I prepared breakfast and waited with my heart in my mouth for my lady
and gentleman to rise. At last I heard them stirring. My eyes were
jumping out of my head to them when I saw them coming in and seating
themselves by the table.
Like a hungry cat rubbing up to its boss for meat, so I edged and
simpered around them as I passed them the food. Without my will, like a
beggar, my hand reached out to them.
The breakfast was over. And no word yet from my wages.
“Gottuniu!” I thought to myself. “Maybe they’re so busy with their
own things they forgot it’s the day for my wages. Could they who have
everything know what I was to do with my first American dollars? How
could they, soaking in plenty, how could they feel the longing and the
fierce hunger in me, pressing up through each visionary dollar? How
could they know the gnawing ache of my avid fingers for the feel of
my own, earned dollars? _My_ dollars that I could spend like a free
person. _My_ dollars that would make me feel with everybody alike!”
Breakfast was long past.
Lunch came. Lunch past.
Oi-i weh! Not a word yet about my money.
It was near dinner. And not a word yet about my wages.
I began to set the table. But my head--it swam away from me. I broke
a glass. The silver dropped from my nervous fingers. I couldn’t stand
it any longer. I dropped everything and rushed over to my American lady
and gentleman.
“Oi weh! The money--my money--my wages!” I cried breathlessly.
Four cold eyes turned on me.
“Wages? Money?” The four eyes turned into hard stone as they looked me
up and down. “Haven’t you a comfortable bed to sleep, and three good
meals a day? You’re only a month here. Just came to America. And you
already think about money. Wait till you’re worth any money. What use
are you without knowing English? You should be glad we keep you here.
It’s like a vacation for you. Other girls pay money yet to be in the
country.”
It went black for my eyes. I was so choked no words came to my lips.
Even the tears went dry in my throat.