William Harrison Ainsworth

Jack Sheppard William Harrison Ainsworth

Book Excerpt: ...ly. "I'm sure little Jack has but one friend beside myself, in the world, and that's more than I would have ventured to say for him yesterday. However, I've not told you all; for old Van did say something about the child saving his new-found friend's life at the time of meeting; but how that's to happen, I'm sure I can't guess.""Nor any one else in his senses," rejoined Wood, with a laugh. "It's not very likely that a babby of nine months old will save my life, if I'm to be his friend, as you seem to say, Mrs. Sheppard. But I've not promised to stand by him yet; nor will I, unless he turns out an honest lad, --mind that. Of all crafts, --and it was the only craft his poor father, who, to do him justice, was one of the best workmen that ever handled a saw or drove a nail, could never understand, --of all crafts, I say, to be an honest man is the master-craft. As long as your son observes that precept I'll befriend him, but no longer.""I don't desire it, Sir," replied Mrs. Sheppar