Part 7 (1/2)
”Of course not. I went downstairs to get a candy bar.”
With a sigh, Elda pulled herself from the chair. She really did look as if she had undergone a bad fright, Penny observed. Feeling a trifle sorry for the girl, she helped her find the photograph, and they started with it to the newsroom.
”I'd not say anything about the shadow if I were you, Elda,” Penny remarked.
”Why not, pray?”
”Well, it sounds rather silly.”
”Oh, so I'm silly, am I?”
”I didn't say that, Elda. I said the idea of a shadow on the skylight struck me that way. Of course, if you want to be teased about it, why tell everyone.”
”At least I didn't make a mess of an important story,” Elda retorted, tossing her head.
”Elda, why do you dislike me?” Penny demanded suddenly.
The question was so unexpected that it threw the girl off guard. ”Did I say I did?” she countered.
”It's obvious that you do.”
”I'll tell you what I dislike,” Elda said sharply. ”The rest of us here have to work for our promotions. You'll get yours without even turning a hair--just because you're Mr. Parker's one and only daughter.”
”But that's not true, Elda. I'm expected to earn my way the same as you.
I'm working at a beginner's salary.”
”You can't expect me to believe that!”
”Was it because you thought I was making more money than you, that you changed the name on the Borman obituary?”
Elda stopped short. She tried to register indignation, but instead, only looked frightened. Penny was certain of her guilt.
”I haven't told Mr. DeWitt, and I don't intend to,” she said quietly.
”But I'm warning you! If anything like that happens again, you'll answer for it!”
”Well, of all the nerve!” Elda exploded, but her voice lacked fire. ”Of all the nerve!”
Penny deliberately walked away from her.
The day dragged on. At five-thirty Penny covered her typewriter and telephoned Mrs. Weems.
”I'll be late coming home tonight,” she said apologetically. ”I thought I might get dinner downtown and perhaps go to a show.”
”Another hard day?” the housekeeper asked sympathetically.
”Much easier than yesterday,” Penny said, making her voice sound cheerful. ”Don't worry about me. I'll be home no later than nine.”