Transcriber's note: Unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed.
WOULD THE BULL SEE THEM?
Little Soldiers All
By
ELEANORA H. STOOKE
Author of 'Little Maid Marigold,'
'Angel's Brother,' 'Prosperity's Child,'
'The Bottom of the Bread Pan,' etc., etc.
London:
THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY
4 Bouverie Street and 65 St. Paul's Churchyard E.C.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER II. JOSEPHINE'S ARRIVAL
CHAPTER III. JOSEPHINE'S GIFTS
CHAPTER IV. SUNDAY AT THE GLEN
CHAPTER V. DICK RUMBELOW ENLISTS
CHAPTER VII. HIS BRAVE LITTLE DAUGHTER
CHAPTER VIII. "A REAL PLUCKY LITTLE MAID"
CHAPTER XI. KEEPING A BRAVE HEART
LITTLE SOLDIERS ALL
CHAPTER I
NEWS FROM INDIA
"DEAR me!" exclaimed Miss Basset; "oh, dear me! I was saying only yesterday that the whole world seemed topsy-turvy as the result of the war, but I never thought that this might happen! Oh, dear me!"
She was a gentle-faced maiden lady of nearly seventy, with soft brown eyes and silvery hair. As she spoke she glanced across the breakfast-table, at which she was presiding, at her brother, and then at the young folks—a girl and boy—who were seated facing each other. Having assured herself she had every one's attention, she proceeded—
"Really it is most upsetting! Though we have often said we should like to see Paul's little daughter, haven't we, John? It will be a great responsibility for us to have charge of her, but under the circumstances—"
"Had you not better let me know the contents of Paul's letter, my dear Ann?" interposed Mr. Basset, smiling.
He was a tall thin man, with stooping shoulders which made him look older than his sister, who was his senior by several years. Being of a retiring disposition, he lived a quiet life, spending most of his days in the pursuits he loved—the study of flowers and insects. The gardens surrounding his home—the Glen, a modern red brick residence, situated near the west country town of Midbury—were full of the choicest plants; and he was the possessor of one of the finest collections of moths and butterflies in England.
Miss Basset had kept house for her brother for many years, during which they had been very happy together. They were good, kind people, always ready to help any charitable cause which was brought to their notice; but they lived rather narrow lives, and made few new acquaintances.
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