She rocked unevenly, pausing now and then as she followed a trail of thought, and pushing hard again when the trail led nowhere. The knock on her door distracted her, for which she was grateful. Petite Sister Lydia, one of the Kitchen sisters, poked her head inside. “Sorry to bother you, Rose, but there’s a telephone call for you. Someone named Ida? It sounded important.” Rose jumped up from her chair and left it rocking on its own. The phone hung on the hallway wall, but Rose was too impatient to find a more private setting. Lydia seemed to be the only sister about. Lydia would spread no rumors. “Ida?” “Oh good, you’re there.” Ida’s genteel voice was faintly tinged with a Kentucky twang, a lapse that Rose suspected was due to excitement. “I’ve just had a most intriguing chat with my friend Mr. DeBow, and I was sure you’d want to know immediately.” “Bless you, Ida.” “Thank you, my dear. It is Mr. DeBow who deserves the blessing. I must say, he threw himself into his task with only the little information you were able to provide, and I believe you will be delighted by the results.
