"No, not even cracked. The pot's quite sound, so the doctor hasn't put in a single rivet." "I am glad," I said heartily. "That's right--thank you," said the poor fellow, smiling pleasantly, and he kept his eyes fixed upon me for some moments. Then in a light bantering way he went on, "Doctor said the well-worn old thing." "What was that?" I asked. "Oh, that if it hadn't been for that bullet and brass cartridge-case, backed up by the thick leather belt, that Boer's bullet would have bored--now, now, you were going to laugh," he cried. "That I wasn't," I said wonderingly. "What is there to laugh at?" "Oh, you thought I was making a pun: bored a hole right through me." "Rubbish!" I said. "Just as if I should have thought so lightly about so terribly dangerous an injury." "Good boy!" he cried merrily. "I like that. I see you've been very nicely brought up. That must be due to your aunt--aunt--aunt--What's her name?" "Never mind," I said shortly; "but if you can laugh and joke like that there's no need for me to feel anxious about your hurt." "Not a bit, Solomon," he cried merrily. "There you go again, trying to make puns--solemn un--eh? I say, though, you do look solemn this morning, Val. I know: want your breakfast--eh!" "Had it," I said, smiling now. "I do, my young recruit. I'm longing for a cup of hot coffee or tea. But I say, Val, my lad," he continued, seriously now, "I haven't felt in a very laughing humour while I lay awake part of the night." "I suppose not," I said earnestly. "It must have been very terrible to lie here listening to the fighting--wounded, too--and not able to join in." "Well, yes, that was pretty bail; but I didn't worry about that. I knew the Colonel would manage all right. I was worried." "What worried you?" I said--"the pain?" "Oh no; I grinned and bore that. Here, come closer; I don't want that chap to hear." "What is it?" I said, closing up. "It was that business yesterday, when I was hit." "Oh, I wouldn't think about it," I said. "Can't help it. I did try precious hard to carry it off before I quite broke down." "You bore it all like a hero," I said. "No, I didn't, lad. I bore it like a big boarding-school girl. Oh! it was pitiful. Fainted dead away." "No wonder," I replied, smiling. "You're not made of cast-iron." "Here, I say, you fellow," he cried; "just you keep your position. None of your insolence, please. Recollect that you're only a raw recruit, and I'm your officer." "Certainly," I said, smiling. "I thought we were both volunteers." "So we are, old fellow, off duty; but it must be officer and private on duty. I say, tell me, though, about the boys and the Sergeant. Did they sneer?" "Sneer?" I cried indignantly. "You're insulting the brave fellows. They carried you down splendidly, and I believe there wasn't a man here who wouldn't have died for you." "But--but," he said huskily, "they must have thought me very weak and girlish."