Now for the rails, or 2"x 4" pieces that run the length of the bunks. Here, again, you must work to the dimensions of the springs you have bought, figuring 11/2" (31/4" at each end) leeway. These rails should be cut to rest on the end-pieces which have been fixed into the notches in the posts, and nailed (or bolted) to the posts, as indicated. An extra notch in the end of the side rails is good construction. Things are getting pretty well along by now, and if you haven't made any wrong cuts in any of the 2"x 4" pieces, you're doing fine. Cut four more pieces of 2" X 4" (the last of this dimensioned lumber you will have to destroy for this job) to the exact length of the spread between the rails. These may be nailed into the rails with 3" nails, as this whole rail unit could be kept intact, like the end units, if you are building the thing so that it can be taken apart and reassembled. The exact position along the rail in which you nail these cross-brace stiffeners would depend upon what sort of springs you have, so this needs to be studied out.

The rails, like the end-pieces, can well be given greater rigidity, with 4" angle iron shelf brackets, screwed into the rail and the inside face of the end-pieces. They would be invisible from any point of view, after spring and mattress were in place.

Now we're nearly ready to sweep up the chips and sawdust, wash up and call it a job. The necessary quantity of 8" clear pine (or cypress) No. 1 grade board has been delivered at the site to make the end and side-pieces which are to give us the elegant finish so dear to the heart of the true craftsman.

First the end, or head and foot boards. These are cut and nailed in position as shown in the drawing-the work of a few merry moments. The side boards are just as easily done, unless you really care how this whole affair is going to look, in which case you will take compass saw in hand and cut a graceful curved down-sweep, narrowing the major portion of the side board to j", just enough to cover the 2"x 4" rail, to which it is to be nailed or screwed. Screwed is better, if you ever want to take the thing apart.

In order to get all these curve-cuts identical, cut yourself a cardboard pattern with which to mark the cuts. The 3" down-curve would look well, and would give you an extra inch with which to cover the 4" rail.

All is now accomplished, if you haven't made any miscuts-and you must know before you start this showy display of skill and industry that every cut must be exact and true, or you will come off with a botch job and be unhappy about it. And we are committed to the idea that it's fun to build things.

One other detail before you paint or stain this, make up the beds and pipe all hands to the slumber hour. There's the ladder to make, which you can do quite easily, or be fussy about. In the first case you simply nail it together from 1"x 21/2" strips and bolt it to the rails, through the side boards. Better place it at the foot rather than at the head. In the second case you might use 1 1/2" stock for the uprights, and make saw-and-chisel notches for each rung, the rungs being of 1" stock, and the notches sinking these 1/2" into the uprights. In any case, uprights and rungs must have the sharp corner edges well sandpapered down.

If you are concerned about any difficulty in making up the beds, with the ladder in place, it can be made detachable by having ye olde village smithe make two iron hangers, which can be screwed into the tops of the uprights, to hang the whole ladder on the top side board. (If you're going to do this, be sure the top side board is very securely fastened to the top rail.)

In fact, as originally urged, the whole thing must be so well put together that you won't, some time in the middle of the night, be awakened by a terrific crash, and have to extricate victims from the wreckage. If you make it as directed, it should stand any amount of rough usage, even to the fratricidal battles often staged by youthful brothers after curfew has tolled the knell of parting day, and they're supposed to be peacefully navigating the Land of Nod.