
THE AUTHOR
By - DAISY ASHFORD
WITH A PREFACE BY - J. M. BARRIE
NEW YORK GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY - Published, 1919, By George H. Doran Company
The Young Visiters
CHAPTER 1 - QUITE A YOUNG GIRL - [Go to Table of Contents]
CHAPTER 2 - STARTING GAILY - [Go to Table of Contents]
CHAPTER 3 - THE FIRST EVENING - [Go to Table of Contents]
CHAPTER 4 - MR SALTEENAS PLAN - [Go to Table of Contents]
CHAPTER 5 - THE CRYSTAL PALACE - [Go to Table of Contents]
A bright‑eyed child’s imagination turns a quiet country house into a bustling stage of high‑society intrigue. When visitors arrive, the narrator sketches their manners, fashions, and whispered conversations with a mix of earnest observation and playful exaggeration. The opening scene already hints at a mischievous scheme hatched by the enigmatic Mr. Salteena, whose early‑morning tea rituals set the tone for the tale.
Ethel, a lively young lady, flits through the rooms, delighting in the presence of gentlemen while trying to stay out of the censorious eyes of chaperones. The footman Horace, ever‑prompt with a cup of tea, becomes a small but vital piece of the household’s rhythm, and Mr. Salteena’s secret excitement at the prospect of a private sip in bed adds a touch of comic romance. Through these characters, the story captures the charm of a bygone era seen through the fresh, unfiltered lens of childhood.
Listeners will enjoy the whimsical language and the earnest sincerity of a nine‑year‑old’s attempt to document a world of levées, crowns, and whispered plans. The narrative’s innocent humor and vivid sketches of genteel life make for an engaging, light‑hearted listening experience that feels both nostalgic and surprisingly modern in its curiosity.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (77K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Juliet Sutherland, David T. Jones and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2007-05-11
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1881–1972
Best known for a brilliantly observant novella written at age nine, this English writer became a literary curiosity when the manuscript was finally published decades later. Her work still charms readers with its confident child’s-eye view of adult society.
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