up a bundle of wood he started off to the Hall.

He was not long upon the way, and when he arrived at his destination
there was no difficulty in getting into the kitchens, for he had been
there scores of times before, and his was quite a familiar figure now.

"Ho, Hubert," called one of the busy cooks as he entered the room,
"lend a hand with this steer; thou hast the strength of a bullock, I
verily believe."

Manners dropped the wood and good-naturedly lent the desired
assistance.

"An thou would'st chop it with this cleaver thou wert a good fellow,"
continued the cook, as, having got the beast upon the bench, he
surveyed its goodly proportions, and handed the cleaver to his
newly-found helpmate.

"Nay, I am no butcher, I am but a woodsman, and should cut it wrong,
I fear," returned Manners, as he laid the chopper down. "Were it a
tree--"

"Now, come," interrupted the cook, persuasively. "I am wearied out;
I have no strength left in my arm. See you, here, here, and here, and
the thing is done."

"I will do it an you will serve me a good turn, too?" he replied.

"Done, then," said the other; "what is it?"