“Well, Royal,” said Lucy, “we can tip it back a little, and that will make the top slanting. Then you can put a stone under one side, to keep it so.”
“No,” replied Royal, “for that will make the bottom slant back too. You see the floor ought to be level, and only the roof slant back. But I know what I can do.”
Saying this, Royal went away, and got a short board, a little larger every way than the upper board of the box. This he placed over the box, in an inclined position. This was for a roof. The back part of the roof—that is, the part which was away from the pond—rested directly upon the box. The front part—that is, the part which was towards the pond, which was, of course, to be raised, in order to make the roof slant backward—Royal supported by a narrow board, which he placed under this edge to keep it up. He nailed the roof securely in its place.
When it was finished, there was, of course, a space between the upper part of the box and the roof. Royal said that this was the duck’s garret. “And now,” said he, “for the yard.”
“What! are you going to make a yard?” asked Lucy.
“Yes,” said Royal, “he must have a yard, or else he will run away. But while I am making a yard, Lucy, you must go into the barn, and get a little hay, and make him a nest.”
So Lucy went into the barn, and got some hay, while Royal took his wheelbarrow, and went away to find some boards for the yard. He brought three or four boards, and with these he made a yard. The boards were about six feet long. He placed them upon the ground, upon their edges. Each board made one side of the yard. He nailed them together at the four corners. One of the boards passed directly behind the duck house; the others extended on each side, and forward, so as to enclose the duck pond and considerable space besides, so that the duck could come out of his house, and either swim in his pond, or else walk about upon the ground, just as he pleased; only he could not get over the boards, so as to run away.
“That is a beautiful duck yard,” said Lucy, “only I wish there was a door for me to open, to go in.”
“O, you can step right over it,” said Royal.
“Yes,” said Lucy, “I know I can step over it; but I should like a door.”