‘I’m a deserter,’ sobbed the boy; ’my Captain won’t have me back.  I’ve disgraced Him, I’ve disgraced my banner, I’ve disgraced my button!’

‘Your Captain will pick you up, I’m thinkin’, if you ask Him.  He’ll clean you up fust-rate, and set you on your legs agen.’

‘Will He?’ And hope once more began to dawn in the dim blue eyes.

’Of course He will.  I ain’t good at verses and such like, but I do remember this one—­“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”  Won’t that one fit you?’

Teddy did not answer.  He stood looking up wistfully into the blue sky, as if unconscious of his uncle’s presence, and then he sighed.  ’I think I’d rather be alone, Uncle Jake.’

Jake left him without a word, and went home to prepare Mrs. John for what had happened.’

She was much distressed, but, like a sensible woman, took the right view of the case.

‘He wanted to be pulled up sharp; my poor boy, is he much hurt?’

The caning was such a minor point of Teddy’s grief that Jake confessed to knowing nothing about it.  Mrs. Platt was inclined to be indignant with the schoolmaster.

’Such a tiny little chap as he is, so full of feeling and nerves—­he hadn’t ought to have done it.’

Yet only that morning she herself had almost given him a sound whipping for one of his mad pranks!

Shortly after Teddy crept in, and shutting the door behind him, put his back against it.

‘Mother, granny,’ he said, ’I’ve been an awful boy at school this morning, and I’m in disgrace.  I’ve been caned.’

His tone was tragic, then he added slowly, ’But I’m very sorry, and I’m sorry I’ve been so naughty at home, and I’m going to start again, because my Captain has forgiven me.’

And then Mrs. John did the wisest thing she could do.  She asked no questions, but got some warm water and took him off to wash his face and hands.  She saw the red marks across the little hand, but refrained from making much of it; and then, after putting his curly head in order, she drew it to her shoulder, and putting her arms round him, she said,—­

’My sonny, mother is so glad her little son feels his naughtiness.  She has been praying much for him to-day.  And now tell me all about it.’

CHAPTER VIII

In the Clover Field

‘Please, Mrs. Platt, can I see Teddy?’

’I think he is out in the clover field.  Don’t you be romping round with him now, for he’s taken his Sunday book out, and is as quiet as can be.’

It was Nancy who was standing at the farmhouse door one lovely Sunday evening.  Old Mrs. Platt was the only one at home, and she motioned with her hand where her little grandson would be found.

Nancy discovered him a few minutes later, lying full length in the sweet-scented clover, an open book before him.  When he raised his face to hers, it wore his most angelic look.