Peggy Stewart at School

At the sprawling Severndale estate, the September heat hangs heavy over the manicured lawns, making even the lofty beeches look listless. Fifteen‑year‑old Peggy Stewart, once a little girl whose mother died when she was six, now moves with the confidence of a young woman, while her father, Captain Neil Stewart, returns from a long sea‑ward assignment, trying to catch up with the daughter he barely knows. As the household bustles with servants and the lingering scent of past sorrows, the summer’s oppressive stillness hints at the stirrings of a new chapter in Peggy’s life.

Determined to step beyond the familiar walls of Severndale, Peggy enrolls at Columbia Heights School, where riding lessons, strict discipline, and budding friendships promise both excitement and testing moments. Her independent spirit clashes gently with the expectations of teachers like the formidable disciplinarian Tzaritza, while the ever‑watchful housekeeper Jerome ensures the home remains a sanctuary amid the changes. Listeners will find herself drawn into Peggy’s earnest attempts to balance duties to family, school, and her own aspirations, setting the stage for a summer of growth and gentle upheaval.