Jamie and Pokey were at once enrolled in the Cosey Corner Light Infantry a truly superb company , composed entirely of officers , all wearing cocked hats , carrying flags , waving swords , or beating drums . It was a spectacle to stir the dullest soul when this gallant band marched out of the yard in full regimentals , with Captain Dove a solemn , big-headed boy of eleven issuing his orders with the gravity of a general , and his Falstaffian regiment obeying them with more docility than skill . The little Snow children did very well , and Lieutenant Jack Dove was fine to see ; so was Drummer Frank , the errand-boy of the house , as he rub-a-dub-dubbed with all his heart and drumsticks . Jamie had `` trained '' before , and was made a colonel at once ; but Pokey was the best of all , and called forth a spontaneous burst of applause from the spectators as she brought up the rear , her cocked hat all over one eye , her flag trailing over her shoulder , and her wooden sword straight up in the air ; her face beaming and every curl bobbing with delight as her fat legs tottered in the vain attempt to keep step manfully . Mac and Rose were picking blackberries in the bushes beside the road when the soldiers passed without seeing them , and they witnessed a sight that was both pretty and comical . A little farther on was one of the family burial spots so common in those parts , and just this side of it Captain Fred Dove ordered his company to halt , explaining his reason for so doing in the following words , `` That 's a graveyard , and it 's proper to muffle the drums and lower the flags as we go by , and we 'd better take off our hats , too ; it 's more respectable , I think . '' `` Is n't that cunning of the dears ? '' whispered Rose , as the little troop marched slowly by to the muffled roll of the drums , every flag and sword held low , all the little heads uncovered , and the childish faces very sober as the leafy shadows flickered over them . `` Let 's follow and see what they are after , '' proposed Mac , who found sitting on the wall and being fed with blackberries luxurious but tiresome . So they followed and heard the music grow lively , saw the banners wave in the breeze again when the graveyard was passed , and watched the company file into the dilapidated old church that stood at the corner of three woodland roads . Presently the sound of singing made the outsiders quicken their steps , and , stealing up , they peeped in at one of the broken windows . Captain Dove was up in the old wooden pulpit , gazing solemnly down upon his company , who , having stacked their arms in the porch , now sat in the bare pews singing a Sunday-school hymn with great vigour and relish . `` Let us pray , '' said Captain Dove , with as much reverence as an army chaplain ; and , folding his hands , he repeated a prayer which he thought all would know an excellent little prayer , but not exactly appropriate to the morning , for it was , `` Now I lay me down to sleep . '' Everyone joined in saying it , and it was a pretty sight to see the little creatures bowing their curly heads and lisping out the words they knew so well . Tears came into Rose 's eyes as she looked ; Mac took his hat off involuntarily , and then clapped it on again as if ashamed of showing any feeling . `` Now I shall preach you a short sermon , and my text is , ` Little children , love one another . ' I asked mamma to give me one , and she thought that would be good ; so you all sit still and I 'll preach it . You must n't whisper , Marion , but hear me . It means that we should be good to each other , and play fair , and not quarrel as we did this very day about the wagon . Jack ca n't always drive , and need n't be mad because I like to go with Frank .
Annette ought to be horse sometimes and not always driver ; and Willie may as well make up his mind to let XXXXX build her house by his , for she will do it , and he need n't fuss about it .
Captain Infantry Mac Marion Pokey Rose blackberries drumsticks errand-boy regimentals