CHAPTER 1.I.
There were times when we had to go without puddings to pay John's uniform bills, and always I did the facings myself with a cloth-ball to save getting new ones.

I would have polished his sword, too, if I had been allowed; I adored his sword.

And once, I remember, we painted and varnished our own dog-cart, and very smart it looked, to save fifty rupees.

We had nothing but our pay--John had his company when we were married, but what is that ?--and life was made up of small knowing economies, much more amusing in recollection than in practise.

We were sodden poor, and that is a fact, poor and conscientious, which was worse.