"We passed the post office just now, and I noticed it had a 'Public Telephone.' I'll ring up Mother and tell her where we are, and ask her to come over for us." "But you can't telephone for nothing, and we haven't so much as a solitary penny amongst us!" "I know.

I thought I'd explain that to the people at the post office, and ask them to let me have the call, and Mother will pay when she comes.

I could give them my watch as a security." "It's worth trying!" So, with just a little grain of hope, they retraced their steps to the post office, which was also a stationer's and newsagent's.

Nobody was in the shop, but when the girls thumped on the counter a rosy-cheeked young person appeared from the back regions.
"Want to telephone without paying?
It's against the post office rules," she snapped, as Beatrice briefly explained the circumstances.
"My mother will pay when she comes, and if you'd take my watch----" "I can't go against post office rules! All calls must be paid for beforehand.

That's our instructions." "But just for once----" "What's the matter, Doris ?" asked a voice, and a kindly-looking little man emerged from the back parlor, wiping his mouth hastily, and took his place behind the counter.