Her hand trembled and the letters were wavering, but when Doodles declared it was "splendidly written," she smiled her relief.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday went by, and Doodles heard nothing from Mr. Randolph. He began to be afraid that the committee had decided against his friend, and although his mother told him that such procedures always take considerable time, he grew more nervous with every mail-coming. When Saturday morning brought him no word, he decided to go over to Miss Lily's.
"I don't know that she could read the letter if she had one," he said in dismay. "Why didn't I think of that before!"
His first glimpse of the little woman corroborated his worst fears. Her eyes were swollen with weeping, and her face was haggard and despairing.
"Can't you go?" he ejaculated.
"I haven't heard a word!" she answered mournfully. "I didn't know but you had."
"No, I haven't. That's why I came over."
She shut the door and made him sit down.
"I guess I'll have to go to the poorhouse after all," she began in a hushed voice, as if fearful of being overheard.
"Oh, I wouldn't give up! Mr. Randolph said it would take time."