Keineth repeated, "Labor omnia vincit!" and the girls said it with her.
"Now, altogether--'Steadfast'--so we'll get used to it!"
"Steadfast!" in hissing whispers.
Sheila was so thrilled that she was moved to oratory! "Girls, I know some day we're all going to be great! I just feel it! And we'll look back to this afternoon in our youth and say----"
"Steadfast!" giggled Peggy.
"Tat! Tat! Tat! Tat!"
"Sh-h! It's Aunt Pen!"
Aunt Pen, deserted below, had blackened her face and put on her head a bright yellow turban, to look as nearly as possible like Aunt Jemima of pancake fame! Now on a huge tray she bore a plate of doughnuts and a pitcher of cider. A noisy greeting welcomed her into the Eyrie!
That night Renée was wakened by Pat's insistent call in her ear. The lights were burning and Pat was standing over her, tragedy written in every line of her face. Alarmed, Renée sat bolt upright, her eyes wide.
"Sh-h! Don't be frightened! It's just--I've lost my ballad!"