Ralph had said it would be well for her to become Willy's wife, and she had promised him never to leave the Moss while his mother lived.

She would do as he had said.
Willy had asked her for a sign, and she must give hint, one--a sign that she was willing to say "Yes" if he spoke again to-day as he had spoken yesterday.
Having once settled this point, her spirits experienced a complete elevation.

What should the sign be?
Rotha walked to the neuk window and stood to think, her hand on the wheel and her eyes towards the south.

What, then, should the sign be?
It was by no means easy to hit on a sign that would show him at a glance that her mind was made up; that, however she may have wavered in her purpose yesterday, her resolve was fixed to-day.

She stood long and thought of many plans, but none harmonized with her mood.
"Why should I not tell him--just in a word ?" Often as she put if to herself so, she shrank from the ordeal involved.
No, she must hit on a sign, but she began to despair of lighting on a fitting one.