busy, and asked her if he could go and see the rector.

'What for, sonny?'

'He asked me to come. Is it too late, do you think? I should like to go
to-night.'

Mrs. John looked down upon the eager little face lifted to hers.

'Run away, then; but don't stay long.'

And so it was that for the second time that week Teddy was a visitor at
the rectory.

'Please, sir, I've done it!' he exclaimed breathlessly, as soon as he was
ushered into the presence of the rector.

'Eh? What have you been doing?'

And Mr. Upton roused himself from a reverie into which he had fallen as
he sat at his study window and watched his favourite beehives. Then,
noting the disappointed look on the child's face, and recognising who
it was, he added briskly, 'Ah! it is Teddy Platt, is it? And so you've
done it, have you? Thank God! Yes, I remember all about it. You're a
fresh recruit.'

Teddy's eyes glistened. 'I enlisted this afternoon, sir.'

'For life, did you? No short-service system with God!'