The Street of the City Read Online Free PDF

dictation was a kind, reserved, elderly man with iron-gray hair and a stern face. He wasted no time in his work, and Frannie’s fingers flew to keep pace with his gruff voice. When at last she went back to her machine she was fairly breathless with the speed she had been going. She sat down at her typewriter and began to work, determined to finish all these letters before the noon hour.
    She had been working nearly two hours at top speed when she became aware of two people coming straight toward her desk. One was Mr. Chalmers, her boss, and by his side a strange young man. At least, she had never seen him in the plant before.
    “Miss Fernley,” Mr. Chalmers said, “this young man has a message for you, from your mother, isn’t that it, Mr. Willoughby?”
    The young man bowed, but Frannie turned white.
    “Oh, my mother?” she exclaimed, springing to her feet, one small hand fluttering to her throat. “Has something happened?”
    “Please don’t be frightened,” said the young man. “Your mother isn’t very well. But she’s resting now, and I’m sure she’s going to be all right. She didn’t want you to be told, but the doctor thought you might be upset if you were not told at once. He told me to assure you that at present there is nothing for you to worry about, and he will see that you are notified if there is any need for you to come home.”
    “But—I don’t understand!” said the girl frantically. “How did she get a doctor? She was all alone with just my little sister, and she’s only a baby yet.”
    “Well she’s some baby!” said the young man emphatically. “When your mother fainted she ran across the river on the ice and told Lady Winthrop, and she sent her doctor over, so everything is all right now. We put your mother on the bed and the doctor called for his nurse, so your mother isn’t alone now, and you don’t need to worry. She was most anxious that you do not come home until the day’s work is over.”
    “Oh, that will be all right,” said Frannie’s boss kindly. “I can excuse you right away if you are anxious to go to your mother.
    “Oh, but I must go!” said the girl frantically. “We have just moved in there, and there isn’t anything in the house to eat yet. I must go and see that she has food. I’ll just finish that important letter you wanted to have at once, and then I’ll go. It’s almost done!” She turned toward her typewriter with a quick, nervous little movement, but young Willoughby put out a detaining hand.
    “Listen!” he said. “You needn’t worry about food. Mrs. Winthrop sent over a Thermos bottle of chicken soup, and another of coffee. She sent bread and butter and chicken and a quart of milk, too. You needn’t worry at all about something for them to eat. They have plenty. I took it over myself. Mrs. Winthrop knew you had just moved in and thought you might not be prepared for illness, so she sent over some things that were suitable for an invalid and a child. You don’t need to worry at all. And your mother was most anxious you should not be told. It was the doctor who felt you ought to know, as you might wish another physician called or something. So I agreed to tell you. But I’m sure your mother is in good hands. When I left she was eating spoonfuls of chicken broth and they were telling her she was to stay right there in bed and get a good rest. The nurse is staying, of course. It just happened that she left a case this morning and was glad to get a place where she could be useful until her next case comes on.”
    “Oh!” said Frannie, struggling to keep the tears back. “That is all very kind and wonderful. But I’m sure I ought to be at home. Mother will be so unhappy having strangers have to come in and look after her.”
    “No,” said young Willoughby, “she will be much more troubled if you do anything to upset your job just now. I know for I saw her face when she begged them not to tell you. In fact, the doctor told me he was