"Oh, you obstinate old mule!" cried Roy, gripping the man's shoulders, as he stood behind him, sawing him to and fro, and driving his knee softly into the broad strong back. "Will you listen?" "Yes, sir, I'll listen; but that's only your knee. Kick the old worn-out mule with your boot-toe, and--" "I've a good mind to," cried Roy. "Now listen: my mother begged of father to leave you here." "Oh, ay, of course." "Quiet!" roared Roy, "or I will really kick--hard; because she said she would feel safer, and that, if any trouble did arise with some of the men, Martlet would put it down at once, and everything would go right." The cuirass went down on the dark oaken boards with a loud clang, and the old soldier sprang to his feet panting heavily. "Her ladyship said that?" he cried. "Yes." "Say it again, sir; say it again!" he cried, in a husky voice. Roy repeated the words. "Yes, yes, sir; and what--what did Sir Granby say to that?" "Said he was very sorry and very glad." "What?" "Sorry to leave you, because it didn't seem natural to go back to the regiment without his right-hand man." "Right-hand man?" "Yes; but he was glad my mother felt so about you, for he could go away more contented now, and satisfied that all would be right. For though-- ahem!--he had the fullest confidence in me, I was too young to have the management of men." "Wrong, wrong, sir--wrong. On'y want a bit o' training, and you'd make as good a captain as ever stepped.--Then it was her ladyship's doing, and she said all that?" "Yes." "God bless her! my dear mistress. Here, don't you take no notice o' this here," cried the rough fellow, changing his tone, and undisguisedly wiping the salt tears from his face. "I don't work so much as I ought, sir, and this here's only what you calls presperashum, sir, as collects, and will come out somewheres. And so her ladyship says that, did her?" "Yes, Ben." "Then why haven't I knowed this afore? Here's three months gone by since the master went to take command of his ridgement, and I see him off. Ay, I did send him off looking fine, and here have I been eating my heart out ever since. Why didn't you tell me?" "Oh, I don't know. Yes, I do. Of course, I wasn't going to tattle about what my father and mother said, but when I heard you talk as you did, and seem so cut up and unjust, why, I did." "Here, let me have it, my lad! Kick away! Jump on me for an old fool. Why, I'm as blind as old Jenk. Worse.--She'd feel safer if there was any trouble. Bless her! Oh, what an old fool I've been. No wonder I've got so weak and thin." "Ha, ha, ha!" "What are you laughing at, sir?" "You weak and thin! Why, you're as strong as a horse." "Well, I am, Master Roy," said the man, with a grim smile of pride. "But I have got a bit thin, sir." "Not a bit thinner." "Well, I aren't enjoyed my vittles since the master went, sir. You can't contradick that."