"This table wobbles!" said Charmian.
"It does," said I, "but then I notice that the block is misplaced
again."
"Then why use a block?"
"A book is so clumsy--" I began.
"Or a book? Why not cut down the long legs to match the short
one?"
"That is really an excellent idea."
"Then why didn't you before?"
"Because, to be frank with you, it never occurred to me."
"I suppose you are better as a blacksmith than a carpenter,
aren't you, Peter?" And, seeing I could find no answer worthy of
retort, she laughed, and, sitting down, watched me while I took
my saw, forthwith, and shortened the three long legs as she had
suggested. Having done which, to our common satisfaction, seeing
the moon was rising, we went and sat down on the bench beside the
cottage door.
"And--are you a very good blacksmith?" she pursued, turning to
regard me, chin in hand.
"I can swing a hammer or shoe a horse with any smith in Kent
--except Black George, and he is the best in all the South
Country."
"And is that a very great achievement, Peter?"
"It is not a despicable one."
"Are you quite satisfied to be able to shoe horses well, sir?"
"It is far better to be a good blacksmith than a bad poet or an
incompetent prime minister."
"Meaning that you would rather succeed in the little thing than
fail in the great?"
"With your permission, I will smoke," said I.
"Surely," she went on, nodding her permission, "surely it is
nobler to be a great failure rather than a mean success?"
"Success is very sweet, Charmian, even in the smallest thing; for
instance," said I, pointing to the cottage door that stood open
beside her, "when I built that door, and saw it swing on its
hinges, I was as proud of it as though it had been--"
"A really good door," interpolated Charmian, "instead of a bad
one!"
"A bad one, Charmian?"
"It is a very clumsy door, and has neither bolt nor lock."
"There are no thieves hereabouts, and, even if there were, they
would not dare to set foot in the Hollow after dark."
"And then, unless one close it with great care, it sticks--very
tight!"
"That, obviating the necessity of a latch, is rather to be
commended," said I.