When she realized what he was doing, she laughed in surprise, her smile softening with an uncommon fondness. "Gifts aren't about being even, Walter. You don't need to give me anything back!"

But even so, when he offered the feather to her, she took it. It wouldn't be right to refuse a gift given to her in good faith. Clasping it in her hands as she braced them against her chest, she bowed toward him again. "Thank you very much!"