drawbacks, with the utterer's position in life.

"Whatcher laughing at?" followed in the querulous tones of one who was
to a great extent at the opposite pole of life.

"You, Punch."

"I don't see nothing to laugh at, sick and weak as I am."

"Yes, you are weak enough, and don't know the difference as I do."

"Difference! There ain't no difference. I'm a regular invalid, as they
calls them, and just as bad as some of our poor chaps who go back to
live on the top of a wooden leg all the rest of their lives."

"Stuff and nonsense, Punch! You are getting better and stronger every
day."

"I ain't. Look at that arm; it's as thin as a mop-stick."

"Well, it is thin, certainly; but a chap of your age, growing fast,
generally is thin."

"Ya! Growing! How can a fellow grow with a hole in his back?"

"You haven't got a hole in your back. It's healing up fast."

"'Taint."

"Yes, it is. You haven't seen it, and I have every day. I say it's
healing beautifully."

"Ah, you'll say next that I ain't weak."

"No, I shan't."

"Well, that's because you are always trying to make me think that I am
better than I am."

"Well, what of that? I don't want to put you out of heart."

"No, but you needn't gammon me. I know I ain't as weak as a rat,
because I am ten times weaker. I have got no wind at all; and I do wish
you wouldn't be always wallacking me down to that big waterfall. I'm
always pumped out before I get half-way there, and quite done up before
I get back. What's the good of going there?"

"Beautiful place, Punchy, and the mountain air seems to come down with
the water and fill you full of strength."

"Does you perhaps, but it don't do me no good. Beautiful place indeed!
Ugly great hole!"

"'Tisn't; it's lovely. I don't believe we shall ever see a more
beautiful spot in our lives."

"It makes me horrible. I feel sometimes as if I could jump in and put
myself out of my misery. Just two steps, and a fellow would be washed
away to nowhere."

"Why, you have regularly got the grumps to-day, Punch; just, too, when
you were getting better than ever."

"I ain't, I tell you. I had a look at myself this morning while you
were snoring, and I am as thin as a scarecrow. My poor old mother
wouldn't know me again if ever I got back; and I sha'n't never see our
old place no more."

"Yes, you will, Punch--grown up into a fine, manly-looking British
rifleman, for you will be too big to blow your bugle