Patty and Azalea

Patty Farnsworth has plenty to occupy her at Wistaria Porch, the spacious Westchester County home she shares with her husband, Bill, and their baby daughter, Fleurette. The opening of Carolyn Wells's novel lingers over the family's affectionate banter, their choice of furnishings and Patty's plans for a tea-house in the grounds. Close enough to New York for a quick visit, the estate gives this children's series story a setting of comfortable rooms, gardens and family gatherings.

A different tone emerges around Azalea, who calls herself a Western girl and claims Bill as her cousin. Questioned about a letter from her father and a mysterious telephone caller, she offers explanations that Bill doubts, then resists further inquiries. The book brings a puzzle into domestic life while placing honesty and manners under scrutiny. Readers interested in family stories with a mystery can follow the tension between an inviting household and a young visitor's closely guarded affairs.