“Whatcher wanner knowfer?”
Mrs. Theddon found a dime in the tiny bead bag at her girdle.
“Now tell me the little girl’s name and what you know about her.”
“Name’s Leggy—it’s short for sumpin’—Leeg—Leeg—sumpin’ like Leegar.”
“You mean Allegra?”
“Uh-huh!”
“And what’s her last name?”
“Ain’t got none. She didn’t have no fadder nor mudder like the rest of us. The fairies brought her. Leggy says so! Say, there ain’t no fairies, are there?”
“So that’s why you’re all dressed alike. You’re orphans.” Mrs. Theddon’s eyes went back to the little girl. “And who’s looking out for you?”
“Leggy is. We couldn’t come to the Park at all if it warn’t fer her. She’s a cuckoo, Leggy is. She says she saw Santa Claus once. Say, there ain’t no Santa Claus, is there?”