himself: it could scarcely be heard, "--because--" he swung
about upon the elders on the platform and swept them with an accusing
finger. "We've got to go because _you_'ve brought this thing about,
or have let it come about! It don't matter to _me_, much. . . .
But we've to wipe up the mess: an' if the young men must go an' wipe
it up, an' if for them there's never to be bride-ale nor children,
'tis your doin' an' the doin' o' your generation all over Europe.
A pretty tale, too, when up to a fortni't ago your talk was o' peace
an' righteousness! . . . Forgi'e me, Mr Best . . . I'll fight well
enough, maybe, when it comes to't. But _why_ were we brought up one
way, to be tortured turnin' our conscience to another?"

There were no other recruits. "A great disappointment," said Mr
Boult. "That earnest young fool spoilt it all."

"He made the best speech of the evening," answered the Vicar.

"Well, anyway he's enlisted. He'll find the Army a fine discipline
for the tongue."

"Indeed," said the Vicar viciously. "I did not know that you had
experience of the Service."

As Seth Minards thrust his way out of the insufferably stuffy room,
in the porchway he felt a hand laid on his shoulder; and, turning
about, recognised Nicky-Nan by the dim starlight.

"God bless 'ee, my son!" said Nicky heartily, to his utter surprise.
"I can't stay to talk now, havin' to force my way in an' catch Dr
Mant. But maybe we'll both be seein' this War from to-morrow; an'
maybe we'll meet in it, or maybe we will not. But you've let in
light 'pon an older skull than your own; an' I thank 'ee, an' I'll
pray th' Almighty every night on my knees that you may fight well an'
be preserved through it all, to come home an' testify."

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE FIRST THREE.

Mr Pamphlett had breakfasted, and had gone upstairs to put on his
frock-coat and array himself for Divine service.

The servant girl announced Mr Nanjivell.

"Sorry to trouble 'ee, sir, and upon such a day," said Nicky-Nan,
drawing up his sound leg to "attention," as his enemy entered the
parlour: "but my business won't wait. I saw Doctor Mant after the
meetin' last night, an' this mornin' I was up early an' had a talk
wi' the Minister--wi' Mr Hambly. The upshot is, that time presses."

"I do not usually discuss business on the Sabbath," said Mr Pamphlett
stiffly.

"O' course not. Who would?" Nicky-Nan agreed. "But the upshot is
that you an' me havin' been not