“There, there, child,” He rose from his desk and came around and patted her head. What a dear he was! “I was afraid it would be too much for one little girl to save her schoolmates from fire and to solve a mystery all in one short day’s span.”
“That smoke nearly p-p-put my eyes out—I’m all right.”
“You certainly are. You are one of our finest girls. Shall we send for Chloe and let her hear the things I have to say?”
“Please, sir.”
Dr. Barnes picked up his telephone and asked that Chloe be sent down.
“Dr. Barnes, Betsy and Sue know that Chloe is adopted and that she was kidnaped. They are the only other girls in school who do. They will be so happy to know who Chloe is, could we send for them, too? I’d rather they knew it all now and get it correctly than have to tell them later—because I would tell them—and maybe, get it twisted. Chloe wouldn’t care.”
“Perhaps you are right, Mimi.”
He lifted the receiver again. As it clicked back in place, his secretary entered.
“Excuse me, Dr. Barnes. Miss Marcia Madison is here and I thought you would wish to see her at once.”
“By all means. Invite her in.”