." He started for the
South, of France four days earlier than he had originally intended.

Ger was taken to the great oculist in London, who confirmed the
"Myjor's" diagnosis of his case, and he was forthwith put into large
round spectacles. When he got them, his appearance brought the tears
to his grandmother's eyes--tears she rigidly repressed, for Ger was so
enormously proud of them. The first afternoon he wore them he went
with his grandfather to see Grantly playing in a football match at the
Shop, and among those watching on the field he espied his friend "the
Ram-Corps Angel." Ger knew him at once, although he wore no white
garment, not even khaki, just a plain tweed suit like his grandfather's.

While the General was deep in conversation with the "Commy," Ger
slipped away and sought his friend.

"Hullo," said the 'Myjor,' "so you've got 'em on."

"Yes, sir," said Ger, saluting solemnly, "and I'm very much obliged.
It's lovely to see things so nice and clear. Please may I ask you
something?"

The Major stepped back out of the crowd and Ger slipped a small hand
confidingly into his. Ger had not been to school yet, so there were
excuses for him.

"Do you think," he asked earnestly, "that if I'm very industr'us and
don't turn out quite so stupid as they expected, that by-and-by I might
get into the Ram Corps?"

Major Murray looked down very kindly at the anxious upturned face with
the large round spectacles.

"But I thought the Shop was the goal of your ambition?"

"So it was, sir, at first. Then I gave it up because it seemed so
difficult, and I talked it over with Willets, and he said _he'd_ never
had a great deal of book-learnin'--though he writes a beautiful hand,
far better than father--and then I thought I'd be a gamekeeper."

"And what did Willets think?"

"Well, he didn't seem to be very sure--and now I come to think of it,
I'm not very fond of killing things . . . so if there was just a
chance . . ."

"I'd go into the Ram Corps if I were you," said Major Murray; "by the
time you're ready, gamekeepers--if there are any--will have to pass
exams, like all the other poor beggars. You bet your boots on that.
Some Board of Forestry or other will start 'em, you see if they don't."

"Oh, well, if there's to be exams, that settles it. I certainly shan't
be one," Ger said decidedly; "I've been thinking it over a lot----"

"Oh, you have, have you?"

"An' it seems to me . . ."

"Yes, it see