t red tape is a first-rate thing
if it only ties up the bundles properly. There is nothing like order,
method--routine in short. By following it too closely on exceptional
occasions absurd blunders may now and then be committed; but think of
the utter confusion that would prevail every hour for the want of it.

With a cold March wind blowing how should a young fellow who had never
been out of his own country know that in a few days it would be so hot
that his present clothes would be unbearable? Or how should he
understand the way to meet the difficulty if he did know it? I am all
for rules and regulations, and down with the grumblers.

Mrs Crawley and the girls agreed with me, for the official directions
saved them a world of trouble. They wanted to go down to Portsmouth in
a body and see him off, but he begged them not.

"I had sooner say good-bye here, Mother," he said, "if you don't mind.
There's a detachment, and I shall have my men to look after, and if I am
with you I shall be bothered. And, well, you know, parting is a
melancholy sort of business, and it is better to get it over in private,
don't you think?"

Mrs Crawley saw wisdom in her son's words, and yielded with a sigh, for
she yearned to see the very last of him. Ah! we do not half value the
love of our mothers until we miss it, and the opportunity for making any
return is gone for ever. It seems such a matter of course, like the sun
shining, which no one troubles to be grateful for. But if the sun _went
out_.

Well, it was a painful business--a good deal worse than a visit to the
dentist's--that morning's breakfast, with the table crowded with his
favourite dainties, which he could not swallow. And then the final
parting, when all the luggage was piled on the cab. It was a relief
when it was over, and he found himself alone and trying to whistle.
Even now, as he stowed the smaller articles in the carriage, he had a
great lump in his throat.

The guard began shutting the doors, so he got in, and as he had fellow-
passengers it was necessary to look indifferent, and as if he were
accustomed to long journeys. The train moved out of the station and he
found several things to distract his thoughts. Presently on the right
they passed the Wimbledon Lawn-tennis Grounds, and he thought of a
wonderful rally he had seen there between Renshaw and Lawson. Then
further on they came to Sandown on the left, where a steeple-chase was
in progress. Th