it was prayed with a child's strong faith, and as
Teddy rose to his feet, he had the assurance that God had accepted him.
That scene in the wood, when he dedicated himself to the service of the
King of kings, would be stamped on his memory as long as he lived. And
now that the deed was done a great load seemed to be lifted off his mind.
He came into the midst of the boys on the green a short time afterwards
with a radiant face, and took his share in fielding, bowling, and batting
with such a vigour and will, that he proved himself the hero of the hour.
Later in the evening he wandered into the dairy, where his mother was
busy, and asked her if he could go and see the rector.

'What for, sonny?'

'He asked me to come. Is it too late, do you think? I should like to go
to-night.'

Mrs. John looked down upon the eager little face lifted to hers.

'Run away, then; but don't stay long.'

And so it was that for the second time that week Teddy was a visitor at
the rectory.

'Please, sir, I've done it!' he exclaimed breathlessly, as soon as he was
ushered into the presence of the rector.

'Eh? What have you been doing?'

And Mr. Upton roused himself from a reverie into which he had fallen as
he sat at his study window and watched his favourite beehives. Then,
noting the disappointed look on the child's face, and recognising who
it was, he added briskly, 'Ah! it is Teddy Platt, is it? And so you've
done it, have you? Thank God! Yes, I remember all about it. You're a
fresh recruit.'

Teddy's eyes glistened. 'I enlisted this afternoon, sir.'

'For life, did you? No short-service system with God!'

Mr. Upton had at one time been chaplain to troops abroad, and it was his
knowledge of military matters that so attracted the boy.

'Yes, for life, sir.'

'May God keep you true to Himself, my boy, in life and in death!'

There was a pause, then Teddy said eagerly, 'Please, sir, you said you
would show me one of the enemies I have got to fight.'

'Ah! did I? One of the many--which one, I wonder?'

'"A real live one," you said.'

'Yes, I remember. Come this way.'

He led the child into his drawing-room in front of a large mirror
reaching down to the ground, and told him to find his enemy there.

'Why, it's only myself!' Teddy said in a disappointed tone, though there
was wonder in his eyes.

'That's it--yourself--small Teddy Platt is your worst enemy, and the
older you live the more you will discover what a very fo