Black Bartlemys Treasure

Myself: 'Tis the open air.

She: And the work, Martin. I have swept and dusted our cottage every hole and corner.

Myself: And found nothing left by its last tenant?

She: Nothing.

Myself: Had he but thought to leave us a saw our chairs and table would have been the better.

She: Then you will make them, Martin?

Myself: Aye--with time.

She: O 'tis bravely determined.

And here, for a moment, I felt the light touch of her hand on my shoulder.

Myself: They will be very unlovely things--very rough-She: And very wonderful, Martin.

Myself: As to these goats now, 'tis an excellent thought to catch some alive and rear them.

She: I could make you excellent cheese and butter.

Myself: If I cannot run them down, I must contrive to wound one or two with arrows.

She: Why then, Martin, why not head your arrows with pebbles in place of iron points?

Myself: Good again! Or I might make a couple of gins, running nooses cut from the goat-skin. Howbeit, I'll try!

Herewith I arose and she also; then while she busied herself to scald out our turtle-shell, I set off to get my goat-skin. And finding it where I had left it hanging on a rock to dry, I fell a-cursing to myself for very chagrin; for what with the heat of the rock and the fierce glare of the sun, here was my goat-skin all shrivelled and hard as any board. So stood I scowling at the thing, chin in hand, and mightily cast down, and so she presently found me; and beholding my disconsolate look falls a-laughing.

"O Martin," says she, "'tis well there are some things you cannot do!" Saying which, she takes up the skin (albeit it smelt none too sweet) and away she goes with it into the cave. So I got me back to my carpentry, and selecting as many boards as 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.