Why dont we all dig foundations, then, and finish it so much the sooner? asked Julie.
Youll find it isnt the easiest work to stoop over with a pick or spade and move earth that is filled with heavy stones. Your backs will ache in a short time, and youll grow tired of the task. Then I propose exchanging those weary ones for two fresh diggers, explained the Captain. Turn and turn about keeps one from feeling any monotony in the work.
All right send Ruth and Joan off for the first haul of logs, replied Julie, resignedly.
But Id rather dig, Julie, and let you two go for wood, declared Ruth.
Ha, ha, ha! Youre so contradictory! Thats just what I hoped youd say! Cause Id lots rather drive Hepsy down the hill and hitch her up to the logs shes got to haul! exclaimed Julie, exultantly.
Ruth said nothing but took the spade and started for the newly staked out cellar of the hut. Joan scowled and followed, but she wanted to join Julie in hauling the logs. Betty understood and ran up to exchange work with her.
Id be a poor scout if I didnt dig alongside Ruth when its my job! returned Joan, when Betty said she would exchange.
But we all will have to dig and take turns, so what difference will it make, Joan dear, if I dig now or later? argued Betty.
Dont you really care whether you work with Ruth or Julie? asked Joan, skeptically, because she liked to be with Julie.
Its all the same to me, as long as we build the house, returned Betty, taking the pick and thrusting a hook into Joans willing hands.
Whats this for? wondered she.
Verny says we have to use it to move the timber.
Great! Well, as long as you dont mind, Betty, Ill run away and find Julie.
I cant budge a spadeful of this hard ground, Betty, complained Ruth, as her companion joined her.
Oh, not in that way, Ruth. Youll have to remove all the roots and weeds first, and that will help break up the hardened soil, you know; cause the brush-roots run down real deep, you see.
But I just hate weeding, Betty; cant I dig it up without doing that extra work?
You tried just now and said it was awfully hard! I am going to weed mine first, and then dig it up.
So saying, wise Betty weeded a patch and then used the pick with which to break up the ground. This done, she took the spade and, to Ruths great surprise, the loosened earth came up readily. The energetic young scout had made good progress in this work before Mrs. Vernon came over to inspect the task.
Ruth raised no further objections when she saw how easy the digging was for Betty; so she weeded, too, and followed her chums example. Soon she found the work was not nearly as hard as she had thought it would be. But that is because she had not stopped to complain or think how hard it was going to be she forgot all this in watching and working as Betty did.
Julie and Joan followed
Mrs. Vernon as she led Hepsy down the slope to the spot where the cut timbers were piled up. Here she showed the girls how to attach the chain and tackle to a log, and then to hook the chain to Hepsys harness.
The strong horse willingly started up the hill and dragged the long log up to the site where the hut was to be. One girl drove Hepsy carefully to avoid ruts and snags which might catch the log and thus yank Hepsy up suddenly and perhaps injure her. The other girl had to follow in the wake of the log to see that it did not roll or twist out of the pathway, causing a ruthless tearing at bushes and flowers along the way.
The two girls who were digging found it quite tiresome to lean over so constantly. When they stood erect to stretch their back muscles, their bones felt as if they would crack. Ruth complained of her aches long before the Captain joined them.
Then Mrs. Vernon said: Ah! I think I was wise in telling you girls to take turns about. Now I will signal for the two timber-jacks to exchange work with you.
When the two girls hauling timber responded to the call, they seemed right glad to exchange labor with the excavators.
Youll find this digging a pit is simply awful, girls! exclaimed Ruth, pretending she could not straighten her backbone.
It cant be a patch on the job weve been doing! cried Joan, looking at her hands with pity in her eyes.
Thats right! When youve had to steer or roll a log a mile long, youll have something to say about hard work! added Julie.
One would think, after hearing you girls, that you were too soft and delicate to proceed further in your scout tests, said Mrs. Vernon seriously. That stopped all complaints instantly.
But Ruth could not help adding: Girl scouts never work like this in camp Im sure of it.
Girl scouts would never call this hard work! Theyd laugh at any one for hinting at such a thing. And youll do the same thing before the summers over, said Mrs. Vernon.
Ah well! Lets prepare for the end of the summer, girls, sighed Julie, ludicrously.
Come on, Ruth take the reins from Julie and lets start, said Betty, taking the hook and starting down the road.
By the time you two girls get back here, Betty, well show you how you should dig a cellar, retorted Julie. Why, you only managed to dig up a square yard in all this time. You should have had half of the pit finished.