“Just now the important thing is when are you coming home?” Mr. Parker asked. “Can you get here today?”
To Penny, the thought of home and a soft bed was more alluring than any other earthly bliss.
“I’ll certainly try, Dad,” she promised. “Yes, somehow I’ll get there.”
After Penny ended the conversation with her father, she and Louise talked to Salt about the prospects of a trip home. Regretfully he explained that with a big story to cover, he probably would not be leaving that day.
“But there are plenty of cars going out of here,” he encouraged them. “Why not go down to the depot and make inquiries.”
The idea seemed an excellent one. At the station the girls talked again with Joe Quigley who assured them he knew of a car that was leaving very shortly.
“Hurry out to Highway 20 and I think you can catch the fellow,” he urged.
Hastily saying goodbye not only to Joe but to Mr. and Mrs. Burmaster who remained in the crowded station, the girls went outside. As they rounded a corner of the building a voice fairly boomed at them: “Hello, folks!”
Penny and Louise whirled around to see Silas Malcom coming toward them. Clinging to his arm was a spry little woman in a borrowed coat and hat.
“Mrs. Lear!” gasped the girls in one voice.