Then two years out.

Rejoined on outbreak of war, sir." I rubbed my hands together in satisfaction.

"I'm an old soldier too," said I.
"So Sister told me, sir." A delicate shade in the man's tone and manner caught at my heart.
Perhaps it was the remotest fraction of a glance at my rug-covered legs, the pleased recognition of my recognition, ...

perhaps some queer freemasonry of the old Army.
"You seem to be in trouble, boy," said I."Tell me all about it and I'll do what I can to help you." So he told his story.

After his discharge from the Army he had looked about for a job and found one at the mills in Wellingsford, where he had met the woman, a mill-hand, older than himself, whom he had married.