Summary

Charlotte arrived at Concord and piled stones by the sign. She waited by the livery office until the ticket office opened. The stage approached pulled by six beautiful horses. She wondered what it would be like “to have that many horses step to your call” (42). Charlotte got into the coach and sat between two women. When the women asked her name, she told them it was Charley. As the coach pulled away, Charlotte started to feel like “anything was possible” (43). She fell asleep between the two women.

Hours later, the stage reached its final stop in Worcester, Massachusetts. Charlotte watched the other passengers head toward the hotel and other destinations. She did not have anywhere to go and no money to pay for a room. She began to feel frightened. She went to the stagecoach horses and petted them. She asked the driver if...