"It is because of your friend that I began about going to Where-George-is. For I have a friend of my own, to whom I am married. And you know her well, because you used to come and talk secrets at tea to her about your friend, when you didn't think she was going to be your friend at all but the Commander-in-Chief's from the Castle. But the King measured your legs to be half an inch the longest, so you won. And I have reason to believe," said the black Captain very cautiously, "that you used to cry together about it, you and my friend." Then Tiny said, "Oh go on, Pompey, go on!" but he blushed all over all the same. So the black Captain hid his face behind his fingers, and looked at Tiny through them, for that is what you do when they blush, if you are a gentleman, in That Country: for that is one of the rules. And when Tiny said after about a bit, "Better now, thank you," the black Captain took his hand away, and went on, "And I live in Cosy Cottage with my friend. And it is on the edge of the Common--you know!--where the gorse is, and the Pond, and the oldest donkey in the world nodding off to sleep under a thorn. And just over the way is the old yew with little Marwy's mother's grave close by. And in front is the Fort on the Hill, all handy, so the Fellows can wave to you when you sit in the garden in shirt-sleeves with Baby on Sunday evenings in the summer. And round the corner is the Castle, with the Commander-in-Chief at the window plotting mischief against you, because of Baby, and against the Regiment, because of Goliath. Only it don't matter to me one pin what he plots; in fact I rather like it," said the black Captain, who was a selfish fellow, and really rather like a common man from Abroad, "because I'm going away to Where-George-is, my friend and me are. But we can't take Cosy Cottage, so you shall have it." Then Tiny's eyes shone, and he said, "And may we _really_ have it for love?" Then the black Captain wetted his lips with the tip of his tongue, and nodded, and whispered, "For love--and a leetle money, please." So Tiny gave him some out of his trouser-pocket. Then they shook hands so that all the Fellows thought it was a fight, and ran up to help. And after that the black Captain went away with his friend, arm in arm over the Mountain to Where-George-is. [Illustration: COOEY! COOEY!] And there the band plays day and night, seven years without ceasing, _God save our gracious George._ And George sits all day in his mail-cart under the palm, and bows his head, and says, "A-a-men." Only the King isn't supposed to know about that, because it's his tune really. And the black Captain became so very distinguished an officer that at last he was allowed to pick the things off the floor when Georgie threw them there in a pet, because the band sent in to ask if they might change the tune. And that is about all about the black Captain and George for now. 5