Free Rory's Promise by Michaela MacColl, Rosemary Nichols

said.
    “There's someone up here,” the porter exclaimed. “Scared the bejabbers out of me.”
    “Let me see.” A heavier body started clambering up the ladder.
    Holding on to the railing at the top of the cab, Rory swung her body off the carriage away from the ladder. She dropped four feet to the ground, hitting with an impact that took her breath away. Then she scurried under the carriage.
    “I don't see anyone.” The authoritative voice was exas-perated.
    “’Twas a girl! She was there, I swear!”
    “Have you been drinking again? I warned you last time …”
    “I haven't touched a drop!” The porter's bald head shone with sweat.
    Through the carriage wheel's spokes, Rory shifted her view from the porter's boots to the other side of the carriage whereshe could keep her eye on Sister Anna. She was counting the children in pairs, directing the frightened children into a neat line. The children huddled together, clasping each other's hands tightly. Violet clutched Sister Eileen's hand.
    Several of the children looked green; the motion of the ferry on the water had not agreed with their delicate tummies. Violet didn't appear sick; she looked furious, her lower lip between her teeth. Violet's eyes crisscrossed the terminal looking for Rory. Rory knew that Violet would have something sharp to say when they were finally together again.
    The chief porter, the one with the authoritative voice, approached the Sisters. “Sisters, we have all the baggage. We'd best hurry,” he said. “The train leaves in a few minutes.”
    “They won't leave without us,” Sister Anna said confidently.
    “They would and they will, Sister!”
    While Sister Anna argued with the porter, Rory slipped out from under the carriage. She circled wide away from the Foundling group to blend in with the other passengers crowding into the station. She looked back to see Sister Anna leading the way to the train, her back straight and her black cape floating out behind her. She looked like one of the carved wooden ladies on the front of sailing ships, cutting through the waves of people. The passage of almost sixty orphans through the chaos in the station caused a murmur of comments and smiles from the other passengers. Even Rory had to admit they looked adorable. There was Violet staring about the busy station with a wide-open mouth.
    “Hold on, Vi. Just get on the train and I'll be with yousoon,” Rory muttered. She gave herself a shake. She had to forget about Vi for a minute and get going. First, to find the St. Louis train and get aboard before the Sisters did. Rory spotted a chalk-written sign listing the departures. She scanned it impatiently until she saw “St. Louis Express. Track 3.” Taking off at a run, she headed for the tracks.
    A steam engine waited at the end of the platform, belching out little puffs of smoke as though it was getting ready for a major effort. Travelers were already boarding. Although there were dozens of passengers on the platform, she felt suddenly alone, as though the sun only shone on her, inviting everyone to notice the unaccompanied orphan. Her scalp started to sweat under her kerchief.
    “All aboard!” A man in uniform was bellowing his message up and down the platform. Rory took care not to attract his attention.
    She didn't have much time. A large man in a brown checked suit stood at the rear of the train, pacing and looking at his watch every few seconds. He was arguing with an official from the train.
    “They'll be here. The Sisters never miss a train,” the man in the suit said. “Have you any idea how difficult it is to move fifty-seven small children? And their luggage? And food and bedding for a week?”
    “No,” the official answered. “And Mr. Swayne, I don't care. This train has a schedule to meet. As a courtesy we permitted your group to add a car to the train …”
    “Half of your company's Board of Directors are patronsof the Foundling Hospital,” Mr. Swayne retorted. “I assure