Chapter 2

"Where's my paper, child?" Grandfather asked, as soon as I came in the door. My hand found its way up to my mouth, and I gaped at him.

"The—the newsies said they aren't selling it anymore, Grandfather…"

"Aren't selling it? Why in heavens not?" he asked.

"I don't know," I answered truthfully. I seemed to recall them telling me some reason, but I had been too busy watching Mush to actually listen to the words….

"Well, then, let's have the change. Say, where's your apple? You weren't so hungry it's already gone, were you?"

I looked at him for a moment, then told how the boy had pushed me over. I didn't say why he did, however, and I didn't tell that Mush had given me back the money, but I had given it to him. My grandfather would never understand that. He may be kind and caring toward me, but he isn't anything like it for the newsies.

"He pushed you down?" he said, puffing on his pipe. "Perhaps I won't send you for the paper anymore."

"Oh, no, Grandfather!" I cried before thinking about it. "I love getting the paper for you. Just think how many times I've done it with no occurrence. Please, please let me continue."

He glanced at me, then raised his eyebrows. "All right, Victoria. Whatever you desire. But if it happens again, then I won't allow it to continue."

"Of course," I answered, and my heart pounded. I somehow knew that I must go to see the newsie again.

The following day, I dressed my hair in braids and ribbons which matched my light pink dress, which I put on over the other layers of under- skirts. I wore my old white boots which matched this dress more appropriately than my new black ones, and picked up my pale pink parasol. Grandfather handed me the money, and I showed him how I put it into a pale pink reticule to keep it safe. He nodded, and I left the house.

I headed to the same corner as the day before, but Mush wasn't there. Snap was, though. "Hey, it's the pretty little lady," he called teasingly as I approached. "How's it goin', Angelface?"

"Where's Mush?" I asked, ignoring his advances.

"Mush?" he repeated blankly. "Why ya wanna talk to him?"

"I just do," I answered.

"Well, he's on a corner yonder today," he said, pointing behind him. I thanked him and headed in the direction.

I couldn't find him for a while. Every newsie I ran into pointed me to another corner, until finally I found the one he was on.

"Bit out o' yer way, wasn' I?" he asked as I approached. He wore an easy grin.

I smiled cautiously. "I wanted some exercise."

He narrowed his eyes for a moment, scrutinizing me, then shook his head. "I don' understan' you," he laughed. I laughed, too. He stopped after a bit and looked at me. "So what pape can I get for ya, uh…"

"My name is Victoria," I helped. "And are you selling The World yet?"

"Nope, Miss Victoria. Sorry. We newsies are on strike." He pointed to his vest, where the message "I ain't a scab" was pinned.

"A scab?" I asked.

"It's someone who sells The Journal or The World," he answered. "They's chargin' us too much for the papes, so we newsies went on strike. We ain't sellin' til they's prices go down."

I guess my face must have shown my disappointment, because he stopped talking and looked closer. "Hey, wha's wrong?"

I shook my head. "I won't be able to visit you if you don't sell The World. That's all my grandfather reads."

"Aha!" he cried joyfully. "I knew youse cames to visit me." My face blushed bright crimson. "No, no, it's nothin' to be ashamed of, Miss Victoria!" he countered himself. "I'm downrigh' flattered. No girl's ever done that for little me, 'specially not one of you well-t'-do's."

"Well-to-do's?" I asked. "If you're here to judge me, I might as well be leaving! To go buy a paper—pape—from one of those… those scabs!" I turned, but he caught my arm and forced me back to look at him.

"Don' be gettin' all mad, Miss Victoria!" he said, and his eyes glittered earnestly. "I didn' mean t' insult ya. I think you'se just plain great."

I looked up at him, and found myself smiling. "But how will I see you again?" I asked.

"I'll come to ya." His hand found mine.

"When?" I whispered, my heart pounding.

"How's three o'clock?" he asked.

I shook my head. "That's tea time with Mother."

"Tonight, then. Ten o'clock."

"Ten? If I'm caught, my father will kill me!"

"Then—"

"No. Ten it is." I smiled at him, but I could hear my heart in my ears now. I'd never snuck out of my house, especially never to see a boy. I turned and walked away from Mush, but couldn't keep the smile off my face all the way home.