"Oh, no, sir! Everything, I mane, that you would desire him to do." To every one of these assurances on his mother's part Andy made a bow and a scrape. "Can he take care of horses?" "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 "The maids in the kitchen, your honor, say there's not so much hot water ready." "Did I not see it a moment since in your hand?" "Yes, sir; but that's not nigh the full o' the stable-bucket." "Go along, you stupid thief, and get me some hot water directly." "Will the can do, sir?" "Ay, anything, so you make haste." Off posted Andy, and back he came with the can. "Where'll I put it, sir?" "Throw this out," said the squire, handing Andy a jug containing some cold water, meaning the jug to be replenished with the hot. Andy took the jug, and the window of the room being open, he very deliberately threw the jug out. The squire stared with wonder, and at last said: "What did you do that for?" "Sure, you _towld_ me to throw it out, sir." "Go out of this, you thick-headed villain," said the squire, throwing his boots at Andy's head; whereupon Andy retreated, and, like all stupid people, thought himself a very ill-used person. WHAT HAPPENED WHEN ANDY OPENED A BOTTLE OF SODA AT THE DINNER Andy was soon the laughing-stock of the household. When, for example, he first saw silver forks he declared that "he had never seen a silver spoon split that way before." When told to "cut the cord" of a soda-water bottle on one occasion when the squire was entertaining a number of guests at dinner, he "did as he was desired."