I now began to see the extent of my folly in leaving home in such a
pitiable plight, without money or friends. If I did not enlist and
_pass the doctor_, only fivepence would stand between me and absolute
starvation. The orderly no doubt perceived my embarrassment.
"I'll not hev any ale to-night. Hand me that pitcher of water there
beside you," said he.
"Faix an' you must be a foolish young gossoon to lave home widout money.
You'll be in a purty fix if you don't pass the doctor widout aither
money or frinds, an' thirty miles from home."
My spirits were lowering fast. But, after all, I could _walk_ home
again; my seventeen pence would be enough to prevent me from starving by
the way. Therefore, though I was not a little vexed and humiliated that
the soldiers would not accept my treat, I was glad when I considered
that the expenditure of my money would have reduced me to beggary, and I
soon after retired to my bed of "long feathers" as the Irishman
designated it. So long as the soldiers were up and moving about the
room I never thought of home, but after the last trumpet had sounded, a
little after nine o'clock, and the men were all in their beds, I began
to think of my mother, brothers, and sisters, one of the latter being
particularly attached to me, and I wished in my heart that I had
returned to W--with Harry and Ned. Being very tired, however, I soon
fell asleep, and did not awake until the morning.