# 2 Sept. 15

The two parents talked quietly for awhile, then settled back and dozed fitfully through the night.

Chapter 4.

  Everyone was awake early and eager to eat by the time breakfast was served. Frequent stops caused the day to pass very slowly, however the ever changing scenery that they clattered past was interesting and helped pass the time. John and Jean spent several hours during the day up in the observation car. Doctor Pearce struck up a conversation with another cleric and the two visited back and forth until mid-afternoon when the other pastor reached his destination. Mrs. Pearce utilized her time by alternating between reading to the younger twins, knitting and reading her bible. A couple of times when the family was all together, the conductor stopped by and regaled them with some of the history of the areas they were passing through.

  All in all the day passed slowly for everyone and as evening came on they all dozed in their seats. The train finally pulled into Halifax at half past ten right on schedule.

  After disembarking and collecting their luggage, they move to the station exit, found a taxi and engaged it to take them to the closest medium priced hotel. The hotel proved to be only a five minute ride away and they were fortunate enough to be able to get adjoining rooms. By midnight everyone was sound asleep.

  The next morning they went for breakfast just after nine o’clock. “I must go find us other accommodation.” Doctor Pearce announced. “This is much too expensive for the amount of time we must wait.” Turning to Mrs. Pearce he said, “Please have the children repack again and then check us out before eleven. You will have to wait here but I will be back as soon as I can.” As John opened his mouth to speak, Doctor Pearce said, “No John, you must stay here and help with the packing then look after the girls and your mother.”

  John closed his mouth and nodded in silence knowing that he could not argue.

  Just before noon Doctor Pearce arrived back at the hotel, the family were waiting in the lobby.  “Good news!” He cried. “I found a nice quiet hotel only a few blocks away, our rooms are like a suite and there is a small kitchen. We can walk from here.”

  They distributed the luggage and went out to the side walk and followed along behind the Doctor. The few blocks turned out to be about ten and several stops were made for brief rests, but finally they arrived in front of an old hotel. The brick exterior showed advanced signs of weathering but the lobby although also old showed signs of earlier elegance. An elderly bell hop came forward and took the two small cases the younger girls were packing and leading the way escorted them up a half flight and down a hall- way.

  Stopping in front of a door that bore a large number 1 on it he said, “Here’s your home for a few days, I hope you will find everything to your satisfaction.” He opened the door with a small flourish and stood aside as the family went in. He followed in and hurried to open the heavy curtains that were pulled across the windows. Waving his hands about he said,   “The kitchen is through there, the bath and lavatory there and the bedroom there, there is one double bed in that alcove, the two cots will arrive immediately. I trust everything will be satisfactory, call me if you need anything, anything at all.” He turned and left, closing the door behind himself.