He nods his assent to the idea of firewood being rationed; though they are surrounded by forest, there are only limited tools available to chop wood, and having a supply of dry wood will be important, come winter.

"I do not know how much wood the houses here need," he admits. "The heating here is not familiar, but we should be able to work out what we need based on last winter."

Mark Watney has been here much longer than he has, and those of the people here who live in their own houses have managed on their own with the heating, while Gaius himself lives in the Inn, which has its own, different needs.

He considers Watney's questions. In Rome and in the army, he'd always had assistance, people to whom he could delegate tasks, but he'd always been looking after supplies for more than a few dozen people, too. He doesn't expect this place to offer the same sort of debate and protest that the grain allocations in Rome had caused.

"I think I can manage the supplies. Help with the repairs would be good. There is still much to do and I am not yet skilled at the work."