
A newlywed couple, Reuben and Alice Baker, set out on the timeless quest for a “dear little house” that will hold their hopes, jokes, and the inevitable compromises of married life. Their story is narrated with gentle humor and a touch of philosophical musing, turning the simple act of house‑hunting into a broader meditation on what it means to build a shared future. From modest dreams of a cottage wrapped in roses to the playful anxieties of a first mortgage, the opening chapters capture the earnest optimism that many couples feel when they first stitch their lives together.
As the Bakers navigate quirky neighbors, unexpected repairs, and the everyday absurdities of home ownership, the narrative weaves witty observations with heartfelt moments. The prose balances light‑hearted drollery and sincere affection, offering listeners a relatable portrait of partnership, ambition, and the small triumphs that make a house feel like home. It’s an engaging, intimate look at the universal desire for a place to call our own, told with the charm of a seasoned storyteller.
Full title
The House An Episode in the Lives of Reuben Baker, Astronomer, and of His Wife, Alice
Language
en
Duration
~4 hours (269K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2007-06-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1850–1895
Best remembered for warm, playful poems for children, this American writer mixed humor, tenderness, and an ear for everyday speech. His verses helped make him one of the most popular newspaper poets of the late 19th century.
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