Prairie Lotus

Hanna fixes the dress bodice, then recalls that she must fetch the lard cans from Mrs. Blake at the hotel for the prairie roses. Bess offers to help, but Hanna tells her to stay and hem. A kitchen girl, Ellie, at the hotel gives Hanna the cans and wistfully mentions the dress shop opening, explaining she won’t be able to buy anything. Hanna welcomes her to come anyway and tells her about the raffle. Hanna leaves the hotel. As she nears the saloon, Mr. Swenson and a friend named Conners, both drunk, come out. They see Hanna and immediately harass her. Mr. Swenson reaches for Hanna, grabs her by the shoulder roughly enough to hurt, and drags her near to him. Hanna is terrified they will pull her into the alley behind the saloon, and she comes close to fainting. When her eyes and head clear a moment later, Mr. Swenson is holding onto her and keeping her close. She sees he has a loose button and says in a loud voice, “I CAN FIX THAT” (208).

Distracted and confused, he releases Hanna. She turns and flees toward the hotel. They pursue her. Mrs.