But Sheppard answered for him.
"Darrell's job was done early this morning," he said; "and if I'd attended to his advice, the packing-case would have been finished at the same time." "You trusted too much to your own skill, Jack," rejoined Thames.

"If I could work as fast as you, I might afford to be as idle.

See how he gets on, father," he added, appealing to Wood: "the box seems to grow under his hands." "You're a noble-hearted little fellow, Thames," rejoined Wood, casting a look of pride and affection at his adopted son, whose head he gently patted; "and give promise of a glorious manhood." Thames Darrell was, indeed, a youth of whom a person of far greater worldly consequence than the worthy carpenter might have been justly proud.

Though a few months younger than his companion Jack Sheppard, he was half a head taller, and much more robustly formed.

The two friends contrasted strikingly with each other.