And they had gone straight forth into the early sunlight of the new day and sped away into the morning, rejoicing.

A blue jay had laughed after them at starting, and a blue jay was laughing now in the budding acacia by the gate.

There seemed a mocking note in its laughter, but it held gaiety as well.

Listening to it, she forgot all the weary miles of desert through which they had travelled.

The world was fair, very fair, here at Bhulwana.