
audiobook
Chapter One. - Book I—At Burley Old Farm. - “Ten to-morrow, Archie.”
Chapter Two. - A Chip of the Old Block.
Chapter Three. - A Day of Adventure.
Chapter Four. - In the Old Castle Tower.
Chapter Five. - “Boys will be Boys.”
Chapter Six. - “Johnnie’s got the Grit in him.”
Chapter Seven. - “They’re up to some Black Work To-night.”
Chapter Eight. - The Widow’s Lonely Hut.
Chapter Nine. - The Whole Yard was Ablaze and Burning Fiercely.
Chapter Ten. - “After all, it doesn’t take much to make a Man Happy.”
A warm hearth glows in the modest Burley Old Farm, where ten‑year‑old Archie teeters on the brink of boyhood while his parents linger in quiet, wistful conversation. The opening scene captures a household alive with the everyday poetry of firelight, old‑world furniture, and the soft murmur of a family that feels both timeless and tender. Through Archie's bright curiosity and his little brother’s dreamy interjections, listeners catch a glimpse of a rural life that balances the comfort of tradition with the restless yearning of youth.
The narrative drifts gently through the family's intimate moments—knitting mothers, chuckling fathers, and a curious child who longs for the wisdom of age while refusing to lay down his bow and arrow. It paints a vivid picture of a world where every cracked portrait and polished silver cup tells a story, inviting listeners to step into a scene where the past whispers through the crackle of the fire. As the evening settles, a shy, bright‑eyed girl appears at the doorway, hinting at the gentle ripple of change that will shape the family’s next chapter.
Language
en
Duration
~7 hours (449K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
Release date
Dec 11, 2011
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1840–1910
A navy surgeon turned storyteller, he poured his seafaring experience into fast-moving adventure tales that captivated young Victorian readers. His books mix action, travel, and a practical enthusiasm for the outdoors.
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