[Illustration: _The cushions were tacked down with small tacks_]
Each scout took a turn in trying the chairs, and each pronounced them most luxurious, but Mrs. Vernon withheld such high praise as "luxury," saying instead "They're hard as rocks!"
"_Now_ what can we build?" asked Ruth, showing intense interest in this form of occupation.
Mrs. Vernon laughed. "Do you want to begin something else?"
"Might as well, Verny. The hut has to be furnished now, as long as you have launched us along that line," Julie replied, laughingly.
"A table is easy to build, but you have to cut down the material for the legs."
"Where do table-legs grow--we'll cut them down," returned Joan, comically.
"Wherever you find small birch-trees growing thickly together, you can cut one out. Never chop down a tree that stands alone, as it will mean shelter and shade in time to come. But a small tree can always be spared, if there are several growing in a group. The others will fare better for the thinning out."
"How many shall we cut?" now asked Betty.
"Bring four, each one about two inches in diameter. We will use the thickest end of each trunk for legs, the middle sections for chair-backs, and the smallest ends for arms."
Provided with the ax, hatchet, and woodsman knife, the scouts started on their quest. After they had gone, Mrs. Vernon detached one side of a packing-case and removed any nails left in the wood. As this section of the case had reinforced pieces along the outer edges, it would be a strong table-top.
The rest of the day was used in building the table, and a queer looking object was the result. It was a cross between a stool and a four-legged pedestal. It was rather wobbly, too, as Ruth had sawed one leg shorter than those made by her three scout companions.
"It might tip over, Ruth, if a visitor leans upon it," said Mrs. Vernon.
"We'll keep a stone under that leg. It won't joggle if it's boosted up," explained Ruth.
"But the stone may slip out, or should one wish to move the table about, the stone will have to be carried about too."
"Goodness me, Verny! What can I do? I can't stretch it!" cried Ruth, distractedly.
Every one laughed, but the Captain said: "No, it won't stretch, but can't one of you scouts suggest a remedy?"