“Well, Mr Cheeks, what are the carpenters about?”
“Weston and Smallbridge are going on with the chairs—the whole of them will be finished tomorrow.”
“Well?”
“Smith is about the chest of drawers, to match the one in my Lady Capperbar’s bed-room.”
“Very good. And what is Hilton about?”
“He has finished the spare-leaf of the dining-table, sir; he is now about a little job for the second-lieutenant.”
“A job for the second-lieutenant, sir? How often have I told you, Mr Cheeks, that the carpenters are not to be employed, except on ship’s duty, without my special permission.”
“His standing bed-place is broke, sir; he is only getting out a chock or two.”
“Mr Cheeks, you have disobeyed my most positive orders.—By the bye, sir, I understand you were not sober last night.”
“Please your honour,” replied the carpenter, “I wasn’t drunk—I was only a little fresh.”