Shadows were deepening into early darkness as she set off across the fields, guided by a flashlight Mrs. Eckenrod insisted she take.
The motor of her car was cold, the oil heavy. After two attempts she started it and soon was entering the outskirts of Riverview.
“Wonder if Dad’s still at the office?” she thought. “If he is, I may as well give him a lift home.”
By the time Penny had parked and climbed the stairs to the Star editorial room, the hands of her wristwatch were nosing six o’clock.
The first edition had rolled from the presses, and reporters, their feet on the desks, were relaxing for a few minutes.
Mr. DeWitt, the city editor, sat scanning the paper, noting corrections or changes to be made in the next edition.
“Hi, Mr. DeWitt!” Penny greeted him as she paused by the desk. “Dad here?”
“Hello there, Penny,” the editor smiled at her. “He was a minute ago. Yes, here he comes now.”
Mr. DeWitt jerked his head sideways toward the publisher’s private office. Mr. Parker had on his hat and topcoat and would have left by the rear exit without having seen Penny had she not overtaken him.
“Want a lift home, Dad?” she inquired.