(seq. 17)

what she feared was too good to be can would rather unpleasantly
at the castles in the air Mr Stone was [long?] [hungrily?] building. The
children were anxious to know what the inventor looked like
& Mr. Stone told them they would have an excellent chance to
see as he was to stay with them for a time & build his
model in the stable. And the next day he did come. May
who happened to open the door was impressed by his
boyish My name is Maud M. Wood, appearance
& general and I am nine years of age. eccentricity
This impression was share by the whole family. the young
man whose name was Richardson Yours truly, was [convinced?]
tion
that there were millions in his invention Maud M. Wood & that/was
very indignant at the slightest doubt of it but aside from this
he was obliging & pleasant & the growth of the model became one
of the chief sources of interest & conversation to the Stone's
May had been in the habit of spending Wednesday afternoons
with Mrs Merriam and the fact that she was to be one of her friends
guests that evening did not prevent her from going the following
Mrs Merriam
Wednesday. They usually read aloud sometimes in a little [course?]
they had planned and sometimes a new story or poem or essay that
had pleased Mrs Merriam. She was an indefatigable reader bookworm herself
& enjoyed making other people like the good parts of a book.
May was a good pupil & some of her pleasantest hours were
spent listening to her friends delightful reading. Everything