The three of us understood our visit was to be for a week. We were shy of course, being in a strange home, and scarcely knowing the family we found ourselves with. My father didn’t seem unkind, but simply showed no interest in any of us. I believe he, as well as we, felt uneasy, not finding the words to speak to one another.
Ruby engaged us in light conversation, asking about our experience in school,and wanting to know which church we attended. Upon learning that our limited attendance at any church, consisted of holiday escorts by the good people of the Salvation Army,at Christmastime and Easter, at which time we would be given apples and oranges, and multi-colored sugar coated gum drops, she quickly dropped the subject.
After that, most of her attention was directed toward Rosemary, since she was a teen-ager and could hold a conversation.
When it was bed-time, my sisters were told they would share beds with the other girls. Rosemary chose little Virginia, since from the beginning she had been drawn to her sweetness and quiet manner. As far back as I can remember she had the maternal instinct, which had even been shown in her care of me, when our mother was working. She was content now to help with this little one.
Barbara took an instant liking to Elaine, who was six years old, with fiery red hair. She volunteered to sleep with her, and I knew this little girl was going to have a great time, for Barbara was the family story teller, and Elaine would soon hear of monsters in the closet, knights on white horses, or fairies on the bed stead.