Carmella Commands
for queer reasons. Especially young people in these quick days.
Queer reasons! There must be a reason why the sewing class was failing. There always was a reason. Probably queer. But worth knowing. Where in the world was that girl? Mrs. Barrington looked at her watch, and frowned.
Down the street came Giulia, racing. Into the doorway of the stucco building, up the half-dozen steps to the main floor, and to the left into Miss Sargle’s office.
“She—she—she’s—c-c-coming.”
“Thank you ever so much,” said Miss Sargle, smiling and reaching for her purse to find the promised dime. “You’re all out of breath, Giulia. Is she coming right away?”
“Y-y-yes, Miss Sa-sar-gle. S-soon as she c-can walk. She w’wouldn’t run, like you said. I told her y-you said.”
“Oh, very well, Giulia. I t isn’t far. Here’s your dime, and thank you.”
“Y-yes’m. Thank you! I’ll use the money for fireworks. St. Theresa’s Day comes next week, you know.”
“So it does, Giulia. Thank you for finding Carmella.”
“Yes’m.”
Giulia started for the stairway to resume her book, but turned and peered into the office again.
[8]
