"Ay!" answered Raleigh; "our colonel was set upon by a tiger in the
jungle, and I saved him; but the brute tore my arm, and craunched
the bone between his teeth till it had to come off. It's spoiled me
for a soldier."
"Yes, yes, poor fellow," answered old Oliver, "but the Lord knew all
about it."
"That he did," answered Raleigh; "and he's taught me a bit more about
himself than I used to know. I'm not spoiled to be His soldier. But I
don't know much about the service yet, and I shall want you to teach me,
father. You'll let me call you father, for poor Susan's sake, won't you?"
"To be sure--to be sure," said old Oliver, keeping his hand still upon
the empty sleeve on Raleigh's breast.
"Well, father," he continued, "as I am not fit for a soldier, and as the
colonel was hurt too, we're all come home together. Only Susan's gone
straight on with her lady and our little girl, and sent me through London
to see after you and Dolly."
"Your little girl?" said Oliver questioningly.
"Yes, the one born in India. Her name's Mary, but we call her Polly.
Susan said it made her think of our little Dolly at home. Dear! dear! I
don't know however I shall let her know.
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