There was much red tape to leaving that hotel--people to see, cards to
sign and get signed. Everyone was nice. I told Kelly--and the news
spread--the truth, that I was unexpectedly going to Europe, being
taken by the same lady who brought me out from California, her whose
kids I looked after. If after six months I didn't like it in
Europe--and everyone was rather doubtful that I would, because they
don't treat workin' girls so very well in Europe--the lady would pay
my way back to America second-class. (The Lord save my soul.)
I told Schmitz I was going on the afternoon of the evening I was to
leave. Of course he knew it from Kelly and the others. "Be sure you
don't forget to leave your paring knife," was Schmitz's one comment.
Farewells were said--I did surely feel like the belle of the ball that
last half hour. On the way out I decided to let bygones be bygones and
sought out Schmitz to say good-by.
"You sure you left that paring knife?" said Schmitz.