Again abandoning Louise, she pushed through the throng of spectators. Touching the man’s arm to attract his attention, she said breathlessly:
“Mr. Nordwall, do you remember me?”
He gazed at her without recognition.
“I’m Penny Parker. I want to get a message through to my father.”
“Oh, yes, now I remember!” the telephone company manager exclaimed. “You’re trying to send a call through to Riverview.”
“Is there any reason why I can’t use the phone now—the test instrument?”
“Such a procedure would be very irregular.”
“But it would save hours in getting my story through,” Penny went on quickly. “Hundreds of persons are desperately in need of food and shelter. If the public can be aroused by newspaper publicity, funds will be subscribed generously. Mr. Nordwall, you must let me send my story!”
“This is a very great emergency,” the manager agreed. “I’ll see what can be done.”
Penny waited, scarcely daring to hope. However, Mr. Nordwall kept his word. To the delight of the girls, the call was put through. Within ten minutes Penny was summoned to the test box.