Then, becoming bold by success, they turned to cabinet making,
and built into the dining-room a sideboard, which was only a glorified
edition of the kitchen dresser, but looked amazingly like walnut, aided
by a little stain; and for both sitting-rooms made low cupboards,
with tops wide enough to serve as little tables. Even the verandah was
furnished with wide shelf tables and a cupboard, and with low and broad
seats.
"And it's all done by kindness--and packing cases!" said Jim, surveying
the result with admiration.
"Indeed, I'm afraid a lot of your father's good timber has gone into
it," said Bob half ruefully. "He was awfully good about it, and the
supply of just-what-you-want timber on Billabong seemed inexhaustible."
"No, you really used very little good stuff," David Linton said. "It's
chiefly packing cases, truly, Jim. But we had plenty of time to plane it
up and make it look decent. Bob ran an electric light into the workshop
and we worked every night. I believe it's kept us from getting influenza
from sheer boredom, with all you people away."
"They'll soon be home," Jim said cheerfully. "Influenza's dying out, I
believe. No fresh cases for three days, and all the patients are getting
better. The little Andersons are up and about. By the way, Dad, couldn't
we bring those kiddies out to Billabong for a change?"
"Why, of course," his father answered.
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