Mrs. Samuelson said as she ushered the Shays and Catherine into the front room. “I didn’t figure to ever see you again, and now here you are standing before me as big as day. And on the day before the Lord’s birth.”“Do you have rooms?” Selma asked. “We find ourselves in need of a place to stay.”“I do, I do. I have two and will soon have another,” the woman responded. “Just lost a renter last week, and another gentleman is leaving just after New Year’s. Said my forgetfulness was starting to affect the quality of the meals around here.” She cackled a laugh. “I told him I couldn’t help getting old.” “Well, it seems to be to our benefit,” Selma said, looking to Catherine. “It might be only a short stay, however.”“Ah, well then, we’ll just enjoy our time together while we can.” She eyed Selma with a grin. “Would you want to be trading cookin’ and cleanin’ for rent?” “I’d like that very much,” Selma said. “Dugan can also work around the house to fix things up.”“Oh my, but that would be a blessin’.
