The little pink flush of excitement faded out of her cheeks, her eyes looked hollow, the shadow under them grew darker than ever. There came a rush along the passage, and Aunt Marjorie, puffing with the haste she had used, but trying to walk slowly and to speak calmly, entered the room. "Judy, my darling," she said, "I have very good news for you." "For me," said Judy, flushing and paling almost in the same moment. "Yes, my dear little pet, very nice news. Your darling Hilda is coming." "Aunt Maggie!" "Yes, here's a telegram from her. She says in it, '_Tell Judy to expect me at ten to-night_.' Why, my darling, how white you are! Babs, run and fetch me those smelling-salts. Now, Judy, just one whiff. Ah, now you're better." "Yes, auntie, much, much, _much_ better. I am only awfully happy." Judy smiled, and the tears rushed to her eyes; her little thin hand trembled, she tried to push her drawing materials away. "Please may I have the telegram?" she asked. "Of course you may, my darling. Oh, and here comes kind Miss Mills with your chicken-broth. Just the thing to set you up. Drink it off, dear. Miss Mills, our sweet Hilda is coming to-night. I have just had a telegram, she'll be here about ten." "Who's to meet her?" asked Miss Mills. "You forget that there are no horses in the stables now, and no carriage in the coach-house." "I did forget," said Aunt Marjorie. "I must send a message to Stephens to take a fly to the station." "I'll go and tell him as soon as ever tea is over," answered Miss Mills. "Ah, Judy! You'll soon be well now, Judy, won't you?" "I am well already," said Judy. "What delicious chicken-broth! Auntie dear, stoop down, I want to whisper something to you." "Yes, my dearie, what is it?" "I needn't be asleep when Hilda comes, need I? You will let me sit up in bed, won't you? I'll promise to be so quiet, I won't make a sound to disturb Babs, but I should love to be awake and waiting for darling Hilda. Please, please, auntie, say I may." "My darling--until ten o'clock! so awfully late. Judy dear, you're getting quite feverish--you must calm yourself, my pet. Well, then, well, _anything_ to soothe you. We'll see how you keep, dearie. If you don't get at all excited, I--I'll see what I shall do. Now I must leave you, darling, to go and get Hilda's room ready. I wonder if Jasper is coming with her, she doesn't say anything about him." Aunt Marjorie trotted out of the room, Miss Mills started on her walk to the village, and Judy began to speak eagerly to Babs. "I am quite well," she said; "you'll never hear me sob again at night. I am quite the happiest girl in the world. Oh, think of kissing Hilda again; and I didn't fret, no, I didn't--not really. Babs, don't you think you might make the room look pretty? You might get out all the animals and put them on the chimney-piece."