“The best of care, sir,” said the mother.
“Let him come, then, and help in the stables, and we’ll see what we can do.”
The next day found Andy duly installed in the office of stable-helper; and, as he was a good rider, he was soon made whipper-in to the hounds, and became a favorite with the squire, who was one of those rollicking “boys” of the old school, who let any one that chance threw in his way bring him his boots, or his hot water for shaving, or brush his coat, whenever it was brushed. The squire, you see, scorned the attentions of a regular valet. But Andy knew a great deal more about horses than about the duties of a valet. One morning he came to his master’s room with hot water and tapped at the door.
“Who’s that?” said the squire, who had just risen.
“It’s me, sir.”
“Oh, Andy! Come in.”
“Here’s the hot water, sir,” said Andy, bearing an enormous tin can.
“Why, what brings that enormous tin can here? You might as well bring the stable-bucket.”
“I beg your pardon, sir,” said Andy, retreating. In two minutes more Andy came back, and, tapping at the door, put in his head cautiously.
HOW ANDY BROUGHT HIS MASTER’S
HOT WATER IN THE MORNING