Direct Cable w/ Internet Sharing

I am visiting family. I have 2 machines, ones a laptop w/ win 98 SE and other machine is a Compaq with WinME. Is it possible to use Direct Cable Connect and Internet Connection Share the machines at the same time? Using Nics right now is not a factore due to the short time I will be here.
I will be using the parrell port or I can obtain a USB cable for network. Which may be easier??

Thanks