I required for the width of
my table, fell to cutting them to their proper lengths with hammer and
chisel. And despite the shade of the mighty trees that girt us round
and the soft wind that stirred, plaguy hot work I found it; but ever
and anon she would bring me water, in one of our shells, cool from the
spring, or would sit beside me as I laboured, aiding me in a thousand
ways and showing herself vastly capable and quick-witted; thus as the
sun sank westwards I had all my boards cut to an even size and two of
the legs, though these, being square, I must needs chop asunder with
the hatchet; yet I persevered, being minded to complete the work ere
nightfall if possible.

"But where are your nails?" says she, where she sat watching.

"Our nails be too few and precious," quoth I, pausing to re-sharpen my
hatchet. "I shall burn holes and pin our table together with pegs."

"Why then," says she readily, "let me split and shape you some pegs."

"Spoke like a true comrade!" says I impulsively. "Sometimes I do
forget you are--"

"A woman?" she questioned as I paused; and I wondered to see her eyes
so bright and shining. "Here is twice you have named me your comrade,
Martin, and so will I be so long as I may. You sometimes would call me
your comrade when we played together years ago, and 'tis a good name,
Martin. Come now, teach me how I must make these pegs for our table."
So I showed her how to split divers lengths of wood and shape these as
round and smooth as might be, the while I bored holes for them with a
heated iron; and thus we sat side by side at our labour, seldom
speaking, yet I (for one) very well content.

At length, with her assistance, I began setting the framework of our
table together, joining and pinning it with my wooden pegs driven
mighty secure; last of all I laid the boards across and, pinning these
in place, there was our table; and though it was rude and primitive so
far as looks went, yet very serviceable we were to find it.

"Well, Martin," says she, when I had borne it into our cave, "methinks
my shelves and cupboard are none so far to seek!" Here she falls to
patting this unlovely thing and viewing it as it were the wonder of the
world; and I must needs leap upon it to prove its strength.

"'Tis over-heavy," says I, giving it a final shake, "but 'twill serve!"

"To admiration!" says she, smoothing its rough surface with gentle
hand. "To-night we will sup from it. Which reminds me t