The center of the room was given over to two old sofas and a couple of chairs. A cast-iron, flat-topped woodstove sat in the center of the windowless wall. Against each of the long walls of the room were arranged two sets of army bunk beds made up with army-issue blankets. The place was a little musty but other than that, it was clean and snug.

“Pretty nice, eh?” I remarked.

“Palatial,” replied Parker. “As comfortable an abode as could possibly be imagined.”

“Y-yeah,” affirmed Danny Ray.

“Well, what say we grab what we need from Miss Rosalie to set up housekeeping, and then we can get on with the day’s activities. I know you two want to get started on the boat, and I still have a chore or two to accomplish today,” I declared.

In less than a half hour we had the cabin arranged to our satisfaction. When we each had selected our bunks, Danny Ray took the blankets and bedding outside to air out, while Parker and I knocked cobwebs out of the corners of the ceiling, put out fresh roach bait, and gave the place a good sweeping. We opened the front and back doors to let some fresh air flow through the place, and then I brought in a double handful of firewood to check the draw of the stove, which as it turned out, worked just beautifully.

When we finished, Parker stepped to the refrigerator and put his hand inside.

“Cold as the arctic,” he announced as he closed the door. “There’s nothing like American domestic appliances. They are still the gold standard by which all others are judged. Why, that fridge is nearly sixty years old and still works like a champ.”

Parker shook his head in wonder and gave the refrigerator a fond pat on the head.

“Back to work!” he shouted, gesturing upward with his index finger. “We have much to accomplish, and time tarries not. Come, Danny Ray. We must obey the call. Let us plunge headlong to our task and put to right that which cries out for the application of our wondrous powers.”

“O-okay,” Danny said with an amused grin at Parker’s theatrical exhibition.

“Don’t let me slow you down,” I said. “I’ll see y’all later this evening.”