shook his curly head mournfully. 'I'm sure He'll have to turn soldiers
out of His army if they give up fighting, and let the banner drag in the
dust, and just let the enemy do what they like with them. Why, I've done
worse than that!'--here he clenched his little fists and raised his voice
excitedly--'I've gone with the enemy, I've joined Ipse, and that's being
a deserter, and now I shan't never, never be able to get back again!'

His uncle looked sorely puzzled.

'Why ain't you at school? What have you been a'doin'?'

Teddy told him all in a despairing tone, adding,--

'I can't meet mother--I've been caned, and--and I've disgraced my
button!'

Here his tears burst out afresh.

'Look here,' said his uncle slowly, 'I won't say but what you've been a
bad boy--your mother herself has been in sore trouble about you this last
day or two; but if we gets a fall in the mud it ain't much good stopping
there; the only thing is to pick ourselves up agen, get ourselves
cleaned, and then start agen and walk more carefully. Can't you do that?'

'I'm a deserter,' sobbed the boy; 'my Captain won't have me back. I've
disgraced Him, I've disgraced my banner, I've disgraced my button!'

'Your Captain will pick you up, I'm thinkin', if you ask Him. He'll clean
you up fust-rate, and set you on your legs agen.'