"But...!"

"Now," came the firm reply.

Les scuffled back over to them, arms folded and head down, finally plopping down on a crate.

"So, now what?" Sarah asked, turning back to the two older boys.

Jack's response was an unsteady one. "I dunno. Can't risk knockin' Medda ont' th' bulls' hit list," he told them. "What about Denton?

Dave laughed cynically. "Mr. Bigshot Reporter? Oooo, he doesn't have time for peasants like us."

Ignoring her brother, who was becoming ever more distrustful, Sarah responded to Jack, "I think there's something you should see." With that, she led them out of the alley and towards their building, pulling her muddy basket and scraps of lace out of the gutter.

Mayer turned when the door opened. His eyes immediately fell on Jack, and he stood. "Well," he said with a warm smile, "from the way David talked, we thought you were gone forever." Shaking Jack's hand, he added, "It's nice to find out differently...isn't it, David?"

David closed the door, nodding wordlessly. The 'I told you so' tone in the last three words had gotten through loud and clear.

"Hello, Papa," Sarah said, kissing him on the cheek, then going into the bedroom. The boys sat down at the table and were talking to Mayer when Sarah returned and handed Jack a crumpled paper.

Jack sniffed it and gave Sarah a quizzical look.

"Knackwurst," was her simple reply. "Just read it."

He raised an eyebrow at her but did as he was told. When he'd finished, he folded it and put it in his shirt pocket. "That settles it, then," Jack said, eyeing Dave defiantly. "We're gonna go see Denton."

An oncoming protest on Dave's part was silenced with a signal from Mayer.

Les stood and headed for the door, but David pulled him back. "You don't need to come," he told the boy sharply.

"No fair!" Les protested. "I've gotten t' do everything else!"

"He's right, Davey," Jack said as he put a hand on Dave's arm. "Let 'im come, OK?"

David huffed and let go of his brother. Just as they were leaving, Esther entered with an empty laundry basket. Setting it down, she hugged each of them, asking, "Where are you off to?"

"We're going to talk to Denton," Sarah explained.

Having gotten to Les, whose muddy shirt was now merely caked in dirt, Esther scolded, "Not like this, you're not!" She looked at Les and said, "This boy's filthy! And Sarah," she continued, turning her attention to his sister, "change your blouse and comb your hair." After examining an unnoticed rip, she told Jack, "Leave your jacket here; I'll sew it up for you." Finally giving David her attention, she asked, "And what on earth happened to you?!"

"Nothing, Mama, I'm fine," he said quietly.

Esther sighed. "Well, at least you're presentable." She turned back to Jack and said, "Come on, off with your jacket, young man."

Dave just caught Jack's eye and shrugged, sending him a small smile. Jack bit back a laugh and removed his jacket, handing it to Esther.

Sarah exited the bedroom with an un-rumpled blouse and freshly combed hair. About half an hour later, Les was deemed presentable by his mother, and the four of them again headed for Denton's. Jack tossed the shirt collar - which had been literally rubbing him the wrong way since he'd put it on - in a trash bin on the way there.

Finally reaching Denton's door, Jack knocked. "Didja mean whatcha wrote heah? 'bout all dese sweatshop kids listenin' t' me?" he asked, waving the article at the reporter who answered the door.

"I don't write anything I don't mean," Denton responded. After a slight pause, he added, "Well, come on in. I was just packing a few things..."

The four filed in, and David shut the door.