Six Girls and Bob: A Story of Patty-Pans and Green Fields

In Short

This narrative follows the Scollard family—a widowed mother, her six daughters, and their brother, Bob—as they transition from the stifling constraints of a city apartment to the rustic expanse of a country farm. Faced with financial uncertainty and the steep learning curve of rural living, the siblings navigate domestic mishaps, local friendships, and the daunting task of self-sufficiency. It remains a charming study of late-Victorian domesticity, celebrated for its earnest portrayal of sisterly bonds, the humor found in everyday struggles, and the quiet dignity of character growth within a supportive family circle.

The Story

The Scollards inhabit a "fourth floor, east" flat in the city, a place so small that the children struggle to find space for themselves. When the family’s circumstances necessitate a move to a country farm, the children—led by the resourceful and optimistic Happie and her responsible sister, Margery—embrace the change with a mixture of trepidation and youthful excitement. They arrive at the "Ark," their new farmhouse, accompanied by their mother and a formidable but generous benefactor, Miss Keren-happuch Bradbury.

The early days are defined by comedy and frustration. The girls struggle to master the temperamental farm stove, the boys learn the rigors of manual labor, and the entire family experiences the surreal trials of country life, such as the accidental explosion of ginger ale and the chaotic arrivals of eccentric locals. Despite the jarring contrast between their sheltered city upbringing and the raw reality of the countryside, the Scollards quickly begin to weave themselves into the fabric of the community. They strike up an unlikely friendship with Gretta, a local girl of hidden potential and harsh circumstances, whose presence brings a new depth to their lives.

As the months pass, the "Ark" becomes a center for both work and play. The sisters navigate individual challenges: Laura attempts to cultivate her artistic and poetic sensibilities, while others manage the domestic sphere with varying degrees of success. Tension arises when they learn that their occupation of the farmhouse may be legally and morally precarious, as the house arguably belongs to Gretta by birthright. The discovery of a hidden, long-lost will in a forgotten trunk provides a dramatic turning point. This revelation forces the family to confront the necessity of justice and the ethics of their own situation.

The story culminates in a Thanksgiving celebration. The legal issues surrounding the farm are settled, ensuring Gretta’s future and reaffirming the Scollards' commitment to their community. The sisters, having matured through their experiences, find that their move has brought them closer than ever. They look forward to their future with the security of hard-won wisdom and the enduring strength of their shared bonds. The narrative concludes with the "Archaics"—as they jokingly call themselves—safely anchored, having transformed a house of wood and stone into a genuine home, proving that their true strength lies not in the setting, but in the love and integrity they brought with them from the city.

How It Unfolds

The transition begins Faced with the limitations of their city flat, the Scollards prepare to relocate to a country farmhouse. The process is marked by humor as the children sort through their "Lares and Penates" and anticipate the challenges of a rural life they have only ever imagined.

The trial of the Ark The family arrives at the farmhouse, which they dub "the Ark," and immediately encounters the harsh realities of farm management. From the failure of the kitchen stove to the exhausting physical labor required to maintain the property, the siblings must learn to adapt or perish.

A new friendship forms The girls meet Gretta, a local resident whose natural intelligence and beauty hide a difficult past. This friendship becomes a central pillar of the story, as the sisters attempt to help her find the place she deserves within their community.

The hidden secret A dramatic discovery occurs when the girls uncover an old trunk containing a long-lost will. This piece of evidence challenges the Scollards' right to the farm and forces them to re-evaluate their own integrity in the face of a moral dilemma.

A resolution of spirits As the seasons turn toward Thanksgiving, the conflict regarding the farm is addressed with grace and honesty. The family celebrates their shared future, having moved past the initial chaos of their move to find a permanent sense of belonging and peace.

The People

Happie Scollard is the heart of the family, a girl of infectious energy and boundless optimism who acts as the primary catalyst for the group's social and emotional growth. Margery, the eldest, provides the steady, gentle anchor the family needs, balancing Happie's impulsiveness with quiet, practical wisdom. Bob, the only boy, is a loyal and hardworking brother who embraces the challenges of farm labor with a sense of adventure, serving as the bridge between his sisters’ domestic world and the physical demands of the country.

Miss Keren-happuch Bradbury acts as a formidable, sharp-tongued, yet deeply caring mentor. Though she initially appears intimidating, her wealth and influence are quietly used to uplift the Scollards and those they befriend, most notably Gretta. Gretta herself is the "treasure trove"—a shy, intelligent girl burdened by family neglect who finds a sense of worth and belonging through the Scollards' genuine acceptance. Laura remains the family’s resident dreamer, whose artistic pretentions provide a humorous contrast to the practical needs of the farm. Together, these characters evolve from a group of individuals struggling to "get twelve feet into eight feet" to a cohesive unit that understands the necessity of sacrifice and the power of friendship.

In Its Own Voice

"How can you get twelve feet into eight feet, no matter how good you are in arithmetic?"

Happie asks this early on, highlighting the physical claustrophobia that drives the family to leave their city apartment for the country.

"The solid ground beneath our feet is good--we've floated long."

The sisters sing these lines during their Thanksgiving celebration, marking their transition from the instability of their move to the permanent, grounded life they have built at the farm.

What It's Really About

At its core, this is a story about the transition from the protected, structured life of a city childhood to the rugged, unpredictable reality of independence. It explores the tension between material poverty and the wealth of family unity, arguing that a home is defined by the character of those within it rather than the property itself. The book asks how one balances self-interest with empathy, particularly when one’s own comfort inadvertently obscures the needs of others. Ultimately, it is a meditation on "the subsidence of the waters"—the idea that after any significant life disruption, persistent effort and integrity allow one to find a new, more authentic level of existence.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the gentle, character-driven pace of Little Women will find a similar warmth here. There is a specific comfort in watching a family work through their problems with humor rather than cynicism. The dialogue is snappy, reflecting the wit of intelligent, spirited sisters, and the descriptions of the countryside provide an idyllic escape from the modern, fast-paced world.

However, a reader should be prepared for the period-specific social codes. The language occasionally includes the affected, flowery speech of turn-of-the-century juvenile literature, and the class dynamics—particularly regarding the "help"—reflect the attitudes of 1906. Some readers may find the pacing slow, as the plot emphasizes domestic rituals and internal growth over high-stakes action. Yet, the emotional core of the book remains surprisingly resonant. The struggles of the Scollard children to reconcile their idealism with the practical necessity of "making do" feel remarkably current. It is a story that stays with you, not for its dramatic plot twists, but for the quiet, lingering sense of a family finding their way toward a more meaningful life. If you appreciate books that champion the virtues of kindness, sibling loyalty, and the simple beauty of a sunrise over a "prismatic land," you will likely find this a rewarding and wholesome read.