Lizzy walked nervously behind her newsie friend as they entered the dimly lit restaurant called Tibby's. The waiter across the room welcomed them warmly, as did a large group of boys sitting over in a booth.
"This is my friend, Miss. Elizabeth Shaft," the boy introduced.
She frowned at the mention of her name; "I would like to be called MacBeth, if you don't mind?"
"Sure," Jack smiled, "You must be quite a goil ta allow ole Blink ta escort ya here."
"Well, Mr. Blink, it's good to finally know your name, however odd that it may be."
"Blink ain't me real name. Da fellas call me Blink, short for Kid Blink."
"Alright, that'll do," MacBeth paused, "Now, may we please order. I've been starved for the past hour."
* Meanwhile, Back in Elizabeth's room *
Josie sat down at the Mahogany desk, patiently awaiting Lizzy's return. As soon as an hour had passed, Josie had grown tired of waiting and drifted off into a deep sleep.
**********
Elizabeth quickly covered her eyes with her palms as all of her new friends began to undress for a swim in the East River. There were shouts of excitement as a great splash flushed upon her.
"I'm soaked," Lizzy yelled angrily.
"Aw, come on in for a swim," Jack exclaimed, extending his hands in the water to give another large splash.
"I would get in serious trouble," MacBeth paused and turned to look up at the sky. Light gray clouds seemed to be rolling in from the West and the partly showing sun indicated a large portion of the day gone by; "None of you would happen to have a watch on you?"
"Over there," Racetrack replied, pointing a finger towards a small lump of garments. MacBeth picked up the small shiny pocket watch to check the time, "Oh my God! Why didn't you tell me that it was 4:00?"
Blink shrugged, "I didn't think that it would matter."
"Well, it does. I will surely be grounded for a month. Maybe even two for skipping my lessons. I've had a lovely time with you all, but I really must be going. Goodbye!" Elizabeth ran as fast as she could down the people littered street.
Blink jumped out of the freezing water and up on the docks. Boots, who had not been swimming because of a small cold, quickly jumped up to assist Blink gather his pile of clothing.
"Which way did she go?" Blink muttered through chattering teeth.
Boots ushered to the street lined with various merchants.
