n grooming Henry's coat, which, from contact with brush
and thorns, and the wetting he had received the night before, looked as
if it needed it.

"The burning question of the moment is, do we sleep on feathers or firs
to-night?" inquired Hippy.

"We will get at that right away. Mrs. Shafto, please show Lieutenant
Wingate how to pick a backlog and let him get spruce boughs for two
lean-tos and wood for the night's fuel," directed Tom.

While this was being done, Tom selected the camp site; then cut and set
four poles, the rear pair lower than the front, and across these he laid
ridge poles. When the spruce boughs were brought in they were placed on
top of the framework thus erected, and in a few moments the roof was on.
The ends of the lean-to were closed by hanging spruce boughs over them.
The roof boughs were all laid in the same direction, butts towards the
front, tops towards the rear.

This accomplished, a little green house had appeared like magic, but it
was not yet complete. Spruce boughs were brought and spread over the
ground under the lean-tos to the depth of about a foot, all laid one
way, smooth and springy and so sweetly odorous that the air in the
little house seemed intoxicating.

Emma Dean dove in headfirst.

"Stop that! This house is not intended to be a rough-house," protested
Hippy, coming up at this juncture with an armful of boughs.

"I can't help it. It is so perfectly stunning. Do you know what its name
is? Why, Green Gables, of course, and--"

"What are the wild birds saying?" mocked Hippy.

"They will be crooning a good-night lullaby the instant I lay my weary
person down," declared Elfreda Briggs.

A second lean-to, much smaller than the first, was erected. Then
preparations for the campfire were begun. This was laid on sloping
ground a little lower down than the lean-tos. First, a log was placed
and stakes driven behind it to keep it from rolling down the slight
decline, its purpose being to supply the backlog of the fire, which,
when started, would be almost on a level with the lean-tos, and about
four feet from them. Evergreen boughs were cut and laid lengthwise in
front of the lean-tos, to be planted between the houses and the fire, in
case the fire might be too hot for the occupants.

Hippy was now bringing in the night-wood and complaining bitterly about
having to do all the work.

"Why not harness up that lazy bear and make him draw in the logs?" he
demanded.

"If ye'll