She was dismissing them, and there was nothing to do but take the hint and depart.
Tommy, perfectly subdued, smiled up at them when they put him in his cart. Both girls were silent as they started down toward the bridge. What was going to happen to Tommy now?
CHAPTER XI
THE DAY NURSERY
The Journal staff was genuinely sorry to learn that Tommy had failed to soften old Mrs. McNulty’s heart. Miss Betty didn’t even smile when Joan told her the tragic details of the visit. Joan had gone right over to the Journal office as soon as they returned from Mrs. McNulty’s. Since it was Amy’s day to take care of Tommy, she remained at Joan’s home, helping the little fellow scatter his stone blocks over the grass in the side yard. The first few days they had taken Tommy over to call on the Journal folks, but that soon proved too hectic. There were so many things for him to reach for over there, and the editor seemed to think he interfered with the staff’s work. So Joan had gone alone to tell the news.
“It’s the McNulty pride,” stated Tim from his desk. He had rather hoped Joan might stumble upon a feature story for him in the old lady acting as fairy godmother to the little boy, and he was a bit disappointed. “She could have given up that space in the Historical Building and saved the day. But she’s so proud of having those things in there.”
“It was Tommy’s clothes,” decided the society editor. “The old lady’s probably used to seeing kids Tommy’s age decked out in white dimity and sky-blue ribbon. I’ll tell you what. Let’s take up a collection and outfit the youngster. It won’t change Mrs. McNulty’s heart—too late for that. But if he looked better, perhaps some wealthy resident would take a liking to him and produce a place for a bigger day nursery. Here, I’ll start the finery fund.” She pulled open her desk drawer, took out her red pocketbook and gave Joan a shining quarter.
“Here’s a twin to that one.” Cookie, who had heard it all, was reaching into his pocket.
The Journal staff wasn’t rich, but it was generous. Every one in the editorial and business offices gave something. Gertie could give only a nickel.
“Busted?” teased Tim. “When the ghost walked just yesterday?”
That was the staff’s way of saying that yesterday had been pay day. But Gertie always spent the contents of her envelope on clothes as soon as she got it, and was always in debt.