"I am--truly," he said: and she, sitting where his father had sat,
unfolded Tara's letter--and the bangle lay revealed.

Roy had not guessed how surprised she would be--and how pleased! She
gave a little quick gasp and murmured something he could not catch. Then
she looked at him with shining eyes, and her voice had its low serious
note that stirred him like music.

"Now--you are Bracelet-Bound, my son. So young!"

Roy felt a throb of pride. It was clearly a fine thing to be.

"Must I give a 'broidered bodice'?"

"I will broider a bodice--the most beautiful; and you shall give it.
Remember, Roy, it is not a little matter. It is for always."

"Even when I'm a grown-up man?"

"Yes, even then. If she shall ask from you any service, you must not
refuse--ever."

Roy wrinkled his forehead. He had forgotten that part of it. Tara might
ask anything. You couldn't tell with girls. He had a moment of
apprehension.

"But, Mummy, I don't think--Tara didn't mean all that. It's only--our
sort of game of play----"