'Oh! ah! I remember now, though I'm not sure that I recollect the
details,' said the colonel musingly. 'Your father was John Platt, who
enlisted in one of the line regiments--the 24th, wasn't it? Tell us the
story by all means.'

Teddy obeyed delightedly, not seeing in the interest of his tale how
keenly he was being watched by the ladies. He told it as he always did,
with enthusiastic effect, and when he offered to show the ladies his
button they were charmed with him. The colonel patted him on his head as
he left, saying, 'Keep your father's spirit in you, my lad, and you'll
live to do something great yet!' 'I should like to have him as a
page-boy,' said Lady Helen, as they walked away. 'What a sensitive,
refined little face it is!'

'Too good to be spoilt by house service,' said Colonel Graham. 'His
mother is a superior young woman, with a very good education, and the
Platts are highly respected about here.'

The children ran back to their playfellows considerably sobered by their
experience, and Teddy very soon made his way home, and told his mother
all that had befallen him.

'It's dreadful difficult to remember in time, mother. I'm not a very good
soldier, am I? Do you think I ought to love old Farmer Green? If you
won't tell any one, I've been having a talk with Ipse--he's my enemy, Mr.
Upton told me about--and he--he hates Farmer Green; but I tell him the
banner is "Love," and we must try to love him; and how can I show him I
love him, mother?'