Penny talked rapidly but distinctly. Facts had been imprinted indelibly on her memory. She had no need to refer to notes except to verify names. Now and then Mr. Parker interrupted to ask a question. When the story had been told he said crisply:
“You’ve done marvelously, Penny! But we’ll need more names. Get as complete a list of the missing as you can.”
“I’ll try, Dad.”
“And pictures. So far all we have are a few airplane shots of the flooded valley. Can you get ahold of a camera?”
“I doubt it,” Penny said dubiously.
“Try anyhow,” her father urged. “And keep on the lookout for Salt Sommers. He’s on his way there now with two reporters. They’re bringing in a portable wire photo set.”
“Then you plan to send flood pictures direct from here to Riverview?”
“That’s the set up,” Mr. Parker replied. “If you can get the pictures and have them waiting, we’ll beat every other paper in the country!”
“I’ll do my best,” Penny promised. “But it’s a hard assignment.”
She talked a moment longer before abandoning the test ’phone to one of the linemen. Seeking Louise, she repeated the conversation.