That was the way he looked at the matter at first; but after a little reflection, he felt more like defying Dan and Lester both.

What business had either of them to interfere with his arrangements, and say that he should not earn an honest dollar to give his mother, if he could?
None whatever, and he would succeed in spite of them.
He would get that grocery bill off his hands the first thing, and when he was square with the world, he would go to work in earnest and outwit all his foes, no matter how numerous or how smart they might be.

He would tell Don all about it and be governed by his advice.
Having come to this determination, David once more, turned his face toward the General's house.

A few minutes' rapid walking brought him to the barn and there he found the boy he wanted to see.

The brothers had just returned from a short ride--Don was not yet strong enough to stand his usual amount of exercise--and having turned the ponies over to the hostler, were on the point of starting for the house, when David came in.
"Halloo, Dave!" exclaimed Don, who was always the first to greet him.
"Traps all built ?" "Not yet," answered David, trying to look as cheerful as usual.
"You have plenty of nails and timber, I suppose.