rother Christopher

aron Von Lodge was the head of a small country known as Lilliland near Switzerland. The time was the early 1900s.

The Baron often called in his chief advisor Professor Hamblin, to solve many problems of state as well as mysteries in castle life. His ability to research problems had helped the stability in Lilliland for many years.

Professor Hamblin did not often talk about his relatives except for the fact that he had two brothers, Christopher and Ronald. Christopher was the brother that liked to visit Professor Hamblin at his mountaintop chateau during the summer.

This is one of the few times that the Professor asked the Baron for his advice regarding Christopher's visits. Brother Christopher was a bachelor in his 50s and he was also a university professor. His field was history and he taught at Cambridge University in England. Christopher was a tall handsome man who the ladies found appealing but that was as far as it ever went. He was a whiner who complained about everything from the weather during a perfectly sunny day, to the wind in the sails as he sailed across Castle Lake, about the swans that made a mess on the paths around the lake, the horses that ate more than they were worth and the apples that were too large.

Once Lady Angela of Alpine Castle held a reception and invited a beautiful young lady to accompany Christopher during his visit. When Christopher and his lady met at Alpine Castle everyone admired the way they looked together. They seemed to make a great couple. But as the reception wore on the lady called Lady Angela aside and told her that Christopher was always complaining about everything and acted more like an old maid than anyone she had ever met. After that event Lady Angela did not arrange for any more companions for Christopher.

All Christopher seemed to care about was his Irish setter dog, Anna. Anna loved Christopher and Christopher loved Anna.

Both Professor Hamblin and Lady Angela agreed that no one was interested in making any arrangements for dates for brother Christopher. The Baron held a reception at Lilliland Castle and invited many guests including Professor Hamblin and his brother, Christopher. The Baron politely suggested to the Professor that Christopher not bring a date.

The Baron's philosophy was that some people are less sociable than others so let the confirmed bachelors of the world alone.