CHAPTER NINE "New Folks In Town"

     September was a pleasant month for all the residents of Smithville.  On most days sunshine came in the windows, music played on the radio and blended with the sounds of lawn mowers busily working outside.  Now October is here, and with it comes some exciting news, but upsetting news for some.

     Last week Tess Endrews arrived at the Sewell's house with a letter for Elizabeth. And Elizabeth
couldn't believe what she was reading!

     The letter was from Elizabeth's mother and father, Phillip and Pamela Prescott.  The big news was that Phillip and Pamela would be arriving that day for an extended stay in Smithville.  It seems that the
Prescott's son and daughter-in-law (he being Elizabeth's older brother)  were being taken to Africa with
a missionary family for an extended stay at a missionary school.  They had decided that the extended stay would be too long for their daughter, Penelope.  So they decided to leave her with her grandparents.
     And Phillip and Pamela had decided to come stay with Elizabeth and Frederick, so that Penelope would have the company of her cousins, and the grandparents would have the child care assistance .
AND THEY WERE ARRIVING TODAY!
     "Frederick, Frederick, Come
 here!  You won't believe what is happening.  And it is going to
happen TODAY!"
     Well, if I tell you that Frederick was just a bit upset at the news, then I am the master of the understatement.  Frederick was horrified.  He had no desire to share his home with his in-laws....
for an extended  period of time. Besides, there really wasn't enough room in their house.

     "Elizabeth, exactly how long will they be here?"

     " Well, I don't know exactly, but Mother does mention the the missionary's term of service is
at least one school year."

     "YEAR!" shouted Frederick.  "NO, it is impossible"

     Elizabeth was wringing her hands and tears were threatening to spill.  From the kitchen Claire was observing their distress.  Now, you must understand that Claire has always been a very resourceful girl. She has had to be, handling all the crises that erupt in the Sewell household.
     She long ago had managed to acquire her own living space, so that she could have her own
days away from all the drama of the Sewell household.  Claire had bartered with the local Bed and Breakfast to have her own bedroom in the carriage house attached to the Hollyhock Hill Bed and Breakfast, in exchange for doing some cooking and laundry work.
     " I think I could get you a good rate on rooms at the Hollyhock Hill.  They aren't very busy right now, and would be especially interested in a long term stay."
     "Oh, could you?  Would you?  Frederick was quite excited.
      So the three of them hurried over to the bed and breakfast.  After inspecting the rooms, they
were excited to learn that they could rent them for a very reasonable rate.  And the owners were delighted to have good renters for at least a year.
     Later that day, all the Prescotts arrived, and Elizabeth was really happy to see her family again.
And Frederick was very relieved to show them their lovely rooms at the Hollyhock Hill Bed and Breakfast.

   
 And, oh yes, they brought their dogs, too!