hear my mother out, and this I did not approve, nor did it do any good.
While I was listening came a servant with a letter inclosed in a cover with a flying seal of Captain Orme's arms. The letter within carried the royal arms and "On his Majesty's service with speed," wrote large. It appeared that when I had gone, the general's aide, Captain Orme, requested Colonel Peyton to forward to me this communication, and accordingly he had sent it after me as desired. I excused myself and read it with pleasure.
My mother, being curious as to small things, and as to large ones too often indifferent, asked me what it was, and was eager to know why it bore the King's arms. I saw no better way than to let her read it.
She gave it back to me, saying, "I suppose my opinions about this business of war are never to be regarded," and more besides than I desire to recall. I replied that there was only one answer a man of honour and a loyal subject of the King could make, and that I should at once accept if time were given me to set in order my affairs; and so, with this, after much advice on her part that my duty lay at home and
