"Well, my boy, if you have to work under him, it is your duty to do the best you can, and hide his folly as far as possible. You could not have a more skilful workman to learn under," added Brown.
"I don't know so much about that," grumbled Jack. "And there is not much skill required in the work we have to do," he added.
"Oh, as to that, you must train your fingers to do better work in all sorts of ways. Take your mother's sewing-machine to pieces. I dare say it wants a good clean, and it will go all the better if you do it," he added, laughing, with a glance at his wife.
"It certainly does want a good clean," said Mrs. Brown. "I have used it a good deal lately, and now I have finished Eliza's new frock, I shall be able to spare it."
"Are you going to send the new frock to her?" asked her husband.
"She says she does not think she will want it now, as Nurse has found a place where they will wash her new cotton ones very nicely, and she can wear one of them to go to church."
"A clean cotton frock for Sunday!" repeated Jack. "That would not suit Fan, I know," he said.
No one made any comment, but Mrs. Brown noticed that the anxious look returned to her husband's brow, and she wished Jack would go out and give her an opportunity of having a few quiet words with her husband. But Jack had some other news to impart, it seemed, for he did not move from his seat, and presently he said—
"Collins has taken to the drink pretty badly, dad."
"Has he? I am sorry to hear that."