For the next half hour Penny had no time to think of the Celestial Temple. However, at twenty minutes before six, when her father came into the office, she was well ahead of her work.
“Hello, Penny,” he greeted her. “How do you like your new job?”
“Fine and dandy. Only routine items rather cramp one’s style. Now if I were a regular reporter instead of a society editor, I know several stories which would be my dish!”
“For instance?” inquired Mr. Parker, smiling.
“First, there’s an Oriental Shop on Dorr Street that I should investigate. The Japanese owner acted very mysteriously today when I went there. Louise and I saw him making a silk ladder, and he refused to reveal its purpose.”
“A silk ladder?” repeated Mr. Parker. “Odd perhaps, but hardly worthy of a news story.”
“Dad, I only wish you had seen that old Japanese—the sinister way he looked at me. Oh, he’s guilty of some crime. I feel it.”
“The Star requires facts, not fancy or emotion,” Mr. Parker rejoined. “Better devote your talents to routine society items if you expect to remain on my payroll.”
Penny took the announcement of the Celestial Thought meeting from her pocket and offered it to the publisher.
“Here’s one which might be interesting,” she said. “How about assigning me to it after I get this society job in hand?”