To Sim's vague soul it carried a purpose in life, knowledge that there was such a thing as service in the world.

Daily his face now was new-reaped, his hands made clean.

He imitated the erectness and alertness of these young soldiers whom he saw, learned the jerk of the elbow in their smart salute.

Enriched by a pair of cast-off breeches, and the worn leggins thereto, he rode now with both feet in the stirrups and looked square between his horse's ears.

Strong as are many lazy men, not cowardly, and therefore like many timid men, he rode straight, with his campaign hat a trifle at one side, like to the fashion of these others.
And he wished that She might see him now, in his new uniform.