She had received from Mr.Benedict the plan and dimensions of every room.

Carpets were made, matting was purchased, sets of furniture were procured, crockery, glass, linen, mirrors, curtains, kitchen-utensils, everything necessary to housekeeping, were bought and placed in store, so that, when the spring came, all that remained necessary was to give her order to forward them, and write her directions for their bestowal in the house.
The long-looked for time came at last.

The freshets of spring had passed away; the woods were filling with birds; the shad-blossoms were reaching their flat sprays out over the river, and looking at themselves in the sunny waters; and the thrush, standing on the deck of the New Year, had piped all hands from below, and sent them into the rigging to spread the sails.
Jim's heart was glad.

His house was finished, and nothing remained but to fill it with the means and appliances of life, and with that precious life to which they were to be devoted.

The enterprise by which it was to be supported lay before him, and was a burden upon him; but he believed in himself, and was not afraid.
One morning, after he had gone over his house for the thousandth time, and mounted to the cupola for a final survey, he started for Sevenoaks to make his arrangements for the transportation of the furniture.