Teddy stood with his legs wide apart, and his hands in his pockets. His
tone was severe.

'I'll never, never, never say I'm sorry. I'm glad of what I said. I don't
believe a word of it!'

And with this parting shot Nancy ran into the cottage, and the boys
returned to the village more slowly than they came.

'Mother,' said Teddy that night, as his mother bent down for a
'good-night' kiss, 'I haven't been good to-day, and I don't feel good
now. I feel, when I think it over, so angry inside.'

'What is it about, sonny?'

'Father's button.' The tone was drowsy, and seeing his eyelids droop
heavily Mrs. John said no more, only breathed a prayer that her little
son might fight as bravely for Christ's honour as he did for that of his
father's button.




CHAPTER III

A Recruiting Sergeant


It was Sunday morning. Along a sweet-scented lane, with shady limes
overhead and honeysuckle and wild roses growing in profusion on the