two in the morning
One thing was sure : under the strain of continued separation , her resistance to Mabyn 's evil suggestions was gradually breaking down . Meanwhile Garth was straining every nerve to complete the shack that was to be at once their habitation and their fortress . Within the shelter of its walls he hoped to sleep at peace again . His nerves were stretched like violin strings from the lack of it ; for all he could permit himself was an hour or two in the morning while Natalie was awake and could warn him . All afternoon he chopped pine trees , which old Cy with an improvised harness dragged into camp ; and far into the night , until overtaken with complete exhaustion , he trimmed his logs , squared the ends , and lifted them into place . It was their second red-letter day , when the last sod was dropped into place on the roof , and Garth carried Natalie inside . Strictly considered , the house was not very much to brag about , perhaps ; for it slanted this way and that like the first pothooks in a child 's copybook ; but Garth , fired by Natalie 's enthusiastic praises , could not have been prouder if he had completed the Taj Mahal .