A quiet voice spoke suddenly, just within the flaps of the lodge:
"Who is standing without?"
"The boy Andramark."
"What do you wish of us?"
"To be made a man."
"Then say farewell to your companions of childhood."
Andramark turned toward the boys and girls who were watching him. Their faces swam a little before his eyes, and he felt a big lump coming slowly up in his throat. He raised his right arm to its full length, palm forward, and said:
"Farewell, O children; I shall never play with you any more."
Then the children set up a great howl of lamentation, which was all part of the ceremonial, and Andramark turned and found that the flaps of the lodge had been drawn aside, and that within there was thick darkness and the sound of men breathing.
"Come in, Andramark."