ups are allowed to tell lies. But you are a little worried about what ▓▓▓▓▓ might say next.
Quickly, you put on your best manners. "Thank you, Ms. Owen." You even bow as you're saying it, flourishy, to hopefully make her laugh.
It works, but her laugh is a lot louder than you were expecting. When she can talk again, she waves a hand at you. "You're welcome, but it's Tillie, dear. Tillie and Owen Mason, but Tillie and Owen will do just fine. My goodness."
▓▓▓▓▓'s bright red from being embarrassed for you, but you're feeling a lot less nervous and shy, so you just grin up at her. "Ms. Tillie?" you suggest, and this sets her laughing so hard that she has to sit down.
You still don't really get why they're doing this, and you're already thinking up different things you could do to help out around the Comet — maybe they don't mind doing this and getting nothing in return, but you mind it and you're sure ▓▓▓▓▓ will too — but you start to let yourself believe it's not a terrible mistake.