He had mentioned five years as the possible length of time before acquisition; secretly he laughed at the idea.

Five years! Why, he could save enough money in three years--in less than three years--in two years! It had been only a short time since he had made the last payment on the mortgage, and he had saved his two hundred and sixty-five dollars.

A saw-mill would not cost much.

He could build a great part of it himself.
That night Jerome truly counted his eggs before they were hatched.
All the future seemed but a nest for his golden hopes.

He would work and save--he was working and saving.