'I know it was, mother, but I wasn't going to turn back. That would be
running away from the enemy. You see, we met in the middle, and she's not
at all a nice girl, and she's so proud and stuck up about the sailors!'

'As proud as you are of the redcoats, I guess!' old Mrs. Platt said.

'Do sailors and soldiers like each other?' questioned Teddy, ignoring
the thrust.

'I am sure I don't know,' his mother answered, smiling. 'I have never
seen them together that I remember, but I should think they did. They
both fight for their queen and country.'

'Well, I'm a soldier's son, and I don't like a sailor's daughter, I know
that! I think she is a kind of enemy.'

'Oh, hush! sonny. You must have no enemies. It is wrong to talk so.'

'That's what he was a-sayin' to me t'other day,' put in his uncle slowly;
'he says he wants one.'

'Yes, I do,' and Teddy gave a fervent nod as he spoke; 'and, mother, I
believe most good people have enemies, so it must be right to have one.'

'They never make one, as you're trying to do.'

Teddy looked puzzled.

'Well,' he said presently, 'I expect it's because she's a stranger. She
doesn't belong to our village. I don't like strangers.'