Just then the party came to a halt. Directly in front of them was the ivy-covered house that Matthew had described. He had been right; it was hard to see against the background of the woods. It had glass windows that were shaped like lots of little diamonds. The dwelling was quite pretty, and all around it were lovely flower gardens.
“It’s bigger than I expected. I was imagining a little cottage. It is sweet though,” Eileen spoke out loud.
John gave her a funny look. “If you can call a house sweet.”
Matthew knocked at the door. After a few moments it was answered by a little woman who looked to be in her fifties. She was wearing a soft blue dress that had faded by time. On her gray head she wore a white mobcap. About her waist she was garbed in a neat and spotless white apron.
Matthew took his hat off and bowed. “Good day, Miss Frits. I have returned with the rest of my company,” he gestured towards the others.
The little woman peered around the doorframe, curiously.
“Goodness!” she exclaimed. “You did not tell me there were children with you! They cannot be out in this rainy weather! It’s bad for their health. Quick, bring everyone in before you all catch a cold.”
When Eileen entered the house she immediately felt at home. It was pleasantly warm and cozy; the place was filled with all sorts of wonderful and curious things. On every wall hung several beautiful paintings and the furniture was solid and attractive. Most of the pieces were covered in splendid red velvet. On one wall hung a huge painted chart of the world. Each window was framed in rich drapes that matched the velvet furniture. Eileen wandered down the hall a bit and peeked into an adjoining room. It too was decorated similarly. Above a fireplace mantle set several porcelain vases of various shapes and sizes. Eileen noticed some strange things too. In one corner was a good-sized wooded dragon, along with other statues. All of the floors were covered with plush oriental carpets. The thing that stood out the most to Eileen was all of the books! They were everywhere, piled up on tables, filling baskets and shelves all over the house.
“It’s a palace!” she thought. Even John, who lived in splendor, stopped and stared.
After introductions were made, Miss Frits offered to show them to their rooms and to allow them clean up before dinner. Everyone was glad to do as she said, since they were all tired and their clothes were soiled. Miss Frits led the entire group up the winding staircase to the many bedrooms on the second floor. “You men will sleep in these rooms down this corridor,” she gestured towards a long hallway, in which had several bedrooms.
“And you ladies, will stay in these rooms.” She took them down a shorter hallway to two adjoined rooms. Miss Frits handed the key to Martha. “You may keep this for now. Dinner will be served at noon, and if ya need anything else, just holler.”
Every one had gone upstairs to rest and clean up before dinner, except for Mike. He stood in the foyer, holding his hat in front of him, gazing about, like Eileen had done.
Miss Frits walked slowly down the stairs, seeing Mike she strolled over to him. “Is something wrong, Sir?”
“I was just wondering.”
“About what?”
“About this map, where did you get it?”
“My husband gave it to me years ago,” she replied. “In fact, he drew it up himself. It was one of my most prized possessions.”
“But I drew it!” he said with astonishment.
“That’s impossible! Look, there’s his name right there, Michelangelo Williams,” she read.
