foes of his native land, and this was far more ripping still.

Then we thanked him very much, and he went away, taking his men
with him. And the guns of course.

Then we wrote to my father, and he said 'Yes', as we knew he would,
and next time the soldiers came by --but they had no guns this
time, only the captive Arabs of the desert--we had the keepsakes
ready in a wheelbarrow, and we were on the churchyard wall.

And the bold captain called an immediate halt.

Then the girls had the splendid honour and pleasure of giving a
pipe and four whole ounces of tobacco to each soldier.

Then we shook hands with the captain, and the sergeant and the
corporals, and the girls kissed the captain--I can't think why
girls will kiss everybody-- and we all cheered for the Queen.
It was grand. And I wish my father had been there to see how much
you can do with L12 if you order the things from the Stores.

We have never seen those brave soldiers again.

I have told you all this to show you how we got so keen about
soldiers, and why we sought to aid and abet the poor widow at the
white cottage in her desolate and oppressedness.

Her name was Simpkins, and her cottage was just beyond the
churchyard, on the other side from our house. On the different
military occasions which I have remarked upon this widow woman