OUR LAKE 



there was a good deal of discussion in regard to size, 

 location, etc. Whereat the Master Mind became in- 

 terested and finally said, "If you three men are going 

 to build three boathouses on the shore, do let me think 

 it over and submit a plan." 



Nothing loath, they consented. Now was the 

 Laird of the Manor happy again; with paper, pad, and 

 ruler he made mysterious measurements, he telephoned 

 for necessary dimensions, he paced off bits of the for- 

 est, he hung papers on long strings and went out in 

 a rowboat to judge of the effect. He even 

 deigned to consult the Friendly Architect about pos- 

 sible weights and measures. Very busy indeed were 

 all his spare moments now, and very inscrutable his 

 countenance. At last his plan was ready and he called 

 his neighbors together for consultation. 



"You know that low piece of ground next to me in 

 the thick woods?" he began. "Well, that can be 

 bought, and you can put your three boathouses there 

 in one building. Each man will own the lot under 

 his house; there will be no connection between them; 



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