A soldier under arms, against the foe,
Or stay at home a peaceful citizen,
The way of loyalty is still the same."
The Father's voice was very solemn as he said this verse.
The Twins were quite still as he wrapped the sword in its silken coverings and put it back again on the high shelf.
This was a long time for Take to be quiet, but she was thinking.
When their Father had locked the Kura and they were on their way
to the house with the picture of the birds, she said to him,
"Father, am I not a child of the Samurai, too?"
"Yes, my daughter," her Father answered, "but you are a girl. It is not your fault, little one," he added kindly. "We cannot all be boys, of course. But to the keeping of the Sons is given the honor of the Family. It is a great trust."
"Don't I do anything at all for the honor of my Family?" asked
Take.
"When you are grown up you will marry and live with your husband's family and serve them in every way you can," her Father answered. "You will belong to them, you see. Now, you must just be a good girl and mind your Father and Grandmother, and Mother, and your brothers."
"I'm just as old as Taro," said little Take, "and I think I know just as much. Why can't he mind me some of the time? I think it would be fair to take turns!"