Andy had sent both the girls violets.
“Very sweet and proper of him, I’m sure, in the absence of Nance,” laughed Judy.
Lawrence Upton had sent Molly a box of American beauties.
“And he could ill afford it, the foolish boy,” ejaculated Molly.
Dodo had expended all his savings on a handsome Jerusalem cherry tree for Judy. There was another box for Molly. It contained violets and two cards—Miss Grace Green’s and Professor Edwin Green’s.
Molly blushed crimson when she read the names. For the thousandth time she covered herself with reproaches. She sat down and gathered the bouquets into her lap.
“Judy,” she cried contritely, “what have I done to gain all these kind friends? I’m sure I don’t deserve it. The dears!”
But Judy was too much engaged with her own numerous gifts to contradict this self-depreciating statement.
“I am really happy, Molly,” she cried, “even without mamma and papa it’s been a lovely Christmas Eve.”
With one of those divinations which sometimes comes to us like a voice from another land, it suddenly occurred to Molly that whatever it was in Professor Green’s office, whether ghost or human, perhaps the Professor might not like to have it discussed, and she resolved not to tell Judy or anyone else what she had seen.