“I’m rather relieved,” said the Professor. “Judith will probably be well punished; but she should be.”
“I’ve always wondered,” said Molly, after a short pause, “why Judith did it.”
The Professor looked at her closely with his humorous brown eyes.
“Have you no idea why?” he asked.
“Except for mischief and to annoy the seniors,” she answered.
“Possibly,” he said. “A girl who has been spoiled and petted as she has will give in to almost any whim that seizes her. However, such actions are not tolerated at Wellington, and she will have to learn a few pretty stiff lessons if she expects to remain here.”
Then Professor Green shook hands with Molly, gave her a little paternal advice about taking care of her health, and took his departure. His next destination was the President’s house, where he waited in the drawing-room until Miss Steel had terminated her interview. He was prepared for a round scolding from his old friend, who had known him since his early youth, but the President was inclined to be lenient with the young man.
“It all goes to show,” she said at the end of the interview, “that murder will out. But why did the foolish girl do that mischievous thing? What did she have to gain by it?”
He shrugged his shoulders.
“Jealous of some one prettier and more popular than herself, probably,” he answered.