ught," continued Kate, "that there is no room on the
bank toward town to set your mill, and it wouldn't be allowed there, if
there were?"

"You bet I have!" he said defiantly. "I'm no such slouch as you think
me. I've even stepped off the location!"

"Then," said Kate, "will you build a bridge across the ravine to reach
it, or will you buy a strip from Linn and build a road?"

George collapsed with a groan.

"That's the trouble with you," said Kate. "You always build your
castle with not even sand for a foundation. The most nebulous of rosy
clouds serve you as perfectly as granite blocks. Before you go
glimmering again, double your estimate to cover a dam and a bridge, and
a lot of incidentals that no one ever seems able to include in a
building contract. And whatever you do, keep a still head until we get
these things figured, and have some sane idea of what the venture would
cost."

"How long will it take?" he said sullenly.

"I haven't an idea. I'd have to go the Hartley and examine the records
and be sure that there was no flaw in the deeds to the land; but the
first thing is to get a surveyor and know for sure if you have a
water-power that will work and not infringe on your neighbours. A
thing like this can't be done in a few minutes' persuasive
conversation. It will take weeks."

It really seemed as if it would take months. Kate went to Walden that
afternoon, set the children playing in the ravine while she sketched
it, made the best estimate she could of its fall, and approved the
curve on the opposite bank which George thought could be cleared for a
building site and lumber yard. Then she added a location for a dam and
a bridge site, and went home to figure and think. The further she went
in these processes the more hopeless the project seemed. She soon
learned that there must be an engine with a boiler to run the saw. The
dam could be used only to make a pond to furnish the water needed; but
at that it would be cheaper than to dig a cistern or well. She would
not even suggest to Aunt Ollie to sell any of the home forty. The sale
of the remainder at the most hopeful price she dared estimate would not
bring half the money needed, and it would come in long-time payments.
Lumber, bricks, machinery, could not be had on time of any length,
while wages were cash every Saturday night.

"It simply can't be done," said Kate, and stopped thinking about it, so
far as George knew.

He was at onc