Grateful for being put in charge, Adam descended the ladder with as much dignity as possible and began his instructions. One girl would stay and begin cleaning. The other was to return to the house for supplies and additional help. Fresh mattress, clean sheets and blankets, a mouser--he seemed to recall that one of their neighbors had recently had kittens?

Ronan would want to wash up from his journey, so he would need a working bath. The bath pump would need to be checked, and the water heater should be cleaned and repaired as necessary. The entire loft area should be scrubbed. The little iron stove would need to be cleaned out and supplied with fresh coal to warm the loft.

Satisfied with his orders, Adam went outside to report to his new master. "Everything is in order," he murmured, stepping to Ronan's side.