Once more Billy's "clock" had "begun to tick." After breakfast Billy went straight to the telephone and called up Arkwright.

Even one side of the conversation Aunt Hannah did not hear very clearly; but in five minutes a radiant-faced Billy danced into the room.
"Aunt Hannah, just listen! Only think--Mary Jane wrote the words himself, so of course I can use them!" "Billy, dear, _can't_ you say 'Mr.Arkwright' ?" pleaded Aunt Hannah.
Billy laughed and gave the anxious-eyed little old lady an impulsive hug.
"Of course! I'll say 'His Majesty' if you like, dear," she chuckled.
"But did you hear--did you realize?
They're his own words, so there's no question of rights or permission, or anything.

And he's coming up this afternoon to hear my melody, and to make a few little changes in the words, maybe.

Oh, Aunt Hannah, you don't know how good it seems to get into my music again!" "Yes, yes, dear, of course; but--" Aunt Hannah's sentence ended in a vaguely troubled pause.
Billy turned in surprise.
"Why, Aunt Hannah, aren't you glad?
You _said_ you'd be glad!" "Yes, dear; and I am--very glad.

It's only--if it doesn't take too much time--and if Bertram doesn't mind." Billy flushed.