n' s'posin' I git as many as twenty long boards, an' the blocks to
put under 'em, won't that be a good deal more'n that much money?"

Judging from the price they had paid for the timber with which the
stage had been built, they knew that Dickey's offer was a good one;
and after that young gentleman had gone out into the yard in order to
allow them to discuss the matter privately, Mopsey said, as they
called him back,

"We're willin' to 'gree to it, an' take you in with us; but of course
we've got to see what Johnny an' Polly say to it, an' if you'll come
over to the house with us, we'll fix the thing right up quick."

By way of reply, Dickey jammed his hat more firmly on his head, and
extinguished the candle--which actions his visitors understood to mean
that he would accompany them.

During the walk Ben was anxious to know where and how Master Spry was
going to procure this lumber which he offered for an interest in the
concern; but Dickey did not hesitate to say that he would not tell
them until after the question as to whether he was to be a partner or
not had been settled, lest they should take advantage of the
information, and then refuse to make him an equal owner.

This seemed to cast a doubt upon their honesty; but they did not take
offence at it, because Master Spry was suffering from the wickedness
of a boy whom he had trusted, and it was only natural that he should
be suspicious.

When they arrived at Mrs. Green's, and ascended to the attic which was
the scene of so much industry, they found that the amateur artists had
made great progress in their work, although it was shown more by the
dense coloring that had been put on the newspaper scenery than from
any very fine effects.

Johnny had two wide strips of paper, completely covered with patches
of black and green, that were to be placed either side of the stage
where the audience would see them, as one sees the wings at a more
pretentious theatre. He pointed to his work with evident satisfaction,
and assumed an injured look when neither one of the new-comers
understood that it was a very fine representation of a forest.

Paul and Nelly were industriously engaged in coloring two other wings
with alternate stripes of red and blue; but their work was not
sufficiently advanced to render it possible to form any idea as to
what it was, and they refused to give any information until they had
finished it.

After the coloring of the scenery had been admire