I had five people stay at my house recently. It’s a big house. Yet it felt very full. And I wondered how our parents and grandparents lived in such large numbers in such small spaces as the houses and apartments of the past used to be. Then I remembered reading Little Women and how Jo would go up to the garret and eat apples and read. Once I realized that garrett was an impressive word for attic, I thought how isolating that must have been. And now I understand why she did that. It was the only place to get quiet alone time.
Very interesting. Oh… and the company was great fun which made the fullness of the house a blessing. And the quiet of our Alaskan winters appreciated even more.