Carmella Commands
more loudly than was wise, he was disciplined by his father in a way that cured him for all time.
“Mrs. Barrington, she weesh see you, Carmella,” said Maria one night in the early winter.
“What does she want?”
“I not know. She ask me that I tell you. She at Hope House after school domani.”
“Wants me to be a Girl Scout, I’ll bet.”
“Not the Scout. She said tell you it.”
Carmella chuckled. Evidently Mrs. Barrington remembered. Carmella’s first thought was to refuse to go. But life was branching out. Perhaps it would be interesting.
The next afternoon found her facing Mrs. Barrington once more in the latter’s office in the settlement house.
“How do you do, Kid Kate!” said Mrs. Barrington, extending her hand.
Carmella accepted it doubtfully and answered:
“Very well, thank you. How’s your chauffeur?”
“Bless me! He’s all right, I think.” Mrs. Barrington was once more out of poise for an instant. In some fashion Carmella, while staying within the bounds of surface politeness, always managed to irritate her.
For an instant she was tempted to send the girl away. But Miss Sargle had impressed on her the importance of this interview.
[271]
