Mavis took careful notes, jotting down the dimensions, sketching the construction details, counting the logs, and estimating the number of rocks required. Red clay, plentiful in the area, would be used for chinking between logs. With only one room, the main decisions to be made were whether to have a clay or a puncheon floor of split logs smoothed with an adze, and where to put the door and windows. For this discussion they moved into the cabin and sat with Epsey around the table. Like the Pratts, Kindred and Mavis decided to use packed earth underfoot for the time being, but to leave the door, fireplace, and ceiling about a foot higher than was now needed, to accommodate a puncheon floor later on.

Mavis had a steady stream of questions and soon knew as much as possible about the Pratts’ lives in Philadelphia, North Carolina, and there in the Quaker settlement. Epsey was more reluctant to pry into the personal affairs of the Morrises, but Mavis volunteered much of the information without being asked.

“Dr. Bartram suggested that we come to Wrightsborough because he was acquainted with Mr. Maddock and some of the other Quakers. When we arrived there and were waiting to get our land allotted, we lived in an attic room with a Quaker family named Fleming, and we took our meals with them.”

Epsey asked, “Are you and Kindred of the Friends’ faith?”

Mavis laughed. “Oh, no! We rarely ever went to church in Philadelphia, and never to a Quaker meeting. We attended twice with the Flemings, but those folks are too strict for me, and some of them made it plain that they didn’t approve of my frivolous ways.”

Epsey was somewhat disappointed with this answer and decided to change the subject.

“Do you have enough things to set up housekeeping?”

“Well, I didn’t bring much with me, except a few cooking utensils, plus the quilts, sheets, and household linens that I reckon all young women are expected to make or buy before we get married. We’re getting by, but we plan to buy some more things after our place is finished.”

Ethan and Kindred soon turned the conversation back to the cabin construction. Epsey made a few suggestions on how their own fireplace and windows could be better located, and everyone agreed.

Ethan said, “I’ll be over tomorrow to help you get the balance of the logs and rocks, and then we can put up the cabin together.”

“No, I’d rather for me and Mavis get all the materials ready, which will give us a chance to train our two new oxen. Then I’ll come and get you to help us put up the walls.”