Soon the rip of shovelled shingles, the
sound of sawing, and the ring of hammers filled the air.
The Harding improvements improved so fast, that sand, cement, and the big
pile of lumber began accumulating at Peter's corner of the crossroads
below the home, for the playhouse. Men who started by calling Peter a
fool, ended by borrowing his plans and belabouring themselves for their
foolishness; for the neighbourhood was awakening and beginning to develop
a settled conviction as to what constituted the joy of life, and that the
place to enjoy it was at home, and the time immediately. Peter's reward
was not only in renewed happiness for himself and Nancy; equal to it was
his pleasure over the same renewal for many of his lifelong friends.
Mickey started on his day to Atwater with joyful anticipation, but he
jumped from Douglas' car and ran up the Harding front walk at three
o'clock, his face anxious. He saw the Harding car at the gate, and
wondered at Peter sitting dressed for leisure on the veranda.
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