“Poor you!” Judy cried. “We found out all about that wicked uncle of yours and he’s in jail now. Believe me, Irene, he wanted to get your grandmother’s property and would have done anything to be rid of you. Oh, I’m so—glad—you’re safe——”
But Judy was sobbing again, clinging to Irene as if she might vanish if she released her hand. Together she and Pauline led her to the sofa where each of them found a seat close beside her.
It was growing dark and Judy lit the bridge lamp. It shone down on Irene’s hair. Something brighter than lamplight glowed, suddenly, in her eyes.
“Where’s Dale?” she asked. “Has he missed me?”
“He thinks of nothing but you,” Judy answered. “Horace and Peter and Arthur are here, too. All of them were hunting for you.”
“How thrilling! Did they like Dale, too?”
“Everybody likes him,” Pauline put in. “Lucky girl! They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I shouldn’t wonder if he fell in love with you.”
“Really?”
“I’m almost sure of it,” Pauline replied. She spoke softly and only Irene heard her. Judy ran to the window.
“They’re coming! I heard their voices. Dale!” she called down to the street. “Arthur! Peter! Dale! Hurry!”