CHAPTER XXIII.
IN THE WOODS Now I have to go backward--that's one good thing about this story, it has a reverse gear; you can go backward.
The first night we had the house-boat, Mr.Ellsworth went to see Mr.
Darren, who is superintendent of Northside Woods (that's owned by the Northside estate) and he asked Mr.Darren if we could chop down some saplings to use on the boat.

Because we wanted to make some stanchions for the awning, and another flagpole, and some bumper sticks.

He thought that was a good idea, because lumber costs so much.

Connie said the reason it was high is because they're building tall houses.

So Mr.
Darren marked some saplings with chalk and said we could take those.
The next afternoon after that last meeting, we all hiked over to Northside Woods to chop down the saplings.