It was a bright, cheery gathering a few hours later.  Mr. Upton had thrown his whole heart into the scheme, and had been round with his tickets to a few outlying inns, where more of the men were billeted, so that there were altogether over forty redcoats assembled.  Mrs. John and two other neighbours were in charge of the tea and coffee, and Teddy and Nancy, with one or two other children, as a special favour, were allowed to help to wait on the guests.  The tables were decorated with flowers; meat-pies, cold beef and ham sandwiches disappeared in a marvellous manner, and the cakes and bread-and-butter with watercress were equally appreciated.  Towards the end of the meal several ladies came forward and sang, and one or two part-songs were also given by some of the guests staying at the Hall.

‘Now,’ said Colonel Graham in his brisk, hearty tones, ’before we have a few words from Mr. Upton, I should like to tell you how glad I am to see the redcoats about me once more.  I know your regiment well, for my own, the 10th Hussars, lay with it in Colchester ten years ago.  I am sure you have all enjoyed your tea, but perhaps you do not know who was the instigator of the whole thing.  We must thank Mr. Upton for his untiring zeal and energy in making arrangements; we must thank the ladies for trying to make the evening pleasant by their songs; but we must thank a little man here, I am given to understand, for the proposal in the first instance.’

And to Teddy’s intense surprise the colonel swung him up on the impromptu platform, to receive a deafening round of applause.

He made a pretty picture as the light fell on his golden curls and sparkling blue eyes; his cheeks were flushed with excitement, but he bore himself bravely, and he held his head erect as he faced the crowded room.

‘He will speak to you better than I can,’ the colonel added, with a smile, ’for I’m a poor speaker myself.  I’m the old soldier here to-night, and my fighting days are past; his are all in the future, and he looks forward to wear the red coat with the rest of you.  I hope he’ll bear as brave a part in the Service as his father did before him.  Now, my boy, have you anything to say?’

‘It will turn his head,’ murmured Mrs. John to herself; but her mother’s heart swelled with pride as his clear voice rang out,—­

‘It wasn’t I who thought about the tea, it was Corporal Saxby,’ (cheers).  ’I haven’t anything to say, unless you’d like me to tell you father’s story.  I’ve told it once to-day, but you weren’t all there.  May I, sir?’

‘Certainly,’ was the colonel’s amused reply.

Teddy had never had such an audience before in his life, but he was quite equal to the occasion.  Fingering his button, he began in his usual impetuous fashion.  The very eagerness for his father’s deed to be honoured prevented him from any feelings of self-consciousness, and he carried his audience by storm.