"I don't suppose I shall see you again this time I'm home," the young man said, as he looked back at Rowley Cottage, then let his eyes wander to his home on the opposite hill, "so this will be 'good-bye,' Billy. I'll send the garden tools this evening by one of our men who lives in the village."
"Oh, thank you!" cried Billy. Then, suddenly, his face, which had been bright, clouded. "Mr. Turpin," he said, "you weren't ever afraid of anything, were you?"
"What a question!" smiled the young man. "Why, yes, indeed," he answered, becoming serious as he saw this was a serious matter to his little companion. "The first night I spent in the trenches, for instance, I was afraid," he admitted. "Oh, God knows I was awfully afraid!"
Billy gazed at the soldier with amazement. "I should never have thought it!" he declared; "I wouldn't have believed it if anyone but yourself had told me! But you didn't show you were afraid?"
"I don't think I did."
"You didn't scream as I did when I heard the blasting?"
"No. I asked God to strengthen me and take my fear away. I prayed, 'Be not Thou far from me, O Lord,' and by-and-by I began to feel His presence, and then wasn't afraid any more."
Billy drew a deep breath. "I couldn't help being afraid when I heard the blasting," he said in an ashamed tone.
"No, nor could I help being afraid that first night in the trenches. But I found help in my weakness, and that same help is for you if you ask it. Now I must really be off. Good-bye!"
The young soldier vaulted over the gate, greatly to Billy's admiration, waved his hand, and disappeared from view.