Even “hello girls” are tired sometimes, tho we think of them as
part of the electrical apparatus. To-day Central was tired, her
head ached, she had just succeeded, after repeated calls, in
getting the number wanted by 349-M, and here they were, calling
her up again! “Can’t that woman be quiet a minute?” soliloquized
Central while she reiterated, “Number, please?” trying not to
speak crossly. “Central,” said a pleasant voice, “I want to
thank you for taking so much trouble to get me that last number.
You are always very kind and obliging, and I do appreciate it.”
The surprize was so great, so overwhelming, that Central could
only murmur confusedly, “I--oh--yes, ma’am.” Nothing like this
had ever happened before. Suddenly her headache was better,
suddenly the day was brighter, suddenly, too, there came a lump
in her throat, and she reached for her handkerchief. It was so
good to be thanked. (Text.)
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