everal
times. Now, once more fit, they were back in London, expecting to
rejoin their regiment immediately.

"So now," Jim said, "the only question is, what are you going to do
with it?"

"I'm going to think hard for a day," said Norah. "So can you two; and
we'll ask Dad, of course."

"And then Dad will tell you what to do," said Jim, grinning.

"Yes of course he will. Dad always has splendid ideas," said Norah,
laughing. "But we won't have any decision for a day, because it's a
terribly big thing to think of. I wish I was grown up--it must be
easier to settle big questions if you haven't got your hair down your
back!"

"I don't quite see what your old curly mop has to do with it, but
anyhow, you needn't be in a hurry to put it up," said her brother.
"It's awful to be old and responsible, isn't it Wally?" To which
Wally responded with feeling, "Beastly!" and endeavoured to look more
than nineteen--failing signally.

"Let's go and look at the Row," Norah said.

"Dad will find us all right, I suppose?" Jim hesitated.

"Why, he couldn't miss you!" said Norah, laughing. "Come on."

Even when more than a year of War had made uniform a commonplace in
London streets, you might have turned to look at Jim and Wally. Jim
was immensely tall; his chum little less so; and both were lean and
clean-shaven, tanned to a deep bronze, and stamped with a look of
resolute keenness. In their eyes was the deep glint that comes to
those who have habitually looked across great spaces. The type has
become familiar enough in London now, but it generally exists under a
slouch hat; and these lads were in British uniform, bearing the badges
of a famous marching regiment. At first they had hankered after the
cavalry, being much more accustomed to ride than to walk: but as the
armies settled down into the Flanders mud it became increasingly
apparent that this was not to be a horseman's war, and that therefore,
as Wally put it, if they wanted to be in the fun, they had better make
up their minds to paddle with the rest. The amount of "fun" had so
far been a negligible quantity which caused them some bitterness of
spirit. They earnestly hoped to increase it as speedily as might be,
and to give the Hun as much inconvenience as they could manage in the
process.

They strolled across the grass to the railings, and looked up and down
the tan ribbon of Rotten Row. Small boys and girls, on smart ponies
and woolly Shetlands, walke