Alas! we had scarcely pushed it out upon the water, when, with a roll and lurch, it turned over upon its side, and floated like a wreck, in a helpless and melancholy manner. We drew it up on shore again and set to work; I cheerily and hopefully, feeling perfectly aware that everything that was at all good in the workmanship was mine; Aleck mournfully, knowing that all the faults in its construction were his.
"I wonder at Groves not coming," he said, presently; "I can't help thinking he could tell me how to make it float straight."
"I'll just go and make him come," I replied; "he's been so little with us the last few days, I'm sure he might find time."
Aleck agreed, and I set off to the lodge, leaving him to puzzle on by himself over the manifold difficulties of ship-building. To bring old George to the rescue, however, did not turn out the easy task that I had anticipated. He was in the work-shop, the door safely bolted, and not even the smallest aperture anywhere, through which I might discover the nature of his employment. My persuasions were all carried on at a disadvantage, and the conversation resolved itself into:--
"Please, George, _do_ come and help us; it's very important. Aleck wants you particularly down at the Cove." This from my side of the door.
Then from his side:--"I'm afraid, Master Willie, I can't possibly find the time; I'm very busy."
From my side:--"But Aleck's boat won't sail, and we've tried everything to make it, and unless you come we can't do anything more."
From his side:--"I'll come to-morrow, Master Willie, and then see if we don't get Master Aleck's ship to sail as merrily as the 'Fair Alice' herself."
"Even _you_ will not be able to do so much as that," I rejoined; whereupon a low chuckle of merriment and satisfaction was clearly audible on the other side. I continued:--"It's very well to laugh, but if you could see Aleck's boat all lying on one side, looking not so nice even as the tub-boat in the 'Swiss Family Robinson,' you wouldn't think it so easily made all right."
"At least, do tell me what you're working at," I said, growing impatient, and battering at the door; "do tell me--there's a dear old George."
"Work that can't be hindered by playing with two young gentlemen all the afternoon. There, sir, now I've told you;" and another chuckle followed, and click, click went on as before.