A Girl Like That by Frances Devine Read Free Book Online Page A

Bridget had become fast friends, and Katie had taken to dropping by to help with the endless mending when she wasn’t rehearsing.
    “Katie, I’m so excited you got the part. You must be about to burst with happiness.”
    Katie’s heart thumped at the thought of her luck. It must be the Irish in her. Although, Grandmother had always reprimanded her whenever she’d said that. “Katherine, dear,” she’d say with a worried little shake of her head, “blessings come from God. Not luck.”
    Katie shrugged. Whoever or whatever was responsible for her getting the part, she was thankful. If only some of those blessings would flow to the people of the Patch as well. “Bridget, what can we do to make things easier for your neighbors?”
    “Why, I don’t know, Katie. Most of the men are doing all they can. Wages are just so low. And most of the women have a passel of little ones to care for.”
    “Well, couldn’t some sort of child care be arranged so that the women can bring in extra money?”
    A little frown appeared on Bridget’s face. “Some of the women do take turns, but it’s not really enough to help. And when a woman has worked her own full shift, it’s mighty hard to take a turn at running after someone else’s brood.”
    Katie nodded, but wheels began to turn in her head. “What if. . .”
    “What if what?”
    “Nothing. Let me think on it a bit.”
    “Okay, but you’d better get onstage. I think it’s almost time for you to rehearse.”
    “Oh my. You’re right.” Katie jumped up, tossed her mending in a basket, and throwing a hasty good-bye over her shoulder, headed out the door.
    She arrived onstage just as Maggie was saying the opening lines. Her heart still thumped hard every time the moment for her one line drew near. But the rest of the cast assured her she was a natural and doing a wonderful job. Tomorrow was opening night, and Katie looked forward to the dress rehearsal and the party that would be held tonight.
    After rehearsal, Katie and Bridget went back to Ma Casey’s. The troupe was pretty rowdy with the excitement of the new show, so the two friends found a quiet place to talk out on the wide front porch.
    “Okay, I have an idea,” Katie said, leaning back in one of the wicker rockers.
    “About what?”
    “The children at the Patch.”
    “Hmm. I wouldn’t be making decisions about other people’s wee children. They won’t be liking it.”
    Katie laughed. “No, no. They’ll like this. It’s to help the mothers who need to work. And it’s only a suggestion.”
    “Well, in that case. . .”
    “There’s a society here in town that has established a day care for workers’ children.”
    “We know about that. It’s too far from the Patch to do any good. And I don’t think the women there would trust outsiders to care for their children anyway.”
    “I know. But wouldn’t it be possible to create something similar at Conley’s Patch?”
    “How would you be thinking we could bring that about?”
    “Okay, first we’d need to find someone with a big enough house. Then several women can care for the children while the others work. The women who work could contribute a share of their earnings to pay the ones who care for the children. This way everyone is earning wages.”
    An expression of hope and excitement crossed Bridget’s face. “It might work. But how do we get it started?”
    “We could call a meeting for those who are interested in working. Once we introduce the plan, we can help them get organized. After that, it will be up to them to keep things going.”
    Excited, the girls discussed the possibility of the day care until Katie’s father interrupted them. It was time for a light supper before dress rehearsal. They joined the rest of the troupe, then after supper, they headed for the theater.
    Katie loved her costume. She was a little disappointed to find there was no wig with it, such as some of the others had. But Mr. Harrigan, laughing, assured her that