Podcast
Questions and Answers
What are the names of the ten-year-old twins in the Willoughby family?
What are the names of the ten-year-old twins in the Willoughby family?
- Timothy and Jane
- Barnaby A and Barnaby B (correct)
- Barnaby and Jane
- Timothy and Barnaby
Who was the youngest child in the Willoughby family?
Who was the youngest child in the Willoughby family?
- Jane (correct)
- Timothy
- Barnaby B
- Barnaby A
What did the Willoughby mother find distasteful in a book she read?
What did the Willoughby mother find distasteful in a book she read?
- The setting
- The characters
- The lack of adjectives (correct)
- The plot
What do the Willoughby children discuss before the arrival of the nanny?
What do the Willoughby children discuss before the arrival of the nanny?
What is Tim's plan before the arrival of the nanny?
What is Tim's plan before the arrival of the nanny?
How do the Willoughby parents decide on their vacation plan?
How do the Willoughby parents decide on their vacation plan?
Why does Mr. Willoughby announce the plan to hire a nanny?
Why does Mr. Willoughby announce the plan to hire a nanny?
How do the children react to the arrival of the new potential nanny?
How do the children react to the arrival of the new potential nanny?
What does Tim do when Barnaby A fails to include helpful details about the nanny's appearance?
What does Tim do when Barnaby A fails to include helpful details about the nanny's appearance?
What does Tim do when Jane asks to look through the binoculars?
What does Tim do when Jane asks to look through the binoculars?
What do the children discuss regarding the new nanny's appearance?
What do the children discuss regarding the new nanny's appearance?
What does Tim do when the children find the baby on their doorstep?
What does Tim do when the children find the baby on their doorstep?
How does their mother react to the situation with the baby?
How does their mother react to the situation with the baby?
What does Jane remark about the baby after their mother cuts its curls?
What does Jane remark about the baby after their mother cuts its curls?
Who makes all the decisions for the children?
Who makes all the decisions for the children?
What do the children find the baby in?
What do the children find the baby in?
What do the children consider doing with the baby?
What do the children consider doing with the baby?
What do the children debate about regarding the note attached to the baby?
What do the children debate about regarding the note attached to the baby?
What happens when the baby begins to cry?
What happens when the baby begins to cry?
How does Tim initially describe the note attached to the baby?
How does Tim initially describe the note attached to the baby?
What does Tim use to describe the note attached to the baby?
What does Tim use to describe the note attached to the baby?
How does the baby react when their mother cuts its curls?
How does the baby react when their mother cuts its curls?
What is the eldest child's name?
What is the eldest child's name?
What task are the Willoughby children given by their mother?
What task are the Willoughby children given by their mother?
Where do the Willoughby children leave the baby?
Where do the Willoughby children leave the baby?
What is the baby's name revealed to be in the note left at the mansion?
What is the baby's name revealed to be in the note left at the mansion?
What does Tim insist about the capability of doing important work?
What does Tim insist about the capability of doing important work?
What is the mother preoccupied with when the children ask for a bedtime story?
What is the mother preoccupied with when the children ask for a bedtime story?
What does Mr. Willoughby choose to read to the children as a bedtime story?
What does Mr. Willoughby choose to read to the children as a bedtime story?
Where do the children arrange themselves when Mr. Willoughby reads the bedtime story?
Where do the children arrange themselves when Mr. Willoughby reads the bedtime story?
How does the story end?
How does the story end?
Who is the leader among the Willoughby children?
Who is the leader among the Willoughby children?
What is the name of the forbidding house where the children leave the baby?
What is the name of the forbidding house where the children leave the baby?
What does the note left with the baby at the mansion ask for?
What does the note left with the baby at the mansion ask for?
What does the mother request the children to do before reading a bedtime story?
What does the mother request the children to do before reading a bedtime story?
What literary characters do the Willoughby children discuss as examples of orphans?
What literary characters do the Willoughby children discuss as examples of orphans?
What do the Willoughby children dislike about their parents?
What do the Willoughby children dislike about their parents?
What does Tim, the oldest, suggest regarding their parents?
What does Tim, the oldest, suggest regarding their parents?
What do the children consider doing to Jane if she expresses fondness for their parents?
What do the children consider doing to Jane if she expresses fondness for their parents?
What rules are involved in the children's game?
What rules are involved in the children's game?
What do the children express through their game and discussion?
What do the children express through their game and discussion?
What is the children's attitude towards being orphans?
What is the children's attitude towards being orphans?
What do the children discuss about old-fashioned books?
What do the children discuss about old-fashioned books?
What do the children debate regarding their status as orphans?
What do the children debate regarding their status as orphans?
What does the game involve in terms of rules for asking questions or interrupting?
What does the game involve in terms of rules for asking questions or interrupting?
What is the children's discussion primarily focused on?
What is the children's discussion primarily focused on?
What is the nature of the dialogue between the children and their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby?
What is the nature of the dialogue between the children and their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby?
What does the postcard mention about the earthquake survivors' plans?
What does the postcard mention about the earthquake survivors' plans?
Why does Tim refuse to let Jane see the postcard at first?
Why does Tim refuse to let Jane see the postcard at first?
What is the children's reaction to the postcard's mention of the earthquake survivors being 'slightly bruised'?
What is the children's reaction to the postcard's mention of the earthquake survivors being 'slightly bruised'?
Why does Tim deduct points from Jane for being a 'scaredy-cat'?
Why does Tim deduct points from Jane for being a 'scaredy-cat'?
What do the Willoughby children discuss before the real estate agent's visit?
What do the Willoughby children discuss before the real estate agent's visit?
What does Jane use to camouflage herself?
What does Jane use to camouflage herself?
How does Tim plan to make Barnaby B blend in?
How does Tim plan to make Barnaby B blend in?
What is the primary focus of the children's dialogue and actions?
What is the primary focus of the children's dialogue and actions?
What do the children discuss regarding the real estate agent's visit?
What do the children discuss regarding the real estate agent's visit?
What do the children use to camouflage themselves?
What do the children use to camouflage themselves?
What emotions do the children display while discussing the real estate agent's visit?
What emotions do the children display while discussing the real estate agent's visit?
What is the children's reaction to the real estate agent's visit?
What is the children's reaction to the real estate agent's visit?
How does the text depict the children's attempt to remain out of sight during the visit?
How does the text depict the children's attempt to remain out of sight during the visit?
What do the children fear about the real estate agent's visit?
What do the children fear about the real estate agent's visit?
What does the children's dialogue and actions reflect?
What does the children's dialogue and actions reflect?
What does Commander Melanoff order for Baby Ruth?
What does Commander Melanoff order for Baby Ruth?
What does Commander Melanoff struggle to throw away?
What does Commander Melanoff struggle to throw away?
What does one of the letters reveal about someone?
What does one of the letters reveal about someone?
What are the family members doing when Tim reads the postcard?
What are the family members doing when Tim reads the postcard?
What does Nanny recall being called by the senders of the postcard?
What does Nanny recall being called by the senders of the postcard?
What does Commander Melanoff struggle to throw away?
What does Commander Melanoff struggle to throw away?
What is adorned with the name 'Ruth' on all items?
What is adorned with the name 'Ruth' on all items?
What does the family discuss the language of?
What does the family discuss the language of?
What does the baby occasionally chew on?
What does the baby occasionally chew on?
What are the clothes adorned with?
What are the clothes adorned with?
What remains untouched in the house?
What remains untouched in the house?
What does the family discuss regarding the postcard?
What does the family discuss regarding the postcard?
What does Commander Melanoff request from the grocery store instead of a pizza?
What does Commander Melanoff request from the grocery store instead of a pizza?
Where does Commander Melanoff place the baby in his mansion?
Where does Commander Melanoff place the baby in his mansion?
What does the grocer help Commander Melanoff order for the baby?
What does the grocer help Commander Melanoff order for the baby?
What does the baby, Ruth, do to Commander Melanoff when they first meet?
What does the baby, Ruth, do to Commander Melanoff when they first meet?
What does Commander Melanoff reflect on regarding his past?
What does Commander Melanoff reflect on regarding his past?
What does the grocer question Commander Melanoff about regarding the baby?
What does the grocer question Commander Melanoff about regarding the baby?
What does Commander Melanoff improvise for the baby from a dishtowel?
What does Commander Melanoff improvise for the baby from a dishtowel?
What does the text describe about the state of Commander Melanoff's mansion?
What does the text describe about the state of Commander Melanoff's mansion?
What does Commander Melanoff ultimately request from the grocery store for the baby?
What does Commander Melanoff ultimately request from the grocery store for the baby?
What does the story suggest about Commander Melanoff and the baby, Ruth?
What does the story suggest about Commander Melanoff and the baby, Ruth?
What does the grocer offer to send, which Commander Melanoff declines?
What does the grocer offer to send, which Commander Melanoff declines?
What does Commander Melanoff struggle to find in his mansion for the baby?
What does Commander Melanoff struggle to find in his mansion for the baby?
What does the postmaster stammer in response to the postmistress's statement?
What does the postmaster stammer in response to the postmistress's statement?
What does the postmistress request the postmaster to do regarding his appearance?
What does the postmistress request the postmaster to do regarding his appearance?
What does Hans-Peter hope for at the end of the text?
What does Hans-Peter hope for at the end of the text?
What does the postmistress want to be at the market?
What does the postmistress want to be at the market?
What do the Willoughby children encounter during their walk?
What do the Willoughby children encounter during their walk?
What does Nanny prohibit the children from using during their walk?
What does Nanny prohibit the children from using during their walk?
What do the children hear coming from the mansion's porch?
What do the children hear coming from the mansion's porch?
What do the twins express about encountering Commander Melanoff on the porch?
What do the twins express about encountering Commander Melanoff on the porch?
What does Nanny do when the children express concern about trespassing?
What does Nanny do when the children express concern about trespassing?
What does Commander Melanoff offer the children on the porch?
What does Commander Melanoff offer the children on the porch?
How do the children and Nanny react to the encounter with Commander Melanoff?
How do the children and Nanny react to the encounter with Commander Melanoff?
What does Nanny emphasize the importance of during the walk?
What does Nanny emphasize the importance of during the walk?
What do the children express about standing still during the walk?
What do the children express about standing still during the walk?
What do the Willoughby children notice about the mansion?
What do the Willoughby children notice about the mansion?
What does Nanny do when the children express concern about trespassing?
What does Nanny do when the children express concern about trespassing?
What does Nanny do when the children express concern about trespassing?
What does Nanny do when the children express concern about trespassing?
What does the nanny emphasize as important in facing their situation?
What does the nanny emphasize as important in facing their situation?
What do the two terrible tourists express a morbid fascination with?
What do the two terrible tourists express a morbid fascination with?
What theme does the story touch on through interactions between the family, the nanny, and the two tourists?
What theme does the story touch on through interactions between the family, the nanny, and the two tourists?
What does the author use to underscore the clash between the tourists' entitlement and the family's need to find a new home?
What does the author use to underscore the clash between the tourists' entitlement and the family's need to find a new home?
What does the family receive from the two terrible tourists?
What does the family receive from the two terrible tourists?
What does the story humorously contrast the tourists' behavior with?
What does the story humorously contrast the tourists' behavior with?
What is the family's primary concern in the story?
What is the family's primary concern in the story?
What is the author's primary purpose in weaving together the contrasting experiences of the family and the tourists?
What is the author's primary purpose in weaving together the contrasting experiences of the family and the tourists?
What does the story provide a commentary on?
What does the story provide a commentary on?
What does the family's response to their impending eviction contrast with?
What does the family's response to their impending eviction contrast with?
What does the tourists' dismissive attitude towards local cuisine highlight?
What does the tourists' dismissive attitude towards local cuisine highlight?
What does the nanny suggest as part of an old-fashioned approach to their situation?
What does the nanny suggest as part of an old-fashioned approach to their situation?
What does the Willoughby family find upon returning home?
What does the Willoughby family find upon returning home?
How do the children express their feelings towards Baby Ruth during the encounter with Commander Melanoff?
How do the children express their feelings towards Baby Ruth during the encounter with Commander Melanoff?
What does the note from the real estate agent convey to the Willoughby family?
What does the note from the real estate agent convey to the Willoughby family?
How does Nanny contemplate improving the visibility of her statue of Aphrodite during showings?
How does Nanny contemplate improving the visibility of her statue of Aphrodite during showings?
What do the children express regret for after the unexpected sale of their home?
What do the children express regret for after the unexpected sale of their home?
What is the family's reaction to the unexpected sale of their home?
What is the family's reaction to the unexpected sale of their home?
How does Nanny respond to being compared to Mary Poppins?
How does Nanny respond to being compared to Mary Poppins?
What do the children do when they encounter Commander Melanoff and Baby Ruth on the large porch?
What do the children do when they encounter Commander Melanoff and Baby Ruth on the large porch?
How does the encounter with Commander Melanoff and Baby Ruth end?
How does the encounter with Commander Melanoff and Baby Ruth end?
How does the family typically react when potential buyers visit their house?
How does the family typically react when potential buyers visit their house?
What does the note from the real estate agent indicate about the family's previous interactions with potential buyers?
What does the note from the real estate agent indicate about the family's previous interactions with potential buyers?
What does the encounter with Commander Melanoff and Baby Ruth reveal about the children's attitude towards Baby Ruth?
What does the encounter with Commander Melanoff and Baby Ruth reveal about the children's attitude towards Baby Ruth?
What was Commander Melanoff proud of when he saw his family busy with their happy enterprises?
What was Commander Melanoff proud of when he saw his family busy with their happy enterprises?
What was Tim being very careful not to do while putting together a model airplane out of balsa wood?
What was Tim being very careful not to do while putting together a model airplane out of balsa wood?
What were the twins playing in the parlor?
What were the twins playing in the parlor?
What was Baby Ruth trying to catch while toddling across the Oriental rug?
What was Baby Ruth trying to catch while toddling across the Oriental rug?
What unconventional ideas do the Willoughby children come up with for their futures?
What unconventional ideas do the Willoughby children come up with for their futures?
What practical obstacles do the children's suggestions face?
What practical obstacles do the children's suggestions face?
What does the story contrast the children's plans with?
What does the story contrast the children's plans with?
What themes does the text explore?
What themes does the text explore?
What does the story create a juxtaposition of?
What does the story create a juxtaposition of?
What does the story capture the children's struggle to navigate?
What does the story capture the children's struggle to navigate?
What does the son of the bride at the wedding long for?
What does the son of the bride at the wedding long for?
What does the story present a blend of?
What does the story present a blend of?
What does the text explore in the narratives of the Willoughby children and the events at the wedding?
What does the text explore in the narratives of the Willoughby children and the events at the wedding?
What does the story highlight through the depiction of the children's plans and the traditional celebration in a Swiss village?
What does the story highlight through the depiction of the children's plans and the traditional celebration in a Swiss village?
What does the story contrast the children's old-fashioned upbringing with?
What does the story contrast the children's old-fashioned upbringing with?
What does Commander Melanoff plan to do for Baby Ruth?
What does Commander Melanoff plan to do for Baby Ruth?
What is the commander's plan for Tim?
What is the commander's plan for Tim?
What does the commander plan to do with the unopened letters and telegrams from Switzerland?
What does the commander plan to do with the unopened letters and telegrams from Switzerland?
What is the content of the letters from Switzerland described as?
What is the content of the letters from Switzerland described as?
Who mentions the boring content of the letters during dinner?
Who mentions the boring content of the letters during dinner?
What change in tone is observed in the letters over time?
What change in tone is observed in the letters over time?
What does the family discuss during dinner?
What does the family discuss during dinner?
What does the commander plan to do with the stack of letters after dinner?
What does the commander plan to do with the stack of letters after dinner?
What does Nanny do to the house that is appreciated by the commander?
What does Nanny do to the house that is appreciated by the commander?
What does the commander promise to do for the twins?
What does the commander promise to do for the twins?
What does the commander acknowledge about each person in the house?
What does the commander acknowledge about each person in the house?
What does the commander plan to do with the unopened letters and telegrams from Switzerland?
What does the commander plan to do with the unopened letters and telegrams from Switzerland?
What did the third Barnaby, known as Junior, invent?
What did the third Barnaby, known as Junior, invent?
Where did Baby Ruth find her biological mother?
Where did Baby Ruth find her biological mother?
What is the occupation of Ruth's husband, Tim?
What is the occupation of Ruth's husband, Tim?
What is the occupation of Jane, one of the former Willoughby children?
What is the occupation of Jane, one of the former Willoughby children?
What business do Bill and Joe, the former Willoughby children, operate now?
What business do Bill and Joe, the former Willoughby children, operate now?
Where did the postmaster and his wife run the post office efficiently for many years?
Where did the postmaster and his wife run the post office efficiently for many years?
How many children did Commander Melanoff have with his second wife?
How many children did Commander Melanoff have with his second wife?
What did the four former Willoughbys do at the foot of a mountain?
What did the four former Willoughbys do at the foot of a mountain?
What did Glossary terms include in the text?
What did Glossary terms include in the text?
What were the Willoughby children renamed after their adoption?
What were the Willoughby children renamed after their adoption?
What did the note that was once attached to Baby Ruth indicate?
What did the note that was once attached to Baby Ruth indicate?
What did Ruth gift her biological mother as a souvenir?
What did Ruth gift her biological mother as a souvenir?
What does the term 'heinous' mean?
What does the term 'heinous' mean?
What does 'fortuitous' describe?
What does 'fortuitous' describe?
What does 'irascible' mean?
What does 'irascible' mean?
What does 'malevolent' mean?
What does 'malevolent' mean?
What does 'lugubrious' mean?
What does 'lugubrious' mean?
What is the meaning of 'expostulation'?
What is the meaning of 'expostulation'?
What does 'glutinous' refer to?
What does 'glutinous' refer to?
What does 'nefarious' mean?
What does 'nefarious' mean?
What does 'insignificant' refer to?
What does 'insignificant' refer to?
What does 'meticulous' describe?
What does 'meticulous' describe?
What is the meaning of 'glossary'?
What is the meaning of 'glossary'?
What does 'malevolent' mean?
What does 'malevolent' mean?
What is the name of Commander Melanoff's son in the story?
What is the name of Commander Melanoff's son in the story?
What was the name of the candy bar created by Commander Melanoff?
What was the name of the candy bar created by Commander Melanoff?
What were the original names of the Willoughby twins before they were renamed?
What were the original names of the Willoughby twins before they were renamed?
What is the theme emphasized in the story?
What is the theme emphasized in the story?
What was the outcome of the candy bar 'Little Ruthie'?
What was the outcome of the candy bar 'Little Ruthie'?
What was the naming system that Commander Melanoff was hesitant about?
What was the naming system that Commander Melanoff was hesitant about?
What did the Willoughby twins express their desire to be named?
What did the Willoughby twins express their desire to be named?
What was the result of the candy bar 'Little Ruthie'?
What was the result of the candy bar 'Little Ruthie'?
What was the epilogue of the story about?
What was the epilogue of the story about?
What was the solution found for the twins' long and unconventional names?
What was the solution found for the twins' long and unconventional names?
What was the result of the candy bar created by Commander Melanoff?
What was the result of the candy bar created by Commander Melanoff?
What were the names of the twins after they were renamed?
What were the names of the twins after they were renamed?
What was Commander Melanoff working on in the laboratory for a month?
What was Commander Melanoff working on in the laboratory for a month?
What was Tim being careful not to do while putting together the model airplane?
What was Tim being careful not to do while putting together the model airplane?
What was the baby trying to catch while toddling across the Oriental rug?
What was the baby trying to catch while toddling across the Oriental rug?
What was Jane helping Nanny frost in the kitchen?
What was Jane helping Nanny frost in the kitchen?
What does 'heinous' mean?
What does 'heinous' mean?
What does 'fortuitous' describe?
What does 'fortuitous' describe?
What does 'malevolent' mean?
What does 'malevolent' mean?
What does 'glutinous' refer to?
What does 'glutinous' refer to?
What does 'expostulation' express?
What does 'expostulation' express?
What does 'lugubrious' mean?
What does 'lugubrious' mean?
What does 'insignificant' refer to?
What does 'insignificant' refer to?
What does 'meticulous' refer to?
What does 'meticulous' refer to?
What is a 'glossary'?
What is a 'glossary'?
What does 'irascible' describe?
What does 'irascible' describe?
What does 'nefarious' mean?
What does 'nefarious' mean?
What does 'malevolent' mean?
What does 'malevolent' mean?
What does the commander plan to do with the unopened letters and telegrams from Switzerland?
What does the commander plan to do with the unopened letters and telegrams from Switzerland?
What is the baby's name revealed to be in the note left at the mansion?
What is the baby's name revealed to be in the note left at the mansion?
What literary characters do the Willoughby children discuss as examples of orphans?
What literary characters do the Willoughby children discuss as examples of orphans?
What does Nanny emphasize the importance of during the walk?
What does Nanny emphasize the importance of during the walk?
What does Commander Melanoff struggle to throw away?
What does Commander Melanoff struggle to throw away?
What does Tim do when Jane asks to look through the binoculars?
What does Tim do when Jane asks to look through the binoculars?
What does the postcard mention about the earthquake survivors' plans?
What does the postcard mention about the earthquake survivors' plans?
What does the family's response to their impending eviction contrast with?
What does the family's response to their impending eviction contrast with?
What does the text explore in the narratives of the Willoughby children and the events at the wedding?
What does the text explore in the narratives of the Willoughby children and the events at the wedding?
What does the nanny suggest as part of an old-fashioned approach to their situation?
What does the nanny suggest as part of an old-fashioned approach to their situation?
What does the commander promise to give to Tim?
What does the commander promise to give to Tim?
What does the baby occasionally chew on?
What does the baby occasionally chew on?
What was the original name of the candy bar created by Commander Melanoff?
What was the original name of the candy bar created by Commander Melanoff?
What were the original names of the Willoughby twins before they were renamed?
What were the original names of the Willoughby twins before they were renamed?
What is the theme emphasized in the story?
What is the theme emphasized in the story?
What does Commander Melanoff rename the boy, Peter, as?
What does Commander Melanoff rename the boy, Peter, as?
What did the twins express their desire to be named?
What did the twins express their desire to be named?
What is the outcome of the candy bar created by Commander Melanoff?
What is the outcome of the candy bar created by Commander Melanoff?
What does Commander Melanoff reflect on regarding his past?
What does Commander Melanoff reflect on regarding his past?
What does the epilogue highlight?
What does the epilogue highlight?
What is the name of the bedraggled boy recognized by Commander Melanoff as his son?
What is the name of the bedraggled boy recognized by Commander Melanoff as his son?
What does the family find a solution to regarding the twins' names?
What does the family find a solution to regarding the twins' names?
What does the story conclude with?
What does the story conclude with?
What does the commander seek suggestions to rename the twins?
What does the commander seek suggestions to rename the twins?
What did Baby Ruth do after finding her biological mother?
What did Baby Ruth do after finding her biological mother?
What did Bill and Joe do after being adopted?
What did Bill and Joe do after being adopted?
What did the third Barnaby invent?
What did the third Barnaby invent?
What did Jane become after growing up?
What did Jane become after growing up?
Where did Baby Ruth find her biological mother?
Where did Baby Ruth find her biological mother?
What do Bill and Joe do for a living?
What do Bill and Joe do for a living?
What did Ruth gift her biological mother as a souvenir?
What did Ruth gift her biological mother as a souvenir?
What did Jane's husband do for a living?
What did Jane's husband do for a living?
What did Commander Melanoff do when he visited Switzerland?
What did Commander Melanoff do when he visited Switzerland?
What did the former Willoughbys do at the foot of a mountain?
What did the former Willoughbys do at the foot of a mountain?
What did the glossary terms include?
What did the glossary terms include?
What did Ruth's husband do for a living?
What did Ruth's husband do for a living?
Study Notes
The Willoughby Children's Orphanhood Game
- The Willoughby children contemplate being orphans and play a game about it
- They discuss the characteristics of "worthy and deserving orphans" from old-fashioned books
- The children discuss examples of orphans from literature, including Mary Lennox, Pollyanna, Anne of Green Gables, and James from James and the Giant Peach
- They debate whether they should be orphans and express dislike for their parents
- Tim, the oldest, suggests doing away with their parents
- The children play a game with rules about moving down steps when asking questions or interrupting
- The children express their grievances about their parents, including their mother's cooking and the color of their sweaters
- They consider putting Jane in the coal bin in the basement if she expresses fondness for their parents
- The children discuss the game rules, including using proper names and not using silly nicknames
- The children continue to discuss their plan to rid themselves of their parents
- The text includes dialogue between the children and their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby, about their feelings towards their children
- The children's game and discussion reflect their desire to be rid of their parents and become orphans
An Astonishing Acquisition
- Commander Melanoff is surprised to find a smiling, damp, stubbly-haired baby in a basket on his doorstep
- He struggles to find a suitable place to set the baby down in his mansion, eventually placing it on the drain board in the kitchen
- He improvises a diaper from a dishtowel and then calls the local grocery store and pizza parlor to order baby supplies
- The grocer helps him order milk, oatmeal, applesauce, and diapers, or "nappies," for the baby
- The grocer also offers to send a pizza, but Commander Melanoff declines, requesting a salad, vitamins, and soap instead
- The baby, named Ruth, tugs at Commander Melanoff's mustache, marking the beginning of their new life together
- Commander Melanoff reflects on his past, including his wife's meticulous organization and his once-filled refrigerator
- He is reminded of his lost child and the tragedy that has left him alone for a long time
- The text describes the state of Commander Melanoff's mansion, including a velvet couch with holes and old, decaying pizza crusts
- The grocer questions Commander Melanoff about the baby's size, teeth, and ability to chew, to determine the appropriate supplies to deliver
- Commander Melanoff is initially uncertain about what he needs for the baby, but ultimately requests a range of supplies to care for her
- The story suggests a new beginning for the melancholy tycoon and the baby, Ruth, as they embark on their journey together
Unforeseen Encounters and a Regrettable Transaction
- Nanny and the children meet Commander Melanoff and his ward, Baby Ruth, on the large porch.
- Nanny disapproves of being compared to Mary Poppins and emphasizes her professionalism.
- The children express possessiveness over Baby Ruth, insisting she is theirs and they are orphans in need of a nanny.
- The encounter ends with Nanny and the children bidding farewell to the Commander and Baby Ruth.
- Upon returning home, the Willoughby family discovers a "SOLD" sign on their house, indicating it has been sold.
- The family finds a note from the real estate agent congratulating them on the sale and expressing regret for missing them during the visit.
- The family has become accustomed to hurriedly assuming disguises when potential buyers visit.
- Nanny contemplates moving her statue of Aphrodite to the parlor for better visibility during showings.
- The children express regret for going out for a walk, believing that terrible things always happen when they are away.
- The family is distressed by the unexpected sale of their home.
- The note from the real estate agent serves as confirmation of the sale and adds to the family's concerns.
- The family is left with a sense of unease and uncertainty about their future.
The Willoughbys: A Tale of Reunion and Renaming
- Jane reads a letter with a bad word, causing Commander Melanoff to react emotionally and search through the mail.
- A bedraggled boy, Peter the goat-herd, arrives at the door and is recognized by Commander Melanoff as his son.
- Commander Melanoff's son had stowed away on a ship, faced hardships, and eventually became the president of his father's company.
- The candy bar created by Commander Melanoff, named "Little Ruthie," did not succeed, but he was content with his vast fortune and the return of his son.
- The boy, Peter, is renamed Barnaby C, and the other two Willoughby twins are renamed with their middle names, Bill and Joe.
- The twins' original names were Barnaby Linguini Rotini Willoughby and Barnaby Ravioli Fusilli Willoughby, a result of their parents' preference for long names for boys.
- The family finds a solution to the twins' long and unconventional names by allowing them to change their names to Bill and Joe.
- Commander Melanoff is hesitant about the A, B, and C naming system and seeks suggestions to rename the twins.
- The twins express their desire to be named Bill and Joe, and their names are officially changed.
- The story concludes with the happy reunion of the family and the resolution of the naming dilemma.
- The epilogue highlights the successful future of Commander Melanoff's son and his role in the family business.
- The story emphasizes the theme of reunion and the importance of names in shaping identities.
The Willoughbys: A Tale of Reunion and Renaming
- Jane reads a letter with a bad word, causing Commander Melanoff to react emotionally and search through the mail.
- A bedraggled boy, Peter the goat-herd, arrives at the door and is recognized by Commander Melanoff as his son.
- Commander Melanoff's son had stowed away on a ship, faced hardships, and eventually became the president of his father's company.
- The candy bar created by Commander Melanoff, named "Little Ruthie," did not succeed, but he was content with his vast fortune and the return of his son.
- The boy, Peter, is renamed Barnaby C, and the other two Willoughby twins are renamed with their middle names, Bill and Joe.
- The twins' original names were Barnaby Linguini Rotini Willoughby and Barnaby Ravioli Fusilli Willoughby, a result of their parents' preference for long names for boys.
- The family finds a solution to the twins' long and unconventional names by allowing them to change their names to Bill and Joe.
- Commander Melanoff is hesitant about the A, B, and C naming system and seeks suggestions to rename the twins.
- The twins express their desire to be named Bill and Joe, and their names are officially changed.
- The story concludes with the happy reunion of the family and the resolution of the naming dilemma.
- The epilogue highlights the successful future of Commander Melanoff's son and his role in the family business.
- The story emphasizes the theme of reunion and the importance of names in shaping identities.
The Willoughby Family After Their Adoption
- The Willoughby children were adopted by a commander and his wife and were renamed Bill and Joe.
- The note that was once attached to Baby Ruth, indicating a reward for the baby, was lost, along with the mystery of the Willoughby name.
- The third Barnaby was known as Junior, and later invented Junior Mints, which were already invented.
- Baby Ruth found her biological mother in Champaign, Illinois, and gifted her a gold-plated wicker basket as a souvenir.
- Ruth married her stepbrother Tim, who became an attorney and adored his wife, never being ruthless again.
- Bill and Joe never married and now operate a chain of clothing stores called Big Sweaters.
- Jane, who became a professor of feminist literature, married a man named Smith and had triplet daughters.
- The postmaster and his wife in Switzerland ran the post office efficiently for many years, never having children.
- Commander Melanoff, with his second wife and six children, visited Switzerland and stopped at the post office.
- The four former Willoughbys saluted their parents at the foot of a mountain and followed with cocoa.
- Glossary terms include "acquisition," "affable," "alabaster," "auspicious," "beastly," "bilious," "confectionary," "conspiracy," "contemplating," "cryptic," "despicable," and "diabolical."
- The text provides definitions and examples for the glossary terms.
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