"Well, my soldiering's done for." A faint note of regret sounded in his voice.

"I had a good bout, so I suppose I oughtn't to complain; but I had hoped--however, it's all for the best.

And there's no doubt," said Peter, "that my duty lies here now.

In a very few months I shall be my own master, and I mean to keep everything going here exactly as it was in my father's time.

You shall devote yourself to me, and I'll devote myself to Barracombe; and we'll just settle down into all the old ways.