Then Honor said gravely, 'Joe, you will do that which you know to be right.'
At once the little boy slipped from his brother's knee, ran to Honor, threw his arms round her neck, kissed her on both cheeks, and ran away, upstairs.
'So, so,' said Charles, 'open war between us! Well, sister, you have begun early. We shall see who will obtain the victory.'
'I don't think Honor need fear a soldier who cuts off his finger to escape fighting,' said Kate.
'What, you also in arms against me?' exclaimed Charles, turning on the younger sister.
'You asked Joe if he were under petticoat government, and sneered at him for it; but you seem to be valiant only when fighting petticoats,' retorted Kate.
'I'm in a wasp's nest here,' laughed Charles.
'Never mind Kate,' said Oliver, 'she has a sharp tongue. Tell us further about your finger.'
'I lost more than my finger—I lost prize money and a pension. As I told you, I was weary of the service, and wanted to get home. I thought I should do well with all the loot and prize-money, and if I were wounded also and incapacitated for service, I should have a pension as well; so I took off my finger with an axe, and tried to make believe I was hurt in action. But the surgeon would not allow it. I got into trouble and was discharged with the loss of my prize-money as a malingerer.'
'You are not ashamed to tell us this?' exclaimed Honor.