"I must tell him some day, Serge, that it was all my doing--that I
wouldn't let you rest until you had taught me what I know."
"That's true, boy," said Serge, in a sombre tone, "and it all comes of
letting you see me take so much care of his old armour and his sword and
spear. Yes, like my own old arms and weapons, I have kept them all
bright and ready for use, for it's always seemed to me as if the time
might come and bring the order for us to march to tackle some of Rome's
old enemies, or to make new conquests--perhaps to Gaul--and that we must
be ready for that day. I oughtn't to have done it, boy, but I was an
old soldier, one who loved to see his weapons ready for the fight, and
somehow I did. There, off you go! It's no use to think now of what is
done."