By Brenna M.


CHAPTER I – IN THE FIRST

"Lisa! You are finally here!!!! I thought that you would never come!" Cried Mrs. Whittier excitedly as a tall, stately woman with twinkling blue eyes and a rosy smile alighted from the carriage.

"Clara! You look wonderful!" the lady said hurrying forward. After chatting for a few minutes Mrs. Hacket said, "Oh, Clara. I would like you to meet my children," she said motioning to the two young people standing behind her. "This is Robert age 14 and this is Denise age 13. Children this is Mrs. Whittier."

"How do you do?" they both said as Robert bowed and Denise curtsied.

"Thank you I am well," answered Mrs. Whittier "Please come in and meet my family!" She said "I will have Stamen bring your trunks to your rooms," she added gaily as she sailed across the patio.

***

"May I present Henry, Margaret, and Christi is upstairs napping. She is only 5 months old," Mrs. Whittier said proudly.

"How do you do children?" Asked Mrs. Hacket.

"Fine thank you," they answered.

"Now Lisa, I think Robert and Denise will get along splendidly with Henry and Margaret as they are the same age!" Mrs. Whittier said "Margaret would you please show the Hacket's to their rooms?"

"Yes ma'am," Margaret said. She smiled and led the way up the grand staircase to the second floor, and then up two more flights of stairs to the fourth floor, here she led them down a long hallway to a door on the left. This she opened and walked in.

"Mrs. Hacket this is your suite. It has a parlor a boudoir, and dressing room. Stamen has brought up your things and Robert, Denise," she said "Your rooms are directly down the hall,"
"Thank you Margaret. What time is dinner served?" asked Mrs. Hacket as she sat down in a comfortable settee.

"Seven o'clock is dinner," she said "but tea is served at four," she said as she led Robert and Denise out the door. "Your boudoir is here Robert," she said. "The door on the far side leads to your mother's parlor."

"Thank you Miss Margaret," he said smiling. She curtsied deeply.

"You are most welcome sir!" she added gaily as she and Denise hurried down the hall.

"Here you are Denise! She cried opening the door "You have a boudoir and," she said walking to the far side of the room to a door. Margaret opened it and said, "A tower! It has a little drawing room and a mini sitting room!" Denise smiled.

"You know, I bet we can see everything from up there! I hope we can be good friends Margaret!"

"Of course we can! As soon as you have freshened up a little I will show you my suite!"

"Where will I meet you? This house is so big I don't think I will ever learn my way around!" Denise said.

"Oh you will soon learn. We can meet right here in a half an hour if you wish," Margaret answered.

"Oh that sounds just fine!"

"OK! I must go and change now," Margaret said as she hurried out the door. As she walked down the hall she met her brother coming up.

"What do you think Meg?" Henry asked.

"What do I think about what?"

"About the Hacket family of course! I think Robert is swell," he added soundly.

"I think it is a fine family. And don't say 'swell' you know mother doesn't like it!" Margaret replied.

"Aw, Meg, lay off will you?" he said in a helpless sort of voice.

"I am just saying that 'swell' is not the type of word to be using to describe Robert Hacket," she said decidedly. Her brother gave her a knowing glance.

"Is 'handsome' more like it?" he asked.

"Henry Whittier! I have half a mind to tell mama what you just said!" she said.

"I was only kidding! I am going to see if Robert wants to take a stroll around the grounds before the others get here," he added, hurrying off.

"BOYS!" Margaret heaved a sigh and continued on her way.