At any rate, he appeared to believe every word the recruiting officer told him.

And having no friends to say good-bye to, and no luggage to pack up, and no money (unless he pawned me) to spend, he was ready for marching orders immediately.

To my surprise, he showed no desire now to dispose of me.
"What 'ud I want to give him up ?" he said to himself as he held me in his hand.

"Shure he'll be handy to tell the toime by on the faylde of battle." And with this satisfactory assurance he put me back in his pocket, which, greatly to my relief, was not the one which contained that asthmatic pocket-comb.
Patrick had not to leave for his depot till next day, and took a long stroll through the streets of Seatown along with the recruiting officer this evening.

He was in high spirits and very proud of being a soldier, so the sergeant had very little difficulty in keeping him in good humour.