met his mother, and then was very silent about his adventure, merely
saying, by way of explanation, that he had fallen into the brook; but at
tea, a short time after, he suddenly said,--

'If you put a sailor and a soldier together, which would you choose,
Uncle Jake?'

'Eh, my laddie? Well, they're both good in their way. I couldn't say,
I'm sure.'

'Mother, wouldn't you say the soldier was the bravest?'

'Perhaps I might, sonny; but a sailor can be quite as brave.'

Teddy's face fell. 'I never thought a sailor could fight at all,' he
said, in a disappointed tone; 'I thought they just took care of our
ships, and now and then fired a big gun off.'

'Who's been bringing up the sailors to you?' asked his grandmother.

'That little girl I told you of--Nancy her name is.'

'Where have you seen her?'

'Down by the brook; we fell into the water together, because we both
wanted to cross at once.'

'But, my boy, that was naughty for you not to give place to her,' and
Mrs. John spoke reprovingly.