The
child grew quiet.
The judge took his place. Business started. From where she sat the woman
with the child couldn't hear anything. She watched little groups of men
and women form in front of the judge. Then they went away and other groups
came.
The lawyer had said not to worry. Just wait for Blanche's name and then
come right up. Not to worry.
"Shh, Paula, shh! Da-ah-ah-ah--"
There was Blanche coming out of the door. She looked bad. Her face. Oh,
yes, poor girl, she worked too hard. But what could she do? Only work. And
now they arrested her. They arrested Blanche when the streets were full of
bums and loafers, they arrested Blanche who worked hard.
Go up in front like the lawyer said. Sure. There was Blanche going now.
And the lawyer, too. He had a better face than the other one who came and
asked.
"And is this the woman?"
The lawyer laughed because the judge asked this.
"Oh, no," he said; "no, your honor, that's her mother. Step up, Blanche."
What did the policeman say?
"Shh! Paula, shh! Da-ah--" She couldn't hear on account of Paula moving so
much and crying. Paula was hungry. She'd have to stay hungry a little
while. What man? That one!
But the policeman was talking about the man, not about Blanche.
Pages:
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251