Not only must the pieces be cut and nailed together but
there was all the finishing, glueing, and varnishing. In addition an
interval was also necessary for drying. Therefore it was imperative
that he set about his task as soon as possible.
Yet day after day went by and the wood did not come.
Theo was almost beside himself.
First he was merely impatient, then angry, then discouraged.
It was not until he had about given up hope of being able to complete
the rack that the wood arrived. The pieces were beautifully grained,
and when Theo beheld them he could in his mind's eye see the
bookshelves shaped, smoothed, and rubbed down. He must finish the gift
if he toiled nights as well as days! It is doubtful if ever a boy
worked as hard or as anxiously as did Theo during the next two
weeks. And as his creation took form how happy he was! He cut the
three shelves, shaped the ends of the rack, and under his teacher's
direction carved on a jig-saw the simple ornament which was to
decorate the top. Never in his whole life had he enjoyed making
anything so much. Then came the day when the final coat of oil was
applied and there was nothing more to do but wait until it dried.
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