Teddy was perfectly ready with his defence, and he poured into his
listener's ears such a voluble story that the rector was quite bewildered
when it came to an end. 'It's father's button I care about,' added the
boy, fingering his beloved object proudly, 'and she didn't believe me a
bit, and she put out her tongue as long as ever she could!'

'Tell me the story of the button; I have heard, but have forgotten
the details.'

Teddy's eyes sparkled, and his little head was raised erect again.
Slipping off his chair, he stood in front of the rector, and told the
oft-repeated tale with dramatic force and effect. Mr. Upton listened with
interest, but before he could offer any comment on it tea was announced,
and taking the child by the hand he marched him into the dining-room.

Hot tea-cakes, strawberry jam, and plum cake kept our little friend fully
occupied for some time. He wondered if all the naughty boys interviewed
by the rector had been treated to the same fare, and he began to think an
invitation to Sunday tea at the rectory highly desirable.

'And now,' said Mr. Upton, towards the end of the meal, 'I want some more
talk with you. Your father was a brave soldier; he died in saving the
colours. You want to grow up like him, do you not?'

'Yes, sir, indeed I do.'

'There is a little verse in God's Word that describes our Lord's
banner--His colours. Will you say it after me?--"His banner over me was
love."' Teddy repeated the verse slowly, and with interest.