Rory's Promise by Michaela MacColl, Rosemary Nichols Page A

example to the other children at the Foundling.”
    Sister Eileen took a deep breath. It was no easy thing to challenge Sister Anna. “Sister Anna,” she said, “I don't wish to speak out of turn, but those other children aren't here. Rory can help us take care of these little ones, and isn't that our first concern?” After a moment, the words burst from her throat, “Six more days with fifty-seven children—I don't know if we can survive it!”
    Mr. Swayne added, “We'll bring the girl back from Arizona. If she travels with us, there's no need to buy her a ticket.”
    Sister Anna's severe look traveled from Sister Eileen, over the exhausted nurses, and rested on Rory. There was a long pause. Finally she spoke: “You think you've won a battle, butif I let you stay, Rory, you'll have to work harder than you ever have in your life.”
    Rory nodded, though not too eagerly. “I will, Sister, gladly.”
    Someone in the car sighed loudly in relief.
    Violet looked up at Rory. “You're staying?” she asked.
    Rory nodded. Violet bounced on her toes, grinning. She glanced at the other kids. “I got my sister back!”
    Sister Anna waited until Violet had calmed down. Then she said for Rory's ears only, “You can accompany us to Arizona and settle Violet with her new family. Then you return to the Foundling with us.” She grabbed Rory's chin to make certain that she understood.
    “Yes, Sister,” Rory said dutifully.
    As soon as Sister Anna's back was turned, Rory knelt on the floor to give Violet all the love she'd missed for the past two days. To her surprise, Violet held her at arm's length. Looking older than her five years, Violet whispered, “Are you going back to New York without me?”
    Rory's slow smile was reflected on Violet's face. “Fat chance, Vi! You can't get rid of me that easily!”

CHAPTER Nineteen
    T HE F OUNDLING’S C A R WAS DELUXE A CCO MM OD A TIONS COMP A RED to the Children's Aid Society car. The seats had leather cushions and the fittings were made of brass. Even if Rory had to share with fifty-seven runabouts, this was traveling in style.
    Rory had barely gotten her bearings when Sister Eileen warned her that there was illness aboard. “Several of the children have bad stomachaches. I'm worried it's the start of an epidemic. In a tight space like this, it won't be any time at all before they all have it.” She paused. “Violet too.”
    Rory knew all too well about disease. Her skin went cold at the thought of Violet sickening. “I'll look after her, Sister Eileen,” she promised.
    As soon as she had a quiet moment, she sat down with Violet on the last seat nearest the door that led to the rest of the train. She sniffed and understood why the seat was empty. It was next to the toilet, a small separate room. Placing herhands on Vi's shoulders, she said, “What's wrong?”
    “I've got an ache in my tummy.” Violet curled up and held her stomach.
    “Did you eat something bad?” Rory asked.
    Violet shook her head.
    Rory put the back of her hand on Violet's forehead. “You don't have a fever.”
    There was a whooshing sound from the toilet room. Little William Norris scurried out of the toilet, his trousers around his ankles. “Violet,” he cried. “You were right. The little door opens up and the ground is moving so fast. You could fall right in!”
    Violet's eyes were as wide as William's. “I know. I lost my favorite violet-colored hair ribbon. I won't ever go in there again.”
    Rory considered the two children as she helped William pull up his trousers. “Violet, have you been to the bathroom since you got on the train?”
    In a whisper, Violet answered, “I peed. But I couldn't do the other. I was too scared.”
    “No wonder your stomach hurts! If I hold on to you so you can't possibly fall in, will you be able to go?”
    Violet nodded meekly.
    “You're a little fool,” Rory said as she led Violet to the toilet. “You could have made yourself sick.”
    Violet stared down