Janice feared that Nelson’s influence in the school would be hurt because of his attentions to Annette. Was it her business to try and save him from his own folly, and from the influence of the city girl? That query long puzzled and worried Janice Day. Her desire was to save the school teacher from the results of his course of action; but the puzzle was how to do so without bringing unpleasant comment upon herself.
CHAPTER XVII
AN ERRAND OF MERCY
The Girls’ Guild was a growing and popular institution by this time. Mothers declared it a great help, for they could trust their girls to be in the old church vestry on Saturday afternoons, instead of parading High Street in imitation of some of their older sisters.
The boys had recently opened a gymnasium in the basement of the Public Library Building, and Marty Day and his chums seldom hung around the livery stable or the groceries nowadays. Their younger sisters were given the opportunity to enjoy themselves in an innocent yet lively way under Janice’s management and Mrs. Middler’s care.
Janice had been unable to get Virginia Trimmins and the two sisters nearest her age to the Guild. The black-haired girl repulsed every attempt Janice made to lead her.
Not that she wouldn’t stop to talk to Janice now. Indeed, almost every day that the Kremlin car bore Janice through the wood, Jinny exchanged a few words with her. Almost always the black-haired girl bore the sickly baby, wrapped in a ragged blanket, in her arms.
“Haven’t you had the doctor see him?” asked Janice, pitying the poor little fellow’s peaked face and his staring, almost expressionless, eyes.
“Doctors cost money, Pap says,” muttered Jinny. “We ain’t got none. We hain’t never done had none!” she added desperately.
“I am sure Doctor Poole would be able to help the little fellow if you would take him to his office,” suggested Janice.
“He’d want money, too.”