Colonel and officers found opportunities for coming and asking Mother
Beane about her little patient.

But there was always the same reply, and Colonel Lavis did not have his
uniform mended, neither were any stitches added to Tom Jones's new
worsted stockings, for the corporal's wife had all her work to do to try
and save her patient's life, and the shake of the head she gave at
daybreak told more forcibly than words or the bitter tears she shed,
that she had given up all hope.

CHAPTER TWO.

The 200th was in high glee to a man, which is including about twenty men
who were wounded not so badly but that they could shout "Hurrah!" For
there was a brush with the retreating French, who were driven from the
strong camp they had formed, and the little patient had, to use Mrs
Beane's words, "begun to pick up a bit."

During the next week of marching and counter-marching the wounded boy
began to pick up a good many bits, for the doctor had rejoined the
regiment, and he did something to the little fellow's head where beneath
the cruel cut he had received the bone was dinted in, and from that hour
the change was wonderful. In another week he delighted Mrs Corporal
Beane by watching her constantly with wondering eyes, and suddenly
asking her who she was.

In her motherly delight she told him "Mother Beane," and he began
calling her mother directly, while in another week Corporal Joe had
taught the patient to call him Dad, and wondering began.

"Haven't you asked him?" said Joe.

"Yes, as much as I dared, old man, but I'm afraid to do much, because it
seems to muddle his poor dear head, and he wrinkles up and tries to
think, but he can't."

"But don't he remember who cut him down?" said Joe.

"No."

"Nor yet about the house bein' set a-fire?"

"No."

"Well, did you ask him his name?"

"Yes, and he only shook his head."

"Did you ask him who his father and mother was?"

"Yes, but he didn't know."

"Well, it's ama-a-azin'," said Joe.

But it was true. The boy's life had been saved just when it had been
ebbing away, but that was all. With the cruel blow which struck him
down all recollection of the past was cut away, and the boy had, as it
were, to begin life all over again, not as a little child, for he could
talk and chat merrily; but the dark cloud which came down so suddenly
had shut everything else away.

"Well, it's ama-a-azin'," said Joe to his wife, "and it seems to me as
we found him and save