"I'm afraid so," replied Jack. "How are they getting on in the servants' hall?"
"Regular mutiny, sar--ab swear dat dey no stand our nonsense, and dat we both leave the house to-morrow."
Jack went to his father.
"Do you hear, sir, your servants declare that I shall leave your house to-morrow."
"You leave my house, Jack, after four years' absence! No, no, I'll reason with them--I'll make them a speech. You don't know how I can speak, Jack."
"Look you, father, I cannot stand this. Either give me carte blanche to arrange this household as I please, or I shall quit it myself to-morrow morning."
"Quit my house, Jack! No, no--shake hands and make friends with them; be civil, and they will serve you."
"Do you consent, sir, or am I to leave the house?"
"Leave the house! Oh, no; not leave the house, Jack. I have no son but you. Then do as you please--but you will not send away my butler--he escaped hanging last assizes on an undoubted charge of murder? I selected him on purpose, and must have him cured, and shown as a proof of a wonderful machine I have invented."
"Mesty," said Jack, "get my pistols ready for to-morrow morning, and your own too--do you hear? It is possible, father, that you may not have yet quite cured your murderer, and therefore it is as well to be prepared."