Carmella Commands
“Sh-she said, Miss Sargle, she’d be dannato if she’d run.”
And then Giulia panted up the stairs, clutching her dime. Miss Sargle rested her chin on her hand. Strange child! Strange children!
Presently Carmella calmly arrived.
Deliberately she turned from the corridor into the superintendent’s office.
“Good evening, Miss Sargle!” she said.
“How do you do, Carmella? You didn’t run with Giulia, the way I asked you to.”
“What’s the use? It’s hot. And you didn’t send word the cops were pinching the place or anything. I asked Julia very special. She ran back, but she’s an ignitz. You can talk English yourself, you know.”
“Yes, of course. But⸺”
“Well, then, you don’t need any help in a hurry, if it isn’t the cops. If it’s anybody else, they’ll wait for you. Get me?”
“I see,” said Miss Sargle. Although, in her heart, she didn’t. This was postgraduate work, and she had merely graduated from the social service institution. But she hastened to recapture the leadership.
“I want you to come in and talk with Mrs. Barrington, Carmella. She wants to talk with you. Come with me.”
“Who’s Mrs. Barrington?” demanded Carmella, spreading her feet and standing still.
“She’s sponsor of the sewing class.”
[11]
