Bob finished the frame on the inside, about the same time and together they started on the broad strip that was marked off around the walls.
"Say lady, it's eleven o'clock. Can't we have that hand-out?" cried Bob Evans.
"Not yet. Why you've only been working an hour!" exclaimed Bet indignantly. "Who ever heard of such a thing!"
"Let's strike!" Phil dropped his paint brush and settled himself in an easy chair. "No hand-out, no more work!"
"That's right!" agreed Bob, capturing another chair.
"Oh you terrible boys! We might as well do it ourselves if we've got to stop every hour and feed you. There's nothing ready yet anyway." Bet frowned on her friends.
But just at that moment Uncle Nat appeared with two very large hampers and Bob and Phil each secured a basket.
"Now who's to say when?" laughed Bob. "Who's boss now, answer me that?"
"We are in the power of two tyrants who won't work!" said Kit dramatically.
"Take that back, Kit Patten, or you'll not get a bite of lunch. Say you're sorry!" teased Phil.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'll take it back!" laughed Kit.
"I'll tell you what, boys." It was Shirley's voice from the rear room, where she was cleaning out the big closet for a dark room. "We do want that strip painted before lunch. It won't take you more than ten minutes. While we are fixing up this table and unpacking the baskets, you finish that."
"Right-O, Shirley!" The boys were on their feet instantly and they went to work without another word.
"Oh girls, doesn't it look perfectly wonderful!" exclaimed Bet, coming into the room just as the two boys laid aside their brushes. "Now you shall eat!"
"A crust of bread and a glass of water, I suppose!"
"You suppose nothing of the sort. You know Auntie Gibbs put it up and therefore it has to be good!" exclaimed Kit. "But you boys won't get a bite to eat until you've washed your faces."
"Now we rebel! This is the limit. The worm turns at last. We're going to eat this way." And they did.
Auntie Gibbs had outdone herself on the lunch. There was fried chicken and apple fritters, still piping hot. There was jelly and hot biscuits. The table was loaded.
"Here Kit, open up that box of marshmallows. And put one in each cup of cocoa."
"One! Why you stingy thing. I'll not drink it unless I have three!" exclaimed Bob.