It was true that she was about to face new dangers; but that did not trouble her in the least. She would be definitely doing her duty, as she conceived it, fighting for a good cause along with many others; she would no longer be a hunted fugitive merely trying to preserve her own life.
She knelt down and prayed and felt happier than she had done since her father died, happier even than during the best days in the secret room.
So happy was she that she proceeded to cut off her wonderful hair, just below the level of the shoulders, without the slightest twinge of regret. “I wish I had Audry’s long mirror here,” was the only thought that troubled her.
Even this was unexpectedly gratified, for in the morning she was down first and discovered a long mirror in a black oak frame, one of the treasures of the hostel.
As she was looking at herself Ian appeared. The sight cost him a pang. “Oh, child,” he exclaimed, “what have you done?”
“I’ve only made myself into a real boy,” she answered.
Ian bit his lips; he would not have thought that he could have minded so much.
As they were standing there the door suddenly opened and a boy came in.
“Hullo, Wilfred! is that you?”