It was Dorothy who gave this news to Tavia.
“Gone where?”
“Gone home!”
“So early?”
“Gone, not to come back? Poor Jean!”
“Don’t cry over it. Likely she was glad to get away from the work,” said Tavia, although she knew that something unexpected must have happened.
“She left a note for me and said I might read it to you,” Dorothy continued. “In fact she said she would be glad if I would tell all the girls that she—had done—foolish things—through jealousy. But, of course, I won’t. She seems to be heartbroken.”
A messenger appeared at the open door. It was the boy from the post-office, and he held in his hand a special delivery letter for Dorothy. This interrupted the story of Jean.
Dorothy opened it nervously. She had been hoping for good news that might come before the courts closed for the holidays.
Tavia watched her closely as she read. Then she saw the change in her expression, and there was scarcely need to tell her that the good news had come.