The Next of Kin: Those who Wait and WonderMcClung, Nellie L.
History
The Next of Kin: Those who Wait and Wonder
McClung, Nellie L.
World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918 -- Canada
Polly was not to be deceived by friendly tones. The friendly ones were
the worst! She held her head high and walked straight ahead, just as
if she knew where she was going. Polly had a plan of action. She was
going to walk on and on until she came to a house marked in big
letters "BOARDING-HOUSE," and she would go in there and tell the lady
that she wanted to get a room for one day, and then she would leave
her bundle and go out and find a school and see the teacher. Teachers
were all good men and would help you! Then she would find a place
where they wanted a girl to mind a baby or wash dishes, or maybe milk
a cow; and perhaps she would have a bed all to herself. City houses
were so big and had so many rooms, and she had heard that in some of
the beds only one person slept! Having her programme so well laid out,
it is no wonder that she refused to confide in the blue serge lady who
spoke to her.
Polly set off at a quick pace, looking straight ahead of her across
the corner of the station yard, following the crowd. The Travelers'
Aid followed close behind, determined to keep a close watch on the
independent little Russian girl.
At the corner of First and Jasper, Polly stopped confused. A great
crowd stood around the bulletin board and excitedly read the news of
the Russian revolution; automobiles honked their horns, and
street-cars clanged and newsboys shouted, and more people than Polly
had ever seen before surged by her. For the first time Polly's stout
heart failed her. She had not thought it would be quite like this!
Turning round, she was glad to see the woman who had spoken to her at
the station. In this great bustling, pushing throng she seemed like an
old friend.
"Do you know where I could find a boarding-house?" asked Polly
breathlessly.
The Travelers' Aid took her by the hand and piloted her safely across
the street; and when the street-car had clanged by and she could be
heard, she told Polly that she would take her to a boarding-house
where she would be quite safe.
Polly stopped and asked her what was the name of the place.
"Y.W.C.A.," said the Aid, smiling.
Polly gave a sigh of relief. "I know what that is," she said. "Mr.
Ellis said that was the place to go when you go to a city. Will you
let me stay until I find a school?"
"We'll find the school," said the other woman. "That is what we are
for; we look after girls like you. We are glad to find a girl who
wants to go to school."
Polly laid her pack down to change hands and looked about her in
delight. The big brick buildings, the store-windows, even the
street-signs with their flaring colors, were all beautiful to her.
"Gee!" she said, "I like the city--it's swell!"
Polly was taken to the office of the secretary of the Y.W.C.A., and
there, under the melting influence of Miss Bradshaw's kind eyes and
sweet voice, she told all her hopes and fears.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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