'Ay, so Saxby tells me; but it don't make no difference.'
'No more it didn't to me,' continued the boy eagerly, 'until I went to
God and enlisted. I did it quite by myself in the wood. You do it too,
Bouncer—you give yourself to God as His soldier, and He'll take you and
keep you.'
'I've been too bad; it keeps me wakeful at nights, the very thinkin' of it!'
'But won't God forgive you if you ask Him to?'
'Saxby says so; but I don't know. The fact is, a soldier can't be a
Christian in the Army.'
'I don't believe you want to be one of God's soldiers,' said Teddy in a disappointed tone; 'you keep making 'scuses!'
There was silence; then Tim Stokes heaved a heavy sigh.
'I won't come no further, youngster; I ain't in a mind to-day to see company, but I'll be at the tea to-night.'
'Oh, Bouncer, do come!' and Teddy's eyes filled with tears. 'You promised you would. I do want you to see mother and granny!'
But Tim wheeled round and strode off with something like a sob in his throat. Teddy had little idea of the mighty conflict in his breast. The child's words had awakened many memories, and Tim was at that stage now when the powers of good and of evil were contending for his soul.