But the younger, a sweet, rosy lass, of much the same age as Merrylips' own sister Puss, sprang to her feet. "Why," she cried, "'tis surely the little lad whereof Dick told us--the child that tended him that black night at Monksfield. Oh, mother! Look at his shoes, all worn to rags! Oh, poor little sweetheart!" She came straight to Merrylips, and bent and would have kissed her, but Merrylips threw up her elbow, just like a bad-mannered little boy. Somehow, before these folk, who were gentlewomen, like her godmother, she felt ashamed of her boy's dress, as she had never been among men, and she longed to hide her head. While Merrylips stood shrinking at Rupert's side, she saw that Fowell whispered something to the older girl, who laughed aloud. "Verily, thou art a gallant master of revels, Dick!" she cried, and in her turn came rustling to Merrylips. "If thou wilt kiss me, master," she said, "I will tell thee something should please thee mightily. Guess whom thou shalt see this hour--ay, this moment! And thank my brother for't." Merrylips peered over her elbow at Dick Fowell. "Oh, surely," she faltered, "'tis never--" "Did I not tell thee I'd requite thy kindness, Tibbott?" said Dick Fowell. "Look yonder, laddie, and tell me have I kept my word?" Merrylips saw the door to the parlor swing open. For a moment she dared not look. She was afraid that he who entered might not be the one whom with all her heart she prayed that she might see. CHAPTER XXX TO PUT IT TO THE TOUCH At last Merrylips gathered courage to look. Then she saw that just inside the door stood a young man, who blinked as if he had newly come from a dark place. He looked worn and tired. He seemed to have slept in his clothes. His coat, an old one, was too big for him, and his hair was dishevelled, and his face unshaven. But for all his sorry attire and his altered face, Merrylips knew him. "Munn! Oh, my brother Munn!" she cried. She flew across the room and cast her two arms about the young man, who caught her to him and crushed her in a grip that fairly hurt. "Merrylips!" he said in a shaky voice. "'Tis never Merrylips! How comest thou here? Why art thou still in that dress--" "I promised!" Merrylips answered. "I told no one, save only Rupert. I kept my promise, indeed I kept it, Munn!" If Munn had been younger, Merrylips would have thought that there were tears in his eyes, as he looked down at her. "All these days," he said slowly, "among men--and used as a boy--and through my blame! Merrylips, thou poor little wench!" "Come, come, Venner!" Dick Fowell's voice struck in, as he bent over the two. "Sure, man, your days in prison have clouded your wits. Do you not know your own brother, Tibbott?" "Brother?" retorted Munn, in a high tone that sounded like his old self. "'Tis you are crazed, sir. This is my young sister, Sybil Venner."