Hildegarde's Home

Book Excerpt: ...he keys to the faithful Hicks" (Hicks had been the Grahames' butler for several years), "and then Hicks came down to the station with me, and did everything that was possible to secure a comfortable journey for me--and Janet.""Poor Hicks!" said Hildegarde, smiling. "It must have been very hard for him to say good-by to you--and Janet.""I think it was!" said Mrs. Grahame. "He asked me, very wistfully, if we should not need some one to take care of the garden, and said he was very fond of out-door work; but I had to tell him that we should only need a 'chore-man, ' to do odds and ends of work, and should not keep a gardener. At this he put on a face like three days of rain, as your Grimm story says, and the train started, and that was all."And now tell me, Sweetheart," she added, "what have been your happenings. First of all, how do you like the house?""Oh, it's a jewel of a house!" replied Hildegarde with enthusiasm. "You told me it was pleasant, but I had no idea of anything lik...