plainly visible that sorrow struggled in his eyes.

There was just one tear for old times, the one tear that showed how very
human Joe was beneath all the rough incrustations with which ignorance
and poverty had enveloped him.

As he was sousing his head and neck in a pail of cold water in the little
backyard of the Inn, the thought occurred to him,--

"I wonder whether or no we 'gins these 'ere mutton chops for brakfast
to-day or arter we're sweared in. I expects not till arter we're sweared
in."

Then his head went into the pail with a dash, as if that was part of the
swearing-in process. As it came out he was conscious of a twofold
sensation, which it may not be out of place to describe: the sensation
produced by the water, which was refreshing in the highest degree, and
the sensation produced by what is called wind, which was also deliciously
refreshing; and it was in this wise. Borne along upon the current of air
which passed through the kitchen, there was the most odoriferous savour
of fried bacon that the most luxurious appetite could enjoy. It was so
beautifully and voluptuously fragrant that Joe actually stopped while in
the act of soaping his face that he might enjoy it. No one, I think,
will deny that it must have been an agreeable odour that kept a man
waiting with his eyes fall of soap for half a minute.

"That beant amiss," thought Joe; "I wonder whether it be for I."

The problem was soon solved, for as he entered the kitchen with a face as
bright and ruddy almost as the sun when he comes up through a mist, he
saw the table was laid out for five, and all the other recruits had
already assembled. There was not one who did not look well up to his
resolution, and I must say a better looking lot of recruits were never
seen: they were tall, well made, healthy, good-looking fellows.

Now Mrs. Oldtimes was busy at the kitchen fire; the frying-pan was doing
its best to show what could be done for Her Majesty's recruits. He was
hissing bravely, and seemed every now and then to give a louder and
heartier welcome to the company. As Joe came in I believe it fairly gave
a shout of enthusiasm, a kind of hooray. In addition to the rashers that
were frying, there was a large dish heaped up in front of the fire, so
that it was quite clear there would be no lack, however hungry the
company might be.

Then they sat down and every one was helped. Mrs. Oldtimes was a woman
of the world; let me also state she