"For since I cannot be a boy," she hurried on, "I will not play at being a boy. Besides, there be some things that a truly boy must do and bear and see--Oh, godmother! There at Monksfield, that day when I found Dick--I knew then that I was fain to be a girl. "And some things too," she added, in a lower voice, "a girl may have perchance that belong not to a boy. Oh, godmother, is't strange and wicked that I should think so?" "Nay, not strange," said Lady Sybil, "nor all wicked, perchance. Only see to it that thou still art brave and true, even as a lad." "Or as you are, sweet godmother," whispered Merrylips. "Surely you are as brave and loyal, every whit, as if you were a soldier like my father. And I'll try to be such a gentlewoman as you--indeed I'll try!" So speaking, Merrylips shut the lid of the chest. She smiled, but she gave a little sigh, too, as she said:-- "Fare thee well! I'm a lass--godmother's lass--henceforth! Fare thee well, Tibbott Venner, forever and ever!" Printed in the United States of America. * * * * * Books by BEULAH MARIE DIX MERRYLIPS LITTLE CAPTIVE LAD, A. Ill. by Will Grefe. SOLDIER RIGDALE. Ill. by Reginald Birch. BLITHE MCBRIDE. Ill. by J. Henry. HUGH GWYETH: A ROUNDHEAD CAVALIER. Ill. by James Daugherty. TURNED-ABOUT GIRLS, THE. Ill. by Blanche Greer.