254 PUTTING THE HOUSE TO RIGHTS. 
their little log house, which had lately been 
rather neglected: the door was off one 
hinge, a pane of glass was broken out of 
the window, and the roof was out of repair, 
so that the rain came through at every 
shower. Both the boys were very expert 
in the use of carpenters’ tools and Sidney 
could set glass as well as any glazier. New 
shingles there were in abundance; and in a 
box in the garret devoted to such odds and 
ends Bichard found a pair of old brass 
hinges, which, with a little cleaning and 
fixing, formed an admirable substitute for 
the bits of leather which had formerly an¬ 
swered the purpose. A broad flat stone 
was found and placed before the door, 
the ground around carefully cleaned and 
smoothed, and by the time the girls came 
out there was a decided improvement in 
the appearance of things. 
“ I wonder if we cannot do something to 
the walls to make them look better?” said 
Annie. 
“ Whitewash them,” suggested Sidney. 
“ But there is no lime about; and I don’t 
think that would hide the stains, either. 
But we might paper them.’ 
