Miss King, Mrs. Whipple, and Mrs. Susskind greeted Leah warmly. Mrs. Channing shook her hand, which was far warmer than her usual chilly greeting. But Mrs. Ross made a face as if Leah reeked of garbage. How very odd.

Mrs. Channing opened the meeting, and the board members ran through their reports.

When they finished, Miss King turned to Leah. “Mrs. Paxton, please tell the board about that idea you and Mrs. Sheridan discussed with me.”

“Thank you.” After the Chicago trip, Leah had returned to volunteering at the library and to sorting donated books. “Mrs. Sheridan is delighted with how the orphans conduct the scrap drives. She’s become especially fond of Marty, who picks up her scrap each week. She asked if the older children might be interested in volunteering at the library.”

Mrs. Channing’s eyes stretched wide. “She wants them there?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Leah forced a smile. “We’d like to start a junior librarian program. The children would help the community and also learn useful skills.”

Mrs. Channing adjusted her reading glasses. “You don’t need the board’s permission for that any more than you did for the scrap drives. Proceed.”

“Thank you.” Miss King grinned at Leah.

“I have a proposal.” Mrs. Whipple’s face crinkled in the sweetest way. “A few months ago, Mrs. Paxton proposed a pancake breakfast.”

Leah winced at the memory. “I’m—”

“Now is the time.” She folded her plump hands on the table. “My friends say they never used to think twice about the children’s home. But now that they’re acquainted with the children through the scrap drives, they’re noticing. And they’re noticing a need for repairs. I hadn’t seen anything, but my eyesight isn’t what it used to be.”

Miss King twiddled a strand of hair. “I admit we’ve fallen behind in maintenance.”

Leah held her breath. How would Mrs. Channing and the others react?

Mrs. Whipple slid a piece of paper to Mrs. Channing. “I propose we hold a pancake breakfast and work party. Folks could paint or fix things or do yard work, and the children will cook and serve the breakfast. Thanks to Mrs. Paxton’s scrap drives, folks will be happy to help.”

All Leah had hoped for, and so much more. She sent Mrs. Whipple a grateful, joyful smile. At last the children were beginning to belong.

Mrs. Ross shoved back her chair. “I can’t listen to this anymore.”

The ladies gasped and stared at her.

Mrs. Ross stood and pointed a shaking finger at Leah. “Y’all are singing this girl’s praises when she’s nothing but a common thief.”

The familiar words slapped Leah in the face.

“Pardon?” Mrs. Channing said.