Of course there was great feasting that day in the hall at Walsover. But at last the candles were lit, and the women rose and left Sir Thomas and his officers to drink their wine. But before they left the room Sir Thomas stood up in his place and proposed a health to Lady Sybil Fernefould. All those who were present must have known of her courage and her devotion to the cause they served, for they drank her health, every man of them, with full honors and cheers that made Merrylips' heart beat quicker.
When Lady Sybil had thanked them, sweetly and fairly, Captain Norris leaned across the table and spoke in a low voice to Sir Thomas. Sir Thomas smiled and called Merrylips to him.
She went gravely, in her girl's frock. Under so many eyes she was glad that it was a girl's frock. Her father helped her to stand upon the stool beside him. Then Captain Norris, who she thought had quite forgotten her, spoke respectfully, as if he spoke of a grown woman, and bade them drink a health to Mistress Sybil Venner, a brave and loyal servant of the king!
She could not believe that it was for her that the cups were drained, and the swords flashed out, and the cheers given. She looked at all the faces that were turned toward her—Captain Norris, and Captain Brooke, and Crashaw, and Slanning, and Dick Fowell, and her brothers, and all her father's officers, kinsmen and friends whom from of old she knew. She pressed her two hands to her throat, and for an instant she wanted to cry.
She could not speak as Lady Sybil had spoken to thank them. She put out her two hands uncertainly, and then, for it was Christmas, when men's hearts are tender to little children, they came to her, one by one, those tall officers, and kissed her hand, with all courtesy.
Well, it was over, all but a memory that she should never lose! She was out of the hall, and up in her chamber. There presently Lady Sybil sought her, and found her on her knees, by a chest that stood beneath the window. She was folding away the little suit that Tibbott Venner had worn.
"Little—lass?" said Lady Sybil, and stroked her hair.
"Yes," said Merrylips.
Her face was still rosy, and her eyes sparkled with the thought of what had happened in the hall.
"For since I cannot be a boy," she hurried on, "I will not play at being a boy. Besides, there be some things that a truly boy must do and bear and see—Oh, godmother! There at Monksfield, that day when I found Dick—I knew then that I was fain to be a girl.