The Four-Story Mistake Quotes

“The four Melendy children live with their father, a widowed professor of economics, and Cuffy, their beloved housekeeper. During the height of World War II, the Melendy family moves out of New York City and into the countryside.”

“Miranda “Randy”, the third child, dislikes change and is saddened by the move. But the house they move into turns out to be an adventure.”

“Called by locals “The Four-Story Mistake”, it is an odd-looking house with a rich architectural history, surrounded by the country.”

“The four Melendy children soon find adventure discovering the many hidden attractions of the house.”

“Oliver discovers buried history, Rush is stranded in a tree during a storm, Randy finds a diamond in the most unlikely of places, and Mona learns what it truly means to be an actress.”

“None of them could have guessed at the secret hidden in their very own play space, the office—a secret that had been shut away for over 60 years.”

“Well, thank goodness there aren’t going to be any more children here anyway!′ said Randy crossly. She spoke crossly because she was sad and she preferred sounding cross to sounding sorrowful, even though there was no one in the room except herself.”

“Though disappointed about leaving their old brownstone in New York City, and apprehensive about living the country life, the four Melendy kids soon settle into this unusual new home.”

“They become absorbed in the adventures of the country, adjusting themselves with all their accustomed resourcefulness and discovering the many hidden attractions that the Four-Story Mistake has to offer.”

“Written in the 1940s and 1950s, they are a glimpse of childhood as it was. Kids go on adventures, ride the bus, attend the circus and concerts - all by themselves. As long as they get home by dinner and remember the family’s rules of “don’t talk to strangers and if you get lost, you can always ask a policeman” - all is well.”