Teddy's eyes lit up at once. 'Have you—really and truly?'
He nodded. 'My heart's full, and I can't speak of it, but I was away near the woods there by myself before the tea, and it's all right with me. I only wonder I didn't do it before. I wouldn't yield, that's the fact. Don't forget to pray for me, youngster.'
And he dashed out after his comrades, as if ashamed to show his emotion.
Teddy called his mother to him when in bed that night.
'Mother, I will be a soldier, I'm certain sure I will; but I'm very glad I can be one of God's soldiers without waiting to grow up. And I think I shall be a recruiting sergeant for God now; I'm sure He wants lots more soldiers, doesn't He?'
'Indeed He does, my boy. Now go to sleep; you have had a very exciting day.'
'But the best of all is,' said Teddy sleepily, 'that Bouncer has enlisted.'
There was quite a crowd of villagers and children the next morning round the Hare and Hounds. The soldiers were drawn up outside, waiting for the approach of their regiment from the town to fall in and march on with them. Teddy and Nancy were, of course, there; the little girl, in spite of her alleged disdain of soldiers, was delighted to be in their vicinity. Teddy could not get near his friend Bouncer, but he received a friendly nod from him in the distance, and as for Bouncer's face, it was like sunshine itself, a marked contrast to the day before. As the band was heard approaching, cheers were given to the men now leaving, and a tall corporal who had much enjoyed his tea the night before stooped to ask of Nancy, who was standing close to him, 'What's the name of that curly-headed youngster who got us the tea?'
Nancy looked up at him mischievously: 'The button-boy! That's what I call him, and I shan't never call him anything else!'
Then the corporal's voice rang out clear and loud,—