And you, Winnie, shall make a stab at grand opera." Winnie gurgled her delight, but her sister searched her father's eyes.
She did not quite like the way he said those words.

His voice lacked its usual heartiness and spontaneity.
"Where did you get this medal, father ?" she asked.
[Illustration: Where did you get this medal ?] "That's what I started out to tell you." "Were you afraid we might wish to wear it or have it made over ?" laughed Winnie, who never went below the surface of things.
"No.

The truth is, I had almost forgotten it.

But the preparations for India recalled it to mind.

It represents a royal title conferred on me by the king of Allaha.