“Are we to make them of these old box-covers?” asked Ned Bellows.
“The shelves are to be permanent, and we will make them of new lumber. You need just twelve superficial feet of board, with a sufficient allowance for waste. The latter item is one of great importance to the carpenter; for a man may waste more lumber than would suffice to pay his wages, by being careless, or using bad judgment. We will go to the lumber-shed, and see what we can find.”
Mr. Brookbine led the way. Captain Gildrock had provided a large supply of boards, plank, joist, and small stuff, which had been “stuck up” in the building provided for the purpose.
“Now, boys, see if you can find the right material for the shelves,” said the carpenter. “You
have your rules, and you can measure as much as you please.”
The pupils fell to pulling over and measuring the boards. All of them figured up what shape the board must be to furnish what would be needed.
“I have it!” exclaimed Ben Ludlow. “Here is just the board to make the whole of them. It is just a foot wide.”
“Then, it won’t do,” replied the carpenter. “It is neither long enough nor wide enough.”
But Thad found one that was twelve feet and a half long by thirteen inches at one end and fourteen at the other. Mr. Brookbine said it would do, and it was carried to the shop.