"Shall I take the job off your hands?"
"Oh, no use!" said the girl. "Mr. Kindred can't fight. He's the Zulu's dog."
Magnus coloured; but with a quiet steadiness of face and voice that held the essence of bravery, he said:
"True, Oh, Miss Saucy! So, as it is to be peace and not war, shall we walk on?"
And Miss Saucy actually behaved herself, for the rest of the way; and declared afterwards that she never had known Mr. Kindred so fascinating.
Late in the afternoon, Rig coming into the tent was much astonished to find Magnus with his arms on the locker, and his head on his arms.
"Whatever's to pay now?" he said. "Just seen Pretty Newcomb go by with Carr? I wouldn't mind, Kin! There's several girls left."
"Rig," said Magnus, looking up at him, "if you bring all your brilliant intellect to bear in September, I'm afraid the Institution will blow up."
"Couldn't get the old thing started. Well, what is it, then? What are you at, all by yourself here? We've been having lots of fun in D Company."
"Good place for it," said Magnus; "your sort."