Music in the Night (Logan 4)

The grounds around the house were also

beautiful and well taken care of. The carpet-like green

lawn was always immaculate, and the flower garden

was dazzling with its hydrangeas, pansies, roses, and

geraniums. There was even a small duck pond with a

dozen or so ducks in it. In front of the house were two

large, blooming red maple trees. Between them on the

far right was a bench swing with a canopy over it,

although I don't think anyone but Cary, May, or I ever

used it.

We saw Judge Childs's car parked in the

circular driveway when we pulled in. Judge Childs was a frequent guest, especially for Sunday brunch. He was my grandparents' closest old friend. The judge was retired, but Grandma Olivia always stressed the fact that he still had friends in high places and was

very influential.

After we got out of the car, Mommy gave us

another once-over, straightening May's clothes and

again trying to brush out any creases.

Daddy rang the doorbell, and Grandma Olivia's

housekeeper, Loretta, answered the door. For as long

as I could remember, Loretta had worked for

Grandma Olivia and Grandpa Samuel, but she never

looked terribly happy about it.

"Everyone is in the sitting room," she declared

without much emotion and stepped back to allow us

in.

We entered like one of the duck families in the

pond, Daddy first, Mommy right behind him, and then

the three of us trailing in single file.

There was a short, marble-floored entryway

with paintings on both sides, seascapes of the Cape

and boats and portraits of sailors. The house was