126 THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



table, which is drawn near to the coal-range, after 

 you have started that a-going at a good pace, is 

 ideal.) Next, treat strip number III (no, we don't 

 mean II) in the same way, applying the glue to its 

 planed surface B ; lay it down. At any time when 

 the brush may stiffen or the glue in the brush is too 

 thick to spread well, limber the brush and thin the 

 glue a bit at one and the same time by cleaning out 

 the brush in the hot water in which the glue-can sits. 

 Now you may pick up strip II and cover both of its 

 planed surfaces with glue ; and don't lay this down 

 yet but transfer it to your right hand (having 

 laid that brush in a safe place, mind you, from 

 where it will not fall on the floor and annex a choice 

 collection of dust), which grasps it between thumb 

 and forefinger, at the butt. Next, seizing strip I 

 similarly in the left hand, pick it up and bring the 

 glued sides of the strips II and I together; and, 

 then, holding both in the left hand, pick up strip III 

 and bring that up against the first two. Then place 

 this half-section on the table, with planed surfaces 

 down, and pinch all three strips together firmly, 

 along their whole length, between thumbs and 

 fingers, sufficiently for them to adhere together as a 

 unit some gaping will do no harm. 



Now, wash your hands in the warm water in the 

 basin and wipe them on the rag. 



Exactly the same maneuvers are repeated with 



