Ronald drew his sister very close to his side. "Yes, I know what it is, Nora. It is the wise king who says, 'A virtuous woman is above rubies.'"
"Virtuous!" repeated Nora. "Oh, I know! That means 'good.' I'll try to be that, and begin at once."
Ronald's reply to her remark was cut short by Eric, who had run off after his favourite dog Cherry, and now returned, dashing down his cap in his impetuous way; then, telling Cherry to lie down, he exclaimed, "Come, Aldy—" (his great name for his brother), "as this is your last day here for ever so long, let us all wish for some special thing beside the well. Never mind whether the old legend is true or not. Who knows? Let us try."
"I have wished already, Eric."
"And so have I," said Nora.
"Well, then," replied Eric, "tell out your wishes."
"Ah no, Eric!" said his brother. "Wishes are sacred. I won't tell mine."
"Nor I," put in Nora.
Truth to tell, she had wished she might wear the lovely diadem when she grew up, and was not sure whether her brother would not laugh at her wish.
"What stuff!" said Eric. "What's the use of wishing, if no one knows. I'm not ashamed of mine one bit; so here goes: 'I do wish to get very rich, have lots of money, heaps of gold.' Wait a bit, and see if my wish is not fulfilled."