"You mean, Harry," the doctor said with a smile, "that whether her
anxiety begins a little sooner or later does not make much difference."

"I don't think I quite meant that, sir," Harry said; "but yes,"
he added frankly, after a moment's thought, "I suppose I did; but
I really don't see that supposing there were any troubles in France
it could possibly make any difference to me; even if there were a
civil war, such as we had in England, they would not interfere with
boys."

"No, I don't see that it would make any difference, and the chance
is so remote that it need not influence our decision. Of course if
war broke out between the two countries the marquis would see that
you were sent back safely. Well, then, Harry, I am to consider that
your decision is in favour of your accepting this appointment."

"If you please, sir. I am sure it will be a capital thing for me,
and I have no doubt it will be great fun. Of course at first it
will be strange to hear them all jabbering in French, but I suppose
I shall soon pick it up."

And so Mrs. Sandwith was informed by her husband that after talking
it over with Harry he had concluded that the proposed arrangement
would really be an excellent one, and that it would be a great pity
to let such an opportunity slip.

The good lady was for a time tearful in her forebodings that Harry
would be starved, for in those days it was a matter of national
opinion that our neighbours across the Channel fed on the most meagre
of diet; but she was not in the habit of disputing her husband's