“This scene is as good as a vaudeville, Mary,” laughed Uncle Ben. “That’s why I wanted you to see it.”
“Oh, I think they have done wonderfully well,” replied Mrs. Talmage, with interest.
“They have, and Ben is so tickled with the boys’ whole-hearted support of the plan, that he is having the time of his life,” added Mr. Talmage.
The other boys had made a strong bench to sit upon, and a rude table with a board top.
The whole interior of the place was covered with sawdust, shavings, and pieces of timber. Planes and chisels were in constant demand, and hammers, screw-drivers and saws were all making a veritable bedlam of a noise, when Ike called “Time.”
“Too dark to see what you are doing,” he explained.
“Turn on the electric lights, Ike,” said Ned.
“Better not—you boys have done far more than we thought you could and there is no use in ‘driving a willing horse to death,’” advised Mr. Talmage.
As the boys dropped tools and stretched tired arms, or bent backs, they realized that the unusual work had made muscles ache.
“Get on your caps and coats, Bobolinks, and come out on the lawn to hear of my trip to the city,” said Uncle Ben.