I want to be a stonemason

A few weeks ago I had photographs of the wall in front of the manse which was destroyed by a hit-and-run driver. The church got estimates and submitted the lowest bid to our insurer. After the cheque arrived, the stonemason came out and using the old stones and his mortar rebuilt the wall in about 8 hours. Total cost -£1347 (in American dollars that is $2537.16) Or an hourly wage of $317.14. Either mortar is very expensive, or I missed my calling in life. Anyway, we do have to admit he did a very good job. The wall blends in quite naturally with all of the other stone walls that line the streets and gardens of our neighbourhood. And believe me, if it didn't, the preservation society would already be demanding that it be taken down and redone!