american English (G.A) please
The cottages to the east of the hotel, which was out of sight anyway, could be forgotten. One, on a piece of land sticking out into the sea, stood on its own with a landing-stage below, but this would only strengthen my picture when I came to paint it. The rest were fortunately hidden by rising ground. I turned, and looked through the open windows to the bedroom within. Plain whitewashed walls, a stone floor, a comfortable low bed with coloured blankets upon it. A bedside table with a lamp and telephone. But for these last, it was simplicity itself, and I wished for nothing more.
I wondered why this cottage, and none of its neighbours, had been opened up, and stepping inside I heard from the bathroom beyond the sound of running water. Not further disappointment, and the place booked after all? I put my head round the open door, and saw that it was a maid washing the bathroom floor. She jumped as she saw me. Pointing around me, I said ‘Is this taken?’ She did not understand, but answered me in her own language. Then she seized her cloth and bucket and, plainly terrified, pushed past me to the entrance, leaving her work unfinished.
