This accomplished, a little green house had appeared like magic, but it was not yet complete. Spruce boughs were brought and spread over the ground under the lean-tos to the depth of about a foot, all laid one way, smooth and springy and so sweetly odorous that the air in the little house seemed intoxicating.
Emma Dean dove in headfirst.
"Stop that! This house is not intended to be a rough-house," protested Hippy, coming up at this juncture with an armful of boughs.
"I can't help it. It is so perfectly stunning. Do you know what its name is? Why, Green Gables, of course, and—"
"What are the wild birds saying?" mocked Hippy.
"They will be crooning a good-night lullaby the instant I lay my weary person down," declared Elfreda Briggs.
A second lean-to, much smaller than the first, was erected. Then preparations for the campfire were begun. This was laid on sloping ground a little lower down than the lean-tos. First, a log was placed and stakes driven behind it to keep it from rolling down the slight decline, its purpose being to supply the backlog of the fire, which, when started, would be almost on a level with the lean-tos, and about four feet from them. Evergreen boughs were cut and laid lengthwise in front of the lean-tos, to be planted between the houses and the fire, in case the fire might be too hot for the occupants.
Hippy was now bringing in the night-wood and complaining bitterly about having to do all the work.
"Why not harness up that lazy bear and make him draw in the logs?" he demanded.
"If ye'll harness the pup and snake in a log with him, I'll make my Henry snake two logs," retorted the forest woman.