The expression of her face changed quickly. With slow but eager hands she undid the package. Her mouth opened with surprise when she discovered a ring with a shiny, purple stone in it.
"G-gold an' amethys'!" the Emperor exclaimed, calmly and tenderly, his voice mellowed by affection.
"Gold an' amethyst," she repeated, solemnly.
"Uh-huh!" It was a low, affectionate sound of affirmation from the Emperor, made with his mouth closed.
Her lips trembled, her face changed color, her eyes filled. It was oddly pathetic that so vain a trifle should have so delighted her—homely and simple as she was. Since her girlhood' she had dreamed of a proud but impossible day that should put upon her finger a gold ring with a shiny, purple stone in it. Strong knew of her old longing. He knew that she had never had half a chance in this world of unequal burdens, and he felt for her.
"I tol' ye," said he, in a voice that trembled a little. "B-better times."
She looked down at the ring, but did not answer.
"That celebrates your engagement to the Magic Word," said Master.
She put it on her finger and gave it a glance of pride. Then she said, "Thank you, Silas," and repaired to her quarters and sat down and wept.
Her brother shouldered the axe and went to cut some wood for the stove. She could hear him singing as he walked away slowly: