Specs and Ruth walked in quietly in the Newsies lodging house. He went to the door and heard some of the Newsies talking. He said, "Stay here, Ruth, and let me go in and talk to dem." She stayed there holding her face. Suddenly an elder man said, "Excuse me, but who are you?" She gasped and looked behind her. He saw her face and said, "Here, miss, let me help you with that." He then grabbed his hankerchief and put some water on it. He said, "Now who might you be missy?" She said, "Ruth...Specs said I might be able to stay here tonight after what...happened to me." Kloppman said, "Don't tell me anymore. It's none of my business." He then put the hankerchief on her cheek gently and patted the dried blood off of it. He said, "Listen Ruth, you are more than welcome to stay here for as long as you like." Ruth started crying and said, "Thank you.."    Specs walked in with the bag. He saw Mush and Jack were playing poker. Jack said, "Say, what's the bag for?" Specs smiled and said, "I need to talk you about that Jack." Jack looked at him and said, "What's the problem Specs?" Specs said, "Ruth was just physically abused by her father...and I care too much about her to see that happen to her again." Mush said, "We should soak that bastard!" Jack said, "Calm down Mush. Now...Specs...so you want Ruth to stay here for awhile?" Specs nodded and said, "She's right outside." Jack smiled and said, "You really love her don't you?" Specs smiled and said, "Yes I do." Jack smiled and said, "Bring her in Specs, we'll find a place for her ta sleep."    When Specs walked out he saw Ruth was getting bandaged up by Mr. Kloppman. Specs smiled and said, "Thank you Mr. Kloppman." He smiled and said, "This woman is a real sweety girl." Specs dreamily sighed and said, "Ya she is." Kloppman then gave her a pillow and blanket and said, "Here you are sweetie. Get some rest so that you'll feel better tomorrow." Ruth smiled and said, "Thank you sir." Specs then held her hand and said, "You can sleep in here if you'd like Ruth for as long as you want." She carried her pillow and blanket to the room. She saw the Newsies were all sleeping except for Mush, Jack, and of course Specs. Jack walked up to her and hugged her saying, "It's going to be okay Ruth. We be here for ya." Mush then said, "If you ever need help come to us and we'll soak dem!" Ruth started crying and said, "I appreciate this, very much."    Ruth laid her stuff on the floor and made a bed there. Specs said, "What are you doing?" She said, "I'm going to be sleeping here aren't I?" Jack looked at Specs. Specs said, "No no, you'll be sleeping in my bed." She said, "Oh no, please. You need to wake up early tomorrow!" Specs said, "Ruth, you need to sleep in a good spot. I'll be fine." Ruth insisted that he not sleep on the floor, but Specs proceeded to take off his hats and glasses and sleep there. Ruth sighed and climbed on the bed. Not deluxe, but it was comfortable to her.    A couple hours before dawn she couldn't sleep. It wasn't the bed, she just had too much on her mind. She looked down at Specs who was wide awake. She said, "Specs? You okay?" He looked up and smiled. He said, "Just a back pain that's all." She smiled and said, "You really shouldn't sleep down there." He said, "You need to be cared for Ruth. It's all right." She then moved to one side of the bunk and said, "Come on." He said, "What?" She said, "You're sleeping up here." He said, "No Ruth..." She said, "No silly, you're sleeping up here with me." He sat up and said, "Are you sure?" She nodded.    He jumped to the top of the bunk slowly and went under the covers, He laid down softly looking at Ruth. He smiled to himself and said, "This is comfortable.." She smiled but she was pretty distant from him. He then put his arm around her and moved closer to her. He said, "Don't be scared. I won't do anything to you." She kissed his cheek and said, "Thank you." She then fell asleep in his arms. When she turned so her back was facing him he put his strong arms around her gently, took a quick whiff of her hair, kissed her head, and fell asleep soundly.     That morning Kloppman went to the Newsies beds and started waking them up. He looked over to Ruth and Specs and rose an eyebrow. They were still sound asleep. Everyone looked over to the both of them and asked, "Should we wake them?" Kloppman smiled at the two. They were both smiling in their sleep. Kloppman said, "Naw, just let them sleep in for today." But it was too late. Specs woke up and yawned. He saw he was still holdng Ruth in his arms. He let go gently and jumped outta bed. Ruth was exhausted so she didn't wake up. The Newsies gently washed up and put their clothes on to go out and sell the papes.    After they left Ruth woke up and gasped seeing no one around her. She quickly ran out and saw Kloppman. He said, "Well hello missy!" She said, "Is everyone out selling papes?" He nodded. She said, "I want to help out around here." He said, "Well, what can you do?" She looked around and said, "At my house I could sweep, do dishes, clean clothes, anything." He said, "Well, the Newsies room is a mess. You can clean that if you'd like." She said, "Will do sir!" Kloppman said, "Ruth, it's all right that you don't clean. You don't have to." She said, "But I want to. That's all." He said, "All right. It's your wish." She walked back in the Newsies room. Clothes everywhere, beds messed up. It was a mess! But she said, "I think I can do it." Just whistle while you work.  And cheerfully I can tidy up the place So hum a merry tune.  It won't take long when there's a song to help you set the pace And as I sweep the room. Imagine that the broom is someone that I love And soon you'll find you're dancing to the tune When hearts are high the time will fly so whistle while you work Just whistle while you work. Put on that grin and start right in to whistle loud and long Just hum a merry tune. Just do your best and take a rest and sing yourself a song When there's too much to do. Don't let it bother you Forget your troubles,Try to be just like a cheerful chick-a-dee And whistle while you work. Come on get smart, tune up and start To whistle while you work    That night when the Newsies came back they were shocked to see their joint...clean. Beds were made, clothes were folded in a corner, everything organized. They then looked up and saw Ruth sleeping on a bunk bed. She looked so comfortable they dared not wake her up. Mush looked around and whispered, "Everything here is...organized. I don't think I'd want to touch it again!" Crutchy looked in the corner and whispered, "My clothes smell fresh. Where did she get the soap and water?" Kloppman then came in. He whispered, "I supplied her with soap and water. And no, I didn't force her to work. She wanted to do this." Jack whispered, "But why?" Kloppman whispered, "Who knows. Just remember to thank her when you see her awake." Racetrack said, "Sure will!" Then all the Newsies went, "SHH!!!"    Specs was looking at Ruth sleeping. Just standing there watching her every move. She soon fluttered her eyes open. He said, "Hey sunshine." She smiled and said, "Hey Specs." Then Racetrack saw she was awake and said, "Hey guys! Ruth's awake!" All the Newsies then gathered around and started thanking her. She said, "It was my pleasure boys." She then sat up.    For the next year Ruth stayed in the Newsboys Lodge House. She went to a close friend of hers to visit awhile back and told her to tell her family that she was killed in shooting. Her family was upset, but Ruth trusted her friend not to tell anyone she was still alive. Whenever she went outside she covered her face with a sheet so she wasn't recognized. Or she borrowed Specs clothes and a newsies hat so she would be seen as a Newsie.    One night though Specs and she were walking around hand in hand. They still never had the guts to tell each other that they loved each other. They were still uncomfortable about that, even after a year. But tonight was different. Specs was planning on telling her how he felt without fear. He was prepared for it when they were walking at night. But before Specs would say anything they were stopped by the Delancy brothers. Specs covered for Ruth and said, "Run, and don't worry about me." Ruth said, "I'm not leaving you Specs." He said, "You have to run Ruth." The Delancy brothers said, "Oh she can run, but when we're done with you we'll be after her next!"    Specs angered by this tackled one of the brothers and started punching him. Then the other brother brought out a switch blade. Ruth screamed, "NO!"