Penny bought a copy, reading with displeasure the story of Mr. Parker’s disappearance.
“I can’t understand why Mr. DeWitt let this go through,” she thought. “If Dad were here, he’d certainly hate it.”
Entering the lobby of the Star building, Penny pressed the elevator button. A long time elapsed before the cage descended. To her surprise she saw that it was operated, not by Mose Johnson, the colored man, but by the janitor.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Penny,” the man apologized. “I’m not much good at operating this contraption.”
“Where is Mose this morning, Charley?”
“Fired.”
Penny could not hide her amazement. The old colored man had been employed ten years at the Star plant. Although not strictly efficient, Mose’s habits were good, and Mr. Parker had taken an affectionate interest in him.
“It’s a shame, if you ask me,” the janitor added.
“What happened, Charley? Who discharged him?”
“That guy Schirr.”