Carmella Commands
work. I haven’t had time yet to do much except with the children. And they’re the most important, after all, don’t you think ?”
“Miss Sargle!” Mrs. Barrington had a sudden inspiration, not to be credited to any knowledge of, or any particular sympathy with, the women and children of Little Italy. Social leadership grows out of that instinct and stimulates it.
“Miss Sargle, who is the brightest Italian girl around here—not over fifteen years old ?”’
“Why, there are a great many bright ones. That’s their characteristic, you know, to be bright. There’s—let me see—of course, I’ve not learned all their names—there’s Domenica—she’s sixteen, I think—but she’s bright⸺”
“Too old!” said Mrs. Barrington, decisively.
“Well, then there’s —let me think—there’s—oh, yes—there’s Carmella Kid Kate. At least, that’s what they call her. I don’t know her last name. I call her Carmella, but the children seem to call her Kid Kate. She’s the kind you mean.”
“How old is she?”
“Twelve, for a guess—or thirteen. She’s that size, though she’s so self-confident that she seems older.”
“How near here does she live?”
“Over on Doty Street, I think. Not far, anyway.”
“Get her and send her here. I’ll wait.”
Mrs. Barrington settled down to further reflection, the interview over and its details forgotten. Miss
[4]
