r straight, and the only way that I see it can be
set straight is by doing as Captain Clinton says--by letting him have
the two children until they grow up, and then see which of the two is
like them and which is like us. What do you want done? I suppose you
don't want to have the care of them both. I suppose you don't want to
get paid for letting them keep them both, and to have every man and
woman in the regiment asking the question, Who sold their child? What is
it you do want?"

"I want to go as their nurse."

"Well, then, you cannot do it. It is evident that Mrs. Clinton hates the
sight of you, and no wonder; and she won't have you at any price. You
had best be contented with what you have got."

"What have I got?" she asked sullenly.

"Well, you have got the trouble of the child off your hands, you have
got the knowledge that it will be well taken care of and provided for
and made a gentleman of. That ought to be a satisfaction to you anyhow."

"What is that when we might make a nice little fortune out of it?"

"I can see no way of making a fortune," he said, "unless you do know
which is which, and offer to tell them if they will pay you for it. In
which case, instead of making a fortune you would be likely to find
yourself inside a prison for years--and serve you right."

The woman was silent for some time, then she said, "Very well, then, I
will agree to their terms; but mind you, I will make money out of it
yet." And so Sergeant Humphreys went across to Captain Clinton's
bungalow and told him that his wife agreed to give up both children.

"It is by far the best thing for the little chap whichever he may be,
and you will be able to do a deal more for him than I ever could. My
wife did not quite see the matter at first, but she has come round to my
way of thinking. No, sir, we do not want to be paid," as Captain Clinton
was about to speak; "as long as I am fit for service we want nothing.
Some day, perhaps, when I get past service I may ask you to give me a
job as a lodge-keeper or some such post, where I can earn my living."

And so the matter was settled. One of the other officers' wives had
already lent her ayah to take care of the children until one could be
found for them.

The ready manner in which Sergeant Humphreys had done the only thing in
his power to obviate the effects of his wife's carelessness restored him
at once to the good opinion of his fellow sergeants and the men, as it
was genera