Molly almost fell on her knees in the excess of her anxiety. Judy turned her face away from those appealing blue eyes and coughed a forced throaty cough.
"Suppose I should say she wasn't coming back, Molly? Would you mind it?"
"Would I mind it?" repeated Molly, her eyes filling with tears.
Suddenly the closet door was flung open and out rushed Nance.
"Oh, Molly, forgive me," she cried, throwing her arms around her roommate's neck. "Judy thought it would be a good practical joke, but I couldn't stand the deception any longer. It was worth it, though, if only to know you would miss me."
"Miss you?" exclaimed Molly. "I should think I would. Judy, you wretch!"
"I never did say she wasn't coming," replied Judy. "I simply said, 'Is it possible you haven't heard the news about Nance?' It shows how your heart rules your head, Molly. You shouldn't take on so until you get at the real truth. Your impetuous nature needs——"
Here Judy was interrupted by the noise of a headlong rush down the hall. Then the door was burst open and three girls blew into the room all laughing and talking at once.
"My goodness, it sounds like a stampede of wild cattle," exclaimed Judy. "How are you, old pals?"
A general all-round embrace followed.