Carmella Commands
Carmella unexpectedly. Mr. Carroll was surprised, but a principal grows used to sudden turns.
“What place, for instance?” he asked, quietly.
“Why—why, here—Greendale.”
“Oh, you’re interested in Greendale, then?”
“My dad is,” said Carmella, proudly. “He’s a contractor out there. I was thinking about his job when Miss Silva jumped on me.”
“Just what does he do?”
Carmella glanced quickly at the principal, and saw that he was really interested. Not simply make-believe. Words jumped to her lips. She poured out the story of her hopes and fears, of her power to help if Tommaso would only let her, of how much more exciting this was than red and brown spots on a map.
“And you were planning how to help dad, weren’t you?” said Mr. Carroll soothingly. “I know you were. But now listen to this, Kid Kate! The way to help dad is to learn all you can in every way you can. School isn’t the only way, but it’s a very important way. Don’t you know more about America and its language than your father and mother do?”
Carmella laughed.
“And how much did school help you this way, when they know so much more than you do about other things?”
Suddenly Carmella’s eyes danced.
“Say, Mr. Carroll!” she exclaimed. “I wish you
[176]
