Teddy's Button

Clove

. Platt, can

u be romping round with him now, for he's taken

unday evening. Old Mrs. Platt was the only one at home, and she

in the sweet-scented clover, an open book before him. When

ve you come here

ithout more ado, Nancy s

she went on; 'and wh

you? I haven't been reading it though for a l

nd Nancy's t

above them to the soft evening sky, with its delicate fleecy clouds

look came into his ey

old it to any one. I can only tell it to myself out of doors, when

' pleaded Na

to heaven-after I'm

es grew bi

ll you how

over on his side, brought for

age he began to read

d high mountain, and showed me that great city, the

e Bible,'

l. I hear a little rustle behind. I don't look round, and then, flas

's he

y white feathery wings. His face is smiling. He ha

r says it is,'

ain says He wants you. Come along." Then I get up and sit myself between his wings, and put my arms round his neck, and he begins to go up. I see mother, and granny, and Uncle Jake, and I wave my hand to them, and mo

d Nancy. 'I want to be on

I want mine all to myself. We get up to the top

too!' put

t see nothing but a lot of little soft clouds, one above the other, just like those over there; but

llowing it with keen r

, to see I don't fall. And then he says, "Look up; don't you see the gates?" And then I look, and I see them-shining g

that

ightened, but I walk in. There's a long wide street made like the gates, and I walk very carefully, for fear of slipping down, then I see a lot of angels coming along with

myself. Such a loving, kind face, and He puts His hand on my head and says

urprise that Teddy's eyes are fi

'm very tired, and He carries me into the most beautiful garden you ev

at the gard

he is full of the meet

a little i

n, and there's every flower in the world all bunched up together. The seats are made of roses, and if you want to go to sleep, the pillows are made

d Nancy, 'h

p on the trees; and then I think, I hope, there are lots of dogs running about, and then you c

. What

the harps, and blow the trumpets as much as ever we like. I think my Cap

e; then Nancy sa

dy, a little condescendingly. 'I

heaven,' Nancy

came back

nlisted yet

be a soldier,' s

our Captain now. He won't let you inside the gates unless

I can fight as well

u fight your

t en

thing inside you that makes you want to do naughty things; you've got to fig

ou? Do

et, and the ribbons fell over in our pew. She went fast asleep in the sermon, and nodded her head back till it almost tumbled of

hands. 'Why didn

did. I asked my Captain to help me, and then I put both my hands in my pockets, and sc

I could have been. What's

t out of the room, "Don't touch that, Teddy," as I was waiting for mother to come to church with me, and I went up and looked a

always fig

ther said I must ask my Captain to make me

I like that sor

f to God as His soldier.' Teddy t

ck change of tone, 'My father is coming home soon, and he'll come to see us here. T

an officer,' sa

etty officer'; and Nancy brought out t

icer,' said Teddy, determining not to

ll the sailors, and they hav

nd he led the soldie

nty battles before he dies,

en, and that's the gr

d the thoughts of that place of which they had b

'Ipse was nearly getting angry with you then. You're

y father is as good as

t get angry, Nancy; let's

ssion Nancy was fo

looked at her little co

about belonging to the Captain.

often there were times when he liked his own society best, and he wandered on talking to himself, and gathering grass and wild-flowers as he went. His

lad of it-horrid old man he is! No, Ipse, be quiet; that isn'

rightful place than out of it, and this Teddy found to his cost. His face was hot and red, his

ick stick in hand, 'leave my sheep alone! How dare you come o

e came up to him, then l

ing to drive them back

where they br

more probable you ma

is face. 'I never tell a li

ead in shame at the word t

n looked curi

nd of that speech was goi

to say you was a liar yourself,

folks say,' said the farmer; 'pray, if the sheep came ou

day, dreadful sorry. And I've got to love you, so I thou

opening his eyes in mock surprise; 'and when

of being brandished over his head, was now safely resting on the ground, 'but I've got to do

answer. Teddy con

me, and let us shake hands? It would make

, such wistful curves to the sensitive little lips, that Jonatha

' he said, 'and I'll see what

ed into the farmhouse kitchen, where Mrs. Green sat knitting ove

keep him here till I come back. I'm after some stray sheep

d the young one, and then seated himse

tter inquired; 'how is it your mot

't'; and poor Teddy felt the truth of the s

when that did not seem to be unders

reen like best in t

ion struck Mrs. Green

y la

she said. 'Now then, w

t another word did he say ti

Ann,' said Jonathan, sitting down in the chair that Teddy

, with a shake of her head, 'they're all a

s says; you won't get no

ance; would you like t

, sir, but mother will e

forgive me for what

Here's my hand on't!' he said with his grim smile. 'I may be a fool for belie

ull of innocence that he rec

u've made your

ay Teddy whispe

I shall pick the gooseberries myse

their way back from school; he was still more puzzled when upon opening it, it proved to be a gooseberry pudding i

and they had a hearty laugh over Teddy's m