noon
exclaimed Gem , interrupting Tom in a search for artichokes ; `` eight of them , as sure as you live ! '' `` What an expression , '' said Tom , imitating his sister 's voice ; `` you girls are so common ! '' But the approach of the visitors made a truce a matter of necessity , and soon the project of the tree-house engrossed the entire attention . Boards were brought from the little tool-house , saws were in demand , and Gem was deputed to confiscate all the hammers and nails in the house for the use of the builders ; the work went bravely on , and by noon the walls of the fortification were up , and the roof well advanced towards completion . A ladder brought from the barn , took the workmen half-way up the trunk ; but the old tree was lofty , and a long space intervened between the end of the ladder and the lowest branches , which must of necessity be ascended in that squirming manner peculiar to boys , wherein they delight to bark their shins , tear their trousers , and blister their hands in the pursuit of glory . Gem , of course , could not hope to emulate the B. B. 's in this mode of progression towards the fortification , but she brought nails and carried boards with great energy . When there was no call for her services , she watched with intense interest the B. B. who happened to be squirming up .