"And some things too," she added, in a lower voice, "a girl may have perchance that belong not to a boy. Oh, godmother, is't strange and wicked that I should think so?"
"Nay, not strange," said Lady Sybil, "nor all wicked, perchance. Only see to it that thou still art brave and true, even as a lad."
"Or as you are, sweet godmother," whispered Merrylips. "Surely you are as brave and loyal, every whit, as if you were a soldier like my father. And I'll try to be such a gentlewoman as you—indeed I'll try!"
So speaking, Merrylips shut the lid of the chest. She smiled, but she gave a little sigh, too, as she said:—
"Fare thee well! I'm a lass—godmother's lass—henceforth! Fare thee well, Tibbott Venner, forever and ever!"
Printed in the United States of America.
Books by BEULAH MARIE DIX
Merrylips.