Almost imperceptibly, at first, it moved while Betty Jo watched breathlessly.
Brian swung his ax with increasing vigor, now, while the wood, still remaining, cracked and snapped as the weight of the tree completed the work of the chopper.

Faster and faster the towering mass of foliage swung in a wide graceful arc toward the ground.

The man with the ax stepped back, his eyes fixed on the falling tree as, with swiftly increasing momentum, its great weight swept swiftly downward to its crashing end.
Betty Jo clapped her hands in triumph; and Brian, turning, saw her standing there.

His face was flushed and glistening with perspiration; his broad chest heaved with the deep breathing gained by his exertion, and his eyes shone with the gladness of her presence.
"You are early, to-day!" he cried.

"Have you finished?
Is it actually completed ?" "All finished," she returned; and, going to the fallen tree, she put her hands curiously on the trunk, which lay a little higher than her waist.
"Help me up," she commanded.
Brian set his ax against the stump, and, laughingly, lifted her to the seat she desired.