Lieutenant Moe stepped forward. "Look here, major," he said sternly, "do you mean to say you’ll take that money from a youngster?" "I do," I replied, without a smile. "I won’t permit it," he cried. Here was an embarrassing situation. I couldn’t explain to him without confessing to the child as well. I wished to gauge how much patriotism beat in those little hearts, what sacrifice they were prepared to make for their country; and here was one measuring up to the highest ideals, I daren’t either withdraw or explain. "I must have the pennies, Moe, and I am going to take them," I replied firmly. "Stand aside, please!" Military discipline came to the rescue. Moe saluted stiffly and stepped back. The little girl gravely handed over the pennies and took back her baby. "Any others?" I asked. Some of the children declared they had none; a few looked sheepish and hung their heads. I slipped a sixpence into the hand of the little lady. "Well, I’ll be damned!" exclaimed Moe. "Here’s another penny for you," and he handed the bewildered child half a crown. A shout of surprise and dismay went up from the other children, who realised too late that they had failed in the test. "The drinks are certainly on me!" Moe cried. "About turn!" Sometimes when I feel that the world is sordid and mean I go to my trunk and look at those two coins, and I know that somewhere, in a frail little body, beats a generous heart, and I feel that after all part of the world is worth while. *CHAPTER II* Reggy was on shore at last. He said he felt much better walking alone up street—more as if he owned the town! It’s a strange sensation stepping on solid ground after weeks on shipboard. There is a lack of harmony between oneself and the ground. You rock—the ground stands still; you stand still—the ground rocks, like an angry sergeant. The senior major was on the corner, holding an animated conversation with a beautifully gowned young lady, to whom he bid a hasty adieu as Reggy hove in sight. "Corking girl, that," said Reggy mischievously. "Where?" demanded the major, looking about. "The young lady to whom you just avoided introducing me." "It’s rather a remarkable coincidence," said the major, avoiding controversy, "that I should run across a relation in this far-away place!" "Very!" Reggy replied drily. "Family’s fond of travel, I take it." A tall, well-knit young subaltern elbowed his way through the crowd and joined the pair. Reggy greeted him: "Better come and have dinner with your brother and me, Tom. I feel he needs good company and a chaperon or two!" The trio entered the rotunda of the _Royal_. A distinguished looking gentleman and a prepossessing lady of middle age stood chatting together. Their voices were agitated, and the three officers could not avoid overhearing snatches of the conversation.