he Major appeared. The last fact appealed to him, perhaps, as much as
the one more invested in violence.

"'Ere," said he at last, jerking his head and rubbing his jaw, "how
the 'ell did you do it?"

"We'll get some gloves and I'll show you," said Doggie.

So peace and firm friendship were made. Doggie went into the house and
in the dining-room found Oliver in convulsive laughter.

"Oh, my holy aunt! You'll be the death of me, Doggie. 'Yes, sir!'" He
mimicked him. "The perfect Tommy. After doing in old Chipmunk.
Chipmunk with the strength of a gorilla and the courage of a lion. I
just happened round to see him go down. How the blazes did you manage
it, Doggie?"

"That's what Chipmunk's just asked me," Doggie replied. "I belong to a
regiment where boxing is taught. Really a good regiment," he grinned.
"There's a sergeant-instructor, a chap called Ballinghall----"

"Not Joe Ballinghall, the well-known amateur heavy-weight?"

"That's him right enough," said Doggie.

"My dear old chap," said Oliver, "this is the funniest war that ever
was."

Peggy sailed in full of apologies and began to pour out coffee.

"Do help yourselves. I'm so sorry to have kept you poor hungry things
waiting."

"We've filled up the time amazingly," cried Oliver, waving a silver
dish-cover. "What do you think? Doggie's had a fight with Chipmunk and
knocked him out."

Peggy splashed the milk over the brim of Doggie's cup and into the
saucer. There came a sudden flush on her cheek and a sudden hard look
into her eyes.

"Fighting? Do you mean to say you've been fighting with a common man
like Chipmunk?"

"We're the best of friends now," said Doggie. "We understand each
other."

"I can't quite see the necessity," said Peggy.

"I'm afraid it's rather hard to explain," he replied with a rueful
knitting of the brows, for he realized her disgust at the vulgar
brawl.

"I think the less said the better," she remarked acidly.

The meal proceeded in ominous gloom, and as soon as Peggy had finished
she left the room.

"It seems, old chap, that I can never do right," said Oliver. "Long
ago, when I used to crab you, she gave it to me in the neck; and now
when I try to boost you, you seem to get it."

"I'm afraid I've got on Peggy's nerves," said Doggie. "You see, we've
only met once before during the last two years, and I suppose I've
changed."

"There's no doubt about that, old son," said Oliver. "But all the
same, Peggy has stood by y