The inspecting party descended to the cabin. It was, indeed, snug enough. Jensen had it in pretty tidy shape. There were bunks along both sides and Jensen’s bed was made. He had a few articles of clothing piled neatly in a vacant bunk. Sheridan walked about and eyed everything keenly.
“Don’t you have any closets?” he asked. “A boat like this ought to have closets.”
“Sure there’s closets,” and the sailor pointed to some partitions that opened toward the hold of the barge. Sheridan peered into them eagerly, but they were practically empty.
“What’s the size of this cabin?” he asked. “How big a family could live in it? You know most boatmen are married and want to have their families aboard with them.”
“It’s about twelve feet long,” said Jensen, “and the width of the boat.”
“Now, there ought to be room for some closets in the stern,” said Sheridan, “on either side of the companionway, between the cabin wall and the hull itself.” He stooped down and keenly examined the rear wall.
“There ain’t no closets there,” said Jensen, “and there ain’t no room for any, neither. I tried one time to make a closet there. Needed more storage room for myself. The cabin wall is right up against the stern o’ the boat.”
Sheridan glanced expressively at Mr. Morgan, but said nothing. Instead, he turned to the boatman. “How long is your craft over all?” he asked.
“One hundred feet.”
“And you say this rear cabin wall is plumb against the boat’s hull?”