Were Uncle Norman and Aunt Jean quarantined for scarlet fever , or had burglars raided the pantry and carried off the Christmas supplies ? Elizabeth opened and read the letter aloud . It was from Aunt Jean to the following effect : DEAR GIRLS : I am so sorry to disappoint you , but I can not help it . Word has come from Streatham that my sister has met with a serious accident and is in a very critical condition . Your uncle and I must go to Streatham immediately and are leaving on the eight o'clock express . I know you have started before this , so there is no use in telegraphing . We want you to go right to the house and make yourself at home . You will find the key under the kitchen doorstep , and the dinner in the pantry all ready to cook . There are two mince pies on the third shelf , and the plum pudding only needs to be warmed up . You will find a little Christmas remembrance for each of you on the dining-room table . I hope you will make as merry as you possibly can and we will have you down again as soon as we come back . Your hurried and affectionate , AUNT JEAN We looked at each other somewhat dolefully . But , as Alberta pointed out , we might as well make the best of it , since there was no way of getting home before the five o'clock train . So we trailed out to the stationmaster , and asked him limply if he could direct us to Mr. Norman Young 's house . He was a rather grumpy individual , very busy with pencil and notebook over some freight ; but he favoured us with his attention long enough to point with his pencil and say jerkily , `` Young 's ? See that red house on the hill ? That 's it . '' The red house was about a quarter of a mile from the station , and we saw it plainly . Accordingly , to the red house we betook ourselves . On nearer view it proved to be a trim , handsome place , with nice grounds and very fine old trees .
We found the key XXXXX the kitchen doorstep and went in .
So at before from if of on since to under