"Don't get mad," said Ralph kindly; "you know designing is hard work and the only way you can learn is to have me help you by pointing out your weak spots. Artists are obliged to pay for criticism; you know I'm not finding fault."
"All right," said Harry, brightening up, "which one shall I make?"
"I think the one marked x is the best. Work it up more carefully, design the shelf and bracket and put on all the dimensions."
"The bracket? Why, what is this I have drawn?"
"That's the back piece that goes against the wall; the bracket piece supports the shelf, and remember when you make it in wood, the grain must always run the long way of each piece."
"Why?"
"I'll show you," said Ralph.
He cut out two pieces of wood about 8 × 1 × 1⁄2 inches, one with the grain running lengthwise and on the other the grain running the one-inch way. Handing the first piece to Harry, he said, "Let me see you break it with your hands."
The boy tried and failed. Handing him the second piece he said, "Now try this."
It broke so readily that Harry was astonished.