As she turned to the door again, about to put her purpose into action, there came a timid knock.
"Some one's calling," said Nan.
"Maybe Lottie or Kate," Sadie suggested, her eyes flashing.
Jo pulled the door open quickly and disclosed a timid, shrinking figure in the hall. Almost before she had identified this figure as Lily Darrow the girl slipped within the room and pulled the door shut behind her.
Amazed, the girls stared at their unexpected visitor.
Lily was trembling. Her face was white. Yet she spoke with a feverish haste that was at odd variance with her frail appearance.
"I have only a minute to stay. I suppose I should not have come at all," she began, while the girls mutely regarded her. "I have just heard what Kate and Lottie are saying about you girls." She took a step forward and held out her hand to them appealingly.
"You can believe me or not——"
"Of course we believe you, Lily," said Nan in pity for the girl's intense agitation.
Lily sent her a glance of gratitude and hurried on feverishly.