I must make the foundations strong and the walls
thick. I must have plenty of mud to plaster with, and inside, up
above the water, I must have the snuggest, warmest room where I
can sleep in comfort. This is the place to build it, and it is
high time I was at work."
With that Paddy swam over to the place where he had cut the trees
for his dam, and his heart was light, for he had long ago learned
that the surest way to be happy is to be busy.
CHAPTER X Paddy Starts His House.
Jerry Muskrat was very much interested when he found that Paddy
the Beaver, who you know, is his cousin, was building a house.
Jerry is a house-builder himself, and down deep in his heart he
very much doubted if Paddy could build as good a house as he
could. His house was down in the Smiling Pool, and Jerry thought
it a very wonderful house indeed, and was very proud of it. It
was built of mud and sod and little alder and willow twigs and
bulrushes. Jerry had spent one winter in it, and he had decided
to spend another there after he had fixed it up a little. So, as
long as he didn't have to build a brand-new house, he could
afford the time to watch his cousin Paddy. Perhaps he hoped that
Paddy would ask his advice.
But Paddy did nothing of the kind. He had seen Jerry Muskrat's
house, and he had smiled. But he had taken great pains not to
let Jerry see that smile. He wouldn't have hurt Jerry's feelings
for the world.
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