It was a new experience to the girls, this seeking a temporary home at a
public hotel, and the unpleasant features of hotel life, to which older
travellers shut their eyes, were to them unbearable.
Entering the parlor of the hotel to which he had been directed, Lancy told
the girls to be seated while he saw the proprietor; but the expression on
the faces of both girls gave Lancy some uneasy feelings, and Dexie's
uplifted nose told the cause of her disapproval.
"It will be no use for you to engage rooms here, Lancy," said she, "for if
all smells like this we won't stay."
"Well, I will just order a lunch, and we can decide about rooms later on."
This was found to have been a wise precaution, as the disgusting fumes of
stale tobacco-smoke and liquor, seemed to pervade every corner.
"It's no use being too particular, girls," said Lancy, as they rose from
the table, and re-entered the parlor, "we will not be here but a day or
two, you know."
"Well, but surely we can find some other place to stay in while we are
here. We don't want to appear at Mrs. Fremont's with our clothes smelling
like a bar-room!" said Dexie, rather sharply.
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