Molly sat down in the Morris chair and wrinkled her brows.
"She just regards you as a sort of life preserver," exclaimed Judy. "She's trying to keep above the surface by holding on to you. If I were you, I wouldn't be bothered with her."
"Of course, I know," said Molly, "that Frances Andrews did something last year that put her in the black books with her class. She's trying to live it down, and they are trying to freeze her out. Nobody has anything to do with her, and she's not invited to anything except the big entertainments like this. I can't help feeling sorry for her, and I don't see how it would do me any harm to go with her. But I just don't want to go, that's all. I'd rather take a beating than go."
"Well, then you are a chump for considering it!" exclaimed Judy, whose self-indulgent nature had little sympathy for people who would do uncomfortable things.
"Then, on the other hand," continued Molly, "suppose my going would help her a little, don't you think it would be mean to turn her down? Oh, say you think I ought to do it, because I'm going to, hard as it seems."
Nance went over and put her arms around her friend, quite an unusual demonstration with her, while Judy seized her hand and patted it tenderly.
"Really, Molly, you are quite the nicest person in the world," she exclaimed. Then she added: "By the way, Molly, can you spare the time to tutor me for a month or so? I don't know what the rates are, but we can settle about that later. Nance tells me I must get busy or else take my walking papers. I'd be afraid of a strange tutor. I'm a timid creature. But I think I might manage to learn a few things from you, Molly, dear."
Did Judy understand the look of immense relief which instantly appeared on Molly's sensitive face? If she did she made no sign.
"Now, don't say no," she went on. "I know you are awfully busy, and all that, but it would be just an act of common charity."
"Say no?" cried Molly, laughing lightly. "I can hardly wait to say yes," and she cheerfully got out six pairs of muddy boots from the closet, enveloped herself in a large apron, slipped on a pair of old gloves and went to work to clean and black them. Molly had become official bootblack at Queen's Cottage at ten cents a pair when they were not muddy, and fifteen cents when they were.