Kloppman started the day as he always did. Six in the morning, go upstairs to wake up the lazy newsboys, get them on their feet and out the door before the gates to the circulation office opened. It got quiet once the boys were out for the day, and Kloppman would often clean things up in the bedroom or bathroom (God knew the boys didn't do that for themselves) or get any food that needed to be got.

But one day, in the September after the monumental strike, was different by far. It was around noon, and all the boys would be in the midst of their selling. Kloppman was confused by a knock on the door. He went out from behind the counter and opened it. When he saw the young lady standing there, his usually hard eyes and sober expression softened and warmed. "Cathy?"

"Grandpa!" Cathy smiled as she was pulled into an embrace by her grandfather. Her blue eyes danced with excitement when she pulled back. "Grandpa, Papa sent me to Manhattan for a while to stay with you. He has to sort things out with Mama and the boys, and said it would be best for me. I took the train here and came to the Lodging House, where Papa said you lived now..."

Kloppman's smile faded slowly. "Cathy, this is short notice," he said slowly. "I really dunno if I have everything in order. I have to think of the boys...and where will you sleep? I couldn't have you room with the other kids; there's not a girl among em."

Cathy reached into her carpetbag and pulled out an unmarked envelope. "Papa said to give you this before you made a decision. He said that if you really, really couldn't, I could stay at a hotel or something." She looked at him hopefully. "But I'd really love to stay with you, Grandpa..."

Kloppman opened the envelope and read silently:

Dear Father,

I'm sorry for sending Cathy to you without giving you so much as a warning. I know you'll be glad to see her and hope this letter reaches both of you well. If you think you won't be able to handle another mouth to feed (Rosie and I have heard of all the wonderful work you do with the boys of the city), please listen, and make sure Cathy doesn't find, read or hear this letter. Rosie is very sick. She might have TB, and it's only getting worse. Cathy is under the impression her mother is sick with the flu. Only I know better. I couldn't bear Cathy to know the truth. So until all this is over, I've sent her brothers to the Phillip's farm, where they'll live and work for a while. I couldn't send her to work on a farm...so you're the only other place I know of where I can sleep at night knowing she's safe. I understand if you can't, Father, but all I can say is please. I need this from you, and you know I'd never ask for anything I didn't truly need. Please respond or have Cathy write me.

--Your Son, James Kloppman

Kloppman's face fell. He folded the letter and placed it securely in his pocket. "Of course you can stay here, Cat," he said, referring to her by an affectionate nickname. "I'll see what I can do by way of a bed..."

"Oh, thank you, Grandpa!" Cathy exclaimed, and threw her arms around Kloppman's neck. Kloppman laughed, and went upstairs to see if any of the cots would be unoccupied.

The door to the Newsboy Lodging House banged open some hours later. "Hey, Kloppman!" Kid Blink boomed. "Dutchy was able to read the headline today!"

"Thief Caught!" Dutch repeated with a smile. There was chatter all throughout the room as more and more newsies poured in: Kid Blink and Dutchy, followed by Mush, Boots, Skittery, Snitch, Bumlets, Specs, Pie-Eater and Jack. As the boys began to ascend the staircase, Kloppman appeared at the top.

"Now hold on, boys! Hold on, will yeh? Quiet down for a sec..." Kloppman raised his arms to stop the boys, and one by one they quieted down and looked at him. They knew it couldn't be anything good...Kloppman very rarely stopped them from going about their business.

Kloppman waited for silence. "Now there's somethin' you boys gotta know and I best tell yeh before y'figure out y'self. Now..."

"If this is about the toilets I swear it was Kid Blink this time!" Skittery exclaimed suddenly.

"Skittery! Keep quiet!" Kloppman yelled, but not exasperated. It was nothing new. From the door beside him, Cathy covered her moth and suppressed a giggle. But she did was her grandfather had told her: stay out of sight until he broke the news to the boys.

Kloppman continued. "I got a message from my son today..."

"You have a son?" Mush inquired. There was a general murmur through the small crowd. "Gee, Kloppman, we didn't even know you were married..."

"I'm not anymore, y'lousy joke, now keep yer mouth shut so I can tell yeh what I gotta tell yeh!" The boys quieted again. "And he says he's sending my granddaughter to live here while he sorts things out with his family."

"When she comin'?" Kid Blink asked.

"She's here..." Kloppman said. "Name's Cathy. Sweet girl, real nice girl. Now if it's not too much to ask, ya little rats, I'd prefer if she was treated like a lady. Ya got me?" Making sure Cathy couldn't see, Kloppman gave Mush a very meaningful look. "That means you boys act like gentlemen..." The look spread to the others. "Ya got me?"

Kloppman had gotten the cleverly hidden message across. Bumlets and Snitch strangled laughter. Others nodded obligingly. Mush, Skittery and Kid Blink raised their hands innocently. Satisfied, Kloppman turned and called into the bunk room. "Cathy...c'mout and meet the newsboys..."