“This is your train.” He reached into his suit-jacket pocket, pulled out a train ticket, and handed it to her. “I’ll come with you and get you settled.”

They crossed through three cars until they arrived at an empty berth in a sleeping compartment. He stepped inside and placed her suitcase next to the wardrobe.

Nora read the ticket. “There’s no destination listed.”

“Don’t worry about it. Someone will fetch you when you’ve reached your stop and a car will be waiting for you when you get off. The driver has your name.” He turned to go.

“Wait!”

He paused.

“This is a sleeper car.”

“Yes.”

“Am I to understand that the trip will last through the night?”

“So it would appear. Get comfortable, Dr. Lindstrom; you’ll be riding for a while.”

When he was gone, Nora folded herself into one of two small chairs that would convert into the bottom bunk for sleeping.

“Here you are, miss.”

Nora jumped up. A luggage-carrying Pullman porter escorted a young woman into the car.

“There must be some mistake. This is way too posh for my blood.” The woman’s dress was neat and well-pressed, but somewhat worn around the edges.

“No mistake, miss. We’re full up everywhere else. This is where I was told to put you.”

The woman shrugged. “I guess it’s okay, then.” She turned and seemed to notice Nora for the first time. “Hi there, I’m Josephine.”

“Nora. Nice to meet you.”

The two women shook hands as the porter stood by waiting. “Miss? Shall I put your suitcase over there?” He indicated the space next to Nora’s suitcase.

“Oh, my. Where are my manners? Yes, please.” Josephine waited until he had retreated from the compartment. “Isn’t this exciting?”

“You’ve never traveled by train before?”

“No.”

“You’re in for a treat. I love trains.”

Josephine cocked her head to the side as if sizing her up. “You look as though you might do this a lot.”

Nora wasn’t sure how to take the comment, so she remained mum.

“Where are you headed?”

She’d been dreading this question. How could she explain it? Keep it honest and simple. “I don’t know my destination yet.”

Josephine’s eyes opened wide. “You too? I thought maybe I was the only one.”

“What do you mean?”

“My brother-in-law works for the War Department. He heard they were hiring a lot of clerical staff for some big project and he got me an interview here in New York. They hired me on the spot and told me to show up at the train station today. They wouldn’t tell me where I was going, only that it was for the war effort, and that I should pack as if I was moving. So here I am.” Josephine sat down opposite her.