The house smirks and goads me on to tackle the green cave . Painstakingly I rub down and smooth the tired , faded , parched wood , then , finally dip my pad for the first time into the brown liquid that smells of artists ' studios and craftsman 's workshops . I take a deep breath .
What is the brown liquid ?
- Liquid bandage
 - Stain or a gloss or paint with Linseed oil in it .
 - None of the above choices .
 - Glue


Stain or a gloss or paint with Linseed oil in it .