In half an hour in walked Thomas.

'Never do you enter my room without knocking. It is a piece of
impertinence I will not put up with.'

'I did not mean anything by it, sir.'

'Well, don't do it again, and always take your hat off when you come
before a gentleman or lady. Such ignorance might lose you a good place.'

His wages were high I knew. It was also winter, and he gave in. He stood
still with his hat in hand and waited.

'Thomas I want you to bring the close carriage to the door with the two
bays.'

'Yes sir; but the off horse cast his hind shoe yesterday and I am
afraid.'

'You need not be, the ground is covered with snow. I shall want the
carriage in fifteen minutes.'

'Yes sir, but--'

'But what?'

'I left the carriage this morning at the blacksmiths to have a new tire
put on it, sir.'

'Who told you to?'