The idea of my fine big soldiers being told off to "carry
things"! I was not inclined to tell her any more, though there
still remained plenty more to tell.

"Any other boys there?" she asked presently, in a casual sort of
way.

"Oh yes," I unguardedly replied. "Nice chaps, too. We'll have
great--" Then I recollected myself. "We'll play with them, of
course," I went on. "But you are going to be MY friend,
aren't you? And you'll come in my boat, and we'll travel in the
guard's van together, and I'll stop the soldiers firing off their
guns!"

But she looked mischievously away, and--do what I would--I could
not get her to promise.

Just then the striking of the village clock awoke within me
another clamorous timepiece, reminding me of mid-day mutton a
good half-mile away, and of penalties and curtailments attaching
to a late appearance. We took a hurried farewell of each other,
and before we parted I got from her an admission that she might
be gardening again that afternoon, if only the worms would be
less aggressive and give her a chance.

"Remember," I said as I turned to go, "you mustn't tell anybody
about what I've been telling you!"

She appeared to hesitate, swinging one leg to and fro while she