“He never will,” interrupted Winifred.
“In case he should, I say,” continued Thames, “will you promise to let Jack Sheppard take my place in your affections, Winny?”
“Never!” replied the little damsel, “I can never love any one so much as you.”
“Excepting your father.”
Winifred was going to say “No,” but she checked herself; and, with cheeks mantling with blushes, murmured, “I wish you wouldn't tease me about Jack Sheppard.”
The foregoing conversation, having been conducted throughout in a low tone, and apart, had not reached the ears of Mr. and Mrs. Wood, who were, furthermore, engaged in a little conjugal tête-à-tête of their own. The last observation, however, caught the attention of the carpenter's wife.
“What's that you're saying about Jack Sheppard?” she cried.
“Thames was just observing—”
“Thames!” echoed Mrs. Wood, glancing angrily at her husband. “There's another instance of your wilfulness and want of taste. Who but you would have dreamed of giving the boy such a name? Why, it's the name of a river, not a Christian. No gentleman was ever called Thames, and Darrell is a gentleman, unless the whole story of his being found in the river is a fabrication!”
“My dear, you forget—”