Standard disclaimers apply.

Les was a big help in getting Mouse to Pulitzer's office. He of all people knew how important it was, and neither he nor Mouse wanted Snyder breathing down their necks. "I'm just afraid it's a set-up. What if Snyder's just waiting for you there?" But Mouse wouldn't let him tell anyone or come with her.

Les fed another lie to Jack as soon as Mouse was done selling for the day. "I think she's sick…she almost threw up at lunch and…um…she's been really tired all day…"

Jack frowned and felt Mouse's forehead. Mouse tried to look pitiful. "You sure? Well, it's probably still shock wearing off from the fire, and all her burns and stuff…Okay, go upstairs and try to sleep, then." Mouse slumped off while Jack went to tell Davey.

Mouse decided to wait a few minutes after reaching the top floor of the Lodging House, and it was a good thing she did, because Davey came up to check on her soon after. "You been feeling like this all day? I told you, you shoulda taken it easy after the fire." Davey shook his head. "Well, get some rest. I'll leave you be."

As soon as the door shut, Mouse jumped up and rushed onto the rooftop. The ladder was difficult to climb down with her stiff, bandaged hands, but she managed to hang on until she was only a few feet off the ground. She stood up, brushed herself off, and hurried in the direction of Pulitzer's office.

In a matter of minutes, she stood outside, unsure of how to enter. With a deep breath, Mouse approached the door and knocked.

It swung open seconds later, and Pulitzer's secretary stood inside. "Oh! It's you." She took Mouse's arm and pulled her inside, upstairs, and down a hallway. Mouse would never be able to find her way out again.

"Mr. Pulitzer! The little girl is here to see you!" Hannah sang out in her nasally voice.

"Come in," came the voice from behind the door.

Pulitzer sat at his desk, stroking his beard.

It took Mouse a moment to see Snyder, who was lurking in the shadows behind him. She gulped and backed away, but Pulitzer stood and held his arms out to her.

"I see Mr. Snyder was a little cruel to you today," he said sharply. Snyder rolled his eyes. "Well, never mind that. You know, Mouse," he said softly, laying a hand on her shoulder, "some people will try to use you in this world. You must learn to recognize and accept them, perhaps avoiding them, but never…" he cleared his throat. "…slapping them." Mouse looked at her feet. He deserved it. He of all people deserved to be hit. "But enough of that!" Pulitzer said, leading her over to his desk. "I have a proposition for you. Sit down, my dear, and hear me out…"


Les was crawling into bed, mid-yawn, when he heard the shout from upstairs. "She's gone again!"

Jack came thundering down the stairs, where Davey met him, looking horror-struck. Jack pushed past him and stomped straight over to Les, shaking a finger in the younger boy's face. "You said she was sick—she wasn't sick, was she? Tell me! Now!"

Les faltered. "I…well, it's just…"

"Where is she?!"

"She went to Pulitzer's," Les mumbled.

"She went where?!" Davey yelled.

Suddenly Les burst into tears. "Pulitzer's! We met Snyder when we were looking at the factory and he said she had to go and you wouldn't ever let her so we said she was sick so she could g-go!"

Jack's voice was suddenly low. "When were you looking at the factory? I thought you said you were going to see Brooklyn!"

"I lied, okay? She wanted to see the factory and I couldn't say no!"

"She's not sick, is she?"

"No," Davey cut in. "That was a lie, too." Davey came marching over to them and looking down at Les. He shook his head. "I'm disappointed in you, Les. I thought you knew better."

"The truth wouldn't have done her any good!" Les screamed through his tears.

"Well, now she's out roaming the city by herself—with Snyder on the loose!—and you know what happened last time we lost Mouse?" Jack asked. "Huh? You remember that, Les?"

Les sniffed. "She got burned."

"Oh, this is bad, this is really bad," Davey said, pacing. The other newsies stared at them, unsure whether to help or stay out of the way. "We gotta go get her, Jack. She could be anywhere."

"I know."

"She knows the way to Pulitzer's—"

"Did I ask you?!" roared Davey. Les recoiled, looking hurt. Davey couldn't spare any sympathy for him. "We gotta go."

"And you'se coming with us," Jack snarled, grabbing Les's shirt and pulling him to his feet. "So we can reprimand both of you'se together."

"I think Les should stay here," Crutchie offered. "Because last time you two got angry—"

"That don't matter."

"Well, then maybe I should come with too," Crutchie said.

Race piped up, "I'll go too."

The others were quick to volunteer as well. "Me too! Me too!"

"No!" Jack roared. "Ugh, no! Crutchie, you'se staying here to look after the rest of them. All of you is staying here, all right?!" He took a breath. "Davey and Les and me will go get her, and then we'll come back. Simple as pie."

"And you're gonna yell at me," Les muttered.

"And don't tell me you don't deserve it," Jack said. "Now, let's go."


"I wanted you to meet my daughter, Katherine. Perhaps your friend…Jack Kelly…has spoken of her?" Mouse didn't like the way Pulitzer said Jack's name. She hesitated, then shook her head, hoping he couldn't see the lie in her eyes. Of course she knew Katherine, though they had never met. Jack talked about her all the time. Pulitzer frowned, then shrugged. "Well, I wanted you to meet my darling Katherine, who's a reporter and rather close to Mr. Kelly, but unfortunately she's away for a few days. Not too far, of course, just over in Brooklyn, but I couldn't bear to drag her away from work. However, she agreed to become your…friend."

My…friend?

"You two will be able to correspond through letters over the next few days. Would you like that?"

Someone I could tell the truth to…

"I suggested you could start this very evening. I have a personal mailbox near the circulation desk, and by tomorrow morning there will be a special compartment in which you can slip your letters. This will be checked several times a day, and I will have it personally delivered to Katherine, so we don't have to bother with the postal service."

Mouse had to admit, it sounded great. To be able to write to a young woman who might understand her!

"Does that sound like a good idea, Mouse? I'm sure you would love to write to a young lady who was once a girl just like yourself. Katherine is very kindhearted—oh, and she told me to tell you…" Pulitzer leaned a little closer. "She can keep a secret."

Mouse nodded her head vigorously.

It was almost too good to be true. She had come in, dreading the encounter and fearing some reprimand, but was instead given a pleasant offer by Pulitzer—who didn't seem nearly as bad as everyone said. Not a single word about the fire…he didn't even glance at her bandages…not a remark about the fact that she didn't speak…only that his daughter wanted her to be a pen pal, something Mouse, who had been pummeled with angry lectures and misunderstandings in the last few days, was grateful for.

Pulitzer was handing her fresh paper and two envelopes ("We'll just reuse them," he explained) when Jack and Davey burst through the door, with a tearful Les in tow. Mouse jumped when the door banged open, and turned around reproachfully. From further down the hallway, Hannah's high-pitched yells echoed faintly. "This is madness! People tearing into your office left and right without any respect for your work! Or me! This is getting out of hand!" Pulitzer raised an eyebrow.

Almost in unison, Jack and Davey both opened their mouths, taking in the scene, then closed them. Davey stared at the paper in Mouse's hand, shaking his head in wonder, while Jack glared at Pulitzer. Les met Mouse's eyes.

"Can I help you gentlemen?" Pulitzer asked quietly.

"We was jus' wonderin' why Davey's little sista felt so inclined to be here that she snuck out and convinced Les to make up a lie so I wouldn't find out!" Jack exploded. Whenever he was angry, Mouse noticed, he managed to use bigger words while stressing his lower New York accent, something he probably didn't even notice.

"Well, Mouse and I just had some business to take care of, didn't we, sweet?" Mouse inched closer to her brothers.

"What kinda business?" Jack growled.

"Oh, not much." He smiled. "I'm sure Mouse will explain it to you if she wishes…Well, I must get back to work. Thank you, boys—and thank you, Mouse," he added in a much softer voice.

Davey frowned at him and grabbed Mouse's shoulder. Jack took Les by the shirt, and the two youngest were nearly dragged down the hallway while Pulitzer shut the door gently behind them.

Once they were on the street again, Mouse braced herself for a bunch of yelling, but it didn't come. Davey just seemed at a loss. "You know I'm disappointed in you—both of you," he said exhaustedly, letting go of Mouse's shoulder. "And our folks won't be too happy when they find out." Les and Mouse were already resigned to this; they just nodded.

Jack was also calmer now, adding to Mouse, "I don't suppose you'se gonna tell me what was goin' on in there? Why Pulitzer was bein' so nice to you? Why you gots all those papers?"

Mouse hesitated.

Then she shook her head. She would keep it to herself for now. I just can't wait to get home and write a letter to Katherine! She couldn't help but smile.

Please review! Happy May Day!

-Sis21K