“Why, I think so.”
“I am sorry,” said Miss Grimley in a tone which implied exactly the opposite, “but I will have to report this. You understand my position.”
“Please—”
“I have no choice,” Miss Grimley cut her short. “Come with me, please.”
Penny started to accompany Sally, but the forelady by a gesture indicated that she was not to come. The door closed behind them.
For ten minutes Penny waited, hoping that Sally would return. Finally she wandered outside. Sally was not on the floor and another girl had taken her place at the machine.
Seeing Joe the Sweeper cleaning a corridor, Penny asked him about Sally.
“No. 567?” the man inquired with a grin which showed a gap between his front upper teeth. “You won’t see her no more! She’s in the employment office now, and they’re giving her the can!”
“You mean she’s being discharged?”
“Sure. We don’t want no thieves around here!”