Alas! we had scarcely pushed it out upon the water, when, with a roll and lurch, it turned over upon its side, and floated like a wreck, in a helpless and melancholy manner. We drew it up on shore again and set to work; I cheerily and hopefully, feeling perfectly aware that everything that was at all good in the workmanship was mine; Aleck mournfully, knowing that all the faults in its construction were his.
"I wonder at Groves not coming," he said, presently; "I can't help thinking he could tell me how to make it float straight."
"I'll just go and make him come," I replied; "he's been so little with us the last few days, I'm sure he might find time."
Aleck agreed, and I set off to the lodge, leaving him to puzzle on by himself over the manifold difficulties of ship-building. To bring old George to the rescue, however, did not turn out the easy task that I had anticipated. He was in the work-shop, the door safely bolted, and not even the smallest aperture anywhere, through which I might discover the nature of his employment. My persuasions were all carried on at a disadvantage, and the conversation resolved itself into:—
"Please, George, do come and help us; it's very important. Aleck wants you particularly down at the Cove." This from my side of the door.
Then from his side:—"I'm afraid, Master Willie, I can't possibly find the time; I'm very busy."
From my side:—"But Aleck's boat won't sail, and we've tried everything to make it, and unless you come we can't do anything more."
From his side:—"I'll come to-morrow, Master Willie, and then see if we don't get Master Aleck's ship to sail as merrily as the 'Fair Alice' herself."
"Even you will not be able to do so much as that," I rejoined; whereupon a low chuckle of merriment and satisfaction was clearly audible on the other side. I continued:—"It's very well to laugh, but if you could see Aleck's boat all lying on one side, looking not so nice even as the tub-boat in the 'Swiss Family Robinson,' you wouldn't think it so easily made all right."
No answer; but click, click inside.