her cap. Reaching up to touch her white cap, she laughed.
“I’ve been having a bit of a head cold. The doctor back home told me to wear a hat as much as possible until it passed.” There, that should satisfy them. “Plus, it was cold on the train when I traveled here.”
“Yes, yes, keep the head warm. Grow your hair long and tuck it up into a nightcap also,” Mr. Bradenton agreed. “Sounds like a good doctor, I wish I had him around here. Our town could always use another prudent physician.”
Lilly appeared.
“Might I get you anything, ma’am––possibly some hot tea and toast?” Donna got the feeling this partying was a normal routine, with the maid already having a menu to offer.
“Yes, that might be good,” Mrs. Bradenton said. “I could use some strong Oolong and honey this morning.”
She gestured weakly for Donna to sit down. Fantastic, they were moderately hung over from last night! Donna figured the conversation would be rather general and probably nothing specific since they didn’t actually know her. Perhaps if she was lucky, they might give her clues as to who she was.
“We are terribly sorry you didn’t get to join the party last night,” Mr. Bradenton offered. His friendliness was certainly reassuring enough.
“Oh, I got here too late. Plus I was tired from the trip and the confusion, you know. I thought it best just to have the maids show me to my room and start fresh today,” Donna said.
“Yes, that’s always the best way,” Mrs. Bradenton agreed. “The party was already winding down when you arrived. It probably wouldn’t have been much fun.”
Donna studied her, realizing she was looking at her great-great-great-great grandmother. The moment was spooky. Mrs. Bradenton was of average height, pale and a bit plump around the middle. Her hands were delicate and covered with an assortment of large rings. Donna thought back to the eighteen hundreds and remembered women were supposed to stay out of the sun. She probably never exercised in her life, except for some formal dancing. Donna was glad now she had skipped the tanning salon last week and her tan in the bottle product was now worn completely off. She should look just as pale as the rest of them. It would have been difficult to explain a deep tan at the end of October to these people. The only people who were tanned were probably field hands.
“You’ll need to fill us in on Chicago. It’s been so long since we’ve been,” Mr. Bradenton spoke.
“Yes, dear, and we’re overdue for a visit. I haven’t been feeling well and have been having some pains in my back. When I get better, I want to go and do some shopping.” Mrs. Bradenton nudged her husband with her elbow.
“Yes, I promised you.” He winked at Donna. “Matter of fact, I’m taking Elizabeth to the doctor today. We’re leaving in a little bit.”
Donna noticed the look in his eyes changed to a more concerned demeanor. He continued, “You’re welcome to come with us if you wish. But then a young person might not want to sit around the doctor’s office.”
Lilly reappeared with a large silver serving tray of toast, jellies, and butters. Rose brought up the rear with another tray holding a tea pot and three cups.
“I think I’ll sit it out. This place is so soothing after the hustle and bustle of the big city.”
“All our guests say that!”
They filled their plates with tea and butter and the delicious toppings. Mrs. Bradenton told Donna all the jellies and butters were made at the farm. Donna nodded her head silently in agreement. Though she had eaten breakfast with the maids, she had to admit the hot tea and toast were scrumptious. Maybe it was this country air.
“You do so look like someone we know from Chicago. Please fill us in on which relative you favor?” Mrs. Bradenton asked.
Donna felt a bit uncomfortable. They were asking questions she had no ready answer for. She squirmed in her seat trying to come up with a plausible
“I’ve been having a bit of a head cold. The doctor back home told me to wear a hat as much as possible until it passed.” There, that should satisfy them. “Plus, it was cold on the train when I traveled here.”
“Yes, yes, keep the head warm. Grow your hair long and tuck it up into a nightcap also,” Mr. Bradenton agreed. “Sounds like a good doctor, I wish I had him around here. Our town could always use another prudent physician.”
Lilly appeared.
“Might I get you anything, ma’am––possibly some hot tea and toast?” Donna got the feeling this partying was a normal routine, with the maid already having a menu to offer.
“Yes, that might be good,” Mrs. Bradenton said. “I could use some strong Oolong and honey this morning.”
She gestured weakly for Donna to sit down. Fantastic, they were moderately hung over from last night! Donna figured the conversation would be rather general and probably nothing specific since they didn’t actually know her. Perhaps if she was lucky, they might give her clues as to who she was.
“We are terribly sorry you didn’t get to join the party last night,” Mr. Bradenton offered. His friendliness was certainly reassuring enough.
“Oh, I got here too late. Plus I was tired from the trip and the confusion, you know. I thought it best just to have the maids show me to my room and start fresh today,” Donna said.
“Yes, that’s always the best way,” Mrs. Bradenton agreed. “The party was already winding down when you arrived. It probably wouldn’t have been much fun.”
Donna studied her, realizing she was looking at her great-great-great-great grandmother. The moment was spooky. Mrs. Bradenton was of average height, pale and a bit plump around the middle. Her hands were delicate and covered with an assortment of large rings. Donna thought back to the eighteen hundreds and remembered women were supposed to stay out of the sun. She probably never exercised in her life, except for some formal dancing. Donna was glad now she had skipped the tanning salon last week and her tan in the bottle product was now worn completely off. She should look just as pale as the rest of them. It would have been difficult to explain a deep tan at the end of October to these people. The only people who were tanned were probably field hands.
“You’ll need to fill us in on Chicago. It’s been so long since we’ve been,” Mr. Bradenton spoke.
“Yes, dear, and we’re overdue for a visit. I haven’t been feeling well and have been having some pains in my back. When I get better, I want to go and do some shopping.” Mrs. Bradenton nudged her husband with her elbow.
“Yes, I promised you.” He winked at Donna. “Matter of fact, I’m taking Elizabeth to the doctor today. We’re leaving in a little bit.”
Donna noticed the look in his eyes changed to a more concerned demeanor. He continued, “You’re welcome to come with us if you wish. But then a young person might not want to sit around the doctor’s office.”
Lilly reappeared with a large silver serving tray of toast, jellies, and butters. Rose brought up the rear with another tray holding a tea pot and three cups.
“I think I’ll sit it out. This place is so soothing after the hustle and bustle of the big city.”
“All our guests say that!”
They filled their plates with tea and butter and the delicious toppings. Mrs. Bradenton told Donna all the jellies and butters were made at the farm. Donna nodded her head silently in agreement. Though she had eaten breakfast with the maids, she had to admit the hot tea and toast were scrumptious. Maybe it was this country air.
“You do so look like someone we know from Chicago. Please fill us in on which relative you favor?” Mrs. Bradenton asked.
Donna felt a bit uncomfortable. They were asking questions she had no ready answer for. She squirmed in her seat trying to come up with a plausible
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