ut this day's work. And then, after all, it's a very
poor opening for a young fellow like you. Now, why shouldn't you
enlist into Mr. East's regiment? You'll be in his company, and
it's a splendid profession. What do you say now?"

East looked up at poor Harry, who was quite taken aback at this
change in his prospects, and could only mutter, that he had never
turned his mind to "sodgerin."

"It's just the thing for you," Tom went on. "You can write and
keep accounts, and you'll get on famously. Ask Mr. East if you
won't. And don't you fear about matters at home. You'll see
that'll all come right. I'll pledge you my word it will, and I'll
take care that you shall hear everything that goes on there; and,
depend upon it, it's your best chance. You'll be back at
Englebourn as a sergeant in no time, and be able to snap your
fingers at them all. You'll come with us to Steventon station,
and take the night train to London, and then in the morning go to
Whitehall, and find Mr. East's sergeant. He'll give you a note to
him, and they'll send you on to Chatham, where the regiment is.
You think it's the best thing for him, don't you?" said Tom,
turning to East.

"Yes; I think you'll do very well if you only keep steady. Here's
a note to the sergeant, and I shall be back at Chatham in a day
or two myself."

Harry took the note mechanically; he was quite unable yet to make
any resistance.

"And now get something to eat as quick as you can, for we ought
to be off. The horses are all right, I suppose?"

"Yes, Master Tom," said Harry, with an appealing look.

"Where are your coat and waistcoat, Harry?"

"They be in the stable, sir."

"In the stable! Why, they're all wet, then, still?"

"Oh, 'tis no odds about that, Master Tom."

"No odds! Get them in directly, and put them to dry here."

So Harry Winburn went off to the stable to fetch his clothes.

"He's a fine fellow," said East, getting up and coming to the
fire; "I've taken quite a fancy to him, but he doesn't fancy
enlisting."

"Poor fellow! he has to leave his sweetheart. It's a sad
business, but it's the best thing for him, and you'll see he'll
go."

Tom was right. Poor Harry came in and dried his clothes, and got
his supper; and while he was eating it, and all along the road
afterwards, till they reached the station at about eleven
o'clock, pleaded in his plain way with Tom against leaving his
own country side. And East listened silently, and liked him
bet