“There, that will do,” cried Fitz, turning scarlet; “I don’t want to hear any more about that. I say, Chips, how do you mean to begin?”
The carpenter screwed his face up into a very cunning smile.
“Like me to tell you, sir?”
“Of course,” cried the boys in a breath.
“Well,” said the carpenter, “you are both very pleasant young gents as has allus been good friends to me, and I’d tell you in a minute but for one reason.”
“You don’t want your messmates to know your plans?” said Fitz quickly.
“Oh no, sir, it’s a bigger reason than that. You see, it’s just like this ’ere. I’ll tell you, only don’t let ’em know in the other boat. You see there’s Mr Burgess yonder, and old Butters.”
“Well, don’t make such a rigmarole of it all, Chips,” cried Poole. “What’s your big reason?”
“Well, sir, it’s just this ’ere,” said the carpenter solemnly. “I’ll be blessed if I know it myself.”
“Bah!” cried Poole angrily.