CHAPTER XX.
THE PARABLE OF THE SUN AND WIND.
If Molly had been carrying a stick of dynamite she could not have held it more gingerly than the square box she was taking to President Walker on Monday morning.
“That was the reason I never liked her,” she thought, mentioning no names even in her own mind. “I wonder if it is true that she couldn’t help it. It must be, when she was so rich. What could she want with Minerva’s medals or Margaret’s initialed ring? Both M’s, though,” she thought, half smiling.
“Oh, Miss Brown,” cried a voice behind her, and Madeleine Petit came tearing across the campus as fast as her little feet could carry her. “Is it true that Millicent Porter has run away from college?”
“I’m afraid it is,” answered Molly.
“She owed us fifteen dollars,” cried Madeleine tragically. “She promised to pay this morning, and I have just heard rumors that she has disappeared, bag and baggage.”
“You did do the work for her?” asked Molly.
“Yes, really, against my will. I knew you would never advise without having something to advise about. But Judith was determined, and the only reason I gave in was because she had never done any work before, and I thought it would be good for her to make a start. She was so happy over earning the money. It was really wonderful to see how she brightened up. And when we couldn’t get a cent out of Miss Porter on Saturday afternoon, poor old Judith was so disappointed that she cried. Think of that.”
“What a shame,” exclaimed Molly, appreciating Judith’s feelings with entire sympathy. “I’m sure I should have cried if I had done all that hard work and then couldn’t collect.”
“But what are we to do? Must we sit back quietly and let the rich trample the poor? Don’t you think she is coming back?”