What a business the making of this hut had been, nobody ever knew except Tommy himself, Uncle Robert, and the collie dog Connie.
But now that it was made, it looked a very complete dwelling indeed, just such as a Crusoe would have delighted to live in.
’Theena was overjoyed.
“O!” she cried, “I would love to stay here always; a table and cupboard, and real seats, and real plates and things, and a window, and books and all! I can’t read much, can you?”
“Yes,” said Tom. “Uncle taught me. He teaches me always up here in summer, and he shall teach you too.”
After ’Theena had admired everything sufficiently long, they commenced to climb again, and soon rose out of the greenery of the woods entirely, high up the hill into the very sky itself; and, wonderful to say, here was a noble castle, though now but little more than a ruin.
“My ancestors,” said Tommy proudly, “once dwelt here, and they were great soldiers and warriors. Dick and Jack don’t care anything about ancestors; but I do, Theena. And do you know what I am going to do?”
“No,” said ’Theena.
“After I grow a big man, I mean.”
“Yes, after you grow a big man.”