“Don’t I? In what way?”
“Why, you promised while I have been so bad that you would read to me a bit.”
“And I couldn’t, Punch, because we have got nothing to read.”
“And then you promised that you would tell me how it was you come to take the king’s shilling.”
“Well, yes, I did; but you don’t want to know that.”
“Yes, I do. I have been wanting to know ever since.”
“Why, boy?”
“Because it seems so queer that a lad like you should join the ranks.”
“Why queer? You are too young yet, but you will be in the ranks some day as a full private.”
“Yes, some day; but then, you see, my father was a soldier. Yours warn’t, was he?”