
Weston, a long‑serving house‑man in a respectable London family, finds himself caught in the middle of a bustling pre‑holiday debate. The Hillier household is preparing for a Channel crossing, with the sisters Muriel and Katherine squabbling over routes while Mrs. Hillier worries about the journey’s logistics. Their conversations reveal a mix of genteel anxiety, class differences, and the quirky charm of early‑1900s travel plans.
As the day of departure approaches, Weston must balance his own reluctance to sail with his duty to keep the peace, offering witty mediation and subtle insight into the family’s secrets. Through his eyes we glimpse the domestic rituals, the cramped railway carriages, and the hopeful optimism of a family on the brink of adventure. The story blends gentle humor with a vivid portrait of a world poised between tradition and the promise of a new season.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (482K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Jun 18, 2020
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1859–1930
Known for warm, witty stories about everyday London life, this English novelist had a sharp ear for working-class speech and a gift for turning ordinary moments into memorable fiction. His books were especially admired for their humor and lively Cockney characters.
View all books
by W. Pett (William Pett) Ridge

by W. Pett (William Pett) Ridge

by W. Pett (William Pett) Ridge

by W. Pett (William Pett) Ridge

by W. Pett (William Pett) Ridge

by Vinceslas-Eugène Dick

by Philippe Aubert de Gaspé

by Dion Boucicault