“We shall see.  Good words, without deeds, are rushes and reeds.  And now take away those cards, and never let me see them again.  Drive away the cat; throw that measure of gin through the window; and tell me why you’ve not so much as touched the packing-case for Lady Trafford, which I particularly desired you to complete against my return.  It must be sent home this evening.  She leaves town to-morrow.”

“It shall be ready in two hours,” answered Jack, seizing a piece of wood and a plane; “it isn’t more than four o’clock.  I’ll engage to get the job done by six.  I didn’t expect you home before that hour, Sir.”

“Ah, Jack,” said Wood, shaking his head, “where there’s a will there’s a way.  You can do anything you please.  I wish I could get you to imitate Thames Darrell.”

“I’m sure I understand the business of a carpenter much better than he does,” replied Jack, adroitly adjusting the board, and using the plane with the greatest rapidity.

“Perhaps,” replied Wood, doubtfully.

“Thames was always your favourite,” observed Jack, as he fastened another piece of wood on the teeth of the iron stopper.

“I’ve made no distinction between you, hitherto,” answered Wood; “nor shall I do so, unless I’m compelled.”

“I’ve had the hard work to do, at all events,” rejoined Jack, “But I won’t complain.  I’d do anything for Thames Darrell.”

“And Thames Darrell would do anything for you, Jack,” replied a blithe voice.  “What’s the matter, father!” continued the new-comer, addressing Wood.  “Has Jack displeased you?  If so, overlook his fault this once.  I’m sure he’ll do his best to content you.  Won’t you, Jack?”

“That I will,” answered Sheppard, eagerly.

“When it thunders, the thief becomes honest,” muttered Wood.

“Can I help you, Jack?” asked Thames, taking up a plane.

“No, no, let him alone,” interposed Wood.  “He has undertaken to finish this job by six o’clock, and I wish to see whether he’ll be as good as his word.”

“He’ll have hard work to do it by that time, father,” remonstrated Thames; “you’d better let me help him.”

“On no account,” rejoined Wood peremptorily.  “A little extra exertion will teach him the advantage of diligence at the proper season.  Lost ground must be regained.  I need scarcely ask whether you’ve executed your appointed task, my dear?  You’re never behindhand.”

Thames turned away at the question, which he felt might be construed into a reproach.  But Sheppard answered for him.

“Darrell’s job was done early this morning,” he said; “and if I’d attended to his advice, the packing-case would have been finished at the same time.”

“You trusted too much to your own skill, Jack,” rejoined Thames.  “If I could work as fast as you, I might afford to be as idle.  See how he gets on, father,” he added, appealing to Wood:  “the box seems to grow under his hands.”