Music Welcome to snoozecast, the podcast designed to help you fall asleep. Find us on snoozecast.com and if you enjoy our show, please share us with a friend. This episode is brought to you by the H.J. Cordais Home for Tramps. Tonight we'll read the next part to the Boxcar Children written by schoolteacher Gertrude Chandler Warner and published in 1924. In the last episode, the children gather while

Jin's saying around their woodland home to sell to local pharmacies. Violet

comes down with a fever and is taken to the doctor's home. While she is being

cared for there, the doctor secretly calls for the grandfather to come. Let's get cozy. Close your eyes. Relax your body into the softness of your bed. Now take a few deep breaths. they never will go with you in this world, declared Mrs. McAllister finally to the distracted grandfather, unless you give us time to break the news gradually. And above all, when Violet is still ill, couldn't I see them beg the man, almost like a boy? I could pretend I was a friend of yours, visiting you. I would promise not to tell them until you consented. That might do, said Dr. McAllister. So, James Henry Cordyce's chauffeur was sent for a gold monogram suitcase and his young man to wait upon him. And Irish Mary held up her hands in despair when she learned for whom she must cook. And lunchtime came, J.H. Cordyce saw all his grandchildren accept Violet. He smiled with delight. Mrs. McAllister had given the children's names clearly when she introduced them. Jess, Benny, and Henry.

Henry James, she had added. But she had not added the man's name. She forgot, thought Jess, because she knows him so well, she thinks we do. But although nameless, the stranger caught their attention, he told them wonderful stories about a steel rail which held up an entire bridge until the people had time to get off about his collie dog about a cucumber his garden, growing inside of a glass bottle.

Henry was interested. Benny was fascinated. After lunch, he went to sleep in the easy chair in the doctor's big office. That is, Mr. Cordy threw his head back and shut his eyes, and breathed very heavily. Just went through the room once with ice water, humming, for Violet was better. But the moment she saw the stranger asleep, she stopped her singing abruptly and tiptoed the rest of the way. Then as suddenly she turned around and came back and very carefully shoved a cushion under the man's feet. It was so gently done that even if he had been really asleep, he would never have wakened. As it was, he could not resist opening one eye the slightest crack to see the bright chestnut hair as it passed out of sight. No, he thought to himself, if she really hated me, she would never have done that. But the children were very far from hating him, they liked him immensely. And when at last one day he was allowed to see Violet and came softly into her room with a nose gay of fragrant English double violets for her, they loved him. He won all their hearts when he padded her dark head and told her very simply that he was sorry she had been sick. It would be hard to say that J.H. Cordyce ever had a favorite grandchild, but certainly his manner with violet was very gentle. It was clear to everyone, even to the anxious nurse, that the stranger was not tiring the sick child. He told her in a pleasant everyday voice about his garden and his greenhouses where the violets came from, about the old, sweet gardener who always said he must vaught of the violets. I'd love to see him," said Violet earnestly. How long you going to stay here, Benny piped up? It was not altogether a polite question, but it was clear to them all that Benny wanted him to stay, so they all laughed. As long as they'll let me, my boy, answered the stranger quietly, then he left the sick room for he knew he should not stay long. But something in the man's last sentence rang in Henry's ears. He repeated it over and over in his mind, trying to remember where he had heard that same voice say, my boy. He made an excuse to work in the flower beds along the veranda in order to glance occasionally at the man's face as he sat under a tree reading. Often Henry thought he had caught hold of his true int memory. Then the man turned his head and he lost it again altogether. But suddenly it came to him as the man smiled over his book. It was the man who had shaken hands with him on the day of the race. And he had said, I like your spirit, my boy. That was it. Henry sat down out of sight and weeded geraniums for a few moments. It is a wonder he did not pull up geraniums instead of weeds, his mind was so far away. I didn't remember him at first because I was so jolly excited when he shook hands with me, decided Henry. Then he was apparently thunder struck a fresh. He sat with his weeder on his knee and his mouth open. He's the man who passed me the cup with the wings. He stole another look around the corner, and this satisfied him. Say man exactly, he said. When he had finished the flower bed, he thought he heard the young doctor moving in the office. He stuck his head in the open door. The doctor sat at his desk, taking notes from a book. Do you know who presented the prizes field day? Asked Henry curiously? Know what his name was? James Cordice of the Steel Mills replied the doctor carelessly J.H. Cordice over in Greenfield. Dr. McAllister, to all appearances, return to his notes. His eyes were lowered at any rate, but for Henry the skies were reeling. He withdrew his head and sat still on the step. That delightful man, his grandfather, it was impossible. He was too young to begin with. Henry expected a white haired gentleman with a cane and a feeble voice. But all the time, he knew in his soul that it was not only possible, but really true. He recalled the man's reply to Benny's direct question. He had said he was going to stay as long as they would let him. Could it be that the man knew them without introducing himself? A perfect torrent of thoughts, a sailed Henry, as he sat crouched on the office steps. It was clear to him now that Mrs. McAllister had failed to mention his name on purpose. It was a wonder Benny hadn't asked what it was long before this. He noticed that the man was getting out of his chair under the trees. It's now or never, thought Henry. I've got to know. He walked eagerly after the man who was going toward the garden with his back turned. Henry easily caught up with him, breathing with difficulty. The man turned around. Are you James Henry Quartice of Greenfield? Panted Henry. I am my boy. the man with a long look. Does that question of yours mean that you know that I know that you are Henry James Cordys? Yes. Said Henry, simply.

The man's eyes filled with tears and J.H. Cordice of the steel mills shook hands for the third time with his grandson, H.J. Cordyce of the home for tramps. In less than an hour, the town was buzzing with the news. The chauffeur told the maids, and the maids told the grocery man, and the grocery man went from house to house, telling that old James Courdice had found his four grandchildren at last. In fact, the biggest part of the town knew it before the children themselves. Jess and Benny came across the lawn to select some white moon flowers for Violet's tray. They were just in time to hear Henry say, but grandfather, grandfather? Echo Jess, whirling around to gaze at them. Yes, Jess, said Henry Eagerly. He's the man we've been running away from all this time. I thought you was old. Observe Benny. And awfully cross, Jess said so. "'I didn't know Benny,' said Jess, turning pink, to think of running away from this kind friend. But her grandfather did not seem to mind. He stroked her short, silky hair, and proposed that they all go up into Violet's room with the moon flowers. There was no stopping Benny. He rushed into Violet's room, dragging his grandfather by one hand and shouting, It's violet and he's nice after all I shouldn't wonder. When violet at last understood just what Benny was trying to tell, she was perfectly happy to rest against her ruffled pillows with one hand curled about her grandfather's arm and listened to the rest. Where have you been living? Demanded Mr. Cordyce at last? The whole company looked at each other, even Dr. McAllister and his mother. Then they all laughed as if they would never stop. You just thought of seeing. Observed Dr. McAllister wiping his eyes. What said the children all at once?

You never saw it in the daytime. You don't mean it. Return the doctor teasing them. I have seen it quite a number of times in the daytime. seen what in heaven's name asked Mr. Cordys at last, then they told him, interrupting each other to tell about the beds of pine needles, the wonderful dishes, the freight car roof overall, the fireplace and the swimming pool. That's where Violet got her pron-kites, observed the doctor sitting by that pool. She shouldn't have done it. I thought so from the first. You thought so? Repeated Henry, puzzled.

How did you know she sat by it? I'm sure I didn't myself. I was your most frequent visitor. Declarate the doctor, enjoying himself hugely. I hope you were our only one," said Jess with her mouth open.

Well... I hope you were our only one," said Jess, with her mouth open. "'Well, I think I was,' said the doctor. The first night after Henry mowed my lawn, I followed him as far as the hill to see where he lived. "'Why did you do that?' interrupted Mr. Cordyce? I liked his looks, returned the doctor, and I noticed that he didn't tell much about himself, so I was curious. But you surely didn't see the freight car then, said Jess. No, but I came back that night and hunted around. Reply Dr. McAllister? At about 11 o'clock, Henry cried. The doctor ascented. Our rabbit said Henry and Jess together. I made as little noise as possible when I saw the freight car. Then I saw the door move so I thought someone was inside. And when I heard the dog bark, I was sure of it and went home. But you came back? Question Jess. Yes, every time I knew all of you were safe in my garden, I made you a little visit, just to be sure you were having enough to eat and enough dishes, the doctor laughed. When I found you had a strainer and a vase of flowers and a saltaker, and a cut glass punch bowl, I stopped worrying. Didn't you suspect they were my children? Demanded Mr. Cordice. Didn't you see my advertisement? Why didn't you notify me at once? They were having such a good time. Confess the doctor. And and I was too. I just wanted to see how long they could manage their own affairs. It was all tremendously interesting. Why? That boy and girl of yours are born business managers, Mr. Cordice. Mr. Cordice took note of this. But I don't see yet how you knew Violet sat by the pool, said Jess curiously. You couldn't know that, of course," replied the doctor. I went up twice when I knew Henry had taken the dog down to my barn to catch rats. I hid behind the big white rock with the flat top. "'That's look out rock,' explained Jess, where we used to let Benny watch for Henry. "'But we didn't hear you!' "'No,' said Dr. McAllister. I didn't even snap a twig those times. But I had the very best time when I went with mother. Have you seen it, too? Cryed the children. I have indeed returned Mrs. McAllister. I have even had a drink from your well. Everyone has seen it but me," said Mr. Cordyce patiently. We'll show it to you, screamed Benny. And I'll show you my wheels made on a cart, and my bed out of hay, and my pink cup. Good for you, Benny. Said Mr. Cordys, please. When Violet gets well, we'll all go up there. And if you'll show me your house, I'll show you mine. Have you got a house? Asked Benny in surprise? Yes. You can live there with me if you like it. Replied Mr. Cordice, I have been looking for you for nearly two months. Under Mrs. McAllister's wonderful care, Violet soon became strong again. But she had been skipping around the garden for several days before the doctor would allow the visit to the freight carhouse. When it last the whole party started out in the great limousine, many people looked out of their windows to watch after Mr. Cordice and his grandchildren.

Many of them knew Henry as the boy who won the race, and were glad that he had found such

a friend.

But when the children reached their beloved home, they were like wild things. Watch, cappered about furiously, taking little swims in the pool, and sniffing at all the dear old familiar things. Mr. Cordy seated himself on a rock and watched them all exchanging a glance now and then with Mrs. McAllister and her son. C.R. building shouted Benny. For that was what he always called the fireplace. burns really well too and this is the well and

this is the dishpan and this is the refrigerator. At last everyone climbed into the car itself And Mr. Cordyce saw the beds, the cash account on the wall, the wonderful shelf, and each separate dish. Each dish had a story of its own. That's more than my dishes have. Observed Mr. Cordice. Mrs. McAllister, who knew what his dishes were, was silent. They ate chicken sandwiches on the very same tablecloth and Benny drank from his pink cup and watch couldn't understand why they went away at all. But it was a trifle cool on the hill now when the sun began to sink. And after rolling the door shut, they left regretfully. Tomorrow suggested Mr. Cordice as they drove home. Will you all come and see my house? Oh yes! Agreed the children happily. Little dreaming what was in store for them on the next day and all the days to come. Mr. Cordice had been planning this day for more than a week. He had sent his most trusted foreman to his own beautiful home to superin' ten matters there. The house was being remodeled entirely after Mr. Cordyce's own plans and everywhere were carpenters, painters and decorators. On the very day that Mr. Cordice received word that it was finished, he suggested the drive. Do you live all alone, grandfather? Aspenny, all alone, answered Mr. Cordyce, no company at all. At first, Benny did not consider this the exact truth. He considered a cook company, and also a butler, and a housekeeper. And when he saw the array of maids he kept perfectly quiet. The house was enormous, certainly. It was at least a quarter of a mile from its own front gate, and everywhere were gardens.

"'Do you live here?' said Henry, thunder struck, as they rolled quietly along the beautiful drive. You do too if you like it. Observed his grandfather, watching his face. The inside of the house was more wonderful than even the older children had ever dreamed. The velvet rugs were so thick and soft that no football could be heard.

Everywhere were flowers. The great stairway with steps of marble rose from the center of the a big hall. But it was upstairs that the children felt most at home. Here, the rooms were not quite so large. They were sunny and home like. This is Violet's room, cried Benny. It was unmistakable. They were violets on the wallpaper. The bed was snow-white with a thick quilt of violet silk. On the little table were English violets, pouring their fragrance into the room. What a beautiful room, side-violet, sinking down into one of the soft cushion chairs. But all the children shouted when they saw Benny's room. The wallpaper was blue, covered with large figures of cats and dogs, the three bears, and Peter Rabbit. There was a swinging rocking horse, nearly as large as a real horse, a blackboard, a tool chest and low tables and chairs exactly the right size for Benny. There was an electric train with cars nearly as large as the little boy himself. Can I run the cars all day? As Benny. Oh no! Replyed Henry quickly, you're going to school as soon as it begins. This was the first that his grandfather had heard about school, but he agreed with Henry and chuckled to himself. The finest schools in the country, he said, This came true for all the children finally went to the public schools and are they not the finest schools in the country? In Jess's room, Benny discovered a bed for watch. It was, in fact, a regular dog's straw hamper, but it was lined with heavy quilted silk and padded with wool. Watch got in at once, sniffed in every corner, turned around three times, and lay down. Just then, a distant doorbell rang. It was such a low musical chime that the children listened delightably Never once giving a thought as to who it might be.

But almost at once a soft, footed servant appeared, saying that a man wanted to see Mr. her cord ice about the dog.

The moment just heard that word, dog, she was concerned. She had never thought watch a common runaway dog, and it always made her uncomfortable to see passers-by gaze curiously at him as he ran by her side. It was indeed about watch that the man wanted to talk. He's a runaway, sir, from my kennels out in Townsend, the man explained to Mr. Courtice,

I have 200 airdails out there, and this one was sold the day before he ran away. So, you see, I have to turn him over to the lady I sold him to. Oh no you don't.

Replyed Mr. I have to turn him over to the lady I sold him to.

Oh no, you don't.

Replyed Mr. Cordyce quickly?

...