I
can't bring myself up to the point; that's it!'

Meanwhile, poor little Teddy crept indoors with a sad face, to announce
to his mother the failure of his mission.

'He was nearly here, mother--just the other side of the hedge
outside--and yet he turned back!'

CHAPTER VII

Uplifted and Cast Down

It was a bright, cheery gathering a few hours later. Mr. Upton had
thrown his whole heart into the scheme, and had been round with his
tickets to a few outlying inns, where more of the men were billeted, so
that there were altogether over forty redcoats assembled. Mrs. John and
two other neighbours were in charge of the tea and coffee, and Teddy and
Nancy, with one or two other children, as a special favour, were allowed
to help to wait on the guests. The tables were decorated with flowers;
meat-pies, cold beef and ham sandwiches disappeared in a marvellous
manner, and the cakes and bread-and-butter with watercress were equally
appreciated. Towards the end of the meal several ladies came forward and
sang, and one or two part-songs were also given by some of the guests
staying at the Hall.

'Now,' said Colonel Graham in his brisk, hearty tones, 'before we have a
few words from Mr. Upton, I should like to tell you how glad I am to see
the redcoats about me once more. I know your regiment well, for my own,
the 10th Hussars, lay with it in Colchester ten years ago. I am sure you
have all enjoyed your tea, but perhaps you do not know who was the
instigator of the whole thing. We must thank Mr. Upton for his untiring
zeal and energy in making arrangements; we must thank the ladies for
trying to make the evening pleasant by their songs; but we must thank a
little man here, I am given to understand, for the proposal in the first
instance.'

And to Teddy's intense surprise the colonel swung him up on the impromptu
platform, to receive a deafening round of applause.

He made a pretty picture as the light fell on his golden curls and
sparkling blue eyes; his cheeks were flushed with excitement, but he bore
himself bravely, and he held his head erect as he faced the crowded room.

'He will speak to you better than I can,' the colonel added, with a
smile, 'for I'm a poor speaker myself. I'm the old soldier here to-night,
and my fighting days are past; his are all in the future, and he looks
forward to wear the red coat with the rest of you. I hope he'll bear as
brave a part in the Service as his father did before him. N