“Well, what do you think of the job?” he asked, standing back to admire his work.
“As a carpenter you’re a very good editor,” Penny answered with exaggerated politeness. “Aren’t walls supposed to come together at the corners?”
“I made a little mistake in my calculations. Later on I may build a corner cupboard to cover up the slight gap.”
“Slight!” Penny chuckled. “Dad, if I were you I wouldn’t get tangled up in any more carpenter jobs. It’s too hard on your disposition.”
“I never was in a better mood in my life,” Mr. Parker insisted. “Good reason, too. At last I’ve got the best of Mr. Ben Bowman!”
“Bowman?” Penny inquired in a puzzled tone.
“That crank who keeps sending me collect messages.”
“Oh, to be sure! I’d forgotten about him.”
“He sent another telegram today,” Mr. Parker declared, smiling grimly. “I suspected it came from him and refused to pay for it.”
“Bravo,” Penny approved. “I knew you could get the best of that fellow if you just put your mind to it.”