don't you?'

'Ay, so Saxby tells me; but it don't make no difference.'

'No more it didn't to me,' continued the boy eagerly, 'until I went to
God and enlisted. I did it quite by myself in the wood. You do it too,
Bouncer--you give yourself to God as His soldier, and He'll take you and
keep you.'

'I've been too bad; it keeps me wakeful at nights, the very
thinkin' of it!'

'But won't God forgive you if you ask Him to?'

'Saxby says so; but I don't know. The fact is, a soldier can't be a
Christian in the Army.'

'I don't believe you want to be one of God's soldiers,' said Teddy in a
disappointed tone; 'you keep making 'scuses!'

There was silence; then Tim Stokes heaved a heavy sigh.

'I won't come no further, youngster; I ain't in a mind to-day to see
company, but I'll be at the tea to-night.'

'Oh, Bouncer, do come!' and Teddy's eyes filled with tears. 'You promised
you would. I do want you to see mother and granny!'

But Tim wheeled round and strode off with something like a sob in his
throat. Teddy had little idea of the mighty conflict in his breast. The