But he
never dreamed that she was she. He befriended her, however, out
of the goodness of his heart and the desire to retain her in
the neighborhood--also out of respect for the good old brass rule,
"Do good unto others now, so that they will do good to you later."
Slap told Kedzie that he knew a place right near where a goil was
wanted. When he told her that it was a candy-store she was elated.
A candy-store was her idea of a good place to work.
Skip told Kedzie where to go and what to say, and to mention that
Skip sent her.
Skip also recommended lodgings next his own in the flat of Mr. and
Mrs. Rietzvoller, delicatessen merchants.
"Nice rooms reasonable," he said, "and I'll be near to look after
you."
"You're awful fresh, seems to me, on short acquaintance," was
Kedzie's stinging rebuke.
Skip laughed. "Didn't you see the special-delivery stamp on
me forehead? But I guess you're a goil can take care yourself."
Kedzie guessed she was. But she was in need of help. Where else
could she turn? Whom else had she for a beau in this multitude
of strangers? So she laughed encouragingly.
"All right. You're elected. Gimme the address."
Skip wrote it on one of the business cards of the bakery. He added:
"Another thing: I know a good expressman will rustle your trunk
over from--Where you boardin' at now?"
Kedzie flushed. She could hardly tell him that she had boarded
in a park up-town somewhere.
Skip saw that she was confused.
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