“I’d like to tack a few sheets of tar paper on the outside before stopping work,” ventured Elena.
“Not if you are a member of this union. The rest of us will strike if you are permitted to work over-time,” retorted the Guide, to the amusement of Tim who thought the “Boss” a wonder.
The next day the paper roofing and siding was nailed on and then the girls began the interesting work of fitting on the great slabs of bark. This had to be carefully done as any rough handling or nailing cracked the sections.
By evening the cabin was covered and looked very rustic with its forest blanket on sides and roof. But Tim said the wide chinks between sheets of bark must be filled in, and this must be done with plaster.
“Where can we find any?” wondered Zan.
“I’ll show you in the morning,” replied Miss Miller.
So in the morning they went down to the shore and the Guide dug a pit where clay was found at a depth of ten inches. This was worked well with water until it was the proper consistency and then pailfuls of the mortar were carried to the cabin. The Brownies acted as hod-carriers while the girls did the mason work. Now and then a Brownie was allowed to fill in chinks near the ground and rub it down between the bark.
This work was great fun and was finished by noon. Then the question of windows and door came up.
“I have two sashes in the garage left over from the addition built to the house last year,” suggested Tim.
“Then we will have to make real frames?” asked Jane.