Now completely dedicated to the adventure, the girl carefully backed toward the window. She took each step slowly to make a distinct print.
Reaching the window, she tried the ventilator screen. To her delight, it folded like an accordian when she pushed one side against the edge of the window. Making no sound, she removed it.
Listening a moment to make certain no one was close by, Penny raised the window higher. Then on strong arms she swung herself up and over the ledge.
The girl found herself in a large kitchen lighted only by a smoldering log in a great cavern of a fireplace.
Rows of copper pans hung on the smoke-stained walls. In a huge black kettle, watery soup simmered over the fire.
Penny turned to close the window and stepped squarely on the tail of a drowsing cat.
“Ye-eow!” screeched the frightened animal.
Penny huddled against the wall, listening. Her heart sank as she heard heavy footsteps in the passageway. The howling cat had brought someone to investigate!
Frantically, the girl glanced about the room. Huge cupboards which rose from the floor to the ceiling offered the only possible hiding place in the otherwise barren kitchen.
Pulling open one of the doors, she saw an interior cluttered with greasy pans and dishes. With desperate haste, she tried the adjoining door. This cupboard was empty except for a few dusty newspapers.