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Black Orphan Asked Millionaire for Help — He Laughed: "Play Violin, I'll Consider Adopting You"

Black Orphan Asked Millionaire for Help — He Laughed: "Play Violin, I'll Consider Adopting You"

Chapter 5

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"Read it."Harper had read it twice. Her hands had started shaking somewhere in the second paragraph. "Sister, this is... this is for me?""It's for you.""But I didn't apply for anything.""I know what you didn't do, Harper. I'm telling you what you're about to do. You're going to a gala. You're going to wear a dress. And you're going to ask Mr. Hartwell for a chance."Harper had stared at the paper a long time. "Sister, what if he says no?""Then he says no. But you will have asked.""And if he laughs at me?"Sister Margaret had set down her coffee cup very carefully. "Then you let him laugh. And you ask him anyway. Do you hear me, child?""Yes, Sister.""Look at me, Harper. Look at me. You will have asked.""Yes, Sister. I hear you."Harper had not slept that night or the night after.The orphanage itself was failing: $200,000 short on the year's budget, pipes needing replacement, a roof with three more winters in it, maybe four, if nothing changed. By spring, St. Cecilia's would close. The children would be redistributed. The piano in the chapel would be sold or thrown out.Harper sat now on the edge of her bed, holding the metronome.A small voice came from the doorway. "Harper?"
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Black Orphan Asked Millionaire for Help — He Laughed: "Play Violin, I'll Consider Adopting You"

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