After a long time Lucy did come, and her face was swollen with crying and her eyes were red. In her hand she held a note.
When Dora saw the note, she knew that Lucy had been really naughty. Anybody who was given a note to take home had done something shocking.
Dora ran to meet Lucy and kissed her. Then she held her arm and did not say a word. Lucy began to cry again and walked slower and slower. Dora was cold and wanted to walk fast.
“What is the matter?” Dora asked when they had gone about a block. “Was Miss Scott cross to you?”
Lucy nodded and choked. She tried to speak but only cried the harder.
When they reached the brown cottage, Mother was watching for them. She came and opened the door.
“Where have you been?” she asked. “You are very late and you know I want you always to come straight home after school.”
Then Mother saw how Lucy looked. Dora began to cry also, just because she was so sorry for Lucy.
Mother took them into the warm kitchen and asked what the matter was, but Dora did not know, and Lucy could not tell. She sobbed and held out the note. Mother read it.