“No.” Will smiled down at his wife. “They have things laid out the best they can. You ladies and the boys have a room, but …” he hesitated, “there aren't enough beds for the men, so they're putting us up on deck.”
“On deck! I can't believe it!”
“It's not that bad.” He chuckled. “It'll be an adventure.”
“Are you sure you didn't misunderstand? You shouldn't have to sleep up here with the livestock.”
Will chuckled. “We won't be sleeping with the cows and goats.”
“You must have misunderstood,” Laurel said.
“No, I got it right.” He swung an arm over Luke's shoulders. “We'll be fine.”
“I feel awful about this,” Jean said.
Will led the way down the staircase to a landing, then along a narrow, musty corridor. He'd been given a slip of paper with their room assignment on it, and when he located the correct cabin, he stopped. “This is it.” He turned the knob and opened the door.
The family crowded into the small compartment congested with bunks. Two round windows provided a modest amount of natural light. The quarters were airless and overly warm.
Jean walked to a set of bunks not far from the door, and pressed her hands down on the mattress. “Not bad.” She glanced at Laurel. “There's room at the end of the bed for your seedling.”
Doing her best to disguise her disappointment, Laurel smiled and stepped all the way inside. She set the tree on the floor at the foot of the bunk.
“Luke and I'll store our bags down here with you.” Will shoved the two suitcases under the bed, then pulled Jean and Susie into his arms. “We're almost there.”
Jean rested her cheek against his wool shirt. “Yes, but I wish you didn't have to sleep on deck. I hate being separated.”
“Me too. But it's only for a few days, and it's not like we haven't slept outdoors before.”
“But it's going to be cold; we're heading north.”
Will kissed Jean's forehead. “We'll be fine.”
Luke leaned against the doorframe. “I'd rather sleep on deck anyway.”
“Can I?” Brian asked.
“No.” Jean pulled the little boy close to her. “You and Justin will stay with Laurel and the baby and me.”
Brian and Justin climbed onto a bottom bunk. Justin lay back, leaving his legs hanging over the side. He stared at the mattress above. “This is neat. It's like a fort.”
“I want to sleep on top,” Brian said.
Will looked at Luke. “Well, son, we'd better go up and see about our sleeping arrangements. We'll be back after we're settled.” He gave Jean a quick kiss.
“Can we come?” Brian asked.
“Sure.” Will handed Susie to Jean. “See you ladies later.”
Jean turned to Laurel. “Do you want the top or the bottom?”
“With Susie to look after, you should have the bottom.”
Jean sat Susie on the mattress, then pushed her suitcase beneath the boys' bed. She sat beside the little girl. “Susie and I will be snug as a bug in a rug.” She tweaked the little girl's nose, and Susie giggled.
Laurel set her bag at the end of the bed and climbed onto the upper bunk. She lay down, resting her head on a small, nearly flat pillow and stared at the ceiling.
“I heard there's supposed to be a grand farewell,” Jean said. “After I get the baby changed, I'd like to go up.”
Cradling the baby, Jean walked into the narrow corridor. Laurel followed, closing the door. They stood for a moment, looking up and down the hallway. “We came in that way, didn't we?” Jean asked.
“I think so.” The corridor felt close and tight and smelled of diesel oil and stale sweat. The lights put out a dim glow.
A heavyset woman wearing a pillbox hat and too-tight suit approached them. Miram followed. The woman smiled courteously, stopped in front of the door, and studied the room number.
Miram smiled at Laurel. “Hello again. I'm so glad to see you,” she said in her nasal voice. “Are you in this room?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, that's wonderful! So are we.” She looked at the woman. “Mama, this is my friend Laurel. I met her on the train.”
The woman gave Laurel a curt smile and extended a gloved hand. “It's nice to meet you. I'm Margarite Dexter.” She gave her daughter a sideways glance. “I apologize for my daughter. She sometimes forgets her manners.”
“It's good to meet you, Mrs. Dexter,” Laurel said, feeling sorry for Miram, who'd quickly wilted under her mother's disapproval. “This is my mother, Jean Hasper, and my baby sister, Susie.”
“Hello.” Jean shook Margarite's hand.
