"Putting it by, safely," he smiled at her as he stood just a step away from her on the sand. "It'll never leave me now, not that ribbon that—that tied our hands together for me. I say, I shall fasten it to my 'bus later on, to bring me luck, Girl. It's started already, what?" He jerked his belt straight. "Hasn't it?"
And with the words he took that one step nearer that brought her into his arms.
"Ah, please," he said, more softly than ever. "Please...."
He drew down to his shoulder the face so full of sweet disturbance, he folded her close, close to the wide breast beneath the white-embroidered wings. As if swayed by a Charm, she drew a long breath, then smiled in wonder, nestled, and yielded to his kisses—the first for both of them....
"What about America coming in now, Girl? She will, won't she?... Yes, but say yes; you must! Say it!"
"No, Bird-boy! I just won't say it," was her last touch of mutiny. "And—and I guess we'll see about that 'belonging' later on."
"Yes," triumphed Jack Awdas. "I 'guess' so too!"
That was all those months ago.