h the trees.

The jolly little "what-d'-you-call-'ems" lifted pale anxious faces to
the sky.

Clocks all around chimed the hour of four.

Suddenly her limbs weakened. She could walk no longer.

She sank into a chair, beneath the mulberry-tree.

In a few minutes Jenkins would bring out tea. Would Martha have
arranged a tea such as the Boy loved, with cups for two, hot
buttered-toast and explosive buns?

What a boy he was, at heart--this man who had won her; what a gay,
laughter-loving boy!

She lay back, very still, under the mulberry-tree, and lived again
through each of the Boy's days, from the first to the sixth.

She kept her eyes closed. The sunlight, glinting through the mulberry
leaves, fell in bright patches on her white gown, and on her soft
golden hair.

The garden was very still. All nature seemed waiting with the heart
that waited.

"_Little Boy Blue, come blow me your horn!_"

"I shall blow it all right on the seventh day," the Boy had said; "and
when I do, you will hear it."

This was the seventh day.

Suddenly the horn of a motor tooted loudly in the lane.

She rose, her hands clasped upon her breast, and stood waiting

A shaft of golden sunlight streamed down the garden, and seemed to
focus on the postern gate.

Then the gate swung open and the Boy came in, slamming it behind him.
She saw him coming up the lawn toward her, bareheaded; the sunlight in
his shining eyes.

"I couldn't wait for trains," he shouted. "I came by motor. And I
jolly well exceeded the speed-limit all the way!"

She moved a few steps to meet him.

"Boy dear," she said, "you always exceed all speed-limits. It is a way
you have. Exceed them as much as you like, so long as I am with you
when you do it. But--oh, my Little Boy Blue!--don't fly again; for, if
you fall and break your wings, indeed you will break my heart."

In a moment she was sobbing on his breast, her arms flung around him.
There was nothing broken or limp about his strong young body, pulsating
with life.

He put his arms about her, holding her in a clasp of close possessive
tenderness.

He did not yet understand what had happened; but he knew the great gift
he desired had been given him. He waited for her to speak.

She lifted her face to his.

"Guy," she said; "ah, take me, hold me, keep me! I am altogether your
own. I will explain to you fully, by and by. The stone was very
great; but lo, as we reached it, the Angel of th