"I've known old Tony from a child. He's a fool on impulse, a good man and a gentleman in principle. And he acts on principle, which it's not every--some water, please! Thank you, sir. It's very hot, and yet one's feet get uncommonly cold. Oh, thank you, thank you. He's no fire-eater, but he has a trained conscience and a tender heart, and he'll do his duty when a braver and more selfish man might fail you. But he wants encouragement; and when I'm gone----" "He shall have encouragement. You have my word for it. Can I do nothing else?" "Yes, Major. A favor." "Thank you, Jackanapes." "Be Lollo's master, and love him as well as you can. He's used to it." "Wouldn't you rather Johnson had him?" The blue eyes twinkled in spite of mortal pain. "Tony _rides_ on principle, Major. His legs are bolsters, and will be to the end of the chapter. I couldn't insult dear Lollo, but if you don't care----" "Whilst I live----which will be longer than I desire or deserve----Lollo shall want nothing, but----you. I have too little tenderness for----my dear boy, you're faint. Can you spare me for a moment?" "No, stay--Major!" "What? What?" "My head drifts so--if you wouldn't mind." "Yes! Yes!" "Say a prayer by me. Out loud please, I am getting deaf." "My dearest Jackanapes--my dear boy----" "One of the Church Prayers--Parade Service, you know----" "I see. But the fact is--GOD forgive me, Jackanapes--I'm a very different sort of fellow to some of you youngsters. Look here, let me fetch--" But Jackanapes' hand was in his, and it wouldn't let go. There was a brief and bitter silence. "'Pon my soul I can only remember the little one at the end." "Please," whispered Jackanapes. Pressed by the conviction that what little he could do it was his duty to do, the Major--kneeling--bared his head, and spoke loudly, clearly, and very reverently-- "The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ--" Jackanapes moved his left hand to his right one, which still held the Major's-- "--The love of GOD." And with that--Jackanapes died. CHAPTER VI. [Illustration] "Und so ist der blaue Himmel groesser als jedes Gewolk darin, und dauerhafter dazu." JEAN PAUL RICHTER. Jackanapes' death was sad news for the Goose Green, a sorrow justly qualified by honorable pride in his gallantry and devotion. Only the Cobbler dissented, but that was his way. He said he saw nothing in it but foolhardiness and vainglory. They might both have been killed, as easy as not, and then where would ye have been? A man's life was a man's life, and one life was as good as another. No one would catch him throwing his away. And, for that matter, Mrs. Johnson could spare a child a great deal better than Miss Jessamine. But the parson preached Jackanapes' funeral sermon on the text, "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it;" and all the village went and wept to hear him.