'It can't be helped, my boy. It is correct.'

'Buck up, Crosse, buck up! We'll make the thing go with a buzz when
we do begin. Two of our Johnnies are coming, regular fizzers, and
full of blood both of them. We'll paint the Langham a fine bright
solferino, when the church parade is over.'

Frank sat rather sulkily watching the slow minute-hand, and listening
to the light-hearted chatter of the boy-lieutenant, and the more
deliberate answers of his best man. At last he jumped up and seized
his hat and gloves.

'Half-past,' said he. 'Come on. I can't wait any longer. I must do
SOMETHING. It is time we went to the church.'

'Fall in for the church!' cried Jack. 'Wait a bit! I know this
game, for I was best man myself last month. Inspect his kit, Hale.
See that he's according to regulations. Ring? All right. Parson's
money? Right oh! Small change? Good! By the right, quick march!'

Frank soon recovered his spirits now that he had something to do.
Even that drive through the streaming streets, with the rain
pattering upon the top of their four-wheeler, could not depress him
any longer. He rose to the level of Jack Selby, and they chattered
gaily together.

'Ain't we bringing him up fighting fit?' cried Jack exultingly.
'Shows that all the care we have taken of him in the last twenty-four
hours has not been wasted. That's the sort I like--game as a pebble!
You can't buy 'em, you have to breed 'em. A regular fizzer HE is,