s.

'There ain't much supper for yer,' she said--'on'y some bread an' a
heel o' cheese.'

'That's aw' right,' said Chippy. 'Gie it to the little uns. I don't
want none.'

He left the house and strolled towards a corner of Quay Flat, where on
Saturday nights and holidays a sort of small fair was always held. One
or two shooting-galleries, a cocoa-nut 'shy,' and a score or more of
stalls laden with fruit, sweetmeats, and the like, were brilliantly
lighted up by naphtha flares. Towards this patch of brightness all
loungers and idlers were drawn like moths to a candle, and Chippy, too,
moved that way. It was now about half-past nine, and the little fair
was at its busiest.

As he went he was joined by an acquaintance, who held out a penny
packet of cigarettes.

'Have a fag, Chippy?' he said.

'Not me, thenks,' replied Chippy. 'I've chucked 'em.'

'Chucked 'em!' replied his friend in amazement. 'What for?'

'They ain't no good,' said Chippy. 'There ain't one in our patrol as
touches a fag now. If he did, I'd soon boot 'im. 'Ow are yer goin' to
smell an enemy or a fire or sommat like that half a mile off if yer
spoil yer smell wi' smokin'?'

'I dunno,' replied the other. 'Who wants to smell things all that way?
Why don't yer go and look?'

'Yer can't always,' returned Chippy, 'and when you dussn't go close, it
comes in jolly handy to be able to smell 'em, and them wot smoke can't
do it. So there ain't no fags for boy scouts!'

'I like a cig now and then,' said the other boy.

'Who's stoppin' yer?' asked Chippy loftily. 'You ain't a boy scout:
you don't count.'

This view of the case rather nettled Chippy's acquaintance, and he
began to argue the matter. But he was no match for Chippy there. Away
went the latter in full burst upon his beloved topic, and the other
heard of such pleasures and such fascinating sport that his cigarette
went out, and was finally tossed aside, as he listened.

'Yer don't want another in the Ravens, do yer, Chippy?' he asked
eagerly.

'Not now,' returned Chippy, 'but we could mek' another patrol, I
dessay. I'll talk to Mr. Elliott about it.'

'Righto, Chippy,' returned the other. 'I know plenty as 'ud like to
join. I've heard 'em talkin' about it, but I hadn't got 'old of it as
you've been givin' it me. Hello, wot's up here? Here's a
lark--they're havin' a game wi' old Hoppity Jack, and there's ne'er a
copper about.'

While talking, the boys had drawn near