“These should make you comfortable,” he told Mr. Caldwell.
Ronnie walked back to the truck beside his father. “Now,” said Mr. Rorth, “let’s take a look at the evidence of this mysterious guest we’re supposed to be harboring in the old office building!”
Ronnie looked up sheepishly at his father. “It’s not there any more, Dad,” he said.
“Oh? So the ghost picked up his bedding and walked away, eh?”
“But it was there this morning, Dad. Honest it was. Bill saw it too. He’ll tell you.”
Mr. Rorth stared at his son a moment, then laughed and climbed into the truck. Ronnie’s face was scarlet as he turned back to join Bill.
For the remainder of the afternoon the boys worked at cleaning up the gristmill and the general store. Phil joined them about three o’clock, but as usual he wasn’t much help.
Twice during the afternoon they took a breather to see how Mr. Caldwell was coming with his unpacking. On their final visit, Ronnie exclaimed, “Gosh, Mr. Caldwell, you’ve got this place looking just like home!”
“And that’s what it’s going to be for a couple of weeks. Who knows, I might just decide to stay on indefinitely!”
“Oh, but you couldn’t do that—not unless you want to be under water,” Ronnie explained.