“Franzy Bedell—it’s her bed!” cried five voices in unison.
“Franzy—pull off dem beddings!” ordered the Officer.
Franzy slowly removed the covers and exposed a large damp place at the foot of the mattress.
“Diden’ yeh know any better! Why, even in Rivington er Ludlow Streets, de mudders know better’n use soaked beddin’. Ye git a black mark fer dat!” exclaimed the captain of the squad.
Franzy said nothing but awaited further punishment.
“Now spread each artick’l out on somethin’ to dry an’ don’t yeh dare make dat bed till dey is good an’ dry—you hear?”
“Yes’sm!” quickly said Franzy, glad to get off so easy.
“I’m comin’ back, remember, so don’t yeh cheat again!” And with that threat, Marybell led the Blue Birds away.
On the way back to the Infirmary where Marybell had to hand in her reports, she said: “Sometimes dem ninnies jus’ pull de bed-covers up an’ smooth ’em out, tryin’ to fool me to thinkin’ dey was all aired and made fresh, but I kin tell! Yep, I kin tell every time!”
“What else do you have to watch, Marybell?” asked Ruth, who was highly interested.