At first the bright light in the open space blinded Gray Lady, and then she saw that a tall flagpole was planted in the centre of the open,—a slender pole, flawless from bottom to top, polished and smooth as glass. On the top was perched a gilded eagle with wings wide-spread; in the halyards on the pole a loosely folded bundle was caught, and the end of the line was in the hands of Jack Todd. Gray Lady stood quite still looking from one to the other, her breath coming fast. Then Jack jerked the line, and out of the bundle, fold on fold, fell a large flag; slowly it rose to the top of the pole and floated in the breeze, while at the little click of Miss Wilde’s tuning-fork twenty-five fresh young voices broke into song. HYMN OF THE FLAG (Dedicated to the Army and Navy) North, South, East, and West Rise and join your hands. Native born and Brothers drawn From many Fatherlands. Rise ye Nation of the morn, Land where Liberty was born; Ye who fear no ruler’s nod, Ye who only kneel to God— Rise—Salute your Flag! Stars upon its azure throng, Stars for states that stride along, Stars of hope that make men strong. Blood-red bars for battle done, Steel-white stars for peace well won. Rise—Salute this Flag! North, South, East, and West Bring your tribute then. Gold ye have and grain enough To feed earth’s starving men. Ye who tent on distant shores, Ye whose name the ocean roars, Ye who toil in mine and field, Ye who pluck the cotton’s yield, Rise—Salute your flag! North, South, East, and West Rise and join your hands; Native born and brothers drawn From many Fatherlands. One ye stand in common cause, One to break oppression’s laws, One to open Freedom’s gate, One! Ye re-United States! Rise—Salute your Flag! Stars upon its azure throng, Stars for states that stride along, Stars of hope that make men strong. Blood-red bars for battles done, Steel-white stars for peace well won. Rise—Salute this Flag! * * * * * The singing ceased, and Gray Lady stood with bent head, a smile upon her lips and tears in her eyes, for often when one is happiest, the two go together. The words of the hymn had been written by a dear friend on one of the anniversaries of the day that the General gave his life for his flag’s honour, and forgetting that Goldilocks knew, Gray Lady had thought that no one remembered the verses but herself.