
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
AUNT PATTY'S PAYING GUESTS - CHAPTER I - AN UNWELCOME DECREE
CHAPTER II - MY EQUIPMENT
CHAPTER III - "GAY BOWERS"
CHAPTER IV - LAYING OUR PLANS
CHAPTER V - A RESPONSE TO THE ADVERTISEMENT
CHAPTER VI - THE FIRST ARRIVAL
CHAPTER VII - THE AMERICANS
CHAPTER VIII - A PRINCELY GIFT
CHAPTER IX - MISS COTTRELL'S ALIAS
A determined young governess pours her heart into preparing for the crucial matriculation exams, juggling restless pupils, early mornings and sleepless nights in a modest household. When a well‑meaning family doctor decrees a twelve‑month ban on serious study, insisting she trade books for fresh air and leisure, her ambitions tumble into uncertainty. The narrative captures the clash between her fierce intellectual drive and the gentle pressure to conform to a more “healthy” lifestyle, set against the lively backdrop of a bustling home filled with eccentric relatives and paying guests.
As she grapples with faint spells, relentless expectations, and the looming prospect of a country retreat, the story explores the delicate balance between duty, self‑care, and the yearning for personal growth. Listeners will be drawn into her inner turmoil, the witty banter of the household, and the subtle humor that arises when ambition meets the absurdities of everyday life.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (361K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
London: The Religious Tract Society, 1907.
Release date
Sep 29, 2023
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1852–1907
Writing under the memorable pen name Eglanton Thorne, Elizabeth Emily Charlton became a prolific Victorian author of stories for children and young readers. Her books combine lively adventures and domestic drama with the moral seriousness of the era.
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