
The stately Warden mansion looms over its garden‑like grounds, its wide porches and cupola hinting at a lingering Southern grandeur. Inside, Mrs. Warden spends her days weaving bright‑hued afghans, sending them out as gifts while her four musically named daughters—Madeline, Adeline, Coraline and Doraline—flutter about in their own pursuits. Their home hums with the clatter of yarn, the scent of blooming vines, and the gentle banter of a family that balances idle charm with the weight of heavy mortgages.
A simple butter shortage spirals into a lively exchange, revealing each sister’s temperament: Dora’s practical efficiency, Cora’s dreamy detachment, and the others’ scattered attention. Amid the domestic comedy, the household’s financial strains and Mrs. Warden’s relentless generosity begin to surface, promising a story where ordinary chores may uncover unexpected challenges. Listeners are invited into this quirky, lovingly detailed world, where the ordinary becomes a stage for both humor and hidden tension.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (315K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Christopher Hapka, and David Widger
Release date
2002-01-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1860–1935
Best known for "The Yellow Wallpaper," she turned her own hard experiences into fiction and essays that still feel startlingly modern. Her work challenged ideas about marriage, labor, and women’s independence with unusual directness and wit.
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