"What?" asked Cassowary.
"She says that though your dad is her own brother, it's your mother that's behind most of the good work carried on in this place. She goes round among the women and finds out what is most needed then whispers in your Dad's ear—and don't you remember what Miss Jazzamine was reading to us yesterday?
"'A mother is a mother still
The holiest thing alive.'"
Cassowary's face shone in the moonlight. "Mother is a wonder. I've always thought so."
Then she became sentimental. "If you two boys approve," she said, "I think it would be nice to have a covenant."
They both stared at her, and her black eyes grew mysterious.
"I knew two girls about to part. They pricked their arms with a pin and took a little, just a little blood out. Then they signed their names on paper—in red."
The two boys looked at each other trying not to smile.
Then Dallas said, "Have you got a match about you, Big Chief?"