Page:Wee Willie Winkie, and other stories (1890).djvu/82

76 The Colonel was well pleased. If that was the temper of the children, what would not the men do?

Jakin and Lew entered the boys' barrack-room with great stateliness, and refused to hold any conversation with their comrades for at least ten minutes. Then, bursting with pride, Jakin drawled:—"I've bin intervooin' the Colonel. Good old beggar is the Colonel. Says I to 'im, 'Colonel,' says I. 'let me go to the Front, 'long o' the Regiment'. 'To the Front you shall go,' says 'e, 'an' I only wish there was more like you among the dirty little devils that bang the bloomin' drums.' Kidd, if you throw your 'coutrements at me for tellin' you the truth to your own advantage, your legs'll swell"

None the less there was a Battle-Royal in the barrack-room, for the boys were consumed with envy and hate, and neither Jakin nor Lew behaved in conciliatory wise.

"I'm goin' out to say adoo to my girl," said Lew, to cap the climax. "Don't none o' you touch my kit, because it's wanted for active service, me bein' specially invited to go by the Colonel."

He strolled forth, and whistled in the clump of trees at the back of the Married Quarters till Cris came to him, and, the preliminary kisses being given and taken, Lew began to explain the situation.

"I'm going to the Front with the Reg'ment," he said valiantly.

"Piggy, you're a little liar," said Cris, but her heart misgave her, for Lew was not in the habit of lying.

"Liar yourself, Cris," said Lew, slipping an arm round her. "I'm going. When the Reg'ment marches out you'll see me with 'em, all galliant and gay. Give us another Cris, on the strength of it."

"If you'd on'y a-stayed at the Depôt—where you ought to ha' bin you could get as many of 'em as—as you dam please," whimpered Cris, putting up her mouth. "Its 'ard, Cris. I grant you it's 'ard. But what's a man to do? If I'd a-stayed at the Depôt you wouldn't think anything of me."