“I don’t know,” replied Mabel.
Shirley hurried out the door.
“I must see him before he goes,” she exclaimed. “Come, maybe we can find him.”
The girls left the room hurriedly, and made their way to the front of the house. There, trudging slowly toward the pike-gate, with a bundle over his shoulder, they made out the slight form of Jimmy Smith.
“Jimmy!” called Shirley, but the boy did not look back.
Shirley ran after him, and Mabel followed her friend.
Hearing footsteps behind him, Jimmy turned and looked back. Perceiving Shirley, he faced about again and would have gone on had not the girl called to him.
“Wait a minute, Jimmy.”
Jimmy halted and waited until Shirley came up to him.
“Jimmy,” cried the girl, “can you ever forgive me? I know you are not guilty.”