
In the sweltering heat of a late‑June village chapel, Lucy Josling watches her future husband, John Baines, deliver a farewell sermon before he departs for the distant wilds of Africa. The mingling scents of hayfields and the murmurs of gossiping villagers set a vivid backdrop for a love that must soon be tested by distance and danger. As Lucy steps into the bright sunlight, the promise of adventure hangs in the air, while the community’s doubts about missionary work echo through the crowd.
Back home, preparations for John’s journey stir a mix of pride and anxiety, especially among Lucy’s relatives who fear for his safety among “savage” lands. The novel follows their intertwined lives as they grapple with duty, faith, and the yearning for a future together. With gentle humor and rich period detail, the story invites listeners to contemplate what it means to do the right thing when love and conviction collide.
Language
en
Duration
~13 hours (786K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2014-04-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1858–1927
A restless Victorian traveler and prolific writer, he turned decades of exploration in Africa into books filled with natural history, language, politics, and adventure. His work also reflects the ambitions and attitudes of the British Empire, which makes him a vivid and complicated figure to read today.
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