With Eli and Vernon's help, the holes in the foundation and roof had been patched and tarred, and the Crowley sons had begun installing her new truncheon floor. The cobwebs were finally banished from the back room via the flames of a torch. On Thursday, an older man of Adam Crowley's age and stature entered the office. He introduced himself as Hiram Farley and announced that he'd come to encircle the base of the outside foundation with a screening wire. Vivid followed him outside, puzzled by this announcement. She'd never heard of such a thing. He was unrolling the wire mesh like a bolt of fabric as he explained what he'd come to do. "Edna says the squirrels got in." "Yes, sir, they did." "Well, after we nail this around the foundation they won't be able to gnaw through. Rodents like familiar places and they're probably gonna want to bed down in your place next winter, but this time, tell them their boardinghouse is closed." Vivid smiled. "How much do I owe you, Mr. Farley?" "Not a cent, little girl.
