Not even the After-Clap's pranks could make him smile, nor were the After-Clap's orders always orders to him that day.

In the late afternoon Mrs.
Fortescue, seeing Kettle seated in a corner of the back hall, and evidently in an introspective mood, asked him: "What's been the matter with you all day, Kettle ?" "I'm a-seekin', Miss Betty," Kettle replied solemnly.
"What are you seeking ?" Mrs.Fortescue inquired.
"Seekin' light, Miss Betty," answered Kettle.

"I'm seekin' light on my duty to my country, arter the chaplain done preached to-day." "Glad to hear it," responded Mrs.Fortescue.

"Your duty at present is to look after the baby and me." "Gord knows I does the bes' I kin," replied Kettle, raising his eyes, full of faith and love and simplicity, to Mrs.Fortescue's.

"But the chaplain, he say we orter fight for our country; maybe at this heah very minute I orter be a-settin' on a hoss, a-shootin' down the enemies of my country." "Well, Kettle," said Mrs.Fortescue, laughing, "as you can't ride and you can't shoot, I don't think you will ever do much damage to the enemies of your country." Mrs.Fortescue passed on, laughing.