Jack, and Many Things Concerning Him 81 



wood was quite laborious when it fell to the 

 lot of the servant girl, who had to do it if 

 no men were around. One day, when the 

 work had been felt to be specially burden- 

 some, it was suggested that perhaps Jack 

 could be induced to add this accomplish- 

 ment to his many other clever attainments. 

 At once the effort was made. A kind of bee 

 was organised, and amidst laughter and 

 fun, a number of the family were all busily 

 engaged in carrying in wood. Jack always 

 loved to be in every frolic, and so, of course, 

 he was invited to take part in this one. 

 Proudly did he take in his mouth the billet 

 of wood assigned to him and at once carry 

 it into the kitchen and place it in the wood- 

 box as deftly as did the others. It was not 

 long before he understood the work per- 

 fectly and became such an adept at it that 

 it was not necessary for any one to be with 

 him when thus employed. When the supply 

 of wood ran low, all that was required was 

 for some member of the family to say : " I 

 wonder if that big lazy dog knows that the 

 wood-box is empty? " 



This was all that would be said. At once 

 Jack was at work. He would first open the 

 kitchen door and fasten it open. Then he 



