
Part I.
I.
Produced by David Widger
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
A weary but devoted editor finds himself at a crossroads as his silver wedding anniversary looms. Years of steady work, a modest income, and a marriage built on quiet compromise have left him dreaming of the European fields where his love first blossomed. While his wife nudges him toward a long‑awaited escape, his own sense of duty keeps him tethered to the desk and the familiar rhythm of Boston life.
When a persuasive colleague offers him a “sabbatical”—a brief, guilt‑free leave to rekindle that youthful romance—he hesitates, weighing the allure of butterfly‑laden meadows against the practical concerns of family and finances. The promise of a fresh start abroad teases the possibility of breaking free from the rut, setting the stage for a journey that could reshape both his heart and his career.
Language
en
Duration
~14 hours (834K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-10-23
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1837–1920
A leading voice of American literary realism, he helped shape the way everyday life was written into fiction. His stories and criticism made him one of the most influential men of letters in the United States at the turn of the twentieth century.
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