I-XXVI

The "board or so" to be replaced on the ice
house, as Gordon had surmised, proved to
be extensive -- a large section of the inner
wall had rotted from the constant dampness, the
slowly seeping water. The ice house stood back of
the dwelling, by the side of the small barn and beyond
a number of apple trees: it was a square structure
of boards, with no opening save a low door
under the peak of the roof with a small platform
and exterior flight of steps.

In the gloomy, dank interior a rough ladder, fastened
to the wall, led down to the falling level of
soggy sawdust, embedded in which the irregular
pieces of ice were preserved against the summer.
From the interior the opening made a vivid square
of blue sky; for long hours the blue increased in
brilliancy, after which, veiled in a greyer haze of
heat, the patch of sky grew gradually paler, and
then clear; the suggestion of immeasurable space
deepened; above the dark hole of the ice house the
illimitable distance was appalling. Gordon was
resting from the sullen, muffled knocking of his hammer
when a figure suddenly blotted out the light, hid

[[133]]

p132 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p133w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p134

v?