“You probably won’t because she went home Christmas to be married. And her room _is_ empty.” “Is it a nice room?” “Miss Amelia’s house is special.” Elsie smiled. “All of us have been there for ages. John and I both lived there when we--Naturally, afterward, when I came back I went straight to Miss Amelia. But she doesn’t take new people. She isn’t able to get about much any more. Mr. Haley’s really the boss, and she doesn’t have to do anything. So you see, it isn’t a lodging house at all. You’d love it.” “It sounds wonderful!” “Why not come home with me tonight for supper? We could sound Miss Amelia out.” They sat around the big table in the dining room--eight of them when a chair was placed for Helen--with the nicest little blue-eyed lady smiling at them from behind a tall teapot. Helen knew that the call, stoop-shouldered Mr. Haley was city editor of one of the daily papers. He didn’t talk much, but he was a pleasant host. “Where are you from, Miss Pitts?” Her reply brought Miss Amelia’s full attention. “Rochester!” Miss Amelia exclaimed. “We have a very distinguished friend who lives--or rather used to live--in Rochester. He’s in Washington now. You’ve heard of Frederick Douglass?” She leaned forward, her eyes bright. “Oh, yes, ma’am.” Helen’s enthusiasm was quite genuine. “Everybody in Rochester knows Frederick Douglass.” The little lady sat back, a smile on her face. “I knew him when he was a boy.” Jack Haley chuckled. He turned to Helen, and his tired eyes smiled. “Hold on to your hat, Miss Pitts. You’re going to hear a story.” Everybody laughed. They all knew Miss Amelia’s favorite story. “You’ll get the room!” whispered Elsie. She was right, of course. The next day Helen Pitts moved into Jessie Payne’s room. * * * * * They met just outside the gate. He saw that the lady was about to turn in and so, lifting his hat, he stepped back. She smiled and said, “How do you do, Mr. Douglass?” “Good evening, ma’am.” She walked up the path, and he cursed his inability to remember names. He was sure her face was familiar. It was dusk. When he saw her inside surely he would remember. At the door she turned. “Stop cudgeling your brains,” she said. “I’ve never been introduced to you.” “Then it’s not really my fault if I don’t know your name.” He gave a sigh of relief. They both laughed then, and Miss Amelia was calling, “Come in! Come in, both of you! Well, so at last you two have met again.” “Why no, Miss Amelia, the lady doesn’t--” “We haven’t been introduced,” Helen interrupted. “Tck! Tck! You told me that--” “But that was years ago, Miss Amelia.” Douglass was holding both Miss Amelia’s hands in his. “Please, ladies! This isn’t fair. Now, please, won’t you present me?” Amelia was severe. “After the length of time you’ve stayed away, Fred, I shouldn’t.”