She bubbles with mirth. Who could help it, the man has such a way with him. 'None of your sauce, Kenneth.' 'For a long time, Mrs. Dowey, you cannot have been unaware of my sonnish feelings for you.' 'Wait till I get my mop to you!' 'And if you're not willing to be my mother, I swear I'll never ask another.' The old divert pulls him down to her and strokes his hair. 'Was I a well-behaved infant, mother?' 'Not you, sonny, you were a rampaging rogue.' 'Was I slow in learning to walk?' 'The quickest in our street. He! he! he!' She starts up. 'Was that the whistle?' 'No, no. See here. In taking me over you have, in a manner of speaking, joined the Black Watch.' 'I like to think that, Kenneth.' 'Then you must behave so that the ghost piper can be proud of you. 'Tion!' She stands bravely at attention. 'That's the style. Now listen, I've sent in your name as being my nearest of kin, and your allowance will be coming to you weekly in the usual way.' 'Hey! hey! hey! Is it wicked, Kenneth?' 'I'll take the responsibility for it in both worlds. You see, I want you to be safeguarded in case anything hap--' 'Kenneth!' ''Tion! Have no fear. I'll come back, covered with mud and medals. Mind you have that cup of tea waiting for me.' He is listening for the whistle. He pulls her on to his knee. 'Hey! hey! hey! hey!' 'What fun we'll have writing to one another! Real letters this time!' 'Yes.' 'It would be a good plan if you began the first letter as soon as I've gone.' 'I will.' 'I hope Lady Dolly will go on sending me cakes.' 'You may be sure.' He ties his scarf round her neck. 'You must have been a bonny thing when you were young.' 'Away with you!' 'That scarf sets you fine.' 'Blue was always my colour.' The whistle sounds. 'Old lady, you are what Blighty means to me now.' She hides in the pantry again. She is out of sight to us, but she does something that makes Private Dowey take off his bonnet. Then he shoulders his equipment and departs. That is he laughing coarsely with Dixon.