“Commendable,” nodded her father, “but it still doesn’t prove he isn’t a trouble maker.”
“Oh, Dad, I think you’re being unfair to him.”
“And I think you have been unduly influenced,” Mr. Parker returned. “However, I’ll tell you what I’ll do. I’ll have Mr. DeWitt investigate the young man. If his findings are good, we’ll give him another chance.”
“Oh, Dad! That’s grand!” Penny cried, squeezing his arm.
At the office, Penny found a letter tucked behind the roller of her typewriter. Although addressed to her, it had been sent to the Star. Instantly she knew the reason, for it was from Jerry Livingston, who had worked for the paper many years.
Eagerly, she ripped open the envelope and read the message. Jerry, in an Army camp in the west, expected to pilot a big bomber to Hawaii within the next few weeks. “Best regards to the newspaper gang,” he concluded.
“Any news from Jerry?” inquired Mr. DeWitt, who had recognized the handwriting.
Penny gave him the letter to read.
“Let’s tack it on the bulletin board,” the editor suggested. “Jerry has a lot of friends here.”
Penny allowed him to keep the letter and thought no more of it. Soon she became absorbed in the morning’s work. There were obituaries to write as usual, but now and then Mr. DeWitt gave her a more interesting task. Seemingly he had forgotten about her unfortunate experience at the fire.