“He has a fine new suit. It was hid away in Aunt’s room.”
“What made him do such a childish thing?”
“To please thee, it was done. It was to be a surprise, I think.”
“I will go to him.”
“No, no, Mother! Let father have the pleasure he planned. To thee he will come, as soon as he is dressed.”
“Am I right? From top to toe?”
“From top to toe just as thou should be. The white roses in thy cap look lovely with the violet silk gown. Very pretty art thou, dear Mother.”
“I can still wear roses, but they are white roses now. I used to wear pink, Thora.”
“Pink and crimson and yellow roses thou may wear yet. Because white roses go best with violet I put that colour in thy cap for tonight. Think of what my aunt said when thou complained to her of growing old, ‘Rahal, the mother of twelve sons and daughters is always young.’ Now I will run away, for my father does everything quickly.”
In about ten or fifteen minutes, Rahal Ragnor heard him coming. Then she stood up and watched the swift throwing open of the door, and the entrance of her husband. With a cry of pleasure 26 she clapped her hands and said joyfully: