ime," replied Ben.

"That will be first rate," added Joe. "But how are you going to
build it?"

"O, I know how. I have been to New York, and I know all about these
things," said Tommy, beginning now to show his usual vanity.

"I say, Tom, do they make houses out of brush in New York?" asked
Ben.

"No; but then I have been about more than you have, and I ought to
know more, of course. I will be the builder, and you two shall be
my servants."

"Look here, Tom--none of that talk, my boy. We ain't your servants,
any how," said Joe.

"Never mind him, Joe," added Ben. "Let him build the house, if he
can. I wonder what it will look like!"

"Well, you bring me the sticks and brush, and see if I don't build
a good one," replied Tommy.

The two boys agreed to this plan; and in a little while they had a
great pile of sticks and brush, and Tommy began to build the
house. He stuck up two sticks, like the letter V, and then carried
a long pole from the top of them down to the ground. Against the
pole, he set up long sticks; and then told his companions to cover
them over with brush and leaves.

It did not take a very long time to build such a house as this, and
it was soon finished. The boys were much pleased with it, and
seated themselves on the ground, inside of it, for the purpose of
having a good time.

[Illustration: The home in the woods.]

IV.

It was now after eleven o'clock, and it would soon be time for the
truants to return home.

The hut which they had built was not very tight, but it kept the
sun out; and the boys were so well pleased with it that they agreed
to come there again in the afternoon. They wished the forenoon had
been much longer, for their fun came to an end too soon.

"Now, boys, we will have a smoke," said Joe, as they seated
themselves in the house.

"Yes; and we haven't any too much time," replied Ben Tinker, as he
took the cigars from his pocket.

"Have you any matches?"

"To be sure I have. What's the use of cigars without any matches?
Take a cigar, Tom."

Tommy took the cigar, and though he had some doubts about smoking
it, he did not like to be behind his companions in anything. He
thought it would make him sick, as he had known it to do to others.
He did not want to smoke it, but he had not the courage to refuse.

He was proud, and did not want to have the other boys any smarter
than he was. They thought it was manly and big to smoke, for I
don't believe either o